Brokehill Quest: Prelude
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:18 am
Many of you may recall a trek taken along the South Road some time ago – a journey inspired by the arrival of a scroll describing a town besieged by an unnatural plague and the specters of their fallen. Though the events depicted in the scroll occurred approximately 15 years ago, we set out on the chance this town, Brokehill by name, might still stand.
After three hours of travel, we found the remains of a roadside inn compound that had not seen sentient use in at least a dozen years. Living within its cellar were creatures that had once been human, but were now mindless predators resembling ghouls.
At this point we turned back. Evidence Brokehill was indeed on the South Road was dubious at best. The Brokehill scroll was precataclysmic – even should it have survived the plague, would it have remained intact after the maelstrom? That the Inn was so long abandoned indicated no nearby settlements. Also we were far from Haven, where only a few adventurers remained to offer any defense against that which might threaten it.
But I have recently experienced a dream that compels a renewed effort to locate Brokehill. I approached Lao for help, and he has looked deep into his lore to discover Brokehill very likely does exist near the South Road, though it may be several days away.
I am setting out today to find Brokehill, and am asking for volunteers to accompany me. I do not know what will be found there, nor what might be required of us. But I believe the fates of Brokehill and Haven to be entwined. I feel this Quest may prove an urgent one.
What I do know is Brokehill’s original settlers numbered in the three hundreds. They found a ruined tower on a stony hill and settled in and around it. They farmed atop an ancient battlefield, uncovering the remains of humans and orcs as they turned the soil. They established a quarry in the hillside.
Their first harvest was bountiful, but shortly after the Plague arrived, claiming the lives of a family’s first and last born, wasting the bodies of the victims with dread efficiency. Within a single season, the Plague struck twice more, and after more than fifty had died, some tried to flee the town. However, the specters of those claimed by the Plague blocked any attempt to escape.
Again, these events occurred 15 years ago, according to the date on the scroll.
So know that we may face an unnatural disease and immaterial foes, in addition to the ghoul-like once-humans encountered on the first attempt to reach Brokehill. And on such a long journey, who knows what other challenges will confront us on the way? The surrounding lands are dangerous, which is why we know so little about them. Haven stopped sending out scouts long ago, when none of those scouts ever returned.
Still, the Quest must be done. Brokehill must be found, though we know not what we’ll face or what must be done. Those who chose to remain behind need feel no dishonor, as the Quest will take many days, and Haven needs to retain defenders.
That said, who will make this journey with me?
After three hours of travel, we found the remains of a roadside inn compound that had not seen sentient use in at least a dozen years. Living within its cellar were creatures that had once been human, but were now mindless predators resembling ghouls.
At this point we turned back. Evidence Brokehill was indeed on the South Road was dubious at best. The Brokehill scroll was precataclysmic – even should it have survived the plague, would it have remained intact after the maelstrom? That the Inn was so long abandoned indicated no nearby settlements. Also we were far from Haven, where only a few adventurers remained to offer any defense against that which might threaten it.
But I have recently experienced a dream that compels a renewed effort to locate Brokehill. I approached Lao for help, and he has looked deep into his lore to discover Brokehill very likely does exist near the South Road, though it may be several days away.
I am setting out today to find Brokehill, and am asking for volunteers to accompany me. I do not know what will be found there, nor what might be required of us. But I believe the fates of Brokehill and Haven to be entwined. I feel this Quest may prove an urgent one.
What I do know is Brokehill’s original settlers numbered in the three hundreds. They found a ruined tower on a stony hill and settled in and around it. They farmed atop an ancient battlefield, uncovering the remains of humans and orcs as they turned the soil. They established a quarry in the hillside.
Their first harvest was bountiful, but shortly after the Plague arrived, claiming the lives of a family’s first and last born, wasting the bodies of the victims with dread efficiency. Within a single season, the Plague struck twice more, and after more than fifty had died, some tried to flee the town. However, the specters of those claimed by the Plague blocked any attempt to escape.
Again, these events occurred 15 years ago, according to the date on the scroll.
So know that we may face an unnatural disease and immaterial foes, in addition to the ghoul-like once-humans encountered on the first attempt to reach Brokehill. And on such a long journey, who knows what other challenges will confront us on the way? The surrounding lands are dangerous, which is why we know so little about them. Haven stopped sending out scouts long ago, when none of those scouts ever returned.
Still, the Quest must be done. Brokehill must be found, though we know not what we’ll face or what must be done. Those who chose to remain behind need feel no dishonor, as the Quest will take many days, and Haven needs to retain defenders.
That said, who will make this journey with me?