Our Story So Far...
The Chronicle of Mieres
1. Eve
of the Dead2. Courtly Games
3. Arrival in Seaward
4. Trolls & Tyrants
5. Repercussions
6. Day of Rebirth
7. A new quest begins
8. Dead can dance
9. Pleased to see the King
10. Troubled Waters
Protagonists: Axecien Rose, Eiliendivel Ueilmien,
Gilladriel
"Gilly"
Valeheart, the Longfeather brothers, Alec Avan, Ner'zen, Drake Redtail.
Our protagonists meet, many for the first time, at the Sign of the Serpent & the Maiden, an Inn in the Imperial City. Stragglers looking for safety on this most unhallowed of nights, they bond when an impromptu revelry held by their hosts turns out to be in truth an assassin's dance held by Mynaeds in Alec Avan's honor.
First Week of Keltier
Alec Avan explains events to the Silver Acorns Trade Federation,
investors
in the Inn, and the Guild gives him & his "company" 2000gp as a
discretionary
reward for handling the matter, and Alec gains a new bodyguard in
Andres
Holtson. Attention is still drawn to the inn thanks to the
Longfeather
brothers visit with Haylin's Aegis, resulting in
Awnsheilign hunters ambushing a surprised Axecien later that day.
Though
the event is brought to a peaceful conclusion, assorted loyalties are
stretched.
Mierlen, 7th of Keltier
After properly outfitting themselves for Court, our Protagonists
finally
get to hobnob with their betters. In amidst the Intrigue, some of the
more
prominent regents make their appearance: King Aramin of Aerenwe, King
Sleighienn
of the Seilwode, Queen Vane "the Redcap" of Tuarhievel, Prince Grendel
Todd
(Jr) of Grendelheim, Thane Mheilorie Hansien "Goldeneyes" of Coerannys
&
the High Priestess of Life & Protection of Avanalae, Prince Virgil
"the
Blade" of Osoerde, Princess Tania "the Nightingale" of the Aelvinnwode,
and
Princess Ern "the Mynaed" of Mynea. Alec hobnobs for allies,
dances
with the Mynaed, is challenged to a duel, and makes a number of
appointments,
not all of which he ends up
keeping. Gilly finds herself the belle-of-the-ball, a
significance
lost on her and her friends at the time. The Longfeather brothers
loose
themselves and see something they shouldn't, and later do their best to
entertain
in Alec's place at the Dueling Bridge. King Aramin is duly
impressed
with the displaced Avan, and informs his own Courtiers his intent to
aid
the struggling exile. That night Alec meets in secret with the High
Prelate
of the Celestial Jewel of Serame, and makes a fateful arrangement
regarding
Mieres, a former Vassal of Avanil before the Gorgon's War.
Second Week of Keltier
In the following week Alec & his entourage prepare for their
journey
across the Straits of Aeriele to Mieres. While others book the
group's
passage by Boat, Alec has another meeting this time with Thane
Mheilorie
Hansien, where much wisdom is discussed, and advice & sympathy is
given,
but little actual support is pledged. Ner'zen too has a meeting,
this one in secret with the Mynaed, wherein he reveals his secret in
hopes
of making an Ally, but the result is less than clear.
Branlen,13th of Kelter
Ariving in Mieres, Avan & his entourage are stopped briefly by the
Port
Guard, and both Axecein Rose & Eiliendinel Ueilmien find themselves
held
in quarintine as "undesirable & potentaly hostile aliens".
The
rest of the party move on to a local inn (the Seaspider), and make the
aquaintance
of Wallis, a Ranger in the service of King Aramin, here to assist
them.
While a number of the party have fun sight-seeing, Alec makes
arrangements
to meet with Govenor Vaumel. Later, after avoiding a contingent
of
Mynaen Assassins (with the aid of Wallis), they arive for a nightcap at
the
Govenor's Mansion. He informs them of how Mieres has been carved up by
a
collection of oportunistic nobles and priests from the subcontinent,
and
persuades the Prince that the best course of action would be to go and
convince
them to swear fealty to his Govenorship & thus reunited Mieres will
be
able to support the Prince in his bid to retake Avanil. He then
informs
them, given the Mynaed's assassins, that they should make haste to the
neiboring
Barony to the West, ruled by Galt Agelemein. Thus reunited with
their
companions formerly quarintiened, they ride off into the night.
Barlen
&
Mierlen, 14th & 15th of Kelter
Ariving in a nameless little border hamlet, they
stop
to rest. The next morning they meet Galred, a gruff but friendly
fellow
traveller, who tells them rumors of something in the woods eating local
woodcutters.
Joining together, they track the beast down and find themselves
fighting
their first Troll. They also find a maid in trouble to rescue
from
it - Jarzi of Seaward, Alec's long-lost illigitimate half-sister.
Returning in triumph, Ander's Holtson somehow is
construed
to be the man responsible for leading the expedition, and the legend of
"Anders
Trollslayer" is born. Taking an additional night to recuperate, they
strike
out for the central village of Redford, near which Galt's Tower may be
found.
In transit they stop at a farmhouse where Jill (a beautiful young
farmgirl,
orphaned by plague & trying to raise three younger brothers by
herself)
has been struggling against the advances of Captain Warren (commander
of
the local Guard). Outraged, the party takes her & her
brothers
with them to Redford, leaving them at the local inn ("the Misty
Maiden"),
along with the still-drugged (from quarintiene) Axecein. From there
they
push on to the Tower, where they meet the Baron's son Alex, his wife
Karen,
Father Lucien of the Temple of Eoele, and find the Baron himself on his
deathbed.
Once in private, Alec uses the power of his bloodright to persuade the
old
man to cede him his realm, and the act is ritualy seen over by the
divine
grace of the mysterious Ner'zen and his equaly mysterious god.
Afterward,
they are invited to discuss matters of the future with Lady Karen, but
are
interupted when it is discovered that the Baren has died.
Argument
breaks out over who will rightfuly inherit, between Lord Alex &
Father
Lucien, when Prince Alec reviels his own claim, a clame even then
becoming
accepted by the land itself. Lucien swears vengance & storms
out
(secretly followed by the Longfeather brothers, Eiliendinel &
Ner'zen),
while Lady Karen asks the Prince & his companions to leave the
family
to it's mourning (though she still would like to continue their
negotiations
the next day). Meanwile, Axecein awake from portentious dreams to
find
himself being assaulted by a commoner with a club. This would-be
awnsheighlin
hunter gives him a good fight, but eventualy falls to his sword.
Stained
in blood, he stumbles out into the hall, frightening Jill & her
brothers
and causing them to flee the (theoretical) safty of the inn. The
innkeeper,
fearing the rath of Prince Avan & his men, also takes his
leave.
Thus, upon their return to the inn, the party finds the Tholukite with
the
place to himself, ravaging cheese & enjoying the beer.
Elsewhere,
after many hours of tracking the priest, the Longfeather brothers &
company
are ambushed by masked thugs. They win the battle, but at high
cost,
as Ner'zen & Eiliendinel are nearly killed.
Taelen, 16th of Keltier
The battered heroes return to the inn in the
morning,
just in time to be healed by Alec before he, his sister & Aexein
head
off to the tower to meet with Lady Karen. While the injured
recuperate,
Anders, Galred & Gilly search for Jill back at the farm. They
find
out from a neighbor that the Baron’s guards had snatched her that
morning
(her brothers had come to stay with him). Filled with wrath, they
return
to town, just in time to find the town church on fire. Lucien had
returned,
with monks from the Temple of Eoele, to “host” a funeral for the dead
Baron.
Once the villagers & guardsmen from the tower were mostly there, he
had
the doors barred from the outside and set fire to it. Escaping to meet
with
another contingent of his men at the tower, Lucien leaves it to the
monks
at the church to hold off our heroes while those inside scream and
burn.
With luck and perseverance, the newly returned & those still at the
inn
manage to drive off or disable the villains, and break down a door to
get
the majority out. Then, with haste they set out to the tower.
Arriving just before the enemy, they join with
Axecein,
Jazri & Lady Karen in the defense of the tower. Though
outnumbered,
the heroes drive off the monks, killing Lucien in the heat of battle
and
setting off a ripple of divine power that strengthens some of the
victors.
Then the undead form of Galt Angelemein shambles forth from the
barracks,
Captain Warren’s head in one hand & dragging Jill’s unconscious
body
by the hair. The battle is joined once again, and the Baron is
returned
forcefully to his grave. Galt’s first victim being his own son,
Lady
Karen is now widowed and at loose ends. With no other rivals for
his
rule, Prince Alec takes the throne of the Barony of Crenier, and the
first
step towards rebuilding the Avan Dynasty.
The Months of Faniele & Pasiphiel, and the Day of Rebirth
Having taken the reigns of power, Avan settles in. His first step
is
to establish his friends & allies as courtiers – Chancellor
Valehart,
Inquisitor Galred, Marshal Rose, Court Wizard Lady Karen… all the
heroes
find they have SOME status in his new court, no matter how small.
Much
of the time during the intervening months before the Coronation is
taken up
in preparations for the event, but a few take time for personal goals
such
as training or research. The “Smelly Rangers” are formed by Galred more
as
a joke than an intentional organization, as he and others disappear
into the
woods to trade lore. Ner’zen spends a pretty penny to apprentice
himself to
Lady Karen for a time, then sets about converting a few of the locals
to
his belief in “the Silent One” (who’s worship involves many strange
hand gestures
& the wearing of somber clothes). Anders the Trollslayer
makes
an honest woman out of the recovering maid Jill, and works hard to take
care
of her & her young brothers. Michael Longfeather returns to the
Imperial
Capital to study fighting and renew his faith amongst the Haelynites,
then
returns to wander the countryside of Crenier & Lamier.
Axecien receives
help from grandmother Skahild in establishing a small following of
Tholukites,
and Alec receives an apology (of sorts) from the High Priestess of
Eoele
- who claims the outrages committed by Lucien were not at her bidding.
In the final weeks, evidence of another troll in the
wood
leads Galred and Anders to gather the “Trollslayers” for another
hunt.
This one, however, is not alone – when they arrived, they found it
caught
in a battle with another monster, a wolf-man bearing a massive blade
accompanied
by a large pack of Wolves. Before either side noticed their
observers,
a brilliant flare shot overhead put all to flight. Their quarry
lost,
the “Smelly Rangers” found a trail showing another band had been
camping on
a hill nearby (likely where the flare originated). One of the prints
seems
of particular intrest, given their being of exceptionally large size.
Finaly the time of the Coronation arrives.
Alec Avan
is crowned regent by the Celestial Jewel of Sarame. Guests include:
• Virgil “the Blade” Destante, Baron of Osoerde &
one
of the Emperor’s half-brothers.
• Sarae Somellin, High Priestess of Eoele,
• Gavin Destante, 4th son of the Emperor in the
company
of a contingent of Todds & Harelequins
• Thane Mheilorie “Goldeneyes” Hansien, Thane of
Coerannys,
and High Priestess of LPA
• King Aramin of Aerenwe
• Sir Gunnbjorn, a rather familiar Paladin of
Haelyn’s Aegis.
• Arron Vaumel, Governor of Mieres.
• Lady Blaese, daughter of the Baron of Ghaele.
Intrigue (as is the tradition) ensued, though no one has yet died of
the results.
Spring of 1548hc
Protagonists: Axecien Rose (Rafael), Eiliendivel
Ueilmien
(Eric), Gilladriel "Gilly"
Valeheart (Tibet), the Longfeather brothers (Suleiman & Melissa),
Alec
Avan
(Jason the Elder), Ner'zen (Jason the Younger), Aramin (Devon), Galred
(Jesse).
The month of
Sarimiere
After seeing his many guests off, it‘s back to business for the court
of Alec
Avan. While Alec tours his new kingdom and collects the Hearth
Tax,
the rest charge off to catch that Troll that escaped them the previous
month,
and to find if the Wolves still haunt their end of the woods.
They
find the Troll, though again the beast is engaged with foes. This
time
a pair of unusual humanoids, wearing the badge of Tholuk, are battling
with
glee. The party hops into the conflict and the beast is quickly
dispatched.
Their new friends reveal themselves as Rhogan & Grehgan Van Cos Cos
–
Trollkin from the far northern land of Thale. Summoned to Skahild’s
flag
to assist her in her northern campaigns, the brothers left their Cos
Cos
Kindred to seek out and aid Axecien in his building up the worship of
Tholuk
in this god-forsaken place.
The rest of the month goes smoothly (if not
quietly).
Alec assists Galred in the creation of the Red Feathers Merchant Guild
(to
better facilitate his duties as Spymaster), while Jarzi mysteriously
takes
her leave. Michael travels to Gaeleford to gather information on
their
upcoming fair, the Kodos Nomads, and finds a town that makes Redcliff
look
like the humble collection of hovels it is.
Upon his return, it is decided that an expedition to
neighboring
Brenlie to investigate the rumors of the cursed township of Lurzen is
in order.
Gathering together his entourage (including Aramin incognito) & his
courtiers,
they begin their journey. Within a few days they avoid
wolves
& ogres, and enjoy the pleasures of peddlers, until eventually
arriving
at the outskirts of Luzurn. There they find their first glimpse
of
this curse – a lone skeleton, apparently working in a farmer’s field…
They establish a base camp near (but not TOO near) the North Gate, sending the longfeather brothers to scout the other entrances. The two halflings find a Gate to the east, and south, and a gatehouse overseeing a bridge to the west. Only the southern-most gate seems guarded in any way. Across the way, farther up into the hills, a white castle can be seen.
On impulse, Rafael charges his riding hound through the eastgate, for a quick tour of the city (his brother follows, though he doubts his brother’s sense). They find the main marketplace, filled with the dead doing what any might do in a market. Rafael discovers that, though otherwise seemingly un-hostile, the dead will not sell (or even pay attention to) the living. They also find the Baroness’ castle, locked up tight. Heading north, they eventually make it back to the rest of the band, waiting at the north gate.
It is decided the expedition would push on to the church seen in the distance at the southern end of town. Aramin takes his leave to do some exploring on his own, for some reason known only to himself.
The church, residing next to a graveyard, is one dedicated to Neserie, Lady of Tears. Entering, they find it has obviously seen better days, but quickly find two Wights who object to both their opinions & interest in their new-found home. After a short (but fierce) battle, the Wights are defeated, and at Gilly’s instigation the desecrated temple is tidied somewhat. An examination of the neighboring graveyard uncovers graves tilled like a planter’s garden. They take their leave of the Bone Yard, not wishing to be caught in town come nightfall.
Meanwhile, Aramin finds another marketplace, this one dedicated to some sort of wine-festival in progress. Taking stock of the memorial statue at the heart of the square, his attention is drawn to a whistling coming from a nearby house. Checking out the source of this noise, he finds what may just be the last survivors in town, a farmer’s wife & daughters, in desparate need of escort to the nearest town. Maidens in distress? Never while Aramin the letcher… er, Aramin the Just is on the job! And thus Aramin takes his leave of Luzern with a bevy of Damsels (and… Ugh!... their mother).
As evening settles in Eiliendivel scrys on the Baroness Gudrun, and receives a vision that, though locked in her room in rags, with a wedding dress hanging nearby, she is healthy, and safe. A company of skeletons appears at the north gate, and locks it up for the night.
That night, as 2nd watch waits on the approach of midnight, a haunting melody drifts from the city. Soon, the gates are thrown open, and the waking party sees a peculiar assemblage of skeleton musicians & dancers parading from the town across the field. Never one to miss a party, Axecien & Ner’zen join the dance – as do both the Longfeather Brothers & Anders (though they are somewhat less willing, having fallen to the magic of this particular Dance Macabre). Red, Gilly, Smak the Goblin and the Van Cos Cos brothers follow silently in the shadows.
Eventually the revelers return to town, and not long after midnight parade through the now open gates of the Baroness’ castle. Within Red and his portion of the company are attacked by three skinless fops, while the doors are locked up tight behind them. The bone duelists are quickly dispatched, but not before the revelers are seduced into traveling to the catacombs bellow.
It is there the true horror is revealed – the revelers pulling several of the living through a strange Gate made of Bone, reveal the source of the curse that lays upon the valley as the Longfeather Brothers are tragically stripped of flesh to become undead akin to that of their hosts, and both Anders and Reghan nearly so (badly injured, but still amongst the living). Delayed, Red, Gilly, Smak & Grehgan fight their way through three more Wights guarding the Catacombs, while the others battle teeming skeletons in an attempt to destroy the Gate. In a surprise move, the Longfeather brothers show that, though cursed as undead, freewill has not been stripped along with their flesh, and they nobly struggle along with they friends (despite the threat that – with the destruction of the gate, they too may be destroyed). At the height of the battle the hand guiding the horrid events here reveals itself in the form of a creature calling itself only “the Wraith King”, but even he cannot stop the determined heroes from their task.
The Gate is destroyed, and Michael Longfeather at least is redeemed in death.
His brother takes a different path, sacrificing his very bloodline, the last of his divine spark to make his unlife in this world permanent.
With the Gate gone, the Wraith King looses his sense of self-preservation, forgetting his goal to marry the Baroness and legitimatize his conquest and control of the land. After a concerted effort by all the noble heroes, Anders takes the final stroke, and the King is no more…
Unable to escape his Wyrd, Anders finds and frees Gudrun, giving her the initial impression he is the sole hero of the day (she since has found out better – but first impressions die hard). Avan’s heroic companions are awarded 1000gp each, and left the Wraith King’s treasure, while to Avan himself she grants her own lands – she is much wearied by crown & throne, and only desires a return to the church & service of Neserie.
Summer of 1549 hc
Protagonists: Axecien Rose, Eve Greyheart,
Gilladriel
"Gilly"
Valeheart, Sister Murial, Zephyl Thorp, Rikt'rik, Rhalo Foundling,
Galred.
The Emperor is holding court at this time,
listening to
petitions from the Peerage and resolving legal disputes. Amongst
those hobnobing or hopeful in the milling throng are old friends
Axecien, Gilly, Sister Murial, Galred and Eve. Soon they make the
aquaintance of Rikt'rik, Rhalo & Zephyl - newcomers to court with
hopes of their own.
Baron Virgil Destante briefly makes an
appearance, but excuses himself as he
has errands to run, pausing only briefly to take Galred off with him.
After a little trouble getting
into the Petitioner’s line to have
their request granted, each in turn (like many others) are flatly
denied. The only exception seems to be the silver-tongued Gilly, who
persuades Emperor Griff to grant her the feif of Mistvale, citing
the will of the people and it's shared history with Aloria. Afterwards
a young courtier invites them
to the Emperor’s Ball this evening, and hint that it is in their best
interest
to attend.
A gala event, with all sorts of entertainment to be had. While the crème of society is here, so are an assortment of entertainers, bards, and attractive courtiers of either persuasion interested in slipping off into the Hedge-maze. The wine flows free, and so do lips – much talk is to be had. A handful of people take true interest in the heroes...
A duelist by the name of Andreas Duorden takes offense with Rholo, claiming he saw him eyeing his woman, and challenges him to a duel the following dawn. Rholo persuades him he was, in truth, eyeing the punch-bowl next to her, but then backhands him with his own challenge. His friends recognise Andreas, and tell them he has a reputation for dueling, having already killed a number of others in fair fights. After much persuading, they manage to get the two to withdraw their challenges.Jellico Crowshend, a handsome rake, seeks the innosent (but tartly dressed - thanks to Zephyl) Sister Murial out, flatters her and almost seduces her, before her friends recognise him as the eldest son of a good family in Deimed who's family has recently cut him off for his scandalous behaviors. Axcien so frightens him that he leaves forthwith, much to Zephyl's disapointment.
Eve finds herself sitting between Lady Tathmund & Lord Dugmier Marloer, an old couple whose children have all flown the coup, and who enjoy new faces and sharing stories. Lady Tathmund enjoys gossiping, and elaborates on many of the goings on, but she takes her leave after Jellico's abrupt departure to gosip with some of the other matrons. Her husband loves hunting, but is mostly a bore otherwise. Eve weather's the distasteful subject however,and discovers that not only has it been a great year for hunting, but that he bagged some very strange creatures while hunting on the boarder between Markazor and Mhoried. Like a crocodile but with a centipedes legs and a distended, multi-wedged jaw.
Ticked that's she'd missed her chance to play with Jellico before he was frightened away, she grabs a seemingly random passerby (though some realise he's been quietly observing and eavsdropping for some time) and drags him off to the hedgemaze for some fun. Medago Sorte is his name, and she finds on him a most interesting mark - a red hand on his chest. He explains it away, and after they're done he takes his leave, but it is eventualy realized he must have been a spy of the Red Hand, Deneric's old spy network up in Dhoesone.
The 'Adventuress' Mademoiselle Dalamae attaches herself to Axecien, and they too have an 'adventure' in the hedgemaze. It turns out she is a high-priced, successful ‘companion’ known and popular with a number of the young men of Court. With a bit of "Oil of Slipperyness" Axecien is quite - overcome - with her charms.
With the increasing attentions payed by a number of masked Entertainers, on top of all their other encounters this evening, our heroes are almost happy when they are approached by a servant who asks them to follow him back into the Imperial Palace. They are led to a hidden chamber where they meet with Virgil, who asks them to assist him in a matter of some urgency to the Crown. If they do, he states that his nephew (the Emperor) will be grateful and it will certainly improve odds of having their petitions granted (or at least reviewed more favorably). There is also a substantial reward, should any character be so crass as to bring it up. They will be given 1,000gp in any case to finance the mission.
The problem is this – Some months ago, the Lady Skahild Rose disappeared. While not exactly high in the Emperor’s favor, she never the less has assisted his family for over a generation on a number of matters, and has ever been a dutiful (if frightening) ally. In the post-war period, as all know, she has managed to unite the Northern Border, from Stordvik to Markazor, under her flag. Now that’s she’s gone missing (not dead – no evidence of that), her kingdom has slowly begun to unravel.
The
Emperor wishes her (or her body) found, and returned to the
·
When was she last seen? “From
what we’ve been
able to discover, she disappeared about three months ago, during High
Festivities being held at the
· Are we the first sent? “No. We have sent several emissaries, as well as a few spies. None have returned, except for one – he was barely alive, and could only tell us of being ambushed by strange Troll-like creatures that dropped out of the trees.
· Who can we trust? “No one – Lady Skahild did not surround herself with the most respectable of people. Most of her lieutenants can not be relied upon to behave with honor or civility, and any of them could be behind this. She has many enemies abroad as well who would wish her ill, many of whom could be quite trusted under most other circumstances.”
Also rumor has it the Emperor’s uncle Deneric has escaped Skahild’s dungeons and is back in command of the Red Hand, a secret society he’d established during his time as Regent of Dhoesone.He will add that if they fail the entire Northern Boarder could unravel, leaving it in bloody civil war, while leaving the Empire ripe for invasion from that flank from the Rjurik kingdoms, the Red Barony and even the White Witch.First Week of Haelynir
Preperations are made, and our heroes set out by boat up the River
Maesil.
Barlen, 6th of Haelynir
While passing through the Riverport Marsh, the boat is ambushed by
giant frogs. With the quick action of of our heroes, the creatures are
all killed or driven off, but not before a number of sailors are killed.
Mierlen,7th of Kelter
That morning the ship sets to in the Mhoried port of Riumache to pick
up goods and replace their lost crewmembers. After some arguing and
concern over being persecuted by bigoted yokles Axecien stomps off to
find a tavern, come what may. Rikt'rik & Rhalo stay
abord to fish, while the others streach their legs for a bit of
shopping. Galred, in seeking information, discovers a shantytown of
refugies from a town two days north. He talks with them and finds they
fled when their town was sacked by a giant beast, a giant beast who
could fit a house in his mouth and carry a village on it's back. Soon a
contingent of badly wounded Knights of Haelyn's Aegis arive, and beg
him to gather his companions. This beast carries an entire Gnoll
village on it's back - unassailable by conventional full-frontal
assault. But perhaps a small band could sneak aboard at night to do the
villains in. No time to waste though, for when last seen, the thing was
lumbering towards another hamlet! Galred returns to place the situation
before his allies - the point is argued, but what else can be done?
They have 6 months to find and rescue Lady Skahild, but the town has
only days. With that in mind the worried heroes sling their bags,
gather the horses granted them by the Knights of Haelyn's Agis, and
leave the river behind.
Commoning Soon - The Village with Legs, the Shadow Tide,
and an Epologue
