Adventurers (Book II – Issue #1LE)

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It’s interesting to note that there are two versions of the first issue (just like BOOK I) – a LIMITED EDITION and a REGULAR EDITION. Oddly enough, it’s the REGULAR EDITION that contains some extra story that centers around Coron and the Temple of Accuris. The REGULAR EDITION also contains profiles for ARMOND CRES HADRAX, MULDOR, and EYAMMA where as the LIMITED EDITION contains profiles for BARAK, AVIENNE, YERDIK and KING BELGUR. The synopsis for BOOK II #1 will be written with the perspective of the REGULAR EDITION to include the additional story that centers around Coron.

The issue begins with Coron getting lashings from Kerrin. When Kerrin tells Coron that Thanatos wished to see him, Coron almost sarcastically replied that he knew and that it was an urgent matter. As Coron walks with Kerrin, he remarks how low Kerrin must feel, being reduced to a messenger for an old man. Kerrin attempts to ignore Coron’s remarks, commanding him to remain silent while Thanatos spoke with King Belgur.

Coron over heard Thanatos and King Belgur speak of getting a temple of Baal built in the City of Liam; and with the temple build, the people of Baal would be able to use it to build their ranks and attack the City of Liam from within.

Coron finally gets a meeting with Thanatos. Thanatos explains that he fears that their allies, the Baali, seek the Grail of Darkness – and they would use the power to attack the City of Ur. Thanatos informs Coron that he is to be sent to make sure that King Belgur’s men do not use the Grail of Darkness, and to destroy the expedition from ever succeeding.

Thanatos promises Coron that he will be handing his position of as the High Priest of Accuris should he succeed. When Coron departs, Kerrin questions Thanatos’ wisdom, but Thanatos assures him that he has no such promise of handing over his title – and that he expected that Coron would die, one way or another, during the expedition. And if he did survive, he would hand Coron over as a traitor to the Shadow Alliance Thanatos has formed with King Belgur.

The scene shifts and we see merchants lining the streets. Sultar visits Helva for a psychic reading. Sultar sat down at the table while Helva drew her and allowed Sultar to draw three cards. Helva gives Sultar his reading – letting him now that that the prolonged enchanted illness he has been under will soon find a cure. She also warns him of a proposition that will lead to adventure; and the final card reading that someone is coming – a man, a leader, yet noble.

The scene shifts to Shadolok and Nightwind on horseback riding towards the City of Liam. Shadolok explains that it’s his anger towards the people of Baali that brings him back to the city of Liam. Nightwind tries to caution him about his hatred ruling his life, and he promises her the only way he will be free of the seething hatred in his heart is if he saw what he deemed the most evil man ever – dead at his feat: Barak – Knight of Baal.

The scene shifts to the City of Liam, where none other than Barak, followed by Avienne and Yerdik, are speaking with the Council Members for the City of Liam, including Guryd, Ferris, Relk and Erikor. Barak speaks to them about King Belgur’s concern over the City Council barring the people of Baal from having a temple within their city walls. Barak asks them to reconsider, but the Council informs him that their decision is final. Barak then tells them that he will deliver an ultimatum instead. It’s Guryd who seems the most offended by Barak’s underlined threat. Avienne steps up and informs the Council that it is not a political move but one that is mandatory – with the troubles of Padona, many Baal merchants are forced to move to the City of Liam for their trading – and to deny them a refuge for religious purposes was an outrage. When Barak, Avienne and Yerdik walk off – Erikor is quick to inform the others that he recognized Yerdik as one who served with Cosseus the Mad Necromancer of Kir.

When Guryd walks off, it’s none other than Yerdik that corners him. Yerdik questions Guryd about his daughter then hands him a small box and tells him to open it. Doing so, he sees a severed finger with a ring – a ring he remembered giving his daughter. Yerdik then informs Guryd that they have his daughter, and if he doesn’t sway the Council to allow the Baal temple to be build, he will never see his daughter again.

The scene shifts again and we see Shadolok and Nightwind approaching their old friend Sultar. Sultar informs them that he’s out of the “adventuring” business but Shadolok manages to get him to agree to listen to him – for the matter is very important. Shadolok informs him that he had heard Barak speaking of wanting to find the Lost City and recover the Grail of Darkness for King Belgur. When Sultar asks if Shadolok knew Barak, he simply says, “Let’s just say I have spent some time in Baali.” (Note: It’s established in WARRIORS #4-5 that Shadolok had become a slave in the city of Baali. However, the WARRIORS series never saw its ending stories published, despite footnotes throughout BOOK II stating it happens in issues #4-7. WARRIORS #5 was the final issue of WARRIORS that ever saw print).

Erikor overhears Sultar speaking to someone and comes to check and is surprised to see Shadolok and Nightwind. He approaches them and sadly remembers the last time he saw them was when his pupil Argent had passed away at the hands of the great dragon. Erikor shares his concerns about the Baal people and their intentions with Shadolok and Nightwind. Fearful that he was to be sent with them, Sultar asked if he was to go as well – and Erikor assured him without Sultar’s magic, he was of no use to them.

Sultar, Shadolok and Nightwind go to the Boar’s Head where they find none other than Bladehelm. Speaking with him, Bladehelm is only all too eager to go with them on this expedition to find the Lost City, in hopes that they can stop whatever threat might emerge and stop Barak from gaining the Grail of Darkness for King Belgur. A man approaching Bladehelm introduces himself as Muldor and tells him that they will speak more, just as Barak, Avienne and Yerdik enter the tavern and look over the crew of mercenaries that has agreed to go on the expedition. Others that join include Armond Cres Hadrax – Knight of the Royal Court of Nol and Muldor and the Iron Band. Barak introduces himself, Yerdik, Avienne and their guide, Eyamma of the free city of Kedesh.

The expedition crew heads for the ship where – most surprisingly – they’re greeted by none other than Coron.