GR 16: Crucible of the Flame

A group of unrelated strangers, representing different races and cultures, were brought together by a mystical vision of a dead tree brought back to life, a symbol of the restored Crucible of the Flame. Beginning in the Kainen city of Cassaliene, and sent foreword by Lord Brandon of the Winged Swords, the rag-tag group set out to seek the reclusive Mistress of Al-Raimath. She gifted the party with the sword Niminora, and led them to the hidden monastery of the Sisters of the Three Circles.
Later, guided by a Mirriling woman named Risa, the party traveled south to the Mirriling islands, where they recovered the lost sword Réggal, but failed to obtain the hidden sword Sanctica, which had been sequestered by the undersea Serendi. Proceeding through Uruk lands, the prophet Torgon was called by many mystical revelations, and came to bear the dark sword known as Miirdomar.
Visited by many miraculous visions, the party moved through Rakkia, to the hills of Athel and the home of the Crucible. In the nick of time, the Mistress of Al-Raimath arrived with the sword Valkstar, and gave her life to buy the party time to reach the Hall of the Crucible. There in a final battle against the great dragon Luxifereth, and the bearers of Attresa, Elnar, and Sanctica, all the sword-bearers perished, and only Emarto survived.
In this moment, the seven Great Swords of Renown were returned to the Crucible from which they were made, and were taken up with the Crucible into heaven. This event of 4011 S.R. came to be known as “The Ascension.”
OUTSIDE GAME TIME: Risa turned out to be the Messenger Riseanne, sent to guide the party incognito. This event of the Ascension marked the beginning of the last age of the world, where the spoken Word of God was revealed to all nations. From the lands of the Aishelon spread forth the Missionaries of the Coming Dawn.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: This was a campaign of “firsts.” It was the first adventure where Steve’s own SpiritQuest rule system was used. It was also the first large-scale campaign set entirely in another time period, fully defining the concept of the Crucible and its relation to the Seven Swords of Renown. It also was the introduction of the Raverty brothers to the game group. Some memorable scenes include Emarto’s scuffle with a small sylvan bully, the mountain-top tower of Al-Raimath, and the undersea kingdom of the Serendi. The campaign also included many references to the past, including: an encounter with Vitrem’s distant ancestors, and the discovery of Grenton’s tomb.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Gaming Data:
Dates Played: Fall 1989 - 1990
Play Sessions: 21
Session Venue: St. Paul, MN
Rule System: SpiritQuest - 1
SpiritQuest Setting:
Era: Age of the Gathering
Time Frame: 3762-3783 S.R.
Region: Greater Region of Aishelon
Origin: City of Cassaliene
Destination: The House of the Crucible
Player Characters:
Torgon, Uruk Soldier - Greg Krenz
Lethan, Fae Brigand - Vince Krenz
Shalassa, Kainen Scout - Laura Krenz
Pieto, Mirriling Spy - Keenan Raverty
Emarto, Mirriling Specialist - Jon Raverty
Merris, Sylvan Bard - Tom Forliti
Important Non-Player Characters:
Brandon Kainen Highlord
Agon, Düergun weaponsmith
Connis Dayajal, Brigand leader near Rodenna
Brecount, Kainen Captain of the Darkgold
Medial, Sylvan “Executor of Insult” [br}Celetheria, Faecrown of Ishanti
Talastian, Prince of Ishanti, Lethan’s half-brother
Teroth Eamarilth, Fae, Mistress of Al-Raimath
Verisa, Fae, Abbess of Panarian Monestary
Vrotona, Halfae, magical boat
Ando Blueboot, Hulder Villager at Vitria
Clover Blueboot, Hulder Villager at Vitria
Roshalar, King of the Serendi
Dagösünn, Uruk Captain of the Firetreader
Margüsh Ironjaw, Uruk slave-trader, Shredüsh
Yoshuk, Uruk fighter, shield bearer to Torgon