The Prince's Game

Summary

The party is escorted by Ferdinand to the court of the Prince of Games, the archfey ruler of Turnseason. There they hope to make contact with an imprisoned mage named Thuldar Mardo, who was responsible for the construction of the Planespire. They approach a large flat-topped hill with a massive stone coliseum built atop it known as Turney Castle. The path up the hill is littered with hundreds of fey playing a plethora of various games and contests such as dueling, card games, and archery competitions. The entire area gives off a feeling not unlike one large, never-ending harvest festival. The party enter Turney Castle itself and find that the Prince of Games is holding court. Thuldar is standing before the Prince's throne dressed in a blue robs and a large pointed hat. A majordomo of the Prince asks Thuldar questions of how spells are cast through arcane means, which seems to be a major source of hilarity for the assembled fey. Ferdinand approaches the Prince and asks if the party may speak with Mardo in private. The Prince agrees if Ferdinand gives up his recipe for squirrel pie.
In private, Mardo asks what year it is in Mundane and is upset but not surprised that 400 years have passed. He had been sent to establish the Faerie Spire and at the time was in support of it, but didn't know he would be trapped inside. He realized the Order knew he would be trapped and abandoned him. He would be happy to help take down the Spire. He knows where it is, but won't tell the party unless they free him from the Prince. He reveals that he made a bad deal by mistake and was bound to the Prince's service.
The party negotiates with the Prince and agrees to play a game of his choosing in exchange for Mardo's release. The Prince forced them to engage in a three-way tournament to the death, of which Lethe emerges as the victor. Aberchak and Erevan are restored to life, and Mardo is freed.

Chapter Forty

"The Prince's Game"

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Previous Chapter: Like Dogs and Cats

Next Chapter: Dullspray Moor

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Ingame Date: Indeterminate
Real-Life Date: December 12, 2021
Protagonists:

• Lethe Argie
• Erevan
• Aberchak Haverdak

Featured NPCs:

• Ferdinand

Locations:

• Teldyrn
• Turnseason