The mountains of West Highland are dotted with scholarly orders, most of them now lost. The Order of the Astronomers and the Order of Illustration were rivals over a hundred years past. Scholarly disputes in the high days of the Orders often led to battle, and the Astronomers and Illustrators were known to fight over the finer points of their philosophies.
The Knights of Illustration nearly lost Illustrious Castle to the goblins during the Goblin War, when the Night Trolls under the mysterious Goblin Mage nearly overran the civilized world of West Highland; they fell into ruin and disappeared eighty years ago. The Astronomers are presumed to have lost Kristagna Castle and all of their lives during the War: none have been heard from since then, and the location of their castle is lost. The library at Biblyon lost much of its works during the War and only vague references remain to taunt treasure-hunters and spell-seekers.
Kristagna is south of the Leather Road, hidden in the Deep Forest. The Deep Forest is a dangerous place, home to many strange creatures, dragons, and evil faerie, and of course is overrun with Night Trolls. The forest is not to be traveled lightly, and only adventurers of stout heart and cunning mind can hope to penetrate the forest and return with their treasures alive.
- Getting to the Adventure
- If you have a player character, it will be more fun if you do not read this book. It contains information for the Adventure Guide. The Guide will use it to present a series of encounters to you as your characters experience the adventure.
- Flavor Text
- The italicized text for encounters is meant to be read to the players as their characters enter the location in question. Sometimes you’ll need to modify the flavor text. For example, if the flavor text states that “a waxing moon rises, barely visible in the morning air”, and the players have started out in the evening, you’ll need to change that.
