Adventures in Tarkenmyst
May 03, 2023 11:03 am
Hey Arclanders, this (see image below) is Tarkenmyst, a small community in the cold clouds of the Celestial Realm, where human, Gnomi, Suraian and Atrushki colonists live. If you're unfamiliar with the setting, all the information on Celestium and the people that inhabit it can be found in The Book of the Graces.
Anyway, I'm hoping that Tarkenmyst becomes our very own Inn of the Prancing Pony, a place where adventures can begin and end), and with that in mind I've created a few adventure outline ideas that I'll be sharing with you in the coming days. Before we get carried away, you can read about Tarkenmyst here in our World Anvil for Arclands
So, if you've read up about Tarkenmyst, here's the outline adventure. I'll add some more outlines in this email in the next few days, and if there's sufficient demand I'll write it up in World Anvil as a full adventure/campaign (you have to tell me you want it though, or I won't know...).
The Legacy of Jon Broadshand
Act 1 - Setup:
- Introduce the players to Tarkenmyst, a small, tight-knit community that relies on the skytrains for supplies and trade. The PCs arrive in Tarkenmyst after hearing rumors of a hidden treasure - a legendary hammer crafted by Jon Broadshand, the blacksmith who helped establish the settlement centuries ago.
- The players begin their investigation by visiting various locations in Tarkenmyst, such as Broadshand's old smithy, the local taverns, and the raptor perch run by Bozarik, the Atrushki. Through these interactions, they learn more about Broadshand's life, his unique weapon-crafting techniques, and the legends surrounding his creations.
- The players discover that Broadshand hid a series of clues throughout Tarkenmyst, leading to the location of his most prized weapon. They decide to follow this trail and uncover the weapon's whereabouts.
Act 2 - Confrontation:
- As the players follow the trail of clues, they encounter several challenges that test their problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork. These challenges include deciphering cryptic messages, navigating a dangerous underground passage, and overcoming a magical barrier that protects the hammer.
- Along the way, the players learn more about Broadshand's past and his connection to Tarkenmyst's history. They also discover that Broadshand imbued his weapons with special properties, making them highly sought after by collectors and warriors alike.
- The players uncover an astonishing secret about Broadshand: he was actually a Lotharvannir smith in hiding from the Keeper. This revelation adds a new layer of intrigue to Broadshand's legacy and makes the players even more determined to locate his hidden weapon.
- The players' search attracts the attention of a rival group of treasure hunters who are also after Broadshand's weapon. The players must outwit or confront their rivals in order to continue their quest.
Act 3 - Resolution:
- The players finally locate the hidden chamber where the legendary weapon is stored. They find that it is protected by a final test: a guardian automaton crafted by Broadshand himself. The players must defeat the guardian or find a way to disable it in order to claim the weapon.
- Upon securing the weapon, the players discover that it has a unique property, the ability to channel elemental energy and alter its form to suit the wielder's needs. This makes the weapon not only a valuable treasure but also a powerful asset for their future adventures (perhaps too powerful for the PCs to hold on to).
- The players return to Tarkenmyst, where they share their discovery with the community, as well as the astonishing secret about Broadshand's true identity. Their success ensures that Jon Broadshand's legacy endures, and they gain the respect and gratitude of the Tarkenmyst residents. The adventure concludes with new friendships formed and the promise of more exciting adventures to come in the floating island of Tarkenmyst.
This should be a really well contained adventure that can lead on to all manner of different stories and adventures in the Celestial Realm, which we will explore further in later emails.
Until then, all the best and forge your power fellow Arclanders.