Notes
from the GM
In
the long narrative below, real dates are shown in blue
and game-world dates are in red.
This allows you to scan through the text for a particular
year, either for the players
or for the characters. Only
the first entry for each Lian year is highlighted. An
"R" next to a real date means the adventure
was played "retroactively" to a previous time
period of the characters'.
Much
of this
is still a work in progress, so there may be incomplete
sections or parts that are in the wrong place chronologically.
This has been distilled from my own 2-inch-thick stack
of notes, as well as dozens of pages from Devo, but it's
not perfect. If you have notes of your own, or clearer
recollections than I, please send them to me
so I can make this history as complete & accurate
as possible.
---
Charlie |
| [11339-'349] |
The
First 10 Years |
[1983-'86] |
Early Campaign History
[1983-'84]The
elite fellowship of heroes known as the "RoachKings" ("RKs")
was formed in the town of Görbén in the spring of
the year 11339 with the unlikely
teaming of a chaotic wood elf fighter-mage named Shadowstorm and
a nomadic dwarf named Shalomar (with a grizzly bear companion named
"Fuzzy.") Their founding ideal was "Honor & Friend
Above All" and they set out on several lucrative adventures
together, including the Island of the Ring of Life & the
Black Mansion. Before long, the fellowship grew to include the
hawkman healer Ozone, the burly human fighter By-Tor, and the
gray elf Namer Kendril Longstride. Tragedy
eventually struck, however, when Shalomar lost his life on a
solo mission (although he did technically have his bear along
for back-up.) The loss was sorely felt, but the addition of
the tiger shape-changer ninja Raal a short time later seemed
to bring the RKs out of this bad-luck slump. Eventually, the
RoachKings membership would include the elven sorceror Prince
Draken, the cloud giant Myrddin Quindoklyn, the Kelnor dwarf
Quandrony, the elven shukenja Dero Zane, the elven fire-mage
Yngwe Moonflame and, most recently, the human illusionist Salád
DaJaro.
During
the early years, the RoachKings operated out of a northern port
town called Görbén, located on the shores of the
Icy Ocean in the Braish Barony of Gönham. The town served
their purposes due to its location on the northernmost frontiers
of the kingdom of Bráhüm. While the Braish King
maintained many rigid laws against magic-users within the Nèr
Brahûm
Kingdom proper, those laws weren't quite so enthusiastically
enforced in a frontier town like Görbén. In fact,
to the southwest, in the "Kupal" (or "Wizard Lands") area of
the Gönham Plains, many wizards had established strongholds
in defiance of the Braish king's strict laws. There was even
a small village called "the Shacks" - located inside the giant
crater of some ancient meteoric impact on the Gönham Plains
- where one might find herbal, mineral, or tutorial resources
for studying the magic arts. (Many of these wizards had been
vanquished within recent years by a young local hero named Amblinon
and his friend Salád, but that's another
campaign altogether.)
The RoachKings set out on many adventures in the Wizard Lands,
gaining experience, new magical weapons & a considerable
amount of gold along the way. They broke into the Ice Pyramid,
probed the depths of the infamous Endless Pit, and vanquished
a dreaded black mage.
In contrast to the grim, bloody business of dungeoneering &
monster-killing, the RoachKings also formed a musical band (in
fact, talent with a musical instrument is one of the requirements
for membership.) They toured frequently, playing taverns & inns
along the way to their latest adventures. However, to a public
accustomed to harpsichords & mandolin-strumming troubadors,
the RKs' hard-edged musical style - which they called "rock
& roll" - was an assault on defenseless eardrums. It took many
people aback in the early days. Their act really came into its
own when the RKs stretched the envelope further by introducing
special audio & visual effects created by the illusory stylings
of Lazaruk Philor, a short-term associate of the RKs. No one
on Lia had ever heard a guitar sound like this (nor had they
ever seen a light show like it) and the RKs soon acquired a
cult following among the younger crowd.
For
the most part, the RKs were only in the adventuring game for
the money & the glory in those days. They did some hired-gun
work for the governor of Görbén as well as some
freelance adventuring in the southern highlands. They collected
a lot of treasure, including valued magic items and better weapons.
Within a few years, their combined skills with sword & spell
(as well as their increasing popularity as a tour band) brought
them the means to afford Party Central - an estate east of Görbén,
along the rocky shores of the Icy Ocean.
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Into
the Untamed Lands
[1984-'85]
c. 11343 - After capturing
several gryphons on an adventure in the Ered Atin (Long Mtns,)
the RKs began to breed the fantastical creatures and soon became
well-known for their flying mounts. (It was during this time
that they explored Krakletop?) Along with certain magics that
allowed them to fly, they used the gryphons to extend their
range of exploration to the west.
First,
they defeated frost giants in the icy Cone Hills along the borders.
However, this cost the life of a young human mercenary from
Bromalas named Jonas Dimerius III, who took a javelin through
the heart.
The
RoachKings went on to explore many dangerous places in the Untamed
Lands, including Siltwood, Devil's Tower, Grizzville in the
Briny Swamp, gnoll country, the ruins of Ivincus, Cratertop
Mountain, and Haddiger's Wood. It was during this period that
they first became aware of the increasing number of dragons
in the Delsen Hills to the south. The black dragon Spaal became
the first of its kind to meet its demise at the hands of the
RoachKings. The RKs also encountered an army of fire giants
in the north, led by one Kradrinko. This ambitious general among
fire giants had established a keep in the Untamed Lands & actually
had tamed some red dragons in his chaotic desire to wage war
on the other dragons AND the Braish Barons. The fire giant Blaze,
who had started out with the RKs, later joined with Krad's army.
The
Roots of Thaumaturgy
Later,
the RoachKings were instrumental in the re-discovery of the
Roots of Thaumaturgy deep in the craggy Dirbain Mountains. This
re-introduced many lost arcane magic colleges & spells to the
world.
To the east of Kendril's homelands in the Old Forest, in the
frontier hill country leading up to the great Dirbain Mountain
Range, the RKs vanquished an evil necromancer from is castle
and Kendril took possession of the estate, which he renamed
Castle Kendril. This castle is not far from Kar Tola, the tree-top
city Ozone calls home in the giant feather-firs (the only treetops
above the natural treeline of the Dirbain Mountains.)
The
Dragon Wars
Some RoachKings then became involved in the so-called "Dragon
Wars" between the western Baronies of
Brahûm
(Gönham & Eblerhüm) and the invading hordes of dragons
from the Delsen Hills. Kendril, Shady & Raal became well-known
for standing beside the mighty Dragon Knights of Bráhüm
(such as Sir Amblinon) during several dragon attacks on the
keep at Terin Ketdel, now called Terin Drakül. For his
service to the Baron Von Ebler during this time, Kendril was
knighted Sir Kendril Longstride of Eblerhüm.
Time
Bomb
Once, in a battle against wights & other greater undead in the
Eblerhüm Barrows, the RoachKings were flung into the distant
future by a "Time Bomb." In this future, all that remained of
the world of Lia was a string of small islands. In order to
return to their own time, the RKs had to decipher the secrets
of the Gates of Time.
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The
3 Wishes Tour
[1983-'84]
In 11347, the RoachKings
joined with the mysterious ranger Kal-El in reclaiming the ancient
kingdom of Antoros. They spent much of this adventure playing
as a band in local pubs & taverns along the way as a cover.
After covertly invading lands held by a conquering dictator
and kept under a curse for centuries, they found the keys to
lift the curse. In the process, they freed a female djinni named
"Jeannie" and discovered that Kal-El was in fact the rightful
heir to the throne of Antoros. In gratitude for all they had
done, Jeannie blinked her eyes and granted the RKs one major
wish: the creation of a small cloud-enshrouded
island in the sky upon which stood their new estate - truly
a palace in the sky.
9
Sept 11347 - Upon leaving Kal Terin, "Party Central II"
(PCII) flew around the Lordion Forest to the south, the air
ship docked in its hanger. Draken was dropped off at Castle
Kendril to check up on the elven troops and to discover Quandrony's
factor. Cathol was dropped off at Gergen to seek out Lorben.
Ozone, with Kendril, flew the air ship to Kar Tola to deliver
special herbs to the healer there, with whom Kre was staying.
Kre, in return for his eyesight, offered his service to Kendril,
who optioned him to serve Baron Von Ebler instead. Meanwhile,
PCII was flown to PCI, white flags flying, and the task of moving
was completed during RoachKing training. By-Tor & Quesfar
partied face. Kendril arrived from Telerba in the meantime and
insisted that Baron Von Ebler would be happy to hire Shady &
Raal.
11348
And
so the new Island Party Central (IPC) began its trek south,
white flags flying, at about 30,000'. Ozone docked with Party
Central for a short while as it floated southward and divided
treasure from as far back as Krackletop. Ozone left long before
they reached Terin Ketdel (formerly Ket Amon.) At Terin Ketdel,
Kendril was recognized as an Eblerhüm knight but, with
proper papers, was excused from service for the time being.
However, he did invest a chalice & holy water with counterspells
for illusions as a favor to Hollister, leader of the Dragon
Force. Meanwhile, Raal & Shady fought it out in a mock hand-to-hand
combat in front of some troops to demonstrate some self-defense
techniques. Then, after a small black dragon attack, IPC was
taken to Kendril's home village of Greybark in the Old Forest
& parked.
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RKs
& the Baron Von Eblerhum
[c.
1985-'86] On
gryphon-back, Kendril, Shady & Raal flew down the Drawberry
River toward Telerba. They passed Tridot the Tripple "playing
cello" on the river bank on shroomies. Then, on to Telerba
and to Baron Von Ebler. Kendril, Raal & Shady were all briefed
on the Baron's plot & the two spy/thief/assassins were asked
to take on false identities while in Telerba. They assumed the
roles of the merchant millionaire Bruce Wayne and his bodyguard
Random Blackmane. Kendril learned of the Baron's plans, including:
building clout with the Braish King, developing a secret alliance
with the Fire Giants of the Chaos Lands (formerly Untamed Lands)
so that they do not attack south of Ered Atin, & buying
off a few Dragon Guards for his service after his secession
from the kingdom. The RoachKings asked to be assigned to a mission
to the South (Delmor.) The Baron offered to give them one rune
weapon each for fulfilling the quest of returning to him a ship
designed to handle even the waterways of the Lesi Nais. They
seemed to think they'd need the weapons now, so he sent them
on a spying mission to Terin Ketdel to find some greedy Dragon
Guards. They did not impress the Baron: Sir Kendril Longstride
of Eblerhüm escorted a new squadron of men to Terin Ketdel
and with them were a merchant (and his bodyguard) who sold magic
armor (6) to Hollister for his sargeants & lieutenants.
Bruce Wayne, millionaire, gave a certain Lt. an hypnotic stare
over dinner and the two rendezvoused later, the Lieutenant in
a post-hypnotic trance & answering questions about knights
on the take. He knew of none. The next morning they left, escorted
by a tired squadron of guards & Kendril, and returned to
Telerba. Although unimpressed, the Baron provided the promised
blades, assured by Kendril that the two would return with the
ship. Kendril was assigned to escort R & S to the Dinli
Dale & return.
March
11348 - Raal, Shady & Kendril were flying up the River Drawberry
from Telerba when they spotted a troll chasing a herd of mustangs
with no success. Not paying the scene much attention, the RoachKings
flew on to Greybark, home village of Kendril's family in the
Old Forest, to IPC. There they trained and headed off in their
respective directions.
Cathol,
having met with Lorben, contacted Kendril about the quest for
the arcane realm of Antoros. Kendril, meanwhile, was investigating
suspicions of a voodoo cult near Skilly Lake. He discovered
mostly orcs there and rotting corpses under a tentacled creature's
hold (actually in its septic.)
Ön
11349 - After training time, Raal
& Shady partied hardy with the Valkyries for New Year's
Eve in Kel Ket. Then, an agent of the Baron Von Ebler brought
news of the threat in Nefaron. IPC flew south over the southern
provinces of Llofal and late in the afternoon, the fog set in
from the Forest of Ween in the south. Suddenly, Shady was snatched
up by a giant buzzard and carried off into the forest. Raal
& his twins and the Valkyries followed the huge feathered
beast to a multi-obelisk altar. Upon arrival, Shadowstorm's
wrists and ankles were grabbed & bound by silver snake-shackles.
The RoachKings pondered for a short while but soon the buzzard
men arrived and Raal & the Valkyries had to defeat them
w/out Shady. This accomplished, Raal gave it all he had to break
one of the silver shackles binding his partner, but he seemed
to pull a muscle. However, the condition only lasted a short
while. After a little more pondering, Shady asked a Valkyrie
to stand over him, creating a shadow out of which he could shadow-walk
to freedom. This worked, with one side effect: the Valkyrie
was then entrapped by the 3 unbroken shackles. Raal, while punching
the obelisk in anger over his lost strength, realized by the
crack he caused that his strength was back and he took it upon
himself to break the rest of the shackles. He proceded to do
so and the RK entourage flew on to Nefaron. They searched the
garden for a while and only afer dark did Shadowstorm make the
key observation in the stars which lead Raal to the answer to
the way in. They arranged a dial in a hidden apperture to the
zodiac sign that was in its highest stage (Cancer?) The RKs
discovered only the first 2 traps and maze of the dungeon, including
the pit where they had to fight their alter-egos, before they
shadow-walked to Kendril, Raal by way of a potion, of course.
The
RoachKings found Kendril training in Greybark and wondering
where IPC was & where Cathol was. They trained for a month
or so (until March 11349) and it was only a few days before
By-Tor showed up with IPC.
spring
11349 - the RKs celebrated their 10th year as an adventuring
fellowship.
