Background Story #1: Joson/Darkangnon Estates
The Joson family has lived (and died) in Union Veil, Arkandale for generations. The first to really strike it rich in Union Veil, Isaac Joson Sr. was a wealthy cotton tycoon who migrated from up north (actually, he and his family where drawn into the mists when Arkandale formed in 708). The Joson family was a major and influential player in the Arkandalian upper-class for years to come. Construction of a home for a family of this magnitude began in the fall of 711 and finished in the spring of 713. At the time, it was one of the finest (and most expensive) homes in all the land, overlooking a still body of water that would come to be known as Joson’s Pond. Isaac could afford to maintain an estate of this size due to the success of his cotton business (and his expansion into the burgeoning tobacco industry).
The Joson family lived off their Old Money and reputation for years, and life was grand. At least until the summer of 715. That’s when something very spooky happened on the Joson estates…
The oldest of the Joson boys (at the ripe old age of 13 himself), Stephen Joson was found in his room with a gruesome collection of gashes and cuts covering his body. The little boy had a far-out look in his eye when he told his parents his “invisible friend” was responsible for the cuts. Father Isaac Joson had the stable hand whipped and beaten for “practicing dark magicks” (he had to blame it on SOMEbody, might as well be a slave).
It wasn’t long before the entire house seemed to fall into disarray. There were claims of mysterious lights and fires spontaneously starting. Long, shrill screams could be heard well into the night, as could the repetitive banging of the family’s grand piano. It was not uncommon to pass by the Estates at night and see the poor scarred Stephen Joson slowly rocking to and fro by the family pond. When confronted about the strange behavior of their oldest son, Isaac and his wife would adamantly deny there was anything wrong.
Finally, it all ended one night when the poor boy climbed to the top of the house and dove off, hollering “Bookraken” the whole way down. He died upon impact. The distraught family sold away (or murdered) all their old slaves and reacquired a fresh new bunch. This same summer, Suzanne Joson (youngest child and only daughter) was born. The incident with the now deceased Stephen Joson was quickly swept under the rug and forgotten by “proper” Arkandalian society. But still, some whispered behind closed doors that the poor boy had gone insane, and his brothers would follow soon thereafter.
.................
Years later, during the summer of 721, there was a minor slave revolt on the grounds of the Joson Estates. But oddly enough, the slaves didn’t rebel against their owners. They rebelled against themselves. They were frothing at the mouth with a wild look in their eyes, as they viciously tore into each other with bare hands and teeth. First, the men slaughtered their own women and children, before turning on each other with ferocious determination. Not even the overseers employed by the Josons could curtail the violence. It finally ended when the slaves barricaded themselves in the farmhouse and torched it from the inside. Everybody burned to death. No cause for the sudden implosion was ever discovered. But the Joson’s did commission a priest to “bless” the grounds for them. But the craziness doesn’t end here...
From [u]And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?[/u]
As told by Lord Darkangnon’s wife-to-be, Violet Anne Membrose:
“The Joson family was a rich and powerful influence in Union Veil for decades. Their vast plantations and mills brought a steady stream of profits into the city (as well as into the Joson coffers). Violet Anne tells how she grew up best of friends with the youngest child (and only daughter) Suzanne Joson. She speaks of a mysterious suitor who showed up unannounced one night and stole Suzanne’s heart. Although Violet never met the man named Rafe, Suzanne told her he was an “adventurer seeking noble blood”. Before the rest of Union Veil even knew it, young Suzanne Joson became his wife.
Trouble started for the Joson’s in the winter of 735, when the patriarch of the Joson family, Sir Isaac Joson, was accosted by a “vistani wench” in the townsquare during broad daylight. There, in front of half the population of Union Veil, the wicked vistani girl cursed Isaac for some unmentioned past transgressions. Just as quickly as the curse was bestowed, the vistani girl ran away and disappeared into the forests.
From that day on, one by one, the Joson family began disappearing. First it was Suzanne’s two older brothers, who disappeared one night after dinner. Then, the father Isaac Joson vanished after returning home from the marketplace. Finally, Suzanne’s mother was the next to succumb to the curse, as she vanished the night after her husband (some say she went mad looking for him). When Rafe was the next to turn up missing, it shattered the fragile girl. Poor Suzanne Joson was so distraught over the curse, she drowned herself in the pond before it could claim her…”
DM Note: For those that have been following along very closely, and for my own personal records, realize the following:
“Rafe” is actually Nathan Timothy the (in)famous river tradesman, who was looking to expand his enterprises into Union Veil at the time. He wooed Suzanne, before killing her and her entire family and stealing their wealth. He had kept his relationship with Suzanne so secretive and away from the public eye, nobody besides Suzanne even knew who “Rafe” was.
As his time to murder the family drew nearer, Nathan Timothy (AKA Rafe) needed a cover. So he sought out a wandering clan of Vistani who “just happened” to be nearby. He propositioned them with money, and got one of the women to pronounce a fake curse on the father. So now, instead of the family mysteriously vanishing, it looks like the work of a vistani curse. His plan worked, he claimed the money, and it wasn’t long before he got a strong foothold in the Union Veil money machine under his real name of Nathan Timothy.
The vistani tribe that “just happened” to be in the area, was actually in the area for a purpose. The leader of the tribe, a “mysterious brown-skinned gentleman” had foreseen Nathan’s treachery and chose to help him complete his task. The “vistani wench” that pronounced the fake curse on Isaac Joson was actually Natacha of the Wanderers, who Alexus had helped free from Soth’s curse! (see events to When Black Roses Bloom)
Soon after returning with Alexus to Gundarak, Natacha “mysteriously vanished” late one night, along with the budding young psionic Jorge. In truth, both of them were recruited during the dead of the night by that same “mysterious brown-skinned” man, who wanted them on his team for some unknown reason. The pieces were put in place with the fake Joson curse for Alexus to come along later and “suffer the effects of the curse” himself. WHY did that mysterious brown-skinned man want Alexus to inherit the Joson estates? Because he knew the “true curse” the home labored under, and he wanted Alexus to share it… mwah-ha-ha-ha!
So that’s the story of the Joson/Darkangnon Estates. But that’s only the juicy parts of the legend. It seems that almost every summer since that fateful one of 715, something wild and crazy goes down on the Estates. I know the Southern summer heat can drive a man crazy sometimes, but
. This is getting ridiculous. And now, the Lord and owner of the newly re-christened Darkangnon Estates is returning home to spend his first summer on the grounds…OK, one last time I swear.
http://morgan834.tripod.com/ddcrew.html
Check that link. See the kid with glasses? That’s Toneih who will be making his Ravenloft debut as Darius of Sithicus.
Toneih is new to D&D ENTIRELY. He’s heard of the Game in passing, but never committed to a sess. Introduced by our newest member (at the time) Alena Nurpašhi, we agreed to give Toneih a test-run (like we do with all new recruits) He and I sat down to hash out a character concept.
Turns out the only exposure he’s ever had to D&D was reading the Dragonlance trilogy way back in the day. He expressed interest in playing a half-elf ranger, and I figured Sithicus would be perfect for him (seeing as how it’s loosely based on Dragonlance to begin with). Unfortunately, he was unfamiliar with Lord Soth but that doesn’t really matter.
The story of Darius is as thus:
Born to an Elvin mother and gypsy father, Darius was stranded at an early age. His mother perished during childbirth before she could identify the father. Of course the father was absent since day one.
He grew to adulthood amongst the orphans and waifs, but even amongst the lowest of the low he was treated disrespectfully. Darius quickly took off on his own the first chance he had. He always felt more comfortable amongst the wildlife and nature of Sithicus, thus when his freedom was earned he embarked upon a career as a ranger. He assumed a pseudo-vigilante role over the city of Har-Thelen, where he used his skills and powers to regulate from a distance.
When a string of rash, mysterious kidnappings rocked the city, Darius was quick to learn all he could about them. Several young members of the Elvin upper classes (still rebuilding in the wake of The Cursed Knights Awakening) were disappearing at an alarming rate; mass panic is sure to follow.
Darius was quick to learn that the work of the kidnappers was not done by “professionals” per-se, like the authorities believed. Instead, it was the work of animals. Strong, quick, lithe animals with vast intelligence and the ability to walk on hind legs.
The clues all pointed in that direction, but the authorities couldn’t see it. So as he did with most matters in the city, Darius handled it solo. From afar, he begins to investigate the rumors, sights and scenes all the while patrolling the city through nightfall. The tracks or clues left behind by the kidnappers were few, but Darius is able to discern certain facts.
Whatever or whoever is using these animals to commit these kidnappings is heading north into the wild, untamed Verbrek wilderness. It is doubtful anyone could survive these harsh woodlands, led alone a pampered Elvin dilettante. Certainly if they had been brought here, they were most likely dead. But Darius didn’t want to believe that. He believed the threat could be tracked and followed: persecuted to the fullest extent of his law. So he strapped himself up and foraged ahead into the strange wilderness, following a vague trail and a wild theory. He has no idea where the path might take him.
Months after their adventures in Darkon (and Borca), the three Player Characters (and one NPC) returned home. For more info on their adventures abroad, check The Cedar Chest and Corrupted Innocents. Before heading back to their province of Solyss, Alexus Darkangnon chose to return to his wife and estates in Arkandale. Destanial Magorian (his bodyguard Domingo) and Alena Nurpašhi agreed to join him.
It was late summer when they returned to Union Veil, and the community was happy to see them. When spotted in the streets, ladies would curtsy and gentleman would tip their hats. Of course, all maintained a safe but respectable distance from the players (their reputations precede them, especially with Alexus’ involvement in the duel a few months back: see And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?)
Upon their return, each of the players had their own things to do and people to see. They spread out on their own, each knowing they would meet back at Darkangnon Estates this evening.
Above them, dark storm clouds were rolling in from the west. The sun remained shining and the sky was still blue, but it wouldn’t be for long.
His groundskeeper (Thomas Landry) informed him about a web of bad luck that has seemingly besieged the Lord’s manor house. Servants and workers have been complaining of strange lights, sights and sounds (leaving some to believe the house is still haunted). Many of these workers have quit or escaped in protest, never to be seen in Union Veil again. To top it all off, a mysterious fire ravaged the Lord’s stables and killed his prized steed. His wife has been ill, and powerless to put an end to these events. The estates have been crumbling in the Lord’s absence. If that wasn’t enough to get the Lord heated, he soon found out that the “shipments” he was supposed to be receiving from his partner Phinean Windrider (back in Solyss) have NOT been arriving. These highly-secretive very important packages contained money from the Lord’s enterprises as well as the narcotics needed to fuel his habits. Best believe he was infuriated after this discovery. The Lord immediately set out to learn what he could about these occurrences.
Count Destanial Magorian (and his faithful man-servant Domingo) were cordially greeted by Harold Membrose (father to Violet Anne and wealthy tobacco and cotton baron). It was Destanial who opened trading routes between Solyss and Union Veil, making a lot of money for a lot of people. Harold Membrose was one of the guys that profited tremendously. Thus (despite his inherent bigotry towards vistani) he has always given Destanial his proper respect. Harold Membrose was elated to meet their new traveling partner, Alena Nurpašhi, and commented on her exotic beauty. Destanial assured him there is no romantic involvement: strictly business. Harold Membrose invited all three of them (Destanial, Domingo and Alena) down to the docks where they could view his newest trading ship acquisition.
As they stood dockside surveying the beautiful river and it’s bobbing paddle boats, Harold went on to explain about his “business expansions” to the north. He has met some wealthy buyers from Borca and Dorvinia, who have served to give his businesses a shot in the arm. Destanial’s eyes widened immediately at the thought. He knew of some “wealthy, powerful” people in Dorvinia and Borca himself. “Wealthy and powerful” people he and the Lord had run afoul of: particularly the head of the Dilisnyan crime family, Ivan Dilisnya. But if they were out to get the Lord and Count (like Destanial assumed) why would they enrich the Count’s own business partnerships? Destanial wasn’t sure, but he knew something was suspicious. He asked to confer further with Harold about these connections. Harold obliged, and the three of them (Domingo included) excused themselves from dockside and journeyed back to Harold’s home. Alena Nurpašhi willingly stayed behind to soak in more of the sights.
While Alena was alone and enjoying the sites, I had a few people drop by to introduce themselves and greet the Lord and Count’s new traveling companion (I told you word travels fast in Arkandale). I only did this to butter her up, and make her believe the Lord and Count are well respected in the land. Which they are, but there are certain people in the city with a bone to pick…
It wasn’t long before another roguish gentleman approached her, complimenting her on her beauty and flaunting his own personal wealth. He introduced himself as Nathan Timothy, merchant and river tradesman. He works very closely with Harold Membrose (who she just met) and Count Destanial Magorian (or so he claims). Together, Nathan and Alena discussed the natural beauty of their surroundings as he pointed out various landmarks and sights. He even serenaded the clear blue river waters with a throaty whiskey-soaked baritone. He knew Alena was enthralled by the beauty Arkandale could provide, and he quickly followed up. He invited her on a personal tour, where she could see the best Arkandale had to offer up close and in person. He pimped his own knowledge of the area, as well as his credentials as river navigator. She was wooed, and accepted his invitation.
DM Note: It is important to note that the previous exchange with Alena occurred in direct view of the other players (Alexus and Destanial). BUT, when it came time for this roguish gentleman to identify himself, I slipped Alena a private note with his name on it. I didn’t want the other players (Destanial in particular) to disrupt my scheme. Mwah-ha-ha-ha!
By the time Destanial and Harold Membrose returned to dockside, Alena and Nathan Timothy were long gone, chugging down the Musarde.
You should have SEEN Destanial’s face when a local dock boy told them that the lovely Lady Alena Nurpašhi set sail with Nathan Timothy. The same infamous river tradesman that drugged and beat our favorite Count, before dumping his body overboard and moving on (see events to And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?). Of course, Destanial couldn’t prove his allegations so the attack went unpunished. Thus far. But when Destanial heard that foul, lecherous fool was trying to dig his claws into Alena, the Count practically snapped. He excused himself quickly from Harold Membrose’s company and took off, trying to find a way of catching up to Nathan’s riverboat.
Count Destanial Magorian (w/ Domingo dos Santos): Bargains their way onto a local trading ship, where they take off down the Musarde in the direction they heard Nathan was heading. Both Destanial and Domingo are aware of the dire circumstances surrounding Nathan Timothy’s “gentlemanly invitation” and hope they can reach Alena before it’s too late. They believe she is too fragile a flower to tangle with that wicked weed. The memories of his last encounter with the man still fresh in his mind, Destanial seeks revenge against Master Timothy.
Darius of Sithicus: The trail leads him north from Sithicus, where he engaged in a few random wilderness encounters (just to get him familiar with the 3E mechanics). Amongst other things, he discovered the ravaged, mangled body of an escaped slave. Odd, considering there are no other humans around here for miles.
Alena Nurpašhi: Role-playing bonanza. I had madd fun messing with her as Nathan Timothy. He was nice enough in the beginning, albeit a bit thuggish. He offered her some wine, which she graciously accepted (Destanial’s players just laughed and shook his head). It wasn’t long before she was feeling the effects of the tainted wine, and everything went blurry. Think date-****.
But of course, as DM, I’m not gonna let it go THAT far. I just want to add some heat to the bad guy (the lusty Nathan Timothy in this case). Although she was impaired by the knock-out drug, she managed to evade Nathan for a little while as he chased her around his boat. When she got to the railing, and leaned over, he thought she was gonna puke. He just laughed and offered to “take care of her”. What he didn’t expect was for her to say “ciao” and jump overboard, plunging into the river Musarde. As she struggled to stay afloat with heavy limbs and sagging eyelids, Nathan Timothy angrily shook his fist and promised the river would “swallow her whole”.
That was the last thing she remembered, before washing up on the shore somewhere. She knew she was hopelessly lost. All the while, those ominous storm clouds were continuing to build and the suns rays were fading by the second.
Originally posted by Palin_IV
Just wanted to thank you MSD I ran a modified and not quite lengthy version of the Strange Story, but my PCs loved it!
You're very welcome.First up, the link: http://morgan834.tripod.com/ddcrew.html
It's been updated with some new pics for 2004, so go on and check it out. Witness the debut of LocdOut and succumb to the Allure of the Game with us. Go on, check it out. You know you want to.
Edited to read: Oh Yes. "Fiendish One" I know you're reading. Why don't you respond to your IMz???
Finally, the story continues. I'm setting up the pieces and moving everything into place for my custom-made homebrewed adventure. Check it:
Alone and soaked to the core, Alena Nurpašhi struggled up the muddy embankment. Looking around she could see the cool blue Musarde River behind her, with Master Timothy’s boat bobbing on the horizon. Ahead of her, stretched the untamed Arkandalian wilderness. She was lost. So far away from home, so far away from anything familiar, and now hopelessly lost in a foreign wilderness. The approaching storm only made the hot Arkandalian weather even muggier, so Alena shed some of her access baggage (which by now was soaked and only weighing her down). Meanwhile, somewhere not too far away, sensitive noses twinkle with the smell of her sweet Elvin blood and Green Eyez blaze with hunger.
OK, here’s where some of the threads collided:
I had fun with Alena as I described her surroundings in warped, twisted detail. The effects of the drugged wine made her limbs heavy and her mind hazy. As she moved further into the wilderness, the skies above got darker and darker. The shadows around her lengthened while sinister shapes darted to and fro. Thunder rolled across the sky like it was chasing her. I tried to make it seem like there was life everywhere in the forest, and it was all watching her. Finally, I described the glimmering flicker of a dozen green eyez as they eagerly followed along from the darkness.
At this point Count Magorian’s player jumped in with the “Ooo! Ooo!’s” as he was very familiar with these “green eyez”. He wanted to know how his search for Alena was progressing. I told him he went far south in his journey down the Musarde, past dozens of other sailing vessels. Yet neither he nor his bodyguard Domingo saw the infamous Captain Nathan Timothy and his ship. But Destanial refused to quit, which proved his character to me. I rewarded his diligence and persistence with a few pricey Spot checks. An hour or so after his search began, Destanial finally spotted some random equipment scattered alongside the shore area (far, far away from any settlements). Intrigued, he peered harder from the deck and recognized the wet cloak as belonging to Alena Nurpašhi. Almost immediately he and the bodyguard Domingo were boarding their small raft and heading over to the shoreline (even after the ships captain and his men warned them against the dangers of the Arkandalian wilderness). Destanial was well aware of the dangers.
As he continued to track the creature through the forest, he could deduce certain facts. The creature was obviously severely injured, as its progress got slower and slower. It began to struggle through the woodlands it has once passed through so gracefully. But most alarmingly, was the fact that the tracks suddenly and inexplicitly began to resemble those of human footprints! The same bare-footed tracks he was following alongside the cat-paws! Apparently these large cat-like creatures were not being rode by people – they WERE people!
Intrigued more so now than ever before, Darius continued to pursue the tracks. He pursued them all through the afternoon even as those ominous storm clouds gathered overhead (the trail was still relatively fresh, so he knew whatever he was tracking was just a little further ahead of him). Coming down through the hills, he could see the myriad cave entrances almost obscured by the tangled vines and walls of moss. Whatever the hybrid-creature he’d been tracking the whole day was, it retreated into one of these cave entrances. Darius was hesitant at first to follow, but the menacing storm clouds brewing overhead made his mind up for him. He knew the storm was about to break – and break hard.
He followed the tracks deep into the dark cave, on alert with his weapons drawn. At this point, it appeared that whatever he was following was dragging something alongside it. Deeper into the cave he went. He knew his prey was just ahead -- he could hear the hollow echo of ragged breaths being drawn.
But just then, he heard the sounds of movement back towards the entrance of the cave! The sudden sounds startled him, and he chose to disregard the trail for now. He needed to know what had just entered the cave with him...
From here, I let our two newest players have the stage to themselves. Alena nearly jumped three miles when she first heard Darius’ deep voice from the shadows. But he was able to calm her and assure her he meant no harm, before she blasted him with a magic missile or something. She explained her horror of being lost in a foreign wilderness with strange creatures tracking her every step. It was obvious to Darius that the elvin female was under the influence of something, as her steps were wobbly and her speech slurred. He got her to sit down, relax and relay the events of her journey to him. She explained the drugged wine and the man who tried to force himself on her. She explained jumping, or falling overboard (couldn’t remember the exact details) and washing up ashore somewhere down the Musarde. And she explained the strange green eyez that have seemingly been following her since she touched down.
(Now this is my favorite part) She gestured out the cave into the gloomy Arkandalian night. It was nearly pitch-black at this point, with those ominous storm clouds obscuring the last dying rays of sun. As she pointed out into the wilderness, Darius’ eyes followed. It was dark. So dark, they could see nothing beyond the thick wall of trees. Suddenly, a single FLASH of lightning and BOOM of thunder heralded the arrival of the downpour. And in that instant when the lightning flashed, both Darius and Alena could see dozens of long, lithe forms slinking in and out of the shadows. Their green eyez sparkled like diamonds. There were indeed strange things following Alena. They followed her to the cave entrance, and now they continue to prowl the area. What ARE these mysterious creatures? (Alexus and Destanial were laughing and pointing at Alena and Darius like “Ha Ha! You’re in trouble now!” Both of them are very familiar with the Green Eyez).
OK then. So Darius and Alena kinda resigned themselves to the fact they were trapped in the cave. If it wasn’t the vicious downpour holding them back, it was the virtual army of shadowy shapes continuously shifting outside the mouth of the cave. During the periodic flashes of lightning, the two PCs could see humanoid shapes mingling with those of the Great Plains cats. Darius and Alena felt they had no choice to but to press deeper into the cave (to continue following the trail of the wounded creature Darius had been tracking). Both of them (in-character and out-character) needed to know what the hell these “Green Eyez” were.
So they followed the bloody trail further into the dark cave. Their prey was indeed dragging something alongside it at this point, but they had no clue what. So deeper into the caves they went, following the myriad twists and turns. I was trying to build up tension by describing in a low voice the sights and sounds that greeted them. Whatever they were tracking was right ahead. Are you sure you want to find it?
As they rounded the bend and emerged into a spacious opening, they gasped at the site that greeted them -- a battered slave-girl cradling the limp body of her young son. The woman peered at the emerging PCs through a head full of long, black hair (thick and matted with blood). Her eyes were watery, filled with rage and sadness. Her clothing was bare and tattered, revealing the myriad wounds spread about her taut, muscular body. Her chest heaved up and down with each rasping breath. Her eyes met with those of the PCs, and their gazes locked. The tension began to mount. Although they were across the way, and the lighting was virtually non-existent, it was still readily apparent to the players that the young boy she held in her arms was dead. But did she know that?
Both PCs fought valiantly, but that poor mangled slave-girl battled with her back against the wall. She was absolutely vicious, tearing into the players with aggression while hissing and grunting with exertion (never once did she speak a word).
Finally, she managed to lay both PCs down and slowly moved in on the wounded Alena Nurpašhi to finish the job. But Darius sprang to his feet and moved in to attack. That’s when the slave-girl roared in his face and assumed a half-human/half-panther hybrid form. Her true self was revealed! She ripped into Darius with ruthless violence, including a frothing-mouthed attack that clamped tightly around his arm. He was able to pull his arm free from her grasp, but her fangs tore through his clothing into his flesh. He could feel the searing hot pain shoot up his arm.
Finally, the combined might of the two PCs was able to drive the wounded girl/animal back and force her to flee further into the dark recesses of the cave. Both players hesitated to follow.
Examining the corpse of the child (of which she left behind after fleeing), Darius was quickly able to deduce that he died from wounds suffered in a wolf attack. Odd, considering the lack of human settlements in the surrounding areas. Again the two players briefly contemplated following the creature further into the cave, but they were already pretty banged up. Darius was very concerned about the bite-wound he suffered to his arm. The scars from the attack will forever be embedded in his flesh. Both he and Alena retreated back to the main cave entrance, where a wall of rain continued to pour.
Suddenly, who should emerge from beyond the watery veil but Count Destanial Magorian and his man-servant Domingo dos Santos. Both were startled but relieved to find their lost companion Alena Nurpašhi.
DM Note: Destanial was led to this precise spot by a series of taunting voices and flashing green eyez. He received these little tidbits in note form, while I was orchestrating the battle in the cave. The Green Eyez (led by the warrior Ypowa) are always trying to flaunt their powers before Destanial in hopes of getting him to commit to their organization. In reality, it was just a DM Tool to get three of our four PCs united.
Count Magorian could quickly see that both Alena and Darius were injured. Alena explained the circumstances of her attack, and how this stranger (Darius) had come to her rescue. There wasn’t much time for chitter-chatter though, Alena and Darius had to reach a hospice ASAP.
At first they were hesitant to reemerge into the thunderstorm (citing the green eye stalking that plagued them upon their arrival), but Count Destanial Magorian assured them they would be safe. They couldn’t doubt the stoic, armored warrior-Count of Solyss, Gundarak. Back to Union Veil they trekked, with nary a single Green Eye to cause alarm. It was the storm itself that battered and beat them down.
When's the next update man, I'm longing to see how madd a story you can tell with 4 PCs to play with...........
(continuing)
Making it back to the muddy, rain-soaked streets of Union Veil, the three players (and one NPC) were able to solicit a ride from a passing coach. They received a quick stitch-em-up at the local hospice, before heading back to the manor. By the time they reached the gates of Darkangnon Estates, the storm was just reaching its crescendo.
They were greeted at the door by the manservant Thomas Landry, who quickly escorted them inside to the Great Room (where a roaring fire awaits). I did the little “housecat seems to have a fleck of intelligence in her eye” bit with our chick player Alena, but all it got were a few raised eyebrows (see The Strange Story 3.5 module at www.FraternityofShadows.com). The players were more intrigued by the Green Eye sightings, and promptly settled in to discuss the matter further.
The purpose of getting all FOUR players (and one NPC) together at last is to get them comfortable with their characters, and the whole “role-playing” aspect of the Game. Remember, this is Darius’ first D&D game EVER… The PCs got changed out of their wet clothes, and had a drink in the Great room while dinner was being prepared. They took this opportunity to get to know Darius a bit better. He is a newcomer both in and out of the game, so this warm-up is crucial in determining first impressions. He was very much into the RP-ing aspect right from the jump.
DM Note: Darius was the FIRST to fail his check against “the illness”. I ruled that Lord Alexus Darkangnon would be immune to the effect, due to his Unwholesome Ichor. Just keep in mind that the disease has spread to Darius, and it’s only a matter of time before the visions begin…
1) Darius’ top priority is tracking down the mysterious gang of kidnappers who’ve been menacing the city of Har-Thelen the last few weeks. Unbeknownst to him (as a character AND a player) is the fact that these kidnappers are actually members of the Green Eyez tribe (see events to And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?). So when he started questioning the others about these strange stalkings, it was beyond simple character motivation. He really did want to know what kind of creatures they were.
Count Destanial Magorian is very familiar with the Green Eyez from past encounters with the Tribe, but he declined to go into further detail. I’m not quite sure why he chose to do this – maybe he forgot Darius and Alena really don’t know what a Green Eye is. But for whatever the reasons, he didn’t explain it further. He kinda brushed the whole matter off and began questioning Alena further about her encounter with Nathan Timothy. But right away the seeds of suspicion were planted in Darius’ head. WHY WOULD COUNT MAGORIAN ATTEMPT TO DOWNPLAY THE KIDNAPPINGS? I could see the gears spinning a mile-a-minute in Toneih’s head at that moment – he was concocting some elaborate conspiracy theories. Theories that would play right into my hand as the “sickness” begins to take effect…
2) Lord Alexus Darkangnon is heated. I mean, absolutely infuriated. He is CONVINCED that his partner back home in Solyss is snaking him. Phinean Windrider is a trusted companion (and fellow fiend) who fought alongside Alexus and Destanial during the Revolution. Alexus and Phinean have been through a lot together, and Alexus even promoted Phinean to assistant-guildmaster. He runs the Solyss businesses in Alexus’ absence.
Plus, both Alexus and Phinean have a little “side-business” going on behind the scenes... They maintain a lucrative money-making machine using their titles and positions as fronts for an inter-domainal drug ring. They peddle inebriants even they are not immune to. And one of Phinean’s main responsibilities (his TOP responsibility if you ask Alexus) is to maintain the Silent Screamz operation and send Alexus his share every two weeks. BUT ALEXUS HASN’T RECEIVED A SINGLE BATCH OF THE NARCOTIC. So these are the thoughts sizzling away on his brain.
Not to mention the fact that his wife is “sick” -- but he automatically assumes the physicians can take care of her. But it’s not that kind of illness. There may not even be a cure. But bottom-line: rage and anger are building within the Lord. He thinks he’s gonna wait out the storm here in Arkandale, before immediately setting off to Solyss when it clears. The matter must be taken care of before the onset of withdrawal. Alexus is sitting on enough intoxicants to last him the next few days, but he must re-up soon…
3) Lady Alena Nurpašhi caught a case of the sniffles. It didn’t affect her much stat-wise (I just gave her a –2 to her checks and she couldn’t regain lost HPs from sleeping), but I figured it would add a lil flavor to the Game. Also, I planted the first seed of suspicion in Alena’s mind when I noted the faint magical aura permeating from the house. Sorta like magical “hot spots”. She wasn’t able to identify or clearly locate these sources, but she knew they were there. What could be causing them?
After dinner, Alena Nurpašhi excused herself from the party and moved to the Lord’s personal library (see the map included with the module). She settled in to read a few books, and whittle the time away. While she was all-alone in the room, I had Opportunity #2 to inflict her with the sickness (she had unwittingly passed her first check in the Great Room). So while she was reading, I had the housecat Chatruse stroll up and park herself in Alena’s lap. Our chick player couldn’t resist the opportunity to pet the purring cat, and I secretly made the check. FAILURE! Alena is next to succumb to the “illness”!
Next up: Darius of Sithicus. I told you how he is beginning to have his suspicions regarding the connection between the Count and the Green Eyez… well Destanial is starting to have his own suspicions about Darius! The Count is well aware of the injury Darius sustained in the battle with the slave girl/panther hybrid, even though Darius attempted to downplay it.
Originally posted by The MadStepDad
That’s when the slave-girl roared in his face and assumed a half-human/half-panther hybrid form. Her true self was revealed! She ripped into Darius with ruthless violence, including a frothing-mouthed attack that clamped tightly around his arm. He was able to pull his arm free from her grasp, but her fangs tore through his clothing into his flesh....
...Darius was very concerned about the bite-wound he suffered to his arm. The scars from the attack will forever be embedded in his flesh.
Destanial remembers quite vividly the scene in the woods when he was strapped to the stone tablet by the Green Eyez who hoped to force their “gift” upon him (see past events to And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?). But Destanial knows lycanthropy is anything but a gift – it’s a curse. And if this new guy is infected with the disease… Morninglord have mercy on him. Cuz Count Magorian will NOT hesitate to lay him down.
Destanial discussed this possibility with his trusted companion Domingo dos Santos, and they both agreed that if Darius showed signs of the disease they would seek out a cure immediately. But if a cure can’t be found… well, you know the rest.
So after dinner, Darius excused himself from the others and retreated upstairs to his own guest room (personally arranged by Lord Darkangnon himself). This gave Destanial, (the NPC) Domingo and Lord Alexus Darkangnon time to discuss the stranger alone. Yes, they think he’s a bit odd and yes they question his motives. Not to mention the fact he DID get bit by a lycanthrope. But still – he played a part in rescuing Alena, so they felt they owed him a bit of gratitude. They agreed he could stay on the grounds until the storm cleared.
As Darius settled into his darkened bedchambers, I took the opportunity to mess with his head a little. Outside the lone window in his room, the storm was horrendous. But between the sporadic flashes of lightning and continuous onslaught of pounding rain, he caught a glimpse of Green Eyez twinkling in the distance. Have the monsters tracked him here? Are they prowling the estate grounds? Is it just his imagination? Darius found himself staring at the wound on his arm as he asked himself these questions. What if Count Destanial Magorian summoned them here to finish the job?
He was jonesin’ for a fix.
He moved to the liquor cabinet and removed a brandy bottle and snifter. But he found his hands shaking so much that he dropped the bottle to the floor with a loud crash! Sudden pains struck his gut like two heated daggers. He didn’t feel normal or right. His gaze fell upon the Black Razor as it rested in its scabbard. It promised to make things all better again. So the Lord pulled himself together, threw on his hooded cloak and overcoat and slung the sword over his shoulder.
He attempted to slip out of the house without notice, but the servant-girl Gurtchen saw him about to exit. She asked the Lord where he was going in this dreadful storm – and the first thing he could think of was his wife Violet Anne Membrose-Darkangnon. So he told Gurtchen he was worried about Violet and he was going downtown to find her. He’ll return with more news soon. Gurtchen just nodded and watched the Lord disappear into the nasty storm.
Meanwhile, Alena was still in the library reading through some old tomes with the housecat Chatruse curled up in her lap. I wanted to hint at the former occupants of the house somehow (the Joson family), so I had her uncover some old genealogy books detailing the family tree. It was slightly odd, cuz the meticulously well kept and handwritten manuscript was never concluded. She now knew the Joson’s had owned this place before Alexus, but whatever happened to them?
She closed the dusty tome, and pet the cat some more before moving into the kitchen area (where Mamma Carnitine and the girls were busy cleaning up). Alena inquired further about the Joson’s, but her question was met with blank stares by the two servant girls and a look of surprise by Mamma Carnatine. She said there wasn’t much to tell – they were the previous owners of the house. When Alena asked whatever became of them, she could tell by the looks on the faces of Mamma Carnitine and the two girls that something dreadful had happened. But big Mamma refused to discuss it further. Her and the girls are just “too busy to talk now”. Alena didn’t press further. She went up to her own room and went to sleep.
Count Magorian and Domingo dos Santos sat alone in the Great Room, with their parchments, papers and scrolls spread out before them. The Hexad is an ongoing mystery that must be solved – for the sake of humanity itself. Destanial and Domingo believe that every event is somehow tied to the Hexad, and has a greater meaning. They set about finding a connection between the Green Eyez and the cryptic words penned by the mad vistani seer. Outside, the storm continues to rage.
He did not set out to search for his wife as he said he would. Instead, he dressed-down a bit and visited one of the local watering holes. He ordered a couple of stiff drinks and sat back in the bare-bones tavern to enjoy them. The place was virtually empty due to the storm, but a few loyal regulars remained.
Needless to say, the potent liquor Alexus continued to imbibe placated him. But it didn’t fulfill him. He was already angry, but now he’s drunk – which compounds matters further. He’s beginning to experience the onset of withdrawal, and he needs to feel the rush he gets from Silent Screamz. The Black Razor is that solution, and Alexus is just waiting for the opportunity to use it.
He gets that opportunity, when a sloshed regular stood to his feet and announced he was leaving. The bartender tried to persuade him otherwise (considering it IS storming outside) but the drunk couldn’t be deterred. He said “a little rain never stopped me”, but he never felt the reign of Lord Darkangnon and his Black Razor…
Despite his intoxication, it was still relatively easy for the Lord to exit the establishment without notice. He emerged into the brutal downpour, and began to discreetly follow the lone drunk – who had left only moments ago. Alexus could feel that unsettling queasiness creeping back into his stomach and that only fueled his rage further. It was as if the Black Razor was guiding his movements as he unsheathed the blade and pressed on. The streets were virtually empty, and Alexus and his prey were the only ones on foot. He waited for the poor mark to round the corner before letting the Razor do its duty.
Lord Darkangnon swooped in and snatched his victim off the streets like a bird of prey. Adrenaline surged through him and for a moment he felt like he had the strength of a hundred men. The poor drunken mark didn’t even get a chance to scream, but his expression told the whole story. It was as if he was facing down the devil himself – a horribly twisted monstrosity with black flames of hell burning in his eyes. It was a creature directly out of his worst nightmares. Those were the visions he was left with before the cold steel of the Black Razor ended his life.
The surge Alexus felt was indescribable. A euphoria of conflicting emotions and physical ecstasy. For the one brief moment as the blade slid through that mans body – Alexus felt complete. When he came to, he was on both knees in the middle of the street looming over the dead mans corpse. His body still tingled with excitement, and he watched the blood wash away beneath the pounding rain. He looked down at the Black Razor and knew something was wrong… but he quickly brushed that though away.
It was HE who controlled the Black Razor. The Razor didn’t control him…
He quickly came to his senses when he heard the oncoming prattle of a horsedrawn carriage on the cobblestone street. He quickly ducked into the nearest alleyway, using the wall of rain for cover. He just didn’t want to get spotted lurking anywhere near the dead body. But what he saw shocked him.
It was his own carriage, which could mean only one thing – his wife Violet Ann Membrose-Darkangnon. But that’s not the shocking part. He would have even waved them down, if he weren’t still buzzing off the Black Razor. The fact is, he could clearly see somebody else in the carriage with his wife.
A male figure.
As the carriage slowly rolled by, he strained to see her guest clearer. But all he could make out was the gaudy orange cloak the stranger wore. What kind of physician is this? Why would his wife lie to the servants if she really wasn’t getting treatment? And what IS this “sickness” that she seems to be suffering from?
Alexus wasn’t sure if it was an illness or infidelity… but he pledged to find out.
Finish the story!
And I am both pleased and angered.
Pleased that the great artist MSD has published another great adventure, but angered that he will not finish the story!
Lead on, MSD!
Cut Scene- The two servant girls Gurtchen and Ismedla are tidying the house before turning in for the night. As they stand in the great foyer of Darkangnon Estates -- with thunder punctuating their every word -- they discuss the recently returned Violet-Anne Membrose-Darkangnon. Both are concerned over her appearance as of late. Her color has drained, she has become gaunter and dark rings have formed under her eyes. Gurtchen even claims to have noticed an ethereal-like bluish tinge to the young lady’s lips and fingertips. They believe the lady of Darkangnon Estates has been cursed by the unhappy spirits dwelling within… This segues way into a brief telling of the Black Fire story by Gurtchen.
DM Note- The “Black Fire” story is one that Gurtchen often tells her friend Ismedla. It’s about a monster with “fiery black eyes” that haunts Gurtchen’s nightmares. Sometimes she sees his face watching her in the house. While it’s true that Gurtchen has succumbed to “the illness” -- this tale is both fact AND fiction. Read on…
Just then—the doors of the manor swing inward, exposing the violent storm beyond. The silhouetted figure of Lord Darkangnon looms in the center. The servant girls jump and gasp. The Lord of Darkangnon Estates enters the foyer and slowly shuts the big double doors behind him. He is drenched from the storm, with a soggy hat lowered over his eyes. The girls can’t tell, but his pupils are the size of quarters.
He saunters past the girls without even a nod of recognition. As he passes them, the Black Razor bobs rhythmically in the scabbard upon his back. Both girls feel a chill race up their spines. Then, Lord Darkangnon pauses before turning back to face the servants.
Not a word is spoken – but in his eyes Gurtchen sees that same “black fire” burning bright. She is aghast and frozen in her tracks. No words escape her lips – only a light gasp. Ismedla says nothing, but can tell by the look on her friend’s face that she’s been spooked. Alexus just chuckles to himself and moves upstairs to confront his wife.
Alena Nurpašhi is newly-infected, as is Darius of Sithicus. Destanial makes all his saves, and I ruled Domingo (the monk NPC) and Alexus are immune. So I was playing with Alena and Darius in different ways.
For one thing, I jumped right on Darius’ suspicions towards Destanial. So ya think the “good” Count had something to do with the Green Eyez – and by extension the Sithicus kidnappings-- huh? OK then, I agree. Remember, this is Darius’ first D&D session EVER so I can break all my old-school tricks out of the mothballs. I really had Darius paranoid to the 10th degree. He was convinced the Green Eyez were outside stalking him through the rain. They were only waiting for their orders to storm the Estates and finish the job.
And of course, any interaction Darius had with either Destanial or Domingo was painted in a most unflattering light. They came off very shady and aloof, and it really WAS all in Darius’ head! Remember, nobody has ANY clue there is even an “illness” running rampant.
To top it all off (good things happen for good DMs) Destanial began to develop a little “cabin fever” which made Darius even more suspicious. Destanial would get antsy and have Domingo accompany him out back, where the two would practice their weaponry and sword-play in the rain. Of course this only worked against Destanial in Darius’ mind. This only convinced him further that Destanial was secretly conferring with the Green Eyez – and his monk companion was in on it too. But was anybody else?…
Alena, on the other hand, had a much different path. I used the ghost angle from the module (check the Fraternity site) on her. Things like the cat staring at unseen things, or weird sounds and sights that caught Alena’s eye.
The first night they spent at Darkangnon Estates was similar to the “calm before the storm”. A lot of things happened -- but to the players they were just mundane or routine matters.
Little did they all know, it was all ingenious foreshadowing on behalf of their corrupt Gamez Master. Just wait until daybreak... mwha-ha-ha-ha!
When morning arrived, the storm was going strong. They couldn’t see too far out the windows, but they could see havoc and destruction. Thick tree limbs and branches strewn about, things overturned – just general messiness. The storm persists.
Everybody is thinking about something different as they gather around the table for breakfast.
Darius spent the night before staring out his window and rubbing his wounded arm. Those bite marks from the panther/slave-girl he battled were still fresh, and worried him greatly. Was Destanial looking to infect Darius with the disease to eliminate any threats to the Count’s pristine image? Was Darius the only one who knew Destanial “ran with the wolves”, so to speak?
Alena Nurpašhi was concerned over the sightings she witnessed the night before, as well as the tidbit of info she came up with regarding the now-deceased Joson family. Alena’s player was thinking “haunting” and wanted to investigate those faint magical “hot-spots” further.
Destanial and Domingo were concerned about the Hexad and believed this storm was a way to waylay their travels back to Solyss, Gundarak. Solyss was their main destination and anything else was just a speed bump in the road. So you can see how his sense of unexplained urgency may lead others (Darius, Darius, Darius) to see both the Count and his servant as aloof or distrustful.
Alexus on the other hand, is experiencing withdrawal. He didn’t even get a chance to confront his wife last night, as when he arrived in their bedchambers – and saw her asleep like an angel – he couldn’t bring himself to disturb her. He sat back in his chair with a glass of Bleeding Voices and admired her angelic innocence. Through his eyes he saw no faults in her, and fell asleep where he sat. But this morning when he awoke – his wife was already gone.
All he got was a message from Gurtchen saying Lady Violet Ann had ventured out into the storm again for her “treatment”. She was escorted by Thomas Landry, estate groundsman. Alexus couldn’t even bring himself to care – his stomach was burning and his bones ached. He didn’t eat much breakfast with the others, and he let them carry most of the conversation. When they asked how his wife was, he just said “better”.
Alexus needed doses of Silent Screamz. Badly. But there was none left. Curse Phinean Windrider and his disloyal ways! As soon as the storm cleared he vowed to learn where his assets were disappearing to.
Anywayz, they weren’t quite sure what to do next so they all volunteered mundane matters. Alexus wanted to go back to bed (his idea) and Alena wanted to crack the small library again looking for more stuff on the Josons. Darius could only curse the storm for washing away “valuable evidence”. He voiced his concerns over the bite wound he received, and hinted towards nightmares that plagued his sleep (nightmares that were detailed for him in convenient note form). He truly did fear becoming one of those creatures, but he didn’t want to admit it.
He wanted to speak with a specialist – somebody with experience in matters of this type. Darius needed to know if he was tainted. He wanted to seek out an expert. The others agreed and they all discussed it together. The only hope Destanial and Alexus could conjure was the name of a retired herbalist named Rudolph van Richten. But from what they last knew of him, his address was in Mordent and it would take several days to get a message there. They also agreed the storm would delay it further. They could only wait it out. And so Darius’ mind was left to fester on that thought…
Destanial and Domingo (not infected by “the illness”, mind you) are left to their own matters. Domingo dos Santos is a master chess-player, and he takes the time to school young Count Magorian in its fine art. “The game of chess”, he explains, “is like a sword-fight – you must think first before you move”.
Over leisurely games of chess by the window where the storm rages, these two warriors clash with brainpower. Destanial is a fast learner and soaks in the wise mans advice. They bide their time before their eventual return to Solyss, where Destanial is eager to return to his duties as Count.
But before he could, a single black streak jetted past the mouth of the corridor to his left. It was but a glimpse but distinctly feline. Another black blur suddenly bolted across the right side of the long corridor. He was trapped in the middle of the hall like a rat ready to drown. Darius quickly reacted and unsheathed the dagger he keeps on him. A few Listen checks later and he was sneaking up the hallway towards the sound of repetitive panting. For a long time Darius followed that elusive black streak around the second floor of Darkangnon Estates.
Every time he entered a room he was prepared to see a Green Eye warrior waiting, but instead he was greeted by a sound or an image that made him think he just missed them. Sometimes the sounds would double-up on him -- coming from two directions at once. Finally, I had the mysterious creature he was tracking seemingly retreat into Darius’ bedchambers. And when Darius slowly crept into his own room looking for it, he found his windows wide open and everything near them soaked. Automatically, Darius’ player assumed that the creature he was following escaped out the 2nd floor window.
Little did he realize, those windows he had forgotten to lock the night before were blown open by the force of the storm. So it was his own carelessness that would feed his paranoia further. But this is only messageboard ramblings – Player Knowledge. During the heat of the Game, none of the players had a clue this was anything but real.
So Darius ran to the window, almost slipping in the puddles. He looked out into the raging storm and saw Green Eyez twinkling in the distance. They seemed to be taunting him by breaking and entering with such ease. Darius feared not only for his life, but for the life of the others as well. They were all so ignorant to the true threat they were facing.
Her research on the magical hotspots didn’t lead to much. For one thing, I didn’t want to give away the Game quite yet. Secondly, she couldn’t understand why they seemed to fluctuate so much anyway. So she just assumed the faint aura she was picking up belonged to the ghostly apparitions. She wanted to speak to Lord Alexus Darkangnon about the matter, but he had “mysteriously disappeared” a short time earlier. So she turned to Destanial and Domingo and voiced her concerns.
They were well aware of the grounds back-story (as they both were a part of And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?) and they both bought Alena’s story as being highly possible. So Destanial and Domingo (both unaffected by “the illness”, remember) asked Alena to join them in the Great Room where they finally told the tale of how Alexus came to be Lord of these Estates (see past events to And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?). Suffice to say, their tale of murder, betrayal and supernatural haunting got Alena’s panties all tied up in a bunch. This was the closest confirmation she could get that the images and sounds she was witnessing were “real”. Destanial and Domingo even volunteered to help Alena check things out further.
How I presented this to Alexus was by clearly illustrating the trauma he was suffering, and contrasting it with the pleasures and relief the Razor offered. But I made DAMN SURE he realized the “price” he would pay would be great. If he chose to take the Razor instead of accepting the sins of his own indulgences, there’s no telling what the Razor might take in return – but it sure ain’t nice.
So the Lord mulled it over a bit, with the other players shaking and nodding their heads. They all knew the Razor was bad news, but figured Alexus would accept it. Plus they kinda wanted to see what would happen if he did. After a few moments of contemplation, Alexus’ player smirked and said “f- it, I’mma grab it”.
So he dragged his sick, weak carcass off the bed over to the bedside bureau. His bones were on fire and his cranium throbbed from exertion. He pulled himself up the bureau until his grasping fingers felt the comfort of the Razor. With the last bit of energy he could muster, and with a devilish gleam in his eyes – the Lord unsheathed the Black Razor triumphantly…
A scant few seconds later, the two doors to the Lord’s chambers swung inwards. In strolled the servant-girl Gurtchen, who came to perform her daily cleaning chores. She was startled to see the Lord leering at her from across the room. He sized her up and down with lascivious intent. He ordered her over to him, and she reluctantly obeyed.
I’ll leave it up to you to guess whether the monstrous, inhuman veneer the Lord suddenly adopted was real -- or a side effect of Gurtchen’s “illness”...
Either way, this was not the Lord she recognized. Instead it was a snarling, raging lunatic that thrust her upon his bed before tearing her garments to shreds. He covered her pitiful screams with his hand and proceeded to have his way with her, in most despicable fashion.
This was one of those fade-to-black scenes, but the message was clearly delivered. It worked too, cuz the other players (who had been looking on with rapt interest) now turned to Alexus and sneered for his cruel decision. Alexus’ player (who had NO idea this would happen) was greatly ashamed by his decision. It was one of those turning points when the fun-and-games of the Black Razor became a traumatizing reality. A reality that would only hasten Gurtchen’s descent into madness…
KEEP GOING!!!
Meanwhile, downstairs…
Alena Nurpašhi shows Count Destanial Magorian and his bodyguard Domingo dos Santos around the library area where she first saw “the ghost”. Of course, both Destanial and his bodyguard are unaffected by the illness – thus they saw nothing out of the ordinary.
In the backrooms, Destanial and Domingo saw a soggy Thomas Landry cleaning up after the dogs. Out of curiosity Destanial asked where Alexus’ wife was, and Thomas said she was still “seeking treatment”.
They also delicately asked him if anything “odd” or “unsettling” had been occurring on the grounds recently. They didn’t want to get him spooked, but they needed to know if Alena really was seeing these crazy visions. Thomas Landry got all hushed and whispery, as he closed the door and asked the players to sit for the tale.
From The Strange Story 3.5 Module
"Well, sir. Yah see master, there used to be somebody owning this place before Lord Darkangnon. A rich guy, Master Isaac Joson, who had a bee-yoo-tiful wife, two strong sons and a fair young lass-of-a-daughter. But one day, while Master Joson was right in the towns square, a vistani wench appeared from the Mistz and spit a curse upon Master Joson. His name and his family too. The vistani Master of Curses disappeared juss' as fast as she came. But her words stayed behind forever. Later that night, Master Isaac Joson was gone. Never to be seen before. His wife, and his two sons disappeared too. Even his youngest daughter and her new husband vanished at the hands of that wicked gypsy Curse. Some say, the stain remains on the Joson grounds even to this day..."
If questioned further about the tale, Thomas Landry will refuse to elaborate, citing his own discomfort. Apparently, he spooked himself out with the story. He will say, however, it was Lord Darkangnon who says he rid the house of the spirits. But (and Thomas' voice will lower to a whisper as he says it) "not even the great Lord Alexus Darkangnon has the power to cleanse a gypsy curse".
The purpose of the dialogue with Thomas was to get some of the players thinking the problems might NOT be linked to ghosts, rather the results of a wicked Vistani curse.
From the Strange Story 3.5 Module
Well they say one of the boys in the family had a lil gambling problem, and he made a bet he couldn't keep with a wild gypsy trader. They be sayin the Joson boy was cursed to lose his family one-by-one until his debt with the vistani was paid off. And 'da family started disappearing too! One-by-one they vanished, just like the gypsy said 'dey would. But that Joson boy just kept on gambling 'derre lives away, until the curse finally swallowed him where he sat..."
The story gave Alena the shivers as she considered the possibilities. She rushed to get back together with Destanial and Domingo, where she shared Mamma Carnitine’s story. They all agreed to search the basement area.
But first – Destanial needed to speak with Domingo.
Alone.
They parted from Alena and journeyed outside to the back of Darkangnon Estates (where the vicious storm continues).
And lo and behold… who just happens to see both Destanial and Domingo make their way outside from his second floor window? Who’s been chasing Green Eyez all over the place? Who thinks Count Destanial Magorian is secretly working with the tribe of savages? Why, Darius of Sithicus of course. So if he needed any more “confirmation” that Destanial and Domingo were evil traitors, this secret little rendezvous of theirs behind the house is proof enough. I mean, you should have SEEN the look on Toneih’s face (Darius’ player) when he caught sight of the Count and his bodyguard. It was like a wicked, all-knowing smirk. Like he KNEW the Count’s secret plot – and planned to act on it. Darius gathered up his gear and made his way downstairs.
____________________________________________________
At the same time, a disheveled and shattered Gurtchen slowly makes her way out of Alexus’ bedchambers. She wears the facial expression of a shell-shocked war veteran. She mindlessly grabs her duster and continues her duties. She is about to reach the breaking point.
____________________________________________________
A lot of things happen.
On his way to confronting Destanial and Domingo, Darius of Sithicus bumps into Alena in the hallway. They briefly interact before Darius announces he’s looking for the Count. But JUST THEN, the growling of an angry dog can be heard coming from the Great Room.
The two newbie players go to investigate, and they see the Lord’s two dogs staring at the wolves head on the wall. Suddenly, the two great dogs cower in fear and run from the room with their tails between their legs. As Darius and Alena watch them go, the wolf’s head on the wall suddenly animates! They find themselves staring down the infamous black wolf that was pinned on the wall. He’s freakin huge. So while Alexus is still upstairs buzzing off the Black Razor, and Destanial (with Domingo) are outside practicing swordplay in the storm – both Alena and Darius are battling a giant wolf all throughout the Great Room (of course, if only Destanial or Domingo looked in the window, they would see Alena and Darius struggling with NOTHING).
He had been CONVINCED that Phinean wasn’t sending him the drugs and money he was due. He thought for SURE that Phinean was trying to snake him. But now…. he wasn’t quite sure. Apparently Phinean WAS sending the packages, but who was intercepting them? Where have all the narcotics and money gone? Prying a bit further, he found an address written by his wife’s hand. It was hastily scribbled on an old piece of parchment, and it was an address Alexus didn’t recognize. But he knew what he had to do. So Lord Darkangnon strapped the Black Razor to his back, and slipped out of the house into the storm. He was going to check out this mystery address.
Alexus hits the road and lands at the address written on the scrap of paper. The storm threatens to blow him away, but his anger and curiosity drive him on. The address belongs to a small wine and cheese shop, where Alexus can see his wife’s carriage parked. He posts up in an alcove across the street, away from the pounding rain but positioned so he can still watch the shop.
Soon thereafter, he watches his wife emerge – arm-in-arm with that mysterious orange-cloaked patron he saw her with last time. Alexus is angry. His wife almost trips and stumbles as the orange-cloaked gentleman helps her into the carriage. But surprisingly, he doesn’t enter with her. He shuts the door and watches as it slowly pulls away (back to Darkangnon Estates, Alexus presumes).
The orange-cloaked man then rounds the corner out of sight. But seconds later, as Violet Anne’s carriage drives south – another carriage emerges from around the bend heading north. Alexus knows the orange-cloaked man is inside, so he decided to follow him. He knows his wife will be home when he gets there. Off he goes following the mysterious orange-cloaked man and his carriage to the north.
Like I said, the rain storm is horrendous. Using a bit of his assassin-assisted abilities, Lord Darkangnon hitched a ride on the back of the carriage – unbeknownst to the orange-cloaked man inside (or so Alexus thought). The carriage rattled down the slick cobblestone streets of Union Veil at a leisurely pace. The streets and shops around them were deserted. Clinging to the back of the carriage, Alexus watched the town begin to disappear behind them.
Despite the pounding rain, the path this carriage followed through the outskirts of Union Veil looked very familiar to the Lord. It was even more apparent when a familiar manor house loomed over the horizon. The carriage rode up the muddy embankment towards the wrought iron steel gates that circled the grounds. Alexus had been here before. He could see the giant glass greenhouse attached to the lonely manor on the hill. He saw the hedge sculptures and flower gardens.
But before the thought could register completely in the Lord’s mind – the carriage rolled to a stop outside the gates. Alexus got a bit nervous as he felt the carriage door opening and the orange-cloaked man emerging into the storm. The mystery man circled around to the back of the carriage – where Alexus clung tightly. He chuckled politely at the Lord’s predicament and said, “With all your resources, you couldn’t afford your own ride?”
The orange-cloaked man was Johnathan Atma – gardener extraordinaire and Alexus’ “business associate”. But what was he doing with Alexus’ wife!?!?
[i]DM Recap – During the events of Episode 6: And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus?, Alexus met a new business associate who shared his interest in illegal narcotics (the manufacturing and selling of). His name was Johnathan Atma and he was a respected business man within the community. But he keyed Alexus in on a few endeavors he had going “on the side”.
One of these included his bootleg Bleeding Voices venture – which added tremendously to his coffers. Alexus and Johnathan Atma politicked awhile before agreeing they could both make MORE money by working together. Thus, Darkangnon/Atma Enterprises was born…[/i]
Inside, J. Atma even offered Alexus a change of clothes (which he rejected). The two business associates sat before a roaring fire and quaffed a glass or two of Bleeding Voices. J. Atma noted that this was an odd way for the Lord to announce he had returned to Arkandale (stowing away on the back of Atma’s carriage and all). He was “glad to see” the Lord returned safely, and asked about his out-of-town exploits. But Alexus cut all the crap and explicitly asked Atma what he was doing with Violet Anne Membrose-Darkangnon. J. Atma was surprised by the sudden question.
“Why, keeping her in good spirits of course!” was his reply.
Over the course of their discussion (as the storm beats down outside), J. Atma confessed to keeping Lady Violet Anne “medicated” in the Lord’s absence. “Such a lovely lass – yet ever so lonely” was how J. Atma described her.
Alexus was able to deduce that the packages being intercepted at his home (the packages containing Silent Screamz doses and laundered money) were being intercepted by his own wife. Wow.
This revelation was met at our gaming table by stunned silence. I mean, all four of the players were convinced Violet Anne was being disloyal. But as usual, the most common theory is the incorrect one. Alexus’ player was still trying to find the connection in his mind, so I refreshed his memory a bit.
I took him back to the time they FIRST spent in Arkandale – Episode #6: And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus? There was a scene in there where Alexus met the lovely Violet Anne Membrose for the first time. The whole purpose of the scene was to illustrate the power Alexus had at his disposal – even if he didn’t realize it at the time. I mean, an 18 charisma doesn’t come around every day. I vividly painted the original Violet Anne as being young and naïve – almost bordering on “innocent”. And I pointed out to Alexus that he had the power to cherish this innocence, or corrupt it forever. So you know what decision he made: he and Violet Anne indulged in the cherry bombs Lord Darkangnon was so fond of. For those who don’t recall, these “cherry bombs” were not natural Solyss fruit as Alexus claimed – instead they were cherries tainted with doses of Agony (see both the Book of Vile Darkness and Episode #4 – Death Of A Darklord for how I applied them to my Game). Needless to say, that was all it took. Events spiraled out of control, and by Game’s end – Violet Anne became Mrs. Darkangnon the struggling fiend. So you see, IT’S ALL ALEXUS’ FAULT!!! It usually is…
OK, so after the initial shock wore off (and the Bleeding Voices they were quaffing began to take effect) Alexus and J. Atma ended up having a very pleasant conversation. In Alexus’ opinion, J. Atma is “just a man on his hustle”. He couldn’t begrudge J. Atma for supplying his wife with the narcotics – after all, it was her that requested them. After much drunken frivolity (IE: hilarious role-playing interaction from Alexus’ player), Lord Darkangnon politely asked J. Atma to refrain from fueling Violet’s addictions any further. The Lord would handle this matter personally.
And so that storyline thread limps to an end. Here, I was shooting for my “shades of gray” strategy as it relates to the villain Johnathan Atma. What he was doing was bad (supplying a fiend with their inebriant of choice) but his motives were strictly monetary. It wasn’t like he was out to purposely screw with Alexus or anything. It was all business… and Alexus realized that. I was kinda expecting (hoping) that this could be the seed of dissent between J. Atma and Alexus but alas --- twas not to be. Alexus was soon escorted back to his manor house by private carriage – a token of his good friend Johnathan Atma’s esteem.
Alena Nurpašhi and Darius of Sithicus are convinced the house is haunted. By what, they have no idea. Darius has even related to Alena his suspicions regarding the Destanial/Green Eyez link. Of course, this too gets Alena all in a tizzy. Remember, both Darius and Alena are newbies to D&D so they don’t know how deep the Game gets… or doesn’t get.
Out-of-game, Alena’s player had read the entire transcript to Episode #6: And Wilt Thou Leave Me Thus, so she was acquainted with Destanial’s interactions with the Green Eye savages. Therefore, Darius’ theory seemed highly plausible. Maybe the Count really WAS dealing with the Green Eyez. And he wanted Darius dead cuz it was obvious Darius was onto their kidnapping schemes (remember, Darius’ whole hook revolves around the disappearances of Elvin dilettantes back home in Sithicus).
So now Darius and Alena are suspicious of Destanial.
Destanial, Domingo and Alexus are suspicious of Darius (after he was bitten by an infected were-panther).
And everybody’s suspicious of Alexus – just because.
So with inter-party tensions building to a head, I lay the last straw on the camel’s back…
From The Strange Story 3.5 Module
"Suddenly, a shrill screech cuts through the stale night air like a knife. It is shocking in its suddenness and horrifying in its longevity. The scream carries long through the house and echoes off the walls." (assuming the players pursue the sound) "You begin to pursue the wail, it's origins apparently emanating from the kitchen area. Before you can reach the kitchen, the cry is joined in unison by a second, both of them melting into a symphony of terror. Outside, the storm continues to rage".
Rushing into Area #3 (The Kitchen) the players will be startled by the gruesome scene that awaits them. The servant girl Gurtchen lies dead on the floor, a single kitchen knife plunged handle-deep into her abdomen. But there’s more blood in the kitchen than from a single wound.
They will also see the second servant girl Ismedla curled into a ball in a corner of the room, softly sobbing to herself and rocking back and forth. Alerted by the screams (as the players were) Thomas Landry and Mamma Carnitine will quickly rush into the scene, and nearly retch from the horror. What will everyone do? The storm outside is so bad there is no way to get a doctor or a constable to the location tonight.
Granted most of life has been dedicated to my "Evolution" as I like to call it, but please don't discredit the KING. He has done some good.
For example: to be relevant to the story thats going on now, I believe it was I who sent Mrs. Violet Ann Membrose-Darkangnon to rehab.(don't know what they called those places in ravenloft)
Yes and I'm preety sure everyone that has been following the threads is yelling at their screens right now, because I do know that I started her addiction, but I was young and just trying to have some fun at the time. Please forgive me.
Or what about the time when.... I don't know if you posted this yet but if its exclusive then I'm glad I did it.
What about the time when I basically spat in the face of Ivan Dalisnia(I believe he is a Darklord), when he offered me a life of power. In return all he wanted me to do was assaninate my only real true loyal friend at the time Destanial.(Destanial is still my closest friend still but lets see how far his loyalty goes now MSD)
Let me explain the scenario, it was Ivan and his crew of thugs and just me, alone, and at that time I believe I was still the Lord of Solyss.Basically makin' a short story out of a long one. Ivan confessed that he had poisoned Destanial and I(I believe the poison was called "Borrowed Time")and there was only one cure, which he had in his hand during this conversation. So this is where I saved Destanial's life with out him even knowing.
I bashed Ivan with the Black Razor took the antidote and Destanial and I had to carefully portion out the antidote evenly or we both would die. But moral of the story is, Alexus still to this day is able to do some great things in this world.
Sorry, MSD but I had to do it. Alexus is not just some cold blooded killer, he has Principles. Although I will admit that sometimes the principles go against some other peoples principles like for instance the principles of Godfried Goldbane.(Yes MSD I put his name out there)
peace y'all
p.s. if anyone would like to know who the infamous, and world renowned evil slayer(lol) Godfried Goldbane is I'm preety sure MSD could tell you
Moving on...
Now the whole purpose of the module is to feed the players’ paranoia and let them convince themselves there’s a murderer in the ranks. In my Game this was easily accomplished, as the whole party has been weighted down with suspicion since the beginning. The “murder” of Gurtchen only heightens that distrust. Normally, as DM this is a dangerous line to tread. Push the players too far and you might not have any PCs left by Game’s end. Odds are real-life feelings can be hurt and resentment will grow between the players. But in my case, I am very fortunate to be blessed with four premo-Grade A, illmatic Role-Players. So I had no fear that the Game would carry over into real life (8 years ago and I wouldn’t be so sure).
Here comes my favorite part of any adventure. The part where the scene is set and laid down so well, I get to sit back in my throne and watch the players grab the Game by the throat. So after I handed each of the players their customized clue sheet (once again, I refer you to The Strange Story 3.5 Module for further details) I sat back to watch the fireworks.
Without boring you with too much intricate detail – just know that the clue sheets I handed out were the culmination of each character’s pet theories and notions. Darius’ clue sheet, for example, pointed towards Destanial (or his loyal servant Domingo) as potential suspects. Alena would find further “proof” there was something darker and sinister behind the pleasant veneer of Lord Darkangnon. Alexus, on the other hand, had a nagging suspicion the killer was HIMSELF. Of course, I spread the suspicion around enough that nobody was off the hook. Destanial’s clue sheet was the only one with an inkling of truth (keeping in mind both Destanial and Domingo have NOT succumbed to “the illness”). So off the players go on their investigation.
Things got hectic right about now. Somehow, Alena wound up in the basement area looking for ghosts, while Destanial and Domingo checked out the corpse. Darius took the opportunity to sneak into the Count’s bedchambers and poke around – while Alexus finally confronted his wife Violet Ann, the rampant drug fiend.
His confrontation with her was especially explosive, as he found her balancing herself on the rain-slicked balcony railing as the storm continued to rage. Catching her just in the nick of time (before her artificially-inflated sense of invincibility caused her to plummet to the stone walkway below), Alexus violently shook her from her drug-induced reverie and cursed her out. It was a harsh and sudden tongue-lashing from the Lord, and it seemed to awaken a bit of the old Violet Ann. She collapsed in a sobbing heap into his arms. Perhaps feeling a bit of guilt himself (perhaps?), Alexus silently vowed to make this situation all better again.
Finally, as Darius procured some “damning evidence” from his search through Destanial’s stuff and Alena was racing upstairs from the basement with tales of “ghostly apparitions and stuff”, Destanial and Domingo were coming to their conclusions about Gurtchen’s death.
All four of the players wound up in the Great Room where they hashed out their plots. Darius was preparing to confront Destanial once and for all about the “murder”, before Destanial led them through a reenactment of her death.
From The Strange Story 3.5 Module
Sane and careful investigation of the murder scene will uncover the “killers” last steps. Gurtchen withdrew into the pantry area, where she grabbed the biggest knife available (these knives were previously foreshadowed in Area 3: The Kitchen). Her first swipes with the knife occurred in the pantry area, so astute players may find a few drops of blood. Following the trail, it will lead to the kitchen where she committed most of the cuts to her arms and legs (trying to eliminate that itch). This is where most of the blood will be pooled, and the spot where she finally plunged the knife into her own gut. She collapsed on the floor and bled to death with open eyes. Only after careful study (by a SANE character only) will the players learn that the wounds were self-inflicted and the death was a suicide. Of course, even after they learn this information they must ask themselves WHY she killed herself.
Boom. After this revelation was announced – I had the infected characters (IE: Darius and Alena) roll some checks. So imagine this scene: the four characters standing in the bloody kitchen while the storm rages outside. Thunder shakes the house and lightning cracks in the distance. After Destanial announces that the servant girl Gurtchen killed herself there is a moment of silence… then Alena Nurpašhi suddenly bursts into loud guffaws. Yes, Alena Nurpašhi begins laughing uncontrollably as the other players stare at her with wide eyes.
Ya see, Alena failed her check and was affected by Tasha’s Uncontrollable Hideous Laughter. I passed her a note with the effects of her failure, and she role-played it to all hell. I didn’t expect her to actually laugh out loud, but she did. And it added tremendously to the scene. I mean, fo real. The other players were like “what the heck…?” Luckily for Darius, he passed his check – thus Otto’s Irresistible Dance was avoided. I’m kinda glad in retrospect, cuz if dude just started spontaneously dancing around, it would have turned this into a comic routine instead of a gothic horror tale.
From The Strange Story 3.5 Module
Closer examination of the dead girls body will reveal several of those, tiny red bites. The same “tiny, red bites” that may look familiar to some of the players. Particularly the ones that have succumbed to the “illness”. ALL carriers of the illness bear these same red bite marks. However, in the case of infected players, the DM should take the liberty of concealing them so they’re not readily apparent. Perhaps they’re on the shoulder, or neck area. Someplace the infected players won’t notice right away. But especially after Gurtchen’s dead body was found covered with these bites, the players should become a bit wary. Perhaps an infected character will point towards another character and say “You’ve got the same bite marks on your neck!” In turn, that character can say “You do too!”
At first, the players stared quizzically at each other for a few moments before Destanial asked to inspect Darius and Alena closer. He checked out their red bite-marks (saw that he, Domingo and Alexus were free of them) and started picking at Darius’ skull. What he pried loose shocked all of them [insert picture of the Fleas of Madness from the Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Volume III: 2E). The look on the players’ faces said it all – WHAT THE F***??
Darius was able to get his wounds checked out at a local hospice (unfortunately, he wasn’t able to confer with Dr. Van Richten as he wished). All they could tell him was that it wasn’t infected and that it would probably scar. Of course they have no idea what creature bit him, so to truly say he’s not infected is a bold-faced lie. But as far as they know he’s clean. But in the back of Darius’ mind that doubt is always there.
He was also able to perform a bit more investigation on behalf of the missing elvin dilettantes. As a hook for the next storyline chapter (which will take place when they return to Solyss Gundarak), I had the trail Darius was following lead through Arkandale to Gundarak.
So whatever was kidnapping all these Elvin nobles was taking them directly to Gundarak. Therefore, Darius will accompany the other players when they finally return home.
Both Alena Nurpašhi and Darius had to undergo some treatment to reverse the effects of the fleas (all bills were footed by the kindly Lord Darkangnon). Alena was also intrigued by these odd magical creatures (this is why she kept detecting “moving magical hot spots”) and set out to research them further. Luckily for me, the book they came from includes a brief history review. Alena’s player thought they were wicked cool creatures.
Count Destanial Magorian and Domingo dos Santos could only train and prepare for their return to Solyss, as their traveling companions tried to pull themselves together. For when they return home, nothing will ever be the same again…
The End.
Would you prefer the novelized story-style I occasionally use, where excerpts are written in book form? Or is that too long and tedious? Should I get straight to the point and briefly summarize the adventures (ala Episode #10: Corrupted Innocents), or would you prefer longer more in-depth recaps (like Episode #8: The Unfingered Hand)?
Do you want to see random DM Interludes and Thoughtz From Behind The Screen, or does that just take up space? Should I tell it completely in mark-form (like it's a real story) or should I tell it how it really is (a buncha people playing a Game). A mixture of both?
Holla at your boy!
peace,
MSD
You could write them in seperate posts so those that want to just read the pure story could skip on. Just a thought...
Now I know where things are headed I'm itching for you to get there. I'm also very intrigued to see how you guys played out the Rite of Terror. I'm putting my PCs through it in the not-too-distant so I'll see what tips I can gleam from the great bard MSD! :D
Keep up the good work dude
Brother M
Personally, I love that novelized style. Keep dragging the story out, I says! Especially seeing how we are finally coming to Rite of Terror, where yours truly plays a significant role. (Or so I like to think. :D) On the other hand, a nice little summary wouldn't be to bad either, so I say you keep your MSD campaign summary thread alive...
Since most of the time, I am the focus point of the story. ;)
Just trying to psyche-out any one of the PC's that read this.
The Cerebral Assasin
