Episode 1: June 5

### World Introduction

* Welcome to the island kingdom of Ruathym. The Moonridge family that rules the nation has been in charge for over 300 years, but their shaping of political system began 50 years in with the founding of the Way of the Celestial Comet.
* The Way was founded around 250 years ago when a small cult gathered around a Divine Being called the Celestial Comet. In the early days, it wasn’t worth mentioning amongst the many temples and shrines devoted to gods across the pantheon, but when a devastating storm hit the island, it was thanks to the Celestial One that Ruathym made it through. Since that first Day of Great Enlightenment, the Way has had many devout adherents, known as Children of the Celestial Comet.
* The Moonridges were amongst the Children, but it wasn’t until 100 years ago that their piety had any effect on their citizens. It was at this point that King Fortin came to power. He was so zealous for the Way that he made it the official state religion and began claiming temples and shrines for the Comet. When the acolytes complained, he responded quickly and violently. Much of the Kingdom’s wealth was funneled into Fortin’s passion. As a result, when a plague of undead led by fiends attacked, the King’s Guard was underfunded and undertrained. Ruathym was almost lost. This era is known as the Terrible Reckoning.
* With the help of mercenaries, the undead were stopped, but the kingdom almost fell to civil war. The royal family deposed Fortin, and his younger brother, Farrimond the Kind penned the Suffrage Accord, which created the partial democracy that Ruathym has today.
* The Accord kept the Way as the official religion of the kingdom, but in return, the citizens were allowed to vote for local leaders as well as those in the Cabinets. Every five years, political organizations try to get as many civilians to join as possible, with each person only able to join one organization. The leaders of the two groups with the greatest number of members are granted access to the Crown’s Small Cabinet, along with the ruler’s additional personal pick, and are thus granted a higher chance of persuading the leader’s decisions. Other organizations whose membership is at least 10% of the kingdom’s total population are granted a seat in the Crown’s Large Cabinet, meeting less often and more formally than the Small Cabinet, but with access to influence nonetheless.
* Perhaps out of fear or piety, the Children of the Celestial Comet have always had a member in the Small Cabinet.
* More recently, though, the second seat has gone to the Order of the Seawolf, a guild that began as a loose group of merchants and traders.
* The current ruler of Ruathym is Vesta Moonridge, a half-elf; she is 163 years old, and there are rumors that her faculties are escaping her.
* Despite its size, the small island has been prosperous; its mines are rich in precious gems, and it has more portals per square mile than most regions. Travelers and adventurers alike come to Ruathym to trade and seek their riches.
* But the last two years have brought severe drought and storms, leaving the kingdom with less food and less to trade. As prices rose, the economy became less stable, and poor relations with nearby kingdoms led to fewer travelers paying to use the portals. Vesta’s leadership throughout these troubles has been criticized, especially as food shortages have led to pillaging and made travel along the Queen’s Road more dangerous and the Royal Guard has been ineffectual in stopping bandits.
* Three months ago, tensions grew higher. The Queen’s daughter was largely favored by the kingdom and generally thought to be level-headed, if a bit distrustful of the Children of the Way. With a military background and a diplomat’s approach to politics, she took an ambassador’s trip to a nearby kingdom to ease the tensions her mother had created. She never returned home, but pieces of the ship she was on washed up on shore.
* Her daughter, Eridril, is next in line. Little is known about her as she is only 15, except that she favors religion to the military, though she studies both with tutors in Katrine.

### Adventure Introduction

* It is amongst this background that two merchants hired you to guard their cart on its way to Arran, the capital city. Two days ago, you met Morak Ramcrown at the Pilgrim’s Pint where he was in search of adventurers. Most of the more experienced were gone, but not willing to wait, Morak cut a deal with you: 10 gold for the completion of a successful journey, which should take no more than four days. Marok and his elven trading partner, Ramora Brightwater, will meet you and your fellow adventurers outside of the Pilgrim’s Pint at first light tomorrow.

## Notes

* Started a contract with Ramora and Morak, who claimed to be merchants traveling to Arran.

* Met some rats; didn't kill them.
* Went north.
* While setting up camp, they were attacked by bandits. Morak was killed. The party killed everyone, then healed the leader.
* Oswald found a note on the leader:
	+ Note
* They learned that Ramora and Morak were actually bringing Princess Eridril to Arran as the Queen has died.
* The party agreed to head West on the Dragon's Passage to Lanark to ensure safety for the princess.