Chronicles of Karn

It was official. The six winners of the Author search were expected to meet at the Fairheart Lodge, the author’s personal residence, for a small get-together with the author and his editor. Kai was showing what others would have seen as unusual interest in the event. After all, he was widely none to be a slacker at his school. Though he was repeatedly seen with a book in hand, it had not yet clicked in most minds that he was an avid reader. Thus, it was a surprise when his name was released as one of the five winners of the search.
Two days after the announcement, the prize came by mail. Within the large box was a hardcover book, a bit larger than one would expect and a small pendant. The book was covered in ornate glyphs and intricate patterns wound their way around the edges of the cover. The first page had two lines of script;

This work was produced thanks to the efforts of the following individuals-
Theo Medson (Author), Ria Springs (editor) and Kai Gordon (cheif contributor).

The rest of the book was blank. Kai flipped through the pages, startled by this strange development, and came across the envelope taped on the inside of the back cover.

Congratulations on successfully completing the Author Search.
To properly reward you, I have a prepared a small party for myself and the five winners at the location specified below. I have also enclosed the adequate transportation cost (hired car, train or plane as the case may be.) I look forward to meeting you.

Theodore G. Medson


And that was how Kai found himself, along with four other late teenagers and one old man, being led down a richly decorated hall in an expensive hotel, ushered along by a stately butler towards a set of ornate doors. As he passed through, Kai offhandedly noted that the door’s decoration resembled that of the blank book he received. He only gave that a moment’s notice, because the rooms grandeur pushed all other thoughts from his mind.

The room resembled one of the magic chambers described the book. The walls were covered with the same strange script as the book. The script lined all corners and spiralled inwards towards a round table. The butler sat them there, placing the books in front of them, ensuring that the pendants hung from their necks. As they sat in awe, a smaller side door opened, and a man in long robes swept into the room. He took the place at the head of the table, faced them and spoke. Something in his tone and the look in his eye told them what he said, no matter how it shook their conceived notions, was not the ravings of a crazy man, but the absolute truth.

“Thank you for coming,” he said. “By passing the test, you have proven that you have all the necessary skills and talents for the task that faces you.” He paused before continuing. “First of all, Karn is a real as you and me.” No one spoke. “It is in danger of Disappearing all together, so I have gathered you five to change that. I am the Meddler, and you five are my pawns.”

When his short speech finished, the books snapped open. The pages glowed and flipped as if faced by a massive gale. The room darkened and the lines of scrip glowed. Individual characters started to peel away from the wall, hesitantly at first, then en masse. The characters swirled around the six, faster and faster and fast, obscuring the winners from view. The characters then poured into the open pages of the book, the blank pages swallowing them.

“Stay firm, remain strong,” the Meddle told them as they vanished. “You will have the power to survive. For now, travel and grow stronger. This is all I can do for you now. My guide should be meeting you soon. And good luck.”

 
Music- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Baa-m_GHEQE
Objectives~
~Defeat all enemies
~All players must survive

{#}- inaccessible cell
{A}- altar (inaccessible)
{e}- exit
( )- lower level

Field special~
Gloom- +1 movement to dark users and types
Temple- +1 INT to holy users and types

Objectives~
~Defeat all enemies
~All players must survive
 

{#}- inaccessible cell
{A}- altar (inaccessible)
{e}- exit
( )- lower level

Field special~
Gloom- +1 movement to dark users and types
Temple- +1 INT to holy users and types

Objectives~
~Defeat all enemies
~All players must survive


{#}- inaccessible cell
{A}- altar (inaccessible)
{e}- exit
( )- lower level

Field special~
Gloom- +1 movement to dark users and types
Temple- +1 INT to holy users and types