Risen Lands Bazaar on June 20th, 2014

Inn Time

Swamp Attack! From left: Campbell Bradley, Jack Dinauer, Tanner McCormack, Dono Barnes, Zach Stevens, Sophia Mead

When sitting in an inn, the Power Questers saw an add for the rescue of a girl. They of course accepted the job and began to track her. They started in the cell where she had been living, and discovered she had been kidnapped through a dimensional rift, and that she had been taken to a lost swamp in The Kingdom of Dawn.

At the swamp, they found not the girl, but a few ninjas and some old documents. From that, they learned she had been moved again to some remote location in the north. The adventurers continued to journey on for quite some time until they found things left behind from the Adamantiun Guard, who was said to be working for the same cause that captured the girl.

Carefully, they tracked the shadowy guards' caravans. One of the heroes snuck into a wagon and found the girl locked up in a small enclosure. Unfortunately, there was a guard hidden inside and captured the hero, throwing her in with the girl.

Using time magic, the captors sprinted into the near future, leaving the rest of the adventures to track them down and attempt to retrieve their friend (as well as the girl who had been taken).

Back to the Future. From left: Tanner McCormack, Ben Lattes, Campbell Bradley, Dono Barnes (QL)

Once caught up in time, the Questers attacked! They fought hard against the many guards and managed to create enough ruckus to enable a chance for escape for the two prisoners! They took their chance and we're able to break free, sneak away, and rejoin their rescuers.

Just when they thought they were free, a shadowy man working for the enemies conjured up a time rift tornado, which rattled the Questers and carried them inside. Ironically appearing in the exact inn they had began their quest in, the adventures learned that they had been put there in a different time dimension all together!

Curious, they opened the door (bad idea) and were attacked without hesitation by an enormous school of strange fish robots. When hope was almost lost, another portal opened up. Choosing that over the fish robots, the heroes jumped inside, bringing the girl with them.

To their surprise, and delight, thy found themselves back in their own time! They protected the girl against the ones trying to get her and managed to subdue them in a large, exhausting battle. Finally the girl was reunited with her parents!

Back at the Inn. Circle from left: Jack Dinauer, Ben Lattes, Zach Stevens, Campbell Bradley, Tanner McCormack, Dono Barnes (QL)

Preview of the Phoenix Overnight: The Keys of Time!

The Mage Wars were a dark era in the history of Thael. Fortunately, the College of All Magic was reformed in the Risen Lands, but ever since, the landscape was changed. Twisted by sorcery and home now to strange beasts and magic. 

Just two years ago, the College of All Magic fractured and nearly caused another Mage War during the Shadow Wars, when Shadow Dragons roamed the lands. 

The Shadow Dragons decimated the College of All Magic

Questers maintained the peace, and during an overnight quest, delegates from the Empire of the Seven Stars restored the balance of power. The College of All Magic was rebuilt from the Dream Realm using Healer magic. 

In the rebuilding, a discovery was made. Deep within the old Seer College, there was found a Time Gate. Very little is known about the advanced disciplines of Time Magic, but the Chronomancers of the College have gathered to study it. Archaeologists from the ATLAS Society have done their part to delve into the more mundane areas, hoping to find more information. Furthermore, kobold Mercantiers from the Underguild have taken an interest, claiming that, by proclamation of the former Battlemage College, they are the true custodians of whatever is discovered, as it is technically in the Penumbra.

But more importantly, the rumor of eight Time Artifacts has spread. Once held by a mysterious villain called the Time Lord - an instigator in the Mage Wars - these artifacts were lost until the Time Gate was found. The Chronomancers of the College glimpsed into the Time Gate and traced the history of these artifacts.

1. One is held by the Adamanitum Guard as a weapon for Light.
2. One is held by the Brown Rangers as a heritage gift for the Pharaohs that will come to reign again.
3. One is held by the Heralds Arcanos, the most accomplished emissaries of the College of All Magic.
4. One is held by Black Bart of the Pirate Isles - a prized token of his exploits.
5. One is held by the Summerlands in the Seelie Court.
6. One is held by House Phoenix of the Empire, an item that has been crucial to the efforts to stave off shadowy beasts in the jungles of Duami-na.
7. One is held by the Mercenaries of Krov, who have been expelled from the Risen Lands due to their allegiance to the Underguild when the recent conflict between mages seemed to hearken a new Mage Wars.
8. Finally, the eighth Time Artifact is held by the warrior-aristocrats of Pellarghiem in the Sable Dominion.

These eight artifacts must be retrieved if the College of All Magic is to know more about this possibly volatile Time Gate, and the Heralds Arcanos have negotiated a deal for each one to bring the Time Artifact to the College of All Magic for a summit of unknown power...

A Mercenary of Krov. They teach the Oath of Dispassion, though some take pleasure in their grisly duties.

Strange Mists and the Seer Gathering

They awakened in a cart.

It was normal except it was being driven by a brorian (bear-person), whose identity was unknown to all of the heroes. They took certain precautions to ensure their safety by removing the bear from the wheel and replacing the driver with one of their own. The adventurers continued through a thickening mist, which seemed to grow denser and denser no matter the direction they traveled. 

In Sasha's Group: Luke Bohin (left) and Zane Derounian

Then, within the fog's depths, the Questers met an old, peculiar woman. She told them of a Sear Gathering that was very close to where they happened to be. Despite the odd circumstances, curiosity got the better of the heroes, so they were soon on their way. 

In Sasha's Group: Liliane Vasquez

Sasha's Group: Luke Bohin (left), Lucas Kiefer, Iain Hak

When the adventurers arrived at the Seer Gathering, it was far more strange than anticipated. While there were many magical people selling magical objects, they found particular interest in one shop. The heroes wandered in and encountered a man who was, to their surprise, holding a giant, one foot pair of scissors! Even more surprisingly, he also was the keeper to a swirling portal of energy that led directly into the Spirit Realm. Without much warning, the nameless man opened it upon the heroes as they stood in his shop.

Engulfed by the portal's power, the Questers were swept in the Spirit Realm and soon met a group of warriors with the symbol of The Kingdom of Dawn embedded on their armor. Without provocation, the heroes were attacked, and a lengthy battle broke out! Sadly for our adventures, they we're captured and taken to a mysterious prison back in the Earth Realm.

As questions upon questions mired their thoughts about their fate and fortune, the Questers heard word of the reason behind why the Kingdom of Dawn warriors were in the Spirit Realm. It was not good news. The Kingdom of Dawn members were stealthily using this realm to travel to the White Wolf Nations, in complete secret!

No bars of iron could hold these adventures, and they were soon escaping! Getting out of their cells was fairly easy, but escaping the compound was a different story. After one failed attempt, the Questers recruited a shady man to aid them in their venture. He only had one requirement: the Questers would owe him a favor in return. Agreeing to his terms and gaining the man's succor, the Questers quickly escaped, headed into the forest, and continued their adventure.

In the forest, they came across a native tribe, who told them that if they helped collect three artifacts with the power to summon an archdeva who would besiege the compound, they would be spared and not eaten! The heroes set off to retrieve these items and were successful! With an old statue, and a strange mask with glowing eyes, they're well on their way to completing their quest...

...TO BE CONTINUED!

Sasha's Group: Lucas Kiefer

From Raging Storm to Jail to a Riddle Door...

A band of traveling adventurers were venturing throughout a burning wheat field when suddenly, out of nowhere, they were rapidly heaved upward by a raging storm. Thrashing for freedom, they broke away and were dropped into the sea. Lost with the current, they washed up on an unknown beach shore...

Once a carnival was sighted in the distance, the adventures were on their way! One was searching around in a trashcan, and came about a newspaper that gave information about a coming invasion. Curious, they continued their search, and met a man who called himself "Pin Head."

Deciding to take Pin Head with them, they headed off in a hot air balloon to an old, tired village, where they were captured and tossed in jail. Luckily, these adventurers cleverly escaped, convincing the queen that they were, indeed, light filled. They were then brought into a room where they saw a group, not unlike themselves, thrusting through a door....

Sam, Quest Leader:
Sailing away on a blimp to the Arctic Circle, this bunch of brilliant travelers set off to go study and explore ancient temples. When they arrived, they were immediately engulfed by the sense of shadow inside, and they soon learned a very valuable lessen: Stick together, always. Stick together, and everybody will be okay.

Yet, the challenges were endless. A long puzzle needed solving! Hard at work, the heroes soon learned another valuable lesson about patience.  Patience really was the key to the lock. Bursting through the door, they, to their astonishment, gazed upon another group of adventures...

Kat and Sam, Quest Leaders:
Well, what else is there to do? Joining their strength together, both groups began to solve a final riddle as one. They were soon able to solve the problem, and entered a web covered room, where they were rushed by giant spiders. The battle was long and hard, but the hero's prevailed, and are still moving onward on their quest.

In the Webs of a Spider

The Questers stealthily crept through the spider webs, trying to not alert the arachnid guardians of the forest.

From left to right: Quentin Garcia, Joaquin Stewart, Quinn Besser

Captured Sable Elves in the Penumbra (Part I)

Trekking through the twisted, dark tunnels of the Penumbra, the Power Quest adventures stumbled upon a corrupt city of an ancient lost society, which was said to be filled with many rich treasures.

To their surprise, they found sable elf housings, but no actual elves. When they learned the elves had all been captured, the Questers released the sable elves, then moved on throughout the city to investigate the strange occurrences. Soon afterward, the adventurers were attacked by giant guards that had the power to transform into any beast at will. Fortunately, the Questers were able to escape and continue their journey into the heart of the city.

When they arrived at the heart of the underground city, two of the Questers were captured! Last we heard, the captives were being prepared for sacrifice and are unable to make further comments...

TO BE CONTINUED!

A readied band of attackers, ready to confront the opposition!
From back to front: Chris Dierks, Donovan Barnes, Tanner McCormack, John Graham 

Tanner McCormack surrenders! :)

I challenge you to a duel!
From left to right Sophia Mead, John Graham, Chris Dierks

Discussing tactics and powers, I presume...
From left to right: Trevor Giltner, Sophia Mead

Mirror and the Cat

Next week, June 16th - 20th, Renaissance Adventures is running the quest Mirror and the Cat. Here is the preview for all of you who will join us:

Vard is defenseless. The bogatyr knights are missing and greenteeth have overrun the land. The Marchioness summons adventurers to save her family from a dragon, but a pair of infamous thieves must be dealt with first.

Battle at the Bazaar

Here are a few more pictures that show some of the dueling that took place at the bazaar on June 6th, 2014. While the bazaar is hosted at a peaceful city somewhere in Thael, often there are plots and monsters that invade, and the Questers can choose to play their character or play one of the antagonists.

Riley Sharon (left) and Zane Bergen duel it out.

Ben Breuch stands at the ready.

Trek under the Volcano

The Power Questers began their adventure to find the Baron's son. As usual, everything went haywire. From explosions, to time pockets, to sky-traveling in a canoe, they braved through it all. After their fun, a grand adventure finally arrived: A trek underneath an active volcano while facing traps, mutated creatures, and more.

Tangling with Black Bart

After many strange distractions, including an odd mishap in The City of Pancakes, this band of adventurers wandered far (as instructed by the king) to retrieve a magnificent gem from a dark, mysterious jungle. 

Deep in a crumbling temple, they found not the gem, but instead a note left by Black Bart stating he had reached the treasure first and taken it! To win back the treasure, these heroes devised a plan to join Black Bart's crew, and attack when least expected. 

...Unfortunately their plan was thwarted, and they were defeated, and left marooned on a cursed island...

Town on Island in the Middle of Nowhere

Unfazed by the challenges to come, two brave adventurers broke of from their company, and created a city, which they call "TOIITMON" or, Town On Island In The Middle Of Nowhere.

They say it is still unoccupied, but is welcoming guests interesting in starting up a fish trade, and eventually a functional dwelling place.

See the Solaris Times on Facebook too!

Dear avid reader of the adventure blog Solaris Times,

In addition to continuing to post stories and pictures here on this blog, we will also do so on our special facebook page: Facebook.com/SolarisTimes. It would be wonderful if you "like" that page as well as subscribing to this one. Twice the news, twice the adventure.

Oh, and we also post even more pictures of our questing using our instagram page: Instagram.com/AdventureQuest.