Dragon's Dirge - The Return

I, Brother Rufus of Freehaven, was attending upon the king at his stronghold of Oblazdt Vaersahw when a messenger arrived for me. This is what the message said:

Brother Rufus, 

I was in command of the galley St Brendan while it was on patrol over the Mystic Sea. We discovered a hitherto undiscovered island. Naturally we investigated. As we approached, I felt that the coastline was familiar. But how could that be? This island had never been seen before. 

Finding a cove, we landed upon the beach. I led a party inland to explore. Again, the feeling of familiarity weighed upon me. But I had no time to ponder the mystery when we were attacked by the native humanoids. They were, however, not human. They had a dragon-like quality to them. We called them dragonians. 

We had a running fight to get back to the ship. As we pushed off from the beach, we were attacked by a wyvern. Fortunately, our archers were able to drive it off. We passed through a gauntlet of fireballs as we escaped from the cove. Rowing out to sea, one of the dragonians yelled at us. "Do not return to the land of the Dragon Lord!" it said. 

That was when I realized why everything seemed so familiar. It was our old home, prior to our escape to Ember Shoals. It was Dragon Coast!

A Dragonian
(Source: http://phaeselis.wikia.com/wiki/Half-Dragon)

I showed the missive to His Majesty. He had not heard of Dragon Coast before so he had me tell the story of its rise and fall. He was especially interested in my story of the recovery of the sacred stones from Crying Heavens. These stones, which became known as the Dragon's Eyes, were renowned for their magical properties.

A few days later, King Xhorja called me to his chamber.

"Brother Rufus, I believe it imperative that we investigate whether the Eyes still survive. Send out an expedition to find them."

And with that, I began preparations for a return to Dragon Coast.

OOC Notes

• This tale is a little backstory to an upcoming event I am running called Dragon's Dirge.
• The event commemorates the 10th anniversary of Dragon Coast's founding, which occurred on March 17, 2009.

The Honey Bear Hunt

The grand tournament had just completed when a messenger approached King Xhorja.

"Your Majesty, an urgent missive from Queen Beatrice of Hive Island." the messenger stated as he bowed before the monarch. Xhorja took the message and read:

King Xhorja, 

I am in dire need. The honey bears have raided our hive and have stolen all our honey. We require assistance. Please send us hunters who can capture the bears and recover our honey. If we don't, our hive shall face starvation. 

With Gratitude,
Queen Beatrice of the Hive 

P.S. I do not wish to see any harm come to the honey bears. Please subdue rather than kill them.

Xhorja called out, "Prepare yourselves, lords and ladies. We are going on a hunt!"

A few days later, King Xhorja's party arrived at Hive Island. Queen Beatrice reiterated that she did not want the honey bears hurt. King Xhorja had the party's weapons ensorcelled so that they could not wound but only subdue. He then gave the instructions:

"Whoever returns with the most honey shall be declared Champion of the Hunt!"

The hunters fanned out across the island, tracking the thieving bears. Soon, many scuffles broke out. Honey bears are not typically aggressive, preferring to snack upon their favorite food than fight. However, when their honey is threatened they can become quite fierce. Many a hunter fell wounded by the sharp teeth and claws of the bears. Fortunately, Orion was prepared with healing spells. He traversed the island, restoring the wounded.

Another tactic of the bears, when desperate, was to throw some of their honey at their pursuers. The honey would temporarily stick the target in place. Some of the bears used this tactic to escape.

Ultimately, the hunters gathered up most of the honey. They returned and had their hauls weighed. Orion had the largest cache, just edging out Artemis.

"Orion," asked the impressed king, "how did you manage to gather so much?"

"Simple, Your Majesty," Orion replied. "I traded heals for honey."

Well, the king found himself in a bind. He merely stated that whoever returned with the most would win. He did not specify how one should get the honey. He had no choice but to declare Orion Champion of the Hunt.

OOC Notes

• This is the story of last Sunday's scenario. Robb wanted a hunt but Elizabeth doesn't like to see animals hurt (even if they are fictional). So I devised the honey bear hunt to satisfy both of them.
• There were 2 teams - one of hunters and the other honey bears. After 10 minutes, the teams switched roles.
• Hunters were allowed to play a class
• Bears had 1 point of natural armor, 2 short or long weapons (natural), and a "honey shot" spell that worked like Hold Person.
• Both bears and hunters had unlimited lives.
• Each bear carried a piece of honey candy (literally). When subdued (achieved with an otherwise killing blow) the bear would hand over his/her candy. The bear could then re-spawn and get another piece of candy.
• At the end of 10 minutes, the hunters counted their candy. After both sides had a chance to be hunters, the person who gathered the most candy was declared Champion.
• Orion played a healer and, as noted in the story, won by trading heals for honey.

The Castellans of the Shrouded Isles

By order of His Royal Majesty, King Xhorja Wladomyr Borghikov I, the following individuals have been granted the title of Castellan. They are to be addressed as Squire by the populace of the Shrouded Isles.

Squire Bishop, Castellan of Evergreen Glen
Squire Bishop describes Evergleen Glen as "a small territory established by the Church of His Light. Capital is the small town built around the abbey "Ivory walls" dedicated to the order of our Martyred Lady. The abbey is located in a large clearing in the deep woods. The land is mostly small towns carved from the scattered forests. The abbey is home to the knights of the Twin Kings, a military order of the faithful. Two large roads run across the land in a cross, these roads are known at Salvation and Eternity and are the primary roads in the territory, often patrolled by the knights of the Twin Kings."

Squire Hexa, Castellan of Frogleggs
Squire Hexa describes Frogleggs as "so obscure and off the map that most people have never heard of it. Another reason is that it is not inhabited by humans, save for one swamp witch. Hexa lives in the middle of the swamp in a little, rickety house with a little, rickety porch. She does not live alone in this dreary, bleak bog: there are also many cats, birds, and Knotters, a race of small, tree-like people. The Knotters--with their little wooden bodies, dark cloaks, and wood knots for eyes--are a race either feared, or entirely unknown by most realms. Luckily, they get along just fine with Hexa, and she garners their help with the making of her potions, herbal remedies, and random knick-knacks of fairy. She sells mostly on AmazonMedieval, the profits of which she donates a portion to KnottersInKneed (a non-profit she incorporated herself, so as not to be taxed on the income)."

Squire Rufus of Freehaven, Castellan of Providence
Squire Rufus describes Providence as "the home of the Wardens, who populated the island after the Faedwyr devastated Ember Shoals. Their stronghold of Heron Hall defends the capital city of Freehaven. Providence features a broad plain on the western side of the island (perfect for farming) and a wide bay (where shipping can find refuge). The eastern side is dominated by precipitous mountains and impenetrable forests. So far, its settlements have been at peace, but there are reports of fell monsters that roam these mountains and forests."

His Majesty Xhorja Wladomyr Borghikov I, King of the Shrouded Isles and Castellan of Oblazdt Vaersahw
King Xhorja describes Oblazdt Vaersahw as "Tucked away in a remote corner of the archipelago, lies a largish island cloaked in a perpetual heavy miasma.

It is home to a single, unnamed overpopulated city with several serf villages that pay tithes to its dark master; the Dirgemaester called Xhorja Borghikov.

A bleak mountain range called "Szczeki Zapomneinia"(Jaws of Oblivion) in the local tongue encircles three sides of the island, eventually giving way to foggy hill country & moors before ending in to the Schwarzervald (an immense forest) & the vast grasslands called Polyaskla("Fields of Glass")...

The most striking feature of the island however is, Thryng Amrhornarskaud. Built into the face of a mountain sides, this place was once a sacred site to the now long extinct dwarves of the isle.

The "Temple of the Shadows Song", is now where all manner of fel creatures attend the court of the Dirgemaester.

Here the blind Kobzhari play the ancient Dumas to keep the people afraid & their master in power. That's the strangest trait of the isle...stories & song hold power, real tangible power. The more they are believed...the more deific their subject becomes."