 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Chronicles are set in Shadow World, and recount the gaming adventures of a group of Rolemaster players. All of the events described in these Chronicles take place in a real Shadow World Campaign, which still runs regularly. All of the "players" are player characters. The City of the Dead is the first installment of the Chronicles, which will now be a regular feature on the ICE website.
The first installment, The City of the Dead, is not the group's first adventure; it is, however, a logical starting point for the adventures that will follow. So without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you The City of the Dead.
Heike Kubasch
President, ICE
<< Fan Fiction & Art Home | Chronicles Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | next >>
NOTE: Mouse over or click on the characters' names to get more info!!
This adventure begins in Kaitaine. Kaitaine, located off the southwestern coast of the great continent of Emer, is a city that has suffered major destruction from a meteor and yet continues to thrive. It is a merchant city and the markets are busy all day long. New ships arrive every few hours with exotic goods from Thuul, Jaiman, mainland Emer, and beyond. Although rubble is still being cleared from the streets, Kaitaine is a bustling city well on its way to recovery.
One particular evening in late Fall, when the chill air is blowing in from the harbor, a group of friends is dining in a home near one of the undamaged shopping quarters. It is the home of Kerod Gasan, a Grey Elf lay healer. At the table sit the following:
Many of Kerod's guests are newly returned from Falias, a continent to the south and west.
Kerod recently purchased this large, two-story house. It cost him a great deal of money, since living quarters are hard to come by since the meteor disaster. He is now in the process of adding an extra floor and a rooftop garden. While his shieldman, Garvin, guards the door, Kerod happily plays the gracious host, circulating around the room in his spotless silk attire. Kerod is tall, with smooth blond hair and clear but slightly anxious gray eyes.
Kerod's and Raius's children run madly around the table playing a game of tag while Ambassador Fidelity of the Zane, Half Elven Jester and Prophet, eggs them on. Shayna keeps out of the range of tiny hands, while Orland tries to keep his drink from getting knocked over.
Ambassador Maximilian fills his plate with the fine meal that Kerod's servants have prepared and continues his story over the chatter of the children:
". . . The loathsome demon reeled from one of my expertly directed spells. At that point Shayna did a backflip and landed behind it, cutting it cruelly across the midsection. It crumpled to the ground, its golden body motionless, yet it seemed to be watching us with one fiendish eye. Shayna pinned it with her Sword of Fire, and the vile monster began to burn. At that point, our attention turned to the nefarious priest Raiabintus, who stood in the center of the magic circle. Raiabintus held aloft a container of some sort. I knew that no good could come of it, and so I attempted to break it.. I had it in my clutches and it was nearly shattered, but all of a sudden . . . . "
They have just opened the second bottle of good wine for the dinner guests when Maximilian's story is interrupted by a knock at the door. Outside stands a Wood Elf, quite handsome, with a short bow across his back and a broadsword in his belt. Everyone stares at him and he stares back, very seriously.
"How can I help you?" asks Kerod in his most polite tone.
"I am Ganelon Bosch. I come seeking a female magician by the name of Roan," says the elf, heavily.
Kerod and many of his guests have adventured with Roan in the past. Kerod knows where she is and his answer is quick. "She is in Kaitaine, staying at the home of her brother, a Councilman. I will tell you how to get there. But first, come in."
Raius darts a quick and nervous glance from the elf to Kerod and back to Ganelon. To Noi she whispers, "He lets him in without asking any questions, and immediately tells of Roan's whereabouts! The fool!" As her eyes settle on the stranger once again, she smooths the wrinkles out of her skirt. Only Noi can see the energy gathered around her finger; Raius is ready to strike if this elf poses a threat.
"I seek Roan," Ganelon says to Kerod a second time, and his seriousness borders on awkwardness.
"Look," Kerod warns him. "She has recently returned from Ardana and has done nothing but hide in her bedroom since then. Her husband Murdock passed away one year ago, and that must have something to do with her behavior. Please, stay and have some dinner."
Ganelon sighs and finally takes a step forward. "I thank you for your hospitality." He steps into the light, and his face clearly shows concern and determination but no malice. Raius casually flicks her finger, dispelling her magic with a sigh.
The Ambassador Maximilian leaps up. "Please allow me to introduce myself," he says with a bow, flicking his periwinkle scarf around his neck. "I am Ambassador Maximilian Titanus Gerbiltoe III, at your service. Great in power, small in stature! Wide in vision, narrow of focus! Gigantic in—"
"—And my name is Kerod," interrupts the healer quickly.
Kerod goes on to introduce all of his guests. Everyone is very polite, but Shayna regards Ganelon quietly. In her black leather, she almost disappears into the shadows as she remains on guard for the rest of the evening.
After a few minutes, Ganelon seems to relax. He and the beautiful Tamlin discuss the charm of woodland dwellings as compared to city housing. Tamlin remarks that she and Siri actually chose to live outside town, in a cottage that she purchased.
Eventually, the hour grows late, and Kerod urges everyone to their respective homes or inns.
The next day, Ganelon visits Roan
Nok. He is led upstairs to her private rooms, which are full
of children's toys although no children are in evidence. Roan
is a gaunt, severe woman of about 30. She stares at him with some
suspicion, cradling a cigarette in one hand.
"My name is Ganelon," he tells her. "I have been searching for you. It is very important. I have seen a seer, and she told me that my path lies in following yours for a time."
Roan wrinkles her nose at the elf. "What seer? Why? Who are you?"
Ganelon stands up straight, as if he is not sure what to expect next, but is nonetheless prepared for it. "I am Ganelon Bosch. I am told you once traveled with Fletch Arrowroot. He was a friend of mine." Her reaction is not what he expected.
"Fletch!" cries Roan. Her hard expression softens unexpectedly, and her eyes fill with tears. "He was one of my dearest companions until he died at the Sunken City of Ssss. If you were a friend of Fletch, you are a friend of mine."
"Please, then . . ." Ganelon speaks earnestly. "Tell me your path."
Roan gathers herself, and looks him in the eye. "I must go to the City
of the Dead to bring my husband, who was once the High Priest of Kakatal,
the Fire God, back to life."
Ganelon bows deeply, showing no fear or doubt. "Then we shall go."
Somewhat taken aback by the total acceptance of her quest by this unknown friend-of-a-friend, Roan gathers her courage to bring the idea before the rest of the group for consideration.
That evening at Kerod's new home, the particulars are discussed. The Ambassador Maximilian, Kerod Gasan, Orland of Lys, Shayna, and Ganelon Bosch all agree to go with Roan. Raius doesn't want Roan to leave on this quest without her, but she has an obligation to stay in Kaitaine with the children and begin her new life. She brushes the dust from the outside off her sleeves rather vigorously as she says, "Roan, I will do anything I can to help you from here."
Roan nods and then suggests that Kerod might also stay in Kaitaine with his children, but Kerod insists that he must stay with the party, to ensure their survival. Roan tells Kerod that if he must go, then he better behave himself on the trip.
Glances are exchanged over Roan's cold reception of Kerod's generosity. But the Ambassador adroitly changes the subject by asking if the party can go to the City of the Dead by way of Lys. He has to deliver a dragon-slaying sword that he was paid to recover from Falias. His employer, one Lord Meralonne, lives in Lys. Everyone agrees that Lys seems to be on the way, and that allowing the Ambassador to complete his mission is not a hardship.
Lys is an elven kingdom in the south of Emer. To reach it, merchant ships from Kaitaine must brave both Vajaarans, a warlike people whose country lies in between, and pirates. It is a long journey, filled with a mixture of bribery, subterfuge, and skillful, fast escapes.
The group agrees to return the sword to Lord Meralonne, and then journey to the City of the Dead. Roan indicates that she is waiting for a map which is supposed to be delivered within the next two weeks. Ship passage is purchased for two weeks from the current date, and the group goes about gathering supplies for the long trip.
Roan disappears into her brother's house for the duration, but not before having a brief face-off with Kygar. Kygar is a Deathwatcher of Eissa, the Goddess of Death and Rebirth. She informs Roan that changing the natural order of things, such as bringing the dead back from beyond, is not the way of Orhan and that only Eissa can do it safely. With certainty, Kygar addresses Roan, "Only those that She has blessed with her divine magic should attempt such an undertaking. There is too great a chance for too much to go wrong." Then she promises, "If I meet Murdock and find him to be 'unnatural,' I will do what I feel I have to do."
To that Roan snarls, "And I will do to you what I have to do." They part, not on good terms.
In two weeks, the map that Roan was expecting arrives. At the appointed time, Roan, looking a little uncomfortable, meets the rest of the group as they board the Lady's Grace, a fast merchant ship to Lys. She glares at Kerod as she climbs on board the sleek blue ship. With his shieldman at his heels, Kerod moves toward Roan, his face full of concern. Suddenly there is a commotion on the docks. A group of five female dwarves approaches the boat. Although the docks are already crowded with cargo, sailors, and merchants, a crowd gathers to watch the unusual sight. As the dwarves draw closer, one female steps out in front. Roan gives a cry of joy and relief and runs down the gangway to greet her old friend Dobro Helmcleaver. Dobro is a tough dwarven fighter who also used to travel with Fletch Arrowroot. She has not been seen for many years.
Shayna, the Ambassador, and Kerod also move forward to greet Dobro. Dobro seems to shun Kerod, but she tells the others she is lucky to have caught them. She had been ill for some time, and now that she is well has come searching for her old friends. Dobro asks if she may come along. The group immediately agrees.
With everyone on board, the sailors on either side of the ship produce great poles which they use to push the boat away from the dock. As they labor, muscles bulging and faces red, the ship slowly moves past small fishing boats, huge Navy boats, and other sleek merchant vessels. The boat begins to rock in the waves as it passes the two great guard towers that watch over Kaitaine harbor. A great skyship passes overhead, its bluish green underbelly flashing in the sun. The passengers look up at the gravity-defying vessel, but the sailors take no notice. As the party's ship passes out into the open sea, more Navy ships can be seen guarding the precious harbor. Barefoot seamen scramble across the yardarm and unfurl the sails, as the captain pushes the wheel hard to the south. The journey to Lys has begun.
to be continued...
Shop
ICE