Another day, another system
Until now, the campaign used DragonQuest 2nd edition. From this point we are using my “Essence” system, after all, the world was created as a world for my new RPG as I wrote it.
A free sample of the Essence system, Essence Core, is available here.
The long work was, if not over, at least far along that Harvan was ready to return home. His investigations, aided by the Temple of Ghalmerha, had uncovered a treasure trove of forgotten magic, and more would be sent by the Temple over the months ahead, in exchange for other lore and aid being sent in return. The group finalised their time in Iralun, Dhran had long gauntlets made and Farshad painted and styled his horse. The streaks and extensions in the mane were a masterpiece.
Impressed by the service rendered by the group, Harvan, on behalf of Magistrate Niralha of the Haraxan Kingdom enlisted in her service, as Agents.
One result of Harvan’s reasearch was about to amaze the group. As they paraded through to mass cheers from a grateful populace, they ended up at the wizards tower where they were blessed by the clergy of Mammerha and Ghalmerha. Farshad was approached by the former owner of his horse who hugged him and told him to look after the beast.
They were stunned to find the wizard Zhoraqam still alive, constructing a mystic device of metal, incense, markings and bound together with wire and spells. Powered by the destruction of a magical artefact found deep in the Temple of Ghalmerha, he had constructed a gate back to the Haraxan Kingdom. Utana, Dhran, Farshad and Jose led the way, until soon all the group, Harvan and his guards were in the Court of the Fountains in Eshtaban, the Palace of Niralha, atop a mosaic that seemed to have the same layout as the gate. There is no chance of the gate being opened again without another artefact of great power, no one knows how to tap that much power.
After settling into accommodation, the group hit town. Utana visited an aunt, assured her he was alive and resisted an attempt to set him up with one of two sisters from the aunt’s husband side, for which they were also grateful. Farshad was met by the merchants for whom he had invested the groups money all those months ago, and it was mixed, but the return was threefold.
Jose stocked up on herbs and medical supplies and Dhran got hammered with mercenaries and learned a few tricks about smuggling and leads on profitable trade. He may have sung The Goat Song
Their rest was not long, for Harvan had a mission. There is a town, Bardij, an Idymite town bordering Ishtir and Haraxa. The civil administrator (Servant of the Land – Anaraxha) wanted to defect from the Theocratic rule of Idym. As that rule is not onerous, as these things go, it is not clear why. He is sending the group to find out why, and if possible, to help. This has to be quiet and subtle, otherwise it might draw in Ishtir or more forces from Idym, and as newly hired Agents from far away from Idym, it is hoped that the group will not attract any attention, but there are no arranged meeting with Anaraxha, the group will find their own way.
Farshad and Dhran quiz merchants and are sounded out as prospective investors, Jose and Utana talk to palace officials. They learn a little about the governance of Idym and the evidence that Bardij is governed well enough. The merchants do not complain unduly of grasping guards or a greedy Servant of the Land.
And so they take on hire as caravan guards, on a caravan that stops off in Bardij befiore heading to the coast. An uneventful journey till the camp the night before the last day till Bardij. Dhran saw a rider gallop east, and Farshad caught an urchin stealing from the packs. They let him go with a warning, but did buy the info that they sold stolen items to fences in Bardij, the leader of who seemed to be one “”Payam””.
And there we left it