State of Affairs: The Exodus to Aethelgard

At the Crimson Harvest festival in the Emerald Folk town of Lullin, the Vampire Court descended under the leadership of Duke Guaicaipuro. During the now-infamous Court of the Crimson Harvest, many adventurers were slain or badly injured; only a few escaped unscathed. From there, the surviving adventurers—carrying the injured and followed by the specters of those slain—fled the city. Throughout their retreat, they were pursued by the minions of the Duke and the Vampire Court, chief of which was Thorgrim the Fallen Paladin.

What followed was a desperate race through the northern woodlands, leaving the territory claimed by the Emerald Folk and entering lands controlled by the Norse. Along the way, the adventurers faced many obstacles during their winter trek but eventually reached a small Norse village with a functional port.

Awaiting them at this port was a fleet of Tiss ships owned and crewed by the Vell Trading Company. Thaddeus Vell offered safety and passage away from the vampire minions, but the Tiss required a signed contract for full security and protection during the voyage. Those who did not sign were granted passage but denied the Company’s protection, while others chose to become stowaways, hiding in the dark corners of the holds to escape the Duke’s reach.

By various paths, the adventurers traveled east across the North Sea and have now arrived at the island known as Port Aethelgard (formerly known as the Verum Roma Colony, and Kwith-Ka-Warren before that). The port of Aethelgard has changed hands several times over the previous decades but is now under the control of the Alliance of Dawn Lords (known to most as the Dawn Landers). They have sworn to establish this as a proper trading post, free from the heavy-handed contracts and control of the Tiss, while respecting all cultures and travelers. This mandate, combined with its strategic location, has turned the island into a heavily sought-after destination.

To maintain order, the Alliance of Dawn Lords has appointed a Governor to oversee the docks and the town. However, the air is thick with more than just sea mist; rumors are spreading that the Council of Lords may soon be removing the Governor from power due to growing accusations of corruption.

It is here that the adventurers will rest, resupply, heal, and explore while the ships of the fleet do the same. Although the island is located near the True North, warm ocean currents keep the weather moderate. The landscape is defined by waterfalls, streams, beautiful cliffs, and enchanted forests. While it is rumored that this island was once the sovereign home of the Ratfolk (Ysoki), most do not know what became of them—or they simply do not speak of it.

The goal of the adventurers is to explore Port Aethelgard before continuing the final leg of the journey to Tiss. However, tension remains high; recent reports confirm that the infamous pirate, Admiral Ursagor, has arrived at Port Aethelgard. His business there remains unknown, but his presence casts a long shadow over the "Free Soil" of the port.