Difference between revisions of "The Lost City"

The day is pleasant. A soft breeze flows from the flower beds carrying a strong fragrence. You had received a message from Prince Heinrich to meet you here in the Royal Garden and now you wait for his appearance.

As you watch the servants work on the plants, you look down into the nearby reflecting pool. My you have aged. Your adventuring days are still plenty to come, but they have not been without a price.

"There you are," says a voice behind you.

Turning you see Prince Heinrich emerge from the maze of bushes.

"Sorry I'm late, I got caught up talking with Theodoric about the possibility of a troll based society living underneath us at this very moment." He looks around, a bit nervous, "Shall we walk ... I talk better when I can stroll around."

Not daring to interfere with the customs of the prince, you walk with him down one of the many paths of the garden.

"You are very well known around here. You have done much for this kingdom. We are very proud of you."

You are a bit surprised at the compliment, but decide to say nothing.

"I have been away for a long time. Things certainly have changed. I remember when this garden was but a shrubbery. My brothers would play long hours here." Heinrich breathes in the air as if trying to catch a bit of the past.

You walk along the path a bit further hoping the prince will continue talking.

"Are you familar with the Lost City?" he asks.

You have heard only that it is a mythical city filled with a warrior like people who live for battle and know the true skills of sword play. "A little. But isn't that a legendary city that doesn't exist?" you reply.

"No," he smiles, "its real. And I found it. I've been searching for the city all my life and narrowed my search down to one area. You think I'm crazy. I thought so too," he smiles again. "But I found it. Thousands have read the Illiad and marveled at the wonderful stories. For most it was a fanciful tale of the clash of two great nations. I thought it was just a fable too. Then during my travels through Achaia I met descendants of the warriors commemorating the victory. This made me wonder if perhaps there was some truth to the stories after all. I was just a young man then. I did not know that one expedition would lead to another and another and so on. Now I am but a feeble old man."

As he pauses you ask, "Why haven't I heard of its discovery?"

Heinrich replies, "On my last journey five years ago, I found the entrance to the Lost City. Within a few yards I discovered traps and guards. Not just any guards but Priam's guards. I was astonished because they should have been dead over a thousand years ago. I managed to collect some fragments of parchment near an altar before being detected. I barely managed to escape. A few days later I returned to the area looking for alternative entrances but I found none. Realizing that I did not have the means to defeat the guards, I returned home with the parchments.

"They were badly torn, difficult to read, and were written in the ancient language. Unfortunately, my translation skills are not the best. It has taken me several years to piece together their meaning. It seems that the Achaian God of Light is still active in the area. I suspect he is maintaining Priam's guards. The writings refer to his vow to maintain a vigil until the city can be rebuilt. In the short time I was there, I did not actually see him. It is possible that the guards can be defeated and the Lost City entered."

Collecting what you can of the discussion, you say, "So, you want me to take on an army of warriors and this demented god of light?"

"No. You don't have to do that much. The Achaian God, if there, would be an immortal -- unkillable to say the least. All I need is proof that he is there ... something that you can bring back ... proof that establishes that the Lost City has been found. Lore tells of the Achaian God using a wand that creates huge balls of energy. This item is stronger than any other wand I know of. This wand is the proof I need."

You find yourself wondering why does he want you when he is a prince of the kingdom. You ask, "Will the King provide soldiers?"

Nervously Heinrich asks you to keep your voice down and mutters, "Well you see the King is not exactly supportive of my quest. Oh, in the beginning he was, but only because the empire was established by the survivors of the Lost City. The king being a man of honor and history wanted to find the land of our forefathers. But as one expedition led to another and the monetary investment increased, he started requiring evidence. Well, one of the hazards of this profession is that one always thinks that he is close to the end. Out of desparation for continued funding, I may have in my enthusiam err...it seems that a time or two the King and I misunderstood each other as to how close I really was and in the process he felt, well ... ummm, deceived. Trying to redeem myself, I financed the last three expeditions myself."

Heinrich continues, "I know that when the King sees the wand he will utilize all of the resources of the kingdom to complete the quest. I have plenty of money to pay you for your services, but I cannot supply a military force."

"Exactly where is this entrance?"

Quickly Heinrich unfolds a map and excitedly points at a fortress, "right here. I made a red stone marker in the shape of a star to mark the position."

Incredously you say, "It can't be there! That's a major trade route!"

Heinrich chuckles, "Yes. I know. I spent ten years on the sea with the books of the lore looking for locations that would match the writings. I found five that were possibilities. I spent fives years at each of the first four before going to the fifth. You see, the Lost City is lost because its ruins are collapsed and buried. For all these ages men have been living within a few yards of the fabled place.

"Will you do it?"