The first meeting with Gottfel's wife Ronal and her shaman Mordecai had placed a rock in Corman's stomach.  They played their parts well, but did not bother hiding the occasional sly glances between them.  "Gottfel has fallen ill to malaise" the shaman said quietly, shaking back his mane of hair.  "His spirit is sallow."  "And what are you doing about it" demanded Corman trying to control his rising pique.  "We are applying Shamanic Healing."  Corman glanced at Ronal.  She had been watching her Shaman with a knowing look but turned away quickly realizing Corman's gaze.  Corman thought "She has never applied any kind of healing".  There was something in the manner of Mordecai that disturbed him.  Something hidden.  It took careful observation, but eventually he saw it.  The subtle gesture.  The practiced hand wave, used harmlessly now, but not lost on Corman.  This man was also a Necromancer.  A dull ache immediately rolled through his stomach; The Portal. 

He decided it best that he and his entourage keep their investigation into the Portal a secret from Ronal and Mordecai.  At least as long as they could.  He wanted to assure himself that nothing had been disturbed.  The Portal lie two miles from the capital, an easy walk - but they had not yet rested from their journey.  They arrived at the citadel built above the cavern entrance and knew right away that something was wrong.  The guard contingent there bristled at their arrival.  They obviously recognized Corman and Cedric.  "Let us pass" spoke Corman authoritatively.  "We cannot allow anyone to pass - by order of the King."  "Stand down soldier.  King Halifax had secured access to the Portal to all of his sons.  You do know who we are, I presume?" "Yes sir, I do.  But I cannot allow you in."  King Corman approached the nervous guard.  "These are the Queen's orders, yes?  You did not hear these directly from the King, did you?"  "Yes, sir, I did."  Corman eyed the man.  He seemed to be telling the truth.  For a moment Corman thought to pull his axe and express his acute disappointment at the state of things, but he realized that his small tired retinue did not match the number of guards at present. This thought was not shared by Cedric, who had his weapon out instantly and had already advanced on the soldier before them.  "We shall be back" Corman said loudly for Cedrick's benefit.  Cedrick turned to look at his brother and although vastly disappointed lowered his axe from the neck of the intimidated guard. 

As they walked away Tassin spoke quietly to Corman.  "There is something wrong here.  Necromantic Sense is telling me that some of the wards may have been breached."

Next: Ronal and Mordecai (cont.)

Ronal and Mordecai had been busy while the brothers were away.  When Corman and Cedric's retinue arrived at the capital they were ready for them.  Scores of guardsmen and their dogs quickly surrounded them.  "We arrest you in the Kings Name" their captain yelled aloud.  Cedric looked at Corman.  This time Corman beat him to the draw.  They both knew that the bronze instruments they held before them would quickly grow dull and forestall their capture only for so long.  It was Tassin that gave them the valuable time that they needed to escape.  Calling down first a Necromantic Barrier against enemy arrows, she then cast Call Monster.  This latter spell suddenly possessed the dogs with etheric entities.  "Kill" she yelled.  The beasts ferociously turned on their owners.  Corman's party headed north with no time to waste.

Had Mordecai accompanied the guardsmen to compete with Alexa, perhaps the outcome would have turned out differently.  But despite their extreme fatigue, the party eventually made it to Cedric's Kingdom in the north.  There they drew together their army, and sent word back to Corman City for Corman's army to meet them a days ride east of Gottfel at the foot of the Northern Fane Mountains. 

The Gottfel army fell quickly.  Ronal and Mordecai were too entranced by their own drama to react quickly.  They were not immediately captured however.  They sought refuge in the Citadel of the Portal.  Mordecai attempted to forestall the entrance of Cedric and Corman.  Alexa and Mordecai waged a necromantic battle against each other, while the others wielded axes and exchanged blows.  To make matters worse, the portal had indeed been breached and demonic entities were pouring out.  Finally entering the great hall of the citadel, Mordecai took a stand.  When his guards started falling and entities began to disappear in banishment at the hands of Alexa, Mordecai grabbed Ronal and placed a dagger at her throat.  This caused Corman to pause for a second, but not Cedric.  "This to your hostage" he cried as his axe swung into her.  Her final look was to Mordecai - but he did not bother looking back.  He had instead noticed a particularly large demon striding into the hall from the cave.  He immediately cast a Geas.  But he failed.  The entity strode over to him in a single step and leaning over, bit off his head in a single gulp.  Alexa took the opportunity to banish the entity.  They lost several more men before the Portal was sealed once more. 

Corman regretted the death of Ronal and felt pangs of guilt.  How much had she known?  Ronal had been used by the ambitious necromancer to access the Portal. Cedric, however, never felt anything but satisfaction over his deed. 

When discovered inflagrante by Gottfel the necromancer had placed a powerful hex on the King. Gottfel gave orders while possessed by Mordecai, then was left in a coma.  He never recovered.  He died of starvation.  Mordecai had not allowed him food.

Corman agreed to allow Cedric to run the kingdom while he lived, with the provision that it be relinquished to Corman and his family at Cedric's death.  Cedric, who had no children, agreed.  Upon the death of Cedric at a ripe old age, the entire kingdom was passed to Corman.  And despite a brief war with Morbreth over land rights, peace would reign in Halifax for many, many years.

Next: Fuegon in DOM

The following brief campaign took place sometime in the early 80's.  It was the first DOM Campaign, though no one knew it at the time.  The players were:  John Kraft [Corman of Halifax].  Andee Richards [High Cleric Tassin], Dave Tedhams [Conlif Warin - Captain of the Guard], Brian Berg [Krokus - Lieutenant of the Guard], Richard Cable [Malroc - Court Energeticist], Linda Durie [ Gestril - Acolyte to Cleric Tassin], Chris Spitler [Zanzibar - Acolyte to Malroc], Samson Hood [Bonnas Vox, a bard], Kevin Crowley [Paramis - Chief Scout].    This was a game with many players. 

Demonic and diabolic entities reigned over Halifax for over 10 years. Many men had left the continent.  Some to Khaniz, some to DOM.  The ones that stayed eventually were able to take advantage of the boredom and competitiveness of the entities and played them against each other.  Slowly and eventually the few remaining Morbrethi Necromancers were able to banish the entities who at this point were ready to move on from their containment on this now wasted land.  The portal created by the Fuegonites and Morbrethi remained indestructible, but was capped with a collection of wards.  Necromancy and other forms of spellcasting were rapidly marked as evil by the general population.  The prophet Halifax had been right.  Within 10 years, the continent was dominated by a single kingdom under his name.
King Bereal Karis of Halifax was a strong and just king.  During his reign his country had achieved peace and prosperity.  He had allowed the Morbreth to keep their own kingdom as long as their Necromancy was held in check.  The same was allowed of the original inhabitants of Zebron  The Fuegonites had previously left and joined their Avatar in DOM.  Halifax loved and doted upon his sons.  He had renamed the three main northern cities of Halifax in their honor, naming the capital Corman after the eldest son.  Wisdom was slow in coming to these three spoiled children.  The king could not bring himself to deny the wishes of the three boys to all be king.  So he divided the kingdom into three allied states.  This arrangement became the law upon the death of the King in -9420.
Corman, the eldest was the most level-headed of the three, and had been given the largest section which included the capital. Cedrick, the middle child was given the cold lands to the north which he resented, especially since the youngest child, Gottfel was given the fertile western lands.  The king had made this arrangement because of the frailty of Gottfel who had been a sickly child.  This said, the brothers did generally hold a measure of affection for each other.

Corman liked sitting in the great hall of the city bearing his name in the early morning.  He felt it gave him perspective on the day.  Today, it only brought him concern.  He had not heard from his brother Gottfel for three months.  He told himself that it was winter and that the passes were impassable, but no winged messengers had appeared.  And Gottfel was addicted to his pigeons.  Corman feared the worst.  He knew that Gottfel's wife would not act in his stead.  Corman had always acted coldly toward her, and she to him.  Gottfel knew that he had litle regard for her.  "She is joined to you for your position and holdings" Corman had told him.  She had been unfaithful to him, of that he was sure.  But Gottfel loved her recklessly.  He resolved to make the journey the minute the passes were open.  In the meantime he consulted with his advisors Tassin his cleric of Shamanism and Necromancy, Malroc his court Energeticist, and the Captain of the Guard, Conlif Warin.

When spring finally came Corman sent for his brother Cedric, who agreed to journey to Gottfel and meet up with him.  They finally arrived to find Gottfel in a comatose state, lying in his bed.   Attending him was a shaman that Gottfel's brothers did not recognize.  Suspicious, they inquired after him, but found little information.  He was good looking and a smooth talker, so they immediately suspected a liason with Ronal, Gottfel's meandering wife.  Perhaps the two of them decided that life would be more interesting without a meddling husband.

Next: Ronal and Mordecai