Banecroft Barony

Winterfest III

Diamond Banecroft Rebel and Shamus had a very profitable time

Feast of Rhiassa

Diamond Banecroft Myrdden wins Realms Diplomacy without ever losing the land of Banecroft. Diamond voted runner-up best Role Model again.

March

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Myrdden, Rebel, Ilyona and Savyne quest to close one of the gates that empowers the Demon Crimsoneye. Savyne and Luine cast the ritual to close the gate. The magic book that Savyne won in December saves many lives in the hands of Cain.

April

Diamond Banecroft Veros, Gwen, Darwin, Shamus and others find themselves faced with a prisoner's dillemna when they are captured by goblins while protecting a caravan. Their escape is fraught with peril, but they do manage to aquire some tablets important to the thwarting of Crimsoneye.

Alfhiem Crown Feast

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Gwen and Myrdden attend. There is much pagentry, court business and feasting. Alias of Thorn Valley partenered with Diamond to win the Bughouse tourney while Myrdden ran dancing.

The Marriage of Colin and Meg

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Myrdden, Shamus, Ilyona and Savyne attend the Marriage of Colin and Meg. A finger of the Night Master is present. Araka the Valiant Gnoll and Tetch are found dead. Marie arrives, and works to restore the fallen Araka so that he can lead our armies to attack the Citadel in a few days. At the Mairage cerimony, the Nameless One makes a pre-emtive strike and kidnaps Queen Meg. In the battles that rage that night and the next morning, much of Chimeron is destroyed but the Nameless One's army is defeated. During the defence of McKrie-land, Diamond recovers the Staff of Chimeron. Savyne's spells proved critical in keeping our armies in armor, and in preparing silver weapons for the attack on the Citadel.

May

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Gwen, Myrdden, Shamus and Savyne joined the army that Marched North from Chimeron to attack the Nameless One's Citadel. Diamond was appointed general of the army. Savyne completed her research and forged a magic sword, the Blade of the Sea and Stars". The army's basic unit of battle was the Squad, lead by the usual group leaders. The squads were organised into two commands of 4-6 squads each. The two commands of the army were commanded by McKrye and Shane. As they marched north, the army was harried by Shadowbeasts and delayed by small armies of undead, goblins and trolls. Excellent discipline and organization kept casualties to a minimum during the march. While passing through Banecroft, monsters attempted to stop the army by holding Baronial commoners hostage, but the commoners were raised in minuites. Goblins and trolls were among the hostage takers, could this have been a hostile move from the Troll King? Arriving Friday at the outskirts of the Northern Wilds, a planning meeting was held. While fighting that night would have put our forces at a big disadvantage, Diamond feared that they could not wait, despite the disadvantages. "We knew this job would be difficult when we took it!" Diamond thought that a delay would allow the Nameless One to escape or give her time to cast a powerful ritual. One alternative was to quest to prevent her from escaping. So we quested to enter Between, a mysterious realm related to both the Dreaming and Reality. The army quickly aquired the elements needed to enter Between. Once there, we capitalized on a conflict between the elemental forces there. An aspect of Karena, Shane's daughter was reascued from Between. We encountered both the evil and remorsful aspects of the Nameless One's personality. Shamus had an unfortunate incident with the evil aspect's charm ability. We brought the two aspects together and strengthened her remorseful, self-destructive side until it was dominant. We withdrew from Between confident that she would be awaiting us in her fortress the next day. On the final leg of our march to the Citadel, we encountered the usual small forces delaying and harrying our approach. Mckrye's Command led at first, but Diamond rotated Shane's command into the lead part way through to put fresh troops and undamaged armor in the lead. The approach to the Citadel was guarded with a moat (real water, a foot deep or so) and the single entrance had a portculis with towers on either side. The Namless One's army was arrayed within, supported by archers, healers, mages and the Nameless One herself. Knowing that if we did not break through the gate we would be picked apart until our force was broken, we assaulted the gate with all our strength. Our armored fighters were met by a withering fire of boulders, magic missles, arrows and fireballs. The only way to enter was by squeezing through the sides of the portculis one at a time which was impossible under the swords and pikes of the main part of the enemy army. Casualties mounted and the initial assault faltered. Then the Shadowbeasts led by Shadowright made a sortie and harried the rear of our army, emperiling our healers where they collected the dead and making our main assualt vulnerable to being backstabbed. Worse, the Shadowright himself was quite invulnerable (although not a direct threat) and raised the shadowbeasts periodically. An assassin planted in our midst made his move. From Diamond's vantage point on a stump in the middle of the moat, he had a good view and feared for the success of the battle. Our forces met the shadowbeast threat in an ongoing skirmish in and around the moat and near the healers. Notable for their successes in those skirmishes were Makta, Cedric of Rhiassa and Ean of Tuath Fasac and many others. The healers a great job raising our dead with group healing spells while under threat of attack, notably including Kethrellen of Rhiassa and Gwendolyn of Banecroft and those who dragged the dead. But I knew well that the healing magic would run out eventually. We had to have a breakthrough before that happened! A few moments of the battle stand out in my mind: A vampire minion of the Nameless One fought too bravely and was dragged off by our forces instead of by the enemy. The Staked vampire was brought to Kestrel for decapitation, etc. The vampire tried to use her charm ability to tell him to remove the stake, but his formidable protective magics blocked hers and he finished her off. The Shadowright disrupted our light spells holding his beasts at bay, and he created undead from Alias and Pedriac of Thorn Valley who he sent after us after they were slain valiantly skirmishing with the shadowbeasts. Diamond split his attention between calling out directives to the army (You! Get those dead bodies back to us! Do not attack that shadowbeast alone! Look out behind you! Their healer is the woman in the short brown hair, concentrate your fire on her!), firing arrows through the portculis into the mass of The Nameless's army, and drawing his swords to help intercept a Shadowbeast or two. Gwen and Shamus worked valiantly to heal the dead and injured. Myrdden was in the main assult, trying to force an entry into the interior of the Nameless One's inner domain. In the main assualt, the portculis was broken, making it possible to break through; Peregrine had a hand in that. Diamond spotted the Shadowright's contract in the churned up mud in the gateway, how it got there is a mystery to him (presumably it was on a monster slain in the intense fighting there). Even as he called out the order to get that at all costs, Shane dove forward into the blades of the enemy in a heroic but doomed attempt to get it which would have ended the shadow threat. The enemy was too quick and had recovered it before others could grab it. The battle raged on. As a fresh group of raised adventurers rejoined the assualt, we finally managed to break into the Citadel. Re-enforcements poured into what was a bloody last stand for the enemy. Their healers dead, the Shadowright's contract broken the battle was ours except for mopping up. And dealing with the Nameless One herself. While the main part of the army withdrew to avoid a possible Final Strike, those protected from the blast stayed behind to finish her off. Although the finish was not straightforward, they managed. Peregrine had wisely used her true name to keep her from using her final strike, so all was well. Victory at last, after all these many years!

May

Diamond Banecroft In response to attacks from the Dark Scythe, Rebel and the Northbrook refugees marched back to Northbrook to face Ammon Hathrul and reclaim their homeland. Baron Diamond followed close behind, acompanied by his squire Myrddin. They in turn were followed by a number of adventurers who fought to help free Northbrook. While Banecroft fought on the westen flank, the adventurers forced their way into the Crypt where the undead Lothari (former king of Northbrook who was abducted in the undead invasion) was raising undead to increase the power of the already-fearsome Dark Scythe army. Dispatching Lothari and freeing Rebel (who had been imprisoned early in the fighting, the adventurers attacked Ammon himself the next day, assualting Northbrook castle. After constructing a battering ram which allowed them to breach the gates, the adventurers slew Ammon in a long and deadly battle.

Tournaments of Creathorne

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros, Gwen, Myrddin and Savyne attended. Myrdden learned his true heritage from the elves of Myth Drannor. That night, Diamond made great efforts to organize the assualt to free Myth Drannor from the demons and drow infesting it. Everyone did a great job in the assualt, and the city was recovered. The demon Torax was defeated thanks to Meekat's use of the True Name spell, forcing Torax into the Realms where he could be dealt with. After years of failure, Myth Drannor was finally freed and the elves safe. Before leaving they presented Myrddin with his heritage, and Diamond with an elven-made arrow to symbolize their friendship. The next day, Diamond was pointlessly scalped and his magic sword stolen. Fortunately, Luin was able to see the perpetrator. Even more fortunately, the powers that be in Creathorne noticed the scalping, and this combined with quick thinking on the part of Gwen, Myrddin and Savyne were able to recover his scalp.

North/South war

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Gwen, Darwin, Myrddin and Savyne attend. Rain dampens the festivities, and Quartz beats Diamond to become general for the North. The North overpowers the South. The Jade Falcons lose two drow comrades to the will of Justari despite Baronial support.

Loose Threads

Diamond Banecroft Diamond and Ilyona follow up on some Loose Threads and discover a goblin stronghold. Diamond tenselates some runes that are needed eventually to create the gate. Ilyona is singled out for abuse from the Wartribe. Queen Meg returns the favor of Baronial disaster relief by giving the Baron two cows. But the wartribe does not return as arranged to collect them. On Saturday, the army quests deep into the dungeon, then realize that they have to fight their way to freedom! On Sunday, the gate is built, and the army defeats the goblins but cannot leave without defeating an enormous spider.

July

Diamond Banecroft Veros is caught up in the Dreaming along with many other adventurers. They are in a land without magic and learn to survive the bandits, corruption, and vampires prevalent there. Night fell suddenly, and the adventurers quest into the dreaming for objects of Reality that allow them to escape the dreaming. The next day, Diamond joins Veros in Coventry. Nero is forced to release the Apocalypse upon the Realms. Baba's heroic sacrifice eventually stops the apocalypse. Diamond is one of the knights sitting in judgement of Nero. Veros valiantly defends some of the last remaining potent alcohol from fanatic teetotalers.

Queen of Hearts

Diamond Banecroft Team Amica Diamond, Veros, Gwendolyn, Myrddin, Rebel, Yllona, and Savyne go to Rhiassa where they join Thorn Valley, Dragonsbreath and others to support Lady Amica for Queen of Hearts. Drow attack and make off with lady Amica. The drow leave after trying to force their way into Rhiassa. Tourneys begin. Banecroft and Thorn Valley hold court: Rebel becomes Diamond's second squire, Solaris joins the Barony and Sir Alias asks for Gwendolyn's hand in mairage. Team Amica attacks Niffelheim that night with the other teams. Sir Alias scalps the Drow Queen (who was already slain by team Rowan). Gwen heroically but foolishly disobeys an order to retreat in order to rescue the bodies of dead adventurers and is subsequently rescued by Sir Alias and Diamond. Myrddin's scouting proves critical while escaping. Yllona and Rebel hold the battle line steadfastly. Tourneys begin in earnest the next day. Diamond gets second place in both the archery competitions. Luin gets second place in the servants tourney. Lyle Grey wins the rogues tourney through completely honest and above-board means! Pitar wins the newbie tourney. Savyne wins the garb tourney and her leatherworking effort gets second place in the armorer tourney. Yllona created beautiful tabards for the herladry tourney, which have become standard Baronial issue. Rebel and Damien sing well in the bardic tourney.

Quest in Folkestone

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros, Darwin and Savyne quest to Folkestone to try and cure the corruption afflicting the elemental planes. The air and fire talismans are recovered. Savyne and Darwin quest into the ether, where they and the other mages encounter Pol Coville who was lost in the umbra during the battle against the demon Nemesis. When entering the elemental plane of Fire, Diamond proves critical in turning the tide of battle, thanks to close magical support from Luin. Next, the adventurers quest to learn who has been corrupting the planes. The Barony's first attempt at the quest is very difficult but they pull through after joining forces with McKrie. Various Baronials enter the quest in different groups and are much more successful. It is learned that Pol Coville is the culprit, confirming Luin's deduction. Finally, the armies of the Realms quest deep into the elemental planesto reach the Center, where all the elemental planes meet. Savyne and Darwin work with Pol Coville and others to work out a solution while Diamond helps Mckrie organize the battle against the elemental armies. Veros is extremely effective that night, fighting with the rearguard. Finally, the army is organized around Shadow (wearing all of the elemental talismans), and the elemental Controller is defeated. Pol Coville is given a new, non-polluting power source.

Vengence War

Diamond Banecroft Gwedolyn and Rebel journey to the Vengence War where they face a plethora of monsters.

the Black and White Masquerade

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros, Myrddin, Yllyona, and Savyne attend the Black and White Masquerade. Myrdden runs dancing which is again very successful. Diamond organizes a quest to restore Marie's beauty. Thanks to Sir Aelias and Sir Pyr, he is able to enter the splinter realm where her beauty rests and outwit the evil spirit there. The veils between life and death are rent, and all the spirits released must be laid at rest. Among the deeds done to restore the veils, Oberon is slain, Marie's beauty recovered, and people pledge to quest for items for the Raven knights.

November

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros, and Rebel join investegators searching for the Ravener.

Flashfire

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros and Myrddin join a Flashfire of tourneys. Afterwards Diamond and Veros return to the growing army in search of the Ravener.

November

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros and Darwin participate in the war party that hunts down the Ravener. Veros brings magic weapons critical to the effort. Diamond makes a hard choice, and seconds later the Ravener shapeshifts and flies off with him despite the best efforts of the companions. The same hard choice is appropriately applied to Diamond, and the war pary attacks. Darwin proves extremely effective, blasting the creatures flying around them with magic missles. The gargoyle is slain and the Banin that had possessed it flees to another plain, but is pursued and slain in turn by Lucas. Others then use the magic of the Teg and the Gardian of the Northern Wilds to rescue Lucas from the other plane.

Winter's White II

Diamond Banecroft Attacking the Bandits Diamond and Savyne attend a feast in Gwenethelyn. A horde of bandits menace the gathering, but adventurers quest to destroy the menace. Diamond adventures with Dragonsbreath, and they are sucessful in their expedition, destroying all the bandits they encounter. Savyne comes in second in the mage tourney, Diamond falls to 4th.

Feast of The Leviathan

Diamond Banecroft Diamond, Veros, Yllona and Savyne attend. Diamond wins the signature tourney, Yllona wins the storytelling tourney, and Savyne wins the spellcasting tourney. Clues are learned about new and old threats.