And so it begins...

Welcome! This blog will be a story. The story will be of the new Dungeons and Dragons campaign that my geeky friends and I will be starting shortly.

I always said to myself that once our old campaign finishes, I would write a blog detailing the story of the new campaign. It would be useful to my friends, so they could keep track of what was going on (they can be a forgetful bunch!), and it would give me a chance to try out my storytelling skills which were, at one time, quite good.

Well, now that time has come. Castle Whiterock has been dealt with, and it is time to move on. Time to bring on the new heroes.

So, without further ado, let's get this party started. Welcome to the Pathfinder campaign entitled...



The Curse of the Crimson Throne


Part 1: In the beginning...

Greetings, Pathfinder. My name is Zellara. I am a... No. Let me rephrase that. I was a Varisian fortune teller. Unfortunately, I am now dead. However, a wronged soul is hard to kill, so I survive yet, as a spirit, bound to my set of Harrow cards, the tools of my trade.

I want to recount to you an epic story. The story of a group of people who had something in common with me, who went on to save the city of Korvosa from a terrible fate. But first, let me tell you of my home, and the setting for most of this story.

The city of Korvosa, a Chelaxian city in the "wildlands" of Varisia. Many hundreds of years ago, the Chelaxians stormed into my land, drove away the local Shoanti barbarian tribes, and built a city on top of one of their holy sites. Typical Chelaxian behaviour. Always expanding. Always taking what is not theirs to take.

Forgive my rant. Let me continue. The city of Korvosa became a haven for people wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Cheliax, and soon it bacame a thriving metropolis at the mouth of the Jeggare River. Its ruler, King Eodred Arabasti II, and his very young wife, Queen Ileosa, ruled the city fairly and wisely. At least, they did at the beginning of the story.

Now, let me tell you my tale. As I said earlier, I was a fortune teller by trade, making enough money doing Harrowing readings to allow myself and my only son, Eron, to live a happy, though modest, life. That soon changed. About a year before the story starts, my Harrow card set, a family heirloom passed down through the generations, was stolen from me by a young street urchin. The urchin was one of Gaedren's Little Lambs.

Before I go on, I must tell you of the odious and vile man called Gaedren Lamm. He was a crimelord, who had been operating in the city for decades. He ran legitimate businesses throughout the city, but used them as a cover for his shadier dealings. Gaedren dealt in stolen goods. The unusual thing about his operation was that he used children - his "Little Lambs" - to do the stealing for him. The children were either orphans who he'd "adopt" from the local orphanages, or children that he would abduct from around the city. He was a cruel master, and he would regularly beat and intimidate his children, forcing them to work in fear. And if any child did something he didn't agree with, or made one too many mistakes, they would be killed. Usually in a horrible way.

So, my Harrow card set was stolen. My son took it upon himself to get the set back. The fool boy. I wish I had stopped him. He disappeared for many days. He eventually turned up on my doorstep - well, his head and his hands did. Attached was a note, telling me to stay away from Gaedren Lamm or the same would happen to me.

I went to the authorities. I pleaded with the Korvosan City Guard, but they said they had little extra time and resources to go after Gaedren.

So, with my skills as a fortune teller, and my divinatory powers, I began to search the city for someone - anyone - who could help me. And there, among the thousands in Korvosa, I found a handful of people, who, like me, had had some negative dealings with Gaedren Lamm. It was these people that were to become the heroes of this story.

Forgive me. I see that your time is short, and you need to leave. Very well. When you return, I shall continue, and I shall tell you of the people that I found, the ones who became the great heroes of this incredible story.