TB's Elric campaign

[tarkhan bey]

Long Posts ahead alert......

Hi guys, I have finally been inspired (by Damonjynx and Akrasia) to post some details about my current campaign in the Young Kingdoms. It may contain some *SPOILERS* for Loz's magnificent Cities of the Young Kingdoms as it runs concurrent with the events described in his 'Of Promises Broken' campaign(contained therein).
I can't get to post as often as I would like these days due to family commitments but I have a little time freed up today, so I am going to introduce my PC's(background, not stats), give a timeline(based on information sifted from Cities of the YK and Book of Brilliant Things). Hopefully next time I can get to to the actual adventuring and the backgrounds for the NPC'sd

Any of my players reading should immediately desist......... :x

The Protagonists

Galvan Tarnak

Galvan is the wayward son of Durthan Tarnak, Duke of Senlaak( a minor city state of western Ilmiora). As the third son he expected little in the way of inheritance and so he set off for Bakshaan in search of fame and fortune. Instead, he found the Velvet Circle and in due course found himself penniless, friendless and thoroughly debauched. A short career of thievery followed before he took on the role of a professional duellist, fighting on behalf of wealthy but less able clients.
This ended rather abruptly with the death of a young Bakshaani nobleman forcing him to flee the city with the Mereghn hot upon his trail.
In neighbouring Vilmir, he took ship and served as a privateer with that nations fleet of state sanctioned pirates before finally relocating to Raschil in the city of Filkhar.
He stands six feet tall with shoulder length fair hair. This normally hangs loose except for when he is duelling(when it is tied back with a leather thong). His clothes are travel worn and functional, giving away no clue as to his wealthy background. He has been known to mention his heritage when he is trying to impress serving girls (usually when drunk). He considers himself to be the epitome of the dashing young gentleman adventurer and approaches most situations with a cocky swagger and an air of bravado.

Jerak Anderos

Jerak is the eldest son of an immensely wealthy family belonging to the Merchant Nobility of Raschil. His father was mostly absent during his childhood and his mother's attitudes and opinions have greatly influenced the man he is today. He firmly believes (thanks to her) that there is no problem that cannot be fixed by the twin virtues of money and breeding.
After a short and somewhat inglorious time as a Captain in the Anchor Ward watch of the militia he resigned his commission. His Commander remarked that he was a very capable young officer, capable of disgracing both his family and the militia at a moments notice. This was the final straw for his father who immediately removed him from the family will and banished him from the household.
If his father hoped that this would prompt a change of attitude in his feckless, libertinous attitude he was sorely wrong. The continuing interference of his mother in her favourite son's life means that he has a regular and generous stipend to live on. This is inevitably spent on carousing and gambling, much to the chagrin of Jax, his loyal manservant who has followed him into his estrangement. Jax maintains that his mother, the Lady Cassendora, will kill him with her kindness.
He is a little short of six feet, of slim build and with unkempt brown hair. His, once fine, apparel is tattered and threadbare and he is gaunt with hollow cheeks from his continuous excesses. He cares little about anything or anyone save himself and lives only to enjoy the pleasures that his coin can bring.

Annariel

A myrrhyn warrior, cast out from his home for the crime of turning from the worship of Lady Lassa to that of the the ancient enemy-Vezhan the Lord of Wings.
He made this pact after Vezhan promised to reveal the secret of why his people were gradually becoming a wingless race. Upon leaving the mountains he fell into the hands of Dhjarijorian slavers and was dragged, in chains to the city of Lashmar.
The ruler of the city was the 'shefanhow' hating Duke Tarkis, a fervent sword cultist. He had Annariel tortured and brutalised for months during which time, in a cruel twist of fate, his mighty wings were amputated.
He was thrown into the fighting pits for the amusement of his brutal captors but discovered hidden depths of determination and fighting skill to survive those first few encounters.
Almost a year later he finally escaped from the clutches of his captors when his master, Vezhan, finally answered his prayers. Several demons attacked the compound where the pit fighters trained and in the melee, Annariel was able to effect an escape over the wall.
He made his way into neighbouring Jharkor and the port city of Dhakos. Here, he was 'changshaied' into the crew of a Jharkorian pirate vessel and spent the next year operating out of the port of Ryfel. Several months ago his ship was finally brought to book by the Argimiliraran navy off the coast of Filkhar.
Annariel made it to the shore where he has entered into the service of one 'Ramian of Sequaloris' as a killer for hire.He is now known locally as the sadistic killer for hire called 'Shrike'.
Experience and necessity have turned a once pleasant Myyrhyn husband into a violent sociopath, hired to kill when a brutal and bloody point is to be made.
Shrike stands well over six feet tall and appears to have a hunchback, due to the stumps of his wings. His hair is thinning and cropped short, his nose is sharp and his eyes are always watching. He says very little and has a near psychopathic hatred for Dharijorians and Sword cultists.

 

[Loz]

Lovely character write-ups! Nice use of the cults and YK background too.

I look forward to reading more.

 

[tarkhan bey]

The Timeline

300 Years ago

Lormyr and Argimiliar launch simultaneous invasions against the newly independent Filkharian territories. Earl Rasch leads the bulk of his outnumbered forces west to fact the Lormyrians.
Lord Oshar Bloodhand of Ghenhir prepares to defend his stronghold at 'Sad Hill' with the remnant. The invaders are defeated, but the price is high. Lord Oshar is killed in the last assault before the Argimiliarans withdraw, leaving two thirds of their number stricken upon the field.
The siege of Sad Hill is chiefly remembered for the treachery of Lord Targeth Silvertongue and for the heroic quest of the folk hero, Caden, to bring him to justice.
Targeth was ordered to lead a company of warriors to reinforce the defenders of Sad Hill. Unknown to Earl Rasch, he had already thrown his lot in with the enemy. He led the relief force into an ambush and only a small handfull survived to reach the beleaguered hill fort (including the aforementioned Caden).

23 Years ago

For the third consecutive year, the armies of King Daru of Argimiliar are ranged along Filkhar's southern and eastern provinces. The army of Filkhar is stretched thin and King Halned is preparing to withstand a siege at Raschil. His treasury is sorely depleted following similar campaigns in the previous two years. A substantial amount of gold is gifted to the treasury by the merchant, Lutric Anderos enabling the hiring of several free company's. Following a handful of sharp skirmishes, the Argimiliarans withdraw and the family of Anderos is ennobled by way of reward.

22Years ago

Daru of Argimiliar campaigns in the south against Dorelite raiders. He is sorely wounded at the battle of the Talboraz river. The wound becomes infected and he loses a leg. He is never able to take the field in person again.
The noble house of Oshar falls upon hard times as its son and heir disappears at sea along with most of the family fortune. In an effort to ensure the continuation of his family's nobility, Lutric Anderos offers a huge dowry to Lord Terek Oshar for the hand of his daughter, Cassendora. Despite her protestations, the two are subsequently married.

21 years ago

Cassendora gives birth to a son, Jerak.


20 years ago

Cassendora gives birth to a daughter, Jeramyn.


19 years ago

Cassendora gives birth to a second son, Jalnor.

18 years ago

A half Melnibonean slave, Da'arvulya, is introduced to the household. Unknown to Lord Lutric she is a member of the Azure Sisterhood. Before long she has indoctrinated her mistress into the mysteries of the cult.
Cassendora begins to plot the transfer of power in both the houses of Anderos and Oshar to herself, for the greater glory of her mistress.

15 Years ago

Halned of Filkhar dies peacefully in his bed and the crown passes to his teenage son, the foppish Prince Jerned.
Within a few months, Daru of Argimiliar takes his own life and the crown passes to Prince Jiku.
To ensure the continued peace between the two kingdoms, Jerned is married to Princess Sennerra, Jiku's younger sister.

8 years ago

Jeramyn is initiated into the Azure Sisterhood.


2 years ago

Thanks to his mothers machinations, Jerak finds himself disinherited and estranged from his family. Cassendora moves on to engineer Jalnor's fall from grace.

Recently

Jalnor has proved surprisingly resistent to his mothers plotting. Jeramyn grows impatient and launches her own plot to murder both of her brothers, so that neither can stand in her way.
She seduces Dolthas, Jalnor's Jharkorian bodyguard and convinces him to carry out the murder. She simultaneously hires other killers to kill Dolthas and cover her tracks.

Now

The PC's are in the upper room of 'The Shield Sent Spinning' in Raschil.

 

[havercake lad]

Another interesting campaign to keep track of.
J

 

[tarkhan bey]

Thanks guys, there are some game settings that you just really get a feel for. Since the days of Stormbringer 1ed boxed set, this has been my favourite setting(although, I also love Conan and Slaine).

NPC's (The cast of thousands)

Lady Cassendora Anderos

Cassendora is the 47 yr old matriarch of the 'recently' ennobled house of Anderos. She is, however, a daughter of the House of Oshar who can trace her lineage back to the formation of the Kingdom. She despises her husband, whom she regards as a 'filthy fingered shopkeeper' with a lack of culture and the manners of a dockworker. She hates the fact that his title is built on wealth and business acumen rather than that of Oshar which was won with blood and steel. She longs for the day when she can
avenge the indignity of this arranged union.
As was her duty, she has provided her husband with heirs and the legitimacy of his 'noble' line has been assured.
Unknown to her husband, the exotic half Melnibonean slave he bought his wife at the slave market in Ryfel was a member of the Azure Sisterhood. In a short space of time, Cassendora became initiated into that cult.
In time, her influential position meant that she eclipsed her teacher to become High Priesess of the cult in Raschil. She has indoctrinated her daughter, Jeramyn, into the cult and figured her into her long term plan of revenge.
She has been instrumental in the estrangement of her eldest son, Jerak, from the family and now she works on his younger brother, Jalnor. The latter is proving more resistant to her wiles, being more like his father, but Cassendora is playing the long game.
Eventually she will have her husband murdered for the crime of laying his filthy hands on a daughter of the true nobility. Then it will be her own father's turn to pay for treating his daughter like a chattel. Their deaths will advance both her cause and that of Eequor within the Young Kingdoms.

Lord Lutric Anderos

Lutric Anderos is the 53 yr old patriarch of his household. He is, on the surface, diligent and hardworking. He is well respected locally and abroad for his fair trading principles and has become extremely rich through his business acumen. He gives prayer to Straasha for calm seas, to Lassa for fair winds and to Arkyn the Golden for success.
The truth is a somewhat different. He is not nearly as pleasant as his facade would suggest. Behind closed doors he is one of the most cutthroat men there is in a cutthroat market. Although he never involves himself personally, several of his captains have his unwritten permission to engage in such acts of piracy or slaving as they can get away with (without besmirching the good name of Anderos)|.
The wealth of this merchant house is measured in the millions of silver coins and Lutric employs a small private army of mercenaries and marines to protect his vessels and holdings, both at home and abroad.

 

[DamonJynx]

Very cool, interesting and in-depth backgrounds. looking forward to reading more.

 

[tarkhan bey]

NPC's cont

Jeramyn Anderos

Jeramyn is the 20 year old daughter and middle sibling of House Anderos. Although she once loved her father and adored her brothers, her attitudes have changed drastically since her indoctrination into the Azure Sisterhood. She has been convinced by her mother and the cult that her brothers and her father stand squarely in the path of what should rightfully be hers.
While her mother has observed her growing impatience at first hand, she does not realise that it has grown to the extent that she would now murder her brothers as well as being complicit in the plot against her father.
A young woman of breeding and great physical beauty, she has taken her mothers bodyguard, Sorkyah, as a lover and has seduced her younger brother's bodyguard, Dolthas into believing that she will wed him when the wealth of Anderos belongs to her. All Dolthas must do to prove his love is to murder his master.

Sorkyah

Sorkyah is a warrior maiden of the Harrassin, one of the Grome worshipping clans who dwell in the region of Ryfel in Pikarayd. She was taken in a raid by Pan Tangians and sold into slavery. Bought by representatives of the House of Anderos and brought to Raschil she was easy to initiate into the ways of the Azure Sisterhood. Her fighting skills were greatly admired (and desired) even before she received divine training from her goddess and she has risen to become the personal bodyguard of High Priestess Cassendora.
Although she is technically still a slave (to those outside the sisterhood), she is afforded great respect by unhappy noblewomen of other houses who have also been indoctrinated.
She has been seduced by the wily Jeramyn into becoming her lover although the High Priestess is not aware of their liaison. She is hot tempered and quick to take insult. It has taken great willpower on her part not to strike out at Dolthas, the Jharkorian oaf who paws at her lover and dares to think that she might truly desire his 'manly' caresses.

Dolthas

A Jharkorian who claims to have served in the White Leopard guard of King Dharmit. Although this was a blatant lie, it's utterance was enough to see his hire as a bodyguard for young Jalnor.
Dolthas has a high opinion of himself. He is vain and arrogant which, combined with his low average intellect, serve to make him highly susceptible to flattery and flim flam.
He was easily bewitched by the extremely wealthy and beautiful Jeramyn Anderos falling completely in love and becoming her accomplice in the plot to kill her brother.
It was only when his partners in crime turned upon him, after the deed was done, that the veil of illusion was lifted from his eyes. Jeramyn did not love him and he had been played for a fool.
Taking the gold that young Jalnor had upon his person he made for Trepasaz and took a berth on a ship bound for Menii in the Purple Towns. Unfortunately, the ship was seized by pirates and Dolthas now languishes in chains in the Brig of a vessel bound for Ryfel. Here his love for Jeramyn is steadily turning to hate.

 

[tarkhan bey]

NPC's continued

Jax

An aging family retainer of the House of Anderos. Before taking service he was a soldier in the Filkharian army and served in King Halned's border 'troubles' with King Daru of Argimiliar.
With the regular absences of Lord Lutric, Jax was instructed to provide a male role model for the young Jerak but despite his best efforts (and a growing fondness for the boy) his influence was marginalised by the scheming of the boy's mother.
His fondness for 'The Young Master' has led him to follow Jerak into his tenure with the militia and into his estrangement.
Jax is a devout man and a lay member of the cult of Donblas. He believes that if he sticks with his master and constantly chides him about his lifestyle, he will one day change for the better. He constantly tries to steer Jerak towards redemption through the Church of Law and hopes that this might also redeem him in the eyes of his family.
Although he constantly bemoans Cassendora's interference, he does not know that she engineered his fall. "That woman will kill you with her kindness, mark my words.". He is also unaware of the existence of the Azure Sisterhood within the halls of House Anderos.

 

[tarkhan bey]

NPC's cont

Jalnor Anderos

At a mere 19 years old, Jalnor was the youngest of the three Anderos siblings. Unlike Jerak, who resembled his mother in so many ways, Jalnor was more like his father. He had a hardworking ethos and enjoyed spending time with the family retainers (much to his mother's disgust), especially the caravan masters and the ships captains.
As the youngest, he stood to gain the least from his family inheritance but this bothered him little. He strove constantly for the admiration of his father and hoped that his older brother would allow him to retain control of the family business.
The estrangement of Jerak has had the unforeseen consequence of being directly responsible for his death. It was easy to fool him into travelling to Lormyr with a small party to arrange new business dealings with a merchant house of Stegasaz. It was also easy to seduce and corrupt Dolthas, his bodyguard. As the adventure starts, Jalnor lies dead in the mud of the road, surrounded by his servants and the mercenaries, hired by Jeramyn to kill Dolthas. He is the first victim of his sisters far reaching ambition and religious fervour.

 

[tarkhan bey]

Npc (cont'd)

Da'arvulya

Da'arvulya is the beautiful and exotic half Melnibonean body slave to Lady Cassendora. It was she who introduced her mistress to the secret ways of the Goddess Eequor and enabled the plot to sieze control of both the houses of Anderos and Oshar.
She was born in Immryr, the child of the illicit union of a Nobleman and an Ilmioran slave girl. With her looks favouring her Melnibonean ancestry she was brought up as a personal slave in the household of Lady Derina Devorac (the wife of her father) and indoctrinated into the Azure Sisterhood at an early age.
By the time she had seen 26 summers she had risen to be a Sister of the Azure Robe and was granted eternal youth in return for a pact to promote the influence of the cult in far off lands.
She set off for Filkhar with the blessings of her sisters and the Lady Derina. Her ship was blown far off course in a tempest and was wrecked upon the coast of Pikarayd. She was taken prisoner by the barbarian tribesmen of the region and sold as a slave on the auction block at Ryfel.
It was clear that the Goddess Eequor still favoured her though,as she was bought by a Filkharian merchant who turned out to be a heavily disguised Lutric Anderos.
Since that time she has become unsure of her Goddess' plans for her. She has been eclipsed in power by Lady Cassendora who has become the High Priestess. Even her daughter, Jeramyn, has risen to hold the same sway within the sisterhood.
Her power ebbs away as she watches and it does not sit well with her. Would it be a betrayal of the Goddess if she were to undo the plans of her rivals is the notion she currently toys with.

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 1-

It is autumn and darkness hangs like a shroud over the city of Raschil. The damp cobbles gleam in the moonlight and provide the only reminder of the subsided gales and torrential rain that, until today, pummelled the southern Kingdom of Filkhar.
The air is chill and the bright lights of the many inns and hostellrys of the Anchor ward offer a welcome respite from the weather.
It is in one such hostellry, The Shield sent Spinning, that we first meet our three heroes as they await a performance in the upper common room by the legendary tale spinner known as Ranyart Finn.
The room is filled almost to capacity as the flautist known as Hop Legged Twll provides the early evening entertainment with a selection of folk songs.
Lania, the serving wench has been waylaid(as usual) by Galvan. She perches upon his knee as he whispers sweet nothings in her ear and attempts to gain for free what others must pay for.
Jarek is drunk, not falling down drunk but that annoying drunkeness that accompanies fine wine and a belief in ones own superiority. He regales any who will listen with his wit and wisdom and hurls abuse at those who fail to laugh or show any interest.
Annariel scowls at them both as he nurses his drink and sits with his back to the wall. He despises them both but even he requires company from time to time and they do not seem to share the sense of unease that others experience in his presence. Still, the Ilmioran needs taught a lesson, a long slow and bloody one that will bring him down a peg or two. The drunken fop would be dead in one of the alleys of the Anchor ward were it not for the presence of his manservant, the ever vigilant Jax.
Jax sits a respectful distance from the Fop and occasionally winces at another cringeworthy attempt at wit from his master. He glances occasionally at the big Myrrhyn in the corner, a suspicious look in his eye. There is something that is not quite right about him. He cannot put his finger on it but he wonders of the rumours that he is the brutal killer known as 'Shrike' are true.


Agggh, dammit, real world interference again. Hope to continue to post soon.
:x

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 1 cont'd

As Jax observes him, the Myrrhn seems to look over his masters shoulder at an approaching figure. He turns to see a large muscular woman with a tattooed face approaching the table. It is Sorkyah, the bodyguard of the master's sister. He interposes himself between her and enquires as to her business. "You are a day early with Cassendora's money". The woman looks through Jax as if he is not there and says "Tell your master that my mistress, The Lady Jeramyn, awaits him in the downstairs snug".
The common room is now filled near to bursting point and the crowd claps and cheers wildly as Ranyart Finn takes centre stage. From his seat in the Inglenook he weaves a magical tale about a millers daughter and has the audience in fits of laughter. Jarek, accompanied by Jax, descends the packed stairwell into the nearly deserted ground floor common room. At the entrance to one of the two snugs he spies the burly figure of Sorkyah. He stumbles past her and into the snug.
Unable to contain his interest, Annariel too descends the stairwell and manages to enter the other snug unobserved by Jax and Sorkyah who are too busy trying to intimidate one another.
As he enters he notices his employer, Ramian of Sequaloris, in conversation with a trio of red garbed warriors near the bar. He nods over but despite it being obvious that Ramian has seen him, there is no greeting.
In the snug, Jeramyn berates Jerak for his slovenly ways and appearance."How do ever believe that father will reinstate you as his heir?"
"You are a day early sister.Where is the coin that mother has sent?"
Jeramyn says that she has not come to bring him money but opportunity. His brother, Jalnor, set out four days ago for Stegasaz to meet with the representatives of a merchant family there. He travelled with two servants, Dolthas his bodyguard,a pair of household guards and his faithful hound-Tovik.
A letter has been received this morning from persons unknown stating that he is now kidnapped and held hostage pending the payment of 500 gold coins. It is clear that the perpetrators do not know much about the House of Anderos or they would not be asking for such a paltry sum. Of course, House Anderos has no intention of paying the ransom. House Anderos intends to send a group of men(led by Jerak) to rescue his brother and mete out summary justice to the villains. By rescuing his brother from their clutches he might just convince his father to change his mind.
Jerak states that he cares not a fig for his fathers wishes but that it is right that no low born scum should lay hands upon one of his family.
He will leave tomorrow and he knows just the men to accompany him. He does, however, need coin to secure their services. His eyes light up as Jeramyn pours out a small bag of 20 gold coins onto the table. "That should suffice for any expenses and for the hire of mounts" she states.
With that, she leaves the inn accompanied by Sorkyah.Jerak makes for the bar but is waylaid by Jax who relieves him of most of the coins and says that he 'accidentally overheard' the conversation. He retires to his room and says that he will make the arrangements in the morning.

Thers's more to come in this first session but I got no more time this evening.

 

[DamonJynx]

Come on mate, looking forward to the next installment!

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 1 cont'd

Jerak makes his way upstairs to the upper common room where Galvan awaits him, keen to find out if there is more coin to spend. After a few minutes, Annariel leaves the snug where he too has heard the conversation between Jerak and his sister.(His gift from Vezhan has been divine training, granting him perception of 100%). He espies the three red garbed warriors and approaches them, asking them to pass on a message to Ramian that he is looking for further work. The three warriors are a pair of Pan Tangians and a Dharijorian. They are less than impressed at being approached by a 'shefanhow' and make their feelings plain. One of the Pan Tangians stands up and says "Do I look like a damned errand boy to you, you filth'. I am Hastur Lanik, Captain and Swordmaster of the Crimson Blades and I would stain the flagstones with your shefanhow blood if I were not bound to keep the peace." Annariel's hand drops to the hilt of his scimitar and only the appearance of a Militia patrol (dropped in at the end of their shift) prevents immediate bloodshed. The three warriors leave the inn immediately and make their way towards their own hostelry. Annariel stalks them through the nighted streets but is sensible enough to realise that he probably cannot kill all three without help. The name of their hostelry is 'The Three Blades Sharpened'. He puts two and two together and decides that they must be Sword Cultists and that the inn must be a front for Sword Cult activity. He makes a mental note to return and burn it to the ground.
Upon his return to The Shield sent Spinning, Annariel finds that Galvan and Jerak are now both quite drunk. Galvan has negotiated a fee for aiding Jerak to rescue his brother and he(Annariel) finds the sum to be acceptable(at least until something else turns up).
The three retire for the evening.
The following morning, Jax departs the inn with the money. He returns several hours later with hired mounts and equipment as well as a beautiful antique Longsword and Scale hauberk for his master. These, it turns out, belonged to Jerak's maternal grandfather who had been a champion in the cult of Donblas the Justice maker. These items were all that remained of his inheritance and he had hocked them to a pawnbroker named Despy, over in the Narrows ward.
A little later, Jerak finally surfaced from his room. In the street outside, he stumbled and fell on the damp cobbles before being helped onto his mount by the ever patient.Jax. "Time to break my fast" he mumbled before pulling out a bottle of strong distilled liquor from his cloak."The Pikaraydians call this 'The Water of Life' you know". "Good bloody stuff it is too" With a wave of his hand he turned his horse towards the Anchor Gate."Let us be off then gentlemen".

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 1 cont'd

Despite the efforts of Jax to instill some urgency into his master, it takes four days of leisurely riding to reach the wooded hills that form the borderlands between Lormyr and Filkhar. Although the storms of the last week have passed, a constant drizzle serves to dampen our heroes clothing and enthusiasm for the task.
This night, they know that they will be sleeping in the rough and it does not sit well with Jerak. He complains bitterly to anyone who will listen until a ferocious scowl from the Myrrhyn suggests he should be silent. At least they had some decent wine in the last inn that they stayed in. If only he could remember the name of the Inn or, in fact, the name of the town. :roll:
Jax is wrapped tight in his travel cloak more asleep than awake as the journey starts to take effect on his old bones. Only Galvan seems oblivious to the weather ase tries to rouse his companions to sing a bawdy song he overheard in the inn the previous night.
The deciduous trees of this hill country are stripped bare of foliage, the fallen leaves having created an ankle deep mulch which sucks at the hooves of their horses. Suddenly, Annariel spots something glinting among the mire, a gold coin?
On investigating he discovers the body of a dead hound, a Pikaraydian wolfhound, partially devoured by scavengers and starting to decompose. The 'coin' is, in fact, a name tag on a leather collar. The name of the hound is 'Tovik'. It is Jalnor's faithful pet and it appears to have been slain by a mighty stroke from an edged weapon.
Further off into the trees, Annariel spies two bodies in similar condition to the hound. Their worn leather armour and their scarred appearance suggest that these are probably the mercenaries that accompanied Jalnor. There are three shallow,unmarked graves nearby.What has happened here?
Annariel summons his fellows from the road and they trudge through the mulch to where he stands, silent and in contemplation. "Bandits" he says quietly, "'All around us, six or more". Suddenly he sways to one side as an axe smashes into the tree behind him with a resounding thunk.
The bandits charge in with little finesse, keen to come to blows with the travellers. Jax whips out a mace and cracks one on the knee cap. The bandit drops and the old servant proceeds to stove his head in. Two of the villains charge at Jerak as he fumbles to draw his rapier. The first is dealt with by the judicious use of a bottle wine smashed over his head as he nimbly evades the lunge of a spear from the second.
Galvan whips out his rapier and impales his opponent thru the thigh before finishing him off with a main gauche stab through the eye.
The remaining two converge on the Myyrhyn who slashes out with his scimitar sending a spray of arterial blood through the damp air from the first before smashing the second square in the teeth with his buckler.
Jerak finally manages to draw his rapier as the bandit lunges at him once again. The other bandit tries to stand up and is kicked in his teeth for his trouble (and knocked unconscious).Thinking better of it, the remaining bandit, decides that the fully armed Jerak is a force to be reckoned with and decides that discretion is the better part of valour. He turns his back and flees the scene crashing through the thorny scrub. Jerak turns his attention to the unconscious bandit at his feet. "Peasant filth" he hisses as he administers a coup de gras on his helpless victim.
The remaining bandit has disengaged from Annariel and is fleeing through the trees, blood gushing from his mouth and his nose. Everyone's attention is focused on the flight of the remaining bandits and no one notices as Annariel scoops out the eyes of his kill and pops one of the tasty morsels in to his mouth. :shock:


OK, finally that's the end of events in session 1, I hope to put session 2 on the board in a couple of days time.

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 2

"After the scum" yelled Jerak as he crashed through the scrub in pursuit of the fleeing bandits."They may lead us to whoever has taken my brother". "You stay here and guard the horses old fellow. I'll make sure no harm comes to your master" grinned Galvan at Jax before plunging off into the scrub after him. Annariel says nothing but moves off, cautiously, through the trees after them.
Some ten minutes later and Galvan and Jerak come upon a small valley. A stream flows through it, swollen to near thigh deep by the rain of the past weeks. On the opposite bank sits a hakf timbered cottage and a small barn. The two bandits are frantically saddling a pair of horses while a voice roars in anger from within the cottage. Between the two buildings a man is staked out on the ground between four wooden pegs, whether alive or dead it is not possible to tell. Another figure is most definately dead, tied to an upright wagon wheel and bristling with arrows. It appears that whoever he was, he finished up as target practice.
Our two heroes watch the scene unfold and a hulking warrior in a sleeved ringmail hauberk exits the cottage. His head is bald and a vicious scar runs down the entire right side of his face." Pah, run then you dogs, I always said you wuz cowards, the whole damned lot of ya!" He steps out into the centre of the clearing and they observe that he carries a Lormyrian axe and a target shield. "I am Bartok" he calls out "and I can smell your fear. Come in and die you sons of harlots!"
Galvan turns to Jerak and whispers "Leave this big fellow to me". Jerak looks at the hulking bandit leader and shrugs. "Fine by me my dear fellow".
Galvan walks down to meet his opponent and wades across the stream. The water is freezing. He exits the other bank of the stream and the combat commences. "You shall not have my loot" he sneers as he aims a mighty swing at Galvan who nimbly deflects the blow with his main gauche. Striking back at the villain, Galvan finds that he has overstretched and left himself at his opponents mercy. Bartok aims a backhanded swing which cuts across Galvan's thigh and drops him down to one knee. Bartok drops his shield and prepares a mighty cleaving blow with both hands on his axe haft."Leave it to me, he says" quips Jerak as he also appears in the fight. The rapier flickers in his hand and takes the bandit chief through the right arm. Galvan having recovered his wits, strikes from the ground and pierces the right wrist. The axe falls from Bartok's hand as he stands and begs for mercy."Let me live and I will show you where to find our loot" he says.
"Seems like a good enough idea to me" says Galvan through clenched teeth as he ties a length of rag tightly around his wood. "I'll have my man, Jax, look at that for you later, if you like. Perhaps this rogue can explain my brother's whereabouts" says Jerak.
Fior almost half an hour they question the big bandit leader. He turns out to be a deserter from the Lormyrian army who has taken to a life of brigandage amongst the hills of the border country. His men were all local lads, inbreds and cowards. He had told them as much after the events of last week. This was the way they had told it to him.
"The horsemen came down the road.It was raining, but ain't it always. There was seven of em and a big dog. We decided to watch em for a while and maybe attack them when it got dark and they settled for the night. Three of em were armed and they looked 'well tasty', if you know what I mean. Anyways, suddenly the big one at the front dismounts and beckons to a young fancy dressed one-a noble or a wealthy merchant probably. He dismounts and moves to where the first one is pointing at something on the ground. He kneels down and quick as a flash, the big fellow draws his scimitar and slashes down the younger one. The big dog goes wild and leaps at the big one biting his arm before getting gutted by the scimitar.
Meantime, the two armed guards have turned on the servants and butchered them before they could make their escape. The big one threw back his cloak and he was a black skinned fella, one of them Jharks I reckon. They say there's black skinned fella's in Jharkor. Anyway he insists that the other two guards help him to bury the bodies. The two of them refuse but he insists. The two shrug and finally help him. As the last of the bodies was covered up they then turned on him. He killed them both, just like that. They were'nt even near a match for him and it weren't five heartbeats before both were leakin out their lifeblood into the mud. Then the strangest thing happened. The big fella just falls to his knees and starts howlin in anguish. We run like the wolves of Miggea was after us and left him to it. After all, he might have been one of them were-wolves."

"So" continues Bartok, "I named them as cowards and told them that any more displays like this and I would kill them myself. Two days ago they brought me those two you see over there". He indicates the two bodies that were spotted earlier.
"Then it seems that they bit off more than they could chew when they set upon yourselves."
"Now then, I have kept my end of the bargain and given you my loot as well as answering your questions.Will you let me go?"
Jerak and Galvan nod and Bartok stumbles off along the stream bed. Night is just about to fall and he does not notice the predator that now stalks him in the gathering gloom. Annariel leaps out from behind a tree and slashes at his leg. Hamstrung, Bartok yells in agony until Annariel stuffs a rag into his mouth. He proceeds to stab him repeatedly in various locations, impaling his victim with the collection of knives that he keeps for this very purpose. Bartok is tough and does not pass out despite the fact that it is nearly half an hour before 'Shrike' rolls him into the stream and finally drowns him. Surprisingly for being so tough and ugly, his eyes taste quite delicious.

 

[tarkhan bey]

Session 2 cont'd

Upon investigating the scene, Galvan discovers that the prisoner who is pegged out on the ground is still alive, barely. Before the man expires, he reveals his identity and that he was travelling to Raschil and then on to Ryfel in search of two persons named Menekeyil and Malagan. He reveals that he was in the employ of Lady Arwenna of Alorasaz and that she would reward the characters if they were to carry her missive to them.
Jerac, upon searching the cabin, finds the scroll case with the letter of introduction and the coin purse with the gold as well as some loot that the brigands had amassed.
Annariel appears out of the gloom and the three return to where they had left Jax with the eir mounts. They exhume the bodies and find that one of them is, indeed, Jalnor Anderos. Jerac discovers that the signet ring that marks Jalnor as the heir of House Anderos is missing from the finger of his brother's corpse. He swears vengeance upon Dolthas as the company settle down to camp for the night."Why would Dolthas have done this, the treacherous cur?" he asks. "What of this letter from the kidnappers that my sister claims to have recieved?" he wonders aloud. "Is she behind this?"
The following morning the drizzle has stopped. The characters ride much more urgently upon the return journey but just before midday they are challenged upon the road.
A single warrior, clad in crimson robes and unarmoured stands in the road. He is swarthy of complexion with a neatly trimmed beard and his black hair tight to his scalp in corn row plaits. His face is tattooed with strange sigils and he draws a pair of scimitars as he barks out a challenge. "Who among you is Jerac Anderos?" "I am Jerac Anderos" our hero replies, "Who asks?"
"I am Hastur Lanik, Captain of the Crimson Blades and I am your death" says the red clad warrior.
"It would seem that you have come a little 'short handed' for that task" replies Jerac with a confident grin."There are four of us to your one ,sir. I suggest that you stand aside and give us the road".
THe warrior starts to sing in a high ululating voice and swings the scimitars in theatrical fashion. A horrible smell of sulfur fills the air and a hideous demonic figure manifests behind him. "We will see what my slave here has to say about that, popinjay".
The creature stands near to seven feet tall on legs like that of a great goat. The skin of its upper torso has the pattern of a diamond back rattlesnake and it has long clawed fingers upon its hands, one of which clutches an oversized war sword. Its head is long and is frightening in that it is has a black oval expanse where its facial features should be. Black horns like those of a ram curl from the sides of it's head.
Annariel has recognized the warrior as the one who insulted him in the 'Shield sent Spinning' less than a week ago. He draws his scimitar and, howling with fury, throws himself at the hated Sword Cultist.
THe sword cultist is more than a match for his, nearly deranged, opponent. Especially as the first blow which should have split his skull like a melon simply bounces off his hide. "Sorcery" spits Galvan through clenched teeth as he too joins the fray The demon creature charges at Jerak but is intercepted by Jax who yells "The Longsword, Jerak, use your grandfathers old sword. It is strengthened for use against the denizens of Hell".

 

[tarkhan bey]

The demon hacks at Jax with it's enormous warsword and clutches at the bridle of his panicked steed. Jax finds it difficult to do anything other than defend himself. Jerac slides from his saddle and shakes the oilskin cloth from the antique longsword before charging the demon. It seems to sense the power in the longsword and although it has no face to see it's exprression, the change in it's stance suggests that it is wary of the weapon. Jax smashes his mace into the creatures head to little effect as Jerac, holding the sword in a two handed grip, plunges it towards the foul thing's abdomen. The thing leaps aside, frantic to avoid even the touch of Jerac's sword and loses its footing in the mud. Toppling over onto its face, Jerac administers a killing blow with his Grandfather's blade, plunging it between the creatures ribs in search of it's heart.
Meanwhile, Annariel and Galvan are covered in a mass of minor cuts from the whirling blades of the Pan Tangian. Their opponent also is covered in minor wounds from blows that would have felled normal men. The villain has clearly ensorcelled himself against their blades. Finally though, Galvan manages to stab him in the armpit with his rapier. Hastur Lanik drops one of the two scimitars and instantly the tide of battle turns in the heroes favour. Within seconds the Pan Tangian's confidence has been replaced with panic as he stares defeat in the face. Annariel smashes him in the face with his buckler and Hastur Lanik lapses into unconsciousness.
"What in the Green Hells was that thing, Jax?" gasps Jerac. "Not from the Green Hell but a servant of the Sword King I suspect,master" he replies. "It would seem that some residual power remains in that old sword yet".
Upon closer examination of the sword, Jerac discovers that there is a runic symbol etched on the blade where it meets the hilt. The antique hauberk has a different runic symbol etched on one of the scales.
Hastur Lanik wakes to find his hands and feet bound and the 'Shefanhow' leaning over him with murder in his eyes. "So then, who hired you to kill Jerac you Pan Tangian pig?" No answer is forthcoming from their prisoner and they are at a loss what to do with him. Annariel advocates killing him but the others are less keen on cold blooded murder.
They search the saddle bags of his horse, which is tethered nearby and find almost 200 gold coins. "A pretty sum indeed" laughs Galvan as he shifts the bags onto his own horse.
"My men are not far behind me" sneers the Pan Tangian "That coin is their months wages, I took on the murder of Jerac Anderos for free".
Annariel draws his scimitar once more and advances on the hated Sword Cultist. "You will not be alive to meet them you filth". The Pan Tangian cries out "Mabelode, forsake me not.If I am to die let it be sword in hand with your praises upon my lips" The sky instantly starts to cloud over.
Jerac, who was standing beside him, turns and takes hios head off with a single sweep of the antique longsword. "We'll have no more summoning of filthy demons or their gods you scum".

End of Session 2

 

[tarkhan bey]

Sessions 3 & 4

The characters return to Raschil is at breakneck speed, pausing only to hide from a troop of red clad, mounted warriors who travel in the opposite direction. They are nearly two dozen strong and the characters are still carrying an assortment of minor wounds. "Those would be the Crimson Blades then" remarks Jerac, stating the obvious.
Entering Raschil via the anchor gate they are unaware that they have been observed by agents of the Azure Sisterhood who were watching for their return. They were far more interested in a cluster of tents arranged in vaguely military formation outside the south gate. Upon questioning the watchmen, they discover that the camp is that of 'The Crimson Blades'. There are a score of tents arranged around a large central marquee and there seem to be at least a dozen armoured figures around them. The watchman says that the Lord City Chancellor has refused them entry to the city, except in small,manageable groups and then only with an oath of good conduct given. The characters estimate that this mercenary band must number more than three score of fighting men.
The characters head immediately to the 'Shield sent Spinning to stow their gear and diovide their booty. Jax returns the hired mounts to the livery stable while Annariel begins a search for his old employer, Ramian of Sequaloris. Galvan and Jerac decide that it is time to go out on the town and spend some of their coin. A journey to 'Keraz' Palace of Pale Princesses' is first on the agenda. Keraz' brothel caters to those who believe that fair skin indicates true nobility and that the sun's kiss is only for those who must toil to live. Jerac owes the little Shazaarian money and knows that Dolthas was also known to frequent the establishment. Paying off his debts, he speaks to Dorei the Lormyrian (a favorite of Dolthas) and discovers that he has not visited for a number of weeks. Rumour has it that he has fallen in love, though she knows not who with.
Jerac and Galvan are both of the opinion that it must be Jeramyn. They set off to pay Jerac's other major debt at 'The House of Tumbling Bones' before deciding to purchase some decent clothing and visit 'The Sovereign Inn' in the wealthy Hills ward.
Enquiries reveal nothing about a tryst between Dolthas and Jeramyn and Jerac is forbidden to set foot in his household. Their investigations seem to be going nowhere. The arrival of Sorkyah in the Soivereign inn takes them both by surprise. She instructs them to follow her to her mistresses private appartments at the Tethergate. The pair follow the Pikaraydian suspiciously but fail to notice a group of cowled figures lurking nearby the steps to Jeramyns first floor appartments.
Within the sumptuously appointed rooms, the gorgeous Jeramyn awaits her brother. She waits to hear his tale and offers wine to her guests. They are suspicious but Galvan finally quaffs his down after Jeramyn drinks an entire goblet herself. Jerac refuses the drink and Jeramyn shrugs. She denies the allegation that she was having a tryst with Dolthas and that Jalnor's murder was at her command. She assures the pair that as far as she was aware the ransom note was real though she tells them that is possible that Dolthas engineered the whole plan. As for a tryst with him, why, she had refused him on several occasions. She was a daughter of House Anderos and Dolthas was a hired sword. Such a union would be....unthinkable. Looking over Jeramyn's shoulder at Sorkyah, Galvan sees jealousy and rage wash over thw warrior womans's face as Dolthas and the alleged tryst are mentioned, but by now it is too late. Jeramyn swoons and collapses on her couch. Galvan attempts to stand and his legs buckle leaving him face down and unconscious upon the expensive Anakhazani carpet.
Sorkyah opens the door and a half dozern masked bravo's pile into the room where they overcome Jerac. The final blow comes as Sorkyah punches him in the jaw with a meaty fist.

 

[tarkhan bey]

Sessions 3&4 cont'd

In the meantime, Annariel's attempts to find Ramian have proved fruitless. He returns to the inn to find Jax has returned and the pair of them decide to wait there for the return of their companions. Annariel has left sizable bribes with those 'in the know', in an attempt to locate Ramian, but Annariel knows that he will not be found unless he wants to be.
That night Annariel retires to bed and pulls out the head of Hastur Lanik from a small sack. He scoops out the eyes and pops them into his mouth savouring their delicate flavour. Then he sits upon the bed and cries about the monster he has become.
The next morning, Galvan and Jarec have still not returned."Lost in his cups, that idiot master of yours I'll wager" grumbles the big Myrrhyn. "No, Master Annariel" replies Jax. "I think not. He is no stranger to all night binges but only when I am present to carry his drunken carcass home and ensure that he is neither robbed nor murdered"."I suspect that something ill has befallen them".
A limping man stumbles into the common room and Annariel instantly recognizes him. It is Harlok 'the peg', another employee of Ramian."It must be important that you are paying in gold to see our master" remarks the man."Ramian says that he will meet you at 'The Three Blades' an hour before sunset. His message delivered, he hobbles back into the street.
The Myrrhyn and the old servant decide that they will enquire at his master's old haunts. Keraz tells him that Jerac's intention was to head for the Sovereign inn to attempt to speak to his sister.He also says that Jerac was making strange enquiries after the whereabouts of Dolthas.
Annariel returns to the 'Three Blades' at the alloted time and finds Ramian waiting for him. Ramian is completely nonplussed as Annariel tips the head of Hastur Lanik onto the table in their small private snug."Recognize this bast**d" he growls. "Indeed I do friend Shrike, though he seems to be in worse health thasn when I last met him". A faint trace of a smile crosses Ramian's saturnine features."But tell me, how did you come by his head and where are his eyes"."I ate them" he growled,"Now did you hire this scum to murder Jerac Anderos?" Ramian replies in the affirmative but insists that he was not aware that Annariel was travelling with the 'mark'. He tells Annariel that a large Pikaraydian woman paid him 300 Gold Coins to arrange for the murder of Jerac and that he(Ramian) had paid the Pan Tangian 200 of them for the deed." You should have hired me Ramian, I would have killed him for half the price".
Annariel leaves the inn and meets up with Jax once again. He tells him of Sorkyah's involvement and the two of them decide to pack up their belongings and vacate the Shield sent Spinning. "If those Pan Tangians return it won't take them long to find us. We 'speak' with Sorkyah and then we should leave Raschil for a while".