Saturday, December 20, 2014

THE TIME CLOSED CITY OF QELNA

I've been wanting to post this for a while now. These are my entries on a new location in Gamandria I used in my own campaign. I had to wait for my players to come here though before putting it up on the blog. The City of Qelna is fully described below in the CITY OF QELNA section. The giant, Numa, is also described at the very end with stats provided. I tried to clean up my notes to make them easier to understand. This should be enough information to run an entire adventure in the
city. I will also be posting a map and description of the temple in the coming days. 

EDIT: I should mention that my campaign is set in 1452, two years after the official date in the rulebook, for anyone who was confused by the timeline. 

About Qelna

Qelna is an ancient ruin on a high outcropping of rock north of Palus. It  was an ancient city destroyed in the year over 1400 years ago. However Qelna is actually a Grim that exists outside of time. Its center is a giant Sertori named Numa.

Only Sertori can see Qelna. All others who look upon the site see only a ruin. To most Sertori it looks like a ruin as well. But to Sertori who look closely (essentially taking the time to get a TN 10 or rolling a natural 10 on their Detect roll) they see the city is still inhabited and thriving. 

The truth about Qelna is that it is a trap. Numa takes on the memories and powers of Sertori who enter and he intends to keep them there. So long as he lives, they cannot leave except through special means.

The danger of remaining in Qelna is that time passes faster outside its walls. Each hour spent in Qelna is a day outside. This makes it a useful location for adventure because players who arrive and realize their situation will urgently want to leave.

Initially, Numa tries to keep people in Qelna by tending to their needs but he resorts to other methods if anyone tries to leave.

Only the sword of Qelna can truly kill Numa. The blade is located deep below the city temple, in a well guarded complex.

TIME IN QELNA
Time passes slower on the inside of Qelna than on the outside. One hour inside equals 1 day outside.

ENTERING QELNA

When Sertori enter they are met by four elven guards dressed in metal studded leather cloaks (effectively Leather armor), bronze helmets and spears (for stats see SOLDIERS OF QELNA BELOW). They welcome the party, tell them they are honored guests of King Numa who has foreseen their arrival. They may follow the guards to food and lodging.

They are taken to the Beer Seller Isaree’s House which functions as a tavern for Sertori. There they can interact with the other Sertori in the city or roam about as they wish. They may eventually learn that time passes faster on the outside and they are physically unable to leave. To escape they must either convince Numa to let them go free or discover the nature of the Blade of Qelna and use it against him (both difficult undertakings).


LEAVING QELNA
It is impossible to leave Qelna against the wish of Numa, anyone who tries to do so finds that no matter how long they try to trek down the mountain, they never reach the bottom, but if they turn around, they return within minutes. This is because Qelna is a Grim, able to warp time and space as it desires.

SERTORI PRESENT IN THE CITY
These are the Sertori Present in the city. They are important because they can serve as potential allies or enemies to the players but they also can help them discern the time gap between Qelna and the outer world. All are at the Beer Seller’s house, where the city gives them fine rooms, except for Numa who resides at the palace. They are rarely together though as most have business in the city itself they are conducting. Players should be asked to make Detect Rolls to notice that clothing and armor is of a different time period in cases like Cadius or Azima (who have both been here for centuries).

Each entry give s the name, race, place of origin, time the character thinks he or she has been in Qelne, and then the time that character has actually been in Qelna (at least as far as the outside world is concerned).

Cassius (Orc): Poro Deus, 1 Month, Almost Two Years
Cassius came here to find the Sword of Qelna, hoping to being it back to his Caelan legate as a gift. He received on audience with Numa who promised him the sword (this was a lie) if he helps him translate some Latari texts in the next couple of months.

Hauchgel (Gru): Glaver, A little over a day, 30 Days
Hauchgel was going North to investigate rumors of the Lady Druza’s return. He is a convert to the church of Ramos.

Hekas (Hasri): Asharun, 6 months, 11 years
Hekas came here as a scholar with interest in the ruins. He is the only Sertori who realizes that time has been passing differently on the inside of the city from the outside.

Hermakaul (Human Agarian): Perlova Valley, 1 year, 23 years
Came here when to follow a vision. From Perlova valley before the conquest. He and Cassius bicker constantly about whether it is a province of the empire or not. Neither one has figured out that there is a time difference but Hermakaul is close to realizing this.

Tuk (Human Agarian): Poro Deus, 5 years, 118 years
Fled here when her village was wiped out by Gru advancing from the North.

Azima (Dwarf): Sula Akdala, 10 years, 236 years
Was a mercenary for the Ronian Side of the Caelum invasion of Rono. She enjoys the luxury the city affords her as a Sertori .

Cadius (Orc): Rono Empire, 27 years, 649 years
Came here on way to investigate the recent formation of The Fellowship of Promestus in Ronia. Found the city fascinating and has remained to study it.

Numa (Giant), 57 years, 1382(time closure)

THE CITY OF QELNA
Population: 10,300
Religion: Cult of Numa
Language: Singh
Technology: Bronze

The streets of Qelna are all meandering stone stairs, hewn into the mountain. They wind and wrap going from one gate to the next and leading to Numa’s Palace and the Temple of Numa. There are three tiers to the city, each ringed by a stone wall 12 to 15 feet in height. The buildings are all made of stone and clay and typically three stories high, all interconnected by a maze of walls. Most houses have a central interior courtyard on the first floor. Cooking and cultivation, even sleeping, are often done on roofs. Furniture is typically made of Ivory, stone, lapis lazuli and gold. The temperature is warm year round, despite being in the cold heights of the Varian Mountains. This allows them to farm rice and other grains, which they do in sections along the outer rings.

The city is ruled by Numa (a giant and Sertori) and managed by his priesthood, led by the high priestess (Luang Ta) and concubine Cintana. The high priestess also controls the most important members of the king’s government, the Scribes (Luang Shen), they keep records, collect taxes and manage crucial documents in the city upon stone tablets. Note that tax is not taken in the form of currency but labor or gifting.  All property in Qelna is owned by the priesthood. The priesthood also has a council next to the king called the Phra Qelna. In addition the preists (Luang)serve as the physicians of Qelna. The Nai Pun are a special order of warrior priests who are personally loyal to Numa but selected by the High Preistess. They also command the Nai Shen (soldiers). They are also the merchant class, being granted permission to leave on contract with the king for trade purposes. The Nai Shen are the soldier class. Sertori enjoy special status in Qelna, where they are called Nai Jao (holy people) and given access to every manner of luxury possible.

There have been three Luang Ta since the city’s founding. The former Luang Ta, Ratria, was poisoned and replaced by Cintana ten years ago. A common saying in Qelna is “Elves are long-lived, yet the Luang Ta is not”

Qelna is a caste society. Generally speaking elves occupy the priestly positions in the city while the Agarian people serve as laborers (largely for helping erect structures). Foreign Trade is conducted by the Nai Pun on a contract basis. Agarians with wealth can rise to the level of priests or merchants, but even then they hold a lower position in Qelna (Agarian Priests perform only the most basic duties and are largely used to help keep the rest of the Agarian population under control).  The castes are as follows:

1. THE LUANG CASTE (Elves)
Luang Ta (Concubine)
Nai Pun (Warrior Priests and Merchants)
Nai Shen (Soldiers)
Luang Shen (Scribes)
Luang (Normal Priests)

2. THE AMETA CASTE (Lower level Priests and Administrators of Agarian heritage)
3. THE MAI PUN CASTE (Agarians merchants)
4. THE MANUT CASTE (Agarian Laborers)

5. THE NAI JAO CASTE (Sertori who exist outside the normal hierarchy)

Each month ends in a weeklong religious festival. The first month and last month are both dedicated to Numa, the savior of the world. But the other gods are honored the remaining months. The core belief of Qelna is that at the moment of disaster, Numa protected the city from the end of the world. Beyond the city they believe is a terrible place of scorched cities and primitive tribes.

There is a movement of rebels, who have tried to kill Numa many times and failed. They are called The Sons of Shai. Presently there are about fifty members of the Sons of Shai and they are based in the Wine Palace of Po. The Wine Palace of Po is a tavern known for a beverage called Blue Salamander Wine.

Qelna conducts trade beyond its borders, using the time gap to its advantage. The Merchants, the Mai Pun, are the only ones allows to leave the city and do so with permission from the king on a case by case basis. They can leave, travel to Asharun, and return soon after they left. For each month they spend outside the city, barely a day passes in the city.


The city has a total of 400 soldiers, with 65 on the wall, 100 Patrolling Temple Qaurter, 150 at the palace, 50 Patrolling the Elven Quarter, 25 at the Temple itself. Plus the King has his Elite warrior priests (100). The soldiers are led by an Nai Pun named Fai Mai. He has 16 captains from the Nai Pun caste who command 20 city soldiers each. The wall is managed by Lao San, who has equal status to Fai Mai and is also from the Nai Pun class. He has 8 captains who control 8 wall soldiers each.

There are nine crucial laws in the city, known as the laws of Numa. These appear at every gate etched in stone and in the city entrance. Grievances not covered by these laws can still be brought before the priesthood.

The Laws of Numa:
1. None may leave Qelna without permission from Numa
2. Only the Nai Pun may seek permission to leave
3. All shall be paid for their labors and services, except Nai Jao
4. All goods and services are to be purchased in silver rings with the King’s seal, with credit or with favors. Favors or credit unfulfilled warrant punishment
5. No one may charge the holy people (Nai Jao) for goods or services. No good or service may be denied to the holy people.
6. Only Nai Shen, Nai Joa and Nai Pun may carry weapons.
7. Only the High Priestess and King together can produce silver rings with the King’s seal, and they may do so only once every ten years
8. No one except the holy people (Nai Jao) may carry foreign weapons into the city.
9. All punishments are decided by the king, the High Preistess (Luang Ta) or the Warrior Priests (Nai Pun)

PLACES OF NOTE IN THE CITY
The House of the Beer Seller Isaree
This is a courtyard house with a central garden and greenery. Beer is made in the storage room areas and stored in an attached chamber. Bedrooms are luxurious. Dining room is luxurious with tables surrounded by circular cushions. Isaree is the Beer Seller and she is an elf who has been brewing for 57 years. She has also been inside the city since its founding. She serves all manner of food including roasted peacock, roasted boar meat, stuffed fish, and a pungent dish made of papaya and various spices.
The Wine Palace of Po
This white stone tower with 9 levels is owned by one of the wealthiest Agarian families in Qelna, with many ties to the temple. It is managed by the family matriarch, Bu. While they serve all manner of wine their specialty is something called Blue Salamander Wine, which prompts strong hallucinations.  

This is also where the Sons of Shai make their headquarters on the 7th floor. Their present leader is Ogaron. Ogaron knows many of the secrets of the Temple and with the help of Bu, can probably get the PCs inside if they wish. He also knows that the something in the temple that can harm Numa is being protected. He has had five men die trying to kill the king. He has seen the king survive decapitation.

Wines: Blue Salamander Wine (6 Silver), Resin Wine (3 Silver), Agarian Wine—Red (5 Silver).

Blue Salamander Wine (3d10 against Hardiness): Immediate effects are -1d10 to Physical and Combat skills for 3 hours. Prompts visions from the gods. Divination Skill TN 9, can get some important vision to help solve a critical problem. On a Failure the person takes a random affliction for three hours. 

Numa’s Palace
This sprawling complex of rooms is supported by columns made of polished stones. Each room has enormous statues of the various gods, but they seem like they the King’s pets, not objects of devotion. The palace has many Agarian Guards and a number of scribes as well.

The Temple School
This is the school of the city. It is operated by the Scribes and attended mainly by folks of the priest class (Elves) and those with money. It is very strict and students who make mistakes are punished. The primary purpose of the school is to teach writing Singh. The school is located inside the temple structure itself.

Temple of Numa
This massive ziggurat is the heart of the city, where all its major offices are including its great library. It is also where the sword of Qelna is housed. The sword is inside an underground chamber built specifically to protect it. It is trapped and protected by “The Guardians”.  I will be posting a detailed map and description page of this in the coming days.


QELNA TIMELINE

This is a timeline of the history of Qelna. The column on the left shows the normal Gamandrian date, while the “Qelnan Date” column gives the time from the point of view of the city of Qelna.

Gamandrian Date
Qelnan Date
Event
10 AA*
80 BS
Numa is Born
12 PA
58 BS
Fall of Nong Sai complete
13 AA-70 PA
57-1
This is a period of devastation and war. The agents of the gods have free reign and continue to brutalize the people. Formation of human and elven cities in Tongasha region.
23
47 BS
Numa finds the Blade of Qelna, and gains fame killing the Angustia and even fending off a Dragon. People begin to follow him, soon he is a king with a city of Elven refugees and allied Agarian people.
24
46 BS
Qelna Founded
70
1 AS
The Dragon Mangon tries to destroy Qelna, Numa fights with it for two days but grims and the city is forever trapped outside of time
90
2
Rona and Agra established
114
3
Work on Complex Below Temple Begun (simply called the Qelna Complex)
238
7
Sukhon becomes First Luang Ta
358
12
Work on Palace and Temple Begun
430
15
Qelna Complex Completed
550
20
Sukhon killed by High Priestess Ratria
Ratria Becomes Second Luang Ta
646
24
Palace and Temple Completed
1200
47
Ratria poisoned
Cintana Becomes Luang Ta
1452
57
Present




*ANTE ANGUSTIAM (AA)
**POST ANGUSTIAM (PA)
*** BEFORE SALVATION


SOLDIERS OF QELNA
ELVEN WALL SOLDIERS (4 out of total of 65)
Defenses: Hardiness 4*, Stealth 6, Evade 6, Parry 7**, Wits 8, Resolve 8
Skills: Heavy Melee 2d10, Medium Melee 1d10 (Halberd) or 3d10 (Javelin), Wrestling 2d10, Muscle 1d10, Speed 2d10, Detect 2d10
Damage: Halberd (3d10 or 1d10), Javelin (2d10)
Wounds: 2
Equipment: Leather Armor*, Light Shield**, Javelin, Halberd

LAO SAN, COMMANDER OF THE WALL
Defenses: Hardiness 5*, Stealth 6, Evade 7**, Parry 8**, Wits 8, Resolve 8
Skills: Heavy Melee 2d10, Medium Melee 3d10 (Short Sword), Wrestling 2d10, Muscle 2d10, Speed 2d10, Detect 3d10
Damage: Short Sword (3d10)
Wounds: 2
Equipment: Breast Plate*, Heavy Shield**, Short Sword


ELVEN INTERIOR CITY SOLDIERS (335)
Defenses: Hardiness 4*, Stealth 6, Evade 6, Parry 7**, Wits 8, Resolve 8
Skills: Heavy Melee 2d10, Medium Melee 1d10 (Halberd) or 3d10 (Javelin), Wrestling 2d10, Muscle 2d10, Speed 2d10, Detect 1d10
Damage: Halberd (4d10 or 2d10), Javelin (3d10)
Wounds: 2
Equipment: Leather Armor*, Light Shield**, Javelin, Halberd


NAI PUN SOLDIERS (100)
Defenses: Hardiness 5*, Stealth 6, Evade 8**, Parry 9**, Wits 8, Resolve 8
Skills: Heavy Melee 2d10, Medium Melee 3d10 (Short Sword), Wrestling 2d10, Muscle 2d10, Speed 1d10, Detect 2d10
Damage: Short Sword (3d10)
Wounds: 2
Equipment: Breast Plate*, Heavy Shield**, Short Sword

FAI MAI, COMMANDER OF THE GUARD
Defenses: Hardiness 6*, Stealth 6, Evade 8**, Parry 9**, Wits 8, Resolve 8
Skills: Heavy Melee 2d10, Medium Melee 3d10 (Short Sword), Wrestling 2d10, Muscle 3d10, Speed 2d10, Detect 2d10
Damage: Short Sword (4d10)
Wounds: 2
Equipment: Breast Plate*, Heavy Shield**, Short Sword

NUMA THE FIRST SERTORI
Born at the moment of the fall, Numa was once a king and hero, a Sertori who used his powers to protect the people of Tongasha after the fall of Nong Sai. He found the Sword of Qelna deep in the Varian sea. His subjects were mostly elven, and remain so to this day. While trying to protect the city from dragon he grimed. After the battle the Blade of Qelna burned his hands and filled him with dread, so he had it buried below the city and placed in a trapped vault. Has reigned for 104 years (57 of which have been inside the time closure).

Defenses
Hardiness        8
Stealth             2
Evade              2
Parry               4
Wits                6
Resolve           7

Key Skills [HEADER FOUR]
Wrestling: 3d10
Large Ranged: 2d10
Speed: 0d10 (30 feet)
Athletics: 1d10
Muscle: 5d10
Swim: 1d10
Detect: 1d10
Command: 2d10
Persuade: 1d10
Empathy: 2d10
Medicine: 3d10
Divination: 2d10
Talent (Sculpture): 2d10
History (Nong Sai): 3d10
Trade (Architecture): 2d10
Language (Singh): 3d10
Language (Pasaali): 2d10
Language (Agarian): 2d10
Qualities [HEADER FOUR]

Wounds: 11

Powers [HEADER FOUR]

Resist: 3d10
Divinity: 4
Followers: 10,400
Natural Spells (Deimos 2, Misos 2, Agape 2, Penthos): The Splintering of Yaum, Youthful Restoration, Avalanche of Flame, Tearing the Veil, Pora’s Portrait, Dread Passenger, Earth Mastery, Food of the Gods (Thauma)

New Spells (40): Memory, Potent Ambience, Soul Shield, Treacherous Icon, Arch of Protection, Desire,Captivation, Cloak of Protection, Flavia’s Terrible Purification, Gilded Cage, Heal, Merciful Plea, Sanctuary, Summon, Warding Wall, Unity, Bridge, Bloodsmith, Flying Eyes, Mourning Glory, Reshaping of Satree, Sphere of Suffocation, Daydream, Flight, Hide, Blades of Wrath, Bolt of Fury, Focus of Ire, Inner Strength, Immolation, Impaling Spike, Karima’s Baleful Glare, Obliterate Magic, Screaming Surge, Surging Wave, Vow

Boulder Throw:
Beast Strength X2:
Power: Automatic wound on successful Melee roll.
Union: Qelna’s mind is made stronger by the presence of other Sertori, and his magic increases too. He automatically gains all the spells of any Sertori in the city and he can sense their desires.
Immunity: Numa cannot die. He can be physically harmed, but regenerates back to health 2 wounds every round.









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