The History of Caledonia

In the winter of O.P. XXVII (2007 CE), the Shire of Lankhmar in the Kingdom of Warwick suffered a devastating fire which destroyed the majority of its urban centers. Survivors of the fire were distributed throughout the lands, but as overcrowding became an issue, a portion of the survivors were quartered in ships anchored in Lankhmar Harbor.

Three of these ships decided to scout along the coast to the east and west of Warwick in hopes of finding some uninhabited land where they might set up camp during the reconstruction of their home. These ships disappeared shortly after their departure from Warwick.

Several months later, the commander of the missing fleet, Captain Bartholemew "Black Bart" Finney, returned to Court with a harrowing tale. The ships were blown out to sea by a mysterious storm, and discovered the far shores of a hitherto-undiscovered land. Setting up camp on the beach of this land, the refugees began to forage for supplies and materials to use in repairing the damaged ships. Shortly after their arrival, however, refugees began to disappear in the night, carried off my mysterious shadowy creatures. All attempts to stop these abductions met with failure, and as the number of missing mounted, the remaining refugees drew straws to see who would stay and who would brave the open ocean once more in hopes of finding their way back to Warwick. Captain Bart was thus elected to attempt the latter, and by sheer luck, or perhaps providence, his tiny boat somehow found its way back to Warwick.

Upon hearing this tale, King Lorath vowed to lead an expedition to these far shores and discover the fate of his lost people. He stepped down as Sovereign not long thereafter, and set to sea with a small fleet of ships. Accompanying him on this quest was Lady Eowyn, the ruler of Lankhmar; Lord Aeric, the former High Druin; Sir Sophoswin, the king's most recent younger sibling; Dame Johanna, Sophoswin's wife; Dame Kalandria; and Damsel Paisley. Black Bart agreed to serve as navigator for the voyage.

The expeditionary fleet found its way to the place where the refugee ships had landed. They began to explore the camp that was left behind, and sent out search parties in hope of finding some clues. Eventually, they were attacked at the main camp by the same shadow creatures that carried off the refugees. The Companions in the group were able to fight them off successfully. The mortal soldiers were not as fortunate, however.