Jhensi Hallenger's Birthday

Scribe Notes

Summary

Adventure: Jhensi Hallenger's Birthday
GM: Gordon Lewis
Season: Autumn 801 WK

Party

• Brundar party employer, sort of.
• Valery party leader, scribe
• Faith
• Thaeuss
• Wordsmith
• Lucius

Employer

someone rich

Mission

Hired to do a job

Pay

Lots

Scribe Notes - Background

Places Visited

Brightrock, Old Brightrock, (northern dwarven underground city)

Summary

Hired to escort/help Brundar to his home city, because his mother (Jhensi Hallenger) is cursed and dying, needing Brundar to save her. Travelled north (via Destiny) to village, then overland to Brightrock, attacked by mercenaries aiming at Brundar. Meet Jhensi Hallenger at Brightrock, attend feast, meet Vin & co, mercenaries hired to protect Brundar, and betray us to Pan e' Leke. Travel to Old Brightrock (deserted dwarven city), encounter Manticores, Gnolls, led by gnome Pan e' Leke (aide to Jhensi). His imps summon demons to remove curse on Brundar, and begin ritual to sacrifice Brundar to give Jhensi power. Pan e' Leke, 2 imps, 1 cherubim killed; 2 cherubim, Jhensi escape.

Persona of Brightrocks

Gaia

the earth mother, the force whom people ask for help in their magics, astrology etc

The King

who is possibly, ruled by the Queen. He is the head of the House of the Highbright (i.e. royal) family, in his seventies, but doesn't look much different from the other dwarves, other than his bejewelled clothes. The Highbright family tend to be Wicca. Apparently some high up members have connections with people high up in “the Sanctuary side of Sanctuary”.

Sonia, oldest of the next generation. Leader of the young social set. Asked Faith to bring her back a dozen truesilver ingots from Old Brightrock. Has the theoretical knowledge of the Noble mages, though not apparently a practitioner.

Sarah, (Sonia’s cousin?) a Noble Mage, helped Brundar’s curse effect, after talking with Nosander’s soul, thought removing curse would kill him.

Sammy, young boy, appeared at the feast.

13 Advisors,

(and always 13, as one dies, the next in the queue assumes the mantle automatically). They give advice to the dwarven

King. Members include:

Joseph Lockenleach, the only hereditary position (others voted on by consensus of the others, or royal favour). His son/heir is "just a boy" aged about 30.

(Aunty) Shaeile Verhichan, hostile to Jhensi becoming an advisor. Addressee of Kali's scroll (which gave detailed and accurate information about Brundar’s deceased father, giving his movements since he left Brightrock. This scroll was greeted with hysterical laughter, some disappointment to her, presumably.

Earth mage, trained in Southern Parts - unusual to have a defined college.

Dark celestial mage - Tav Lowenrock, is the about to retire advisor, who is leaving with good will, to go away to study some stuff.

Jhensi Hallenger,

a very good "Noble Mage", i.e. she asks Gaia to create something, and it is. This involves talking in an ancient draconic? language. Since her illness her creations are whimsical, and without heed of her current energy levels.

Her dreams have physical manifestations in her room while she sleeps. Everyone asks how she is, generally well respected, and feared? by the city, due to her sharp tongue, and Noble Mage status, presumably. If she dies, estates go to Brundar, and failing him, reverts back to the House of the Bright. Ascertained she will die by 1st of Vintage, confirmed as permanent death by the Priests. Vin says that Jhensi DA's as having infinite positive and negative health. Although Jhensi has some of the draconic tongue that she has been speaking in (apparently the language of magic), she is more fluent than expected and than what she was before she sickened, this perhaps being just a reflection of her increased magical abilities. Her curse makes her more attuned to Gaia, so this may be an attack on Gaia via all the noble mages eventually.

She was in league with Pan e' Leke in Old Brightrock, to use Brundar in a ritual to give her more power. This ritual was uncompleted, and she banished herself, possibly to Hell, or some other fire/brimstone looking place. Still requires Brundar for her ritual if she finds an alternative for Pan e' Leke. Perhaps her sickness/craziness was entirely a ruse to lure Brundar home.

Secretary - does as she is bid by Jhensi, keeps track of things in notepad in rear pocket. Was rather helpful during our stay. Says Jhensi had a couple of human visitors before taking sick, from Bowcourt and MMHS, although this is typical for her.

Brundar’s father - was a carpenter, left decades ago, with Brundar to look after him. Father took to working and drinking, in many towns. Jhensi had started rumours that he was a traitor leading him to leave Brightrock.

Hallenger House - after Jhensi disapperance, Brundar was allowed to take some personal effects, and the the house and it's contents were handed over to the Highbright coffers.

Healers Guild

keep Jhensi alive by the herbal tea. They tend to not ask for help from Gaia, instead relying on their own herbs, empathic and alchemical skills. Figure she should have been dead several times, don't know what's keeping her alive other than their tea. Gave some tea for Brundar too.

Astrologers

three were doing a divination/reading on Jhensi (casting stones), when the curse 'bit back', and they've been at the healer's guild ever since, with fits etc. Similar to Dark Circle effects, from the sounds of it - related? They have continuous nightmares about a demon dancing on Jhensi, which took fright at something and fled. By demon, implication being imp sized, with claws, fangs, wings, possibly bat like. Also, a wee holy (and holey) pot, being wielded by said demon. Ties in with our Guild reading.

Magic

Usage college per se are rare, however not unheard of.

Namers banned by the advisory, at the beginning of somebody or other's tenure, didn't like nosey parkers divination stuff. Possibly tied in with Kali's missive to Verhichan. The priests say that Namers were expelled 30 years ago because a commoner learnt the college, then misbehaved a lot, compelling people to do things.

Illusionists also expelled, possibly only gone underground (unliterally).

Mind mages are about.

Necromancers are about.

Noble Mage The ability to be a Noble Mage is an innate talent, which the dwarves check for. Using Noble Magic uses a lot of energy (as much as a GK spell and a SK spell if asking, twice that much if demanding), and mana is treated in many ways as an entity in its own right. noble mages rarely speak while performing magic, and even more rarely speak Draconic.

Jhensi Hallenger noble mage extrodanaire. Not a good teacher of the arts, despite being the best about.

(Princess) Sarah Highbright advocates using the existing substances around her rather than creating from nothing - much easier apparently. Effortlessly summons food across the table at the feast.

Frederick a trainee Noble Mage, not highly trained, he seems to like working in the mines. A relative demon expert in Brightrock. He hasn't used magic to directly check what is happening to Jhensi, because it is dangerous. We ask Frederick if he can assign his 'Trace' to Lucius' Locate - apparently not.

Miner created the fortifications for the table ballista competition at the feast

Priests

Their house had a forest theme (Faith's reading?), and they (a young one, and a _very_ wise one) seem reasonably forthcoming. Their work confirmed what others had said about Jhensi (permanently) dying in Vintage. They had a vision of an imp travelling from New Brightrock to Old Brightrock (a symbolic vision, not an image). No-one in Brightrock is known to have any dealings with demonics either for or against them. Provides Roland, to guide us through the tunnels to the Canal to Old Brightrock.

Vin and Co

are all male human experienced mercenaries from Carzala (yet not associated with Seagate Guild) who is compelled (mechanism unknown, but failure is fatal) to protect Brundar, as Jhensi's survival is linked to Brundar's well-being.

His employer (from down south) is not stated, but the others in the group are reporting in to the Advisory. They are staying with Advisor Lockenleach. They have worked together about 7 years, and are very professional, last been at Brightrock 3 years ago, doing separate business. They had astrology reading done indicating three daggers (2x binder, 1x ensorcelers) would be of help to us in protecting Brundar, and presented them to Thaeuss at the feast.

(+10% to spell base chance when wielded in off hand, silvered, also rank 9 weaponsmith, with base chance bonus) These daggers also give some locating to their group. The daggers were used by Pan e Leke in the rituals for Brundar and Jhensi and were and destroyed. They also presented us with drawings of animalistic totem poles, carved with old dwarven runes, alongside a river, as being a place for us to visit to help cure Jhensi. Seems to indicate Old Brightrock, not they have visited there. They had also been employed by Pan e Leke, to deliver Brundar, which they did by betraying the party as a Pan e' Leke and some nolls approached, by kidnapping Brundar.

Vin is a Namer, which is sanctioned by the Advisory. Skills include woodland ranger, and fighting with quarterstaff. Under effects of Lesser Enchantment, but no curses. He has no tattoos or runes branded on him. Works for fear of his death by his employer. Crystal vision “will Vin betray us?” : Shadows moving, fire erupting, play of swords and dash of fur, then Vin stuck on sword. i.e. Yes and we get revenge, or No, he betrays his employer to us, and dies. Was killed in Old Brightrock, near Pan e' Leke's house in Goldentyne

Lowenk Grabsfarr Mind mage, “communications expert” (8people mind speech). Uses falchion (magical) and crossbow. At large.

Kurr Felt Dark Celestial, specialising in walls and wings. Uses (magical) Katana, apparently won through a competition of agility and stealth. At large.

Employer of Vin (& others?) Baron from Aquila, has ostentatious bedroom, seen via crystal. Compels Vin with fear of a long excruciating painful death if his identity is revealed, or Vin fails in his mission. Has hold over Vin because of something Vin’s grandfather did. Was out to stop Jhensi completing her ritual, hence knew of it beforehand somehow.

Old Brightrock

Stories

(mainly from the wise priest at New Brightrock) Around 1000 years ago, the dwarves of old Brightrock were quite involved with the Hoar Dwarves, trading in Coal, metals, and jewellery. There was some kind of falling out (who with is unclear, perhaps a Hoar Dwarf faction, or possibly other short people), and 'armies rode in and flushed' the Brightrock Dwarves out of their homes. Also interpreted as a revolutionary faction within the monarchy was encouraged by external tribe of Hoar Dwarves. In some versions of the eviction from Old Brightrock, the story imply demonic involvement in the eviction. However there are no specific details like names, titles, numbers, types, etc. The guild had said 3/4 of the Old Brightrock population had got dealt to by some underground predator in the eviction. The route to Old Brightrock is underground, and the distance is some leagues.

Dwarven History

The evidence of the artefacts of the previous dwarven occupants that have survived the time (no wooden bits, but there were lots of stone bits) indicates they left the city in haste. There were records showing weapons were being made to ship out to Hoar Dwarves.

Geography

The city is set in a huge cavern, about 5 miles across, with an indiscernible roof. It seems to have half a dozens sub cities within it, each walled and separated by a swathe of rocky outcroppings with normal underground plantlife and Noll paths through it. Pit, one of theses subcities is a huge pit, which Robin said none lived down, known to provide good quality gold, for the previous dwarven smelting works. Graanyte (where the New Brightrock tunnel entered unto) was a stone mason area, including smithies. Goldentyne was where the truesilver was. It seemed to be houses and merchant/warehousing area. Commons, Temple, Lower and Upper. The central city was Saphirestyene. The 2 rivers are natural egress to the outside. They are bridged at paths connecting the subcities.

Wards

are set through Old Brightrock : edge of civilisation: spIllusionist, spFire; city gate: anticounterspell (swam around) next to gen binder; flying wards, targeted on insects, genIllusionist (alarum);

Inhabitants

an army of Nolls, (without women or children) was brought to Old Brightrock by their leader, more than a year ago, but other scale of time indeterminate. The manticores were in residence, but nothing else nasty towards them. The leader had also brought 3 imps which set up the defences of the place. They all tend to live at The Hill, at the centre of the city, and not routinely venture/live in the other subcities. After the party left, probably just manticores

remain.

Imp/s

Astrologers have continuous nightmares about an imp (with claws, fangs, wings, possibly bat like) dancing on Jhensi, which took fright at something and fled. Also, a wee holy (and holey) pot, being wielded by said demon. Vision of Priests indicating the imp went to Old Brightrock. Frederick does a "Trace" on the imp involved in Jhensi's illness. Thaeuss possesses his small rag-and-string, and follows the trail of mana footsteps. These lead through a prohibited area to a natural (but 'improved') cave system, where they disappear. Origin of Jhensi's draconic speaking?

Seen to use fire magics. They implemented the magical defences/wards in Old Brightrock, which we encountered, and surmised their colleges to be Fire, Illusion and Binder. Not known to wield weapons. Not always in residence, and/or at the same time. A clay golem is remembered by the guard captain.

The major imp, known as Something, was a summoning of other imps/demons. These had different numbers depending on hteir size/strength. Number 3s were capable of throwing stone ballista, and number 7's were black cherubim used in the ritual. Seemed to be helping Pan e' Leke, but with his own style of humour, doing random violence for fun.

Pan e leka ?

Gnome Leader of the Nolls, the holey cooking utensil (from his name), an E&E mage, possibly other magics too. Known to talk with 3 imps (also called demons). Flies on manticores. Wields weapons, a sword made of rubies welded together. Known to have a supply of truesilver, (which may be more than the stuff in the chests requisitioned for Sonia Highbright). Was expecting Brundar, having hired Vin and Co to deliver him. Aparently in league with Jhensi to perform her life enhancing ritual. Was killed by party, head removed and all burnt, to prevent ressurect. Jhensi was very upset at having him killed. Individual True Name is known by Valery and Kali, head of the guild Namers.

manticores

have a set of arms which is extra to manticores I've seen in books : human torso, bat wings, lion rear & tail with spikes. We think they are taken by Nolls when young and trained up for the Nollish army. They carry Nolls in their arms, but the gnomes had a saddle of sorts to ride in. They have armour or clothes according to Robin, and are chained at the neck at The Hill. They are an active part of the defence of The Hill. Their neckrings are part of the controlling device. They like to eat a Noll a day, however prefer other creatures, since nolls are too furry.

Nolls

7' tall humanoids, with dog fur and face, smelling quite strongly of dead dog. Many use silvered glaives, magically imbued to allow Nolls to use it, (despite their low dexterity); and net to catch bats and heavier nets to catch manticores. Captain (middle hierachy of Nolls) used dozen throwing daggers. All seemed to wear magical silvered chainmail, which was very light to wear. The upper hierarchy was four Nolls. None were magic users. Captain had heard of Brundar and Jhensi, and had seen friendly humans and dwarves visit Old Brightrock at different times, within the year. The Captain and his men were staying in Graanyte to capture a manticore. Once Pan e' Leke was killed, they seemed to abandon Old brightrock, presumably to return from whence they came.

Scribe Notes - Details

The mission started with a typical exchange of opinions about other people's abilities and race. Brundar started off introducing himself, and his golems. There is Mary Bell who lives in the pocket of his big leather apron, amongst the tools and stuff that one would expect to find in a binder's working apron. Mary Bell is a rag and string golem, and the other one he has is called Sally Jo, but I haven't seen her yet. Brundar has a big clay golem called Boris, by big I mean, 6' or so, which is big compared to Brundar, who is only 4'3".

But he is taller than the other dwarf in the party, Wordsmith, who is 3'9". He's a Namer, but I've seen him a bit working in the library recently. Apparently, the Namers are experimenting with him, but that doesn't mean he can resurrect himself, or others, he admitted. Wordsmith comes from Novadom, but hasn't been home of late, since it was taken over by the dark circle, in fact. He was wearing quite sensible sort of clothing, and admitted to having a fondness for things mechanical, but when questioned by Brundar, said he didn't really know much about it yet. Brundar seems to like mechanical things, and has a fondness for Ballista in particular. He was coming up with ideas of how to use Faith in combat, but we'll get to her later. Brundar has an elvish great axe, that he got from a elf that had poisoned him, so he chopped his head off, the elf's I mean, and had it preserved. I'm not sure if Brundar is that keen on elves, but there are three in the party, so I hope that doesn't mean trouble.

Thaeuss is the most elven elf. He's 6'1", with no weapons, but some large gloves which I think he uses to fight with. He has a golem too, and claimed to be a binder as well. In fact, he went even as far as to suggest that if there was any binding that was required to be done, that we should go to him. A very generous offer I thought.

Lucius also offered to cast lots of spells, quickness, then slowness, then wizard's eye then sleep. I'm a bit confused as to whether he really wanted too, because then he complained of getting killed afterwards and having seven crystal balls broken. (Faith and Wordsmith said it must have been a coincidence and a conspiracy, since they didn't break all at the same time.) Lucius was quite keen to get another crystal to take with him, but unfortunately, I didn't have one thousand silvers to lend him, so I couldn't oblige. I think Wordsmith did later though. Anyway, Lucius is quite a tall thin pale looking elf, wearing quite ordinary tan coloured clothing. He said he was from Alfheim, so Faith concluded he was a wood elf, despite him growing up on a farm, and not actually living near trees. Lucius was quite adamant that he shouldn't die, so I offered to protect him.

Faith is the other elf in the party, but is a bit different from the others, because she has copper-tanned skin and long straight black hair that comes all the way down to her ankles. She was wearing quite a pretty sort of dress with flowers and things embroidered on it, and which must have had quite a few pockets, since she often brings out food to eat, whenever we stop in fact. Faith said was an envoy of the Empire of the Sun, which is in Terra Nova. She's said that its not quite as official as an ambassador, but is useful in court situations, or as a reason to go places. She speaks all the elvish languages like Drow and Ehrelaine, and says she studies people and dwarves and humans, in a philosophical sense. Apparently, she is an E&E mage like Lucius, but the Lucius is better at casting the spells than her, so she will wear her plate mail armour and perhaps be a front line fighter with me. She said her tactic was to jump into people, and knock them over then wait for someone else to kill the opponent. I'm not that sure of hitting into close combatants like that, since I don't want to hurt her, and I'm not sure if her platemail will withstand the glaive very well. I did offer to clear the matter up now and then, with some martial practise, but the guild security guy wasn't looking very approving. I think she moves quite quickly, despite her short legs. I did say she was only 2'6 ¼" didn't I?