Part 1: On Yelmalio's Service
On the Road
The plot opens on a hot dry and dusty day, some- where among the farms
of Sun County. The Men of Gold are on patrol, on the lookout for signs
of trouble along the western fringes of Sun County. Beyond the last farmstead
lies the plains of Prax, home to the barbarous animal nomads, who look
open the pleasant farmlands with jealous eyes. Unfortunately, there are
no nomads to be seen, just mile after mile of endless barley, interspersed
with the irrigation channels which keep the County alive.
After an overnight patrol, the party are walking down the trail back to their barracks at Rory's Well. The dusty path follows the dry bed of Stony Creek, which only flows when the rains come. Behind them, the trail winds its way to the last Sun Dome village of Yellow Sky, and then back into the Long Dry, a particularly arid part of the Praxian plains.
The OY Boys
Sometime in the morning, the PCs spot a wagon coming towards them along
the road, escorted by a number of Sun Dome Templars. These are the real
soldiers of Sun County, and their polished armour shines in the sunlight
as they approach.
"Tell me man, this is the path to good village of Yellow Sky is it not?" (It is.) "Good, we must stop there for water before heading out onto the plains."
Restless Dreams
The Men of Gold return to Rory's Well for the night. Rory's Well is
a typical Sun County market town, with very little to do, and few people
willing to do it with you.
What the Sun Priest Says
The PCs might seek spiritual guidance. The local acolyte is willing
to cast a divination to interpret their dreams. He lights a fire in the
Sun Dome temple and stands above it, inhaling the smoke. Then, after reciting
a long prayer in Firespeech he stares up through the hole in the dome of
the temple directly into the sun. His answer:
"You are under the watchful eye of Monrogh, the founder, he who keeps us true to Yelmalio ways. A great white bird flies behind him. You have the Lord's blessing: go!"