HarnWorld. DEAD OF WINTER. ar COLUMBIA GAMES INC. 5041Dead of Winter.. Written By Oliver Kapp Frank Bohnsack Translated By Andreas Wichter Maps and Illustrations Eric Hotz Editors Tom Dalgliesh Grant Dalgliesh © 1998, N. Robin Crossby and Columbia Games, Inc. ‘All Rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, without permission, is strictly prohibited by law. Harn, HarnMaster, and Dead of Winter are Trademarks of Columbia Games, Inc COLUMBIA GAMES, INC. POB 3457 Blaine, WA 98231, USAINTRODUCTION stormy day in early winter. Gusts of ‘wind whip up the powdery snow @| cloaking Ternu Heath in a mantle of white. A lone group of travelers hurries to a remote Laranian abbey to escape the merciless weather. The powers of fate have chosen them to become involved in a series of mysterious and bloody crimes soon to take place at the abbey, ‘Someone is killing the clerics of Chendy abbey. But why isn't there a corpse to be found after each murder, just a pool of blood? Are there in fact really any murders, cr is someone playing a devious game? Why are the other guests of the abbey so chilly and remote? Has the time of the final battle between Larani, the shining guardian of Dolithor, and Agrik, the Lord of the Four Horsemen finally come, fulfiling an ancient dark prophecy? In an atmosphere of fear, mistrust, political intrigue, and religious hysteria, the characters must discover the answers to these questions if they hope to Dead of Winters the first HarnMaster adventure module written by German authors. It contains detailed uy ee | 7 descriptions of a Laranian abbey and village situated on the edge of the Ternu Heath in southern Kanday. The ‘complex political situation in Kanday and the kingdom's, conflict laden relations with its neighbors, Rethem and ‘Tharda, impact on the plot. Gamemasters wil find this module an invaluable aid to designing further adventures in western Ham. The year, as always, is 720. STRUCTURE Dead of Winter consists of three parts. The frst part describes the village and abbey of Chendy and their inhabitants. The second part contains a mystery adventure and a description of the current political situation in western Harm. The third partis a glossary which briefly explains all the Ham-specific names and terms used in this module, More detailed descriptions of these and other terms can be found in our base module HarnWorid, and religion is covered in much greater depth in our publication HarnMaster Religion. Like all Harn World modules, this publication is divided into separate articles which can be taken apart, three-hole punched, and placed in your own Encyclopedia Hérnica binder. HarnWorldmCHENDY 1 CHENDY Location: Selionshire, Kingdom of Kanday Status: Fief of the Church of Larani Government: Serolan Iblis Milaka Population: 205 (village) 31 (abbey) Chendy is a prosperous Laranian abbey held by the Order of Hyurik from the Rekela of Ternula. The abbey has approximately 2670 acres including an attached village of the same name. Itis located on the southeastern edge of ‘Ternu Heath, a moorland in southwestern Kanday. Chendy is located in Asolena hundred, one of seven districts in the shire of Selion. Sheriff Jens Derilaen, assisted by his Bailiffs of the Hundred, is responsible for security, and administering the King’s justice in Selionshire. Only four of the hundreds have Bailifs; the hundreds of Lakane, Raden, and Tamsen are sparsely settled and are administered directly by the Sherif. ‘The Sheriff maintains his seat at Avertu, a small town, four leagues south of Chendy. The Bailiff of Asolena has his seat at Asolen, two leagues south of Chendy, but six leagues by road. Courts are held at regular intervals: every three months at the shire moot of Avertu, and monthly in the hundred moot of Asolen, Of the 41 peasant families living in Chendy, 5 are freemen and 36 are serfs. The main difference between them and the frecholders is their legal status. The shire courts are open only to freemen. Serfs have no access to the king's justice, cannot leave the land, and cannot marry or inherit without their lord's permission, But serfs are not slaves: the land they work cannot be taken without lawful reason. Judicial matters concerning serfs are resolved by customary law at a monthly court administered by the ‘manorial lord, in this case by the Serolan of Chendy Abbey. The Serolan also protects the serfs and provides help in case of crop failures, cattle epidemics, and the like. HISTORY ‘The beginning of the Church of Larani in the Kingdom of Kanday is inseparably tied to the name of Saint Talroe (364-421). In 392, Talroc left his home temple in the Corani Empire to spread Larani’s teachings in the rising Kingdom of Aleathia, The intelligent and charismatic preacher was graciously accepted at the court of King Elana (393-409), gained the king's trust, and converted him to Laranism. Talroc became Elana’s closest counselor and convinced the king to demonstrate is faith by founding a number of temples and abbeys to further the conversion of the nobility of Aleathia. King Elana granted land as well asthe privilege to fortify an abbey at Chendy to a group of Laranian missionaries around the year 400. By 407, a wooden motte and bailey castle had been completed The Corani Empire After the conquest of Aleathia by the Corani Empire in 453, Chendy remained a holding of the Church of, Larani, By the emperor's decree, however, its fortifications ‘were dismantled. Being situated in a remote area, Chendy was almost completely unaffected by the turmoil that shook the empire over the next century. The abbey was expanded and the wooden buildings were eventually replaced by stonework, The Theocracy of Tekhos ‘Beginning in 558, the corrupt and tottering Corani Empire suffered a series of internal revolts, triggered by the martyrdom of Balsha, a Morgathian prophet who preached a heresy of that dour religion. These events, known to history as the Balshan Jihad, culminated with the impalement of the last Cornani emperor in 565. A brutal struggle for power ensued until Horahnam of ‘Tekhos emerged as sole leader in 568 and established a ‘Morgathian regime that terrorized most of western Harm for twenty years. Chendy regained political and military importance during this time. It became a center of opposition to ‘Tekhosian rule for almost two years, but suecumnbed to the holy warriors of Morgath in 569 after a heroic defense organized by Aedan of Chison (see: Chendy 3) Chendy then served as a regional temple and barracks for the Tekhosians unti the Theocracy collapsed in 588, although the abbey remained Morgathian until liberated by Laranians in 590. The few surviving ‘Morgathians were burned at the stake. The rebels then. razed the desecrated abbey complex so nothing would remain of the Morgathian presence. Rebuilding Chendy's ruins remained uninhabited until 621, when Brun Daltene founded the kingdom of Eder and ordered the rebuilding of the abbey. The reconstruction was ‘completed by 630. At the consecration of the temple, ‘Aedan of Chison was canonized for his deeds during the defense of the abbey against the Tekhosians. After the nearby strongholds of Sarkum and Hebon fell to Rethem in 689 during Ezar’s War, King Rogryn Il of Edern swore an oath of fealty to King Andasin IIl of Kanday. The small kingdom of Edern became a barony of the kingdom of Kanday. The strong relationship between the crown of Kanday and the church of Larani has benefited Chendy ever since. It is a wealthy abbey, with ambitious plans for expansion. The New Serolan From the second founding of the abbey in 621, the office of Serolan of Chendy was held by six consecutive ‘members of clan Demilaen. With the death of Gweran Demilaen, a relative of the current sheriff of Selionshire, HarnWorldmCHENDY 2 this tradition came to an end. The Rekela of Ternula ignored qualified candidates from clan Demilaen and appointed his sister, Iblis Milaka, as Serolan in 718, ‘The matakea of Chendy greeted this appointment With a mixture of indignation and skepticism. The young, ‘energetic Iblis soon succeeded, however, to win the respect and affection of most of the cleries. She has now firmly established herself as head of the abbey and is building her infiuence withthe local nobility, although her efforts have been undermined by clan Demilaen whenever possible. The Serolan's relations with Sheriff Jens Demilaen, needless to say, have been strained. ECONOMICS Rural abbeys like Chendy are crucial to the economic welfare of the Laranian church. The upkeep of the church's higher dignitaries, their courts, and the temple guards consume vast sums. In addition, urban temples, which usually don't own estates, are dependent on the money made in the country. Of its total income, Chendy abbey must pay two-thirds to the Rekela of Ternula, Land Use The economic structure of Chendy is similar to that found on secular fiefs. Excluding wooded areas, streams, and the space occupied by the village and abbey, there are about 1800 acres of land available for cultivation, half farmed out to tenants, half kept by the abbey as a demesne. Each tenant family holds an average of 20 acres. Freehold tenants pay an annual rent of 6d per acre; serfs provide 4 days labor per acre, which is used to work the ‘Abbey demesne. Only half of the land is actually planted each year; half is left fallow to rest the soil, but used as pasture for livestock. ‘The peasants survive by cultivating grain, mainly oats, 1ye, or barley. They supplement their diet and earn income from livestock pastured on the fallow land. Every peasant family owns some animals, generally sheep, goats, or pigs. Sheep are coveted not only for their wool, but also for their milk (from which cheese is made). Goats are raised mainly for their milk, and pigs as food. Most families also have chickens. The peasants cannot afford to feed newborn animals over the winter, so they are sold in late auturmn at the markets of Avertu and Gimon. Chendy Linen ‘The local soil has proven to be excellent for growing flax, which the tenants’ wives weave into linen. Chendy linen is well noted among regional masters of the Clothiers’ Guild for its fine weave and fetches above average prices. This lucrative trade is exploited by the abbey which plants half of its available cropland with flax, and pays tenants 1d per yard to convert the crop into linen. Abbey Revenues Chendy Abbey has a average annual revenue of £150, or 36,000d, two thirds of which is sent to the Rekela of ‘Termula, This revenve is raised as follows: Poll Tax: For every adult resident, serf or free, a poll tax of 3d is paid to the abbey on the first of Kelen. The abbey considers everyone above age 12 to be an adult. This tax yields about 400d per year. Crop Revenues: From its available demesne, the abbey can cultivate about 450 acres per year. Half of this is devoted to grain crops, and half to flax. The grain fields produce about 2,000 bushels, one third consumed by the clerics, and two-thirds by the abbeys livestock as winter fodder. The flax fields typically yield enough flax to produce 6,000 yards of linen, sold for 3d per yard (wholesale) to provide income of 18,000d. The sale of apples and pears from the abbey's three acre orchard raises an additional 300d. Wool: The abbey also owns a herd of 60 sheep, pastured ‘on fallow land in the summer, and kept in sheep pens about a league north of the abbey in winter: The sheep are sheared at the end of Nuzyael. The sale of about 480 pounds of raw wool ears the abbey around 1,920 per year. Newborn lambs are mostly slaughtered in late autumn for the abbey’s consumption. Tithe: A critical source of income for the abbey is the “tithe", Followers of Larani (most of the feudal nobility and some peasants) donate a tenth part of their income to the church. Because Chendy is the only Laranian temple in the hundreds of Asolena and Gimonae, the annual tithe yields about 12,000d. In addition, extra donations are always made by the faithful when they ‘worship in the abbey temple. Tolls & Taxes: Chendy is strategically located on the only road between Aleath and the ports of Hebon and Sarkum. This ensures a steady flow of merchant traffic through Chendy. The abbey has a charter from the king ‘granting it the right to collect a toll from all non- residents entering Chendy. The abbey also receives annual license fees from the local innkeeper, miller, ‘metalsmith, and woodcrafter, and taxes them 5% of their gross income. These toll and business tax revenues average 3,004. Saint Aedan Tournament ‘The Serolan of Chendy has sought to improve traffic by hosting a new annual tourney in honor of the abbey's patron saint. The first Saint Aedan Tournament took place Jast summer (2nd-4th Nolus). Attendance was not as high as the Serolan hoped, largely because the Sheriff of Selion refused to attend, but she is hopefil for the second event since the King of Kanday has agreed to come. HarnWorldmCHENDY 3 RELIGION ‘The region's nobles are followers of Larani and strive to take part in a lay mass at least once a month. Matakea Visit the estates of the region at regular intervals. This cultivates relations between the church and its followers and educates the young. Most of the peasants worship Peoni, the Lady of Industrious Labors and the Ripe Harvest. ‘The religious climate in Chendy is fairly tolerant. The churches of llvir and Sarajin are not banned, but missionary work and open displays of faith are widely suppressed. The churches of Halea and Save-K'nor are not very attractive to the rural population and have very few adherents, Worship of Agrik, Morgath, or Naveh is punishable by death, though banishment is more common if no other crimes are involved. Saint Aedan of Chison (527-569) ‘The abbey’s patron saint, Aedan of Chison, was descended from one of the most distinguished noble families of the Corani Empire. At 16 years of age, he joined the imperial army. When the Balshan Jihad broke out in 558, he was a cohort commander, befting his family’s rank. Although he led his men in many successful battles, it was a hopeless struggle. After the fall of the city of Coranan to the followers of Balsha in 565, the success of the Jihad could no longer be prevented. Aedan retreated to the southern province of Aleathia with the remnants of his cohort ‘Aedan was present when Chendy fell nto the hands of the Tekhosians in 569. He had lost all but a few trusted retainers in the ongoing struggle, and then retreated to the abbey, weary of bloodshed. In spite of this, he organized and led the defense when the abbey was attacked and ‘made his name a legend. Driven by his heroism, the defenders, most of them matakea, fought and slew many of their foes. Although their courage did not prevent the abbey from falling, the few who did escape owed their lives to the hero of Chendy. The Tekhosians took only one prisoner, Aedan of Chison, but it cost them dearly in lives to take him alive. Aedan was tortured and died a long and agonizing death in one of the thirteen Degrees of ‘Nyardath. Today, the holiest relic in the abbey is a battered and sword-scarred knight shield said to have been used by Saint Aedan in defense of the abbey. HarnWorldm.CHENDY 4 HarnWorldmCHENDY 5 LOCAL MAP CHENDY ABBEY Church of Larani, Order of Hywrik [A] Temple and Main House: See Chendy 6-8 [B] Library: See Chendy 6-8, [C] Guest House: See Chendy 9. [D] Bathhouse: Three wooden tubs can be filled with heated water. [E] Hospital: The hospital is situated apart from the other buildings. The healer, Torold Yisgaraen, and his assistant, Mirelael Travendy, work and live here. IF] Graveyard: The graveyard isa typical Laranian sgravesite. Here, inhabitants of the abbey, and some local nobility are buried or entombed. The three foot hhigh wall around the graveyard is built of unmortared stones. Each grave is marked by a memorial slab ‘whose elegance depends on the deceased's wealth and. importance. They bear heraldic images that identify the clan, the name of the deceased, and the dates of birth and death. In the center of the graveyard is a stone chapel. In this 10x30 foot building the dead are laid out prior to burial and the Ritual of Myrannon is, conducted. On the far wall of the chapel, behind the altar, is a tapestry depicting scenes from the judgment of the dead. Beneath the chapel is the erypt of the six Serolani who have led the abbey since 621. The ‘entrance is sealed by a 1600 pound stone slab. [G] Ruined Mausoleum: The remains of what was, until 590, a Morgathian mausoleum, lie just west of the ‘graveyard, Today it is just a low mound, about two feet high, that resembles an ill-kept garden rockery, covered by weeds and bushes. For many years the site wwas considered holy by Laranians, serving as a ‘memorial to their cherished victory over the ‘Morgathians. This practice gradually ceased after all veterans had died. For details, see Chendy 10. [i] Storerooms & Gardens: This cluster of three buildings is used for storage of garden and orchard produce, agricultural tools, and other assorted goods. ‘The three vegetable plots are managed by matakea Gerin Haloren, the abbey chef [1] Stable and Barn: The larger building is a stable for horses, the other, a barn for oxen and goats. The abbey owns seven riding horses for the exclusive use of the masters. Two small coops for chicken and geese are shown just west of the stable, and a pig pen is southeast of the barn near the tall perimeter hedge. All livestock are managed by three matakea, assisted by Ashesa, [3] Keep: See Chendy 9. MILLER (Restin of Morik) Size:5 Quality: *** Prices: average Restin operates a windmill, He grinds all Chendy grain in exchange for one tenth part, He sells this flour in the market at Avert METALSMITH (Orhan of Lemra) [3] Size:5 Quality: *** Prices: high Orhan is a burly, but gentle giant, almost seven feet tall, and well known as the strongest man in the village. His wife is near childbirth. WOODCRAFTER (Bral of Kardy) Size:4 Quality: *** Prices: average Bral makes furniture, barrels, and the like, mostly for the abbey. He is competent when sober, but has not often been sober since the death of his wife last year. ‘THE RED HORSE (Nerthiad of Wisad) Size:7 Quality: *** Prices: high NNerthiad runs the inn together with his second wife, one daughter, and four sons. Two years ago, he married the millers daughter. This earned him the envy of all the village men, for she is the most beautiful woman in Chendy, Nerthiad’s eldest son, Graid, is considered the ‘most eligible bachelor in the village. Nerthiad makes a decent living from merchant caravans, and locals. Chendy has a charter to collect and receive the normal royal toll from all non-residents. This toll is 1d per man or animal. Carts and wagons are assessed according to the number of animals and riders involved. The tolls are collected by the innkeeper on behalf of the abbey. One of Nerthiad's, sons generally hangs about Aedan’s Ford to collect them CHAPEL OF PEONI Reslava Eudaf Lemra ‘The chapel’s upkeep is provided by the villagers. Eudaf, the local priest, is disturbed by the conversion of some local peasants to Larani (especially his brother Orhan the Metalsmith) and his relations with the Serolan are strained. He regulariy holds Lesser Sapelah forthe faithful Villagers are buried in a large graveyard that extends, south to the woods. HarnWorldmCHENDY 6 GROUND FLOOR 1. The Temple (a) The Hall of Rituals A three-nave basilica, divided into a central nave and aisles by two rows of pillars. The main entrance has a double door, made of oak, and reinforced by iron bands. ‘The arch above the gate has an elaborate relief that shows saints gathered around Larani’s throne. In the west aisle is ‘winch to raise and lower the great chandelier. ‘The statues in the apse depict three important personalities of the abbey's history. The statue on the right is of Saint Talroc, the one on the left is of King Elana of Aleathia, and the middle statue is of Saint Aedan of CChison, At the time the statues were made, the true appearances of these personalities were no longer known. ‘The statues are therefore idealized depictions, recognizable only through symbols. Elana of Aleathia, for example, is shown to be a regent by his crown and scepter. His role as founder of the abbey is shown by the model of the temple held in his right hand, Saint Aedan of Chison bears a sword and shield. Saint Telroc can be recognized by his clerical robe and insignia. The statues beside the main entrance depict Larani in her two aspects: the Lady of Paladins (right) and the Terrible Lady of the Flowing Red (left). (8) The Chapel of Saint Aedan ‘The temple's chapel, consecrated to Saint Aedan, is entered through a double bronze door that is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and art, Its divided into six horizontal panels on which the chivalric virtues (generosity, honesty, modesty, courtly grace, bravery, and loyalty) are depicted with images of feudal knights. On the altar is the reliquary, It was a gift from Queen Mirelael of Kanday to the church to thank Larani for victory in Ezar’s War (682-697). The Serekela of Kanday brought the reliquary to Chendy to give Saint Aedan’s relic, his shield, a worthy home. The carved oaken shrine is trimmed with elaborate gold leaf ornamentation. The carvings show the best known Knights of Tirith. The religuary leaves the chapel only twice a year. It is