Our Heroes were employed by Prince Elkad of Angleland. An evil cult poisoned the Prince's daughter, Princess Grinwald, believing that her body would become the vessel of an "Ancient One". She was preserved from death only by might magics. The characters were sent out on a quest to find the cure. Before their departure, the Prince provided them with an ancient heirloom, the Sigil of the Sage. This is a pendant bestowed to identify them to the ancient Sage of the Woods, a mighty being who keeps seven mystic books of lore. Once in each generation, the Royal Family or its duly appointed representative is allowed to ask a single question of the Sage. The Sage's answers have always proved correct in every detail They were richly provided with equipment and set out on their quest. After sundry terrible adventures, including a ruthless attack by the blood crazed cultists who had poisoned the Princess, the brave adventurers arrived at the Sage's grove. There they answered a cryptic riddle and were informed by the Sage that the Princess could be cured only by a drop of blood shed by "one of good heart" if the blood was drawn with the legendary sword Wilkinson. Time was running out, but the heroes set out to retrieve Wilkinson from the stone bier of the ancient warrior Sir Buckle de Swash. After further dire perils they succeeded in retrieving the artifact, and returned to the castle in time for the brave Sir Gareth of the Watchtower to stick himself and restore the Princess with his own pure blood. All was set for rejoicing, but dark shadows gathered: a horde of dread Orcs, having despoiled the elven woods, had crept unseen upon the castle. Aided by the evil cult, these creatures of darkness attacked - all seemed doomed as their terrible leader Soul-Gnasher swept all before him with his crimson claymore. The cultists gathered around the feeble body of the Princess, and ichor slicked daggers rose and fell against the cloud-blacked sun. As the Princess' bloody corpse fell to the ground, stiffening and swelling as the evil Ancient One possessed it, the Princess' ghost screamed in hatred. The holy priest Marck Hamelin, his heart near bursting at the sight of his beloved Princess so struck down, brought forth mighty magics, binding her departing spirit to a nearby statue As the filthy Demon screamed and sobbed, the stone maiden ground to life. A terrific battle ensued: the orcs, broken spirited as Soul Gnasher was filleted by the doughty elf Sylvan fled in panic and despair when the Princess and Demon slowly came to grips - mighty was the combat, but sure the result. The demon-spawn monster was torn limb from limb. In the aftermath, the Princess revealed her true identity: swapped with the real Princess by the Royal Midwife, she had been the last descendant of a might warrior. As the Castle erupted in yet more uproar, the Princess dropped her second bombshell: the real Princess was none other than the Puissant Lady Jayne, Royal Underwitch Now Read On... |