A recap of events

 

October 21, 1376 and the following days (The Year of the Bent Blade)

 

The tournament won and the battle with the Spawn of Kyuss over, the band of TOADS are hailed as victors and saviors within the Free City and the surrounding lands.  The Champion's Belt is yours, along with the grand prize!!!

 

The leaders of the city put you up in the Crooked House Inn, where you may nurse yourselves back to health, set your affairs in order, and explore the city.

 

During the few days after, several events transpire:

 

1.  Celeste and Ekaym come to settle up, and your sponsor is quite generous. The total purse for the entire tournament is 37,000 gold pieces plus the trophies. Ekaym agrees to a stright 50/50 split, and you get to keep the trophies as well.  "For saving this fair city is something to be rewarded", he says. 18,500 gold pieces are yours.

 

2.  During your rest, other groups of adventurers defeated in the earlier rounds of the tournament have not been idle.  With Raknian and his cohorts defeated, and rumor of treasures below, these adventurers rushed in.  While some never returned, those that did brought out some small treasures and word of a shrine to Kyuss beneath the streets!

 

3.  One of the first groups to enter the shrine below and return was the Guthuggers.  Their leader, Spleen, comes immediately to the Crooked House and asks for an audience with the TOADS, and in particular, with Etaf.  When you answer, Spleen presents Etaf with his beautiful sister Dreiw!  But there is something wrong.  Spleen explains that she was found alone on the very altar of the Shrine - staring trance-like and holding a letter with an evil seal.  The letter said on the outside "For Etaf Gerin, TOADS".  Spleen explains there was nothing else in the shrine - no book, or other treasures. You reward him 1000 gold pieces for his good heartedness in returning Dreiw to you, and Etaf reads the letter while Friar Francis looks over the girl.

 

The letter reads:

 

My Dear Boy -

 

Many thanks are in order for the safe return of the Librum Draconis to my hands, despite your inept bungling at every turn.  And since I am a...person of my word, I return to you your sister.  But since you caused me so much grief, I think I will hold on to her soul - it is a small thing, and I am sure she will have no need of it.

 

Do not attempt to find me - my tomb and its tricks are more than a match for you and your peasant friends.  Just return to your glory seeking and remember from time-to-time, such as whenever you see your sister, that I am and will always be your master.

 

Regards,

 

Oahbe, Immortal Darkness

 

4.  Dreiw is in a catatonic state and responds to nothing, but can be lead by the hand, fed, and can perform other basic necessities.  Her mind is like a blank slate.

 

5.  After careful deliberation, your group decides to return to your keep and decide what to do next.  The seal on the letter is of a mysterious sparkling wax - perhaps it can be traced to the source?  Or are there other means to find where the lich hides?  What will he do with the Librum Draconis?  And can you recover Dreiw's soul?

 

6.  You say your goodbyes to the people of the Free City, a bittersweet parting to be sure.  The shrine itself will be destroyed, and the tournament referee, Talabir, has now taken over the Belt of Champions tournament and all its trappings.  The rewards have been great, but the consequences severe.  Thoughts of revenge and a simmering hatred rest on everyone's mind on the trip home.  Oahbe may have messed with the wrong heroes this time....

 

Written by Dave R. Last updated 03-12-2006 by Skip Franklin