Against the Court of Urdor – Part 6

The Return to Prince Berethil’s Barrow and the Journey to Taaliraan

Our protagonists – Einar Quicksilver, the Green Elf rogue of Koronande, and Kiren Hammerstone, the Dwarf animist from the Halls of Pale Steel – have accomplished many things in the past month:

• The two adventurers were magically coerced by the vile Tantûraki necromancer Zepheus to raid the Barrow of the Elf Prince Berethil – only to escape with the help of Berethil’s ghost. The ghost asked the duo to return the crown of Queen Blàithnaid – which the prince had stolen from his older sister a thousand years ago – to her in the northern Cursed Lands. They agree and take the crown made of entwined white branches with them. (Part 1.)

• Einar and Kiren encountered the Company of the Morning Star, travelled to Korlax’s Haven, and helped the bard Blarth recover his harp from some fiendish redcaps – but at the cost of poor Blarth’s life. In the process, the two adventurers liberated the half-orc Krumm and the pixie Neriss. (Part 2.)

• The duo travelled through the Cursed Lands with Neriss, eventually arriving at the town of Dawnfell. There Neriss was taken hostage by the town’s leader, Brynjar, who demanded that Einar and Kiren recover the town’s protective artifact, the Dawnchime. The adventurers then went to the elvish village Crystal Glade, where Einar met his cousin Nuriel, the village’s leader. An important artifact of the village, the Dragon’s Eye, had recently been taken by raiding trolls. From a prisoner, the group learns that the trolls are working with a band of human brigands, the “Dread Wolves,” all under the guidance of the vile Zepheus. (Part 3.)

• With the help of the Wyrdwood guardian Aleisa and an intelligent macaw Quiss, the adventurers recovered the Dawnchime from some trolls holed up in a ruined Tantûraki temple. Returning the Dawnchime to Brynjar, the party then helped the elves of Crystal Glade and the men of Dawnfell capture the “Dread Wolves” and recover the Dragon’s Eye. At the urging of the gnome “Grizzy,” Neriss then decided to return to her Faerie Mound. Kiren acquired a falcon companion named Miranda. Having successfully reconciled the Crystal Glade and Dawnfell, Einar and Kiren travelled to the Tower of the Morning Star where they met with some members of the Company of the Morning Star, including the ranger Karos. The adventures then journeyed on to the Tantûraki town of Soggy Fields. (Part 4.)

• Einar and Kiren travelled to Misty Vale. While there, they solved the mystery of the “Beast of the Lake,” helped (and was helped by) the herbwife Eileen, discovered that the village’s leader Wulfric is secretly in league with Zepheus, who seeks the legendary “Elfstone,” and recovered the true Warden’s pendant from the Warden’s Mound south of the village. Most impressively, the adventurers travelled to the Isle of the Lake of Mists, which they learned is a fragment from the plane of Faerie. There, they returned the white crown to Queen Blàithnaid. Moved by this act, she lifted the curse on her brother, and gave the Elfstone and a mighty enchanted blade, the “Queen’s Thorn,” to the adventurers. Her spirit then passed onto Fairie, her body transforming into a thicket with flowering white roses. (Part 5.)

[The Cursed Lands] 

27th February 1000 2AH (Second Age of Humanity): 

While at the Tower of the Morning Star, Kiren and Einar meet with Bleys, Karos, and Onshay of the Company of the Morning Star. The duo relates their recent adventures in Misty Vale and the various things that they learned there about the machinations of Zepheus. (Kiren, however, is careful to gloss over the “flaming outhouse” incident, as he is somewhat ashamed of what happened there.) The members of the Company are most impressed! Karos decides to lead a group of fifteen soldiers to drive Wulfric and his henchmen out of the vale and discover the fate of his friend Nevynn the Wise. Kiren and Einar give Karos the Medallion of the Warden to give to Eileen while there. 

[Misty Vale]

In recognition of their impressive deeds, Karos declares the two adventurers “Friends of the Company” and they are given permanent private quarters in the tower. Kiren and Einar mention their forthcoming plans: to go to Prince Berethil’s barrow to inform the ghost that his curse has been lifted, and then to journey to the elven port of Tilvirin to give the Elfstone of Queen Blàithnaid to Prince Eldanar. Karos recommends that they go to the Manor of the Elf Lord Laurre Menelrana for counsel before proceeding to Tilvirin.

[Karos]

28th February 1000 2AH: 

While enjoying their new permanent quarters in the tower, the halfling servant Cora tells Einar and Kiren that there are some “rather strange” travellers staying in the Evening Star inn looking for them. Within one of the inn’s booths the duo encounters three faeries: their pixie friend Neriss, her brother Nervo, and the gnarly gnome Grizzy. Neriss explains that she came looking for the adventurers when she heard her magic whistle blown three days ago.

[Neriss]

The adventurers chat with the wee fey folk. Grizzy is intrigued by the connection of the Isle of the Lake of Mists to the plane of Faerie. The gnome encourages the pixies to accompany him to the island to explore the possibility of moving their faerie settlement there. Grizzy also advises Kiren in the ways of animist magic. The dwarf tells the fairies that Eileen and Padraig are trustworthy folk within the mannish settlement near the lake. 

[Grizzy]

1st March 1000 2AH:

Grizzy, Neriss, and Nervo depart the Tower of the Morning Star for the Lake of Mists.

2nd – 6th March 1000 2AH:

Einar and Kiren rest, recover, and reflect at the tower. 

[Kiren]

7th March 1000 2AH:

Karos departs from the tower with fifteen mounted soldiers to rid Misty Vale of the malevolent presence of Wulfric and his lackies.

Kiren and Einar travel south to Triumvir Town. There, at the Evening Song inn, Kiren tells Marda the innkeeper and Jabbo “the Far-Walker” about the fight with the ghouls back at the Warden’s Mound. Alas, his attempt is an abject failure: the two do not belief the dwarf. Fortunately, Einar salvages the awkward social situation with some smooth talking. 

[Einar]

8th March 1000 2AH:

While in Triumvir Town, the duo visits their friend Xerric. The Arsilonian scholar is most impressed by the tale related to him, especially the role of Einar and Kiren in returning the white crown to Queen Blàithnaid and thereby ending the curse on Prince Berethil. In return for this news, Xerric gives the adventurers a golden quill. The quill is magical: if tapped three times an unending supply of ink will be provided at its tip; if tapped once the ink will disappear. 

[Xerric]

Later the same day, taking advantage of the pleasant weather, the adventurers travel to Korlax’s Haven. They reach the small settlement just before dusk. Einar impresses the gruff dwarven guards with the tale of Blarth. Aethelia the herbalist greets the two adventurers warmly and is told of their exploits since their last meeting, four weeks earlier. She is in awe of the two’s daring and bravery, and agrees to accompany them to Tilvirin, where she is from. But first she must properly store her herbs, unguents, potions, and other supplies, which will take a few days.

9th – 11th March 1000 2AH:

The party rests in Korlax’s Haven for a couple of days.

12th March 1000 2AH:

Einar and Kiren head east. By late afternoon a fog has descended. Nonetheless, by the end of the afternoon, the party successfully reaches the pentagon where they first met Karos, Evrix, and Zephyr just over a month ago. The adventurers cannot believe that so little time has passed since that fateful encounter!

13th March 1000 2AH:

The duo heads into the jungle. After a day of difficult travel, they make camp. Chittering and other disturbing noises are heard off in the darkness.

14th March 1000 2AH:

The jungle air is thick and damp as the duo reaches the site of Prince Berethil’s barrow. An eldritch black cloud hovers over the barrow. Sensing great danger within the cloud, the two adventurers sneak up to the doorway. Einar opens the door by placing his elvish hands on it and the two enter. The ghost of Prince Berethil greets the party and thanks them profusely for bringing about an end to his thousand-year curse. He releases the Tantûraki undead from his service. Before he departs for Faerie, the ghost gives his white Elbrinth wood armour and sword to the duo. The skeletal remains of Prince Berethil then collapse into dust. 

After recovering the dice from the now immobile skeleton guards, Einar and Kiren deliberate about what to do next. They go to the preservation chamber and find shattered urns. It appears that Prince Berethil’s heart and brain have been stolen! The adventurers take the tapestry of Faerie. Kiren uses the Elfstone to travel with Einar back to the Tower of the Morning Star via the Ethereal realm. (They actually appear a few miles south of the tower, but are unscathed if weary.)

By dusk Einar and Kiren are in the common room of the inn of the Evening Star where they enjoy a brisk drink together. Kiren retires for the night while the elf lingers, listening to the comely Hathorian minstrel Lena sing “The Ballad of Blarth the Bard.” Moved, Einar tells Lena of his adventurers since their last encounter. A spark is lit between the two and a night of passion follows. 

[Lena]

15th March 1000 2AH:

The duo meets with Bleys, Wylane, and Onshay of the Company of the Morning Star. Bleys reacts with alarm to the news that Prince Berethil’s brain and heart have been taken. He also suspects that a demon of some kind has been bound to the barrow. He and Onshay praise the adventurers on their clever escape using the Elfstone. Einar and Kiren agree to accompany Onshay on her journey to the village of Green Shields, in the south of the Cursed Lands, where she is to meet up with Evrix and deliver weapons to the village’s leader, Lord Vilm.

[Bleys]

16th March 1000 2AH:

Kiren and Einar relax and prepare for their journey in the Tower of the Morning Star.

17th March 1000 2AH:

The three travellers head south to Triumvir Town where they obtain lodging at the Evening Song inn. While in town, the duo meets again with Xerric the loremaster. Xerric examines the Elbrinth wood sword and explains that it is capable of taking different forms: those of a scimitar, a longsword, and a greatsword. Moreover, he notes that the enchanted wood is harder than steel and will never dull. 

18th March 1000 2AH:

The group travels to Korlax’s Haven. There Kiren and Einar are reuninted with Aethelia, whom they update on their adventure at the Prince Berethil’s barrow. They give her the prince’s Elbrinth sword in gratitude for her willingness to accompany them to Tilvirin.

[Aethelia]

While relaxing at the Storm’s End inn, both adventurers notice that they are being observed by a well-dressed Arsilonian. Einar chats with the fellow, who introduces himself as “Torth.” Kiren cases a spell and discerns that Torth is in fact a servant of darkness! The dwarf confronts the Arsilonian; the latter reacts negatively and storms out of the inn in irritation. The party learns from the innkeeper Wakkim that Torth visits the hamlet occasionally. Disturbed by the encounter, the party rests for the night.

19th March 1000 2AH:

The party of four – Einar, Kiren, Onshay, and Aethelia – departs Korlax’s Haven. Kiren instructs his falcon Miranda to fly about, keeping her eyes out for any sign of Torth. 

Halfway to Green Shields the group is attacked by a bomb-throwing dwergar, a murder of gorcrows, the vile sorcerer Torth, and a faceless demon! The fight is difficult: Aethelia’s hand is broken by one of the dwergar’s explosions, one of the horses is slain, and Onshay’s hand is badly damaged while grappling with the demon. While the dwergar, demon, and gorcrows eventually are vanquished, Torth transforms into a great black hawk and flees from the ambush site. Athelia and Onshay are partially healed by the ancient elvish wine that Einar and Kiren had obtained from Prince Berethil’s barrow. Kiren heals the surviving horse. 

[Faceless demon]

Hours later the battered band reach Green Shields. Onshay, Kiren, and Einar go to see Lord Vilm and Evrix at the town’s manor house while Aethelia rests at the Soothing Songs inn.  Recent developments are discussed by the group, and Lord Vilm invites the travellers to stay the night. A magnificent dinner is enjoyed by all (except Aethelia, who remains at the inn). That evening, Onshay boldly knocks on Kiren’s bedroom door, and the two dwarves enjoy a lustful night involving little sleep.

[Onshay]

20th – 26th March 1000 2AH:

Evrix and Onshay depart Green Shields to head north back to the Tower of the Morning Star. Einar, Kiren, and Aethelia stay in the small town while Aethelia’s wrist mends. 

27th March – 3rd April 1000 2AH:

The trio travels south. Kiren spots a giant eagle with a rider flying high above. Aethelia reassures the dwarf that it is an eagle rider of Taaliraan, patrolling the northern boundary of the elvish realm. Soon after, the travellers reach the great elvish fortress, The Eye of Taaliraan. They stay at the Gentle Breeze inn, which is near the fortress.

The next day the party enters the realm of Taaliraan. They travel to the village of Maethling, where they stay at the Silver Harp inn. Then they continue southwards, leaving the jungle behind and entering the rolling hills and vineyards that constitute the heart of the realm. Aethelia seems happy to be back in her homeland and relates some of its history to her companions.

By mid-morning of the third day of April, the group reaches the Vale of Tumlinde, the location of the manor of the ancient and mighty Lord Laurre Menelrana. 

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HEREIN ENDS THE FIRST BOOK OF AGAINST THE COURT OF URDOR: TALES OF THE CURSED LANDS.

THE NEXT BOOK: MISSIONS FOR THE GUILD OF ELEMENTS.

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Notes:

The master page for the World of Ukrasia and this campaign is here. (Links to other log posts can be found on the master page.)

The “Court of Urdor” setting (including the central part of the island) draws upon – but significantly modifies – ICE’s 1981 Court of Ardor campaign module by Terry Amthor. The map of the “Cursed Lands” is from the module’s main map, by Peter Fenlon. (I added a number of new locations to the “Cursed Lands” map – it should be obvious which ones are not part of the original map.)

I drew the map of Misty Vale; many of its locations are from the adventure included in the Against the Darkmaster core rulebook.

The picture of Grizzy is from the book Secrets of the Golden Throne from Open Ended Games. The picture of the faceless demon is from the Against the Darkmaster core book (also from Open Ended Games). The picture of Aethelia is by Stephanie Brown (found on the web). The pictures of Karos and Kiren are from the Baldur’s Gate II Enhanced Edition CRPG. The pictures of Einar and Onshay are from the Neverwinter Nights Enhanced Edition CRPG. The other portraits are from a “mod” for BGIIEE (found on the web – I don’t know where they’re originally from, unfortunately).