Author: Buck Headstrong

Session Notes

The heroes, the Circle of Darkmoor, returned from the Lord Baron’s speech to his peoples, which was met with wide-spread acclaim, to discover that their captive, a member of the highwaymen who apparently call themselves the “Silencers,” and who reportedly had professed contrition and a turning over of a new leaf, retreating from his life of crime, had been murdered in cold blood, alongside his gaoler, Anker of Aldmaar.
The Circle pursued the attackers, who they saw fleeing on the High Road. The pursued fled as long as they might, but eventually the heroes overcame them, once again demonstrating mercy in taking a captive rather than to cut the murderers down like downs in the street.
Is there no end to these murderous onslaughts? How can the baby-faced Baron implement his far-reaching policies if at every turn the criminal element outflanks him?

Good day. To those whom I have not yet met, I apologize for that lapse. I am Arthur Grey, named Baron of Darkmoor.

I come to you today not merely to introduce myself but to discuss the current state of our Barony, as I perceive it.

I have seen, in the scant time that has elapsed since the King proffered this title upon my shoulders, a darkness over this realm. There has been a void of leadership and sense of community in Darkmoor that has allowed this darkness to take root.

The lawlessness and lack of governmental presence has resulted in a community where fear is a commonplace. A scant few days ago, criminals attacked the town, murdered two citizens and attempted to pilfer the Baron’s purse. In the middle of the day, in the middle of town.

At the Royal Court, Elder Pool and Darkmoor broadly are referred to as "that hideous place." The ancient origin of the word "hideous" comes from our modern word "hide" which originally meant "fear." Our community is one where fear prevails.

Fear not just of the criminality that I just mentioned and that we have all seen, but also fear of one another. Today, Darkmoor is not a single community; it is a collection of factions; small collections of peoples who rarely interact with one another, and when they must, they do so at arms-length. Or at the length of a blade.

That is not the type of society in which I wish to live.

When the king called upon Darkmoor to send its representatives to the ceremony at which I was installed as Baron, you sent your finest. I have seen firsthand the heart and greatness of these people. I would not be here today, were it not for the service, heroism and prowess of representatives of these factions of which I have spoken.

There is a darkness, today, in our barony. It has been allowed to fester and to grow and to split us up into our little communities, separate and afraid. But it need not remain that way.

Our once-great buildings have crumbled. Our walls have collapsed. Our roads no longer connect us. This darkness has surrounded us, forced us into tiny islands of faltering light.

What can be done about this? We can rebuild. We can reconstruct the core of our community, make it safe and whole. This work has already begun, as you can see with the improvements at the Ragged Moon and that task is not yet complete. We will rebuild the roads so that all points in Darkmoor connect once again to Elder Pool. Safe and stable roads will encourage the flow of traffic and of commerce.

We will not merely focus on Elder Pool, however. There are valuable — critical functions in all corners of our Barony that will be restored for the benefit of us all. In the old days, the mystic powers of the wizards and sorcerers of Anthracite generated magics hailed far and wide for their effectiveness. If we create the proper conditions and lend them the support they need, they will do so again.

The people of the Wood provided the lumber required for any community to thrive. Today, that lumber leaves Darkmoor and merely serves to furnish the castles and limousines of foreign nobles. The most excellent hunters of the People of Aldmaar once provided the realm with the finest of furs and game meats. There is a bounty in that wood that today, must be reserved only for the followers of Aldmaar, because they have no other recourse for feeding their families.

And yet, our nobles own vast farm lands that could, as they once did, provide food — milk, cheeses, beef, bread and beer, potatoes, yams and carrots — enough for every table in the Barony. But those farms produce so little, due to a lack of available workers, poor and broken tools and the ravages of wild beasts who damage or steal crops. Too often, the wild beasts are of the two-legged species.

The mines and stone-working expertise of the peoples of the south have been lost, or at minimum lie fallow under a cloak of darkness. We need those metals and that expertise if we are to build a healthy Darkmoor. We must invest in these resources.

The Guilds today produce a meager offering, compared to what they once could. Waxes and honeys and meads and fine finished goods, gowns and boots and –hear me my agrarian friends — tools and weapons, all were produced in great number in Darkmoor and the quality was renowned. What few items the Guild produce have no viable, no safe markets here and are thus exported.

These problems arise not from a lack of will or of character in our Darkmoor. They arise because we separate ourselves into our shadowed enclaves where we fear the other and have come to believe that isolation and alienation is the only way.

I have come here today, my subjects and friends, to tell you that there is another way. The way of community. Of brotherhood. Of joint purpose and collective effort for the common good. I do not preach a fantasy where we must subjugate that which makes us special and unique in order for Darkmoor to flourish. That way can not succeed. We must celebrate the unique qualities, the odd quirkiness of our individuality; embrace our differences. But recognize that we all — all of us — have value and we can all contribute to making our collective lot better. The soldier, the farmer, the craftsman, the artisan, the mixer of potions, the cook, the brewer, the wayfinder, the laborer, the mender of garments, the artist, the musician, the teacher and … yes, even the noble — we all have a role, a value that we can bring to the community. But we can only experience the full blooming of that self-worth when we can bring it to bear to help our fellow and to lighten one another’s load. Two men together can do what a scattered dozen can not, as we say.

Why do I believe that this is possible? Why do I think that despite the darkness that like a heavy smoke lies over our barony, that we can come together and achieve these things?

Because I have seen what happens when we work together. These four, who you, separately but acting in unknowing concert, sent to the King and thence, to me, have fought tooth and nail through an army of darkness to restore the royal seat of Darkmoor. They fought side-by-side. Had all not worked so loyally together, all would have fallen, myself included.

Likewise, when those criminals came into the center of our community, they were defeated by the joint effort of the citizens of Darkmoor. Two of our citizens died in rebuffing that attack. We must give honor and dignity to their sacrifice.

I invite Kog, representative of the Peoples of the South to say what he might about those who gave their all on that day.
[Kog speaks]

Kog was the direct target of that invasion, as he oversaw the reconstruction operations in my absence. By all accounts, Kog led the defense and made the criminals pay dearly for their heinous acts. And yet, when all was done and peace had been restored, he stayed his hand at the last and showed a mercy that these criminals would never in like situation, would have shown. Today, I present to you (ceremonial knighting) Sir Kog of the South, the first restored Knight of Darkmoor. Sir Kog, I offer you my sincerest thanks and this — the Noble Order of Darkmoor (affixes pin).

There is one group that I have not mentioned today. You might think that I fear to do so. I do not. I want us all to recognize that, as in the days of old, our community will only flourish if we strive for a higher purpose. A belief in deeds greater than ourselves. Beyond the simple black-and-white of hardscrabble existence there must be a heart that guides us, a wisdom that directs our actions. And when we are in our greatest times of need, a beacon to remind us that there are things greater than the deeds of man and beast. My family, the long lineage of the Greys have always clung to the teachings of San Nicholas. Not because he promised some great reward in the afterworld, that was never his emphasis, nor ours. But because his wisdom teaches humility, sacrifice, beneficence and goodwill to all. That following this guidance our hearts are filled, not just our bellies or our purses. That without love — love of our families and our neighbors and those who do us ill and even, even ourselves — what good is life, in this world or the next?

Our efforts, my brothers and sisters and friends, must be collective. They must be sincere and taken up with a heartfelt commitment and guided by wisdom. They must be brave and clever and well-considered. And swift. And before all of that, they must be undertaken in a spirit not of rebuilding what once was, but of building what must be. What should prevail.

I have spoken long, my friends. I beg forgiveness for my rambling. But all of that I have said, I will tell you with great earnestness, I believe it. All of it. I hope you will, too, even if you do not yet.

I leave you with this final, final promise: I see that Master Rouvel is in attendance. He will mark my words carefully, I am certain. The next drink, my friends and subjects, shall be served on my account! To the bar!

Session Notes

The heroes, who I’ve come to think of as the Circle of Darkmoor, set about questioning their captive, a dark cloak who had attempted to rob the Barony of its riches. And, as a separate matter, murder one of the Circle. Kog, of the Peoples, set about asking questions of this young miscreant. Unfortunately, he seemed to know little enough. He indicated that he was a member of a group of itinerant criminals who mostly plied their illicit trade by assaulting those moving through Darkmoor on the open road. The map that had been retrieved, he claimed, belonged not to who but to their ringleader. He said that he had never seen the map directly, himself, therefore could not explain its contents.

The captured criminal did, in attempting to negotiate the imposed sentence of six months’ labor (or eight months — retellings differ), claim that he could identify a local member of the wealthy classes who participated in identifying juicy targets for the criminals to rob in exchange for a share of the take.

To this end, the Duke sent forth word that a meeting would be held in Elder Pool where he might address his subjects, during which the criminal might be able to point out the person he claimed had cooperated with the criminals.

However, the Duke had more pressing matters. His desire to reclaim the Throne of Old drove him and the Circle to descend once again into the catacombs beneath the streets. They story that they recount, friends, of doorframes constructed of living bone, of a small army of reanimated corpses little more than that draping skin over murderous skeleton that meant to kill the young duke, at the bidding of a horror of multiple limbs and burning eyes, and behind it all, a spectral being of dead flame.

Though limited by the blood disease common to the Great Grey Family, the Duke and his allies prevailed. And, once again, the Duke of Darkmoor sits upon the ancient throne.

Session Notes

After returning to the Aldmaar Ranger camp as heroes, having rescued Merith Ermris and most of his crew, Mateo, one of the senior rangers advised that, without at all criticising Sylvar and the rescue team, it might be best if they were not around when the druid learned of the killing of the matron ankheg. Taking that into account, Syvar, Dixit, Anker and Juttah set out for Elder Pool.
Along the way, their slumber was disturbed by a woman astride a horse apparently fleeing some threat. The “woman” was revealed to be a female centaur ( a femtaur?) who was fleeing a pursuing ogre.
The rangers and Dixit, with some help from the centaur, Indira, managed to defeat the fell beast. She revealed that it had been pursuing her for some time and she had dragged him toward the campfire seeking help.
Continuing on with Indira interested in seeing Elder Pool for the first time, the party stopped at the Millcloud family farm where Dixit had previously stopped on his way to find Sylvar. They were greeted with warm hospitality. Farmer Millcloud reported that there had been murmurings of some creature over recent days that might match the description of the ogre that Dixit provided.
The next evening some odd goat-like bleatings were heard in the darkness but no threat materialized.
While the group of five was making their way to Elder Pool, Kog continued to supervise reconstruction activities near the Ragged Moon Inn. He found himself accosted by two dark cloak-types with rapiers inside the inn. When Kog separated the first of the miscreants from one of his limbs, the other fled outside. Pursuing, Kog learned that he was being lured into an ambush — two more of the dark cloaks were positioned in the ruins of the nearby tower with crossbows awaiting Kog’s arrival.
A fight ensued, with some of the locals taking up sticks and rocks to assist Kog. The dark cloaks were defeated and one rendered unconscious and taken captive. From another’s pocket a map was discovered, which appeared to indicate a safe approach to some ruined tower in what was probably the marshy land to the northeast.
Later that evening, the Duke, Hammond, Rosenkrantz; Arthur’s man-at-arms, and a member of the wee folk dressed like a dandy arrived at the Inn. This little man introduced himself as Buck Headstrong, Esquire, Chronicler to the Court.
The group discussed potentially taking on the catacombs again, now that the group’s numbers have swollen.
But first, there is a dark cloak to interrogate.

Session Notes

Arthur remained ensconced at the Ragged Moon tavern as his temporary seat of power. He immediately sent word (or word rapidly leaked out) that he was hiring laborers to conduct repairs at the tavern at least while he occupies it.
Kog identified that one or more laborers might be attempting to defraud the Baron and be paid multiple times for a single day’s labor. He quickly brought a stop to that.
Hammond volunteered to accompany Arthur to the Earl’s capital city of Gwinned to attempt to hire an engineer who might manage repairs within the Barony, especially at the Manor House. They two departed in a stage coach for a multi-day trip.
Kog remained to mind the construction efforts. Arthur seemed especially concerned that workers received prompt payment daily, for which purpose he left a large sack of coins in Kog’s care.
Arthur requested that Dixit seek out Sylvar of the Aldmaar peoples, who had been called away, it seemed, on urgent business and not yet returned.
Sylvar spent a couple days on the road, making his way to the Twisted Wood. He met the perimeter security forces, rangers in the trees, of the Aldmaars. He was then led to where Sylvar was preparing a rescue team, which he joined. It seems that a Merith Emris of the Aldmaars and his woodsy crew had set out to preempt a team of the King’s lumberjacks operating in the Wood but not returned after several days. The decision to send Sylvar and his associates to rescue Merith was far from unanimous, but Sylvar won the argument. Dixit joined this emergency team.
The Aldmaars and Sylvar made their way, tracking, through the dense forest. Crossing a cold, winter stream, they moved through a thicket and were confronted by a goblin tribe in the trees. A skirmish resulted. After regrouping, the elf team moved once again further and the goblins, this time, were willing to parlay. They reported that a group of elves had come through a few days prior, chasing a group of goblins. Both groups had moved through.
The elf group proceeded and came upon an area of loose earth, from which voices seemed to emerge. As did two large ant-beasts, which, when killed, splashed a thick glue onto those around them, temporarily immobilizing them.
After defeating the ant-beasts, the elves descended into the crude tunnels of their lair. Within, they located a sort of chamber where victims, some still clinging to life, were buried. While attempting to rescue Merith and the surviving members of his crew, the seeming ant-beast matron returned. More carnage ensued. Eventually, the elven crew defeated the great beast and managed to extricate themselves with Merith and some of his associates. And with one goblin, as well.
In Gwinned, Hammond sought out followers of San Nicholas. Befriending one such, he was brought to a hidden tavern filled with like believers.
He and Arthur would be spending at least another day in Gwinned, while Arthur sought his expert engineer.

Session Notes

• Party arrived with Arthur at the manor house, which, of course, had been damaged in the War and has fallen further into ruin. Arthur was shocked to find it in such a state and fell into a depression.
• The party continued, on foot to the Ragged Moon Tavern. There, Lady Ravensbeak, the High Guildsmaster and the representative from Aldmaar all departed on separate business.
• Arthur felt, sitting, sharing an ale and some bacon, some sense of familiarily at the Tavern, though he’d never been there. He approached a spot on the stone staircase and somehow, discovered and opened a concealed door, which seemed a surprise to everyone, even Master Louvel, Tavernkeeper.
• Arthur and the party descended, discovering abandoned catacombs beneath the tavern. After forcing a door, they discovered a room filled with the long-withered bodies of soldiers, having died in some long-gone skirmish. As they moved into the room, the bones clattered to life and attacked the party. One skeletal being indicated Arthur and instructed his fellows to “kill him!”
• The party managed to defeat this knot of rejuvenated corpses, finding a heavy ring on the leader with a symbol of a tentacles horror embossed in its steel. Kog had fallen in the fight, and continued to struggle with a poison. The party returned to the Ragged Moon, where Louvel tracked down the Town Witch and returned with an antidote for Kog.
• Returning underground on the morning, as Arthur continued to report feeling drawn towards his collapsed manor and the throne therein, hoping that these catacombs might lead him thence, the party continued their explorations and, once again ran afoul of reanimated skeletons.
• Two greater skeletons, one multi-limbed, with eyes of fire lead the fight with several minions. Another, cloaked entirely in fire instructed the four-armed skeleton to pursue Arthur. As the fight proceeded, the flaming skeleton disappeared. Dixit was surrounded and brought down by the skeletons. Cut off for a time from his allies, Dixit was being dragged away by the skeleton leader. The party fought their way through the rank of skeletons and managed to engage the skeleton leader before he could make away with Dixit. The party managed to smash through the remaining skeletons, though Hammond also fell from his wounds.
• Arthur was able to staunch the bleeding of the two allies and after retreating once again to the tavern, they were able to recover from their wounds.
• Arthur, abashed at having caused his new inner circle so much pain, indicated that they should not further pursue the catacombs, given the evil that seems so abundant underneath. Rather, he made arrangement with Louvel to rent out his rooms to temporarily make his court at the tavern.