Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Ghosts and Columns...
excerpt from the Pages of “The Tales of Gilic Durcral, of the Stone Wolf Clan”
‘Twas gud to be in the mountains. The sense o’stone around me was welcoming. But the foul stench o’ the place was more than muh whiskers could take. We had been down there for a few weeks at this point. I was still quite new to this whole ‘venturing business and was a little unsure as to what our goal was. But I had taken up me hammer in the name of the Soul Forger and strode out from m’clans halls to experience the world, and see what good could be done.
We had gone from killing Goblins and their larger cousins, to damnable Druegar, and were now killing stinking Gnolls. I’m not sure which I hated most ‘bout the wee buggers. Their stench or their incessant cacklin’.
The group had cleared out their archery range and were securing the boar, Uthlik. I helped Taeghan with a few words of m’own tongue to help in calming the beast. Not sure when we became fetchers of pets? But, that old longbeard back in the hall had some attachment to the creature and had plenty o’gems with our name of them I think.
After a short rest we pushed further into the temple. The wee one, Orchid, she scouted ahead. The temples walls had been built well, but housed many an evil. We all crept forward on her command, sneaking into another hallway, two doors could be seen on the left wall. We all got inside and Taeghan and Orchid slid forward, they had not gone ten yards when that cackling returned. The two doors burst open and again we were thrust into battle.
A large Gnoll bitch stood in one door, runes covering her ragged armor, while in the other door, an’ right on front o’ Taeghan stood some planar creature. Its stony hide pulsating with vile energy. Taeghan quickly shot at the beast and forced it to stumble backwards, quickly slamming the door closed again. Gareth charged the Gnoll, his axe cleaving a mighty rent into her side. We split our forces and dispatched them without too much trouble, we had become quite a force in the past few months.
We were just cleaning up when we heard chains rattle from down the hall. We rushed forward to keep the battle moving. But seemingly to Orchid’s dismay, what we found was not to be killed. A couple o’Tieflings shackled and chained t’the wall. We approached with caution, this labyrinth had held many a surprise. They asked for help, saying that they were fellow adventures, here to seek riches, their names where Katal and Azkalek. They had been accosted by the Gnolls and were going to be sacrificed. Their armor and weapons where on the table on front o’ them. Upon inspection Orchid noticed that the weapons were poison blades. We questioned them at length, but discovered nothing. They even offered their service, which we declined and we escorted them from the temple.
I got out a bit a’ jerky as Orchid deftly searched the gnoll that we had slain. She found some magical gloves that Cedric took, did some arcane trick or another. After a swig from my skin, we were off again. We had come to a dead end in the passage we were following and decided to go back to the main hall and take the other way.
The passage grew colder as we progressed. We reached a door, large and black with a brass knocker. Orchid opened it and we went to enter. The coldness seemed to take shape on front o’my own eyes. Ghost like creatures came to life, a large human in plate mail, a greatsword in his hand, and a massive gash down his side. A female human, dressed in long robes, her face was like a dark cloud, featureless and sullen. And a dwarf finished up the trio. He was clad in chain, his beard was braided and looked madder than me own father. “Why do you seek the well of Demons, why do you seek the proving grounds?” The faceless woman boomed.
It took a few seconds for me t’release the grip I had on ma’hammer. And I could see the rest of the party take a sigh of relief upon realizing a fight was not imminent, at least not right away. The ghosts, if that’s what they were, went on to ask us many a question. It was as if they were testing us. It seemed as though they were long dead adventurers, who tried to assault the Temple, and who had failed. Now cursed to see if newcomers were up to the task. After more than a dozen questions, most of which we seemed to get correct, though few of our answers to the stern faced Dwarf, seemed to please him. They let us pass. With some information of what lay ahead.
It was told to us that the temple had four rune marked spell circles. Each was keyed to a certain item. The items sounded familiar, Mask, Blade, Bell and Tome. It turned out Orchid had found a wee book back in the Gnoll bitches room, which she brought forth. One down, three to go I thought.
The ghosts told us of other treasure rooms and that upon placement of the four items, a portal would open and a green dragon would come forth. This was an ancient proving ritual of the followers of Bahamut. These bloody Minotaurs, like to have fun I see.
The ghosts faded into the shadows after they had told their tale. We headed for the southern room. Making our way through the temple area, with no ill effects. A short hallway ended in a black door. Taeghan slowly opened the door. The room beyond was pale stone with many tall carved pillars. The pillars had humanoid shapes carved into them, many different bodies all on top of one another. Gareth an’ I, shouldered our way into the room, t’check it out. Not five feet inside the door and the columns came to life. Moaning and shrieking, their arms flailing wildly and grasping at us. Shava called forth the power of her god and smote one of the columns, the divine energy seemed to do very little as the creatures kept on flailing. We all moved in to investigate. Taeghan strafed off to the left, while Shava and I pushed straight ahead. Just then the moaning from the columns subsided for just a minute. The moaning was replaced by a loud scream. It disoriented those around the columns, just about all of us.
Taeghan came across a foe, calling out as he moved in on it, at the far end of the room. Another of the planar creatures, and there behind it on a small altar, a large hand bell. One of the four items we were looking for. We all moved to intercept the creature, just as more demonic gnolls burst forth from the very pillars. We were fighting on all sides. Gareth had made it to the planar creature and was tackling it and a gnoll. A gnoll had come at me, and I had just gotten ma’ shield up in time. Queequeg had a couple Gnolls on him, but he looked like he had it in hand. His scaly hide turned the maces o’ the beasts away.
It seemed to be going fine till that wee Elf Taeghan went ahead and picked up the damnable Bell. CLANG ….ooowwWWWW. He had rang the bell, and it had sent out spikes into his hand. Hopefully it will lessen his ability to play his harp.
The sound that came from the bell was not just a musical note, it seemed to cause those around it, friend and foe alike to come alive with some sort o’ bloodlust. This was no more evident as when Shava strode past me, swinging her mace above her head shouting something about Corellon. She went right up to the Planar beast and let him have it. Aye, it was good to see the dust knocked off that mace. Between her and Gareth they felled the beast.
We made quick work of the gnolls after that. We retreated from the chamber, trying to avoid the dangers posed by the columns. Their shrieks had various effects, we were almost out when a dark mist came ‘bout us, and made us appear in different parts of the room. We ran at this point to exit the chamber, bell in hand as well as a bauble that Cedric had found beneath the altar.
Quotes:
“Save the world, one Gnoll at a time” – Shava to the tieflings
“Luskin…..thats a wretched hive of scum and villany” – Kenji (playing Queequeg) and having failed a knowledge check about the town
“Pati’s got your sack in her drawers!” – Simon to Blake upon Pati putting blakes dice bag in the table drawer.
Spoils of War:
Bracers of Defense – Gareth
Shadowfell Gloves - Cedric
‘Twas gud to be in the mountains. The sense o’stone around me was welcoming. But the foul stench o’ the place was more than muh whiskers could take. We had been down there for a few weeks at this point. I was still quite new to this whole ‘venturing business and was a little unsure as to what our goal was. But I had taken up me hammer in the name of the Soul Forger and strode out from m’clans halls to experience the world, and see what good could be done.
We had gone from killing Goblins and their larger cousins, to damnable Druegar, and were now killing stinking Gnolls. I’m not sure which I hated most ‘bout the wee buggers. Their stench or their incessant cacklin’.
The group had cleared out their archery range and were securing the boar, Uthlik. I helped Taeghan with a few words of m’own tongue to help in calming the beast. Not sure when we became fetchers of pets? But, that old longbeard back in the hall had some attachment to the creature and had plenty o’gems with our name of them I think.
After a short rest we pushed further into the temple. The wee one, Orchid, she scouted ahead. The temples walls had been built well, but housed many an evil. We all crept forward on her command, sneaking into another hallway, two doors could be seen on the left wall. We all got inside and Taeghan and Orchid slid forward, they had not gone ten yards when that cackling returned. The two doors burst open and again we were thrust into battle.
A large Gnoll bitch stood in one door, runes covering her ragged armor, while in the other door, an’ right on front o’ Taeghan stood some planar creature. Its stony hide pulsating with vile energy. Taeghan quickly shot at the beast and forced it to stumble backwards, quickly slamming the door closed again. Gareth charged the Gnoll, his axe cleaving a mighty rent into her side. We split our forces and dispatched them without too much trouble, we had become quite a force in the past few months.
We were just cleaning up when we heard chains rattle from down the hall. We rushed forward to keep the battle moving. But seemingly to Orchid’s dismay, what we found was not to be killed. A couple o’Tieflings shackled and chained t’the wall. We approached with caution, this labyrinth had held many a surprise. They asked for help, saying that they were fellow adventures, here to seek riches, their names where Katal and Azkalek. They had been accosted by the Gnolls and were going to be sacrificed. Their armor and weapons where on the table on front o’ them. Upon inspection Orchid noticed that the weapons were poison blades. We questioned them at length, but discovered nothing. They even offered their service, which we declined and we escorted them from the temple.
I got out a bit a’ jerky as Orchid deftly searched the gnoll that we had slain. She found some magical gloves that Cedric took, did some arcane trick or another. After a swig from my skin, we were off again. We had come to a dead end in the passage we were following and decided to go back to the main hall and take the other way.
The passage grew colder as we progressed. We reached a door, large and black with a brass knocker. Orchid opened it and we went to enter. The coldness seemed to take shape on front o’my own eyes. Ghost like creatures came to life, a large human in plate mail, a greatsword in his hand, and a massive gash down his side. A female human, dressed in long robes, her face was like a dark cloud, featureless and sullen. And a dwarf finished up the trio. He was clad in chain, his beard was braided and looked madder than me own father. “Why do you seek the well of Demons, why do you seek the proving grounds?” The faceless woman boomed.
It took a few seconds for me t’release the grip I had on ma’hammer. And I could see the rest of the party take a sigh of relief upon realizing a fight was not imminent, at least not right away. The ghosts, if that’s what they were, went on to ask us many a question. It was as if they were testing us. It seemed as though they were long dead adventurers, who tried to assault the Temple, and who had failed. Now cursed to see if newcomers were up to the task. After more than a dozen questions, most of which we seemed to get correct, though few of our answers to the stern faced Dwarf, seemed to please him. They let us pass. With some information of what lay ahead.
It was told to us that the temple had four rune marked spell circles. Each was keyed to a certain item. The items sounded familiar, Mask, Blade, Bell and Tome. It turned out Orchid had found a wee book back in the Gnoll bitches room, which she brought forth. One down, three to go I thought.
The ghosts told us of other treasure rooms and that upon placement of the four items, a portal would open and a green dragon would come forth. This was an ancient proving ritual of the followers of Bahamut. These bloody Minotaurs, like to have fun I see.
The ghosts faded into the shadows after they had told their tale. We headed for the southern room. Making our way through the temple area, with no ill effects. A short hallway ended in a black door. Taeghan slowly opened the door. The room beyond was pale stone with many tall carved pillars. The pillars had humanoid shapes carved into them, many different bodies all on top of one another. Gareth an’ I, shouldered our way into the room, t’check it out. Not five feet inside the door and the columns came to life. Moaning and shrieking, their arms flailing wildly and grasping at us. Shava called forth the power of her god and smote one of the columns, the divine energy seemed to do very little as the creatures kept on flailing. We all moved in to investigate. Taeghan strafed off to the left, while Shava and I pushed straight ahead. Just then the moaning from the columns subsided for just a minute. The moaning was replaced by a loud scream. It disoriented those around the columns, just about all of us.
Taeghan came across a foe, calling out as he moved in on it, at the far end of the room. Another of the planar creatures, and there behind it on a small altar, a large hand bell. One of the four items we were looking for. We all moved to intercept the creature, just as more demonic gnolls burst forth from the very pillars. We were fighting on all sides. Gareth had made it to the planar creature and was tackling it and a gnoll. A gnoll had come at me, and I had just gotten ma’ shield up in time. Queequeg had a couple Gnolls on him, but he looked like he had it in hand. His scaly hide turned the maces o’ the beasts away.
It seemed to be going fine till that wee Elf Taeghan went ahead and picked up the damnable Bell. CLANG ….ooowwWWWW. He had rang the bell, and it had sent out spikes into his hand. Hopefully it will lessen his ability to play his harp.
The sound that came from the bell was not just a musical note, it seemed to cause those around it, friend and foe alike to come alive with some sort o’ bloodlust. This was no more evident as when Shava strode past me, swinging her mace above her head shouting something about Corellon. She went right up to the Planar beast and let him have it. Aye, it was good to see the dust knocked off that mace. Between her and Gareth they felled the beast.
We made quick work of the gnolls after that. We retreated from the chamber, trying to avoid the dangers posed by the columns. Their shrieks had various effects, we were almost out when a dark mist came ‘bout us, and made us appear in different parts of the room. We ran at this point to exit the chamber, bell in hand as well as a bauble that Cedric had found beneath the altar.
Quotes:
“Save the world, one Gnoll at a time” – Shava to the tieflings
“Luskin…..thats a wretched hive of scum and villany” – Kenji (playing Queequeg) and having failed a knowledge check about the town
“Pati’s got your sack in her drawers!” – Simon to Blake upon Pati putting blakes dice bag in the table drawer.
Spoils of War:
Bracers of Defense – Gareth
Shadowfell Gloves - Cedric
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Uthlik Unleashed
Summary:
At last, the party arrived at a massive set of double doors, fashioned in the image of a sneering minotaur face. Double doors opened at the minotaur's mouth and the party entered carefully, pulling out everburning torches and sunrods to illuminate the passage before them. The hallway ended soon enough, expanding into a huge chamber with five columns depicting fanged minotaur faces. The adventures discerned an open passage to the south and a set of double doors to the east. An ominous pit lay closest to the south east passage. The columns suddenly spoke in the voice of a minotaur, referring to Baphomet and power to come from mask, blade, bell, and tome.
Gareth stepped carefully into the chamber, his axe readied, magical torch stuffed in his belt. He paused for a moment as the ground rumbled softly and dust fell from the ceiling. He looked back at the party just as the ground exploded in front of him, two writhing tentacles emerging from the floor and slamming into Gareth and Gilic. Two more tentacles descended from the ceiling, enveloping alternating party members. Taegahn took aim at one of the chokers attached to the ceiling; at the last second, the choker suddenly flung Gilic in the reign of fire, shielding itself at the paladin's expense.
The phalagar and two cavern chokers proved dangerous foes, rooting adventurers with wrapping tendrils that oozed acid that burned through armor and flesh with equal ease. Gareth managed to approach the phalagar and even prevented it from shifting away while Taegahn circled around for a better view of all three foes, completely unaware of a ghoul lurking in the nearby shadows. Observing the merciless sneak attack on her brother, Shava focused divine light on the ghoul, shoving it back several feet into the yawning pit. It landed at the bottom with an audible thud and then rose from prone and began clawing at the walls in a vein attempt to escape. The phalagar and cavern chokers died not long after.
The Victors next approached the east double doors. Ear to egress, Orchid reported the signature barking giggle of gnolls. Gareth led the way down a passageway that branched north and south and ended in a room to the east. Just fifteen feet from he doors, two gnolls stepped out from the north passage and the battle was joined. In the midst of slaying the two ambushers, a giant gnoll stepped into view at the end of the hallway. Gilic held his hammer to the heavens and prayed for the wrath of his god to aid his friends in righteous might before he charged the demonic gnoll and his pack of laughing hyenas. The ensuing battle was fierce and bloody, but ultimately the demon gnoll and his pets breathed their last. Weary from fighting, the party made camp. Upon awakening, Queequeg complained of sleeping and dreaming badly.
Gathering their equipment, the Victors turned down the south passage. Two sets of double doors were a good distance from each other on the west side of the wall. Orchid listened and heard more barking along with some incongruous snorting. The party discussed skipping the door with its odd barnyard sounds, but Queequeg was intrigued and flung the door open. Beyond, a rectangle chamber, a pen of chicken wire taking up much of the north end, a six foot high wall of hay bales the south end. A set of double doors led out the west wall. Four hyenas circled the pen which held a humongous, enraged boar. Someone in the party shouted "Uthlik!," Uthlin's missing and beloved pet pig. Half the party stepped into the room and engaged the hyenas. Gareth leaped over the pen and began hacking at the chain staked into the ground.
Suddenly, an army of gnoll archers peeked over the south wall of hay. A leader barked a command and the company all focused on the dragonborn warlord and opened up withering fire. The warlord nearly felled, Shava healed him before dashing after Gilic, Taegahn, and Cedric as they headed out of the room and back down the passageway to the southern set of double doors. Queequeg bounded into the pen to help Gareth break the chain holding Uthlik the Angry Dire Boar. The latter, tortured and persecuted for countless days, was long past the point of telling friend from foe and savagely gored Queequeg just as Gareth broke the chain. Orchid made quick work of hyenas, her dagger a blur of blood, sinew, and steel.
Gilic, Shava, Taeghan, and Cedric meanwhile flanked the gnolls, flinging the southern doors wide and charging to attack. Gilic nearly fell numerous times from a series of gnoll archer volleys, while Shava brought down divine light to heal friends and harm foes. Orchid stepped out of the room, closed the doors and spiked them for good measure. She backtracked north and around to spike the west doors as well. Gareth and Queequeg ran to the wall of hay, avoiding Uthlik charging into the last remaining hyena. The pair climbed the bales deftly, reinforcing their friends soon the last gnoll archer died.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
Cloak of Resistance +2 - Orchid
At last, the party arrived at a massive set of double doors, fashioned in the image of a sneering minotaur face. Double doors opened at the minotaur's mouth and the party entered carefully, pulling out everburning torches and sunrods to illuminate the passage before them. The hallway ended soon enough, expanding into a huge chamber with five columns depicting fanged minotaur faces. The adventures discerned an open passage to the south and a set of double doors to the east. An ominous pit lay closest to the south east passage. The columns suddenly spoke in the voice of a minotaur, referring to Baphomet and power to come from mask, blade, bell, and tome.
Gareth stepped carefully into the chamber, his axe readied, magical torch stuffed in his belt. He paused for a moment as the ground rumbled softly and dust fell from the ceiling. He looked back at the party just as the ground exploded in front of him, two writhing tentacles emerging from the floor and slamming into Gareth and Gilic. Two more tentacles descended from the ceiling, enveloping alternating party members. Taegahn took aim at one of the chokers attached to the ceiling; at the last second, the choker suddenly flung Gilic in the reign of fire, shielding itself at the paladin's expense.
The phalagar and two cavern chokers proved dangerous foes, rooting adventurers with wrapping tendrils that oozed acid that burned through armor and flesh with equal ease. Gareth managed to approach the phalagar and even prevented it from shifting away while Taegahn circled around for a better view of all three foes, completely unaware of a ghoul lurking in the nearby shadows. Observing the merciless sneak attack on her brother, Shava focused divine light on the ghoul, shoving it back several feet into the yawning pit. It landed at the bottom with an audible thud and then rose from prone and began clawing at the walls in a vein attempt to escape. The phalagar and cavern chokers died not long after.
The Victors next approached the east double doors. Ear to egress, Orchid reported the signature barking giggle of gnolls. Gareth led the way down a passageway that branched north and south and ended in a room to the east. Just fifteen feet from he doors, two gnolls stepped out from the north passage and the battle was joined. In the midst of slaying the two ambushers, a giant gnoll stepped into view at the end of the hallway. Gilic held his hammer to the heavens and prayed for the wrath of his god to aid his friends in righteous might before he charged the demonic gnoll and his pack of laughing hyenas. The ensuing battle was fierce and bloody, but ultimately the demon gnoll and his pets breathed their last. Weary from fighting, the party made camp. Upon awakening, Queequeg complained of sleeping and dreaming badly.
Gathering their equipment, the Victors turned down the south passage. Two sets of double doors were a good distance from each other on the west side of the wall. Orchid listened and heard more barking along with some incongruous snorting. The party discussed skipping the door with its odd barnyard sounds, but Queequeg was intrigued and flung the door open. Beyond, a rectangle chamber, a pen of chicken wire taking up much of the north end, a six foot high wall of hay bales the south end. A set of double doors led out the west wall. Four hyenas circled the pen which held a humongous, enraged boar. Someone in the party shouted "Uthlik!," Uthlin's missing and beloved pet pig. Half the party stepped into the room and engaged the hyenas. Gareth leaped over the pen and began hacking at the chain staked into the ground.
Suddenly, an army of gnoll archers peeked over the south wall of hay. A leader barked a command and the company all focused on the dragonborn warlord and opened up withering fire. The warlord nearly felled, Shava healed him before dashing after Gilic, Taegahn, and Cedric as they headed out of the room and back down the passageway to the southern set of double doors. Queequeg bounded into the pen to help Gareth break the chain holding Uthlik the Angry Dire Boar. The latter, tortured and persecuted for countless days, was long past the point of telling friend from foe and savagely gored Queequeg just as Gareth broke the chain. Orchid made quick work of hyenas, her dagger a blur of blood, sinew, and steel.
Gilic, Shava, Taeghan, and Cedric meanwhile flanked the gnolls, flinging the southern doors wide and charging to attack. Gilic nearly fell numerous times from a series of gnoll archer volleys, while Shava brought down divine light to heal friends and harm foes. Orchid stepped out of the room, closed the doors and spiked them for good measure. She backtracked north and around to spike the west doors as well. Gareth and Queequeg ran to the wall of hay, avoiding Uthlik charging into the last remaining hyena. The pair climbed the bales deftly, reinforcing their friends soon the last gnoll archer died.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
Cloak of Resistance +2 - Orchid
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Alas, Poor King Thane! I Knew Him.
Summary:
The Victors of Shadowfell Keep marched deeper into the Underdark on their way to Well of Demons and the gang of demon worshipping gnolls that dwelled there, the Blackfang gang.
The journey marked in days, not hours, the party encountered frequent denizens of the Underdark, including a clutch of firebats that proved only a momentary distraction. The following day, the party ran into a dwarf leading four scraggly humans. The dwarf turned out to be none other than King Thane who wasted little time in confronting the party, ascertaining them as foes of Underdark evil, and demanding they join him as followers. Surina, the mysterious dragonkind who recently attached herself to the Victors, asked Thane if he intended to conquest the Underdark for good or evil. The King began to explain himself, but before he finished, Surina attacked the dwarf and his followers. Before the party could barely react, Orchid launched a wickedly gyrating dagger that twanged too solidly into the side of King Thane's head, killing him instantly. The party wasted little time in berating Surina for her hasty reaction; the dragonkind spewed bile-filled nonsense before stalking off. Orchid relieved Thane of his crested neck piece.
The party next came upon a strange undead being, leading some fellow mindless zombies. Curiously, the undead requested peaceful passing with the adventurers. After talking with the undead, the party agreed to let them pass, though Shava and Gareth expressed grave misgivings at the idea of allowing the walking dead to roam free.
On the third day, the party stumbled upon a gelatinous cube joined up with some phase wights. Unlike the last undead encountered, these made no attempt at parley, their gaping jaws and shrieking howls yearning humanoid flesh. The party made short work of them.
TO BE CONTINUED
The Victors of Shadowfell Keep marched deeper into the Underdark on their way to Well of Demons and the gang of demon worshipping gnolls that dwelled there, the Blackfang gang.
The journey marked in days, not hours, the party encountered frequent denizens of the Underdark, including a clutch of firebats that proved only a momentary distraction. The following day, the party ran into a dwarf leading four scraggly humans. The dwarf turned out to be none other than King Thane who wasted little time in confronting the party, ascertaining them as foes of Underdark evil, and demanding they join him as followers. Surina, the mysterious dragonkind who recently attached herself to the Victors, asked Thane if he intended to conquest the Underdark for good or evil. The King began to explain himself, but before he finished, Surina attacked the dwarf and his followers. Before the party could barely react, Orchid launched a wickedly gyrating dagger that twanged too solidly into the side of King Thane's head, killing him instantly. The party wasted little time in berating Surina for her hasty reaction; the dragonkind spewed bile-filled nonsense before stalking off. Orchid relieved Thane of his crested neck piece.
The party next came upon a strange undead being, leading some fellow mindless zombies. Curiously, the undead requested peaceful passing with the adventurers. After talking with the undead, the party agreed to let them pass, though Shava and Gareth expressed grave misgivings at the idea of allowing the walking dead to roam free.
On the third day, the party stumbled upon a gelatinous cube joined up with some phase wights. Unlike the last undead encountered, these made no attempt at parley, their gaping jaws and shrieking howls yearning humanoid flesh. The party made short work of them.
TO BE CONTINUED
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Ze Plot Thickens
Summary:
An hour later, a crossbow bolt came whizzing past the party, clattering harmlessly against the hold's stone wall. The Bloodreavers agreed to the Victor's terms, though amended the time it would take them to vacate to a week. Gilic spoke for the party, finalizing the deal, insisting the Bloodreaver send over the slaves immediately. A sorry pack of humanoids trudged into view soon after, three humans and a goblin. The goblin wasted little time asserting himself, gesturing widely and chattering in his native tongue. As no one spoke goblin, Cedric conjured a spell and began translating what proved to be mostly incoherent babbling. The goblin suddenly shrieked and pointed! All eyes looked as the goblin moved to grab Cedric's sheathed dagger. Taegahn almost yawned as he emptied two arrows into the wretch.
The other slaves, human Cormyrians, stared in abject horror, though they were assured the same fate did not await them. One of the slaves, a weathered miner, reported that the Bloodreavers has been particularly active lately, gathering more than twenty slaves the past week alone. He and the others knew little else, but assured VoSFK an award awaited them if they provided safe passage back to the Seven Pillar Halls and the Deep Gem Mining Company.
The party gathered their gear and set out back to the Halls. Along the way, a mob of monsters slid out of hidden panels and attacked the adventurers. A fire drake and three bugbears attacked from the front, an ettercap from the back. The latter spewed warm webbing all over the tightly bunched party, immobilizing Shava and Queequeg and making movement more difficult for everyone else. Cedric sprayed sizzling acid on the drakes and bugbears, while Taegahn fired into the chittering ettercap. Gareth absorbed three separate mighty blows from blunt bugbear weaponry and then returned as good as he got. The slobbering monsters fell dead like dominos in a parlor game and the party traveled the rest of the way unmolested.
The Victors first stopped at the Deep Gem Mining Company office. Rejoiced at the return of his employees, the old dwarf Uthlin gave each party member a heavy amethyst gem. As the adventuerers made to leave, Uthlin asked that they keep their eyes open for his prized boar, Uthlik, who followed some of his miners out into the Underdark, but never returned. Taegahn snickered when Uthlin proudly intimated that Uthlik meant "little son" in dwarven. The elf muttered under his breath that the name more likely translated into "pig-fucker."
"Eh, what's that you say elf?" Uthlin bellowed.
"Oh, nothing!" chimed Taegahn musically.
Uthlin glowered, sure he'd been insulted but uncertain what was said. Cedric, meanwhile, shook his head and said, "A boar roaming the tunnels of Underdark? Let me stop by the nearest butcher and bring you back a rack of ham for surely the denizens of Underdark feast well on bacon this night."
"Why you little bastard! Uthlik's alive I tell you! He's a smart pig, smarter than you I dare say! Smells better too!" Uthlin hollered, lunging a hard right hook that landed heavily on the side of Cedric's face. The rest of the party quickly ushered out its two diplomats before more could be said, assuring Uthlin they would look for his lost pig.
On the way out, the drow merchant Gendar motioned to Shava. The cleric warily approached. Gendar intimated that he knew the party recently acquired a skull-tipped scepter and that he would pay 200 gold and some information for it. Shava nodded curtly and his terms and said she would get back to him. Upon hearing the drow desired to purchase the scepter, Orchid plotted that the group sell it to him, kill him, then take the scepter back.
The party next visited the Mages of Saruun. As always, the mage representative appeared after uttering the word "justice," hidden behind a golden mask and flanked by a bronze minotaur. The mage nodded acknowledge that the Bloodreavers had been dismantled but indicated that a new problem had emerged: the Black Fang gnolls. Reaching deep into a small bag, he withdrew a robe covered with alternating blinking eyes and offered it as a down payment for an assault on the Black Fangs. The party agreed. Cedric donned the robe, with Queequeg trying to poke out some of the eyes. Shava asked the mage to examine the skull-tipped scepter and he agreed.
Queegueg broke from the party, making his way to the Halfmoon Inn. Inside, he once again procured the map drafting skills of Rendell. Rendell agreed to make the map, but cautioned the dragonborn not to find the Black Fang lair, ominously known as the Well of Demons. In his many studies, Queequeg had read of the Well. In the days of old, an order of monastic monks tested applicants at the well; success welcomed them into the fold, failure embraced death. History told the minotaurs worshipped Baphomet.
Later that day, Cedric performed a ritual, summoning the Hand of Fate. He asked three questions of it, one concerning the skull-tipped scepter and the other about the singularity the party was sent to investigate. The Hand provided little helpful information. At the same time, Shava returned to the Mages of Saruun. The masked mage returned the scepter, now thoroughly cleaned and polished. The dirt and grime peeled away, the trinket appeared to be made out of ivory. He said the scepter was nothing extraordinary and could likely fetch no more than 10 gold to the right bidder.
With the support of the rest of the party, Shava traded the scepter to Gendar for 300 gold and some stunning revelations. Gendar told the group they were pawns of a larger plot they knew nothing of. He told them they were really sent to find the disenfranchised Cormyrn noble, Paldemar Spellkeeper. It seems Paldemar seeks to destroy Cormyr and has allied with the Black Fangs to plot against the kingdom. Gendar said that Cyric also backs Paldemar and has promised to aid him when the hour is at hand. Finally, Gendar revealed the most stunning news of all: Paldemar recently visited the Mages of Saruun. A battle ensued for unknown reasons and Paldemar slew all the mages. But one. Before the party left, Gendar requested the adventurers look for a statue of Baphomet and the Eyes of the Broken Dragon.
On his way back to fetching the contracted map from Rendell, Queequeg was approached by a fellow dragonborn named Surina. She told the warlord she had been tracking the party and that she knew they meant to assault the Well of Demons. She seem consumed by rage and hatred for the Black Fangs, making Queequeg wary of her. Nevertheless, she told him she would meet the party at the entrance to the Deep Stairs when they set out.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
+2 Robe of Eyes
Line(s) of the Night:
"He may not have to suffer your ass." - Craig, misspeaking "acid damage" for "ass."
"I'm only slow when I want to be." - Sean, in his best Barry White voice.
"Sounds like my kind of man!" - Megan, on a potential male prospect.
"What, breathing?" - Simon, in response.
An hour later, a crossbow bolt came whizzing past the party, clattering harmlessly against the hold's stone wall. The Bloodreavers agreed to the Victor's terms, though amended the time it would take them to vacate to a week. Gilic spoke for the party, finalizing the deal, insisting the Bloodreaver send over the slaves immediately. A sorry pack of humanoids trudged into view soon after, three humans and a goblin. The goblin wasted little time asserting himself, gesturing widely and chattering in his native tongue. As no one spoke goblin, Cedric conjured a spell and began translating what proved to be mostly incoherent babbling. The goblin suddenly shrieked and pointed! All eyes looked as the goblin moved to grab Cedric's sheathed dagger. Taegahn almost yawned as he emptied two arrows into the wretch.
The other slaves, human Cormyrians, stared in abject horror, though they were assured the same fate did not await them. One of the slaves, a weathered miner, reported that the Bloodreavers has been particularly active lately, gathering more than twenty slaves the past week alone. He and the others knew little else, but assured VoSFK an award awaited them if they provided safe passage back to the Seven Pillar Halls and the Deep Gem Mining Company.
The party gathered their gear and set out back to the Halls. Along the way, a mob of monsters slid out of hidden panels and attacked the adventurers. A fire drake and three bugbears attacked from the front, an ettercap from the back. The latter spewed warm webbing all over the tightly bunched party, immobilizing Shava and Queequeg and making movement more difficult for everyone else. Cedric sprayed sizzling acid on the drakes and bugbears, while Taegahn fired into the chittering ettercap. Gareth absorbed three separate mighty blows from blunt bugbear weaponry and then returned as good as he got. The slobbering monsters fell dead like dominos in a parlor game and the party traveled the rest of the way unmolested.
The Victors first stopped at the Deep Gem Mining Company office. Rejoiced at the return of his employees, the old dwarf Uthlin gave each party member a heavy amethyst gem. As the adventuerers made to leave, Uthlin asked that they keep their eyes open for his prized boar, Uthlik, who followed some of his miners out into the Underdark, but never returned. Taegahn snickered when Uthlin proudly intimated that Uthlik meant "little son" in dwarven. The elf muttered under his breath that the name more likely translated into "pig-fucker."
"Eh, what's that you say elf?" Uthlin bellowed.
"Oh, nothing!" chimed Taegahn musically.
Uthlin glowered, sure he'd been insulted but uncertain what was said. Cedric, meanwhile, shook his head and said, "A boar roaming the tunnels of Underdark? Let me stop by the nearest butcher and bring you back a rack of ham for surely the denizens of Underdark feast well on bacon this night."
"Why you little bastard! Uthlik's alive I tell you! He's a smart pig, smarter than you I dare say! Smells better too!" Uthlin hollered, lunging a hard right hook that landed heavily on the side of Cedric's face. The rest of the party quickly ushered out its two diplomats before more could be said, assuring Uthlin they would look for his lost pig.
On the way out, the drow merchant Gendar motioned to Shava. The cleric warily approached. Gendar intimated that he knew the party recently acquired a skull-tipped scepter and that he would pay 200 gold and some information for it. Shava nodded curtly and his terms and said she would get back to him. Upon hearing the drow desired to purchase the scepter, Orchid plotted that the group sell it to him, kill him, then take the scepter back.
The party next visited the Mages of Saruun. As always, the mage representative appeared after uttering the word "justice," hidden behind a golden mask and flanked by a bronze minotaur. The mage nodded acknowledge that the Bloodreavers had been dismantled but indicated that a new problem had emerged: the Black Fang gnolls. Reaching deep into a small bag, he withdrew a robe covered with alternating blinking eyes and offered it as a down payment for an assault on the Black Fangs. The party agreed. Cedric donned the robe, with Queequeg trying to poke out some of the eyes. Shava asked the mage to examine the skull-tipped scepter and he agreed.
Queegueg broke from the party, making his way to the Halfmoon Inn. Inside, he once again procured the map drafting skills of Rendell. Rendell agreed to make the map, but cautioned the dragonborn not to find the Black Fang lair, ominously known as the Well of Demons. In his many studies, Queequeg had read of the Well. In the days of old, an order of monastic monks tested applicants at the well; success welcomed them into the fold, failure embraced death. History told the minotaurs worshipped Baphomet.
Later that day, Cedric performed a ritual, summoning the Hand of Fate. He asked three questions of it, one concerning the skull-tipped scepter and the other about the singularity the party was sent to investigate. The Hand provided little helpful information. At the same time, Shava returned to the Mages of Saruun. The masked mage returned the scepter, now thoroughly cleaned and polished. The dirt and grime peeled away, the trinket appeared to be made out of ivory. He said the scepter was nothing extraordinary and could likely fetch no more than 10 gold to the right bidder.
With the support of the rest of the party, Shava traded the scepter to Gendar for 300 gold and some stunning revelations. Gendar told the group they were pawns of a larger plot they knew nothing of. He told them they were really sent to find the disenfranchised Cormyrn noble, Paldemar Spellkeeper. It seems Paldemar seeks to destroy Cormyr and has allied with the Black Fangs to plot against the kingdom. Gendar said that Cyric also backs Paldemar and has promised to aid him when the hour is at hand. Finally, Gendar revealed the most stunning news of all: Paldemar recently visited the Mages of Saruun. A battle ensued for unknown reasons and Paldemar slew all the mages. But one. Before the party left, Gendar requested the adventurers look for a statue of Baphomet and the Eyes of the Broken Dragon.
On his way back to fetching the contracted map from Rendell, Queequeg was approached by a fellow dragonborn named Surina. She told the warlord she had been tracking the party and that she knew they meant to assault the Well of Demons. She seem consumed by rage and hatred for the Black Fangs, making Queequeg wary of her. Nevertheless, she told him she would meet the party at the entrance to the Deep Stairs when they set out.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewt(z):
+2 Robe of Eyes
Line(s) of the Night:
"He may not have to suffer your ass." - Craig, misspeaking "acid damage" for "ass."
"I'm only slow when I want to be." - Sean, in his best Barry White voice.
"Sounds like my kind of man!" - Megan, on a potential male prospect.
"What, breathing?" - Simon, in response.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Assault First, Negotiate Later
Summary:
The room calmed for a moment before a distant clatter came to ear through the locked doors. Gareth braced himself while yelling back to the rest of the party, "Incoming!"
As if on cue, a duergar mounted on a giant wolf burst through the door and tore into VoSFK's ranks. The mounted duergar held a flaming poker in one hand, a war hammer in the other. In the midst of the party's ranks, he shouted, "Glimmerzuhl!" and bouts of hot flaming burned the party with magical intensity.
They were followed by another mounted pair, flanked by three howling orcs. Taegahn thrust his nose in the air and inhaled deeply. He then tilted his head askew, listening. Notching an arrow he said, "Though much more used to the heavenly scent of my personally arranged floral arrangements, I nevertheless detect additional foes that my ears and nose hear and smell, but my eyes fail to see. Tred carefully my most dearest friends."
The party tred, though indelicately. The fight was a bloody affair and before it was over, both Gareth and Queequeg and fallen, the former twice. If not for the combined healing efforts of Shava and Gilic, the two would likely never had arisen again. The worgs used as mounts were a mated pair, and together the two let out synchronous howls that made party members hesitate, if only for a few precious seconds. As Taegahn had intimated earlier, a pair of orcs suddenly blinked into the middle of the battle, crossbows in hand. They unloaded a vicious attack before easing back into the shadows. One a time, the worgs fell. Unmounted, the dwarven riders proved equally lethal. They too fell eventually. Soon, the cloaked crossbowman and shock troops joined their comrades as still heaps on the granite floor.
The party rested next for their weariness was nearly as great as their hunger and thirst. Some hours later, they heard a knock on the door, now barricaded. Queequeg slid the obstruction aside and peeked out. A lone duergar stood waiting. The dragonborn quickly opened the door, grabbed the dwarf by his beard, and wrenched him inside. The duergar howled in protest as the party circled around.
The dwarf claimed to be a messenger, sent for having lost this section of the larger keep. He asked the party why they attacked, to which no one gave a good answer. Next, he asked the party's terms. After much haggling, the dwarf agreed to send message to his superior the party's requirements for a peaceful conclusion to the Horned Hold assault: that the slavers release all currently enslaved Cormyrians, abandon Horned Hold, and cease attacks on Cormyrian interests. The dwarf sighed with resignation while he wrote the bullet points to paper. Attaching the treatise to a bolt, he shot the terms across the expanse to an opposite hold.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewtz:
None /cry
Line(s) of the Night:
"So I can tie you up AND whip you." - Megan, enjoying the idea of employing both options on Simon? Blake maybe?
"Did you just have an elfgasm?" - Sean to Blake after Blake moaned with ectasy from pure elfy roleplaying joy.
The room calmed for a moment before a distant clatter came to ear through the locked doors. Gareth braced himself while yelling back to the rest of the party, "Incoming!"
As if on cue, a duergar mounted on a giant wolf burst through the door and tore into VoSFK's ranks. The mounted duergar held a flaming poker in one hand, a war hammer in the other. In the midst of the party's ranks, he shouted, "Glimmerzuhl!" and bouts of hot flaming burned the party with magical intensity.
They were followed by another mounted pair, flanked by three howling orcs. Taegahn thrust his nose in the air and inhaled deeply. He then tilted his head askew, listening. Notching an arrow he said, "Though much more used to the heavenly scent of my personally arranged floral arrangements, I nevertheless detect additional foes that my ears and nose hear and smell, but my eyes fail to see. Tred carefully my most dearest friends."
The party tred, though indelicately. The fight was a bloody affair and before it was over, both Gareth and Queequeg and fallen, the former twice. If not for the combined healing efforts of Shava and Gilic, the two would likely never had arisen again. The worgs used as mounts were a mated pair, and together the two let out synchronous howls that made party members hesitate, if only for a few precious seconds. As Taegahn had intimated earlier, a pair of orcs suddenly blinked into the middle of the battle, crossbows in hand. They unloaded a vicious attack before easing back into the shadows. One a time, the worgs fell. Unmounted, the dwarven riders proved equally lethal. They too fell eventually. Soon, the cloaked crossbowman and shock troops joined their comrades as still heaps on the granite floor.
The party rested next for their weariness was nearly as great as their hunger and thirst. Some hours later, they heard a knock on the door, now barricaded. Queequeg slid the obstruction aside and peeked out. A lone duergar stood waiting. The dragonborn quickly opened the door, grabbed the dwarf by his beard, and wrenched him inside. The duergar howled in protest as the party circled around.
The dwarf claimed to be a messenger, sent for having lost this section of the larger keep. He asked the party why they attacked, to which no one gave a good answer. Next, he asked the party's terms. After much haggling, the dwarf agreed to send message to his superior the party's requirements for a peaceful conclusion to the Horned Hold assault: that the slavers release all currently enslaved Cormyrians, abandon Horned Hold, and cease attacks on Cormyrian interests. The dwarf sighed with resignation while he wrote the bullet points to paper. Attaching the treatise to a bolt, he shot the terms across the expanse to an opposite hold.
TO BE CONTINUED
Phat Lewtz:
None /cry
Line(s) of the Night:
"So I can tie you up AND whip you." - Megan, enjoying the idea of employing both options on Simon? Blake maybe?
"Did you just have an elfgasm?" - Sean to Blake after Blake moaned with ectasy from pure elfy roleplaying joy.
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