Story Part One

Year 3099 of the Falling Star

Everar, a great empire, has seen better days. It encompasses over 1,000 miles in all directions from its capital city of Gnoston. Emperor Cleeves has ruled for the last 5 years and is reportedly descended from the gods. Gnoston has over 100,000 people of all races and many folk live within its borders. However, the empire has grown decadent (think Rome circa 400's AD) and is now struggling with numerous Orc raiding bands. Taxation is high, morale is low and many public works have fallen into disrepair. But the people remain strong and hope that the empire can turn around. Furthermore, every year a Falling Star lands within the empire. This falling star contains enough magic to make 100 magical weapons or suits of armor. That is why Everarans use a calendar of falling stars.

From the capital city, you were inscripted into the armies of Everar. Soldiers, more than anything, are needed right now. Orcs have a much faster birthrate than humans, and their warbands grow stronger every day. However, as soon as you were brought into the army, you received orders to head to Outpost 49. Strange you thought, but your job is not to question. After a week's march, you arrived at the outpost. Outpost 49 is situated at the base of the Harking Mountains. A distant kingdom known as Wilton conducts much trade with Everar through the passes. Your job is to guard the passes from any orcs or goblins who might try to interfere. Your commander is Yester, a Halfelf with over 20 years of service. Your commanding officer is Lieutenant Hobbs, a Gnome warrior.

Outpost 49 is roughly 500 feet squared and includes an armory, mess hall, barracks, general store, stable, field house, headquarters, well, small graveyard and temple. It has roughly 250 men who live here. There are also some wives and other folk who help out the base. Things have been peaceful until recently, when 3 men have vanished. There have been no recent attacks by orcs or goblins, so this mystery is puzzling. Hobbs, your immediate superior, has asked you all to meet with him in one hour.

This is where we begin. Feel free to post or ask questions.

Ethridge, by law arcane characters are normally kept in the capital. There are some exceptions, but Outpost 49 surely doesn't have them. Some of you being the exception, will now have a great say in arcane matters. There is a mess hall you can go to, and an officer directs you Tordek to the place. You guys can rest for 1 hour as well and the current gossip, since you mentioned magic, is whether or not, the Iron Statue outside of the base is magical. That very well could be something you can investigate, but some troops are betting that the Iron Statue has something to do with the missing men.

Yes you've heard from other soldiers about men having gone missing. But perhaps your Lieutenant will brief you more in depth in one hour. Are you all ready to meet with him?

After you all wait 1 hour for the meeting, you catch up with Lieutenant Hobbs, in a small tent. His guards show you in and you see a small gnome with chainmail armor. He has a shortsword at his side and a few badges on his breast. He nods as you enter and has you all sit down. After a few moments, he says, "Thank you for coming. I'm sure you're aware that 3 men have gone missing. Lucas, was the nephew of the commander, and he is quite upset. He wants you all to find these 3 men and return them safely, if possible. He will ensure that you get the best food and rooms while on this quest and if you are successful, you will all be promoted to Sargeant. Furthermore, you will each receive 150gp for a job well done. All we really know is that these 3 men disappeared when they were alone. 2 were in their quarters and 1 was shaving in the privy. They all vanished around evening time and there were no witnesses. We don't have any arcane men here, but perhaps one of you is. If so that would help greatly. You must begin immediately and I will be your point of contact. Report anything you find to me. Are we understood?".

Hobbs waits for your answer and strokes what little beard he has.

Hobbs listens and says that he suspects that the disappearances are magical in nature, due to being unable to find the men. He asks that you use all skills that you have and smiles knowing that one of you can use wild magic.

Hobbs, also mentions that near each of the 3 men who disappeared, there was a strange black dust on the floor. Not much black dust, but it is not something that Hobbs or anyone else knows what it is. He suspects it could be magical dust of some sort.

Hobbs nods, and directs one of his men to take you to the last location. You go to the privy where Jameson disappeared. You see a messy room with a small relieving area. Stuff that belonged to Jameson is there, including armor, food, weapons, a book and a mirror. You do notice the black dust in a small spot near the mirror. You also see a knife that was used for shaving. The air in the room is stale and the room itself is about 10 feet by 10 feet. The soldier who brought you here asks if you need anything else.

Ethridge, the book is about Swordplay and showing techniques. Fairly basic, but this man reading it was no expert warrior either.

Takehiko, the black dust feels very fine and soft. It does not feel like normal dust, aside from its black color, it just seems too finely ground down for a soldier to know how to make.

Torkek, good job. The mirror has a crack in it which seems to contain some of this black dust. Please make an Arcana check, Tordek and Takehiko. Thanks.

Takehiko, you sense that this dust is magical in some nature. You might also be tempted to think that it is some dark magic or negative magic. As to what the exact black dust is, you'd need a ritual to determine that. Joshua, alas, your check is not good enough, but perhaps Takehiko will share the info.

The guard who brought you hear asks if you all need anything for the moment or later. It seems that he doesn't want to be here.

Ethridge and Ruuna, are you doing anything particular? As I stated the room is not that big, and other than the dust and cracked mirror, the room looks in order.

Do you have the Ritual Caster feat? You would know that there are rituals that can get more information, but the specific ritual you'd need is something that you'd need to investigate on or have Ritual Caster feat.

"Aye, I knew him. That was Overton, a buddy of mine. He was not acting strange at all, but he was a very private man. He liked to be alone when not on duty. He was a good man too. Sad, that he's gone...".

Ruuna, you can see that the guard feels remorse over Overton's disappearance. And he seems to be honest.

The guard also informs you all that Overton, Lucas and Jameson were all connected with Commander Yester in some way. Lucas was his nephew, Overton was the personal herald of Yester and Jameson was the brother-in-law to Yester. The guard apologizes as he should have mentioned this earlier, but now lets you know. He states that there could be some connection to all of this.

Ok guys, yes following military protocol, you cannot just waltz into the Commander's quarters and start asking questions. The guard with you says, he is unaware of any enemies, but suggests that you talk to Overton's son, Tymothy, who is also serving in Outpost 49. Overton was the personal herald of the Commander, but his son should know some things too. The guard informs you all that mirrors were found in the other men's rooms too.

As for the new player joining us, I'll assume he has been with you all, but is silent. You can now start posting new player, thanks.