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Sword and Crown

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Sword and Crown sword and crown credits """Written by Colin McComb"i Edited by Anne Brown Creative Direction by Roger E. Moore and Karen S. Boomgarden Conceptual Art by Tony Szczudlo Interior Art by Ben Otero and John Dollar Original Map Design by David Zenz Page Backgrounds and Frames by Dee Barnett Cartography by David Martin and Dennis Kauth Graphic Design by Dee Barnett & Renee Ciske Typesetting by Nancy J. Kerkstra Ultra-Special ThankSamples to Rich Bake filer and David Zenz BIRTHRIGHT and the TSR logo are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. All TSR characters, character names, and the dis- tinct likenesses thereof are trademarks owned by TSR, Inc. ©1995 TSR, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unautho- rized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of TSR, Inc. Random House and its affiliate companies have worldwide distribution rights in the book trade for English language products of TSR, Inc. Distributed to the book and hobby trade in the United Kingdom by TSR, Ltd. Distributed to the toy and hobby trade by regional distributors. TSR, Inc. TSR Ltd. 201 Sheridan Springs Rd. 120 Church End Lake Geneva Cherry Hinton WI 53147 Cambridge CB1 3LB U.S.A. United Kingdom 3102XXX1501 table of contents Introduction 3 Escort Duty 6 Escort Duty Map 10 Confrontation 11 Pursuit 12 Elven Ruins Map 17 Under the Mountain 18 Dwarven Blockade Map 19 Under the Mountain Side View 25 The Mines Map 28 The Orog Vault 30 Orog Vault Map 35 In the Tower 43 Conflict in the Tower Sample file 56 * s Conclusion 58 Persons of Note 62 Magical Items 64 That is, until Prince Avan's daughter Aubrae, harboring her own hatred for Boeruine, offered Rhuobhe a way out of his deadlock. Making her I olitics in Anuire have always been something of way through the mountain passes and braving a quagmire. Feuds and rivalries date back hun- the Elf's domain, she secretly came to tower dreds of years, often over forgotten or the most Ruannoch. foolish of causes. And there are innumerable vendettas Though the Manslayer is not known for his as the power-hungry struggle to eliminate opponents. gentle ways with humans, he was intrigued One such rivalry is that between Avanil and Boeruine, enough by the proposal from the daughter of his as each struggles to be the first since Michael Roele to enemy to listen to her fully. Her story follows. claim the Iron Throne. Both are serious contenders for Aubrae explained that she was ashamed of her the throne, and neither is willing to cede its position to father's lack of initiative in destroying Boeruine the other. Though they rarely stoop to outright war- fare, it seems that such a day is not far off—and they'll tear apart Anuire to get at each other, if need be. Welcome to Sword and Crown, the first adventureintroduction for the BIRTHRIGHT™ campaign setting! It's and was ready to take steps to remove her "heredi- designed for four to six player characters (PCs) of tary" enemy. In order to discredit the archduke, 3rd to 5th level; at least one character should be a she'd arrange for herself to be "kidnapped" by ban- regent of a physical kingdom. If all (or even most) dits dressed in Boeruine colors. This event would of the PCs are regents, playing this adventure is take place during a time in which all realms were not a problem as long as all of them get along fairly supposed to be at peace. She would then flee to well. Otherwise, the DM may need to encourage Rhuobhe's land and wait for the Anuirean realms some players to use secondary characters. If no to tear Boeruine apart. Naturally, the forces at PCs are regents, characters will need to agree to Boeruine's border would fight back, ensuring that serve under the command of one of the regents the attacking regents' armies would take this as a present at the meeting of Sword and Crown. sign of Boeruine's guilt. By now, the PCs have no doubt experienced The inevitable result of all this would be the some of the politics and double-dealings that removal of one of the biggest obstacles to the Elf s characterize Anuirean politics. Though not nec- extermination of humans in Cerilia, and a fair shot essarily adept at these deals themselves, they are at retaking Boeruine's lands. What Aubrae offered likely to be somewhat proficient in spotting aSampleto the Manslaye filer was a chance to carry out his plan veiled threat, a honeyed tongue, or a sincere with one of the main stumbling blocks removed. hand of friendship. They're going to need this Of course, after the destruction of the archduke, understanding. Aubrae and Rhuobhe would go their separate ways Because the events of the Sword and Crown last and let the predestined battle between their two for one full month, this adventure will occupy all realms occur at some later date—without the inter- regents involved for one action round. The DM ference of the Archduke of Boeruine. and players must consider this time element in the What Aubrae didn't tell the Elf was that she scheme of the domain turn and the campaign. had a backup plan; in the event that her plot to destroy Boeruine failed, she would assure the death of the Elf. If it were discovered that Boeruine's men were not in fact her kidnap- background pers, the trail would lead inexorably to ong before any of the current regents Manslayer. Aubrae's idea of a perfect came to power, Rhuobhe Manslayer sat resolution would be for Boeruine to in his blackened tower and contemplated be destroyed and for the ruse to L be discovered too late. Of methods of ridding Cerilia of humans. Unfortu- nately for him, he was wholly contained by Roele course, the outraged and his descendants, and later by the realms of regents of Anuire Avanil and Boeruine. Though neither Boeruine would then have no nor Avanil are willing to work together to destroy choice but to Rhuobhe, the army of either is capable of con- punish taining the Manslayer. The Elf has labored for centuries to undo his enemies, but all these efforts have been in vain. the offending awnshegh—and ideally, this would unite Anuire under the banner of Prince Avan. to be fair and impar- Rhuobhe assented to the bargain as Aubrae tial, though he rarely is. Still, described it and arranged for Aubrae to return the illusion persists that the sword and the home to her father. He has not survived nearly crown grant the wisdom of Roele and the favor of two thousand years by being foolishly trusting, Haelyn on those who hold them, so the regents of however—especially not by trusting the daughter Anuire continue with this ritual. of an ancient enemy. The conclave of Sword and Crown is notewor- thy for several reasons. First, inter-regent hostili- ties completely cease during this time. The main players in the various factions (law, guilds, the sword and temples, and magic) see to that, harshly punish- ing those who would break the peace. Wars in progress that carry into the conclave are allowed the crown to continue, but provoking antagonism during very five years, the rulers of Anuire's bar- Sword and Crown is strictly forbidden. Attacking onies, duchies, and kingdoms declare a an enemy during the conclave is a good way to temporary end to tiehostilis that lasts for ensure that the other regents of Anuire unite. one month. During this time, regents from all Second, the assembly is a chance for the over Anuire converge on a chosen kingdom to regents of Anuire to gather and mingle, to sue for negotiate, make allies and enemies, and enjoy the peace, and to celebrate old alliances. It's a way to company of their fellow rulers. The conclave is make new contacts and arrange marriages. called "Sword and Crown" after the two unique Everyone who rules a domain is invited, whether items that symbolize this event. (To differentiate they command a merchant house, a barony, or a the objects from the event, the two are referred collection of sources. Most rulers leave their hold- to as "the sword and the crown.") ings in the hands of trusted lieutenants or capable The sword is a replica of the Sword of the Empire, underlings while in attendance. Scions of Anuire which was worn by Michael Roele in his battle are also invited, including the scions of old families against the Gorgon. The original now hangs on the and those who have only recently discovered their Gorgon's wall, flanked by the severed heads of the blooded potential. numerous thieves who thought they could retrieve The conclave is the event for anyone who is it. The crown is the actual crownSample worn by Roele (thfilee anyone in Anuire. Merchants who aren't part of progenitor of the line) during his days of conquer- the guilds, petty nobles, and the well-to-do across ing Cerilia. Neither item has any physical or magi- the Twelve Duchies all hope to finagle an invita- cal power, but their symbolism carries a weight tion in order to be seen among the movers and that more than compensates. the shakers. Of course, only a tiny fraction of The sword and the crown represent the power these are ever invited, but those who are brag of the old Empire.
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