Reporters this issue:
Oscar Swida (swida@softlab.ii.uj.edu.pl)
Richard J. Pugh (rjpugh@aol.com)
DM Bloodglutton (mdmnh@cc.newcastle.edu.au)
Mike Phillips (msphil@birds.wm.edu)
Sandy E. Murphy (io01092@maine.maine.edu)
Leonard Scott (lenscott@aol.com)
Andy Merritt (amerritt@armltd.co.uk)
Damara: City of Hadera:
OUTBREAK OF PLAGUE!
In the city of Hadera in southern Damara, a group of adventurers
returning from an abandoned temple of Malar brought back tales of
tentacled panthers and packs full of bloodstone tradebars. Shortly
afterward, several people at the inn in which these adventurers rested
were struck dead apparently from a rash that spread over their bodies
within a few hours. The adventurers, in spite of losing one of their
own to the plague, were blamed and forced out of the town. One
resident is quoted as saying, "I've always said, no good can come from
those blasted bloodstones. Them carry a curse, them do."
Vilhon Reach: Hlondeth:
AVIARY COMPLETED
The magnificent Aviary of Extaminos has finally been completed!
After 10 years and a cost of 337,000 gold pieces, the culminating
wonder of the City of Serpents has been opened to the paying public
since Tarsakh (April). The Hlondeth ruler, Dediana Extaminos, invites
all to see her definitive collection of birds and avian creatures,
including a Roc, winged snakes from Zakhara, and macaws from Maztica.
Some shows available include a bloodhawk hunt (where bloodhawks are
set upon some hapless convict or slave), a fortune-telling owl, and
flightless-bird races. The City of Hlondeth also boasts an intriguing
style of architecture devoted to serpent and snake designs. Marboa
Sisslar, the owner of The Fanged Whip, invites all to stay at her
Tavern-Inn on the corner of High Street and Newbark's Alley. She has
a full selection of beverages from around the Realms, and a home-brew
of Viper wine (rated 4 mugs by a well-known traveler...). "half price
to all Kenku in the month of Flamerule (July)"
Vilhon Reach: Sespech:
BARON FOESMASHER INDECISIVE!
Baron Thuragar Foesmasher of the Barony of Sespech has recently
been accused by a coalition of town leaders throughout the Barony of
abandoning their protection to continue his fight for independence
from Chondath. Recently, caravans from Ormpettar have been attacked
and none of the Baron's men assigned to protect the caravans have been
of any help. "Most of the guards are lazy, and too drunk to fight off
mosquitos, let alone a band of savage raiders," says Alvund of
Ormpettar, a partner of the Seven Suns Trading Coster. Luckily, it
seems the raiders are only interested in a blue stone, Azurite, which
is mined in the Firesteap Mountains near Innarlith. This stone is
nearly worthless when uncut, and not worth much more when shaped. The
reason the raiders are interested in this stone is unknown, but in one
attack, a load of bloodstone was left behind.
The Baron says he is trying his best, but that the War of
Independence, and intrigue between his daughter, Glisena, and the
Hlondethan ambassador is using up his best men, as well as his
attention. The town leaders are talking about setting up a new
government.
Impiltur: City of Ilmwatch:
GONDEGAL SEEN?
A traveling group of Cormyreans say that a local resident, Wabi
the Wolf, is none other than Gondegal the rebel of Arabel! Wabi, the
local weapons instructor for the guards of the Eastern Sea Delivery
Coster, had no comments other than, "What in Tymora is wrong with
those Outlanders!" The group represents trading companies from Arabel
seeking to establish relations between themselves and various
Impilturian trading companies (including the ESDC). One Cormyrean,
Nakilsen of the trading house Hiloar said, "I was only 12 when
Gondegal declared himself overlord, but I still remember what he looks
like, and that Wabi is Gondegal!" Gondegal, also called the Lost King,
was last seen in the year 1352 DR near Arabel. He is rumored to be a
very good swordsman and very intelligent. Nakilsen has said that King
Azoun IV of Cormyr still has a reward of 9,000 gold pieces for the
capture and return of the rebel, Gondegal.
Amn: City of Eshpurta:
A NEW TETHYRIAN HEIR!
A Tethyrian immigrant, Kirov Sverdlovsk, claims to be the closest
living relative to the now extinct ruling family of Tethyr. While
chatting with friends at the Inn of Changing Money on River Street,
Kirov gave an interview to an FNN reporter:
Q: Are you *truly* a descendent of the Tethyrian royal family?
A: Not directly, my mother's mother was the sister of Queen Taknita,
the mother of the late Alemander IV. So I'm really sort of a
nephew of the royal family.
Q: Have any of the noble families supported your claim?
A: I am a member of the Sverdlovsk House. My family controls a large
portion of eastern Tethyr, north of the Forest of Mir, west of
Saradush. Although my family has not openly supported our claim,
we will when agreements are reached with a few other families.
Q: I have heard that other claimants to the throne have been attacked
and even killed. Are you at all afraid of assassination attempts?
A: I have several bodyguards given me by my family. Zoomer here is
from Rashemen (pointing to a short, muscular, unsmiling man beside
him), and has already protected me from several attempts by the
House Orekhovo-Zuyevo to assassinate me. In fact,...(at this point
a fight broke out between two drunks at the bar and Zoomer
signaled an end to the interview as he and another rushed Kirov up
the stairs)
So whether Kirov Sverdlovsk will be the next ruler of Tethyr will have to be seen. FNN reporter, Aldeth of Eshpurta: *May stars direct you when all is dark*
CLASSIFIEDS:
COME SEE THE WONDERS OF THE AVIARY OF EXTAMINOS!
WANTED: Diagramist for mapmaking.
Apply to Thorembor at Thorembor's Traveling Maps and Mail, now
making rounds from Waterdeep to Eversult. 15 silver per day, including
board and keep. Knowledge of inks and papers/parchments a plus.
WANTED: Trail guards for the Eastern Sea Delivery Coster.
Needed 20 strong men or women to guard caravans and merchant ships
from Procampur and Tsurlagol in the Vast, through Impiltur to Telflamm
and Thesk. Possible travel to Thay or Chessenta on Diplomatic
contexts. Apply in person to Wabi the Wolf (ESDC Training Captain) at
the Newcomer's Inn on Dark Wyvern Lane in the city of Ilmwatch in
Impiltur.
*** THOREMBOR'S TRAVELING MAPS AND MAIL ***
Thorembor's is a TREASURE CHEST of INFORMATION. Come see the MAPS and
other assorted stationary selections we stock. We supply the finest
ADVENTURERS with MAPS of long-lost TREASURES, GOLD, and MAGIC ITEMS!
Leave MAIL to be delivered or pick up MAIL left by others.
MAPS -- 65 gp and up, MAIL -- 15 gp and up.
WOMAN FOUND: A young woman was found wandering along the Stormcrest Trail near Tsurlagol in southern Vast. She was discovered naked and hungry with no knowledge of who she was, nor even the ability to speak Common. The adventuring party who helped her named her Marlene, but could not find out who she was. Marlene is 5'2" with red hair and green eyes, and very comely. She is staying with the innkeeper's family at the Grouse-On-The-Water Inn. Anyone with information should contact the innkeeper's wife for a possible 50 gp reward [Tsurlagol, The Vast].
The Vast: Calaunt:
INTERVIEW WITH BOARESTIN, CHAMPION OF THE RED ARROW.
I, Veranil Dolor, a humble servicetress of the Highpriestess
Shaleen Oomreen of Loviatar, had the opportunity to interview
Boarestin: Champion of the Red Arrow, Traveler across dimensions,
Worshipper of Hextor. (Hextor being an unknown Power from a far off
world called Oerth.) He was a most agreeable personage, and was
pleased to tell his story to myself and FNN.
Q: Would milord be willing to tell this servicetress how he came to
Toril?
A: It was many years back, when you would have been a glimmer in the
eyes of your parents. I was traveling across Oerth in search of a
rumored artifact. I had made many enemies in my long years of
servitude as a paladin to Hextor, and they conspired to bring me
down. A huge storm arose around my and my warhorse, Minzjar. In
spite of my personal power, the storm almost ended my existence.
Hextor sent me here to serve his purposes more usefully.
Q: What relationship does milord have with the Mistress of Pain, of
whom I serve?
A: As a condition of my bondage with Hextor, I am unable to hire the
services of any except loyal followers of Hextor. But I have come
across none here. In the past, I was able to employ followers of
Bane, but none now exist. Loviatar shares my beliefs, and so I am
able to employ her followers as well. I discovered that followers
of Cyric are NOT suitable, and so must be killed after the
contract has been fulfilled. This has not endeared me to Cyric.
Q: Perhaps milord would be willing to tell of the magnificent
exploits and adventures?
A: I suppose everyone must be dying to find out... I won this plate
armor from a group of crazed Elves. It protects me from even fiery
dragon's breath or fireballs. While in the Vilhon Reach area, I
came across some horrible creatures known in my land as Githyanki.
After killing their leader, I took from her this superbly engraved
and decorated sword. After properly consecrating it to the work of
Hextor, it has served me well. It was on a quest to kill Salimin
the Dreaded, a cruel and vicious fire giant, that I gained this
magical shield: After defeating him in single combat, I discovered
the shield in his armory. It blocks most arrows, and gives me an
offensive beam of force to use. I have many other wonderful items,
each with its own story.
Q: If I may be so bold as to question your physical prowess, it it
true that you fathered many of the children of the priestesses of
Loviatar, the Inflictor of Exalted Pain?
A: Yes, I have had several encounters with mistresses of Loviatar. I
do not know what became of any offspring: it is none of my
concern. But I am as good as they must say that I am. Are you
offering yourself to me?
Q: I, Veranil Dolor, am willing to obey milord in all things. Perhaps
the interview should be continued later...
DM's notes: Boarestin is an 16th level, LE, anti-paladin of Hextor as described by Peter (gourlay@slais.ubc.ca) in a posting to the ADND-L list. He is currently residing in a small keep near Calaunt with several hirelings (of Loviatar) and [this week] Veranil Dolor, a 2nd level priestess. His major magic items include armor of fire resistance, an unholy githyanki sword +3, and a shield of force. His clerical spheres are combat, malady, protection, and war. His special ablility is double damage, once per day, for 1 round per level. He is allowed to keep an unlimited number of magical items. Other abilities are more or less diametrically opposite of the paladin class. See gourlay@slais.ubc.ca for more details about anti-paladins.
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
DM Bloodglutton: mdmnh@cc.newcastle.edu.au
Oscar Swida: swida@softlab.ii.uj.edu.pl
Terraspace: Europa, Jovian federation:
COMET STRIKES JUPITER!
A small comet, named Shoemaker-Levey after the Terran astronomers
who discovered it, recently broke up and crashed into the planet
Jupiter over a ten day period.
The incident, which was initially feared to be an attack by
hostile aliens on the Jovian Federation, turned out to be in fact a
natural phenomenon and posed no permanent danger. Many authorities
are not convinced, however, and investigations are continuing on some
of the few small remaining fragments of the comet.
There was some concern that fragments of the comet, which had been
torn apart by Jupiter's complex gravity fields, would smash into
Gannymede or Io. As a precaution, the local governments of those
worlds evacuated area considered dangerous, but fortunately the
bombardment to those two worlds was minimal. All the large portions
of the comet hit the planet itself.
The only inhabitable area of Jupiter is a stable air pocket that
lies within what astronomers call the "Great Red Spot." The rulers of
the floating cities therein were prepared to evacuate. In fact, one
of the larger fragments did strike dangerously close to the red spot,
causing significant atmospheric disturbances in the area. The
governors of the sky cities of Jupiter have told the Jovian federation
that the disturbances have been minor, but they will not disclose
specific details.
All trading between the member worlds of the Jovian Federation had
been placed on suspension until the bombardment had finished. With
the storm over, trading between the member worlds of the federation
will resume in a matter of days.
Richard J. Pugh: rjpugh@aol.com
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
The Black Swamp (E. Drake River):
A band of adventurers, having recently rescued the son of Sir
Reynald, a knight of some renown near Melinir, were seen heading east
into the Black Swamp. They apparently were sidetracked in their
journey by a strange old man, singing in his bathtub, accompanied by
some strange mushrooms.
No further word of their adventures are yet known, but if the past
is any guide, they shall be worth spreading!
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
DM's note: It is worth noting, I think, that King Flammus is a fire giant of the most powerful sort. As for the "kingdom", it is one of many small holdings in a balkanized area where every petty ruler is a "king" and his underlings (who might only govern a couple of villages) are "dukes". If anyone wants more info on how it turned out in my campaign, feel free to contact me at io01092@maine.maine.edu.
Sandy E. Murphy: io01092@MAINE.maine.edu
This sword was created by a god-like being, many years ago, for
the purpose of corrupting paladins. The sword cannot be destroyed and
if it is left in an inaccessible place (like being thrown into a
volcano or something like that), it will reappear somewhere else in
the world 1D10 years later. In general, it has a way of finding its
way into the hands of a paladin who would be overjoyed to have a sword
of this power. If it is not used by a paladin, it also has a way of
being "lost".
Over a period of a couple of months, a paladin who possesses the
sword will gradually become more and more inflexible, believing that
only he knows what is right and good. He will become increasingly put
out with others who disagree with or question this. He will have a
tendency to withdraw from such people. If brought to his senses (a
roleplaying thing, it doesn't require a roll), then he can discard the
sword at anytime. Remember, however, that the paladin will become
increasingly reluctant to do this because he does believe that he
knows best.
After a couple of months, the paladin will become increasingly
harsh in what he deems is "good" and will require that those around
him to conform to this. Those he cannot force to accept his vision
must be driven off or converted. If this cannot be done, the paladin
himself will leave. The curse of the sword can be overcome even now,
but at this point it will require clerical intervention. In any case,
over the next few months, the paladin will become more lawful and less
good, to the point where he will lose his paladin status and become
lawful-neutral. At this point, he is lost without the benefit of a
wish or some sort of divine intervention. Certainly he will not think
he is lost and will probably turn to other gods who are more accepting
of his new outlook on life. In the end, he will become more than
simply lawful-evil. The former paladin will become lawful to the
point of insanity and no one will want to be around him. He will have
people whipped and even killed for wearing the wrong sort of laces or
failing to raise the hand just so when they salute. Given the sorts
of people that lawful-evils will find convivial, he will probably be
killed by his own followers. The sword will tend either pass onto
someone else within the band or quietly disappear, depending on the
DM's whim.
Sandy E. Murphy: io01092@MAINE.maine.edu
Sieur Jacques Regnier, Warrior-Mage of Lyons
Mental: 46 Physical: 44 Spiritual: 30
Wound Level: 33 SEC: 6 Heka: 91
Vocation: Cavalier
Native Tongue (French Dialect): 53
Perception (Mental): 53
Riding: 52
Combat, Hand Weapons: 52
Arms & Armor: 47
Biography/Genealogy: 48
Combat, Hand-to-Hand, Lethal: 42
Combat, Hand Weapons, Missile: 42
Gambling: 43
Leadership: 35
Military Science: 38
Political Science: 38
Survival: 32
Magick*: 33
Dweomercraeft*: 33
Foreign Language (Hiero-Ægyptian): 33
First Aid: 32
Handicrafts/Handiwork: 32
Alchemy*: 25
Sir Renier's arms, a raindrop azure on a field of sable, are emblazoned on his shield and his surcoat. He adheres to a strict code of chivalry, perhaps romanticized far beyond its normal application. He has taken to the study of Ægyptian and magick to increase his defenses against those he has fought who have resorted to magick to prevent his victory. He never uses it to attack, merely to defend himself.
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
I and my companions had traveled East from Ormpetarr until we
reached the River Arran. We then followed the river upstream until we
came to the small town of Ilchon, at the meeting of two great
tributaries of the river. The townspeople named the more northern
branch, the Leaf-Flow, for this came out of the Chondalwood some 50
miles due East of the town. They mentioned that the Leaf-Flow was
impassable just out of town, and that no one had ever gone past that
point.
It was then that I got my calling: to chart the unknown Leaf-Flow
into the Chondalwood as far as possible. My companions were: a hearty
Elf with a penchant for sword-play as well as magic-use; a Gnomish
rogue who gave me no end of misery with his practical jokes; and a
sturdy Human warrior-woman who is as brave as they come. We bought two
canoes and food from the villagers and set out early one morning. We
made good time traveling roughly 16 miles in our 8 hours of paddling,
starting just after sunrise with a break for noonfeast after 4 hours
of travel.
Day 1- Approx. 4 miles upstream of the village, we had to detour
around a small falls and some rough water which took about a 1/2 days
time.
Day 2- We made good time today, the river is narrow but deep,
apparently it once had been maintained well.
Day 4- We entered the forest just after midday. We camped for the
night and the Elf, Nygellis, caught some small lout for our dinner,
and sang some songs "direct from Milil" as he is fond of saying. That
night, we all heard noises of some creature thrashing in the
underbrush, but saw nothing.
Day 5- Some rapids ahead forced us to detour around it on foot. We
investigated a path alongside the river and it led to a clearing with
a statue of a rough frog-like humanoid. On the way back to the river,
we were attacked by some of the humanoids (which the woman, Big
Jander, called "bullywugs"). We killed 6 and at least two fled. We
decided to press on until dark.
Day 6- We had camped on the fifth day at a branching of the Leaf-
Flow. After much contemplation (argument) we decided to take the
larger, more eastward branch rather than the more northern creek. We
left a signpost with the inscription "indecision creek."
Day 7- At midday, the river widened into a small bay. We found
some extensive ruined stone buildings, and while exploring them, ran
into some undead zombie-creatures. In the course of fighting our way
back to the river, I discovered that magic here was very unpredictable
and almost killed myself. On the way back the quick-thinking Phan
(the gnome) managed to rescue some small golden objects from the
hideous abominations.
Day 8- Today, the forest became very thick and dark. It became
very humid, and biting insects were thick in the air. Just after
midday, the river opened up into a small swamp. We kept to the main,
open channel but were forced to make camp on a small island in the
swamp. All wood was damp, and we had to do without a fire. On my watch
several hours before dawn, we heard an eerie throbbing that seemed to
emanate from everywhere! I woke up the others just as several greenish
humanoids came up out of the water. They were definitely troll-like.
We fought them off as best as we could, but we had to fight without
fire, and partly in the water which was to their advantage--not ours.
We fought them long enough to escape to the canoes but had to leave
our food and most of our equipment behind.
Day 9- We continued up the river from the water-trolls, to leave
the swamp as quickly as possible. It was then that we noticed that the
treasures we had gained must have been left behind! We were sorely
depressed and hungry.
Day 10- After two hours of travel, we came to the end of the
navigable portion of the river. It ended in a large pool of clear
water and clean grass. The river's source was a bubbling spring 2
miles further east. We decided to rest here and recover from the
wounds we received from the trolls. Nygellis shot two rabbits, and we
gathered some wild potatoes and carrots. We rested some 3 days in the
peaceful glade, but now were 80 miles in the heart of the Chondalwood
with no food, no treasure, and no desire to go back the way we came.
As a priest of Deneir who had taken a vow of exploration, I decided to
do the only thing possible: to continue East on foot charting an exit
out of the Chondalwood...
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
15th Dec
The party left Daggerford the next morning and headed up to
Laughing Hollow, where they spent the night.
16th Dec
Continuing towards Clearwater, they found a tied up barge a little
before lunchtime. The barge appeared unattended at first. Looking it
over, the barge had a cargo of quarried stone, and there were signs of
a fight. Inside the barge was ransacked, but a man was found tied and
unconscious. Mob cured him and looked after him until he was able to
speak. From his description a group of about 7 orcs attacked the
horseman and the bargeman, who were killed. He had been bound and
beaten and forced to tell the orcs about any valuables, which included
about 2000gp worth of gems (quartz and jade) also from the quarry in
Greenmoor. They had been on their way to Daggerford to hire a sea
vessel to take the cargo to Waterdeep for sale. The attack had
happened the previous afternoon.
Deciding it might be possible to catch the orcs & retrieve the
gems the party headed east towards the High Moor following the orcs'
trail. However, Padur soon lost their trail, as they obviously
started making some effort to conceal it. The party camped for the
night on the edge of the High Moor.
17th Dec
Continuing east until lunchtime the next day, but taking a look
thru a couple of copses on the way, the party were attacked by a
couple of boars - they were killed and kept for food, but in the
process Mairenne was blinded by Paddy's colour spray. Heading north
after lunch the party found the road from Greenmoor to Clearwater and
arrived in Clearwater in time to be invited to dinner by Baron Perne.
The party delivered their message about the Duke's arrival with
his escort, and also told of the fate of the barge. The baron was
concerned about the orcs and the barge. He suggested that the party
might be interested in helping deal with the orcs at some point, but
he had an even more immediate problem. His daughter in law to be was
missing! The party talked to those at dinner, the Baron, his wife,
Robert (his son), Isabella (his daughter), and Fortha (his adviser)
about what had happened. The previous day, around lunchtime Melinda
had gone off in a huff, and it turned out had ridden out of town,
saying she was off to Secomber to see her father to the gatesman. The
Baron offered a 500gp reward for her safe return before the wedding -
the party accepted.
Finbar spoke to Isabella and Margaret Mowbray and discovered it
was surprising Melinda had gone to see her father when her mother was
here. There wasn't anywhere else she was likely to go apart from
Secomber (a family villa in Waterdeep was discounted). Robert and
Melinda were definitely in love, and were looking forward to the
wedding very much. Melinda, Mark, Isabella and Robert, the Mowbray
and Perne children) had all known each other for a long time, as the
Baron and Malcolm were good friends and had adventured together in
their youth. From Melinda's room it appeared she had taken no more
than two days clothing with her, and little in the way of provisions.
18th Dec
The next day the party talked to various guards. the ones at the
bridge had seen Melinda ride off towards Secomber. Fortha introduced
himself and gave the party a tour of the castle and a detailed
description of all the heirlooms.
Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.uk