Within sight of the capital, you come across an armed camp. The leader of these mercenaries is a Warlord bent on overthrowing the Queen and ruling Islandia. “Isn’t that a waste of time if the island will soon be destroyed?” you ask. “Insolent dog!” spits The Warlord. “We have ways of dealing with counter-revolutionaries like…
View The Warlord »Treasure Hunts
A Fateful Choice
The Sorceror smiles at you. “Yes, you have found me,” he admits. “And now I am prepared to fulfill any one request of yours I can.” You take a deep breath. “Get me off the island,” you demand. The Sorceror nods. “A wise decision. Islandia cannot survive the weight of the Moonstone much longer.” “The…
View A Fateful Choice »Out of the Swamp
As you find yourself on firm ground again, the will-o-the-wisp reappears behind you. “You don’t want to crush a minority small-business-thing, do you?” it whines. “Guiding people out of here is my only means of support, and the competition will kill me. Look, why don’t you just take these three obols and never come back.”
View Out of the Swamp »The Court
The imposing marble columns and high steps of the courthouse separate this edifice from the wood and thatch shops that strew the City. You pace nervously throughout the hallowed halls in search of someone who can tell you the truth about the future of Islandia. Most of the lawmakers and judges are busy arguing and…
View The Court »The Palace
Here at the heart of the City, a magnificent palace rises above common buildings. Dominated by a delirious dome, mounted by multitudes of minarets, and garnished with glamorous gems, this alliterative masterpiece is the home of Islandia’s Queen, Penthesilea. If anyone knows the truth about the crisis confronting the island, it must be her. Your…
View The Palace »The Crypt
The entrance to an underground catacomb gapes before you. Somewhat nervously, you chop off a tree branch for a torch, light it, and begin your descent. As you step into the antechamber, another tremor wracks the earth. You listen with growing dread to the sounds of moving rock. Sure enough, the passage behind you is…
View The Crypt »The Vale of Questioners
You arrive in the Vale and begin mingling with the locals, trying to bring up the topic of The Sorceror without insulting anyone. The responses are, to say the least, curious: A Valeman named Arthur asks you: “Am I the Sorcerer?” A Valeman named Bernard asks you: “Am I the type of triber who could…
View The Vale of Questioners »What the Griot Said
When you tell the Griot you want to learn about June 19, 1718, he closes his eyes for a moment and considers. Then he speaks slowly: Ah, yes. The man you speak of must be the one we call The Digging Man. He did arrive here on the day you name with eight other men….
View What the Griot Said »Little Falls Playground
A Department of Parks official stands amid the wreckage of the ancient tree. This last storm was just too much for it. It’s a shame. Everyone will miss this tree. I’m trying to save the carvings at least—the rest will be hauled off as waste. The official has sorted many of the carvings by date….
View Little Falls Playground »Chevy Chase Library
The staff at the library is in a tizzy, and yellow tape is strung across the door. A plainclothes police officer approaches you. I’m afraid the library was burglarized last night—several books, furniture, and works of art were stolen. We’ll have the case wrapped up soon, but until then the library is closed to the…
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