Jadida Alam
for information on the Jadida Alam Setting go to Overview
for a History of the last hundred years of Jadida Alam go to History
Chapter One
You are gathered around the town center. Around you it seems the whole of the town is waiting with their breath held in anticipation. The sand colored walls of Muk-Jaras are darkened by the unusual cloudy sky and everywhere you can sense a tension building as you wait for the ceremony to begin.
Priests of Ioun appear from the town hall, their maroon robes billowing in the desert wind. A hushed whisper spreads throughout the crowd as the priests climb the raised wood and mortar platform, their acolytes trailing behind them carrying a large rug rolled tightly and clasped with shining gold bands. The acolytes release the clasps and begin to roll out the rug on the platform as the senior priests take up position on either side.
The whisper of the townsfolk rises in excitement as Abdul Ghafur emerges from the town hall. Today he wears his purple turban that is adorned with the golden eye of Ioun. Hanging from his neck is the golden sun of Pelor and around his waistband is the grand silver dragon-head of Bahamut. His robes too are the royal purple of his position and he leans on his staff of office, though he is young for his position and seems to be doing it just for effect. His steps are small as he approaches the platform. The townsfolk kneel as he passes and his genuine smile is a soothing tide over the masses. Abdul Ghafur climbs the steps to the platform and the priests of Ioun bow to him. The crowd too bows all around you, though you have been given orders to remain standing. The ceremony, after all, is for you.
The only noise now is the incongruent wind howling around the minarets and town walls; the townsfolk, your family, friends, and neighbors are silent. Abdul Ghafur clears his throat and begins to speak. (in high pitched voice) “Citizens of Muk-Jaras, we are gathered here to celebrate our good fortune in Bahamut’s blessing! 10 decades ago Bahamut granted Lord Terous the power to stop the tide of evil at the edge of Khawr Min Sirrayya. Because of his bravery, and the blessing of Bahamut we have all survived where others have not. Lord Terous brought forth the Qudssi Mass and directed the power of Bahamut at the creatures of the abyss. The Qudssi Mass still protects us today in Bahamut’s temple.” Abdul Ghafur indicates the white temple behind Muk Jaras. “In celebration off this each decade the priests of Ioun begin the Istilah bin Mass. Ioun chooses for us those of our people who are meant to move on beyond our walls and spread the blessing that Bahamut has given us. Ioun predicts those whose destiny is set. Today is that day, and these brave souls before us now must begin their life, and their journey. As tradition states, you four will head out to the edge of the Khawr Min Sirrayya and make camp there at the resting place of the greatest evil this land has ever known. You must face whatever comes to you and prove yourselves worthy of Ioun’s blessing and Bahamut’s might. Return to us the following day and your ascension will begin. Do you four accept your destiny as Ioun has predicted?”
The party progressed to the edge of the Valley of Riddles. On the way they were ambushed by bandits and their pet hyenas. After a struggle, the party defeated the bandits. Witnessing this combat was Tiaclyes of Khawr Madi, a paladin of Bahamut. Tiaclyes invited the party to join him on his voyage north to Khawr Madi. The party declined, mentioning the importance of their traditional mission (even though it seemed to be little more than a camping trip.
When the party reached their destination the unusual rain clouds began to pour and they took shelter under a ancient bilbao tree. Soon violent lightening struck the tree and uprooted it. The uprooted tree revealed a small natural cave beneath it and the party investigated. In the small network of caves they fought and bested the following: 4 stormclaw scorpions 3 Darkone Darklings 1 rat swarm 7 decrepit skeletons 1 spectre
It turned out the caves lead to a two century old tomb of a Hobgoblin warrior. After their exploration they prepared for their journey home, their quest complete.
Chapter Two
The party made their way back from the edge of the Valley of Riddles victorious from their camping trip turned dungeon delve. Upon returning to their home of Muk-Jaras they expected cheers for the returning champions. Instead they heard cries of anguish as they soon discovered their town was in the midst of a natural disaster.
Flood waters rushed the small town of Muk-Jaras, and the characters leaped into action, trying to save as many of their friends and neighbors as possible. A newcomer to town, Muzaffar Nabil, also joined in the rescue attempt.
Unfortunately even the champions of the Istilah bin Mass could not save everyone. The freak flood took the lives of many. Included in the missing citizens was one of the party’s own, Joe. To make matters worse, the Priest of Bahamut, Haddiyyah discovered the Qudssi Mass was missing from its resting place in the temple. The town feared the worst as it was assumed the flood had washed through the temple and taken the sacred stone with it.
Chapter 3
Abdul Ghafur asked the party to investigate the temple and search for traces of the stone. With the new member, Muzaffar, a reported rare stone expert, joining in, the group of four searched the temple of Bahamut. Soon they discovered evidence indicating the stone may have been taken beneath the temple through a drain in the floor.
The party pursued and encountered giant deathjump spiders in the stairwell beneath the tower. Upon entering an ancient tomb they discovered several of those buried there had risen from the dead only to thwart the companions on their quest. After defeating the skeletons the party proceeded through a hole in the tomb wall, following a trail of gold coins.
Quick thinking and quicker feet moved the party into an advantageous position in a struggle against an Ochre Jelly. They deftly avoided a cave in and pelted the ooze from range, safe from its attacks.
Following the taunting voices in a broken common tongue the characters proceeded to discover Deego, the kobold Wyrmpriest and his retinue. Deego had the Qudssi Mass affixed to his bone mask and commanded his minions to stop the intruding party. In short time The Kobolds were dealt with and the adventurers returned to the surface, their mission a success. Or so they thought.
Haddiyyah examined the Qudssi Mass and determined it had been broken, the magic had been drained from it. Under the suggestion of Azar, the local lore-keeper and historian of the village, Abdul Ghafur requested the party to travel to Khawr Madi. They must take the stone to Terous bin Sadyir and plead him to use his grandfather’s knowledge to repair the stone.
Chapter 4
All of Muk-Jaras celebrated, though with heavy hearts, as their would be saviors were about to depart for Khawr Madi on a quest to mend the Qudssi Mass. Fadwa, owner of the Two Winds inn held a grand feast and much of the town had gathered their to join in the festivities (many because they had nowhere else to go due to the flood).
While dining and socializing, Lerissa was approached by the slave trader, Pelinore. Pelinore proposed Lerissa help him play a trick on his colleague in Khawr Madi. Lerissa was to take a small vile and slip it into Kurush’s drink. The mixture would make Kurush sick briefly and then Pelinore and Kurush could “share a laugh”. Lerissa did not trust the Eladrin and the party planned to run the slave trader out of town, assuming Pelinore had planned to poison Kurush with the intent to kill. A small altercation ensued and the characters soon handed Pelinore over to Samir, the guard captain.
Muzaffar, meanwhile, was accosted by a very drunk Melichor. Melichor warned Muzaffar of some strange creatures lurking in the mists of the Valley of Riddles and elsewhere. These beasts seem to walk like men but “wear the cowl of the raven.” Unfortunately Melichor had little more to add to the conversation as the ale got the better of him.
The party decided not to wait until morning and headed off for Khawr Madi that evening. After an uneventful camel ride they came to the popular half-way inn, Hagos’. Their intent was to rest up and then head out again, which would put them in Khawr Madi by the following morning. Dahr Hagos had other concerns. His children had gone missing since the flood. He pleaded with the party to investigate the other side of the Zamarra Nahr and search for his two lost boys.
Nazzili was concerned their mission and the Qudssi Mass was more important and Muzaffar agreed, claiming if he should search for every missing child in the realm, his list of errands would become overwhelming. However, collectively the group seemed to feel there was an obligation to help Dahr Hagos and after a short rest they headed out across the river.
Soon they tracked the children to the abandoned dwarven Thunderload Mine. It wasn’t long before the party learned of the beast Melichor had warned Muzaffar of. Vicious, twisted abominations, the flightless raven people attacked the party fast and furious. The now seasoned heroes bested the strange beasts however and were quick to discover dwarven mines are hazardous long after their makers have left.
Also discovered were bodies of apparent captives. The party assumed these raven people had kidnapped many travelers recently. One such traveler’s corpse wore garb completely foreign to Jadida Alam and carried a map written in a foreign script. The group spared no time to uncover the map’s significance at this point. They felt they must continue and find the missing children.
Shortly the party spotted one of the two missing boys, held captive by the raven beasts. The monsters fled with the boy through the mines. In a heated and desperate chase on mine carts the characters caught up with the beasts and rescued the child. The boy, Eyab, said the monsters already had taken his brother and they must rescue him. Looking forward the party discovered, after the chase on eldritch enchanted mine carts, they were no longer in the mines. In fact, Muzzafar noticed a shift in the very fabric of nature and exclaimed: “We are in the Shadowfell”
For historical reference only, Mahrid the Great proved to be a worthy opponent to these most foul raven beasts. Time and time again Mahrid the Great would charge towards these horrid creatures undetered, hacking and slashing his way to victory! Were it not for Mahrid the Great surely our group would have tasted the darkness that is death! Oh and Nazzili surely provided timely healing surges and command prowess that only a great warlord can provide! "You know, being a gladiator has it's rewards that surely outweigh the dangers" exclaimed Mahrid after the daring cart chase in which the young child named Shortround was saved. Most will ignore this reference but it is true and should be noted in the annals of time.
The party proceeded into the strange jungle-temple courtyard before them, Eyab (shortround) in toe. To comfort the young boy they handed Eyab a dagger, saying: “Surely you will not need this, but every ounce of protections counts.”
Shortly they discovered this statement more true than they had thought. Crossing the courtyard zombies sprung from the earth and tried to block the character’s progress. The fight was heated and the mighty Mahrid the Great almost succumbed to his wounds. In due time, however, the party vanquished the zombies.
The party determined they would not be able to press on further without recuperating their strength, so they returned to the cave from whence they came and set up camp. Young Eyab, frightened for his life, was perhaps more frightened for his brother, Yaheed. Though none of the heroes knew what the foul beasts had planned for their captives, they gambled they would still have a chance to rescue the boy. Their choices were slim.
The following morning the heroes plunged into the temple and again encountered more undead, as well as more of the Raven-people. Eyab called them Raj-Ghurab, a mixture of man and raven in an antiquated dialect of the common tounge. The name stuck. Though Nazzili simply called them “Bastards.”
Deeper into the temple the party traveled, Lerissa deftly maneuvering into flanking positions to deliver deadly attacks, while Mahrid and Nazzili held the brunt of the monsters attacks back on their shields and swords. Muzzafar blasted the nefarious beasts with learned precision of arcane supremacy. Finally the group, through a secret door, found a room containing a sacrificial altar, many more prisoners and a Raj-Ghurab necromancer…in addition to zombies and more Raj-Ghurab soldiers.
Most of the fight took place in the secret passage that granted the party access to the altar room. When the Raj-Ghurab soldiers fell Lerissa quickly maneuvered behind the Necromancer and prepared to plunge her dagger deep into the beasts feathered skull. Mahrid and Nazzili bravely charged the beast head-on, Mahrid scoring a mighty blow, befitting of a champion. In moments the beast was down. Eyab ran to his brother, who was sore, and bruised but suffered no permanent physical injury. While Lerissa picked the locks on the crude cages around the room, Muzzafar noticed some of the primitive paintings on the interior temple walls. He correctly identified the paintings depicting the Shadar-Kai, a race who were once humans, but now serve the Raven Queen in the Shadowfell.
Again further inspection of the temple was thwarted as it began to fall apart all around the party. They fled for the exit, dodging debris as they went, leading 6 prisoners as well as the two Hagos boys. By the time they reached the staircase the world still seemed to be falling apart all around them, yet there was no sound from the bricks hitting the floor. Suddenly, the party appeared in the real realm, the gate to the shadowfell collapsed behind them.
