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Skara Brae: City of Spirituality

Ferryman / Horance / Mordra / Caine / Forsythe / Trent / Rowena / Markham / Paulette / Quenton

Ferryman

Ferryman A tall, skeletal figure, the Ferryman operated the spectral boat to Skara Brae that crossed the Misty Channel, charging those who wished to cross two gold coins, but would return any who asked without charge. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, the Ferryman was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. During his quest in Skara Brae, the Avatar asked the Ferryman to be the sacrifice needed to release the spirits trapped within the Well of Souls, but the spectral being revealed that he had to perform his duties until the end of eternity without release. As the Avatar continued his quest, the Ferryman remained in Skara Brae, awaiting his next passenger.

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Horance

Horance An evil undead creature, Horance was a liche, bent on the conquest and destruction of Britannia and its King, Lord British. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Horance was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue darkly through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Horance, or 'Lord Horance' as he preferred to be called, told the Avatar of his New Order of the dead, over which he would rule Britannia. When the Avatar asked him about his plans, Horance remarked that he was the Lord of the Dead, and explained that he was creating an enormous undead army from the dead of the ages, and that when the people of Britannia died while fighting his army, they would be reborn as part of the undead host.

When asked about his plans for Lord British, Horance revealed that he had learned the workings of blackrock, a mysterious mineral that was being researched by Rudyom of Cove, having used blackrock to create the Dark Tower, enabling him to work his magics despite the twisted ether in the lands, and gloated that when the ore was fashioned properly, it was capable of destroying the Lord of Britannia. When the Avatar refused to help Horance in his twisted schemes, the evil liche warned him that he would enter the realm of the dead. As the Avatar traveled though Skara Brae, he met Mordra the healer, who told him the proper formula to give to Caine the alchemist, who had been blamed for the town's destruction even though it was the mayor Forsythe's fault.

After speaking with Trent the blacksmith, and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. After speaking to every inhabitant on Skara Brae, the mayor Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed. As the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia, Horance gifted him with his powerful Firedoom staff, and remained in Skara Brae, hoping to rebuild the town to its former Spirituality.


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Mordra

Mordra An old, ghostly woman, Mordra was the healer of Skara Brae, although her skills were less in demand after the destruction of the city of Spirituality. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Mordra was only able to welcome the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Mordra revealed the truth behind the destruction of Skara Brae. When Horance the Liche had built his Dark Tower, and within it the Well of Souls, he had commanded the people of Skara Brae to participate in his Dark Service, an act that drained the townspeople in order to infuse the liche with the power to survive. Discovering the magical ingredients needed for the potion that would destroy the Liche, Mordra instructed the mayor Forsythe to give the recipe and ingredients to the alchemist Caine, and warned Forsythe to use the proper amount of Mandrake root in the mixture.

Tragedy struck when Caine, following the incorrect recipe provided by Forsythe, created a terrible fire that swept across the island of Skara Brae, killing all the inhabitants. Even though they were dead, the people of Skara Brae were still bound to Horance's Dark Service. When the Avatar asked about the people of the isle, Mordra was able to shed some important information about them: Caine, the alchemist known as the Tortured One, who blamed himself for the destruction of the town, and who felt the flames of his death constantly and was the bearer of the answers to the questions of Life and Death; Forsythe, the town mayor who Mordra held responsible for the fire that destroyed Skara Brae; The Ferryman, who had appeared soon after Horance's call to the angry dead of the lands, and who would remain even after the Liche bound by his geas; Markham, owner of the Keg O' Spirits and the employer of Paulette the barmaid; Trent, the blacksmith whose hatred consumes him over the loss of his wife Rowena to Horance, who held the woman's mind under a spell within his Dark Tower; and finally Mordra told the sad tale of Quenton, who had died during the time of the False Prophet.

Quenton was a simple fisherman married to a lovely woman named Gwen, who gave birth to their daughter Marney. Several years after Marney was born, Gwen was abducted by a group of pirates, who thought she was a noble woman due to her beauty, but when they learned the truth, they raped her brutally and sold her to a disreputable brothel, where she died not long after her arrival. After her mother's abduction, Marney grew ill, and lived near death for several years, before Quenton borrowed money from a violent man named Michael, who went by the name Blade. When Quenton was unable to repay his debt, Blade slew him. Quenton's shade was forced to remain in Skara Brae, and was forced to watch as his beloved Marney grew more ill and finally died. Yorl, a local friend of the family who had cared for Marney after Quenton's death, built a shrine for her body. Years after Quenton's death, Mordra's late brother, Rinaldo, was the High Court official in Yew, and wrote his sister about the capture and execution of Blade by the guillotine, and of the capture and incarceration of the pirates responsible for the abduction of Quenton's wife Gwen. When Horance began his Dark Service, the spirit of Marney was captured within the Well of Souls, trapping Quenton to the mortal plane.

Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after speaking with Trent and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Mordra about her sacrifice, she confessed that she had tied her spirit to powers beyond Britannia, and was unable to enter the Well of Souls without destroying the island of Skara Brae and a good bit of the mainland. After speaking to the remaining inhabitants on Skara Brae, the mayor Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Mordra was released from the mortal plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Caine

Caine A non-corporeal man whose face was filled with pain, Caine, or the 'Tortured One' was the alchemist of Skara Brae, who accidentally destroyed the city of Spirituality with a magical fire. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Caine was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. When the Avatar asked about the questions of Life and Death, Caine promised to answer only if the Avatar promised to help free the people of Skara Brae from Horance the Liche, and to help atone for his mistake that destroyed the town. When he spoke of the accident, Caine told the Avatar about the concoction that Mordra the healer had created to destroy the magical bonds that formed the Liche.

When the mayor Forsythe presented the formula to Caine, he proceeded to create the potion, but something went wrong. His laboratory exploded with a great fire, and destroyed Skara Brae. When the Avatar spoke with Mordra, she confessed that she did not believe that Caine was at fault, but rather Forsythe. Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after speaking with Trent and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him.

Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Caine about his sacrifice, he confessed that he would remain for eternity in constant memory of those he destroyed. After speaking to the remaining inhabitants on Skara Brae, the mayor Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The Avatar returned to Caine to obtain the answers to the questions of Life and Death, to which the Tortured One revealed that there were no answers, but only more questions. As the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia, Caine remained in Skara Brae, suffering for eternity.


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Forsythe

Forsythe A middle-aged ghost, Forsythe was the mayor of Skara Brae, who was killed when the city of Spirituality was destroyed. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Forsythe was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Forsythe told the Avatar about Alagner the Liche, who had become a horrible scourge to Skara Brae by raising the dead from their graves. In an attempt to destroy the Liche, Mordra the healer devised a potion that would save Skara Brae, but when Forsythe relayed the recipe to Caine, he mistakenly told the alchemist to add a ton of Mandrake root. This incorrect potion caused a catastrophic fire to sweep across the face of Skara Brae, killing all the inhabitants.

During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after speaking with Trent the blacksmith, and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Forsythe about his sacrifice, the mayor instructed the Avatar to ask the remaining inhabitants first, before he would consider sacrificing himself. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Trent

Trent Husband of Rowena, Trent was the blacksmith of Skara Brae, who was killed when the city of Spirituality was destroyed. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Trent was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue coldly through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. When the Avatar asked about the Soul Cage Trent was constructing, the angry blacksmith retorted that the cage was being built to destroy Horance the Liche, who had sent his undead minions to bring Trent's wife Rowena to the Dark Tower, who mindlessly slew the woman as she struggled against the skeletal horde. Blinded by his hatred, Trent joined forces with Mordra the healer in an attempt to destroy the Liche for all time. Unfortunately, the potion being created by Caine the alchemist went terribly wrong, and a huge magical fire swept across the face of Skara Brae, killing everyone.

Trent, busy working on his nearly completed Soul Cage, didn't even notice his own death as he was sustained by his hatred. When the Avatar asked about Rowena, Trent remarked that all he had to remember his bride by was a music box he had given her on their wedding day. After the Avatar showed the music box to Rowena in the Dark Tower, she presented him with her wedding ring to show to Trent. When the Avatar gave the ring to him, Trent's hatred faded, and with a renewed determination, the blacksmith completed the Soul Cage. During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and the Avatar energized the Soul Cage within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him.

Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within, but first commanded the Avatar to return Rowena to her husband. When the Avatar asked Trent about his sacrifice, Rowena refused to allow it, citing their recent reunion. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Trent was released from the mortal plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Rowena

Rowena Wife of Trent, Rowena was killed by Horance the Liche, who had sent his undead minions to bring her to the Dark Tower, but who mindlessly slew the woman as she struggled against the skeletal horde. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Rowena was only able to greet the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Rowena told the Avatar that she was the Mistress of the Dark Tower, tending to Lord Horance's needs. After speaking to Trent, the Avatar showed a music box, given as a wedding gift, to Rowena in the Dark Tower. As the music played, Rowena's mind cleared, and she presented the Avatar with her wedding ring to show to Trent. When the Avatar gave the ring to him, Trent's hatred faded, and with a renewed determination, the blacksmith completed the Soul Cage.

During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra the healer told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion needed to destroy Horance, and the Avatar energized the Soul Cage within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within, but first commanded the Avatar to return Rowena to her husband. When the Avatar asked Rowena about her sacrifice, Trent refused to allow it, citing their recent reunion. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Rowena was released from the mortal plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Markham

Markham A heavy-set ghost, Markham was the barkeep of the Keg O' Spirits in Skara Brae, a fine tavern that drew humans and gargoyles across Britannia, employing Paulette as a barmaid, until a magical fire destroyed the city of Spirituality. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Markham was only able to welcome the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Markham told the Avatar of how Horance the Liche had begun to raise the undead from their graves, and of how the townspeople had become slaves to Horance's Dark Tower after Caine, or the 'Tortured One', had destroyed Skara Brae while trying to create a potion developed by Mordra the healer in order to stop the Liche.

During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after speaking with Trent the blacksmith, and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Markham about his sacrifice, the old barkeep confessed that his courage wasn't strong enough for the task. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Markham was released from the mortal plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Paulette

Paulette A pretty, ghostly girl, Paulette was the barmaid of the Keg O' Spirits in Skara Brae, employed by Markham, until a magical fire destroyed the city of Spirituality. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Paulette was only able to welcome the Champion of Virtue through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance. As they spoke, Paulette told the Avatar of the terrible fire set by Caine, or the 'Tortured One', while trying to create a potion developed by Mordra the healer in order to stop Horance the Liche, that had killed her and the other townspeople. Paulette reflected on her death, telling the Avatar how the tavern had caught fire, forcing her to her room, hoping to escape the flames. But due to the nature of the flames, Paulette found no escape, and soon began coughing. Eventually, she couldn't breathe, and when she could stand no more, she fainted and was suddenly back where she was, dead in the mortal plane. When she awoke, Paulette was stunned to see it was as if she had never left, except for the terrible scorch marks everywhere showing the damage of the fire.

During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after speaking with Trent the blacksmith, and obtaining the completed Soul Cage, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him. Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Paulette about her sacrifice, the young girl told the Avatar that if he wanted her to jump into a Well, that he could jump in a lake. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Paulette was released from the mortal plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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Quenton

Quenton A pale-looking ghost, Quenton was a fisherman in Skara Brae during the time of the False Prophet, roaming the seas gathering his harvest of fish. While he was a young man, Quenton met a lovely woman named Gwen, whom he made his wife. Giving birth to a daughter, Quenton and Gwen named her Marney, meaning 'the cool breeze after a storm'. Shortly after Marney's birth, his wife was taken by evil men, and his daughter Marney became sick at heart. Fearing for her health, Quenton could not take time from his fishing to care for his daughter, but needed gold for healers. Quenton borrowed a loan from Michael, known as Blade, but when he failed to repay his debt, Blade came to his one night and slew him, without a chance to fight back or call for help. After Quenton's death, Marney was cared for by his friend Yorl, but after several months her sickness caused her to die. When the Avatar, under the guidance of Alagner of New Magincia, traveled to Skara Brae to seek the answers of Life and Death, Quenton was only able to welcome the Champion of Virtue warmly through the use of the Fourth Circle spell Seance.

As they spoke, Quenton told the Avatar about Horance the Liche, who had built the Dark Tower on Skara Brae, and had risen to command the undead scattered on the isle. Creating the Well of Souls, Horance trapped the spirits of the dead in Skara Brae, including Quenton's daughter Marney's soul, and used the Well to increase his power over the dead. Mordra the healer developed a plan to destroy the Liche, involving Trent the blacksmith and Caine the alchemist. When Caine attempted to create the magical potion that would destroy the Liche, something terrible happened. A great maelstrom of fire swept across Skara Brae for days, destroying everything. When the flames died down, the townspeople of Skara Brae became Horance's slaves, each night traveling to the Dark Tower and participating in the Dark Service that regenerated the Liche's power. During his travels in Skara Brae, Mordra told the Avatar the proper formula for the potion, and after obtaining the completed Soul Cage from Trent, the Avatar energized it within the Well of Souls. The Avatar then waited until midnight, and quickly clasping the Soul Cage over Horance, poured the completed potion onto the evil liche. When the potion had taken effect, Horance was released from the dark spirit inhabiting him.

Grateful, Horance asked the Avatar's assistance in destroying the Well of Souls in order to release the captured souls within. When the Avatar asked Quenton about his sacrifice, the ghost refused, remarking that he could not do anything that could possibly harm the trapped spirit of Marney. When none of the townspeople volunteered, Forsythe finally agreed to be the sacrifice needed. After a moment's hesitation, the brave mayor jumped into the Well of Souls, and with a mighty blast, the dark Well was destroyed, the captured souls freed. The power of the dark Liche faded, and Quenton was released from the mortal plane at last, freed to be with his wife and daughter in the spectral plane, as the Avatar continued his quest to save Britannia.


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