On Genin's Trail - Book One

A Hârn Adventure, by Konrad Talmont-Kaminski

A Save-K'nor priest has disappeared with the journals of one of Genin's apprentices. Now a number of people are trying to find him along Genin's Trail. On the one hand, the Thay Hyn-Aelori temple want to find their strayed sheep and the valuable book he carries. On the other hand, the Tashal Lia Kavair wish to track down the man who ripped them off and to get back their goods. Both groups would be quite willing to pay for the delivery of the journals.

Although it may seem at first that a number of occasions present themselves for the players to get into serious scraps the PCs will find that they will get the farthest if they avoid combat and use their brains instead. If they are really itching for something to kill the GM can throw some Ivashu or fleas at them.

Note on dates: I assume that the players are brought into the story on the first day of Nuzyael 720. The other dates are relative to that assumed start date.

Nelarin of Furna's Journal

Nelarin was Genin's last apprentice and companion and his journal contains long entries on Genin and Genin's life, including some reminiscences about the Aleathian Odyssey, which occurred before Nelarin knew Genin. As such, the journal is very valuable. The first book of the journal starts with Nelarin becoming Genin's apprentice and speaks of some of Nelarin's early journeys with Genin as well as some of his research. The second book is not finished but ends abruptly with an entry speaking of the two's arrival at Noron's house.

What happened to the first book? - The actual story

Nelarin had fallen sick and died while he and Genin were visiting Noron. Genin asked Noron to take care of Nelarin's things but never returned. After over a hundred years Noron decided that Genin was not coming back for the things and has since gifted various travellers he'd liked with most of Nelarin's personal effects. The first of the two books of the journal he gave to a travelling troubadour, Anis the Elventongued, for entertaining him and his sons. [Backplot: Lacking neither in intelligence nor in a sense of humour, Noron is curious about the efficiency of the Melderyni and wants to see how long it will take them to trace the book to him] Anis did not appreciate the true value of the item, not realising that this was the uncopied original. Still, it did make for very interesting reading and Anis spent many days poring over it after reaching Tashal. Unfortunately, he spent his nights at the Floating World of Three Heavens. Given the ruinous prices at that establishment he was soon forced to part with the book in exchange for one more night with his favourite lady.

Myrele,the owner of the establishment, a devout Halean and a shrewd business-woman, took the journal to Keldis of Orien, an old customer and lexigrapher. When he informed her of the value of the item she gave the book to the temple of Halea, thereby gaining some influence in that church. In turn, the temple, used the book to bribe one of the city aldermen, Pelor of Aswain (brother of Goshal of Aswain at index 16), in return for some support in the city council.

Pelor considered making a gift of the book to the temple of Save K'nor but, instead, decided to sell it to them through some rather shady contacts that he has among the Lia Kavair. The Lia Kavair, however, contacted the wrong man, Haliki Raelas Swodela. Raelas, a Haliki of the Thay temple, was in Tashal to copy some old documents and to deliver them back safely to Thay.

Raelas was somewhat ambitious but neither intellectual nor hard working and he figured that bringing the book to Thay as a `find' would garner him much praise. Being a regular attendee of the Floating World, Raelas has met and talked there to Anis, the troubadour, and, unlike the later man, realised its value. Having been unable to obtainthe book from Myrele he decided to wait for the book to turn up at the temple of Hyn-Aelori - he felt sure that, sooner or later, it would. Thus it was that he intercepted the message from Pelor's Lia Kavair associates when it came.

Given this second chance he managed to get the book away from the Lia Kavair without paying and left Tashal within the hour. The Lia Kavair did not expect the Save K'norans to cheat them and it took a while for them to realise just whom they were duped by. Finding out about the incident, Pelor paid a couple of old mercenaries to find Raelas and to get the book back from him.

Raelas was not a hard man to follow but a very hard man to catch up with. He only stopped long enough to sleep and to rest his horse. By the time he reached Burzyn he was mentally and physically exhausted, paranoid and not at all sure he'd done the right thing. Deciding to make sure that the book must remain safe whatever happens to him he left it in the care of Amyrtis of Sprinsal, the owner of the House of the Silken Veil, and wrote a short letter to the Thayan temple:

Glory be to The Guide.
I have found the journals of Nelarin, Genin's apprentice. I fear that others would take them from me so I have left them behind silk, hidden in the light of Uhla. If you should receive this before I reach you it means that I have gone to Inor Teth. If you should find the book, say the Six Litanies for me.
Haliki Raelas Swodela of the Thay Hyn-Aelori 13th Morgat 719

Amyrtis is an old lover and friend of Raelas' and is keeping the book safe in the dark cellar, within an old lamp. Amyrtis will not reveal possession of the book unless she is very sure that the person has been sent by Raelas. Speaking the Six Litanies will convince her immediately. Raelas, however, is no longer around, having been waylaid by brigands on the road between Aneril and the turn off to Ledyne. The men who caught him had no idea why he was hurrying so and didn't stop to ask before cutting his throat, robbing him and tossing him into the river.

Raelas' body was fished out at Feryce.

In the meanwhile the two mercenaries, Kathar and Taumbon, following Raelas have realised that he disappeared between Burzyn and Geda and are waiting at The Standing Pine in Geda for either him or another priest of Save-K'nor to appear. They are posing as a couple of companions of a gentleman who are waiting for him to make their joint journey to Thay.

Bringing in the Players

The players could be hired by either Pelor or by the Thay Hyn-Aelori to chase up Raelas. I have assumed that they will be hired by the more reputable of the two interested parties. If they are hired by Pelor then Kathar and Taumbon will have been, instead, hired by the Thay Hyn-Aelori and Kathar will have on him the letter from the Tashal Hyn-Aelori as well as the letter from Raelas. To partly replace the information in the letters, Pelor will know that Raelas has been seen going through Oselbridge. Obviously, in this case, the players will need to somehow see Raelas' letter to have any chance of finding the book.

The Main Characters

Raelas Swodela - Deceased Haliki of the Thay Hyn-Aelori

Although no longer actually with us, Raelas plays a big role in this story and, therefore, his character should be outlined.

A tall, red-haired man, Raelas was the younger brother of the bondmaster of Gythrun. His placement as a Haliki had more to do with his family's need to find some kind of occupation for him rather than with any personal calling. The priesthood of Larani required bravery, while that of Peoni took chastity and since Raelas lacked both virtues it was decided that the priesthood of Save-K'nor would suit him best. Even so, Raelas was never expected to rise above the rank of Haliki as he showed greatest aptitude for the job of copying texts.

Bored with the hum-drum life of a priest, Raelas would spend whatever money his family sent him on wine and women, soon becoming well known to all the courtesans and cheap prostitutes at any city he was sent to.

When he accidentally found out about the Journals of Nelarin he saw the opportunity for making something of a name for himself and, acting before thinking, he managed to get away with the text. By the time he had reached Burzyn, however, the original audacity had left him. So, abandoning the dream of triumphantly riding into Thay with the book, he, instead, hid it at the House of the Silken Veil. Which is just as well as otherwise it would have been definitely lost when he was killed by the brigands.

Kathar of Gellen - Mercenary hired to find Raelas

A tall, thin, dark-haired man in his early thirties, Kathar has worked as a mercenary for many years. Both he and Taumbon got their start accompanying the caravans on the Salt Road but have, since then, moved onto more lucrative jobs. Of the two, Kathar is the more intelligent and is usually the one who does all the talking. Armed with a broadsword, handaxe and roundshield and wearing little in the way of armour Kathar is a cautious fighter, preferring to avoid conflict if possible - he has seen too many men die on the Salt Route. [Kathar has on him old papers identifying him as a weaponscrafter journeyman and, thus, allowing him to carry such noble weapons as a broadsword.]

When he and Taumbon meet the players Kathar will initially distrust the players and spin them thestory of waiting for a gentleman-friend. Kathar will be doubly distrustful if the players let on whom they are looking for.

Taumbon of Hawen - Kathar's associate

A tall, thin man with sandy-coloured hair, beard and moustache. He has known Kathar since they were quite young and living in Shostim. Although quiet, Taumbon is more perceptive than Kathar - something which Kathar appreciates and which means that Taumbon is as often the one making their decisions as Kathar. Unarmoured and armed with a shortsword, spear and roundshield, Taumbon is a good judge of a situation.

Taumbon will be able to tell quickly if the players are trustworthy. If he knows that they are after the same man he will suggest to Kathar that they work together on what has proved to be a difficult search. After all, whoever finds the book, it is going to end up in Save-K'norian hands.

Of course, if Taumbon does not think that the players are trustworthy then he and Kathar will have to play the situation as they see it. Either way, however, Kathar and Taumbon are not supposed to be just a statistic on the ends of the players'weapons.

The Frums - Brigands

Truth be told, calling the Frums of Ledyne `brigands' gives something of a wrong idea. They are a poor family of sheep-herders who supplement their income with occasional acts of highway violence as well as the run-of-the-mill poaching. They and their flock of sheep live near the village of Ledyneand are known around the area as a rough lot. Many say of the Frums that they have Hodiri blood in them. If faced by an organised and armed group they will run. If caught they will confess their crimes and beg forgiveness. Given the opportunity they can be vicious and callous, however. Still, they are more wretched than dangerous. Even if the players do not find them, the Frums are not likely to long avoid hanging.

All the Frum men look somewhat similar - gangly men with large ears, wearing rags and ill-cured sheep-skins. All have numerous teeth missing and speak with the local accent. There are four men in all; Url of Frum, the head of the family, Gerk and Sov, his two sons in their early twenties and Hek, the eleven year-old runt of the family.

Apart from them there are the two women, Derle, Url's middle-aged wife and Dora, her only daughter. Like the men, Dora is thin, except that she is currently carrying a baby. Derle, however, is somewhat shorter and more rotund. Also, where Dora is shy and tends to hide from strangers, Derle is as likely to come out to meet them (armed with a staff) as is Url.

If asked about Raelas Url is going to act as if he knows nothing about it. If he is asked about the horse he will, at first, say that he has owned it for years but, if that story falls apart, he will say that he found it a few days ago and that no-one has claimed it. Url will only speak truthfully if threatened.

Derle, however, is unhappy with the brigandage and will try to use the situation to somehow put an end to it without, of course, having her folk ending up at the end of a noose. As part of any deal she will be willing to give to the players all of Raelas' belongings. These will include Raelas' robes as well as his ablution bowl and journal (see Possible Clues section) but not Nelarin's journal. If any of the Frums are asked about it they will swear on Peoni's breasts that they know nothing.

Amyrtis of Sprinsal - Owner of the House of the Silken Veil at Burzyn

Amyrtis is a woman who has managed to age with grace. Of medium height and with long blonde hair she dresses and carries herself like a gentle-woman. Intelligent and resourceful she has developed many friendships with those who matter in Chybisa.

She had originally worked in the Thay house of courtesans before taking over the Burzyn house and it is in Thay that she met Raelas. First a customer and later also a friend, Amyrtis and Raelas have stayed in contact since her move and those who know him will have probably heard him boast of `his lady in Burzyn.'

Realistic about Raelas' abilities she is quite concerned for his safety since he has left Burzyn and is happy to keep the book safe for him. She was instructed by him not to give the book to anyone unless they spoke the Six Litanies in front of her but she will be happy enough with proof that the people have been sent by Raelas or, at least, by the Thay temple.

Kamaen Vastair - Baron of Andazyn

[From the Chybisa article] Kamaen inherited the barony in 711. He has a severe stammer, an impediment which makes him extremely self conscious. He avoids speaking in public if at all possible. Otherwise he is a competent if not spectacular liege. Kamaen is thirty two. He married late in life and his son Manaer is only three.

Kamaen has been informed of the occasional disappearances between Aneril and Ledyne and is quite concerned. Thus far, however, none of his men have been able to find out anything about the incidents.

The latest incident is, of course, Raelas' body washing up at Feryce. Kamaen has had the body kept in the family catacombs under the keep until another priest of Save-K'nor comes to claim it. He has sent out letters to both the Thay and the Tashal temples informing them of the discovery. If asked about it he will say that Raelas had had his throat cut but that he had been hit numerous times before that.

Kamaen is very eager to stop the attacks and to bring the people responsible to justice. If the players manage to catch the Frums Kamaen will be quite grateful and will gift the players with a normal broadsword as well as free board for a tenday at the keep.

Possible Clues

There are a number of clues available to those who would know what happened to Raelas and the journal he had.

The first is the actual letter from Raelas. Unfortunately, it is not known where the letter was sent from other than that it was somewhere in Chybisa. (See last page)

Another letter has come to Thay from the Tashal Hyn-Aelori asking about Raelas' sudden disappearance. (Also on the last page)

Every place where Raelas has been (i.e. everywhere on Genin's Trail until Aneril) the people will remember him after a bit of checking - a crazed-looking, red-maned priest of Save-K'nor is not a daily scene.

The Baron of Andazyn, the liege of Feryce, has sent a letter to both the Thay and Tashal temples saying that a priest of Save-K'nor has washed up (recognised by the hexagonal tattoo on his hand). This letter has not yet reached Thay but it will soon and, if the PC's are having problems, a messenger from the temple can find them and pass it on. Also, of course, the baron will be able to tell them himself about the situation if they should happen to meet him.

The men-at-arms of the baron of Andazyn will have heard rumours about a priest's body being found - such rumours travel quickly through the ranks.

Also, some of the people at Geda may well have heard something about attacks on travellers between Burzyn and Geda. Some may have even heard that one dead man was recently found.

The Frums will know the occasion of Raelas' death but have no idea about Nelarin's journal. The fact that such poor serfs have a Hodiri horse is a dead give-away that not everything is above board at the Frum household.

Raelas' character is another possible clue. He was known among the Haliki for wenching and grand plans which came to naught. Also, it is possible that the players are informed that he knew a `lady' in Burzyn, although it will not be known that the lady is actually a courtesan.

Chebral of Prama, a horse-dealer in Burzyn, bought Raelas' almost dead horse on the morning of the 14th of Morgat and sold him a fresh Hodiri horse. He still has Raelas' horse as he is nursing it back to health before he sells it.

Finally, Raelas' journal ought to be a fount of information. Quite assiduous about the journal he has some kind of an entry for every day. The last few entries are on a separate page at the end of this book.

Coda - Where to from here?

Well, this ought to be enough to find the first of the two books, but what about the second?! Anis will have probably moved on from Tashal before the investigators arrive there. However, it ought to be easy to find out that he had boasted of staying with Noron before he came to Tashal. Still, the book must first be traced back to Anis - no easy task as a number of parties will be less than willing to be honest about their dealings with the book. The easy way is if the investigators find out that Raelas wanted to get the book from Anis. The hard way is having to chase up all the connections between Raelas and Anis. And, of course, once the investigators reach Noron, there is no guarantee that he will either like them or even have the book to give them.

And, even when the journal is found, the story need not end as the last few entries should indicate where Genin was thinking of going next. This may lead the investigators into a search for clues as to Genin's disappearance and even Genin's final resting place.

It is these stories which will be outlined in the later books of this adventure.

Konrad Talmont-Kaminski, ktk@silas.cc.monash.edu.au, September 1996

Haliki Raelas Swodela's Journal(the last few entries):

3rd Morgat 719 TR - The work on the Labours is proceeding well but my money is running out. I hope to be on my way back before the year is finished. It will be good to see Amyrtis again. I have reach the penultimate chapter. Fearin was a dull man. How can a man be so talented and yet so dull...
4th Morgat 719 TR - Met a troubadour who says he had the Journals of Nelarin. The fool sold them for a woman! Oh, to have been there. But I will find them. They will see!
5th Morgat 719 TR - Tried to buy the book from Myrele but she says she does not have it. Perhaps it is as well since I have little to give in exchange. Just my luck. The Riddler must be laughing now.
6th Morgat 719 TR - I am a brilliant man! I spent the day dejected till I realised during the Velere that the book must soon re-appear here. I just have to make sure that I am the one who receivesit.
7th Morgat 719 TR - This is intolerable! Spent the whole day near the gates. The Deronti has been looking strangely at me. And it is all probably for nought.
8th Morgat 719 TR - It came! A message was brought. Someone wishes to sell the text. I am to meet them tomorrow. Oh, Guide, guide me well tomorrow for I work in your service.
9th Morgat 719 TR - I have it. I have the journals. A small leather-bound manuscript. It is definitely Nelarin's hand. Those fools didn't even realise they were being duped. Glory be to The Guide. He was with me today. I have ridden hard and they are still standing wondering what happened.
10th Morgat 719 TR - Reached Oselbridge long after dark, riding by moon-light. I only have the first book. No matter.
11th Morgat 719 TR - What happened to the other books? Oh, I am in the middle of nowhere. The Pagaelin could come and roast me alive. I was a fool to run from Tashal.
12th Morgat 719 TR - Reached Burzyn.
13th Morgat 719 TR - I reached Burzyn in the early hours. Amyrtis was surprised. She is a wonderful woman, may the light of Uhla shine ever on her. I slept much of the day and still feel tired. The horse I had to sell to a man here for one of those barbarian ponies. There must be men coming after me. I will ride on tomorrow. Thay before the end of the year.

Deronti Tavil Jandral's letter:

To the Tryahlar of the Thay Hyn-Aelori
Dear Brothers,
It has come to my attention that your Haliki Raelas Swodela - who'd come here lately to copy The Labours of Fearin the Flatfooted - has forsaken Tashal without explanation. He had gathered all his possessions and took his horse but left his work, unfinished, in the scriptorium. None of the Brothers know any reason why he should leave so suddenly but they do inform me that for the last few days he seemed very frustrated about something. He was last seen at morning ablutions on the 9th of Morgat. I leave the matter in your hands and promise to send any news that comes to us of his doings. I have had the half-finished copy of the Labours put aside until such time as the work may be continued.
May The Guide be with you all.
Deronti Tavil Jandral of the Tashal Hyn-Aelori 11th Morgat 719

Raelas' Letter:

Glory be to The Guide.
I have found the journals of Nelarin, Genin's apprentice. I fear that others would take them from me so I have left them behind silk, hidden in the light of Uhla. If you should receive this before I reach you it means that I have gone to Inor Teth. If you should find the book, say the Six Litanies for me.
Haliki Raelas Swodela of the Thay Hyn-Aelori13th Morgat 719