Since the beginning of history, humanity has measured time in Ages. Ages of Glory, of Dreams, and even of Great Sorrow mark the human tally of years, giving a sense of order to the events of past centuries. But one age has yet to occur--an age of Darkness, of Decay, and of Writhing Doom. Witty bards and wrathful preachers know it as the Age of Worms, weaving it into the peripheries of their passion plays as a mythic era of destruction that could begin at any time. Astronomers, diviners, and the servants of Fate know more. The canniest among them fear that the Age of Worms has already begun.Diamond Lake
At a perfumed house of ill repute cleverly called the Emporium, Governor Mayor Lanod Neff jostles for position alongside common laborers awaiting their turn in the Veiled Corridor for an appointment with one of the lovely ladies who turn a trade on the desires of desperate men. In an adjacent taproom, snakes and exotic dancers gyrate to a the beat of a a surprisingly pleasant sounding cover band, by the sounds of which could easily be the real thing straight from Waterdeep. Down below in the lower level, a long line of drunken and smelly miners press against the windowed door of a darkened cell, impatient for just a glimpse of the famed two-headed calf or in another cell a misshapen contortionist.
Out on the street known as The Vein, a gang of roughnecks scream obscenities at a battered halfling, kicking the curled up little one as if it was a child's toy as they scream obscenities. Their drunken laughter echoing off shuttered windows and bolted doors.
In a tower-flanked fortress across the shadowy square, filthy men with nothing to lose shout prayers and hymns to the god Illmatar, clinging to their idealism and principles like cornered animals. The wild eyed Priest smiles and then with passion and vigor draws back a whip and lashes himself across his back, awash in their adulation he continues shedding his own blood for the huddled mass. But it is just another night in Diamond Lake...
The PC's
Having grown up in Diamond Lake each of the PCs has recently decided to take the path of Adventure to rid them, and their families, of the economic chains that bind them to this deteriorating place. A place where desperate folk toil in lightless depths for a pittance, manipulated by corrupt mine managers who themselves live in relative opulence and depravity, ruthlessly scheming to undermine one another to protect their little piece of the action.
To this end, each of the PCs has joined The Three Hills Adventuring Company, a local group that recently set up shop in Diamond Lake under the leadership of Morgan Hizari, a somewhat famed Rashemi Fighter renown for his battles in the Fishmen War just a year ago in Waterdeep. Alongside Morgan are Elgan, a Half-Elven Sorcerer, Tarin and Sarin rogues and twin-brothers, Suzanna, a graduate of the New Olman Academy and a Bard by trade. Morgan founded the Adventuring company 10 months ago based on rumors of still unexplored burial cairns in the hills around Diamond Lake. In this endeavor, Morgan set up the Adventuring Company with his own funds, renting an old Government office building and renovating it into The Three Hills base of operation and barracks. Forming an alliance with the mine manager Gelch Tilgast, Morgan has made a special arrangement to serve as Tilgast's ally in exchange for a reduced rent on the office building. Of all the mine managers Tilgast is the most tolerable and somehwhat honest albeit still a businessman and driven by profit.
Morgan has long been served by Jasper his aide de camp, who now serves as the 'adjutant' for the Three Hills Adventuring Company and in this capacity is known as the cook, barber, secretary, blacksmith, and custodian. Jasper is old, maybe 50 or so seasons in age, but has a certain strength both in his eyes and powerful build. He has the look of a once powerful Rashemi warrior yet the manners of a humble servant. Jasper treats the young PCs with respect and kindness and for the last few days has assisted in getting them set up and introduced to the others.
The year is 1371 Dale Reckoning (DR), "Year of the Unstrung Harp". It is the end of the Higharvestide and the first day of Marpenoth and though only fall, the chill on the wind reminds the folk of Diamond Lake that Winter is close at hand. Prepare yourselves, for Adventure is near.
