Dave Wood's

Campaign

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Adventures

Introduction ... the Black Book

It is Flamerule, 1359 Dalereckoning, one year following the Year of Shadows and the Time of Troubles. The Time of Troubles began when a plot between Bane and Myrkul was formed to steal the Tablets of Fate from Ao, the great creator (and God among Gods).

The Dead Three and the Black Book

With the aid of Mask and Bhaal, their plot was sucessful and the Tablets were stolen! Once Ao discovered the tablets were missing, and not knowing who the real culprits were, he punished all of the Gods. They were ejected from their lofty positions in the heavens and were forced to live as mortals until the Tablets were returned. As the Gods walked Færûn in their mortal forms, a rouge named Cyric killed the Gods Bane (God of Strife), Myrkul (God of Death) and Bhaal (God of Murder). Once the Tablets of Fate were returned to Ao, Cyric ascended to godhood adopting the three portfolios of the slain gods. In response, many worshipers of 'the dead three' joined together to worship this usurper, Cyric. However, not all shared these sentiments... There were some who still worshipped the dead Gods.

A priest of Myrkul discovered a book that was thought to be penned by Bane himself. Known as the Black Book, it is rumoured that the passages within prove that ascendancy obtained by Cyric was done unjustly. Its true purpose is an incantation written by Bane himself, that would petition Ao to return the stolen portfolios of the dead gods. Reading the penmanship of a God will surely drive any mortal to insanity, but that didn't stop a small group of fanatical followers known as the Company of the Black Hand. Led by the priest of Myrkul, accompanied by soldiers of Bane and elite assassins of Bhaal, they have found the book they have long been searching for.

The Order of the Golden Lion was established by the Church of Torm to find this evil band and vanquish their plot to ressurect the dead three. Led by Warden Simon, this band consisted of many knights and men-at-arms. Brother Dromar left the Monestary of the Yellow Rose high in the Earthspur mountains to aid this noble purpose. Elhana, a sylvan elf served as a guide through Cormanthor, the elven wood.

Their pursuit brought them first to Scardale. One of the eleven modern Dales, Scardale is bordered by Sembia in the south, Featherdale in the west, Harrowdale in the north and the Dragon Reach to the east. It is well known for the deep gorge from which it takes its name. Unfortunately, Scardale is a broken land. In 1356 DR, their Lord, Lashan, attempted to claim the title King of the Dales and set about annexing his neighbors. He was repulsed by a combined army composed of soldiers from the Dales, Sembia, Cormyr and even Zhentil Keep and Hillsfar. When Lashan was finally defeated, Sembia briefly attempted to annex the Dale, but the other members of the alliance cajoled them into leaving it be. It is now an occupied land, as Cormyr, Zhentil Keep, Sembia and the Dales still patrol the streets of its capital.

von Danzig

Herzog von Danzig, the son of a rich merchant from Cormyr, was responsible for leading the attack against Lashan. After the siege, von Danzig was charged with overseeing the once beautiful capital city and turned the war-torn metropolis into a prospering trading port. The people of Scardale petitioned to have the city renamed in Danzig's honour, which was met with approval by all. The Black Hand were tracked to that area, so the Order of the Golen Lion sought the Herzog's assistance. During the night, some soldiers of Torm were murdered in the local inn, the handiwork of Bhaal's assasins. Pursuit led the party to the local cemetary where a diabolical ceremony was taking place. There was a confrontation with the Order of the Black Hand, but not before the mad priest animated horses from the grave, mounted the hellish steeds and flew off into the night.

Pursuit in the morning was led by von Danzig himself; the battle-scarred veteran would not have it any other way. The group travelled north up the Dragon Reach to a lighthouse. Speaking with the keeper, the group discovered that he had seen the beasts flying further north where an old temple of Myrkul was rumoured to be, deep within a swamp.

Entering the swamp was tough going, but with the aid of the elven ranger they eventually were able to track the Black Hand. Entering an ancient temple dedicated to all three evil Gods, the party feared they were too late, as the mad priest was discovered mid-ceremony. A massive combat ensued and ended when Brother Dromar knocked the insane cleric of Myrkul from his platform, splitting his head open on the cold stone floor.

Almost as if in slow motion, an inky blackness erupted from the shattered priest's head filling the entire room and enveloping everyone within...