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Town Records

Gloomheaven town records

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2K views12 pages

Town Records

Gloomheaven town records

Uploaded by

lovatel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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TU eee Congratulations on retiring your frst characte! 1 know it as hard to let them go, but retirement is 2 vital step in your journey through this game. Remember that, unless told otherwise, you should add the corresponding city and road events of your retiring class and any class you have unlocked tothe event decks, 4 detailed on pp. 6 and 48 ofthe rule book. And dant forget to ‘add prosperity tothe city ‘On the opposite page, you are encouraged to document the details ofall characters who retire over the course of the game, logging the plaer’s name, the character's name, their elas, level, anal number of perks After documenting your first retired character, fel free to turn the page and continue reading. Eventually, however, you will arrive ata yellow line that will instruct you to STOP READING until certain conditions are Fuld, Make sure you don't read anything beyond that until you full those conditions Character: Class: = Lene: Peres: Player: "So you want to start some sort of record ofall the mercenaries who've ‘moved on from Gloomhaven?” a short, bearded man asks with a scowl “Sounds a litle arrogant to me, but Imm sure Fve gota spare record book somewhere in the stacks” He puts down his pen inte the spine of the book he was inking and, steps out from behind the counter atthe Front ofthe Town Records building “Vb back in a bit. Don't steal anything!” He gets in one more good scowl before turning and walking towards the back ofthe building, nearly tripping on his overly long robe multiple times. As he slips behind one ofthe many shelves of books, your attention shifts to the building itself "The Town Records buil ide of the Coin District, Built as a status symbol for the town of | ‘wealthy merchants, anyone who actually enters can quickly see that the massive library i woefully understocked. ng i a large circular structure on the west ‘Some sections, such asthe teachings and philosophies of the Great ‘Oak, are reasonably Ful, but many others have just a handful of books ‘occupying long barren shelves. Perhaps this was why sume of your ‘merchant friends were 0 adamant about you taking a trip to the Town ‘Records building in the fist place, Recording your party’ exploits sreates more content to fill hese empty hall With this in mind, your thoughts turn to the open book diretly front of you ~ the one the clerk was working on, There are two extson the counter, and it looks a ithe clerk was in the process of ristited “The History of Gloomaven, by Dominie Serim” you begin to read what he was writing: “complete book is tiled “The Rise of Human Civilization’ while the + some point thousands of years ago, humans stopped hiding in caves and gan to form societies ‘tin the open, erecting modest farming villages that eventually grew into the massive today ‘ving out in the open was never easy, though, There ‘wore wars, both amongst themselves and with other taces suchas the Volraths tthe south, More troubling, however. were the canstant raids from the mote barbaric tacs ofthe world ~ Inox and Nerming tides whe had no ancept of peace and wanted nly toil ant destroy Waals were always necessary, as were the armed men who guarded those walls. Jer this easn, the cvlization of mon grew and developed under iitariste rte Those skilled in warfare held the highest positions in society and governed from a perspective of keepin their charges Sfe from otsdeatacs. While his eine of strength kep the Ruma rae ave and funetonng, i did stagnate the growth of oer eutura fees of soley, What the cvlizcion lacked in etre thought made up for wth rapid exposion ond settlements spreading ext fam the north every corer af the contne, Ths created strong footed 10 ensure ‘that humans would continue to prosper and never again fave to go Bak 0 hig in caves. ‘Best to start at the beginning, ch?” Dominic now stands before you witha small amount of leather-bound parchment." found this the back it should do well for your purposes ~ but | se you've found something as well He shifts his fect a bit and hands you the parchment. “Most people ‘ee Gloomhaven as some backwoods caravan stop,” he says in a aceusatory tone. A necessary evil in the middle of deadly wilderness “Burt | disagree. love Gloomhaven, and | believe its history needs to be documented. | think this town plays far more important role in the history ofthis continent than anyone realize, and Tim going to prove Dominic flashes a bref nervous smile and then grabs up the two books fon the counter. “But isnot finished yet. Not by along shot. Come back late, and I might have more history to share,” You walk into the Town Records burlding and are immediately struck by how differen it looks. t might just he the lighting, but there seesms te be more books on the shelves and less of scowl on Dominic’ face. |The short, hearded man approaches you. “Ah how good of you ta come. he says. No doubt to recon the further exploits of your friends. was most assuredly derisive of your ~ motives when you frst walked im here, hs must aay that the iden hw ‘Brown on mea litle” " "Domine sops you onthe Back then wanders around ahi the counter “Whether yoke tor not you are becoming portant fixtures ofthis community. And Yam sure that t hae you to dav, at least in some small way fr the inreased number of books lining the shelves” He waves his arms about, his hands barely visible beneath his robes Tong sleeves, “Theyre not good books, mind yeu, but theyre books nonetheless. “Plus he says with a small smile, "Ive had more time to work on my Dominic opens the small collection of parchment he has been working. ‘0m and passes it to you. “Tm stil focused on the big pieture right now, ‘but | should have more soon. | thought you might be interested in taking a look” ‘ough human expansion has not always been gered vith Kindness and civil bythe other ears ‘erent hums are mone-at-ess at peace wit their neighbors. After a costly peare treaty with the Valraths to the south avd a understanding with te prominent Inox tribes, the only mai theats are the animalistic Veeralings who continue t0 assault human cities, sometimes for no discernible reason Hurans have mestly stayed away from Hareower teritary out of fear, and the Hareowers ser w return the favor. The same goes forthe Savas, who live dergeourd in he largely uninhabitable mountainous regions inthe north ‘Orchids and Quoteyls both some feom far-off continents across the sea and seom far moe intrested in eomnerce and eututal exchange than conquest. nd so human society has certainly benefited eulurally from its interaction with other eaes. Many of the most beautiful structures in humo evilizaion would not be possible without the machinery ofthe Quateyls, the slemental mastery of the Savvas, and th architectural designs of the Voraths. The meditative Orchids have even influenced! a numberof human religions, tough the fallowers of the Great ©ak ~ astringent group who Bellew a giant tee housed i the center of the cai emaieuchange, wats over and proves everyone ‘And hile the uma military keeps the civilization | alive, its really the coramerce with the 0 races that ultimately allows the evlization ro loutsh. I seems, then, as the wilds grew tamer, that paradigm shift awe / from militaristic rule and towards mercantile tule ‘only a mater of time “Like I said, tm still working on the broader strokes” Dominic says, “But ‘my research has been providing some interesting information Ie’ all better sources, Not just very vague at the moment, though. I need to Savvas howling poems” e takes back the book and frowns. “Savvas write the worst post ‘i isincredibly hard to tranaate” we understand cach other Mister erin." A well-decorated stands in the center ofthe Town Recor building ax you enter. 1 lrarian, Domini. ccm rather sina by comparison, bute x not al imtmiated, Vanderstand you perfectly well,“ Dominic says, “but I dn ‘understanding my position. La to find the truth? “The soldier looks up as you approach, then looks back down atthe bearded man. “ust think about what I said” Me begins to gesture around, him as he walks towards the door. ‘Vd hate to have to tear down this whole place” ‘Domine waves at you grimly. “Hey there! Glad to see you stop by. Who knows what sort of shortsighted, lowbrow lengths that thug would have gone through to gt his point across. He shakes his head and then fllls his beard. “Ws just a difference of opinion, though, In my researes, Ive apparently asked the wrong people the wrong questions. I's amazing how reactionary thick-sulled people down on apiece of parchment. can get about what is writ "es not lke anyones going to even read this litte text of mine.” Dominic coughs. “Um, wel, except you, of course Is that why you've come by? Ive finished up the broad history if you wanted to take a look” yas mae withthe surrounding races in one way oF The military taxed the teade heavily across the continent and the merchants grew ore and more cesentful as lager portions oftheir earnings were demanded for tess justification, The mitary aid nothing and grew fat off the work of otters This all came 1 «head! i the capital wien the leader of te merchant's quld, Simon Wainwright, organized 4 coup ofthe city's itary by hing on ete army of ‘meteearies withthe guil’s money nd taking cote of the city's hep. Very litle force was actully eequited, as the city guard was outmunibered and woefully under trained, The siege ofthe keep lasted less than two days not neatly enoug tame for reinforcements to artive from the surrounding ities, ‘Once in power, the merchant's guild quickly won the favor of the eitizemry with sweeping scil changes, allowing fora great many feeds and relieving them from the heavy taxation of the military. Once the cammonces wete oa the side of the litle hope forthe military of regaining conto, at which point the meu rtary was offered a decent solary to contiaue keepiag wate over the city verharts, thse was nacy aay was no longer required and the After the copitt was rforacd the Mercha’s Revolution spread outward from there, quickly deposiag the maltarstc eu atoss the continent As of the writing of this document, only ove vty rerans under th govrraaner of amiltary presence: Gloorahave. 1 really want to get into the development of Gloomhaven and ‘lash between the merchants and the military in the city? Dominic begins. “But, as you can se, the military isnt all that 1g of a powerful merchant to keep me sa. Theyre all sympathetic to me getting dawn this history. ofcourse, but they area litle hesitant to publicly support the venture. Ti hoping you ‘ould do some convincing for me. You might have the most Iuck with Councilman Greymare” Unlock Seenario: | Goring Grove @) (H12) “Ah, my esteemed patrons!” Dominic greets you atthe door of the Town Records building. "I eannot thank you enough for securing the support of Councilman Greymare He leads you through the half filled shelves of books towards 2 small room in the back of the building, “When I heard the good news, immediately got to work spd continued my weiting Dominic sits down a large table in the room, his book sitting before + all needs more detail — him. He gertores you toward chairs, as well rare research — but ! am proud of it a far Why don't you take a look at what V have?” Nee ‘nth cla waters of Merchant's Gay, Glombaven was founded ovr tee handed years ‘ago 05 « hatbor fo tae sips traveling cross the sty Sea, Tough newer than rest human settlerents, it expanded capdly bvcause of its importence as a hub of. omumsee for humans and other races. ‘Gloomfaven is integral tothe haa ron because tests inthe only viable spot on the eastern coastline Ju harboring large armunts of ships. That the town es ys stil under military ral causes ao end of aggrovation to merchants across the continent. AU imports and exports ae heavily taxed The siple truth of the matter is that Gioamaven is stil a vastly dangerous city, Where other settlements ave geown fa safer ove the course of uma expansion, Gloomhaven seems to only grow mare unsafe, despite countess efforts to tame the surrounding wilds. Wis almost as if there sa dark presence outside the wall bent on tearing apart the ety and its ets, Of course, not all share tis epiion, Some merchants believe that the miliary is actively encouraging the dangerous elements beyond the walls ~ ining ties of Vermin to attack the eiy, for instance ~ to emit everyone thatthe military is necessary far Gloomaven's survival. Peay be erica view, but with the Merchant's Revolution topniag every other military govorament across the concnent, ts had to deny that the mititary only eemains i power ia Gloomhaven because of the persistent outside threats. ic wrings hie hands. I know. Maybe you were expecting mere, but you this just the beginning. research, Ive found a number of sources tht allude tothe Deron ar ~ the war between humans and the Valraths tothe south that ured hundred of years ago - to be one ofthe central causes that led >the founding of Gloomhaven, but the whole thing doesnt make much ses nie begins te stroke his beat mean, ths war happened lng -1- before Gloomhaven ever existed, s0 1 just doit see the connection ‘ut I must find out. There a much deeper story to all of this, and the Demon War has to be the key ve requested some books from the southern Valrath libraries that ! hope might shed some light on the iter, but we currently don’t have the funds to transport them. We don't have the Fund for much, really” Dominic stands from the table and walks you back towards the door Just keep doing what youre doing, and Tm sure some money wil trickle own to me eventually Unlock Cment: | Add city event 8a he deck) Dominic trots quickly from behind the counter to meet you as you enter the Toven Records building, “jst the mercenaries! wanted to see! | have something to show you.” After vigorously shaking your hand, he turnm andl hers you to fallow a6 hhe moves toward the back room. “The texts from the southern continent finally arrived, and they have been very hell. They've painted a much clearer picture ofthe Demon War” ‘j Dominic opens the back door and gestures for you to sit down in Front of his open book. I'd like you to read the latest entry and then wel more to talk about” -13- fof Stoembeew, Goth nations claimed ownership of the region and small skirmishes between settlements quickly escalated into om all-encompassing war Th fging aged for sn years. The ful atetion of Both eviliatons Bite down on these oad-soaked plains. ath races were equally fierce, tubbora, and fled with an unguenchable rage ‘And after sex years, the war had taker oeavy tll on both nations With all of ther resources bring poured {nto the war, both raes fell victim to umerous threats rom within and from outside thie borders ~ starvation Aisrase, ond crime rae eampent. Gefore too long, both would rumble and be desteoyed under te weight of the onglit. ‘So it came topos, deer before what was 1 be one of the greatest and costliest battles between the n00 great commanders of the war, that an esther appeared betweea the two arinies and offered means for pea This esther was the fest of his kind thot either of ‘these tw ences had ever seen, and when he presented bs offer, th commanders were terribly skeptical. In the end, owever, thy agreed t give the esther a chance “Neither commander trusted the ater or the ester, so von the Aesthe tld thes fall i 0 te east both leaders Brought «battalion of oes with thom = After fw dys of marching, though, a great fg lle IRR eine a bond te ie comands te “Right” He sys, “Surely you have the some questions do 1 mean, or | Separated from tei battalions. They emecyedfrart the fog atone ~ just two commanders and the ester Standing in the mide of great ain, an entice city of svergrowm stone from a long-forgotten civilization. ‘Standing among the rains, the Aesther turned and old these tw commanders w story. He tld them of the great Upheaval and the tue history of thir tw caces. When the story was fished, the two commanders made peace om the spot The Valats renounced thie vicious, expansionist ature and the to races worked together to build a evilizetion rou strength and commerce. The story of the Upheaval ‘vas only fold orally, passed down from leader 10 leader ‘And inary generations after the peace teany ws signed the descendants ofthe tw commanders began work ‘onsracting a new city a « monument t the teary. A ty but on the very spot white the esther tld fis tae The city of Gloomhaven, ‘You look up from the book to see Domine staring intently at you. A smile grows on his Face. starters, what was this Upheaval?” times. “Was it some sort of catastrophe? What could the Aesther possibly sad to stop an entre war? And Gloorihaven was bait on top cof am ancient city? Were all aware ofthe ring beneath us, but 1 lw thought it was an earlicr settlement destroyed by raiders. But the predate humanity itself? Is the Upheaval what destroyed the origi city?” Hi Dominic coughs an adjusts his beard. “there are well, too many questions. Feannot possibly continue without the answers. “Te pored over all the texts from the Valrath library but this stay told by the Acs! nome of them. The books say it was only passed down orally, but that is hard to believe. There has to bea written record somewhere He turns back to you and shrugs. “I may need your help in the near Future, but for now I need to make more contacts and try to gather more information ahout where record ofthe Upheaval story could possibly be. tll send for you when Hknow more: "Ah, glad to sce you got my note” Dominic shakes your hands and then remains conspicuoesly quiet ntl you enter the back room and the door is closed and locked "ink Ihave the answer we're locking fo” he hegins. “I was right. ‘There isa written record ofthe Aesther's story. It appears in the Codex ‘of Directives, a book that should only be read by the highest oficial in ere wana copy delivered to Gloomhaven. But don't worry. you wont 15 to rid the Ghoat Fortress to get it. Because it never arrived nic ok at you inte“ took at flor, bt cweaualy sified xt wg in own who wos protecting the caravan that “dered the bork From the capital many years ago Apparel the oe ie nde ate scape and find his way to Gloomhaven, Oddly enough, no one was ever sent to find the camp and recover the caravans goods, They probably didn't want to incite more wrath from the Inox. ‘So the book may sil be out there, and, with a tle grease, the guard you can find the camp” Dominic approaches you witha sullen demeanor as you enter the Town Records building, “Te fels weird secing you after so short atime. Obviously you just Aelivered the Codex of Directives to me, and normally it would take longer to fully study and transertbe the Aesther's story, but. well we havea significant problem,” ‘As usual, you are directed tothe hack room, but as Dominic opens the oor, you see a seene of ehaos and destruction, The table is overturned and torn books are scattered across the floor “They took everything” Dominic sighs. “They took the Codes they took: sy book... Barbarians.” He sees your confused, concerned look and continues. “They called ‘themschves the Vigil. They soi 1 was messing with things that {sho be. They stormed in wearing fll armor as I was pouring over the Code just minutes after you left. They sid they were tosked with keeping the ‘Codex of Directives safe. and then they began looking for any copies had made, ultimately settling on just stealing the history af Gloomhaven Twas writing! [Dannie slam m destroyed took don on the for. “t's infuriating! The Vigil? Whe in the name of the Ok are the Vigil? Primitives is what they rel Leth ot few they trated ry beat” Torinie closes hi eyes rel tes» deep Urcath. Eventually ns tie al bcroew his Gre. “We dy have te things gots For ua though Oe) ‘ve are all incredibly determined to get that book hack. is that | thi [Seta to reoch oul to my contacts, maybe doa hitle research wilt | fin out who the Vig are and whee to fn hen a hen ging Sere yu ip tbl very lat ref therm Fp mchrery? Domne presses) half of the Aenther's tory before the thugs came in swinging their swords. Gir Secon thongs that Iives very a a Ercole strap oF hope from His ries “1 rend through ab think Ise produced a pretty accurate transcription” Te Is the sory told bythe esther Noaet to the commanders ofthe Orioa War: The euins on which you now stand were once the capital of en expansive, thriving civilization. There were wo Valaths humans, usta single ee, qrowing and nataring i bormony with its surroundings In this place, anciemt maa hod many noble pursuits He looked inte the very arg expanse above us, contemplating the stars, and be also looked at the vey tiny tings that make ap everything on this earth, The ancient man's quest for haowedge was vast, and it stviched too far. With tea imensity, te ancient mas gaze turned somethiag outside this world ~ tothe infrte plans of being tat existed beyond his own, He yeared 19 ave te them, and to learn wat fe could from them, Ard it us because of tis deste that aft betwee worlds was created, and a great calamity was bought forth. Jor this new plane housed wor the answers to nent rua’s infinite questions, but only the ceeatues of nightmares ~ demons bert othe ruination of evecything he held deat. Despite all of aaient ma’s kaowledge and tools, his cites and people were ravaged bxyond sepa, His walls turaed to rubble and is family was torn apart, eaten, and driven into caves, wee they huddled ithe ark and waited for the end to con This is known asthe grewt Upheaval ‘snot the full ching.” Dominic says. “But it's a start. It answers alot of ‘questions, but | havea lot more I'l et you know when | have more to go “Thanks for coming.” Dominic greets you atthe door. “Tl keep this shot. lve discovered that the Vigil isa bunch of pro-miltary skullerackers who feel ie their sole duty to guard against the Upheaval from happening ‘again, but they do so by keeping any evidence of the Upheaval secret From everyone else. Seems to me lke 9 pretty backwards way of helping” fe end did mot comme forthe ancient man ashe huddled inthe darkness of his cave, insane and broken. The harbingers of the Upheaval, «great army of demons, had suceeded in bringin a once-powerful He hands you a smal pie of paper. "They operate out ofthe Traveler's and glorious civilization to its complete and uter end District Just follow the map. Listen, you don't have to kill them all f you This had been a challenge, but hunting down the ynetched don't want, just get back the Codex and my hook: eeatures who now hulled togetier tke cats in «cage ~ theve was ot sport in that Unlock Seenaria; Vault of Scerets @ (8-7) The world lay shattesed and ruined before them, and the Gloom grew bored. Te forces withdrew and were Aispached to dsteoy some ther world, andthe Geom ecided it would be fax more intersting and challenging ‘ to manupuate the wretched secaps of this ancient race into “Oh, my youve returned!” Dominic springs up in excitement ae you enter destroying themes ‘the Town Records building. He joge toward you alittle too quickly, rips ‘0m is robe and lands lat on hie face. One group of ancient maa, who had fled fart the south, were taken by the Gloom, their bood tainted with that OS iad mda tical taal; of the demons. The result was umecouizable ~ «fea secovered the books? Please tll me you've brought the books back!” Bess jl jorge tb feet sig bony Core Hoe iB aimalistc ace of halj- devon, half-man _we got to the bottom ofthis preferably in your company in ease those tania come back." ‘And ther the Gloom watched and waited. The Gloom stood silent a man emeaged fron ts cave and began to rebuild hinself, The Gloom smiled at the newfound arragane of mar as he Began to expand his trcitvis And take back the Land ftom the unforgiving wilds. The {Gloom wwited forthe day when its two cecations met ach other onthe field of battle end destroyed cack other completely ce in the back room, Dominic quickly opens the Codex of Directives ito dhe proper page “Let nish the try sll we [The Cleon De etter oF tea serecthing wy oer rumbles. "Everytime | think Ive gotten tothe He slumps in his chair “This sounds bad. guess the Aesther convinced the commanders to stop the war in order to avoid fling the ‘expectations of the Gloom, but the Vigil seem convinced that the Gloom will til return one day to destroy us all anyway. Yin not sure what to think Dominic shrags. "I'll spend some more time studying the text, butt dont know what it's going to take to find a breakthrough om this. ll the books tve read. Ive never seen a single mention ofthis Gloom until now. VIN you know if find anything “Well, when I said ‘breakthrough; | wasn't expeeting you to go out, find the Gloom, and destray i,” Dominic says as you enter the Town Records building. “Certainly nothing that extreme, but it did the trick, “Los able to study some of the writing on the wall of the chamber you ‘ound beneath the Void, and Ive discovered quite» bit of information bout the Gloom” Dominic ets his book down in front of yon. “f'youll permit me, | have 1 final entry in my history of Gloomhaven for you to read” he study of interplanar travel was rally the rancid of a single man: Gasian the Seeker. uring his studies of what wes beyond tis wor, an tiimaginably powerful bing called out to Bastian from across the infinite planes, invading and corcupting his Aeeorms. The being prosed ira knowledge and power beyond what any single plane could bold, Gastan began us work to open erift beter his owe plane and that of the being poisoing bir as it called from beyond. He was so consumed and overtaken by greed and vie, that when the rift wos finally opened and the Llpheavel began the unnameoble evil was able 19 merge seamlessly with astian’s for, bcthing what came tobe known as the Gloom. Teas been conjectured by Acsther scholars that the evil being has no form ofits own, but simply travels from plan t plane, inhabiting a vessel and using it 1650.0 death art desteuetion for its own amusement, Gy all accounts, this ving is immortal and eteraal. If its vessel is destroyed, it wil simply fied new one, on this plane ar the next Dominic closes the book"! thank you forall the help you provided inthe ‘writing this history, and truly hope thot's che last seve all scem ofthe Gloom.” Dominic's smile fades as he nervously fdgets with serap of paper “Well, there was one last detail that gave me pause found some writings in the Void that | simply could not decipher: They are vogviely similar to.a runic language lence encountered up north, but the exact structure i unfariliae” He hands the paper to you in silence ALAN \/WULA NASL IS NM AMZ ALX

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