Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)

[talien]

Lady Sounshay and three town guardsmen attended to Beldin’s wounds.

Kham pulled Sebastian aside. “We need to talk.” He handed Sebastian Augustus’ note.

Lady Sounshay joined them. “What happened here?”

Kham jabbed a thumb in the direction of the warehouse. “I found that note on Augustus’ body, in there.”

Sebastian scanned the letter. “Venton and Anulee were having a secret affair.” His features slowly twisted in rage. ”She used a visiting dark-kin as an excuse to break up with Venton. In retaliation, Venton blackmailed Anulee into blaming the dark-kin for the murder of a town guard.”

“I remember that.” The implications dawned on her. “The dark-kin was executed for that crime!”

“That dark-kin was Lantross.” Sebastian’s face was red. “Lantross Arnyal. My father.” He handed Sounshay the note. “Just before he was executed, he had another visitor. Lantross’ brother…my uncle.”

“I am issuing a warrant for the arrest of Venton Zasfar.” Sounshay barked orders at the guards. She turned back to Sebastian. “I will personally bring it to his door tonight, even if I have to storm his manor and fling his vile sleeping carcass out of his own bed!”

“We can handle that,” began Kham.

“No!” snarled Sounshay. “I need you to go to the Splintered Oak and bring Anulee to me immediately. Perjury is also a crime.”

Beldin’s wounds had been healed enough that he was able to stand. He limped over to them.

Sounshay handed Sebastian a writ to bring her into custody. “Hurry. There is no telling how many more innocent lives are in danger.”

[talien]

They raced to the Splintered Oak. It was empty except for the bartender who was doing inventory of his supplies.

“Great Saluwe’!” said the bartender as they entered. “Is everybody in such a hurry tonight?”

“What do you mean?” asked Sebastian.

“Well, I saw one of those Marokene bodyguards come in here after his walk and go up the stairs same as he did every other time. A few minutes later, I saw Anulee racing down the stairs, practically stumbling over her feet and out the door faster than I could blink. Then, the same Marokene bodyguard came back down the stairs just as quickly and went out the door. Then I heard the horses get restless and the sound of the carriage taking off.”

Kham drew his pistols. “Not good.”

“Did Lady Sounshay give her permission to leave?” asked the befuddled bartender. “I could have sworn Anulee was supposed to stay here.”

“No.” Beldin took out his axe and crept up the steps towards Anulee’s room. “She wasn’t supposed to leave.”

Sebastian addressed Kham. “So she was kidnapped then.”

Kham nodded. “A shapeshifter posed as Kuros. My money’s on Venton.”

“I don’t think so.” Sebastian followed behind Kham. “The hamatula you didn’t help us fight was summoned by someone with connections to the infernal. Venton doesn’t strike me as the type who traffics with devils.”

“With enough money, anything’s possible. Fifty imperials say I’m right,” said Kham.

“Let’s hope neither of us are right,” Sebastian said morosely.

The door to the bodyguards’ room was ajar. Beldin entered the room.

A note was pinned to the door of Anulee’s room with a dagger. Kham scanned it. “This is the court record from ten years ago.” He handed it to Sebastian.

“There’s a note at the bottom, written in the infernal tongue,” Sebastian read it. “The time for justice has come.”

Beldin came back out of the bodyguards’ room. “Elandros’ body is in there. Looks like a gladius punctured his heart. Also, there are no bags packed for travel.”

“Let’s go,” said Sebastian.

The bartender was standing at the foot of the steps. “The carriage left here not that long ago; if you hurry, you can catch up to it! They left going east out of town. I only have three horses in the stable outside, but you’re welcome to use them.”

Sebastian sighed. “No thanks, I’ll—“

Kham shouldered Sebastian aside. “We’ll run it. Beldin, you go on ahead, we’ll catch up.”

The bartender led Beldin to the stables.

Sebastian acknowledged Kham with a nod. Then they both took off in a sprint towards the east side of town.

[talien]

Beldin found the carriage pulled off to the side of the road. An unarmored man held a gladius to Anulee’s throat; she hung shackled to a low-slung branch of a tree. She showed no signs of injury.

“I am Aglamar, brother of Lantross Arnyal.” His face was painted blood red. “I know why you have come and if you knew even half of the truth, then you would realize this woman deserves to die.”

“We know what she conspired to do.” Beldin dismounted. “And what it cost your family. But she was coerced by Venton—“

“I don’t CARE that Venton coerced her! She had her moment to tell the truth but lied and condemned my brother’s life to keep her dirty little secret safe. I wanted Venton, that miserable piece of garbage, to suffer as well, but hurting the cripple was too easy…”

“So it was you who attacked the elves and Augustus?”

Aglamar nodded. “Hurting Venton by framing his son Kuros…now that was well worth the effort.” He pressed the blade against Anulee’s neck. Her eyes were wide with terror. “So it comes down to this. Will you stop me and let their actions continue to make a mockery of the fabled Milandisian honor and justice, or must you force me to end your life as well?”

Beldin’s axe and shield were out. “I cannot allow you to harm her. She must face justice; even human justice, as flawed as it might be, is better than petty vengeance.”

“So be it.” Aglamar stepped away from Anulee. “I should warn you I am a shaman of the wolf. The powers at my disposal are more formidable than you can imagine.”

“I was a titan once,” snarled Beldin. “Your magic holds no secrets.” And with that he charged forward.

A huge black hound the size of a man slammed into Beldin as he passed the tree where Anulee was held captive. He rolled to his feet to face it.

“Meet Raze, my pet,” said Aglamar.

The hound had a bright red streak running down its back. Its eyes glowed a hellish red. Beldin ducked down as flames spewed from its maw. The fire washed over his shield and singed his beard.

Then Raze was upon him. He bore the brunt of it on his shield, but the snapping jaws threatened to tear off his face. Beldin hacked downwards, shearing off an ear. The hound yelped in pain and jumped backwards.

Before it could recover, Beldin surged forward, cracking the hound with his shield. He followed up with his axe, finishing it. The dwarf spun to face Aglamar once more.

Aglamar pointed at him. A gout of flames blasted down from the heavens.

Beldin looked up just in time to see it coming. He raised his shield overhead as the conflagration struck.

When it went out, Beldin was still standing. The surrounding vegetation was blackened to a crisp, the grass and brush smoking from the attack. Beldin himself was covered in soot. Only the whites of his eyes were visible. He took a step towards Aglamar.

“You are like a big, stupid dog who can't stop eating.” Aglamar raised one hand heavenwards. The other pointed at Beldin. “Even though your master said you've had enough!”

There was a terrible crack and the air was filled with the taste of ozone. A lightning bolt struck from the skies, connecting through Beldin’s helmet. The dwarf shook it off.

“Now it's time to put this bad dog to sleep... for good!”


Aglamar pointed again, and lightning struck again. Thrice. Four times. And still Beldin took slow, shuddering steps forward.

Bolt after bolt surged through Beldin’s body. The tips of his beard were on fire. His armor was blackened, his flesh cracked and bleeding. And still the dwarf kept coming.

“Why won’t you die?” shouted Aglamar.

Aglamar thrust one hand into the air, his hand an open claw. Trees and shrubbery reached around the grab Beldin’s feet. The dwarf kept moving forward, one shuddering step at a time. The brush that clung to him carved great furrows in the dirt.

Beldin stood within striking distance of Aglamar. He had since dropped his shield. With two hands, he lifted his dwarven battleaxe over his head…

The hideous sound of snapping bone gave him pause. He looked down.

Aglamar had thrust his gladius up to its hilt in Beldin’s abdomen. The pommel had the word “Brother” engraved in Low Coryan on it, and it sported a snarling wolf-head motif.

The dwarf collapsed just as Sebastian and Kham arrived.

[talien]

Sebastian raised his hands, palms open, towards Aglamar.

The shaman lifted a finger. “You may not want to do that. You might hurt your precious elf.” He pointed at Anulee. The tree she hung from took a shuddering step forward, its roots ripped from its moorings.

Kham’s pistols were out. “I don’t care if he’s your uncle, I’m going to just shoot him in the head.”

They dove in different directions as a huge tree limb swatted at them.

“I can’t stop this tree without hitting the girl!” shouted Sebastian.

Kham jumped backwards as the tree took another clumsy swipe at him. “I think I can fix that.” He holstered his pistols. “When I give you the signal, you do what you do best.”

Sebastian took another step backwards as the tree turned its attention to him. “What are you doing?”

Suddenly, Kham was hanging from the tree and Anulee, freed of her bindings, was standing where Kham once was.

The tree lifted another limb to strike at Sebastian. With a twist, Kham easily slipped out of the bonds that originally bound Anulee. He dove to the side and rolled to his feet.

“Now Sebastian!”

Sebastian fanned out his fingers. “Incendiaries globus!”

A ball of fire enveloped the tree. It flailed helplessly for a moment, enveloped in flames. With another mighty creak, the blackened husk collapsed into ashes.

Kham was still admiring his handiwork when Aglamar attacked. The val spun just in time to block Aglamar’s strike with his scimitar and dagger.

With a bellow of rage, Aglamar struck blow after blow.

“Uh, Sebastian?” shouted Kham over his shoulder. “Now would be a good time…”

He didn’t get to finish. Kham caught another deadly gladius strike between his blades, and for a brief moment they were locked, eye-to-eye. Spittle dripped from Aglamar’s chin, his eyes bulging with fury.

“Radius Incensio!” Two trails of fire blasted into Aglamar’s back…with no effect.

With a roar, Aglamar smashed both of Kham’s weapons aside, knocking him to the ground. He looked up, stunned, as Aglamar raised his gladius for the killing blow…

Then he dropped his gladius and shield. He slowly turned, clutching at his back. Beldin’s waraxe was embedded in Aglamar’s spine. He collapsed to the ground.

Beldin limped over to Aglamar and yanked the blade out of him. “It’ll take more than that to stop a dwarf,” he grumbled.

Aglamar twisted in agony, his battle frenzy wearing off. He groaned, spitting up blood.

Anulee cupped Aglamar’s head in her hands and whispered a chant.

“I have eased his pain for a moment.” She looked at Sebastian, tears in her eyes. “It’s the best I can do.”

Sebastian kneeled by Aglamar’s side. “Hello, uncle.” He took his hand.

Aglamar blinked back tears. “Brother…?”

Sebastian tried to smile, but his mouth was trembling. Aglamar had confused him with his father. “I am Landross’ son. Be still.”

“You look just like him…Anulee! Where is Anulee?”

Sebastian shook his head. “We let her go.”

Aglamar winced as the pain returned. “Then you did what I could not. Forgive me, I have failed you.”

“No, Aglamar, you fought bravely! You have kept your honor.”

Aglamar shuddered. “It is over. Landross’ murder will never be avenged…”

“I swear to you I will see justice done,” said Sebastian.

Aglamar focused on him again. “Your father…would have been proud of you.” Then his body went slack, his unfocused gaze staring past Sebastian into death.

Sebastian touched his hand to his forehead, then to his lips in respect.

“Be at peace, son of Canceri,” whispered Sebastian. He bent and kissed Aglamar on the brow.

Kham looked sadly at Sebastian and Beldin. Beldin bowed his head and turned away.

Sebastian whirled on Anulee. Without a word, he lifted one open palm towards her…

“Sebastian, wait—” shouted Beldin.

There was a resounding crack. Anulee collapsed to the ground, her hand to one cheek.

Tears streaming down his cheeks, Sebastian pulled the writ from his robes and tossed it at her feet.

[talien]

As they entered the town, a host of guardsmen escorted Anulee to the local prison. Inside, Kuros was standing next to Lady Sounshay. A guard stood behind them, holding a squirming and angry Venton in his grasp. As Anulee entered, Kuros’ eyes flashed with fury.

”Please take Anulee to the first holding room,” said Lady Sounshay. “Have Venton put in the second. When I call for each one, bring them to me.” With that, the guards took them both away.

Sounshay addressed Sebastian. “Kuros and I have discussed what to do with both Anulee and Venton. The laws of Milandir are not toys to manipulate for their convenience. However, we felt that because you are Landross’ son, you should have a say. What form of punishment do you think they deserve?”

Sebastian took a deep breath. “Banishment for Anulee. Since she loves this place dearly, so banishment should be a fitting punishment. As for Venton…he should be executed.”

Lady Sounshay called for the guards to bring in Anulee.

“We have discussed your part in this matter and come to a decision. Perjury is a serious offense, especially when it leads to the unjust execution of an innocent man. He may have been dark-kin,” Sounshay looked at Sebastian, “but in Postrava at least, we judge the soul of a man by his actions, not his blood.”

“Be thankful, for the merciful nature of Sebastian astounds me considering all that he has had to endure. I could have you locked away for what you’ve done, but immortality is in your favor. Therefore, as punishment for your part in this, I hereby order you banished from Sylvania until Sebastian forgives you for what you have done to Lantross. Pray that he is more forgiving than his uncle was, as I believe him to be. Perhaps someday, Sylvania will be graced with your song again. That is my edict. Let it be done.”

Anulee pressed something wrapped in parchment in Sebastian’s hand. “Please give this to Ilmarė on my behalf.” She turned to Kuros, tears streaming down her face. “For what it is worth, I am truly sorry for the sorrow I have caused.”

Kuros looked at her for a moment and then turned his gaze away, not uttering a word. The guards ushered Anulee back to her cell.

Lady Sounshay called for the guard to bring in Venton. He was still trying to free himself from the guard’s grasp when they dragged him in.

She fixed him with a penetrating stare. “Now, as for you, Venton, it seems your son’s sense of irony is as sharp as his sense of justice. I will allow him to tell you what your punishment is.”

Kuros stepped up to his father, mere inches from his face. “I may have acquired your temper, but at least I do not have your black, twisted heart, father. Tomorrow morning, you will sign over access to al your monetary wealth, properties, businesses, the mansion, and every other thing you own. All your life you have used your money, influence, and power to destroy peoples’ lives. It ends today.

“While my mother was dying, you made a mockery of her love for you. From this day forth, you will have only that which I allow you to have, which will not be much. Finally, you will not be allowed to leave Postrava. This place will become your tomb. I will not allow you to further smear the good and honorable Zasfar name.”

Venton’s face reddened. “You can’t do that to me!” he screamed. “I won’t allow it!” He raised his cane to strike Kuros.

Kuros snatched the cane from Venton. Pushed off balance, the old man fell to the floor.

“You’ll agree to this, or you will be executed.” With that, Kuros walked away.

“My cane!” pleaded Venton. “Please…I can’t walk without my cane.” He struggled in vain to rise.

“Life is hard, father,” said Kuros as he left the prison. “I suggest you get used to it.”

[talien]

Vlad returned soon after from the field, completing his original mission of helping thwart the goblin attacks. Huddled at The Splintered Oak, they all partook of a sorely needed drink.

“So that’s what happened to my father…” Vlad shook his head in disbelief. “I had heard he’d been killed, but I thought it happened in the line of duty.”

“My father left us when I was very young.” Sebastian drained his mug and ordered a refill. “I never knew what happened to him. I didn’t even know I had an uncle.”

“Venzon Zasfar named Kuros as the immediate controller of all the wealth and holdings of his family,” said Beldin.

“What a shock,” added Kham.

“And what of Anulee?” asked Vlad.

“The entire ordeal has been incredibly trying for Anulee,” said Sebastian sardonically. “She has decided to leave town, not mentioning when or if she will return.”

“That’s probably for the best,” said Vlad. “What are we going to tell Ilmarė?”

“That justice was served.” Sebastian turned the pin Anulee had handed to him over in his hands. It had a motif of a gliding bird on it.

“Has it?” asked Beldin.

“Milandisian law isn’t perfect,” said Vlad. “But it’s all we have.”

Sebastian looked down into the contents of his mug. “Justice wears many masks,” he said. “Vengeance is but one of them.”

“I think I understand why Ilmarė is so ambivalent about Quintus now,” said Vlad. “If Anulee was willing to have someone killed to protect her secret, it must really be a terrible thing for elorii and humans to mingle.”

“Speaking of Ilmarė,” Kham slurped from his mug, “why was she meeting Anulee’s lover in an alley?”

They were silent for a moment.

“Well,” said Vlad suddenly. “I’ve been summoned to Treslau to report back to Duke Adolphos. Anyone want to come with me?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

“Anything but here.”

And with that, they left town.

[talien]

This is a Year Two Living Arcanis adventure, “Unpaid Debts” by Eric Wiener, set in the Arcanis setting. You can read more about Arcanis at Onara Online. Please note: This adventure contains spoilers!

Our cast of characters includes:

• Dungeon Master: Michael Tresca (http://michael.tresca.net)
• Kham Val’Abebi (val rogue/psychic warrior) played by Jeremy Ortiz (http://www.ninjarobotstudios.com)
• Beldin Soulforge (dwarf fighter) played by Joe Lalumia
• Sebastian Arnyal (dark-kin sorcerer) played by George Webster

This adventure is very important in the big scheme of things, as it details the pursuit of a sword that could ignite a civil war. Unfortunately, the adventure is a bit haphazard; I’m leery of “dream sequence” battles (which seem to be a staple of Arcanis for some reason). Fortunately, we’ve already established some strange dream sequence combat before so it wasn’t too hard to introduce it again.

The identity of the bad guys and the force behind them are not revealed in this adventure at all, even to the Game Master, so I changed it around. This is the beginning of an invasion, the invasion that “stirred up the goblins” in the last adventure, and it harkens back to one of the first adventures. Unfortunately, the adventure involved Vlad, Quintus, and Ilmarė, so no one was around to really be horrified by the revelation.

Finally, this adventure features the return of a certain pivotal character. It was anticlimactic because the PCs weren’t all that interested in talking and mostly focused on the goal: getting the sword to its destination. This adds up to two battles, one of which is brutal and over quickly, the other which is a non-event.

Still, Beldin got a kick-ass axe, and that counts for something!

P.S. Sebastian got a new spell. Guess which one it is!

[talien]

Johan Bauer was a simple Moratavian farmer. His old well had dried up after an earthquake, so he took to digging a new one. He dug a hole deeper and deeper, and as he dug the morning became afternoon, shining overhead. Eventually, the sun moved past its zenith, leaving him with little light to continue.

Exhausted and covered in dirt, Johan leaned against the wall. He was a good ten feet below the surface. It would take awhile to reach the water table, but he knew it would happen eventually.

A small trail of pebbles skittered down one side of the well. Johan looked up. He had a terrible thought: if another earthquake hit, he would be buried alive.

Johan started to climb his way up the side of the well when he slipped. One hand clawed desperately for purchase at the top of the half-dug well when he lost his grip.

The farmer flailed helplessly as he fell, certain the well would be his tomb. The soft earth hesitated for only a moment after his impact before it gave way completely. He plunged into darkness and landed somewhere hard.

Johan dusted himself off. He was still alive, if badly bruised. He waited for his eyes to adjust to what little light shone from above. Something was sitting, watching him from the darkness.

“Hello?”

Johan crept cautiously forward. He could barely make out a legionnaire’s armor and headdress. It was a style he’d never seen before. The farmer recoiled when he realized what he was looking at.

It was a corpse. The corpse grasped a golden sword that showed no hint of decay, despite the decomposed state of its owner. It could have been there for millennia.

On impulse, Johan took up the sword. He could probably sell it for a pretty penny to make up for the cost of the well he could no longer dig.

A glorious light filled the cavern. A heavenly chorus sang all around Johan. The sound was accompanied by the appearance of a handsome warrior in golden armor, a style that matched the corpse at his feet.

Johan fell back in terror.

“I am Gilgaaran val’Assante,” said the apparition. “For eternity I have awaited one to fulfill my duty and deliver this, the seventh blade of Dar val’Assante to the master of the val’Tensen. You shall perform this deed so that I may forever rest in the next life at the hand of my lord, Illiir. Rise and accept your duty.”

Johan rose. “I will do as you ask.”

[talien]

The rumblings of war again stirred the young men of Moratavia to action as Menisis val’Tensen, Defender of the Coryani Empire, roused his legions to battle.

“As if war between Ssethregore and Altheria wasn’t enough, or Canceri and the Nierites, now Milandir and Coryan are going at it?” Kham rubbed his forehead.

“It seems that Duke Adolphos’ declaration that Precision, the ancient blade of power, was delivered to him as the rightful master of all val’Tensen has raised the Coryani General’s ire,” said Sebastian.

The Duke’s palace occupied the highest elevation in the city and looked out upon both the city itself and the plain that made up the body of Northern Maravia. Upon arriving at the gates, they were shown to a grand ballroom with balconies that afforded a full view of the impressive vista.

“How long are they going to make us wait here?” Sebastian said in irritation.

“Well,” said Beldin, stuffing a pastry in his mouth, “at least they’re feeding us.”

There was no shortage of comfortable seating. Kham flopped into a chair and ordered a bottle of fine wine. The servants moved quickly to do his bidding.

Grand double doors swung open and a procession of personages entered the room. Standing at their center was a young man, not more than thirty-one years of age, dressed in a richly appointed and embroidered leather tunic.

“Dressing a little warm today aren’t we?” Sebastian muttered out of the side of his mouth to Beldin.

Despite the warm weather, the man’s tunic was thickly lined with ermine. He wore fur-lined winter gloves as well, but did not seem discomforted in the least.

“I thank you for coming at my request,” said Duke Adolphos. “Your reputations speak well of you. All me to introduce these here.” He nodded to his left. “On my left is the Lady Teodora val’Borda. To my right is Vlad Martell. We would ask of you a small task for the benefit of my house.”

“What can we do for you?” asked Beldin.

“Something that belongs to the val’Tensen—all val’Tensen, regardless of nation—has been lost. I want it recovered.”

“What was stolen?” asked Sebastian.

“We do not know if it was stolen, but it is an ancient blade, forged thousands of years ago as a gift to my ancestor from the val’Assante. It was lost until recently, when a loyal Milandisian freeman recovered it.”

Kham asked the obvious. “If you recovered it, what do you need us for?”

“There was a bargain made with my cousin to the south. As a result, the blade was to be entrusted to an impartial body. The Arch-Prelate of Tralia provided an escort drawn from his finest guards to deliver it, but they never arrived.”

“Why choose us?” asked Sebastian. “Why not Vlad?”

“You have no stake in this matter,” said Adolphos. “I cannot afford to have one of my countrymen slandered by bias.”

Vlad looked distinctly uncomfortable. He stepped forward. “The blade was lost somewhere during the journey between here and the Citadel of Storms, three days into the Paerthians. The honor guard, numbering ten knights, was on horseback when they disappeared. They were last seen in the mountain hamlet of Grunlau, the last village on the way to the Citadel.”

Kham opened his mouth, but Adolphos cut him off with a gesture.

“Vlad has made it clear to me that you are mercenaries. Beyond the gratitude of the val’Tensen family throughout Onara, I am prepared to offer each of you seven hundred and fifty crowns. A tidy sum indeed.”

Kham closed his mouth. “We’ll find your sword,” was all he said.

[talien]

After a hard day’s travel, they came to the sleepy hamlet of Grunlau. The way house there offered the last shelter and comfort for weary travelers before the arduous ascent into the high smoking peaks of the volcanic Paerthians.

When they arrived, it was near nightfall. They found lodging at a grungy but serviceable inn.

Kham awoke to a horrific scream. He sat upright and looked around.

He was on a hillock overlooking the town. Poplars of olive and fig trees surrounded him. Creatures from twisted imaginations flew through the air. The terrain formed and reshaped itself, flowing like water, while streams of water twisted and loop through the air itself, flowing upwards then back down again.

Sebastian and Beldin sat up out of the mist nearby.

“Where are we?” asked Sebastian uncertainly.

“The Dreamheart,” he muttered. “Again.”

“Again?” Sebastian looked around. “I’ve never been here before.”

“I have,” said Beldin. “Only this time no ritual put us here.”

“So that’s really you then?” Kham looked up at Beldin uncertainly. He huge, muscular, handsome, and virile. His eyes blazed with silvery fire and his skin was golden. He was a god among men, an ancient titan of old, before the curse of Illiir brought the dwarves low.

“Would I look like this if it weren’t?” asked Beldin.

“Good point, I always think of you as short and hairy.”

Sebastian looked down at his hands. “How do I look?”

Kham stared at him for a long moment. “Like a human.”

Sebastian felt behind him for his wings and tail. They were gone.

Kham faced them. “Okay, be honest with me: do I look like a ghoul?”

They shook their heads.

“That’s good to know.” Kham was visibly relieved. “I guess I really did kick the ghoul juice for good.”

Creatures appeared beyond the hillock. They were encased in burnished bronze, with arms edged with sharp razors and the rest of its body covered in spines of different shapes and sizes. Most striking of all was their complete lack of facial features: no eyes, nose, or mouth. Three held strange tubes with bulbous sacs dangling from them. Three wielded double-bladed weapons, their heads fanning out like a mockery of a centurion’s crest. The leader rode an eerily featureless horse and carried an axe with a strange bluish-black blade.

“I don’t suppose those are friendly,” Sebastian said morosely.

“They’re called k’n-yan. They’re the original inhabitants of Carcosa.” Kham cut off further questions with a shake of his head. “Don’t ask me how I know that. I just do.”

Beldin concentrated. His axe and armor shimmered into existence. “So that means they’re not friendly.”

The air around them was peppered with shots from the strange tubes the things carried.

Sebastian pointed and groping yellow tentacles sprang up out of the darkness, entwining the bronze creatures.

“Where did you learn that?” asked Kham in surprise.

“I…I don’t know,” said Sebastian. He stared down at his hands.

“My turn.”

Kham concentrated and a beam of energy sliced from his forehead into the k’n-yan leader, who blocked it with a slice of its hand.

“Well that wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”

The k’n-yan leader extended one palm in their direction, unleashing a cone of ice and sleet. When Beldin looked back, Kham and Sebastian were frozen solid.

“No!” shouted Beldin. “I will not allow you to harm them, even here…” the dwarf paused as he realized the power he wielded in the dreamscape. “And I don’t have to ...”

Beams of energy splashed against Beldin as he hunched over. His body shuddered as it grew larger and larger. When Beldin drew himself up to his full height, he was over sixty feet tall.

He was once again the titan of old, before the weight of the curse. Released of his tiny, twisted form, he roared a challenge. With great sweeps of his axe, he cleared the battlefield, smashing the little bronze figures like matchsticks. The leader was engulfed in the shadow of Beldin’s upraised foot before it came down, flattening horse and rider alike…

Kham awoke in a pool of his own sweat. He looked over at the bedrolls in the room. Sebastian and Beldin were also awake, blinking in uncertainty.

“So it really was just a…” Sebastian began. Then he stopped to focus on the something in the center of the room.

It was a bluish-black blade, the same axe that the bronze creature had wielded in their collective nightmare.

[talien]

Kham climbed above the town into the groves and poplar that covered the hillock.

“Yep, just what I was afraid of,” he said.

Sebastian looked around. “It matches the dream exactly.”

“I think a rift to Carcosa opened.” Kham surveyed his surroundings. “And I think my connection to that place brought us into the Dreamheart.”

Beldin pointed beyond the hillock. “There’s a campsite on the reverse slope here.”

They came across a dire scene. The campsite was sprayed with gore from brutally dismembered corpses.

Kham frowned. “Six bedrolls, but only five corpses.”

“Here’s the owner of the sixth,” said Beldin. A hulking man, of obvious infernal taint, was curled up in a fetal position, crying like a frightened child.

Sebastian crouched down to speak with the dark-kin. “What happened here?”

“They are coming,” the dark-kin whispered. “They are coming for me. I’m as good as dead! The bronze demons will find me…”

“Bronze demons,” said Kham. “Like in our dreams.”

Sebastian straightened up. “Bijoux described similar beings that overran her home world.”

“What would they want with Precision?” asked Beldin.

“It’s in the Unspeakable One’s best interests to start a war between Milandir and Coryan,” said Kham. “Just like how he tried to use Fleshripper against me. Speaking of which…” he nodded at Beldin’s new waraxe. “Be careful with that thing. Power like that comes with a price.”

Beldin snorted. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle Windcutter.”

Sebastian peered sideways at Beldin. “Since when does your axe have a name?”

“I don’t know.” Beldin took a few experimental swings with it. ”But that’s its name: Windcutter.”

“Like I said,” muttered Kham. “Be careful.”

[talien]

As they climbed ever higher into the mountain, they passed many scenic and impressive natural formations. The road passed by precipitous drops and crevasses. Eventually, they reached a bend in the road that abutted a great gorge that rent the earth.

Sebastian studied the ground. “The tracks seem to have disappeared here.” He stood up, exasperated. “I’m sorry, I’m not an expert tracker.”

“We’re on the right path,” said Beldin. “We might have better luck at the Citadel of Storms.”

The Citadel of Storms stood in an unlikely position for such an august fortification. Though unassailable due to its position in the heights of the Paerthian Peaks, its strategic value was of dubious merit. Towering into the sky, the fortress commanded the only path to it. Archery, artillery, spell casting platforms and sluices for boiling substances were certain to imperil an attacking army.

They were welcomed as representatives of the Duke of Moratavia and escorted into an inner chamber. A handful of Blades of Hurrian, four in all, met them there.

“What have you found on the path?” asked the eldest and obvious authority, Divelo Norvitecus. “Is Precision in your care?”

“Not yet,” said Sebastian. “We found some tracks but lost them near the gorge.”

“Interesting. When the Arch-Prelate’s guard was overdue, we sent Claduius here to seek out signs of their passage. He was a scout in the legions before he joined us here.”

“Great.” Kham addressed Claudius. “You’re coming with us.”

“It is done. Tomorrow, Claudius will go with you to see if he can find the trail of those who took Precision. But for tonight, let us dine tighter. I apologize that the meals here are not as extravagant as you may be accustomed in the homes of princes and generals, but we fare well nonetheless.”

True to his word, they were provided with a hearty if simple fare in the keep’s great hall. Monks surrounded them, asking them news of the outside world.

Kham peered at one of the monks. “I know you…”

It was Oderic val’Tensen, the disgraced former Vicar of the Knights of Saint Lambertus. “I was blinded from Hurrian’s will by my hatred of all things Nerothian and Cancer.” He avoided looking at Sebastian. “Hopefully, I will not be deaf when I am tested again.”

“Hopefully,” added Beldin, “our enemies will not be silent.”

[talien]

“The track resumes here,” said Claudius Cressius-Tensen. “It goes into the gorge.”

They slowly and carefully climbed their way down to the bottom of the gorge. Suddenly, Claudius shouted. “I found it!” He scooped something covered in mud out of the dried riverbed.

“Put that down!” shouted a familiar booming voice. “Drop the sword and step away from it!”

Kham closed his eyes and slowly turned around. “I know that voice…”

“I, Quintus Aurelius Ignatius of the Legion of the Triumphant Rays of the Invisible Sun, hereby claim Precision in the name of the Emperor!”

Quintus stood in the sunlight, resplendent in his lorica segmentata and scutum. A banner flapped from his longspear.

“Coryani legionnaires!” shouted Sebastian.

The rest of Quintus’ contubernium joined him on the ridge: Hervius Flavinius Tranio, the legionnaire sorcerer with hair that fanned out behind like a centurion’s helmet; Oppius Camelius Rusticus, the best scout in the legions; Tertius Caprenius Augustalis, the horn blower responsible for drawing the attention of the men and issuing the audible commands of the officers; and four other milites gregarious, the foot soldiers who were vital to the contubernium.

On the other side of the ridge, something else sparkled in the sunlight, but it was not the glint of metal. Burnished bronze, faceless beings made their way down the slopes, similar to the nightmarish creatures with the exception of the leader. He was a dreadful thing, with one arm tapering in a wicked scimitar-like blade, the other covered in strange overlapping scales so that it function as a shield of sorts. The k’n-yan warlord’s body was easily as elaborate as Quintus’, and its form gave the impression that it had been grown rather than sculpted.

Sebastian didn’t hesitate. He pointed at the k’n-yan and clenched his fist. “Atrum pampinea!”

A forest of squirming yellow tentacles sprung up beneath the k’n-yan, grasping them and whipping them about.

Claudius looked between the two forces. Then he turned to run.

“Hey!” shouted Kham. “Get back here!”

Temporarily preoccupied, Quintus’ pointed at Claudius. “I said HOLD!”

Claudius froze in place.

A fusillade from the k’n-yan peppered the legionnaires, forcing them to hide behind their shields.

Then the k’n-yan warlord was upon them. Beldin blocked the thing’s blade-arm with Windcutter, deflecting it just in time.

Sebastian raised a hand to cast a spell, but the k’n-yan pointed at him first. A beam of yellow energy struck him. The dark-kin fell to his knees.

Kham yanked Precision out of the scabbard in Claudius’ hands...and was immediately engulfed in flames.

“Yaaah!” shrieked Kham.

The legionnaires hurled spears at the k’n-yan, who responded with sparkling yellow beams. Both sides slowly advanced down the ridge.

Kham shoved Precision back in its scabbard, still in Claudius’ frozen grip. The flames went out.

“Skiz!” Kham wrenched the scabbard out of Claudius’ hands. He took off at a sprint through the riverbed, unhindered by the muck.

The rat popped out of Kham’s satchel. “Yeah boss?”

More rays and spears arced back and forth across the ridge. Beldin backed away as Quintus charged the k’n-yan warlord.

“You know that collar I gave you?”

“The one that smells like angry dog?” Kham had taken the collar from Raze’s corpse, Aglamar’s hell hound pet. “I’m wearing it right now.”

Beldin picked up Sebastian. The beams had weakened the sorcerer so much that he could barely lift his head.

“That’s great, Skiz.” Kham kept running. Some of the legionnaires had turned their attention to him, as did the k’n-yan. Beams and spears struck in the muck to either side of him. “Give it to me.”

“But—“

“No buts, Skiz! Now!”

The talking rat wriggled out of the collar by pushing on its with his forepaws. Kham reached down and grabbed it.

It expanded to fit a human-sized neck. He put it in.

A furrow of muck spewed up behind Kham as he accelerated far beyond normal human speeds. He blurred in place for a moment. Then Kham, Skiz, and Precision were long gone.

[talien]

The monks were still bowing in gratitude when Beldin arrived with a limping Sebastian.

Seated at the far end of the table in the great hall, Divelos smiled. “The Arch-Prelate of Tralia sends his utmost thanks. Because of your heroic actions, we have forestalled the outbreak of total war by entrusting Precision to the Order of the Blade.” He indicated his fellow monks. “The sword will be safe here in the Citadel of Storms.”

“Heroic actions?” Beldin shook his head in disbelief. “You left us there!”

Kham shrugged. “I knew Quintus wouldn’t hurt you guys. You could easily handle the k’n-yan. You even had a practice run in the Dreamheart.”

“That’s not the point,” growled Sebastian. “We could have been killed.”

“But you weren’t.” Kham handed each of them a bag of gold crowns, the reward from Duke Adolphos. “More importantly, did you tell Quintus about Ilmarė?”

Sebastian nodded. “He did not take the news well. But I think he didn’t dare say much, given that he was with his legion. After what happened in Postrava, I can’t blame him.”

Divelos cleared his throat. “And what of Claudius?”

Sebastian and Beldin exchanged looks. “He did not survive the battle.” In truth, Quintus had executed the man on the spot, partially in frustration for Kham getting away with the blade. But they weren’t about to tell Divelos that.

“That is unfortunate. Before you go, there is something you should know. We believe that a rift south of here precipitated the arrival of the k’n-yan. It’s a place called Nug’s Farm. From what Kham tells us, their appearance is grim news indeed.”

Sebastian nodded. “We will stop by there on our way to Coryan.”

“The owner of the farm is one Hillary Carbo. She may be able to—“

Kham froze. “Who?”

“Hillary Carbo. Do you know her?”

Sebastian suddenly leaned forward in his table to stare at Kham. “As in the wife of Livius Carbo?”

Kham reached for a drink. “As in the author of the King in Yellow.”

[talien]

This is a Call of Cthulhu adventure from Tatters of the King, “Nug’s Farm” by Time Wiseman, set in the Arcanis setting. You can read more about Arcanis at Onara Online. Please note: This adventure contains spoilers!

Our cast of characters includes:

• Dungeon Master: Michael Tresca (http://michael.tresca.net)
• Kham Val’Abebi (val rogue/psychic warrior) played by Jeremy Ortiz (http://www.ninjarobotstudios.com)
• Beldin Soulforge (dwarf fighter/dwarven defender) played by Joe Lalumia
• Sebastian Arnyal (dark-kin sorcerer) played by George Webster

I love Call of Cthulhu adventures. Although they’re often short on logic or set up, the climactic moments are unparalleled. You just don’t get that kind of tension and excitement in most D&D games (although the Freeport series comes close). Nug’s Farm is by far the best part of the entire adventure series.

What really made the adventure fun was the purchase of a Dark Young miniature. Jeremy modified the Dark Young so its tentacles faced forwards instead of up, making it look far more menacing. He also made it a disgusting pink and purple, “anime-style” as he likes to call it, so it really was hideous looking.

As scripted, the satyrs, Atkinson, and Gresty are not meant to be fought directly. They merely summon the Dark Young, Hillary turns it, and it kills the bad guys. But this is D&D, so of course there had to be an opportunity to mix it up. Converting the Dark Young’s statistics from D20 Call of Cthulhu ensured that the thing was nigh unstoppable. Between its multiple tentacle attacks, damage reduction, immunities, and strength drain, it threatened to destroy the whole party…thus making Hillary’s ritual even more exciting.

All three characters played a pivotal part in this adventure, be it Beldin acting as a whipping post for the Dark Young, Sebastian killing off the other cultists, or Kham saving the day by NOT getting caught by the Dark Young’s tentacles and finishing the ritual. This was definitely one of the highlights of our marathon post-Thanksgiving session.