No Dominion - A FH Story Hour

[Eosin]

This thread is now reorganized and edited to fix the numerous gaffs. :stupid:

Notes: See the campaign information HERE (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20258)
Related threads are HERE (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19634), HERE (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12002), HERE (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13426), & HERE (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14250)


A guide to characters:
Torean: A skilled and famous bard in eastern Middea, known for his womanizing ways and his skill with daggers. Played by Eddie.

Arron: A bladesman of no small renown and survivor of the School of Peers. In most battles he uses a quarterstaff unless he means to kill. Played by Audie.

Leonidas: Once a member of the elite royal guards of Vintria called the Immortals. What drove him from the Immortals is unknown but he keeps a low profile. His skill with the elegant Immortals Blade and his incredible reflexes make him a match for anyone. Played by Randy.

Nagus: A warrior infused with the power of the Celestine and wrapped in armor crafted with exquisite workmanship. Nagus is a fearsome foe and easily recognized as a justicar of Brynn with his unnaturally white hair. Played by Myron.

Fyre: An elemental mage infused with the power of nature. Quiet and reserved. Played by Chris.

Jayme Wingate: Second son of the Duke of Wingate and a full wizard. Jayme has an affinity for magical fire which dances at his command. Played by Kevin.

Alacran: Man at arms in the service to the Duke of Wingate and guardian to Jayme Wingate. Alacran is monstrously large and said to be more powerful than a Trollkin. Alacran remains at the side of Jayme but has begun to chafe – he feels overshadowed by the other warriors who claim victory after victory while he minds the mage. Played by Justin.

NPCS
Isolade: Female warrior and ranger. The beautiful woman is refined and possessed of a surprising amount of secrets. She is now with child and married to Torean Norhill. NPC.

Duke Rhys: Warden of the Eastern Marches and possessing more titles than can be comfortably listed, the Duke of Wingate is widely considered the finest general in the entire west. The Duke has been fighting sporadic battles within the Ravenswood for 18 years and has only recently suffered a defeat. NPC

Prince Rafn: Bastard son of the King and current heir to the throne. Rafn has the looks of an angel and can heal even the worst disease with a touch but if he has a soul it is as black as any ghuls. Prince Rafn commanded the school of peers and created his elite bloodguard from those unfortunate enough to survive. NPC

Jhoren Wingate: Heir to the duchy of Wingate and a Captain-Commander of the army of Wingate. He is always found with his men in battle and for that they would follow him into hell. The charismatic warrior borders on recklessness when it comes to showing up his father. NPC

Hiblus the Black: A powerful necromancer who once served Prince Rafn and the Vintrian Synod. He turned against the Prince and was destroyed for it. His pitiful form has resided in a circus for the last 8 years as the slug-man. NPC.

The White Serpent: A female circus freak who is said to be half snake and half human. The party believes that she seeks to kill them and that she feeds on human flesh. NPC.

Laggos the Skindancer: A servant and warrior in the service of Earl Bailstone. He sought to kill the heir to the county of Draysen - paving the way for marriage to the Lady Draysen and the inheritance of the county. NPC.

Earl Rickard Bailstone: Called the Troll of the Gravewoods by his people, a monster by nearly all meanings of the word. NPC

Earl Riddik: An aging earl who no longer fears death, he fears death without distinguishment. This makes him a dangerous man and an easy pawn. NPC.

[Eosin]

The Last Dominion is a world where fantasy and myth clash in a romantic version of the reign of the barbarian empires (950 to 1100 AD).

In Middea, two dynastic struggles threaten to plunge the kingdom into civil war. The king has disinherited the grandchild of his most powerful vassal, the mighty lord of the Eastern Marches, and Marshall-General of the Realm, the Duke of Wingate. The lords of the realm fear madness has gripped the throne, to alienate the defender of the realm while the Eastern Marches are all that stand between the heart of the Realm and the King's mad half brother, Prince Weslyn Ragnerik. Amidst the turmoil over the crown, the young Prince Rafn comes of age blessed by the gods of old, within his hands is the power to heal even the most grievously wounded. Some whisper that even death is may not deny his call. The price of Middea’s Glory will be measured in blood and death.

To the West, the mystic Athan Re quietly raise the banners among the Free People. A call to the Glory of what once was and what will be again. The clan leaders speak of the Free People, who once were and who will be so again. Glory among the Free People has faded but it is not forgotten, it is both the Redeemer and the Reaper.

In the Middle Kingdoms, the mighty Vintrian Empire rots while the Defender of Mankind is consumed with efforts to stave off death. The Empire lies fallow, controlled by courtesans who supply the husk of their dying king with potions and magic’s to extend his existence. In Vintria, Glory is the castrated husk of an empire so self consumed that it does not understand that it has already passed from this world.

In the frozen north, an ancient battle rages in the Fallen Kingdoms. Honor is entombed with the bodies of those who held any, and nobility has been bled from these lands. Here death waits, and all else is a distant dream of the Glory of bygone days.

While men seek personal and national prestige, the fetters of the Adversary have begun to fail unseen by a world that has forgotten.

[Eosin]

Here is the campaign introduction. Players are not required to have attended the School of Peers [see story] but the game will start with the assumption that all players are somehow connected through the School or the later Academy. Two of the PCs did attend the School, one PC has studied at the Academy, one PC is a paladin and has been sent to the Academy at the behest of his church, and the final character had nothing to do with the School or Academy but is connected with one of the other players.



Merrik’s Tale

The king placed his arm around Merrik, the old bard had trouble with stairs of late. It shocked him to discover how well the bard’s robes hid the weight loss.

‘Merrik, it would please me to see you perform one last time before the court. They all bicker and gossip about whom I will pick to replace you. I would like to remind them one last time that you cannot be replaced, that when you have passed none among us will have lived during the age of the hero kings.’

‘I believe you should pick Fingold, he has the voice and he has a sharp…’

‘Stop’ interrupted the king. ‘I am sorry Merrik, I know your opinion on Fingold. I also know that you are distracting me from getting your commitment to recite the Mabinogin.’
The old bard watched the king for a moment, his thoughts taken to another king in another age. His king. His age.

‘I will do it, but not for your court. I will do for the memory of your grandfather. I’ he paused ‘We would all do well to remember his strengths’ the old bard’s gaze held the kings for a moment ‘and his weaknesses. The tale will serve you well in the future.’

The king laughed at the bard’s forwardness. ‘I often forget that those who watched me suckle from the Queen-mother, rarely grant me politeness’.

‘I often forget that if my king catches me on the stairs he will hold me here forever with useless wagging of his tongue. However do you manage the kingdom sire?’

Startled the king realized that they were on the same step where the conversation had begun. After he helped Merrik to his room the king closed the door, but not before Merrik had another spell of coughing. ‘Do not worry, young kingling. I have it by Royal decree that I must perform in less than a fortnight’.

The grand hall was packed for the chilly celebration of Sojen’s birth. Fires burned in the great hearths, allowing all present to momentarily forget that winter would soon be upon them. Merrik entered after the meal. As always he wore the old robes of his office as Master Herald. The bard shuffled towards the stage that had been built for this evening’s tale. Although it violated tradition, the king came down from the head table to help his old mentor onto the stage.

‘My lords and ladies, the king has asked me to share the tales of the Mabinogion with you this evening’ began Merrik. He paused for a moment to judge the crowd. His vision was fading, but the bard could see well enough, even had his sight been completely gone. The hall was filled with fops and sycophants who knew nothing of war or of sacrifice. The unworthy youth that must support his king’s heir. Merrik wondered if he would have thought anymore of himself, he wondered what his mentor Donnel must of thought of him seven decades ago in this very chamber. Did Donnel feel the same sense of guilt to be leaving the world in such incapable hands?

‘The Mabinogin is your Legacy, it was for this.’ He lifted his arms to sweep in the crowd…’For you. Most youngsters ask me to skip ahead to the ’Good Stuff’ and in my youth I have done so from time to time, but tonight I will tell the tale in it’s entirety. The Mabinogin begins before the Hero Kings were born, or even before their parents were brought into this land. It is as old as death, but that story has yet to tale its tale. We are more interested in the Hero Kings and Middea, and THAT story begins in the year 1051, on the night of the Black Battle; the night that Cindares and Nydara struggled near what is now called the Battleford. The battle between brother and sister is only the catalyst of our story, but know this, these two Elder Beings, these Celestine, hated each other more than you can fathom. When they came together in battle, it would not…nay, it could not end until a life was destroyed.

The life of an Elder Being is a reflection of the Flame of Eternity, it touches the Primal essence of all things, the sacred fire that animates us and gives life. A piece of that true essence is housed within the Elder Beings, whether they be Ennwrathi or Celestine. When a container for that shard of divine essence was destroyed it sought to rekindle itself, and the Flame of Eternity is truly enduring. Many women heavy with child awoke suddenly that night, these babes were to become the Hero Kings.

At first, many lived life as you or I might, some as noble born and others as commoner. Eventually, all of these children would recognize their heritage, else they perished. King Sorin Ragnerik had ruled for nearly two decades when it was discovered what these children could become. Many blame King Sorin for the tribulations that followed, but those who knew the king believed his motives were pure in the beginning. What king could resist endowing his bloodline with the powers of the gods? King Sorin was a man of duty, and his duty was to the kingdom, not his 8-year-old son and heir. None know for sure if Rafn was truly from the king’s loins, but all know that a minor noble woman named Risha Lind had long been the King’s mistress. She birthed Rafn on the Night of the Black Battle, making him one of the Blooded.’

Merrik looked out meeting the gaze of one of the young Knights, his bearing much like that of Kristan in his youth. The bard saw other vacant eyes in the crowd. He chuckled. I hate explaining stories.

‘A wave from the sea appears to be moving only when it breaks, but long before that the force of the wave is traveling towards the shore. Though it was not seen, does not negate its existence, the same is true with the Blooded. Shadows and dark things had been in motion long before Nydara’s death, and there was whispering among those who celebrated the Flame Eternal. Few knew the extent of the shadow war taking place while these children grew into their heritage, the beginning of the Anathema.

Most stories date the beginning of the Anathema as the early spring of 1057, when King Sorin divorced his wife Janiece and disinherited his son Andris. He went against the advice of his councilors and immediately married a minor noble woman from the Lind family, she was to become the most reviled queen in the history of Middea: Queen Risha. The heir to the Triple Crown was her son Rafn. Friends of King Sorin claim that the deed festered in him until his end. When he divorced Janiece he offended the greatest magnate of the lands, Duke Rhys Mithrandall, Margrave of the East, Earl of Claypool and Tristor, and Marshall-General of all Middea. The powerful duke took steps to ensure that his daughter and grandson were safely escorted from the capitol of Middea, Chandra, to the Duchy of Wingate. Though this black deed was done in the interest of the kingdom, it would forever set the Dukes of Wingate against the Ragnerik kings.

The Margrave of the East was engaged in a war with the Palatinate of Lorain, and to busy to press his grievances with the king for several years, but his court faction soon found itself distinctly out of favor. With the Margrave busy elsewhere the king moved unopposed.

In 1060, Queen Risha announced the opening of the School of Peers. The school was open to all children of age with Rafn and care was taken to bring children from all over the Triple Kingdoms, so that the young prince might learn more about his countrymen.’ Merrik paused for a drink. The bitter wine was laced with essence of odnium. He hated how the drink dulled his wits, but feared he would be unable to continue without it.

‘So, this then is the beginning of the Hero Kings. In order to understand the Hero Kings, you must understand what happened at the School of Peers. The school was used to find other children who might be Blooded, those who proved to have the spark in them were separated from the others.

What these children, my friends, endured they would not confide in me. Even in old age, as death crept up on those lucky enough to embrace the specter gently, these men still wept when reminded of the school. I know some, bits and pieces given away over drink and such. Many were kept isolated seeing no others except for Prince Rafn, and their trainers. They were allowed to visit with one friend, usually a girl or boy of their age chosen by their trainers. They were denied names; instead they were called by the weapon they were to train with that day. Many times they would be forgotten in their cell for days at a time with no food or water, only to have the prince rescue them. The trainers would frequently beat them, many of the children died from these beatings. I asked a trainer once what caused him to beat such defenseless children, and he told me that all of the trainers drew straws at breakfast each morning to see who would beat their charge that day. It was completely random, the beatings were to teach the children that life was suffering, and the only time they would not suffer was when they were with the prince. If the beatings had been for discipline, the children would have learned to tolerate it for their perceived infractions of the rules, by making the beatings random it forced the children into a state of complete submission. Nothing they could do would change the pain; only the Prince could make it stop.

As the children grew they were forced to do cruel things, at first to animals and then to criminals. The prince would often be at hand to watch them kill, if they failed to do so he would look saddened and explain that because they had disobeyed him he would be unable to visit them for the next several months. This statement frequently broke the children, but those who accepted their fate were beaten more frequently than usual. When the Prince returned he would ask that they perform the task set before them so that he could continue to visit them. Eventually most of the children killed whatever they were asked to kill, without question, without hesitation. When they were done with their grizzly task they would look for the Prince to see if they had pleased him.

The bravest man I have known told me once that after several years of this inhumane treatment, he was brought before the Prince and told that in the next room was someone who had greatly offended the Prince and that they must die horribly. When he opened the door he found his chosen playmate, or as the trainers had begun to call them since the onset of puberty his breed mate. He told me that she took over a day to die.

The children who made it this far were called the Blood Guard, bound to the Prince in their soul. Most did not make it this far however. A few escaped on their own, but a group known as the Shield Knights secreted many away from the compound. The vast majority were slain by Prince Rafn. He began the ritual killing of Blooded children when he was nine; by the time he was twelve he had begun to ritually sacrifice other children or adults who displeased him. He told Mortimer, the dark mage who engineered most of the atrocities associated with the school, that he could tap the Elan of all beings even those who were unblooded. Most believe that at twelve Prince Rafn was already a powerful vessel of the Ennwrathi, and needed death to live. Those who died at his hands were not merely killed, Rafn turned death into an art form.

How many children the Shield Knights secreted away I do not know, but it must have been a little more than a few dozen. They began to unteach these children. They forced them into strong bonds of friendship, put them into tests where only teamwork would succeed.

Discipline was harsh under the Shield knights, but totally fair and measured. A list of rules and punishments was placed in the areas frequented by the children, it was the first thing they were taught to read. The rules never changed, and the pupils were always punished in exactly the same manner each time. The knights and their associates worked to teach a sense of responsibility and control. Children were encouraged to seek out their rightful punishment if they broke the rules and explain why they had done so. Many of the tests engineered by the knights required the breaking of the rules, giving each person power over their environment – if a child chose he could refuse a test. But refusing a test meant that he could not advance. He was allowed to pick the time and manner of his punishment.

The children were divided into groups that had complementary skills. They were housed together, fed together, and trained together. The sleeping quarters were open and had enough bunks for all but one child. The food was prepared for all but one child. The weak and the timid usually slept on the floor and went without food, until one child asked an instructor why another child must suffer just because he was weak. The Knight replied that the weak child did not have to suffer, his friends chose for him to suffer. Only they could solve the problem of the weak being denied what the strong took. Soon the children took turns in bed, and each skipped a meal at their turn. These things did not change overnight, and many scuffles among the strongest children arose from these changes. Leaders arose who help organize their and other groups.

The children were encouraged to name their ‘band’, and competition was encouraged among the differing Cohorts. Though these children had been battered, they were not broken, but it took a long time to undo the damage.

During the training, the gifts of each child were noted and encouraged. A rare few possessed the gift of magic and these were eventually sent off to the Muldegians for further training. Some went to foreign schools to learn combat; all were given every opportunity to develop their talents. Many became men and women during these years. Soon these virgin blades would have to be tested to see if they held the tempering.

Each cohort was brought to Seven Oaks where they stood beneath the great tree and given a mission, they must live as a commoner for one year and a day. Each child was given a map and a family that he or she would become part of. The weapons and armor were taken, the arcane writings stored for future use, and a warning was given to each child. The prince taught you to kill, we have given you skills, and demonstrated that you must rely on one another but we cannot teach you to be people. You will live as a common man, working the lands and animals with your hands. If you cannot do this without violence, if you seek fame or glory, if you try to rule over those who are your family you will fail. Do not return, but if you can do these things return to the tree and we will see what the future holds for you’.

Merrik looked down, he thought about the many times he had met at that monstrous old oak. Many of his friends had asked to be buried there. He had asked his king once what the significance of the tree was.

‘Merrik, for you life has always been what you planned for and worked for. We never knew what that was. The tree was our freedom. It was our secret dream, to be able to choose what we wanted.’

‘Do you youngsters understand the significance of the tree?’ Ironic in a way that under this very tree Sojen had proclaimed his people to be free. The real name of Sevenoaks, should have been Sojens Oak but some scholar somewhere made a mistake.

A few heads nodded. ‘Good, then let me tell you about the first meeting beneath the tree. I was there, and I will never forget when they came riding from out of the woods, those who passed the tests were more than men and kings, they were the sharpest blades forged by human hands and minds. It was the fall of 1075 and…….

[Eosin]

Tonight was the first full fledged adventure and I believe it was a rousing success.

[Killer Shrike]

Cool. Bring it :D

[Eosin]

Echoes of Glory Campaign
The opening scene takes place in the provincial capitol of Draysen County, a walled town called Redgorge, it has been a long winter and spring is just now arriving and with spring comes the season of war. This is an accounting of the adventure as told by Lady Isolade who is not present until sometime later in the telling.

Freya and Arron, two survivors of the infamous School of Peers, had arrived in Redgorge during a spring downpour. The rivers were swollen with snowmelt and the air was still chilly. Lady Brennica, the countess of Highvale and patron of the Academy, had sent the two of them to enquire about the recent raids in the region by the barbaric Vindel tribesmen. It was surprising they made such good time, unless Freya and his command over the weather had something to do with it. Upon arriving, the two of them settled into the local inn of some repute – I believe it is called the Wanderer’s Rest.

I have long puzzled over the presence of Nagus, a paladin of Brynn within the bar and his continued presence among us. While I hate to lay credit on the feet of the Celestine, I can think of no other reason for his presence. I have yet to decide if this is something good or something that should have me worried. When the divine meddle in the affairs of men, nothing good happens. He was hard to miss, a towering albino with piercing blue eyes, not something you see everyday.

Finally, Jayme Wingate a younger son to the highly respected Duke of Wingate and the infamous bard Torean Norhill had just arrived in Redgorge from the south. Destined, so I hear, for Highvale.

The town was in disarray and near panic caused by the death of the Captain Commander of the Countess's guard, Sir Goran Toras. The Inn was full of nothing but talk of how his body was drug through the town by Lagos the Skindancer who took the body right up to the keep itself.

It became apparent after some questioning of the town folk that Lagos and his boss had intentions to marry the countess, which would not bode well for young Bren Draysen who is due to come of age in six months. Sir Jayme had some previous dealing with Lagos and knew why the countess’s guards had left her; Lagos was widely despised and known for his penchant of skinning those who displeased him.

Freya and Arron braved the downpour to visit the fortress proper. Discouraged by finding the gates unmanned and the few men-at-arms on the grounds unwilling to challenge them, the pair walked into the fortress without fanfare.

Young Bren greeted them from the stairway, he held his fathers sword like he knew what he was about but it was obvious to the experienced warriors that he was untested. Accordingly, he waved the sword about and challenging the men and exclaiming his intent to fight them rather than let them have his mother.

The situation was calmed when Arron explained that they wanted to help the countess, not wed her. Arron indicated that a messenger had been sent to Highvale some days ago and that help should be coming from Highvale in less than four days. By the time his explanation was done, the albino paladin from the inn was standing in the doorway, soaking wet. After another round of introductions the Lady Draysen and her newfound guardians discussed matters at hand and the possible goals of Lagos and his superior, Earl Kerwin Riddik.

Meanwhile, Sir Jayme Wingate and the Bard Torean had some conversations with the locals. The locals related that the increasing raids by the Vindel had become more violent than usual, while the barbaric hill folk were rightly feared, they rarely killed without reason, but the raids of the last two months had been wanton butchery.

The two were bound for Highvale but Sir Jayme felt that his father would desire for them to assist Lady Draysen. The Countess had always been a firm supporter of the Duke and with his troubles in Chandra, and the Duke Wingate could scarcely afford to squander any allies. They also reasoned that if the county of Draysen were to fall into the hands of Earl Riddik, they would also lose Highvale since the mountainous province traded much of its mineral wealth for food and other subsistence items. Earl Riddick would only need to close the roads or place an unreasonable toll at Woodbridge to effectively starve the province out. Deciding that Draysen must remain free, the bard and the young nobleman began the soggy march to join those already locked in discussion within the fortress.

Jayme and Torean also walked into the open doors unopposed; thankfully Torean accustomed to the finer things in life, like heat, closed the doors.

The Countess tried to convince the party to flee with her son but several of the more martial members of the ad hoc group tried to form a defensive plan to hold the town. Eventually maternal instinct won out, if the boy was killed the Countess would be forced to remarry, perhaps not Riddick but she would find herself with a royally appointed spouse. Bren Draysen was due to come of age next season and should he live long enough, it would be a simple matter to reclaim his Earldom.

Royal edict prevented those with titles less than ducal from raising more than 100 armed men, for personal use. Even assuming that Earl Riddick ignored the ban, it is unlikely that he could or would desire to face the Duke of Wingate and his famed military on the field.

[Edsel]

Posted below is an in-character journal being kept by my character, the Bard Torean Norhill, in the Echoes of Glory (http://www.mabinogin.com/Heromain.htm) campaign. This is a Fantasy Hero campaign being run by Eosin. Our first game was held the night of Saturday, March 20th. Our next game is not until April 3rd so it will be a while before the next journal entry.

Torean’s Journal – 01

I awoke one fine morning in the castle at Orenstone. The Earl of Northrun, and I have been staying here these past few weeks. On this day, we were summoned to a meeting with Duke Rhys Wingate.

Jayme, with whom I have been traveling, was ordered by the Duke to make the journey to Highvale in order to meet with Lady Brennica. They had some hopes that the lady would provide some aid to his military campaigns in the upcoming summer. I was asked by Duke Wingate to accompany his son on this trip, he felt that I might be able to get some useful information about the Academy, to which he provided generous financial support. The Duke received frequent reports but as most men of his station, he often liked to obtain his own information unpolished.

Our trip was not pleasant, the spring rains and winter thaws made mud our constant companion. We encounted burned out freesteads that seemed to be the work of raiders. Perhaps it is the work of Vendel raiders, but they rarely kill and destroy, they merely steal. After several wet days on the muddy roads we arrived at the town of Redgorge to find that all was not well. We noted an unusual number of people seemed to be leaving the town as we arrived. We headed to the local Inn, the Wanderer’s Rest, to see about gaining lodgings for the night and to try and find out what was afoot.

The two of us beginning questioning the locals about recent events in an effort to determine what was happening. Why were people leaving town? Where were all the town guardsmen? The tidings we received were ill indeed.

Yesterday the Captain Commander of the town guard, Sir Goran Toras, was apparently murdered. Lago, a lieutenant of the Earl of Hailen, Kerwin Riddik, had dragged his body though the streets of Redgorge. He unceremoniously dropped the body off in front of the fortress of Countess Drayson. When his entreaties went unanswered, several locals overheard him making a declaration about returning two days hence. Many of the town guards and the local citizenry are now in flight from the town for fear of what the morrow may bring.

The Countess Drayson is a widower with a son yet to reach his majority. Such is the hazard of such an unwed noble woman. A new marriage and the tragic loss of the rightful heir and the lands would fall to the new husband, however unwanted he might be. It is thus that Lago’s master seeks to expand his own holdings. A terrible injustice looms nigh.

Lago is also known as the Skindancer due to his unsavory practice of skinning his enemies. He is a harsh villain, one who blurs the distinction between civilized man and the monstrous trollkin. From the tales I have heard his mannerisms are more in keeping with the latter. Lago’s master, Earl Riddik, is not a well-liked man. The aged Earl Riddik is a bitter man who desires to expand his holdings and with age his ruthlessness, and lack of tact, has increased.

The innkeeper recognized me soon after we arrived, I get that a lot, and the usual offer of free food and lodging for an evening’s performance soon followed. I consented to play but a few songs for the crowd, I could tell they sorely needed what cheer I could grant them. I was unable to accept the Innkeepers offer since Jayme had resolved that we must make for the fortress to talk with the Countess Drayson.

We arrived at the fortress to find the gate open and the guards missing. Within we found the door to the great hall was standing open and we feared the worst. Fortunately we soon found the Countess Drayson and her 16-year old son Bren in discussion with others who would aid the noble Countess. The other men who had come to the Countess’s aid were; Nagus Pantojan, a Paladin of the god Bryn, Arron Termen who appears to be a worthy warrior, and Frya a mage. This bodes well I thought for Earl Jayme was also a mage. Mages are very rare people and having two in the small town of Redgorge was so unlikely as to be preposterous.

Our council lasted only a scant hour before it was decided that we must escort the Countess and the heir to safety. We chose to use the manner’s escape tunnel into the mountains since the roads of the town would surely be watched. Once away we would flee toward the Eastern March and thence to Brayport. In Brayport we could find a safe route to Orenstone and the protection of Duke Rhys Wingate, Margrave of the Eastern March, Marshall-General of Middea, and the father of Earl Jayme. A trek through the Eastern March was a risky course but also much less likely to be watched. We were barely to emerge from the escape tunnel before we had our first encounter with Lago’s men.

We emerged to discover the weather had again turned and rain was falling steadily. Wooded mountains in the dark in the rain are one of the chief reasons I prefer Inns. Arron scouted the immediate area and soon found very fresh signs of a horseman in the area. We could not turn back now so we began to venture out. Alas we were almost immediately challenged by a group of 4 footmen. These turned out to be some of Lago’s men who were scouting the area and happened upon us by chance. Arron and Nagus valiantly meat these enemies and though out numbered two to one made quick, and bloody work of the overmatched soldiers.

As the battle ended a lone horseman appeared at the edge of the clearing. We knew that we could allow no fugitives for the escapee would surely bring the balance of Lago’s men upon us. Frya the Storm Mage mumbled under his breath some arcane words and coursed through the very air at the incredulous horseman. The horseman’s amazement soon turned to horror as with another spell the breath escaped from his body with a wisp of vapor from his gaping mouth. The horseman fell gasping to the ground and the Storm Mage landed and cracked his head with flat of his blade.

We soon revived the felled horseman, the only survivor of our enemy. From him we learned who they were. Another spell from the Storm Mage ensured that the scout would sleep for many hours so we hid him in some nearby brush. The bodies of the footmen were tossed off the side of the mountain to allay any clue from whence they had fallen. The rain was our ally in covering our tracks. I know not what became of the horseman’s mount.

The climb back down the mountain was exhausting and harrowing but we made it without mishap. The boy Bren had a near fall but was saved from a plunge due the quick and strong hand of the Paladin Nagus. We managed to traverse the valley and reach the mountain pass to the Eastern March by the next evening.

As we made camp we were one again unfortunate enough to encounter a contingent of Lago’s men. There were nearly a dozen of them and Lago was with this party. We resolved that this could be a very dangerous fight and so I volunteered to try and bluff our way past the patrol. I have always been skilled and thinking on my feet and fortunately that skill served me once again. While the Countess Drayson and Bren hid under covers in our makeshift shelter I, Nagus and Arron greeted the patrol. I explained that we were seeking Vendel Raiders due to the bounty that had been placed upon them by the Earl of Terse, a man well known for his unending hatred of the Vendel. They bought it. Since I was recognized I said that I was accompanying these hunters in order to write a sonnet about the great Vendel hunt. Lago’s spokesman, for he would not talk with us directly, told that they were hunting outlaws, a woman and a boy who claimed to be the Countess Drayson and her son. I offered to accompany them on their hunt since that sort of intrigue sounded much more worth of a story. They then hastened to leave since they sought no notoriety in their real endeavors.

The next day we encountered some miners in the pass who warned us of a pair of trolls in the vicinity. Never saw the trolls, or the miners, again. We warned them of the goings on in Redgorge and I hope they avoided the situation as they assured us they would.

Fortune shined upon us in the planes of the Eastern March. We soon encountered a century of troops belonging to Duke Wingate. Earl Jayme ordered them to accompany us to Brayport and thus the rest of our trip was very safe and uneventful.

The town of Brayport is where I grew up and my stepfather Roth, is the owner and Innkeeper of the Lucky Monkey. It is one of the finest Inns in all of Middea and we soon found warm greetings, good food, and friendly people. We soon resolved that we had to send word of the happenings to Highvale of what had transpired in Redgorge. Fortunately I was acquainted with Tael Noried a female guilder who often had goods running between Brayport and Highvale. For the price of an evening’s entertainment for her and her party she was glad to arrange covert delivery of our message to Highvale.

The next day we, with an escort of a dozen of the Duke’s troops, set out for Orenstone, the capital of the Duchy of Wingate. We encountered Lago and some of his men at one of the towns we stopped at overnight. But now we were on the Duke’s land and we had the Captain of the troops inform Lago that he and his men were not welcome here. Heavily outnumbered they peacefully left.

We are now in Orenstone and the Duke is happy with our actions. The Countess Drayson and her Son are safely under the Duke’s protection and two centuries of his troops are now marching to Redgorge to expel Lago’s scum and Earl Riddik’s men. On the morrow we will bid the Countess and Bren our farewells and resume our journey to Highvale.

[Eosin]

Part 2
The group began preparations for a long overland journey. The maids were dismissed but two butlers, Tollin and Gordy had decided to remain in the fortress in an effort to maintain the illusion that the Countess and her son were still present. The toothless old men also had a few surprises for Riddicks men when they tried to take the place. No one had any delusions that anyone remaining in the fortress would be treated with any civility. After several hours, the makeshift party began to climb the hidden stair that provided an escape route for the noble family should the worst occur.

In the darkness and rain above fresh horse sign alerted the party to a scouting encampment. The battle was swiftly closed with arrows being useless in the deluge. The most fearsome aspect of the battle occurred when Fyre summoned the breath of the enemy captain in the darkness, dropping him from the saddle dazed and easily captured.

Bodies were hidden or dropped to the cobblestone far below before the captain was awoken and questioned. The men were ordinary soldiers from the county of Trier. Fearing pursuit the party pressed on in the darkness until they reached Gorn's cleft a narrow defile that provided access to the valley below. The route was treacherous but navigated without injury.

Camping until nightfall let the rain lessen and gave the refugees time to form a plan and get some much needed sleep. With nightfall it was decided that they would flee across the valley and attempt to ford the raging Bray River. The band rightly suspected that both Brayford and Woodbridge would be well watched. All seemed well until the swollen river came into view and Jayme Wingate began to lose his nerve. In the predawn hours Jayme had a few drinks to settle his nerves while Fyre summoned arcane spirits to draw a rope across the river. More than calmed by the strong drink, the refugees realized that Jayme would need assistance across the river.

Making quickly for the Southern Craghorns lest they be caught out in the open, the party collapsed barely noticing their drenched beds. The next day saw more progress into the foothills towards the Eastern March and safety. Drader's Gap was also washed out but still navigable. Early the second day the party joined a makeshift camp of miners searching for gold. The miners warned of troll activity in the hills and of the Vindel raiders who were burning villages along the foothills. Torean spoke with the miners at length discovering that they thought the party to be Vindel headhunters after the bounty placed on the thieving savages by the Earl of Terse.

That evening the party’s camp was set on by more than a dozen men led by a mousey looking figure of nervous mean. The party had little notice but enough to get the countess & her son out of sight. Striding forward, the Bard Torean, spoke with the master at arms for the group, less soldiers than highwaymen. Blessed be Ro, for the corporal had seen Torean perform once in the halls of Lord Bailstone barely two summers ago. Torean explained that the party was hunting Vindel raiders and he was traveling with them in search of some stories. When questioned about the missing countess and her son, Torean perked up and asked if he could travel with the band of warriors on such a noble quest. Stymied, the soldier spoke with the mousy leader, who was later discovered to be Laggos and the troop quickly moved off.

The next few days were rough travel across rougher terrain but without incident. In the Marchlands the party acquired an escort consisting of a full century of men under the service of General Fenthalion, commander of the Eastern March and vassal to the Duke of Wingate. The group was escorted all the way to Brayport and into the territorial lands of Wingate. Torean took up with his family at the Grinning Monkey Inn while the tired travelers rested from the journey before setting out for the capitol of Wingate, the Fortress at Orenstone.

The journey was a quiet one in the lands of Jayme’s father barring an incident at the Wandering Minstrel Inn where the party found Laggos seeking arrangements and asking after them. Sir Jayme Wingate, son of the duke simply commanded the vile Laggos to be directly gone from these lands on pain of death.

The fortress at Orenstone proved both intimidating and welcoming. The duke welcomed the Countess and on hearing her story the Marshall General of Middea dispatched four centuries to quell the unrest in Draysen. Meanwhile, the party collected gear and set to make for Highvale at the soonest opportunity.

Nagus, the Justicar spent many hours alone with the duke and before he left, proclaimed him to be a most blessed man and supporter of the great struggle. Other happenings surely occurred but remain unspoken at the time of this writing.

[Eosin]

Part 3
Still muddy from the spring rains, the roads into Draysen took the party through the lands of Lord Bailstone. The lord is known as the Troll of the Gravewoods for his fierce demeanor and unrelenting battle style. His infamy through the lands of the east had everyone on edge. Noble titles and famed performances would not afford one leniency in under the harsh laws of the Gravewoods.

The party felt more at ease when they reached the rustic town of Woodbridge. The most southern crossing of the Bray River by foot or horse, the small town held strategic and economical power disproportionate to its size. The feeling of relief was short lived. In the central square of town was a pillory surrounded by small folk chanting for the death of some unlucky soul. Arron pushed his way through the crowds to see what was transpiring while the rest of the group headed for the Weary Traveler, an inn famed in the region for its fine fare and comfortable accommodations.

Chained and miserable in the center square was a Mendicant priest and Bishop of Draysen, the father Haerflyn. He face was battered from thrown rocks and his fine clothes stained with spoiled fruit. Arron stood in front of the Bishop in a rash moment and declared the priest to be under his protection, at first the crowd seemed ready to surge forward and teach the warrior the folly of his confidence but before they could do so, the pale form of the Justicar made his way forward. Faced with two warriors, one the intimidating albino in service of the Mighty Host the crowd quailed.

Meanwhile, in the inn Torean had spoken with the barkeep and discovered that the Bishop had admitted to helping hide a runaway Vindel savage. The mayor of Woodbridge had taken the priest into custody to save him from the refugees of the Vindel slaughters but when the mob began to threaten the mayor’s home with fire, he brought the Bishop forward with a sentence of the rack for five days and nights.

After long and heated discussions on the best manner in which to proceed, it was eventually decided to speak with the Bishop and if necessary guard him for the next several days. Arron had been speaking with the pilloried priest while the party cavorted in the inn and eventually relayed the whole story to his companions. A young Vindel man and his companions had been set upon by raiders east of Woodbridge. Wounded and bleeding, the leader of the group had sought shelter within the temple of the Great Fellowship. The Bishop was leery of the huge savage but saw in his heart that the brute cleaved to the tenants of the faith and was a good man.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, the Vindel warrior had been tracked to the temple. The region has suffered greatly under the recent raids of extraordinarily brutal Vindel raiders and the locals along with refugees from the Vindel raids were in a mood for a lynching. Fearing for the life of the young man who had entrusted himself to the care of the temple, Bishop Haerflyn helped him escape. But, the mob had the taste of blood in their mouths and they would not be satisfied with the bishop’s perceived betrayal. Fortunately for the bishop the mayor arrived and took him into custody. Fearing for the safety of the town, the Bishop pleaded with the mayor to sentence him to the pillory - with the blessing of the Great Fellowship (The mayor rightly feared retribution for sentencing one so far above his own station.). The party decided that the good bishop could not be left to the mercy of the angered refugees and decided to protect him though his sentence.

With guard duty decided, the party settled in for a long delay. The night passed uneventfully, but the early morning duty fell to Fyre and the storm mage did not return to wake his relief. Fearing the worse, the party braved the rain to find Fyre near death with an arrow in his chest and the Bishop’s body already cold. Fyre was taken to a local healer, while she was not trained in the ways of the Order of Apathos, she was able to stabilize him.

[Eosin]

Part 4
Scouting in the rain proved fruitless. No trace of the assailants could be found. Jayme and Torean felt that perhaps a professional tracker might be needed if they were to catch the assassin (and by the shot that took the life of the Bishop he was an expert marksman). The two of them roused the Mayor, who was put off by the intrusion but quickly cooled when he discovered that he was speaking with one of the Lords of Wingate. The mayor directed the party to a woman come recently to these parts and who had just came to the mayor yesterday to offer her services as a tracker. That woman just so happens to be me (Isolade).

Leaving their gear, the party raced head long in the muddy predawn to my makeshift home where I was waiting for them with my gear packed and ready for the long journey ahead. Arron and Freya were familiar to me as men who had spent time at the Academy where I occasionally taught woodland skills. Making quickly for town with a minimum of discussion the men watched me perform my assigned duties as if expecting that a woman might not be able to manage the task. Soon, the party packed their belongings and made to meet me on the outskirts of town. I noted rather quickly that we were headed into Gravewood county and the home of the infamous Earl Bailstone, a man known for his penchant towards violence and oppression. By nightfall we had arrived at Lichefield and I was fairly confident that our prey had also entered the small town.

The bard Torean & Arron entered Lichfield where Torean plied his trade well at a dismal inn called the Good Rest. Before they had retired to the rooms for the night they had learned that a party of five warriors had arrived a few hours earlier under the command of one of the men know to enforce the will of Earl Bailstone. Sir Karse was known as a violent and rough man who took great pride in his bloody work.

We had spilt the group in two, half camping in some near by woods and half in the town, several days passed before we were given a chance at the killer. For men who value honor and justice, the party I found myself traveling with had a knack for the fine art of the ambush. The sniper and his men never even drew weapons. Arrow fire, including my own, made short work of the unarmored men. Fearing to leave a trail and also desiring to send a message, the men left sign that Sir Karse and his men had been done in by a Vindel raid.

Returning to Woodbridge nearly two weeks later we found Fyre was up and if not hale at least ready for the ride to Redgorge. I elected to continue my travels with the party at the command of my mother superior, and truthfully I had best not remain in one spot too long lest my past catch up with me. Spring was fading and summer well on its way as we entered Redgorge. It had been nearly two months since the men had joined company and nearly a month since I had joined them.

Torean made several comments on how Redgorge had changed dramatically since their hasty departure, buildings had been burned, pleasant streets ruined, and the fortress had been sacked among other things. Fluttering above the fortress was the welcoming sight of the Draysen colors and below them the colors of Wingate. Soldiers moved briskly about their business in the streets and peace had come to the quiet little county.

[Eosin]

Part 5
While collecting additional supplies we were surprised to be approached by a large Vindel youth. His scars and massive size deterred many who would have taken advantage of his youth but not the guardsmen of Jayme, who had been a quiet presence until now. Standing, the two giants nearly came to blows and the hate in the eyes of Sir Jayme’s guard foreshadowed problems to come.

The Vindel youth, called Ivanic explained that he was recently rescued by the Bishop Haelfyrn and had seen their faithfulness to him. Honor demanded that he avenge his fallen fellows and those who had caused the death of the Bishop indirectly. He spoke at length with the party pointing out inconsistencies with the "Vindel Raids" and the way his people raid the lowlands. The Vindel do not take enough to force people off of land, they do not kill needlessly, they never leave slaughtered animals, and they do not burn villages. To do these things would cause the raiding lands to be abandoned or heavily garrisoned both of which could jeopardize future raiding. It was not the way of the Vindel to raid like this. Already understanding these things and aware that the raids were just a cover to seize Redgorge by Earl Riddick we agreed to help the Vindel find the raiders.

Several weeks sifting through burned and abandoned villages revealed little other than the depths cruelty of the raiders. Eventually we discovered a recently raided farmstead, one with fresh tracks for me to follow. We trailed the raiders into the foothills, eventually realizing that the raiders were headed south using the Craghorns to hide their movements. Taking to the lowlands, where we could out pace the raiders we drove our horses like mad to get ahead of them and then intercept the killers. Once again, arrow fire proved to be the downfall of unarmored men, these friends of mine all have the making of fine woodsman. Searching the bodies we discovered that the raiders were headed to a base camp several days to the south.

Scouting out the camp proved to be easy but taking the hollow it rested in would be another matter. Nearly a dozen raiding parties used the hollow as base camp with permanent sentries and a defensible approach protected by a wide stream. Formulating our strategy, we removed the northern sentry in the dark of night. Using the hole we had created we advanced on the sleeping camp hoping to bring death on the sleeping raiders.

I had wondered about the possibility of other sentries and was not amused to be spotted by a distant guard as we began the dirty work. The camp was turned into an inferno of burning tents and dying men and women. Fyre and Jamye, for the first time unleashed the devastating power of Elan (magic) at their command. The raiders were panicked by the amount of raw magical power commanded by our party and with the disorganized defense they were cut down easily. Arron & Nagus had made their way to the command tent and just as Laggos the Skindancer was exiting. What ensued was a dramatic display of weapons work, perhaps some of the finest that I have witnessed, as Laggos transformed himself into some monstrosity with claws and fangs. As the surrounding battles dwindled the creature that had once been Laggos sensed the turning tides and chose to flee. His were-form was much to fast to follow.

In the morning we finished collecting what valuables we could find and returned with several horses to Redgorge. The commander of Redgorge took note of our report and would return the goods to the growing number of homeless and needy in Redgorge. He would also see to it that the Duke was informed of his son’s findings.

Satisfied that we could do no more, the journey to Highvale awaited us but not before we departed company with Ivanic the Vindel.

[Eosin]

Part 6
Upon returning to Highvale we made plans to attend a circus. On the journey to Highvale we had heard several rumors about the circus which had a nefarious reputation in the towns of the valley. Unfortunately we encountered a brawl between two young lads over the affections of a young lady immediately upon entering the circus. The cheeky lass was fearful that the boys might hurt each other. Unable to stand the comely young lady’s distress - Nagus, Arron, & Leonidas taught the town what brawling really looks like. We all felt a bit uncomfortable as the one of the teens and both of the fathers were carried away on stretchers, the girl, of course was sobbing at the display of martial prowess. Looking for a place to hide from the stares of the crowd, we decided to check out the freak show.

Within the tent of the freak show were several odd looking creatures, including a dog boy, midgets, bearded ladies, a giant man, and even a slug man. The last caught the attention of Arron who scrutinized the charred and melted form of the pitiful creature he had found. Convinced that there was something familiar about the mass of flesh he attempted to speak with it. I know that Arron was shaken to discover that the man was none other than Hiblus the Black – once the head master of the school of peers and a man who had abused Arron and Fyre in ways unmentionable when they were children. Arron Left the circus and re-joined several other members of the group who were promising a young lady that they would take her away from the circus that evening. Sometimes I wonder why I travel with men who are so blind to the ways of the fairer sex?

At Arron’s demand we made plans to raid the circus that night – plans that included taking the girl and Hiblus. We arrived shortly before sunset and met Eris, the young lady held against her will by the circus masters. She asked help in retrieving her mother’s wedding ring from her tent before leaving. Several of the group followed her to the carnie section of the circus, where they encountered Madame Zora a seer of some repute. Several of our party spoke with the Madame about issues that they have kept to themselves, however Torean was unable to get the answers that he sought and was instead invited to call upon the Madame in a weeks time in the town of Brayford (just down the valley and one of two ways to cross the Bray river). Leaving the tent we headed to the freak show, noting for the first time a separate tent housing a creature called the White Serpent.

With a mixture of magic and stealth we rescued Hiblus without fanfare or combat. We secreted him away to the Academy where he was questioned by Arron. Apparently, Hiblus had been a cruel and vicious head master at the School of Peers but what had troubled Arron the most was his complete dispassion – he beat the children and worse but never took either joy or remorse in the beatings. It was just something that he did. Now, Hiblus was in the hands of those whom he had crushed but his legs had been amputated, most of the left side of his face charred beyond recognition – a charring so deep that his teeth protruded where his cheek should have been – and the rest of his body appeared to have been liquefied before gelling into its current form.

Several of the students who had survived the School of Peers discussed what was known about Hiblus (In all there are less than two dozen survivors at the Academy). He was a master of the dark arts of Necromancy and once an Archon of the Vintrian Synod. While his necromantic prowess was unchallenged, he was also recognized as a powerful wizard even barring his powers over the Ennwrathi. He beat the children without mercy, joy, or regret – occasionally even using the powers of necromancy to inflict pain that went far beyond anything that the human body was meant to experience. There was no act so foul that he would balk, nor a sight so gruesome as to cause him to turn away.

The questioning lasted several days and the once mighty Hiblus never resisted the questioning. The truth of the matter was almost beyond belief. Prince Rafn, master of the School of Peers and heir to the throne of Middea had committed to some act so black that even Hiblus rebelled against it. Believing himself to be more than a match for the prince he struck with all of the powers at his disposal. He lost. The prince made a lesson of the broken mage – fearing neither the knowledge nor the necromantic power of one of the mightiest mages in all of Middea. Hiblus was questioned repeatedly and even compelled to answer what it was that the prince had done but to no avail – the knowledge simply was not there. Whatever the prince had done would remain a secret for the time being.

[Eosin]

Part 7
We made plans to speak with the Duke of Wingate about the news from Hiblus. Reaching him would be a challenge; he had retired to the Fortress at Ridgewall and was expected to take the field in the Ravenswood sometime soon. Collecting supplies we set off to find Jayme’s father – the Duke of Wingate but first we needed to stop at Brayford and speak with Madame Zora. Among the other secrets that Torean was keeping from us was his desire to know the answer to a certain question.

Before we left out Arron, Nagus, & Alacran had the occasion to meet a Vintrian swordsman by the name of Leonidias who took up travel with us for his own reasons.

If the encounters at the circus went badly the week before they were a disaster in Brayford. We met with Madame Zora. Torean apparently discovered the information he sought but also discovered that the White Serpent sought to destroy us.

While we were getting ready to leave, I spied the movement of several crossbow welding thugs who seemed intent on killing us. Arron and Nagus sprang out the tent drawing their fire in a blur of motion. Neither was seriously wounded but found themselves facing nearly a dozen armed men – thankfully once again none of them were armored. The Ringmaster seemed ready to fight until he saw up close the destruction that my companions were capable of unleashing. Instead, he ran into the big top.

Rapidly dispatching the assailants we gave chase, hoping to catch the ringmaster but he had unleashed several wild creatures and the knife throwing triplets who were one of the major draws of the circus. Fyre summoned vast amounts of Elan, rising into the air searching for the ringmaster. Less taxing but no less impressive, Jayme used the torches within the tent as his eyes seeking the coward within the big top. What Jayme saw was not the Ringmaster; it was a scene of carnage. A lion had broken free in the commotion and had killed one of the trained goats – at the sight of a wild lion in their midst’s the crowd had panicked stampeding the exits. Torches were overturned and fire rapidly engulfed the big top. Fearing the loss of hundreds our way against the crowd in an attempt to rescue those trapped within.

Sooty and coughing we emerged from the tent as heroes but heroes who had lost sight of our prey. Both the Ringmaster and the White Serpent had escaped into the Bray River where I could not track them.

[Eosin]

Part 8
Torean and I had been sharing a bed for sometime when the other members of the group were otherwise occupied; even still it was quite a shock when they discovered my indiscretions with Torean. The trek through the Eastern Pass of the Craghorns was arduous as always but even more so when I began to suffer sickness in the mornings and we were forced to call the march while I heaved my breakfast. Soon, the others began to suspect what I already knew - more than merely bad food was the cause of my condition. I never realized that Arron & Leonidas felt so strongly about congress. It caused a bit of fury amongst the men, however even delayed by morning sickness and occasional bouts of bickering that strayed close to open violence we reached Ridgewall within the month.

Ridgewall is the most secure fortress in all of Middea – and boastfully within the world. The fortress is situated atop a 200 mile long cliff face that ranges in height from 50 feet to 125 feet. The wall, while assailable in many places without rope, prevents any real troop assault. At the foot of the Fortress is a smaller fortification called Breaker Keep – to gain access to the narrow defile leading up the exposed cliff face one must first take the well fortified lower fortress while it defends itself. To make the task more harrowing arrows and worse rain down from the fortress proper. Many of the best generals will not even consider a siege, instead leaving a contingent of men out of bow shot to hem the garrison in.

The ascent into Ridgewall was impressive for those of us who had never been here before. It is an active military fortress and was quite a sight. Ridgewall normally houses a contingent of nearly 2,000 trained soldiers but the numbers far exceeded that today if I can count. General Isam Fenthalion, reputed for his stern leadership and iron nerves normally commands the fortress but at the present time he had taken to the field with the Duke. Serving in his stead as commander was Jayme’s brother and heir to the ducal seat of Wingate – His Grace Jhoren Wingate. It was obvious that Jayme both looked forward to and dreaded the meeting with his brother and someday his liege. Jhoren is everything that his brother is not; loud, confident, and commanding.

The Jayme was invited to a private dining with Jhoren. He later told me that the meal was an austere affair with Jhoren displaying his typical warrior’s bravado and occasional recklessness. Jhoren told Jayme that he would be taking 450 mounted warriors and 10 scouts into the Ravenswood after their father and that he intended to meet an army that had gotten past the duke in the dense woodland. After small talk and fine food, Jayme came to speak with us and detailed his brother’s plan. Several of the more military minded commented on the stupidity of bringing such a large force of mounted knights into a woodland without a huge contingent of foot to screen. Arron went so far as to call his grace a “knucklehead.” Fearing for the life of his brother Jayme sought out the commander of the garrison in an attempt to stop Jhoren but was informed in no uncertain terms that Jhoren outranked everyone in this fortress and even if the idea was bad – it was his to make. It was also pointed out by the Captain that Jhoren was a veteran Captain-Commander and was highly regarded for his skill at the craft of war.

The next morning saw the departure of Jhoren and his warband but not before my wedding to Torean, I should say Lord Torean but I think I will spring that one on him later. Many of the soldiers stopped by to wish my husband well but many were bemused that one of the most famous philanders in the realm would find himself wed in a fortress that could not be escaped. As if that was an accident?

[Eosin]

Part 9
We spent several days gathering supplies and requisitioning a few scouts who knew the woods well before setting out to find the Duke of Wingate. I got to spend a good deal of time with Torean before the group left. While Arron, Nagus, & Leonidias worked on refining thier skills with the blade. Interestingly, Arron noted that many of the men at arms came to the parade grounds when he was practicing – I have heard many of them comment on his skill with both the sword and staff.

The Ravenswood was once an ideal sylvan type woods but that was nearly a generation ago before the Palatinate of Lorain went to war with Middea. The Mad Prince of Lorain, Weslyn Ragnerik claimed the throne of Middea as his own and with the support of Numeria he attacked and seized the land that now bears his mothers name. In the intervening 18 years, seasonal campaigns have fed the Ravenswood nothing but blood and suffering. Now the land, even the trees, are suffused with the power of death, a power that fuels necromantic magic. With the balance of Elan (magic) pitted so greatly in favor of necromancy, other more benign types of magicians have watched as their power waned.

Fearing to dally longer my companions set out to find the Duke, leaving me within Ridgewall to await their return. The Ravenswood proved to be both foreboding and deadly. Not long into the journey they were set upon by one of Prince Rafn’s elite bloodguard and two corrupted creatures that I believe are blood demons. Tragen the Bloodguard (Arron knew him well at the School of Peers), made for Jayme right away but was met blade for blade by Arron. Arron found himself set upon by both demons and Tragan. Knowing that the demons were nearly immune to his blade – Arron screamed for the mages (Jayme & Fyre) to destroy them with magic. Apparently, sensing that defeat was imminent but refusing to fail even in death Tragen made a lunge for Jayme hoping to succeed in his mission even if it cost him his life – failing the Prince could cost you far more than just your life. However, the spilt second where Traegan lunged was all that Arron needed to kill the man.

Shaken and wounded Arron, Leonidas, and Nagus discussed the skill of the warrior and the deadliness of the demonic creatures. They also told me of their puzzlement on how they could have been discovered within the woods – alas the problem remains unsolved but we do know that Prince Rafn wants Jayme Wingate dead.

At this point, Torean discovered within his scabbard a small note left by me. It said – beware of the man in black, if you face him you will die. Use the silvered blade against the nightwalker. It is much more difficult to explain what my visions tell me than to relay the vision and hope that when the time comes it will make some sense.

Travel during the next week was difficult for the men but without incident until the scouts brought news that they had spotted the Dukes army and it was engaged in a pitched battle just west of Oldbone Gap. They made for a high vantage point and watched as two massive armies fought in the chaos of the Ravenswood. Jayme spotted his fathers banner among the trees and raced to meet him.

[Eosin]

Part 10
Once among the tents of their allies and the duke, my companions sought an audience with the Duke. Though harried and exhausted from days of running battles the duke was in good humor especially at the sight of his son Jayme. The duke had chance to observe Jayme’s friends on one other occasion and if he is too be believed he was impressed with their martial ability – even the best warriors he had would be hard pressed against some of my companions.

After listening to his son and friends, the duke explained his current situation. The enemy army was not the problem – the problem was the necromancer who supported the army. He had literally raised an entire unit of slain soldiers and marched them against the duke. Forcing the duke’s men to kill their one time companions. Duke Rhys seems well versed in magecraft but he admitted to his son that the power of this necromancer was beyond anything that he had seen before. If the necromancer could be removed then the army could at least be checked if not defeated. It must have been hard for the old duke to ask his son if the necromancer could be beaten.

Jayme, of course, answered yes. I am not sure if it was out of love for his father, the desire to prove himself, or because he had gauged the power of the necromancer and truly believed that he could win – but it was a hasty and ill thought out answer. Jayme explained to his father that the balance of magic, Elan – was skewed in this region and fueled the power of the necromancer even while it dimmed his own. Likely the necromancer was no where near as powerful as his father believed – not that this would make any difference if they faced him within the woods but it was some comfort.

They spoke late into the night and the men laid out their plans for the battle to come – the duke would marshal his forces and launch an offensive during the night. He had secretly sent several hundred of his men into the high hills of Oldbone Gap to lay wait for the enemy army as it pursued the army of the duke. While this movement of men was going on – the duke watched as his son went off to fight a man with power over life and death. I know that he must have wondered if the next time his saw his son would he be a man or some corrupted creature that must be destroyed?

My companions made their way into the hills and above the camp of the enemy army. Scouts searched for more than an hour before spotting the tent of the necromancer hidden among the trees. Luckily, the men of Lorain feared the undead servants of the necromancer as much as the men of Middea did. The necromancer had pitched his tent a small distance away from the main body of the camp along with two other tents – one remained empty while the other housed a man dressed in black. The scouts and Leonidias searched the area carefully spotting several undead sentries who guarded the entrance to the necromancer’s tent. Moving their companions into position they prepared to face the powers of death in the hands of a mad man.

Launching into an all-out offensive Jayme launched a spectacular explosion into the tent of the necromancer. Then the fighting began in earnest with the necromancer calling upon foul energies to sear the breath from Arron. Torean and Leonidias moved towards the other tent before Torean recalled the warning of the man in black. Suddenly, one of the scouts traveling near them fell to the ground screaming as he was set upon by the lighting fast Black Troll. Leonidias drew his sword and moved toward the creature drawing on the many years he spent learning how to battle such dark foes. He steeled himself into a calm center anticipating the battle to come.

The necromancer’s spells and magic were proving difficult to overcome and Arron, as skilled as he was, would soon fall to against the creature. Jayme had spent himself against the foul magic of the creature but to no avail. While my husband fiddled with his daggers thinking of the impossibility that one could harm the necromancer where spell and steel had failed. In the darkness he pulled a dagger noting that he had drawn the silvered one by mistake…or was it. Trusting in his luck and in my warnings about the nightwalker he took aim at the necromancer….the nightwalker. The blade flew true taking the creature in the gut and sinking home, silver it would seem resisted the black magic. Without a moment’s hesitation, Arron drew his sword, and took the head of the creature for good measure. The Black Troll for reasons unknown to us melted into the tree line rather than continue the fight.

I was told that the flight from the camp was frantic and punctuated with brief combats followed by short periods of hiding. Never the less, my companions made it to safety while the Duke’s men began the fighting retreat into the pass where rangers waited in ambush, ready to make Lorain pay for every inch of the pass.

[Eosin]

Characteristics & Characters in this campaign.

Here is the chart I use for my FH game. I base many characters off of mythological, fantasy literature, and cinematic figures so it makes sense for me to define their rough range for the players to compare. The game boarders on cinematic but in a Conan type of way rather than in a Xena type of way.

My Heroic games tend to have higher CVs than my supers games simply because the DEX values are fairly close and combat levels and bonuses are much more likely in Heroic games. Our "Street Level Games" (Fantasy Hero and Dark Champions) also tend to incorporate a large amount of Martial Arts which further boosts CV.


Speed
2 Farmers, Levy.
3 All warriors but the very elite agent types.
4 Elite Guards, Maximus (Gladiator), Gimli, W. Wallace (Braveheart), Ajax, Obi-One, Qui-Gong, Luke Skywalker, Druss, Boromir, King Arthur.
5 Conan, Aragorn, Beowulf, Hercules (Sorbo), Lan, Hector, Mace Windu, Darth Maul.
6 Achilles, Lancelot, Legolas, Bruce Lee

Dex
10 Levy, Untrained warriors.
12 Skilled militia, thugs, stormtroopers
14 Soldiers, Guardsmen, Mercs
15 Elite Guards, Knights, Gandolf
17 Personal Guards, Gimli, Ajax, Average Elf
18 W. Wallace, Druss
20 Boromir, King Arthur, Maximus, Obi-One
21 Hercules (Sorbo), Rand, Luke Skywalker
23 Conan, Aragorn, Hector, Waylander, Darth Maul
25 Galad, Lancelot, Mace Windu
26 Achilles, Bruce Lee
28 Legolas

Strength
13 Soldiers, Guardsmen, Mercs, Legolas
15 Elite Guards, Knights, King Arthur, Luke Skywalker
18 Rand, W. Wallace,
20 Aragorn, Mace Windu
23 Perrin, Boromir, Darth Maul, Druss
25 Conan, Bullwief (13th Warrior),
28 Tarzan, Darth Vader
30 Ogre, Ajax
35 Troll, Beowulf
40 Hercules
50 Balrog

[Eosin]

Part 11
The party began their fighting retreat into the hills of Oldbone Gap as the sun was rising. The next few days were spent in running engagements fighting along side the duke’s rangers who were hassling the supply trains and stragglers of the enemy force before moving to meet with the main encampment of the duke.

After more than a week spent in the field under nearly constant combat conditions, the rangers & the party located the army of the duke but they were unable to reach the army by any direct route. Scouting around the enemy, they discovered that the army of Wingate had met another enemy force west of Oldbone Gap and had retreated to a defensible position to make their final stand – they were out numbered nearly 2 to 1.

From the ridge of the Taeg Valley, the commander of the rangers began to send out scouts looking for a weak spot in the enemies ranks. They quickly discovered that the armies of the duke had encamped north of a deep but fordable river within the vale and much of the enemy army had pursued him there and blocked all retreat. The armies of Lorain had deployed for a costly frontal assault, made much more costly by the terrain which denied them the use of their cavalry. A hasty and dangerous plan was soon hatched that would see the duke free.

The mounted knights of Lorain had been held in reserve south of the river, nearly a thousand of them were scattered among the trees in various groupings that could maintain contact with the command. Bringing the rangers in for archery support; Torean, Leonidas, Jayme, Arron, Nagus, & Alacran made their way in behind the reserve. Drawing on every bit of arcane power he possessed Jayme unleashed a storm of fire into the midst of the enemy knights while the rest of the men added to the chaos by moving in among the tents and laying waste to their opponents in the smoke filled valley.

Within minutes the archers rained arrows upon the massing enemy, sending the already freighted horses into a full fledged panic. The reserve was routed and the command tents abandoned as fire & death ripped through the south side of the valley. Seeing the chaos across the river, the commanders of the enemy army prepared to face attack from both directions by splitting their footmen. Rhys Wingate, sensing what was possibly his only shot at getting out of the Ravenswood alive chose to fight his way free of the valley. The morning was a terrible one in terms of the number of good men who met their end in Ravenswood but the duke was able to free the main body of his troops and once again take up a fighting retreat. It seemed that the way to Ridgewall and safety had opened up.

[Eosin]

I have edited all of the previous posts and cleaned up a bunch of garbage. I also changed the POV to that of Isolade - Torean's wife. She makes the perfect character to recount the story. I will post her Character Sheet here in a bit after I finish the last bit to bring us up to date.

I will give it a few days and then read the whole thread again to see what I missed as far as huge gaffs.

[Eosin]

And as part of the on-going quest to shape this thing up into something respectible, in-character stories posted here will net a character a max of 1 exp between adventures. The story should be roughly 500-600 words but as long as it is relevant it can be of any length (no stories that say "I sharpen my sword.").

[Eosin]

Part 12
Several times during the retreat from the Ravenswood the party felt like they were being stalked by some sort of creature but they never left the vicinity of the solders to seek it out.

When they returned to Ridgewall, I took a few moments with each of them to get a recounting of the month long adventure within the woods. Torean had a few questions of me also, wondering how I knew that the silver dagger would work on the Nightwalker. He was also suspicious of the mother superior who had come to stay with me through the pregnancy. It must have seemed strange for him to hear me defer to the young slip of a girl as Mother Onna, but the order does not base rank on age.

Jayme was worried that his brother had not yet returned from the Ravenswood and confided as much to anyone who would listen but his father forbade him from mounting an expedition to find him. The men of Ridgewall were wary and needed rest before they would be ready for combat again. There was some heartening news Jayme’s cousin, and according the Wingates - the presumed heir to the throne of Middea, Andris Ragnerik would arrive at Ridgewall within the week.

Trying to pass the time, my companions engaged in a number of activities most of which remain unknown to me. I do know that Torean spent some time in the town searching for word on the White Serpent but Ridgewall is an active fortress and has little in the way of learned men. He did pick up news that the Duchy of Enverness was having a difficult fall with numerous Trollkin raids. It also appears that the Barony of Tharad had seen the recent arrival of several royal warships with full contingents of marines.

Tharad is a city under royal control but located within the Eastern Marches. The king appoints barons to key cities that remain an official part of the royal demesne. This appointment allows the king to maintain control and to discourage any malfeasance on the part of the peerage. Tharad controls access to Deeping Firth and to the Middean Channel making it vital in terms of both trade and military use. Often called the second city of Middea, Tharad boasts a population of approximately 12,000 many of whom are foreigners.

Arron found dining with many of the nobles and their captains to be rewarding. Apparently he has petitioned the duke for permission to open a school of arms within the duchy. His skill as a swordsman had been noted before but after the battle of the vale, our entire group has gained an alarming amount of attention. If Torean can be believed, and judging by the comments of others he can, during the battle of the vale my companions single-handedly routed the Lorain cavalry and slew over a hundred knights that day. I even saw a bard who has stated that he intends to write a song about the battle. Arron was granted the deeds to one of the abandoned Vintrian forts that remain intact in the Northrun province, which Jayme will one day inherit.

Alacran has petitioned the duke of Wingate to release him from service so that he might travel as an equal among our group rather than as a servant to Jayme. Truthfully, I believe that he boils at the amount of glory given to the other warriors.

As to the others, I did not see them during the week.

The Duke held a grand feast in honor of Prince Andris and it was a queer sight to see him bow before his own grandson but the Duke stands on tradition and I assume that he expects his vassals to perform the same obeisance as himself. The Prince is only a few years older than Jayme. Like Jhoren he is charismatic and mantled with power that comes from skill at arms and the confidence of youth. His smile is disarming and coupled with the ease at which he makes those around him feel comfortable there is little doubt that if he can best Rafn he will be a king whose name is long remembered.

Nagus and Jayme were both invited to the main table and feasted with some of the greater nobility of Middea. The feast did not go exactly as planned though. In the midst of merry making and a song by Torean, Jhornen and his men returned from the forest. Jhoren strode to the king and hugged him like a brother then had his men unveil the head of some sort of demonic creature. I found it odd that he told the Prince in exile that “the deed is done, my king.” It seems that the whole issue of cavalry in the woods may have been a ruse but if it was a ruse who were they trying to fool?

With the arrival of Jayme’s brother, the Prince in exile retired from the feast with the Duke and Jhoren.

Early in the morning Jayme and the rest of us were summoned to the chambers of the Prince in exile. It was difficult to look fearsome with such a large belly. Enverness had been the subject of much intrigue since the Duke was killed several years ago, a persistent rumor indicated that his son still survived but was hunted by his distant cousin who took the throne at the request of Rafn. Prince Andris wants us to go into Enverness and deal with this troll problem – and he wants it known that we support the claimant to the ducal title rather than Rafn’s toady. Since it is unlikely that we will get there before winter, the Prince did not command us to leave with haste but instead to settle our business here and then begin the trek. We would have left post haste if not for Jayme’s insistence that the group visit Tharad to search for the White Serpent.

[Eosin]

Part 13
I helped get everyone ready for the trip to Tharad but an uncomfortable feeling settled on me. This trip was dangerous and it was frustrating beyond my ability to cope that I could not see the danger. As the party began their journey it was even more unsettling that Leonidas, Alacran, and Fyre were to remain behind on some unfinished business. That night I visited each of them and told them of my fears for their friends. In the morning they set out after the companions.

During the second day of travel along the firth, Arron noted the smell of smoke. Jayme drew upon his command of fire to search out the fire and discover its meaning. The blaze was consuming a abbey a few miles north of the city and only a mile from their location. With his fire site he was able to discern several robed figures attacking the monks within. Spurring their horses the party raced to the Abbey.

There were two robed guardians left at the entrance who provided some resistance to their entry but even with the cover it was only a minor delay. Once inside the main chapel they encountered several more of the robed figures interrogating the abbot. The fight that ensued was brutal with no quarter asked nor given. I am told the Nagus suffered a terrible blow by a dagger that slid under his chin strap nearly killing him.

Torean and Jayme faced one of the robed warriors outside who nearly killed them with a sickly black gourd that exploded when it struck the ground sending shards of putrid material ripping through the air. Before the battle was done each of the companions had suffered wounds and several were teetering on the edge of blacking out. The queerest thing about the robed men is that the robes bore a bizarre symbol and when they had been slain the robes burned with a white hot smoke that left nothing of the body or gear.

I give thanks to Ro that they survived the encounter and managed to rescue the abbot.

Over the next day they had many discussions with the holy man who indicated that the order forbid martial warfare and instead dedicated itself to the upkeep of the Black Abbey within the city of Tharad. [DM Note: The Abbey in the city is small and many of its monks live in the “new abbey” that was constructed several centuries ago. The “new abbey” is considered a part of the Black Abbey even though they are about 5 miles apart.] The discussions with the Abbot led the still wounded Nagus to the conclusion that somehow the shining black walls of the abbey within the city are not meant to keep things out, they are some sort of prison that holds something in and is re-enforced by the piety of the monks.

[Eosin]

<font size=+1><b>Igraine</b></font>

Player: NPC

<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td align="right"><font size=2><b>Val  </b></font></td><td><font size=2><b>Char   </b></font></td><td><font size=2><b>Cost</b></font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>13  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>STR</b></font></td><td><font size=2>3</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>17  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>DEX</b></font></td><td><font size=2>21</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>15  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>CON</b></font></td><td><font size=2>10</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>9  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>BODY</b></font></td><td><font size=2>-2</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>13  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>INT</b></font></td><td><font size=2>3</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>14  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>EGO</b></font></td><td><font size=2>8</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>15  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>PRE</b></font></td><td><font size=2>5</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>18  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>COM</b></font></td><td><font size=2>4</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2></font></td><td><font size=2> </font></td><td><font size=2></font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>5/10  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>PD</b></font></td><td><font size=2>2</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>5/10  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>ED</b></font></td><td><font size=2>2</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>3  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>SPD</b></font></td><td><font size=2>3</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>6  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>REC</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>30  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>END</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>24  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>STUN</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr><td><font size=2></font></td><td><font size=2> </font></td><td><font size=2></font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>6"  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>RUN</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>2"  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>SWIM</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr><tr><td align="right"><font size=2>2 1/2"  </font></td><td><font size=2><b>LEAP</b></font></td><td><font size=2>0</font></td></tr></table><b>Characteristics Cost:</b> 59

<table border="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td align="right"><b>Cost  </b></td><td><b>Power</b></td><td align="right"><b>END</b></td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="top">14  </td><td><b><i>Foresight: </i></b> </td><td valign="top" align="right"></td></tr></table><b>Powers Cost:</b> 33


<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td align="right"><b>Cost  </b></td><td><b>Skill</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>PS: Ranger 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">0  </td><td>PS: Nobility (Everyman) 11- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">2  </td><td>AK: Eastern Middea 11- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">0  </td><td>AK: Vintria 8- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>AK: Craghorn Mountains 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>KS: Great Fellowship 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>KS: Hearth Lore 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>KS: Nobility 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">2  </td><td>KS: Trollkin 11- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">2  </td><td>KS: Herbs 11- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">2  </td><td>KS: Vintria 11- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Climbing 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Conversation 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Concealment 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Fast Draw 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Lipreading 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Riding 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Seduction 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Shadowing 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Stealth 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Streetwise 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Survival (Marine Surface, Mountain) 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">1  </td><td>Tactics 8- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Tracking 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">3  </td><td>Teamwork 12- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">4  </td><td>WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">8  </td><td>+1 with All Combat </td></tr></table><b>Skills Cost: </b>75

<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td align="right"><b>Cost  </b></td><td><b>Perk</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">6  </td><td>Contact: Mother Onna (Contact has extremely useful Skills or resources, Very Good relationship with Contact) 8- </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">5  </td><td>Vintrian Princess in Hiding: Member of the Aristocracy/Higher Nobility </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">2  </td><td>Money: Well Off </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">1  </td><td>Favor </td></tr></table><b>Perks Cost:</b> 14


<table border="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td align="right"><b>Cost  </b></td><td><b>Equipment</b></td><td align="right"><b>END</b></td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="top">  </td><td><b><i>Light Chain Mail: </i></b>Armor (5 PD/5 ED) (15 Active Points); Armor Weight (-1), OIF (-1/2), Activation Roll 14- (-1/2), Real Armor (-1/4) </td><td valign="top" align="right">0</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="top">  </td><td><b><i>Sword, Broad: </i></b>Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 12 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) </td><td valign="top" align="right">0</td></tr><tr><td align="right" valign="top">  </td><td><b><i>Dagger: </i></b>Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6-1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Ranged (+1/2) (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 6 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) [<b>Notes:</b> Can Be Thrown] </td><td valign="top" align="right">0</td></tr></table><i>Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.</i>

<b>Total Character Cost:</b> 181

<table cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td align="right"><b>Val  </b></td><td><b>Disadvantages</b></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">0  </td><td>Normal Characteristic Maxima </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">10  </td><td>DPNPC: Sisters 8- (Normal) </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">15  </td><td>Psychological Limitation: Devoted to the XXXX (Common, Strong) </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">10  </td><td>Hunted: Lorain 8- (As Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish) </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">5  </td><td>Hunted: Vintria 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Watching) </td></tr><tr><td valign="top" align="right">5  </td><td>DF: Ranger: (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses) </td></tr></table>
<b>Disadvantage Points:</b> 45

[Eosin]

Part 1 of tonights adventure.

These weeks spent alone while my new husband travels abroad with his friends are taxing and the stories he has told me since his return are enough to chill my bones. The companions traveled from the “new abbey” to meet with the Black Abbot and explore the abbey. Tharad was crammed to overfilling with the refugees from the recent raids and with the royal marines.

Within the Black Abbey Nagus sought to meditate upon the will of Brynn and the strange visions that he has been having. After retiring to a small cell, the paladin began to meditate and left strict orders not to be disturbed. Alacran later related a story to me that I will need to investigate. When he and Leonidias arrived at the Abbey they went to the chambers of Nagus but found that they were empty – a strange occurrence given that the paladin never left his quarters.

The first afternoon the group spent in discussion with the Abbot. He expressed his concerns that the abbey might be the target of an organization with nefarious intent and asked the party to help ensure the safety of the monks. The elderly monk was also worried about letting the battle arrive on the door of the abbey itself. There was little to go on in pursuit of the Brotherhood other than the accent of the leader, who had been killed by Arron. Tharad is a busy port but even with the many languages spoken within its walls – the language and accent of the Old Kingdoms was a rare sound. The Abbot guessed that the leader was likely from Imbria or Dracia but was most definitely from the Old Kingdoms.

Torean spent much of the next evening in the waterfront inns & taverns speaking with sailors and dock workers. By night fall he had discovered that no less than three ships from the Old Kingdoms had docked recently and one of them remained in port with some sort of diplomat on board. It also seemed that many of the ships had business with the Fornos family from the north or at least all of the ships sent crewmen to pay a visit on the Fornos estate within Tharad. The bard was also approached by an Archon of the Synod and offered a job to perform at a gathering the next evening. The money offered was very good and Torean has a streak of curiosity that often leads him into places that he should know better.

Arron arraigned to meet and practice with one of the most famed warriors in all of Middea, the mercenary captain Sir Ector. The warrior and his band of Free Lancers were in the city under their new contract and were training for mountain fighting. Arron told me that he watched Ector from the stand for more than an hour before the two were to spar and that even before he walked on the field Arron knew that a good fight was the best he could give Ector and that was if he was fighting at the top of his game. Hundreds of soldiers gathered round to watch the two men spar. In the end, Arron was able to hold his defense against Ector but found the great warriors speed and skill pressed him too hard to launch an effective offense. Still, Arron said that he did well and that many men commented on the battle afterward.

I am told that Jayme spent the day in the stacks kept by the Abbey. I will need to ask him if he was looking for something specific or if he was just interested in reading.

Torean still struggles to recall what happened when he arrived at the Synod compound. He remembers being escorted to a room where he was eventually joined by the Synod Archon and three guardsmen. Archon Hadreth asked several questions about Jayme Wingate. Torean remembers the mage mentioning that if he struggled, things would only hurt more? Then Torean found himself outside of the compound without recollection of where he was or what had transpired.

[Eosin]

The Vintrian Synod is a mystical organization bent on controlling all magic. They are both a political and mystical organization and have sunk there claws into nearly every realm in the campaign. They charge a “magical defense tithe” to each kingdom and woe to any that do not pay. Under the Archon’s Edit the chantry of the Synod is always considered to be sovereign soil and the mages are immune to prosecution for events that occur there, except treason against the crown.

The organization has two magical ranks and dozens of specialties. An Archon is the most common rank encountered and denotes a sorcerer who derives his arcane power after imbibing a drink known only to the highest levels of the organization. This drink turns the skin and eyes blue-grey and continued use of it is required to fuel their magical powers. Acolytes are the highest ranking members and are much more rare – these are natural born mages who have nearly unlimited ability to channel magic. They do not require the drink to sustain their magic and use the Archon’s dependence on the substance to maintain control over the organization.

Argyria – the bluing of the skin is a real condition in the modern world that results from silver toxicity. IRL, the skin discoloration does not look particularly cool but in a fantasy game it sure does.

Here are some photos - LINK (http://homepages.together.net/~rjstan/argyria_photos_intro.html)

[Eosin]

Part 15

Continued from above.

The following morning found the three companions well but outside of the abbey a body was discovered. The warrior had been on a roof overlooking the abbey and had been killed from behind. Arron investigated the roof and even though everyone had taken precautions to avoid being followed, it appeared that the dead man had been watching them.

Torean spent the day hunting up information on the diplomat who remained on the Imbrian vessel – the Sea Dancer and was able to discover the mans name was Nyghon Toth and that he unnerved the crewmen on board but little else was known of the man.

Jayme had yet to reveal to us that he was able to speak with the spirits of the water. During his stay at Ridgewall he had met several times with an elderly druid who had taught him the ritual for summoning a creature of water known as Neryn. The feminine spirit had told him much of the information he possessed about the White Serpent and encouraged us to destroy her. When he went to the shore to perform the summoning ritual he felt a quickening of the force of magic within the sea and used his arcane vision to discover that several lines of mystical energy were being funneled to the Sea Dancer in the harbor.

He performed an incantation called the “Eyes of Fire” and with it was able to examine the ship in detail. Below the decks were several members of the Synod engaged in some sort of ritualistic spell that he believed to be a version of “Bridging the Worlds” a spell meant to pierce the veil between this land and that of the spirit realm of Annwyn. Meeting with his companions they all discussed the meaning of the spell and the use of human sacrifice and determined that “The Diplomat” must be trying to free or summon whatever foul beast was imprisoned within the Black Abbey. Arron encouraged the monks to pray and redouble their efforts on the wall; he even joined them while Jayme spent some time collecting arcane power to himself. Before settling to meditate, Jayme asked the water spirit if she could obscure their approach to the boat.

Arron has related the sensations he felt while polishing the wall and felt that it was something like the creature that chases you in your dreams. You can never see the beast but you can feel his fetid presence no matter how hard you try to escape.

Gathering themselves together the companions walked out into the surprisingly foggy night. At the shore line each of them was embraced by the water spirits and enveloped in her caress – afterward they were able to walk upon the waters as if they were firm earth. Jayme had prepared himself well by girding the 5th Fire of Elion, a destructive wave of fire that stretched from the palm of his hand to the far end of the boat. Torean has admitted to me that he was unaware that Jayme could command such vast reservoirs of power and was more than a little scared to realize that Jayme literally blew the ship apart before the enemy could react. Within moments, the ship gurgled to the bottom of the harbor. Neryn confirmed that the waters had claimed all but one of the shipboard inhabitants and that the one who escaped was beyond her ability to hold.

[NightStick]

Here is an excerpt from Jayme's journal...
The strangest things are thought of when you face death. I must write this down in my journal, lest I forget.
Last night, while standing, yes I was STANDING on the water, behind the Synod’s ship, the Sea Dancer. Just before I unleashed the power of Elan, in one of the most wondrous displays of might that I have yet seen. That ship was torn from Stern to stem and disappeared beneath the surface, where we were standing, as if it were never there.
My thoughts of late have been quite skewed; I shall start with my memory that began this chain of events. One that has been buried deep inside, where my thoughts rarely venture. I was but a whelp, too young to help my father, but too old to stay at home with the women folk.
On one fine summer day, I was exploring the rocks along the shore of the Braybrook River. What I was looking for does not matter. I got careless and slipped on a rock. The resulting fall brought a good portion of the bank that I was climbing on down with me. The last memory of that event was watching the sunlight glisten on the surface as the rocks and I sank down to the bottom of the Fjord.
I recall waking up on the shore with a very sore head. I never figured out how I had gotten from the bottom of the Fjord near the rocky embankment to the sandy beach; let alone how I survived the fall. What stayed with me was a feeling that there was something alive in the water. It could not be seen, it could not be touched and it darn near killed me.
From that day on, I stayed as far from the water as I could.
My father often chastised me for my fear of water, telling me that what I fear most shall be what will ultimately bring me to my death. My brother was merciless in his exploitation of my “fault” as he called it. Whenever he could, he would push, pull or drag me to one of the many channels of water that were always nearby. The net result of his torment was that I loathed any water where I could not see the bottom.
How I survived my younger days, I’ll never know; what with my brush with burning alive also. But that is another chapter in this journal.
While enjoying some R&R time after joining with father in our escape from the Ravenwoods, we had several days to recuperate. Feeling the natural return of Elan was wondrous. I found myself seeking solitude to regain what could not be gotten in those woods. On one such trip out, I met up with a Vintrian Druid who called himself Thorjack. In total, I spent the better part of four days deep in conversation with the wise old Druid. When I asked about the White Serpant, he suggested that I meet an acquaintance of his. What I met was beyond belief.
Thorjack led me to the nearby river, where he invited me to join him in the water. He knew that I was troubled, but convinced me that all was fine, and that if I helped him, my life would be changed forever.
For a good hour, he chanted a melodious tune to the four winds all the while throwing handfuls of water in all directions. It was as if he was inviting his best friend to join him. I had no idea what I was in for.
With no warning, Neryn, a water spirit arose in front of Thorjack, just off center between us. She was beautiful, she is water, but she had form! Women that I have known, pale in comparison to Neryn. She spoke, but she did not talk; yet I understood her. Thorjack introduced us to each other, and it was as if she had known me since birth. Little did I know, she had.
After I regained my composure, I asked her if she had ever heard of the White Serpent, or knew of the abyss in Therod, to which she repied Yes - on both counts. I listened closely as she explained to me how it was that she knew all that she knew.
I asked her if there was anything that she could teach me about my fear of water, and before I had finished my question, without hesitation she enveloped me. The pure feeling of safety and comfort immediately sprang forth. We were only waist deep in water, yet I was totally immersed in water. I was BREATHING water for an instant. As quickly as it had begun, she withdrew, and I now knew how it was that I survived that fall so many years ago, for it was Neryn who had rescued me.
As quickly as the wind changes direction, my life has now been changed ever so slightly.
I do not fear the water any more, because now I know that Neryn is there. She is everywhere that there is running water, her life force should be an inspiration to us all.

[Eosin]

Hah!

Somebody besides me posted to this thread!

PS - I finished the write-up on Prince Rafn and posted him.


Prince Rafn (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php?p=450292#post450292)

[Nagus Pantojan]

From the Personal Journals of Nagus Pantojan Justicar of Bryn.

"I will be within this cell for some time, please do not disturb me for I will emerge when the time is right." That said I settled into a meditation position and began to broaden my horizon. Casting out my conciousnes seeking what I dreaded was there waiting, but knowing that I must do something. "Nagus my son, not that way." I know that my Lord Bryn had saved me from stumbling into the clutches of a dark minon that was waiting.

"Nagus, the way to combat this evil is with positive emotion. Channel your love and compassion. That is the only way to reinforce the ward. You must help to strengthen it while your companions deal with the ones seeking to release this creature." I am not sure how much time passed before the drain upon my will finally abated, the source of the evil spell having been broken.

I awoke drenched in sweat, fealing very drained. I left the cell and went to check the black wall. "How goes the defense abbott?"

"Where did you come from, you disappeared from your cell and no one knew where you went?" as the abbott asked a number of his acolytes stopped and looked with strange looks upon the Justicar, seeing him in a new light. "Lord Abbott, do you think that he was the strength we sensed coming into the ward?"

"You give me too much credit, I am but a servant of Bryn doing as duty calls. Where are my companions? Have they returned?" That being said I felt the need to sit down, realizing just how tired and drained I was. "Does anyone have something to drink?" An acolyte brought water for me to drink and went back to the wall and began polishing it again. "Abbott, I now realize that you men have a high calling indeed, and I for one feel better knowing that you men are here. I think I will go rest, can someone wake me when my friends arrive?" That being said I retired again to my cell for some much needed rest.

[Eosin]

A post for one of the PCs - This is a discussion between Arron and one of the Shield Knights that takes place after Arron was rescued from the School of Peers.

It was a rainy night; I was awoken by thunder and the realization that I was not alone in my bed. I reacted by jerking away violently and then I heard her voice.

“Aaron it is Jessia”.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I- I was freighted by the storm.”

With out saying anything else she took my arm and wrapped herself up in it, and then she very gently kissed my cheek. She was asleep soon there after. I, however, did not sleep well at all.

Looking back now I realize that was the very moment that I stopped looking at Jessia as a friend and started seeing her as a young woman.

Several nights latter she snuck into my room, one thing Jessia is – is sneaky. She was always quiet as a mouse. I did not even know she was there until she had climbed into my bed. This time there weren’t any excuses, she just started kissing me. I kissed her back. Eventually we fell asleep in each other’s arms, the problem was that Jessia overslept.

“What have we got here!” a loud voice woke us.

It was Kark Len, one of Hiblis’s apprentices who regularly did some work around the school.

We both sprang out of bed and were red in the face.

“Well, well, well two little love birds I see. Don’t you have any decency?” he said reaching towards Jessia.

He grabbed her arm and violently shook her and called her some names I will not repeat. I felt an anger grow in me, I found the anger odd. I should have been ashamed, but it was also the way he was looking at here when he was saying those things.

I crossed the room before he even realized I had moved and then I struck him soundly in the nose - feeling a satisfying crunch of bone and flesh. Naturally he tried to defend himself but he was an apprentice mage, not a fighter. Nevertheless, he did manage to shove me off him, and then tried to cast some kind of spell. He might have finished if Jessia had not brought the chamber pot across his hands as he made what appeared to me to be some final gesture. Then he back handed her and, sent her to the ground where she did not move. I began the process of giving him a sound ass whooping when Prince Rafin and his guard entered the room.

“What is this?” The Prince asked

We both quickly straitened ourselves out and came to attention at his words, Jessia began to stir and shambled to her feet and joined us.

“I found these two in bed together this morning when they missed 1st bell, your highness, and when I broke them up this one (gesturing towards me) struck me.”

“Go on with your duties” Rafin told Kark. “Aaron remain here. Jessia come with me.”

The Prince was gone along time; it was nightfall by the time he returned.
“ aron, everyone was shocked by your behavior… except me,” the Prince began. “I spoke with Jessia and she explained the she had been freighted by a dream and, simply went to your room because you make her feel safe. She also said nothing bad happened, but the Mother Superior is not so quick to believe her story. I can smooth things over for you with the nuns. Hiblis, however, is very angry about his apprentice and demands satisfaction. I told him it was a misunderstanding but he is insistent that you be taught a lesson, so I have arranged a ‘Fair Fight’ with someone of Hiblis’s choosing but, Aaron I am afraid it won’t be a friendly fight so end it quickly if you have the chance.”

“Is there no other way?” I begged

“I promise you this is best thing for everyone involved”

So we left immediately to a place called “The Pitt” I still shiver thinking of the things that happened, that I did there, all to appease our ‘God’ Prince Rafin. When we arrived at the anteroom I saw Hiblis, who gave me a look that tuned my spine to jelly.

I started to pick up a staff but Rafin meet my gaze nodding towards the blades. I picked up a short sword instead; the Prince gave me a final nod of encouragement. I put on my leather vest and entered the pit.

The Pitt is a room on the lowest level of the school lit by torches - it is much too warm and smoky. The room smelled faintly of blood, probably still does.
When I entered, I did not see my opponent. Then suddenly I felt the sting of a sharp blow across my back and felt the warm trickle of blood down my back. I turned just in time to see the next blow aimed at my chest, but dodged back just enough that it did not penetrate my armor. I blocked the next blow and saw my chance. I drove my short sword nearly hilt deep into my attackers arm pit.

Only after my ‘attacker’ was on the ground did I realize that it was Jessia.
I quickly removed her helmet and gathered her up in my arms; I saw such fear and sadness in her eyes. She tried to speak but I had taken her in the lung. She did not die clean; she drowned in her own blood, weeping and struggling to breathe. I wept also. I was dragged from the Pitt, taken to a dark cell, and thrown in, for how long I do not know.

Dose that answer your question? That is how I can kill a man without blinking. At the age of 13, I killed my first love, and, after that, other people’s life has a lot less meaning for me.

-Aaron speaking candidly with a Shield Knight shortly after being rescued from the school of peers.

[Eosin]

Part 15B

The companions laid low for several days listening to the gossip on the city streets. Though a wild town, Tharad was still buzzing with speculation over the sudden sinking of a ship in the harbor. Torean noted that the silvered mirror I had sent to him through the Mother Superior has gone missing but had difficulty determining exactly when – he and his companions assumed the Synod Mage had taken it while Torean was at the chantry. They were soon able to address the issue with Archon Haldun.

The A