Codex of the Hourglass: Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28: OLD EASTERN PROVINCE PROBLEMS

Here you are, still in 529 R.R., in the times of the old Iron Kingdom. Your journey into the past continues, as you find out more and more about a wide-ranging plot to conquer the decaying kingdom. Since this was never recorded historically, it looks like you will have to prevent it!

[Note #1: remember you have roughly eight months before Primus/Maximus arrives and takes possession of Kith's obelisk-tower. If you go there too soon, you'll notice that the only way to enter is to have a keryndhoryan with you to put his/her hand in a hand-shaped depression that serves as an opening mechanism to enter the obelisk (this mechanism is similar to what you encountered way back in TiSL, inside Kith's crypt). Thus, you can't enter Kith's obelisk unless Primus/Maximus has already done so.]

[Note #2: remember to take the time to read Oberon's lexicon that he gave you, if you haven't done so already. It contains very important background information that will allow you to understand how things are going in the Iron Kingdom at this time period.]

Feature #1: remember not to worry if you are reminded of Primus/Maximus' arrival while you are already well set on one of the side-quests available in this part of the story. From your end of the timeline, you have all the time in the world. Tackle Primus/Maximus at your first opportunity (see Chapter 30), then simply continue on your other quest(s). You need activate Oberon's orb of return only once you feel you have done everything that you could in the past.

Feature #2: most of everything described in this chapter (and chapters 27 and 29) can be done out of order instead of as explained here, should you wish.

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- having well rested and recuperated, it is now time to investigate the location on the new map you found in the bandits' HQ, as well as look further into the new information you acquired in there.
- without further due, head east to the Eastern Province, siege of the Royal Capital of the Iron Kingdom.

Key to the Eastern Province of the Iron Kingdom:
x22y1 - Crypt of the Tarturian Dynasty
x72y0; x72y7 - Gates of Fort Endanuur
x78y26 - Crypt of Ptaraz
x73y6 - Fort Endanuur Tradeway Station
x38y31 - Inn of the Old Road
x45y32 - Gates of Fort Tarterys
x27y55 - Fort Riverside Tradeway Station
x9y33 - Ruins of a forgotten temple of Lharishar
x42y34 - The River's Tap
x49y27 - Royal Inn
x47y41 - Temple of Agrah
x44y26 - Gates of Tanirith (see key below)
x26y49; 23y43 - Gates of Fort Riverside
x41y30 - Baldar's Fine Armors
x43y36 - Tarterys River Shop
x55y41 - High Tides Store
x40y71 - Cave leading to ruins of Hashuur's underground keep
x62y71 - Ruins of an old temple of Graaz'z
x66y67 - Lair of the green dragon Chloroshanvagluur (a.k.a. Cloud Kill)
x25y50 - Store of the Swift Arrow
x27y27 - Dely's Fine Quality Leatherworks
x57y27 - Kingly Armory Store

Key to Tanirith:
x36y9 - Gates to Castle Tanirith
x43y7; x43y12; x46y16; x51y16; x51y18; x35y19 - Noble/Rich estates
x41y14 - Temple of Codan
x42y18 - Temple of Danuur
x37y13 - Bank
x33y13 - City/Magistrates' Hall
x40y17 - Nurmana's Little Shop of Wonders
x47y18 - Shahlym's Wondrous Imports
x46y19 - Central Market
x45y21 - Mother Martha's Little Store
x43y20 - Western Lands Imports Depot
x44y15 - City Business and Trade Center (get a job there!)

- as you near Tanirith, go to the River's Tap (just outside the gates of Tanirith; see key to Eastern Province above) and enter.
- once inside, head to the Lords' Taproom at x73y18. A wench will prevent you at first from entering this "members' club only", but a richly dressed man will tell her to let you in, claiming that you are guests of his.
- walk into the taprrom and go meet the man in the lower right corner of the room. His name is Ayed Al'Rabin and, on behalf of his employers, he seeks capable men and women to recruit for special tasks. Having heard of your deeds so far, he invites you to go meet his employers for an interview. He gives you a map showing the location of his employers' castle in the Western Province. His business done, he departs.
- you may rest and/or explore Tanirith at your leisure.

- having met with Al'Rabin, return in the wilderness to x18y64, with detect secret and/or search on. As luck would have it, a group of brigands is keeping watch here. Upon seeing you, they will attack. After the battle, find the secret entrance and enter the Brigands' Hideout. You'll notice that it is rather small - this is because it is still under construction.

Key to the Brigands' Hideout:
x31y81 - exit to surface
x35y81 - large hall (a battle awaits you there!)
x39y75; x39y86 - unfinished corridor
x43y81 - door to finished corridor
x47y84 - private quarters
x51y85 - tapped and locked false-bottomed chest
x45y80 - meeting room. Durnon Ironclaws, leader of the brigands, and his lieutenants are waiting for you here, having heard the commotion you caused in the large hall (a battle awaits you there!)
x47y78 - conference table. A letter from Ariel to Durnon mentions again the names of Stygiax and Maladore, identified here as the "real bosses". The letter also instructs Durnon to make contact with the bosses' liaison, who hangs about a nearby tavern. A map gives the location of this tavern: it is the River's Tap. Looks like Ayed Al'Rabin is involved in all of this, eh?
x51y79 - secret door to the hoard of the brigands!

- having taken care of the brigands, it now looks like you will have to travel all the way to the Western Province.

Onward to Chapters 29 or 30!

These pages and their contents (except otherwise noted) are © Pierre H. Vachon (Psion) and may not be reproduced in any way or for any purpose without the express permission of the author.

These pages and their contents (except otherwise noted) are © Pierre H. Vachon (Psion) and may not be reproduced in any way or for any purpose without the express permission of the author.

The Sword Lands and Anarym are © Pierre H. Vachon.