Improved Monk Reaches Norwold?

New Monk Rules

Dragon Magazine #53

New Paladin Lord to arrive in Norwold?

There are rumors from the great halls of Deliverance and Chastity of a new Paladin Lord arriving soon in Norwold. The exact identity of the Lord is shrouded secrecy. The main point of speculation is the Paladin's Holy Order membership. Will Lord Mythas Bulga be joined by another member of The Castrametation? If this is to be the case, which Paladin will be subordinate? Surely, they could not be equals. It would be an even more interesting development if the new Paladin were to be of The Excoriation. Would this lead to an inter-order conflict within the new Norwold colonies?

The Order of the Holy Blade, The Excoriation, Purifiers:

The Excoriation is led by The Order of Holy Blade with the stated purpose of the destruction of Evil. The Holy Blade is the oldest Alphatian religious military order and predates the Righteous Tower by over 1,000 years. In the past few centuries, the Holy Blade has been surpassed by the Righteous Tower in membership and is now almost half the size of the younger order. However, the Knights of the Excoriation are still considered by most to be superior one-on-one to the Knights of The Castrametation.

The Most Holy Order of the Righteous Tower, The Castrametation, Guardians:

The ongoing rivalry and conflict between The Castrametation and The Excoriation has almost reached the point of open warfare. It seems unthinkable that two orders dedicated respectively to the destruction of evil and protection against evil could be in such opposition. This conflict reaches back to the schism within the Holy Blade which gave birth to the Righteous Tower. The Excoriation considers Guardians to be misguided and untrustworthy at best. At worst, the Excoriation considers Purifiers to be traitors requiring redemption through abscission. Meanwhile, Guardians consider Purifiers to be crazed with blood lust and fallen from grace. While the Excoriation is dedicated to the destruction of Evil, The Castemetation is dedicated to the protection of the righteous.

Baron Corbo's Manor House Completed

With the help of the wizard Azi Hazami, hundreds of skilled craftsmen and over a thousand grateful peasants, Baron Corbo's manor house was completely constructed in just three weeks. The Barony of Deliverance now has a secure seat from which the baron will henceforth be governed. This manor house is the first fortified stone structure to be completed during the recolonization effort. The Barony of Chastity is currently building a similar structure expected to be completed in the coming weeks.     

Demonslayer of the Depths joins the Lords of Norath

Azi Hazami, the renown Demonslayer of the Depths has recently joined the Lords of Norath in the newly founded Barony of Deliverance. Greeted by his former adventuring partner Konda Ignacious, more commonly known as the Hammer of Alphatia, the blind wizard quickly started powerful enchantments intended to assist in the colonization efforts. Due to his condition, the wizard is not expected to be actively adventuring, but will likely provide valuable council and support through magical enchantments and devices.

There is still little known about the encounter which left the wizard blind and crippled. Azi and Konda have never declared the identity of the defeated demon prince for fear of speaking its name may release it. 

A Divine Messenger

There are reports that the six Lords of Norath entered a magnificent marble tower (Konda was reportedly denied entry) and Gated to Elysium. A Solar named Inesh hosted a divine meal and provided a dire prophecy of evil and redemption

New Baronies Founded

Three new baronies have been founded in Norwold: Deliverance, the dominion of the Baron Bruta Corbo; Chastity, the dominion of Mythas Bulga; and Woodhaven, the dominion of Veliko Yantra.

The warrior-monk Kaga Shou has quickly founded an impressive mountain monastery capable of housing over 200 monks.

Koract Granitesoul has established a high mountain camp and is rumored to be building an aviary for Giant Eagles.

As the other lords begin to work their new lands, Rolf Varegar has been planning an expedition to the planned location of his future dominion.

Meanwhile, Konda and his men have been pushing into the interior and taking the fight to those that may wish to harm these new Alphatian colonies.