Chronicles of Lord Pith

For many years, a monster has lurked hidden under the lake. Hideous in appearance, it has been banished long ago by the powers of the Kingdom to lay dormant within the irrigation canals forged by King Sardia the First.

Now, a young entrepreneur by the name of Lord Edward Pith has discovered this abomination and through careful observation has uncovered shocking new evidence of the creature's identity and the implications that it may hold. (Spoiler alert The Conduit of Greater Aberrations)

Inspired by the module The God Under the Lake, The Chronicles of Lord Pith takes us to an unusual setting within D&D -- that of the villainous abode. Herein the players can experience first hand what it's like to be a villain as they begin to understand the designs of ghoulish management and abiding their days hunted by society while filthy, cursed and diseased.

The setting is intended as a perspective within D&D to inspire a contrast within our campaign so that when players are back playing their regular characters they can better understand the nature of villains (as opposed to simply placing an alignment label to them).

Unknown sources have confirmed that Lord Pith received a gift of two magical war carriages. They are rumoured to be constructed by the rich (Gnome) House Garishy neighboring the Kingdom Crownlands. Alchemical Golems utilizing crafted wizardry at the heart of the carriages replace the need for the carriage to be drawn by horses.

In recent years, a prolonged inquisition against the Estates of Lord Pith has been ordered by the High Courts of Lavuund in an attempt to absolve his Lordship. Several attempts to proclaim the illegitimacy of Edward Pith's tenure to his lands has eventually been declared futile with a judgement to desist all allegations "of evil" against the Lord as unfounded. In a final attempt to depose Sir Edward Pith, a Just War was sanctioned by the King whereby upon a neutral battlefield his accuser Baron Weissenhäuser led an army against Lord Pith's army in a Noble Challenge of Absolute Verdict. Lord Pith emerged victorious.

The Early Years
 Edward and Katherine Pith enjoyed a luxurious childhood, raised by  their single mother and an entourage of wealthy friends, nannies and servants. They were schooled at home until their adolescent years when they traveled to Castle Lavuund for a more formal education. Given the families connection with the precious Kingdom commodity of Marriah Wheat, extra-planar guests were common visitors to the estate and were allowed to spend time with young Edward and Katherine.



Their father Admiral Cailous Pith of direct lineage to the Baroness Amelia Lorthang had fought in the  colonial wars and in his later years had helped establish the astral gateway in Old Sardith Main (now New Sardia). It was a plentiful time back then, and  even though Edward and Katherine were very young when he passed, his impact on their lives would remain with them. Edward recounted bedtime stories to Katherine of their father's explorations, always finding new allies among the extra-planar races and forging new markets for their Kingdom to dominate.



One winter, Edward had returned early from a hunting expeditions and in his excitement had left his crossbow loaded and unattended in the entrance. Feeling his excitement, young Katherine had grabbed his weapon and before anyone could stop her, discharged the crossbow. The bolt rebounded off a marble pillar back at her with the nock striking her eye.



For a long time thereafter, Edward blamed himself for the accident. He grew more aware of the dangers of his weapon and stopped hunting all together. He spent much time alone hiding in the recesses of the castle. Katherine dearly missed her brother's company. The wolf she had received was little consolation and mysteriously disappeared that same winter.

A Death in the Family


Edward had returned home from school one day with very exciting news. He had been accepted at the naval academy and would be departing for four years to study under the command of Vice-Admiral Kushing. Following a night of celebrations, the household awoke the next morning to something very wrong. Their mother lay cold and lifeless in her bed. The local coroner pronouned her dead of natural causes. This was a devastating blow to Edward as this meant he was now officially Lord of his families estate and must remain to fulfill his house duty:  To supply the Kingdom with his lands quota of Mariiah Wheat; to be delivered exactly every six months or suffer forfeiture of all lands and title. His mother was laid to rest by his father in a small green patch on the west side of the estate overlooking the ocean. Three special emmisaries visited Edward that night. One was a fair angel who had been a friend of his mother. She gave Edward a divine blessing which enhanced his agility and heath. She then departed saying that she would never again return in all of the days of his Kingdom.

The other visitor was an old residence of the castle whom really only visited when Edward was in pain or lonely.

Lastly he was visited by his favorite friend, yet another  extra-planer but not as pure as Yarlina was. Justin offered Edward something very profound that he immediately accepted. A chance to travel through the Royal Archway to the outer-planes where he could become a regular adventurer. He did not hesitate in his departure as he knew that his other old friend would take care of his estate in absentia.

Lady Katherine
Upon her brother's departure, Katherine begged him to stay. She explained that she was all alone and was frightened at night. Surely the Duchess Lavuund would hear of his escapade and pronounce them all defunct of land and title. But no amount of pleading could pursuade Edward to remain. He assured her that her knowledges were exceptional and that she could always rely on "him" for complete aninomity in their affairs. Besides, this was going to be his one and only chance. Before long she was left crying alone and was soon comforted by her patron maid who led her away from the entrance that once more separated her from Edward.

As time passed, she adopted her new position as the head of the family  house and things grew normal again. Every six months a shipment wa s delivered on time to the King. Katherine continued to study arcane arts and with the help of a Sylvan friend, became adept at hunting and tracking. Her skill and knowledges increased with the years as did her reputation for handling her estate with utmost fairness. She was adored by her villagers which brought her fresh meat and pastries every morning. One day while hunting with her Sylvan friend Kynna, she doubled over in pain and could no longer move. She was rushed to a nearby doctor who immediately attended her. After a lengthy proceedure which took most of the night, the doctor emerged with some very disturbing findings. Kynna who had been anxiously waiting in a guest room picked up her bow and headed straight for Pith Manor.

A Friend in Need


Kynna Norreelrvis had no trouble entering Pith Manor as she had been a long-time friend of the family. She had lived many years by human count and was still considered young by her own people when Katherine was born. Her Elven heritage allowed her to know exactly where to find the sickness that now afflicted her young friend. She was very angry, and although her rage was righteous, none of her elder's could have prepared her for what she found hiding within the shadows of her friends ancient house. It would be a long time before anyone saw what resembled Kyana and then it would only be a reflection of her former self, a twisted insult of her once pristine beauty.

Dreams in the NIght
It took more than the extraction of parasites from her abdomen before Doctor Ash would finally release Lady Katherine from his house of healing. After the fifth day, she was finally allowed to travel back to her estate not fully remembering what had happened. She was distraught that her flighty friend had vanished, but once she entered her house she grew confident that Kynna would return some day.

At night she would awaken shouting Edward's name and once she cried that she hadn't meant for that to happen. Even though her body was completely cured she remained  in bed and would not eat or sleep. It wasn't long before her servants decided that she was very ill and the doctor was summoned to her chamber. After some careful pursuasion, he was able to convince her to travel back with him where he would bring her to a renown sage who could help unwind the afflictions within her mind. He assured her that this was all that she needed and that in her absence, he wo uld personally attend to the matters of her estate.



The assylum was a necessary aggregate of the Kingdom and although it was scorned by the Duchy as a mad  house for dysfunctional adventurers, it would be Katherine's home for several months. Her new doctor talked to her about her dreams and often left her feeling troubled, knowing that she was hiding a dark secret. He was a patient man and his kind methods were renown within the medical community. One day he brought Katherine a set of very expensive paints along with canvas, then he left her. She soon began to eat again and her beauty was rekindled. She even walked on the grounds with some of the unfortunate adventurers. One morning there was a knock at her door. A high ranking official accompanied Doctor Garriah with an important letter from the High Court of Lavuund. She was ordered to return to her estate immediately and prepare for the inauguration ceremony of the Grand Duchy of Lavuund. All nobles within the White Kingdom were required to formally present their lands for visitiation by the monarch as an aknowledgement to the King's ultimate (and final) decision. It pleased the doctor that she decided to take her painting materials back with her, although a few weeks later a disturbing painting was found hidden in her bed. It was that of a large blubbery humanoid with clawed hands lurking in a shadowy background. He ordered the ugly painting destroyed and instructed the intern that this painting had been left by a former patient and not Katherine.

A Challenge and a Champion
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The day of the ceremonial visitation came and no monarch attended. The extra servants were dismissed and were given large quantities of fine food that had been prepared for the event to take back to the villagers. Katherine's nightmares were replaced with colourful dreams that she quickly painted unto her canvas. She explained to everyone that these fantastic places were sent in her dreams by her lost brother. Another letter came from the High Court of Lavuund, thanking the Lady for her successful visitation ceremony. Attached to the court papers was a challenge from a neighboring fief to swear fealty to the new Baron Von Weissenhäuser who had recently annexed the Lady's estate under his banner. Upon realizing the intent of this document, Katherine retreated to her chamber, wishing to see no one.



Her paintings had won recent acclaim in Lavuund. One painting in particular depicted a foreign landscape under an alien pale blue sky and had attracted adoration from the Prince himself. A royal attendant tendered Katherine a large offer of stamped platinum at which time a plea for help by someone in her house was returned. Upon purchasing her painting, the Prince immediately sent a writ to his house and later that week a King's Champion was appointed to avail her dispute. Sir Vodabierre the Hopeful came to her banner with 100 pikemen. A bloody battle was fought on the fields of Perenier in the first Just War of House Pith. (note: The Just War is only sanctioned under a house and never waged upon crownland.)

Upon vanquishing the Baron's army, the Just War was resolved and forthwith the Baron released his lean upon Pith Estate. The King's Champion was invited for dinner and although he was indeed a clumsy oaf, Katherine was intrigued by his gentle nature and strong warm hands. After supper he felt a sharp pain at his side and could not complete his epic tales of adventure. He excused himself and retreated to his pavilion with a promise that he would bring her the finest game in her lands and together they could reconvene their supper engagement. His return to her side would only happen several years later. Then he would be unrecognizable, adorned by ghoulish symbols and friendless, riding a grim warhorse.

The Return of Lord Edward Pith
"Listen . . .”

“Yes, my love?”

“Do you hear them?”

“Yes. They crawl and writhe, endlessly muttering.”

“If you listen, they will drive you mad.”

“Ah, but if you serve them. . .”