April 16-18, 2004        

Camp Cedarcrest                $60/$70/$80

The Great Quest

Finamarth. A name previously unknown to Neridia a year ago but now one which strikes terror into the hearts of the people. A name which those Tirani elves who remain among us say means “Final Ending” in their ancient tongue. Over a year has passed since that dark night when Neridia’s deadliest enemy stepped from the shadows to declare his freedom from the shackles that long bound him. His thirst for vengeance against those who wronged him has unleashed a fury upon the land not seen since the ancient days of the Wizard War. Indeed given the horrors he unleashes unto our land, “Final Ending” is proving deadly accurate.

While the terror of past attacks by his minions, the Dread Ones and others still linger, His Majesty remains steadfast in his refusal to sway from his course battling the Varykite menace insisting that anything else is a distraction from the true threat. Some of those who dare to speak otherwise are branded liars and traitors, obliterated until permanent death with their corpses displayed as warning to all others who dare tread down the same path. The rumors of others who just simply disappear fly throughout the kingdom, huddled whispers where people nervously look over their shoulder as if certain one of the King’s men will be standing behind listening.

Though unspoken, the division within the Realm grows by the day. Each faction is driven by their unyielding belief in the validity of their cause. Weary and war-torn Neridians struggle with Princess Melina’s claim as legitimate heir to the throne while the Guild structure steadily erodes from new policies that promote unrestricted mercantilism. Power struggles often spark and flare into violence and death.

Neridia’s Gate is at the epicenter of it all. Long the focus of trade as well as political negotiations and maneuvering, visitors and residents alike find themselves embroiled in tumultuous times. The opportunity for adventure and wealth still abounds, however be warned that this ongoing game of skill and strategy which often comes with deadly consequences should be reserved only for those willing to gamble with their very lives. At a time when everything comes with a price and most will do anything to prevail, the key to success and unimagined reward is often as simple as knowing where to look. The one known as the Herald of Those Who Remain still walks the land, the remaining Great Wizards working through him to set plans into motion to fight against Neridia’s foes. “The power is out there to prevail against Finamarth,” he confidently proclaims with each speech. He often continues on, advising that the power remains, it is simply hidden and must be sought out now. Just as the heroes of the dark times before the Wizard War sought out this same power and allies long ago to defeat those who stood against Neridia in their attempt to free Finamarth, new heroes must rise and stand again with this kingdom we love through the deadly times that now face us.

Whispered tales abound of ancient artifacts, as dangerous as they were powerful that they had to be hidden away. Many have not returned from trying to locate the aged tomes that fill buried libraries containing a wealth of information, insights, and lost magicks. Still others have begun to seek new powers, to stand as great wizards as once was done a millennia ago. While many have returned empty handed, still more returned quite insane. One or two even dared to seek the power itself to ascend to the mantle of great wizard themselves. Much speculation, however, believes the ones who hold such power will ultimately be triumphant. Succeeding at the challenges ahead by overcoming the obstacles that block your course and threaten to consume you will be no easy task. Will you be able to recognize what resources to tap, which tools to use, and when to draw upon them so that one day sweet victory will be yours to savor?

Choose wisely, who is friend, who is foe? Will you stand with the Herald and all he represents, the Princess who strives to uphold her destiny as High Sword of Duty, or King Versante, the recognized king of the realm? Or perhaps another? Behind the game of smoke and mirrors lies the truth which will guide Neridia through this difficult and deadly time and see her once more to peace and prosperity. Will you be the one to correctly distinguish who is who? All of Neridia hopes for this, their future dependent upon you and the choices made as the Great Quest begins….