Prologue
In the midst of the shattered remnants of
Darkon , amidst the whispers of forgotten memories and the echoes of a once-mighty kingdom, our tale begins. The land, once held in thrall by the iron fist of Azalin Rex, now stands at a crossroads, teetering on the brink of chaos in the wake of his mysterious disappearance during the Hour of Ascension.
Under Azalin's reign, Darkon was a realm shrouded in fear and bound by the dark magics of its ruler. Countless wars ravaged the land, and the people, their memories slowly fading within the borders of Darkon, lived in a state of perpetual strife and confusion.
But now, with Azalin's disappearance and the golden star of the "King's Tear" illuminating the sky, the veil of forgetfulness begins to lift. Memories long buried resurface, and the people of Darkon awaken to the truth of their past.
Yet, instead of heralding an era of peace and enlightenment, the resurgence of memory has plunged
Darkon into further turmoil. Factions vie for power amidst the ruins, each seeking to claim dominion over the fractured kingdom. Civil war rages across the land, tearing apart the fabric of society and leaving chaos in its wake.
The Approaching Heroes
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the road,
Robert Paulson the human fighter, Lelf the elven druid, and Bones the halfling rogue pressed onward, their senses heightened by the sight of smoke on the horizon. Bones, ever the stealthful rogue, slipped ahead to investigate, leaving his companions to cautiously follow behind.
What he discovered was a scene of devastation, the remnants of a caravan strewn about like discarded toys. Amidst the wreckage lay a lone survivor, his life ebbing away beneath the weight of a turned-over wagon. The man's body bore intricate tattoos, hinting at a life shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Despite the party's best efforts, they could not stem the tide of his injuries, and with his dying breath, he uttered cryptic words, urging them to "save her."
Intrigued and unsettled by the dying man's plea, the party pressed on, their footsteps quickening as dusk settled upon the land. Their journey led them to the outskirts of a small village, where the welcoming glow of lamplight spilled from the windows of a tavern named "
Altoa's ."
Approaching cautiously, they caught sight of a young woman retching behind the tavern, the remnants of her evening's revelry evident in the sour scent of alcohol that hung in the air. Despite their offers of assistance,
Brittani Hartford waved them off, choosing instead to gather herself and return to the warmth and safety of the tavern.
A Night at Altoa's
As the party settled into the tavern, they observed the lively atmosphere around them. A dark elf's named
Zildeen Zaratul gave a marveled performance, captivating the audience with his grace and skill, while
Thuldor Ironbreaker nursed his drink in solitude at the bar, his dwarven stoicism a stark contrast to the bustling tavern around him.
However, their peace was shattered when the local law enforcement arrived to apprehend
Brittani Hartford , dragging her away despite any protests. Sensing injustice, the party sprang into action, engaging in a fierce bar fight with the authorities.
In a display of swift and coordinated prowess, they swiftly dispatched their adversaries, ensuring the safety of the tavern and its patrons. With the threat neutralized, the party's victory was met with cheers and applause from those they had defended.
Eager to spread the jubilation, they generously bought rounds of drinks for all present, turning the tavern into a temporary haven of celebration and camaraderie. Yet, their revelry was abruptly interrupted by the ominous presence of three dozen armored soldiers gathering outside.
Realizing the gravity of the situation and the overwhelming odds stacked against them, the party made a pragmatic decision to surrender, knowing that resistance would only lead to further conflict and bloodshed. However, in a moment of cunning, Bones seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed through a small back window, disappearing into the night.
A Pretty "Big Deal"
Shackled and disarmed, the party sat in the Magister's chambers, their fate hanging in the balance as they awaited judgment. Magister
Mikel Falcore , a figure of authority and power, regarded them with a mixture of curiosity and admiration, seemingly unfazed by the chaos they had caused in the tavern.
Despite the party's role in dispatching some of his best men, Magister Falcore's demeanor remained composed, his gaze assessing the strangers who had disrupted the peace of his town. In a surprising turn of events, he extended an offer to the party, presenting them with a choice that would determine their future. With a voice that brooked no argument, he laid out their options plainly: either undertake the perilous task of dispatching the giant terrorizing the town and earn additional coin in the process, or face the grim prospect of a life sentence in prison.
The party deliberated amongst themselves, weighing the risks and rewards of each choice. Though the prospect of facing a formidable opponent such as the giant filled them with apprehension, the alternative of imprisonment was a fate they could not bear to accept.
In the end, they made their decision, choosing to accept Magister Falcore's offer and embark on the dangerous mission assigned to them. With their future now tied to the success or failure of their task, they prepared themselves mentally and physically for the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that their actions would shape their destiny in ways they could not yet foresee.
Delving into the Depths
As daybreak bathed the landscape in a soft golden hue, the party set out on their journey towards the abandoned mine, guided begrudgingly by Padrick VonFore. Despite his reluctance, his knowledge of the area proved invaluable as they navigated the rugged terrain, their minds consumed by thoughts of the looming confrontation with the hill giant.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the mine, their discussions turned to strategies for confronting the giant, with Padrick's role in their plan becoming a subject of debate. However, before they could reach a consensus, Padrick seized a moment of opportunity and slipped away, his cowardice shining through as he chose to abandon the party rather than face the unknown.
Undeterred by his betrayal, the party pressed onward, entering the vast chamber of the abandoned Dwarf mine. Here, amidst the echoes of a forgotten past,
Thuldor Ironbreaker's keen eye caught sight of a relic from days long gone –
Stoneshaper, Pickaxe of Mining , nestled behind an underground waterfall and once wielded by a dwarven miner who had long since passed.
With a sense of reverence,
Thuldor Ironbreaker made the pickaxe as his own, a tangible link to the heritage of his people and a tool that would aid them in their quest. As they stood in the cavernous chamber, surrounded by the echoes of history, the party prepared themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, their resolve unshaken by the cowardice of their former guide.
Quest: Return of Stoneshaper
Associated Item: Stoneshaper, Pickaxe of Mining
Music in the Darkness
Deep within the labyrinthine depths of the mines, the party stumbled upon a scene both captivating and unsettling. Zildeen's keen senses led them to a grand chamber illuminated by dancing lights and filled with the haunting melody of a violin. There, they beheld a surreal sight: a hill giant, moving with surprising grace to the music, while an imprisoned woman's voice echoed in the cavernous space. With determination in their hearts, the party confronted the hill giant, their resolve unyielding in the face of the monstrous foe. In a clash of steel and magic, they fought with valor and skill, their coordinated efforts proving to be the key to victory. Through cunning tactics and unwavering teamwork, they bested the giant, claiming victory and securing both his head and the treasure he guarded as a testament to their triumph. With the giant vanquished, the party turned their attention to the imprisoned woman, releasing her from her captivity. She introduced herself as
Anastasia Rudari , a Vistani traveler, her gratitude evident as she bestowed upon each member of the party a single
Vistani Coin adorned with the symbol of two crossed swords upon a shield.
Associated Item: Vistani Coin
With a solemn promise of future favors from the
Vistani people,
Anastasia Rudari bid the party farewell, urging them to remember her words as they fled the hill giant's chambers, their hearts filled with a sense of accomplishment and the weight of newfound responsibility. As they emerged from the depths of the mines, they carried with them not only the spoils of their victory, but also the echoes of their encounter with
Anastasia Rudari , a reminder of the interconnectedness of their journey and the mysteries that lay ahead.
Level Up! Lvl 3
