Ashore At Last

Excerpted from the diary of Jack Presser, Captain of all the Ocean's Deep.

We have put ashore expecting to find habitation and civilization and found neither. This land is full of goblins! There is one building distant. It appears to have a strange red hue which is most visible when the sun is behind us. We make for it tomorrow.

69 Days

Excerpts from the diary of Jack Presser, Captain of all the Oceans Deep.

Mad Jack they called me. Because I dared to say that a sea route might be found from Eastrun to Westrun by sailing toward the rising sun. First the kings of Westrun and their learned fools cast me from their courts. Then the princes of the Free Provinces laughed in my face. Finally, the emperors of Eastrun threatened to jail me. Finally, destitute and nearly hopeless, I found myself in the court of the baroness Mai Fung Lee of Shu, begging for ships and a chance to prove my theories.

The Governors Twenty

From the Diary of Myla called Halfelven.

Well, they did it.

I am not sure how with all the odds against them, but there is no doubt they succeeded. My ward, Toland, tells me that they are off the island, the Southrun assassins were stymied and the girl and her brother are safely out of the governor's clutches. That is success by anyone's standards.

Briefly: Wanted Dead or Alive

A Notice to All Sell Swords and Bounty Hunters and the Decent Peoples of Bolden,
Be you warned that our streets are plagued by vile and uncivilized foreigners,
who are both thieves and murderers of honest tradesmen, and eaters of horses.

Briefly: One Satyrday in Bolden

Hendy entered the study and cleared his throat.

The boss decided not to look up, but from the corner of his eye he could see the idiot bouncing on his heels. The damn fool had something to say and would stammer like an idiot for ten minutes before getting his thoughts and/or courage up. The boss decided he didn't feel like waiting to put him out of his misery.

"What is it?"

The Hospitality of Duke Havenar pt. 2

After the slaying of the leprechaun; Lord Budokai, Lady Mai and Lu-Chen are joined by Sir Jarvis, lately come from Wanderhalt; and a Ranger arrived to investigate the rumors of the cat on behalf of the mysterious White Robes. The group has little time for discussing their mutual interests before they hear another pedestrian coming along on the wooded path.

The Hospitality of Duke Havenar pt. 1

Having donated his portion of the mystery ore to King Aleyn (less what would be needed for the fashioning of a few items) Budokai purposes to leave Collonia and return to Menea and his wife. Lu Chen and Mai agree to go with him, at least as far as the Pass at Oromir.

Cache a Fallen Star pt. 7

A rescued Dwarf by the name of Hafgar identifies himself as a master smith and agrees to work the mysterious ore for the party in exchange for mere room and board.

Catching Up: The Further Travels of Ziek pt. 3

Fleeing the burning barn, Ziek and Ward made good time before the sun rose. They ate the last of their rations on the road and put in a full day’s travel, and then some.

Cache a Fallen Star pt. 6

The Frost Giant Shaman is somewhere in the complex. The party stands having defeated most of the Jarl's forces in combat. Two Stone Giants are captive and scores of dwarves come spilling into the courtyard from some unseen warren. The party decides to move with haste. Leaving Beleg behind to treat with his fellow Dwarves, they disregard the door through which the Shaman was seen retreating, and head into the manor from the side entrance. They immediately surprise another Frost Giant who works in the kitchen and dispatch him before he can beg for quarter.

Backstory: Lita

Lita grew up in a small village called Winston, on the outskirts of the Mistwood Forest. She came from an ordinary home. Her parents had a small house and garden, where they grew enough food to survive. Her father, who was rumored to be a Ranger in his youth, was a great hunter. There was always meat on the table for dinner. His name was Leonard, and his wife was Isabella.

Men Stomp Where Elves Fear to Tred

Two sell-swords, Bronn and Assaad find themselves in a public house in Rath and unemployed. Their waitress brings their latest round of drinks along with a notice from a person unknown.

Men-at-Arms Wanted

for a task most dangerous.

Rewards commensurate.

Inquire of Mr. Hobbes, 

at Penn Oyal's Inn

The Brothers Unprepared

Dunsmyr and Dinsmyr, twin brothers and half breed elves of the Mistwood are summoned to the Tower of their Wizard, the Llormaster of the Mistwood. There they find that Magister Sylvanus has taken leave of the tower and left his primus, Tuorwyn in charge. Tuorwyn has an offer for the two half-elves.

Briefly: Wanted Dead or Alive?

A Notice to Travelers and Bounty Hunters Alike

Attention Road Weary and Restless Souls the wood hereabout is haunted by a brigand

and a murderer of honest men.

Backstory: Samantha Rose

Balduren, City of the Horse Lords, is built on a narrow peninsula that juts into the Great Sea. It boasts massive walls, decorated with the graven images of the animal which is highly revered there. It is also a port city, from which many set sail to the strange Land of Southrun. It boasts tens of thousands of residents, and is the home of the Great Warrior King Belasarus and of Drawmij the Wizard.

Catching Up: The Further Travels of Ziek pt. 2

Finally, coming to the Lake of Mist, they made contact with Caelfa, a Great Druid, who spoke to them cryptically but truthfully. She finally revealed the history of Collonia as she knew it. For her predecessor was none other than Tersia whose writings had other details to spare. Thus armed with some hidden history, Ziek and his adept decided to journey to Peakshadow to visit the archives there. For they surmised that a true copy of the book might exist in the High King's library.

The Haunted Forest of Talir pt. 2

The Town of Umfreville is a logging community that provides valuable lumber to noble houses across all of the Eight Kingdoms. Said nobles use it to panel their manors and the interior walls of their halls. But, the wood harvested here is also highly prized by the finest boatwrights for its superior water resistance. The local Baron makes his living by using his serfs to harvest lumber and mill it. The party is not made of loggers, though, they have come to solve a murder at the behest of the victim's 12 year old daughter.

Apollo of the Creed pt 5: The Third Quest

Apollo found himself, along with the rest of his companions, in and around the City of Peakshadow, as the mighty horde of goblins besieged it. Many sorties were fought and there were many distractions of war, with heroes from around the realm flocking to the banner of humanity. This included the entire Peerage that Apollo sought to join, which brought itself to Wanderhalt to protect the women therein. So it was that, in the shadow of the salvaged city, Lunsford of Saklan released Apollo from his quest and declared it well-accomplished, thereby granting to him the authority to turn undead.

Endstory: The Passing of Thalwyn and Gurdand

Such an ignoble end for two storied adventurers -- Thalwyn, the elven thief who would not lie; and Gurdand, the dwarven Curate whose loyalties were sorely tested.

Briefly: In Peakshadow

At the conclusion of his training under Clem, Garland is set to receive another spell from his wizened master. He asks specifically for the spell called, Teleport without Error and he presents the magister with the Black Unicorn's horn as a gift. The two of them are in the richly appointed study of the master, situated as one of the top floors of his tower. It boasts a panoramic view of Peakshadow.