Incorporating
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All Rights Reserved.
PRESENT
Above Logo Copyright "DQuell Productions". All Rights
Reserved.
written by
Andrew D. Carter.
THE STORY SO FAR
A lone tragic figure treads slowly
north from his home in Norek. His mind is going over and over his failure
as a husband, father and spiritual leader. Where he is going he doesn't
know or really care. He just needs to get away. All he needs is the warming
liquid in his flask. As he drinks, the pain, at least for a little while
becomes less. He needs time to reflect, maybe even decide whether life
is worth living anymore. His travels take him to the far away alpine island
of Quellbourne. He has been there before. He even planted a small church
in the frontier town of Kelfour's Landing. He now stands outside the 'Landing'
contemplating whether to enter or not. He shakes his head and takes another
draught. The last time he was here was with his beloved Anna visiting the
church he had planted. How seasons have changed.
His mind goes back to his dear Anna.
Life was once good. He had, after some years as a wandering priest, settled
down with a fellow companion. Anna also came from his birthplace, a long
way away, and had wandered with him in search of a new home. Soon they
realized it was more than just a travelling friendship that was shared.
In their new home at Norek they exchanged vows and started their life together.
All was good as he learnt more about his God. His wisdom and respect grew
in the church here, along with his family! Anna gave birth to twins, Kristopher
and Kristalin. They were long and happy years that he spent guiding his
children and loving his wife.
Then in almost an instant it was all
over. The strong relationship he thought they had started to crumble. Despite
his heart he could not or would not heal the vast rift which seemed to
be now firmly in place. Even his much-loved son, a great and pious paladin
fell victim to the darkness. Kristopher, in an encounter with a half-demon
seductress, through hate for his father and what had transpired within
the family, put on an evil crown. V'rama Vair on the island of Aranmor
tricked him into betraying his faith and placing on his head the evil Helm
of Kadaena. He then pushed his wife aside and became V'rama's spouse and
new champion, putting on other evil armour. Andon, Beorn and other companions
witnessed this tragic scene escaping only just with their lives. Upon hearing
this final sorrow Kristopher's father, Kristalin's father and Anna's husband
left and headed north. He now stands at the gates of Kelfour's Landing
shaking his head.
He cannot enter. He takes another
drink. There are too many memories and people who knew him. He now remembers
a haven across Claedesbrim Bay where one can 'atone' for their sins. After
obtaining passage across the bay, he comes to The Monks of the Temple of
Shaaljin. Here he finds solace and comfort, a place to reflect. Here he
meets and befriends Sister Milfreysa. After a few months, however, his
peace is broken as Anna comes looking for him. All of his hurt and pain
return with a rush. He cannot even speak to her, instead asks Milfreysa
to give her his ultimatum. She must stay here or sign divorce papers. Angry
to the extreme, Anna does neither. She leaves without signing to return
home and get on with her life without her husband. He is now resigned to
the fact he is again single, at least for a while until he and Anna can
be restored, which now seems a long way off if ever. Milfreysa is incensed
by his treatment of Anna, but still remains his friend.
In the midst of his despair, pain,
reflection and meditations something strange happens. He throws his flask
away. He feels 'drawn' to the top of a local plateau called the 'High Plateau'.
Filled with some strange new strength, vigor and sense of purpose the priest
returns to Norek to gather companions for the perilous assault into the
unknown atop the plateau. He returns with Andon, Beorn, Edwood (they also
catch his vision and feel in someway 'drawn' as well) and others who come
out of curiosity or treasure seeking. He is now a new person with new strength
surging through his veins. What they find is astounding! They find the
place they are drawn to is the fabled 'Quellburn: The City of the Magi'.
It is now a city in ruins, overrun by evil and desolation. After a few
brushes with deadly traps and draining ghostly encounters to name but a
few hazards, Quellburn is finally purged of it's great evil and unlife
influence. A new era for Quellburn has begun! However, this has not come
without great cost. A dark and powerful dormant evil was released, once
again to spread its foul tentacles across the land.
The priest now pens, under divine
guidance, what is known as the 'Great Proclamation'. A small group gathers
around him as he reads it out. It outlines the principals and ethics of
the re-founded Quellburn. He reads out an important part regarding science,
art and religion. "All are important, but the latter are paramount. This
is profound because it is science by which we are aware of our surrounds
and our physical beings. However, it is through art and religion that we
gain values, reaching out beyond ourselves. The creator can touch the created.
Knowledge and wisdom are two different things. Magic will enhance, but
only if used wisely and with skill. Truth must encompass all, for without
it there is no value". He ends with this thought. Little did they all know
everything was about to change. That very afternoon the Demon and it's
servants attacked! Magic was being cast from both sides with deadly effect.
The priest knowing he had the best chance of banishing it, ran forward
oblivious to the danger. The Demon responded with a potent incineration
spell, fuelled from beyond the Pale itself. All watched in horror as the
priest's body was engulfed in flame, and then an instant later was turned
into a blackened pile of ash. With this distraction the Demon took some
heavy blows from the others and fled the scene. This priest, Father Carlmund
was, at least on this world, no more. Andon gathered Carlmund's ashes in
an old urn that was found here at Quellburn. Edwood watched in guilt and
disbelief. He had been asleep at the first part of the attack so had joined
the foray late. Beorn watched in silence. Morgana comforted her husband
and the others. To add insult to injury when the time came later to scatter
Carlmund's ashes, they were gone! Someone or something had stolen them.
That mystery is yet to be solved. This was the least of their problems
now. What future is there here for us now Father Carlmund is gone and that
more importantly what do we do about this 'drawing' we all still feel?
There must be hope in all of this.
The Year is 6,050 Third Era. Quellburn
is liberated.
A PREQUEL TO:
Above Logo Copyright "DQuell Productions". All Rights
Reserved.
"NUMBER I: The End of the First"
A One session DRAGONQUEST Adventure set in SHADOW WORLD for 5-6 puzzle solving players who don't mind a good fight. Good communication skills can be helpful although a sword or bow does get the message across nicely at times.
NO RULES KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED.
Role-playing: Heaps. Free Forming: It will
be there.
Combat: How else can you kill the bad guys dummy!
Poetry at ten paces?
Puzzle/Plot solving: Plenty of opportunity.
Interested? Ring Andon, I mean Andrew "Arch Ensorceler and Enchanter" Carter, on (02) 96259613 before 9.00 p.m.
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