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# Hill of Gold - Yelmalio

This is Yelmalio's Quest at the Hill of Gold.

See also:
  Hill of Gold Overview
  Yelmalio (Full Version)
  Yelmalio (Riddling Version)
  Yelmalio (Wagering Version)
  Elven Yelmalio
  Elven Yelmalio in HellWood
  Zorak Zoran at the Hill of Gold
  Orlanth at the Hill of Gold
  Inora at the Hill of Gold

# Hill of Gold - Yelmalio (Full Version)

## Mythos

In the height of the Darkness, when the Winter had fallen on the world, Yelmalio, the Bright God, decided to face the forces of Winter on Winter Hill. He set off with his Bright Armour, his Lightning Spear, his Heart of Fire and his Cloak of Brilliance, intending to drive the dread Winter Queen from her Ice Palace on Winter Hill.

As he climbed Winter Hill, Yelmalio was seen by Orlanth the Rebel who had slain Yelm, the Emperor and Yelmalio's Father. Orlanth, who had no honour, hid in the Shadows and leapt out as Yelmalio passed by, ambushing him from behind and dealing him the Coward's Blow. Orlanth stunned Yelmalio with a blow to his head and knocked him to the ground. As he lay there, Yelmalio demanded Justice for the Cowardly Blow and challenged Orlanth to a test of Riddles. As Orlanth was in the wrong, he agreed and they riddled for what seemed an Age. None could gain an advantage until Orlanth asked a riddle based on Falsehood rather than Truth, being the Deceiver that he is, and Yelmalio could not see the answer. So Orlanth took Yelmalio's Spear as his Riddle Prize and his Bright Armour as his Prize for Combat.

Naked except for his Brilliant Cloak yet strengthened by his Heart of Fire, Yelmalio pushed on expecting to defeat the Winter Queen with Amanstan. However, he met the Dark Destroyer, Zorak Zoran, who hated the Light. He would have defeated Zorak Zoran had he had his Lightning Spear and Bright Armour but the Dark God fought well. Eventually Yelmalio fell and used the powers of his Heart to force the Dark God back, but Zorak Zoran had Armour of Ice and the Fire merely melted the Glass that covered him. Zorak Zoran reached down and tore the Heart of Fire from Yelmalio. With a last gasp, Yelmalio hurled the last of his Fire at Zorak Zoran, burning his face and allowing Yelmalio to crawl away.

Yelmalio now wandered in the cold, weak and wounded, until he reached the Ice Palace. There Inora found him and invited him in. She was a lewd goddess and tried to seduce Yelmalio. She held him in her cold arms and offered him his Bright Armour which now hung on an icicle in her Palace. She tried to suck the last embers of warmth from Yelmalio but he resisted her wiles and remained Chaste and True to his ways. Enraged, Inora turned on Yelmalio with her Icy Rage and ripped away his Brilliant Cloak, attacking him with Freezing Winds, Winter Chill, Snow and Hail, driving him into the Cold Night amid a raging Blizzard.

Naked, cold, exhausted and bleeding, Yelmalio knew that he had failed in his task. The only comfort he knew was that he had remained true to his convictions and that he had not betrayed his nature. He decided to travel to the Summit of Winter Hill to see what was left of the world, but he was met by evil, biting creatures of Chaos. He fought bravely, but he had no spear, no armour, no fire and was already wounded. At last he fell and would have been devoured, but was rescued by forgotten friends who came and drove off the Chaos. Arroin healed him and High King Elf dressed and armed him. Together, the three True Friends left Winter Hill to return to their beloved Forests.

## The Quest

Yelmalio's Hill of Gold Quest is unusual in that very few Questors perform the full Quest or perform it in the same way that Yelmalio originally did.

Yelmalio tried to rid the land of Inora and failed. Most Yelmalio Questors now perform the Quest to gain fire powers from the Zorak Zoran opponents or to gain Spear powers from the Orlanth opponents. Occasionally, some go further and try to defeat Inora as a similar Quest to Kalikos' Quest. Very few Questors complete the Quest and fight the Chaos creatures at the summit. Of those who fight the Chaos, most are defeated and are rescued by High King Elf and Arroin. The very few Questors who defeat the Chaos and perform the other steps of the Quest properly gain the ultimate prize - immortality.

Obviously, Immortality is gained by those performing the Quest on the God Plane, others completing the Quest as a Practice Run Quest gain healing benefits to a lesser degree.

### The Stations on the Quest

The Yelmalian Hill of Gold Quest has Four main Stations and three lesser Stations. The main Stations are Orlanth, Zorak Zoran, Inora and Chaos, the three lesser Stations are climbing Winter Hill.

On the Stations, Yelmalio may not heal himself of any of the wounds taken earlier in the Quest. Only Inora and Arroin may heal him.

### I. Orlanth

Yelmalio is ambushed here by Orlanth. The exact form of the attack depends on the Type of Quest performed.

Orlanth has a definite edge in that he attacks with surprise and his first blow cannot be parried and may be aimed. The first blow is also Powered. Orlanth rarely kills Yelmalio here, he is content to knock him unconscious and strip him of armour and weapons. Some cruel Orlanthi will also geld the Yelmalian here, ridding him of all his "Spears".

#### Invoking

Invoking this station gives Yelmalio no powers or abilities save that Orlanth will not kill him. It also means that Orlanth will instead disarm him completely. Yelmalians often use this when they are beset by overwhelming odds and need to survive at all costs. It goes some way to explaining their reputation for cowardice - since they often surrender using this Station.

### II. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

This may be abstracted as a number of Climb rolls or as a test against Enduring. If he fails then he falls and takes damage depending on how badly he fails. He must repeat this until he reaches the next stage or dies.

### III. Zorak Zoran

Yelmalio must defeat this god or lose Fire Powers.

Zorak Zoran must fight Yelmalio here. If Yelmalio was defeated by Orlanth previously he will have no armour and no spear and will be unable to cast Protection or Shield. If he has the Cloak of Brilliance he may cast Sunbright and Shimmer. Obviously, this will be an unequal contest. If Yelmalio defeated Orlanth but gave up his armour and Spear then he may still cast Shield and Protection. If he defeated Orlanth and kept his armour and spear then he may fight as normal.

If Zorak Zoran wins here then he may take all Fire Powers owned by Yelmalio. This includes magic items, spells and abilities. He may choose to kill Yelmalio but will be prevented if Yelmalio makes a Just trait roll. If Yelmalio wins here he may take any Fire Powers owned by the Zorak Zoran Questor and may use them without the normal Yelmalian restrictions.

#### Invoking

Invoking this Station once again means that Yelmalio will not be kiled by his opponent, if the opponent is a Zorak Zoran (or possibly a Drakness Cultist) but Yelmalio will lose some Fire Powers, usually in the form of matrices etc. It ensures defeat and survival.

### IV. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

This may be abstracted as a number of Climb rolls or as a test against Enduring. If he fails then he falls and takes damage depending on how badly he fails. He must repeat this until he reaches the next stage or dies. In this Stage, Winter's effects are felt and his climbing/Enduring chance is reduced by his POWx3.

Obviously, any wounds taken earlier may affect the chance of climbing successfully. If Yelmalio has taken excess damage to his arms or legs he may find his skills are reduced. If his endurance is lowered he may collapse during the climb.

### V. Inora

Here, Yelmalio must resist Inora's wiles. If he defeated Zorak Zoran then he may attempt to defeat Inora to achieve the purpose of the original Quest. Some Summer Questors attempt this to drive Winter back.

Yelmalio must defeat Inora here. If he has defeated Orlanth or Zorak Zoran he may have his Spear, Armour or Fire with him. If he has his Spear or Fire then he can try to defeat Inora. If he has his Armour then he is protected against Inora's Weapons. If he has his Fire then he is protected against her Cold. If he defeats Inora here then he forces her away from the land for a year and gains a Control spell or ability or Resistance to Cold or similar ability.

If Yelmalio is defenceless and cannot defeat Inora then he must attempt to resist her wiles. This means that he must make a Chastity Roll - her APP.

If he succeeds then he has resisted her and is forced out into the Cold where she attacks him for 1D10 rounds as he flees, during this time he loses 1D3 General Hit Points and Fatigue Points per round.

If he fails yet was gelded earlier by Orlanth then he may try to resist again.

If he fails to resist Inora, he regains his Armour and loses her APP in his Chaste trait. He also fathers a child on her who will become a Defender of her Cult.

#### Invoking

Invoking this Station means that Yelmalio will keephis virtue intact but will be driven out into the cold. It is used when Yelmalians are being molested by scarlet women. In game terms, this gives a large boost to the Chaste Roll but means that the Yelmalian will be punished or will suffer in some way in return.

### VI. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the final Station.

This may be abstracted as a number of Climb rolls or as a test against Enduring. If he fails then he falls and takes damage depending on how badly he fails. He must repeat this until he reaches the next stage or dies.

If Yelmalio resisted Inora's advances, he will be climbing in a raging Blizzard and will have Climb rolls reduced and perhaps even reduced fatigue or strength.

### VII. Chaos

If Yelmalio has his Armour then he can wear it and can cast Protection and Shield. If he does not have his armour but defeated Orlanth and gave up his armour then he may cast Shield and protection. If he was defeated by Orlanth and does not have his armour then he cannot cast Protection or Shield. If he does not have his Fire then he cannot cast Fire Magics. If he resisted Inora then he will not have the Cloak of Brilliance and will not be able to cast Shimmer of Sunbright.

He is faced by a number of Chaos Creatures, the number varies but always starts from a base. For every Station he defeats the number of Chaos Creatures is increased by the base number. So, if the Base Number is 3 and the Questor defeats Orlanth and Zorak Zoran then he is faced by 9 Creatures of Chaos, 3 for Orlanth, 3 for Zorak Zoran and 3 to start off with. At this stage, he will still have the unhealed wounds he gained on the earlier stations so the fight should be one-sided. Bear in mind that each of the Chaos Beasts should be at approximately the same level as the Questor - often Chaotic HeroQuestors will perform the Hill of Gold and will face Yelmalio, Inora, Orlanth and Zorak Zoran.

#### Invoking

No Yelmalian in his right mind will Invoke this Station - it ensures that he is attacked by overwhelming odds of Chaotics. It has been used in order to attract Chaos so that they may be driven off by High King Elf and his friends, but this is a drastic measure to take. Sometimes, the Elves of Dorastor use this Quest in order to kill Chaotic enemies but they are not quite sane in the first place.

### VIII. The Return

If Yelmalio is being defeated by Chaos then he will be rescued by Arroin and High King Elf. These will often take the form of a HeroQuest party of Elves and Healers who perform their part of the Hill of Gold time and time again. They will drive off the Chaos and will heal Yelmalio. High King Elf will arm Yelmalio with a new Spear and new Armour. In return, Yelmalio agrees to help defend the Forests and Arroin, becoming an Elf Friend.

Should Yelmalio defeat the Chaos then Arroin and High King Elf will meet him as an ally rather than rescuing him. If he defeated the Chaos without Weapons, Armour or Fire then he gains the Big Prize, otherwise he merely survives and can add the combat to his Victory list. It is quite possible to defeat Orlanth, Zorak Zoran and Inora yet at each stage to give up his abilities as if he lost. This proves how strong and pious he is.

#### Invoking

This is actually a good Station to Invoke as it summons aid to drive off the Chaos. Normally, the aid will be Elven in nature, but local variants may occur. In return, Yelmalio must agree to help the rescuers in the future. This may be a one-shot deal, but could well be an alliance of some sorts.

## The Big Prize

In a God Plane Quest, this is Immortality. He will not age, is immune to normal disease and normal death. He is only damaged by Runic or Magic Weapons. He recovers from normal damage quickly, maybe regenerating damage done. Even if killed, he may not die for his POW SR after death and may heal himself in that time. He is immune to functional incapacitation. All damage done to him can be healed even if this is not normally the case. Perhaps all damage done to him is halved or has his POW subtracted first. In any case, he will be much harder to kill.

On Practice Run Quests the benefits of the Big Prize are less but along the same lines. Depending on the difficulty of the Quest the Questor may choose one or more of the above abilities. Initiate HeroQuestors gain one ability, Rune Levels may gain two or more abilities. It may be that one ability is gained for each foe defeated in the Quest, so that a Questor who defeats Orlanth, Zorak Zoran, Inora and Chaos may gain four abilities, although initiates generally only gain one ability.

## Notes

1. The Hill of Gold Quest may be performed partially. At any Climbing Station the Questor may climb down Winter Hill and end the Quest. Most HeroQuestors who try to regain Fire Powers or to keep Spear Skills take this option and end the Quest after the Orlanth or Zorak Zoran stage.

2. At any of the Climbing or Return Stations the Questor may try to search for a Crystal of the Gods. These are solidified drops of the blood of the Gods. The Questor will find a crystal on a POWx1% roll. Of these crystals, 75% will be of Yelmalio's Blood, 10% will be Orlanth's Blood, 5% Zorak Zoran's Blood, 5% Chaos Blood. The Questor may only search once on a Climb or Return Station and once he has found a Crystal he will not find any more.

The Blood of Yelmalio Crystals are Fire Crystals as described in Plunder. The other Crystals may have other effects, depending on the nature of the deities. For instance, the Blood of Zorak Zoran may be Rage Crystals or Berserker Crystals, Inora's Crystals may give protection against the Cold, Chaos Crystals could do almost anything.

3. Yelmalians who perform the Zorak Zoran stage and are defeated lose all their fire magics if they are performing the Combat Version of the Quest. They can, of course, regain Fire Magics by performing the Quest again or by performing other Quests to gain Fire spells. If they have a Fire Crystal attuned they will lose the crystal.

# Hill of Gold - Yelmalio (Riddling Version)

See also:
  Yelmalio (Full Version)
  Yelmalio (Wagering Version)

### I. Orlanth

Yelmalio is ambushed here by Orlanth. The exact form of the attack depends on the Type of Quest performed.

Yelmalio must win in the Riddling Contest but Orlanth has an edge - one of his Riddles is improved.

If Yelmalio wins here he gains a Prize from Orlanth, usually a magic item of some kind. If he loses then he must give up his Spear. If he loses more than once he must also give up his Armour.

### II. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

Yelmalio must answer a Riddle relating to Climbing. If he wins he may pass to the next stage. If he loses then he must give something up to the Hill, normally a magic item or spell.

### III. Zorak Zoran

Yelmalio must defeat this god or lose Fire Powers.

If Yelmalio was defeated by Orlanth, Zorak Zoran has one improved Riddle which he may use in this contest otherwise the contest is fair. Yelmalio must defeat Zorak Zoran or give up a magic item containing fire powers. If Yelmalio wins then he gains the ability to use Fire on the reminder of the Quest.

### IV. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

Yelmalio must answer a Riddle relating to Climbing. If he wins he may pass to the next stage. If he loses then he must give something up to the Hill, normally a magic item or spell.

### V. Inora

Here, Yelmalio must resist Inora's wiles. If he defeated Zorak Zoran then he may attempt to defeat Inora to achieve the purpose of the original Quest. Some Summer Questors attempt this to drive Winter back.

Yelmalio must riddle with Inora.

If he was beaten by Zorak Zoran then defeat means he capitulated to her charms.

If he was not defeated by Zorak Zoran then defeat means he must Riddle again with results as if he had been defeated.

If Yelmalio loses the Riddling Contest then he has been seduced and loses some Honour, standing and his Chaste trait is reduced.

### VI. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the final Station.

Yelmalio must answer a Riddle relating to Climbing. If he wins he may pass to the next stage. If he loses then he must give something up to the Hill, normally a magic item or spell.

### VII. Chaos

Yelmalio must Riddle with Chaos. If he has his Armour, Spear or Fire powers then riddling is as normal, otherwise Chaos has an Improved Riddle.

### VIII. The Return

Yelmalio riddles Arroin and High King Elf. If Yelmalio beats Arroin then Arroin will give him a Heal spell. If he beats High King Elf then he receives a suit of armour and a Spear. If he loses then Yelmalio agrees to help the winner at some stage in the future.

### The Big Prize

Losing all the contests allows the Yelmalian to gain the Big Prize from the cult. This is normally some healing magic as Immortality is only gained on a God-Time Quest.

# Hill of Gold - Yelmalio (Wagering Version)

See also:
  Yelmalio (Full Version)
  Yelmalio (Riddling Version)

### The Stations on the Quest

The Yelmalian Hill of Gold Quest has Four main Stations and three lesser Stations. The main Stations are Orlanth, Zorak Zoran, Inora and Chaos, the three lesser Stations are climbing Winter Hill.

On the Stations, Yelmalio may not heal himself of any of the wounds taken earlier in the Quest. Only Inora and Arroin may heal him.

### I. Orlanth

Yelmalio is ambushed here by Orlanth. The exact form of the attack depends on the Type of Quest performed.

Orlanth has an edge in the Wagering, one of his Wagers is Improved.

Yelmalio must Wager something based on his Spear, normally some or all of his Spear Skill or maybe a magical Spear if he has one. If he loses his Spear Wager he must Wager his Armour which may be magical armour or the Protection or Shield spell.

If Yelmalio wins then he gains what the Orlanthi Wagered. If he loses then he loses his Wager.

### II. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

Yelmalio must Wager Climbing or Endurance against the Hill. If he succeeds then he gains extra Endurance or Strength. If he fails he loses that Wagered.

### III. Zorak Zoran

Yelmalio must defeat this god or lose Fire Powers.

Zorak Zoran has a Improved Wager here unless Yelmalio defeated Orlanth earlier in the Quest. If Yelmalio defeated Orlanth he may Wager his Spear or Armour again, otherwise he must Wager Fire Powers.

If the Zorak Zoran has already Fire Powers he must wager them.

The winner gains the loser's Fire Powers.

### IV. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the next Station.

Yelmalio must Wager Climbing or Endurance against the Hill. If he succeeds then he gains extra Endurance or Strength. If he fails he loses that Wagered.

### V. Inora

Here, Yelmalio must resist Inora's wiles. If he defeated Zorak Zoran then he may attempt to defeat Inora to achieve the purpose of the original Quest. Some Summer Questors attempt this to drive Winter back.

If he defeated Zorak Zoran then he may wager his Fire Powers. If he defeated Orlanth he may wager his Spear or Armour. If Inora gained his armour from Orlanth then she may wager the gained Armour. If he wagers his Spear, Armour or Fire and loses then he must wager again and again until he wins or runs out of wagers. If he runs out of wagers then he must wager his Chastity or Honour. This final wager is improved in his favour. If he loses his Chastity Wager then he regains his Armour and fathers a child on Inora. If he wins the Chastity Wager then he is driven out into the Snow and loses his Cloak of Brilliance.

### VI. Climbing Winter Hill

Yelmalio must climb Winter Hill to the final Station.

Yelmalio must Wager Climbing or Endurance against the Hill. If he succeeds then he gains extra Endurance or Strength. If he fails he loses that Wagered.

### VII. Chaos

If Yelmalio has his Spear, Armour or Fire then he must wager one of these against the Chaos. He must continue to wager until Chaos withdraws or until he is out of Wagers. Once his normal Wagers are gone he must wager other things until he concedes defeat.

### VIII. The Return

Yelmalio wagers Assistance against Healing or Aid. If he loses then he must offer assistance in the future. This may be in a HeroQuest or mundane job. If he beats Arroin then he gains the Healing Spell or Ability Wagered. If he beats Arroin then he gains the Spear Attack or Protection/Shield spell Wagered.

## The Big Prize

Anyone performing the Quest and being defeated honourably in all the stages gets the Big Prize which is equivalent to Immortality. Depending on the level of the Wager Contest, the prize may be a token or may be nearly the full prize. People wagering Hero/God Powers may get near-immortality out of this as they will have lost a great deal. Generally, the more you lose the more you get out of the Quest at the end.

[End]