Xavier | The World of Telvar

The Ninth Telvar Open Tournament: Faces from the Past

Twelve thousand years prior to the events described herein, the Great War that pitted the sentient races of Telvar against the evil slavemasters known as the Kraken was in full swing. Fighting on the side of the giant squid-like Kraken were their human and non-human slaves, conditioned and controlled mentally by the powerful tentacled creatures, as well as several allied native races including the aquatic sahaugin (or devil-men).
“It had never previously been understood why the Northerner word for ‘unavoidable danger’ literally translated as ‘blue fire mountain.'” – Loren Kenither, BoS

[The Word-formatted Summary is found here.]
“It had never previously been understood why the Northerner word for ‘unavoidable danger’ literally translated as ‘blue fire mountain.'” – Loren Kenither, BoS

"“More are
men’s ends mark’d than their lives before.

The setting
sun, and music at the close,

As the last
taste of sweets, is sweetest last,

Writ in
remembrance more than things long past."

–William Shakespeare,
King Richard II

Events of 5 November 2005 in Charlotte, N.C. / 10-11 June 2192
B.Y.
in far western Cromwell, a place known as the Salt Sea Region

[the
same day as the events of the Eighth Telvar
Open]

[NOTE: Some of the diverse summaries of these
events contain contradictory information, and skewed perspectives based on the
experiences of the characters involved.
Some of these have been noted specifically, but otherwise the unique
perspectives of each group have been maintained. The truth
of each situation probably lies somewhere in the middle.]

We
begin as:

A corrupt and evil kingdom of slave lords collapses…

A city built on the edge of a large salty sea is in chaos…

And Cromwellian forces enter the region to restore order and
crush the slavers…

The ruins of an ancient Kraken temple molder…

A haunted forest in the shadow of an extinct volcano slumbers…

And a librarian at Cromwell’s famed Academy heads off on an
unusual vacation…

But
meanwhile:

A holy Paladin of Nevron receives a vision of great
importance…

One of the High Priests of Aurora hears a rumor of a city in
dire straits…

And the government of Cromwell realizes that there are several
“irregularities” in the librarian’s
preparations for his vacation, resulting in an Academy Team known as Death from Above being dispatched in
pursuit…

Events
begin to fall into place in the city, forest, and surrounding lands, as…

The city of Towlmere devolves into chaos and mayhem…

The servants of Aurora and Nevron converge on the area…

The Academy Team finds the trail of the errant librarian and is
in hot pursuit…

As the librarian completes his work on a strange device
at the top of an ancient pyramid in the midst of the haunted forest…

And
an ancient evil awakens…

Continue reading “The Ninth Telvar Open Tournament: Faces from the Past”

Ninth Telvar Open: Teaser Summary

We begin: As the Librarian completes work on a strange device at the top of an ancient pyramid on the edge of the haunted forest… And an ancient evil awakens…

The Ninth Telvar Open Tournament: Faces from the Past
5 November 2005 in Charlotte, N.C. / 10 June 2192 B.Y. in far
western Cromwell, in a place known as the Salt Sea Region
[the same day as the events of the Eighth Telvar Open]
We begin as:
A corrupt and evil kingdom of slave lords collapses…
A city built on the edge of a large salty sea is in chaos…
A haunted forest in the shadow of a extinct volcano slumbers…
The ruins of an ancient Kraken temple moulder…
And Cromwellian forces enter the region to restore order and crush the
slavers…
But:
A librarian at Cromwell’s famed Academy heads off on an unusual vacation…
A holy Paladin of Nevron receives a vision of great importance…
One of the High Priests of Aurora hears a rumor….
And a team of auditors working for the government of Cromwell realizes
that the Librarian’s preparations for his vacation violated some of
the policies of the Academy, resulting in an Academy Team known as
Death from Above being dispatched in pursuit…
And we begin:
As the Librarian completes work on a strange device at the top of an
ancient pyramid on the edge of the haunted forest…
And an ancient evil awakens…
[The Ninth Telvar Open Summary is finished! You can read it here!]

Alegra’s Final Summary: The Fane of the Winds

~A Voice in the Winds~ by Astronomicon “Star” Phillips
The very Winds call out:
“Turn and go, heal the scar.
Unfold your wings and head afar;
Put to rest these shades of doubt.”
“Fear not, for blessed Phaulkon guides you,
Shapes the skies to hide from eyes of foes.
He speeds the shafts sent from holy bows.
Soon you’ll rest in him as Quest is through.”
“Take heart, through fears of rout,
For Phaulkon’s hand will part the mist,
Lead our eyes and keep us warm.” This,
The very Winds call out.
~~The Destination Is in Sight~~

~Dramatis Personae~
~The Weather Front~
Rebar, 9th level Cloud Giant fighter, Talon of Phaulkon, 91 hp, played by Rachel Smith
Brenard, 6th level Cloud Giant fighter, Talon of Phaulkon, 78 hp, NPC
Warwick, 8th level Ranger, Talon of Phaulkon, 68 hp, played by Mark Wagoner
Rangorn, 6th level half-Elven woodsman, Warder of Phaulkon, 56 hp, played by Joel
Green
Cassian, 8th level half-Elven Phaulkonian cleric, 51 hp, played by Katherine Plante
Bogomel, 5th level fighter, henchman of Cassian, Warder of Phaulkon, 47 hp, played by
Katherine Plante
Buck, 5th level fighter, 44 hp, played by Mark Wagoner
Alegra, 9th level Phaulkonian cleric, 40 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Drew, 5th level Ranger, 40 hp, Warder of Phaulkon, played by Michael Chermside
Star, 6th level Phaulkonian cleric, 37 hp, played by Michael Chermside
Aria, 5th level Phaulkonian cleric, henchman of Alegra, 31 hp, played by Rachel Smith
Sean, 3rd level Ranger, henchman of Alegra, 29 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Lanoi, 3rd level Phaulkonian cleric, henchman of Warwick, 19 hp, played by Mark
Wagoner
Gramaliustranstalus, bard, NPC, with input from David Chappell
~with assistance from~
Sir Konrad, 10th level paladin, 94 hp, NPC, with input from Rodger Henson
Sir Ceydric, 8th level cavalier, 65 hp, NPC, with input from Zack Hubert
Xavier, 8th level Auroran cleric, 45 hp, NPC, with input from Jack McKechnie
Eli, 9th level Elven mage, 39 hp, NPC, with input from Zack Hubert
Claude, 5th level Dwarven fighter, henchman of Eli, NPC
Snaggletooth, 6th? level Hobgoblin fighter, played by Michael Chermside
Leon, 2nd level ranger/ giant eagle, 28 hp, played by Mark Wagoner
The “wise old bird,” giant owl, friend of Rebar, NPC
Tristan, 4th level druid, henchman of Warwick, played by Mark Wagoner
Binkley, cleric of Kor, NPC
Alegra’s “Seasons,” her 12 elite 1st-level guards, played by Kyle MacLea
Alegra’s followers (staff for the Fane); Alegra’s golden eagle, Guile; and Cassian’s owl
[ Here is a summary of the Fane of the Winds adventure, written by Alegra Falconer,
from her perspective. If you’re looking for the bardic historical document, you’ll find it
elsewhere, written by Gramaliustranstalus. If you’re looking for the most complete
presentation of the heart and mind of the primary Questers and the Phaulkonian Church,
you need look no further. This note is scribed on specially prepared parchment to
facilitate its preservation over time. -M ]

Continue reading “Alegra’s Final Summary: The Fane of the Winds”

Stone Soules Reunion Or At Least, That’s What Might Have Happened

When we initially
ignored the request, we discovered that the Sphinx could read minds and
would surely be reporting everything we knew to Borglyn, for money of course.

Well, I must admit that a mischievous streak hit the collection of people
at the game. While a devastating fight between the evil Borglyn and the
forces of good made good copy, the reality was a bit different
Party Roster:
Konrad, 10th level paladin, 94 hp, played by Rodger
Tanique, 7th level fighter, 71 hp, played by Kathryn Klawiter
Ceydric, 8th level cavalier, 65 hp, played by Joel Green
Warwick, 7th level ranger, 60 hp, played by Mark Wagoner
Klogwort, greater orc, 54 hp, played by Rhonda Jones
Xavier, 8th level cleric, 45 hp, played by Jack McKechnie
Ludo, 9th level thief, 43 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Eli, 9th level mage, 39 hp, played by Zack Hubert
Tarplin, 8th level druid/ 5th level mage, 29 hp, played by Alan Jones
Fred, 7th level monk, played by David Chappell
Risha, 7th level cleric, 23 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Our party, composed of members from the Duchy of Estwurl in the Southern
Waste and Dunadorian knights, from the Cromwellian Academy Teams, from the
disbanded Stone Soules, and from other sources familiar to the other stalwart
adventurers, gathered in Dunthrane City in 2187. (There was some interesting
updating done on many of the characters.)
(Sahrak remained with his traveling circus so that it would remain intact
and his henchmen wouldn’t desert him, and realizes that his adventuring
career, at least for the moment, is over.)
The party then performed a Divination, Astrology, and Commune. The
Divination resulted in knowledge of a moderate force of Lawful Evil, and
a slumbering but very powerful supernatural force of Neutral Evil. There
was “subjective” treasure. The influence of the nine dark moons,
representing unstable or unknown magic, was undeniable. Our lucky number
was 5 and our unlucky number 162. The color gray was important.

Continue reading “*Stone Soules Reunion* Or At Least, That’s What Might Have Happened”

Stone Soules Reunion The Game that Was Not

However, the
unfortunate Sahrak was not so lucky. While he stared in terror, his head
turned a bizarre color, and then literally melted off his shoulders,
hardly recognizable.

“There are games which are so awesome you simply have to share.
And then there are games like this one.”
Giants, Ogres, and So Much More!
Party Roster:
Konrad, 10th level paladin, 94 hp, played by Rodger Henson
Tanique, 7th level fighter, 71 hp, played by Kathryn Klawiter
Ceydric, 8th level cavalier, 65 hp, played by Joel Green
Warwick, 7th level ranger, 60 hp, played by Mark Wagoner
Klogwort, greater orc, 54 hp, played by Rhonda Jones
Xavier, 8th level cleric, 45 hp, played by Jack McKechnie
Ludo, 9th level thief, 43 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Eli, 9th level mage, 39 hp, played by Zack Hubert
Tarplin, 8th level druid/ 5th level mage, 29 hp, played by Alan Jones
Fred, 7th level monk, played by David Chappell
Risha, 7th level cleric, 23 hp, played by Kyle MacLea
Sahrak, 5th level illusionist/ 6th level thief, 21 hp, NPC
Our party, composed of members from the Duchy of Estwurl in the Southern
Waste and Dunadorian knights, from the Cromwellian Academy Teams, from the
disbanded Stone Soules, and from other sources familiar to the other stalwart
adventurers, gathered in Dunthrane City in 2187. (There was some interesting
updating done on many of the characters.)
The party then performed a Divination, Astrology, and Commune. The
Divination resulted in knowledge of a moderate force of Lawful Evil, and
a slumbering but very powerful supernatural force of Neutral Evil. There
was “subjective” treasure. The Astrology revealed the sign of the
Wanderer heading toward the sign of the Cornucopia, but was intersected
by the sign of the Four Brothers before the Four Brothers entered the
sign of the Void. The influence of the nine dark moons, representing
unstable or unknown magic, was undeniable.

Continue reading “*Stone Soules Reunion* The Game that Was Not”