Northern Strife, Part 1

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Campaigns: Slaadi Invasion | Northern Strife | Heroes & Traitors | Hollows | Black as Pitch | Air Islands of Nack | BUFD Wars

Northern Strife: Part 1 | Part 2 The Northern Strife Adventure Arc, Part 1 (DMed by David W.) The first part in the Northern Strife campaign storyline. A group of adventurers tries to discover the mysterious behind the Diamond Rose and the everlasting winter in Bottenhavet.

For character info, go here.

Introduction: “The Northern Strife”
Date: TH 10057, December 4, Kordus

Welcome to the realm of Bottenhavet: A harsh world of endless winter and constant dangers. Much has gone on in the rest of Aleen-gha over several millennia, but many have long forgotten about this ancient and isolated region in the far north whose civilized culture with barbaric tendencies serve to play out the everlasting ebb and flow of war and peace between its various tribes and cities.

In the year TH 10057, war has yet again broken out between the human central city-state of Sjobo and the Draernic Dwarves, who have long had a weary relationship. The Dwarven Lord Tagnar was assassinated on September 4, and for three months the fighting has raged. The assassination has led to various accusations, but has provided ample excuse to start a war.

Tagnar’s two twin nephews, brothers Hraphin and Bromis, known as the Firebeards, have also been rumored to have slain their own uncle, as they are now both fighting for royal sovereignty through sly and conniving means. Brostre of Sjobo in the meantime has strictly prohibited all dwarves from within the city walls and many of them as a result have been sent to the frigid Roanac Prison or have otherwise been exiled. Many petty thieves and criminals of various sorts also reside within these icy walls.

Each of the adventurers have been sent to Roanac for various reasons, either for being a dwarf or for being accused of a crime, whether you are innocent or not.

For several weeks they have all been residing within the same cell alongside another inmate, Haazi, a beautiful human girl, who seems to have connections which might be useful to them...

Episode 1: “Escape from Roanac”
Date: TH 10057, December 4, Kordus

In prison, Haazi made a deal with the heroes in exchange for their freedom: Find a diamond shard hidden within the ruins known as Daeza. The supposed treasures of these ruins added extra incentive for this mission other than the heroes' freedom from Roanac. Through Haazi's influence with a particular guard, Trib, the adventurers managed to escape the dungeons of Roanac after fighting past several guards. The heroes made their way through the wilderness of Bottenhavet and found the ruins two days later.

Notes: The heroes were ambushed while camping, but they managed to fight through it. Petru, being a bit chaotic for his own good, nearly lost his life on that fateful night, but was fortunately healed by both Kathm and Icarium.

Episode 2: “Exploring Daeza”
Date: TH 10057, December 7, Iounus

After exploring and retrieving the diamond shard, the party emerged from the ruins to find that both Trib and Haazi had been tied up by two elven archers and a dragonborn knight, who identified himself as Bhajan. He promptly commanded the party to hand over the shard. After refusing, battle ensued. The party barely managed to survive and emerge victorious in the battle, slaying Bhajan and causing the elves to flee.

The heroes attempted to hide the diamond shard from Haazi and Trib for a time, but eventually showed them the artifact. In exchange for this artifact, Trib and Haazi agreed to escort the party to Sjobo, but were unable to enter with them, however, due to an unfavorable reputation with the Sjobian officials.

Notes: While exploring the ruins at Daeza, the heroes find an ancient journal that still had a few legible entries. The journal was written by an old and famous archaeologist named Suj Harrener.

Episode 3: “Entering Sjobo”
Date: TH 10057, December 11, Sehaninus

The party made it to the gates of Sjobo and received a map of the city within the first district. After moving to the slum step and spending the night in the Arse of Bottenhavet, the party then began making their way towards the library step, but were stopped by a band of guards, headed by a man named Wanev, who had been involved in the capture of Petru. Wanev was killed in this battle.

Afterward, the party headed to the Sjobo Library in order to find out more possible information on Suj Harrener. While researching the life and works of Suj Harrener, the heroes found a few interesting excerpts, including his theory on the ancient climate of Bottenhavet. Also, there was an ancient artifact made of diamond that he had been looking for. Apparently, it was carved up into several different pieces but when put back together it could lead to apocalyptic disaster. Notes: Petru has already made an unfavorable name for himself in Sjobo and has already been confronted by Wanev, the Sjobian official in charge of finding and capturing Petru. Petru and the other heroes killed him, however.

Episode 4: “Jobs for Cabbage”
Date: TH 10057, December 13, Iounus

Looking to make some coin, the heroes met up with the gnome Cabbage in the Residential Step after seeing her ad posted in the "Arse of Bottenhavet." Cabbage paid them to go to the sewers and clear out the otyughs that have been making a mess and killing children who wandered in there. After completing the task and earning their reward, Cabbage offered them another job -- to find and exterminate a merchant band that had been dealing vegetables along with other supplies to a tiefling named Amiri. Amiri and Cabbage have long been opponents in the vegetable market and Amiri had recently been threatening Cabbage with her life and her garden. Along with that, Amiri has also set up several lucrative businesses in and around Sjobo and has become a well renowned businessman as well as conjurer in the Industry Step of Sjobo. The party ambushed the merchants and invaded Amiri's estate. Amiri died in the resulting battle.

Notes: Petru was slain by Amiri himself during their encounter. The heroes found a very interesting note in Amiri's estate which described a group called the Order of the Diamond Rose and also mentioned an old "friend" of theirs, Haazi.

Sections: Main | Campaigns | Characters | NPCs | Locales | Culture | History | Artifacts | Maps

Campaigns: Slaadi Invasion | Northern Strife | Heroes & Traitors | Hollows | Black as Pitch | Air Islands of Nack | BUFD Wars

Northern Strife: Part 1 | Part 2