X13 - Crown of Ancient Glory

Title: Crown of Ancient Glory
By: Stephen Bourne

Number: X13
Level: 7-10
Pages: 64
Copyrighted: 1987
Cover Price: $7.95

Part Number: 9218XXX1401 [Back cover, lower left]
Product Code:
ISBN: 0-88038-495-6 [Back cover, lower center]
Logo: TSR
Dimensions: 8 3/8" x 10 3/4"

Back Cover Synopsis:

All is not well in the kingdom of Vestland.

Not only is the king dead and the holy Sonora Crown missing, but the heir to the kingdom was lost at birth and no one knows where to find him. As if this wasn't bad enough, the forces of the Ethengar Khanate, never on the best of terms with Vestland, are now massing on the borders, hoping to take advantage of Vestland's plight. To complete the rosy picture, traitors from within also threathen to speed the downfall of the High Kingdom.

Sounds like a job for you. You must find the long-lost heir to the kingdom and recover the Sonora Crown, the mystical device without which a king cannot be crowned. Standing in your way are traitors and spies from within and invaders from without the kingdom of Vestland. Time is running out! Can you save Vestland from disaster?

This adventure is for use with the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Basic, Expert, and Companion Rules produced by TSR, Inc. You must have these rule sets to play the adventure.

Adventure Plot:

Over five years ago, the High King Maramet was on a campaign against the barbarians along the borders of the Heldann Freeholds. A handful of Maramet's men returned, however the High King was missing.

Maramet's only heir, Thendel would have been crowned the new High King of Vestland, if there was a crown to be seen. Sonora, the symbol of the High King of Vestland was missing, because of this, Thendel was unable to inherit the throne, sending much turmoil throughout Vestland. Nobles, acknowledge the legitamacy of Thendel's claim, but without the crown, he lacked the authority to rule. Shady Warlords around the land began enforcing unjust laws and criminal activiies. Even the bordering neighbors, the Ethengar Khanate, have been raiding borderland towns. Without a central authority over Vestland, the land is in chaos.

Ruthin

For centuries, the hamlet of Ruthin has been the place where the High King of Vestland has been crowned. The coronation has been guided by a small, but auspices clerical order, the Clerics of Ruthin. The Clerics of Ruthin, lead by Annacks, are stalwart supporters of the law and tradition. As such, Annacks has proposed to Prince Thendel, that he should become Regent, and dispatch an expedition to recover Sonora and the remains of his father. And once Sonora is recovered, Prince Thendel can inherit the throne.

However, the young Prince insisted on leading the expedition, within a day, the Prince's body was brought back to Ruthin, ambushed by a Ethengarians.

With the death of the only heir to the throne, the Council of Regents was formed in Norrvik. Only high, worthy noblemen were elected to the Council and mandated that they will govern the land until the monarchy can be restored. The Council, lead by Annacks, agreed that Sonora should be recovered, and at such time, a man worthy to wear the crown will be found also.

Present Time

Now five years later, all expeditions to recover Sonora has ended in failure. The Council of Regents' powers dwindle, losing it's control of the northern regions. Their support is still strong in the southern lands, with the backing of Duke of Rhoona and the peaceful borders with Jarls of Sojderfjord.

The Twist: