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From the Journal of Lexmarcus Rhugandy, Hazar
Knight Introduction: Lex is motivated (much like his father) by an obsession with vengeance against House Vhemadzy for their political theft of a certain silver mine1. Lex watched with pride as his brother Astarov swindled it back when temporarily in high favor with the Fazzik of Sarat (Boylandir, accused by Astarov’s handler in Kitor of being high priest of Ganesatarus) over Lex and Leo's exposure of undead at the Vhemadzy-run mine. The mine is now Rhugundy property again, although the pressing invitation to the Emperor's Palace in Glamour2 means the mine is probably going to be a nasty surprise to deal with upon their return. While in Kitor fulfilling this, Lex met Vizier Branigan, an associate of Oberon and a Magi.
Editor’s Notes: 2: An overstatement by the chronicler. The Rhugandy brothers traveled to Glamour to personally deliver their ‘gift’ (taxes) to the Emperor at the Sacred Time ritual in 1621. This was part of a public ceremony, not a private audience. Ironically, they did eventually win an audience with Moonson while in Glamour.
The
Journal of Lexmarcus
Rhugandy: During
the Carmanian stage of the Glamour trip, I met the Turos Worshipping
Oracle in
Osthens who I asked "When will I meet my father again?" The Oracle
replied:
When Dragon bites the Reaching Moon
And Wind sit upon White Bulls Throne
Then shall the Seeker again embrace
The Feathered One's Son Astarov
won a duel at dinner there too1. *
*
* On the way out of Osthens, I acted as leader of the Silver Seven to acquire a rune blade of Invisible Orlanth for the Magi to study. A blade of Air-Disorder-Mastery, I used the blade’s Lightning channeling abilities, apparently aided by Air sprites of Rebellious Terminus, to rout attacking Air demons of Walindus. *
*
* Minitius,
the city of Bentus and Charmain was distastefully decadent or prudish
in the
extreme, depending upon who you encounter. Penanthir, high priest of
Bentus, and
Voriana, high priestess of Charmain, are interesting though.2 Passed
the sword off to Petrovus, agent of Oberon, who has failed to deliver
as of our
arrival in Glamour. Astorov distinguished himself in a duel at dinner. *
*
* The
Lunar stage of our journey involved more combat at table. Visited
Doblian City,
and met sultan-to-be or something named LunEel.3
A so-called 'Dart Competition'
action involved all guests but Rhugundy's trying to kill LunEel. Among
the slain
was a Blue Wizard and, eventually, a Vrimak follower who had kidnapped
Erianda
(a cousin since delivered, her virginity intact, to magic school in
Glamour). The Seven and I were unexpectedly thrown into the shaman
Spirit World while
tracking Erianda4, and eventually
discovered a moon boat (demons are
bound, as in temples for glow line) that was to be the escape vehicle.
DelanOrin, the pilot, was released at my urging, due to his being a
Lunar citizen and employee of the court. Leader of kidnap plot
apparently new foe, as his rune Halberd (which I broke, pieces in
Stavus' care for sure destruction
though Oberon wishes to see first) was Disorder-Sun-Death. I
also saw Beat-Pot Aelwrin and the Emperor's daughter, JarEel the
Razoress, at
the fight. She was there to debate Sorvinthus of the White Moon. I had
previously
met Sorvinthus in the square, insulting the white bearded priest well
and
publicly, as was Sal-Aran, a Lunar Priestess who told me Jar Eel and
Sorvinthus would be at dinner. Sorvinthus was also kidnapped by the
Dart
Competitors, and was rescued when Erianda was freed. Astarov decided to
kidnap
him (a gift to the Emperor). Citizens dispute
this, but 'hooves shod with iron are hard debaters' as we Carmanians
say. Additionally, I learned much of the history
of my father. Yolanela of Spol figures
heavily. They contrived to find Herrek the Berserk and probably helped
him get
Ignifer. Everyone but dad (and Yolanela) associated with that project
is dead
now. Yolanela must put her face and hands on the ground at all times
the
emperor is within 3 miles. Why? She is the mother of both the High
Priest of
Orlanth Invisible, Saranko, and Brostangian Archmoor, High Magus of
Carmania.
Mother says Yolanela is to her as she is to me in matters of secrecy
and
political machinations.5 *
*
* Adventures
in Glamour: I met one Pied Rykor of Riverjoin who is looking for 'the
Arrolian son of Kustavus’ - Frulimon.6 I
told him ‘good luck.’ I told
Fruli where to find the bastard. *
*
* Went to the Zoo with one of Leo's girls and bought a Fright, a Darkness creature from Pamaltela. I named it Klaw, and am going to train it as a watch-pet. I shall record all I learn for 2 reasons: to prove the strength of Light over Darkness, and the methods of mastery over the methods of destruction. An expedition to lands plagued by these beasts would find a list of usable baits invaluable. Sal must know someone in Glamour who knows a bestiarist. Met Aramblus, a Veteran of a Pamalt trip, to help me find a trainer for Klaw. He told me Frights are trained to act as skirmishers for the Dark People and that regular trade with Pamalt is a certainty. *
*
* Met
the Dean of College of Magic, Demonnius Estarvan, who now wishes to
test the entire
family for Runic ties and other magic ‘When
twin lines are drawn, The left hand of the turner shall be born.’
He is willing
to promise anything, but is going to kidnap us if we refuse (ring). My
contract
will have very strict discussion of timeframe and scheduling of long
range
tests. I must get a title, CA$H and
some land for my participation. Build a castle, let the S7 run a
mercenary
cavalry army from it. *
*
* My
man Balan took third as Stavas won The Emperor's Cup, and a lot of
money. We
will be meeting the Emperor early with our gifts! Stavas also gained an
ally
with a Dara Happan horseman, and an enemy with a CharUn Demon rider.
Death for
him I think. Frulimon was also in the Cup. Astarov delivered Sorvinthus
to his
handler here. I got an Agimori ally and Lunar citizenship after the
race. *
*
* We
had dinner with Kallas Peruna, a countryman from Bindle. He is the
ruler of
Harandash on the Sweet Sea. We also met Senator Faunus of Kevrinth,
from whom
Astarov cornered Navarian corn futures. Harendash wants manufactured
goods for
newly un-Banned countries. Pied Rykor showed up, met Fruli, and set up
a vital
meeting. Then Inspector Volexin, a Danfive, comes in and arrests
Fruliman.
Astarov shouts out the inspector, the next day there is no mention of
Fruleman
Rhugundy at the DanFive HQ. *
*
* Triumphed
at dinner at College of Light. Got Dean Estarven sent to court –
charged with
being a bad host by the Sultan of Doblian, who is enamored of our
Cousin
Erianda. He is a potent witness against the dean, as is Sal Aran (whom
I am
courting), and Dannos, a DanFive inspector! *
*
* Bentus
nite with the Emperor for Leo tonight, I will be training my men to
feed the Fright
in my possible absence to come. *
*
* Court
went well, Estarven to stand trial.7 *
*
* Marrying
Sal Aran! I bested her at combat, magic, and dancing.
*
*
* Astarov
met with Red Dancer and is lost! *
*
* Leo
hasn't been himself since T&J-ing with the Emperor. *
*
* Leo
has found Astarov. We bought a Moonboat! We try to rescue him from the
Alchemists College at the top of the crater! *
*
* His
healer is also his follower!8 Editor’s Notes: 2: The cults of Charmain,
Lady of the Lake, and Bentus, High God of
Pleasure, are on delicate terms in Minstinus. The goddess Charmain is
Lady of
the Lake and Mother of the Prophet, whose sacred waters are used in
many
Carmanian purification rituals. The god Bentus represents the generous
rewards
granted to the righteous by Idovanus, but his power of Pleasure is
often corrupted
into lust and hedonism by those blinded by the Lie. 3: OK, so I made a
mistake! The sultanate of Oronin is ruled by the
EelAriash clan, not the sultanate of Doblian, which is ruled by the
YanoriaoIlart clan. To cover this error, LunEel is the son of a
marriage
between the two clans, and is a favorite of Sultan Yan Kor Yan – but
not
in line to inherit the title. He was watching over the palace while
the sultan was in Glamour. 4: By his brother Stavas,
a half-Grazer practitioner of the Majestic Horses Tradition.
Stavas was no doubt affected by the presence of so many
theists and sorcerers! 5: High praise, because
Lex’s mother is a Spolite and skilled mistress
of manipulation. Lex, on the other hand, is straight as an arrow. 6: Frulimon is the son of
Kustavas Rhugandy by his third wife, Lady
Meryon of Riverjoin. Frulimon did speak with Lord Rykor, who was trying
to win
military aid for his city against the Kingdom of War, and perhaps
Jonatela,
should the current situation deteriorate. The proposal was coolly
received, and
no agreement was reached. 7: Damonius Estarven had
powerful allies, so things didn’t go
as well as Lex had hoped. The final ruling was that both parties were
to be
exiled from the Silver Shadow sultanate after Sacred Time. Damonius was
outraged and swore revenge, but the Rhugandy brothers didn’t mind the
result.
They had no intention of returning to Glamour any time soon. 8: “He” is Astarov, who won over one of the conspirators while being examined at the Eyzaal Chapter House in Glamour. The lady, a devotee of Queen Dezola, later helped Astarov escape.
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