Gideon Waters

## Personality

Gideon grew up on the streets of Bretia fending for himself as an orphan. Trust was something that didn't come naturally to him. Over time Gideon learnt to trust the ragtag band of adventurers known as the Clive five. Although Gideon prefers to use spells in combat he is well versed in how to get around unseen and uses his wits as a weapon when needed

The destruction of the orphanage, and the death of his friends Vondal and Saka, Gideon is fixated with gaining enough knowledge to protect those he loves. This has created friction among the party and allegations that this path may lead him down the road of evil.

The party last saw Gideon leave on a boat to Ura, a city in Eschmulan with Ehren Sakar, Reignleaf and Alleria.

## Quick Summary

- Thievery of Killean Black's spell book

- Destruction of the Old town Orphanage

- Persecution and chase

- Meeting with Vondal the dwarf

## Origin Story

Chapter 1 -

The streets of Bretia were as busy
as any other day, densely packed citizens paraded through the market square
buying and selling the latest goods and services without a care in the world
for the safely of their back pockets. At least that’s what Gideon hoped for. He was on overwatch today, positioned above on the roof of the Wobbly Tavern, a
pub on the corner of Bretia’s fabled market square.

Gideon’s job was simple,
start the proceedings or on the rare occasion alert the others if the town guards got wind of what was about to go down.
He wondered how no one ever saw him, was it his small size and youth or was it that people were more concerned about making a profit? Either way, it served his purpose, times were tough and if that meant risking a thing or two,
then so be it.

Gideon noted the familiar patrol routes the town guard took
through the market, he mused to himself how predictable they had become. Down
past Mc’gruers magic emporium, right through Badger's row and the countless
market stalls and then finally past the Blazing Anvil, where Dwarven smithy's
forged armor and weapons. After reaching this point the guards would pass out
of Gideon’s view and usually through the doors of the opposing pub on the other
side of the square. As the guards neared the end of their daily pilgrimage,
Gideon reached into a small satchel attached to an old worn leather belt around
his waist.

After a few moments of fumbling, he produced a small lifeless stone
and held it firm in his hand. Making sure the guards had left the square Gideon
brought the stone to his mouth, whilst muttering a short phase. After a short
moment, the dull lifeless stone took on a soft red hue becoming brighter and
somewhat warmer in Gideon’s hand. For a moment he lost concentration of what
was going on in the square and seemed transfixed by the odd beauty of the
stone, wispy tendrils seemed to turn and dance around one another within the
stone.

Turning his attention back towards the square a dozen small hooded
figures suddenly joined the market from a dozen side streets as if on cue. The
hooded figures were some-what shorter than the average human in the square, not
enough to draw attention to themselves, but enough to allow them to move
quickly and discreetly through the crowds. Very quickly Gideon found that even
he struggled to pick them out from the massive crowd below, but he knew this
was a good thing as they too were clearly doing their job well. After a few minutes
of observing Gideon felt the warmth of the stone die back down to its usual
dull grey. He always loved the soft energy that emanated from the stone, its
warmth made him feel connected to something bigger, like a momentary beam of
sunlight touching your skin on a cloudy day, only for it to be ripped away and
replaced by nothingness. Reluctantly Gideon returned the stone to his satchel
and slowly edged down the tiled roof of the Wobbly Tavern, the job as soon as
it started was done.

Climbing down the side of the pub
was usually no mean feat, the roof backed onto a side street aptly known as
beggars fall. A place for urchins and thieves alike to do this and that for
the right price. However at this time of day the street was largely silent.
Gideon usually took advantage of this prime spot to get out un-noticed, the
various hand grips down were well known by him but even his small size
sometimes made traversing between the handgrips hard work. Below Gideon
recognized two of the hooded figures waiting behind a few crates that had been
thrown to the side of the street, although Gideon wasn’t close enough to make
out the figures very well, they seemed to be showing each other various things
that made metallic noises.

Upon navigating the last few obstacles of the pub
wall Gideon made a leap down into the street below landing in a murky pool, causing
a large splash around him. The two figures cloaks being affected by the
radius of the splash, both seemed more interested in the objects they were
showing one another.

You know the boss really doesn’t
like it when we look at the goods before we get back, said Gideon. Both cloaked
figures stopped what they were doing and spun to face Gideon.

Yeh well we
aren’t stealing anything so who cares, one of the hoods said in a high pitched
squeal. From the other hood an equally high pitch responded, please don’t tell
the boss Gideon, please don’t? The first hooded figure pulled down his hood to
reveal a spotty face of a boy that looked like he was in his early teens.

He glared at the second hood, I thought you
were on my side Hans! Whilst giving him a shove. The hood that was described as
Hans fell to the ground and remained silent. In the process, his hood too came
down revealing a boy of similar age but with a much more gaunt face. Gideon was
well aware of the boy who had pushed Hans to the ground. The other kids called
him Spud, but his real name was Darren, he had a reputation for being hot
-eaded, picking fights and turning on someone at a moment’s notice.

Look, let’s just do this back at
the den Spud, now is not the time. Gideon said who sensed the need to defuse
the situation as much as he would have liked to punch Spud. The boy turned on
Gideon and came up closer, No one tells me what to do, you hear me!

Gideon wasn’t the strongest kid around; he
knew that Spud would beat him in a straight fight, but what Gideon lacked in
strength he made up with intelligence. Spud pushed into Gideon with the larger
boys full weight, anticipating the move, Gideon straifed to the left just
missing the full force of the blow, but brushed heavily against Spud’s cloak
and pockets. As Spud recovered from his failed attack Gideon produced a stone
similar to his own from his palm, check your pocket Spud, it would be a real
shame if something were to happen to your stone.

Spud with a look of confusion
checked his pockets and a look of anger and fear crossed his face. Hey! I need
that give it back.  Gideon aimed the
stone at the wall feigning an attempt to throw it.

After a few moments of the two boys
staring one another down, Spud backed down from Gideon and made his way over to
Hans who was still on the ground. Come on Hans get up its time to go home. The
boy marched down the road and the figure of Hans rose, gave Gideon a wiry smile
and ran off down the road after Spud. Making sure the coast was clear Gideon
turned, gave a long look down both ways of the street and ran off after the two
boys.

Chapter 2 -

The den wasn’t a pretty place but
it was all the boys had. As any place in the old quarter of town the flight of
jobs and industry turned the area into a place of lawlessness and poverty. Many
of the boy’s parents had been workers in the area only to be thrown out onto
the streets when times got tough and the parents moved out to find new work.
Gideon knew this well and as much as he sometimes hated the other boys, they
were family and the others like Spud and Hans knew that too. As the three boys
turned the last corner the familiar dingy tanners s'tore yard known as the Den appeared
in-front of them. It was an old two st-ry partially collapsed stone building
that once was used to store leathers and hides for travel east to the port city
of x. The building was set apart from any others not by its own accord but due
to the collapse of its neighbourig buildings. At the front of the building
stood an old set of double doors that although old looked incredibly sturdy.
Above the doors was a faded sign that read “Old Town Orphanage.” And above that
were six boarded up-windows.

## During the Campaign

### Sessions 1-10

   (1) Having agreed with Vondal to stay together and search for a way to use magic as a means to reverse past mistakes, the two travelled to the Corsairs Crossroads in search of opportunities to advance their power. Upon arrival, Gideon noticed two agents of the Arcanum - a college of magic in Levvar. Deo Vallier offers the two a job and shields them from the agents of the Arcanum. Gideon and Vondal are introduced to Scrimshaw, Mauna and Rittok.

Upon completing the job in the
basement of the Corsair's Crossroads the group returned to the pub and plotted
their next moves. After a conversation with Vondal, Gideon revealed that his
attempts at magic following the thievery of Killean Black's magic book led to
the burning down of his orphanage. Vondal and Scrimshaw attempted to comfort
Gideon who in retaliation fled from the party into the woods.

Gideon was then kidnapped by the two
agents of the Arcanum and was rescued by the party. Gideon pledged his
allegiance to the group as they showed they cared about Gideon.

(2) The party headed west towards
the city of Borrathon along the river Hanstone in hopes of opportunities to
work and avoid the grasps of the Arcanum. Gideon had a mission of his
own, to figure out the notes left to him within Killean Black's book.

(Front cover) - Three lions walk
into a bar..... From May x

(On notes page) - Caya mentioned an
Elder Box? Meeting in the May Helm.

(On back) - II, III, V, IX

From these notes GIdeon was able to
deduce little but he knew that Caya Kalko was the leader of the
Black Hand, and also that whatever this Elder Box was, it was potentially very
dangerous.

(3) On the way to Borrathan the
party were introduced to local powers such as The Tempus Brand through their
meeting with the inquisitor Ezekiel Kane. And the mysterious group known as The
Strangers through an encounter with the elusive Johann Bund. At this point
Gideon still had reservations about trusting the group however he knew that it
would be best to stay with them for protection. Over this time Gideon opened up
about the origins of his strange spell-book that looked a lot more well-kept
then he did. The party accepted Gideon's sins and Vondal suggested he atoned
for the mistakes of the past. This time Gideon did not run away.

(4) The party arrived at the city of
Borathan and hunted down the Oak Bull from a tip provided from Johann who asked
them to deliver a letter. The party found that the Oak Bull was not a regular
building, but a strange space paradox that grew as the party came closer. The
party delivered the letter and carried onto the pub in the canal district known
as the May Helm.

Because of Gideon's spell book he
was dubious staying at the very place Caya was potentially due to be at.
He tried to hide this fact from the party and instead decided to investigate during the night.

Going into the basement of the May
Helm GIdeon overhead a conversation between Caya, and a few agents from the
Arcanum in Levvar. During the conversation it is revealed that the location of
an elder box had been discovered and was being fought over by the Tempus Brand,Black Hand and a mysterious figure known as Neruzatar. Caya referenced the
death of the Knights and then promptly leaves. It is revealed later (18) that the agents of the arcanum were there to ask Caya to capture Gideon for a hefty sum.

The next day Gideon, Scrimshaw and
Mauna headed to the Magisterium of Borrathan to figure out the origins of
Scrimshaw's strange dreams that involved a Shadow Girl. Due to the party's
non-refined appearance an upstart prince by the name of Basil Blackfire tricked them into going the Magisterium library with a lit candle.

(5) The party were subsequently subdued and brought to Grand Magister Castian Gilperos for punishment. The
party were banished from the magisterium. During this period of time Rittok and
Vondal bump into Vondal's old Dwarvish quartermaster Burman from Uzul-Danar.
Burman later gives Vondal his family sword Avenger which belonged to his
father.

(6-8) After a run in with the minions of the Elder Brain and a man turned mind-flayer by the name of
Professor Aren Methrik- the party eventually find themselves staying at the Oak
Bull.

That night Mauna
had a vision of two people looking over the bodies of two people the party had
killed. It seemed they were trying to retrieve the body of Professor Methrik. One of the people
looking over the corpses was Caya, and the other was a armoured man with a smooth helmet that appeared to have necrotic powers.

in the Mines of Ratford
investigating a strange disturbance. Down the bottom of the mines the party
fought off a dark and hideous shadow creature that was protecting a large crystal.
Within the crystal was a strange device that was later confirmed to be an elder
box. The party found out that within the kaleidoscope that made up the elder
box was the essence of a god.

(9) To avoid further detection in
the city from various interest groups the party decided to disguise themselves.
Gideon's disguise was a dress and so the party suggested he took up a more
suitable name. Scrimshaw firstly suggested calling him Gidena, however Gideon
did not like that name, instead Gideon liked the name Bridget. During this time
Gideon also came down with a case of Laryngitis.

Later that day the party went to
retrieve a ring that was the property of Father Bound, a turncoat member of the
Tempus Brand. (10) The raid to retrieve the ring was successful but resulted in
Gideon and Vondal being taken by the Black Hand and having all their possessions taken including Gideon's spell-book.

### Sessions 10-20

Gideon and Vondal were taken to the
basement of the May-Helm by Mereth Akure who they had met earlier on their
travels (Session 3). And was soon interrogated by Caya himself and in the
background was the armoured figure who accompanied him earlier.

Caya revealed that he desired the
ring and also announced that he was fully aware that Gideon had snuck down into the basement of the May Helm and listened in on their conversation. Caya also

was aware that we possessed an elder box and wanted to negotiate its transfer to his possession. Caya eludes that the Arcanum are in Caya's pocket andattempts to tempt Gideon with the promise of power.

    Gideon wants to try and escape his capture using the spells Fireball and Invisibility he hid in his shoe along with a set of thieves tools.

The man in the black suit of armour
speaks to Gideon and Vondal. Gideon doesn’t recognise the man but his presence
rings a bell. There was an old song that reminds Gideon of the figure but he
cannot remember where the song was from. The figure reveals he does not work
for the Black Hand but has similar interests to Gideon. The foot soldier to
Neruzatar reveals he to is looking for the elder box for his master Neruzatar
and tries to make a deal with Gideon. The figure first suggests that Gideon has
potential, and should travel with him back to his home at Carnea. The figure
also first alludes to knowing that Gideon is being hunted by the Arcanum.

After a while Gideon tries to break out using thieves tools. it works but as he tries to get Vondal out the thieves tools break. Vondal pursuades Gideon to flee and leave him behind. Gideon promises not to give up on Vondal, gives him a hug and turns himself invisible and leaves.

Shortly after Gideon's escape, The dark armoured figure returns. He sees that Gideon escpaed and in a fit of rage stabs the still chained Vondal through the throat. In Vondal's dying breath he says that the armoured figure will always be a foot soldier, and will never be a god.

(11) Hearing news of Vondal's death Gideon blamed himself for what happened and opted to be alone for a while. During this time he missed the partys first meeting with Dayrus and his younger sister Saka, a pair of Tieflings in search of an ancient relic of their homeland, The Heart of the Forest.

Maua discoverd that the armoured man that killed Vondal left the city shortly after with Avenger and Gideon's spell book heading to what was presumed to be Carnea. Mauna not knowing that the sword and book had been taken by the figure pursuaded Gideon to stop grieving and try and retrieve the objects.

The raid somewhat works however Mauna and Gideon fail to find the sword and book in the May-Helm, instead they find a selection of treasures and conclude that the armourd figure took their possessions. Mauna also curiously overheard a meeting between Caya and a member of the Arcanum of Levarr.

Back at the Oak Bull The Strangers provide Gideon with a new spell book with a logo of The Strangers on it and the party flee the city with the Black Hand and the Magisterum closing in around the Oak Bull.

The party trek south to Port Dalron in the Dancing Coast to try and escape the politics of Borathan and to go and meet up with associates of Mauna. On the way they meet one of the Dons' of the Port by the name of Mahir Vahieran. He invites Gideon and the group to his party and carries on down the road while the party camp for the night.

(12-14) Port Dalron yields new opportunities for the group, they purchase and refurbish a ship, visit the famous gambling house the Citadel Sin and Gideon, recieves a new set of clothes and go to Don Mahir's party where Gideon developed an appetite for Arien Oranges and adopted the persona of Lord Gideon of Mannsfort. However, during this time Gideon struggles to come to terms with his belief that he was responsibile for the death of Vondal and spends a lot of time investigating the origins of the armored man.

His research and information provided by the Loremaster of Port Dalron gave Gideon the ability to discover that the armoured man was a Scion of Carnea. He found out that Scion's are the loyal footsoldiers of the Lich Neruzatar and hail from the land of Carnea to the north. Although at this point Gideon failed to put a name to the particular Scion that murderd Vondal.

At this point Don Mahir puts the party in contact with Don Pachino who offers the party a job to retrieve the Key in the Mountain, a sword bured deep within Mysterian ruins in the Lashmeer Heights.

(15-16) The party trek into the mountain and after many challenges and puzzles retrieve the key in the mountain. On the way back to the port, the party find information that the Scion had visited Port Dalron in their abscense and also decide to store the elder box in Don Pachino's vault. The party suggest that The Scion is here to finish the job and kill Gideon, however this was not confirmed.

As the party return to the Amerthyst they discover that Halsium had been kidnapped because of a note left that confirms the Scion has the old lady. Interestingly the letter signs off by the name Marez. The party dash to Don Mahir's house to warn him that he may be next. Mahir retrieves a letter from Marez which confirms he and Gideon have unfinished bussiness and also contain a hidden message...

I've seen into your soul, Gideon. There's still time to join me. It is your destiny to become powerful. Your skills are incredible for someone untrained. Let me bring you back to Carnea. Your friends needn't know.

There is an interesting... gathering, let's say, by the sunken temple in the Thousand Teeth tonight. It is likely to be remembered in the tomes of history for a very long time indeed. Missing it would be... unfortunate.

Come alone.

(17)Having read the message, Gideon vows to go to the meeting but the party object. Gideon argues that at this point he must try anything to avenge Vondal's memory. Even if that means going along with whatever the Scion wants from Gideon. The party begrudingly agree but insist on shadowing him from a distance. Gideon travels to the meeting alone and meets Marez upon the cliffs east of Port Dalron.

Marez offers for Gideon to travel with him to Carnea because Gideon has special blood. Confused by what the Scion meant Gideon pushed further and found out that the reason he was able to understand magic so easily wasnt because he was intelligent but because his father was a Magister who broke his vowe of celebacy. As a result Gideon had magical blood that Neruzatar desires. The Lich sent Marez to kill the agents of the arcanum tracking Gideon because he desired the young wizard for himself.

The Scion also said that Killean Black set up his visit to Bretia to allow Gideon to get hold of the book so that he could track down Gideon using the book as a homing beacon. Killean Black according to Marez is an Inquisitor who specialises in hunting down the offspring of rouge wizards to keep the blood-lines pure.

Gideon agrees to travel with Marez as a bluff to try and find an opportunity to kill him, but is somewhat tempted by the power Neruzatar offers to the loyal. It is also revealed Neruzatar has gained possesion of an Elder Box.

The party find out that Gideon agreed to go with Marez and came up with a plan to ambush him in his cart as he travelled with Gideon to Carnea. Gideon is given his original spell-book back by Marez and also is reunited with Vondal's sword Avenger and finds out that Vondal had been buried in a ditch somewhere.

Time passes and the party spring their ambush all be it poorly. The party fight Marez and after a few close calls manage to knock the Scion unconscious. The party bind Marez and when he comes too discover that where his eyes should be are large grotesque nails. Gideon plunges Avenger in his chest ending the Scions life and the party dispose of his body by feeding it to Saka's enchanted pigs.

(18) After defeating Marez the party took a well earned break and spent a while waiting before carrying on to Orristas on a tip that we may find clues to The Heart ot the Forest.

During the downtime Gideon headed to the Gangregs and joined the service of the House of the Profain, taking part of local supply and people transports for Visekel Voner. During his time he met many crew members who had travelled far and wide and enjoyed spending time with Rolo, her "pet" Goliath onboard ships and spent a little while with Fan Voner, Visekel's sister

Between jobs Gideon also held firm to the promise he made to Scrimshaw and helped reasarch his heritage and origins of his magic at the Magisterum in Port Dalron.

Some in the party questioned that Gideon was dealing and assisting in the slavery of people. Gideon denied these claims.

(19) The party are attacked on the journey to Orristas by a group of pirates called the Sanguine Few, they are led by Vondal's rival Erikz. It is revealed the next morning to Rittok and Scrimshaw that Gideon did not help the slavers, but freed many of them after realising what was happening, and during that time had to kill a man who saw what he did.

### Sessions 20-30

(20)The Clive five continue their various missions heading to Orristas by ship. They come across further mention of a mysterious figure known as Velos who seems to be aiding many of the underground groups the party have fought so far. Including the Black Hand and the Sanguine Few.

Gideon also came into possession of Mereth Acure's spellbook after an alteraction on a ship. After learning what he could from the book and writing it into the book he recieved from The Strangers, Gideon threw her book, and Killean Black's spellbook into the ocean to prevent the party from being tracked any longer.

The party arrive at Orrisatas and the party are met by Ehren Keserah who is the daughter of a family of nobles of rule Levarr. She was sent to the Flickering Tower a large powerful magic tower to learn and expand her understanding of magic and to also be exiled. Gideon was impressed by the sheer volume of tomes and power that radiated from the tower. Mauna also leaves the party around this time to train with her order.

(21) Gothrik a half orc fighter who spent his time in the Grey Mountains is introduced to the party. He is a friend of Ehren's and she offers his service to the party for a price that she foots. During this time the party take part in a gladiatorial fight in a large pit. During this fight Rittok is severly injured and is sent to the infirmary by the city guards. (22) the city is not as it seems, and the leader of the city Zoltar Zinfarin was being impersonated by a doubleganger along with much of the royal household. The Clive five (now with six members) are introduced to Grand Master Emon. He wants to allow people to use the characeristics of animals as an evolutnary advantage. He has an apprentice called Ethamir.

After many misadventures the party trek into the grey mountains to search for an old oracle who might tell the party where the real Zoltar Zinfarin is. They end up finding an oracle who tells Gideon his father is still alive. Gideon wonders if he should look for his father but decides against it as he managed to survive by his own long enough without him.

(23) The party are later attacked by a number of soliders from the Commonwealth, a kingdom to the east. They are led by Meiou Valenz, prince of the Commonwealth. Gideon is stabbed and made unconscious by the prince. Ehren pleads with Meiou to stop however he refuses unless she comes with Meiou. It seems like the two knew each other. The party Bet and Ehren agree to his demands.Gideon is visably angered by his inability to protect himself and mopes around for a while. Scrimshaw recieves another strange vision from the girl. Scrimshaw looks into a room and says that this is his home. She says it is her grave.

(24) The party follow a lead from the oracle to find Zoltar Zinfarin in a mine under Orristas. they overhear a conversations between Master Emon and a hooded figure who Emon calls his master. Gothik also overhears reference to Darshan. The party follow Emon to a gateway guarded by dwarves. Through the gateway they arrive at a large subteranian city. It is revelaed the city is called Fandeer, Capial of the under empire and home to a number of Dwaegar (Dwarves), Drow, tieflings and oher races. Gideon is fascinated by the architecture and nature of the city.

There is a rather amusing encounter in an inn where Gideon realises that the population do not like humans. Gideon is confused by this reaction and learns that not all peoples enjoy human hegemony. He also meets Grug the Ogre Barman.

(25-26) we assist the drows overthrow Darshan the emperor under and free Zoltar Zinfarin from the palace. Gideon is rewarded with his first teleportation circle spell. Gideon also comes to believe himself as the chosen one, which the party do not let him leave behind. The party returns with Zoltar Zinfarin and Gothrik decides to spend more time with the party.

(27) Mauna returns to the party along with her Mother Taaman Miznouri. Together they along with the Clive 5, Bett, Ehren, Elerial and Zoltar Zinfarin head into Orristas to confront the dopplegangers. Mereth Acure and Master Emon bolster the defences of the dopplegangers but the party overthrow their machinations. Mereth is killed in the process and Gideon, enraged, spends time attacking the corpse of Mereth and tries to hide the body. (28) On her body was a strange tattoo that represented a mysterious group. The party also realise that Rittok had gone missing and was not sent to the infirmary. Some whispers claim that Rittok's body was used in one of Master Emon's evil schemes.

The party find a strange black staff orb in Master Emon's quarters. Gideon becomes hungry for the power of the staff and holds the object. It damages Gideon with Necortic tendrals. Gideon continues to hold the staff to try and overcome its power. He is killed and subsequently ressurected. He becomes confused when he comes to and does not remember any of the events prior to him touching the staff. Eleriel says that the staff is linked to another realm where death is the natural order of things. She calls it negative energy. the more it absorbs the more powerful it gets. Ehren tells the party that the tattoo on Mereth related to the Orthasaii. They are a mysertious cult that want to bring about the end of the world. The party are introduced to Xul'Nakar the plan to ressurect him and his avatar Eret'saa at the Spire of Vozelsk. They work behalf of the Sydan and Mistryans. Gideon also asked Ehren and about the knights of Myr Assath and Velos again.

Gideon realises in the night that the letter they took in the mines from Emon had the codename PIETRO. Hearing this the party knew they had to head to Port Dalron to confront Peitro of this meaning.Gideon gets the teleportation circle for Orristas and the party travel to Port Dalron.

They meet Pietro and warn him that enemys are coming to take the key to the mountain to awaken the Iron Pariah. Gideon inquires about whether Pietro has any Arien Oranges. Pietro claims he had not seen the note that was left behind by Emon but Gideon detected that Pietro was lying somewhat. A massive explosion hit the Citadel Sin Gambling house and below them in the Azure Palace. The party runs down to Pietro's vault expecting a diversion.

Master Emon and what looks like Mereth Acure are raiding the vault. (29) They get away with the key to the mountain. Pietro says the elder box is also missing. However, the party think Pietro is lying and do not trust him.

Don Pachino arrives say that war has been declared by Borrathan through this attack. The council of Dons place Pietro as the temporary Archon. Pietro accepts. The party reuinite with Clive and Hallsium and then leave again to hunt down the Iron Pariah before the agents of the Orthasaii get there first. They head to Nordhaunt.

### Sessions 30-39

(30) The party arrive at the gnomish city of Lusenya, where they learn that travelling to Nordhaunt through the tunnels would be the quickest way north. Dayrus is confused by Gideon saying that one day death claims us all. He worries for his life and if Gideon will kill him and Saka for the rest of the night and day after. Dayrus thinks that Gideon likes Mauna, they both agree to themselves they want to be together. Mauna first gets wind of the idea that Gideon poses a danger to the group. Gideon announces he does woodwork with sticks and experiences the first signs of puberty.

(31) In the tunnels Emon offers the party a deal, leave now and kill Pietro and I will reward you. Pietro and Emon have parted ways. The party refuse and carry on. Eventually they are captured by Commonwealh soldiers and take them to their captain. The captain offers to let them go but only if they do not continue to Nordhaunt. The party agree but spring themsleves free after a couple days. (32) The party then head up to Nordhaunt.

Near the city was a strange series of Mistryen runes. (33) The party activate the pillars. A bright flash of light and nine figures appear. Seven of them are hooded cultists, a golem and a woman who has a white face mask with black lines. During the fight Saka is killed by the golem.

Gideon becomes enraged by Saka's death and argues that he was not powerful enough to help and needs to get stronger. Dayrus takes Saka back to their home and takes one half of the sending stones. Gideon says that he needs to leave the group at some point so he can stop those he cares about from dying. The party return to Orristas.

The Clive Five, now four, head to Vielle following a summons from King Wolframm Gherst as they have noticed they are low of money and to see if he has any leads on the Iron Pariah. On the way Ehren introduces them to Reignleif who is a cleric with Elerial. At the palace the party get an audience with King. The King thanks them for saving Orristas from the dopplegangers and provides the gang with land north-east at Darkbridge. He also pleads them to search for the Iron Pariah's suit of armour and pays the Clive Five for their troubles. The King also introduces the group to Roxon, a member of his royal guard who would keep an eye on us. The party also agree to travel to Deed to check in on Gothrik's friend, and also to Aaeron Shander's tower who was Scrimshaw's master.

The party head to Deed and are ambushed by a group of Drow that are actually orcs in disguise. (35) The Orcs are from Gothrik's tribe and were sent to assassinate a target from the chief Badran. Badran was apparantly possessed by strange magics and a weird red wizards influence. Gothrik decides that enough is enough and vows to deal with Badran in combat to restore the honour of the Grey Mountain Orcs.

(39) Gideon says that the type of magic that is supposed to heal has not been enough and refers to Vondal and Saka. He then tells Scrimshaw that he needs to leave the party for a while, get stronger, and then return to help. He finds notes on the great Wizard schools of Eschmaliun and is also told about Naxxandurr and the overthrown school of Necormancy. Gideon does not necessarily desire nerotic powers, but the means to protect those he cares about.

### Sessions 41-47

(40) Ehren agrees to take Gideon to Eschmaliun after the party conclude their business with the orcs of the Grey Mountains. (47) Returning to the Clive 5s home of Erstewalt at Darkbridge, the party insist on taking the deck of many cards from Gideon. At first he is reluctant as he believes he is best placed to need and effectively use its power. Upon reflection Gideon realises his mistake and hands over the Deck of Many Cards, along with a letter which he gave. Not a fan of goodbyes he left the party in the night and headed for Orristas to await Ehren.

**The letter -**

Dear Scrimshaw, Mauna, Roxon, Gothrik and Reignleif.

I was never much one for long pronounced goodbyes, I can already picture it, Roxon and Gothrik offering sound and prudent advice, Scrimshaw giving a concerned look with his face, if he could, and Mauna giving a hug and telling me not to do anything stupid.

I will be back and with it I will return with a promise to never let any of you down ever again. I got a few things to clear up before I leave.

Have a good time in Vielle at the ceremony.

Ps. Enclosed is the deck of many things. Scrimshaw was right I don’t need these cards, especially since I am the most powerful Wizard Ortheid has or will ever see.

P.P.S By titus if you guys go with Reignleif to say goodbye to the docks with her and expect me to be there you will be mistaken.

Kind Regards and your friend,

Gideon.

### Session 48-10x

Eshmulan was a land unlike Gideon had ever been to, acclimatising wasn't easy, but he was more than used to being among new sights and company. Ehren introduced Gideon to Varis Haqqim, her contact who operates among the various wizarding schools.

Varis was keen to spend time with Gideon to understand his goals and assess his proclivities for the arcane. At this point Gideon departed from his companions. Ehren and Allreial gave him a sending stone; Reignleaf and Gideon embraced and agreed to see each other again.

Gideon was at first denied access to the school of Abjuration due to a letter from the red mages to the school administrators branding him as an enemy. In response Gideon lobbied and managed to persuade the administration with the help of figures like High King Wolframm Gursh, Ehren and Gothrik.

Gideon quickly impressed the various masters of the academy, his aptitude and dedication was noticed, although this didn't win him too many friends. Although he focused on learning abjuration magic, he was drawn to some of the more restricted magic that promised him the power to protect the ones he loves.

One evening he was discovered reading texts by (someone like Neruzzatar) by Master Mazzad. Gideon knew if he turned him in - he would be expelled. Instead Master Mazzad made Gideon a deal, become my apprentice and I will not turn you in and I will give you what you need. Master Mazzad was known as a eccentric and strange teacher who focused on a very old form of magic known as Chronomancy. Gideon reluctantly agreed but felt Chronomancy was a waste of time.

Overtime Gideon grew to accept his new mentor but was never really taught magic. Instead he made Gideon perform strange exercises that greatly tested Gideon’s patience both literally and metaphorically.

After many months of formal studies and Mazzad’s 'teachings', Gideon began to relapse into learning more about necromancy. He learnt of a spell book of great power allegedly in Naxxandar. During a festival he snuck away to pursue the artefact.

arriving at the location with aid from various location spells and tomes he found the book. In his folly he failed to notice the book was also cursed the moment he touched it. Corruption coursed into his veins slowly burning his right arm from the hand upwards. The process was slow but in that moment Gideon panicked and attempted to remove the curse, it didnt work.

Suddenly Gideon heard a deep booking voice and then felt stiff and paralysed, not from the corruption of the arm but from a different type of magic. It was Master Mazzad. Gideon felt his body froze in time including the progress of the corruption.

The Master explained that Gideon made a terrible mistake but lamented he knew what Gideon was up to the whole time. He knew Gideon’s heart was good and refused to give up on the now young man.

Gideon found himself in stasis for what felt like an age within Mazzad’s pocket dimension he aptly called the Chronosphere. He also employd Lusenyan gnomes and Reignleif to try and find a way to prevent the spread of Gideon’s corruption.

eventually a gauntlet was fashioned for his arm that would hold the corruption at bay, using the arcane, holy magic and power of technology. The gauntlet came with one provision, the use of necromantic spells would cause the corruption to increase a little bit each time up his arm.

Gideon was immensely grateful but became depressed by his new reality. He seemingly couldn't even save himself. Away from the distractions of Ortheid and the allure of necromancy Gideon came to process his feelings of loss with Master Mazzad. His time in the Chronosphere eventually changed his mind on chrono magic because he learned that time itself is malleable.

At this point Gideon completed his abjuration studies and compiled a great number of spells from all his past exploits becoming to many a master Wizard. He learnt to utilise his gauntlet, imbuing it with chronomantic spells and refused to use necromancy, although he kept various spells in his book.

It was only nince months after Naxos’ decree to all of Ortheid and the subsequent attack on Vielle that Gideon heard about it. This was because his perception of time became so warped within the Chronosphere. He travelled to the Basalt Isles to see for himself what became of the land after Naxos defeat and visited a number of locations including the Temple of the Titans.

Gideon stored a few treasures within a copy of Mazzad’s pocket dimension that became his own.

To be changed:

At this point Something happened to Mazzad that forces Gideon back with the party to combat the planet born dead. Perhaps Mazzad goes vacant and empty due to trying to deduce the different outcomes to the upcoming coming of the planet. (Dr Strange style - and to show how there are only limited ways we win, therefore raising the tension)

At this point Gideon knows its time to find the Clive 5, support their adventures and prepare to achieve their destinies as the holders of the mantle of responsibility.