Heroes of Westcrown

Game Master Moondragon Starshadow

You have heard that the famed director Robahl Nonon is preparing to begin casting of a very prestigious performance, but exactly what the performance is nobody knows. Hence, there are multiple local performers doing their best acts in one of the major intersections of Rego Scripa (“Scribes Sector”) in Westcrown to impress him in order to earn a slot at the casting call. You have decided to go meet Robahl Nonon and see what kind of performances people do to get the attention of such a widely regarded director.

The acts vary wildly, since nobody is sure what Robahl is going to direct. A pair of young men perform a spectacular sword fight. ”Terrible! What are you two pansies afraid of? A big scar would certainly improve both of your looks. No blood. Next!”

A trio of singers begin singing in harmony about the fall of Aroden. ”This isn’t a children’s theater. Wait, no, children shouldn’t even have to endure that crap. Next!”

A couple of acrobats begin tossing each other in the air using their own momentum. ”Hmm, trained monkeys I see. Ne..” Robahl stops before he finishes as one of the acrobats falls face first, breaking her neck. You hear the sudden crack, and the acrobat’s body goes limp. ”Hmm, get another partner, and come to my casting call at the Limehouse Theater in two weeks. Not sure you can do better than a trained monkey, but we’ll see. NEXT!”

You step up to do your audition.

”Hey, aren’t you the sister of the one that decided to commit suicide on stage? Well, get on with it, I’m already growing bored. If your performance is terrible, maybe you should follow in your sister's footsteps and save us all the trouble.”

What kind of performance are you going to do to impress the great and esteemed Director Robahl Nonon? Please be sure to make any appropriate rolls as you think are best suited. Please note Robahl Nonon is in the NPC section of the campaign info.

You are working at your shop (you should name your shop) and you've noticed that business has been slowing down lately. Some customers have been complaining of their neighbors being robbed and they are growing uneasy and not spending money on scrolls or translations.

In walks a very disturbing Asmodean Priest, while some guy in armor waits just outside your shop's door. In fact, you can tell he isn't your typical Asmodean Priest but from his lavish (un)holy symbol one of the leading priests at the Qatada Nessudida. You rarely get someone like him coming into your shop, since they usually do it themselves or at the temple. He doesn't say hello when he enters, but instead walks up to the counter and plops down a gigantic dusty book. "Make a runecurse based upon page 342, section D." He then firmly hands you a colorful parchment paper (think colored construction paper kids use in art class) and sets a bag on the counter. The bag makes a clink sound when dropped, obviously full of coins for advance payment. The priest simply looks at you and says, "I'll be back tomorrow at precisely 10 to pick up the runecurse and this book, which must remain undamaged. Do you have questions?"

Now, a runecurse, as I mentioned in my PM, is like a gift, that when taken summons a devil, usually for the purpose of destroying whomever holds the runecurse. While normally you prepare things for summoning devils for services, this is clearly an assassination service, and you have never done a runecurse before. Do you have any questions for the priest?

Hoping that role in a play by such a famous director could finally help her to rise above the shadow her sister's cast upon her, Phaedra hurries to the theater on the morning of casting. Dressed up in her best audition clothes and her lowest cut blouse, she hopes to get the attention of the famed director one way or another.

Phaedra nervously watches the other performers, trying her best not to look happy when the others failed since that meant there were still spots open in the play for her to try and get.

At the director's comment, her smile falters slightly as she bites back a comment of her own knowing that she can't afford to offend the man doing the hiring.

"I would like to give a demonstration of my acting abilities to a director of your caliber sir." And later I would love to give you a demonstration of my abilities at accidentally pushing someone down a long flight of stairs...

With a low curtsey to the director to show off her physical assets, Phaedra then launches into a dialogue from another play previously directed by Robhal and hopes that he will be impressed with both her skill and her familiarity with his previous works.

diplomacy to flatter and flirt 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 (+1 if charming trait applies)

acting 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

By the time the dialogue is done, Phaedra feels herself coated with a faint sheen of sweat, both from nerves and the glare of the stage lamps.

Giving another low curtsey, Phaedra stands still as she awaits whatever scathing comments the director sends her way.

I don't care what he says as long as I earn a spot in the show...

"Certainly, milord. Any other specifications that should be met? I take that you have a specific target in mind, so I wish to make sure that all is in order for the delivery."

Mr. Nonon rubs his cheek. "Um, yes, you do have a point Delour. So, Pheadra, you are better than your sister but I'm sorry, it was simply too boring. NEXT!"

As you walk off, you are amazed to see the one, the only, Thesling Umbero Ulvauld come towards you. (Everyone in Westcrown knows he is the best actor in Cheliax. He is incredibly famous.) He is well dressed and walks with a halfling slave on a leash with a spiked training collar covered in fresh blood. He bows and says, "That was truly an inspiring performance. It's too bad that Delour feels so unhinged because of that girl over there." He points towards a particular young woman in the crowd that you don't recognize. "But, I'm sure we can discuss this more at my residence without your garments." He reaches over and puts his hand on your buttocks while giving you a big smile. He tries to move you forward while yanking on the leash for his halfling slave to follow; the slave yelps quietly in pain from the pull but moves forward.

What would you like to do? You can go with Thesling (in which case we'll keep it PG-13) or choose not to go and speak with someone else. It doesn't seem like you got accepted into Mr. Nonon's play (whatever it is) despite your best efforts because of Delour's complaint. You can confront her, the strange woman in the crowd, or whatever you want to do really.

At the sound of the raised voice, an armored man enters with mace held high in one hand and says, "Is there a problem?" Behind the armored man stands a small halfling carrying some other items. The priest smiles at you and says, "So, do we have a problem? No? Good."

As he gets ready to leave, a young girl comes running up to the priest and says, "Daddy, a bad man in the market took my money!" The priest says, "Jamenez, let's go investigate. We can't have this going on in the streets of Westcrown, now can we?" He then proceeds to kick the halfling in the butt, commanding "Get a move on it you runt." They walk off towards the local market.

Given your local knowledge level, you know Jamenez is a local dottari lieutenant that is specifically tasked to one of the high priests rather than commanding a small unit of dottari. You also would know that Jemenez is a brute who pulverizes people for minor offenses. What do you want to do? You may follow them to the market to see what happens, or you can just work on the runecurse, or try to find out more information as making the runecurse won't take that long. Up to you really.

William looks at the book and then the parchment provided. After a few moments of internal conflict, his curiousity wins out, and he waits a moment before wanting to follow and get a sense of the people that have hired him.

"How long, Father, must we suffer under their hand? I know that I lack the strength now, but this act, my complicity in this is unbearable. My wish that I could summon the legions of heaven down, but I know that is more than any one man could hope for, at least one with so little power as myself. Please, I beg of you, this yoke is becoming much to unbearable. Show me how we can begin to destroy this foul system, and how we can rebuild something that would be even greater, something that would make you proud."

William quivers in his prayers, until by the end he is sobbing, shaking with emotion on the floor. He completely misses the soft flapping of wings, as a small thrush comes over to rest on his shoulder, preening his hair gently and whispering softly into his ear, trying to calm the young man down.

Your iron holy symbol begins to radiate magical power. On one side it is cold to the touch, on the other side it burns. It starts pulsing and in a flash the room burns into a blurry dream and you recognize that you are on the third plane of Hell known as Erebus, or at least having a vision of it. Indeed, there are untold fortunes all around you. As you try to take a look around, every time you try to take a closer non-blurry look at the treasures, they fade into this strange symbol. No matter what you try to look at and focus on, it always returns to the same strange symbol.

Soon, the vision fades and the holy symbol is neither freezing nor hot. You are actually unsure if you physically went to Erebus, or just had a vision. Even your telepathic link with your familiar is somehow confused. You've never seen a symbol like that.

What would you like to do? First, let me know if you are indeed going to make the runecurse for the priest. Otherwise, it's up to you what you'd like to do.

Her brief flash awe at such a famous actor deigning to speak to her is soon overcome by the disappointment that he is just like so many others in the business as his hand touches her rear.

He obviously is quite sure of himself and what my answer will be. Ah well, this is all part of the show business. I suppose I may as well consent to a little romp in the sheets with him as long as he can help my career and get me a spot in this secrete play. I am more than sure this will make everyone's career.

"I would be more than happy to discuss this at a more private location. I am sure that such an accomplished actor as yourself is full of wonderful advice at how such a less than experienced actress as myself could manage to get a spot in this play. Being is this play would mean the absolute world to me and I would be ever so grateful to whomever could help me."

Phaedra figures if one stars words can keep her out of the play, then perhaps another, more important stars words can get her back into the play. So she is going to play along with Thesling and see if she can get him willing to speak for her and get her a spot somewhere in the show.

So, you take a boat to the northern part of the island. As you've never been to the island, you are amazed at the the huge buildings and the artwork. The mansions along the street have small but well groomed gardens.

As you arrive at Thesling's house, you notice that it looks over a very large castle. "That's the Korradath. (it's #1 on the map) Impressive isn't it? It was once the great royal seat of the Cheliax empire. There's a rumor that there is a haunted dungeon below just to scare the common idiots on the mainland." Thesling waits at the door...then pulls out his riding crop and smacks the halfling, who then promptly opens the door for you. "You bumbling idiot, open the door faster next time." "Yes master."

As you enter, things progress as you might expect. You talk about your desire to be a famous actress, while he proceeds to undress you. What does surprise you is the lack of physicality of Thesling. The man is simply a wimp and hardly anything special. Indeed, he is one of the most below-average men you've encountered and is terrible and quick.

Once done, he quickly gets dressed. "I'm finished and starving. Time for you to leave. Oh, and, uhh, good luck with your auditions in the future. Oh yes, help....uh, don't do an audition where Delour performs, she's going to get that other girl killed in the play, she's so stupid she doesn't even know it." He walks off into another room and yells something; the halfling with a big red whelp on his left cheek comes in to assist you dressing. He whispers "I'm so sorry" to you with a small tear in his eye. Once you are dressed the Halfling shows you the way to the door, points at the direction of the dock. "You better hurry miss, it's going to be dark soon."

Realizing that it will be dark in about two hours, you start to panic, since you cannot under any circumstances be out at night and live for long. Indeed, the thought of being out at night surpasses any resentment you have of Thesling at this moment, as it's a matter of life or death.

You run to the dock that the Halfling pointed to and nobody is there. You then decide to run down the street in the opposite direction to another canal, and the captain of a boat is just closing up. You plead with him to take you back to shore, but he refuses.

Panic ensues as you've got about one hour left until the sun sets. At this point, you notice a half elf and a tall human woman looking at you with a strange look as if they are watching someone panicking (as you are). The half-elf says, "You look like you're stranded here. Need a lift? We were about to head back to the mainland, although we are going to a tavern that I own. It's not much but it's got a place to rest. You'll be safe there. My name is Ariel." He offers to shake your hand. The human woman just nods but doesn't give her name. A few minutes go by and a boat pulls up to the dock.

Okay, that's a long post. I will assume you get into the boat with them, as you basically don't have a choice other than to bang on Thesling's door and hope he lets you back inside for the night. Now's your chance to interact with the half-elf named Ariel and the woman without a name.

"Oh yes, please. Anywhere indoors is preferable to staying out here and even that would still be better than going back and knocking on that insufferable, underperforming twit's door."

Phaedra stands with them, nervously fidgeting as they wait for the boat to dock.

"Thank you again for your offer. My name is Phaedra by the way. Not that you would have heard of me yet though. I'm still just starting my career. I'm an actress you know."

Oh geez, why must I babble on when nervous? They are going to think I am some addle-brained nitwit.

A runecurse is particularly pleasing to many Chelish spellcasters as it is not only insidious, but is a way to strike at an enemy without the enemy realizing it. By cleverly integrating the runecurse into a gift, a spellcaster can give his enemy the runecurse without the enemy realizing it. Care must be taken not to use a runecurse against one who might be able to recognize the trap, though, for if the owner of a runecursed object can get another creature to accept the item as a gift, ownership is transferred and the devil will slay the new owner instead of the intended target. Tales of spellcasters who are tricked by their would-be victims into accepting re-gifted runecursed objects are quite popular in some circles.

The next day at precisely 10 o'clock the priest arrives and opens a box (with some strange carvings inside it), which allows you to place the scroll inside it. This box somehow protects him from "accepting" the object (a device I've just now created to solve the problem of how in the world he can take the runecurse from you, something I hadn't thought of until now). As you place the runecurse scroll into the box, you are teleported to a strange extra-dimensional plane where you see a few men and a woman wearing cloaks with that same strange symbol on it. They reach down to pick up this blue-colored scroll that you recognize as the scroll you created. Suddenly, a bone devil appears and slays the men and woman. You then see some kind of tiefling emerging...then you are suddenly as it began teleported back to your shop, where you are still holding the blue-parchment runecurse scroll and just about to put it inside the box.

The priest looks at you with a strange look. "If you wish to continue holding it, I'm sure my associate outside can cut off your hand easily enough."

As the days go by, you have strange dreams about the symbol, and you are having a hard time sleeping knowing that your runecurse is likely going to kill a few men and a woman. The stress becomes even worse as the city starts to fall into chaos with the Bastards of Erebus killing and stealing at night. Most of the shops around you close in fear, but you're too obsessed with your participation in this runecurse to worry about the Bastards of Erebus. You start drinking at the local bar, known as the Bruised Eel. The bartender, a female gnome named Yakopulio, is always chatty and willing to listen to your strange stories. She's a nice gal, but seems a bit more critical of the church of Asmodeus than the locals in the bar.

Finally, after the Bastards of Erebus are gone, you notice that Yakopulio is serving drinks with napkins with the same strange symbol on them. She notices you staring at the symbol. Yakopulio says, "What's the matter William? Is that the symbol you say you saw? I might know some people who know some people who can introduce you to folks who might wear it, if you get my drift."

The Bruised Eel is #31 on the map, and is well known establishment for the "working class" folks to swap tales and rumors. The gnome is well known as one of the better drink mixers and great conversationalist, as she seems to know a lot about everything going on in the city.

Ariel says, "Oh, an actress just starting out huh? Well, you're still alive, so you must be halfway decent. They often kill those who don't make the cut. My wife was actually watching some auditions today on the mainland while I was here with my guest on the island. She was there to meet with a few folks. Did you get to talk with her? Her name is Janiven."

The tall woman looks back and forth at Ariel and you without saying anything along the trip, but she is carrying with her quite a bit of supplies of books and parchments. Every time you look at her, she simply smiles then looks away into the water. The rowers of the boat make good time and you arrive on the mainland, with the sun nearly to set. Finally the woman says, "I'm so happy to finally have met a pleasant actress. I can't believe we went the entire trip without you complaining. I'm glad to have met your acquaintance." Ariel nods in agreement. "You're more than welcome to come to the Vizio Tavern for the night."

As you arrive at Vizio's Tavern, a woman comes up and kisses Ariel. She looks at you and says, "OH MY GOD IT'S YOU! I saw you today perform, very well done! Did you actually go off with Thesling? What's he like? Did you go to his house? What's it like? What's he like? Is he nice in private or is he still a jerk?"

As you stay the night and talk and drink (since it's a tavern), they begin to tell you that they think something is wrong with the city and things that led your sister to commit suicide is just more evidence at how warped society has become, and they would like to know if they can count on you as you become a famous actress that could be a positive influence, as most actors are clearly abusing their wealth and fame.

Feel free to ask anything of Janiven, Ariel or the woman with no name.

Phaedra frowns when Janiven asks about Thesling. "He is still a jerk and doesn't care about telling someone to leave his house when they haven't a way to get back to their home before nightfall. I am very lucky that Ariel and his friend were kind enough to give me a ride on their boat and invited me here."

Phaedra has a few glasses of wine as the night goes on and spends some time complaining about the unfairness of the current famous actors being able to dictate who can and can't perform in plays based on whims and goes on to state: "If I do ever make a name for myself in this business, you can be sure that I would be fair and judge people for their talents and would certainly never take advantage of anyone by making false offers of help in return for "favors". Also I would certainly never plan to do away with someone. Thesling mentioned that the actress that ruined my chances for the play was planning on doing away with that other pretty young actress who did manage to get a part. I guess she felt threatened by her talent."

Phaedra shakes her head sadly. "I would try to warn her, but coming from me it would only seem like I am trying to get her to drop out of the play to take her place. I wouldn't blame her at all for thinking that though, since I do really want a part in it."

Also while drinking, Phaedra attempt to learn the name of the other woman that she shared the boat ride with. She will likely ask Janiven since she seems rather friendly.

Janiveen invites you to come to a meeting of (k)Night's Bane the next day. She takes you to the old Shrine of Aroden (#42 on the map, a tourist attraction now more than a shrine) and leads you underground. You are there with probably 15 other people. Ariel eventually shows up with an older woman.

Please read THIS POST and THIS POST along with some of the follow-up posts; eventually you follow the "plan" and so you end up at THIS POST. This is where we will begin our adventure for book 2. This concludes your prelude. While you may not know it, this prelude contains something that will be useful to you later in the game.

Janiven is disappointed in your responses about Thesling. "You know, I always try to think that there is some good in everyone. Crazy, I know, but Thesling is perhaps beyond redemption. I sometimes think he isn't evil per se, but that he simply doesn't think about those beneath him. I doubt he even realized the risk he put you in when he asked you to leave." Ariel objects saying, "No, he knew what he was doing. I'm sorry you went through that, but ever since the mayor...oh excuse me, the LORD MAYOR Aberian Arvanxi has put such a high value on acting and performances, the actors and directors in this city have become drunk on their fame and fortune."

The woman with no name asks, "What play were they auditioning for?" Janiven replies, "That's the strange thing. When I was there, none of the actors know. I don't even think Robahl Nonon knows. There were no lines to read or specific parts to cast." The strange woman shakes her head. "I certainly hope it's not what I suspect. If it is, you're lucky Phaedra for not participating. That play was banned several hundred years ago because of how deadly it was. Most of the actors kept dying, and thus despite how popular it was with the audience, they ran out of actors who began to openly preach about how wrong it was. It led to a mild revolution." She stares off at the ceiling for a moment, then continues, "No, sorry, I'm just pontificating about things I research. Nobody would be dumb enough to restart it. I'm just the kind of person who always thinks about the worse case scenario. Don't mind me."

The night passes at Vizio's Tavern, and Ariel and Janiven are very good hosts, and they say that they hope they can call you a friend once you become a famous actress.

A week or two goes by and the city plunges into chaos as the Bastards of Erebus rob and kill people at night (which is impossible, since you can't get around the city at night ans survive). Work is basically impossible to get during this time, as nobody is interested in hiring an aspiring actress, even as a waitress (which is what all aspiring actresses seem to be). You then hear about a group of people known as (k)Night's Bane who ended up defeating them and the city returns to normal. You notice that when people bring up (k)Night's Bane, they seem to refer to THIS SYMBOL.

Shortly thereafter, you receive a letter from Ariel and Janiven, suggesting that they believe they found an opening in an upcoming play for you, and urge you to come to a meeting at a famous tourist attraction: the old Shrine of Aroden (#46 on the map). The letter is signed and has that same symbol on the back of the letter. Clearly, Janiven and Ariel are affiliated with this group.

You arrive at the shrine and Janiven is there outside. While touring the shrine, she motions for you to come with her behind the "employees only" door and removes a rug and opens a hatch. You climb down and find a group of about 15 or so folks gathered in this secret hideaway under the shrine. Ariel isn't there, but Janiven tells you he's coming and there's a plan that will lead you to a big acting job.

Please read THIS POST and THIS POST and some of the follow-up posts. Eventually you follow the "plan" and so you end up at THIS POST. This is where we will begin our adventure for book 2. This concludes your prelude. While you may not know it (or you probably do know it), this prelude contains something that will be useful to you later in the game.