One of the pre-ZGG-implosion plans for a sequel to the Grim Winter was to have the Company of the Maiden explore the lands to the west of Blackmoor, where I set a bigger Afridhi empire.
This obviously assumes the defeat of the Afridhi, and the death of Toska Russa.
I have very rough notes on the nature of that campaign only, but basically, this was the setup:
(That's really confidential info from my writing table, so appreciate it, suckers! :wink: )
Premise
One year after the events of The Grim Winter, the anniversary of the war's end. Audi is knighted by ruling king Mordred, and made ambassador of Blackmoor in the semi-abandoned Afridhi territory, in order to recruit soldiers for the weakened kingdom. The Company of the Maiden accompanies him on his journey.
Episode I
Off the map! The players accompany Audi to Starmorgan, to interrogate Afridhi prisoners. Then, to Mondburgh, to have the oracle Dawn find Zugzul's whereabouts. At the end of the episode, the group is captured by the Westryn.
Episode II The group's escape from the Eaves; the group discovers that Itrian is still alive, and his story. (Still spoilerific for PL, so, hush.) Then, a first encounter with an Afridhi town off the map - a slave colony. The group frees the slaves.
Episode III
The group, leading a rebellion in the Afridhi Empire. A journey FAR to the west, until they find the dying god, Zugzul. (Dying, because his magic powers depend on worship and sacrifice.) Encounter with Zugzul, result completely open.
Episode IV
The group learns from a Thonian threat on the near-defenseless Blackmoor. Mobilization of the Afridhi in Blackmoor's aid. The party learns about Uther being hidden in Glendon Castle, and frees him. (Very similar to PL Episode I.)
Episode V
The Valiant Legion intercepts Thonian forces in the Valley of the Ancients, epic final battle. Ran tries to raise the City of Gods, the Company of the Maiden meets him in an epic finale in Skelfer's Lair.
Epilogue
Blackmoor (ideally) gains control of the City of Gods, and with that, begins a new era as a military superpower...
As I said, this was just an idea; I really hadn't figured out any details.
For the Afridhi empire and it's descriptions, I would likely have drawn mainly on the MERP supplements on the Haradrim. Like most of The Grim Winter, my main inspiration was The First King of Shannara and The Wishsong of Shannara, though.
(Not that those thought processes would be understandable for anyone else who reads the books, given that none of the BM standard motifs ever appear there.)
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