The Scene
The Great Kingdom of Kormyre is known as the greatest human monarchy on Arawyn, ruled by a very long line of benevolent rulers. Yet this was not always the case, and for a brief period of time the kingdom teetered in a darker, bleaker direction. The Church of Valos has not enjoyed the esteem and influence that it does today for very long, and it was in this time before the primacy of the Church – during the reign of Mardux II – that the kingdom’s noble and proud advance through the ages was nearly turned awry.
Mardux II ascended amid rumors, suspicion, and great fear. Probably the very assassin that slew his predecessor on the throne (his own father), he was a capricious tyrant who bore no interest for matters of good or evil. His only interest was ever himself and his ambitions. Whoever could best satisfy his demands earned his favor and the favor of his nobles. For twenty years, Mardux II bent the people of Kormyre to his will and subjugated any smaller principalities that could not resist his armies. Unbridled ambition was the chief virtue of the day and those with the most were those that gained the most, while the less fortunate, the compassionate, and the pious suffered underfoot if they lacked the resolve to stand up for themselves or lacked the favor of their rulers.
It is amidst this storm upon the sea of Kormyre’s history that we set our scene. Near Alieander - the capital of Kormyre - in the County of Loez, lies the hamlet of Bremer. Nestled against an ancient forest, Bremer has long seen more than its share of monsters and strange occurrences. The woods are home to many frightful things and the people of Bremer have become accustomed to danger over the generations. Adventurers often gather here and test their abilities before setting off for the wildest parts of the world to earn their places in history. But something peculiar is about to happen in the woods beyond this bustling hamlet, and history will be made right here in Bremer - a history that will make the wildest parts of the world seem a tranquil summer’s meadow by comparison.
Five Yeas Ago…
Five years have now passed since Taddea Ermingard, the Quartermaster, was revealed to be the dark creature in Bremer preying on townsfolk and whisking them away to her secret prison in the dark forest. Taddea was revealed to be a powerful True Warlock, attempting to use the people of Bremer for dark experiments she was conducting deep within the nearby forest. Several sympathizers to the warlock have since been discovered and executed in public. Almost all the traces of that exceptionally dark time for Bremer had been washed away to time..... until recently.
(The following account is known only by PCs of good alignment and who are part of the resistance)
The Kingdom knew of a secret resistance that plotted against it, yet try as they might they had never captured someone with strong enough intelligence to uncover its roots. Father Albert Pierson was indeed the head of this resistance, and brought those of undoubtedly good faith into its fold. Under his leadership, the resistance discovered that the king had placed his fathers personal diary under a suspicious amount of security. Driven to discover the reason why, they eventually infiltrated the castles lowest catacombs and stole it. The book was infallibly authentic, and in its pages it spoke of the current Kings brother. All had been told years ago that the sibling had died, when in fact this diary revealed that the prince in fact lived and was abducted. With this information spurred a subtle plan… find the prince, and depose the vile King…
Today…
Much has happened in Bremer in the last five years. The Earl of Bremer, Lord Hockney, came down with a sickness that lasted years before finally taking his life. In the days following his death, the King gifted the lands to the Earls advisor Bealore and granted him the title of Lord. Immediately following Lord Baelore’s seating, it was widely whispered that it was Lord Baelore who orchestrated the Earls illness, and that he intentions were that of his own personal ambition. Soon after though, those who whispered those words where never seen or heard from again.
Lord Bealore assigned the local priest of Galmachis, Thanatos, to create a “Black Guard”. A military unit that was undyingly loyal to his lordship and willing to fill out his every command without inquiry. Lady Hockney stays in Bremer for reasons unknown and has retained her title, but none of the administrative power over the lands.
The Hunt for the resistance grew even stronger, and father Albert Pierson was discovered to be the head of the resistance. They tortured him for a full year, but could not get him to break and so finally they killed him and placed his head on a pike on the castle parapets, were it stayed until it rotted for far too long. (The following account is known only by PCs of good alignment) With the death of Father Albert, the resistance threatened to burn out, until one man had recently joined and stoked the fires hard enough to bring back the blaze of hope. His name was Gabriel Tellinghast. He and his cousin Carlotta, the new master of the local Mage's Guild, joined the resistance just as it was threatening to die off from inaction. But Gabriel was not about to let that happen and today he leads the resistance with great ferver and conviction..
The peace brought to the forests of Bremer is fading away. Local huntsman are claiming that the area surrounding the initial spot of the warlocks hidden prison are cloaked in darkness, even at high noon. They say that sunlight cannot penetrate the dark canopy that has grown around this spot and all kinds of forest life in the area are dying. No one has dared to enter the nearby forest at night since the discovery of the warlock and now people are frightened to enter the forest during the day.
The locals have been even more frightened amid rumors of people being whisked away into the night again, but local authorities have yet to confirm any missing.
The authorities likely have been unable to discern any information on the rumored "kidnappings" due to the terrible state the local Royal Guard has fallen into. Captain Landon Kelridge has been missing for nearly a month now and the rest of the guardsmen are unwilling to step up and replace him.
To make things worse, a tribe of particularly nasty goblins has taken up residence to the south of Bremer in a previously unknown cave system. What Guardsmen there are, are largely tied up in patrolling the southern portion of town due to the frequency of goblin raids.
Alt Weekend Fact Sheet
Bremer
Near Alieander - the capital of Kormyre - in the County of Loez, lies the hamlet of Bremer. Nestled against an ancient forest, Bremer has long seen more than its share of monsters and strange occurrences. The woods are home to many frightful things and the people of Bremer have become accustomed to danger over the generations. Adventurers often gather here and test their abilities before setting off for the wildest parts of the world to earn their places in history.
(oog – Please note that you cannot stay in a main building unless your character belongs there)
(oog – The camp will be decorated and arranged for Bremmer. When the change Saturday late night, reverts back to Travance Proper, we are going to leave the decor and the arrangements as is, please just use your imagination)
- The Economy in Bremer is primarily a Silver Piece Economy. Those who deal in gold are considered to be of considerable wealth.
Who’s Who in Bremer
His Lordship, Bealore Winter, Lord of Bremer (Joe Bondi)
Lord Baelore came to power in Bremer after the death of his liege lord a few years ago. He quickly assumed control, installed himself at the side of the former Lady Hockney and began increasing efforts to quell the growing Resistance and any who would seek to oppose the laws of the King. Usually known as a stern man, intolerant of inefficiency, Baelore's Black Guard have been given his authority over the populace and often react as swiftly as their master. Rebels are executed and made an example of where ever they were discovered and their families pay the price for the traitorous act against Baelore's rule. Some of the peasantry have found comfort in the deadly ability of the new Black Guard. Where the tattered remnants of the town guard have failed, the Black Guard has been able to fight off the increasing raiders from the darkened woods. Some say these raiders are the cursed townspeople brought back from the dead to unseat Lord Baelore. Others say they serve him directly. But, whichever is said, it isn't said loud enough for anyone to overhear.
Lady Lauren Hockney, of Bremer (MaryBeth E.)
Through the entire illness of Lord Hockney, Lady Lauren stayed by his side. She was visibly distraught by his passing. With the appointment of Lord Baelore to her husband’s position, one would think that Lauren would return to Quniarian, but instead she stays. One rumor says she plotted for her husband’s death, but the more likely reason is that Lord Baelore is forcing her in some way. It has been said that if she ever left, he would to kill an innocent family for every day she is missing. Perhaps that is why he seems to have her heavily guarded most of the time. Anyone suggesting this has disappeared. Her sympathy to the mourners after the execution of father Albert has been questioned as odd. Once Lady Lauren was generous and openly friendly, now she appears quiet and troubled. Some townsfolk have tried to speak to her, but it grows ever difficult to find her alone.
Sir Thanatos Atropos, called The Reaper of Men (Rob G.)
Rumor and suspicion is abound over the continuing rise to power of Bremer’s resident Priest of Galmachis and Anti-Paladin. After the capture and torture of his longtime rival Father Pierson, as well as the rise to power of a man more sympathetic to his cause, Thanatos is now in a position to do the dark work of his god without inhibition or reservation. Shortly after Lord Baelor’s rise to power, which some whisper was facilitated by none other than Thanatos himself, the Lord granted him an honorary knighthood and charged him with creating a “Black Guard” to keep the peace in Bremer and root out any vestiges of the resistance. Thanatos often uses this as an excuse to torture and slay the innocent, but so far Lord Baelor has been pleased with the successes it has brought. Thanatos has since taken no less than 2 Anti-Paladin apprentices, who delight in the dark work that their Lord tasks them with.
Gabriel Tellinghast (Terry Obrian):
((This characters involvement in the resistance is only known by resistance members))
Gabriel Tellinghast began his career as a soldier of the Church, honing his combat skills and tactics against the enemies of Valos. As he rose in rank and reknown, he attracted the attention of King Graham III, whom he served faithfully for several campaigns. Years later, he retired and now serves his sister, Carlotta, as a bodyguard, or occasionally as a guard captain for the various caravans in the area. He is a serious and stern man, known to be dangerous, but fair, to his foes, a brilliant tactician, and a loyal servant of Valos. After Mardux II took the throne, he approached Gabriel about re-enlisting in his service, but Gabriel is not comfortable with the King, or with the rumors of exactly how he advanced to the throne, and so turned down the offer. Gabriel believes that a Lord should mete justice with his own hand, and has always commanded his troops from the vanguard, advancing side by side with his men. Anyone who served with Gabriel has come to respect him, and his troops would follow him to the Abyss, if asked. After the death of Father Pierson, the Resistance was faltering, desperate for direction and leadership. Gabriel and his sister Carlotta refused to allow the Resistance to die out, and under their leadership the fires of rebellion have been reignited.
Carlotta Tellinghast (Jackie M.)
((This characters involvement in the resistance is only known by resistance members))
Carlotta Tellinghast is the younger sister of Gabriel Tellinghast, and an extremely capable Sorcereress. She is insightful and wise, with a preternatural knack for seeing into people's hearts, and discerning their character. Carlotta is kind and friendly, has strong morals and principles, though she can be occasionally willful and stubborn. As the younger sibling, she often feels like people are comparing her to Gabriel, so she throws herself into her work all the harder, so as not to appear less capable than her brother. Together they stand, a staunch and formidable foundation for the Resistance to build on.
Connor (James Kimball):
((Only PCs who have chosen to be resistance members know of this character))
The resistance first learned of Connors existence five years ago. He is a hermit who has secluded himself from civilization and lives in the dangerous parts of the forests of Bremer and to visit him is a treacherous journey. It is rumored that some of the resistance members have seen him perform miracles such as are only blessed to those known as paladins. Many within the resistance strongly believe that Conner is the lost Prince Graham that they seek, but he has assured them with no uncertainty that he is not.
- James C. Kimball Director, Knight Realms
Alt Weekend Details
Victor Sylus, Baron of Travance
