The Chelon Rose

Act 1: the Exile

On Adventuring: Part the First

Exile! | nght 1 - Drakes Attack | nght 2 - Raven Saves All | nght 3 -

<--<--Joroth's message With barely time to rest and sup we get a message from Joroth that the group who attacked us two nights hence be the Drakes, a group of expensive mercenary assasins, hired by persons unknown but possibly working for the King. Upon return to our warehouse we find a Jester inviting us to dinner with Gunter Krieger who apparently stuck the parchment to our jingling messengers bald pate. To keep our options open we decide to accede to the unknown diners request.

Later at the Apple Inn Joroth reveals that the disappearing hunchback is in actual fact the King's magic using Assasin, Dagon! We pay Joroth his gold asking him keep us informed, then, smelling some sweet Tabac from my youth, we are hailed by a group of merchant Dwarf-Folk. It turns out to none other than Master Bunter my friend from the border Mountains and homeland. We exchange news of home and I give him some coin for his troubles and my parents care while all the Dwarves not so subtly bid us well in our not so secret mission.

Confusion follows as we disagree on bedding for the night and taking advantage of it the Drakes ambush us again, cowardly droogs they be. Poor Pip is removed from action early by a poisoned bolt that leaves him babbling about fairies and mushrooms. After spilling much blood I am brought low by a blow from their berserking leader Quince. Facing seemingly impossible odds Tarric and Raven fight on. Soon it is only Raven and things look very final until unleashing some hidden powers the discreet Raven lays all but one Drake senseless and indeed headless. The woman, Melany and her brother escape while Raven treated our wounds.

Expensive healing potions and trips to blood-suckers lairs later we are fit to pay our rent for a month, buy supplies and find out that Gunter Krieger is a Belondalese sugar merchant and possible war-spy. Shortly thereafter we are banned from the fair Apple Inn due to the rude eviction of its patrons by Baron Milston who sought from us the name of our employer. True to our contract however we uttered nought but pungent witticisms. He left with no mirth and a lock of my once fine hair.

All this news, save for the exact location of the prince, didst we relay to Toberin that night at St Ristfan's. He bid us hear out Gunter's offer and prepare for travel to find the Prince. Whilst buying supplies we are enjoined to have our fortunes told by a gypsy who tells of a man dressed in black sent to kill the exile - no doubt Dagon had been sent by the King to dash our hopes.

Gunter and the Ambassador of Belondale, Duke Huygen, offer us 200GP to find and then lose the Prince before handing him over to the Earl and his Allies. We take the money and after a hurried meeting with Toberin we leave the city on four of the Earl's finest steeds, packed lightly for camping (so as to avoid traps set at Inn's by Dagon and the King) we ride west! Toberin will place a messenger in Nifolk to awaitour return and then meet us in the Eagle mountains to plan the Princes return.

Many tiring nights and stories of vicious dogs later we are finally caught out during a storm by the self same 'sargent' and his pack. Pip and Raven are almost lost to us while we secure the horses in an abandonded and possilby haunted house. Trapped in one small room we consider a desperate plan to kill the leader and destroy the pack. Tarric and a caravan guard are also downed by 'sargent' before I finally lay him a telling blow.

Seeking shelter in a village we bind out wounds and heal as best we can but every day we heal is another day Dagon, the blade of evil King Voulon, get closer to the heart of our exiled Prince! We must ride on...nght 3

created: 14 February 1998 | Last Updated: June 23, 2001

© Skabo