Game One - 1/19/03
Introduction and background:
This module takes place in the Jawlt Lordholding of the Kingdom of Phlooredah. Phlooredah is a small oval shaped continent, approximately 600 by 400 miles in size, which consists of nine autonomous Lordholdings. A ruler is elected from among the nine Lordholders to serve a 15-year term as the continent's King or Queen. The ruler’s authority is limited to maintaining a military to defend the continent, issuing a uniform currency, and resolving disputes between the Lordholders. The current ruler is Queen Jennifer of Thenossia, who began her rule six months ago.
The smallest Lordholdings is that of Jawlt, which is situated on the continent's southern coast of the continent. Lord Kindor, who is in his third 5-year term as the elected Lordholder, rules Jawlt. Kindor had been a soldier who served as the Captain of the Guard and Army Commander of his predecessor. Kindor is a handsome 44-year old unmarried human 9th level fighter of lawful neutral alignment. He is decisive, but also willing to listen to the advice of others. He has an appointed 8-person Jawlt Council, each with their own sphere of responsibility (Diplomacy, Security, Commerce, Religion, Military Strategy, Army Command, Navy Command, and Other Miscellaneous Duties).
The Silver Moon Adventurers have been together for 14 years. Their first mission was finding the fabled Rod of the Seven Parts for the Thenossia Lordholder. This quest brought them to Jawlt where they fought and killed Kindor’s evil predecessor. Three years after that they joined forces with Lord Kindor and defeated a group of pirates and evil clerics on an unclaimed island sixty miles south of the Jawlt/Thenossia border. Following that victory the adventurers decided to keep the island as their new home, and at Kindor's invitation, Silver Moon Island officially became a new township within the Jawlt Lordholding. Three members of the adventuring team currently serve on the Jawlt Council.
Chapter 1, "Your mission, if you choose to accept it", July 1, 1019:
On this warm sunny day in early summer a large warship sails into the harbor along the eastern shore of Silver Moon Island. The quick-tempered half-elf druid Serita suppresses her initial instinct to call down a lightning bolt and sink it, especially after she recognizes the vessel as the flagship of her Lord's Navy. The ship is secured to the military dock, alongside the Jawlt Navy ship assigned to the island. Lord Kindor himself walks down the gangplank, and is immediately greeted by his love interest, the aforementioned Serita.
They make their way past the docks and fishery, and approach the Church of Ukko. From there they head north through the town. They pass dozens of two-story homes, most belonging to the crewmembers of the four ships that call this harbor their home. They arrive at Jerry's Tavern and Inn, and ask the middle-aged gnome proprietor to assemble the Silver Moon Adventurers for a meeting there in a few hours. "You want all of them?" Jerry asks. "Yes, just tell them that I'm paying for the drinks," the Lordholder replies. He and Serita then head across the street for a private meal at the town's newest restaurant, The Panda House, which serves Oriental cuisine.
A few hours later they join the thirty-or-so members of the Silver Moon Adventuring Team. Narg, the team's informal half-elvan leader asks, "Alright Kindor, what's going on." He states "Some of you may remember a few months back when we were in the Kingdom of Vestland and I made the mistake of inadvertently insulting Serita. Your associate Hiroshi suggested one thing that would get me back in her good graces." "Chocolate?" Narg asks. "No," Kindor answers, "He told me that she enjoys helping out the who are ill" "Oh yeah," Narg replies, "That administering to the sick crap." "Crap!" Serita yells. Narg quickly counters with "Er, I meant, giving healing assistance to those in need….very noble." "Nice save," comments Narg's sidekick, the elf fighter Mojo.
"So, what exactly did you do?" asks the female wizard Kharole. Kindor replies "I promised her a hospital. I'll be building a large hospital in the city of Jawltorn, which will be managed by the clergy of the Lordholding's various churches. Since she holds the position of Jawlt Council Member overseeing Religions that will leave her in charge." Kharole comments to Serita "So, you now get to run a large hospital." "With her as the administrator I hope we never need it," Mojo comments. "Keep making cracks like that and you'll need it now," Serita answers.
Kindor explains the hospital will also increase his influence with the Queen, saying "She will appreciate that my navy will be able to transport the clerics and hospital's medical wagons to support any military engagement on the continent. Mojo, who serves as a General in the Queen's army and is also her lover, interjects "You know what she would really appreciate..." Narg interrupts with "Thank you, enough of that."
"So what do you need us for?" asks the half-elf Cassie-Andra, the party's senior wizard and a lawful good priestess. Kindor replies "I currently don't have the funding needed to build this hospital, however I recently found within my castle a collection of unique jewelry and gems that a prior Lord had apparently assembled. With Hiroshi's assistance I have researched the items, which are all quite valuable. In two weeks I will be holding an auction, and have sent invitations to wealthy nobles throughout the world to attend."
"So where will all of these wealthy people be staying?" asks Dennismore, an elvan rogue. Serita says "Dennis, if you even think about messing this up I will break every bone in your fingers." Mojo quips "Hey, he's volunteering to be the first patient in the hospital." "But is it ethical for the hospital administrator to turn people into patients?" comments Kharole.
Kindor interrupts, catching everyone's attention by saying "I actually can't believe that I am saying this, but I need you guys to provide security." "That's kind of like asking the elephants to guard the peanuts," comments Mojo. "Actually, there is a very real need for security," Kindor replies. He then asks "Have any of you every heard of the International League of Assassins?" "Yeah, I used to collect their comics when I was a kid," Dennismore states.
Kindor goes on to explain that the International League of Assassins, or ILA, holds a challenge convention every four to six years for their member groups. The last one was five years ago, and they have apparently called for one again, to take place in the city of Jawltorn simultaneous to the auction. He found out about this because the Jawlt Thief and Assassins Guild is an ILA member. The local guild was recently given a red herring to get them out of town, to prevent them from having a home-field advantage. They figured this out, and then found out where the ILA would really be. They have also heard that the auction will play a major role in the challenge.
Kindor explains how the ILA convention will start on the 9th and last for a week. At a secret opening ceremony clues will be given out about the chosen targets. In addition to providing auction security he also wants the Silver Moon to send in a "stealth team" to infiltrate the ILA meeting. "Won't it look suspicious if we all show up there wearing Groucho glasses?" Mojo comments. Kindor adds that the Silver Moon's rogues will not be known to the ILA, as the elf Dennismore and halfling Blake never joined the local guild. "Or Blip," comments Kharole, gesturing to the female gnome in the corner. "Blip? She's a sorcerer….oh!" comments Kindor. "I guess some secrets have been pretty well kept," Serita comments.
Kindor says that the total assignment will take about two weeks, and will require fifteen to twenty members of the party. Several will need to take the high-profile assignment of meeting and greeting the guests and then providing visible security at the auction site, while the stealth team will simultaneously operate secretly.
The group discusses the assignment, and indicates that they will probably undertake it. The team discusses the possible identities of the targets. Kindor adds that there will be many high profile guests in attendance, including the continent's ruler Queen Jennifer, and her estranged husband, King Matthan. The Silver Moon and Matthan have never gotten along, and Narg makes a poorly received joke about taking up a collection to pay the ILA to make him a target.
The Silver Moon Adventurers finally conclude that they have to take the mission, otherwise Serita would probably become insufferable. "Yeah, and if she gets to run a hospital in Jawltorn that will get her off the Island a lot of the time too," Mojo adds.