Attributes
Featured NPCsTray GalundSeamus AdairGraak CinderforceGalbrand LandusSimon FairbreezeMathius StraightCaivil StrongTrevor LightfistMichael the Hammer
Chapter Number3
TitleDarkness Emerges
Primary Locationtrayalon
Dm NotesKey revelation: Landus's holy symbol is Onyx's Maker's Mark, not Helmar's. This means Landus was manipulated by Onyx while in the Nexus believing Onyx was Helmar. The party should be noting Maker's Marks carefully from this point. The Warden tome abilities are permanent and should be tracked per PC. The teleportation rod (command word 'Nyx') becomes important in ch-07. Simon Fairbreeze is noted as 'now deceased' in the ch-05 source material — his death likely occurred during or shortly after ch-02 or ch-03. Seamus is already playing a long game against the Galunds.
Detailed NarrativeBoth Freeriver and Redshield factions send envoys to Trayalon following the Cliffhaven graveyard incident, each demanding support and blaming the other for the lost liaisons. The party must choose to help one faction, neither, or leverage the situation — with diplomatic success potentially securing an ally or military intimidation cowing a lord into fealty. The factions plan coordinated attacks on each other's leadership timed to the holiday Honor Day. The party defends against or assists in assassin strike teams at Northfork and Riverguard. The White Flag gang in Trayalon has gone quiet and organized, Seamus raises questions about Tray Galund's long-term rule with Solomon. In the background, the fallen god Helmar's Maker's Mark surfaces connected to Galbrand Landus — who has Onyx's mark, not Helmar's, suggesting he was deceived in the Nexus. Graak Cinderforce of the Blazing Hood Dwarves arrives and delivers a prophecy: 'Doom will rise from Vadesh, the seeker will rise a god, and court destruction for all; the wardens will return.' He grants the party access to Warden tomes for permanent special abilities.
EventsGraak Cinderforce delivers prophecy: 'Doom will rise from Vadesh'Blazing Hood Dwarves reveal Landus serves Onyx, not Helmar — he was deceived in the NexusParty granted Warden tome special abilities (permanent SAs chosen per PC)White Flag gang goes dark and organized — suspected outside directionSeamus Adair probes Solomon about loyalty to Galunds if leadership changesAsh the wizard-assassin confirmed paid by Redshields and fled east into ArlaCrown of Sorin: rangers sighted aggressively defending north of Trayalon along the river
SummaryFollowing the graveyard revelations, the party deals with the political fallout of rival River Lord factions sending competing envoys to Trayalon — each blaming the other for the failed conspiracy and threatening war. Meanwhile, the Blazing Hood Dwarf Graak Cinderforce arrives with a prophecy of doom and bestows special abilities from ancient Warden tomes, and Galbrand Landus begins aggressively consolidating the Redshield lands.
Campaign Idfounding-of-trayalon-gallund-river-empire
Campaignfounding-of-trayalon-gallund-river-empire
Locationstrayalonnorthforkriverguard
RewardsPermanent special ability from Blazing Hood Warden tomes (one per PC)Teleportation rod pair (Helmar's Maker's Mark) — command word 'Nyx' — one half given to the party by UdinDiplomatic or military alliance with one River Lord faction
Player CharactersFreespirit BastionDuncan SarkranaAdmond GalundSolomon