Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius

Strolojca and DraconiusKarameikan Retebius family branch alongwith Diomedes’ cousin’s family, happenedabout four years ago.In AC 971 Diomedes married the sister ofPhilip Vorloi, Romana, who had three sons byhim in the next ten years. The childrenhowever, were mostly raised by their motherand close to the rest of the Vorloi family,because Diomedes was often away formilitary duties. Diomedes’ had always beenproud of the fact that he held a higher officethan his uncle Vanyarine, despite the latter’slonger military experience, and this gave birthto some resentment between Vanyarine andhis nephew. In AC 978, however, whenVanyarine received the title of Landed Lord ofGlucynthos, it was Diomedes’ turn to feelenvy for his uncle’s noble status. Even if theirrelationship appeared to be cordial,Diomedes often complained about thissituation in private. After Vanyarine’s death inAC 991, Diomedes’ coldness towards hiscousin Bessarion’s family has indeed thawed,and the two are good allies at court, even ifDiomedes is not as staunch as his cousin inthe support of a Karameikan nation – he stillfeels the need for the Thyatians to keepexclusive control of Karameikos’ keypositions, and his loyalty lies with theThyatian Empire (where his father andbrother live).Today, General Diomedes is quitedisillusioned with Grand Duke Stefan’s abilityin judging people and, more in general, ingoverning a nation. While he disliked – andwas disliked in turn by - the first Baron Kelvin,after the death of Desmond I in a duel in AC996, he has stayed on good terms with thecurrent Baron Desmond II, a man whounderstands the need for a strong militarybetter than the Grand Duke. He is also ongood terms with Lord Retebius of Locrida,an estate found west of his cousinBessarion’s lands. Diomedes, together withhis cousin, is one of the foremost opponentsof the Black Eagle Baron at court. He was ingood standing with his brother-in-law,Baron Philip Vorloi, but after his sonXentarion’s illicit sexual affair with theBaron’s niece, Lucia, Philip has becomecolder toward him. Xentarion’s behavior hasalso been the cause of a recent grudgebetween Diomedes and the Cordelius,Antonic, and Penhaligon families: thegeneral consensus is that if he can’t controlhis son, he can’t be trusted, and soDiomedes’ image in front of them hassuffered because of this. He cooperates withother members of the military, though hedoesn’t trust the Traladaran officers -especially people like Captain Arkan Sulanovwho fought in the Marilenev Rebellion.The PCs can meet Diomedes if they enlist inthe army – new recruits reach their posts inRiverfork or Radlebb Keeps when theGeneral visits the fort. General Diomedestends to make quick judgments over people,so this first contact could be very importantfor their careers – quick thinking and strongaction in any unexpected encounter whileon the route to the forts is going to put themon Diomedes’ shortlist for promotion.Diomedes is also experimenting with a newidea to extend the Karameikan controlaround Riverfork and Radlebb Keeps – anunit of scouts acting as explorers and policeforce in the wilderness around the two forts.Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the funds forhis project, so he is instead considering thepossibility of letting the scouts keep aportion of smuggled or stolen goods theyfind as pay. If the PCs look like they could110THRESHOLD: The Mystara Magazine Issue #1