GR 32: Scalam's Key

After the battle in Mandoreth (GR 33: Sons of Kurkama) and the party’s return to the present, they met the adult Ukkasen, who asked the party to undergo a mission on his behalf. He explained that when his father Grenton traveled north in the days of the Frost War, a young Thurim noble named Scalam accompanied the party on their journey. But Scalam was killed beneath the city of Port Hansra by the vicious Fear’darrig (rat-men) in the ancient sewers of the undercity (“the Grid”). Lost was the diahrzite crystal key Scalam carried (a family heirloom commissioned by the first Keeper of Onscra). Ukkasen sent them to find and recover the key.
Much of the adventure took place in the city of Port Hansra, including inns and taverns, the hippodrome horseraces, the estate of the Countess, and at the Gateway Prison. The vigilante Remegal was revealed as the “good guy”, working against a plot of Vannis Joer and the foreign necromancer Mefula (disguised as a visiting scholar, studying the rat-men).The main portion of the adventure was a dungeon crawl through the Grid below the city, where the party finally defeated Mefula and a “brain creature” in an acid temple.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS: The local Redmoon gang was able to trick the party into thinking they were entering the Grid, when they were just being set up for a robbery. After many false starts, the party finally reached their goal. In the final encounter in the acid temple it was remarkable that nearly every player rolled a critical fail; but they were able to recover and succeed in their mission.
OUTSIDE GAME TIME: The scenario ended with the invasion of Uruk mercenaries under the banner of the Duchy of Larain, led by Duke Elkroi (this was the same year Elkroi retook Larain from the Karshans). To repel the attack, the floodgates were opened to flood Port Hansra, as the people of the city escaped. This was one of the prompting causes for the later fortification of Rodessa, where Lord Remegal rose to a leadership position.

Related One-Shot Adventure

Lost in the Undergrid

Played: January 1, 2018, Community Center - Buffalo, MN
Time Frame: 3225 S.R., Port Hansra Undergrid
ADVENTURE DESCRIPTION: Beneath the city of Port Hansra lies an ancient network of waterways, designed to keep the city safe from flooding. Operated by survile race of rat-men, the sewer complex is forbidden to citizens of the town. Cadelia, the young daughter of the town’s Dockmaster ran away, having fled into the underground network. Her father, Master Mondinkainen, the wealthiest merchant in town, offered a substantial reward to any party who can rescue his daughter and return her safely.
COMMENTS: This additional scenario was run at the Wright County Scifi Group - New Year’s Game-a-thon, using the same setting from GR 32: Scalam's Key, but set seven years earlier, when the Rat King still ruled the Grid. The bard turned out to be the most valuable party member, especially in charming opponents (like eels and rat-men) without requiring combat.

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Gaming Data:
Dates Played: Oct. 27, 2016 - Aug. 18, 2017
Play Sessions: 7
Session Venue: Steve's House - Oakdale, MN
Rule System: SpiritQuest - 8 (simplified rules)
SpiritQuest Setting:
Era: Age of Exile
Time Frame: 3232 - 3233 S.R.
Region: Neørdewessa, Lansia
Origin: Transholm, Naodra
Destination: Port Hansra, on Midrun Coast
Player Characters:
Lietharen Viresta, Lunari Fae - Greg Krenz
Aka “Surma” - Vainite Duelist - Vince Krenz
Twillissar (Twill), Nissani Dryad - Jon Raverty
Talco Vineman, Vainite Oblate - Keenan Raverty
Gavin Randall, Vainite Constable - Jack Raverty
Important Non-Player Characters:
Countess Hermelia, Leader of Port Hansra (elvanophile)
Vannis Joer, Arrogant Noble/Duelist
Steddan Joer, Lord Warden of Gateway Prison
Remegal, Port Hansra Vigilante “Assassin”
Vrotona, Elder Fae, transformed to ship
Kharanas, Saurian Mariner
Argash, Saurian Mystic/Naturalist
Mefula, Alchemist (secret Necromancer)