Session 0 and the Start of the Adventures 6/14/2020

Players

Greg playing Felix the Catian from Glantri

Tony playing Steve the Elf from Alfheim

We go over the rules and the characters motivation / backstory.

I introduce the players to Mystara and the country of Vestland.


Felix has been living in Soderfjord Jarldoms for the winter just south of Vestland.  He has been a guest of Jarl Karvic and living in the Jarl's house.  In the North there are no inns or hostels outside of the big cities.  People either take you in as a guest or they don't.  Now the snows are melting and life is on the move again.  The Jarl calls Felix into his study / office.  The Jarl needs a favor done.  In exchange Felix will share in the wealth that should come their way.

In Vestland to the North there has been tragedy.  The Ethengars have been raiding the border and the King of Vestland Jorgen Ahlenson is dead.  He lost in a duel to the Great Khan of Ethengar.  King Jorgen fell of a high cliff his body never found.  The Great Treasure of the Kings of Vestland the Sorona Crown is lost.

A year later the Khan was back.  Prince Knut Henrik the only child of the former King went out to challenge the Khan.  The Khan answered with mocking laughter at the site of the young man.  A nephew of the Khan got off his horse and insisted on dueling.  To the surprise of the Ehtengars the Vestlander easily won. Immediately The Right Hand of the Khan.  Perhaps the mightiest warrior in Ethengar History jumped off his horse and locked swords with the Young Crown Prince of Vestland.

They battled for over three hours.  Valkyrie descended from Valhalla to admire the scene and await their duty. In the end Crown Prince Knut Henrik Ahlenson was able to wear down the Right Hand of the Khan.  The Ehengar's head flying free of his body the Great Khan turned his horse around and headed back to Ethengar.  As the last Ethengar turned around to march home in shame.  The Crown Prince of Vestland collapsed dead as his body hit the ground.  Witnesses claim they saw Valkyrie take his soul straight to Valhalla.

Now with no king and winter over Vestland is faced with great peril.  Surely the Khan will be back with rage and vengeance.  The majority of Vestland's Lords whish to see Duke Stephen of Rhoona marry the young widow of the late Crown Prince Knut Henrik Ahlenson.

Then they will crown Duke Stephen King of Vestland.  However this young Princess the Lady Zyta Popika of Karameikos has her own plan.  She is recruiting adventurers to help her quest for the Lost Scepter of Command.

The Scepter is a great treasure that pre dates the Nations of the North.  It is said to be the equal of the Sorona Crown.  However it has not been seen in over a thousand years.  The Lords of Vestland have little hope of such a plan.  They do not understand their Little Foreign Princess is a Forester.  Her Parents Famous Adventurers and Heroes of Karameikos the Land of Never Ending Adventure.

for more on Karameikos https://wiki.mystara.net/karameikos

The Jarl Karvic of Soderfjord assures Felix he just has to go listen to what this Princess has to say and then report to his agent Carl Stoffens in Vestland.  Don't agree or make any promises without speaking to Carl. The Catian agrees and is sent away with a caravan to Norrvik the Capital of Vestland.

Steve the Elf is a youngling elf from Alfheim the Nation of Elves.  Steve is his adventuring name.  Elves love to be mysterious with their names.  The Youngling Steve is in the Alfheim Army and has asked for resignation.  He whishes to travel about and adventure.

The snow is melting away and the Nation of Alfheim has a irresistible offer for Steve the Elf. There is a daughter of Elf Friends.  A Child of Heroes of the Forest and she is in need of assistance.  She is far away in Vestland.  Her husband murdered by barbarians. Go assist her and claim fortunes and deeds in song.

Steve will accompany the Lady Morgeth who is to be the new ambassador to Vestland.   He is given a time and place for meeting the Princess.  For identity he is given a Healing Wand made from a branch of the Alfheim Tree of Life. There was some spending money as well.

This Ends Session Zero and we begin Session 1.