C ontents
Introduction 5 Loose Ends 70
Gamemastering Notes 5 Campaign Ideas 72
How to Use This Book 6 Cast of Characters 74
Encounters and Events 6
Game Information 6 Terror In The Skies 80
Preparing the Adventures 7 Plot Synopsis 82
Mists of Betrayal 8 Prelude to Terror 84
Terror in the Skies 8 Crimson Dawn 86
Infected 8 Knights of the Skies 88
Shattered Pattern 9 Obsidian Flyer 94
Blades 9 Baiting the Trap 97
Scaling the Adventures 10 Journey into Doom 100
Campaign Information 10 Talon Kaer 104
A Note on Continuity 11 Finding the Sanctuary 115
Broadsides! 119
Mists of Betrayal 12 Pyres over Travar 128
Plot Synopsis 14 Loose Ends 131
Arrival in Tureem 16 Campaign Ideas 131
Going Hunting 19 Cast of Characters 133
Haven 21
Visiting Hiermon 26 Infected 140
Cross Country 30 Plot Synopsis 142
Ambush! 32 Charboyyas Heroes 143
Midland Trading Post 35 On The Grim Legion 148
Caravan of Death 40 The Road to Hanto 152
Blood Wood 41 Friends Indeed 155
Meeting a Blood Warder 43 Charboyyas Betrayers 161
Search for a Slaver 46 Hearts of Stone 167
Village of Mists 49 Quarantined 172
Inside Akarem 51 The Magical Child 177
Kaer Akarem 54 Aardeleas Cavern 179
Kalourins Last Gambit 62 Endgames 183
Back to the Palace 63 Loose Ends 185
Scorched Earth Policy 66 Campaign Ideas 187
Hiermon Again 68 Cast of Characters 190
Shattered Pattern 202 Search for the Hold 286
Adventure Background 204 Into the Hold of Courage 289
Plot Synopsis 205 Spirits From the Past 291
Running Shattered Pattern 206 Loose Ends 294
Connections 207 Cast of Characters 295
While in Kratas 207
Traveling the Land 211 A Traitors Fate 296
On the Cult of the Great Hunter 213 Plot Synopsis 296
The Horrors Temple 218 Lighting the Way 297
On Kaer Varenna 222 Into the Woods 299
The Lost Kaer 225 Tamer Touch 301
On Kaer Carell 225 ARude Awakening 303
On the Great Dragons 229 Tamer Claws 303
Tyrlaans Lair 231 Dark Fetch 305
The Finale 239 Loose Ends 307
Loose Ends 242 Cast of Characters 307
Campaign Ideas 243
Cast of Characters 244 With an Axe in Hand 309
Plot Synopsis 309
Blades 254 With a Tale to Tell 310
The Blades of Cara Fahd 256 Prosperous to a Degree 313
History of the Blades 256 The Liferock 318
The Blades and their Wielders 256 Lingering Troubles 320
The Arrival of Betrayer 256 Loose Ends 322
C ontents
Introduction
Adventures? They make an adepts life special!
Krolok, Ork Nethermancer
The age of Earthdawn is an era of magic that existed Each adventure is suited for three to five players using
I ntroduction
thousands of years ago in our worlds dim past. Magic characters of varying Circles (see below). If necessary, the
touched every aspect of the lives of men and women of gamemaster may adjust the individual encounters that
the Name-giver races: humans, elves, dwarfs, orks, trolls, make up each adventure to suit larger or smaller groups.
windlings, tskrang, and obsidimen. However, as the levels For example, if the group has only three players and their
of magic rose, so, too, did the dangers in the world. The characters battle two dozen orks because the adventure
rise of magic brought Horrors to Earth, creatures from says so, the game session is likely to end very quickly. To
the depths of astral space that devoured all life in their avoid such problems, the gamemaster should feel free to
path. For four centuries, the peoples of Barsaive hid under- change any part of the adventures that he deems fit. How-
ground as the Horrors devastated their lands during the ever, each adventure should pose a challenge for the players.
dark time that came to be called the Scourge. Without the risk of failure, the game becomes dull and no
Now, the people of Barsaive have emerged from their one has fun. The gamemaster should ensure that the player
sealed kaers and citadels, ready to fight for life and freedom characters only survive the adventure through hard work,
against the remaining Horrors and the oppressive Theran smart playing, and a little bit of luck.
Empire. From all across Barsaive, bold heroes step for- Though gamemaster characters can play significant
ward to champion their land, arming themselves for their roles in these adventures, the gamemaster should not allow
daunting task with powerful magical spells and treasures. them to overshadow the player characters. When the adven-
Through magic, skill, and daring, Barsaives heroes strive turers attempt to overcome a particular obstacle, or try to
to heal the world of the scars left by the Scourge. In so think of a way out of some dangerous situation, avoid using
doing, they become Barsaives living legends. gamemaster characters to tell the players how to resolve
The Adventure Compendium contains a number the problem. After all, if players make the right choices all
of roleplaying adventures set in the world of Earthdawn. the time, both they and the gamemaster have a lot less fun.
While each of the adventures in this compilationMists Whenever possible let your group of players make their
of Betrayal, Terror in the Skies, Infected, Shat- own beds and squirm in them. To help the player charac-
tered Pattern, and each of the Blades adventurescan ters out of trouble, these adventures include several loyal
be run on its own, this volume features additional adven- companions who try to help their friends when needed.
ture hooks and gamemaster guidelines for running them These gamemaster characters serve as a safety net for the
as a campaign. adventurers, and also draw them deeper into the story as
G
they come to know the people they live and fight beside.
To run the adventures, the gamemaster needs to be
amemastering Notes familiar with the contents of this book and the Game-
masters Compendium; both gamemaster and players
This book contains everything needed to start an should be familiar with the Players Compendium.
Earthdawn campaign, but is also flexible enough to be
The contents of the Adventure Compendium
used in a currently running campaign. The Earthdawn
are for the gamemasters eyes only.
Players and Gamemasters Compendiums are both
required to use the adventures in this book.
Making Tests Encounters and Events
During the course of the adventures contained in this The Plot Synopsis at the beginning of each adventure
book, whenever characters attempt to take actions such as summarizes the story background and the most probable
casting a spell, swinging a sword at an opponent, track- course of the story. The encounters that follow describe the
ing a Horror, or flirting with a barmaid, the gamemaster situations and events the characters must deal with during
or the player rolls dice against a Difficulty Number to the course of the adventure. Each encounter contains a
determine the actions outcome. These dice rolls are called summary of the action that occurs during the encounter,
Action Tests (see the Game Concepts chapter of the and also explains the encounters objective. This overview
Players Compendium, p.18). is followed by four sections: Setting the Stage, Themes and
To make an Action Test, the player or gamemaster rolls Images, Behind the Scenes, and Troubleshooting.
the appropriate Action dice based on the step number The next section, Setting the Stage, contains a
of the ability being used. If the dice roll result is equal to or description of the encounters surroundings and includes
greater than the Difficulty Number, the test succeeds and maps, if applicable. This section may also contain a nar-
the character accomplishes his action. If the result is less rative describing the player characters location and what
than the Difficulty Number, the character fails to accom- is happening to them as if the characters were actually
plish his action. In tests that deal with magic, the result there. Any special instructions for the gamemaster are
often determines the duration of a magical effect. highlighted.
Frequently, a test result determines not only basic Themes and Images helps the gamemaster set the
success or failure, but the degree of success. A test may mood and pacing for a particular encounter. It includes
have one of six result levels: Pathetic, Poor, Average, Good, hints about imagery to use in the scene, emotions to convey,
Excellent, or Extraordinary. A Poor result usually indi- sounds, sensations, and so on. The information provided
cates simple failure at the task. A Pathetic result, less than varies in form and content from scene to scene, ranging
the Difficulty Number listed for a Poor result, is often bad from general themes to specific sensory impressions.
enough to have unpleasant side effects. An Average result, Behind the Scenes explains what is really going on in
I ntroduction
equal to or barely exceeding the Difficulty Number, usu- each encounter. This section provides the gamemaster with
ally means the character only just accomplished his action. all of the information he needs to run the encounter, such
A somewhat better roll yields a Good result, and a total as specialized descriptions of locations and events, and
close to double the Difficulty Number means an Excellent statistics for any gamemaster characters the player char-
result. To achieve an Extraordinary result requires an acters may meet or creatures they may fight. If the players
even better roll again. or gamemaster need a map to play an encounter, it appears
Additionally, any result level greater than Average may here. As with Setting the Stage, any special instructions
give the character some additional gain for his actions, for the gamemaster are highlighted.
including valuable extra information. The amount of gain The final section of each encounter, Troubleshooting,
for each result level is determined by the gamemaster, offers suggestions to help the gamemaster get the adven-
unless specifically noted. ture back on track should things go awry. For example,
In many cases when the player characters must make the characters may miss an important clue or lose a fight
a test, the required ability is given, followed by the Diffi- that they need to win. Most gamemasters will not want
culty Number of the task in parentheses. For example, a the player characters to get discouraged or killed off too
Perception (8) Test means that a character must use his easily. This section offers the gamemaster options for keep-
Perception step to make a test against a target Difficulty ing the game going over trouble spots. The gamemaster can,
Number of 8. A result of 8 or better succeeds; anything of course, ignore these hints and invent his own solutions,
else fails. or simply let the chips fall where they may. As noted earlier,
H
however, the freeform nature of roleplaying means we cant
anticipate everything the player characters might do! The
Cast of Characters
This section provides descriptions and game
statistics for the most significant gamemaster
characters.
Player Handouts
Finally, this chapter contains information that
the player characters will use during the adventures.
This information can be photocopied or handwrit-
ten by the gamemaster. Permission is granted to
copy these handouts for personal use only.
P reparing
the Adventures
I ntroduction
It is impossible to create a published adven-
ture that provides the appropriate opposition level
for every diverse group of player characters. Some
groups are inherently more powerful than others.
The gamemaster must adjust game statistics and
capabilities of the opposition to provide an appropri-
ate level of difficulty for his group. If the adventure
does not suit the player characters strengths and
weaknesses, the gamemaster may use it as an out-
line, the bones on which to develop an adventure of
his own. Or, if it works well except for a glitch here
and there, the gamemaster can change any part of
the plot or events to make the adventure a better
one.
To aid the players in roleplaying, the gamemaster
should create a framework that explains why these
particular characters have embarked on this adven-
ture together. Whether or not the characters have
adventured before, most if not all are inexperienced.
The group may have come together by chance, seek-
ing security in numbers; after all, Horrors still lurk
in Barsaives wilderness. Or perhaps everyone is
from the same town or a kaer that only recently
opened up. The latter suggestion also gives a plausi-
ble reason for the characters to be ignorant of many
potential hazards.
If he wishes, the gamemaster may create a short
scenario that ends with the characters near the loca-
tion where the next adventure begins. An opening
scenario may also help the gamemaster and players
get a feel for the rules and setting of the game.
Several maps and handouts are included with
each adventure. The gamemaster should photocopy
any handouts and have them ready to use when
needed. In addition to props, gamemasters might want Many things are not as they seem; plots and manipula-
to use background music to help convey mood. Use the tions go on constantly behind the scenes.
descriptions in the Themes and Images sections to find Though the players have a legitimate task to perform,
out what kind of music might be appropriate for a given much more happens than the characters realize. Keeping
encounter. this in mind, the gamemaster should let the players believe
Keep in mind that you, as the gamemaster, have a that they control their own destiny while arranging events
unique responsibility to make the adventure exciting, to lead the characters exactly where he wants them to go.
keep the players involved, and hold the story on track.
In describing the world of Earthdawn, try to answer
all the players questions about what the characters see, Terror in the Skies
hear, touch, smell, and taste. Feel free to go beyond the Terror in the Skies takes place in Travar, a bustling
descriptions provided in this book when evoking places trade city in southwest Barsaive. The adventurers are hired
and moods. Refer to the Adventures and Campaigns to make the skies safe for the huge airships that move trade
chapter on p.97 of the Gamemasters Compendium for goods to and from the city. In the course of this adven-
more advice and guidelines on running adventures. ture, the characters will travel to an ancient windling kaer,
The following information gives an overview of the explore its haunted depths, and return to the beleaguered
adventures contained in this book. Each of these can be city of Travar with an ancient text called the Tome of Ban-
run as a stand-alone adventure, or as part of an ongoing ishment. Along the way, they will fight many a pitched
campaign (see Campaign Information, p.10). battle in the skies with monsters that shoot fire and a vast
airship that carries a powerful Horror and its dark min-
ions. Terror in the Skies is best suited for three to five
Mists of Betrayal Novice (Second to Fourth Circle) adepts of any Discipline.
Mists of Betrayal takes place in the northeastern Like Mists of Betrayal, Terror in the Skies is a linear
reaches of Barsaive. The adventurers will travel to the adventure.
I ntroduction
adventurers travel to the village of Hanto, where they dis- Bond Breaker
cover a band of grim fanatics controlling the town. The In Bond Breaker, the players become tangled in the
adventurers must search for the truth behind the occu- political intrigue surrounding two rival ork scorcher bands
pation of Hanto and choose whether or not to liberate its as they attempt to learn the Rank One Key Knowledge of
people from the invaders iron grip. the Blades of Cara Fahd. The adventure assumes that the
Infected is best suited for three to five Novice (Second players have already found the Blades of Cara Fahd, either
to Fourth Circle) adepts of any Discipline. Unlike the pre- through the adventure Shattered Pattern or in the course
vious two adventures, Infected does not follow a strictly of an adventure of the gamemasters own design. Bond
linear storyline. Instead, Infected uses a decision-tree Breaker is intended for a group of three to five adept char-
format, which allows the characters to determine the acters of Fifth to Seventh Circles. The gamemaster should
course of the story once they reach the village of Hanto. be familiar with the entire adventure before starting it and
The encounters set in and near the village provide the should pay particular attention to the personal dynamics
gamemaster with all the necessary information to deal between the adventures various gamemaster characters.
with each situation in a variety of ways, and the charac- Bond Breaker has various possible conclusions, depend-
ters influence the resolution of each encounter. Because ing on the choices the players make.
this format gives the characters greater freedom to respond
to events as they will, the adventure has no single, prede- Grave Wisdom
termined resolution. Grave Wisdom takes the characters to the ruins of an
ancient shrine to fallen ork heroes, in search of the Rank
Three Key Knowledge of the Blades of Cara Fahd. The char-
Shattered Pattern acters must discover the Name of the group of ork heroes
Shattered Pattern begins in the city of Kratas and takes who wielded the daggers. They must also perform a Deed
the heroes to several locations along the border between they must build a monument to the Seven Spokes in the
the Badlands and the Servos Jungle, two of Barsaives most Spokes original home, ten miles away from the Hold of
I ntroduction
dangerous regions. The Scourge seems to have wrought Courage. The adventure is best suited for three to five char-
special devastation on this area, for, more so than other acters of Sixth or Seventh Circle.
places, this part of the land still contains many Horrors,
Horror constructs, and Horror-corrupted folk. Even the A Traitors Fate
hardiest and best-equipped adventurers had best take care A Traitors Fate takes the adventurers from the rela-
in this no mans land. tive safety of a Barsaivian settlement into the dangerous
Shattered Pattern is best suited for three to five Jour- depths of the Liaj Jungle. The adventure is best suited for a
neymen (Fifth to Eighth Circle) adepts of any Discipline. As group of three to five players using Sixth or Seventh Circle
a setting-based adventure, it provides descriptions of sev- characters. The particular nature of the characters quest
eral locations and a few events serving as the basis for an requires A Traitors Fate to be linear in structure, but
exciting story. Each important location in this adventure is the gamemaster should feel free to add encounters and
described in its own section, along with an overview of the other obstacles to increase the difficulty or complexity of
events most likely to occur. All event descriptions include the adventure if desired.
sufficient information for the gamemaster to resolve each
situation in different ways, depending on the players With an Axe in Hand
actions. This allows the gamemaster to adapt the adven- With an Axe in Hand takes the adventurers to the
ture to suit his particular group of players. Tylon Mountains in search of an obsidiman Liferock that
they believe holds the Rank Seven Key Knowledge of the
Bladesthe Name of the Horror that killed the Seven
Blades Spokes. The Horrors Name is Betrayer. With an Axe in
Blades is a collection of smaller adventures, intended Hand is intended for a group of three to five players using
for a group of three to five adepts of any Discipline at Cir- Seventh to Eighth Circle characters.
cles from Journeyman (Fifth to Eighth Circle), up. The
Blades adventures are short and relatively straight- Pure Liquids
forward, and each forms part of a larger picture. As the P u r e L iqu id s send s t he advent u rer s to t he
characters progress through the Blades adventures, they underground rivers beneath the Tylon Mountains for a con-
learn the history of a set of magical daggers known as the frontation with Betrayer, the Horror that lives within the
Blades of Cara Fahd. At the same time, they uncover a seri- Blades of Cara Fahd. The adventure assumes the characters
ous threat to Barsaive, a threat they become inextricably already know that the Rank Eight Deed consists of travel-
linked to. This threat grows with each adventure and each ing to the spot where Betrayer was slain, and that the Rank
thread the characters weave to the Blades. Eight Key Knowledge is the means the Seven Spokes used
Ideally, the Blades adventures should be spaced to originally defeat the Horror. The adventure is intended
between other adventures of a campaign for maximum for a group of three to five players using Seventh to Ninth
enjoyment. See the Blades chapter on p.254 for more Circle adept characters. As with all of the Blades adven-
information on how to run the adventures. tures, the gamemaster should be thoroughly familiar with
the adventure before running it.
S caling the Adventures
The adventures in this book are designed to chal-
lenge an average party of four adept characters. Should
the gamemaster have a larger (or smaller) group, he may
want or need to make some changes to the number of oppo-
nents presented to retain a challenge for his players. For
the most part, this is a simple exercise. Generally, if you
want to increase the overall power level of the opposition,
the easiest method is simply to increase (or decrease) the
oppositions numbers.
For each additional character above four in the group,
increase the number of opponents in the encounter by 25
percent. For example, in the adventure Grave Wisdom,
p.283, the characters encounter a pack of four crojen. If
the party has five characters, the gamemaster may wish to
increase the number of crojen encountered by 25 percent, to
five crojen. Each additional character means another crojen
is added to this encounter. Conversely, for each character
below four in the group, decrease the number of opponents
in the encounter by 25 percent. In the example above, a
party with three characters would encounter 25 percent
fewer creaturesthree crojen in this case. This increase or
decrease is always at the gamemasters discretion.
I ntroduction
C ampaign Information
While each of the adventures in this book can be
run standalone, this section shows how to run the adven-
tures as a campaign. As presented, the adventures can
simply be run one after another, with suitable interludes
that take the characters from the place where a previous
adventure ends to where the next adventure begins. For
example, the gamemaster could run an interlude adventure
after Mists of Betrayal that takes the group to Travar,
where they can start playing Terror in the Skies.
The Loose Ends section of each adventure offers sev-
eral suggestions on how to deal with the aftermath of an
adventure, including hints on how to connect to the other
adventures presented in this book. While the increasing
power level of the adventures fortifies that they are run in
the order presented, gamemaster could scale the adven-
10 tures differently if they want to run them in a different
order. For example, gamemasters who want to start their Flydrop Coat; see the Horrors chapter on p.437 of the
campaign with the events of Infected could scale that Gamemasters Compendium) and pose a real threat
adventures opposition down to suit their groups power to the village of Hanto, which would also make the Grim
levels. See Scaling the Adventures, p.10, for more Legion appear in a different light.
information on how to do this.
The notable exception to this is Blades, as the adven- Shattered Pattern
tures presented in that chapter should be run in the order This adventure offers the characters a way to establish
presented, but can also be spaced between other adven- contact with the great dragons and their minions, who
tures in a campaign. The Running Blades section on play a subtle role in the ongoing politics of Barsaive. The
p.259 of the Blades chapter contains more information on story of Tyrlaan and the theft of Icewings clutch of eggs is
how to do this. Refer to the Adventures and Campaigns not connected to the main path of historical events, so the
chapter on p.97 of the Gamemasters Compendium adventure can be run as written. One notable consideration
for more advice and guidelines on customizing published is the Theran presence at Triumph, which is likely to have
adventures. an impact on the events happening between Kratas and the
Dragon Mountains. The Throalic soldiers might be opposed
by Theran soldiers snooping around, which is likely to
A Note on Continuity result in a skirmish or two. While this is an interesting
While all of the adventures contained in this book are addition to the plot, it might divert the groups attention
revised versions of adventures originally published for the from the main story. The easiest solution would be to relo-
FASA edition of the Earthdawn game, they havent been cate the opening of Shattered Pattern to Urupa instead
updated to the current timeline (see the How It Came To of Kratas to avoid any kind of Theran interference.
Pass chapter on p.21 of the Players Compendium). As
written, all of the adventures take place before the return Blades
of the Therans, as described in The Theran Behemoth The adventures presented in this chapter assume that
I ntroduction
on p.31 of the Players Compendium, and lead up to the Ork Nation of Cara Fahd has not yet been re-estab-
the events that followed afterwards. The following sections lished (see The Rise of Cara Fahd in the How It Came
describe how these adventures connect to the overall plot, To Pass chapter on p.32 of the Players Compendium).
and contains advice that should help gamemasters to adjust While the adventures can mostly be run as written, the
the background of the adventures if they want to play them unpleasant side-effects of the Blades of Cara Fahd can
just prior to or with the current timeline (1510TH). have a strong impact on the welfare of the young nation,
and even destroy it if the characters get in contact with
Mists of Betrayal Krathis Gron and other tribe chieftains. For example, if
Mists of Betrayal can be run as written. The return the characters are in Claw Ridge while a meeting between
of the Therans didnt change much in the northern regions the chieftains takes place, Betrayers influence might be
of Barsaive, and the Blood Wood, as well as Parlainth, enough to spark distrust and open hatred between them,
were largely unaffected by the events outlined in the endangering their continued cooperation.
How It Came To Pass chapter on p.21 of the Players If they learn that the heroes possess the Blades, Krathis
Compendium. Gron and her advisors will try to get the characters to either
join Cara Fahd or give up the Blades. If they join, Krathis
Terror in the Skies lets them keep the daggers, but assigns an ork mentor
While the presence of Triumph has some impact on the to closely watch non-ork characters to make sure they
general airship and river trade in Travar, it doesnt affect have the interests of Cara Fahd at heart. If they give up
the adventure itself and can be run as written. the Blades, Krathis Gron offers them to the top eight con-
tenders in a tremendous contest of strength, magic and
Infected loyalty to Cara Fahd, making the winners Cara Fahds new
Some of the characters presented in Infected played Protectors. If the characters give away the Blades while
a vital role in Barsaives history and will continue to do so they are still Horror-tainted, Betrayer works his corruption
in future Earthdawn products. Gamemasters will find a through Cara Fahds defense forces, and by the time war
complete summary of the history and the events that fol- comes around, Cara Fahd may experience the same igno-
lowed in the Loose Ends section (see The Dragons minious death it did last time. Eventually, new ork heroes
Daughter on p.188 of the Infected chapter). will seek the source of the curse and destroy itand per-
Adapting the basic conflict of the story to a campaign haps the player characters, too.
running with the current timeline would require replac- While the characters are unlikely to give the Blades
ing Aardelea with another gamemaster character at the away until they have resolved their quest, the orks do
center of the Grim Legions attention. The reason for this not necessarily know of the cursewhich can lead to all
can be virtually anything, as long as it provides mysteri- kinds of unforeseen (but interesting) developments. For
ous powers, although we advise gamemasters not to use example, a group of orks hired by Krathis Gron might
the Book of Blue Spirits. steal the Blades from the characters, and Krathis could
For an interesting story twist, the replacement char- herself become cursed by weaving a thread to one of the
acter could have found a Horror-cursed item (like the daggers
11
Mists of Betrayal
Sometimes we trust too much. As Name-givers, that is our nature.
One should not fight nature.
Ganabe Mistrunner, Ork Shaman
Betr ayal
Feed me, elf! entered the Great Hall and found the other warders had
The voice seemed to be coming from everywhere at already taken their places. He sighed with relief when he
once, but the blood elf knew that only he heard it. realized the Elven Queen herself had not yet arrived; Ala-
Feed me now, the voice repeated, growing more chia was an impatient woman, and when she summoned
insistent. her Blood Warders she expected them to jump. Those who
I dont have time for you now. did not sometimes found themselves left to die in the pit
Your time is mine, impudent fool. Now feed me, lest outside the palace, surrounded by the rotting corpses of
you feel the lash of my anger. others who had tempted the Queens displeasure. Ah, but
As always, the rune-covered pendant around Kalourins soon youll no longer need fear the ire of the insane old hag,
neck had begun glowing with the insistent pulse of magic he told himself. Only a little longer, Kalourin, old boy, and
even before the Horror spoke to him. The abomination youll be taking your rightful place on the throne.
of
took a perverse pleasure in calling him at unexpected All hail Alachia, the Beautiful and the Terrible, Protec-
times, regardless of the risks it posed for both. This time tor of Blood Wood, Ruler of All Elvenkind, intoned one of
Mists
the elf feared the Horrors call would make him late for the the royal guards at the doorway.
Queens meeting. The warders kneeled as the Queen entered, and
I must go, Horror. I will attend to you later. Kalourin felt a mix of disdain and regret as he watched the
You will feed me when I demand it. Contact the slaver figure before him. Clad in a gown of white blossom petals,
and have him bring me my feeding. Alachia seemed to glow in the eerie emerald light that
Kalourin stepped toward the door. Late for the Queens shone through the leafy palace roof. Even the tiny thorns
assembly or not, he would suffer far more if someone dis- that covered her alabaster skin and the scowl on her face
covered that one of Queen Alachias Blood Warders was in could not hide the radiant beauty that had inspired tales
league with a Horror. He hurried over to a small thatched of the Elven Queen far beyond the borders of Blood Wood.
hut, cast a quick glance up and down the street, then At one time Kalourin had even felt the Queens lithe body,
entered. writhing with impatient desire, against his own. Once, he
Warder Kalourin had believed he would someday rule at her side. That child-
Be still, Trebor, the warder told the huts lone resident. ish dream, however, died the day he found himself barred
I have no time for pleasantries. Go and find the Theran from the royal bedchamber.
slaver and tell him the Horror desires its feeding. When he realized that Alachia viewed him no differ-
Yessir, right away sir, the elf said. ently than any other of her countless consorts, his ardor
And remember, Trebor, if anyone sees you, we will both turned to hatred. Soon he viewed the Queens entire court
die. with disdain as wellthe kowtowing elven nobles that sur-
Yessir. rounded her and the other Blood Warders, always eager to
Kalourin left the hut and hurried to the Queens res- please their sovereign like so many lap dogs.
idence, rushing past the grim-faced guards who stood He even began questioning the Queens strict prohibi-
12 outside the thick vine walls of the palace. The Blood Warder tion against unauthorized contact with outsiders. What he
had once considered a prudent precaution against foreign Your Majesty, II believe Warder Kalourins involve-
threats, he now saw as a foolish, immature reaction to Bar- ment with outsiders exceeds the boundaries of normal
saives ostracism of Blood Wood. When the elves wooden prudence and threatens us all, the warder stammered.
kaer failed during the Scourge and they sought the magi- Noting Takaris nervousness, Kalourin guessed that
cal protection provided by the Ritual of the Thorns, few he lacked evidence to support his accusation. The little
of them considered how outsiders would react to the sight upstart had undoubtedly been spying on him, trying to
of their mutilated bodies. The ever-growing thorns would learn something damning, when the rumors reached the
protect them from the Horrors, and that was all that mat- Queen. Realizing that he might be able to turn the proceed-
Mists
tered. But when the outsiders reacted with revulsion and ings against Takaris, Kalourin seized the offensive.
fear to the so-called blood elves, the Elven Court foolishly Warder Kalourin, do you wish to reply? the Queen
declared that it did not need the foreign barbarians anyway asked.
and virtually closed the borders of Blood Wood. Although Your Majesty, Takaris speaks truly when he says I asso-
this decision made Alachias power nearly absolute within ciate with outsiders. However, he exaggerates the extent of
the Wood, Kalourin realized she was not invincible. When my contacts and the threat they pose to the Elven Court.
he later encountered the Horror, he realized hed discov- The mistake is certainly understandable, as Warder Takaris
ered the outside ally he needed to usurp the throne and is known to be overcautious in his thinking.
of
humiliate Alachia, the Beautiful and Terrible, as she had Overcautious? Takaris blurted out, unable to control
humiliated him. himself. You have such nerve. How can one be overcau-
Rise and face your Queen, Queen Alachia said, as she tious regarding our relations with the outer world?
Betr ayal
sat on a throne of woven rose bushes. We have summoned Kalourin turned away as the Queen acknowledged
you all here because we have heard disturbing rumors, Takaris words with a slight smile.
rumors of a Blood Warder dealing with outsiders. Takaris continued his attack. Your actions could cause
A murmur rose from the group as the warders voiced great conflict between us and the other peoples of Barsaive.
their indignation at this blasphemy. We shall see whose actions are the most unwise, my cau-
Silence! tion or your
The murmur faded even more quickly than it had And what actions are these? Alachia asked, her voice
arisen. taking on a harder edge. Are our warders involved in mat-
You all know the Elven Court will not tolerate unau- ters that might jeopardize our Court? Could it be that we
thorized dealings with outsiders, nor will it tolerate slander have given all of our warders too much power and free-
that divides and weakens us. We wish to know the source dom? To what actions do you refer, Takaris? We warn you
of these accusations, so that we may decide whether they to think carefully before you answer.
are true and bring swift retribution against any who would Takaris shuff led his feet uncomfortably. He had no
betray the Elven Court. intention of exposing Kalourin until he had evidence of
The room seemed to grow even more still, and Kalourin the warders wrongdoing, but this meeting had forced his
found himself nearly overpowered by the sickly sweet fra- hand. Although the Queen disdained rumormongers in
grance from the thousands of roses that lined the walls of her court, she would avoid publicly disciplining one of her
the Great Hall. For one insane moment he was certain he Blood Warders if given a choice.
had been discovered and considered confessing his crime Takaris realized his only chance to survive this with his
and begging the mercy of the Court, when a voice broke position intact would be to apologize to Kalourin.
the silence. Perhaps perhaps my conclusions were premature,
Your Majesty, I fear I am the source of these rumors, Takaris mumbled.
said the warder called Takaris. Oh, really? Alachia asked in mock surprise. Then
The Queen merely watched the elf for a moment. why, pray, were you so vehement a few moments ago? What
Continue, Warder Takaris. could possibly have filled your speech with such anger? 13
Realizing that he had won, Kalourin stepped forward. almost crumpled the beautiful parchment and cast it aside,
If I may, Your Majesty, it could be that Warder Takaris, but then a slow smile crept across his face. A plan began to
in his impetuousness, was perhaps a tad overzealous? form in his mind, and he decided this Hiermon would have
Perhaps his zeal to defend our Wood seized his tongue his sanguil. In exchange for a small favor, of course.
P
before his brain could act?
The Court tittered and snickered. Takaris clenched his
fists so tightly that the thorns on his fingers bit into his
palms and drew small droplets of blood. lot Synopsis
Yes, Majesty, that must be the reason, Takaris said The threads that weave this tale begin in Barsaives
through gritted teeth. Forgive me for wasting your valu- ancient days, just before the coming of the Horrors. Hun-
able time. And forgive me, Warder Kalourin, for any trouble dreds upon hundreds of years ago, the magicians of the
my reckless accusations may have caused you. mighty Theran Empire unlocked the secrets of the Books of
Alachias expression changed again, her face taking Harrow and learned of the coming Scourge. To safeguard
on the aspect of the kind, reflective ruler. There now, all the life of the world, they created the Rites of Protection
is well. Truly, our warders should be able to resolve their and Passage, powerful magical protection against the rav-
differences among themselves and perform their duties ages of the Horrors. The Therans offered their magic to
without regard to their personal feelings. And while we the cities, towns, and villages of Barsaive in exchange for
look dimly on the spread of dissension in our Court, we allegiance to the Empire. In dread of the terrors to come,
shall show mercy to Warder Takaris. He shall hereby manybut not allaccepted this bargain.
refrain from casting unfounded aspersions on any Blood When Theran emissaries traveled to the Elven Court
Warder, lest he draw the wrath of the Elven Court. And all in Wyrm Wood, the elven Queen Alachia defied Thera and
of you would do well to remember that we, your sovereign, refused their aid. Proud and willful, she bade her Ward-
have granted you the freedom you enjoy to pursue your ers devise a magical shield against the Horrors that would
goals. And should your actions ever jeopardize the Court serve the elves alone. Obedient to their sovereigns will, the
Betr ayal
or the elven race, we will not hesitate to take back what we Queens magicians built a shelter of elemental wood and
have granted. earth. As the corruption of the Horrors darkened the fair
With that, Alachia dismissed the warders. Within min- land of Barsaive, the Elven Court closed its kaer and settled
utes Takaris was back in his opulent chambers, barely able down to wait for the four centuries of the Scourge to pass.
to contain his rage at fail- Whether through some flaw
ing to expose Kalourin as in the elven magic or the
a Theran sympathizer and sheer power of the Horrors,
slavemonger. He paced the the elven kaer began to fail
room, muttering bitterly to a mere two hundred years
To whom it may concern in the Court
himself. Suddenly he stopped, after its sealing. Desper-
of the Elven Queen,
his attention caught by an ate to protect the besieged
unopened scroll, apparently I am Hiermon, a Wizard by Elven Court, the Queens
of
delivered during the ward- disposition, and I wish to offer you Warders devised a hideous
ers meeting. an arrangement of trade. Within the solution. Knowing the Hor-
Mists
The simplicit y of the confines of Blood Woodand only rors need to inflict the pain
scrolls exterior marked it in the Woodgrows a plant called and suffering on which they
as a message from the out- sanguil in your language and blood fed, the Warders chose to
side world, obv iously of ivy in ours. I seek a specimen of this drive them off by inflicting
little consequence. As the blood ivy for certain experiments never-ending agony upon
Blood Warder charged with I am conducting. I realize this is themselves. Through a ter-
overseeing all contacts with not a welcome intrusion, so please rifying ritual, the Warders
the outer world, the task of understand that I am willing to pay brought forth thorns from
reading such useless cor- handsomely for the plant. I most within the very bodies of
respondence fell to Takaris. humbly request that you relay this the elves of Wyrm Wood. The
He absentmindedly picked message to your Queen. I ask also Ritual of Thorns saved the
up the scroll, then dropped that you grant me the favor of an elves from the Horrors, but
it with a start as the doc- expeditious reply. I await word at a terrible cost. To escape
ument began squirming from you in the hope that it will be the Horrors corr uption,
in his hand. In moments favorable. the elves of Wyrm Wood
the plain scroll had turned embraced a twisted mockery
May peace and beauty be
into an exquisitely detailed of life worse than the fate
forever yours,
parchment. Intrigued, he they had feared. The once-
unrolled it and began to Hiermon of Haven fair Wyrm Wood became
read. Blood Wood, Named for the
Still filled with anger at drops of blood that contin-
14 his recent failure, Takaris ually seeped from the elves
thorn-pierced skin. The Elven Court, once a place of gran-
deur and power in Barsaive, became a dark, twisted place
of corruption, betrayal, and deception.
In the days following the end of the Scourge, the Queens
Blood Warders managed the affairs of the Elven Court.
Various factions within the court wished to re-establish
ties with the outer world, but Queen Alachia would hear
nothing of such ideas. Though many of those who opposed
her met death at her command, the young Blood Warder
Kalourin escaped the Queens wrath. Silent and crafty, he
sought to build his power by secret correspondence with
the Theran Empire. He sent messages to Thera through
Fegis Kul, a slaver who plied his evil trade near Blood
Wood, gathering slaves for the Therans.
Now begins the adventure of the heroes of this tale.
Journeying across Barsaive, they happen upon the vil-
lage of Tureem, sorely beset by a pair of giant spiders. In
defeating these loathsome creatures, the adventurers find
a mysterious, magical amulet. To learn its nature and
mayhap use its power, the adventurers travel to the vil-
lage of Haven, built on the ruins of the Forgotten City of
Parlainth. There they seek the Wizard Hiermon, who can
tell them the amulets secrets.
Hiermon the Wizard gladly agrees to unlock the amu-
Mists
lets mysteries in return for a service. He requests that
the adventurers travel to Blood Wood to deliver a magi-
cal treasure to the Blood Warder Takaris. Having become
an enemy of Blood Warder Kalourin after learning of his
treacherous contact with Thera and having suffered humil-
iation at his hands before the Queen, Takaris has sworn
revenge against him. The Wizard Hiermon unwittingly
offers Takaris the perfect vengeance by asking for sanguil,
of
or blood ivy, a plant that grows only in Blood Wood. As his
price for the plant, Takaris asks for the Everliving Flower,
an ancient elven artifact lost in the ruins of Parlainth. The
Betr ayal
adventurers agree to deliver this artifact to Takaris and
bring back the blood ivy. Takaris intends to buy back his
Queens favor with the Everliving Flower and to use the
adventurers to expose Kalourins alliance with Fegis Kul.
The adventurers begin the long, overland journey to
Blood Wood, trailed by Theran spies who wish to know of
the treasure from Parlainth. Highwaymen paid by the spies
attack the adventurers, but the bold heroes beat them back.
Reaching Blood Wood after many trials and much travail,
the adventurers come face to face with elven guards loyal
to Kalourin. Kalourin and his guard escort the adventur-
ers to Queen Alachias wondrous palace, curious to know
what business these strangers would have with Kalourins
enemy, Takaris. Unknown to the adventurers, Kalourin is
in league not only with the Theran slaver, but also with a
Horror called the Mist.
For many a year, the Mist fed its hunger for suffering
on the helpless people of Akarem, a small village near the
edge of Blood Wood. Needing more victims, the Horror
entered Blood Wood and met the elf Kalourin. Penetrating
Kalourins dark thoughts, the Horror uncovered his deal-
ings with the slaver Fegis Kul and sensed a ravening thirst
for power. With the swiftness of a heartbeat, the Horror
entered the elfs mind and offered him the power he sought
for a price. In exchange for victims brought to Akarem by 15
Kalourin and Fegis Kul, the Mist swore to give Kalourin
magical knowledge and gifts beyond mortal ken. Hungry
for power, Kalourin sealed the unholy pact with blood
magic, and Kalourins sigil became its symbol. Through an Adventure Hook
amulet that bears this symbol, Kalourin tied himself to the A s an a lter native opening to t he
Horror. The Mist also demanded that Kalourin guard the adventure, the gamemaster may have
area surrounding the village, so that no adventurers would the characters encounter another group
learn of its existence and come to slay the Horror. Kalourin of adepts by the roadside. They look as if
ordered blood elves to guard Akarem, but Blood Warder they have just been in a fight, and half of
Takaris questioned his action. Keeping a close watch on them are severely wounded and uncon-
Kalourin, Takaris learned of Kalourins ties with Fegis Kul, scious, the rest are dead. While examining
but his attempt to bring Kalourins treachery before Queen the survivors, one of them opens his eyes
Alachia came to naught. Lacking enough evidence, Takaris and mutters a word of warning. A moment
dared not speak too loudly against Kalourin. Humbled by later a group of bandits jumps them from
his rival before the Queen, Takaris vowed to take revenge. behind cover, taking them by surprise.
As part of his plot against Kalourin, Takaris greets the Although the bandits outnumber the char-
adventurers and tells them that the blood ivy has yet to be acters, their leader overestimates his mens
gathered. Praying their patience, he tells them that in fur- abilitiesmany of them are still wounded
ther exchange for the blood ivy, they must find the slave from their previous fight with the other
trader Fegis Kul. group of adepts.
The adventurers track the Theran slaver into the dark After the fight, the characters should
heart of a patch of forest near Blood Wood. Elves bearing care for the wounded adepts, who ask them
the sigil of Kalourin travel with the slaver and his captives, to take over their contract with the citizens
guarding him from harm and them from rescue. Passing of Tureem, as they are incapable of doing
Betr ayal
through a strange mist, unknown to them as a sign of the so themselves. If none of the wounded
Horror, the adventurers come upon the cursed village of adepts survives, the characters can find a
Akarem and its ruined kaer. Here, the adventurers dis- letter from the people of Tureem asking for
cover that the people of Akarem and the newly brought the help of some heroes. In this case, the
slaves have been taken over by a Horror in league with characters wont be surprised when meet-
Kalourin and Fegis Kul. Their discovery, alas, comes too ing Turan (see Meeting Turan on p.17).
late. Kalourins blood elves ambush and capture the bold
heroes, throwing them into a specially prepared hut in the
village to await the Horrors tender mercies.
The adventurers escape from their prison, but only by
destroying the Horror can they escape from the village. so. The fearsome Horror turns its wrath against the bold
With courage befitting the great ones of legend, the adven- adventurers who drove it from the village of Akarem.
of
turers search the kaer for the Mist and defeat it in a titanic The adventurers fight a terrible battle and destroy the
battle. Alas for Barsaive, they do not destroy it, though Horror, ridding the world of its corruption. A grateful Hier-
Mists
it seems they have. Their victory drives the Horror from mon, released from Kalourins evil hold by the elfs death,
Akarem, freeing the villages people to die in peace after gives the adventurers their amulet and shares with them
years of false life in thrall to the Mist. the secrets he discovered.
A
Returning to Blood Wood, the adventurers bring
Takaris word of Kalourins alliance with not only the
Theran slaver, but also with the Horror. Their courage
in carrying out their task earns them the blood ivy from rrival in Tureem
Takaris. Well pleased with the news they have brought him, This section describes the village of Tureem and
Takaris arranges for the band of heroes a rare audience its residents, giving the player characters a feel for daily life
with the Queen. He bids them tell her of Kalourins per- in Barsaive. In this encounter, the characters are mistaken
fidy, but Kalourin disappears before his sovereigns wrath for adventurers hired to destroy hostile creatures that are
can fall on him. troubling the village.
Bearing the Wizards blood ivy, the adventurers return
to Haven, with no more to mar their journey than a meeting
with an arrogant band of ork scorchers. They find Hier- Setting the Stage
mon unlike himself, seemingly touched with lunacy. As the When the characters approach the village, read the
adventurers present the blood ivy, Kalourin reveals himself, following:
along with the Theran spies who followed the adventurers
As the sun sinks low in Barsaives western sky,
from Haven. Angered by his downfall and lusting for ven-
you reach the small village of Tureem. Still a half-
geance, Kalourin attacks the adventurers with the Therans
days walk from the bustling town of Haven, you
aid. The Mist, seeing its own chance for vengeance, comes
choose to stop in the village to rest before being
16 forth from the elfs amulet, slaying Kalourin as it does
on your way with the dawn. Like any sane group
of travelers, you seek safe shelter before nightfall.
Though strangers to you, the people of this tiny vil-
lage might give you shelter in a barn or a loft. If
fortune favors you, a kind heart may even give you
a meal, strangers though you are.
As you stride into Tureem, the villagers tumble
from their houses into the well-worn dirt streets.
They smile and wave in greeting, some even hold-
ing up babes to watch you pass by. Many gaze at
your weapons and armor, nodding and passing
knowing looks. You find their welcome strange;
it seems unnatural that strangers should greet
strangers as friends in such times as these You
hunch into your traveling cloaks and gaze at the
road ahead. This village unnerves you. You only
want shelter and a bite or two, and the morning
will see your swift departure from this strange
Themes and Images
Play up the sense that the village expects the group.
place.
Drinkers and gamblers in the tap room may shoot expect-
Before you looms a building whose signboard
ant glances at them, or smile and nod. The adventurers
reads Common House in almost every tongue
should find this behavior unsettling, even creepy; in these
of Barsaive. Emblazoned across the bottom are a
troubled days, few people in Barsaive welcome strangers.
frothy mug, a plate of food, and a bed. Your stom-
After all, they could be Theran spies, controlled by Horrors,
achs empty, your throats dry, and your bodies
or brigands out to rob the town.
Mists
aching from days of walking, you make the only
choice you can, despite your secret fears. You
decide on this one night you will eat honest food
and slumber in honest beds, though it cost you life
Behind the Scenes
The village of Tureem has seen more than its share
or soul.
of trouble in the past few weeks. A pair of giant spiders
When the characters enter the Common House, read thought by the villagers to be jehuthrasis nesting in the
the following: forest just outside the village. The creatures have attacked
travelers going to and from Tureem, and have also killed a
of
A fair crowd fills the tap room of the Common
few villagers. The overseer of Tureem, a man Named Turan,
House, drinking, eating, carousing, and gambling.
anxious to rid his village of the marauding spiders, has
As you enter, many of the revelers look up at you.
Betr ayal
hired a group of adventurers to come to Tureem to hunt
You expect frozen silence, but it never comes. Far
down the creatures. Unknown to him, however, that unfor-
from being wary or fearful, the people smile in wel-
tunate group met with a messy and ignominious end on
come. For all they know, you might bring with you
the open road.
the corruption of the Horrors, and yet they smile
By chance, the player characters arrive at the village
and bid you good evening. Are they mad or simply
close to the time that the other group should have shown up,
a village of fools, that they show strangers such
and the villagers mistake the characters for Turans hired
dangerous kindness?
men. For this reason, the villagers show them an unusually
Before you can speak, an aproned dwarf
warm welcome, and the proprietor of the Common House
approaches with a gleam in his eye. Good wel-
gives the characters free food and drink.
come to you, he says. The village overseer will
come soon. If you will do me the honor of sam- Meeting Turan
pling my food and spirits at the finest table in
After the characters have spent a few minutes eating
the House, I will count you good friends. And my
and drinking in the Common House, an older man with an
friends, gentle strangers, need pay no coin. He lets
air of authority passes through the room and approaches
you make no answer, but calls over his shoulder.
them. Once within earshot of the characters, he addresses
Malisa! Brynwar!
them, saying:
Two barmaids step forward, such beauties as
mere mortals rarely see. They lead you to a round Welcome to Tureem, friends. I am Turan, over-
table of polished oak in the corner nearest the seer of this village. Your arrival is timely; the
kitchen. You have the best view of the tap room beasts have attacked another band of travelers. We
and the warmth of the kitchen to soothe your cold can bear this no more! If you kill these creatures,
bones. Smiling sweetly, the barmaids set down sixty silver pieces each are yours. My sorrow is
foaming mugs before you, then skip to the kitchen that the fee is so low, but we can afford no more
to fetch your food. with our all but empty coffers.
17
This offer should confuse the characters; they have no Grakas Hut
idea what Turan is talking about or why he seems to know Graka the ork is the village healer. Her small cabin is
them. If they tell Turan that they are not the adventurers cluttered with all manner of healing elements: plants, pow-
the village is expecting, he will be puzzled, but will offer ders, salves, ointments, and so on. A skilled healer (she
them the job anyway. The group Turan hired should have is a Rank 3 Physician, Step 8/2D6), Graka feels compas-
arrived two days ago, and so Turan feels that he has waited sion for the truly ill or seriously wounded, but has little
long enough for Tureems deliverance. If the characters do patience with those she considers malingerers or hypo-
not explain the mistaken identity, Turan presumes that chondriacs. Her services cost 10 silver pieces per visitor
they are indeed the heroes he sent for. half that if the player characters negotiate with Turanand
If the characters ask Turan for details of the task they she sells all types of healing aids (see Healing Aids in the
are to perform, read the following: Goods and Services chapter on p.450 of the Players
Compendium).
For many weeks, monsters have terrorized our
village and all who try to leave or enter it. Twice Turans Everygoods
they have entered Tureem, attacking citizens
The village overseer also owns the villages only mer-
during the night. We are but a small village; we
cantile. Turans Everygoods sells mundane items of all
have no militia, and can scarce defend ourselves
sorts, such as clothing, lanterns, bedrolls, tents, and so on,
against this evil. Some of us have tried, but they
but no weapons, armor, livestock, or magical items.
lacked strength and had little magic. Sadly, they
all perished in the attempt. If you track down the Eeengs Livestock
monsters and destroy them, we will pay you in
A fast-talking windling, Eeeng specializes in horses
good silver.
and pack animals. Always trying to get the best end of the
The attacks have all taken place to the west of
deal, he often exaggerates the quality of a mount. Eeeng
the village; we believe the creatures have nested
has three human assistants who do the muscle work while
there. We know little of them, but some villagers
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the other half when they destroy the giant spiders, and he
agrees to let them buy whatever they need from his store Adventure Hook
Mists
and from Graka, the village healer, at half-price. Once the group has figured out that they
were mistaken for Turans mercenaries,
Village of Tureem they may want to find out what happened
The player characters may decide to explore the village to them. Since Turan mistakes the party for
of Tureem in search of supplies and gear for their upcom- the sellswords, they should have a similar
ing adventure. Following are brief descriptions of some of racial composition to the party, but need
the significant places and people in Tureem. not be adepts, or have the same Disci-
plines. It is up to the gamemaster whether
Common House this group was killed en route or merely
This two-story structure has rooms for travelers, as delayed.
well as a tap room serving food and drink. Because the The trail could lead to other loca-
Common House is a cheap inn (see Services in the Goods tions in the adventure. For example, this
and Services chapter on p.453 of the Players Compen- group could still be on a dangerous mis-
dium), it normally costs 1 silver piece to rent a room for sion in Parlainth. Alternatively, they could
one night and 1 silver piece per meal, but the player charac- have stopped at the Midland Trading Post
ters are not required to pay this. The doors to all the rooms to resupply and rest before heading to
have security locks. The inns proprietor, Tergal, is a dwarf Tureem. The mercenaries may even want
who helped the village rebuild after its people emerged revenge on the party for stealing their mis-
from their kaers eight decades ago. sion and silver, making them unexpected
enemies
18
The gamemaster must determine which of these rumors can make you set foot across the village bounds.
are true and which are false. The road is little more than a footpath, overgrown
with tough vines and jagged-edged leaves, leading
Someone saw a dragon south of these parts not
into a forest so thick that the keenest eye cannot
too long ago. Theran airship, too. I hear tell the
pierce its darkness.
Therans are renegades, and the dragons call them
A few hundred paces down the winding path,
friends.
the forest seems to close around you. Your hearts in
You go to Haven, you watch yourselves. Cant your dry throats, you look back toward the distant
hardly walk out a door without stumbling over a safety of Tureem. But the woodland has swallowed
Theran. the village. Tureem cannot call you back. Glory,
you remind yourself. Sixty silver pieces and undy-
I know youll not believe this, but Ive heard tell
ing glory. You shiver, wishing that some word other
that the Elf Queen in yon Blood Wood has a taste
than undying had crossed your thoughts. Heroes
for human lovers
or no, your fears rise to choke you. Still you go on,
step by step by step. Each step draws you closer to
Troubleshooting finding and destroying the creatures that plague
Tureem. Unbidden, your hands clench around your
At this point, the only way the players can disrupt the
weapons as you walk forward.
adventure is by declining Turans offer. Should they do so,
Turan will press them for their reasons. He will ask about
the groups destination and purposes, and try to convince
them that they can find the fame, money, magical knowl-
Themes and Images
In this encounter, fear of the unknown should almost
edge, experience, chances to do good deeds, and so on in
overwhelm the characters. Where most travelers in
Tureem.
Barsaive merely suspect that its forests and jungles con-
Mists
ceal monstrous creatures, the characters know for certain
oing Hunting
that unknown but horrible creatures lurk nearby.
of
Setting the Stage well-worn path runs westward from the village, twisting
and turning through dense, 2-yard thickets of vegetation.
When the characters are ready to follow Turan, read
In order to find the creatures, the characters must track
Betr ayal
the following:
them through a virtual jungle.
Turan leads you through the village, stopping
at its western outskirts. He points out the west- Tracking the Giant Spiders
ward road, and swears he will go no further. His Following the giant spider tracks requires a Tracking
face is pale as ice, and he flicks sharp glances in (7) Test. A successful result shows that the tracks begin at
every direction. The crack of the smallest twig the village outskirts and wind their way north and west
might send him shrieking back into Tureem, and through the forest toward a small copse.
you with him. Only the promise of silver and glory The tracks lead ever deeper into the jungle-like tangle
19
of plants, and so at least one player character in the group Commentary
must make two more successful Tracking (7) Tests in order Approximately 6 to 7 feet in length, giant spiders are
to stay on the trail. If a Tracking Test fails, the characters similar in size and appearance to jehuthras (a type of
lose the trail and must return to the place where they last Horror construct), but thankfully have none of the special
found clear tracks to try again. If the characters succeed powers that make jehuthras such terrifying opponents (see
in tracking the giant spiders, they discover the creatures the Horrors chapter on p.452 of the Gamemasters
in their lair. Compendium for information and special rules on these
Horror constructs). Regardless, giant spiders are still very
The Lair dangerous creatures.
The giant spiders lair lies within a small group of trees.
Scattered among the tree roots are cocoons of silk with Rules
desiccated corpses of humans, dwarfs, orks, and an occa- If a target falls unconscious from a spiders venomous
sional scrap of cloth or leather remaining sticking out. The spit, the spider encases the victim in a thick cocoon and
giant spiders have woven two sticky silk webs among the feeds on the victim at its leisure. A cocooned victim who
tree trunks to trap intruders to their lair. The spiders them- awakens may free himself without making any tests.
selves lie hidden in the brush 3 to 5 yards from the webs.
Web Trap: To detect a giant spiders web, which is strong
If a player character makes a successful Perception (9)
enough to entangle even Name-giver-sized victims, a char-
Test, he notices the silk webs. On a Good or better result
acter must make a successful Perception (9) Test. Whenever
(14 or more), he sees a giant spider leg sticking out from
a character stumbles into a giant spider web, the gamemaster
the foliage. Characters who fail to notice the webs become
determines the webs Strength value by making a Step
stuck in them, and the gamemaster makes a Step 8/2D6
8/2D6 Strength Test. To free himself from the web, the
Strength Test to generate the Strength value of the web. A
character must make a successful Strength Test against the
character must meet or exceed this number on a Strength
webs Strength value. Giant spider webs are large enough to
Test to break out of the web.
ensnare up to three human-sized targets.
Betr ayal
DEX: 5 STR: 5 TOU: 7 of the amulets thread ranks and Key Knowledges, see the
PER: 4 WIL: 5 CHA: 4 New Magical Treasures chapter on p.342.
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Equipment: None
H
toward the Old Neighborhood. The Name makes
you laugh; a scant decade since its building, and
aven yet men call it old. As you walk through the streets,
beings from all the Name-giving races jostle you as
The characters arrive at the town of Haven, they scurry from place to place intent on private
where the Wizard Hiermon lives. After finding room and business. Those who notice you regard you with
board, they attempt to learn his whereabouts. Unknown suspicion; despite the numbers of strangers who
to the characters, Theran spies watch their every move in pass through its gates, Haven remains wary of
Haven, becoming particularly interested when they inquire outsiders. Vendors watch the passers-by, half with
about how to locate the Wizard. suspicion and half with interest. A stranger may
bring unknown hazards, but he also may bring
custom. Merchants hawk their wares, criers exhort
Setting the Stage you to their taverns, and beggars plead for copper
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When the characters approach Haven, read the or silver. Food vendors, money changers, jewel-
following: ers, fortunetellers, weaponsmithsall manner
of sellers line the streets, calling for custom. Rival
questors of the Passions Thystonius and Chorrolis,
recognizable by their unusual garb, form swirling
Adventure Hook lines of color in the crowd.
You slow your steps, then stop to gawk. But
Upon arriving in Haven, the charac-
only just for a moment, lest you betray yourselves
ters witness the return of an adventuring
of
as peasant bumpkins. A small pack of orks and
party that endured heavy losses. One of
dwarfs stagger across your path and away down
the dead adventurers is placed in the cool
a side street, bearing two bleeding comrades and
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cellar of the tavern that the characters are
one seemingly lifeless. No doubt they fell afoul of
staying at, awaiting burial. Some time later,
the dangers of Parlainth, you tell yourselves, sud-
while the characters are enjoying food and
denly feeling world-wise by comparison.
drink, the tavern-owner bursts in, crying
the corpse is gone! Everyone fears the poor
soul has been returned to unlife, perhaps
as a cadaver man or some other monstros-
Themes and Images
Haven resounds with bustle and noise. The streets are
ity, and escaped through the backdoor.
crowded with visitors and vendors shouting for customers
The residents of the Old Neighbor-
at the tops of their lungs. Besides the food vendors, money
hood begin hunting for the missing corpse,
changers, and so on, Haven attracts experts at valuing
advising every guest to join them for their
treasures, though some may be charlatans. If he wishes,
own safety. The characters find the undead
the gamemaster may let the players get distracted briefly
adventurer at the same time his former
by one of these honest gentlemen.
comrades dothey are reluctant to kill
The Old Neighborhood looks and feels only slightly
their old friend and try to talk the char-
older than the rest of Haven. Eight sturdy buildings clus-
acters out of it. While the debate goes on,
ter along both sides of its single street, looking venerable
the undead character is in a confused state,
by comparison to the rest of the town.
its mind changing from that of a normal
Name-giver to a mindless killing machine,
threateningthen attackingeveryone.
Regardless of what the characters do,
Behind the Scenes
Following is a brief description of Havens Old Neigh-
someone will have to find out who or what
borhood, including its best-known establishments. The
is behind the reanimation of the corpse
descriptions provide only the information needed for this
adventure.
21
Old Neighborhood gets a little rowdy, with guests bragging about what they
Havens Old Neighborhood, the towns oldest district, have recently found or killed in Parlainths ruins. Brawls
was built by merchants who founded their establishments often erupt, especially if a patron challenges anothers
five years after the troll Torgak built the first inn in the For- story. For those who desire a little privacy, one of the three
gotten City of Parlainth. private rooms adjoining the dining room can be had for 10
For the purposes of this adventure, the primary build- silver pieces. In each of these rooms, up to ten people can
ings in the Old Neighborhood are as follows: sit and enjoy their dinner in peace and quiet.
The communal room on the third floor contains plenty
Loaks Legacy, an excellent inn
of bedrolls and sleeping furs. Guests pay 1 silver piece
Brenulas Arms, an armory for the privilege of staking out a spot on the f loor over-
night. Needless to say, security in the communal room is
Hiermons residence, an apartment in the upper floor
non-existent.
of Brenulas Arms
The vast dining room has two hearths, a long bar his business. Caravans are constantly arriving with goods
with padded wooden stools, and several long tables with departing for points all across Barsaive. Many adventurers
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benches set along each side. Loaks has no small, private and mercenaries congregate here, seeking employment.
tables; instead, customers belly up to one of the long tables Unknown to the good people of Haven, the prosperous
and rub elbows with their fellow patrons. During the day, Agramen is a Theran sympathizer. His two chief assis-
the dining room does a modest business; at night, the place tants, Tural and Alkor, also do most of the spying for the
22
Empire, and even commit an occasional assassination. For Characteristics
more information regarding Theran activity in Haven, see Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 5/D8
Theran Spies, below. A good caravan organizer needs Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 3
an efficient network of informants to find out whether any Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 1
worthy adepts are in the vicinity who might want to make a
Death Rating: 30* Recovery Tests: 2
few coins. Agramens network will let him know if the char-
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 4/D6
acters stay in Haven for more than two hours.
Unconsciousness Rating: 22*
Dags Allgoods * These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
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the ruins of Parlainth for ancient Theran treasures.
Haggle (7): 14/D20+D4
Besides keeping tabs on explorers in Parlainth, Agra-
Read and Write Language (7): 13/D12+D10
mens spies keep close watch on activities in Haven,
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel,
particularly the arrival of adventuring groups from other
Theran, Troll, Tskrang
parts of Barsaive. Agramen has standing orders from his
Slough Blame (3): 10/D10+D6
Theran superiors to report anything of particular note or
Speak Language (7): 13/D12+D10
value taken from Parlainth.
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel,
Two weeks prior to the characters arrival in Haven, the
of
Wizard Hiermon hired a group of adventurers to search a
particular area of Parlainth for a unique treasure dating
from the pre-Scourge days of Theran rule. Hiermon now
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has the treasure, but Agramen has not yet discovered its
identity. His henchmen, Tural and Alkor, are currently
occupied in ferreting out that secret. For details on the
treasure, see Visiting Hiermon on p.26.
Agramen
A middle-aged human, Agramen dresses lavishly and
has the look of smug satisfaction that comes from a well-
fed, well-dressed, financially secure life.
The owner of Agramens Import & Export Company in
the town of Haven, Agramen is an expert caravan organizer
and shrewd businessman. He lives in a splendid townhouse
close to his business, where he has hidden away at least
4,500 silver pieces in a secret vault in his cellar.
Though born in Barsaive, Agramen is a Theran sym-
pathizer and frequently offers his business premises to
the Therans when they require a discreet base of opera-
tions. Fearless in the marketplace, Agramen is a physical
coward, and prefers to avoid combat by turning suspicion
and blame away from himself in dicey situations.
Attributes
Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (9): 4/D6
Toughness (11): 5/D8 Perception (14): 6/D10
Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (16): 7/D12 23
Theran, Troll, Tskrang
Streetwise (4): 10/D10+D6
Trading (7): 14/D20+D4
Equipment
Leather (Phys 3)
Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
Absorb Blow Charm (2 Damage Points)
Belt Pouch
Embroidered Robe
Embroidery Tools
2Healing Potions
Travelers Garb
Wealthy Travelers Garb
Writing Kit
Loot
70 silver pieces (belt pouch), 4,500 silver pieces (secret
vault in cellar of house)
Legend Award
75 Legend Points
Human Swordmaster
A small, wiry, Theran-born human, Tural has quick eyes
and a glib tongue. A Third Circle Swordmaster, Tural fan-
cies himself an accomplished warrior and ladies man. He
serves the Theran Empire as much because it pays well as
out of any sense of loyalty. Employed as a spy and enforcer
by Agramen, Tural excels at what he does.
Attributes
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (13): 6/D10
Toughness (13): 6/D10 Perception (10): 5/D8
of
Characteristics
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Bit, Bridle, and Harness Quiver (w/20 longbow arrows)
2Small Saddlebags
Adventurers Kit
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Carving Tools
Loot 2Healing Potions
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
60 silver pieces
Travelers Garb
Legend Award 2Waterskins
of
245 Legend Points Riding Horse:
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
Notes
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2Small Saddlebags
Tural possesses the human racial ability of Versatility. Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
A lkor
A muscular human in his late thirties, Alkor has a full
head of brown hair and a lush brown beard. Unlike Tural,
Alkor serves the Theran Empire wholly and sincerely. As
he is not an adept, Alkor relies more on brute force than
cunning to get the job done.
Attributes
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (18): 7/D12
Toughness (18): 7/D12 Perception (7): 4/D6
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (6): 3/D4
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 3/D4
Spell Defense: 5 Physical Armor: 7
Social Defense: 4 Mystic Armor: 0
Once the characters arrive in Haven, they will likely Loak Ironfist explored the ghostly ruins of
want to find room and board. They may also want to roam Parlainth after it returned to the world, shortly
about the town before finding Hiermon. As stated earlier, after the end of the Scourge. After long years of
anyone they ask about where to find Hiermon will direct harrowing exploits and narrow escapes, he retired
them to Brenulas Arms. from adventuring and opened an inn called the
Once they are ready to visit Hiermon, go to the next Silver Scorcher.
encounter, Visiting Hiermon, below. He spent the next years as a successful inn-
keeper, until the day he chose to share tales of his
Rumors in Haven exploits in the ruins of Parlainth with a band of
During the characters stay in Haven, they may hear young, green adventurers staying at his inn. Doubt-
rumors about the local region as well as the legend of Loak ing Loaks claims of having explored Parlainth,
Ironfist. The gamemaster must determine which of these they dared the ork to return to the Forgotten City
rumors are true and which are false. An abbreviated ver- and bring back proof that he had gone there.
sion of Loaks legend is given below, and the gamemaster A defiant Loak took the dare and re-entered the
should make every effort to present it to the characters ruins. Several days later, a scouting party found
during the game. him in Parlainth, turned to stone. To this day, no
one knows how Loak Ironfist met such a terrible
Betr ayal
V
waymen, strangers. Not a traveler between Haven
and Blood Wood has met them and survived with
his purse intact.
isiting Hiermon
of
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Combat Movement: 26 Full Movement: 52
of
Like all merchants in Haven, Brenula strikes an uneasy
Ancient Weapons (1): 6/D10
balance between welcoming a strangers coin and fearing
Horror Lore (1): 6/D10
the dangers a stranger may bring. Her close scrutiny should
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unsettle the characters a bit; they may even feel she is judg- General:
ing them. Play up the feeling of caution, as if a single wrong Evaluate (3): 8/2D6
word or action might get them thrown out. Haggle (4): 8/2D6
Melee Weapons (3): 8/2D6
Read and Write Language (3): 8/2D6
Behind the Scenes Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet, Sperethiel
In addition to running her shop, Brenula also helps Speak Language (3): 8/2D6
the Wizard Hiermon by intercepting those who seek him Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet, Sperethiel
and allowing only those whom she trusts to meet with the Trading (4): 8/2D6
Wizard. To help her in this task, Hiermon has given Bren-
ula a blood charm that enables her to detect Horrors or Equipment
those corrupted by them. As the characters approach Bren- Belt Pouch
ula, she uses the charm to check them out. The gamemaster Detect Influence Blood Charm (see Notes, below)
makes a Step 5/D8 Detect Influence Test for Brenula, as if 3Craftsman Tools
she were using the talent of the same Name (see p.178 of Wealthy Travelers Garb
the Players Compendium); Brenula takes 1 Strain Point
of damage for each test she makes. Loot
When the characters ask about Hiermon, Brenula tells 10 gold pieces
them to wait while she tells the Wizard of their request
to see him. She then passes through a heavy curtain that Legend Award
serves as a door into the back of her shop, heading upstairs 55 Legend Points
to see if Hiermon wishes to receive visitors.
Before Brenula returns, the gamemaster should have Notes
the characters make a Perception Test against a Detection Brenula possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
Difficulty of 18 if they are not actively looking to see if they Vision and Gahad. 27
Detect Influence Charm: Detect Influence blood charms Detect Trap (2): 9/D8+D6
are crafted from crystal. Implanting the charm causes the Disarm Trap (2): 9/D8+D6
character 3 permanent Damage Points. For 1 Strain Point Disguise (1): 8/2D6
of damage, the character may make a Detect Influence Test, Fast Hand (1): 8/2D6
as per the talent of the same Name (see p.178 of the Play- Forgery (1): 8/2D6
ers Compendium), to determine if the target is Lip Reading (2): 9/D8+D6
Horror-tainted. If the character knows the Detect Influence Lock Picking (2): 9/D8+D6
talent, he gains a +1 bonus to his test. The character may Melee Weapons (2): 9/D8+D6
make only one test per round. Picking Pockets (3): 10/D10+D6
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Willpower (11): 5/D8 Charisma (16): 7/D12 2Windling Daggers (Damage 4/D6; Range 61012)
Cloaksense Brooch
Characteristics Disguise Kit
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Notes
Skills Sijura possesses the windling racial abilities of Astral-
Artisan: Sensitive Sight, Flight, and Increased Physical Defense.
Acting (2): 9/D8+D6
Commentary
Knowledge:
Sijura is one of Agramens more useful croniesa
Haven Lore (3): 10/D10+D6
windling sympathetic to Thera. Agramen takes frequent
Theran Politics (2): 9/D8+D6
advantage of the windlings size and racial Flight ability,
General: using him to spy on the activities of others.
Bribery (2): 9/D8+D6 For these services, and for his loyalty, Sijura is paid well
Conceal Weapon (2): 9/D8+D6 by the Empire.
28
old books and molding parchment mixed with the
sharp scent of spilled herbs and minerals. A frail
old man, his bent body seeming all but lost in his
Adventure Hook fine, flowing robes, sits in a chair with embroi-
dered velvet cushions that nearly engulf him. As
This hook assumes Hiermon already knows
your eyes meet his, he speaks, his voice as rich and
the characters. The Wizard contacts the char-
sonorous as the ringing of a bronze bell.
acters and meets them at his house in Haven.
I am Hiermon. What business have you in my
He tells them that he overheard a conversa-
house?
tion at Loaks Legacy, regarding an old Theran
villa southeast of Haven. The house was the Amulet of Dirac
summer residence of a Theran noble before the
Once the characters explain who they are and what
Scourge, when Parlainth was still the capital of
they want, Hiermon will ask to see the amulet. After
the province. The house is rumored to contain
examining it, he says:
a complete map of pre-Scourge Parlainth, mag-
ically placed on a large section of the houses Aye, I can divine its purpose for you, but only
inner wall. by spending much time and strength. As I advance
Hiermon believes that the map might still in years, friends, these things have become ever
be there, protected by the magic used to create more precious to me. I can plumb the amulets
it. He wants the characters to find the villa and secrets, but know that my work comes at a price.
draw a detailed copy of the wall, in return for To learn the knowledge hidden in this amulet will
a generous payment. Its up to the gamemaster take perhaps a fortnight. If you undertake a brief
how difficult the journey to the villa is. Many journey for me to fetch a certain thing of which I
dangerous creatures lurk in the countryside have need, the knowledge shall be my payment for
of Barsaive, as do Horror constructs from your services.
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nearby Parlainth. Apart from that, the charac- I seek a rare plant, blood ivy by Name, that
ters should have no trouble in finding the ruins grows only in Blood Wood. Ah, I see by your faces
of their target destination, which is located that you have heard somewhat of that magical,
three days southeast of Haven. All the walls wondrous, accursed place. I have spoken with the
are collapsed, as is the roof, and everything is Elven Queen Alachia and Blood Warder Takaris,
overgrown with moss and fungus. The map on chief among her advisers. Takaris cannot send one
the wall can still be found, but it is far from of his servants to Haven, so I must go and claim the
complete. plant myself or hire some brave adventurer to go in
of
The villa could be the lair of one ore more my stead. These old bones, I fear, cannot make such
dangerous creatures. Or a group of Horror-cre- a journey. If you agree to go on my behalf, I will
Betr ayal
ated cadaver menthe previous inhabitants of give you the knowledge of this amulet in exchange.
the villa and its neighboring houses, which I can give you fresh mounts, to make the journey
still lurk in the ruinsattack the group. And swifter, as well as a letter of credit to buy what you
then there are the people that talked about will for the journey at Dags or Brenulas. Nothing
the map while Hiermon listened, who arent too extravagant, mind; I have no hoard of gold to
exactly happy about the characters exploring spend, only a sum of silver such as might give com-
the villa. Again, the gamemaster decides who fort to any honest man.
these people are: Theran sympathizers, fellow You will travel to Blood Wood, deliver a certain
adventurers, or even Horror cultists? Regard- treasure in payment for the ivy to Blood Warder
less of who they are, they certainly have their Takaris, and return to Haven with the plant. Twill
own plans for the ancient map take eighteen days on horseback to reach the wood,
over untraveled paths that may hold some danger.
Still, you need not fear too greatly; that you have
traveled in safety to Haven speaks well of your
Meeting Hiermon strength and cunning. Such dangers as there are,
you have surely met on other journeys.
When Brenula returns, read the following to the
What say you, friends? Shall we clap hands on
players:
the bargain?
You hear the sound of heavy footsteps on the
stairs. A moment later, Brenula reappears. Hier- Hiermons Terms
mon would speak with you, she says, beckoning Because Hiermon so desperately wants the blood ivy,
you to follow. he is willing to pay the characters generously for helping
Up the winding stairs you tread, then through him get his hands on it, over and above agreeing to study
a wooden door into the Wizards study. This odd the amulet. In exchange for the adventurers running his
room of his is dimly lit, full of the musty smell of errand, Hiermon will do the following:
29
Study the amulet, and share what he learns with the Prying Eyes
characters upon their return. Once the characters have spent more than two hours in
Arrange for the characters to have horses for the jour- the neighborhood, or as soon as Agramens Theran spies
ney, which the characters must return in healthy see them entering or leaving Brenulas shop, Agramen
condition. sends the windling spy Sijura to keep an eye on the char-
acters (see Meeting Hiermon, p.26).
Give each character a letter of credit, good for 150 silver Agramen knows that Hiermon has obtained a mysteri-
pieces worth of equipment at Brenulas Arms and Dags ous treasure from Parlainth and that the Wizard has dealt
Allgoods. with elves of Blood Wood interested in acquiring Theran
Hiermon also gives the party a letter to be delivered treasures and artifacts from the ruins of Parlainth. Once
to the Elven Queen or to Takaris, instructing the Blood Agramen learns that the characters are preparing for a
Warder to give the blood ivy to the characters upon receipt long journey westward, he deduces their destination. He
of payment. Finally, he gives them a small rune-stick that orders his best human spies, Tural and Alkor, to shadow
serves as a safe-conduct pass through Blood Wood for the the adventurers and to slow them down if the opportunity
one who possesses it. Takaris sent the stick arises.
to Hiermon to allow the Wizards emissar- Taking advantage of all the opportu-
ies to enter the wood. nities for mayhem on a long road trip
across Barsaive, Tural and Alkor will
Hiermons Treasure hire a band of highwaymen to rob
The treasure that the charac- the adventurers. Through con-
ters must deliver to Blood Wood tact with a scout for this band,
is the Everliving Flower, long who lurks around the common
thought lost in the ruins of room of Loaks Legacy looking
Parlainth. A rose encased in for likely victims, Tural and
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might keep anything else they Blood Wood, and any attempts
stumbled over. For more infor- to squeeze more out of him will
mation on the Everliving Flower, only irritate him. If necessary,
see Meeting a Blood Warder on the gamemaster should remind the
p.43. adventurers that two weeks research
According to the terms of the agree- by a talented Wizard into an esoteric
ment between Hiermon and Takaris, the item is an expensive proposition and that
characters are to bring the treasure to annoying said Wizard with unreasonable
Blood Wood and exchange it for blood ivy. Once the char- demands is extremely unwise.
acters agree to take on Hiermons errand, he gives them the If the characters can convince the Wizard that they
treasure. The characters can take a glance at the Everliv- deserve a better deal, Hiermon will increase each charac-
ing Flower before Hiermon closes the chest. Once closed, ters letter of credit to 200 silver pieces and offer to teach
the chest is magically lockedthe Difficulty Number for any Wizards in the group a few new spells.
C
attempts to open the box is 21.
Additionally, the chest is protected by a magical ward
trap (see Traps in the Adventuring chapter on p.110
of the Gamemasters Compendium), which activates ross Country
if anyone other than Hiermon, Blood Warder Takaris, or Not a true encounter, this section describes the
the Elven Queen opens it, causing Step 21/D20+D10+D6 characters preparation for the journey to Blood Wood,
damage to the opener. Mystic Armor protects against this starts them on their way, and gives new Earthdawn play-
damage. The Flower is unharmed by the trap. ers an overall impression of travel in Barsaive.
30
After completing their preparations, the characters
embark on their 700-mile journey westward to Blood
Wood.
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courage, your eagerness to face the challenges of
the open road. If you could but forget the feeling
that unfriendly eyes are upon you
of
Barsaive, strangers in Haven are regarded with caution and
not a little suspicion. In this case, however, the characters may want such as healing aids, blood charms, or special
are indeed under surveillance by Agramens two Theran weapons and armor.
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spies, Tural and Alkor.
During the second part of this encounter (On the Making Preparations
Road, p.32), heighten the feelings of excitement, wonder The characters can buy supplies and provisions any-
at new sights and sounds, and fear of the unknown that where in Haven, though the letters of credit Hiermon gave
the adventurers might experience during their journey. them are good only in the Old Neighborhood. If they buy
Assuming that the group travels during the day and camps equipment and supplies from other shops in Haven, they
at night, as most travelers do, play up the sense that the must use their own money.
terrain they travel through brims over with life. When the As the characters browse though the shops of the Old
adventurers camp for the night, emphasize the unfamil- Neighborhood, informants working for Tural and Alkor will
iar sounds of dangerous, mysterious, nocturnal predators: shadow them. These people never approach the characters,
scuttling, slithering, far-off howls, and the like. and retreat swiftly if the characters confront them. Tural
In addition to fear and wonder, the gamemaster should and Alkor have instructed their hirelings to avoid contact
also convey a sense of the almost dull routine of cross- with the characters at all costs. To handle this aspect of
country travel. The characters emotions should vacillate the storyline, the gamemaster should simply tell the play-
between heightened alertness for danger and the possibil- ers that their characters feel as though unfriendly eyes are
ity that the intimidating stories they have all heard are no upon them. He should not identify the watchers or even say
more than fireside tales. definitely that the characters are being spied upon. After
all, local people in most towns in Barsaive watch strangers
closely as a matter of course. For all the characters know,
Behind the Scenes their uneasy feelings could be simple paranoia.
Once the characters agree to make the journey for Hier- The characters will likely stay the night in Haven and
mon, they next must buy provisions and gear and make make an early departure in the morning. Unless they failed
any and all personal arrangements necessary. These prep- to arrange for lodging upon arrival in Haven, they should
arations should take about a day to complete, giving the not need to make new arrangements. If they do, have them
characters plenty of time to find any specific items they take rooms at Loaks Legacy (see Haven on p.21). 31
On the Road take every opportunity to provide the characters with
Once the characters have completed their prepara- horses if for some reason they turn down Hiermons offer
tions and are about to leave town, read the following to of mounts. Also, the gamemaster may need to remind the
the players: characters to care for their mounts during the journey.
A
Well-equipped and ready to face whatever
mbush!
unknown hazards lie ahead, you depart the
town and strike westward on your eighteen-day
journey.
In this encounter, taking place on the second
Your way lies over gently rolling fields and hills,
day after the characters leave Haven, the highwaymen
thickly strewn with low brush and copses. The land
hired by the Theran spies ambush the characters. Tural
spreads out before you like a fertile patchwork of
and Alkor do not participate in this attack.
varying greens; you can even see the dark lines of
forests. A clear path cuts through the shrubs and
trees, and your mounts find easy footing on the
trail. So narrow is it that for long stretches of time
Setting the Stage
When the characters are on the second day of their
you must travel single file.
journey, read the following aloud. Gamemasters may want
The sun-warmed air feels pleasant on your skin,
to substitute the Name of the character traveling at the
like the light touch of a ladys hand. On occasion,
head of the group for the leader:
a cool breeze wafts by, rustling the dense under-
growth. Birds flit from tree to tree, and you hear The second day of your journey draws on, as
the sounds of small animals scampering through peaceful as the first. As your mounts amble over
the undergrowth. Flying insects hum in your ears the gentle ground, you bask in the pleasant air
and buzz around your heads; the scent of sun- and the lovely sight of the land rolling westward
warmed grasses, leaves, and earth rises around before you. You marvel at the fears that gripped
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you as you pass. you in Haven; far from meeting danger at every
Nightfall cools the air, making for comfortable step, so far you have met only peace and a pleas-
slumber. The stars dance overhead in brilliant ant landscape.
constellations, glittering like diamonds scat-
tered across a field of midnight blue. A chorus of
strange sounds echoes through the night air: far-
off, mournful howls and menacing growls closer
at hand. Leaves rustle and twigs snap as unseen
wildlife scuttles through the undergrowth. Though
wary of predators, you nevertheless marvel at the
profusion of life; not long ago, none but Horrors
of
Troubleshooting
The trip to Blood Wood takes 18 days on horseback, 28
32 days on foot. To speed things along, the gamemaster should
Ahead looms another thick patch of woodland. Whether or not the adventurers surrender the chest,
Once, you would have feared what might lurk Sogora finds and reads Hiermons letter to Takaris. This
there; but thus far the trees have held only birds, letter provides the evidence linking Hiermon with the elves
and these surely hold nothing more fearsome. The that Tural and Alkor wanted Sogora to find.
path leads westward through the little wood. Half If the characters refuse to comply with Sogora, the high-
lulled to sleep by the suns warmth, you guide your waymen attack, only retreating when it becomes obvious
horses gently into the trees, trusting them to find that they stand to lose the fight. If a full-scale fight breaks
their way. An arrow buzzes past your leaders ear out, Sogora joins the fray until half or more of his band is
like an angry hornet, startling you to full wakeful- defeated, at which point he retreats. No matter what tran-
ness. It embeds itself in the tree just a few inches spires, Sogora must escape; he and a band of hired orks will
in front of your leaders head. [Gamemaster Note: attack the characters at the Midland Trading Post (see
Substitute the Name of the character traveling at p.35). Sogora may also make an interesting recurring vil-
the head of the group for your leader.] lain in the gamemasters Earthdawn campaign.
A man steps onto the path, appearing as if from
nowhere. You feel a chill, but it is more than just Sogoras Men
the forests shade; though you can see nothing, the The highwaymen consist of Sogora Natalyl and one
greenery seems to hide a hundred enemies. highwayman per player character. If the adventurers try
Consider my first shot a warning, gentles, your an attack, the highwaymen open fire, eventually moving
accoster announces arrogantly. If you dare cross into melee combat range.
me, the second will find someones heart. My men The highwaymen are hiding in the brush, but the char-
lie in the underbrush, arrows nocked, and would acters can easily spot them after the first volley of arrows.
gladly sink a feathered shaft into any so foolish as A character wishing to locate the highwaymen must make
to deprive them of their livelihood. a Perception (7) Test. If the test succeeds, the character
Drop your weapons, gentles, and empty your spots one of his attackers. All of the highwaymen are on
Mists
purses. For the magicians among you, I give you the ground, making it easier for the characters to defend
this warning: my men have arrows aimed at your themselves. The characters are Blindsided against ranged
heads. At any act save giving over your valuables, Attack Tests by highwaymen that they have not yet seen
the offender shall receive a shaft through his skull. (see p.407 of the Players Compendium).
If you would live this day, lay down your weap-
ons now! Sogora Natalyl,
Second Circle Human Thief
Themes and Images Sogora leads a band of highwaymen who plague the
of
region between Haven and Blood Wood. Though he fancies
Lull the characters into a false sense of security at first;
himself a gentleman bandit, most who have encountered
the highwaymens attack should shock them out of their
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Sogora regard him as a common thief. Sogora is a Second
sleepy contentment. Though they see only the bandit leader,
Circle human Thief.
Sogora Natalyl, the characters should feel surrounded by
hostiles. Play up Sogoras arrogance; he sees himself as Attributes
a gentleman bandit, though that facade disappears the
Dexterity (16): 7/D12 Strength (13): 6/D10
minute the characters fail to obey his commands.
Toughness (11): 5/D8 Perception (12): 5/D8
Willpower (8): 4/D6 Charisma (13): 6/D10
Behind the Scenes Characteristics
Tural and Alkor hired Sogora and his highwaymen back
Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 6/D10
in Haven to slow the characters down and to find out what
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 6
they are carrying into Blood Wood. Sogora demands that
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 0
the characters disarm themselves and surrender all their
valuables, including the chest that contains the Everliv- Death Rating: 32 (47) Recovery Tests: 2
ing Flower. Sogora wants the chest in particular; Tural and Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 6/D10
Alkor have told him to get it, so that they can send it to Unconsciousness Rating: 24 (36)
Agramen back in Haven.
Combat Movement: 32 Full Movement: 64
If the characters comply, Sogora summons his men from
the brush to gather the loot. If the adventurers surrender Karma Points: 12 Karma Step: 5/D8
the chest, Sogora immediately attempts to open it. When
it resists his attempts, he will interrogate the characters in Talents
hopes of discovering how to open the chest. The characters ClimbingD (2): 9/D8+D6
know only that Hiermon sealed the chest in such a way that Durability (5/4) (3): 3
only Blood Warder Takaris or Queen Alachia can open it. Karma Ritual (2): 2
When the characters fail to provide information, Sogora Lock PickingD (2): 9/D8+D6
becomes enraged and attacks the nearest character. Melee Weapons (2): 9/D8+D6 33
Picking PocketsD (3): 10/D10+D6 Legend Award
Silent WalkD (2): 9/D8+D6 115 Legend Points
Surprise StrikeD (2): 8/2D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent. Notes
Sogora possesses the human racial ability of Versatility.
Skills
Artisan:
Blade Carving (1): 7/D12
Human Highwaymen
(2 per Character)
Knowledge:
Most of these highwaymen have been following Sogora
Caravan Trade Routes (1): 6/D10
for just a short time. While generally loyal to him, Sogora
Gem Appraising (1): 6/D10
is good at keeping his secrets to himself, so interrogating
General: the brigands will not bring forth much in the way of useful
Animal Handling (3): 7/D12 information. Aside from Sogora, none of the brigands knew
Bribery (1): 7/D12 about the ambush in advance.
Disguise (2): 7/D12 At the gamemasters discretion, and only if asked, any
Streetwise (3): 8/2D6 survivors will be more than happy to show the characters
Tracking (3): 8/2D6 the location of their camp. Assuming Sogora escaped, he
Wilderness Survival (3): 8/2D6 will already have made his way back to the camp and col-
lected his belongings (see The Highwaymens Camp,
Equipment p.35, for details).
Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17)
Hardened Leather (Phys 5; Init 1) Attributes
Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (11): 5/D8
Broadsword (Damage 11/D10+D8)
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Artisan:
Loot Wood Carving (1): 5/D8
General:
Hunting (1): 6/D10
Melee Weapons (1): 6/D10
Missile Weapons (1): 6/D10
Wilderness Survival (1): 5/D8
Equipment
Padded Leather (Phys 4)
Short Sword (Damage 9/D8+D6)
Dagger (Damage 7/D12; Range 91518)
Shortbow (Damage 8/2D6; Range 60120240)
Quiver (w/20 shortbow arrows)
Adventurers Kit
Carving Tools
Felt Cap
34 Trail Rations (1 week)
a promise of an equal amount of silver once you return
proof of their demise to me.
Troubleshooting
The greatest potential problem in this encounter occurs
if the characters surrender everything to Sogora. Though
unlikely, this may happen. If the players seem inclined in
that direction, remind them that, first, they are heroes, and,
second, surrender means not only losing their possessions,
but also reneging on a promise to a powerful Wizard. Such
a move is less than wise.
Travelers Garb
M idland Trading Post
At a point roughly halfway between Haven
and Blood Wood, nine days ride from each, the adventur-
ers come upon the Midland Trading Post. This group of
buildings includes a large store where customers can buy,
Waterskin
sell, and barter practically anything. At the trading post,
Loot the characters can rest, relax, and replenish their supplies
if necessary. If the characters stay at the Midland for the
18 silver pieces
night, they will have to rent several of its small rooms in
Mists
Legend Award order to accommodate everyone. In this encounter, Sogora
and his hired orks launch a second attack on the characters
45 Legend Points
at the inn (see Night Assault, p.39).
of
his gear and money, and fled. Once they arrive at the camp,
As evening draws nigh on the ninth day of your
and should they decide to pursue him, characters can make
journey, you come across a cluster of trees and
Perception (7) Tests to pick up his trail. Sogora is canny,
Betr ayal
stone buildings set between the hills. Small knots
however, and equally at home in the wild as he is in the
of people walk to and fro among the buildings,
city. He will use his Wilderness Survival skill to help him
some packing wagons, some loading saddlebags,
forage for food or water, or to find shelter, and will gen-
and some tying horses and exotic mounts at hitch-
erally do everything in his power to avoid getting caught.
ing posts. Among the war horses and riding horses,
The gamemaster is encouraged to use Sogora in his own
you spy a few thundra beasts.
campaign as an adversary. Gentleman bandit he may be,
The sound of voices reaches your ears; you hear
but revenge against the characters will now be high on his
haggling, shouts of welcome, and conversation in
agenda. Sogora makes a reappearance later in this adven-
all the tongues of Barsaive. A breeze from the west
ture (see Night Assault, p.39.)
brings the aroma of freshly cooked food. The scent
Should Sogora have escaped, there will be little to be
reminds you how much you long to sup on meat
found in the camp of use to the characters: two deer car-
rather than trail food, to sleep on a bed other than
casses and a brace of rabbits hang from a tree, and there
the hard, cold ground, and to bathe away the road-
are several large waterskins full of water (and one of ale).
grime of these past nine days.
Tarps have been set up to provide shelter, and a large tent
is pitched close to the campfire area. The tents interior
appears to have been ransacked, and there is nothing of The Outpost
value inside. Some burnt paper fragments can be found An elf Named Keris Briarthorne established the Mid-
near the campfire; nothing intelligible can be gleaned from land Trading Post many years ago as a rest area and trading
them, however. compound, envisioning himself as the master of a major
Should Sogora have been killed or captured, then he trade route between Parlainth and Blood Wood and the
has not ransacked the camp. Inside the tent are Sogo- cities and towns to the south. Unfortunately, the great trade
ras belongings, plus a purse containing 300 silver pieces, route never materialized, though the trading post did turn
and a letter written to Sogora from someone who signs a small profit from its modest business. Disillusioned, Bri-
his Name only as A. The letter is actually from Agramen, arthorne sold the entire complex to an obsidiman Named
and describes the characters in general detail, along with Gurt (see Residents, p.36). 35
The Midland Trading Post consists of the Midland Smithy
Tavern, the Halfway Boarding House, a Smithy, and The dwarf Orias Shatterforge (see Residents, below)
Gurts Store. maintains a small smithy at the trading post. The work-
room is covered, but open in the direction of the stables.
Halfway Boarding House Two employees deal with day-to-day tasks, such as re-shoe-
The inn is the trading posts largest building. Its rooms ing horses, making nails, and the like. Orias lives below the
can house up to fifty travelers, and many more could sleep forge in a room he built himself, although he rarely allows
in the taverns common room by the fireplace. The common visitors into his private quarters.
room is in the middle of the building, and most of the guest
rooms are in the southern wing. A few cheap rooms and Gurts Store
the staff living quarters are in the northern wing. A small The obsidiman Gurt runs a large store that stocks nearly
steam bath is located in the inns basement. It is warmed by everything one might need on a long journey. Gurt trades
a large heating stone, which is sprinkled with scented oils with the caravans and with the local orks for grain and
and water. Guests may use it for a modest additional fee. other supplies. Gurt always has a little something special
The inns lodgings are equivalent to a merchant inn (see hiding under the counter for particularly discriminating
Services in the Goods and Services chapter on p.453 customers. His store sells all manner of items, including
of the Players Compendium). used weapons and armor at a 10 percent discount from the
The stables of the boarding house have two enclo- market price (see the Goods and Services chapter on
sures: one for larger animals, such as horses, stajians, and p.432 of the Players Compendium). For more informa-
thundra beasts; and a second for sheep and chickens. The tion on the obsidiman, see Residents, below.
smaller animals belong to the trading post, and the larger A small graveyard lies behind Gurts store. Three former
stalls are reserved for animals accompanying the caravans employees and an Illusionist Named Kinkandere have been
or other travelers. laid to rest there. When the moon shines especially brightly,
a row of runes seems to dance in the air over Kinkanderes
The Midland Tavern
Betr ayal
and often lets troubadours perform in exchange for food A shrewd and savvy trader, Gurt personally supervises
and drink. the day-to-day operations of the large store and drives a
hard bargain. Gurts skin is a dark grey marble color, with
36
just a hint of green. The obsidiman once followed the path the most unusual requests. Like his companions, Flitz is
of the Troubadour, but his abilities are fading. When no getting on in years and has hired several assistants to help
other Troubadour is present, hell often play songs on his him run the boarding house.
large harp to liven up the atmosphere.
Guards
Drekken About a dozen orks guard the Midland Trading Post.
Gurt employs a female ork Named Drekken to run Gurt pays well, and the guards protect the outpost from
Mists
the inn, serving as bartender and bouncer. The ork also wild creatures, criminals, and other rabble. They listen
ensures peace and order at the outpost. Toward criminals, to Drekken when shes around, but they dont hesitate to
she administers justice as she sees fit. She also permits dish out their own swift justice when needed. Fresh riders
the occasional tavern brawl, as long as the inn suffers no arrive to relieve the guards every few days. These orks
excessive damage and the fighting involves neither magic belong to a larger tribe that rides the surrounding plains,
nor edged weapons. Naturally, everyone present in the and they ride thundra beasts or stajians. The guards dye
tap room at the time of the brawl must help pay for minor their hardened leather armor a dark green and paint their
damages, lest Drekken start living up to her nickname, faces in earthen tones. Gurts guards use the same game
of
Legbreaker. Drekken has been known to take part in these statistics as the Ork Raiders on p.39.
brawls, but asking her about that could set off her gahad.
Employees
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Orias Shatterforge The handful of human employees of the Midland Trad-
Orias Shatterforge, a male dwarf, runs the smithy/ ing Post do the cooking and cleaning, serve the guests in
livery. Orias was once an outstanding Weaponsmith. Now the inn, clean the rooms, and take care of the caravans
he takes care of the smithy and the stables, and trains and the stables.
dogs and falcons on the side. Orias is no longer interested
in adventures or long journeys. He grew up in the Scytha
Mountains and often watches the sun set over the far-off Themes and Images
peaks of his homeland. He is still interested in legends con- A busy oasis in the midst of a wilderness, the trading
cerning powerful weapons. He sought the sword Purifier post plays host to beings from all the Name-giver races of
(see p.38 for an Adventure Hook) his entire life and may Barsaive. The noises of commerce fill the air: iron ringing
have a lead or two about the swords whereabouts. on iron as horseshoes are made at the forge, the low hum
Travelers may purchase animals here, or have them of conversation, the sound of carousing spilling out from
traded, shoed, and cared for as their masters conduct other the inns taproom, the snorts and stamps of overburdened
business or spend the night. In addition to various steeds, pack animals, and so on.
Orias also sells dogs and falcons. To stable a mount costs
3 copper pieces per night; feed costs 5 copper pieces per
night (see the Mounts Table in the Goods and Services Behind the Scenes
chapter on p.457 of the Players Compendium). For an The Midland Trading Post is now the lone oasis in the
extra fee, Orias will also make minor repairs to characters plains, offering the only civilized rest stop for the few cara-
weapons and armor. vans that travel this route. The current owners rebuilt the
trading post a few years ago with the help of some hired
Flitz craftsmen. The outposts wooden buildings are nestled
Despite his diminutive size, this windling takes care of amongst a few trees. Larger caravans pass through about
the outposts lodgings. Flitz can read a guests needs with a every ten days. At other times, small groups of travelers
single glance, and he often cheerfully accommodates even and adventures may drop by. 37
Every few days, a group of the outposts guards is The Midland Tavern is also a good place to find cheap
relieved from watch duty, and about a dozen orks descend muscle. Out-of-work mercenaries and adventurers often
on the tavern. Brawls frequently break out on those hang around the inn, most looking for honest or semi-
evenings. honest employment.
Adventure Hook
Legend says that when the Horrors first long journeys, so he approaches the characters
began to appear in Barsaive, King Varulus I, by to see if they want to find out what the runes
then old and dying, commissioned the forging mean.
of a magical sword to defeat the creatures. He If the characters accept and manage to deci-
gathered together master Weaponsmiths from pher the runes, they find out that they form a
Betr ayal
among his own people, the elven court, the troll- single word: GraVakk. This is the name of one
moots, and other groups: the sword he fashioned of the largest kaers in the area. The kaers ruins
was Named Purifier (see the Magical Trea- are only a days journey from the Trading Post,
sures chapter on p.203 of the Gamemasters amidst the rolling plains. GraVakks popula-
Compendium). It is said that the balance of tion consisted entirely of orks, and all efforts
the blade shifts to accommodate the wielder, so to limit the populations growth failed. Over-
that a troll might use it as easily as a windling. It crowded just decades after the kaer closed its
is also said that Purifier burns with red fire when gates, it had to re-open and send two-thirds
used against a Horror. Other legends say that of its inhabitants on a journey to Scytha and
the blade can kill a Horror with one blow. Still Throal. Unfortunately, the re-opening allowed a
other tales relate that the mere presence of the Horror to enter unnoticed. As the Horrors influ-
blade near someone corrupted is enough to cure ence grew, it began playing with the orks gahad
of
the person and cast out the Horror. Nearly every and ultimately doomed the kaer. No one knows
hero of the age before the Scourge is reported to the whereabouts of the Horror or the ultimate
Mists
have used the blade, and so no one knows what fate of the kaers inhabitants, as none of them
became of it, or if it really existed. (not even their remains) have ever been found.
The current owners of the Midland Trading While the ancient ruins seem to be devoid
Post adventured together for many years before of life, investigating the central cavern of Kaer
retiring here. The dwarf Orias researched many GraVakk reveals the grave of Brelarch, an ork
of the legends surrounding the sword Purifier Horror Stalker (see p.174 of the Name-givers
throughout his adventuring career. An Illusion- Compendium). The hero was buried there
ist Named Kinkandere helped him on occasion, sometime after the Scourge, and murals near
but liked to tease the dwarf when he knew more the grave depict Brelarch wielding a rusted
than him. Kinkandere recently died of old age sword against an over whelming horde of
and was buried in a small graveyard behind Horror constructs. Opening the grave will turn
Gurts store. On certain nights, when the moon up Brelarchs bones, but no sword. Did the ork
shines especially bright, a row of runes appears hero really wield the ancient blade? And if he
dancing in the air over the Illusionists grave. did, where is it now? The group might choose
These runes appear to be ghostly reflections of to investigate Brelarchs legend and take up the
the moonlight and are accompanied by nearly search for Purifierif they manage to avoid the
inaudible ringing. Orias believes that the runes wrath of the ork tribe who put Brelarch to rest
hide a clue about the swords whereabouts. The here and watches over his grave in reverence to
dwarf is no longer interested in adventures or one of their greatest heroes
38
it keeps in its lair: a treasure to give ye riches an
power to equal the King of Throal imself!
Night Assault
The Theran spies Tural and Alkor, along with the high-
wayman Sogora, arrive two hours after the characters and
go to the Midland Tavern in search of their quarry. Once
the spies discover that the characters are staying at the
Halfway Boarding House, they rent a room to keep the
Mists
characters under surveillance. Meanwhile, Sogora hires a
group of orks to raid and attack the characters during the
night, hoping to cripple or even kill some of them and steal
the chest in the confusion. The assault comes long after the
characters have gone to sleep.
Sogora instructs the orks to split up, with one group
diverting the trading posts guards and the other hitting
the characters rooms at the same time, dispatching the
of
occupants as quietly as possible while Sogora rifles through
the characters belongings. Besides searching for the chest
they are carrying, Sogora will actively look for clues as to Characteristics
Betr ayal
the nature of the characters journey. Game statistics for Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
the orks appear below. Sogoras statistics are given in the Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 5
Sogoras Men encounter on p.33. Social Defense: 5 Mystic Armor: 1
If the adventurers defeat more than half of the night-
Death Rating: 32 Recovery Tests: 2
time raiders, the survivors attempt to retreat. One survivor
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 5/D8*
rushes off to tell the Theran spies what has happened. If
Unconsciousness Rating: 24
any raiders are captured and successfully interrogated,
* The character knows the Wound Balance skill
they will tell the characters who hired them.
Combat Movement: 24 Full Movement: 48
Sogora waits for the hired orks to deal with the char-
acters before entering their rooms. If it looks like the orks Skills
stand to lose the fight, Sogora retreats to inform Tural
Artisan:
and Alkor of the failure. Though irritated, the spies make
Tattooing (1): 5/D8
no further attempts to attack the characters at this time.
Instead, they will continue to follow the characters toward Knowledge:
Blood Wood. If the adventurers ask other Midland patrons Caravan Trade Routes (2): 7/D12
about the orks who attacked them, they learn only that they
General:
hail from a local tribe of raiders known to sell their ser-
Melee Weapons (2): 7/D12
vices cheaply.
Wound Balance (1): 6/D10
Loot
3 silver pieces
Legend Award
50 Legend Points
Notes
The character possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-
Light Vision and Gahad.
Troubleshooting
If the players show no interest in stopping at the trad-
ing post for the night, the gamemaster should feel free to
manipulate events to make them change their minds. For
example, a horse might throw a shoe, a sudden downpour or
thunderstorm may blow up, or threatening creature noises
from the terrain beyond the trading post may frighten the
of sixteen horses. Beyond the horsesbold heroes
Betr ayal
C
The corpses of the merchants and their guards
aravan of Death
lie strewn among the wreckage, blood seeping
into the earth around them. Some of the dead are
burnt so badly that you can see no faces, nor tell
One day away from Blood Wood, the charac-
what race they are or whether they be men or
ters stumble upon the remains of a caravan, apparently
women. Others lie torn to pieces, partly devoured
destroyed by some type of fearsome creature. Though this
for all that you can tell. Still others, left whole and
encounter does not relate directly to the storyline of the
unmarked in death, wear faces frozen in their final
adventure, it is included to expose the players to situations
terror. And everywhere, everywhere you hear the
common when traveling across Barsaive.
buzzing of flies.
This encounter also suggests a subplot that may lead to
of
Mists
you sense unseen and hostile eyes all around you.
of
sense of wrongness. You find yourself straining to
see beyond the outward beauty to catch a glimpse
of the subtle corruption that you pray is only in
Betr ayal
Adventure Hook your mind.
As you watch Blood Wood, you fancy that it
Amidst the charred or still burning
watches you as well. Leaves whisper in a passing
remains of the caravan carts, the charac-
breeze: they seem to say, Leave this place, leave
ters find a small chest the size of a jewelry
this place.
case. It appears undamaged, and is in fact
You have traveled for no more than two dozen
both magically reinforced and secured with
heartbeats when a band of elves appears around
a magical lock. Once opened, the charac-
you. Their unearthly beauty takes your breath
ters find the personal effects of one of the
away, yet you can hardly bear to look at the thorns
merchants: several unobtrusive pieces of
that pierce every inch of their smooth skins. Their
jewelry, a sewing kit and spare buttons,
looks both repel you and draw you in a way you
shaving utensils and a writing kit. Next to
do not understand. The elves bear swords and
that, it contains a traveling journal and a
wear armor made of woven, living plants. On their
small box holding a beautiful ring.
armor is a symbol that you recognize; the rune-
The journal details how the merchant
stick Hiermon gave you as a safe-conduct through
bought this ring in Haven and that he had
Blood Wood bears a similar sign.
intended to present it to his fianc as her
The elf most terrible and beautiful, seemingly
wedding ring on his next return to Throal.
the leader, strides forward and stops a few paces
The characters are free to do whatever they
from your band. If he embraced you, his blood-
want with this, but sparing a day or two on
stained thorns would impale you at the heart. He
their next visit to Throal to find the young
favors you with the cold gaze of a king facing an
woman and bring her news from her late
unworthy enemy.
fianc as well as the ring might earn them
What is your business in Blood Wood, out-
the favor of Astendar.
siders? he demands. To your ears, his voice is
harsh music. You gaze at him, struck dumb as if 41
by enchantment. Behind him, his elven followers Blood Elves (6)
take a tighter grip on their swords. Attributes
Dexterity (17): 7/D12 Strength (13): 6/D10
Themes and Images Toughness (14): 6/D10
Willpower (14): 6/D10
Perception (14): 6/D10
Charisma (16): 7/D12
Blood Wood contains strangeness upon strangeness.
Regardless of their experience or knowledge of such things, Characteristics
none of the characters have ever seen most of the plants
Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 7/D12
in Blood Wood. Though lovely beyond words, the mysteri-
Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 2
ous woodland is cursed and full of anguish. The characters
Social Defense: 10 Mystic Armor: 5
should feel unnerved by the combination of beauty and cor-
ruption that pervades Blood Wood and everything in it. Death Rating: 36 Recovery Tests: 2
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 6/D10*
Unconsciousness Rating: 28
Behind the Scenes * The character knows the Wound Balance skill
The characters have run across a guard patrol whose Combat Movement: 36 Full Movement: 72
members report to Blood Warder Kalourin; their armor
bears his sigil. Once the characters present Hiermons rune- Skills
stick to the elves, the patrol leader waves his hand and the Artisan:
dense vegetation parts like the biblical Red Sea to form a Wood Carving (1): 8/2D6
path leading directly to the palace.
Knowledge:
The elven leader warns the characters not to stray from
Botany (1): 7/D12
the path. If you keep to it, no elf shall challenge or harm
Creature Lore (1): 7/D12
you. But you must be wary of the creatures that stalk the
Betr ayal
wood. From such as they, the path cannot protect you. General:
If the characters attack the elves, let the fight happen. If Hunting (1): 8/2D6
it looks as if the characters may be killed, the gamemaster Melee Weapons (3): 10/D10+D6
should send a second party of elves to halt the fight, ask Missile Weapons (3): 10/D10+D6
who the strangers are, and bring them directly to the Wilderness Survival (1): 7/D12
Queens palace upon the mention of Takaris Name. Should Wound Balance (3): 9/D8+D6
the characters step off the path, they will find travel condi-
tions difficult, especially for the horses. The gamemaster Equipment
might send groups of thorn men or other fearsome things Fernweave (Phys 2; Myst 3)
to attack them until they wise up and return to the path. Short Sword (Damage 10/D10+D6)
Hopefully, the characters will not need further lessons. Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
If the Theran spies are still tailing the adventurers, they Elven Warbow (Damage 11/D10+D8; Range 70140280)
of
enter the woods shortly after the characters do. If they Quiver (w/20 warbow arrows)
inform the guard elves that they work for Agramen, the
Adventurers Kit
Mists
42
Legend Award
90 Legend Points
Notes
The character possesses the blood elf racial abilities of
Low-Light Vision, +1 Spell Defense, +1 Social Defense, Armor
Restriction, Pain Resistance, and Reduced Recovery Tests.
Mists
less Recovery Test per day (see Health Ratings in the
Creating Characters chapter on p.47 of the Players
Compendium).
Commentary
These are the members of the blood elf border patrol.
of
Troubleshooting
If the characters attack the patrol, the player characters
Betr ayal
may refuse to stop fighting even after the reinforcements
arrive. They may also try to make their way through the Setting the Stage
woods without following the path; if they attempt this, they When the characters approach the Elf Queens Palace,
get hopelessly lost. If they happen to find the palace by read the following:
sheer luck, the elves guarding its grounds will take them
The charmed path leads you to a vast clear-
prisoner.
ing. Standing at its edge, you gape in dumbstruck
Denizens of Blood Wood do not take kindly to unin-
wonder at the sight before you. Six trees, of greater
vited guests. If this happens, the elves disregard any of
size than any giant, hold between them a beauti-
the adventurers attempts to explain, even if they display
ful palace. The trees support its walls of woven
Hiermons rune-stick. To get the adventure back on track,
vines and leaves, and also seem to cradle it as if
the gamemaster should bring Blood Warder Takaris onto
it were a precious, lovely child. Its greenery shin-
the scene to straighten things out.
ing more lustrous than gold, more dazzling than
M
fine gemstones sparkling in sunlight, the famed
eeting a
palace of the Elf Queen Alachia stands resplendent
and proud before you. Handsome elven lords and
Blood Warder
ladies, their beauty both marred and enhanced by
the thorns that pierce their flesh, stroll across the
greensward. Clad in fine raiment, they move with
The characters arrive at Queen Alachias palace and
an arrogant grace. Delicate music, its eerie love-
meet with Kalourin, who attempts to learn the reason
liness seeming not of this world, drifts from the
for their presence in Blood Wood. Before he can do that,
palace windows. Honey-sweet and full of longing,
however, Blood Warder Takaris arrives. He informs the
it beckons you onward.
characters that before he can give them Hiermons blood
A band of twelve blood elves blocks your way,
ivy, they must fulfill one more errand: tracking down a
swords raised and eyes hard with suspicion. Halt,
Theran slaver. 43
and state your business here! one demands. His Well met, gentle strangers. I am Kalourin,
voice is half melody and half malice, frightening Warder to Her Gracious Majesty our Queen. I
yet sweet music to your startled ears. No stranger regret that Warder Takaris cannot meet with you
may behold unbidden the palace of the Beautiful as yet; in token of his esteem, he has asked me to
and Terrible Queen Alachia, She Who Rules All greet you in his stead. If you will follow me, I shall
Elvenkind! guide you to the appointed meeting place. You may
wait there in comfort for Warder Takaris.
You dismount from your horses, and as if by
Themes and Images magic an elven guard appears to lead them away
Alachias palace is the seat of elven power in Blood toward the stables. As you follow Kalourin through
Wood, and even some elves in the outer world give the the Elven Queens palace, the beauty of it nearly
Elven Queen a certain respect and deference. The charac- overwhelms you. Elven lords and ladies, resplen-
ters should feel appropriately awed and overwhelmed by dent in their terrible, anguished beauty, spare you
the beauty and terrible majesty of the palace. a momentary glance before resuming their discus-
The palace elves speak in formal, sweeping statements sions of matters far beyond your ken. Their voices
brimming with Queen Alachias praises. Toward outsiders, weave a gentle harmony that fills the air with
they behave with blatant arrogance. spoken music as you pass.
Ushering you into a comfortable chamber,
Warder Kalourin bids you sit. Gladly you comply,
Behind the Scenes eager to rest your travel-weary bones on the
No matter what credentials the characters show, the sumptuously cushioned chairs. A servant enters,
palace guards refuse them passage. The characters best seemingly called by your mere presence, bearing
course of action is to tell the guards who sent them and on crystal goblets brim-full of elven wine of a vintage
what errand, at which point the elven guard commander fine beyond your dreams or experience. Having
Betr ayal
sends one of his warriors into the palace and commands the seen to the comfort of all, Kalourin takes a goblet
characters to wait. Several minutes later, Kalourin comes and joins you in a ceremonial drink.
out to greet the adventurers. When Kalourin appears, read
the following to the players: Talking with Kalourin
After some time has passed, a tall elf emerges Kalourin has intercepted the characters in the hope of
from the palace. By his lordly walk and rich cloth- discovering why they have come to see his rival, Takaris.
ing, he is no mere guard. In singsong Sperethiel While they wait for Takaris, Kalourin will ask the charac-
almost too swift for the ear to follow, he addresses ters why they have come to Blood Wood to meet his fellow
the guards. They bow and part ranks, allowing warder. If the characters brought the chest into the palace
you to pass. The elven lord awaits your approach, with them, Kalourin inquires about its contents. Though he
smiling. As you draw near to him, you see that hopes to uncover information he can use against Takaris in
of
he wears an amulet bearing the symbol you saw the future, he does not wish to arouse the characters sus-
on the armor of the elven guard patrol; indeed, picions, and therefore keeps his questions subtle.
a symbol very like the one carved into the rune- Kalourins guards may have warned him of the char-
Mists
stick you carry. He inclines his head a finger span acters arrival before they reach the palace grounds. If the
toward you, less a bow than a gesture meant to Theran spies Tural and Alkor followed the characters to
emphasize his courtliness and breeding at your Blood Wood, then Kalourin definitely knows in advance of
expense. the characters presence, though not the reason for it.
44
Once Kalourin has left the room, Takaris turns to the
chest, casts his Dispel Magic spell, and opens it. Upon
seeing the Everliving Flower within, he openly shows his
delight. If the characters can see the Everliving Flower,
they notice that its petals have turned from black to a deep
crimson. After Takaris opens the chest, read the following
to the players:
Mists
Wood, tainting our land with their filthy trade. If
you will, find me out the truth of this rumor. Leave
Blood Wood and travel to the southeast, and find
If the characters ask about the symbol on their rune- him if he exists. I have heard that some elves of
stick and Kalourins amulet, he identifies it as the sigil of Blood Wood are among his slaves; if this be so, I
his office and tells them that it is on the guards armor desire you to free his wretched captives. His pos-
and the rune-stick because his duties as Blood Warder sessions and money you may keep for your pains. I
include guarding Blood Wood from intruders. He refuses shall be free to gather the blood ivy in your absence,
of
to comment on the subtle differences between the sigil on and you shall have it of me upon your return.
the rune-stick and that on his amulet and the blood elves Considering the offer with care, you hesitate to
Betr ayal
armor. answer. Takaris dislikes this delay; when next he
speaks, his voice carries the edge of threat.
Enter Takaris If you refuse me, I fear you must go back to
When Takaris enters the room, read the following to Hiermon empty-handed if you can find your way
the players: out of the wood. Many a luckless traveler has lost
his way, and few who do so see sunlight again.
In the midst of your convivial conversation with
He watches your faces with narrowed eyes, then
Kalourin, another elf enters the room. He wears
smiles in satisfaction at what he reads there. Do
rich court dress much like Kalourins, but bears no
we have a bargain?
amulet. For a heartbeat, Kalourin looks startled,
but swiftly recovers his poise. My friends, allow Unknown to the characters, Takaris wants them to track
me to present your host, Warder Takaris. the slaver in order to bring him hard evidence of Kalourins
Takaris favors Kalourin with a chilly glance, trafficking with the outside world. With such evidence in
seeming to dismiss him as of no account. He turns hand, Takaris can at least disgrace his rival Blood Warder,
to you and speaks, his face and voice as gracious and perhaps even have him executed for treason.
as natural elven arrogance allows. Well met, The characters should agree to help Takaris for many
gentlefolk. I am Takaris, Warder to Her Gracious reasons, among them the fact that killing them would take
Majesty the Queen. I understand you have brought little effort on his part. Also, only by helping Takaris can
payment for sanguil from the hedge-Wizard Hier- they get the blood ivy and give it to Hiermon in exchange
mon of Haven. May I see it? for the Key Knowledges hidden in the amulet they left with
The characters should have the treasure chest him. Should the characters refuse the assignment, they will
with them, and offer it to Takaris at this point. find it difficult to leave Blood Wood. Elven guards, thorn
Before he moves to open it, he orders Kalourin men, and evil trees and plants bent on stopping or even
away to attend to his duties. Though noticeably killing intruders combine to present the characters with
angered by this dismissal, Kalourin has no choice a lethal obstacle course. If they escape Blood Wood but
but to leave. return to Haven empty-handed, Hiermon will angrily 45
demand the return of his mounts and the equipment pur- Leaving Blood Wood
chased with his letter of credit. The characters will have If and when the characters consent to perform Takaris
ruined their reputations in Haven, and dare not show their errand, he will order a band of blood elves to lead the char-
faces there for months to come. acters safely out of the woods. In order to return safely, the
If the characters choose to try stealing the blood ivy, characters must follow that same path back to the palace.
remind the players that Takaris is one of the Queens Blood Takaris will also give the characters provisions for two
Warders and can call on all the resources of the Elven Court days; he believes the errand should take no longer. The
to stop them. The palace grounds are crawling with guards gamemaster should remind the characters to take the rune-
who will not hesitate to apprehend the characters at the stick with them; they will need it to pass through Blood
Betr ayal
slightest suspicion of wrongdoing. The characters have no Wood when they return.
idea where to find blood ivy or what it looks like and would
waste valuable time searching for it. Any attempt at theft is
likely to get the characters killed. Troubleshooting
Most of the problems that might arise in this encounter
The Everliving Flower are described above, including attempts to steal the blood
When Blood Warder Takaris opens the chest containing ivy. If the players are reluctant to run Takaris errand, the
the Everliving Flower, he may tell the characters the legend elf may offer equipment to them that they can use on the
behind that magical treasure. An abbreviated version of mission and keep afterwards. Takaris might supply them
the legend is given below, and the gamemaster should make with a number of healing potions and Kelias antidotes (one
every effort to present it to the characters during the game. or two per character, at the gamemasters discretion).
of
If the characters ask about the change in the flowers color, The players might also decide to attack either of the
Takaris cannot explain it. Blood Warders. The gamemaster should strongly discour-
According to the legend, elves of the kingdom of Shosara age such actions; gratuitous violence tends to get heroes
Mists
crafted the Everliving Flower centuries before the Scourge killed. If they insist on being foolhardy, the gamemaster
as a gift for the Elven Queen Failla at Wyrm Wood. The should pit them against the full might of Blood Wood. In
elven artisans obtained a rose from the gardens that had addition to an unlimited number of blood elf soldiers, the
once blossomed near the Queens Palace in Wyrm Wood players will face adepts of virtually all Disciplines and of
and enchanted it so that it would live forever as a symbol of any Circle the gamemaster chooses. The characters will die;
elven cultures immortal, unchanging nature. They crafted if they complain, remind them that anyone foolish enough
a magical crystal box and placed the ensorcelled flower to take on staggering odds for no good reason deserves to
inside it, to ensure the roses safety. get killed.
S
Before the Shosaran elves could deliver the Everliv-
ing Flower to Queen Failla, however, it disappeared. Years
later, tales from the Theran provincial capital of Parlainth
claimed that the Therans had taken the treasure and earch for a Slaver
hidden it within the city. When Parlainth succumbed to The characters find the Theran slaver Fegis Kul
the Scourge, many believed that the Everliving Flower had heading into the forest near Blood Wood, traveling with a
been destroyed along with the city. Thanks to the efforts party of slaves and an armed escort. Though Takaris knows
of the wizard Hiermon and a band of hired adventurers, it that Fegis Kul is Kalourins ally and hopes to undermine
has at last been delivered to its rightful place at the Court Kalourins influence by publicly exposing this fact, he is
of the Elven Queen. Many elves believe that those whose unaware of the whole truth behind Kalourins pact with
skin is pierced by the thorns of the Everliving Flower will the slaver.
be granted eternal life. To this day, however, none have dis-
covered a method of opening the crystal box.
46
Setting the Stage should have each player make a Perception (7) Test for his
When the characters approach Blood Woods south- character. On a successful result, the character hears the
western border, read the following: slaving party approaching from the southeast.
The characters can hide in the forest and watch the
The sun is setting as you reach the southeast-
slavers go by or meet them on the road. Confronting the sla-
ern border of Blood Wood. The forest casts its long,
vers will likely get the characters captured, if not killed, so
cold shadow on the grassy plain before you. You
hiding and watching represents the players best option.
try not to watch the shadow grow dimmer, try not
to watch the light leave the air. Though you can Fegis Kuls Slaver Band
hold to your bargain with Hiermon no other way,
The slavers are traveling to the village of Akarem,
at this moment no fate seems worse than searching
located near Blood Wood. Just over two dozen slavers
for a mysterious Theran slaver near Blood Wood
and their leader, Fegis Kul, travel with three wagons, each
after nightfall. You have learned that the nights of
pulled by four horses. Two of the wagons, little more than
Barsaive hold unknown but deadly perils.
cages on wheels, hold the slaves. Each slave wagon is locked,
The guides that Blood Warder Takaris sent with
requiring a successful Lock Picking (9) Test to open.
you point toward the southeast, where lies your
Wagon one contains six human males, three dwarf
path. As one guide speaks, you wonder if it is pity
males, and four ork males. Wagon two contains females:
you see in his eyes.
five humans, two elves, four dwarfs, and two orks. The two
The slaver band you seek has been seen south-
elves in the second wagon are not blood elves, but elves
east of Blood Wood, between the wood and the
from nearby villages. They know nothing of Blood Wood
Serpent River. We know not how many slavers
or those who dwell within it. The third wagon serves as
there are, so be wary. Mark you this spot well
Fegis Kuls personal quarters, where he eats, sleeps, and
before you depart; when you return to Blood Wood,
conducts business. Built entirely of wood, it has a locked
you must enter the wood here. Should you enter
door and a few windows. To pick this lock requires a suc-
elsewhere, you will face deadly peril. May the Pas-
Mists
cessful Lock Picking (10) Test. Inside the wagon are a bed,
sions send you victory.
a table, and two chairs.
The guides depart into the forest, which eagerly
In addition to the four-horse teams that pull the wagons,
swallows them. You turn your weary gaze to the
the slavers are also mounted on horses. Fegis slaver band
southeast, spying out the land through which you
consists of trolls, orks, and humans. If the characters attack
must travel. Like the terrain between Blood Wood
and defeat the slavers, continuing along the road will bring
and Haven through which you have already trav-
them to the village of Akarem, guarded by blood elves loyal
eled, the grassy plain to the southeast gives way
to Kalourin. Go to Village of Mists on p.49.
to patches of ancient woodland dense with under-
of
growth. Anything might hide there: brigands, Human Slavers (10)
creatures, even Horrors. Even more so than fear,
Attributes
Betr ayal
exhaustion numbs your bones. Only the promise of
rewards to come makes you take another step. Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (12): 5/D8
Toughness (10): 5/D8 Perception (9): 4/D6
Themes and Images Willpower (8): 4/D6 Charisma (8): 4/D6
The vast expanse the characters must cross should Characteristics
seem to stretch for thousands of miles, making the task
Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 5/D8
more daunting than it already is. Faced with increasingly
Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 4
difficult demands, the characters should feel all but over-
Social Defense: 5 Mystic Armor: 0
whelmed by weariness and discouragement.
Upon leaving the woods, the characters feel disoriented, Death Rating: 31 Recovery Tests: 2
as if their minds and bodies have been abruptly snapped Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 5/D8
back into synch with the world around them. Unconsciousness Rating: 22
Mists
sure that the characters learn about the village of Akarem
Loot and Kalourins involvement with the Horror that inhabits
it as well as the slaver, the gamemaster should either dis-
12 silver pieces
suade the characters from attacking the slavers or else have
Legend Award the slavers capture the characters.
V
140 Legend Points
of
The slavers possess the troll racial ability of Heat Sight.
In this encounter, the characters come upon the
village of Akarem, located in a small patch of forest just
Betr ayal
Attacking the Slavers outside Blood Wood and guarded by blood elves loyal to
If the characters choose to attack the slavers, they will Blood Warder Kalourin.
have a tough fight. Because the slavers greatly outnumber A Horror called the Mist controls the village, feeding
the characters, they may well defeat them. on the suffering of slaves captured by Fegis Kul. The char-
If this happens, the slavers take the characters prisoner acters enter the village, only to be captured by the slavers
rather than killing them, toss them into the slave wagons, and a band of Kalourins blood elves.
49
Setting the Stage chill cuts through clothing and skin, freezing you
The following text assumes that the characters follow to the bone.
the slavers into the village. If they do not, the gamemaster A few more footsteps bring you out of the
will need to alter the text to suit the situation. cold and mist. As your sight returns, you see the
half-frozen but blessedly living faces of your com-
The road leads you into a thick forest, as for-
panions. Thankful to be out of the chill, clinging
bidding as Blood Wood. Ahead of you, the slavers
fog, you can scarcely restrain relieved laughter.
leave the road and strike northward into the
You look away from your compatriots, and your
dense woodland. Despite the fear that threatens
relief dies.
to choke you, you follow your quarry into the pool
In the clearing before you, a vast ruin looms out
of darkness between the close-clustered trees. The
of the shadows like the head of a sea serpent from a
darkness stretches onward forever, and with every
benighted ocean. It might have been a citadel, built
step you take your spirits sink lower and lower.
three full stories above ground. One side of the
After an endless span of heartbeats, the darkness
dark, grim stone edifice has crumbled, exposing the
ahead seems to lighten slightly. Peering through
deeper darkness of the interior. A single light burns
the gloom, you spy two figures standing guard;
in a small turret, high atop the roof of the complex.
over what, you cannot tell.
A tiny village cowers in the ruins shadow, built on
As you draw nearer, moving as slowly as you
and around the rubble of its collapsed wall. The
can to muffle the faint jingle of harness, you see that
thatched huts look ghostly next to the huge stone
the figures are blood elves clad much like those who
ruin, as if it were real and they only illusions. In
accosted you at the border of Blood Wood. Their
the faint light of a few, scattered torches, you can
armor bears the symbol you saw on Kalourins
see several villagers staring your way. You spy the
amulet. You halt briefly, wondering how best to
slaver caravan near the village; to your misfor-
escape the guards vigilance. If they see you, they
tune, the slavers have also seen you.
will know you for intruders; yet to pass by them
Betr ayal
modify the rune-stick to match Kalourins if they are going The Mist detected the adventurers as they passed into
to try to get past the blood elves using it; a successful Arti- its field of influence, and alerted the slavers to their pres-
Mists
san Skill (6) Test will suffice to carve the modifications ence. As soon as the characters enter the clearing, the
to the rune. If the characters show the elves the modified slavers come at them with weapons drawn, demanding that
rune-stick, the elves allow them to proceed farther into the the characters drop their weapons and surrender.
forest. Continue reading the following to the players:
Surrendering
You travel deeper into the forest, pleased with
If the adventurers drop their weapons, the slavers lead
the success of your desperate ruse. Tendrils of fine
them into a hut in the village and lock them inside. Three
mist rise around you, yet you feel no moisture
of Fegis men guard the hut until daybreak, when the sla-
against your faces. You feel no coolness, either,
vers will depart. The slavers do not bother to confiscate
such as you might expect from natural fog; indeed,
any of the characters belongings; they know better than
the mist feels faintly warm to the touch. Within a
to tamper with sacrifices meant for the Mist.
scant few heartbeats, the mist grows so thick that
you can scarcely see your companions only paces Fighting the Slavers
away. It deadens your footfalls, muffles the jan-
If the characters choose battle over surrender, they
gling of your horses bridles and the rattling of
have a single advantage in a tough fight: the slavers do not
your weapons. You almost cannot hear the sound
want to kill the characters, and will pull their punches a
of your own breathing.
bit (using the Attacking to Stun combat option; see p.404
The mist thickens further, until you can see
of the Players Compendium). Rather than wanting
nothing. Neither eye nor ear gives proof of your
the characters dead, the slavers want them unconscious,
companions. Are they still near, you wonder, or
intending to leave them for the Mist to feed upon.
spirited away by this unnatural fog? From one step
However, what little advantage this gives the adventur-
to the next, the mist turns bitter cold. The damp
50 ers does not last long. During the third combat round, a
band of blood elves working for Kalourin enters the fray on out of, though it might serve to tell you where you
the slavers side. Depending on how previous encounters are. The only other gap in your stone-and-wood
have played out, the elves may bring with them Tural and prison is a tiny window-hole in the doorway, just
Alkor, the Theran spies from Haven. If the spies are still high enough for a humans eyes to reach.
tailing the characters, they join the attack. If the Therans Without thought, you reach for your weapons,
have given up following the characters, the blood elves and find nothing. Your captors have left you all
arrive without them. else that you carried, for what reason you dare
Between the slavers and the blood elves, the charac- not guess. A gleam from the corner of the room
ters should lose this fight. Once defeated (and preferably catches your eyes; approaching it with caution,
knocked unconscious), the characters are locked inside a you see that your captors have piled your weap-
specially prepared hut. After they awaken the following ons against the wall.
morning, they begin to learn the horrible truth of the vil- For the moment you do not question this, but
lage and its people. Go to Inside Akarem, below. There arm yourselves. You need only break through the
are six blood elves (see p.42 for game statistics). door and dispatch the guard, and you will be out of
this cursed village before another hour passes.
Taking a swift look through the hole in the door,
Troubleshooting you see no guard outside. It seems your captors
The worst potential problem arises if the characters either want you to escape, or As you finish the
decide to return to Blood Wood instead of following the sla- thought, a creeping chill comes over you: Or they
vers. As in the previous encounter, such a course of action know that you can never leave this place
means that they will miss the main element of the adven-
If the characters were captured but not knocked uncon-
ture. To prevent this, the gamemaster can either nudge the
scious, read the players the following:
players into making the correct decision, or allow them to
do as they will and then ease the story back on track in Your captors drag you inside the village and
Mists
some other way. For example, the slavers might capture the into a small hut made of stone and wood some fif-
characters as they make their way back to Blood Wood, and teen paces square. The slavers throw your weapons
send them to the village under guard. Or they may encoun- in after you and lock the heavy, weathered wooden
ter the Theran spies from Haven along with Kalourins door behind them as they leave. Bruised and bat-
blood elves, who capture the characters and bring them to tered from the fight, you look around your prison.
Akarem. One way or another, the gamemaster must get the The walls and the low ceiling are damp-
characters into the village, so that they can discover and encrusted, and the close air smells faintly of rot.
destroy the Horror. Opposite the door you spy a hole in the wall where
of
I
a few bricks have crumbled away. It is too small
for even a windling to climb through, and you
Betr ayal
other gap in your stone-and-wood prison is a tiny
In this encounter, the characters are trapped within window-hole in the doorway, just high enough for
the village controlled by the Mist. During their imprison- a humans eyes to reach.
ment, they learn of the Horrors atrocities and its alliance You retrieve your weapons from the floor and
with Kalourin. re-arm yourselves. You need only break through
the door and dispatch the guard, and you will
be out of this cursed village before another hour
Setting the Stage passes.
If the characters got knocked unconscious in the previ- Taking a swift look through the hole in the door,
ous encounter, read the players the following: you see three guards outside. They stand together
in a small knot, talking and joking. Every so often,
You awaken, dizzy and bleary-eyed, lying on
one of them gestures toward your prison hut and
a cold, hard floor. Your heads ache, as if giants
laughs. For the first time, you begin to wonder why
danced through your skulls in heavy boots. You
your captors left you your weapons
cast a frantic look around for your companions,
but soon regret your hasty movement. The giants After reading the appropriate section above, continue
go from dancing to leaping and kicking at your with the following:
skulls, but at least you are all safe for the moment.
From the gap in your prison wall you can see
With more care this time, you look around the
villagers, all paying you no heed. As you watch,
small room in which you lie. Some fifteen paces
a knot of people shuff le unwillingly toward the
square, it has a low ceiling and damp-encrusted
ancient complex looming over the village. As they
walls, and the close air smells faintly of rot. Oppo-
draw near, you recognize some of Fegis Kuls slaves
site the single, weathered wooden door, you spy a
among them. They pass from your sight, seeming
hole in the wall where a few bricks have crumbled
to enter the ruin.
away. It is too small for even a windling to climb
51
Themes and Images the village. Directed by the Mist, the villagers lured travel-
This encounter should begin as a frustrating, no-win ers to Akarem and sacrificed them to the Horror. Few who
situation and gradually become the characters worst passed the village escaped its clutches, and those who did
nightmare come true. Every attempt the characters make went mad by the time they reached safety. Akarem and its
to escape the village meets with failure, and their terror resident Horror captured countless unwitting victims for
mounts as they learn what awful fate awaits the wretched many years.
slaves and themselves. After a time, captive travelers ceased to satisfy the
Mist. Seeking a way to gather more victims in order to
sate its hunger, the Mist entered nearby Blood Wood and
Behind the Scenes met the power-hungry Blood Warder Kalourin from the
The characters have been locked in a specially prepared Elven Court. The Horror offered Kalourin an exchange;
hut in the village. Escaping the hut should pose no chal- if Kalourin would persuade his slaver ally Fegis Kul to
lenge; to pick the lock and open the door, a character needs provide the Horror with new victims, and also guard the
to make a successful Lock Picking (7) Test. Outside the hut, village from adventurers who might slay the Horror, the
however, the characters will run into trouble. Mist agreed to grant Kalourin unheard-of magical knowl-
If the characters are conscious when captured and edge and power.
attempt to escape before the slavers leave the village, the A ghostly place, the village of Akarem has no inn, no
attempt will most likely fail. In addition to the three guards shops, no farms or village green. Its few houses are built
posted outside the hut, the Mist uses its magical abili- of stone and other materials salvaged from the kaer. The
ties to seal the door. To open the door, a character must village forge still operates on occasion, and the surviv-
make a successful Dispel Magic (25) Test. Though in place ing villagers have buried their dead in a small, overgrown
when the characters land in the hut, this lock disappears graveyard. The very air in Akarem seems to exude deso-
at daybreak when the slavers leave. The Mist temporarily lation. Though the Mist stopped the people from aging to
weakens its magical control over the village boundaries to keep them from dying, on occasion a villager goes berserk
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let the slavers depart; once they have gone, the Mist reseals and kills someone. The rest of the villagers then kill him,
the village borders and allows the characters to escape the and bury both victims in the graveyard. It currently holds
hut in order to toy with them before killing them. thirteen graves.
Once the characters escape, they must deal with the
village and its residents. The following text describes the Villagers
village and its people. Sixty-seven villagers strong, the people of Akarem go
about their business with slow movements and a vacant,
Village of Akarem faraway look in their eyes. They do not age, they no longer
The village of Akarem is a haunted place. A full cen- require food or water, and they cannot reproduce. The
tury before the end of the Scourge, a Horror called the Mist youngest villager appears 20 years old, the oldest about
slithered into the villages kaer and began to destroy those 80. Though capable of speech and thought, the villagers
who lived within it. The kaers desperate defenders fought never let outsiders know that anything is amiss. If asked
of
the thing and gravely wounded it, but only after it had why the outside world knows nothing of Akarem, the vil-
killed most of the kaers population. Forced to retreat to a lagers simply say that they have always lived here, but that
Mists
safer area within the villages environs, the angry Horror their village is so small that it is easy to overlook.
cursed the survivors. The curse made them prone to vio- The villagers cannot die except by accident or murder.
lence; if the Horror could not kill them, it meant to ensure The Mist usually prevents them from killing each other,
that they killed each other. The Mists curse also kept them preferring to feed on the agonies of the living. However,
from replenishing their numbers; in a significant sign of when the Mist has not fed well, its mental controls slip just
the Horrors corruption, births in Akarem ceased twenty long enough to let someone kill a neighbor in a frenzy. The
years before the kaer opened. Mist forces the villagers to dispatch anyone who goes on
Controlled by the Mist, the people of the kaer began a murderous rampage, or else suffer a year and a day of
fighting among themselves. In a great battle, they excruciating torture.
destroyed one wall of the kaer. This act of violence pre-
maturely opened the kaer to the outside world a full two Questions and Answers
years before any other kaers opened their doors. As the The characters may want to ask the villagers and the
people staggered outside, they realized that the presence newly arrived slaves any number of questions about them-
that had invaded their kaer had wrought dreadful changes selves and about the Horror. The following text offers
in them. Though many wished to flee, they could not leave answers to the likeliest questions.
the shadow of the kaer that had once protected them. As
time passed, the people realized that they had also ceased Talking with the Villagers
to age. If asked how they manage to live, the villagers claim
After recovering from its wounds, the Mist returned to that they sustain themselves by selling True elements,
the kaer it had corrupted. No longer satisfied with hold- magical artifacts, and other valuables found in the ruins
ing one tiny village in thrall, the Mist enshrouded Akarem of the kaer to passing merchant caravans.
52 in a cloak of fog that would trap unwary travelers within If asked about the kaers dilapidated condition, the vil-
lagers explain that a Horror broke in and wreaked havoc Your sufferings or ours; we have no choice.
during the latter days of the Scourge.
If the characters defeat the villagers and interrogate
If the characters ask the villagers how long the Mist has
them, regardless of the result level achieved, the adventur-
controlled them, they say:
ers learn only that the Mist fills the ruins of the kaer under
Long before the Opening, the Mist invaded our the earth, the Mist must be fed, the Mist is everywhere,
home and has held us prisoner here for many a and the Mist controls all.
year since. Though once the Horror fed on us alone, If the characters choose to enter the kaer, go to Kaer
the caravans began to come with new offerings. Akarem on p.54.
Fegis Kul, who brought you here, and the elven
Blood Warder bring the Mist new victims whenever Horror-controlled
it asks. You too will provide it with nourishment. Villagers (67)
If the characters ask specifically where the Mist lives, Attributes
the villagers say:
Dexterity (8): 4/D6 Strength (6): 3/D4
The Mist is all about Akarem, but it lives within Toughness (8): 4/D6 Perception (5): 3/D4
the kaer. Willpower (7): 4/D6 Charisma (7): 4/D6
Mists
Unconsciousness Rating: 19
Half of the slaves have already been led into the kaer
Combat Movement: 16
and consumed by the Horror. The surviving slaves can give
Full Movement: 32
the characters the following information: they are all from
villages raided by Fegis Kul and his gang, all of their vil- Skills
lages lie in the region between Blood Wood and the Serpent
General:
River, and a few of the slaves overheard Fegis Kul and some
Melee Weapons (2): 6/D10
of his men discussing their arrangement with Kalourin.
Throwing Weapons (2): 6/D10
of
Apparently, Kul and his fellow slavers have begun to doubt
the elfs trustworthiness. Equipment
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Leaving the Village Club* (Damage 6/D10)
Net (Size 3; Range 61012)
The characters cannot leave Akarem until they destroy
Sap (Damage 4/D6)
the Horror. Every time they seem to put distance between
Torch* (Damage 6/D10; +Step 4/D6 fire damage if lit;
themselves and the village, they see the kaer looming ahead
Improvised Weapon: 2 to Attack Tests)
of them. No matter which way they go, the characters travel
* The villagers lack the Minimum Strength required to use these weapons properly, and are
in a circle. If the characters ask villagers about this phe- considered Harried when attacking (see p.408 of the Players Compendium).
K
A combination of age and exposure to the elements has
aer Akarem all of the doors in the upper section stuck fast. To open any
of these doors, a player character must make a successful
This section describes the kaer and its perils, Strength (6) Test. If the character achieves an Excellent
including shadowmants, ghouls, cadaver men, krilworms, result, he opens the door with enough force to pop it off its
and a spectral dancer. All but the spectral dancer are loyal hinges. If a character achieves an Extraordinary result, he
to the Mist and keep the villagers away from the kaers opens the door, tears it off its hinges, and loosens the sur-
upper sections. During this encounter, the characters face rounding stonework. If this happens, each character within
the kaers dangers and confront the Mist. three yards of the door must make a successful Dexter-
ity (6) Test to avoid falling masonry. If any character fails
this test, he suffers Step 7/D12 damage. No armor protects
Setting the Stage against this damage.
When the characters approach the kaer, read the The upper section of the kaer contains the following
following: areas (refer to the Kaer Map on p.55):
south wall gone, the chamber gapes open to the unfriendly barricaded from within, but the characters can reach that
sky. A character making a successful Evidence Analysis chamber by stepping around the crumbled south wall.
(10) Test deduces that a battle took place in this room, lead-
ing to the collapse of the kaers entire south wall. (4) Barricaded Room
A closed door with a rusty lock leads to the shrine (5). Fire pits and rusted iron tools identify this room as a
To open it, a character must make a successful Lock Pick- smithy. The door in the west wall that leads to the blasted
ing (10) Test. A second door leading to another room (4) is room (3) has a huge iron bar wedged across it. 55
Seventeen corpses in rotting leather armor lie piled kitchenware lie on the f loor or hang from hooks. If the
against the blocked door as if they died at their posts. A characters search the room, they will find several pounds
door in the north wall is not barricaded. of coal in a scuttle, a flint and steel, and a jar of oil, all still
usable. The mold and fungi growing on the spoiled food
(5) Shrine have dampened and warped the wood of the door.
This room is a temple to Garlen, the Passion of Hearth
and Healing. Within the shrine is the symbol of Garlen, K rilworms (10)
and a statue of her stands in the middle of the floor sur- DEX: 5 STR: 5 TOU: 5
rounded by shriveled flower petals. The door that leads to PER: 6 WIL: 7 CHA: 2
the shrine is protected by a powerful ward trap, triggered
Initiative: 6 Physical Defense: 7
by any being entering the shrine armed. For rules concern-
Number of Actions: 1 Spell Defense: 7
ing traps, see the Adventuring chapter on p.108 of the
Attack (1): 6 Social Defense: 7
Gamemasters Compendium.
Damage: Physical Armor: 0
Ward Trap Bite (1): 6 Mystic Armor: 2
Defense of the offending character. If the test succeeds, the Powers: Locate Target (2): 8
ward triggers the spell effect.
Legend Points: 45
Trap Effect: The target must use his next action to put
Equipment: None
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(8) Dining Hall See the Creatures chapter on p.318 of the Gamemas-
As in the Reception Hall (2), splintered tables and ters Compendium for more information and special
Mists
chairs and smashed crockery lie scattered across this long, rules on krilworms.
rectangular room. Bits of rotting food lie here and there as
if flung from dropped plates. Doors in the west and north Kaer Roof
walls lead out of the hall.
The marble staircase ends at the roof, the surface of
(9) Supply Room which is strewn with debris. Across from the head of the
stairs sits a one-room turret with a locked door. Two shad-
Stuffed with food long since turned to rancid mounds
owmants live on the roof, and they will attack if and when
of fungi and mold, this chamber exudes an overpowering
the characters turn their backs to them.
stench. The foul smell has attracted a colony of krilworms,
which nest in a few cracks in the outer wall. Shadowmants (2)
This room contains several large ovens and cooking
DEX: 5 STR: 5 TOU: 6
pits. Rusted ladles, knives, serving platters, and similar
PER: 4 WIL: 5 CHA: 4
Mists
talline stinger. Shadowmants have two eyes and a small
Loot: None
mouth lined with rows of tiny, needle-sharp teeth.
See the Creatures chapter on p.341 of the Gamemas- Commentary
ters Compendium for more information and special
Undead creations of the Horrors, spectral dancers are
rules on shadowmants.
individuals who possessed considerable charisma and
Rules social skill in life. They appear as phantoms of the bodies
they once inhabited. See the Horrors chapter on p.455 of
A shadowmant uses its tail to sting its victims. Once the
the Gamemasters Compendium for more information
of
poison has killed its prey, the shadowmant eats its victim.
and special rules on spectral dancers.
Poison: The shadowmants virulent poison resists the At the gamemasters discretion, Sheena is friendlier
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effects of talents or healing aids with a Spell Defense of 8. than most spectral dancers and will attempt to dance longer
and with multiple characters before attacking them with
(11) Rooftop Chamber her Spirit Dart. Otherwise, only one character at a time may
dance with Sheena. The gamemaster can also have the char-
To pick the lock of the chamber door, a character must
acters make Horror Lore (8) Tests, or use other appropriate
make a successful Lock Picking (14) Test. Of all the kaers
Knowledge skills, to realize this is a spectral dancer and
chambers, only this room has narrow windows, from
that they can help her by joining in her dance; though they
which a ghostly light streams. Inside the room lie count-
likely wont know the cost of such kindness.
less broken weapons and cloven shields, scattered around
the skeleton of a warrior. A successful Perception (13) Test When Sheena stops dancing, read the following to the
reveals that the warrior was a human female. The cham- players:
bers eerie glow comes from the spirit of the female warrior,
The female phantom now appears as real as
made into a spectral dancer by the Mist.
any living being. A human woman of great beauty
faces you, clad in gleaming chain mail. A smile
lights her lovely face, and she speaks in a voice
like music.
My blessing upon you for your courage and
compassion. You have brought me happiness and
released me from the Horrors torment. In token of
my thanks, I give you the key to your salvation.
The Horror Mist, who made a phantom of me,
lies hidden deep in the catacombs. To free suffer-
ing Akarem from this Horror, you must defeat it
in combat and take the essence of its remains with
you. Place the remains upon the altar of Garlen,
57
defender of home and hearth, in my grandmothers In the center of the room stands a black basalt obelisk
favored shrine. Light the forge nearby and speak with the following words carved on its surface:
the villages Name. These acts will free the village,
Built with the grace and blessing of Garlen,
and abate the Horrors curse forever.
Passion of Hearth and Healing. May her power
May the Passions that guide us all ever keep
protect us all.Kedru Al, First Lord of Kaer
their hands upon you.
Akarem
Her final words hanging in the air, the spirit
fades away, taking the rooms ghostly light with Books and scrolls line the chamber walls, testimony to
her. the accumulated knowledge of the kaers residents. Sadly,
the ravages of time have reduced these treasures to heaps
If the characters choose to attack Sheena outright, they
of rotting paper.
will likely die in the attempt. The gamemaster should dis-
courage them from such an action, because by dancing (2) Burial Room
with her they gain valuable information that might save
Frescoes along the chamber walls show the various
their lives.
methods of interment used by residents of the kaer. Brit-
Underground Level tle rolls of dried-out bandages; pots of musty, dried herbs
once used for mummification; dust-covered shrouds; and
As the characters descend to the underground section
a dozen ceramic jars meant to contain the internal organs
of the kaer, read the following to the players:
of the deceased stand on shelves located throughout the
On the ground floor of the kaer towers an arch room. Two huge, carved stone slabs stand in the middle
of black stone, from which hangs skulls on frayed of the floor, the sides of which are decorated with runes
ropes. Beyond the archway, the black marble stairs and symbols.
disappear downward into the gloom. As you peer Grooves cut into the top of each slab display reddish-
down the stairway, straining to see past the cur- brown stains. Four packages of dissection tools lie on the
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tain of darkness, a breeze rushes up to meet you, slabs, all opened. One package contains a full set of tools;
laden with the cloying scent of decaying f lesh. the other three are missing a few sharp implements. A suc-
From far away under the ground you hear water cessful Evidence Analysis (14) Test indicates that the tools
dripping, the squeaks of scavenging rodents, and were used recently. A successful Perception (7) Test reveals
the low, mournful wail of the wind through the evidence of numerous bipedal creatures, probably human-
fearful chambers that lie below. oid, walking around this room.
Just as the characters make these discoveries, or are
The passageways in the lower section are one yard
about to leave the room, a Horror-driven pack of ghouls
wide wide and two yards high, with arched ceilings. Only
attacks them.
windlings are small enough to walk down them side by side;
everyone else must walk single file. Occasional humanoid Ghouls (3)
bones stick up from the packed earth of the passage floor.
DEX: 5 STR: 4 TOU: 6
of
living, the bodies are alternatively mummified, wrapped Number of Actions: 1 Spell Defense: 5
in shrouds, or placed in caskets. Only the very wealthy lie Attack (2): 7 Social Defense: 7
in caskets, as the villagers brought few such items into the Damage: Physical Armor: 4
kaer. A few shelves contain nothing more than dust and Claws (4): 8 Mystic Armor: 0
scattered bones.
Death Rating: 36 Recovery Tests: 3
The kaers underground section contains the following
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 4
areas (refer to the Kaer Map on p.55).
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune
Archway Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
A result of 7 or better on an appropriate Knowledge or
Powers: Poison (SD 10; see text)
Artisan Skill Test reveals that the archway is a mere 80
years old, obviously not part of the original kaer. Made of Legend Points: 140
the same black stone used to build the kaer, the arch is dec-
Equipment: None
orated with a score or so of humanoid skulls.
Only by passing through the archway can the charac- Loot: 3D6 silver pieces, taken from tombs and victims.
ters reach the catacombs.
Commentary
(1) Central Chamber Ghouls are undead creatures created by the arcane
From this high-ceilinged room, passageways branch magic of the Horrors. See the Horrors chapter on p.451 of
out in the four cardinal compass directions: north, south, the Gamemasters Compendium for more information
east, and west. and special rules on ghouls.
58
(3) Granary cal runes are carved into the edge of the pool all around
Dry and small, this room contains moldering sacks of its circumference. A successful Read and Write Magic (9)
grain. The south door is locked; to open it, a character must Test reveals that these runes conjure water from the ele-
make a successful Lock Picking (9) Test. mental plane. The water is cool, refreshing, and perfectly
safe to drink.
(4) Wine Cellar
A short flight of slick stone steps leads to this small, (7) Mists Room
cool room. To keep from slipping down the steps, a char- Newer than the rest of the kaer, this chamber contains
acter must make a successful Dexterity (4) Test. If the test only a pile of skulls 3 yards high and 4 yards in diameter.
fails, the character takes Step 4/D6 damage from falling These bones are all that remain of the countless victims that
down the stairs. No armor protects against this damage. the villagers of Akarem have lured into the Mists clutches.
Once the kaers wine cellar, the room now contains On the back wall of this room, carved into the stone, is the
little more than smashed bottles. The contents of the few symbol that the characters have seen on Kalourins amulet
remaining whole bottles have long since turned sour. and the armor of his guards. This symbol represents the
alliance between the Horror and the Blood Warder.
(5) Water Collection Chamber Unless the characters begin disassembling the skull
This room holds a dozen five-gallon, ceramic water heap, the Mist does not appear; the Horror simply waits to
jars. Murals on the wall show kaer residents collecting act until the adventurers leave the chamber. As the char-
water outside the kaer. In the center of the chamber, two acters depart, the Mist seeps from the center of the skull
spigots carved in the likeness of open-mouthed gargoyles heap, wafts through the hole in the wall of the Water Col-
spew water into basins three feet wide and two feet deep. lection Chamber (see (5) above), becomes corporeal, and
Each basin has a drain, which cycles the water uphill to silently attacks the character unlucky enough to bring up
the kaers water source (6). A secret door in the eastern the rear. The Mist will try to eliminate the characters one
wall (Detection Difficulty 12) leads to the Mists chamber by one, keeping each new victim unaware of the death of
Mists
(7). The mural that hides the secret door shows a huge, fire- his comrade. The Mist will follow the characters to see how
breathing creature about to attack the kaer. Camouflaged they react to the undead that are to come.
in the creatures painted mouth is a one-inch diameter hole, The gamemaster must play the Horror as an intelli-
through which the Mist billows when exiting its chamber. gent being. It has not stayed alive for hundreds of years by
See the Mists Room, (7) below. making stupid moves. The Mist will bide its time, waiting
to strike until it has the maximum advantage.
(6) Water Source If the characters sort through the heap of skulls, they
A short flight of stone stairs leads up to this chamber. can find 338 silver pieces, two healing potions, a last
of
As the characters climb toward it, they hear water flowing chance salve, an aquamarine worth 500 silver pieces, a
and the air becomes cooler and damper. At the head of the suit of crystal ringlet armor, a crystal raider shield, a dwarf
stairs, a locked and warded door bars the entrance. To open sword, a trispear, an elven warbow, a dwarf winternight
Betr ayal
the door, a character must make a successful Lock Picking cloak, and the Staff of Akarem the Mage Builder (see New
(10) Test; picking the lock does not remove the ward. Writ- Magical Treasures, p.343). It will take the characters
ing carved into the door reads: more than two hours to remove all the loot from the Mists
lair. Sorting through the skull heap, however, is likely to
Water supply. Entry forbidden.
cause the Mist to appear, become corporeal, and attack the
Ward Trap characters. For the Mists game statistics, see the Cast of
Characters section on p.76.
Detection Difficulty: 12
Disarm Difficulty: 16 Sudden Attack
Spell Defense: 16
As the characters travel through the catacombs, they
Trap Initiative: 22/D20+D10+D8 pass pairs of corpse shelves (marked with an X on the
Catacombs map). The shrouded bodies on each of these
Trigger Condition: The gamemaster makes a Step 16/
marked shelves are actually cadaver men, animated by the
D20+D8 Spellcasting Test for the ward against the Spell
Mist. As the characters pass each spot indicated on the
Defense of any character who passes it. If the test succeeds,
map, the cadaver men grab them.
the trap triggers the spell effect (see below).
Trap Effect: Triggering the trap sets off a Suffocating Cadaver Men (4)
Paste spell (see the Elementalism Spells chapter on DEX: 4 STR: 6 TOU: 7
p.295 of the Players Compendium) with an Effect step PER: 4 WIL: 6 CHA: 4
of 16/D20+D8.
Initiative: 4 Physical Defense: 6
Inside the chamber is a huge fountain made of four Number of Actions: 1 (4; see text)Spell Defense: 6
carved gargoyles standing back to back, facing each point Attack (3): 7 Social Defense: 11
of the compass. Water gushes from their mouths into a Damage: Physical Armor: 0
marble-lined pool 6 yards wide and 1 yard deep. Mysti- Claws (3): 9 Mystic Armor: 1
59
The word Akarem echoes around the shrine.
It does not fade, but grows louder and louder until
you must clap your hands over your ears to protect
them. Rising into the air, the crystal sphere on the
altar begins to spin wildly, shooting beams of light
like arrows in random directions. More and more
shafts of light it sends, until at last it blazes with
the steady golden glow of the suns tiny, vibrant
heart. Around you, the kaer begins to shake. The
south wall of the shrine crumbles to dust, allow-
ing you to see the land surrounding the kaer. Far
below you, the villagers begin to run toward the
kaer, showing the first signs of true emotion you
Death Rating: 39 Recovery Tests: 3 have yet seen. Some slipping to their knees in their
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 6 eagerness, they begin to ascend the black marble
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune staircase. Like an enchanted thing, it stands steady
as a rock, unswayed by the quaking earth.
Combat Movement: 18 Full Movement: 36
With every step up the black staircase, the
Legend Points: 150 villagers age a little. Passing the shrine, they con-
tinue upward. As each of them reaches the roof, his
Equipment: None
body crumbles to dust. The villagers farther behind,
Loot: None watching the transformation from below, begin to
weep; not in fear or terror, but with rapture. As
Commentary each climbs higher, a look of contentment crosses
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Cadaver men are undead constructs created by the Hor- his face as if a great weight has been lifted from
rors from the bodies of the dead. See the Horrors chapter his shoulders. One by one, the people of Akarem
on p.448 of the Gamemasters Compendium for more pass before your eyes into old age, death, and
information on and special rules for cadaver men. nothingness.
The last of the villagers, a woman of middle
Defeating the Mist years with the bearing of a leader, turns to you
and smiles through the tears that stream down
Because the Mist has established a link with Kalourin
her cheeks. The village of Akarem thanks you
that will prove vital in the last act of the story, the charac-
for your brave deeds. For the first time since we
ters cannot destroy it in this encounter. They can, however,
left the kaer, we may know the sweet release of
damage it severely enough to drive it off. If they manage to
death. The Horror you vanquished kept us tied to
defeat the Mist, it dissipates onto the astral plane, leaving
an unnatural mockery of life, unable to eat, drink,
of
Mists
No armor protects against Falling damage.
is the death of some or all of the characters. Spreading
Once the characters are clear of the ruins, read the
damage and attacks out amongst all characters in an effort
following:
to keep them alive may help, but with the shadowmants
You stagger away from the dying kaer, throw- and ghouls poison attacks, this plan could backfire and
ing yourselves to the ground at a safe vantage result in all of the characters dying from poison.
point to catch your breath. Behind you, the kaer Bear in mind that a ghouls poison, if not resisted,
collapses with a thundering roar, raising a cloud of inflicts 54 Damage Points to its victim! A shadowmants
black dust and burying Akarems huts in the rubble. poison doesnt act in the same way, but, if not healed
of
As the dust settles, the mist begins to thin. For a will kill an affected character in a short amount of time.
Assuming characters survive the poison attacks, there is
Betr ayal
still the matter of the cadaver men and the Mist itself. The
gamemaster should expect at least one character to die, if
not more, but should be ready to modify creatures dice
rolls and tactics to ensure that at least some of the party
lives.
Another potential problem arises if the characters
kill Sheena the spectral dancer, or otherwise fail in their
attempts to complete a dance with her. If Sheena is killed,
the gamemaster will need to come up with an alternate
method of providing the characters with the information
on her ritual. If the characters fail to perform Sheenas
ritual, but succeed in beating the Mist and causing it to
escape to the astral plane, the village remains intact and
the Horror will return the next day.
Gamemasters may consider letting the characters
escape the cursed village before the Mist returns, but
should give them the sense that they have left vital busi-
ness unfinished. In this case, the characters should receive
no Legend Points for defeating the villagers or the Mist in
battle, though they may earn Legend Points for other crea-
tures slain.
61
aside half-fearful wonder, you set foot firmly on
the spongy soil of the magically cleared path and
begin to follow it through the trees.
K
ities, Kalourin knows what the characters have done and
hates them for it. He also knows that they will return to
alourins Last Gambit Blood Wood to claim the blood ivy from Takaris. Fearing
that they will expose his treacherous dealings with the
The characters return safely to Blood Wood, Horror, Kalourin has prepared a nasty welcome for them.
Betr ayal
where thorn men loyal to Kalourin ambush them. Once the adventurers have traveled a good way into the
woods, have each player character make a Perception (18)
Test. If any characters test succeeds, he senses something
Setting the Stage wrong.
When the characters set out towards the Blood Wood, After a player character makes a successful Perception
read the following: Test, read the following:
Tired but triumphant, you set out toward the A passing breeze rattles branches along your
northwest, making for the place at which you path, making the leaves whisper. As the breeze dies
departed Blood Wood. After the terrors and tri- away, you hear the strange and unwelcome sound
umphs of the past few days, your thoughts turn of loudly rustling plants, as if they are giving
longingly toward the Elven Court, the palace with chase.
of
woods strange magic and the unease you felt way for your passage move to close the gap behind
within it. you, hiding the path beneath their glossy leaves.
The journey from ruined Akarem to the border They move up to your very heels, as if herding you
of Blood Wood passes without incident. Perhaps forward.
the Passions have taken pity on you and cleared
Give the players time to react to this odd phenome-
your way; or better still, perhaps the powers of
non, roleplaying their surprise and confusion. If too much
darkness fear to confront you lest they share the
discussion begins to slow the action, continue with the fol-
fate of the Mist.
lowing text. Otherwise, when the player characters decide
No matter the reason, you are grateful for it.
to continue onward, read the following:
The vast, cool, green dimness of Blood Wood rises
before you on the horizon, looming closer with A sharp whistle splits the air as a slender, flying
your every step. As you draw near the giant trees, thing misses [insert name of leader]s cheek by a
your pace slows; their terrible majesty still takes finger span, imbedding itself in a nearby tree. It
your breath away. The strange cries of animals is a spear, its haft still quivering from the impact.
from somewhere deep within the green gloom, Before you can draw breath, the surrounding
the sight of leaves and flowers to which you still woods come alive with spears, hurtling straight
can put no Name, and the heady sense of power toward you!
lying thick as honey over the woodland combine
The spear was thrown by one of the thorn men sent by
to inspire your fear and awe. As you approach the
Kalourin to ambush the characters. Once the thorn men
place from which you left, the ferns and under-
have thrown their spears, they rush the characters and
growth part before you as if in reverence. Setting
62 engage them in melee combat.
After four combat rounds, the thorn men suddenly Warders summon these wood spirits to help protect the
crumple lifeless to the ground. A patrol of blood elves Blood Woods borders. Thorn men also guard many settle-
on a routine perimeter patrol, none wearing Kalourins ments and sites within the Blood Wood, including Queen
armor, heads toward the characters and orders them to Alachias palace.
sheath their weapons and follow. If the characters display See the Spirits chapter on p.377 of the Gamemas-
the rune-stick, the elves disregard it. For this elven patrol, ters Compendium for more information and special
use the game statistics given for the blood elves in Blood rules for thorn men.
Wood, p.42.
Mists
Allied with neither Kalourin nor Takaris, these blood
elves escort the characters to the Queens palace to face Troubleshooting
judgment for trespassing. Go to the next encounter, Back In this straightforward ambush, the characters risk get-
to the Palace, below. ting wiped out. If it looks like the characters are losing the
fight, arrange for a squad of Takaris blood elves to come to
Thorn Men (1 per character) the characters rescue before the patrol shows up.
DEX: 5 STR: 6 TOU: 6 If the adventurers decided to enter Blood Wood at any
PER: 5 WIL: 5 CHA: 5 point other than the one from which they left, feel free to
of
launch thorn men and hostile blood elves at them until they
Initiative: 6 Physical Defense: 7
either die in combat or wise up and take the proper path.
Number of Actions: 1 Spell Defense: 9
B
Betr ayal
Attack (1): 6 Social Defense: 13
Powers:
Setting the Stage
When the characters approach the Elf Queens Palace,
Aid Summoner (1) Astral SightT (1): 6
read the following:
Detect True Element (1) Engulf (1): 6
Manifest (1) Manipulate Element (1): 6 You stand once more before the Elven Queens
Tiger SpringT (1) magnificent palace. The Palace Guard, resplen-
dent in their richly decorated uniforms, eye you
Legend Points: 85+55 for spear
with mixed arrogance and suspicion, but offer
Equipment: Thorn Man Spear (see text) you no challenge this time. As before, the beauty of
their clothing and faces coupled with the dreadful
Loot: None
thorns that mar their smooth skins ought to repel
Commentary you, but strangely does not. Elven lords and ladies
of noble bearing and terrible beauty stroll along
Thorn men are animated bundles of thorns with rudi-
the greensward and the palace balconies, paying
mentary intelligence. Vaguely human-like in appearance,
your insignificant selves no heed. The leader of
they stand roughly 6 feet tall and weigh 60 pounds. Blood 63
your armed escort enters the palace, returning Once the characters have told Takaris everything they
moments later with Blood Warder Kalourin. His wish to, read the following aloud:
stern looks bode no welcome this time; instead, his
Takaris leaves the chamber, bidding you await
dispassionate stare shows tight-reined anger. He
his return. A curious gaze out the door shows you
speaks, his voice brittle and hard.
a pair of guards outside. You wonder briefly if the
Soyou return at last. Takaris cannot see you;
guards are to keep Kalourin out, or to keep you
he bade me make arrangements for your payment
in. Fortunately for your peace of mind, Takaris
and your departure.
returns in the space of a few moments, bearing a
Behind Kalourin, you see Takaris emerge from
large package. His gaze benevolent, he offers it to
the palace. At the sight of you, he calls out, striding
you. Your payment, friends: the blood ivy sought
forward as he speaks.
by the Wizard Hiermon.
Greetings upon your safe return, gentle friends!
You take the parcel. The weight of it surprises
I shall see to your refreshment and then hear your
you; you wonder that mere plants should be so
news. Warder Kalourin, I would speak with these
heavy. A spicy, herbal smell rises from it, and you
outsiders privately. Attend to your duties; I do not
see the edge of a dark green leaf peeking out from
require your presence.
a corner of the wrapping.
Kalourins face twists in mingled anger, fear,
My thanks for your pains, Takaris says. Tis
and injured pride. As you will, he growls. Bowing
Hiermons good fortune to employ such able folk.
stiffly, he departs.
Looking you over appraisingly, he continues. You
Takaris summons two of the guards to take your
have done such good for the Elven Court that I
mounts to the stables. A third guard accompanies
am moved to reward you further. I can offer you
you into the palace, following in the Blood Ward-
a prize rare and precious that few outsiders dare
ers wake. Once within the palace walls, Takaris
dream of. What say you, friends?
leads you to the chamber where first you met with
Betr ayal
him. As before, a servant appears as if in answer to The prize, of course, is an audience with Queen Ala-
some magical summons, bearing flagons of elven chia. Though he does not say so, Takaris expects that she
wine. Takaris bids you each take a glass, raising will question them about Kalourin and they will corrob-
the last one himself. orate his own accusations. If the characters accept their
So, what news of the Theran slaver? mysterious extra reward, Takaris smiles and tells them to
follow him.
Behind the Scenes Takaris beckons you into the hedge. Despite the
honey-sweet scent of powerful magic that seems
Takaris wants to hear what the characters have learned
to lie heavy on the maze, you have no choice but to
about the slaver Fegis Kul, particularly as it relates to
follow. Within a scant few paces, you can see noth-
Kalourin. When they tell him of the formal alliance between
ing but dark, glossy leaves and the glittering cloak
the two, he feigns dismayed surprise. At this point, the
that swirls from Takaris back. You smell the heady
characters may also tell Takaris about Kalourins alliance
scent of roses, but no insects swarm about these
with the Horror. This information truly shocks Takaris,
unnatural hedges. The path under your feet twists
but also gives him the means to a more satisfying revenge
and turns and turns again, until your heads turn
than he had dreamed. If Queen Alachia happened to feel
dizzy with the effort of remembering from whence
benevolent, mere dealings with a Theran slaver might
you came. At last you emerge into a clearing, from
earn Kalourin no more than loss of status. Dealings with a
which rises a tower of gleaming white stone akin to
Horror, however, carry an automatic sentence of death.
alabaster. A balcony juts out from the tower, seem-
When the characters tell Takaris of Kalourins pact with
ing to hang weightless from the glimmering walls.
the Mist, he goes to inform the Queen at once. No matter
You stand under the balcony, gazing upward. At
how much or how little the characters tell Takaris, they
last, a figure steps onto the balcony and looks down
make a powerful and dangerous enemy of Kalourin. See
at you.
64 Kalourins Next Move, p.66.
The woman on the balcony seems to embody To catch Alachias rose, a character must make a suc-
beauty, power, and desire. Of all the wondrous and cessful Dexterity (6) Test. If multiple characters try to
terrible sights you have seen in Blood Wood, she is catch the rose, only the character with the highest result
the most lovely and most terrible. The thorns that catches it. If a character catches the rose, one of its thorns
pierce her body only enhance her beauty; though pricks the characters skin, drawing a drop of blood which
cold and regal, she draws you. You realize that you the rose absorbs. Once that happens, continue with the
desire her so fiercely because none dare touch her. following:
Compelled by the unseen power that she wears like
A lucky one among you reaches out his hand,
a cloak, you kneel to her. This vision of loveliness
and the object falls into it. He holds it up, and you
and anguish can only be the legendary Queen Ala-
see that it is a perfect white rose. Long, twisted
chia, sovereign ruler of the Elven Court.
thorns grow on its stalk.
She fixes her chill, regal gaze upon you, meet-
Study the rose, Queen Alachia commands.
ing each of your eyes in turn. The briefest glance
Only by seeing its truths can you fathom what we
from her mysterious, beautiful eyes makes your
are. Favoring you with a smile so full of sorrow
pulse race with longing. I have spoken with Blood
that you cannot bear to leave her without comfort,
Warder Takaris, she says. Her voice is birdsong at
she turns away and disappears into the tower.
the height of spring, the music of a running brook,
Hi s voice hu shed, Takar i s speak s. You
all the gentle and beautiful sounds that you have
have seen Queen Alachia, as few save the Elven
ever loved. He told me of treachery within Blood
Court ever do. Truly, you are blessed among
Wood. Did he speak true?
Name-givers.
You would say yes to anything this woman
asked, yet you dare not lie to her. You nod your Leaving Blood Wood
heads, feeling it a mercy beyond price that the
After allowing the characters a good nights sleep,
truth and your desires are the same. She smiles
Takaris leads them to the border of Blood Wood, taking
Mists
at you, and the very sunlight shines brighter. You
the same path that the characters took when they first
have my gratitude. Reaching down, she picks
arrived.
something up and tosses it into the air.
When the characters set out for Haven, read the follow-
Catch it before it strikes the ground! she
ing to the players:
commands.
of
Betr ayal
65
Takaris steers you east toward the rising sun. At Setting the Stage
the border of the woodland, he stops. Here we must When the characters are on their way back to Haven,
part company, he announces. Should you have read the following:
occasion to visit Blood Wood again, carry the rose Thus far, the ride back to Haven has proved
of Queen Alachia and none shall harm you. The rose uneventful. After more than a weeks travel, you
will keep its bloom for a year and a day; beyond feel grateful for the respite. As you travel through
that time, it withers and its enchantment dies. the gently rolling fields and patches of cool green
One last warning before you depart; Kalourin woodland, the landscape that seemed so beautiful
has left Blood Wood. My soldiers know not where when last you passed this way now seems eerily
he has gone, but I fear he may seek revenge against empty and silent. The shadows of trees make you
you for what you have done. Fare you well; I wish start in momentary panic whenever you approach
you a safe journey! them; whether you will or no, you cannot help
Takaris walks back into Blood Wood, which remembering the Horror of Akarem and wonder-
swallows him without a trace. Facing eastward, ing if some like dread creature lies hidden in every
you feel the warmth of the rising sun on your face. shadow. On this journey, you have faced the true
Your strength renewed by sleep and hope, you spur corruption of the Horrors and the twisted evil of
your mounts toward Haven. their allies. For the first time, you truly understand
why Barsaive needs heroes.
Kalourins Next Move Thus far, you have traveled within a days ride
Regardless of how much the characters told Takaris of the Midland Trading Post and are ten days from
upon returning from Akarem, they have made a powerful Haven. Remembering the Midland Trading Posts
enemy in Kalourin. He knows their Names and faces, and good food, strong ale, and soft beds, you urge
wants them dead. By wounding and nearly destroying the yourselves to a swifter pace. If you hurry, you may
Mist, they have deprived him of its power; if they exposed reach the trading post by nightfall.
Betr ayal
any of his dealings with the Mist or with Fegis Kul, they Ahead on the road, you make out a group of
have also deprived him of his home and privileged status. riders heading toward you. As they draw nearer,
If the characters decided to keep quiet about Kalourins you can see eight orks astride great war horses.
unsavory activities, he seeks their deaths anyway to avenge Seeing you, the orks spur their mounts to a gallop,
the loss of his Horror-granted power (assuming the char- all ten pulling their steeds to a halt as one within
acters beat the Mist and completed Sheenas ritual) and to forty paces of you. The largest ork knees his mount
prevent them from blackmailing him in future. forward, closing half the distance between you.
Kalourin has left Blood Wood for Haven to await the Built like a small mountain, he wears leather
characters return. If the Theran spies Tural and Alkor are armor that shows the shape of his bulging muscles.
still alive, he joins up with them; if not, he gets reinforce- The strength in his arms could snap your necks
ments from their employer, the wealthy trader Agramen. with a single blow. Though not richly armed and
equipped, he glares at you, and then puffs out his
of
S
interested in cold, hard cash and a chance to strut and
swagger than they are in actual combat.
Mists
acters lose the fight, it is unlikely that the ork scorchers Equipment
will kill them. Fortunately, they are uninterested in a box Riders Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19)
of plants and are likely to leave the characters with their Padded Leather (Phys 4)
hard-earned blood ivy, unless the gamemaster desires to
Broadsword (Damage 12/2D10; w/scabbard)
teach the characters a lesson by encouraging creative, non-
Lance (Damage 13/D12+D10)
violent approaches to recover it.
2Daggers (Damage 9/D8+D6; Range 91518)
If the characters give in and pay the toll, they can escape
this encounter without injury. If they wish, they may try to Adventurers Kit
of
intimidate the orks into letting them pass without payment. Tattooing Tools
To accomplish this difficult task, a character must make Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Betr ayal
a successful Interaction Test (see the Gamemastering Travelers Garb
chapter on p.92 of the Gamemasters Compendium). 2Waterskins
Ork Scorchers (7+Rustang) Riding Horse per ork; Rustang has a War Horse:
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
Attributes 2Small Saddlebags
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (17): 7/D12 Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Toughness (19): 8/2D6 Perception (11): 5/D8
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (11): 5/D8 Loot
6 silver pieces per ork; Rustang has 4 gold pieces
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8 Legend Award
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 7 105 Legend Points per ork; 155 Legend Points for Rustang
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 0
Notes
Death Rating: 43 Recovery Tests: 3
The character possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-
Wound Threshold: 12 Knockdown: 7/D12*
Light Vision and Gahad.
Unconsciousness Rating: 35
* The character knows the Sure Mount skill.
Mists
glow, growing brighter as he nears the spells com-
pletion. With the final gesture, he shouts, Any who
Adventure Hook harm Kalourin of Blood Wood shall pay the cost!
Hiermon and a rival Wizard Named You sought to expose me and take my power; now
Gelaron regularly play pranks on each I will have your blood!
other, based on a years-old feud. The last
prank played by his rival had Hiermon Kalourins Attack
running naked out of his house, thinking As combat begins, Kalourin casts the Deaths Head
of
he was ablaze. Now, Hiermon is ready for spell on himself (see p.350 of the Players Compen-
revenge: he hires the characters to deliver dium). At the start of the first round of combat, Tural and
Betr ayal
a small bottle to his rivals house and break Alkor (or two other Therans) enter the room and attack the
it inside his sleeping chamber. Where Hier- characters.
mons rivals house is located and how it is Kalourin and the Therans will fight the characters
protected against intruders is up to the to the death. If a character dies in this battle, so be it. If
gamemaster, but Gelaron is no fool and he the Therans are hirelings of Agramens other than Tural
expects the Wizard to retaliate. and Alkor, use Tural and Alkors game statistics for them
When the bottle is broken, the gas in it anyway.
floats around completely filling a 10-yard
radius sphere centered on the bottle, caus- The Mist Returns
ing all Name-givers inside the area to stink At the beginning of the third combat round, the Mist
like a chamber pot. Anyone approaching emerges from Kalourins amulet. As a pattern item of the
the stinking character must pass a Will- alliance between the Blood Warder and the Horror, the
power (5) Test or turn away in disgust. The amulet acts as a bridge by which the Horror can return to
smell cannot be washed off, but vanishes the physical world. For an explanation of pattern items, see
after three days. the Workings of Magic chapter on p.253 of the Players
Of course, things might get interesting Compendium.
if any character suffers from these effects, When the Mist begins to manifest, read the following
accidentally or otherwise. Due to the smell, to the players:
triggering some of the magical defenses, or
As Kalourin raises his hands in yet another
being spotted, Hiermon pays them upon
spell, he begins to shake as if palsied. His glowing
their return and recommends the party
amulet flares as brightly as the sun, so brightly that
leave Haven for a while to avoid any direct
it stings your eyes. From the center of the amulet,
retribution from Gelaron, as he seems to
a swirling mist begins to form. As the mist pours
be looking for them.
out and grows more solid, the elf gives a thin, chok-
ing scream and collapses lifelessly to the floor. The 69
swirling mist begins to hold a shape, one you hoped If all the characters die, the gamemaster might wish to
never to see again, save in nightmares. A few more create a follow-up adventure in which a new group of char-
heartbeats and the Mist stands before you, its acters seeks out the dead ones and learns the story of their
loathsome eyes turned on you with hatred. deaths at the hands of Kalourin. See Loose Ends, below,
for more ways to use story ideas from this adventure in fur-
The Mist has returned to exact revenge against the
ther adventures in the gamemasters campaign.
characters for driving it from Akarem, and the characters
L
are in real trouble. Though the Horrors manifestation
oose Ends
killed Kalourin, the characters now face an even deadlier
enemy.
Luckily for the characters, Brenula and Hiermon are no
The information in this section allows the
longer under the Horrors control, and may take part in the
gamemaster to tie up the adventures loose ends, and sug-
following combat. Also, the Mist cannot attack during the
gests ways to use story elements and characters from Mists
round in which it manifests. The characters can use this
of Betrayal in future Earthdawn adventures.
Horror-free round to attack the Therans, if they are still
alive, or to attack the Horror before it finishes material-
izing. In the following combat round the Mist launches its
attack on the characters, fully recovered from the damage
After the Adventure
Though the characters have had a long and difficult
they inflicted on it in Kaer Akarem (p.60).
journey, their trials have gained them much. In addition
Help from Hiermon to learning the Key Knowledges of the amulet they found
in the village of Tureem, the adventurers have consider-
Kalourins death shatters his control over Hiermon, and
ably enhanced their reputations in more than a few eyes.
the Wizard awakes to the sound and fury of battle. Real-
In Haven and its environs, powerful and influential people
izing what is happening before his eyes, he attempts to use
might seek out the characters services in the future. Most
his magic to aid the characters.
Betr ayal
The amulet has five thread ranks. them. Rustang admires strength and bravado, even when
he is on the receiving end. By impressing the ork scorchers,
No Deeds are associated with the amulet.
the characters have made unexpected allies.
The amulet grants its wearer increased resistance to The next time they land in desperate trouble during
attacks. an overland journey, Rustang and his orks may ride out of
nowhere to save the characters hides.
In order to weave a thread to the amulet, the characters
Having defeated his rival Kalourin with considerable
must learn its Name.
help from the characters, Blood Warder Takaris is inclined
Gaining more information about the amulet requires to feel kindly toward them, and would certainly do nothing
further study using the Item History Talent (see the Tal- to harm or interfere with the characters should their paths
ents chapter on p.189 of the Players Compendium for cross in future. However, his natural elven arrogance may
a description). This talent is available to Troubadours, or prevent him from actively doing the characters any favors.
can be acquired by a human adept through his Versatil- After all, a Blood Warder of the Elven Court has far more
ity talent. important concerns than the needs of a scruffy band of
outsiders, particularly since Takaris has inherited the job
of defending Blood Wood from trespassers.
Troubleshooting Besides making friends, of course, the adventurers also
Given the level of opposition, one or more of the char- make enemies. Agramen, the Theran sympathizer who
acters may well die in this encounter. The gamemaster owns the import/export business, hates the characters for
should try to keep at least some of the characters alive, but having foiled his attempts to snare the Everliving Flower
every adventure in Barsaive carries the risk of death. The and for injuring (or killing) two of his best spies. He will
70 gamemaster should not attempt to ignore this reality. listen to the stories told of the adventurers at local inns in
Haven, and perhaps even buy the characters a drink or two, Caravan of Death (p.40), and Blood Wood (p.41). The
but only as a means of discovering some way in which to characters session goal is to arrive at Blood Wood alive
avenge his losses at their hands. and reasonably well.
Fegis Kul, the Theran slaver, also has little love for the
adventurers who cost him a lucrative chunk of his slave Session Three
trade. A few days after the characters leave the freed vil- In this session, the characters meet with Blood Warder
lage of Akarem, Fegis returns to the village and finds it Takaris, deliver the Everliving Flower, and agree to find
reduced to rubble. Having lost both a buyer for his slaves the Theran slaver Fegis Kul. They follow Fegis Kul into the
and his powerful Blood Warder ally through the characters village of Akarem, where the slavers and a band of blood
machinations, Fegis Kul may well plot revenge. elves loyal to Blood Warder Kalourin capture them and
Sogora, the Thief, if he is still alive, has been foiled by leave them to be slain by the Horror, the Mist. They escape
the characters twice, now, and may well consider them confinement in Akarems kaer, search the kaer, and drive
enemies. the Horror from the village.
As for the Mist, if the characters fail to destroy it and This session includes the encounters Meeting a Blood
it has somehow not killed all of them, they have made the Warder (p.43), Search for a Slaver (p.46), Village of
worst possible enemy. The Horror will turn its considerable Mists (p.49), Inside Akarem (p.51), and Kaer Akarem
powers toward destroying them. (p.54). The session goal is to drive the Horror from the vil-
lage, thereby freeing its residents from the Mists baneful
influence.
Awarding Legend Points
The following section provides guidelines for awarding Session Four
Legend points to the player characters. As recommended in In the final game session, the characters return to
the Introduction on p.6, the gamemaster should award the Queens Palace in Blood Wood, overcoming an attack
Legend Points at the end of each game session as well as by Kalourins thorn men on the way. At the palace, they
Mists
at the end of the adventure. The following guidelines for meet Takaris and inform him of Kalourins involvement
Legend Awards suggest the points to be awarded for each with the Horror and the Theran slaver. After an audience
task accomplished or goal reached in a game session. with Queen Alachia, the characters depart for Haven with
the blood ivy that Hiermon requested. On the road, they
Game Sessions encounter a band of ork scorchers. Once back in Haven,
Mists of Betrayal is intended to be played over the they go to see Hiermon and find Kalourin there with two
course of at least four game sessions. Use the following Theran spies. Kalourin and the Therans attack the charac-
suggestions to organize your game sessions. ters; during the battle the Mist emerges from Kalourins
of
The four suggested game sessions outlined below each amulet, killing the elf. The Horror attacks the characters,
include certain encounters; if the gamemaster has orga- determined to kill them for driving it out of Akarem.
nized the encounters differently in his game sessions, he This session includes the encounters Kalourins Last
Betr ayal
should award Legend Points as appropriate. Gambit (p.62), Back to the Palace (p.63), Scorched
Earth Policy (p.66), and Hiermon Again (p.68). The
Session One adventure goal is to return to Haven, deliver the blood ivy
In the first game session, the characters arrive in the to Hiermon, fight off the Therans and Kalourin, and defeat
village of Tureem, hunt down the giant spiders, discover the Mist.
the mysterious amulet, travel to Haven to meet the Wizard
Hiermon and agree to take the Everliving Flower to Blood Legend Awards
Wood. As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94
This session includes the encounters Arrival in of the Gamemasters Compendium, each game session
Tureem (p.16), Going Hunting (p.19), Haven (p.21), in Mists of Betrayal awards a number of Legend Awards
and Visiting Hiermon (p.26). The characters session to the player characters. The potential number of Legend
goal is to meet with Hiermon and agree to bring the Ever- Awards each character may earn in each game session
living Flower to Blood Wood in exchange for the Wizards should take the following elements into account: complet-
research into the mysterious amulet from Tureem. ing the game sessions goal (one Legend Award), defeating
creatures and opponents (award the number of Legend
Session Two Points listed with each creature or gamemaster charac-
In this session, the characters leave Haven for Blood ter), individual deeds and roleplaying (one to two Legend
Wood. They fight off highwaymen on the road, and are Awards), and acquiring magical treasure (as listed with the
attacked by a band of orks at the Midland Trading Post. As magical treasure).
they continue on their journey, they come across a cara- A single Legend Award should award a number of
van recently destroyed by a Horror. Upon arrival at Blood Legend Points as determined by the characters Circle. For
Wood, the characters confront a band of blood elves patrol- example, a First Circle character receives from 25 to 75
ling the woods borders. Legend Points per Legend Award, and a total of two to five
This session includes the encounters Cross Country Legend Awards per game session. In the final game ses-
(p.30), Ambush! (p.32), Midland Trading Post (p.35), sion that concludes the adventure, the characters may gain 71
two extra Legend Awards for completing the overall adven- was a valuable ally, and the slaver will go to considerable
ture goal. lengths to avenge his loss. Through use of his extensive
network of slaving contacts, Fegis can easily learn the iden-
tities of those who destroyed Kalourin and Akarem, and he
Campaign Ideas will be out for blood. He may pay his hired thugs to assassi-
Published Earthdawn adventures are designed to fit nate the characters, attempt to capture them and sell them
into an existing campaign with little or no extra work on into slavery, or cause any number of other difficulties for
the part of the gamemaster. Adventures do not exist by the characters during the gamemasters campaign.
Betr ayal
ways you see fit, and find some additional advice below. If Agramens spies Tural and Alkor survived the adven-
ture, they will lurk in the shadows of the Old Neighborhood,
The Mist tailing the characters and hoping for a chance to ambush
If the characters defeat the Mist without destroying it, them. Because the characters humiliated them by defeat-
the Horror will most likely victimize another small village ing them at every turn, the spies have every reason to
similar to Akarem. If it wants revenge badly enough, the want them injured, enslaved, or dead. Though the Wizard
Mist may follow the characters, biding its time until it can Hiermon knows that Tural and Alkor worked with Blood
strike at them. It may choose to simply kill them, or it may Warder Kalourin, he and the rest of Haven know nothing
decide to make their lives a living hell. For example, the of the spies connection to Agramens network.
Mist may follow the characters on their subsequent travels
and attack each town, city, or village that the adventur- Takaris
ers pass through. By attacking innocent residents of these With Kalourin gone from Blood Wood, Takaris has elim-
towns and cities rather than striking at the characters inated his primary rival and inherited the job of defending
themselves, the Mist can ensure that the characters are Blood Wood from trespassers. If the characters approach
blamed for the Horrors atrocities. Blood Wood, they will meet the same guard patrol that they
met on their first visit, though the guards armor displays
Fegis Kul Takaris symbol rather than Kalourins.
Fegis Kul, the Theran slaver, continues to operate in the Takaris will allow the adventurers free passage through
area between Blood Wood and the Serpent River. Though Blood Wood for the year and a day that Queen Alachias
the fate of Akarem ultimately causes him only minor rose lasts; whether he does them any additional favors is
inconvenience, Fegis Kul will be furious when he learns of up to the gamemaster.
72 Kalourins disgrace and death. The former Blood Warder
Duaga
During the Scourge, the Horror Named Duaga took up
residence near Blood Wood, terrorizing and butchering
those unlucky travelers who passed through its domain.
Since the return of Parlainth, mercantile traffic, adven-
turing groups and the occasional blood elf patrol, keep
the Horror amused. Otherwise, it spends most of its time
sleeping in its lair (see below). Duaga destroyed the cara-
van in Caravan of Death, p.40.
This Horror is a deadly opponentonly characters of
sufficient power should expect to survive a direct confron-
tation with Duaga
Game Information
DEX: 10 STR: 12 TOU: 11
PER: 12 WIL: 12 CHA: 7
Mists
Unconsciousness Rating: 48 (128)
of
Weaving (Nethermancer)T (3): 15
Betr ayal
Duaga lives in a gloomy patch of woods a few miles
Legend Points (3): 100,440
from the road where the destroyed caravan lies in Cara-
Equipment: None van of Death, p.40. The trees grow close together, their
thick branches forming a waterproof canopy under which
Loot: See Duagas Lair, below.
Duaga has built its lair. Fire-blackened skulls, rib cages,
Commentary and other scorched bones dangle from the tree limbs, and
the sickly-sweet smell of burning flesh permeates the air.
This humanoid Horror stands 8 feet tall, with sore-
Within the lair lie 375 silver pieces, a suit of crystal
dotted, leathery skin so hot that it smolders under normal
ringlet armor, a ferndask shield, and the Headband of
conditions. It attacks its prey with its two arms, each of
Kedar the Dark. This item is described in the New Magi-
which ends in slender, flexible tendrils.
cal Treasures chapter on p.343.
Rules
The Everliving Flower
Duaga possesses the following special Horror power.
An enchanted item of elven creation, the Everliving
Combustible Touch: To use its Combustible Touch power, Flower dates back to the time before the Scourge. Intended
the Horror must hit the target with its limbs. To do this, as a gift from the elves of the faraway nation of Shosara to
the Horror makes a Combustible Touch Test against the the Elven Court at Wyrm Wood, the flower disappeared in
targets Physical Defense. If the test succeeds, the target transit. It eventually turned up in the Theran provincial
starts burning and takes Step 6/D10 damage. Physical capital of Parlainth, where it remained until adventur-
Armor protects against this damage. The fire continues to ers hired by the Wizard Hiermon recovered it. The legend
burn for the next 3 rounds, inflicting an additional Step 6/ of the Everliving Flower is related in Meeting a Blood
D10 damage each round unless the target somehow extin- Warder on p.43.
guishes it, by diving into a pool of water or suffocating the
flames by other conventional or magical means.
73
Alachias Rose
The rose given to the adventurers by Queen Alachia of
Blood Wood grants them passage through the forest for a
year and a day. Once that time has passed, the rose withers
and dies as the blood magic that sustained it drains away.
If the characters go back to Blood Wood within a year
and a day, they will see that the rose changes color depend-
ing on its distance from Blood Wood. In or near Blood
Wood, the rose turns crimson. Far away from Blood Wood,
the rose deepens almost to black. Particularly alert charac-
ters may remember that the Everliving Flower underwent a
similar transformation, and may set out to discover more
about Queen Alachias mysterious gift.
C ast of Characters
This section provides information and game sta-
tistics for the gamemaster characters playing a major role
in Mists of Betrayal. If necessary or appropriate, the
gamemaster may change some of these statistics to suit the
abilities of the player characters in his game.
Because these characters will likely appear more
than once in the course of the adventure, their statistics
Betr ayal
power-hungry Kalourin always has a plan or two spinning Karma Points: 20 Karma Step: 4/D6
in his head. He regards his fellow Blood Warder, Takaris,
Talents
Mists
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 10 Initiative: 4/D6 Skills
Spell Defense: 10 Physical Armor: 7 Artisan:
74 Social Defense: 10 Mystic Armor: 2 Robe Embroidery (4): 11/D10+D8
Knowledge: A quiet, pensive individual, Takaris wears his silver hair
Barsaive History (5): 12/2D10 in a long, thick ponytail. He bears his thorns with shame,
Blood Elf Lore (5): 12/2D10 longing to remove them but knowing he cannot. His quiet-
ness camouflages the strong will and wily mind that have
General:
kept him a Blood Warder in the intrigue-riddled Elven
Missile Weapons (4): 11/D10+D8
Court. Takaris is a Fifth Circle Wizard. Upon reaching that
Seduction (4): 11/D10+D8
level of proficiency as a magician, Takaris chose to learn
Speak Language (3): 10/D10+D6
another Discipline, and is also a Fourth Circle Warrior.
Dwarf (Throalic), Sperethiel, Theran
Tracking (3): 10/D10+D6 Attributes
Equipment Dexterity (16): 7/D12 Strength (16): 7/D12
Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (13): 6/D10
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3; modified for thorns)
Willpower (17): 7/D12 Charisma (17): 7/D12
Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
Elven Warbow (Damage 11/D10+D8; Range 70140280) Characteristics
Quiver (w/20 warbow arrows) Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 4/D6
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 7
Kalourins Amulet (Rank 5; conduit for The Mist)
Social Defense: 10 Mystic Armor: 3
Adventurers Kit
Death Rating: 33* (57)* Recovery Tests: 2
Embroidered Elfweave Robe
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 7/D12
Embroidery Tools
Unconsciousness Rating: 25* (43)*
Grimoire
* These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
2Healing Potions
Combat Movement: 34 Full Movement: 68
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Mists
2Waterskins Karma Points: 20 Karma Step: 4/D6
Wealthy Travelers Garb
Spells
Animate Skeleton, Astral Spear, Bone Circle, Bone Dance,
Chilling Circle, Deaths Head, Evil Eye, Experience Death,
Fog Ghost, Fog of Fear, Insect Repellent, Life Circle of
One, Pack Bags, PainM, Pass Ward, Repel Animal, Shield
of
MistM, Spirit Double, Spirit DartM, Spirit GripM,
Viewpoint, Visions of Death, Wither Limb.
M
Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix.
Betr ayal
Loot
100 silver pieces
Legend Award
790 Legend Points
Notes
Kalourin possesses the blood elf racial abilities of Low-
Light Vision, +1 Spell Defense, +1 Social Defense, Armor
Restriction, Pain Resistance, and Reduced Recovery Tests.
Takaris Talshara
A Blood Warder of the Elven Court, Takaris is Kalourins
chief competitor for Queen Alachias mercurial favor. Cau-
tious in his dealings with outsiders, Takaris genuinely
cares about the overall well-being of the elves of Blood
Wood. The only outsider that Takaris has chosen to deal
with recently is the wizard Hiermon, mainly because Hier-
mons innocuous request for blood ivy provided Takaris
with the means to engineer Kalourins downfall. 75
Wizard Talents Leaps and BoundsM, Makeshift Missile, Rope Ladder,
Astral SightD
(5): 11/D10+D8 Shatter Lock, Thorny Retreat, Wall Walker, Vines
Book MemoryD (5): 12/2D10 M Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix.
Warrior Talents
Acrobatic Strike (4): 11/D10+D8 The Mist
Air Dance (4): 8/2D6* DEX: 11 STR: 14 TOU: 12
Anticipate BlowD (4): 10/D10+D6 PER: 12 WIL: 12 CHA: 11
Avoid BlowD (4): 11/D10+D8
Initiative: 11 Physical Defense: 15
Down StrikeD (3): 10/D10+D6
Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 15
Melee Weapons D (4): 11/D10+D8
Betr ayal
Knowledge: Powers: Astral Sight (3): 15, Animate Dead (3): 15,
of
Creature Lore (4): 10/D10+D6 Control Being (3): 15, Corrupt Karma (3): 15, Displace (3):
Shosaran History (6): 12/2D10 15, Horror Mark (3): 15, Spellcasting (3): 15, Thread
Mists
Hiermon
In excellent health despite his advanced age of 105
years, the Wizard Hiermon can no longer undertake long
journeys, but still manages to get around with a spryness
that belies his stooped and wrinkled appearance. A human
Wizard of great wisdom and power, Hiermon specializes
in acquiring knowledge of rare and mysterious objects. A
shrewd bargainer and a stubborn man, Hiermon nonethe-
less has a good heart and willingly aids strangers even at
cost to himself.
His best friend is Brenula the ork, who owns a weap-
ons and armor smithy in the town of Haven, above which
is Hiermons own residence. Hiermon wears an ornately
embroidered robe of midnight blue, and uses a twisted
staff for help in walking as well as for defense.
Hiermon is a Seventh Circle Wizard.
Mists
Attributes
Dexterity (9): 4/D6 Strength (7): 4/D6
Toughness (9): 4/D6 Perception (17): 7/D12
Willpower (15): 6/D10 Charisma (11): 5/D8
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 4/D6
of
Spell Defense: 10 Physical Armor: 3
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 2
Betr ayal
Death Rating: 30 (58) Recovery Tests: 2
Wound Threshold: 7 Knockdown: 4/D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 21 (42)
search of new victims to torment, the Mist met Kalourin Combat Movement: 18 Full Movement: 36
and made a pact with the blood elf. Discovering Kalourins
Karma Points: 37 Karma Step: 5/D8
dealings with the slaver Fegis Kul by reading the elfs
thoughts, the Mist offered Kalourin unique and powerful Wizard Talents
magical abilities in exchange for a steady stream of slaves
Arcane MutteringsD (7): 12/2D10
sent to the captive village of Akarem for the Mist to feed on.
Astral SightD (7): 14/D20+D4
For the present, this alliance amuses the Mist and suits its
Book MemoryD (6): 12/2D10
needs. However, the Horror may grow tired of it at any
Book RecallD (7): 14/D20+D4
time.
Durability (4/3) (7): 7
Its malleable form allows the Mist to seep through tiny
Enhanced Matrix (7): 7
cracks. Only airtight doors and magical wards can keep the
Evidence AnalysisD (7): 14/D20+D4
Mist at bay. The Mist speaks in a cold, whistling voice with
Hold ThreadD (5): 11/D10+D8
a slight echo. In addition to its powers, the Mist can use a
Karma Ritual (7): 7
few select Elementalist and Nethermancer spells.
LifesightD (2): 9/D8+D6
Rules Read and Write LanguageD (7): 14/D20+D4
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet, Sperethiel, Theran
The Mist has a unique power that allows it to control
Read and Write MagicD (7): 14/D20+D4
other beings:
Speak LanguageD (7): 14/D20+D4
Control Being: This power allows the Horror to take com- Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet, Sperethiel, Theran
plete control of a target character. The Horror makes a SpellcastingD (7): 14/D20+D4
Control Being Test, the result of which becomes the Diffi- Spell Matrix (7): 7 77
Spell Matrix (7): 7 General:
Spell Matrix (7): 7 Alchemy (4): 11/D10+D8
Thread Weaving (Wizardry)D (7): 14/D20+D4 Evaluate (3): 10/D10+D6
Willforce (7): 13/D12+D10 Haggle (4): 9/D8+D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent. Research (5): 12/2D10
Versatility (4): 4
Melee Weapons (2): 6/D10 Equipment
Item History (6): 13/D12+D10 Leather (Phys 3)
Tiger Spring (3): 3
Twisted Quarterstaff (Damage 6/D10)
Weapon History (6): 13/D12+D10
Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
Skills Belt Pouch
Artisan: Ornately Embroidered Robe
Robe Embroidery (4): 10/D10+D6 Embroidery Tools
2Healing Potions
Knowledge:
Grimoire
Alchemy and Potions (4): 11/D10+D8
Wealthy Travelers Garb
Barsaive History (4): 11/D10+D8
Room at Brenulas Arm includes an Alchemy Lab
Spells
And His Money, Astral Sense, Astral Shield, Bedazzling
Display of Logical Analysis, Clean, Confusing Weave,
CounterspellM, Dispel MagicE, Divine Aura, Inventory,
Karma Cancel, Mage ArmorM, Move on Through, Mind
DaggerM, Notice Not, Relax, Seal, Seeking Sight, Silent
Betr ayal
Loot
250 silver pieces
Legend Award
1,945 Legend Points
Notes
of
Fegis Kul
Born and raised in Thera, Fegis Kul is a balding, grubby,
ill-mannered, battle-scarred mercenary in his early thir-
ties. Some years ago, Fegis turned his attention from war to
slaving, because it paid better. Fegis sees all living beings
as potential slaves, sizing them up for market value in a
single look. This repellent man truly gives humans a bad
Name in Barsaive. A band of slavers of various races fol-
lows and aids Fegis in his evil trade, regarding him with
respect and even a little awe. Knowing his mercenary back-
ground, they trust his tactical skills implicitly in battle.
Fegis works with Blood Warder Kalourin, kidnapping
and enslaving unlucky wanderers who leave Blood Wood.
In return, Fegis keeps Kalourin informed of Theran affairs
78
and politics. In addition to slave trading, Fegis also acts as Riding Horse:
a courier, ferrying information from his Theran superiors Bit, Bridle, and Harness
at Sky Point to Theran spies throughout Barsaive. 2Small Saddlebags
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Attributes
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (16): 7/D12 Loot
Toughness (18): 7/D12 Perception (9): 4/D6 290 silver pieces (40 in belt pouch, 250 in saddlebag)
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (6): 3/D4
Legend Award
Characteristics 105 Legend Points
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 3/D4
Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 8
Social Defense: 4 Mystic Armor: 0
Skills
Artisan:
Weapon Rune Carving (1): 4/D6
Knowledge:
Mists
Caravan Trade Routes (1): 5/D8
Theran Politics (3): 7/D12
General:
Animal Handling (3): 8/2D6
Bribery (5): 8/2D6
Conversation (3): 6/D10
Hunting (2): 8/2D6
Melee Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
of
Missile Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
Navigation (2): 6/D10
Betr ayal
Read and Write Language (3): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Theran
Speak Language (3): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Theran
Streetwise (4): 8/2D6
Tactics (3): 7/D12
Tracking (6): 10/D10+D6
Trading (4): 7/D12
Wilderness Survival (3): 7/D12
Equipment
Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17)
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Had Rasper Nor but come Skeethen watched as a pair of mantises crushed a wall
The windling magician Skeethen turned on his fellow of one of the ceramic towers and tore at the family inside.
Elementalist, anger blazing in his eyes. He has not come, One of the mantises spitted all three children on a single
Mearach, as any half-wit can see. He will never come! spine, then lifted them to its mandibles and devoured
Those things out there have doubtless torn out his heart them. The second mantis speared their mother through
and devoured it, and all his so-called powers could not stop the shoulder and lifted her toward its jaws as she writhed
them! in mortal agony. It seemed to Skeethen that the mantis
Nor can we. Giskas voice cut across Skeethens furi- watched the womans weakening struggles with a horrible
ous words. Unwillingly, Skeethen looked toward the curiosity before throwing her against the base of the shat-
elderly magician, his mentor since childhood. In the past tered wall hard enough to dash her skull to pieces.
few days since the sealing of the windlings kaer, dug deep A mans dying scream split the air, close by the Magi-
into the peak of Talon Mountain, Giska had become more cians Tower. Startled, Skeethen let the spell disintegrate.
bent, more stooped and withered. The eyes that had once As shouts of pain and rallying cries echoed through the
T error
brimmed with confidence in his power now held the calm- chamber, the windling stalked to the towers iron-barred
ness of despair. window and looked downward toward the funnel-shaped
The Horrors have broken our only defense against entrance of the Magicians Cavern. A few, mutilated corpses
them, Skeethen. How should we stop the Scourge, when of the Winged Guard, the finest fighters in the kaer, lay
even the mighty Therans cannot stand against it? dead about the funnels rim, their blood draining down into
Skeethen took a step toward Giska. We are the seven the reservoir far below. Toward the right, in the direction of
most powerful magicians in the kaer! We cannot simply the shouting, Skeethen saw the Guards tattered remnants
hide in this room and do nothing. The Tome making a last stand in their barracks against the oncoming
Skeethen. Giska spoke only his name, but it was Horrors. Below him, near the front entrance of the Magi-
enough. The old magician held Skeethens gaze for a cians Tower, Skeethen saw a few more bloody, battered
moment, then glanced toward the huge oak stump that defenders f lying around a knot of mantises, firing tiny
served as the windlings table. arrows at the insects bulbous eyes in a desperate attempt
Silently, Skeethen waved his hand across the stumps to beat them off.
polished surface. He and his colleagues gazed at the glossy Rasper Nor could have kept them from us, muttered
wood. Before their eyes an image slowly formed: windlings Mearach, his voice flat and toneless. He helped build this
by the thousands streaming out of the kaers ceramic towers kaer. He helped us design it. Rasper Nor could have saved
like wind-blown cinders from a thousand bonfires, fleeing us
the giant, black mantises that swarmed over the Talon and A terrible cracking sound echoed from below. Faint
through the windling heartland. The Horrors stalked their shouts and screams came to the magicians ears, followed
tiny, fragile prey without mercy, impaling six or seven flee- by a soft tapping at the round doorway in the floor of the
ing windlings on each of the huge barbed spines at the end towers topmost chamber. The tapping grew more frantic,
80 of their eight hard, shiny black arms. then abruptly gave way to muffled screams. After several
T error
seconds, the screaming choked off into silence. plans f lashed through his mind. He could slip past the
Hes led them straight to us, whispered Skeethen. mantis and fly out of the ruined kaer to freedom! But if
Like a wounded rabbit running to its warren the dreadful thing caught him or his torn wing failed him,
The door exploded inward, showering the room with the Tome would fall into the hands of the Horrors. That
splinters of stone. Skeethen and the others, knocked flat betrayal Skeethen dared not risk.
by the blast, stared upward in terror as one of the great, Skeethen beat his wings harder and soared close to
in the Skies
black monsters leapt into the chamber. From the corner of the hole, ignoring the agony in his shredded left wing. The
his eye, Skeethen saw the flutter of a silvery wing as Giska mantis raked its terrible arms across his leg, nearly sev-
struggled to his feet and reached for the Tome of Banish- ering it. Breathless and half-blinded by pain, Skeethen
ment. Skeethen shouted a warning, but too late. Before the summoned up the dregs of his rapidly fading strength and
aging windling could utter a sound, one of the Horrors threw his bleeding, battered body toward the Sanctuary.
spines pierced his heart. Giskas blood spurted over the He fell short of the doorway, and began to drift back down-
open book, spattering the parchment with scarlet. ward toward the mantis. Skeethen cursed his weakness,
Skeethen watched, frozen in shock and terror, as the cursed his terror, and cursed the crazy thoughts of escape
mantis spitted the remaining five magicians like wrig- that had made him hesitate too long. Skeethen the coward
gling fish. As the monstrous, black head with its clacking had doomed the world.
mandibles turned toward him, a fresh burst of panic broke His wingbeats grew slower, and he began to fall faster.
Skeethens paralysis. He threw himself across the room and As the mantis reached for Skeethen with a hungry hiss, Gis-
grabbed the Tome of Banishment, then launched himself kas bloody corpse moved. The ancient magician pointed a
upward in desperate flight. He had hardly risen a windling- withered, blood-spattered finger at Skeethen, and suddenly
length off the floor when the mantiss spikes tore through the young windling felt himself pushed upward into the
his left wing. Skeethen screamed, but kept himself and the Sanctuary. He screamed the triggering words of the seal-
heavy book aloft through sheer force of will. Knowing that ing spell, and watched as stone knit itself together over the
he could not hope to weave a spell fast enough to slay the entrance.
creature, Skeethen made the only choice he could. Curling his battered body around the Tome as if for
He flew toward the Sanctuary. comfort, Skeethen listened to the screams of the dying
The small, round doorway in the roof loomed before and the scraping of mantis barbs across the stone. Lying
him, the darkness within it waiting to swallow him. Skee- in the dark as his blood and the life-giving air seeped away,
then had helped Giska construct the Sanctuary and knew Skeethen smiled. Unlike Giskas, his death would count for
its grim purpose, but had never guessed that he would something. Nothing would ever enter the Sanctuary. And
be the one to entomb himself alive. You are already dead, nothing would ever leave.
Skeethen told himself, even as wild hopes and desperate 81
From the hovering patrol boat, Lark gazed down at
the tiny, twinkling lights of Travar. Time of legends, he
grunted softly. Time of hiding, I say. He slammed a fist
into the ships railing. The damned Therans said those
P lot Synopsis
In the last few years before the Scourge, when the
races of Barsaive shut themselves away in sealed citadels
or in kaers beneath the earth, the human Nethermancer
things would disappear! The Scourge is over! Rasper Nor looked for a safe haven with a community of
His partner, Yorlk, gave a bark of bitter laughter. Sail- windlings living in the Thunder Mountains. Rasper Nor
ors Who Died for a Fat Merchants Moneythats our counted the windling clans Elementalists among his
legend. He shook his grizzled ork head. Shoulda never friends; together, they had spent the past several years
signed onta th Flying Patrol. studying the Horrors, in particular methods of banishing
Lark glared down at the city far below. Over the past the loathsome creatures back to their home plane. Because
few months, the air patrols over the trade city of Travar had the windling magicians thought that airborne Horrors
run into disaster upon disaster. Three weeks ago, a band of were most likely to attack their kaer dug within the peak
third-rate pirates had rammed a patrol boat and slain all of Talon Mountain, the Elementalists collective knowledge
on board. Only sheer carelessness on the part of the crew included considerable information about several such spe-
had allowed the pirates to gain so much as a toehold on the cies of Horrors, as well as earthbound ones.
doomed ship, but Travars merchants didnt care to hear Rasper Nor arranged to meet his windling friends at
that kind of truth. No, theyd all rather shake fists at Tra- their kaer in 1030TH, but a hazardous route fraught with
vars air warden and demand reparations for lost goods that marauding Horror-spawn slowed his progress. After sur-
they knew the Flying Patrol couldnt afford. Then another viving countless perils, Rasper Nor and his few remaining
airship had gone down, in far worse than a pirate attack. In retainers arrived at the base of Talon Mountain. They began
spite of himself, Lark shuddered at the memory. the last, perilous trek up the Talon toward the kaer in the
Larks four-ship patrol had spotted a flaming arrow, peak, battling huge, black mantises that appeared out of
shot into the sky from a beleaguered ship owned by the nowhere among the rocks. Once through the kaers doors,
in the Skies
Merris merchant house. As the Flying Patrol drew near the Rasper Nor and his men could rest their weary bones and
foundering merchantman, they saw three winged creatures have their wounds tended amid comfort and congenial
from the darkest nether regions swarming over it, setting company. Rasper Nor also made what haste he could for
fire to the crafts sails and attacking its crew. As Lark and another reason; he feared for his windling friends. They
Yorlk maneuvered their patrol boat within boarding dis- had agreed to hold the kaer doors open until his arrival,
tance, one of the fiends threw the first mate over the side, and the unexpected swarm of Horrors on the mountains
his chest torn open and his body smeared with blood. posed a threat to them that Rasper Nor had not foreseen.
Lark remembered bellowing at the things, waving his Driving off one last mantis with a final sword thrust,
sword and trying to draw the creatures away from the help- Rasper Nor climbed the final ledge and gazed across in
less cargo ship. One of the dreadful creatures swooped shock at Talon Peak. The doors of the windling kaer stood
down from the merchantmans burning rigging, shoot- closed, and as he read the strange symbols written across
ing flame from its arms as it descended toward him. Lark them, dread filled Rasper Nors heart.
braced himself for impact, but his crewmates Smorgan and The windlings had sealed the kaer.
Trusa swung their own patrol boat in front of Larks ship.
T error
The creature landed hard on the deck near the helm. Faster
than the eye could follow, it shot to its feet and grabbed
Trusa. Lark could only watch, paralyzed with terror, as the
monster sank its teeth deep into the pale flesh just below
Trusas tender throat. Smorgan swung his scimitar at the
creature, but its leathery wings beat back the blow as it tore
Trusa to shreds. Even as Lark and Yorlk tried to reach the
crippled ship, the patrol boat broke apart and plunged to
the cold cobblestones far below.
Of course, the greedy merchants blamed the Flying
Patrol for the disaster and cursed them for incompetence.
Lark wondered what the ill-tempered Trusa would have
done to them had she survived.
Yorlk shook Larks shoulder, banishing the awful
memory. He pointed toward the south. Lark turned his
gaze reluctantly southward, and saw a single arrow trac-
ing a silent, fiery arc across the night sky.
Yorlk grinned at him. Time to get to work, Lark. Time
to face death.
82
Rasper Nor and his three surviving hirelings stood summon more Horrors. After the Scourge ended, the
stranded atop the Talon, pondering their few options Horror-possessed Nethermancer turned his corrupted
with growing panic. The trek back down the cliffs grew talents toward bringing back the Scourge. He failed in
more perilous by the second, and it was a six-day journey this effort, but successfully summoned enough individual
through lands over-run with Horrors and their dreadful Horrors into the world to threaten many villages. Upon
creations to Rasper Nors retreat in the Delaris Mountains. observing a flotilla of airships from the city of Travar in
And even if by some miracle he survived to reach his tower, f light over the Thunder Mountains, Rasper Nor/Tyran-
he knew full well that its magic might not prove strong nisis concocted a plan to retrieve the long-coveted Tome
enough to protect him from the Scourge. Yet he must try; of Banishment. He would summon dreadful creatures to
he had no alternative. attack Barsaivian airships until a group of heroes appeared
Gripping their weapons with grim purpose, Rasper Nor to stop the carnage. Once the heroes proved themselves
and his remaining hirelings fought a running battle back able to survive the terrors that still lurked within the ruins
down the mountain. Somehow they reached the moun- of the windling kaer, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis planned to
tains foot alive. For two more days they fought their way trick them into entering the ancient haven and unlocking
across the wild, ravaged lands. They found no shelter, no the magical wards that had kept the Tome of Banishment
rest, and no respite from the growing black clouds of Hor- sealed safely away for almost five hundred years. Rasper
rors that fell upon the once-sweet earth like malignant rain. Nor/Tyrannisis would then use the Tome to reopen the
The giant insects were no longer their only enemy; shriek- gateway between Barsaive and the realm of the Horrors.
ing, winged creatures with slavering, fanged mouths and To test the mettle of prospective adventurers, Rasper
wicked talons flew around them, lashing out at their prey Nor/Tyrannisis created Horror constructs resistant to non-
and drawing blood with every touch. One by one, Rasper magical weapons and spells in the hope of ensuring that
Nors men fell dead. The Nethermancer staggered onward only a truly powerful team of adventurers could survive
until he fell, weak from blood loss. Then he crawled onward, an encounter with them. Also, using flying Horror-minions
refusing to listen to the sinister flapping of wings. Through as hero-bait would ensure that any successful adventurers
T error
bloodshot eyes, Rasper Nor caught one last glimpse of his would know how to fly or sail an airshipa skill necessary
tower retreat before the Horror Named Tyrannisis used its to reach the windling kaer within Talon Peak.
sharp talons to rip the orbs from their sockets. At this point the player characters enter the adventure,
Before Rasper Nors life could ebb away, Tyrannisis shortly after their arrival in the city of Travar. While enjoy-
possessed his soul and animated Rasper Nors nearly dead ing a meal at a local tavern, they learn that in the past few
body with its evil power. In possessing the Nethermancer, weeks airships traveling near Travar have been attacked
Tyrannisis discovered that Rasper Nor and the windling by mysterious, bloodthirsty flying creatures, and that the
magicians had found ways to banish certain types of Hor- citys air warden wants to hire additional hands to guard
rors, including those like Tyrannisis itself, and in the the airships and their valuable cargo. The characters join
process had also learned how to summon such beings. The the Flying Patrol, the airship force that protects the sky
in the Skies
windlings had recorded this knowledge in a book called the lanes in and around Travar. After the characters experi-
Tome of Banishment, which lay within the windling kaer ence a few encounters with the flying creatures, known as
that Rasper Nor had helped construct. rakken, Air Warden Drimsby learns of the existence of the
Determined to get at the Tome of Banishment, the Tome of Banishment, a book that holds the key to banish-
Horror left Rasper Nors identity intact, and constantly ing the rakken. According to Drimsbys source, the Tome
whispered into his brain that his so-called friends among lies buried in the ruins of a windling citadel in the Thun-
the windlings had deliberately sealed the door of their kaer der Mountains.
against him. Tyrannisis left Rasper Nors body eyeless and Drimsby, the characters, and a hearty crew of air sail-
hideously scarred, using the Nethermancers blindness and ors set off for the windling kaer within Talon Peak. As they
pain to fan his hatred. descend into the depths of the terrible place, the adven-
For months, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis tried to breach the turers battle horrible creatures and Horror constructs,
windling kaer. Knowing that Rasper Nor had helped con- as well as harsh weather, steep cliffs, and deep crevasses.
struct the sanctuarys defenses, Tyrannisis counted on the Upon reaching the room where the Tome of Banishment
Nethermancer to dispel or defeat whatever wards kept the lies within the sealed Sanctuary, the players must decipher
Horrors out. The possessed Nethermancer eventually suc- the tricky riddle left behind by the Sanctuarys builders
ceeded, and Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis sent swarms of giant before they can take the treasure inside.
insects to overrun the windling haven. With the Tome in hand, the heroes climb triumphantly
The jubilant Horror led a group of its minions deep into out of the windling kaer just in time to allow Rasper Nor/
the windlings violated kaer in search of the Tome of Ban- Tyrannisis to attack their airship and steal the book from
ishment. To Tyrannisiss outrage, one of the magicians had them. The survivors of the attack fight a running battle
sealed himself and the book within a specially prepared with the Horrors airship all the way back to Travar, where
structure. Neither Tyrannisis nor Rasper Nor could pen- they attempt to take the Tome of Banishment from Rasper
etrate the stone sanctuary, or solve the riddle carved into Nor/Tyrannisis and use it to banish the evil being to its
its surface. native plane.
Throughout the Scourge, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis con- Those men and women who live to accomplish this epic
tinued to experiment with extra-planar spells that could task will truly become the stuff of legends. 83
P relude to Terror
This encounter begins shortly after the heroes
have wandered into The Picky Palate, often called the best
tavern in Travar, for a hot meal. When Travars Air Warden,
With a scraping of chairs and a rustling of
cloth, half the diners rise and move toward the
door. As the dwarf turns to leave, Tarlinna calls
to him. Warden Drimsby, has there been another
attack?
Gardius Drimsby, stops by the Palate to call out members Drimsby turns back to her and answers softly.
of the City Watch, the heroes discover that the sky lanes Im sorry, my girl. The Dawn went down.
around the city are being terrorized by flying Horrors bent Tarlinnas hands grip the edges of the tray.
on destroying Travars airships and commerce. Berthon? she asks through trembling lips.
Drimsby says nothing, but slowly shakes his
head. Tarlinna drops the tray and dashes through
Setting the Stage the kitchen door with a strangled cry. A grim-
When the characters enter the Picky Palate, read the faced Drimsby watches her disappear, then walks
following aloud: out. Several men and women rise to follow, some
scooping a last mouthful of food into their mouths
You walk into The Picky Palate, all but drool-
before leaving their tables.
ing at the prospect of a gourmet meal after several
days on the road. Your fellow diners look prosper-
ous, much more so than the denizens of the roadside
pubs you frequent: fine leathers, brightly colored
silks, and even the occasional glint of candlelight
off jewelry dazzle your eyes. The rich aroma waft-
Adventure Hook
This hook is intended to provide a
ing from the kitchens makes your stomachs rumble.
way to get the characters to Travar and
To judge from the tempting scents, The Picky Palate
into the Picky Palate. While staying in
more than deserves its reputation.
in the Skies
the province.
tables, nut-flour bread smothered in honey, and
When the caravan finally arrives in
many others. The simple sketches make your
Travar, a local employee asks them to
mouths water. So many luscious dishes to choose
meet Juliak Merris in The Picky Palate
from, and so little time
to discuss f ur ther business. While
After the characters have ordered, read the following Merris intends to hire the characters to
aloud: investigate his problem with the rakken,
the meeting does not take place until
More quickly than you expected, Tarlinna
after the events described in Crimson
emerges from the kitchens, a large tray bearing
Dawn (p.86). Of course, the meeting
your meals balanced on her slender shoulder. Half-
with Merris (see Baiting the Trap on
way to your table, she stops and turns toward the
p.98) will have to be adjusted due to the
door. The entire dining room falls silent as a dwarf
fact that he has a working relationship
clad in a steel breastplate, scarlet undershirt, and
with the group and wanted to hire them
brown breeches enters the tavern. On his head he
for the job in the first place. This also
wears a rounded helmet, topped by a thin crest that
provides the gamemaster with an alter-
runs down its middle. One hand rests on the hilt of
native route into the action by having
a dwarf sword thrust through his leather belt.
Merris hire the group first, then order-
When every eye in the room is upon him, the
ing them to work with the Flying Patrol.
dwarf speaks. I am sorry to interrupt everyones
meal, but I need all members of the City Watch and
any other able-bodied citizens to come with me.
84
T error
You look around the silent, near-deserted tered across the floor. If the characters flag down another
tavern: the only patrons remaining are the few waitress and ask for a new meal, the waitress tells them
too aged to be of use. Quietly, the waitresses in the the following:
front room begin to clear the empty tables.
in the Skies
Ill replace your food immediately. No charge.
You must excuse Tarlinna; her betrothed served
Themes and Images aboard the Crimson Dawn. Weve lost three air-
ships in a month nowno one seems to know how
The characters enter a bustling establishment full of
to stop these dreadful creatures from attacking.
contented eaters and animated conversation. After Drimsby
brings news of the destruction of the Crimson Dawn, a If the characters ask their new waitress about the crea-
large air-freighter with two score crewmen, the level of tures, she tells them that Horrors have plagued the skies
conversation drops to a few low, dispirited mutterings. for a month, and that Air Warden Drimsby is eager to hire
Over the soft table talk, a perceptive character can hear any adventurers willing to take on the creatures.
Tarlinna sobbing faintly in one of the back rooms.
Comforting Tarlinna
If a character finds and comforts Tarlinna, she tells that
Behind the Scenes character the same information that the other waitress
The menu includes almost any meat dish the charac- knows. If a character is particularly kind to her, Tarlinna
ters can think of, all of which come with a wide range of may become romantically interested in him, but it will take
vegetables. The average cost of a meal is 10 silver pieces. her at least six months of game time to get over the loss of
Choice cuts of steak or extra helpings can raise this price her fianc. Berthon, an elf, worked for Juliak Merris, an
by two to five silver pieces. The fee must be paid before the obsidiman merchant and owner of the Crimson Dawn.
meal arrives on the table. Though The Picky Palate estab-
lished this policy to forestall walkouts, the gamemaster can Following Drimsby
use it to get the characters involved in the adventure. With From the tavern, Drimsby heads southeast toward the
any luck, the heroes will follow Drimsby, ask him what the flaming wreckage of the Crimson Dawn. The characters
trouble is, and offer to help. Alternatively, one of them may may catch up to Drimsby and speak with him on the way,
try to comfort Tarlinna, who then explains the trouble to but Drimsby never stops walking.
the character. If neither of these options work, stress that Unless the questioning character manages to offend
the expensive meal the characters just paid for lies scat- Drimsby or somehow make him suspicious, Drimsby freely 85
tells the characters what he knows. Talking out loud helps
the old dwarf think things through, and he also wants to
hire any able body he can get his hands on to help his city.
If the characters show any interest in Travars plight,
Drimsby eagerly offers them the following facts gleaned
C rimson Dawn
In this encounter, the heroes help fight the fires
caused by the crash of the Crimson Dawn.
As they work side by side with the citizens of Travar,
from the survivors. the characters learn more of the city and the threat that
plagues its people.
Three demonic creatures, called rakken by the locals,
have attacked airships near the city. The rakken have
scarlet skin, huge leathery wings, and hollow arms from
which they shoot fire. The creatures use their wings
Setting the Stage
When the characters approach the crash site, read the
and their flame jets to maneuver, often changing direc-
following aloud:
tion faster than any weapons fire can follow. Their long,
tapered bodies each end in an opening that shoots fire, The mammoth airship ripped open a trench
just as their arms do. A rakkens large, round head ini- the length of fifty men when it slammed to earth.
tially appear to have no mouth, until the creature opens Several buildings lie smashed to rubble in its path.
its jaws. When it does so, the rakkens head parts across Cracked and scorched cobblestones lie scattered
virtually its entire width, revealing hundreds of jagged around the streets, and flaming planks threaten
teeth. Several survivors have seen their friends bitten to set fire to nearby houses and shops. The rising
in two by this vicious maw. wind whips the flames higher, sending hot sparks
swirling into the cool, night sky. Several of the
The creatures attack by flying near airships and setting
City Watch are furiously digging a second trench,
their masts, sails, and rigging on fire. As the crew-
trying to stop the fire from spreading into the town.
men try in vain to extinguish the flames, the creatures
One of them, a sergeant, shouts at the townspeople
swoop down and pick them off. No one has yet claimed
to help. Some move toward the diggers, but most
in the Skies
T error
tends to stay out of the limelight, or a character refusing
me.
to help Drimsby. In the former case, a shy player char-
acter has a chance to do something heroic, gaining both As the sole survivor, Radlin feels guilty. A truly heroic
attention and Legend Points. In the latter, the reluctant character will try to comfort him, and may suggest he
character may feel more personally connected to the events join the Flying Patrol in order to take revenge against
that are occurring and choose to get involved after all. the rakken. Though Radlin does not think of vengeance
The sole survivor is an elven crewman named Radlin. himself, he eagerly agrees if someone mentions that pos-
Any character attempting to rescue him must have some sibility to him. If not, he plans to leave Travar as soon as
protection against fire, or take Step 12/2D10 damage from his wounds heal.
breaking through the flaming timbers to drag Radlin out. A character who helps the elf cope with his guilt need
in the Skies
Though the elf is initially in too much pain to speak, once not make Persuasion Tests. Instead, roleplay the conver-
healed he will share valuable information with his rescuer sation to its conclusion, keeping in mind that heroes can
(see Radlins Tale, below). build legends with kind words as well as with steel.
87
Questors of Garlen killed him, as sure as if hed slit his throat. The
Several questors of the Passion Garlen, young women dwarf sat safe on the ground while my son fought
dressed in white shirts and pants, have gathered near the Horrors and died for it.
wreck to tend those wounded as the ship crashed to the cob-
bled streets. If a character saves Radlin from the wreckage,
the questors will call the character to bring Radlin to them, Troubleshooting
where a windling girl named Tryla gives the elf immediate If the characters choose not to help fight the fire, have
aid. Radlin can tell his story at this point, while Tryla asks a sergeant of the City Watch grab them and commandeer
the characters to stay and hold Radlin in place for his treat- their assistance. Alternatively, have a gamemaster char-
ment. Eventually, volunteers led by the questors transport acter start digging, and make sure the player characters
all the wounded to the Sanctum of Garlen, a refuge several notice all the attention and respect he attracts.
blocks away. True heroes should want to help on their own, but occa-
sionally they need a little prodding. Regardless of how
Talking with Drimsby much effort the gamemaster puts into getting the charac-
After the fire has been contained, Air Warden Drimsby ters to help, they may simply refuse to get involved. If the
mentions to the characters that he is looking for temporary player characters do not offer any assistance, make sure
recruits for the Flying Patrol. This branch of the City Watch they are shown the consequences of their decision not to
guards airships and shipping lanes near Travar. If any or act. This could range from destroyed houses to a substan-
all of the characters agree, the Air Warden signs them up tial number of dead Name-givers.
at a pay rate of 15 silver pieces per eight-hour shift, adding If the characters take the bounty instead of joining the
five silver pieces in hazard pay to the standard pay rate of Flying Patrol, Drimsby sends them out to look for the miss-
10 silver pieces. He cannot pay much more, because the ing patrol boat anyway (see Knights of the Skies, below).
city merchants in charge of the budget will give him no The gamemaster will, however, need to recast the follow-
more funds. Alternatively, Drimsby may offer a bounty of ing encounter slightly to reflect the characters status as
in the Skies
750 silver pieces out of his own pocket to any character bounty hunters.
K
who finds and destroys the rakken. A character or group
must either join the patrol or claim the bounty, but may
not do both.
No matter which arrangement the characters choose, nights of the Skies
Drimsby takes care of such simple tasks as arranging for In this encounter, the characters learn to fly air-
healing at the Sanctum or finding rooms (though he does ships, search for the missing patrol boat, and discover more
not pay for lodging). Once the heroes have proven them- about the marauding rakken.
selves and gained Drimsbys trust, he may choose to assist
them further. He does not offer to buy them weapons,
armor, or any other equipment, however. The charac- Setting the Stage
ters must acquire these things themselves as part of their When the characters arrive at the docks, read the fol-
contract. lowing aloud:
Once the group has either joined the Flying Patrol or
After resting most of the morning, you arrive
T error
T error
airships to cart ore to Travar, where Juliak Merris
ship lift, theyd warn their fellows, whod strike
sells it to local foundries. The creatures struck in
the ship within days of it leaving Travar. I could
broad daylight. The Dreamer was a sturdy ship,
almost wish for sky pirates to fight now; anything
built to last centuries if need be. Those flying Hor-
but those rakken beasts.
rors breached the hull and brought the Dreamer
I need to know where youll be from breakfast
down with all hands. We also lost several men
to dinner each day. If a ship tells us shes going up,
from the Flying Patrol ships f lying escort. We
Ill send a runner and have you airborne in less
plucked nine survivors out of the wreckage. They
than an hour.
all described their attackers as three huge, winged
You escort her out safely, then come back and
Horrors that shot fire from their arms.
in the Skies
go about your business until another ship lifts.
Six days later, the things attacked the Rigula,
Even during the heaviest trading season, we usu-
a wooden galley loaded with goods from several
ally only get three flights a day; with these flying
local merchants. My friend Captain Guidon owned
Horrors marauding, its dropped back to one,
the Rigula and made his living ferrying merchan-
sometimes two.
dise between Travar and Kratas. Most of the
Ships dont leave Travar at night; the dark-
merchants in Travar had cargo on the galley; they
ness makes it too easy for the pirates to trail them
took plenty of losses when the Horrors destroyed it.
and attack after the patrol boats leave. Sometimes,
The Horrors set it afire, and it went up like a pitch-
though, a ship comes in after dark. Most merchants
soaked torch before crashing. The Flying Patrol
try to schedule day landings, but slow winds or
managed to save fourteen of the Rigulas crew,
over-long trading stops can delay them. Thats
swooping over the galley and snatching them off
what happened last night with the Crimson Dawn.
the burning decks. All the survivors described the
I sent up three patrol boats, but the Crimson Dawn
same fire-spitting Horrors.
was already on fire when they got there. One of
Their third target was the Crimson Dawn. You
the patrol ships is still missing; I want you to find
saw what they did to her. The Dawn is the second
it. Take up a ship now to get the feel of it, and then
freighter Juliak Merris has lost. Hes an obsidiman;
look for the missing crewmen. If theyre alive, take
been trading in Travar for years. He has plenty
them to the questors of Garlen in the Sanctum. If
of friends, and a reputation for fair dealing. He
not, bring their bodies back to the city for a decent
deserves better luck. So do we all.
burial.
The newly inducted airmen may ask Drimsby whatever Exploring Travar
questions they wish. If the characters ask Drimsby about Though the characters will have an eventful first day on
the earlier rakken attacks, read them the following: the job, they will also live through several long stretches
of downtime in which they may choose their own course
They hit the Day Dreamer first, an empty ore
of action. The characters will probably want to wander
carrier headed toward Merriss mines in the Thun-
around Travar, searching for any special items that might 89
give them an edge in the inevitable encounter with the Sanctum of Garlen
rakken. If the players choose this sensible course of action, Fifteen women and three men live within this retreat,
they may visit any of the locations listed below. However, healing all in need. In addition to healing, the questors also
the characters have to keep in mind that Drimsby might sell all of the healing aids described in the Goods and Ser-
always call them in, so they will need to leave back a mes- vices chapter on p.450 of the Players Compendium.
sage at their place that points Drimsbys runner towards
them. The Slumbering Traveler
Though the city of Travar is far too large to describe This inn is famous for its good beds, hot baths, and
in detail, the characters can find the following locations safety. The owner, an obsidiman named Greeg Harksot,
within an easy walk of the docks. keeps two well-armed guards on duty at all times. These
guards patrol the grounds to keep out thieves and safe-
The Picky Palate guard the patrons. The characters may hear any number
The tavern where the adventure began serves meals of legends and rumors in the Traveler.
from noon to midnight and belongs to the human Maxor
Yarl. A consummate gourmet, Yarl prides himself on serv- Mad Marnic Strikes!
ing the finest cuisine in southern Barsaive. A local magician who long ago went insane, Mad
Marnic walks the streets of this corner of Travar babbling
Uglans Arms incoherently to unseen friends and screaming at invisible
Uglan, an aging tskrang swordsman, turned to selling tormentors. Everyone in the district knows Mad Marnic
the huge quantities of weapons and armor he had collected and avoids him like the plague. Maxor Yarl of The Picky
from his defeated foes. This enterprise proved so profitable Palate leaves table scraps behind the tavern for him from
that he eventually opened up shop in Travar. The charac- time to time, but only the waitress Tarlinna knows of this
ters may find in his shop any weapon normally available. kindness.
At some point during the day, have Mad Marnic run
The Broken Cutlass
in the Skies
90
part of Travar from that point onward. Few people speak to crewmen, however. The Air Sailing talent requires only 75
him, and merchants charge him 10 percent above standard percent of the regular crew size to succeed on their Air Sail-
prices for all goods and services. If the character ignores ing Test for the ship to fly just fine, 50 percent are needed
the lunatic, Marnic eventually stops harassing the group for basic maneuvering, and only 25 percent are needed to
and goes merrily on his way. keep it in the air. Further, each sailor can count as more
Should a character ask someone about Marnic, tell him than one crewman if he achieves a result better than Aver-
the following. Note that the passage below is written as if age on his Talent or Skill Test. So for the Skimmer to stay
spoken by a commoner on the street; the gamemaster may afloat, only Lark or Yorlk has to succeed on his Air Sailing
wish to change the accent or wording to fit whomever the Test. Both have to succeed for basic maneuvering, and if
character asks. one of them achieves a Good or better result, they are at
peak efficiency.
Mad Marnic soiled ya, did he? Well, now, theres
Essentially, Lark and Yorlk can operate the Skimmer
a strange one. Some say he were a Elementalist
all by themselves (although they appreciate any help the
what dabbled where he shouldnta. Some even say
characters can render). In game terms, they might have to
hes Horror-marked. If thats true, seems funny
spend Karma on their Air Sailing Tests to make sure they
that the creature never makes him do harm. Just
get home before supper, but they are used to flying with
torments the poor crazed soul, thats all.
non-sailors and will probably not mind. The characters
This incident, though minor, lets the heroes know better look after the two airmen, however, because if one
what a Horror mark is. This piece of information becomes of them gets hurt , chances are that they will have to walk
important in Finding the Sanctuary, later on in the back home on foot (or fall from the sky in the worst case).
adventure, on p.115. If the characters already know about
Horror marks, the gamemaster may skip the meeting with Flying Patrol Boat
Mad Marnic. Though in most Barsaivian cities a Horror- With a length of 6 yards and a width of just over 1 yard,
marked individual would be stoned to death or driven a patrol boat is only a little larger than an airboat. Ship-
T error
out, the people of the dock district know that Marnic is wrights designed the patrol boat specifically for Travars
harmless and therefore attribute his madness to some less Flying Patrol, as a fast scout and to quickly transfer troops
corrupt influence than a Horror. onto a cargo ship under attack. If a cargo ship is attacked by
raiders, Travars patrol boats are manned with troops from
Unfriendly Skies the Flying Patrol and City Watch to join the boarding fight
Eventually, the characters must take to the skies and that has likely already begun. While merchant ship crews
hunt for the missing crewmen. Upon boarding their ship, are no match for crystal raiders, the Flying Patrol are.
the Tree Skimmer, they meet their fellow airmen, Lark and Patrol boats usually dont mount any ship weapons, as
Yorlk. Drimsby has asked these two experienced flyers to they cannot hope to win a battle against a larger vessel that
work with the characters. For Larks and Yorlks statistics, does. Patrol boats on scout missions rarely operate more
in the Skies
see Cast of Characters, p.134. The patrol boats can seat than a day out from Travar, as they have little room to store
up to eight men comfortably; the weight constraints of the equipment or provisions.
magic that keeps it aloft give the craft a maximum carry-
Base Price: NA (or around 25,000)
ing capacity of 10 men.
Speed: 13
Flying the Skimmer Maneuverability: 11
For most characters, this might be the first time they Firepower: None
actually have to crew an airship. Perhaps they have not
Hull:
even been on one before. While flying an airship requires
Armor: 6 Ramming: 12
the Air Sailing talent or skill (which the characters may or
Cargo: 2
may not have learned) the focus of this adventure is not
operating an airship. This means that the gamemaster does Damage:
not have to worry about if they are actually able to propel Derelict: 24 Critical: 8
the ship, as Lark and Yorlk will fill that role. However, if Destroyed: 32
one of the characters has learned the Air Sailing talent or
Crew:
skill, or is an Air Sailor or Sky Raider, the gamemaster
Captain: 1 Crew Size: 4
should give him the opportunity for a little practice.
Crew Skill: 1 Crew Rating: 8
See the description of the Air Sailing talent on p.168
Morale: 35
of the Players Compendium, the statistics for the Tree
Skimmer given below, and the Airships and Riverboats
chapter on p.141 of the Gamemasters Compendium. Search for the Ship
Use the following guidelines to bring your characters into Lark pilots the Tree Skimmer. Once he has flown the
the action. craft a reasonable distance from the city, have the char-
Each airship has a given Crew Size, which is 4 for the acters make Perception Tests to search for the missing
Tree Skimmer or any other patrol boat the characters might ship. To find the downed patrol boat takes a Base Time of
encounter. The Skimmer does not really need exactly four 180 minutes, or three hours. For every result level above 91
in the Skies
poor that a character achieves on a Perception (6) Test , All but one of the crafts six crewmen perished in the
reduce the search time by 10 minutes. For example, if a crash landing. The sole survivor, a tskrang named Slilith,
player achieves a result of 14 on his Perception (6) Test, is unconscious and requires immediate aid. To get Slilith
an Excellent result, reduce the Base Time by 30 minutes or any of the dead crewmembers into the Tree Skimmer,
to 150 minutes just for this players result alone. If the the rescuing character must make a successful Climbing
gamemaster wishes, he may make Perception (6) Tests for (9) Test. The added difficulty reflects that the climber has
Lark and Yorlk and use the successes generated for those to handle the dead weight Slilith poses. Note that the rules
gamemaster characters to further reduce the search time. for Encumbrance may also apply (see p.48 of the Players
T error
Regardless of how successful the players are, the charac- Compendium). If this test fails, determine the conse-
ters must spend at least 60 minutes searching. quences as for the previous one. The characters might want
After the characters have searched for the appropriate to drag Slilith onto their ship using a rope. This, however, is
amount of time, have the character with the highest Per- a bad idea, as they will have to drag him through the barbs.
ception Test result spot a large kalamis tree at the edge Any character who uses a rope to get into or out of the tree
of a forest just outside Travar. Something large has split takes step 4 damage five times.
it down the middle, and several large limbs lie at its base. Once Slilith heals, either at the hands of a skilled char-
If the Tree Skimmer moves in for a closer look, the adven- acter or of the questors of Garlen in Travar, he can tell the
turers can see the missing patrol boat wedged high in the characters what happened during the attack on the Crim-
trees remaining, twisted branches. At this point, one of the son Dawn (see Sliliths Tale, below).
characters must climb the tree to look for survivors.
Kalamis trees exude a sweet sap used as a syrup on pas- Sliliths Tale
tries and other sweet foods. The tasty sap is a delicacy for The tskrang airman that the heroes may have rescued
many animals, and so the tree developed a natural defense, in Knights of the Skies (p.88) was the only survivor of
growing wicked barbs that stick out along its limbs and the patrol ship lost during the attack on the Crimson Dawn.
branches. Climbing over these thorns is extremely difficult If the player characters ask him about the attack, read them
and painful. The climber must make a Climbing (7) Test. If the following:
the climber does not achieve at least a Poor result on this
The winged monsters came from nowhere,
test, he slips and takes falling damage as determined by
shooting past us on great gouts of flame, banking
the gamemaster. If the climber achieves a Poor result, but
and rolling and diving, shooting fire at us from
not an Average result, he takes Step 4/D6 damage from the
their arms. They set the Dawns sails afire; one of
92 thorns and has to repeat the test.
them roasted my best mate, Valiirye. I can still hear
him screaming One of them swooped close and
I struck it with my sword, but the blow bounced
off. Jarred my hand, hardI almost dropped my
blade. The Horror flew off, and I thought Id scared
it away; then I saw it fly beneath the patrol boat
and bite clear through the hull!
We tried to bring our ship down in a clearing,
but fell straight into the trees. Pietor and Hajim
must have died in the crash. I remember nothing
after we hit the kalamis tree, though it feels like its
branches nearly crushed my skull.
Returning to Travar
Once the characters have reported to Drimsby, the Air
Warden thanks and dismisses them, then calls for
another crew to salvage the remains of the ruined
patrol boat.
Hull Jumping
After the salvage ship departs, Lark
and Yorlk challenge the characters to
their favorite sport, hull jumping.
Though Lark seems calm to the
T error
point of indifference, he is a die-hard
thrill seeker who developed hull
jumping to while away some of the
dull hours aboard airships. In this
dangerous pastime, the hull jumper
secures himself to the middle seat of a
patrol boat with a short length of rope, leaps
off one side, and swings around to the
other, landing back on the deck (hope-
fully). As the jumper pushes himself
in the Skies
off the side, he also pushes the boat
away behind him, which helps pull
the rope tight during the initial
swing and shoves the craft down and
back into a better position for the land- If a character seems able to keep up with
ing. The shortest length of rope used is 6 Lark, the airman challenges him to a jump-
yards. The longer the rope, the harder it is ing duel. Each participant starts with 6 yards
to complete the swing and land safely back in the of rope and makes a jump. For every suc-
patrol boat. Lark brags to the characters that his cur- cessful jump, each jumper adds +1 yard of
rent record stands at 12 yards. rope to his line and jumps again. If one par-
In game terms, anyone courageous (or foolish) enough ticipant misses a jump, he must keep trying at his
to try this stunt must make a Dexterity Test against a Dif- current length of rope until he succeeds. The duel contin-
ficulty Number equal to the length of the rope in yards. ues for ten jumps, or until one of the two exceeds Larks
Hull jumping is extremely difficult, but an agile character record (12 yards). In the case of a tie, Lark concedes vic-
can probably make one out of every five jumps. An Aver- tory to the character; Yorlk is happy to part with his money
age or Good result lets the leaper grab onto the side of the if this happens. The winner receives whatever Yorlk has
boat and drag himself in. An Excellent result throws him bet (up to 50 silver pieces), as well as an additional Legend
haphazardly into the ship, and an Extraordinary result Point Award to reflect the characters newly gained repu-
places the jumper on his feet in the patrol boat. A Poor tation as a daredevil.
result does Step 4/D6 damage to the character, who must
be hauled back into the boat. No armor protects against Escort Duty
this damage. During the course of the day, two more ships leave
Lark jumps not for money or to prove anything, but Travar, one belonging to the Merris merchant house and
simply because he likes the thrill of hurling himself out of the other to an independent hauler. Drimsby calls in all of
the patrol boat. Yorlk, on the other hand, enjoys the gam- his patrols to escort them. The first ship leaves in late after-
bling, and bets up to 5 silver pieces per jump on Lark. noon, the second at dinner time. 93
Though nothing happens during these two flights, the create some enmity between Lark and his challenger. If
gamemaster should ask the players where their charac- Lark wins, have him promise to buy the participating char-
ters are sitting in the patrol boat and where their ship flies acter a drink or two from the jackpot. If the character beats
in relation to the others. These details will be necessary the pants off Lark, the airman is happy to find a kindred
during the next encounter, Obsidian Flyer (see below), spirit rather than insulted at being bested. Who knows; the
when the rakken finally attack. two might spend all night downing drinks and thinking up
new and more dangerous endeavors.
Back to Earth The gamemaster should try to forge a relationship
At days end, Lark and Yorlk may decide to take their between these two gamemaster characters and the heroes.
new compatriots out carousing. Likable and loyal, these The rest of the adventure stands to be much less mercenary
two make ideal companions for the player characters. The and more fun to play if the heroes care about their mission
gamemaster should encourage a friendly relationship for for reasons other than pay.
O
several reasons. First, adding familiar and trustworthy
gamemaster characters enriches the flavor of Travar and
makes it seem more real to the players. Second, because
Lark and Yorlk are loyal to the Flying Patrol, their friend- bsidian Flyer
ship may well encourage the player characters to feel the In this encounter, the heroes fight their first battle
same way. with the rakken, the terrible creatures that the Horror
When the rakken strike later in the night, the adventur- Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis has summoned to terrorize Travars
ers are more likely to act heroically than they might if they shipping lanes. As the battle rages, the characters realize
saw the Flying Patrol as just another job. that defeating these creatures requires more strength than
they possess. The fight becomes both a temporary setback
Rumors and a foreshadowing of trials to come.
The characters may hear rumors about Mad Marnic
in the Skies
T error
What the characters take for a star is actually the flame
Most of the Obsidian Flyers crew are humans, though that shoots from the circular arms of the rakken. Though
several elves, orks, and tskrang also serve aboard her. the creatures primarily use their wings to propel them-
Many of the elves carry crossbows, which they finger ner- selves, their powerful f lame jets can boost their speed
vously as the escort approaches. Once convinced that the enormously and help them make impossibly quick, tight
airmen are indeed Travars Flying Patrol, the Flyer crew- turns. The three rakken approaching the Flyer use these
men resume their tense watch over the night skies. Those flame jets to make their initial attack run.
crew members with heat sight stand ready to act as point
defense, should the rakken attack the ship. Fighting the Rakken
The Flyers deck is lit by several light quartz crystals The gamemaster must tell the players when the rakken
in the Skies
mounted around the airships perimeter. Though an air- arrive and combat begins. During the first combat round,
ships cargo is almost always stored below decks, several two of the rakken streak toward the mainsails of the Obsid-
crates secured with thick ropes sit on the deck of the Flyer. ian Flyer and set them aflame. Several of the elves fire their
The ships trademaster has come home with a surplus of crossbows at the creatures, to no effect. The third rakken
goods, hoping to compensate his bosses, crewmen, and swoops down to attack the player characters in the Tree
himself for the expensive losses of the other Merris-owned Skimmer. The speed and suddenness of its attack gives this
airships downed by the rakken. rakken Initiative during this first combat round. In subse-
As the Obsidian Flyer and its escort pass over the citys quent rounds, play proceeds normally.
outskirts, read the following aloud: Even though the battle in this encounter does not really
involve ship-to-ship combat, many of the rules for such
As you return to safe harbor in Travar along-
battles apply. With four airships in close flight formation,
side the Obsidian Flyer, you stifle a bored yawn. No
the gamemaster will need to maneuver them when fight-
Horrors, no attack, just another uneventful patrol.
ing the rakken. For ship combat rules, see the Airships
Your sword was meant to sing a heros ballad, not
and Riverboats chapter on p.148 of the Gamemas-
rest unblooded in its sheath. A few more trips like
ters Compendium. Note that in this encounter it is most
this and youll be off seeking fame elsewhere.
important to know where the characters are within the
You shift your weight, searching in vain for a
patrol boat and the boats position in relation to the Obsid-
comfortable seat on the patrol boats hard, wooden
ian Flyer. To make keeping track of these variables easier,
benches, and lean back against its wooden side. A
photocopy and cut out the maps of the patrol boat and the
spark of reddish-orange light appears low in the
Cloud Runner galley on p.126. Use the Cloud Runner to
southwestern sky, just off the ships bow. A star, no
represent the Obsidian Flyer. Place figures on the scale
doubt. Lazily, you watch it move, trying to remem-
drawings or pencil in everyones position, so that all play-
ber which stars hang that low in Travars skies at
ers can see exactly where everyone is and what actions each
this time of night. But surely stars dont move?
of their characters can feasibly perform.
You swallow hard, your mouth suddenly dry as
The rakken attacking the patrol boat tends to posi-
you realize that the light is no star!
tion itself off the bow where it can use its flame and bite 95
attacks on several opponents at once. The physical distance Legend Points (3): 1,590
between the creature and the characters makes it more dif-
Equipment: None
ficult to hit the rakken with melee weapons, as the attacker
has to lean out of the patrol boat. It also leaves the attacker Loot: None
more exposed. To reflect this, the attacker is considered
Harried (see the Combat chapter on p.408 of the Play- Commentary
ers Compendium). This particularly bizarre Horror construct has a round
The patrol boats pilot must make a successful Air Sail- head with no visible mouth and a long body that tapers into
ing (5) Test each combat round to keep the boat steady an open tube, from which the rakken emits a constant jet of
enough for other characters to attack the rakken. After 4 fire. Huge, leathery wings adorn its back, and its two arms
rounds, the creature flies beneath the ship and attempts to each end in a charred ring of flesh from which the creature
set it afire from below. To execute this maneuver, the crea- shoots powerful flame jets. These jets are used to both
ture makes a Dexterity (11) Test. If the test succeeds, the attack and maneuver in flight. It can rotate its arms in a full
patrol boat pilot can only prevent the attack by making a circle at any of the arms major joints. This flexibility allows
Maneuverability Test with a result higher than the crea- the rakken to fly circles around bewildered opponents.
tures Dexterity Test result. Alternatively, anyone daring Its mouth, visible only when open, contains rows of
enough to perform a successful hull jump may make a razor-sharp teeth. Because the mouth is hidden when
Melee Attack Test, but requires a successful Called Shot closed, the rakkens skull appears to split in half whenever
to hit (see the Combat chapter on p.404 of the Players the creature opens its vicious maw.
Compendium).
If this bold maneuver hits the creature, the rakken Rules
becomes unnerved and f lies away to join its mates in The rakkens favorite close-quarters tactic is to bathe its
torching the Obsidian Flyer. Of course, a jumper who prey in flame, incapacitating its opponent in order to follow
fails will be left dangling from a rope at the vicious crea- the flame attack with its ferocious bite. Because rakken are
in the Skies
tures mercy. If the characters fail to either drive off the Horror constructs, talents and spells intended to achieve
rakken or maneuver the patrol boat away from it, the patrol animal control or dominance are useless against them.
boat catches fire after three successful attacks the rakken
Flame Jet: A character struck by one of the rakkens flame
leads in this manner. If this happens, the ship begins to
jets takes Step 8/2D6 damage from the initial burst, then
sink after another 3 combat rounds and crashes 6 combat
Step 4/D6 fire damage for four more rounds, or until the
rounds after that (see Inevitable Defeat, p.97).
fire is extinguished. Physical armor protects against this
A character may want to leap from the patrol boat to
damage. While the character is on fire, he is considered
the Flyer to battle the two rakken besieging the merchant-
Harried for all actions (see the Combat chapter on p.408
man. The two rakken attacking the Flyer spend 2 combat
of the Players Compendium).
rounds setting the ships masts and sails on fire, then
attack the steersman and the ships wheel in the third and
fourth combat round. When the rakken move toward the
deck of the ship, they fly within melee combat range, so
a character aboard can save the wheel and steersman by
T error
R akken (3)
DEX: 10 STR: 13 TOU: 10
PER: 7 WIL: 8 CHA: 5
T error
crashes with a tremendous impact. All persons aboard ters, while still convincing them that these creatures are a
her take Step 23/D20+2D10 damage, including any player bit beyond their ability to defeat. In order to keep all of the
characters who leapt onto the Flyer to battle the rakken. player characters alive, the gamemaster should feel free to
No armor protects against this damage. fudge any damage from the crashing Flyer and patrol boat
Rather than making individual Damage Tests for all of that affects them. The Sanctum of Garlen can provide free
the Flyers crew, assume that the crash kills or critically healing for the player characters, should they suffer more
injures half of them and leaves the rest with minor inju- than minor damage from this encounter.
B
ries. It will take at least two months to repair the damage
to the ship. If the steersmans Air Sailing Test succeeds, a
few crewmen are gravely wounded but most escape with
aiting the Trap
in the Skies
bumps and bruises. Once the rakken have grounded the
Flyer, they fly off, not attacking again for another three Though no one knows it, the Horror who set this
nights. saga in motion is in Travar, posing as a traveler. From his
If the patrol boat has caught fire, its pilot must make room in a low-rent inn in one of Travars run-down dis-
a successful Air Sailing (8) Test to avoid crashing into tricts, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis watches each of the rakken
trees, rocks, buildings, and so on. If the test succeeds, the attacks, hoping to find a band of adventurers capable of
patrol boat lands roughly, but no one aboard is hurt. If the surviving the trek to the windling kaer on Talon Peak.
test fails, all those aboard the ship take Step 17/D20+D10 After seeing the heroes battle with the rakken to save
damage from the impact. No armor protects against this the Obsidian Flyer, the Horror believes he has found
damage. the necessary dupes and sets the next part of his plan in
The best result that the heroes can hope for is to keep motion. He sends Air Warden Drimsby a letter telling him
the rakken away from the Flyers crew and the wheel. The about the Tome of Banishment hidden in the windling kaer.
ship crashes no matter what, but the steersman has a good The text of this letter appears within this encounter, as well
chance to land it without significant loss of life if he sur- as in the Player Handouts chapter on p.353.
vives long enough.
gather all the information he can about oversight sealing the book up along with our departed
the f lying Horrors. If his newly hired friend. I thought little more of poor Skeethen and his book
airmen get killed, he can pass on whatever until I heard of your recent troubles.
they have learned to their replacements. I believe that this grimoire might aid you immensely,
Needless to say, he does not express this but alas, my bones are far too old to brave the hazards of
pessimistic view to the characters. travel so high and far into the mountains. If a band of true-
Drimsby also wants to tell the charac- hearted persons were to venture there in my stead, I believe
ters about the letter he received just a short they could recover the Tome with little difficulty.
while ago, from an out-of-town gentleman I have enclosed a map of the laboratorys location within
Named Rasper Nor. The letter refers to the kaer, drawn to the best of my ability. Please excuse this
the Tome of Banishment, noting that the tired old mind if the map is less than perfectly accurate; it
magical knowledge within it might serve has been many a long year since I left my former home, and
to dispel the creatures attacking airships my memory does not always serve me as I might wish.
near Travar.
I wish you well, friends.
T error
Radlin Joins Up
Radlin, the elf who survived the wreck of the Crimson
T error
Dawn, also wants to go on the journey. If the heroes refuse
Adventure Hook him, Drimsby orders them to take Radlin, figuring they can
With the loss of three airships, Juliak use all the help they can get. If the characters are working
Merris is in real trouble. His mines still for bounty and therefore not subject to Drimsbys orders,
have a good output of ore, and he has have Radlin stow away on the Cloud Runner. Point out to
plenty of other trading contracts that one of the characters that though Radlin is an experienced
need to be fulfilled, but not enough airman, he has fought very little and may need watching.
transport capacity. Building an airship
takes months, so he has to get back to Rumors
old-fashioned carts and wagons. If the characters ask, they may hear the follow-
in the Skies
While he has some spare carts and ing rumors about Juliak Merris and Rasper Nor. The
has ordered more to be build over the gamemaster must determine which of the rumors are true
next few weeks, he wasnt able to get hold and which false. The gamemaster may adapt the tone and
of enough draft animals. Merris hires the wording of each rumor, depending on which of the various
characters to get those for him by travel- townsfolk the heroes ask.
ling the area around the city and offering
everyone who has an animal to spare to Juliak Merris
sell it to Merris in Travar, because the Quite the wealthy obsidiman, Juliak Merris.
obsidiman is buying at high prices. In Hes spent close to ten years building up his mer-
addition, the characters get orders to chant house in Travar. Hes a fair dealer, but
seek out an ork tribe known to roam the cannydont try to take advantage of him.
plains southeast of Travar, to negotiate
I remember when the Merris merchant house
if they are willing to lend the animals to
was a caravan of mule carts. Juliak Merris drove
Merris and run a part of Merris cara-
em into town one day, loaded with ore from the
van business.
Thunder Mountains where he comes from. That ore
The orks, however, demand another
bought him an airship within two years. Within
service in return. They are peaceful
two more, he had a three-ship f leet. Be quite a
nomads, but frequently mistaken for
shame to see him lose it all now.
bandits due to a small band of scorchers
threatening the villages in the area. So Rasper Nor
far, the orks havent been able to track
Rasper Nor? Never heard of any by that name.
down the scorchers themselves, but the
Nethermancer, eh? They do say that plenty of them
characters might
dwell in the high peaks of the Thunder Mountains.
He may be one of them.
99
Troubleshooting son-and-purple sky that heralds the rising sun.
Two things can go wrong in this encounter: the charac- The galley soars higher and higher, until Yorlk
ters may find a way to defeat the rakken, or they may refuse the steersman tells Drimsby that the Runner has
to search for the Tome of Banishment. If the former occurs, reached the sailing lane. With the dangerous ascent
allow the characters to plot and scheme as much as they over, half the crew stands down. Their workand
like, taking several days if necessary. The rakken should yourswill begin again in eight hours, when you
be intelligent and powerful enough to escape most traps. relieve those who have worked all day on watch or
If the group comes up with a really good plan, however, manning the sails.
the gamemaster may have to put in extra effort to ensure For now, you lean your elbows on the side of
that it fails. If this happens, give the heroes some reward the galley and marvel at the beautiful spectacle
for their efforts. Let them catch or kill one of the rakken, of Barsaive stretching its skin beneath the caress-
have Drimsby give them a bonus, or both. The gamemaster ing rays of the morning sun. Far to the west, you
might even consider giving the characters an additional spy the crisscrossing canyons of the Badlands and
Legend Point award each at the end of the adventure by way the River of Bones. To the north, hot steam rises
of compensation for shooting down their bright idea. from the green canopy of the Servos Jungle. To the
If the characters defeat the rakken by some impossi- east lies your destination, the towering, white-and-
ble method, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis simply summons more. purple peaks of the Thunder Mountains that seem
The group may be able to battle the things to a standstill, to point jagged fingers into the lightening sky.
but at least a few crewmen will die during each fight. The
heroes should eventually seek out the Tome of Banishment,
if only to put an end to the fighting once and for all. Behind the Scenes
If the characters reject Drimsbys reward for finding the The Cloud Runner is a beautiful ship, built of sturdy
Tome of Banishment, the air warden may order them on wood from the Servos Jungle. Its crew includes Lark, Yorlk,
the quest as part of their job. If the characters still refuse or Drimsby, twenty members of the City Watch, the player
in the Skies
if they have not joined the Flying Patrol, Drimsby uses his characters, Radlin, Tarlinna, the crafts regular crew com-
position as Air Warden to convince Travars magistrates to plement plus additional members of the Flying Patrol, and
order the characters out of the city. The threat of banish- any of Merriss employees he sent along if the characters
ment should be a terrific incentive to change the characters were successful in securing his assistance. The cut-down
minds. If the characters refuse the quest for the Tome and Flying Patrol cannot hope to adequately fend off rakken
leave Travar, the adventure is over. Award the characters attacks for much more than a few days, so the characters
any Legend Points they have earned thus far for defeat- and the rest of the Flying Patrol must accomplish their mis-
ing creatures, but give them no Session or Adventure Goal sion and return to Travar swiftly.
awards because they have failed to achieve the goals of the The Tree Skimmer is lashed to the Cloud Runners port
story. Make sure that the characters hear later of a swarm side like a huge lifeboat. Because the galley is too large and
of Horrors and their constructs descending upon Travar cumbersome to maneuver in the treacherous wind currents
and slaying many of its residents. The characters decision that blow around the highest peaks of the mountains, the
to cut and run from this adventure could lead to further characters must approach Talon Peak in the smaller and
adventures in Travar, in which the characters must fight more maneuverable patrol boat.
T error
off the Horrors that now infest the city. The journey to the mountains lasts two days, after
Though the above measures may seem a bit drastic, which the crew must look for the windlings kaer. Yorlk
they should reinforce the idea that Barsaive is in dire need knows the area around Talon Peak, but has never been to
of heroes and that the characters must fill those shoes. the mountain itself. Each day after the second, have Yorlk
J
or other spotters make a Perception (12) Test. When one
of these characters makes a successful test, the group has
T error
train Tarlinna, a character must make two successful Cha- looking for fellow daredevils, not fools, and has no interest
risma Tests against Tarlinnas Social Defense of 8. One in making money on wagers.
player may make these tests once each day, and the player
should also roleplay the comfort and support his charac- Knife-Throwing Competition
ter gives Tarlinna. Though only one person may make the Many airmen enjoy a little competitive knife-throwing,
actual tests, other characters may give Tarlinna words of and the crew of the Cloud Runner is no exception. Attached
encouragement to help the primary character achieve suc- to the bottom of the galleys mainmast is a circular board
cess in that days Charisma Tests. Each such act of support covered with concentric red and white circles. At least one
per day adds a +1 bonus to each test, to a maximum modi- sailor, most often Yorlk, can almost always be found throw-
fier of +3. ing daggers at the target board. If the characters challenge
in the Skies
Rather than telling the players about the above game someone to a match, use the following guidelines to play
mechanics or the possible rewards for helping Tarlinna, the encounter.
the gamemaster should roleplay Tarlinnas hatred of the Two participants play at a time. Each player takes a
rakken and desire for revenge. Hopefully, this display will turn at making a Throwing Weapons (6) Test. An Aver-
prompt one of the player characters to try to help Tarlinna age result hits the board and scores 1 point; a Good result
channel her anger into a constructive path. scores 2 points; an Excellent or Extraordinary result hits
the bulls eye and scores 4 points. On a Poor result, the
Training Radlin target is missed or the blade fails to bite into the board. If
Like Tarlinna, Radlin is awash in hatred, desire for ven- any character rolls a Pathetic result, his blade misses and
geance, and survivor guilt. He feels somehow responsible soars off the ship. After 10 throws apiece, the two players
for the wreck of the Crimson Dawn, and that he should compare scores. The highest score wins the bet. The usual
have done more to save his friends. In fact, he could have bet is 1 silver piece for every point by which the winner
accomplished nothing, but guilt knows no logic. To regain wins. Few of the crewmen, other than Yorlk, are wealthy
his lost faith in himself, Radlin needs to successfully per- enough to raise the stakes higher.
form some act of courage. A brave elf by nature, Radlin will Characters who do not know the Throwing Weapons
have little trouble acting heroic. Succeeding at it is another talent or skill use the rules for Default Skill Use in the
matter entirely. Neither an adept nor a magicianthough Skills chapter on p.230 of the Players Compendium.
showing the potential to be bothand possessing no magi- The gamemaster should adjust the scoring for the result
cal abilities, Radlin is just an ordinary elf trying to survive level shift.
in a world of heroes. His courage will help him become Crewmen who might play this game with the char-
a legend in time, but that day is many years of training acters include Lark, Yorlk, Slilith (the tskrang rescued
away. A crushing defeat for Radlin at this point could rob from the kalamis tree in Knights of the Skies, p.91), a
Barsaive of a potential hero. human Named Debhor, and a troll Named Gutt. Slilith has
If one of the characters spends time with Radlin, he a Throwing Weapons step of 8/2D6, Debhor of 9/D8+D6,
should notice that the courageous young elf has a natural and Gutt of 10/D10+D6 (Gutt uses a small hatchet instead
aptitude for the short sword, but lacks training and experi- of a knife). 101
in the Skies
Playing Gonada ships sides, they see a band of ork scorchers swarming over
In this tskrang game of skill, one player thinks of a the small village of Famlin like ants over a sugar bowl.
proper noun, such as Barsaive, the Cloud Runner, Kratas, Though Drimsby refuses to risk the valuable galley by
and so on. All other players ask the first player questions going in low, he allows the crew to take the patrol boat and
until someone guesses the noun. Each contestant may only try to scare the raiders off. Up to 10 crew members can
guess once, however. If he guesses wrong, he is out of the fit in the vessel. If the characters suggest this course of
game. The winner (or the last player still in) gets to think action, they are joined by Lark, Yorlk, Slilith, Tobry, and
of the next word. Slilith loves to play this game, and uses Tarlinna or Radlin (or both). If there is not enough room in
T error
words like Serpent River, Mist Swamps, and Air Warden the patrol boat, Yorlk stays on the galley, as he is the steers-
Drimsby. All losers put a silver piece into the pot, and the man. Tarlinna will join the group as she considers them the
player who guessed the most correct answers gets the loot closest thing to friends she has, but will back out if there is
at the end of the game. no room for her. Her main motive is still revenge.
One crewman who plays this game is a large, slow- Landing the patrol boat poses enough difficulties to
witted human Named Tobry. He asks ridiculous questions keep the characters from immediately engaging the ork
and keeps guessing answers, which should put him out of scorchers in combat. If the characters choose to land and
the game. No one says anything, however; all the other fight, use the statistics provided below for the orks and
crewmen treat Tobry with gentle indulgence. Play this their mounts. If the heroes drive the scorchers off, the vil-
gamemaster character for humor, but keep in mind that if lage constable rewards them with 25 silver pieces each.
any player character acts cruel to Tobry, the others quickly Once the characters defeat or drive off the ork scorch-
turn a cold shoulder to the offender. Tobry has been with ers, they may then return to the Cloud Runner. Drimsby
the Flying Patrol for years and has proven his worth on orders the Cloud Runner to circle around the area while
many occasions. Though mentally slow, he has often risked the characters engage the orks. If the characters choose
life and limb to save passengers from burning airships and to land the patrol boat and face the ork scorchers, remind
has pulled more than a few airmen to safety from their them to keep the ship safe from damage. They will need the
shattered patrol boats. patrol boat to approach the windling kaer on Talon Peak in
the following encounter, Talon Kaer, p.104.
Raiders Below!
As the ship nears the foothills of the Thunder Moun-
tains, a watchman in the crows nest cries out, Raiders
102 below! As the crewmen and the characters peer over the
Ork Scorchers (10) Trick Riding (2): 8/2D6
Attributes Unarmed Combat (2): 8/2D6
T error
Animal Bond (4): 8/2D6
Animal Handling (4): 10/D10+D6 Notes
Animal Training (1): 5/D8 The scorchers possess the ork racial abilities of Low-
Charge (2): 8/2D6 Light Vision and Gahad.
Fence (2): 6/D10
Melee Weapons (2): 8/2D6 Commentary
Speak Language (2): 7/D12 These ork scorchers, mounted on thundra beasts, are
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet currently terrorizing the town of Famlin. See p.348 of the
Sure Mount (2): 8/2D6 Gamemasters Compendium for more information and
in the Skies
Tactics (2): 7/D12 special rules on thundra beasts.
Throwing Weapons (2): 8/2D6
103
the Runner just below the milky clouds. Had Yorlk
turned as he was told, the ridge would have gutted
the Cloud Runner and sent all of you plunging to
your deaths upon the mountains teeth.
Just when your frantically beating hearts can
stand no more, the ship reaches Talon Peak. Yorlk
sails around the rocky slope, looking for an eddy
on the mountains far side. He guides the Runner
into a relatively safe harbor. As the sails go slack,
you swiftly help the crew secure the Runner to the
mountain with spiked mooring lines.
tops jut out of the snow and fog like lonely islands lost. If the group wants to have the patrol boat drop them
in a sea of cloud. Before you looms Talon Peak, at off and then return to the galley, they must come up with
the end of a long maze of jagged spines that stab a way to signal for its return once they have retrieved the
upward through the low cloud banks. The winds Tome of Banishment. A flying character or the use of magic
are strong enough to shake the mainmast, and a can accomplish this easily.
few extra-powerful gusts threaten to snap it like
a toothpick. Yorlk and Drimsby dare not take the
Cloud Runner any higher into the howling storm. Troubleshooting
Even from the lower level at which the galley The greatest potential for trouble lies in the nature of
hovers, the terrible gales toss the ship back and this encounter. Hack-and-slash players will have enormous
forth like a cork in a whirlpool. You hope desper- difficulty talking Tarlinna or Radlin out of angst or social-
ately that the cloud sea you are passing through izing with the other crewmen. They may regard this entire
doesnt disguise a jagged, mountain shoal ready encounter as a waste of time. If your players react this way,
to tear the guts out of your vessel. let their characters play some drunken games of knife-
T error
The deck lurches to leeward under your feet throwing or hull jumping and subtly work in the subplots
as a cursing Yorlk throws the wheel against the involving Tarlinna and/or Radlin. Try to play out each of
wind. You feel the ship shudder; a horrible grind- the mini-encounters described, but do not force them down
ing sound, rock against wood, screams through the the players throats if they are obviously uninterested.
decks. Drimsby shouts for the crew to get below This encounter is written to work well both as emo-
and seal the breach. Within minutes the winds tional drama and as action-adventure. Try both styles of
howl is broken by furious hammering and shout- play and see what happens. If the game starts to slow down,
ing from below decks. Slowly, the Cloud Runner run the incident with the ork scorchers. This fight will be
plows onward. the last easy battle the group engages in for quite some
Two crags suddenly jut from the clouds ahead. time. It is important to ensure that all of the player charac-
The spotter at the prow screams for Yorlk to pull ters survive to reach Talon Kaer, so the gamemaster should
hard left. The ork does not turn, but glares straight feel free to ignore any lucky dice rolls achieved by the ork
ahead and grips the wheel, throwing the galley scorchers against the characters.
T
toward the looming slopes. Despite the frigid air,
sweat runs down your forehead; you can feel it
freezing on your cheeks. Has Yorlk gone mad?
The galley plunges straight ahead, the spotter alon Kaer
screaming all the while. Against all odds, the Cloud Having reached the windling kaer, the heroes must
Runner sails straight and true between the twin make their way through the vast dwelling in search of
crags. The spotter turns as white as the driving the long-dead windling named Skeethen and the Tome of
snow as he spies another ridge, lying to the left of Banishment.
104
Setting the Stage Once the ship has landed, one of the characters must
When the characters ship approaches Talon Peak, read jump out and try to open the kaer doors. Read the follow-
the following aloud: ing to him:
As your patrol boat nears the peak, you real- You leap over the side of the boat and sink
ize why folk call it the Talon. The summit of the knee-deep in snow. Feeling the sudden, chill wet-
mountain stabs toward you like the sharp claw of ness in your feet and legs, you curse yourself for
an eagle, as if it might spear your craft like a fish. not wearing warmer clothes. You stagger blindly
Peering through the blinding snow, you can to the doors, plowing through snow so heavy that
just make out the entrance to the kaer half-buried the effort of moving through it makes your legs
in a drift. It looks like the doors to a root cellar, shake. Gasping, you finally reach the entrance
two large squares embedded in the mountain face. to the kaer. With some surprise, you see that the
Near the doors you see an overhanging rock that doors are broken, splintered down the middle by
provides a small, natural shelter in which to land giant claws. According to Rasper Nors letter, his
the patrol boat. people survived the Scourge unharmed. Knowing
T error
in the Skies
105
that, these shattered doors mystify you. A Horror Peering over the edge, you can see a wooden plat-
must have done this after the Scourges end; uneas- form dangling from a sturdy rope. One end of the
ily, you wonder if it still lurks somewhere in these rope is tied to an iron ring in the ceiling. The other
inhospitable heights. passes around a spool-shaped hand crank in the
platforms center, then through a hole in the cranks
middle, disappearing into the inky blackness. The
Themes and Images lift seems to be the only way down into the kaers
Exploring the kaer should fill the adventurers with shadowy depths.
awe. Almost everything they see in this windling domain
This 3-yard-square platform consists of wooden planks
is designed for beings capable of flight. Most doorways,
laid across a metal frame, supported by a wooden cage and
for example, are in ceilings and floors rather than in walls.
connected to diagonal, iron supports and a strong rope.
As individuals to whom walking is the natural mode of
The lift enabled the kaers windling residents to move
movement, the characters should feel clumsy, huge, and
goods and supplies into the kaer from above.
earthbound. The few elements of the kaers design con-
Designed to transport large amounts of cargo, the lift
venient for walkers appear to have been built to ease the
can carry up to six characters, two of whom can be the size
carrying of heavy loads, or for aged windlings whose wings
and weight of trolls. Roughly six inches of wood around any
could no longer support them for long distances.
of the platforms edges is rotten and crumbling, and may
Along with the awe comes dread and confusion. Rasper
break under the feet of any character unlucky enough to
Nors letter stated that the kaer survived the Scourge intact,
step there. The cage that supports the platform, however,
but the hundreds of tiny corpses, shattered buildings, and
is in excellent condition. Forming a boxed X beneath the
ominous piles of bones tell a different story. Describe the
boards, it keeps the platform stable and secure. The rope
signs of violence to the characters, and let them solve the
that holds the lift is magically enhanced with a Strength
apparent mystery.
value of 48, enabling it to hold close to 5,000 pounds with-
out breaking. Iron spikes attach the rope to the ceiling
in the Skies
Behind the Scenes where it passes through the ring, and from there the rope
runs downward to wrap around the crank before passing
Unless a character makes a successful Endure Cold
through the cranks middle and down the long shaft. The
(9) Test, the blowing snow and ice on the peak causes
lifts operator can turn the crank (with some difficulty)
him a 1 penalty to his Action Tests. Battling the extreme
even when the lift contains its maximum load. The plat-
weather conditions, the pilot of the patrol boat must make
form ascends and descends at a rate of up to 2 yards per
a successful Air Sailing (10) Test to dock the craft without
round. It is 200 yards to the bottom of the kaer.
damaging it. On a Poor result, the vessel takes Step 6/D10
If the characters want to test the rope, the lift platform,
damage, but the pilot still manages to land the ship in the
and the anchoring spikes, each of these actions requires a
shelter near the kaer doors. On a Pathetic result, the wind
separate Perception (8) Test. All three items are still rea-
forces the craft back and the pilot must try again; the ship
sonably sturdy and secure, except for the dry rot at the
still takes Step 6/D10 damage. No armor protects against
edges of the platform. Because the crank was built by and
this damage.
for windlings, non-windling characters, including dwarfs,
Entering the Kaer must kneel in order to turn it. This awkward position makes
T error
T error
the price of success, each of the three characters misses his
dust-dry soil. As the lift lowers you closer to the
next action. Also, a character who rolls a Pathetic result on
ruins, you spy countless tiny, windling skeletons
a Knockdown Test will be knocked off the platform unless
splayed over the ravaged landscape.
other characters leap to his aid, as above.
Play this battle like violent sport, with the blood bees The three residential caverns (see the map on p.105)
attacking and/or characters slipping just as the heroes contain the buildings that housed the kaers residents
think they have beaten the dreadful creatures off. The during the Scourge. If the characters want to explore these
blood bees follow the lift up to 6 yards from their nest in ruins, let them, but remind them that Drimsby can only
either direction (up or down). keep the Cloud Runner safe for so long. As they explore,
the characters may find treasure, but may also encounter
in the Skies
Blood Bees (1 or 2 per character) some of the macabre creatures that still lurk nearby. Go to
DEX: 7 STR: 2 TOU: 5 Searching the Ruins, p.108 .
PER: 5 WIL: 4 CHA 2 Windling buildings look like tall towers, rounded at
the top, with an arched opening anywhere from 3 to 10
Initiative: 7 Physical Defense: 9
yards above the ground. Made from clay that has hardened
Number of Actions: 1 Spell Defense: 6
into a thin, ceramic wall, many of the towers are decorated
Attack (2): 9 Social Defense: 6
with carvings of windlings or such reminders of the outside
Damage: Physical Armor: 2
world as the sun, the moon, and clouds. Each tower is 20
Stinger (6): 8 (see text) Mystic Armor: 0
yards in diameter and consists of several levels. The top-
Death Rating: 31 Recovery Tests: 2 most is almost always a den or receiving room, complete
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 2 with once-plush cushions and even a potted plant or two.
Unconsciousness Rating: 22 The next level houses the kitchen and dining room, and the
rest of the levels contain private quarters. Circular holes in
Combat Movement: 18/46
the floors and ceilings provide access between levels. Each
Full Movement: 36/92
level is 3 yards high, giving the windlings ample room to
The second value is the creatures flying Movement rate.
fly around.
Powers: Blood Veins (3): 5
Because the entrances are so high off the ground, enter-
Legend Points: 95 ing a windling tower is difficult for races without wings. To
climb the smooth walls, a character must achieve a Good
Equipment: None
result on a Climbing (9) Test (see p.106 of the Players
Loot: None Compendium); the constant drainage from the cavern
ceiling makes this more difficult, reflected by the higher
Commentary result level needed. If a character elects to bash through
Blood bees resemble 2-foot-long wasps with an accor- the thin, ceramic walls, he creates a 1-foot-square hole in
dion-like sac flapping from the thorax. When attacking, the the appropriate side of the building for every 3 Damage
bee flies backward, strikes its prey with the sticky sac, then Points inf licted. If the character does more than 30 107
Damage Points, the whole structure collapses, causing Step Searching the Ruins
15/D20+D6 damage to anyone inside. No armor protects During every 30-minute period that a character or
against this damage. characters spends searching the residences, have the char-
Needless to say, windling-sized doorways are too acter with the highest Perception value make a Perception
small for larger creatures to get through easily, if at all. (9) Test. Characters able to perceive astrally add a +2 bonus
Any character larger than a dwarf takes 2 rounds to pull to their Perception Tests. If the test succeeds, the charac-
himself through such an opening, during which time he ters find an item or treasure or encounter a creature.
is considered Knocked Down (see p.409 of the Players While searching the ruins, the characters may experi-
Compendium). Trolls and obsidimen may only enter after ence any or all of the ten mini-encounters described below.
breaking away part of the wall, and even then such char- Encounters with blood bees can occur multiple times.
acters take 3 rounds to crawl through the gap. Characters Those with other creatures or those in which the charac-
can travel between levels by dropping through a doorway ters find treasure may occur only once.
or hole to the rooms below or by climbing toward the top. If the group splits up during the search, the charac-
Climbing between levels requires a successful Climbing (9) ter with the highest Perception in each of the sub-groups
Test (the buildings are drier on the inside). makes the Perception (9) Test referred to above. Though
more than one group may encounter similar creatures, only
(4) Rotting Derrick one may find each treasure.
At the bottom of the lift shaft lies a reservoir that once
housed the windlings central water supply. The windlings More Blood Bees
built a derrick over this reservoir, including steps in the More blood bees swoop down from their nests in the
design so that they could transport the heavy buckets of glow-moss and attack the characters. Use the statistics for
water without having to fly. Over the centuries, the con- blood bees given on p.107 or in the Creatures chapter on
stant drip of snow-melt down the walls has slowly rotted p.281 of the Gamemasters Compendium.
the wooden derrick.
Windling Skeletons
in the Skies
T error
towers you spy a beautiful statue of a Passion, per-
pieces.
haps Astendar. A score of tiny skeletons lie at the
The Bone-shambler statues feet, as if slain in some brave last stand.
Among their broken bodies lies the hard, shiny,
Read the following aloud:
black corpse of a giant insect.
As you step around a group of the towers, you It looks like a mantis, except that its eight long
wonder if the windlings who built this place ever arms end in spiked points rather than gripping
heard of streets. They have placed their towers so claws. Several points are missing, as if broken off.
close together that in many spots you cannot pass Looking more closely, you see the broken points
between them. As you gaze upward at yet another lying between many a windlings skeletal ribs.
in the Skies
tapering tower, it strikes you that windling streets
Though long dead, the mantis provides some clues as
lie high above your lowly, earthbound position.
to what kind of creature destroyed this kaer. The heroes
A terrible noise from behind you snaps you out
should take careful notice of the mantis, because one like
of your musings. Poised to run, you suddenly real-
it lives elsewhere in the ruins.
ize with a sinking heart that you are trapped in a
cul-de-sac. If only you had wings! Black Mantis
Behind the unfortunate character or characters is a Read the following aloud:
bone-shambler, a horrible form of undead Horror construct
Off to your left, you hear a suspicious noise. You
built from the thousands of bones that litter the kaer.
scale a nearby, low hill ringed by broken towers,
This particular bone-shambler has 10 gold and 15 silver
hoping to get a better view of your surroundings.
pieces incorporated into its body.
Centuries-old bones lie scattered across the hill-
Bone-shambler top. The earth below them looks freshly disturbed.
Peering at the soil, you spy a fragment of some-
DEX: 8 STR: 15 TOU: 15
thing pale and mottled that is not bone. Slowly, it
PER: 4 WIL: 7 CHA: 2
dawns on you that you are standing in a nest.
Initiative: 7 Physical Defense: 8 Before you can run, a tremendous crash deaf-
Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 7 ens you. A large, black shape smashes through the
Attack (4): 12 Social Defense: 15 only ceramic wall still standing. Shards of jagged
Damage: Physical Armor: 10 pottery rain down on you as the huge shape
Spikes (2): 17 Mystic Armor: 5 charges straight toward you!
Death Rating: 74 Recovery Tests: 7 The black mantis attacks immediately, believing that
Wound Threshold: 21 Knockdown: 13 the adventurers are after its eggs.
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune Assuming the characters defeat the mantis, they may
find a small niche in the surrounding rock where the giant
Combat Movement: 16 Full Movement: 32 109
insect stored those items that attracted its attention. Within Commentary
the niche lie several windling-sized chest plates, spears and The black mantis is a huge 9-foot-tall insect with a thick,
short swords, most broken in pieces. If the characters dig black carapace that acts as natural armor and eight arms,
in the disturbed earth, they may also find a clutch of ten each ending in a barbed spike. The mantis uses these spikes
eggs, each roughly six inches in diameter. to spear its prey, then carries the prey to its mandibles and
The Horror Tyrannisis created these black mantises devours it. Six legs support the mantiss 18-inch thorax,
and used them as soldiers when it attacked Talon Kaer. helping it climb most rough surfaces.
The horrible creatures climbed the kaers walls using tan- See the Horrors chapter on p.447 of the Gamemas-
gled fronds of glow-moss and other natural handholds, and ters Compendium for more information and special
ravaged the kaer more swiftly than even Tyrannisis had rules on black mantises.
thought possible.
Treasures
Black Mantis Read the following aloud:
DEX: 10 STR: 13 TOU: 10
Chorrolis be praised, youve stumbled across a
PER: 9 WIL: 5 CHA: 5
small fortune! This tower must have belonged to a
Initiative: 10 (14) Physical Defense: 13 thief or a miser. Inside a torn feather mattress lies
Number of Actions: 4 Spell Defense: 12 a small, bulging sack with gemstones and jewels
Attack (4): 14 Social Defense: 15 spilling out of it, including several large emeralds,
Damage: Physical Armor: 8 a ruby, and a gold ring!
Claws (4): 17 Mystic Armor: 2
The five emeralds are worth 40 silver pieces each, the
Death Rating: 51 Recovery Tests: 4 ruby is worth 30 silver pieces, and the ring is worth 100
Wound Threshold: 15 Knockdown: 14 silver pieces.
Unconsciousness Rating: 44
Potion
in the Skies
Loot: Eggs worth 150 silver pieces each (counts as treasure End of the Rope!
worth Legend Points).
As noted earlier (on p.106), the rope is frayed near the
bottom of the shaft. When the lift reaches the frayed sec-
T error
110
The characters have just enough time to realize what is Getting Out
happening before the lift plunges 8 yards through the dark To climb up out of the derrick, a character must make
shaft and smashes into the rotting derrick at the top of the a successful Climbing (8) Test for each level that he
windlings reservoir (see the map on p.105). As they crash ascends. If the test fails, the character slides back to the
through the first level of the derrick, have every character previous level and suffers additional Step 2/D41 damage.
take Step 15/D20+D6 Falling damage. No armor protects On a Pathetic result, the unfortunate climber falls back-
against this damage. In addition, any character holding an ward through the number of levels between his current
object must make a Strength (13) Test. If the test succeeds, height and the level at which the lift stopped. Each level
the character hangs onto whatever he holds. If the test fails, that the character falls through adds another +1 bonus
the object falls into the wreckage below and the character to the damage normally taken for the height from which
must retrieve it. the character falls (see Falling Damage on p.107 of the
Once the lift has hit the derrick, the players choose one Gamemasters Compendium).
of their number to make a test to determine whether or Instead of climbing out, the characters may attempt to
not the lift continues to fall. The player makes a Step 5 repair the lift. Miraculously, its metal frame remains intact.
Action Test to determine the impetus of the plunge, adding The crank is jammed with rotted wood from the derrick,
a +1 bonus to the test for each character aboard the lift. On but the characters can fix it by making a successful Crafts-
a result of 8 or better, the lift smashes through the next man (4) Test using an appropriate craft, determined by the
level and everyone aboard takes Step 5/D8 damage. Phys- gamemaster. If the characters do not have tools available to
ical Armor protects against this damage because most of them, they require a Good or better result. If the characters
it comes from splintering wood and falling timbers rather do not know any suitable crafts, they may make a Dexter-
than from impact. If the lift breaks through the derricks ity Test instead, using the rules for Default Skill Use (see
second level, have another player make the same test for p.230 of the Players Compendium); this test may be
the next level. If the lift breaks through that level, every- harder again if the characters have no tools.
one takes another Step 5/D8 damage, then another player Reattaching the two split ends of the broken rope may
T error
makes a test for the next level, and so on. prove difficult unless the heroes have a flyer among their
The lift can fall through up to seven levels, each roughly number who can reach the ropes dangling end, but if they
1 yard apart, so everyone should get at least one chance to can accomplish this task, the retied rope stays steady and
cause harm to themselves and their companions. secure. Lift riders must stand on the bars of the frame,
a precarious position that carries its own dangers (see
Landing Return to the Ship, p.119).
Depending on how many levels the lift falls through,
the adventurers end up sprawled either amid the derricks Rock Bottom
wet, splintered timbers or at the bottom of the kaers res- Once the characters climb out of the wreckage of the der-
ervoir 8 yards below the lowest level of the derrick. If the rick, and possibly also the reservoir, they find themselves
in the Skies
characters are caught in the derrick, have every charac- in the kaers lowest chamber. This vast cavern measures
ter make a Climbing (5) Test, with a Harried penalty to hundreds of yards across. Rasper Nors map guides the
each characters test to reflect his Stunned condition (see characters through this chamber, across the Stained Lake,
p.409 of the Players Compendium). Those whose test and toward the Magicians Cavern, a smaller chamber that
fails stagger and slide down to the derricks next level and contains the Magicians Tower and the Sanctuary.
take an additional Step 2/D41 Falling damage. No armor After the characters untangle themselves from the der-
protects against this damage. The characters are Stunned rick, read the following aloud:
for a number of rounds equal to the number of levels they
Around you stretches an immense cavern,
fell through.
several times larger than anything you expected
If the characters fall into the reservoir, each of them
windlings to inhabit. A waterfall pours into a vast
must immediately make a Swimming (5) Test to avoid
lake from a hole in one wall. Its roar echoes off
inhaling a lungful of water and taking Step 3/D4 damage.
the rock, ringing loudly in your ears. The over-
This is due to the shock of hitting the water and the
whelming noise turns your head dizzy and makes
Stunned state of the characters. No armor protects against
conversation almost impossible. You refrain from
this damage. If a character fails his test, he must continue
shouting to each other, fearing to disturb some
making Swimming (5) Tests each round. If he fails three
hidden presence.
consecutive Swimming Tests, the character slips beneath
Looking westward, away from the lake, you
the water and begins to drown (see p.248 of the Players
see stands of rotting trees interspersed with a
Compendium).
bewildering variety of dead plants. The fetid smell
Once the character has made a successful Swimming
of decaying vegetation floats through the cavern,
(5) Test he has reached the side, but must climb the 10-yard
fouling the air. You imagine this forest-garden
walls of the reservoir to reach relative safety on the bottom
as it must have been once, lovingly tended by the
level of the derrick. The reservoir walls have a Climbing
windlings who dwelt here.
Difficulty of 9 (see Climbing on p.106 of the Game-
Huge steps have been carved into the cham-
masters Compendium). Once out of the reservoir, the
bers western wall. In front of them you see the
character must then climb out of the derrick. 111
remains of a large, wooden structure made of sev- As the characters walk through the merchant towers
eral platforms, each three feet apart. You have seen toward the lake, read them the following:
something similar before; windlings customarily
As you move through the ruins of windling
use such platforms to grow large amounts of food
shops and taverns, you smell smoke. Someoneor
in small places. In the walls next to the garden are
somethinginhabits this huge chamber. Hands on
a number of small holes, the entrances to tunnels
your weapons, you creep forward, straining eyes
too small for any but windlings to enter.
and ears for some trace of the mysterious enemys
Farm presence. Just ahead of you, you spy the flicker of
firelight against the ochre walls of a tower. Slowly,
The frame that served as the kaers farm lies along
breath held and heart hammering, you creep closer
the western wall of Area 5 (see the map on p.105). The
to the light.
windlings grew moss and other plants on the multi-leveled
By the shore of the huge, dark lake sits a bizarre
frames and on the wall itself.
figure poking listlessly at a campfire. Its mottled
Garden skin hangs in loose folds about its naked body, and
amber-colored eyes peer out from its dark face.
Once the home of thriving trees and other plants too
With one wrinkled hand, it turns a spit above the
large to grow on the farm platform, the garden fills the
flame, slowly roasting a chunk of flesh from you
remainder of Area 5. The trees have rotted to the point
know not what beast. The firelight dances off piles
where they crumble at a touch. If the characters attempt to
of salvaged weapons, treasures of many kinds, and
rebuild the lift platform using this wood, inform them that
the hull of a small boat beached on the shore of the
the wood is unusable.
dark, still water.
Tunnels The Trader
Only 1 yard high by 1 yard wide, the tunnels are located
DEX: 5 STR: 5 TOU: 3
in the Skies
When the characters head for the lake, read the follow- Combat Movement: 20 Full Movement: 40
ing aloud:
Powers: EvaluateS (5): 11/D10+D8
According to Rasper Nors map, the lake lies
T error
T error
acter desires, and never accepts coin. If the buyer accepts
to avoid the effects of the flash.
or declines the transaction, the Trader ignores him, but
does him no harm. Grappling Hook and Rope: This sturdy rope and small
grappling hook may prove extremely useful later on in the
Stealing From the Trader adventure. Be sure to mention this item to the players.
If a character attempts to take goods without giving Suggested Curse: The rope breaks while a character is
something up in exchange, the purloined item immediately climbing it.
becomes cursed. To determine the specific effects of any
given curse, see Curses in the Adventuring chapter on Crossing the Stained Lake
p.110 of the Gamemasters Compendium. The nature When the characters approach the lake, read the fol-
in the Skies
of the curse depends on the item stolen, but in general, lowing aloud:
the more expensive the item, the worse the curse placed
The waters of the vast lake shine dark purple,
upon it. The curse almost always ruins the item, and some
like aged plum wine. Ripples from the pounding
curses may also harm the character. Once cursed, an item
waterfall dance across the surface, making it look
remains cursed forever, even if given away. No magic can
as if the water is trying to crawl out of the lake
remove such a curse.
bed. Its eastern shore already has; the lake has
Killing the Trader drowned the feet of the towers that face you across
its breadth. Just your luck, that the flood waters lie
Because the Trader wishes to end its miserable exis-
across the path that you must follow. Adventuring
tence, it does not fight back, and so any attack kills it.
in Barsaive is never easy
Killing the minion saddles the attacking character with a
Major Curse (see Curses on p.111 of the Gamemasters The adventurers can cross the lake by flying, sailing in
Compendium), automatically reducing an Attribute value the Traders boat, or scaling the entire length of the wall
important to the attacking characters Discipline by 3. A that runs behind the waterfall. Flight is the safest way
Warrior or Beastmaster, for example, might lose Strength, across, but requires magicians with the proper spells to do
whereas a magician would lose either Perception or Will- quite a bit of ferrying. Traveling by boat poses the danger
power. The gamemaster chooses which Attribute to reduce, of attack by the carrion fish that live in the lake. Scaling
and also decides whether or not the character redeems the slippery rock of the wall is the most dangerous way to
himself. Because the character earned the curse by slaying cross, but offers some chance of success for the groups
a Horrors innocent victim, any act of redemption should most expert climbers. The wall has a Climbing Difficulty
involve saving an innocent victim. of 15. On a Pathetic result on his Climbing Test, the climber
plunges into the water.
Traders Hoard A character falling into the lake must make a Swimming
The Traders hoard includes the following items that (5) Test to avoid inhaling a lungful of water and taking Step
the heroes may find useful. The description of each item 3/D4 damage. No armor protects against this damage. If
includes a suggested curse if the item is stolen. a character fails his test, he must continue making Swim- 113
ming (5) Tests each round. If he fails three consecutive Equipment: None
Swimming Tests, the character slips beneath the water
Loot: None
and begins to drown (see p.248 of the Players Compen-
dium). The character must make additional Swimming (5) Commentary
Tests until he reaches the shore.
Small and blunt-headed, a school of carrion fish can
Unfortunately, the character is not the only one in the
strip a troll down to the bone in a matter of minutes. These
lake. There are several schools of carrion fish roaming the
fish feed off dead matter, but must often kill their own prey
waters. Unless a character reaches shore within 4 rounds,
in order to get the carrion they need. Whenever they sense
his movements will attract a school of carrion fish, who
something entering the water, the fish swim toward it and
will attack him. Characters who are in the water are con-
batter it to death.
sidered Harried (see the Combat chapter on p.408 of the
Players Compendium). Rules
Carrion Fish The game statistics above represent a school of 30 car-
rion fish, which would occupy an area of roughly 15 cubic
DEX: 10 STR: 4 TOU: 9
feet in the water. A single school makes 1, 2, or 3 attacks per
PER: 6 WIL: 4 CHA: 4
round, depending on the number of victims within its range.
Initiative: 10 Physical Defense: 13 Each victim within the schools range receives the same
Number of Actions: 1 (see text) Spell Defense: 7 number of attacks. If a character attacks the carrion fish
Attack (3): 13 Social Defense: 6 school, do not attempt to resolve damage to each fish. The
Damage: (see text) Physical Armor: 0 carrion fish school automatically disperses when it takes
One Target (10): 14 Mystic Armor: 0 damage equal to its Unconsciousness Rating.
Two Targets (7): 11
Three Targets (4): 8 Exploring the Drowned City
in the Skies
Death Rating: NA Recovery Tests: 4 If they choose to, the characters may crawl out of the
Wound Threshold: ImmuneKnockdown: Immune boat and descend to the base of any of the six watertight,
Unconsciousness Rating: 47 unbroken towers in the flooded city section, where they
may find a few treasures amid centuries of debris.
Combat Movement: 55 Full Movement: 110
Have each character make a Perception (8) Test for each
This value is the creatures swimming Movement rate.
of the towers that he enters. On an Average result, the char-
Legend Points: 425
acter finds 10 silver pieces. On a Good or better result, he
T error
114
finds 50 silver pieces. Multiple characters may find coins dimly lit, rocky chamber. Rasper Nors map marks
in the same tower. this chamber as the Magicians Cavern. Within it
As the character or characters descend into each tower, somewhere lies your goal: the tomb of a long-dead
have them make several Silent Walk or Dexterity (8) Tests windling magician and his precious book of spells.
to determine how quietly they move through the doorway. You study the caverns funnel-shaped entrance,
If one of these tests fails, the carrion fish hear the noise racking your brains for a way to climb through it
and begin to batter the tower. At first, the adventurer or without breaking your necks. The ceiling around
adventurers hear only a few muffled thumps, then more the hole has twigs and branches carved into the
and more until the sounds reverberate through the water- stone, mingled with the figures of windlings. Most
encased structure like thunder. of the sculpted figures are helping build the wreath
When the sounds are at their loudest, the character or of twigs, though a few play musical instruments.
characters have six rounds to get out of the building. The The windling musicians wink down at you invit-
character(s) must climb the towers entire 20-yard height, ingly, their stone faces full of mirth.
and so must move quickly. As the character(s) climb, cracks The sight of such joy in the charnel house that
and small holes appear in the ceramic walls. The grotesque this kaer has become makes you unbearably sad,
carrion fish fall through the holes, water spurting through so you shift your gaze from the entrance to what
each crack they create. you can see of the caverns interior. You can barely
Once the base of the tower fills with water, the next see the stone foundation of the Magicians Tower,
wave of carrion fish falls unharmed into the rising pool. where Rasper Nors friend Skeethen reportedly lies
If a climbing character falls into the water, he takes half buried.
the damage normally inflicted by a school of carrion fish
in addition to standard Falling damage for the distance
fallen (see p.107 in the Gamemasters Compendium). Themes and Images
Eventually the tower fills completely, and the frenzied fish After the breathless excitement of the harrowing ride on
T error
search the structure for their prey. the crashing lift, the battle with the black mantis, and the
hair-raising crossing of the Stained Lake, this encounter
should feel far too quiet. The sights in the cavern are eerie
Troubleshooting and unsettling, and the characters should eagerly antic-
If the characters spend too much time exploring the ipate completing their dangerous task. Let them believe
ruins, remind them that the Cloud Runner remains in that the dangers in this encounter are the last ones they
danger from the elements and may leave them rather will face.
than wait too long. The falling lift should add excitement
and danger to the encounter without killing or seriously
wounding the characters. Feel free to fudge dice roll results Behind the Scenes
in the Skies
if necessary. No matter what method of entry the player charac-
If the characters have not already realized that the mys- ters choose, the climb into the cavern is risky. Remind
terious magician Rasper Nor lied to Drimsby in his letter, the heroes that the smallest misstep may send them tum-
the sights in the vast chamber at the bottom of the kaer bling into the blood-dark waters of the Stained Lake. Once
should drive home that fact. The hundreds of windling they have climbed inside, the characters may explore the
skeletons, the mantis corpses, the bloodstained lake and large barracks and its ruined garden if they wish. The
the sheer volume of destruction show clearly that none of gamemaster should remind them that their real goal, Skee-
the kaers inhabitants could possibly have survived the thens tomb, lies at the top of the Magicians Tower.
Scourge. Once the characters have climbed through the vertical
F
entrance, read the following aloud:
gardens destruction at the hands of a malicious centuries of dust combined with the dark brown stains of
and powerful enemy. windling blood and piles of rubble from shattered sections
The tiny bones of the kaers defenders lie piled of wall obscure the brilliant images of birds, dragons, and
on the terraces, strewn through the ruined gardens, other aerial creatures painted across the ceramic walls.
and smashed against the shattered entrance of the To the right and left of the central hall are more empty
Magicians Tower. A few pieces of black mantis audience chambers where the windlings once held impor-
shell lie scattered among them, along with brittle tant affairs. A few broken bodies, but little else, lie scattered
windling spears and broken windling swords. across the floors. A hole in the central chambers ceiling
leads upward into darkness. The glow-moss colonies that
T error
Locations once lit the towers upper levels appear to have died.
On the towers second level, the characters find offices
The following locations appear on the map of the kaer,
where the windling magicians stored important papers.
p.105.
Leakage from the cavern walls above has rotted the parch-
Barracks (9) ment, but the characters may recover the following few
artifacts: an official seal of Talon Kaer, a skeletal finger
A hundred windling warriors once lived in this building.
sporting a silver ring worth 15 silver pieces, and 2D6
In addition to their spartan quarters, the barracks includes
copper coins. Desks and trunks in all the offices have been
a large, common mess hall at its center that also doubled as
ripped apart, indicating that the tower has been searched
an aerial sparring ground. A portion of the southern wing
for valuables by some type of intelligent, and probably
has been partially barricaded by piles of furniture. Half-
angry, being.
way through the blockage lies the carcass of a black mantis.
Lavish bedrooms and living areas compose the third
On the other side lie twelve windling skeletons, several of
level. Curtains, pillows, quilts, and other decorations in
them with black barbs sticking up from their tiny chests
jewel-like hues of scarlet, purple, sapphire, and so on lie
and skulls. The characters can find nothing of value in the
around the rooms, most ripped to shreds or rotting in
ruins.
pools of moisture. Nothing of value, however, remains for
Magicians Tower (10) the characters to find.
When the characters reach the towers topmost cham-
The towers valiant defenders tried to barricade its
ber, read them the following:
smashed doorway with tables and other furniture. A pile
of tiny bones beyond the shattered portal bears grim testi- You climb through a shattered stone doorway
116 mony to their failure. In the towers large central chamber, and enter the towers topmost chamber. The single,
large room contains several broken chairs and deep gashes from an axe blade around the edges of the
a table made from the polished stump of a huge portal. Any character who uses his or her own axe against
oak tree. A wooden cabinet stands against one the stone door finds that even the mightiest blows dislodge
wall, close to an iron-barred window. The cabi- only tiny flakes of stone.
nets doors have been ripped off of their hinges, the With regard to astral enchantment, the magicians
scrolls and books that once reposed within it torn built a similar structure out of the ethereal mists on the
in pieces and scattered around the room. Bits of astral plane. Any character looking into the astral copy
parchment litter the floor, mingled with fragments of the Sanctuary sees a sealed cube with the riddle writ-
of stone from the shattered entrance and the skel- ten upon its circular door. Have the astral-gazing character
etons of six windlings. make a Perception (5) Test. If he achieves an Average or
Puzzled, you check your map. You have reached Good result, he feels as if something is watching him. If he
the place of Skeethens tombbut you see no sign achieves an Excellent or Extraordinary result, he spots a
of the cave-in that Rasper Nor led you to expect. black shadow peering at him from a distance. Though the
As you gaze around the chamber, your heart sinks. character cannot know this, the shadow is Tyrannisis.
Nowhere can you see any evidence of a tomb, or
even of another chamber. Remembering the place- The Magic of the Sanctuary
ment of doorways in the other windling dwellings The windlings who built the Sanctuary hoped that the
you have seen, you look up. Praise the Passions, a Tome sealed within it might someday find its way into
stone portal in the ceiling frames a solid, oval door- the hands of a hero both brave and wise enough to use it
way. From its middle, two bronze handles stick out, against the Horrors. To ensure that only a true hero could
as if meant to pull two doors apart. Strangely, you breach the Sanctuary, the magicians came up with a magi-
see no seam between the handles; instead, the oval cal test and devised a riddle to tell the would-be hero how
door looks like a single, solid block. Etched into the he might pass muster. The riddle carved into the Sanctuary
oval just above the bronze handles is a single sen- door states that only a hero of the purest heart marked
T error
tence that reads: Only one with the purest heart, by a Horror (tainted by the darkest evil) can open the
tainted by the darkest evil, may unlock this gate. Sanctuary.
The windlings magical protections, consisting of a
Examining the Sanctuary simple magical lock and a Divine Aura spell, kept Rasper
Nor/Tyrannisis at bay for almost five centuries. Anyone
The Sanctuary, referred to as Skeethens Tomb by
attempting to open the door triggers the Divine Aura spell
Rasper Nor, was carved out of the stone ceiling of the
woven into the matrix of the doors magical lock. Because
cavern where it brushes the top of the tower. The impen-
Skeethen and the other magicians worked together for sev-
etrable stone and the enchantments that surround the
eral months to weave both the lock and the Divine Aura
irregular chamber protect it from physical and magical
spell, each has a Spell Defense of 40.
in the Skies
breach.
The locking spell keeps the door shut until the Divine
Skeethen and several other magicians designed this
Aura spell detects the necessary true-hearted but Horror-
room as a last-ditch retreat from invading Horrors. While
marked individual. Once that individual attempts to open
researching the methods of dispelling the Horrors that
the Sanctuary door, both spells dissipate.
eventually became the Tome of Banishment, the windlings
The windling magicians chose to tailor their magi-
also learned how to summon them. Knowing that they
cal protections to a Horror-marked hero for two reasons.
dared not allow the dangerous knowledge contained in
First, the presence of a Horror mark would mean that
their grimoire to fall into the hands of the Horrors or
the Horrors still existed on the physical plane. The magi-
unscrupulous people, the windling Elementalists devised
cians desired to keep the Tome and its dangerous secrets
the Sanctuary. Within it they could seal away the Tome,
hidden if the Horrors ever truly left the world, lest some
keeping it safe from the Horrors and their minions.
evil person choose to summon the Horrors and begin the
Before attempting to solve the riddle and open the
Scourge again. Second, the Elementalists believed that
door, the characters may want to check out the Sanctuary
only the strongest of heroes could be marked by a Horror
both physically and astrally. Though Rasper Nor knew of
and still generate a pure aura. If the spell only required
the secret vault, his windling friends did not agree upon
pureness of heart, a child might be able to open the portal,
the Sanctuarys magical protections until Rasper Nor had
and a child would certainly lack the strength to use or pro-
returned temporarily to his own retreat in the Delaris
tect the Tome.
Mountains. Therefore, the Horror Tyrannisis could not
Of course, a Horror-marked hero who claimed the
glean that information from Rasper Nors mind when it
Tome could also be manipulated by the Horror that had
possessed the human Nethermancer.
marked him. To protect against this danger, the windlings
For almost five years, the possessed Rasper Nor tried
placed a scintillating medallion within the Sanctuary. This
every possible trick, spell, or other tactic to violate the
magical treasure offers substantial protection against the
Sanctuary. Any character who makes a successful Percep-
powers of the Horrors. For more information concern-
tion (6) Test notices the following evidence of such efforts:
ing the powers of the medallion, see The Scintillating
scratches all around the bronze handles, a dried windling
Medallion on p.118.
heart lying amid debris in the corner of the room, and
117
Solving the Riddle The walls of the small, rock chamber seem to
The riddle requires a hero with two qualities to open press in on you, and it is difficult to breathe for a
the Sanctuary: a pure heart and a Horror mark. The pure moment or two. One of your companions passes
heart refers to the goodness of a characters intentions you a light from below, and the frightening feeling
and his or her basic, gut-level commitment to the cause of entombment eases a little. Suddenly, your heart
of good, rather than to literal purity. After all, few people leaps into your throat. Sitting barely an arms
exist in Earthdawn who have never done anything bad. length in front of you is a windling!
The gamemaster must make a judgment call with regard to You wait for him to sense your presence, but he
a characters good intentions, but should give the adventur- does not move or speak. As you look at him more
ers the benefit of the doubt. Only characters who routinely closely, you realize that the windling breathed his
steal from their friends, execute or torture prisoners, or last many ages ago. The skin that stretches so taut
demand exorbitant fees from the people who ask their help over his bones is as dry as a withered, autumn leaf.
should be considered insufficiently pure of heart. His shriveled arms are loosely clasped around a
The need for a Horror mark presents obvious difficul- leather-bound book, a large one even by human
ties. Unless one of the characters already has a Horror standards. Golden letters dance across its cover;
mark, some brave hero in the group must willingly accept they read, The Tome of Banishment. Clasped in
one. The easiest way to accomplish this is to have a magi- one of the ancient windlings small hands is a small,
cian in the group cast a spell using raw magic, which will brass disc about an inch thick; a medallion of some
send up a flare to any Horror in the immediate vicinity (see kind.
Casting Raw Magic on p.289 of the Players Compen-
When the character in the Sanctuary sees the windling,
dium). For spellcasting purposes, the entire Talon Kaer
let him declare an action before continuing with the second
counts as a Corrupt area. If the magician succeeds, the
narrative paragraph. He probably will not realize at first
Horror that marks him (or another hero) is Tyrannisis, cur-
that the windling is mummified.
rently hovering over Talon Peak in his airship, the Shadow
Once the gamemaster finishes reading aloud and the
in the Skies
Skulker.
characters know that the windling is dead, have one of
Rather than hint at the answer to the riddle, let the
them take the book and the medallion gently from him.
players solve it themselves. Keeping a poker face also
Having obtained their prize, the heroes must escape from
helps to create tension once the group thinks of deliber-
the kaer and safely return to the Cloud Runner.
ately gaining a Horror mark. The prospect of attracting the
attentions of a Horror without knowing for certain if he has The Scintillating Medallion
made the right choice should terrify the unfortunate con-
Upon sealing himself and the Tome of Banishment
jurer and his companions.
within the Sanctuary, the dying windling magician placed
Opening the Sanctuary his life force within the medallion in order to protect the
T error
The heroes have three ways to reach the surface of the Horror Mark power. With this veiled hint, the players
Talon Peak. They may fly, climb, or repair the broken lift. should eventually solve the riddle.
B
Flying obviously requires at least one character with that
ability, who can then ferry his friends out one at a time.
Keep in mind that traveling back up the lift shaft renders a
flying character, particularly one burdened by carrying a roadsides!
companion, vulnerable to attack by blood bees. Climbing In this encounter, the heroes emerge from Talon
is even more dangerous than flying because the characters Kaer with their prize, only to lose it to Rasper Nor/Tyran-
must not only face the blood bees again, but also risk fall- nisis. The Horror-possessed Nethermancer sails for Travar
ing several hundred feet to their deaths. in his airship, the Shadow Skulker, closely pursued by the
in the Skies
Repairing the lift poses the fewest risks (relatively Cloud Runner.
speaking). Assuming they have not already done so in the
previous encounter, Talon Kaer, the characters must tie the
two ends of the broken rope together, meaning that one of Setting the Stage
them must climb 8 yards up the rocky wall of the shaft to When the characters exit Talon Kaer, read the follow-
the dangling end. Depending on how far the lift fell, the ing aloud:
climbing character may also need to climb down through
You burst through the kaer doors onto the snow-
the levels of the derrick or even into the reservoir to reach
blanketed rock of Talon Peak. The fading light of
the other end of the snapped rope. If the adventurers suc-
day has never looked so lovely, or the crisp, fresh
ceed in making repairs, the character who turns the crank
air smelled as sweet. You plow through the snow-
must come up with a way to support himself without using
drifts as fast as your tired legs and the heavy snow
his hands. Tying himself to the frame represents the most
will let you, flinging yourselves into the patrol boat
obvious solution to the problem, but also greatly restricts
as you reach it.
the characters mobility in combat.
Somehow, you find the strength to stay alert
The remaining characters will find the frame much
and sail the patrol boat out of its sheltered nook.
more difficult to stand on than the wooden platform it
Fighting the howling blizzards that strike harder
once held. When the blood bees return, any character who
than a dozen bands of ork scorchers, you point
attacks them receives an additional 1 modifier to his Phys-
your bucking, shuddering craft in the direction of
ical and Spell Defense and Action Tests, in addition to the
the Cloud Runner.
Harried penalty (see p.408 of the Players Compen-
The patrol boat whips around the side of the
dium). This modifier reflects the fact that the character
peak just in time to see a huge fireball strike the
must keep one hand on the frame to keep from falling, and
Cloud Runners deck. Some of the galleys crew
so cannot move freely.
race to quench the fire with buckets of water, while
If a character steps too close to the edge or makes a
others saw furiously at the mooring lines that trap
Knockdown Test with a Pathetic result, he must make a
the ship against the side of the mountain. In the
successful Dexterity (6) Test to avoid falling from the lift, 119
in the Skies
distance you see a vast, black shape arrowing from the kaer, only to have Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis steal it
toward the Cloud Runner. As you land the boat on from them soon after they reach the Cloud Runner. Once
the galley deck, Drimsby shouts, Raiders off the the Horror has stolen the book, he races back to Travar
starboard side! aboard his airship, the Shadow Skulker, with the Cloud
Runner in hot pursuit. Though the Horror-possessed
Nethermancer would enjoy destroying the Cloud Runner,
Themes and Images
T error
Eendwings (20)
DEX: 9 STR: 4 TOU: 4
PER: 7 WIL: 9 CHA: 5
T error
Death Rating: 27 Recovery Tests: 1
Wound Threshold: 6 Knockdown: 4
Unconsciousness Rating: 18 always, the gamemaster should be prepared to deal with
anything the characters choose to do.
Combat Movement: 28/52
Full Movement: 56/104 First Battle
in the Skies
Legend Points: 105 pursuit of the Horrors ship. If the patrol boat gets too close
to the Shadow Skulker, the Skulkers crew peppers it with
Equipment: None
crossbow fire. If the player characters land on the Cloud
Loot: None Runner and join their companions, either before or after
the Horror takes the grimoire, they have 5 rounds in which
Commentary to act before the Skulker pulls up alongside and the cadaver
Tiny imps with a nasty sense of humor, eendwings men attempt to board the galley.
resemble fat, pink infants with wings, horns, and pointed When the patrol boat or the Cloud Runner nears the
ears. These little Horrors are prone to cruel pranks, and Shadow Skulker, read the following aloud:
often carry out the wishes of more powerful Horrors in
As the enemy ship looms closer, you see that its
their own, diabolical way. Eendwings make personal sur-
sails are made of satin as black as the vessel itself.
vival a high priority, so if more than 30 percent of them are
From the forecastle comes a dull glow and the smell
knocked out or slain, the remainder will flee. If possible,
of flaming pitch. The shadow-ship pelts your vessel
they drag the bodies of their companions away with them,
with cannon fire as the enemy crewmen shoot
less from a sense of loyalty than from self-preservation. The
crossbow bolt after crossbow bolt at you. Their
eendwings want to make sure that no magician ever figures
grisly faces, sagging flesh, and mutilated bodies
out their weaknesses.
mark them as cadaver men. They advance grimly
Chasing the Shadow Skulker toward you, and your heart sinks as you realize
that they intend to board your ship!
The gamemaster can handle the chase back to Travar
simply by setting the two airships in flight and then letting Once the Shadow Skulker lies sufficiently close to the
the dice determine the outcome of events. A more dramatic Cloud Runner, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis sends 30 of his
and therefore more memorable alternative is to integrate cadaver men to board the Runner and attack its crew in
the actions of the player characters with the series of the hope of crashing the ship. Because most of the crew
planned events described in the following pages, in order have their hands full flying the ship, the characters must
to create the greatest amount of tension and excitement. As repel the invaders. 121
In this first strike, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis wants an on p.448 of the Gamemasters Compendium for more
easy victory over the Cloud Runner. If the airmen put up information and special rules on cadaver men.
a tough enough fight, the Horror cuts his losses and tries
to escape, abandoning the cadaver men if they seem to be Escape
losing. Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis stays out of sight during The first battle should occur near dusk. If this timing is
this first battle, along with his obsidian gargoyles and not possible, have a storm front move in and turn the skies
black servitors (see Second Battle, below). He is holding dark. At some point during the battle with the cadaver men
these favored minions and his own considerable abilities on the Cloud Runner, the Shadow Skulker peels off, either
in reserve, in case the heroes somehow manage to board when the tide of battle turns against the cadaver men or if
his ship. the Horrors minions overwhelm the Cloud Runners crew.
For specific rules regarding ship-to-ship combat, see If still able, the Cloud Runner and perhaps the patrol boat
Running the Battles, p.125, and the Ship Combat give chase, but the Horrors black ship blends into the night
Rules on p.148 of the Gamemasters Compendium. sky and disappears. From their last glimpse of the Skulker,
Drimsby and Yorlk realize that the enemy vessel is heading
Cadaver Men (30) for Travar. Throughout the long, anxious night, the adven-
DEX: 4 STR: 6 TOU: 7 turers plot their next course of action while Drimsby and
PER: 4 WIL: 6 CHA: 4 Yorlk keep the Cloud Runner on course for Travar.
Death Rating: 39 Recovery Tests: 3 allow them to try whatever schemes they wish throughout
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 6 the day. They may attempt another frontal assault, sneak
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune onto the ship from below, or even land aboard the Skulker
and try to fight their way to Rasper Nor/Tyrannisiss cabin.
Combat Movement: 18 Full Movement: 36
No matter what the characters attempt, they face stiff oppo-
Legend Points: 270 sition, including obsidian gargoyles, black servitors, and
possibly even Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis himself. Ideally, the
Equipment: Medium Crossbow (Damage: 11/D10+D8;
characters fail to retrieve the Tome of Banishment, but suc-
Range 70140280), Quiver (w/15 medium crossbow
ceed in weakening the Horrors forces for the final battle
bolts)
(see Pyres over Travar, p.128).
Loot: None
Second Battle
Commentary At some point during the day, one of the two ships
Cadaver men are undead constructs created by the Hor- moves within firing range and pelts the other with cannon
T error
rors from the bodies of the dead. See the Horrors chapter fire. Play out the drama of extinguishing the fires before
they spread and trying to outsail the enemy ship before it
can close to boarding range. Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis and
his dreadful minions follow up the cannon fire with phys-
ical and magical assaults against the characters and the
Runners crew. Crew statistics are given on p.124.
During this battle, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis casts spells
and releases the obsidian gargoyles and black servitors.
Game statistics for these Horror-constructs appear on
p.123. The gargoyles resemble standard gargoyles in most
respects, but their obsidian bodies make them difficult to
see at night. To spot them at a distance greater than 15
yards away after sundown, a character must make a suc-
cessful Perception (12) Test.
The golem-like black servitors resemble troll skele-
tons encased in a breastplate and helm of greenish stone.
Each servitor wields a blood-red servitor sword (see New
Magical Treasures, p.345). Any character who defeats a
servitor can wear its breastplate and helm, but these armor
pieces reduce the wearers Initiative step by 4. The breast-
plate weighs 80 pounds, the helm 15 pounds.
122 The gamemaster must strike a balance between an all-
Commentary
These obsidian gargoyles resemble standard gargoyles
in most respects, but their obsidian bodies make them dif-
ficult to see at night. See p.302 of the Gamemasters
Compendium for more information and special rules on
cadaver men.
Rules
Note that magical talents and spells that affect entities
also work against obsidian gargoyles.
T error
Servitor Sword (7): 15 Mystic Armor: 8
in the Skies
ters have a prayer of defeating him in the final encounter.
The characters cannot find the Tome of Banishment during
this battle, because Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis has hidden it in
a pocket of astral space.
Equipment: None
Attributes Characteristics
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (14): 6/D10 Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 6/D10
Toughness (10): 5/D8 Perception (8): 4/D6 Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 3
Willpower (8): 4/D6 Charisma (8): 4/D6 Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 2
Artisan: General:
Weapon Rune Carving (1): 5/D8 Air Sailing (2): 8/2D6
Avoid Blow (2): 8/2D6
Knowledge:
Melee Weapons (2): 8/2D6
Travar Lore (2): 6/D10
Missile Weapons (2): 8/2D6
General:
Avoid Blow (2): 7/D12 Equipment
Melee Weapons (2): 7/D12 Leather (Phys 3)
Streetwise (2): 6/D10
Short Sword (Damage 9/D8+D6; w/scabbard)
Unarmed Combat (2): 7/D12
Dagger (Damage 7/D12; Range 91518)
Equipment Light Crossbow (Damage: 9/D8+D6; Range 50100200)
Quiver (w/15 light crossbow bolts)
Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17)
124 Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Adventurers Kit other. The character then makes a Dexterity (8) Test. If
Embroidery Tool the test succeeds, the daredevil can swing across to the
Trail Rations (1 week) Skulker in the following combat round, otherwise the char-
Travelers Garb acter can try again in the next round. On a Pathetic result,
Waterskin he falls overboard unless he makes a successful Strength
(6) Test to keep his grip.
Loot Once either a player character or the daredevil Lark
None swings across safely, the rest of the crew will also take to
the rigging if ordered to do so.
Legend Award
50 Legend Points Hand-to-Hand Combat Resolution
To avoid the time-consuming, game-slowing dozens of
Commentary die rolls necessary during combat between the Cloud Run-
These crewmen are members of the Flying Patrol. ners crew and the cadaver men, the gamemaster can use
the following quick resolution rules to simulate hand-to-
Last Respite hand combat. Roll Step 4/D6 for each battling crewman
and for each battling cadaver man, except for those fight-
After the battle, allow both sides a lull in which to heal,
ing the player characters or Named gamemaster characters
repair damage to their ships, and prepare for the final battle
(Lark, Yorlk, Drimsby, and so on). Every result of 6 rolled
(see Pyres over Travar, p.128). As dusk approaches once
for each crewman or cadaver man eliminates a single oppo-
more, the adventurers see the distant lights of Travar on
nent from one side or the other. Make the battle between
the horizon and realize that they will reach its sky lanes in
the crew and the cadaver men an even fight; unless the
less than an hour.
adventurers act soon, the tide could turn either way.
Running the Battles For the player characters and named gamemaster char-
T error
acters such as Lark, Yorlk, Drimsby, and so on, play out the
The ship combat rules given in this book and in the
combat per normal rules. Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis remains
Gamemasters Compendium are intended to blend
hidden within his shadowed balcony (see the Shadow
individual human actions with piloting tactics and strategy.
Skulker Map Key on p.127) and casts whatever spells
Whenever the Cloud Runner battles the Shadow Skulker,
the gamemaster deems appropriate. The obsidian gar-
have the players choose a character to control the ships
goyles use their wings to knock down the character who
actions and make tests for the Cloud Runner. If they wish,
seems either the most dangerous or the most vulnerable.
the players may split the responsibility among themselves.
The extremely powerful black servitors head straight for
The gamemaster controls the Shadow Skulker.
the character who poses the greatest threat to their dread-
For further information on ship-to-ship combat, see the
ful master.
in the Skies
rules for Ship Combat in the Airships and Riverboats
chapter on p.148 of the Gamemasters Compendium. Airship Statistics
Some additional rules and guidelines for individual actions
Game statistics and map keys for the modified patrol
in ship combat appear below.
boat, the Cloud Runner, and the Shadow Skulker appear
Swinging from the Rigging below.
Particularly exuberant heroes may want to swing from Patrol Boat
the Cloud Runners rigging to the deck of the Shadow
Speed: 13
Skulker. To do so, the character must be standing near
Maneuverability: 11
the Runners mainmast in the combat round in which he
Firepower: 8/12 (spear thrower)
swings, and the two vessels must be within 5 yards of each
125
in the Skies
and water to keep the galleys crew alive for two weeks. The
Cloud Runner hold provides ample room for sleeping, or for setting up a
makeshift hospital if necessary. The crew can reach the
Speed: 10
hold from the deck by climbing down a narrow ladder.
Maneuverability: 9
Firepower: 16/20 (5) Rear Deck: This flat, open area is located at the ships
stern, a short flight of steps above the main deck. Beneath
Hull:
the rear deck are the captains quarters, occupied by
Armor: 15 Ramming: 25
Drimsby. The captains quarters also contain a chest filled
Cargo: 260
with coins totaling 1,000 silver pieces, intended to pay for
Damage: emergency repairs or extra rations. If the characters have
Derelict: 65 Critical: 21 not joined the Flying Patrol and are simply working for
Destroyed: 72 bounty (see Crimson Dawn, p.86), Drimsby shares his
quarters with them. Otherwise, the characters bunk with
Crew:
their mates in the hold.
Captain: 4 Crew Size: 100
Crew Skill: 1 Crew Rating: 15 (6) Patrol Boat: This modified patrol boat is lashed to
Morale: 55 the deck in this spot whenever the smaller vessel is not in
use, with an old canvas sail draped over it to prevent rain
Cloud Runner Map Key from getting in.
The following map key refers to the map of the Cloud
(7) Fire Cannons: The Cloud Runners two fire cannons
Runner.
126 are located in these positions.
Shadow Skulker (4) Foresail: Located on the ships main deck, the fore-
Speed: 10 sail catches the headwinds and helps propel the galley. The
Maneuverability: 9 sail is made of satin and is worth 300 silver pieces if intact,
Firepower: 15/18 or a lesser amount determined by the gamemaster if dam-
aged. Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis can repair the sail by magical
Hull:
means within two rounds.
Armor: 15 Ramming: 25
Cargo: 280 (5) Mainsail: Like the foresail, the mainsail is made of
satin and can be magically repaired within two rounds.
Damage:
The mainsail is larger than the foresail, and is worth 500
Derelict: 65 Critical: 21
silver pieces if intact, or a lesser amount determined by the
Destroyed: 72
gamemaster if damaged.
Crew:
(6) Rear Deck/Captains Quarters: The rear deck
Captain: 4 Crew Size: 100
holds the Shadow Skulkers wheel, which connects to the
Crew Skill: 1 Crew Rating: 15
ships rudder. Underneath the rear deck are the captains
Morale: 71
quarters, occupied by Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis. The Horrors
quarters contain a chest full of coins totaling 2,000 silver
Shadow Skulker Map Key pieces and seven uncut gemstones, a mixture of rubies and
The following map key refers to the map of the Shadow emeralds. The gems are worth 220 silver pieces each. A
Skulker. table against the rear wall holds a map of Barsaive with
the city of Travar circled in red ink. The cabin also con-
(1) Forecastle: The Shadow Skulkers forecastle is ele-
tains a bed, on which Rasper Nors body sleeps for at least
vated above the main deck, accessible by two short flights
four hours each day. A mirror on the cabins front wall
of steps.
houses an astral portal that leads to Rasper Nors retreat
T error
(2) Catapult: Located on the forecastle, the catapult is the in the Delaris Mountains. Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis keeps
Shadow Skulkers most powerful weapon. Its minimum the Tome in the Nethermancers stronghold, hidden in an
range makes it unusable during boarding actions. astral pocket, until the final battle in which he attempts to
use it. The heroes will find it nearly impossible to recover
(3) Pitch Bin: Located on the main deck next to the
the book until that point in the adventure.
forecastle, this bin contains boiling pitch. The Skulkers
cadaverous crewmen carry the pitch to the catapult in (7) Balcony: Despite its solid appearance, the balcony
shovels and set it alight, then fling it toward the enemy is not a physical structure, but a barrier of darkness
ship. The bin contains enough pitch for 50 shots. constructed of raw magic. To an observer, it looks like a
in the Skies
127
wooden balcony with a light green awning. The shade cast The Cloud Runner arrows toward the shadow-
by the awning is far darker than normal, and anyone stand- ship, closing on its quarry as the last light fades
ing beneath the awning cannot be seen. The shade reduces from the evening sky. The lights of Travar glitter
the effectiveness of all missile attacks by 3 steps and also below, a mute reminder of the thousands of lives
blocks line of sight, meaning that magicians who cast spells at stake. As your galley draws near the Shadow
against Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis must see him using Astral Skulker, you see someone standing on the forecas-
Sight or a similar ability. tle, screaming up at the storm clouds. Though you
cannot hear his words, the rhythm of incantation
is unmistakable. Thunder rumbles and lightning
Troubleshooting crackles through the clouds; the sudden, stark light
This encounter should unfold as follows. Rasper Nor/ illuminates the Tome of Banishment in the Nether-
Tyrannisis steals the Tome of Banishment and races off in mancers hands.
the Shadow Skulker with the Cloud Runner in hot pursuit.
During the first hours of the chase, the two ships exchange
a few volleys of fire that do more damage to the vessels Themes and Images
respective crews than to the ships themselves. The Shadow In the climax of this adventure, the two huge galleys
Skulker slips away after nightfall, remaining hidden until spit fire at each other like furious dragons as the heroes
just after dawn. The Cloud Runners crewmen spot the battle through mobs of the infernal to stop Rasper Nor/
Horrors vessel a few miles away in the lightening sky, at Tyrannisis from casting his evil spell. Fire and noise and
which point they close to do battle and the player charac- creatures from the darkest nightmares abound in this final,
ters carry out their plans (if any). Though the characters epic encounter. Play up the drama and danger; inspire the
fail to recover the Tome of Banishment during this engage- player characters to act like heroes.
ment, they reduce the numbers of the Skulkers crew. The
Skulker breaks away a second time, and the Cloud Runner
Behind the Scenes
in the Skies
P
Nor/Tyrannisis. They may swing aboard the Shadow
Skulker from the rigging, or land the patrol boat on the
yres over Travar Skulkers deck, or try any other scheme they have in mind.
No matter what strategy they follow, the characters must
In this encounter, the Cloud Runner and the fight the remaining obsidian gargoyles, black servitors, and
Shadow Skulker fight their final, climactic battle in the cadaver men to get to the Horror and the book he holds.
skies over Travar. During the battle, Rasper Nor/Tyranni- Statistics for the cadaver men, gargoyles, and servitors
sis retrieves the Tome of Banishment from its astral hiding appear in Broadsides!, p.119.
place and uses it to summon more Horrors into the physi- Throughout the battle, Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis stands
cal world, as the characters and the airmen of the Flying atop the forecastle and throws summoning spells at the
Patrol fight their way through a throng of cadaver men and night sky. His curses raise a raging storm, and the furi-
other dreadful opponents in a desperate attempt to stop ous lightning illuminates him like a damned soul in hell.
him. If they recover the Tome of Banishment, the char- At some point during the fight, the dark clouds tear open
acters use it to send Tyrannisis back to the nether region and pelt the ships and land below with rain and hail. The
that spawned it. slick, chilly rain makes footing treacherous, requiring
those fighting to make a successful Dexterity (4) Test each
round to avoid being Harried (see the Combat chapter
Setting the Stage on p.407 of the Players Compendium). The rain may
When the two ships approach each other, read the fol- also damage the Tome of Banishment (see Loose Ends,
lowing aloud: p.133).
128
T error
in the Skies
Reaching Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis A successful attack by any character disrupts the spell
When the characters finally reach Rasper Nor/Tyran- and sends Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis into a rage. He attacks
nisis, read the following aloud: the characters with spells and with his magical sword,
Screech, until he either defeats the player characters or
Dressed in black from head to toe, the pale-
loses the battle. Given the Nethermancer/Horrors incred-
faced Nethermancer continues to rail at the
ible power; the heroes will find him almost impossible to
heavens. Black storm clouds seem to swirl across
defeat solely by force of arms. The Storm Armor he wears
the plate-mail armor he wears, making your vision
adds to his power; he has attached four threads to it, giving
swim. As the incantation from the stolen Tome of
him its magical effects listed for Thread Ranks One to Four
Banishment rolls off his tongue, the skies grow
(see New Magical Treasures, p.347). The characters
even darker and the air seems to freeze. A brief
can, however, defeat him through the magic contained in
flash of lightning illuminates the Nethermancer s
the Tome of Banishment, which he drops during the fight.
crazed face, and for an instant you see another face
A magician who picks up the Tome finds a bookmark in
imposed over that of the ancient magician, like the
it at the page that holds the spell Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis
faintest wisp of an illusionists spell. This face looks
was casting. If the character makes a successful Per-
younger, but its ancient eyes glitter with malev-
ception (6) Test, he notices on the opposite page several
olence. It smiles at you, revealing rows of small,
incantations for banishing powerful Horrors. The Horrors
razor-sharp teeth.
are described in terms of their astral appearance, so the
129
magician must use Astral Sense (see p.374 of the Play- deck in a heap of broken bones. The Horror writhes
ers Compendium) or a similar spell or talent to see if in pain, snapping its sharp teeth against the empty
Rasper Nor/Tyrannisis is among those listed. If the char- air. Its dreadful sounds begin to fade as it slowly
acters have managed to kill Rasper Nors body by this time, dissolves into a steaming puddle of rancid grease.
Tyrannisiss true form grows out of the corpse, eliminating As the Horrors last faint, choking gasps die away,
the need for an Astral Sense spell. Once the magician sees the broken human body crumbles to dust. The wind
Tyrannisiss astral form clearly, he recognizes it as one of blows the dust into oblivion, along with the fading
the five Horrors described in the Tome. At this point, the odor of rotting meat that the Horror left behind.
magician may begin weaving the threads to cast the appro-
priate banishing spell. When Tyrannisis disappears, he loses control over his
If the magician is unable to catch an astral glimpse minions. Any surviving obsidian gargoyles and eendwings
of the Horror, he must rely on the process of elimination. flee; the cadaver men and black servitors continue to fight,
In this case, the character weaves two incorrect banish- but attack erratically and with less energy. Because the
ing spells before finally picking the right one. The Banish cadaver men serve as the crew of the Shadow Skulker, the
Circadius spell described below is a Fifth Circle spell that loss of Tyrannisiss controlling influence causes the airship
either an Elementalist or a Nethermancer may cast, and to fly out of control and crash within minutes. Unless the
will banish Tyrannisis. Treat all other banishing spells that characters get off the Shadow Skulker within this time,
a character casts in the same way, except that other spells they go down with the vessel.
have no effect. For information on casting spells from a The characters have several possible escape routes from
grimoire, see p.290 of the Players Compendium. the Horrors doomed ship. If they flew to it in the patrol
As the magician struggles to weave the threads and cast boat, they can board the boat and fly back to the Cloud
the banishing spell, Tyrannisis does his utmost to kill him Runner. If they swung across to the Skulker, they must
and any other character within range of the Horrors sword either take over the Skulkers steering wheel or hope that
or magical attacks. Once the spell is cast, Tyrannisis ceases a rescue party from the Cloud Runner plucks them off the
in the Skies
to exist in the physical world. If the characters have not deck before they crash. Guidelines for piloting the airship
yet killed Rasper Nors body by the time Tyrannisis disap- are given in Knights of the Skies, p.91.
pears, the body of the possessed magician crumbles into If the characters choose to try to pilot the Skulker to
five-century-old dust. safety, they will find ready takers for the ship in Drimsby
and Juliak Merris. Both of these gentlemen will want the
Banish Circadius ship for their own fleets, but can give the characters noth-
ing save gratitude for salvaging it. The gamemaster should
Type: Fifth Circle Elementalism or Nethermancy
not give the ship to the characters or allow them to sell it to
Threads: 5 Weaving Difficulty: 10/19 Drimsby or Merris. After all, the characters do not own the
Range: 10 yards Duration: Instant ship, so either Drimsby or Merris can legitimately claim it
Effect: Special (see text) as a spoil of war. In addition, selling an airship would net
Casting Difficulty: Targets Spell Defense the characters so much money that they would no longer
need to take on adventures for pay, thereby removing an
The Banish Circadius spell banishes the Named Horror
important motivation for Earthdawn characters.
Tyrannis. After weaving the required spell threads, the
T error
T error
strong, and the characters find it difficult to escape to their (p.119), and Pyres over Travar (p.128). The adventure
comfortable beds and waiting baths. Several grateful mer- goal is to retrieve the Tome of Banishment and banish both
chants give the player characters small rewards, up to 10 Tyrannisis and the rakken to the depths of astral space.
silver pieces each, and Juliak Merris offers to throw them
a free dinner party at The Picky Palate the next day. If the Legend Awards
group stays in Travar, they can count on plenty of company As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94
and an occasional free drink for the next several months. of the Gamemasters Compendium, each game ses-
If the adventurers have stayed on good terms with sion in Terror in the Skies awards a number of Legend
Drimsby, he allows them to keep whatever treasures they Awards to the player characters. The potential number of
found in Talon Kaer. He even gives them the Tome of Ban- Legend Awards each character may earn in each game
in the Skies
ishment, on the condition that they copy its contents for session should take the following elements into account:
him so that he and the Flying Patrol can deal with any completing the game sessions goal (1 Legend Award),
future threats to Travars shipping lanes. defeating creatures and opponents (award the number of
Legend Points listed with each creature or gamemaster
character), individual deeds and roleplaying (12 Legend
Awarding Legend Points Awards), and acquiring magical treasure (as listed with the
This section provides guidelines for awarding Legend magical treasure).
Points to the players. As recommended in the Introduc- A single Legend Award should award a number of
tion on p.6, the gamemaster should award Legend Points Legend Points as determined by the characters Circle. For
at the end of each game session as well as at the end of the example, a First Circle character receives from 25 to 75
adventure. The following guidelines for Legend Awards Legend Points per Legend Award, and a total of two to five
indicate the points to be awarded by the gamemaster for Legend Awards per game session. In the final game ses-
each task accomplished or goal reached in a game session. sion that concludes the adventure, the characters may gain
two extra Legend Awards for completing the overall adven-
Game Sessions ture goal.
The two suggested game sessions outlined in the fol-
lowing pages each include certain encounters; if the
gamemaster has organized the encounters differently Campaign Ideas
in his game sessions, he should award Legend Points as Published Earthdawn adventures are designed to fit
appropriate. into an existing campaign with little or no extra work on
the part of the gamemaster. Adventures do not exist by
Session One themselves if run in a campaign. The world of Earthdawn
In the first game session, the characters arrive in Travar, is dynamic and changes over time. For example, when
help Drimsby and the townspeople fight the fire set by the using the events from this adventure to change the overall
crashed Crimson Dawn, and either join the Flying Patrol course of a campaign, the players can watch the changes
or agree to hunt the rakken for bounty. The characters also as they happen and play an active role in it. 131
This adds a sense of reality vital to good roleplaying. No During the course of Terror in the Skies, these
matter how you use this adventure, it is likely to make your men and women bond with the characters and can pro-
Earthdawn game more interesting; whether you use it as vide favors, information, or simple companionship in later
written or only by drawing on the ideas and information adventures. If the gamemaster uses Terror in the Skies
given in this book to enhance your own stories. as a part of his Earthdawn campaign, the relationships
Many of the situations and gamemaster characters pre- formed within it will give that campaign greater depth,
sented in this book provide hooks for further stories, and reality, and meaning for the players involved.
can be used to supplement a longer campaign. Feel free Though the player characters cannot expect their
to use them in your ongoing Earthdawn campaign in former compatriots to drop everything and turn up at a
whatever ways you see fit, and find some additional advice moments notice, the gamemaster characters from Terror
below. in the Skies should answer any reasonable request for aid.
For example, Lark and Yorlk might easily take a temporary
Friendships vacation from the Flying Patrol long enough to assist the
Whether the heroes remain in Travar or move on, they player characters on an expedition near Travar.
can always count Tarlinna, Radlin, and the men and women Tarlinna and Radlin might also turn up again, proba-
of the Flying Patrol as friends. Terror in the Skies gives bly more than once. Both of these gamemaster characters
the player characters unprecedented opportunities to form will certainly wish to continue any training they may have
such lasting friendships. started, and are eager for more adventures. If either of
in the Skies
T error
132
these characters accompanies the player character who has of these might turn up to plague the characters during any
trained them after the adventure, the gamemaster should subsequent adventures they undertake in those regions.
award Tarlinna and/or Radlin Legend Points and continue
to track their progress through their chosen Disciplines. As Rasper Nors Retreat
time goes by, these sidekick characters may become life- Long before the Scourge, Rasper Nor built a hidden
long lovers or companions to the player characters, helping retreat in the Delaris Mountains where he researched
them to forge their personal legends. and practiced his Nethermancy. When the Horror Tyran-
nisis possessed Rasper Nor, it discovered and took over
Future Employment the retreat. In Rasper Nor/Tyrannisiss cabin aboard the
Terror in the Skies also provides the player char- Shadow Skulker, the characters may find a map of the
acters with a regular source of employment, should they Delaris Mountains that indicates the location of the retreat,
choose to take advantage of it. If Drimsby or Juliak Merris which the gamemaster can use to create an adventure in
ever needs stout-hearted adventurers, both of them which the characters travel to and explore the Nethermanc-
will most likely offer the player characters the job. The ers sanctuary. Among the many possibilities for such an
gamemaster can use both Drimsby and Merris to start adventure, the gamemaster might populate the retreat
the player characters on the road to a new adventure. For with creatures and Horror-constructs from the charac-
example, Merris may decide to open a new mine near the ters worst nightmares, or seed it with lethal magical and
notorious Blasted Ridge located somewhere in the Thun- mundane traps. The Nethermancers stronghold might
der Mountains, and may ask the adventurers to scout also contain magical treasures of great power, such as evil
the terrain for him. Alternatively, Drimsby may hire the charms left behind by departing Horrors or items that hold
adventurers to hunt down a particularly vile band of crys- within them the power of legendary heroes. The retreat
tal raiders. might even contain grimoires and ancient scrolls that give
their owner power over Horrors and their constructs. If so,
Tome of Banishment the characters can use these items to help rid the world of
T error
The Tome of Banishment offers the characters potential the Horrors and their dreadful legacy.
C
rewards of money and power. If the characters choose to
sell the grimoire, Air Warden Drimsby recommends that
the Travarian government purchase it. Travarian officials
will pay up to 1,000 silver pieces for the Tome. ast of Characters
Reading the entire Tome takes at least two weeks of This section provides information and game statis-
game time, but gains any character who accomplishes that tics for the gamemaster characters who play a major role
task +1 rank in the Horror Lore Knowledge Skill. This in Terror in the Skies. If necessary or appropriate, the
knowledge enables a character to identify a type of Horror, gamemaster may change some of these statistics to suit the
such as a bloatform, but not a specific Horrors name. If abilities of the player characters in his game.
in the Skies
a character who has read the Tome makes a successful Because these characters will likely appear more
Horror Lore (13) Test, he finds a list in the Tome of that than once in the course of the adventure, their statistics
type of Horrors weaknesses, as well as particularly effec- and descriptions are grouped here for convenience. The
tive defenses against it. gamemaster characters are presented in order of general
Though the windlings choice of Circadius as a name for importance to the story. Descriptions and statistics for
Tyrannisis remains a mystery, the text makes it clear that other, minor characters are given in the encounter in which
the original windling researchers studied Tyrannisis spe- they make their first appearance.
cifically. Tyrannisis and five other major Horrors described
in the Tome of Banishment, including the Horror Duaga
described in Mists of Betrayal (p.73), roamed the gen- Air Warden Drimsby
eral vicinity of the Thunder Mountains for several decades Gardius Drimsby has served as Travars air warden for
before the Scourge began in earnest, and therefore posed almost twenty years, most of which he spent fighting off
an immediate threat to the Tomes compilers. The charac- bands of troll crystal raiders. He has never encountered
ters can use the information in the Tome to track down the anything as dangerous or vicious as the rakken. Fearing
Horrors and attempt to banish them from the world, offer- that the terrible creatures may be the first enemy he cannot
ing several possibilities for adventures or campaigns. After defeat, Drimsby has unconsciously distanced himself from
all, any one of the five Horrors might still be plotting and the trouble the rakken have caused. By taking the Cloud
executing diabolical mischief somewhere in the region of Runner to Talon Peak, Drimsby re-enters the forefront of
Travar and the Thunder Mountains. Have fun creating each the fray, and relishes his ability to finally strike a poten-
Horrors history and its present situation. To make things tially decisive blow in the defense of the city he loves.
even more interesting, try sowing a little misinformation Drimsby is a Sixth Circle Air Sailor.
in the Tome of Banishment.
In addition to the five major Horrors, the Tome lists at Attributes
least fifteen types of minor Horrors. Though most of these Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (12): 5/D8
disappeared at the end of the Scourge, a few may still roam Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (14): 6/D10
the Thunder Mountains or the nearby Badlands. Any or all Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (13): 6/D10 133
Characteristics Knowledge:
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 1/D42 Airships (5): 11/D10+D8
Spell Defense: 10 Physical Armor: 10 Barsaive History (5): 11/D10+D8
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 1
General:
Death Rating: 36 (72) Recovery Tests: 3 Maneuver (3): 8/2D6
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 5/D8 Momentum Attack (3): 8/2D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 28 (58) Read and Write Language (2): 8/2D6
Dwarf (Throalic)
Combat Movement: 16 Full Movement: 32
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
Karma Points: 25 Karma Step: 4/D6 Dwarf (Throalic)
Streetwise (5): 11/D10+D8
Talents (Knacks) Tactics (6): 12/2D10
Acrobatic Strike (3): 8/2D6
Air Dance (6): 7/D12* Equipment
Air SailingD (8): 14/D20+D4 (Air Legs) Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17)
Avoid BlowD (4): 9/D8+D6 Plate Mail (Phys 9; Init 4)
ClimbingD (6): 11/D10+D8 (Swinging in the Rigging)
Broadsword (Forged +3; Damage 13/D12+D10;
Durability (6/5) (6): 6
w/scabbard)
Great LeapD (6): 11/D10+D8 (Vertical Jump)
Dwarf Sword (Forged +2; Damage 10/D10+D6;
Karma Ritual (6): 6
w/scabbard)
Melee WeaponsD (6): 11/D10+D8
2Throwing Axes (Damage: 8/2D6; Range 122024)
Riposte (6): 11/D10+D8
2Daggers (Damage 7/D12; Range 91518)
Taunt (3): 9/D8+D6
Thread Weaving (Air Weaving)D (5): 11/D10+D8 Thread Bracers (Rank 4; +2 Physical Defense;
in the Skies
Writing Kit
Loot
Small Scale Model Wooden Airships (worth 30 silver
pieces), Gold Ring w/Ruby (worth 250 silver pieces)
Legend Award
1,100 Legend Points
Notes
The adept possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight.
Lark
A Second Circle human Sky Raider, Lark has flown with
the Flying Patrol for the past few years, working hard to
master the abilities of his Discipline. Despite being a Sky
Raider, Lark resents being likened to the crystal raiders of
134 the Twilight Peaks.
Knowledge:
Creature Lore (1): 6/D10
Human History (1): 6/D10
General:
Read and Write Language (1): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic)
Speak Language (2): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic), Human
Streetwise (1): 6/D10
Wound Balance (1): 6/D10
Equipment
Crystal Buckler (Phys 1; Myst 1; ST 17)
Padded Leather (Phys 4)
Adventurers Kit
Climbing Kit
Crystal Carving Tools
Trail Rations (1 week)
Travelers Garb
A daredevil by nature, Lark enjoys sports that challenge
Waterskin
T error
him physically, such as hull jumping.
Loot
Attributes
Silver Earring (worth 15 silver pieces), 15 silver pieces, 1
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (13): 6/D10
gold piece
Toughness (11): 5/D8 Perception (11): 5/D8
Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (14): 6/D10 Legend Award
Characteristics 110 Legend Points
in the Skies
The adept possesses the human racial ability of Versatility.
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 2
General:
Tarlinna
Though no one in Travar remembers it, Tarlinna is
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
Mad Marnics niece and has inherited the family apti-
Dwarf (Throalic)
tude for magic. Her Elementalist uncle taught her several
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
protective spells when she was a child. Unfortunately for
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Tarlinna, Marnic attempted a spell powered by raw magic
in the Skies
Attributes
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (9): 4/D6
Toughness (9): 4/D6 Perception (14): 6/D10
Willpower (17): 7/D12 Charisma (15): 6/D10
T error
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 3
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 3
Talents
Read and Write MagicD (1): 7/D12
Read and Write Language (2): 8/2D6
Human, Sperethiel
Karma Ritual (1): 1
SpellcastingD (2): 8/2D6
Spell Matrix (1): 1
Spell Matrix (1): 1
Thread Weaving (Elementalism)D (2): 8/2D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
136
Legend Award
110 Legend Points
Notes
The adept possesses the human racial ability of Versatility.
Radlin
A young elf with considerable courage but little experi-
ence, Radlin has not yet achieved his goal of becoming an
adept. His brush with death aboard the Crimson Dawn
has left him with plenty of guilt about his survival and a
desperate need to prove himself. As a recent recruit to the
Flying Patrol, he remains unsure of his abilities.
Attributes
Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (11): 5/D8
Toughness (9): 4/D6 Perception (11): 5/D8
Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (11): 5/D8
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 6/D10
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 4
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
Skills
T error
Death Rating: 30 Recovery Tests: 2
Artisan:
Wound Threshold: 7 Knockdown: 5/D8
Robe Embroidery (1): 7/D12
Unconsciousness Rating: 21
Knowledge:
Combat Movement: 32 Full Movement: 64
Horror Lore (1): 7/D12
Magic Lore (1): 7/D12 Skills
Travar History (1): 7/D12
Artisan:
General: Tattooing (1): 6/D10
Flirting (1): 7/D12
in the Skies
Knowledge:
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
Airships (2): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic)
Speak Language (3): 9/D8+D6 General:
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Sperethiel Air Sailing (1): 7/D12
Streetwise (1): 7/D12 Melee Weapons (1): 7/D12
Equipment
Leather (Phys 3)
Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
Adventurers Kit
Tiger Bandana
Patterned White and Blue Dress
Embroidered Robe
Embroidery Tools
Grimoire
Trail Rations (1 week)
Travelers Garb (w/fur cloak)
Waterskin
Spells
Air ArmorM, Earth BlendM, Heat Food, Purify Water,
Resist Cold, Resist Fire
M Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix.
Loot
Gold Earrings (worth 30 silver pieces) 137
Read and Write Language (1): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic)
Speak Language (2): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic), Sperethiel
Equipment
Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17)
Leather (Phys 3)
Adventurers Kit
Tattooing Tool
Trail Rations (1 week)
Travelers Garb
Waterskin
Talents
Loot
Animal Possession (4): 11/D10+D8
Silver Earring (worth 15 silver pieces)
Astral SightD (7): 14/D20+D4
Legend Award Durability (4/3) (7): 7
Enhanced Matrix (5): 5
45 Legend Points
Frighten (7): 14/D20+D4
Notes Karma Ritual (6): 6
LifesightD (7): 14/D20+D4
in the Skies
T error
the Storm Armor or
Fourth Circle: Karma on Perception-only Tests
wield the banesword,
Fifth Circle: Karma on Willpower-only Tests
Screech.
Sixth Circle: +1 Spell Defense
Seventh Circle: +1 Social Defense
Tyrannisis
DEX: 8 STR: 6 TOU: 6
PER: 8 WIL: 8 CHA: 7
in the Skies
Initiative: 8 Physical Defense: 12
Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 10
Attack (2): 10 Social Defense: 10
Damage: Physical Armor: 6
2Claws (6): 12 Mystic Armor: 4
Death Rating: 38 (66) Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 6
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune
Equipment: None
Loot: None
139
Infected
Diseases of the body I can cure. Diseases of the mind?
More difficult. Perhaps impossible.
Doctor Quanlir, Physician of Jerris
I nfected
Charboyya the dwarf paced through his suite of rooms for him. As one of the first generation born above ground,
for what felt like the thousandth time, listening absently to he had believed the elders of Hanto permanently scarred
the busy chatter that drifted up from the floor below. He by their time in the kaers, their vision forever stunted by
owned the finest trading house in Bartertownby the Pas- the terrors they had experienced. They had longed so much
sions, he did. A fine house, for which hed sacrificed much to restore the simple life of their ancestors that, once freed,
and sweated hard. But just now, he found it worth less to they approved of no other way of life.
him than a mouthful of stale bread after a long days jour- Charboyya cared nothing for farming, however. He had
ney. Had he fewer worries, Charboyya might have laughed heard that beyond the walls of Hanto lay a whole world for
at the irony. the taking, a new world full of endless possibilities. But
The very finest fabric in the house, my dear Marchesi! most of the villagers followed the lead of the elders and
boomed a voice from below, momentarily drowning out the shunned the new, the exciting, the different. They pre-
rest. Charboyya smiled briefly as he recognized the bass ferred to waste time striving to recreate a way of life that
rumble of his most enthusiastic salesman. Lanteer was a had probably never existed except in the desperate dreams
tskrang wanderer who every month seemed to have a new of their kaer-bound grandparents. Charboyya had scorned
explanation for why he made his home so far from the Ser- such faint-heartedness, forgetting the harsh realities that
pent River. But the lizard-man loved nothing more than fostered the elders fears. Like all of Barsaives small settle-
driving a good bargain, and Lanteer was the closest thing ments, Hanto faced the constant threat of attack by bandits,
to a true friend Charboyya had known since leaving his vil- scorchers, slaverseven Horrors. Its people had good
lage many long years ago. reason to fear the unfamiliar. Young and brimming over
Thinking of his village reminded Charboyya of his with his own wisdom, Charboyya had judged them hard-
worries. He forced himself to stop his restless pacing and hearted and narrow-minded. He had left them in anger,
buried his hands in his bushy, red hair, pressing his bare believing they ridiculed his ambition to make his fortune
toes against the thick, soft carpet that covered the floor of in the new Barsaive. He had been too angry and too proud
his sleeping room. How different the carpet felt from the to see the truth.
hard, unyielding soil of the savanna that surrounded Hanto, Wisdom gleaned during the passage of years gave Char-
one of the countless tiny villages that dotted the lowlands boyya new eyes, however, and now he saw that his family
like fleas on a dog. Much like a dog, the land seemed deter- and friends had not scorned him. They had feared for his
mined to shake off the villagers, or so Charboyya often safety, feared that chasing foolish dreams would bring him
thought. But for almost a century, folk like Charboyyas only disillusionment. His success had proved their con-
family and their fellow villagers struggled, driven by an cerns unfounded. Happy in his new vocation, Charboyya
indomitable determination to survive. Eventually they had had long ago forgiven his folk their doubts and now felt him-
beaten the land into a stalemate, if not submission. self not quite whole unless he had occasional word of life
Charboyya felt a rush of pride remembering his peo- in Hanto. Charboyyas successful trading house and indus-
ples quiet courage, but he also suffered a creeping sense trious workers filled the place in his heart that a wife and
of shame. How little he had understood his fellow villagers, children might fill for another dwarf, but he still thought of
140 and what scant value he had given their love and concern his family and friends in Hanto often and fondly. When he
had first begun to grow rich, Charboyya had vowed to the out of a closet, threw it around his shoulders and thrust
Passion Garlen that he would use his wealth to safeguard his feet into sturdy, leather boots. Surely someone could
Hanto against any threat. Fortunately, no such threat had recommend an honorable and worthy party of messengers,
ever appeareduntil now. and Charboyya could wait no longer.
Charboyya strode across his sleeping chamber and
sat down in front of a small cabinet of intricately carved,
polished wood. One of his best-loved possessions, the elf- Burning with rage, Emberica hefted his hoe and stalked
made cabinet had cost him a pretty silver penny. Most toward the strangers leader. No longer would he stomach
days, he stopped for a moment to admire its beauty and that black-robed carrion crow lording it over his village,
run a callused hand lightly over its lacy designs. But not treating the free people of Hanto as a Theran treats his
today. Gnawing fear left no room in his mind for the con- slaves! He would show them how an honorable dwarf
templation of beauty. Charboyya pulled open the cabinets behaves, by speaking his mind before striking. If the
top drawer, almost spilling its contents in his haste. The strangers had the wit to quit the town before angry words
drawer was filled with letters from Hanto, written by his became violent deeds, so much the better for them. If not,
kin and old friends. He had spent far more silver than was so much the better for him! Emberica itched to strike a
prudent on this indulgence he allowed himself, hiring mes- blow at the invaders. He would not allow these ruffians
sengers to convey letters to Hanto and bring back replies. to imprison the people of Hanto in their own homes for a
Such a journey through Barsaives untamed lowlands posed moment longer!
many a danger to the messengers, and they charged a hefty As Emberica drew near, the black-clad leader turned,
fee for their services. But Charboyya did not begrudge the and before the dwarf could strike a blow the figure raised
price, for the letters meant more to him than a cabinet full a massive arm and sent him flying across the village green
of gold. with a single, backhanded blow. Emberica slammed head-
With trembling hands he paged through the notes. first into the wooden wall of a hut. Head spinning, he tried
Several were from his younger brother Emberica, full to sit up, but collapsed back against the wall. He felt blood
I nfected
of temper and rebellion. His mothers letters still gently trickling down the side of his mouth. The hoe lay broken
advised him to come home, pick up a hoe, and spend his at his feet. He stretched one hand toward the longer piece,
labor at honest work. Orweia, a human and his childhood but his arm fell weakly back into his lap.
confidante, whimsically recounted the travails inflicted A shadow fell over him. Emberica looked up, dazed with
on her by her rambunctious twin sons and her precocious pain, the figure swimming in front of him. His attacker
daughter, Aardelea. Near the bottom of the stack he kept a glared down at him in icy fury. You will obey us or die. Do
few stiff, formal notes from Chereca, Hantos headwoman. you understand, fool?
Once, Charboyya had thought to marry her. But Chereca Slowly wiping the blood from his mouth, Emberica
refused to leave Hanto, and Charboyya would not return. nodded.
Charboyya clutched the precious letters to his chest,
crumpling a few in his anguish. Several weeks had passed
since he last heard from the village, and the silence had
filled him with a sense of foreboding. Charboyya took a
deep breath, forced himself to lay down the letters and
slowly smoothed the crumpled pages. You dont know for
certain anythings happened in Hanto. The messengers
may have met with ill luck upon the road or are waiting
out bad weather. Or they may have just as likely absconded
with your coin, for all you know.
Staring down at the letters in his lap, Charboyya sighed.
No matter how often he tried, he couldnt make himself
believe any of those comforting explanations. He had to
find out the truth, no matter the cost.
Charboyya rose, still holding the letters, and began
to pace again. He must hire a second party to journey to
Hanto and bring him word. That meant spending coin hed
not set aside for this purpose. He could raise it by reducing
his orders to the dyer and the weaver. Theyd surely com-
plain, but that mattered nothing compared to the safety of
his village. And should the first party of messengers strag-
gle into Bartertown just as the second set out, Charboyya
would gladly be proven a spendthrift. Please the Passions,
his worries were but phantoms of events that would never
come to pass.
Carefully, lovingly, Charboyya placed the letters back
in their drawer and locked the cabinet. He drew his cloak 141
P lot Synopsis
The tiny village of Hanto lies in the wilds of cen-
tral Barsaive, just south of Lake Vors. Like the people of
many an isolated hamlet in these first generations after
Adventure Hook
Gamemasters who want to set the
the Scourge, the villagers of Hanto desired nothing more characters up prior to meeting Char-
than to farm the lands of their forebears in peace. Sadly, boyya may want to use this adventure
even that simple desire could not be fulfilled. Too little hook. During their stay in Bartertown,
time had passed since the evil days when Horrors ravaged the owner of the inn where the group
Barsaive, and many perils still lurked in the wild hinter- is staying approaches them for help. He
lands. The people of Hanto learned not to trust the stranger has problems with a local band of bul-
at the gate, the traveler on the roada stranger might be a lies who force protection money out of
bandit bent on thievery, an ork scorcher looking to blood him every other week. The innkeeper is
his sword, or even a disguised Horror come to claim new unable to pay the next rate, so he asks
victims. Undoubtedly, such suspicions saved the villagers the characters to have the thugs under-
from many dangers but also made them close their hearts stand that they arent welcome here. In
and minds against anything new or different. Anything of return, the innkeeper offers them free
which the people of Hanto knew little when they settled lodging, although theyd have to pay for
here, they shunnedincluding most of the outside world. food and drink. As a reward, however,
Unlike most villagers, one among them sought the the innkeeper offers each of them a set
world beyond the village walls: the dwarf Named Char- of fine new clothestailored to them by
boyya. Young, proud, and determined to make his fortune his friend, Charboyya (who will be glad
in the wide world, Charboyya left Hanto and became a cloth to do his friend a favor).
merchant. His business prospered, and he became one of How they deal with the bullies is
I nfected
the richest traders in Bartertown. Though Charboyya trav- left open to the characters. The gang is
eled far from his village, he still considered himself a child made up of orks and a couple of trolls
of Hanto and a loving son to his family. That he might know who know their territory quite well, but
of the occupation of their days and tell them of his, Char- dont have any adepts among their ranks.
boyya gladly spent some of his considerable wealth hiring Gor and Hilak (the leader and his right
messengers to carry letters back and forth from Hanto. For hand) are both skilled fighters, and
many a year, his family and friends wrote to their beloved theyll definitely try to intimidate the
wanderer, and all remained well with them. heroes. However, they arent stupid and
The first hint of trouble surfaced a mere eight months will be scared away if the characters call
ago, when a girl in Charboyyas village, Aardelea, began their bluff and enter a fight. It is possible
to exhibit strange, amazing magical powers. Though that the characters make new enemies if
untrained in the use of magic, she could move objects by they allow them to escape.
will alone and perform many other wonders. Aardeleas
magic even saved the life of her young nephew one day
when, using nothing more than the power of her mind, she
lifted the boy out of a deep well into which he had fallen. resorted to banditry. Charboyya, fearing the worst when
It happened that a wandering elven Troubadour wit- his messengers did not return at the appointed time, chose
nessed this event. The Troubadour knew of certain folk to hire a second band of adventurers to discover what has
who called themselves the Grim Legion, joyless and impla- befallen the messengers and the village.
cable vigilantes who saw the taint of the Horrors behind Now begins the adventure of the heroes of this tale.
every mystery and paid well for news of unexplained mag- Learning of Charboyyas need for adventurers, the heroes
ical wonders. The Troubadour told them of Aardelea and arrange with a friend to meet with him. Charboyya tells
pocketed his fee. A small group of Legionnaires traveled in them of his plight and promises to pay them well if they
haste to Hanto and upon their arrival, declared the village discover the fate of his missing messengers and his vil-
under quarantine. Claiming that the powers displayed by lage. The adventurers travel from Bartertown to Hanto,
the child Aardelea must be Horror-spawned, the Legion- through wild lands dotted with villages whose inhabit-
naires stopped all traffic from leaving the village, on the ants are wary of strangers. Each village they pass on their
grounds that the villages supposed Horror-taint posed a long journey shuns them, for fear they may be bandits or
threat to all Barsaive. lackeys of Horrors. They encounter many dangers on the
Though frightened and angry, the villagers dared not road, including an attack by the lost messengers. After a
fight the Grim Legion. The Legions arrival also trapped long journey fraught with peril, the adventurers arrive in
Charboyyas messengers. Bolder and quicker to fight than Hanto to confront the Grim Legion that holds the village
the villagers, the messengers attempted escape. Their in its iron grip.
strongest fighters died in the ensuing battle. The rest, badly The adventurers enter the village and learn the truth of
wounded, fled into the wilderness. Lacking the strength or Aardeleas magic; the child has been touched, not by Hor-
142 means to return to Bartertown and their employer, they rors, but by a dying spirit set to safeguard a treasury of
magical knowledge. The adventurers make their way to a I have heard that you have faced and con-
cavern where Aardelea often spent her hours daydream- quered many dangers, and that you deal honestly
ing, and in the childs hideaway they find the book whose with your employers. I have need of such honor-
guardian granted her its magic. Armed with this knowl- able and bold Name-givers to undertake a mission
edge, the adventurers must defeat the Grim Legionby of great personal importance. Though I have made
persuasion or guile if they can, by force if they must. my fortune in Bartertown, I was born in the village
C
of Hanto, a small settlement in the wild lowlands
south of Lake Vors. I left Hanto when I was young
I nfected
room from wall to wall and even lounge against
the central staircase, eyeing the countless bolts
of fine silks displayed by the merchants enthusi-
astic workers. From the snatches of conversation
you can make out above the cheerful din, the mer-
chants people are as expert in the cut-and-thrust
of barter as a Swordmaster is in the art of sword-
play. Nearby, a flamboyantly dressed ork displays
a length of brilliant, crimson silk for a well-heeled
caravan master. Next to him, a wizened old man in
threadbare robes gently runs his wrinkled fingers
over a length of heavy golden cloth held out to him
by a slender elf maiden. The elf spies you, smiles,
and rings a small bell on the table in front of her.
The bells clear tones have scarcely died away
when a middle-aged dwarf with a well-tended red
beard and finely cut clothes descends the stairs.
The bright colors of his suit tell you that the dwarf
finds his own merchandise to his liking. The confi-
dence of his step and the firmness of his handshake
proclaim him anything but a fop.
I am Charboyya, he says, and gestures toward
a narrow door at the back of the trading floor. Let
us discuss our business in my office.
In stark contrast to the bright, bustling public
room, Charboyyas office seems almost drab in its
simplicity. A few wooden chairs stand opposite his
small worktable, which is piled high with ledger
books and loose papers. Charboyya invites you to
seat yourselves, then opens a drawer in the table
and brings out a bowl of nuts, setting these on top
of the piled letters and bidding you take some if
you wish. Pleasantries obviously concluded, Char-
boyya sits down on the edge of his chair and begins
to speak.
143
The road to Hanto is difficult. Seen on a map, or worse, unless they can prove otherwise. Folks
it appears to be a mere nine days ride from Bar- thereabouts are suspicious of every strangerwith
tertown, but much of the terrain is wild and reason.
overgrown. Allowing for the usual hazards of
If asked about the missing couriers, Charboy ya
travel, to go from Bartertown to Hanto and back
describes them:
should take twenty days ride or thirty days walk-
ing. My lost messengers rode fine horses, yet they A troll Named Abakule led them, seconded by
have been gone these thirty days. I know that they a windling Archer. Lu Pi, I believe her Name was.
may have met with mischance on the road, but I Abakule was gruff in manner, but conducted her-
cannot help fearing for the safety of my village. self honorably toward me. The rest of the band
I must know for certain that my family and included several humans and an ork, but I cannot
friends are well. I wish you to travel to Hanto, dis- recall their Names. My friend Jemboyla, a spice
cover what has happened and bring me word. I can merchant for whom they guarded several impor-
warn you of many hazards you may face along the tant shipments, recommended them to me. They
road and will answer any questions I can. If you seemed honest and skilled, and I hope I have not
accept employment, we shall negotiate a fair price sent them to their deaths.
for your services. Can you answer me now?
If the characters ask Charboyya where to find Jem-
boyla, he directs them to her trading house, half a mile
Themes and Images down Royal Road from Charboyyas establishment.
If asked about his friends and family in Hanto, he asks
Play up Charboyyas distress, as well as his honesty and
for word of his mother, Laveriel, and his brother, Emberica.
essential goodness. Portray him as the salt of the earth, the
He cautions the characters against offending Emberica,
kind of person for whom other people naturally, willingly
warning them of his brothers hot temper. He mentions
go to the mat. The player characters will find it easier to
his childhood playmate, Orweia, and her family, and also
I nfected
K eleshanne
Attributes
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (8): 4/D6
Toughness (10): 5/D8 Perception (14): 6/D10
Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (17): 7/D12
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 6/D10
I nfected
agreement of price and advance money, Charboyya wishes Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 0
his new employees good fortune and instructs them to Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 2
return to him when they are ready to leave Bartertown. At
Death Rating: 31 Recovery Tests: 2
that point, he will give them letters to take to Hanto, a map
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 4/D6
of the safest route he knows, and a set of medallions that
Unconsciousness Rating: 22
identify them as his representatives. At this second meet-
ing with Charboyya, give the players the crudely drawn Combat Movement: 30 Full Movement: 60
map of the route to the village (see Player Handouts,
p.356). The letters are single sheets of parchment, folded Skills
and sealed with wax. The medallions, wooden circles a few Artisan:
inches in diameter, are stamped with a crude likeness of Singing (1): 8/2D6
Charboyya. They have no resale value.
Knowledge:
Interviewing Charboyyas Workers Court Dancing (1): 7/D12
Elven Love Songs (1): 7/D12
Before they leave the trading house, the player charac-
ters may decide to try to find out if Charboyya really is as General:
honest as he seems. Though none of Charboyyas employees Conversation (3): 10/D10+D6
will chat with the party while on duty, the elf Keleshanne Etiquette (6): 13/D12+D10
and the ork Gamuudge gladly agree to a meeting later in Flirting (4): 11/D10+D8
the day. Haggle (1): 8/2D6
Read and Write Language (4): 10/D10+D6
Meeting with Keleshanne Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel
Keleshanne, the elf maiden described in Setting the Speak Language (3): 9/D8+D6
Stage (p.143), wants a fling. Her betrothed, a roguish gam- Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Sperethiel
bler, has left town on an extended journey and wont return Seduction (2): 9/D8+D6
for several months. Bored to tears and starving for some Trading (1): 8/2D6
fun, she may see one of the male adventurers as a likely
temporary partner. If one of them makes a successful Flirt- Equipment
ing or Charisma Test, Keleshanne agrees to meet him at Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
dusk for a drink at the Juggling Shadowmant, a pub several Belt Pouch
doors down from Charboyyas trading house. Her manner Elfweave Robe
suggests romance in the offing, and she hints strongly that Wealthy Travelers Garb
she prefers the potential object of her affections to arrive
solo. If none of the males makes a successful Flirting or Loot
Charisma Test, Keleshanne makes a date with any elf or Silver Ring (worth 25 silver pieces)
145
Legend Award character must make a second Conversation or Charisma
60 Legend Points Test. If the test succeeds, Gamuudge continues with the
following:
Notes
Had a friend from Burnpatch, we grew up
Keleshanne possesses the elf racial ability of Low-Light
like brothers. Ork, Named Kwamm. He was like
Vision.
me; wanted to get out and do things, be somebody.
Meeting with Gamuudge Picked a bad way to do it, he did. Joined the Grim
Legion, and came back to Burnpatch acting like he
New in town and lacking for friends, Gamuudge eagerly
was king of somewhere and pushing folk around.
accepts any invitation from the characters for an ale after
So I called him out, and we roughed each other up
work. The lonely ork has a crush on Keleshanne, but knows
some. Got mad, Kwamm did. Said hed bring his
better than to approach her. Though few make their opin-
friends to teach me respect for the Legion. Me, I fig-
ions obvious, many of Gamuudges fellow workers look
ured Id best not wait for em. So now Im here.
down on him because of his race. Charboyya treats him
as a kindred spirit because the ork also came from a tiny, For a different version of these events, see Kwamms
outland village, but as his employer, Charboyya cannot be description in Cast of Characters, p.192.
a true friend. Thrilled to find companionship of any kind, Gamuudge is clumsy as well as unsophisticated. During
Gamuudge proves quite talkative with a brimming tankard one of his speeches, he stands up or gestures to emphasize
in front of him. If asked about Charboyya, he says: his words, accidentally jostling the table and knocking a
full tankard of ale into an unfortunate player characters
Good fellow. Hired me soons he talked to me,
lap. This mishap should happen to the adventurer whose
put me right to work. Glad to work, mekicked
reaction to the accident you feel will be funniest. Gamuudge
around a long time, not getting nowhere at any-
apologizes profusely. If the scene is working, try having the
thing. Charboyya treats me good, not like some.
poor ork wreak further slapstick havoc with his bumbling
Back home, people treat everbody the same. Here,
I nfected
I nfected
bish office manager, a dwarf Named Cezlarica, by making Damien Blacklog. The ork called herself Bojazi Kofeeld.
a successful First Impression, Etiquette, or Charisma Test Many seasoned adventurers spend time at the Jug-
against Cezlaricas Social Defense of 6. (For the rest of gling Shadowmant, and they all feel a vested interest in
Cezlaricas statistics, use those given for the dwarf mer- squelching any other patron foolish enough to threaten vio-
chant in the Gamemaster Characters chapter on p. 227 lence in Brainbiters establishment. Regular drinkers at the
of the Gamemasters Compendium.) While waiting for Shadowmant are quick to avoid trouble or stop it before it
Jemboyla, the characters notice that her entire staff con-
sists of dwarfs.
Jemboyla dresses and acts in a simple, no-nonsense
style. Currently busy preparing a shipment to Haven, she
can spare only a few moments to speak to the adventur-
ers. Any character who makes a successful Perception Test
against Jemboylas Social Defense of 8 recognizes that she
is trying to hide her disdain for the adventurers as she
speaks. For additional statistics, use those given for the
dwarf merchant mentioned above, but raise Jemboylas
Charisma step to 6/D10.
Jemboyla claims to have barely known the couriers.
Talking to Brainbiter
A former adventurer who gave up that hazardous life
when he lost a foot on an ill-fated expedition into Parlainth,
Brainbiter owns the Juggling Shadowmant as well as tend-
ing bar. He loves chatting with customers, and frequently
offers help to adventurers for old times sake. If the player
characters ask Brainbiter what he knows of the missing
couriers, Brainbiter replies:
147
On The Grim Legion Making Knowledge
How much of the following background and Persuasion Tests
information on the Grim Legion the play-
Characters with Knowledge skills that
ers learn depends on the level of success
might apply directly to the Grim Legion,
their characters achieve on Knowledge Tests.
such as Barsaive History, Cults and Orga-
Because the Grim Legion has a reputation
nizations, or History of the Scourge, make
throughout Barsaive, all the player charac-
Knowledge Tests against a Difficulty Number
ters know something of the group without
of 5. Indirectly related knowledge skills, such
benefit of Knowledge Tests. When the char-
as Horrors or Legends and Lore require a test
acters first hear the Legion mentioned, read
against a Difficulty Number of 7. All available
aloud or paraphrase the following:
information that can be gleaned by a suc-
The Grim Legion. You recognize cessful Knowledge Test appears arranged by
that name. Some say the Legion- result level. The player character learns all
naires are heroes, ready to lay down information up to and including the informa-
their lives to free Barsaive from Hor- tion listed for the result level achieved; for
rors and anything tainted by Horrors. example, a character who achieves a Good
Others scorn them as glorified ban- result learns the information listed for that
dits who justif y their greed and result level and also for an Average result.
violence with the name of a higher The characters learn false rumors at lower
purpose. Still others pity them, seeing levels of success and learn the truth at higher
them as well-meaning Horror hunt- levels. If a player achieves a result level that
I nfected
ers, tainted and driven mad by the gives him several levels worth of information,
dark powers against which they fight explain that the higher-level information is
and the awful sights they have seen. more reliable.
You have heard that every large city The player characters may make Knowl-
has its Grim Legionnaires, though edge Tests to obtain information about the
the degree of their influence varies Grim Legion at any point after they hear of
from place to place. Some are merely the Legion. The player characters may also
drunken loudmouths, others are dan- obtain the following information from mem-
gerous fanatics. You have seen a few bers of the Grim Legion in Hanto by making
in Bartertown, standing out from the successful Persuasion Tests. Several Legion-
crowd in their black leather or black- naires possess the Knowledge skill of Grim
ened metal armor decorated with Legion History, and any of these characters
silver studs. They swaggered down can share the history they know with the
the streets like Theran overlords, and player characters. If a player asks an appro-
most gave them a wide berth. priately skilled Legionnaire about the history
I nfected
nately, they pose as great a danger to the of Grim Legionnaires spring up constantly-
common citizen as to local Horrors. They anyone can found his own Grim Legion band
expect gratitude and unquestioning respect by outfitting himself and a few friends in
from others at all times and demand food, silver-studded black leather and then swear-
lodging, weapons, equipment and even coin ing to fight Horrors. Many of the false rumors
whenever it strikes their fancy. They accuse about the Legion are started and spread by
any who resist of being Horror-tainted, so-called Legionnaires who actually know
harassing them unmercifully and sometimes very little about the original group.
even killing them. Any given group of Grim Legionnaires
may be half-crazy heroes or shiftless swin-
Good Result dlers, tough veterans or greenhorns who
The Grim Legion includes both good donned their leathers the day before yester-
members and bad members. Unfortunately, day. In general, Legionnaires who roam the
scattered among the righteous Horror- countryside tend to be tough, skilled, and
slayers are criminal elements who take truly devoted to their cause, whereas those
Knowledge: Equipment
Bartertown Lore (1): 6/D10 Club (Damage 9/D8+D6)
Business Contacts (1): 6/D10 Belt Pouch
Drum
General:
Travelers Garb
Avoid Blow (2): 5/D8
Climbing (2): 5/D8 Loot
Conversation (4): 9/D8+D6
15 silver pieces
Haggle (2): 7/D12
Melee Weapons (2): 5/D8 Legend Award
Read and Write Language (2): 7/D12
40 Legend Points
Dwarf (Throalic), Troll
Speak Language (2): 7/D12 Notes
Dwarf (Throalic), Troll
Brainbiter possesses the troll racial ability of Heat Sight.
Unarmed Combat (2): 5/D8
149
who congregate in or near cities are more flict between heroes and opportunists that
often merely thugs or fools. plagues the Legion to this day. As the cen-
The original Grim Legion was founded turies wore on, the term Proud Legion fell
during the Invae Burnings (see p.360 of into disuse. By the time of the Orichalcum
the Gamemasters Compendium) by a Wars, it existed only in myths and songs
dwarf Nethermancer/Warrior Named Verwol, about long-dead heroes of the past and as a
who united the warring tribes and cities of sarcastic insult applied to extortionist mer-
Barsaive to fight the insect spirits. Verwol cenary bands.
coined the Grim Legion motto, When in The myths and songs outlived the insults;
doubt, hack em to bits. when the Horrors began to appear in force,
many of the heroes who sought to eradicate
Extraordinary Result them revived the traditions of the Proud
The group now known as the Grim Legion Legion. As the Horrors onslaught grew
first appeared during the dark period of Bar- worse, a stubborn dwarf Nethermancer and
saives history known as the Burning. At Warrior, Named Verwol, Named his indomi-
that time, the area we now know as Barsaive table band of Horror-slayers the Grim Legion.
contained countless warring tribes and city- Convinced that he and his fellows could only
states, who banded together to fight a sudden hope to defeat the Horrors by matching their
infestation of bizarre insect creatures later viciousness and harboring no weaknesses to
recognized as harbingers of the Scourge. In exploit, Verwol and his followers began to
southern Barsaive, where the infestation was wear black clothing and adopted an intimi-
I nfected
I nfected
instances in which Grim Legion units fight entrance are somewhat rude, Hiq turns out to
one another, particularly when one group be very polite. He tries to recruit the charac-
fails to adhere to anothers standards of ters to his cause, and gladly shows them what
conduct. his own group of Legionnaires have achieved
so far (his tent features a nice collection of
Horror skulls).
Adventure Hook Gamemasters may use Hiq to relate any
Gamemasters may use this hook to of the information presented above to the
showcase that not all Grim Legionaires are characters (in case they dont have the appro-
misguided thugs. While talking to Gamuudge priate Knowledge skills or fail their tests). Of
or Brainbiter, a human Troubadour Named course, Hiq emphasizes the good and heroic
Khelvan overhears parts of their conversa- parts of the Legions history. He and his men
tion. He approaches them, excuses himself are honest fellows, and their word can be
for his curiosity, and tells them where they trusted.
can find a group of Grim Legionnaires. He
brows. Born of ignorance though it may be, such Theyll be back soon enough, though. Mark my
bravery is genuine. For myself, I cannot imagine words.
living anywhere but a city.
Some people say the Grim Legion are thieves,
I was born in one of them villages. We live hard or greedy, or power-hungry. Folk who talk like
lives there; it makes you hard inside if you stay that have never seen a six-year-old girl turn into a
too long. hideous, insect-legged wolf and leap for her moth-
ers throat. I have; and I say, anyone who fights
The Grim Legion the Horrors is all right in my book. If the Legion
One lot of em caused quite a spot of trouble needs supplies from me, Ill give them. Its the least
in town, until a few weeks ago. Pack of glorified I can do.
thieves, if you ask me. Theyd pilfer what they chose
Right lot of crazies, the Grim Legion. Ever
from any stall in the bazaar, claiming they were
heard them talk? They sound so flamin pompous,
borrowing what they needed for the fight against
I want to bust out laughing.
the Horrors. Hah! The magistrate ran them off by
cooking up a tall tale about Horror taint in Kratas.
151
Troubleshooting Keep the player characters off-balance; make them
Little can go wrong this early in the adventure, unless wonder when the other shoe is going to drop.
the adventurers choose to reject Charboyyas offer. If this
unlikely event takes place, create a compelling reason
for the group to go to Hanto. Perhaps an acquaintance of Behind the Scenes
someones gamemaster character ally has gone there and This section describes the characters journey from
disappeared, or an adventurer might come down with a Bartertown to Hanto and offers several possible encoun-
mysterious illness for which the only known cure lies in ters. They may meet wary villagers, creatures that lurk in
Hanto. Because such storylines often feel contrived, try not scattered copses of trees or behind the few rocky outcrop-
to use them on players who object to being herded through pings that thrust out of the tall prairie grasses, bandits who
the game. roam the wild countryside, and so on. The trip to Hanto
The gamemaster can also adapt various parts of this takes several days under the best conditions, roughly 15
adventure for future adventures. The encounters on the days walking or 9 days riding. Give the player characters
road to Hanto, for example, might apply to any overland the feel of a long, arduous journey by describing the same-
journey the player characters take in the future. The Grim ness of the daily routine: rise at dawn, breakfast on trail
Legion may control the characters next chosen destination, food, walk or ride for several hours under a cloudless sky,
and most of the plot line involving Hanto and its magical rest and eat around noon, travel along the never-ending
child might be usable with a few name changes. prairie for several more hours, make camp before dusk, eat,
Remember to portray Bartertown as a safe haven. Even post sentries, and sleep.
if the player characters go looking for trouble, try to keep In addition to setting the stage for the characters to
them out of it. Insulted guardsmen choose to dress down encounter other travelers, villagers, bandits, creatures, and
the player characters verbally instead of attacking them, so on, the gamemaster may also wish to revisit ongoing
cheated merchants use legal rather than violent means plot threads from the current or previous campaigns. If
of reprisal, tavern patrons cannot be bothered to fight a someone is carrying a cursed magical item, for example,
I nfected
bunch of loud-mouthed fools, and so on. it chooses this (rather opportune) moment to display its
T
malign powers. If the player characters seem to be spoiling
for a fight, defuse their aggressive impulses by allowing the
he Road to Hanto slavering monster of your choice to leap from the bushes or
tall grass and attempt to lunch on the travelers.
This encounter describes the road to Hanto and
several dangers that the adventurers might face on their Lowland Settlement Encounters
journey. The section also provides guidelines for keeping When the adventurers enter or pass close to a lowland
the story on track if the characters wander off the road in village during the journey to Hanto, play encounters with
search of additional trouble.
152
I nfected
the following details in mind. No true roads or trails cross plagued these new settlements in the early days after the
the flat, open savannas. The grasslands simply go on for Scourge, but when bandits and slavers began to prey on
miles, occasionally interrupted by stony patches or jutting them as well, the villagers learned not to trust anyone. If
rock formations. The characters may have to go around you wish, explain the villagers hostility to the characters
these obstacles, if they loom particularly large, and can by having a villager relate some or all of this bitter history
easily lose their bearings. The closest things to roads on the to the adventurers.
savanna are paths beaten by the hooves of herd animals. Each of the lowland villages appoints a single, highly
If the adventurers follow these paths, they will eventually respected man or woman to act as the communitys leader
reach a village and are likely to meet locals along the way. and deal with every sort of trouble. Though the whole vil-
Hundreds of tiny villages dot Barsaives plains. These lage makes its decisions through discussion and consensus,
hamlets commonly include dwarfs, humans, elves, and the headman or woman carries out these decisions and
orks. Members of other races may live in these farming acts as village spokesperson to outsiders. The residents of
communities, though they are rare in this part of Barsaive. most villages speak passable Throalic, spiced with a few
Within these settlements, the residents feel greater loy- loan words that remain from the mother tongues of the
alty to their villages than their races and relate poorly to different races who entered the kaers.
all strangers. Villagers may trust outsiders from nearby
communities more than city folk, though feuds between Approaching a Village
villages are not unknown. Most savanna villages consist of several round huts
Though the hostility of country folk toward city folk made of kiln-fired brick and thatched roofs. The huts are
predates the Scourge, that dark time strengthened this arranged in a rough circle around a flat, open, communal
instinctive distrust. In the years just before the Scourge, eating area with a fire pit in the center. This village green
envoys from the villages approached the leaders of Bar- serves as a gathering place for the evening meal, storytell-
saives great cities in order to join them in their vast kaers ing, observances to honor the Passions, public settling of
and citadels, as they couldnt afford the Rites of Protection grievances between individuals, and so forth.
and Passage. They argued that only the largest kaers and In the isolated regions of Barsaive, it is customary to
citadels could survive the Horrors onslaught and claimed perform a greeting ritual when approaching a village (see
that the villagers would die needlessly if left without pro- p.231 of the Players Compendium for more informa-
tection. Of course, the cities needed farmers to grow food tion), to prove that the travelers are free of Horror taint.
for the kaers, but had not enough space for all of them. Characters using their Artisan skills as part of a greet-
Many families were left behind. ing ritual should make his Artisan Skill Test against a
When the people of Barsaive emerged from their Difficulty Number of 5. If the test succeeds, the charac-
kaers, the farmers among them learned the bitter truth ter proves himself free of Horror taint and the locals will
that most of their ancestors had fallen victim to the Hor- allow him to enter the village.
rors. Many families sought to resettle the open plains as Still, if the adventurers enter any village along the road
a resultthey left their former kaers behind, bringing life to Hanto, they meet with considerable suspicion. Parents
back to the scorched earth. The remnants of the Horrors order their children inside their huts. The elderly and 153
infirm shuffle indoors as fast as they can. Able-bodied men you need it and allow you to rest a moment on the village
and women grab sharp farm implements such as pitchforks green. I warn you not to abuse this hospitality.
or hoes; a few of them may even wield swords and spears.
Excellent: On an Excellent result, the village spreads as
Despite their immediate show of strength, the villagers
much of a feast as they can manage for the adventurers but
generally prefer to avoid trouble, hoping that their seem-
refuses to let them spend the night. The leader says, Your
ing readiness to fight will discourage potential attackers.
words bear the ring of honesty and courage. Will you share
Even if the adventurers insult them, the villagers will not
with us a humble meal and perhaps tell us of your exploits
strike the first blow.
before you depart?
The headman or woman will intercept the adventur-
ers before they approach too close to the village, bidding Extraordinary: An Extraordinary result breaches the
them go swiftly on their way. If the adventurers refuse to wall of suspicion and leads the villagers to offer a nights
leave, perhaps claiming need for shelter, first aid, and so shelter as well as food. The leader apologizes for doubting
on, the headman or woman gives something like the fol- the characters intentions, saying, Would that all strang-
lowing reply: ers who pass our way were true-hearted heroes such as
you! We will gladly offer you food and a bed for the night;
We intend no offense, but you are strangers.
you are welcome to partake of our best, little though it is.
Too often in the past, bandits and foul folk mas-
querading as honest heroes have done us harm On a Pathetic result when trying to win them over, or
when we aided them. Why should we believe you if the adventurers provoke the villagers into fighting, use
are who you claim to be? the human, dwarf, ork, or elf villager statistics provided in
Friends Indeed, p.159.
If the player characters attempt to use their social skills
to impress the village leader, the gamemaster determines Additional Encounters
the leaders ability to resist the characters attempts at per-
If it suits the campaign, create other types of encoun-
suasion by choosing a suitable Charisma step and Social
ters on the road. The adventurers might pass a band of
I nfected
I nfected
believe in hospitality.
ebony-skinned ork, his face crisscrossed with age
lines. A few feet from you, he pulls up his mount If the adventurers continue to reject Rhamducs friendly
and holds out his hands in greeting. Hail, travel- overtures, he bids them farewell. Go to the next encoun-
ers! Pardon my presumption for accosting you, but ter, Charboyyas Betrayers, p.161. If the adventurers
I hunger for news of the outside world. I am Rham- return Rhamducs greeting and seem inclined to chat or
duc, headman of the village of Yellowspring. If you join him, Rhamduc tells them a bit about himself as they
permit, I would dearly love to ride and speak with travel toward Yellowspring. Read the following aloud:
you awhile. Will you indulge an old ork?
I left Yellowspring in my youth to find my for-
tune. Wealth eluded me, alas, and I returned to my
Themes and Images village some years later to find a wife and settle
Rhamducs friendliness alone should unsettle the player down. Its a good enough life, but I miss many
characters; no one acts this kindly toward strangers in the things about the city: the music, the taverns, the
lowlands. If the characters accept the invitation to accom- endless parade of new faces. Where are you from,
pany Rhamduc back to his village, play the ork and his friends, and what brings you to this drab corner
fellow villagers as kind and sympathetic during the first of Barsaive?
part of the encounter. Lulling the characters into a false
Though Rhamduc is certainly interested in the adven-
turers journey, he concentrates mostly on appearing
trustworthy rather than trying to squeeze information out
of them. In particular, he hopes that in talking about their
journey, the adventurers will give him an opening to invite
them to stay the night in Yellowspring. He may ask outright
if they need shelter, or simply ask how many days they have
spent on the road. He may even resort to telling them that
a storm is approaching, in hopes of getting them to ask for
beds in the village.
To earn the characters trust, he may ask questions
about Bartertown that seem to prove he did actually spend
some time there, such as, Are the Therans much of a prob-
lem there? Did you happen to see an elven tavern dancer
Named Melaria, a performer at the Red Wyrm Tavern? Is
the Red Wyrm still standing? and so on.
If asked, Rhamduc knows nothing about Hanto or
Charboyyas lost couriers. He answers any other questions
about himself or his village as honestly as he can, but care-
155
I nfected
fully fails to mention the feud with Cherrypit. He offers his Melee Weapons (2): 7/D12
opinion on the Grim Legion only if asked: Missile Weapons (2): 7/D12
Read and Write Language (1): 9/D8+D6
Weve not had much trouble with them in Yel-
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
lowspring, but they hold quite a bit of power in
Speak Language (2): 9/D8+D6
these parts. Fear of the Horrors overshadows some
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
peoples better judgment, and they invite these
people to take control. Myself, I prefer to keep out Equipment
of their way.
Padded Cloth (Phys 2)
R hamduc Broadsword (Damage 11/D10+D8; w/scabbard)
Attributes Shortbow (Damage 9/D8+D6; Range 3060120)
Quiver (w/20 shortbow arrows)
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (14): 6/D10
Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (16): 7/D12 Belt Pouch
Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (17): 7/D12 Farming Tools
Sculpting Tool
Characteristics Peasants Garb
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 2 Loot
Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 1 10 silver pieces
I nfected
a primitive smithy, and several storage sheds containing gender to sit near them and engage the adventurer in con-
farming tools. versation. One of these innocent, young villagers might
As the adventurers enter the village, any one of them develop a genuine crush on an adventurer, especially if the
who makes a successful Perception (4) Test notices an player character uses Flirting or Seduction skills. Rhamduc
irregular circle of sharpened stakes sticking up about a assigns older adventurers table companions with similar
foot out of the ground and pointing outward, encircling interestsa local fighter trading brawling stories with a
the village. The adventurers will not have seen such a stake- warrior, a magically talented villager to chat with a sor-
wall in any other village. The line of stakes breaks off in cerer, and so on. If you wish, invent gamemaster characters
many places, and Rhamduc leads the adventurers through specifically tailored to appeal to each player character.
one of these breaks. Because the flat terrain around Yel- As the evening draws to a close, Rhamduc informs the
lowspring offers no cover, raiding parties usually strike player characters that each of them will sleep in a specific
at night. Darkness, of course, makes the stakes difficult to hut on the northern side of the village as guests of vari-
avoid. On closer inspection of the stakes, the characters ous families. Rhamduc expects the Cherrypitters to attack
notice that the points are covered with horse dung. Any from the north and wants his new fighters on the spot. As
character who makes a successful test using a Knowledge the player characters bed down for the night, any character
skill related to Healing or Folk Medicine against a difficulty who makes a successful Perception Test against his hosts
number of 7 realizes that the dung is intended to infect Social Defense may notice that the villagers seem a bit ner-
anyone wounded by one of these stakes. vous. The host villagers all have a Social Defense of 5 or 6,
As Rhamduc escorts the adventurers into the vil- at the gamemasters discretion. If asked why they seem so
lage, the people emerge from their huts. A mixed group of nervous, members of the host families initially deny these
dwarfs, humans, orks, and elves, the people appear curious feelings, but if pressed, pass it off as a normal part of life
but more reserved than Rhamduc. Unlike their leader, they on the savanna.
will not speak to the adventurers unless spoken to. When If an adventurer decides to stay up all night, he must
Rhamduc bids the villagers to prepare a welcoming feast, make a successful Toughness Test to do so. The Difficulty
they set willingly to work. Some of the men slaughter one Number varies according to the characters indulgence in
of the mangier-looking horses and begin butchering it for food and drink during the feast. A character who ate spar-
the occasion. ingly and drank no alcohol faces a Difficulty Number of
At this point, the adventurers can get acquainted with 5. If he ate greedily but drank no alcohol, or consumed
Yellowspring and its residents. All the adults know of moderate amounts of both food and drink, the Difficulty
Rhamducs plan and take care not to hint at the expected Number rises to 9. For a heavy drinker who ate sparingly,
raid from Cherrypit. If an adventurer asks any adult vil- the Difficulty Number is 12. For a character who overin-
lager about the stakes, the villager says something like: dulged in food and ale, the Difficulty Number is 15.
If an adventurer attempts to leave the hut during the
You cant be too careful, can you? We put those
night, the characters host family awakens and attempts
in a couple of years ago after some thieves tried to
to convince the adventurer to stay safe and snug indoors.
take our horses during the night.
If the adventurers insist on heading out regardless of all 157
warnings, the villagers summon Rhamduc. Rhamduc logi-
cally assumes that the seasoned heroes sensed the danger
from Cherrypit and are riding out to pre-empt it and so
assembles several able-bodied villagers to accompany
the adventurers. This impromptu group of night riders
intercepts the raiding party from Cherrypit between the
two villages, and battle occurs out on the open plain. The
attacking Cherrypitters fall victim to surprise, and Rham-
duc immediately orders an all-out attack to press his
momentary advantage.
Visiting Cherrypit
If the adventurers decide to visit Cherrypit at any point
before the raid occurs, no one from Yellowspring offers to
accompany them. Rhamduc gives them incorrect direc-
tions, telling them that Cherrypit is located an hours walk
to the northwest when it actually lies one hours walk to
the northeast. By following Rhamducs false directions, the
adventurers end up at a giant rock formation that is erod-
ing from deep scratches made by a Horrors claws. If they
return to Yellowspring and confront Rhamduc on his mis-
direction, he feigns innocence: Northwest? Im sure I said
northeast. Everyone knows its northeast. If Rhamduc
defends his innocence within earshot of another villager
I nfected
who heard him give the original directions, the other vil-
lager backs up the headmans story.
Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
If the characters do manage to stumble on Cherrypit, its
headwoman, a human Named Noha, tells them to leave. If Skills
the adventurers try to explain their presence, Noha says:
Artisan:
You come from the southwest, where Yellow- Pottery (3): 9/D8+D6
spring lies. The village of Yellowspring has sworn
Knowledge:
to see every one of us dead, but we have no inten-
Farming (2): 8/2D6
tion of dying to suit them. If you are kin or friends
to them, then you are our enemies. General:
Animal Bond (4): 10/D10+D6
If a player character asks Noha to explain why the
Animal Training (2): 8/2D6
Yellowspringers want to kill the people of Cherrypit, she
First Impression (1): 7/D12
impatiently tells them that the Yellowspringers claim valu-
Hunting (1): 6/D10
able pasture land that has belonged to Cherrypit from time
Melee Weapons (1): 6/D10
immemorial. She then commands them to leave one last
Missile Weapons (1): 6/D10
time; several young men and women of Cherrypit brandish
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
pitchforks and axes to encourage the adventurers speedy
Dwarf (Throalic)
departure. If a map of Cherrypit is needed, use the map of
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
Yellowspring on p.156, turning it to face the appropriate
Dwarf (Throalic), Human
direction and omitting the stakes.
Equipment
Noha
Padded Cloth (Phys 2)
Attributes
Short Sword (Damage 9/D8+D6; w/scabbard)
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (12): 5/D8
Shortbow (Damage 8/2D6; Range 3060120)
Toughness (11): 5/D8 Perception (13): 6/D10
Quiver (w/20 shortbow arrows)
Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (15): 6/D10
Belt Pouch
Characteristics Farming Tools
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8 Guard Dog
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 2 Pottery Tool
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 1 Peasants Garb
I nfected
mately one-third of the raiders are dwarfs, with another
third being humans. The remaining raiders are evenly elves Hoe (Damage 9/D8+D6; improvised weapon*)
or orks. Game statistics for raiders of each race appear Pitchfork (Damage 9/D8+D6; improvised weapon*)
below. All raiders wear padded cloth armor and all dwarf Short Sword (Damage 10/D10+D6)
raiders carry hand-axes. The gamemaster should deter- Hand-AxeD (Damage 10/D10+D6)
mine the weapons wielded by raiders of other races from Shortbow (Damage 9/D8+D6; Range 3060120)
those shown in the villager statistics, below; most of them with Quiver (w/20 shortbow arrows)
have hoes or pitchforks (see Improvised Melee Weap- Sling (Damage 8/2D6; Range 204080)
ons on p.411 of the Players Compendium), but some with Belt Pouch (w/15 sling stones)
bear short swords or hand-axes. About one-third of the D
All dwarfs use a hand-axe as their melee weapon.
* See p.411 of the Players Compendium
raiders carry slings; another third have Shortbows.
These raids are disorganized acts of vengeance rather Belt Pouch
than carefully planned military operations. The Cherrypit- Farming Tools
ters want to draw a little blood, set fire to a few huts and Peasants Garb
vanish into the night. They have no stomach for a fierce Pottery Tools
battle resulting in real casualties; if any raiders die, the
Draft Horse/PonyD
rest flee. If one of their number is seriously injured, the
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
Cherrypitters immediately stop fighting, try to retrieve him
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
and flee. As mounted fighters, the Cherrypitters can make D All dwarfs use ponies as their mounts.
Charging attacks and can also use Split Movement to make
ride-by attacks (see Mounted Combat in the Combat Loot
chapter on p.413 of the Players Compendium). If the
D4 copper pieces
characters want to retrieve their mounts (if any) from the
corral for this battle, they must leave the fight to do so. Legend Award
Villagers 45 Legend Points
Attributes Notes
Dexterity (12): 5/D8 Strength (13): 6/D10 Dwarf villagers possess the dwarf racial ability of Heat
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (11): 5/D8 Sight. Elf and ork villagers possess the racial abilities of
Willpower (9): 4/D6 Charisma (9): 4/D6 Low-Light Vision. Ork villagers also possess the ork racial
ability of Gahad.
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8 Commentary
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 2 Use these statistics for the villagers of Cherrypit and
Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 0 Yellowspring. Again, one third of the villagers are dwarfs,
159
Adventure Hook Trigger Condition: Stepping onto a network
During their journey through the never- of vines (usually 25 yards in diameter)
ending prairie, the characters unknowingly walk
Trap Effect: The vine makes a Step 12/2D10
into a field of carnivorous plants. The plants are
Grappling attack against the target. If the test
hard to spot, and most travelers dont realize
succeeds, the vine plant starts pulling the target
their mistake until it is too late. The characters
towards its center. Doing so usually takes 13
must kill the surrounding plants before they can
combat rounds, after which the target is swal-
backtrack and find a way around the field.
lowed. The poison contained in the sac is
Strangler vines usually thrive on insects and
described below.
rodents, but these vines are large enough to cap-
ture Name-givers. The characters may find the Strangler Vine Poison
skeletons of last years group inside the plants.
Type: Paralysis Spell Defense: 7
Use the following game statistics for the stran-
Onset Time: Instant Step Number: 11
gler vines:
Duration: Effect Test hours
Strangler Vines This poison takes effect as soon as the target
Strangler vines grow low to the ground, breathes it. A trapped character may hold his
cleverly hidden between prairie grass. These breath for a while to avoid the poisons effect,
plants grow a network of vines radiating out but to do so he must know that he is trapped by
from their centers (usually 2 to 5 yards in diam- a strangler vinefrom previous encounters or
I nfected
eter, although people claim to have seen plants by making a successful Botany (6) Test.
measuring 10 yards or more). Strangler vines
commonly grow in large fields of twenty or more Escaping the Sac
plants, with narrow paths between individual Conscious characters who have been pulled
vine networks. These paths often form a small into the sac may climb out by making a success-
labyrinth that can confuse even wary travelers. ful Climbing (5) Test. Unless the plant is dead,
The strangler vine roots deep into the earth, any character climbing out risks being grappled
and there is a mouth-like opening at the plants again.
center. The mouth covers a large sac hidden
beneath the earth. Strangler vines grapple their Killing the Plant
targets and draw them towards the mouth, even- Killing a strangler vine from within is
tually pulling them into their sac. The mouth actually quite easy, but can only be done by a
isnt able to bite, but the poison contained in conscious character inside the sac. The plants
the sac paralyzes their victims until they rot to core sits below the sac, protected by a shell
death. resembling that of a large coconut. The shell has
a Barrier Rating of 5 and the core has a Death
Detection Difficulty: 7
Rating of 20 (see the Adventuring chapter on
Disarm Difficulty: NA
p.106 of the Gamemasters Compendium).
Trap Initiative: 10/D10+D6
one third are humans, and the remaining third are equally have the Cherrypitters respond accordingly. If attacked on
elves or orks. the plain, the raiders try to flee. If attacked in their village,
every Cherrypitter fights to the death. If the adventurers
Aftermath wreak havoc in Cherrypit, Rhamduc all but dances with
When the Cherrypitters break off their attack and ride glee, saying:
away into the night, the adventurers must decide what to
Ha! Thatll teach the scurvy swine! Steal our
do next. If they killed any raiders in the fight, an excited
land, will they? Theyll not steal from Yellowspring
Rhamduc tries to convince them to pursue the fleeing Cher-
again, thats for certain!
rypitters, making wild claims that Cherrypit is inhabited
by insane, foul folk who ought to be destroyed. Impro- This little speech should tip off the player characters
vise this speech so that it sounds as if Rhamduc could be that theyve been had. If they accuse Rhamduc of acting
making up the whole story. If the player characters agree dishonestly, he shows no remorse and maintains that his
160 to Rhamducs scheme, allow them to plan their assault and deception was justified. If the characters become angry and
attack Rhamduc, he and his villagers defend themselves as second proposal must appear more favorable to Rhamduc
best they can. They will most likely lose, pointlessly spill- than the previous one, but not so much so that Noha balks
ing more blood. If the characters recognize Rhamducs at it. If the result of the second Charisma Test is sufficiently
game before doing serious harm to Cherrypit and demand low, the player characters may lose the agreement of both
that he explain his true motives, he claims that Cherrypit leaders.
is nothing but a village of land-thieves. At this point, the
adventurers can swallow their anger, leave Yellowspring
and continue toward their goal, or they can try to mediate Troubleshooting
the dispute between the villages. If the player characters decide to pass Rhamduc by
without stopping, let them. Such a decision proves that
Negotiations they are swiftly learning the realities of the lonely savanna
To mediate the dispute, the player characters must per- and cannot be easily distracted from their mission. The
suade both Rhamduc and Noha to talk to each other and gamemaster may want to reserve this encounter for use
then accept an agreement brokered by the group. Resolve in a later campaign, adding a stronger hook when he runs
the interactions involved in this task with roleplaying or it to make the adventurers interested in resolving the vil-
Interaction Tests per the following instructions. lages feud.
Rhamduc considers the adventurers to be the worst The adventurers may also figure out the truth of the
kind of fools; if he tricked them into attacking Cherrypit, situation before the raid and immediately offer to medi-
that success merely strengthens his opinion. To talk him ate or simply leave. If they make either of these choices,
into negotiating, the adventurers must convince Rhamduc they have avoided senseless violence through intelligent
of their wisdom and confidence, which requires a Good reasoning. Good for them. If it comes to a fight, the poorly
result on an Interaction Test (see p. 92 of the Gamemas- armed and barely trained villagers should not pose a seri-
ters Compendium). Next, they must convince him that ous threat to the adventurers. However, feel free to let a
peace with Cherrypit would benefit Yellowspring, despite villager get in a lucky shot or blow. After all, the savanna
I nfected
the fact that Rhamduc seems to have the upper hand in is a dangerous place.
C
the conflict. This also requires a Good result. Finally, the
adventurers must convince Rhamduc that Cherrypit will
honor any commitments made during negotiations. This
last achievement is a particularly tall order, and so requires harboyyas Betrayers
an Excellent result. In this encounter, the remnants of Charboyyas
Noha regards the adventurers as Hostile if she or missing band of couriers assault the characters in an
other villagers know that they defended Yellowspring (see attempt to steal rations and equipment.
Gamemaster Character Attitudes on p. 90 of the If the characters capture and question their attack-
Gamemasters Compendium). In this case, a player ers, they can learn vital information regarding the fate of
character must achieve an Excellent result on a Making Hanto.
An Impression or First Impression Test to persuade Noha
to negotiate (see p. 92 of the Gamemasters Compen-
dium). If the player characters helped pursue the raiders or Setting the Stage
raided Cherrypit, Noha sees them as Enemies. In this case, Allow the adventurers to camp for the night. Six hours
a player character must achieve an Extraordinary result after sundown, make a Perception (8) Test for the player
on one of these tests. If the adventurers did not fight Cher- character standing watch. If the test succeeds, read the
rypitters or if Noha does not know of their involvement, she following aloud:
regards them as merely Unfriendly. In this case, persuad-
The silent night presses in on you like a heavy,
ing her to negotiate requires a Good result on a Charisma
velvet cloak. Against the blanketing darkness, the
Test. After persuading Noha to talk with Rhamduc, the
banked coals of your small fire glow feebly, allow-
player characters must convince her that mediation is not
ing you to glimpse only your companions huddled
another of Rhamducs tricks. This achievement requires
forms. You hear a soft sound somewhere in the
a Good result on a Charisma Test. Finally, they must con-
dark beyond you, a sound that chills your blood:
vince her that Rhamduc will honor any commitments he
the whisper of a long blade being drawn from a
makes. This requires an Excellent result.
leather scabbard.
If successful up to this point, the characters should pro-
pose a solution to the land dispute. Base the result level If the test fails, read the following aloud:
required for the gamemaster characters agreement on the
The silent night presses in on you like a heavy,
feasibility of the solution suggested, then have the princi-
velvet cloak. Against the blanketing darkness, the
pal mediator among the player characters make a Charisma
banked coals of your small fire glow feebly, allow-
Test against each leaders Social Defense. If one or the other
ing you to glimpse only your companions huddled
village leader rejects the proposal, the mediator may then
forms. Suddenly, from the corner of your eye, you
propose an alternate solution and make a second Charisma
see a bolt of yellow f lame arc toward you. You
Test. Because Rhamduc has a higher Social Defense than
flinch instinctively, though the bolt lands a few feet
Noha, he is more likely to refuse a compromise; if so, the 161
to your left, in the middle of your encampment. It is
an arrow wrapped in a bundle of burning cloth.
The smell of singed fabric and lamp oil tickles
your nose, and the night turns bright as sunrise out
to a distance of fifty yards or more.
162
Damien Blacklog, Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
First Circle Human A rcher Longbow (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range 60120240)
Quiver (w/10 longbow arrows)
Attributes
Adventurers Kit
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (13): 6/D10
Carving Tools
Toughness (10): 5/D8 Perception (12): 5/D8
Charboyyas Medallion
Willpower (9): 4/D6 Charisma (9): 4/D6
Lute
Characteristics Rags and Twine
Peasants Garb
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 2 Loot
Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 0
5 silver pieces
Death Rating: 31 Recovery Tests: 2
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 6/D10 Legend Award
Unconsciousness Rating: 22 90 Legend Points
I nfected
Mystic AimD (1): 6/D10 Attributes
True Shot (2): 8/2D6
D
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (8): 4/D6
Indicates a Discipline talent.
Italicized talents require Karma. Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (17): 7/D12
Willpower (16): 7/D12 Charisma (8): 4/D6
Skills
Artisan: Characteristics
Music (Lute) (1): 5/D8 Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
Wood Carving (2): 6/D10 Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 2
Social Defense: 5 Mystic Armor: 2
Knowledge:
Underworld Rumors (2): 7/D12 Death Rating: 38 Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 4/D6
General:
Unconsciousness Rating: 30
Speak Language (2): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic), Human Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
Streetwise (1): 6/D10
Karma Points: 6 Karma Step: 5/D8
Equipment
Talents
Padded Cloth (Phys 2)
Karma Ritual (1): 1
Broadsword (Damage 11/D10+D8; w/scabbard) Read and Write Magic D (1): 8/2D6
Read and Write LanguageD (1): 8/2D6
Human
SpellcastingD (2): 9/D8+D6
Spell Matrix (1): 1
Spell Matrix (1): 1
Thread Weaving (Wizardry)D (1): 8/2D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Skills
Artisan:
Body Painting (1): 5/D8
Robe Embroidery (1): 5/D8
Knowledge:
Legends and Heroes (1): 8/2D6
Magical Theory (1): 8/2D6 163
the flaming arrow into the encampment. Once in place,
the arrow illuminates the encampment and much of the
surrounding landscape. Any player character remaining
within 50 yards of the arrow may be targeted by the ban-
dits without the standard penalty for actions performed
in the dark.
Bojazi and Damien concentrate their fire on the two
player characters closest to them, while Aetheela stands
ready to whip a Mind Dagger at anyone who charges the
trench. The pale moonlight gives a 1 partial Darkness
modifier to all sight-based Action Tests (see p. 408 of the
Players Compendium). The bandits are in a trench,
which provides them with a +2 partial Cover modifier to
their Physical and Spell Defense (see p. 407 of the Players
Compendium). If any player character moves toward the
arrow to put out the flames, Bojazi and Damien simulta-
General: neously fire on that individual. A character or characters
Melee Weapons (1): 6/D10 must pour a large quantity of sand or water on the thick,
Read and Write Language(1): 8/2D6 oil-soaked rags to extinguish the flame. This requires a full
Dwarf (Throalic) combat round to complete.
Speak Language(2): 9/D8+D6 Because the bandits intend to steal from their oppo-
Dwarf (Throalic), Human nents rather than kill them, they stop shooting at the player
characters once the characters go down. The bandits only
Equipment fire at characters charging them, shooting back, or running
I nfected
Padded Cloth (Phys 2) away. A clever player character might lure the bandits out
of their trench by feigning death.
Short Sword (Damage 8/2D6; w/scabbard)
At the end of the third combat round, Aetheela calls
Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
out in Throalic:
Adventurers Kit
Throw down your weapons, put up your hands
Charboyyas Medallion
and well stop shooting!
Embroidery Tool
Grimoire Surrender
Painting Tool
If the player characters surrender, Damien orders
Rags and Twine
them to approach the trench one at a time. As each char-
Peasants Garb
acter reaches the trench, Damien and Aetheela tie him up
Spells with twine and gag him with moldy rags. Bojazi stands
guard, ready to fire at anyone who makes a sudden move.
Astral SenseM, Dispel Magic, Divine Aura, Flame Flash,
The bandits strip each character of his gear and take the
Iron Hand, Mind DaggerM, Wall Walker
M
adventurers horses (if any). The bandits head off into the
Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix.
night, leaving the adventurers tied up with only a days
Loot worth of food and water. Fortunately, none of the bandits
knows how to tie good knots. Any character who makes a
5 silver pieces
successful Shackle Shrug (4) Test can slip his bonds after
Legend Award 30 minutes of patient wriggling; characters without the
Shackle Shrug talent or skill can escape with a successful
110 Legend Points
Dexterity (7) Test.
Notes Just before the bandits leave, the character with the
highest Perception notices that all three bandits wear
Aetheela possesses the human racial ability of Versatil-
medallions identical to those that Charboyya gave the
ity. She has prepared and cast Astral Sense prior to the
adventurers. Alternatively, the bandits notice the charac-
attack, and uses it to sense the locations of the player char-
ters medallions, point, and snicker. Bojazi even goes so
acters to target them with her Mind Dagger spell if they
far as to spit on one of the characters. At this point have
approach the trench her party is hiding in. Aetheela cur-
them roll Perception Tests, the character with the highest
rently has 10 Damage Points and 1 Wound, and has 2
result sees their captors own medallions as the bandits
Recovery Tests left.
are walking away.
I nfected
165
Daft, isnt it? They say anybody that acts against
them must be foul folk. Thats how they justified
killing our friends. Adventure Hook
If this is the first time the players have heard of the Grim Once back in Bartertown, the heroes
Legion, see On the Grim Legion, p.148, for guidelines run into Bojazi again (assuming he sur-
on providing the characters with additional information. vived their previous encounter). The ork
If the characters ask what happened in Hanto, Bojazi asks for their help, claiming he is haunted
answers (after considerable prodding): by evil spirits. The gamemaster can, if he
desires to be this cruel, also have him say
We been there a day, maybe, when the Legion
that the Blacklogs have been killed by the
march in. Say theys takin over the place. Quar-
spirits in their sleep. Bojazi is restless since
antine, they sayfancy word for nobody leaving.
then, and tries to stay awakein fact, he
Cause this girl from the village, she got funny
hasnt slept in a few days. Needless to say,
powers nobody ever heard of, so the Grim Legion
Bojazi is desperate.
say shes Horror-tainted. Say whole village is
Investigation of the matter (by watching
Horror-tainted, and nobody leavin cause they
over Bojazi while he sleeps, for example)
might spread it. Well, buunda to that, we say. They
reveals that the spirits he talked about are
take our armor to keep us there, but we sneak out.
actually a group of windlings using illu-
Try to, anyway. They shoot at us, screamin and
sionism magic and other tricks to scare
yellin. Our leader, Abakule, dies so we can get free.
Bojazi to death. The windlings are venge-
Them crazy people hurt Lu Pi badshe die next
ful relatives of Lu Pi (the groups former
day.
windling Archer), blaming Bojazi and the
None of the bandits recall the Name of the magically Blacklogs for Lu Pis death.
gifted child or know anything about her powers. The characters have to protect Bojazi
I nfected
If asked to explain why they have turned outlaw, an and calm the windlings down, explain-
angry Bojazi says: ing why Lu Pi died. This might shift the
How we gonna live, hah? This lousy, rotten country windlings attention to the Grim Legion,
chew us up less we steal. Need better gear from somebody but disguising themselves as evil spirits is
just to get back somewhere decent. You do any different? probably a bad prank to play on a group of
If the adventurers ask for details about the specific Grim adepts dedicated to rooting out and elimi-
Legion members occupying Hanto, Damien answers: nating the Horrors
I nfected
the pathway into the villages central circle. Two
men stand atop the structure mortaring bricks into
place, one an ork and the other a human. Naked Behind the Scenes
to the waist, they are sweating heavily under the The ork remov i ng h is bre a st plate is Kwa m m,
relentless sun. Both wear black leather breeches, Swordmaster and second-in-command of this band of
lined down each leg with silver studs. the Grim Legion. The workers are Second Circle Warriors,
At the foot of the structure, looking up at the a human Named Lo-Arr Brand and an ork called Gzoog
workers, stands an ork in black battle armor deco- Chainbreaker (see Cast of Characters, p.195, for game
rated with identical silver studs. If you stare hard statistics). The cadaver ork was a visiting peddler killed
at the design, you see that the studs on his breast- while trying to escape Hanto. The cadaver troll used to be
plate form stylized, grinning skulls. He unbuckles Abakule, leader of the luckless couriers. The Grim Legions
his breastplate and fans himself with it. Spying you, leader, Moltaa, reanimated them using the powers of her
he meets your gazes with a cool look of challenge. magic helmet, adding blood magic to keep them alive for
Behind him, a female troll and a male ork, a year and a day.
dressed in less opulent versions of this orks armor,
stand ramrod straight. The hot wind is blowing Meeting Kwamm
toward you and carries the sickly sweet stench Unless the characters continue on past the village when
of rotting flesh. You suddenly realize why the two Kwamm sees them, the ork straps his breastplate back on
sentries stand so still and silent. They are undead. and strides over to meet them, one hand on the unusual hilt
of a well-made broadsword. He warns them that the vil-
lage is under quarantine and suggests they move on unless
they want to remain indefinitely. Kwamms speaking style
is blunt and businesslike, concealing his violent nature
under a veil of impersonal, military jargon. Miserly with
his words, he does not volunteer information or engage in
small talk except when doing so accomplishes some ulte-
rior purpose. If asked the Name of the village, he replies:
other people with hints of terrors beyond mortal compre- allow replies for security reasons, but claims that all to
hension. If asked for more details of the Horror infesting whom the letters were addressed are alive and well. He
Hanto, he claims that such details are restricted infor- then dismisses the adventurers.
mation. If asked why, he says that disclosure will set off
a panic. If asked who has made these decisions, he says, Entering the Village
Grim Legion. If the characters insist on entering the village to deliver
If the player characters ask him about a group of couri- their messages personally, Kwamm reminds them that
ers from Bartertown, Kwamms expression hardens and he Hanto is under quarantine and advises them that if they
asks why they want to know. The adventurers may attempt enter, they cannot leave until the Legion lifts the quaran-
to come up with a convincing lie rather than admit their tine (if ever). If the characters persist after this warning,
connection to the couriers. Resolve this interaction with Kwamm stands aside dramatically. Just before they pass
roleplaying or by having the adventurers spokesman make him, he holds his arm out to block their way and says, with
a Charisma Test against Kwamms Social Defense. If the a threatening look:
result indicates a successful Half-Truth or Fabrication (see
You understand what I told you, dont you? I
the Gamemastering chapter on p.92 of the Gamemas-
cant be responsible for what might happen if you
ters Compendium), Kwamm says that they were in the
try to leave.
village when the Legion imposed the quarantine, but they
refused to abide by regulations. Jerking his thumb toward If the characters assure him of their good faith, he
the cadaver Abakule, he says: continues:
Thats whats left of them. Then you wont mind leaving your armor and
weapons with me as security for your good behav-
The adventurers lie may come back to haunt them;
ior. My men can deal with any raids or Horror. You
if Kwamm finds out that they misled him, he becomes
risk nothing, as long as you behave.
Unfriendly toward them and openly doubts anything else
they tell him. If the adventurers identify themselves as If the characters agree to Kwamms demands, he waits
couriers from Charboyya, Kwamm tells them to wait and for them to toss their armor and weapons at his feet, then
disappears into the village to confer with Moltaa. As soon allows them into the village. Kwamm takes his prizes to
as Kwamm leaves, have each of the characters make a Per- the storage hut marked on the Hanto map. It lies within
ception (5) Test. Any character who makes a successful test clear sight of the cadaver men, who have standing orders
notices that the Legionnaires working on the tower have to attack any person attempting to enter the storage hut
put on their armor during the adventurers conversation except for members of the Grim Legion.
with Kwamm. They join the cadaver men at the gate in the
fence, blocking the adventurers path to keep them from Starting a Brawl
following Kwamm. During the initial meeting at the gate, the adventurers
After five or so minutes pass, Kwamm returns. He says may try to pick a fight with Kwamm or with the other four
168 that he will take Charboyyas letters and deliver them to Legionnaires present. As a professional soldier, Kwamm
does not start fights unless severely provoked. The adven- hanging from a cord around his neck to summon reinforce-
turers can insult Kwamm to their hearts content; nothing ments (see Reinforcements, p.170). Without waiting for
affects him unless they bring up his fight with Gamuudge, help to arrive, Kwamm orders the cadaver men forward as
the ork from Bartertown. Lo-Arr and Gzoog put on their armor. The player charac-
Mention of that fight triggers Kwamms gahad, an ters may slip through the fence ropes and outflank the two
overwhelming physical response all orks have to certain unarmored Legionnaires; if forced to fight without armor,
passionate impulses (see p.49 of the Players Compen- Lo-Arr and Gzoog try to withdraw as soon as the reinforce-
dium). If an ork fails to satisfy his immediate desire when ments arrive.
in the grip of a gahad attack, he suffers serious physical Game statistics for the two Grim Legion cadaver men
discomfort. If struck by an attack of gahad, Kwamm may appear below. These statistics differ from those given for
resist his response by making a Willpower Test against a standard cadaver men (p. 448, Gamemasters Compen-
Difficulty Number determined by the nature of the prov- dium) to reflect the nature of the living beings from which
ocation. If a character refers sneeringly to the fight with these cadaver men were so recently made.
Gamuudge, the Difficulty Number is 15. If a character does
not mention the fight specifically, but insults Kwamm in a Leycur Gewgaw, Ork Cadaver Man
way that echoes Gamuudges taunts on that occasion (see DEX: 4 STR: 7 TOU: 7
Cast of Characters, p.192), the Difficulty Number is 12. PER: 4 WIL: 5 CHA: 4
If Kwamms test fails, he must act on his desire to lash out
Initiative: 1/D42 Physical Defense: 6
at whoever offended him or else suffer a physical effect
Number of Actions: 1 (4; see text)Spell Defense: 6
similar to a hangover.
Attack (3): 7 Social Defense: 10
At some point within the span of his gahad hangover,
Damage: Physical Armor: 7
Kwamms heart begins to pound like a jackhammer as
Claws (3): 10 Mystic Armor: 1
adrenaline surges through him. Because he must compen-
sate for the distraction of the adrenaline rush, the gahad Death Rating: 40 Recovery Tests: 3
I nfected
reaction incurs a 1 penalty to all of Kwamms tests for Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 7
each level of difficulty to resist the temptation to strike Unconsciousness Rating: Immune
out: Very Easy, Average, Hard, Very Hard, and Heroic. Sup-
Combat Movement: 20 Full Movement: 40
pressing his reaction to a direct reference to the fight with
Gamuudge is Heroic, for example, and incurs a 5 penalty; Legend Points: 165
resisting a verbal crack that reminds him of Gamuudges
Equipment: Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
insults is Very Hard, and incurs a 4 penalty. Each gahad
hangover lasts roughly one hour per Difficulty Level. Loot: None
Rather than resisting his gahad rush, Kwamm may
accept his response and challenge the offending charac- Commentary
ter to a duel in one hour, allowing the player character to Leycur Gewgaw was a traveling ork peddler who became
choose the weapon. Though Kwamm would love to kill his trapped in the village when the Legion arrived. Gzoog
opponent, gahad does not overwhelm all sense of profes- Chainbreaker cut him down from behind when he tried to
sionalism, and so he demands that the opponents duel until escape. Moltaa reanimated him as a cadaver man and
one duelist either falls unconscious or surrenders. Kwamm dressed him in Legion armor to stand watch over Hanto.
is willing to negotiate the site for the duel and settle for a Leycur serves as the perfect sentry and also as an example
fight to first blood. to Hantos residents of the high price of resistance.
If the offending character refuses to fight, Kwamm
considers his honor satisfied, and his gahad subsides. If Rules
the offender continues to harp on the Gamuudge incident Moltaas control over Leycur prevents the cadaver ork
without agreeing to the duel, Kwamm screams in rage and from speaking to anyone. Although Leycurs unnatural res-
attacks the character, intent on fighting until his oppo- urrection has driven him mad, he retains enough of his
nent either surrenders or lapses into unconsciousness (for
Kwamms game statistics, see Cast of Characters, p.192).
If Kwamm accidentally kills the character during this fight,
he feels no remorse. Unless the offenders companions join
the fray, the other Legionnaires stay out of the fight, treat-
ing it as Kwamms personal business. In fact, they stand
around and watch, enjoying the spectacle. Gzoog Chain-
breaker and Sork Sorjinka (for game statistics, see Cast of
Characters, p.195 and p.196, respectively) approach the
other player characters and offer wagers on the outcome.
Needless to say, they bet on Kwamm.
If the characters attack anyone else, even before speak-
ing with Kwamm (as they well might when they smell the
cadaver men), Kwamm immediately blows the whistle 169
conscience that, if released from Moltaas mystic control, he When enraged, she almost always uses the Aggressive
would kill himself rather than harm the people of Hanto. In Attack combat option (see the Combat chapter on p.403 of
his fractured mind, a blind, headlong dash toward Moltaa the Players Compendium) and ignores Wound, Harried,
or Kwamm constitutes the perfect method of suicide. or Knocked Down penalties.
Like all cadaver men, Leycur goes into a berserker rage
if wounded, making 4 attacks per round until the character Reinforcements
who wounded him is dead or until 10 combat rounds have
If at any point fighting breaks out between the player
passed. See the Horrors chapter on p.448 of the Game-
characters and any Legionnaires, the following reinforce-
masters Compendium for more information and special
ments appear. For statistics and complete descriptions of
rules on cadaver men.
these members of the Grim Legion, see Cast of Char-
A bakule, Troll Cadaver Man acters, p.190. Several members of the Grim Legion have
created a True pattern for the group and woven threads
DEX: 4 STR: 8 TOU: 7
to it as well. The effects of these threads are described
PER: 4 WIL: 6 CHA: 4
in Cast of Characters, p.190. (For more information
Initiative: 1/D42 Physical Defense: 6 regarding this use of thread magic, see p. 271, Players
Number of Actions: 4 (see text)Spell Defense: 5 Compendium.)
Attack (3): 7 Social Defense: 11
Damage: Physical Armor: 7 Moltaa, Sixth Circle
Claws (3): 11 Mystic Armor: 2 Obsidiman Nethermancer
Death Rating: 42 Recovery Tests: 3 Moltaa grew up well acquainted with the dreadful
Wound Threshold: 12 Knockdown: 8 deeds of the Horrors. At an early age, she vowed to rid the
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune world of all traces of the Horrors corruption, a vow that
led her to her present position as leader of the local Grim
Combat Movement: 18 Full Movement: 36
I nfected
Sork Sorjinka,
Fourth Circle Ork Cavalryman
Sork dedicated her life to the Grim Legion after a
Horror decimated her scorcher tribe, killing all of its mem-
bers except the young cavalrywoman. Sork has sworn
never to drink spirits or marry until the Horrors no longer
inhabit Barsaive. Of all the Legionnaires save Moltaa, Sork
is the most fanatical.
170
Maloniel, Third Circle Elf Thief
Maloniel is the groups newest recruit. The young elf
joined the Grim Legion out of a desperate need to impress
others. She hasnt found the camaraderie she expected in
this group, however, and has no way of knowing that the
other Legionnaires view her as simply the latest in a long
line of Thievesall of who died serving under Moltaa.
Arrkhard Gahh,
Second Circle Troll Sky Raider
Arrkhard joined the Grim Legion after the Passion
Thystonius appeared in a vision and instructed him to
do so. The Sky Raider believes devoutly in the cause and
constantly seeks new conf licts and challenges to honor
Thystonius.
I nfected
ously. The characters may also figure out Abakules identity
themselves or ask a villager for the cadaver mens former
identities.
The heat is slowly mummifying both cadaver men,
leaching the moisture from their bodies. Abakules throat
is as dry as sand, which makes her speech difficult to Dalya? Dont know why a nice old lady like her
understand. The few words she manages to speak come stays with this bunch of crazies.
out in a harsh, scratchy hiss. Every ten syllables or so, her
Maloniel is very young and very doomed.
throat closes up and she must swallow hard before she can
Reminds me of the Blacklogs and Bojazibrains
continue.
enough to become an adept, but not enough to stay
If any characters discreetly approach Abakule and
alive as one.
speak to her, she tells them everything she knows that
might bring harm to the Legion. The pain and horror of Arrkhards crazy too, thinks Thystonius is
her undead existence are slowly driving her insane, and so with him. I saw Thystonius since I diedhes on
she can only respond to direct questions. my side.
Divide and Conquer You pass through the gate in the corral, gagging
slightly at the stench of the cadaverous sentries,
As the characters interact with the various members of
and walk toward the village green. Momentarily
the Grim Legion and talk to Abakule and the villagers, they
forgetting the Grim Legionnaires in their midst,
may discover that this band of Legionnaires contains some
the people of Hanto rush out of their thatched huts
dissension within its ranks. Moltaa feels that they should
and mill around you. Dwarfs, humans, orks, elves,
fight the Horrors by seeking them out and battling them
all gather eagerly around the strangers. This odd
wherever they hide. Beyond destroying the Horrors and all
behavior for such normally suspicious folk makes
they represent, Moltaa has little personal ambition.
you uneasyand you feel uneasier still at the
Kwamm, however, has different ideas. He joined the
wary, frightened glances that the villagers dart at
Grim Legion as a way to gain personal power, and his
the Legionnaires. They do not speakyou feel they
ambitions clash with Moltaas. Kwamm wants to build a
dare not. They simply watch you, gather close, and
base of operations from which to battle the Horrors and
smile. As you reach the edge of the fire pit in the
sees the occupation and quarantine of Hanto as the perfect
center of the village green, a dwarf with eyes the
opportunity to set his plan into motion. Kwamm intends
color of blue flame looks up at you. As he spies the
I nfected
Fence
Constructed by the Grim Legion to keep the villag-
ers within Hantos confines, the fence is made of wooden
172 poles with heavy rope strung in a tight pattern between
I nfected
them. The Legionnaires have hung small bells along the and four horses. The Grim Legions mounts currently share
top strand, which ring whenever anyone climbs the fence. the corral, as will the adventurers horses (if any).
To climb over the fence without ringing the bells, a player
character must achieve an Excellent or better result with a Tower
Climbing (7) Test. All members of the Grim Legion, includ- Kwamms pet project, the 3-yard-high tower, is still
ing the cadaver men, have standing orders from Moltaa to under construction. Once the Legionnaires complete it,
investigate any attempt to breach the fence. Kwamm hopes to use it and Hanto as his personal base
of operations in the battle against the Horrors. For more
Residential Huts information about Kwamms plans, see Cast of Charac-
These small thatch-roofed huts of hardened mud brick ters, p.192.
are the homes of the villagers. One family usually lives in
each hut, though the Grim Legion commandeered four for Cadaver Men
themselves. The sentry posts of Abakule and Gewgaw, the Legions
two cadaver guards, are marked with two skulls on the
Storage Hut map of Hanto. Game statistics for the cadaver men appear
Slightly smaller than the residential huts, these build- in Hearts of Stone, p.169.
ings hold food, supplies, farming tools and so on. Because
they contain supplies vital to the villages survival, these Kiln
buildings are sturdily constructed and well protected. The The villagers use the kiln to fire the mud bricks they
Grim Legion uses one of these huts (the gamemaster deter- use to build their huts and sheds. Since beginning to build
mines which) to store confiscated weapons and armor. their tower, the Grim Legionnaires have forced some of the
The Legionnaires keep this building locked and have villagers to work extra hours making bricks for them. The
ordered their cadaver men sentries to attack anyone who kiln runs almost constantly these days.
goes near it.
Smithy
Village Green The villagers forge and repair their tools and few weap-
The village green is the central area where village gath- ons at the smithy, which stands next to the kiln and shares
erings take place. The green contains a large fire pit, where its fire. One of the Grim Legion watches the smithy when-
the villagers sometimes cook a communal meal, and a ever anyone uses it to ensure that no villager forges a
corral in which the village keeps its four goats, five cows, weapon. 173
Well at all inclined to listen to him, Emberica further suggests
Located near the villages eastern perimeter, the well that they help him break into the shed where the Legion
supplies the village with all of its water. has stored the villagers weapons (see the map of Hanto
on p.173).
Daily Life in Hanto Emberica knows little about fighting tactics and holds
Though the Grim Legion feel compelled to place Hanto the quaint belief that the villagers can defeat the Legion
under quarantine, they try not to disrupt the villages daily with sufficient righteous anger. His initial humiliation at
life any more than they deem necessary. They allow the vil- Moltaas hands (see Prologue, p.141) only intensified his
lagers to go about their farming and herding under guard. determination to drive the Legion from the village. The
The villages small plot of arable land, just large enough adventurers should deliver Embericas letter and speak
to grow food for the village and its livestock, lies to the east with him first, then move on to the other prominent
of Hanto. A fence of short, wooden posts, most succumb- gamemaster characters.
ing to dry rot, surrounds the area. Each day, 10 villagers Use Emberica to shame the adventurers into action.
leave Hanto to work the fields. Several Grim Legionnaires If they seem to be getting too cozy with the Legionnaires,
accompany the farmers, usually Dalya Red Roses, Arrkhard Emberica tries to stir up trouble. Every day he asks them
Gahh, and/or Maloniel. how they plan to start the rebellion. His heart is in the right
The Legion also allows up to four villagers at a time to place, but his plans are foolhardy; Emberica scorns stealth
take their cattle out to graze, usually guarded by Lo-Arr and subtlety as the way of cowards, preferring to loudly
Brand, Gzoog Chainbreaker, and/or Maloniel. curse his enemies and charge with weapons drawn.
Equipment
Padded Cloth (Phys 2)
Loot
5 silver pieces
Legend Award
50 Legend Points
Notes
Emberica possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight.
Commentary
Known for his hot temper even as a child, Emberica had
become an object of gentle mockery in the village until the
Legion arrived. Some of the younger villagers have begun Knowledge:
to rally around him, finding that for once they agree with Farming (2): 8/2D6
his fury.
General:
Animal Handling (4): 10/D10+D6
Chereca Bardic Voice (4): 10/D10+D6
Hantos conscientious, serious-minded headwoman Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
feels the weight of her heavy responsibilities, especially Dwarf (Throalic)
I nfected
now that the Legionnaires have taken over her village. Speak Language (1): 7/D12
Fearing that Embericas revolt will serve only to get too Dwarf (Throalic)
many people killed, Chereca does her best to convince
the adventurers to squash this spark of rebellion. If Cher- Equipment
eca discovers that the player characters plan to fight the Belt Pouch
Legion physically, she argues against it. Pointing out the Farming Tools
potential division between the deranged zealot Moltaa and Felt Hat
the power-hungry Kwamm, Chereca hints that the charac- Peasants Garb
ters need not resort to combat to destroy the Grim Legion.
Chereca secretly entertains a particularly dark thought as Loot
a final solution to their situation: it may be best for all con- 5 silver pieces
cerned if Aardelea, source of Hantos alleged Horror taint,
simply died accidentally. Legend Award
When the adventurers deliver Charboyyas letter, Cher- 50 Legend Points
eca asks about him, interested in his well-being for old
times sake. Notes
Chereca possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight.
Attributes
Dexterity (8): 4/D6 Strength (10): 5/D8 Commentary
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (14): 6/D10 Once Charboyyas childhood sweetheart, Chereca refused
Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (14): 6/D10 to leave Hanto with him. She eventually became the vil-
lages headwoman and is reasonably content with her life,
Characteristics but she has never entirely gotten over Charboyya. The safety
Physical Defense: 5 Initiative: 4/D6 and happiness of her villagers matters to Chereca more
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 0 than anything; should the firebrand Emberica succeed in
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 1 sparking rebellion against the Legion, Chereca would
regard it as a personal failure as well as a tragedy. Prefer-
Death Rating: 34 Recovery Tests: 2
ring to wait the Legion out rather than risk her peoples
Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 5/D8
lives, Chereca will do almost anything in her power to keep
Unconsciousness Rating: 26
a revolt from occurring.
Combat Movement: 12 Full Movement: 24
Orweia
Skills
Orweia is Hantos healing woman and the mother of
Artisan:
Aardelea, the girl who sparked the accusations of Horror
Singing (1): 7/D12
taint. Moltaa told Orweia at the outset that the Legion 175
intended to execute Aardelea if she turns out to be Horror- Engaging Banter (1): 7/D12
tainted, and Orweia will do anything to save her daughter. Heartening Laugh (4): 10/D10+D6
Fiercely protective of the child, Orweia grills the adventur- Physician (4): 10/D10+D6
ers for their true opinion of the Legion and the quarantine Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
before she allows them near Aardelea. To see the child, the Dwarf (Throalic)
characters must make a Persuasion Test with a Good result Speak Language (1): 7/D12
or better to convince Orweia that they can help. If the char- Dwarf (Throalic)
acters win Orweias trust, she will give them any aid she
can, even if she must endanger her fellow villagers. Equipment
If the characters do not approach Orweia about rescu- Bandanna
ing her daughter, she comes to them. She offers no plan Belt Pouch
of action, but simply wants to find out how their presence Farming Tools
might influence her daughters fate. If and when the charac- Peasants Garb
ters choose to talk to Aardelea, go to The Magical Child, Sack (Large)
p.177.
At Home:
Attributes 3Healing Kits
3Physician Kits
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (7): 4/D6
Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (15): 6/D10 Loot
Willpower (15): 6/D10 Charisma (14): 6/D10
5 silver pieces
Characteristics
Legend Award
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 6/D10
55 Legend Points
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 0
I nfected
Knowledge: L averium
Farming (2): 8/2D6
Laverium plays no part in battling the Legion and lift-
General: ing the quarantine; instead, she embodies the harm done
Arcane Mutterings (2): 8/2D6 to Hanto by the Legions takeover. After the adventurers
Emotion Song (3): 9/D8+D6 meet Laverium, either Orweia or Emberica should speak
to the characters about her, blaming her mental state on
the quarantine. According to them, Laverium seemed to
go senile the day after Moltaa slapped Emberica across the
village green.
Attributes
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (13): 6/D10
Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (6): 3/D4
Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (10): 5/D8
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10
Spell Defense: 4 Physical Armor: 0
Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 2
Knowledge:
T he Magical Child
In this encounter, the characters can discover the
truth behind Aardeleas mysterious magical abilities.
They may also learn the Legions view of Aardelea and her
powers.
Farming (2): 5/D8
Old Wives Tales (3): 6/D10
I nfected
Notes
Laverium possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight.
Commentary
Charboyyas mother Laverium remains physically vig-
orous, but her once-strong mind has begun to fade. She
lives in the past, in the days when Charboyya and Emberica
were young, squabbling siblings.
She addresses all strangers with the Names of long-dead
residents of the village, no matter how many times they cor-
rect her. She happily chats for hours with the adventurers
if they sit still that long, mulling over decades-old gossip
and trading stories.
Additional Villagers
If the gamemaster needs statistics for additional vil-
lagers, use those provided for the villagers in Friends
Indeed, p.159. About one-third of the villagers back
Emberica, another third support Chereca, and the remain-
der are undecided or dont care for either.
Troubleshooting
This encounter offers very little opportunity for the
adventurers to make a wrong move. Delivery of the let-
ters simply forces the adventurers to meet four of the five
important villagers.
If they decide to attack the Legionnaires in this sce-
nario, discourage them by constantly reminding them
of the Legions strength in subtle and not so subtle ways.
If they insist on attacking anyway, let them suffer the
consequences.
177
her face: fear, anticipation, excitement, resent- curious Aardelea granted the spirit its dearest wish. It
ment, and a thread of wild hope. You feel sudden spoke directly to Aardeleas mind and, without her con-
pity for the poor child, who has suffered too much, scious knowledge, taught her to use several talents from
too young. the decaying magical tome.
If the adventurers think of arranging a meeting with Though Aardelea initially knew nothing of her new
Aardelea on their own, but make no move to do so, read powers, the spirit instilled in her the subconscious abil-
the following aloud: ity to use them. When Aardelea daydreamed about what
it might feel like to wield magic, a rock she was staring
A young Legionnaire, the one Named Lo-Arr
at slowly rose from the ground. Convinced at first that
Brand, approaches a hut at the edge of the village
someone was playing a joke on her, Aardelea found to
green. Orweia sits outside its door, sorting herbs,
her delighted surprise that she could control the rocks
seemingly oblivious to Lo-Arrs approach. Lo-Arr
movements. She displayed her powers for her fellow vil-
speaks briefly to Orweia, who slowly raises her
lagers, who nervously counseled her mother to forbid her
eyes and shoots him a blistering glare. She enters
to use them in front of strangers. When her small nephew
the hut, emerging seconds later with her arm
fell into the well, however, Aardelea acted without think-
around the shoulders of a beautiful, sulky looking
ing and lifted him out despite the presence of a visiting
human girl. The child looks perhaps twelve sum-
Troubadour.
mers old, her features as fine and delicate as an
As part of the Legions quarantine, Moltaa subjects
elfs. She hangs back in the doorway of the hut, and
Aardelea to daily interrogations and experiments designed
you sense that her sulkiness hides fear.
to force the Horror that supposedly possesses her to man-
Lo-Arr takes her arm, pulls her away from
ifest itself. So far, Aardelea has kept her cavern a secret
Orweia and leads her to the village square where
and Moltaas persistent questioning is beginning to make
Moltaa awaits. Her massive arms folded and her
Aardelea wonder if she really is possessed. She tries her
face impassive except for her burning eyes, Moltaa
best to resist Moltaas probing and conceal her other
reminds you of a volcano that might erupt at any
I nfected
A
Aardelea is preventing her from seeing the little girl astrally,
although she has no proof to support this assumption.
If the characters ask Moltaa to describe her method
of examining Aardelea, Moltaa dismisses such inquiries, ardeleas Cavern
insisting that the characters cannot possibly understand This encounter describes Aardeleas hidden
the nuances of the Nethermancer Discipline. If the adven- cavern and the book from which she gained her mysteri-
I nfected
turing group includes a Nethermancer, Moltaa describes ous powers.
to that character a number of her experiments with Aarde-
lea, none of which have yielded results. If the characters
suggest that the lack of results may mean nothing exists Setting the Stage
to detect, or if they in any way imply that Moltaas meth- If and when the characters ask Aardelea to describe the
ods might be lacking, the obsidiman becomes agitated and cavern entrance, read the following aloud:
ends the discussion (see Pushing Too Far, below).
Its on the edge of our pasture, less than an
If asked to describe Aardeleas powers, Moltaa con-
hours walk to the northwest. You cant miss it.
fesses that she has never seen the little girl use them. She
This big, sharp rock sticks up out of the grass,
learned of one of the childs abilities from a traveling Trou-
and theres a hole in the ground about fifty yards
badour and has no idea what other powers the girl might
away from the rock. It looks like a smashed gopher
possess. Though Aardelea and Orweia have admitted noth-
home. But if you squeeze into it, it opens into a huge
ing about Aardeleas powers, some of the villagers spoke of
cave.
the childs powers with members of the Grim Legion. A few,
gullible villagers have even begun to believe themselves
that Aardelea owes her powers to a Horror. Themes and Images
In this encounter, emphasize the sad, slow decay of
Pushing Too Far once-great treasures as represented by the spirit of the
The characters should take care when talking with magical book. As the book rots away, the spirit slowly loses
Moltaa and investigating Aardelea. Though Moltaa man- its mind.
ages to keep her impatience hidden, her lack of progress
makes her oversensitive to interference, real or perceived,
from the characters. If they act skeptical or suggest that her Behind the Scenes
methods are faulty, she immediately refuses to continue If the adventurers try to sneak out of Hanto and find the
the conversation. If the characters wish to speak with her cavern, they must pass through the fence without ringing
again or speak with Aardelea, they must wait until the next the warning bells strung along the top. The Legionnaires
day to do so. If the characters harass Moltaa, she may place are particularly vigilant during the day, and so the char-
them under arrest or order the other Legionnaires to attack acters may need to come up with a diversion to escape
them. In either case, a character must achieve an Excellent unnoticed during the daylight hours. At night, however,
or Extraordinary result on a Persuasion Test to convince light sources may give the characters away.
Moltaa that the adventurers mean no harm. The characters may get permission to leave Hanto tem-
porarily, though Moltaa grants such permission reluctantly.
If they want to avoid telling Moltaa about their cavern-
Troubleshooting hunting expedition, they can ask to go out with a party of
Though the player characters should interview Aarde- herdsmen. To achieve this, the characters must first con-
lea at some point, try to delay that event until after they vince Chereca that they do not intend to cause trouble or 179
try to make a break for it. Chereca chooses which four vil- this case, Moltaa, Arrkhard Gahh, and Maloniel take up to
lagers take the livestock to graze each day. three player characters and head off to explore the cavern.
To convince her to choose one of the player characters Moltaa allows the characters to enter the cavern while
as part of that group, an adventurer must make a Per- she and her followers stand guard on the surface. Moltaa
suasion Test with a Good or better result. Next, he must assumes that the cavern is crawling with dangerous Hor-
convince the Legion guards to allow him to join the herd- rors and hopes to learn something from the anguished
ers by making a second Persuasion Test with an Excellent screams of the adventurers as the Horrors rip them to
result or better against the highest Social Defense among shreds.
the guards, +1 for each guard present beyond the first.
If a character has become Friendly with Maloniel and Aardeleas Cavern
attempts to persuade the Thief to allow him out for the Use the cavern map and the descriptions below to
day, the required result level drops to Good. To get per- describe the caverns features when the player characters
mission to go herding from Kwamm or Moltaa, a character enter and explore the cave.
must achieve an Extraordinary result on a Persuasion Test.
No more than three of the characters can go herding at Entrance
once, and Aardelea may not leave the village under any The entrance to the cavern is a small, diagonal fissure
circumstances. in the rock covered by a thin layer of soil. Tiny Aardelea
Once outside the village, the characters can ask the vil- found it easy to slip through, but most adults must wriggle
lagers to lead them to the site Aardelea described. When and struggle to make it through. Trolls and obsidimen are
they reach the entrance, the guards who accompany the too large to fit into the crack; a windling can crawl right in.
herding party will forbid the player characters to enter the An ork, human, elf, dwarf, or tskrang character must make
cavern unless a character achieves an Excellent result or a Climbing Test against a Difficulty Number equal to 7 plus
better on another Persuasion Test. If the test fails, the char- the Initiative Penalty of any armor the character is wearing
acters may try to subdue the guards and then enter the if it has been recovered (see p.439, Players Compen-
I nfected
cavern, but this tactic puts them in serious trouble when dium). If the test fails, the character gets stuck halfway
they reenter the village. A furious Moltaa orders them down the fissure and must unwedge himself by struggling
placed under 24-hour guard. back to the surface. This takes a number of rounds equal
Alternatively, while near the cavern a single character to the difference between the Climbing Test result and the
may attempt to sneak in unnoticed. To do this they will need Difficulty Number.
a diversion and even then the Grim Legionnaires should be
allowed a Perception Test with a Difficulty Number set by Ledge
the gamemaster based on the quality of the diversion. This The fissure ends abruptly in a 2 yard drop to a narrow
also risks the lone character becoming injured on his climb ledge. To catch the ledge at the end of the drop, a character
down, though such a gambit may cause the Legionnaires to must make a Climbing Test against a Difficulty Number of
allow the other characters to enter to save their friend who 6 plus the Initiative penalty for the characters armor. If
accidentally fall into the pit. Obviously, let the characters the test fails, the character misses the ledge and bounces
come up with such plans themselves. down the cavern wall, at least as far as the rocky slope (and
A second angle the characters may try is to tell Moltaa possibly past it). This fall inflicts Step 10/D10+D6 damage.
about the cavern and ask for her help in exploring it. In No armor protects against this damage. To clamber down
180
from the ledge onto the gentle slope of the cavern floor, a
character must make a Climbing (5) Test. If the test fails,
the character makes an undignified slide down the cavern
wall to the rocky slope, suffering Step 3/D4 damage. No
armor protects against this damage.
Rocky Slope
Adventurers who climb safely off the ledge can walk
down the rest of the gently inclining cavern floor to this
rock-covered slope. To walk safely down the rocky part of
the slope, an adventurer must make a Dexterity (6) Test.
If the test fails, the character slips and bounces down the
incline, smacking into small boulders and sliding over
rocks. This fall inflicts Step 5/D8 damage. No armor pro-
tects against this damage.
Characters already sliding when they reach the rocky
slope must make a Climbing (9) Test to keep from sliding
farther and suffering additional damage.
Junk Pile grace its front cover. Not wholly elven, the runes consist of
This vast heap of rotting, crumbling, ancient objects written Sperethiel combined with other, unrecognizable
includes tapestries, carpets, books, and furniture. None symbols. Similar runes, though much more intricate and
of the artifacts are usable, and most are not even recog- complex, decorate the pages of the book.
nizable. When the characters reach this area of the cavern,
Speaking with the Book
I nfected
each hears a voice inside his head. It seems to speak in
the native tongue of each character, but in an unfamiliar If the characters ask the book about Aardeleas strange
accent, halting and disjointed: powers, it replies:
Finally has arrived to myself waiting so Yes, I gave them to child. These powers
long! I, I my pages, my leather disappears forgotten magic of the My last knowledge rot
take to your greatest where the knowledge and die. Three Sense, Mind Matter already
for hungry and age! forgotten the last. Library please!
The rambling words are the telepathic plea of the Book The gamemaster may continue improvising the books
of Blue Spirits, a tome of magical lore. Ancient sages who dialogue in this halting, word-skipping manner until
feared their knowledge would be lost to the ravages of time the player characters figure out the secret of Aardeleas
created the book, then conjured a spirit to watch over the powers.
volume, granting the spirit the ability to telepathically If the adventurers take the book out into the open air,
transmit its thoughts to others so that an adept in some it begins to crumble rapidly, turning to dust within seven
distant time might perpetuate their magical knowledge. days. If they take the book to Moltaa, it tries to commu-
Unfortunately, slow rot set in with age, and the spirits nicate with her. She confiscates it, regarding it as an evil
mind fragmented as the books pages crumbled. It used trick of some unknown Horror. The adventurers must con-
its waning strength to reach out to Aardelea and transmit vince her otherwise or persuade Aardelea to pretend that
some of its contents to her. That effort, however, taxed it her powers have disappeared once the book crumbles to
severely and accelerated its deterioration. dust. For more information on these potential solutions,
see Endgames, p.183.
Examining the Book If the adventurers choose to burrow through the rest
The book that granted Aardelea her powers has decayed of the junk pile, the process takes one hour. After a dili-
over the centuries. When Aardelea dug it up and exposed it gent search, they may find a trap door that leads to a small,
to the air, this deterioration accelerated. Still, the charac- 3-foot by 2-foot space. The space contains a wooden strong-
ters may have a chance to examine the tome closely, either box, magically treated to resist the aging effects of time. If
astrally or by attempting to decipher its writing, during the the characters open the box, they find inside it a sculpture
remaining days of the books existence. The player charac- wrapped in felt and fine linen. The sculpture is in the form
ters can find the book buried in the junk pile by gauging of a common dragon, made of obsidian, 9 inches long by 5
the volume of the voice in their heads. The closer they get inches high and about 3 inches thick. It weighs roughly 20
to the book, the clearer and louder the voice sounds. When pounds and is in excellent condition. Light refracts off its
a character finds the book, anyone touching it can commu- curves and indentations in many different colors.
nicate telepathically with its spirit. The sculpture has no magical powers, but does have an
The Book of Blue Spirits is a large tome, 2 feet high astral aura. To astrally examine the sculpture or its box,
by 1 foot wide by 4 inches thick, bound in leather. Finely- a character must make a successful Astral Sensing Test
wrought inscriptions of orichalcum similar to elven runes against the sculptures or strongboxs Spell Defense of 12. 181
Examining the Writing rough translation, however, does not extend to informa-
Any player character with the Read and Write Language tion regarding how to use or teach the use of these abilities.
(Sperethiel) talent or skill or an appropriate Knowledge Among the non-elven symbols, the character can recognize
skill can attempt to decipher the books runes by making a several that represent dragons and dragon magic.
test against a Difficulty Number of 21. Appropriate Knowl-
edge skills include Ancient Languages, Ancient History, or Astral Examination
Dragon Lore. The information learned depends on the The Book of Blue Spirits has a Spell Defense of 21. A
result level that the character achieves on the test. Any result of 7 or higher on an Astral Sensing Test indicates
result level above Average means the character also learns a magical presence within the book, but a character must
the information available at lower result levels. achieve a result equal to or greater than the books Spell
Defense to learn anything useful.
Average: An Average result indicates that the runes
The gamemaster may read aloud or paraphrase the
are a combination of written Sperethiel and some other,
following to any player whose character succeeds at an
unidentifiable script. The character can make no distinc-
appropriate talent or magic test:
tion between the runes on the books cover and those on
its pages. As you gaze at the pattern of this book, the
Good: On a Good result, the character can translate some supposed source of Aardeleas mysterious powers,
of the writing on the cover into the words, Book, Blue, you slowly begin to sense that it is gazing back at
and Spirits. The character can also tell that the contents you. After several minutes, you can see a faint, blue
are formulas and rituals similar to those found in contem- light shining around the book.
porary grimoires, but far more complex. As you watch, the formless light begins to take
the shape of a small dragon roughly seven feet in
Excellent: On an Excellent result, the character recog-
length. It gazes back at you, settles into a sitting
nizes the Sperethiel runes as an ancient form of the written
position and seems to fall asleep. Slowly, the sleep-
language, believed to have died out in Barsaive. He also
ing light-dragon dissipates, first into formless blue
I nfected
E
and/or Charboyyas relatives to Bartertown. If so, the char-
acters face an uphill battle persuading Orweia and Aardelea
ndgames to go along with this desperate plan. Orweia fears for her
daughters safety on the dangerous trek back to Bartertown,
This section offers suggestions for various ways possibly made even more hazardous by Legion pursuit. As
the characters may successfully conclude this adventure. for Aardelea, the thought of leaving Hanto terrifies her;
village life is all she knows, and she will not relish the pros-
pect of a whole new life in a large city under the protection
Behind the Scenes of a dwarf merchant who left Hanto before she was born.
Whatever course of action the players take, keep them The characters might choose to kidnap Aardelea in an
challenged. Throw all kinds of obstacles in their way, effort to rescue her from death at the Legions hands. In
whether they are fighting this last battle with words or this case, they must devise a way to keep her from crying
swords. The following text describes several ways you can out when they snatch her, or her screams will alert the
I nfected
use the information and situations from previous encoun- Legion to the attempted escape.
ters to respond to any additional ideas the players may To succeed at any escape attempt, the adventurers must
have. get through the fence without ringing the bells and alert-
ing the Legion. As was proved by the previous couriers,
Convincing Moltaa the Legion deals harshly with those bold enough to try to
The player characters may try to convince Moltaa that leave. Moltaa suffers no qualms about killing escapees,
Aardeleas powers do not come from a Horror. Unfortu- nor about killing the Horror-tainted child. If a botched
nately, Moltaa cannot consider the subject rationally and is escape attempt provokes a Legion attack, Moltaa concen-
not persuaded easily. The characters must produce a very trates her Bone Shatter spells on Aardelea in an attempt to
convincing alternative explanation for her odd powers to prevent the Horror supposedly possessing her from reach-
persuade Moltaa that Aardelea is not Horror-tainted. ing other areas. If the Legion kills Aardelea in this way,
The success of such a scheme depends on the nature that act ends the quarantine.
of the explanation. Although Moltaa treads close to the If the adventurers and accompanying villagers manage
border of insanity, she is not stupid. Therefore, she and to make a clean getaway, the Legion tracks them down.
her Legionnaires carefully scrutinize any evidence of Stage a few confrontations between the Legion and the
other explanations that the player characters offer. If you adventurers on the road to Bartertown, keeping in mind
consider their explanation or trick implausible, allow the that Moltaa is an expert in the art of the lightning raid.
adventurers to fail. Review the characters plans to protect themselves on the
If the characters find the true explanation of Aardeleas road, and take into account the talents and spells available
powers by learning about the cavern and encountering the to the opposition. Make the pursuers as tough as possi-
mysterious book (see Aardeleas Cavern, p.179), they ble, but allow the player characters the benefit of the doubt
may bring the book to Moltaa and try to convince her that if they come up with particularly clever ways of avoiding
the book is neither a Horror nor the property of a Horror. trouble. Evasion offers a better solution than taking on the
If they want to keep it and sell it rather than allow Moltaa Legion in a frontal assault, because it allows the adventur-
to destroy it or allow it to disintegrate, their arguments ers to avoid a pitched battle.
must carry conviction of heroic proportions. Resolve these
debates with roleplaying or have the player character Rebellion
with the highest Charisma make a Charisma Test against If the characters follow Embericas advice and attempt
Moltaas Social Defense. to stage a revolt against the Legion, make them work hard
If the player characters cannot save the book from for victory. The recommended power levels of the Legion-
destruction, they may seize the opportunity to persuade naires and the characters for this adventure make winning
Aardelea to pretend that her powers disappeared with the an open war against the Legion extraordinarily difficult.
book. At least one of the characters may know how it feels Stealth and trickery combined with an airtight plan might
to lose talents or spells and so can coach the girl in appro- pay off on a long shot, but the player characters should
priate histrionics. The characters must make appropriate fare just as poorly as the first band of couriers in a head-on
tests to convince Aardelea to play along. Require some sort assault, even with rebellious villagers to assist them. 183
I nfected
The gamemaster should play the various talents and longer function. Because these threads improve the abili-
spells of the Legion to the hilt. They are not pushovers, and ties of many of the higher-Circle Legionnaires, loss of the
they fight to the death. threads causes these enhanced abilities to revert back
to normal ranks. Specific enhancements affected by this
Division in the Ranks change appear in each Grim Legionnaires description in
Perceptive characters may notice a potential rift Cast of Characters, beginning on p.190.
between the pragmatic, ambitious Kwamm and the fanat- For complete rules regarding this form of thread magic,
ical, mystical Moltaa (see Hearts of Stone, p.172, and see p.271 of the Players Compendium.
the descriptions of Moltaa and Kwamm in Cast of Char-
acters, p.190 and p.192, respectively). If the player Killing Aardelea
characters choose to solve Hantos problem through psy- The player characters may choose the grimmest option
chological warfare, they can escalate tensions between and break the quarantine by killing Aardelea themselves.
Kwamm and Moltaa until the Legion splits into two war- Though such a choice may appear tactically successful, it
ring factions. The player characters emerge at the end of represents a failure in terms of the larger game. Imme-
the fighting to subdue the wounded victors, of course. diate consequences are few; any villager seeing a murder
The players must determine exactly how their charac- attempt in progress immediately and willingly risks his
ters intend to go about fostering dissent, playing on the own life to prevent it, and Kwamm might become suffi-
weaknesses of both gamemaster characters. Kwamm wants ciently upset at the loss of his chance to build a fortress that
power and respect; characters who dangle those rewards in he may either try to stop the player characters or at least
front of him might goad him into trying to depose Moltaa punish them severely after the fact. Moltaa may grumble
prematurely. For her part, Moltaa might believe (or be about vigilante justice, but refuses to punish the adventur-
made to believe) that Kwamms open rebellion proves that ers for ridding Barsaive of a clear threat.
he is Horror-tainted. In addition, attempts to fake Aardeleas death should be
As with any solution, make the players work for it. Add very difficult as the Grim Legions members are very famil-
small victory to small victory (with the occasional setback iar with both death and the undead. Moltaas training, and
for spice), using each success or failure to build to a dra- specifically her Experience Death spell, further diminishes
matic, final confrontation between Moltaa and Kwamm. the chances of such a ploy working. The characters will
quickly find themselves suspect if such an attempt fails.
Effect on the Legion Pattern In the long term, however, killing Aardelea turns the
If the Grim Legion splits, the threads woven to each heroes into villains. They lose all hope of payment from
184 members abilities through the groups True pattern no Charboyya; any message to him from a villager contains
an account of the adventurers foul deed, which enrages Homeward Bound
Charboyya. In fact, he may hire a third party of adventur- If the adventurers escaped from Hanto with Aardelea
ers to track these characters down and exact vengeance for and/or other villagers in tow, the story is only half over.
the murder of his close friends child. The real action occurs during the flight back to Bartertown.
Try setting up a climactic final dash for Charboyyas trad-
ing house with the Legion in hot pursuit or some equally
Troubleshooting suspenseful, final encounter. Except for the exciting ending,
Creative players may come up with other strategies to get the return journey over with quickly so that it does not
resolve the adventures central problem. If a solution is seem anticlimactic. If the player characters seem deter-
clever and makes sense, go with it. If things turn out so mined to go looking for trouble, however, feel free to invent
well for them that the story loses its suspense, throw an some.
obstacle in their path just to keep things interesting. You might also consider tying up loose ends from ear-
Keep in mind that the characters must resolve the lier road encounters. The Blacklogs and Bojazi Kofeeld
situation in Hanto on their own. How they manage this might turn up again; perhaps they pass the characters on
is less important than the fact that they have done it the road, having struck it rich attacking some unfortunate
independently. merchant party. Or the characters may pass a village where
L
they discover the three bandits chained to stakes, working
as forced labor.
I nfected
If the adventurers helped save Charboyyas friends and
kin from the ravages of the Grim Legion, the grateful mer-
After the Adventure chant pays them handsomely. If any villagers died in the
Because the characters can resolve the crisis in Hanto process, however, Charboyya may withhold all or some of
in many ways (or fail in as many ways), this story offers the adventurers promised pay, depending on how many
several possible outcomes. Most of these possibilities, how- were killed by their actions. If pleased with them, Char-
ever, fall into one of two categories: the characters break boyya may recommend their services to other Bartertown
the quarantine while doing little harm to Hanto, or they merchants, providing hooks for future adventures (see
break it in a manner that brings disaster to the village. As Campaign Ideas, below).
the player characters leave Hanto, end the story by reading
one of the following paragraphs aloud.
If the adventurers break the Legion quarantine with Awarding Legend Points
few negative consequences to the villagers, read the The following section provides guidelines for awarding
following: Legend points to the player characters. As recommended in
the Introduction on p.6, the gamemaster should award
The entire village turns out to see you off,
Legend Points at the end of each game session as well as
waving, cheering, and bestowing modest gifts
at the end of the adventure. The following guidelines for
upon you. As you ride out of Hanto, you see several
Legend Awards suggest the points to be awarded for each
stalwart young men and women tearing down the
task accomplished or goal reached in a game session.
Grim Legions hated fence. They wave as you pass,
joyfully shouting your Names and adding extrav- Game Sessions
agant titles. At least in the tiny village of Hanto,
Infected is intended to be played over the course of at
you become legends and tales of your good deeds
least two game sessions. Use the following suggestions to
are sung around the evening fires for generations
organize your game sessions.
to come.
The two suggested game sessions outlined below each
If the adventure has ended in disaster for Hanto, read include certain encounters; if the gamemaster has orga-
the following: nized the encounters differently in his game sessions, he
should award Legend Points as appropriate.
You amble across the grassland, unable to
resist the temptation to look back. Hanto recedes Session One
in the distance. If only it could vanish from your
In the first game session, Charboyya hires the charac-
memories as easily as it does from sight. The past
ters to travel to Hanto. After determining their employers
few days have taught you a bitter lesson. Unless
honesty and equipping themselves for the trip, they head
you learn from your mistake, you will never truly
out. During their journey through the lowland wilderness,
become heroes.
they encounter a number of small villages, eventually meet-
ing Rhamduc, who leads them to his village of Yellowspring. 185
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The characters deal with the feud between Yellowspring This session includes the encounters Hearts of Stone
and the neighboring village of Cherrypit; they continue on (p.167), Quarantined (p.172), The Magical Child
their way, only to fall afoul of an ambush by Charboyyas (p.177), Aardeleas Cavern (p.179), and Endgames
missing couriers-turned-bandits. (p.183). The adventure goal for Infected is to break the
This session includes the encounters Charboyyas quarantine at Hanto, by persuasion or force.
Heroes (p.143), The Road to Hanto (p.152), Friends
Indeed (p.155), and Charboyyas Betrayers (p.161). Legend Awards
Agreeing to work for Charboyya is the session goal. On the As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p. 94
way to Hanto, the characters become involved in the other of the Gamemasters Compendium, each game session
conflicts described above. in Infected awards a number of Legend Awards to the
player characters. The potential number of Legend Awards
Session Two each character may earn in each game session should take
In this session, the characters arrive at Hanto and find the following elements into account: completing the game
it under a quarantine imposed by the Grim Legion. They sessions goal (1 Legend Award), defeating creatures and
meet the villagers, attempt to discover the truth about the opponents (award the number of Legend Points listed with
child Aardelea and her powers and (one way or another) try each creature or gamemaster character), individual deeds
186 to lift the Legions quarantine. and roleplaying (1-2 Legend Awards), and acquiring magi-
they happen and play an active role in it. This adds a sense
of reality vital to good roleplaying. No matter how you use
this adventure, it is likely to make your Earthdawn game
Adventure Hook more interesting; whether you use it as written or only by
Within Aardeleas cave, the characters drawing on the ideas and information given in this book
find a large and beautiful fur coat. The to enhance your own stories. Many of the situations and
coat seems to be magical, but whatever gamemaster characters presented in this book provide
the nature of its magic, the coat lies dor- hooks for further stories, and can be used to supplement
mant. The characters will need to research a longer campaign. Feel free to use them in your ongoing
the background of the coat to unleash its Earthdawn campaign in whatever ways you see fit, and
magical powers. find some additional advice below.
One night, a few weeks later, while rest-
ing on the plains on their way back, the
The Grim Legion
characters wake up, disturbed by the sound The members of the Grim Legion who appear in this
of horses. They find themselves surrounded adventure provide ideal material for sequels. They are
by a tribe of orks, dangerously looking like sufficiently powerful that player characters cannot easily
scorchers! While intimidating, the orks destroy them. If interactions between the player charac-
arent really hostile. On further inspection, ters and Legionnaires become particularly intense, you
the orks actually seem to belong to differ- may want to bring these gamemaster characters back into
ent tribes, carefully eying the characters the adventurers lives after a suitable interval.
and each other. The orks declare whoever If Kwamm survives the quarantine of Hanto, he con-
is wearing the fur coat as their new leader. tinues his empire-building attempts. The next time the
They expect their leader to lead them to his player characters travel through the lowlands, they may
hoard. However, if the orks feel that they find Kwamm acting independently of Moltaa, command-
I nfected
are being played for dumb, or that the new ing a fort and garrison of Legionnaires. Kwamm can turn
leader isnt worth his salt, one of them will up several times over the course of a long-term campaign,
challenge the leader in an attempt to take each time with greater political and military power.
his position. Moltaa can also appear again, with or without Kwamm.
Why does all this happen? The fur coat If she came off as completely evil in this adventure, try
was the coat of the tribe chief who used the having her save the adventurers bacon when they face
cave as his hoard. He had a spirit bound to certain death at the hands of a ravening pack of Horrors.
the coat, which would lead his descendants Moltaa and her Legionnaires might also become the adven-
to the hoard after the Scourge ended. The turers rivals during a kaer-exploring adventure, competing
spirit has now woken from its centuries- to clear the kaer of Horrors and take the loot.
long slumber. Once out in the open, the In another interesting twist, Moltaa or Kwamm might
spirit called out to find the chiefs descen- offer the adventurers membership in the Grim Legion the
dants, and led them to the characters. next time their paths cross, saying something like, You
fought against us, but we admired your skill. Perhaps we
can teach you to appreciate the ways of the Horror Slay-
ers. Either of these two Grim Legionnaires can provide an
adventure hook by revealing to the adventurers the loca-
cal treasure (as listed with the magical treasure). tion of a den of Horrors that the Legion cannot fit into its
A single Legend Award should award a number of schedule or cannot exterminate by itself.
Legend Points as determined by the characters Circle. For If the characters defeated the Legion in a pitched battle
example, a First Circle character receives from 25 to 75 sometime during the adventure, surviving Legion mem-
Legend Points per Legend Award, and a total of 25 Legend bers might return to seek vengeance. Fanatics such as Sork
Awards per game session. Sorjinka and Arrkhard Gahh are particularly likely to hunt
In the final game session that concludes the adventure, down their newly made enemies.
the characters may gain two extra Legend Awards for com-
pleting the overall adventure goal. Other Grim Legion Groups
Many Grim Legion groups patrol the lands of Barsaive,
and not all of them are as fanatical as Moltaas band. The
Campaign Ideas characters might encounter a group of Legionnaires in
Published Earthdawn adventures are designed to fit virtually any situation involving a known Horror. The char-
into an existing campaign with little or no extra work on acters may choose to form their own Grim Legion group,
the part of the gamemaster. Adventures do not exist by formally dedicating themselves to fighting the Horrors and
themselves if run in a campaign. The world of Earthdawn ending the spread of their corruption.
is dynamic and changes over time. For example, when The characters might also decide to form an indepen-
using the events from this adventure to change the overall dent group whose precepts more closely match the ideals
course of a campaign, the players can watch the changes as of the Grim Legions forerunner, the Proud Legion. For 187
more information about the Grim Legion and its history, the magical energies of the world once again waned.
see Charboyyas Heroes, p.148. Despite the great dragons magical knowledge, they
were unable to create intelligent beings capable of repro-
Charboyya duction. Each new drake had to be magically formed from
The gamemaster can easily link events in Infected to expensive materials and subjected to elaborate, time-con-
future adventures by having Charboyya recommend the suming rituals (collectively known as the Dance of Blue
characters to other prospective employers. If the adventur- Spirits) to imbue it with a Name and True pattern so that
ers succeeded in releasing Hanto from the Grim Legions it might lead an independent, sentient life.
quarantine, Charboyya pays them well and sings their The drakes made excellent attendants and spies, but
praises to everyone he knows. He may even embellish the the dragons could not create enough of them to restore
characters abilities out of sheer enthusiasm. dragon rule. For their part, the drakes felt incomplete, sad-
The characters should rarely (if ever) lack work if they dended that they could not have children. (The ability to
do well in this adventure. Indeed, they may be forced to give a Name to ones child is, after all, the mark of the true
choose among too many jobs. Name-giver.)
Early in the process of creating the first drakes, a
Aardelea dragon Named Yuichotol sought to preserve the methods
As mentioned in the Introduction chapter on p.11, of drake creation for posterity by performing a variation on
the events outlined in Infected take place before the the Dance of Blue Spirits. Instead of binding a drake spirit
start of the official Earthdawn timeline. The story behind into a drake body, she placed it within a book. The book
Aardelea and the source of her powers led up to the current was called, appropriately enough, the Book of Blue Spirits.
conflict between Barsives dragons and the Theran Empire If some disaster befell the dragons of Barsaive, dragons
(see The Dragons Intervene in the How it Came to elsewhere could draw on the knowledge of the spirit-book
Pass chapter on p.32 of the Players Compendium). and recover the techniques of drake manufacture. During
While the follow ing summar yThe Dragons the abortive war waged by the Therans against the drag-
I nfected
Daughter, belowprovides an outline of what happened, ons in the years immediately preceding the Scourge (see
gamemasters interested in running these events can find Thera and the Dragons on p.26 of the Players Com-
them in Prelude to War (now out-of-print, but avail- pendium), Yuichotol was slain and her lair looted by
able in eBook format from our website at http://www. Theran adepts.
earthdawn.com). Icewings drakesRathann, Arondry, and Tellanion
(see pp. 405408 of the Gamemasters Compendium)
The Dragons Daughter intercepted one of the victorious Theran war parties,
The roots of this tale go back all the way to the Age of however, and recovered the Book of Blue Spirits. The
Dragons, the ancient era during which dragons ruled all drakes took the book to Icewings lair mere days before Ice-
other Name-givers. Dragons werent much more numer- wing learned that he was next on the list of Theran targets.
ous then than they are in present-day Barsaive, however, He quickly relocated his lair, but one of his drakes failed to
and so they needed servitors to administer their rule. They retrieve the book and a pattern item of Icewingsa small
chose particular Name-givers for this task. These exalted dragon statue carved from obsidian.
administrators were to carry out the dragons decrees and Theran agents recovered the book and statue and placed
instructions even when the inevitable waning of the magic the items on a caravan for eventual shipment to Thera. The
cycle forced the dragonsas highly magical creatures caravan was raided by ork scorchers, however, and one of
into hibernation. them hid the two items in a cave outside what is now the
During the prehistoric beginnings of the current Age village of Hanto. The ork was killed before he could retrieve
of Legend, however, the dragons awoke to an infuriating his booty, and the items languished in the cave until Aarde-
discovery: their trusted administrators had taken advan- lea found them. By the time Aardelea found the book, it
tage of the dragons long dormancy to usurp the dragons was rapidly deteriorating. Its captive drake spirit, anxious
rightful power. Even worse, the dragons could not destroy to preserve itself and its knowledge, wove a thread to the
the upstarts outright because the rebellious servants had young girls True pattern. Since then, Aardeleas spirit and
become too powerfuleven a dragon thinks twice about that of the drake have begun to merge.
fighting an entire army by itself. But great dragons think in Icewing learned of Hanto and Aardelea when his pat-
the long term. Though defeated for the present, they knew tern item was returned to him, and he promptly sent agents
one day they would regain their ancient dominion over the to Hanto to investigate the situation. From their reports,
world. To reclaim their rightful place, they needed new ser- Icewing realized that Aardelea was turning into a human/
vitors. They decided to create a new race of beings that they drake hybrid. Immediately Icewing realized that the girl
could trust implicitly. might be the key to a new, self-sustaining breed of drakes.
Using dragon magic, they created drakes: humanoids Through messengers, Icewing told the other great
with dragon blood and characteristics (see p.404 of the dragons of BarsaiveMountainshadow, Alamaise, Ear-
Gamemasters Compendium for more information on throot, Aban, Vasdenjas and Usun (see pp. 424433 of the
drakes). The drakes could not repeat the treachery of the Gamemasters Compendium)of his dramatic dis-
dragons first servants, because their dragon blood would covery. However, the dragons could not agree on a course
188 force them into hibernation along with their masters when of action. Icewing wanted to study Aardelea from afar,
without telling her what was happening to her. Mountain- the opportunity to remind the Therans of what happens
shadow wished to immediately recruit her and install her when they defy the dragons of Barsaive. Although the drag-
in his lair. Over Mountainshadows objections, the other ons agents failed to recover Aardelea, they captured Hefera
dragons deferred to Icewing, who had the closest relation- and delivered him to Icewing, who ate him. Icewing then
ship to these events. charged his agents with another task, and had them deliver
Unsatisfied by this decision, Mountainshadow decided Heferas gnawed and broken bones to the Theran forces at
to act on his own. He contacted high officials in the Great Triumph, as a none-too-subtle signal of his wrath. To this
Library of Throal, notably Merrox, the Master of the Hall day, Aardelea remains in Theran custody.
of Records. Under commission from Mountainshadow,
Merrox sent an undercover research team to Hanto to The Book of Blue Spirits
study Aardelea. Mountainshadow hoped that the team The Book of Blue Spirits is an ancient tome of powerful
would quickly learn whatever it was that Icewing wanted magical lore. Unfortunately, once the characters remove
to know so that the girl could then be taken to safety. As the book from Aardeleas cavern, it deteriorates rapidly,
it turned out, Mountainshadows actions had the oppo- turning to dust within seven days. This gives the charac-
site effect when a corrupt archivist Named Par Darkwood ters little time to study the book or transport it to a place
insinuated himself onto the team, stole the reports and sold where they might be able to sell it.
them to the Therans. Merrox contacted Mountainshadow If you wish, allow the characters to devise a method to
as soon as he discovered the theft. Through intermediaries, preserve the book. If they knew it existed, scholars from
the two of them cooked up a plan to use a team of adepts, all across Barsaive and the Theran Empire would covet the
aided by Mountainshadows drake Rosper, to track down tomes magical secrets. Its rarity and obvious power make
Darkwood and replace the reports with false ones. The plan the book extraordinarily valuableand potentially danger-
succeeded, and the false plans found their way to Hefera, a ous. Many different factions might attempt to obtain it by
sinister proteg of the Theran First Governor. purchasing it or by more sinister means. The Kingdom of
Hefera headed a secretive branch of Theras magical Throal, the Blood Warders of Blood Wood, the Denairas-
I nfected
research organization, devoted to studying the weak- tas Clan from Iopos, the Theran Empire, a great dragon
nesses of the great dragons. (Centuries after their ill-fated living in Barsaive, and any number of others might want to
war against the dragons, the Therans still consider them get their hands on the Book of Blue Spirits. If the charac-
a serious threat to the Empire.) The false documents had ters take the book to Throal, they may be able to sell it for
partially fooled Hefera; he didnt realize why Aardelea is a high pricebut not one so high that it skews the overall
important to the dragons of Barsaive, but the fact that she campaign awards.
is important to them was enough to make him want to Even if the book does not survive, people who hear of
capture her. Additionally, the Heavenherdsthe master the magic it bestowed on the child may seek out the char-
magicians of the Theran Empirewere understandably acters to discover what they know of its contents. One way
curious about the stories they had heard of a young girl or another, word of the book gets out in Barsaive, sparking
with unexplained magical abilities. Heferas own interest, particular interest in Bartertown and Throal. Impress on
along with that of the Heavenherds, ensured that Hefera the players that their characters came into contact with a
was given the resources to mount a mission to Barsaive source of tremendous power and mystery, and many others
and capture Aardelea. When Hefera discovered through might wish to share their knowledge.
his political connections that the Theran navy was plan-
ning to land a behemoth in southern Barsaive, he argued The Dragon Sculpture
for the Lake Ban location, believing he could use the behe- The dragon sculpture hidden in Aardeleas cavern can
moth as a base for his kidnapping operation. play a part in further adventures. If the player characters
For several months after the landing of the behemoth, believe it is a magical treasure, they may study it to learn
Hefera led teams to raze local villages, hoping to find the its powers. Adepts cannot use the sculpture, despite its
girl. He enriched himself by selling innocent villagers into magical aura. Its powers, if any, are of a kind far beyond
slavery, charging them with sedition for allegedly refusing the scope of any Discipline currently known in Barsaive.
to answer his questions. His quest remained fruitless, how- Once word of the sculptures existence gets out, its unique-
ever, and gained him the attention of Icewings informers. ness will make it as sought-after an item as the Book of
Finally, Theran spies in Bartertown told him that hed been Blue Spirits. If the characters decide to sell the sculpture,
looking for Hanto leagues away from its actual location. they find that any number of merchants in Bartertown and
The spies had been keeping an eye on Bartertown politics, Throal will pay a handsome sum for such a fine work of art.
in which the merchant Charboyya has become increasingly The gamemaster can set this price according to his cam-
active, and they learned about Hanto from a seemingly paign, but the sculpture should net the characters at least
innocent conversation with the trusting Charboyya him- 1,200 silver pieces.
self. Hefera immediately gathered together a crack team of The many groups and individuals who might seek the
adepts and headed to Hanto to capture the girl. sculpture include the great dragon Icewing, who lairs in
Barsaives dragons learned of the Therans success in Barsaive near the Kingdom of Throal. If the characters
kidnapping Aardelea and were determined to rescue her decide to keep the sculpture, a mysterious man approaches
before her captors could transport her back to Thera for them and offers to buy it for up to 1,500 silver pieces. The
study. At the same time, the dragons also decided to use mystery man works for some individual or groupyou 189
decide. This potential buyer does not disclose the Name Characteristics
of his employer to the characters. If the characters refuse Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
to part with the sculpture or demand a higher price, either Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 0
raise the offer or arrange to have the sculpture stolen. Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 2
Sometime after the players lose sight of the sculpture, they
Death Rating: 35 Recovery Tests: 2
learn (through a method of the gamemasters devising) that
Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 6/D10
a third, unknown party has since acquired it. At the game-
Unconsciousness Rating: 27
masters discretion, the sculpture may have been bought or
stolen by this third party. Combat Movement: 20 Full Movement: 40
The mysterious third party is the great dragon Icewing,
though the characters may never learn this. You may keep Skills
the identity of the third party a secret or even feed the play- Artisan:
ers false hints to throw them off the track. Implying that Craftsman; Tailor (7): 12/2D10
the dragon has the sculpture, however, should demonstrate
Knowledge:
its significance to the players.
Dwarf Trade Routes (6): 12/2D10
C
Economics (5): 11/D10+D8
than once in the course of the adventure, their statistics Speak Language (4): 10/D10+D6
and descriptions are grouped here for convenience. The Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel
gamemaster characters are presented in order of their gen- Trading (7): 13/D12+D10
eral importance to the story. Descriptions and statistics for
other, minor characters are given in the encounters where Equipment
those characters first appear. Quarterstaff (Damage 7/D12)
Note that Moltaas Grim Legion band has created a Courtier Quality Hat
group True pattern that enables the groups members to Craftsman Tools
enhance their abilities through the use of thread magic Quiet Pouch
(see the Thread Magic chapter on p.271 of the Players Wealthy Travelers Garb
Compendium). Each group member who has achieved
at least Fourth Circle in his Discipline has helped create Loot
this True pattern and has woven threads from his own pat- Gold Earring (worth 25 silver pieces), Gold Ring (worth
tern to it. If the Grim Legion splits into warring factions, 25 silver pieces), 15 gold pieces
the group True pattern enhancements no longer apply (see
Endgames, p.184). Legend Award
145 Legend Points
Charboyya Notes
A prosperous dwarf nearing his fiftieth year, Charboyya Charboyya possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight.
lives in Bartertown, where he runs a thriving business as
a silk merchant. He grew up a poor farm boy in the vil-
lage of Hanto, an isolated hamlet in the wild Barsaivian Moltaa
savanna. As he matured, Charboyya tired of sleepy village Moltaa was born into the obsidiman enclave of Hard-
life and set out to make his fortune in the world. Though point in the last generation before the end of the Scourge, a
he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams, Charboyya came time she remembers all too well. The first residents of Hard-
to miss his family and friends. point erected an opaque, granite-colored, magical dome
To ease his loneliness, Charboyya began hiring couriers around their Liferock rather than hibernate underground.
to deliver messages to and from Hanto every few months. When the Horrors came to Hardpoint, they scratched at
Though this indulgence costs him dearly, Charboyya con- the dome night and day with iron claws and whispered foul
siders it more than worth the price. obscenities describing the wounds they would inflict on the
obsidimen when they finally cracked the dome.
Attributes By the time of Moltaas birth, the call of the Horrors had
Dexterity (12): 5/D8 Strength (12): 5/D8 become part of everyday life. Many went slowly mad from
Toughness (13): 6/D10 Perception (13): 6/D10 listening to it, while others attached themselves to the Lif-
190 Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (14): 6/D10 erock before their time in a desperate quest for solace and
relief. The more the abominations scratched, the stronger Frighten (3): 10/D10+D6
became the settlements physical defenses. Eventually the Karma Ritual (5): 5
Horrors scratching transformed the dome into a substance Read and Write MagicD (6): 13/D12+D10
as hard and clear as diamond. Knowing that their victims Read and Write Language (6): 13/D12+D10
could see them, the Horrors began acting out a continuous Human, Obsidiman, Orzet, Sperethiel, Troll
pageant of bizarre violence and unmentionable atrocities. SpellcastingD (6): 18/D20+D12G
The dreadful sight drove many more Hardpointers mad. Spell Matrix (6): 6
Young Moltaa steeled herself against fear of the Hor- Spell Matrix (6): 6
rors and soon began to threaten them, describing in detail Spell Matrix (6): 6
how she would avenge Hardpoint when the Scourge ended. Spell Matrix (6): 6
Though Moltaa knew of the Grim Legion only from stories, Spirit HoldD (6): 13/D12+D10
she told the Horrors that she would join those determined Spirit TalkD (6): 13/D12+D10
heroes and see all the Horrors dead, suffering and dying Summon (Ally Spirits)D (6): 13/D12+D10
as they had made her people suffer and die. Thread Weaving (Nethermancy)D (6): 18/D20+D12G
After the dark times finally ended, Moltaa left Hard- Willforce (6): 18/D20+D12G
point, learned the Nethermancer Discipline and went in D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Italicized talents require Karma.
search of the Grim Legion. During the past eighty years or G Enhanced by +5 through group True pattern.
I nfected
her soldiers fear her. Kwamms worldly ambitions would be
beyond her understanding if she knew they existed.
In combat, Moltaa prefers to stand away from the
swinging swords and fling Bone Shatter spells at her ene-
mies. On occasion, however, she relishes wading into a nest
of Horrors and cutting a swath through them with her two-
handed sword. When struck, she uses her magical helmets
Swat power (see p.438 of the Gamemasters Compen-
dium), even if using it enables her attacker to occasionally
knock her down. Also, see the description of this magical
helmet as it only adds to Moltaas frightening appearance.
In her spell matrices, she usually holds her Astral Horror,
Bone Shatter, Pain, and Recovery spells. Moltaa is a Sixth
Circle Nethermancer.
Attributes
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (21): 8/2D6
Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (16): 7/D12
Willpower (17): 7/D12 Charisma (12): 5/D8
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 3/D4
Spell Defense: 10 Physical Armor: 7
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 12G
Talents
Astral SightD (4): 11/D10+D8
Durability (4/3) (6): 6
191
Knowledge: Kwamm
Grim Legion History (3): 10/D10+D6 Kwamm is an ambitious ork dedicated to eradicating all
Horror Lore (4): 11/D10+D8 traces of the Scourge from Barsaive. Of course, he also sees
Legends and Heroes (1): 8/2D6 his quest as a means to personal power. Over-confident in
his own judgment and leadership qualities, he believes that
General:
whatever is good for Kwamm is good for Barsaive.
Melee Weapons (3): 8/2D6
Kwamm grew up in the village of Burnpatch, a child-
Read and Write Language (1): 8/2D6
hood friend of Charboyyas employee Gamuudge (see
Dwarf (Throalic)
Charboyyas Heroes, p.146). From an early age, he
Speak Language (2): 9/D8+D6
dreamed of power. Whenever the children played Heroes
Dwarf (Throalic), Obsidiman
and Horrors, Kwamm insisted on commanding the Heroes
Taunt (3): 8/2D6
team. Years later, when a troop of Grim Legionnaires
Unarmed Combat (3): 8/2D6
descended on Burnpatch, they impressed the adolescent
Equipment Kwamm as tough, determined, and more world-wise than
a dirt farmer could expect to become in a dozen lifetimes.
Crystal Ringlet (Phys 4; Myst 4; Init 2)
Kwamm began to dream of joining the Legion and gaining
Two-Handed Sword (Damage 15/D20+D6; w/ scabbard) a reputation as a mighty hero.
Troll Dagger (Damage 11/D10+D8; Range 91518) After some years of training as an adept, Kwamm heard
Troll Sling (Damage 12/2D10; Ranges 3060120) of another Legion group roaming the land near Burnpatch.
Belt Pouch (w/15 sling stones) Under the leadership of an obsidiman Named Moltaa, this
group had taken up residence in Daneru, a nearby village.
Skull of Maarberg (Thread Rank 2; see p.438 of the
Burnpatch hosted a convocation of local village leaders to
Gamemasters Compendium; Powers: Animate Dead
discuss ways of ridding the area of these overbearing fanat-
(2): 9/D8+D6, Swat (2): 10/D10+D6)
ics; Kwamm spent that same evening in Daneru, offering
I nfected
Black Silk Scarf (Grim Legion pattern item) his services as a recruit.
Adventurers Kit (w/tent) On his return to Burnpatch in full Grim Legion rega-
Embroidery Tool lia, the jubilant Kwamm found scorn instead of jealous
Grimoire admiration. His childhood friend Gamuudge picked a fight
Healing Potion with him, and though Kwamm gave Gamuudge a thorough
Last Chance Salve thrashing, the other ork delivered a lucky, nose-shattering
Trail Rations (1 week) blow on his way down for the count. Instead of cheering
Travelers Garb Kwamms victory, the other young villagers flocked around
Gamuudge. The beaten ork taunted Kwamm through a split
Spells lip, calling him a pretend hero playing black leather dress-
Animate Skeleton, Astral HorrorM, Astral Spear, Bone up. Hurt and confused by this reaction, Kwamm stalked
Dance, Bone ShatterM, Deaths Head, Detect Undead, off shouting vague threats about bringing friends to give
Experience Death, Fog Ghost, Life Circle of One, PainM, them all a whipping. Despite the emptiness of the threat,
RecoveryM, Spirit Dart, Spirit Grip, Undead Struggle Gamuudge took it seriously enough to leave the village.
M
Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix. As a member of Moltaas group, Kwamm swiftly proved
his determination and bravery. He made himself indispens-
Loot able to Moltaa and soon became her second-in-command.
150 silver pieces Though Kwamm refuses to admit it even to himself, the
fight with Gamuudge remains his greatest failure. Despite
Legend Award having proven himself time and again as a courageous
1,645 Legend Points slayer of Horrors, the jeers of his former friends ring loudly
in his memory. Those long-ago taunts have helped drive
Notes Kwamm to his present successwhenever he needs extra
Moltaa possesses the obsidiman racial abilities of courage to kick down a kaer door or lead an assault, he
Increased Wound Threshold and Natural Armor. She has thinks of that fight and vows to prove just how wrong those
formed a group True pattern within her own sect of the fools were to laugh at him. The Gamuudge incident is one of
Grim Legion, and has four Rank 5 threads attached to her the things that triggers Kwamms gahad, the response all
Mystic Armor as well as her Spellcasting, Thread Weaving orks have to certain passionate impulses. For specific infor-
(Nethermancy), and Willforce talents. mation on Kwamms gahad, see Hearts of Stone, p.168.
Increasingly confident of his power as a Swordmaster,
Fourth Circle: Karma on Perception-only Tests
Kwamm imagines himself leading the Legion band. Though
Fifth Circle: Karma on Willpower-only Tests
he respects Moltaas single-minded devotion to the cause,
Sixth Circle: +1 Spell Defense
he believes the group should create a master plan to deal
with Horrors, rather than simply riding around the coun-
tryside looking for individual Horrors to slay. Kwamm
192 wants to set up a permanent base in the region and
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 10 Initiative: 5/D8
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 9
Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 5G
Talents
Avoid BlowD (5): 13/D12+D10
Durability (7/6) (5): 5
Karma Ritual (5): 5
Heartening Laugh (5): 12/2D10
ManeuverD (5): 13/D12+D10
Melee WeaponsD (5): 18/D20+D12G
RiposteD (5): 13/D12+D10
Second WeaponD (3): 11/D10+D8
Speak Language (4): 9/D8+D6
Human, Obsidiman, Sperethiel, Troll
I nfected
Taunt (5): 12/2D10
Thread Weaving (Blade Weaving)D (5): 10/D10+D6
Throwing Weapons(4): 12/2D10
Wound Balance (3): 9/D8+D6
D
Indicates a Discipline talent.
Italicized talents require Karma.
G
Enhanced by +5 through group True pattern.
Skills
vastly increase the number of troops, so that the Legion Artisan:
can sweep the entire area clean of Horrors. Such a plan Runic Carving (1): 8/2D6
requires an overall commander, a powerful role Kwamm
Knowledge:
covets for himself.
Grim Legion History (3): 8/2D6
Kwamm sees the occupation of Hanto as a first step
Horror Lore (3): 8/2D6
in realizing his grandiose plans and entertains notions of
Military Procedures (1): 6/D10
expanding his observation tower into a huge, brick fort. He
has yet to figure out how to move from his current role as General:
right-hand man in an adventuring band to commander of Hunting (5): 13/D12+D10
a military base. As Moltaas chief lieutenant, Kwamm con- Missile Weapons (5): 13/D12+D10
trols recruiting and has personally brought many of the Read and Write Language (1): 6/D10
younger members of this Grim Legion group into the fold. Dwarf (Throalic)
Even some of the veterans prefer Kwamm to their current Speak Language (2): 7/D12
leader; in contrast to Moltaa, who often seems half-crazed, Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Kwamm is charismatic, personable, and stable. In any
internal power struggle, many of the Legionnaires would Equipment
support Kwamm over Moltaa. Skull-Carved Footmans Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19)
Characters playing up to Kwamms grand aspirations Ring Mail (Phys 6; Init 2; w/spiked helmet)
and sense of self-importance get along well with him.
Deritas Silk-Tailed Wailer (Rank 2; Damage 12/2D10;
Those who threaten his plans or self-image, especially by
w/3 yards of silk rope; New Magical Treasures, p.347)
mentioning the fight with Gamuudge, make a grimly deter-
Short Sword (Damage 10/D10+D6 w/scabbard)
mined enemy. Kwamm is a Fifth Circle Swordmaster.
Stone Troll Dagger (Damage 9/D8+D6; Range 91518;
Attributes Grim Legion pattern item)
2Hawk Hatchets (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range 244048)
Dexterity (20): 8/2D6 Strength (13): 6/D10
Light Crossbow (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range
Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (12): 5/D8
50100200)
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (16): 7/D12
Quiver (w/15 light crossbow bolts)
193
Adventurers Kit
Carving Tool
Trail Rations (1 week)
Wealthy Travelers Garb
Loot
85 silver pieces
Legend Award
725 Legend Points
Notes
Kwamm possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
Vision and Gahad. He formed a group True pattern within
his own sect of the Grim Legion and has two Rank 5 threads
attached to his Mystic Armor as well as his Melee Weapons
talent.
Lo-Arr Brand
The human Lo-Arr Brand is a shy country boy who
joined the Grim Legion in a futile attempt to spite his child-
I nfected
I nfected
Lo-Arr possesses the human racial ability of Gzoog Chainbreaker is a Second Circle Warrior.
Versatility.
Attributes
Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (16): 7/D12
Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (13): 6/D10
Willpower (11): 5/D8 Charisma (9): 4/D6
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 1/D42
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 12
Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 1
Talents
Acrobatic Strike (2): 8/2D6
Air Dance (2): 3/D4*
Durability (9/7) (2): 2
Karma Ritual (2): 2
Melee WeaponsD (3): 9/D8+D6
Unarmed CombatD (3): 9/D8+D6
Wood SkinD (2): 8/2D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
* Air Dance adjusted for 5 armor Initiative Penalty.
Skills
Artisan:
Music (Fife) (1): 5/D8
Knowledge:
Gambling (4): 10/D10+D6
Grim Legion History (1): 7/D12
195
Horror Lore (1): 7/D12 Attributes
Military Procedures (1): 7/D12 Dexterity (16): 7/D12 Strength (15): 6/D10
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (7): 4/D6
General:
Willpower (8): 4/D6 Charisma (12): 5/D8
Missile Weapons (1): 7/D12
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6 Characteristics
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 2/D41
Streetwise (1): 7/D12
Spell Defense: 9G Physical Armor: 12
Equipment Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 4G
Footmans Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19) Death Rating: 34 (60)* Recovery Tests: 2
Plate Mail (Phys 9; Init 4) Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 6/D10
Unconsciousness Rating: 26 (48)*
Broadsword (Damage 12/2D10; w/scabbard) G Enhanced by +4 through group True pattern.
Quarterstaff (Damage 9/D8+D6) * These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
Sork Sorjinka
Sork Sorjinka joined the Grim Legion after Horrors
wiped out her scorcher band. On signing up, she swore
never to take a mate or drink alcohol until all the Horrors
were driven from Barsaive. Sorks relentless hatred of Hor-
rors puts her firmly in Moltaas camp; she sees Kwamm as
an opportunist insufficiently devoted to the cause.
Sork makes no claim to act for the good of others; ven-
geance is her motive and she tramples on other peoples
rights without a qualm if they interfere with her goals. Dis-
tant and unapproachable, Sorks only topic of conversation
is the Horrors and how to fight them. If the adventurers
regale her with tales of their Horror encounters, she listens
with great interest, but sees no reason to give strangers any
information about herself.
As a Cavalryman, Sork prefers charging into combat on
her mount, but will fight on foot if necessary. When hit, she
automatically uses her Avoid Blow or Trick Riding talent.
She retreats from losing fights only if the opponents are not
Horrors; in losing battles with Horrors, her companions
must often overpower her and drag her away to prevent
her from dying unnecessarily. Sork Sorjinka is a Fourth
Circle Cavalryman.
196
Skills
Artisan:
Craftsman; Leatherworker (1): 8/2D6
Knowledge:
Grim Legion History (3): 7/D12
Horror Lore (4): 8/2D6
Military Procedures (1): 5/D8
General:
Hunting (1): 8/2D6
Missile Weapons (1): 8/2D6
Read and Write Language (1): 5/D8
Dwarf (Throalic)
Speak Language (2): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Equipment
Riders Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19)
Plate Mail (Phys 9; Init 4)
I nfected
Needless to say, her choice scandalized her family. Con-
Black Crossbow Bolt (Grim Legion pattern item) vinced she had taken leave of her senses, Dalyas relatives
hired a band of adventurers to retrieve her from the Grim
Adventurers Kit
Legion. The adventurers received a sound drubbing, and
Bandanna
Dalya has since continued her career unmolested.
Craftsman Tool
Cheerful and outgoing, Dalya considers herself in
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
charge of group morale. Her sunny disposition means little
Travelers Garb
to the groups more violent members, but Lo-Arr Brand
2Waterskins
quickly adopted her as his unofficial mother. She responds
War Horse: eagerly to any adventurers who approach her as friends,
Bit, Bridle, and Harness particularly if they are sophisticated conversationalists. In
Large Saddlebag fact, Dalya will talk the player characters ears off if given
Saddle, Stirrups, and Blanket half a chance. Her greatest passions are talking and cook-
ing, and most of her current companions offer little in the
Loot way of the first and fail to appreciate the second.
55 silver pieces Though willing to tell the player characters her life
story, Dalya skillfully changes the subject if they seem
Legend Award to be fishing for information they might use against the
370 Legend Points Legionnaires. Strongly loyal to both Moltaa and Kwamm,
the conservative Dalya will support the higher-ranking
Notes officer in any dispute.
Sork possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light Dalya tends to burn Karma in combat, relying heavily
Vision and Gahad. She has formed a group True pattern on her Claw Shape talent to harm her opponents. Believing
within her own sect of the Grim Legion, and has two Rank that she has already lived a long and fulfilling life, she is
4 threads attached to her Mystic Armor and Spell Defense. willing to sacrifice herself if necessary to defeat or destroy
a Horror. Dalya Red Roses is a Fourth Circle Beastmaster.
Fourth Circle: Karma on Strength-only Tests
Attributes
Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (11): 5/D8
Dalya Red Roses Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (14): 6/D10
A very old elf, Dalya Red Roses found adventure late Willpower (9): 4/D6 Charisma (15): 6/D10
in life. The sheltered daughter of rich elves from a large
kaer, she married into a prominent merchant family and Characteristics
spent most of her life raising children and taking part in Physical Defense: 12G Initiative: 3/D4
social affairs. Having established her children and grand- Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 9
children in the world, Dalya decided to devote her final Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 4G 197
Death Rating: 36 (62)* Recovery Tests: 3 General:
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 5/D8 Conversation (4): 10/D10+D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 28 (50)* Etiquette (8): 14/D20+D4
G Enhanced by +4 through group True pattern. Read and Write Language (2): 8/2D6
* These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
Dwarf (Throalic), Sperethiel
Combat Movement: 32 Full Movement: 64
Speak Language (3): 9/D8+D6
Karma Points: 20 Karma Step: 4/D6 Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Sperethiel
Loot
Skills
55 silver pieces
Artisan:
Cooking (7): 13/D12+D10 Legend Award
I nfected
Maloniel
The newest recruit to the Grim Legion, Maloniel dreams
of inspiring fear in others. Like Kwamm, Maloniel comes
from a tiny savanna village, and she regards the neighbors
she left behind as so many meek cattle. The Legionnaires
represent excitement, power, and real life. She does not
understand why her new companions all seem to avoid
her gaze, refusing to answer her eager questions about the
thrilling life of the adventurer. Even Dalya Red Roses, who
goes out of her way to treat everyone kindly, seems to keep
Maloniel at arms length. What Maloniel does not know
is that this particular band of Legionnaires has lost sev-
enteen Thieves under Moltaas leadershipsome caught
in the throat by blade traps, others picked off by invisible
monsters or meeting other unpleasant ends.
Starved for friendship and a bit naive, Maloniel
responds to any interest the adventurers show in her. As
a new recruit, she knows no worthwhile secrets; instead,
she speaks mostly of the tediousness of village life, and
how much more exciting life is with the Grim Legion. If
the adventurers pay enough attention to her, Maloniel may
decide to leave Hanto with them at the end of the adven-
ture. In the event of a showdown between Moltaa and
Kwamm, Maloniel would most likely quit in disgust rather
198 than take sides.
In combat, Maloniel prefers to sneak up behind an Adventurers Kit
opponent using her Silent Walk talent and position her- Trail Rations (1 week)
self for a Surprise Strike. The Legionnaires cool treatment Travelers Garb
has made her unwilling to die for them, and so she with-
draws from combat if she falls to within 3 Damage Points Loot
of unconsciousness. Maloniel is a Third Circle Thief. 50 silver pieces
I nfected
Avoid BlowD (2): 9/D8+D6 Arrkhards crewmates, hearing nothing, mocked him and
Climbing (3): 10/D10+D6 said he had hit the grog too hard. Nonetheless, Arrkhard
Durability (5/4) (3): 3 traveled overland to the back country, where he met Moltaa
Karma Ritual (3): 3 and her Grim Legion group. Though he has fought the Hor-
Lock PickingD (3): 10/D10+D6 rors for a mere six months, Arrkhard has already proved
Melee Weapons (3): 10/D10+D6 his bravery in many dangerous battles.
Picking PocketsD (3): 10/D10+D6 Though Arrkhard speaks softly and sounds reason-
Silent WalkD (4): 11/D10+D8 (Shadow Hide) able, he can be as fanatical as Moltaa in his own way. His
Surprise StrikeD (4): 9/D8+D6 belief that he serves a higher purpose justifies any wrong
D
Indicates a Discipline talent. he might commit. Though Arrkhard likes and respects
Kwamm, in a showdown Arrkhard would cut Kwamm in
Skills half without a twinge of regret.
Artisan: Arrkhard starts every fight with his battle shout,
Singing (1): 6/D10 Thystonius commands thy death! He does not use his
Fireblood talent until he has suffered at least 20 Damage
Knowledge:
Points in combat. Arrkhard Gahh is a Second Circle Sky
Elf Ballads (1): 7/D12
Raider.
Legends and Heroes (1): 7/D12
General: Attributes
Missile Weapons (1): 8/2D6 Dexterity (17): 7/D12 Strength (21): 8/2D6
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12 Toughness (16): 7/D12 Perception (13): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic) Willpower (11): 5/D8 Charisma (10): 5/D8
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
Dwarf (Throalic), Sperethiel Characteristics
Throwing Weapons (1): 8/2D6 Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 2/D41
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 12
Equipment Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 1
Espagra-Scale Cloak (Phys 3; Myst 1; Init 0/1)
Death Rating: 39 (55) Recovery Tests: 3
Padded Leather (Phys 4)
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 8/2D6
Broadsword (Damage 10/D10+D6) Unconsciousness Rating: 31 (43)
Dagger (Damage 7/D12; Range 91518)
Combat Movement: 34 Full Movement: 68
3Throwing Daggers (Damage 7/D12; Range 152530)
Troll Sling (Damage 9/D8+D6; Range 3060120) Karma Points: 7 Karma Step: 3/D4
Belt Pouch (w/15 sling stones)
199
Talents Equipment
Air SailingD
(1): 6/D10 Footmans Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19)
Avoid Blow (2): 9/D8+D6 Plate Mail (Phys 9; Init 4; w/spiked helmet)
Battle ShoutD (3): 8/2D6
Troll Sword (Damage 14/D20+D4; w/scabbard)
Durability (8/6) (2): 2
Troll Dagger (Damage 11/D10+D8; Range 91518)
FirebloodD (2): 9/D8+D6
Troll Sling (Damage 12/2D10; Range 3060120)
Karma Ritual (2): 2
Belt Pouch (w/15 sling stones)
Melee WeaponsD (3): 10/D10+D6
Shield ChargeD (2): 10/D10+D6 Adventurers Kit
D Indicates a Discipline talent. Carving Tool
Sculpting Tool
Skills Small Statue of Thystonius
Artisan: Trail Rations (1 week)
Sculpting (1): 6/D10 Travelers Garb
Wood Carving (1): 6/D10
Loot
Knowledge:
15 silver pieces
Horror Lore (1): 7/D12
Passion Lore (2): 8/2D6 Legend Award
General: 195 Legend Points
Missile Weapons (1): 8/2D6
Read and Write Language (2): 8/2D6 Notes
Dwarf (Throalic), Troll The adept possesses the troll racial ability of Heat
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6 Sight.
I nfected
Aardelea
An intelligent and brave human child, Aardelea is in
way over her head. If questioned too insistently about any-
thing, she may break into tears, at which point her mother
Orweia ends the interview.
Though gifted with unusual magical abilities (see
below), Aardelea uses them only in dire emergencies for
fear the Legionnaires might see her. For example, she
might use her Mystic Healing power on a character who
did her a great service, but only if he seems on the verge
of death.
Attributes
Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (7): 4/D6
Toughness (8): 4/D6 Perception (12): 5/D8
Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (11): 5/D8
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 5/D8
Spell Defense: 7* Physical Armor: 0
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
Powers
Elsewhere Sense (1): 6/D10
Mind Over Matter (1): 6/D10
Mystic Healing (1): 6/D10
200
Astral Chameleon: This ability protect her against magi-
cal detection spells and powers, manifesting whenever she
becomes frightened or attempts to conceal the truth about
her strange abilities. If active, Astral Sensing Tests must
achieve an Excellent or better result against Aardeleas
Spell Defense to be successful.
I nfected
highest Spell Defense of all beings observable from the
selected area as the Difficulty Number for the Elsewhere
Sense Test. Each use of Elsewhere Sense lasts for a number
of rounds equal to Aardeleas rank in this power.
Skills
Mind Over Matter: The Mind Over Matter power allows
Artisan:
Aardelea to move small amounts of solid matter at will.
Singing (1): 6/D10
She may move the matter or object in any direction or
Knowledge: through the air at a maximum Movement rate in yards per
Botany (1): 6/D10 round equal to her rank in the power. To use this ability,
Creature Lore (1): 6/D10 Aardelea makes a Mind Over Matter Test against a Dif-
ficulty Number based on the weight of the object moved.
General:
The base Difficulty Number is 2, +1 for every 5 pounds of
Climbing (1): 6/D10
weight. If she attempts to move an object or being with a
Read and Write Language (1): 6/D10
Spell Defense, use the higher of the weight or Spell Defense
Dwarf (Throalic)
as the Difficulty Number. Each use of Mind Over Matter
Speak Language (2): 7/D12
lasts for a number of rounds equal to Aardeleas rank in
Dwarf (Throalic), Human
the power or until she stops concentrating.
Wilderness Survival (1): 6/D10
Mystic Healing: The Mystic Healing power allows Aarde-
Equipment lea to heal damage to another character by using one of her
Peasants Garb Recovery Tests. Aardeleas Mystic Healing step replaces the
targets Recovery Step for the test. The Difficulty Number is
Loot the Spell Defense of the recipient, who may choose to lower
None his defenses temporarily (see the Workings of Magic
chapter on p.287 of the Players Compendium for
Legend Award more information on voluntarily lowering Spell Defense).
35 Legend Points Aardelea must touch the subject, and the subject must con-
centrate fully on receiving the healing power. The subject
Rules must also believe in Aardeleas healing ability. Aardelea
Aardelea has learned a number of unique powers, which cannot use Mystic Healing to heal herself.
work just like dragon powers (see the Dragons chapter on
p.397 of the Gamemasters Compendium).
201
Shattered Pattern
It is difficult to comprehend the true complexity of our life patterns, but easy
to appreciate that, as with our physical bodies, a little tampering with them
can result in very serious problems indeed.
Mestoph, Elven Nethermancer
Shattered Pattern
Escorted by two members of the Royal Guard, Tharr friend. I have heard of troubling events occurring near the
Strongfist strode down the wide corridors of the Inner Servos Jungle and the Badlands. I want you to take a few
Kingdom of Throal toward King Varuluss audience cham- of your best soldiers and look into it.
ber. Tharr knew the guard on his left from several years Tharr Strongfist swallowed hard. Few places in Barsaive
back, when they had served together as green enlistees in held as many dangers as the Badlands. Monsters and even
the Army of Throal. Tharr was glad to see Reham doing Horrors lurked in its caves and gullies, waiting to devour
well for himself, though a guards posting was the last the few travelers that the blasted landscape itself didnt kill.
thing Tharr would have chosen for himself. But Reham The wild Servos Jungle was little better, full of dangerous
had a wife and two babes to think of, and royal guard duty creatures and the Passions only knew what else. Any trou-
allowed him to remain in the army and serve his king with- bling events in such places must be truly dreadful.
out risking his neck. Before Tharr could reply, the king handed him a piece
The guard on the right was a young one, barely dry of folded parchment. I received this letter just a day ago
behind the ears. He kept sneaking awed looks at Tharr, as from the Library of Throal.
if amazed to be walking alongside a real hero. Tharr smiled Tharr unfolded the parchment and began to read.He
to himself. He could almost hear the youngling regaling slowly refolded the letter, then looked at his king. When
his mates off-duty with an exaggerated description of do we leave, my lord? he asked, handing the letter to
the great Tharr Strongfist, who singlehandedly routed a Varulus.
battalion of Therans during the Theran War. The truth As soon as you can put together the necessary force. I
was somewhat less glamorous, but Tharr had done his bit. have arranged for you to meet with Ardinn Tero; he can
Thats all this hero business was, reallydoing your bit and tell you precisely what he saw and learned on his journey
then getting on with the next thing. so that you can choose the best course of action.
Tharr wondered what bit the king had in mind for him Tharr nodded, bowed once more and turned to leave,
this time. his mind racing. He had faced danger before, but noth-
With a friendly goodbye nod to Reham and the young- ing as insidious as a Horror cult. How might he find this
ling, Tharr entered the audience chamber and bowed to the enemy? How should he fight a Horrors worshippers?
king. You sent for me, Your Highness? Strongfist! called the king.
Strongfist. Welcome, said King Varulus III, walking Tharr turned. My lord?
toward the Warrior with a smile. The smile both warmed May the Passions follow you, old friend.
and worried Tharr. It reminded him how much his sov- Tharr gave the king a small, mirthless smile. If your
ereign valued him, but the apprehension behind it made scholar is right, sire, may the Passions help us all.
him nervous. If the king was worried, Tharr wasnt sure he As the doors to the audience room closed behind him,
wanted to hear what might be coming next. Tharr began drawing up a mental list of soldiers to take
Varulus next words did nothing to soothe him. Throal with him. He would take Joran for certain. A Scout by Dis-
202 and I need your strong arm and quick mind again, my cipline, Joran was among the finest in the entire army, and
What is it? his master rum-
bled, his voice echoing like thunder
off the rocky walls.
Rathann looked up at Icewing
To his Royal Highness Varulus the Third,
the great dragon. Your suspicions
King of Throal, greetings.
were correct, sir. Someone must
I regret that this letter must bring Your Highness grave have used the sculpture
news, but I have recently made discoveries of which I must The dragons roar cut Rathann
inform you before it grows too late to take action. As you know, off in mid-sentence. Dont tell me
the land of Barsaive is home to many different secret societies, the eggs are gone!
some of which serve the people of Barsaive and some of which Rathann swallowed. Not all,
most emphatically do not. I fear I have stumbled upon one of sir.
the latter, a group whose activities place our entire province How many?
in great danger. I refer to a certain Horror cult: the Cult of Seven. Rathann braced him-
the Great Hunter, whose adherents serve the fearsome Horror, self for another outburst of dragon
Verjigorm, Hunter of Great Dragons. fury, but Icewing remained silent.
In my recent travels through Barsaive, I have heard Emboldened, Rathann continued.
scores of tales of incidents attributed to the Cult of the Great Im afraid I could discover noth-
Hunter. Many of these tales clearly come from the overactive ing about the fates of Arondry and
imaginations of Barsaives Scourge-worn people, but the stories Tellanion. After another brief
I have heard of the cults activity between the Badlands and silence, Rathann said awkwardly,
the Servos Jungle have the ring of awful truth. Careful study Im sorry, sir. I wish I had better
of these tales strongly suggests that the incidents in question tidings.
are the work of a single group, because many of the reported He has them, Icewing rum-
Shattered Pattern
incidents have similar methods of execution. I am convinced bled softly. The one who has my
that the Cult of the Great Hunter exists and may be responsible eggs. Who but my own servants
for these happenings, but the truth of the matter remains a could enter my lair and take seven
mystery. of my eggs unnoticed?
We must find out the truth. If I am correct in my conclusions, Though afraid of the answer,
then the Kingdom of Throal cannot stand idly by while this cult Rathann felt compelled to ask.
does as it pleases. The cost to us all will be far too great. I urge What shall I do, sir?
you to take action toward ridding our land of this plague. The Find the eggs. Find Arondry
fate of Barsaive may depend on it. and Tellanion and kill the one who
has done this to me!!
Your most humble servant,
Rathann blinked, startled. You
Ardinn Tero do not wish to slay the criminal
Scholar of the Great Library of Throal yourself?
Icewing snarled. If I could, I
would tear out the culprits heart
and liver and feed them to the vul-
tures. But my remaining eggs are
near to hatching, and I must attend
them.
his loyalty was unshakable. He was also a good friend; and The enormous dragon disappeared, and in his place
if this mission might well end in death, Tharr wanted a stood a young elven male similar in looks to Rathann.
friend by his side. Pulling a piece of parchment and a stylus from a nearby
cabinet, the young elf scratched out a map and marked
three Xs between the Servos Jungle and the Badlands.
Rathann the elf hesitated outside the immense cavern, Our adversary has taken Arondry and Tellanion to all of
fiddling with the straps on his shoulder pouch to make it these placesI can feel that they have passed there. The
hang more comfortably. He pulled his leather tunic straight, criminal and the two others are sure to be at one of these
adjusted the belt and ran slender fingers through his gray- sites. Go and do not fail me.
ing hair to untangle it. Rathann put the map in his shoulder pouch. As he
His master hated personal disarray in his servants, and walked out of the cavern, he looked back over his shoulder
Rathann was determined not to give him any more cause and saw that the dragon had resumed his former shape.
for anger than he could help. The news he brought would Rathann stepped outside the long tunnel that led from
provoke fury enough. Icewings lair to the surface of Mount Vapor. His elven body
Rathann patted down his hair a final time, then took disappeared as he assumed his true form. The small dragon
a deep breath. He couldnt delay any longer. Squaring his spread his leathery wings and took to the air.
narrow shoulders, he stepped inside the cave. 203
A dventure Background
The seeds of Shattered Pattern were sown
long ago in the years just before the Scourge, when the
people of Varenna were building their kaer. An elderly elf
Nethermancer, Tyrlaan by Name, approached the towns
leaders and asked to live in their shelter. Tyrlaan told the
town leaders a terrible tale; he had come from the nearby
town of Carell, whose people had succumbed to an attack
by Horrors and their constructs while rushing to finish
their kaer. Tyrlaan claimed to be the sole survivor of the
massacre. In truth, he instigated the slaughtera fact he
kept well hidden from the good folk of Varenna.
Though suspicious of the strange elf and reluctant
to admit outsiders to the towns kaer, Varennas leaders
accepted Tyrlaan because of his magical ability. Varenna
had no adepts among its own people and had relied heav-
ily upon aid from the city of Travar and the Kingdom of
Throal in the kaers construction. With the kaer nearly
finished, the borrowed magicians returned to their own
homes, leaving Varenna without anyone who had such
valuable magical knowledge. The leaders hoped Tyrlaan
would use his magic to protect them. Ultimately, he used
it to destroy them.
Shattered Pattern
P
tion to Verjigorm. Tyrlaan then returned to the ruined
village of Carell, living and working in the few finished
parts of Carells kaer. At present, the cult of Verjigorm
uses three sites between the Badlands and the Servos as lot Synopsis
its headquarters. The following overview presents the most likely
Tyrlaan and his fellow cultists searched the length and ordering of the events and their outcomes. More infor-
breadth of Barsaive for information regarding great drag- mation is provided later on about dealing with a different
ons and where to find them. At length, Tyrlaan discovered order of exploration, as well as a number of options the
the existence of a unique obsidian sculpture in the form gamemaster can choose from at various points. The play-
of a dragon, retrieved from the hinterlands of Barsaive by ers have a fair bit of freedom in this adventure, so the
adventurers in the employ of a silk merchant from Barter- details can unfold in many different ways. As always, the
town (see Charboyyas Heroes in the Infected chapter, gamemaster should feel free to modify or replace parts of
p.143). Upon learning that agents of the great dragon the adventure to best tell the story and fit his style and
Icewing had obtained the sculpture, Tyrlaan decided to world.
intercept it as a gift for Verjigorm. Taking along several of The player characters enter the adventure while in
Shattered Pattern
the most powerful cultists, Tyrlaan tracked down Icewings Kratas. They receive a note asking them to meet a poten-
agents responsible for acquiring the sculpture, a pair of tial employer at a tavern on the far side of the city. At the
drakes, and captured them along with their prize. tavern, they meet an elderly looking elfRathannwho
Tyrlaan determined that the sculpture was one of Ice- wants to hire them to help discover his identity. He offers
wings pattern items and that he could use it to locate a the characters substantial payment for their services, as
clutch of Icewings eggs. The Nethermancer then devised a well as the few clues in his possession. When the charac-
truly evil plot: he would obtain these eggs and use his life- ters leave the tavern, a pair of human Horror cultists follow
altering magic to transform the hatchlings into servants them. As soon as the characters leave the city, the cult-
for Verjigorm. With aid from his Horror master, Tyrlaan ists grab Rathann and take him back to Tyrlaan, while the
found the clutch and gained control over Icewings drake characters begin their investigation of Rathanns identity.
agents using pattern-weakening magic. The Nethermancer If the characters examine the clues Rathann gave them,
then forced the drakes to steal seven of the eggs. As soon as they can learn several interesting things. The orichalcum
he had the eggs safely tucked away, Tyrlaan began terrible coins bear the mark of Icewing the dragon. The sigils on
blood magic experiments in an attempt to twist the hatch- the amulet include the symbol of a kaer, a symbol of Hor-
lings to his own dark purposes and use the drakes blood to rors, and the sign of the Cult of Verjigorm the Great Hunter.
make a broth with which he could create new life forms. After examining these clues, the characters need to travel
Icewings remaining drake servant, Rathann, discov- to one of the places marked on the map to learn anything
ered and informed his master of the capture of his servants more. During their journeying, the characters meet sol-
and the theft of the sculpture and eggs. Enraged and diers from the army of Throal sent by King Varulus III to
anguished by his loss, Icewing sent Rathann in search of investigate activities attributed to the Cult of the Great
the missing drakes and the eggs. Icewing magically tracked Hunter. Depending on how the characters treat them, the
the drakes and sketched out a map for Rathann that marked soldiers may aid the characters in their task.
the places where they had been most recently. When the characters arrive at the first marked site, they
Rathann set out toward the places frequented by Tyr- find the abandoned temple of Raggok that Tyrlaan and his
laan and his cult, but the cultists captured him long before cultists have turned into their headquarters. After dealing
the drake reached the Nethermancers stronghold. They with the cultists, the characters search the temple and find
turned him over to Tyrlaan, but before the Nethermancers the obsidian dragon sculpture, along with a map marking
pattern-weakening magic could fully take hold, Rathann the place in the Throal Mountains where Icewings clutch of
broke free of his captors, killing several of them and attack- eggs lies. The characters may also discover that the leader
ing Tyrlaan before escaping. Rathann managed to retrieve of the Horror cult is an elderly elf Named Tyrlaan, who
five items in his headlong f light from Tyrlaans strong- bears a resemblance to their employer. At the second site
hold: his map, a trio of orichalcum coins that Icewing had on Rathanns map, the characters find the ruins of Kaer
given him, and an amulet that Tyrlaan wore around his Varenna. One of the sigils on Rathanns amulet matches
neck. Fighting off exhaustion, Rathann finally succumbed that of the kaer, implying a connection between the kaer
to the effects of Tyrlaans magic and collapsed in his Name- and the amulets owner. The characters may also learn that
giver form near the city of Kratas. A young boy wandering the kaer fell to the Horrors through Tyrlaans evil magic. 205
During their exploration of Kaer Varenna, the char-
acters find a dwarf imprisoned in one of the kaers living
areas. The dwarf introduces himself as Joran Lightfoot, a
scout in the Throal Army. He informs the characters that
King Varulus III sent members of the army to this area to
R unning
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern is a complex adventure. Its back-
investigate the activities of the Cult of the Great Hunter. ground is an intricate web of events and motivations, and
However, he does not reveal that Tyrlaan has since turned its open structure allows characters to move through the
him into a shadow creature to serve the Horror cult. As the encounters as they see fit, rather than in any particular
characters continue to move through the kaer, Joran takes order. To give this freewheeling adventure a strong story
on his shadow form and attacks the characters, fleeing only structure, the gamemaster needs a thorough understand-
if they come close to defeating him. ing of the events leading up to Shattered Pattern and of
The last place marked on the map is Tyrlaans current Tyrlaans motives, as well as how each event in the adven-
lair in Kaer Carell. When the characters explore this ruined ture relates to other events.
kaer, they at last learn the truth about their elven employer Keep in mind that the characters have been hired to
and Tyrlaan. If they search the upper floors of the kaer first, solve a mysterythe mystery of Rathanns true identity.
they find a room full of crystal coffins, two of which hold As they examine the clues and explore the places marked
Icewings captured drake servants in Name-giver form. If on their map, the characters learn bits and pieces of infor-
the characters search the lower part of the kaer first, they mation regarding Rathanns identity and how he lost his
find a room containing several dragon eggs, as well as their memory, but much of the information makes no sense
employer Rathann undergoing arcane blood magic experi- when they first discover it. The puzzle only comes together
ments at Tyrlaans hands. when the characters reach Tyrlaans lair, find Rathann and
At some point during their search of Tyrlaans lair, the the dragon eggs and confront Tyrlaan. At this point, the
characters confront the Nethermancer and his remaining characters can begin to discover the real truth.
servants and cultists, and they engage these enemies in a As the characters progress through the adventure, they
Shattered Pattern
climactic battle for their lives. If the characters defeat Tyr- may deduce (falsely) that they are working for Tyrlaan. If
laan and his allies, they can then restore the memories of so, the characters may wish to take their advance pay-
Rathann and the other two drakes and recover the stolen ment and go their way. To keep the players from taking
dragon eggs. Depending on how well the characters have such action (and ending the adventure prematurely), point
handled the adventure, they may be able to collect a whop- out that they do not have enough information to make a
ping favor from a grateful Icewing at some later date. fair judgment about their employer, or appeal to their
206
sense of heroism to find the truth behind what is going Themes and Images
on and to act accordingly. Hopefully, the characters will This encounter takes place in the city of Kratas, where
feel compelled to continue, if only to discover more about deception and betrayal are as natural as breathing. Play
the Horror cult. Ending the threat of the Cult of the Great up the sense that the characters are always being watched
Hunter may be vital to Barsaives well-being; if the char- by many different people, any one of whom might have
acters are truly heroes, they will choose to fight the cult designs on their money or other valuables. Take care, how-
regardless of whether or not its activities seem connected ever, not to intimidate the characters so much that they
to the job they were hired to perform. In reality, the activi- turn down the elfs job offer out of sheer paranoia.
ties of the cult tie in directly to Rathanns identity, which
the characters quickly realize if they continue to pursue all
the clues in the adventure. Setting the Stage
Kratas, also called the City of Thieves, lies almost at the
geographic center of Barsaive. Though thieves and mer-
Connections cenaries abound, Kratas population also includes honest
Shattered Pattern contains two items designed to merchants, tradesmen, and others. For more information
provide continuity with other Earthdawn adventures. on Kratas, see p.31 of the Gamemasters Compendium.
The first is the obsidian dragon sculpture. Players may note For the purposes of this adventure, the characters visit only
similarities between this sculpture and the dragon sculp- a few places in the city. Shattered Pattern assumes that
ture described on p.220. In fact, these two objects are one the characters are staying at an inn and later visit Rathann
and the same. If the players did not sell or trade the sculp- in a tavern located on the citys west side (see Meeting
ture at the end of Infected, simply have someone steal it the Elf, below).
from them. The piece then passes through Icewings hands The unique atmosphere of the City of Thieves is the
and into Tyrlaans, where it resides at the start of Shat- most important thing for the gamemaster to convey.
tered Pattern. If, however, the characters have not played Thieves, mercenaries, and other unsavory types run Kratas
Shattered Pattern
Infected, it might be possible they have heard of the as well as live in it, and two large thief guilds are currently
sculpture or met someone seeking it. Alternatively, another battling for dominance. The Force of the Eye, led by the
exquisite item with which the characters have interacted famed ork Thief, Garlthik One-Eye, is currently in power.
and parted ways can be used instead. The second item is a Brochers Brood, led by a blood elf Named Vistrosh, seeks
set of daggers known as the Blades of Cara Fahd (see the to overthrow the aging ork and his gang. The power jock-
New Magical Treasures chapter, on p.348, for a full eying means that the characters begin this adventure in
description). These items are intended to provide continu- a city full of distrusting, manipulative backstabbers. The
ity between these different Earthdawn adventures and characters are in unpleasant territory; someone is watch-
so help support the players vision of the Earthdawn uni- ing their every move and they cannot go anywhere without
verse as a changing, dynamic place. The nature of these being noticed.
daggers will be examined in Blades (see p.254).
W
Behind the Scenes
hile in Kratas The following text describes the events likely to occur
and/or actions the characters are likely to take while in
The gamemaster may use a method of his Kratas. Feel free to alter the timing and any details of these
choice to send the player characters to Kratas, but the team descriptions to better fit your game.
of heroes needs to be in the City of Thieves to begin this
adventure. One suggestion is to have the party hired to A Mysterious Letter
convey a seemingly innocuous message to either Garlthik The proprietor of the inn where the characters are stay-
One-Eye or Vistrosh, the two most prominent gang leaders ing wakes them one morning not long after their arrival
in Kratas, through a minor contact in their employ. and gives them a letter he has been asked to deliver to them.
Some time after they arrive in Kratas, the characters The letter offers no more information than that provided
receive a mysterious letter informing them of potential in its text (see p.208). If the characters ask the innkeeper
employment. When the characters meet with the letters where the letter came from, he tells them that a human boy
author, an aged male elf, they learn that he has forgotten gave it to him last evening. The boy asked that he deliver it
his Name and identity and wants them to help him redis- the next morning and paid him 5 silver pieces for his trou-
cover those important facts. The elf provides the characters ble. The innkeeper does not remember what the boy looked
with a few clues: a map with three places marked on it, two like, nor does he know if the boy is the Jael referred to in
orichalcum coins with symbols carved on either side, and the letter. If asked, the innkeeper gives the characters clear
an amulet covered with runic carvings. directions to the Lamp Oil Tavern.
After leaving the meeting with the elf, the characters
may notice two men following them. The men are mem- Meeting the Elf
bers of the Cult of the Great Hunter, keeping tabs on the The Lamp Oil Tavern is a respectable, if plain, estab-
elf and everyone he sees. As soon as the characters leave lishment, specializing in strong ale and simple, hearty food.
town, these cultists kidnap the elf. Like most taverns in Kratas, it has its share of seedy-look- 207
ing regulars, as well as a few shadowed corners beloved by
such people; but the bulk of the clientele are traders and
merchants who eat a noon meal there or have a pint after
a long day.
Dears Sirs and Madams,
When the characters arrive and ask for Jaels friend,
the ork tavernkeeper shouts out, Hey, Jael, these folks are
Please forgive the unusual method
asking about the elf. Seconds later, a young boy runs into
by which I am contacting you. I beg
the tavern room from the kitchen and beckons to the char-
your indulgence in this matter.
acters, saying, Come this way.
I require the services of a capable,
The boy leads the characters through the kitchen and
trustworthy band of adepts, such
down a rickety flight of wooden steps to a small basement
as I am assured you are. If you are
room. The sparsely decorated chamber holds a shabby bed
interested in aiding me, please come
and a short table. On the edge of the bed sits an elderly
to the Lamp Oil Tavern on the far west
male elf dressed in tattered but once-fine clothing.
side of the city at midday. Tell the
When the characters enter the room, read the
tavernkeeper that you wish to meet
following:
with Jaels friend, and he will direct
These are the ones, sir, says the boy eagerly, you to me. When we meet face to face,
gesturing toward you. I will tell you what I need of you.
The old elf smiles. My thanks, Jael. As he turns Should you choose not to meet
to you, the tavernkeeper shouts Jaels Name from with me, I ask only that you keep this
above. With an aggrieved look, the boy departs, matter to yourselves. However, I very
leaving you alone with the elf. much hope that you will aid me, as
Thank you for meeting with me, the elf says. my trouble is most dire.
I would introduce myself, but I fear that is impos-
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern
can cause a Name-giver to lose his identity. Tell them
that such magic exists, but only dragons use it. If a player
asks whether re-Naming might account for the damage to
Rathanns pattern, the answer is no; adopting a new Name
would give the person in question a new pattern, not a
damaged one.
laans amulet.
The two bronze-colored coins are smaller than
Throalic silver and gold pieces, and the runes
nicked into them reflect the light in an unusual way.
Preparing for the Journey
Once the characters accept Rathanns offer, they will
The coins look very much like the magical metal,
likely wish to buy provisions and supplies for their upcom-
orichalcum, but are too badly worn for you to be
ing journey. The merchants and tradesmen of Kratas sell
certain of their content.
most of the items listed in the Goods and Services
The two orichalcum coins are old, worn, and smaller chapter on p.432 of the Players Compendium, though
than normal coins. Because they are made of orichalcum, many of the items are harder to find (the gamemaster may
they are worth 5,000 silver pieces each. Astral examina- increase the Availability level for an item at his discretion).
tion reveals that the coins are not magical or pattern items The characters can buy no animals in Kratas except riding
of any kind. The coins are etched with the sigil of Icewing, and draft horses, and certain expensive and rare magical
the great dragon. Any character with the Knowledge or items such as blood charms are very expensive here.
Artisan skill of Runic Carving may make a Skill (12) Test; Prices for virtually all goods and services in Kratas
if the test succeeds, the character recognizes the runes as range from one and a half to three times the costs listed in
similar to those that indicate dragons. On a Good result or the Players Compendium.
better, the character knows that these runes are Icewings
symbol.
Troubleshooting
Rathanns Map Little can go wrong in this encounter, unless the
When t he players exa mine t he map, read t he characters refuse the job. In this case, the cult members
following: following them can be made quite obvious so they start to
get involved. They may even see this group of cultists, or a
Drawn on an old, worn piece of parchment, the
second one, taking Rathann away captive. Whether or not
map depicts a region of Barsaive where the Servos
they witness this, Jael can then find them again with the
Jungle meets the area known as the Badlands.
few things Rathann left behind hid under his bedding, and
Along the border between the two are three marks
plead with them to find out what happened to him.
drawn in a deep red color. The map also shows the
If the characters pressure the elf into paying them
cities of Kratas and Travar, the Mist Swamps, and
the entire 800 silver pieces in advance, he will do so. To
the western edge of the Thunder Mountains.
achieve this, a negotiating character must achieve a Good
This hastily drawn parchment map indicates three sites result or better on a Persuasion Test against the elfs Social
used by Tyrlaan and his Horror cult, all located between Defense.
the Servos Jungle and the Badlands. A copy of this map
appears in the Player Handouts chapter, p.360. If the
characters know anything about Kaer Varenna, they real-
210 ize that the three marked sites are all near the area where
T raveling the Land
This section describes the characters possible
experiences during their journey to the places marked on
Rathanns map. This section contains all the information
way is to arrange for passage down the Serpent River, but
they may instead choose to walk or ride the distance. Each
travel option is described below.
River Travel
needed for encounters that the characters may face during If the characters travel by river, they must arrange
their travels, descriptions of the terrain they must cover, for passage on a riverboat. Riverboat passage costs each
the activities of the Throal Army troops and how those character six silver pieces per day. Bringing their mounts
activities relate to the characters mission, and the ways aboard the boat costs an additional four silver pieces per
in which the Throal Army and the characters may interact. day for each animal. Luckily for the characters, the small
Refer back to this section whenever the player characters port town of Daiche lies only a few hours walk from Kratas.
travel from place to place. Daiche serves as Kratas port on the Tylon River, a tribu-
tary of the Serpent, and so almost every merchant in Kratas
owns a building in the port. The characters should find it
Themes and Images easy to buy passage in the town.
Play up an overall feeling of discomfort. The charac- The Serpent River port nearest to the Temple of the
ters are journeying through some of the most dangerous Great Hunter is the small town of Farram (see Travel
stretches of wilderness in Barsaive. The Badlands and the Map, p.216). This town is 2 days from Kratas by river, and
Servos Jungle are both fraught with danger, so make sure so getting there costs each character 12 silver pieces with-
the characters feel as if they are traveling through a haz- out a mount and 20 silver pieces with one. The riverboat
ardous no mans land. arrives at Farram near the end of the second day.
Farram
Setting the Stage Farram is a small trading town located where the
Shattered Pattern
The characters must travel quite a distance to investi- Tylon and Serpent rivers meet. Farram offers inns of vary-
gate each of the places marked on the map. A journey to ing quality, ranging from Cheap to Merchant. Prices for
any of them will take seven to twelve days, depending on lodging match those listed in the Goods and Services
whether the characters walk or ride. The following infor- chapter on p.453 of the Players Compendium. Despite
mation assumes that the characters travel from Kratas to Farrams small size, its shops offer a surprising variety of
the closest marked site first, then to those farther away. If goods and services. Almost all the equipment listed in the
the characters choose to investigate the three places in a Players Compendium is available in Farram. Prices for
different order, see Troubleshooting on p.217 of this sec- some of these itemsespecially common magic itemsare
tion, and the Troubleshooting sections in the following inflated, but prices for most common goods are no more
three sections. Refer to the Travel Map on p.216 when than 10 percent higher than those listed in the Players
using this section. Compendium.
In Farram, the player characters notice a small contin-
From Kratas to the Temple gent of soldiers from the Throal Army. King Varulus sent
The characters can make the long trip from Kratas to these soldiers to investigate the activities of the Cult of
the Temple of the Great Hunter in several ways. The easiest the Great Hunter (see the introductory fiction, p.202). For
more information about these soldiers, see Encountering
the Throal Army, p.213.
Land Travel
If the characters travel overland from
Kratas to the temple, they must pass through
a large portion of the Servos Jungle. Jour-
ney i ng t h roug h t he S er vos, even i f
staying within sight of the Serpent River,
is extremely hazardous, and the charac-
ters should take great care on such a trip.
The characters may choose to go
directly from Kratas to the temple, or
they may wish to stop at Farram. The
trip from Kratas to Farram takes four-
teen days walking or nine days riding. A
direct route from Kratas to the temple takes As the characters travel toward the mountains, the ter-
eighteen days walking or twelve days riding, and charac- rain grows rockier and more barren, and the characters are
ters who take the direct route will likely encounter many more likely to meet mountain creatures such as griffins and
more creatures than characters who make the first leg of ice flyers. The characters may also hear the rumblings for
Shattered Pattern
the journey by river. which the Thunder Mountains are Named (see the Places
Innumerable plants, both poisonous and harmless, of Legend and Peril chapter on p.54 of the Gamemas-
choke the jungle between Kratas and the temple, making ters Compendium).
the way very difficult to traverse. This explains the fact For the best effect, the rumblings should occur after
that the travel times given above are slightly higher than sunset, as darkness falls over the forbidding landscape.
the actual distance between the two places implies. The When the characters hear the thunder from the mountains,
Servos Jungle also abounds in many different animals and those with knowledge skills relating to Geography, Legends,
creatures, most of which are very dangerous. In the Servos, or Horrors may make a Knowledge Skill (7) Test. If a char-
the characters are likely to encounter jungle-dwelling crea- acters test succeeds, he remembers some of the legends
tures such as espagra, crojen, jungle griffins, or even blood about the thunder. Some legends say the thunder comes
monkeys (see Creature Encounters, below). from a great dragon that lies trapped beneath the moun-
When the characters arrive at the temple, go to The tains. Others claim that the trapped entity is Verjigorm, the
Horrors Temple, p.218. Hunter of Great Dragons. This legend should seem espe-
cially relevant if the characters realize that their employer
From the Temple to the Kaer has some connection to the Cult of the Great Hunter.
If you wish, combine the sound of the thunder with an
The next place on the map is Kaer Varenna, Tyrlaans
unexpected attack by some nasty creatures. In this case,
home during the Scourge. The trip from the temple to the
the thunder causes each character to suffer a 2 penalty
kaer takes three days walking or two days riding along the
to his Perception Tests when trying to detect the sounds of
edge of the Servos Jungle. The terrain for this part of the
approaching creatures. When the characters arrive at Tyr-
characters journey is a mixture of light jungle and dry,
laans stronghold, go to Tyrlaans Lair, p.231.
rocky wasteland. If the characters travel in a straight line
from the temple to the kaer, they pass through areas of
jungle and wasteland and may run into creatures native
to the jungle or the Badlands, at the gamemasters discre-
Behind the Scenes
The following text describes events that are likely to
tion. When the characters arrive at Kaer Varenna, go to
occur during the characters travels. Feel free to alter the
The Lost Kaer, p.225.
timing of these events.
Shattered Pattern
make Skill (9) Tests. All available information Universe to combat the remaining effects of
that can be gleaned by a successful Knowledge the Scourge. Living legend cults also often aid
Test appears below, arranged by result level. Barsaive; the Seekers of the Heart, who hope to
The character learns all information up to and restore the former beauty of the Blood Wood,
including the information listed for the result and the Wielders of Purifier, who seek the leg-
level achieved; for example, a character who endary sword Purifier that was forged before the
achieves a Good result learns the information Scourge as a weapon against the Horrors, are
listed for that result level and also for an Aver- two prominent examples of such groups. Other
age result. All the characters know the general cults work for less benevolent purposes, and
information, and the gamemaster may read some represent potentially great dangers to the
that section aloud or paraphrase it as soon as world. These are the Horror cults, whose mem-
the characters announce their intent to begin bers devotedly serve one or more of the astral
that attacks them in defense of its young. Or a creature the guidelines below and in the following three sections
may stalk the characters with the intention of eating them. to determine specifically when and how the characters
Or the characters may hear something following them for encounter Throalic troops.
hours or even days at a time. Should the characters inves-
tigate the sounds, they might find anything from a small About the Soldiers
bobcat or leopard to a pack of crojen or blood monkeys. The group of Throalic soldiers in this area of Barsaive
Whether the characters succeed in finding their stalker numbers about thirty-five men and women. Only five of
before it pounces depends on how much the gamemaster them are adepts, including the groups leader, a dwarf
wants to play on the players and the characters paranoia. Warrior Named Tharr Strongfist. The remaining four
Do not allow creature encounters to overshadow the adepts are all Second Circle and include a Weaponsmith,
adventures major focus. They should serve simply as an Elementalist, a Swordmaster, and a Scout. Use the
graphic reminder of Barsaives dangers. sample characters on pp.236265 of the Gamemasters
Compendium for these adepts statistics or create new
Encountering the Throal Army characters. Statistics for Tharr and the non-adept soldiers
As noted earlier, the characters may encounter mem- appear in Cast of Characters, p.251.
bers of the Throal Army while in Daiche and Farram. The At the recommendation of Ardinn Tero, a scholar in
characters may also encounter soldiers from Throal while the Great Library of Throal, King Varulus III sent these
traveling from Farram to the temple, from the temple to troops to investigate activities attributed to the Cult of the
the kaer, and from the kaer to Tyrlaans stronghold. Use Great Hunter (see the introductory fiction, p.202). Note 213
abominations that ravaged Barsaive during the Nethermancer who created the hydra and
Scourge. Though many Horror cults exist mainly prompted Thermail to commit suicide may
in the overactive imaginations of Barsaives have belonged to the Cult of the Great Hunter.
Scourge-weary people, one cult poses a very real Though the tale does not mention the Hunter
threat to the land: the Cult of the Great Hunter, of Great Dragons or the cult directly, the delib-
whose members serve the Hor-ror known as erate corruption of a clutch of dragon eggs by
Verjigorm, the Hunter of great dragons. a Name-giver is a hallmark of the few existing
Barsaivians know of this Horrors existence tales about the Cult of the Great Hunter. Cer-
only from tales told by two great dragons, Ice- tainly, such incidents are rare indeedaside
wing and Mountainshadow. The stories say that from Verjigorms cult, only the Therans seem
Verjigorm hunted great dragons during the pre- bold enough to act against a great dragon, and
vious Scourge, though none have yet seen the even they would do so reluctantly. (The well-
Horror during the most recent Scourge. known tale of Jaron and the Sphinx describes
Despite the lack of objective proof that Ver- the last confirmed conflict between dragons and
jigorm still exists, few Barsaivians publicly Therans, a conflict the dragons won decisively.)
doubt the words of the great dragons.
Excellent Result
Average or Good Result Fortunately for Barsaive, the Cult of the
One incident relating to the cult of Verjigorm Great Hunter lacks organization. All existing evi-
comes from the scholar Tiabdjin the Knower, dence suggests that the cult is made up of many
who recently delivered to the Library of Throal small groups, each working in its own way to
Shattered Pattern
a manuscript describing many of Barsaives serve its terrible masters ends. A Nethermancer
most dangerous magical creatures. According leads almost every group of cultists, using the
to one of the descriptions in this text, Verjig- magic of life and death that he commands to
orm or those who worship the Horror may have serve Verjigorm. The Cult of the Great Hunter
indirectly caused the death of the great dragon also counts adepts of other Disciplines among
Thermail. The description of the hydra states its members, including Warriors, Beastmasters,
that a magician, probably a Nethermancer, cre- Elementalists, and others. According to rumor,
ated the foul hydra from a clutch of Thermails some members are even questors of the Mad
eggs. When Thermail discovered the dreadful Passion Raggok, but these claims seem dubious.
fate of her young, she impaled herself on one Any Mad Passion would balk at paying tribute to
of the spires of the Delaris Mountains, which a Horror and would not likely allow his questors
has since been Named Mount Wyrmspire. The to offer devotion to another master.
that Joran Lightfoot was among their number, but went to that Kaer Varenna is marked with runes that match those
scout ahead of them and hasnt been heard from since (to on the amulet. Note that each group of soldiers has a copy
learn of his fate, see p.217). Two small groups, each con- of the armys map.
sisting of five soldiers and two Second Circle adepts, have The soldiers are all devoutly loyal to the Kingdom of
split off from the main unit and are scouting two of the Throal and to King Varulus. When the characters encounter
places marked on the characters map. All three groups them, the soldiers are polite but not actually friendly unless
are at the gamemasters disposal and the player characters the characters make successful Interaction Tests (see the
may interact with all or none of them as suits the course Gamemastering chapter on p.92 of the Gamemasters
of the story. Compendium) to warm them up. The soldiers are here
Tharr Strongfist has a map similar to the one that Rath- on a distasteful mission and their demeanor reflects this
ann gave the characters. Strongfists map shows the same fact. All the tales told of the Cult of the Great Hunter speak
three places marked, but unlike the characters map, each of atrocious acts, and the soldiers would much prefer the
of the places on Strongfists map is given the Name it had comforts of the Kingdom of Throal to the Badlands and
before the Scourge. The temple is called the Temple of the Servos Jungle.
Rashomon, Kaer Varenna has its NameVarennawrit- If the characters make successful Persuasion Tests
ten under it, and Tyrlaans lair is labeled Kaer Carell. If against the leader of whatever group they encounter, they
the characters discuss their mission with the Throalic sol- can find out why the soldiers are in this area. If the char-
diers, they may get a look at Strongfists map. If so, they see acters then tell the soldiers of their own mission, the
214 the proper Names of all three sites. Also, they recognize groups leader is likely to share what he knows about the
Extraordinary Result accompany the characters to the next settle-
Many of the activities attributed to the Cult ment for recovery and resupply. The next village
of the Great Hunter appear to have little connec- is only a days walk from their current location,
tion to Verjigorm because they involve indirect so its likely that the group shares a camp with
action against dragons, such as the theft of the troll for the night.
dragon eggs and assaults on the dragons known The characters will soon notice that Kar-
allies and servants. Verjigorm can confront great dakhan seems shifty, paranoid, and somewhat
dragons face to face, but his servants are Name- distant. This is because Kardakhan is actually
givers, and few Name-givers feel bold enough to a member of the Cult of the Great Hunter, and
challenge a great dragon directly. the troll has no intention of letting the charac-
Though tales of incidents attributed to ters get away. Kardakhans followers are hiding
the Cult of the Great Hunter are told all over nearby, waiting for his call. Even if the charac-
Barsaive, recently reports of such activity have ters dont agree to camp together with the troll,
increased sharply along the border between the he and the rest of his followers will ambush
Badlands and the Servos Jungle. them in the following night.
A perceptive character may notice that their
attackers (including the troll) all carry daggers
Adventure Hook with matching amber stones in the pommel,
The Cult of the Great Hunter operates in a and also carry matching medallions (on closer
number of different ways throughout Barsaive inspection both the medallions and the amber
and while their activities are rather secretive, stones carry the rune of the cult). Unfortunately,
Shattered Pattern
characters who played Shattered Pattern will the daggers are also coated with the same para-
know how to recognize members of this cult. lytic poison that knocked out the wyvern.
While traveling through the wilderness near Kardakhans cult cell studies wyverns and
one of Barsaives many mountain ranges or jun- their relationship to the dragons, hoping to find
gles, they unknowingly pass a wyverns territory. weaknesses they can use against their enemy.
The aggressive beast attacks the group, giving They desire to capture wyverns and their prey
them a hard time. During the fight, the charac- alive to experiment with. If the characters end
ters receive aid from a troll Beastmaster Named up unconscious, they will be taken to the cells
Kardakhan, who manages to knock the wyvern hideout: a natural cave hidden a few miles away.
out with a paralytic poison. The wyvern can also be found there, resting
Kardakhan suggests leaving the place imme- alongside the characters in a deep pit when they
diately and actively discourages the characters wake up
from finishing off the creature. He offers to
cult and to show the characters the army map. Whether or or Tyrlaans servants and arrive in time to help them. The
not the characters and soldiers decide to work together is characters may also meet the soldiers during their travels,
up to the players and the gamemaster. The characters may particularly in the small trading towns and villages along
want to join forces with the soldiers, convince the soldiers the Tylon River. In addition, they might meet in the jungle
to help them or go their separate ways. In any case, the or near the cave entrance to Kaer Varenna.
gamemaster decides how large a role the Throalic soldiers Conversely, the Throalic soldiers could be used as a hin-
play in Shattered Pattern. If the characters ask the sol- drance to the party, though caution should be taken so as
diers to work with them, they must convince the soldiers not to overwhelm the party or deprive them of allies they
that working with the group of heroes will aid the soldiers might need later. Here are some suggestions as to how to
own mission for the King of Throal. accomplish such a balance. The soldiers could suspect the
The Throalic soldiers may be used to either help or characters of being involved with the cult, and be adversar-
hinder the player characters. The soldiers may aid the ial or even sabotage their equipment during a night in the
characters by offering them information or helping them wilderness. Later as they learn the truth by fighting along-
explore the places on the map. For example, if the charac- side the party they could become allies. Also, working with
ters seem to be losing a battle in the temple, Kaer Varenna, the soldiers could create extra sources of noise, attracting
or Tyrlaans stronghold, the gamemaster can arrange for attention at inopportune times or drawing larger herds of
Throalic soldiers to show up and help them out. Or the predators, or even constructs, at night to harass the resul-
characters may encounter the soldiers battling the cultists tant larger group. 215
Meeting the Army in Farram that the soldiers at the end of the table closest to them are
In Farram, the characters find the Throalic soldiers sit- reading a map. As soon as the characters get close, the
ting together in the common room of the inn where the groups leader tries to hide or fold up the map. If the char-
characters are staying the night. The soldiers are most acters wish to read the map in this brief glimpse, have
likely the main group led by Tharr Strongfist, though the any character close enough to see the table make a Per-
characters may meet one of the smaller groups. The sol- ception (7) Test. A successful result allows the character
diers are sitting together at a large table at the far end of to notice that the map depicts a region of Barsaive simi-
the common room. If the characters approach, they notice lar to the one on the characters own map. A Good result
Shattered Pattern
216
allows the character to notice that the soldiers map has die during one of these encounters. Use the Throalic sol-
marks in almost the same places as the characters map. diers as you see fit, but it will help to decide how important
An Excellent or better result allows the character to recog- the soldiers are to the story before the player characters
nize that the map is a near-duplicate of the characters own, encounter them. That knowledge will help you conduct any
and that the temple, kaer, and the Nethermancers strong- meetings between the two groups in a consistent fashion.
hold are clearly labeled (though the character cannot read Each of the following three sections includes hints for stag-
those labels). How the meeting progresses from this point ing encounters with the soldiers.
depends on how the characters deal with the soldiers. The order in which information is presented in this sec-
tion assumes that the characters travel from Kratas to the
Meeting an Army Encampment temple, from the temple to Kaer Varenna, and from the
The characters can also come upon a small encamp- kaer to Tyrlaans stronghold. If the characters choose to
ment of one of the groups of Throalic soldiers roughly two visit these three places in a different order, be prepared to
to three hours walk from any of the three sites. Again the adjust the information about each of the places to reflect
soldiers attitudes and actions depend on how the charac- what the characters know at that point. Each of the fol-
ters interact with them. lowing sections devoted to the three sites includes notes
to help the gamemaster deal with this contingency. The
About Joran Lightfoot gamemaster must also be prepared to adjust the informa-
Joran Lightfoot, an advance scout for this unit of tion regarding travel to the three sites to accommodate the
the Throal Army, was captured by Tyrlaan and trans- characters actions.
formed into the Shadow Killer, a creature that serves If the characters go to Tyrlaans lair first, they may
the Nethermancer. The characters first encounter Joran defeat him (and complete the adventure) before they dis-
during their exploration of Kaer Varenna. If the charac- cover the truth of what is going on. Also, because the
ters meet the Throalic soldiers after encountering Joran encounters at each of the places pose an increasing threat
and ask them about him, the soldiers tell the characters to the characters, the adventurers may face a very unpleas-
Shattered Pattern
that Joran disappeared while scouting out the temple and ant situation if their first battle pits them against Tyrlaan
Kaer Varenna. The characters then likely inform the sol- and all his servants at the Nethermancers stronghold! To
diers of Jorans attack on them and possibly of his bizarre avoid both of these undesirable events, the gamemaster
abilities. The soldiers will be reluctant to believe the char- may choose to manipulate the available information so that
acters, though any kind of proof will go a long way toward as the characters choose each destination, they arrive at
convincing them. the three sites in the order the gamemaster wishes.
If the characters meet the Throalic soldiers before Because the soldiers also possess maps of the same
encountering Joran, the soldiers mention a Scout who dis- sites, and their maps are clearly labeled, this approach
appeared after being sent ahead to check out the temple requires more work on the gamemasters part. He must
and the kaer. They describe Joran, and so the characters juggle information and events to ensure that the two sets of
should recognize him when they meet him in Kaer Varenna. maps match regardless of the characters actions. Though
(A full description of Joran Lightfoot/The Shadow Killer the map provided in this adventure places the three sites
and game statistics for the creature the Scout has become in ascending order of danger as the characters travel east
appears in Cast of Characters, p.247.) to west, if the characters decide against traveling in such
a linear fashion, the gamemaster may simply run the
Examining the Clues first site they visit as the temple, the second site as Kaer
While traveling from place to place, the characters Varenna, and the last site as Tyrlaans lair, regardless of
may examine some of the clues Rathann gave the placement of these sites on the published map. Despite
them. Guidelines for examining the
clues appear in While in Kratas,
p.209.
Troubleshooting
Because these events come
into play between the main
encounters of this adventure,
they offer little opportunity
for the characters to go off the
track. Give careful attention,
however, to staging encoun-
ters with creatures and with the
Throalic soldiers. Avoid throwing
creatures against the player char-
acters that are too dangerous for the
group to handle; no character should 217
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern
padding sticking out of the edge of his bed- At the west end of the courtyard stands a large statue
roll. If a character pulls at it, he removes a of Verjigorm; in describing it to the players, feel free to
strip of parchment a few inches in length. embellish on the details given in the Gamemasters
There is text on the parchment, albeit in Compendium on p.503. Just in front of the statue is a
poor condition. The language of the text is small stone table measuring about 1 by 2 yards.
Sperethiel. If the group knows how to read Dark stains dot its surface and trail down its sides and
the elven language, they can decipher a legs. The dark spots are bloodstains from the blood magic
date and the Name Traj Quickwrist, along rituals and spells the cultists have performed in front of
with a journal entry describing a fight he the statue.
had with an espagra. If the characters con-
tinue searching the bed, they find more (2) Stairway and Corridors
tattered pages stuffed through Garollans The stairway measures 1 yard across, and the ceiling is
bedroll with similar journal entries. The about 2 yards high. Most characters except for dwarfs and
pages are part of a journal detailing Trajs windlings will have to crouch when using the stairs. The
and Garollans former adventuring groups stairs end in a doorway that leads to a corridor roughly 2
quest into the Badlands. yards wide wide and just over 2 yards high, dimly lit by
It appears they wanted to explore a light quartz crystals set into the stone walls. Trolls and
lost kaer Named Jembardena town once obsidimen may have difficulty standing in this corridor.
known as a supplier of orichalcum and The walls are made of 1-yard-square stone blocks. Similar
True earth to surrounding settlements and blocks form the walls of the temple.
cities before the Scourge. Gallorans and The corridor stretches for roughly 8 yards before stop-
Trajs group sought to mine a natural vein ping at a door, where it turns to the right and runs for 15
running next to Kaer Jembardens under- yards. Down this expanse are two doors on the right and
ground water source, along with the riches one on the left. Another corridor branches off to the left
and magical treasures they expected such about 5 yards from the stairway. This branch corridor runs
a place to hold. Since there is a lot of infor- for roughly 10 yards and has a single door set into its left
mation missing from the tattered journal, wall.
it would probably take some research at
the Great Library of Throal to determine (3) Mess Hall/Kitchen
a route to this kaer. Unknown to the char- This room serves as the mess hall and kitchen and looks
acters, however, there is a Horror lurking particularly filthy. Clearly, the members of the Cult of the
in the depths of the kaer, responsible for Great Hunter care little for fine meals. The dining portion
the death of Trajs and Gallorans former of the room contains two long wooden tables with benches
companions. on either side. The west side of the room is the kitchen area,
which features a large fire pit, several stone and iron pots,
and shelves full of dried provisions. 219
(4) Garollan and (7) Worship Room
Quickwrists Barracks In this room, Tyrlaan and the cultists perform cere-
monies and rituals intended to let them communicate
This room houses two of Tyrlaans lieutenants: Garol-
with their Horror master, Verjigorm. By the north wall of
lan, a Fourth Circle Beastmaster; and Traj Quickwrist, a
the room stands a statue of Verjigorm, similar to the one
Fifth Circle Swordmaster. The room holds only two beds,
in the courtyard. A large stone table, stained with dried
two chests, and a small table. The chests hold the lieuten-
blood, stands in front of the statue. Huge hanging tapes-
ants personal possessions.
tries depicting various scenes of Verjigorm ravaging the
The chest belonging to Garollan contains a dwarf sword,
land and killing and feasting on the corpses of great drag-
a pouch with 150 silver pieces in it, and a suit of hardened
ons cover the rest of the walls.
leather armor emblazoned with the symbol of the Army
Six rows of wooden benches, each roughly 5 yards long,
of Throal. This armor was most recently worn by Joran
take up the center of the room. These benches are very old
Lightfoot, the Throalic Scout sent to investigate the area.
and creak loudly when sat on. In the northwest corner of
For more information on Jorans fate, see Cast of Char-
the worship room is a secret door (Detection Difficulty 15),
acters, p.247.
Quickwrists chest contains three short swords, two
daggers, and a pouch with 75 silver pieces. A doorway lead-
ing to Tyrlaans workshop (5) is located in the west wall of
the room.
Shattered Pattern
DEX: 12 STR: 12 TOU: 8 The statue and table in the courtyard have a magical
PER: 7 WIL: 7 CHA: 7 trap that the characters trigger if they walk within 1 yard of
the statue. When triggered, the trap summons several ven-
Initiative: 12 Physical Defense: 15
omous snakes to attack the trespassers. The snakes come
Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 9
from several directions at once: some from holes between
Attack: 12 Social Defense: 14
the stone slabs and some from the jungle growth surround-
Damage: 12 Physical Armor: 0
ing the courtyard. If the trap is triggered, the characters
Mystic Armor: 3
cannot avoid the traps effect.
221
Statue Trap (see Encountering the Cultists, p.223) when the cult-
Detection Difficulty: 12 ists move to attack the characters, he uses his Dominate
Disarm Difficulty: 13 (magical) Beast talent to send all the witherfangs away.
Spell Defense: 12 Garollan uses blood magic to strengthen his talents
Trap Initiative: NA effectiveness. By taking 3 Strain Points of damage, Garol-
lan may make a Dominate Beast (15) Test against all the
Trigger Condition: When a character walks within 1 yard
witherfangs. If the test succeeds, the snakes retreat into
of the statue, make a Step 13/D12+D10 Spellcasting Test
the jungle and between the stones.
against the characters Spell Defense. If the test succeeds,
the trap is triggered and summons a number of venomous Witherfangs (3 per character)
snakes.
DEX: 7 STR: 5 TOU: 6
Trap Effect: Summons witherfangs (3 per character) PER: 4 WIL: 4 CHA: 4
The snakes, known as witherfangs, are small ven- Initiative: 4 Physical Defense: 9
omous serpents whose poison has the same effect as the Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 5
Wither Limb spell (see the Nethermancy Spells chap- Attack (3): 10 Social Defense: 5
ter on p.359 of the Players Compendium). Statistics for Damage: Physical Armor: 0
witherfangs appear below. The triggering of the trap also Bite (2): 7 (see text) Mystic Armor: 0
alerts the cultists inside the temple. If Garollan is present Tail (3): 8
The characters may have heard of Kaer was high enough to supply a steady income that
Varenna and so may recognize it when they find made both the questors and the town of Varenna
the kaer. Characters with Barsaive History or prosperous.
other appropriate Knowledge skills may make One day, the Wizard from the neighboring
Skill (8) Tests. On an Average or Good result, village of Hirya discovered that the questors
the character knows that the kaer lies near the of Varenna followed their adepts incognito,
Badlands and has not been heard from since the using their powers to encourage cooperation
Scourge ended. On an Excellent result or better, and better deals for their charges. This lead to
the character knows that Throal sent messen- a major crises between Varenna and the sur-
gers to many kaers near the Badlands when the rounding villages. To avoid hostilities, the elders
Scourge ended, Kaer Varenna among them. of Varenna decided to ban the greedy questors
According to the messengers, Kaer Varenna and publically tear town the shrine of Chorrolis.
was breached by the Horrors. In addition, rumor The questors, in turn, cursed Varennaa curse
has it that the people of Kaer Varenna offered powerful enough to stop the people of Varenna
sanctuary to citizens from a nearby town that from giving birth to children with magical abil-
had been virtually destroyed by Horrors before ity. Ultimately, this curse developed into a major
its people could finish their own kaer. weakness that even lead to Kaer Varennas doom
later in history (see Tyrlaan in Cast of Char-
acters, p.244).
Adventure Hook While Kaer Varenna has fallen, the curse laid
In the rotting library of Kaer Varenna, the upon this place is still activeathough there is
adventurers come across a tome describing the no population around. Further research in the
kaers history and the town from which it was old library reveals a magicians journal on the
founded. While the old tome contains many matter, concluding that the curse can only be
geneologies and other boring information, lifted when the shrine is restored and blessed by
careful study reveals the town of Varenna was Chorrolis. A questor in the group of characters
devoid of adepts and its citizens seemed to lack might receive a vision of his patron Passion to
any and all magical talent. Apparently, rumors solve the ancient conflict and embark on a quest
attributed this to the town elders making a bad to bring a questor of Chorrolis here to conse-
decision. A group of questors had maintained crate the shrine. Lifting the curse will not only
a shrine of Chorrolis in Varenna, and started bring back the Passions blessing, but also make
to hire out the services of the towns adepts to the ruins of Varenna attractive for settling once
other villages. This business went quite well and again.
222
Death Rating: 36 Recovery Tests: 3 Option Two: Outside the Temple
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: Immune When the characters arrive at the temple, several of the
Unconsciousness Rating: 28 cultists are in the courtyard. Unless the characters move
very quietly, the cultists spot and attack them.
Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
Powers: Camouflage (3): 7, ClimbingS (3): 10, Poison (SD Option Three: The Deserted Temple
12; Wither Limb), Silent WalkS (3): 10 When the characters arrive at the temple, most of the
cultists are away gathering food or perpetrating some foul
Legend Points: 155
act. Two of the non-adepts remained behind to guard the
Equipment: None temple, and the characters may meet them in the court-
yard. The guards fight the characters if attacked.
Loot: None
Shattered Pattern
want in the temple, only Tyrlaans Workroom and the Bone
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 5/D8
Circle Room contain any clues regarding the identity of
Unconsciousness Rating: 31 (40)*
their employer. If the characters go to Tyrlaans Workroom,
* These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
they find the dragon sculpture and possibly the map, as
Combat Movement: 34 Full Movement: 68
well as a tome of Nethermancer spells.
The tome contains any Nethermancer spells the Karma Points: 12 Karma Step: 5/D8
gamemaster wants to include. For more information
regarding the dragon sculpture, see Loose Ends, p.242, Talents
and Examining the Dragon Sculpture, p.239. If the Avoid BlowD (2): 9/D8+D6
characters find the Bone Circle Room (p.220), they may ClimbingD (2): 9/D8+D6
learn Tyrlaans Name. The characters may believe that Tyr- Durability (6/5) (3): 3
laan is their employer, but this is not the case. Karma Ritual (2): 2
Maneuver (2): 9/D8+D6
Encountering the Cultists Melee Weapons (3): 10/D10+D6
Once the characters arrive at the temple, they are likely Read and Write Language (1): 8/2D6
to encounter any or all of the thirteen cultists who live in Human
the building: ten non-adepts, two Second Circle Scouts, Silent WalkD (3): 10/D10+D6
and Garollan. The cults total membership comprises these TrackingD (3): 10/D10+D6
thirteen, Traj Quickwrist, and Tyrlaan. All but Tyrlaan live D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Knowledge:
Cult of the Great Hunter Lore (3): 8/2D6
Horror Lore (2): 7/D12
Troubleshooting
If the characters arrive at the temple first, not much
Scourge History (2): 7/D12
can go wrong other than one or two of the characters get-
General: ting killed. If they visit other places first, however, things
Avoid Blow (3): 8/2D6 can get complicated. For example, if the characters visit the
Climbing (2): 7/D12 temple after going to Kaer Varenna and finding the kaers
Maneuver (2): 7/D12 journals, they may know Tyrlaans Name and everything
Melee Weapons (5): 10/D10+D6 about his betrayal of the kaer.
Swimming (2): 7/D12 This knowledge may reinforce their suspicions that they
Wilderness Survival (2): 7/D12 are in the employ of Tyrlaan, and they may choose to quit
224 rather than continue to work for such a despicable person.
If this happens, there are two options. characters talk with him, Lightfoot tells them a part of his
First, remind the players that the evidence their char- story: he was scouting for the Army of Throal when cultists
acters have found so far does not unmistakably link their captured him near the temple. If the characters free him,
employer and Tyrlaan, and that their employer and the cult Lightfootin the form of the Shadow Killerattacks them
leader may well be different people. Second, appeal to their at the first available opportunity.
sense of adventure and of fighting for the good of Barsaive
and its people, by mentioning that unmasking, or possibly
even confronting, such an evil could save many lives. Themes and Images
If the characters go to the temple after visiting Tyrlaans The characters should find their explorations of the
lair, they must have either faced Tyrlaan and defeated abandoned kaer disturbing, as the evidence mounts to
him (a tough prospect), or somehow managed to escape indicate that the hundreds of dead residents were betrayed
his clutches. Either way, they know Tyrlaan is not their by one of their own. The characters also learn things that
employer, but they still may not know the truth. further convince them that the elf who hired them is the
T
leader of the Horror cult as well as the murderer of this
kaer. Meeting Joran should really unsettle them, as the
Shattered Pattern
ger a trap that automatically animates several cadaver studied Nethermancy magic, concentrating his efforts on
men, who seek out the trespassers and attack them. These powerful spells such as Create Life and Alter Life. After the
cadavers are former residents of the kaer. If the charac- end of the Scourge, Tyrlaan used the kaer as a home base
ters survive this initial attack and go exploring, they may and traveled across Barsaive in search of more knowledge
learn that Tyrlaan lived in this kaer and betrayed it to a of the Horrors. After forming the Cult of the Great Hunter,
Horror. If they do not already know the kaers Name (from Tyrlaan made a new home for himself in the ruins of Kaer
the Throalic soldiers, for example), they learn it in this Carell (see the Plot Synopsis, p.205). Kaer Varenna is
place. The characters also discover several rooms full of now little more than a storehouse for the cadavers Tyrlaan
hundreds of cadavers that Tyrlaan uses to create undead uses as servants. As in the temple, Tyrlaan has placed a
servants. The characters may also encounter Joran Light- bone circle in a secret room; in this case it is located behind
foot, transformed by Tyrlaan into a dreadful being known the living area that he uses as a makeshift prison.
as the Shadow Killer. Lightfoot is locked in a makeshift
prison and looks very much like an ordinary dwarf. If the Kaer Varenna
The following information describes Kaer Varenna. All
the rooms and areas described appear on the Kaer Varenna
map on p.226.
Test against the characters Spell Defense. If the test suc- Initiative: 4 Physical Defense: 6
ceeds, the trap is triggered and animates a number of Number of Actions: 1 (4; see text)Spell Defense: 6
cadaver men. Attack (3): 7 Social Defense: 11
Damage: Physical Armor: 0
Trap Effect: Animates cadaver men (3 per character).
Claws (3): 10 Mystic Armor: 1
Shattered Pattern
characters examine the runes and sigils, have them make ing the characters are facing the far side). The water is
a Perception (5) Test. Any character whose test succeeds only three feet deep at its highest, but the current is strong
notices that the runes are the same as the runes on Rath- enough to make a character lose his footing and be swept
anns amulet under the Horror rune (see Examining the away. Characters attempting to wade across the river
Clues, p.209). must make a Strength (6) Test. If the test succeeds, the
The ceiling over the stairs is only 2 yards high, so taller character crosses the river safely. If the test fails, the cur-
characters may have difficulty walking down the stairway. rent sweeps the character off his feet and begins to carry
The steps descend for approximately 40 yards before stop- him down-stream. The character may then immediately
ping at a 7-yard-square landing. The stairway then turns make a Dexterity (7) Test to try to regain his footing, and a
to the left and continues down for another 60 yards before Strength (9) Test to resist the rivers current. If both tests
coming to an end in a corridor that is 3 yards wide by 2 are successful, the character makes it across the river. If
either test fails, the character is swept away.
The river carries each fallen character 10 yards per
round. If the character cannot regain his footing after 5
rounds, the character is swept into a smaller tunnel down-
stream. The river runs through this tunnel for 100 yards
then becomes a waterfall. If the character cannot regain
his footing before reaching the waterfall, he plummets
50 yards and suffers appropriate Falling Damage (see the
Adventuring chapter on p.107 of the Gamemasters
Compendium). No armor protects against this damage.
If the characters stretch a rope or some similar guide
across the river, they can all cross safely. Note that
obsidimen and trolls weigh too much for the current to
knock them down, and so such characters need not make
any Strength Tests to cross.
Shattered Pattern
result, the character knows about drakes,
the small dragonlike creatures that can
DEX: 11 STR: 14 TOU: 12
shapeshift into Name-giver form. Drakes
PER: 8 WIL: 8 CHA: 7
often act as servants and agents for some
of Barsaives more powerful great dragons. Initiative: 12 Physical Defense: 12
On an Extraordinary result, the char- Number of Actions: 4 Spell Defense: 10
acter knows most of the information on Attack (4): 15 Social Defense: 10
dragons and drakes from the Dragons Damage: Physical Armor: 8
chapter on p. 378 of the Gamemasters Bite: (3): 17 (tentacles 6)
Compendium. Tentacles (1): 15 Mystic Armor: 3
Trap Initiative: 13
Trap Effect: The slabs that form the steps shift to create
a rough, stone slide. Characters standing on the stairs when 229
Death Rating: 59 (77) Recovery Tests: 5 with clues regarding the identity of their employer: the
Wound Threshold: 17 Knockdown: Immune Bone Circle Room and the kaers library. They may also
Unconsciousness Rating: 52 (67) notice several more runes identical to the drawn-over ones
on Rathanns amulet. Hopefully, the characters recognize
Combat Movement: 82 Full Movement: 164
that the amulet belonged to a resident of Kaer Varenna;
+ This value is the creatures flying Movement rate.
specifically, that it belonged to Tyrlaan.
Powers: Durability (3), Low-Light Vision
If the characters search the offices adjacent to the kaers
Legend Points (2): 940 central chamber, specifically the one used as a library, they
may find a set of journals kept by the kaers leaders. These
Equipment: None
journals include passages describing Tyrlaans arrival in
Loot: None the town of Varenna before the Scourge, how Varennas
leaders learned of Tyrlaans corruption, and Tyrlaans sub-
Commentary sequent betrayal of the kaer to the Horror that devoured
The female krilworm, or krillra, shares certain features the residents. If the characters find the Bone Circle Room,
with the male, but in many ways looks quite different. The they may be able to learn Tyrlaans Name from the circles
krilworm, at its largest, measures no longer than a humans guardian bone spirit.
hand and foot placed end to end. The krillra, however, often
stretches 15 feet or more in length. The krillra also has a Encountering the Shadow Killer
single, triple-faceted eye. As the characters explore, they may encounter the
See the Creatures chapter on p.317 of the Gamemas- Shadow Killer in one of two ways: they may find him in
ters Compendium for more information and special the makeshift prison cell in the kaers living areas, or Joran
rules on krillra. Lightfoot may follow the characters through the kaer in his
shadow form. Each of these options is described below.
A full description and game statistics for Joran Light-
Entering the Kaer
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Shattered Pattern
are described below, but gamemasters are encouraged to If this happens, remind the players that the evidence their
come up with other ways for the characters to encounter characters have found is far from conclusive; it is still
the soldiers. quite possible that their employer and Tyrlaan are differ-
ent people. Other, more subtle, reminders of their call to
Option One: Meeting in the Kaer be heroes or the value of understanding more about their
Soon after the characters enter the kaer, they meet employer to deal with him appropriately can also be used if
three dwarfs wearing armor of the Throalic Army. All three the players seem likely to be motivated by such concerns.
are army scouts investigating the activities of the Cult of If the characters visit the kaer after visiting Tyrlaans
the Great Hunter. If the gamemaster chooses this option, lair, they have most likely faced Tyrlaan and either defeated
six cadaver men animated by the dwarfs entry attack them him or escaped him. If so, they know Tyrlaan is not their
at some point. These cadaver men are in addition to any employer, but they still may not know the entire story.
animated by the player characters entry (see Entering If any of the characters die in the kaer and their bodies
the Kaer, p.230). are left behind, Tyrlaan retrieves the bodies and reani-
Decide if the dwarfs arrived in the kaer before or after mates them using his Alter Life spell. If this happens, the
the characters, and how much the dwarfs have learned remaining characters more than likely face their fallen
about the Horror cult or the kaers fate. If the dwarfs companions as enemies once they arrive at Tyrlaans lair. If
arrived before the characters, the characters might encoun- Joran is killed, Tyrlaan reanimates him and transports him
ter the dwarfs when they come to the dwarfs aid in battle to the lair, where the characters may confront the trans-
against the cadaver men or Joran. If the dwarfs find Joran, formed dwarf again.
T
they free him and arm him with a short sword. Alterna-
tively, if the dwarfs arrive in the kaer after the characters,
the dwarfs might bail the characters out as they fight the
cadaver men or Joran. yrlaans Lair
When the characters have finished exploring the kaer, This section describes the stronghold where Tyrlaan
go to Traveling the Land, p.211. currently lives and performs his magical experiments to
serve his Horror master. The Nethermancers lair is indi-
Option Two: Coming to Jorans Aid cated by the marked point farthest to the right on the
Once Joran has attacked the characters, have the characters map.
dwarfs arrive in the heat of battle. Joran hears the dwarfs When the characters arrive and explore this place, they
coming and changes back into his dwarf form just in time discover that their employer and the elven Nethermancer
to dramatize taking a hard hit from the characters. The of which they have been learning are not the same person.
dwarf soldiers rush to their lost Scouts aid, ignorant of his The characters can also learn Rathanns identity, his rela-
transformation. Depending on the characters reaction to tion to Tyrlaan, and Tyrlaans evil plans for Rathann.
this turn of events, Joran may turn into his shadow form When the characters search the upper level of the lair,
and flee or stay and fight as a dwarf. they find a room containing three crystal coffins. A male elf
Upon Jorans retreat, have at least one or two of the and a male human occupy two of the coffins; each of these 231
Shattered Pattern
Name-givers bear terrible scars along their arms, legs, and Life spells. Floating above the blood broth is a large stone
torsos that resemble the scars borne by Rathann. On the slab, on which Rathann is bound. A secret tunnel connects
lower level, the characters find several rooms containing this room to another, where a smaller version of the blood-
bits and pieces of Tyrlaans horrible experiments. In one broth bowl contains one of the dragon eggs that Tyrlaan
large room they find several dragon eggs, all in some sort of is subjecting to his Alter Life spell. This level of the lair
magical hibernation. Another large room contains a huge also includes the Nethermancers living quarters and yet
stone bowl set into the floor, filled with a boiling, dark sub- another bone circle.
stance that resembles blood. This substance is Tyrlaans In many areas of the lair, various creatures and ser-
232 blood broth, which he uses to cast Create Life and Alter vants stand guard. The characters must face all of these
if they are to foil Tyrlaans plans and discover Rathanns is 2 yards high by 3 yards wide and slopes gently down-
true identity. ward for about 70 yards before leveling off. In the level
section, the walls look more carved than natural. Thirty
Themes and Images yards from the point at which the tunnel levels off, it forks.
The right-hand tunnel rises, leading to the upper level of
Tyrlaans lair is a dark, dank place, forever tainted
the lair; the left-hand tunnel descends further, leading to
with corrupt magic. Verjigorms Horror mark on the
the lairs lower level.
Nethermancer extends to his living space, and the Hor-
rors tainted power saturates Tyrlaans stronghold like a Upper Level
rank odor. Play up a sense of dread as the characters move
The upper level of Tyrlaans stronghold contains mostly
around the lair.
empty rooms. However, one of the rooms serves as a prison
They have entered the home of an evil adversary who is
for Icewings drake servants.
eminently capable of defending himself against them and
fanatically committed to accomplishing his goals. (2) Right-hand Tunnel
The tunnel leading to the upper level appears more
Setting the Stage carved than natural, though still rough-hewn. Roughly 20
After leaving Kaer Varenna, Tyrlaan returned to the half- yards from the fork in the main tunnel, this tunnel turns to
built ruins of Kaer Carell and made the finished sections the left and becomes a corridor of stone slabs, each about
of it into his personal stronghold. He lives in these rooms, 1-yard square. This corridor continues straight ahead for
where he also conducts his life-altering and life-creating another 50 yards, then ends at an intersecting corridor.
experiments and seeks further ways to serve Verjigorm. The intersecting corridor is 25 yards long, 3 yards wide,
The following information describes the lairs entrance and 3 yards high, with four doors on each side. The doors
and interior. All rooms and areas described appear on the are all large and made of now-rotted wood; only one of the
Lair map (p.232). doors is locked.
Shattered Pattern
(1) Entrance (3) Empty Rooms
The entrance to Tyrlaans lair is a long tunnel hewed The empty rooms are of varying sizes and conditions.
through a large rock formation in the Badlands, near the Some of the rooms are in good shape; others are full of cob-
western edge of the Thunder Mountains. The unlit tunnel webs and dust. A few even house nests of small rodents.
Adventure hook Kaer Carell. Each stone is large and heavy and
covered with magical runes. It is also magically
The tainted windlings guarding the Large
inertmany chelors were placed here, but never
Experiment Room (p.237) seem to have been
only recently turned into their corrupted condi- activated since Kaer Carell wasnt finished. With-
tion. Once defeated, the characters may notice out proper knowledge of the Rites of Protection
something odd about their equipment: its in rela- and Passage, the stone cant be activatedand
tively good condition, and their packs even contain even if the knowledge was there: the chelor is use-
fresh trail rations. Searching the windlings ripped, less outside a network of kaer wards.
but relatively new clothes they can find a piece of If the characters travel to Jirnada, they will
parchment. The parchment contains a crude map, discover a closed windling kaer in a heavily
showing the location of Kaer Carell, as well as a tainted area of the Servos Junglethe place is
place called Jirnadaonly a few days walk deeper dangerous, occupied by swarms of wingf layers
into the Badlands. Next to the spot indicating (see p.466 of the Gamemasters Compen-
Kaer Carell is a drawing of an oddly-shaped item, dium). The windlings of Jirnada dont realize
which could be carved stone, or something similar. that the Scourge is over and have sent a group of
Characters familiar with the Rites of Protection explorers to find a chelor for their kaers failing
and Passage might be able to determine that the wards. They house descendants of Carell, whose
stone is a chelor, an object that acts as a focus for ancestors found shelter here, unable to finish their
a kaers defensive wards. own kaer. Unfortunately, the last surviving explor-
If the characters search for the chelor, they ers found their end when they finally reached the
find one in each of the larger rooms throughout ruins of Kaer Carell...
233
(4) Crystal Coffin Room
The door to this room is magically locked; to open it,
a character must make a Dispel Magic or Lock Picking
(15) Test. If the character is using a skill, this action alerts
Tyrlaan, who sends the Shadow Killer to investigate (see
Behind the Scenes on p.235). A character using a talent
or spell must achieve a Good or better result to not alert
Tyrlaan.
Alternatively, the characters may break down the door.
The wooden door is 3 inches thick; to determine appro-
priate Armor and Damage Ratings, use the Barrier Rating
guidelines in the Adventuring chapter on p.106 of the
Gamemasters Compendium. Attempting to break
down the door in this fashion automatically alerts Tyrlaan,
who sends the Shadow Killer to investigate.
This room is roughly 5 yards wide and 10 yards long.
Its walls are covered with large tapestries depicting vari-
ous scenes of Horrors ravaging Barsaive. In the middle of
the room, three large crystal coffins rest on stone pedes-
tals. Two of these coffins contain male Name-givers: an elf
and a human, dressed in dark brown tunics. They are both
unconscious, apparently in some sort of suspended anima-
tion. The central coffin is empty.
The men in the coffins are two drake servants of Ice-
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern
deep and 5 yards in diameter, full of dark, sticky, bubbling make Perception (4) Tests. Any player characters whose
blood broth that Tyrlaan uses in his Alter Life and Create tests are successful notice ornate markings on the floor. If
Life spells. The blood broth contains blood from many dif- the characters look closely, they see that the markings are
ferent Name-givers and creatures, including Tyrlaan, the part of a circle 3 yards in diameter. Tyrlaan uses this circle
captive drakes in the coffins, and cult members Garol- to contact and summon Horrors. Magicians or characters
lan and Traj Quickwrist, as well as many other innocents with magic-related knowledge skills may make a Percep-
captured and brought here by members of the Cult of the tion-based Half-Magic or Knowledge Skill (7) Test. If a
Great Hunter. Tyrlaan used this blood broth to turn his two characters test succeeds, he recognizes the circle as a sum-
windling servants into tainted windlings. Elementalism moning circle. Tyrlaan keeps his grimoires and journals of
magic woven into the stone bowl keeps the blood broth his experiments in an astral pocket (see the Talents chap-
bubbling at a constant simmer. ter on p.170 of the Players Compendium).
Floating above the blood broth is a 1-yard by 2-yard Also, if the characters left dead companions behind at
stone slab with a male elf lashed to it. If the characters look the temple or in the kaer, Tyrlaan is likely to be question-
closely, they recognize this elf as their employer, Rathann. ing their re-animated forms here, after using his Animate
Unknown to the characters until now, members of the Cult Dead or Alter Life spell. Make sure to have them join in the
of the Great Hunter snatched Rathann and returned him fight against their former friends in The Finale, p.239.
to Tyrlaans lair just after the player characters departed
Kratas. (10) Bone Circle Room
A secret door (Detection Difficulty 15) is located in the
(7A) Secret Passageway back wall of Tyrlaans room; once a character finds the door,
A secret passageway (Detection Difficulty 9) leads from he can automatically open it. The door leads to a 12- by
the Large Experiment Room to the Small Experiment 12-yard room that contains a bone circle (see p.347 of the
Room. The door to this passage is marked on the Lair map Players Compendium). The circle is occupied by a bone
(p.232). spirit that attacks anyone who attempts to enter the circle.
As with the bone circles at the temple and Kaer Varenna,
(8) Small Experiment Room Tyrlaan cast this bone circle so that he could use his Gate-
The Small Experiment Room is 5 yards square and way spell to travel quickly between his cults three sites.
serves as a secondary experiment room. Two cadaver men Though the characters can certainly try talking to the
and the cultist Traj Quickwrist (see Cast of Characters, bone spirit, it is extremely unlikely that they will get the
p.250) guard the rooms wooden door. The blood-broth chance, because it is unlikely that they will find and enter
bowl in the center of this room is only 1 yard deep and this room without encountering Tyrlaan first. See The
2 yards in diameter, but the broth in this room is much Horrors Temple, p.221, for a further description and
fouler than the broth in the larger room. This blood broth game statistics for the bone spirit.
contains the blood of a number of Horrors, in addition to
Name-givers and creatures. Tyrlaan used this blood broth
to transform Joran Lightfoot into the Shadow Killer. 235
Behind the Scenes least a few rounds. If he finds himself in danger of being
The following text describes events that are likely to rendered unconscious, he shifts into shadow form, flees
occur and actions the characters are likely to take in Tyr- and alerts Tyrlaan to the characters presence.
laans lair. Feel free to alter the timing and any other aspect If the gamemaster wishes to make this fight tougher
of these events as you see fit. for the characters, he may have Tyrlaan ascend the secret
stairway and cast spells through the secret door. In this
Exploring the Upper Level case, allow the characters to make Perception (9) Tests to
By exploring the upper level first, the player characters notice that someone or something is making one of the
get into the lair via the back door, and so have a better hanging tapestries move slightly. If the characters detect
chance of discovering Tyrlaans plans as well as the identity his presence, Tyrlaan retreats to the lower level and gath-
of their employer. Exploring the upper level also enables ers his servants to battle the characters (see The Finale,
the characters to find the crystal coffins, which hold clues p.239).
to Rathanns true nature. If the player characters search the coffin room, they
may find the secret stairway that leads to the lower level.
Examining the Coffins If they are careful enough, they can get into the Egg Room
To examine the coffins astrally, the player characters and possibly take the Shadow Killer by surprise.
must make Astral Sensing (13) Tests against the Spell
Defense of the crystal. Any character whose test succeeds Exploring the Lower Levels
can detect a magical pattern of tremendous complexity and If the characters begin by exploring the lower level, they
power in the crystal. may be forced to confront Tyrlaan before they understand
the purpose of his plans, the identity of their employer,
Examining the Drakes and how all the pieces they have uncovered fit together.
If the characters examine the bodies of the unconscious Needless to say, a premature encounter with Tyrlaan is
elf and human they notice several long scars, like the ones particularly dangerous. The characters will face a tough
Shattered Pattern
on their employer, along the sleepers arms, legs, and fight early on, beginning with the magical ward trap in the
torsos (see While in Kratas, p.209). Nethermancers, or lower-level corridor. This trap attacks any living creature
characters with the Magical Lore Knowledge skill, should that passes through it; its statistics appear below. Only Tyr-
make Perception-based Half-Magic or Magical Lore (12) laan and his servants can pass the ward without harm.
Tests; those whose tests are successful recognize the scars
as those used in certain types of blood magic. Constrict Heart Ward Trap
Any characters with astral sensing spells or abilities Detection Difficulty: 19
may also examine the drakes astrally by making Astral Disarm Difficulty: 15
Sensing Tests against the drakes current Spell Defense. Spell Defense: 12
The drakes patterns bear a passing resemblance to Rath-
Trap Initiative: 29/D20+D12+D10+D8. The spell has a
anns in terms of intricacy, but are more vibrant and
range of 8 yards. For a character to avoid the trap, he must
mysterious; they appear to be very powerful adepts (see
move out of the spells range before it can take effect.
While in Kratas, p.209).
Trigger Condition: The gamemaster makes a Step 19/
Opening the Coffins D20+2D6 Spellcasting Test against the Spell Defense of any
The coffins are magically sealed, but they can be characters passing the ward. If the test succeeds, the trap
opened with either a Dispel Magic spell or the Lock Pick- triggers its effect.
ing talent. The Difficulty Number for each of these tests is
Trap Effect: Constrict Heart spell (see p.362 of the Play-
21. If the characters manage to open either of the occupied
ers Compendium); Spellcasting Step 19/D20+2D6,
coffins, the drake inside slowly awakens over the course of
Effect Step 25/D20+D10+D8+D4. The effect of the spell
15 minutes, but remain groggy and confused. The revived
lasts for 15 rounds.
drakes regain their composure and strength only after sev-
eral hours rest. For more information about the drakes,
see Cast of Characters, p.251, and p.404 of the Game-
masters Compendium.
Shadow Attack
If the characters fail to achieve a Good result dispelling
or lockpicking, or force the lock or use another method to
enter the room containing the crystal coffins, that action
alerts Tyrlaan, who sends Joran Lightfoot/the Shadow
Killer to investigate.
The Shadow Killer ascends the stairway in shadow
form and enters the room through the secret door. Once
in the room, Joran shifts into humanoid form and attacks
236 the characters. He engages the characters in combat for at
In addition to harming the characters, trigger-
ing the ward alerts Tyrlaan to the presence of
trespassers in his stronghold; Tyrlaan imme-
diately sends one of his cult members, Traj
Quickwrist, to investigate. When Quickwrist
encounters the characters, he shouts a warning
to Tyrlaan and his servants, who may then attack en
masse (see The Finale, p.239).
Shattered Pattern
acter make a Perception (12) Test. Any character with the
Knowledge skills of Creature Lore or Dragon Lore gains a
+1 bonus to this test. If the test succeeds, the character rec-
ognizes the eggs as dragon eggs.
The slime on the eggs is magical but can be removed Death Rating: 31 (61) Recovery Tests: 2
easily with no side effects. If the characters succeed in Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 4
saving the eggs, it would be in their best interest to hand Unconsciousness Rating: 23 (48)
the eggs over to Icewings drakes. Otherwise, all three
Combat Movement: 28/52
drakes take the eggs from them by force.
Full Movement: 56/104
Characters with the Magical Lore or Blood Magic Lore Exposure to the Blood Broth
knowledge skills can identify the blood broth by making a
The blood broth is a mixture of the blood of many dif-
successful Knowledge Skill (13) Test. Nethermancers may
ferent Name-givers and creatures; a highly toxic brew
make a Perception-based Half-Magic (13) Test to identify
that may significantly harm any character who comes into
the broth. If the characters examine the broth using astral
contact with it. Characters may be exposed to it by
senses or spells, the Difficulty Number rises to
falling into the bowl or getting splashed by
21 (the broths Spell Defense).
it when others fall in. If a character is
A Poor result on any of these tests
standing within 1 yard of the bowl
reveals that the broth is charged
when another character falls in,
w ith magic, but conveys no
he must make a Dexterity (5)
other information. A success-
Test to avoid being splashed.
ful test against the broths
If the test succeeds, the
Spell Defense reveals that
cha rac ter ma nage s to
the broth contains mag-
duck out the way. If the
ic a l t h r e ad s of m a ny
test fails, the broth hits
different types. A char-
the character, who may
ac ter who ach ieve s a
suffer from its poison-
Good or better result can
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern
Spell Defense. If the test succeeds, the object carries the from enchantment.
equivalent of a Major Curse (see the Adventuring chap- Though the characters do not know this, the dragon
ter on p.111 of the Gamemasters Compendium). If the sculpture is one of Icewings major pattern items and so
characters manage to taint items they normally carry with holds knowledge about the great dragon that Icewing will
them, the curse may affect them for some time. Tyrlaans take extreme measures to keep hidden. Part of this knowl-
death reduces the power of the broth, changing a Major edge is the location of Icewings clutch, which Tyrlaan was
Curse to a Minor Curse. able to learn.
Using a tool to lift the egg from the broth requires a If the characters succeed in the adventure, they should
character to make a Dexterity (7) Test. If the test succeeds, surrender the sculpture to the drakes. Should they attempt
the character lifts the egg safely from the bowl. If the test to keep it, the drakes will try to get the sculpture back by
fails, the egg falls back into the broth (and may splash the any means necessary.
character).
Encountering the Throalic Soldiers
Entering Tyrlaans Living Quarters As at the other two sites, the characters may meet the
Though this room has no guards, the characters must Throalic soldiers camped near Tyrlaans lair (See Meet-
pass the Small Experiment Room to get to Tyrlaans quar- ing an Army Encampment, p.217). Two other likely
ters, and so they will attract the attention of the cadaver options are described below, but gamemasters are also
men guarding that room. Unless the gamemaster decides encouraged to come up with other ways for the characters
otherwise, Tyrlaan is in his quarters when the characters to meet them.
T
Room). If the characters have a drastic advantage in the
final battle (unlikely, but possible), the gamemaster may
he Finale choose to have Tyrlaan finish casting the spell over the
blood broth so that the drake can aid him. To accomplish
This section provides several possible ways to end this, Tyrlaan must make a Thread Weaving (21) Test and
the adventure. Ideally, the characters defeat Tyrlaan, free a Spellcasting (26) Test. If both tests are successful, the
the captive drakes (including Rathann), and recover the drake slowly emerges from the broth, dripping blood on the
dragon eggs. floor. After the Spellcasting Test is completed, it takes two
combat rounds for the drake to fully form and rise from the
broth. In the third round, the drake attacks the characters.
Themes and Images
Shattered Pattern
Shattered Pattern
beginnings of his spellcasting, they know instantly what the Nethermancers death, the levitation spell suspending
he is attempting. They may choose to flee or attempt to kill Rathanns stone slab fails, and the slab descends slowly
the Nethermancer before he completes the spell. into the blood broth. The characters or other drakes need
Either choice is acceptable, but if the characters choose to free Rathann quickly before permanent harm is done
the former and fail, they may come face to face with the to him, but risk harm themselves in removing him as
Hunter of Great Dragons. Luckily for them, the Horror Call described on p.238.
spell requires Tyrlaan to weave six threads and make a Once cut free, Rathann slowly awakens, regaining
Spellcasting Test, so the characters have several rounds his memory along with consciousness, as the passing of
in which to kill the Nethermancer. If the characters flee, time has weakened the spells hold on him sufficiently. He
they face opposition from Tyrlaans remaining servants. If remembers his Name and identity, meeting and hiring the
they dispatch the servants, they may manage to success- characters, getting captured by the cultists in Kratas, and
fully abandon the lair, but may not be able to free their being brought to Tyrlaans stronghold. He also remembers
employer or retrieve the other two captive drakes and the why Tyrlaan captured him in the first place and immedi-
dragon eggs. ately sets out to free his fellow drakes if the characters have
If Tyrlaan succeeds in casting the spell, Verjigorm not already done so (see Freeing the Drakes, below).
begins to manifest, quickly filling Tyrlaans living quar- Once the other drakes are freed, all three seek out the
ters and causing the walls of the stronghold to shake and dragon eggs. After securing the six eggs in the Egg Room
rumble. The Horror is vastly bigger than the rooms, and and cleaning the green ooze from them, Rathann runs to
the walls burst outward as Verjigorms form grows. the Small Experiment Room to remove the last egg from
Once summoned, Verjigorm immediately grabs Tyrlaan the blood broth (see Recovering the Eggs, below).
and swallows him in one large bite. Tyrlaans demise gives After rescuing the eggs, Rathann and his fellow drakes
the characters one last chance to escape; because the lairs offer to explain the events of the adventure to the player
cramped confines severely restrict Verjigorms movement, characters (if the characters have not yet figured it out on
the characters have time to flee from the Horror. If they their own).
choose to fight Verjigorm, let them, but first remind the
players that the battle will mean almost certain death for
241
Freeing the Drakes
Once Tyrlaans death dispels the magical seal on the
crystal coffins, they open easily. The drakes inside them
slowly awaken as soon as the coffins are opened, their
memories intact now that they have had time to heal. How-
L oose Ends
This section provides guidelines for resolving the
adventures loose ends and suggests ways to use story ele-
ments and characters from Shattered Pattern in future
ever, the drakes will not recognize the player characters, Earthdawn adventures and campaigns.
and so the heroes may have to make Persuasion Tests to
convince the drakes that they mean no harm.
Once fully awake, the drakes immediately head for the After the Adventure
Egg Room. After securing and cleaning the six eggs in that If the characters fail to defeat Tyrlaan, they most likely
chamber, the drakes go to the Small Experiment Room and die at his hands or become his prisoners. They may also
remove the last egg from the blood broth (see Recovering survive and escape from Tyrlaan, but fail to rescue Rath-
the Eggs, below). Finally, the drakes try to find Rathann ann and the other drakes or learn Rathanns Name. If the
and free him if the characters have not already done so. characters escape, the gamemaster may wish to create an
adventure in which the characters return to face Tyrlaan
Recovering the Eggs again.
Tyrlaans death makes it easy to recover the six eggs in No matter what becomes of the characters if they fail,
the Egg Room. The magical ooze covering them can easily Tyrlaan finishes his experiments with the dragon eggs
be wiped off. The egg in the blood broth, however, may within a few months, forever altering the hatchlings inside.
pose a few problems, in its removal from the blood broth Tyrlaan then turns his attention to all three drakes, trans-
(see p.238) and due to its current condition. forming them into servants of Verjigorm. Tyrlaan uses his
Its noxious bath has visibly tainted it; its shell is slightly new servants to locate Icewing and lead Verjigorm to the
darker in color than the others, and magical examination great dragon. If the characters are alive, they may even-
reveals a slight twisting of its pattern. tually hear of Icewings death at the hands of the Horror.
Shattered Pattern
The characters may wish to destroy the egg but the Meanwhile, the cult devoted to Verjigorm continues to
drakes attempt to stop them, telling the characters that flourish.
Icewing can easily remove Tyrlaans comparatively minor The gamemaster may also create an adventure in which
corruption from the hatchling inside. Icewing approaches the characters and hires them to find
and destroy Tyrlaan, the drakes, and the eggs. Knowing
Joran Lightfoots Fate that the hatchlings and drakes have become Verjigorms
When Tyrlaan dies, Joran Lightfoot regains a portion and Tyrlaans servants, Icewing seeks to rid Barsaive of
of his former identity. Horrified at what he has become the threat Tyrlaan poses. The characters succeed in Shat-
and the evils he has committed, he asks the characters to tered Pattern if they rescue the drakes and dragon eggs,
kill him. If the characters refuse, one of the drakes offers whether or not they also kill Tyrlaan. If Tyrlaan escapes, he
to slay the Scout. Joran cannot be healed or restored to his may become a recurring threat to the characters in other
former state, regardless of what the characters may try. adventures.
Shattered Pattern
to the Horror Verjigorm. rescue the dragon eggs and the drakes and also kill Tyr-
This session includes the encounters While in Kratas laan, Icewing pays the group an additional 10,000 silver
(p.207), From Kratas to the Temple in Traveling the pieces (the value of the two orichalcum coins).
Land (p.211); and The Horrors Temple (p.218). The The characters can also take any of the treasure listed in
session goal is to reach and explore the temple. the descriptions of the temple, Kaer Varenna, or Tyrlaans
lair. If the characters transport any of the crystal coffins
Session Two back to Throal or Bartertown, they can sell the coffins for
In this session, the characters travel from the Temple of 1,000 silver pieces each. The Library of Throal will pay 300
the Great Hunter to Kaer Varenna and explore the ruined to 500 silver pieces for the journals from Kaer Varenna,
kaer. They may or may not learn more about their employer depending on how well the characters bargain with the
and about Tyrlaan. librarys scholars. All told, the adventuring group can earn
This session includes the encounters From the up to 15,000 silver pieces in Shattered Pattern.
Temple to the Kaer in Traveling the Land (p.212),
and The Lost Kaer (p.225). The session goal is to arrive
at the kaer and explore it. Campaign Ideas
Published Earthdawn adventures are designed to fit
Session Three into an existing campaign with little or no extra work on
In this session, the characters travel from Kaer Varenna the part of the gamemaster. Adventures do not exist by
to Tyrlaans stronghold. Once the characters arrive at their themselves if run in a campaign. The world of Earthdawn
destination, they explore the Nethermancers lair, discover is dynamic and changes over time. For example, when
their employer held captive, battle Tyrlaan and his cor- using the events from this adventure to change the overall
rupted servants, and finally learn their employers identity course of a campaign, the players can watch the changes as
and Name. They may also free the other captive servants of they happen and play an active role in it. This adds a sense
the great dragon Icewing and rescue Icewings eggs. of reality vital to good roleplaying. No matter how you use
This session includes the encounters From Kaer this adventure, it is likely to make your Earthdawn game
Varenna to Tyrlaans Stronghold in Traveling the more interesting; whether you use it as written or only by
Land (p.212), and Tyrlaans Lair (p.231). The session drawing on the ideas and information given in this book to
goal is to arrive at the kaer and explore it. The adventure enhance your own stories.
goal is to free Rathann and learn his Name and also rescue Many of the situations and gamemaster characters pre-
the other drakes and the dragon eggs. sented in this book provide hooks for further stories, and
can be used to supplement a longer campaign. Feel free
Legend Awards to use them in your ongoing Earthdawn campaign in
As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94 whatever ways you see fit, and find some additional advice
of the Gamemasters Compendium, each game ses- below.
sion in Shattered Pattern awards a number of Legend
Awards to the player characters. The potential number of 243
The Drakes Icewing demands that they return it to him, as the sculp-
If the characters rescue the drakes and help them ture is a very powerful item.
recover Icewings eggs, the drakes remember the char-
acters and offer to repay them for their aid. In game Blades of Cara Fahd
terms, the drakes owe the characters a large favor (see the These powerful, unique items comprise the one sig-
Gamemastering chapter on p.94 of the Gamemasters nificant treasure that the characters can obtain in this
Compendium). As described in Cast of Characters, adventure. The fate of these daggers will be explored in
p.251, each of the drakes performs different services for Blades, p.254.
Icewing among the Name-givers, and so the gamemaster
can easily ensure the drakes are able to help the charac- The Throal Army
ters when necessary. If the characters meet and end up working with the
If the characters roleplay their interaction with the Throalic soldiers, the dwarfs may become future allies and
drakes especially well, the drakes may become contacts contacts. If either the characters or the soldiers came to
or informants of sorts regarding activities in and around the other groups rescue, that act lays strong groundwork
Barsaive, giving the gamemaster a convenient way of for future friendship and trust. If the meetings between
sending various tidbits of information to the characters the two were less amicable, the soldiers may play less of a
as needed. future role. As with the drakes, the gamemaster can use
the Throalic soldiers to convey to the characters stories,
The Dragon Eggs legends, and news from around Barsaive. This information
Once the drakes return the dragon eggs to Icewing, can be the basis for many different adventures.
the characters hear nothing about them for some time.
Within a year or so, the characters may hear from one of Tyrlaan and the
the drakes that some of the eggs have hatched. As time Cult of the Great Hunter
passes, the hatchlings grow into common dragons and take
Even if the characters kill Tyrlaan, they have not rid
Shattered Pattern
C
of his drakes, some bit of treasured information, the Key
Knowledges of an important magical treasure, such as the
Blades of Cara Fahd (see New Magical Treasures, p.348,
for more informationif you intend to run the Blades ast of Characters
adventures, this option should not be given to the play- This section provides information and game sta-
ers, however), or any other favor the gamemaster deems tistics for the major gamemaster characters in Shattered
appropriate. However, make sure that any favor granted Pattern. If necessary or appropriate, modify these sta-
by Icewing does not unbalance your campaign. tistics to suit the abilities of the player characters in your
Icewing also pays the characters the value of the two game. Because these characters likely appear more than
remaining orichalcum coins: ten thousand silver pieces once in the course of the adventure, their statistics and
worth of gold and silver pieces. The orichalcum coins descriptions are grouped here for convenience.
themselves are too valuable to give to the characters, and The gamemaster characters are presented in order of
Icewing will not part with them. their general importance to the story. Descriptions and
If the characters rescue the dragon eggs and the drakes statistics for other, minor characters are provided in the
but allow Tyrlaan to escape, Icewing still offers them a encounters where the characters first appear.
favor, but does not pay them for the orichalcum coins. If Note that Tyrlaan, Garollan, and Traj Quickwrist have
244 the characters found the dragon sculpture in the temple, created a group True pattern that enables the groups mem-
bers to enhance their abilities through the use of thread in those alien beings that he could exploit to defeat the
magic (see the Thread Magic chapter on p.271 of the entities. Unfortunately, one of Tyrlaans experiments left
Players Compendium). These threads enhance several him Horror marked. A Horror corrupted Tyrlaan, granting
of the group members abilities, as noted in those charac- him great power while slowly twisting his mind until his
ters game statistics. lust for power far exceeded his loyalty to his fellow Name-
givers and the world itself. In exchange for more power and
knowledge, Tyrlaan betrayed the people of his own town of
Tyrlaan Carell to the Horror that had marked him. However, Tyr-
Born centuries before the Scourge, Tyrlaan embraced laan turned against his master and killed the Horror with
the spiritual world and sought to follow the five paths of the very powers it had granted him.
the Wheel of Life. Beginning with the Path of the Warrior, When the Scourge began, Tyrlaan approached the
Tyrlaan then followed the Discipline of the Beastmaster, nearby town of Varenna and asked for refuge in their kaer,
seeking to understand the relationship between the worlds explaining that the Horrors had already ravaged his home
Name-givers and animals. Upon attaining the Eighth Circle town and left him the sole survivor. Despite their instinc-
in this Discipline, Tyrlaan chose the Path of Travelers and tive mistrust, Varennas leaders accepted Tyrlaan because
followed the Discipline of the Troubadour, sharing tales they had no other magicians and believed his powers would
of Barsaives people and uniting them in preparation for prove useful.
the coming Scourge. After attaining the Eighth Circle in However, before Kaer Varenna sealed its doors, Tyrlaan
this Discipline, he moved to the Path of Sages and chose allowed another powerful Horror to mark him. As he had
the Discipline of the Nethermancer, seeking to unravel done in Carell, Tyrlaan sacrificed the people of Varenna
the mysteries of life and death. Nethermancy held secrets one after another to his new master in exchange for
and power unlike any other Discipline he had known, and knowledge and power. When the Scourge ended, Tyrlaan
so Tyrlaan chose not to move on to the next path. Instead, emerged from Kaer Varenna and destroyed the Horror and
he remained a Nethermancer. As a Samistishsa (see p.44 began traveling the ravaged land of Barsaive. Upon learn-
Shattered Pattern
of the Name-givers Compendium), Tyrlaan loses the ing of Verjigorm, Tyrlaan summoned the Great Hunter and
abilities of his previous Disciplines. offered to become Verjigorms willing pawn. To please his
As the Scourge grew closer, Tyrlaan used his abili- new master, Tyrlaan formed a sect that served Verjigorm
ties to study the Horrors in hopes of finding weaknesses as well as himself: the Cult of the Great Hunter. Of course,
Tyrlaans plan is to overthrow his master when the time is
right, but the elf hasnt proven to be powerful enough yet.
Recently, Tyrlaan learned of the existence of a small
obsidian dragon sculpture. Suspecting that the sculp-
ture had some magical connection to the great dragons of
Barsaive, Tyrlaan obtained it, along with two drake ser-
vants of the sculptures previous owner, the great dragon
Icewing. Tyrlaan soon discovered that the sculpture was
one of Icewings pattern items and used it to find a clutch
of Icewings eggs. He coerced the drakes into stealing sev-
eral of these, intending to subject the eggs to powerful
blood magic spells that would transform the hatchlings
into Horror constructs to serve Verjigorm.
Arrogant and overly confident of his abilities, Tyrlaan
sees his past triumphs over the Horrors as proof that his
powers are beyond the scope of Name-givers. He looks
upon all opposition with contempt, certain that no one
can defeat him. His lust for knowledge and power and the
effects of multiple Horror marks have left him corrupt
beyond redemption.
This corruption also leads most spirits to disdain him
resulting in a number of bad experiences with summoned
spirits. In addition the Horror and blood magic taint that
clouds his dwellings make summoning of any entities save
Horrors and simple tasked spirits rather difficult. Thus,
Tyrlaan depends on his cult members and servants of his
own making to due his bidding.
In addition to his formidable Nethermancer abilities,
Tyrlaans Horror corruption allowed him access to talents
and Horror powers otherwise unavailable to him. Addition-
ally, his increased connection to corrupt astral energies has
greatly improved his use of Karma. 245
Tyrlaan knows most of the Nethermancer spells known Summoning CircleD (11): 18/D20+D12
to exist in Barsaive (including those listed in the Players Thread Weaving (Nethermancy)D (11): 18/D20+D12
Compendium). Tyrlaan also carries a Spell Matrix staff [23/D20+2D10]G (Create Spell Matrix Object,
and wears a suit of crystal ringlet armor to augment his Create Thread Item)
magical abilities. Willforce (11): 18/D20+D12
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Attributes
G Enhanced by +5 steps through group True pattern (see Notes); an additional +1 step to
Spellcasting from the Blade of Cara Fahd when the group True pattern enhancement is active.
Shattered Pattern
Five threads attached to his Spellcasting and Thread Weav- matrices because he is in the process of casting these spells
ing (Nethermancy) talents, and a Rank One thread attached during the adventure. As mentioned previously, Tyrlaan has
to the Blades of Cara Fahd further increases his Spellcasting access to basically every Nethermancy spell known in
bonus by +1. However, Rathann has stolen his group True Barsaive, so the gamemaster should feel free to customize
pattern item, Tyrlaans amulet, denying Tyrlaan access to the listing to his liking.
these increases unless he can regain the amulet.
If Tyrlaan regains his amulet, use the Step and Action
Dice listed in brackets [] for his Spellcasting and Thread Joran Lightfoot/
Weaving (Nethermancy) talents. Tyrlaan has also attached
three Rank Three threads to the place True patterns of the
The Shadow Killer
A Scout in the Army of Throal, Joran Lightfoot was one
temple, Kaer Varenna, and Kaer Carell improving his Physi-
of the dwarfs sent to investigate the activities of the Cult of
cal, Spell, and Social Defense by +3 when at these three
the Great Hunter along the border between the Badlands
locations. Use the Defense values listed in brackets when he
and the Servos Jungle. Joran set out ahead of the main
is at these three locations. He keeps the pattern items for
group to scout the sites said to be used by the Cult of the
these threads in his astral pocket.
Great Hunter, and he died at the hands of Tyrlaans two
Lastly, Tyrlaans Karma Points are low as he has been
lieutenants, Garollan and Traj Quickwrist. They brought
using them to empower his various blood magic creations
the corpse to Tyrlaans experiment chambers in the half-
through the weaving and casting of Alter Life and Create
built ruins of Kaer Carell, where Tyrlaan used his Alter
Life. If the gamemaster wants to give Tyrlaan a boost in
Life spell to transform Joran into a hideous shadow-crea-
combat during The Finale (see p.239), he should feel free
ture that the Nethermancer dubbed the Shadow Killer. The
to spend more Karma as needed.
transformation combined Jorans Scout talents with the
Fourth Circle: Karma on Perception-only Tests characteristics of a Horror construct known as a shadow
Fifth Circle: Karma on Willpower-only Tests and drove Joran mad. Later, when Tyrlaan captured Ice-
Sixth Circle: +1 Spell Defense wings drake servants, he used the Alter Life spell to give
Seventh Circle: +1 Social Defense his Shadow Killer some of the drakes enhanced abilities,
Eighth Circle: Karma on controlled creatures or spirits making it an even deadlier creature.
Action Tests Though Joran still retains a bit of his memory, he has
Ninth Circle: Karma on Recovery Tests; Karma on spell virtually forgotten his life in the Army of Throal. He serves
Effect Tests Tyrlaan with a crazed passion and relishes every chance to
Tenth Circle: +1 Physical and Social Defense draw the blood of those who oppose his master. Because
Eleventh Circle: Otherworldly Control (2 Damage Tyrlaans magic changed him so profoundly, Joran cannot
Points) be restored to his Name-giver form.
Twelfth Circle: +1 Social and Spell Defense A Seventh Circle dwarf Scout before his transformation,
Joran retains all the talents of his former Discipline and
has been given many more through Tyrlaans magic. 247
The Shadow Killers specific talents and ranks appear Read and Write Language (5): 10/D10+D6
below. The Shadow Killer can take three forms. In his Human, Human, Orzet, Sperethiel, Theran, Tskrang
Name-giver form, that of a dwarf, he can only use his Riposte (7): 14/D20+D4
Scout talents and abilities. In his shadow form, the crea- Silent WalkD (7): 14/D20+D4
ture cannot attack or be attacked physically; only certain Speak Language (5): 10/D10+D6
magical spells, such as Mind Dagger, can harm him. The Human, Human, Orzet, Sperethiel, Theran, Tskrang
creature cannot cast spells while in shadow form either. In Sprint (7): 14/D20+D4
his third formthat of a blackened, twisted humanoidthe TrackingD (7): 12/2D10
Shadow Killer can use any or all of his abilities but is vul- Trap InitiativeD (6): 13/D12+D10
nerable to physical attack. D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Shattered Pattern
Before joining Tyrlaans cult, the elf Named Garollan Talents
and the ork Named Traj Quickwrist were part of an adven-
Animal BondD (4): 10/D10+D6
turing group that crossed too far into the Badlands in search
Cats PawD (4): 10/D10+D6
of a lost kaer. The group stumbled on a Horrors lair, and
Claw ShapeD (4): 9/D8+D6
all but Garollan and Traj died at the Horrors hands. The
Creature AnalysisD (4): 10/D10+D6
two survivors fled into the expanses of the Badlands, wan-
Dominate BeastD (4): 8/2D6
dering without food and water for several days before they
Durability (7/6) (4): 4
found a cave entrance leading to Tyrlaans stronghold in
Karma Ritual (4): 4
Kaer Carell. Tyrlaans cadaver servants captured the near-
Tracking(4): 10/D10+D6
delirious adepts and brought them to the Nethermancer,
Thread Weaving (Beast Weaving)D (4): 10/D10+D6
who used his powers to dominate their minds and compel
Unarmed Combat (5): 16/D20+D8G
them to serve the Cult of the Great Hunter. D
Indicates a Discipline talent.
Since that time, the pair has become Tyrlaans lieu- G
Enhanced by +5 steps through group True pattern.
Knowledge:
Cult of the Great Hunter Lore (1): 7/D12
Elf History (1): 7/D12
General:
Climbing (1): 7/D12
Melee Weapons (1): 7/D12
Equipment
Buckler (Phys 1; ST17)
Espagra-Scale Cloak (Phys 3; Myst 1; Init 0/1)
Chainmail (Phys 7; Init 3)
249
Adventurers Kit Skills
Carving Tool Artisan:
Climbing Kit Runic Carving (1): 8/2D6
Trail Rations (1 week)
Knowledge:
Travelers Garb
Ancient Weapons (1): 6/D10
Loot Cara Fahd History (3): 8/2D6
Horror Lore (3): 8/2D6
50 silver pieces
General:
Legend Award Climbing (1): 7/D12
260 Legend Points Read and Write Language (1): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic)
Notes Speak Language (2): 7/D12
Garollan possesses the elf racial ability of Low-Light Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Vision. The elf has formed a group True pattern within his Swimming (1): 6/D10
own sect of the Cult of the Great Hunter. He has one Rank
Four thread attached to his Unarmed Combat talent and his Equipment
Rank One thread attached to the Blades of Cara Fahd fur- Espagra-Scale Cloak (Phys 3; Myst 1; Init 0/1)
ther increases his Unarmed Combat bonus woven to his Living Crystal (Phys 6; Myst 3; Init 2; 5 Damage Points)
group True pattern by +1.
Broadsword (Forged +2; Damage 13/D12+D10;
Fourth Circle: Karma on Charisma-only Tests w/scabbard)
Bone Dagger (Damage 7/D12; Range 9-15-18; Cult of the
Great Hunter pattern item)
Traj Quickwrist Dwarf Sword (Forged +2; Damage 11/D10+D8;
Shattered Pattern
Attributes w/scabbard)
2Hawk Hatchets (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range 244048)
Dexterity (20): 8/2D6 Strength (13): 6/D10
Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (12): 5/D8
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (16): 7/D12
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 10 Initiative: 5/D8
Spell Defense: 12G Physical Armor: 9
Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 9G
Talents
Avoid BlowD (5): 13/D12+D10
Durability (7/6) (5): 5
Karma Ritual (5): 5
Heartening Laugh (5): 12/2D10
ManeuverD (5): 13/D12+D10
Melee WeaponsD (5): 19/D20+2D6G
RiposteD (5): 13/D12+D10
Second WeaponD (3): 11/D10+D8
Speak Language (2): 7/D12
Human, Sperethiel
Taunt (5): 12/2D10
Thread Weaving (Blade Weaving)D (5): 10/D10+D6
Throwing Weapons(4): 12/2D10
Wound Balance (3): 9/D8+D6
DIndicates a Discipline talent.
GEnhanced by +6 steps through group True pattern.
250
Adventurers Kit Arondry
Carving Tool Like Rathann, Arondry becomes an elf when in Name-
Climbing Kit giver form. Taller and stockier than Rathann, Arondry
Trail Rations (1 week) stands 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He
Travelers Garb has light brown hair and dark skin, and is a Sixth Circle
Wizard.
Loot For more information on Arondry, see the Dragons
85 silver pieces chapter on p.405 of the Gamemasters Compendium.
Shattered Pattern
Thread Weaving Notes brown hair and a full, braided beard.
Devoutly loyal to Throal, Tharr is no stranger to Bar-
Quickwrist has one Rank Three thread each attached to
saives potential dangers and attempts to protect Throal
his Physical Defense, Spell Defense, and Mystic Armor rat-
from them in any way he can. If the characters speak with
ings. He also has a Rank One thread attached to one of the
Tharr, he responds warily at first. But if they convince him
Blades of Cara Fahd. This thread further enhances his Spell
of their sincerity, they gain a steadfast ally.
Defense.
Tharr and his fellow soldiers all wear armor bearing
the symbol of the Kingdom of Throal, which is engraved
on one shoulder and painted on the front of their shields.
The Drakes Tharr wears chain mail armor, and his weapons have been
The three drakes in this adventureRathann, Arondry magically enhanced by the Throal Armys Weaponsmiths.
and Tellanionall serve the great dragon Icewing. These
three small, dragonlike creatures can shapeshift into Attributes
Name-giver form and act as Icewings agents among the Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (16): 7/D12
Name-givers of Barsaive. They spend much of their time Toughness (16): 7/D12 Perception (11): 5/D8
roaming the land, acting as their masters eyes and ears. Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (12): 5/D8
Rathann first learned of the obsidian dragon sculpture
being sold in the markets of Throal; Arondry and Tellanion Characteristics
obtained the sculpture for Icewing, only to be captured by Physical Defense: 8 [9]* Initiative: 3/D4
Tyrlaan and his cultists. Spell Defense: 7 [9]* Physical Armor: 8
Though the characters do not interact much with the Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
drakes during Shattered Pattern, they are described
Death Rating: 39 (102) Recovery Tests: 3
here for gamemasters who may wish to use them in fur-
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 7/D12
ther adventures.
Unconsciousness Rating: 31 (80)
Rathann * See Notes, below.
Knowledge:
Dwarven Military Organization (4): 9/D8+D6
Military Procedures (4): 9/D8+D6
Throal History (4): 9/D8+D6
Shattered Pattern
General:
Hunting (4): 10/D10+D6
Spellcasting (4): 9/D8+D6
Tactics (6): 11/D10+D8
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12
Dwarf (Throalic)
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
Equipment
Buckler (Phys 1; ST17; w/carved Throal symbol)
Chainmail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Shattered Pattern
bearing the symbol of the Kingdom of Throal.
Each of them carries a hand-axe, a dagger, and a
buckler painted with the Throalic symbol.
Like their leader, these soldiers hold undy-
ing loyalty toward the Kingdom of Throal.
Attributes
Dexterity (12): 5/D8 Strength (14): 6/D10
Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (10): 5/D8 Equipment
Willpower (8): 4/D6 Charisma (8): 4/D6 Buckler (Phys 1; ST17; w/painted Throal symbol)
Leather Armor (Phys 3; w/painted Throal symbol)
Characteristics
Hand-Axe (Forged +2; Damage 12/2D10)
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 4
Social Defense: 5 Mystic Armor: 0 Adventurers Kit
Painting Tool
Death Rating: 38 Recovery Tests: 3
Trail Rations (1 week)
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 6/D10
Travelers Garb
Unconsciousness Rating: 30
Knowledge: Notes
Dwarven Military Organization (1): 6/D10
The soldiers possess the dwarf racial ability of Heat
Military Procedures (1): 6/D10
Sight.
General:
Anticipate Blow (2): 7/D12
Avoid Blow (3): 8/2D6
Melee Weapons (5): 10/D10+D6
Tactics (1): 6/D10
Speak Language (1): 6/D10
Dwarf (Throalic)
253
Blades
Magical weapons, treasures, gold. You may think it will make you happy, but
sometimes it doesnt. Be careful of accumulating too much power in too short a
timeor youre bound to get tricked by slumbering evil.
Brelkath, Advisor to the Crown
Blades
Blades
picked up the dagger and cut a triangle in the
back of his hand, then clenched his fist over
the bowl with a howl of defiance. After a few
moments, he sat down and pulled the bowl
of blood and the wooden medallion next to
him. He gave the Horror a long, steady look,
as if memorizing itthen dipped two fingers
in the blood and began to trace the things
outline on the wood. When he finished, he
took up the Blade of Cara Fahd and slashed
it across the painted medallion. The Horror
howled with pain and rage. Laughing, Gaarz
charged back into the fray.
One by one, the Seven Spokes drew the
Horrors shape in blood and slashed at
the medallion. With every stroke of steel
across wood, the Horror shrieked and a
part of its body crumbled to dust. As Nhag
made the last stroke with a shout of triumph,
the Horrors terrible head melted into nothing.
The greenish glow died away, leaving nothing
but the light of a few sputtering torches.
Nhag held up her Blade; the metal had
turned a dark slate-blue. Victory! she
crowed. The blood of Betrayer darkens
our bladesdestroyed by the heroes of
Cara Fahd! Battered but defiantly alive,
the Seven Spokes raised their daggers and
shouted their joy.
Rashani drifted off to sleep feeling
more hopeful than she had in many a
long night. The Horror was dead. The
Seven Spokes had saved enough of her
people from the things taint to rebuild House 255
Chelann. After so long a darkness, all was finally well. with runes identifying them as belonging to the ork king-
Rashani fell asleep smiling and soon began to dream. She dom. He Named these daggers the Blades of Cara Fahd and
stood in the grotto where the Horror had laired. It was gave one to each of Cara Fahds Protectors. So long as the
quiet and dark, except for a single point of light by the far Protectors served Cara Fahd, their bond to each other and
side of the lake. Curious, Rashani walked around for a to the kingdom would strengthen the Blades magic.
closer look.
The light shone from a dagger, one of the Blades of Cara
Fahd. It gleamed as white as crystal, so captivating that The Arrival of Betrayer
Rashani had to pick it up. As she took the blade in her hand, Armed with the Blades, Cara Fahds Protectors defeated
the light began to change, darkening to the pale green of countless Horrors and Horror constructs. They met their
swamp-fire. nemesis, however, in the Horror known as Betrayer. While
The sudden, overpowering smell of blood made Rashani many other Horrors attack with claws and teeth, Betrayer
double over. The dagger fell from her hand, stabbing into subtly caused its victims to betray those around them.
the rock floor. As she watched, horrified, the rock began to Under the influence of this entity, soldiers betrayed their
bleed. Rashani screamed, but the sound was lost in a rising leaders in battle, villagers revolted against their leaders,
tide of mocking laughter. and families betrayed their loved ones. When Betrayer
T
grew bored with corrupting the minds of ordinary folk, it
sought powerful adepts whose magic it could pervert to
he Blades of Cara Fahd betray hundreds or even thousands of victims. In its search
for these more toothsome morsels, Betrayer discovered
This section provides the history of the Blades of Cara Fahds Protectors.
Cara Fahd, the Seven Spokes who wielded them, and the
HorrorBetrayerthat corrupted them. The section also
includes information on using the weapons in the game, Horror-marked!
Blades
guidelines for incorporating Betrayers inf luence, and Betrayer led Cara Fahds Protectors into battle against
directions for using these adventures in an Earthdawn one of its servitors, a construct that the ork heroes easily
campaign. defeated. But during the course of the battle, Betrayer
marked one of the eight orksa Swordmaster Named
Kragen Overtall. Through the Horror mark, Betrayer infil-
History of the Blades trated the entire group. And through the group, the Horror
The history of the Blades of Cara Fahd begins in Bar- caused discord and betrayal among the communities the
saives distant past, during the Orichalcum Wars. At orks passed through. Eventually the heroes realized that
that time, the Theran Empire needed vast amounts of a Horror had somehow touched them. Scant days after
orichalcum for its magical research, including the Rites that, they discovered that their comrade Kragen Overtall
of Protection and Passage that would one day protect the bore the Horror mark that plagued them. At this discovery,
world from the Scourge. As a result, the Therans offered Overtall fled Cara Fahd and headed northeast into the Liaj
Barsaives various kingdoms high prices for the precious Jungle. The remaining seven heroes followed their Horror-
element. As the nations and peoples of Barsaive battled marked friend, first with hopes of saving himthen with
each other for the valuable ore, the threat of the Horrors the intention to kill him. After weeks of tracking Overtall
grew with each passing year. Soon, Barsaives people found across Barsaive, Cara Fahds Protectors caught up with the
themselves fighting the Horrors as well as each other. fugitive and slew him. Grief-stricken at what they had been
forced to do, the seven heroes built a small crypt where
they laid their departed to rest.
The Blades and their Wielders
In the southwestern corner of Barsaive, the ork king-
dom of Cara Fahd battled its nearest neighbors and The Seven Spokes
rivalsthe humans of Landis and the trolls of Ustrect. The betrayal of Kragen Overtall remained a painful
While many of Cara Fahds soldiers fought these enemies, memory in the minds of the remaining heroes as they trav-
other ork adepts were recruited to protect the kingdom eled back to Cara Fahd. On their return, one of themPobov
from the Horrors. Eight of these adepts performed heroic Gaarzproposed that the seven re-Name themselves and
exploits that captured the attention of Cathon Grimeye, forever sunder the bonds between them, Kragen Overtall,
leader of Cara Fahds military. Grimeye chose these eight and the Horror that had marked him. The only one to pro-
adepts to serve as a symbol of heroism and devotion to test was Nhag Katurn, Overtalls closest friend, who only
Cara Fahd. He Named them Cara Fahds Protectors, so that reluctantly agreed with the wisdom in Gaarzs proposal.
all Barsaive would know of their deeds in the name of the The orks began by destroying Kragens dagger, thereby
ork kingdom they served. severing it from the magical pattern of the remaining
Grimeye also charged the famed ork Weaponsmith Blades. Then they performed the Naming ritual, re-Naming
Rugaah Gloh to forge the band a set of weapons that would themselves the Seven Spokes. They sealed the rite with a
be their trademark and symbol. Gloh worked for months on blood oath to protect each other and Cara Fahd. To end the
256 the weapons, a matched set of enchanted daggers inscribed ritual they engraved a new symbol onto one side of each of
the remaining Blades. This symbola wheel with seven member performed the ritual, the Horror grew weaker
spokescould only be seen if the Blades were arranged as and weaker, its body shriveling and drying up. As the last
a wheel with their tips touching in the center. This symbol of Seven Spokes performed the ritual, the Horrors body
also showed a break in the pattern, a hole where an eighth melted into nothingness. The Seven Spokes stood trium-
spoke should have been. This gap was the heroes tribute phant over the Horror that had so long bedeviled them.
to the memory of their fallen companion.
Their re-Naming complete, the Seven Spokes believed
they had rid themselves of the Horror. Unknown to them, Betrayal From Beyond
however, Betrayers corruption had spread into the pattern For a long while, the Seven Spokes believed that they
of the Blades themselves. had indeed banished Betrayer from the world and their
lives. They did not know that they had only succeeded in
destroying Betrayers body. Its spirit remained alive, split
Betrayer and the Liferock into seven parts and trapped within the magical pattern of
The destruction of Overtalls dagger and the re-Naming the Blades of Cara Fahd. Though much weaker than it had
of the group severely weakened Betrayer. Rather than been, Betrayer was now safe from physical attack. Again
rebuild its power slowly through the Blades, Betrayer the Horror began to exert its inf luence over the Seven
sought new victims. It found a Brotherhood of obsidimen Spokes and everyone who came into contact with them.
whose Liferock lay in the Tylon Mountains, near the Hor- Over the next few years, the Seven Spokes brought
rors lair. As it had done with the ork heroes, Betrayer tragedy and betrayal wherever they went. During the last
penetrated the Brotherhood by slowly corrupting one of months of the Orichalcum Wars, the heroes unknowingly
its members and using him as a gateway to the rest. Once it betrayed the very kingdom for which they fought. Because
had its first victim completely under its influence, Betrayer of the Horror-cursed daggers they carried, the Seven
sent its unwitting pawn into the Liferock. Through the Spokes ensured Cara Fahds downfall.
tainted obsidiman, Betrayer corrupted the remaining mem- Soon after Cara Fahd collapsed, Pobov Gaarzthe
Blades
bers of the Brotherhood and the Liferock itself. When the last surviving member of the Seven Spokesgathered the
Liferocks cries of pain reached the Brotherhoods absent Blades together and placed them in an ornate enchanted
members, they came from all over Barsaive to aid their box. He sealed the box with blood magic so that the Blades
Liferock. Betrayer consumed them as well, one by oneall might never be seen or wielded again. With this act, Betray-
save for the last. ers power waned. Over time the Horror slept, waiting for
Its strength somewhat restored by the betrayal of the new victims to discover and wield the Blades.
Liferock and the Brotherhood, Betrayer turned its attention
back to the Seven Spokes. Once again, the Horror worked
its malevolent magic, and the Spokes carried the Hor- The Blades Since the Scourge
rors influence with them across Barsaive. Soon the Seven No one knows exactly what happened to the Blades
Spokes realized that they had failed to rid themselves of after the death of Pobov Gaarz, or how they survived the
Betrayer. Determined to confront and destroy the Horror, Scourge intact. A generation or so after the Scourge ended,
they set out in search of it and eventually came to the Lif- the Blades were discovered by an elven Nethermancer
erock in the Tylon Mountains. As they searched for traces Named Tyrlaan, a servant of Verjigorm, the Hunter of Great
of the Horror, the Seven Spokes were attacked by corrupted Dragons. Tyrlaan detected the Horror magic within the
obsidimen that Betrayer had turned into Horror constructs. Blades and wove threads to them, hoping they would aid
As they fought, the last of the Brotherhood emerged from the plans of his master. His act awoke Betrayer, but before
the Liferockhimself free of the Horrors taint, but driven the Horror became fully aware, a group of adepts took the
mad by the corruption of the Liferock. The ork heroes daggers from Tyrlaan and his servants. These adepts seek
defeated the constructs and trapped the mad obsidiman to unlock the magic of the Blades of Cara Fahd, not know-
in a small crevasse near the Liferock, where he remained ing the danger they unleash on all of Barsaive by doing so.
U
throughout the Scourge.
Weaving Threads
Only members of a group that has formed a group True
pattern (see p.271 of the Players Compendium) can
use the magic of the Blades of Cara Fahd. Each individ-
ual dagger is meant to be carried by one member of the
group, and each character weaves his own thread to his
dagger. The daggers enhance the abilities granted by the
group True pattern, as well as increasing the wielders Spell
Defenses against Horrors and Horror constructs.
Blades
Blades
Average result on Betrayers part might have led Gnanagh history to use their magical powers.
to simply create dissent or distrust among the Righteous
Vipers instead of poisoning his brothers drink.
The Blades Curse
Effects on Player Characters If the characters obtain the Blades in some other way
The Inf luence power is intended for use against than through the Shattered Pattern adventure, the
gamemaster characters. If the gamemaster wishes to turn Horror must be awakened somehow before the charac-
Betrayers powers against one of the player characters, use ters weave their first threads to the Blades. Someone
the Horrors Karma Tap power. The connection between may have previously woven threads to the daggers, or the
the characters and the Blades allows Karma Tap to function gamemaster may simply assume that the Horror awak-
because the characters threads are essentially connected ens when the characters begin studying the Blades. The
to the Horror. This connection has the same game effect as so-called curse on the Bladesactually a manifestation
a Horror mark. The Horror gains a +3 bonus when using of the Horror within themmust be active when the char-
Karma Tap against any of the player characters. acters learn the first Key Knowledge (see Bond Breaker,
R
p.264). The characters must also understand that the
Blades have cursed them. See Blades and Your Cam-
unning Blades paign, p.262, for more information about the effects of
the Blades and the Horror on the campaign.
Blades is designed as an Earthdawn campaign
supplement for use throughout an ongoing Earthdawn Discovering the Truth
campaign. The exact role of these adventures in a cam- Over the course of the adventures, the characters should
paign is up to the gamemaster and, to a lesser extent, the deduce that the Blades carry more than a simple curse. If
players. The following paragraphs offer suggestions for the characters decide to astrally sense the Blades to deter-
dealing with the unique structure of this product and inte- mine the truth, allow them to do so. Do not offer this
grating the Blades adventures into your campaign. option unless the characters request it. The charac-
ters learn the truth in the final adventure. If they havent
figured it out by then, a lot of their questions about the
Getting the Blades Blades and the curse should be answered at that point.
The adventures assume that the characters possess the Characters may make Astral Sensing Tests against
Blades of Cara Fahd. They may have acquired the weapons Betrayers Spell Defense of 23 and must achieve a Good or
in a number of ways, the most likely of which are described better result to detect anything beyond the effects of the
below. curse. The Difficulty Number is reduced by 1 for each
thread rank that the characters have woven to the Blades.
Shattered Pattern If any of the characters achieves a Good or better result,
The most likely way for the characters to have obtained he notices elements of Horror taint, which imply that the
the Blades is at the conclusion of the adventure Shattered curse on the Blades is similar to a Horror curse. An Excel- 259
lent result reveals a definite living pattern intertwined with Adventure Style
that of the Blades, while an Extraordinary result reveals The adventures in Blades differ from the previous ones
that a Horror lives in the Blades pattern. in a number of ways. First, each adventure forms part of a
Any character who does not achieve a Good or better larger picture, although each can stand alone. As the char-
result but whose test result equals the Spell Defense of the acters progress through the Blades adventures, they learn
Blades (18) detects the curse on the pattern of the weap- the history of the Blades and the heroes who wielded them.
ons. An Average result against the Horrors Spell Defense At the same time, they uncover a serious threat to Barsaive,
also reveals the curse. a threat they become inextricably linked to. This threat
grows with each adventure and each thread the characters
weave to the Blades.
How Many Characters? Also, the scope of each adventure is much smaller
The adventures in this book are designed than that of the other adventures in this
to accommodate groups of three to five book. The other adventures have
adepts. A group of seven characters had consequences that affect not
is also possible (with one dagger only the characters, but other
for each character), but the people and places as well.
gamemaster will need to The Blades adventures are
scale the game statis- more self-contained.
tics for the opposition Except for the final
accordingly (see p.220 adventure, Pure Liq-
of t he G a mem a s - u id s (p.326), t he
ters Compendium cha rac ter s si mply
and p.10 of the Intro- seek to le a r n t he
duction chapter for next Key Knowledge
Blades
Blades
Grave Wisdom takes the characters to the ruins of an
dard encounter, and each leads directly into one of the five
ancient shrine to fallen ork heroes, in search of the Rank
Blades adventures. The preludes assume that the char-
Three Key Knowledge of the Blades of Cara Fahd. The char-
acters have previously used the Item History or Weapon
acters must discover the Name of the group of ork heroes
History talents and understand the information they need
who wielded the daggers. They must also perform a Deed;
to learn. Whether the characters move directly from these
they must build a monument to the Seven Spokes in the
preludes to the adventures connected with them is up to
Spokes original home, ten miles away from the Hold of
the gamemaster and the players.
Courage. The adventure is best suited for three to five adept
Using Preludes characters of Sixth or Seventh Circle.
Run preludes wherever they are convenient. For exam- A Traitors Fate
ple, if the characters are in Vivane researching the Rank
A Traitors Fate takes the adventurers from the rela-
Five Key Knowledge, the prelude for the Rank Five Key
tive safety of a Barsaivian settlement into the dangerous
Knowledge can take place in or near Vivane. This saves the
depths of the Liaj Jungle. The adventure is best suited for
characters from excessive travel across Barsaive that might
a group of three to five adept characters of Sixth or Sev-
upset the gamemasters plans for the campaign. Each pre-
enth Circle. The particular nature of the characters quest
ludes text appears at the beginning of the appropriate
requires A Traitors Fate to be linear in structure, but
adventure that follows the prelude.
feel free to add encounters and other obstacles to increase
the difficulty or complexity of the adventure if desired.
The Adventures
Each Blades adventure assumes the characters have With an Axe in Hand
completed the appropriate prelude for that adventure. With an Axe in Hand takes the adventurers to the
Each adventure begins with the characters arriving at Tylon Mountains in search of an obsidiman Liferock that
the general location where the adventure takes place and they believe holds the Rank Seven Key Knowledge of the
assumes that the characters will complete the adventure Bladesthe Name of the Horror that killed the Seven
once they begin. The Blades adventures are short and Spokes. The Horrors Name is Betrayer. With an Axe in
relatively straightforward. Generally, the characters will Hand is intended for a group of three to five adept charac-
already have done considerable work toward learning the ters of Seventh to Eighth Circle.
Key Knowledges they need. However, the adventures are
not simple to complete or lacking in hazards. Many of the Pure Liquids
obstacles the characters face are potentially lethal. Such is Pure Liquids sends the adventurers to the under-
the life of an adventurer in Barsaive. ground r ivers beneath the Tylon Mountains for a
The adventures are structured so that the characters confrontation with Betrayer, the Horror that lives within
learn the relevant Key Knowledge at the end of each one. the Blades of Cara Fahd. The adventure assumes the char-
This forces the characters to play the entire adventure to acters already know that the Rank Eight Deed consists of
get the information they seek. Obtaining the Key Knowl- traveling to the spot where Betrayer was slain, and that 261
the Rank Eight Key Knowledge is the means the Seven allowing it to roam freely across Barsaive wreaking havoc.
Spokes used to originally defeat the Horror. The adven- The freed Horror can even create a new physical body for
ture is intended for a group of three to five adept characters itself, which would enable it to do physical damage in addi-
of Seventh to Ninth Circle. tion to manipulating innocent minds.
As with all of the Blades adventures, the gamemaster Warn the characters of these circumstances if they con-
should be thoroughly familiar with the adventure before template destroying the Blades. If the characters destroy
running it. the Blades anyway, have a much more powerful Betrayer
seek them out later in the campaign. The Horror likely will
want to thank them for its freedom personally.
Cant We Get Rid Of These Things? The characters may also receive a visit from a power-
When the characters learn that the Blades are cursed, ful questor, Lightbearer, or some such figure demanding
they may wish to get rid of the curse by throwing away the to know why they have released such a powerful Horror
weapons. If they learn that the curse is actually the spirit and very likely demanding that they clean up the mess they
of a Horror, they may want to ditch the Blades even more. have caused.
This impulse might well pose a problem, as the adventures
assume that the characters continue to research the Blades Doing the Right Thing
all the way up through the Rank Eight Key Knowledge. The Despite the dangers, the characters have several rea-
suggestions below can help you deal with this issue, should sons to keep investigating the Blades. First, the Blades
it arise in your campaign. considerable power can help their adventuring group
become truly legendary in Barsaive. Second, the Blades
Cursed, Like It or Not! provide an opportunity to destroy a legendary Horror.
Point out to the players that the characters cannot The Seven Spokes unsuccessfully attempted to destroy
escape the curse simply by getting rid of the Blades. Curses the Horror several timesany adventuring group that
in Earthdawn are not so easily dealt with. The characters succeeds where these orks failed would gain considerable
Blades
can only get rid of the curse by destroying its sourcethe respect. And Betrayer poses a major threat to Barsaive as
Horror called Betrayer. Obviously, do not divulge the Hor- well. Destroying Betrayer is a great public service, and only
rors Name if the party has not learned it yet. a group armed with the Blades stands a chance of succeed-
ing at the task.
Throwing the Blades Away
If the characters toss the Blades awaydown a deep Weve Been Cheated!
well, into the Serpent River, or some such inaccessible The player characters may feel cheated or manipulated
placethey lose the Blades benefits but do not escape the once they learn that Betrayer has tainted them through the
effects of the curse. The Horrors magic is strong enough to Blades. If they do, remind the players that their characters
maintain an astral link between the patterns of the charac- wanted to learn about the Blades in the first place.
ters and the Blades, and so the Horror can continue to use If they have already woven threads to the daggers,
its powers while preventing the characters from defeating remind them that power never comes without a price; the
it. Throwing away the Blades would prevent the characters Horror within the Blades is simply a particularly nasty
from weaving higher-ranked threads to them and thereby price they must pay for the Blades magic. If the players
prevent them from increasing the Horrors power, but even still feel that a Horror living inside their magical treasure
this is not really the benefit it first appears to beBetrayer is unfair, remind them that the Horrors do not play fair.
can always increase its strength in other ways.
If the characters want to throw the Blades away in
spite of these considerations, arrange for some powerful Blades and Your Campaign
individual to visit them and explain the importance of find- Blades is designed to fit easily into a variety of cam-
ing a way to destroy Betrayer. High-ranking questors, or paigns. The story is divided into brief, stand-alone
even a great dragon, are possible choices. If the charac- adventures that gamemasters may run between other
ters obtained the Blades through the adventure Shattered planned adventures. Whenever the characters wish to learn
Pattern, Rathann and the other drakes who serve Icewing the next Key Knowledge of the Blades, the gamemaster can
might turn up to talk to them. This option adds continuity simply work the events described in Blades around the
to the campaign as well. rest of his campaign.
Alternatively, the curse that Betrayer brings into their Gamemasters may easily control how much impact
lives could be used to drive the characters to recover their Blades has on their campaigns. By confining Betray-
discarded Blades, which might prove to be an adventure ers influence to the Blades adventures, for example, a
in itself. gamemaster can minimize the effects of the story on the
rest of his campaign. Alternatively, developments from
Destroying the Blades Blades can have considerable impact on the rest of the
The characters may consider destroying the Blades campaign. For example, the player characters may become
in an attempt to destroy the Horror. In fact, this choice quite famous throughout Barsaive if they defeat Betrayer.
is worse than keeping the Blades or throwing them away. And such fame could attract jealous enemies, pleas for help
262 Destroying the Blades releases Betrayer into astral space, from those afflicted by other Horrors, and job offers.
For example, the first adventure in this chapter deals
with the Rank One Key Knowledge; the next adventure
deals with the Rank Three Key Knowledge. The charac-
ters cannot weave the Rank Three thread before weaving
the Rank Two thread, and so they likely will want to do this
between the first and second Blades adventures. Think
of the events in Blades as a subplot in your campaign
a series of connected occurrences that run their course
around and between the campaigns other major events.
Take care with the spacing of these adventures in your
campaign as players may be eager to charge ahead and rid
themselves of the Blades curse. Allowing them time to
grow in power and slowly appreciate both the power and
burden of the Blades can help them to survive and more
thoroughly enjoy the Blades adventures. Strong motivat-
ing factors in the other plotlines of your campaign can aid
in this endeavor, but dont force the players hands as they
still have a say in what their characters do. They may be
made to face hard choices at times, and if they do decide
to abandon or delay other concerns to unravel the mystery
of the Blades, let their characters suffer the natural conse-
quences of such actions.
If it seems as if the players really do need to be slowed
down, however, then utilizing the hooks and side adven-
Blades
tures that occur throughout Blades can help to fill this
need by allowing the party to feel as if they are still work-
ing towards their goal, while not charging through the
main adventures that drive the plot forward.
263
Bond Breaker
My word is my bond. Should I break that bond, deal with me as you will.
Should you break it, only the Passions can save you.
Bradak Cragfist, Troll Sky Raider
To loyalty! To honor! bellowed Moschtug, self-pro- lowers. But one ork was not drunk. He was sober with rage,
claimed king of Cara Fahd. Around him, lit by the glow of a a rage that tightened his fists and throat. Gnanagh, brother
bonfire, stood the sum of his followersa typically ragged to Moschtug, stood apart from the festivities. He kept his
lot of ork scorchers, no more than four dozen in number. fury as a prisoner in his heart.
Crude depictions of the Cara Fahd coat of arms adorned Again, he thought, my work is ignored. It is my negotia-
their shields and helmets. They belched their approval of tion that brought this union to pass, but I receive no credit.
their sovereigns words, then continued quaffing the con- All my life it has been so. You grin and raise a wineskin,
tents of their wineskins. and all are with you. They hang on your stupidest words
Adding their number to this rude summit were three as though they were newly discovered pearls from the lips
dozen or so similarly attired ork raidersmembers of the of the great poets of Cara Fahd. Buunda! It is I who have
Righteous Vipers. The Vipers hungry eyes were on their sweated and toiled to reveal our familys birthright. It is
Blades
leader, Orguk. Orguk was slim and tall for an ork, espe- I who uncovered the tactical manual of the great Cathon
cially when compared to the beefy and square-shouldered Grimeye and laboriously stuffed its lessons into your thick
Moschtug. He raised his own wineskin in the direction of skull. Yet what do I receive in return? Your men barely
his fellow chieftain. tolerate me, think of me as a foolish pedant. And you, Mos-
To true love, he said. His city accent stood out against chtug, when your skin is threatened, you summon me for
the rough mountain speech of Moschtug and his followers. advice. But when I save you from whatever scrape youve
To the love between my delightful daughter, Tirag, and gotten yourself into, I get not even a mumbled thank you.
your valiant son, Uvtug. The magic has always been yours, Moschtug, the magic and
Orguk turned toward the two young orks, who were the luck. My fate is naught but hard, painstaking labor. The
paying little heed to the speechmaking as they only glory I receive is that which is reflected
groped one another with an enthu- from you. If only you had even half a
siasm that any but an ork would brain, you would know just how
consider unseemly in the pres- much I long to place my hands
ence of others. The two groups around your throat and
of orks joined in guttural laugh- And as he had done a thou-
ter, ringing their approval of sand times before, Gnanagh
the couple. Ha! Our match- stopped himself from voic-
making skills are superior! ing, even in his own mind,
grunted Moschtug. the Unthinkable Thought.
Indeed, replied Orguk. For blood was blood, and
Our alliance shall make Moschtug was his brother.
the other foothill bands Thousands of years of
quake in terror. ork tradition required
They shall soil them- that Gnanagh show his
selves when they hear of brother unswerving loy-
it! shouted Moscht ug. alty, no matter how little
Our alliance shall make the he might deserve it. And
miners weep and wail. so Gnanagh swallowed his
They shall f lee at the anger, once again burying
pounding of our thundras it deep within his soul.
hooves! Me a nwh i le, t he t wo
Even the Therans shall you ng lover s crept of f
tremble at our might. behind a hill, unnoticed
The two chieftains contin- by the joyously howling
ued their ceremonial boasting, scorchers.
264 to the elation of their drunken fol-
P lot Synopsis
The players possess the Blades of Cara Fahd
and wish to empower them by weaving threads to them.
To do so, the players must discover the Blades first Key
wherever the adventurers happen to be when Blades
begins.
The facts the adventurers must discover in this prelude
are:
Blades
The players do not know that their very presence orate both sides of each handle and surround each
or more precisely, the presence of the Bladesis a grave gemstone. Similar carvings cover each gleaming
danger to the precarious peace arrangement between steel blade; these runes are stranger-looking than
the tribes. The daggers power intensifies existing ten- the others, but you cant say exactly how. Clearly,
sions between Orguk, Moschtug, and Moschtugs jealous the runes contain a message. But what might that
brother, Gnanagh, until Gnanagh attempts to poison Mos- message be?
chtug. Gnanagh flees with the Righteous Vipers, fearing
retribution, and Moschtug swears to exact cruel vengeance
on his brother.
Themes and Images
Emphasize the appearance of the Blades: alluring,
The players must find Gnanagh and extract from him
beautiful, and deadly.
the secret of the Blades before Moschtugs forces capture
and slay him. The climactic encounter takes place in the
cliff-side fortress of the Righteous Vipers. During this
encounter, the players may find themselves storming the
Behind the Scenes
The adventurers most likely have some ability to gather
fortress alongside the Fists of Fahd, defending it against
information and probably know (or should easily be able
the Fists or attempting to broker a new peace arrangement
to find) a scholar of ork history in their immediate area.
between the Fists and the Vipers. After this final scene,
The process of getting clues from each source is described
Gnanagh reveals the first Key Knowledge of the Blades, as
below.
well as their betrayal-inducing influence and power.
Adventurer Investigations
Betrayers Influence If any of the adventurers has the Item or Weapon His-
tory talents, he can use it to learn some of the Research
During Bond Breaker, the Horror called Betrayer
Knowledges of the Blades. The Spell Defense of the Blades
curses the characters and links their patterns with the pat-
is 18. This prelude deals with the first Key Knowledge:
tern of the Blades and its own pattern. From this adventure
the collective Name of the items and the Name of the
onward, the player characters carry the Horrors inf lu-
Weaponsmith who forged them.
ence with them until they are able to destroy it or they are
destroyed themselves. The Horror also influences Gnanagh Examining the Runes
to betray his brother Moschtug by poisoning his ale.
If any character has Read and Write Language (Orzet)
S
as a skill or talent, he recognizes most of the runes as an
To legendry, our tales are headed. torical material. Finally, she gives them the Name of the
best-known expert on Cara Fahd: Gnanagh the Querulous,
Extraordinary: The character learns the information for
whom she has never met but knows by reputation. He is a
an Excellent result and recognizes the style of the language
legendary eccentric among historians.
as sixth- or seventh-century ork, according to the Throalic
Though Gnanagh is an expert researcher and author
calendar.
of several sought-after scrolls on the antiquities of Cara
Fahd, he spends most of his time as advisor to a scorcher
On Cara Fahd band known as the Fists of Fahd. The members of this band
Once the adventurers know that the runes on the claim direct lineage from the kings of Cara Fahd, although
Blades spell out Cara Fahd they can try to recall any- most scholars dispute this claim. The Fists of Fahd live
thing they might know about this place. Any adventurer by raiding mining villages in the southern foothills of the
with an appropriate Knowledge skill such as Ork History or Delaris Mountains. If the adventurers truly want to know
Ork Lore can make a Knowledge Skill (6) Test. For general the secrets their newly acquired daggers hold, they should
Knowledge skills, such as Barsaive History or Ancient Leg- journey to the scorcher lands and attempt to win an audi-
ends, a character may make a Knowledge Skill (9) Test. If ence with this notoriously irritable old ork.
the adventurers have access to an average or better library, Once the characters discover that they should seek out
they can also make a Research (5) Test to gain the infor- Gnanagh, go to Copper Cauldron, p.267.
mation. What they learn depends on the result level they
achieve. Attributes
Dexterity (9): 4/D6 Strength (9): 4/D6
Pathetic: Cara what?
Toughness (9): 4/D6 Perception (16): 7/D12
Poor: Cara Fahd sounds really familiar. Its meaning is Willpower (12): 5/D8 Charisma (9): 4/D6
right on the tip of your tongue, but you cant quite grasp
it. Characteristics
Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 4/D6
Average: Cara Fahd was an ancient ork kingdom.
Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 0
Good: Cara Fahd was an ancient ork kingdom destroyed Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 1
just before the Scourge.
Death Rating: 30 Recovery Tests: 2
Excellent: Cara Fahd was an ancient ork city-state, Wound Threshold: 7 Knockdown: 4/D6
destroyed during the Orichalcum Wars in a final suicidal Unconsciousness Rating: 21
stroke by its military commander. The ruins of Cara Fahd
Combat Movement: 14 Full Movement: 28
lie somewhere in southwestern Barsaive, north of Vivane
and Sky Point and south of the Delaris Mountains. Skills
Extraordinary: The character learns the information for Artisan:
266 an Excellent result, plus the following. The memory of the Storytelling (3): 7/D12
Knowledge: lie a number of buildingsCopper Cauldron. The
Cara Fahd History (6): 13/D12+D10 town is identical to countless other mining com-
Legends and Heroes (4): 11/D10+D8 munities you have passed in the past few days
with one exceptionnearly four dozen war horses
General:
and thundra beasts graze in the scrub outside its
Conversation (3): 7/D12
walls.
Read and Write Language (6): 13/D12+D10
You draw closer to the town and note a pair of
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzat*, Orzet,
guards stationed on the wall, above the town gate.
Sperethiel, Troll
Both of the guards are young, strapping humans.
Research (2): 9/D8+D6
Each carries a spear and wears partial leather
Speak Language (5): 12/2D10
armor. As you approach closer, one of the guards
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel, Troll
hails you in Throalic: Who goes there?
* Orzat is the ancient language of the orks, shorter and more guttural than the modern Orzet (see
p.297 of the Name-givers Compendium).
Loot
35 silver pieces Behind the Scenes
Blades
The people of Copper Cauldron are suspicious because
Legend Award they have many enemies. Like the residents of countless
50 Legend Points other villages in the foothills, Copper Cauldrons inhabit-
ants make their living by collecting precious metals. Many
Notes places in the mountains contain large gashes in the rock
Sarania possesses the dwarf racial ability of Heat Sight. whorls left by earth-eating Horrors of the Scourge. Often
times these gashes expose veins of copper, silver, and iron.
The able-bodied folk of Copper Cauldron head out in small
Troubleshooting groups to find and retrieve these easily obtainable metals.
As long as the adventurers get the basic information Then they sell or barter the metals to traders.
they need, nothing can go wrong in this prelude. During their mining expeditions, the people must
C
always watch for various small scorcher bands that attack
them for their spoils. Both the Fists of Fahd and Righ-
opper Cauldron teous Vipers make their livings by such attacks. Copper
Cauldron has a special arrangement with the Fiststhey
The adventure begins when the characters travel occasionally shelter the raidersso the towns residents
to the Delaris foothills in search of Gnanagh, from whom need not fear the band. However, some neighboring vil-
they seek the first Key Knowledge of the Blades of Cara lages view Copper Cauldron residents as traitors for aiding
Fahd. The characters arrive in the town of Copper Caul- orks, and these villages sometimes launch punitive raids
dron as the ork wedding feast is about to take place and are against the towns mining parties or Copper Cauldron itself.
invited to join in the festivities before they can get answers And Copper Cauldrons arrangement with the Fists does
from Gnanagh. not keep other ork bands from attacking the town and its
Copper Cauldron cuts right to the characters arrival mining parties, either. The residents must also face the
in the town. Gamemasters can extend the adventure by ever-present threat of Theran encroachment. Officials at
beginning with the player characters journey to the town Sky Point have made several attempts to seize the mining
and introducing a variety of dangerous episodes along the towns, enslave their inhabitants and force them to turn
way depending on where they are hailing from. their metals directly over to the Theran authorities. And
finally, Barsaive being Barsaive, there are always Horrors
to worry about. All of this explains why the guards are sus-
Setting the Stage picious of the adventurers.
As the adventurers approach Copper Cauldron, read the The guard who does most of the talking is Named
following aloud: Jopren; the other is Named Macan. Use the game statis-
tics for miners provided in Cast of Characters, p.281,
You have traveled along a rocky trail through
for the guards. Jopren listens to the adventurers responses
the foothills for several hours and can now see a
when he asks them to identify themselves. He then asks
low stone wall in the distance. Beyond the wall
them which scorcher band theyre affiliated with. If they 267
Blades
deny being scorchers with any degree of sincerity, he asks until 45 defenders are present. No amount of coaxing con-
them if they are allies of Thera. If they deny such connec- vinces the folk of Copper Cauldron to let the adventurers
tions (hes especially impressed if they spit or curse at the in if they have attacked the guards or any other citizens.
very idea of being Theran allies), he tells them to prove that (Any such attacks throw a major curve at the plot linesee
they are not Horrors. As any Barsaivian knows, the correct Troubleshooting, p.271.)
response in such situations is to display ones Artisan skill. Once inside the town, the adventurers should try to
After they pass this test, Jopren asks the adventurers their find Gnanagh. Introduce them to some of the other major
business. He tells them that Gnanagh is indeed in town if gamemaster characters at this time as well. See Loose
they ask him directly. Ends, p.275, for information on these characters.
If the adventurers try to force their way in, Jopren and
Macan yell for help, jump down from the wall and draw Copper Cauldron Layout
back, ready to pick off anyone who tries to scale it. They Copper Cauldrons north side nestles up against a
268 are joined by 1-6 townsfolk and ork scorchers every round, sharply sloped foothill. A brick wall extends from the hill
around the rest of the town. Most of its buildings are long, he will now be bound by Moschtugs agreement with the
one-story brick structures, occupied by entire extended village.
families. Two large communal storage buildings to the
north of the town square contain mined metals and pur- Gnanagh
chased trade goods. The town also contains a smithy, Gnanagh is Moschtugs brother. Hes an impatient,
where the town smith (not an adept) plies his trade. Copper cruel, thoroughly unpleasant orkmost of us steer clear of
Cauldrons newest building is a large wooden banquet hall him and he steers clear of us. No one knows exactly where
recently erected to keep the Fists of Fahd happy and occu- he is at the moment, but he is in town.
pied when they come to town. The townsfolk also supply any of the basic information
An animal pen lies along the inside of the southeast sec- about Copper Cauldron provided earlier in this section,
tion of the town wall, although the villages beef cattle and although they will not reveal where the mined metal is
horses are usually allowed to graze outside the wall unless stored. And they play down the fact that some neighboring
trouble is expected. A small vegetable patch lies outside villages regard them as enemies because of their alliance
the wall. It provides a few basic staples, but most of Copper with the Fists.
Cauldrons food is acquired through trade.
Carousing With the Scorchers
Ork Festivities The adventurers can also get information from the raid-
Copper Cauldron is filled with orks when the adventur- ers. To befriend a scorcher, one needs to act like a scorcher.
ers enter the town. The town square contains a large group Ork player characters have an immediate advantage in
of them watching what seems to be a fight. Others are on this regard. They know the basics of ork etiquette and the
rooftops of buildings, some are dancing, and still others happy, intoxicated bandits easily accept them.
are banging away at clattering ork musical instruments. All Characters who participate in the revelry also impress
are drinking copious amounts of hurlg, the throat-burning the scorchers. Any character who drinks too much hurlg,
alcoholic liquor beloved by orks everywhere. especially to the point of passing out or becoming ill, gar-
Blades
The adventurers need to learn that the orks are mem- ners much esteem. Non-orks attempting to drink hurlg
bers of rival scorcher bands, the Fists of Fahd and Righteous must make a Willpower (7) Test. If they fail, they involun-
Vipers, here to seal an alliance. They need to know that the tarily spit the acidic stuff right back out. Any orks viewing
alliance will be sealed with a wedding between the son of such a display laugh uproariously, believing the hurlg spit-
the Fahd king and the daughter of the Viper leader. The ter to be irredeemably weak and simpering.
people of Copper Cauldron are tolerating the presence of For each flagon of hurlg any character consumes after
these orks because both raider bands have promised to the first, he must make a Toughness (7) Test. If a character
leave the people unmolested in exchange for their hospi- fails, he becomes sick or passes out, at the gamemasters
tality. Finally, the players should learn the Names and roles discretion. If the test succeeds, add +1 to all Difficulty
of the major players in the adventureMoschtug, Gnanagh, Numbers for actions attempted while under the hurlgs
Orguk, Tirag, and Uvtug. inf luenceincluding additional Toughness Tests made
when drinking more hurlg. This effect is cumulative when
Talking to the Locals more hurlg is consumed, eventually resulting in most
The people of Copper Cauldron are wary around everyone, even the orks, succumbing to the effects of this
strangers. But they are also avid traders, so a friendly and foul liquor.
diplomatic approach eventually draws any citizen into Alternatively, characters can impress the raiders by
polite conversation. If the adventurers ask questions about joining in the impromptu wrestling matches in the town
particular subjects, any villager can provide the following square. To participate, a character simply charges into the
information and opinions. middle of the circle of orks and takes on an opponent. (See
the Combat chapter on p.411 of the Players Compen-
The Fists of Fahd dium for grappling rules.) Use the scorcher statistics in
Copper Cauldron has maintained an alliance with the Cast of Characters, p.282, for opponents. Any character
Fists for several years. The groups leader is Moschtug, who who puts a successful grapple hold on an opponent receives
styles himself as a king, heir to some ancient ork kingdom. cheers and backslaps from the surrounding orks. Even
He is an honorable fellow, as brigands and killers go. He unsuccessful wrestlers impress the orks for simply trying.
has always abided by his word to leave Copper Cauldron However, attempting to actually harm other wrestlers is a
alone. definite faux pas that arouses the wrath of the orksthey
pile on the offender and pummel away.
The Righteous Vipers Wagering over the various matches is part of the
The Vipers have been around the foothills for ages. fun. Clever adventurers can use this as a way of making
Recently the group has become much bigger and more acquaintances while possibly even picking up a few sil-
threatening, thanks to their new leader, Orguk. He is vers. An entertaining performance, especially in the ork
surprisingly polite and well-spoken for an ork, but many style of combining singing, dancing, acting, and juggling,
people blame him for a number of atrocities, including impresses the orks as well. The Difficulty Number for
some perpetrated against the people of Copper Cauldron. pleasing the orks with such skills is 7 for ork characters, 8
It is a good thing that he is allying with Moschtug, because for non-ork characters. 269
Talking with the Fists The last thing Gnanagh wants is to help a pack of
If the characters impress any Fist of Fahd members, adventurers he doesnt know. But when the adventurers
these orks provide the following opinions when asked speak to him, a strange thing happens. A reaction occurs
appropriate questions. in astral space. The strength of Gnanaghs resentment and
the power of his temptation to break the bonds of loyalty
The Alliance: The upstart Righteous Vipers have finally
to his brother attracts the attention of Betrayer, the Horror
recognized the obvious superiority of the Fists of Fahd. The
that lurks within the Blades. Betrayer feeds on Gnanaghs
true love of the courageous Uvtug and the terrifying Tirag
swirling, ambivalent emotions, using the energy to curse
has brought our peoples together. The foothills will now
the characters through the Blades. Make a Curse Test for
quake in fear at the joining of these two great war bands!
the Horror. The step number for this test is 23/D20+2D10,
The Fists of Fahd: The Fists of Fahd are heirs to the great Betrayers Spellcasting step (see p.338). If the test result
traditions of the ancient kingdom of Cara Fahd, an inspira- equals or exceeds the Spell Defense of any of the char-
tion to all orks to bravely loot, pillage, and despoil. acters, they are all affected by the curse (the group has
already woven its True pattern in preparation for using
Gnanagh: He is advisor to his brother, the great king
the Blades). Once cursed, the characters carry Betrayers
Moschtug. He knows many boring things about Cara Fahd.
influence with them. The Horror can exert its influence
Moschtug humors him and listens to his advice, but as far
near and around wherever the characters travel. The effect
as most of us are concerned concerned, he is a foul-tem-
lasts until they are able to rid themselves of the curse. For
pered bore.
more information about the Horrors curse and its effect,
Talking with the Vipers see Running Blades, p.259. Note that the characters
should have no idea that anything unusual has happened
Here are paraphrases of the Righteous Vipers opinions
until Gnanagh tells them about the Blades curse at the end
on the same subjects.
of the adventure.
The Alliance: The gray and fading Fists of Fahd have The change in Gnanagh, however, has a much more
Blades
made a wise move in allying themselves with the Righ- immediate effect. The Horrors influence smashes the last
teous Vipers. Without us, they would have been left behind of his inhibitions against murdering his brother. Sometime
in the dust. between this encounter and the next, Gnanagh meets with
Orguk and proposes that they poison Moschtugs hurlg at
The Righteous Vipers: The clever and cruel Orguks
the wedding feast.
ambitions extend far beyond these meager foothills. Within
a generation all of Barsaive will fear the Name of the Righ-
teous Vipers. Most of our members have joined in the
last year or so. The spoils are good, and we
have driven several lesser bands from the
territory.
Meeting Gnanagh
After a fair bit of looking, the char-
acters find Gnanagh, who is ending a
conversation with an ork they later iden-
tify as Orguk, the leader of the Righteous
Vipers. Gnanagh is extremely distracted;
Orguk has once more been slyly provoking
Gnanaghs gahad by listing the achievements
that Moschtug has made at his expense.
270
For the moment Gnanagh is too shocked by his sudden tion and contact Gnanagh. If they track the Vipers to their
murderous urge to talk to the adventurers for long. He says lair or otherwise accost them, the characters discover that
that he will perhaps be able to look at the daggers later. Gnanagh is among the group. Then they can either help the
Vipers defend themselves against Moschtug or go to Mos-
Talking to the Others chtug and offer to get Gnanagh for him. In this event, go to
Orguk is pleasant and noncommittal when the players Fort in the Foothills, p.273.
P
speak to him; he is too wily to let any hint of his sinister
plans slip. He tries to determine who the adventurers are
by encouraging them to talk about their own exploits. If the
adventurers watch Orguk carefully, they note that he is not oisoned Rites
drinking nearly as much hurlg as the other orks. In Poisoned Rites, the characters attend the
In contrast, Moschtug is pickled to the gills. He brags wedding feast of Tirag and Uvtug, which unites the Fists
relentlessly about his exploits, his cleverness in bringing of Fahd and Righteous Vipers as well. As Moschtug raises
about this alliance and his capacity for hurlg. a toast to the newly wed couple, he drinks from a poisoned
Tirag and Uvtug both want to spend all of their time cup but survives.
alone with one another and are quite surly with any adven- Gnanagh casts the blame on one of the townsfolk.
turers who interfere with their expressions of mutual During the middle of the night, Gnanagh sneaks out of
passion. Copper Cauldron virtually unnoticed, along with the
Vipers.
Troubleshooting
If the adventurers try to fight their way past the town Setting the Stage
guards, they never get a chance to enter the town. If they The gamemaster determines the exact amount of
camp out within spying distance of Copper Cauldron, they time that passes between the arrival of the adventurers
Blades
can rejoin the story when the Righteous Vipers sneak out of in Copper Cauldron and the actual wedding feast. Gauge
town after the attempt on Moschtugs life, as described in this based on how much time the player characters want to
Poisoned Rites, below; although without the Blades pres- spend gathering information beforehand. When the time
ent in town, this was done solely by Orguk, and Gnanagh comes, read the following aloud:
f lees with him fearing he will be suspected due to his
One of the orks, who invited you to attend the
guilty conscience. In this case have Betrayers influence
ceremony waves to you, looking up at the sun (or
turn up later as the characters seek to resolve the situa-
271
Blades
moon) in the sky. It is time for the great union of Orks surround the frightened man and pile on
our bands to be celebrated! he cries, making a top of him, fists flying. Bedlam breaks loose.
rude gesture to coincide with the word union.
You troop into the villages wooden meeting
hall, which is packed to the rafters with profusely Behind the Scenes
sweating orks and a surprising number of vil- Gnanagh and Orguk conspired to poison Moschtugs
lagers. You are unable to move very far to the hurlg. Gnanagh, his mind clouded by the Horrors influ-
front; those of you who are not windlings, trolls or ence in the Blades, believes the Fists of Fahd will follow
obsidimen have a poor view of the proceedings. him after Moschtugs death. Orguk correctly realizes that
At the far end of the hall, Moschtug, Orguk, the Fists would desert Gnanagh and aims to recruit most
Tirag, Uvtug and Gnanagh are seated behind a of them, doubling his power. For the moment, Gnanaghs
long table. Moschtug pounds his fist on the table, cooperation assures that he will not be the obvious
shouting: Pay attention! The wedding now takes suspect.
place! When the chaos ebbs, the orks realize that Mos-
There is an enthusiastic rumble from the crowd. chtug is not dead. He is, however, unconscious. Uvtug
Moschtug then stands. By the authority vested in grabs the poor villager Gnanagh has fingered and slams
me as a big tough ork who can kill anyone who the man repeatedly against a wall, demanding a confes-
dares gainsay me, I now pronounce Uvtug and sion. The unfortunate patsys Name is Hosya (pronounced
Tirag ork and wife! Drink up, all! HOSS-ya).
The enthusiastic rumble becomes a cacophony The villagers proclaim Hosyas innocence. The Fist
of cheers and shouts. Tirag leaps on Uvtug, drown- scorchers then accuse the villagers of plotting to destroy
ing him in a deluge of sloppy kisses. Moschtug, them. Accusations fly back and forth.
Orguk, Uvtug and Tirag drink deeply from cups The adventurers can step in and try to calm both sides
on the table. Suddenly, Moschtug lurches to his feet, down. Roleplay this exchange or have the characters make
his face drained of blood. He shouts, Poison! Ive Charisma or appropriate persuasion talent tests to lower
been poisoned! and collapses on the table. the tension level. As neither group has any particular
Gnanagh points to a villager: Grab him! He reason to trust or heed the adventurers, these tests require
272 poured the hurlg! a Good result. If the adventurers do not intervene, a series
of scuffles break out, and many villagers are hurt. Eventu- Delaris Mountains. There the characters can either help
ally they surrender, and the orks demand copper and silver the Fists of Fahd storm the fortress or attempt to negotiate
ore from them as reparation. a peace between the ork bands. Of course, the characters
Unless the adventurers have somehow calmed him, ultimate objective is to talk to Gnanagh, who has the infor-
Uvtug drags Hosya to the village square and starts tor- mation they seek about the Blades.
turing him for information. Uvtugs brutality is extreme;
if allowed free rein, he cripples Hosya for life. Eventually,
the commotion fades, though the tension between the two Setting the Stage
ork tribes swells as suspicions rise. Read the following to the characters when they leave
In the middle of the night, Gnanagh and Orguk decide Copper Cauldron:
to slip out of town, as they dont want to risk Moschtug fig-
You set off from Copper Cauldron in hopes of
uring things out when he regains consciousness. Do not let
finding Gnanagh, the ork historian who holds the
the characters interrupt them at this point. If the charac-
information you seek. His disappearance, along
ters are staking out the walls of the city, members of the
with that of Orguk and the Righteous Vipers, leads
Vipers engineer a diversion so that the characters miss
you to believe that perhaps Moschtugs brother
this departure. Once their leader is safely away, the rest
has betrayed his tribe. But are you walking into
of the Vipers sneak out of town. The characters may note
a battle between the two ork tribes? Or can you
this larger migration. If they rouse the Fists, a brief skir-
help them establish the peace they were so close
mish between the two bands ensues but most of the Vipers
to achieving?
escape into the foothills. Without Moschtug or Gnanagh to
issue orders, the Fists are not organized enough to block
the Vipers escape. Behind the Scenes
Once the Fists of Fahd learn that the Vipers have fled, To get to Gnanagh, the adventurers must find and pen-
the Fists make plans to follow the fleeing orks. The tribe is etrate the Righteous Vipers fortress. The Fists of Fahd do
Blades
ready to move out at daybreak. Go to Fort in the Foot- not know where the fortress lies, but any character who
hills, below. makes a successful Tracking (7) Test finds the Vipers
If the characters notice the Vipers leaving and follow stronghold.
them to their fortress without telling the Fists, the charac- The fort is located in the side of a cliff in a box canyon.
ters are on their own. Following the tribe is easy enough, The fort is actually a hollowed-out fossil skull of a gigan-
but unless the characters are careful, the fleeing Vipers tic lizard from a distant age (see the map of Orguks Fort
notice the characters and attempt to capture them. on p.274).
The Vipers enter the fort by climbing up rope lad-
ders dropped from an entry hole located fifty feet up the
Troubleshooting cliff face. The ladders are rolled out only for the Vipers
Few things can go wrong here. If the characters wish to and their allies. Vipers inside the fort watch the canyon
aid in determining who poisoned Moschtugs drink, they entrance from the lookout hole, which they have fitted with
meet with great resistance. Neither Uvtug nor Orguk allows several windling catchers. These are ballistas modified
any members of their tribes to be subject to magical means to fire small, weighted nets. Any windling hit by one of
of divination, as both are firmly convinced of their follow- these nets plummets to the earth and takes appropriate
ers innocence. Only an Interaction Test that achieves an Falling damage (see the Adventuring chapter on p.107 of
Extraordinary result against the Social Defense of either the Gamemasters Compendium). No armor protects
of the ork leaders persuades them to allow the characters against this damage.
to use magical means of finding the guilty party. The nets are coated with a contact poison that induces
If the characters determine that Gnanagh is involved, instant paralysis; its Effect step is 14/D20+D4 (see Poison
both he and Orguk f lee immediately, if they have not in the Adventuring chapter on p.122 of the Gamemas-
already done so. In this case, the remaining Vipers attack ters Compendium). This poison causes only numbness
both the Fists and the characters to allow Orguk and in any target larger than a windling.
Gnanagh enough time to escape. Once the pair is safely Seven murder holes are located long each side of the
away, the rest of the Vipers flee, eventually meeting up with skull. These holes provide Full cover (see the Combat
Orguk and Gnanagh at the Vipers fortress. Again, with- chapter on p.407 of the Players Compendium) to any
out Moschtug or Gnanagh to issue orders, the Fists are not scorcher archer stationed at one.
organized enough to prevent this. Go to Fort in the Foot- The floor of the skull contains two trap doors that allow
hills, below. the Vipers to loose a deadly deluge on anyone unfortunate
F
enough to get under the skulls upper jaw. The Vipers keep
large pots of ore standing ready. If intruders appear under
ort in the Foothills the skull, they toss elemental fire into the pots to create
molten metal. Then they pour the molten metal through
In Fort in the Foothills, the characters, along the trap doors onto anyone below. The molten metal causes
with the Fists of Fahd, track down Moschtug, Gnanagh and Step 15/D20+D6 damage for 3 rounds to anyone struck by
the Righteous Vipers to their fortress in the foothills of the it. Any character within 3 yards of a direct target suffers 273
Blades
Step 6/D10 damage for 2 rounds. Non-magical armor pro- defend the fort against attacks. Make sure Gnanagh does
vides no protection against the molten metal. The Vipers not get killed before he explains the Blades to the adven-
have enough elemental fire to melt four pots of molten turers. Moschtug has Uvtug and 48 members of the Fists
metal. at his disposal.
Attackers may scale the 24-yard high cliff beside the
skull and enter the skull through the lookout or entry holes. Gnanaghs Words
The cliff face goes up another 10 yards above the skull and The adventurers can gain an audience with Gnanagh
then terminates in a mesa. At a point an hours ride to the by storming the fort and capturing himwith or with-
north, attackers may ride a trail to the top of the mesa. out Moschtugs helpor they can talk their way into the
From there, they can climb down to the skull. Vipers come fort. Offering help (such as inside information) against
out of the skull to engage enemies trying to attack the for- Moschtugs upcoming attack gains them entrance to the
tress from either approach. fortress. If the characters end up defending the fort along-
274 Orguk, Tirag and Gnanagh, as well as 36 Vipers, side the Vipers, reduce the number of murder holes and
decrease the height that attackers must climb to enter the
skull.
If the adventurers come up with some other clever way
of getting Gnanaghs ear, reward them for their creativ-
ity but make it tough enough to prevent the ending from
L oose Ends
This section wraps up the adventures loose ends,
provides ideas for possible sequels to Bond Breaker, and
outlines Legend Point awards .
becoming an anticlimax.
When the adventurers finally meet with Gnanagh and
show him the Blades, he turns pale. He begins to tear at After the Adventure
his hair and, if not restrained, smashes his head repeatedly The adventurers may capture Gnanagh and turn him
into the nearest wall. He now realizes that his betrayal of over to his brother after they get the information they need.
his brother was magically triggered. Moschtug wants to burn his brother at the stake, despite
Read the following dialogue to your players: Gnanaghs remorse and his claim of having been magi-
cally influenced. The adventurers can wash their hands of
Now I understand! The Bladesthe Blades of
the affair and let Gnanagh be tortured and slain, or they
Cara Fahd, forged by the great ork Weaponsmith
can use their persuasive abilities to effect a reconciliation
Rugaah Gloh. You have terrible weapons there
between the brothers.
terrible! The details are not all clear; they are
This earns the player characters the enmity of Orguk,
only hints, dread insinuations in a dozen vague
however, who will attempt to have them killed if they ever
documents. But those Blades carry a curse. They
return to the Delaris foothills. On the other hand, they may
cut, they sever the bonds that hold Name-givers
ally themselves with Orguk and Gnanagh and participate
together. They breed betrayal. Now they are weak;
in the destruction of Moschtug and the Fists of Fahd.
they could push a weak, angry ork like myself over
As a third alternative, the characters can attempt to
the brink, but later even healthy folk will
help re-establish the peace between the Fists of Fahd and
It may be too late for you. The Blades have no
the Righteous Vipers. This is an extremely difficult propo-
doubt cursed your patterns, and you now bear
Blades
sition, but is possible.
their curse. You are bond breakers; you will bring
In any case, the adventurers may befriend the people of
discord and betrayal wherever you go. The only
Copper Cauldron, who have little to lose in the short term
way to break the curse is to follow it to its conclu-
from either chieftains triumph. The characters may also
sion. Continue to attach threads to the Blades, until
return to the town at some point to defend it against var-
you reach the final thread. Then you will be sorely
ious threats. Depending on the characters choices, they
tested and possibly destroyed. But if you succeed,
may make friends among the Fists of Fahd, the Righteous
you will destroy a great menace and you shall win
Vipers or even both bands. And if the characters prevent
a place among Barsaives legendary heroes.
Gnanagh from being killed or killing himself, they may
You can ignore this tasknever weave another
gain an ally in the ork historian. Unfortunately, Gnanagh
thread to them. But doing so will mark you as small
knows little more about the Blades of Cara Fahd, but he
and petty beingslike myself.
does know much about Cara Fahd and its history. If the
Gnanagh then attempts to commit suicide. If still inside gamemaster wishes, Gnanagh can aid the characters in
the fort with Orguk, he throws himself at the Viper chief- their further search for the Blades Key Knowledges.
tain, hoping to atone either by killing Orguk or dying in The most significant consequence of the adventure is
the attempt. Otherwise, he grabs one of the Blades of Cara the curse placed on the characters by Betrayer. Even if the
Fahd and tries to stab himself with it. characters destroy the Blades, they still carry the Horrors
If the adventurers restrain him, he can provide exten- influence with them. As Gnanagh mentioned, the only way
sive information about the history of Cara Fahd, though he the characters can free themselves and Barsaive from the
knows little else about the Blades themselves . Blades curse is to weave threads to the Blades and see the
curse through to the end. Only in this way can the Horrors
influence be stopped. (See Running Blades, p.259, for
Troubleshooting more information about Betrayers influence and the curse
Gnanagh must deliver the speech provided above or on the characters.)
the rest of the adventures in Blades will not work. The
gamemaster might consider making the references to the
curse more oblique, however, in order to encourage the Awarding Legend Points
characters to explore other plotlines in their campaign and As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94
not to focus solely on the Blades subplot until it is com- of the Gamemasters Compendium, an adventure like
pleted (see Running Blades, p. 259, for more suggestions Bond Breaker awards a number of Legend Awards to the
on pacing the Blades adventures). Nothing else will derail player characters. A single Legend Award should award a
the adventure at this stage. number of Legend Points as determined by the characters
Circle. For example, a Fifth Circle character receives from
500 to 1,500 Legend Points per Legend Award, and a total
of two to five Legend Awards per game session.
In the final game session that concludes the adventure, 275
the characters may gain two extra Legend Awards for com- Fists of Fahd. Gnanagh has roamed far and wide, becom-
pleting the overall adventure goal. The creatures presented ing an expert on Cara Fahd, but has always dreamed of
in this adventure have listings for Legend Points. These are taking over the kingship. He returns to the band when-
the points characters earn for defeating the creatures. ever they get into trouble. His failure to become an adept
The adventure goal for Bond Breaker is to obtain despite years of tortuous effort also rankles, especially in
information on the Blades from Gnanagh and survive the view of Moschtugs apparently effortless progress in his
fight at Orguks fort. The side the characters choose does own Discipline.
not affect the award. Gnanagh is cranky, irritable, distrustful, and insecure.
C
Like all orks, Gnanagh is subject to gahad, a powerful bio-
logical response that causes extreme discomfort in any ork
ast of Characters that fails to act on his instincts. Gnanaghs gahad is espe-
cially likely to be triggered by slights against his abilities
Major gamemaster characters in Bond Breaker or the quality of his scholarship.
appear below in order of general importance to the story. His Name is pronounced GAH-nag.
Attributes
Gnanagh the Querulous Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (15): 6/D10
Gnanagh is a well of bitterness. His long-held grudge Toughness (13): 6/D10 Perception (16): 7/D12
against his brother has made him a prime candidate for Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (11): 5/D8
influence by the bond-breaking aura of the Blades of Cara
Fahd. When still a young ork, he stumbled across ancient Characteristics
documents from the ruins of Cara Fahd. These convinced Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 2/D41
him that his family was directly descended from the king- Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 10
doms royal family. Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
Blades
Skills
Artisan:
Calligraphy (3): 8/2D6
Knowledge:
Cara Fahd History (7): 14/D20+D4
Legends and Heroes (5): 12/2D10
General:
Animal Bond (4): 9/D8+D6
Animal Handling (4): 10/D10+D6
Arcane Mutterings (6): 11/D10+D8
Avoid Blow (3): 9/D8+D6
Battle Shout (3): 8/2D6
Charge (3): 9/D8+D6
Disarm (6): 12/2D10
Evidence Analysis (3): 10/D10+D6
Melee Weapons (5): 11/D10+D8
Missile Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
Read and Write Language (6): 13/D12+D10
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzat*, Orzet,
Sperethiel, Troll
Research (6): 13/D12+D10
Second Attack (3): 9/D8+D6
Speak Language (5): 12/2D10
Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel, Troll
Trick Riding (3): 9/D8+D6
Wheeling Defense (6): 12/2D10
* Orzat is the ancient language of the orks, shorter and more guttural than the modern Orzet (see
p.297 of the Name-givers Compendium).
276
Equipment
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Riders Shield (Phys 3; Init 1)
Adventurers Kit
Arcane Tomes
Fine Quality Hat
Painting Tools
Scrolls
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
2Waterskins
Writing Kit
Wealthy Travelers Garb
Thundra Beast:
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
2Large Saddlebags
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Blades
Loot
80 silver pieces
Legend Award
290 Legend Points Attributes
Notes Dexterity (18): 7/D12 Strength (19): 8/2D6
Toughness (17): 7/D12 Perception (10): 5/D8
Gnanagh possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (20): 8/2D6
Vision and Gahad.
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 10 Initiative: 4/D6
Moschtug, King of Cara Fahd Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 7
Moschtug is a natural leader of orks, able to inspire Social Defense: 10 Mystic Armor: 0
confidence and loyalty in others without any apparent
Death Rating: 40 (96) Recovery Tests: 3
effort or thought. It may be his unthinking zest for the
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 8/2D6
good things in life: food, drink and battle. It may be his
Unconsciousness Rating: 32 (80)
knack for always finding the right bit of luck to get him and
his band out of one impossible scrape after another. Or it Combat Movement: 38 Full Movement: 76
may simply be the value he places on loyaltyhe never fails
Karma Points: 30 Karma Step: 5/D8
to reward those who perform well in his service.
Unfortunately, Moschtug is also about as perceptive Cavalryman Talents (Knacks)
as a saddlebag, especially when it comes to his brother,
Animal Bond (6): 14/D20+D4
Gnanagh. Hes never caught on to the fact that his brother
Avoid Blow (6): 13/D12+D10
envies him, that his every triumph is a stinging blow to
ChargeD (6): 14/D20+D4
Gnanaghs pride. He expects loyalty from Gnanagh because
Durability (7/6) (8): 8
they are brothers. Although he will go out of his way to
Karma Ritual (6): 6
praise even the scruffiest, most disreputable new recruit
Melee Weapons (8): 15/D20+D6
to the Fists of Fahd, he takes Gnanaghs wise counsel for
Mount Durability (6/5) (6): 6
granted.
Resist TauntD (6): 11/D10+D8
Moschtugs gahad is especially likely to be triggered by
Trick RidingD (6): 13/D12+D10 (Mountain Hoof)
displays of disloyalty, threats to the safety of the orks under
Wheeling Attack (6): 13/D12+D10
his command or refusals to treat him as a king.
Wheeling DefenseD (6): 13/D12+D10
His Name is pronounced MOSH-tug. He is a Sixth D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Circle Cavalryman and Fifth Circle Warrior. Italicized talents require Karma.
277
Warrior Talents Orguk
Acrobatic Strike (5): 12/2D10 Orguk is an opportunistic ork who spends most of his
Air Dance (5): 9/D8+D6* time contemplating the quickest and easiest route to wealth
Down StrikeD (5): 13/D12+D10 and power. Not long ago, Orguk and his daughter, Tirag,
Swift KickD (3): 10/D10+D6 appeared in the area, on the lam after incurring the anger
Throwing Weapons (5): 12/2D10 of Garlthik One-Eye, ruler of Kratas. Orguk encountered
Tiger Spring (5): 5 the former leader of the Righteous Vipers in a tavern and
Unarmed CombatD (5): 12/2D10 won leadership of the Vipers in a card game. In just over a
Wood SkinD (5): 12/2D10 year, he managed to dramatically improve the ork bands
D Indicates a Discipline talent. fortunes. Once a motley gang of dispirited orks barely fit
* Talent step adjusted for 3 armor Initiative Penalty.
to be called scorchers, the Righteous Vipers have become
Skills one of the most feared raider bands in the region, thanks
largely to the devious workings of Orguks mind.
Artisan:
Unlike other raider chieftains, Orguk never rushes into
Craftsman; Leatherworker (2): 9/D8+D6
a conflict. He always figures the angles, concerned with
Knowledge: obtaining the maximum benefit for the minimum effort.
Ancient Tactics (1): 6/D10 In fact, Orguk has been working several angles at once in
Local Geography (3): 8/2D6 his alliance with the Fists of Fahd. Having Moschtug on his
side allows him to concentrate on lesser rivals. But killing
General:
Moschtug and combining the two scorcher bands would be
Battle Shout (3): 11/D10+D8
even better, he thinks. Orguk identified Gnanaghs fierce
Tactics (1): 6/D10
jealousy of Moschtug the first time he met the two broth-
Equipment ers, and he has been subtly pricking Gnanaghs resentment
during the wedding negotiations. Orguks been careful
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Blades
Thundra Beast:
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
2Large Saddlebags
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Loot
210 silver pieces
Legend Points
950 Legend Points
Notes
Moschtug possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-
Light Vision and Gahad. His Thundra Beast has a Death
Rating of 102 and an Unconscious Rating of 88.
Cavalryman
Fourth Circle: Karma on Strength-only Tests
Fifth Circle: Karma on Toughness-only Tests
Sixth Circle: Karma on Charisma-only Tests
Warrior
Fourth Circle: Karma on Willpower-only Tests
278 Fifth Circle: Karma on Dexterity-only Tests
Characteristics Adventurers Kit
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 2/D4-1 Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 10 Travelers Garb
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 1 2Waterskins
Blades
Engaging Banter (7): 13/D12+D10
First Impression (3): 9/D8+D6
Karma Ritual (7): 7
Tirag
Tirag is the daughter of Orguk, who has trained her to
Heartening Laugh (7): 13/D12+D10
be as sneaky and devious as he is. She feels a passionate
ManeuverD (7): 13/D12+D10
attraction to her husband-to-be, Uvtug, but she does not
Melee WeaponsD (9): 15/D20+D6 (Armor Beater)
expect this to last very long. (Ork marriages rarely outlast
Resist TauntD (7): 12/2D10
the birth of one or two offspring anyway.) When it comes
Taunt (7): 13/D12+D10
down to a conflict between Uvtugs interests and her fathers,
Thread Weaving (Blade Weaving)D (7): 13/D12+D10
her father wins. There is not a throat she would not cut for
Throwing Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
him. Her gahad is provoked by anyone who implies that she
Winning Smile (7): 13/D12+D10
is less than ferocious or insults her father in any way.
Wound Balance (7): 13/D12+D10
D
Her Name is pronounced TEER-ag. She is a Fourth
Indicates a Discipline talent.
Italicized talents require Karma. Circle Swordmaster.
Skills Attributes
Artisan: Dexterity (18): 7/D12 Strength (19): 8/2D6
Juggling (3): 9/D8+D6 Toughness (14): 6/D10 Perception (16): 7/D12
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (14): 6/D10
Knowledge:
Games of Chance (1): 7/D12 Characteristics
Kratas Lore (3): 9/D8+D6
Physical Defense: 10 Initiative: 5/D8
General: Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 8
Blade Juggle (3): 9/D8+D6 Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 0
Streetwise (3): 9/D8+D6
Death Rating: 36 (64) Recovery Tests: 3
Tactics (3): 9/D8+D6
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 8/2D6*
Equipment Unconsciousness Rating: 28 (52)
* Tirag knows the Wound Balance talent.
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3; w/horned helmet)
Combat Movement: 38 Full Movement: 76
Riders Shield (Phys 3; Init 1)
Karma Points: 20 Karma Step: 5/D8
Broadsword (Forged +3; Damage 14/D20+D4;
w/scabbard) Talents
3Daggers (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
Avoid BlowD (4): 11/D10+D8
Long-Spear (Forged +1; Damage 12/2D10)
Durability (7/6) (4): 4
Thread Gauntlet (Rank 3; +3 close combat Damage Tests) First Impression (4): 10/D10+D6 279
Karma Ritual (4): 4 Uvtug
Heartening Laugh (4): 10/D10+D6 Uvtug is Moschtugs son and Tirags husband-to-be. He
ManeuverD (4): 11/D10+D8 is much like his fatherbrave, benevolent to his allies and
Melee WeaponsD (6): 13/D12+D10 just a bit dim. Tirags passion thrills himthe first time
RiposteD (4): 11/D10+D8 he saw her, she was skewering an unfortunate miner with
Taunt (4): 10/D10+D6 her sword. The bloodlust in her eyes that day entranced
Thread Weaving (Blade Weaving)D (4): 11/D10+D8 Uvtug, and he became determined to have her as his bride.
Throwing Weapons (4): 10/D10+D6 Although thoroughly besotted with her, he will not aban-
Wound Balance (4): 12/2D10 don his father if forced to choose between the two. His
D Indicates Discipline talent. gahad is provoked by the need to prove himself every inch
Italicized talents require Karma.
the equal of his father in combat.
Skills His Name is pronounced OOV-tug. He is a Third Circle
Cavalryman.
Artisan:
Acting (2): 8/2D6 Attributes
Knowledge: Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (20): 8/2D6
Kratas Lore (2): 9/D8+D6 Toughness (19): 8/2D6 Perception (8): 4/D6
Ork Scorcher Tactics (2): 9/D8+D6 Willpower (7): 4/D6 Charisma (16): 7/D12
General: Characteristics
Animal Bond (4): 10/D10+D6
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 3/D4
Animal Handling (3): 8/2D6
Spell Defense: 5 Physical Armor: 7
Flirting (2): 8/2D6
Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 0
Seduction (2): 8/2D6
Streetwise (2): 9/D8+D6 Death Rating: 43 (64) Recovery Tests: 3
Blades
Adventurers Kit
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Travelers Garb
2Waterskins
Riding Horse:
Bit, Bridle, and Harness
2Small Saddlebags
Stirrups, Saddle, and Blanket
Loot
50 silver pieces
Legend Award
345 Legend Points
Notes
Tirag possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
Vision and Gahad.
280
Talents In general, they are a taciturn lot, though not unfriendly
Animal Bond (4): 11/D10+D8 once one wins their trust.
Avoid Blow (3): 9/D8+D6
Blood ShareD (3): 11/D10+D8 Attributes
ChargeD (3): 11/D10+D8 Dexterity (16): 7/D12 Strength (18): 7/D12
Durability (7/6) (3): 3 Toughness (16): 7/D12 Perception (11): 5/D8
Karma Ritual (3): 3 Willpower (16): 7/D12 Charisma (11): 5/D8
Melee Weapons (5): 11/D10+D8
Trick RidingD (3): 9/D8+D6 Characteristics
Wheeling Attack (3): 9/D8+D6 Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 7/D12
D Indicates a Discipline talent. Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 3
Italicized talents require Karma.
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 2
Skills Death Rating: 39 Recovery Tests: 3
Artisan: Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 7/D12
Craftsman; Leatherworker (2): 8/2D6 Unconsciousness Rating: 31
General: Skills
Flirting (2): 9/D8+D6
Artisan:
Tactics (2): 6/D10
Craftsman; Blacksmith (1): 8/2D6
Taunt (2): 9/D8+D6
Knowledge:
Blades
Equipment Mining (2): 7/D12
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3) Subterranean Geography (2): 7/D12
Skills
Artisan:
Tattooing (3): 7/D12
Knowledge:
Caravan Trade Routes (3): 8/2D6
Blades
General:
Animal Bond (4): 8/2D6
Animal Handling (4): 8/2D6
Animal Training (4): 8/2D6
Charge (4): 11/D10+D8
Fence (3): 7/D12
Melee Weapons (7): 13/D12+D10
Missile Weapons (7): 13/D12+D10
Sure Mount (4): 11/D10+D8
Tactics (3): 8/2D6
Trick Riding (4): 10/D10+D6
Unarmed Combat (7): 13/D12+D10
Equipment
Chain Mail (Phys 7; Init 3)
Riders Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST 19; cannot be used
with battle-axe or longbow)
Adventurers Kit
2Oil Flasks
Tattooing Tools
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Travelers Garb
2Waterskins
282
Grave Wisdom
Wisdom is given to the old so that it may be passed to the young. But wisdom is
denied to the young. Only those that grow old understand this.
Quag Nokor, Ork Shaman
Donack stepped aside, allowing Elder Pillad to enter of our kingdom, dishonored for a childs nightmare!
the Hold of Courage first. Donack prided himself on know- Pillad thumped his staff on the floor, forcing Donack to
ing the correct way to behave, despite his youth and recent look at him. The curse is real, Donack. Why do you think
arrival at the court of Cara Fahd. He was also proud of his so many disasters have befallen our land? Do you believe
achievement, his monument to the greatest heroes of the so strongly in bad luck, or that we have offended the Pas-
ork kingdom. He followed the elder into the Great Hall and sions somehow or that our blood has grown thin and weak
stepped beside him to see the expression on his face. as our enemies say? Do you think all our calamities stem
To Donacks surprise, Elder Pillads face bore no expres- from these things?
sion at all. No pleasure, no satisfaction, no approving pride; Donack rubbed the tip of his tusk, even as he cursed
nothing that Donack had eagerly anticipated. Donack himself for giving in to the nervous habit. The elders words
cleared his throat, forcing himself to sound as if all was had struck a chord, and Donack didnt like it. But Elder,
well. Elder Pillad, the pedestal is complete. Word has just he began feebly, surely if the tales are true, then it is the
Blades
reached us that Pobov Gaarz has died. He was the last. All Blades that carry the curse. I do not see why
that remains is the ritual, and then the Seven Spokes will Listen and learn, Pillad growled, thumping his staff
join the Hold of Courage. again. The Blades carry the curse, yes. But to bring the
Pillad remained silent. Unsure what else to say, or Seven Spokes here is to bring the Blades, for they are as
whether he should say anything at all, Donack looked bound to each other as we are to the Hold. We cannot have
down at the nearby pedestal. It bore the symbol of the one without the other, and we dare not destroy our chil-
Seven Spokes: the wheel forged after the betrayal, after drens birthright for the sake of honoring the dead.
they had become seven rather than eight. Donack reached Donack bowed his head, signifying his submission. The
down and patted the stone, then ran his fingers lightly over note of fear in Pillads voice convinced him, even as a part
the design. Seven lines in the wheel, with seven hollows of him struggled to disbelieve it. As the ranking elder of
where the great heroes soul-stones would rest. Next to the the Order of Courage, Pillad was within his rights to deny
symbol of the Seven Spokes was a single well in which the anyone entry to the Hold. For him to deny the Seven Spokes
soul-stone of the lost hero would lie. Traitor and Name- meant that he feared their admissionand anything that
less though he had become, he must have once fought as could frighten the old Nethermancer surely posed a threat
heroically for Cara Fahd as any of his seven comrades, and to the Hold and to all of Barsaive.
P
Donack was determined to honor all eight of Cara Fahds
Protectors. He had prepared the eight stones needed for the
ritual, seen to everything necessary. All he needed now was
Elder Pillads permission. lot Synopsis
It cannot be done, said Pillad, his voice ringing During Cara Fahds heyday, a small group of
through the hall. Nethermancers in the service of the kingdom created a
Donack gaped, then began to sputter as he groped for ritual that enabled the leaders of Cara Fahd to store and
words. But they are among our greatest heroes! Surely use the knowledge of the kingdoms fallen heroes. This
they deserve placement here, alongside Hrak Gron and ritual trapped the spirit of a dead hero in an enchanted
all since who have served Cara Fahd! He heard the stri- stone known as a soul-stone. The Nethermancers, who
dent note in his voice and tried to swallow it; the shock had called themselves the Order of Courage, built a shrine
made him incautious, or he would never have spoken in to house the soul-stones and Named it the Hold of Cour-
such a tone to a leader of the Order of Courage. age. Whenever word of a heros death reached the Order,
By their deeds, they deserve all that we can give them. they used the ritual to capture the heros spirit in a soul-
Pillad said, his voice soft and sad. But the curse of the stone. The Nethermancers then placed the stone into an
Blades of Cara Fahd pervades their patterns. To bring that enchanted statue, through which they could speak with the
curse to the Hold would spell disaster, for us and for our heros spirit.
descendants. After the fall of Cara Fahd during the Orichalcum
Donack turned away from the elder, desperately wanting Wars, certain members of the Order of Courage wished to
to kick something. All my work, gone for nothing because enshrine the Seven Spokes in the Hold. To this end, they
of a few tales fit only to frighten elves. The greatest heroes constructed a pedestal to hold their soul-stones and set 283
aside an area of the Hold for it. The leaders of the Order of they contain and allow the characters to hold brief conver-
Courage, however, warned that the curse of the Blades of sations with the dead. Unfortunately, the corruption of the
Cara Fahd would corrupt the Hold of Courage and refused Horrors and the influence of Betrayer cause the spirits to
to allow the Seven Spokes soul-stones to be placed in the attack the characters. The adventurers must fight them off,
shrine. Over time, the members of the Order died before while searching for Donacks soul-stone and asking his soul
they could induct new members. Donack Roundhorns, the right questions. Only Donacks spirit can reveal the Key
the last surviving leader of the Order, constructed a spe- Knowledge the characters seek.
cial pedestal for himself and arranged for the remaining
Blades
I
edge begins with research into how they might discover
the Name of the Seven Spokes. After learning of the Hold
of Courage, the characters head toward Cara Fahd to
search for the fabled shrine, joined by a young ork Trou- n Search of Knowledge
badour Named Vanyk. After long days or even weeks of Use the prelude when the characters begin seeking
travel, the characters arrive at the border of the ancient the Blades Rank Three Key Knowledge: the Name of the
kingdom of Cara Fahd. Vanyk informs the characters that group of heroes that wielded the Blades of Cara Fahdthe
if the object of their search exists, they will find it here. Seven Spokes. This prelude assumes that the characters
The group begins scouring the ruined countryside for the begin by searching in a library. They arrive at the library
shrine, fending off attacks by strange creatures and the of their choice, hoping to find at least part of the answer
tribes of savage orks that still live within the lands of the to their questions hidden in the pages of some musty tome.
ancient kingdom. Instead, they find an unexpected ally, willing to lead them
When at last the characters find the shrine, they may to the one place in Cara Fahd where they can find the infor-
not recognize it. The shrine is a simple, unadorned wooden mation they need.
building. The buildings well-preserved condition is the If necessary, adjust the following text to fit the place
only immediate clue to its special natureit has not rotted where the characters perform their research.
away in five centuries. The Hold is full of small glowing
stones set in niches atop stone pedestals. The glowing
stones are the spirits of ork heroes who died in the service Setting the Stage
of Cara Fahd, trapped by the Order of Courage. Read the following aloud when the characters approach
Characters who study the pictograms above the niches the library:
may decipher the stones purpose, but they also discover
The library rises from a sharp, jagged out-
that the niches of the particular ork heroes they seek are
cropping of rock. It towers over the surrounding
empty. When placed within specially constructed statues in
buildings, an awe-inspiring sight. Two massive
284 the shrine, the soul-stones reveal the histories of the souls
make noises most distracting to those who come
here to learn in peace and quiet. Second, what sub-
ject will you be researching?
Adventure Hook Read the following aloud when the characters actually
W hen t he cha rac ters spea k w it h
begin their research:
Donack, he commissions the characters
to find the tower of the Order of Cour- You find the proper section of the library with
age and bring their memory to light once little difficulty and begin digging through the hun-
more. Vanyk will also be interested in dreds of tomes that might hold some part of the
such a quest and try and steer the char- answer you need. Its hard going, distinguishing
acters into helping her, possibly using the between genuine ancient histories and books of
destruction of the Hold on their account stories about ancient history, and harder still to
as leverage. The ruins of the tower now lie find anything that relates directly to the ancient
in the jungle as it has grown even further kingdom of Cara Fahd. Still, you are able to sort
than its pre-Scourge boundaries in this the potentially useful from the worthless. Within
area. Using Vanyks map and knowledge a few hours, you have a sizable stack of books that
may prove helpful in finding it. just might be of some use to you.
Finally, they find the toweras well as a As you gather up the books you need and put the
tribe of savage orks, who have made them- others back on the shelves, an ork woman collides
selves at home in the ruins. One of them, a with you, almost at a run. Books thump noisily to
muscled brute Named Grohvl, claims to be the floor, and hisses of annoyance echo from all
their king and the leader of the Mujiabah over the library.
(People of Courage, as translated from Though startled, the ork swiftly regains her
their guttural language). wits. She smiles broadly, revealing a set of tusks
Blades
He is in possession of the tomes of that would do any ork proud, and doffs her
which Donack speaks and is only willing wide-brimmed velvet hat with a flourish. Vanyk
to part with them if the characters help in Auldsinger, at your service, gentlepersons. My
driving off a rival band of cave trolls living apologies for my hastelet me help you.
in the nearby mountains. She begins to gather up your scattered books,
in the process muddling the useful and useless
together. You try to stop her, but she cuts you off
with an excited yelp and looks at you expectantly.
Youve been looking into the legends of Cara Fahd,
havent you? Are you going there? I can lead you
oaken doors form the entrance to the imposing
there, Ive been researching my peoples ancient
structure, which is cloaked by an almost palpa-
kingdom for years now, I can guide you there and
ble sense of mystery and wonder. A few folk are
help you find whatever it is youre looking for. I
entering and leaving the place, all seemingly pre-
can even help you get ready for the trip. Please, let
occupied with their own thoughts and discoveries
me come with you, it would mean so much to me
and all tightly clutching small books and tablets to
to be able to tell the tale of the rediscovery of my
their chests, as if the objects were holy relics.
ancient homeland.
Read the following aloud when the characters enter the She herds you across the reading room, alter-
library: nately tugging on your arms and pushing you
gently from behind. I can tell you so muchwhere
As you pass through the wide doors, several
all the best treasure probably lies, where you can
heads swivel up from contemplation of books and
find the homes of ancient heroes, everything you
scrolls. The owners of the heads shoot glares at
can want to know. Its my specialty. When do we
you like daggers. Almost before the doors swing
leave?
shut, a white-robed librarian appears at your side
and motions silently for you to follow her through
a small door to the left of the main entrance. From
the disgusted look she gives your weapons, you can
Themes and Images
The feel of this prelude changes abruptly with the
guess whats coming next.
appearance of Vanyk Auldsinger. At the beginning, empha-
Once you have all squeezed into the small office,
size the hard work that needs to be done and a sense of awe
the librarian closes the door behind you and lowers
at the amount of information the library holds.
a thick rug over the door.
With Vanyks arrival, the pace speeds up as the Trou-
Welcome to the library. To better aid you in
badour does her best to get the characters moving with her
your quest for knowledge, I must ask two things.
breathless speech and hurried actions.
First, please divest yourselves of any armor or
weapons while within these wallssuch things
285
Behind the Scenes Troubleshooting
Vanyk Auldsinger is an ork Troubadour who has dedi- Unless the characters attack Vanyk or refuse to listen to
cated her life to making the glories of ork history known her and thereby waste a valuable source of information, few
to her people. To that end, she spends most of her time problems can occur in this encounter. Particularly paranoid
traveling from city to city, perusing the libraries and other characters may refuse to leave their weapons and armor
sources of information at each location for any legends with the librarians, in which case they are politely asked
or facts she can find concerning orks in general and Cara to leave. If the characters do cause problems at the library,
Fahd in particular. guardsmen quickly arrive to take care of the trouble. Cities
Weeks ago she discovered a partial map of ancient value information almost as much as gold, especially with
Cara Fahd, and with it some important new information the urgent need for knowledge to rebuild Barsaive and deal
regarding the ancient orks methods of keeping history. with the Horrors that still linger. If the characters do not
Apparently, an order of Nethermancers in the service of meet Vanyk in the library, she may spot them as she is exit-
the ancient kingdom discovered a blood magic ritual that ing the building and inquire about their purpose.
effectively allowed communication with the dead through If the characters meet Vanyk in the library and send her
something called a soul-stone. The Nethermancers ritual away, she tries to get back into their good graces as they sift
gave the greatest minds and most important heroes of through the books at the library. The Troubadour will do
Cara Fahd a sort of immortality by placing their departed her best to provide the characters with information that
spirits in these soul-stones, from which they could pass they may not have, perhaps even showing them her map of
on advice and information about times past to the rulers the route to Cara Fahd or her precious partial map of the
of the kingdom or anyone else with a truly pressing need. pre-Scourge kingdom. If that does not convince the char-
The soul-stones were kept in a shrine known as the Hold acters that Vanyk is a valuable asset in this undertaking,
of Courage, located somewhere in the jungles of Cara Fahd. let them suffer through days, perhaps weeks, of further
Vanyk has discovered the approximate location of this research before they learn of the Hold of Courage.
S
shrine and desperately hopes to locate it. Until now, she
Blades
Blades
the map up carefully, sticks it in her pocket and DEX: 8 STR: 5 TOU: 7
reaches for a hunk of journey-bread to toast over PER: 5 WIL: 4 CHA: 4
the fire. I know the Holds in the jungle, though.
Initiative: 8 (11) Physical Defense: 10
Well find it quickly, never you fear.
Number of Actions: 3 Spell Defense: 9
Rolling your eyes at Vanyks naivet, you finish
Attack (3): 11 Social Defense: 7
your breakfast in a less confident mood. No one
Damage: Physical Armor: 0
you know has ever found anything easily in a
Bite (5): 10 Mystic Armor: 3
jungle. The end of your quest may not be as near
2Claws (3): 8
as you had thought.
Death Rating: 42 Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 12 Knockdown: 5
Themes and Images Unconsciousness Rating: 34
The theme of this encounter is travel and discovery.
Combat Movement: 38/43
The characters are traveling in a legendary land, seeking
Full Movement: 76/86
something that no one has seen in centuries. Though the
The second value is the creatures climbing Movement rate.
distance to be traveled may seem daunting, the prospect
Powers: ClimbingS (3): 11, Enhanced Senses (Smell) (2): 7,
of uncovering an ancient secret should be enough to excite
Great LeapS (3): 11, Surprise Attack (3)
any adept.
Legend Points: 135
Led by Vanyk, the characters search for the Hold of Loot: Pelts worth 100 silver pieces each. May find bits of
Courage. Vanyks map is far from perfect, and much has treasure, items, weapons, and armor from the last unfortu-
changed since the Scourge. Without cities to use as land- nate adventurers who passed this way.
marks, finding the Hold may be quite a time-consuming
task, fraught with peril from creatures native to Cara Commentary
Fahds jungles and from savage ork tribes throughout the Blood monkeys are small simians thickly covered in fur
region. The gamemaster may decide to let luck favor the of a deep red color. Their bodies rarely exceed 2 feet in
characters and allow them to find the Hold within a few length, but they have prehensile tales that add another 2
days of arriving in Cara Fahd. feet to their overall length. They appear small and harmless,
but are actually quite vicious. Sharp claws grow from the
Encounters ends of their five fingers, and they sport a mouthful of long,
Depending on how much real time the gamemaster needle-sharp teeth. See the Creatures chapter on p.281 of
wishes to spend on travel through Cara Fahd, the charac- the Gamemasters Compendium for more information
ters may face any or all of the following mini-encounters as and special rules on blood monkeys.
they search for the Hold of Courage. Make these encoun- 287
Stalked by Crojen Commentary
Four crojen stalk the characters as they hack through Crojen are deadly predators that hunt in packs. Small
a particularly dense section of the jungle. These small, black tigers that resemble panther cubs, even when fully
panther-like creatures make no secret of their presence grown, crojen are roughly 2 feet long and 1 foot tall at the
and almost seem to taunt the characters with the ease of shoulder. Their tails add another foot to their body length.
their movement through the thick undergrowth. Adventurers who have come into contact with them swear
For the next several hours (or days, if the gamemaster that these creatures are larger. See the Creatures chapter
wants to take his time with this part of the adventure), the on p.292 of the Gamemasters Compendium for more
crojen lurk at the edge of the characters vision, lounging information and special rules on crojen.
almost peacefully. If attacked, they sprint off into the
jungle, returning minutes later to take up their watch. Once Jehuthra Attack
the characters relax their vigilance or go to sleep for the
The characters unwittingly enter the hunting ground
night, the crojen move in for the kill.
of a mated pair of jehuthras, which prompts these giant,
Crojen (4) spider-like beings to ambush the characters. The jehuthras
use their Iron Web ability to separate the characters from
DEX: 12 STR: 10 TOU: 9
one another before attacking. If the characters kill one of
PER: 6 WIL: 6 CHA: 4
the pair, the remaining jehuthra goes berserk using the
Initiative: 12 Physical Defense: 15 Aggressive Attack combat option (see p.403 of the Play-
Number of Actions: 2 (see text)Spell Defense: 8 ers Compendium). Fortunately for the adventurers,
Attack (2): 14 Social Defense: 6 the jehuthra cannot think clearly enough to use any spells.
Damage: Physical Armor: 0 Instead, it attacks physically in a mad rush.
Bite (5): 15 (see text) Mystic Armor: 3
2Claws (2): 12 Jehuthras (2)
DEX: 7 STR: 5 TOU: 7
Blades
Equipment: None
Commentary
Jehuthra are constructs of the Horror known as Hate,
first formed during the early years of the Scourge. These 7-
foot long spider-like beings have eight legseach leg up to
10 feet in lengthand their bristly bodies end in humanoid
faces. Though their eyes look vacant, jehuthras possess con-
siderable cunning and intelligence. They prefer traps and
ambushes to direct confrontation; an overmatched jehuthra
will flee rather than fight. Only if flight looks difficult or
impossible does a jehuthra defend itself with its magical
powers. See the Horrors chapter on p.452 of the Game-
masters Compendium for more information and special
rules on jehuthras.
288
Savage Ork R aiders (10) Notes
At some point, preferably an inconvenient one, ten Ork raiders possess the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
savage orks attack the characters. Savage orks are ferocious Vision and Gahad.
primitives who attack without mercy and eat their fallen
foes. These savage orks view every stranger as a threat and Finding the Hold
attempt to destroy anyone they meet.
After a few days or weeks of traveling through the lands
Many tribes of savage orks roam the jungles of Cara
of ancient Cara Fahd, the characters reach the spot indi-
Fahd, but most contain fewer than 50 members. These
cated on Vanyks map and find the Hold of Courage. Once
tribes travel constantly, patrolling their individual territo-
the characters have found the Hold, go to the next section,
ries and rarely meeting. When savage ork tribes encounter
Into the Hold of Courage, below.
one another, they invariably fight to the death, ensuring
Read the following aloud when the characters find the
that this breed of ork will probably die off within a few
Hold:
generations.
You hack through the thick underbrush, glad of
Attributes the heavy machetes that Vanyk suggested you pur-
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (15): 6/D10 chase. Maddening swarms of insects buzz around
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (10): 5/D8 your head, and a steady drizzle makes the foot-
Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (6): 3/D4 ing slick. The heat tells you that the sun has risen
above you, though its feeble rays can scarcely pen-
Characteristics etrate the thick canopy of the treetops. The going is
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10 slow, uncomfortable and wet.
Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 3 Just when your aching arms can hardly hold
Social Defense: 4 Mystic Armor: 1 up your blades any longer, you enter a patch of
trees that seems all too quiet. You glance around
Death Rating: 34 Recovery Tests: 2
Blades
nervously, watching for predators. Suddenly the
Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 6/D10
jungle seems to part before you, giving way to a
Unconsciousness Rating: 26
sunny clearing. At the center of the clearing lies
Combat Movement: 28 Full Movement: 56 a weathered, wooden, windowless building. Vines
cover the long, low structure, but above the single
Skills door you notice a stone disk roughly five feet across,
Artisan: engraved with a crossed sword and axe.
Cooking (2): 5/D8 Vanyk stands slack-jawed, for once almost
unable to speak. I this Her voice drops as
Knowledge:
she says reverently, Weve found it. Just as it was
Botany (1): 6/D10
describedthe Hold of Courage.
Creature Lore (1): 6/D10
General:
Hunting (2): 8/2D6 Troubleshooting
Melee Weapons (2): 8/2D6 Little can go wrong here. The characters may start off
Missile Weapons (2): 8/2D6 in an unexpected direction, but with Vanyk to guide them,
Throwing Weapons (2): 8/2D6 keeping them on track should be fairly easy. Take care not
Wilderness Survival (2): 7/D12 to stage encounters that seriously weaken the characters. If
they fare badly in any conflict, slow them down and require
Equipment them to rest and regain their strength.
I
Leather (Phys 3)
Spear (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range 183036)
Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
Longbow (Damage 10/D10+D6; Range 60120240) nto the Hold of Courage
Quiver (w/20 longbow arrows) In Into the Hold of Courage, the characters enter
Peasants Garb the Hold in hopes of learning the Blades Rank Three Key
Trail Ration (1 week) Knowledge. Inside they battle the corrupted spirits of the
Waterskin Hold as Betrayer stirs up the spirits resentment before the
characters find what they seek.
Loot
None
Setting the Stage
Legend Award The following text assumes the characters have come to
50 Legend Points the Hold of Courage with Vanyk, as described in Search
for the Hold, p.286. If this is not the case, adjust the text
accordingly: 289
Before any of you can reach the door of the old
building, Vanyk bars your way. Wait. You cant
walk into the sacred Hold of Courage as if it was
a tavern or an inn. We must prepare ourselves
to enter here. Having gotten your attention, she
continues in tones so serious and reverent that
you cannot ignore her words. This place holds
the wisdom of the ages and must be treated with
respect. The lore I have read says that only the
strongest can enter the Hold of Courage, and even
they must first be sorely tested.
be it. Vanyk believes what she has learned about the Hold ishment and pleasure. Centuries of Horror-inflicted torture
and grows furious if anyone tries to contradict her. have made the spirits malevolent and vengeful, and they
When the characters are ready to enter the Hold, read manifest and attack if awakened.
the following aloud:
(A) The Doors of the Strong
With everyone rested and at full strength,
The builders of the Hold designed the Doors of the
Vanyk tells you how to enter the Hold. The leg-
Strong to test the strength of will of those who wished to
ends say we go in one at a time, and none of us may
enter. A magical ward protects the doors:
watch the others enter. The testing of your courage
is a private matterif you fail, no one else will wit- Magical Ward
ness your shame. Remember that this is a sacred
Detection Difficulty: 22
place; show it the honor it is due. Take nothing
from here and leave a weapon for the souls of the Disarm Difficulty: The ward cannot be dispelled or dis-
warriors who lie here once you have learned what armed. It is part of the Hold, and only the Holds utter
you came for. Vanyk looks at each of you in turn, destruction will shatter the magic that prevents the weak
as if satisfying herself that you have understood. from entering.
Then she sits down, leaving you to decide who will
Spell Defense: 22
enter the Hold first.
Trap Initiative: 30/D20+D10+D8+2D6
The Hold of Courage Trigger Condition: The gamemaster makes a Step 19/
The Hold of Courage is roughly 16 yards long by 10 D20+2D6 Spellcasting Test for the ward against the Spell
yards wide. The ceiling is low and flat, slightly less than Defense rating of any character touching the door. If the test
3 yards high. The Hold has a dirt floor, and the walls and succeeds, the ward takes effect as described below.
ceiling are made of tough wood panels reinforced with iron
Trap Effect: The target of the ward is convinced that his
bands. Miraculously, the vines that cover the walls on the
presence disgraces the Hold. The feeling is so strong that
outside have not rotted them away, and the steel bands
the character has to pass a Willpower (9) Test to ignore the
remain clean of rust despite the pervasive moisture of the
sensation and enter the shrine. If the test fails, the charac-
jungle climate. A set of heavy wooden doors covers the
ter will turn away from the door. Ork characters may spend
single entrance into the windowless building. Aside from
1 Karma Point on this test, regardless of their Discipline.
the aforementioned stone disk, the building has no exte-
Every character may only make two attempts to open the
rior or interior ornamentation. The soul-stones shed the
doors and enter the Hold.
only light inside; they give off a fiery red glow that provides
enough light for all Name-giver races to see fairly well by. If Vanyk proves unable to enter the shrine, her failure
During the Scourge, the unprotected Hold provided an crushes her. If she succeeds, the characters have quite a
easy target for the Horrors. The spirits of the dead trapped time getting her out of the Hold. Vanyk attempts to listen to
290 within the soul-stones gave the Horrors considerable nour- stone after stone, trying to learn and remember everything
she can. If desired, use her as a catalyst for the awaken- mid is covered with runic carvings of the orders sacred
ing of the vengeful spirits (see Spirits from the Past, symbol.
p.291).
Waking the Spirits
(B) and (C) Heroic Statues Once all the characters who can do so enter the Hold,
These life-size statues of powerfully built male and Vanyk explains how the soul-stones work. The characters
female orks (B and C, respectively) stand in the antecham- must now determine which stone to speak to first. Unfortu-
ber in front of the Great Hall. The statues are clad in crystal nately, the mere act of placing a soul-stone in either of the
armor and hold massive battle axes in a ready stance. statues awakens the spirits in all of the stones, which attack
Each statues forehead has a small niche in it, large the characters. Go to Spirits From the Past, below.
enough for a soul-stone. Placing a stone in the niche awak-
ens the spirit of the hero linked to the soul-stone and allows
the characters to briefly communicate with the heros spirit.
Troubleshooting
The only potential problem in this encounter occurs if
Unfortunately, this act awakens the spirits in all the stones,
all of the characters fail the Strength Test required to enter
which attack the characters in unison.
the Hold. If the characters seem inclined to waste too much
(D) The Great Hall time searching for the right stones, Vanyk can give them
a few helpful hintsor try a stone herself and precipitate
This long hall contains two rows of evenly spaced stone
the spirits attack.
pedestals running down its length. The pedestals are
S
roughly three feet high and firmly embedded in the ground,
Blades
each pedestal are empty, left unoccupied when Donack
they fight for their lives, the characters must also coerce
the last survivor of the Nethermantic order that built the
the spirit of Donack, last Nethermancer of the Order of
Holddied just prior to the Scourge.
Courage, to reveal the Name of the Blades original owners:
The pedestal nearest the northwestern corner is deco-
the Seven Spokes.
rated with a crude picture of an ork surrounded by rays
that extend away from his body in a circular pattern. This
pedestal contains the oldest of the ork heroes, some of who Setting the Stage
lived more than two thousand years ago. The northeast- The following passage assumes that one of the char-
ern-most pedestal and the next two to the south of it are acters places the first soul-stone in the statue, thereby
engraved with the same pictogram: an ork in chains. The awakening the spirits. If this is not the case, adjust the
stones on these pedestals are the heroes who liberated the text accordingly:
orks from slavery. The soul-stone of Hrak Gron, founder
You pick up one of the glowing stones and
of the Liberator Discipline (p.187 of the Name-givers
carry it over to one of the statues near the Holds
Compendium), is among them.
entrance. As you place the stone in the statues
The next pair of pedestals show orks shooting arrows at
forehead, it begins to glow more brightly, as do the
flying castles. These pedestals house the souls of the heroes
other soul-stones. Within seconds, the light pour-
who died fighting the Therans and their slave ships.
ing from them becomes as fierce as a coals heart.
The southwestern-most pedestal shows an ork sur-
You cant look at the stones without squinting.
rounded by nightmare shapes. The soul-stones on this
As the glow intensifies, wisps of astral energy
pedestal are those of the orks who died fighting the Hor-
begin to rise from the stones. The wisps swirl
rors at the beginning of the Scourge. There are few of them,
around wildly as if driven by a storm wind and
as the bodies of orks who died battling Horrors were often
gradually begin forming ork-like shapes. The spirit
unrecoverable. Without a body, the spell linking them to
of the stone you placed in the statue glares at you
soul-stones could not be cast.
and bellows, Betrayers! Torturers! We will have
The southeastern-most pedestal, originally intended
blood for the centuries of anguish you inflicted on
for the Seven Spokes, is empty. The pedestal features seven
us! In reparation for our torment, you will join us
wells in a small oval, with lines connecting them to one
in death! As the angry spirits words die away, all
another. An eighth well lies outside the oval but has no
the astral orks move toward you, their dead eyes
lines connecting it to the other seven. This well represents
glowing red like flames.
the eighth member, Horror-marked Kragen Overtall. The
well also gives the characters a clue about the next Key
Knowledge of the Blades. Themes and Images
At the far end of the Hold stands a slightly taller ped- Denial, frustration, and fear are the main themes of
estal, with a stone pyramid on top of it. At the peak of the this encounter. The characters are very close to their goal,
pyramid sits a single soul-stonethat of Donack, the last but a terrifying obstacle stands in their way. They will need
Nethermancer of the Order of Courage. The stone pyra- all of their strength and courage to surmount it. 291
Behind the Scenes Ork Spirits (15)
By placing a soul-stone in one of the statues, the adven- DEX: 5 STR: 8 TOU: 6
turers (or Vanyk) awaken all the spirits in the Hold. If PER: 5 WIL: 3 CHA: 4
Vanyk performs the deed, the specific stone she chooses
Initiative: 6 Physical Defense: 7 (12)*
is up to the gamemaster. Depending on how difficult the
Number of Actions: 1 Spell Defense: 9
gamemaster wants to make this final encounter, Vanyk
Attack (4): 9 Social Defense: 9
may choose either Donacks stone or another. Choosing
Damage: Physical Armor: 5
Donacks stone makes the characters lives easier, because
Unarmed: 8 Mystic Armor: 4
they will not have to spend time interrogating spirit after
spirit to find Donacks spirit. Death Rating: 36 (64) Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 8
The Spirits Attack Unconsciousness Rating: 28 (52)
The effects of corruption during the Scourge and the * Physical Defense while physically manifested
influence of Betrayer (in the Blades of Cara Fahd) drives Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
the spirits of the long-dead ork heroes into a rage. The
Karma Points: 8 Karma Step: 7
Scourge turned these once-noble souls into malevolent
beings, and Betrayer has convinced them that the char- Powers:
acters have betrayed and dishonored the Hold of Courage. Astral SightT (4): 9 Durability (7/6) (4): 4
The characters cannot stop the spirits from attacking. FrightenT (4): 7 Lifesight (4): 9
Their only hope of learning what they need to know is to Manifest (4): 4
defeat all the spirits and then ask questions or to obtain
Legend Points: 215
the information while the battle rageswithout dying in
the process, of course. Equipment: None
The Hold contains 15 soul-stones. All of the soul-stones
Loot: None
Blades
292
To do so, a character must achieve an Extraordinary
result on an Interaction Test (p.92 of the Gamemasters
Compendium) against the spirits Social Defense. If
the Interaction Test equals or exceeds the spirits Social
Defense but is not an Extraordinary result, the charac-
ter has gotten the spirits attention; this makes it easier to
force the spirit to answer questions on subsequent tries.
Each level of success adds a +1 bonus for subsequent Inter-
action Tests. For example, a character who achieves a Good
result on his first test gains a +2 bonus to all subsequent
Interaction Tests made against the spirit. Once a charac-
ter has achieved the necessary level of success, the spirit
answers all three questions put to it. The character need
not make a new test for each question. No spirit can speak
through the statue more than once a week, and the soul-
stone of a spirit that has spoken glows more dully than its
counterparts until it is ready to speak again.
Blades
The characters may use several methods to discover
Test.
that the soul-stone atop the pyramid is the one they need.
Fourteen of the fifteen spirits attack the player char- If they examine the Hold carefully before placing any
acters and Vanyk, usually in pairs. The spirits attack ork of the soul-stones in the statue, they may recognize the
characters, including Vanyk, more aggressively than char- runic carvings on the pyramid as ancient ork for Order
acters of other races because the spirits feel especially of Courage. Alternatively, Vanyk may suggest the right
betrayed by their own people. stone because of its unusual placement in the Hold. If the
When any spirit takes damage equal to its Unconscious- characters do not initially select Donacks stone, they may
ness Rating, it retreats into its soul-stone. When any spirit notice that the spirits are making a special point of target-
takes damage equal to its Death Rating, it retreats into its ing characters closest to the pyramid. This might tip off
soul-stone rather than be destroyed. Such spirits can no the characters that the stone atop the pyramid is somehow
longer manifest or attack, but the player characters may significant.
place these spirits soul-stones in one of the statues and When the characters place Donacks stone in a statue,
force them to answer questions. If the soul-stone of an they hear his ghostly voice say:
attacking spirit is placed in one of the statues, that spirit
I am Donack, Nethermancer of the Order of
can only attempt to intimidate the charactersit can no
Courage. What do you want of me?
longer physically attack them.
At this point, the characters must coerce Donack into
Talking With the Spirits answering their questions. Once they have done so, they
Though all the spirits have been awakened, the char- need only ask who wielded the Blades of Cara Fahd. Donack
acters can attempt to speak only with the spirit of a stone replies:
placed in one of the statues. Be careful about the informa-
The Blades were wielded by a group of two
tion the spirits provide. For example, the spirits should not
Names. They began as Cara Fahds Protectors.
be able to reveal the secrets of the Earthdawn universe
After one of their number was lost to corruption,
(they dont know that much). If desired, use the spirits to
they re-Named themselves the Seven Spokes.
drop hints about an upcoming adventure or two.
In addition to making the spirits malevolent, the cor- Donacks answer gives the characters the Key Knowl-
ruption of the Hold of Courage has also made extracting edge they seek and provides a clue to the next Key
information from them much more difficult. Under normal Knowledge of the Blades. If the characters ask Donack about
conditions, placing a stone in a statues forehead causes other Key Knowledges, he does not know the answers. The
the statue to announce the Name of the spirit speaking Names of the traitor and the Horror that corrupted him are
and its affiliation with any group. The spirit then remains both beyond Donacks knowledge. Optionally, he may men-
connected to the statue for the next few minutes, allowing tion the monument he started for the Seven Spokes that
petitioners to ask up to three questions before fading away. remains unfinished, giving he players a help to complete
The corruption of the soul-stones, however, means that the the Deed that is required of them.
characters must coerce information from the spirits. Just after the spirit reveals the Name of the Seven 293
Spokes to the characters, it realizes that they have brought convinced that the characters intend to steal the glory of
the curse of the Blades of Cara Fahd into the Hold of discovering the Hold of Courage. In this case, Betrayer
Courage with them. Donack knows that the curse has irre- manipulates Vanyk into attacking one of the characters at
trievably corrupted the Hold, and this knowledge enables a critical point in the battle, shouting that she alone will
him to momentarily overcome the rage brought on by claim the glory for finding the long-lost Hold of Courage.
L
Horror-taint. Donack warns the characters to flee, saying:
oose Ends
Leave this place or you will die! The cursed
Blades you carry have corrupted the Hold of Cour-
age beyond even the ruin of the Scourge. Go now,
The information in this section wraps up the
and take the Blades with you!
adventures loose ends, suggests ways to use story elements
As Donack ceases speaking, the other spirits break off and characters from Grave Wisdom in future adventures,
their attack and begin to fly in circles around the Great and provides statistics for major gamemaster characters.
Hall. The realization that the Hold has been corrupted
drives the spirits to destroy it rather than let it stand as After the Adventure
a monument to the Horrors power. Faster and faster they Grave Wisdom can end in three possible ways. First,
fly, turning their strength against the Hold and causing the the characters may learn the Name of the Seven Spokes
building to shake violently. Spirits defeated by the char- and the Deed they must perform to weave the Rank Three
acters re-emerge from their soul-stones and join in the threads to the Blades. Second, the characters may be
assault on the Hold. The characters should get out as soon unable to figure out how the soul-stones work and never
as possible, before the Hold implodes. learn the Key Knowledge. Finally, the spirits of the Hold
Escaping requires a successful Dexterity (7) Test. may destroy the characters. Using Vanyk to drop a few
Each character may make only one test to escape. On a hints may prevent the second possible ending. The char-
Poor result, the character gets out but suffers Step 7/D12 acters own abilities and the dice rolls are the sole means
Blades
damage from flying debris. On a Pathetic result, the char- of preventing the last possibility.
acter trips or falls and is still in the Hold when it implodes. Vanyks reaction to the Holds destruction can be han-
Any character in the Hold when it implodes suffers Step 18/ dled in a number of ways. While she may be pleased, in
D20+D12 damage. No armor protects against this damage a way, to see the corruption of the place put to rest, she
(from the debris or the imploding Hold). is likely to be shocked to learn of the horrible curse her
companions brought with them into such a holy place. She
Aftermath may become overly curious about them or leave and unwit-
After the spirits have destroyed the Hold, they are free tingly stir up trouble for them by spreading word about
from the soul-stones. If the characters search the ruins, the finding of the Blades. She also could be enraged at the
they find the 15 stones. Each stone is worth 100 silver characters, even blaming them, for the loss of the Hold.
pieces and counts as treasure worth Legend Points. Betrayer could then play on these feelings to bring Vanyk
The characters may also find the top of the pedestal to attack or otherwise mislead or sabotage the party before
intended for the Seven Spokes, which may become part going her own way.
of the monument they are to construct (see Loose Ends, The Deed that the characters must perform is to con-
below). struct a monument to the Seven Spokes at the site of the ork
heroes original home. When the characters leave the Hold,
they discover that the Blades act as compasses, guiding
Troubleshooting them to the site of that homea ruin some ten miles dis-
The biggest challenge the characters face in this encoun- tant. Have the characters experience a minor encounter or
ter is staying alive long enough to find the right soul-stone two along the way, but nothing that poses too great a threat.
and learn the Key Knowledge. If the characters have diffi- The characters may design the monument themselves, but
culty finding the right stone, their best strategy is to try to make sure it is worthy of the Legend Point Award that the
defeat the spirits. If they manage to force all fifteen back characters receive for building it.
into their soul-stones, the characters can then check out
each spirit in relative safety. Awarding Legend Points
As described in Finding the Right Stone, p.293, As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94
once the characters have asked Donack about the Blades, of the Gamemasters Compendium, an adventure like
all the spirits re-emerge from their soul-stones and destroy Grave Wisdom awards a number of Legend Awards to
the Hold. Also, if it is going badly for those characters that the player characters. A single Legend Award should award
made it inside or those outside want in on the action, the a number of Legend Points as determined by the charac-
gamemaster may allow characters left outside another ters Circle. For example, a Sixth Circle character receives
two chances to prove their mettle and, hopefully, enter the from 900 to 2,700 Legend Points per Legend Award, and a
fray. total of two to five Legend Awards per game session.
If the gamemaster wants to emphasize Betrayers influ- In the final game session that concludes the adventure,
ence, he can have the Horror use Vanyk as an unwitting the characters may gain two extra Legend Awards for com-
294 tool against the characters. For example, she may become pleting the overall adventure goal. The creatures presented
in this adventure have listings for Legend Points. These are Talents
the points characters earn for defeating the creatures. Disguise SelfD (3): 9/D8+D6
The adventure goal for Grave Wisdom is to find the Durability (6/5) (2): 2
Hold of Courage, learn the Name of the Seven Spokes and Emotion SongD (3): 9/D8+D6
construct the monument (performing this Deed earns the First Impression (3): 9/D8+D6
characters an additional 800 Legend Points). Karma Ritual (3): 3
C
Item History (4): 10/D10+D6
Melee Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
Vanyk Auldsinger
* Orzat is the ancient language of the orks, shorter and more guttural than the modern Orzet (see
p.297 of the Name-givers Compendium).
Blades
quick, breathless speech often obscure her seriousness. Ork Racial Lore (7): 13/D12+D10
Vanyk always appears to be in a rush, though she rarely
General:
fails to plan her actions carefully. She wants nothing less
Climbing (2): 8/2D6
than to restore the glory of Cara Fahd and gladly helps the
Navigation (2): 8/2D6
adventurers because she believes that doing so will help
Read and Write Language (2): 8/2D6
her attain her prized goal.
Dwarf (Throalic), Troll
Vanyk stands about 6 feet tall and weighs 160 pounds,
Research (2): 8/2D6
making her unusually tall and slender for an ork. She is also
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6
physically weaker than most of her race because she has
Dwarf (Throalic), Orzet
dedicated herself to learning rather than physical activity.
This choice has earned her some less than kind comments Equipment
from other orks, but every ork who hears her tales of Cara
Hardened Leather (Phys 5; Init 1)
Fahd respects Vanyk for what she knows. Vanyk wears her
long black hair in tight braids down her back. Intricate tat- Dagger (Damage 6/D10; Range 91518)
toos surround her brilliant green eyes and descend to her Short Sword (Damage 8/2D6; w/scabbard)
cheeks. Vanyk claims the tattoos are ancient symbols of
Adventurers Kit
Cara Fahd and wears them proudly. Comments disparaging
Climbing Kit
Cara Fahds historical mis-steps or besmirching the repu-
Map to Hold of Courage (in map/scroll case)
tation of famed ork heroes provoke her gahad.
Navigation Charts (in map/scroll case)
Attributes Tattooing Tools
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (9): 4/D6
Travelers Garb
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (15): 6/D10
2Waterskins
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (15): 6/D10
Writing Kit
Characteristics Loot
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 5/D8
30 silver pieces
Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 5
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 0 Legend Points
Death Rating: 32 (50) Recovery Tests: 2 135 Legend Points
Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 4/D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 24 (39) Notes
Vanyk possesses the ork racial abilities of Low-Light
Combat Movement: 30 Full Movement: 60
Vision and Gahad.
Karma Points: 15 Karma Die: 5/D8
295
A Traitors Fate
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. But not too close
King Varulus III
The vine has grown since yesterday, thought the crea- the southernmost portion of the Liaj Jungle, where they
ture. All the vines have grown. Moving restlessly back and will find the traitors burial place.
forth, back and forth, the creature glanced over every crack Jahnee also informs the characters that the daggers are
and crevice in its tomb. How many years had it been locked still somehow connected to the dead traitor. He says this
within, sinking slowly into the dank swamp that sucked bond will enable the characters to use the daggers as lode-
eagerly at its moldering crypt? The creature had lost count, stones to find their way to the traitors tomb. Jahnee then
but did not care. All it cared about was vengeance. places a waxen Seal of Truth on one of the daggers and
Greenish-black fire caressed the dark things hand as it demonstrates how it works.
lightly stroked the skeleton that lay in the open stone coffin. Using the seal, the adventurers travel to the Liaj Jungle
The bones had darkened with age, just as the creatures without mishap. Soon after entering the jungle, the adven-
hatred had. Some day, some day it would be free to take its turers stumble on a group of hungry lightning lizards and
revenge, and then the grotesque tortures it had imagined must fight for their lives. During the battle, several char-
Blades
nurtured as carefully as a bed of prized flowerswould acters feel as if they are being watched, yet even the most
become real. Someone would suffer. Several someones thorough search reveals no one nearby.
A small scratching noise drew the things attention As the adventurers press onward, following the telltale
away from the contemplation of its bones. A young swamp glow of the seal, all characters except the one actually hold-
rat scuttled briskly through the mud that had seeped onto ing the sealed dagger begin to drift eastward. They discover
the floor of the crypt. Crouching down, the creature moved their directional difficulties relatively quickly, because the
slowly toward the rat, tossing a choice piece of ancient seal glows only when pointing north. Unknown to the char-
sinew a few feet ahead of it. acters, a small tribe of TamersName-givers who have
Casting a furtive glance between the tidbit and the abandoned civilization for life in the jungleare using their
strange, dark creature crouching above, the swamp rat magic to lead the adventurers out of their jungle home.
made a quick decision. Scuttling forward, it snatched up However, the Tamers grow frustrated by their inabil-
the bit of food and turned to run. As the rat fled, the crea- ity to confuse the characters, and they attack the party at
ture reached forward and brushed the rodents tail lightly dusk. Using blow darts and hand claws dipped in a pow-
with a craggy finger. Sickly greenish-black sparks flared erful sleeping poison, the Tamers manage to subdue the
along the swamp rats tail. Within the few seconds it took adventurers. Dark-Light, the tribes leader, informs the
the rat to cross the small tomb, the dark fire climbed across characters that they will be sacrificed at dawn for daring
the animals back. With a puzzled squeak, the rat collapsed, to enter the Tamers territory. No amount of persuasion
writhing and shaking in agony. Then it gave a final shud- or threats will change Dark-Lights mind. The adventur-
der and lay still as the eerie fires flames flickered and faded ers have only that night to live; in the morning they will
into nothing. meet their fates.
The creature returned to contemplating its bones, When the first rays of sunlight penetrate the canopy
dreaming of its revenge. of leaves above, the adventurers can see around them a
P
scene of horrible carnage. Someone or something appar-
ently murdered every one of the Tamers during the darkest
lot Synopsis hours of the night. Once the adventurers free themselves
and examine the area, they find Dark-Light propped
When the adventurers once again turn their atten- against the trunk of a huge tree with her wrists sliced open.
tion to the Blades of Cara Fahd, they learn that one of the The characters realize that Dark-Light murdered her own
Blades original wielders had been Horror-marked, and people in an inexplicable fit of madness.
that this individual later betrayed his fellows at a critical After leaving the scene, the adventurers travel to the
juncture. The adventurers also learn that they must dis- makeshift tomb that houses the body of the long-dead trai-
cover the traitors Name before they can weave Rank Five tor. When the adventurers enter the ancient crypt to search
threads to the daggers. for signs of the traitors Name, they learn that this ork
The characters talk to a questor of Mynbruje, Jahnee does not rest in peace. The traitors dark fetch (see Cast
Firebalm, to learn how they might discover the traitors of Characters, p.307) hovers over its skeleton, pleading
296 Name. Jahnee tells the adventurers that they must enter with the adventurers to burn its bones and release it from
its endless torment. Unknown to the characters, burning Themes and Images
the bones will actually release the fetch from its imprison- Jahnees residence is clean and austere, with none of
ment inside the crypt. If they do not release the fetch, they the clutter that fills most homes. Though most visitors feel
must defeat it in combat before they can search the crypt. safe within Jahnees walls, the openness of the dwelling
Of course, if they free the fetch, the adventurers may well faintly disturbs some; the hut contains nowhere to hide,
have to contend with it on more than one occasion. no trinkets or paintings to distract attention from ones
When the characters search the crypt, they find a large true motives. Clarity reigns inside Jahnees abode and the
silver medallion inscribed with the words, Kragen Over- unvarnished truth is rarely comforting. Use Jahnees home
tall, Traitor. With this information, the adventurers can and this entire prelude to remind the adventurers that the
weave Rank Five threads to the Blades of Cara Fahd. search for truth is seldom painless.
Blades
another wall. Two large earthenware bowls rest on the
Setting the Stage hearth, one filled with sand, the other with water. A cur-
The following text assumes the characters have already tained doorway leads to the questors simple kitchen.
found the questor. Read the following text aloud: Once introductions have been made and the adven-
turers are sitting down, Jahnee asks them to explain why
Horror-marked, a traitor to his fellows and his
they have sought him out. As the adventurers tell their
race! The knowledge that one of the eight legend-
tale, Jahnee listens carefully, using his Perceive Emotion
ary ork heroes who once wielded the Blades of Cara
questor power (p.477 of the Players Compendium) to
Fahd betrayed his friends and family still gives
help determine the truth of all statements the adventur-
you nightmares. More than once you have glanced
ers make. Jahnee raises one eyebrow and cocks his head
surreptitiously over the rim of your frothing mug
inquiringly at any untruth he detects. He does not interrupt
at your laughing, chattering compatriots, trying
the characters tale until they are finished, at which point
to imagine the cold glint of betrayal in their eyes.
he asks any questions he feels are necessary to determine
Surely none of them would evernone of them
their true intentions and how justice can best be served.
could possiblysuch a thing could never happen!
As long as the characters make their request honestly and
Try as you might, however, you cannot banish the
respectfully, Jahnee sees no reason to deny them his help.
unsettling thought from your mind.
He offers to enter a trance to see if he can divine where the
There is only one way to settle your nagging
adventurers may find the truth, and he asks for the one of
suspicions. You must learn the Name of the long-
the Blades to help him focus.
ago traitor so that you can weave more threads to
When Jahnee prepares to enter his trance, read the fol-
your daggers and move one step closer to banish-
lowing aloud:
ing their curse. Luckily, you have found a highly
reputable questor of Mynbruje who should be The lanky elf rises smoothly to his feet and
able to guide you on this part of your quest, for moves slowly over to the hearth, where he picks
the Passion Mynbruje guides all sincere seekers of up the two large bowls lying by the fire. He sets
hidden truths and metes out justice to traitors and the earthenware dishes on the low table, then sinks
criminals. to his knees in front of them. Then he takes up the
The questor, Jahnee Firebalm, lives on the edge borrowed dagger and plunges its tip into the bowl
of town in a small, weathered wooden cottage. It of sand. He scoops some water out of the first bowl
nests comfortably in a copse of trees, its large win- and pours it from his cupped hands over the bowl
dows thrown wide to welcome the morning sun. of sand. He repeats this action three times, until
Before the sun reaches its zenith, you may well the sand is smooth and wet.
know how to find the traitors Name and where Sighing softly, Jahnee draws a long spiral pat-
your quest will next lead you. tern in the wet sand with one graceful finger. As his
hand moves around and around, you can sense the
questor slow his breathing. The elf seems to have
297
turned into a statue, save for the continual move- If the adventurers ask how they can repay Jahnee for
ment of his finger through the damp sand. his help, read the following aloud:
After what seems like an eternity, you real-
I ask only that you aid the next questor of
ize that Jahnee has begun to whisper, his voice
Mynbruje you come across in whatever he asks
gradually rising in volume. A few more minutes
of you, no matter how small or large the task.
trickle by and you begin to make out his words; he
Mynbruje always acts with justice, and your ser-
is praying to Mynbruje for guidance and justice.
vice will no doubt equal the worth of my service to
Another handful of minutes crawl by like hours
you this day.
then Jahnee begins to speak of your quest.
Blight draws the eye in ways beauty rarely Once Jahnee has placed the Seal of Truth on one of the
can. The one you seek lies imprisoned within the Blades, the characters can begin to search for the Rank
dark confines of his final home, his Name carved Five Key Knowledge. Go to Into the Woods, p.299.
deeply into it so that none shall forget his shame.
You must enter the place of imprisonment from the Jahnee Firebalm
south, the south. The Liaj is his jail, his jail is the
Liaj Jungle. There will you find the spark of truth Attributes
you seek. There you may light a candle, the better Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (9): 4/D6
to see the ocean of darkness around you. Toughness (8): 4/D6 Perception (14): 6/D10
Once Jahnee finishes his speech, he draws Willpower (15): 6/D10 Charisma (14): 6/D10
another handful of water from the bowl and
splashes it onto the spiral in the sand. As the pat- Characteristics
tern washes away, Jahnee returns to normal Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
consciousness and returns the borrowed dagger. Spell Defense: 8 Physical Armor: 0
The characters can ask Jahnee any questions they Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 2
Blades
I
Jahnee possesses the elf racial abilities of Low-Light
Vision.
nto the Woods
This adventure begins as the characters enter the
Troubleshooting southern tip of the Liaj Jungle in search of the traitors tomb.
Trouble may occur in this prelude if the adventurers How long it has taken the adventurers to reach the jungle
behave rudely or lie to Jahnee or refuse to let him place the depends on how far the group has had to travel, as well as
Seal of Truth on one of the daggers. Jahnee is a patient elf, what encounters (if any) the gamemaster chooses to place
however, and he gives the characters several opportuni- between the adventuring party and their destination.
ties to make amends by telling the truth or apologizing. If Within hours of crossing over the jungles dark borders,
the characters refuse the seal, they eventually realize that the characters are attacked by a hungry pride of lightning
they cannot possibly find the traitors tomb in the tangled lizards. During the battle, some of the adventurers feel as if
depths of the Liaj Jungle without its aid. they are being watched, but they find no evidence of watch-
Jahnee will still create the seal, but he requests that ers if they search the nearby area.
the adventurers do him a favor in return (aiding someone
unjustly accused or wronged or helping to restore one of
Mynbrujes ancient shrines). If the seal is broken before Setting the Stage
arriving at their destination, let the characters sweat a little The following text assumes the characters have come
and come up with a creative solution on their own, such as to the Liaj Jungle after meeting with Jahnee as described
using the Direction Arrow (p.178 of the Players Com- in Lighting the Way (p.297). If the characters learned 299
that the Liaj is their destination in some other way, adjust Once the adventurers drive off or kill the lightning
the text accordingly: lizards, they may search the surrounding area. Finding evi-
dence of the Tamers trail requires an Excellent or better
You have taken only a few steps beneath the
result on a Tracking (9) Test. Any character who succeeds at
twisting canopy of vines and leaves, yet already
this test discovers that the faint traces of the Tamers path
you have left the Barsaive you know. Light filters
lead in the same general direction as the party is already
down to your level, green and weak, as if you were
heading. The characters meet the Tamers in the following
seeing it underwater. Even the air feels different
encounter, Tamer Touch, p.301.
heremoist and heavy, blanketing your lungs
with every breath. Fragments of an old wives Lightning Lizards (8)
tale come to mind, something about keeping three
DEX: 6 STR: 5 TOU: 5
stones wrapped in silk close to your skin to draw
PER: 9 WIL: 12 CHA: 5
the jungle diseases away from you. Into the cold
stone theyll go someone told you that once, too Initiative: 7 Physical Defense: 7
many years ago to count. You laughed at it back Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 11
then, but the tale seems less ridiculous in the quiet Attack (3): 9 Social Defense: 7
depths of the Liaj Jungle. Damage: Physical Armor: 3
You walk slowly through the trees for several Claws (3): 8 (6 w/Crackling Armor)
hours, following the dull glow of Jahnees Seal of Mystic Armor: 8
Truth. Your arms ache from clearing vines, and
Death Rating: 34 Recovery Tests: 2
your lungs and heads hurt from breathing the
Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 6
heavy air. Blinking, you stumble into a small clear-
Unconsciousness Rating: 26
ing made by two gigantic trees that lie fallen and
rotting in front of you. Your momentary relief at Combat Movement: 36 Full Movement: 72
the absence of dangling vines gives way to a sharp
Powers: ClimbingS (3): 9, Crackling Armor (3): 15,
Blades
Commentary
Themes and Images These reptiles are 4 feet long, with 3-foot-long tails, and
Emphasize the disturbing combination of growth and weigh roughly 200 pounds. Lightning lizards utilize elec-
decay throughout the Liaj Jungle. Everywhere the adven- tricity, directing it through their skins for defense and
turers look in this dark wilderness, plant life grows far through their eyes when attacking.
more abundantly than in most other places on Barsaive.
Despite its riotous growth, the Liaj Jungle is a gloomy
place, with giant fungi and the moldering, plant-covered
corpses of animals looming out of the earth as if they
might attack unwary travelers.
T
affront to the jungle. To atone for the insult of their resis-
amer Touch
tance to her magic, they must be sacrificed to the spirits
of the Liaj.
Dark-Light orders the Tamers to encircle the charac-
In this encounter a tribe of Tamers attempts to lead
ters and attack on her signal. The Tamers attack with reed
the adventurers out of the jungle by magical means. The
blowguns that fire thorn needles and with sharp claws
Seal of Truths unwavering guidance foils these efforts,
strapped to their hands. Both types of weapons are dipped
however, and so the frustrated Tamers ambush the adven-
in a potent sleeping poison. The Tamers intend to subdue
turers. The tribesmen intend to capture the party and
the characters rather than kill them outright and imme-
slay them ritually at sunrise for daring to enter the tribes
Blades
diately cease attacking a fallen foe. They expertly hog-tie
territory.
sleeping adventurers with ropes of woven vines.
Any adventurer who takes a Wound from a weapon
Setting the Stage coated with the Tamers sleeping poison makes a Tough-
ness (9) Test. On an Excellent or Extraordinary result, the
Read the following aloud when the characters travel
poison does not affect him. A Good result leaves the char-
through the jungle:
acter groggy but still conscious; the character receives a -2
The Liaj Jungle has displayed its treachery, and penalty to all Action Tests. An Average result means that
you can feel your nervousness rising as you forge the character falls unconscious within 4 combat rounds, at
ever deeper into the dense foliage. Concentrating the gamemasters discretion. On a Poor or Pathetic result,
on every step, you thread your way over countless the character immediately falls unconscious.
vines and fallen branches, starting occasionally Because the Tamers move so swiftly and silently
whenever something you thought was a vine slith- through their jungle home, characters must achieve Good
ers up a nearby tree trunk. Sweat drenches your or better results on Perception (9) Tests to notice them. Oth-
skin, and tiny insects feast on your flesh. You plod erwise, the characters are surprised by the Tamers attack
onward, every step a greater effort than the last, and may not attack in the combat round of the Tamers ini-
when suddenly you notice that you are straying tial strike. Surprised characters suffer standard penalties,
from your path. and any Tamer who surprises his opponent receives a +2
bonus to his Attack Test. The Tamers also possess the Sur-
prise Strike skill, which they use in their initial assault.
Themes and Images Throughout the fight, Dark-Light exhorts her followers to
The Liaj Jungle is a place of sudden dangers and swift bring down the trespassing adorners.
judgment. Describe the jungles forbidding details: the If the Tamers subdue all of the adventurers, they take
huge spider webs glittering with dew, the dark shapes of their captives back to the Tamers current camp. If the
captured insects and small birds hanging limply amid the Tamers appear to be losing the fight, they retreat into the
threads. Trusting ones senses is not always wise in the jungle and disappear. If the Tamers lose three or fewer
Liaj, for its tangles and mists and shadows all too often tribesmen in the initial encounter, they attack the adven-
lead them astray. turers off and on throughout the day, attempting to use
surprise and their familiarity with the terrain to catch the
harried characters off balance.
Behind the Scenes
A small tribe of Tamers has been tracking the adven- Dark-Light
turers since they first set foot in the Liaj. The Tamers wear Born and raised in the city of Jerris on the edge of the
few clothes, use few tools, and rarely trade goods or ser- Wastes, Dark-Light was a pale, withdrawn and gloomy child.
vices. Instead, they choose to live free like the animals During her fourteenth year, Dark-Light met Arraphine, the
of the jungle. A dark-haired human Beastmaster Named elven Beastmaster. When Arraphine spotted Dark-Light 301
Death Rating: 39 (67) Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 6/D10
Unconsciousness Rating: 31 (55)
Talents
Animal BondD (4): 11/D10+D8
Cats PawD (4): 10/D10+D6
Claw ShapeD (4): 10/D10+D6
Durability (7/6) (4): 4
Karma Ritual (4): 4
Lizard LeapD (4): 10/D10+D6
Thread Weaving (Beast Weaving)D (5): 10/D10+D6
TrackingD (5): 10/D10+D6
Unarmed Combat (4): 10/D10+D6
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Skills
Artisan:
Wood Carving (2): 9/D8+D6
following her for hours through the gray streets of Jerris,
Knowledge:
mouth gaping at the three beautiful parrots perched on
Creature Lore (3): 8/2D6
Blades
the elfs thin shoulders, she sent one of her birds flying
Wild Animals (7): 12/2D10
to the child. Arraphine knew she had found an apprentice
when Dark-Light instinctively raised her arm, offering it General:
to the parrot as a perch. Once Dark-Light formally began Hunting (4): 10/D10+D6
her apprenticeship, she and Arraphine left the dusty city Missile Weapons (4): 10/D10+D6
behind. After only a few days away from the squalid, dead Speak Language (3): 8/2D6
atmosphere of Jerris, Dark-Light began to change radically. Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Sperethiel
The young girl bloomed like a wilted plant finally given Surprise Strike (4): 10/D10+D6
enough light and water. Arraphine Named her apprentice Wilderness Survival (4): 9/D8+D6
Dark-Light then, for this sudden change in personality.
After spending several years traveling with Arraphine, Equipment
Dark-Light finished her apprenticeship. She soon decided Fernweave (Phys 2; Myst 3)
to journey to the Liaj Jungle, despite its fearsome reputa-
2Tamer Claws (Size 1; Damage 8/2D6)
tion, in the hope of communing with the parrots native to
Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
it. Almost immediately Dark-Light met a tribe of Tamers,
Reed Blowgun (Damage 7/D12; Range 4816)
who magically led her out of the jungle more than once
Box (w/6 thorn needles)
before she realized what was happening. Fascinated by
their wildness and freedom, the young Beastmaster chose Thread Bracers (Rank 4; +2 PhysDef; +2 Spell Def)
to join them and leave the trappings of civilization behind. Parrot (Animal Companion)
Dark-Light is a pale-skinned human of medium build with
Carving Tools
black hair and eyes. She seldom appears without at least
Leaf Pouch
one bird perched on her shoulder or hovering near her head.
12Sleeping Poison Paste doses
Dark-Light has led her tribe of Tamers for more than five
Trail Rations (2 weeks)
years and is a Fourth Circle Beastmaster. She is an intense
Travelers Garb
woman who has rejected Name-giver society to an even
3Waterskins
greater extent than most Tamers.
Loot
Attributes
None
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (14): 6/D10
Toughness (16): 7/D12 Perception (12): 5/D8 Legend Award
Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (17): 7/D12
305 Legend Points
Characteristics
Notes
Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 6/D10
Dark-Light possesses the human racial ability of Versatility.
Spell Defense: 9 Physical Armor: 2
302 Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 5 Fourth Circle: Karma on Charisma-only Tests
Tamers (12) Dagger (Damage 7/D12; Range 91518)
Use these statistics for the ork and human tamers led Blowgun (Damage 6/D10; Range 4816)
by Dark-Light. Box (w/6 thorn needles covered in sleeping poison paste)
Skills
Troubleshooting
The adventurers are unlikely to defeat the Tamers in
Artisan:
this encounter, especially because the Tamers are in their
Wood Carving (2): 6/D10
own territory and are using a potent poison. If the charac-
Blades
Knowledge: ters defeat or drive off the Tamers, skip most of A Rude
Botany (2): 7/D12 Awakening, which describes the captured characters
Creature Lore (2): 7/D12 plight, and have the adventurers stumble onto the hor-
rifying scene described in Deadly Dawn (p.304) after
General:
spending their first night nervously camped in the Liaj.
Climbing (3): 9/D8+D6
Then go to Dark Fetch, p.305.
Hunting (3): 9/D8+D6
A
Missile Weapons (3): 9/D8+D6
Silent Walk (3): 9/D8+D6
Surprise Strike (3): 8/2D6
Rude Awakening
Tracking (3): 8/2D6
In this encounter, the captured adventurers learn
Unarmed Combat (3): 9/D8+D6
that the Tamers plan to sacrifice them at dawn to the spirits
Wilderness Survival (3): 8/2D6
of the Liaj Jungle. At the end of a long and miserable night,
Equipment the characters wake to absolute silence and a scene of hor-
rific carnage. After freeing themselves and investigating
2Tamer Claws (Size 1; Damage 8/2D6)
the area, the adventurers discover that during the night the
Tamers leader apparently went mad and slaughtered her
entire tribe. Once the characters recover from the shock of
Tamer Claws this scene, they continue on their quest.
Damage Step: 2
Strength Minimum: 9
Size: 2
Setting the Stage
If the characters were captured by the Tamers in the
Cost: 5
past encounter, read the following aloud:
Weight: 1
Availability: Very Rare After spending what seems like hours trying
These sharp claws are made from to figure out why your tongues feel three sizes too
sharpened bone fragments or actual animal large for your mouths, you slowly become aware
claws woven together with thin rope or of a dozen or so mud-covered humans and orks
vines into long, open-fingered gloves. The standing over you. Their stares make your head
glove is heavily padded on the forearm ache. You wish they would leave you alone and let
where the blunt end of the claws rest, to you sleep; but something deep inside warns you
protect the wearers arm from pressure that sleep is not a good idea right now.
damage when attacking with the weapon. Flexing your limbs, you discover that someone
has tied your hands and feet expertly behind your
backs. You can just feel your fingers and toes if you 303
concentrate very hard, but struggling only tight- from the pile of the adventurers belongings (though not
ens your bonds. necessarily one of the Blades of Cara Fahd) and slits the
With fluid grace, a female human steps toward throats of her fellows too quickly for any of them to cry out.
you. Her long dark hair, tied back in a muddy braid, She kills the two guards first, then murders the remain-
swings as she moves. Her face fills your vision, the ing Tamers. As the last one dies, Dark-Light comes to her
days last light dancing in her dark eyes as she senses, realizes what she has done and turns the knife on
begins to speak. herself in horror.
We warned you, but you would not leave. The The adventurers have no inkling that anything is amiss.
Liaj is not like your world. You cannot wander If a character manages to remain awake, he sees Dark-Light
through it at your will, building cottages and forc- beckon to the first guard, who disappears into the darkness
ing the land to give you food, as Name-givers do with her. A minute or two later, the character sees Dark-
outside these lands. You have trespassed, and tres- Light whisper in the second guards ear. As the two Tamers
passers must pay for their crime. move a few steps away from the small clearing, the charac-
As leader of the Footfalls, I claim the right of ter can barely see the guard slump silently to the ground.
judgment over all who trespass in the southern
Liaj. My judgment on you is this; you shall perish Deadly Dawn
at dawn, split open by my claws. Your blood shall As dawn begins to lighten the jungles dark heart, the
water the earth and do honor to the spirits of the characters awaken to utter silence. Even the insects and
Liaj. So speaks Dark-Light of the Footfalls. As I birds have ceased their continual noise, and the unnat-
have spoken, let it be done! ural quiet lies like a blanket across the clearing. Though
the characters do not yet realize it, they are the only living
Name-givers within miles.
Themes and Images Eventually, the characters should attempt to free
The suns last rays cut briefly through the dense leaves themselves. They are still slightly groggy from the sleep-
Blades
and branches while this encounter takes place. Empha- ing poison, but it is no longer strong enough to affect their
size the fading light, which mirrors the adventurers fading actions. With no one around to keep the characters from
hopes of survival. talking or taking action, they should be able to come up
with a plan to free themselves in relatively short order.
Once they have done so, they may reclaim their discarded
Behind the Scenes property and explore the area.
Dark-Light and the rest of the Tamers believe they are As soon as the adventurers move a few yards into the
completely within their rights to sacrifice the characters jungle in any direction, they discover the butchered bodies
at dawn. Though Dark-Light feels no particular animos- of the slain Tamers, which lie scattered in a loose circle
ity toward the heroes, she believes that they have offended around the clearing.
the jungle spirits and chosen their own fate by entering When the characters discover the first body, read the
the Liaj and then doggedly sticking to their path despite following aloud:
the Tamers misdirections. The characters may try to per-
Though the sun has risen past the horizon, deep
suade Dark-Light to change her mind, but she does not
shadows still lie across most of the jungle. Picking
budge. Even if she develops a liking for the characters, she
your way carefully across the gnarled roots of a
still carries out her judgment. Dark-Light has promised
giant tree in the green dimness, you notice what
the interlopers blood to the spirits of the Liaj, and she will
looks like a long, dark sap stain running down the
not disappoint them.
trunk and into the earth. You give the stain a closer
The Tamers disperse into the trees when the sun sets,
look: it is dark red, with a faintly sweet odor.
settling in for the night. Two guards remain to watch the
As your eyes follow the sap trail upward, your
characters, but the jungles impenetrable gloom makes it
blood freezes. A young male Tamer lies draped
impossible to see the sleeping Tamers. The adventurers
across a wide branch some seven feet above the
may attempt to free themselves, but they are still extremely
ground, staring sightlessly down at you. One arm
groggy from the sleeping poison and will not accomplish
hangs limp, stretched toward you as if beseech-
much. If the characters talk or struggle too much, one of
ing you for aid. His skin is unnaturally pale, and a
the guards hits them with more poisoned darts from his
gaping neck wound grins in mute testimony to the
blowgun. The characters find it virtually impossible to keep
cause of the young Tamers death.
their eyes open for long despite their best efforts to stay
awake; the sleeping poison is simply too strong to resist. If the adventurers examine the young Tamers body,
they can tell that the boys throat was slit from behind with
Death in the Night a dagger or knife blade. If the characters examine the rest
In the middle of the night Dark-Light is overcome by of the surrounding area, they find the rest of the tribe lying
an irrational urge to slaughter her fellow Tamers. Though dead in and around the trees. All died from deep throat
she does not realize it, this dreadful compulsion comes wounds, and their faces are frozen in expressions of bewil-
from Betrayer, the Horror within the Blades of Cara Fahd. dered terror.
304 Moving swiftly and silently, Dark-Light takes up a dagger Finally, the characters discover the lifeless body of Dark-
Light. Unlike the rest of the corpses, Dark-Lights body sits marked, Dark-Light is otherwise in control of herself. At
upright against the bole of a lightning-struck tree. Her neck some later point in the adventure, have the player char-
is untouched, but the blade of a dagger has laid her wrists acters run into Dark-Light again. By then they should
open to the bone. The still-damp ground is stained with her realize what prompted her horrible act, and they should
blood. Next to her lies one of the characters daggers, the feel obliged to help the haunted Beastmaster who now
weapon she used to commit her hideous crimes. shuns the jungle and all its creatures.
D
It should be obvious to the characters that Dark-Light
murdered her tribe and then turned the dagger on herself.
However, they should have no idea why she would betray
her people in this way. In the short time the characters ark Fetch
observed her, nothing about Dark-Light hinted at this sort After working their way slowly through the Liaj
of dementia. Only later in the adventure, after the player Jungle for another tiring day, the adventurers finally reach
characters have learned more about the Blades of Cara the traitors tomb approximately an hour before sunset.
Fahd and the Horror that lies within them, should they Entering the tomb proves relatively easy, but once
guess the true cause of Dark-Lights madness. inside the adventurers must confront the traitorwho has
The characters can do nothing for the dead Tamers. become a dark fetchbefore they can search the tomb and
Whenever they are ready, the adventurers may resume discover the traitors Name.
their interrupted journey toward the traitors tomb.
Blades
ters who seem in any shape to attempt escape. Intelligent
the jungles shadowy depths. It leads you onward,
characters may feign more grogginess than they feel and
ever closer to your destination. Ducking under the
attempt to escape during the night. If any succeed, keep the
twisting, arched roots of several giant trees, you
adventure on track by having the adventurers escape just
emerge into another clearing about twenty yards
after Dark-Light slays her tribe. If the adventurers attempt
across. Nearly half of it is a moss-covered swamp
to sneak away from the clearing before dawn breaks, they
smelling faintly of tar. On the far side of the clear-
should stumble over one of the fresh corpses.
ing lies a small building, half-sunk in the mire.
If desired, Dark-Light may bolt away in shock at what
Ropy vines and dark moss lie across its darkly
she has done instead of killing herself. Though Horror-
305
mottled stone slabs like giant spider webs. Judg- become a dark fetch. Tired of being trapped for centuries
ing by its size and shape, the building appears to in his tomb, Kragen desperately wants to escape so that he
be a crypt. You point the dagger at the tomb, and might wander once more through Barsaive, hunting down
the seal glows as bright as a small sun. the descendants of his former comrades. Kragen can only
escape his prison by persuading a living being to burn his
skeleton to ash. The bones lie moldering in the stone coffin,
Themes and Images and Kragen is eager to show them to the adventurers.
Loneliness and loss permeate this encounter. Although Kragen is not stupid, and he does not tell the characters
the fetch is dangerous and evil, it is nevertheless a pitiful any truths about himself (including his Name, of course).
creature. Trapped for centuries in utter isolation, continu- Kragen may offer to tell the characters his Name if they
ally reminded of its betrayal, the fetch and its tomb have promise to release himhowever, he intends to make up a
rotted as the jungle grew up around them. Name rather than give them the real one. If Kragen lies to
Try to instill a sense of pity for the fetchs plight in the the characters, the Seal of Truth senses the lie through the
characters, even though the fetch may horrify them. daggers mystic bond to the dead ork. This bond causes the
seal to crack at each lie, and the seal breaks if Kragen tells a
third untruth. If the adventurer holding the dagger notices
Behind the Scenes the cracking, he may realize that the fetch is lying.
Once the characters pick their way across the vine- Kragen tries several different tactics on the player char-
covered clearing, they can study the tombs entrance more acters in search of one that works. Among other things,
closely. The door is carved from the same unusual stone Kragen contends that he is no traitor. Instead, he claims to
as the rest of the building. A bas-relief in its center depicts have been betrayed by those he thought were his friends.
a brawny ork with a deformed tusk growing through his Now, he says, all he wants is to sink into the sweet oblivion
upper lip. The ork holds out his hands, palms upthey are of deathbut he cannot achieve this release unless some
clean, with no lines or marks on them. After seeing this compassionate Name-giver burns his bones to ash.
Blades
Blades
Except for the information the adventurers seek, the A Traitors Fate, p.296, awards a number of Legend
tomb contains little of value. Because of its age and size, the Awards to the player characters. A single Legend Award
medallion is worth roughly 300 silver pieces and counts as should award a number of Legend Points as determined
Treasure worth Legend Points (see the Gamemastering by the characters Circle. For example, a Seventh Circle
chapter on p.96 of the Gamemasters Compendium). character receives from 1,650 to 4,900 Legend Points per
Legend Award, and a total of two to five Legend Awards
per game session. In the final game session that concludes
Troubleshooting the adventure, the characters may gain two extra Legend
The biggest problem in this encounter occurs if the Awards for completing the overall adventure goal. The crea-
characters cannot defeat Kragen. However, the adventur- tures presented in this adventure have listings for Legend
ers have one major advantage: the fetch cannot follow them Points. These are the points characters earn for defeating
outside the tomb. Unless the characters refuse to retreat the creatures. The adventure goal for A Traitors Fate is
when pressed, they are unlikely to find themselves in a life- to learn Kragens Name and find out that he betrayed the
threatening position. Seven Spokes.
C
If the characters agree to burn Kragens bones, let them.
Once Kragen has swept off on his mission of destruc-
tion, the adventurers should be able to find the medallion.
However, they have loosed a dangerous creature on the ast of Characters
worldnot an act they should be proud of, and one they This section provides information and game statis-
should eventually take responsibility for. tics for Kragen Overtall in his dark fetch form.
L oose Ends
This section wraps up the adventures loose
ends and suggests ways to use story elements and char-
acters from A Traitors Fate in future Earthdawn
Kragen Overtall (Dark Fetch)
DEX: 11
PER: 11
Initiative: 12
STR: 12
WIL: 10
Number of Actions: 2
TOU: 14
CHA: 6
Physical Defense: 19
Spell Defense: 14
adventures.
Attack (4): 15 Social Defense: 12
Damage: Physical Armor: 2
After the Adventure 2Claws (1): 13 Mystic Armor: 6
If the characters successfully reach Kragens tomb, Death Rating: 70 (82) Recovery Tests: 7
defeat the dark fetch and find the medallion with his Name Wound Threshold: 20 Knockdown: Immune
on it, they learn the Rank Five Key Knowledge of the Blades Unconsciousness Rating: Immune
(the Name of the Seven Spokes betrayerKragen Overtall).
Combat Movement: 64 Full Movement: 128
If Dark-Light is kept alive (A Rude Awakening, p.303), 307
Karma Points: 10
Karma Step: 5
Equipment: None
Loot: None
Commentary
The dark fetch is a partic-
ularly vicious undead creature,
created when a Name-giver
dies while committing a griev-
ous act of betrayal or before
completing an important act
of revenge. Under such cir-
cumstances, the Name-givers
burning hatred makes his spirit
cling to the physical world, trap-
pi n g t he i nd i v idu a ls
Blades
308
With an Axe in Hand
I once came across a village that survived the Scourge. All the people living
there were justwrong. Gave me the creeps. Still does.
Jango Jebble, Human Warrior of Throal
Asmersious felt colder than the rock that surrounded He felt a burning pain in his flank, and his vision blurred
him. The Dreaming should not be like this, he thought. again. He reached toward the brother nearest to him and
Something is not right. grasped the shiny barb of a Horror-spawned creature. It
An evil laugh rolled through the Liferock. More tac- stood where his brothers had been, black and sleek and
tile than audible, the presence Asmersious felt was not grinning. By the Passions, forgive me, he cried as he fell,
that of the Brotherhood. The obsidimans unease deep- succumbing to the darkness that collapsed on him like a
ened into dread. Something was terribly wrong, and he did boulder.
P
not know what to do. An impulse to Dream more deeply
crossed his mind, filled it as a shout fills the air. Such indi-
vidual thought should be almost impossible at this point
in the Dreaming, yet Asmersiouss mind rang with echoes: lot Synopsis
Deeper. Must Dream deeper. He reached forward through The characters have discovered that they can
Blades
his Liferock, grasping at the weak, wispy spirits of the learn the Name of the Horror at the site of a Liferock that
Brotherhood whose presence felt so strangely dim. As he Betrayer allegedly corrupted. This Liferock sits near the
cast his spirit toward them, they slipped away like smoke top of a peak in the Tylon Mountains.
in the wind. Shortly after Cara Fahds Protectors caught and killed
Suddenly Asmersious felt a crushing weight pressing on Kragen Overtall, the remaining members of the group cre-
him from all directions. The Brotherhood vanished; noth- ated a new group pattern and re-Named themselves the
ing remained but the hard, cold presence of the Horror. Seven Spokes. Once they had destroyed the eighth Blade
Even as Asmersious recoiled, the Horror surrounded him, that had belonged to Overtall, the Spokes believed them-
opening his mind like a delicacy. The tortured cries of his selves safe from the Horror. Betrayer allowed them to
devoured brothers filled his being, and his own screams believe in the illusion of their success. The Horror plot-
echoed through the Liferock. ted to plague the Seven Spokes again at a later time and
High in the Tylon Mountains, a cold wind blew. It focused its attentions elsewhere.
sounded like crying. For its new target, Betrayer chose a Liferock near its lair,
Asmersious roused himself from his troubled Dreaming, deep beneath the Tylon Mountains near the Great Dome of
his mind cloudy and full of holes. Something was happen- House Chelann. The Horror found it easy to mark one of
ing deep within his Liferocksomething dark, foreboding, the Brotherhood, who eventually returned to his Liferock.
calling him to action. The marked obsidimans return allowed Betrayer to extend
Snow draped the ground like a heavy, wet cloak, and its influence throughout the obsidimen in the Liferock. As
the icy air carried muffled sounds too distant to identify. the Horrors corruption spread, the Liferock called out to
Then he saw the nearby footprints. Five or six pairs of boot- its Brotherhood in a desperate search for salvation from
shod feet at least, leading around the Liferock to a fissure the Horrors power. For many years the obsidimen of the
into which the walkers had doubtless descended. Asmer- tainted Liferock returned to merge with it, only to become
sious drew closer and heard cries echoing up from the corrupted themselves.
heart of the Liferock. For an instant, the thought When? After some time, Betrayer turned its attention once
emerged from one of the holes in his memory, but a wave again to the Seven Spokes. Slowly and subtly, it influenced
of disorientation washed it away. Asmersious fought to stay events around the orks. Using its connection to them
conscious. As his vision cleared, he began picking his way through the Blades of the Cara Fahd, the Horror caused
carefully into the crevasse. suffering and death to others while leaving the orks to wit-
Deep within the fissure, Asmersious heard harsh shouts ness the effects of their presence. The Seven Spokes soon
and the clash of blades. He hurried forward and saw a band recognized the handiwork of the Horror that had marked
of ork warriors standing in a ring, their backs together their companion Kragen Overtall, and they decided to take
as they battled six obsidimen. The obsidimen glowed, as action.
darkly luminous as the Liferock they had sprung from. His Using the Horrors magical ties to the Blades, the Spokes
brothers, yet Asmersious did not recognize them. eventually located Betrayer in the Tylon Mountains. As
Defilers! Asmersious cried, leaping toward the glow- they made their way closer to the Horror, Betrayers pow-
ing obsidimen and swinging his bare fists in all directions. erful influence drew them toward the tainted Liferock. The 309
Blades
Seven Spokes reached the Liferock, where they encoun- into, although snow obscures the fissure. On discover-
tered and fought obsidiman-based Horror constructs. ing the hibernating Asmersious, the adventurers free him
During the battle, an obsidiman Named Asmersious and carry him to the surface. After five days he awakens.
emerged from the Liferock to find his corrupted brethren Though his mind is nearly gone and he is close to death,
fighting the orks. Asmersious summoned all his strength to he remembers his encounter with the Seven Spokes and
fight alongside the orks and save his Liferock, but the Hor- mistakes the characters for them. The characters should
rors taint had touched him too. He swiftly succumbed to be able to tell from the obsidimans ramblings that some-
injuries and then fell into a blind, delusional fury fueled by thing has driven him mad. Before they can learn anything
the Horror. The Seven Spokes managed to trap the raging from the obsidiman, however, the characters must deal
obsidiman beneath a boulder in a crevasse, where he even- with the remnants of the Liferocks corrupted Brotherhood.
tually lapsed into hibernation and has lingered on the verge The presence of the Blades wakens them, and they attack
of death ever since. in mindless rage. After the battle, Asmersious divulges
Then the Horror revived its constructs and sent them the Name of the Horror, providing the characters with the
again into battle. The Seven Spokes retreated, realizing Blades Rank Five Key Knowledge.
that the Horror they sought was elsewhere. Much later, When the heroes make their triumphant descent down
when the ork heroes destroyed Betrayers body and split the mountain, they once again pass through the villages
its spirit into the pattern of the Blades, the Horrors power they encountered along the way. This time the scene is not
waned. Its obsidiman constructs merged with the tainted so benign. Buildings have been burned, fresh graves dug,
Liferock in a corrupted mockery of the Dreaming, where and bladed weapons stolen or broken. The once-friendly
they remain until the player characters arrive. villagers have turned suspicious and hostile. The char-
During their journey toward the corrupted Liferock, acters should realize that their presence triggered this
the characters have the chance to stop in several small terrible destruction.
W
villages. If the characters do so, they meet normal people
going about their daily business, seemingly tranquil and
undisturbed. Every night that the characters spend in these
villages, however, the residents suffer through gruesome ith a Tale to Tell
nightmares. Some begin sleepwalking and even acting out Use the prelude when the characters begin
their nightmares, which often involve bladed weapons. seeking the Blades Rank Seven Key Knowledge: the Name
These dreams come from Betrayer, who is using the con- of the Horror that plagued the Seven SpokesBetrayer.
duit of the Blades to prey on the hidden desires and fears of As the characters begin searching for this Key Knowl-
the village residents. As long as the characters remain in a edge, they hear tales of a corrupted Liferock rumored to
town, the problems intensify. They can help the tormented lie somewhere in the Tylon Mountains. These tales speak
villagers only by leaving. of a Horror that corrupted an obsidiman and then used
The characters eventually find the Liferock, adorned him to corrupt his entire Liferock and Brotherhood. The
with traditional obsidiman ornamentation. They also characters should recognize that this account sounds typi-
310 find the crevasse the Seven Spokes forced Asmersious cal of the Horror that corrupted the Seven Spokes. When
the characters make inquiries about this Liferock, they are The proprietor charges a fair price but not so high that
told of a wandering Troubadour, Senog, who may be able the patrons might feel entitled to particular protection
to help them. As this prelude begins, the characters have against thieves or footpads. A private room costs 5 silver
just caught up with Senog at a small tavern near the city pieces and includes access to the bath house. Each addi-
of Kratas. tional occupant of a room who wishes to use the bath house
must pay 3 silver pieces extra. A meal with ale costs 4 silver
piecesale alone costs 1 silver piece.
Setting the Stage The innkeeper is a young, rough-looking human Named
Read the following aloud when the characters arrive Nandra. She is pleasant, but not especially friendly toward
at the tavern: her customers. Her motto is The last one standing deserves
to be right, and she does not intervene in the business of
Why is it always a traveling Troubadour who
her patrons. If the characters speak with her, she might tell
knows the one thing a Name-giver must find out?
them a legend or two that may lead to future adventures.
You seem to have been trying forever to catch
up with the knowledgeableand f leet-footed
Troubadour who can tell you the full story of the Nandra
corrupted Liferock. In the last town they told you Attributes
he was headed toward Kratas, and the folk youve
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (10): 5/D8
passed on the road all remember seeing him (or at
Toughness (10): 5/D8 Perception (12): 5/D8
least, the few willing to give away free information
Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (13): 6/D10
remember him).
Less than a mile from Kratas, you stand in front Characteristics
of a solidly built inn. A sign in front reads The Axe
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10
in Hand. Shaking the dust from your boots, you
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 0
push open the heavy, iron-bound doors and walk
Blades
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
in. You look around the main room. The place is
about a third full of weary adventurers like your- Death Rating: 31 Recovery Tests: 2
selves, who barely look up as you enter. Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 5/D8
You find a seat at a solid wooden table and order Unconsciousness Rating: 22
the first decently cooked meal and cool draught of
Combat Movement: 26 Full Movement: 52
ale youve had in several days. The choices are few,
but the smells are appetizing: ham hocks with Skills
boiled potatoes or roasted pheasant with onions.
Artisan:
The service is quick, the tables are clean, and the
Storytelling (2): 8/2D6
patrons well-behaved. A pretty human serving girl
brings your meals, saying, Will you be staying the Knowledge:
night, mastersperhaps to use the bath house or Legends and Heroes (3): 8/2D6
hear the entertainment? We are fortunate to have Local Lore (3): 8/2D6
a Troubadour with us this evening. It seems you
General:
have finally caught up with Senog.
Conversation (3): 9/D8+D6
Melee Weapons (1): 7/D12
Speak Language (5): 10/D10+D6
Themes and Images Dwarf (Throalic), Human, Orzet, Sperethiel, Troll
The theme of this encounter is questions and answers. Streetwise (3): 8/2D6
Emphasize the time and trouble that the characters have Unarmed Combat (2): 8/2D6
spent tracking down the Troubadour who can finally give
them answersanswers that only raise more questions, Equipment
questions that the characters can only answer by making Club (Damage 8/2D6)
another, more arduous trip to a dangerous place. In addi- Knife (Damage 6/D10; Range 61012)
tion, the tale of the Liferocks corruption should give the Sap (Damage 6/D10)
adventurers chills.
Belt Pouch
Travelers Garb
Behind the Scenes Loot
The Axe in Hand is a hospitable tavern with ten small
30 silver pieces
single-occupancy rooms, as well as a luxurious bath house
built around a hot spring. Because of the inns proximity to Legend Award
Kratas and the number of scoundrels who stop here along
50 Legend Points
the way, the Axe in Hand accepts no responsibility for the
security of its patrons. 311
Meeting Senog
If the characters wait around until the evening perfor-
mance, they can watch the obsidiman Troubadour Senog
recite stories and sing in the tavern. The large performer
sits on a short stool while he tells his tales, but his ani-
mated face is still visible to most of his audience. He wears
a decorative robe over his brown-gray skin. He is happy to
talk with the characters, especially if they agree to tell him
some stories in return. The story of the corrupted Liferock
makes Senog very sad but he does not hesitate to tell the
tale because he believes it is an important one. As he fre-
quently says, The world contains many unhappy things,
but they should not be forgotten simply because they are
painful.
When the characters ask Senog the story of the Liferock,
he recites the following:
tions of a powerful Horrorthe same Horror, it is stream lies three days walk from Kratas. If the characters
said, that corrupted the famed heroes known as follow the creek for which Smallstream is Named, two days
Cara Fahds Protectors. walk brings them to the village of Cliffstone. Two days
The Horror first tainted one of the Brotherhood walk from Cliffstone, following the slope of the Tylons,
how, we do not know. The soul of the corrupted brings the characters to the village of Ridge. The Liferock
one merged with the Liferock, and one by one the lies three days walk from Ridge.
rest of the Brotherhood succumbed. The Liferock Once the characters learn that the answer they seek lies
sensed its peril and called out to its children, but at the Liferock, go to Prosperous to a Degree, p.313.
each one who came fell under the Horrors sway as
soon as he entered the Dreaming. Soon, all were Senog
destroyed and the Liferock turned to a thing of Senog is a Third Circle obsidiman Troubadour
death. None are left to bear witness, none go there
but to mourn; and even that we do from a distance, Attributes
lest the corruption touch us. Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (21): 8/2D6
My friends, have you ever thought about an Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (13): 6/D10
old friend for the first time in many months only Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (16): 7/D12
to bump into that friend as you round the corner?
Or thought fondly of your family far away and Characteristics
received a note or gift from them the next day? Such Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 3/D4
occurrences pale in comparison to the knowledge Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 8
an obsidiman has of his Liferock. Now imagine Social Defense: 9 Mystic Armor: 2
that your old friend has become an embittered
Death Rating: 38 (54)* Recovery Tests: 3
cripple with a twisted soul or your family has per-
Wound Threshold: 13 Knockdown: 8/2D6
ished. Imagine your feelings if such a thing should
Unconsciousness Rating: 30 (43)*
happen, and you will begin to understand a little
* These values have been adjusted for blood magic.
the feelings of an obsidiman who knows that some
Combat Movement: 14 Full Movement: 28
ill has befallen his Liferock. How the members of
that Brotherhood must have streamed home from Karma Points: 10 Karma Step: 3/D4
all corners of Barsaive when they felt the death of
their Elders! Talents
Afterward, other Brotherhoods sometimes Disguise SelfD (3): 9/D8+D6
found surviving brothers wandering like those Durability (6/5) (3): 3
who have Emerged but not Awakened. Some went Emotion SongD (4): 11/D10+D8
mad, others faded away. Now nothing exists of the First Impression (3): 10/D10+D6
Liferock save dead stone and these tales. Karma Ritual (3): 3
312
Item History (3): 9/D8+D6
Melee Weapons (4): 9/D8+D6
Mimic VoiceD (3): 9/D8+D6
Read and Write LanguageD (3): 9/D8+D6
Human, Obsidiman, Orzet
P rosperous to a Degree
The adventure begins when the characters arrive
at the foothills of the Tylon Mountains. On their way to
the corrupted Liferock, the characters encounter the three
Speak LanguageD (3): 9/D8+D6 villages mentioned by the Troubadour in With a Tale to
Human, Orzet, Sperethiel Tell (p.310). As the characters interact with the villagers,
D Indicates a Discipline talent. Betrayer instigates acts of betrayal among the people.
Italicized talents require Karma.
Skills
Artisan:
Setting the Stage
The following text assumes that the characters have
Music (Harp) (2): 9/D8+D6
come to the Tylon Mountains after meeting with Senog. If
Storytelling (2): 9/D8+D6
this is not the case, adjust the text accordingly:
Knowledge:
From the Axe in Hand, you head for the open
Horror Lore (3): 9/D8+D6
road toward the Tylon Mountains. According to the
Obsidiman Racial Lore (5): 11/D10+D8
tales Senog told you, the Horror that plagued the
General: Seven Spokes amused its infernal self for a time
Conversation (2): 9/D8+D6 sowing betrayal among the Brotherhood of a Lif-
Etiquette (2): 9/D8+D6 erock on one of the Tylon peaks. The Liferock may
Read and Write Language (1): 7/D12 hold the key to the Name of the Horror, the knowl-
Dwarf (Throalic) edge you must have to bring alive the power in the
Speak Language (2): 8/2D6 Blades of Cara Fahd.
Dwarf (Throalic), Obsidiman
Blades
Streetwise (2): 8/2D6 Themes and Images
Equipment The prosperity of Smallstream and its sister villages
provides a welcome contrast to the days on the trail and
Body Shield (Phys 5; Init 2; ST 21)
the den-of-thieves atmosphere around Kratas (see p.31 of
Troll Sword (Damage 14/D20+D4; w/scabbard) the Gamemasters Compendium). The characters see
Dwarf Sword (Damage 11/D10+D8; w/scabbard) renewal and rebuilding, all the more precious in the wake
Spear (Damage 12/2D10; Range 183036) of the Scourge. The pregnant woman nearly ready to give
birth and the fertile, well-tended fields are appropriate
Astral-Sensitive Eye (2 Damage Points)
symbols of the potential this village and the others hold.
Adventurers Kit
Cloaksense Brooch
Large Harp
Trail Ration (1 week)
Behind the Scenes
It is a three-day walk from the Axe in Hand to the vil-
Waterskin
lage of Smallstream. Along the way the gamemaster may
Wealthy Travelers Garb (w/embroidered robe)
arrange minor encounters with brigands, ork scorchers,
Loot slavers, or any other plausible opponents. Keep in mind,
however, that the characters objective is the corrupted Lif-
30 silver pieces
erock, so one or two encounters should be sufficient.
Legend Award During their journey up into the Tylon Mountain range,
the characters also encounter the villages of Smallstream,
165 Legend Points
Cliffstone, and Ridge. Senog named these villages as land-
Notes marks on the way to the corrupted Liferock, so give the
adventurers opportunities to stop in them to rest along
Senog possesses the obsidiman racial abilities of Natu-
the way. As they spend a night in each village, Betrayer
ral Armor and Increased Wound Threshold.
takes its chance to use the residents as pawns in its grow-
ing struggle for power. Betrayer begins by playing on the
Troubleshooting locals hidden desires and jealousies, causing the village
The main challenge in this prelude is to ensure the folk to act them out in nightmares.
characters believe that the Horror responsible for corrupt-
ing the Liferock is the same Horror they seek. If necessary, Smallstream
stage an encounter prior to this prelude in which the char- The characters reach Smallstream first, sometime in
acters obtain some hint that the Liferocks corrupter is the the late afternoon. The villagers are surprisingly trust-
same Horror that twisted Kragen Overtall. Senogs story ing of strangers and welcome the characters. When the
confirms this, but the characters may nonetheless have characters approach the village of Smallstream, read the
their doubts. following aloud: 313
You have spent the better part of three days on in the community. Any town resident tells the characters
this dusty pathtoo small and ill-kept to be called that they were the first to coax the surrounding land to
a roadbut you seem no closer to the Tylon peaks. bear crops. Pon and Mara are expecting another child soon,
The mountains eerie spires loom far beyond you, which will bring their brood to eight.
and the small village Named by Senog as your Once the characters have met the villagers, they are
landmark has yet to appear on the horizon. A vil- treated to a modest meal and offered shelter by the elderly
lage by a stream, he told youfind the village of village healer, known to one and all as Grandma. Out of
Smallstream and then follow the waterway deeper respect, her fellow villagers built Grandma her own hut.
into the mountains. Thus far, however, you have She offers the characters a place to sleep in the dwelling.
seen no settlements and no streamsnot even any- After the characters turn in for the evening, read the
thing large enough to be called a brook. following aloud:
Just as you begin to wonder if something has
You open your eyes to blackness and the sounds
turned you in the wrong direction, you clear the top
of frantic sobbing. Pons low voice, strained and
of a hill and see before you a peaceful settlement
tense, carries softly from the doorway: Grandma,
stretched along the bank of a creek. Smallstream
come quickMaras before her time! Somethings
at last, if Senogs directions were correct. As you
wrong! Lantern light flashes briefly. Grandma
draw nearer to the settlement, you marvel at how
grabs a walking stick and bundle propped by the
few houses it containsa mere six, surrounded by
door, then slips out into the night. As the door of
well-tended fields. A woman pulling weeds looks
the hut swings slowly closed, you hear Maras pan-
up from her work, sees you, and stares in wonder.
icked cry: Pon, hurry!
As she stands up, you see that she is pregnant. She
Grandma rushes across the trampled yard
gives you a timid smile and nod of greeting, then
between her hut and Pon and Maras with surpris-
picks up her trowel and heads back toward the
ing agility. Pon, she calls over her shoulder, take
cluster of huts, beckoning you to follow.
these children out of here. She gently herds their
Blades
314
When the characters awake in the night to Maras cries, Combat Movement: 22 Full Movement: 44
they may at first assume that she has simply gone into labor.
If they look in on her, they immediately learn otherwise. Skills
Across her abdomen is a shallow, ugly slash, apparently Artisan:
made by a knife or dagger. The wound is bleeding and obvi- Craftsman; Blacksmithing (2): 7/D12
ously painful, but not fatal. The trauma of the apparent
Knowledge:
stabbing sends Mara into premature labor, and Grandma
Farming (2): 6/D10
keeps everyone out of the hut so she can work. This gives
the characters time to question Pon about what happened. General:
He says he heard Mara cry out and fetched Grandma think- Melee Weapons (2): 7/D12
ing that the baby had arrived a bit early. On his return, he
discovered that his wife had been cut. Pon is very fright- Equipment
ened and mutters about evil omens. Knife (Damage 7/D12; Range 61012)
If the characters search the area around the hut, they Craftsman Tools
find a freshly blooded knife thrown or carelessly dropped Farming Tools
in a patch of tall grass. The knife belongs to Pon. Though Peasants Garb
he does not realize it, Pon has fallen victim to Betrayers
influence. The Horror tapped into his anxiety about the Loot
upcoming birth and the pressure of providing for the child, None
and Betrayer used Pons anxiety to create a vicious night-
mare in which the villager slashed his own wife with his Legend Award
hunting knife. Pon is terrified by the dream but does not 45 Legend Points
believe that he actually committed the act. If pressured by
the characters, he might tell them that he dreamed a man
Blades
came into the hut and cut Mara. He is too ashamed of his
own secret feelings to admit that the man was himself. Mara
As dawn breaks, a baby girl is born to Pon and Mara. Attributes
They Name the baby after any adventurer who showed
Dexterity (10): 5/D8 Strength (10): 5/D8
interest in or kindness to the family, in hope of giving the
Toughness (13): 6/D10 Perception (9): 4/D6
child a bit of good luck (even if doing so results in the girl
Willpower (5): 3/D4 Charisma (9): 4/D6
having a male Name).
Mara is very weak and cannot tell the characters any- Characteristics
thing if they ask her about the attack. Pon keeps himself
Physical Defense: 6 Initiative: 5/D8
very busy tending the new baby, the other children, and
Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 0
the fields. Grandma believes the event is an evil omen and
Social Defense: 6 Mystic Armor: 0
doesnt want to talk about it. She gently suggests that the
characters stop by to see the family on their return journey, Death Rating: 35 Recovery Tests: 2
when Mara and the baby are a bit stronger. If the charac- Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 5/D8
ters stay in the village, the nightmares get worse for all the Unconsciousness Rating: 27
families and more, similar incidents occur. If the charac-
Combat Movement: 20 Full Movement: 40
ters ask about the village of Cliffstonethe next landmark
on their routeno one knows anything. The folk of Small- Skills
stream dont have time to go exploring, and the people of
Artisan:
Cliffstone prefer to have no contact with others.
Cooking (2): 6/D10
Pon Knowledge:
Farming (2): 6/D10
Attributes
General:
Dexterity (11): 5/D8 Strength (15): 6/D10
Wilderness Survival (2): 6/D10
Toughness (15): 6/D10 Perception (7): 4/D6
Willpower (9): 4/D6 Charisma (7): 4/D6 Equipment
Characteristics Farming Tools
Peasants Garb
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
Spell Defense: 5 Physical Armor: 0 Loot
Social Defense: 5 Mystic Armor: 0
None
Death Rating: 38 Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 10 Knockdown: 6/D10 Legend Award
Unconsciousness Rating: 30 40 Legend Points
315
Cliffstone far enough for the villagers to begin acting out their Horror-
Two days walk from Smallstream lies the village influenced nightmares, a young human man who has been
of Cliffstone, a place less welcoming to strangers than guarding the fish trap comes screaming into the center of
Smallstream. the village, wielding a fillet knife. He says that a group of
When the characters arrive at Cliffstone, read the fol- five ice flyers, including a leader, is raiding the fish trap. The
lowing aloud: entire village appeals to the heroes to save their food supply,
especially if the characters have spent the evening telling
The walk from Smallstream leads you through
stories about their courageous exploits. The villagers then
the foothills along the creek, through rocky,
dissolve into bickering about who should
lightly forested land and up a gentle slope.
save the fish trap rather than bat-
After two days at an easy pace you can see
tling the ice flyers together. Only
what must be the village of Cliffstone:
Trawet joins the characters in
a little grouping of huts at the foot of
saving the fish trap, which the
a cliff. A waterfall cascades over
ice flyers are destroying.
the cliff edge, showering the
If the characters defeat
surrounding land with rain-
the ice f lyers, the towns-
bow-hued mist and filling
folk thank them profusely.
the air with its music.
Tr aw e t e x pr e s s e s h i s
T h e v i l l a ge l o o k s
thanks and apologizes for
empt y; perhaps the
his initial distrust. No one
inhabitants are out
sleeps well after all this, but
doing their daily chores.
nothing else happens for the
You see no fields, though
last few hours of night.
someone has set a fish
Make sure Trawet sur-
trap of sorts across the
Blades
Blades
reach. At least one villager has undoubtedly Twenty villagers are gathered in front of a
observed your progress, and for a moment you circle of huts. Most of them hold hoes, axes, or
wonder why no one has hailed you. hunting knives; five of them have arrows readied
This site would make a fine stronghold for a and aimed at your obsidiman comrade. A female
city, if anyone wanted to build one in the middle elf standing one step in front of the others shouts,
of the Tylon Mountains. Weary and footsore, you Your kind is not welcome here. You may pass, but
fantasize about the cool drink of fresh water youll stay away from our village.
have when you finally reach the top.
Meeting the Villagers of Ridge
As the characters reach the crest of the ridge, read the
Ridge is the last village the characters pass before
following if they do not have an obsidiman with them:
reaching the corrupted Liferock. The Liferock lies three
days walk from Ridge, but the villagers shun the site out
of fear of the Horror taint. If none of the adventurers is
an obsidiman, the villagers welcome them. Few travelers
Adventure Hook make it up this way, and the folk of Ridge are curious about
events in the rest of Barsaive. But an adventuring party
After the characters departure, a
with obsidiman members gets a much less friendly recep-
number of obsidiman constructs attacked
tion, unless the obsidiman agrees to swear a blood oath of
the village of Ridge. Now the villagers have
peace to the village.
come to blame the characters for it. They
The villagers tell the characters stories of attacks on the
hired a band of Grim Legionnaires to find
village by deranged obsidimen, but anyone listening closely
and deal with the taint-bearing adepts and
realizes that these stories are all variations on the same
rid them of their most recent troubles. This
tale. In truth, only one such attack by a delirious obsidiman
band of legionnaires should be powerful
occurred, but the villagers cling to their apocryphal tales
enough to pose a real threat to the char-
as a unifying belief.
acters. It should take a lot of persuasion
Dolrettea Ryse is the council leader and the only elf
to talk them out of their hack em to bits
in the village. Humans, orks, dwarfs, trolls, and even a
strategy (see Infected, p.148, for more
few windlings live in Ridge, scraping out a living from the
information on the Grim Legion).
inhospitable surroundings. Despite their many hardships,
Several people from Ridge insisted
the villagers clearly relish the peace and breath-taking
on accompanying them to see this wrong
beauty of their mountain eyrie. And they are remarkably
righted and will be likely to be remem-
well-read. If the characters ask, they discover that most
bered by any who spent the night in Ridge
of the villagers traveled for a few years before choosing to
on their journey.
return to Ridge.
If the characters spend the night in Ridge, they have a
chance to trade gossip with the residents of the town. 317
Before the characters retire for the evening, read the the specific effects of the Horrors presence in these three
following: small communities, see Return Journey in Lingering
Troubles, p.321.
The embers of the fire have died to a warm
During their encounters in Smallstream and Cliffs-
orange glow, and your stomachs are comfortably
tone, the characters may suspect that Betrayer is somehow
full of fresh roasted meat. Yawning and stretch-
responsible for the unusual events that occur. If the charac-
ing, the villagers of Ridge head off to bed. After
ters tell the residents of any of the villages that the Blades
your strenuous hike, sleep is calling you as well. As
have essentially Horror-marked their group, the villagers
you make ready for bed, a small group of villag-
drive them out.
ers comes forward, each carrying a small parcel
Speaking of their connection with the Horror is not the
in their hands.
wisest decision, but the characters may feel morally obli-
If you please, weve family and friends in other
gated to share this knowledge with anyone they meet. If
parts of Barsaive, says a stout middle-aged dwarf
they choose this course of action, the characters are met
whom you recognize from the evening as a boister-
with fear and suspicion throughout Barsaive.
ous storyteller.
T
Would you mind very much taking these small
he Liferock
items with you, in case you happen to run across
our loved ones? Its been a long time since weve
seen them. You neednt go out of your way for us,
In this encounter, the characters reach the Liferock
just carry these things with you.
that Betrayer corrupted. There they find the body of the
One by one the group hands over various small items: last surviving member of the Liferocks Brotherhood. This
a letter to the dwarfs mother in Throal, a jar of pine salve wounded and weakened obsidiman can tell them that a
for the windlings brother who runs a shop in Bartertown, Horror Named Betrayer corrupted the Liferock.
a request to a friend working in Travar to send up some
Blades
new boots for the ork hunter. Gratitude and nostalgia mix
in the expressions of this small group as they hand over Setting the Stage
their parcels. Read the following aloud when the characters arrive
The people of Ridge are content with their lives, but vis- at the Liferock:
itors remind them of all that lies beyond their little town.
Before you sits a huge outcropping of gray
The townsfolk experience an uneasy night if the charac-
rock, lined with veins of black and white and spat-
ters stay with them, but their relative contentment leaves
tered with patches of snow. It looks just like Senog
Betrayer few resentments to work with. The true effect
described it, with definite markings and ornaments
of the Horrors inf luence on the residents reveals itself
around its edges. As you look around, breathing in
after the characters leave and the villagers return to their
the crisp, clean air, you think of how much life the
daily lives without the luxuries the characters visit has
world has regained since the days when Horrors
reminded them of.
roamed the land and destroyed everything in their
If the characters refuse to carry the messages and small
paths.
gifts from Ridge, the villagers making the requests look
Your hopeful thoughts turn grim as you gaze
ashamed and apologize for troubling the characters. In
on the rock that was once the source of life itself for
any further interactions, they act withdrawn and sullen;
generations of obsidimen. Does it lack some luster,
the incident has reminded them of how cut off they are
gone with the mystical life force it once held? Or
from the rest of Barsaive. Such feelings enable the Horror
does it look scrubbed clean and renewed like the
to influence the villagers more easily, so take them into
surrounding rocky slopes? Where within its depths
account when describing any return trip through the
does the Name of its destroyer hide?
village.
If an obsidiman is with the adventurers and the vil-
lagers ask them to bypass Ridge, the villagers follow the
characters until they are a safe distance away from town Behind the Scenes
and then watch them until they move out of sight. The The characters have found the corrupted Liferock, but
townsfolk stand watch for the next week in case the adven- the only evidence of the Horrors Name is in the mind of
turers plan to return and cause harm to the village. Asmersious, the sole survivor of the tainted Brotherhood.
They find nothing etched in the stone or carved in runes,
no matter how hard they look. Asmersious lies trapped in
Troubleshooting a crevasse near the Liferock, where he has slept ever since
Play things subtly when dealing with Betrayers influ- his long-ago battle with his corrupted brothers (see the
ence during the adventurers initial visits to these villages. introductory fiction and Plot Synopsis sections of this
The Horror has some impact as the characters stop in each adventure, p.309, for a description of this confrontation).
village, but the full extent of Betrayers malign influence Once the characters arrive at the Liferock, they dis-
should become apparent to the characters only when they cover the crevasse after a brief search of the area. When the
318 return to each settlement. For more information regarding characters find the crevasse, read the following aloud:
On the westernmost edge of the rock you find its widest point. The ceiling is uneven and so low in places
a crack, running like a wound deep underground. that a troll or obsidiman must proceed with caution or risk
The opening is big enough for an obsidiman to fall bumping his head.
into, and you can make out foot- and hand-holds Asmersious has been in hibernation since shortly after
carved into the sides of the crevasse. A word has the ancient ork heroes trapped him here all those years ago.
been carved into the rock just above the jagged Assuming the characters do not presume the obsidiman is
opening; it is partly obscured by a dusting of snow. Horror-tainted and kill him outright, they can learn from
You brush the snow away and read the rough him the Name of the Horror. First, however, they must
Throalic letters: BEWARE. bring him to the surface and tend to him while he recov-
ers. Asmersious is terribly weak and still injured. He has
Examining the Crevasse not been able to recover from the wounds he suffered, but
A character using any astral sensing ability while gazing his suspended metabolic state and proximity to his Life-
into the crevasse detects the faint glow of the trapped rockdamaged though it ishave kept him from death.
obsidimans life force. Any character with astral sensing Since the obsidiman is quite heavy, up to four charac-
abilities can detect the obsidimans life force by making a ters may combine their efforts to get Asmersious out of the
successful Perception (8) Test. crevasse. When the adventurers have brought Asmersious
When the Seven Spokes trapped Asmersious in the cre- to the surface, read the following aloud:
vasse, they wedged a boulder into the lower part of it. To
You lay the body of the obsidiman on the
reach the obsidiman, the characters must remove the boul-
ground near the outcropping, marveling that any
der. Doing so is next to impossible using raw strength only,
life remains in him at all. He must be from this
since the boulder was wedged in place tightly. Removing it
Liferock, but how long has he been trapped in the
requires the use of toolssuch as ropes and draft horses,
abyss? You cannot tell by looking if the Liferock is
a lever, or an improvised pulley system.
empty, as Senog saidbut some flicker of life must
If the characters have the patience, they may also try
remain in it, or how could this obsidiman still live?
Blades
and break the boulder into smaller rocks and move it bit by
The answer to this riddle lies at your feet, in this
bit. The gamemaster should reward clever ideas, but should
obsidimans mind. If he wakes, maybe he will tell
ask for tests where appropriate. Beneath the boulder, the
you.
crevasse opens into a roughly oval chamber with an uneven,
stone-littered floor. The chamber is about 8 yards wide at Asmersious remains unconscious for roughly five days.
During this time the characters may set up camp and get
comfortable, as they can do nothing to rouse Asmersious
from hibernation. While they wait, the characters might
search the area around the Liferock for some clue to the
Horrors Name or to Asmersiouss condition. If they search
To whoever may come after us,
thoroughly, they can find some clues.
It is with much regret that we In a hole in the far side of the Liferock they find a small
share this tale. We, the Seven Spokes chest, battered by the Scourge and centuries of harsh
of Cara Fahd, having come to this weather. The chest is locked but can be opened by a char-
Liferock in search of the Horror that acter who makes a successful Lock Picking (5) Test. The
betrayed us and our brother, were characters may also smash the chest open. It has Physi-
met by obsidimen that had become cal Armor 7 and a Death Rating of 20 (see Barriers and
monstrositiessurely the creations of Structures in the Gamemastering chapter on p.106 of
the Horror we seek. These creatures the Gamemasters Compendium).
came from the Liferock as might true The chest contains a small, bone scroll-case sealed
obsidimen, but stank of corruption. with dried wax. The case contains a small piece of parch-
How the Horror tainted this Liferock ment, inscribed in the Orzet language. Reading the scroll
we do not know, but none of the requires a character who knows Orzet to make a success-
Brotherhood who once called this ful Read and Write Language (6) Test. Any character who
place home remain. makes a successful test may read the scroll to the group.
The scroll is signed with the symbol of the Seven
We continue our search for the
Spokesthe seven Blades of Cara Fahd arranged as the
Horror, that we may one day rid
spokes of a wheel. This is the same symbol the characters
Cara Fahd and all of Barsaive of its
see when they confront Betrayer in the final adventure,
inf luence. We are near it now, we
Pure Liquids (p.326).
can feel it. We believe it can feel us
as well; if we do not survive, we ask Betrayers Return
the reader of this scroll to tell our tale
Betrayer corrupted the Liferock by first corrupting one
to the world.
of its Brotherhood, who allowed the Horror to enter the
Liferock and corrupt the rocks spirit. Once Betrayer had
thoroughly corrupted the Liferock, it fashioned the rocks 319
luckless Brotherhood into Horror constructs similar in Setting the Stage
form to invae (see p.373 of the Gamemasters Com- When Asmersious begins to awaken, read the follow-
pendium). All the members of the Brotherhood, save for ing aloud:
Asmersious, fell victim to the Horrors power.
Day after day you have watched this Name-
Though beyond salvation, these constructs retained
giver lying like a huge stone, showing no more life
much of their obsidiman nature, including their ability to
than the towering pillar of rock under which you
merge with their Liferock. When the Seven Spokes split
found him. He does not move and barely breathes.
Betrayers spirit and confined it in the pattern of the Blades,
For a moment you think you see a flicker, so slight
the constructs merged with the Liferock. They have since
it hardly counts as movement. You stare intently at
remained dormant, until the characters arrived carrying
the sleeping giant, but nothing more happens. Per-
the Blades. The characters have brought Betrayer back to
haps the flicker was only your imagination. Then
the Liferock and the constructs, and the Horrors proxim-
it happens again, a shuddering of the skin like a
ity causes them to awaken. They are fully awake and ready
ripple across water. Slowly, the obsidiman is reviv-
for battle about the time that Asmersious revives (see Lin-
ing. His eyes open, so slowly that you can scarcely
gering Troubles, below).
bear the suspense. They seem to linger halfway
open for most of the day. As the shadows grow
Troubleshooting longer they open, full and wide but still unseeing.
You hear a feeble mumbling and draw closer
If the characters cannot come up with the necessary
to the obsidiman so that you can hear him more
Strength to move the boulder but devise some other method
clearly. By the Passions, the Passions he
of performing the task, such as using a lever, allow them
breathes. Suddenly, he lurches upright with star-
to move the rock. If they have the patience, the characters
tling strength. My brothers! he screams, Beware
may also break the boulder into smaller rocks and move it
the defilers!
bit by bit. They need to investigate the chamber beneath
You step back from this wild obsidiman as his
Blades
L
battle. Betrayer still controls them and much prefers to slay
ingering Troubles
the characters than an old, insane, dying obsidiman.
Betrayer knows that the closer the characters get to
learning the last Key Knowledge, the closer they come to
Just as Asmersious awakens from his centuries-
separating the Horror from the pattern of the Blades into
long sleep, several obsidiman Horror constructs emerge
some form that might be vulnerable to physical attack. As
from the Liferock and attack the characters.
a result, Betrayer does everything in its power to destroy
The adventurers must win the battle against these mon-
the adventurers.
strosities and keep Asmersious safe from harm or they may
never learn what Asmersious knows.
320
Obsidiman Horror Constructs (7) The holes... why have you come back? Why
DEX: 7 STR: 11 TOU: 14 bring it with you? How long... hurts. So cold, so
PER: 6 WIL: 8 CHA: 9 hard why? Take it away! Take the defilers oh,
my brothers Asmersious weeps. He draws a
Initiative: 8 Physical Defense: 9
ragged breath and looks at you, as if seeing you
Number of Actions: 2 Spell Defense: 12
for the first time.
Attack (5): 12 Social Defense: 16
I return soon. Defeated you have defeated me.
Damage: Physical Armor: 17
He reaches a trembling hand toward you. Can you
Bite, Claws (3): 14 Mystic Armor: 5
defeat it, too? You know its Name. Betrayer.
Death Rating: 68 (80) Recovery Tests: 7 Slowly, painfully, the obsidiman struggles
Wound Threshold: 23 Knockdown Step: 16 toward the Liferock, until he lies with his whole
Unconsciousness Rating: Immune body against it. Death to Betrayer! he breathes,
and begins to merge with the rock. Within seconds
Combat Movement: 32 Full Movement: 64
he is gone whether Dreaming or dead, you do
Powers: Durability (2), Poison [SD 10; Paralysis] not know.
Legend Points: 740 Unless the characters take some drastic action to heal
the obsidiman, Asmersious dies. His injuries are so severe
Equipment: None
that only a last chance salve or a powerful healing potion
Loot: None will help him. If the characters manage to heal Asmersious,
he eventually recovers completely from his ordeal and may
Rules even choose to join the characters in their search for the
Like invae, the constructs attack by striking and biting. final Key Knowledge of the Blades of Cara Fahd.
A constructs bite exudes a paralyzing venom.
Return Journey
Blades
Poison: Unlike many paralytic poisons, the constructs
The characters may believe that their quest is over, but
venom reduces the victims Dexterity until he cannot move
they must still get back down the mountain. Ten days or so
any longer, making him an easy target. Subtract 1 step
have passed if the characters walked to the Liferock, stayed
from the victims Dexterity step each round until it reaches
with Asmersious while he regained consciousness, then
zero, at which point the victim is completely paralyzed.
walked back to Ridge. They might have made somewhat
better time if they are riding, but horses are not particu-
After the Battle larly useful in the steep and rocky terrain of the higher
Once the battle is over, the characters can return their elevations. Ever since the characters passed through the
attention to Asmersious. Read the following aloud: villages of Smallstream, Cliffstone and Ridge, the people of
these villages have suffered from the influence of Betrayer,
and so the characters are in for some unpleasant surprises
on their return trip.
Ridge
When the characters reach Ridge (assuming none of
them is an obsidiman, and Asmersious did not recover and
join them), the townspeople respond with apathy and even
sullenness. Name-givers who once pushed food and drink
into the adventurers hands now barely turn to give them
the time of day. Dolrettea greets them with a cold look and
a terse demand that they leave at once. If an obsidiman is
among them, the villagers greet them with weapons at the
ready, just as they did before. But this time they fire their
arrows and throw stones to drive the characters off, shout-
ing curses all the while.
If the characters dont take the hint, Dolrettea says,
Your presence here threatens everything we have tried
to build. We do not need reminders of the things we left
behind. You are making my people unhappy, and I wont
tolerate it! Dolrettea has adopted a possessive attitude
about the people of Ridge and she accepts no further insub-
ordination from the characters or villagers.
If the characters think this change in attitude is
Dolretteas problem and try to talk with the villagers indi-
vidually, the people who gave the characters messages for
321
their distant friends in Prosperous To a Degree take them As you dash up the hill toward the little town,
back, saying things like, We dont need this kind of trou- your bellies clench in knots as you catch the scent
ble, and Everything was fine until you came barging into of stale smoke. Topping the rise, you stop dead in
our lives! your tracks. The huts are smoking hulks and the
fields lie in ruins. A small child sits in the dirt, his
Cliffstone hair matted and his body covered in mud and soot.
When the characters reach Cliffstone, read the follow- He sees you running out of the trees and covers
ing aloud: his eyes, weeping in terror. Mamma! Papa!
Granma You barely recognize him as one of Pon
You pick your way down the slippery path that
and Maras children.
skirts the waterfall, stepping carefully around
frozen patches of moss and heading down toward The residents of Smallstream have suffered the most
Cliffstone. The village should come into sight any from Betrayers manipulations. The Horror twisted the
moment now, through the mist that hovers near secret desires and resentments of the villagers, setting
the base of the falls. husband against wife, mother against son, and neighbor
You walk onward but dont see or hear any sign against neighbor. At least twenty people lie buried on all
of Cliffstone. As the base of the falls comes into sides of the village, including many children.
view, you can see the pieces of the broken fish trap When the characters come into view, the few surviving
churning in the water. The huts look abandoned. villagers cower in fear. Three adults, seven small children
You see Trawet slouched against the wall of his hut. and Grandma, who looks ill and grief-stricken, are all that
It occurs to you that hes picked an odd time and remain of the village. Grandma begs the characters to leave
place to snooze. But no sooner do you finish this them alone, saying, Dont bring this evil to others.
thought than you realize he is not sleeping at all.
The characters might assume that ice f lyers
attacked the village again. If they look around care- Troubleshooting
Blades
fully, they discover otherwise. An examination of The Horror constructs are tough opponents, and one or
Trawet shows that he has been stabbed in the chest more of the characters may die fighting them. Let the dice
multiple times by an assailant or assailants using roll as they may. At this point, the characters are probably
hunting knives. All around his body, someone has Eighth Circle or better and should be prepared for nasty
drawn runes matching the ones on the Blades of battles. And they are facing an enemy that wiped out an
Cara Fahd. Trawets hut has been ransacked, and entire Brotherhood of obsidimenno mean feat. If the
broken knife blades litter the floor. characters survive, they will have quite a tale to tell.
L
The characters may decide to track the appar-
ently departed villagers to find out what happened.
But the villagers tracks are several days old, and
the characters lose them almost immediately. If oose Ends
they persist in trying to find the rest of the villag- The information in this section wraps up the
ers, have them stumble across another two or three adventures loose ends and suggests ways to use story ele-
mutilated bodies. The living villagers, however, are ments and characters from With an Axe in Hand in
long gone. future Earthdawn adventures.
Smallstream
As the characters approach Smallstream, read the After the Adventure
following: The characters have learned the Name of Betrayer, but
at a cost that will stay with them for a long time to come.
The air begins to warm as you descend from
They may wish to make amends to the settlements that
the mountain slopes into the foothills of the Tylons.
suffered in the wake of their visits. The villagers wont
The walk along the rushing waters of Small Stream
appreciate the characters direct intervention, but the char-
has been pleasant, in spite of the troubling events
acters may be able to finance the rebuilding of Smallstream
in Ridge and Cliffstone.
through indirect sources. The characters can also make
As you stop to stretch and have a drink of cool
sure to deliver any messages left with them in Ridge to
water, something catches your attention. Patches
their intended recipients. If they want to provide for Pon
of soil have been churned up across the creek, just
and Maras surviving child, the boy they found just outside
where you remember seeing a green field. You look
Smallstream, they must do so indirectly; Grandma refuses
more carefully, and suddenly feel cold as you rec-
to let them take the boy away.
ognize a row of fresh graves. One is much smaller
As the characters travel across Barsaive, they may run
than the rest. You cross the creek for a closer look,
into refugees from Cliffstone or Smallstream who do not
hoping against hope that your suspicions are
view them as heroes. This could hurt the legendary status
wrong. The tiny wooden marker reads, Here Lies
of the characters who do not make amends, not to mention
[Babys Character Name]. Beside it are markers
bringing up recurring feelings of guilt.
322 for Pon, Mara, and several others.
Awarding Legend Points Loot
As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94 None
of the Gamemasters Compendium, an adventure
like With an Axe in Hand awards a number of Legend Legend Award
Awards to the player characters. A single Legend Award 45 Legend Points
should award a number of Legend Points as determined
by the characters Circle. For example, an Eighth Circle
character receives from 2,350 to 7,000 Legend Points per
Legend Award, and a total of two to five Legend Awards
Trawet
per game session. Attributes
In the final game session that concludes the adventure, Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (19): 8/2D6
the characters may gain two extra Legend Awards for com- Toughness (16): 7/D12 Perception (10): 5/D8
pleting the overall adventure goal. The creatures presented Willpower (13): 6/D10 Charisma (13): 6/D10
in this adventure have listings for Legend Points. These are
the points characters earn for defeating the creatures. Characteristics
The adventure goal for With an Axe in Hand is to Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
learn the Horrors Name. Spell Defense: 6 Physical Armor: 5
C
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
ast of Characters
Death Rating: 39 Recovery Tests: 3
Wound Threshold: 11 Knockdown: 8/2D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 31
This section contains game statistics for major
gamemaster characters in this asventure. Combat Movement: 26 Full Movement: 52
Skills
Blades
Grandma Artisan:
Attributes Craftsman; Leatherworking (2): 8/2D6
Characteristics General:
Climbing (2): 8/2D6
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 5/D8
Fishing (4): 9/D8+D6
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 0
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 0
Skills
Artisan:
Storytelling (2): 8/2D6
Knowledge:
Botany (2): 8/2D6
Farming (2): 8/2D6
General:
Arcane Mutterings (2): 8/2D6
Physician (5): 11/D10+D8
Equipment
Quarterstaff (Damage 6/D10)
Farming Tools
Medicine Pouch
Peasants Garb
3Physician Kits
323
Hunting (4): 10/D10+D6
Melee Weapons (2): 8/2D6
Wilderness Survival (4): 9/D8+D6
Equipment
Hardened Leather (Phys 5; Init 1)
Climbing Kit
Craftsman Tools
Fishing Kit
Trail Rations (1 week)
Travelers Garb
Waterskin
Loot
10 silver pieces
Legend Points
100 Legend Points
Notes
Blades
Attributes Loot
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (10): 5/D8 10 silver pieces
Toughness (7): 4/D6 Perception (11): 5/D8
Willpower (10): 5/D8 Charisma (12): 5/D8 Legend Award
45 Legend Points
Characteristics
Physical Defense: 8 Initiative: 6/D10 Notes
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 0 Dolretta possesses the elf racial ability of Low-Light
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 0 Vision.
Talents (Knacks)
Acrobatic Strike (3): 8/2D6
Air Dance (3): 8/2D6
Avoid BlowD (1): 6/D10
Durability (9/7) (3): 3
Karma Ritual (3): 3
Melee WeaponsD (3): 8/2D6
Unarmed CombatD (5): 10/D10+D6 (Head Butt)
Wood SkinD (3): 11/D10+D8
D
Indicates a Discipline talent.
Skills
Blades
Artisan:
Sculpture (1): 5/D8
Knowledge:
Obsidiman Lore (2): 6/D10
Obsidiman Weapons (2): 6/D10
General:
Arcane Mutterings (2): 6/D10
Wilderness Survival (2): 6/D10
Equipment
Peasants Garb
Loot
None
Legend Award
170 Legend Points
Notes
Asmersious possesses the obsidiman racial abilities of
Increased Wound Threshold and Natural Armor.
325
Pure Liquids
Take the True elementsfire, earth, water, air, and wood. Here is purity of form,
distilled into something tangible that we can mold into new works!
Chandalee Everil, Elven Elementalist
Tchava Vardegon Kelemin shuddered, and not from Tchava scampered to the other side of the raft and
the chill of the underground cavern. Tchava had lived far began to paddle. He was far from displeased to be leav-
beneath the Tylon Mountains all his life. He had never ing immediately, but the mystery of it all frustrated him.
seen daylight. His world was one of sunless rivers; of cool, He wanted to ask the Most Honored One to explain, but
embracing darkness. But he had seen something strange he knew better than to seem idly curious. He thought for a
the last time he had paddled his raft through these caverns, while, phrasing a proper and legitimate question.
down this winding tributary. This time, he had a passen- I reached into the water and touched the pattern, Most
ger with him who did little to calm his apprehension: the Honored One. Am I in danger? The shivalahala sighed.
shivalahala, the revered leader of the pale tskrang of the We are all in danger, young one. We deal with Horrors, and
Tylon Mountains. Young Tchava had only heard rumors therefore nothing can be said for certain. I shall have the
about her until yesterday, most of them concerning various Nethermancer Tsimon Vastamil Chandas examine you for
strange supernatural powers she was reputed to possess. signs of taint on our return to the Great Dome. But I do not
Blades
And now he was ferrying her, alone, to his private fishing think you have been tainted. The gravest danger is to those
hole. who carry the Blades reflected in the patternand to any
If only he hadnt told his lahala what he had seen! unlucky enough to cross their path. It is our poor luck that
Tchava had always believed that problems left untended their path and ours will doubtless intersect, and soon.
eventually vanished of their own accord. His experience The shivalahala looked into Tchavas face, the light cast
had been a mere curiosity to him; a somewhat alarming by her skin warming slightly. I have confused you. Allow
one, true, but nothing of significance. He told the tale of me to begin the tale at its proper place, at the beginning.
P
it only to please the folk of his niall, to cater to their love
of diversion. He had not expected the reaction of the old
ones: furrowed brows, clenched jaws, wrinkled crests.
Before he knew it, they had bundled him onto a raft and lot Synopsis
taken him to the Great Dome. There he had repeated his The characters have learned that they must travel
tale for the shivalahala, his knees knocking together as to the place where the Seven Spokes defeated Betrayer
he spoke. She had gazed at him with terrifying grandeur and learn the manner the ancient heroes used to defeat
and power, dull green light pulsing through her skin. When the Horror. The characters learn that their destination
she ordered Tchava to take her to his fishing hole, he had lies deep beneath the Tylon Mountains, somewhere in an
nearly fainted. underground river system inhabited by Pale Ones. The
During the journey he had made a few attempts at con- Pale Ones are tskrang who live underground in a more
versation with his lofty charge, but she paid him no heed. primitive way of life than their better-known cousins of
For much of the trip he had paddled in silence. Now, as he the Serpent River. The adventurers stumble across an old
reached the final bend, he said softly, This is the place, account that suggests they must find the community of
Most Honored One. Pale Ones known as Great House Chelann.
The thing he had seen was still there. In fact, it seemed In their search for House Chelann, the characters
to have grown bigger. The water was discolored in a way hook up with the Vodanicus family, a group of disrepu-
that only magic could explain: a pattern of deep red lines table dwarfs. These scavengers know the underground
had appeared on its surface. It looked as if someone had rivers of the Tylon range well, because they often venture
poured pigment into the water, except that the pigment had down them to search for deposits of True water. The family
found a shape it liked and did not wish to disperse. The pat- claims to know the location of the Great Dome of Chelann
tern was circular, resembling a wheel with seven spokes. and agrees to take the adventurers there for a sizable fee.
Where an eighth spoke should have been, there was a break The characters face many dangers during this under-
in the pattern. ground journey, natural and otherwise. Among other
The Most Honored One looked at the water, shuddered, things, the Blades influence prompts some of the dwarfs
and addressed Tchava for the first time. Take me back. to try to kill them. When the characters finally arrive at the
I have seen all I need to see. It is true. The time our tales Great Dome of Chelann, they meet Shivalahala Chelasmo,
warn us of has returned. We must prepare, young one, for the Pale Ones leader. She tells them the legend of the battle
326 the Time of Betrayal. between Betrayer and the Seven Spokes. She also supplies
them with the Key Knowledge they need to weave the Rank In addition to these incidents, the gamemaster may
Eight threads to the Blades, as well as the ritual means have the Horror attempt to make one of the player charac-
to cast the Horrors spirit into a new body composed of ters betray the others at some inopportune moment.
L
blood and elemental water. Once the adventurers have
accomplished this feat, they can try to kill Betrayer and rid
Barsaive of the Horrors baleful influence once and for all.
Having acquired the necessary information from the ast Words
shivalahala, the adventurers travel to the place of Betray- Use this prelude when the characters begin seeking
ers defeat. There they meet, learn from, and ultimately the Blades Rank Eight Key Knowledge. That knowledge is
battle the ghosts of the Seven Spokes. The adventurers then the specific method the Seven Spokes used to defeat the
perform the blood magic ritual and re-form the Horror, Horror called Betrayer. The characters should know that
which they must try to destroy in a truly titanic battle. this thread rank also requires a Deed: to travel to the place
where the ancient heroes defeated Betrayer.
The information the characters need to start on the
Betrayers Influence final adventure is contained in a document (Setting the
In this adventure Betrayer causes quite a few problems Stage, below). The gamemaster determines exactly how
for the adventurers. First, the Horror causes their guides the adventurers find the document and may flesh out the
along the subterranean river to attempt to kill them. Later prelude as he pleases. For example, the characters may find
in the adventure, when the characters arrive at the Great it in the Great Library of Throal or in the ruins of some city
Dome, the Horror works its way through the tskrang in Cara Fahd. Alternatively, they may hear it as a tale told
population, resulting in an attack against Shivalahala by a drunken Troubadour in Barsaivian Vivane or some
Chelasmo. such place. Whatever the gamemasters choice, however,
any investigative measure that makes half a lick of sense
should yield the document.
Blades
Because this prelude is the gamemasters to design, no
Troubleshooting section is included.
G
woman for the group is Mother Vodanicus. The other family
members are Grandmother Vodanicus, Father Vodanicus,
Blades
bunch, rarely volunteering information. If asked about the underground pool. To carry their heavy rafts through this
dangers of the trip, the dwarfs exaggerate wildly (no mean passage without slipping, the characters must make suc-
feat, considering that the journey is plenty dangerous). The cessful Climbing (5) Tests. If a characters test fails, the
dwarfs claim that the river system is crawling with Hor- character plunges into the frigid river water below. Any
rors, aquatic blood monkeys, and cadaver men who are half character who hits the water risks catching cold or pneu-
trout. But the Vodanicuses do not mention any of the real monia and must make a Toughness (6) Test to resist getting
hazards the adventurers are about to face. sick. Characters who become ill suffer a cumulative pen-
alty of 1 per day to all Action Tests until they are cured.
Mountain Trek Characters may be cured by magical means (a questor
The first stage of the journey is a four-day trek up one of of Garlens healing ability will do the trick) or through a
the Tylon Mountains, Mount Jhacsaan. For the first three- weeks rest in a warm, dry environment. (Unfortunately
and-a-half days, the trip is a moderately steep hike. The for sick characters, the Great Dome does not fit the bill.)
Vodanicuses haul two massive rafts up with them, insist-
ing that the adventurers do their share of the lugging. (If
they can convince the adventurers to do more than their
share, so much the better.) Each raft is 5 yards long by 3
yards wide , large enough to carry 10 human-sized Name-
givers on board each raft. The rafts are sturdy enough to
survive the punishment they take throughout the trip (The
canal boat is adequate if stats are required; see p.159 of the
Gamemasters Compendium).
Late on the third day of the mountain trek, when the
group has camped for the night, a gang of 10 mountain
scorchers accosts them (use the ork scorcher statistics
provided on p.282 of Bond Breaker). The Vodanicuses
promised the scorchers a cut of their last haul in exchange
for safe passage and then double-crossed them. The orks,
led by a big bruiser Named Buunpak, insist on being paid
double. And they growl and rattle their swords to empha-
size that they mean business. The Vodanicuses attempt to
get the adventurers to pay them off. The total is 500 sil-
vers. If the adventurers refuse to pay, a fight ensues. Play
out engagements involving player characters. Use simple
sketches to describe skirmishes between the scorchers
and Vodanicuses. If the dwarfs take part in the fighting,
the orks decapitate Second Brother Vodanicus. His family 329
Blades
Characters enjoying the benefits of protective spells such as and hits either the stalactites or a wall. Characters thrown
Weather Cloak do not catch cold or pneumonia if dunked. from a raft take Step 12/2D10 damage. No armor protects
Needless to say, the Vodanicuses all make their nimble against this damage. The character is then thrown across
way down the vent with no problems, drop the rafts into the rapids (included in the above damage) and tossed into
the water and jump onto them. Each character must make the deeper river water past the rocks. At this point, the
a Dexterity (or appropriate Talent) Test against a Difficulty character is in danger of drowning (see p.248 of the Play-
Number of 6 to jump onto a raft without tumbling into the ers Compendium). The Vodanicuses throw a rope to any
drink. The Vodanicus family openly ridicules anyone who character ending up in the water, if possible.
gets soaked. Only one member of the Vodanicus familyUncle
The dwarfs paddle the rafts from the pool down the Vodanicusis thrown from his raft. The impact kills him
tributary, which soon feeds into the River Uvar. The Uvar is instantly. Aunt Vodanicus looks a trif le upset, but the
a fast-moving river that courses down through the moun- others brush off his death. They want to get on with the
tain at a steep angle. The rafts drift at an average speed of journey and collect their fat fee.
thirty miles an hour. This speed varies with the slope of
the river; sometimes it slows to a crawl, and sometimes it Raggoks Gullet
speeds up. After the rapids, the rafts briefly slow down. Suddenly,
Mother Vodanicus shouts to the adventurers, Hope youre
Rapids good jumpersRaggoks Gullet is coming up!
At one point the raft begins to accelerate rapidly. Aunt If the adventurers ask for more information, Mother
Vodanicus shouts, Hold onto your loincloths! Raggoks Vodanicus continues. Read the following aloud:
Gullet ahead!
This river ends in about ten minutes. Weve got
Give the adventurers just enough time to get nervous at
another two minutes or so in level water, then we
this Name, and then describe the wash of whirling white
hit a steep slope. The river gets faster than an ork
foam the rafts are speeding toward at a breakneck pace.
on his wedding night and shoots us over a water-
The adventurers are about to hit the worst rapids in this
fall. Two rivers converge there, with a waterfall
underground thrill ride. The Vodanicuses grab for leather
on either side. We call this place Raggoks Gullet
straps fasted to the rafts, and the adventurers should do
because the Passions only know where all the water
the same. Even windling characters have to hold on for
goes. Weve hung a net between the two water-
dear life, as the roof of the passageway is lined with sharp
fallswhen the raft shoots over the falls, youve got
stalactites that make flying above the rafts hazardous.
to grab the net and scuttle over to the other side.
To stay on their rafts, each character must make a suc-
Theres just enough rock to stand on there sos you
cessful Strength Test (or appropriate other Talent Test, at
dont go plunging over the other waterfall. Get to
the gamemasters discretion) against a Difficulty Number
them rocks and well tell you what to do next.
330 of 8. Any character who fails this test is thrown from a raft
The adventurers have one chance to leap up and grab Non-windling characters attempting to fly or levitate
onto the netting strung over the tops of the two waterfalls. across by some means must contend with a powerful down-
Each character must make a Dexterity Test (or Lizard Leap, draft between the two waterfalls. To navigate through this,
Great Leap, or other similar Talent or Skill Test) against a such characters must make appropriate tests against a Dif-
Difficulty Number of 9. Any character who fails this test ficulty Number of 15. For example, an Illusionist using a
misses the netting and goes over the Uvar Falls. The drop Flying Carpet spell must make a Spellcasting (15) Test to
is about 15 yards; anyone going over suffers appropriate keep the carpet properly airborne. A character using Glid-
Falling damage and is pounded by the plummeting water ing Stride must make a Gliding Stride (15) Test, and so on.
after hitting bottom. Such characters must make three Characters who grab the netting must make it across
Damage Tests to see how badly they are injured. The first the net while hanging upside down over Raggoks Gullet.
two Damage Tests are at Step 20/D20+D8+D6, the result This feat requires a successful Dexterity (6) Test. Boatmen,
of the fall; the third Damage Test is at Step 10/D10+D6, the Air Sailors, and Sky Raiders may make Dexterity-based
result of the water pounding them at the bottom. No armor Half-Magic (6) Tests instead. Any character who fails this
protects against this damage. test falls into the pounding water and must make a Step
Windling characters can attempt to fly across the falls, 10/D8+D6 and two Step 20/D20+D8+D6 Damage Tests to
but the mist from the churning water may well get their determine the extent of his injuries, as described above.
wings wet and prevent them from flying (see p.49 of the Characters who make it across the net can jump onto a
Players Compendium). To avoid plummeting into rocky outcropping beside the Tronos Falls. Those who end
Raggoks Gullet while flying across, windlings must make up in Raggoks Gullet must be rescued. Junior Vodanicus
successful Toughness (8) Tests. rescues the rafts and any adventurers who fail to get across.
He rappels down a long rope attached to the netting and
then attaches a set of ropes to each raft. These ropes are
connected to a pulley system; the Vodanicuses stand on the
rocky outcropping and heave the rafts up. Characters at the
Blades
bottom of the gullet can rappel up the rope after Junior by
making successful Climbing (7) Tests.
time during this final day, Father Vodanicus makes a Powers: Durability (2), SwimmingS (3): 11
Surprise Strike against an unsuspecting adventurer. If the
Legend Points: 205
characters kill him, the Vodanicus family again demands
a reparation payment. Equipment: None
R
and unnatural to any surface-dweller. Portray the Pale
Ones, especially Chelasmo, as grim and aloof. They help
Blades
lowing aloud: Spokes received aid from Rashani, the shivalahala at that
time. The Horror had taken up residence in the labyrinth
You have heard the term great dome used
of underground caves that surrounded the Great Dome and
before to describe the fantastic underwater struc-
had Horror-marked many of Rashanis people. When the
tures of the Serpent River tskrang. Among the Pale
ork heroes came to destroy Betrayer, Rashani used her vast
Ones, the term refers to a gigantic underground
knowledge of sorcery to develop the blood magic ritual that
cavern, at least thirty yards high and possibly a
the orks used to separate Betrayer from its material form
hundred yards deep.
and imprison its spirit in their magical daggers.
A few light crystals glimmer here and there; evi-
After the orks departed, seemingly in triumph, Rashani
dently the Pale Ones, like dwarfs, can see by means
had a series of visions about the Blades. The visions showed
other than bright light. In the lit areas, tskrang of
her that imprisoning the Horror in the Blades had merely
all ages practice various Artisan skills, read books
provided a means for it to spread its influence and threaten
or perform other tasks that require extra illumi-
later generations. Her visions also showed her that the
nation. Elsewhere, the tskrang move through the
fates of House Chelann and the Horror were intertwined.
gloom like walking lanterns. Many of them have
Rashani prophesied that one day a new group of heroes
luminescent skin that gives off a soft glow of white,
would come to the Great Dome, bearing the Blades. A great
green, and blue.
battle would ensue. The harbinger of this dread period,
Enormous limestone columns run from ceiling
which Rashani dubbed the Time of Betrayal, would be the
to floor, disappearing into dark water. Centuries
appearance of the sign of the Blades in the grotto where
of dripping lime have produced a number of natu-
the original bearers of the Blades fought and defeated
ral platforms in the water. Each platform contains
Betrayer.
one of the tskrangs leather tents. Some are small
Appalled by her visions, Rashani spent the next sev-
dwellings, others must serve purposes you cant
eral years creating a new blood magic ritual. This ritual
even guess at.
enables heroes who have woven Rank Eight threads to the
Your tskrang escorts, their spears at the ready,
Blades of Cara Fahd to create a new form for the Horrora
signal for you to stop. One of them scuttles nimbly
corrupt mingling of Horror spirit, Name-giver blood, and
up several wet limestone platforms, then disap-
True water. Once recreated in this form, the Horror can be
pears into the largest of the leather tents. Several
truly killed, though doing so is extremely difficult. Rashani
minutes later, a glowing tskrang clad in robes of
knew it was possible that the Horror wanted to be recre-
silver brushes through the tent doors and peers
ated in this manner, but her visions told her that allowing
down at you.
it to live would place her people in even graver danger.
I am Chelasmo Iffion Huinmar Chelann,
Shivalahala of the House of Chelann, she says, The Fate of the Vodanicus Family
her age-brittle voice echoing from the surround-
If the characters object to the tskrang hauling the
ing rock. I am the one you have journeyed so far
Vodanicus family away, Chelasmo huffily dismisses their
to petition. You may approach.
concerns. She tells them that the effect of the Blades guar- 333
antees that the dwarfs will attempt to betray them. By have passed (see Blood Wounds on p.259 of the Play-
now, the adventurers have seen enough evidence of such ers Compendium). This Wound cannot be healed until
betrayal to confirm this statement. If they press the issue, the deed is accomplished. In either case, paraphrase the
the shivalahala tells them that she is the only Name-giver information provided above in Chelasmos formal speak-
alive who has the Key Knowledge they seek. She then gives ing style.
them a choice: they can save these base and vulgar dwarfs
or they can save Barsaive from Betrayer. Grim Preparations
If the adventurers seem inclined to fight for the dwarfs, The characters spend a week learning Rashanis blood
the remaining members of the Vodanicus family immedi- ritual, and during this time they see the effects of the
ately hurt their own cause by bitterly cursing Chelasmo Blades on the Pale One community. Numerous brawls break
and all tskrang, as well as the characters for not immedi- out between families and even within families. On the
ately leaping to their defense. second-to-last day of the training, all 17 occupants of one
If the characters decide to fight for the dwarfs despite family tent are found murdered. Chelasmos guards track
this provocation, Chelasmo warns them that they are down a suspect and beat him to death instead of bringing
making a terrible mistake for which all of Barsaive will pay him before the shivalahala as the law decrees. Chelasmo,
the price. If they persist, the tskrang attack without mercy. clearly grieving over these events, tells the adventurers
Chelasmo casts Silver Shadow spells on characters attack- that this rain of betrayal will fall on all Barsaive if they
ing with metal weapons and then fires Dragons Breath at do not slay Betrayer. She confesses that even she has been
them (for the spell description, see p.318 of the Players tempted to betray them by teaching them the wrong ritual,
Compendium). With this spell, she can hammer up to even though such an act would be senseless and suicidal.
eleven characters per strike with an average of 30 Damage The ritual takes 15 minutes to perform. As it unfolds,
Points each. each adventurer takes his blade and cuts one-eighth of the
Each victim catches fire after the first hit, suffering Step wheel pattern into the back of his hand. This action causes
7/D12 damage each round until the fire is extinguished by each character 3 permanent Damage Points, and the injury
Blades
a successful Willpower Test against the spells Effect Step. does not heal for a year and a day (see Blood Magic in the
Chelasmo has her Dragons Breath spell in an Armored Workings of Magic chapter on p.259 of the Players
Matrix, so one of the threads is already woven. Compendium). If Betrayer is still alive after a year and
a day, the damage remains until the Horror is slain. The
Dealing with Chelasmo characters then mix the blood from these wounds with a
If the adventurers cause no trouble over the Vodanicus ball of True water supplied by Chelasmo. They must then
family, Chelasmo invites them into her tent, a huge affair throw the bloody True water into the middle of the pattern
decorated with stark and primitive-looking artifacts of the that floats at the site of Betrayers first defeat.
House of Chelann. As always, the shivalahala is attended By reaching the Great Dome and learning the ritual
by a group of spear-carrying tskrang who watch the adven- from Chelasmo, the adventurers have fulfilled the Rank
turers closely. Eight Key Knowledge and Deed requirements for the Blades.
Chelasmo asks the characters to introduce themselves (Getting to the Great Dome is close enough to the place
and to recount their legends. She then quizzes them care- where the Seven Spokes defeated the Horror for magical
fully about the Blades, especially the manner in which the purposes.) This means the characters receive 8,900 Legend
adventurers acquired them and gained their various Key points each, sufficient to weave threads to the Blades. If the
Knowledges. characters choose to weave these threads, they gain abili-
Having heard what she needs to hear, she tells the ties that will help them against the Horror, including a +6
adventurers that she will give them the final Key Knowl- Spell Defense bonus. If they do not think to increase the
edge they seek if they promise slay the Horror once and thread ranks, Chelasmo suggests doing so.
for all. She acknowledges that killing the Horror involves a
blood magic ritual but reassures them that the great good The Final Treachery
of slaying Betrayer would far outweigh any taint from this Just as the adventurers have gone through a final dry
desperate measure. Finally, she assures the adventurers run for the ritual and Chelasmo pronounces their training
that they will never rest easily until Betrayer is slain; until over, the shivalahalas tent is invaded by crazed tskrang
they kill the Horror, they will spread betrayal and blood- guards, as well as any members of the Vodanicus family
shed wherever they go. who were taken off to be killed. (The devious dwarfs, aided
If the adventurers impress Chelasmo as honest and by the effect of the Blades, have convinced their captors to
capable and they agree to her demands, she freely gives help them take vengeance against Chelasmo.) The maraud-
them the Key Knowledge and teaches them the ritual. If ing band includes three assailants for each adventurer.
the adventurers do not impress her, she demands that they Chelasmo cannot bear to harm her own people, and uses
swear a blood oath to slay the Horror. This special oath, her magic against them only if the adventurers are having
also designed by Rashani, causes each adventurer to suffer a hard time handling them.
a Blood Wound with a number of Damage Points equal to Statistics for the dwarfs and tskrang guards appear in
the characters Wound Threshold, which becomes per- the Cast of Characters section on p.340.
manent and leaves runic scars if they have not done their
334 best to accomplish the sworn deed after a month and a day
Setting Off Loot
When the adventurers are ready to depart, Chelasmo 3 silver pieces
introduces them to Tchava, an adolescent tskrang. She
reminds the tskrang that he is risking his life and says Legend Award
he can still refuse this mission if he wants to. The brave 55 Legend Points
young tskrang takes a deep breath, then replies that he is
the only one aside from her who can lead the adventurers Notes
to the right place, and that the shivalahala is too valuable Tchava possesses the tskrang racial ability of Tail Attack.
to the House to risk losing her.
Giving in, Chelasmo hands the adventurers the True
water they need to complete the ritual. Tchava then leads
the adventurers to a raft, bids them board it and begins
Troubleshooting
The adventurers are unlikely to feel honor-bound to
poling down the River Tronos.
save any surviving Vodanicuses from execution, consid-
ering that several of the dwarfs have already tried to kill
Tchava them. If the characters decide to ignore Chelasmos warn-
Attributes ings and attack the tskrang guards anyway, they have
made a disastrous error and must pay for it.
Dexterity (13): 6/D10 Strength (12): 5/D8
If they do not die in the ensuing battle and somehow
Toughness (12): 5/D8 Perception (13): 6/D10
manage to escape from the Great Dome, they never learn
Willpower (15): 6/D10 Charisma (14): 6/D10
the Key Knowledge they need, never destroy Betrayer and
Characteristics are forever after shackled with cursed weapons that bring
chaos to any community they enter.
Physical Defense: 7 Initiative: 6/D10
D
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 3
read Rebirth
Blades
Social Defense: 8 Mystic Armor: 2
336
Powers: Decaying Touch (10): 12 Glorious, glorious to be physical again! I have
missed the pleasure of killing for myself. I thank
Legend Points (2): 880
you, my deliverers! I owe this new shape to you,
Equipment: None and I promise that I shall wreak much havoc in it.
Pardon my ingratitude in slaying youfools!
Loot: None
The showdown begins; statistics for Betrayer appear on
Rules p.338. Betrayer intends to kill all the characters, savoring
Decaying Touch: The ghost touches its victim each death like fine wine. Exulting in its new incar-
and makes a Decaying Touch Test against the nation, it lashes out physically at first, trying to
targets Spell Defense. Decaying kill as many of the characters as pos-
Touch causes living matter to sible with its razor-sharp tendrils.
decay and rot. The victim takes During this initial phase, the
2 Damage Points per round until submerged Betrayer is some-
he makes a successful Toughness what reckless, leaving its
Test against the result of the Decay- limbs above water as readily
ing Touch Test, or the ghost is slain. No available targets after making
armor protects against this damage. attacks.
At the same time, its voice
Battle in the Grotto rings out in the adventurers
When the adventurers finally reach minds (Betrayers tie to them
the grotto (marked on the map on p.336), through the Blades works as an
Tchava points out the pattern he discov- effective Horror mark). The Horror
ered several days ago. It has grown to offers mighty power to any adven-
fill the grottos entire 10-yard diame- turers who betray their fellows
Blades
ter and is bubbling and foaming. If the by striking against them. (In
players do not immediately rec- game terms, the Horror will
ognize it as the wheel symbol provide the mighty power by
on the backs of the Blades, using its Karma Tap ability
secretly roll a Perception to substitute its Karma
(7) or Evidence Analysis step for a characters and
(7) Test for each char- allow that Karma to be
acter. A successful test applied to any Attack
enables a character to Test made against
realize this. another adventurer.)
The advent urers Betrayer also offers
can now commence to spare any traitor-
the blood magic ritual ous characters life
to coax Betrayer out a nd to g ra nt h i m
of the Blades. They immortality. This last
may search t he grot to offer is a blatant lie,
first if they wish but they find and the Horror greedily
nothing of interest aside from the devours any such converts
pattern in the water. The grotto is just an at the first convenient opportunity.
ordinary underground cavern with no other If the Horror has trouble damaging
exits. There are a number of ledges and shallows one or more of the characters, it changes tactics and
around its perimeter for the characters to stand on. attempts to grapple its targets (see p.411 of the Play-
When the ritual begins, a terrible howling sound echoes ers Compendium) and pull them underwater to drown.
throughout the grotto. Once the ritual is completed, the For drowning rules, see Drowning on p.248 of the Play-
pattern stops bubbling and abruptly disappears. The howl- ers Compendium. At the gamemaster s discretion, such
ing stops, replaced by an eerie silence. a drowning character may be allowed to attack the limb
Then, suddenly, a tendril of red water erupts through holding him, or others may damage it sufficiently, such
the bottom of the raft and hurtles towards Tchava. It as Wounding it, causing Betrayer to release the drowning
smashes through his jaw and down his throat, then back character from his grasp. Destroying the raft can also cause
out again, literally tearing him apart. The tendril rips back all the characters in it to tread water and seek solid footing
below the surface of the water, leaving Tchavas mutilated before resuming their attacks. In addition, as combat pro-
corpse lying on the raft. ceeds, Betrayer keeps his limbs below the water between
The chamber echoes with a disembodied, burbling strikes necessitating the use of delayed or reserved attacks,
voice. Read the following dialogue aloud: spells, or ranged attacks able to penetrate under the water
to hit Betrayer at all.
337
In its new form, Betrayer can be truly damaged only adventurers, and when they are weakened by other strug-
by characters using talents that have been enhanced by gles, the Horror will send its minions to finish them off.
their ties to the Blades of Cara Fahd. The Damage step of If Betrayer is near the adventurers when an opportunity
any other attack ability incurs a penalty of -10, and so only to harm them presents itself, the Horror will attack them
the adventurers have a fighting chance of killing Betrayer. personally. Whenever they encounter it, they will discover
If Betrayer takes damage to within 40 points of its Uncon- that it has grown stronger because it is constantly feeding
sciousness Rating, it retreats completely to the bottom of on the discord it sows. To reflect this, increase the Horrors
the grotto and casts Skin Shift at the adventurers who have abilities and attributes and raise Betrayers Defense Rat-
been most effective in damaging it. If it takes damage to ings each time the player characters run into it (see p.440
within 20 points of its Unconsciousness Rating, it uses its of the Gamemasters Compendium for guidelines).
Terror power and flees down the River Tronos and out into If the adventurers kill Betrayer, all the people that it
Barsaive. Characters who resist the Terror spell might be touched through the Blades will instantly sense the Hor-
allowed to take a parting shot at Betrayer at the gamemas- rors death and know that the adventurers did the great
ters discretion. The fleeing Horror howls an oath of eternal deed. As a result, the adventurers fame will spread
vengeance against the adventurers as it goes. instantly throughout Barsaive. Whatever happens in the
If the characters manage to slay Betrayer before it tries grotto, any surviving adventurers may return to the Great
to escape, they immediately feel as if an immense weight Dome. Chelasmo will arrange for an escort to take them
has been lifted from their spirits. The ghosts of the Seven back to the surface through a secret and much safer route
Spokes reappear before them, this time surrounded by than the one by which they came.
light. The ghosts tell the adventurers that the curse has
been lifted from the Blades of Cara Fahd, and the spirits
thank their benefactors for freeing them to go on to the Awarding Legend Points
afterlife (whatever that might be). They remind the adven- As suggested in the Gamemastering chapter on p.94
turers to use the Blades as they were originally intendedas of the Gamemasters Compendium, an adventure like
Blades
a force for goodand then they vanish. If Betrayer flees, Pure Liquids awards a number of Legend Awards to the
the gamemaster may wish to have the Horror heal itself player characters. A single Legend Award should award a
some and then ambush the characters as they work their number of Legend Points as determined by the characters
way back to the Great Dome, to give them another chance Circle. For example, a Ninth Circle character receives from
to finish off Betrayer or die trying. Otherwise, the Loose 4,800 to 14,200 Legend Points per Legend Award, and a
Ends section describes a number of ways Betrayer can be total of two to five Legend Awards per game session.
used as a recurring nemesis. In the final game session that concludes the adventure,
the characters may gain two extra Legend Awards for com-
pleting the overall adventure goal. The creatures presented
Troubleshooting in this adventure have listings for Legend Points. These are
By this point in the adventure, the characters are the points characters earn for defeating the creatures.
unlikely to make many surprising choices. If they decide The adventure goal for Pure Liquids is to confront
to back out at the last minute, so be it. and defeat Betrayer.
C
This final confrontation is meant to be tough, and so
some or all of the adventurers may die in this battle. They
are facing a legendary Horrortackling it is a genuine risk
that may bring a heavy price. ast of Characters
L
This section contains information and game sta-
tistics for Betrayer (in the physical form provided by the
Betrayer
After the Adventure Betrayer is hard to see, because its new body is made of
If Betrayer escapes, the Horror regards the adventurers water and blood and it is attacking from underwater. If the
as its most dangerous foes, because only those wielding the characters manage to get a clear look at the Horror, the new
Blades of Cara Fahd can seriously damage it. The Horror form appears as a series of wheels within wheels, a com-
will corrupt other adepts and Name-givers and send them plex and twisted three-dimensional version of the wheel
to threaten the adventurers, either through direct attacks design on the Blades. The center of this wheel contains a
or by more devious means such as framing them for crimes, grotesque, ever-changing face, surrounded by seven ten-
causing problems for them with local authorities, spread- drils. Betrayer uses the elastic tendrils to make physical
ing false rumors about them to tarnish their legends, and attacks. The Horror can sharpen the ends of the tendrils
338 so on. Some of Betrayers corrupted allies will spy on the to spear-like points at will.
Betrayer has spent centuries imprisoned in the Blades,
and for the moment wants to physically destroy as many
victims as possible. If it escapes from the final encounter,
it gradually returns to its usual modus operandi: psy-
chologically tormenting and destroying its victims from
afar. It can feed on any negative emotion, but especially
enjoys jealousy, the shock of betrayal, and the remorse of
traitors.
Game Information
DEX: 15 STR: 15 TOU: 15
PER: 18 WIL: 15 CHA: 18
Blades
Powers: Astral Sight (5): 23, Damage Shift (5): 20,
Durability (12), Forge Horror Construct (5): 23, Horror
Mark (5): 23, Karma Tap (5): 23, Skin Shift (5): 20,
Spellcasting (5): 23, Terror (5): 23
Equipment: None
Loot: None
Chelasmo
Chelasmo is a Twelfth Circle tskrang Elementalist,
polite without being warm or friendly. Portray Chelasmo
as a distant and forbidding figure; she should seem a little Talents (Knacks)
menacing when the adventurers first meet her.
Animate Object (12): 19/D20+2D6
As they learn what is going on, they gradually realize
Armored Matrix (12): 12
that she is genuinely interested in the greater good of her
Armored Matrix (12): 12
people and all of Barsaive.
Astral Sight(12): 19/D20+2D6
Attributes Bargain with Summoned CreatureD (12): 19/D20+2D6
Durability (4/3) (12): 12
Dexterity (15): 6/D10 Strength (12): 5/D8
Enhanced Matrix (12): 12
Toughness (13): 6/D10 Perception (18): 7/D12
Enhanced Matrix (12): 12
Willpower (17): 7/D12 Charisma (16): 7/D12
Elemental HoldD (12): 19/D20+2D6
Characteristics Elemental TonguesD (12): 19
Karma Ritual (12): 12
Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 6/D10
Read and Write MagicD (12): 19/D20+2D6
Spell Defense: 12 Physical Armor: 3
Read and Write Language (12): 19/D20+2D6
Social Defense: 10 Mystic Armor: 3
Human, Obsidiman, Orzat*, Orzet, Sperethiel, Theran,
Death Rating: 35 (80)* Recovery Tests: 2 Troll, Tskrang, Windling
Wound Threshold: 9 Knockdown: 5/D8 Reshape ObjectD (12): 19/D20+2D6
Unconsciousness Rating: 27 (60)* SpellcastingD (12): 19/D20+2D6
* These values have been adjusted for blood magic. Spell Matrix (12): 12
Combat Movement: 30 Full Movement: 60 Spell Matrix (12): 12
Spell Matrix (12): 12
Karma Points: 25 Karma Die: 4/D6 339
Spell Matrix (12): 12 Sixth Circle: Fire and Ice (1 Damage Point)
Summon (Elemental Spirits)D (12): 19/D20+2D6 Seventh Circle: +1 Spell Defense
Summoning CircleD (12): 19/D20+2D6 Eighth Circle: Karma on spell Effect Tests
TemperatureD (12): 19/D20+2D6 Ninth Circle: Karma on Recovery Tests
Thread Weaving (Elementalism)D (13): 20/D20+D8+D6 Tenth Circle: +1 Social Defense
(Talent Linking, Weave Element) Eleventh Circle: +1 Physical and Spell Defense
Willforce (12): 19/D20+2D6 Twelfth Circle: Earth and Wind (2 Damage Points)
D Indicates a Discipline talent.
Italicized talents require Karma.
Tskrang Guards
* Orzat is the ancient language of the orks, shorter and more guttural than the modern Orzet (see
p.297 of the Name-givers Compendium).
Skills Use the following statistics for all Pale Ones other than
Chelasmo or Tchava.
Artisan:
Juggling (3): 10/D10+D6 Attributes
Knowledge: Dexterity (17): 7/D12 Strength (13): 6/D10
Ancient Weapons (4): 11/D10+D8 Toughness (11): 5/D8 Perception (11): 5/D8
Blood Magic (6): 13/D12+D10 Willpower (11): 5/D8 Charisma (11): 5/D8
Horror Lore (5): 12/2D10
Pale Ones History (7): 14/D20+D4 Characteristics
Ritual Magic (6): 13/D12+D10 Physical Defense: 9 Initiative: 6/D10
Spell Defense: 7 Physical Armor: 6
General:
Social Defense: 7 Mystic Armor: 1
First Impression (3): 10/D10+D6
Read and Write Language (1): 8/2D6 Death Rating: 32 Recovery Tests: 2
Dwarf (Throalic) Wound Threshold: 8 Knockdown: 6/D10
Blades
Spells
Elementalism (Any up to Twelfth Circle): Blade FuryM,
Dragons BreathA, Earth DartsE, Ice Mace and ChainM,
Perimeter AlarmM, Silver ShadowA, Water WallM, Winds
of DeflectionE
M Denotes a spell currently attuned to a Spell Matrix.
E Denotes a spell currently attuned to an Enhanced Matrix.
A Denotes a spell currently attuned to an Armored Matrix.
Loot
Elemental Water Coin, Orichalcum Box (w/5 True water
kernels)
Legend Award
38,725 Legend Points
Notes
Chelasmo possesses the tskrang racial ability of Tail
Attack.
Equipment
Footmans Shield (Phys 3; Init 1; ST19; cannot be
used with short bow)
Leather (Phys 3)
Belt Pouch
Carving Tools
Travelers Garb
Loot Knowledge:
None Subterranean River Lore (6): 10/D10+D6
Blades
Tskrang guards possess the tskrang racial ability of
Missile Weapons (9): 15/D20+D6
Tail Attack.
Read River (6): 10/D10+D6
Sailing (6): 12/2D10
Vodanicus Family Members Surprise Strike (10): 16/D20+D8
Swimming (6): 12/2D10
The Vodanicuses have long made their living through
sheer grit and a total lack of scruples. They all bear a Equipment
strong resemblance to one another, with unusually small
Buckler (Phys 1; ST 17; cannot be used with trispear)
and narrow noses, thick eyebrows and recessed lower jaws.
Blood Pebble (Phys 5; Myst 3; Init 1; 4 Damage Points)
(One might suspect inbreeding in the Vodanicus family
tree.) All of them wear dirty, smelly clothing and never get Trispear (Damage 11/D10+D8)
clean no matter how many times they plunge into water. Dagger (Damage 8/2D6; Range 91518)
They eternally compete with one another to see who Sling (Damage 8/2D6; Range 204080)
is the loudest eater and the teller of the rudest puns. Pos- Belt Pouch (w/15 sling stones)
sessed one and all by greed, they will do anything for the
Adventurers Kit
silver that True water can bring them.
Climbing Kit
Attributes Craftsman Tools
Peasants Garb
Dexterity (14): 6/D10 Strength (13): 6/D10
Trail Rations (1 week)
Toughness (20): 8/2D6 Perception (7): 4/D6
Willpower (14): 6/D10 Charisma (4): 3/D4 Loot
Characteristics Small gems (worth 150 silver pieces)
Skills
Artisan:
Craftsman; Woodworker (6): 12/2D10
341
New Magical Treasures
What? That rusty old sword? No, no. You dont want that piece of junk.
Now, heres a magical sword for you. Nice and shiny too!
Razlak Twincheeks, Merchant
The characters may find several magical treasures let him live long enough to slay the Horror; they assented,
M agical T reasures
during the course of the adventures presented in this and kept him alive long enough to strike down Adugank.
book. Because the owners of these items use them regularly
and may have woven active threads to them, the players Thread Rank One
will find it extremely difficult to get their hands on these Cost: 200
treasures.
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the Name of the
See Magical Treasures on p.161 of the Gamemas-
amulet.
ters Compendium for guidelines on how to use magical
treasures in a campaign. Effect: The wearer adds +1 to his Physical Armor.
T
Thread Rank Two
reasure Cost: 300
Game Information
Effect: The wearer adds +1 to his Mystic Armor.
Maximum Threads: 2
Spell Defense: 14
Effect: Once per day, the amulet acts like a last chance Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the nature of the
salve on the wearer should he suffer damage equal to or relationship between the headbands creator and its
greater than his Death Rating. The amulets effect is instan- owner.
taneous (see p.451 of the Players Compendium).
Effect: The wearer adds +1 to his Physical Armor.
Thread Rank Five Thread Rank Four
Cost: 1,300
Cost: 800
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the Name of the
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the Name of the
Horror that Dirac slew in his final battle.
Horror that slew Kedar.
Effect: The wearer can attach the amulet to his skin, as if
Effect: The wearer gains a +1 rank bonus to his Detect
it were a desperate blow charm (see p.445 of the Players
Influence talent. As outlined on p.164 of the Gamemas-
Compendium). The amulet may be recharged after use,
ters Compendium, a character who does not know the
which requires the character to wait for 24 hours. Unlike a
talent uses it at an equivalent rank to the bonus.
regular blood magic charm, the amulet causes no perma-
nent damage and has a Depatterning Rating of 0.
M agical T reasures
Location: The lair of Duaga the Horror. See Caravan of Mists of Betrayal chapter on p.59.
Death, p.40, and Loose Ends, p.73, in the Mists of
This five-foot staff is made of polished oak, its head a
Betrayal chapter.
wrought-iron gargoyle face with an orichalcum piece in its
This black leather headband has a black pearl set in it, mouth. Without a thread attached, the staff has the same
making the wearer look as if he has a third eye where the characteristics as a normal quarterstaff (see p.436 of the
pearl rests against his head. This headband belonged to the Players Compendium).
Swordmaster Kedar, who burned to death at the hands of Akarem the Mage-Builder was an Elementalist who
the Horror Duaga. Kedars lover, the Wizard Leea Amber- designed and helped to build the kaer for the village that
dust, made the headband to safeguard him. bears his Name. The staff, his prized possession, aided him
in many undertakings. He even bound an earth elemen-
Thread Rank One tal Named Orichalus to it. When the villagers of Akarem
Cost: 200 sealed up the kaer in the face of the oncoming Horrors,
they discovered that their Wizard had disappeared, leaving
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the Name of the
his staff behind. The occupants of the kaer placed the staff
man who wore the headband.
in the kaers catacombs, burying the staff in lieu of the man.
Effect: The wearer adds +1 to his Social Defense. For many years, the villagers believed that Akarem would
return to fight the Horrors, but he never appeared.
Thread Rank Two
Cost: 300 Thread Rank One
Cost: 300
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn the Name of the
person who created the headband. Key Knowledge: The wielder must learn the Name of
the staff.
Effect: The wearer adds +1 to his Mystic Armor.
Effect: The staff is now Damage step 3. The wielder gains a
+1 rank bonus to his Spellcasting talent. As outlined on
p.164 of the Gamemasters Compendium, a character
who does not know the talent uses it at an equivalent rank
to the bonus.
343
Orichalus, Strength R ating 3
Earth Elemental
DEX: 5 STR: 8 TOU: 9
PER: 6 WIL: 8 CHA: 6
M agical T reasures
attacks the Name-giver in question. The rage continues for
10 combat rounds or until the Name-giver is dead or the Thread Rank Two
wielder makes a successful Willpower Test against the Cost: 200
swords Spell Defense, which he may attempt each round.
Effect: When the wielder throws a stone, everyone within
Once the rage has passed, the wielder no longer feels invol-
an eight-yard radius must make an Initiative (8) Test. If a
untary hatred for that Name-giver, although he may feel it
characters test fails, he becomes partially Dazzled (see
for other members of the same race.
p.407 of the Players Compendium).
Effect: The sword is now Damage step 11 against all mem- Key Knowledge: The wielder must learn the Name of the
bers of the most recent victims race. magician who invented the stones and taught others to
make them.
Thread Rank Three Effect: When the wielder throws a stone, everyone within
Cost: 800 a ten-yard radius must make an Initiative (8) Test. If a char-
acters test fails, he becomes fully Dazzled (see p.407 of the
Effect: The sword is now Damage step 13 against all mem-
Players Compendium).
bers of the most recent victims race.
Thread Rank Four
Blinding Stones Cost: 500
Maximum Threads: 1 Effect: When the wielder throws a stone, everyone within
Spell Defense: 9 a 15-yard radius must make an Initiative (8) Test. If a char-
acters test fails, he becomes completely Dazzled (see p.407
Location: Traders hoard, Talon Kaer. See Talon Kaer in
of the Players Compendium).
the Terror in the Skies chapter on p.113.
Thread Rank Two Location: The Traders hoard, Talon Kaer. See Talon
Cost: 300 Kaer in the Terror in the Skies chapter on p.113.
Key Knowledge: The wielder must learn that the weapon Forged for a wealthy tskrang Swordmaster long ago, this
is called a Servitor Sword. weapons blinding speed and shiny surface distracts foes
and allows the wielder to strike faster than usual. Without
Effect: The sword is now Damage step 9.
a thread attached, the sword has the same characteristics
Thread Rank Three as a normal short sword (see the Goods and Services
chapter on p.436 of the Players Compendium).
Cost: 500
Effect: The sword is now Damage step 10. Thread Rank One
Cost: 200
Storm Armor
Maximum Threads: 1
Spell Defense: 15
M agical T reasures
Nor/Tyrannisis. See Pyres over Travar in the Terror in
the Skies chapter on p.128.
Cost: 300 Effect: If the wearer takes damage during a storm, the suit
grants him +2 bonus Recovery Tests, which must be used
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn that the armor
within 24 hours or they are lost. This effect occurs only
comes from the Delaris Mountains.
once per storm, per day.
Effect: The elemental air woven into the armor lightens its
weight to 20 pounds, reducing its Initiative Penalty to 2.
Deritas Silk-Tailed Wailer
Thread Rank Three Maximum Threads: 2
Cost: 500 Spell Defense: 24
Key Knowledge: The wearer must learn that Tyrannisis Location: This sword is carried by Kwamm. See Cast of
made the armor. Characters in the Infected chapter on p.192.
Effect: The cooling winds and rains woven into the armor Deritas Silk-Tailed Wailer is a unique silver broadsword,
enable the wearer to withstand intense heat. The wearer identifiable by intertwined bat wings carved on its black- 347
enamel hilt. On the pommel of the sword is a thick ring, to Thread Rank Five
which the wielder can tie a length of silk cord. Without a Cost: 3,400
thread attached, the sword has the same characteristics as
Key Knowledge: The wielder must determine the third
a normal broadsword (see the Goods and Services chap-
substance, which is the tears of an orphaned child.
ter on p.436 of the Players Compendium).
First wielded by one of Verwols original Grim Legion- Effect: The sword is now Damage step 8 against normal
naires, this weapon gained its magic when its owner, opponents, and Damage step 10 against Horrors and Horror
Derita, tricked a Horror called the Artificer of Dooms into constructs. The wielder adds +1 to his Spell Defense when
investing the blade with magical powers. Derita and the resisting Horror powers and spells.
Horror signed a contract to give the sword its magic using
ink made from Deritas blood, the Horrors blood, and an Thread Rank Six
unknown third substance. Derita used the contracts fine
Cost: 5,500
print to outwit the Horror.
Effect: The sword is now Damage step 9 against normal
Thread Rank One opponents, and Damage step 11 against Horrors and Horror
Cost: 500 constructs.
M agical T reasures
Horror constructs. attached to his group True pattern, and a +1 bonus to one
The increase to a wielders abilitiesvia threads woven other such ability.
to his daggercan never exceed the thread rank woven to
When the characters are ready to pursue this Key
that ability from the groups True pattern or pattern item.
Knowledge, go to the prelude In Search of Knowledge
Threads woven to the Blades count toward the maximum
(p.284) in the adventure Grave Wisdom (p.283).
number of threads a character can have active at any time.
The daggers have a maximum of eight threads because Thread Rank Four
eight daggers existed originally, even though only seven
Cost: 1,300
exist now. This also allows two characters to weave threads
to a single dagger, which may be necessary if the player Effect: The wielder gains a +2 bonus to two abilities
characters group contains eight members. For more infor- attached to his group True pattern.
mation, see How Many Characters? on p.260 of the
Blades chapter. Thread Rank Five
Cost: 2,100
Thread Rank One
Key Knowledge: One of the heroes who first wielded the
Cost: 300
daggers became Horror-marked and betrayed the group.
Key Knowledge: The wielder must learn that the weapon The wielder must learn this adepts Name: K ragen
is one of the daggers Named the Blades of Cara Fahd and Overtall.
that the Name of the Weaponsmith who forged the blades
Effect: The wielder gains a +3 bonus to a single ability
is Rugaah Gloh.
attached to his group True pattern, a +2 bonus to an addi-
Effect: The wielder gains a +1 bonus to a single ability tional such ability, and +2 to his Spell Defense against
attached to his group True pattern. Horrors and Horror constructs.
When the characters are ready to pursue this Key When the characters are ready to pursue this Key
Knowledge, go to the prelude Secrets of the Runes Knowledge, go to the prelude Lighting the Way (p.297)
(p.265) in the adventure Bond Breaker (p.264). in the adventure A Traitors Fate (p.296).
Effect: The wielder gains a +2 bonus to a single ability Effect: The wielder gains a +3 bonus to a single ability
attached to his group True pattern. attached to his group True pattern, a +2 bonus to a second
such ability, a +1 bonus to a third such ability, and +2 to his
Thread Rank Three Spell Defense against Horrors and Horror constructs.
Cost: 800
349
Thread Rank Seven Tyrlaans Crystal Ringlet Armor
Cost: 5,500 Maximum Threads: 2
Spell Defense: 14
Key Knowledge: The group that first wielded the daggers
defeated a Horror just before its members died. The wielder Location: Tyrlaan, see The Finale on p.239 of the Shat-
must learn the Name of that Horror: Betrayer. tered Pattern chapter.
Effect: The wielder gains a +3 bonus to a single ability Created by the Weaponsmith Firjana, one of Tyrlaans
attached to his group True pattern, a +2 bonus to two other many minions, Tyrlaans Crystal Ringlet armor has the
such abilities, and +2 to his Spell Defense against Horrors same characteristics, and looks the same, as normal crys-
and Horror constructs (+4 to his Spell Defense against tal ringlet armor with no threads attached.
Betrayer). Due to the armors long exposure to the corrupted
Nethermancer, the Horror Verjigorm can mark the wearer
When the characters are ready to pursue this Key
as soon as he attaches a thread to the armor (see the
Knowledge, go to the prelude With a Tale to Tell (p.310)
Horrors chapter on p.443 of the Gamemasters Com-
in the adventure With an Axe in Hand (p.309).
pendium for more information on Horror marks and the
Thread Rank Eight Horror Mark power).
Points.
Cost: 300
Effect: The wielder gains a +3 bonus to two abilities
Effect: The armor is now Mystic Armor 5.
attached to his group True pattern, a +2 bonus to a third
such ability, and +3 to his Spell Defense against Horrors Thread Rank Three
and Horror constructs (+6 to his Spell Defense against
Cost: 500
Betrayer). The Blades also enable the wielders group to per-
form a blood magic ritual that allows them to rip a targets Key Knowledge: The wielder must learn the Name of the
spirit from his body. Using this power causes 5 Strain points armors creator.
of damage to each member of the group. The targets spirit
Effect: The armor now has an Initiative Penalty of 1.
becomes trapped in one of the daggers and can only be
purged after a year and a day. During that time, the spirit Thread Rank Four
can draw magical energy from the active threads attached
Cost: 800
to the dagger, using that energy to cause various magical
effects. To use this special power, each member of the group Effect: The armor now has an Initiative Penalty of 0.
must make a successful Willpower Test against the targets
Spell Defense. If any test does not succeed, the power does
not work. The step number for the trapped spirits power is
the highest rank among all the threads woven to the
Blades.
350
Character Index
A register of all the Names in Barsaive? I am intrigued, but I think
that you must be kidding me...
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
To the Air Warden of Travar
Dear Sir,
I have learned of the terrible creatures that roam
the skies over Travar, and I believe I know somewhat of
the creatures that plague you. Unless I am grievously
mistaken, these rakken are Horror constructs, the same
dreadful creatures that I encountered upon emerging from
our kaer eighty years ago. I was barely able to defeat them,
even with my considerable talent in the magical arts.
I recall, however, that one magician among us had
studied these creatures, and even devised a means of
dispelling them to their native plane. He wrote down this
knowledge in a grimoire called the Tome of Banishment,
which I believe still remains within the ruins of our
kaer. Though I am human, I dwelt with the windlings in
their kaer atop the Talon, a craggy peak in the Thunder
Mountains. The windling magician Skeethen who compiled
the Tome of Banishment was by misfortune buried in his
laboratory when a portion of our haven collapsed. We
sealed the breach with warding magic lest the Horrors
exploit it, by oversight sealing the book up along with our
departed friend. I thought little more of poor Skeethen and
his book until I heard of your recent troubles.
I believe that this grimoire might aid you immensely,
but alas, my bones are far too old to brave the hazards
of travel so high and far into the mountains. If a band of
true-hearted persons were to venture there in my stead, I
believe they could recover the Tome with little difficulty.
I have enclosed a map of the laboratorys location
within the kaer, drawn to the best of my ability. Please
excuse this tired old mind if the map is less than perfectly
accurate; it has been many a long year since I left my
former home, and my memory does not always serve me
as I might wish.
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Rasper Nors Letter and Talon Kaer (Terror in the Skies)
Cloud Runner and Shadow Skulker Deckplans (Terror in the Skies)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Patrol Boat Deckplan (Terror in the Skies)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Charboyyas Map (Infected)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Charboyyas Letter to Laverium (Infected)
To my dearest Mother,
Though you may reprove my extravagance in sending this second letter in
a month, I eagerly await your reply. As you may already have heard from
the brave adventurers who delivered this letter, the couriers I sent to Hanto
a few weeks since have not returned. I fear that they took the advance fee I
paid themnot, I assure you, a significant amountand simply absconded to
other parts to spend it. Likely they never reached Hanto, so these burblings
of mine will make little sense to you. I hope all is well with you, my dearest
Mother.
Business continues to grow, which pleases me. I have found, however, that
great success merely sharpens a dwarfs sense of regret. My profoundest
regret, dear Mother, is your refusal to join me here in Bartertown. None in
Hanto will scorn you for choosing to spend your twilight days in relative
comfort: certainly you have labored hard in the fields long enough for any
Name-giver twice over!
I know, I repeat myselffruitlessly, I fear. Please give my love to all in
Hanto. Should you ever decide to accept my offer, I will send you an escort
within two weeks. As always, I remain your loving son.
Charboyya
My brother Emberica,
My respects to you! I hope you have ceased provoking trouble with the
headman of Bari village. No doubt he deserved a good thrashing, but your
description made him sound as if his muscles might put a smith to shame! I
hope your nose remains unbroken, as it was before you last wrote (which is
not saying much!).
This letter ought to get through. Ive had to hire a second pack of couriers
to get this to you; your last reply never arrived. Did you frighten them off
with your fierceness? You can be a most frightening dwarf, especially in the
dark.
Write back to assure me you havent broken any bonesyours or others
lately.
Charboyya
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Charboyyas Letter to Orweia (Infected)
Greetings Chereca,
This is the second letter I have written you in a month, delivered by the
second group of couriers I have dispatched in the same period. I fear for the
safety of the first group, and so I would appreciate any assurances you can
offer me. Is the savanna becoming more dangerous of late? Banditry and
slaving seem to be on the rise; I very much hope you are less troubled by
horrors. Have you succeeded in arranging the meetings you spoke of between
the heads of Hantos neighbouring villages? The search for common ground
seems a most worthy task; I admire your persistence for attempting it, though
I confess myself doubtful of success if the current crop of village leaders are as
hard-headed and shortsighted as those in charge when I left Hanto.
Best wishes always,
Charboyya
PS: Lately you have appeared in my dreams.
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Map of Hanto (Infected)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Rathanns Map (Shattered Pattern)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
The Horrors Temple (Shattered Pattern)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Kaer Varenna (Shattered Pattern)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Tyrlaans Lair (Shattered Pattern)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Copper Cauldron (Blades)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Orguks Fort (Blades)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
Hold of Courage, Raggoks Gullet, and the Grotto (Blades)
Copyright 2006 RedBrick Limited, FASA Corporation. Earthdawn is a Registered Trademark of FASA Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to copy for personal use only.
FIN