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| History
Note: This adventure is set in specific locations because of the location of the group that originally participated. The NPC names and locations can be changed to suit your campaign. In 703, Jannys Avona, the Earl of Karveth gained a son, but lost his wife. What very few people know is that there was another child born that fateful night. Four people attended Loryn Toron the night she died, the wet nurse, a trusted family retainer, the midwife, and Jannys himself. The first child, a daughter, was taken to the nursery by the wet nurse. The second child, the boy Denyl, was a difficult birth and claimed the attention of all present. It was not until Loryn had expired that deceit was discovered. The wet nurse, the baby girl, and the family retainer were gone. Since that time, the Earl has both mourned and searched for his daughter. The PCs have done something that attracts the Earl's attention and he asks them to find his daughter. Being from Melderyn, there is a chance that as first born she would stand to inherit some of the Earl's property over her brother. What the characters know: The girl was kidnapped by one of the Earl's men on the night of her birth. She was first born and would have been considered the heir of the Earl's holdings. It was five hours later that the boy was born. His mother died because of the intensity and length of the labor. Only those that were in the delivery room know that there was a girl child born. Most were old at the time and have died since then. The Baron believes that the daughter was originally taken to be held as ransom, but never reached the destination where she would have been held. The daughter has a birthmark on her left shoulder. The Earl has provided a complete description of this mark. She was also wearing a tiny gold signet ring on a gold chain. A description of this item has also been provided. It bears the arms of the Baron's wife (who was the youngest sibling of the King of Melderyn). It has never been recovered. The Earl has agents watching for the sale of this item in the cities. The family retainer was found dead at the site of a brigand attack on a caravan. The girl and her wet nurse (survivor account says there was a wet nurse for the young baby girl that was part of the caravan's passengers), were not found among the dead. The brigands are assumed to be part of a group of highwaymen that operated along the caravan route through Chybisa. Members of this group have been reported as current members of the Lia-Kavair in Chybisa and Melderyn. Both countries report young female members of the Lia-Kavair that would be about the age of the Baron's daughter. It was suggested that you start at the warehouse in Cherafir because that branch of the Lia-Kavair is the weakest and easiest to locate. Caution is still advised. The survivor of the caravan attack (Obdin of Lorkin) was a member of a mercenary company in Melderyn. Gamemaster Information: The girl, named Lydya, is located in Geda. She is not part of the Lia-Kavair currently. She has been taken by Mordes of Starin (the wet nurse) to be raised at an inn. The in is a cover for the Lia-Kavair. The girl works as a barmaid. She keeps up her skill by picking pockets and purses of the patrons when she can. This is frowned upon by Mordes because the patrons are usually members of the local Lia-Kavair. Lydya only steals from them when they make passes at her. In the past (about two years ago) she served as a serving girl at nearby Geda manor. The master's son, Bjal, took a liking to her and she ran away, returning to her mother. Her father, Korkori of Ontur, was one of the original brigands. He was hanged five years ago for smuggling. Her mother, Mordes of Starin, left the area and bought an inn (Drybridge Inn) with proceeds from previous jobs. Among her treasures that she sold was a tiny gold signet ring that had been placed on the Earl's daughter before she was kidnapped. The ring was sold in Thay. The person who bought it (Lodros of Iachome) suspected it was stolen, so he did not put it up for sale until he was sure no one was looking for it. It will be available for sale as the PC's come into the area. Korkori of Ontur had placed it among his treasure and Mordes does not remember that it is linked to her "daughter." Lydya has a birthmark on her shoulder. She tries to keep it hidden, but sometimes her dress will slip if she is in a hurry. Lydya is a good girl with a knowledge of thieving. Her father forced her to steal. She turned him in, although her mother does not know this. He beat Mordes. Lydya suspects she is a foundling, since she does not resemble her mother or father. Her father called her his "Little Baroness" and she daydreams that she is the daughter of a knight or baron. Since her father's death, Lydya only steals to benefit her mother. She knows she could make better money as a prostitute, but will not out of respect for her mother. Recently, she has overheard the Lia-Kavair discussing a ransom for her. She knows it is only a matter of time before they are able to pry the truth of her origins from her mother. Her only hope is to get the information first. Timeline: TR703 - Lydya kidnapped. About a week after kidnapping, caravan with child answering her description was attacked. Daughter is taken "home" to Ontur and brigand retires to local Lia-Kavair (Thay). Brigand (Korkori of Ontur) marries wetnurse (Mordes of Starin). Attacks on caravans stop soon after since caravans have become heavily guarded. Child is raised as family. Mordes tries to raise daughter as a good girl, but Korkori teaches her the trades. He finds great amusement in calling her his little Baroness.. TR712 - Mordes gets daughter a job at local manor (Ontur) in the kitchens. She learns intrigue and cooking. She is there for three years, but feathers her nest with money from the manor's treasury when no one is looking. She convinces her father that she is unable to pilfer anything from the kitchens, so they move to another holding. TR715 - Father hanged for smuggling. TR716 - At the new manor (Laket), she is promoted to upstairs maid. She learns mannerisms and affects a "royal attitude." The lady of the manor decides Lydya is too upity and sends her away. Mordes sells some of the treasure (including the ring). TR717-TR720 - Late in year, Lydya takes position at Geda (Castles of Harn) as Lady's maid. Son of Baron Kjal Forsetha, Bjan (33) begins making advances. She fends him off until she pilfers enough money to keep her mother's inn (Drybridge Inn) running. She does not know of her father's stash of treasure. When she leaves, she starts working full time at her mother's inn. Each night she takes some money from what she had stolen and adds it to the evening's cash. She thinks herself above all the riffraff of the tavern and still carrys on airs. She will come-on to wealthy travelers, but only subtly. |