Chapter 5: Harvest of Death
Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 4:36 pm
Later That Same Evening...
Kaerin and Baron Sherlane return to talk to the adventurers. Kaerin's face is slightly flushed and he looks very happy. Sherlane has a patient smile on his face, but when they meet the you their expressions become more serious. It is Sherlane who does the talking now. His voice is authoritative and commanding. Taking the title of Baron you should be aware that Sherlane is powerful, wise, and someone of importance, although you will not know exactly what position he holds in the land as yet.
Baron Sherlane "I think I should first explain the importance of this household. Kaerin is the son-adopted, to be sure-of Kavorquian the wizard. That old man was the brother of Lord Arturus Penhaligon, who died some four years ago. It is his daughter, Lady Arteris, who is the ruler of the Estates of Penhaligon
and directly responsible to Duke Stefan Karameikos himself. I am, shall we say, an old family friend. The note you brought from Aralic is fairly cryptic, but it makes sense now that we have Kavorquian's notebook."
The Baron hands the letter/note from Aralic to Kavorquian, the group to read.
Dear Kavorquian:
I must tell you of an unsettling happening. Recently a young warrior rode into our village, badly injured and beyond my ability to heal. But his life was not what concerned him; he was desperate to give me a message, which he begged me to pass on to you. He raved of Penhaligon 's nemesis-a dark queen who promised a harvest of death in the land. She's a madwoman who is drawing together forces of Chaos in her citadel. "Magic and madness bring forth cold steel and blood," he said with his last breath. Do you know this queen? Does this nemesis, this "harvest," mean anything to you? That poor young man died in the belief that it would.
Ever yours,
Aralic
Baron Sherlane then continues after each has read the letter. "The queen referred to in the note you brought is known to me. Her name is Ilyana, and she is a fighter of some merit. She is intensely Chaotic, and a vicious and evil person. She is also the illegitimate daughter of the old Lord Arturus. It is clear that Ilyana is raising a force to attack Penhaligon itself. Although she is illegitimate, only Arteris stands between her and the rightful claim to the rulership of the estates. Kaerin, being adopted, would not have a claim. If she should take the estates, Duke Stefan might have to accept her claim. If he did, the place would be ruled by chaos and evil. If he did not and took the estates back by force, many other local rulers would say that the duke feels free to overthrow anything whose rulership he does not care for. Either way, the result would be bad for the land. And the duke has much else to worry about. Further, I do not think you will be safe here . The killers you overcame must have friends; they had an agent in this very house. You must leave and go to the last place on earth these people would expect you to go to the keep of this self-styled "queen," Ilyana, to strike a crippling blow at her there. She cannot yet have raised a large force-but it will grow with each passing week. You can accomplish much if you have the bravery and strength. A larger force would be seen too early; surprise would be lost. A capable, small group could use hit-and-run tactics, striking a blow and retreating, returning and striking again, finally overcoming this evil woman and bringing peace to the land. If you do not, there will be war and you will not be safe wherever you go. The enemy knows you now."
Kaerin and Baron Sherlane return to talk to the adventurers. Kaerin's face is slightly flushed and he looks very happy. Sherlane has a patient smile on his face, but when they meet the you their expressions become more serious. It is Sherlane who does the talking now. His voice is authoritative and commanding. Taking the title of Baron you should be aware that Sherlane is powerful, wise, and someone of importance, although you will not know exactly what position he holds in the land as yet.
Baron Sherlane "I think I should first explain the importance of this household. Kaerin is the son-adopted, to be sure-of Kavorquian the wizard. That old man was the brother of Lord Arturus Penhaligon, who died some four years ago. It is his daughter, Lady Arteris, who is the ruler of the Estates of Penhaligon
and directly responsible to Duke Stefan Karameikos himself. I am, shall we say, an old family friend. The note you brought from Aralic is fairly cryptic, but it makes sense now that we have Kavorquian's notebook."
The Baron hands the letter/note from Aralic to Kavorquian, the group to read.
Dear Kavorquian:
I must tell you of an unsettling happening. Recently a young warrior rode into our village, badly injured and beyond my ability to heal. But his life was not what concerned him; he was desperate to give me a message, which he begged me to pass on to you. He raved of Penhaligon 's nemesis-a dark queen who promised a harvest of death in the land. She's a madwoman who is drawing together forces of Chaos in her citadel. "Magic and madness bring forth cold steel and blood," he said with his last breath. Do you know this queen? Does this nemesis, this "harvest," mean anything to you? That poor young man died in the belief that it would.
Ever yours,
Aralic
Baron Sherlane then continues after each has read the letter. "The queen referred to in the note you brought is known to me. Her name is Ilyana, and she is a fighter of some merit. She is intensely Chaotic, and a vicious and evil person. She is also the illegitimate daughter of the old Lord Arturus. It is clear that Ilyana is raising a force to attack Penhaligon itself. Although she is illegitimate, only Arteris stands between her and the rightful claim to the rulership of the estates. Kaerin, being adopted, would not have a claim. If she should take the estates, Duke Stefan might have to accept her claim. If he did, the place would be ruled by chaos and evil. If he did not and took the estates back by force, many other local rulers would say that the duke feels free to overthrow anything whose rulership he does not care for. Either way, the result would be bad for the land. And the duke has much else to worry about. Further, I do not think you will be safe here . The killers you overcame must have friends; they had an agent in this very house. You must leave and go to the last place on earth these people would expect you to go to the keep of this self-styled "queen," Ilyana, to strike a crippling blow at her there. She cannot yet have raised a large force-but it will grow with each passing week. You can accomplish much if you have the bravery and strength. A larger force would be seen too early; surprise would be lost. A capable, small group could use hit-and-run tactics, striking a blow and retreating, returning and striking again, finally overcoming this evil woman and bringing peace to the land. If you do not, there will be war and you will not be safe wherever you go. The enemy knows you now."
