Red Moon Over Sartar Campaign

Summaries for February 11, 1996

Things started with Yasna, Aldus, and Severus off in Boldhome. They had been cursed by the Dryad from the last adventure when they had taken her seeds (Aldus had actually eaten some). They were unable to gain assistance there and decided to travel on the Aldachur. Stopping in Jonstown on the way, they met a priestess who indicated that they had been possessed by a sickness spirit (as opposed to a disease spirit). At least, Aldus had, she didn't know what was wrong with Severus. On the way from Johnstown to Aldachur Severus, who had already lost some CON, became sicker. He made a decision that forcing himself to go on would be better than just laying down and dying.

Reaching Aldachur, the consult with a Deezola priestess who indicated that they were indeed possesses (at least Aldus was, she didn't know what was wrong with Severus). She referred them to a priestess of Jakaleel (Jakaleel strikes again!) who indicated that they were indeed possessed and that some sort of Spirit Marker had been used on them that would keep drawing spirits to them (at least Aldus, she didn't know what was wrong with Severus). She was willing to use a madness spirit to drive out the Sickness spirit. There was some trepidation on the part of Severus (who was concerned about Jakaleel's well cultivated reputation and the possibility that she might decide not to recall the spirit) but they agreed and they were restored to good health with no immediately apparent side effects. After that they were referred to Red Masks shaman because they had impressed the Deezola Priestess with the importance of the seeds for the Imperium. He went with them and arranged a deal with the Dryad to lift the curse.

Meanwhile, back a Swan, the party had been invited to move to Tarkalor Keep by King Blackmoor. It also had been invited to leave Swan so this made it sort of a "win win" situation. We had an iron sword with the Kings name and title inscribed and presented that as a present, pleasing the King. After a short time we were told that war between the Colymar and the Lismelder was imminent.
It was decided that we needed, as loyal Lunar's, to get a message back to our commanding officer (referred to as "Sun Boy"). The King advised that sending us all would be unwise. Ahmet decided that Rockfrug and Tavar, being relatively sneaky, would make the journey accompanied by some Colymar scouts.

Things went badly the moment we set out. It turned out that not only was the countryside dangerous, but the fort was basically under siege and we were having to dodge dozens of searching Lismelder. It was decided that we should split up and meet at a spot on the other side of the hill. Rockfrug was spotted and captured. (He was able to convince his captors that he was an important friend of the King and should be ransomed. He also let slip he was a Lunar but lived to be bought back anyhow). Tavar was able to sneak to the spot. Hearing people approaching, but fearing that they were not his compatriots, he decided to hide. Unfortunately, his position was spotted and he was surround. He used a couple Darkwalls to screen his position while he tried to get by one of the men. He subcame to a Befuddle but was able to (with a bit of luck since his attacks were at 1/2) wound the man and get away.

It was about this time that the party was returning from Aldachur unaware of the commotion in the countryside. Severus and Yasna were able to out-ride pursuit on their horses but Aldus, who skill is modest, fell off his horse. He was greviously wounded by numerous Lismelder and left for dead. He was then able to heal himself and make it back to the Fort.

Meanwhile, Tavar was able to make it to Runegate Fort only to find himself in the open with Sartar of unknown allegiance around. He was able to sneak back to cover with difficulty (and a bit of luck) and started circling around at night. During this period he became concerned about the lack of lights in the fort. He tried to dig into a position where he could observe the fort during the day. Failing to find sufficient cover, he retreated a spot further out but was able to make out that there were no Lunar soldiers in the fort. The soldiers were in groups too large to be able to pick one off for questioning and the countryside was empty of peasants. Fearing capture by hostile Lismelder, Tavar decided to return to the Fort to report Sun Boy's absence. He made it back without major incident. Once back, it was revealed that the Colymar had been agreed to watch the fort while Sun Boy was gone (presumably those where his men unless the position had been overrun and news had not gotten back). There was much apprehension as to Sun Boy's current location and activities.

Since there didn't see much else to do, we offered to the King to solve any crimes that might be troubling him. As it turned out, the next day there was an announcement of a hanging that evening and we were called in to see the King. It turned out that someone had stolen the sword we had given the King, a box of jewels, and a scroll. The purser was scheduled to be hung unless we could find the real culprit.

Extensive questioning of the guards on duty, interrupting their beatings, gave the strong impression that they were innocent. Investigation of the scene revealed a bolt hole with a teleport guide in it. The hole was concealed under a box of bronze ingots in which the ingots had been stacked to make it look fuller (and heavier) than it actually was. The box had clearly been moved. Evidence in the hole (fibers, cloth, feces, tracks) indicated that someone had spent some time down there. The guide turned out to be put there by the King by who knew about the hole.

It was suggest (by the recently ransomed Rockfrug, Ahmet generously offering to chip in) to question the Blacksmith, since he had gotten ingots recently. He turned out to be mostly stupid and broke easily. He had taken on an apprentice who had come up with a plan to steal from the treasury. The blacksmith would go down to get some ingots and distract the guards while he snuck in. He would take some stuff and hid in the box (it unclear if he know about the hole before or had just stumbled across it). When the theft was discovered, one guards would go and report the crime and he would sneak out past the remaining guard.

Additional questioning revealed that a guard had indeed received a bribe (2 silver pieces) from someone who had "been in the hall" and didn't want it known he was there. It turned out the bribe was by a cook's asst. who had seen the thief sneaking away and, fearing that he would be blamed, bribed the guard to not reveal he had been there. Additional investigation revealed that the apprentice had not gone back to split the loot as promised, but had jumped the wall. It was decided to hang the Blacksmith for his complicity in the theft. The guard was beaten for his incompetence and the cook's asst. was beaten for not reporting what he saw. The Blacksmith's wife was beaten because the King didn't like her.