GoH Characters 3

Incorporating

PRESENT

Above Logo Copyright "DQuell Productions". All Rights Reserved.
"NUMBER I: The End of the First"

Above Logo Copyright "DQuell Productions". All Rights Reserved.
Chapter III: "The Flight of the Hudvaarks"
written by
Andrew D. Carter.

"PHENOMENON 2000: The Labour Day Long Weekend"
September 30th-October 2nd.

HAVE A PEEK AT THESE CHARACTERS:

"Chancellor ANDON MERCHANTSON"

"Lady MORGANA the Enchantress"

"BEORN the Orphan Maker"

"Sir EDWOOD the True"

"Brother EGUR the Breaker"

"Sister MILFREYSA the Gentle"

ALL THESE CHARACTERS WILL HAVE: 'Delicate' Relationships Secret Aims and Objectives General Problems to Solve (is there really any solution to some?) 'GM' Specials :0)

All will be REVEALED at the CONVENTION REGISTRATION NIGHT or To RESERVE and RECIEVE CHARACTERS EARLY e-mail Me (ANDREW)

"Chancellor ANDON MERCHANTSON"     I am a man in my twilight years, although I do not look (or feel!) all of my 50. I am one who has followed the way of the Adept. One also well versed in the Healing Arts. In fact, one of the most skilled physicians in the land. I have strong ideals and thoughts on most of life's vexing questions. I am a man of great conviction. I believe strongly in both justice and mercy. I believe in law and a structured society. A society which enforces laws without fear or favor. A society which looks after it's people. A society, which is based on, care and concern for one another. A society whose hallmark is compassion. I thrive in a community. I am very much a people person. I am their friend and their Doctor, as well as, one of their leaders.
    I have traveled far and wide, even across worlds. I have adventured for more years than I care to remember. I have met many and seen much. I call this world, Kulthea, my home now. Where I was born is far, far away. I came through a gate in my birthplace. I came through this gate in the 'World of Greyhawk' with several companions, one being my long time faithful friend Beorn. This led us to another place called the 'Forgotten Realms'. Aptly named because I soon forgot it except for one aspect. This is where I met my beloved Morgana. From there our group passed through another gate ending up in this world, Kulthea. The Shadow World. This is now my home. Now I am drawn to this spot. This god-forsaken cold city of ruins, reclaimed from the unlife. We have our material rewards. Why not just leave? I feel drawn, along with others, to this place. It is something beyond my (our) understanding. At least, now we are re-founding an ancient community. Our time here is not totally without cause. From my understanding of the ancient texts and other clues recovered so far from the rubble this community was based on all what I hold to be sacred values. They called this place Quellburn. The name was re-affirmed by Carlmund, my close friend and restorer of this place. Lord Carlmund of Quellburn, First Bishop of Quellbourne still lingers in my mind. He was a good man. A man of both weaknesses and strengths. A man who believed, like myself, in higher things. A man who stood for what he believed in. A man of both mercy and compassion. A man who would have led us into a new era of fellowship and enlightenment. A man who died acting on his belief. A man who joined mortal combat with a mighty demon to save others. A man whose place I must temporally fill until a replacement is found. This I do with a heavy heart.
    I have been married for some years now to my beloved Morgana. She has also given me a fine and upstanding son. We called him Andonson. Morgana insisted. She is a full-blooded elf and will of course live on ages after my time is done. This pains her so. It pains me also to see her dwell on this sometimes. Our son and his name will give her solace. After I'm gone she will have a living reminder of our time together.
    I am a man who will not take lightly transgressions on others or those who have blatant disregard for what I hold dear. I have potent powers in the Arcane Arts and a fierce swordhand. I use them both without hesitation in deadly combination when the need arises. The foul unlife especially will feel my wrath. The foul demon that smote my friend, Carlmund will feel both my mana and true-silver sword. It will be the last thing it ever feels in this life. I am a lover of life. I will oppose all that would destroy without reason or just cause. I have a deadly anger. I must temper this.

"Lady MORGANA the Enchantress"    I am a full-blooded elf from a far away place. I am a Gold Elf from a distant place called the Forgotten Realms. There I met my now husband Andon Merchantson and his companions. Like my husband, I am an Adept of the Mystic Arts. In fact I specialize in the same College as he. This was quite by accident as we both were learned before we met. We Ensorcel and Enchant. During my time before Andon, I had many suitors. I would give them my 'evil eye'. That was usually enough to send them on their way. Then came Andon. He was not so easily put off. Then again I may not have tried too hard either. I love Andon dearly, but I wish he would let me do my part in the team without interfering. I know it's only out of concern. It is sweet that he wants to protect me. It is important though that I go first, as I am usually the only one who can clear the way of potently harmful devices and such.
    I love tinkering with things. Anything that's new or unusual I have to pull it apart and look at how it works. My talents are an art form rather than just a maker of mechanical devices. It's a good thing too. I am glad Andon is a good Healer as he's hopeless with any 'hands on' work around the house. I make sure he doesn't fix anything as catastrophes can result (and usually do!). I have to do this carefully so as to not hurt his feelings. Andon's so sensitive in some areas. Still he tries and I love him.
    I also am very skillful at the 'Art of Relationships' with the opposite sex. This has caused a few problems in the past between Andon and myself. I would never consider being unfaithful to him (and he'd better think the same!). It's just I get on well with males and enjoy their company. I also have had some formal training in this area. I am non-consummate so sex is out of the question, but I also feel sorry for lonely males and need to do something about it. A classic example is Beorn. He's a great friend and companion but always such a loner. I thought he would never have a woman. But then out of the blue it happened. Along came this Dark Elf called Morloth. They were an item for quite some time until she left him. She still said she loved him. Morloth certainly had a funny way of showing it. Still, she appears to have gone for good now. Thank goodness. Beorn can now get on with his life. Andon and I set him up with a young elven entertainer called Fylauren Tiffany. They get on like a house on fire however I still sense Beorn misses that witch Morloth. He needs to get over this. I think he is, as their relationship now seems to be blossoming. Fylauren and Morloth never did see eye to eye and there were some...let me say difficulties that arose. I don't need to elaborate any further.
   Carlmund was my friend too. I wish he were here. So much for God's protection.

"BEORN the Orphan Maker"     I am essentially a loner. One who has learnt to trust and yes, even come to love a select few of these people. An outcaste amongst outcasts. One of a special group. A group who has been drawn to this place. A place I only know is called Quellburn. My original home, The World of Greyhawk, is now far behind me. I came through a gate, with my long time friend and companion Andon Merchantson. From Greyhawk we entered a land known as the Forgotten Realms. We did not stay here long, but we did stay long enough for Andon to meet his wife, Morgana. I must admit that at first I was extremely 'put out' to say the least. Now I have come to know her as a sister and good friend. From the Forgotten Realms we quickly moved to here. Here to the Shadow World known as Kulthea.
    It was here that I met my first love. Morloth was also a traveler from the Forgotten Realms. This drow elf stole my heart. We adventured for some time together and seemed inseparable. Andon and Morgana never did quite approve. How I wish I had listened to them. My heart however told me otherwise. Morloth kept leaving and coming back, each time telling me of her love and each time staying shorter and leaving for longer periods. Morloth is now gone. Where? I do not know. I'm not sure if I really care anymore. Andon saw my pain and set me up with a young beautiful elven maiden named Fylauren Tiffany. She loves me and I find solace in her arms. My heart is, however, still divided. Some of my heart will always be with Morloth but Fylauren is here, and I am growing fonder of her daily. How one who treasures his solitude more than anything can come to be so hurt is beyond my comprehension. How I wish love was as easy as it seems to be for Andon.
    I am guardian of the forest and one who moves quickly and quietly through it. One who strikes swiftly from it's protective shadows. I am also an Adept. One skilled in the magic arts, one skilled in the manipulation of mana. One who can cast spells and perform rituals with deadly effect. One who uses the power of heavenly bodies with awesome results. One aptly called the Orphan Maker.
    Lord Carlmund was my friend too. While I have not known him as long as Andon and Morgana, he proved to me a faithful companion. He talked to me about the 'higher powers' and their effect on our lives. While I do believe there are higher powers I have great trouble in believing they care. If they do care, I believe it is mostly only because of their wish to further personal goals. We are mealy just pawns in some grand cosmic game. How I wish I could have talked more to Carlmund. He differed on this to me. He said to me that these powerful beings actually care. Oh well, who cares anyway? One thing Bishop Carlmund and I did have in common was tragic love lives. Carlmund too found love a hard taskmaster.

"Sir EDWOOD the True"     I am a Paladin and Fencer, flamboyant by nature. The First Knight of Lord Carlmund of Quellburn, First Bishop of Quellbourne. Now sadly, with the untimely demise of the good Bishop, that is all in the past. I look to the future and to my Lord's successor. At this present time, Chancellor Andon Merchantson is temporally filling the position until the New Council of the Magi appoints another Bishop. I am still one of the elite soldiers of my Lord and his heirs will have my full loyalty. This immediately will set me apart. I will protect the holder of this office for all the days of my life. Chancellor Andon has no peril to be feared. His First Knight will be by his side. However, I stand out merely by my 'Way of Life'. I am not only a Fencer, but also a Paladin! One day others will join me as our small community grows. Others will see Lord Carlmund's legacy and how justice and mercy govern us. Those who are called will join me in preserving these ideals by joining our elite group in the protection of the reigning Bishop.
    Being a Paladin, I am chivalrous to the extreme. This means I will never strike the first blow. If an opponent drops his weapon, I will stop and allow him to pick it up before continuing the battle. I will never lie. I always protect the weak and helpless. I am not cruel nor will I tolerate unneeded violence. If others decide not to follow my code of ethics that is their problem. We must all 'work out our faith in fear and trembling' after all. I, of course, will let them know the error of their ways, constantly. However, I will ultimately let them make their own decisions without interfering.
    Being a Fencer, I wield my weapons with the grace of a Karnelin (antelope). How these brutish warriors wield swords and the like, as if they were brooms, is beyond me. Combat is an art form. A clear show of one's skills. I can never resist a challenge to single combat unless my Lord is placed in danger because of it. Again, I will let my opponent strike the first blow. No one can say I didn't give the fool with the cleaver a fair chance. I am confident in my superior skill. I again wear better armour than what is normally worn by our ungainly warriors. Better because it's lighter. The heaviest armour I wear is fully fitted leather armour. A Fencer would wear this at the very most and may not even wear such cumbersome trappings at all, except on the most dangerous of circumstances. I, however, am a Knight, and a Paladin who is very proud of my black leather breastplate and adorning tabard. Both are emblazoned with the symbol of my former Bishop, Lord Carlmund. This is seven six-pointed stars arranged in a circled Lion. One day these will change when the new Bishop arrives. Until that time they will stay, as is, a tribute to my former Lord. I also have a large black leather hat with big blue plumes. Blue, because that is the plume of a Royal Knight. Under very great pressure I may decide to leave my hat off if the situation demands it. However, removing my breastplate is never an option. I will never take this off when knowingly going on a mission or into battle. The same goes for my fencing weapons. It is these, the same type or none. None of my equipment will be wilfully damaged either regardless of the circumstances, therefore it will always be spotless. To give away or trade any of these holy items is unthinkable! One day I will own a Heron Blade. The greatest honour a Fencer can have, besides my calling here. Soon I will set up a Fencing Order here in Quellburn. More will learn the 'art' of combat. Some may even feel the same 'calling' as me and join the ranks of the Bishop's custodians. Our (fellow fencers) cry, of course, is "All for one, and one for all".
    My beloved Lord Carlmund is dead. He was killed by a Demon conjured by a Dark Summoner. He was my friend, my mentor and my spiritual guide. I have followed in his footsteps. I learnt much from him. I look forward to seeing him again when I finally pass across that great river. I will sink my sword into any demon encountered always searching for the one who killed him. I have its description. It will die.

"EGUR the Breaker" I remember the history of my last group. I remember especially about the sailors because I was one. I joined the Destroyers after our vessel was sunk and some of us were washed up on the beach of Galtoth.

THE REBELS OF GALTOTH     In sharp contrast to the peaceful Monks of Shaaljin on Feortoth, the adjoining island of Galtoth is infested by the violent and destructive followers of Ruusak. This splinter group originated nineteen years ago when a young monk, Dom Kifis, bored with months of inactivity and light-headed from hunger, had a vision. He saw the Goddess Shaaljin arguing with a mighty consort, the God Ruusak. In the monk's vision, Ruusak stormed and blustered, raging that all life exists only by destroying something else, and that peace would never come until the mountains were cast down and the world was a featureless sphere. Hearing this, Shaaljin silently wept until she melted into tears and joined the sea. Ruusak then screamed in triumph and called upon all thinking peoples to join him in destruction.
    On awaking from his vision, Dom tried to convince the others to join his new mission. Two were persuaded, but the others remained intent on their meditations. The terrible threesome tried more forcefully to persuade the peaceful monks to join them. Loud one-sided arguments turned to escalating acts of violence, starting with the stomping of Hudvaark eggs and squabs and culminating in the bloody death of an unresisting older monk. Rebuked by the unnoticing serenity of the remaining Monks of Shaaljin, the rebels sailed away to the adjoining island of Galtoth. There they engage in trying to cast down the steaming mountain and to destroy all signs of life. (Ingesting plants and animals is considered the most thorough means of destruction.)
    Twelve sailors have since augmented their numbers. Given a choice between conversion or death, they join enthusiastically in their new life. Births are especially welcome, as children are pliable converts to the Ruusak way of life. Wild celebrations take place at the birth or conversion of a new Destroyer. At night, the Destroyers huddle in one of the volcanic tubes scattered on the slopes, warmed by a hot spring where they also cook their food. Killing of fellow-worshippers is discouraged. It is felt that a living Destroyer is more effective in causing destruction than a dead one. However, they foolishly destroy all treasure, even magic items, that they find. (Above Copyright I.C.E. All Rights Reserved)

There are now eleven sailors left. With the passing through of a party from this 'Quellburn' I decided it might be time to move on. Needless to say the other Destroyers were not impressed. We did manage to get away, however, just. The problem is that I liked what they believed and I still count myself a Destroyer and a follower of Ruusak. Being an Officer aboard an armed vessel I can only assume predisposed me to this way of thinking. I will find others to follow Ruusak's ways with me and I will lead them. Destruction is the only way forward for peace. I have a truly terrible temper and tend to smash things around me in wild rages. Oh well! All for a good cause.
Who the hell is this 'Bishop Carlmund' they keep talking about? He's dead, isn't he? I think it is about time to move on. Now I wonder what he owned I could destroy?

"Sister MILFREYSA the Gentle" I am a lady of considerable restraint and patience. If roused, however, my temper, is second to none. I have a strong belief system and set of values. I am a Shaaljin Monk. I remember an exert from a Tome at Nomikos Library about some aspects of my order:

THE MONKS OF THE TEMPLE OF SHAALJIN.     Shaaljin is a Goddess of peace. Her followers believe that the Goddess will reward those who least disrupt this world. Thus, they spend most of their time meditating on the peace of Shaaljin. The only action taken by the monks is to gather food. They gather the smelly but edible seaweed Standool from the beach and take a portion of the shipwrecked cargo that an eddy of the Claedesbrim Current deposits on the shore. Their clothing consists of bits and pieces of cloth that have likewise washed ashore. They collect a few eggs from nesting Hudvaarks, if that can be done without much disturbing the birds. They do not farm, for that would disturb nature. They do not beg, for that would disturb man.
    Their temple was built by spell-casters from (old) Quellburn, who sought a retreat from city pressures among the peaceful monks but who were unwilling to share their habit of sleeping on bare, cold rocks. Monks now sleep on the floor of the temple.
    The Monks of Shaaljin have always been a small group. Generally only those who feel great remorse over disruptive deeds of the past would join so strict an order. (Copyright I.C.E. All Rights Reserved)

    I remember my past with great regret. My husband, or rather, late husband and I lived in Haalkitaine. He was Gerome II. We were both besotted by the legend of Ajkara III and the Phoenix Pendant. It captured our imagination how she was supposed to have fled with it to the Tombs of the Kings, which are above our city, after the Magician in the Court of Haalkitaine turned against her. What a tragic mistake we made. What a tragic mistake I made. I encouraged him to find this pendant. I thought we could change things. I thought we could change this city for the better. Instead it brought about his death. I brought about his death. Those tombs became his tomb. After this I left Haalkitaine, adventuring for some years. Due to me causing my husbands demise, I had a deathwish. I became quiet potent with both mace and spell. After some years, seeing only more death and destruction, I ended up here on Quellbourne at the Temple of the Monks of Shaaljin. I decided enough is enough. It was a time to reflect. It was a time to stop. It was a time to retreat. This is how I would live out the rest of my days. So I joined their ranks. I became one of The Monks of the Temple of Shaaljin.
    This is how I met Carl or Bishop Carlmund, as he is generally known. He too had tragedy in his life and stayed for a while with us. I don't think he did quite join our order but came close to it. I also got to know his wife, the Lady Anna of the College of Arcane Wisdom and Mundane Arts, which is situated in Norek, quite a distance away. She came a long way looking for her husband. Carl's treatment of her was nothing short of horrendous. He virtually ignored her and left. Not only did he do that but also left a divorce scroll! Carl also appeared to give her an ultimatum. Either Anna would have to stay here or, if she left, sign this divorce parchment. The bastard. He showed no signs of even wanting to sort their problems out. Now these idiots blame Anna for his death! I don't think so. Carl made his own choices and is responsible for their consequences.
    I now believe it is time to move on. I have not abandoned my Temple or Shaaljin beliefs. Why I am here I do not know. I find it hard to fit in and see these as my friends.

WHAT HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY?

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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