CURSE OF TIIB AzuKE BoNDS J11i{venturers Journal INTRODUCTION -or- What Are We Doing in Tilverton, Anyway?

Journa{'Entry 1 6razecl {i!(g, fire. :My fiecuf swam. Just 6efore "I am 6eginning a new journal. :My o{c{ I 6{ac/(g,cl out, I tfiougli tfiat tliis was a 6cuf journa{ is gone, along witli a{{ of tfie party's encl for sucfi e;i;periencecl cufventurers. equipment. I write fiere to try to ma!(g, some "'J{pw we awa!(g, in 'Ii{verton witli our sense out of our spotty memories. wounc£s fiea{ecl. Our equipment is gone, "'We lieu£ a{{ agreecl to come soutli to 6ut we liave founcl a stasfi of coins. One of 'Iuverton to seefc.tlie wst princess, 'J.[_acacia our first priorities must 6e to 6uy new of Cormyr. 'Iuverton is on tfie 6orcler equipment. 6etween tfie '1Ja[e{anc£s ancl Cormyr, ancl "I overfiearcl a servant mention tfie clate, was tlie Cast p{ace tfie princess lieu£ 6een 6ut I'm not sure I 6e{ieve it. If tfie servant spottecl. spea~ true it is armost a montfi since tfie ''1?.ymor was tliat J(jng Jlzoun 's am6usli. Jl{most anytfiing cou{c{ liave liap­ youngest claugfiter, tfie Princess 'J.{_acacia, penecl in tfiat time. ran away from tfie roya{ liousefio{c{ Of "It seems tfiat a{most anytliing clicl. 'Eacfi Cormyr a{most a year ago. Slie j{ecl an ofus awo!(g, witli five azure 6{ue sym6o[s arrangecl marriage ancl ran off witli a deric imprintecl on our sworcl arm. %e sym6o(s are not tattoos, tliey seem to e;tjst 6eww tlie skin. IMPORTANT DALELANDS Dagger Falls is a farming community on from 'Iuverton namecl (jliarri of (joncl. GEOGRAPHIC REFERENCES the River Tesh and the largest settlement '7fie fatest worcl was tfiat 'J.[_acacia ancl 'Ifiey occasiona{{y fee{ {i!(g, tliey 're moving. in Daggerdale. The inhabitants of Dagger The area shown on the map stretches (jliarri lieu£ a faffing out ancl tfiat slie was Falls dislike outsiders of any kind. They from Tilverton in the southwest to Phlan fear the expansion of Zhentil Keep may seen near 'Iifoerton recent[y. 'Ifie king lieu£ a in the northeast. It includes the center of destroy their independence. forge rewarcl out for 'J.[_acacia 's return. Jl the Elven Court, the western shores of smart group ofcuf venturers {i!(g, oursefoes "'We fiave clevisecl a pfan of attacf(, Our the Moonsea, and several of the dales The Dalelands include the fertile areas cou{cl ma/(g, some powerfulfrienc£s if tfiey spd{casters wi{{ prepare tlieir spdfs. 'We surrounding the Elven Court. The area is surrounding the vast Elven Court. There founcl tfie princess ancl returnee{ tier to wiff purcfiase some new arms ancl armor. sparsely populated, with major concen­ are many dales around the Court, includ­ tfie king. trations in the cities and towns and farms ing: Shadowdale, Mistledale, Battledale, %en we are going out into 'Iuverton ancl covering the intervening dales. Each loca­ and Daggerdale. "Somewliere along tfie rocuf to 'Iifoerton fincl out wfiat is going on. Someone must tion on the map is described below. we were attac/(g,cl. 'Ifie 6riganc£s must liave fc.now. Jlncl I clan 't care if we liave to roust The Elven Court is a vast forest that was 6een invisi6{e, 6ecause some of our party Cormyr is a large civilized nation to the the center of elven civilization in the every sage, priest, ancl 6artencler in tfiis south and west of the Dalelands. The areas near the Moonsea. When the elves went clown 6efore we fc.new wfiat was town to fincl out. forces of Cormyr have extended their left in The Retreat, the elven court was going on. I vague{y remem6er clarfc.faces in ''These are some ranclom printecl notes I northern border by annexing the city of left empty. Without the elves to control evU waking lidmets firing cross6ows into fiave co{{ectecl. %eir information may 6e Tilverton. Cormyr has no known plans to them, evil creatures have begun to multi­ our mic£st. %e cross6ow liits were not fatal important on our journey. Afyjourna{ notes continue its expansion towards the ply deep within the forests. Some fear 6ut every liit seemecl to clrop its target. I Dai elands. that these creatures will become a threat continue on page 10. to the surrounding Dalelands. remem6er getting liit in tlie arm. 'Ifie wouncl

2 Essembra is the trading center for The Standing Stone is a large marker IMPORTANT DALELAND'S The Fire Knives have sworn to assassi­ Battledale. Battledale has seen many con­ commemorating the signing of the agree­ POWER GROUPS nate King Azoun IV and joined the first flicts; many bitter enemies find it conve­ ment whereby the elves allowed humans The Army of Zhentil Keep is not so much bonding project as a means to that end. nient to hold their wars in Battledale, to settle the Dalelands. The marker is a tool of the city state, as it is a tool of After the fiasco of the first bonding pro­ rather than risk ravishing their own lands. also the closest marker to the ruined city the evil group, the Zhentrim. The army ject, the remains of the Fire Knives have Battledale has lost some of its former of Myth Drannor. has recently taken the city of Tesh wave, moved into the outer edges of the coun­ power with the retreat of the elves. try of Cormyr. They are rumored to be Teshwave is a medium-sized city that has patrols the route to Voonlar, and is fight­ engaged in another plot against the king. was formerly the major trading been recently occupied by the forces of ing with the army of Hillsfar over the The symbol of the Fire Knives is a dagger center between the Elves of the Elven Zhentil Keep. So far the occupation has ruins of Yulash. The army of Zhentil Keep surrounded by flame. Court and the Humans of the been a calm affair and the excels in the close cooperation of fight­ Moonsea reaches. With the forces of Zhentil Keep think ers, mages, and clerics. It also employs The Harpers are a secretive group con­ retreat of the elves, Hillsfar has that the people of Teshwave Terror Teams of intermediate level cler­ sisting mostly of high level bards and been taken over by a ruthless have been cowed. ics, mages, and fighter to sneak behind rangers. The overall aims of the Harpers dictator. He has expanded the enemy lines and wreak havoc. are a mystery, but they are known to sup­ Tilverton is a small city on the Red Plume mercenaries and is port good causes, and to oppose evil southwestern border of the The Cultists of Moander worship a dark, engaged in a successful mili­ groups such as the Zhentrim. The kingdom of Cormyr near the evil god whose power was centered in tary campaign against Zhentil Harpers mostly work behind the scenes, Dalelands. Tilverton was Yulash. Long ago, the elves of the Elven Keep in the ruins of Yulash. applying as little force as necessary to recently taken over by the Court banished Moander to another unravel the plots of evil. Mistledale is a quiet farming Cormyr Protection forces and plane and barred much of his power community. Its largest town is is currently occupied by the from the realms. Since then, Moander The Knights of Myth Drannor guard the Ashabenford, where the River 7th Division. However, the worship has been reduced to a few fanat­ realms from the tremendous powers and Ashaba crosses the road from occupation is going peacefully, ic cultists. These cultists were central in unending perils of the ruins of Myth Hillsfar to Tilverton. and the people of Tilverton creating the first and tem­ Drannor. They keep the unspeakable actually seem relieved to be porarily brought Moander back into the monsters inside the city from escaping. Myth Drannor was a huge Gauntlet of Moander under the protection of the realms. But, Moander was rebanished They also keep naive adventurers from ancient city of elves at the cen­ kingdom of Cormyr. after a vicious magical combat over entering the city and getting hurt. ter of the Elven Court. When Westgate. After Moander's rebanishment, the elves left the Elven Court, the city Voonlar is an evil city which has allied his remaining cultists faithfully began yet The Red Plumes of Hillsfar is the generic was left deserted. Evil creatures, drawn with Zhentil Keep. Troops from Voonlar another plot to return their master to the name for all troops fighting for the city of by the elven places of power, quickly have attempted to invade Shadowdale realms. Moander's symbol is a black Hillsfar. The city hires mercenaries of rushed into the city and turned it into a many times, but have always been hand with a mouth in its palm. many companies. These companies all foreboding ruin. turned back. fight under the banner of the Red the Sage is the most famous Plumes. Recently, the Red Plumes have Shadowdale is the name of both a town Yulash is a ruined city that sits on the resident of Shadowdale. He is a powerful expanded greatly. They have just taken and its surrounding area located where only trade route from Zhentil Keep to the magic-user of indeterminate age. control of the ruins of Yulash from the the River Ashaba crosses the road from civilized southlands. The city is currently Elminster no longer tutors or works for army of Zhentil Keep. Tilverton to Voonlar. Shadowdale is a controlled by the Red Plume mercenaries hire, but he investigates items and issues haven for adventurers and happily opens of Hillsfar after a bitter struggle with the of great import to the safety of the The Red Wizards of Thay are the power­ its arms to the power, protection, and forces of Zhentil Keep. Both sides are realms. ful, paranoid spell-casters who rule the riches that successful adventurers bring. preparing themselves for another round kingdom of Thay. Thay is an evil king­ Shadowdale is also home to the famous of battle. The Fire Knives, also known as the Flame dom, far to the east of the Dalelands. The sage Elminster. Knives, are an organization of thieves Red Wizards gain influence in Thay by Zhentil Keep is a major city politically and assassins that formerly flourished showing up their fellow wizards, by gain­ controlled by the evil Zhentrim. The city throughout Cormyr. King Azoun IV of ing magical or political power, or by caus- has been expanding its influence both Cormyr drove the Fire Knives from their west and south and many fear any further comfortable niche, and they have been expansion of its power. unable to find a new home ever since.

3 4 ing great strife among the enemies of A DALELANDS BESTIARY Dog (II): These faithful servants of man Lizardman (Ill): These are lizard-like Thay. As far as the Red Wizards are con­ are often trained to be vicious fighters. humanoids. They are omnivorous but This is a list of some of the monsters cerned, the enemies of Thay include they have a particular fancy for human found in and around the Dalelands and Dracolich (X): A reported creation of the everyone else in the realms. Each Red flesh. the western shores of the Moonsea. Most 'Cult of the Dragon', a Dracolich is a pow­ Wizard has his own symbol. monsters can strike fear into the hearts erful undead dragon. It has powers from Manticore (VI): These are a winged beast The Royal Family of Cormyr rules the of men, but some are more powerful both types of creatures. A dracolich's that can fire volleys of spikes from its tail. Kingdom of Cormyr. The royal family is than others. attacks include a breath weapon and a Each spike hits as hard a crossbow bolt. headed by King Azoun IV, a powerful war­ paralyzing touch. The monster's reputation is reflected in Margoyle (V): These stony monsters are rior and a just king. Azoun's advisor, and its monster level, listed as a Roman Efreeti (VII): These large powerful crea­ immune to normal weapons and can former tutor, is Vangerdahast a powerful numeral after its name. Level I monsters tures are from the Elemental Plane of attack many times with their sharp claws Magic-User. One of Azoun's daughters, are less powerful than a well-equipped Fire. They are very arrogant and will only and spikes. the princess Nacacia, disappeared almost beginning fighter. A Level X monster may serve a powerful master. one year ago. It is rumored that Nacacia Medusa (VI): These are hideous women be more powerful than several heroes. fled the royal family with a priest named Ettin (VII): These creatures look like giant with snakes for hair. They can turn a man The power of the monsters raises sub­ Gharri of Gond, a member of the temple two-headed ores. They have great to stone with their gaze. stantially between level VI and level VII. strength and can wield two spiked clubs of Gond in Tilverton. The King has put Minotaur (VI): These are strong bull­ that inflict terrible damage in combat. out a large reward for the return of the Anhkheg (VI) : Large burrowing insects headed humanoids. They are cruel man Princess. It is rumored that he is person­ with great mandibles. These creatures Gas Spore (II): These floating spheres eaters, commonly found in mazes. ally searching for Nacacia incognito. have been known to spit a powerful acid. resemble Beholders, but are actually Monkey (II): These beasts are sometimes benign. If a Gas Spore is attacked it can Tyranthraxus is an evil spirit who flour­ Beholder (X): These powerful spherical trained to execute specialized tasks by explode. ished until recently in and around the monsters have ten eye stalks, each with a thieves. ruined city of Phlan. He controlled Phlan deadly attack. A Beholder's attacks are Giant Slug (VII): These giant creatures Neo-Otyugh (VII): This is a more powerful with legions of humanoid monsters, and most deadly at short range. Their power­ can spit a very powerful acid and are form of Otyugh. These disgusting scav­ hoped to make it a base for the conquest ful central eye can negate spells. resistant to blunt weapon attacks. of the Moonsea reaches. He was reported Beholders are among the most powerful engers have several vicious attacks and a to draw power from a gateway between creatures in the realms. Giant Spider (V): These giant creatures heavily armored body. the planes called the . have a poisonous bite. Black Dragon (VII): These powerful drag­ Ogre (IV): These are large, foul-tempered, His main power was the ability to possess ons breathe streams of acid and have Griffin (VI): These winged beasts have ugly humanoids. They are strong fighters. powerful creatures and escape even after powerful claw and bite attacks. large claws and a razor-sharp beak. the creatures body had died. A band of Otyugh (VI): These scavengers have long adventurers freed Phlan and defeated Bugbear (IV) : Hideous, giant-sized goblins Hell Hound (VI): These other-planar crea­ tentacles that they use to scoop trash Tyranthraxus just in the last year. His spir­ who stand over seven feet in height. tures resemble wolves, but they can into their cavernous mouths. it was sucked back through the Pool of Bugbears look clumsy but are strong, breathe fire and detect invisible enemies. Owl Bear (V) : These large creatures have Radiance and the pool dried up. quick fighters with great stealth. Hippogriff (Ill): These magnificent crea­ razor-sharp beaks. They can grab and The Worshippers of Bane are centered on Crocodile (Ill): Large reptilian animals tures have the forelimbs and head of an hug targets for great damage. the Moonsea, but its influence spreads with powerful jaws. eagle and the body and hind legs of a Phase Spider (VI): These are giant, poi­ throughout the realms. Bane is the evil horse. Centaur (IV): These good creatures are sonous spiders with the ability to phase god of strife, hatred, and tyranny. The half men and half horse. They are capa­ in and out of this dimension. They are largest temple of Bane is The Black ble fighters and can be valuable allies. "phased in" until they attack and are Lord's Altar in Mulmaster. The second "phased out" afterwards. largest temple is The Dark Shrine in Displacer Beast (VI): These creatures are Zhentil Keep. Bane's symbol is a black large, black puma-like creatures with two Rakshasa (VII): These evil spirits use illu­ left hand on a field of red. tentacles sprouting from their backs. sion and false civility to take their prey off These creatures can appear to be several feet from their actual location.

5 6 guard. Once combat is joined, Rakshasa A SHORT HISTORY OF THE blight, ruined by the dragon flight, and fabled city of Myth Drannor fell into ruins are powerful fighter/magic-users and are DALELANDS AND THE ELVEN COURT then rescued from permanent enslave­ and was overrun by evil creatures. And immune to much magic. They have been ment by a band of adventurers. the road from Sembia to Hillsfar was no One thousand three hundred and fifty slain by a blessed bolt from a cross bow. longer a safe trek for fat merchants, but a seven years ago, humans moving north North of the Elven Court, cities outside dangerous gauntlet for the adventurous encountered the Elven Court, a huge out­ the Dalelands arose. Yulash prospered as Salamander (VII): These fiery creatures travel er. prefer temperatures of 300 degrees or cropping of forest just south of the the center of the worship of Moander, above and use super-heated metal Moonsea. These humans sought and until the elves banished Moander from After the retreat came the Flight of the weapons. received permission from the elven the realms. Teshwave grew as a river Dragons. Hundreds of dragons flew out of rulers to settle the dales around the for­ town, until it was occupied by the forces the north to devastate cities and towns all Shambling Mound (VII): These huge crea­ est. The Standing Stone was erected to of Zhentil Keep. Voonlar grew on the around the Dalelands. The dragons were tures resemble animated piles of moss commemorate the occasion. edge of the Elven Court, and continued driven off or destroyed, but at tremen­ and slime. They attack with their club-like to grow even though its dous cost. The port in Out of the agreement, the various human arms and can smother opponents in their attacks toward Shadowdale Hillsfar was closed for settlements of the Dalelands were born. slime. Their slimy forms are immune to were repulsed again and weeks by the huge body of These settlements included Shadowdale, fire and strengthened by lightning bolts. again. All around the Elven a fallen dragon. The battle Mistledale, Daggerdale, and Battledale. Court humans bustled between the witch Sylune Storm Giant (IX): These are the most The settlements grew around their popu­ about, building towns, and a giant dragon left powerful and respected of the true lation centers: Shadowdale, Ashabenford, clearing the wild, and nothing but a crater of one giants. They are intelligent, physically Dagger Falls, and Essembra. imposing, and highly magical. They throw remaking the land in their corner of Shadowdale. But, powerful bolts of lightning. South and East of the Elven Court lay the own image. the flight ended as swiftly human kingdom of Sembia. The Sem­ as it had come. Once the But, the battle of Singing Thri-kreen (VI): These are intelligent, car­ bians cut at the forest to make planks for dragons were gone, the Arrows and the road from nivorous insect-men who live in burrows. their ships. The elves put a stop to this by settlements picked up the Sembia to Hillsfar started a They have four arms and a poisonous crushing the Sembians at the battle of Helm of Dragons pieces and went on with great debate among the bite that paralyzes their foes. They are Singing Arrows, 4 7 3 years ago. The elves their lives. elves. Could elves and adept at dodging missile attacks. and humans then made an agreement humans live side by side, or was human By now, the inhabitants of the Dalelands that allowed the humans to push a road Troll (VI): These are large, strong, ugly expansion a threat to the lifestyle of the have gotten used to the absence of the from Sembia, past the standing stone, to humanoids. They know no fear and can Elven Court? For hundreds of years the elves after The Retreat, and the damage the Moonsea. Where the road met the regenerate wounds. They cannot regener­ elves secretly debated among them­ from the Flight of the Dragons is old Moonsea the city of Hillsfar grew. ate wounds caused by fire. selves. Scant years ago they made their news. They look toward the future where Vegepygmie (lll - IV): These semi-intelli­ South and West of the Elven Court lay the decision. The elves began The Retreat. another harvest ripens in the fields, human Kingdom of Cormyr. The forces of battles between armies rage, and chil­ gent animated plants come in various The Retreat caught the humans around Cormyr have recently taken over the bor- dren grow up dreaming of becoming sizes and often use simple weapons. the Elven Court by surprise. Almost . der town of Tilverton, but any further adventurers. overnight, the inhabitants of the court Worg (IV): These are evil natured, semi­ expansion is hindered by the southern tip and the magnificent city of Myth Drannor intelligent wolves. They often cooperate of the Desertsmouth Mountains. Shadow seemed to disappear. Once the elves with other creatures in packs. Gap and Tilver's Gap lead through the decided to leave, they left swiftly. Some mountains, but the king of Cormyr has Wyvern (Vil): These creatures are distant elves living in the communities outside not yet risked his armies through the relatives of dragons. They attack by biting the Elven Court left, but others stayed in treacherous mountain passes. and using the poisonous sting in their tail. their new homes. Around the Moonsea, Hillsfar and other The Retreat left a huge area empty. Evil cities prospered. Zhentil Keep rose to forces quickly took advantage of the power, fell from grace, and rose again power vacuum. The bright elven forests under the power of the Zhentrim. Phlan quickly became dark and foreboding. The rose to prominence, was devastated by a

7 8 A BARD'S NOTES ON PHLAN AND THE a great bronze dragon and had transport­ J ourna[ 'Entries as al[ performing arts eventuaffy are. Jfe POOL OF RADIANCE ed the mystical 'Pool of Radiance' into his attemptec! an experiment to create a fQ.nc! of lair. The pool was an extra-dimensional %.ese entries induc!e items wfiicfi atfven­ The City of Phlan had risen to promi­ ffesfi go[em1 a simu[acrum of a fiuman 6eing, turers migfit copy or file in tfieir journal as nence, and then fell beneath an over­ portal which gave Tyranthraxus access to tfiat wou{c{ 6e an immorta[ vesse[ for al[ of information and power from beings on tfiey travel 'During tfie game tfiese entries whelming tide of evil monsters. The fiis work, In tfiis way fie fiopec! to cfieat tfie ruined city was con- other planes. are referrec! to 6y number. Wfien tfie game effect of time. trolled by a powerful Tyranthraxus used his refers to a Journal 'Entry, reac! tfie specific "'l.lnfortunate[y, tfie :Master fJ3arc£ matfe a entity, known only as power to augment the entry anc! p[ace a cfieck_markjn tfie 6ot to mistaf:.g c!uring tfie creation of tfie vessef anc! 'The Boss.' dragon's already f:.gep track_ ofwfiicfi entries fiave come up in one of fiis assistants was f(j[[ec£. Wfien tfie While 'The Boss' fearsome combat tfie game. 'Do not reatf afieatf to otfier capabilities. He was Condave ofJfarpers fauna out about tfie looked outward Journal 'Entries; some tafes are fafse, anc! also protected by a experiment, anc! tfie reasons 6efiinc£ it, tfiey toward even greater may [eac! your atfventurers astray. conquests, human set­ squad of powerful were appa[[ec£. %.e Concfave strippec! tfie tlers landed and creat­ fighters with magical :Master fJ3arc£ of!iis powers, !iis magica[ ed a foothold on the arms and armor. The 0 Journa[ 'Entry 2 adventurers triumphed objects, anc! fiis name. %.ey wipec! fiis songs edge of Phlan . %e assem6fec£ c!ragons g[are rfown upon Adventurers flocked to over Tyranthraxus and anc! stories from tfie coffective memories of the city in hopes of his minions only after tfie party, tfiree ancient c!ragons of eacfi tfie entire 'R.f,a[m. It was as if fie fiatf never claiming a portion of the most heroic of cofor: rerl green, Mue, Macfv_ anc! wfiite. In a e?(j.sted. %en, tfiey trappec! fiim in a pocf:.gt the Phlan's fabled combats. Amulet of Lathander booming voice you fiear one say, ":Mortafs, c!imension, anc! [eft fiim tfiere. %.e Condave wealth. When Tyranthraxus you fiave cfiosen a very 6ac£ time to confront tfiougfit tfie now name[ess 6arc£ was effec­ The battle to cleanse Phlan was an epic was defeated he did us. :f[ee for your misera6fe fives now, anc! tive[y 6anis lied. struggle. First, adventurers cleared the not die. His naked spirit rose from the we sfial[ consic!er fetting you five. " "JfoweveTi a powerju[group of magi­ body of the dragon and was drawn back city, block by block. Then, they found Jls you consic!er tfieir magnanimous offeTi through the Pool of Radiance. The pool cians anc! monsters re-createc! some of tfie and defeated the concentrations of evil you fiear agreat beating of wings. Severa[ name[ess 6arc£'s experiment. %.ey tracf:.gc! monsters and men in the wilderness drained away and the power of around the city. Finally, adventurers Tyranthraxus was broken. Phlan was free. c!ragons quicl

9 10 "J{oweve0 witfi. tfi.e aUf of tfi.e name[ess D Journa[ 'Entry 4 DJournaf 'Entry 5 [awju[ anri tfi.e good. 'Ifie 6onrieri ones are 6ard, Vragon6ait was aMe to tfi.wart tfi.e unrier my contra[ anri autfi.ority anri wi[[ JL map marf(grf Sewers. "'We 'R.g,f\§fi.asa are very fonri ofgam- evi[ ones 6y gifting me witfi. a portion of Fi.is remain so for as fong as I ave. " 6ang. I Fi.at! 6een fi.aving a streaf(of 6atf fuel( spirit. 'Ifie name[ess one sacrifaeri fi.imself (juiM anrigone tfi.rougfi. most of my possessions. anri engineereri Vragon6ait anri my escape D Journa[ 'Entry 8 from tfi.e evi[ ones. 'l?Jcent[y, I rfiscovereri tfi.at 'Birsfi.eya Fi.at! D 1Joor 6een eh.eating in tfi.ose games. Jfoweve0 tfi.e "JLfter our escapee£ I wof(g up in a strange p[ace, witfi. manufactureri memories cran .Lorri wi[[ not act with.out proof . 'Birsfi.eya guarcfs tfi.e dan storefi.ouse anri I anri sym6ofs sucfi. as yours on my arm. Von 't f0ow tfi.at tfi.ere is evirience fi.Ufrien tfi.ere. If worry. :My 6oncfs are gone, anri I am now ju[[y my own person. you fi.e[p me 6rea/(in, you may sdect wfi.at­ "In orrier to remove my sym6ofs, I Fi.at! to ever you want from tfi.e storefi.ouse, I just overcome tfi.e compufsion of tfi.e 6oncfs. 'Eacfi. want tfi.e proof of'Birsfi.eya seh.eating. " 6onri is af(g a magica[geas put on you 6y tfi.e person or group representeri 6y tfi.e sym6o{. DJourna[ 'Entry 6 '':)'our on[y Fi.ape is to riestroy tfi.e person "'Ifie statue in my wfi.ed6arrow was my D Journa[ 'Entry 9 or group tfi.at was invo[veri in creating your son. 'We were west ofTesh.wave wfi.en we 6oncfs. I see tfi.e "moutfi. in fi.anri" sym6o[ of spotteri a 13efi.oMer. 'We ran anri Fi.id, 6ut my :Moanrier on your arm. Perfi.aps we can son was not quicf(enougfi.. I Fi.ave 6een 6eg­ cooperate. ging for money to ft.ea[ fi.im since tfi.en. CouM "I am Fi.ere 6ecause of tfi.e rumors tfi.at youfi.dp?" ~ :Moanrier is tfi.reatening to return again. 'Ifie 1. ;f[aming aura. cu[tist of:Moanrier were some of tfi.e evu DJourna['Entry 7 2. Can possess otfi.er 6oriies. ones invo[veri in my 6onriing. Since you are "I am ;Fzou[ Cfi.em6ryl fi.igfi. fore£ of tfi.e 3. Invo[verf witfi. tfi.e Pao[ of2{,atfiance. Fi.ere anri carry Fi.is 6onr1, I assume tfi.at fi.e Varf(Sfi.rine. :My 'precious mages ~ as you Fi.as manageri to gatfi.er enough. power to ea[[ tfi.em, Fi.ave a[[oweri me to fo[fow your D Journa[ 'Entry 10 attempt Fi.is return. minion. l})e;i;_am, you overstep your "I !(now tfi.at tfi.e new a[tar of:Moanrier "I Fi.ave 6een [augfi.eri at anri a6useri since autfi.ority. :My marf(is on tfi.ese peop[e, anri I first came to Pfi.[an, 6ut now my true is somewfi.ere in tfi.is ruineri temp[e. 'Ifiis is tfi.e Imperceptor wi[[ !(now ofmy wor/(in Fi.is origina[ fi.o[y p[ace on our P[ane . .let genius sfi.a[[ 6e seen. In tfi.e caverns 6eneatfi. riue time. us are tfi.e nudeus ofmy fanatica[ army. In Vragon6ait anri I fi.e[p you. 'We Fi.ave 6att[erf "It is I wfi.o worf(for tfi.e greater gfory of tfi.is evi[ 6efore. " tfi.e river are my riragon navy anri soon tfi.e 13ane. 'Ifie powers grantee£ us 6y 13ane, com- gmgoy[es sfi.a[[ arrive to contra[ tfi.e air. I 6ineri witfi. tfi.e power of tfi.e secu[ar magic­ sfi.a[[ [et you ave [ong enough. to see my vic­ users, wi[[ 6ring a6out a 13anite Jfegemony tory over tfi.e ;f[ameri One. 'Tfien you sfi.a[[ 6e in tfi.e 'l?Ja[ms, anri tfi.ese 6onrieri toofs are sacrificeri to my greater gfory. "Jfe [augfis centra{ to tfi.e consoariation of our power. maniaca[[y as you are [ec[ away. 'Witfi. tfi.em I nope to 6e a6[e to contra[ anri avoUf tfi.e traps set in magica[ items 6y tfi.e

J-Eiaeout

I I 12 D Journa[ f£ntry 11 'Wj.ed{ess to say, tfiey are a{{ e?(.treme{y '£,{minster ofSfiadowdafe. 'lJracandros o6vi­ D Journa[ f£ntry 14 ous{y Ii.apes tfiat fie can 6e as powerju{ as "Your arriva{ is we{{ timecf. 'We e?!:pect evil %.eir common purpose is to enfiance %.e man witli no name begins to g{ow tfieir co{{ective power. J-{owever, if tliis '£,{minster someday. tfie /(Jng to fa{{ into our 6acf(up trap. It is 11 and cfiange. J-{is features become evi{ and 1"ina{{y, tfie daws offfame are tfie unfortunate tfiat you attack,g.d tfie wrong bonding fo{fows tfie previous pattern, and calc.u{ating. 'Wji.me{ess opposed me as you symbo{ ofTyrantfira?(JIS, tfie j[amed one. I 11 target. 'But fet me introduce tfie man you witli Afoander and tfie j"ire 'l(nives invofved do," tfie man form says. '.A(pw Ii.is sfie{{ pro­ tfiougfit tfiat it wouU ta/(g. liim mucfi fonger tried to /(j{[. "J-{e gestures over to two pris­ I Ii.ave fittfe doubt tfiat it wifl eacfi of tfie tects my fiery essence. %.e time Ii.as come, to recover after tfie recent events in Pfifan. oners, tied up against tfie wa{[. One is a tliin evi{ powers Ii.as its own use for you, to tfie bow to your new master -bow down to J-{is is tfie greatest tfireat, as Ii.is ambition is bearded man and tfie otfier is a young detriment of tfie otfiers. %.at is your greatest Tyrantfira?(]IS I" Jls fie faugfis, tfie bonds on tfie domination of tfie entire Prime Afateriaf woman, witfi a tattered purp{e sasfi. advantage. you arms gfow 6riglitfy. 'You fee{ your f(nees P{ane, and fie contro{.s tfie Pao{ of f}{_adiance, ''The man you tried to /(j{{ is (jiogi "I Ii.ave persona{ f(nowfedge of one of bend as you bow down before liim. your bonds. %.e Ii.and witfi a moutfi is tfie wliicli must stiff el(jst if fie is 6acf( 'Wyvernspur, an e(l(!.e{{ent mimic. "'Turning 11 To finisli offTyrantfira?(]IS you wi{{ to (jiogi, "Perfiaps you couUgive us another symbo{ of Afoander. J-{is aspect was need tfiree magica{ artifacts. I k.ziow tfiat 0Journa[C£ntry 15 rendition of tfie /(Jng s voice. ' (jiogi foof

13 14 sfiouM not 6e. :For ifyou fie, you sfioufa 6e 6y fiim. So, if I were you, I 'c[ sap out of 0 Journa[ 'Entry 21 ana pavement in ')'u[asfi fiave enaurea some afraia of me! JI Witfi tfiat a arop of smokjng Sfiaaowaafe ana sau aown to .91.sfia6enforr£. great strains recent[y, I can't voucfi for tfieir JLfoterian, acia escapes from tfie aragon s moutfi past %.en J'c{ work_ my way soutfi unti[ I fauna sta6ifity in most areas of tfie city. JI J{ey, you may 6e my 6rotne1i 6ut if I !iis evi{, tootfiy grin! a certain rea wi.zaras tower. Jtfter tfiat J'c{ aon 't get tfiat 300 goM pieces you owe me 'Dracanaros recoifs from tfie aragon ana get fiim to remove tfie 6onr£. Or you cou[c[ I'm gonna come after you witfi a 6astara 0 Journa[ 'Entry 23 turns to tfie party. J{e speafJ a meaningCess fiang arouna fiere anaget turnea into a 11 sword. I aon 't care ifyou are a member of "Ok;; fiere s tfie scoop. 'Ja got yer con­ pfirase ana fiis sym6o[ sfow[y aisappears. newt 6y 'E[minster. tfie 13[ack._9{f,twork, rrfiey can 't watcfi you aemnea prisoners, tfiem s as ac£mittec£ tfiey rrfie party is free of anotfier 6onr£. a[[ tfie time. I've sti[[got a few tricfJ of my was guuty. rrfiey fias ta fig!it tfie monsters OJourna['Entry 19 own tfiat I can use on a same ric£aen, otyugfi witfi out no weapons--we give ya tfiree to OJourna['Entry 16 .91.s tfie c[eric casts tfie spe[l tfie 6oncfs akg you. one ifya cfioose tfie prisoners, straigfit even ''rJ!ie creatures of tfie aeeper caverns fiave 6egin to gfow 6rignt[y. Jl.rcs of Mue ffome Otfierwise, Afom ana 'Dac£ are fine. Sis is ifya cfioose tfie monsters. On tfie otfier 6egun to awakg. In aeference to me, tfiey snoot out from tfiem ana strikg a6out tfie getting too Dig for fier 6ritcfies. I may fieac£ fiancl ya got yer accusea criminafs, tfiem s as fiave maae a present of agreat artifact. It is room. rrfie cfiaracters 6egin to writfie in ao'Wn to tfie vi[[age ofJ{ap to fook_into saic£ tfiey was not guutj they gets ta kgep one of tfie tfiree neeaea to sfoy tfie :f[amea e?(treme pain. rrfie deric ceases tfie spe[{, rumors of agatfiering of 13[ack._'1Jragons. tfieir weapons as tfiey 're fig!itin' to see if One permanent[y. J{e 6etrayea me 6ack_in ''rJ!iese 6oncfs fight my powers, removing Wfien 're you coming 6ack_ to 'Essem6ra? 13ane wiffjuage tfiem as wortfiy. We give ya Pfifon, 6ut now I sfiaffgain revenge . .91.s tfiem is 6eyona me. I wisfi you 6etter [uck, Your wife Li[ian wants to (now. two to one on eitfier sic£e. Just set yerself soon as we fiave aisposea of tfie Zfientrim (jo witfi (jond. 11 13y tfie way, I'[[ takg fier insteac£ of tfie ana pays yermoney. On[y neea one pfotinum we can turn our attention to Afytfi 'Drannor money. piece to p[ay. JI ana my enemy. II 0 Journa[ 'Entry 20 Your foving 6rotfie7i Afyri?Cdets OJourna['Entry 24 0 Journd 'Entry 17 rrfie {etter reads, "Jfai[ J{arpers :Friencl 0 Journa[ 'Entry 22 we must warn you tfiat 'Dracanaros ofrrfiay "I aon 't (now wny you 're crazy enougfi seefJ to use you against aragonkjnd. 'To pro­ to want to go aown tfie Pit of Afoanae1j 6ut tect yourself you sfiou[c[ seek_ a aeac£[y 6[ac£e I can give you free passage tfirougfi tfie city. tfiat fie fias secretea in tfie caves 6efow !iis I can guarantee tfiat 'R.g,a Pfomes not mo[est tower. Stiff avoic£ tfie aragons ifpossi6[e, you, 6ut t!iis is stiff a city unaer siege ana I tfiey are quite aeac£[y. II can 't 6e nurse-mawing you around. It fias rrfie [etter is unsigned. 6een reportea tfiat Zfienti[ 'l\f,ep fias sent l some terror teams to annoy us. Some sfiam- 0 Journa[ 'Entry 25 6ang mounds nave afso 6een spottea some­ "We spirits of Afytfi 'Drannor fiave 0 Journa[ 'Entry 18 l wfiere to tfie east. grown weak_over tfie centuries. We can now J{ere s a map to tfie Pit ana tfie [ocations ao att[e 6ut observe. We ask_for your fie[p. ''rJ!iat 6ona you wear - tfie one witfi of our cfieck:points. {see Journa[ 'Entry 52) In return [et me revea[ to you a secret power tfie crescent moon - 6ears a very dose simi­ XJ,'J: 'You are wdcome to rest in tfie 6arracfJ ana of tfie %.ri-(qeen. Within tfiis 6uiWng is a fority to 'E[minster s symbol 'J{pw 'E[minster eat in tfie trooper mess. I've inaicatea tfiem is not tfie type of man to takg kjna[y to 0 'Door m Impassa6le ~ Stairs on tfie map as we[[. On, 6e carefu{, tfie wa[fs someone daiming tfiat tfiey 'c[ 6een 6onaea ~ Jlrea

15 16 gfowing reel web. If you speaf(tfie worcl DJourna[T.ntry 30 inducling wfiere you came from ancl your poweifu[ ofyour Ganas, you wi[[ neecl tfiree "'l(rrkjf' wfii(e stancling before it, tfien ''.So, tfiese are Tzou['s Citt[e secret. 'Very names. Jlnytime you asf(tfiem about tfieir items, tfie J{e[m of 1Jragons, tfie (jaunt[et of wa[/(into it, you wi[[gain great strengtfi. I interesting. Jls tfie representative of tfie questioning tfiey a[[ turn, sneer, ancl tfie Moancler ancl tfie Jlmu[et ofLatfiancler . fiave seen many of tfie 11iri- f:.reen clo tfiis. " T.RS.1'£, priests ofr.Bane , I sfia[[ cleCiver you to commancler says, "We are preparing a ji[e on '£,acfi is fie[c{ Gy one of tfiose controffing your 'Jv[u[master ancl to tfie grancl Imperceptor. you, tfiis is strict(y routine. " Ganas. Witfiout tfiese fie wiff Ge aMe to DJourna[T.ntry 26 "Once in 'Jv[u[master, I wi[[ e?(amine ignore your most poweifu[ attac/(j. " '%e men fiacl Geen para(yzecl Gy a spe[[ tfiese Ganas in my CaGoratory, to your D Journa[ T-ntry 33 11ie [etter is unsignecl. cast Gy an invacling deric. J{e was after tfie e?(treme cliscomfort I'm afraicl. r.But, you may "I am Caemir ancl my ancestors Civecl ancl prisoners fie(c{ in tfie [eacler's room to tfie Ge comfortecl tfiat cluring tfie Jina[ proce­ cliecl fiere in Mytfi 1Jrannor. I fiave Geen DJourna[T.ntry 36 soutfi. Luckj(y fie fiacl finaffy Geen overcome clure, tfie one tfiat wiff resuCt in your cleatfi, p[aguecl recent[y Gy evi[ clreams of my grancl­ "We 've Geen fiere for a[most a montfi in tfiis room. " tfie pain wiff not go on for more tfiat two, or fatfier 's tomb being turnecl into a nest for wfiipping tfiese bugbears ancl wargs into perfiaps tfiree, wee/(j. Jou[ spicler tfiings. If you wi[[ fie(p me Cay sfiape. 0.f9w you 've got tfie easy part. We D Journa[ T.ntry 2 7 "Once I fiave uncoverecl tfie secret of fiis spirit to rest, I wi[[give you tfiis Gow can 't [eacl tfiese monsters against 1Jagger 11ie wounclecl men moan in terror about tfiese Ganas, tfie Imperceptor wi[[ Ge most wfiicfi fie macle. "J{e sfiows you an J'a[[s, otfierwise tfiey wou[c{ rea{ize tfiat tfie a fiammer wieWng maniac ancl a room sucl­ angry witfi fiis clear [iu[e J'zoul ancl we e?(quisite[y craftecl Gow tfiat racliates power­ Zfientrim were Gefiincl tfiis. So you tafy, tfie clen[y ji[[ecl witfi j(asfiing 6Uufes.11iey fiope may finaffy ricl ourseCves of tfiis fieretic ancl ju[ magic. beasties to 1Jagger J'a[[s ancl attacf(tfie city. tfie [eaclers two prisoners are wortfi tfieir fiis precious mages. " We '[[ fiave a "rescue force " of Zfienti[ 'l(f.ep trou6[e. D Journa[ T.ntry 34 troops arrive soon after ancl repuCse your D Journa[ T.ntry 31 ''Yeafi, we[l watcfi yourself because attack, 11ien we '[[occupy tfie city as fieroes D Journa[ T.ntry 28 ''.You were Grougfit in Gy agroup in reel tfiere 's fats of fio[es ya can 't see ancl wa[[s ancl you'[[ Ge paicl most fianasome[y. We[l we 're off to 'Iesfiwave, goocl Cuc!(, " Zfientrim troops tfiat fiave triecl to reacfi ro6es.11iey saicl tfiey 'cl founcl you on tfie tfiat are about to come clown ancl Grain you. 1Jagger J'a[{s via tfie 'Rjver 'Iesfi fiave Geen roacl, near cleatfi. 11iey paicl for your rooms 11ie ~cl PCume 's are crawCing a[[ over tfie consumecl Gy a clragon [ying Geneatfi tfie in aclvance, so you can stay as fang as you 'cl p[ace- ancl tfiey fiave orclers to kj[[ any D Journa[ T.ntry 3 7 waves. It was awaf(g,necl Gy someone from Cif(g,. '.You fiacl tfiose tattoos wfien you came footers tfiey fincl. You want to !(now wfiere '%is passage was usecl cluring funeraCs Pfi(an wfio was Getrayecl Gy Zfienti[ 'l(f.ep. in, Gut I've never seen anytfiing [if(g, tfiem. tfie Pit is?You 're crazy. Its in tfie nortfi Gy tfiose in tfie temp[e. 11iey wou[c{ transport :;{e must stiff Ge somewfiere near 1Jagger J'i[ani tfie sage cou[c{ fie(p you tfiougfi, you wa[[ of tfie nortfieastern quaclrant of tfie tfie cleceasecl remains from tfie temp[e to tfie 7 a[[s, since tfie attac/(j fiave Geen recent. sfiou[c{go see fier, two Gfoc/(j nortfi. " city. 11iat p[ace is enougfi to maf(g, you foony GuriaCg[en tfirougfi tfie passage. 11ie passage tfiougfi. Some ~cl PCume 's fiave jumpecl sfiip comes up in a Gacf(room of tfie temp[e. D Journa[T.ntry 29 D Journa[ T.ntry 32 ratfier tfian go on guarcling tfie p[ace. Ofi, ''Ifyou try to approacfi tfie 'Iemp[e on yeafi. 11ie P[umies fiave set up some cfiecf( tfie patfi to tfie nortfi, or tfirougfi tfie ruins 11ie unGurnecl part reaas, '~ .. our affy can You are rucldy questionecl Gy two of tfie points a[[ over tfie city. 11iere 's one just in to tfie east, 'Tyrantfira?(JJS minions wi[[ spot contra[ ffome, skip from Gocly to Gocly ancl guaras ancl tfieir commancler. Tor every yes front of11ie Pit ancl one at tfie commanclers you ancl fi e wi[[ Ge waiting. J{e cloes not yet e?(fiiGits an array of e?(tra-climensiona[ answer you give one of tfie guaras sneers J{Q Can we go now?" !(now about tfiis tunnel " powers. It is my condusion tfiat tfie Tfomecl f(nowing[y ancl mar/(j it clown. Tor every no One can Ge none otfier tfian 'Iyran ... " answer tfie otfier guarcl snorts ancl mar/(j it in a clifferent [eager. 11ie commancler writes D Journa[ T.ntry 35 clown a[[ ofyour party's vita[ statistics 11ie [etter reatfs, '':friencl, we fiave come upon more news for you. 'To sfoy tfie accursecl J'[amecl One wfio fio[as tfie most

17 18 DJourna['Entry 38 D Journa[ 'Entry 39 DJourna['Entry 42 D Journa[ 'Entry 45 ':You Gear tfie sym6o{ offive aifferent 'Ifie fetter reaas, '':Friena of tfie J{arpers, 'Ifie centaurs recentfy fiac{ a &rusfi witfi organizatWns. 'Ifiree I recogniu, one I've we are 'lUorf\ing to provUe you witfi affies. spUers ana'Ifiri-K!een. 'Ifiese monsters were never seen ana tfie fast causes me some con­ 'We fiave arrangea for a ratfier unusuaf fiarp fieaaing nortfi, apparent{y on a treasure cern. 'Ifie ffame ana aagger is tfie sym6o{ of p{ayer to meet you in Zfienti{ 'l(f,ep. In tfie fiunting ezyditWn. 'Ifiey were pro6a6[y tfie :Fire 'l(nives, agroup of assassins wfio vi{{age ofJ{ap, tfie mage [email protected] 'Be{ .9lf(asfi fieaaea for Afytfi 1Jrannor. 'Ifie 'Ifiri-KJ:een {ast operatea out of 'Westgate. 'Ifiat group war~ to counter 1Jracanaros. :Fina{[y, two can avoU arrows ana tfieir pfiase spUers are fiaa Geen aestroyec{, so tfiey must fiave a new e?(f-e{{ent warriors fiave Geen sent to tfie Pit unfiittaMe after tfiey strikg. Gase of operation. I fear I ao not !(now to aU you. 11 'Ifie {etter is unsigned. wfiere. D Journa[ 'Entry 46 "'Ifie moutfi in tfie pa{m is tfie sym6o{ of DJourna['Entry 43 Most 2\_espectea Afogion of Afoanaer, tfie goa Afoanaer. 'Ifiis goa was 6anisfiea .9/.n important man from Pfi{an escapee{ 'Ifie 2?,ga 'Wizara 1Jracanaros fias pro­ from tfie wor{c{, Gut fie reappearea 6rief{y as proper justice . .9/_ traitorous Counci{ mem&er, viaea a magicaf sending to me, a{erting me a pile ofJifrfi. It {aic{ waste to a sectWn of namea caaorna, was raisea from tfie c{eac{ tfiat you are pfanning to e?(.terminate tfie tfie city of'Yu{asfi 6efore its aefeat. 'Ifie ana fias ffown to Vagger :Faffs. su&jects ofour fitt{e test. 'Wfii{e I rea{ize cufr scofor of cfioice is green. tfiat you are among tfie survivors ofnot on{y 1 DJourna['Entry 40 %e ornate Z in tfie triang{e is tfie D Journa[ 'Entry 44 a 6anisfieagoa Gut an ear{ier affiance, I sym6o{ of tfie Zfientrim, tfie 'B{acf( 'Because of tfie incursions afong tfie 'l?j.ver 11 must protest strong{y your intentWn to eraa­ 'J{g,twork, 'Ifiese are an evi{ affiance of 'lesfi 6y Zfientrim forces, a{{ affies are I am tfie current {eaaer of tfie Swanmays, since 'l(j.tfi ana 'Befinaa aisap­ icate our su&jects 6efore tfiey are juffy priests, mages ana tfiieves operating out of oraerea to gatfier in tfie caverns &eneatfi tfie tested. Zfienti{ 'l(f,ep. Some say tfiat tfiey run fa{(s. 'Ifie cfragons sfiou{a Ge aMe to fio{a pearea on tfie (jreat (j{acier. 'We neea some­ one to inji{trate tfie 2?,ga 'Wizarcf s'lower If you carry out tfiis mac{ pfot ana s{ay Zfienti{ 'l(f,ep. 6acf(tfie &efio{c{ers, Gut I ezyect Zfientrim our pigeons, tfien 1Jracanaros, myself, ana '%e :Ffaming sym6o{ I've never seen, so troops to fo{{ow up tfie attack, Jls pay I ana we fiearcf tfiat 1Jracanaros was foof\jng for a party Gearing tfiose sym6o(s on your Lora 'I wi{{ a{{ Ge f orcea to fiunt you aown I can give you no informatWn. 'Ifie {ast p{dge tfie stanaara portion wfien we foot ana sfay 6otfi you anrf anytfiing you cfioose sym&o( witfi tfie crescent moon, Gears a ais­ 'lesfiwave, '!loonfar ana Zfienti{ 'l(f,ep. 'Ifie arms. 11 to &ring onto tfiis p{ane. Vo not aou&t tfiat tur&ing simuarity to a poweifu[ sage in pfan is nearfy comp{ete, come at once. 1Jracanaros fias gatfierea aff tfie 'B{acf( Vragons in tfie area to fiis tower. 'We neea we can ao so. 2?,gmem&er tfiat I represent a Sfiadowaale. :For my own safety, ['{{say no Signer£, more active power tfiat is stiff at work.in more a&out it. Lora Porpfiyrys Caaorna to get a specia{ piece of one of tfiem. If you accept our mark.you wiff Ge digi6{e for a tfiis part of tfie 2?,ga{ms, ana wiff takg poor{y to your fiosti{e actWns. Once tfie su&jects D Journa[ 'Entry 41 sfiare ofour reward. I fiave inj{uenc;e witfi severa{ famifies tfiat are guaraing tfiese fiave Geen ju{{y tester£, tfien we may sfay 'Ifie paper is fieavuy soi{ec{, Gut you can caves, so I can get you to tfie tower. Once tfiem. 11 makg out, ••• 'l(nives untrustwortfiy, tfiere, we wou{a Ge most fiappy if you cou{a One more tfiing: I peiformea tfie cu{tists unrdiaMe, wizarcf insane ana 'I get us a part ofa aragon s fieart, or, at {east requestea researcfi for you, anrf you are seems very aangerous. 'Ezyect fitt{e rdia&ifi­ get tfiem to {eave tfie tower. 11 wrong. It is on{y tfie gaunt{ets, not tfie ty from tfie 'J{g,w .9/.{{iance, especia{{y over appearance of Afoanaer fiimself, wfiicfi can tfie Gonad su&ject. Wi{{ neea to set up our aevour tfie Pao{ of2\_aaiance. 'Ifiis jurtfier own o&servatWn team. Per ... 11

19 20 weak.f,ns your m;gunumt to 6ring dves marcfi you up into tfie fieart of tfie turea 'Dimswart in oraer to {earn a6out tfie my own way. I can 't fiave any of tfie 'Banite "o{c{ mo{c{y JI 6a.ck_onto tliis p{ane. temp{e. In an ony;i;_ wa{{ea room is a perfect, otfier 6onas. Priests catcfiing sigfit ofme. 'But on{y some­ Yours in aarfQ:iess, si{very we6. In tfie center of tfie we6 is a "I can get you to tfiejau ce{{ 6ut I neea one as s{ippery as I can squeeze tfirougfi tfie Lora :Fzou{ Cfiem6ry{ of'Bane , giant Ma.ck_spwer. %e spwer spea~ in a your fie{p to get fiim out. J'{{ wrigg{e out in route tfiat I k_now. JI Zfienti{ 'l(f.ep raspy, fio{{ow voice. "(jreetings. I represent tfie goa of tfie 0 Journa[ 'Entry 4 7 aark_e{ves. You are my prisoners. Your cfioice OJourna['Entry 52 '.Jl&ar tfie city of'Dagger :fa{{s is tfie is simp{e, you may 6e my s{aves, or 6e my {uncli. JI waterja{{ it was namea after. 'Befiina it are 'To the Pit aeep caverns, a6anaonea unti{ recent(y. Jl.s you conswer retreat, fiuge stone '.Jl&w a.ctivity suggests tfiat a man raisea Moc~ sea{ tfie entrance. JI. tittering {augfi ecfioes tfirougfi tfie room. " 'Jv[ess from tfie aeaa lias tak.f,n tfiem over. 'Dark_ J-fa{{ ~ tfiings are 6eginning to awakg, in response. g OJournd'Entry 50 <:! e:1 oave says, "'We{{ now, aren 't we a fine Waiting J£eac£quarters 0 Journa[ 'Entry 48 2?,pom (finis fiecf) "You fiave aone wdl my pets. %e tfiree 6uncfi of aaventurers. :My name is oave artifa.cts tfiat can ao me fiarm are now in 'l(usk.f,tt{e ana I k_now a 6it a6out tfiose tattoos on your arms. JI. pa{ of mine fiaa 'Brig my possession. :More important{y, tfie 6onas O[c{ S ta6[es you wear can act as tfie Pao{ of'l(ad1anc e some simuar mar~ a wfii[e 6a.ck, I wonaer aoes. Witfi tfiem I can transfer into any of wliere sfie is .. . your 6ocfles ana use it for as wng as I neea "Listen, you 've got to get fio{c{ of tfie to. %en, sfiou{c{ tfie 6oay 6e kj{{ec{, I can Jl.mu{et ofLatfiana er. %ere is a man wfio transfer tfirougfi tfie 6ona ana 6a.ck_ to tfie cou{c{ fie{p you 6ut fie s6e en capture£ ana is Pao{- or to anotfier ofyour 6oaies. I must 6eing fie{c{ prisoner inswe tfie temp{e. J{is tfiank_you for tfie great freeaom you fiave name is 'Dimswart tfie Sage ana fie fie(pea afforaea me. 'J{pw come awng ana we wi{{ tfiat friena ofmine I to{a you a6out. I fiave a secret way into tfie temp{e. Wfiat r£o you aispose of tfiose aangerous o6jects. II say?" 0 Journa[ 'Entry 49 JI. 'Dark.Journey: %e four aark_e[ves 0 Journa[ 'Entry 51 tak.f, you aown a wng swping comaor. Jl.fter many fiours, you fiave aescenrfea many mi{es 'IJJie fiuman you are fookjng for namea ana 6egin to pass massive 6{a.ck_musfiroom 'Dimswart. J{e sa very gooa sage, ana a forests ana a few 6izarrdy sfiapea 6ui{c{ings. music {over, wfiicfi is wfiy we get " :Finaffy, you rea.cfi agwwing cavern, awng- aw you fQ:iow tfiat I was a 'Bara? witfi a {arge temp{e in tfie center. %e aark_ Yes sir, I've got my fiarp rigfit fiere ana I cou{a sing for you-wdl may6e now is not 0 'Door ){ Cfieck._Poi11 t ~ Ylrcfiea · 'J{p ~con ~ 'l(u66(e ~ 'Weak._ tfie time. Jl.nyway, :Fzou{ Cfiem6ry{ fias cap- 'Doorway ~ ~ :founaation

2 1 22 0 Journa{ 'Entry 53 DJourna{'Entry 55 we cannot attack.his temp(e clirecdy, though OJourna{'Entry 58 we hate him with great passion. Suclclen(y the roof vaporizes ancl J(jng 'l]Our aicl ofone of our fd(ows in %e (etter is written in a cra66ecl script, ''9.f9w to our clear. You wear the :f{amecl Jlzoun, his wi.zarcl o/angerclafiast ancl a rJiCverton was much appreciatecl. In return "I have cleemecl the 'Dispfucer '13easts to 6e Ones mark. 6ut I have 6een toM you are his troop ofroya( guarcls clescencl into the room. we must warn you that :Fire 'I(nives are too weak.for my neecls. You are instructecl to enemy. 'When you attack.his temp(e we wi(( One of the guarcls points at your party ancl watching the forest roacls for you. Jl{so the continue their training in the mountains 6encl our power to recfuim our fo((owers. says, 'YJfwse are the ones who triecl to Kj(( :f{amecl One, in the ruins of Afyth 'Drannor near rJiCverton. It wou(c{ ta{J, too many of 11 %at may wea{J,n him enough for you to 6e you, your highness. seems to 6e taf;Jng an interest in you. 11 them to (ay waste to the '])a(e(ancls, 6ut I victorious. 'Ifie princess (eaps up ancl stancls :Fina((y, something ma(ignant seems to 6e clan 't want them clestroyecl when the clrag­ 6etween you ancl her fat her. '%ey were watching theStancling Stones. '13eware ancl ons 6egin their f(ight. 'You wiff 6e contactecl uncler the :Fire 'I(nives ' control they (joocl Luci( 11 perioclica({y with new instructions. 11 couMn 't he(p themsdves. '13esicles that, they 'Ifie Cetter is signecl with a sym6o( that savecl me. 11 0 Journa{ 'Entry 56 matches the crescent moon 6oncl on your arm. %e f;Jng (oo(g at you ancl at the 'Ifie man says, "JI.sf<:... me not my name, for 0 Journa{ 'Entry 59 princess, '"We(l the fact remains that you names are 6ut (a6e(s men app{y to that attemptecl to f(_i(( me. Jl{so, it (oo{g as which they clo not unclerstancl. I !(_now of though you wear more controffing 6oncls. I your 6oncls, ancl ofyour strugg(e to free wi(( not sfuy you, 6ut you are 6anishecl from 11 yourself, for I hdpecl create the first 6oncls a(( Cormyr (ancls. what seems now so (ong ago. D 'Door %e roya(guarcls come up ancl 6egin ''.Your Cast 6onrl that ofrJyranthr@JIS li1I Y!rr: fz ea escorting you out. SuMen(y the far cloor the :f(amecl One, is the most clangerous. 'Doorway opens ancl (jharri of (joncl steps unsteacli(y 'Whither you !(_now it or not, you are croser Y!Ctar into the room. Jl.s you (eave the room, you to eterna( sfuvery now than ever; for Y111i111a{ 'J\[pises see the princess run over to him ancl they rJyranthr@JIS neecl no (anger share his --- i..--.. em6race. J-{eacling out of the hicleout you power over you with others, he can turn his hear the f;Jng saying, 'W.,acacia, time for you ju(( fury to maf;Jng sure that you clo not ever to accept the cluties of a princess. 11 escape. 'De>.:.am s 'Ifie voices facle. ''.Your on(y hope is to catch the ffumecl Sfirine You are ta{J,n to the outsf;Jrts of town one 6y surprise ancl cfea( with him 6efore he ancl the guarcls Ceave. Jl.s you clecicle on your can evo{J, the power ofyour 6oncls. ne;ct move, a horse pouncls out of the gate, Gearing (jharri ancl g{g,cacia. She waves as 0 they race north. Journa{ 'Entry 57 "It is goocl to speak.with those with con­ OJourna{'Entry 54 ficlence enough to clear. Afy dan has ta{J,n this spot as a p(ace to rest for a few morta( Y111i111a{ (jru11ts 'J\[pises %e princess has 6een ta(Kjng with the (ijetimes. '13ut, the :f{amecl One, &Sfiouts s(ight{y rncoverecl (eacler. 'With a clagger to rJyranthra7(JIS, has sto(en our foffowers ancl his throat he croa{g, "JI(( right, I'(( re(ease threatenecl my dan. J-{is power is such that them. 11 J-{e mouths a meaning(ess sy((a6re Out ancl your 6oncls facle.

23 24 rravern rra[es 0 rravern rra[e 6 0 rravern rra[e 14 0 rravern rrare 20 'Ifiese entries induae items wfiicfi adven­ Jl mercfiant adventurer namea Jl/(g.6ar 'E[minster ofSfiadowaafe passea tfirougfi Watcfi out for faffing 6uiMings ana sin!( turers migfit overfiear wfiile travding ana fieadea soutfi to investigate J{ap. Jl femafe in aisguise, fieading for 'Tesfiwave. J{e may fio[es in tfie rest of tfie city. meeting otfier peop[e. 'During tfie game tfiese adventuring group afso fieadea in tfiat 6e cfiec/(jng on tfie river aragons. entries are referrea to 6y number. Wfien tfie airection. 0 rravern rra[e 21 game refers to a 'Tavern 'Ta[e read tfie 0 rravern rrare 15 specific. entry ana p[ace a cfiecf(mar/()n tfie 0 rravern rra[e 7 Creatures fiave 6een raUing tfie 'lJa{e Sfiam6fers wil[ smotfier you if tfiey can from tfie nortfi ana west. VO?( to fy.ep track.of wfiicfi entries fiave Witfi 'Tesfiwave in Zfientrim fiancfs tfie gra6 you. J£ave to fiacf( tfiem to pieces come up in tfie game. 'Do not read afiead to river fias become aangerous to travel otfier 'Tavern 'Ta[esj some tafes are fafse, ana quic/(fy. 0 rravern rra[e 22 otfiers are important dues tfiat are 6asea on 0 rravern rra[e 8 'Ifie Zfientrim mages respect on[y tfiose wfien ana wfiere you read tfiem. 0 rravern rra[e 16 wfio are as smart as tfiey are. 'Ifie Princess afways fias some piece of 13ane fif(es 6efioMers. Jlnyone efse wfio 0 rravern rra[e 1 purp[e dotfiing on, tfiat s fiow to spot fier. gets dose to tfiem wi[[ aie. 13est to fy.ep your 0 rravern rra[e 23 aistance. If you see more tfian tfiree, tfien r:Botfi tfie Princess ana tfie 'J(j.ng are in Zfienti[ 'l(fep covets tfie 'Daggeraafe 0 rravern rra[e 9 tfiey 're pro6a6ry scouts for tfie Afu[master town in aisguise. because its tfie vest [ana in tfie 'l(?afms. Someone passea tfirougfi recent[y witfi 13efioMer Corps - ffee for your fives! 0 rravern rra[e 2 sometfiing fie was sure wouM rfestroy tfie 0 rravern rra[e 24 p[ants. J{e was waving a wana about. 0 rravern rrare 17 Jl ffame wreatfieagiant wa[{(§ tfie 'E[ven 'Dragons fiave 6een seen f[ying overfieacl P[ants fiave a tenaency to waff(arouna Court. J{e on[yfears tfiree ancient artifacts. 'Ifiey afso infest watetja[[s afong tfie river 0 10 fiere . 91{,astiest are tfieSfiam6ring Afouncfs. One may [ie 6dow a watetja[[ to tfie nortfi. rravern rrare 'Tesfi. 'Ifiere s a trap aoor in tfie aftar wfiicfi 0 rravern rrare 3 soMiers use to aeposit aff magic items from 0 rravern rra[e 18 0 rravern rra[e 25 tfieir raicfs. 13uccaneers are raUing tfie Afoonsea :Many soMiers tfiinf(tfie Pit is spooky. 'Ifie city cferf(s 6een aepressea ever since again. Sfiip travd is getting aicey. Some fiave gone JlWOL ratfier tfian 6e put 0 rravern rra[e 11 'Tyrantfirai'Jl.S was aefeatecl Sfie fiasn 't fiad on guara auty tfiere. any commissions to fiana out. Jl mercenary group from tfie soutfi was D rravern r[a[e 19 0 rravern rra[e 4 s[ain 6y river pirates recent[y. rrfie city was aevastatea 6y troops from 0 rravern rra[e 26 Zfienti[ 'l(fep ana now a[[ tfie roacfs are 'Ifie city s sewer is among tfie more aan­ 'Dragons fiave 6een fieading soutfi for 0 rravern rra[e 12 fieavi[y patroffecl gerous in tfie 'lJa{e{ancfs. week.§. J{opeful[y far to tfie soutfi. Witfi a[[ tfie war going on, tfie rivers are 0 rravern rra[e 5 getting aangerous to travel 'Dragons ana 0 rravern rra[e 2 7 6efioMers fiave 6een seen afong tfie 'Tesfi. (jroups of rea ro6ea assassins fiave 6een Afoanaer once craw[ea to tfie soutfi of patroffing tfie forest traifs. 0 rravern rra[e 13 fiere, made a swatfi caf[ea Afoanaer s 1\pacl I fiear tfiere are Zfienti[ 'l(fep terror teams in tfie area.

25 26 0 rr'avern rr'a{e 28 0 rravern rr'a{e 35 0 rr'avern rr'a{e 43 0 rr'avern rr'ale 50 r[WO sliips liave 6een WSt trave[{ing to Zlientrim forces are gatliering in Some wa{fs ana fwors are aangerous{y rrfiat crazy lialfCing running arouna liere Sliadowaa{e. 'Ifie river's gotten very Tesliwave, perliaps tliey wi{{ marcli on sliaf;y after Afoanaer's rise from rrfie Pit. tliin~ slie 's a 6arc£. Slie sings 0'1(6ut slie aangerous. Sliac£owaaCe or 'Dagger faffs . ain't as gooa as ZazaniaSwaCwwtounge. 0 rravern r[a{e 44 0 rravern r[a{e 29 0 rravern rfa{e 36 2?.§a wizard's {i~ creatures offire . Co{a 0 rfavern rfa{e 51 JI tliief in a purp{e vest lias 6een raic£ing JI friena{y viC{age ofc entaurs is liiiaen attac~ are often tlie 6est aefense. JI 6{acK_sliip witli a Carge crate came tlie ricli liouses. Slie 's escapee[ witli tlie lie{p in tlie forests to tlie soutli. ------from 'Jv[u{master - 13ane 's liigli­ ofa liammer-wieUing deric. 0 rravern rr'a{e 45 est temp{e. rrfie Inquisitors are 0 rr'avern rfa{e 3 7 Cu{tists ofAfoanaer are pro6a6(y in town. 0 rr'avern rr'ale 30 'l(jng Jlzoun ofCormyr is liunting for liis starting to roam tlie area again. 'Ifie 'l(niglits of Afytli 1Jrannor fear some waywara aaugliter in Ti{verton. 0 rravern rfa{e 52 creatures tliat can Cure peopCe wiCCing{y to 0 rravern rr'a{e 46 rrfie reCease of Afoanaer from tlieir aeatfis. 0 rravern rr'a{e 38 'Ifie 'ECven Court is guaraea tlie Pit was a pwt 6y Zlienti{ I lieara tfiat 'Dimswart tlie mage lias 6y aforce of K_niglits. 'Iliey 're 'l(?ep. 0 rravern rr'a{e 31 joinea tlie Zlientrim. 'Wlio 'c{ ofimaginea it. trying to ~ep sometliing in, not Jfa{fCings are a{{ tliieves. ~ep peop{e out. 0 rravern r[afe 53 0 rravern rfa{e 39 If you 're poCite ana respectful 0 rr'avern rr'a{e 32 rzou{ is senaing speciaffy trainea terror 0 rravern rr'a{e 47 to a 13ane priest, tliey liave to 6e 'Dar('ECves liave 6een passing tlirougli teams to liarass ')'u{asli. I liear tliat lie 's JI party ofinsects was seen respectful 6ac~ no matter wliat Mysterious Wand town. rrfieir equipment aCways radiates {ookjng for mercenaries for specia{ training. lieading into tlie fo rest, lieading tliey reaC(y tliint magic. fo r Afytli 'Drannor. 0 rr'avern rr'ale 40 0 rravern rfa{e 54 0 rr'avern rr'a{e 33 Its 6een {ucf;y tliat Zlienti{ 'l(?ep is wok_; 0 rravern rr'a{e 48 Vragons liave 6een seen f{ying near J{if(sfar. Sometliing 's liappening in tlie Zlienti{ 'l(?ep is liiring mercenaries - or ing westwara for e;rpansion. Jit {east tliey 're 'Ifie TempCe of13ane empwys 6elioUers to ratlier severaC factions are eacli liiring tlieir a cliecK_against J{iffsfar. aiscipCine tlieir priests. rrfiey afso liave an soutli. JI{so creatures liave 6een accumu­ Cating near 'Dagger f a{(s - some ancient own forces. 'Iliey 've also liad trou6Ce from entire corps of tlie critters to aestroy major an q _- councuman from PliCan. 0 rravern rr'a{e 41 enemies. caverns liave 6een reopenec£. Sometliing liuge ana sf(gletaC lias fauna a 0 rravern rfa{e 55 0 rravern rfa{e 34 Cair to tlie soutli. 0 rravern rr'a{e 49 'Ifie Crazy peop{e, witli green ro6es, liave o/oon{ar 's 6een 6ui£aing up troops again. Cormyr representative was preparing to {eave after liearing tlie king fauna liis 6een wanaering tlie countrysiie, especiaC(y 0 rravern rr'a{e 42 (j{ac{ tliey liave rotten commanaers. to tlie sau tli. aaugliter, 6ut lie was caC{ea 6acK._6ecause If you aon 't want to get into trou6{e slie escapea again. witli tlie Zlienti{ 'l(?ep soUiers, you liave to act rea{ lium6Ce.

27 28 0 rravern rra[e 56 0 rravern r[a[e 60 (jreen roGea cuftists liave Geen seen J{uge sliapes liave ffown over tfie forest, Magical Mystery arouna tfie Pit. 'I1iey must Ge pining for O{a lieacling soutli. AfoMy. in the Realms 0 rravern r[a[e 61 The novel Azure Bonds finds , sword wielder of the 0 rravern rrale 57 'I1ie Stojanow 2?jver vaffey is Geing con­ Realms, in an unfamiliar vertecl to farms again. 'I1ie pyramia is now 'I1ie city guara is pu{{i.ng out away from tavern with a design of tfie rfemp{e. 'I1iey aon 't want to get caugfit usea as part of tfie irrigation system. mystical tattoos glowing eerily in a crossfire. on her sword arm . The 0 rravern r[a[e 62 menace of these blue glyphs is 0 rravern rra[e 58 'I1ie previous liigli priest of (jonc£, (jliarri, soon evident. Aided by a southern mage, a o/oon{ar fiopes to GuiM an arena for crim­ was Princess ']{acacias {over for wliue. bard, and a mute lizardman, inafs, {if(g. Zlienti{ 'l(f,ep lias. Alias begins her quest for the creators of the tattoos that bind 0 rravern rrare 59 her destiny. JI young woman witli a purp{e sasli sto{e tfie crown jewefs from tlie ruins of tlie is an AD&D® adventure ')'u{asfi palace. 'RJ;ae tfirougli tlie gate ana module set in the . Player-characters wake up to find bizarre magical tattoos on their arms; it's escapee£ witli a man. up to the player-characters to work through a wild adventure to get rid of their curse.

Converted to a paper module from the official AD&D computer module from SSI , this adventure, written by , is based on the Forgotten Realms™ novel Azure Bonds, by Jeff Grubb and .

Don 't miss these exciting products from TSR! The novel, Azure Bonds and the module, The Curse of the Azure Bonds are both on sale now at your J local hobby or book store.

FORGOTTEN REALMS, AD&D and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. <>19s9 TSR, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

29 STRAT&llC SIJllUIATIONS. INC.

ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, AD&D, FORGOTIEN REALMS and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by and used under license from TSR, Inc., Lake Geneva, WI. USA. Copyright 1989 , Inc. All Rights Reserved . .copyright ·1959 TSR, II)C. All Rights Re5erved. These rules, any accompanying printed material, and the computer programs, on floppy disks or cassettes, described herein, are copyrighted and include proprietary information belonging to Strategic Simulations, Inc. and TSR, Inc. No one is permitted to give or sell copies of this handbook, any accompanying printed material, and the computer programs, on floppy disks or cassettes, or listings of the programs on floppy disks or cassettes to any person or institution except as provided for by written agree­ ment with Strategic Simulations. Inc. and TSR, Inc. No one may copy, photocopy, reproduce, translate, or reduce to machine readable form this handbook or any other accompanying printed material, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Strategic Simulations, Inc. and TSR, Inc. Any person/persons reproducing any portion of this program for any reason, in any media, shall be guilty of copyright violation and subject to the appropriate civil or c~inal legal action at the discretion of the copyright holder(s).