Chapter: Point of Catastrophe, part II

Cast: Mandan Bansl, Gryff Galan, Jolander van Saar, and Toadface.


The following takes place between 24 and 25 Ovtavum, YE 1022.




Previously, the cabal decided to attack the Ordo Ultima Thule on the Waymar Islands, and to take down the OUT battle-ship ADMIRAL VORTIGERN. This chapter starts with the good ship Pius - now rigged for flight - high above the Isles. Three Reavers have been defeated, and several more are forming a defensive formation between the Pius and the OUT base.


Below them, the heroes could see more Reavers taking off from the island, and amongst these there was a wing of three white vessels. They climbed from a jungle-clad valley, and suddenly they vanished in thin air - they had breached the Gauntlet and entered the Umbra. This is the Achilles Heel of the cabal, as  both Thaumathurges have vanished.


The magicians decided to up the ante, and they called on the Great Dragon Ahariman. He came out of the sun, falling towards the ground at immense speed, heading towards the OUT base. As the dragon passed the Reaver-formation, fire engulfed them, and many were struck out of the air. Suddenly cannons hidden on ridges and hill-sides started a frightful barrage. The sky around Ahariman became riddled with lethal dark blossoms, and glowing trails of death whipped the air.


And again the lookout called, "Meteorite, hoi!"


ADMIRAL VORTIGERN, the enormous steel monster, engulfed in flames, came thundering into the Troposphere. The Pius sprang into action, and as soon as the flames were extinguished, Captain Galan ordered the ship to teleport.


The Pius jumped to a position where Bansl could fire the White Arrow the cabal had forged for this job. Immediately the enemy's defences opened up, and the decks of the Pius were scoured by red hot metal poured from the countless guns jutting from ADMIRAL VORTIGERN's hull. Even so, Bansl calmly took aim, and fired his cannon. The White Arrow pierced the thick hull without trouble, and galan teleported Bansl, van Saar and Toadface aboard the enemy, then he took his own ship to safety.


In the steel bowels of the great battle-ship, the OUT found that a war-cabal is a terrible thing indeed. The magicians effortlessly fought their way to the bridge, and only there did they meet resistance sufficient to slow them down. Bansl's bombs proved invaluable in clearing closed rooms.


Two Hellghasts stood between the heroes and the door to the bridge, and Toadface whooped with joy at an enemy worth walloping. He charged the two as van Saar shifted time to get behind them. Despite the Hellghasts being fearsome fighters, they stood no chance against two Masters and an Adept, and the battle ended shortly.


The bridge was scryed, and Bansl came up with the idea to use a basic apparition-spell to deliver his ordnance into the room without exposing themselves to the enemy. Thus it was that the bombman blew a great hole in the hull of the enemy ship, and almost killed his brothers-in-arms as well. Bansl himself will of course tell you that everything was under control all the time.


With the ADMIAL VORTIGERN now falling helplessly towards the sea, Captain Galan brought the boarding-party home again.


Further East, the OUT base was now burning, but the dragon, now grievously injured, was fleeing. Relentlessly pursuing the wyrm was a fleet of Reavers. Each was pouring death into the ancient creature, and it was clear to the magicians - who were scrying this from afar - that Ahariman would fall.


Again the Pius was readied for battle, and Captain Galan teleported her between the dragon and the pursuers. As the enemy vessels screamed past them, the Pius opened up with both her broadsides. Of the seven Reavers following the dragon, four were blown out of the sky, and a fifth soon followed.


Toadface, being an Adept of Life, asked to be put on the wounded dragon's back, and Galan promptly teleported him there. Once on the ancient creature, Toadface could feel broken bones grinding against each other, torn tendons and ripped muscles straining to keep moving. The dark and sinister sea was coming closer by the minute, and it looked like there was a malicious shadow following them just below the surface.


Toadface started pouring his magic into the dragon, and despite his best efforts, it did not seem to be sufficient. At last he reached deep into himself, and sacrificing ten years of his life, he managed to bring enough strength back to Ahariman to make him able to climb again.


Simultaneously, the Pius had become threatened by the three white white Reavers. Coming out of the Umbra, one on each side, and one beneath the ship, they made ready to board with dozens of Hellghasts. The cabal didn't think twice, and they retreated.


Toadface was at this time clinging to the dragon's back as it climbed higher and higher, towards the sun. As the horizons widened around him, he felt the light fill his soul, and before the dragon came too high he let go. Before the Pius left the Western Isles, Galan brought the dragonrider safely back aboard.


Aftermath
The Pius anchored off the western coast of Pendrell. Here the wounded crew-members were seen to, and teh ship was mended. There was extra rum for each man, and the cabal celebrated the victory.


At 0500 on 25 Octavum, an enormous explosion wiped out a large portion of Rederhaven. Tens of thousands were killed, and several important buildings were lost. The Ordo Ultima Thule's revenge for the loss of ADMIRAL VORTIGERN has begun.




Storyteller's note: This is a great example of what the Pius Cabal is capable of when they act rationally and in concert. Still, this is only the third victory they have had since they left the Dark Continent (a year ago, RT). Since then, they have made invaluable contributions to the defence of Argos, but they have avoided battle.


The first great victory was the defeat of Captain Armand, following the Dark Triumvirate's attack on Wezell. The second great victory was the defeat of the Flood at the Battle of Geminon Field, where the migrating people were turned towards the lands of the Temple. And now, the defeat of ADMIRAL VORTIGERN. Three victories, against three enemies.


There are in effect three different groups of enemies. The Dark Triumvirate, the Temple of Man Supreme, and the Ordo Ultima Thule. Behind, or below, there is of course Cthulhu, but he's a little out of the reach of mortals.


Following the first victory, they were told by the Queen Mother herself that if they meddled in her affairs again, she would not forgive. Not worth all that much, perhaps, but since then she has left the cabal alone. The   second victory has not yet borne fruits, but by the end of YE 1022 or so, the Flood should start pouring into Temple-lands. This war is also being fought by the Enlightened Alliance (in effect every friendly magician and all their allies).


The Ordo Ultima Thule has been allowed to operate freely on the Western Isles for a generation, and now they have been attacked openly.




[Picture source: LayoutSparks.com]

The Flood

Warriors of the Flood preparing to ford a river

From a letter from King Ambrozy VII of Kengel to the Arcane Congress, dated 3 Tertium 1022 YE:


[...]


For almost two years rumours of a new people coming out of the East have been brought to us by travellers and merchants; horse-men from a land beyond the dawn. Over the summer of the Year of Enlightenment 1021 merchants brought back news from the Transwyza of slaughter and burned villages.

[...]

As the seasons turned towards winter, refugees streamed across the Wyz, and strange riders were seen on the far bank. Still we did not fear, for the mighty river has always been an impregnable bulwark against all evil from the south.

In the history of our people, the river Wyz has frozen over only five times before. Each time has brought with it chaos and suffering as barbarian tribes or monsters have crossed the ice to harrow our lands. This last winter brought with it such a frost as we call Fimbrowik, and the Wyz turned into a great bridge over which poured the terrible warriors of the Flood.

The first battle stood on 13 Primum, in the Khorimow province, where the duke led his men to stem the barbarian tide. Word of his defeat reached my father, our noble king, at the same time as the news of the fall of the city of Pizs.

Our enlightened ruler gathered his Zlachta and called his brave men to arms, and with righteous hatred in his heart he led his army south to drive the enemy out of the realm. Seven and a half thousand men followed the royal banner. No more than a thousand returned. Our beloved king, my father, remained, as did the flower of our nobility.

With spring now upon us, we see the full extent of the cataclysm fate has devised for our people. The lands lost to the barbarian Flood is now being plowed by foreign hands, and each new day swells their ranks.

[...]

Flood camp-site

Excerpts of a conversation between van Mangrav and the White Lama:

Lama: Those you call the Flood call themselves the People, Tek'wana'ke, in their own tongue. They come from the oceans of grass far to the east of your world, and like sheep before the lion, they flee from the Dragon of the Seventh Mountain. [It] was awoken by the Drums of the Servants of the Heavens, so that your world can be cleansed in [its] fire.

Warrior of the Flood with war-paint

From a letter from Smyiewitch of the Strigioi to Aktor Smit:

The Flood is not composed of monsters, nor is it motivated by evil. It is but a nation of mortals, driven by that most basic of instincts: survival. They see your lands as fat and green, and in your internal strife they see a weakness to be exploited.

They flee from a great dragon, and care not about the Exarch, no more than the doe hiding from the hunter fears the wolf. As the proverb says, "do not ask a starving man to build a bridge."

[Picture source: 1 The Master Walks; 2 Ocean's Bridge; 3 Indian Faces]

The last chapter

Picture hosted by matthieu.zecto.com

The Cabal returned safely back to the Pius from Fornost, the Realm of the Frost Elves, after having rescued those who remained of the Seven Seekers.



The Seven Seekers, and their status:
Princess Ylvana Eclipseborn, alive and well. She never doubted that her dear Gryff would come and get them.


Tomas Parlay, alive, but suffering from chest rot, a form of consumption.


Brother Augustus of the Black Friars, alive and well.


Reigald Galdgrimson of the Enæìdūn, very much alive.


Thorgrim of the Enæìdūn, also alive.


Doctor Misterio, rescued earlier from captivity at the hands of the Ministerium. Lost in madness.


A servant boy, dead.


Aboard the ship, both parties wanted to hear of the adventures of the others, and so great tales were told. Princess Ylvana told of the adventures of the Seekers's, familiar to, but not neccesarily similar to Parlay's account. They had found the portal, and Misterio had calculated that the Moon of Emmeroch would indeed shine upon the plateu only a few days after their arrival. The servant boy had snuck away from the camp one night, and they never saw him again.


When the gate opened, the Seekers had followed the same path taken by the Cabal, and they had indeed come into the forest. There they had been captured by the Elves. On the escape of Dr Misterio, neither the princess or any of her compannions could shed any light. He had vanished from their prison one night, and they were suprised to hear that he was alive and on the ship.


The Great Matter of the chapter was the option presented by Huron the White. Burn the Five Forts, and thus break the seal that kept the elves from crossing into the lands of Man. Drake and Van Zaar wanted to summon the Dragon [Storyteller's note: Three times they may call for the Dragon] and put terror in the hearts of the Presbyterians, they did not however want to break the seal -- burn one fort perhaps, but they didn't want to let the Great Hunt loose on Pendrell. Captain Galan wanted to go all the way. Here he found support in Brother Augustus, "Let him who wants to avoid his enemy walk softly; he who walks to battle shall go forth boldly, with fanfare and bared steel." The debate surged back and forth for a long time.


Brother Augustus also pulled the captain aside and informed him that as a priest he had the authority to perform a wedding. He also spoke warmly of why he felt that the marriage was a Good Thing. Ylvana agreed.


The rest of the Cabal now wanted to call upon Octavian. [Storyteller's note: The relationship between Gryff and Octavian has been a matter of some controversy. There are those who are convinced that the two have a bond deeper than friendship. While this has been confirmed once by the player (and that candedness may be blamed on Single Malt), it has been denied more often.] So, as so often before, Gryff Galan sat in the light of the Elfstone and sang Octavian's name. He found him, deep in the Underdark, beneath Mount Guthûrgoth, in a dark, dead end. His retinue, numbering three Deciples, five Apprentices and three times seven Proxima when they set out, now numbered only one Deciple and two Proxima. Octavian himself lay mortally wounded on the hard stone, wrapped in his cape. It was a very moving scene when Gryff came to him in his mind.

Octavian told Gryff that they had indeed found what they were seeking, but in the battle that followed many had lost their life, and more still had perished in the aftermath -- something old and sinister had been stalking them. Even now, all the Hermetics could do was to keep the darkness at bay. And their light was faltering.


Of course, our heroes could not sit idly by while the brave Hermetics faced a nameless terror in the bowels of this mountain of madness. So it was that the Pius Cabal mounted an epic rescue operation, preparing a great portal-spell and calling upon no fewer than two gods to aid their efforts. [Storyteller's note: two rhymes were written, one for the spell, and one for calling on Geminon]


When the door opened into the dark subterranean chamber and light shone on the survivors the darkness reacted. Drake was unable to hold it back at first, and it was like a great, primordial hatered had become aware of their presence. Arkon's Gateposts guarded the portal, and as the light seemed to go out, Geminon, in the guise of a great Corinthian swordsmaster strode into the cavern, and drawing his sword he walked to face the Dark. Drake mustered his strength and wove a powerful ward. Enæìds now ran to the exhausted Hermetics and pulled them to safety. The portal was closed, and the connection severed. Octavian was safe.


Safe, but not out of danger yet. Drake has been studying the Arcana of Life for a while, though at this point he was still only an Apprentice. He has also been dabbling in Mythos matters (amongst other things, he stood face to face with Shaitan, the Drowned Man, in the dark storm) and when he examined Octavian's wound he found it poisoned. Something dark was deep in the wound, and it meant to kill him. Having consulted both Banzel and the ship's surgeon, dr Toombs, he believed himself capable of saving Octavian's life, although his left arm and shoulder had to be cut off.


This was Drake's Deciple-test. Assisted by the surgeon he cut deep into the flesh, so deep that they saw things no man is meant to see in any living human. Van Zaar, having offered to love Octavian on behalf of the captain, never left the patient while they cut. The captain sat in his quarters, praying to Arkon with Ylvana. At length Drake closed the wound and proclaimed the operation over. He had saved Octavian's life, and become a Deciple of the Arcana of Life. He then went on to promptly cure Parlay of his chestrot.


In the elated state of mind that followed, the Cabal decided to go to Five Fort Vale and call upon the Dragon, and leave it to the Dragon to decide what the Dragon would do. The marriage between the captain and the princess should also be performed there. Thus the Cabal again left the Pius by means of great magic.


The Vale lay peaceful in the hour before a bright winter dawn. The five forts, arrayed with some great and unknown design along key points looked peaceful and serene. The captain had scryed the valley earlier, and discovered that the forts lay upon ancient Hallows, and that apart from the structures themselves, there were no other apparent defenses.


There, on a hill overlooking the valley, by a caern built by Galan when he went hiking in the Vale three years earlier, Brother Augustus bound Gryff and Ylvana in wedlock. Then the Prince called the Dragon's name. Once. Twice. Three times. And then it came.


Coming out of the sun rising behind the mountains the Dragon flew over the Vale and landed infront of the Cabal. "You called," it said. The magicians now found it difficult to answer. Some tried flattering the Great Wyrm, others tried appearing powerful, most bowed their heads and felt insufficient. The Dragon looked at them like an enormous cat who is deciding whether or not to play with them. In the end the Prince had to speak. [Storyteller's note: His player wasn't at the table this evening, and so in effect they pawned the responsibility off on an NPC. Tsk-tsk.] He said: Break the Seal.


The Dragon took flight and circled higher and higher over the peaceful valley. Lazy as a bird of prey deciding which of these fat sheep it would devour first it soared in great circles, high in the air. Then it dived out of the sky. Like a star falling to the earth, a great comet, trailing bright fire it struck the first fort. Stones were shattered, and flames rose high in the air. Then it took flight again, only to gain altitude before again throwing itself on another fort. Now bells started ringing in the valley, and leaving the second conflagration the Wyrm flew low over the farms and villages, spreading death, fire and fear beneath its enormous wings.


The third and forth fort fell. Screams and bells ringing frantically rose to where the Cabal stood aghast. Some of them cried out to make it stop, and some might have wept. From the forest on the oher side of the River Manshield sounds could be heard, as if the forest itself was awakening. Landing infront of the last of the Five Forts, the valley burning around it, the Dragon seemed to have gotten warmed up. Spreading its wings, it seemed to draw in air, then it breathed a vast cone of fire. Fanning it with its wings it continued to breathe, whipping the flames to such a great heat that even the stones melted.


Then, as a horn could be heard from the forest, calling the Hunt, the Dragon took flight for the last time. It passed over the Cabal, standing in shock and awe on the hill, and flew off into the rising sun.


After this, the Cabal returned to the Pius, and then to Rederhafen, where they were dubbed Knights Arcane of the Order of the Golden Dawn.


Storyteller's note: Dragons kick ass! I've always loved them. And when my players leave it to an NPC to input the launch-data... Well, if my memory serves me, the Prince confessed some sympathy with the Elven Prince…


I must confess it felt extremely liberating to unleash such destructive power on my world. I want to go again ;)

The last chapter

Having made it to Drachenau, the Company were now faced with the task of finding their way back again. This proved to be anything but easy. The captain discovered this when he realized that he was unable to tell where he was, let alone how to get back to the citrus grove (for a Deciple of Space, this can be rather terrifying).

Luckily, M'narcel was able to locate a path. Van Zaar was certain that they were deep in the Dreaming, and that they should head for the port of Longing. On these precepts, they followed the path towards the ocean. Van Zaar also named a few particularly nasty locations and creatures, just to make sure everybody expected the worst.

After a while, the path led them to a gorge, with a small river that threw itself forcefully towards lower ground. On an ancient stone bridge accross the river, a man sat, smoking his pipe. Black haired, clad in a worn but well kept traveler's coat, with a black staff resting against the bridge's railing; van Zaar quicly reckognized Sir William, the Black Staff of Argos, arguably the greatest wizard of this time.

As it happens, Blackstaff was waiting for the Company, and in the manner of wizards, seemed to expect them exactly when they came. He was meaning to talk to them, he said, and for the next while that is what happened. The heroes asked himany questions, and he answered them to the best of his ability. They asked about libraries and Outsiders, about magic and the future, and about other things purtaining to the end of the Third Age.

"Where we stand now, know that defeat is the most likely outcome."

~Sir William Blackstaff

Blackstaff also told the tale of his Awakening; when Aziz, carrying the fallen Grishnak, led his followers accross the desert to the Broken White Tower. Where the ancient Living Prophet showed Blackstaff the path to Awakening before He was killed, and where he was given the Black Staff by the Master of the Ahl-i'Bahtin. He told them about Franko da Cola, a man he has been following ever since the Great Betrayal. He spoke of many more great things.

Upon parting, Blackstaff showed the Company the path back, then he wandered off into mystery again, promising that they would meat again.

"I walk the narrow path between what is and what must not be, between what will happen and what may come to pass."

~Sir William Blackstaff

Upon reaching the citrus grove again, the debate over what to do next erupted. They had been given leave to call upon the dragon Ahazverus three times, and here they had need of a powerful intervention. The discussion led towards calling the dragon down on first Assari, then Victoria, and in so doing, forcing Caracalla out into the open. But first they would meet with the Marshall.

Marshall Roeder seemed quite pleased with the prospect of taking two cities in as many days, and so their plan got his blessing.

When night fell over the besieged city of Assari, the plan had been altered slightly. Galan would create a magical gate from their own lines to a tower on the city walls. Through it, Aegir, M'narcel, and himself, would make their way to the middle o the city. There M'narcel would summon the great nightmare-beast N'Gartl, thus reserving the dragon for a later time.

Before the gate was opened, Banzel sniped off the three guards on the tower. The rest of the men on watch in that tower this night were dispatched by the Last Prince of the Enæïdan while the trio descended to street-level. The streets of Assari, quiet under the curfew, offered little to stop or deterr the infiltrating war cabal.

On the central piazza M'narcel called out to the dream-demon again, offering it every soul within the city walls. As the Hound of Morfeus tore into reality, Galan created another gate, leading the three back to their compannions, and to safety.

That night, none slept in the camp of the besiegers. From within the city, the screams of the dammned rose towards the heavens like flames from a great fire. Only come daybreak did silence fall over the empty houses, streets, and fortifications of Assari.

The last two chapters

Due to administrative fluctuations this entry will contain two chapters.

Starting exactly where the previous ended, with the Hellghast defeated and Prince Aegil and several of his Enæïd severely wounded.

Since time was short (the Glencaellyn Rifles would have to assault the halfway-fort come daylight, regardless of the actions of the Company), the Enæïd were left to tend to their wounds while the magicians advanced.

They reached the fort about half an hour before sunrise, and established communications with van Zaar, riding with the Rifles. Captain Galan mapped the area through scrying, and together with M'narcel/Drake, he set up a covering possition as close to the walls as they could get without being spotted. The task of breaching the fort fell on Banzel.

While the Company argued the plan, the captain became aware of a party of four humans loading a motorcar in the middle of the Orog garrison. One of the boxes caught his attention, a led chest, some four foot long, and one foot wide and deep. The humans were all dressed in identical clothes, kakhis, and one of them had the telltale mechanical monocle of the cyclops (last time the company encountered on of those was on the Waymar Islands).

Banzel wanted to take them out before they could escape, but this was vetoed by Galan and van Zaar.

After Banzel linked up with the two hundred men of the breaching detail things proceeded quickly. Under cannister-fire from the battery on the walls, and targeted by snipers the two hundred yards up to the gate was a deadly dash. Galan and M'narcel did their best to pick off officers and snipers, and Banzel reached the gate with about hundred men. Here he quickly tore down the gates and the rifles stormed into the courtyard.

The last suprize the defenders had in store were two glass orbs. The captain managed to break one on the ramparts with a precise shot, but the second reached the ground. When the orbs broke, they let out great clouds of pestilence and death, engulfing both the ramparts and the gatehouse - thus cutting Banzel and his men off from inforcements from outside.

Even with the Orogs on the walls trapped in the green gaseous cloud, the two hundred in the courtyard would surely be more than a match for the surviving attackers. This is when M'narcel walked into the Shaderealm. Here he was called out by name by something that shouldn't exist. Still, he pressed on, and found a Windling willing to serve. He led the spirit back to the physical realm and sent it charging through the poison gas, thus dispersing it enough to allow the Glencaellyn Rifles to take the halfway-fort.

A few hour after the fort fell, again accompanied by the Prince, the Company set out after the motorcar, mounted on Windlings.

They passed their prey shortly after midday, and set up an ambush in a grove of palmtrees. Banzel magically prepared a pit of quicksand big enough to make sure the vehicle were stopped, then he dug himself a bunker and went into possition with the Hellghast's rifle. The rest of the party also went to ground, with varying degrees of success.

After a while the motorcar came around the bend. M'narcel, sharpening his scythes, having concealed himself next to a young palmtree by the side of the road, were spotted by the fat cyclops right before the motorcar hit the quicksand. Banzel killed the driver, and the Prince, springing forth from his hiding-place, killed the two in the back.

The Company had decided to take the cyclops alive, but the Prince quickly found that to be easier said than done. As soon as he had managed to get a good hold of the obese man with the mechanical monocle, the cyclop started heave and cough, like something was stuck in his throat - actually, more like he was attempting to disgorge his intestines. When something looking like the man's asophagus, only with a vicious eyeless head, with a mouth crammed with needle-like teeth, came forth from the man's gaping mouth, the Company switched to Plan B. Four magicians and an Exalted poured all their might into the creature that seemed to shed the flesh of its host, killing it before it could come into play.

End chapter/new chapter

After the successful ambush, the Company initiated one of their trademark discussions. For someone who have never witnessed this, it is a little hard to fully explain; van Zaar will usually make a lengthy statement on the real or percieved relevance of the matter at hand in conjunction to some metaphysical theory and/or phenomenon. Galan will listen and attempt to apply this to the situation at hand. Banzel, always with an eye on the practical will propose ways to deal with the situation, often involving guns or explosives. M'narcel typically says little, in stead he waits until he is asked for help (something that typically involves summonig of something*). Aegil seldom speaks during these council-sessions, but he sometime raises questions of a definite important nature. These talks usually lasts until one or more of the Company is too intoxicated (more often than not van Zaar) to continue, or, as in this case, until events interrupt.

This time they were interrupted by the sound of horses. As it happens, it was the enemy; two dozen Blood Legion cavalry were coming up the road from Victoria, and they were close.

At this point in the story, the heroes have become a war-cabal. And now, almost taken by suprize by the forces of darkness, they quickly sprang into action. They rapidly entered into the hive-mind Galan created, and all of them were ready within seconds. Discression is, they say, the better part of valour, and here the Cabal went for retreat.

Banzel was designated as the operator of the transportation-machine captured from the four Outsiders, and while the rest provided covering fire, he managed to negotiate with the engine, enough to make it obey. At great speed, and in a storm of lead, they withdrew, leaving a handful of Blood Legion soldiers dead in the dust.

During the previous council-session, they had decided that since they were now in close proximity to the site where Franko da Cola broke the seal, they would go on a pilgrimage to that place. So now they rode the machine South, through the halfway-fort, and further to Muhwal, the center of the Host of Man. Here they rested for the night.

While here, Banzel managed to create more fuel for the engine, and the rest withdrew to their quarters. Galan was visited by Octavian (a very close relationship seems to be forming between the two magicians), and in the dialogue that followed, the remainding members of the Cabal were roused from their sleep.

Octavian could give some information about the mysterious lead chest, and Galan, reading the journal of the leader of the Outsiders' expedition, Professor Schmitt, could furnish the matter further. The item, reffered to as Artifact Ypsilon 071, or alternately, Deicide, had apparently been hidden by the Inconnu. Why or when, no one could shed more light on.

The following morning (or, more accurately, a little before noon), the Company set out for their goal, located in, or close by, the city of Assari. Incidentally, this city, the next major one South of Muhwal, were set for attack by the Host this day. Travelling southward, they passed recent battlegrounds, and several units moving to join the siege and assault.

Only in the early evening did they reach their destination, and by then, the lines had been drawn up. Ten thousand Erian infantry, Mujahed and Wolf Lords were busy building fortifications and setting up siege possitions. With the city sealed off, the Company had to rely on magic to point the way.

The chronomancer van Zaar searched the streams of time, and found the memory of da Cola's visit, a generation earlier. He saw the first attack of the Orc on the Old Colonies, and the citrus grove da Cola and his compannions headed to when they escaped the Horde. Banzel sought out a trio of ravens who led the Company to the grove.

Here they decided to open the portal. Actually, they decided to let Galan call upon the powers that lay beyond -- something that annoyed M'narcel no end, after all, wasn't such matters his domain? After some negotiation, they opted for a different approach. Armed with the name of the Second Dragon, M'narcel led them through the portal and deep into Argos' Umbra.

Finally they reached the remote and ancient Drachenau, or Dragon's Reach. Three times the worlock called the dragon's name before it came. Faced with such an ancient power, the toungues of the magicians quickly froze, and none of them seemed able to take any action. Not until the Prince of the Enæïdùn stepped forward did the dragon speak; three times he may be called.

And so, with the dragon returned to its watch, the chapter ended.

*Ref. the Scutino-incident, the Drowned Man, as well as a few other, somewhat unfortunate episodes.

Storyteller's note: Before the last session, I had no idea as to what would happen. The players did set their own course, and it took them off the map, as it were. I really enjoy those chapters, all seat of pants gaming, and I believe I might go for one more of those next time. We'll see.

Anyway, now they are somewhat lost in the deeper reaches of the Spirit World. How they are to get out should be interesting, I think ;)

Timeline of Argos

As drawn by the good Doctor Hieronimus el Rei Misterio, professor emeritus of Universidad Santandres, medicus, alchemist, astrologer, scholar extraordinaire, magician and formerly physician to his Exalted & Most Enlightened Majesty, King Carlos Pedreo XI of Aragorn.

~o~

First Age (Dawn of Man)*

• The Dark Star falls upon Argos - the coming of the Exarch
• Darkness comes to the world
• The Fall of House Hedhrindal (Elf), and the Rise of the Black Blood (ref.: the Lament of the Orc)
• The First Great War, wherein follows the Awakening of Man, the Darkness is defeated, and the Black Wyrm (Nefrangap, Troy, Ahriman) is defeated and imprisoned by Arkon (St Marcus, Huntsman)

Second Age (Mythic Age)*

• The First City of Man is built in the land of Enokia
• The Orc is vanquished by the armies of Man
• The Eriandu tribe settles in Eria after defeating the Orc Horde of Nifsunfall
• The War of the Silver Lance is fought between the Eriandu and the House Valedil (Elf)
• The Rise of the Cults - the tribes of Man falls to religious worship
• The Wars of the Priests are fought amongst Man, the gods unleash the Great Mortality - several of the great tribes succumb, the Eriadu amongst them.
• The city of the Erdangars fall, ending the centuries long Angarlaw imposed on the Old Kingdoms of the North (Bolgen)
  

App. 500 BC (Before the Covenant)

• The Scythian Empire defeats the deity Xuul in the Godslayer War
• The death of the goddess Ruinn by the hands of (Prince Aegir of) the Enæïdùn triggers the Second Great War(?); Elf strikes at Man - weakened by the anger of the gods; Man goes to war against Elf and gods
• The Scythii unify the Western Tribes under the Imperial banner - the lands of Eria is cleansed of gods and Elf

The last century of the Second Age

• The Second Age ends with the end of the Great War, and the Covenant of Waymar

Third Age (Age of Reason)


YE 2 - 5
Lord Solar Agenmar Macharius of the Penderii leaves the Imperium and the Temple of Man Supreme, founding the Cabal of Pure Thought and the Kingdom of Pendrell. He is followed by the Livonii and the Wezellians.


YE 33
The Ordo Hermetica leaves the Dominion of Reason.


YE 213
The Skythian Empire collapses after Aragon declares its independence. The last Emperor, Agustyn IV of the House Adiadin, is killed by Istvan Palladinus of House Elderell, First King of Aragorn, thus ending the Imperial Line.


YE 213 - 257
Wars of Succession. The Great Houses of the Skythian Empire battle for the Iron Throne, ripping the Imperium apart. There are twelve emperors during these years.


YE 251
Wildemar Erenson is crowned as King of the Narbonii.


YE 262
The Ruhan tribe leaves the Imperial Remnant


YE 272 - 307
The Corinthian peninsula is factionalized. Cities and noble houses form independent states.


YE 311
King Ragmar II Hakenmark of the Ruhani defeats Hodrinus the Black Duke in the battle of the Temple Gates. The Enlightened City is declared a sovereign realm.


YE 399
King Thedrich Blacksleeves of the Alemani tribe conquers the three tribes of the Merenmarch and declares himself Emperor of Man.


YE 409
Emperor Thedrich I crosses the Elfswall and sacks the Enlightened City, occupying northern Corinth.


YE 421
Thedrich is defeated in the Battle of Cortona by the combined army of the Corinthian city-states and the Kingdom of Ruhan. Shortly after, the Enlightened City is freed.


YE 477
The High Masons of the Alemanii join the Cabal of Pure Thought.


YE 555
The colony of Victoria is founded by Aragorn on the Northern Shores of the Dark Continent.


YE 632 - 639
The Surge. Black Blood warbands attack Livonia and northern Pendrell.


YE 743
The Dukes of the Kingdom of Alemani elect Helmand Alfgarde as the first Emperor of the Enlightened Scythian Empire.


YE 959
Dr. John Locker's Tropospheric Gondola completes the first scientific flight of man in Pendrell.


YE 971
Franko da Cola is born in the village of Scutino in the Principality of Andron.


YE 995
The Crypt is opened. Magic awakens.


YE 997
The St Revan's Day Plot. A scheme to kill King Arthor XIII of Pendrell is thwarted by the Second Witness (Sir William Blackstaff, the Blackstaff).


YE 998 - 1022
The Reign of Reason. The Ministerium assumes full control over the Cabal of Pure Thought, and a period of persecution towards freethinkers and Awakened follows. This is brought to an end with the Elven Scourge and the Pendrellian Civil War.


YE 1000
The Orc is given Industry by an Outsider known as the Futurist or the Rogue Navigator (the Emmisary?).


YE 1002
The Black Horde of the Orc, led by Urgal Kahn Ghurandakh, conquers the colony of Victoria. The Barrier is broken by Franko da Cola.


YE 1003
The Living Prophet of the Hannuman Caliphate is slain by the Grishnak Gahalar. Aziz becomes the new prophet.


YE 1005
The last city of Man on the Northern Shores fall to the Orc.


YE 1008
The first cult of Shaitani is tried by the Ordo Manus Nigrum in Lavarre in Aragorn.


YE 1009
Frank da Cola reveals himself as Shaitani to an Argonaut in Freeport. He speaks of the Olympos and the end of the world.


YE 1011
Franko da Cola strikes at the Ministerium and the High Temple of Man, killing scores in both attacks.


The Black Horde turns south, crossing the Charred Plains and attacking the Empire of Stygia.


YE 1012
Truth until Paradox, by Franko da Cola, is published in Andron. It is blacklisted by the Temple the same year, and shortly after placed under a print-ban by the Ministerium.


YE 1015 - 1017
The Corillian War. The King of Narbonne, 'Mad' Phillyp, backs the Free Macharites of Corillia against the Ministerium. Pendrell declares war, and defeats Narbonne in the Battle of Crezen.


YE 1016
Aziz turns away from the Grishnak Gahalar. The War of Fate begins.


The Lost Regiment vanishes.


The Process of Enlightenment is started by the Temple of Man Supreme. The Ordo Manus Nigrum is given 'supreme discretion in all matters heretical and all acts of enmity against Man.'


YE 1017
Emperor Constantinius Ada of the Enlightened Skythian Empire is named Protector of the Temple of Man by Arch Primarch Inocens XI.


YE 1019
Friedrich Roeder, formerly margrave von Roeder and commander of thevLost Regiment, (somehow) manages to convince the Kings of Eria to raise the Host of Man.


YE 1020
A horde of Nightmares is unleashed on the followers of Grishnak Gahalar. Some are granted access to the prime material plane of Argos.


The good ship Pius starts her journey.


YE 1021
Grishnak's Legions of Light is defeated by Aziz's Mujahed and an army of Nightmares under Morfeus himself in the Battle of the White Tower. Aziz is slain by Grishnak, who is in turn slain by Morfeus.


The Counsil of Awakened Viziers declare that Aziz is the True Caliph, and rules the Caliphate in his stead.


The Host of Man musters on the island of Cora and invades the occupied Colonies. The host is cut off from the Lands of Man when their bridgehead on Cora falls to the Black Ships.


The Wezellian Syndicate strikes the Lex Arcanum from the Laws of the Realm, in effect making magic legal.


YE 1022
Pendrell declare war on all witches and magicians, and invades Wezell on the first day of the year.


The Five Forts are burned by a Great Dragon. The Great Hunt of the Frost Elves descends on Pendrell, this is known as the Elven Scourge.


King Arthor XIII of Pendrell falls on his own sword. Duke Rowar Garwellyn of Ayre claims the Oaken Throne. Civil war breaks out.


The host of Man is brought from the Dark Continent by a miracle of Arkon.


King Rowar II of Pendrell is crowned (20 Primium) and crosses the River Ayre, defeating the Parliamentarian Force in the Battle of Sander Bridge.


The First Arcane Congress meets in the Wezellian town of Ghoerwald (1 Tertium). The Concord is signed (21 Sextum).


The Enlightened Alliance is formed by Wezell, Livonia, Maravia, Pendrell and the Ordo Hermetica.


The Temple of Man Supreme calls for a War of Enlightenment on the Arcane Congress and the Enlightened Alliance.


Alliance forces cross into the Enlightened Skythian Empire (13 Septium).


The First and Second Battle of Geminon Field (22 Septium). The Flood army under Samil Raga is defeated by a small force of Kengellians and Wezellians, led by the deity Geminon and the Pius Cabal.


The Great Explosion of Rederhafen.






* The exact dates of the events of the First and Second Age are uncertain, I have therefore elected not to list these.


---

Storyteller's note: This is perhaps the most comprehensive outline of the history of Argos as of yet. Any errors or mistakes belong to the good Doctor Misterio.

Boom! Headshot!

The whole world changed without warning with a betrayal. Or, with a blatant act of PvP that left one man standing. The story is as follows.

Back in, what, 2005, I as hosting a one-off session. I normally draw the line at four players, two being my optimal group-size, and one-on-one being what I play the most. I might get in to the advantages and drawbacks of these different types of play later. Anyway, this time I think we were a total of six or seven guys gathered for the game. Now, I knew that most of the players would not be available for a follow-up session, so I didn't plan for a long story-line. Truth be told, I didn't plan for much of a story-line at all. I had a plot-hook, and took it from there.

"You are all on the same ship, and there is a fierce storm blowing. The ship is thrown aground, and you are the survivors of a shipwreck." It might not have been verbatim, but that's the long and short of it. All went well, until they get to a great gate in the mountain. This just happened to be one of those gates that were locked, actually sealed, from the outside. Some of the characters seemed to think this was a problem, while the others didn't. To make a long story somewhat shorter, I'll just give the headlights.

A loud argument broke out about whether to open the gate or not. While the argument raged, one character snuck away and into the mountains, figuring he had better chances of survival on his own. Another character decided to just open the damn gate while the rest were fighting. Did I mention that this was one of those gates that had been sealed with seven seals, from the outside? Well, it was. The seals are broken, one by one, until the last is removed and the gates swing open. By now the group has discovered that the cat is about to be let out of the bag. Or, more to the point, the dragon. I hadn't actually planned for this, but it had to be something pretty awesome inside that mountain. And there you go. Awesome on a dragon scale.

The mythic beast made short process with the remaining characters, until one of them managed to get off a shot. A flintlock pistol against a dragon won't do much harm, but it made the dragon pause. "What new devilry is this?" I believe his exact words were. This is where one of the last survivors, a character by the name of Fanko da Cola, pulls his own pistol, shoots the other remaining character in the head at point blank, killing him instantly, bows before the dragon, and said, "I will tell you all about it, my master."

And at this point it had gotten late, we had no living characters, except for the one who made for the mountains, and Franko, and we called it a night.

This incident happened to be the birth of the Book of Worlds.

Next: A Short Introduction

(edited to weed out the legion of typos)