Cities of K'Darl #2 - Werdenton

Werdenton sprung into existence around the monument of King Jarraxe Britemane, built some 500 years previously. Used initially as a meeting point for traders, eventually stalls and living quarters were built around the area and before too long, a small village had been established. As time rolled ever onwards, the village are into a town and then, inevitably, into a city. They occupants named it 'Werdenton' after the Dwarfish traveller that had overseen the construction of the monument and had, for many years, helped grow the community and industry. 

Looking at Werdenton now though, we see a completely different city. Now considered the kingdoms industrial capital, Werdenton is a vast city of building, welding, smithies and all other manner of fabrication you can think of. Its proximity to the Kaba-San mountains mean it has a rich supply of raw minerals and other materials.

There is practically no residential area to speak of, as most of the residents live above their respected shops. The city boasts only one inn, though it is likely the largest in the kingdom, playing host to all the travelling traders that pass through.

Hidden amongst the various shops, trading stalls, smithies, jewellers and mining contractors, is the towering monument of King Jarraxe Britemane the First. Used now as it always has been as a meeting place, it is the only square in the city where you won't find any stalls or shops.

Cities of K'Darl #1 - Kreshington

Around 500 years ago, King Jarraxe Britemane commissioned six monuments of himself to be constructed around K'Darl. One of these was to the West, near the old town of Telwin. Those who had worked on the construction of the monument here had settled in the area and, over time, the small encampment grew and grew until it became a bustling town in its own right. Then, as fashions changed and time passed, people abandoned their old town of Telwin to seek out a new life in the new city of Krashington, so named after the great Dragonborn warrior Krash, who had been sent to oversee the construction of the monument and had, later, returned to govern the city and found the great school of war there.

If we pull ourselves from the distant past and look at Kreshington, its name having changed somewhere along the line, as it is today, we see a very similar scene to that which would have presented itself all those years ago.

The city is surrounded by a great wall, with guards patrolling day and night, more out of tradition than because of any real threat. The guard is commanded by twelve Dragonborn captains, each of whom serve for one year after graduating from the Academy of war before they leave to pursue their own career. This ensures little or no corruption, as there are no 'old hands' that are set in their own ways.

If we venture inside the city wall, we will find ourselves in the bustling market sector. The market hugs the inside of the wall all the way around, making it easier for passing traders and travellers to buy and sell goods without having to move through the entire city. The proximity of the city to the western port of K'Darl means that many traders from abroad stop here before continuing across the island, providing a rich trading community.

Just past the market sector is the residential area. This is where the majority of the population live and socialise, in the various taverns and inns. Most of the jobs in the city are either selling on the market or working in the taverns.

The only other jobs are in the city guard, and at the Academy, which stood just past the the residential area. Consisting of the tallest buildings in the city, the Academy was visible throughout the city. Dragonborn from all over the known world come here to train in the ways of combat and war. The top 12 graduates every year serve as the captains of the guard for the following year. This is considered a great honour. The only other thing of note is the statue of King Jarraxe Britemane the First, which stands in the centre of the city. 

The city's motto is carved above doors, on buildings and on every gate into the city. It is "Only through flame is the true path revealed." 

Legends of K'Darl #7 - Bound for Werdenton

Our group of daring adventurers *cough splutter cough* set out from the capital, heading North East towards the industrial city of Werdenton. As they travelled further North the winds grew colder, and the group came across more of the attacked farms and smallholdings, each of them showing the same signs of an attack and slaughter, with a pyre smouldering close by where the bodies had been cremated. They met no travellers on the road, which was odd given Werdenton was known as the industrial capital of K'Darl. Yet in their three day journey, the roads remained still and silent. 

They finally arrived in Werdenton on the evening of the third day. Guards were posted around the outer city wall but they waved them through. They asked what business our group had in Werdenton, and so they explained they were looking for the unit that was sent some weeks ago. The guards looked at each other, then back to our gang, telling them that no other group had been received there in Werdenton.

With no clear answer presenting itself and no further leads to go on, our group headed to City's statue of King Britemane the First, eager to see if they would discover similar hidden secrets to those they found in Kreshington.

And now for something completely different!

I've only really posted story fluff on this page recently. Following the adventures of our heroic *cough cough* group of warriors, we've travelled far across K'Darl, seen them conquer unearthly foes and meet interesting characters. We've also seen the world from behind the eyes of some of the NPC characters. I hope you've been enjoying reading about their adventures (or more often, misadventures) as much as I've been enjoying writing them.

Today, however, I thought I would unveil the real life piece of terrain I've built to represent the monuments of King Jarraxe Britemane the First. 

Sculpted wielding his infamous daggers, Pity and Fool, and wearing the skin of a great wolf that his majesty himself slew whilst touring the Kingdom.

There's a more detailed post on my other blog about how I built it, but wanted to share it with my fellow fans of K'Darl!

Hope you like it guys!

Views from an NPC #1 - Librarian

*This entry takes place at the same time as 'Legends of K'Darl #6'*

Beatrice had been the head librarian in the capital for nearly 40 years. She had overcome so much to attain such a high title. Beatrice was a dwarf, you see, and therefore couldn't reach any higher than 3, maybe 4, shelves. It didn't matter much here in the grand library, where ladders on tracks were fitted, meaning anyone could reach any book, even those hidden far above in the darkness. It had, however, hindered her in her younger years while training. The ridicule she had endured. The mockery and comments and laughter she had had to listen to every day. It had all made her so angry, though with years of practise, she had learnt to control her anger.

Right now, that control was slipping. For the past week, a group of miscreants had been stinking up the library, hardly ever leaving. Most of them had been sleeping here even. As Beatrice organised a pile of books, she thought back on the past week. The first had been annoying, dropping books around left right and centre, no respect for them at all. He had smelt awful that one, like he had spent a day and a night on a privy and forgotten to wipe.

Then, the rest of them had turned up, apparently companions of the first. There was the she elf, who insisted on prancing about and informing all she could of how tragic her life had been. There was not one, but two dragonborn. Both were stereotypically moody, stomping about the place, scaring other readers. At least she knew what all these were though. They also had in their company a walking suit of armour who, she had been alarmed to find out, could talk. He was extremely rude and made an awful noise when he walked around, creaking and clunking. The last was...well, she wasn't sure what it was. It appeared to be a man, though such a hulking brute she had never seen in her life. Where its stomach would normally be flat, there was an evil squiggly face grinning out at her. She hadn't dared look at it for more than a few seconds, but she knew she didn't like it.

She would have kicked them all out, barring the door behind them, but she had been informed that they were here on royal business. So, she put up with the noise, the mud, the unsavoury noises, the constant presence, the smell and, most irritating of all, the complete lack of respect for the organisational system.

Yes, she put up with it all, as she had put up with everything all her life. She slowly rose from her desk, picking up the stack of neatly organised books as she went, ready to place them back in their proper places. As she turned, she collided with something and was sent reeling backwards, the books scattered, their pages getting ripped and bent. As she looked around, she saw that the group of miscreants had been walking out of the library, and the hulking mass with the squiggly face had knocked her with his arm. They all walked onwards, completely oblivious. She watched as they left, leaving a lingering smell and a muddy trail behind them.

Beatrice sighed and started to gather her books.

Legends of K'Darl #6 - Waiting

The group arrived in the capital to discover they were the first group back. Out of the thirty six members of the royal task force, they alone had returned. They therefore decided to hold of their report for the king, deciding to wait until they heard of the other groups reports. 

While they waited, the group spent much of its time in the great library, trying to learn more on these creatures. Joran, now fully recovered, had told them of his discovery and they in turn had informed him of what had transpired in Kreshington. Long nights they spent in the library, trying to learn something more than they already knew.

A week passed by and still no-one else returned. Eventually, the group received a message from the king, advising them that they were to give their report the next morning as the king had new orders. The group huddled between the towers of books, deciding what to tell him, their week of solitude making them paranoid and untrusting of everyone, including his majesty. The decided to tell him only what they needed to, keeping as much secret as they could.

The next morning the king received them in the royal hall. They told him of these shadows but nothing more than needed. Satisfied with their report, he told them they were to head to Werdenton, being the nearest of the cities, and discover what happened to the group sent there.

The group left his presence and readied themselves for the journey ahead.

The Legends of K'Darl #5 - Beneath Kreshington.

As our party arrived back in Kreshington, they headed straight for the ancient statue of the great King Jarraxe Britemane the first. The magic users sensed some kind of seal on the dais, but not how to disarm it. Thinking of the towns motto ("Only through fire is the true path revealed") the group decided to try using fire on the dais. 

While the group stood in the well lit courtyard, trying to think of a way to get fire, the torches lining the well lit courtyard burned ever on. Eventually, Rakash had an amazing idea, and grabbed one of the torches. Holding it against the dais, the group watched on as it opened up, creating a doorway, with steps behind leading down into darkness.

The group descended into the ancient dungeon, lighting torches as they went. They managed to disarm traps and work their way further and further into the vault. Suddenly, the group found themselves surrounded by a dark shadow, which seemed to form skeletal figures that moved and attacked them. Readying themselves the only way they knew how, they fought off the spectral beasts, as one by one they fell, dissolving into nothingness as they did. Eventually the room was clear, and K'rang confirmed it was the same magic he had sensed at the site of the attacks. Weary, they carried onwards.

They entered what seemed to be the final room. A single pedestal stood in the centre, a shimmering forcefield atop it. Two cupped dragon born hands stuck out from the pedestal, with the motto carved into it above them. Ganon took the torch and placed it in the hands. With a blinding flash, the forcefield was dismissed. When the group regained their eyesight, they saw a thin leather necklace, decorated with what seemed to be petrified orc ears. Ganon took the necklace, putting it on straight away.

The group hastened upstairs, fearing that more of these spectral beasts may be attacking the city. Yet their worry was for naught, as the city lay peaceful and quiet, exactly as they had left it. Our group decided to head back to the capital and await news from the other groups and try to learn more on their deadly new foes.

Legends of K'Darl #4 - Suspicions confirmed

The group traveled as quickly as they might, and arrived in the small village long after the moon had risen into the sky. The scene that greeted them was one of death and destruction. All around, lay bodies, once residents here in the village, now grotesque decorations strewn around, a midnight feast for the crows.

The EMW, always excited at the sight of a fresh corpse, headed straight to the nearest body, examining it, looking for any clues as to what caused the wounds. In all his years of service, he had never seen wounds quite like these. 

The group headed towards the village hall, discovering a similar scene inside to that which lay outside. As the group moved to check the records to try and fathom why these attacks were taking place, they heard a cough from a nearby wall. Thinking it was strange for a wall to cough, the group stood still and listened closely. Again, a cough and a small whimper. Someone was hiding.

Walking up to the wall, the EMW looked, seeing it was indeed a false wall, but could not fathom how to open it. Pushing the him aside, K'rang smirked as he drew his fist back and threw a punch towards the door, tripping at the last second, causing his fist to connect with the door at an awkward angle, twisting his wrist in ways it should not twist. As he looked frustratedly at his now ruined hand, the EMW moved back in front of the door, moving its eye slits as it did in what must have been an attempt to roll it's eyes. It lowered its shoulder towards the door and charged with all its strength, smashing the door to splinters and nearly crushing the startled man on the other side.

Pulling him out and sitting him down, the group started questioning the man. He was one of the residents here, and had hidden as soon as the attack started. He told them that he had heard everything through the walls, but he couldn't help them. The EMW asked him if he could check to see if there were any bodies of old blood families. The man checked and confirmed that none of the old bloodlines bodies were there.

The group, deciding that this was their best lead, decided to make camp here for the night, and then head back to Kreshington. It was about time they found out why someone was so interested in the statues of King Britemane the First.

Unexpected Adventures #1 - Joran and the Never Ending Bowel Movement!

*This entry takes place at the same time as 'Legends of K'darl - #3'*

Joran had sent word to the rest of his group, letting them know that he wouldn't be able to join them on their quest. Having eaten what he thought was a bowl of mushroom soup, he had spent the last 24 hours hunched over in agony as he experienced feelings that no man should ever feel. Eventually, he dared to leave his privy sanctuary and went in search of the two men who had sold him the soup. Alas, his search was fruitless, the two men having left town the day before.

Exasperated (and considerably lighter), Joran decided to put his time in the capital to good use, heading to the great library to search for any mention of these 'shadows' that were spoken of in the reports of the attacks. He sat up long into the night, finding only fleeting mentions in old and dusty tomes. Undeterred, he continued his search, night after night, never leaving the library.

It wasn't until three nights later that he stumbled across anything substantial, and it was only by chance. Stood atop one of the ladders used to reach the higher shelves, Joran was reaching for a book just on the edge of his reach, when his sleeve caught the spine of a large, heavy, leather bound tome. Not noticing this, he snagged it from its resting place, causing it to topple from the shelf and fall towards the floor far below, cracking Joran across the head as it went. Joran, dazed for a second by this unexpected assault, nearly fell from the ladder, but managed to regain his balance. Climbing down to retrieve the book so that he could replace it, he stopped just short of it. The book had fallen open, the pages showing the image of a dark skeletal figure surrounded in shadow. 

Picking up the book, Joran managed to make out a brief paragraph or two, which spoke of these spectral beings being summoned using old, powerful dark magic. They didn't mention how this was achieved, only that it was old magic, and that the beings could stay in the realm without being sustained and without being close to the summoner.

Making a note of what he had discovered, Joran replaced the book, deciding that he had found all he was likely to find. He left the library after his long search, glad he had made himself useful in some way to his groups cause. Now he would await their return. He headed to the inn where they had met the night before they received their orders and, tentatively, ordered a bowl of mushroom soup.

Legends of K'Darl #3 - Arrival in Kreshington

Our heroic *ahem* group of adventurers travelled day and night, resting only as they needed to. They passed through abandoned hamlets, homesteads devoid of life, all showing signs of a struggle, wreckage littering the ground.

Stopping at one of the larger farms, the group disembarked from the newly named wagon (Rolling Thunder) and cautiously explore the area. They find broken objects and dried blood, yet nothing of value seems to have been stolen. A large pyre sits some distance from the buildings, still smoking. Ganon and K'rang, both being trained in magic, sense the lingering presence of some dark magic in the area, though what it was used for they cannot say. Having gleaned what information the could from the site, they once again climb aboard Rolling Thunder and continue their journey.

After another days travel, the group arrive in Kreshington just as the sky is starting to darken. The group speaks with one of the city guard captains, learning that they had been burning the bodies they found at the various homesteads, explaining the pyre they had seen. He pointed them in the direction of an in where survivors were taking refuge. The group then split, some heading to the inn, others heading to the markets and some heading to the academy to utilise the library. 

Between them, they learn that the hamlets are being attacked by dark shadows, summoned into being by some ancient and dark magic, almost beyond all knowledge. The only information they managed to obtain from the refugees was that none of the older families had been killed, and that they had been taken by these things, whatever they were. When pressed further, the survivors told them that the older families are descendants of the builders who helped to originally found Kreshington, having worked on either its construction, or the construction of one of the great statues of King Britemane the First that were present in all 5 of the major cities and in the capital too. As they are questioning one of the survivors further, a fresh face appears in the inn, stumbling across the room, muttering of shadows and evil. The group quickly learn that he has travelled from a nearby homestead, which was attacked the previous night. 

The group gather their things and head out, hoping to find some fresh clues at the site of this latest attack.

Legends of K'Darl #2 - Our Heroes Journey Begins

The heroes of this story all received their orders whilst in the capital. They were to report to the captain of the guard, and there they would hear of the task ahead of them.

Reporting at first light, they heard the news of attacks on outposts and homesteads, slowly closing in on the main cities all across K'Darl. They, and the other members of the task force, were sent out to investigate in the different areas, to try and glean some information. All they had to go on was that the attacks were being carried out by shadows in the dark, that few survived and that no tracks were made by these...shadows.

Our group headed to the markets to stock up on weapons and supplies, planning to regroup at Rakash's newly purchased wagon and mule at the Western gate. Everyone arrived back, bar Joran, who had indulged in a bowl of mushroom soup whilst shopping, and was now sat occupying a privy, regretting that decision with all his being. He sent word to the rest of the group that he wouldn't make it, and so they departed on the Western road, headed for Kreshington. 

Benson & Hector #1 - Mushroom Soup

*This entry takes place after 'Legends of K'Darl - #2'*

The inn was abuzz with its usual trade. Travellers from all across K'Darl passed through the capital, and those without much in the way of sense, or good luck, ended up here, in The Wooden Horse. Infamous amongst the seedier population of the capital, it attracted thieves and swindlers, sell swords with questionable morals and gamblers. If you wanted to keep a low profile, this was the inn to stay at.

In a secluded corner of the room sat two tieflings, empty tankards littering the table, a large purse spilling over with gold coins in the centre. The first one speaks to the second "How...how, how much we got left then Hector?" He slurs his words, the effects of the ale obvious. He was slight, scrawny even for a tiefling, with straggly brown hair atop his bony head. The second, Hector, looked at his companion for a moment, then picked the purse up, shaking it gently next to his ear. "Still more than enough Benson, no need to worry." He smiled as he said this, thinking of all the gold they had acquired over the last couple of days. "I think, and I'm sure you'll agree Benson, that this scheme was quite possibly one of our best ever. With this much gold, we can invest in something bigger, maybe even go legit!" With this final word, the pair look at each other, eyes glazed over slightly, as though thinking deeply. Then the pair explode into raucous laughter, knocking their tankards against each other and drinking deeply.

Benson, who was noticeably rounder than his friend, with no hair left to speak of, set his tankard down. "As if we would ever survive going legit Hector. You don't half come up with some crazy notions." He smiled again, leaning back on his stool. "I tell you what though Hector, I'd hate to bump into any of the poor saps that bought that slop from us! I caught a whiff of it in the barrel, I'd hate to think what it does to your insides!" At this thought, he laughs again, draining the last of his ale.

Hector nods his head in agreement, " I'm not sure what those chunks were floating in it, but I think it's safe to say it wasn't just mushroom! Still, at ten gold pieces for 20 barrels, it would have been a shame to waste such a good business opportunity. I mean, you saw 'em Benson, they couldn't get enough of the stuff! These travellers, they'll try anything in the capital. Especially when we sell it to them at the special offer price of one gold piece for a bowl. I mean, that's an absolute steal." He laughed again, evidently proud of his genius cunning.

Benson joins in, then stops to ask "Seriously though, when are we skipping town? I wasn't joking when I said I'd hate to bump into any of those people what bought it." He suddenly looks around the room, as though expecting to be greeted by an angry customer. Looking back to Hector, he sees his friend smiling, peaceful as anything. "Fear not my friend, fear not! We've our rooms here for the night and then, after a modest breakfast, we shall move on to pastures new!" He raised his tankard as he said this, waiting for his friend to do the same. Benson raises his own tankard, and they both drain them of their remaining ale. 

Hector sets his now empty tankard down. "Don't worry my friend. Any unsatisfied customers will more than likely be otherwise engaged at present anyway, unable to come seeking out a couple of honest traders. Tonight, we drink."

And drink they did, long into the night, until eventually they both slumped unconscious over the table between them. Night turned to day, the sun streaming through the open windows of the inn. The pair stirred, groaning and complaining of thick heads. As they peeled their faces off the table and strained their weary eyes against the harsh morning sun, they looked around. The inn was empty, except for them. Smiling, they looked across the table to each other. It was only when they both realised that, where their large purse of gold had been sat the night before, there was now a noticeable lack of the aforementioned purse of gold. Slowly looking back to each other, neither knew what to say.

After a few seconds, Benson manages to sum up his entire thought train into one elegant sentence. 

"Oh fuck."