Nobody reads this, so I'm just going to summarize for myself: Party finds a boat, the Farsight, Brog argues with the first mate, they go to the fortress to ask if any ships are leaving, Fallister talks his way aboard a different ship with two casks of mead, turns out the captain (Slosh) is a drunk and takes a liking to Brog. The person guarding the boat is a bit cross-eyed.
They finagle a ring of free action from Captain Slosh, Tannis interviews first mate Jacque. They are warned about a giant squid. Karsh frees an Undine from a net. They start diving on the west edge of the crater. The Undine from the previous scene on the boat directs them to Kwalish's lair. They find the way barred by a giant hermit crab. They dispatch the crab with little difficulty. They enter Kwalish's lair and see a barrel like device in the center of the room. They also find a desk with the last words of Kwalish written on it. A soldier from a different boat enters the cave, having followed the group to the illusory rock wall. Brog decides to open the portal atop the barrel, finding 10 levers inside, seats for 6 people, and room for provisions inside the device.
"I wonder if that was from the pastrami rueben I had yesterday?"
Friday, June 9, 2017
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Session 7 report, Freidvale Campaign
You don't have to wait long for a party of PC's to seek revenge when they've been wronged by a corrupt Lieutenant. Such was the case this day as the party sought Lt. Faber for setting them up with some mean ogres. They returned, predictably enough, to an empty office faintly smelling of smoke. They found the remnants of a burnt note in the wastepaper basket, which Vocifera repaired using a mending spell. The note was from the ex-captain Skarros, instructing Faber to go to Lord Bartimeus' house to find a device called Chronos. The party left quickly to try to save Bartimeus. They arrived at the manor just in time before Faber finished him off. A heated battle ensued, dominated mainly by Brog slaughtering the rank and file soldiers and Tannis occupying Lt Faber in combat, preventing him from using his bow. Vocifera dispatched one of the guards while getting Fallister back on his feet, and Karsh did his part slaying two guards as well. There was also a bit of business with a goblin dog and a fit of hideous laughter. Faber saw the writing on the wall and stepped onto a mystic glyph which teleported him... somewhere else. Tannis saw to Bartimeus' wounds and gave him blood to drink. The remaining soldiers surrendered. (They had obviously never heard of Brog and his 'interrogation' techniques.
When Bartimeus revived, he told the group that the glyph teleported down to the slave pens. So Faber was trapped. They threw the remaining guards and bodies of the others into the glyph, then headed downstairs. Faber proved recalcitrant, and challenged Brog to a duel, which Faber promptly lost in one hit. (He was already very wounded.) They found on his body a sending stone, which they used to contact Skarros and tricked him into coming to the manor alone. Once Skarros entered the room, Tannis grappled him successfully and threw him into the glyph. The party threw Faber's body in after him for good measure. Fallister gave a convincing pitch to Skarros: Either cooperate and tell the group all he knew, and they would guarantee he would not be killed for his crimes, or they would let him starve in the slave pens. With little recourse, Skarros agreed.
Skarros filled the party in on what he knew of project Guyver. Guyver referred to the dam that kept the waters of Lake See from flooding the northern plains of the Eastern Empire. The Emperor of the West planned to destroy this dam, flooding much of the arable land in the East and their capital city, effectively devastating their ability to make war before war had even started. They needed the Apparatus of Kwalish to enact this plan, using modified eggmen as bombs. This was why Dr. Jessup was testing explosions in the harbor and looking frantically for the apparatus, which was believed to be in the bay at Freidvale.
With this knowledge, the party turned Skarros over to Lord Fatsbury, the only local authority they could trust. They headed to the Temple of Abadar where Gorgio held residence, and informed him of Dr. Jessup's plans. Gorgio declared the debt the party owed him paid in full, and agreed to sell his soul to Malrond in exchange for becoming High Priest of the church of Abadar. Gorgio gave the group a note with his seal on it to take to Malrond, which they did, in exchange for a scroll that would release one person from hell.
Before he left, Bartimeus left the party with a final tidbit: The Apparatus was believed to be in an underwater volcanic crater somewhere in the bay....
All loose ends tied up, the party called it quits for the night.
When Bartimeus revived, he told the group that the glyph teleported down to the slave pens. So Faber was trapped. They threw the remaining guards and bodies of the others into the glyph, then headed downstairs. Faber proved recalcitrant, and challenged Brog to a duel, which Faber promptly lost in one hit. (He was already very wounded.) They found on his body a sending stone, which they used to contact Skarros and tricked him into coming to the manor alone. Once Skarros entered the room, Tannis grappled him successfully and threw him into the glyph. The party threw Faber's body in after him for good measure. Fallister gave a convincing pitch to Skarros: Either cooperate and tell the group all he knew, and they would guarantee he would not be killed for his crimes, or they would let him starve in the slave pens. With little recourse, Skarros agreed.
Skarros filled the party in on what he knew of project Guyver. Guyver referred to the dam that kept the waters of Lake See from flooding the northern plains of the Eastern Empire. The Emperor of the West planned to destroy this dam, flooding much of the arable land in the East and their capital city, effectively devastating their ability to make war before war had even started. They needed the Apparatus of Kwalish to enact this plan, using modified eggmen as bombs. This was why Dr. Jessup was testing explosions in the harbor and looking frantically for the apparatus, which was believed to be in the bay at Freidvale.
With this knowledge, the party turned Skarros over to Lord Fatsbury, the only local authority they could trust. They headed to the Temple of Abadar where Gorgio held residence, and informed him of Dr. Jessup's plans. Gorgio declared the debt the party owed him paid in full, and agreed to sell his soul to Malrond in exchange for becoming High Priest of the church of Abadar. Gorgio gave the group a note with his seal on it to take to Malrond, which they did, in exchange for a scroll that would release one person from hell.
Before he left, Bartimeus left the party with a final tidbit: The Apparatus was believed to be in an underwater volcanic crater somewhere in the bay....
All loose ends tied up, the party called it quits for the night.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Session 6 report, Freidvale campaign
The heroes rested after having ousted Captain Skarros and his noble payee, Hong Weitung. Corporal Wiggins had also gone missing, along with several other members of the Imperial garrison at the fortress of Freidvale. Tannis had a fitful sleep, dreaming of a dark shadow that was sniffing the air, moving ever closer towards her. It was decided, after much discussion, that the group would next investigate Lord Bartimeus' slave pens. On the way there, sharp-eyed Vocifera noticed a darkened humanoid shape slip into an alley behind them when she turned around. The group quickly pursued, but found no tracks whatsoever. Once again, the keen eyes of Vocifera noticed that her shadow was not quite tracking with her own movements. When she nervously reported this to the group, her shadow broke away into humanoid form. The being stated it was following 'the master of the cards' (Tannis) and that it could 'smell them'. It said that others would soon follow. It also stated that while it served the master of the cards, it could not follow them into direct sunlight.
Quite alarmed by this development, Tannis immediately set about obtaining some means of obfuscating the cards so that others would not pursue them. It was determined through the knowledge of things Arcane that a simple bag of holding would shelter the cards from detection, which the group quickly procured from Pascal the bookseller. Their detour concluded, the heroes continued on to Bartimeus' manor. The passed town square where holograms depicted various criminals local and national who were wanted for assorted crimes. The group recognized Captain Skarros and Corporal Wiggins and Hong Weitung as a trio of wanted men.
Lord Bartimeus, who had no servants it would seem, opened the door himself, wrapped from head to toe in rags to shelter him from the deadly sun. He led them to the slave pens where two of his 'cattle' had been abducted and murdered. It had been too long for Brog to track the murderers, but he didn't notice a splash of blood on the wall, which Bartimeus decried as being horribly wasteful. There was a passage leading to the undercity, orc territory according to Bart. The heroes resolved to investigate the tunnels, but not before Bart warned them not to head west through the tunnels, as this was the abode of unsanctioned undead. Brog rejoiced that he would finally be able to put his orc-slaying skills to good use.
The group was not long into orc territory when they stepped into the midst of an ambush. The orcs and their Wererat ally had the element of surprise, but it mattered little. Brog made short work of three of the orcs, while Karsh slew the vicious wererat, but not before it scratched him in the face. Thanks to the healing efforts of Vocifiera, Karsh was kept curse and disease free for the time being. The final orc dropped his crossbow and plead for mercy. He escaped with one foot intact, the other in hand (thanks to Brog), but not before he admitted to taking a bribe from some imperial soldiers to let them pass through to Bart's slave pens. Even better, the group had made it to level 3, at 5230 experience points.
The next stop was a return trip to the Fortress, where they visited Lt. Faber, who was furiously filling out paperwork in the absence of his Captain. When questioned, he wiped sweat from his brow, checked the forms, and informed the group that Captain Skarros himself had investigated the crime scene, and that they had received an anonymous tip that the slaves had been murdered. The tip came in the form of a note, Faber reported, that had vanished after the investigation. Before the group left, he handed them a bill for the capture of the leader of the Crimson Claw gang, and asked if the heroes would do him the favor of capturing the criminal. His last known location was at the ruins of the Chapel of Saint Mel, outside of Freidvale.
At the ruins, the group found a single corpse bearing the mark of the Crimson Claw, it's neck having been broken by intense blunt force trauma to the head. Something large and powerful had hit him over the head. Only moments later, two immense, hideous humanoid creatures stepped onto the road behind the heroes. They made their intentions clear a moment later when they threw javelins at the group.
Tannis was quickest and charged, getting pummeled within an inch of her life for her trouble. Vocifera and Fallister managed to get her back on her feet, while Brog and Karsh managed to slay one of the ogres (for Brog recognized the creatures for what they were). Tannis had few hit points and few options left, so she hit the remaining ogre with all her might... a critical hit! She slew the ogre with a single blow.
The group set about investigating the altar and the statue which were still largely intact in the ruins. Tannis checked the altar and detected a crack between it and the stone floor of the chapel. Fallister set the statue aright, putting a stone quill in its hand, which opened the way to a crypt beneath the altar. They also heard a disturbing moaning coming from the crypt. Vocifera detected an undead monster close by, then proceeded to blast the bajeebers out of it using channel positive energy. Saving her last remaining channels for healing, Karsh and Brog bravely stepped into the crypt, ghost-touch swords in hand. The gifts from Lord Fatsbury served them well, as they were able to dispatch the wraith, but not before its chilling touch drained Brog of some of his vitality....
Inside the tomb, the spirit of Saint Melrose awakened, and the luminous being greeted the heroes, granting them his Sacred Quill as a reward for letting his spirit rest once again and purifying his chapel. Using the quill, they translated the document they had received from Gnosh the locksmith, and learned of a secret Project codenamed Guyver. It seemed Dr. Jessup was working on some sort of bomb that relied on living beings for its activation. But what was he planning to destroy? The note did not specify, but it did state the urgency of locating the Apparatus of Kwalish, a device that was crucial to the Emperor's plans....
Quite alarmed by this development, Tannis immediately set about obtaining some means of obfuscating the cards so that others would not pursue them. It was determined through the knowledge of things Arcane that a simple bag of holding would shelter the cards from detection, which the group quickly procured from Pascal the bookseller. Their detour concluded, the heroes continued on to Bartimeus' manor. The passed town square where holograms depicted various criminals local and national who were wanted for assorted crimes. The group recognized Captain Skarros and Corporal Wiggins and Hong Weitung as a trio of wanted men.
Lord Bartimeus, who had no servants it would seem, opened the door himself, wrapped from head to toe in rags to shelter him from the deadly sun. He led them to the slave pens where two of his 'cattle' had been abducted and murdered. It had been too long for Brog to track the murderers, but he didn't notice a splash of blood on the wall, which Bartimeus decried as being horribly wasteful. There was a passage leading to the undercity, orc territory according to Bart. The heroes resolved to investigate the tunnels, but not before Bart warned them not to head west through the tunnels, as this was the abode of unsanctioned undead. Brog rejoiced that he would finally be able to put his orc-slaying skills to good use.
The group was not long into orc territory when they stepped into the midst of an ambush. The orcs and their Wererat ally had the element of surprise, but it mattered little. Brog made short work of three of the orcs, while Karsh slew the vicious wererat, but not before it scratched him in the face. Thanks to the healing efforts of Vocifiera, Karsh was kept curse and disease free for the time being. The final orc dropped his crossbow and plead for mercy. He escaped with one foot intact, the other in hand (thanks to Brog), but not before he admitted to taking a bribe from some imperial soldiers to let them pass through to Bart's slave pens. Even better, the group had made it to level 3, at 5230 experience points.
The next stop was a return trip to the Fortress, where they visited Lt. Faber, who was furiously filling out paperwork in the absence of his Captain. When questioned, he wiped sweat from his brow, checked the forms, and informed the group that Captain Skarros himself had investigated the crime scene, and that they had received an anonymous tip that the slaves had been murdered. The tip came in the form of a note, Faber reported, that had vanished after the investigation. Before the group left, he handed them a bill for the capture of the leader of the Crimson Claw gang, and asked if the heroes would do him the favor of capturing the criminal. His last known location was at the ruins of the Chapel of Saint Mel, outside of Freidvale.
At the ruins, the group found a single corpse bearing the mark of the Crimson Claw, it's neck having been broken by intense blunt force trauma to the head. Something large and powerful had hit him over the head. Only moments later, two immense, hideous humanoid creatures stepped onto the road behind the heroes. They made their intentions clear a moment later when they threw javelins at the group.
Tannis was quickest and charged, getting pummeled within an inch of her life for her trouble. Vocifera and Fallister managed to get her back on her feet, while Brog and Karsh managed to slay one of the ogres (for Brog recognized the creatures for what they were). Tannis had few hit points and few options left, so she hit the remaining ogre with all her might... a critical hit! She slew the ogre with a single blow.
The group set about investigating the altar and the statue which were still largely intact in the ruins. Tannis checked the altar and detected a crack between it and the stone floor of the chapel. Fallister set the statue aright, putting a stone quill in its hand, which opened the way to a crypt beneath the altar. They also heard a disturbing moaning coming from the crypt. Vocifera detected an undead monster close by, then proceeded to blast the bajeebers out of it using channel positive energy. Saving her last remaining channels for healing, Karsh and Brog bravely stepped into the crypt, ghost-touch swords in hand. The gifts from Lord Fatsbury served them well, as they were able to dispatch the wraith, but not before its chilling touch drained Brog of some of his vitality....
Inside the tomb, the spirit of Saint Melrose awakened, and the luminous being greeted the heroes, granting them his Sacred Quill as a reward for letting his spirit rest once again and purifying his chapel. Using the quill, they translated the document they had received from Gnosh the locksmith, and learned of a secret Project codenamed Guyver. It seemed Dr. Jessup was working on some sort of bomb that relied on living beings for its activation. But what was he planning to destroy? The note did not specify, but it did state the urgency of locating the Apparatus of Kwalish, a device that was crucial to the Emperor's plans....
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Session Four Report, Freidvale Campaign, part 2
I'm going to level with you guys, I know I've got the sequence of events out of order. I believe the correct order was you talked to Corporal Wiggins, he implicated Menfa, a witness who claimed that Li Hao perpetrated the murders, and then Menfa quickly cracked under interrogation from Karsh and admitted that he had been threatened to frame Li Hao to free Tan Shuhui (Centipede) after Hong Wei Tung had bribed the Magistrate. They then went to see Li Hao, gave him 2/5ths of the Scorpion gold, and Li Hao was promptly arrested. They busted him out of jail and went to confront Hong directly at his manor. Fallister advised waiting for the Lizard to return, but Brog was certain the Toad (Li Hao) was invincible and could help them beat Hung (who turned out to be the Snake of the Poison Clan). All would have probably gone according to plan, had not the Scorpion been waiting at Hung's manor in hiding and instantly hit the Toad in his weak spot, his ears. Li's kung fu was broken, and the party now faced the Snake and the Centipede (who had just that day been released from prison) without Li's help against them. The party agreed to call it a night then.
You are currently at 3440 xp each. You need 1560xp each to advance to 3rd level (total 5000).
You are currently at 3440 xp each. You need 1560xp each to advance to 3rd level (total 5000).
Monday, December 12, 2016
Session four report, Freidvale campaign
The players convened at a party thrown for them by the Duke of Friedvale, the honorable Lord Gormless Fatsbury. Attending the party were numerous persons of import, and Brog seemed determined to speak to each and every one of them, with or without the Bard's help. Their first attendee was Lord Malrond, the official ambassador to Hell for the city of Friedvale. Their conversation was rather productive, where Brog learned he could procure a Get-Out-of-Hell-Free scroll if he aided Malrond in convincing the Good Bishop Gorgio (another party goer) to sign over his immortal soul in exchange for the High Priesthood of the church of Abadar (still the 'official' religion of the Empire, although it is rumored that the Emperor has himself made deals with Asmodeus, ruler of the 9 Hells.)
Next, the trio of Falister, Tannis and Brog spoke with Bishop Gorgio, and his assistant, Postulant Clark. They asked if he would be willing to sell his soul for the High Priesthood, upon which the good bishop made it known that he would do so only if he were assured of a prominent place in Hell upon his demise....
Brog also had a brief conversation with Lord Bartimeus, who was quite obviously not human. Bartimeus asked if Brog would be so kind as to exonerate him in a small matter involving the illegal feeding upon non-slaves. Lord Bart stated that he was innocent of any non state-sanctioned feeding and that someone had planted a body in his stables to discredit him. Brog agreed to help investigate later.
Sharp-eyed Tannis noticed one of the guard corporals acting suspicious. Corporal Wiggins was sweating profusely, eyes darting nervously. When Fallister questioned him, Wiggins said, "Not here, it's not safe. Meet me at the [name escapes me] Tavern at dusk tomorrow."
Grog spoke to Lord Kinrei and his body guard Virasu Leafcutter (an elf) and inquired why elves were tolerated at this party. Lord Kinrei allowed, rather sheepishly, that this elf in particular was only allowed in because he was Kinrei's slave and body guard. When asked why he was here from the capital, Kinrei explained that he was seeing to Lord Bartimeus after he complained of bad dreams. Lord Kinrei was an expert in the Eastern Healing Arts of directing the flow of chi through the body using acupressure and acupuncture, and he was assisting Lord Bartimeus with these dreams. He asked to examine Brog's aura, touched him in the middle of his forehead, after which Brog had a strange vision but could remember none of it. Lord Kinrei allowed as how Brog had a very bright future ahead of him, and then Brog excused himself.
It was around this time that Brog had the presence of mind to ask about when the next full moon was due. It just so happened, through his knowledge of astrology, that Fallister recalled that the next moonrise would occur in just a few minutes. Brog dragged Fallister to the stables (as he began sprouting long whiskers) while Tannis appealed to Bishop Gorgio for help in removing the curse from their friend. Bishop Gorgio said he would lend the services of a priest in his service who was also attending the party this evening, but the Heroes of the City had to agree to help him ascertain what Dr. Jessup was up to in the harbor at Friedvale. Numerous explosions had been witnessed in the bay, and Gorgio wanted assurances that his assets at the docks were not in any jeopardy. Tannis hastily agreed and led the good priest to the stables where Brog was wrestling furiously with the now transformed bard. Fortunately, Brog was armored head to toe, and the vicious wererat failed to inflict any damage on the valiant ranger. The priest removed the curse from Fallister, who instantly regained his human form.
The final party guest consulted that evening was Hong Wei Tung, a wealthy silk merchant's son. Lord Hong informed Brog that he had made a grave error, that the Black Hand Murderer was still at large and that the identity of the murderer was one Li Hao. [Much excitement from Vocifera as she looked over her notes from previous sessions.] When asked how he knew this, Lord Hong stated that the person they had apprehended was at his residence when several of the murders were perpetrated, so the person they had caught could not be the real murderer. The party remained unconvinced, but said they would investigate, if for no other reason than to ensure their good name and that they remained in the good graces of Duke Fatsbury.
With the final interview completed, the party took their leave of Fatsbury Castle and retired for the evening, leaving watches and taking their ease and recounting tales of their exploits to Karsh and Vocifera.
It was decided the following morning that they would keep their appointment with Corporal Wiggins that evening after interviewing Li Hao at the Inn where he was staying. The party made a deposit at the Temple of Abadar on 9th street, and then proceeded to the inn where Li was reputed to be staying. At the mention of the Centipede and the Black Hand Murders, Li promptly picked Fallister up by the throat with one hand. Fallister hastily convinced Li that they were friends, and the smooth talking bard even got Li to admit that he was none other than the Toad, the fifth of the last pupils of the Poison Clan. Li stated that a share of the gold belonged to him and his friend, the Lizard (whom he did not identify by name), and the party agreed to give two fifths of the Scorpion gold to Li and his friend. They went to the bank, gave Li his money, saw a bunch of guards coming their way and wished Li well and then ducked down an alley. The watched as Li promptly beat the stuffing out of the guards, but then another guard approached and seemed to convince Li to stop fighting. The group left together and the party left satisfied that Li was in good hands.
The rest to follow in Part Two.
Next, the trio of Falister, Tannis and Brog spoke with Bishop Gorgio, and his assistant, Postulant Clark. They asked if he would be willing to sell his soul for the High Priesthood, upon which the good bishop made it known that he would do so only if he were assured of a prominent place in Hell upon his demise....
Brog also had a brief conversation with Lord Bartimeus, who was quite obviously not human. Bartimeus asked if Brog would be so kind as to exonerate him in a small matter involving the illegal feeding upon non-slaves. Lord Bart stated that he was innocent of any non state-sanctioned feeding and that someone had planted a body in his stables to discredit him. Brog agreed to help investigate later.
Sharp-eyed Tannis noticed one of the guard corporals acting suspicious. Corporal Wiggins was sweating profusely, eyes darting nervously. When Fallister questioned him, Wiggins said, "Not here, it's not safe. Meet me at the [name escapes me] Tavern at dusk tomorrow."
Grog spoke to Lord Kinrei and his body guard Virasu Leafcutter (an elf) and inquired why elves were tolerated at this party. Lord Kinrei allowed, rather sheepishly, that this elf in particular was only allowed in because he was Kinrei's slave and body guard. When asked why he was here from the capital, Kinrei explained that he was seeing to Lord Bartimeus after he complained of bad dreams. Lord Kinrei was an expert in the Eastern Healing Arts of directing the flow of chi through the body using acupressure and acupuncture, and he was assisting Lord Bartimeus with these dreams. He asked to examine Brog's aura, touched him in the middle of his forehead, after which Brog had a strange vision but could remember none of it. Lord Kinrei allowed as how Brog had a very bright future ahead of him, and then Brog excused himself.
It was around this time that Brog had the presence of mind to ask about when the next full moon was due. It just so happened, through his knowledge of astrology, that Fallister recalled that the next moonrise would occur in just a few minutes. Brog dragged Fallister to the stables (as he began sprouting long whiskers) while Tannis appealed to Bishop Gorgio for help in removing the curse from their friend. Bishop Gorgio said he would lend the services of a priest in his service who was also attending the party this evening, but the Heroes of the City had to agree to help him ascertain what Dr. Jessup was up to in the harbor at Friedvale. Numerous explosions had been witnessed in the bay, and Gorgio wanted assurances that his assets at the docks were not in any jeopardy. Tannis hastily agreed and led the good priest to the stables where Brog was wrestling furiously with the now transformed bard. Fortunately, Brog was armored head to toe, and the vicious wererat failed to inflict any damage on the valiant ranger. The priest removed the curse from Fallister, who instantly regained his human form.
The final party guest consulted that evening was Hong Wei Tung, a wealthy silk merchant's son. Lord Hong informed Brog that he had made a grave error, that the Black Hand Murderer was still at large and that the identity of the murderer was one Li Hao. [Much excitement from Vocifera as she looked over her notes from previous sessions.] When asked how he knew this, Lord Hong stated that the person they had apprehended was at his residence when several of the murders were perpetrated, so the person they had caught could not be the real murderer. The party remained unconvinced, but said they would investigate, if for no other reason than to ensure their good name and that they remained in the good graces of Duke Fatsbury.
With the final interview completed, the party took their leave of Fatsbury Castle and retired for the evening, leaving watches and taking their ease and recounting tales of their exploits to Karsh and Vocifera.
It was decided the following morning that they would keep their appointment with Corporal Wiggins that evening after interviewing Li Hao at the Inn where he was staying. The party made a deposit at the Temple of Abadar on 9th street, and then proceeded to the inn where Li was reputed to be staying. At the mention of the Centipede and the Black Hand Murders, Li promptly picked Fallister up by the throat with one hand. Fallister hastily convinced Li that they were friends, and the smooth talking bard even got Li to admit that he was none other than the Toad, the fifth of the last pupils of the Poison Clan. Li stated that a share of the gold belonged to him and his friend, the Lizard (whom he did not identify by name), and the party agreed to give two fifths of the Scorpion gold to Li and his friend. They went to the bank, gave Li his money, saw a bunch of guards coming their way and wished Li well and then ducked down an alley. The watched as Li promptly beat the stuffing out of the guards, but then another guard approached and seemed to convince Li to stop fighting. The group left together and the party left satisfied that Li was in good hands.
The rest to follow in Part Two.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Session Three Report, Rogues and Ninjas
Our brave heroes discussed their plans at length on how to capture the Black Hand Gang, perpetrators of a series of heinous murders on the Freidvale waterfront. Some wanted to parade Oberon along the docks until the killer took the bait. They eventually decided to take some of the gold they had acquired from Oberon that bore the symbol of a scorpion and spend it at the Skinny Puppy Tavern, hoping that the killer would hear word of this and track them back to Oberon's house. Fallister was chosen to carry out the mission with his silver tongue, while Karsh would provide backup should things go south.
And south they went. The bartender, a Halfling named Rolf, immediately tried to drug Fallister when he flashed the scorpion gold and asked for a drink. Fallister was not so easily drugged, rolling high on his Fort save. Karsh readied his sword, a half orc in the tavern readied her axe, but Fallister quickly de-escalated the situation with some calming words. Fallister agreed to give the bar patrons 50 gp in exchange for foregoing any hostilities, and the denizens of the Skinny Puppy readily agreed. Karsh was dispatched to fetch the additional gold, while Fallister lost 4 copper in a game of Old Maid with two scarred elves named Benny and Joon. When Karsh returned with the gold, the bartender offered Fallister another drink, just to show there were no hard feelings. The drink was drugged yet again, and despite profuse apologies from Rolf, Karsh and Fallister quickly took their leave.
The party made preparations for attack back in Oberon's basement. They didn't wait long. Karsh stood guard by the door, shadows flickering in the dim candlelight. He heard the tiniest creaking of the floorboards above them at midnight, and quickly woke the others. Moments later, Joon, one of the elves from the Skinny Puppy, leapt from the shadows to attack. A vicious brawl broke out, with Joon expertly diving between Karsh and Brog without a scratch to flank the half orc between herself and her compatriot, Benny, who had appeared in the stairway. The party launched several tanglefoot bags (at the walls), while the fighters and rogues exchanged blows. Brog was brought low by a strike from Joon, but was quickly revived by healing from Vocifera. Meanwhile Karsh and Brog had managed to deal considerable damage to Benny, who was spitting blood. The tide finally turned when Tannis grappled Joon, rendering her largely helpless as she was unable to break the grapple. The monk rained blows down upon her, while Karsh pursued the fleeing Benny up the stairs. The party converged on Joon and rendered her unconscious.
The party debated on whether to revive Joon or let her bleed out. Brog was the voice of reason on this one, wanting to question her first. Vocifera healed her enough to stop the bleeding. Joon promised not to cross the party again, saying they had learned their lesson. The party kept her weapons and magical items: a rapier, a returning dagger and a magical belt, but let Joon live to fight another day. An additional reward for their efforts was that they had earned enough experience to reach level 2.
Having been a night of considerable energy expenditure, the party set watches and rested. They didn't rest for long as a crash from upstairs woke the group and brought them to full alert status. A man in red emerged from the staircase, did some nifty martial arts moves in rapid succession, and left little doubt in the party's minds that this was the infamous Centipede, believed to be the perpetrator of the Black Hand murders. The Centipede moved quickly and disarmed Karsh, who immediately drew another weapon. Vocifera threw her returning dagger, only to have it snatched from the air by the nimble Centipede. His hands now full, the party attacked him in earnest. Tannis struck true with her oddly-named weapon whose name I can never remember or spell, Brog hacked away with his twin axes, and Karsh landed some shots with a long sword. Were it not for their recently acquired new abilities, the party might have been doomed, but instead they prevailed after a tough fight. Even Vocifera landed at least two critical hits with a regular dagger when her healing spells were exhausted. They bound the defeated foe hand and foot and brought him to the fortress for trial.
Lord Gormless Fatsbury, Duke and ruler of the city of Freidvale, was delighted by the news that the killer had at last been apprehended, and he invited the party to a... well, a party at his castle. Brog, Tannis and Fallister accepted while Vocifera, fearing she would be discriminated against as an elf, stayed in Oberon's basement with Karsh. They needn't have worried, so it turned out, as Lord Gormless revealed his master at arms was a Drow, a dark elf. The Duke explained his love of the undercity of Detropolis and his fascination with the races that populated it. He brought the three heroes to his armory and gave them special gifts, hand wraps for the Monk, a sword for Karsh and an axe for Brog. Lord Fatsbury explained that these weapons were used in the Third War for the White Plains, and area filled with the undead, and that each of the weapons had the special quality of enabling the wielder to affect non-corporeal creatures. He then led the party down to his stables where he introduced them to Caius, a trained rhinoceros mount that he had personally ridden into battle in their youth. He also showed them Cassiopeia, a dire bat mount, and Brutus, a giant spider mount ridden by his Drow master at arms.
The session was ended just as the other party guests arrived.
And south they went. The bartender, a Halfling named Rolf, immediately tried to drug Fallister when he flashed the scorpion gold and asked for a drink. Fallister was not so easily drugged, rolling high on his Fort save. Karsh readied his sword, a half orc in the tavern readied her axe, but Fallister quickly de-escalated the situation with some calming words. Fallister agreed to give the bar patrons 50 gp in exchange for foregoing any hostilities, and the denizens of the Skinny Puppy readily agreed. Karsh was dispatched to fetch the additional gold, while Fallister lost 4 copper in a game of Old Maid with two scarred elves named Benny and Joon. When Karsh returned with the gold, the bartender offered Fallister another drink, just to show there were no hard feelings. The drink was drugged yet again, and despite profuse apologies from Rolf, Karsh and Fallister quickly took their leave.
The party made preparations for attack back in Oberon's basement. They didn't wait long. Karsh stood guard by the door, shadows flickering in the dim candlelight. He heard the tiniest creaking of the floorboards above them at midnight, and quickly woke the others. Moments later, Joon, one of the elves from the Skinny Puppy, leapt from the shadows to attack. A vicious brawl broke out, with Joon expertly diving between Karsh and Brog without a scratch to flank the half orc between herself and her compatriot, Benny, who had appeared in the stairway. The party launched several tanglefoot bags (at the walls), while the fighters and rogues exchanged blows. Brog was brought low by a strike from Joon, but was quickly revived by healing from Vocifera. Meanwhile Karsh and Brog had managed to deal considerable damage to Benny, who was spitting blood. The tide finally turned when Tannis grappled Joon, rendering her largely helpless as she was unable to break the grapple. The monk rained blows down upon her, while Karsh pursued the fleeing Benny up the stairs. The party converged on Joon and rendered her unconscious.
The party debated on whether to revive Joon or let her bleed out. Brog was the voice of reason on this one, wanting to question her first. Vocifera healed her enough to stop the bleeding. Joon promised not to cross the party again, saying they had learned their lesson. The party kept her weapons and magical items: a rapier, a returning dagger and a magical belt, but let Joon live to fight another day. An additional reward for their efforts was that they had earned enough experience to reach level 2.
Having been a night of considerable energy expenditure, the party set watches and rested. They didn't rest for long as a crash from upstairs woke the group and brought them to full alert status. A man in red emerged from the staircase, did some nifty martial arts moves in rapid succession, and left little doubt in the party's minds that this was the infamous Centipede, believed to be the perpetrator of the Black Hand murders. The Centipede moved quickly and disarmed Karsh, who immediately drew another weapon. Vocifera threw her returning dagger, only to have it snatched from the air by the nimble Centipede. His hands now full, the party attacked him in earnest. Tannis struck true with her oddly-named weapon whose name I can never remember or spell, Brog hacked away with his twin axes, and Karsh landed some shots with a long sword. Were it not for their recently acquired new abilities, the party might have been doomed, but instead they prevailed after a tough fight. Even Vocifera landed at least two critical hits with a regular dagger when her healing spells were exhausted. They bound the defeated foe hand and foot and brought him to the fortress for trial.
Lord Gormless Fatsbury, Duke and ruler of the city of Freidvale, was delighted by the news that the killer had at last been apprehended, and he invited the party to a... well, a party at his castle. Brog, Tannis and Fallister accepted while Vocifera, fearing she would be discriminated against as an elf, stayed in Oberon's basement with Karsh. They needn't have worried, so it turned out, as Lord Gormless revealed his master at arms was a Drow, a dark elf. The Duke explained his love of the undercity of Detropolis and his fascination with the races that populated it. He brought the three heroes to his armory and gave them special gifts, hand wraps for the Monk, a sword for Karsh and an axe for Brog. Lord Fatsbury explained that these weapons were used in the Third War for the White Plains, and area filled with the undead, and that each of the weapons had the special quality of enabling the wielder to affect non-corporeal creatures. He then led the party down to his stables where he introduced them to Caius, a trained rhinoceros mount that he had personally ridden into battle in their youth. He also showed them Cassiopeia, a dire bat mount, and Brutus, a giant spider mount ridden by his Drow master at arms.
The session was ended just as the other party guests arrived.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Saint Mel of Freidvale
The life of Melrose of Freidvale does not appear worthy of sainthood at first glance. He was a scribe, a seventh son of the Lord Yuntoth Malbork, who as such had little hope of an inheritance or a landed title, so he intended to enter the priesthood of Saranae in the seminary at Hartgestein at the age of 18 in the year 206 Y.L. He was rejected as a postulant (hopeful priest in the service of the temple) for his refusal to engage in combat or to handle any sort of a weapon. He is reported as having refused in a rather disastrous fashion, throwing his mace behind him which happened to strike the Archbishop of Hartgestein as he was passing by on a visitation. As Mel was a noble's son, he was relegated to the role of temple scribe rather than banished from the faith entirely, as even an Archbishop will think twice before crossing a lord of Malbork. He was sent to the city of Freidvale, miles from Hartgestein, where it was expected he would toil at making copies of holy texts in anonymity until the day he quietly retired from the clergy.
Mel did toil as a scribe for some time, though the years were not quiet. His superiors were continually vexed with his production. The young scribe was slow, sloppy, and perpetually made errors that had to be rewritten. Neither was he well liked by his fellow scribes, who often played pranks on him, such as filling his inkwell with skunk essence or booby-trapping the outhouse so that it collapsed when he sat down on it.
This ignominy did not deter faithful Mel. He continued on at his labors, taking derision in stride as his due. When his Father Superior could not shame the young scribe into leaving of his own accord, he decided to take matters to hand directly. Mel was given an ultimatum - copy an 200 page holy manuscript of Saranae's teachings in 10 days time or face expulsion from the order. While this was humanly possible for an ordinary scribe, for a person of Mel's limitations they might as well have asked him to fly from Freidvale Abbey to the Capital and back in two days. Mel resolved to try, nonetheless.
In what was for him a superhuman effort, Mel slept only four hours a day, ate very little, and wrote every waking minute for the next 7 days. When it was discovered that he had nearly completed his task ahead of time, the other scribes put their heads together and hatched a plan. On the 8th day of his trial when Mel made his way from the tower spire to his living quarters, carrying the completed manuscript pages, his quill, and his bottle of ink, one of the scribes contrived to trip him in passing, sending the manuscript, the ink, and Mel tumbling down the stairs. The results were predictable.
Mel was devastated. All he had wanted was to serve Saranae in whatever capacity she saw fit. Rewriting his work was quite literally impossible now, with only a night and two days left. He prayed to Saranae that night to show him the way, and fell fast asleep at his cot for several hours.
When he awoke, from a dream he could never later recall, he found a quill in his hand that seemed to burn like fire in the morning sunlight, and there were manuscript pages under his face. In astonishment, Mel looked over the work beneath him and found the holy book had been copied perfectly, in his own handwriting, no less! He set the quill down and ran to the Father Superior to report the miracle that had happened. The Father was no less astonished, nor was he pleased. He accused Mel of using arcane magic (an accusation made more ridiculous by the fact that Mel showed no aptitude for magic of any kind) and demanded he reproduce the feat with witnesses by his side day and night. Mel, of course, could not refuse his Superior, and, though he was by now exhausted, assented once again.
On the very first night, Mel again fell fast asleep at his desk, as did his witnesses shortly afterward. When the three awoke, the another copy of the manuscript, in Mel's shaky handwriting, had been completed. The Father Superior ordered the room scanned for magic, and the quill that had appeared overnight in Mel's hand glowed brightly - it was of artifact level. When asked how he had come by it, Mel explained his story yet again, and no amount of attempts to divine lies would prove that he was not telling the truth. The quill was confiscated as an unholy thing (even though it was identified as having a holy aura) and locked away in side a secure chest and sent by carriage back to Hartgestein for study by arcanists. Mel was ordered to copy the book once more, this time with the Father Superior watching and having cast protection from evil over the study in advance. Once more Mel fell asleep, as did the Father Superior some time after midnight.
When the two awoke, the Father Superior roared in anger. The book had been copied in his sleep... all over his face and hands. Every inch of his skin bore Mel's handwriting of the holy words of Saranae. To make matters worse, Mel held the fiery quill that had been sealed and sent away in his hand. It is said that the two had to be separated then and the Father's hands pried from around Mel's neck. The poor Father Superior never recovered from his shock and rage over this event, and he had to be committed to a home for the irretrievably insane and the infirm for the rest of his years.
The writing is said to have never faded from his skin.
The matter of Mel's three miracles (so they have been declared some time ago) was thoroughly investigated by the Bishop, but none could reach any conclusion other than that Saranae had intervened directly on the part of the poor hapless scribe. Mel was invited to rejoin his studies for the priesthood once more, which he declined. He spent his days copying texts with the Holy Quill, sometimes in his sleep, and his writing grew more beautiful with each passing year. Holy texts copied in the hand of saint Mel are believed to bring healing and long life to the bearer. The Holy Quill itself was buried with him beneath a small chapel outside of Freidvale, not far from his abbey. No one has attempted to separate the quill from its rightful bearer since. Saint Mel is the patron saint of patience, endurance, and divine intervention in the face of insurmountable odds. An order of priests known as the Mellites sprang up shortly after his canonization, a band who refused to use weapons, quite unusual for followers of Saranae. Vestiges of the order still exist in scattered monasteries throughout the western half of the empire.
Mel did toil as a scribe for some time, though the years were not quiet. His superiors were continually vexed with his production. The young scribe was slow, sloppy, and perpetually made errors that had to be rewritten. Neither was he well liked by his fellow scribes, who often played pranks on him, such as filling his inkwell with skunk essence or booby-trapping the outhouse so that it collapsed when he sat down on it.
This ignominy did not deter faithful Mel. He continued on at his labors, taking derision in stride as his due. When his Father Superior could not shame the young scribe into leaving of his own accord, he decided to take matters to hand directly. Mel was given an ultimatum - copy an 200 page holy manuscript of Saranae's teachings in 10 days time or face expulsion from the order. While this was humanly possible for an ordinary scribe, for a person of Mel's limitations they might as well have asked him to fly from Freidvale Abbey to the Capital and back in two days. Mel resolved to try, nonetheless.
In what was for him a superhuman effort, Mel slept only four hours a day, ate very little, and wrote every waking minute for the next 7 days. When it was discovered that he had nearly completed his task ahead of time, the other scribes put their heads together and hatched a plan. On the 8th day of his trial when Mel made his way from the tower spire to his living quarters, carrying the completed manuscript pages, his quill, and his bottle of ink, one of the scribes contrived to trip him in passing, sending the manuscript, the ink, and Mel tumbling down the stairs. The results were predictable.
Mel was devastated. All he had wanted was to serve Saranae in whatever capacity she saw fit. Rewriting his work was quite literally impossible now, with only a night and two days left. He prayed to Saranae that night to show him the way, and fell fast asleep at his cot for several hours.
When he awoke, from a dream he could never later recall, he found a quill in his hand that seemed to burn like fire in the morning sunlight, and there were manuscript pages under his face. In astonishment, Mel looked over the work beneath him and found the holy book had been copied perfectly, in his own handwriting, no less! He set the quill down and ran to the Father Superior to report the miracle that had happened. The Father was no less astonished, nor was he pleased. He accused Mel of using arcane magic (an accusation made more ridiculous by the fact that Mel showed no aptitude for magic of any kind) and demanded he reproduce the feat with witnesses by his side day and night. Mel, of course, could not refuse his Superior, and, though he was by now exhausted, assented once again.
On the very first night, Mel again fell fast asleep at his desk, as did his witnesses shortly afterward. When the three awoke, the another copy of the manuscript, in Mel's shaky handwriting, had been completed. The Father Superior ordered the room scanned for magic, and the quill that had appeared overnight in Mel's hand glowed brightly - it was of artifact level. When asked how he had come by it, Mel explained his story yet again, and no amount of attempts to divine lies would prove that he was not telling the truth. The quill was confiscated as an unholy thing (even though it was identified as having a holy aura) and locked away in side a secure chest and sent by carriage back to Hartgestein for study by arcanists. Mel was ordered to copy the book once more, this time with the Father Superior watching and having cast protection from evil over the study in advance. Once more Mel fell asleep, as did the Father Superior some time after midnight.
When the two awoke, the Father Superior roared in anger. The book had been copied in his sleep... all over his face and hands. Every inch of his skin bore Mel's handwriting of the holy words of Saranae. To make matters worse, Mel held the fiery quill that had been sealed and sent away in his hand. It is said that the two had to be separated then and the Father's hands pried from around Mel's neck. The poor Father Superior never recovered from his shock and rage over this event, and he had to be committed to a home for the irretrievably insane and the infirm for the rest of his years.
The writing is said to have never faded from his skin.
The matter of Mel's three miracles (so they have been declared some time ago) was thoroughly investigated by the Bishop, but none could reach any conclusion other than that Saranae had intervened directly on the part of the poor hapless scribe. Mel was invited to rejoin his studies for the priesthood once more, which he declined. He spent his days copying texts with the Holy Quill, sometimes in his sleep, and his writing grew more beautiful with each passing year. Holy texts copied in the hand of saint Mel are believed to bring healing and long life to the bearer. The Holy Quill itself was buried with him beneath a small chapel outside of Freidvale, not far from his abbey. No one has attempted to separate the quill from its rightful bearer since. Saint Mel is the patron saint of patience, endurance, and divine intervention in the face of insurmountable odds. An order of priests known as the Mellites sprang up shortly after his canonization, a band who refused to use weapons, quite unusual for followers of Saranae. Vestiges of the order still exist in scattered monasteries throughout the western half of the empire.
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