First Things First (Part One)

Duke Nightmare was infused with new evil power but at a price unknown to Duke Nightmare. Duke Nightmare had started his life as Alexander Roesone; second in line to the throne of Roesone. Alexander plotted with Traese Noelon, castellan of castle Black Tower, to kill both Alexander’s older sister (Marlae Roesoene) and her Seneschal, Gaered Biersen. With Alexander as the new Black Baron of Roesone, Traese Noelon turned the position of castellan into more of a position of chamberlain or prime minister.

But ruler ship of a domain was not really Alexander’s calling; oh, but he did dear reader enjoy taxation and war. Alexander Roesone invested his lands into Raphael Saberstrike. But the something in the ceremony must have done something, for when Alexander gave power of the land over to Raphael; Alexander got a little something in return. What exactly happened is a mystery but during the investiture ceremony Duke Nightmare came into contact with the inner power of the Red Hood.

Duke Nightmare, under the advice of Kareem, negotiated with an evil wizard going by the name of the Swamp Mage. Duke Nightmare traded a king’s ransom in gold for a magic lamb that would summon an efreet who would grant Duke Nightmare three wishes. The efreet named Firebeard Blackaxe would grant Duke Nightmare his wishes and would forever change Duke Nightmare’s life.

Duke Nightmare, along with Sedrie Bellamie, summoned a nightmare steed from the lower planes. Duke Nightmare feed the dark stallion flakes of platinum in the shape of oats and grains. While the nightmare steed accepted the gift and would allow Duke Nightmare to use the dark stallion for one mission of evil. Duke Nightmare then wished that the steed would serve Duke Nightmare for as many evil missions as Duke Nightmare needed and the efreet, Firebeard Blackaxe made his wish come true.

The second wish from the genie was something out of a Disney movie: Duke Nightmare wished to be a prince. Firebeard Blackaxe told Duke Nightmare that the wish was granted but it would be up to Duke Nightmare to figure out what he became the prince of. And finally for the third and final wish, Duke Nightmare wished that Firebeard Blackaxe would not hold any animosity for the forced servitude. Firebeard Blackaxe enjoyed Duke Nightmare’s bold assertiveness when it came to the first two wishes that the third wish almost made Firebeard Blackaxe laugh out loud. With the last wish, Firebeard Blackaxe would destroy the magic genie lamp and not hold any ill-will against Duke Nightmare.

While the wishes for power and the magical steed really did transform Alexander Roesone into Duke Nightmare, it was the blood-silver spear that helps lead Alexander down a dark path. It was the blood-silver spear that cost Alexander his place in the Church of Cuiraecen, it was the blood-silver spear that kept allies like Trogdor and Bossen-Kessen away, it was the blood-silver spear that gave Duke Nightmare dreams of power and conquest. While Duke Nightmare would only get one real juicy kill from the blood-sliver spear (the Duke of Diemed) until it was stole from him. But even having the spear stolen was not so bad as it lead Duke Nightmare on an adventure that would net him the Dark Cauldron, the Eye of the Warlock, and a vast treasury of gold, weapons and armor, and most importantly: information.

When Duke Nightmare learned of the completion of the second wish whilst traveling through dimensions, trying to return from the Astral back to the Prime Material. In-between the planes of existence the Shadow World looms and blocks the direct path between planes: one has to cross the Shadow World to gain access between the Astral and the Prime Material Planes. When confronted by the shadow barrier, Duke Nightmare was greeted by liaisons from the Unseelie, the court of the dark fairies. When brought to the court of Lussina, the Dark Queen of the Unseelie, Duke Nightmare was greeted and treated as a prince of the fairies.

And that is exactly what Lussina told Duke Nightmare; that Alexander Roesone’s mother was a fairie that had traveled to the Prime and mated with a mortal. Lussina told Duke Nightmare that his mother was locked up in one of three towers were Lussina kept all three of her evil daughters. Lussina could not move to kill her daughters for betraying her so they were forever condemned to languish in solitary confinement. Lussina instead that Duke Nightmare was her grandson and that Alexander should show her the same respect (it was after this that we started referring to Lussina as “Grand Mama”).

the Baron of Ghoere

Isaac Tael (3^rd son of Gavin Tael) waits, pacing, brooding in the moment that was a year in the making, he was coming and all Issac could do was wait for him; the return of the Sword Mage.

Let us dear reader backtrack for a second and tell the story of Issac Tael and his ominous rise to the throne of Baron of Ghoere. The story always starts with Gavin Tael, Ghoere was a Barony that rose up in power through war and conquest and Gavin Tael excelled at both in spades. But at the peak of Gavin’s power an assassination plot succeeded in fatally poisoning the Baron and left in a catatonic state the Sword Mage acted with power of attorney. Isaac Tael’s older brothers were eliminated and with promises of power Isaac was appointed the new Baron of Ghoere.

But there was already trouble for poor Isaac; with word of the death of Gavin Tael all his old enemies came to wreck havoc. With reduced number troops on the border the Spider harassed manors and villages. The once neutral Southlands launched invasions, lead by then Count Sedrie Bellamie. Prince Avanil launched an invasion across the river Maesil while the King of Elinie moved across the border to the east. William Moergen reclaimed the title of Duke of Osoerde; he sought to reclaim lands lost to Ghoere.

This went on for several years but the Sword Mage kept things interesting and help Ghoere prevail in several key battles. But then one year ago, some intruders disturbed a trap that called for the Sword Mage’s attention. The Sword Mage traveled with a small army to the swamp of Spiritsend and checked on a favorite captive: the Swamp Mage. But by the time the Sword Mage could get to the Swamp Mage’s tower, the Player Character Duke Nightmare had killed the Swamp Mage, looted the tower, and then destroyed said tower. So when the Sword Mage arrived all seemed lost but the Sword Mage tracked the Player Characters to their destination in the swamp: the Hut of Baba Yaga.

The Player Characters arrived in several squads before starting to endeavor near the hut. The Sword Mage kept magically concealed along with the accompanying army but when a juicy target appeared the Sword Mage had to act. Raphael Sabersrike, Count of Abbatour, the People’s Champion, Wielder of Enlien’s Sword, the King of the Southlands how could the Sword Mage but not attack a regent of another nation on the spot. But it was all for naught as it was the Mystery Man my dear reader and not Raphael.

But then Raphael appeared and with a word of magic teleported the Shade right alongside the Sword Mage. The Shade used a vial of green acid and it splashed all over the Sword Mage’s armor. The Sword Mage laughed and asked if there was anything else the Shade wished to do but the acid worked quickly and soon the Sword Mage was left a pile of goo.

The army that the Sword Mage brought panicked and the Player Characters took advantage and fought the army as they routed. Duke Nightmare struck a victory by capturing one of the seven daughters of the Sword Mage: a half-dragon. Soon word would spread of the Sword Mage’s death and Isaac Teal would be left with even more of a mess to clean up.

And that is the pickle Isaac has been in for over a year: no Sword Mage. Elinie, Avanil, Osoerde, and the Southlands had all taken land from Ghoere and the province of Ghiere declared it’s self a free city. For one year it all looked bleak for Isaac but word came that the Sword Mage is back from the dead.

Usually when the Sword Mage would travel to the castle of Rock Roost a large procession would accompany the appearance, so when the New Sword Mage appeared from out of the shadows it was quite a surprise to all in the Baron’s grand hall. Isaac greeted the New Sword Mage, stopped pacing, and took a seat on the throne of the Baron of Ghoere. The two would talk but briefly but word of the meeting between the Baron and the New Sword Mage would spread.

Word would spread of the New Sword Mage’s appearance: that of a tall muscular man, wearing fashionable clothing, with a while hood bearing a sword embroidered in blue (the typical mask of one of the Seven Daughter’s of the Sword Mage), and most distinctively difference about the New Sword Mage is a quasit imp familiar. Before one never could tell the appearance of the Sword Mage but one was sure to notice the overlapping sword coat but this is all gone now and the New Sword Mage appears to be a male wizard, perhaps warlock. Regents work quick so the New Sword Mage is going to have to conquer source holdings from rival mages.

What does the Pope Do?

“I do not even know what the Pope really does,” this was confessed by a doctorate level theologian after a colligate debate round. Who are the heads of church in Anuire?

1) The Church of All (J’oker) [N(E)] – The High Cleric Kareem – head temple in Abbatour (Southlands)

2) The Orthodox Imperial Temple (Haelyn) [LN] – Archbishop Lavalan Briesen, head temple in Aerele (Diemed)

3) The Western Imperial Temple (Haelyn) [LN] – Archprelate Rhobher Nichaleir (the Anvail Region)

4) The Northern Imperial Temple (Haelyn) [LG] – Supreme Hierarch, Thane Thuriene Donalls, capital Nowelton (Talinie)

5) The Holy Order of Haelyn’s Aegis [LG] – Grandmaster Antia Maricoere (Heartlands)

6) The Oaken Grove of Erik [NG] – Archdruid Gunther Brandt (Mhoried)

7) The Northern Reformed Church of Sarimie [NE] – Most Sacred Minister Larra Nielems (Cariele)

8) The Life and Protection of Avanalae (Avani) [LG] – Hierophant Medhlorie Haensen (Elinie)

9) The Peaceful Seas of Nesirie [N] – Daffyd Tamaere (Taeghas)

10) The Militant Order of Cuiraecen [CG] – Grand Master Fhylie the Sword, head temple in Bhalaene (Ghoere)

11) The Eastern Temples of Nesirie [NG] – High Priestess Marie Cwllmie, head temple in Serien (Mieres)

12) Ruornil’s Celestial Spell [N] – the Sacred Voice of Ruornil Suris Enlien, head temple in Braeme (Southlands)

13)The Celestial Jewel of Sarimie [CN(CE)] - the Sacred Broker Tomias Coumain (Avanil)

Wedding Season

I was thinking about pregnant chicks and thinking that it is just a life-style choice. So who is having children or at the very least: who is married in the game?

1). Duke Trogdor married Lady Alleroy (from the province of Ciliene in Diemed) and they have had three daughters in five years.

2). Duke Sedrie Bellamie married Lady Algael (from the province of Algael formerly of Osoerde) and they probably have had at least one child.

3). King Raphael Saberstrike is married to Fhiele Boeruine (daughter of Aeric Boeruine)

4). The High Cleric Kareem Wali-Jabbar has plans to have two children with “the Wizard.” One child being born with more of Kareem’s bloodpower (Brenna) while the other child will have more of “the Wizard’s” bloodline (Vorynn) are the agreement so far but Kareem would like to extend the deal to full matrimony.

5). Michael Mhoried married Elvina Avan (daughter of Darien Avan) as part of an arranged marriage that was concluded along with the Fourth Treaty of Ilien. While Michael did not want to really marry into the Avan family; Elvina is a beauty and the Fourth Treaty of Ilien recognized Michael Mhoried as proctor of Alamie (making Michael Mhoried the new Duke of Alamie).

6). Herald Khorien, Count of Taeghas agreed to marry Aubrae Avan (daughter of Darien Avan) to ensure control of all source holdings would stay under Khorien control for generations (plus both have bloodlines of Anduiras).

7.) Otto the Rake and his unnamed bride bore a child that was an unearthly creation. While in the Shadow World, and more precisely in the Court of the Unseelie, Otto the Rake under the guise of the Mystery Man (the Ace of Spades) was “knocked-up” by a faerie noble. The faerie noble went by the name Lord Vader and deceived the Royal Flush Gang into thinking that a female member of the party was impregnated by Lord Vader but it turns out while the Mystery Man was trying to rescue Alyza the Queen of Spades, the Mystery Man was knocked unconscious before finally reviving and fleeing with Alyza. So when the Mystery Man got back to the normal world and when Otto the Rake had relations with his wife: the product of their union produced a faerie-child. Otto the Rake along with the High Cleric Kareem and Duke Nightmare traveled back to the Court of the Unseelie where the Dark Queen Lussina praised Lord Vader for the clever ruse and wished Otto the Rake to raise the child.

The Mysteries of the Mystery Man

Otto the Rake is a noble rouge from the land of Muden in Brechur trained by the thieves’ guild Ela’s Quick Fingers. Ela’s Quick Fingers are a front for the church Ela’s Midnight Shadow (Ela is Eloele in Brechur). Otto the Rake spent the majority of his time since returning from the Shadow World starting a family and participating in Royal Flush Gang activities, but sometime during Otto the Rake’s free time Otto traveled back to his homeland to give tribute to his original thieves’ guild.

Fulda Spiritwalker, a Halfling cleric, is the head of Ela’s Quick Fingers and the secret Ela’s Midnight Shadow and holds court in the secret Grotto of the Evening Star. Otto the Rake return is a surprise; being that most rouges who are sent out on “missionary” trips do not return or get enough loot as to not want to return to share profits. But Otto the Rake returned to pay respect to those that gave him his original training and to spy on Ela (Eloele) for the New Dark God.

By the end of the year, Salim Karamazov would steal Sarae Somellin’s bloodline and generally disband the Eloele of Mieres while absorbing the Vos of Mieres into the Church of All. So when Otto the Rake is venturing back to Muden, the thieves of Mieres are still representing a sizable portion of Eloele’s church holdings but the number of followers is their most concentrated numbers in Brechur. Otto the Rake under the guise of the Mystery Man, the Ace of Spades, has had many adventures and traveled to many worlds.

Otto the Rake views his upbringing and training in the Ela’s Quick Fingers guild has a harsh time compared to the treatment he received while under the care of Kareem Wali-Jabar and how the Royal Flush Gang is operated. Otto the Rake enjoys the loot and privilege he has within the Royal Flush Gang and its various associates. While the Wizard’s Cabal has yet to hire Otto the Rake or the Mystery Man personally, Duke Nightmare has sought Otto the Rake’s assistance on multiple occasions (though the Mystery Man did disguise himself once as the Red Hood to take a blow from the Sword Mage).

Duke Nightmare choose the Mystery Man to impersonated Duke Nightmare to leading conquered Orogs and Ogres out of the Underdark and back to Duke Nightmare’s castle while the real Duke Nightmare stayed back to get the loot from the adventure. Duke Nightmare hired the Mystery Man to help track down and capture his aunt and kill his aunt’s lover; the Weather Wizard. And most recently, Duke Nightmare hired the Mystery Man to lead a band of thieves disguised as a group of good-aligned adventures to uses as advanced scouts into new territory.

But anyway back to the story at hand; Otto the Rake’s return to Brechur. Upon arriving in the thriving port of Brechlen, Otto the Rake starts to spend money in very elaborate ways; being carried through town by servants, renting a house and having it staffed, and purchasing new confections: linens, food-stuffs, drink, and bringing in tailors. Outside of the rent house a sign was placed, “Otto the Rake: Open for Business.” Over the course of a week Otto would have many callers and inquisitors as well as a few opportunities.

First can the local thieves who practice skullduggery and Otto would entertain questions about strategy, poison use, and trade information (all this at a price to the guest of course). Local nobles would send aides with gifts to inquire about services and to trade information. Even the government offices would send dignitaries with questions as to Otto’s new “business” and to trade information. Otto the Rake answered most questions very honestly; I am not here to set up shop, I came to visit my homeland once more before I retire, and that I have a family in Anuire waiting for me.

Eventually Fulda Spiritwalker would come and pay Otto a visit (but of course a slew of agents of Ela’s went through first). By this point Otto had acquired a great deal of information about Ela’s activities and did not really need anything from the Halfling but to size up an opponent. The ball started in Otto’s court but then Otto gave a gift of one thousand pieces of platinum of various origins (total D&D value equals roughly 10,000gp), the ball was now in Fulda’s court.

Fulda tried hard, “what happened to the thieves you where going to work for in the Khinasi Lands?”

Otto, “They decided to relocate to Anuire” (not a lie)

Fulda, “What happened when you got to Anuire?”

Otto, “the thieve leader choose a life of piracy until he was killed by the Eloele of Mieres” (not a lie)

Fulda, “Why do you think the Eloele of Mieres killed him?”

Otto, “They most of figured he was after their guild holdings” (not a lie)

Fulda, “Why do you think they thought that?”

Otto, “Because he was” (not a lie)

Fulda, “Who have you been working for since then?”

Otto, “I work for nobles in Anuire” (not a lie)

Fulda, “What are you plans in Brechlen?”

Otto, “I came to see my homeland and to earn the title of Master Thief” (not a lie)

Fulda, “Well rake; let us see what we can do about that”

Over the course of a few more weeks Otto would get to know both the city of Brechlen and the countryside of Muden. The countryside was not a place for the faint of heart and dozens of gangs roamed the roads. While waiting for his Master Thief Mission, Otto accepted several small but well paying delivers around Muden. Eventually a quest would be given to Otto; to earn the title of Master Thief and because Otto lives in Anuire, Fulda wants Otto to steal any Anuirean kingdom’s crown jewels. Otto the Rake accepts the assignment and heads back to Anuire full of information about the political and underworld figures of Muden.

A meeting between Larry Diamond and el-Hadid

There was a time when the entire Royal Flush Gang suite of spades went missing for years on end. The Royal Flush Gang did not simply shut down operations, contingency plans went into effect and a suite of diamonds where formed to take up leadership of the gang. Five new leaders were needed: from the stock of Khinasi pirates the formed the backbone of the organization a new King (the captain of the xebec) and a new Ten (the captain of the galleon) these two were in command of the pirate armada: a xebec, a galleon, a caravel, and a knar. The Queen was suppose to have been a Khinasi drawn from the same stock but it was later revealed to be the Vampire/Cleric Proxy of the New Dark God who was working on a quest to establish and legitimize her patron. The new Jack was comically referred to as the Jill of Diamonds, was drawn from street urchin children of the cities of the Southlands and was placed in charge of the thieving operations: robbery and burglary at large. The Royal Flush Gang still needed a new Ace, a problem solver, one that can get jobs done.

Traese Noelon was the castellan for Blacktower Castle during the last reign of the Barony of Roesone. During the transition period Traese was in control of many parts of government until Raphael Saberstrike could solidify his hold on the region. Traese had a known about Alexander’s transformation into Duke Nightmare and had been paid off to keep quite; Traese sought out the Royal Flush Gang and presented them a daring plan. The Royal Flush Gang made Traese the new Ace of Diamonds and started referring to him as Larry Diamond.

When the People’s Society for a Better Anuire came to Proudglaive they found much opposition from the local people to convert to follow the People Champion: Raphael Saberstrike. The Royal Mint of Roesone and its two hundred guards got caught up with a mob of unruly Saberstrike supporters and the Mint had to be fortified against the mob. Lord Raphael Saberstrike him self appeared from the sky with a flaming sword in hand and delivered justice to the people. Raphael listened to the mob and then was allowed access to the Mint and went inside, away from the people.

Raphael meet with Larry Diamond inside of the Mint were Larry introduced himself as the new Ace of Diamonds leader of the Royal Flush Gang. Raphael was delighted with the news and talked of how he was looking forward to future dealings. Larry insisted that Raphael listen to his newest deal: Larry was an associate of Duke Nightmares and knew that Alexander has divested his money between the Shark and literally a shack out in the woods. With some capital from Duke Nightmare and the Royal Flush Gang along with Raphael they could form a large money supply and lending institution, in short a bank.

Raphael was naturally intrigued by the idea of forming a bank, Raphael had spent more time looking at spell books than account ledgers, and Raphael was new to running a government and would need to establish a currency and the like. Larry Diamond was given permission to form a bank and everything was established nice and legal like. Lord Raphael demanded to own half the bank out right; leaving a quarter of the bank for the Royal Flush Gang (who put this asset under the Church of All’s banner) and Duke Nightmare would own a quarter (a false identity was created as the owner of the rest of the bank; a minor noble, Sir Lancelot). The bank would be known as the Brother’s Investment Groupe or referred to as the Big Bank with Traese Noelon as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

But why dear readers did I have you read all that grabble about what dirty deeds were done to form a bank? Probably along the lines of how some banks have formed but nevertheless dear reader the story was suppose to be a time when Larry Diamond meet el-Hadid. That was the title, now deliver or I want my money back. Well dear reader, I had to say Larry Diamond and not Traese Noelon or how else would my players know who I am talking about? Do you think I have the time to think of names while we play the D’s and the D’s? Sorry dear reader, but alas, those names ogres and goblins are just that; nameless.

Oh some monsters do have names: the Gorgon, Rhuobhe Manslayer, Bill, the list goes on and on. So when an NPC has a name (two names and a swath of titles) it is worth a few bumpy paragraphs to get to the good stuff. So the meeting between Traese Noelon and Essafah el-Hadid:

Scene: outside the small town of Aenier in a resort owned by el-Hadid

Traese Noelon and wife are relaxing on a porch, watching their two boys ride horses off in the distance. Essafah el-Hadid introduces him and gives an extravagant greeting to Lady Noelon, the lady then departs the scene.

Essafah, “Things appear to be changing all over the Southern Coast”

Traese, “That is why I am at a resort”

Essafah, “That is true, I live my life in resorts, dance halls, and pleasure cruises. Tell me good sir of Roesone what do you think of your king run mad?”

Traese, “Alexander? I saw it coming and got my family out to safety but stayed on as castellan anyway out of my loyalty to the family of Roesone”

Essafah, “so what happened to the king?”

Traese, “Paladins of Haelyn defeated him while he charged at one of their abbeys”

Essafah, “Why would he storm an abbey?”

Traese, “Who knows, he went crazy once he was given the thrown”

Essafah, “I have heard that story once to many times; the head that wears the crown, something, something, never has any fun”

Traese, “That is no lie”

Essafah, “so castellan what do you plan to do next?”

Traese, “I wish I could retire and live like this”

Essafah, “You can you know, the lands of Roesone are ripe for the picking to a trade merchant who knows what they are doing that is”

Traese, “And you are that trade merchant who can do that I bet?”

Essafah, “Actually, no I am not. Recent agreements between, lets say, anonymous parties have agreed to split guild interests by the lay of the Spider River. Everything on the east side of the river will be under the control of Lord Raphael Saberstrike while everything on the west side of the river will remain like it was before Alexander Roesone burned a hole through Diemed”

Traese, “very interesting, what is this information going to cost me?”

Essafah, “well nothing of course, if you use the information to your own advantage who am I to stop you. Just remember to not cross your side of the river. Oh, and if you make it big, come see me some time”

Traese, “could it be just that simple?”

Essafah, “Just stay on your side of the river and it can be that simple”

Essafah leaves Traese much to think about and it is after this chance encounter with el-Hadid that Traese Noelon would come up with the plan that would gain him the title of the Ace of Diamonds and regent of the Brother’s Investment Groupe.

July 11 2010 progress

For only publishing every now and then and only about my own self absorbed AD&D game, I am getting a few hits.