Notes

Character Background

Rurik and Brok Wildhammer. Sons of Grumin, son of Brunor, son of Woljer. You were born and raised in Greysmere, a dwarven citadel and fortified mine complex with passages into the Underdark. Greysmere and the neighboring militant fortress of Karakast are home to some 1,200 dwarves. Because of the small population and the fact they nearly all know each other, the dwarves in the region band together and minimize clan distinction. However they remain proud and frequently include the names of the father and grandfather when new introductions are made. Karakast’s dwarves are unusual in appearance, having olive skin and often red hair and beards. Both communities were once very reclusive, but since the Mindflayer Wars 20 years ago, they have become somewhat more willing to accept alliances with nearby human and gnomish territories.

As you know your father Grumin lost his leg while on an adventure before you were born. That’s where he met your mother, but he has never spoken of what happened to his leg. Your mother died ten years ago, having fallen from a crumbled ledge in the tunnels while picking mushrooms.

The dwarves of Greysmere have always performed routine patrols of the Underdark passages to ensure the safety of the mines, underground fisheries and fungus farms. Twenty years ago, Greysmere received word that Mindflayers has surfaced and taken over several cities throughout the known world. Greysmere’s warriors went deeper into the Underdark to look for signs of pending invasion, and they encountered the world’s new enemy. When the dwarves realized they were losing the battle, they managed to collapse the tunnels before the Mindflayers could surface and take Greysmere. As a result, Greysmere remained free of invasion during the war while other major cities fell under the Mindflayer invasion.

Grumin then began preaching about the need to follow the example of the nearby stronghold of Karakast by enhancing the warfare training of the Greysmere dwarves.

The dwarves of Karakast joined the forces of Greysmere and discussed launching a full scale attack into the Underdark. But then suddenly the war abruptly ended. Your characters don’t know why.

The brothers grew up training in Greysmere and didn’t get much exposure to the outside world. As a result you are young and not all that worldy, with little knowledge of history, geography, local or global affairs. As dwarves of Greysmere, the nearest communities to you are the dwarven stronghold of Karakast and the gnomish Pargenter’s mines. You’ve seen gnomes, and occasional lizard man or orc, although they never come close to the hills near Greysmere or Karakast. And, you’ve seen humans pass through occasionally. The most exciting site was Greyhawk’s Mountaineer Militia riding griffons overhead. While Greyhawk has for all intents and purposes become a small country with Greysmere on the border, your community hasn’t paid taxes. The deal made is that Greysmere provides military support if asked, and Greyhawk’s Mountaineer Militia keeps reclusive Greysmere informed about what’s going on in the region.

Having said that, you have never seen an elf or Halfling in person, although you might assume that Syn is part elf of some sort, as you’ve never heard of an Aasimar and he looks not quite human.

Syn hails from a small hamlet near Ryel Pass, a keep that serves as a rest stop for the Griffon-riding militia. You were raised by Benaer, a half-elf militia man who said he found you as an infant and raised you.

Raam. Half-giant was a slave child of a group of nasty men who beat him. One day he stuck up for himself and badly injured some of the men. They were about to beat him to death when an elf happened by and used magic to stop the men. He cut the child loose and asked him if he had a family or friends anywhere. At that moment a dwarf woman, Hilga came by and saw what was happening. The elf was going to take the child to an orphanage, but Hilga had grown up there and know the place was horrible. She decided to adopt the child and took him home. The elf went on his way. Although Jon & Randy eventually grew fond of the half-giant, thinking of him like an odd brother, Grumin was never pleased. Ten years ago, Hilga died. While Grumin begrudgingly watched over the boy, he never claimed the child as his own.

Marsh Keep

Marsh Keep is a stone tower with stockaded horse corrals, surrounded by a small village. It contains 40 militiamen. Regular patrols of the Mistmarsh are mounted from here. Marsh Keep is jointly run by Schinus Balint, Commander of the Cairn Hills, and Mensoban, Archmage of the Marsh Keep Magic School.

"The greatest magic in the region is possessed by the Circle of Eight, a group of powerful magi. The group was created by Mordenkainen and his apprentice, Bigby, a thousand years ago. Now, the group looks much different than it once did. Long before the mindflayer wars, half of the original members had died of old age or been slain. By the end of the mindflayer wars, all the originals were gone. Tenser, Rary, Otiluke, Robilar were no more. Mordenkainen has retired and left the realm to gods know where. After the mindflayer wars, Theodain Eriason took charge of the order. He is the oldest surviving member. He always thought the Circle of Eight should involve themselves more in the world’s affairs. Many believe if the rest of the Circle had listened to him, they might have been able to stop the mindflayers before things got so bad. Well, now that he is in charge, the Circle involves itself very much with world affairs. One project the Circle has undertaken is the chain of magic schools throughout the country, including Marsh Keep."

"Marsh Keep Magic School was supposed to have about a hundred children and about twenty teenagers and adults. The teenagers and adults were to be taken on as apprentices and help with teaching the children. Unfortunately, only about half the children arrived. We think most were captured or killed on their way here. In contrast, while we expected 20 older students, we received thirty five. So, part of our plans for the older students are just not going to work. In hinesite, creating a college might have been better. So, our revised curriculum includes assigning some of the older students to practical field training. We are looking for volunteers to do this instead of the classroom academics. We start with a few weeks of classroom teaching, and testing to determine your strengths and such, we provide a textbook and send you into the field on an adventure of sorts where you must perform various magics and studies along the way, then return for evaluation."