[INDENT]***
Malitia bent down low and picked something shiny up off the ground. “The beast definitely comes through this corridor on a regular basis.”
Averitum surveyed their surroundings. The mountains rose up on either side of the party like giant black teeth, covering the secluded valley in constant shadow. A waterfall cascaded off of the peaks and into a clear mountain lake before them. Jagged, moss covered rocks jutted up around the lake’s southern end. “Are we alone?” he asked Malitia. She tucked whatever it was that she had picked up into a pocket on the inside of her tunic and dashed off into the underbrush. The birds and crickets quieted their chirping.
After several minutes Malitia reappeared and the nearby animals resumed their calls. “It’s clear. I don’t think he’s been here for a ten day.”
“Well,” grunted Averitum, “this is as good a place as any to lay our trap. Get to work you slugs.”
***
“You sure this thing will work Demetrion? It seems like we’re taking a pretty big chance putting our faith in this trinket you’ve constructed.” Malitia inspected a black tipped arrow at arms length as she lounged among the jagged rocks.
“It better work,” said Averitum standing by the lake side. “We’ve invested our entire collective wealth into this little expedition.”
“If you can hit the wyrm, it’ll work.” Demetrion looked up distractedly. In one fluid motion Malitia placed the arrow back into her quiver and plucked another one of those shiny objects up from among the rocks. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, stop distracting me… I have preparations to make…”
Vendo and Proelium were also busy with their own preparations. Proelium was stalking the length of the clearing, intoning the name of Vanya and sprinkling oils and powders about. Vendo spent most of his time on the outskirts of the clearing, in the underbrush or at the water’s edge. Time was of the essence. None of them knew when the dragon would be back.
***
The sun was high in the sky and the wind had just died down. Demetrion licked his lips and tried to swallow the dryness out of his mouth. He was prepared. The wards and traps that he had set were in place and ready. The birds went quiet and a rush of hot air nearly knocked Demetrion over.
The dragon knew they were there, of that they were certain. In fact they were counting on it. If all went as planned, the Arrow of Binding he had crafted would bring the wyrm crashing out of the air. Then it was up to Demetrion and his fellows.
Demetrion felt a hefty clap on his back and looked up to see Avertium. “Look sharp, it’s coming around for a second pass.” Demetrion looked up, but something was wrong. Malitia was scrambling to the top of a tree at the far end of the clearing. The dragon made a barrel roll in the distance and Malitia raised her bow. The profile was wrong. The wings were manta-like, not bat-like, and as the dragon turned it glittered in the sky.
“It’s not a red.”
“What?” said Avertium.
“It’s not a red.” Demetrion repeated. “You said it was. We have the wrong dragon.”
“Keep focused Demetrion!” Avertium nearly ripped his sword from its scabbard. “We have too much at stake here! That’s a dragon damn it. It’s a menace. I don’t care what color it is. We’re going to kill it!”
No, Demetrion thought to himself. What was it Malitia had said before? It comes here on a regular basis. It comes here. What evidence did she base that on? What was she constantly picking up around the site? Demetrion had been too engrossed in his preparations to notice. Scales? Did they clean the site before bringing Demetrion here in order to remove most of the evidence? But that would mean that the others had known all along.
“No!” Demetrion yelled, but it was too late. The gold dragon flew over the lake and was nearing the jagged rocks at the south end. It was more than the group could have hoped for. Malitia let loose the arrow and it slammed into the dragon’s chest. Whispy tendrils shot out of the wound entangling the dragon’s limbs and wings and with a mighty roar the beast came crashing down into the rocks.
“No,” Demetrion said again, this time to himself. “I won’t let you do this.” As Avertium raised his sword Demetrion pulled a slim wand from his sleeve and pointed it at the warrior’s back.
***[/INDENT]
Hytiliaph first mated with the gold wyrm Meryitharia in 935 AC at the age of 125. This union produced 5 offspring, 2 females (Felminaria and Marilithal) and 3 males (Oeraphon, Taralinaf, and Tiliatherum). The two wyrms raised their clutch together for ten years, but in 945 AC they decided to part ways. Neither dragon was ready for a long term mate. Meryitharia took with her Oeraphon, Marilithal, and Felminaria, while Taralinaf and Tiliatherum stayed with their father. Both wyrms remained in contact and still took active roles in the raising of all of their wyrmlings.
In 950 Felminaria left her mother’s lair but did not go far. She had befriended the local elven tribe and wished to study with their elders and learn their ways. Two years later Tiliatherum left his father’s lair to travel to far off lands in search of ancient knowledge.
[INDENT]***
“Damn.”
“What is it Yuri? What do you see?”
Yuri took a deep breath and twisted the Farseer he had held up to his eye.
“Damn,” he said again, but the others could already make out the scene over the distant mountain peeks.
Sergei leaned back in his saddle. “Fire in the sky…” They all knew what that meant.
Yuri’s mount shifted beneath him and let out a frosty grunt. “It’s that damn fool Demetrion.” A chorus of voices rang out behind him and his commanders shouted to regain control from the men. “Enough!” Yuri called, and all fell silent.
“What do we do now?” asked Guntar. Yuri still found it strange to look upon the face of the young Thyatian and think of him as an ally. No, not Thyatian. Hattian. There was a difference, and Guntar was an ally.
Sergei twisted on his mount. Looking behind him he addressed the men and drakes as his sword rasped out of its scabbard. “We have no choice now. Our lot is cast.” He raised his sword above his head shouting, “For Yuri! For Traladara!”
More swords were drawn and lances were leveled.
“No,” Yuri said, slapping the Farseer against his thigh compressing it.
He stood up in his stirrups, greeted by grim faces all around him, “There is always a choice.” Several of the ice drakes flapped their wings in anticipation, but their riders held them back. Yuri raised his voice so that all could hear. “There is always a choice. Our choice remains the same. To bend knee before Empire... or to be free!”
A great cheer echoed from the mountaintops. As one, the men around him shouted out “Freedom!”
“Then now we must act!” A small change in pressure on the stirrups and Yuri’s dragon mount leapt into the air. He did not look behind him. He did not need to. He knew the mind of his men. Roars and the flapping of massive wings filled the cold air behind him.
***[/INDENT]
In 960 AC the Alphatians attacked Thyatis in what would later be known as the Spike Attack. Demetrion called upon the support of his old friend Hytiliaph and the old wyrm was honor bound to answer the call. Hytiliaph and Taralinaf met the initial Alphatian attack but were driven back (perhaps by the betrayal of the Order of the White Wyrm). Hytiliaph was severly wounded and Taralinaf was killed. Taralinaf’s death sent his mother into despair. Marilithal tried to console her mother but to no avail, while Oeraphon flew to his father’s side, itching for revenge. Meanwhile, Felminaria and the elves were fighting their own guerilla war against the Alphatians, but when she heard of her brother and father, she also rushed to his side.
I like how Dragons are slowly becoming more than just monsters
you can kill.
Perhaps this could be the first of an entire series of the Wyrms of Mystara? ;)
Havard
I had planned this as the introduction to Triple Peaks, Hytiliaph's lair, and Demetrions sometimes abode. My intent was to build up a Thyatian/dragon stronghold used for RaF and KotA training ground with a believable background story.
The rest may come later, but for now I'm off on vacation.
Originally posted by havard
Cool stuff!
I like how Dragons are slowly becoming more than just monsters
you can kill.
Perhaps this could be the first of an entire series of the Wyrms of Mystara? ;)
Havard
A very interesting read to be sure. I am looking forward to the next post :D
In the meantime, I can recommend to everyone to check out Bruce Heard's "Who's who" of the dragons of Mystara at the Vault:
http://www.dnd.starflung.com/whoswho.html
It has some cool information as well.
:-) Jesper
[INDENT]***
The ancient dragon bones that bound together the unliving ship creaked and groaned as it made a steep bank to the starboard, breaking off the attack. “Master Alketh! What are you doing? We must attack!” the young Randel adjutant was nearly beside himself with apoplexy. “We are engaged sir! The Grand Marshal has ordered us to engage the enemy, yet you turn tail and run!”
From under his hood, the hunched figure of Alketh ignored the young Randel officer. “That fool Tylion’s war is lost.” With an imperceptible nod to the darkness behind the adjutant, Alketh turned to look over the railing of the skyship’s bridge. A gray figure stepped forth from between the shadows and promptly put a knife in the young officer. Blood streamed from his mouth as he crumpled to the deck.
“Bring Dverithon about. We are returning to Blackheart.”
The gray figure nodded curtly to Alketh, its dead white eyes unblinking and it sidled up next to him near the railing. “Would you risk the Emperor’s wrath?”
“This war has sealed Tylion’s fate. He will not trouble us.”
“And the Randel?”
Alketh waved his had over the rapidly receding battle behind them. Smoke and flame mixed with bolts of lightning as gold dragons flew among the Alphatian skyships. “Soon they will trouble us no longer. Unfurl the dragon wings. You know the part you play.”
The dead creature nodded as Alketh pulled a large golden mask from the folds of his cloak. Alketh stretched the mask between his arms to reveal the striking head of a gold dragon. “Mord. Adnem. Taralinaf.” Alketh muttered from under his dark hood and the mask took on a shadowy countenance. He handed it to the dead thing saying, “Do not fail me.”
The dead thing nodded for the last time and stepped back into the shadows.
***
“That ship off in the distance. It’s breaking away from the others. Do you see it?” The wind rushed over the Vyalia Glynwyth, taking the words right from her mouth. Her mount Felminaria heard her none the less. “Do you see the sails it is raising?”
A deep rumbling filled the void all around Glynwyth as her mount, and longtime friend replied, “I see it.” The prow of the ship was made of a gigantic dragon’s skull. The rest of the vessel was covered in what once must have been the rest of the beast’s now brown with age bones. From between double masts shaped like the giant claws of a dragon’s wing bone the ship unfurled brilliant golden sails. The sails could only be one thing. Wings torn from a gold dragon. The wings of Taralinaf… of Felminaria’s dead brother. “That must be the ship,” rumbled Felminaria, “…the one that murdered Taralinaf.”
The sending came almost right away. Even with all of the wind blowing in her ears, Glynwyth could hear the voice of the human mage clearly. “Maintain attack. Do not break off.” The elven princess felt a slight twinge run through the muscles on her mount’s back, almost as if Felminaria could hear the sending herself, or feel it… perhaps she could. “What is it?” the dragon rumbled in that deep voice she had.
“It’s Demetrion. He says to let that abomination go!” Glynwyth had to shout at the top of her lungs just to hear herself, though she had no doubts that the dragon beneath her could have heard her words had she whispered.
The hesitation in her mount was slight, but lasted not even a moment long. “No,” the dragon growled. Glynwyth needed no prodding. She wanted revenge for her friend nearly as much as Felminaria did herself. She spurred Felminaria on by squeezing her knees slightly against her mount’s flanks.
***
“Are we pursued?” Alketh asked the helmsman.
“Yes my lord.” The helmsman held the Farseer to his eye and adjusted it before replying further. “One of the gold beasts has broken off its attack of the Randel and now makes its way toward us.
“Which beast is it, the large one?”
The helmsman hesitated for a moment, and Alketh let out a sigh of discontent. He knew what the helmsman’s answer would be before it was spoken. “No my lord… I’m sorry. It is one of the smaller beasts that flies toward us now.”
Alketh waved the man away. “It’s of no concern,” he hissed from underneath his dark hood. “Send the ship into a list, as if it were damaged. Ready the boltmen.” Alketh would just have to make due with the catch he was given.
***
“She’s front heavy, and listing off to starboard,” Glynwyth shouted. “Must have taken some damage already!” Off in the distance behind her the others were locked in a battle to the death. The fighting was still fierce, but Glynwyth was confident that Demetrion and Hytiliaph could pull off a victory and prevent these Alphatian ships from reaching Thyatias City and resupplying their comrades there. Without more troops the Alphatians controlling the capital wouldn’t be able to hold onto their prize much longer. Glynwyth and Felminaria should have been in that fight as well, but this was one Alphatian they were not going to let escape… not at any cost.
Felminaria roared as she dove in from above and behind the damaged skyship. Several streaks of lightning stretched out, nearly singing her scales. Glynwyth pulled her friend back. “They may be hurt, but they’re not out of the fight yet!” she shouted. The boltmen had fired just a bit prematurely. Had they waited a few extra moments both Glynwyth and Felminaria may have been charred fairly badly. “She still packs quite a punch. Swing around to her port side. We’ll try coming up on her belly!”
No bolts shot forth from the ship as the two dove beneath it. Felminaria let loose with a mighty roar as a stream of fire spewed from her mouth to hit the belly of the skyship. As the passed beneath the ship and its great shadow encompassed them Glynwyth felt a shiver run down her spine. Something wasn’t right. Glynwyth didn’t have long to ponder her feeling. One minute she was flying beneath the skyship, and the next she was fighting for her life. A cold, iron grip clamped down around her neck and something that felt like a steel mallet began crashing against her skull. Glynwyth fought just to remain conscious. She thrust her elbows into whatever was behind her, but to no effect. After what seemed like an eternity, but must have only been a few moments, she heard a loud snapping noise. The straps that held her in her saddle were severed and Glynwyth found herself floating through the air.
***
It was too late. Thought he and Hytiliaph rushed to the aid of the dragon’s daughter, Demetrion knew that they were too far away to help. With magic enhanced sight Demetrion could see Felminaria’s rider being thrown from her back. Blast that damn haughty elf! Why didn’t she listen when he told her to hold back?
Ectoplasmic fibers and tentacles sprung forth from Felminaria’s new rider and entangled the dragon’s wings. The young dragon came crashing to the ground. Demetrion winced. She was probably close enough to the ground that the fall would not be fatal. Still they were too far away to reach her. Perhaps another two minutes of hard flying before they came to her side. That was not enough time. Demetrion gasped and then swore as he saw a figure place some kind of shroud over the unconscious dragon’s form. Then everything around her went black. When the darkness cleared away like a mist, neither Felminaria nor her unknown attacker were anywhere to be seen.
Beneath him Hytiliaph gave such a roar of anguish that Demetrion could hardly keep from shedding tears. He looked back to the sky. There was at least one other who they could make pay for this cruel day, but Demetrions hopes were shattered. The evil looking skyship had also vanished from sight.
***[/INDENT]
Together with rebel bands of elves and Thyatians, the dragons led their own personal war against the Alphatian invaders. Meryitharia sequestered herself in her lair and slowly became estranged to her former mate and offspring. The Alphatians were finally driven out, but not without cost. During the battle Felminaria was captured and spirited away to Alphatia (perhaps to Blackheart). Meryitharia believed that her daughter had also been killed and the others did not dissuade her from this for fear that she would mount a suicide attack against the Alphatian wizards.
The cool scent of pine blew gently through the forest glade. Squirrels jumped through the tree branches overhead and somewhere nearby a family of woodpeckers was setting in stores for the winter. For several days now Glynwyth’s tears had been dry. She still felt like crying, but could not find the strength.
Quiet came over the animals. Glynwyth could sense them move away from the glade even though she couldn’t see many of them. None of her clan had disturbed her since she began mourning, and none of them would. This was the moment she had been dreading for all these long days. He was here.
For several minutes he didn’t say a word. Glynwyth didn’t turn to face him, but she could feel those golden eyes boring into her. She wondered then if he would kill her. I deserve it, she thought. I’m the reason Felminaria is gone. Remaining kneeling she tensed as she felt him draw nearer to her. Glynwyth prepared for the worst. I won’t fight it, she thought. At least it will end my suffering.
“She is alive.”
The words hit her like an avalanche. She turned to face the father of her best friend, but found she could not speak. She could hardly draw breath from the news. When none of her own clerics or mages had been able to determine Felminaria’s fate, Glynwyth assumed the worst.
The elf standing before her was beautiful to behold. Rich robes in green and gold flowed over his tall lithe frame. Golden hair blew gently in the breeze. His eyes, deep pools of gold with only a trace of pupils, stared at her… stared through her, without blinking. As if sensing the questions she had, he spoke again. “Demetrion knows the right questions to ask.” A small grin flashed across his face, but only for a moment. Sadness replaced it instantly. “She is alive, but in torment. She is hidden, but I know where to find her. I will. I will bring her back.”
Tears welled back in her eyes unbidden. Glynwyth’s view of the elf standing before her clouded over, and she began to sob again.
“If you would help… you know where to find me.” With that said he left, and Glynwyth collapsed to the ground.
***[/INDENT]
Shortly after the spike attack Hytiliaph fell in love with the elven princess Glynwyth. Hytiliaph took in his fallen son’s offspring and is raising them as his own. Oeraphon and his brood moved away from his mother and back to Triple Peaks. There the two dragons and their allies prepare a strike force strong enough to rescue Felminaria.
Next post will start to detail Triple Peaks, Hytiliaph's lair and base of operations.
ANCEPES TRIGEMINUS
There is a place that exists deep within the Altan Teppes mountain range just north and east of present day Goldleaf. It is a quiet valley surrounded on three sides by tall jagged peaks. Now known as Ancepes Trigeminus, the place has always been one of power. When the world caught fire, Ancepes Trigeminus provided shelter. The peoples of the Lost Nation used it as a fortress, withstanding attacks from the Darklands, and launching their own. Now it is home to the gold dragon Hytiliaph and his allies.
Hytiliaph took the lair as his own in the early 900s AC. He explored and expanded his lair for several years. When the mage Demetrion befriended him in late 933 AC, the two delved deep into the secrets of the place. In 935 AC Hytiliaph and his then mate, Meryitharia, raised their first clutch of wyrmlings there. For nearly 30 years Ancepes Trigeminus remained quiet and peaceful. Hytiliaph raised a portion of his clutch there and was only interrupted occasionally by his arcane friend Demetrion.
In 960 AC the peace of Hytiliaph, along with the rest of Thyatis, was shattered. His son Taralinaf was killed during the initial Spike Assault launced by the Alphatians, and his daughter Felminaria captured and spirited away at the end. Ancepes Trigeminus roared back to life. For the next 40 years Hytiliaph steadily built up his power base from that place. Now creatures of all sorts dwell there, loyal to Hytiliaph and his cause, waiting for the day when they can take retribution for the horrors committed during the Spike Assault.
Hytiliaph can count among his allies the elven princess Glynwyth (his current mate) and her clan of Vyalia elves, Demetrion and the Thyatian empire, and even celestial ambassadors from the Immortals themselves. And the gold dragon has secrets as well. Dark secrets. Secrets lost to time… or purged from it. The time for retribution draws near. As the Thyatian millennium draws near tensions between the great empires are rising. Hytiliaph will strike soon at the heart of Alphatia. He will bring his daughter back. He will make the Alphatians sorry for their transgressions.
PRIMANCEPES
Primancepes is the peak that Hytiliaph took for his own home. It is divided up into three major sections, each one newer than the last. The first section is the oldest, built long ago by the peoples of the Lost Nation. The section, dubbed the “Caverns of Secrets” by Demetrion remains sealed off, and largely unexplored. Both Demetrion and Hytiliaph have some idea of what lies within it, but have refrained from plundering it. They seek to learn more about the ancient chambers through other means. Slowly but surely they are building up their knowledge of the Lost nation through their studies.
Many of the portions of the second section were also originally created by the Lost nation. Hytiliaph took these chambers as his own when he laid claim to Primancepes, and modified them to suit his needs more closely. Many of the chambers here have been enlarged to allow the passage of a fully grown dragon, and it is from these chambers that Hytiliaph and Meryitharia raised their young.
After 960 AC the last section of Primancepes was excavated. Hytiliaph invited the Thyatian Empire to establish a small base here from which they could train their Royal Air Forces. Knights of the Air also maintain a presence here (as well as on the other peaks of Ancepes Trigeminus), as does Hytiliaph’s long time friend and mage Demetrion.
ADVENTURE IDEAS -WORKING AGAINST HYTILIAPH
Most adventurers count their number among the good and the just. Even so, there are several reasons why such people might come into conflict with the dragon Hytiliaph and his allies.
NITHIAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS
The party is involved in the discovery of artifacts created by the Lost Nation. Perhaps while under the employment of an advanced research institute (the Great School of Glanrti, etc…) the party learns of an ancient stronghold of the Lost Nation. The only problem is that the ancient stronghold is currently occupied by a gold dragon and his Thyatian allies. The adventurers could try to persuade the dragon to share its knowledge (for which he will ask some service in return), or they could try to take what they want.
ALPHATIAN AGENTS
Hytiliaph and Demetrion are members of the Knights of the Air, and as such they rate pretty highly on the Alphatian’s hit list. Add to that the vast magical knowledge that the dragon has accumulated in his lair, and it makes perfect sense for Alphatian agents to target it for plundering. Not only must they break into the lair and steal the artifacts within, they must get out and live to tell about it. If Hytiliaph is not dealt with, then the Alphatians will have to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives.
THYATIAN AGENTS
Duplicity. For some Thyatians this is the air that they breath and the food and drink that they consume. Hytiliaph is powerful, and he has the ear of the Imperial magistrate. Not all Thyatians find this to be a comforting fact. Perhaps a senator, or wealthy merchant will hire the party to infiltrate the lair and determine what exactly it is that goes on there. Perhaps some unscrupulous individual hires the PCs to kidnap Hyphanif in order to demand a ransom from the young dragon’s grandsire (ok, these PCs could hardly be considered good…).
RIVAL RELIGION
The party hears that Ixion is planning to forge some kind of alliance with Hytiliaph. Since they worship a rival deity, their leaders have asked them to infiltrate the lair and put a stop to Ixion’s plans. Perhaps they are sent to forge their own alliance with the dragon, or perhaps they are sent simply to disrupt his plans.
ADVENTURE IDEAS – WORKING FOR HYTILIAPH
Another way that adventurers might become involved with Hytiliaph is by working for him (wither directly or indirectly).
NITHIAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS
The party has had some success at uncovering secrets from the age of the Lost Nation and Hytiliaph has heard of their exploits. He has decided that it is time he explore the sealed off areas of his lair and figures that the PCs are just the right people to help him do that. The dragon will give the PCs all of the details he has been able to discover, but still they are in for a few surprises. Hytiliaph will claim most of the treasure that they recover, but will compensate them justly for their efforts.
THYATIAN AGENTS
If the party is in the service of the Thyatian military (or a member of the Royal Air Force, or Knights of the Air) they may see some service in and around Ancepes Trigeminus. Hytiliaph has quite a network of informants and keeps up to date on the movements of Alphatian agents around the empire. Using this knowledge the PCs can be sent to foil nearly any Alphatian plot that is brewing in the Known World and beyond.
SERVANTS OF IXION
The Sun God has sent his servants to forge an alliance with the powerful dragon Hytiliaph. Hytiliaph is only too happy to gather new allies, but he is slow to place his trust. Before gaining his confidence, the PCs must perform several tasks for the dragon and his Thyatian allies. These tasks could include taking on local threats to the area and journeying to the planes and beyond.
ASSAULT AGAINST ALPHATIA
The culmination to any plotline dealing with Hytiliaph should be an assault against the Blackheart wizard who killed his son and captured his daughter. Hytiliaph plans on gathering a force together that he feels is strong enough to make such an assault and guarantee the safe return of his daughter. This should come to a head during the Wrath War. Thyatis will already be at war with Alphatia and so Hytiliaph need have no fear of causing an international incident. He and Demetrion will coordinate their assault with other Thyatian military leaders, and will try to time it when it will be most effective.
Håvard
Just wanted to say, keep these coming John. These posts are an excellent read
Thanks Havard. Well, I've got 2 more peaks to detail, some dragons to stat up (using the expanded rules provided by the Draconomicon), and perhaps an attack against Blackheart to plot (with a little more background story thrown in to boot). It's a bit of work to do, but I intend to see it through (in a somewhat timely manner ;) ). Glad to know it's at least interesting to some. Encouragement always helps!
by Chimpman
Glad to know it's at least interesting to some.
Make that some more! Keep it up! Your plans sound great.
Secundancepes is the tallest of the triple peaks. Tipped in deep white snow that stretches nearly to its center point in the wintertime, the mountain maintains a strong and majestic presence. The lower slopes are covered in pine forests while the upper slopes are treacherous with shale and other loose rocks. Secundancepes has been a home to the Fey creatures of the world since it was pushed up from the depths eons ago, though the Fey Court abandoned this place decades ago for reasons of their own. Though gone, their presence can still be felt, and many of the animals in this area may have either the half-fey or feytouched templates.
Though the Fey Court has left, a few powerful Fey have remained in the area they love so much. The mountain itself is guarded by two Fey spirits, an oread and a fossergrim, while the forest and valley below have their own protectors.
Hytiliaph created a shrine to his lost son high upon the peak in 962 AC, and shortly thereafter the elven clan, lead by Glynwyth, moved in. Although the dragon has lived in the general area for nearly 100 years, seldom did he venture to Secundancepes until after the elves settled here. The elves live mid-peak, and unless one has the ability to fly, reaching them is a difficult task. Although the elves have taken on a very militaristic bent in the last several decades, they still live in tune with nature. The structures that they build are of hewn stone intertwined with living wood.
Conflicts abound and are not restricted to the struggle between good and evil. Many paths may lead the PCs to oppose Glynwyth and the elven clan that lives upon Secundancepes.
PURISTS
Not all of the Vyalia approve of mixing their blood with that of dragons… even if the dragon is a gold one. Some of the clans are very protective of their heritage, and they take offense at Glynwyth’s dalliances. The abominations created by her and her draconic lover must be erased from the face of Mystara, and Glynwyth must be punished for her transgressions. There may be dragons who share these feelings as well (including some of Hytiliaph’s own kin), and perhaps they can be persuaded to help.
FEY RETRIBUTION
Driven from their home not long ago by the arrival of the elves and Thyatians, the Fey Court has decided to reclaim what is theirs by rights. Unfortunately for the Fey they will face more enemies than just the elves and humans. Members of the Abandoned Court are still resentful for being left behind and must either be placated or also dealt with. The loyalties of the Fey that remained in Trigeminus will also have to be determined. Perhaps they have grown too independent while the Court has been away.
THYATIAN INTRIGUE
Hytiliaph and Demetrion have done much for the Thyatian air forces but despite this (or perhaps because of it) some Thyatians are left with a feeling of queasiness in their stomachs. Many in the upper echelons of Thyatian society are beginning to see Hytiliaph as a threat, and fear that Thyatis may in fact be working for the dragon instead of the other way around. Thyatian agents will have to infiltrate Hytiliaph’s organization (through the elves) and make sure that the dragon keeps his place without dismantling everything that he has created.
DWARVEN EXPANSION
Dwarves (either from Rockhome or Makrast) have learned that the peak of Secundancepes is rich in mineral deposits and have decided to mine the area. Although the dragon Hytiliaph might welcome their presence, the dwarves will have to make their peace with the elves as well as deal with the many creatures that protect the mountain. If the succeed their clan will become rich off of the ores that they will mine and Hytiliaph will gain a new source of weapons and armor.
ADVENTURE IDEAS – WORKING FOR GLYNWYTH
Working for the elves of Secundancepes can be just as likely as working against them. Characters may be members of Glynwyth’s clan, or may be outsiders that she has come to trust.
ELVEN ELITE
Felwyn and his warriors are sent across Brun and beyond, on missions of importance for Glynwyth and Hytiliaph. The elves have been training for decades as a small commando group and they function as a honed blade. As the band gains in experience they tackle tougher and tougher assignments. Eventually they are ready to assault the Alphatian wizard in Blackheart.
ENLISTING THE FEY
The time for the assault against Alphatia draws near and the elves need all of the allies that they can gather. The Fey Court in this area was quite string before they disappeared, and Glynwyth believes that they can be convinced to help in the fight against Alphatia. The trouble will be twofold. First the Fey must be found. Then they must be convinced to help. What will it take to make the Fey allies, and what price will need to be paid?
EXORCISING THE JAHI
For the Jahi, all is going according to plan, and soon it will make its bid for power among the elven clan. Lately many of the missions undertaken by the Vyalian clan of Secundancepes have actually been designed to increase the Jahi’s power base. Artifacts have been uncovered and potential allies have been gathered. There are some on the mountain however, that have caught wind of the Jahi’s plans. Will they be able to stop the creature in time, and to rescue Glynwyth’s brother from its clutches? And even after the Jahi is gone, its ill begotten allies will also have to be dealt with.
PLEASING ‘FAMILY’
Tengwer struggles to find his niche in either elven or draconic society, but acceptance is difficult to gain. Hytiliaph loves his son and sees the tribulations that he is going through. He sends Tengwer on a mission across Brun under the pretenses of furthering the war effort, but really they are designed to build the young half-dragon’s confidence and self worth. In time, and with the help of others, Tengwer may become a power in his own right. What challenges will he face in order to prove to his family, and to himself, that he is worthy of them?
In ages past, the entire area now referred to as Ancepes Trigeminus was dominated by a portion of the Fey Court. The magical nature of the area is such that the planar boundaries between the Prime Material plane and that of the Fey are much thinner here and easily broken through. There have only been three instances over the past 5 millennia that the Fey have abandoned their home. The first was in 3000BC during the Great Rain of Fire. Shortly after that catastrophe the Fey returned and attempted to heal their land. The second instance was circa 1500BC when the entire area of southeastern Brun was under the direct sway of either the Taymorans or the Lost Nation. The fey were forcibly driven out by the dark powers of the Taymorans, and did not return until well after the fall and disappearance of the Lost Nation (which they call Nithia). [Note: Because the Fey were not on Mystara when the Immortals cast the Spell of Oblivion, they may still retain complete knowledge of the nation of Nithia, and may serve as quite a repository of ancient history.] The third and final instance has occurred only recently, shortly after the colonization of Secundancepes by the Vyalian elves and Thyatians.
There are three noble houses that claim this area as their own, each vying for power and prestige within the Seelie Court. The houses of Water and Ice are lead by Nymphs and Uldras respectively, and constantly clash with one another over the transitional terrains of Secundancepes (and reflective terrain in the Fey Realm). The third house, Wood, is composed of sprites and lays claim to the nearby wooded areas. The fourth house is not a member in the Seelie Court, but in the Unseelie Court. Blood is a house populated by vicious redcaps who constantly stalk the other houses and wreak havoc wherever they can.
The Ancepes Trigeminus area is reflected in the Fey Realm, so for all intents and purposes the three peaks exist in both places at once. Since the Fey Court has withdrawn for the Material Plane, all of their works have vanished without a trace from the Material Plane version of the peaks. When the Court decides to return, all of their fabulous works and constructions will ‘fade’ back into existence on the Material Plane.
HOUSE ICE
The core of this small clan is composed of uldras (Frost CR ½), and is supplemented by thorn (MMIII CR 4) mercenaries and spirit animal (Frost CR +1) companions. Quella stylizes herself as the self proclaimed Ice Queen, though she would never use the title during a visit by the Queen of Light.
The uldra and their minions make their homes in palaces high atop the mountain, carved from large blocks of the purest ice. uldra hunting parties, supplemented by thorn mercenaries and spirit animal scouts, often descend from their freezing abode for short raids against their neighbors (mostly the House Water). Rarely is any blood shed on these raids, though it has been known to happen on occasion.
HOUSE WATER
House Water makes their home deep in a mountain lake where they are served by their many charmed playthings. This house is different from most in that it is run by three nymph (MM CR 7) sisters. Besides their enthralled puppets, the nymps are attended by several sirines (MMII CR 5) and a troop of thorns (MMIII CR 4) that do their bidding on the surface world.
The three sisters, often called the Blue Ladies by their subjects, spend most of their time in frivolous concerns. When not being troubled by the uldras from House Ice they compete with one another trying to determine which has the best jewelry, the most beautiful and enthralled servants, and generally speaking which one of them is loved the most by their subjects.
HOUSE WOOD
A pixie (MM CR 4-5) lord and lady lead this Fey house. The most militant of the Fey houses in this area, House Wood supports a large army of grigs (MM CR 1). Both Lord Ferik and Lady Twill opposed the latest retreat from the Prime Material plane, though they were overruled by the other nobles in the area. The two now constantly urge a return to their former homes, and often sstage raids from the Fey Realm using various portals in the area (including the mushroom circle in area S5).
Of all the noble houses, House Wood made the most use out of the Abandoned Court, and they still maintain agents among them. When the court returns House Wood will lead the way, driving out the intruders in their lands; the Thyatians, the elves, and even the dragon if needs be.
OLD MAN TREE
Old Man Tree is a half-fey treant () and one of the few members of the Abandoned Court who was not actually abandoned when the Fey left the area. The centuries old treant appears as a large oak tree, its leaves autumnal colors no matter what the actual season. Upon first glance there appear to be thousands of butterflies adorning its branches, but these fluttery wings are in fact an extension of the treant itself.
HOUSE BLOOD
Not really part of the Fey Court, and not welcomed there in any case, the redcaps (MMIII CR2) of what has been dubbed House Blood, nonetheless follows the Court around wherever it goes. These vicious creatures delight only in pain and suffering, and enjoy stalking and tormenting any creatures that are unlucky enough to stumble under their notice. The Fey Court is aware of their existence, but so far has been able to do little to eradicate the ‘rogue’ house.
;)
Well, I've been going through some of my old notes and I came across some ideas for Hytiliaph and this old thread. There are additional notes (perhaps half complete) that I haven't shared yet, and I figured I'd put some time in to complete them and post them here. For now I'll leave you with a heredity table. The mountain Triancepes will follow shortly.