Forgotten Light

This campaign was created and run by Tim Wiley for the World of Sarrata. It was played in 2006-2009. Events begin during the Spring of 979 Lunidor(LD) ending early in 982 LD. Forgotten Light tells the story of Naltronia's Fleetfoot Division 2, a scouting group withing the Naltronian Military. The adventure would take them across the world. It is a tale of glorious heroics, desperate times, and bittersweet victories.

Characters

Player Characters

Anze - Played by Fletcher Kiehn. Anze is a Tyran elf with a love for people. Unable to fit in with her kin she set out on the seas to find adventure and joined up with a mercenary crew. Eventually she was recruited to serve in the Naltronian military where she joined Fleetfoot 2. Anze is a strong leader but sees much hardship where ever she goes. She feel in love with Nathan Cannigan and gave birth to Myriam Cannigan in 982 LD.

Abigor - Played by John Fehl. Now an ascendant elementalist, Abigor was one of the driving forces of the party. He is extremely loyal and has little patience for those who would fool around with their lives rather than make something of them. He chased Bridit Nightbreeze after she was taken and believed himself to be in love with her. After the death of Chandra Vale at Amanath he realized that there comes a point when too much has been lost. When given the choice between Bridgit and Chandra Vale, he chose Vale.

Afanen - Played by Holly Gulbranson. A cleric of Estridae, Afanen was the moral compass and heart of the party. Her compassionate nature made her well loved by the group and her suspisions and intuition tended to keep them alive. She was slain outside of Solace Hall in Arambashia but was promised by Anze upon her last breath that she would be brought back to life.

Afanen was resurrected at Borosage Abbey after Bridgit was taken by the demon Basrek. Upon her ressurection the gods deemed her worth of becoming God Kissed, blessed by all, obedient to all. Afanen now makes her home at the Temple of Estridae in Issalon, but tends to travel and follow the will of the gods more often than she can be found there.

Anastaya - Played by Dan Willman. Anastaya is a warrior of the Light, obedient to the goddess Estridae. She believes in the free will of others and the right to chose our actions rather than have them dictated. She formed the Order of Grace concluding the events of Forgotten Light. The Order of Grace is a paladinic order dedicated to Estridae and the protection of her 'Forgotten Light'.

Ana - Played by Amanda Sherman. Ana is a half orc who believes in equality of all. She is devoted to her companions and believes in the importance of coexistence between races. Following Forgotten Light she set out to assist Rhystyvn Ghostwolf and Edward DuGrace in their quest to prevent a war.

Zook - Played by Breanna Wiley. Zook is a gnomish Bard with a too much curiosity sometimes for her own good. She joined the adventurers while they sailed the world mending Anze's heart after the loss of Afanen and then continued with them after they gave her rights to tell their story in song.

Villians

Basrek - A demon bearing resemblance to a fox. Basrek was the right hand of Balphurus before being summoned to Saratta during the Rune Wars and subsequently bound by magic to be trapped on the plane. He was released by the cult Saba Enas that chose to worship him as a godlike force. Basrek sought to raise the lost temple of Estridae where he could open a gateway to the Abyss allowing a god to be free.

Saba Enas - A small assembly of fanatical cultists who gained followers by promising gifts and power to the nobility youth in Naltronia. Upon securing a membership, they helped their new followers join their ranks by staging a kidnapping. Fleetfoot Division 2 was placed on investigation of the cult resulting in the kidnapping of Edward DuGrace. Their most potent powers include the ability to summon a lesser demon protector, and some are infused with the very power of the Abyss.

Gharon the Bloodmaul - Leader of Ogre clan near the settlement of Thadir. Gharon, half-giant abomination, gained the support of the local Gnoll clans and began the Bloodmaul Offensive against the citizens of Thadir. Fleetfoot Divisions 2 and 4 were dispatched to defend the city as the full forces of the Naltronian military were focused elsewhere on the Ragnaw threat.

Enrick Vael - A wizard of the Naltronian nobility who sold his soul to Basrek in exchange for the power to tap into Abyssal energy to enhance his magic. He was sent to retrieve a book known as the Kel'nad, detailing the magical ritual used to bind Basrek to the world. The text was also said to contain the means for unbinding the demon. He was slain by the members of Fleetfoot 2 but not before ending the life of Afanen leading to Anze's fateful decision to transport the book directly to Edward DuGrace.

Malepherous the Swarm King - A demon of the Abyss, summoned by Basrek at Borosage Abbey to buy time for the demon and Saba Enas to depart after gaining the Staff of Deares and taking control of Bridgit Nightbreeze through the use of True Name magic. Malepherous could call upon swarms of imps formed out of its own body to bring down its opponents. In an effort not to loose further members of her team, Anze ordered a retreat and fled from the demon. Malepherous laid waste to Borosage and has not been seen since. It is believed by the surviving members of the Abbey that they Demon has possessed the surrounding landscape.

Wendrük - A Might Demon of the Abyss. Wendrük possessed Abigor in secret after he was slain by Basrek for trying to prevent the capture of Brigit Nightbreeze. The demon remained hidden after Abigor was resurrected but manifested several times through Abigor to summon demons to attack the party. Chandra Vale surmised that if the demon could interact with Abigor to make him open Abyssal gateways then he should be able to tap into the demons power and open the door in Saratta allowing the group to enter the Abyss in an attempt to save time traveling and beat Basrek to his destination. The group chose to follow Vale's advice and entered the Abyss.

Once inside, Wendrük took control of Abigor and engaged in battle; one which took place in Abigor's mind, the other a very physical battle where the demon damaged much of Abigor's body. Wendrük was ultimately destroyed but it took the life of Nathan Cannigan as well.

Brashq - The god of Undeath. Infuriated by the intervention of other gods in a place dedicated to him, Brashq was goaded into reaching into the world where he destroyed Amanath. Chandra Vale sacrificed herself to save the rest of the group from the gods wrath.

Telraedye - The god of Shadows. Attempted to get the group to follow him on one occasion, frightening Zook to the point where she is now terrified of the dark. Played a hand in the destruction of Amanath when he ordered the Afanen God Kissed the retrieve his masque which was being held in the ruins, thus infuriating Brashq to the point of rash action.

Notable Non-Playable Characters

Edward DuGrace - Commander of Fleetfoot Division 2. DuGrace is a war hero for serving in defense of several cities from Gnoll incursions. He was moved into the Fleetfoot Division in the hopes that he could turn around division 2; notorious for being the ragtag misfit group of the military. His attempts to properly organize them were met with difficulty and challenge as the division had been lacking in leadership and included mercenaries serving under Emperor Gerald Tilson (who was once a mercenary himself).

DuGrace was taken hostage by Saba Enas as he tried to prevent the kidnapping of a noble in Nightvale, Naltronia. During his internment by the cult a doppelganger was put in his place, and rescued in his stead, leaving DuGrace at the mercy of the Cult for well over a year and a half. The doppelganger turned on Naltronia in order to hand over possession of the Kel'nad (a text containing information necessary to undo the bindings keeping Basrek) to Saba Enas. For this act DuGrace was labeled a traitor of Naltronia.

When he was finally saved from Saba Enas, DuGrace ordered Anze to embed the Eye of Asef into his eye so the final resting place of the Temple of Estridae could be found in time to prevent Basrek from opening the Gateway to the Abyss. At the end of Forgotten Light DuGrace was not pardoned with the rest of Fleetfoot Division 2. He has continued his service for the Empire by trying to keep the peace by assisting Rhystyvn Ghostwolf despite his fugitive status.

Nathan Cannigan - Born to a wizarding family, Nathan displayed innate psychic powers in his youth. These powers began quickly growing out of control forcing the Cannigan family to bring their son in the the Tower of Dominance in Ausburg, Naltronia to have a powerblock performed on his mind. Nathan was 2nd in command of Fleetfoot Division 2 and began a relationship with the elven mercenary Anze. Their relationship culminated in a child, Myriam Cannigan shortly after the events of Forgotten Light and Nathan's death.

Nathan displayed moments of immense power followed by rapid instability where his unleashed powers posed just as much threat to the group as its opponents. The block on his powers broke down during the battle with the demon Wendrük when Nathan charged Abigor with keeping his mind contained when he unleashed his power within Abigor's mental struggle with the demon. Unable to withstand the raw power the demon was defeated and Abigor's concentration was broken. Incapable of controlling the energy coming from himself and in an effort to save his friends Nathan donned a Surgeon's Masque (a mask that focuses and channels psionic power while stripping ones personality and emotions, leaving them a cold shell of their former selves. After a prolonged period of time, these changes are permanent).

Unable to see a friend remove their freedom of will, Anastaya tore the mask off of Nathan's face, unleashing the full extent of his powers once more. To prevent loss of life, Anze broke Nathan's neck, killing him before he could cause more harm leaving her mentally broken and fulfilling a vision Nathan said Anze would bring to pass. Nathan was buried at sea by Afanen God Kissed to the honor of Zamikeye (981 LD).

Bridgit Nightbreeze - A young woman with a bubbly personality, fun loving and always ready for something new. She was kept with doppelganger DuGrace until Division 2 broke them free. Bridgit is a girl with a haunted past which was revealed to those who sought into it, bringing visions of a girl clad in form fitting armor with black wings and a bloodied mace. After Afanen died at the hands of Enrick Vael she revealed her upbringing, claiming to be half-demon with black angels wings.

Bridgit was taken back by Saba Enas when Basrek enacted her true name and forced her to take the Staff of Deares from Abigor and deliver it to him. Forced to obey she fought with Abigor and emerged victorious. In the final battle with Basrek, Afanen God Kissed spoke Bridgit's full True Name, transforming her with the power of Estridae into an Angel. In that moment it was revealed she was the half child of the Arch Angel Asef before he gave up his immortality to save the temple. Bridgit is currently charged with keeping the Temple of Estridae in Issalon and oversees the conduct of the Order of Grace.

Abigor was in love with Bridgit for some time until he met Chandra Vale. It is unknown to what extent Bridgit reciprocated but their relationship ended after she confronted him in the Petrified Grave.

Rhystyvn Ghostwolf - A gnoll of the Arkoan clan in Naltronia, Rhystyvn is the driving force to prevent an all out war that would be waged between human and gnoll. His efforts have kept several clans from harm but more continue to join forces with Ragnaw threatening to bring the human and gnoll conflict to a boil. Rhystyvn assisted the members of Fleetfoot 2 in locating Saba Enas after the Bloodmaul Offensive in Thadir and later returned to assist them in escaping the Naltronian military after they were labeled Traitors of the Empire.

At the end of Forgotten Light, Rhystyvn joined forces with Edward DuGrace to attempt to prevent the coming war.

Casandra Hagen - Arbiter of the Citadel of Dominance in Ausberg, Casandra is a motherly figure who helped Fleetfoot 2 sort out some of their issues. She was also responsible for placing the barrier on Nathan's mind which the group was forced the fortify after the events at Thadir. Casandra was responsible for getting a pardon issued for the actions taken by Fleetfoot 2 when Saba Enas managed to get the Kel'nad. She was unable to get their military positions reinstated, but has been a good friend to those involved.

Chandra Vale - A researcher with a fiery temper and who took no issue in making demands despite not being in the position to do so. She was captured by the members of the Forgotten Light campaign at Borosage Abbey and quickly made friends with Anze by having no fear. Anze opted to pay Vale more than Saba Enas leading Vale to happily give up all the information on what the cult was seeking. Anze took on Vale as their primary researcher and as a source who knew plenty about how the cult operated and what their next move might be.

Vale was raised a slave to the Goblins of Darilach and was released as she came of age to seek a profit for herself to buy her freedom. Her attitude and opinions quickly came to clash with Abigor but the two began to draw close to one another. When Chandra gave up her life to save the party at Amanath Abigor realized he was in love with her when given the choice if he could have Bridgit back, or return Vale to life. He opted to resurrect Vale.

At the end of Forgotten Light Vale set off to return to Darilach and pay off her debt to the Goblins. Abigor went with her. The two are now married.

The Forgotten Light

Part 1: Cult Activities

The tales begins several days away from civilized society, following the Naltronian Military's notorious Fleetfoot Division 2. The Fleetfoot branch is designated for scouting missions. During the early days of the military, soldiers were divided into two groups within the Fleetfoot branch, Division 1 for soldiers showing exceptional skills, and Division 2 where the 'rejects' were sent. Division 2 has often been treated as front-line fodder, fit only for minor missions to keep them out of important battlefields. As the years went on, little effort was made to reform the division, though attempts have been made as was the case in 977LD when Captain Edward DuGrace was assigned to the Division's head in order to reform it.

DuGrace made it his mission to fix what he felt was wrong with the division, throwing out traditional disciplining in favor of direct combat experience in skirmishes with Naltronia's gnoll population. The results were mixed but generally regarded as successful. DuGrace also made it a point to phase the division out, requesting that no further troops be added to the division ranks.

With gnoll activity in the mountains beginning to thin out, Division 2 was assigned to investigate a series of kidnappings within the city of Nightvale. There they uncovered a plot within the nobility to have daughters turned over to a growing cult known only as Saba Enas. Division 2 forces attempted to prevent one of the 'kidnappings' while they were stationed at the city but the effort was a failure. To add to their problems Captain DuGrace was captured by the cultists who managed to escape the city. Left without a proper chain of command, Anze assumed command of the Division, reporting the loss of the Captain and requesting permission to pursue. Her request was denied as a growing conflict in nearby Thadir required additional reinforcements and Division 2 was ordered to march.

Not willing to risk court-marshal, the group headed North from Nightvale to the besieged city of Thadir. No support had come from the local citadel, and efforts to gain entry had resulted in missing soldiers who never returned. Military leaders declared the Citadel off-limits and turned to the more pressing matter of Gnoll and Giant forces that were attacking the city.

While preparations for a counterattack were being made, Division 2 took it upon themselves to investigate the Citadel, sending in a lone, self proclaimed Ninja to scout it. Like the others who ventured in, he never returned. Other losses would come as well when combat with Gnoll forces began, slimming the Division further. At the conclusion of the conflict, Anze and her team were given information regarding the whereabouts of Saba Enas. Their base of operations was in an old abandoned city several weeks away. Willing to grasp at straws, the group set out hoping to recover the Captain. They were aided in their effort to locate the ruins by an unlikely ally; gnoll Rhystyvn Ghostwolf.

The abandoned city they found was little more than a handful of half collapsed buildings. Temporary shelters made of tarps and wooden lean-to structures littered the grounds. A group of cult members were gathered around a fire. It was prime time for Division 2 to attack with the element of surprise still on their side. Unfortunately the cultists had an ace up their sleeves; the ability to summon demons. The group fought tooth and nail finally gaining the upper hand and breaking into an underground laboratory hidden on the grounds.

Within the deepest sections of the laboratory they found a ritual chamber clearly meant for demon summoning. A number of iron cells held prisoners who begged to be released. The group freed them, and finally located DuGrace inside a cell with a young raven haired woman named Bridgit. DuGrace seemed different, but the group had little time to question him when they were telepathically contacted by an unseen entity within the chamber. It said that it would "soon be free". Not wanting to find out what that might be or what the thing might be, the group departed with their prize and set off for home.

Part 2: Arambashia

During his time in captivity Edward DuGrace gathered all of the information he could on the cult. They sought to obtain an aged text known as the Kelnad Es Petoril. Recently the cult let it slip that the Kelnad was located in Solace Hall, a monk's temple in the country of Arambashia. DuGrace assigned Anze to lead the group on an undercover mission within the country. They were to locate the Kelnad text and wrap an amulet around it. The amulet would teleport the book home to Naltroy and the group would slip out of Arambashia without raising any alarms or engaging Saba Enas. None would be the wiser, and a potentially bad situation would be averted.

Strings were pulled at the last minute to add the group to the Emperor's envoy for trade negotiation with the Aramish Council. The envoy was moved via a teleportation spell that deposited them just outside of the Aramish capitol. They received a hero's welcome as the two nations hoped to secure better trade relations. By the end of the day Fleetfoot Division 2 had shed their military insignia and were on their way out of the city toward Solace Hall.