Adaptations to B1 - Info for PC's
by Jenni A. M. MerrifieldThis is the 2nd of 4 messages regarding my personal adaptations to Module B1 - In Search of The Unknown. Enjoy!
This message contains two "Literary Essays" and a list of "typical rumours" about the 'famed' denizens of the dungeon that is the main part of this Module -- Zelligar the Unknown, Rogahn the Fearless and some of their cohorts. The rumours are ones a native of Darokin or Alfheim might have heard.
The stuff contained in these sections were designed for PC consumption -- not all of the information is necessarily 'True'. The reason for the "Essay" format is because one of my PC's likes to do Research in Libraries when she can.
Essay #1
The History of Rogahn the Fearless
and Zelligar the Unknown
Written by Anzer Tallah,
resident professor at Attleson University in the city of
Darokin
As determined by research in the great libraries of the Republic of
Darokin done during the year 996
The great warrior Rogahn the Fearless and the fantastic magician Zelligar the Unknown were two of the finest champions Darokin has ever been lucky enough to see. No one knows what occurrences or coincidence brought these two men together, but it is known that they were quick to form a strong bond of friendship. And it was a union that would last for ages.
It is commonly agreed that these two great heroes chose to pool their resources and expertise to construct a home and stronghold for the them to use as a base of operations for their ventures into the known world. They chose the location of their complex with care, since both men disliked unexpected visitors and intruders. Rumours agree that they placed the fortress far from the nearest settlements and away from well travelled routes and that they carved it out of a high, defensible rock formation. As to exactly where in the republic of Darokin they their mystical hideaway, no source seems to agree: near the source of the Helleck River in the Cruth Mountains, a rocky mountain ledge just north of Lake Amsorak overlooking forested hills yet completely surrounded by mountains, a craggy outcropping at the Southern point of the Silver Sierras, a cave-ridden cliff at the very western tip of the Dwarfgate Mountains. The list goes on, but these are the places most frequently suggested. Even less well know than its location is the name the occupants called the fortress by, the only conclusive information being that it was something starting with 'Q'. It is interesting to note that most stories agree that the initial construction of the complex took over a decade, even with the use of great magics and the toil of many humanoid slaves and hired labourers.
Rogahn and Zelligar lived in their joint sanctuary for quite some time, conducting most of their affairs from within except for their sporadic adventures in the outside world where both added to their growing reputations as foremost practitioners of their respective arts. It is interesting to note that, at the time, the deeds and adventures of these two men were not well known since they kept their distance from civilisation. It was only in later years that songs and stories of their exploits seem to have popped up in all regions of Darokin. Because of their secrecy and rejection of regular society some stories suggest that their motives were based on greed or some kind of vague evil, though no one seems to know for sure.
Despite their questionable alignment, it is apparent that Rogahn and Zelligar capped their reputations of power when they joined forces with the Darokin Army to help stop an Orc invasion in the summer of 967. No one is sure why they chose to involve themselves in this crisis, but it is known fact that in a crucial battle, on the 11th day of Fyrmont, at the border of the Broken Lands between Fort Runnels and the ruins of Ardelphia, they appeared unexpectedly on the battlefield and combined their powerful force with that of Darokin and decisively turned back the invasion. Many of the stories claim that Rogahn slew a horde of Orcs single-handedly and then Zelligar put the Orc army to flight with his powerful magic. While the personal deeds of Rogahn and Zelligar have no doubt been exaggerated by the story tellers, there is no doubt that the presence of their private army was decisive in routing the humanoid warriors. It is well known that the grateful populace of Darokin rewarded the pair and their numerous henchmen with a considerable amount of treasure.
After this adventure the two disappeared into their fortress again continuing to venture forth for adventure from time to time. Most of the stories about them tell of this period and how they accumulating more an more wealth (while simultaneously building upon their reputations). It is in these stories that the other people who are commonly associated with Rogahn and Zelligar begin to appear. Erig "the Brave", son of Rogahn's childhood friend Darren Boras (or Toras, though about 70% of all references use the former), student and ally of Rogahn and Captain of The Guard of their army of henchmen. Marevak, trusted adviser to both, and apprentice to Zelligar. Melissa "the Fair", the young, beautiful and capable woman who won the heart of Rogahn and charmed the reluctant Zelligar into a warm and lasting friendship. Although these three must have been much younger than the two heroes, the stories tell of the extreme devotion between all five, and how they lived, loved and adventured together during much of the next decade.
The latest known stories about Rogahn and Zelligar tell of their decision to foray into the Broken Lands in an attempt to eradicate the looming Orc menace in the north. Taking most of their henchmen and associates along in a great armed band, the two personages disappeared into the forbidding alien lands.
As to the current whereabouts of these great men and their followers, virtually nothing in known. There are no further stories about the heroes after this time, and the stories we do have tell only of their "wondrous" army and their "determined" march into the Broken Lands. Nothing is said of the results or if they ever returned. There are a few reports of wandering bards singing songs that tell of some great battle where Rogahn and Zelligar met their demise, but as yet there are few details and no substantiation of the story. If it is true, this rumoured clash must have occurred some years ago, as the existing stories date their initial excursion to somewhere around 979/80. The only thing certain is that Rogahn and Zelligar have not been heard of or from since.
Essay #2
The following is a well constructed essay from one of my better students which discuses the interesting stories of Rogahn's mistress. I felt it deserved to be included with my scrolls. A. Tallah
Melissa "the Fair"
Being an Exposition about the Beauteous Mistress
of Rogahn the Fearless
Written by Sarah Veckar,
this 8th day of Sviftmont, 997
Class: "Darokinian Legend and History"
Professor: Master Anzer Tallah
The tales of Rogahn the Fearless mostly tell of his own wondrous deeds, and those of his companion Zelligar the Unknown. However, there are a small number of others who are frequently mentioned in conjunction with these heroes in many of the later stories. This exposition shall discuss what is commonly believed about his mistress, Melissa "the Fair", and will attempt to sift some of the facts from the embellishments.
To begin, the stories frequently tell that Melissa exhibited an incredible prowess in fighting and most accounts claim that this, in combination with her beauty, was how she managed to capture the heart of her lover. The most frequently recorded account claims that he came upon her in the woods as she was in the midst of an encounter with two large, unfriendly Orcs and as a result of their victory he became enamoured of this woman who was both beautiful and capable in a fight. A few of the stories tell how she had managed to kill both Orcs before he had a chance to "rescue" her, but it is more frequently claimed, and therefore believed, that he came to her aid, and fought by her side.
Though they were years apart in age (Typically, the stories claim that Melissa was but 17 or 18 while Rogahn was somewhere between 46 and 50), it is said they loved each other deeply and truly. Because of this, and because of her grace and charm, she built a strong friendship with Rogahn's longtime companion, Zelligar. Eventually, her name is mentioned as frequently as the two heroes in stories of their conquests and adventures throughout the known world. There are a few accounts which place her at the famous battle where Zelligar and Rogahn defeated the Orc invasion near Ardelphia, but this is unlikely since the accounts of the lover's first meeting would place it between 5 and 10 years after this date.
Several stories say that Melissa's feminine influence brought some beauty to the subterranean stronghold she agreed to live in with her lover. There are other rumours that she even orchestrated a small number of gala dinners for a select number of Darokinian nobility who were whisked into the fortress by magical means, though this does seem unlikely as Rogahn and Zelligar had always preferred their relative solitude to associations with regular society. Nonetheless, Melissa's presence in their hidden fortress must have changed much of the "household" workings of Wizard, Warrior and Henchmen.
As an interesting final note, Melissa is not directly mentioned in any of the stories regarding the last known excursion of Rogahn and Zelligar into the Broken Lands. This is unusual, especially since the two other people who are frequently mentioned in the stories (Erig, the Captain of the Guard, and Marevek, the Esteemed Adviser) are discussed in the majority: Erig directs the army, of course, as it enters the Orc's homelands, and Marevek remained in Darokin to wait for the hero's return or word of their demise in any one of a number of cities and towns. As puzzling and vague as this is, it is generally agreed by scholars that she must have gone into the Broken Lands with the army, as the stories always say that, after they met, she always joined Rogahn on his adventures. There appear to be few reasons why she would not have gone, and so I must also agree with the general consensus that she is as missing as Rogahn, Zelligar and Erig have been these past 20 years.
The Rumours
Well Known Stories of Rogahn the Fearless and Zelligar the Unknown (Stories that the average Darokinian or Alfheim Elf has heard about the heroes)
* The great warrior Rogahn the Fearless and the fantastic magician Zelligar the Unknown were two of the finest champions Darokin has ever been lucky enough to see.
* Marevak, had been a Darokinian Diplomat and became the trusted adviser to Rogahn and Zelligar. Eventually, Zelligar took him on as an apprentice.
* Rogahn and Zelligar pooled their resources and expertise to construct a home and stronghold near the source of the Helleck River in the Cruth Mountains.
* Construction of the complex took over ten years. There are three levels, two watch towers and hundreds of natural maze like tunnels that the unwary could get lost forever in.
* There is a rear entrance into the complex which is secret and well hidden w Rogahn's most trusted friend, and the Captain of the Guard was Erig "the Brave".
* The hideaway of Rogahn the Fearless. Zelligar the Unknown, Melissa The Fair and Erig the Brave was carved out of a craggy, cave-riddled outcropping of rock near the Southern point of the Silver Sierras
* It is impossible for an uninvited guest to find the main entrance to the stronghold. However, invited guests can easily find the sumptuous golden archway that graces the entrance cave.
* Despite their good deeds, Rogahn's and Zelligar's drive for power and wealth was actually fed by greed (or maybe even kind of vague evil). They are not actually missing, but are conspiring with the Ogres of the Broken Lands to overrun all of Darokin.
* Zelligar and Rogahn used Orc and Kobold slaves to help build their stronghold.
* Rogahn and Zelligar once joined forces with the Darokin Army to help stop an Orc invasion. In the mighty battle that occurred, Rogahn slew a whole horde of Orcs single-handedly and then Zelligar put the Orc army to flight with nothing but his powerful magic.
* In the long, and unexpected absence of its owners, Troglodytes and other nasties have moved into the complex and have made it their home.
* The treasures of Rogahn and Zelligar were safely stored at the bottom of a pool of water, deep within the bowels of their cavernous, before they embarked on their last adventure.
* Melissa "the Fair", was the young, beautiful and capable mistress of Rogahn. She won his heart by defeating four Orcs single-handedly before he had a chance to come to her aid.
* Almost 20 years ago, Rogahn and Zelligar took their army into the Broken Lands and they have not been heard from since.
* Before leaving their stronghold,
Zelligar wrapped an incredible defensive spell around the entire
mountain it was built into. Anyone entering without the proper
password will be instantly killed!