Mark's Campaign

Part 7: The Verduran Accord

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For years, the strife between the human loggers, the fey and the druids of the Verduran Forest has gone through many cycles of relative calm to outright hostility, but overall destabilizing the region. The forest is partly in Andoran and partly in Taldor, with the Lumber Consortium maintaining logging activities in both countries. Although an uneasy understanding between the sides exists in the Taldor half of the forest, the Andoran side observes no such agreements and is in a constant state of strife. The Andoran side of the forest has become more and more violent and unsafe for the families of the loggers or the unfortunate businesses that support the folk on this border. Presently, the most important diplomats of the region are the druids, who can be of any race and who see both sides of the arguments with equal understanding. But the druids are few in numbers and cannot be in all places they are needed.

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Khemet views the instability of the Verduran Forest and the instability of Taldor to be a weakness in the region that countries such as Cheliax are actively exploiting. And the fledgling country of Andoran and its freedom-loving rebels would make a powerful ally to neighboring countries in the region who also desire more productive alliances. To this end, Khemet has planned a miniature campaign of public relations between Taldor and Andoran, using the strong ambitions of Princess Eutropia as the catalyst of change.

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Eutropia has learned of a young half-elf ‘noble’ called Rory Denodir who has been actively working with the Taldor Consortium reps, the druids and the fey to cut back on the logging business. He has his share of critics and his life may recently be in danger from some powerful enemies he has aroused. However, he has developed a friendship with a druid named Harwyn near his home, who has introduced him to some of the fey leaders. Harwyn is a member of the Wildwood Lodge (order of local druids) and knows of a counterpart druid named Lyana that resides in the Andoran side of the Verduran. Harwyn has recently had news of a rebel few creatures who are planning to do something unthinkable and has enlisted Rory to assist him.

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Moot of Ages – at summer solstice each year, gathering of ‘old faith’ druids from all over Golarion at Wildwood Lodge on Isle of Arenway.

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Treaty of Wildwood – emperor allowed druids some autonomy to control forest and delegate with fey for lumber rights.

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Background/Information for adventure:

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• After years of strife between the Lumber Consortium, the loggers and the local humanoids of the region, a powerful fey leanan sidhe named Belmyra has taken it upon herself to solve the problem once and for all. She is gathering a force of like-minded fey to take possession of (steal) the Eldest Seed, by whatever means necessary and bring it back to her fey domain for safekeeping, possibly using it as a bargaining chip or threat against the humanoids in the future.

• For the past few weeks, a rare form of fey have been raiding the lumber camps and local settlements alike (nightshade wisps), causing fear and general havoc. The druids have appealed to the fey that they know, but are told it is “out of their hands now” and that “the loggers and humans should just leave the area before they get hurt.”

• A druid named Harwyn has learned from one of his fey contacts, a dryad called Ori about Belmyra’s appearance and her plan. He has instructed young Rory Denodir to travel secretly down the river to meet a pre-arranged contact and gain the assistance of a group of powerful adventurers to help with the situation. He knows that the contact will take him to a dwarf called Abel somewhere in the south. Rory knows only that Harwyn and his friend Ori are very worried and have asked this favor as a dire request.

• Once Rory has made contact with the group, they should head north to a glade near Rory’s home, the Denodir Estate, south of Wispil where Harwyn will meet them and explain what’s happening.

• Once at the glade, Harwyn will thank the group and explain what he knows about Eldest Seed, the sidhe rebel Belmyra, her “forces” and her plan to steal the seed. Harwyn has an idea of uniting the many leaders of the Verduran into a ‘council’ that can discuss, plan and provide guidance for the use of the precious forest resources.

• Harwyn would like the group to help protect the seed until a council can be proposed and all sides have gathered.

• Harwyn met once briefly with a druid named Lyana, who maintains the Andoran side of the Forest from a place called Half Moon Cleft. He wants the group to find Lyana on their way to the Eldest Tree and make a case for his proposal. (the group will probably disclose the power of the ring now) Harwyn is surprised, but pleased and will gladly accept the help. He has a suspicion who this Theodora really is (Princess Theodora Eutropia, who dropped that name when her father took power), and will give the info to the group if they seem trustworthy.

• Meanwhile, Belmyra may intercept the group and make a proposal of her own, planting seeds of doubt in their minds and possibly recruiting them for her own plan.

• Proposed council consists of druids (Harwyn for Taldor, Lyana for Andoran), fey (Ori the dryad, and Belmyra if she accepts), Consortium reps (Sarl Dagor of the Taldor Consortium interests and Allen Highcastle of the Andoran Consortium interests).  In the end, Princess Eutropia and Mari Benedict will attend as well to forge the beginning of a mutual peace between the two countries (and in the process, alienate the Consortium a bit – which will be placated by Eutropia’s and Benedict’s assurances for steady ship lumber orders.

• Ori knows Harwyn and trusts his judgment, Sarl and Allen essentially work for the same company, but each is a self-important ladder-climber and wants to impress the Consortium, but Belmyra will be the more challenging recruit).

• At end of adventure, the group will meet at the first of a semi-annual council at the Isle of Arenway, to be held at the spring and autumn equinoxes.

• The fate of the Eldest Seed will be agreed up on by all attendees.

• In addition to the council members, at the first council, the Princess Eutropia from Taldor will be there to represent her government and Mari Benedict (daughter of famous Alysande Benedict) will represent the government of Andoran.