- 1. Shepherds of the Dead
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Dominion of the Crow 890 AD
- Intro:
-
The word has spread quickly as it does in the Underlight. Soon it became a topic of discussion at every corner. In all the city parts and even the Guts, the citizens of Underlight were talking about a strange request from the Crone – revered leader of the Sisterhood of the Feathers. Religious group whose purpose was to take care of the dead in accordance to will of the Crow – Guardian of Death.
The Crone offered a reward to those that would resolve an issue at the Crow‘s Garden. And as a part of the reward, one would be considered as a Carrier for the Eye of the Crow during the upcoming Festival of Light. Now that was something very tempting. Each Guardian had an magical artifact – the Eye – stored in the Cathedral. These were held by the Carriers for the final day and night of the Festival. The Church of the Nine provided the Eyes to those that were chosen and did great deeds in the name of the Guardians. Even though most people think that the priests rather pick the ones who showed their devotion with a pouch full of Rainballs.
But Eye of the Crow was an exception. It was to be decided by the Sisterhood rather than Church who would carry it. And nobody would be able to bribe the good sisters. The Sisterhood was loyal to their faith in a way that could be considered a zealotry.
No, the sisters picked a Carrier who was in the eyes of the Crow worth the honour.
Now, to be Carrier meant much more than just to be paraded during the Festival by Church. Carriers would join the Great Feast at the table of the King Starlight and afterwards upon returning the Eyes into the Cathedral, each Carrier would be granted an audience with the King.
For the King to give ears to the common folk, that was something unheard of except for this occasion. Citizens of Underlight would have to go to the Nobles of their district and hope they would convey the message to the King. Which actually didn‘t happen very often.
The Carrier could have one request during the audience and by tradition King would fullfil it if was reasonable.
This was why it was so sought out to be a Carrier. A fair amount of Carriers had their lives changed for the better after the audience. The King would give them means to start their bussiness or get the best healers of the Underlight to cure a member of Carrier‘s family or Carrier would be granted access to the research materials not allowed for public. A newborn Honeydew for example was given his own piece of land in the Meadow where he built his own farm.
The chance of becoming a Carrier was very tempting for everyone.
Yet... dealing with the Sisters was not something that a lot of citizens would like to do. One could not shake off the feeling that they are calculating how big grave they would need for you each time they were near. For many it was beyond uncomfortable to be near them. Their faces always behind the masks of crows. Large black glass instead of eyes and the beak pointing towards you as a reminder that each second you were closer and closer to your inevitable demise.
And those that were willing to push through the uncomfortable feeling would at least wait till the White Passage. Doing anything risky on the Black Dominion of the Crow? The most famous unlucky day of the year when most deaths and injuries are happening? Well, that would be just asking for it.
It seemed the Crone would have to wait till next day for someone to take on the task. In the end, who would be so desperate or stupid to tempt the fate on this day? Especially when the subject of the task was to search for the missing corpses. On the blackest of days, one could easily become a missing corpse as well.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Fini
- Demi
- Saule
- 2. Festivities
- Name:
- Date:
- White Passage of the Crow 890 AD
- Intro:
- The first day of the Festival of Light was here! The whole Underlight was celebrating and the streets were filled with various stalls and craftsmen trying to take advantage of the festive mood. The same went for the various of pickpockets who could easily remain unseen in the crowd. The first day of the Festival was usually the most popular right after the very last which marked the end of the Festival and beginning of a new year.
It was also today that the great mass was being held in the Cathedral for the public by the Hierophant Numinus VIII. Himself. Traditionally the Starlight family was also part of it and so the common folk could see from the distance their king – Polaris Starlight.
The large amount of joyful activities and available free fun drew into the street large amount of people, even those that normaly stay inside most of the time. Many shops remained closed and criminality raised as a response to crowded streets and empty houses. The Watchmen were being extra vigilent to minimize the damage.
Captain of the Day Watch Kilroy Ironwill, the firstborn son of the general Dagnar Ironwill, let himself heard, that he would watch carefuly the scum crawling onto the light from the dankened depths and that the innocent had nothing to fear while his men were in streets.
Captain of the Night Watch Lynx Pyreheart said in response that the innocent had everything to fear, mostly from the guilty. And that her job was to give the guilty something to fear as well.
What she didn‘t say but thought very loudly was, that the innocent should also be wary around the people saying things like: „Innocent have nothing to fear.“
Assured of their safety, the citizens of the Underlight entered the streets to partake on the festivities.
- Player characters:
- 3. Crime and Punishment
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Passage of the Crow 890 AD
- Intro:
-
Being the ruler of the underworld had many perks. The criminals would pay you a fee for doing their dirty work on your turf, each plea would come with generous gift and nobody would dare to speak bad about you. At least not whensomebody could hear. It was pretty similar to how royalty lived, only a bit dirtier.
Upstairs they called it taxes, here it was protection fee. Same thing, just different crowd. And people paid for the same reason. They didn‘t want any trouble. Didn‘t want a group of armed mencome looking for them. If anything the criminal underworld was more honest. That was at least they way the current queen of the underworld looked at it.
Old Molly Rat was the matriarch of theRodentians living in the Underlight and as such she also was the sovereign of all thiefs, smugglers, drug dealers and murderers. Whetherthey liked it or not. Her rule over the Guts was unquestionable. Who would dare to ask questions to hundreds of ratmen anyway?
But sometimes somebody thought that there could be someone better. Somebody who wasn‘t a Rodentian. Somebody like them for instance. And if they survived long enough to nurture this thought and knew how to put very dangerous ideas to other people‘s heads, they mighteven try to change the natural order of things.
Of course people often needed right motivation to get excited for thecause. But in a place like Guts and with people like these, the motivation was usually very simple. Rainballs, food, Spore andalcohol were a good start. But nothing could beat a nice portion of hatred spread over a large chunk of racism...
-
Molly calmly finished her breakfast made of fresh fruits despite the loud noise coming from the outside of her chambers. When done, she watched through the window as her grandchildren carried out corpses of the assassins. Human corpses.
Old Molly Rat slowly put on her jewels, slipped into robe and rang a bell. It seemed it was once again time to remind those smoothskins who runs the show down here.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Lorian
- Vi
- 4. Harvest
- Name:
- Date:
- Orange Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
Lady Madelia Meadow was looking at the strange metal construction. She was not sure why she ever agreed to this. Cole, that crazy old rodentian engineer who was helping around the farm with the repairs, said he had found a schematic that would help with the work on the farm. Machines doing a job of the people. She didn‘t like it one bit. In life one could trust only his own hands, sweat and blood. That was how things got done. By hard work of common folk.
But nobody could say she wouldn‘t give a man chance to prove himself. Even if it was half-blind rodentian trying to build a mechanical monstrosity with the blueprints found in his late father‘s belongings. Prove your worth, if you want others to recognise it. Don‘t talk about your ideas, get down into the mud and get your hands dirty. And Cole did just that. Brought all that junk over from the Guts, worked on it in the barn for multiple days in row to build that thing. And now he said he was finished and ready to show it off.
Farmers and other workers were just as skeptical about it. She heard them making fun of Cole, yet she could sense they were kinda rooting for him too. Everyone loves underdog. People would make jokes yet hoping for something fantastic.
And it wouldn‘t be the people if they didn‘t blabber about it all over the city. Gossip was being spread and now there was a whole crowd waiting for the show. Didn‘t they have anything better to do? There was always a work to be done. If they couldn‘t find one, then they were not looking hard enough. Instead of doing something productive they were frolicking about, climbing on the fences and being a general annoyance to the whole farm.
Lady Madelia Meadow put her hat on and headed towards the crowd to yell some sense into them. Cole better not blew them all up. That would require a whole lot of work to clean up and she didn‘t have time for that.
- Player characters:
- 5. The Fine Print
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
A deal is a deal. The law is speaking clearly. And whoever finds himself on the receiving end of either of them, must expect consequences. Especially when those consequences are powered by the people of influence. Few rainballs here, some words there and soon the case is clear. You are brought in the chains in front of the judge who have already decided your fate before he even saw you. This is how the system works. Gears spin in the machine, oiled by the greed and false righteousness. Those caught in them are mercilessly crushed. You would do better to learn it soon and stay clear of any arrangements. Don‘t let the long arm of justice caught you. And never ever sign a deal with a snake-eyed man.
- Player characters:
- 6. Raiders of the Lost Ruin
- Name:
- Date:
- Green Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
The Guild of Travelers was not usually organizing any journeys into the Caverns during the Festival. Yet for the last few days citizens of the Underlight could read on their noticeboard that one was about to happen. On the Green Passage in the attempt to discover new ruins not far from the city. The leader of the expedition was asking for the volunteers outside of the Guild. One might wonder why members of the Guild wouldn‘t join, but maybe it was better not to know. The expeditions were always as lucrative as they were dangerous and uncertainty was to be expected. The leader of this particular expedition was named Garret Copperspoon and all who wanted to join him were to gather at 6:00 by the Guild of Travelers with departure being shortly after that. All who were interested were to bring their own equipment and be prepared for anything.
It didn‘t happen everyday that Guild offered outsiders to join them. It was deffinitely tempting proposition. The riches, rare materials and glimmers could catch the eye of anyone brave enough to dare the danger. The idea of venturing outside the city was also nothing to overlook. Many of the citizens would never see outside of the city. It would be adventure of a lifetime for many of them. It might also shorten the lenght of the said life but you only live once, right?
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Vi
- Gerd
- Fini
- Demi
- Garret
- Isabel
- 7. Spirit Hunt
- Name:
- Date:
- Turquoise Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
With the Festival of Light in progress the guard duty at the gate was becoming almost boring. Except for the yesterday‘s exception, nobody was leaving or entering the city. Soldiers were mostly half asleep or playing Rainfall as a passtime.
The bigger was the suprise when the watchmen announced a stranger at the gates. When guards opened the gate, they found an Illuminated woman out of breath. Her green hair that were raising in the middle of her head only to be cut short on the sides and below her neck was a glowing mark of turquoise color resembling burning wings. It was so strange to the guards that this moment of confusion gave woman enough time to catch her breath and yell at the guards.
„I need access into the city. I am of the Grazer tribe and searching for a castaway named Saule who lives here. I need to talk to him immediately!“
Shaman of the Apex tribe was gazing into the blue fire. His eyes wide opened, staring at the flames without blinking. After a while he put a metal lid on the fire and the darkness swallowed him.
„The girl has reached the city of the Faint Ones. What should we do, the Bright One?“ whispered shaman.
A beam of silver light covered the body of shaman who felt to the ground, overwhelmed by the presence around him. When the light went away, he stood up still shaking.
„It will be done.“ he whispered to the darkness of his hut. The marks on his body were emanating a steady silver glow.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Seul
- Isabel
- Garret
- 8. The Price of Knowledge
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
Knowledge. It was a privilige of the nobles and wealthy. Common people could barely afford to learn how to read and write. The university which offered the best possible education was an expensive institute that was opened only to better people. Few exceptions were granted a scholarship if they convinced the Board or Archmage himself. But such cases were rare.
Alberto was often thinking about the injustice of it all. There were a lot of gifted children born to the poor parents who couldn‘t give them the opportunity to grow. Without the education they would have to do menial tasks, becoming more and more dull and hollow. Not having the education meant they would never have money to give education to their children. Thus creating a cycle of staleness.
But it was not only that. Alberto‘ve seen how children inherited job and purpose of their parents. Children of poor remained the poor. Daughter of the servant would become servant. Son of a hunter would become a hunter. This concept of labels which would stick with you because of who you were born to, despite who you could be or wanted to be, predetermined your life. It made Alberto shiver.
So many great minds, so many skilled hands that were never given a chance to show the world what was in them. So many hollow souls eaten from inside.
It was not loss only to the individual lives, but also to the whole society who missed on the possibilities these people could bring to everyone. While rainballs allowed children of the rich to get a title without learning anything. Just a title on a door.
It would be a slow process to change this. And one could never change the system alone. But if one person could help several others. Then some of them could do the same for more. And those could help even more. And maybe some of those would eventually get to high places. Helping to slowly change how the city perceived its citizens. Over the decades few small pebbles could start an avalanche.
A small stuffed ball flew past Alberto‘s face and laughter filled the classroom. That noise ended Alberto‘s thoughts and made him look over grinning faces of children. He chuckled and resumed his lecture.That was enough of daydreaming for today. It was time to improve lives of few little pebbles.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Fini
- Demi
- Vi
- Lorian
- 9. Whisperer in the Dark
- Name:
- Date:
- Purple Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
The rain was getting stronger. No living person could remember when it was raining during the Festival of Light last time. Or if ever. The fires were addorned with little roofs so they would not be extinguished. The spirit of festival was kept no matter the surprising occurence.
Since rain was such a rare occasion, many were taking it as a sign of a good fortune. Happily strolling through streets, jumping into puddles and drinking hot bewerages offered by the clever merchants. But some people knew too well than to believe in a good luck brought by rain.
In Guts, it meant serious trouble. The water levels in the sewers were raising and the ancient mechanism who managed the flow was acting strange. Some paths were completely unaccesible while others opened for a first time in years. It was dangerous to enter the deep sewers at these times and even Harunts were staying holed up deep in their lair protected by the whirpool of Great Gutter untill the waters would calm down again.
While most people in Guts only got their feet wet. Those that found home in the various holes breaching all the way into the deep sewers, faced a real danger of floods. Yet there were some that willingly risked their lives by going into the dangerous waterworks as the tales were told of treasure chambers being accesible during the times of rain. Halls that were usually cut off by the water and ancient mechanism could be reached by someone with great luck and lack of self preservation. And if Guts had something of plenty, it was those that had nothing to lose.
Harunts didn‘t go searching for these treasures though. They would rather stay put, eating mushrooms and mold from the walls of their lair, than try to walk the roads of their dark little kingdom during such times.
They‘ve heard too many weird sounds comming from these secluded parts of sewers. And now that the way was cleared for treasure hunters to get in, the source of those sounds could get out as well.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Garret
- Isabel
- 10. Intermezzo: The Voice of the Waters
- Name:
- Date:
- Purple Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
Water clan of Rodentia always had a special connection with this life giving liquid. Nobody else could so surely predict its course or determine how safe it was to drink it.
The connection remained with the clan even after the fall of the Rodentian Empire and that was a reason why so many of them prefered to stay close to it in the Guts.
Kai of the Water clan felt the need for water even more since his incident. In the darkness surrounding him, he could still feel it on his fur, smell it in the air and hear it‘s bubbling voice.
Others watched him staring into the river with his unseeing eyes as if it was the only thing strong enough to pierce through the veil of his injury.
He wasn‘t much of a talker before and nowadays he was even more quiet, so when he spoke without being asked first, it came to Gerd as a surprise. He was staring at the ceiling and Gerd wondered if she just imagined it. But then he said it again, still glaring upwards.
„Take me to the rain.“
- Player characters:
- 11. Intermezzo: RSVP
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
The last day of Festival is here. The day when lights above Underlight go dark and flames are lit at every part of the city. Yet this year the usual warm atmosphere of the festival have to fight with the rain. Fires in the streets have to be covered, torches placed below roofs and instead of roaring bonfires there are baskets of dim embers.
But this won‘t stop people from enjoying the most important day of the year. People are filling the dark streets, preparing for the great ceremony taking place in the evening. And after that, the feast. But not only the nobles and important people who get to sit at the king‘s table are about to enjoy a bounty of meals and drinks. Multiple other parties are being held across the city. Private and public both. Some are being kept small with the closest of friends or family and some are made for the whole district.
And then there are some, that are secret. Held at hidden locations by strange people. The end of the year and the anniversary of the Descent is enough occasion for the weirdest of communities to hold their own ceremonies for their members. Some of these are even inviting guests on the occasion.
It‘s a good way to bring in some fresh blood.
- Player characters:
- 12. Stay under the Light
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Passage of the Crow 890
- Intro:
-
The Descent: A historical event that marks the beginning of modern era for the humanity.
Even though the written records from time before Descent are non-existent, our oldest scrolls talk about the surface before humanity had to escape into the caves to some extent. There was no ceiling above the ground, but instead a thing called „Sky“. The Sky was confirmed by the expeditions to still be present above the surface. The Sky is a large empty space and we do not know if it expands for eternity or if there is a ceiling somewhere.
Some theories for the so called „Sky Ceiling“ are the objects that are supposed to hang in the Sky. The most important one is the Sun, which dissappearance was the main reason for the relocation of humanity below the surface. The Sun could have been see above the land during the day. It gave warmth and light to the surface. Similarly to the Lights of Underlight. On the other hand the „Moon“ could have been seen during the night and was much less efficient with both light and warmth so the surface dwellers had to find shelter during the night similarly to us today.
When the dissappearance of the Sun occured, the temperature was getting lower with each day. This destroyed most sources of food and caused large amount of deaths because of exposure. The humanity was on the brink of extinction. It was at this time that original Carriers appeared, bringing the words and will of the Guardians in a form of magical artifacts called the Eyes. Talking about salvation below the ground, they were gathering people around them. Those who would follow them were brought to the Entrance of the Caves.
Then descending deeper into the caves until they‘ve arrived into the Underlight. Here they‘ve met with the Guardians who welcomed them into the city and gave them many gifts. The most important one was the city itself and knowledge about it. The Guardians thus saved the humanity from the certain death on the surface.
The role that the Carriers‘ve played was of the great importance and as a reward they‘ve been touched by the Guardians marking them and their kind forever. Before the physical forms of Guardians have left the Underlight they had named the Carriers rulers of the city with the one touched by the Morningstar to stand above them all. And thus the Noble houses and Sisterhood of the Feathers were created.
To this day we honor the Carriers during the Festival of Light when the temporary Carriers are chosen by the will of the Guardians and each given the Eye untill the end of the festival. They join the Nobles for the feast, symbolizing the guidance and presence of the Guardians in the Underlight.
-excerpt from „the Origin“ by Ramus Bookworm
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Vi
- Lorian
- Garret
- Seul
- Gerd
- 13. Into the Woods
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The forest of red color was covering most of view to the west of the new settlement. Trees with red leaves were standing high up to about 50 meters. When the sun was shining through the branches, it was as if the forest was on fire and ground between it and settlement was covered in blood.
During the night the forest was mostly quiet but during the day, occasional loud cracking sound could be heard from it, similar to petards that were used during celebrations in the Underlight.
Living relatively close to it, survivors were hoping there were no dangerous creatures that would be tempted to wander too close to the settlement. And even though the first night was calm, the guards could swear something was watching them from between the trees.
Better go and introduce yourselves to the neighbours.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Vi
- Lorian
- Garret
- Gerd
- 14. Settling in
- Name:
- Date:
- Orange Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The things were set in motion. Prince Regent had spoken to the people. In his speech he informed about the possibilites that forest offered. About the game that could feed you, about the stone pillars that could be used to build houses and strange cracking fruits which insides taste like hazelnuts. But he also spoken of the importance to be careful. About the being guarding the forest that allowed them to take stone but to leave the trees alone. About the predators imitating the sound of cracking fruit and warned about going there after the dark as the forest was not properly explored yet and the lack of light could lure out some other creatures that could be dangerous.
„This world has a great potential. It is vast and filled with many riches. But we are the newcomers here, unbeknown of the rules and threats. We must advance slowly and with precaution. We do not want to start any unnecessary fights. We‘ve already lost so much and the most precious things we could loose now are our lives. So I ask you to heed my warnings and to follow the instructions of the army and the nobles. I promise you that with patience and cooperation we will be each day closer to making this place into a home.“
Most people were too tired or scared to trully react, but overall the speech was met with a positivity.
Somewhere from among the group of rodentians two old eyes were glaring at the prince with interest.
„The winds of change are blowing...“
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Seul
- Fini
- Demi
- 15. Building Tomorrow
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The speech of Prince Regent was long and full of positivity. Not everyone was happy with the announcements, but most were looking forward to a bit of peace among the people.
„...we cannot stand divided. No matter what the differences were in the Underlight, we are now living under one sun and we face the challenges of this unknown world together. We should remember how valuable the mutual help can be. In the past Rodentians helped us defeat the Tyrant – usurper to the throne and we welcomed them into our city after Rodentia fell. Today we will create our new home together. Not a human settlement with Rodentians in it, but home for all citizens of Underlight. A place where everyone can be proud of their ancestry but is first and foremost a member of the community of equal value as anybody else. And to truly start with a fresh perspective and with hope for the future, I‘ve decided to pardon all the crimes that occured prior to this day. No matter what was done or a corner you might have been chased into. This is a new start for all of you. I am asking you, take a part in building our future, leave your mark, change things for the better.
And I promise you that I will listen. In the past it might have been hard to let your voice be heard but for that reason the Council is now bigger, not occupied exclusively by the Nobles and I want it to grow further. To make sure that the voice of all Rodentians is heard, I declare an election. During the official count of the citizens, all Rodentians can put in a vote for a person they would like to represent them and the person voted for the most will take a seat in the Council.
All of you are important. It will be your actions that will shape this community. Let‘s make it a good one.“
- Player characters:
- 16. The Lake
- Name:
- Date:
- Green Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
On sunny days, water of the lake shines with all nine colours. Those who have wandered to the lake so far are discussing theories about the treasure of countless rainballs sitting at the bottom of the lake. Nobody tried to dive for it yet though. One reason could be that there was not much to buy with the rainballs these days. The second reason might have a connection with rumours about a large shadow seen in the water during the rain just before dawn.
Better to investigate if it‘s safe to start fishing in the lake.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Gerd
- Vi
- Isabel
- 17. Fool's Weather
- Name:
- Date:
- Turquoise Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The night was interrupted by the roar of thunder. People sleeping outside woke up to the image of lightnings crossing the sky in the distance and wind blowing so hard the trees were creaking as if to break at any moment. Soon after the heavy rain started. Even at the time when sun should come up the black heavy clouds kept everything in the dark.
The strength of the storm was too much for any work to be done and so everyone have gathered in the buildings untill it would pass. Huddled inside together, citizens would start to share the stories of what they‘ve seen while working in the forest. Some would speak of strange sightings by the lake. Soon the conversation was lively and Lord Funfair even gave last few of his bottles with booze to go around so everyone could take a swig. Soon after the singing started.
Outside, the guards were keeping watch, desperately trying to find at least bit of cover by sticking to the walls of the houses hiding under the eaves. Sounds comming from inside only made them look forward for when they will be relieved by the next shift and would be able to join others inside. Between the noises from the houses and roaring of the raging storm, it was almost impossible to hear or see anything from further than few meters away.
But some took this terrible day as a blessing. Those who didn't want to be seen while doing their business.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Gerd
- Isabel
- 18. Into the Grasslands
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Journey of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The grasslands around Polárka were shinning bright as the sun reflected off the morning dew. It was a beautiful warm day. Large and broad meadows were filled with flowers and plants of various kinds and the river passing through it was a valuable source of water for the roaming animals.
Colourful butterflies were flying around, doing their strange mid air dance among the branches of trees bearing strange fruits.
It seemed to be a place filled with life and peace. The soil seemed fertile and it would be a perfect place to start building farms.
Would this be such a good source of food as it seemed and with the immediate surroundings being explored, it would mean that Polárka could finally focus more on building and expanding instead of just surviving. People could start their new lives in this world under the open sky.
And after all, it would be nice to add some fresh veggie options to the menu.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Vi
- Lorián
- Seul
- 18,5. The search for a coffee
- Name:
- Date:
- White Ascent of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
Many have missed the coffee. For some it was harder than others to go day by day without this potion of wakefulness.
Luckily some hints on where to find a new source of coffee appeared today.
- Player characters:
- 19. Discarded
- Name:
- Date:
- Purple Ascent of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
Entering their dreams. Sound of gurgling waters, smell of staleness and rotten taste in mouth. Waiting. Reminding them of the pact made. Of the connection that could never be completely severed. Veins filled with filth, discarded objects, dead creatures and lost dreams. Yearning for the sound of little footsteps in dank tunnels.
Calling them home.
- Player characters:
- 20. First Holiday
- Name:
- Date:
- White Dominion of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The first holiday celebrated on the surface was here. The day sacred to the patron of the Underlight – Morningstar. With Polárka finally having enough resources to sustain all the people and having everyone sleeping under the roof, Prince Regent decided to reward the people with a feast and a day off filled with pleasant activites. The Guardians know that they deserve it.
Walking Ancient was watching the frog-like humanoids. Dependant on water and warmth, they were strolling through the muddy swamp. It was just a small hunting party. The old Porcupine checked that all of the Thorns and Illuminated were ready and then gave the signal. Time to settle the score for murdering one of his kin. The Ancestors know that they deserve it.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Isabel
- Gerd
- 21. Ember Fly's Raid
- Name:
- Date:
- Turquoise Dominion of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
„We need more workers.“ said the Fire Seeker.
His belliness Fu-Bo, leader of the leaper clan Ember Fly, licked his own face nervously.
„Where should we find them, oh firey one? There are only leapers in the swamp, yes? Our hands not good for the machines, yes?“
The face of the Fire Seeker, hidden behind the mask of black metal, lowered itself closer to Fu-Bo.
„Then look outside of the swamp. Your scouts located the village of the newcomers to the north-east. Raid it and bring us more workers.“
The leaper covered in jewelry started nodding. He had a huge friendly smile filled with blunt teeth on his wide face.
„Yes, raid the newcomers. Very clever, firey one. One moon to get ready, yes? Yes?“
The Fire Seeker shook his head.
„Next rainfall. Have the raid party ready by then.“
„Of course, yes, act quickly, very wise, yes.“ Fu-Bo smile widened in a show of submission.
„Good. Lord Char finds it very important that this mission succeeds. For this reason I will accompany your leapers during the raid.“
„Ooooh, it will be such an honor to have you join us, oh firey one, yes, yes!“
„I will come back once the rain starts. Do not disappoint us, Fu-Bo. Lord Char tends to get rid of the disappointmens.“
„No fear needed, firey one. I will send my best warriors, yes, yes. A great bounty of many good hands awaits the fire lord.“
When the Fire Seeker left, Fu-Bo's smile turned into an angry grin. His blunt teeth retracted and gave way for the sharp pointy ones. Weren‘t he so scared, he would stab the Fire Seeker in the back.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Vi
- Lorian
- Seul
- 22. Marshing
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Passage of the Morningstar 891
- Intro:
-
The belly of his belliness Pi-Pi was only half-way full. If this would continue he will start to loose weight. And all because of that idiot Fu-Bo and his flies! He was always jealous of Pi-Pi‘s intellect and cunning. Pacting with the fire seekers! Bunch of savages worshipping fire farts of the swamp. But just you wait Fu-Boyour masters won't be there forever to protect you...
Pi-Pi watched hungrilly as his murkies wobbled around. There was not enough of them as it was. It was not wise to eat more of them. Pi-Pi‘s stomach grumbled. Damn you Ni-Kto, you fire grass gathering pimpsquek! You were to come back with food days ago! Should have just eat him when he asked to lead the scavengers...
Pi-Pi‘s stomach grumbled again. Loud. Murkies near him quickly rushed after their duties before the eyes of his belliness would find them looking too tasty to resist. All of them thought as they were running around looking busy:
„Where the swamp are you Ni-Kto, you bogger?!“
- Player characters:
- 23. Into the flames
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Journey of the Knight 891
- Intro:
-
The Fire. It consumes all. Pure, cleansing... the ultimate equalizer. We can‘t help but watch in awe at its beauty as it‘s turning us to ashes. Licking at our skin, gnawing at our flesh. Growing of ourselves. Claiming the souls, which sing in the flames. Untill everything is consumed and it dies out, leaving only cinders. It is the primal force that calls the deepest part of our spirit. Beckoning to bask in its glory. It‘s mesmerizing dance claims our minds and will. It is godly. It is true. It is right.
The only way to watch the world, is to watch it burn.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Vi
- Garret
- 24. The Mine of Doom
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Journey of the Knight 891
- Intro:
-
While the rescued Handicraft citizens were finding their bearings around Polárka, the Guild of Travellers was more interested in the rumors brought by Murky Leapers about an old mine in the mountains. According to the legends, it was the source of all the metal used for flooded buildings in the swamp. It was told that the entrance to the mine was sealed prior to the Predecessors disappearance and nobody have got in since.
In spite of this knowledge, the Travellers were unable to find it. Yet their search was not totally fruitless. A small structure of black metal was found halfway up the mountain which could contain some clues on the location of the mine. Lady Wanderlust, lacking the experienced guild members due to most of them being in the Wanderlust district during the escape to the surface, asked the council to send in the most knowledgeable explorer in the Polárka.
The next day was Garret Copperspoon tasked with leading his second expedition into the unknown.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Vi
- Garret
- 25. Knighty Night
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Dominion of the Knight 891
- Intro:
-
On the Knight‘s holiday we cannot but to see certain connections with this Guardian and us. In the same way that he is eternally fighting to find the lady of his heart, we are also fighting to find a place in this strange world and searching for those that got taken away from us. May he reward our dedication and grant us strength to overcome the trials yet to come.
...
Glass shattered and he woke up. Face behind the helmet opened eyes and focused on a furry person running away. A giant warhammer was raised up by strong arms. Red glow of the moon reflected brigthly upon his platemail. A deep belowing voice pierced the night: „Death to the desecrators!“
- Player characters:
- 26. Heart of Stone
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Passage of the Knight 891
- Intro:
-
A strange thing started occuring in the quarry. A mined stone, which was ready to be processed and transfered to the city, started to vanish overnight. Strange big footprints were found in the vicinity. Far too big for human or illuminated. Before using military for protection of the material, Prince Regent decided to ask the Guild of Carriers to investigate the situation.
"Is it just me or are the trees actually closer to the city than they were before?"
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Bella
- Garret
- Vi
- Lorián/li>
- 27. Know your roots
- Name:
- Date:
- White Journey of the Mother 891
- Intro:
-
The forest had secrets. Hidden behind the pillars of stone. They didn‘t mark the path. They were the path. Many long lost since the fall of the Stoneshapers. But some survived the ages. As legends, dreams and memories of stone.
The reasons might have been forgotten but grieve was not. Stone would always remember the bad seed and the way to its roots.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Bella
- Garret
- Vi
- Isabel
- 28. Ancestors' Feast
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Ascent of the Mother 891
- Intro:
-
Three days leading up to the Orange Dominion of the Mother were proclaimed Ancestors‘ Feast. Since the days matched both the Rodentian Days of the Dead and the Holiday of the Mother, Prince Regent decided to combine these holidays into one. General public took it as an attempt to further connect two major groups of the city together. The traditions and celebrations of both holidays would take place in accordance to the customs. Anybody would be able to join regardless of their heritage.
The Rodentian part of the holiday would be prepared by Solitary Flow and the Mother part by Lady Madelia Meadow. Two ladies were meeting for the last few days to plan everything, making sure that no events collided with each other and no accidental insults would happen. And except for Madelia muttering things like: „My chakras are perfectly fine, no opening necessary, thank you for asking... What the hell are chakras anyway?“, everything seemed to go swimmingly.
-
Little Taafa Handicraft was playing with a drawing tablet in his uncle‘s workshop when he heard a strange sound. It was like a quiet melody. Taafa followed the sound and found it‘s source soon. It was comming from a strange triangular machine than his uncle brought in recently. Soon after the melody stopped and a smooth male voice started to speak from the object.
„Dear listeners, this concludes today‘s program. Thank you for tuning in and remember to joins us on White Day for our Ancestors‘s Feast special. Let all your friends and family know. Especially any uncles named Friedmund.“
„Good night, listeners. You will hear me again soon.“
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Bella
- Garret
- Vi
- Isabel
- Lorián
- Seul
- Gerd
- 29. As above, so below
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Passage of the Mother 891
- Intro:
-
It was a nice day. Many people down at Gambler‘s Pride market were offering the goods gathered or crafted. Even some leapers started to visit regularly, tempted by the beauty of commerce.
The stability of Polárka inevitably woke up ambitions that were laying dormant for the past months. As plans were set in motion, the pieces started to move.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Vi
- Isabel
- Lorián
- Gerd
- 30. Fire on the water
- Name:
- Date:
- Orange Journey of the Gambler 891
- Intro:
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Gerd
- Bella
- Garret
- 31. Lost knowledge
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Ascent of the Gambler 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Postavy se vydaly do Žabažiny pro Master of the Knowledge. Cesta byla dlouhá a nebezpečná. Během ní narazili na pozůstatky předchozí civilizace, která v Žabažině žila, před tím, než byla zatopena. Střetli se s jejich mechanickými strážci a také s Ori-Nokem, který udělal s Master of the Knowledge obchod a získal tak velikou část vědomostí ze Schránky Vědění. Postavá mse podařilo Master of the Knowledge zachránit a spolu se Schránkou Vědění se všichni vrátili do Polárky.
- Player characters:
- 32. Giftgiving
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Dominion of the Gambler 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Během Giftgivingu byla spousta sázecích aktivit a nejrůznější obchodní příležitosti. Přes komunikační zařízení, které Lord Handicraft opravil, kontaktoval Polárku Venerer. Sdělil Polárce, že Stalkeři se dali do pohybu a pravděpodobně míří k nim. Jelikož jsou Stalkeři nepřítelem i pro Venerera, nabídl jim pomoct s vytvořením nového kmene Illuminated. Umožnil jim se teleportovat na povrch nad Underlightem, kde kdysi zmizel kmen Mettle a ti s sebou měli Ancestral Waters, které jsou nutné pro založení kmene. Postavy se skrz sněhovou vánici dostali až do této vesnice, kde byly zmražení Illuminated na kterých pomalu hodoval duch Wind Walker. Povedlo se jim utéct, než mohl tento duch udělat něco horšího, než udělal a vrátili se do Polárky s Ancestral Waters.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Vi
- Gerd
- Lorián
- Bella
- Garret
- Seul
- 33. Remnants in ashes
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Passage of the Gambler 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů se vydal skrz průsmyk na začátek pouště. Po cestě se Aileen podařilo ochočit Knírosaura a byly nalezeny zvláštní krystalové dveře, které byly skryté za iluzí.
Na poušti se cech setkal s různými zvířaty a rostlinami, ale také se Zloději, kteří se dokázali přemisťovat a zneviditelňovat. Byla nalezena mapa do Města Zlodějů a odkazy na to, že v poušti žijí potomci klanu Gundi.
- Player characters:
- 34. What's cooking
- Name:
- Date:
- Purple Journey of the Outcast 891
- In a nutshell:
-
V reakci na Bellinu vizi, ve které Fireseekeři napadli Polárku, se cechNositelů vydává do bažiny zjistit, co Lord Char chystá.
- Player characters:
- 35. Metal graveyard
- Name:
- Date:
- Orange Ascent of the Outcast 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Pro zrychlení stavby dílny, se cech Nositelů vydává do ruin nedaleko moře, aby nalezl rychlorost. Zde nachází desetitisíce neaktivních robotů a několik ještě aktivních. Nakonec se jim podaří nalézt rychlorost a přivést do Polárky posledního svého robotického druhu - Plaxxe.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Isabel
- Bella
- 36. The Iceberg
- Name:
- Date:
- White Dominion of the Outcast 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Guild of Carriers se vypravila na tajemný ledovec na DUhovém Jezeře. Doufali, že najdou něco, co jim pomůže v boji s Lordem Charem a Fireseekery. Na ledovci objevili pozůstatky Tissů - stonožkových bytostí, které potkali již v dole. Také zde byl silný vliv Wind-Walkera. V srdci ledovce nalezli trhlinu v realitě, která propojovala ledovec s mrazivými pustinami nad Underlightem a propouštěla Wind-Walkerův vliv a chlad. Podařilo se jim trhlinu stabilizovat, takže nyní propouští jenom chlad a ne Wind-Walkerův vliv. Díky tomu může eko systém ledovce, kde jsou unikátní živočichové a rostliny, dále existovat.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Vi
- Seul
- Isabel
- 37. New Hierophant
- Name:
- Date:
- Green Dominion of the Outcast 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Ve městě se objevila lovkyně Nara, která se spolu se čtvrtí Wanderlust přemístila kamsi do černého lesa na západě. Za pomoci zaslaného Tweety ptáčka nalezla cestu do Polárky. Než bude moci ale město pomoci ostatním, musí zažehnat hrozbu Fireseekerů. Cech Nositelů se zapojil ke zkoušce, která měla rozhodnout o jmenování nového Hierophanta. Během ní se ale ukázalo, že žádný ze tří adeptů by zkoušku nezvládl bez těch ostatních. Po přimluvení Cechu Nositelů i tří adeptů na Hierophanta bylo nakonec rozhodnuto, že se Hierophanty stanou všichni tři.
- Player characters:
- 38. Heated Battle
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Ascent of the Fool 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Armáda Lorda Chara pochodovala na Polárku, ale armádám Polárky se podařilo je rozprášit. Velikou pomocí byl zásah Cechu Nositelů, kteří eliminovali největší hrozby na bojišti - nositele pilíře, který násobil moc lorda Chara a pak i samotného Lorda Fireseekerů.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Bella
- Gerd
- Garret
- Seul
- 39. The Broken Lands
- Name:
- Date:
- Turquoise Ascent of the Fool 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Počátek expedice do Černého Lesa. Cech Nositelů se společně s Pánem Lesa vypravili na jihozápad. Kromě zelené kopcovité oblasti plné říček a rybníčků nalezli i dva zaječí humanoidy - Hop-Hira a Uzume. Původně pocházející z Ostrova Dědiců, utekli a stali se Štváči. Dohodli se s Nositeli, že je zavedou do lesa, pokud jim pomohou získat tajemné vejce ze Zničené zóny. Když se tak stalo, tak Nositelé Hop-Hira s Uzume přesvědčili, aby se vypravili do Polárky, kde by jim mohli pomoci. Nositelé sami vstoupili do Černého Lesa.
- Player characters:
- 40. Lady of the Woods
- Name:
- Date:
- White Dominion of the Fool 891
- Intro:
-
Stezka mezi mohutnými černými jehličnany vypadala jako táhlý jazyk hada a každý krok po ní Vás vedl hlouběji do chřtánu divočiny. První co v hustém porostu zmizelo bylo světlo. Ač se dala část slunce občas zahlédnout mezi korunami, tak to vypadalo jako kdyby se jeho zář nabodávala na ostré jehlice stromů a k vám se dostaly jen její strávené ostatky zbavené hřejivého tepla.
Brzy poté rozšklebená ústa lesa pozřela i zvuk. Zpěv ptáků, bzučení hmyzu, hvizd větru... nic z toho nebylo slyšet. Jenom praskání dřeva jako skřípění křivých zubů a ozvěna Vašich kroků Vás ujišťovali, že jste neohluchli.
A nakonec zmizela cesta. Nikdo z Vás si nebyl jistý, jak k tomu došlo. Kráčeli jste mlčky po udupané stezce, téměř jako v tranzu a najednou jeden z Vás vykřikl, že cesta zmizela. Ať jste se rozhlíželi kolem sebe jak jste chtěli, nebylo po ní ani stopy. Ze strachu, abyste se neztratili, jste odmítli možnost se rozdělit a pátrat po ní a raději jste pokračovali směrem, kterým jste tušili střed lesa.
Po několika hodinách pochodu mezi stromy, kdy jeden vypadal jako druhý jste poprvé narazili na živou bytost.
Osoba zahalená od hlavy k patě ve špinavých a smradlavých hadrech. Na místě, kde měla být hlava byl podivný trychtýř hnijících obvazů a odněkud z jeho hlubin se ozval chraplavý hlas.
"Prosím, nejedl jsem celé dny..."
Jednomu z Vás se žebráka zželelo a dal mu jídlo a vodu. Ze zdánlivě nekonečných záhybů látek se vynořili dvě vyzáblé paže a almužnu začali pomalu strkat do odporného trychtýře, ze kterého se v reakci ozývaly srkavé a mlaskavé zvuky.
"Děkuji Vám za Vaši štědrost. Nemám čím ji oplatit, než příběhem. Je to starý příběh. Tak starý, že si již nepamatuji, kde jsem ho slyšel poprvé. Snad Vám to alespoň částečně vynahradí Váš dar."
A žebrák začal svým sípavým hlasem vyprávět cosi, co znělo jako pohádka:
"Bylo nebylo, v dávných dobách, sešli se před Černým Lesem čtyři bytosti. Dovedli je sem příběhy o moci, kterou vládne Paní Lesa a o tom, že těm, kteří dojdou až do jejího sídla v samém středu hvozdu, splní jakékoliv přání.
Prvním kdo přišel na lesní stezku, byla žena jejímž domovem byl oceán. Její kosti byly polámané větrem a kůže popraskaná solí. Z celé její posádky, po marném pokusu proniknout do neprobádaných jižních moří, byla jediná schopná učinit cestu do černého lesa. Zbytek její námořní rodiny ležel v bolestech na lůžkách v lazaretu města soli bez naději na vyléčení. Na paži měla vytetovaná jména všech, kvůli kterým se na cestu vydala.
Druhý, co dorazil, byl z říše světla na severu. Nástupce významného rodu, bojující v náboženské válce. Již mnoho jeho lidu v ní zahynulo a konec byl v nedohlednu. Přišel pro sílu potřebnou k tomu, aby vedl svůj lid k vítězství.
Třetí, ten dorazil až z dálné východní země pokryté popelem. Jeho rodina pro něj byla vším a jeho nejstarší dcera se přihlásila ke skupině žoldáků s úkolem proniknout do města Zlodějů. Do Černého Lesa se vypravil, aby ji ochránil před vším nebezpečím, které by ji mohlo na výpravě potkat.
A poslední, kdo se ke skupině připojil, byla malá holčička. Sirotek z knížectví, kde je lidský život jenom další komodita. Žijící ve strachu ze smrti, která si přišla pro její rodiče a sourozence, následovala cestu z pohádky, co ji rodiče čítávali a ta ji dovedla až na lesní stezku.
Společně ti čtyři vstoupili mezi vysoké stromy Černého Lesa, hledajíce Paní Lesa a její sídlo. Les to byl široký a táhl se na stovky kilometrů daleko. Cesta jim tak trvala mnoho týdnů a byla náročná, plná nebezpečí. V Černém lese Vás totiž neohrožovala pouze dravá zvěř, či zrádný terén. Celé místo bylo živé, vítr šeptal a stíny mohutných stromů pronikaly až do mysli cestovatelů.
V záři nočních ohňů každý viděl věci, které zůstávali ostatním ukryté. V poloprázdných vesnicích, které les za mnoha staletí pozřel a přijal za své, je protáhlé a pokřivené tváře jejich obyvatel zrazovali od cíle, co si vytyčili. Čtyři se ovšem nezastavili. I když cítili jak jim duch lesa pomalu proniká pod kůži, až do morku kostí.
Když konečně doputovali ke svému cíli, byli změněni k nepoznání. Jediné co je udrželo příčetné byl jejich cíl a toho se drželi, zatímco se zbytek jejich osobností rozpadal.
Ve středu lesa, tam kde příběhy hovořily o paláci Paní Lesa, nalezli spleť černých kořenů, vinoucí se a svíjející se napříč lesem. Spojeni v jednom obrovském pulzujícím uzlu ve schránce z masa a kostí. Z něj vyrůstala postava spící dřevěné ženy – Paní Lesa.
Čtyři žádali, prosili i křičeli, ale Paní Lesa spala nadále. Zůstali na tom místě tři dny a tři noci, ale spánek Paní Lesa nebyl ničím narušen.
Nakonec ten Druhý, ztratil trpělivost a řekl, že když jim nedá to, pro co přišli, tak si to vezmou sami. Vzal sekeru a zaťal ji do dřeva Paní Lesa. S pomocí sekery z těla Paní Lesa vyhotovil kopí. Ten kdo jej třímal dokázal v ostatních vzbuzovat nelidskou bojovnost, kdy nevnímali žádnou bolest a jediným cílem bylo poražení nepřítele.
Když První viděla, jakým způsobem Druhý dosáhl svého cíle, použila nůž a z vlasů Paní Lesa si vytvořila korunu. Ten kdo jí nosil dovedl vyléčit jakékoliv zranění a nemoc.
Když si vzal sekeru Třetí, již mnoho dřeva nezůstalo a tak z prstů Paní Lesa vytvořil tři prsteny. Jeden co chránil před jakoukoliv ranou, druhý co chránil před střelami a třetí, co chránil proti zlé magii.
Na Čtvrtou zůstala jenom kůra z tváře Paní Lesa a tak z ní vyřezala masku. Ten, kdo ji nosí nezestárne o jediný den, všechny nemoci se mu vyhýbají a pokud nechce, tak ho nikdo nevidí. Pokud si ji ovšem byť jedinkrát sundá, tak na místě zemře.
Třísky, co zůstali z Paní Lesa odnesl vítr po lese a říká se, že zvířata, kterým se zapíchli do těl získala dlouhověkost a zvláštní moc. O nich ovšem tento příběh není.
Ti čtyři se opět vynořili z Černého Lesa, rozloučili se a každý z nich zamířil domů. Štěstí, které cítili ze svých splněných přání ovšem nemělo mít dlouhé trvání.
Když První dorazila za svou posádkou a uzdravila jejich těla, zjistila, že ač jsou fyzicky uzdraveni, tak psychicky jsou na tom hůř než kdy předtím. Měsíce strávené v agónii polámaných těl v kombinaci s dotekem tajemné moci koruny z nich udělali pouze chodící těla se střepy osobností těch, kterými kdysi byli. Moc koruny začala navíc brzy slábnout a bolest se začala vracet. První se proto rozhodla se svou posádkou vrátit zpět tam, kde je moc koruny nejsilnější – do Černého Lesa. Již tam zůstala, starající se o zraněné a poškozené, které si tak navěky zavazuje. Je nyní známá jako Paní Zlomených.
Druhý vedl svůj lid ke krvavému vítězství. Ti nepřátelé, kteří nepadli, byli zahnáni do pevností, kde se zavřeli, aby unikli masakru, který Druhý a jeho následovníci za sebou zanechávali. Opojen krveprolitím, Druhý začal lovit cokoliv živé na co se svou družinou narazil. Jeho kopí proniklo jakkoliv tvrdou kůží nebo brněním. Poté, co začala moc kopí slábnout a jeho družina se probírala z vraždícího opojení, navrátil se zpět do Černého Lesa. V něm svolává hony na jeho nejrůznější obyvatele a občas podniká lovecké výpravy i za jeho hranice. Je nyní znám jako Plenitel.
Třetí daroval své dceři prsteny, které ji chránili na jejích výpravách, ale po měsících odříznutí od Černého Lesa jejich moc začala slábnout a Třetímu nakonec donesli tělo dcery, která zahynula v boji. Třetí, doveden na pokraj šílenství zármutkem, nedokázal přijmout že ztratí další dítě. Vzal celou svou širokou rodinu a odcestovali do Černého Lesa, kde je prsteny měly navždy chránit. Tam si vybudovali nový domov a potomci třetího tam žijí dodnes. Rodina Cricket si prsteny předává z generace na generaci jako dědictví.
A Čtvrtá, která doufala, že se zbaví strachu ze smrti, zjistila při návratu, že se bojí ještě víc. Čím dál méně se zjevovala jiným lidem, kteří nyní měli o to víc důvodů jí ublížit, aby získali její masku, až zůstávala neviděná pořád. Po nějaké době si ji začali lidé všímat i skrze kouzlo masky, začala se tedy stranit lidem úplně a schovávat se v divočině, až nakonec skončila na místě, kam se jí nikdo neodvážil následovat. V Černém Lese. Občas je možné dívku jménem Sprout na okamžik v lese zahlédnout před tím, než Vám před očima zmizí.
Těm čtyřem se splnila jejich přání, ale navždy se tak provázali s Černým Lesem. A Černý Les nenechá vyjít nikoho, kdo mu patří."
Ke konci vyprávění již žebrákův hlas slábl a sotva dořekl poslední slova, začalo se z mastného trychtýře ozývat hluboké oddechování a chrápání.
Nejdřív jste váhali co dál, ale pak si jeden z Vás všiml vyšlapané pěšiny nedaleko. Došli jste k tomu, že jít po cestě je lepší, než bloudit zbůhdarma mezi stromy. Zvažovali jste co s žebrákem, ale to bylo vyřešeno za Vás, neboť v momentě, kdy jste zkoumali nalezenou pěšinu, se po něm slehla zem.
Pokračovali jste tedy hlouběji do Černého Lesa...
- Player characters:
- 41. Cricket Family
- Name:
- Date:
- Orange Passage of the Fool 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů se vypravil hloubějí do lesa, aby získali další artefakty z těla Paní Lesa, které jim měli otevřít cestu až do jeho středu. Každá noc strávená v Černém Lese byla náročná, ale nakonec se jim podařilo najít rodinu Cricket, skládající se z Gundi rodentianů. Rodina žila ve sváru mezi třemi klany, kdy vůdce každého z nich nesl jeden prsten - jednu třetinu artefaktu. Cech se nakonec rozhodl nepodpořit ani jednoho z těchto vůdců a nalezli dědice ztraceného čtvrtého klanu, který měl po právu nárok na prsteny. Po spoustě diplomacie se jim podařilo tři vůdce klanů přesvědčit, aby se svých prstenů dobrovolně vzdali. Nová hlava rodiny jim přislíbila svou pomoc v cestě do středu lesa. Při cestě zpět se jim podařilo zachytit stopu Sprout - nositelky dalšího artefaktu a po několika dní stopování ji nalezli ve staré ruině, kde kdysi operovali Fleshsculptoři. Nakonec se jim podařilo Sprout přesvědčit, aby jim pomohla v cestě do středu.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Nara
- Garret
- Bella
- Isabel
- 42. Hunted
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Passage of the Fool 891
- In a nutshell:
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Po získání tří artefaktů svolal Plenitel lov na Cech Nositelů a skupiny lovců je proháněly po lese. Pomocí různých úskoků, pastí a zdrojů v lese, se jim povedlo lovecké skupiny natolik oslabit, že mohli stanout před samotným Plenitelem. Po náročném boji jej porazili a prokláli jej jeho vlastním kopím. Nyní jim již nic nebrání v tom vejít do středu lesa.
- Player characters:
- 43. Center of the forest
- Name:
- Date:
- Red Journey of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Guild of the Carriers se spolu s nositeli artefaktů vydává do středu lesa. Tam se utkává se zhmotnělým šílenstvím lesa. V boji jim pomáhají tři nositelé. Šílenství se do určité míry dotkne každého z nich. Po jeho poražení odhalí v jeho ostatcích zbytky Paní Lesa. Kromě Linuse Cricketa, zaplatí všichni nositelé artefaktů životem, aby byly Paní Lesa artefakty vráceny. Paní Lesa se stále neprobouzí, ale šílenství ovládající les oslábne. Dvůr Zlomených přijme Paní Lesa jako svou novou královnu a přesune se do středu lesa. Obyvatelé Wanderlustu jsou nalezeni a navrácení domů, díky opravenému teleportu.
- Player characters:
- 44. Arrival of Princess Shawka
- Name:
- Arrival of Princess Shawka
- Date:
- Green Journey of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Walking Ancient svolá radu ohledně vyjádření postoje proti Císařství Dědiců a podpory Štváčů. Rada mu v tomto vyhoví. WA je nespokojený s propojením Gundi s Věčným Hnízdem a dává Garretovi několik dní na přistoupení k Exkomunikaci, aby bylo propojení přerušeno. Do toho připlouvá Princezna Shawka, dcera Sultány z Harat Aldamu. Cech Nositelů dostane na starost její přivítání. První den princezniny návštěvy tak proběhne ve stylu představení jednotlivých Strážců a toho, co představují. Na konci dne je Princezna viděna jak si domlouvá schůzku s WA na soukromou audienci na její lodi.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Nara
- Garret
- Isabel
- 45. Night of the Broken Quills
- Name:
- Night of the Broken Quills
- Date:
- Turquoise Journey of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Hierophant Vox přišel za Guild of the Carriers, protože dostal zprávu od Nazifů z pouště, že jim někdo nebo něco unáší lidi. Cech se vypravil to prozkoumat a zjistil, že je unáší jednotka Dědiců (zaječí rasa), která je využívá ke krvavým rituálům a že jsou zde proto, aby provedli atentát na princeznu Shawku. V Harat-Aldamu v tu samou chvíli probíhali atentáty na další členy Sultánské rodiny. Cech se urychleně vypravil zpět do města, kde se utkal se skupinou Císařských Shinobi, vedených čarodějem Akashin – The Red Tide. Během boje, ve kterém pomáhal Walking Ancient, se podařilo princeznu zachránit, ač to bylo těsné. Princezna se poté dozvěděla, že její matka je mrtvá a starší bratr v kómatu, kvůli neznámému jedu. Princezna se urychleně vypravila zpět do Harat-Aldamu, aby se ujala správy Sultanátu.
- Player characters:
- 46. Crazy catfish octopus
- Name:
- Date:
- Purple Ascent of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Během pátrání po harmonice na jezeře, našel Cech Nositelů rybího humanoida Shuaha, který jim řekl, že jeho druh - Fishticks je v područí národa Abyssal, což jsou v podstatě velké chobotnice. Pokusil se utéct se svou rodinou skrz portál vedoucí do Duhového jezera, ale pokazilo se to a utekl pouze sám. Cech se nabídl, že mu pomůže a vypravil se skrz portál do oceánu, kde v domě šílené sumčí chobotnice osvobodili Shuahovu rodinu. Během cesty zpátky sebrala Aileen velice mocnou věc z hromady nastřádaných věcí obřího elektrického úhoře. Podařilo se jí s tím utéct, ale úhoř je od té doby více agresivní.
- Player characters:
- 47. Legacy and the Vessel of Knowledge
- Name:
- Legacy and the Vessel of Knowledge
- Date:
- Orange Dominion of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Legacy rozpoutávalo nepokoje, aby zaměstnali hlídku a umožnili tak Marcusovi, aby provedl rituál se Schránkou Vědění. SPolečně s ním tam byl ritualista ovládaný Eddiem. Cechu Nositelů se povedlo rituál přerušit, ale to vedlo k nečekanému efektu, během kterého Eddieho zahalilo zelené světlo ze skřínky a roztrhalo ho. Marcus byl zatčen. Aileen se během jejího tradičního pranku na Bookworma povedlo zaslechnout věci, které ho s celou záležitostí spojují.
- Player characters:
- 48. Children of Sage
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Dominion of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů se účastnil Sageova svátku, plného aktivit pro děti. Zúčastnila se i Lyssa a posléze se podařilo Walking Ancienta přemluvit, aby Lyssu pouštěl do školy. Vyšlo najevo, že Thorny pozoruje Vestige, která se cechu vyptávala na to, o čem Lyssa během dne mluvila. Cech zkoumal více Legacy a Tyrantův odkaz. Zjistili, že kosti využívané ritualisty jsou z jedné osoby a podobnou magii cítili i na Bookwormově plášti.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Bella
- Isabel
- Garret
- 49. City of Thieves
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Passage of the Sage 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Do Polárky dorazí skupina Illuminated na the Beast. Vede je Trusk z kmene Apex a žádá je o pomoc s osvobozením ostatních Illuminated z Města Zlodějů - fialové pyramidy v poušti. Cech Nositelů si získá audienci s Králem Zlodějů, ale ten se je pokusí uspat plynem. Cechu Nositelů se nakonec podaří zastavit plyn a osvobodit Illuminated, ze kterých byla vysávána Trinergy. Truskovi se povede na moment vyřadit Krále Zlodějů, vypustit nashromážděnou Trinergy a všichni uprchnou z Města Zlodějů, zatímco na ně samotná Pyramida útočí.
- Player characters:
- 50. Mushroom hills
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Journey of the Tinkerer 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů vyráží do málo prozkoumané oblasti Houbových kopců na východ od města, aby nalezli houby pravdomluvnosti. Kromě nejrůznějších nových objevů z živočišné i rostliné říše, se jim podaří nalézt Černý Krystal. Při jeho aktivaci se pohrouží okolí do tmy a je cítit přítomnost Desátého. Při čtvrté aktivaci Bellou, ona i krystal zmizí. Zbytek guildy se snaží najít způsob jak jí vrátit zpět. Nedaleko místa, kde našli krystal, objeví i křišťálový klíč od dveří v průsmyku a zkouší je otevřít, zda tak nenajdou cestu za Bellou. Místo toho ale objeví za dveřmi zapečetěný Wildroot. Ten znovu zapečetí a hledají jiné způsoby jak Bellu zachránit. Ta je mezitím chycená v rozpadlém chaotickém světě, kde ji Desátý nabízí svobodu, pokud mu jako kněžka Crow, dá jeden den v roce, který bude jeho. Bella opakovaně odmítá. Pro Bellu uplyne pět let, než se rozhodne prozkoumat černý portál skrz který vždy přichází Desátý tím, že tam pošle Carrie. Ta bohužel okamžitě zahyne, ale ve své spektrální podobě stáhne Bellu do říše Crow, skrz kterou Bellu provede až do Hrobky pod Underlightem. Bella se tak vrátila o 5 let starší. Pro ostatní uplynulo okolo 6ti hodin. Trusk pomocí Trinergy předá jeden rok svého života Belle.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Trusk
- Bella
- Nara
- Gerd
- 51. Bookworm's fall
- Name:
- Date:
- Green Ascent of the Tinkerer 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Pátrání v záležitosti Legacy pokračuje. V Křivém háji za městem, jsou nalezeny další kosti, instrukce jak přivolat Eddieho a jsou tam dopadeni nástupce Markuse - Seech. Kromě toho byla také nalezena nit, odpovídající Bookwormově plášti. Cech Nositelů se vloupe k Bookwormovi do domu a nalezne tam Eddieho lebku. Tu odnese a vyčkává na Bookwormovu reakci. Chvíli poté, co se ale Bookworm vrátí, je nalezen oběšený na svém plášti. Kapitánka Pyreheart, když se dozví o tom, že Cech porušil zákon a možná tak způsobili Bookwormovu smrt, dá Cechu ultimátum, aby se od celé záležitosti držel dál nebo skončí za mřížemi.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Bella
- Isabel
- 52. The Rat
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Dominion of the Tinkerer 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Během oslav Garretových narozenin je Cech Nositelů vyrušen zprávou o útoku na rodinu Cricket v Černém Lese. Po průchodu portálem společně s částí armády vedenou Lordem Maršálem Ironwillem a desátnicí Rizou, se jim naskytne pohled na utíkající Gundi. Někteří z nich jsou ožehlí, jiní mají rozdrcené končetiny. Po několikahodinovém pochodu skrz les, se dostanou na trh Cricketů, kde se utkají s velikou kovovou krysou, která chrlí oheň. Nástrojem zkázy, který, jak Aileen díky svému super sluchu zjistí, řídí Potshot. Poté co se jim podaří stroj poškodit, je stroj i s Aileen, která stojí na jeho vrchu, portálem přenesen neznámo kam. Brzy se ukáže, že se jednalo o akci Thornů, která měla proběhnout bez odhalení toho, že jsou za ní oni. Ale protože to se provalilo, je Walking Ancient zatčen a Thorni nabízejí výměnu Aileen za Walking Ancienta. Proběhne pokus jim podstrčit přeměněnou Vestige, ale během výměny dojde k odhalení toho, že se jedná o falešného Walking Ancienta a dojde k boji. Walking Ancient se v nastálém chaosu osvobodí a ač málem padne v souboji s Garretem, Toadstonovi se podaří za pomocí ostatních Thornů Walking Ancienta zachránit a než se podaří Hlídce a Cechu Nositelů je dostihnout, Thorni uprchnou.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Garret
- Bella
- Isabel
- Gerd
- 53. Endless Halls
- Name:
- Date:
- White Passage of the Tinkerer 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů sestoupil do propasti a vstoupil do tamných chodeb na jejím dně. Ve zdánlivě nekonečných a neustále se míchajících místnostech naráželi na různé obyvatele Ironwillu, i na zvláštní entitu, která pohlcovala vše v místnostech. Následujíce rad Pána Piva, se jim podařilo najít Půdu, kde jim kamenný golem umožnil přístup k podivnému stroji, ovládající tyto síně. Díky tomuto stroji se jim povedlo všechny dostat odsud pryč a odvést je do Polárky.
- Player characters:
- 54. Ghost Catchers
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Passage of the Crow 891
- In a nutshell:
-
Na zahájení Festivalu Světla se objeví přízraky. ÚMVO - část Hlídky, která se zabývá řešením magických problémů ve městě, se o ty nejhorší postará, ale ve městě se projevuje tolik duchů, že potřebuje pomoc. Cech Nositelů tedy dostane vybavení na lov duchů a vyráží na pomoc. Během odchytů zjistí, že se jedná o samé lidi, kteří se později stali Newborny. Kddyž je poté princ unesen, vypraví se společně s Madeem na hřbitov Black Hill, kde se utkají s Eddiem, který se následkem magické nehody spojil s Tyrantem. Podaří se jim zničit čelistní kost, která držela Eddieho mezi živými a od Tyranta získají šokující informace o důvodu jeho vzpoury a o pravém účelu Underlightu. Princ se rozhodně, že dokud nebudou mít o celé věci více informací, tak aby nebylo nic z toho vytaženo na veřejnost.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Laine
- Isabel
- Garret
- Bella
- Seul
- 55. Old Molly's Fall
- Name:
- Date:
- Turqoise Journey of the Morningstar 892
- In a nutshell:
-
Následujíce zprávy o úkrytu Old Molly, která do města zásobuje Spore a poskytuje informace Dědicům, se Cech Nositelů vypravil do Houbových Kopců. Tam nalezl vysoce zabezpečenou laboratoř, kde Molly a její alchymisti prováděly experimenty na nejrůznější fauně a vytvářeli z ní mutanty. Cechu se nakonec podařilo Molly, která měla zapůjčenou krvavou magii Dědiců, porazit a Laboratoř zlikvidovat.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Gerd
- Isabel
- Garret
- Nara
- 56. Sailing to Free Harbor
- Name:
- Date:
- Turqoise Ascent of the Morningstar 892
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech nositelů získal od Polárky loď, na které mají plout do Free Harbor, aby tam zjistili více o ztracených distriktech. Loď pojmenovali Boaty McBoatface a pod dohledem Kapitána Baina se vypravili na moře. Po cestě se zastavili v Harat-Aldamu a na Shellnutích ostrovech. Jen o vlásek unikli magické bouři a odrazili útok korzárů Frost Fleet. Ale nakonec dopluli do cíle.
- Player characters:
- 57. Sleeping beauty
- Name:
- Date:
- Green Dominion of the Morningstar 892
- In a nutshell:
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Aileen a Isabel jsou chycené v pohádkových příbězích, kde musí sehrát svou roli, jinak se kolem nich začnou zhmotňovat noční můry. Nakonec zjistí, že jsou tvořené Bishou, která se nemůže probudit, kvůli Ashově magii, která se vymkla kontrole. Aileen se podaří udělat deal s Gamblerem, aby nepovedené přání zrušil a vše se vrátilo do normálu.
- Player characters:
- 58. The Toymaker
- Name:
- Date:
- Turqoise Dominion of the Morningstar 892
- In a nutshell:
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Cech Nositelů potřebuje pomoc od obyvatele Radiance, aby jim poskytl doprovod do této země, kde se nachází jeden z distriktů. Ten jim přišlíbí pomoc, pokud pomohou nejdříve Illuminated od Frost Fleet a jeho chlupatému společníkovi, kteří od svého lidu uprchli, aby odčinili své hříchy. Cech Nositelů jim pomůže sehnat peníze a materiál, díky kterému mohou uspořádat hostinu pro potřebné a všem dát dárky, které jim pomůžou postavit se zpět na nohy. Díky tomuto dali vzniknout nové tradici o Hračkáři a Rohatém.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Gerd
- Garret
- Bella
- Nara
- Trusk
- 59. The Radiance
- Name:
- Date:
- Blue Dominion of the Morningstar 892
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů se plaví do Radiance, kde se jim dostane přivítání v jedné z mnoha věží, které se vznáší v této říší. Místní Rada Astronomů poskytne Cechu informace a otevře portál s Polárkou, skrz který se mohou obyvatelé Bookwormu vrátit ke zbytku utečenců z Underlightu. Aby se ovšem Cech dostal k hlubším znalostem, musí podstoupit výpravu do Svaté Země, neboť to je zvyk, pro umožnění přístupu do Velké Knihovny a k Hlavnímu Teleskopu. Cech musí putovat skrz Zničenou Zńu, plnou nebezpečí, aby došla ke kráteru po meteoritu, kde je jejich cíl. Poté co se vrátí, jsou jim odhalena mnohá tajemství historie a nebeských těles, která silně ovlivňují život na planetě.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Gerd
- Garret
- 60. Papers, please
- Name:
- Date:
- Yellow Journey of the Mother 892
- In a nutshell:
-
Cech Nositelů si prošel byrokratickým řízením, aby byl nakonec vpuštěn na území Knížectví.
- Player characters:
- 61. Voyage to remember
- Name:
- Date:
- White Ascent of the Mother 892
- In a nutshell:
-
Po cestě parníkem do hlavního města knížectví, se cech dostal doprostřed pátrání po pašerákovi z rebelské skupiny Drought a Akashin, černokněžník Dědiců chytil Gerd, aby od ní krvavým rituálem získal více informací o Spirit Flamu. Nakonec v nastálém zmatku cech urychleně opouští loď v doprovodu pašeračky Maud a v úkrytu rebelů se dozvídá více o pokřiveném systému, který v Knížectví vládne.
- Player characters:
- Aileen
- Isabel
- Gerd
- Trusk
- Garret
- Bella
- 62. Blutfelt keep
- Name:
- Date:
- Black Ascent of the Mother 892
- In a nutshell:
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Po setkání s obyvateli Serpentu, kteří nyní obývají městečko Serpentholm v Knížectví, se cechu podaří získat nahrávací zařízení, díky kterému mohou natočit, co se opravdu děje v pevnosti Blutfelt. Tam se jim podaří proplížit a jsou svědky hrozného zacházení, krvavých rituálu a hodování na lidském mase. Během snaze pomoci části vězňům se utkají s Generálem Kirchnerem - upírem, který velí pevnosti. Po náročném boji se jim podaří jej porazit a společně s důkazy o plánovaném obětování městečka Serpentholm, nechat rozhořet plamen rebelie po celém Knížectví. Společně s obyvateli SErpentu se vrací do Polárky, aby se připravili na podporu Rebelů.
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