The Coming of the Zioth

Maelbourg

This map is obviously missing a lot. There aren't huge open spaces in Maelbourg.

Maelbourg is a walled town in the Barony of Huerten, with a population of approximately six thousand. Its primary exports are textiles, wool and coal, the last of which it acquires from deposits in the nearby hills. The land on which the town sits was added to Rangplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Kingdom of Rang

Overview

Rang is a huge kingdom, covering more than a million square miles, and extending from the Great Sea to the Ice Sea. It dominates the area politically, militarily and religiously. Rang is a monarchy, led by King Diure LXIV, but its immense size weakens the central government. Most feudal lords manage their lands independently, and only answer to the king in the loosest sense. The king does have several pockets of power, such as in Huerten, which allow him to maintai…
in 748, after a year-long struggle with the Morenthiansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
, who had no wish to be under Andrithanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of
rule.

Maelbourg is one of two towns in the entire kingdom where Morenthiansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
are allowed to live. The other is Haelbourg in the Barony of Elgony. As such, it is populated almost entirely by Morenthiansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
. Andrithansplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of
in Maelbourg are second-class citizens at best, though the town would never take direct action against them, while ruled by an Andrithanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of
government.

Music plays an important part in the Morenthianplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
religion, so music is pervasive in Maelbourg. It's not uncommon to find groups of people singing on street corners, and the verses of praise sung in the House of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth

As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under the House, to which access is severely restricted. Expensive glass windows d…
are among the most beautiful in the world.

Description

From turn 20plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big: A Storm Will Lead the Way

The tale of Ziedon's adventures held Sahlman's full attention. The desert dweller listened in awe to the recounting, his craggy face fully expressing his astonishment at many of the story's details. His mind fairly boggled at the idea of spending so much time under the ground, closed in, surrounded and trapped. 'Agh, this

Maelbourg was bigger than Grenzig. It was not a market day, but people still roamed the streets in large numbers. A peddler or two worked on the side of the roads, and several shops were open. There was a relatively large number of horses on the streets, carrying townsmen or the baggage of travelers. There was more sign of human habitation in Maelbourg than any of the adventurers but Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir

Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…
had seen in one place. From the small shacks of artisans to the elegant mansions of townsmen, houses lined every street. In the center of the town, on a hill, was a House of Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
, surrounded with bath houses and Purification Rooms.

As many houses as there were, there seemed to be twice as many dirty beggars wandering about. There were actually very few of them, but they made themselves seen. By night, they would likely be joined by thieves and prostitutes. Fortunately, there were several inns and taverns in the town where adventurers, with their weighty pouches, could easily find a place to stay.

The House of Morenth

The Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth

As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under the House, to which access is severely restricted. Expensive glass windows d…
is the most powerful entity in Maelbourg. It is the center of the Morenthianplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
religion. The many priests who serve Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
are respected and feared by the people, who see them as the closest connection to a wrathful god.

Physical Description and Layoutplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth

As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under the House, to which access is severely restricted. Expensive glass windows d…

The Guilds

The guilds hold a great deal of power, and on a day-to-day basis, they seem more influential than the Houseplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe House of Morenth

As the primary place of worship for a population of six thousand, the House of Morenth is an enormous structure, perhaps five or six hundred feet across at the longest, but it's not just one big rectangular building. It looks like it's been added to many times over hundreds of years. Whether the building is bigger or smaller underground is impossible to tell. It is known that a library exists under the House, to which access is severely restricted. Expensive glass windows d…
, but no guildmaster would dare cross a priest. Turn 116plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big: The State of Maelbourg

An hour or so after the tailor left, a messenger arrived with an unsigned letter from Galgewe: I will not be able to visit you myself tonight due to prior engagements, so I will answer some of your questions here. Please destroy this message when you have comitted it to memory. If you forget, its ink is designed to fade within a day or two.

You asked for descriptions of the major players in town, so here they are. The number following each name is an indication of power and influence. There a…
summarizes the guilds, from Galgeweplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGalgewe

Last updated 2012-10-26

This could afford to be a little longer, for such an important NPC...

Description

A short, stocky man with a balding head of curly, fiery red hair entered the room. His dull blue robes matched his eyes, and the sheath of a short sword hung from his waist.
's point of view. Most powerful among them is the Textiles Guild, controlled by Townsman Silnquostplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGuildmaster Gal Silnquost

Description

A man in his forties, tall, at least while seated, who had a full head of graying hair. He was of unspectacular appearance, but his voice made up for it. Townsman Silnquost was as tall as Ziedon, an unusual thing in Huerten. Like most townsmen, he was equipped with an ornate dagger that bore the insignia of his guild on its hilt. He also wore a sword, and, though it was difficult to tell through the elaborate clothing, there might have been a little extra …
.

Due to their political influence, guildmasters are usually referred to as “Townsman,” though not all townsmen are guildmasters. Guild members with less political power are referred to by their standard titles - master, journeyman and apprentice.

Game turns

Maelbourg has played a prominent role in the campaign. The first visit to Maelbourg was from turn 21 to turn 32. History has been rewritten a little bit since then due to the DM changing his mind. Originally, it wasn't such a Morenthplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMorenth

Morenth's theology revolves around the simple idea that the entire universe belongs to him, and humanity is barely worthy to bask in his radiant presence. Those who refuse to acknowledge this simple, self-evident fact heretics, and deserve punishment or death. There is no repentance for heretics
-dominated town. In fact, it was described as being very open to many religions. That's no longer the case. The rumor that came out of this visit was that a powerful healer, possibly an Andrithanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAndrithanism

Based on original ideas from Karl Schinke (Ardith). Symbols for aspects other than the Mother, along with the artwork, were contributed by Myron Wyles (Halaren).

Andrithanism and its variants are the dominant religion in Rang and the surrounding kingdoms. Within the boundaries of
, passed through. These rumors were quickly quashed by the priests.

The next visit to Maelbourg was by Sahlmanplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigSahlman El Musafir

Sahlman's hair is blue-black and graying. His skin is dark and weathered. A huge handle-bar mustache sweeps down to cover much of his lower face, and Sahl is always careful to keep it properly groomed. He is generally very particular about his clothing, equipment and appearance. Sahlman wears the desert robes of his homeland, with headgear that blocks out the sun and hangs over his neck. He wears light trousers and high hard boots, and when his robes are wet, the hard links o…
in turn 67plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_big: Sahlman's Adventure: The state of Maelbourg

Half a mile from the perimeter of Maelbourg, Sahlman turned to Forgolon. “This is dangerous work. We must talk now. I tell you, what I want is for my friends to be free and not work for bad men. This is all I want. You tell me now. Who is lord of Maelbourg now? Who put my friends in jail? Why they in jail? What you want from me?
. From this visit came the story that some crony of the foreign townsman Galgeweplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGalgewe

Last updated 2012-10-26

This could afford to be a little longer, for such an important NPC...

Description

A short, stocky man with a balding head of curly, fiery red hair entered the room. His dull blue robes matched his eyes, and the sheath of a short sword hung from his waist.
attacked townsman Batarelplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTownsman Batarel

Description

Ol' butterball was a slightly chubby man in his sixties whose fleshy face made him look much fatter than he was. It didn't help that his overworked horse seemed to sink in its middle, or that his drooping eyes made every word and movement look slow and tired.
. This kicked off a lot of the troubles in the town.

The third visit was from turn 113 on. An evil sorcererplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigZiedon

Ziedon stands a little under six feet tall and is relatively thin. He has a neatly trimmed black beard and mustache which stand out considerably against his pale skin. His hazel eyes seem to see everything around him. Ziedon's white hair is cut short in the traditional townsman's style. Ziedon's garb is of a well-to-do townsman. He normally wears a thin, off-white shirt with eleven pairs of wooden knobs and strings in the front with a brown and green band of cloth was laid across his sh…
plagued the town, killing priests and regular businesspeople alike.

Read the game turnsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigThe Story So Far

The Coming of the Zioth is a D&D campaign which started in May of 1996. Each game turn is composed of a bunch of back and forth emails compiled by the DM into a prose narrative. A typical game turn is around 14 printed pages, so we have over three thousand pages of material here! The early turns weren't very well written, so over the course of a bunch of years starting in 2000, I rewrote them into the
for more information.

Other locations

Yes, this list is woefully incomplete. I still have to condense my notes into a readable form. Want to help?plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigAdding to the Site

Keeping track of the hundreds of NPCs who have shown up has gotten really tough, so I'm slowly writing biographies and putting them online. If you'd like to help and earn some bonus XP, here's how!

* Pick an NPC or location you find interesting

People of Note

Maelbourg NPCsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMaelbourg NPCs

By the DM. Some additional descriptions added to the townsmen by Brendan Bridgeland.

Major Players

Forgolon is a minstrel who seems to have a hand in everything.

Galgewe is an ajent of Balban who supplanted Ulan to prepare for Balban's arrival.