I meant like an article all articles you'll find here are fan created. I think you two have a lot of insight and great imaginative ideas. Perhaps when Cebrion starts a new post fest you two will be inclined to participate.
Until the starbreak.
Argon
Aha. Iressi would probably be better for that than I am. I have to admit that I don't honestly know much of 'real Greyhawk' versus our Greyhawk. I couldn't tell you the differences in the two save that most of the leaders probably aren't anything like the ones in ours since we decided to work in our last adventuring party as racial leaders in the area of Furyondy.
And on the other hand, I mentioned a concept I originally came up with for Ptolus to Iressi and he thought it could probably fit nicely into some little nook or cranny of Greyhawk, so we shall see.
*Goes back to eagerly awaiting Iressi's campaign journal update.* _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
I am going to do my best to include the entire Tower of Black Bones adventure in one post. So this one will likely be a long post. Below is the map I used for this adventure, made by Turgenev on Dragonsfoot. If you haven't seen his stuff before take a look, he is wonderful at making maps.
I wish I could find a copy without writing on it, but beggars can't be choosers I suppose.
Coldeven - 591 CY: The Razing Line
The PC's travel from the city of Chendl up north to Redoubt once again with a new mission, to seek out aid from the Lord Mayor of Highfolk. However they decided to visit upon a old rumor they had heard from a few months ago. They decide to travel to the Razing Line first before they head south east to Highfolk. The trip there is thankfully uneventful, and they arrive at the Razing Line on a cold spring day with a storm brewing to the north.
Traveling from the eastern border to the west they eventually discover hidden in the strange mists that hover around the line a tower. By the time they discover it a light rain is falling, and the day is overcast. The tower is maybe half-finished at this point (construction would have just started if the PC's had come here when they first heard the rumor.) A single bald man with scale armor, black robes, and a unholy symbol of Nerull along with a small host of undead skeletons that he was using to help with the construction.
The battle here is a rather quick one, and before they can subdue the priest he manages to stab himself with a dagger. The PC's could have saved him I think, but they didn't bother. They explore the unfinished tower, and don't really discover much save for some personal possessions hidden in lock-boxes. This includes some letters, and other personal effects of the cultists here. Nothing much of worth though.
With that they travel down the stairs that lead to the dungeon level itself. This entire complex was built a orc warlord named Umak the Crusher who forged a small empire here in -45 CY. He had managed to conquer the Grimmkas Clan of dwarves from the Yatil Mountain forcing them to build upon a even older ruin for his capitol. Eventually he was defeated in battle, and his large fortress-city destroyed. However the dungeon level was left mostly intact. Years later a group of priests of Nerull wanting to take advantage of the latent necromantic energy in the Razing Line started building their own site.
So while undead, and other such monsters live in the depths of the Tower of Black Bones most of the artwork that can be found here depicts orcish deities, and ideals. They come down the stairs to see a series of gold colored runes on the ground, and a collection of skeletal guards with wooden holy symbols of Nerull on. The battle is easy, though the runes which give the skeletons regeneration make it a little more difficult. They then travel to room 8 traveling to the west first, there Arshae springs a trap.
There are four statues in this room each depicting a ancient Flan warrior king from the past, when the trap is the statues rise revealing the skeletal remains of these ancient kings. This is a battle that proves to show how useful Create Pit can be. Arshae is almost killed here since she is alone in the room when these skeletons first appear. Thankfully though the PC's manage to defeat these foul monsters, and save their little trap finder from certain doom! They also find some 'phat' loot in here in the form of the crowns, and scepters that the ancient skeletons had on them.
They continue to the west where they encounter a monster of my own creation known as Giant Deathcap Mushrooms which are similar to Violet Mushrooms in that they can move (slowly), and feast upon the flesh of other creatures. Worse the unstable poisons and other chemicals cause these Deathcap Mushrooms to explode when they die, something that Crystaltears learns much to her Chagrin. It almost kills her paladin if I am remembering right. This room has some of the first real magical treasure of the campaign (baring the two items mentioned last time) a converted Quall's Cloak on the body of a dead ranger hidden under some Brown Mold.
What do the PC's do? They see the Brown Mold, and decide to come back later leaving the treasure behind for the time being. Oh well they do come back for it later at least.
From there the PC's travel south to rooms 10, 11, and 12 finding ruined chambers with hints of beautifully rendered carvings of horrid things. It is here they see the beginnings of the story of the dwarven slaves of Umak the Crusher. He used the dwarves to create beautiful wall carvings of orcs destroying the countryside, or killing their favored prey in battle. There was even one that showed their chief god Gruumsh slaying not one but all of the Elven Pantheon in a single battle. By himself.
They then travel down to room 21a, and face a praying priest of Nerull in battle, and quickly subdue him. Though not before he leads them into the next chamber which is covered in severed skeletal hands that grab at the legs of the PC's, and try to trip them. After Garek destroys the undead with positive energy the PC's travel further south to area 22 where they come across a strange room indeed. The room is divided in half by a magical field of energy. It makes the southern half of the room darker, and there are black sparkles in the air. Four (?) ghouls occupy this chamber, and laugh at the PC's when they enter. In front of the area of magical energy is a altar to Nerull with two black candles with white flames.
The PC's decide to put the candles out to see what would happen, the magical field floods the chamber at that point. The ghouls take that opportunity to attack them. One of the 'gimmicks' of this dungeon is half of it is bathed in negative energy causing any non-undead entering into the field to take 1 point of damage a round. Not much, but it adds up after a while, and it also heals the undead inside of it. After defeating the ghouls they travel south, and are greeted by a sealed portcullis which forces the PC's back to room 12.
From there they enter into the main hallway of the Tower of Black Bones in area 2. Here they disable the many minor firetraps on the floor, and overhear what sounds like chanting coming from area 3. They decide that chanting isn't a good thing, and avoid it for the time being going back to area 1. From there they travel to the east this time and face more undead monsters in the form of ghouls in area 4. They then travel into area 5 finding a miniature area pit that dates back to when the orcs lived here.
A haunt (sort of a 'natural' trap that forms kind of like a ghost) tries to force Garek, and Ahvrania to fight one another. Thankfully though since Garek is resistant to spells, and Ahvrania is resistant to Mind-Effecting spells neither is bothered by the haunt. They enter into area 6 at that point disable a pit trap, and travel into a old prison in area 7. Here they face their first incorporeal undead in the form of Lesser Specters formed out of the souls of dwarves tortured by the orcs long ago.
The undead move through the walls so to surround the PC's, and to hopefully inflict some negative levels on them. I think Ahvrania was the only one to be effected (or it might have been Arshae), but in the end they were able to defeat the foul undead. They discover the 'skeleton closet' so to speak in area between 4 and 6 filled with corpses of farmers, and others kidnapped by the cult. About then the services that were going on in area 3 were over, and the priests started to return to their rooms.
They discovered the now dead undead, and started to search for the source of the trouble. The PC's barricade themselves into area 4, and wait for the guards to come. They do, and a short battle begins leading to a single priest escaping traveling south to room 30 where he releases one of the harder encounters in this area a four armed Skeletal Champion. One of the swords in fact belonged to the dead ranger in area 9, and is a +1 Merciful Longsword of elven make. They defeat him, but that single worshiper managed to get away. The PC's follow the direction he was heading at that point, though not in a real rush since he has already had plenty of time to get away.
They explore area 24 discovering more artwork dedicated to Gruumsh here, and a secret door. They discover a room that is done in a very different style than the other rooms in this dungeon. It is made of volcanic rock rather than the granite they have seen thus far. There is a dais with a ring inside a pool of brackish water, and a golden goblet next to it. There is also a inscription along the side of it written in the dwarven script, but arranged so that they make no sense (it is in fact Giant) they leave it for now coming back to it later.
In area 28 they see a small shrine dedicated to the orcish deity Luthic the orc goddess of Fertility, Medicine, Females, and Servitude. The next few rooms (area 28 to 33) are dedicated to Luthic, and her ideals. Thus this had been the nursery of the orcs once along with where the food was cooked, and the injured tended. They go south to area 31 disabling some lightning bolt traps along the way. In my version of this dungeon there is no room 34 (the stairs leading down) so just ignore that, and all other stairs leading down.
In area 32 they find the actual chapel to Luthic that had already been defaced somewhat by the priests of Nerull. The PC's finish the job destroying the unholy site there before moving into area 35. Now the artwork depicts another god, in this case Shargaas the orc deity of darkness. However they also notice that the dwarves in the pictures are armed with weapons, though it is very well hidden. It looks like the dwarves were rebelling in their artwork at the very least. Following the trail the worshiper left behind the PC's enter into area 37 discovering another prison this time used by the priests of Nerull however it is already empty. They find a small doll here, and other signs of the people that had been forced into these cages.
Moving on from there they enter into area 38, and discover the secret door to the south. There they find that the dwarves wern't taken being slaves lying down. Weapons (including a +1 Frost Greataxe), food, and other supplies had been stockpiled here. However it looks like the rebellion never took place. In area 39 the Priests had kept enchanted unholy symbols that protected them from the negative energy field, however the worshiper collected them all lest the PC's use them to sneak into the southern area's of the dungeon.
The PC's went into area 40 which in my version had three false entrances with traps into the next area, along with a single real one. They found that the real door lead into the room with the negative energy field. Leaving that behind they travel all the way back up to area 1, and down the hallway exploring the rooms in the east, and west. Facing burning skeletons in area 17, and 19 before finally they come into the main battle of this dungeon.
In area 3 they face the High Priest of Nerull, a advanced Burning Skeleton, a horde of lesser skeletons, and worshipers (including the one that got away). It is a long, and pitched battle in the end though they were too much for the priests of Nerull. They defeat them, and after that point have a easy time exploring the rest of the dungeon at their leisure. They discover a number of bits of treasure, and the way to turn 'off' the negative energy field.
They also discover a chilling report in the diary of the High Priest. The majority of the Cult of Nerull had left the Tower of Black Bones to travel to the Vesve Forest to explore a site there known as Delvenbrass to use the great treasures there to help build the Tower of Black Bones. The PC's with loot in hand, armed with this knowledge start to leave the Tower. Before they do though they travel back to that strange room with the ring in the pool of water.
With a comprehend language spell they read the inscription the next day. I forget what it said exactly, but in effect gave them the hint that they needed to drink the water before they can gain the treasure. Avhrania manages to do this after something like 3 days of trying because each time you take a drink you might gain a negative level, and end up having to start over.
Conclusion: I was surprised that she didn't just leave it to come back later, but in the end she drank all the water down gaining her prize. She found a gold ring with a single red ruby inside of it, a Ring of Three Wishes. Now I know what you are going to say, "Iressi! You are crazy giving her that item at such a low level!"
Now maybe i am, but this is what my thinking is.
I gave this to her as sort of a grace in the sense it lets her undo a single mistake of some sort. She doesn't want to just sell it because...well she doesn't want such magic to end up in the wrong hands (wishes work differently in our campaign than vanilla Pathfinder). She has kept that ring hidden, and has yet to use it. It will be fun to see what situation makes her decide to use it.
Anyway's that took a while, but that is all of the Tower of Black Bones adventure. I might have missed some stuff, which if I did I am sure that Crystaltears will fill in the gaps. Next time the PC's meet with the Lord Mayor of Highfolk, the Knight-Commander of the Knights of the High Forest, and the High Lord of the Elves in Flameflower. From there they travel to the longest dungeon in the game so far, and where they will gain four levels in. Delvenbrass.
Crystaltears wrote: 'Aha. Iressi would probably be better for that than I am. I have to admit that I don't honestly know much of 'real Greyhawk' versus our Greyhawk.'
Nonsense and hogwash!
The only 'bad' story is the untold story. And writing is a learning process, so dive in! Show us what you can do! You're doing pretty darn good in the other thread!
I might try my hand at that soon. Really I wanted to get to the point where I am mostly caught up so I don't keep forgetting things. The Tower of Black Bones was the last major hurdle before the next adventure.
I might start doing something more story like when Jaken joins the party when they start exploring Delvenbrass, maybe from his prospective.
The PC's could have saved him I think, but they didn't bother.
Nope. He was dead-dead. We tried to heal him because Ahvrania was hellbent on questioning him, but we had no success.
Iressi wrote:
They come down the stairs to see a series of gold colored runes on the ground, and a collection of skeletal guards with wooden holy symbols of Nerull on. The battle is easy, though the runes which give the skeletons regeneration make it a little more difficult.
It should be noted that Arshea had purchased an adamantine dagger while we were in town (I forget why she decided to buy it, but it was her major purchase from our previous adventure). This dagger saw much, much, much use in the dungeon, beginning here... Where after the combat the timid bard hefted the dagger and used it to shred the glyphs, carving slashes into them in the stones. She also shredded all manner of symbols throughout the place that bothered her, be they religious symbols or depictions of orcs with dwarven slaves, etc. We left a long trail of destroyed things in our wake.
Iressi wrote:
What do the PC's do? They see the Brown Mold, and decide to come back later leaving the treasure behind for the time being. Oh well they do come back for it later at least....
Hey now... We had no way of dealing with the mold, and we knew what it did. Celeste wasn't getting near that stuff with a ten foot pole until she had the appropriate spells prepared. Blame it on Bigby if you like, he was the one who instilled caution and preparation into her as I recall! :p
Iressi wrote:
...There was even one that showed their chief god Gruumsh slaying not one but all of the Elven Pantheon in a single battle. By himself....
Yes there was... And Ahvra took the adamantine dagger to that one, with much-relished glee as I recall.
Iressi wrote:
Four (?) ghouls occupy this chamber, and laugh at the PC's when they enter.
Three.
Iressi wrote:
In front of the area of magical energy is a altar to Nerull with two black candles with white flames.
The PC's decide to put the candles out to see what would happen, the magical field floods the chamber at that point.
This was funny. Ahvrania saw the ghouls, realized what they were, didn't get why they hadn't attacked her, wandered over t the altar, bristling all the while as the rest of the PCs remained outside the room, and started futzing with the candles. The Ghouls kept making gestures - 'No! Please don't do that!' kinds of gestures - and Ahvra pretty much ignored them... So when they laughed at her for snuffing out the candle I looked at Iressi confused and he explained that it was what they wanted her to do. I was like, "Oh.. Well, she was oblivious to them. Completely focused on her messing around." And we had a chuckle at that.
Iressi wrote:
They decide that chanting isn't a good thing, and avoid it for the time being going back to area 1.
It wasn't so much that chanting wasn't good. Nothing here was good, it was more that we didn't want to go headlong into the chanting and have things come at us from behind... Our solution? We had Arshea start jamming the doors as we went forward, so they'd have to overcome her jam or break the doors to come at us and we would at the least be likely to hear them coming or know if they had gone through a particular door in our absence if we returned and found one open or broken.
Iressi wrote:
The undead move through the walls so to surround the PC's, and to hopefully inflict some negative levels on them. I think Ahvrania was the only one to be effected (or it might have been Arshae), but in the end they were able to defeat the foul undead.
Arshea.
~*~*~
A Lesson About Noise
Character Perspective: Ahvrania, Gray Elf Paladin.
We waited for the fires from burning the villagers corpses to die down, Celeste using magic to keep the smoke from overpowering us in the room. That was our second mistake. Our first was leaving a known threat behind us.
"D-do you hear tha-at?" Arshea asked, her hazel eyes moving to the doors of the hall. We all quieted down, straining to hear what our companion did. I couldn't hear anything though, so I moved into the hall to take a look down it. There was nothing to the east, but I did hear talking from the south beyond the entry chamber.
I looked at the others a bit worriedly. "Aye, I hear it," Garek said.
"Well, seems like prayers are over then," Celeste said.
"Damn. Alright, back in the room, tell us what you hear Arshea." I followed them into the room and considered our options. If we could control the field it would make an advantageous position. Unfortunately they were sure to notice the gashes we'd left in the runes around the circle that had contained the skeletons in the entry chamber and thus would likely not be long in finding us.
"Th-they're talking ab-bout the t-traps, I do-n't think they've op-pened the m-main doors yet."
Arshea was looking at me with her hazel eyes. She looked worried, but she often did. Still I offered her a reassuring smile. "Everything will be fine. Garek, you take that side. I'll take this one. We can't let them through." Garek nodded his understanding and positioned himself against the wall at the western door while I did the same at the east. "Celeste-"
"I've got an idea," the noble said. "I'm going to go back into the previous room and close the door. I'll join the combat when the fighting has already started, and with any luck they won't be expecting me!"
"Excellent!" I couldn't help smiling. She was quite the clever one.
"And.. I-I'll t-turn invisib-ble b-before they c-come in," Arshea said.
"Good. They'll be overconfident and sure to leave themselves more exposed than they inten-"
"Th-they're in the m-main ch-chamber now," Arshea said, pressing her ear to the door. "Th-they're sc-scared." She giggled.
I raised an eyebrow at her, "Scared?"
"Y-yeah. I j-just h-heard one say, 'L-look at the g-glyphs! H-how could they h-have done th-at!?'"
Garek laughed quietly, and I admit I may have chuckled a little.
She moved from the door then, and it was easy to tell why. They must have tried the eastern and western hallways in close succession because even I heard them moving up the halls. Garek and I leaned against the doors as Arshea murmured softly and vanished from our sight. 'Tel Seldarine protect us in this dark place, see us safely through this despite my foolishness in leaving them behind us when we first heard their noise.'
Seconds after my silent prayer concluded I heard them try to force Garek's door, and he held strong. "Damnit, another stuck door," a human voice said.
"Try the other one," a deeper voice responded.
I drew in a breath and felt them try the door I was braced against, but they weren't as strong as I was. There was some shuffling and cursing in the hall before I heard one say, "Alright then, on three. One, two, three-"
A heavy burst of pressure against the door caught me off balance and sent me reeling back. "Here!" the first voice cried as he saw me through the open door, "The intruders are here!" I was still catching my balance as they flooded the room, surrounding me and cutting me off from Garek. "There's only two of them in here, an Elf and a Dwarf," the man said more quietly.
"Well we'll kill the Dwarf and keep the Elf," said another as the first barrage of their attacks fell on me. They were actually taking pains not to do any serious damage.
As I finally regained my footing I let out a snarl of anger, "Kill the Dwarf, will you? Over my dead body you filthy humans!" I hefted my greataxe and swung it into them with all my might, nearly killing one as it struck home. Unfortunately I miscalculated the momentum behind the swing and missed the man beside him.
"Ouch! This dog has teeth!" The human I'd struck said as he recovered from the blow.
"Don't worry, we'll teach her a lesson or two about that by the time we're done with her!"
I'd lost track of Garek with the line of bodies between us. He was so short, after all.
"Y-you sh-shouldn't be so-o arrogant." I barely heard Arshea's words in the din of combat, but they did carry to me as she coiled her whip around the leg of the man who'd spoken last and jerked it out from under him.
"Three! There's-" one of them started shouting, but fell short as the door at the back of the room burst open. Celeste surveyed the scene, unfortunately there was little room for her to maneuver. "Four! There are four of them in here!"
I saw the familiar streak of a Magic Missile zoom through the air as one of my assailants tried to strike me. The blow was almost wholly absorbed by my armor, leaving me feeling naught but a slight tingling sensation underneath. "You'll have to do better than that to teach this dog, you ugly, warg-kissing curs!"
My own hubris was rewarded when they did manage to leave a gash in my flesh, but it was the last thing on my mind. The man Arshea had tripped tried to gain his feet and gave me the perfect opportunity to strike, so I did, and chopped his head clear off his shoulders with a triumphant grunt. It gave the other men some pause in their attacks. "Garek, you still standing?"
"Aye, take more than these little boys to put me off me feet, Ahvrania." The sound of his mace connecting solidly with something reached my ears before his own battle cry, "Ah, yeh liked that, did yeh? Well that's good. Yeh're gonna feel it a lot more 'fore this battle's over!"
I brought the axe around again, this time connecting with several more of the humans, though not as well as I had the last time. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone run off down the hall, "COWARD!!!" I bellowed after him, though my attention was primarily caught by the man who had chosen to go after Arshea.
He took an attack against her and my companion cried out in panic as she moved into the corner. I would have pursued her had Celeste not chosen that very moment to set the room ablaze, missing the three of us completely, but catching several of our enemies in the flames.
Their screams filled the room and I knew that by this point we had left absolutely no doubt of where we were to anyone remaining in the compound, but such was the price of being taken from behind. "YOU," I said loudly to the man who'd struck my Aasimar friend, "I'm coming for you!"
Unfortunately they made it very difficult for me to make good on my promise, keeping themselves between me and the others. I'm not sure how Celeste evaded injury, perhaps they couldn't get past Arshea's whip to go after her. All I know is I was stuck against the wall and tangled in combat with the four men around me for the next several seconds before the sound of rattling reached my ears. "What is that?"
By then I'd cut down all but one of the men, and Garek stepped up to finish him off. "I've no idea, Love," Garek said.
I moved into the hall, and to my dismay saw a four-armed skeleton wielding four swords charging toward us. "Ready yourselves, Comrades, more devilry is afoot!" I did just as I'd ordered them to do, bringing my axe to the ready as the creature closed the last of the distance between us.
~*~*~
Iressi wrote:
With a comprehend language spell they read the inscription the next day. I forget what it said exactly, but in effect gave them the hint that they needed to drink the water before they can gain the treasure.
It said something that made Ahvra unwilling to leave it there because she is a Paladin. I believe it was something along the lines of, "Know that with great power comes great sacrifice." And she was afraid that in the wrong hands (like, you know, the hands of Nerull cultists) it could cause great harm... So she insisted they stay and she drank and drank and drank. Lucky she made all her fort saves to keep the temp negative levels from going permanent.
Iressi wrote:
She has kept that ring hidden, and has yet to use it. It will be fun to see what situation makes her decide to use it.
Ahvrania is wearing it. I almost always forget it's even there. It's on her right hand under her gauntlets so that people can't see it. The party didn't want to let it out of their sight once they figured out what it was. It had too much value and thus too much draw for evil. They didn't want to be responsible for someone getting killed over it, so they kept it. They also don't want some thief to steal it, so she's wearing it. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
I thought I would go ahead, and do a small little insight into the comings, and goings of a little priest that the party will be meeting soon. I hope you guys enjoy, and please do give constructive criticisms. :)
Coldeven - 591 CY: Near Delvenbrass
The Vesve Forest is a unforgiving place, especially if you are hated by all of the various creatures, and monsters that call it home. Small shards of sunlight penetrate the small holes of my tent, awaking me a few moments before the bone-horn sounded awaking the entire camp.
Mornings are the worst time, with the hard march we have been making through this accursed forest sleep has come easy. However I can never manage to get enough before that blasted horn sounds once a midnight, and again just before dawn. It sounds at midnight for prayers to our dark, and mighty god.
Well praying to their god at least.
As I dress my hand wanders over to a small silver necklace with a grinning skull, and a scythe. My eyes however ignore the scythe relief, focusing in on the smaller skull symbol. As a hole this unholy symbol is dedicated to the Reaper of All Life, that ancient enemy that harvests even from the eldest of dragons. However even the the Hater of Life cannot touch my god, the only one to give me power.
Iuz.
A dark smile crosses my lips as I don my black armor going out into the camp. By the time I get there it is already half broken, the skeletal remains of the elven patrol from the day before working as laborers. I am thankful for the helm I wore, it hides the contemptuous scowl on my face well. This small band of Nerullites are led by a particularly vile Drow named Reanar Sseerinn a exile from the Vault of the Drow from what he has said.
While my helm can hide my lips, they cannot hide the disgusted look in my eyes as I look upon him. Reanar relies upon his undead far too much, his bloated body is a testament to decadence. He forces the lesser priests to do his bidding, including the women of the cult. More than one has disappeared during the long nights only to show up the next day as a new undead warrior. I can't help but think, 'Soon...the reckoning is coming soon. Not even the God of Death can save you from the tortures Iuz will inflict upon you."
Reanar looks up from his breakfast giving me a dark smirk, "Well good to see you up, and about Jaken. I have decided that you will be the one to lead the first assault into Delvenbrass." Panic enters into my mind for a moment, 'Does he know? Is he sending me there so that one of his minions can kill me?' Those, and a million more questions flooded my thoughts, and not a single one had answers. Finally I said in a cool voice, "It is my honor to serve you Deathlord."
Reanar smiled at me, but I could not divine anything hidden in his fat, dark lips. Taking a bite of his apple he said, "Very good, I have to say Jaken you have served me, and The Reaper well." There was a long pause at he took another bite from the juicy red fruit. My mind wandered for that moment, imagining him like a pig with his face stuffed with that very apple. His voice snaps me back to his attention, "Most of those gathered here screamed during the First Death. Tianna here screamed the entire time." The drows fat hand pet the scowling cheek of Tianna, a young Flan woman from Tenh.
The hardest thing about convincing Reanar that I was a faithful priest was undergoing the First Death. The last rite of joining the priesthood of Nerull. While my false story had me as already undergoing the First Death with another cell of Nerull in Greyhawk, Reanar insisted on undergoing the ritual again. The First Death is a grisly ritual that binds you, and buries you alive with a small tube allowing you to breath. They leave you there for two days before bringing you back into the light. The promise of Lord Tobais that I could torture Reanar is all that kept me going.
Even now there is some small part of me that wonders if living a life of hate is worth it. However I push that voice away, as I always have since Tobais brought me into the ranks of the faithful. I am a priest of Iuz now, and I will forever be his agent bringing this world to his knees. Chuckling to keep my voice from shaking i responded, "The Reaper gives me strength, as you very well know Reanar. When shall I strike?" Reanar quickly responded, "Today, I want to have firm control of the keep level of Delvenbrass by nightfall. Take Tianna, Regarn, Vorn, and half of the skeletons with you. This part of the Vesve belongs to the Goblins after all. I am sure they have infested the place." Nodding, I do as he says taking my leave of the small camp.
Delvenbrass is a beautiful sight, a ancient Baklunish site dating back to the days after the Great Migration. Its tall brass minarets may be broken, but they still hold great beauty. The walls are covered in breathtaking mosaics that are strange to eastern eyes. They hold no true images, instead they are geometric designs. I don't let this distract me from my mission however as I lead my band into the keep. Rather than explore the keep itself we head into one of the broken minarets in till we entered into a guard post overlooking the main gate that leads into Delvenbrass.
The room carried a horrid stink to it filled with the bloody remains of the 'meals' of its occupants. Ten harpies one of which wielded a powerful bastard sword shaped like a lightning bolt flew upon us shouting, "For the Stone Lord!" Nearby silently watching over the battle was a huge creature made of stone, his eyes pale emeralds. I thought he was a statue at first before his head moved slightly, he was looking at me. However before I could ponder about this the leader of the harpies flew upon me with her bastard sword.
Her body was covered in filth to the point I could barely see the dark red feathers that covered her. Her face was that of a old woman, haggard with many terrible years of life. I fought her as hard as I could, trying to hold her back as one by one my 'men' fell in battle. While I could care less for them each one falling meant that it was becoming more and more likely that I would not survive this battle. With each swing of her sword I grew more, and more fatigued in till at last I could barely hold my shield up.
I thought this was the end, that I would wake up as a unholy demon in the armies of my god. However the harpies cackled loudly the largest of them saying in a shrill voice, "Oh don't worry little human, we will be keeping you for a very long time to come!" Their laughter grew again, and echoed throughout the chamber.
It was on that day that Iuz abandoned me, and my life became a testament of pain.
That is in till the day that I met the Knights of the Silver Dawn.
With this thread alone several articles could of been created. I'm enjoying the story so far keep it coming.
And just think.. We'll be directing similar energy into your chat-based game come Friday.
Glad you're enjoying it. We still have yet to catch up to current events, but we're getting there bit by bit! _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Late Coldeven - 591 CY: Royal Highway
The PC's decide to make their way back to Chendl to sell some of the goods they found in the Tower of Black Bones. So they travel east first back to Celeste's home of Redoubt. The castle walls, and its many siege engines are a welcome sight to the party. They stay in Redoubt for a time before they are forced to travel south once again to the beautiful city of Chendl. Even though it hasn't even been a month yet, the call for soldiers for the Crusade in the Vesve has gotten results.
Mercenaries inside of Furyondy, along with soldiers sent from Littleburg have created a camp outside the beautiful city. The party now powerful enough to want to buy magical items end up traveling to the Imperial School of Magic, a sub-organization of the Wizards Council which along with the Nobles Council, and the Knightly Conclave make up the advisory board for King Thrommel. The PC's don't stay for too long though since they are on a mission to speak with the Lord Mayor of Highfolk.
They follow the Royal Highway from Chendl traveling west passing through the town of Baranford in the Duchy of the Reach though only stay a night there in one of its large taverns. They see that the town is a garrison town for the Duchy however none of these soldiers will be traveling to Ironstead to face the threat from the Vesve Forest. The PC's continue to travel west past the beautiful Velverdyva River following the road in till they were close to the Yatils. From there they finally enter into the wooden city of Highfolk.
Late Growfest - 591 CY: Highfolk
The people of Highfolk are in fact happy to see the PC's, and the guards there are very friendly. Almost to the point that Arshae was somewhat suspicious if I remember correctly, one of the guards escort the PC's to meet with the current mayor of Highfolk. A halfling by the name of Perin, who listens to what the PC's have to say. Looking over the missive he tells the PC's that he will send what support he can to Ironstead, he also gives the PC's a introduction to the Knight-Commander of the Knights of the High Forest who protect Highfolk, the Heartlands, and the High Vale.
The Knight-Commander is a older, and grizzled elf that has been fighting Iuz since he first reared his ugly head. She listens to the PC's and promises that the High Elves of the Knights of the High Forest will be at the battle. She also suggests that the PC's talk with the people of the Vesve to see if they would be willing to join in the struggle. So with that in mind the PC's do travel into the Vesve Forest with two goals. The first is to get as many soldiers to travel to Ironstead as possible, the second is to travel to Delvenbrass to investigate what the priests of Nerull could want there.
Planting - 591 CY: Vesve Forest
After Highfolk the PC's travel cross country into the Vesve Forest as summer first starts to rear its ugly head. They travel north seeing the beautiful wildlife of the Heartlands of Vesve their first coarse of action to make their way to Flameflower. They travel through a High Elven village in the Heartlands, and talk with some of the locals about what is going on there. They spend maybe a day or two in the town (I don't really remember at this point) before heading on to Flameflower.
As they make their way into the 'city' they see namesake of the town. These beautiful red/orange flowers that do produce heat. Stories about them producing fire is a bit exaggerated though. It would take a large number of them to do that, and the elves are very picky about people stealing their flowers. There they meet the High Lord of the Elves in the Vesve, and in fact they go to a lot of trouble to impress him. Since Celeste has ranks in Knowledge Nobility she figures out the proper way to greet a High Elf of his rank.
To their surprise though Kashafen is a fairly laid back guy, more so than they would expect of a Lord of the High Elves. He is a somewhat difficult place in that while he views Iuz to be a threat, most of the High Elves in the city don't feel the same way. So he is happy to see somebody doing what they can to strike back at the Old One. He tells the PC's that they might even be able to gain the support of the Grey Elves, or at least a favor from them since they are traveling to Delvenbrass. This is also where they first hear mention of Philidor the Blue Wizard, and his love of the Vesve Forest. However for now they will just have to hope that Philidor does what he can to protect it.
A powerful Grey Elven item has been lost in that ancient fortress for many years known as the Well of Many Worlds that if brought back to the Grey Elves might lend their aid to the PC's in their struggle against the Old One. He also suggests traveling to Quallsten to seek out the Lord Marshal of the Vesve to seek the aid of the rangers. The PC's don't spend much time at all in Flameflower, and instead make their way further north to Quellsten and meet with Lord Marshal Elrenn Walthair. A 37 year old human with short black hair and hazel eyes, Elrenn has friendly relations with most of the other inhabits of the forest save for the Sylvan Elves which almost seem to hate the humans that live in the Vesve.
He tells the PC's that he will do his best to rally the other rangers to support the cause, and is sure that at least some will rally behind it. Anything they can do to strike back at Iuz they will try. Since talking with the Grey Elves of the Timeless Tree now would be a exercise in futility the PC's make their way from the Heartlands into the lands of the Vesve under the control of the Goblin tribes. On the road to Delvenbrass the PC's end up having a random encounter of a fairly dangerous sort. A behir had hidden itself just below the earth, and burst forth when the PC's traveled overhead. This ended up killing two of their horses, and nearly killed one of the PC's if I remember correctly.
In the end though the Behir was defeated, and with two less horses the PC's travel down the final leg of their journey to to Delvenbrass.
Conclusion: They met a lot of NPC's in the Vesve today, most of whom I would be surprised if CT could even remember the names of. Tomorrow we will look at the first few encounters in Delvenbrass, and I will try to start doing these posts in a narrative format from the perspective of Jaken when possible. Hope you guys enjoyed it!
I wrote this because of this campaign so I'm going to quote it here in case anyone reading the campaign journal isn't reading the poetry thread where I originally posted it:
crystaltears wrote:
And it would seem the Muse of poetry has decided she wants to catch a bit of air through me. Who am I to argue with a Muse?
~*~*~
It was a quiet minstrel to first tell the tale in a place known as The Red Blade Tavern. The establishment was nestled comfortably in the town of Stalmaer in Gold County.
The minstrel took the stage with an easy stride, and drew the bar stool resting on it forward. He took a lap-harp from its case and tuned the chords drawn across the glossy wooden frame, listening to the quiet resonance produced from the gentle pluck of his practiced fingers.
When the sound was to his satisfaction he rested on the stool and strummed a simple chord, his clear, crisp voice cutting through the air in the room with ease despite its quiet volume.
"Come and listen, if you will,
To a tale I've yet to tell.
Turn your mind far from this place
To lands once bathed in light and grace."
His fingers graced the strings again, just enough to send a few notes humming through the air. Already he had the attention of the majority of the inn's inhabitants as he continued his tale.
"The northern reaches of our kingdom
Rarely thought of so far south
Have stories to rival what minstrels have spun
By the telling of a common soldier's mouth:"
A few more notes graced the air and he could see he'd caught the barmaid's ear. He gave her a small nod of his head as he spoke the introduction in a voice that carried no music.
"This story, friends, from Redoubt in Kalinstren, is said to have sprung from the lips of an unsung hero who fought on the walls and drank of the tankards of the Blackstarr inn."
He gave his eyes leave then to find those of the youngest occupant of the room, shining blue orbs which had settled on his form in curiosity. To this young patron her offered a smile as he said, "There, in the war-torn north, they call this The Walls of Redoubt"
And by now the movement in the establishment had drawn to a minimum, wenches still took drinks to tables, but their eyes were fast upon the minstrel too, who played the cords of his harp so minimally as he began to sing,
"Come stand beneath the bastion of the north,
Where Kalinstren banners send her watches forth
High above restive lands of war,
And vigil kept is just a common chore."
And the first verse was one of beckoning, carrying the feel of a call to war, though its tone transitioned in the final lines, lightening a little as it alluded to the enticement in the second stanza's words.
"You've never seen a sight so proud as this,
Tall, stone walls glisten in the morning mist
As the sun shines brightly in the sky over our heads,
Upon sixty-some ballistae ready in their beds."
A grin danced across his lips between the prideful words, and were one not sure they rested in Gold County they might have well mistaken the man for a Kalinstren soldier singing of his pride in his duty as his ballad continued on,
"And never was a siege brought before her gate,
That left her defenders wondering what would be their fate,
For granite walls of Dwarven craft are like a promise made,
They will not crumble before men without a wizard's aid."
The grin had become a knowing smirk and the bard waggled his eyebrows at the last, accentuating the joke he'd meant to carry in the words. However, as the cords continued they took a somber turn and the humor was gone from his face as quickly as it had come,
"We know the desperation of a people wrought with pain,
With loss and heartache, truly, for what would be our gain,
If nothing came of darkness sewn by the Old One's glove,
And memories were not held dear of those we've lost and love?"
More than a single head bobbed in agreement with this sentiment, for loss of a loved one was certainly not an alien concept, not even here in the southern reaches of Gold County. For the next line his voice trumpeted a bit, a subtle change in volume and carriage that turned it from a soft mourning tone to one of determination and fierce pride,
"And so when we stand in Redoubt we keep our heads held high!
Our whispered words, each promise felt, a dream that will not die!
We'll once again to war, my friends, with allies at our sides,
And tell our enemies once more we will stand against their tides!"
An energy carried in the air and for a moment it seemed as one or two of the patrons might stand or cheer as though rallied to the needs of which the bard was singing, but no one did, for all wished to hear the song's conclusion.
"For within the Walls of Redoubt, hope is kindled strong,
And dreams are kept and losses wept for by all who come along!
We stand together within the Walls, while attackers break apart,
Within the walls of Redoubt, lies Furyondy's heart!"
The last line, musical and enchanting as it was, was a risk to the minstrel, for the people of Gold County could be as prideful as those of the north, but he was a practiced performer and the reception of such a claim was surprisingly good in this far southern corner of the country.
When the applause had died down and the minstrel was nursing an ale bought him by the patrons he tipped his head to those nearest, "Thank you for your generosity. It's a tale that seems worth telling. Now, does anyone here have any requests?"
No answers came immediately, though the nearest patron did smile and say, "That was a clever introduction to your last work, Minstrel, to claim it was born of a soldier's lips rather than your own."
In a hushed voice the performer responded, "Aye, indeed, a clever introduction because it was a true one, though I never claimed, good patron, that my lips were not soldier's lips." The minstrel gave the patron a wink and could see the look of surprise in the patron's eye as he caught sight of the scar normally hidden in the folds of the minstrel's eyelid.
~*~*~
Credit goes to Iressi for furnishing me a tavern name and placing them in that town in Gold County.
Also, in case anyone would like it, here's the poem without the quotations and narrative bits:
~*~*~
The Walls of Redoubt
Come stand beneath the bastion of the north,
Where Kalinstren banners send her watches forth
High above restive lands of war,
And vigil kept is just a common chore.
You've never seen a sight so proud as this,
Tall, stone walls glisten in the morning mist
As the sun shines brightly in the sky over our heads,
Upon sixty-some ballistae ready in their beds.
And never was a siege brought before her gate,
That left her defenders wondering what would be their fate,
For granite walls of Dwarven craft are like a promise made,
They will not crumble before men without a wizard's aid.
We know the desperation of a people wrought with pain,
With loss and heartache, truly, for what would be our gain,
If nothing came of darkness sewn by the Old One's glove,
And memories were not held dear of those we've lost and love?
And so when we stand in Redoubt we keep our heads held high!
Our whispered words, each promise felt, a dream that will not die!
We'll once again to war, my friends, with allies at our sides,
And tell our enemies once more we will stand against their tides!
For within the Walls of Redoubt, hope is kindled strong,
And dreams are kept and losses wept for by all who come along!
We stand together within the Walls, while attackers break apart,
Within the walls of Redoubt, lies Furyondy's heart!
-Written 08/31/2011.
_________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Another point where Celeste was faced with a scene she just wasn't accustomed to. I find these very amusing for some reason. In this particular case it's where the noble is first faced with the appearance and decor of a rustic hunting lodge.
Strange Decor
Character Perspective: Celeste, Seuloise Wizard.
I don't know what I had been expecting from Quallsten, but I know it was not what I got. Highfolk was made up of primarily wooden buildings, but the interior of the ones we visited weren't all that different from things I'd seen in Westwatch, Redoubt, and Chendl. And the exterior, well, it was pretty much the same as a stone building's would have been with flat lengths of wood in place of the stone.
The structure that our venture into Quallsten had us approaching was very different. The walls appeared to be the trunks of trees which had been cut from the forest, all branches were stripped away and there was some sort of coating over the wood, but you could see the form of the trunks clearly. These 'tree trunks' were interlaced at the corners, like they'd been stacked upon one another with niches cut into each so that there would be no large gaps between them. I'd never seen anything like it and the look on my face must have said as much because Ahvrania had a good chuckle when she caught sight of it and said, "Wait until you see the inside, my noble friend."
I raised a platinum brow at my Elven companion as I wondered what her inclusion of my station was meant to signify. Perhaps that a structure such as this would appear strange to me because of my station? Certainly I'd never been in such a building, but I had read about them before while under Master Bigby's tutelage. The intersecting corners were a point he had discussed as a potential weakness of such a building and thus a likely place to apply a spell with a decent amount of force behind it if one were trying to destroy one.
Ahvrania led the way inside, and only when I passed through the doors did I realize why she'd said what she had. The building was long and narrow compared to the halls I was accustomed to. There were two long benches adorning on either side of the hall, both made of freshly-carved wood. I could see rings on the top that had likely resulted from spilled ale or other substances allowed to sit too long. A small table was rested at the back of the room, and behind it sat the Lord Marshall, with his boots resting on the table. I blinked a few times as we approached, suddenly feeling thankful to be behind Ahvrania and Garek. The two fireplaces at the center of either side of the hall hosted cheerful flames despite the fact that only the Lord Marshal occupied the room.
What most struck me though - aside from his heels resting on the table - was the prominent display of several animal heads. Stags' heads with differing numbers of points on their antlers, bears with their mouths forever opened in silent roars, and wolves that wore eternal snarls all looked down on the chamber. The smell of the wood-smoke and aged wood adding to the scene. Row upon row of weapon lined parts of the walls in the form of bows, spears, and hunting blades.
I honestly missed the first part of the conversation as my eyes roamed the chamber, but Ahvrania was more than ready to handle the situation. In the center of the room was a large bear's pelt, bigger than any bear I'd heard tell of. I wondered idly to myself if our host had been the one to slay the beast. I don't think I could have ever felt at home amidst such decor, and so it was fortunate I would never need to do so. My home was in Redoubt, and always would be... Or at least, I hoped that would be the case after I had retired and found a husband. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Well Crystaltears just finished her adventure, and is now level 10!
However it cost her greatly, her cohort Jaken is dead. To make it worse he cannot come back! This will be explained when the CJ 'catches up' to the game (if that ever happens.)
Anyway's the PC's start exploring Delvenbrass tomorrow, and ironically enough will meet Jaken.
Writing from Gareks perspective today, so first I thought I would give a little history for Delvenbrass.
Around -350 CY a Baklunish Mage-Priest by the name of Vendrake bel'Adiin who worshiped Al'Uzara (Baklunish name for Ulaa), and through her the Archometal Sunnis. He discovered a powerful connection to the Elemental Plane of Earth in the Vesve Forest. He set up a fortress there using elementals to help him build it. However Orgemoch on behalf of the Elder Elemental God did everything he could to corrupt the connection between this plane, and Delvenbrass.
Eventually Ogremoch was able to corrupt not only the connection, but Vendrake as well. He enslaved the Shaitan (Pathfinders version of the Dao) that was brought there, and used them as a army. Sunnis on behalf of Al'Uzara created a earthquake that devastated Delvenbrass, and in the end Vendrake was killed.
There are four factions now that are trying to gain control Delvenbrass. Two are coming from the outside; the Cult of Nerull you know about, the other is the the Cult of Iuz. The remaining two are the native goblins that live in the first dungeon level of Delvenbrass, below them are the corrupted Shaitan who now worship Ogremoch.
'A damn storm is coming in.' was the first thought that Garek Highhammer had on that first morning before entering into Delvenbrass. For more than a month now they have been traveling to this very spot, and now they should reach their by nightfall. Garek made a noise almost like a bitter chortle as he said to himself,
"That's assuming we don't fight any more Behirs."
He turned looking over Ahvrania with a softer smile, she was already awake of course getting dressed in the beautiful full-plate he had helped her buy in Chendl. She smiled over at Garek in return, "Come on and get up old man. We have work to do." Get up Garek did, and after praying to his small collection of dwarven idol's the Knights of the Silver Dawn set out.
Travel was easier than expected that morning, which was a blessing now that they traveled through goblin territory. They had seen signs of it as they delved deeper into this part of the forest. Goblin tribe markers belonging to such clans as 'Rockgut', 'Bloodbath', 'Elfcrusher', and 'Blackfist' along with many more less original names. What made matters worse is that these goblins were 'independent' thus very unpredictable.
There was no telling when a attack would occur. Finally after hours of travel the Knights came upon the beautiful, ancient fortress of Delvenbrass. Above, the moon was hidden by both the giant Bronzewood tree's of the forest, and the clouds. Garek sighed, "Great...at least the dungeon will be dry." In the distance a thunderclap could be heard as the summer storm moved in closer. As the small band made their way to Delvenbrass they heard the sounds of battle in the distance.
Ahvrania looked to find the battle, which was located near a large hole in the walls of Delvenbrass. She looked back at the rest of the Knights, "So shall we?" Arshea pointed and stuttered, "Lo-oo-k." The rest of the Knights followed her gaze and saw a large camp that looked to only have maybe 5 or more figures moving about. Garek smiled, "Lets go ahead, and take out the camp. I'm sure they didn't take their food supplies with them." The rest of the Knights agreed, and they made their way as quietly as possible which in truth was quite loud thanks to the two sets of full-plate walking around.
When Arshea looked at Garek when his shield struck his breastplate he blinked under his helm, "What? Dwarves aren't meant to be quiet." This caused Arshea, and Ahvrania to both giggle as they 'sneaked' up to the camp. Thanks to the battle behind them they managed to get up pretty far before they were noticed. Not before they overheard a brief conversation.
Four hobgoblins were sitting around a fire with a single orc. The Hobgoblins had dark grey skin, and three of them wore expensive looking Splintmail armor. The other hobgoblin wore dark red, and grey robes and carried a staff made of black bones. The orc on the other hand was wearing beat-up, and old looking breastplate. Azzgoth the hobgoblin said orcish tongue, "You aren't so bad Shazgar, I just wish we could have joined the assault." This made the Hobgoblins in robes to chuckle, "You just want the spoils. I heard that the priests of Nerull brought with them female slaves. That fat #$@% that leads them loves his women."
Azzgoth chuckled, "Yes well Fingraz you want those same spoils as well. We all know how many slaves you go through in a month. If you weren't such a skilled warmage Iuz would have killed you long ago." Fingraz growled, "Watch your tongue whelp I command this watch detail, and if you want to make it to morning you will show me respect." Azzgoth grumbled at that, and went back to his food.
Nearby Garek mouthed, "Iuz?" to the rest of the Knights. They had been expecting to find worshipers of Nerull here, not Iuz. Garek sighed to himself thinking, 'This complicates things.' Ahvrania took the initiative making Celeste, and Arshea move so they were out of the way of direct reprisal once the battle was joined. Garek yelled in dwarven as they charged, "For Moridan, and High King Sorn!" Ahvrania gave a similar cry for her own gods as they fought the orc, and hobgoblins.
The Hobgoblin warmage proved to be a annoying combative in till that is a Create Pit spell neutralized him, and one of his minions. However levitate quickly put him back into the fight, only to be killed as soon as his ugly popped out of the pit. After that killing the remaining hobgoblins, and the orc was easy enough. It just required the right application of force, and Ahvrania's axe.
Garek grinned at their handy work though only for a moment, "Seems like Delvenbrass is a popular place tonight." He made a annoyed noise as he ripped off a unholy symbol of Iuz from one of the hobgoblins only to throw it in the fire. Ahvrania frowned and looked up the hill to where Delvenbrass's walls could be seen. The sounds of battle had now faded, and by the time the Knights had made their way up to the walls of Delvenbrass the battle was already over.
They saw a number of dead worshipers of Nerull on the ground and had a choice they could follow the forces of Iuz into Delvenbrass itself or explore the four towers on the outer walls. Garek spoke up, "If we let them fight themselves for a while, we can swoop in afterwords and kill them while they are weakened." Ahvrania quirked a eyebrow, "Swoop in? Are you going to grow wings Garek?" The dwarf laughed, "Aye! While I am at it I'm going to learn to breath fire, and conjure beer!"
Arshea giggled nervously saying, "Yo-ou shou-ld just le-tt Cele-ste do the con-conjuring Garek." Garek grinned looking over at Celeste, "What do you say Lady Celeste? A few barrels of Dragonbite Bitter would hit the spot." This made Ahvrania chuckle, "Just a few barrels?" Garek grinned, "Well just starting off small." Shaking her head Ahvrania said in a low voice, "Alright alright, lets get started. It's going to be a long night."
With that they made their way into the south eastern tower which looked to be abandoned. However as the Knights traveled upstairs they quickly realized that they weren't alone. They discovered a blood soaked chamber filled with at least four maybe more bodies of worshipers of Nerull including a beautiful Flan woman. They hear sounds coming from down the hallway (They are currently in room 37) and decide to lay a 'trap' for the creatures.
Positioning themselves around the door, Arshae makes a loud noise like she had just discovered the bodies. The creatures quickly whooshed down the hallway, and they found to their horror that they were facing harpies in battle. The largest of them which was wielding a powerful bastard sword in the shape of a lightning bolt yelled, "For the Stone Lord!" As she attacked. The battle quickly grew desperate as foul smelling harpies entered into the chamber. The apparent leader of the harpies, a ancient looking crone with a long broken noise focused her attention on Arshae in till one of the blows from her sword struck home.
It made a large gash across her chest, and she fell to the ground. Garek in pain yelled her name running head long into combat with the Harpies, smashing into them again, and again in till the old crone was dead. The rest fell like wheat before the scythe in a flurry of attacks from both Garek, and Ahvrania. After the last Harpy fell Garek channeled the energies of his god into little Arshae, and by some blessing of the gods she was still here with us.
They took a few moments to recover from this battle before the Knights pressed on wards to the harpies den. It was in this chamber that they discovered the Stone Lord, and the only survivor of the Priests of Nerull's attempt to take the garrison overlooking the entrance to Delvenbrass.
Conclusion: Well a lot less got 'done' so to speak writing this way, and it took longer so I don't think I will be doing posts like this everyday. However I will try to interject them from time to time as often as I feel up to writing them. Hope you guys enjoyed it! Next time they will defeat the Stone Lord after a brief conversation, and meet Jaken.
Worth saying, this was the first soul Ahvrania felt even the tiniest need to offer mercy to in the campaign so far.
Mercy for the Wretched
Character Perspective: Ahvrania, Gray Elf Paladin.
Celeste had already mentioned rest after the battle with the harpies. She'd managed to set a few on fire, twice even, but between the battle outside and the one in here she was already feeling her resources be taxed. I listened, of course, but we needed to make some progress so I told her we'd clear the towers and then consider resting.
I led, with Garek at my side, and each step held a bit of apprehension. I'd found this to be normal when I was anticipating trouble. My axe blade was wet with harpy blood as we rounded the corner from the hall into the open doors of a large chamber. Arrow slits lined the walls at the sides of the room, and manacles had been attached to one of the walls. I saw a body in the corner of the room, but more important was the other figure who occupied this chamber.
The creature was twice as tall as any man I'd seen, and wider too. His skin was stony, his eyes shone almost like gems, and the throne he sat in could have easily held three of our numbers comfortably. My first instinct was to peer into his soul, and so I did, weighing his moral values. To my surprise, no dark aura clung to the creature.
"Who - are - you?" he asked in a slow, gravelly voice.
I hesitated, keeping my hands ready on the haft of my axe, but when he made no move to attack us I decided to answer, "I am Ahvrania Iiremen'surre'esta and we are the Knights of the Silver Dawn."
"Come - closer..." the creature said slowly.
I looked at Garek and saw my violet eyes reflected on his face plate as he grunted, then back at Arshea. Her honey-crowned head bobbed in a small nod, though she cast a wary glance toward the corner I had seen the body in. I followed her gaze and saw that the body had moved, suggesting life of some form. When I weighed the intent of the creature huddled there I did see blackness clinging to him, attracted to his evil heart. I wrinkled my nose, but stepped forward as I'd been instructed. The others moved with me and we stood together ten feet from the creature's throne. "Who," I asked, "are you?"
He chuckled at the question, gesturing to the coin and gems that were gathered at the base of his throne, "I - am - the - Stone - Lord. You - defeated - the - winged - ones?"
"Yes, we laid the harpies to rest." I felt torn, for though he had shown us no aggression, he was the being for whom the vile harpies had worked. On the one hand I wanted to strike out at him, on the other he might make a useful ally.
"I - protected - them. I - could - protect - you... If - you - worship - me."
Garek snorted a bit at that and I couldn't help a small smirk. "And what, Stone Lord, did you protect them from?"
"From - the - others - here... Below - and - above..." His slow, deep voice easily filled the chamber. "From - the - xorn... And - the - Shaitan... And - from - the - goblins - who - came - to - this - place."
I wasn't sure I knew what xorn were, but Celeste had mentioned the Shaitan earlier. Something about how there were known to be a collection of the elemental folk below the surface of Delvenbrass. I turned my gaze on her, wondering if that was what this creature was, but she shook her head 'no' at my unasked question. "What," I asked as I turned back toward him, "would your protection cost us, Stone Lord?"
"This ought ta be rich," Garek said.
"Your - worship... And - tribute."
"I'm afraid we'll respectfully decline." I tightened my grip on my axe, just in case, but he still made no move to attack.
"Then - you - will - pay - tribute - for - passage," came his slow response.
"And what, exactly, do you want for tribute?" I doubted he would ask for anything I was willing to pay, but Celeste had expressed concern over her spells available already so I thought it better to see, just in case.
The creature laughed, indicating his treasure pile again, "Gems - are - preferred... I - will - accept - gold - though."
I looked to Garek, and then Arshea and Celeste. When I turned to face the Stone Lord again I said simply, "I'm afraid we've no gems we're willing to offer you."
"What - about - that?" He asked, indicating Celeste's signet ring.
"I said we have nothing we're willing to offer you." My voice was harder now, with emphasis on willing since he'd missed that the first time around.
"Pitiful - mortals! - You - forfeit - your - lives! - I - will - take - ALL - of - your - treasures!" His voice had become a loud rumble now, as he moved to his feet. It was all the invitation I needed.
I stepped forward, adrenaline pumping, and sneered at the Stone Lord. "Over my dead body! Hraugh!" I swung my greataxe into his side as hard as I could, thankful I'd reacted quicker than he had and gotten to him before he was ready to strike at me.
The axe bit into his stony hide as Garek came to my side with warhammer swinging. "You'll not get one coin offa this Dwarf, yeh oversized rock!"
The Stone Lord bellowed loudly as he brought his fists crashing into my mithral armor. I felt a bit winded from the blow, but I wouldn't let that show. The battle soon became a trading of blows between the two of us and the elemental, for Celeste explained to us that that was what he was. We were positioned in such a way that she couldn't take advantage of her pit spells, and so she pretty much stayed out of the combat. Arshea sang for us, heartening us and raising our morale, and we brought the rocky lord to pieces swing by swing.
I turned my eyes immediately to the creature in the corner whose aura had been clouded by his vile deeds. With ready steps I approached, my greataxe in hand, but when I finally got close to him I saw that he was a human, horribly tortured and pitifully curled in on himself in the rags that were serving as a blanket.
The sight halted me in my tracks, for while I take the matter of driving evil from this world very seriously, I also know what kind of place a person is in when they look like that. I was reminded of Arshea as she was when we first met her, trembling in fear when we entered the room, and unwilling to meet our gaze.
Try as I might to set aside these soft feelings, I felt it wouldn't be right to visit more cruelty upon such a wretched soul, and so I put my axe away and approached at a slower pace. He trembled, as she had, when I drew near, cowering from my touch. There was a dark resignation in his eyes as I reached forward with a single hand and touched him. He must have expected death by the silvery gauntlet of my armor, for his eyes widened in surprise as positive energy channeled through me and into him. "There now," I said softly, "that should feel better."
"Wh-what? Why are you healing me?" Fear and suspicion filled his voice as much as surprise, and my heart wept for the pains he must have suffered. Even an evil soul did not deserve to be driven to breaking.
"Because it is clear to me that you have known little kindness in your days. I will not visit harm upon someone who has already suffered so much." I offered him a small, sympathetic smile with my response.
The others had drawn closer to us, and Arshea was smiling at me when I looked at them. "Wh-what will d-do now?"
I sighed softly, rising to me feet, "Get those bindings off of him if you can, Arshea. We'll press on until the towers are safe, and then we'll rest."
Arshea nodded softly, moving to the man's side. She knelt and unrolled the leather she had her thieve's tools in. With practiced skill she worked the locks, and soon we heard them springing open and falling with a rattle to the ground. "Th-there y-you go. Wh-what's y-your name?"
"My name.." he said, looking from Arshea to me and back again, "is Jaken. I'll, I'll h-help you w-with what I can."
"Good," Garek said. I had the sneaking suspicion he didn't much like granting mercy to the enemy, but he knew it was the right decision.
"The h-harpies are, d-dead?" He asked. Arshea nodded to Jaken and I saw a few tears slip from his eyes. "Th-thank you."
~*~*~
Edit: Just as an aside... For these story-like excerpts I've posted... I've written 11880 words so far. >.>
Now there's probably some commentary in parenthesis throughout them here and there that could be culled out to bring the count down a little, but that seems like an awful lot to me for a handful of days... And it's been so fun! _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Alright since I have a lot of things I need to do today I am going to do this CJ in my normal format. Crystal Tears is planning in the future to turn the whole thing into story format, though no telling when we will have the time for that. Hope you enjoy it.
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
After the battle with the Stonelord the PC's end up fleeing Delvenbrass to rest in the forest, and regain their spells however as they make their way through the Vesve that night they end up encountering a large band of wolves feasting upon the remains of some goblins. A minor threat, but still a threat due to the haggard nature of the party at that point. They make camp as far as they can from the battle with the wolves, but that night they end up encountering something else.
During Arshea's watch the PC's are approached by a small band of Unicorns that ended up befriending her for a time. They even heal her, and she finds out that the two Unicorns are looking for their daughter. The PC's want to go with them, but they need to find the Well of Many Worlds to try and get the Grey Elves to side with them in the upcoming conflict at the Serpent Mound.
They travel back to Delvenbrass with Jaken in tow who wishes to help the party, they give to him the bastard sword that the Harpy had used before. He becomes somewhat of a help at this point though he does suck up some of the parties XP. They decide to explore the rest of the towers at that point before moving into the keep. They travel back to the room with the harpy only to find human guards loyal to Iuz in the chamber. They fight a pitched battle that is joined by a band of Hobgoblins (I think...) before the last human warrior surrenders.
He offers to help the PC's pledging his allegiance to Celeste the PC's know however that he will turn on them given a better offer. For now though they let him tag along. Traveling up to the parapet they hear what they saw coming up to Delvenbrass, a large band of orcs patrolling the walls. The PC's start fighting the orcs on two sides (the orcs have archers in area 41 and 39.) and the PC's during the battle manage to even jam the door leading into area 39.
During this drawn out fight their new 'friend' who's name I can't even remember betrayed them. He pushed Arshae off the sides of the walls which would have been clever save for the fact that she is wearing Quall's Cloak which among other things gives her Feather Fall at will. She lands gracefully on the ground while Garek who is now very angry decides to give the ex-warrior of Iuz a taste of his own medicine. He pushes him over the edge, and the man falls to his death near Arshae.
Hobgoblins join this battle as well including a cleric of Iuz, and a sorcerer. They manage to avoid the Create Pit spells for the most part though not before casting the spell Sands of Time which for a time makes her feel like she is a few hundred years older than she really is. For those moments she feels her strength sapped away by the rigors of old age. Though in the end it is all for not, they manage to kill the Hobgoblins before they can cause too much mischief.
After that battle the PC's explore the rest of the tower and discover it to be empty save for what they have already encountered. With that done they move on to their next goal the keep itself!
Conclusion: A short CJ for today, just wanted to finish up the walls around Delvenbrass before getting into the 'meat' of the adventure. Next time the PC's will fight through the forces of orcs that inhabit the first level of Delvenbrass before they meet the Orc King in battle. They will also find the remains of the cultists of Nerull.
Crystal Tears is planning in the future to turn the whole thing into story format, though no telling when we will have the time for that.
I am indeed and I set up a poll to see what people thought about the perspective for said story. Regardless of how the voting goes, I still plan to put story excerpts here in the main CJ that come from all manner of viewpoints.
I'm really keen to start the story, but I'm waffling between characters for the 'main' character. To some degree I've always felt it was Celeste, but there's a lot of depth to Arshea and Ahvrania too so I just can't seem to settle. I figured I'd let those of you who read the tale help me decide, so please wander over that way and cast a vote. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Character Perspective: Arshea, Aasimar Bard.
I sat a ways out from the camp itself, huddled against a tree trunk. Garek's heavy snore was a comfort of sorts. What a day it had turned out to be.
I cast my gaze on my companions, huddled in their bedrolls. They all seemed to have warmed to Jaken, and I'm sure I knew why Garek and Ahvra had... After all, they'd found me in a similar state. It went a long way with making me feel comfortable with him too. That and the fact that he was fighting at our sides now, wanting to help the people who had given help to him. Maybe Ahvrania was right to show him kindness with no expectations, but I expected our kindnesses to be rewarded with an effort to change on his part.
Jaken was the other side of the coin, the aggressor in the kinds of acts I suffered. I could see it in his face, could hear it in the tremble of his voice. He'd killed people, forced people into slavery, separated children from their parents, tortured. He'd done all the things a 'good' priest of Iuz should.
I sighed and leaned my head back against the tree trunk, eyes searching for what glimpses I could find of stars between the dark canopy above my head. It was the darkness that he came from that made me want to see him turn so badly. If that kind of evil could be redeemed, perhaps what I had suffered would not always taint me.
There was a rustle in the trees, but no further warning for me when a large beast broke through the canopy, paws thrashing through the air. My heart leapt at the sudden noise and movement and I barely managed to choke back my cry of alarm when I realized what I was looking at.
In the dim light of our low-burning fire a gold sheen glistened on the white coat of the animal. She settled with some surprise, and turned her head so she had me clearly in the sight of her large blue eye. "Y-you're a... a u-unicorn," I said. How stupid I felt. Of course she was a unicorn with the spiraled horn protruding from her proud forehead and the long wisps of golden-white hair that fell to the side of her graceful neck.
She swished her tail at that. "Indeed."
More noise came from the trees and as I watched two more unicorns emerged. One was more powerfully built than the first I'd seen, and one was much younger. "And what do we have here?" A masculine voice came from the large one.
"What are you doing in this part of the Vesve Forest?" she asked me.
I stood slowly, dusting myself off as I did. Unicorns were creatures of purity, said to only accept virgins as their riders, and standing in the presence of these three magnificent beasts made me feel more sullied by my past than I ever had. I frowned, "I-I'm an a-adventurer. M-my c-compan-ions and I a-are exploring D-delvenb-brass."
She sniffed the air and cast her attention behind me as I spoke. I was fairly certain her eye caught on Jaken. Unicorns could sense how pure a person was after all. I wasn't left guessing for long as the larger one moved closer in a vaguely aggressive manner, "And why does he travel with you?"
I swallowed, feeling rather small, "Th-that's J-jaken. He's s-suffered greatly, a-and Ahvrania w-wanted to show him kind-ness." The large unicorn didn't seem to like my answer very much, but I didn't dwell on that long. "M-may I ask you something?"
The unicorn I saw first nodded. "Of course."
"We don't have time for this," the male said, "we have to find our daughter."
"Y-Your d-daughter is missing? That's terrible!" I said.
"She was taken by some goblins. It's why we're out here," the female responded.
"W-we saw g-goblins by a creek a little to the north."
She nodded again, "My mate's handiwork."
"Hmph. She insists we take turns attacking them. I don't see why," the male said with a toss of his mane.
The female shook her head at her mate and said, "Because, Dear, we need to conserve our strength." She turned her attention back on me then, "What was your question?"
I drew in a breath, wondering if I should even ask. It would seem silly to them, I was certain, regardless of their answer, but... A part of me had to know. "Th-they s-say a unicorn w-will only take a v-virgin for a rider. Is th-that tr-ue?"
I felt like the female was smiling at me even though her muzzle wouldn't make such an expression. She nodded, "Normally, yes, Arshea. However, would you like a ride?"
I blinked in surprise. I'd not been expecting that for an answer. "I-I... Y-you wouldn't mi-nd?"
She shook her head at me now and moved forward. "If I would mind I wouldn't offer. Climb upon my back." As she spoke she bent her front knees so she was lower to the ground for me.
"We don't have time for this," the male said again.
"Yes," his mate answered him, "we do."
I climbed on her back a bit shakily, filled with awe and wonderment that she would make such an offer to me considering my circumstances. And as she carried me from our campsite at a gentle pace I felt for the first time since being freed that someday I might truly be whole again.
When we were away from her mate and their son she said softly, "You've suffered too, haven't you, Arshea? At the hands of Iuz?"
I blinked, startled by the sudden question and the fact that she used his name. "Y-you... Y-you know?" My fingers were twined into the silky strands of her mane.
The unicorn nodded her head at that, "I can sense it." She drew a slow breath as she continued her leisurely gait through the forest, and at length spoke again. "Tell me, Arshea, would you... Like to be able to bear children again?"
"Y-you.. C-could do that?" My voice shook, for I hadn't thought it possible.
"Iuz has put a mark upon you. It is why he visits you in your dreams and why you can hear him. I can repair the damage they've done to you, Arshea, and make it so that his mark does no harm to any child you bear." She stopped to explain this, turning her neck so she could look at me.
I felt my eyes mist up and soon was wiping tears from my eyes. "I-if y-you could, and it's n-no t-trouble." I sniffled as I spoke, feeling overwhelmed with emotions I wasn't even sure I could really discern from one another. There was some fear as memories bubbled to the surface of my mind, but also peace at the thought that she could undo some of what they'd done, that she could protect any children I might choose to have for love... There was comfort in that she would carry me too. It meant I wasn't as soiled by him as I'd always feared.
"It's no trouble at all, Arshea," she said as she pressed her soft muzzle to my knee.
She twisted her neck a bit further and gently brought her horn into my leg, and when it touched I felt a wave of serenity pass through me and a cool sensation wash over my lower abdomen. The sensation passed on from my abdomen to areas where my skin had been marred by that time, where scars made for a certain testament of my pains, and these too were soothed.
In the blink of an eye all of the physical evidence of my suffering was gone. Tears started flowing down my cheeks and I leaned forward, laying over the majestic creature's neck. I cried softly into her mane as she walked, whispering words of thanks into the night.
She set a leisurely pace despite the urgency of her own errand, giving me ample time to recover from my tears. When we returned to the camp I slid from her back feeling as though the entire event were plucked from some dream. "Well, thank you Arshea, for what efforts you and your friends make in the ruins of Delvenbrass. Take care in your venture."
I swallowed and nodded, and just before they disappeared into the treeline I stammered, "D-do you pray t-to Ehlonna?"
The female turned back and with that gentle expression that felt so much like a smile. "We do indeed."
"M-maybe I w-will too."
I felt as though the smile I could not see had deepened as she said, "Then Ehlonna will welcome you into her fold with open arms, Arshea. May she keep you safe beneath the bows of this forest, and guide you in your journeys from this place."
I smiled and wiped another tear from my cheek, "Th-thank you. I pray she w-watches over y-you as well, and returns y-your daughter safely to your k-keeping."
With that the female turned and the family disappeared into the darkness of night. I couldn't sleep another wink for the joy that filled my being, and spent the rest of the night watching over my friends while they enjoyed their slumber.
(For reference, Arshea was agnostic prior to this event. She believed in the gods, but she felt she was not worthy of any god after being hurt the way she was by Iuz. This event made her a faithful worshiper of Ehlonna, who would not have been my guess as to whose fold she'd fall into.)
~*~*~
More will be added later on today. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Last edited by crystaltears on Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:22 am; edited 1 time in total
That was a great post. It reads like you actually felt the experience yourself.
I look forward to the next installment of the Campaign Journal. Glad to have you and Iressi on board.
As promised here is the next CJ today will take them through the first level of Delvenbrass, and then they will be forced to retreat back into the depths of the Vesve Forest.
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
After exploring all of the four towers around Delvenbrass the PC's make their way cautiously into the first area (area 11) where they face the first of the orcs loyal to Iuz. There are three 'tribes' that are organized within Delvenbrass at the moment at least that worship the Old One. The orcs are part of Kazgund Tribe and thus are a small bit more intelligent than a typical Sornkar Orc. They enter into the pillar room were they face what starts out as four orcs led by a fifth powerfully build Orog.
However this battle quickly grows more desperate as forces from the next room join they fray though in the end the Knights were able to overcome the orc forces. They explore the eastern chambers first, finding little of interest here since they managed to draw most of the orcs into that first chamber. They notice that there are sounds coming from the northern room (area 20) as well, though for now ignore it. Instead they travel to west and find a sealed room to the south (area 13), and decide to investigate it. Forcing they door open they face one of the stranger enemies they have faced thus far.
A undead swarm made out of the left hands chopped off of many of the bodies here (if the PC's had traveled here sooner they would have faced a number of undead that were missing hands) which try to swarm, scratch, and trip the PC's. This proves to be a more difficult battle than I intended thanks to the fact that the PC's were running out of AoE spells that day, and they had very little they could do to destroy it. They manage to do just that though, and press on to the last encounter on this level of Delvenbrass. They enter into room 20 though not from area 11, but from the side in area 21 a old dining hall.
Garek's perspective
He could feel the old aches now, worming their way up his body. It always started in his joints, and spread like Brown Mold exposed to fire. Garek was tired, and while these old aches were usually a sign of a good days work he was not enjoying the feeling. He knew that beyond that door was another battle, likely far worse than any they had faced. In the face of this a lesser dwarf might have balked, or suggested they rest for a time.
Garek however when the door was pushed open via Open/Close yelled at the top of his lungs causing them to burn, "Gar khaz Morndinsamman! Gar khaz Kaelsag a khaz Farode Helm!" [For the Morndinsamman! For the Knights of the Silver Dawn!"] He charged into the room along with Ahvrania to face their next threat, which in this case was a room filled with not just Sornkar orcs, but a powerfully built Black Orog (Half-Nilkar Half Ogre) that had a half naked drow sitting in the throne next to him.
The very sight of the ebony skinned drow made Ahvrania's blood boil, Garek could see it in her eyes. Even though this Drow seemed to be a slave her hatred of that race ran very deep just like the hatred his race had for the Orc's. Battle fury took over him urging him to use his warhammer to smash as many of the bloody monsters as possible. He controlled that fury, and used his connection to the Morndinsamman to heal those around him. The serenity that this gave him was like a summer day spent next to his love.
As the gift of his gods flowed through him was one of the few times that Garek would sometimes feel at peace with the world. It didn't matter that he loved a elf, and was the laughing stock of the dwarves of Highguard, it didn't matter that they were always in a fight for their lives, none of that mattered. He could feel the love of the gods, and angels flow into him as white energy flowed out of his body like a beacon. The Black Orog was killed off first, to make sure that its powerful greatsword would not destroy Ahvrania. With that the 'Orc King' was dead, and the rest of his forces started to splinter.
The drow who up to this point had been remaining still shocked the orcs around her by trying to cast some sort of spell. It didn't work, and she was struck as a result of this. As the orcs surrounded Ahvrania the little drow made a run for the southern door. Arshae who had always been a little to soft yelled, "We jammed that door!" Garek growled lowly, but didn't let himself grow distracted. He focused on that summer day ignoring the cacophony around him. The drow managed to escape the room tumbling under the legs of both orcs, and Knights. Jaken even added to this fight as much as Garek didn't want to admit. He couldn't help but think, 'The boy can use a sword at least.'
Garek knew however that she wouldn't get very far, and that in the end Ahvrania would see justice done. The rest of the orcs were easy to scatter in comparison to the Black Orog, however they were spent with very few spells left. Ahvrania not even stopping to rest chased after the Drow. Sighing Garek said, "Bloody woman..." He panted before adding, "Doesn't even let me rest my legs a bit." He started running following the rest of the Knights where they found the cornered drow.
She muttered under her breath, "Thyr jhondrys..." [Foul Lightborn] she looked from one to the other before saying in common, "Please just let me go, I won't harm any of you." Ahvrania growled lowly at the drow, "You are going to answer a few questions first, what were you..." The drow interrupted her grabbing Arshae yelling, "Just let me go! If you do not I will kill her." Angry boiled in Garek's veins at that, "You have just sealed your fate dum elgi!"
Garek along with the rest of the Knights of the Silver Dawn used what was left of their magical might upon this single drow, destroying her utterly. With that Garek along with Ahvrania ran over to Arshae hugging her. While Jaken didn't come forward there was a look of concern on his face. With that the Knights of the Silver Dawn left Delvenbrass again to recover in the Vesve Forest.
Planting - 591 CY: Vesve Forest
The party manage to make it to a save haven near Delenbrass, and for once make it through the night without any random encounters. The next day however they encounter a strange group of 'people' at first the PC's think that they might be goblins or some other sort of monster. Arshae managed to trip one before they discovered that they were Green Wardens, plant creatures made by the elves.
Through some diplomacy they manage to salvage the situation, and discover that these Green Wardens were sent to spy on the goblin tribes which seem to be gathering for war. The PC's realize at this point that they have a bit of a time limit now, it seems that the goblins of the Vesve have noticed all the activity going on in Delvenbrass. Now a goblin army seems to be on the move to the old fortress.
After that they discover that there are orcs manning the towers outside of Delvenbrass again, and the PC's have to face them in battle. This time though they notice that the orcs have very poor equipment as compared to last time. The battles here are easier than before, and before long they can penetrate into Delvenbrass again. This time they enter into fortress using invisibility sphere, and at first the hobgloblins are just confused at what is going on.
They call forward the 'hobgoblin king' though before that happens the PC's manage to kill the orc slaves, and hobgoblins as well. The hobgoblin king, who is named Erethkar looks upon the PC's and says to them in somewhat poor common, "You face me. In duel. One on One." Ahvrania obliges him after the terms are set if he wins he keeps Ahvrania, if she wins he will give her information. The battle is over very quickly, and they learn that in punishment the orcs were enslaved by the hobgoblins. They also learn the Tobais, the man that is in charge of the priests of Iuz here has a fatal weakness.
He has a old injury on the right side of his head, keep hitting there are they will be able to kill him easily. In the end they kill Erethkar, and explore the rest of the first level of Delvenbrass again.
Conclusion: The PC's are now going to face the human priests of Iuz along with what remains of the hobgoblin guards in the next session. From there they will move on to the dungeon levels of Delvenbrass, though not before another random encounter that turns out not to be hostile.
Thanks, Argon. I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a very defining moment for Arshea.
~*~*~
crystaltears wrote:
More will be added later on today.
Ha! I am such a liar. That's okay. I'll add it today for you to enjoy.
~*~*~
The Cloak of Feathers
(Excerpt from the 09/02/11 CJ)
Character Perspective: Arshea, Aasimar Bard.
We came up the stairs of the tower and into the room that connected to the top of the walls. The grueling battle of the Earth Lord's reclaimed chamber lay behind us and I listened at the doors before us quietly. One was to the west, one to the south, and both had noises coming from them.
I turned to the others and said in a whisper, "B-both d-doors have n-noise behind them. S-sounds like p-people."
Ahvrania nodded and looked between the two with a contemplative gaze. After a few moments she gestured at the western door, "Try and jam that one without letting them hear you. We'll go to the southern door first."
I gave her a nod and set out to do just what she asked. Garek and Celeste went to the southern door with Ahvra and Jaken hovered near the small hall leading to the western door with his eyes on me. Our other 'ally' lined up behind Celeste, though I could feel his eyes on me. The man hadn't taken it well when I'd threatened to trip him with my whip for his bullying of Jaken. I was glad though, he needed to know I didn't plan to broke any insults or cruelty toward the timid in my presence.
I managed to jam the door relatively quietly, but I think they may have heard something. They didn't have time to react though, before Ahvra threw open the southern door. I quickly retraced my steps up the hall and joined my allies as they poured onto the wall, save Celeste. She remained in the room behind us, with clear sight on both doors. A clever place for a wizard to be.
Ahvrania and Garek lined up at the front of the thin walkway on the wall. It widened just a bit farther past them, but they intended to hold the line. Hobgoblin forces came to meet them. I stood behind Ahvra, and Jaken behind Garek.
Ahvra's axe was quite efficient, but she didn't manage to fell the foe that met her on the wall. Garek's hammer slid harmlessly from his opponent's armor. I tried to trip the one with Ahvrania's focus, but couldn't quite do the job. Celeste, however, placed a pit rather keenly so that all of our foes were on the slanted ground around the edge or caught within the pit itself. Some of them kept their balance, but not many.
I felt the flat of his sword in my side then, and I was being pushed toward the edge of the wall. I lashed out in a panic, but missed the traitorous bastard as he forced me off the ledge. "Arshea!" I heard Jaken cry as I descended.
A thrill of adrenaline pumped through me, and wild fear made my entire body stiffen before I remembered that I'd laid claim to the Quall's Cloak we'd found so long ago. The panic abated as I slowly drifted through the air along the slanted wall, and then down the sheer side of it. "Ahvrania, Garek, w-watch out! H-he b-betrayed us!"
I heard the combat continue as my feet gently touched the ground, but I couldn't see any longer. I did manage to pick out the words of Garek though. "Why you! Let's see how yeh like a taste of yehr own treachery!" Garek bellowed at the top of his lungs. I stepped away from the wall, and just in time, for soon after the platemail-clad body of my betrayer collided into the dirt I'd been standing on with a sickening snap.
He'd survived, for I heard him groan in pain and saw some movement from his broken body. I wouldn't let him be a risk to any of us again, but I couldn't leave him to die slowly. After a few moments of hesitation I ended the traitor's life with a precisely aimed lash from my Scorpion Whip.
(I had literally forgotten she had the cloak. I was panicked when Iressi told me she got an AoO cause I had a good feeling I knew what was coming. Then he pushed her off and I scanned her sheet to see if she had any tricks up her sleeve that might save her, and there on the back was a list of what the tokens did.. So I started to ask about the floating feather one when I remembered that the cloak itself did an automatic Feather Fall effect if its wearer fell more than ten feet and exclaimed with excitement, "The cloak!"
To which Iressi said, "Cloak? Oh! Is she wearing that?"
And I nodded as I pointed to it on her list of equipment and we both had a good laugh at how lucky I'd gotten cause Garek had changed the cloak's appearance to be in the 'theme' of the Silver Dawn. Each of the fifty feathers appeared as a sun that could be plucked off the silver cloak to cause a token effect. There was no way the traitor could have known what it was Arshea was wearing or how inefficient his bull rush attempt would turn out to be because of it.)
~*~*~
My Muse seems to be feeling fickle so for now you just get the late one. More might be added later. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
I bet Arshea gave that cloak one big kiss after that encounter.
Hehe. She was originally going to give it to the inhabitants of Quallsten since that was likely where it was made, but after that little incident she decided to keep it for herself. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
They enter into the pillar room were they face what starts out as four orcs led by a fifth powerfully build Orog.
However this battle quickly grows more desperate as forces from the next room join they fray though in the end the Knights were able to overcome the orc forces.
I'm sad that I can't remember the details of this encounter well enough to do it justice in story form. What I do remember that's worth mentioning though is that we discovered a minor intelligent item here. The item was 'Ventanis', a +1 Scorpion Whip with quite a personality attached to it. The whip's name translated to 'Lover's Tongue' and Arshea has refrained from asking it where the name came from. She has been wielding him since we found him though, and more than once his healing (he can do a Cure Moderate Wounds effect 3 times per day and can move himself within ten feet of Arshea to do so courtesy of being in a whip form) has proven useful.
The contrast in their personalities is comical as the whip is loud and boisterous (much like Ahvra and Garek) and being wielded by someone who is very cautious and quiet. She also uses him primarily for tripping foes rather than dealing damage to them.
Iressi wrote:
The party manage to make it to a save haven near Delenbrass, and for once make it through the night without any random encounters.
Iressi and I forgot a random encounter that occurred here when he was writing the CJ entry (He usually asks me to be sure he's covering most of the events of a given day). I've rolled all of these encounters, by the way, with him asking me for my results and not telling me what I roll until the encounter occurs. My rolls have definitely been interesting so far to say the least...
Let me detail the random encounter we left out for you:
~*~*~
Secrets
(Excerpt from the 09/06/11 CJ)
Character Perspective: Arshea, Aasimar Bard.
We sat around the small campfire we had started. Even the early afternoon sun hardly pierced the dense canopy of the Vesve above us. The forest really deserved a song, and I was sure it had many to its name though I myself didn't know of them.
Because the battles of the day had been intense and close together we ultimately had a lot of free time to wait through before resting to regain spells. Ahvrania and Garek sat close by, murmuring softly to one another about Delvenbrass and previous exploits, Celeste was sitting on her bedroll and staring into the small, enchanted toy we'd recovered from the Elven Manse, Jaken was near me. It seemed he had taken my instruction to stay close to me to heart, for he never remained far from my side. In all honesty it had become a comfort since I'd seen him wield the bastard sword we'd lent him.
I lay back on my bedroll and let my eyes drift to the canopy above where deep, rich greens mixed with younger yellow-tinged leaves to make a quilt that shaded the forest occupants from the sunlight. The brown lines of branches and twigs intermingled here and there in the mix of greens, like seams intentionally sewn to be visible in the patchwork masterpiece of nature. Funny how suddenly the natural world that I had walked through on so many of my journeys seemed to hold such plentiful causes for feelings of calm and peace.
With these thoughts I let my eyes fall closed and my worries began to drift to the back of my mind. Some five or ten minutes passed as I listened to the harmony of the forest around me. The wind rustling through the leaves, the insects, the small fauna that inhabited the area. In some ways the entirety was musical and I found myself wishing I could write a song to capture the beauty I was hearing.
The musical nature I found in the Vesve was quite possibly the reason that the presence of discord amidst the melody caught my attention so quickly. "D-did you h-hear that?" I asked the others, looking up at Ahvrania as I did.
The Gray Elf paused to listen before shaking her head at me. "I hear nothing but the usual noises of a forest, Arshea. What did you hear?"
"I-it sounds like s-someone walk-ing." I turned my gaze to the trees themselves, but whoever was the cause of the noises I was hearing had not yet stepped into sight.
"Hail, travelers," a female voice sounded, apparently having heard us talking about her. "I am no reason for alarm, I assure you."
We all got to our feet save Celeste who simply turned her deep blue eyes in the direction of the stranger's voice. "Reveal yourself to us then," Ahvrania said, hand on the haft of her axe.
"Of course," the female voice responded. The rustling of her steps continued as she approached, and soon enough we could see her between the trees. A tall, lithe Sylvan Elf with a gentle beauty to her features slowly entered the clearing we'd chosen as our camp for the evening. "May I join you at your fire, Travelers?" She had a very friendly quality to her voice.
Something about the woman before us seemed 'off' though I couldn't put my finger on what. I didn't feel threatened though, so I made no objection when Ahvrania responded with a nod and said, "By all means, Stranger."
Ahvra's hand left her axe and she, Garek, Jaken, and I all took our seats again as the stranger did the same. "Tell me," said the Sylvan Elf, "what are you doing so deep in Goblin Territory?"
I'd almost forgotten the goblins as the peace of the forest's song. Their war horns hadn't sounded since we'd settled, though we'd heard them once or twice on our way from Delvenbrass. "We are adventurers. The Knights of the Silver Dawn to be precise. I'm Ahvrania Iiremen'surre'esta and these are my companions, Garek Highhammer, Arshea, and Lady Celeste Kalinstren. Our companion here is Jaken Tallenstar. We're in the midst of exploring Delvenbrass and trying to clear the ruins of the dangers lurking there."
"The Goblins are on the war path to Delvenbrass," the Sylvan Elf said. "They've heard of all the recent happenings there what with the two cults and the Earth creatures who dwell there all a-stir."
"We are aware of it, and only hope we can finish our work there before they arrive. Confronting an entire army of Goblins is not high on our list of things we'd like to do," Ahvrania responded softly. "What, may I ask, is your purpose here, Stranger?"
"Ah," the Sylvan Elf laughed, "My manners! I am Teldecia and I call the Vesve my home. If you truly are ridding the ruins of the evils within it, I may be able to help you."
I wasn't prepared to accept that while secrets still hung in the air between us, and so I interjected before Ahvrania could respond, "And h-how, may I ask-k, w-would you d-do that?" I allowed an edge of slight suspicion to be audible in my voice, enough so that Garek and Ahvrania cast their eyes upon me, wondering just what I'd made of our new 'friend' and why I'd said nothing about it yet.
She turned her beautiful green eyes on me, a soft smile on her lips. "I'm curious why the aggression in your tone. Have I done something to offend you?" She asked in her honeyed voice.
"Y-you're hid-ing something. I d-don't like sec-rets," I said simply, keeping my eyes on her closely lest she try something. I still didn't feel threatened, but secrets had ever been the cause of discomfort with me. Guessing games were little pleasure to me, and knowing where our allies stood had proven to be something worth a little trouble and ruffled feathers in the recent past.
"Hmm." She nodded softly. "Fair enough, Arshea. If you must know, I'm a powerful sorceress-"
"Th-that's a lie," I said, interrupting her. The Sylvan Elf looked a bit troubled by that and I felt very uncomfortable now. Anyone with cause to lie to us was surely not someone I wanted as an ally.
She considered me for a few moments, Ahvra, Garek, Celeste, and Jaken all watching the exchange rather keenly at this point. Finally she did cast a spell, and unfortunately she cast it quickly enough I didn't have a chance to interrupt her. Worse still, I couldn't identify the purpose of the magic, though snoring sounded from Garek and I blinked as I realized all of them had fallen asleep in their places, including Ahvrania who should have been immune to such an effect.
I was leaping to my feet as she spoke to me, "I can see that you would prove difficult to deceive, and I wish no trouble here, so let me come clean with you, Arshea."
I hesitated, eyes on her, and swallowed nervously, "A-alright."
"Very good," she said softly, and as I watched her form changed into a dragon's with wide, white wings and scales of white as well. Ridged horns curled back from her proud, majestic face. Her body was about the size of one of our Kalinstren Draft horse's. Panic ran through me for a few fleeting moments, but then I realized there were other colors in those scales, pale and only faintly present, of blue and gold.
I blinked as I realized what stood before me, "A S-song Dragon. Oh, I, I-I'm sorry. I d-didn't mean to be t-trouble." I'd never thought I would see such a creature, particularly not in the depths of the Goblin controlled bounds of the Vesve forest.
The dragon chuckled melodiously at my apology, "It is fine, of course, you only meant to protect your friends. Now, do you understand what secret it is I wish to keep?" There was some mischeif in her voice and I couldn't help a small smile at that.
I nodded. "I d-do, and I thank y-you for sh-showing yourself to me. I will n-not mention it ag-gain."
It was her turn to nod. "Good," she said, and her form returned to that of an elf, "Quite correct you are, Arshea, I am not strictly speaking a sorceress, but the powers that I will call upon are most closely associated with those a sorceress commands. Will you accept this explanation?"
I realized as she spoke that the others were awake again, and seemed to be without any recollection of having been put to sleep to begin with. I nodded with a soft smile, "I s-suppose I will. Y-you seem to mean no harm."
"Excellent. Then I shall try to delay the Goblin armies for you, travelers, so you may finish your work in Delvenbrass." She stood and took a step back from the fire we sat around before saying, "May all the gods of good smile upon your efforts there. Especially Pelor, whose radiance lights the sky above these aged trees."
As she spoke the blessing I heard a much quieter voice whisper in my ear, "And may Bahamat watch you and keep you, curious little Arshea."
With that she left us, and I smiled to myself as I fell back against my bedroll, staring again into the mixed greens of the canopy above us. Ehlonna surely smiled upon us in this forest of hers, for so much good had found us in such hostile territory that there could be no other explanation. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Most of this CJ will use the second story map of Delvenbrass. They do not rest in between the encounter of the Hobgoblin 'king' and the human priests up above.
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
Armed with that bit of useful information the intrepid Knights make their way up stairs. The heat of the day making Delvenbrass into a sauna in places as they creep slowly up to the second level. There they find a long hallway filled with doors, all of them locked. Arshae carefully makes her way forward searching each door to find that they have all been trapped! It seems that the Priests were expecting them, and have prepared accordingly.
Arshae returns to report that there is movement coming from the southern door nearest the stairs as the Knights prepare to enter. After a tense moment Celeste prepares to cast Open/Close only for the door to open before hand! The Knights are pitted against a group of howling barbarians armed with powerful greatswords their bodies covered in scars, and symbols to the Old One. Their leader who they would find out later to be Waldur de Grey greets them, "Ah you have finally come! Good to see you."
The man has a chipper voice that sounds like he might very well be a citizen of Furyondy, maybe even from Kalinstren itself by the sound of it! The owner of the voice is not a barbarian however he was a tall well built knight wearing black full plate with a bastard sword in one hand, and a tower shield in the other. The Barbarians moved up to the door, and faced up against Ahvrania's armor and axe. They were a human tide against a elven rock, and quickly this mans barbarians were being slaughtered.
However Arshae heard a sound coming from down the hallway, and the Knights day became more complicated. Two underpriests, a handful of human men-at-arms, and Tobais himself entered onto the field to help the Waldur with his barbarians. While the Knights wern't sure before they knew now who this Tobais is, he is Tobais von Redoubt who was once a knight bound under her father who disappeared sometime after she was born. Tobais couldn't help but laugh, "Ah its good to see you Lady Celeste." The sarcasm with the word lady was thick enough to cut with a knife. He went on, "My how you have grown, I remember being on the detail to 'protect' you."
He turned to his soldiers, "Men keep Celeste alive, but kill the rest." With that the battle was joined, and the Knights were flanked by the Waldur's forces on one side and those of Tobais on the other. This forced the Knights to use every bit of their reserves to try, and kill Tobais who was after all the leader of these men. Blow after blow from magic and sword was cast upon him, though he would not die. Instead he would back off long enough to cast a healing spell upon himself. Finally as his forces crumbled around him he retreated leaving his 'knight' to face the music alone.
Soon after this the forces in the upper floor were dealt with, and the 'knight' surrendered to the Knights. He introduced himself as Waldur de Grey, who Celeste recognized or at least recognized the family name. Waldur had been a squire to Sir Tobais back when he was a loyal knight in Redoubt, and Waldur filled in the blanks in the story of the disloyal knight. Tobais had fallen in love with the beautiful Lady Galaine though her life was taken from him early in their marriage. Seeing his despair a spy for the Old One offered to bring her back from the dead if Tobais would help him.
Eventually this deal corrupted Tobais, and he became a faithful worshiper of the Old One. When Galaine was brought back from the dead she was not herself, in fact she wasn't brought back at all instead she was animated her soul shunted back into her body twisted into a ghoul. This is what finally made Tobais snap, and he left Redoubt forcing his squire to go as well. Waldur has fought for Tobais ever since then, though he has only payed lip service to Iuz. However after the Knights last encounter of a soldier of the Old One they were very cautious with those that surrendered.
Waldur suspects he has joined 'Lady Redoubt' in the first dungeon layer of Delvenbrass along with what was left of the Hobgoblins, and priests down there. With Tobais there were five priests in total which would make in battle that happened be a very long, and drawn out affair if they were to fight together. Spent after that battle the Knights searched the rest of the second level before they decided to rest to regain spells, however how to rest was a good question. They didn't want to leave Delvenbrass at this point, and so they jammed the door that leads from the dungeon level to the first floor.
During the night however Celeste heard something during her watch, and the door opened to reveal strange if beautiful creatures. There were seven in total all of them wearing clothes of Baklunish features, it took her a moment to realize that these were not humans at all.
These were Janni!
She talked with them for a time, and found out that they were servants of the Sha'ir, and Genie-Binder Shaqul bin Aseem from the nation of Ket. He sent these Janni to explore Delvenbrass, and if possible destroy the connection that this place had with the Elemental Earth Node, and Ogremoch. The Janni wish to gain passage to the dungeon, and thus Celeste is forced to wake Arshea to open the door.
They try to convince the Janni to wait for them to help, but the Janni who are ever arrogant went on ahead as the Knights went back to sleep. When they awoke the next day they readied their steel, and magic to enter into the Dungeons of Delvenbrass.
Conclusion
It's funny to me that I gave the PC's a weakness for Tobais and they forgot to exploit it. Oh well it doesn't really matter they were able to stop him, but not kill him (they do that next time). Now the PC's move into the actual dungeons under Delvenbrass which take up quite a bit of time to clear out. So till next time!
Last edited by Iressi on Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:40 pm; edited 1 time in total
The ever continuing adventures of the Knights of the Silver Dawn. They now move down into the depths of Delvenbrass.
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
After a good nights sleep we find our hero's replenished, and ready to face the threats that can be found in the lowest depths. However they are bothered by the fact that the Janni have already gone inside, there is no telling what all they have already killed which that in itself isn't bad. However what if the Janni find the Well of Many Worlds? How will the Knights gain the help of the Grey Elves then?
With those questions in mind the Knights made their way down into the dark depths beneath Delvenbrass which in truth is the heart of the complex. Waldur declines to travel with the Knights for the time being, so he is left in the first level. They travel down a beautifully carved hallway, and set of stairs that are covered in geometric designs along with runes carved in the elemental languages. They come to area with three doors, the one to the east has a number of heavy boxes along with wooden beams making it a very difficult area to explore for the time being. So the Knights decide to travel to the west, and enter into a dark chamber filled with chanting in the foul Abyssal tongue.
They heard spoken again and again the following phrase, "Krte andha Iuz madiya rati api zazvata" Which loosely translated as 'for the dark one Iuz, my love is eternal.' as they crept forward the Knights entered into a massive hall of worship that once was dedicated to a elemental god however it has been desecrated into the worship of the Old One. Foul tapestries and other signs of his worship were all over the room. Foul men-at-arms all of them Flan with black plate armor covered in spikes, armed with powerful greatswords.
Near the middle of the room had four undead monsters that looked to have been recently animated. It took the Knights a moment to realize that these were the Janni they had seen the night before, at least some of them. The remaining Janni could be found in the back chamber, along with a horrid looking woman that looked more like a hag than anything else. When the Knights rushed head long into the chamber she yelled in a cruel, undying voice, "You dare disturb this ritual?! You dare tread upon unholy ground! You will all serve Iuz in this life or the next!"
Garek being his usual self gave a witty retort to this that served to make 'Lady Redoubt' even angrier. The undead Janni had been corrupted into Banedead, specialized undead created by the priests of Iuz. The Knights had their hands full, but thankfully even with Lady Redoubts shrill voice no reinforcements came. In the end she was dust as were the rest of the undead created in this foul place. The Knights went over to the Janni who had been on top of the altar. She was covered in horrid burns all over her body from the spell Boiling Blood.
They learned from Basira the Janni that they were overrun by the forces of the Old One though not before killing most of the men-at-arms, and causing the hobgoblins to flee deeper into the dungeon abandoning the humans. Tobais is looking for a way out, but is prepared to die for his god if need be. The Knights help Basira and the other surviving Janni out of Delvenbrass to report back to the Sha'ir in Ket. After that they travel once again into the breach.
They travel back into the defiled chamber, and deface the horrid shrine to Iuz before they discover a 'hidden' hallway behind one of the tapestries that they had put up. The hallway was dark, and the air was very cold as they made their way into the next room. They found nothing in the main chamber, but as they opened the door into east they found themselves in one of the most dangerous battles of their careers. Tobais along with his underpriests, and a large contingent of Baneguard's another type of undead created by the priests of Iuz.
These foul skeletons use their innate powers to blink in and out of existence to flank the Knights! To make matters worse reinforcements from the west quickly cause the Knights to be outnumbered two to one in this life or death struggle. The last men-at-arms also join in this battle meaning that the Knights are facing all of the remaining cultists of Iuz here. Finally after almost two minutes of fighting the Knights kill the last of the Baneguard, and at last Tobais is slain.
After this battle they spend a few moments to recover before moving on to face the next major threat in Delvenbrass. The goblin tribes that live in the dungeon. They travel north (into area 21) where they come across a strange sight a pair of foul smelling grey furred creatures. They were protecting a huge looking creature of the same type that looked to be pregnant. These creatures were Barghest's! They didn't waste any time to attack though the mother used its innate power to Dimension Door away as her 'children' fought the Knights.
The battle as a quick one with one of the Barghest's escaping while the other was slain. Before progressing further to the north they travel down a side passage where they face a horrible Corpsefeeder Otyugh which turns out to be a bit of a non-battle. Celeste simply moved forward and casually cast a Acid Pit which after a minute reduced the creature into a sobbing mess. It in fact surrendered to the Knights rather than be killed by them.
[Aside: The roleplaying with the Otyugh was a very fun encounter that I did not expect. Otyughs can in fact speak common (though they are not smart) and in Pathfinder part of their communication with their own kind is in fact through scents. This is something that Celeste knew from Knowledge Dungeonering, and when they 'befriended' the Otyugh their 'friend' left a scent on Celeste to denote that she was a friend to Otyughs. Current the Otyugh family is working the sewers of Castle Redoubt, and aid in the defense of the castle.]
The Knights manage to befriend the Otyugh and discover that it travels through a series of small tunnels that connect various chambers through this place (You can't see them on the map provided), and that there are two other Otyughs in this dungeon. They dislike the goblins, and in fact use them as a food source so they agree to help the Knights in the coming battles with the Goblins.
They travel north (area's 13, 16, 22, 6) at this point discovering a series of ancient shrines dedicated to Baklunish gods that have managed to survive. Arshea even finds a strange trap in a pit below with a shrine that acts as a division between the fire 'section' of the dungeon, and the water 'section' of the dungeon. Arshea has to escape a Mephit that at first was a Fire Mephit, but after passing through this barrier he changes into a Water Mephit. In the end she escapes up the tunnel, and the trap wears off. Later the Knights travel down this tunnel again, and Arshea finds and disables the trap.
The knights explore more rooms discovering a bound Earth Wierd which offers to answer a question if the Knights free it, the other Otyugh's, along with a few more traps. Through dedication they overcome every obstacle in their way They then enter into the domain of the Thotha Tribe one of the two tribes* that fight to control the Dungeons of Delvenbrass.
Conclusion
The PC's are about halfway through the first level of Delvenbrass, and have now defeated the priests of Iuz here. However they still have a long way to go before they can obtain the Well of Many Worlds. Next time will involve them clearing out the goblin warrens that have infested the place before the Knights travel into the lowest dungeon in Delvenbrass.
At this point I think this dungeon has been one of the longest I have ever run, by the end I was getting somewhat sick of it to be honest. I don't typically like long dungeon crawls however thankfully Crystaltears rolled a number of 'friendly' random encounters to add spice to it. Along with a few other interesting encounters I added in as well. All in all it was fun ride, though I was glad to get off of it when I did.
*Area's 44 through 50 are controlled by Thotha Tribe while the Moshhka Tribe which rules the northern western half of Delvenbrass (area's 23 - 37.) More on the two tribes in the next CJ post.
I know the feeling when I first started playing it seemed like everyone dungeon crawled. So when I took over DMing duties I kept things on the surface and they loved it. I pitted the local Thieves guild against the Assassin's guild, and the party got in the mix. Well the party sided with the assassin's unknowingly and when all was said and done had both remaining members of the guild as life long enemies.
Keep the posts coming.
Later
Argon
Last edited by Argon on Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
...the Otyugh their 'friend' left a scent on Celeste to denote that she was a friend to Otyughs...]
They actually left the scent on Ahvrania. This was a really fun encounter and a very unexpected twist. I never thought a a creature that looked so much like a monster and ate corpses would end up being our friends. >.>
Also, I haven't been able to get my Muse in gear for story excerpts.. I think it's cause I started working on the actual story for this campaign. I'm not sure when I'll post my next excerpt, but I hope those of you who follow our endeavors will enjoy Iressi's contributions to the CJ in the meantime. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Going to try to finish up Delvenbrass today, though we will see how far I get.'
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
The Knights of the Silver Dawn after defeating a series of ancient arrow traps find themselves in the territory of a goblin tribe. Garek notices the tribal banners, and other objects that litter the rooms as a sign to keep away. Though the Knights are not going to follow goblin advice.
Not today or ever.
They make their way into a large chamber filled with pillars (area 44) where they face a group of hobgoblins wearing armor that was once adorned with symbols of Iuz, and a few female goblins that were feeding the hobgoblins grapes. It seems that the chief of this tribe was trying to bribe the hobgoblins that were once loyal to Iuz. Battle is soon joined and the Knights discover to their chagrin that the goblin women are in fact magic-users adding to the complex battle.
To make matters worse more goblins, and hobgoblins pour out from the nearby chambers adding to the din. The battle is a fierce one, but in the end the Knights are victorious. They manage to destroy the Thotha Tribe in one fell swoop. They discover that this area holds the entrance into the second level of the dungeon, but for now decide it is best that they clear out what remains of the goblins.
From there they travel down the hallway that was once inhabited by the Barghests, and go down the long stairs till they start hearing chanting. As they slowly move closer they hear prayers in goblin to the foul deity Maglubiyet, the chief god of the pantheon. The Knights move forward, and charge into the 'congregation' to give a sermon of their own. They face (in room 23) a large force of goblin warriors that were in prayer at that moment along with a large fat goblin with a huge silver holy symbol of Maglubiyet scratched over the symbol of some other god.
This battle proves to be harder than the Knights could have imagined, for while the goblin priest looked like he would be a push over he had been blessed with many powerful spells from his foul deity. Including the spell slay living which he happily used against Arshae. She had been very lucky up to this point, more than once had death been narrowly avoided. Not this time however, as the foul black energies caressed her she fell to the ground the life having fled from her body.
Arshae was dead.
Then again so was more than half of the goblin 'worshipers' as well. The goblin priest put up a fight, but well before he cast slay living the battle was over. He just wanted to cause as much suffering as possible before hand. Afterwords the Knights were reduced to tears over their lost companion, and had a choice. Should they press on? The goblin armies are getting closer they knew, and the strange 'sorcerer' (see the Secrets except) could not hold off the goblins forever.
So the Knights took the body of Arshae, and placed her inside of Gareks Bag of Holding after removing some of the treasure. They pressed going deeper into the dungeons of Delvenbrass with one less Knight to help in battle. They faced more goblins in the next chamber along with a trap that Arshae would have needed to be alive to disable, so they just rush past it as fast as possible. Slaying the goblins just as fast. As they travel north east they come to a strange room that is filled with a large pit and a very narrow walk way. The Knights use their Rope of Climbing to help them get across the gap to get to the other side.
From there they explore the various rooms, and even encounter the Otyugh family briefly before moving on to the last stretch of this part of the dungeon. They find another shrine (area 31) to another goblin deity, Khurgorbaeyag the goblin god of slavery among other things. However it is unguarded. As they enter into the next chamber (area 32) the door is opened suddenly and they face a large band of bugbears! To make matters worse the bugbear leader is quickly revealed to be a Nightstalker the favored 'children' of the bugbear god Skiggaret.
The battle is fierce, and in a series of unfortunate attacks Jaken who had been a stalwart ally for most of their progression through Delvenbrass falls after a protracted battle with these bugbears. With Jaken dead that leaves Celeste, Ahvrania, and Garek to finish what they started here. They press on in till they meet at last the goblin leader of the Moshhka Tribe along with hobgoblins, a Nightstalker archer, and a massive brood of goblins. There were times that it looked like the Knights were going to be overwhelmed, but they were able to overcome these massive odds thanks to a number of well placed create pit spells that negated most of their numbers.
After this the Knights are utterly spent, and take the dead along with what treasure they could carry to a safe place to rest that night. Thankfully Celeste has finally mastered (or at least she hopes she has mastered) the spell teleport. Thanks to her Ring of Sustenance she is able to sleep far less, and prepare spells while the rest of the Knights are resting. However she hears to her horror the sound of battle going on above them.
Is it the goblins? If it is who are they fighting? Could it be reinforcements from Iuz? Find out this and more next time!
Conclusion: Well I didn't quite finish Delvenbrass, though save for a few more combats it is in effect finished. Next time I will recount the Knights traveling back to Chendl via Teleport to bring back the dead members of the Knights. Anyway's hope you enjoyed it!
Last edited by Iressi on Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:36 am; edited 1 time in total
Impressive as ever CT must have been heart broken losing Arshae, one of her favorite characters. If you want to be a hero you have to be willing to die. Hence the hero tag you only get to wear it if you take the plunge.
Those are some goblin fighting Knights I know if she rolls up a Ranger the hated enemy will be goblins.
Impressive as ever CT must have been heart broken losing Arshae, one of her favorite characters. If you want to be a hero you have to be willing to die. Hence the hero tag you only get to wear it if you take the plunge.
Those are some goblin fighting Knights I know if she rolls up a Ranger the hated enemy will be goblins.
He didn't go into enough detail. I should title this excerpt 'Bitter Irony', but I'm not going to.
Judgment Calls
Character Perspective: Ahvrania, Gray Elf Paladin.
It all happened in a blur. Celeste opened the door with Open/Close and I waited to enter the room with the knowledge that she would likely have something up her sleeves. The wizard placed a fireball (I think it was a fireball) in the room near the front, near enough I felt the heat of its force in the air around my bare face (Ahvra doesn't wear a helm. She's a bit arrogant in that in my opinion, but she just sees it as a worthwhile trade for 'a better field of vision'.), and then the fire was gone. I ran in. There was just the priest at the back of the room, but Celeste's fireball had missed four goblins at the front of the rooms and so I veered to a side to bring my axe into the nearest.
Jaken and Garek moved in behind me, close on my heels. We set ourselves as a line against the four goblins at the front and managed to fell one.
That was when I heard the Goblin priest's words. I couldn't quite identify the spell he cast, but Arshea was struck with a black beam of what was likely negative energy. She cried out. Sweat beaded at my temples and brow, sliding down my face and stinging in my eyes as I swung the axe again. Another Goblin fell and I carried the force of the blow into the next, dropping him as well. Two left.
Garek's warhammer came down hard on the skull of the Goblin to my left, smashing it in. Jaken, Tel Seldarine bless him, wielded the bastard sword we'd given him with as much force as he could with a whimper and a battle cry. What a strange sound he made as he brought the blade into the last of the four Goblins.
I readied myself to move forward. The priest would be next to fall before my axe, but before I could reach him he began casting another spell. One I did recognize. Flame Strike. Just as he was about to finish a bolt of acid shot past my shoulder and caught the cleric in his, but despite Celeste's best efforts the foul creature completed his spell and a pillar of fire engulfed Celeste and Arshea in the hall behind us.
'Tel Seldarine grant me the strength to protect my allies.' With that unspoken prayer I cast a spell of my own, one my allies had not yet seen me use. The spell was aptly named Paladin's Sacrifice and with the casting of it the fire's damage did not touch Arshea at all, instead searing into my flesh. The wound was grievous, for it hurt me as it would have hurt her, but I did not hesitate even through it in my charge and soon was upon the cleric.
The battle would end quickly, or so I prayed. Garek joined me as I lay my axe into the Goblin's little body with an angry growl. He uttered words of prayer and touched my side, casting a curing spell upon me. Celeste seemed to be delaying again, likely intent on attempting to interrupt the cleric's casting again. Jaken joined us and swung at the little beast, but his sword barely cut the creature. The crack of the whip came from my left, but Arshea missed his leg. She'd come so close to him and we were not a wall of defenders in our current formation.
As I lifted my axe to attack him again I could see in the Goblin's eyes that he knew death was upon him. He moved forward while I made ready and touched Arshea. I felt a cold horror pass through my body as a magic missile wound into the goblin's side. He didn't err in the slightest with his words and Arshea screamed aloud as she was flooded with the energy from the spell he'd cast... Slay Living.
The Goblin cackled in triumph as Arshea crumpled to the ground and the stinging sweat in my eyes was joined with tears as my lips contorted in a snarl, "No! You foul little imp. Your life ends here!" I bellowed as I brought the axe down, and true to my word, claimed his life.
Garek was at Arshea's side as a wave of positive energy passed through us all, healing wounds and offering us some refreshment from the combat... But Arshea didn't move. Her wounds didn't close. "No-" Garek said, his eyes misting, "No, Ahvra, she's dead."
I fell to my knees, the axe clattering to the ground beside me, forgotten. "By all the heavens, Garek. I should have saved the spell." My eyes stung with tears as I looked upon my love and the fallen comrade he cradled in his arms.
"You can't blame yourself," Celeste said, as ever the voice of logic. "There was no way you could have known he even had that spell prepared, Ahvrania." There was a sniffle in her voice though, and I knew she likely thought of things we might have done to find a better outcome.
"We should leave this place," Garek said after a time.
I moved closer then, my platemail scraping against the stone floors. With gauntleted fingers I carefully pushed Arshea's honey-colored hair from her eyes. Then I took the gauntlet off for her face was twisted in a look of horror. She must have known what he was casting. Gently I closed her hazel eyes and pet the olive skin of her cheek. At length I said, "We cannot, Garek."
"What?" He looked at me. "What do you propose? We press on without her?" He sounded dismayed, and he had every right to be.
"If the Well of Many Worlds is here then we cannot let it fall into the Goblins hands. Especially if it is true that some of the Hobgoblin forces of the Old One have joined with them." I met his eyes and lifted the face plate of his helm so I could touch his cheek.
Garek didn't look pleased with me, but I could see he would not argue. "Fine," he said.
Celeste's voice was almost lost to me, for she still stood a short ways apart from us. "Just stay close to me, Jaken."
"A-alright," Jaken said. There was anguish and fear in his voice too.
I sighed heavily. "Tel Seldarine keep her until we can have her returned to us."
"Are you sure we should?" Garek asked.
I looked at him in surprise. The dwarf was wearing a contemplative expression. "What? Of course I am."
"What if she's happy, Ahvrania? What if she's at peace?" Garek looked down on Arshea's still body, which now appeared to be sleeping.
My heart broke for the Aasimar at the thought. She'd had such a long life of pain before we'd found her, and even since then she lived with so much fear. "Then she will choose to stay if she wishes to." I pressed a kiss to Garek's cheek and rose to my feet. "Come, Love. We must make our way through this place. It will not be safe to rest anywhere on the Goblins' levels without Arshea to jam the doors."
Garek grunted unhappily and took off his Bag of Holding. I watched as he emptied out a few suits of armor and gently slid Arshea's body into the bag. Celeste had a hand on Jaken's shoulder when I turned toward them. I offered Jaken a faint smile and put my hand on his shoulder as well. "She will return to us, Jaken. Do not fear."
Jaken nodded shakily, but he could not turn away from Garek and the bag, and only after Garek and I had left the room did he and Celeste turn to follow us.
~*~*~
Paladin's Sacrifice, for those unfamiliar with Pathfinder spells, does the following as an immediate action:
d20pfsrd.com wrote:
You open up a brief but powerful divine conduit between you and another creature, taking on the damage and any other effects that creature suffers. When a creature in range is hit by an attack or fails a saving throw, you can cast this spell and the wounds and/or effects are magically transmitted to you instead of the target. You are affected as if you were hit by the attack or failed the saving throw, taking all the damage and suffering all of the adverse effects. Any resistances or immunities you have are applied normally, but you cannot otherwise reduce or negate the damage or effects in any way.
If you use this spell against an effect that also targets you or includes you in its area, you suffer the effects for both yourself and the target you spared, potentially taking damage or suffering other consequences twice.
So if I had saved it one more round I could have saved Arshea because the way Slay Living works in Pathfinder it isn't just instant death... It's a whole lot of hit point damage. Ahvrania would have survived the damage, but alas, the spell was already spent. You better believe Ahvrania has been very hesitant to use her Paladin's Sacrifice since then, as she's always afraid something worse will be waiting for her allies if she does. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
You better believe Ahvrania has been very hesitant to use her Paladin's Sacrifice since then, as she's always afraid something worse will be waiting for her allies if she does.
I do. And, I understand. I was the same way in my youth with potions and scrolls. My characters would end up hording them because I was always afraid that if I used them up, I'd have greater need of them in the future. Thus, I almost never used them.
Problem is if you hesitate to use it harm will definitely come to those you love. Better to utilize what you have when it is needed instead of worrying about what happens next. However careful planning can better prepare you for the unexpected. However you can't plan for every thing.
Sometimes the inevitable will come. No matter how hard it is we are forced to deal with the outcome either way. Celeste is right you can't blame yourself, you can honor the memory of those that have passed.
CT, once again you impress me with your story telling skills. I love your narrative, you can feel the emotions behind your story. Keep them coming.
Problem is if you hesitate to use it harm will definitely come to those you love. Better to utilize what you have when it is needed instead of worrying about what happens next. However careful planning can better prepare you for the unexpected. However you can't plan for every thing.
Sometimes the inevitable will come. No matter how hard it is we are forced to deal with the outcome either way. Celeste is right you can't blame yourself, you can honor the memory of those that have passed.
*Nods* Trouble is that's a lesson I want Ahvrania to learn in character. This was the first time anyone ever truly died on her watch since she became an adventurer. She feels like she could have done something about it if she'd been wise enough to save her spell. In truth it's not her fault. I know that, but I think the passionate Gray Elf needs some experience to push her along to come to that conclusion on her own terms.
The good news, though, is that she has two 2nd level spells so she has two of them prepared. She's a lot more ready to spend the first one than the second. The lesson may never be required if I'm lucky. But then, it would make for such a wonderful story.
Argon wrote:
CT, once again you impress me with your story telling skills. I love your narrative, you can feel the emotions behind your story. Keep them coming.
Aww, thank you. I always said emotions were my strength in writing. If writing is not emotionally driven I find it much harder. That makes the third person perspective a bit more challenging for me. Mystic-Scholar has the first part of the story of the Knights of the Silver Dawn that I'm writing now. I put a lot of effort into trying to actually physically describe my character in that (Celeste is the only one present in the first part) since I know I've only given you bits and pieces in these excerpts. Hopefully when you read the 'polished' telling you'll get a complete picture.
SirXaris wrote:
I do. And, I understand. I was the same way in my youth with potions and scrolls. My characters would end up hording them because I was always afraid that if I used them up, I'd have greater need of them in the future. Thus, I almost never used them.
I'm better about that now.
SirXaris
It's not so much that I'm hesitant to use them. Iressi can tell you I'm a rash player. It makes controlling a wizard and actually trying to be logical, calm, and planning very difficult for me because my gut instinct is to charge in and deal with the problem before it has time to grow. Not always the best plan, and thankfully we've been doing a lot less of it in this campaign than in the last one (In our last campaign my party literally fought 70% of the dungeon in one big battle two or three times because of their tendency to rush into things unprepared. Their warrior was a barbarian though, and no in the party had an extensive education, so it was rather fitting.).
Anyway, I am very much a flexible player, and one who uses resources cleverly. In this particular instance I am putting a hold on Ahvrania's willingness to spend that resource because of her past experience.
That said, I do tend to hold onto potions for some reason. I tear through scrolls (especially in this campaign with my little Scrollmaster (Celeste)), but I believe Celeste is still carrying a single Cure Light Wounds potion she has had since our first adventure with these guys. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Last edited by crystaltears on Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:21 am; edited 1 time in total
This will be the last post for Delvenbrass! I guarantee it.
Planting - 591 CY: Delvenbrass
The Knights are awoken during the night to the sounds of battle above them, and Celeste using her magic sneaks up to take a look at what is going on. As she slowly step by step makes her way up she can hear her heart beating, she knew that there was a very good chance that she might very well die right here and now like Jaken, and Arshae had. Invisible she made her way to the ground level of Delvenbrass, and to outside.
It was a humid summer night outside, the sun was hidden under a thin layer of grey clouds though you could still see its radiance shining through in places. In the distance through a light fog she could see the battle that was underway. A massive goblin horde had surrounded a much smaller army. Celeste took out her spyglass, and saw a large group of Janni along with a few Shaitan in the back with a massive Efreeti.
She felt the breath leave her, and she travels back inside as quickly (and quietly) as possible. She finds the rest of the knights and tells them what she saw. Celeste said, "This is likely the work of the Genie-Binder that the Janni had mentioned." The rest of the knights agreed with this, and decided that they needed to teleport back now to bring back their lost friends now lest they be caught unprepared.
They gathered together, and prepared to crash test her first use of the teleport spell, she set her focus to the beautiful fountain she had seen as a girl outside of the Grand Cathedral of Heironeous in Chendl. In a poof of smoke and a slight shutter in the world around them the Knights teleported to the far away city of Chendl. They appeared more or less where she wanted, though the first thing they heard was the splash as Garek landed into the fountain. Much cursing, and grumbling could be heard as he forced himself out. Garek started to say, "Arshae could..." He trained off at that point sighing softly.
Arshae 'armed' with her prestidigitation spell often took the time to keep all of them clean, and dry. Ahvrania put her hand on Garek's shoulder before they made their way inside of the Cathedral where they found a yawning acolyte trying to clean the floors of the massive room. The Grand Cathedral had no pews like you might expect, everyone that attended these services were expected to stand (unless they were too old or young in which case they were given a honored position on a few select pews near the High Priest.) The marble floor of this massive room depicted as much as the walls and ceiling the birth, and story of Heironeous.
Talking with the acolyte they were lucky to find that one of the priests could be awoken, and had a resurrection spell still prepared that day. However he needed the Knights to get the material components something that Celeste could only do because she was a high noble. Even then it took a few hours before they had gathered together the precious diamond dust needed for the ritual. After that had been done Arshae was returned to life into the loving arms of the Knights of the Silver Dawn.
[Aside: Jaken was returned as well though since he died from injury rather than a death effect Garek was able to cast Raise Dead on him]
After the proper spells had been cast the Knights along with Jaken returned to the horrible halls of Delvenbrass though by now the morning sun had risen. The battle was over when the Knights arrived, the goblins had been slaughtered or fled the battlefield. The Knights reunited start to make their way down the long passage to the dungeon when they hear noise upstairs. They wait for a moment before going to investigate, when they do the Knights took long enough that whoever was up there was gone.
[Aside: The genie-binder sent these genies here to destroy this places connection to the Elemental Earth Node, and to Ogremoch. The Janni would have had the PC's help them in this if they had not teleported away, but since they did the PC's never did find out who did so much damage to the forces of the earth elementals in the second dungeon level. They lost some loot, and experience from this though it made finding the Well of Many Worlds easier as you will soon see.]
The Knights after that decide to travel down into the dungeons of Delvenbrass, and eventually pass into the lowest level which had been claimed according to the stories they had heard by the Shaitan, who now were corrupted by worship of Ogremoch the Elemental Prince of Evil. They traveled down into the main entrance hall and discovered a pitched battle had taken place here. Moving on the Knights discover that one room after another had been cleared of the monsters that were in it, the traps sprung by whatever force had been in here.
They discover the main 'cathedral' of Ogremoch (in area 14) along with a moat made out of liquid salt, but before exploring that cathedral they make their way through the area's that it looked like the genies had not explored. There the Knights came across a fierce foe (in area 6) a pair of Rock Trolls armed with enchanted Macuahuitl (Aztec weapon, look it up if you are curious) though the Knights were able to overcome them. Exploring this area more they come across earth mephits, xorn, a few traps, and the left overs of what the Genies had left behind. They discover a annoying teleportation trap as well that launches them into the air only for them to fall down hard to the ground to spring the trap again (area 13.)
Finally they enter into the cathedral itself exploring the ruin that the genies had left behind them in till they entered into the central hall (area 21) which was dominated by a mighty throne along with many dead gargoyles, and two Shaitan. There they discovered the only remains of the high priest of Ogremoch in the form of a ghost that haunted this throne room. Garek tries to figure out what is keeping the Shaitan here, but fails to figure it out forcing them into battle.
After a long, and painful battle that almost killed Jaken again the Knights discover hidden under his throne a set of stairs that lead down into a treasure room that the Genies had managed to miss. There they find many beautiful carvings, and gemstones along with the Well of Many Worlds. The Knights explored the rest of Delvenbrass finding little of important left here.
With their mission finished in this place the Knights decide to leave Delvenbrass for the last time, and make their way to the Timeless Tree to meet with the Grey Elves and return the magic item. They had learned much in the dungeons here, and experienced what might very well be their fate, death at the hands of their enemies.
Conclusion: And its done! Delvenbrass if finished after like two pages of CJ posts. Hope you guys enjoyed the ride. They gained I think four levels inside of Delvenbrass, which so far is the most they gained from a single place. Next CJ will be the Knights traveling south to the Timeless Tree, and then to Ironstead to join the army that is marshaling to destroy the Serpents Mound near the Defiled Glade.
They discover a annoying teleportation trap as well that launches them into the air only for them to fall down hard to the ground to spring the trap again (area 13.)
Funny!
I'll have to remember that one the next time I DM a party of an appropriate level.
The Knights left Delvenbrass, and traveled through the lands controlled by the Goblins with caution. The goblins for the time being seem to have abandoned the idea of traveling into Delvenbrass not that there is much left their to steal. The Knight had managed to make off with most of what could be found in there, including the Well of Many Worlds which was their first stop. The Knights made their way south to the Timeless Tree in truth the last stop on their path back to Ironstead.
However along the way that night they have a strange encounter, the Knights enter into a glade only to come across one of the protectors of the forests. A Nymph named Tellsondra that lived in a small glade with a beautiful pond. The Knights decide to make camp for the night which results in a terrible nightmare for Jaken. He is given a choice in his dream to either die his soul moving on to a unknown afterlife, or to live with a curse. He chooses to live not knowing if this is simply a dream or not. That night he becomes a Oracle his eyes clouding, and a eternal wound left on his leg that looks like a clawed hand trying to hold on cursing him with a limp.
Jaken says it is the hand of Iuz, though who can say about such things. All they can say is that Jaken has been accepted into the loving arms of the gods of nature, and he believes that Ehlonna in this sacred place has saved his soul. The Knights after thanking Tellsondra leave reluctantly from the Nymphs glade though not before she gives to Arshae a lock of her hair so impressed was she by the young girl.
[Aside: In Pathfinder a nymph can act like a muse of sorts for a Bard, giving her bonuses so long as the nymph continues the bond.]
Setting out it takes them a few days to finally make their way to the Timeless Tree, when they do the Knights are glad to finally be out of the territory of the goblins of the Vesve.
Flocktime - 591 CY: The Timeless Tree
The PC's enter into the territory of the Grey Elves of the Vesve, and while there are no border markers or any real sign of the passage into one border from another they can feel it. There is a change to the air, a peace here that the parts of the forest north of here could never know. They were about 30 minutes into the forest when a Grey Elven Patrol found them lead by Lord Vaethorion, one of the most skilled Grey Elven warrior in the lands of the Timeless Tree.
He demands to know what the Knights are doing in his forest, and threatens to kick them out in till the Knights show him the beautiful cloak known only as the Well of Many Worlds. Vaethorion is taken aback by this staring with some wonder at the item, the first of it's kind made by the High Priests daughter hundreds of years ago. Nodding Vaethorion gives them passage, and escort into the lands of the Timeless Tree. He gives them permission to speak with High Priestess Calandryen of Labelas Enoreth, the leader of the shrine and enclave here.
She proves to be a hard woman to talk with, it is nearly impossible to tell if she is truly finished speaking as long as it takes her to contemplate one thought to the next, but the Knights do well enough that after a long conversation, and the returning of the Well of Many Worlds she does something that has not been done for many years. She allows a small band of Grey Elven warriors to aid the Knights. With many thanks the Knights leave the Timeless Tree, and make their way to Ironstead.
Flocktime - 591 CY - Ironstead
When the Knights arrived at Ironstead the small town is abuzz with activity of all sorts. There are mercenaries from Perrenland, Keoland, and elsewhere gathered alongside the Knights of the Hart, and the Knights of the High Forest. There are dwarven soldiers from Highguard, and even a small detachment of Grey Elven archers from Celene. The Knights meet the leader of this expedition, General Bemedior of Chendl.
He is happy to see them, and puts them to work right away helping to prepare for the battle to come. He also gives them a job well suited to their talents, it seems that the Serpent Mound is built around a ancient High Elf city similar to Flameflower in some respects. The forces of Iuz there (mostly orcs) have set up fortification on the outskirts of the Serpent Mound. There are four of them in fact, and he wants the Knights to travel to one of them.
As far as his scouts have been able to report along with what divination magic he has access too they are trying to set up some sort of shield like the one that protected Chendl during the worst days of the siege during the Greyhawk Wars.
[Aside: The shield around Chendl was me misreading something from the Furyondy Gazetteer, and not bothering to check it. So in my version of Greyhawk the Chamber of Four (wizard council of Thrommel) made a shield to protect the city though it was not a permanent effect.]
They are protecting the Serpents Mound, and if the four sites are disrupted it will be up before the army is mobilized. Thus there are three adventuring bands that were brought along for the ride, he was going to send a detachment of the army there instead but with the Knights here he is going to send them instead. Giving them a scroll of Deadeye Arrow (which lets you light a signal as one of its effects) when they have finished assaulting the complex.
They also get to meet the other adventuring parties that night, the first is called the Band of the Hand (a mercenary adventuring band), the Circle of Green (worshipers of Obad-Hai that feel very unwelcome in this forest), and the Windlords (worshipers and priests of Velaeri from Verbobonc) who all talk with the Knights. The Hand acts as rivals toward the Knights, and are antagonistic though not enough to cause too much trouble.
That next day the four adventuring parties set out for the outlying complex's to face whatever threat has been placed there as the army moves out in preparation to assault the Serpents Mound.
Conclusion: Mostly role-playing was done during this session, all of the random encounters rolled up were non-hostile something of a tradition it seems with this game. The next adventure is a fairly short dungeon, with a long stretch of down time for the Knights before heading off on their next adventure.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Last edited by Iressi on Fri Sep 23, 2011 8:56 am; edited 1 time in total
The Nymph's name was Tellsondra. I actually wrote that one down so you're not fooling me, Iressi. *Winks*
~*~*~
Ehlonna's Blessings
Character Perspective: Arshae, Aasimar Bard.
Three days since I’d met the unicorns. One day since I’d died. The morning was plain enough. We struck out to the south from Delvenbras, winding our way through the trees with our two remaining Kalistren Drafts. How was it possible that it had only been a few days since our encounter with the Behir and the loss of Ahvrania and Garek’s steeds?
Jaken walked near me and I smiled at him. From what Celeste and the others had said he cried with them when I fell and his own death came a short time after mine. The latter, of course, is disheartening. I hate to think of him dying. He’s made so much progress in the past few days… From the ways of the Old One to a reliable ally for us. I wonder though how it’s so easy for me to trust him when I trust so few… Perhaps because of how we encountered him.
I count my lucky stars that Ahvra, Garek, and Celeste made it through the rest of the Goblinoids without us.
Morning slowly slips to midday, the heat and moisture in the air made worse by the fairly hard rain falling from the skies. Somewhere in our travels we must have gotten turned around because we saw the same tree with its lightning-scar three times. Progress was slow.
Lunch was comprised of rations eaten under the shelter of our hoods. The rain soaked through them of course, leaving our skin feeling like it was coated in warm sweat. I felt worst for Ahvrania, Garek, and Jaken as the rain found the cracks in their full plate. At least we had a spare cloak to offer Jaken when Ahvra took the Cloak of the Manta Ray for herself.
Noontime crept by, and in the afternoon we stumbled quite suddenly into reprieve… A glade as beautiful as any ever dreamed, and the sky above as clear as the driest of summer days. It caught me by surprise and I cast a look around just in time to hear her giggle, like music on the wind.
My eyes lighted on an elf more stunning and beautiful than any I had ever seen. She sat on the edge of a pond, legs splashing in the water. Her dress was wet and clung to her form as I heard Celeste murmur, “She’s a nymph.”
“Quite correct you are,” the nymph responded, a smile on her lips.
We were all silent for a time, shocked at this respite after the trials we’d known in Delvenbras. The world felt safe to me in a way completely different than I’d ever known. It was Celeste who eventually spoke again.
“May we shelter in this glade?” our noble companion asked in a soft voice.
“Of course you may,” the nymph responded, rising and approaching gracefully. “My name is Tellsondra,” she said.
“A pleasure to meet you, Tellsondra. I am Celeste Kalinstren,” Celeste only paused a moment in her introduction, for she’d taken to introducing us as she did herself, but the nymph interjected.
“And you are Arshea,” Tellsondra said.
She was looking straight at me with those dazzling eyes and I found my mind racing. Was Ehlonna’s hand in this? Of course. “I-I am. How d-did you know?” My words were broken as they often were, my nerves shaken a little by her attention.
“The family of unicorns spoke to me of you when they passed through here,” Tellsondra said.
I swallowed awkwardly. “Th-they did? D-did they f-find their d-daughter?” I’d worried for them so after meeting them.
“They did,” Tellsondra said.
“S-so she’s a-alright?”
The nymph nodded before reaching a hand out and touching my cheek, “You have done so much for Ehlonna in so short a time, Arshea.”
“I-I have?” My brows were knit in confusion as I regarded her, for all I’d done was stand beside my comrades as we sought the Well of Many Worlds in the depths of Delvenbras.
Tellsondra giggled, letting her hand fall to her side again. She addressed us all then saying, “Please, all of you, take what rest you would in my care. I will keep you safe.” _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Details are fuzzy at this point. (Shame in us for our lapse in posting these.) I promise to pry as much detail as I can from my fuzzy mind, but for the most part I'll just be avoiding detail for now. I hope you still enjoy the read. This was.. an interesting adventure for the party.
~*~*~
Into The Serpent's Temple
Character Perspective: Celeste, Seuloise Wizard.
We approached the outlying temple cautiously. Arshea led, Ahvrania and Garek were close behind, and I lagged at the back. This was relatively normal for us by this point. Jaken was moving beside Arshea. Protective. Cute. It made me chuckle mentally, though I didn't laugh aloud.
The temple looked abandoned on the surface, but Arshea took a closer look. She found a secret entry, of course, and we found ourselves facing a rope ladder leading down into an underground complex. Ahvrania led. We shuffled down the ladder and Arshea cut it free, trapping us and anything inside that didn't know some other way out in the complex. I wasn't entirely sure I agreed with that course of actions, but with a vast array of scrolls, a rope of climbing, and our various prepared spells I suppose it wasn't too rash.
Arshea found another secret door in the entry chamber, but we left it for now. You never knew what lurked behind hidden doorways. Instead we opted to go west through a hallway. Our Aasimar scouted nervously, but she didn't find anything in the hall itself. She did warn us that there was talking coming from behind the door at the end to the west and the sound of eating from the chamber directly beside it to the north.
Ahvra nodded, taking lead, and burst open the western door. Meanwhile Jaken set himself at the door to the north. We were faced with one of the most horrible things we've yet encountered in the western chamber. Women, nine women... All of them pregnant. They called out to someone for protection and then fired magic missiles, all of them, at Ahvrania. The elf hissed in pain as she moved into the chamber. "Do not kill them," she called to us as she attempted to strike one with the flat of her blade as far from the stomach as she could get. Her caution made her miss.
I shifted into the chamber then, my stomach turning. I didn't want to harm the women either, or at least their unborn children. What a thing to find in a shrine we knew was working with Iuz... And why? After some hesitance I cast a Fireball into the room, modified to be Merciful. Blue swirling arcane energy burst from the central point of the spell outward, striking all but two of the women in the chamber and knocking them unconscious. 'By the Gods of Good I hope their children are unharmed.' My stomach was thoroughly unsettled, for even a bad fall can steal an unborn child's life away. It was quite possible my Merciful Fireball had done the same.
Garek moved forward and bludgeoned another carefully. His attack did land and only one of the women was left standing.
The door to the northern chamber off the hall opened then and Jaken let out an alarmed cry. "What's this?" A chilling voice spoke. "You are taking my food? That's alright, you will make fine meals.. And fine mothers."
The voice belonged to a demon. I couldn't hear Arshea when she said it's name, but I did catch her words as she stammered, "Th-they gain power as th-they... th-they e-eat innocents. Th-that's what the b-babies are f-for."
"Quite right," the creature responded as it attacked Jaken. I heard him cry in pain.
"My staff," Jaken said, "It won't hurt him."
Ahvrania turned from the chamber of the pregnant women and entered the hall again. "Move," she said to Jaken, who readily obliged. Ahvrania swung her axe at the fiend with a furious cry, "Tel Seldarine grant me the power to overcome you, Demon!" ((And here she used Smite Evil. Iressi and I often joked that the Tel Seldarine wouldn't get their strange little worshiper who traveled the land upholding LAW and good. The good they understood, but order? What madness was this? It amused me.))
The demon let out a hiss of pain and I turned toward the hall as well. I saw Arshea try to trip the foul creature, but her whip didn't make contact because of the strange angle the door forced her to attack from. Garek was going after the last pregnant woman. I knew why. We couldn't let her go for help. I shuddered to think Arshea was right about their babies as my eyes fell on the hideous fiend. What sort of person could offer their own child up to feed a demon? I could have put a pit in the small room before us, but it didn't seem wise. The demon had wings, so it would only really be good for the first few seconds of falling and the crushing property... And then it would become a hindrance to Ahvrania and Jaken if they wished to enter the chamber. Instead I pelted the creature with an Acid Arrow. Let him feel that sting for a while.
The demon fell back in the chamber and cackled at us as it attempted to summon aid, "Let's even the odds, shall we?" It asked in its twisted voice.
Another demon of the same type appeared. The battle was becoming more complicated. I heard Garek cry out in the room to the west after a small bout of fire. He didn't sound seriously injured... Comparatively speaking. I was turning toward the chamber Garek was in when I heard Arshea say, "You're a demon, you should have no trouble betraying your kind... Kill him!"
There was not even the tiniest stutter in her voice. It radiated anger, aggression. Nothing like the Arshea I'd come to know. "Ha! You think-" the demon started, but then gave a started cry, "What are you doing? Don't listen to her!"
My brows knit together as I stopped and looked back. Arshea was controlling the extra demon as if she herself had been the summoner. That was a trick I'd never seen her use before. Ahvrania grinned and entered the chamber with the two demons, Jaken close on her heels. I looked through the western door and could just make out the last woman's arm. I cast a Merciful Magic Missile at her even as my stomach sank a little more. It struck true and she let out a brief cry before falling unconscious.
Garek rounded the corner into the hall looking a bit singed. "Ruddy human cast Burning Hands on me."
I couldn't help laughing, though the sound was hollow, "And I guess you weren't quick enough to dodge her?"
"Do I look quick to yeh, Celeste?" Garek asked.
"Of course not. Arshea's got control of a demon in there. That's where Ahvrania is too," I said.
Garek nodded as he walked to the door. The sounds of combat filtered into the hallway, but I couldn't really see the battle. That was fine. My spells were mostly useless against a fiend like the one in the chamber. As I stood there in the hall I prepared to cast a pit spell if we attracted unwanted attention. It wasn't long before the battle was ended and Arshea instructed the fiend she still held sway over to heal someone. More combat, though this was not resisted. No blades clashed, rather they sank into the outsider's flesh with wet sounds.
~*~*~
The muse is not with me terribly much today, and no wonder when it's been three weeks since we really played any D&D. I thought I'd go ahead and at least write up the first encounter though. Perhaps Iressi will share more with you. _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Eep. We've just been busy. We're picking the campaign back up again this Friday, so with any luck Iressi will be up for writing some more journal entries on it. :) I know I'll be planning to.
Glad we've been missed, and on the same token sorry for disappearing. Life just gets that way sometimes, ya know? _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
No maps for the next few updates sad to say. Lost most of them recently when we moved the room all around. This is likely going to be a short one I afraid, just trying to get back into the habit of writing them.
Flocktime - 591 CY
The Knights make their way toward the ancient elven temple where part of the ritual to create a shield was being prepared. It was a ancient building dedicated to one of the stranger of the elven gods Darahl Firecloak. Darahl was corrupted for a time by a powerful artifact created by Lolth and the Queen of Air and Darkness (goddess of the Unseelie fey) the temple itself was a rather small affair when they realized that there was a hidden underground entrance. This lead to the 'true' temple of Darahl Firecloak. The Knights prepared themselves Celeste casting light and made their way down.
They encountered no resistance at first, though as they traveled north through the temple complex they came across a terrible site. They discover a horrific Nabasu that has been feasting upon slaves that he has kept in the remains of the temple. The Nabasu who is named Barbel is defeated after a long combat at the hands of the Knights. They travel north through the complex and discover a room filled with beautiful young woman all of them having been gifted with the power of sorcery from the Nabasu.
[Aside: That combat was fun. They were all level one to two sorcerers which in general wouldn't be a big thread to the PC's. However you get enough Burning Hands and the damage starts to stack up pretty quickly]
They travel through the complex fighting horrific demons that have been called here by someone known as the 'Bog Lord' who is preparing a magical device known as the Throne of Iuz in the Serpents Mound. This device would be able to spread the defilement of the glade throughout the Vesve forest, and soon enough even beyond that. They also discover the remains of a magical forge though decide that it is not worth the time to mess with at the moment.
They eventually face the demonic worshipers and cultists inside of the temple itself which has been rededicated to none other than Iuz himself. They face hordes of Dretchs, Quasits, and the head of the 'guard' a powerful toad-faced Hezrou named Malfraxis. Though even the Hezrou is not the true master of this cult, it is a Alu-Demon named Trironda who is the wizard that was preparing the ritual.
They face her along with more demons in combat before finally slaying the terrible creature. In the end they spent less than four hours in the ancient temple, but it was almost as deadly as their time in Delvenbrass. They travel back out of the temple to cast Deadeye Arrow, and move back to the retreat point that the General had told them about.
They wait and eventually join the army to strike on the Serpents Mound which has built as what defenses they could build in the short time after the failure of the shield. Eventually they make their way down the strange serpent shaped temple to the 'belly' of the beast. They meet Lord Bog, a terrible awakened frog of gigantic proportions. It tries to stall for time as it uses its corrupted druidic magic to finish the throne, but it's orc guards fail to stop the host that had been gathered there.
Lord Bog was slain by the Knight-Commander of the Knights of the High Forest, and with that the threat of the Defiled Glade was over at least for now. The victorious heroes return back to Ironstead, and eventually back to Chendl itself for some well earned rest.
Conclusion: Sorry it has been so long life got really crazy there for a time. Should be posting these more often now once the game gets back up and running. The Knights rest for a time before moving on to their next adventure which was a modified version of the Lord of the Scarlet Tide in Dragon 85.
Glad to have you two back. Yes life happens was looking for some campaign information to read. Canon Hazen needs to get busy and get rid of all those demons.
Sorry we vanished again. We never got to pick up that campaign again, and I'm afraid it's so far gone now I don't think we ever will. A real pity, that, since the characters were so strong.
I still end up skipping by here from time to time to take a read and see what's going on, but not as often as I should, and this is the first time I've signed on in months. I guess I just wanted to say, thanks again for all the support on the campaign journal while it was ongoing. I hope we were able to bring some real enjoyment to those folks who read it.
We also wish you all the best, and hope Canonfire keeps going strong. Maybe someday when our lives settle down we'll come back around for a while. In the meantime take care and best wishes to you all. :) _________________ Shadows and Dust; Just Another Soul.
Sorry to hear that "Life" is interfering is such a major way. I speak for all here when I say that we all wish you the best and hope that things return to normal for you soon.
Your contributions were much appreciated and enjoyed by all and we look forward to the time when you can get back to it.
Indeed, while we won't be continuing this campaign I am sure we will get back to Greyhawk sooner rather than later.
We are planning on running a underwater campaign using the Cerulean Seas book Aeolius put out (at least I think Aeolius put that book out) not the setting mind you but the rules inside of it.
It's a great book either way, well worth the price.
Anyway's it was a fun ride and we will be back sometime I am sure. :)
Indeed, while we won't be continuing this campaign I am sure we will get back to Greyhawk sooner rather than later.
We are planning on running a underwater campaign using the Cerulean Seas book Aeolius put out (at least I think Aeolius put that book out) not the setting mind you but the rules inside of it.
It's a great book either way, well worth the price.
Anyway's it was a fun ride and we will be back sometime I am sure. :)
I've got the perfect deadly adventure for you, then, just as soon as the Canonfire Chronicle gets published.
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Canonfire! is a production of the Thursday Group in assocation with GREYtalk and Canonfire! Enterprises
That's okay. I'll add it today for you to enjoy. 
Thus, I almost never used them. 
