Arland Chronicles

Creature: Bargha

2010-01-08T20:00:00.003-05:00

Bargha:

Statistics: Large goblinoid

Hit Dice: 15d8 + 75 (150)

Speed: 40ft.

AC: 27(-1 size, +3 dex, +10 natural, +5 Breastplate)

Attacks: Huge Greatsword +22/+17/+12 melee; or javelin +14/+9/+4.

Damage: 2d8+18 or javelin 2d6 +12

Face/reach: 5ft. by 5ft./10ft.

Special Attacks: Rock Throwing/javelin throwing

Special qualities: Rock catching (as standard giant ability) , Scent, Darkvision 120ft.

Saves: Fort +16, Ref+6, Will+6

Abilities: Str 35, Dex 16, Con 21, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14

Skills: Climb +16, Jump +16, Listen +14, Spot +14

Feats: Alertness, Cleave, Great Cleave, Power Attack, Sunder.

Challenge Rating: 11 (Frost Giant equiv.)

Alignment: Often Lawful Neutral

Advancement: By character class

Organization: Solitary, gang (2-5), War band (7-12), or clan.

Climate/Terrain: Any land

Treasure: Standard

Description: Largest of the goblinoid race, and the rarest, they have large and very powerfully built bodies. Their tall, strong frame is just over 14 feet tall and weighing on average 4,000 or more. Their hairy bodies are covered in a dark gray and the skin is deep blue black in color. Unlike most of their lesser kin, Bargha are very clean and well kept with handsome, if feral, faces. Their ice white eyes can see in total darkness as well as sunlight with equal ease.

These giant beings live well into their second century and usually don’t show the signs of aging until the last few years of life. Many tribes will have long braids that signify a decade of life and will adorn these braids with rings or beads.

They favor medium style armors ( breastplate, hide, etc.) of fine quality usually painted dark colors with bright accents. Each Bargha clen tends toward similar color patterns and styles. Their favorite weapons are large two handed types but unlike giants and other large size creature they prefer not to use rocks as ranged weapons. Each warrior will have with him 1d6 giant sized javelins with a range increment of 120. They can still use throwing stones with the same range increment but will use spears or the like first.

Combat: A hunting party or war band will open the fight with a surprise attack from many angles with their javelins. They stop short to through the last one in a straight line hoping to spear as many at once as possible. After the javelins are all gone they wade in from all sides using their deadly two handed weapons to devastating effect. If the war band has lesser goblinoids or orcs with them they will them in at the start of the fight and unleash all their javelins and rocks before closing in to finish the attack.

Bargha society: Very militaristic and ordered the Bargha make their lairs in tactical and heavily fortified mountain or hill sides. As they are equally comfortable in warm or cold climes however they have no trouble spreading out to new lands and have been known to build mighty and dominating fortresses from the ground up. The leader of each clan, numbering from 20 to 30, or network of clans is called a Grunda, or King. A typical clan will have a small standing army of lesser goblinoids, with several slaves as well. For each Bargha there are 1d4 bugbears, 2d4 hobgoblins, and 4d6 goblins. Some of the greater Bargha clans have entire smaller clans of lesser goblinoids at their command. Each one ruling over their lesser with such authority that even certain death may not sway them from their Bargha masters orders.

Script: Malmedri

2010-01-05T10:28:00.002-05:00

An example of the Maltharian Script, Malmedri.

The characters are written from top to bottom with a flat-edged quill or pen.

Arland Saga

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The Arland Saga is the body of stories that I am writing for the world of Arland (Aka. Arn)

The first story is that of Alwyn.

(STAR WARS 4-6) Alwyn is, essentially, the Luke Skywalker of my trilogy; a farm boy who wants to step out into the bigger world and quickly realizes that it holds the greatest adventures and risks. Once he becomes a student at the Academy of Magic he starts hearing rumblings of a Civil War that is brewing between the Kingdom of the Kels and the Independent provinces of the Barrens.

Seperated by a vast, inland sea - the Congress of Royal Houses within the Barrens continue to stretch their grasp deeper and deeper into the Eastern Frontier against the wishes of the Kels. Without a King, the Kels lack the unification to mount any real opposition to the planned invasion

The prequel to Alwyn's story is that of the Maltharian Revolution.

(DUNE) The Maltharian Revolution is the story of a thief destined to become a prophet.

After the Kingdom of Malanar is invaded by a force from the Barrens to the north, the thief finds that he not only was from the enslaved land, but he is fulfilling a prophecy to free its people from their oppressors.
The final trilogy is that of the rise of the King of the Kels

Alwyn Story: Synopsis

2009-11-15T11:48:00.003-05:00

Updated 11/15/09/
Original 12/16/06

Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, Section 5, Morgue

Prologue

Fifteen years ago, a civil war had broken out between the forces of the Barons and that of the Kels,
Several bands of Baron’s soldiers invade the Kels.
The largest band takes control of a town and orders all of the Amarites into their temple.
The commanding general of the Baron’s army orders the temple burned with the priestesses still in it.
Believing that both his wife and infant son were destroyed in the Amarite temple, the powerful arch-mage, Randelfur, defies the Council of Wizards and joins the Army of the Kels to hunt down the leader of the invasion.
Randelfur uses his magic to trigger a sink-hole and kills 500 of the Baron’s soldiers in a single moment.
Without their general to lead them, the forces retreat to the Barons and peace is negotiated.
Randelfur is accused of "destroying magic" (a capital crime amongst Wizards) in his attack of the Baron's forces and is banished from the city of Wizards, Kel Gizad.

The wizards of the human races all are bound to their oath of obedience to the council of wizards. No wizard has been permitted to join an army since the Witch War over one hundred years prior. Any wizard who would challenge this order and join an army is immediately expelled from the city of Kel Gizad and is to be shunned by every wizard.

*BEGIN SECTION 1, BOOK 1: Alwyn Finds a Teacher*

Part 1

Introduction of Alder the Blacksmith.
Alder moves to the village of Wyckhurst, marries and makes a family.
Introduction of Eranwyn, his wife.
Introduction of Aldan, Alwyn's older brother by six years.
Introduction of Mara the Midwife - she becomes Alwyn’s surrogate grandmother.
Alder's second son, Alwyn, is born sickly and frail. His mother dies in childbirth
Introduction of Brinna, Alder’s second wife
Alwyn grows interested in herbs to treat his own illness. He learns from Mara.
Introduction of Caphar - Scribe and Teacher of the village
Establishment of Alder’s hatred of any magic (other than healing).
Brenna secretly helps Alwyn get away to Caphar to learn to read and write.
Aldan discovers that Alwyn is studying and tells their father.
Alder believes that reading / writing is a waste of time and money. Punishes Alwyn for not working in the forge and helping his brother pass his Journeyman test.
Brenna defends Alwyn - threatening to leave Alder if he doesn't let him find his own path.
Alwyn copies almost every book in Caphar's library, but has to keep them in a secret niche in the floor boards of their home.
Brenna catches a serious cold and dies in Alwyn’s thirteenth winter - leaving Alwyn as the "woman of the house".
Introduction of Shawna - Alder's third wife.
Alwyn wants to get a job with Caphar to earn enough money to leave his father's house.

Part 2
Alwyn earns some coin and makes contact with a real wizard, Randelfur. Alder focuses his attention on Aldan' training in hopes that his son will succeed where he had failed. It seems as though Alwyn might be able to carve out some patch of happiness for himself within the village. Though there is some grumbling from Alder about Alwyn talking to Randelfur, he's more interested in the older son. Aldan and some other boys in the village continue to pick on Alwyn.

Introduce the Wizard Randelfur
Alwyn begins to copy texts for Randelfur
Mara and Shawna, Alwyn's step-mother, gang up against Alder to keep him from beating the boy.
Aldan begins working with Alder to prepare for his future as a blacksmith.

Part 3
Alwyn steps further and further into the world of magic under the secret instruction of Randelfur. Mara tries to get Randelfur to adopt Alwyn but Alder won't let it happen. Even though Alder doesn't want Alwyn as a son, he won't let anyone else have him either.

Alwyn continues to copy books for Randelfur.
Alwyn begins to visit Randelfur at his home rather than in the village.
Alwyn stores his magical books and other materials in a secret cave near a small pond away from the village.
Randelfur begins to teach Alwyn magic in secret - hiding his book of cantrips.
Aldan catches Alwyn swimming and discovers the cave; stealing his book of spells.

Part 4
This is the reckoning. All of Alder's hate is revisited upon him three fold.

Alder waits for Alwyn to return home and then burns the stash of books and threatens to burn the spellbook.
Alwyn attacks his father. Alder beats Alwyn almost to death.
Randelfur arrives and beats Alder back to defend Alwyn.
As Alder tries to attack Randelfur, Alwyn and Aldan square off in a brother-on-brother fight.
With Alder and Aldan defeated, Alwyn leaves their home for good
The village turns against Alder, preventing him from taking revenge upon the boy.

Part 5:
Alwyn becomes Randelfur's Apprentice
(Narrative)

Alwyn's injuries are healed by Mara and he moves in with Randelfur.
Alwyn is dressed as an apprentice and his education begins.

*END OF SECTION 1, BOOK 1*

The actual apprenticeship is not going to be written, it will be assumed to happen over a three year period with some flash-backs to help hit the high points.

*BEGINNING OF SECTION 2, BOOK 1: Alwyn starts his journey *

Alwyn travels to Kel Gizad with a letter from his master (and unknown father, Randelfur). The letter is to one of Randelfur’s oldest friends and asks for him to sponsor Alwyn to the "College of Wizards" to study magic. It states that Randelfur is his father and that his expenses are to be paid for by Randelfur's accounts in the Bank of Kel Gizad.

Part 1: The Crysanari Pilgrim

Alwyn is sent to meet an old friend of Randelful and accompany him to the city of Kel Gizad.
Alwyn arrives in the nearby town to meet the old friend, a Crysanari named Kaleness, but he's already left and is only a few hours ahead of him.
Alwyn finds a Crysanari Pilgrim, Kaleness, that was ambushed by goblins.
Alwyn kills the last two of five goblins with a magic missile spell and his simple wooden staff.
Kaleness gives him a sealed journal and necklace (Moonstone Amulet in the shape of Henna's Triduco) and asks that he deliver them to the elven embassy in Kel Gizad.

Part 2: The Wither of the Goblin Wood

Alwyn investigates the sounds of a wolf or dog in distress and finds one caught in a net.
Following the dog/wolf, Alwyn goes deep into the forest and discovers a Wither's Blight.
Introduction of Wither, the Hobgoblin and her Goblin servants
The Hobgoblin restrains a "Magical Creature" (White stag, unicorn, something) while the Wither steals its life with a sacrifice.
Alwyn sees a man tied to a tree - the next sacrifice, and uses his magic to fill the area with smoke.
With the Wither and her goblin followers momentarily blinded, he sneaks over to cut the man free and the two escape.
Alwyn and the man are separated in the darkness and runs back to the trail he was on

Part 3: Falling is NOT flying

By morning, Alwyn is chased by a pack of black wolves led by the Hobgoblin to a stream near a waterfall.
Unable to cross the stream, Alwyn is cornered by the goblins, their wolves and the Hobgoblin.
Goblins are afraid of the water so their dogs lunge in to attack Alwyn.
In the fight, one of the wolves rips his satchel and he loses the letter that Randelfur had sent with him.
To escape the wolves, Alwyn jumps off the rocks and floats down the waterfall with Feather Fall.
While floating in the air, the Hobgoblin shoots Alwyn with an arrow.
Alwyn is found by a Kessian Hunter, Flynn, the same man he rescued from the Wither.

Part 4: The Kessian

Alwyn realizes that he's also lost the Moonstone Amulet given to him by the Crysanari elf.
The two set off for the Crossroads Inn.

Part 5: Crossroads

Alwyn and Flynn try and take a rest while at the Inn.
Flynn finds himself a barmaid and the two go off to the wine cellar.
Alwyn realizes that the woman running the inn is actually the Wither (witch) in disguise.
Flynn realizes that he's being tricked and fights off some wolves to get back to Alwyn.
Alwyn and the Wither fight and he grabs the Moonstone necklace back from her - as well as her Heart-Stone
The two escape and continue on into the woods.

Part 6: Flight

They two head east on the King's Road and try and out-run the goblins and worgs that are hunting them.
The goblins are being lead by a Hobgoblin that serves the Wither.

Part 7: Refuge

The Gypsies weave some kind of protective spell that conceals their camp from the goblins that are hunting Alwyn and Flynn.
Introduce Meg, a Gypsy.
Meg, a former lover of Flynn, decides to accompany he and Alwyn to a Shrine / Temple at a lake-front village to the north east to destroy the Heart Stone.

Part 8: Lake Town

Alwyn, Flynn and Meg, arrive in a small village on the north east of the Wandering Wood.
Many of the villagers have been killed or captured and several buildings have been burnt
Alwyn finds where a few of the villagers have hidden in a cellar and tells them to stay there.
The Goblins return from hunting down stragglers and attack the party.
Flynn, his wolf, and Meg fight them back but Alwyn is captured by the Wither's Hobgoblin.

Part 9: Captured!

Alwyn is set to be sacrificed with a few others of the village.
Alwyn's staff and the heart-stone necklace have been taken by the Hobgoblin.
Introduction of Dwargo, Dwarven Cleric and Chief of the Jade-Axe clan
Alwyn uses his "mage-hand" ability to pull Dwargo's jade holy symbol to the dwarf so that Dwargo can break out.
As the amulet reaches Dwargo, Alwyn is taken outside by the Wither's Hobgoblin.

Part 10: Showdown

The Wither takes her Heart-stone necklace back and prepares to sacrifice Alwyn.
Right before the Wither is ready to pull the life force out of Alwyn, Flynn returns and stops the sacrifice. (essentially pulling a Han Solo Rescue)
Alwyn is seized by the Hobgoblin as Meg attacks.
Dwargo frees the villagers and they fight off the remaining goblins.
Alwyn and the Hobgoblin fight.
Dwargo challenges the Wither with his great axe.
Alwyn channels more magic into the simple staff than he ever has and the amber sphere explodes in the Hobgoblin's face.
The Goblins scatter, leaderless without the direction of the Hobgoblin or the Wither
Meg, Dwargo and Flynn fight the Wither
Using his natural "mage-hand" ability, Alwyn yanks the Heart-stone from the stone table (where it was dropped in the scuffle) and stabs it.
The Wither's body is consumed by flame and she dies.
With his master gone, the Hobgoblin escapes to the lake.

*BEGINNING OF SECTION 3, BOOK 1: The journey continues *

With the death of the Wither and her Hobgoblin servant, Alynn, Flynn, Meg and now Dwargo can continue to the city of Kel Gizad without worrying about being hunted. Meg and Flynn's former romance has kindled into a flame once more and Dwargo becomes an 'uncle' to Alwyn just as much as Flynn is much like his new-found older brother.

Part 1: An Old Flame

Alwyn and Flynn's injuries are healed by the Dwarven cleric, Dwargo, and they spend the night in the burned village.
Dwargo, who was already heading East, decides to accompany the party to Kel Gizad.
With Flynn's debt repaid, he's free to go with Alwyn or stay with the village and he decides to go with the young Wizard.
Meg, who has somehow fallen back into love/lust with Flynn decides to go with them.
As the four leave the village, Dwargo wants to go back to his old campsite to find his gear from when he was captured by the goblins.

Part 2: The Witch Gate
Witchgates are the uni-directional portals left when the Kithian Empire collapsed about 800-900 years prior to the story. The portals were the means that the Kith could move personnel and equipment nearly anywhere in the land simply by teleporting themselves from one platform to another. Without an awakened mind to control the gate, the destination is based on the last location used. This could mean that some gates will send anyone standing on the platform hundreds of miles to a ruined city, into the bottom of what is now a lake, etc. Many of the gates simply do not work at the time of Alwyn's journey, they have lost the power to remain active and have shut down without someone to repair them. Some, however, are charged by the sun and are only able to make short jumps - as in the case of the gate discovered by Dwargo.

The party travels for a day and finds the spot where Dwargo was camped.
No sign of his gear remains but his horse is still tethered to a nearby sapling.
The party decide to set up camp in the same spot and have a fresh look in the morning.

Part 3: Darkness

Alwyn awakes just before dawn and sees the sun rising up over the hill.
Three stones, surrounding the camp, start to glow and the party is transported.
The others wake up with a start - as though all of them had been lifted up and suddenly fallen six inches back onto their bedrolls.
The party finds itself in the subterranean ruins of an old city or temple.

Part 4: Ruins of Kel-Shaleen
This section was inspired by the exploration of the Mines of Moria in LOTR:FOTR. The party is forced into an unfamiliar setting, put into near-dark conditions where the only safety is within the circle of light cast by Alwyn. The location also suggests that there is a lot of history to the land and that most of it has probably been forgotten by humans.

Alwyn provides a light source since he and Meg are unable to see in low-light conditions.

Alwyn's staff is broken earlier so he must use something else to hold the light, probably the Moonstone amulet would provide at least -some- light at least for him to see.
"When Darkness comes to blind the trail, By the Pilgrim's Star I shall prevail. Let no hindrance come to those in need, By Henna's light I shall proceed." - inscription upon the Moonstone Amulet that Alwyn reads to activate the 'light'.

The party wanders into the hunting ground of a colony of Darkmantles.
They originally find the body of a darkmantle that has been impaled on what looks to be a scarecrow.
As more and more Darkmantles drop from the chamber's ceiling, the party is about to be overwhelmed, a series of glowing orbs are hurled into swarm from somewhere in the darkness.
Introduce Tark , the pale-skinned, dark-haired, Shadow Halfling Alchemist and Engineer.
Alwyn, with the use of the Moonstone amulet, is able to comprehend the language of the Tenebril

Part 5: Tenebril
This section is inspired by the arrival at Lothlorien in LOTR: FOTR. Meeting a half-elven Ranger wasn't a big deal for Alwyn. Even meeting Dwargo didn't phase the boy as there was a Dwarf in his home village of Wyckhurst. Introducing the Tenebril is to allow Alwyn to see that there are more races within the world than what he's been exposed to or heard about. Their language, customs and problems are going to be different to him and it will allow him to demonstrate that he's grown as both a person and a wizard while on this journey.

The party is taken to see the Shadow Halfling Leader, Lady Eva Shadowmane, a older woman who is an accomplished Illusionist.
Lady Eva has no ill-will towards the Party, she is actually curious about the magic that Alwyn possesses, but does not know how to return them to the surface.
She wishes them well, but has other problems to deal with - namely the collapse of the Sun Stone Barrier.
The party follow Tark to his home - If anyone would know a way out it would be Tark's father.
Tark, his four brothers and their father, live near the Sun Stone Barrier, at the edge of the ruined city.
The Tenebril city is constantly under attack by subterranean creatures. Only a large ring of crystals around the city, constantly emitting sunlight, keep them from from being overrun. The 'barrier shield' will occasionally fail and the city comes under attack.
Alwyn sees a large mural / map on a wall near Tark's home that shows what the city once looked like; a near mirror for the cities of Kel Arn, Gizad, etc.
Dwargo, having visited Kel Arn years ago, recognizes the similarities of design.
The city was originally hexagonal in shape but only a small portion of it remains habitable.
Tark's father shows the party the tunnels that he and the others have scouted but none have lead to the surface.
Tark takes the party to his 'secret place' in hopes that they might find something that would help them there.

Part 6: Kith Stone
In the previous Section, Alwyn sacrifices his staff - a connection to his mentor and surrogate father - to defeat an enemy. A wizard without a staff is like a cat without whiskers - they don't seem to walk right without them. He is naked without his staff but he is also unable to tap into the energy that he had stored within the staff. The only spells that he will be able to cast will have to be fueled by himself - a feat that could leave him drained and unable to continue without considerable rest. Finding a replacement stone (gem, etc.) is of the utmost importance to him as it will allow him to reconstruct his staff and create a surplus of energy that he can call upon to cast his spells.

The process of charging a staff is not something done quickly or easily. It takes patience and control to slowly build an energy reservoir within the crystal (or hunk of amber in his original staff). Though it is not necessary for him to have the crystal mounted in a staff (or wand / rod) for him to store or recall the energy, it will cause him considerable pain if he is holding the raw, charged crystal with his hands - much like holding onto a red-hot piece of metal straight from the forge.

While in the top of one of the ruined towers, Tark's secret place, the party is able to see out over the remains of the city.
Alwyn discovers an ancient staff / crystal (to become a staff) within one of the chambers of the city and decides to use it as his own.
Dwargo discovers a map of the city that may be a way out.

Part 7: Raiders!

Before the party can leave, the Sun Stone Barrier fails and the Tenebril are attacked by Kobold Raiders.
Since Alwyn has not rebuilt his staff, he has to hold the crystal in an old torch sconce to protect his hands as it helps focus his magic.
Alwyn is surprised how easily the magical energies surged through him in the fight - allowing him to call upon more magic than he would have normally thought possible.
Alwyn pushes himself too far and uses up more energy than he should in casting the spells needed to defend the settlement - something that is seen by Lady Shadowmane.
Defending themselves and the Tenebril, the Party become honored guests (as opposed to tolerated visitors)
At the celebration, the Lady Shadowmane tells the party of the War of the Seven Stars.

*BEGINNING OF SECTION 4, BOOK 1: The Last Bridge *

Part 1: Daylight

The party emerges from the cave network and heads towards the southern port on the Sentinel Sea.
The crystal / staff 'whispers' to Alwyn in his dreams. The more arcane energy he pumps into the staff, the more the crystal awakens.

Part 2: The Bridge
This scene is essentially the last major point in the story - a separation of the party into two groups. Though similar to the break up in FOTR, this is not one part running off and the others having to head after them. Alwyn and Tark are told to head to Southport and wait for them. It's only when they don't arrive that Alwyn decides to continue on without the other three - a sign that he has matured to take charge of his own life.

After this scene, Dwargo, Meg and Flynn will not be seen by Alwyn for many years. Though they know where he is headed, finding him there would be about as easy as looking for a guy named 'Mark' at a university of 50,000 students.

The party comes to a rope bridge that crosses a major river that flows out of the Sentinel Sea.
Third to cross, Flynn is nearly killed when an arrow whizzes past his head and he ducks to avoid a second.
The rope bridge snaps in the center and Flynn holds onto the main ropes and is on the original side.
Dwargo and Meg see that the arrow came from a small copse of trees nearby.
Alwyn and Tark are separated from Meg, Flynn and Dwargo.
Meg charges the trees while Dwargo helps Flynn back up.
Dwargo heads after Meg and Flynn tells Alwyn and Tark to head to Southport (where they were headed) and meet them at an Inn.

Part 3: South Port & the Mist-Runner

Alwyn and Tark arrive in South Port and wait for the others at the Inn.
After three days it's clear that the others have been detained for some reason.
Tark and Alwyn decide to buy passage across the Sentinel Sea to Barrell Bottom
Introduce Captain Iago of the Mist-Runner
Reveal that the Hanabril, the ashen-skinned, Nomadic Halflings, are often captured and sold into slavery in the Barons to the East.

Part 4: Arrival in Barrel Bottom

Alwyn and Tark arrive in the port town of Barrel Bottom, near the city of Kel Gizad
He is targeted by a band of kid-thieves and is chased through the streets.
Tark ducks into a nearby shadow and all but vanishes from sight.
Alwyn stumbles into a tavern and is discovered by the fortune-teller, Mad Maggy.
Mad Maggy keeps the thieves from attacking Alwyn and sends him to the gates of Kel Gizad.
Alwyn and Tark meet up outside the city.
Alwyn enters the city of Kel Gizad

*BEGINING OF SECTION 5, BOOK 1: The City of Wizards *

Part 1: Kel Gizad

Alwyn goes to the College of Magic and asks to join.
Alwyn is rejected for not having a sponsor. (no letter from Randelfur)
Depressed, he wanders the streets of Kel Gizad and accidentally bumps into an Elf.

Part 2: Elven Embassy

The Elf recognizes the Moon-Stone Amulet and asks him how he found it.
Alwyn uses the amulet's ability to understand Crysanari and explains.
The Elf takes him to the Crysanari Embassy.
Alwyn hands over the sealed journal to an Elven woman who speaks Arness, named Janessa.
Janessa explains that she is the sister of Kaleness, the Crysanari Pilgrim, that Alwyn met
Janessa arranges for Alwyn to be fed, cleaned and allowed to rest while she reads.
In return for delivering the journal, Janessa writes a letter of sponsorship for Alwyn to attend the College of Magic and offers to pay his first year's tuition.
Alwyn is escorted to the College of Magic by Elven guards and is formally accepted as a student.

Part 3: Epilogue

In the gardens of the College, two figures meet and complain that Alwyn is a threat; his presence could disrupt their plans.
On the Sentinel Sea, Flynn wakes up below deck and in chains.
He hears that the ship is on its way to Baron's Gate to fight in the gladiatorial pits.

MORGUE

Main and Auxillary Characters, Locations

Alwyn

Randelfur

Caleness

Wither

Blight: Home of the Wither and source of her Power

Hobgoblin: Servant of the Wither

Goblin Raiders
Flynn

Anu: Flynn's Wolf

Meg: Gypsy and former lover of Flynn

Dwargo: Clan Chief of the Jade Axe Clan of Dwarves

Tark: Tenebril Halfling, Alchemist, Engineer and trouble-maker

Janessa: Sister of Caleness, leader of the Elven Envoy at Kel Gizad

Race: Ilith

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The Ilith (Ilithid, Mind Flayers)

The self-styled gods of the "Other Space", the Ilith were originally raiders from the that would attack unsuspecting worlds for slaves.
The Ilith were the scavengers of the Astral Plane, utilizing any sentient life form as hosts for their life form. These nomadic bands of primitive god-impersonators were constantly fighting amongst themselves for the rights to exploit slave-rich worlds, but that changed when they encountered a new race - the Kith.

The Ilith considered themselves to be god-like beings and demanded absolute obediance by any sentient race within their realm. For the Kith to defy their will and be allowed to survive was unthinkable. The once-waring factions of the Ilith united against a common prey.

The Ilith returned as a swarm. Word had spread that a race had not only dared to kill their raiders but also that they were equally as powerful if not more so. Hundreds of raiding ships descended from their realm, jumping through the Astral Plane and appearing on the Kithian home world without warning. Slaves were taken and returned as soldiers for the raiders - having their minds and bodies twisted into the "Corrupted" or "Kith-zerai". The Kith, blessed both with natural psionic abilities as well as powerful defensive and offensive technologies were quickly out-matched. Some of their own technology was being turned against them in the hands of their own people.

Not all of the captured Kith were changed in such a way. The Ilithid discovered that the Kith were a perfect host for their kind. This newly evolved version of the Ilith was more potent than the previous blendings with sentient races. With their hosts already being naturally psionic, their own powers were unmatched within Ilith society. Within no time at all, the new blending of Kith and Ilith were so powerful that they dominated all other Ilith tribes and eventually created the foundations of an Empire lead by the Queen of the Ilith.

When the Kith escaped from their realm and the last of their city-ships was destroyed, the Ilith were grievously injured. Many of their slaves and hosts had been lost and more importantly, many of their spawning pools - where new Ilith were created were damaged beyond repair. It would take them several centuries to regrow their numbers and seek out those that had defied them.

While rebuilding their numbers and collecting new slaves, the Ilith also restructured their society under the newly proclaimed queen. The Queen and her forces searched the Astral Realm for the remains of the city-ship that exploded and decimated their numbers. Each chunk was hauled back towards the remains of the core and lashed together as her new hive-cluster. It is from this ramshackle court that the Queen sends agents and soldiers out into the void to search for the Kith.

The Queen is not without competition, however. Nearly one thousand years after the creation of her Emperial line, the soldier race of the Ilith, the Kith-Zerai, split into two factions: the Kith-Zerai who serve the Ilith and the Kith-Yanki who oppose them.

Concept Art: Malanar

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WEAPONRY:

Sharn

Ryk

POPULATION:

ARCHITECTURE:

POSSESSIONS:

GEOGRAPHY:

Concept Art: Crysanari

2009-11-07T14:35:00.004-05:00

The Crysanari Elves are the only humanoid race to have mastered the art of flight with their companions - the Golden Griffons.

The Griffon legions of the Crysanari elves give them mastery of the air - making them to most powerful of the KNOWN armies on the face or Arland.

The Golden Griffons maintain constant patrol around the lands of the Crysanari, sweeping the western coast of Arland for any possible return of the invading forces of the Lizard Kings.

A Crysanari Wizard

A design of a ship that has the basic shape of a Crysanari ship. The foresail is not as pointed on the Crysanari ship - as it should resemble the wings of a great bird (similar to a griffin)

Tenebril

2009-11-07T13:12:00.003-05:00

The Tenebril are the other half of the Halfling Race that was brought to the world of Arland by the Kith during the Exodus of the War of the Seven Stars. Where as the Norbil are surface-dwelling Halflings, the Tenebril are subterranian.

Tenebril - as other Halflings - stand around three feet tall, appearing to be no more developed than the average ten year-old human, lacking facial hair and possessing a child-like appearance.

Tenebril have a special connection with stone - their priestesses having the ability to shape it much like one would shape clay. They have a particular fondness for working obsidian - using it to adorn their buildings, tools and clothing.

Government:
The Tenebril are matriarchical, women serve as leaders of their respective Houses and Clans and as their priestesses. Males, typically, are the craftsmen and guardians - concerning themselves with the construction of both weapon and home and everything in between. Tenebril Matrons gather in council to debate large issues concerning their communities where each are heard. Males, though they could ask to be witness to the councils, typically involve themselves in other activities.

Concept Art: Alwyn

2009-10-23T18:20:00.003-04:00

Alwyn's first staff was created on the anniversary of his first year as Randelfur's apprentice. Created from a long, thick branch of oak and a gourd-sized egg of amber, the staff is slightly taller than Alwyn so that the amber egg is a few inches above his forehead. The amber egg is sufficient for him to store energy within it, but not so attuned that he will be able to use it for long. The amber egg is a mixture of yellow and orange hues that is prominantly seen when he casts light through the solidified resin.

Alwyn: Section 1, Part 5

2009-10-23T17:46:00.006-04:00

Alwyn: Section 1, Part 5

updated 10-23-09

Alwyn awoke in Randelfur’s house the next morning having fallen into a deep sleep the evening before; he suspected the tea that he had drank with his new master had been laiden with slumbering herbs. He had been in his Master’s house before but not in more than the front room where he was taught. The bedroom was cozy and comfortable with shelves of books and oddities lining the walls. A small fire burnt within the room’s hearth much to Alwyn’s surprise; he had never been in a house with more than one hearth before. He arose from his bed with regret; it was very comfortable and smelled of fresh linen. When he rubbed the slumbering wrinkles from his face he could tell that he was no longer wearing the thread-bare and mud-stained garments from yesterday, but had been dressed in a fine long shirt of blue linen that brushed his shins. He was a bit confused and embarrassed about how he had been changed but as he put strength into his feet to stand he realized that his body did not ache from the fight. The bruises on his arms and sides were gone to his wonderment.

The room was quite ample, almost empty from any personal touch. It seemed as though it was a storage room for books and materials from the wizard’s past. The wooden floor was covered with a brilliantly woven carpet of earthy tones of russet, brown and moss-green. The bed, now that he had his wits about him, was large enough for a boy twice his size to sleep in and as wide as a staff. He couldn’t help but touch the matrices to ply its softness under his fingers when he realized that the bed had made itself; that or someone else was in the house. He knew that when he left the room it was as rumpled as any bed would be in the morning.

On a wooden chest at the foot of his bed, he saw a set of clothing set out for him. The garments were a mixture of linen, wool and a fabric that he did not recognize; it shimmered like still water. Blues and greens and all shades in between spilled out from the large wooden chest in the corner of his new room. He selected a robe of linen and wool that was died in a mixture of shades of blue.

This would be only one of the questions that crawled through his mind as he slipped the nightshirt over his head and stepped into the thin, linen under shorts. After his shorts he slipped a long white shirt over his head and then the blue robes which he gird to his thin frame with a wide belt of woven leather. There were already some sturdy leather pouches affixed to the belt but he didn’t know they weren’t empty until he felt their weight. His boots were cut in the style of the Wycken shepherds; simple but practical. As he brushed the front of his robes to smooth them he turned and was almost stunned when he saw his reflection in the large mirror in the corner of the room. He couldn’t believe that he missed it earlier as large as it was.

The mirror stood more than a staff’s length in height and was cut in an oval shape with serpents coiling about the edge. His mother had a small, hand mirror that she used when she fixed her hair up for important celebrations. Mirrors weren’t completely uncommon within the village but never one so large. He had never seen all of him at once like this. The image of him in the robes caught him off guard; he didn’t recognize himself at first but then could not help from smile at his appearance. He was an apprentice.

He wandered out of the room and saw that the house, though deceptively small on the outside, was confusingly spacious inside. His room opened to a hall with many doors. The hall was wide and stretched towards the front room at least four staff-lengths away. He tried to creep down the hall but the wooden floor creaked under his weight. His master called to him politely and he dropped his shoulders and stepped into the main room curiously. Randelfur sat in one of the two large chairs that flanked the hearth with a small table set with bits of food. He invited his apprentice to join him for breakfast and they would discuss their future together. Alwyn was a bit self-conscious as he sat in the chair and nibbled upon the hunks of toasted bread. He was unaccustomed to simply enjoying a quiet meal.

The question of his father and his injuries were finally asked and Randelfur explained that Mara had followed them back to his house after she sat in council against Alder. He and Aldan would be shunned from the village and his wife had left him to move back with her sister. Mara had treated his injuries and removed his old clothes, while he was under the effects of an herbally-induced slumber. She had brought him into this world and treated every cold and flu that he had ever suffered; as she had done for most of the children in the village. She was never phased by the modesty of those under her care.

NPC: Wither

2009-10-21T08:50:00.009-04:00

Withers are evil druids or those witches who follow Nashale, the Corruptor.

They follow the figure known as the Wither, a proto-deity who favors corruption, plague, sickness, curses and the like. As a servant and devotee to Nashale,

Withers aspire to become Nighthags just as evil wizards may work towards becoming a Lich.

Withers are shunned from all good society even before the Witch Wars that made all casters an "outcast" profession.

Withers are known for a few things:

They generally are found within caves.
They wear a heart-stone amulet that gives them access to greater power through sacrifice.
They commonly use the green-flamed sacrifices.

Just as Druids have their own sacred groves, a Wither has their Blight.

The Blight is the center of their unholy power, usually represented by a large tree that has been twisted and corrupted, blackened by their magic.

The Wither will often construct a stone table in front of the Blight Tree (the center of their blight) as well as a fire pit where they can conduct their rituals.

Concept Art: Deities

2009-10-20T18:38:00.001-04:00

I really have no idea what holy symbol this might be but I love the shot. I know that it's not any of the gods we've covered so far (Amara, Arn, Malvock, Maltharius, Nashale, Henna, Oak or Gorm), but it could be for someone we haven't really defined yet.

This would leave: Maladon (Undead), Brinna (Animals), Shil' Allure (Beauty, Music), Eimon (Justice), Arissa (Winds, Avians), Atlantica (Oceans, Rivers), Verinia (Fertility), Lesha (Disease), or Sheen (Hunt).

The Silver Serpent

The Silver Serpent of the Goddesss of Lust and Corruption: Nashale.

As Nashale's major center of worship is in the serpent-happy kingdom of Sekket, snakes and serpentine-like icons are commonly associated with her.

The Sun-Disk of Arn

One of the simple "thumb-sketches" of Arn. A lion's face within a sun burst. Arn is the god of strength and of the sun. He is represented by a golden lion. His followers carry a disk of pure cold that has been cast to show the sun's rays radiating out from behind the great lion's face.

Another sketch of the symbol was to straighten out the tines of the sunburst a little and make it more symetrical.

The Malthencryst

The icon of the silver spider upon a black field and within an oval of silver is the symbol of the god of Spiders, Secrets and Shadows - Maltharius.

Often, holy symbols for this deity are pieces of cut silver placed over cabs of polished obsidian.

The Triduco (the triangular symbol) is a tool used by the scribes and followers of Henna, the goddess of writing, knowledge and travel.

The Triduco, technically, is just a triangular tool. It becomes a representation of the Goddess when it is paired with the circle as shown below.

The World Tree

The woven-branch symbol of Sylvanos, the god of the Forest. Commonly fashioned out of vines and saplings, this would not be something cast out of metal.

Concept Art: Kels

2009-10-20T18:24:00.004-04:00

King's Bridge Castle. Furthest western settlement.

The Great Library of Kel Gizad is the greatest repository of information in the lands of Man. It is said that it even rivals the library of the Crimson Magi of the Crysanari.

The Great Library is the seat of the worship of the goddess Henna amongst the Humans. It is the central temple from which all other temples are lead. Books and scrolls are repaired, copied, translated as a function of the library, and those wishing to research (and who are in good standing with the Gizrith - the Council of Magi), are permitted to browse the books on display for common use.

This is not an Onari temple but it's seriously working for me. The wide open valley below and the mountains on both sides suggest that it may be on the edge of one of our big mountain chains.

The original structure is actually from Greece; a very classical design. I don't think we have any match for the Greek Civilization though Arn is mostly Roman. If it were a round building, I would have immediately pegged it as something that the Hennite's built. The building (from another view) is actually octagonal and has clay tiles for a roof.

Barrel Bottom is the 'port town' that links to the Wards ring.

Concept Art: Sekket

2009-10-20T18:20:00.002-04:00

This is definitely an altar to Nashale. The symbol of the serpent biting its tail and the skulls is a perfect example of her forms of worship.

One of the many temples to Nashale. Many countries on the Eastern Continent forbid the open worship of Nashale except for the kingdom of Sekket where such temples are quite common.

Concept Art: Sylvanari

2009-10-20T18:07:00.004-04:00

Sylvanari Palace

Sylvanari Forest

Sylvanari Temple within a White Oak

Tree City

Concept Art: Kessa

2009-10-20T18:04:00.004-04:00

A concept for a Kessian Ranger

Kessian rangers are known for their almost perpetual wanderlust.

Hatchet, Kessian

A short-hafted small axe carried by most hunters in Kess. The head of the hatchet traces its origin from Dwarven trade axes sold in the town of Kessa. The hammer head on the rear of the head adds to its utilitarian design. Hickory handles are commonly carved and etched with personal designs of the user with the hatchet heads being passed down and traded within family and clan.

Kala
A downwardly-curving bladed weapon carried by the Kessian people. Ranging in size from a long-dagger to a short-sword, the dagger is designed to hack at brush or a foe.

Bow, Kessian
A composite short-bow used by Kessian Rangers. The construction of the composite short bow is similar to that of the famed Sylvanari Short Bow used by the woodland elves. It is thought that a Kessian archer befriended a Sylvanari bowman at some point in the distant past and created a bow as close to what was used by the elves. Over the years the design of the short composite bow has stayed essentially the same with improvements made in the choice of materials in the construction. The Kessian Short Bow is one of the only three types of composite bow created by the human races. The Onari Far-Shot bow and the Composite Longbow of the Kel Sha are the other two.

Simple bridge built and maintained closer to the human lands

Tauric Races: Leonids

2009-10-20T17:29:00.007-04:00

The Tauric races were the precursors to the Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, and Haflings of Arn.

Thousands of years prior to the rise of the non-human races, the Tauren peoples were technology primitive, only advancing as far as the Bronze age. Even with this technology they were able to combat the continual attacks of the Lizard Kingdom down in the Great Green Sea.

Each race capitalized upon their strengths - the lions were often found within their military forces, The Satyrs (half-goat) were found within their healers, etc.

Each race had their own domains and ruled them as they wished. Only when the forces of the Lizard King began to invade the southern regions did the Tauren begin to collaborate. It was never a perfect union but each race brought their own strengths to the Empire. Many a famous warrior came from the many feline tribes.

The leonids were avid follower of the divine being that would become known as Arn. It is even thought that Arn, the god of Strength and the Sun, may have actually visited the world as a Leonid and fathered many of their greatest warriors.

Though there is no evidence that the Tauren peoples worshiped the gods are they are now know, it is possible that they were at least faintly aware of their existence. Ruined Sun Temples found in the southern grasslands show a surprising similarity to the oldest of Arnan Temples.

Crysanari Griffon Riders

2009-10-20T17:21:00.003-04:00

The Crysanari Elves are the only humanoid race to have mastered the art of flight with their companions - the Golden Griffons.

Golden griffons are the only griffons that are large enough for someone to ride and they are only found within the realm of the Crysanari elf, Crysanar.

For game purposes, Golden Griffons are the same as the griffons in the Monster Manual. All other griffons are size medium.

Gear: Heart-Stone Necklace

2009-10-20T08:44:00.004-04:00

The Heart-Stone necklace is a possession only found upon a Druid that follows the Wither. Withers are foul-spirited evil beings that use their powers to extend their lives, corrupt the innocent and nature and generally make life difficult for good folk.

When they turn from the path of good or neutrality, they extract the heart of their sacred tree through some magical means and wear it as a charm. The tree's heart will appear to be something close to the size of a prune but hard as rock - almost like a lump of coal.

It is the Heart Stone that gives them the ability to extend their lives. Through dark magic and the sacrifice of long-lived beings (magical creatures, elves, etc.), the blood of the being is poured onto the heart-stone and revitalizes the Witch for a time depending on how many 'years' she is able to steal from her victim.

A Wither may not harm any who possess their Heart-Stone, but they will always feel its presence and will stop at nothing to recover it. For so long as the heart-stone is out of their possession, they will start to age normally again. This can be problematic for some Withers who may have stretched their lives far beyond a normal span.

A Wither (druid) of a Hundred years who has stolen herself down to forty, will return to her normal age within a few days. A Wither of only sixty years but who has stolen herself down to forty has a few weeks as the transformation is not as drastic.

While without her Heart-Stone, she will be unable to disguise her appearance, nor use the blood of the innocent to heal her wounds.

Geography: Wandering Wood

2009-10-20T08:08:00.003-04:00

The Wandering Wood is a section of forest north of Wyck and east of Kess. It is so named because the trails that lead through it tend to become disorientating, shifting direction and getting anyone within it lost.

The Wandering Wood is a haven for magical forest creatures that like to mess with travelers.

Ents
Driads
Pixies
Brownies
Etc.

There are two actual "roads" that criss-cross the Wood, one road that goes vaguely east-west and another that cuts through it on a north-east, south-west angle. Where these two roads converge is a simple Inn. It is the only landmark that is fairly permanently marked within the Wood.

To get to the crossroads inn is a journey several days even on the main roads. To get out of the forest from the inn may take even longer.

Alwyn Book 2: Updated

2009-10-19T16:12:00.006-04:00

*BEGINING OF SECTION 2, BOOK 1: Alwyn starts his journey *

Alwyn travels to Kel Gizad with a letter from his master (and unknown father, Randelfur). The letter is his acceptance to the "College of Wizards" to study magic. It states that Randelfur is his father and that his expenses are to be paid for by Randelfur's accounts in the Bank of Kel Gizad.

Part 2: The Crysanari Pilgrim

1. One week (or so) on his journey, Alwyn discovers a Crysanari elf who was also making a pilgrimage to Kel Gizad (as a servant of Henna). The elf was ambushed by a small band of goblins and almost killed. Five goblins started, two remain.

3. Alwyn, previously unable to muster the control to produce the 'Magic Missle' spell, attempts to use his abilities when it really counts and cast at one of the surviving goblins. One goblin down.

4. Without enough umph for another spell, Alwyn hauls off and whacks the goblin with his own staff, breaking it in the process but killing the goblin.

5. The elf is seriously injured and Alwyn does what he can to pull the Elf away from the scene and tend to the wounds.

6. Over the night and for the next day, Alwyn does what he can to help the Elf - but he does not speak Arness and Alwyn can't speak Crysanari. However, Alwyn still talks to him as best he can. The Elf does, however, speak Kith - the precursor to almost all human languages. (sort of like speaking Latin). Eventually it becomes understood that Alwyn is on his way to Kel Gizad.

7. Knowing that the Goblins had to come from somewhere nearby, the Elf asks Alwyn to take his journal (with a message in it) to the city and deliver it to his people there. In exchange, he offers Alwyn his staff, cloak and a Moonstone amulet. The amulet is enchanted with a spell of "Comprehend Languages" allowing the Elf to understand Alwyn but not to speak back.

Part 2: Finding a Familiar
1. Alwyn finds a creature feasting on a Gryff’s nest of fledglings. He slays the creature with a spell and nurses the sole survivor who had a broken wing.
a. The gryff becomes his pet and eventually a familiar through a spell in his book.

Part 3: The Witch of the Wandering Woods

2. A few days later, he finds shelter in an old, partially burnt out barn at the edge of the Wandering Woods.
3. Later that night he hears some wolves howl out in the forest that night.

a. The Gryff, sharing its sight with Alwyn, shows him a pack of black wolves chasing something through the forest. Eventually he sees that it’s a man.

4. Leaving the old barn, he comes across a green bonfire with a witch tending to it.
a. The man that was chased by the wolves is tied to a tree and a white stag is laying on a stone table - tied.
b. A pack of black wolves sit around the fire as though they were helping with her chanting.

5. Alwyn arrived too late to save the white stag from the witch who cut out its heart with an silver knife.

6. He uses what small magic he has to weave a mist in the clearing to obscure his movements. He sneaks in and cuts the bonds of the captured man runs away but they get separated.

b. The Witch’s sacrificial spell was interrupted by the boy’s mist. She lost her prize and the promise of power the White-stag's heart would have give her.

7. Alwyn runs back to his barn and hides until dawn.

8. When he leaves from the barn and returns to the trail in the woods, he is chased by a pack of wolves further into the Wandering Woods.
a. The wolves are lead by a minion of the Witch; presumably her familiar (a big black wolf)

9. They find him trying to cross a wide stream on a series of boulders. One of the wolves bites at his satchel (where the letter from Randelfur was kept) and rips it open.
a. The letter falls out and is swept downstream, lost.
b. Alwyn turns the staff into a spear and stabs one of the wolves.
c.

10. To escape the attack of the wolves, he jumps from a waterfall into the river below.
b. He floats down stream until he’s picked out of the water by a Kessian.

11. The Kessian, Flynn, is the same man that he freed from the Witch.

Part 4: A Kessian Hunter
1.The Kessian Hunter helps Alwyn after the plunge into the river and offers to escort him through the Wandering Wood as a thanks for saving his life from the Witch.

2. Alwyn discovers the Moonstone Amulet is missing from around his neck and concludes that it must have come off in the fall.

3. The two set off through the forest and head north east.

Part 5: Crossroads Inn

1. In the middle of the Wandering Wood, where the east-west and north-east, south-west roads meet, is a simple Crossroads inn.

2. While the Ranger is bedding a bar wench in the wine cellar, Alwyn nurses a bowl of stew and writes in his journal.

3. The tavern keeper, an older woman, cleans up around the place since no one else is really around except for a gruff, black-haired man that she orders around like a dog.

4. Alwyn somehow recognizes that the tavern keeper is actually the witch about the same time that the Ranger realizes that he was being drawn away from the Wizard.

A. The Kessian discovers the bodies of the real tavern owners in the wine cellar.
B. The Raven-haired wench that drew him away attacks him and when she’s killed, returns to the form of a wolf.

5. The Witch attacks Alwyn
a. Using poison in a cup of wine, the Witch tries to drug Alwyn into sleep.
b. Either the poison doesn’t work or he doesn’t drink it, but the illusion of her new face is removed and the two square off.

6. The Witch blocks his exit with a circle of greenish witch-fire.

7. The Ranger tries to get into the Tavern (since the access to the wine cellar is behind the tavern) and is blocked by her pack of black wolves.

a. The Ranger kills two of the wolves but is tripped by another and they corner him against the tavern wall.

b. As one bites his sword hand, he tries to fight the other off with a dagger and they pounce to rip out his throat.

c. Ranger manages to get away from the wolves somehow and breaks into the tavern to help Alwyn.

d. Ranger climbs up a stack of firewood and onto the roof so that he can get into the Tavern from a 2nd floor window.

8. In a last-ditch to escape the Witch, Alwyn grabs his Moonstone from around the Witch's neck

a. Accidentally, when he grabbed his necklace he also grabbed her Heart-Stone; the shriveled remains of her once good heart.
b. The heart-stone prevents her from casting any magic upon Alwyn.

9. With the stall in the Witch's ability to harm Alwyn (thanks to the Heart-Stone), he cuts the chandelier rope and is pulled to the second floor balcony where the Ranger just breaks in through a window.

The two escape back onto the roof and then get to the horses and leave the Crossroads and the Witch behind them.

Gryph

2009-10-19T16:01:00.004-04:00

Gryphs are similar to pseudo dragons in that they are miniature copies of the animals that they represent.

Gryphs resemble the appearance and behavior of Griffons. They are a tiny-sized creature, about the size of a large house cat.

Gryphs resemble a mixture of a Lynx and that of a hawk. They are a rare creature tending to frequent only the most dense of forests.

Wizards often prize them as familiars. They favor neutral to good alignments.

Blood Mage

2009-10-19T15:17:00.003-04:00

A blood mage is a term used to describe a mage who is a follower or devote' of Azmarath, god of Slaughter, Murder and Wrath.

A blood mage, always Chaotic Evil, seeks nothing more than total destruction of anything or anyone who would stand between him/her and their goals.

Alwyn, Nemesis Update

2009-10-19T15:03:00.004-04:00

Alwyn Nemesis, Book 2

When Alwyn arrives at Kel Gizad, he is immediately the target of everyone's scorn and contempt but none can hate him more than the son of a famous General.

This character is 'Malfoy' to Alwyn's "Harry".

The nemesis is a ruthless tyrant who demands loyalty and obedience from those around him and has the talent and skill to one day take his place along side his father as an accomplished War Mage.

He doesn't like Alwyn because of many reasons but namely these:
1. Alwyn proves that a great wizard is not born of nobility, but forged in adversity.
2. Alwyn has just as much talent as he does and is a challenge to his assumed authority.

The issues at play with Alwyn and Rathford (aka, Rath) are as old as any story:
1. Nobility vs. Commoner.
2. Offence vs Defence.
3. Malice vs Compassion

The story will play itself out in book two where the characters are building towards a climatic battle at the end that never comes. Before any real battle could take place between the two, Rathford is called away with his father to serve on the front lines to the East - fighting the goblin tribes that have constantly harrased the Barons.

In book three, the characters meet up again and Rath "Wrath" is shown to be a murderer - having killed a soldier for turning to run in the face of an enemy. Rath's father, the General, sends him back to the nearest stronghold, under guard, until he can return and deal out justice for the unlawful killing. This punishment is made worse when the General compliments Alwyn's abilities in front of Rath and the other leaders of the army.

Rath decides that he is not about to take punishment by his father for something that he felt justified. He uses his magic to lash out and kill the guards escorting him back to the keep and heads out to claim leadership of the squabbling goblin forces as his own. Word reaches the general that the guards were killed and there were no signs of Rath amongst the wounded. The father grieves for the loss of his son, assuming him dead or having escaped back to the Barons.

The goblin forces typically raid the fringe settlements in hit-and-run attacks and are usually easily repelled. Once Rath gains control of the tribes, their tactics change and he exploits every weakness of the Arnan defenders that he can.

Eventually, he manages to sneak a force around behind the Arnan lines and ambush his own father's encampment. Proving his superiority in battle as now a Blood Mage, he kills his father and offers the still beating heart to Azmarath in sacrifice.

Soon after, a sizable portion of the Arnan forces defeated by Rath and his goblins, Alwyn is caught by his nemesis on the battle field and the two of the fight that has been building for years. Alwyn with the hand of Malvoch upon his heart trying to coax him into becoming a Battle Mage and Rath with Azmarath boiling his blood to drive him into a murdering frenzy.

Gear: Elven Traveler's Cloak

2009-10-19T15:01:00.003-04:00

The elves of Crysanar and of Sylvanar know how to weave their garments so that the rain does not soak through. Commonly made in natural colors of gray, moss-green and the like, these cloaks do not provide any magical concealment but do keep the wearers warm and dry even in the most severe weather.

Gear: Halfling Traveler's Staff

2009-10-19T14:49:00.003-04:00

This simple staff is of Halfling design and enchantment.

Appearing to be nothing more than a wooden staff with silver caps on both ends, the staff can transform into any of the following items upon command:

1. Short Bow
2. Quarter Staff
3. Rope (20')
4. Spear

So long as the "staff" (in its various forms) does not leave the hand of the user, it will remain in its intended form. All forms are considered masterwork versions of that shape.

Gear: Moonstone Amulet

2009-10-19T14:39:00.004-04:00

An amulet / necklace worn by the elves of Crysanar and Sylvanar. The necklace blessed with a faint glow of magic that allows the stone to glow with the light of the full moon upon command. (Think small night light).

The command is not a single word, as in Medjia, but rather an elven poem of a few lines - suggesting the difference between elven and human magic.

Alwyn's Travels to Kel Gizad - book 2 update.

2009-10-19T14:23:00.004-04:00

Alwyn's Travels to Kel Gizad -Update.
-The Crysanari Elf

1. Alwyn travels to Kel Gizad with a letter from his master (and unknown father, Randelfur). The letter is his acceptance to the "College of Wizards" to study magic. It states that Randelfur is his father and that his expenses are to be paid for by Randelfur's accounts in the Bank of Kel Gizad.

2. One week (or so) on his journey, Alwyn discovers a Crysanari elf who was also making a pilgrimage to Kel Gizad (as a servant of Henna). The elf was ambushed by a small band of goblins and almost killed. Five goblins started, two remain.

3. Alwyn, previously unable to muster the control to produce the 'Magic Missle' spell, attempts to use his abilities when it really counts and cast at one of the surviving goblins. One goblin down.

4. Without enough umph for another spell, Alwyn hauls off and whacks the goblin with his own staff, breaking it in the process but killing the goblin.

5. The elf is seriously injured and Alwyn does what he can to pull the Elf away from the scene and tend to the wounds.

6. Over the night and for the next day, Alwyn does what he can to help the Elf - but he does not speak Arness and Alwyn can't speak Crysanari. However, Alwyn still talks to him as best he can. The Elf does, however, speak Kith - the precursor to almost all human languages. (sort of like speaking Latin). Eventually it becomes understood that Alwyn is on his way to Kel Gizad.

7. Knowing that the Goblins had to come from somewhere nearby, the Elf asks Alwyn to take his journal (with a message in it) to the city and deliver it to his people there. In exchange, he offers Alwyn his staff, cloak and a Moonstone amulet. The amulet is enchanted with a spell of "Comprehend Languages" allowing the Elf to understand Alwyn but not to speak back.

map

2009-10-05T11:01:00.002-04:00

Concept Art: Northlunds

2009-10-03T10:01:00.005-04:00

This is a typical Northlund fortification. Most major settlements have constructed a Great Hall which is the center of their governmental activities, the home of their Chief, and normally the point of last refuge should their settlement be attacked.

The Great Hall and surrounding buildings are made from large-growth timbers like Oak as well as soft woods like Pine. Many Northlund settlements are constructed in the heart of Black Pine groves as they provide an ample source of construction materials for their homes, defensive walls and fuel for heat and cooking.

The Great Hall of a Northlund Settlement is the site for every major festival. The Halls are decorated in banners and trophies of war. Contests of strength and retelling the great deeds of historic heroes are common place.

In times of peace and in times of war, the Chieftans of the Northlund tribes maintains the law for his people. Issues of theft, dishonesty and even cowardice are crimes commonly adjudicated by the chieftains and their Druid advisers.

Each of the Northlund tribes are ruled by a chief. These leaders are usually picked due to their ability to defend their people. Though there is some benefit to heredity, the son of a Chief does not necessarily become the next ruler.

Rulers can grow ill and infirm with age and so the people will usually call for a new chief with a series of contests to determine the most worthy candidates.

Northlund Warriors are known for their skill in riding. With long spears to hurl from horseback and a combination of scale and ring mail for armor, they decorate themselves and their mounts with twist and knotwork patterns.

Northlund heroes are remembered in song and chant for their skills at riding, their abilities with their spear or their abilities to lead men into battle. For those heroes who have been awarded men to lead by their Chief, they often carry a totemic banner in their procession. Should this banner fall in battle, the honor and bravery of the leader can be doubted and the men given to him withdrawn.

Many an army of evil creatures has trembled at the sight of a line of Northlund cavalry.

A village shot from somewhere in the Northlunds. Hunters returning with some fresh meat and others working on projects during the day.

A more distant shot of a Northlund village. Notice the fenced in area behind one of the houses (behind the hunters returning). This suggests that the Northlunders would probably keep goats or some other form of livestock to keep them in meat over the winter months when hunting is not enough.

Concept Art: Onar

2009-10-03T09:59:00.006-04:00

Onari City

This reminds me of a mountain temple of the Emerald Kingdom, Onar. The subtle Asian style (originally from Tibet) would have a bit of the Sekketi (China) influence which is what we're going for.

I also like the misty heights and craggy look of the mountains. These are what keep the Great Green Sea enclosed.

On the roof of the Emerald Kingdom, their capital city (shown here) is a gleaming example of building where few others could manage it. The use of white-wash makes the palace pop off the mountains and possibly conceal it when the mists hang heavy in the air.

A perfect example of century-old roads and paths throughout the mountains that border the Great Green Sea, these stone bridges are kept narrow to prevent massive forces from invading. With obvious choke points such as this, even a few soldiers could hold off an advance while signal fires were lit.

Concept Art: Gypsies

2009-10-03T09:57:00.003-04:00

Gypsy

Concept Art: Tresherak

2009-10-03T09:49:00.008-04:00

Goblin / Orc Stronghold

Concept Art: General

2009-10-03T09:36:00.004-04:00

The possible ancient remains of a Tauric Temple?

Entrance to a Dwarven Tomb

Possible Alternative View of one of the Floating Cities?

New World Map

2009-10-02T20:32:00.003-04:00

Casting Spells: Arcane Energy (Mana)

2008-09-21T11:35:00.002-04:00

Using Arcane magic in the world of Arn is different than in other worlds.

Rather than adhering to the standard rules for casting of arcane magic, the world of Arn uses the concept of Mana. Rather than the "spells per day" system of casting arcane spells, each caster has an alotment of Mana that they can call forth per day. This is both a blessing and a curse for if the caster attempts to call forth too much mana at any one time, he can severely injure himself.

In the case of a wizard, the caster is connecting themselves to a font of arcane energy and through their will, channeling it through their body to produce a magical effect; a spell. For sorcerers, they are more connected to this arcane energy and already possess such energy within themselves. Wizards channel mana. Sorcerers posses it naturally.

Creating your mana pool:

The character's mana is a combination of their primary casting attribute's modifier (Intelligence for Wizards and Charisma for Sorcerers) and their casting level.

Racial Modifiers:
Human +0
Elf +1
Dwarf +1
Half-Elf +1
Half-Dwarf +1
Gnome +2
Halfling +1

Class Modifiers:
Wizard +0
Bard +0
Sorcerer +2

Feat Modifiers:
Arcane Blooded +1
Mana Font +2

Example: A Level 1 elven wizard with an intelligence score of 16 would have a mana pool of 5. (Intelligence modifier +3, +1 for level one, and +1 for being an Elf.). A Level 1 half-elven sorcerer with a charisma of 16 would have a mana pool of 7 (Charisma modifier +3, +1 for level one, +1 for being Half-Elven, +2 for being a Sorcerer).

Casting with the mana pool:

Each spell level is assigned a point value for how much mana it takes to cast that spell. For each spell level, it takes 1 point of mana to cast. Therefore, a level 1 spell costs 1 point of mana to cast, a level 2 spell would be 2 points and so on. Cantrips cost only half of a mana point.

Regaining Mana:

Once an arcane caster has depleted their mana, they must rest for eight hours to regain their energy. The character does not have to slumber for every minute of the time, but he must refrain from movement, combat, manifesting powers, skill use, conversation, or any other demanding physical or mental task during the rest period. If his rest is interrupted, each interruption adds 1 hour to the total amount of time he has to rest to clear his mind, and he must have at least 1 hour of rest immediately prior to regaining lost mana. If the character does not need to sleep for some reason, he still must have 8 hours of restful calm before regaining their mana.

Tapping Mana:
Tapping into the energies of arcane magic is not an easy task. Each time a wizard taps into the flow of arcane energies around them to cast their spell, there is a slight possibility that this will cause them injury if they loose focus. Like grabbing a live electrical wire, the wizard is channeling energy through their system and should it be interrupted before it is cast, the residual energy can misfire or harm the wizard. It is therefore necessary that the wizard keep their mind focused upon the spell that they are casting to avoid interruption.

Commonly the spell will simply focus the potential damage into the immediate area of the wizard casting.

New Arcane Spell: Channel Arcane Energy

2008-09-21T11:29:00.002-04:00

Imbue Staff

Evocation

Level: Sor/Wiz 1

Components: V, S,

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Touch

Target: 1 imbued staff

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Will negates (object)

Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

Origin: Kel Gizad

Through use of this spell, the wizard is able to call forth and store arcane energy within their imbued staff. For each time this spell is cast, the wizard is able to direct the energy into the Eye of the staff for storage. See spell description for the use of stored energy.

New Arcane Spell: Shape Wood

2008-09-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

Shape Wood

Transmutation

Level: Sor/Wiz 0, Wood 0

Components: V, S,

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Touch

Target: 1 Small wooden object

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Will negates (object)

Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

Origin: Kel Gizad

Shape wood allows the caster to twist and curve the wood of a staff or other similar object into simple shapes as though it were as pliable as clay. The new shape of the wood is permanent.

Arcane Material Component: A small lump of clay mixed with shavings from the piece of wood to be shaped.

New Arcane Spell: Imbue Staff

2008-09-21T10:26:00.006-04:00

Imbue Staff

Evocation

Level: Sor/Wiz 1

Components: V, S,

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Touch

Target: 1 complete staff

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Will negates (object)

Spell Resistance: Yes (object)

Origin: Kel Gizad

Imbue Staff allows the caster to channel their magic into a prepared staff to be used as a magical reservoir, an instrument to focus their magic or boost their magical resistances. Once the staff has been imbued with their magic, it will allow them to store the equivalent energy to be called upon to cast spells at a later time.

Storing Arcane Energy:

In order for a wizard to store arcane energy within the Imbued staff, they must channel their own energy into it. This can be done through the use of the spell, "Channel Arcane Energy".

Using stored energy:

The amount of arcane energy stored within the staff is a reflection of the level of the wizard (see table below). Also, the staff may not channel too much energy through the Eye or it will shatter and cause the spell to fail. The amount of energy that can be channeled through the staff's Eye is determined by its material (see table below).

Staff limitations:

Should a wizard attempt to channel too much energy through the eye of the staff, it will be destroyed and, depending on how much energy was being conducted, may cause serious damage to the caster and those nearby. Damage inflicted is: (Spell Level) minus (Material Limit) times (d10) for 20 feet in diameter to the caster.

A staff created in this fashion is not the same as the "Create Staff" feat and so is imperfect in its ability to retain the charges stored within it. Each day at dawn, the staff looses a bit more of its magic and will be drained completely if not recharged by the wizard. See Arcane Energy for further details about casting spells.

Arcane Material Component: Completed Staff.

Wizard's Level		Max Stored Energy
1-3		3
4-6		6
7-9		9
10-12		12
13-15		15
16+		20

Material Value	Max Channeled Energy	Example
10g	1	Banded, eye, or moss agate; azurite; blue quartz; hematite; lapis lazuli; malachite; obsidian; rhodochrosite; tiger eye turquoise; freshwater (irregular) pearl
50g	3	Bloodstone; carnelian; chalcedony; chrysoprase; citrine; iolite, jasper; moonstone; onyx; peridot; rock crystal (clear quartz); sard; sardonyx; rose, smoky, or star rose quartz; zircon
100g	6	Amber; amethyst; chrysoberyl; coral; red or brown-green garnet; jade; jet; white, golden, pink, or silver pearl; red spinel, red-brown or deep green spinel; tourmaline
500g	9	Alexandrite; aquamarine; violet garnet; black pearl; deep blue spinel; golden yellow topaz
1,000g	12	Emerald; white, black, or fire opal; blue sapphire; fiery yellow or rich purple corundum; blue or black star sapphire; star ruby
5,000g	15	Clearest bright green emerald; blue-white, canary, pink, brown, or blue diamond; jacinth

Elements of a Wizard's Staff

2008-09-21T09:56:00.006-04:00

The Wizard's Staff is an extension of themselves. It is a reservoir of their magic and a focus for their spells. Though a wizard may opt not to carry a staff, the wizards of Kel Gizad have learned to use the staff as an instrument to enhance their magical abilities. The staff is a reflection of the wizard's skill. As they evolve within their magic, so too does the staff that they carry.

Though the staff may vary in design, each staff of a wizard of Kel Gizad shares three essential elements: the Shaft, the Crest and the Eye. The shaft is simply the body of the staff itself. Commonly the shaft is made from wood though it has been made from stone, metal or bone for the truely rare items. In fact, most Tower wizards (those of lesser means than the wealthy Court Wizards) begin their study with a length of rare wood for their staff as it's usually the only thing that they can afford. Once the wizard has been able to find a gem or semi-prescious, crystaline stone to serve as the eye of their staff, they must find some means to attach the two together. It is this attachment that is called the Crest. The crest can come in a miriad of forms - from a dragon's head to a clenched fist or even a human skull - but they each serve the purpose of anchoring the Eye to the Shaft. In more advanced staves, the crest is forged out of a precious metal (gold, silver, etc.) but this need not be the case. A staff's crest may simply be a twist or a curl in the wood of the shaft to grasp the Eye. As most Tower wizards begin their staff with a hunk of a tree found from the forest, their crest is simply a pleasing form that they've manipulated within the wood. It is for this reason that many a Tower wizard has learned the begining spell "Shape Wood".

Later in the wizard's life, as they find more rare gems, the Eye and the shaft may be replaced or the staff replaced entirely.

It should be noted that as a wizard progresses in their studies and replaces their staff, there is still a trace of magic left within the object even once they have drained it of its energy. Like a magical fingerprint, the staff will retain a bit of their essence for a time and can be used against them if found by other wizards. For this reason, many wizards destroy or conceal old staves for a time until their 'signature' has faded; usually within one to two moons from being drained. Most wizards who take apprentices will keep these empty staves around to be used by their apprentices as it would save them the expense of having to create their own from scratch.

Each material used in the shaft, the crest and the eye impart certain characteristics to the magic of the wizard using them. Wizards prize the rarest of materials in order to create a synergy of materials within their staff. This material bonus is only applied once the proper materials have been combined.

Normally this material bonus is in the form of resistance to certain types of magic, but it can also provide enhancements and unique qualities to one's spells.

Example:

Alwyn, an apprentice Tower Wizard, begins the creation of a staff by finding an oak tree in the woods near his Master's town in the province of Wyck. Checking the diameter of the tree against his own grip, he decides that there is enough of a shaft within the tree before the branches fork at the top. Since he needs to take the tree as a whole to start the process. he uses a small spade to dig the roots free and then removes the upper branches with a hand-axe. Not wishing to anger the spirits of the forest, he plants an acorn in the hole left by the trees roots before returning to his master's tower.

Alwyn's master had given him a fist-sized hunk of amber that had been smoothed into the shape of an egg to be used as his Eye and he would need to combine the two to make his staff. After cleaning the dirt from the root end, he cuts away the smaller of the wooden tendrils to leave three long segments. With some clay and wood shavings prepared for the "Shape Wood" spell, Alwyn uses his magic to shape the rooted end of the tree around the amber egg and secure the two together.

Once the Eye and the Shaft have been combined through a natural Crest, the staff is ready to be enchanted as a conduit for Alwyn's magic.

Kel Gizad Summer Enrichment

2008-09-21T09:31:00.003-04:00

Many of the wizards of Kel Gizad are left without classes or assignments for the summer months and are therefore open to finding some kind of employment.

Since many of the wizards need to earn the gold to pay for their next year's tuition, improve their own gear or purchase the rare materials to continue their own education, there's always a need for work.

Some wizards find short-term employment over the summer working for a noble house in the Kels, writing scrolls for their own Mage, copying documents or even providing some level of arcane fire-power for traveling caravans. Some other wizards decide to sign-up for the King's Army and essentially become part of an "Arcane National Guard".

During the school year (fall through spring) the wizard is in his studies at Kel Gizad. Once the term ends they report to their assigned garrison where they work as an apprentice Battle Mage. Unlike working for some noble house, this type of summer work usually involvs the creation of wands, scrolls and potions as well as other alchemical items for the support of that Garrison. Since Battle Magi, especially apprentices, aren't deployed on the front lines, they are relatively safe from harm for the three months of their commitment.

For these three months they are usually paid between 200 and 300 gold depending on the level of their skill and their years of experience. Since the price of tuition varries depending on what year of study for which one is enrolled, this is usually just enough to cover the price. As usuall, the price of books and the cost of living is an additional expense.

(ARMOR)

Apprentice Battle Magi are given forearm guards (vambraces) that convey their rank within the Arnan Army. Promotion is slow since they only serve for three months a year. These vambraces can be, and often are, worn year round as a sign of prestige. In addition to these bits of armor, the wizard is given a set of robes that denotes their membership to the army. These robes are usually not worn unless on duty as they are only a part-time soldier. Chiefly among the regalia of the battle wizard is that of the Battle Wizard's staff. Since the magi of Kel Gizad prize the use and development of one's staff as a focus and repository for their magic, the battle staff is an excellent upgrade. The price of upgrading one's staff without the assistance of the Army can be expensive.

(GEAR)

The material cost of the wood for the shaft, the quality of gem for the "eye" and what metal used for the "crest" can quickly add up. Most wizards make improvements as funds or materials become available and may take years to make any significant upgrades. Just like a soldier being given a good-quality spear as opposed to a practice-grade, the battle wizard is given such a staff during their summer enlistment; usually first-year apprentices are given their staff at the end of their first summer.

Dorrow

2008-09-18T22:25:00.008-04:00

The Dorrow: The race-creators.

The Dorrow were an ancient race of beings that created the earliest forms of life upon the world.

When the world was young, it was the Dorrow who created the Tauren races, the Lizard Kind, and a great many of magical creature.

Eventually, the Dorrow began to fade from the world - some ascending to the ranks of Gods and others becoming similar eternal beings.

It is said that the Dorrow's physical forms began to weaken as they saught ascension to the rank of gods and had to create forms for them to walk within. These forms, once abandoned to live as they wish, eventually became the Giants.

The War of Seven Stars

2008-09-18T22:23:00.003-04:00

The War of the Seven Stars, as it was dubbed by the Oracles, was a war between the Kith, the Ilithid and their soldiers, the Githzerai.

The Ilith (Ilithid), commonly known as the Mind Flayers, were able to detect a major psychic presence within the the Ether space between the worlds- the combined telepathic will of the Kith. As the Ilithid seek out other telepathic races across the "Other Space" to enslave and control, they could not permit the power of the Kith to exist unchallenged.

A primitive form of the Ilithid came the homeworld of the Kith, as pirates raiding from the Astral Plane - collecting slaves where they could and attempting to gain a foothold upon their world.

Though initially a peaceful race, the Kith reacted swiftly to having their people captured as slaves. The initial invasion was met with a swift and deadly response. Their only downfall was when their leader decided to spare one of the Ilith so that he could return to his people and warn them never to return to the Kithian world. Hoping that the display of martial superiority would sway the pirates from attacking, the Kith had no idea that their act of mercy would be the seed of their own destruction.

The Ilith returned as a swarm. Word had spread that a race had not only dared to kill their raiders but also that they were equally as powerful if not more so. Hundreds of raiding ships descended from their realm, jumping through the Astral Plane and appearing on the Kithian home world without warning. Slaves were taken and returned as soldiers for the raiders - having their minds and bodies twisted into the "Corrupted" or "Kith-yanki".

Over the years of the raids, the Kith discovered that the Ilith ravaged other, nearby worlds in their constant pursuit for slaves. They were a cancer upon the realm itself.

The raids continued without relent until the ruling council of the Kith decided that the best way to escape the constant raids was to leave their world and find a new home somewhere on the other side of the Astral Realm. Seven of the massive, Kithian city-ships would leave their world and rescue as many creatures at the mercy of the Ilith as they could before escaping into the unknown reaches of the space between realms.

After rescuing the remains of the Halfling civilization on a nearby world, the Kith did what they could before they left the realm.

The Kith lost all but seven of their massive, city-ships in the great war, narrowly escaping ambush after ambush. The destruction of the seventh star, a city ship named "Kel Rasha", was used to conceal the escape of the remaining six.

The war ended with only 1/100 of the Kith surviving. The Kith did not defeat the Ithilid Empire but merely used their own telepathic powers to convince them that they had all been destoyed in the blast that consumed the ship.

The remaining ships broke into the world of Arn and settled around the Sentinel Sea creating the Kingdom of the Kels. Of the six remaining ships, Kel Gizad, Gorad, Arn, Nord and Shaleen all landed together as part of the surviving fleet. Kel Tresherak, the Destroyer, broke through the barrier separating this world from the Astral realm on the far western continent.

Having no knowledge that the Destroyer survived the journey, the remaining five ships were the foundation of the new, Kithian race.

Norbril

2008-06-16T09:40:00.005-04:00

Norbril

The Norbil, sometimes called “Packlings” by humans are one half of the Halfling race, the other being the Tenebril.

The Norbril originally settled around the Sentinel Sea, after having arrived to this world with the Kith. Though some halflings ventured out into the unexplored and unclaimed regions of the East, many settled in the human cities of the Kels.

For many centuries, the Norbil lived along side the humans as allies, but as the humans of the kels ventured to the eastern shores of the Sentinel Sea, the Norbril became second-class citizens and eventually looked at as slaves. As the Kels forbade the practice of slavery, this caused huge political and social ripples within the emerging Human race. Many Norbil who fled the oppression of the Barons decided not to dwell in human society any longer and became nomadic traders.

GOVERNMENT:

Norbil society, as is all Halfling society, is Matriarchical in organization - where women lead the family bands and caravans.

Lady of Frost

2008-05-27T11:32:00.003-04:00

Also known as:
The Winter Widow
The Lady of Frost
The Snow Queen

A figure of mythology similar to Father Christmas, she is remembered at the Mid-Winter feast.

She rides through the countryside on her sleigh pulled by two white stags: IceHoof and Frostmane.

Unlike Jadis of Narnia, the Lady of Frost, is kind and benevolent and married to the Harvest Lord.

She is the force of good and plenty in the middle of winter, when the Wither's power is strongest. It is for only one night a year that she leaves her icy castle and in one night travels to the many houses of her subjects and bestows upon them gifts.

A common symbol made to encourage the Snow Queen to visit a house is to create a snow-guard (snowman) complete with spear, shield and helmet.

Concept Art: Barons

2008-05-27T11:17:00.004-04:00

A simple picture of a ruined port. The big three-mast ship and the image suggests something along the coast or maybe in the Sentinel Sea.
Impressive castle in the Barons.

The Barons.

Barons. Definately. The sword, the hair, the look, the earring. Whole package. Barons.

begger

2008-03-25T09:52:00.001-04:00

begger,
originally uploaded by Ester Benbrook.

I hate to say it, but this woman reminds me of the Wither.

-Me

Barrel Wagon Photos

2008-03-24T09:58:00.005-04:00

Thanks to the movie Stardust, I was able to get some photos that more clearly show what I had in mind for a Barrel Wagon.

The wagon in this case has been painted a bright, if a little mustard, yellow with small red accents. Painting the wagon would make sense to prevent the wood from being damaged by the element. The Gypsy Clans who travel as a band of performers, would definitely use bright colors to attract the attention of local villagers. Adventurers may use a slightly more muted color scheme to blend in to the surroundings a bit more; no need to advertise that they're off to slay the evil monster.

The size of this wagon is about right in that one person could easily sleep inside it of it, but the amount of gear that it can carry would allow it to serve as a perfect base camp for any small to medium adventure. This would, however, mean that the party would only be able to move as fast as the wagon, but how many people are actually in a hurry to go risk their lives in some far-off tomb?

Oh, and as for the one driving this wagon - I think that she'd make for a perfect traveling witch.

Another picture of a barrel wagon, this one in a caravan of Norbil gypsies.

Treshians

2008-01-19T15:01:00.001-05:00

The Treshians
The typical human soldier in the Treshian military is an imposing figure to see. Standing on average of over six feet and often weighing more than two hundred and thirty pounds of hardened muscle. Taken from his mother’s side at the young age of seven the young boys are thrown into a lifetime of combat and death. To the Treshians, the first womb gives you life. The Empire is the second womb giving you purpose. The third and last womb is the womb of flame. Flames that consume you and as many foes as possible at the moment of death. To be reborn in the grand armies of their god Malvoch. It is this kind of thinking that breeds the terrible fighting machines needed to preserve their way of life against the unending legions of the goblinoid nations.
Constantly plagued by goblinoid invasions every year has allowed such a super violent and combat oriented culture to thrive for several hundred years. During this time the nation of Tresherak has found few allies other than the dwarven kingdoms. So close is their alliance that to an outsider, there is no separation. Much of the armor, weapons and other metal items are crafted by the dwarves. As well as the major stonework of buildings and important structures. In return most of the more detail oriented works are done by the slimmer human hands. It is very common for a dwarven master smith to craft a metal item, say a breast plate, and then a human master smith add the final details and artwork. Though items can be all human made or all dwarven as well.
The image presented here is of an average human Treshian captain.

Dragon Isles

2008-01-19T13:49:00.001-05:00

The dragon isles are home to most of Arns young dragons. It is a landscape of extremes. From the frozen mountain peaks to sweltering savanna plateaus. Deep caves to pristine meadows. The land itself is the perfect breeding grounds for the dragons. It is also the home of terrible conflict. As one could expect not all of the dragons abide each other’s presence. This is also the battlefield the greatest of the dragons fight on to chose their new high kings. Here the colossal Red wyrm dragons rage their battles against their noble and mighty foes the Silver dragons. Though any dragon can win the title of High King. The mantle almost always falls to the greatest of the gold Dragons. Their benevolent spirit and unmatched power have kept the east from the terrible and hungry eyes of the chromatics for over three thousand years.
The coastal shores have a few ancient ruins that the adventurous, or the foolish, can explore to find relics of times long lost. Few have had the inclination, or the protection necessary to, fully explore these ruins. But rumor has it that great treasures of the animalistic races might still reside inside some of the deeper catacombs. And of course anywhere that dragons make their home the exceptional thief could make his fortunes with a bit of well pilfered dragon hoard.
The red dots indicate the locations of active volcanic activity. And the gold marks the known locations of ruins. Much of the isles remain mostly uncharted and the scholars of Kel Gizad would pay a worthy price for just a detailed map of the isles, let alone any relics one could bring back.

Kel Gizad: Great Library

2008-01-05T22:38:00.001-05:00

The Great Library of Kel Gizad is the greatest repository of information in the lands of Man. It is said that it even rivals the library of the Magi of the Crysanari.

The Great Library is the seat of the worship of the goddess Henna amongst the Humans. It is the central temple from which all other temples are lead. Books and scrolls are repaired, copied, translated as a function of the library, and those wishing to research (and who are in good standing with the Gizrith - the Council of Magi), are permitted to browse the books on display for common use.

Goddess: Henna

2008-01-05T21:59:00.001-05:00

Henna

Henna is known as “The Pilgrim” or “The Scribe”. She is the greater goddess of writing, travel and magic.

Often represented by the triangular tool often used by scribes, the tridico, Henna sits upon the true neutral throne of the Gizadori court.

She often attracts scholars, scribes and magi to promote her educational goals.

Domains: Knowledge, Magic, Travel and Writing.

Symbol: The symbol of Henna is a triduco within a circle.

Associations: Azuria (Mother), Gormund (father), Arissa (Step-sister), Eimon (Step-Brother), Owls (favored animal), Libraries, Books, and Roads.

Origin: As a child in the forges of her father, Gormund, Henna watched as the sparks from his hammer-blows illuminated the walls of their mountain home. She marveled at how the sparks from the forging of the sun and moons would burn for days upon the floor, clinging to life. Her father had instructed her to sit in a corner of the forge so that he could be sure that she was safe but would be far enough out of the way so that she would not be under-foot. As the sparks fell to the sandy floor of the forge, she saw that they were falling in unique patterns and shapes in which she saw the faces of animals, the branches of trees and the great beasts that were being breathed into life by the divine hosts. She began to draw in the sand, connecting the ever-burning sparks of light into these shapes only to weep as the sands would finally steal their light and her creation would fall cold.

Bored and somewhat curious about what lie beyond their mountain, she gathered the sparks which burned brightest upon the forge floor and snuck off into the black of night. She would find somewhere else to paint with her sparks; somewhere they would not fade. Henna, a child of Gormund the Smith and Azuria the Stone Queen, was gifted with an intellect as bright as the sparks she carried in the folds of her cloak. And she knew that other than the moons in the heavens and the sun in the sky, the cloak of night was empty. There was nothing there to snuff the light out from the forge-sparks.

The brightest of the sparks she had ‘rescued’ from her father’s forge – remnants of the forging of the sun, she hung in the night’s sky so that she could find her way back to their home. With a handful of stars, she painted the sky above her in shapes and marks that she had previously drawn in the sands of the forge’s floor. Each night she crept from their home and painted the skies with the rescued sparks, ever-curious to discover what her father had created in this world. On the ninth night of her sky-painting, she had wandered too far from home and her father, Gormund, discovered she was missing.

The Smith was fearful that she had been taken by a some savage beast new to the world and hungry. Lighting a lantern from his forge, he fetched his hammer and stalked out into the mountains to seek his daughter. The Stone Queen, Henna’s mother, sent the elementals of her realm to seek her out while her father called into the night.

At the peak of a great mountain, greater than the peek in which he and his daughter had made their home, he saw a bright-blue light which guessed to be the radiance of his lover, Azuria the Stone Queen. Striding up the mountain in god-like steps, he reached its summit only to find his daughter arranging a huge sapphire into the night’s sky. The gem, made brighter with a gift of her sparks, hung atop a crook-like constellation of sparks like a crown. The Crook, as she called the painting, was a depiction of their family with the great blue gem to represent her mother, Azuria and the soft yellow light to mimic the lantern carried by her father, Gormund, to the far left of the crook.

Too pleased with his daughter’s creation to be truly upset with her, the Smtih gave her the entire night’s sky to paint with her sparks and name each figure upon it. From that point on, the sky was painted with Henna’s handful of stars. Each mark was unique to her own imagination and told a story or displayed an image of what she saw. The arrangement and design of each constellation was given a name by her – Henna, the Name Giver.

Philosophy: The Temple of Henna is an organization of Learning and Teaching. Hennites, followers and worshipers of Henna, have taken it upon themselves to be the record-keepers of this world. Births and deaths, marriages and wills, are just the beginning of their work. Hennites also write about their own personal experiences and travels so that the Knowledge Gained by One is Shared by All.

The Temple of Henna takes it upon themselves to educate those around them, small schools are opened for those who wish to learn with donations accepted but none turned away for their poverty. Working in cooperation with the Church of the Shield Mother, many orphans raised by ‘the Mother’ are taught by the followers of Henna.

Henna, goddess of Writing and Lore, encourages her followers to take a pilgrimage and travel throughout the land and explore the unknown mysteries before them. Pilgrim’s, as those who undertake such quests are known, will commonly travel from temple to temple or from tower to tower in their quests for enlightenment.

Worshipers: Henna, goddess of Writing and Lore, encourages her followers to take a pilgrimage and travel throughout the land and explore the unknown mysteries before them. Pilgrims, as those who undertake such quests are known, will commonly travel from temple to temple or from tower to tower in their quests for enlightenment.

Hennites are expert map-makers. Pilgrims, while on their travels are encouraged to take exacting measurements of their journey – recording distances between temples and surrounding natural features and available roads. A Pilgrim will commonly copy any available maps of the area where they plan to explore into their journals.

A Pilgrim’s Journal is a complete record of their travels. It is a veritable roadmap of their quest for self-enlightenment with maps of the lands they’ve explored, stories heard in local taverns about local history, village records and deeds. Routinely a Pilgrim will visit Hennite Temples while on their quest and allow their journals to be copied in exchange for a few days rest and access to the Temple’s own library. In this fashion, information held by one temple is passed on to others through the travel of Pilgrims.

Pilgrims will often mark the road with stone monuments that mark the distance to the next temple or town. Sometimes it's a carved stone slab, an arrangement of stones or even a mark carved into a tree. This mark is called the Pilgrim's Glyph. Next to the Triduco, the Pilgrim's Glyph is the most widely-known symbol associated with the worship of Henna. So much so that it is often embroidered into the cuffs of the robes of wizards, stamped upon journals and the like.

Ceremonies:

The Oath of Obedience: This ceremony is held each time a follower of Henna commits themselves to her worship. By virtue of this ceremony, the follower is pledging themself to fulfilling the wishes of Henna to this world. The candidate writes their vows to Henna in a letter which is then added to the Record of the Chapter as a ‘contract’ between the Temple and the candidate. From this point on, they have sword to obey their superiors in all things.

The Pilgrimage: The Pilgrimage is a ceremony that may last for any length of time but can not be any shorter than one full year. All Hennite clerics are required to perform this ceremonial quest at least once in their lives but some, the Har-Ryn, continue to repeat this ceremony with great occasion. The distance to be traveled and the purpose for the Pilgrimage is normally up to the worshipper but must be approved by the Prior of the Chapter.

Organization: The center of Hennite worship in Northern Arland, referred to as the Great Library, is located in the city of Wizards, Kel Gizad. The Great Library is large enough and kept so perfectly that it rivals the libraries of the Academy of Magic also located within the city. From this temple all of Hennite worship is coordinated and directed by the Council of Scribes; the administrative leaders of the Temple of Henna.

Centers of Worship: Hennite Towers are the principle sites of worship for her human followers followers.

Clergy: The Clergy of Henna are divided amongst three Orders. Though each operate collectively within the Houses of Worship, they denote one’s path to enlightenment and service within the Temple of Henna. The Temple is divided into the Order of Kel-Ryn (Scribes), the Order of Har-Ryn (Pilgrims) and the Order of Tor-Ryn (Templars).

Her favored weapon is that of a shepherd’s crook and many of her followers, called Pilgrims, favor simple colors of natural, walnut brown for their robes.

Goddess: Amara

2008-01-05T21:26:00.000-05:00

Amara

(Ah-MAR-ah)
The Shield Mother (Dwarven),
Lady in the Lake (Human),
Blue Woman (Halfling)

The Elder Goddess of Healing and Protection

Symbol: Amara’s symbol is a blue pentagonal spiral.

Appearance: Amara normally appears to her followers and worshipers as a middle-aged woman with coal-black hair with a faint streak of grey here and there. Not exactly 'elderly', she has the faint signs of age here and there in her face.

Associations: Arn (Husband), Shil’Allure (Daughter), Verenia (Daughter), Lesha (Daughter), Nashale (Daughter), Azuli flowers, Hearth and Home,

Origin: After Amara was cursed by Maladon when he forced her to give him a child, her womb was barren and she could no longer mother any children. After this point, she began to look after the orphans of the world.

Philosophy: Amara is the great mother to the world. She is the center of hearth and home and a bastion of protection within a harsh world.

Portfolio: Amara watches over all fresh water. Springs, Lakes, Rivers and the like. As water is the source of life, she is the source of the healing waters.

Worshippers: As Amara bore only daughters, her worshipers tend to be women. In the recorded history of her faith, no man has ever been blessed with her divine favor as a cleric.

(What do the classes think of her?)

Barbarian

Druid

Fighter

Gypsy

Monk

Ranger

Rogue

Sorcerer

Witch

Wizard

Ceremonies: Many of the ceremonies of Amara involve the creation of sacred spaces, generally within the home. As she is worshiped and the homes of her followers blessed by her presence, her people grow stronger and the family flourishes.

The highest holy day for followers of Amara is the Apple Moon Festival in the first moon of Autumn.

Organization: Unlike her husband, Arn, the worshippers of Amara do not organize themselves into a church of complexity. Where the Church of Arn centralized within the city of Kel Arn, Amara’s followers have gathered in small groups out amongst the people in the rural areas.

Each Amarite is trained from her early teen years to serve the Mother goddess. She is initiated into the service of Amara only when she has completed an extensive training in hearth medicine (healing) and other skills to help protect her people.

Within the Church of Amara, rank is a reflection of one’s responsibility and vice versa. No one Amarite is above another within their worship though the wisdom of the elder sisters is always respected. As an Amarite raises in rank it is assumed that the sphere of responsibility also increases. Most adventuring Amarites are at least Sisters and rarely of any higher rank than Mother.

Rank Title

Novice Daughter

Priestess Sister

Bishop Mother

Arch-Bishop Reverend Mother

Cardinal Holy Mother

Centers of Worship: Mother Houses, where women are trained in the worship of Amara, appear within many regions settled by the Kingdoms of Men. These are not great towers of marble but rather simple houses of thatch and stone like every other village home throughout the countryside. Mother Houses, sometimes called Blue Houses, are built as a series of structures, each linked to the other by a connecting stonewall to create a defensive perimeter should the house be attacked. This pentagonal construction links several structure in the iconic symbol of her faith, the pentagon.

Clergy: As Amara bore only daughters, her worshipers tend to be women. In the recorded history of her faith, no man has ever been called to her service as a cleric.

Snow Queen

2007-12-21T01:06:00.001-05:00

‘Twas the Feast of Old Winter, and all through the Vale,

All the families were gathered, for a mid-winter’s tale.

The hearths were all covered with boughs of pine green,

And bright silver bells to praise the Snow Queen.

… both kith and kine.

With bellies of sweet bread and snow-berry wine.

Once again they gathered as in times of old,

To drive away the dark, the hunger and the cold.

The Winter-men stand guarding the corners four,

Honoring their pledge ‘tween Wither and door.

By darkest hour does the tale spinner weave

The journey of Lady Frost on Winter-Fest ‘eve.

With IceHoof and Frostmane to carry her on,

The frosty-white chargers … ‘till dawn.

Bedecked and bejeweled in her snowy-white gown

… adorned with her crown.

(Background)

The Harvest Lord is married to the Lady of Frost. Back in the age of Myth, the Harvest Lord would invite his people to his Hall for a big celebration on the longest night of the year. During the celebration, the Lady of Frost sent her guards to watch over the homes of their people fearful that the Wither would steal their food. As many of the women wanted to be in the Hall with their husbands, she had to conjure many guardians from the snow itself. To show her appreciation for her guardian’s loyalty, she left their Hall and visited each one on the Lonely Night. To each, she gave a gift to hold them through until the end of winter.

Leaving gifts outside is not practical unless you have some way to guarantee that they won’t be ruined or stolen. This is a land where they have ‘real’ winter.

UPDATE, 5/27/08
The concept of Lady of Frost is similar to that of the White Witch of Narnia but instead of a villan, she is more of a 'Father Christmas' figure.

She rides through the the forest under the full of the moon on her sleigh that's drawn by the two white stags, IceHoof and Frostmane.

Great Green Sea Fauna / Flora

2007-12-16T03:56:00.001-05:00

The Great Green sea is not an empty mire of tall grass and bamboo. Huge, moss-covered creatures called "Marsh-Lords" march through the swamps like giant elephants. With their massive forms stomping here and there, they hunt the large insects and mushrooms for their food.

Often found in herds of mated pairs, the Marsh-Lords can only be identified as male or female by the shades of green shell on their back; darker for males and lighter for females.

By weaving together the grasses and such for their nests, the females reproduce by spawning buds on her back that will detach and become their young. The young Marsh-Lords will rarely stray from the nest or from their mother; sometimes attaching themselves to her back while migrating.

The concept of the methane trees of the Great Green Sea has been discussed on here before. Though technically not truly a tree, the gas-filled sacks fill the branches of the tree-like mushroom.

These sacks can also cause a huge explosion should a spark ignite the methane.

The fungal growths reach a height of several dozen feet depending upon how long they have been able to mature.

The sacks of methane gas can be cut from the 'branches' and used for a number of things but the danger of collecting the gas and the risks of transporting the sacks normally prevents wide-scale consumption.

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Some of the earliest known temples to the goddess Nashale are found within the swamps of the Great Green Sea. Shown here is one of the Naga-built temples of Nashale. Notice the half-woman, half-snake form and the four arms. The hooked-wheel around the statue is a common theme to the worship of Nashale - a weapon often used by her priests.

Nashalean temples were often built by slave labor so the styles vary from place to place.

The 'Spike-Shells' of the Great Green Sea are normally only found around the southern coast, preferring the sandy beaches than the marshes. The powerful snapping jaw of the spike-shells are almost indestructible, preventing predators from biting or chewing through them. Some of the Lizard-Folk use the shells of the young as shields.

The meat of the turtle is rich and sweet, often prized by the pirates that sail the southern waters of the Blood-Fin bay.

Umber-stalk mushrooms are a common find within the Great Green Sea. This species of fungus is easily identified by the mottled purple skin and the eerie glow from the spore dust under the rim.

Gyspies and Witches

2007-12-10T00:17:00.000-05:00

The Gypsies of Arn are the storytellers and mobile mystics that tie the world together with their caravans.

Part circus, part band of thieves, a Gypsy caravan is sometimes a welcomed sight for a small town and sometimes it's the worst thing to ever happen to them.

With a mix of Barrel Wagons and carts, they move from region to region to buy and sell their wares, learn of the world and sing their songs.

When discussing the concept of the gypsy we need to address the question of their constant mobility. Why do gypsies refuse to settle? Why do they continually pick up and move from place to place when they could easily find some frontier lands and settle?

The issue goes back to the connection between the Gypsy families and the Witch Clans. During the first Witch War, the witches were hunted by the wizards for dominance of the world of the arcane (there were many other reasons, but that's one of the simplest ways of describing the conflict).

Witch Clans were commonly found within a given region in the lands of Arn. They were like many other families, settling in a few valleys as the local healer and expert on supernatural or arcane matters. In this time, wizards were few and mostly found within the cities. Witches settled exclusively within the more rural areas. As the Witch War started, wizards and their soldiers left the cities and would hunt down the witches for their 'perversion' of arcane power. As their connection to the Arcane Source was different from the Wizards it gave them abilities not easily understood by their urban cousins. When the Wizards and their guards came to a settlement looking for Witches, commoners soon discovered that if they wished to keep their lives, their homes and their families - they had to betray the witches who had protected them for generations.

One by one, the Witches were picked out of the hills and burned to prevent their perversion of arcane magic. Those who were not burned managed to escape onto the spice roads that were well-traveled by the Gypsy families. As the Gypsies knew roads and routes that even the Wizards were unfamiliar with, the Witches who were able to become adopted by them were safe. Originally traders of spices and other commodities from region to region, the Gypsies earned their curse when the leaders of the Seven Families gathered together and decided to hand over the witches within their caravans to the wizards in exchange for a land of their home.

Five of the Seven families agreed to hand over their witches for the bounty. Those who had been with them were put in chains and reduced to nothing but ash and screams. The remaining two families who refused to attend the conclave witnessed the betrayal of their cousins and took their adopted daughters (for at the time, only women were blessed with the powers of a witch) into the most remote of lands. Before they left, however, the remaining witches affixed a curse on every gypsy within the valley they were camping in and every descendant of their lines. None of them could remain in the same place for longer than three nights. As they betrayed the witches for land, they would sacrifice their land for eternity.

Four of the families discovered the curse and fled in fear of the witch's wrath. One family remained in the valley and refused to leave. They did not believe that the remaining witches had enough power to curse them all. By the fourth morning, the other families had moved on and were safe. That night, the fifth family suffered the 'Curse of the Land'. The grass would be as razors to them, cutting through their boots and their horse's hooves. No wood would burn for them and as the night continued, each of the cursed family became rooted to the spot; their own toes sinking into the ground like a willow.

Once the dawn came, the valley was filled with trees twisted with pain and fear; trees of no seed. The fifth family was condemned to be rooted to the spot as trees.

The remaining four families searched the world for a counter-curse or some magic to lift the curse of the witches but none could be found. This partially explains why the Gypsies are so well-versed in supernatural lore; for at least three generations they searched under every rock for a cure. When nothing of the earth could be found to break the curse, they turned to a cure from the gods. None of the gods would hear their prayers; none except one. Lesha, the Wither, promised the Gypsies that they could stop traveling from Snow-Fall to Snow-Burn. For so long as the lands were caught in the frozen grip of death, she would protect them from the Witches' curse. It is for this reason, the Gypsy caravans will return to remote areas in the world to winter. Each winter, the Gypsy families must renew their bargain with Lesha to receive her protection.

The remaining two families, those who were not cursed, had no need to seek such protection or to continue to move about. Rumor has it that these families settled the city of Bell Common and earned the protection of the Shil' Alure, the queen of Masks.

Hallows End

2007-10-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

A Holiday in Autumn, in the month of Brindle. It's actually towards the end of the month and is generally considered to be the large, harvest festival.

Hallows End is characterized by sweet breads and various meaty stews of corn and taters depending on the region.

Borrowing from Halloween, they also have some tradition similar to Trick or Treat in that young children are encouraged to dress up in costumes for the Harvest festival.

Hallows End is also the name of a large village in the southern hills of Wyck in the provinces.

Black Oak Abby

2007-09-17T10:45:00.001-04:00

The Black Oak Abby is a scenario that can be run in basically any woodland area.

The basic premise is that there was once an abby on a hill a few miles outside of a small town or village. The abby was home to a small group of clerics who had gathered there to spend their lives in quiet contemplation of their God's wisdom.

At some point, the clerics from the abby stopped coming to the village to pick up supplies, check on the sick and provide aid when needed.

The party is asked to investigate the abby by the villagers though they can't pay much more than food and a few night's rest.

The abby is supposed to be little more than a simple stone building under a large, black oak tree.

What the party finds is that the oak tree has become even larger but corrupted and has grown through the building. The only thing that remains is the trap door to their cellar outside.

The stone altar in the clearing to the west of the ruined building could have originally been for anything but now it's covered in bloody entrails and bones.

The lower level of the abby, where the clerics were once buried, has been converted into a dark place to worship an evil god.

The party could find the remaining clerics chained to the wall and a necromancer working in the last chamber, etc.

Barell Bottom

2007-09-17T10:42:00.001-04:00

Barrel Bottom is the 'port town' that links to the Wards ring.

Kel Gizad: Maps

2007-09-17T10:25:00.001-04:00

The basic outline of Kel Gizad is that of circles.

The first circle is that of the Grand Bizarre. Everything and anything that can be sold is probably sold here at the market in one of the many neighborhoods of the circular area.

The Quill Ward handles everything to do with writing.

The Iron ward handles cast-iron products like cauldrons and kettles.

The silver ward is often flocked with women wanting to buy the latest in Dwarven or Elven Jewelry.

The Claw ward handles the trade of exotic animals.

The spices ward will have everything from Satyr Leaf tea to powdered bat guano.

The candle ward is self-explanitory

The garment houses of the cloth ward have all the finest fashions for magi young and old alike.

The Temple Ring is the second area that can be accessed after the Merchant ring. It is in this area that you find the gardens of Henna and her large, circular temple.

The lands of Scorch

2007-09-17T10:07:00.000-04:00

The lands of Scorch border the South Kells and are the home of the Hobgoblin / Goblin invasion.

The Scorched lands were once green and good but with the coming of the Goblin armies from the Eastern island of Haga Rhu, almost everything has been burnt and blackened.

There is a very wide river that separates the good and the bad lands and the mountains of the south kells create a wall to hold back the raids.

Scortch was called something else (no idea what) but after several battles and such, it was simply "the scorched land" and that was reduced to "Scorch".

There is only one pass through the mountains that protect the South Kells and it leads right to the city of Kel Arn. It is very much like the pass at Themopoli and the Goblins are somewhat like the Persians.

Captain's Journal - Meeting the Orcs

2007-09-08T02:07:00.000-04:00

From Contributor: Heath

The Duke had asked me to be his liaison with a clan of orcs that had recently been raiding his border to the north. I had asked if it would be both wiser and safer to eliminate them, but he explained to me that this tribe was different. He said no more on the issue, except I may be one of the first to experience the evolution of a species, an change that disturbed him deeply. This did not sit well in my heart, but he is my lord, and his will is my direction.

I took a squire to help with my supplies, and to watch my back. His name was Amar, son of Shiel. Amar was about twenty years in age at the time, tall and lean, and a capable shieldman. I recruited him, because he knew when to keep his mouth shut, the first requirement of a diplomat.

We crossed the tracks of an orc hunting party half a day from the Duke’s border. The hills were rocky, and the mountains loomed nearby, but orcs are not a subtle folk, so tracking them was not difficult. I felt it would be safer to follow them, and observe them before making an attempt at contact, so Amar kept the horses a safe distance away, and I walked ahead.

An hour after we found the orc trail, we hear drums echoing off the rocks and boulders of the jagged hills. It was calm, communicating, which worried me. I was confident that it wasn’t a warning, as it was not frantic, and orcs tend to react quickly and harshly, and my squire and I were still alive at the end of the second hour. The drums never stopped.

I reached the top of one stony rise and peered cautiously over the lip. I spied a small camp fire with three burly orcs squatting around it. They were being raucous and loud, apparently unaware that they were being followed. I turned back to let Amar know to keep his distance, but to my horror, I saw he already was aware the orcs were nearby. They were much closer than even I knew. Amar was wide eyed with fear between two orcs holding spears.

A blur of motion caught my eye, though I heard only the rustle of wind upon spars grass. I turned in time to see leather armor and green skin, before a meaty hand slapped me across my face and knocked me to the ground. My arms were jerked back and cinched painfully together with a leather thong. The orc that had caught me threw me over his shoulder like I was a boy. Then, he waked down to the fire. I noticed then that the drumming had stopped, although it had been replaced with a pounding inside my skull.

*******

“Others?”

The large orc’s voice was deep, with an even deeper accent, but I understood what he meant by the one word. The world had stopped spinning, and I could see Amar was unharmed, though bound as I was. There were six orcs guarding us, though I suspected there were others in the hills keeping watch. The stealth they employed bothered me to no end. These were brutish, savage people. It was not in their nature to set a trap like this one. And then I realized they were not fighting among themselves for the loot. The fact that I was still alive, being questioned rather than tortured, came as even more of a shock.

“No,” I said. “Only my squire and I. We come as envoys from the Duke of Burningham.”

“Huh?” asked the large orc.

“He is speaker for his chieftain,” said a smaller orc.

“uh,” grunted the large orc. Apparently, they still chose leaders by physical power, though that was not really comforting, considering the evident discipline. Usually, the stronger ones just bullied weaker orcs into following orders, but I saw no evidence of that.

“He yours?” asked the large orc, pointing towards Amar.

“Yes,” I said. They took me down fairly harshly, but they seemed to be treating my property very well. I suspected that if they thought Amar was my property, he might be treated better than myself. This comforted me as he was my responsibility, after all.

“You want talk to Dark One,” said the large orc. I wasn’t sure if it was a question or not.

“If he is your chieftain, then yes,” I said.

The large orc hollered to one of the smaller orcs who carried a large drum. The large orc told the smaller one to start drumming, but I was not sure what the message was. The little orc sat down and pounded out a message, quickly and efficiently, then waited, as if in a trance, for the reply. Eventually, we heard drums, the drummer interpreted for the large orc, and it was confirmed. The ‘Dark One’ was coming.

Hennite Temples

2007-08-31T19:34:00.001-04:00

Concept photos for the Hennite Temples (libraries).

Hennite temples are usually a circular stone structure of at least three floors with narrow windows on the exterior to minimize threat of attack.
The center of the structure is hollow to allow for the flow of sunlight and air into the temple. Clay tile roofs minimize the danger of fire.

Each level of the temple has a wide enough walk to allow priests and guests to access the various chambers.
Each Hennite temple begins with a wooden frame set on a stone skeleton. The stone provides support for the 'ribs' that radiate out to connect the pie-wedges in the structure.

A Hennite temple is often surrounded by farms and some smaller structures to house servants, livestock and the like.

Roofs allow the rain runoff to be controlled and diverted to aquaducts to flush out drains and the like.

Hennite temples are always kept tidy and as clean as possible. Ignore what you see in this photo.

Maltharian Home

2007-08-31T19:29:00.001-04:00

This is a simple Maltharian home found within most towns, cities and some large villages. The central courtyard is a constant theme within their architecture even during the occupation by the forces of the West Marches.

As the Maltharians relied heavily on underground construction to build their bunkers and food cache's, they were well-skilled in stonework by the end of the revolution. This allowed them to use Dwarf Stone (brick) throughout much of the reconstruction of their society. Brick walls and clay-tile roofs minimize the danger of fire spreading from one structure to another. A foundation 'pad' of fitted stone also allows for the concealment of drainage trenches to remove waste water and sewage from the home to central sewers that run under the main streets.

Encyclopedia: Beverages

2007-08-28T17:23:00.001-04:00

Frith
[Elven]
Frith is deceptively potent wine distilled from amber fruit by the elves but has a sweet and almost honeyed flavor. The distillation process is a closely guarded secret by the elves and is only available through trade with the Crysanari.

Frazha
[Elven]
A form of burgundy wine distilled from frith. Frazha has a clear honey color that smells of fruit and flowers. The taste is strong but not overly with a hint of the flavors of apple and pear.This second distillation is deceptively potent and is known to even effect the fortitude of a Dwarf. Frazha is only available through trade with Crysanar.

Snow Berry Wine

Snowberry is similar to a champagne grape, small and greenish white in color. They are found in the winter months and grow in small shrubs that usually inhabit pine thickets. Sweet and dry to the taste, they are full of sugar and often a source of energy when one is traveling.

Snow-Berry wine is a favorite beverage in the West Marches and in the Provinces.

Frith

2007-08-28T17:13:00.001-04:00

Frith
[Elven]
Frith is deceptively potent wine distilled from amber fruit by the elves but has a sweet and almost honeyed flavor. The distillation process is a closely guarded secret by the elves and is only available through trade with the Crysanari.

Frazha

2007-08-28T17:12:00.000-04:00

Frazha
[Elven]
A form of burgundy wine distilled from frith. Frazha has a clear honey color that smells of fruit and flowers. The taste is strong but not overly with a hint of the flavors of apple and pear.This second distillation is deceptively potent and is known to even effect the fortitude of a Dwarf. Frazha is only available through trade with Crysanar.

Frostmourn

2007-08-28T17:09:00.001-04:00

Frostmourn
A holiday in the later days of Dun; it is celebrated to commemorate the first frosted mornings that herald the coming of winter.

Wessle

2007-08-28T17:02:00.001-04:00

Wessle
A celebration beginning on the waxing crescent moon of Wess. It is marked by the giving of gifts to family and friends on each of the three nights of the crescent moon. The holiday is also marked by the baking of crescent-shaped sweet breads.

Snowburn

2007-08-28T17:01:00.001-04:00

Snowburn

Snow burn is a holiday found in the month of Malen and is held to commemorate the end of winter. When the sun finally begins to melt the snow, a festival is held to celebrate the defeat of the “Wither”. Food and drink is spread with warmth and cheer from house to house in village and town alike.The holiday is very commonly observed by followers of Arn where they burn white and yellow candles to represent the return of their god to the sky.

Encyclopedia: Months, Seasons and Holidays

2007-08-28T16:43:00.001-04:00

Spring:
Auren
Veren
Marn (the Moon of Weddings)

Spring Birth Those born in spring are considered wild and impulsive; living for the moment and throwing themselves into parties and pleasurable company without care for the next morning.

Summer:
Azure
Roan
Erde

Summer Born
Those born in summer are less impulsive than the Spring births and not as orderly as the Fall births. They are generally considered the perfect “parental” personality having a mixture of both the vigor of youth and the pragmatism of maturity.

Autumn:
Stim (Apple Moon)
- Apple Moon Festival
Brindle (Harvest Moon)
- Hallows End
Dun (Frost Moon)
- Frostmourn

Fall Birth
Those born in the fall are considered orderly and reserved. They are constantly planning for the future and rarely settling on the moment. Not prone to wild displays of emotion, they are considered somewhat aloof and harsh.

Winter:
Wess
- Wessle
Bissen
Malen
- Snowburn

Winter Born
Those born in the winter are considered to be mean-spirited and greedy; constantly needing more and more attention from those around them, demanding perpetual care and gratification from others.

Encyclopedia: Weapons

2007-08-26T00:47:00.000-04:00