The Ward Campaign

The Ward Campaign is the first of the two campaigns that take place in Terryn.

The campaign started out as a one-shot story known as "The Pirates of Delona," in which Buldrin and Elloc were the main protagonists. As the story evolved into a full-length campaign, Aren was introduced and joined the party. Two more PC's, KW-Alpha and a short-lived Elven commander, would later have guest appearances.

This page contains details of the events that occurred during the Ward Campaign.

## Introduction

The Empire of Cival Barrath was formed from an alliance of three cities under a powerful king named Malcom de Crowne. Ockham was the center of civilization; Tollbar was a repository of ancient knowledge; Edengrat was a mighty fortress. Over hundreds of years, the empire extended its borders to fill the continent of Barrath. Cities and towns sprung up as the civilizing influence of the diplomats and military of the empire swept over the land. Eventually, the empire funded the creation of a few far-flung power centers; Ramsroar, Frostrend, and Glantcastle. This great cities at the edge of the empire solidified its borders. However, despite this consolidation, three cities led by clerics of Saints Nemo, Trent, and Otto broke free, setting up an independent confederacy in Whiteshadow flats. Other areas resisted civilization. The Gesshum Velliel is a lush valley populated by brutal monsters and powerful tribes of orcs. The Grey Waste is a toxic flatland. Sages speculate that it was a major battlefield in the world-wide war between Dragons and Giants that took place at the dawn of time.

After Ramsroar was constructed, Cival Barrath made contact with a foreign empire: Szauster. Szauster was a nation of knights who were overjoyed to learn of the mercies of Via. After years of trade and diplomacy between Cival Barrath and Szauster, the knights of Szauster pledged themselves to Via. However, this led to disaster. A demagogue named Szuna twisted the words of the missionaries and established a cabal of heretics deep within the knight’s hierarchy. Eventually, Szuna swayed the public to believe the devils of hell were the true force of power in the cosmos. They conducted an infernal ritual that transformed the people of Szauster into vessels for hell. A number of faithful fled to Cival Barrath, but their outward appearance was tainted. Now Szauster is a kingdom of darkness, ruled by an immortal king of hellish might. Cival Barrath fights a constant war to keep the fiends off their shores. But Szauster is never still, and the plots of Szuna extend into the mists of the future.

Today, Civil Barrath is stronger than it has ever been. Technology and magic is flourishing. Frontier lands like Prael, a dangerous, mystical peninsula that hosts hostile civilizations and powerful relics, are being explored. However, trouble is stewing. A recent graduate of the College of Magic and the Temple of Via has declared his intention to become a saint. With mysterious allies and incredible charisma, this rising star has the opportunity to shake the foundations of the Empire...

- Bard1066

## All the Stuff in the Middle

### The Pirates of Delona

The Ward Campaign begins with Buldrin and Elloc entering the city of Dwarfgate in Urd. Each of them have their own motives for being there. They are hired on a mercenary ship by the dwarves to hunt troublesome pirates from Delona. The heroes board a Dwarvish Ironside where they meet other adventurers, included the snow elf Harmony. This group of mercenaries sailed along Steambowl bay, hunting for the Pirate Queen, who was rumored to be on the central island of the Maw. When the group found her, however, the dwarf who commanded the ship revealed himself to be a monstrous Kraken priest. He was trying to steal the Runes of Summer from Rikkar to help his dark cult summon Dagon. When they discovered this, the heroes switched sides and slew the Kraken priest. In thanks, Rikkar asked the heroes to join her crew, an offer which they, along with Harmony, accepted.

### Mission to Urd

Buldrin and Elloc are later given another mission, joining the crew of the *Star Sailor*, on which Armus, Lav'she Glinterweb, and Glishek are crew members. The kingdom of Urd had captured an asset that the pirates of Delona are interested in. The adventurers are tasked with retrieving this asset and delivering it back to Rikkar. The duo thus set sail once again on the *Star Sailor* off toward the northern coast of Urd, then up a river toward the fortress where the asset is being kept Leskpo. The two adventurers infiltrate the fortress, where they discover that the asset is actually a person, a snow elf who is apparently blind. The alarm had been raised when the duo captured the elf, so they turn to make their quick escape. They manage to sail all the way back down the river, but once they reach the ocean they encounter the same Ironside that had troubled them earlier. To get around this problem, the captain of the *Star Sailor* uses some kind of magical ability or spell, causing the whole ship and crew to slip into the Ethereal Plane, which phased the ship and allowed it to sail right through the Ironside. With the captain now out of commission, his energy focused on maintaining the ships phase shift, the *Star Sailor* decides to try to escape the Ironside by sailing for the Locker, in hopes of losing the Urd ship in the maelstrom. This plan ends up succeeding, but the *Star Sailor* accidentally ends up in the Astral Sea, where they are unable to escape.

### In the Astral Sea

The crew of the *Star Sailor* try to decide what to do. But with both the ship's captain and Glishek unconscious (Glishek had been using his psionic powers to speed the *Star Sailer* on ahead of the Ironside), the whole ship seems well and trapped in the Astral Sea. After floating there for an unknown length of time, something begins to appear out of the white haze of the Astral Sea. At first, it resembles the Urdish Ironside, and the crew of the *Star Sailor* prepare for an attack, but upon closer inspection it appears differently. It is indeed an Ironside-like ship, but far larger and more archaic, with the name *S.S. Asylum* stamped across the bow. Not knowing what to make of the massive ship, Buldrin and Elloc decide to explore this mysterious vessel along with Glinterweb. It appears to be filled with holding cells of various sizes, and the away team discover all kinds of strange beings in them. In one, they discover something slightly more normal than the rest, which is strange when compared to the remainder of the ship: a halfling, who introduces himself as Aren when asked. They also find a Yuan-Ti Pureblood in a nearby cell who called himself Preacher. Both of these gladly accept the away team's offer to escape when it is offered them. The team also encounters a ghoulish, intelligent flesh golem and a vicious gauth that they first believe to be a beholder.

The adventurers then discover, through information given by Aren, that the remainder of the cult has found their way on board the ship, and are conducting some kind of ritual. The team then tries to get to the ship's top deck in an attempt to stop the cult. They narrowly succeed, and are able to finish of the last members of the cult. The adventurers then abandon the *Asylum* and return to the *Star Sailor*, since the massive prison-ship offered no clues as to how to return to the Material Plane.