Chuck Goldschläger

Chuck Goldschläger is a male gnome cleric in the Emeron campaign.

Friar Chuck Goldschläger was a gnomish cleric of the Brewmaster. He joined with the Heroes of Prophecy to help them defeat the Dragon Queen and fought at the Battle of Thorgain Peak with them.

## Background

Chuck was born in a small mountain town in Gnomedon. An early disciple of the Brewmaster, he longed to own his own tavern and dedicate it's operation to his deity. After several years of hard work he was able to save enough money to do just that, and opened a tavern. He was incredibly happy, but sadly the happiness was not to last.

One day the town was attacked by a band of ogres leading a fearsome monster they called a Trogdor. The gnomes attempted to fight back, but they were over matched and only those who successfully fled or hide survived. Chuck's bar, as well as much of the town, lay in ashes.

His dreams temporarily dashed and his finances now in shambles, Friar Chuck left to try to make enough money to open a new tavern elsewhere.

## Joining the Heroes of Prophecy

### **Defeating "Eddie Drezzen"**

Chuck traveled offering his clerical and brewing services attempting to save coin. Early in the month of Yeti, 1130, he found himself in the Cliffshire where he was recruited by the Heroes of Prophecy, who were glad to have additional healing.

The Heroes of Prophecy, consisting of Dedekind Fried, Lylena, Martok Stonecutter, Samara, Horace, Trista Ravenlark, and Taltharian at that moment, were bound for Drezzenville to face the impostor of Eddie Drezzen and Chuck joined them. They found the people of Drezzenville laboring under harsh taxes from the impostor of Eddie, who had also built up and elite and well equipped force of soldiers loyal to him.

The heroes loaned Chuck the *Warhammer of Grul* to wield in the battle, which the gnome took as an honor. Dedekind devised a plan to create a distraction by releasing the ponies from Eddie's stable and setting it ablaze, which drew enough guards away for the Heroes to sneak into his manor house and an epic battle took place within. Chuck spent much of the battle alternating between healing and blessing his allies and using the *Warhammer of Grul* to fight Eddie and his men. When the dust had settled, the manor house had been burned to the the impostor had been slain along with many of his soldiers, but Horace too had died in battle.

Citing the prophecy the Heroes traveled to Home, the capital of the Confederation of Halfling Shires. On the way, however, they were accosted by a patrol stating they had orders to arrest anyone matching the description of Dedekind, Taltharian and Trista (as well as Dandy, Ferris and Elrude, none of whom were present). The party defeated the guards but proceeded with caution once they reached Home.

On the 16th of Yeti, 1130, the Heroes of Prophecy snuck into the home of Brollo Goldpipe, as he'd been the one to issue the arrest orders in question. There they found that he too was involved in the conspiracy, working closely with the imposer of Eddie Drezzen, and that Brollow too was an impostor. More shocking they found the real Eddie Drezzen and Brollo Goldpipe suspended in animation. The heroes freed the halflings, who were shocked to learn that nearly fifty years had passed since they were imprisoned. Among the items found was the *Shield of Yondolla* and several letters indicating that Starr and the other surviving members of the conspiracy had collected some of the artifacts and were traveling north to collect the last few.

### **Traveling to Emeron City**

Chuck accompanied Dedekind Fried, Lylena, Martok Stonecutter, Samara, Trista Ravenlark, Taltharian, and the real Eddie Drezzen north in the hopes of catching Starr's party and stopping whatever plans they had.

Once the 15th of Toad, 1130, they reached Tralpar and rendezvoused with Ferris Gerabaldi, Kagami of Towa and Vestibule, who fellows of the Heroes of Prophecy Chuck was traveling with. After discussion they decided to split up. Trista, Eddie, Taltharian and Kagami would head west to attempt to secure the assistance of the elves of the Glave Woods.

Meanwhile, Chuck, Dedekind, Lylena, Samara, Ferris, Vestibule and Martok would proceed north to try to catch and slow down Starr's party. They also took the precaution of splitting the artifacts in their possession between the two groups as well.

Once the latter group reached Emeron City Ferris and Lylena consulted with Professors Sumnim and Chickwood, who informed them that they'd unearthed another part of the prophecy and that they believed they knew Starr's plan. They said that if completed, the enemy would be able to allow a dragon god from another dimension into Goric, where it could ascend to Godhood alongside their gods as well. Since this dragon god was from Ferris and Vestibule's home world, both assured the heroes that they know of her and her teachings, and that she was deeply malevolent.

The professors stated that the ritual would need to be completed by the end of the month or the enemy would miss their chance, but that they did not need all of the artifacts to perform it. They said that while more artifacts would lead to the Dragon God being more powerful, the ritual could be completed with as little as one. To that end, they revealed that the next part of the prophecy would require the heroes to return to the Dwarven Mountains.

A few days later Trista, Eddie, Taltharian and Kagami arrived to Emeron and advised that the elves heard the out and said they would consider their request, but that they did not expect that Queen Parthalanis would send any aid.

### **Questing in Thorgain**

Chuck, Dedekind , Samara, Martok, Eddie and Taltharian hired a mountaineering expert named Arroun and made for the Dwarven Mountains to seek the final two artifacts.

On the 14th of Swan, 1130, they reached Gnomedon and located the *Eyeglass of Garl Glittergold* in the possession of a local jeweler named Parikkellovelle. The gnome refused to relinquish it under any circumstances. Meanwhile Ruby, the dragon mate of Starr, paid off a nearby band of ogres to attack Gnomedon to cause a distraction.

To Chuck's utter surprise, the ogres are the same ones that had attacked his home village years before, and they brought their monstrous Trogdor with them. Eager to avenge his hometown and his tavern, Chuck happily leaped into combat, giving particular focus on the monstrous beast.

Chuck and the other Heroes of Prophecy slew the Trogdor and many ogres, prompting the surviving beasts to flee. However during the attack, Ruby had secretly made for the artifact, killing Parikkellovelle. However Arroun suspected the ogre attack could be a feint and returned to the gnome's gem shop just in time to catch Ruby. Though he died, he succeeded in delaying the dragon long enough for the Heroes of Prophecy to arrive and slay her, securing the *Eyeglass of Garl Glittergold* for themselves.

The party continued to the city of Thorgain, arriving on the 15th of Horse and meeting up with Lylena, Ferris and Vestibule. The trio had lingered in Emeron City to learn the site where the enemy would perform the ritual to allow the Dragon Queen into Goric.

They quickly learned that the *Hammer of Moradin* was held in the possession of the Church of Moradin. They decided to warn the church that a dragon was likely going to come for it. The church's chief guardian, Balim Silverblade, ultimately was convinced to allow the Heroes of Prophecy to help guard the hammer.

That night, the green dragon Emerald took the form of Balim and was able to cast a spell that incapacitated the guardians just long enough for him to flee. The heroes gave chase, but Emerald, still disguised as Balim, ordered the other defenders of the church to attack the Heroes of Prophecy while a liche ally lobbed spells at them to further confuse and slow the heroes down.

The fight turned out to be incredibly fierce. The heroes managed to slay the liche, but Emerald got away with the *Hammer of Moradin*. Worse, Dedekind and Samara were killed and Taltharian and Martok were turned into statues.

The Heroes of Prophecy spent the next few days recovering and convincing the dwarven authorities to field a force to Thorgain Peak. Ferris and Lylena were able to restore Taltharian and Martok, to their normal form.

### **The Battle at Thorgain Peak**

The Heroes of Prophecy convinced the dwarven authorities to field a force of troops to travel to Thorgain Peak, where the ritual to summon the Dragon Queen would be performed. General Harlock Hammerhand would lead a hastily gathered force of 200 dwarves there alongside Chuck and the other surviving Heroes of Prophecy: Lylena, Ferris Gerabaldi, Vestibule, Martok Stonecutter, who were joined by Eddie Drezzen and Taltharian.

On the 15th of Unicorn, 1130, the forces reached Thorgain Peak, where they found that the evil wizard Salvok was already performing the ritual behind a seemingly impenetrable magical shield. Worse, the dragons Emerald and Starr were awaiting them and immediately engaged the assembled forces. Thankfully the heroes were not alone. While the others hunted for the final artifacts, Kagami of Towa and Dandy Lion had convinced Baron Christopher Ravenut to march a force to Thorgain Peak to lend assistance. During the immense battle Emerald was slain.

While the forces battled the dragons Salvok was able to conclude his ritual and an immense portal opened allowing a five headed dragon to emerge and immediately begin laying waste to the gathered troops, slaughtering scores of soldiers as all five heads breathed death incarnate upon them.

However the conclusion of the spell also lowered the shield. Ferris was able to slay Salvok and the Heroes of Prophecy stormed the portal and were able to force the Dragon Queen back to her own realm. As the portal closed and the Dragon Queen was banished for Goric forever more, the clouds begin to coalesce into the shapes of heads. The God's whose artifacts had been used appeared to the mere mortals of the world.

The deities offered a boon to each of the Heroes of Prophecy. Once granted, the artifacts vanished and the clouds dispersed leaving the skies peaceful once again.

## After the Battle at Thorgain Peak

After the battle, Friar Chuck had enough coin to open a tavern even greater than the one he'd lost. He traveled to Gnomedon and opened a tavern there called The Divine Brewhouse. The tavern, like many operated by the disciples of the Brewmaster, doubles as a shrine. It remains a thriving business to this day, and an aged Friar Chuck continues to operate it.