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Rhiannon PNP Supplement


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The Whole Story

This is a compilation of earlier posts, intended to get this thread in Chronological Order.

Location: Tarsus

Tarsus is a city under siege. Beyond the newly constructed walls, a sea of undead, writhes rank (this is how they smell too) upon rank. The Knights of St Jonas have done a masterful job of repelling the undead incursions, but they tire and the undead do not.

Randall and Elbereth stand in a small square, near the outer wall. the buildings show great wear and damage. They speak with a tall strong man, whose face is now covered with a scruffy dark beard. His previously short hair is longer and scruffier than you remember.

The two elves, Randall and Elbereth, are sitting with Keth in his sparsely decorated chamber. You have just finished your discussion of the events in the city of Antioch including the murder of Bartholomew, Keth's Mentor. Randall speaks.

"We can not seem to find any professional, personal, or even a geographical connection between the people murdered. Do you have any idea of a connection between these people?" Asks Randall.

"None," Says Keth, "even the priest is unknown to me. Though I have been away for a bit..."
He smiles grimly.

"You said a few minutes ago that you would take us to the High Temple if we could get all three Star Gems. Two are in the museum."
"I've, uh, noticed, hmmm, even seen, that you have experience liberating items from there".
"Can you give me any ideas for getting the star sapphires out without being detected or raising an alarm before we leave?" Asks Randall.

"I doubt your skills are up to it," Replies Keth, "those artifacts are mightily guarded. Of course, there's always a way. Find the third Star Gem in Malta, then I'll can set up a meeting with someone who specializes in finding a way."

Seeing a little hope, and hoping for a better chance of some useful information, Randall continues.
"Hmm. On a different note, would you have been in a village in the blighted area, say three months ago? A man named Amos 'lost' a chest with an artifact in it? This village was left to die by a partner who disappeared with the chest containing the artifact. We helped those survivors to Alderweg."

"By blighted area you mean the undead infested northlands?" Randall nods.

"Nope... Mad Amos? The Knight of St Jonas? " Randall nods.
"Why not ask him. He's here in Tarsus somewhere. I saw him yesterday."

"Oh. Ok! I thought he was in Antioch." Randall replies, somewhat abashed.

Randall continues his line of questioning regarding the artifact he thinks may have been with Amos.
"Do you know if the treasure of the High Temple included a seed or seed pod from Eire?
Specifically one like the tree that was destroyed in Bastion some 400 years ago?
Come to think of it, Salix's sword Durandal was not found with his bones, could that have been
in the treasure as well?"

"Seed pod? Not sure. I never saw an inventory. Could be.
Durandal, Hmm, I doubt it. They didn't find it with Salix's bones? Well, anything's possible."

Before Randall can breathe in again to fire off more questions, Keth continues with a smile…
"You're full of questions. Any others? If not, I need to get some grub and take a shift on the wall."
Keth heaves himself out of his seat.

"Well, I am full of questions, and you, friend, have a special insight into the working of the world we do not have. I have just one more question and we will be going."

Randal and Elbereth both stand as well.

Keth Anar laughs. A deep full throated belly laugh, that seems out of place with his grim visage.
"My insight into this world comes from hard and bitter experience.
Much of it caused by my own pride. Someday, it will be the same for you.
Ask your question."

Incredulous at thought that pride and bitterness would darken his soul, Randall pauses before continuing.
"Your former companion - the red faced, horned devil?
We believe we have blasted his soul to the depths when he led the bugbears to attack the keep Alderweg.
Is there any chance of his returning?"

"The young man you ask about was the child of a young woman and a demon.
He was evil, and gifted, by nature. If you have killed him, then he is dead.
I think you clutch after false leads, if you think that there are more secrets in the High Temple, I know it well, and have delivered up its secrets to the Church's enemies.
Still the quote you mention is intriguing. There always were rumors that St. Xantas' remains were buried in the crypt."

Randall and Elbereth move toward the door.
"I do not believe I have asked you to betray any oaths you currently are bound by
(not that I know of such things), and believe me when I say I believe I am acting in the
best interest of the world.With our time together over the last, what ... half year now? ...
I believe I can call you friend.
Perhaps not totally trusted yet, but friend none the less. I doubt there are many able to say that."

Keth's laughter fades and his eyes narrow.
"You are wise not to trust me, because I have not proven my self to be worthy of trust.
You on the other hand HAVE proven to be both trustworthy and true, in an age in which many are false and cynical. I am no longer bound by any oaths. I have betrayed them all... I have only a cause now. And, I believe we share that cause, or I wouldn't confide in you whatsoever. "

On that wary note, all three leave the chamber. Randal and Elbereth nod their heads in farewell, and Keth smiles mirthlessly. Parting, Keth heads off to the kitchen for his food, while Randall and Elbereth head for the center of town.

"Anyone seen Amos the Knight of St. Jonas?" they call out as they see priests gathered or walking.

Soon they get pointed in the direction of the North side of Tarsus, and finally to a small barracks where priests are lodged. A youth, probably a page to a knight, or an acolyte, opens the door. His sunken eyes are tired and his wispy yellow hair looks a mess.
"Is this where Amos stays? He is a knight of Jonas... Is he here?" Elbereth asks.

The page looks confused.
"Amos - several priests are named Amos.
A knight? ... so many knights here ... never ending siege you know..."

"Mad Amos?" Randall whispers to him.

The boy's eyes show recognition. He leads you behind some barracks and points at a cluster of knights standing near a large whetstone, wearily sharpening their blades. He scampers off.

One of the Knight's faces light in recognition. Amos turns to greet you
"Ah, Randall and Elbereth, two of my favorite elves! Hail and well met.
How are my people, and by all that is holy, what brings you to Tarsus under siege?"

"Hello Amos. Nice to see you again. The people are well.
The town of Alderweg received them well, and invited them to stay or go as they wished.
That boy, what was his name... Francis, with the noticeably long and unkempt hair and wild nature... he was trouble for a while, but decided Arras was better suited for him when the blacksmith beat his behind for tampering with her forge. A few others have left, as well.
But mostly, they're setting up farms on the fertile land West of the river, and starting over."

"Good. I am glad they are safe, at least as safe as they can be in this perilous time. Francis was always a bit of trouble. "

Amos looks around at the other priests, weapons and armor being donned or removed, based on their watches.

"We came here to speak to a friend, and heard you were here as well.
We had to look you up, to see if you were well. Some of the townspeople said to bring their greetings to you in Antioch, but obviously, we did not find you.
And, as long as we are here, we did have questions about the town we helped"

Amos nods.
Randall takes that a sign to continue…
"What was the nature of the artifact in the chest you had. I know you were hesitant to tell us, but our recent experiences have given us insight into its possible form.
Perhaps it gives me a hope for the future. My speculation, at least, is that it is a shoot of the Tree of Bastion. It was destroyed in my presence, by the way."

Shaking his head sadly, Randall continues "Had I but known the sorrow destroying that tree caused,
I would have given my long life to Eli to keep it alive. [sad pause] but that is in the past.

But, related to that, who was the person, your partner, that left with the chest?
Did you know he left, or was leaving? ..."

Sagging in resignation, Amos explains his situation.
"I will tell you the truth, though you may not believe it. There was never anything in the box.
The real power was my companion. As beautiful as the flowers of a blooming meadow on midsummer's day. She was Aluriel, an angel from Heaven. Summoned by me in my deepest despair, but never meant to be here. When my spell keeping her here could no longer be sustained, she returned to Heaven, where she came from.
The box was a fabrication used to explain the effect she had on the surrounding countryside.

There you have it, and I'm sure you think me a lesser man because you know it.
Greet my Village for me."

He turns to leave, but Elbereth, shyly stops him and gives the man a hug.
"Your loss of Aluriel must weigh you down even now. Do not despair."

Randall nods understanding.
"I do not think you a lesser man, my friend, but one who has had the privilege of doing Eli's will.
You were keeping a town alive and helping them to safety.
And still, here, you are continuing the battle."

Randall gestures to the other men and the wall holding out the undead.
"Even in your sorrow, you have done good. I commend you.
I am saddened that my hypothesis was incorrect. A shoot from that tree, if brought back,
would begin the turning of the undead and purification of the land. But my eyes look elsewhere then.

I will send your greetings to those in Alderweg."

Amos sighs and nods.
"Godspeed to you."
He returns to the group.

Alone again, Elbereth and Randall discuss if there is any other business in Antioch, and decide there is none.
Randall takes out the wand, takes Elbereth's hand and quietly says
"Farewell Tarsus. Perhaps we will visit again...
Amin tuluva a' lle "

In the blink of an eye, the elves are back in Alderweg, standing in the upper library tower, where they left the anchor just three days ago.

"What has been happening here?" they ask as they descend into the common dining hall.

Location: Adlerweg

(These decisions made previously on line or in person at last session. If I have misconstrued anything let me know)

The group gathers in the common dining room in Adlerweg. Present are Randall, Elbereth, Trailen, Miriam, Zoick, Aethelward and Berric. Randall relates Keth Anar's advice to try to find the Third Star Gem in Malta. It was with the treasures of the High Temple but has now been transported to an unknown loaction in Malta. He also relates Keths two offers, get the first gem and I can help you with contacts to get the other two from the museum. and second, get all three, and I will take you to the High Temple so you can poke around.

"I will go to Malta to search for the Gem," says Zoick, "I am familiar with the town and have contacts there."

"I'll go with you," says Miriam. Zoick looks doubtful about this, but says nothing.

"There is much to do in Antioch as well," says Randall. "We need to look into the murders and scope out the Museum, to see if the Gems are borrowable."

"Lets use that transport thing of yours to get to Antioch, " states Zoick, "we can catch a fast ship from there to Malta while you work on that."

"Before we get too far," Says Miriam, "I did some light research into the three Star Gems of St Xantas. He returned with them from his first desert travel. They are Red, Blue, and Clear. Each has a name, and a special power, the clear, named Mo-Pelar, dispels Illusions, the Red, Tel-Pelar, which we had earlier and used to open Dion's cache," She frowns, "Heals, while the Blue, Alv-Pelar, summons, what is unknown. It is the Blue Star Gem that is missing, presumably in Malta."

"Ok, good infromation. Anything else then?" Asks Randall. "I'll start flying in the mor..."

"Hey Guys! Come look what I found!" Callitheus bursts into the room.

The group makes its way to the second floor stairwell off the barracks. There they notice a secret door.

"I finally found this using that second glove, " notes Callitheus, "Then ten feet further on was a this door that was arcane locked."

The group moves through the short passage and two doors into a 20 x 30 chamber that is set up as a bedroom. There is a bookshelf, table, bed and desk. The room is not dusty or dirty.

"Over here on the table, I found a coin purse that holds some money, the interesting thing is that the face on the many coins is the current king, Elisha Cuthbert, also this magical spoon, it makes some nasty tasting stuff. Over here on the book shelf is a spell book, and a five volume set introducing chronomancy. And on top of the bookshelf are these:"

He indicates 5 thick tomes, each labeled Health, Excersize, Quickness, Intutition, Leadership & Influence.

"I've already claimed this one, on Understanding."

The team discusses and decides who should claim each book. (Post Below)

Zoick, having claimed a book, says " I think we should keep moving. I can still catch a fast ship yet today for Malta. Off to find Alv-Pelar, mystery Star-Gem in Malta. The rest of you can sort out what this means. I'll return or contact you when I find it." He leaves.

Miriam grabs her book, "Don't forget me!" She hurries after him.
 
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OOC--\

The meeting up in Malta for the star gem works fine for me.

By the way... Wadioka is Ward is Zoick...

Gori'on is Nathan is Nanuk is Paeter
 

Location: Malta

Zoick and Miriam arrive in Malta. Tired from their travel, they have arrived by sea in the Water District. Zoick, familiar with the area, leads them into the Gold District to the Golden Hind, an Inn of positive reputation that caters to an upscale clientele. They eat a light supper of Ham and Bread, as well as the house specialty: stuffed peppers.

"What now?" Asks Miriam. She is clad in worn, tan, traveling clothes rather than the flowing white robes that you have grown used to seeing her wear. "I've never been to Malta. Its rather dirtier hear than Antioch, Don't you think."

"Perhaps a bit," Says Zoick, "Perhaps you should stay here for the night, while I poke around a little."

"Ok"

"I'll be back in the morning." Says Zoick as he slips off into the night.

****A Word about Roleplaying**** Feel free to embellish details, sights etc. You can write encounters with NPCs of little import, for example, going into buy a new dagger. Do not write NPC motivations or actions (For Key NPCs).

Thanks to Tilmamir for Malta background.
 

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All of asuuden alarms are sounding. the undead are coming again. as you crest the wall(anybody who happens to crest that wall....) A giant explosion of fire errupts in the middle of the undead. heard clearly above the din " Cuthbert take you all to hell!!!!!" out of what is left of the undead comes a strange little figure......is that an albino dwarf??......

Gori'On just came to town
 





Location: Malta

Gori'On the Dwarf steps out from The Indomitable, an Inn in the Eastern Palace District. He has spent a restful night after a long walk from Antioch, where his long time friend, the Archbishop of St Cuthbert, Fergus Lockerbie, has recently manuevered the denomination of St Cuthbert into "talks for legitimacy." Sadly these were interrupted by the death of the Dion the Partriarch. His feuneral is tommorrow, thinks Gori'On.

"Make sure nothing evil is afoot in Malta, having to do with Dion's death. But do so quietly. I realize you're not an investigator, but do your best." Were his instructions from Fergus.

"First, I'll go see Mencken, He has a shop on Upper Docks. He always seems to know a bit." He thinks to himself. Then sets out into the busy city.
 

Into the Woods

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