Lineage: Epoch Edition - Post 5

The Kingdom of Toparia

Founded Year 847

King Kaj the Pious

b.929 d.972 - r.952-972

The Refounding of Toparia

King Kaj the Pious was born in 929 and assumed the throne of Toparia in 952. His father, King Auslag, had passed away, leaving behind a realm in disarray. During his 23-year reign, Kaj faced internal discord and external threats. The king opted for a quiet and steadfast leadership approach.

Kaj was given the epithet 'Pious' not for displays of devotion, but for his contemplative nature and compassionate bond with his subjects. Queen Carina, his distant cousin, accompanied him on this journey and is renowned for her military acumen and provided much-needed stability during Toparia's darkest moments.

Unfortunately, they did not have any surviving heirs.

King Kaj Navigates a Land Grant Petition

In the early years of his reign in Toparia, King Kaj faced the challenge of balancing internal pressures with strategic considerations, including a land grant petition. Lord Cochur requested a large area of fertile land as a wedding gift for his son. This request had the potential to cause political turmoil. Refusing the petition could lead to criticism, portraying Kaj as weak and potentially causing dissent among the already restless nobles. Granting the land would weaken the royal finances and encourage other opportunistic nobles.

Kaj and his scholars searched through the dusty archives of Toparia and found faded maps. Their research led to a remarkable discovery: the requested land was not only fertile but also sat atop a vein of valuable minerals, significantly increasing its worth. Kaj called Lord Cochur to court. Although the meeting in the royal chambers remains secret, the outcome is clear. Kaj chose to collaborate and seek mutual benefit.

He proposed the creation of a royal consortium to develop the land, enriching both the crown and the noble's house. A new port would also be constructed to bolster Toparia's trade and security. This unexpected shift from unilateral concession to collaborative action disarmed Lord Cochur.

Cochur was used to using veiled threats and political maneuvering. However, he faced a king who played a different game. Kaj's quiet confidence and shrewd strategy offered a path forward that preserved royal authority and fostered mutual gain. The king neutralized a potential enemy, secured valuable resources, and solidified his image as a capable and strategic leader. 

The Nomad Wars

In later years, rumours spread that a nomadic horde was conquering neighbouring empires, causing fear among the people.  King Kaj and Queen Carina carefully examined the reports, distinguishing between facts and speculation. In court, King Kaj calmly and efficiently resolved conflicting opinions.

Scouts were assigned to uncover the truth about the enemy. The kingdom strengthened its border defenses, restocked armouries, and trained militia under the guise of routine exercises.  These actions were carried out with precision and without panic.

Two months later, the returning scouts confirmed the existence of a large nomad threat gathering on the horizon. Toparia had become a stronger kingdom under Kaj's leadership, no longer as fractured as it was during Auslag's reign. The emergence of fortifications and a well-trained militia made Toparia's defenses impenetrable. Cannons pointed outwards, silently promising fierce resistance.

The nomads, who expected an easy target, found themselves facing a fierce wolf. The resulting battle was fought on Toparia's terms, and although it was difficult, Toparia emerged victorious. Kaj led his people with determination, relying on Carina's strategic expertise. 

Toparia suffered greatly but were unbeaten. The kingdom came together under Kaj's leadership in response to the distant threat that had caused fear. 

Death of the King

In 972, King Kaj was returning from a late-night dinner at a councilor's residence when tragedy struck. A rock, assumed to have been hurled by one of the drunken participants in a nearby tavern brawl that had spilled into the streets, proved fatal for the monarch. The identity of the assailant remained unknown despite diligent investigation due to the chaos that erupted in the aftermath, and the number of unruly drunks still roaming the streets.

Heirs

1. Prince Ferdo (955-958): A smiling bubby infant, Ferdo's life was tragically cut short.
2. Princess Lilijana (966-970): Lilijana possessed a fierce spirit, but succumbed to illness at a young age.

Without a surviving heir, the crown will pass to Princess Edda.

Long live Queen Edda! (U+1,D+1,W+1 - Kingdom in Fall)

D100 Dungeon: Game 01 Quest 1 - Turns 9 to FINAL

Turn 09 - South - Green Room

I replenished my lantern, and the flame roared back to life, rekindling my senses.

Descending cautiously on the smooth ice, my boots trod into a cavern adorned with walls glistening in a pale blue light, akin to captured moonlight. The vast expanse was covered in a swirling mist, stealing my breath away. Stalactites adorned the ceiling, forming pools on the floor, while at the center, a colossal statue of a female figure stood carved from white ice.

Curiosity enveloped me. Approaching cautiously, the only sound in this vast cavern was the crunch of my boots. A glint of metal caught my eye – a lever partially swallowed by the ice at the statue's foot. Its handle, polished bone.

Risking the unknown, I pulled the lever, bracing myself for the consequences.

(Found 1 lever)

Turn 10 - East - Red Room

As soon as I pulled the lever, the cavern groaned, the ice shuddered, and a chorus of hoarse squeaks erupted from the shadows. Giant rats, hungry and with gleaming eyes, swarmed from every crevice.

The first rat lunged, aiming its fangs for my throat. I was faster. My baton hit its skull, and it fell back into the horde. I delivered a mighty blow, crushing its torso and causing panic among the other rats.

I felt a sharp pain in my arm as their teeth gnawed at my flesh. I grimaced, grateful for the ice drake pavise on my arm. The attack was partially deflected, but the ache remained.

I continued with a roar of defiance. The rats fell one by one, their bodies littering the frost-covered ground. The final rat, cornered and desperate, lunged for my throat, but I caught it mid-air and snapped its spine with a sickening crunch.

Silence fell. The distant drip of glacial tears was the only sound. I surveyed the carnage. The cavern had tested me again, but I had emerged victorious, albeit slightly gnawed.

Among the fallen rats, I found a larger one to skin. I knew the village would find some use for that. With 3 monster body parts in my backpack and the weariness of the plague taking it's toll, I decided to retreat from the caverns, restock, and heal up.

(HP 16 / Shield 3 total damage / Chausses 1 total damage / Gained - Skin / Quest Complete)

Return to the Village

I emerged from the Frostfang Peaks a different dwarf. The gnawed flesh on my arm, a souvenir from a pack of rabid rats, was a reminder of the frozen labyrinth's bite. But the clinking weight in my belt, heavier than it had been in months, told a different story. A story of hard-won treasure.

Back in the village, the air tasted sweet, alive with the familiar scent of wood smoke and ale. Even the wind, usually a harsh bite, felt like a welcome slap on the face after weeks of gnawing ice. Inside the blacksmith's den, I hawked my haul: a gnarled bone, a serrated tooth, a sheet of ratty skin, and an iron key. They weren't much to look at, these trophies, but the smith seemed keen enough, coughing up 66 gold from his pouch.

Then came the real prize. The forgotten magic I'd snagged from the depths of the labyrinth turned into a fortune; 2400 gold that felt almost unreal between my calloused fingers. Enough to buy a hut, maybe, but all I craved was something to even the odds against the next ice beast or cursed tunnel.

So, I splurged. An arbalest, heavy and deadly, promising to keep any critter with teeth at a safe distance. My trusty pavise shield found a temporary home strapped to my pack. Wounds healed, gear polished, I felt whole again, ready to face whatever the Peaks threw at me.

Potions, too, felt like an insurance policy, a Potion of Lesser Healing and another for that damned disease, tucked safely into my belt pouch. Food, oil, the basics, all weighed down my pack in the best way possible. By the time I finished, a lot of gold was gone, but what remained – 1352 shimmering coins – felt like a small victory in itself.

Now, with a mug of ale warming my gut and the firelight dancing in my eyes, I take some rest. But, as they say, there's no rest for the wicked, and when you're a walking blizzard of scars and gold, well, that saying ain't far wrong. So, I raise my mug, letting the warmth chase away the lingering chill of the Peaks. Tomorrow, the labyrinth.

I enjoyed playing through Quest 1. This was a chance to learn the game and now I want to start a new game with a different character using Book 2 as well. I plan on having shorter journal entries. The new character will last as long as they can!

D100 Dungeon: Game 1 Quest 1 - Turns 5 to 8

Turn 05 - North - Yellow Room

I couldn't resist the allure of the north tunnel, which led me into a small cavern. The tunnel narrowed, and its walls were etched with runes that spoke of a forgotten age. The air grew still and heavy, as if burdened by the weight of centuries. My lamp cast flickering shadows. The shadows danced like specters, and their silent whispers echoed through the icy expanse.

Amidst the frost-covered stones, I noticed a small vial with glass tinted a pale violet. I retrieved it with care and read the faded inscription: Potion of Lesser Remove Poison. I tucked it into my pack.

But the stillness was shattered by a sudden rustle from the depths. A group of goblinoids appeared from the shadows, their eyes filled with malice. They charged towards me, wielding crude weapons that glinted in the dim light. I met their attack with my baton, the clash of metal echoing through the frozen chambers.

The battle was fierce. I managed to strike true, delivering bone-crunching blows that felled two of the foul creatures. However, their savage desperation and numbers threatened to overwhelm me.

As I raised my shield, a vicious strike was deflected, but a blow grazed my arm. The pain was sharp but fleeting. I pressed on, unwavering in my focus. I delivered a final, forceful attack, causing the remaining goblinoid to scatter. They retreated into the darkness, leaving me victorious but winded.

Leaning against the icy wall, my breath ragged, I was reminded of the dangers that lurked in these icy depths. Despite the tension, I felt a sense of satisfaction. I had overcome. 

(Found a Potion of Lesser Remove Poison / No damage - Last goblinoid had 1 hp left)

Turn 06 - West - Yellow Room

I turned towards the west, my boots crunching on the icy floor. The passage narrowed, with walls etched with runes that looked like battle scars from long-forgotten clashes. The air was heavy with the weight of ages, and fear gnawed at my gut.

The hours blurred into the shadows. My lamp flickered. It cast monstrous shapes that danced on the walls. Exhaustion weighed on my limbs. My mind fogged as if the darkness itself tried to swallow me whole.

A glint of light pierced the darkness. A tome, bound in ice-cold leather, rested in a crevice. Its pages flickered with arcane power. I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, and I reached for it.

As I brushed the cover, the lamp sputtered and died, plunging me into darkness. Panic clawed at my throat, the weight of the labyrinth pressing down upon me. In the blackness, I stumbled, my hand still outstretched, my fingers brushing against the cold leather of the tome.

With my oilskin pouch heavy with precious fuel, I fumbled in the dark to extract a flask. I splashed the fuel into the lamp and with a click and a hiss, a A click and a hiss were followed by a glorious burst of light, which banished the shadows and restored my sight.

I felt relieved and welcomed the warmth. The book was still in front of me, and a page with scrawls was there for the taking. I looked at the passage ahead, and the darkness was no longer terrifying but a challenge to overcome.

(Found Spell of Healing)

Turn 07 - South - Blue Room

The icy labyrinth twisted south. The frost-covered walls echoed with the sounds of ancient battles.

The passage widened, revealing a colossal chamber whose ceiling was swallowed by darkness. Towering ice pillars, etched with chilling runes, stood guard, bearing witness to the countless souls who had ventured here. I traced the runes with my fingers. The ice did not reveal its secrets easily.

However, I made a discovery: a hidden crack, covered in frosty crystals. I chipped away at the ice, revealing a narrow tunnel that burrowed into the depths of the labyrinth.

I wondered where it led and what mysteries lay hidden within. Although questions floated through my mind, one thing was clear: this was no accident. I entered the hidden tunnel, feeling the frozen walls brush against me. 

Then, the tunnel veered west, not south.  With narrowed eyes, I pressed on. 

(Found Secret Tunnel West)

Turn 08 - West - Wandering Monsters - Red Room

Hardly a stone's throw from the hidden tunnel, shadows birthed a pack of giant rats, their stench clinging to the air like a shroud. Steel sang a savage tune against stinking fur, leaving a jagged tear in my leather chausses and a dull ache in my thigh. The rats fell, one by one, but the largest, his fur matted with scar tissue, danced away with a mocking chirp, melting back into the icy maze. Frustration crackled in my throat, sharp as the frost that painted the air.

Another cavern materialized from the frozen haze, and I steeled myself for the inevitable chittering symphony of rodent menace. This time, I met the threat head-on, my blade a whirlwind, leaving a pile of twitching fur in its wake. From the carnage, I claimed a trophy - a rat's tooth, a grim ornament for my meager collection.

But also amidst the triumph – an iron key, smooth and cold. Its dull gleam hinted at secrets held tight. Hunger, however, was a harsher master than curiosity. I hunkered down, silencing the clanging echoes of battle with the quiet rustle of a small meal.

(HP 18 / Shield 2.5 total damage / Chausses 1 total damage / Wandering rats escaped / Killed room encounter rats / Gained rats tooth: 2 quest items / Found Iron Key) 

D100 Dungeon: Game 1 Quest 1 - Turns 1 to 4

Turn 01 - Yellow Room

Perhaps I had found treasure already! My lamp guttered, casting flickering shadows on the mound of debris. Disease clung to the air, a cloying stench that gnawed at my resolve. Alas, nothing but bones and rot, whispers of a forgotten plague or a brutal massacre. No hidden vaults, no glittering treasures, just death's icy grip on a pile of rotting bodies. A search I had undertaken that was best not undertook.

Frustration crackled in my beard, as sharp as the frost crystals clinging to my clothes. I'd braved blizzards and wrestled ice trolls, but this… this was different. A creeping emptiness that threatened to suck the warmth right out of my bones.

With a grunt, I turned from the grim heap of corpses, the silence amplifying the gnawing unease in my gut. Two bites of the plague, a grim reminder of the danger lurking in every shadow. But there was no turning back.

Onward, then, deeper into the labyrinth. Each empty cavern, each echoing corridor, another piece of the puzzle. The Peaks hold their secrets tight, like frozen jewels in the mountain's icy crown.

(2 diseases added to track = Total 2)

Turn 02 - North - Blue Room

The North Passage swallowed me whole, a silent embrace. No cloying stench here, just the glisten of frost-coated stone and the rhythmic drip of glacial tears. A welcome respite, aye, but one that set my nerves jangling like wind chimes in a blizzard. My grip tightened on my trusty pavise shield, its icy scales catching the flickering lamplight. Eyes narrowed, I surveyed the passage, a jagged scar ripped into the mountain's frozen flesh. 

I pressed forward, boots crunching on the frost-crusted floor. And then, amidst the echoing silence, a curious detail snagged my eye. A gap beneath a toppled shelf, a sliver of parchment peeking out like a frozen tongue. Hope tugged at my beard as I approached cautiously. Could it be? After the grim disappointment of the charnel pit, could the Peaks offer a reward? As I drew closer, I realized the gap revealed the remnants of a forgotten library. Most shelves lay bare, stripped clean by time or desperate hands. But beneath this one, lay a battered spellbook, its leather cover cracked and faded. The book clung to the frozen stone, but with a grunt and a tug, it yielded. Opening it, I found two faded spells inked upon the brittle pages: Ice Storm, a whisper of frost and fury, and Clumsy, a cruel hex that could turn even the nimblest warrior into a stumbling fool. Knowledge is power, they say, and in these frozen depths, power is all that stands between a dwarf and oblivion.

(Found 2 spells - Ice Storm and Clumsy)

Turn 03 - North - Red

The north passage twisted and turned like a serpent, each step a gamble against the unknown. The silence was shattered by a chorus of chittering. Giant rats swarmed from the shadows, their teeth gnashing as if to carve my name upon the mountain's bones. The ice beneath my boots groaned as I braced myself, a lone warrior against a tide of vermin. The battle was a frenzy, my baton pounding the swarming horde. Each blow was met with a chorus of squeals and gnashing teeth, but my shield held strong, deflecting their hungry bites. Disease coursed through my veins with each scratch. One by one, the rats fell beneath my onslaught, their bodies littering the frost-covered ground. But they fought with a desperation born of hunger and darkness, their numbers seemingly endless. 

But Cayleb the Cold ain't one to be brought low by vermin. With a final roar, I unleashed a mighty blow, my baton breaking the back of the last of the pack. Silence fell once more, broken only by the ragged rhythm of my breath and the distant echo of dripping ice. The victory had cost me, aye. My shield scarred, and the disease gnawing at my veins. But I stood victorious, the chamber littered with the remains of my foes. And in my hand, a trophy of bone, a testament to the resilience of a warrior unyielding. I surveyed the battlefield. I saw a crack in the frozen wall. With a grunt, I began to clear the rubble. With each frost-crusted pebble removed, the opening grew wider, revealing a dark passage leading westward.  The Peaks, it seemed, were not done testing Cayleb the Cold. 

(20 Hp / 2 disease added to track - Total 4 / Shield took 2 damage / Gained Rat Bone / Found secret tunnel west)

Turn 4 - West - Red

The westward passage swallowed me whole, a narrow maw leading deeper into the frozen labyrinth. Darkness stole my sight and breath. I fumbled for my lamp, fingers stiff with the creeping cold, and with a splash of oil and a click of flint, banished the oppressive gloom. Light flared, painting the tunnel in jagged shadows. The world sharpened into focus, revealing the passage carved through ancient ice, its walls polished smooth by the touch of countless unseen hands. 

A movement flickered at the edge of my vision. A shape, hunched and feral, darted from the shadows, its eyes blazing with a sickly yellow light. A goatman, its thick fur matted with ice and its horns curled like wicked blades. The creature let out a guttural scream. My hand instinctively sought my baton, the familiar weight a reassuring presence against the sudden threat. We circled each other, two predators in a dance of life and death. My blows met with the clang of horns against hardened wood. The goatman was quick, its hooves skittering across the ice, but my years of experience held me steady. Time and again, I found my mark, the baton thundering against its ribs, but the creature refused to fall. With a final, desperate cry, I unleashed a mighty blow, the baton slamming into the goatman's leg with a crack like breaking ice. The creature stumbled, eyes wide with pain and fear. In that moment of vulnerability, I saw not a monstrous beast, but a creature driven by its own desperate hunger and survival. Hesitation flickered within me, empathy piercing the shield of vengeance. The goatman lunged, its horns aiming for my throat. Instinct took over, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. I raised my shield, desperate to block the attack. Pain flared as the horns slammed into my pavise, the force of the blow knocking me back against the icy wall. My head spun, stars dancing in my vision. For a moment, everything went still, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the pounding of my own heart. 

When I finally regained my bearings, the tunnel was empty. The goatman, sensing its chance, had vanished into the shadows, leaving me bruised and shaken, but alive. Victory, perhaps, but a pyrrhic one. My gaze snagged on a detail I had previously missed. Nestled amidst the frost-encrusted walls, barely visible in the flickering lamplight, was a crack. I began clearing the ice and rubble. Slowly, the opening widened, revealing a dark passage leading northward. 

(20 Hp / Found secret tunnel north)

D100 Dungeon: Book 1 - Introduction (Cayleb)

D100 Dungeon Base Game Only

Name: Cayleb the Cold
Race: Dwarf
Hero Path: Warrior
Weapon: Baton (-2 Dmg)
Armor: Pavise Shield (S4), Scale Mail Hauberk (A3), Studded Leather Chausses (A1)
Core: Strength: 65, Dexterity: 35, Intelligence: 20 (Ability: Mighty Blow)
Skills: Bravery 5, Escape 5, Locks 5, Lucky 5, Strong 5
Belt: 1 x Potion of Healing
Backpack: 2 x Potions of Healing

The Journal of Cayleb the Cold

The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the tavern walls as I dipped my quill in a small container of ink next to a chipped tankard of ale. The scent of smoke and stew mingles with the laughter of other adventurers, a stark contrast to the icy silence I expected from this backwater village. But for now, this is home, the last oasis before I plunge into the frozen maw of the Frostfang Peaks.

My name's Cayleb, Cayleb the Cold, and these scribbles are my testament to what awaits inside that mountain. Some call it madness, seeking treasure in a glacier's gut. But madness thrives in warmth, while I, I'm as comfortable in a blizzard as a fish in a frozen lake. It's in my blood, the chill, the grit, the stubborn refusal to yield to anything, even death.

Aye, my skills are honed like the icicles that hang from my beard. Locks picked with practiced ease, years of tinkering with dwarven contraptions giving me a knack for disarming any contraption, magical or mundane. Escape? I can vanish like a snowman in a spring thaw, thanks to years of dodging frost trolls and outsmarting yeti patrols. And when all else fails, my weapons speak a language even the dumbest troll understands.

But skills ain't the only tools I carry. My trusty pavise shield, forged from the scales of an ice drake, can shrug off a dragon's breath like a winter breeze. And hidden in my belt pouch, two vials of healing brew, my best and closest friends.

What drives me into this icy hell, you ask? Glory? A dragon's hoard of glittering trinkets? Nah, lad, those fade quicker than morning mist. My reasons aren't carved deep, like the scars on my face. It's simple. There's a darkness festering in the Peaks, a whisper of ancient evil that threatens to choke the life out of these lands. I may be as cold as a glacier, but my clan has always fought critters we know should stay buried away.

So raise a tankard, comrades, to those who walk the frozen path. To the mad, the brave, the foolish enough to stare into the heart of winter and spit in its face. I, Cayleb the Cold, am heading into the Frostfang. It's time to face the blizzard, one frozen step at a time. Now, refill my ale, the ink's gettin' thin and the mountain awaits.

P.S. Keep my seat warm, lads. There's plenty of tales to tell when I return, if the frost doesn't claim my tongue first. And if anyone asks, tell them Cayleb the Cold went out like a snowman in the sun, blazing bright before he melted away. Now, cheers to that!

Anamnesis - Act I Card 3

ACT 1 Card 3

 My Shadow Card: The Lovers
 Minor Arcana: King of Coins - You notice a scar on your body. Where is this scar? Do you remember how you got it?

 Major Arcana: The Devil

Act 1, Card 3: Scars: Whispers of Past and Shadow

A skeletal hand traces the contours of my body, unveiling jagged scars that crisscross my skin. These scars, etched between life and love, serve as cruel maps on the uncharted terrain of my forgotten past. A breath catches in my throat, not at the sight of the scars themselves, but at the chasm of memory they unlock. These silent inscriptions, these silent screams, beg the question: where did they come from?

The Devil, with a forked tongue, claims these scars as his trophies from forgotten bargains and reminders of pacts with darkness. His laughter poisons the moonlight, yet the Lovers emerge from the mist, their spectral embrace a warm counterpoint to the Devil's chill. These scars, it is said, are love letters etched in flesh – marks of battles fought for a cherished soul, promises made under starlight, and sacrifices made for a love lost to the fog of amnesia. Are they mere illusions, or could these marks be testaments to a love so fierce that it left its indelible mark on my very being?

The scars themselves offer no answers. They are like the King of Coins, their presence the weight of the question itself. Where did they come from? These jagged lines and cryptic inscriptions. Do they hold the key to a life better left buried or a path towards reclaiming who I once was?

I trace the marks with my fingertips. Each ridge is a question mark. Are they marks of strength or darkness, of love or deceit? The Devil laughs, the Lovers sing, and the scars remain silent. Amidst the confusion, defiance.

I realize that these scars are not just marks of the past, but for the future. They represent choices yet to be made, battles yet to be fought, and loves yet to be discovered. Regardless of their origin, they become my compass, reminding me of the darkness I must confront, and the love that may yet guide me home.

The moon illuminates me with silver light. Although the scars may be a mystery, I am determined to solve it. In this journey of self-discovery, the echoes of the Lovers will guide me. I will rewrite the story etched on my skin, reclaiming my past and creating my future.

Anamnesis - Act I Card 2

ACT 1 Card 2

 My Shadow Card: The Lovers
 Minor Arcana: Three of Coins - You open your mouth and hear yourself speak. What is your voice like? Does it trigger any memories?

 Major Arcana: The Moon

Moonlight turns fields silver. Memories shimmer in the light, and the scent of jasmine recalls shared laughter. A question arises: 'What is your voice like?'

Does it speak with clear purpose, carving its path through the unknown? Does it carry the weight of forgotten plans? Does it echo a life once carefully built, now seeking to rebuild?

I cautiously open my mouth, and a sound breaks the silence. The raw material of forgotten memories carries promises, silent laughter, and the faint whisper of love's plans, scattered and incomplete. The moon weaves resilience and purpose into my voice, like a foundation built stone by stone in the moonlight. My voice gains strength and resolve, igniting the forge of self-creation. The lovers are present as a whisper of moonlight, reminding me of shared dreams spoken under starlight. Jasmine infuses my voice with a yearning for strength to grow anew, even in solitude.

Understanding dawns suddenly with the clarity of a found plan.  My voice echoes the steadfastness of a life under reconstruction. It is the voice of a soul reclaiming its narrative, rebuilding its identity amidst the fragments of the past.

I speak with strength. I do not weave words but construct a steady scaffolding against the moonlit fields. The scaffolding speaks of lovers' fading silhouettes. It does not express sorrow but determination to forge a path alone, guided by the moon's light and jasmine's promise of new growth. The song is about loss and rebirth, of a foundation shattered and painstakingly rebuilt, brick by brick. A solitary bloom stands as a testament to resilience and self-reliance.

As the song rises, the path ahead unfolds. The road ahead is not winding, but a blueprint taking shape. The labyrinth transforms into a sanctuary of the self. The lovers call out, their faces hidden by mist. They no longer remind us of loss, but instead urge us to create something new. The moon casts its light, and jasmine whispers of stories waiting to be written. The foundation is being laid with a melody of stones, leading to a home built on the strength of the soil. It is not a shared garden, but a solitary bloom that provides the foundation.

Anamnesis - Introduction and Act I Card 1

Today, I am excited to begin Anamnesis, a solo journaling RPG. In this game, the player takes on the role of a character who wakes up with complete memory loss. The story unfolds across five acts, revealing the character's past and present. Each act peels back another layer of the character's story.To piece together my character's history, I will use a deck of tarot cards. Each draw opens a door to a forgotten memory, revealing a part of the puzzle and helps me understand who I was and what is happening now.

Every day, I will draw two tarot cards and use them to craft a journal entry. This process tells the story of my character's life, one card at a time. The excitement lies in not knowing what each draw will unveil, making each entry a surprise and my journey truly unique.

Follow my character's journey with the world, one journal entry at a time. I am a little nervous as I have no experience with journal games. I hope it is a smooth ride! :)

All tarot card images are from LittleGoa-t. Beautiful and artistic!

***************

ACT 1 Card 1

My Shadow Card: The Lovers
Minor Arcana: Five of Coins - You take a deep breath and smell something in the air. What is this scent? Does it trigger any memories?
Major Arcana: The Star

Journal Entry 01: Aromas of Hope and Connection

As I awaken in the field, a cold wind blows and petals scatter at my feet. The scent of jasmine, usually warm and inviting, now carries a bitter edge. Memories of moonlit gardens and promises flood my mind, a harsh contrast to my bleak reality. Above me, the Star shines brightly, offering a distant hope amidst the Five of Coins and The Lovers, whispering tales of hardship.

Each note of jasmine holds a bittersweet echo - laughter shared with unseen faces, dreams woven with forgotten souls. Fragile memories surface and dissolve in the cold air. The stubborn scent urges me forward, a fragile trail through my own oblivion. Perhaps I'll find the keys to piece myself back together within it, even as the wind of loss threatens hope.

I rise, the scent clinging like a phantom embrace. The journey begins amidst uncertainty, guided by the star. The jasmine whispers promises of resilience, tinged with sorrow, and a bloom in the barren landscape of my forgotten past.

Lineage: Epoch Edition - Post 4

The Kingdom of Toparia

Founded Year 847

King Auslag the Young

b.907 d.952 - r.913-952

King Auslag

Dawn in the Twilight

In the late ninth century, Auslag became the king of Toparia. Edmonia, his wife from Mancuya, stood by his side and helped to strengthen the ties between the two countries. However, dissension followed his reign.

Tradition and Discontent

Toparia, then, was a realm steeped in ancient ways. Serfs toiled in fertile valleys, nobles held sway in grand stone keeps, and the watchful gaze of the Church Council cast its shadow across the land. Auslag faced murmurs of discontent against the rigid restrictions imposed on the people by the Church and the creeping influence of Mancuya.

Hope and Loss

With her unwavering faith in a higher power, Edmonia became Auslag's anchor amidst his own personal storm. Their union resulted in seven children. These children were seen as sparks of hope during a time when the kingdom was seeking security and peace. However, fate was cruel and took Edmonia away just as their youngest child, Susanne, was born. Auslag was shrouded in grief, casting a long shadow over the kingdom's newborn hope.

Defiance Against the Heavens

In 931, panic gripped Toparia. Earth tremors shook the land, and fiery portents streaked across the night sky, fueling whispers of divine wrath and demonic machinations. King Auslag summoned his advisors, seeking counsel amidst the mounting chaos.

The Church Council, unfortunately, offered scant solace. Fear and desperation tinged their pronouncements, with some advocating appeasement through ancient rituals. One advisor, consumed by paranoia about curses afflicting Auslag, even proposed his execution. These increasingly outlandish pronouncements grew tiresome, and Auslag banished the advisor from the kingdom.

Instead, heeding the counsel of a young and ambitious engineer, Auslag ordered the construction of colossal iron cannons to destroy the celestial threats. These ambitious weapons, however, strained the kingdom's coffers, angering the impoverished serfs and solidifying the disapproval of the Council, who viewed them as an affront to the divine will.

A Monument to Waste

Once a beacon of prosperity, Toparia bore the scars of the crisis like a faded tapestry. The stark monuments of squandered resources—the silent cannons—stood tall, breeding disillusionment among the people. Though the kingdom had weathered the tremors of the earth and the fire of the heavens, it now found itself teetering on the precipice of internal strife, consumed by resentment.

A King Unseated

King Auslag of Toparia, after a reign of 39 years, met a sudden and unexpected end during a routine cavalry exercise. Unseated from his horse, he was tragically trampled by his own men. Whether his mind wandered due to Queen Edmonia's recent passing, or simmering discontent within the military ranks played a role, the cause of his death appears to nothing more than a simple accident. His reign, marked by both celestial threats and the construction of colossal cannons, culminated not in a thunderous fanfare, but in a muted thud, leaving Toparia to face an uncertain future and grapple with a legacy as enigmatic as the circumstances of his final moments.

Heirs of Toparia:

1. Prince Kaj (b. 929) - Heir apparent, burdened by the legacy of his father's reign.
2. Princess Trine (b.934 d.935) - Died in infancy.
3. Princess Edda (b.940) - Known for her courage and intelligence.
4. Princess Soldid (b.942 d.952) - A spark of wonder with dreams of grand adventures.
5. Princess Astridur (b.946 d,989) - A skilled diplomat and peacemaker.
6. Princess Ylfa (b.949 d.982) - Renowned for her artistic talents and sharp wit.
7. Princess Susanne (b.952 d.1018) - The youngest, born on the day of Edmonia's death, she carried the weight of her mother's loss.

Long live King Kaj! (U+1,D+1,W+1 - Kingdom in Fall)

Lineage: Epoch Edition - Post 3

The Kingdom of Toparia

Founded Year 847

King Jacob the Serene 

b.860 d.913 - r.889-913

King Jacob the Serene in his final year

A Crown Ascending in Shadows

After King Olaf disappeared, rumors of political intrigue persisted. Jacob, who was born in 860, took the throne and presented himself as a calm presence amidst the chaos. He supported the growing influence of the Church, aiming to promote unity and dispel any doubts regarding his rule. Although some were skeptical of his approach, Jacob's efforts laid the foundation for future success.

Golden Fields and Whispers of Reform

Toparia experienced a period of prosperity due to golden harvests. Queen Aplanate, born in 872 in a distant land, played a key role in this success with her skilled management of the economy. However, this period of stability led to ambition. Emboldened by the years of plenty, religious leaders proposed granting the Church greater authority to boost productivity from the peasant believers. This proposal, which directly challenged established traditions, faced significant opposition and threatened to divide the populace.

Harmony and Shadows Intertwined

Jacob was plagued by rumours of distrust and the unsolved disappearance of King Olaf. He found solace in the embrace of faith and actively championed the Church's rising influence as a way to mend the kingdom's divisions. Queen Aplanate, known for her compassion and charity, shared his vision and worked to build bridges across divides and kindle the flames of tolerance. They made unity the cornerstone of their reign, forming policies that brought Toparia closer than ever before. Jacob's 24 year reign solidified Toparia's unity, paving the way for a future where religion and society intertwined more closely.

The Grand Flame's Vision

Jacob and Queen Aplanate saw the Church's growing influence as an opportunity, not a threat. They sought to heal internal divisions and bolster Toparia's strength. Following the Grand Flame's proposal, Queen Aplanate arranged a discussion among religious leaders to delve into the possibility of a Royal Church Council. Though there was some dissent, the desire for stronger ties between throne and faith moved the idea forward. Within two years of its conception, Queen Aplanate proudly announced the establishment of the council, marking a new chapter in Toparia's relationship with the Church.

A King's Fall 

King Jacob the Serene's life met a sudden and tragic end. Found at the foot of the royal tower, his demise remained shrouded in mystery. Was it self-inflicted, a careless misstep, or something more sinister? In the wake of his death, Queen Aplanate ascended to the role of regent, shouldering the burden of a kingdom. Sensing the people's vulnerability, the religious council seized the opportunity to tighten their grip on power. Queen Aplanate faced a monumental task: maintaining order while shielding her young son from the council's scheming ambitions.

The Serene?

Jacob's reign was marked by both prosperity and mystery. Historians continue to be intrigued by the man, his motives and the truth behind his demise. Did he fall victim to external forces, or did self-doubt determine his final steps? His son, Prince Aslaug, now stands at the threshold of his own destiny, poised to either reignite the Golden Age or succumb to the shadows of the past.

The Heirs of Toparia

1. Princess Anja (896-936): A fiery spirit consumed by a thirst for knowledge.
2. Princess Everild (902-944): A gentle soul whose compassion soothed even the most troubled hearts.
3. Prince Aslaug (907-?): The young prince, untested yet, held the promise of a new era.
4. Princess Merete (911-949): A spirited adventurer yearning to explore the world's uncharted corners.

Long live King Aslaug! (U+1,D+1)