Hy Brasil Dark Ages: session II report

Cinioc dal Bran bestowed his protection upon Varys and gave him leave to purchase goods from his household. Taking the three young warriors, Varys sailed for the Isle of Skellig to see what fate had befallen the monks there. Upon the rocky isle was the abandoned monastery. Sheep had been slain by a beast, and the monks seem to have succumbed to some terrible plague. In the scriptorium, Edward read some notes left by a monk. The note spoke of a pagan tomb beneath the church, and a treasure taken by the abbot. This gilded umbo of a Celtic chieftain was thought to be the source of the curse that spread among the monks. 

Varys and the young warriors entered a cave beneath the church and passed through several chambers, where killed weapons and votive offerings were left. Finally, they came to the central tomb where the bones of the old chieftain lay among the pieces of a chariot. Near the remains was the abbot, who had succumbed to the sickness. It seemed he meant to return the umbo to the tomb, but died before he could do so.

Varys took the umbo from the abbot's death grip and replaced it among the bones. The young warriors thought this an honorable decision. On the way out, Varys and his men seized many barrels of foodstuffs and loot from the monks. As they sailed away from the Isle, they saw a black wolf stalking the shore. 

Later, back at the crannog of Cinioc, Varys learned that Queen Aiffe, wife of King Finbar, was rumored to possess the power to transform into a black wolf. Varys had also learned about the port of Bon Ehryc and the Cashel of Ardgail, prince of the shore. This powerful and popular chief was the brother of the king. Having secured Cinioc's protection, Varys drew closer to the center of Celtic power on Hy Brasil.

Hy Brasil Dark Ages: session 1 report

Varys the Angle, once a slave, freed himself and his fellow thralls and seized the Karvi of his masters. They sailed upstream into the marshes of Hy Brasil, a strange isle known to the Britons and Romans. Varys and his crew met Cinioc, a chieftain whose crannog was the greatest on Grey Snake Loch. Cinnioc told Varys to seek counsel from the Druid House to the west. This Varys promised to do. The traveller also made a mighty boast to slay the enemy of Cinioc, a Christian landowner named Gwydd dal Connel. 

At Cinioc's hold was a young warrior called Talorc who expressed interest in Varys' vessel. Varys allowed the young warrior to lease the vessel while he was away in the west. 

Varys also bargained for the use of one of Cinioc's slaves, a Britton called Edward. This young man's knowledge of the Celtic tongues and customs would prove valuable to Varys.

At the druid house, Varys was instructed that a sacrifice would be necessary for the gods to ensure his protection on the Elder Isle, and the Christian, Gwydd, might make a worthy sacrifice. 

Varys and his men continued to the steading of Gwydd and, using a cunning ruse, captured Gwydd's son, Owen and burst into the hall. Varys slew Gwydd in single combat and took Owen back to the crannog of Cinioc. 

On the way back, Varys met several young warriors travelling to go raiding with Talorc in a new vessel. Cinioc reprimanded the youth for his plot and paid Varys 60 pieces of silver owed for the vessel's lease. 

The three young warriors wished to plunder the monastery on Skellig Isle. The monks of the small isle had not lit their beacon fires in over a week, and it was believed they had already been victims of a raid by northmen. 

Cinioc gave Varys hospitality and the right to trade among his people as well as the right to claim his protection in the local ports. 

Year's End

Early in the year 1373

So began the fourth year in the saga of the Heroes of Harrowhoff. It came with much change. Filip was laid low, Vortigen dwelt silently in his swamp, and word came that Kronstadt had been sacked, the Temple of Law dismantled, and Sava’s bones hung from the city walls.

The tigress Sikana, sent by Brieberus, brought ill tidings to the heroes. She claimed that thousands of Northmen had landed north of the Shadow Mountains and burned their ships—an ill omen. Nevertheless, the heroes had pressing matters below and resolved to confront, once and for all, the Serpent-Eyed Sorceress of Demogorgon.

Through the mirror the heroes went, with a charmed beholder and phase spider in tow. The battle was fierce and terrible, but the heroes prevailed—killing five of the sorcerers and driving one away. The power of Demogorgon was dealt a righteous blow, and perhaps this marked a turning of the tide.

Disturbing rumors about the Northmen continued—it was said that smoke rose from Hal’s Hill. The heroes went to investigate and found Northmen there, harassing some surviving hobbits. These men served the warlord Volkar the Boar. It seemed he and two others, the warlords Karst and Torsten, were to marry Mora, Carat, and even Morcarat herself. It was the power of the Ice Witch that had brought this great host across the sea.

The heroes traveled to the hill fort south of the Shadow Mountains to treat with Karst the Bear. This warlord was missing his betrothed, Carat—whom the heroes had helped escape her pursuers. Enraged, he was easy to manipulate. He agreed to march on Rilm, if his brother Torsten would join him.

To the great fortress above the gorge the heroes went. They infiltrated the keep and found Mora a more willing companion to her new betrothed—the young and strong Torsten. The heroes charmed Torsten, rendered Mora a babbling fool, and, through the power of the Dragon’s Eye, trapped her. It was now Lyral who inhabited the body of Mora, daughter of the Ice Witch.

Dolyra the Drow charmed the warlord, and he agreed to march with his brother’s host to Rilm. They were to make war against the mighty Volkar. It seemed that a confrontation between the Heroes of Harrowhoff and the dread Morcarat was near.

The Lord of Tandis Hill

The final week of the year 1372

The heroes of Harrowhoff entered the castle to investigate Lord Fillip. Inside, they discovered bottles of blood—likely taken from victims in the town. Determined to root out the remaining vampires, they descended into the Fifth Deep. There, they slew one and pursued another down to the Sixth Deep, where they confronted the ancient vampire, Lord Galarak.

A fierce battle ensued. Lord Galarak and most of his retinue were slain. One surviving vampire revealed that Fillip might be cured by the blood of his ancient vampire clan.

Seizing the blood, the heroes made their way to the great hall of Tandis. There, Fillip awaited them, accompanied by his powerful retainer, Hugo La’Pegase. Throy joined the heroes to confront his lord.

The battle began, and Throy attempted to pour the ancient blood into Fillip’s mouth—but was seized by Fillip’s wicked grasp. The charmed Hugo was cut down by some of the heroes, and Throy was withered into a husk by Fillip’s necrotic power.

The heroes barely managed to compel Fillip to drink the blood. The lord of Tandis writhed and suffered as the blood took hold—but he survived, and the darkness was lifted from him.

Fillip looked around and saw his beloved retainers slain. The mighty lord fell into sorrow and asked after the great Bishop Visefrin, who remained in the West.

The day was won, and the lord was saved—but the cost was almost too high to bear.

Chaos Ascendant pt. I-III

The first three weeks of the final month of 1372

Waiting at Harrowhoff was a new would-be slayer, Papio, an aging veteran of the Camlanish legions. The heroes of Harrowhoff were dismayed to find foul rumors swirling about them, spread by agents in the growing town who wished to sully their reputations.

The heroes used their mirror transportation to delve into the 7th deep. Beyond a secret crusader cache, they encountered two flaming salamanders with fire spears, charming one and slaying the other. In the great portal chamber, they found Sir Hugo la Pegase, wearing a ring of chaos and ushering drow through a portal from the Underdark. After a battle, Hugo was freed from the ring's influence and recalled seeing prisoners being driven south in the dungeons.

The heroes pressed on, eventually finding themselves in an octagonal room with six mirrored walls. From behind the enchanted glass, the six serpent-eyed sorcerers appeared. Protected from spells by their glassy shields, the reptilian magic users began a dire battle. A few of the mirrors were destroyed, but the heroes fled by pulling a magic leaf that transported them to the woods of Brieberus.

The old wizard knew nothing of the mighty sorcerers, but he advised them not to take sides in the conflict between Morcarat and Carwellan.

The heroes left for Tandis the next day. The following week, they investigated the town to find the "silver-tongued rogues" responsible for their slander. They learned that three musicians and a comely dancer had been performing at the Inn of Ill Omen, spreading foul rumors. The heroes waited in the streets and confronted the players, who all turned into bats and flew off into the night. When the heroes returned to Harrowhoff, they found that some livestock had been slain. The next day, Visefrin prepared holy water and sharpened stakes, and the heroes delved into the dungeon's fifth level. In the Court of Chaos, they met the dancer. The vampiress commanded shade-like undead and engaged the heroes in a terrible battle, draining a great deal of vitality from the drow warrior, Dolyra. The heroes eventually slew the vampire by driving a stake into its heart. They quit the dungeon without finding the others.

The following week, a rumor spread that someone had thrown open the dungeon doors, allowing a brigade of goblins to attack the men of Castle Tandis. The heroes investigated the first level, retracing the early halls for the first time in years. They found new secrets and lost tombs, eventually discovering the royal tomb where some of Lord Fillip's forebears were buried. There, in a heavy cloak in the darkness, was Lord Fillip himself, now a vampire. The heroes battled their liege lord, who was fully in the thrall of chaos. Lord Fillip charmed Papio, eventually becoming ethereal and escaping through a small vent in the ceiling. The heroes returned to the surface, certain they had discovered the traitor who had allowed the goblins within the walls.

Welborn spoke to Constable Throy, telling him that their liege was now a vampire and a servant of chaos. The holy bishop Visefrin confirmed this, and Throy left his post to go into hiding at Harrowhoff, fearing he would be charmed or worse if he remained. The heroes returned to their freehold, unsure of how to proceed, for Tandis was truly ruled by evil. Visefrin took his acolyte and went west to seek wisdom among the holy sages of Arimur.

Gathering Darkness

the 27th day of the 11th month - the 6th day of the 12th month 1372

The heroes flew on their mounts to Rilm to meet Morcarat. They were welcomed into the tower of ice by her daughters and given audience with Morcarat herself. Morcarat confirmed that she had a great task for them, and it seemed that Carwellan spoke true about Morcarat's aims. The Ice Queen wished to send the heroes through the phlostigen onto the Astral plane to seek Carwellan's pocket dimension. She confirmed that she indeed wanted Carwellan dead, but did not reveal her motives. 

The heroes stayed the night in the tower and took the opportunity to explore a bit. They found corridors and rooms filled with glassy eyes, perhaps scrying devices. They were careful not to climb too high beyond the fortress on the 5th level. 

The heroes returned to Tandis and arrived at Harrowhoff for the first time in months. They found the domain in turmoil. People from the growing population had been going missing in the night, bodies had been unearthed from graves, and two of Fillip's knights, Hugo la'Pegasse and Tod o' Tandis, were missing after delving into the dungeon.

The heroes investigated a recently plundered gravesite, and there met two rogues who were attempting to steal a body. They caught these men who led them to ambush their masters, foul lizardmen from the Cult of Demogorgon. They slew the lizards and followed some more into the secret cave leading to the 5th deep. 

Within the court of chaos, they found a terrible charnel house filled with Tandis dead unearthed from their graves. Here, an Evil High Priest, was creating an army of ghouls. They slew the ghouls and the evil priest and took a strange black ring from the priest's pale finger. They left the dungeon, unsure about what else had crept into the 5th deep. 

Over the next week Visefrin communed with the gods.

Where in her castle does Morcarat keep the Libram of Kryon?

It is in a secret vault on the tower's 9th level

Who did the Evil High Priest serve?

He, and more like him, serve Lord Galarak, a powerful agent of chaos.

Would Carwellan suspect a double-cross?

It will be difficult to conceal the truth from one such as him. 

As the week progressed, more foul rumors emerged, and disturbing reports trickled into Harrowhoff

Lord of the Violet Isles

11th - 14th in the 11th month 1372

Visefrin, now as a gnome, Welborn, Heironymous, and Sir Feek made their way through the early winter of the Verdenleaf. They sought lands closer to Tandis from where they might summon their fearsome flying mounts. They were lured from the trail by cries and came to the aid of pagan hunters. One of their kin was being carried off by a flying "ice devil". 

The heroes pursued in swift chase, Heironymous using the Crown of the Dragon Lord to imbue him with flight. The chase ended at a dank, steaming cavern surrounded by sodden ground. Within, they battled giant frogs and found ancient stelas bearing writing. This strange cave had once been a temple to a Mer-goddess. Passing a partially buried sarcophagus, they pressed into a watery cavern and battled slimy aquatic trolls. 

In the final chamber was the great statue of the Mer-goddess, an offertory bowl in an outstretched hand. Above the surface of the flooded chamber, an orb of clear blue water spun and splashed, and from the ether appeared Pa'Tom, a portly moon-faced sorcerer dressed in bright colors. 

Pa'Tom bade them enter the portal of water and visit his master upon the Violet Isles. The kidnapped pagan girl was released, and after an offering to the Mer-goddess, Imra, the heroes were changed into mermen for a time. They swam through the portal and emerged from a deep lagoon, not far from hilly islands. The entire sphere of the firmament was close and swirling with brightly colored matter encroaching from the void beyond. The colors of the sky rendered the isles in a still, violet twilight. 

The heroes spent the night on a beach in the company of other jovial merfolk militia, and the next day, restored to their forms, travelled up the hill, where they met Carmet, a son of the Magus whom they were to meet. Together they pressed on to the Crystal Palace.

Within the grand castle, they met the hospitable and amicable lord. Serving a great banquet were six vat-born men who, like Carmet, resembled exactly their so-called sire. This lord, whose name was Carwelan, told them many things. He told them of his history with Morcarat. She was his student, and she was herself vat-born, modeled from the form of another. The Magus claimed that Morcarat wished him dead and would attempt to employ the heroes to this end. He suggested instead that the heroes aid him in a great heist of Rilm, the tower of ice. His goal was to steal the all-powerful Libram of Kryon and deprive Morcarat of her mightiest spells. 

Carwelan gave the nine amulets of non-detection to the heroes so that they might avoid the Ice Witch's scrying. He also gave them five scrolls of flying. The next day, the heroes departed and returned to the strange cave west of Verdengard, where Pa'Tom would wait to rendezvous with them again. Carmet traveled with them.

Visefrin communed with the gods.

What is Carwellan's intent with the Libram of Kryon?

He wishes to use the Libram's most powerful spell to return his beloved to him

Can Carwellan detect us with these amulets?

Yes.

Which is the lesser of two evils: Morcarat or Carwellan?

Both are capable of great good and great evil. Both have their parts yet to play in the eternal wars against Chaos.