Arrogant, Brazen, Wroth
In his youth Alvar was a fierce raider who seized the Band of Storms, a legendary ring possessed by the fabled storm giants. Feeling himself unstoppable he pursued the legend of the dread viking Dreyrbrandr nearly forty years ago. Despite his immense power and possession of the Band of Storms Dreyrbrandr lured him into a trap in which his retinue was massacred and Alvar left to return to Hammerfall in disgrace. Understanding his raiding days were over he took to growing his tribe and strengthening his forces for the day Dreyrbrandr returned to the shores of Hammerfall.
Zealous, Wise, Cautious
Helge was elected Grandmaster of the Hammer just five years ago after the last passed as a consequence of old age. He aims to transform the order into a peacekeeping force which spreads its peace throughout the region via colonies.
Calculating, Beautiful, Quick
The most recent addition to the ruling caste of Hammerfall, Eyvor was annointed High Gyðja after the last passed under suspicious circumstances.
Cheerful, Busy, Stingy
Hilda's family has been responsible for the Wharf and Shield for hundreds of years. The operations of which have been her passion since she was a child. She won't allow any harm to come to it.
Kind, Generous, Timid
Þorvi was elected Thrallspeaker after the last was murdered for fomenting unrest among the thralls which number in the hundreds. Þorvi has learned not to upset the current order however she is persistent in improving conditions of the thralls.
Brave, Honorable, Rude
Egil is a renowned ravager known for his many conquests. Because of his immense success, Chieftain Alvar had commanded Egil to pursue Dreyrbrandr to retrieve the legendary Diadem of Storms, a task which the chieftain had once failed.
Cunning, Ruthless, Beautiful
Dreyrbrandr is a dread viking king rumored to have reigned the seas since the 3rd Age of Mortals wreaking havoc for thousands of years. A servant bound to Kaldróminna, he trusts her power utterly and is pleased to spread her terror.
Reserved, Elegant, Horrifying
Goðblotá was chosen from a young age to host the avatar of Kaldróminna. She has spent her many ages fulfilling the will of Kaldróminna and visiting death and destruction on all those unfortunate to share her presence.
Order of clerics and paladins preserving the old ways of the hammer. Truth, justice, honor, respect and valor.
Mans a stall selling the finest fish Hammerfall has to offer.
Makes barrels to store salted fish. Owner and Proprietor of Sigurd's Barrels located beside Embla's hovel. Will reveal Embla was found of her camp fires although suffered from some sort of bowel problem as she was often found digging by a nearby tree.
A deceptively spry man for his age, bears information regarding the location of Embla.
Not much of value can be found here except a disturbed patch of soil under a nearby tree which contains a vial containing a viscous black fluid, a potion of healing, and 10gp.
Searching the campfire reveals a particularly black stone which curses all who touch it with premonitions of the dark tide.
Residence and training yard for promising Hammerfists.
Place of study for students of the hammer.
Resting place of the first Hammerfist.
Residence and place of work for Priestess Eyvor.
Rumored that deep within are the remains of a brutally deposed dynasty.
Bard sings awful songs
Gothic neighborhood built near the Mausoleum of Hlad'frore, resting site of the dead.
Responsible for the maintenance of the crypts and most importantly the Mausoleum of Hlad'frore.
The final resting place of thousands of Nords. Founded sometime during the 3rd Age of Mortals, said to reside upon to spot where the great ice giant was slain by the first Hammerfist.
At the base of the Mausoleum the ancient titan [Hlad'frore](Hlad'frore.md) can be found encased in ice with his own massive stone sword piercing his throat. The gate to this room may be opened after a number of seals are broken.
The Blood Egil's return in the early morning, marked by bells chiming followed by the town crier. Cheers are soon drowned out by cries of horror. Foot steps can be heard echoing throughout the town as Egil, pale and gaunt, charges bloodied towards Hammerfall Keep before falling hard to the ground.
Egil arrives in the port nearly dead. He beckons for Alvar before falling unconscious. The party investigates their leads and speaks with the chieftain for background information.
While Egil recovers from his wounds and as the party waits for him to regain consciousness, they may investigate what he has been up to. Egil, aside from selfish ambition, had been entrusted by all to ravage the shores in pursuit of the Dreyrbrandr the Stranger in an effort to at last bring a stop to his eternal terror. He had been given men and ships by Chieftain Alvar, given the blessings of sea and storm by Gyðja Sigrid, and given holy arms, clerics, and paladins by the Grandmaster Helge.
Alvar can regail the party his many exploits including his doomed quest for the legendary diadem of Dread Reaver King Dreyrbrandr the Stranger. It was within his reach, but Dreyrbrandr humiliated him, killing his huscarls before sending him adrift on a plank back towards Hammerfall.
If the party listened to the tales of the dead marching into the sea, they will have learned that they rise from the Mausoleum of Hlad'frore leaving many crypts empty. Many people find this to be mere superstition however no one has yet dared to march into the crypts to find the truth. The truth being, that the dead really are waking and that the mausoleum is almost completely empty. Investigating further will reveal well worn paths marching into the sea. Thorough investigation of the mausoleum reveals a talisman of Kaldróminna deliberately placed and brimming with necromantic magicks. The tomb begins to get older and older as they descend until the architecture and writing change slowly becoming foreign.
Run: Modified Tomb of the Ice King
Inside the tomb of the Ice King, a large cavern with a narrow stone bridge edged with ancient runes above a deep pit. Across the bridge regularly flows freezing cold air and a deep murmur can be heard deep within the caverns. At the far end of the hall floats a small icy talisman. As the party completes their task in the chamber, the murmur grows to breath as steam begins to rise from the bottom of the chamber. At the far end of the wall, they will notice a giant pair of piercing blue eyes open suddenly as a head begins to shift. At this point the party will realize that the bridge they had been crossing is the sword piercing the neck of the frost titan.
If the party followed the lead regarding the coming Dark Wave, they would have eventually found the hovel of Embla in a dark corner of Fishmonger Row. Upon investigation they would have found a dark stone lying in a forgotten firepit. This cursed stone causes all who touch it to bear witness of the coming Dark Wave which will sweep through Hammerfall wiping away all unbelievers. If this stone is not secured, the party will be confronted with throngs of devotees. Securing this stone demands the party delve deep into the underbelly of Hammerfall eventually leading them to the Gutted Pike.
The Gutted Pike is the go to pub in Fishmonger Row. Home to a number of rascals and cutthroats the party can find all sorts of trouble. The pike seems normal at first but eventually things start to grow a little strange. Olaf seems to be your standard nordic bartender, long braided hair and more than a standard number of rings in his full braided beard. Being located in the center of Fishmonger Row it is quite crowded by the dregs of humanity and smells harshly of fish and is poorly ventilated so thick with smoke. The party will be encouraged to partake of the many delicacies. There are many Wave advocates present preaching of the dark wave as the investigation continues they will hear a loud sear as the smoke thickens.
Soon after partaking the room will slowly transform until they find themselves in the wet belly of a whale. All manner of fish begin to attack the party as the floor trembles and rushes with water and the wind howls with salty sea air. As they cut themselves out, they find themselves passed out on the shore of the Driftport Dockyards black stone in hand.
If the party investigated the rumors of large numbers of Thralls, the party may find themselves face to face with Þorvi the Thrallspeaker. Þorvi will imply that many volunteer to be freed from the threat of Dreyrbrandr she will often make mention of those who offer themselves that don't seem to belong to seafaring cultures. The Thrallspeaker can be found in the Ycefjord. Many thralls will echo the Thrallspeaker's statements, each hailing from somewhere near Hammerfall. Others hailing from farther afield will be obviously dismissive or otherwise untruthful.
The thralls have recently found patronage in the newly appointed Gyðja Eyvor who seems to be looking out for their welfare, seeing that they receive adequate food and shelter during the harsh winter months. They are also increasingly well looked after as their owners are no longer permitted to mistreat them without the condemnation of the church.
Eventually, the party will receive word that Egil has awoken. When the party returns to Hammerfall Keep they will find Egil kneeling before the Alvar offering up the Diadem of Storms. A horrifying visage can be seen entering the hall from a dark corner of the keep. As this figure appears, Egil stands to place the Diadem on his own head as a bolt of lightning pierces the roof of the hall landing squarely upon Alvar with a loud KRA-KOOOM sending bits of chieftain in all directions as voluminous screams rise up from the city. Dreyrbrandr turns to face the party, eyes blistering white crackling lightning.
By now the guards of Hammerfist Keep recognize you and immediately wave you into the chieftain's hall. There is a jovial spirit among the Huscarls as energetic chatter is carried upon the winds. As you enter the hall you see Chieftain Alvar standing before the high seat of Hammerfall. Egil struggles, but slowly he walks towards Chieftain Alvar before falling with a harsh crack upon one knee.
Chieftain Alvar looks:
> "Egil, thank goodness you've awakened. We feared you dead."
Egil with a labored voice:
> "Now, I promised long ago that I would not rest even for death until I brought you this crown. Today, I am true to my word."
Egil raises an elaborately decorated circlet towards Alvar.
> "Behold, the Circlet of Storms."
From a dark corner of the hall you hear slow quiet footsteps slowly growing in volume. Suddenly, emerging from the shadows is a woman bearing a horrifying visage, gaunt with blood dripping from her eye sockets. As this figure appears, Egil stands to place the Circlet upon his own head. As he does so a bolt of lightning pierces the roof of the hall falling upon Alvar with a loud `KRA-KOOOM` sending bits of chieftain in all directions as voluminous screams begin to rise up from the surrounding city.
Slowly, Dreyrbrandr turns to face you, eyes blistering white crackling lightning.
> "You lot don't seem to learn your lesson, do you?"The party faces off with Dreyrbrandr the Stranger and the incarnation of Zlaganiya, Gothblota.
Dreyrbrandr will convey that it was promised to him by Kaldrominna that he would one day come to conquer Hammerfall after having been banished long ago in the third age of mortals. He took particular pleasure in slaying Chieftain Alvar who had bound him within a cove forty years ago as they were both competing to find the Circlet of Storms. When it became clear Dreyrbrandr would not reveal the location of the circlet, Alvar bound him to the misty aisle.
Dreyrbrandr will gloat that the party is so easily deceived and they have always been so helpful. Dreyrbrandr is grateful for their assistance and will offer them their lives if they leave the city without a fuss.
Dreyrbrandr will offer that Iihaop looks familiar, he recalls slaying someone that looked quite a lot like him recently in Lithagardr. He was a puny chieftain all too eager to beg for his life promising all the riches of his tribe and my pick of hostages, he even offered a particularly delightful redhead. He served as a good reminder to the world that I don't reave for fame or fortune. I reave for pleasure. And I took great pleasure in ridding the world of such cowardice.
He will relax on the throne and stress that his reaving days are finally behind him. He's sacked all cities worth sacking and slain all warriors worth slaying. Now is the time to form his dominion of the damned as the chosen champion of Kaldrominna. Kaldominna has blessed him with divine purpose.
Throughout combat, Dreyrbrandr makes mention of the great number of warriors who underestimated him revealing that he is cursed to reave forever and he cannot die, a lesson too many have learned too frequently.
When Goðblotá sacrifices him, he becomes incredulous and spiteful towards Kaldrominna. He's sacrificed much to grow her power and influence. His veil lifts as the true nature of his corruption becomes apparent. He tosses his lyre aside as it continues to play and begins to engage the party in earnest.
As he finally 'dies' he reveals he had been cast out as a child because the Gothi read in the runes he would bring ruin to the tribe while ushering in the dawn of a false god. He laughs wildly, I suppose the runes aren't as all knowing as the gothi proclaim, he says with a grin, while I did bring ruin to this city, Kaldrominna is very real and yet lies dreaming. Then falls into torpor.
Gothblota, ever silent will support the reaver king until it becomes clear he is losing, a planned sacrifice in support of Kaldrominna's greater goals, the elevation of Vitor Hammerfist.
As she leaves she shouts to Dreyrbrandr, "Stranger, Kaldrominna demands one final sacrifice." She then turns and slowly walks away as much of the life force that sustains Dreyrbrandr is drained from him.
The townsfolk encountered by the party up until this point will appear to assist Dreyrbrandr. They will air whatever grievances they may have with the party until the party runs, kills, or otherwise subdues them.
The undead that had been wandering into the sea reveal themselves and assault Hammerfall as a tide of the damned. When things look most dire, Egil and his Blood Egils arrive to lift the seige.
The party can choose to reinforce a number of locations, if they fail to meet the required number of successes per location that location and the npcs present perish. Saved locations grant a boon.
The most direct route to the earthbound, the frozen dead cross the Ycefljót bridge to ravage the many thralls residing in the slums of the Ycefjord district.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
The dead that drifted into the harbor with Dreyrbrandr rise from their longships to harry Fishmonger Row.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
The remaining dead rise from Nordgrave Mausoleum desecrating the mausoleum and surrounding burial sites.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
The hall defends the shrine of the First Hammerfist.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
The conregation shelters in the sanctuary.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
Hammerfall square is ravaged by undead.
Obstacles:
Failure:
Success:
Whether by their action or by the actions of the Blood Egils, the siege is eventually lifted.
Refuses the title of chieftain, but will secure the city for the time being as affairs are set in order.
Recounts what he's been doing the last couple years. After meeting Vitor, returned to Hammerfall to collect himself and what his goals for his life was. At this point, now searching for higher purpose, he agreed to pursue Dreyrbrandr and the Circlet of Storms for Chieftain Alvor. He didn't know that Dreyrbrandr had the circlet and thought he had the Stranger on the run. It wasn't until he pulled into the harbor that he realized he was tricked.
Will mention that he arrived to Thuwhi shortly after Dreyrbrandr departed and he did what he could to assist.
If Helge survived, Helge would want a full investigation of what happened and may blame Vitor and co for the disaster.
If dead, the order will have been scattered, Helge's body lying under a pile of corpses and rubble the Hammerfist not too far away.
Eyvor flees town with the thralls towards the seat of Zlaganiya to join the remainder of the Deathless.
If surviving, the Cathedral parishioners will imply Eyvor is missing and that the last priestess died under suspicious circumstances nearly a year ago. This can lead to her chambers where they may find an obsidian stone, vials, and correspondence with a number of individuals, one amassing forces near the Strigavenari, one operating from the kingdom of Arkenwrath, and one mentioning secret expeditions into an ancient ruined temple within the Immortal City.
If Thorvi survived, she will tell the party many thralls have crossed the Ycefjord after Eyvor fleeing the city in search of the mythical first temple of Thrumyavaskr.
She will also speak of the throngs of thralls that volunteered to be taken.
Dreyrbrandr is not destroyed, just entered a deep slumber. What can be done with him? His body should be disposed of somehow. They can reduce him to ash but will return in 1d1000 years. If simply buried as is, he will return in 1d100 years. To seal him away safely, he can be stored within the vault of the Mausoleum of Hlad'frore.
The Deathless will make a final plea to the party to slay the earthbound.
The Earthbound will not allow the party to leave having seen the truth.
Transitions between all faces of the earthbound old one.