RPG Campaigns

Giraine Summaries

You boarded the great Nolosian (correction; I'd said Pasos before but this was from Nolos, which means it was quite lost, as Nolos is to the southeast from Pasos) Trireme “The Tyrantblight”… later you piece together that you saw this vessel chasing another ship near Pithdaros once last year. Anyway, the crew didn't know much about why you were being picked up but the strong-willed, masculine, medal-bedecked Captain Anguillian Mouret did. He and his crew treated you warmly until the crew realized you were under some curse.

Capt Anguillian said they'd become lost in a fog (Luathan?) before Sacred Time and then met Omen who directed them to save marooned people on the Kanthor Island, in return for help getting back to Nolos. He'd prayed to Makan; quite a religious man (the Ship of Life church, not Rokari!); and found that this was the righteous course. So here you were. And he'd gladly take you home- he was committed to this even after you warned him he might be better off going west… which a check of his maps showed you would only lead you toward suspected Vadeli lands and uncharted waters…

He would not contemplate that course. Anguillian was convinced he could get you home, and after praying with Maugis (even though he was suspicious of him for being Seshnelan, he wanted a stronger connection with Makan), he grew stronger in this conviction– as did even Maugis. There was hope that Makan would stay the hand of any sea demon who might smite you.

Ahappi jumped overboard to meet Omen that evening (annoying Anguillian, who wanted to have his own words with Omen and lead the conversation, but he didn't hold a grudge). He learned that Omen was determined to guide you home, that you'd suffered enough and Omen was going to take action, rallying help from fellow sea beings, to ensure a safe voyage. He explained that he thought Magasta was testing and punishing you, in His inscrutable way, for being the helpers on Bar'ran's quest and slaying the Vomiter. If you lived through his ordeals, you might deserve some respect from the sea. Omen told poignantly of how he personally felt that the sea and men were too antagonistic to each other and should find ways to live in harmony, not man vs. sea. Ahappi was touched, but not convinced. “The sea is always to be feared.” Omen said he would guide you home, meeting each day and night to speak with you and direct your course, and so he did.

3 days later, with easy sailing through the Pasos island chain, and daily stops to resupply and speak with locals, you were rested and healed and refreshed, in some comfort aboard the great Tyrantblight. But then, as you entered open seas approaching Giraine, with the Genertelan continent on the eastern horizon, a storm blew up from the west, and waterspouts (giant daimones of the stormy sea gods) descended from thundering clouds. You prayed and braced yourselves and the crew sped the Tyrantblight away to the west… and then the storm turned north and faded away. Relieved, you met Omen at twilight and learned that with the coming dawn, Sacred Time would be over and you'd be free to go home!

And so you did. The year 1622 dawned and the Tyrantblight glided around the horn of Giraine safely passing Squid Point with no sign of Pellinoresbane, whirlpool, storm or hull-slashing rocks, and anchoring near St Thosos port at last!

Omen had brought gifts from the sea spirits for you, although each held a certain downside to it. Boamund got an undine-daimone binding anklet of bright green coral that would only work if worn into seawater, and whose spirit would only return after its service if Boamund drowned a sentient land being. Ciddar and the Baronet later, in their dreams, got magic spells, under similar conditions of renewal. Maugis, however, was cursed– the sea felt his fear of it, and worsened it by making him unable to naturally heal or regain mana except on land for this year. All of the former, however, would find the ocean's waves calmer for them this year (+10% to Swim in ocean). Last of all, Ahappi was “blessed” with a geas from his saint: he must sink a ship every season this year… or else. Omen tried to put a happy spin on it all, but you were left unsure how to react to the mixed blessings.

And who had delivered you safely home, turning the storm away from your course and filling the trireme's sails with billowing gusts to keep it ahead of the danger? Was it Omen's negotiations with the sea beings, was it Maugis and the crew's prayers to Makan, or was it your own perseverance and Magasta's satisfaction (or distraction)? Each person had their own views of where credit was due.

You bade the Captain Anguillian farewell on excellent terms, and the Baronet tried to invite that Captain for dinner at his manor, but the Tyrantblight would only stop briefly before speeding back to the northwest to bring its long-absent crew home at last. Anguillian had overdue business with Baron Ronalio, though, and it was clear that this concerned the tidings of coming war between Seshnela and the Quinpolic League (Nolos, Pasos, Pithdaros).

You came ashore and met old friends and contacts, but hurried to the Baron's keep to prepare to dine with him. News was that in Seshnela there were big troop exercises and that King Guilmarn the Fat's new elite soldiers, the Paragons, were causing strife in those lands as well as allied territories inside neighbours such as Pithdaros. They were being granted noble status and lands in return for their loyal service to the Kings… surely not a good thing in the Rokari church's eyes, nor the nobles'! Baronet Shaven learned that his family lands outside Oradaros in Pithdaros has thus been claimed by a Paragon.

Meanwhile, on Giraine the Rokari Church, especially the Chapel in town, had regained some composure and strength with the return of its Deacon, Thristaine d'Ombiri, who seemed to prefer the halls of mainland churches and their theological discussions over actually managing his chapel. He brought a new vicar, Xavier Outrecourt, who was said to be thoroughly unpleasant. That was bad news… and they seemed to be focused on rallying the peasantry back to their cause with warnings of perdition and failure to achieve Solace if the peasants did not behave ascetically and suffer like good Rokari.

The struggle for the hearts and minds of the people of your land was on, Baron Ron said. And he chided you; indeed ordered you; to stay out of it and away from the church – “We must bide our time. We must gain strength. I will choose when and where we confront the Church.” You were not so sure; especially Ahappi. Ahappi said he might have other business off the island, but Ron praised his brave service, foremost amongst his little navy, and asked him to try to remain nearby, as trouble was coming– he knew Giraine would be drawn into the war with Seshnela's king or with its Rokari church.

You dined with the Baron Ron, watched over by his raspy-voiced sage/wizard Evakranem, and with uncomfortable avoidance by the Young Baron Lorenz and the gorgeous but scowling and distant Baroness Elvaquette. Big Ron himself seemed weakened, as ever since his Heretic branding, but still possessed of flashes of fervour and determination. He hinted at some plan he was brewing that would interest you but said it was “still too theoretical” to discuss. He wondered what your goals would be for this new year and urged you to stay close to Giraine, as your services would be needed. And so you retired to your guest rooms and slept a very peaceful night on Giraine, awakening to the second dawn of Sea Season: a season of travel and change…

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