EMPIRE TODAY

ISSUE TWO

51. STREET URCHINS ATTACK

"Give us ya monies ya blag!" The Crowd seemed to have converged from every direction as Arzor Marak and his family emerged from the Smoking Dragon Inn terminating their night of revelry.
"Push off you villains." Arzor Marak was having none of this brigand or his mates. They twenty urchins converged on Arzor in a fury until he was dead. All the while his family could only scream for help.

 

DM Briefing: 20 Street Urchins attack a family outside an Inn killing one.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8120320/tee...

 

52. CLERIC CALLS FOR KILLINGS

 

Kurok WindSword had the crowd gathered in the Marketplace.

"We must crush the unholy, and purge the city of their evil!" He pointed at one man in the crowd who seemed to be having second thoughts.
"You! You will lead these righteous believers through the city..." Saliman suddenly felt awkward as all eyes fell on him and someone pushed a Sword into his empty arms. Cheers went up from the crowd as his arm and the sword holding it were forced into the air by the people next to him.

 

DM Briefing: A fanatical Cleric calls for his followers to begin a terrible massacre of foreigners and non believers.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8121213/yemeni...

 

53. FARMER KILLS DEMON DOG

 

"What in the Hells is it?" The old Wizard scratched at his beard.

"Damned if I know...just say it on the edge of my corn field." Dern the Corn farmer pulled the crossbow bolt from the corpse. It didn’t look like a dog, but it was big enough.
"Is it some sort of Rat?"

 

DM Briefing: A farmer kills a legendary creature. This is just one of many moving through his region. The Chupacabra will attack Farm animals feeding on their blood.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8188941/hairle...

 

54. LEVIATHAN EATS THE MOON

Franco watched as the world was plunged into utter darkness. This was no mere eclipse.
"Ready yourselves..." The Warriors waited for the inevitable tide of horror that would emerge from the ruins they had been approaching.

DM Briefing: Once every 500 years a lunar eclipse happens where the world is plunged into a terrible darkness unlike a regular eclipse.

Source: io9.com/5715413/tonight-will-be-the-dark...

 

55. GARGANTUAN CARP ATTACKS

Hans leaned out from the rigging.
"Where did you say you saw this big fish?" The water exploded and the giant predator leapt skyward taking gregor and the upper rigging. Hans fell toward the Water, desperately flailing for the edge of the ship as he went past

DM Briefing: Gargantuan Carp attacks ships and Eats Fishermen whole while in harbour.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8185747/myster...

 

56. CAVERNS DISCOVERED

Kleg the Cleric unleashed his Earthquake Spell to give the Villagers a wakeup call.
"That should give them something to remember me by..." The ground opened up. Kleg could only watch as the north half of the Village collapsed into the unexpected sinkhole.

DM Briefing: Earthquake reveals colossal Cavern Network.

Source: ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/large...

 

57. RODENTS SPEAK LIKE BIRDS

Karleah could not believe what she was witnessing.
"That mouse is singing like a bird." The odd rodent continued to perch on the beam and chirp at her proximity.

"Yup! buggers have been doing that for near a week now." Jankel the Farmer continued milking his cow.

"Buggers? You mean there is more than one?"

DM Briefing: A bunch of Mice are discovered to talk like birds. Apparently some Wizard has been playing funny buggers with the locals.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8187106/scient...

 

58. RUINS BURIED FOR ALL TIME

Jamaro dug against the line of stone blocks. It was obvious now. They were cut Stones fitted in a straight line.

"You were right Harlo! It’s a Wall." The problem was the rest of the Mound.

 A wall to what?

"We keep digging till we know. Never let it be said that Harlo gave up on Gold." Jamaro smiled at the prospect.

DM Briefing: The PCs stumble across a Wall of cut and fitted stone blocks that seem to be part of a larger structure buried two thousand years before by a Volcanic Eruption. Unfortunately angry Natives seem displeased at their presence.

Source: www.mysteriousnewzealand.co.nz/photogall...

 

59. CLERIC QUESTIONS DOCTRINE

High Priest Suleiman stared at the pamphlet. The words were pretty plain in their meaning.

'...Thyse gryte Trymors thyte rock thy lands are as wayves in wyter are caysed by...' It wasn’t good. Church doctrine was very specific. No outside thought. No postulation of the mysteries. It certainly didn’t matter that this was one of the better thoughts on the topic that had come before Suleiman.
"Send the Church guard to fetch this wayward priest. He has appeared to have strayed outside acceptable church doctrine."

DM Briefing: A Cleric starts spouting heresy and violating church doctrine.

Source: io9.com/5717082/the-forgotten-genius-who...

 

60. MURDERS ROCK VILLAGES

"...They say she was in the Well two days, hung from a fine cord." Jango looked up from his Ale.

"What did you say about a Murdered Woman?" He was focused on the two men at the table opposite.

"I said they fished that Ta'hain girl from the village well this morning."

"Where? You mean the murder of Ginny Ta'hain over in Deepfell? I thought they found her in her home?"

"Deepfell? No. This was here this morning. Kailiy Ta'hain." Jango sat back in shock at the news.

Both Women with the same last name had been murdered two nights ago. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

DM Briefing: Two women in two different villages a hundred miles apart are murdered on the same night.

Source: www.ntnews.com.au/article/2011/01/02/204...

 

61. BAD OMENS

Halaine of Redhill could only watch as the rain of dead black birds continued to fall on the village of Hurp.

"This is an Ill Omen!" Halaine turned to look at the source of the Comment. It was Durst, Village Priest. The Fundamentalist nutjob continued to ramble on about the end of the World and the end of Turnip farming.
"Could just be some foul Miasma..." Durst caught Halaine's comment and added it to his rapidly forming mythology of doom and destruction.
"It is the Miasma! The end of the World is Nigh!" Halaine was iritated at the idiocy of the fellow.

"That not what...It's probably the Poison breath of a Green Dragon." He leapt on it immediately.
"THE WORLD DRAGON HAS COME!" Halaine shook her head and walked off. There was no reasoning with the Idiot.

DM Briefing: A flock of Thousands of Black Birds fall from the Sky dead over an Isolated Village.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8191238/hundre...

62. BAD OMENS CONTINUE

Halaine stared at the dead fish lining the riverbank.
"OK I got nothing!" Halaine looked about at the crowd of concerned Villagers. A hundred yards up river Durst and his followers had gathered.
"Behold! The Second Event! The World Dragon has come!" They continued to eat up every word.

DM Briefing: The Crisis continues to develop as a massive fish kill occurs along a river bank in proximity to a previous mass kill of Blackbirds near an Isolated Village.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8191298/birds-...

63. TAX THE WITCHES!

 

"Thyr-rei-dhuno!" The old fortune-teller screamed the words the moment she spotted the purple clad Tax collector and his soldiers on the edge of the village and turned and hurried off.

An explosion of peasants erupted amongst the huts - all seeking to conceal what little wealth they had.

 

"Forget it hag! It’s not they who will be paying tax today. It’s you." He nailed a notice on a Tree.

"All witches will pay Taxes..." The old woman halted and turned to look at the fool before her.

 

"That’s Different..." She threw a small seed at her tax collector. It expanded instantly into a huge boulder the size of a small hill that crushed him and his soldiers, leaving a smear of human remains on the ground.

"I bet you thought Purple would protect you from that."

 

DM Briefing: A small Republic decides that Witches and Fortune tellers must pay Taxes. Consequently purple becomes a popular choice of clothing colour for government officials seeking to ward off evil curses.

 

Source: thechronicleherald.ca/World/1220433.html

64. DOOR TO ABYSS FOUND

 

"Gregor! Over here – a Cave!" The Cold rain was starting to take its toll on the companions.
"Thank the Gods!" Gregor Squeezed into the narrow divide in the Stone and followed his friend in out of the rain.

"Don’t Push! I can’t feel the..." Darron fell forward into the darkness and vanished from sight with a scream.

"Darron!" Darron's scream seemed to last forever as he descended with sickening speed into the unknown. Gregor righted himself and tried to focus on the limited light. Somewhere below the Screaming stopped with a thud.

The small Cave ended in a huge shaft that descended down into the darkness. He would need to perch between these two driving rains...

 

DM Briefing: Mountain Climbers have discovered a Cave that descends down through a Mountain and there doesn’t seem to be a bottom. The Network is at least two miles deep.

Source: www.speleogenesis.info/spotlights/spotli...

 

65. MUMMY DISCOVERED

Se' Han drove the pry bar into the dirt at the stone block's edge and vibrated it against the one ton block. His rendition of 'hard working toil' came to a pause as he broke through into the space beneath the earth...

DM Briefing: Workers installing a stone Paved road through the middle of a village uncover three wooden tombs. Only one has a seven hundred year old Mummy in it.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8220608/chines...

66. DISASTER ON BRIDGE

Gregor was dozing as he drove the Wagon up onto the old timber bridge that straddled the River Kwat. The Sound of the Timbers snapping woke him, but it was too late. The Horses were through the Railing and dragging the Wagon forward behind them.

DM Briefing: Disaster strikes as a Merchant driving a Cart across a bridge breaks through the Railing. His Wagon is hooked in such a way that the Horses pulling its heavy load are dangling by their harnesses above a raging river.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8228852/crash-...

67. TSUNAMI DEVOURS KINGDOM

Suki cowered under the support beam as roof fell all about her. The Terrible shaking seemed to go on forever descimating her old timber home. Outside the screams of villagers was mixed with a terrible crashing sound.

What had her grandmother said before she died? Run all the way to the big hill above the graveyard if ever there is a shaking that destroys the village?

DM Briefing: A Terrible Quake rocks the whole kingdom. Soon after a terrible wall of water thirty feet high washes over the land reaching in a hundred miles. All coastal communities are destroyed leaving only those in the mountains. Many thousands perish.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2011-03-11/tsunami-s...

68. TREASURE VAULTS OPENED

Royal Assessor Hunan directed the workers to pull and for a moment the great stone seal refused before giving away. The sound of the stone seal scraping across the surface of the stone floor was deafening. A Burning torch in hand he pushed through a gap and looked inside.
Behind the seal of the first vault lay an impossible hoard. Hunan choked on the awe of it withdrawing from the gap. There were six other vaults and the one at the end was said to contain a demon.

DM Briefing: Deep beneath an Urban Temple a Government Official opens Temple Treasure Vault 'A' to discover a treasure worth fifteen billion gold pieces in Diamonds, Gold coins of various lands, and a Golden Statue with ruby eyes. There are six vaults and the Sixth has warnings that a demon is imprisoned within.

Source: globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/07/06/an-...

69. THE OLD MILL

Franco could only watch as the black cloud of bees enveloped the old fisherman stinging him to death. The Twisted bloated form was revealed only after the bees had flown off to die now that they had expended their only weapon. The Old stone building was obviously their home but what had the old man done to deserve such a fate?

DM Briefing: A Villager is stung to death by over six hundred bees. They have a hive occupying a stone Mill long abandoned on the edge of town.

Source: www.news.com.au/breaking-news/los-angele...

70. WANTED! DEAD OR ALIVE

Three shadowy figures watched as the Rebels celebrated their taking of the capital city with looting and burning before slipping into a shop in search of its hidden cellar.

"Any sign of my Son?" The Cloaked figures revealed themselves to a Haggard figure leaning over a table covered in documents.

"Not yet my King and we must move you soon. I fear this bolthole is no longer safe from your enemies."

"What do you mean?" King Gurdar looked at his loyal guardsman.

"They are offering a million gold piece bounty for you...dead or alive."

DM Briefing: An uprising in a kingdom has ended in the fall of the capital, but the King is nowhere to be found. The Rebels have issued a million gold piece reward to the individual who brings the King in Dead or Alive.

Source: www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s...

71. EXPEDITION REACHES POLE

 

"Gregor! We are here! Quickly! The Flag!" Derwan the Navigator set down his Astrolabe and looked about at the Ice. The Glow of the Sun was out on the far Horizon. Gregor struggled out of the Rowboat and attempted to drive in a Flag.

"Derwan...look. What is that?" Derwan turned to look where Gregor was pointing out on the Ice; was that a White Bear?

 

DM Briefing: Explorers reach the North Pole in a Rowboat through the breaking up Ice Pack.

 

Source: tools.ntnews.com.au/stories/48071501.php

 

72. FARMER ABDUCTED BY BEES

 

"Help!" Edwin the Turnip farmer, alerted by the cry for help, looked up at the sight of a fellow farmer being carried off by Giant Bees.

"Good gracious!" Edwin downed his tools and fled back toward the village. He would need help with this one.

 

DM Briefing: A farmer is abducted by Giant bees that he might render services to the Queen.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8291946/bees-s...

 

73. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?

 

Sordi watched as the lights in the sky vanished as mysteriously as they had arrived.

"Sordi! Where are you? You must come and see this! The Sow by the gods there is this thing..." What could possibly be as interesting as what he had just seen in the sky over their little village?

"It’s the Sow...She’s given birth to this thing!" Trebol was a bit of an idiot but surly he knew what a piglet was. He followed the farmhand into the barn and was greeted by something insane.

"What the hell is that thing?"

 

DM Briefing: The night lights are seen in the sky above a farming community a Piglet is born with an almost humanoid head.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8293563/mutant...

 

74. FAMOUS GLADIATOR DIES

 

Harboth the Destroyer reached up to touch the face of his beloved wife.
"How often do I tell you I love you?" The scared hand stroked a cheek and then fell away.
"Husband?" He was gone. She held him to her body.

"Never enough."

 

DM Briefing: A well known Gladiator dies at home in the arms of his Wife. The PCs are called on to investigate the circumstances.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/829758...

 

75. METAL EXPLODES IN FORGE

 

Dewark the Smith adjusted the position of the stone mould allowing it to fill with molten waste metal from the pour. They had done this a thousand times turning waste into metal ingots that could be disposed of.

The Explosion was a surge of light and fire emanating from the mould quickly engulfing the Forge and it's workers.

 

DM Briefing: There is an Explosion in a Dwarven Forge caused by mystical waste metal releasing mystical energy.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8297808/one-de...

 

76. MERCHANT GUILD GOES UNDER

"What do you mean the Guild will not honour its letters of Credit?" Theobold the Merchant threw the documents on the desk of the Guild Financial Officer in a fit of Outrage.

"The Documents are forgeries." Theobold was slack jawed at what he was hearing.
"Forgeries! I have done over five million gold Daro in business within this very building and you tell me these are forgeries?" The Finance officer smiled at his loss.

DM Briefing: A Merchant Guild Official forges letters of credit of such quantity that the Guild is on the verge of collapse taking the Economy down with it.

Source: www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/15/ubs-fin...

77. LOST BOY FOUND

 

Dewan struggled with the boy's words shaking his head.
"Hass? Do you know what the boy is saying?" Duur's companion seemed fascinated by the obviously foreign words coming from the lads mouth.

"He says he as been living in the forest with his father for many years and only came out when his father died recently." Haas scratched his beard in bewilderment.
"What Language is he speaking?" Haas looked at his friend.
"He's speaking Legurian." The words roused an old memory of a rumour of a Legurian Merchant and his family vanishing while travelling in these parts.

 

DM Briefing: A young Boy emerges from the forest speaking a foreign language. Apparently he doesn’t know who he is - only that he has lived in the forest for many years with his father after the death of his mother and sought human contact only after his father died in an accident. The PCs will be called on to investigate who he is and where he comes from.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8303365/myster...

 

78. ROYAL ARMOURIES LOOTED

 

Alma the sheep herder watched from a hill as the Border guards halted the tide of refugees fleeing the fall of the kingdom to Rebels. For a moment the Guardsmen - all of the Duchy of Turn attempted to turn back the travellers only to be on the receiving end of men armed with wands of fireball. Refugees scattered or burned simply for being in the way.

Again and again the fireballs pounded into the soldiers and their fortified stone guard-post until there was nothing but ash.

The aggressors pushed forward and the more peaceful refugees who had survived paused to give the madmen armed with magic time to get far ahead of them.

 

DM Briefing: Royal Armouries with thousands of Weapons (Magic and otherwise) are looted during the fall of a kingdom. Criminals begin smuggling them into an adjacent Nation spreading chaos.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8303...

 

79. GIANT SNAILS OVERWHELM COMMUNITY

Marlon the Cabbage Farmer could hear the distinct sound of something graizing on his cabbages. He roused himself with all the fury af a madman, burning torch in one hand and a club in another. 
"Go on! Get out of my Cabbages!" There was nothing out there but a Large boulder. He could still hear the sound of something munching cabbage though. 
Boulder? Not in his cabbage garden. He threw the burning torch at the rock and the great beast reared up in pain and squealed. It was the size of a pony. An echo of squeals came from all around the village like some warning cry. Only then did he notice the others that had invaded his village. 

DM Briefing: Giant Snails begin appearing in and around a village devouring crops and plants in general. This will be a problem for a long time to come as thousands of eggs are laid.

Source: www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/15/2409202/g...

80. MERCHANT HOUSE OFFERS ARMS

 

The Hallum House merchant placed the strange looking crossbow on the bar.
"Alvo! The Drunken Pony is a long time purchaser of our Ales. That’s why we are offering you this to defend your Tavern."
"We've never needed weapons before...this is a sleepy little town." Alvo the Tavernier put his hand on it with a plan to push it back across the counter to his Wine Merchant but Gregor was having none of it.
"Just keep it. A couple of villages in these parts have been raided by bandits. Your well being is our well being so we offer you better defence than the village Watch is capable of providing." Gregor held up his hand until Alvo accepted the gift.

 

DM Briefing: A merchant House offers shopkeepers and market merchants who buy from it a repeating crossbow to defend against robbers.

 

Source: finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/...

 

81. ASSASSIN CHEATS CLIENT

 

"What do you mean you have been cheated out of money?" Lieutenant Gregor leaned forward over the Tavern Table and got a closer look at the Woman. She seemed reluctant about giving up information.
"A man named Hrothgar. I paid him to do a job and he took my money and failed to do the job." She wasn’t giving up much.
"So he defrauded you?" Gregor seemed to be progressing in the investigation.
"That would be a matter for whatever Guild he belongs to."

 

DM Briefing: An Assassin is employed to kill a woman who is suspected of having an affair with the Husband of a Rival. He fakes her death and elopes with the victim. The Client finds out and complains to the Town Guard that they have robbed her.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8351118/smitte...

 

82. PORT UPGRADES UNDERWAY

 

The Merchantman Wind-master slipped past the breakwater and headed for the mouth of the Port of Duretti. It was filled with new construction and thousands of people loading and unloading goods.
"Durn? What is that building for?" Durn turned to where the young sailor was indicating.
Durn looked at the eight bay building facing out onto the Hexagonal Port of Duretti. It could only be for one purpose.

 

DM Briefing: The Port City of Duretti completes construction on a new Shipyard (a building of 200' wide and 475' long) that will be able to work on up to forty small galleys (20' wide 80' long) at any one time. While these vessels are not for large enough for War galleys they could be used as troop transports. The PCs are sent to gather intelligence.

 

Source: www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/09/24/huge-...

 

83. SILVER SHIP WRECK DISCOVERED

 

Albert continued to work the hand pump of the diving bell's air supply. They had found the lost silver ship of Nuar-Slemech and would all be very rich men.

"Pirate raider of the port Bow!" The Call of the Watchman almost made him injure himself on the pump's iron handle and he paused for a moment before realizing he had stopped pumping vital air.

The prospect of being killed for all that silver suddenly weighed heavily on him.

 

DM Briefing: Treasure hunters discover an ancient ship filled with silver coin and bullion on the Sea floor. Treasure hunters must suffer all manner of risks to get it to the surface. Unfortunately 24,528,000sp is a difficult treasure to sail off with unnoticed.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8352250/treasu...

 

84. HUNT ON FOR STOLEN ART

 

"Cleaver"; Armand reached out and claimed the large square Blade by the handle and looked back at the Woman whose hand he was holding to the wooden bench.

"Now...you are going to tell me everything I want to know about your friends and where they took the stolen art. Every time you fail to answer I will take a finger." The room went silent and Armand shook his head in disappointment. The Scream echoed through the Guild house.

 

DM Briefing: Thieves raid a mansion belonging to a wealthy merchant in the Capital City making off with 100 million gold pieces worth of art. The PCs will be employed indirectly by interested parties including the Thieves Guild who are angry at not getting their share.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8354...

85. PEST'S CORPSE DISCOVERED

"Do you see that flower bed in the public Garden?" Inspector Serval looked at the Countess.
"Oh yes." She loved that new addition to the Public Garden.

"That’s where we buried the little wretch who broke into the stables and carved his name on your horse saddle."

 

DM Briefing: A nutter who offends a noble woman publically goes missing. He is killed by some unknown individual and buried within view of a Window of the Noble's Residence. The PCs must investigate. But there will be other forces who will not allow the investigation to stray too far in the right direction.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8355140/queen-...

86. HAUNTED HOUSE TERRORIZES

 

"I'm telling you Ella...there is something wrong with this house." Kaily lifted her father's sword to stop the dragging noise.

A bang behind the companions and they turned to find the door they had passed through had sealed tightly. Ella fell against the door and found the mechanism unrepentant. The Wood-grain shifted forming a face that bled from its eyes.
The Girls screams of terror were cut short as the floor boards they stepped on failed and the ends now armed with jagged nails struck at them. While Kaily blocked the strike with the old sword she was carrying her friend Ella took the full force of the heavy iron spikes in the chest. Blood exploded from Ella's mouth and sprayed her friend.

 

DM Briefing: A Haunted house has begun to dispose of Villagers who venture within its timber structure. When the PCs arrive it has already claimed a goodly number of villagers. The PCs will make it a Baker's Dozen.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/glanceview/194114/ha...

 

87. SOL BADDAN BREAKS UP ON REEF

 

Inigo watched as the great Barge snapped its spine across the Reef and its vast cargo spilled into the Water. Barrels of Wine and other goods would be washing up on the coast for a good week after this incident. The Crew had abandoned the stricken ship the instant it began to splinter.

"Kerrik! Get some of the lads down drift where they can run net boats out to pick up loose cargo." Inigo smiled. This was a good haul.

DM Briefing: A Cargo Barge hugging the coast runs on a reef and spills it's cargo along the coast after breaking up. Unfortunately for any would-be beachcombers the owners of the cargo send a small army of soldiers to retrieve lost goods.

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8358859/rena-c...

88. THE POISON BEAN PLOT

 

"I thought you should know - The Mountain Rebels have taken to farming beans..." Franz was very concerned at what he had seen.
"And rebels’ taking up farming is a bad thing?" Duran was surprised by the suggestion.
"It is where these beans are concerned - a handful could poison a Village Well."

 

DM Briefing: A Druid alerts Adventurers that Mountain Rebels are growing a poisonous plant as a crop whose seed when powdered can kill. Unknown to anyone they are planning to poison an entire city.

 

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/...

 

89. EVICT THEM WITH ALL FORCE

 

"Patriarch Altino, I realize you like to consider this city a place where people are free to gather and think their own thoughts, but these labourers and serfs outside the Guild hall calling for better wages...some of them are demanding equal shares." Guild Master Falconio was distressed. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact he had been egged on his entry into the building.

"And what do you propose Guild Master?" The Patriarch knew he would demand their dispersal. Certainly the crowd had become large over the last few days.

 
"Kill the first fifty and push the other seven hundred out into the countryside. We can hire others prepared to work for what little we offer them." Had they become that many?

"I will need to consider this."

A rock came through the window cementing the Patriarch's support.

 

DM Briefing: The Merchant Guild, objecting to mass protests by impoverished labourers unable to live off a pittance pushes the government to dispersing the protestors with force. The PCs as guardsmen are called on to kill fifty protestors and force the other seven hundred out the city gates.

 

Source: www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials...

 

90. THE UNBURIED CORPSE

 

Halek rubbed at the old brass plate that identified the contents hung around the neck of the dry remains on a chain. Karl of Jernoff. Why did that sound familiar? 

"Lubik? Why do I know Karl of Jernoff?" His companion looked up from prying open another coffin.

"He's under that big stone with the naked lady carving." Halek shook his head in disagreement. 
"Oh no he isn't." Lubik looked up from his task and stepped around the box to examine Halek's find. Karl of Jernoff hung on the neck plate. 

"Then who the hell is buried in his grave?" 

 

DM Briefing: When a body thought to have been buried in a grave ten years before hand is discovered in an old dust covered coffin in a storage room PCs are called in to investigate the identity of the squatter in his grave.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8370772/buried...

 

91. BIG CAT STALKS FARMERS

 

"Selmo...Did you see that?" Huran the Turnip farmer looked about nervously. 

"See what?" Selmo looked up from his shovel at the nervous farmer. 

"It was a kind of big cat, about the size of a pony." Selmo thought that was a crazy idea. 

"Where is this giant cat?" Huran was pointing a the edge of the woods that bordered his farm. Something was moving there through the shadows. 

"What the hell is that?"

 

DM Briefing: Reports of a Huge cat roaming the rural areas and menacing livestock draw huntsmen looking to capture or kill a Lion.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370888/mot...

 

92. END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT

 

"By the Gods!" Hauk of Freeport pointed skyward forcing Kasnsi the Barbarian to look at what had drawn his attention. There at the edge of the sky shield something huge seemed to burn like a hurled coal as it moved across the sky. 

"Starfall!!" The Barbarian's recognition of this horror had evoked some long dormant race memory.

 

DM Briefing: A huge asteroid menaces the world as it emerges from deep space to smite life.

 

Source: io9.com/5856621/how-to-spot-tomorrow-nig...

 

93. A MAGE'S MENAGERIE

 

"Yeah!" Haji's crossbow bolt exploded through the caged cat's skull and sprayed blood and gore over his fellow guardsmen. 

"I'm gonna skin that bastard and have his fur hide for my bed chamber." Tavo was nauseated by the actions of this imbecile looking elsewhere at the more desperate animals which seemed to sense their end. 

"Damn all Wizards..." Tavo cut the throat of a strange horse with a horn protruding from it's head killing it cleanly.

 

DM Briefing: Serving as City Guardsmen PCs are dispatched with others to the walled Estate of the recently deceased Wizard Selmo the Maleficent to put down his collection of starving exotic animals.

 

Source: www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3343894....

 

94. FARMER RESCUES DOG FROM CAVE

 

"So this Cave is how deep?" Thurn the Dwarf was interested by the idea of a cave just outside the village.

"Twenty feet. Our ferret hunting dog was at the bottom. I had to climb down and retrieve him." Jonjo the Turnip farmer was pretty impressed with his actions. Thurn smiled and patted him on the back.

"And there were other tunnels?" The farmer nodded at the Dwarf's excitement. 

"Ten percent of anything of value will be yours for our right to explore it."

 

DM Briefing; A farmer rescues his dog from a 20 feet deep limestone cave on the edge of his farm. The cave itself begins to draw the interest of Adventurers.

 

Source: www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/11/09...

 

95. QUAKE DESTROYS VILLAGE

 

"Help! Is anyone there?" Hans was pinned under a beam. The last thing he remembered was the Building shaking to the ground. 
"Yes...now shut up and dig yourself out if you can...I'm pinned down by a bloody beam." The Voice seemed close.

 

DM Briefing: A Quake levels a community. This is an opportunity for Adventurers to play hero and pull Villagers from the rubble.

 

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/10/turkey...

 

96. BLOOD-SOAKED MADMEN IN ROOFTOP SIEGE

 

"Ya shan't take me alive ya bastards!" Han Bin stood precariously on the roof of the gable-house waving a small dagger, the blood of his victim moist on his skin. 
A Guardsman leaned out a window of an adjacent building. 
"I have a clear shot." Gregor looked down the stock of his crossbow at the madman as his commander moved about behind him. 
"Take it."

 

DM Briefing: PC Guardsmen are called out to deal with a group of men covered in blood on the roof of a building.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8372596/thr...

 

97. GHOST HUNTERS GO MISSING

 

Guardsman Dalvo leaned against the door frame of the old house. 
"I'm just saying that If you hear from your Daughter or Son in Law, just let me know...Its urgent we speak with them.“ Anya Qaterno stared at the other man who had popped by with the 'Guardsman'. He looked more like a thug than a member of the guard.

 

DM Briefing: Known Ghost hunters vanish from their home and are thought to be on the run. The Town Guard want them to surrender to arrest so they can have words with them. PCs who are members of the town Guard may be called in as the legitimate search for these missing people.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8372776/fug...

 

98. WIZARD REQUESTS A BLACK RHINO

 

"These great beasts are known to live on the Bloody Plains. I will pay you a million gold coins if you can find one and return it to me alive." Hondo choked on the size of the Bounty. 
"A Million gold coins? For a million gold coins I will bring you a whole damn herd." The Wizard smiled at the suggestion.

 

DM Briefing: A wizard offers a million gold pieces bounty to the first to find a Black Rhino and return it to him alive. Unfortunately the Species is extinct.

 

Source: tools.ntnews.com.au/stories/49245231.php

 

99. KEGS DISCOVERED ON LAKE SHORE

 

"Kegs were found concealed in woods near the lake shore. It is now apparent that we have a problem. Over the last decade we have lost upward of two dozen boats shipping Beer. That collection of barrels amounts to one fifth of our losses shipping across the lake." Guildmaster Halma stroked his beard. The people they would hire to investigate this would have to be bought in from outside. 
"I might have heard of a group. They were involved in a piracy investigation at the Port of Suddeer." Gregor smiled. Yes. They would be ideal for the task.

 

DM Briefing: Ninety Two Kegs of Beer thought lost during their shipment by lake Boat are discovered concealed on the lake shore. PCs are called in to investigate Lake Piracy.

 

Source: www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/92-kegs-fo...

 

100. HUMANS MASSACRED BY ELVES

 

"Commander Selestrya! Ignite the siege weapons. If we get this right we can flush these damn humans out of the village and straight into the Gauntlet General Astynil and his hunters have established on the far side." Commander Selestrya nodded and barked a command to the ballista crews. No more stinking humans on elf lands. 

 

DM Briefing: Over a hundred villages occupied by Humans across a forested region are massacred by fanatical bands of Elves resulting in the slaughter of four hundred thousand Humans.

 

Source: trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4695576...

 

EMPIRE TODAY

ISSUE ONE

1. THE HARLEQUIN'S MASK

 

Investigator Riyu stared at the brutalized woman. Her face had been cut on by the very madman he was pursuing.
"When was she found?" He turned to the Watchman who had found her.
"Last night," The Guardsman turned away from the Corpse. "Neighbours reported Screaming."

 

DM Briefing: A Psychopath has been attacking Women. All the victims have their mouths cut at the edges so they look like Harlequins or Puppets.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1032184/wom...

 

2. BLOOD SACRIFICE

 

Dura the Fortune teller leaned forward through the smoke.

"If the clay is no longer baking red and true, A Sacrifice of Blood will see you through." Dura Fell back from the Trance.
Furdad rushed from the tent.
"What did the fortune Teller say?" Azawe was waiting.

"We must conduct a blood Sacrifice..." Furdad looked around. Which of his workers would he sacrifice?

 

DM Briefing: When the clay of a digging no longer baked to traditional red, Brick Makers Sacrifice a labourer on advice of a Fortune Teller.

 

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/22/bangla...

 

3. FIRE AND ICE (PART 1)

 

Sigismund turned toward the direction of the explosion. There at the top of the Glacial ice wall that towered above the far end of the Valley, the red and orange embers of an inferno spewed upward like a fountain of fire. All around it the Ice turned to Steam.
Sigismund reached for the Alarm bell; a sound barely audible to the population of the village over the roar and thunder coming from the Glacier.
"We must flee!"

 

DM Briefing: five hundred Villagers are forced to flee as a Volcano erupts from beneath a near-by Glacier.

 

Source: www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=121338&sec...

 

4. WHO CAN WE ASK FOR HELP?

 

Elin cowered at the brutality of the attack. The Men who had raided the House and violated its women picked through the spoils of their plunder.

"Right! Where is the rest of it?" The Leader of this raid struck Elin a blow. Where is it?"

 

DM Briefing: In a community where Prostitution is not managed by the Guild or any Watch, A house of ill repute is raided by bad men, the Women violated and robbed. They can’t exactly go for help.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1032...

 

5. BABY KILLING SON OF A BITCH

 

Silber jerked back from the hessian sack he had discovered snagged on the edge of the riverbank in horror retreating away from it;
"Oh by the Gods..." He emptied his stomach contents on the bank.

His friend patted him on the shoulder.
"What's wrong?" Grandim the fisherman began working his way toward the bag that had shocked his companion.

The sight of the small bodies broke Grandim immediately to tears. There were babies in the sack.

 

DM Briefing: Villagers discover the corpses of twenty babies on a riverbank. Somewhere up river a Wizard is conducting experiments on Babies.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/1034012/two-he...

 

6. THE TIDE OF REFUGE

 

Alberth the fisher pulled in his nets, struggling with the load of fish. That was when he saw it. The Boat was defiantly foreign and not of a type that Alberth was familiar with. It was crowded with the starving and emaciated. Men, Women and Children of some far away land. Their vessel seemed to struggle with the load and reek of a smell that suggested they had been at sea for perhaps a year.

Their mast, broken and lashed into place struggled to withstand the forces of the feeble wind that jerked their vessel toward land.
Alberth looked back at his small fishing village and wondered if they would even make the beach.

 

DM Briefing: Boat People of a foreign and unknown land begin landing on the coast and crowding into and around Communities there. Hungry, destitute, outcast and all manner of suffering folk are amongst their number. They do not speak the local language and may become an underclass.

 

Source: www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/03/29/135...

 

7. COFFIN FINDERS, COFFIN KEEPERS

 

Franco scratched at the dirt with his wooden Sod breaker. There was defiantly something there. He pushed back the dirt to reveal more of the Lead.

 "A Lead Box...?" It seemed a little long. Gregor was three feet away and scraping dirt off the same lead box.

"A coffin perhaps?"

 

DM Briefing: Farmers digging in a field near some old rocks uncover a thousand pound lead coffin. Considering the value of such metal, perhaps it is the Coffin of an Emperor.

 

Source: io9.com/5504790/what-the-hell-is-buried-...

 

8. THE ALVA FARUK

 

"What kind of vessel is that?" Geran began climbing the riggings to get a better view. It was huge. Where were the Sails? where were the Masts? It seemed flat like a Barge or a Galley. Perhaps it was rowed by Slaves?
"No one Knows. It simply appeared on the reef during that terrible Maelstrom last evening." Captain Franco extended his spyglass.
Geran stared down at the ocean. It was befouled with something...

 

DM Briefing: A thousand feet long iron hull ship has crossed through from some alternate reality and become lodged on a Reef off the Coast. It has spilled a thousand tons of oil on the ocean poisoning fish stocks in the region.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1035661/def...

 

9. FIRE AND ICE (PART 2)

 

The Roar was deafening. The Smell infernal.
Derun Firehammer stared at the firestorm before turning to his companions.
"And the Seer is sure that Surak the Infernal is in there somewhere attempting to summon the Nightlord?" The Prospect of entering that hell for anything less than saving the world filled him with dread.

"He's never wrong." Franz was prepared to go on faith alone but it helped if he was right.

 

DM BRIEFING: What began as an Eruption in the North has been revealed as an effort to summon some dark force into the world of men.

 

Source: io9.com/5520373/eyjafjallajokull-rains-l...

 

10. A FOUL SMELL IN TOWN

 

Katrin pushed aside the window curtains with one hand struggling with the waste bowl. The foul aroma of the street washed over her causing her to stumble.
The Waste in the bowl spilled across her as she collapsed, choking on the overpowering smell choking her lungs.

"Oh...Oh Gods! What is that?" Katrin vomited.

 

DM BRIEFING: A would-be Alchemist is mixing toxic substances in the Cellar of a Tavern. Unfortunately the toxic cloud is poisoning the citizens living in the Foreign Quarter.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1056627/mys...

 

11. THE NINEFINGERED ONE

 

The Midwife struggled with the cord, the newborn child waving its hands in the light of the moment. It was a simple slip of the blade and the child Screamed.
"Oh no. Oh Gods No!" The midwife Sara panicked now.

"What’s wrong?" The Queen mother was suddenly drawn to the wailing of her child. "Is something wrong?"

"I Just cut off a finger." The Midwife padded the bloody stump in a pathetic attempt to stem the blood flow. The Queen seemed confused.
"Not my own. Hers." The horrified mother was shocked at what she was hearing.

 

DM Briefing: During a delivery of a child, a Midwife slices off a child's finger. The young Princess will be forever known as Isha Nine-fingered.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/1057007/midwif...

 

12. ORCS ARSE FOUND DEAD

 

The guest hadn’t come down for dinner in three days. Fraknel the Innkeeper pushed open the door to the room and was confronted by the smell of a corpse. The occupant wasn’t necessarily dead - he smelled like that on check in. The hideous face of sewn up flesh emerged from the darkness and Fraknel fell backward in shock before recovering his senses.

Was that the face of an Orc? It swayed on a hook over the door as Fraknel pushed into the room.

The squeal of a terrible engine filled the room and Frankel found himself standing on a rapidly deflating Bagpipes crafted from Orc Bones and most likely some Orc Leather. Lifting his foot off the broken instrument he found the body.

 

DM Briefing: Orc's Arse, a member of GARROT, a band violent bards who are known to wear Masks and carry instruments crafted from Humanoid Skin, is found dead in his room in an Inn.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/105701...

 

13. HEALING WATERS DISCOVERED

 

Ferdinand struggled with the weakness in his old bones as he bent to cup his hands to capture water from the old brass tap that supplied drink water from the Church Cistern. A sip and the pain began to ease.

 

DM Briefing: Villagers discover that the water from a tap outside their church coming from the rainwater cistern heals. Word gets out and all manner of charlatan comes looking to profit from the export of the healing waters.

 

Source: www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/05/26/150...

 

14. PLAYWRIGHT GOES INSANE

 

Azani made her way into the Manor house of the great Actor and playwright, Suran Baor. The doors open, the halls dar,. the servants missing.

Her husband Franel was here somewhere likely working on some play with the greatest Actor and Playwright the Kingdom had ever seen. She worked her way toward the East Wing where there was a theatre.
The hall seemed dark - despite the oil lamps.
Baor stepped into lantern light with something in his hand. He was coated in blood.
"Come in my dear...We are just getting to your part in this comedy."

 

DM Briefing: A great Actor and Playwright kills a fellow Actor on Stage then lures the victim's Wife to the same fate.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1061...

 

15. SINKHOLES CONSUME CITY

 

Kalvosh the Bandit rode his horse away from the Guardsmen at all haste. The gold of his almost successful bank robbery weighed down the stolen nag he was riding.
"You'll never take me alive!" the furious chase changed direction and took them down another cobblestone street. Kalvosh spotted it first. The Street had been devoured by a very deep hole. Kalvosh changed direction, cutting through the garden of some peasant farming on urban land. Kalvosh stared back at the cavernous hole.
"Where in the hells did that come from?"

 

DM Briefing: Sink Holes open across the city of Durnt causing the population to flee in fear. The Caverns into which the city is falling are up to a quarter of a mile deep.

 

Source: io9.com/5551931/tropical-storm-agatha-op...

 

16. INTELLIGENCE POTION FOR SALE

 

Sedric the peddler sipped the strange brew the old farmer had given him.

"You should feel a warm sensation washing through you as the potion takes effect." Sedric could taste the apricot at least.
"No...But hey we can sell it to the people in the next town by the bottle. It’s got fruits in it so it must be good for you." Sedric smiled at the old Charlatan.

 

DM Briefing: A community begins to peddle a potion of Intelligence made entirely from natural ingredients rather than magic. The results are up for dispute but some long term drinkers swear they have improved their intelligence.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/1064231/North-...

 

17. STRANGE LIGHTS IN THE SKY

 

Kofis staggered into the street and looked about for the moon that would light his way home. The Swirling Light in the sky caught his attention. The Moon had never done that before. He looked around and spotted the moon before looking back at the swirling light in the sky.

That was new.

"You are probably wondering why there are two moons." Came the voice out of the darkness. "You might want to go home and forget you ever saw it."

"That's not a moon...looks nothing like a moon. It’s a swirly light in the Sky." The Shadow moved only slightly.

"Dragon." The voice corrected.
"That’s not a Dragon...Looks nothing like a Dragon." The Shadow stepped forward and now it was joined by another.
"Like I said. It’s a Dragon if you know what is good for you." Did the second have a sword?
"Right...I'm obviously too drunk to think about such things. I'm off to bed." The shadow's sword retreated to its scabbard and they vanished into the dark.

 

DM Briefing: A Swirly thing is seen in the sky all along the Coast by many villagers in many villages.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/1064435/u...

 

18. RIVER SPIRITS APPEASED

 

Sabutai the high priest took the first chicken and cut it's neck draining the blood into the raging river that cut their simple village in half. Upstream, twelve children gathered on the Village Bridge to watch the ceremony and offer flowers.

"Let this sacrifice appease the spirits of the river and..." Sabutai was interrupted as a great wave erupted from the watery surface in a furious rage.

The Great Elemental Primordial roared: "I accept this Sacrifice..." The Watery hand devoured the bridge and claimed the children.

 

DM Briefing: A ceremony to appease the Spirits of the River by sacrificing Chickens goes horribly wrong and twelve children on a bridge linking two halves of a Village are claimed by a River God.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/1065231/12-chi...

 

19. HAMMER OF GOD

 

Namoi Wildcatcher looked up at the sky...Was that Thunder this time of year? Above him, burning Coals seemed to fall from the sky and impact on the far side of the island with a flash of light.
The Shockwave hurled him through the air smacking him against the distant forest trees.

 

DM Briefing: Rocks fall from the sky unleashing hellish energy on scale with a nuclear bomb. In the aftermath, Survivors discover Craters that fill with water forming lakes. They begin sacrificing children and animals to appease the angry sky.

 

Source: io9.com/5556690/the-ancient-meteorite-cu...

 

20. WOLVES IN THE WILDERNESS

 

The Old woman was hysterical but Arak could make neither heads nor tail of her fears.
"Any Idea what she is going on about Harren?" The Warrior looked over at the old Priest.

"She's saying that Her Grandchildren were abducted by Slavers. She's begging you to get them back." A familiar Story in these parts. Arak nodded.

"Ask her when it happened."

 

DM Briefing: The PCs are sent to investigate the abduction of Children from Villages located along a Mountain Road. The Villains are part of a slavery network trading in children. Most of them wind up dead after years of abuse and cruelty.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/1079146/aussie...

 

21. NIGHTMARE IN PUNDE

 

Widow Sandoval ran down the night shrouded street with the monsters on her heels.
"Some one! Please help!" Her screams seemed to be drowned out by the thunderous sound of this herd of Mega-fauna hot on her heels down the Cobblestone lane.
A terrible squeal of horror drowned the community as she was finally set upon.

 

DM Briefing: The Village of Punde is plagued by giant Rats the size of Hounds.

 

Source: www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/31024...

 

22. INFERNO CITY

 

Burning debris hurled outward from the distant explosion igniting a hundred other timber shanties.

Leon cowered from the heat as the pressure wave hurled him to the Ground. This was it for the Capitol. The City would burn unstopped until it was all gone.
"Carley! Get to the Cart. We need to leave!" Leon ran for the Horse in the barn.

 

DM Briefing: A terrible inferno has taken hold of the crowded capital. It will be entirely engulfed in flame within a day. Crowds of People flee for their lives. It is uncertain what caused it but speculation will add to the panic.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/7959405/explos...

 

23. TWO HORNED UNICORN SIGHTED

 

The alarm spell sounded waking Finntiluth from his sleep. Even half asleep he could see the Two horned Horse through the Crystal Ball. He immediately roused his companions with a Roar.

"The Creature is sighted at location Zebra-Three. Prepare for Transport Gentlemen."
Within moments the Flying Ship turned inland.

 

DM Briefing: When a Two Horned Unicorn is spotted in the wilderness, interested parties hurry to capture it.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/7963752/rare-s...

 

24. RED MIST SMOTHERS TOWN

 

Alveron choked on the burning red cloud that enveloped his small town. His eyes and throat burned. There was no where he or the other residents could go to gain respite from the acrid cloud.

"Where in the hells do you think it is coming from?" Alveron turned to identify the Voice. It was Vsanya. She was pushing through the crowd
"It came from the direction of the Abandoned Wizard's Tower west of town." Vsanya nodded in acceptance as residents pushed past them both fleeing east.
"We should go deal with it. You think?" Alvernon nodded in agreement.

 

DM Briefing: A poisonous acidic cloud pours over a community. It seems to be coming from an abandoned wizard's Tower outside of town. Chemicals have apparently mixed and turned into a toxic cloud.

 

Source: www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpsci...

 

25. STATE OUTLAWS MAGI

 

"A ban on Witches and Wizards advertising their Services is now in effect!" The Town Crier directed guardsmen to tear down the notices posted on the Pillar of Public Notices where everyone advertised. The Crier moved down the Street where hundreds of Wizards and Witches sold their services.
"A ban on Witches and Wizards advertising their Services is now in Effect!" Guardsmen tore down signs overlooking the Street, and above small shop fronts taking them inside Shops to have words with their proprietors.
Apprentice Salmo hurried off to warn his master of this disturbing chain of events.

 

DM Briefing: A Republic that has in the last few decades seen increasing influence of the Church begins cracking down on Wizards and Witches. Though it is for now a ban on advertising their services, it is likely to escalate into a ban on Wizards and Witches.

 

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europ...

 

26. A PATRIARCH’S FUNERAL

 

Janko the Warrior could only watch as the Corpse of the old man was carried down the road of the Village Lane. Hundreds seemed to have turned out to see the old fellow off.
"Whose he then?" His inquiry seemed to spark disinterest in his ignorance.
Perhaps a hundred elderly women wailing his death followed the precession.
"He's our Patriarch." The Village Guardsman to his left commented.
"How many of them are related to the man?" The Crowd of followers seem to look angrily at Janko.
"All of us. Those Women are his Wives." As the Guardsman nodded to his mum, Janko suddenly felt awkward at having killed to old fellow.

 

DM Briefing: The Party stumble into the Village of Kuku where his children are burying the Village Patriarch and his hundred wives are mourning his loss.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8099434/polyga...

 

27. PROTECTION RACKET

 

Gregor watched his house burn.
"I will pay you anything! Just put the Fire out." He was frantic now as the Town Fire crew stood and watched the house burn.
"Sorry Sir. You failed to pay your Fire Services Fee. You don’t get it when it is of convenience to you." The fire Spread to the neighbouring shanty.
"I'll pay you five hundred gold pieces!"
"Heads up lads! A Fee paying client's house is catching fire." They ignored Gregor's plea for help and went to put out the fire now threatening his neighbour.

 

DM Briefing: A Town has a Protection Racket in control of Fire Services. Anyone wishing to have firemen put out a fire that is burning down their house will need to pay a 75 gold piece fee annually.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8100891/crews-...

 

28. ZABU EXPRESSES AN OPINION

 

"Zabu Sit!" Furati tapped the elephant’s rump with a riding stick and the large beast groaned as it struggled to its knees. Satisfied the handler slid off it's back and walked over to the Tavern where a scruffy old man was peddling hooch to the local villagers from his bamboo hut.

When he returned well drunk, it was dark.
"What the hell have you been drinking?" The sound seemed to come out of nowhere. Furati stumbled taken by surprise.
"Who sai tha?" He slurred his words and looked about nervously.

"Me! You drunk bastard! Is that fermented Gucha fruit I can smell?"

"Whose there! Shew yoself!" Furati jerked about with Paranoia before collapsing in a drunken heap.

"I don’t know why I bother." Zabu rolled over on his back and scratched the top of his head on a rock.

 

DM Briefing: An elephant learns to talk. At some point the Player characters learn that the only credible source of information is the talking elephant who would very much appreciate not being involved in whatever it is they are up to.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8104591/talkin...

 

29. EVIL STEPMOTHER DISTRAUGHT

 

"Ando! Come listen to this servant!" Friar Ando rushed over to his companion.
"Now tell my friend about this sack you were instructed to remove from the Queen's Chamber during the night." Friar Ando was irritated.
"We have no time for idle gossip Gregor. We must ready to deliver the Ransom within the hour." Gregor shook his head.
"We need to make time. This might be important." Gregor turned back to the Servant...

 

DM Briefing: An evil Stepmother has disposed of the Princess - Daughter of the king - and has faked a Ransom Note demanding a Million Gold Pieces. The PCs must make the Delivery within four hours giving them little time to investigate.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8104614/search...

 

30. AXE GANG STRIKES

 

"Where is your Gold?" The widow cowered on the floor of her home at the feet of one of the three axe wielding villains.
"There is no Gold!" Her cries of terror were almost a scream for mercy.
"Your Husband was a big merchant! Now where did he hide the gold?"

 

DM Briefing: A gang of three criminal wielding Axes have been raiding homes through the City of Bomarc at night. Unfortunately the city is large and they remain one step ahead of the City Guardsmen.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8106044/arm...

 

31. KILLER GOAT

 

Herad the Cleric leaned on his staff. Ahead, on a rocky rise a majestic mountain goat stood sniffing the air against an incredible mountain vista.
"Beautiful!" The words seemed to startle the beast and it dropped out of sight behind a run of low bushes. Herad cursed himself for spoiling the moment and considered moving on. He had a long Journey ahead of him.
The Horned Goat burst from the camouflage of some brush and charged at him horns down. It seemed to already have the blood of some previous victim painted on the horns as the twin spears skewered Herad through the guts.

 

DM Briefing: A Wild Goat is attacking and killing lone travellers. The beast seems determined to earn some serious experience points.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8107733/us-hik...

 

32. GNOMES DIG TUNNEL

 

Frelin Bunttleknose spotted the sudden burst of sunlight as the great tunnel cutter breached the side of the Mountain.
"We're through!" Darmar Hotrolledsteel didn’t seem to hear him nor spot the sunlight pouring in to the tunnel over the edge of the Machine.
Frelin patted the operator on the back to get his attention.

Darmar dusted off his goggles and looked up.
"What?" The sunlight caught his attention.
"Oh! Right! We're through. Why didn’t you tell me?" He pulled the brake leaver and slowed the machine to a stop. The other Gnomes carting rock back to the far end of the tunnel seemed overjoyed.

 

DM Briefing: Gnomes cut a large tunnel through a Mountain Range allowing travel through a fifty seven kilometre long Tunnel.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/glanceview/128219/lo...

 

33. SEERS PREDICT MAELSTROMS

 

Gando the Seer breathed in the smoke.
"...Great Maelstroms will wrack the coastal cities...Ale will taste bad in the Village of Gurm...Gold will be found in the mountains of Plimy...Anna of Durnst will have a daughter..." The scribe sitting quietly in the corner noted it down.

 

DM Briefing: The Royal Seer predicts destructive Cyclones will sweep through the Coastal cities of a Kingdom creating much destruction.

 

Source: www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/10/19/187...

 

34. ANCIENT TOMB DISCOVERED

 

Haran drove the pick into the ground. He had till sun-up to dig the well then he would need to take shelter from the terrible Sun.

“Samir! Come here boy, and bring that bucket.” The Boy scurried out of the family hovel they had erected earlier this morning.

Haran surveyed the desert that was to be his farm plot. It would be their grave if he did not find water.

After a dozen more blows, the pick broke through into a buried chamber taking Haran the farmer with it.

 

DM Briefing: A Tomb belonging to a High Priest over four thousand years old is discovered.

 

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/19/egypts...

 

35. SUNKEN CITY SPOTTED FROM AIR

 

Frendik Skywratchet leaned over the Gondola railing to unleash the contents of his stomach. Over head the hot air balloon continued to jerk back and forth as the fire elemental rumbled its disagreement to being imprisoned in service to its gnome master.

Frendik opened his eyes and looked down.

“Kerric? You know that story about a sunken city...” Below him a city of streets and building walls could be seen displayed on the sea floor.

“What of it?” Kerric Elementaldriver was a little busy with his charge.

 

DM Briefing: A Sunken ancient city is discovered below fifty feet of water off the coast of an island.

 

www.huffingtonpost.com/maria-popova/abst...

 

36. MONK EXPELLED FROM TEMPLE

 

Sur-dak was hurled down the steps of the temple into the crowded street. A volley of rocks came from the clerics at the top of the steps.
"Be gone foul one! You are banished for your weakness." The High Priest turned his back and the other clerics followed.
Sur-dak lay in the dirt of the street until the crowd began to gather to exact their own brand of Justice on the corrupt little cleric.

 

DM Briefing: A Monk is expelled from his temple for the sin of spying on naked young Women while they bathe. The PCs must decide between preventing his death at the hands of angry villagers and his just punishment.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8111246/monk****>

 

37. GNOMES FIND SILVER ON MOON

 

Gan Steamwratchet scraped at the cold topsoil to reveal a thick layer of Silver below the Permafrost.

"Bugger me!" He choked for air in the rapidly depleting Air Envelope of the old Spelljammer. Quickly scooping a soil sample, he fled for the vessel that would carry him back to his colony.

 

DM Briefing: Gnomish Spelljammers discover Silver on the Moon in vast quantities. Unfortunately the Airless planetoid draws off the Air supply of a Spelljamming Vessel pretty Quickly making any mining operation very dangerous.

 

Source: www.newscientist.com/article/dn19609-lcr...

 

38. BANDITS SLAUGHTER VILLAGERS

 

Turduk the Butcher led his bandits into the small village in a cloud of dust.
"So these Stinking Peasants think they have something to celebrate do they? We will teach them different." Turduk pulled his scimitar and his bandits followed suit...

 

DM Briefing: Bandits raid the Village of Borydos while the locals are celebrating the Coming of Age of a young villager. They slaughter twelve of the Villagers at the celebration before escaping.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8111681/gunmen...

 

39. DWARVES FIND CRYSTAL IRON

 

Denwar dug into the hot stone with his mithril pick. He was weary. It had certainly taken its tole just to venture this far down beneath the world.

The Mithril shattered on impact with something unexpected.

"Shaj!" The end of the pick was gone. It had failed on impact with something harder than Mithril.
Harder than Mithril?

"Over here!" One of his fellow miners raised a hammer and struck the rock by Denwar. He turned the pick and worked the stone that concealed his prize matching the hammer in a rhythm.

 

DM Briefing: Dwarves delving into the very core of the World discover Crystalline Iron: an Iron harder than any metal ever encountered, its crystalline nature making it truly valuable.

 

Source: io9.com/5664275/how-it-feels-to-be-crush...

 

40. DEATH DEEMED SUICIDE

 

"Suicide!" The City Guardsman was absolute despite the evidence.
"She was attacked with an Axe fifteen times!" Azorian Diplomat Dura Shan was disgusted at the suggestion.

The Guardsman flashed the Black Dog bite tattoo on his hand.

"Suicide!" The Diplomat revealed an identical Tattoo beneath a glove and nodded.
"Suicide it is." The Diplomat pulled his glove back on and left the Watch House.

 

DM Briefing: A Traveller from a distant republic is found slaughtered. Her injuries involve being struck fifteen times with an Axe. The Corrupt Local Authorities and Diplomats of the Victim's nation agree that it was suicide.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8111821/aussie...

 

41. FOUR LEGGED DEMON CHICKEN

 

Gregor hurried across the open space between his shanty and his barn. He didn’t like being out in the open like this. There had been too many deaths.

He reached the Barn and slipped inside.
"Thank the Gods!" Gregor stepped forward intending to milk his cow Bes.

"Bukaw!" The terrible sound hammered at Gregor taking him by surprise. The Huge head of a four legged Chicken looked up from Bes's stall where it had been eating the Cow. It trotted out of the Stall on all four of its legs and looked inquiringly at Gregor.
The Farmer turned and ran for the Door but the giant beast was behind him instantly.
"Bukaw!" The beast's head was right behind Gregor and he closed his eyes as it went for the kill dragging him back into the dark.

 

DM Briefing: Recently the farmers have been having trouble with their chickens. The usually little chickens have evolved an extra pair of legs and grow to the size of a small horse. They begin to graze on the farmers and herds for food. The Four legged Chicken has the Speed and Stats of a Pegasus.

 

Source: www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/10/25/189...

 

42. GIANT SHARK EATS FISHERMEN

 

"I'll never go to sea again Curkin!" The young lad looked up at the old fisherman and saw the fear in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" The child wanted to know.
"It came up out of the Water and snatched your Father right off the Deck of the Fishing Boat. Huge it was. Fifteen maybe sixteen feet long. It just took him." The old man shivered at the memory.

 

DM Briefing: A giant Shark over fifteen feet in length is stalking off the Coast. Fishermen and regular sharks are its prey.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8111895/sha...

 

43. TSUNAMI DESTROYS VILLAGE

 

Franco stared at the fishing port from the rigging of the ship.

"Gods she is a beautiful sight!" his words caught the attention of the old Captain.
"That she is Franco." There was something in his voice.

"Wave! Tidal Wave!" The Crows Watch screamed the warning as the Wave rolled the ship and washed toward the fishing port. Franco was suddenly beneath water as the rigging dragged him under.

 

DM Briefing: Over a hundred are dead and five hundred missing after a tidal wave devours a coastal community.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8113...

 

44. VILLAGE HAS OWN LANGUAGE

 

The Farmer was Adamant.
"So you are saying we shouldn’t bother speaking with the Village on that hill...because they don’t speak Common." The Farmer nodded.

"That’s Ludicrous! Everyone Speaks Common. Everyone!" Gregor thought the idea was insane.

"They speak Duk." The farmer smiled.
"What the hells is Duk?" Gregor shook his head and rubbed his tongue against the back of his teeth.

"The Name of the Village."

 

DM Briefing: The PCs discover the Village of Duk - where Duk isnt just the Common Tongue, it is the only language spoken in the community.

 

Source: io9.com/5661308/mysterious-language-spok...

 

45. PLAGUE IN THE NORTHLANDS

 

"It isn’t good. The old man and the child are experiencing symptoms of fever, headaches, and vomiting...it’s defiantly the plague." Guardsman Thrain continued to hold the cloth up in front of his face.

"That’s fifty in two weeks!" Captain Deran Washik. There was only one course of action here.
"Board it up and burn it!" Guardsmen cautiously pushed forward with timbers and hammers.

 

DM Briefing: Affecting Children and old people, a terrible fever is sweeping the rural northlands. Victims suffer Vomiting, Fever, and Headaches before dying.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/health/8114766/myste...

 

46. EMPIRE BEGINS HEADCOUNT

 

Tormis the Bureaucrat drove his walking staff into the timber door of the small shanty. A noise came from within.

"Who is it?" It sounded like an old man.
"Imperial Census! All persons out into the street for a headcount." The old man poked his head out from behind the rotting door and stared at the Imperial Bean Counter and his dozen soldiers.

"Only me..." Tormis looked at the filthy face.
"And you are who?" Tormis expected an answer.
"Nekid the elder, farmer." A cough came from within. Tormis scratched out the first number and waved his ink quill in the air over the scroll.

"And the Name of your Cough?" Nekid smiled a guilty smile.

 

DM Briefing: The Empire of Hak, concerned over a lack of bureaucratic knowledge as to the disposition of the billion plus populace and thus taxes owed initiates the great census. Six million Bureaucrats will go from home to home to identify the people living there, scouring every corner of the Empire.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8116508/china-...

 

47. THE CROWD TURNS UGLY

 

Hagar the Pit fighter watched as the great beast circled him. Above the pit the crowd cheered at the prospect of another victory. Somewhere in the poorly lit arena someone was striking two metal blades together to give the event rhythm.

The great cat turned and hurtled past Hagar with its powerful claws ripping at him, A quick motion and the Seasoned fighter had grabbed the beast by the tail...and plunged his manhood into its rear orifices.
The crowd went quiet at what they were watching. The great cat squealed at the violation.
It took a moment before someone screamed:
"Kill the Degenerate!" That was it. The Crowd had turned.

 

DM Briefing: A well known Gladiator violates a Wild Beast in some degenerate display of his virility. The Mob is furious at his antics and they begin turning on Arena fighting as a vile self indulgent orgy.

 

Source: tools.ntnews.com.au/stories/43996851.php

 

48. MISSING ARISTOCRAT FOUND

 

Han Dwarf-friend moved along the trail and out into the clearing. There, nailed to a tree was the corpse of the young Aristocrat Sigismund the Fourth. Han recognized him instantly and looked around for a potential killer.
"Gods lad...you're a little far from home." Han pulled his axe and prepared to chop down the tree.

 

DM Briefing: The body of a Young Aristocrat has been found nailed to a tree in the middle of the Wilderness. Apparently he went missing while travelling south to another city by the Trade-road.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8119...

 

49. MASTER OF DISGUISE ESCAPES

 

Gorn the merchant halted before the gangway that led onto the Ship that would take him from the Empire back to his homeland. For the fifth time he showed his documents. He attempted to speak the border guard's language - poorly.
"You have a beautiful Country. I enjoyed my time much." He nodded at the fellow who nodded back.

The Guard returned the Documents and waved him forward onto the Timber ship. Gorn moved slowly up the walkway on to the rolling deck and was led to the cabin he had paid for.

The Cabin boy led him through some doors into a cabin with his baggage.
"My thanks Lad!" He slipped the cabin boy a few coppers and waited till he had gone.
It wasn’t until the Ship was an hour out to sea that he removed the Mask.
Gorn the Elder vanished and was replaced by the young elf outlaw Sandyn Duryndyr, Most wanted of the Empire.

 

DM Briefing: A young Elf outlaw (and Most Wanted of the Empire of Hak) disguises himself as an elderly foreign Merchant from a distant land. He slips past the Border guards and escapes by ship.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8119687/unbeli...

 

50. HOUSE OF GLADIATORS FALLS

 

Rubble settled a little on the warriors.
"Is anyone hurt?" Fuant the Beserker lifted the beam that had him pinned despite the broken arm. Beneath him the two naked dancing girls he had shielded from certain death moaned at the weight of the man and the dwelling. Fortunately they were alive and only bruised.

"Faunt! Over here!" It was Kurdog the Mad, Champion of fifteen death-matches. Faunt found him trapped beneath two beams.
"Hold on...I'll have you out in a moment."
With the beams moved, Kurdog's naked form was revealed to the open sky.

"What was that?" Kurdog laughed that he was alive - though the dancing girl crushed beneath the Stone Column next to him was dead.
"Uncertain. It could have been an earthquake - or perhaps the building was old."

 

DM Briefing: The House of the Gladiators collapses into rubble injuring some and killing others. Though some of the Timbers were old, it may have been an earthquake caused by the nearby volcano.

 

Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8120047/pompei...

 

Sewers and Cisterns: Sewers will rarely look like the Paris Sewers with vast vaulted Arches or mile square Cisterns unless they are technologically advanced and very big. Sewer systems are a Technology level. If they dump filth in the streets (something that might happen in older parts of a city) you get disease. In the earliest sewer designs Main Sewer Tunnels are more likely to be narrow (2&1/2 feet wide) and they will be brick lined and waste from better homes or public cespits will pour into that narrow tunnel from Pipes assembled from Modular Clay sections.

 

CHAPTER 13

DUNGEONS: CAVE-INS AND COLLAPSE

DETERMINGING SUBSIDENCE

Subsidence is defined by the cross-sectional width of a cave divided by its height below surface.

100% Subsidence: Width of Cave/Cover depth=1.1-1.4*
10% Subsidence: Width of Cave/Cover Depth=0.1-0.5*

*This range depends on the rock type. The high thresholds are more likely granite, midway is sandstone and limestone, while the low end of the scale is dirt/gravel.

That means that a cave with a 50' cross section sitting below 20' of rock has a value of 2.5 (well in excess of 100% Subsidence): Such a cave began to transfer the effects of subsidence to the surface back at 10% so the ground will be sagging and unless this chamber is propped up with columns it will collapse like a sinkhole.
Likewise a 10' wide tunnel below 20' of rock has a value of 0.5 (at the upper limit of 10% subsidence). Here the stress of failure has reached the surface - Fine cracks that will probably not be visible at the surface due to topsoil.

REDUCING SUBSIDENCE TO 10%

Columns are rarely introduced after the effect. Standard Practice requires a column to be cut from the existing rock strata and left behind undisturbed by mining and excavation.

Column Width= 0.12 x cover depth
Goaf (space between columns) width = 0.6 x cover depth.

What does it mean? Our 50' cross-section cave above can be reduced to a subsidence of 10% by including at time of construction columns to support the ceiling.

Column Width: 0.12 x 20' = 2.4'
Column Spacing: 0.6 x 20' = 12'

A chamber supported by 2.4' wide columns spaced 12' apart. Inflict some damage to those columns (beyond the damage inflicted by the existing subsidence) and the entire Dungeon will have to be tested (%percentage roll for each chamber and corridor) as to whether it has collapsed with the mountain coming down on the Adventurers.

SUBSIDENCE AT THE SURFACE

When Subsidence exceeds 10% it begins to show at the surface. To determine the Surface Area Affected by Subsidence, you must take a 35 degree angle from the bottom of the workings edge. This means that even Rock that doesn’t overlap a collapsed/failing Cave will be showing failure. The Actual depth of collapse at surface is 80% of actual cave height into which the rock may collapse.

Subsidence= 0.8 x cave height

Cave-edge collapse radius = SIN 35 degrees x depth of cave bottom

So our 50' cross section cave with its 15' high chamber will if and when it collapses create a 12' deep sinkhole with signs of subsidence out to (SIN 35 degrees x 35') = 20' beyond the area of the cave (effectively the 50' cave left a hole 90' across - slopping down into a 12' deep, 50' wide pit).

 

SURFACE SIGNS OF SUBSIDENCE

As subsidence progresses toward 100% the effects of subsidence are transferred to the surface with increasing severity.

 

10%<------------------------à100%

Cracks* - Sagging – Depression Bowl

Cracks* – Fissures – Chimneys

Cracks* - Block separation – Terracing

Cracks* - Sagging - Sinkholes

*Cracks are not always visible at the surface due to topsoil

NATURAL SUBSIDENCE OVER TIME AND MAGICAL TUNNELLING

As a mine is increased through mining it becomes increasingly unstable due to the natural failure over time. The rate of failure over time is determined by a curve associated with the rate at which mining occurred.

A tunnel cut slowly by Dwarves might progress toward a natural failure over years or even centuries. Whereas the use of Disintegrate to dig your way through is considered an instantaneous advance which means the natural progression toward failure is instantaneous.

The use of Disintegrate to tunnel instantly pushes the rock structure to 100% before adjusting to its new subsidence value (ex-removal of a 10' x 10' x 10' cube below 10' of rock by disintegrate requires a check against the cave's new 10% subsidence because of the instantaneous stress change).

Our 50’ cross-section cave might progress to 100% subsidence over eight years but the instant someone uses a Disintegrate spell to tunnel through a wall, the section may collapse as a block or separate from the old cave as a stress boundary fissure or chimney.

APPLYING CAVE SUBSIDENCE TO PITS

It means that any unreinforced Pit wall will fail out to 35 degrees from bottom of any pit with 11′ of width per 10′ of depth burying anyone who dares enough to dig below 5′ depth x physical height.

 

AC 990

 

Nuwmont 13: Traldarans seek refuge

Location: Kelvin

Description: Traladaran refugees from villages in the Atlan Tepes arrive in Kelvin and notify the inhabitants that eighty villages in the north-eastern region of the Atlan Tepes were obliterated and that twenty four thousand Traladarans had been killed in three days of Humanoid Attacks.

 

What is going on? Humanoids are becoming organized under leaders. Some of these will be Thyatians looking to seize property and wealth, others simply forcing the Human population out of the region.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be employed to go into the North East to put down the Humanoid Warbands.

 

Nuwmont 23: Krakatos Burns

Location: Krakatos

Description: The town of Krakatos is burned by unidentified mob of Thyatians and its fortifications pulled down. Traladarans living there are forced to flee. Numerous Rapes and deaths occur during the evictions.

 

What is going on? The community of Krakatos is abandoned and becomes a ruin.

 

What the PCs can do: They can try and save lives.

 

Vatermont 19: Disarming the Rabble

Location: In communities all across Karameikos

Description: In the village of Verge and in other places, the government demands all weapons from the Traladaran populations.

 

What is going on? Traladarans are stripped of weapons on the grounds that they pose a threat to Thyatian Authority.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are Traladarans, they will be told to surrender their weapons.

 

Kladmont 3: The Black Eagle goes to War

Location: The Black Eagle Barony

Description: Two hundred horsemen ride out from the Black Eagle Barony under the Banner of Von Hendriks and heads north west toward the Five Shires.

What is going on? The Baron of Black Eagle is beginning an assault on Wereskalot in the five shires. The community is a nest of Traladaran Refugees who are shipping weapons to Traladarans and aiding the escape of Traladarans from his Barony.

 

What the PCs can do: They can if they are friends of the five shires warn them that the Baron is coming.

 

AC 991

 

Vatermont 8: He fell on his own dagger...

Location: Specularum

Description: The Wizard Krollan, a counsellor of Duke Stefan, is murdered while wandering through the great Marketplace. Witnesses report that he seemed to collapse surrounded by a crowd of people. Some thought it was a stroke until they saw the Dagger.

 

What is going on? The Veiled Society is proving to Duke Stephan that they can get anyone, anywhere and the Duke's Minions are all too vulnerable.

 

What the PCs can do: The PCs might be employed to infiltrate the Veiled Society.

 

Vatermont 8: Swords of the Black Eagle

Location: Black Eagle Barony

Description: Bargle's Humanoids begin making their way across the Blight Swamp to strike at the Halfling lands to conduct raids. The Baron himself dispatches half of his knights to take a short cut through Achelos Woods...while he strikes the Shires at the Border.

 

What is going on? Baron Black Eagle conducts a second Raid into the Shires. Unfortunately this time large numbers of his troops are lost in the Achelos Woods to what ever it is that dwells there. The Humanoids crossing Blight Swamp are met by Halfling Troops.

 

What the PCs can do: They can help the Shires stop the Black Eagle Baron and his minions.

 

Sviftmont 12: The Raddlebb Massacres

Location: Isolated Farms and Villages south of Fort Radlebb.

Description: An army of Thyatians ride into a village, set it on fire, and Slaughter its citizens in the Streets to the last child before looting it of its valuables.

 

What is going on? Beginning this day are the Radlebb Massacres. Twenty five thousand Traladarans are murdered massacred by Thyatians Soldiers from Radlebb Keep and Troops from the Black Eagle Barony as Baron Von Hendrik's own Knights participate in the slaughter.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are Heroes who happen to in the area they can get people to safety and try to save lives.

AC 992

 

Nuwmont 1: That is an Order

Location: Specularum

Description: After a heated 'discussion' with the Halfling Ambassador with regards to his lack of control over his Cousin in the West, Duke Stephan orders Baron von Hendriks to cease and desist in his private border war with the Five Shires.

 

What is going on? Stephan has been publicly reminded that ignoring what his Cousin is up to is not going to work. He is forced to order his Cousin to end his conflict with the Five Shires.

 

What the PCs can do: They can be called on to deliver the bad news to Baron Von Hendriks. Likewise they can be instructed to investigate the fact that the 'Traladaran rebels' being given shelter in the Shires are infact refugees fleeing acts of Genocide in Western Karameikos.

Thaumont 1: A Sorceress rising

Location: Specularum

Description: Halia Vorloi decides to take up adventuring today. She signs on with a merchant-wizard travelling by Wagon to Darokin.

 

What is going on? Halia Vorloi has run away from home to become a Wizard and Adventurer. Her instructor is a travelling Merchant.

 

What the PCs can do: They might sign on with the Merchant to escort the Caravan to the far away city of Darokin.

AC 993

 

Yarthmont 24: A Shopping trip to Thyatis

Location: Fort Doom

Description: Von Hendriks takes with him to Thyatis sixty five thousand gold pieces looted from Traladarans across the Raddlebb Region during the Radlebb Massacre. The Gold is a small portion of the 'abandoned goods' of the Traladarans.

 

What is going on? Von Hendriks is taking his share of gold looted from the Traladarans in the Radlebb region who were massacred on holiday. Because they were 'not alive to claim their goods' their goods were collected by the Baron's men. He is popping off to Thyatis to go shopping.

 

What can the PCs do? If they are the Baron's Men they might escort him and his gold. If they are Pirates (or Traladarans) they might find out that he is going to be moving his gold by boat and attack his ship.

AC 994

 

Vatermont 23: Guild Ambassador arrives

Location: Specularum

Description: Aladan Voll, Ambassador for the Minrothad Guilds arrives in Specularum. In an altercation on the Docks, he is set upon by a band of toughs. After the fight he seeks a bathhouse where he can get cleaned up and by the end of the day he delivers his credentials to the Duke.

 

What is going on? An Ambassador representing the Minrothad Guilds has been sent to the Grand Duchy of Karameikos. The Toughs attacking him on the Docks were involved in an attempt to loot his personal good.

 

What the PCs can do: They might come to the rescue of the future Ambassador.

 

Yarthmont 20: Fire!

Location: Specularum

Description: late in the evening a fire begins in a bakery in the old Quarter and quickly spreads to several other buildings. By the time anyone notices, it is jumping from building to building as though they were doused in fuel.

 

What is going on? The fire is part illusion - part real. The whole thing is designed to serve as a distraction while Robbers break into a Jeweller's residence and loot his valuables.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be putting out an illusionary fire when they notice the robbers exiting the Jewellers.

 

AC 995

 

Nuwmont 1: At last the Power is mine...

Location: Specularum

Description: In a surprise announcement to most, Yarol, a Traladaran, is appointed the Minister of State.

What is going on? Yarol, long suffering Secretary of Minister Bertran Cordelius is declared Minister of State by Duke Stephan.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are agents of Olivia's spy ring, they might be called on to spy on Yarol and the people he associates with.

 

Nuwmont 10: A Viking lands at Specularum

Location: Specularum

Description: Gunter Schonberg arrives in Specularum.

 

What is going on? Gunter Schonberg is Ambassador for the Northern Reaches.

 

What the PCs can do: They might encounter the Ambassador in a Tavern brawl a few hours before he must present his credentials to the Duke.

 

Nuwmont 12: Von Hendriks makes trouble

Location: Rifflain

Description: The Traladaran leaders Adran Tiblis and Ishar khan are slain during the night in the village of Rifflain by Humanoids.

 

What is going on: These humanoids are not the usual barbaric peoples. They are carrying a map of the village with the houses of Adran and Khan marked. This is an assassination by the Baron Von Hendriks.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are in Rifflain, they might be called on to investigate the killings, or even prevent the murders.

 

Vatermont 23: Your inaction has ramifications

Location: Specularum

Description: A note is anonymously sent to the Duchess holding her responsible for the massacres of Traladarans near Luln. If these activities continue the activities of the Duchess and her secret police will be exposed to the Duke and the various Traladaran court lords.

 

What is going on? Lord Sulescu has noticed Duchess Olivia's little Spy network and its foolish participation in the Genocide of the Traladaran people. He is simply reining her in before she throws the nation into utter chaos.

 

What the PCs can do: They could be employed by Duchess Olivia to investigate just who has compromised the security of her Spy network.

 

Thaumont 13: Troublemakers are rounded up

Location:  Specularum

Description: In raida all across the city of Specularum Two hundred Traladarans in Specularum are arrested for Questioning. After a day of questioning they are released on orders from Duchess Olivia.

 

What is going on? Traladarans are still being targeted by the Thyatian Government. Duchess Olivia however has taken the threat of a letter from Lord Sulescu and a new understanding of her Husband the Duke as a reason to make things better, not worse.

 

What the PCs can do: They can be called upon by Duchess Olivia to carry instructions to the officers involved in the detention of Traladarans to release them. As Traladarans they might be rounded up.

 

Flaurmont 1: Hyraksos to Rockhome

Location: Specularum

Description: The Duke Declares Constans Hyraksos as Ambassador to Rockhome.

 

What is going on: Constans Hyraksos has been harassing his father for an Ambassadorship to Rockholme for several years. The Duke finally grants the young man his dream posting.

 

What the PCs can do: As friends of Hyraksos they might escort his Son to Rockhome and stay on as part of his staff.

 

Flaurmont 2: A Baron Grieves.

Location: Vorloi

Description: After several days of illness, Baron Vorloi's wife finally dies. He is comforted by his Son and Daughter.

 

What is going on? An assassination attempt on Baron Philip Vorloi has missed its mark.

 

What the PCs can do: The Duchess Olivia might have the PCs look into the circumstances of her death. An inordinate number of Duke Stephan's Supporters seem to succumb to illness these days.

AC 996

 

Thaumont 11: You dare insult my honour?

Location: Specularum

Description: After an argument in the royal court gets out of hand, Baron Kelvin the first insults the honor of the Ylari Ambassador. Consequently the Ambassador 'accepts his challenge'. The Duke leaps to his feet to forbid this foolishness but they are not to be dissuaded. With agreement, both men withdraw to prepare for a Duel at Dawns early light.

 

What is going on? An argument in the Royal court gets out of hand and a duel to the death is declared between Baron Kelvin I and the Ylari Ambassador.

 

What the PCs can do: As Court Lords they can be called upon to act as Seconds and Witnesses.

 

Thaumont 12: The Baron is dead, long live the Baron

Location: Outside the City of Specularum

Descriptio0n: In a brutal mounted battle between two skilled horsemen at Sunrise, Baron Desmond Kelvin I is killed in a duel with the Ylari Ambassador, Mustapha ibn Ibrahim.

 

What is going on? Baron Desmond Kelvin the first has died in a duel with the Ylari Ambassador. His son, Desmond Kelvin II, and designated heir to the Barony is to be confirmed Baron of Kelvin by the end of the Day.

 

What the PCs can do: If they attempt to interfere, they will certainly be killed. All they can do is watch in horror with the other witnesses as Baron Kelvin dies in a Duel.

 

Thaumont 23: Orcs attack Duchess Olivia

Location: Near the Ruins of Krakatos

Description: Returning from Kelvin by Caravan after the funeral of the Baron, Duchess Olivia's Caravan is set upon by Orcs. A heroic Traladaran local named Lucas Tormandros (a Farmer) comes to her aide. He rejects any offer of Rewards.

 

What is going on: Orcs have settled into the ruins of Krakatos from which they are attacking Travellers on the Dukes Road.

 

What the PCs can do: Hearing of the Attack, they might be sent to investigate the Ruins of Krakatos and clear out the Orcs.

Flaurmont 4: Death stalks the Halaran Family

Location: Thyatis City

Description: Aleena Halaran's Mother and Father Die of a 'Disease' on the same day. Aleena makes preparations to migrate to Karameikos to live with her uncle the Baron Sherlane Halaran.

 

What is going on? Thyatis City is a large, crowded community rife with Disease and Poisoners. The Source of this 'Disease' could be contaminated Water, Food, or something as simple as social interaction. It could also be intentional.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be called on by Baron Sherlane to investigate the circumstances of this 'disease'.

 

Kladmont 8: A Hero accepts his rewards

Location: Specularum

Description: Lucas Tormandros finally give in to the Duke who has for months attempted to reward him for his heroics of Thaumont 23 and is made Townmaster of Specularum.

 

What is going on? A few months back Lucas Tormandros saved the life of the Duchess Olivia. He finally accepts an Appointment as Town master.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be sent to escort Tormandros to the city of Specularum.

AC 997

 

Felmont 1: The wasted life of Lord Oderbry

Location: Specularum

Deacription: Minister of Finance dies suddenly while emerging from his office this evening. Ever the meticulous work horse, the Minister for finance has the books for his assistant to file away for the evening clutched to his chest.

 

What is going on? The Duke's Banker (The Minister for Finance) has just keeled over and died. What no one knows is that for the last twenty seven years he has been siphoning off funds into an account in the Republic of Darokin. He has a million gold pieces stashed away under the name of his illegitimate Heir.

 

What the PCs can do: If one of the PCs is the Illegitimate heir of Lord Oderbry, that heir will receive a letter informing him or her that there are funds in an account in the Bank of Darokin for them - all they need do is take the included documentation with them as proof. It is also likely that the PCs will be chased down for the stolen funds in the near future.

Of course there are things worse than being chased down by the Karameikians - being related to Oderbry amongst them.

Felmont 8: Might I recommend Valdo Tiza?

Location: Specularum

Description: While contemplating who would be an ideal replacement for Oderbry, The Duke Stephan Karameikos is delivered a letter form his Minister from State Yarol. Yarol's letter recommends a minor official from inside the Ministry by the name of Valdo Tiza.

 

What is going on? On the recommendation of the Minister of State Yarol, Tiza is appointed Minister of Finance.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are involved with one of the nastier criminal organizations, they might be hired to assassinate Tiza, or see if he is open to bribery.

 

AC 998

 

Sviftmont 14: An exchange of Diplomats

Location: Specularum

Description: The Principalities having recently dispatched a Diplomat (Marinaita) to Karameikos. Duke Stephan Karameikos must consider a Diplomat to Glantri in return. As he contemplates that such a Diplomat must be someone these Wizards will respect as an equal...Boris Torenescu approaches him to recommend a cousin who has experience in negotiations.

 

What is going on? Boris Torenescu is recommending the very cousin who has supplied him with a Poison that can be used undetected to bump off Christoph Torenescu for a Diplomatic position in Karameikos in payment for services.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be called upon to serve as Diplomatic escorts to the new ambassador to Glantri.

 

AC 999

 

Vatermont 3: Church of Oderbry invades Five Shires

Location: Five Shires

Description: Alfric Oderbry dispatches Juthindar Sperren to the Shires to begin a survey of the Halfling lands. His instructions are pretty much to assess whether it can be converted to the Church of Karameikos.

 

What is going on? Oderbry sees the Shires as potential territory for an Expansionist Karameikos: either a Karameikos under the rule of a Duke who is under the control of Oderbry or as a Theocracy under Alfric's rule.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are rivals of Oderbry, they might be spying on his activities. Thus they might follow this minion of Oderbry to the Shires to see what he is up to.

 

Thaumont 14: Magda Marilenev loses a Friend

Location: Specularum

Description: After a long illness, Christoph Torenescu succumbs to an illness. The funeral is a sombre event with Yarol present to represent the Duke.

 

What is going on? Christoph has finally been poisoned to death by his brother Boris. It took a year that he might avoid detection, but it is finally done.

 

What the PCs can do: It is unlikely that the PCs will get involved in this matter other than to turn out for the funeral of one of the few descent people in the Torenescu family.

 

 

 

CURRENT EVENTS

 

Population Centres - AC 970

 

• Specularum (5000)
• Fishing Village of Petra (200)
• Fishing Village of Threshold (450)
• Castle Marilenev (500)
• Fishing Village of Halag (250)
• Sulescu (350)
• Krakatos (300)

 

AC 970

 

Thaumont 15: Tyrant on a Pale Horse

Description: A Thyatian ship enters the Harbor at Specularum and is soon docked. Stephan Karameikos III unloads with an army of followers. Down the Ramp comes his white horse which (with other followers) he promptly rides up to the Garrison to present documents granting him title to the City of Specularum and the lands of Traladara. One of the Horse handlers (an Ethengarian by the look of him seems disturbed by the presence of the White horse even though the Duke himself commends the fellow for his Animal Handling Skills.

He then proceeds to gather the assorted officials who run the city and a selection of the Wealthiest families and informs them that he has been granted these lands by the Emperor and that he is their new Duke. He also declares Traladara open to settlement by any Thyatian looking for future.

 

What's going on? Duke Stephan the Third has traded his ancestral lands for Traladara. He is simply presenting the relevant documents to the relevant authorities and informing every one who matters that he is now in charge of Traladara.

 

List of Followers

• Patriarch Jowett
• Patriarch Sherlane
• Desmond Kelvin I
• Alexius Korrigan
• Ludwig Von Hendriks
• Lucius Hyraksos
• Philip Vorloi
• Lord Antonic
• Lord Oderbry
• Bertran Cordelius

 

The Ethengarian Dock worker is Hoteh, a lapsed Ethengarian Shaman. The appearance of this white horse on the Ceremonial day of the White Horse is of considerable significance to him.

 

What the Players can do: If the PCs are amongst his supporters they can assist in the unloading of horses and personnel and Ride with the Duke and his core of followers to the Garrison. If the PCs are Traladarans, they can all stand around wondering who the new Thyatian is. Likely the PCs will notice the Ethengarians reaction to the Horse and make inquiries. They will simply find he has vanished from his sparsely furnished hovel.

Thaumont 23: Forbidden Love...?

Location: Specularum

Description: Lord Antonic weds a Traladaran Woman against the wishes of her parents. He is a little disappointed that his Friend Lord Oderbry is unable to stay for the whole party after his son Alfric falls asleep.

 

What is going on? Lord Antonic has met the woman of his dreams. Despite the whirlwind love affair of less than two weeks and the foul disapproval of her parents, they are married. They leave the crowded noisy Capital to settle in the distant village of Verge.

 

What can the Players do? If they are at the Wedding they can role play having a good time. Make social connections, etc.

Yarthmont 9: A Leader in the Making

Location: Radlebb Keep

Description: Von Hendriks (a cousin of the Duke) arrives at Fort Radlebb and attempts to take command in order to lead an assault on a Bugbear Lair ten miles south of Radlebb Keep - Smashing the Humanoid Presence in the region.

Feigning a show of impatience with the Commander, he marches into the local Tavern and offers every man who will go with him to this bugbear lair and help put down the Humanoid thread a hundred gold pieces each. In the end he recruits about fifty people.

 

What's going on? Von Hendriks is desperate to be seen as a Leader of Men. He needs to be 'seen' by his cousin (the Duke) in order to get his hands on a Title. If they fail, it will have been the fault of the Commander of the fort in not providing him with the necessary troops.

 

What the PCs can do? If the PCs are in Radlebb at the time, they can be recruited by the lure of money and or heroic deeds.

 

Yarthmont 10: Swords of the Black Eagle

Location: Caves of the Bugbears, 10 miles south of Radlebb.

Description: Von Hendriks leads a band of Mercenaries against a Bugbear Lair - 'dealing with the Humanoid problem' plaguing the Region.

 

What is going on? Mercenaries recruited from a Tavern in Radlebb Keep assault a Bugbear lair. The Lair itself is sufficiently populous with Bugbears to out number any force employed by Von Hendriks. The few Humans who survive will be paid a hundred gold pieces each.

 

What the PCs can do? They can fight their way through a cave network beneath a Hill full of Bugbears and try not to die.

Felmont 3: A Traitor to his People

Location: Specularum

Description: Yarol approaches the Minister for trade (Bertran Cordelius) and asks to join the Ministry.  He is soon appointed Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Taxation (Cordelius).

 

What is going on? Yarol sees an opportunity to work within the new government to ensure that Traladarans are not pushed aside by the Thyatians and dispossessed of their lands.

Felmont 10: The Baron Black Eagle

Location: Specularum

Description: In a fine ceremony, Von Hendriks is granted the Title of Baron by Duke Stephan Karameikos which includes the Fishing Village of Halav as the Heart of his Black Eagle Barony.

 

What is going on? Duke Stephan has heard of Von Hendriks exploits in the leading of fifty mercenaries in the clearing out of the Bugbear Caves ten miles south of Fort Radlebb.

 

What the PCs can do: If the PCs were with him in the caves of the Bugbears, they will not be present now. He loathes having to share the bounty of his leadership with others. If they survived the Caves and Von Hendrik's leadership, they will have gotten away with their lives. He will however keep them around as the core of his 'Knights of the Black Eagle'.
If they do particularly well - they will likely be granted a sixty acre estate within the Barony as long as they continue to serve him.

Kladmont 9: An Adventurer is born

Location: Verge

Description: Retameron Antonic is born in the village of Verge. An elderly Washerwoman comments that he looks like trouble. During the Festivities of the day that follows, a thief tries to lift a few gifts.

 

What is going on? Retameron is perhaps one of the first of many 'Karameikians' born in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos (in this case to a Thyatian Father and a Traladaran Mother). On this day a party is held for the birth of a boy named Retameron.

 

What the Players can do: If they are Friends of the Parents, they can attend the party. It is traditional for Guests to offer Gifts to the Child. If the PCs are particularly alert, they can nab the half starved Traladaran thief.

 

AC 971

Vatermont 1: So you invented a Currency exchange receptacle...

Location: Highforge, Karameikos

Description: Springgal Machina is dragged before the Gnomish king Dorfin after a day and a half of brutal interrogation. He is, along with other members of the First Tier Engineering caste, accused of Heresy and Immoral acts (Banking and Associating with Non gnomes). During the Trial he is informed that he has compromised the integrity of Gnomish civilization. His penalty for this uninventive laziness is to be reduced in rank to a menial labourer that he may contemplate his error in the mushroom tunnels.

 

What is going on? The charges are all true. The first Tier Engineering Caste have invented a hole in the wall teller machine (detailed in the book of wondrous inventions)  in which an individual might take bulky foreign currencies and for a not so modest exchange fee, have them swapped for a semiprecious stone. They have then been trading these currencies for a profit with non Gnomes. The ringleader is Springgal, the inventor of the Springgal^TM - a Bowless Crossbow.

 

Getting the PCs involved: The PCs can be involved in trading with the Gnomes. They might even be approached by a foreign Merchant in getting Springgal out of the Mushroom tunnels and to a safe house in Darokin - they can sneak in from the other end of the mushroom tunnels and fight their way past giant Bugs and other lowlife.

 

Thaumont 1: With the Blessing of the Saints

Location: Specularum

Description: Using the cover of the ceremonial blessing of the fishing fleet, the Marilenev flood the City of Specularum with Soldiers and Weapons for their supporters. They spend the day pouring liquor down the throat of any Thyatian they can find.

That night, the Marilenev begin an uprising in the City and begin an assault on the Castle of Duke Stephan with the support of over a thousand Traladarans. Siege engines assembled in the attics of a few Traladaran houses begin lobbing fire at the Ducal Residence and at other targets around the city of six thousand people. It is Anarchy.

What is going on? This is the Marilenev Uprising. The city is soon ablaze with Peasants (both armed and Armored) being led to their deaths by Marilenev soldiers in battle with Thyatian Professional Soldiers.

 

What the players can do: There will be no neutral ground on this one. Even those just trying to save lives will be attacked in this frenzied and brutal fight. Traladarans with Swords are likely to be attacked by Thyatians as attack Thyatians on sight. PCs will be taking sides in this fight and their attempts to save lives will be assailed by both sides.

Thaumont 2: Streets awash with bad Blood

Location: Specularum

Description: The Marilenev Rebellion underway, The Duke is quickly pulling together a fighting force to throw down the Marilenev Army. Despite the fact that Marilenev Cavalry are able to prevent the Duke from gaining support from the surrounding countryside, the Marilenev Rebellion is greatly stalled in the city as hundreds of ordinary Traladarans are slaughtered by the Dukes men (Aleksyv Nikelnevich's parents - clerics of the Traladaran church amongst them). The rest quickly surrender as the Duke and his soldiers display their capacity for urban warfare.

 

What is going on? The Tide has turned for the Marilenev uprising in the City of Specularum. Stephan Karameikos and his Thyatians are skilled at urban warfare tactics and even with Cavalry they are able to take control of the streets. By evening the Duke has a Hundred scouts in the countryside searching for the Marilenev Cavalry.

What the PCs can do: The Urban war continues. Lives need saving and People need killing. Depending on which faction they are with, the PCs get to spend the day making life or death choices. Chose badly and they will likely hang from the point of a guardsman's pole-arm or die under a hail of Marilenev crossbow bolts. If they are amongst the Scouts, they can be directed to some location to look for the Marilenev.

Thaumont 4:  The Siege of Krakatos

Location: Krakatos

Description: Scouts report back to Duke Stephan that the Marilenev leadership have retreated to the fortified store-house of Krakatos. The Duke directs several Thyatian Units toward that location while leaving others to remain in the city to keep things locked down. The Duke finds a fortified Town with sufficient quantities of Stores to hold off the Dukes Assault for a year. While the Marilenev are prepared to settle in for a long Siege, Karameikos has no intention of letting this drag on. He asks his engineers to find a way to get a single soldier into the Fortified Town.

 

What is going on? The uprising in the city of Specularum quickly crushed, the Marilenev have retreated to the Fortified Town of Krakatos which is one of many fortified store houses for Produce from the Marilenev Estate. This one is protected by powerful Anti-magic. The Duke begins looking for a way to breach the perimeter. Over the next two weeks the Duke will be open to options - though each failure will make him more irritable.

 

What the Players can do: They can offer solutions to the Duke and perhaps even earn those titles for their successes.

Thaumont 7: Royal Hostages?

Description: With the leaders of this failed Rebellion holed up in the fortified town of Krakatos, Magda Marilenev sends her baby sons to Sulescu in the care of a servant. They are caught on the road by Thyatian Soldiers. That evening the Unit are massacred by Orcs.

What is going on? This is a civil war and even the innocent perish in the anarchy of such conflict. In this case a Unit of Orcs under the leadership of a time travelling OARD. Their instructions are to dispose of the Marilenev children and Magda Marilenev to prevent an outcome in which Stephan Karameikos would take Magda Marilenev as his Bride. They were encountered on the Road by the Thyatian Soldiers escorting the children of Magda Marilenev and slaughtered them as planned.

 

What the Players can do: If they are Thyatians or Traladarans on the road linking from Marilenev and Sulescu, they might encounter the Orcs who have just got done slaughtering the Marilenev Children and Thyatian Soldiers escorting them.

Thaumont 20: A little help from Gnomes and Elves

Location: Krakatos

Description: Over the last two weeks an assortment of 'inventors' and military engineers have reviewed and abandoned an assortment of crackpot ideas for getting a soldier inside the walls of Krakatos. Amongst the assortment of failed ideas, Bertran's Manapult is demonstrated by its Gnomish inventor. While the technology of a large crossbow firing a man over the city walls is sound (while perhaps not sane), Bertran is beheaded by his own machine during the demonstration. A delegation from the Calarii request to speak with the Duke and his military command. After some negotiation to end the plunder of their forests and recognition of their territories an agreement is reached with the Duke. That evening a unit of Callari Elves employ Dimension Door to get within the walls of the town of Krakatos. Rather than enter the town itself - protected as it is by powerful anti-magic - they focus on the Ruins. These are the first of the Elvenguard.

 

What is going on? In a deal between the Callarii and the Duke, the Elven Guard are established. A unit of Elven Guard are going to penetrate Krakatos.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are elves of sufficient level and have Dimension Door amongst their spell abilities, they may be amongst the elves penetrating Krakatos - their task to open the Gates, and Take out the Marilenev Leadership.

Thaumont 21: Last of the Marilenev

Location: Krakatos

Description: With the town of Krakatos overrun by Thyatians, the stinking elves who gave them aid, and her family slaughtered, Melanie Marilenev escapes into the deepest part of the Ruins of Krakatos and stumbles into a Dimensional Gate. She is lost to the world of Mystara.

 

What is going on: The remaining Marilenev are slaughtered with the fall of the town of Krakatos. Melanie Marilenev is not found amongst the corpses in the now occupied town, and a search of the Ruin indicates that some of the Marilenev and their supporters made it into the deepest of the Dungeons.

 

What the PCs can do? If the PCs are supporters of the Marilenev they can escort the nineteen year old Melanie Marilenev deep into the ruin in search of an escape tunnel. If they are supporters of the Duke - they can penetrate the Ruin in search if the escapees. Either way they are likely to stumble into the Dimensional Gate and be lost to the World of Mystara.

Flaurmont 2: A deal is brokered

Location: Duke's Residence, Specularum

Description: Magda Marilenev is escorted to Specularum to meet the Duke by the Thyatian Troops who come to the Castle to retrieve her. The twenty year old is utterly crushed by the news that her children are dead because the Thyatian guard sent to retrieve them were in turn massacred by orcs. Leader of the Torenescu Clan Christoph Torenescu negotiates with the Duke on her behalf. He stresses the fact that she isn't Marilenv - rather she is Torenescu.

Christoph also points out that Magda is trained in estate management and has contributed to the growth of the Marilenev Estate before the Duke's arrival and that will be of great benefit to the Duchy.

What is going on? In high level negotiations Christoph Torenescu has managed to sway the Duke towards the long term economic value of not getting rid of his cousin Magda Marilenev and breaking up the Marilenev Estate amongst his Thyatian Followers. During the Proceedings, the Young Woman whose future is being decided by a room full of ruthless men learns of the death of her children at the hands of Orcs and the certain knowledge that her husband and his family have been slain. The pain of this tragedy becomes overwhelming and she begins to blame the Duke for the Death of her children.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are followers of the Duke, they may be called on to retrieve Magda Marilenev from Castle Marilenev and Escort her to the Duke's Stronghold in the City of Specularum.

Yarthmont 23: A Ducal Request

Location: Specularum

Description: Kelvin the First is asked by the Duke to oversee the construction of a City up river from the Capital (at the convergence of four major rivers). Currently there is a bit of Settlement but it is mostly Traladaran Fishermen and Thyatians looking to claim some free land.

Kelvin is granted the necessary ducal funds and authorities to get things in line.

 

What is going on? The Duke has developed a real interest in getting the right people in the right place to develop the Grand Duchy and is looking to secure key Agricultural regions with large Population centres. He sees Control of the Convergence of the Four Rivers to the North of Specularum and the Agricultural lands surrounding that location as vital. Kelvin is the Man to get the job done.

 

What the PCs can do: As Followers of The Duke they might be employed to Guard Kelvin, Assist in the Survey of the Town, Clear out unruly Thyatians who are in the way of Progress, and beat up on any humanoids interested in the Labour Camp that will grow on site as Walls of Stone are laid down.

 

Kladmont 28: The Knives are out

Location: Ducal Residence, Specularum

Description: A sleeping Stephan Karameikos wakes to the noise of people moving about in his bed chambers. He finds himself set upon by masked men intent on his murder. After a brutal fight against multiple opponents in which he kills several, he is saved by some of his own guardsmen who enter the bedchambers and kill the few remaining Assassins.

 

What is going on? Anything the DM desires. These can be assassins of the Veiled Society in the Employ of the Radu, Killers sent to murder the Duke by Magda Marilenev (or on her behalf by some supporter outraged by the murder of her children), or even Von Hendriks who would see the Duke's removal as a way of Partitioning the Duchy and expanding his own power. It could even be Cultists concerned over the construction of Kelvin on the site of Lavv.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are supporters of any faction who would see the Duke Dead, they can attempt to penetrate his quarters and Kill him. If they are Supporters of the Duke, they might be amongst his personal guards and hear a noise (they should be given several opportunities to do so) of clashing steel, screams, or what ever - his chambers are reasonably soundproof so it will require a listen check.

 

AC 972

 

Thaumont 8: That's a nice map...

Location: Ducal Residence, Specularum

Description: Korrigan shows Stephan his collection of Maps of Traladara and its ole communities. Amongst the collection is a fine map of a future city of Kelvin as well as one being drafted by Korrigan himself of the Current city of Specularum. It is surprisingly accurate. Realizing that his cousin has a gift for Engineering, Cartography as well as management, Stephan appoints Korrigan as head of the Cartographers & Civil Works Ministry. Korrigan's Task: Construction of the Westron Road out to Luln and Fort Doom.

 

What is going on? Duke Stephan has found the ideal man to head up his Cartographers & Civil Works Ministry. Korrigan will need Guards for his surveyors and army of Labourers over the Next few years. As he will be locating on site it is a chance for him to see the countryside.

 

What the PCs can do: They can sign on with Korrigan as his guards while he surveys the Westron Road corridor and oversees operations. If they are not supporters of the Duke, they might attempt to kidnap or kill Korrigan or even divert the Pegs marking the road boundary to their own advantage.

Yarthmont 2: A pretty baby but does she have a future?

Location: Black Eagle Barony

Description: The Ilvanivs of Black Eagle Barony celebrate the birth of their Daughter Sascia. A party of guests pull together to produce a surplus of baked goods, ales, and candied fruits. Despite their poverty, they celebrate long into the evening before the party breaks up. There are even a few gifts for the Mother and Child.

 

What is going on? A baby named Sascia is born in the Black Eagle Barony and the horrible place it has become.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are living in the Black Eagle Barony, they can get together with other Traladarans to celebrate the birth of a child. This will be a distinct difference from the wealthy feasting that marked the birth of Retameron Antonic.

AC 973

 

Nuwmont 1: A New Baron

Location: Specularum

Description: In a public ceremony Duke Stephan Karameikos III grants Patriarch Sherlane title of Baron. His lands include the Fishing village of Threshold.

 

What is going on? The Patriarch Jowlett has decided to get rid of his rival for Patriarch of the Church of Karameikos in Specularum. He has recommended the workhorse Sherlane to Duke Stephan Karameikos for an Estate. The newly titled Baron Sherlane will in the next few weeks travel up river to take charge of his lands.

 

What the PCs can do: They can escort the Baron to his new estate. Fend off Some Traladarans who are deliberately targeting Thyatian nobles, and assist the Baron in clearing out Tarnskeep as a Baronial Stronghold. The Previous Lord of the Town (a Traladaran lord) recently died in his sleep.

 

AC 974

 

Yarthmont 18: Heir to the family fortune.

Location: Torenescu Residence, Specularum

Description: Aleksander Torenescu is born. Unfortunately his mother dies due to complications of the birth soon after and Christoph must mourn the loss of his wife when he should be celebrating the arrival of his son. By the end of the day he is barely enjoying the company of his brother Boris who is doing his best to console the shattered Christoph with a drink.

 

What is going on? Aleksander Torenescu's Mother has died due to complications with his birth. At this time in history Boris and Christoph are close.

 

What the PCs can do: There isn't much they can do at this time. If they are friends or relatives of the Torenescu, they might send gifts to the birth of the child.

 

Sviftmont 13: If you build it they will come

Location: Luln

Description: Even as the last Timber pylon is driven into the sod to hold the hardened and beaten dirt that is the Westron Road at it meets the road running from Fort Doom to the Guild village of Luln, Wagons are pouring off the Road into these western communities with a selection of trade-goods. By the end of the Day Korrigan is conducting an inspection of the road and ordering the work crew to enjoy a few days in Luln. As he prepares to head back to the work camp at Radlebb Village with his escort, they come under attack by a unit of Orcs.

 

What is going on? The Westron road linking Specularum and Fort Doom (via Luln) is completed. The fact is that it was meant to swing north between Luln and Fort Doom and head north toward the River forks at Achelos Woods. Unprepared to have his Barony Marginalized, Von Hendriks has swayed the Duke to end the road at Fort Doom rather than divert around Achelos Woods to the Shires or gods forbid - push a coastal road and causeway along the edge of the Sea at blight swamp (right past his ergot poisoned rye fields) and the Humanoid training camp in the fens.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are servants of Korrigan, they can fight off the attacking Orcs who seem well disciplined, armed and armoured.

AC 975

Nuwmont 1: Ministry declared Official

Location: Specularum

Description: In a public Ceremony Duke Stephan proceeds to declare the Official recognition of an assortment of Ministries. He then declares Hyraksos to be the Minister of War.

 

What is going on? The Bureaucracy is simply being officially recognised by the Duke. The Ministries of State, Finance, War, and Taxes & Trade now have Seals and some Authority to pursue their own tasks.

Cartographers & Maps headed up by Korrigan now falls under the Ministry for War.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are Ministry officials they may be called into the Ministry offices or sent dispatches informing them of the changes.

Thaumont 23: The Duke's road gets underway

Location: Just north of Specularum

Description: Construction on the Dukes Road Begins as Surveyors and Labourers start work. Korrigan is present for this event but he is relying on his now experienced Staff to do the grunt work.

 

What is going on? Korrigan visits the Work site and oversees a few changes to the Plans to avoid destroying too many of those well producing farms.

 

What the PCs can do: They can escort Korrigan out to the Work Camp just beginning work on the Dukes Road that will one day serve as a trade road with Selenica over the mountains in the Republic of Darokin - before escorting him back to the safety of Specularum.

Felmont 3: Eighth in line for what?

Location: Specularum

Description: Halia Vorloi is born surrounded by her older siblings.

 

What is going on? A daughter of the Vorloi has been born in the City of Specularum. She is the eighth child of a minor branch of the Vorloi family.

 

What the PCs can do: The gift giving is traditional if they are friends or family of the Vorloi clan.

Kladmont 3: Ambassador for Rockhome

Location: Specularum

Description: Bolto Nordenshield, Ambassador for Rockhome presents his credentials to the Duke.

 

What is going on? Rockhome has dispatched an Ambassador to Karameikos. Bolto Nordenshield is a one armed Dwarf with no future as a Craftsman was granted the Ambassadorship.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be introduced to the Ambassador during a Bar fight or if he is accosted by Veiled Society Thugs in the Street.

Kladmont 17: Wedding Bells toll for Yarol?

Location: Specularum

Description:  In a quiet ceremony Yarol marries. There are a few people in attendance - some of them from the Government, some of them Torenescu.

 

What is going on? Bartran Cordelius's Secretary is married in a quiet ceremony. He is still considered something of a traitor to his people but there are others who think his position will rise within the government.

 

What the PCs can do: They can attend the wedding, foil any troublemakers.

AC 976

 

Nuwmont 1: Barony of Kelvin

Description: These Ceremonies have become the highlight of the Year. Duke Stephan Karameikos III grants Desmond Kelvin I the title of Baron and the Barony of Kelvin.

 

What is going on? Finally the jokes about Kelvin's City will end. Desmond Kelvin the First is granted title to the City and adjacent lands.

A few other minor lords are granted estates along the base of the Black Peak Mountains and just north of Radlebb Wood.

 

What the PCs can do? They can be granted Estates (other than the Barony of Kelvin). Otherwise they can attend the celebrations.

Thaumont 1: A Parting of Father and Son

Location: Church of Karameikos, Specularum

Description: Overcome with anger at the marginalization of his father to a minor ministry position, Alfric Oderbry leaves home and enters the Thyatian Church. As he explains to the old priest handling his training the reasons for his anger, he is not admonished and told to go home; rather he is agreed with and promptly told that Karameikos should have crushed the Traladarans...and if he wont it will fall to the Chruch and its young clerics to convert the heathens by hook or crook.

 

What is going on? Oderbry has found his own childish ideas catered to by a minor Cleric in the Church of Karameikos who sees an opportunity to remove Patriarch Jowett and exterminate the Church of Traladara.

 

What the PCs can do: Nothing much. But in the years to come they as clerics of the Church of Karameikos or simply Thyatians may be called on to take one side or another in a Church Schism.

AC 977

 

Nuwmont 1: Estates Granted

Location: Specularum

Description: In a grand ceremony before many guests, Duke Stephan Karameikos III grants the Estate of Dmitrov and The Barony of Vorloi. Both Dmitri Dmitrov and Philip Vorloi are commended for their loyalty to the Duke, The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, and its Peoples.

 

What is going on? Dmitri Dmitrov (A Traladaran Knight who has proven his loyalty to the Duke repeatedly) is granted an Estate on a peninsula of land south east of Specularum.

The Barony of Vorloi is also recognised. The Barony of Vorloi seems to overshadow the smaller land grant - something that is seen by most as favouritism by the Thyatian Government toward its Thyatian friends.

 

What the PCs can do: They can attend the celebrations for an assortment of reasons.

 

Kladmont 4: Trade with Darokin opens

Location: Black Peak Mountains

Description: High up in the Black Peak Mountains the work crews finally link the Dukes Road to its companion coming over the mountains from Darokin allowing the first of many Caravans to move trade along a convenient roadway between Selenica and Specularum.

 

What is going on? Trade is now open with Darokin with the official opening of the Dukes Road which will take travellers over the Black Peaks. Its not as if they were not already using this pass to cross the mountains, the Road simply makes it easier.

 

What the PCs can do:

 

Kladmont 20: A road to Threshold

Location: near Kelvin

Description: A work camp is established on the west bank opposite Kelvin. They begin building a road to Threshold from Kelvin.

 

What is going on? A road is being built linking Kelvin to Threshold via Rifflain and Verge. This region is rife with monsters and bandits and they will not hesitate to assail the road builders and those who guard them.

 

What the PCs can do: They get to guard the labourers from bandits and Monsters.

 

AC 978

 

Nuwmont 1: Duke Stephan declares Estate of Highdell

Location: Specularum

Description: In a nice peaceful ceremony, the Duke grants an estate at the source of the River Cruth? Highdell is little more than a small mountain outpost protecting the Dukes Road as it climbs the Black Peak Mountains.

 

What is going on? This is an effort by the Duke to secure the most northern point on the Dukes Road before it climbs the Black Peaks and crosses down into the Republic of Darokin.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be granted Highdell as an estate if they prove to be loyal Karameikians.

Vatermont 26: Aleena is born

Location: Thyatis City

Description: A healthy little baby girl named Aleena is born in Thyatis to Merrik Halaran.

What is going on? Aleena is born. This is the niece to the Baron Sherlane of Threshold.

 

What the PCs can do: Unless they are related to the Halaran family, or are friends of Merrik Halaran, they will have little involvelment with Aleena.

Thaumont 12: The Eastron Road

Location: Krakatos
Description: Korrigan oversees the construction of a great bridge that will cross the River at this point near Krakatos.

 

What is going on? This is the beginning of the Eastron Road. The heavy wooden bridge will extend across the river to the far bank where it will meet the Beginnings of the Eastron Road.

 

What the PCs can do: They can begin help guard Korrigan from Bandits or Workers from Humanoids on the Eastern Side of the River.

Yarthmont 9: Yolanda is born

Location: Black Eagle Barony

Description: In a small shack in the Black Eagle Barony, a young girl named Yolanda is born. Her parents were planning to flee the Barony but were forced to wait until after the child was born. They pack up their Daughters and what property they can and make for the border in the dark of the night.

 

What is going on? Something that happens with increased frequency across the Barony - Poor Traladarans are fleeing across the border in search of a better life. Yolanda is the younger sister of Sascia.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are Traladarans living in the Barony or Luln, they might help get these people out of the Barony.

AC 979

Yarthmont 23: Road to Threshold

Location: Threshold

Description: For the last few days labourers have been slowly approaching the Town of Threshold. By Noon, the Labourers reach the Gates. The Baron Sherlane Halaran and Korrigan are overseeing the completion.

 

What is going on? The Road from Kelvin to Threshold is completed.

 

What the PCs can do: Korrigan is here to oversee the completion of the Road. They could be his personal guard.

Klarmont 22: Last chance to run

Location: Specularum

Description: In a grand ceremony Duke Stephan Karameikos III weds Olivia Prothemian.

 

What is going on? This is the wedding of Duke Stephan Karameikos III and Duchess Olivia Prothemian.

 

What the PCs can do: They can attend the wedding ceremony; they might also be employed to watch for trouble.

AC 980

 

Thaumont 20: Vile Attracts

Location: Fort Doom

Description: Bargle the infamous gains a meeting with Von Hendriks. The Baron hires him as his personal Magus.

 

What is going on? Bargle become a minion of Baron Von Hendriks. The vile Wizard is granted an income and his own tower in the castle as well as some land by the Sea.

 

What PCs can do: They might be employed by Bargle to bring good to his residence all the way from Darokin.

Thaumont 21: A Princess is born

Location: Ducal Stronghold, Specularum

Description: After a day of labour Adriana Karameikos is born in the birth-room of the Duchess.

 

What is going on? The first child of Duke Stephan and The Duchess Olivia is born.

 

What the PCs can do: This isn't something they are likely to get involved in unless someone makes an attempt on the Heir.

Ambyrmont 13: Trade with the Empire

Location: Rugalov Village, Karameikian/Thyatian border

Description: Work crews arrive in the Village of Rugalov as Eastron road is completed. There is a quick ribbon cutting and traffic (which has been stopped for the ceremony) is allowed to continue to and from Specularum.

 

What is going on? The construction of Eastron Road is completed. Korrigan is once again in attendance to oversee the final roadworks.

 

What the PCs can do: Once again they can escort Korrigan and protect him from Goblins from the Dymrak Forest.

Ambyrmont 23: Senshal Appointed

Location: Specularum

Description: Korrigan appointed Seneschal of the Ducal Estate. Hyraksos gets drunk with him and meets a Traladaran Dancer named Katarina.

 

What is going on? Hyraksos has just met his future wife and the mother of his unconceived children - though she doesn't know it yet. The drunken party ends that evening in a brawl and both are promptly arrested by the Guard - having refused to identify themselves.

 

What the PCs can do: As Guardsmen they might be called out to break up a drunken brawl.

Sviftmont 9: That was quick

Location: Specularum

Description: Hyraksos marries Katarina is a small ceremony in the Ducal Palace attended by the Duke, Duchess, and a selection of other friends and family. At the end of the ceremony, he takes her to his rather nice ship...

 

What is going on? Hyraksos and Katarina are taking a little holiday.  They sail the sea of Dread for a year before returning to Karameikos.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are friends, they might attend. As crew they might be on the ship for a year as they circle the Sea of Dread.

 

AC 981

 

Nuwmont 1: Sergei Pyotrev, Ambassador to Alfhiem

Location: Specularum

Description: Sergei Pyotrev is declared Ambassador to Alfhiem by the Duke.

 

What is going on? Another influential Traladaran family has gotten Duke Stephan Karameikos to grant one of their family members an Ambassadorship. Sergei Pyotrev is a reasonably descent fellow - a distinction from his distant relative Lord Sergei Torenescu.

 

What the PCs can do: They might escort the Ambassador to Alfhiem.

AC 982

 

Thaumont 2: The Turtle

Location: Specularum

Description: Right in the middle of Dinner, the Duchess Olivia Karameikos goes into labour. Justin is slightly larger than his sister. A problem soon arises as on of the Maids is killed by an intruder that no-one can seem to find.

 

What is going on? The first Male heir to the Duchy of Karameikos is born unfortunately Assassins are at large in the Residence and have killed a maid. They seem to have cloaks of invisibility.

 

What the PCs can do: The heir and the Duchess are in serious danger here. The PCs can prevent the assassins from taking out the Male Heir to the Duchy or anyone else.

AC 983

 

Vatermont 19: A little bit of nepotism goes a long way

Location: Specularum

Description: The Duke Stephan appoints Guldahan Cordelius (cousin to Bartran Cordelius) as Ambassador to the Five Shires.

 

What is going on? The Duke has granted Bartan Cordelius's Cousin an Ambassadorship to the Five Shires.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be tasked with escorting the new Ambassador to the Shires. Shireton is a rough and dangerous town.

 

AC 984

 

Nuwmont 1: Titles Granted

Location: Specularum

Description: In a ceremony, several Estates are granted by Duke Stephan Karameikos III.

 

What is going on? This is an opportunity to hand out Estates to any name level PCs who have demonstrated some loyalty to the Duke or performed particularly heroic deeds. Such estates might be on the Border of the Black Eagle Barony, or in other 'unstable' or Lawless locations.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be summoned to the Duke's Stronghold for the Ceremony.

 

AC 985

 

Sviftmont 23: Clan Chossum come to trade

Location: Fort Doom

Description: A trade Caravan from Alfhiem arrives in Fort Doom. While they spend some time here, they are showered with all manor of Delights by the Baron.

 

What is going on? Clan Chossum ('the Dwarves of Alfhiem') have come to trade with the Baron. They are very open to trade though the conditions in the Black Eagle Barony cause them some concern.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are elves from Alfhiem they might be part of the trade expedition.

 

AC 986

 

Vatermont 1: The Great Census.

Location: All across Karameikos

Description: Malveko of Threshold and his family are forced from their home by Guardsmen and herded outside into the street in a group with other villagers. Their assumption that they are to be put to death by the Thyatians is soon set aside by the Official who is taking a head count of the numbers of people living in each and every home.

 

What is going on? In communities all across the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Tax officials conduct a head count. Unfortunately it really ignores the extensive Traladaran population who live outside population centres (in Homesteads, Work Camps, etc.). There are important consequences because so many Traladarans have not been accounted for. Thanks to new laws by the Duke to protect 'registered' land owners from others who simply laid claim to whole square miles of land with no registered population, Land ownership is up for grabs - if you were not counted you do not exist. If you do not exist you don't own land.

 

Population Census

• Specularum (50000)
• Luln (5000)
• Threshold (5000)
• Kelvin (20000)
• Fort Doom (10000)
• Rugalov (650)
• Marilenev (900)
• Dmitrov (6,500)
• Penhaligon (3,750)
• Vorloi (7,500)
• Highforge (7,500)
• Sulescu (950)
• Rifflain (1,700)

 

What the PCs can do: As Thyatians they might be tasked with guarding the Officials conducting the Head count. If they are on the receiving end, they might decide to act violently in to what they perceive as an attempt to herd the Traladarans into the street and kill them. Others might be confronted in the months after this by land grabbing Thyatians using a loophole in the law to seize Traladaran property.

 

Yarthmont 14: Chief Spy submits a report

Location: Ducal Residence, Specularum

Description: Father Turan Bey (a cleric in the Traladaran Church) notifies Duchess Olivia Prothemian that he is providing the names, biographies, images, and speeches, as well as other information, of two thousand leading Traladarans.

 

What is going on? Turan Bey is in fact a Thyatian who infiltrated the church of Traladara some years ago. He has been recording the confessions and secrets of an assortment of Traladarans who visit the Church of Traladara - not just in Specularum but in an assortment of communities.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are members of the Church of Traladara, they might find out that Turan Bey is not a Traladaran and that he is keeping record of people's secrets.

 

Yarthmont 23: Sealed Orders

Location: All across Karameikos

Description: After reviewing the Documents provided by Turan Bey, Duchess Olivia sends sealed envelopes containing orders to district and village leaders of Thyatian lineage, with the strict instructions that they are not to be opened until further notice.

What is going on? Duchess Olivia Prothemian sets about establishing a spy network built on the existing structures set up by Father Bey. She begins looking about for the sort of Person to be recruited into her Bureau.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are loyal Thyatians with flexible ethics, they might find themselves recruited to Duchess Olivia's Spy Network.

 

Thaumont 13: A Spy is born, not Recruited
Location: Specularum

Description: A terribly put out Duchess Olivia suddenly decides to give birth in the middle of the Royal Court. Prince Valen is born with an assortment of Court Lords, Ambassadors, and Barons looking on.

 

What is going on? Prince Valen is born two weeks early.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are present, they can be witness to the Birth of a future Prince and Spy.

AC 987

 

Nuwmont 3: Retameron takes up adventuring.

Location: Specularum

Description: Retameron Antonic takes an early shearing and slips off with a Sword of his Father's and some old Armor he has been polishing up. His plan is to visit Threshold and then head north-east along the Black Peaks to Highdell where the Dukes Road passes the source of the Highreach.

 

What is going on? Not satisfied with living at home in the shadow of his Father (a great adventurer and Court Lord) Retameron has decided to make a life for himself on the Open road as a Freebooter.

 

What the PCs can do: They might join him in travelling north or encounter him on the Road fighting Orcs.

 

Felmont 18: Militia Service Act

Location: Kelvin

Description: In Kelvin the officials there distribute arms to the Thyatians residents of the town of Kelvin on the excuse that the Traladarans there are unreliable.

 

What is going on? Because of the rising tensions between Thyatians and Traladarans, the Town of Kelvin provides every Thyatian resident with a sword and some training. Traladarans caught training and drilling are of course arrested.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are Thyatians, they will receive a Weapon and Militia Training. If they are Traladarans, they will not (and may be arrested as criminals if they attempt to train).

 

Yarthmont 2: An enemy of the Duke

Location: Luln

Description: After a public meeting of Traladarans in a Barn on the edge of Luln in which the topics of establishing a permanent militia and permanent fortifications to defend Luln from raids by Von Hendriks, and the burning of Von Hendrik's rye before he can harvest his ergot seem prominent, Gregor Nasivich is set upon in the darkness by an Assassin. Within a few seconds he is dead.

 

What is going on? Gregor Nasivich, the most notable Traladaran community leader in Luln, is murdered on the order of Duchess Olivia for 'crimes against the Duke'.

 

What the PCs can do: If they are agents of the Duchess, they might be employed to kill Gregor, while if they are Traladarans, they might stumble across his murder and come to his defence.

AC 988

 

Nuwmont 1: A New Lord of Dmitrov

Location: Specularum

Description: In a ceremony the Duke grants the title of Dmitrov this day to lord Lev Dromilov.

 

What is going on? Since the recent arrest of Lord Dmitri Dmitrov for smuggling and the loss of his estate, it is granted this year to Lev Dromilov, another Traladaran supporter of the Duke.

 

What the PCs can do: In the coming Days Lord Lev Dromilov will need loyal men to escort him to his Estate and heroic types to drive off the Bandits that are currently plundering the Estate in the absence of any leadership.

 

Vatermont 14: Arrests in Luln

Location: Luln

Description: In Luln, all the Traladaran notables are called to a meeting by a visiting 'Official of the Black Eagle Barony' to address humanoid raids, and getting complaints aired. About three score attend and are immediately arrested for fleeing the Barony.

 

What is going on? The official is a Slaver. Most of the Traladarans are refugees from the Barony and he intends to take them back in shackles for the bounty.

 

What the PCs can do: they can attack the 'Baron's troops' who escort this group of 'runaway serfs' and conduct a rescue.

 

Thaumont 21: Orc Raiders?

Location: Near Luln

Description: This evening Humanoids lead an assault on an isolated farmstead killing every farmer to the last child. The brutality of the Attack is high.

 

What is going on? Bands of Humanoids begin looting, violating women and children, and large-scale murdering in the region of Luln.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be at some isolated in which comes under attack by Orcs in the middle of the night.

 

Yarthmont 27: Luln is open to plunder

Description: The village of Luln is attacked at night by Humanoid forces. The local Traladaran priest and many other Traladarans are killed. Every house is looted.

 

What is going on? The Humanoids that have been raiding outlying communities assault the Village of Verge in the middle of the night.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be called on to defend the village of Luln, or arrive soon after the raid.

 

AC 989

 

Thaumont 23: Orders are opened

Location: In various communities across Karameikos.

Description: Orders issued from Specularum by Duchess Olivia instructing the provincial administrators to oust all Traladaran functionaries in the service of the Karameikian government are opened on her orders.

 

What is going on? Duchess Olivia is doing what she can to put down what she perceives as a coming Traladaran Civil war. Her orders are to remove Traladarans from positions of Authority.

 

What the PCs can do: They might be Traladarans who are suddenly removed from positions of Government without explanation.

 
Sviftmont 2: Escape across the border

Location: On the Border of the Grand Duchy of Karameikos and the Five Shires.

Description: Many Traladarans from Halag flee to the Five Shires. Baron Ludwig von Hendriks sends his troops into the Shires in pursuit, but the Black Eagle is rebuffed by Hin militia.

 

What is going on? Conditions in the Black Eagle Barony are horrible. Food and Fuel is rationed, and wealthy Traladarans living there have been forced to surrender their assets and toil in the fields like serfs. Unprepared to live under such increasingly brutal communal serfdom, many Traladarans organize to flee over the Border to the Shires during the Rye Harvest.

 

What the PCs can do: They can aid the refugees to escape along the coast, cross the Achelos River and make for the Shires while keeping them safe from monsters.

 

Klarmont 24: Killings in Specularum

Location: Specularum

Description: Traladarans - Devor Mandrazy, and his wife are found brutally murdered in the Nest. Their corpses are suspended by ropes, and their skins have been peeled off and put on display -nailed to the walls above their bed.

 

What is going on? This day marks the beginning of a series of killings designed to terrorize the Traladaran population in Specularum.

What the PCs can do: They can become involved in the investigation.

 

The Steamkolben

 

Doctrine of Truth

1. String Theory Invalidates Religion and Evolution
2. The Universe is Debris of change in possibility
3. Time is continuous change in possibility
4. The Singularity is the moment of change in possibility
5. Only life can create change in possibility, and only from outside the universe.

Political Agenda

Every act of Government requires the direct and regular approval of every citizen.

Membership Fees

None

Donations

Donations Accepted - to be used for:
(a) the construction of Highrise Urban Barracks for the housing of Police Officers, Firemen, Nurses, Ambulance Officers, Doctors and otherwise Homeless persons - who will be provided Jobs (see section b).
(b) the construction of an Urban farm in a converted Highrise Carpark for use as a Dairy and Fishfarm. Unemployed and Homeless will be given Job Training priority.

 

War and the Republic

'War and the Republic' by Eugene Jarecki represents the latest attempt at a fifty year long cultural shift in what should be taught to children with regards to the actions of the previous administration whose legacy those children will inherit when they 'come of age'.

The long and rising road

What begins with the 'throwing off' of British Tyranny [taxation of Exports] is evasive of the guilty pleasures of their own trespasses with the dispossession of the individual.

Abandoning the singularly honest Intellectual Property of Revolution that 'no one represents anyone but themselves' in government it was soon replaced by the poisoned seed of 'American Exceptionalism' which allowed the increasingly very un-representative United States government to compare itself to a Roman Republic which became an Empire through not just the strengthening of its borders and the defeat of its enemies by the tried and true method of Borderland destabilization, the development of buffer zones of Anarchy, and the encouragement of no-mans-lands to maintain the impregnability of those borders; unmentioned is the murderous silencing of rivals (both religious and Political) to its Authoritarian leadership within the Republic, something mirrored in America's own experience with voices of dissent and human rights.

This chaotic period ends with an end in American Isolationism.

How Adolf Hitler saved America from the Great Depression

It is a tragic time in which those most affected by the incompetency and mismanagement of Public assets and wealth, and the cruel mistreatment and social isolation of an increasingly vocal underclass is quickly glossed over.

This is the rise of true Capitalism, and the idea that Wars can be profitable for the peddlers of Weapons and Technologies that support war machines. Absent is any reference to IBM's sale of equipment to the rising NAZI regime (a company not alone in its misdeeds) who will use and reverse engineer those technologies to support its own home policies.

The fact is Wars abroad prop up economies at home.

The Ethics of WW2

Only with reluctance does America's 'board room government' give way to its Elected Voices and take a stance on anything resembling ethical grounds.

Perhaps the only honest comment from a President is not the justification of the nuking of Japanese population centers with the description of Nagasaki and Hiroshima as 'Naval Bases' (in the same way New York city and San Francisco are Naval Bases), rather that a President might have been wrong and that the rising 'industrial-military complex must be resisted'. The capacity for the 'distortion of History' that Nuclear weapons gave the fledgling Empire was unavoidable.

The Cold and dirty War

This long and dark time that pretty much begins with the persecution of Dissenting voices for being 'Communists' and the ruthless desperation of each successive President is glossed over as little more than highlights that have no relevance to any Government document that might have a a whole lot of black texta struck through whole sentences to black out any undesirable facts that an angry populace might have cause to throw down the steps of a Parliament and set on fire.

What it doesn't end with is the decision of the Republican movement supporting Ronald Regan's rise to go behind President Carter's Back and dissuade Iranian revolutionaries from surrendering US hostages just long enough to get in a Republican Government. an act that would have qualified as an act of Treason carrying a Death sentence for quite a few in the Republican White House.

The Iran Contra affair is the last time US support for international terrorist organizations through the CIA is ever mentioned in writing despite its financial support well into the year two thousand for the Taliban's overthrow of a Soviet backed Afghanistan and the subsequent unification of a chaotic Afghanistan in Soviet withdrawal, or its relationship with Al Qaeda prior to the first terrorist attacks on the Trade Towers in 1993 and aggression toward US forces abroad.

The 911 Hoax

The Terrorist assault on US soil on September 11, 2001 resulted in the loss of almost three thousand lives. What it represents is a public US failure to comprehend that the deliberate destabilization of its rivals abroad through decades of financing and supporting global Terrorism had come home to 'bite them in the arse'. They had missed the precursor warning set by Chechnya's rebels supported by the US in the Soviet break up who in expanding their repertoire to include K and R (Kidnap and Ransom), uncharacteristically executed kidnapped telecommunications technicians installing public telephones and looted their truck load of Fiber optic equipment, which they sold to the Iraq Government; A State who likely used it in their early warning systems.

Perhaps what distinguished the remainder of this year is the absence of the Anthrax attacks and the fact that one of its own employees had unleashed a murderous plague that would further instill a culture of fear with regards to any dissenting voice that might condone reason, forethought, or a desperate need for ethics. Despite that quietly ignored reality most still think Al Qaeda was behind the Anthrax attacks - despite arrests and silent trials to the contrary.

Human rights vs. the Patriot Act

What little evidence there is of America's Sins at home and abroad are entirely based on the leaks, rather than the facts. The culture of the black marking texta has returned. Dissenting Voices are watched, potential recruits to their revolutionary ideas ostracized.

President Barack Hussein Obama

The President is wrong when he considers the past something that should be left to die there. The past is needed in those detailed history books so that next generation of 'alert and knowledgeable citizenry' can defend the Republic from the 'Return of the Sith' and bring it back from the dark and bloody room in which it has been locked away. The Republic is that little girl shackled to a wall in that room while she is raped by the monster that would father its future upon her. She is not something to abandon to the past.

-'War and the Republic' by Eugene Jarecki can be found at www.whywefight.com

 

Sean Robert Meaney

 

 

TIME TRAVELLER DAY PRETEND TO BE A TIME TRAVELLER-DECEMBER 8 You must spend the entire day in costume and character. The only rule is that you cannot actually tell anyone that you are a time traveller. Other than that, anything's game.  A TRAVELLER FROM THE FUTURE A UTOPIAN: "If the Future did a documentary of the last fifty years, this is how badly the re-enactors would dress." Think Star Trek: TNG or the Time Travellers from Hob. Ever see how the society in Futurama sees the 20th century? Run with it. Your job is to dress with moderately anachronistic clothing and speak in slang from varying decades. Here are some good starters: - Greet people by referring to things that don't yet exist or haven't existed for a long time. Example: "Have you penetrated the atmosphere lately?" "What spectrum will today's broadcast be in?" and "Your king must be a kindly soul!" - Show extreme ignorance in operating regular technology. Pay phones should be a complete mystery (try placing the receiver in odd places). Chuckle knowingly at cell phones. A DYSTOPIAN: - This one offers a little more flexibility. It can be any kind of future from Terminator to Free-jack. The important thing to remember is dress like a crazy person with armour. Black spray painted football pads, high tech visors, torn up trench coats and maybe even some dirt here or there. Remember, dystopian future travellers are very startled that they've gone back in time. Some starters: - If you go the "prisoner who's escaped the future" try shaving your head and putting a barcode on the back of your neck. Then stagger around and stare at the sky, as if you've never seen it before. - Walk up to random people and say "WHAT YEAR IS THIS?" and when they tell you, get quiet and then say "Then there's still time!" and run off. - Stand in front of a statue (any statue, really), fall to your knees, and yell "NOOOOOOOOO". - Stare at newspaper headlines and look astonished. - Take some trinket with you (it can be anything really), hand it to some stranger, along with a phone number and say "In thirty years dial this number. You'll know what to do after that." Then slip away. A TRAVELLER FROM THE PAST  - This one is more for beginners. Basically dress in period clothing (preferably Victorian era) and stagger around amazed at everything. Since the culture's set in place already, you have more of a template to work off of. Some pointers: - Airplanes are terrifying. Also, carry on conversations with televisions for a while. - Discover and become obsessed with one trivial aspect of technology, like automatic grocery doors. Stay there for hours playing with it. - Be generally terrified of people who are dressed immodestly compared to your era. Tattoos and shorts on women are especially scary. And that's it. Remember, the only real rule is staying in character and try to fit in. Never directly admit you're a time traveller, and make really, really bad attempts at keeping a low profile. Naturally, the dystopian future has a little more leeway.

TIMETRAVELLERDAY2009

 

THE DALEKETTES: io9.com/5205477/meet-the-dalekettes-a-ga...

 

They were awesome at Supernova.

 

No clue as to who created Time Traveller Day but I am encouraging you to write a letter to your local council and get them to open a Time Traveller Day in your town on December 8.

 

Sean