Victory Requirements: 2 Great Treasures, 3 Notoriety
I realised that almost every character I played ended up being cursed. The only curses that directly affected Victory Points were Disgust (-1 Fame) and Ashes (-1 Gold), so I decided that this time, I'll simply take Victory points in the other categories. Notoriety ought to be easy enough to collect, and I'm bound to pick up a Great Treasure or two.
To the Lord Commander, Protector and Defender of the Iron Empire,
I am pleased to report that the young Captain Glen Calidan has accepted the mission of journeying into the magic realm to recover some of the artifacts that were lost in that region. As you know, Calidan is one of our finest soldiers, attaining the rank of Captain at 20 years of age, the youngest to ever do so since the days of Emperor Caluthar the Conquerer. Since then, he has proven himself a skillful fighter, leader and tactician, serving alongside other more senior officers in the recent battles with the southern Bashkar kingdoms.
I've dispatched Calidan to the imperial outpost House on the borders of the magic realm which according to our last records is being commanded by a Captain Lesk Cutter, with whom Calidan has informed me he had the honour of serving with in previous military campaigns. Captain Lesk Cutter commands a full company of 40 men and I've given signed orders to Calidan instructing Cutter to comply with whatever Calidan requires...
-- excerpt of letter from the Commander of the Scorpian Regiment
Day 1
Damnable woman! I've met Amazons more reasonable than her, even with their misguided distrust for men!
This certainly puts a hitch into my mission. I've travelled here to the Curst Valley, seeking out my old-time war companion Captain Lesk Cutter. I'd hoped to gain his support in my mission here. However upon arrival, I was told that Lesk had perished several months back when he and his men were set upon by Dragons.
The remaining three Soldiers in the outpost House were being commanded by, none other than Lesk's daughter Katheryn Cutter. I could not believe the sorry state the outpost House was in. I'd heard that the outermost imperial regions were chaotic compared to the clean regulations of the Four Great Imperial Cities, but I had not expected it to be this bad. Katheryn informed me that she and her men had not been paid in months, and that they'd sent request upon request to the nearest imperial headquarters up north to send more supplies and men, but to no avail.
Even when I told her that I'd saved her father's life several years back, she refused to comply. "One thing I learnt from my father was that favours were poor coinage," she said. She informed me that the situation here was dire; the soldiers left under her command were talking of dessertion, and unless she paid them, there was little hope of them following anyone.
Things are certainly different here; in the Great Cities, openly talking about dessertion was enough to get oneself hanged. Disgusted by the lack of help, I left the House and struck out on my own.
As I travelled into the Oak Woods, I noticed piles of bones discarded carelessly along the road. Judging by the teeth marks on some of them, I reckoned that there are Ogres in these Woods. I kept a careful eye out for them while I rested this Night, but nothing came to bother me.
Day 2
Travelling south, the oak trees eventually gave way to the smaller pine trees of the Pine Woods. As usual, I travelled carefully, hiding in the shadows of the trees as I progressed. Eventually, I found remains of a Large Campfire in a deserted clearing. Curious to see who might have built this fire, I lingered around while hidden.
Evening fell and a Company of mercenaries gathered in the clearing. They camped close enough for me to hear their complaints about the over-burnt roast. I shook my head in disbelief, to have mercenaries wandering just a day's walk from the outpost House showed a serious lack of imperial control over these parts. Nevertheless, I trusted these mercenaries not and remained hidden for the rest of the night.
Day 3 - 4
I travelled towards the Borderlands over the next two Days, and finally entered the region in the fading daylight of the fourth Day. As evening closed in, I hid myself as I surveyed the area.
There was an abundance of creature signs everywhere. From Slither marks of serpents, to tell-tale traces of dragon Smoke in the air, it was clear that I had stumbled into a monster-infested region of the realm. Some further scouting confirmed my suspicions; the fabled Lost City of the magic realm was located in these parts. Tales of a fabulous, jewel-encrusted Altar of the Lost City came to mind. Perhaps I'll find the sacred altar tomorrow.
While I rested this night, high-pitched chirping and fluttering in the skies kept me awake. Although I could not see, it, I knew that a Giant Bat (or two) hunted here. It did not bother me, so I left it alone.
Day 5 - 8
I spent these next Days in a similar fashion; Hiding myself carefully from watchful eyes as I Searched the area.
My cautious Searching paid off. I found the fabled Altar on the first Day, although I was reluctant to touch it. Someone, or some creature, had descerated the once-holy Altar. Its jewels were long gone and demonic symbols had been painted over the holy carvings with blood. Blackened scorch marks of hoof-prints could be found nearby; proof that demons prowled around this abominable place.
Nevertheless, I overcame my reluctance and proceeded to search the place for Loot. I found a large Golden Icon, half-buried in the ground near the altar. Carved entirely from marble and in-laid with gold, the Icon radiated the grey magics of Nature. It was worth much gold to anyone, but I struggled to even lift the wagon-wheel sized Icon, and in the end, I regretfully left it.
I also came upon the remains of an unfortunate adventurer. Judging by his slight build, I reckoned that this man was a professional thief; accomplished in the arts of stealth and burglary. However, his stealth seemed to have failed him as I found scorched teeth and claw marks on his body, and his legs had been pulled out from their sockets. Apparently, the demons in this place had found him, cruelly tormenting him as a cat toys with a mouse before they finally consumed his soul. On his remains, I found a Golden Arm Band, 20 Gold (enough to hire Katheryn's Soldiers) and a jet-black, slim bladed sword.
The moment I touched the sword, an alien thought pushed itself into my mind, questioning who I was. I realised then that I had found a Living Sword, a blade with a soul crafted by the mages of old. This particular blade called itself "Nightblade" and boasted to have served several generals and princes of the fallen kingdom that was now the magic realm. I dourly told it that it must have not been of much use given that the armies of that kingdom were defeated many years ago, and that I was not interested in a faulty blade.
In slight desperation, the blade told me that it had mastered several fighting techniques and battle strategies that it could impart to me. I told it who I was, the finest swords fighter and brightest tactician that the Imperial Army had ever seen and I doubted that I needed help from a rusty old sword. In the end, the blade practically pleaded with me to take it away from this place where it had lain for decades, and I smiled inwardly. My first recruit.
Meanwhile, I saw more and more signs of creatures in this region. At night, a group of three Giant Bats hunted the skies alongside a mated pair of Flying Dragons. It was only a matter of time before one of them picked up on my trail, so I decided to leave the next Day.
Day 9 - 11
Something is wrong. I can't sleep nor rest easily. Even with the monsters prowling about, I'd always been able to get some rest, but for the past few nights, troubling thoughts and haunted visions filled my mind as I tried to sleep. At first I thought it was the blade causing them, but Nightblade assured me that it had done no such thing.
I walked into the Large Campfire site with the dazed look of a man who had not slept in Days. In the numbness of my mind, I cared not if the Company of mercenaries welcomed me or not. Thankfully, the Company took little heed of me; apparently, they were used to visitors. As I tried (unsuccessfully) to rest next to the fire, one of them eyed me curiously and asked me if I knew that I was under a Curse. When I shook my head, he told me that he had the gift of sight for such things, and right now, my aura was as dark as one cursed with Ill Health. I thanked him for his concern and continued to seek my rest in vain.
Cursed. I was once told that the realm abounded with such things, and given that I had spent the past four days looting a demonic altar, I suppose I should be unsurprised. Hopefully, I can find a way to lift this curse before my sleeplessness costs me my life.
Day 12
When I returned to the outpost House, Katheryn immediately expressed her concern over my tired-looking state. I was surprised over her reaction; I thought that she would have cared not. I told her about the curse, and that I had brought enough Gold to hire them. A stubborn woman she may be, but at least she kept her word. She announced to her men that they were to follow me the next Day.
That night I gave up trying to sleep and sat at the outpost House raised porch, looking out into the night sky. Again, I was surprised when Katheryn asked to join me. We discussed plans for tomorrow, and eventually, we talked about Lesk, her father. I mentioned that although I knew that Lesk had been at least a decade my senior, I had not realised that he already had a daughter. Katheryn replied that she had been born when Lesk and her mother were still very young, and that Lesk had joined the army to support her and her mother.
Then, she pulled out a long object and showed it to me. It was what they found on Lesk's body - a Royal Sceptre! I immediately saw the value of the artifact; the Imperial Senate would love the political implications of owning it. I asked if she would part with it for whatever Gold I had left, and after a moment's thought, she agreed.
Our conversation was cut short when an arrow thunked into the wooden bench between us. We both dove for cover behind the table. Katheryn swore like a true soldier as she crawled back into the House, shouting to her men about Woodfolk raiders.
I had brought Nightblade out with me with the intention of checking him for nicks, so I drew him out and jumped down on the dark ground. There were three of them I could see, notching their arrows in the failing light. As I started forward, some of the soldiers came charging recklessly out of the house. I shouted at them, and motioned towards where I had seen the Woodfolk. Katheryn came out last, her heavy mail clinking as she drew a tremendous broadsword.
Their cover blown, the Woodfolk fired again. One struck my Golden Armband, damaging it, while another arrow deflected harmlessly against a solder's breastplate. Instinctively, I shouted out orders; two Soldiers against one Woodfolk while I dealt with another. Katheryn kept the Woodfolk leader (a tall man with a wolf-head hood, armed with a fearsome bow) busy with her broadsword.
The Woodfolk I faced tried to dodge under my initial sweep, but the speed of my blade surprised him. Nightblade sliced through the air like a fish through water and caught the man in a precise cut that severed his windpipe. He died, choking on his own blood.
The other two soldiers managed to corner their Woodfolk against an oak tree, and although the man fired a shot at almost point-blank at one of them, it did only glancing damage on the heavily armoured soldier. He died, skewered into the tree by a soldier's pike.
Katheryn's foe was more elusive, dodging her heavy swings as he attempted to back away to get a good shot at her. Unfortunately, with the loss of both his men, it was a matter of time before we all closed in on him and finished the fight.
Day 13
The Woodfolk we killed were not the only ones here last night. Tracks around the back of the House showed a few more of them must have expected to be able to steal a few things before making off. Our short work of their bowmen must have disrupted their plans, as nothing was reported missing.
Searching through the belongings of the Woodfolk raiders, we found two Light bows, Gloves of Strength and a Potion of Healing. Katheryn tried to get me to drink the potion, in hopes that it would lift my curse, but I turned it down, somehow knowing that it would take more than a mere potion to cure my condition. I did take the Gloves of Strength though; using it with Nightblade made me even deadlier.
Day 14
I had mentioned the Company of mercenaries to Katheryn and she was curious to see these men who have set camp so close to her domain. We passed the Oak Woods again, and made it to the camp-site. The Company was still there, and I instructed our men to stay hidden while Katheryn and I approached the campsite. I tried negotiating with their leader to join me, but he was uninterested.
Just as we were about to leave, the sound of galloping alerted us. A group of six Bashkar warriors riding their small ponies came into the clearing. I didn't want any trouble, but the Bashkar leader, having spied out our uniforms, immediately challenged us to prove our manhoods and fight.
Before I could react, Katheryn stepped forward and replied that she had no need to prove any manhood for she had none. However, she would be glad to prove that the Bashkar leader had a manhood smaller than the spike on his turbaned helm, and she would do so by slicing off both and comparing them side-by-side.
Amidst the roaring laughter from the mercenaries, the Bashkar leader was fuelled with rage and charged his pony at his mocker, his men following suit. Then, like magic, a crossbow bolt appeared at the side of one of the bashkar pony's neck, causing the creature to rear and throw the rest of the group into confusion.
We all leapt into action; our hidden soldiers charging out from the trees while I drew Nightblade. I met the charge of a young Bashkar warrior who whooped his war-cry as he charged his pony towards me. I made no vocal response to his cry, and side-stepped the pony in the very last split-second, Nightblade flashing as it sliced through the leathers of his pony's sandle. The Bashkar warrior found himself unhorsed and landed on the ground cursing.
Nearby, a soldier demonstrated to another Bashkar warrior how effective a pike was in unhorsing an opponent, while another soldier dodged a sweeping curved blade. Katheryn was faced off with the Bashkar leader and another warrior, but she soon proved that she could hold well enough on her own with her broadsword. I scanned the clearing for the sixth Bashkar I'd seen ride in, and was almost too late to avoid a vicious slash from behind. The blow cleaved into my Golden Arm Band, shattering it into a shower of golden scrap metal. I felt blood well up on my shoulder.
Although mounted, the Bashkar warriors had little advantage in the small spaces of the clearing. With millitary precision, our soldiers cut them down from their horses. Nightblade was a fearsome weapon in my hands, dancing so fast that the blade was a dark blur. I neatly cleaved into my opponent before he could even raise his own sword, and turned to lure away a warrior from Katheryn. She demonstrated her own skill, chopping mercilessly at the Bashkar leader who had found himself in a battle for his own life. Soldiers who defeated their opponents came to aid us, and soon the battle was won.
Day 15
The Bashkars must have been heading to the Lost City, for we found a Map of the place on their leader. We also found a Poultice of Health and rounded up the surviving ponies. The Company leader approached me and handed me the remains of my Golden Arm Band he had gathered up the night before, grinning as he said that he and his men thoroughly enjoyed last night's entertainment. I nodded my thanks and offered to sell him the ponies after selecting one for myself.
Day 16 - 18
With more gold at our disposal, I decided to hire more help. Katheryn had mentioned a Guardpost to the north, and so we made our way there. As we travelled, I noted that the wound I had received in the fight with the bashkars had refused to heal. After several days, blood continued to seep through the bandages I'd put in place, so much so that Katheryn was helping me change the bandages every night.
It is strange how my thoughts of this woman have changed over the past few weeks. After our first meeting, I could hardly think of keeping company with such a woman, but now I find myself absently glancing at her. She is not slender like some of the Painted Courtesans I've seen and been with in the Great cities, but while they were soft and fragile, she was tough and resillient. Women in military service were a rarity in the Imperial army, one of the toughest armies in the world. This Katheryn had steel in her that I admired, both professionally and personally.
We arrived at the Guard post which I noted (with some relief) was in worse shape than the imperial outpost House. The guards here were remnants from the old kingdom; kept alive by the hope that some day, the exiled princes of the old kingdom will return to claim their rightful place.
It is a wonder what a little Gold can do to buy one's confidence. I was able to hire 3 Guards, as well as purchase a Scroll of Alchemy from them. This is another Great Treasure that the imperial Senate would love to get their hands on.
Day 19 - 20
We were a large group as we travelled down to the Borderlands. I instructed everyone to hide as we neared the place. When we arrived, I saw that the three Giant Bats and two Flying Dragons were still here, along with a group of six Goblins who were gathered around the Altar. Now I know who desecrated the altar. Deciding to strike now before the Goblins summoned some demon, I assigned targets to everyone and ordered the surprise attack.
Our attack was fairly successful. I'd ordered one of the Soldiers to accompany me as I faced the Giant Bats, while Katheryn stalked one of the Flying Dragons. The Soldier with the crossbow tried to bring the other Flying Dragon down, but his shot went wild. The other Guards and Soldiers engaged the Goblins. We managed to kill three of our opponents in that first round, bringing us all to one opponent each.
Nightblade and I danced with the Giant Bats. Swooping from high, the massive creatures' speedy attacks could have ripped an armoured man to shreds, but with my rapid attacks and maneuvers, the bats and I were evenly matched. Slashing out, and then following up with a strike of blinding speed, Nightblade sliced through wings and bat torso like a hot knife through butter.
A Guard fell to a Flying Dragon, and then a Soldier to the axe of a beserked Goblin. Katheryn slew her Dragon with a well-aimed chop that met with the beast's neck. The crossbowman had less luck with his Flying Dragon, but at least he was keeping the beast at bay. The rest of the Soldiers slashed away at the howling Goblins. Eventually, I finished the last of my Bats and went to find some Goblin flesh. As Katheryn drove her sword into the second Dragon's eye, I slew the last Goblin with a blurry chop into the creature's torso.
Day 21 - 22
We tried searching the place for more loot, but found nothing. One of the Guards reported seeing a Tremendous Dragon in a clearing not far from here, and Katheryn had a strange look in her eyes. "A Tremendous Dragon killed my father," she said simply. I nodded in response and gave orders to gather everyone up to hunt the beast.
We found the Tremendous Dragon waiting for us, it's scales gleaming in the sunlight. Wary of such a cunning beast, I ordered everyone forward cautiously and sure enough, another Heavy Dragon came crashing through the trees towards our flank. We split the group to face one dragon each. The fight was short, but bloody. A Guard was picked up and ripped apart by the Tremendous Dragon, just as we struck and slew the beast. The Heavy Dragon almost caught our crossbowman, but was dispatched by our pikeman.
Day 23 - 28
I had found what I required; a couple of Great Treasures that would please my superiors. And gathered enough reputation that would certainly help further my career. However, the recent fights had brought more unhealing wounds on my body, and I decided that it was time to rid myself of this curse. We travelled through the Borderlands towards the Bad Valley where the Chapel was located. Our journey was uneventful (well, there was that one Heavy Serpent, but it was summarily taken care of)
At the Chapel, one of the knights recognised Nightblade and exclaimed that he could return the blade to an exiled prince of the old kingdom. Nightblade was excited to be re-united with one of the royal line of the old kingdom, so I bid him farewell. The knight thanked me and gave me a reward of gold.
A monk of the Chapel sensed my curse, and laid his hands on me. Immediately, I felt the curse lift, and I collapsed on the floor, sleeping the sleep of one beyond endurance.
According to the monks, I slept 3 Days. Today, the last Day of my time in the realm, I was well enough to walk down to the dining hall by my own. Katheryn hailed me in the hall and rushed to embrace me as if she had not seen me in years. Then, mysteriously secretive, she asked if I was well enough to do any "strenuous activities". At first, I thought it was one of her jests, but then she laid her lips on mine. When we parted, she told me to seek her after my meal and walked away.
One of the old monks commented on how well I must be given the speed I downed my meal.
Great Treasures Need 2, Have 2, VPs 0
Fame Need 0, Have 54, VPs 5
Notoriety Need 60, Have 61, VPs 0
Gold Need 0, Have 16, VPs 0
Total: 5 VPs
Last edited on 2007-02-13 21:16:07 CST (Total Number of Edits: 2)
Posted Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:47 pm
