Embedded Files
The war continues on, but the PC's have done their part. They have returned to Durham to collect their payment, which they are now spending. They have a good reputation among the adventuring community, and their fame has spread. Sir Arden and Alfrikr have opted to remain in Pine March, fighting against the "Witch Queen" Anmara. The PC's are congregating at the house of a friend in "Goldpenny Ward".
The PC's are contacted by His Excellency, Marath Jinavamsa, the aged last scion of House Jinavamsa. This old gentleman is a member of a Pershamon noble house that was decimated for participating in a palace coup a generation ago. Since that time, His Excellency outwardly devoted himself to being a scholar. Quietly, however, he was always searching for something that might allow him to restore his house to prominence. Possession of the Crown of King Kadashman might do it. Though he initially sought out just Dimzad, his man's observations led him to think the PC's could do it.
Marath has acquired a copy of the book Wonders of the Durya Sea Coast, by Gintautus the Traveler, which described the crown and Shamash-Nasir in its heyday a millennium ago. Gintautus was a Sannathi monk who traveled the Pershamon Empire and parts beyond, writing down what he encountered in his multi-volume journal. This journal is little known outside of Sevastin culture and a few sages, but it describes the wonders of King Kadashman's crown and the layout of his capital city in the -700's KY. Both will give useful information as to possible locations of the crown itself. Upon hearing such stories or actually reading the book, the Durhamites will recognize the "Cleansing Eye", while Dimzad will recall tales of his ancestor Thramdolir possessing such a stone. He also has some copied notes from the Great Library in Kalmah.
- QI knows that the Stony Gift was given to a D'Kunderak hero around 200KY by the rulers of the city of Dursan, and so came to Durham to seek them out. The trail went cold here. Dimzad will know of Thramdolir's fate, slain by a blue dragon in 350KY. Sasha will know which dragon, Arul Sylax.
- QI knows that the Cleansing Eye was lost during a slave revolt around -100KY, and carried over the mountains into Terathmin. Lucky will realize from the description of the stone that it is in the city, in the possession of the Guildmaster of Thieves. They will also recognize it as something they heard Suran complaining about the theft of.
- QI knows that the Flowing Tears was supposed to have been enshrined with Lady Bahameen's remains when she passed in the late -500's KY. But given that this was 1300 years ago, it is unlikely that the gem still remains there. It will require additional research
- QI knows that the Sky Bright Peregrine was given to a princess in the north, but it was lost in the War of the Peaks in the late 400's KY, and there the trail goes cold. It will require additional research.
-QI knows that the Crown itself was taken by King Kadashman's followers with his body, and presumably buried with him. AS Shamash-Nasir was then buried under desert sands, it is presumably still there.
History of the Crown: On the western coast of the Durya Bay, there is a stretch of ruined cities, once prosperous and populous. During the final years of conquest, the region was invaded and annexed by the Pershamon. During the fighting, the western regions were laid waste, their irrigation systems devastated and cities burned. As a result, the region was no longer able to support civilization, and fell into disrepair and decay. The eastern side was brought into the empire, while the western side was abandoned to the desert. King Kadashman of Shamash-Nasir possessed a powerful artifact, a crown allegedly crafted by the Genies of the the desert. Four gems, each with its own power, and a golden crown which held all of them. He used this crown to keep his city safe and to control the elements to his benefit.
Alas, this power did not help him against the legions of the Pershamon Empire. During the final battle of Shamash-Nasir, the item was broken into several pieces when the king was slain by a famous Pershamon champion, an "Eldritch Knight" named Lady Bahameen. Some of the gems were taken away by Pershamon looters, others were granted to generals as a gift. Like most Pershamon exploits, the conquest was recorded in song and passed into legend. This one differed, as it was recorded by a Sevastin priest who was along with the troops. This priest's journal gives clues to the nature of the artifact, as well as other information.
Each component has a passive effect, which operates for any attuned bearer at all times, and active effects. In order to use the active powers, one must know the command phrase, which is simply giving the spoken command in old Sevastin. While attuned, the bearer must make a WIS Save vs DC-15 or suffer the effects of the "Dream" spell, no benefit of sleep and 3d6 psychic damage as the genie bound within the gem rages against its confines. The dreams will be of wide scale destruction of things the bearer values by the relevant element. After three consecutive successes, these nightmares will cease and the bearer will sleep untroubled.
Nearer Stones
Cleansing Eye of Puspamadura - This fiery red gemstone was granted to General Chakatra of Sursaban, where it was mounted as an amulet. The amulet was lost when the general was killed in a slave uprising, carried south into the Mayhar Jungle. There it was lost for a time, passed from orc to hobgoblin to adventurers, eventually making its way to Terathmin, and eventually into the possession of a fire mage named Suran Arminderus. It was stolen from him several years ago, and is now owned by a crime boss in Durham. Alone, the gem gives "Resistance" to Fire attack, Advantage on relevant saving throws and attempts to control fire creatures; Cast "Conjure Elemental" at 8th Lvl 1/day; Cast "Flaming Sphere" and "Wall of Fire" at 8th Lvl, 1/day
Stony Gift of Keranandra - This impossible matrix of hematite bands around an obsidian oval was claimed by Lord Varta of Dursan, a famous warlord. In the possession of local rulers for centuries, the gem was eventually gifted to Thramdolir D'Kunderak (a famous Dwarven adventurer) for his heroic deeds. He used the gem in several adventures, acquiring some notoriety. The Dwarf was eventually killed in the Farspar Mountains by a blue dragon which still haunts that region, named Arul Sylax. As far as is known, the gem remains in the dragon's possession. Alone, the gem gives "Resistance" to Earth attack and Advantage on relevant saving throws and attempts to control earth creatures; Cast "Conjure Elemental" at 8th Lvl 1/day; Cast "Move Earth" and "Wall of Stone" at 8th Lvl, 1/day
Farther Stones
Flowing Tears of Chotrakam - This large blue opal-like stone was given as a gift to Lady Bahameen, who carried it with her on several adventures, and had it mounted on her helmet. Lady Bahameen was from a suburb of Kalmah on the Long Sea Coast, where her descendants still rule. The helmet and her sword were enshrined in the small palace and temple of her family grounds, but SOMETHING THAT MUST BE RESEARCHED IN THE LIBRARY IN KALMAH HAPPENED. Alone, the gem gives "Resistance" to Water attack and Advantage on relevant saving throws and attempts to control water creatures; Cast "Conjure Elemental" at 8th Lvl 1/day; Cast "Water Breathing", "Water Walk" and "Control Water" at 8th Lvl, 1/day
Sky Bright Peregrine of Deyatendra - This giant diamond was granted to Princess Ashaperin of Susa in recognition of her contribution of money and troops to the war in the Durya Coast. The city of Susa was sacked during the Great War, and the gem (and many other things) was carried away by retreating Keller troops. It eventually passed into the ownership of a Gemiri prince, who was exiled and settled on Param Island. From their, it passed to the ownership of a Darlzachan trader named Geuyantai. He currently resides in his estate in Darlzacha, having earned status and wealth through trade. Alone, the gem gives "Resistance" to Air attacks and Advantage on relevant saving throws and attempts to control air creatures; Cast "Conjure Elemental" at 8th Lvl 1/day; Cast "Wind Wall" and "Wind Walk" at 8th Lvl, 1/day
Farther Still
Golden Crown of Kadashman - The crown was allegedly hidden by King Kadashman's supporters, and buried with his body in a hidden tomb somewhere in the ruins of Shamash-Nasir. When used without the gems, the crown gives "Advantage" on CHR checks against mortals when acting in a kingly capacity; Cast "Command" at 8th Lvl 3/day, "Mass Suggestion" at 8th Lvl, 1/day. Each gem added gains additional powers when properly and ritually affixed to the crown.
"Accounts of the Conquest of Shamash-Nasir": These scrolls are kept in obscure wings of the Sublime Palace of Erudition, the library in Kalmah itself. In addition to confirming additional details of the layout of the city, it also confirms that a huge sandstorm supposedly consumed the city within days of the death of the king, driving Pershamon armies back out of the region and thwarting their hunt for the crown. The four gems, recovered by the Pershamon champion who slew the king (Lady Bahameen), were given to the Emperor, who then in turn gifted them to various lords and heroes. The gems supposedly carried with them a curse, however, and they wound up passing along as owners died, or being buried with their owners.
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