Storyline

[Brian 2]

And here is where we will log the happenings of the game... ;D

[Brian 2]

July 28th Recap
The party meets on a merchant / cargo ship en route to Gwynned on the isle of Northern Ergoth. The waters around the capital city’s port are dangerous due to numerous pirate attacks, while the southern coastline maintains a permanent winter gale from the Dragon Overlord Frost’s outpost on Southern Ergoth. The pirate ship Sextant approaches at dusk, helmed by a female purple sashed brigand and her minotaur bodyguard, who attempted to board the merchant ship with their goblin crew. The party successfully thwarted the conquest , ending after the monk Kyrith’s amazing boarding of the Sextant and Edvars severing of the rope tying the ships together. The brigand cast a sleep spell on the monk and her bodyguard quickly threw him overboard, sailing away to plunder another day. Kosh swam to help the monk.

After docking in Gwynned, the ship’s captain sent word to the local port authority about the party’s heroic deeds. With a few hours to spare before meeting with the port Captain, Kosh does some snooping locally and discovers draconians are travelling with goblins down south, and that entering the famed library of Gwynned is reserved for those of the noble class or with proper credentials. The party regroups back at the inn for a meeting with the authority.

Captain Athor of the Ergothian Cavaliers meets the party at the Red Flagon inn and thanks them for saving the ship. He informs them that twelve ship were looted by pirates over the last three months, and numerous unfriendly goblins had been seen in the southern part of the province. The Captain needs help, and due to political realities on the island, asks the party to investigate the goings on in the towns of Thonvil and Hillfort, along with finding out anything else happening in the goblin province south of there. He sends his shifty, nervous and fast-talking squire Sankelar along to help with the investigation.

On the way out of town, Sankelar decides to try and lead the party in a different direction, believing that their muscle will scare his debtors into forgiving the sizable sum he owes them. This plan was quickly discovered by Ferro, squire of the Legion of Steele, and stopped. Sankelar’s gambling debt of 700 steel pieces to the Iron Scepter (thieves guild?) would need to be paid back some other time. After deciding to make Captain Athor aware of his squires situation, he recommended dismissal and jail time for the gambling debts and dishonesty. The party convinced him to allow Sankelar to redeem himself through service.

Captain Athor told the party that they should stop at the home of Marilyn, a white robed wizard, and her husband Chamney to possibly identify an item picked up back on the mainland by the plainswoman Iris. Something seemed awry at the house, as a foul smelling odor lingered inside the home. After investigating inside and seeing signs of a struggle, two extra-planar beings who held Chamney hostage were quickly fought off. Chamney was shaken up, but alright. Marilyn came home soon after the scuffle, befriending Iris, identifying the dragon clawed brooch as one which protects against dragon breath weapons, and letting them know that her house was a safe haven for them if ever needed. As a point of interest, Marilyn and Chamney’s son Drid is currently attempting to become a wizard of the red robes by surviving the entrance examination.

Though Edvar and Kyrith are eager to get to the Kyrith’s home and monastery of Kiri-Jolith to investigate the foul happenings there, the party decided to maintain their plan of checking the southern plains first. On the way to Thonvil, the party gets ambushed by a pack of wolves, one of whom caught the poor in-debted Sankelar off guard and ripped his throat out. After a lengthy struggle, the party defeats the wolves and decides to recover from the battle. Plans for Sankelars field burial soon to follow…

[deathpig]

August 26th Recap:
Brave Sankelar the Wolf Slayer was buried at the site of his heroic last stand, and the rest of the group traveled south to Thonvil. A few days of uneventful travel later, the party arrived at scenic, oceanside Thonvil.

While there was no confirmation of draconian influence the party discovered three interesting tidbits. The first, that the garrison of Thonvil had the majority of their defensive forces repositioned northward to thwart barbarian aggression, leaving them too thin to deal with the constant pirate attacks. The second, that most able-bodied men in the town had taken up work in the hills to work on a red-robed mage named Haddock's estate. The third, that a black-robed figure had been in town recently. After the figure had left, there were reports of noises and terrible smells in the nearby cemetary.

The disturbance was caused by a pair of ghouls. Initially in the battle, Squire Ferro was bit and paralyzed by the ghouls. Soon after they were dispatched when Edvar invoked the power of Kiri-Jolith to turn them. The ghouls had evidence of being recently turned-- onyx gemstones imbedded in their chest-- by an animate dead spell and suspicion rose on the nature of the black-robed figure. On the ghouls was found a receipt for a large number of onyxseseses (onyxi?). Prior to being turned undead, the ghouls were locals to Thonvil and members of the Iron Scepter. Fortunately for Ferro, Auntie Dawn, wife of Mayor Baes and proprietor of a Mishikal orphanage, found that Ferro contracted ghoul fever and healed him before becoming afflicted.

The party then decided to travel east to Hillfort to gather more information on onyx mines, the red-robed mage Haddock, and to continue looking for evidence of draconian and/or goblin shenanigans. On the way, they cut into goblin territory and were confronted by a patrol of goblins that attempted to extort the party for safe passage. The party refused, and in the short scuffle the goblin leader was quickly killed. The rest of the goblins decided that their lives were worth more than fifty steel pieces and withdrew.

While the monk and the rest of the party got drunk at a tavern, Kosh spent several hours talking with local workers about the current happenings with area mines and repaired a whooshwagon, a gnomish invention which uses steam power to propel itself. He learned that a black robed individual had been seen around three weeks prior to the party's arrival, that Hillfort primarily mines iron, and there are also mining towns to the north and south (in goblin territory).

The party then continued traveling eastward into the hills to check out Haddocks estate. The rumor that the mountains of Northern Ergoth have magically enhanced animal life was confirmed when the party was ambushed by burrowing lizards on a treacherous mountain path. After a brief battle and a few near death experiences, the group continued onward to see the red-robed wizard.

Upon arriving at the wizard's camp, a cave-in threatened the lives of some workers. The party sprang to their aid and helped clear the cave-in. Some of the trapped workers were found dead, victims of a large number of small bite wounds. Haddock contracted the party to search the caves and find what horrible monster(s) were eating his workers. He had on small caveat, though-- no magic was allowed to be used. Apparently this wizard was excavating the hillside in search of a powerful artifact that reacts negatively to active magical energy.

The party agreed and explored the caves. It was obvious the workers had spent a lot of time working on Haddocks estate, since a large complex of man made caves were found to connect with a series of natural caves. Eventually, the party found a nest of albino, pincer-mouthed insects and defeated them. Upon returning to the wizard, they received a handful of potions as a reward and some information on where to find an onyx mine.

The party then traveled southeast through the mountains back into goblin territory. While avoiding both a barbarian settlement and a series of spooky ruins with a large, black tower the party spotted a flying draconian over the spooky ruins. While camping for the night, Ferro eventually discovered a kender named Crorin pilfering Kosh's equipment. Kosh unfortunately managed a diplomatic solution, sparing the kender's life while retrieving the important things stolen from him and getting some valuable information about the onyx mine and the goblin camp near it. Crorin left before some sleepy party members remembered to check to see if any items were 'handled'...

Thanks to deathpig for the synopsis

[Brian 2]

September 29th Recap:

While Crorin’s departure couldn’t happen fast enough for certain Minotaurs, the information he gave proved valuable toward finding their way through enemy territory. While travelling through the cold, sparsely vegetated high desert towards the onyx mines, Iris notices the dragon headed Brooch of Trayos missing. This special heirloom was no doubt ‘handled’ by the wanderlusting Crorin, likely deteriorating future Kender relations. Perhaps his descriptions of the mines came at too high a price for the plainswoman…

The search for the entrance to the mining complex led the adventurers towards the edge of the mountain range. The first came upon the onyx tower, which they found uninhabited and under construction. Not far off from the tower is a dumping area for unused quarry materials. Some well worn wagon-wheel tracks marked a impromptu road leading away from the area.
The party follows the tracks until creaking noises from far off prompt them to conceal themselves in the underbrush. A dirty, peasant garbed Ackal leads a group of zombie goblins pushing a non-operational whooshwagon full of mining debris down the road. The Ackal scans the underbrush, and if he noticed the party hiding there, he did not act on it. An hour or so later they pass back by again, this time with the whooshwagon emptied, and the party decides to follow.

By afternoon the whooshwagon heads into a canyon with fifty foot high walls. The opposite canyon wall encases the opening. Halfway up its surface is a seemingly lifelike dragon head, a full size stone façade almost watching valley beyond. An small opening into the cliff face lies behind its left ear. The adventurers debate on what to do, and Kosh and Tyurin volunteer to follow the wagon in while the rest of the group waits at the mouth of the canyon.

Soon after, two worgs notice the sneaking Gnome and Mystic and attack, howling loudly. Crossbow bolts fly from the opening behind the dragons head while reinforcements arrive from the canyon. A large battle begins. Goblin reinforcements assist the worgs while a fast moving goblin zombie charge’s the adventures. The Mystic puts darkness across the battlefield. A drunken draconian carrying a bastard sword yells ‘you shouldn’t have crossed the duma-ker’ follows the goblins into battle. Ferro disembowels a goblin foe in a display of gory glory. The Monk gets battered from a sneak attack and several crossbow bolts, and a draconian priest of Chemosh glides over the battlefield breathing lightning on the Dwarvish Squire and priest of Kiri-Jolith. Iris kills numerous goblins and successfully shoots the flying draconian.

The heavily wounded Monk steps back to drink a healing potion while the rest of the party finishes off the zombies and goblins. A worg and draconian flee through the darkness, while the Chemoshian priest successfully puts a sleep spell on Edvar from the top of the cliff face. Kosh, Ferro, and Kyrith charge through the darkness while Tyurin wakes the sleeping priest and Iris closes off the rear guard. The party meets on the other side of the darkness and quickly heal up while quickly deciding to give up ground or heal up and fight on?

They are in a large, circular canyon with several caves and a few buildings. The party heals up and proceeds on. A lot of goblins are yelling from a cave outside a twenty foot high staircase, so the Mystic places magical darkness outside that cave. A group of Ackal peasants walk cautiously out of the building while saying ‘no fight’ and walking away from the party with hands outstretched in a non-threatening manner. As the Ackals flee towards the canyon entrance, the wounded worg runs decides to flee also. Iris, being low on arrows, decides its better to hold fire. Kosh, after noticing another cave high in the cliff face, borrows a grappling hook from Ferro and decides to try an climb up there. The rest of goblins appear out of the darkness, fleeing down the stairs. Two draconians glide away from the party when the Chemoshian priest yells ‘Attack!’ and puts most of the party into a cloud of fog.

The draconians and goblins fight the already weakened party while the whereabouts of the Chemoshian priest remain uncertain. The second draconian licks the blade of his longsword and attacks Ferro, almost paralyzing him with his poisonous saliva. The goblins launch volley after volley of crossbow bolts into the party. The drunken, bastard sword wielding draconian enters melee with Edvar. Ferro successfully parries a blow from the longsword, bouncing the pommel back into the draconians head, killing him instantly and causing him to explode into a 10’ ball of acidic waste. The bastard sword wielding draconian and the rest of the goblins die soon after, with only one goblin successfully fleeing. It is now dusk, and all is quiet except for the slight ‘tinking’ noises coming from one of the caves.

In spite of the hard fought victory, the party decides to leave the onyx mines and retreat to the tower to rest and heal. Kosh proudly drives the party to the tower in a fully operational whooshwagon found at the mine site. Kiri-jolith favors Edvar’s bravery and boosts his mass healing ability to heal most of the parties wounds. The adventurers decide to go back and finish the investigation.

Numerous zombies are found to be programmed to work and are likely non-hostile, so the party kills them off to release their souls. They find the missing Gnomish mining equipment called ‘cutsstonewell’ abandoned and non-operation within a mine. Kosh makes sure the machine is non-repairable before leaving the mine.
Another mine was deemed too dangerous to explore, and abandoned. The Monk nimbly climbed the cliff face towards the high cave and assisted the rest of the group up. An altar to Chemosh with a yellow skull and flame red markings faced a door in the entrance area. Kosh found a trap on the door and successfully kept the party from certain harm, as the door exploded into a ball of flame after opening. The door lead into the chambers of the Draconian Priest. Another altar, a bookcase, and desk were inside the room, as well as a curtain against one wall. When Kosh pulled the curtain back, a construct cobra bit him and poisoned him, severely draining his Constitution. The Priest and Mystic magically enhanced the Squire and Monk to give the needed assistance to defeat the cobra. A note detailing current happenings at the mines was one of the only possessions left in the room. It carried the same stamp as the receipt found in Thonville for the onyx purchases.

The last set of caves were found to be sleeping chambers of the goblins and draconian guards. Two small tunnels lead out of the chambers towards the dragons head. After arriving at the dragon head, Ferro was frozen with dragon fear momentarily and Kosh passed out unconscious, not to awaken for many hours. The party found many bottles of liquor and ale and replenished their dwindling food supplies in another chamber. Trade manifests showed only a few days before reinforcements would arrive. Edvar wisely suggested to use the liquor to burn down the onyx processing building, while the remaining operational whooshwagon was made unusable. The party retreated back to the tower to rest and make plans for their next move.

Kosh awoke that night and felt different. Perhaps it was the poison… but he’d dreamed that the brass dragon spoke to him the whole time. The main thing he could remember the dragon saying over and over was “the desert is my home, but this is no place to be.” Kosh’s eyes became shaped like hourglass, brass in color and without pupils.

[Brian 2]

November 17th Recap

The evening Kosh awoke, the outside temperature rose outside the partially constructed onyx tower. All were relieved Kosh began overcoming the effects of poisoning from the cobra construct. Tyurin presented him with a ring and a bracelet she’d made from giant lizards jaw bone.

An hour before sunrise the blizzard hit. With visibility limited to a short distance outside and a lack of proper attire for arctic conditions, the party remained at the tower to wait out the storm. The dwarf discovered all of their food was rotten. Nobody rested well. Kyrith dreamed of the destruction of his monastery. Enough wood remained to keep the shelter hospitable for another night. And they waited without fresh food or water…

During Iris’s watch that evening, a reanimated and rot-grub infested worg descended down the tower wall and ambushed the sleeping cleric, inflicting nasty wounds and sending a rot-grub on a feeding frenzy towards his heart. The monk and the fighters managed to slay the beast and help Edvar burn the burrowing carrion from his chest. Though Kiri-Jolith protected the cleric from certain doom, a dark presence still lingered at the tower, leaving Edvar incapable of regaining spells.

The next day the ground was frozen solid and conditions improved enough for the party to leave. An hour away from the tower, the party rested briefly. The food was magically restored by Edvar. Kosh reasoned that desecrating the altar to Chemosh helped invite the previous days events. They travelled onward until running into a travelling gypsy caravan.

The colorful group of performers and trinket vendors welcomed the party into their camp and offered food, shelter, and entertainment for a reasonable price. They agreed. As a bonus, the partys friend Crorin had been caught going through one of the caravans carts, and after failing to convince them that he was merely ‘curious about the neat things they had and wanted to look’, got tied to a wagon wheel. Kosh instantly made friends again with Crorin as Iris acquainted herself with the only Solamnic with the group. Iris finally had a chance to regain her property.

Iris’s charm quickly convinced her new gypsy friend to let her search the kenders packs, where she found her previously ‘handled’ Brooch of Trayos. Crorin never understood what he did wrong, but insisted that he was sorry she lost the brooch. He planned on returning it soon. Later that evening the gypsys began performing and Crorin became upset he was missing the show. He taunted the gypsys, enraging Iris’s new friend. Then something mysteriously freed him from his captivity. Iris suspected Kosh, since he’d spent a bit of time entertaining the kender, but that wasn’t confirmed. The gypsy elder broke Crorins hoopak in half and forced him to leave the camp. Everyone but Kosh was relieved.

Around the campfire, the gypsys let the party know that a dragon was believed to be in Fav, along with another onyx tower. They told of a legend about Cornowain, a Kiri-Jolith priest who first fell in love with a priestess of Takhisis, and later betrayed his church for her. This betrayal led to another, for she took his church and left him to rot in the catacombs.

The party rested well and left for Fav the next morning. A short distance from the outskirts of Fav, the party fought and quickly killed off a pack of wolves. They entered the ruined city through a broken down portion of wall in the south eastern section of Fav. The dock and merchant sections of town looked barren and long forgotten, as did the temple district. The former temple of Kiri-Jolith, which had been desecrated into a temple of Takhisis during the War of the Lance, was discovered with huge piles of debris in front of its main entrance.

The party removed the rubble and found the door to be magically sealed with a riddle of Takhisis. Eventually the party solved the puzzle and opened the heavy stone doors, quietly marching into the defamed temple. A group of dire bats nested inside the temple. The party attempted to sneak towards the stairs leading to the catacombs and the dire bats attacked. Tyurin cast a fear spell and scared one away after being surrounded and nearly eaten to death. Kyrith broke two different dire bats necks as they attempted to flee. The squire Ferro bravely killed one with his dwarven urgosh. Down the stairs they went.

Many hundreds of pounds of stones were carried away from the catacombs entrance. A sense of horrible evil overcame the monk and dwarf as they attempted to open the heavy stone door. After tremendous struggle, the Kiri-Jolith monk and the squire of the Brotherhood of Steele opened the door. A green smoke entered the hallway. The noxious fumes hindered Edvar, temporarily reducing his constitution. They entered the chambers with only 10 foot of visibility. The green fumes were everywhere.

Once they got thirty feet into the chamber, two large skeletons appeared out of the mist, flanking the rear of the party. Kosh ran forward past the monk and Ferro. A wrinkled and tightly skinned man in black robes with an elven sword at his hip stepped towards them, his powerful presence paralyzing Ferro, Kyrith, and Kosh for what felt like an eternity. The skeletons attacked. The black robed individual stepped forward and Edvar withstood his presence. The black robed figure disappeared into the green mist. Shortly after the paralysis wore off, the heavy chamber door closed behind them, locking them in the tomb. The party scrambled for a solution, fighting a slew of reanimating giant skeletons.

They remained in formation, searching for clues to get them out. Travel went slow. In a tragic turn of events, the injured mystic Tyurin had her left arm ripped off by a skeletal claw. Things began looking more bleak as she bled out from the injury. Iris found a metal rod by a damaged and defaced fountain of a bison while Kosh found a quadruple headed metal bison a short distance away. The fighter and the cleric fought off reanimating skeletons while the others destroyed the fountain. The green mist faded and the bones ceased to reanimate. The party, badly injured, survived the ordeal, but lost a member in the process. Needing to rest, they reentered the main temple chamber to recuperate and wait out the night.

[Brian 2]

December 29th Recap:

The terrible roar of a dragon terrified half the party as its frightful presence engulfed the temple while it flew overhead. Once the fear passed, Kosh, with assistance from Kyrith, climbed to the roof and scanned the ruins. He saw torch bearing humanoids walking around a guard tower along with a few buildings in relatively good condition in the ruins. The next morning Edvar consecrated the temple back to Kiri-Jolith and officiated over Tyurins service. Ferro shaped the stones over her grave within the catacombs. With much sadness, they said goodbye to the lost daughter of Auntie Dawn.

A large, haphazardly built wall surrounded a compound area similar to the ones found at the onyx mines. Kosh cleared the wall and snuck into the area to gather more information, finding one building set up similar to the Duma-Kers necromancer quarters, and another with stables and miner living shacks. The gnome looked through the window of one building and saw an Ackal playing a lute, who in turn noticed him. The Ackal notified the guards, who believed that Kosh was a kender, and soon forgot his presence.

The party then entered a building of dwarven construction chock-full of large crates and strewn with large spider webs. After rounding a corner, two large spiders ambushed the party, trapping Iris in webs, poisoning the cleric, and critically damaging Kyriths nether region. Ferro and Edvar sliced one spider in half as the other hungry arachnid was killed by the monk. The crates were found to be full of preserved corpses. Numerous bones were littered around the inside of the building. Kosh set the inside of the building to burn by placing combustibles in strategic locations. It was decided that the party would further explore the outer guard area and light the crates afire once they left Fav.

The party attempted to sneak back into the guarded compound area but were spotted by a hobgoblin guard. He yelled “Enemy! Enemy! Enemy!” and attempted to fortify the gate as the enraged minotaur charged at him. The gate survived the first bull rush, but did not survive the second. A loud roar similar to the one heard the night before echoed through the ruins as a green dragon flew out and intercepted the fleeing party. The gnome ran to light the crates on fire. The hobgoblin guard attempted to flee as the cleric went to get the horses from the stables. The terrified plainswoman and dwarf, stuck outside the walled compound stood to face the dragon.

The dragon coughed a noxious cloud of green gas towards Iris, which activated her Brooch of Trayos, releasing a phantasmal dragon head that inhaled all of the deadly gas and disappeared back into itself. This caught the dragon off guard, buying Iris some time to negotiate with the dragon and pray for a miracle. Kyrith caught the fleeing hobgoblin and crushed his lungs with a bear hug. Edvar readied a set of horses suitable to escape on. Kosh saw the dragon and fled to nearby cover.

Just as the dragon tired of negotiating with Iris, the sound of steel leaving scabbard echoed through the ruins as Cornowain appeared behind the dragon. “My dark queen left me, and now I want retribution. I’m taking it out on you!” he said, as melee commenced between the recently freed fallen hero and the green dragon. Iris and the party took the opportunity to mount the horses and flee, picking the gnome up on the way out of town.

They rode hard towards Hillfort, grateful that fortune intervened to get them out of that mess. Iris used the first opportunity she had alone to vomit and cry the experience out of her system. Once they set up camp for the evening, an ominous presence was felt amongst them. Nothing else happened that evening.

They arrived in Hillfort at midday and spent a few days there figuring out what to do next. Haddock sat at the inn drinking some ale. The party told him much of what happened at the onyx mines but left out the dragon and Cornowain stories. Haddock showed interest and concern, saying a third onyx tower stood on the coast north of Manic. The monk wanted desperately to get to the monastery. The gnome found a kinsman who was a part of the AeronauticsFlyingBallon… guild who was actively working on an airship. Ferro made friends with the local dwarven smith and helped make Iris a chain mail shirt. He ascertained that no truly trustworthy contacts could be found locally to deliver a message to Athor, so after much debate, the party decided to go into Gwynned to inform Captain Athor know about the dire situation found in Fav (Sikk et Hul).

The first night camping roadside, during Edvars watch, the apparition of Cornowain materialized. He asked the cleric for retribution with Kiri Jolith and wanted his weapon back. Edvar wondered how he could be trusted, when Cornowain reminded Edvar that he’d saved the party from the dragon. After some consideration, Edvar agreed to help him, and placed the handle and the bison headed mace into the campfire as instructed. Cornowains spirit entered the weapon, creating a large beacon of fire which soared one moment and extinguished cold as ice next. Cornowains sacred weapon, the Emperors Aspergillum was reforged. The fallen hero’s spirit reemerged in the Fifth Age through the heavy mace and as another star in the constellation Kiri-Jolith.

Once the party got into town, Kosh and Ferro reported to Captain Athor and relayed all of the information found within the goblin south. Athor promised to confirm the information and would be rewarding the party financially in a week. He warned that the Iron Scepter may be wanting to collect on Sankelars debt of 700 steel pieces. Ferro also learned that his mentor Rarik Hammerforge would be arriving sometime the next month.

Edvar, Iris, and Kyrith visited Marilyn and Chamney and acquainted them with the recent happenings. Marilyn was excited to get to train Iris in the art of magic. Edvar and Kyrith then went to the local temple of Kiri Jolith and discovered that the monastery had recently fallen to an ogre raid and a group of mercenaries from the Flaming Wings were asked to handle the problem. The Flaming Wings leader, the wyvern riding Lord Ullusu, set out to stamp the monastery as his own. In spite of the bad news about the monastery, Edvars success in redeeming Cornowains spirit and consecrating the temple of Fav earned him a large celebration in his honor after the Yule tide ends. Ferro believes there may be a connection between the cult of Chemosh and the Flaming Wings.

[Brian 2]

January 23rd Recap:

The adventurers left Gwynned on horseback riding towards the Kiri Jolith monastery, Kyrith’s home of seven years. On the third afternoon, Kosh noticed smoke rising in the distance, and the party prodded the horses onward to find the village of Gulch under attack by ogres and hobgoblins. Two small squads of untrained locals feared to engage the enemy. Several buildings burned to the ground.

An ogre with a barrel of kerosene got blinded by Kosh’s new spell as the rest of the party dismounted and attempted to flank the 20+ enemies. A hobgoblin leader lay on top of a stone tower just outside the town square with a crossbow, while several of his men went on to attack the forward most squad of the Gulch defenders. The blinded ogre, being commanded by a hobgoblin ally, inadvertently sprayed the tavern with kerosene while the second squad of gulch defenders stood their ground, trembling.

Kyrith leaped a fence, attempting to ambush a hobgoblin archer hiding behind the tower. An ogre, unseen and sitting behind a building eating the leg of a freshly killed sheep, slammed Kosh across the chest as he attempted to run past. Iris arrows flew at the several foes as Ferro and Edvar slew the forward squads enemies. The rooftop hobgoblin fired a flaming arrow at the tavern, setting it ablaze as Assad, a Habbukan warrior friend of Kyrith exited the building with two hobgoblin attackers. He held off the overwhelming odds as long as possible, but died from a well placed hobgoblin longsword.

The party finished off most of the rest of the attackers, including both ogres, and captured the hobgoblin leader. Those who escaped set the bridge on fire on their way out of town. Before the dust completely settled, a wyvern riding, majestic dressed Ergothian with a platinum nose ring and white shoes lands in the town square. Lord Ullusu arrived to save the day.

Arrogance oozes from his smug face. He lightly kicks an injured villager and hands him a healing potion. Ullusu wanders over to speak with the village elder, Hannah. The surviving militia, townsfolk, and party stabilize the injured and start putting out fires. The tavern gets saved, but the bridge is mostly unusable from fire damage. Ullusu walks over to Edvar and Kyrith and shows the deed to the monastery, stating “the abbot allowed debt to get out of hand, but the flaming wings would take better care of it. Say hello to my men when you get there. He saw Iris and admired her beauty. Then Ullusu looked at Iris’s bloodied scythe and said “I have some friends which wield those… we should spend some time together talking war and conquest.” He mounted his wyvern and flew off, leaving a sack of steel for town repairs. Kosh noticed dried blood on the wyverns tail.

The hobgoblin leader was interrogated. They learned that he works for an ogre-magi named Yellowfat. Several dozen hobgoblins took over a keep west of the monastery recently and were doing raids into town with the ogres for food and sport. Forty five villagers perished in three attacks on Gulch. An ad hoc council voted for the hobgoblin leaders execution, but being from a warmongering race, he insisted instead on a duel to the death in exchange for his freedom. Ferro obliged, and defending the honor of the citizens of Gulch, slew him in a bloody duel in the center of town.

The rest of the day was spent burying Kyriths friend Assad and other victims of the attack. After a good nights rest and a harty breakfast at Hannahs, the party spent the next half day riding to the monastery. An eerie air corrupted the area. All of the monks were found dead, along with a dozen poorly equipped flaming wing mercenaries. The abbots body lie in the center of the monastery with a large, poison caked puncture wound to his chest. A thorough search of his room found some financial paperwork showing the mounting debt to the Gwynned Mint, of which Ullusu is a major player. The party buried all the dead and created a funeral pyre for the abbot. The grove of Habbukah was found later in the same condition as the monastery, so the burial ceremonies continued.

Early the next day, the adventurers snuck towards the hobgoblin stronghold, which eventually led to a full frontal assault. Numerous hobgoblins lied dead as Kyrith leaped atop a boulder defensive wall and killed three with the abbots bludgeoning chain. Kosh was wounded by a few arrows as he ran past the outer walls into the grounds surrounding the castle. The party soon followed, only to find themselves greatly outnumbered and being flanked by both crossbow wielding elite guards and nine hobgoblin foot soldiers. Kosh blinded three enemies as Edvar cast an obscuring mist spell, buying the group some time and momentary breathing room.

Several bloody rounds later, the beat up adventurers slew many of the enemies and looked to advance inside the keep. Iris, hurt and looking to heal, ran through the mist to be met by the hobgoblin warmaster and three of his elite guards. Kosh cast an enlarge person spell on Ferro, turning him into a ten foot tall buzzsaw. Edvar and Kyrith fought off the rest of the enemies inside the cloud, while the enlarged dwarf left a pile of bodies 20 feet across outside the cloud. As Iris fled to heal her wounds inside an empty room, a priest of Chemosh appeared and cast a fear spell on her, sending her running out of the complex and back into the forest. By this time, Edvar drew the final killing blow on the hobgoblin warmaster. The party, badly wounded, survived a frontal assault on a hobgoblin stronghold and fled back to the apparent safety of the monastery, wondering where and when the hobgoblin priest of Chemosh would reappear.

[Brian 2]

March 2, 2013 Recap:

The party recovered from the frontal assault on the hobgoblin stronghold at the former monastery of Kiri-Jolith. They returned to finish exploring the stronghold the next day and found more evidence showing Duma-Ker involvement in the hobgoblin clerics quarters, a suit of full plate armor which Edvar laid claim to, and a group of dire apes who almost ate Iris alive.

Arriving back in Gwynned on the last day of the winter jubilee, they met with Captain Athor who gladly paid each party member twenty platinum pieces and donated Sankelar’s share to his family. The next meeting was at the church of Kiri-Jolith, where preparations were under way for Edvars celebration. No fights, dress appropriately warned the master.

Everyone spent the afternoon getting ready. The churches central courtyard held the festivities, with a dais at one end with a long table and places for the party and various dignitaries. Everyone expected Ullusu to arrive and wondered if combat would ensue. The council of Gwynned deemed Edvar a hero of the Ergothian empire. As Edvar was to take the stage, Ullusu’s wyvern landed on the tower outside the courtyard and he walked in with his entourage.
Edvars speech captivated the audience. Ullusu took the podium afterwards, flanked by his personal attendant Lucore, and congratulated him on recovering the Emperors Aspergillum and being named ‘Edvar the Redeemer.’ Ullusu then went on some political diatribes, accusing good and evil of causing both cataclysms and saying the partisans would eventually pay. The speeches ended and the festivities went off peacefully. The party received a rod of healing from the church of Mishikal and an invitation to participate in the creation of a magic item at the Arcane Order, the sorcerers school attached to the Gwynned library. A representative from the Arcane Order took a distinct interest in Kosh and invited him to join.

The next few months calmly passed. Iris learned the fundamentals of magic from Marilyn. Rarik Hammerforge arrived looked to start a chapter of the Legion of Steele. He received a full report from Captain Athor of Ferro’s accomplishments. The party gathered at the Red Flagon in to celebrate Ferros formal knighthood in the Legion.

The party learned much information at the Library of Gwynned. Kosh researched his life quest and found that his great grandfather was polymorphed into a goblet and was part of Riza’s treasure horde. Riza was entombed in the hillside of Sikket’ul several generations ago. Riza’s spouse Iyesta was last known to live in the plains of dust. Kyrith searched for information on Ullusu and why he wanted the monastery. He learned that old monasteries such as his often have well hidden portals which open to other monasteries, across thousands of miles.

Numerous changes came over Gwynned during this time. The Knights of Neraka arrived in numerous warships looking to end the trade problems caused by pirates. Onyx amnesty ends, making it illegal to own or sell onyx. The party decided to destroy the stones they collected. Rumors of peasants disappearing continued. Taxes increase due to conflicts. Jubilee redacted retroactively. Citizens want escalation of war and peace in seaports. Goblin and Neraka aid unpopular. Ergothian Cavaliers actively recruit (only from nobles and upper class merchants / artisans). Church of Mishikal approves of tax increases, reversal of Jubilee (used to aid the poor), and Ullusu’s long term payment for internment / burial of the poor. A rumored ‘Political Coup’ puts Ullusu in as Lord Magistrate of Gwynned. Knights of Neraka fight some pirates, rumors of land invasion in warring north or Goblin aid… Pirates are given clemency IF they aid in the removal of other pirates at sea.

The party is summoned to Captain Athors office and offered a role in helping the Empire. They will join General Dakoyva in entering the northern border town of Pirens Bluff, disguised as caravan guards, because the Baron has severed political ties with the Ergothian Empire. The party feels a little leary about sneaking into a town to possibly assassinate a Baron, but the threat of Ackal and Duma-Ker collusion outweighs that inclination. The caravan is scheduled to leave the next morning.

That evening they are summoned to see a Zeboim priest and find out about an abandoned Seeker temple in an abandoned complex outside the city in a poor area. A link with the missing peasants may be involved here as well. He is upset that the Church of Chemosh is receiving undo credit and prestige from the Iron Scepter guild and so happily discloses their business. The party decides to investigate that evening.

They scale a wall and go into a workroom attached to the side of the building. The guards in the room are surprised by the parties sudden appearance. Edvar convinces them it is best they leave, to which they oblige. They found themselves next in some sort of haunted, evil room with a mausoleum in the center and animated plant life. Finding nothing worthy of interest there, they next ended up in a stable. Ferro, Knight of the Legion of Steele, charged head first into the room and quickly put three guards as close to death as possible. A guard and an escaped hostage told the party that slaves are being transported / exported to Werim with the Iron Scepters aid. A Chemoshian church is on premises.

The party let the hostage go and heard a scream from outside. A large group of guards now knew of the parties arrival and looked for some action. A fight broke out and several of the guards were killed off as a dire badger was summoned and engaged the monk. A mage cast a web spell, which Iris and Edvar dodged, then a stinking cloud spell which nauseated both Iris and Edvar. The enemies retreated and the party decided to regroup. Kosh followed the outskirts of the building to find them barricaded within the main gates of the complex. The party decided that they would join the caravan the next day and possibly return for this another time.

[Brian 2]

April 6, 2013 Recap: Tower of the Last Baron

General Dakoyva rendezvoused with the party and gave final instructions. Anyone with a yellow ribbon on mistletoe in Pirens Bluff was part of the resistance. They left with caravan master Gaskar Drolp disguised as guards. Several passengers boarded as well. They travelled north, stopping for one night in the town of Tantyville. This small town has plenty of vacant properties and open space due to it being overbuilt many years ago by a rich merchant wanting to establish a city named after his daughter. Instead, it seemed to be overrun by the Iron Scepter. Land grants from the Ergothian Senate could make Tantyville the possible future home of the Kiri-Jolith monastery and a Legion of Steele compound.

Just before arriving in Pirens Bluff the caravan was ambushed by three Draconians. A darkness spell centered on the front cart frightened its horse off the side of the road. Iris skillfully maintained control of the cart she drove. A draconian was quickly engaged and defeated by Kyrith. One of the caravan drivers was shot and killed with a crossbow bolt. Another draconian ran towards the back of the train and the non-combatants fled.

A draconian pushed Gaskar from the front cart and grabbed the chest behind the seat. Edvar and Ferro briefly stopped to check on Gaskar. Kosh expeditiously pursued the large draconian and cast a Glitterdust spell on him. The front draconian fled, running blindly down the road while Kyrith fought the draconian rummaging through the last cart. Iris pelted the rear draconian with arrows. The combat came to a close as Kyrith defeated the final draconian, who died with a ten foot explosion of flame. The fleeing draconian dropped Gaskars chest and fled into the woods.

The party arrived in Pirens Bluff and went immediately to the Forest Bounty, the local general store and Gaskars final destination. After his delivery, the caravan left town and the party went to the blacksmiths shop and found that he was part of the resistance. He offered any help he could. Baron Vendikon recently severed ties with the Ergothian empire. Many people were unhappy with this decision. The town fool Bumbo also always seemed to suspiciously appear when talk of resistance came up.

That afternoon the Ergothian army surrounded the town. The town guards locked the gates. No real attacks came over the walls. The townspeople finished their day up as normal. The party stayed at an inn for the night and discussed options for the next days investigation. It seemed strange that Dakoyva’s army surrounded the town but did not attack. Ferro reasoned that they must be stalling to buy the party time to dispose the baron. Time would be short.

A few attacks damaged some of the towers and a few buildings in town, during the next day. The party investigated further and found out the following information. The temple of Paladine was operated by an insane, but gentle old elf. Dreyxor Almir, head of a wealthy merchant family, dislikes the wars impact on his business and said some sort of tunnel lead beneath the dog kennel into the Barons estate. The Ranger Tandifor Stroot heads the Pirens Bluff Lodge, is unhappy most of his men were conscripted, and offers any help he can. Bumbo sleeps at a shack next to the dog kennel outside the Barons keep.

A visit to the temple of Chemosh filled the party with dread. Their last run in with Chemosh almost led to Edvars demise. This turned out slightly better. The beautiful high priestess Shiyara was lead to believe Iris wanted to join the cult. Kosh snuck into the back chambers and searched for information while the priestess was distracted. The conversation went confrontational when Edvar placed his hands on the priestess. Finally, Kosh re-appeared, seemingly unnoticed, and the party left the temple. Kosh found no information of value.

The party visited Shenks dogyard and purchased a pair of wardogs. They would be ready in two weeks. Bumbo sat inside the house eating a meal. While the party kept Shenk busy, Kosh snuck into Bumbos chamber and found a lockbox under a straw bed. It contained a disguise kit and some money. No tunnel, however. It must have been in the kennel. Kosh returned and the party left. It was time to make a plan.

Once night fell, the party kept eye on the dogyard. Bumbo snuck into the kennel. Tandifor and the party snuck in. Tandifor cast a calm animal spell as the party went into the kennel. They found a tunnel leading into the compound and went into it. At the other end of the 120’ tunnel, two guards lazily sat by a ladder. They were quickly engaged and one almost escaped, making enough noise to alert his fellows. The ladder led to a stable, where the party killed a third guard and got a fourth to cooperate. He warned that Bumbo would be back soon and another guard would be needed to stand post out front. Edvar donned one of the dead guards uniforms and stood post outside the stables. Meanwhile a pair of prisoners were lead through the front gate to be hung in the center of town. They had been caught trying to escape during the siege and the Baron apparently wanted to make examples of them.

Kosh rigged a trap on the inside of the door to catch Bumbo as he walked through. Bumbo nimbly dodged the trap, only to be engaged by the monk and Iris. He drank a potion of invisibility, attempting to escape, but the Minotaurs heightened sense of smell located him easily. Kyrith grabbed Bumbo, who immediately surrendered and offered any information he could in exchange for his survival.

They interrogated the guard and Bumbo to find out everything they could about the Barons Keep. Roughly 200 guards work for Pirens Bluff. Guard rotation occurs at 7am and Noon, 7pm and Midnight. Bumbo’s real name is Dindler Magrak and he’s spied for the Baron for two years. Ferro and Kosh instructed him to draw a map of the complex, noting any relevant obstacles on the way to the Barons room.

Time was running short. It would soon be time to storm the Barons Keep…

[Brian 2]

May 18th 2013 Recap: Tower of the Last Baron Conclusion

Disguised as guards, Ferro (with the help of a potion of disguise self) and Edvar approached the keep while the rest of the party waited in the stables. Iris, Kosh and Kyrith waited for the signal to charge the 150 foot distance across the courtyard. Ferro knocked on the door, spoke the secret word “Red crow, white crow” and entered the keep with Edvar following close behind. A senior guard questioned the dwarf’s identity after seeing through the disguise, to which Ferro unceremoniously replied by slaying the first guard in his path.

The siege of the Barons Keep had begun.

Edvar fought to get inside the keep, signaling his companions to follow. Iris and Kosh rode across the courtyard while the monk charged alongside them. The companions bravely fought their way inside the keep as alarms sounded and reinforcements headed to defend their lord. Once inside, numerous reinforcements flooded the downstairs area as Ferro and Kyrith made short work of the rank and file guards who engaged. Ferro and Iris barred the front door.

Outnumbered but entrenched in strategic positions in the main hallway, they bravely fought off and slew over a dozen enemies, including three draconian dignitaries. Iris detected magical activity on the second floor. The remaining guards locked a door leading to the second floor and retreated. Reinforcements from outside began pounding on the front door attempting to break it down. Knowing time ran short before the front door was breached, the party healed up and went upstairs to the second floor, where another wave of enemy guards awaited them.

Kosh charged the top of the stairs, finding a large hallway and several ranks of guards, the Captain of the Watch, the Baron, and his mutated draco-hounds prepared for battle. Kosh then casted glitter dust on the first few ranks of guards, blinding several with the spell. The gnome received a volley of crossbow bolts in response, nearly slaying him with several well placed shots. Ferro and Kyrith charged, with Iris and Edvar in support, as the gnome retreated with near fatal wounds.

The Baron cast enlarge person on the Captain of the Guards as the draco-hounds charged. The party fought overwhelming odds as guards poured out of their billeting. The hounds blew fire breath, the Baron successfully cast a fear spell on Ferro, and Kosh blinded several more enemies. Iris slew the Captain of the guards with a volley of arrows and the Baron retreated into his quarters. Kyrith followed him as one guard yelled for his companions to surrender. One of the blinded guards overruled that request, so the battle went on for another few moments as Edvar slew the last draco-hound and Ferro defended himself from the remaining guards.

Kyrith found two doors in the Barons chambers, and used his scent ability to determine which door he hid behind. After searching both doors, the Baron was nowhere to be found. Kosh casted detect magic and found him to be upstairs, so after searching the second floor for more enemy combatants, the party went upstairs to the third floor.

A large room with walls depicting changing Erogthian landscapes. Kosh’s detect magic spell showed the walls as illusory, finding a stairwell leading to the upper floor of the keep. The party charged upstairs to find another large laboratory like chamber with a symbol of Chemosh on the floor. The Baron stood at the back as a 12 foot tall construct with nasty hooked arms stood up to engage the party.

Kyrith charged the construct and attempted to grapple it, when it turned and hit the monk twice with two devastating attacks. A small dragon like creature, a redspawn razorfiend appeared and cast dispel magic on the Cleric, taking away some of his defensive spells. Kosh cast glitter dust on the Baron, blinding him momentarily, as Ferro engaged the construct and attacked it mercilessly.
Iris launched a volley of arrows at the Baron, whose defensive spells protected him from missile attacks. The redspawn razorfiend reappeared momentarily and stung Edvar with a poison tail attack. Kosh hit the construct with a fire orb, which temporarily slowed it down. Kyrith and Ferro continued to pound the construct as Edvar healed his companions wounds. Iris drew her scythe and approached the Baron who hid on the other side of the room.

The construct eventually fell from numerous attacks as Iris engaged the Baron. The redspawn razorfiend continued to fight knowing it wasn’t going to survive long. Edvar and Iris flanked the Baron and quickly slew him. The redspawn razorfiend continued to pester the party. Edvar used the detect invisibility function of the Emperors Aspergillum to make it visible. Iris shot a few arrows at it and Ferro drew the killing blow with a well thrown hand axe. The siege was over.

The keep was searched and looted. They found a note from the Duma-Ker stating “My dear Baron, the power to end the Ergothian empire is here. Send me six troops, a priestess of Chemosh who will take orders and not proselytize, a holy symbol of Habbukah, and thirty feet of silver wire, and I will release the terrible treasure. Your servant Poltur – The Accursed” along with a map to the north part of Northern Ergoth.

With the Barons head in hand, the party left the keep triumphant and called off the siege. The Ergothian army entered the city and a sense of relief came over most of the citizenry. Meetings were held with local citizens of importance and a search began for the Chemoshian priestess Shiyara. General Dakoyva thanked the party for their bravery in defense of the Ergothian empire and received a full report of their findings.

The next mission is to find out who this Poltur is what terrible treasure is to be released…

[Brian 2]

July 13th 2013 Recap: Treasure of Chimera Cove

General Dakoyva remains concerned over the letter and of the priestess of Chemosh’s whereabouts. Kosh searches the church and no sign of her is found. Tandifor Stroot, Kagonesti Elf and head of the Pirens Bluff Lodge, shows interest in assisting them through barbarian territory. He also offered to help Iris train the new dogs. The party decides to rest in Pirens Bluff before heading towards Chimera Cove.

The morning they were supposed to leave, General Dakoyva summons the party to his chambers for an emergency meeting. News of an army heading south across Ackal had just come with more disturbing news: a blue dragon razed the town of Hilfal and took control of the only bridge crossing the Alunatal river, the choke point and non-aggressive border between Ackal and Ergothian territories. He asked the party to disable the bridge by whatever means necessary.

They rode out later that morning after securing two large containers of Alchemist fire from the local chemist formerly under the employ of the baron. The old, dwarven bridge spanned a river 150 foot below, with steep banks and no real support underneath. This bridge had four towers, two at each end, with several hobgoblin and draco-hound guards patrolling. Half a dozen tents centered around a camp on the Ackal side of the river, along with a blue dragon resting on the roof of one tower.

After much deliberation, a direct assault was (surprisingly) ruled out. Destroying the bridge and avoiding the dragon seemed like more prudent options. Edvar and Kosh rode up river a mile and climbed down into the ravine, then snuck towards the bank, and climbed up under the bridge under the cover of night. The party waited in the safest possible location nearly an eighth of a mile from the bridge. Kosh found a weak spot in the support. Edvar cast two mold stone spells, creating large, narrow gashes in the support base, which did enough damage to cause the bridges collapse. Kosh used a scroll of dimension door to safely teleport them back to the partys location, where they hastily fled towards town. The blue dragon flew under the bridge and into the sky, screeching in fury, sending lightning bolts of anger towards the clouds, but couldn't find the cause of the collapse. The party escaped unharmed.

Taldor knew of a path through the mountains, and led them towards Chimera Cove. At one scenic junction they looked across the Ackal Plains and saw an army of 1000 or more heading south towards Ergothian Territory. Disabling the bridge had been a good choice. Iris and Taldor continued training the new dogs. Another area within the mountains was supposedly the home of a white dragon whose cave was guarded by a black willow tree, an evil monstrosity which emits paralytic gas and eats its victims souls. No one showed interest in investigating the cave.

Several days had passed since leaving Pirens Bluff. Kosh remained concerned about Shiyara’s lead on the party towards Chimera Cove. When they arrived at the outskirts of town, a large Ackal warrior with a battleaxe named Targas approached the party. He said Poltur had recently arrived with hobgoblins and taken his fellow villagers hostage. Targas had killed two hobgoblins but could not take the other four who remained in the boathouse guarding the villagers. The party agreed to help free them.

The doors of the boathouse flew open as Ferro and Kyrith ran in the door. Melee ensued and the front guards were quickly disposed of. Two ropes held all of the villagers suspended above water in a net. The hobgoblins in the rear threatened to cut the rope. Kosh and Taldor attempted to push small boats under the villagers as Kyrith and Ferro engaged them. One rope was cut as the final enemy was grappled by the monk. The villagers were saved and appreciative of being released.

The party learned that the town of Chimera Cove had been founded 80 years prior by Pelostur, Polturs grandfather, to keep watch over the islands. A series of caves under the islands in the harbor hid a trapped terraken, an undead dragon who could easily turn the tide in any war. Poltur, a deadly swordsman, had recently been colluding with the Knights of Neraka and that he’d come back to town to regain his family’s treasure. A special ceremony was needed to lower the water level enough in the harbor to allow boats into the caves. The villagers offered any assistance they could.

The villagers supplied them with the necessary silver cord and holy symbol of Habbukah, along with two brave souls willing to sail them across the harbor towards the cave mouth. Once the holy symbol was dropped into the water, the tide dropped thirty feet, revealing a large cave entrance. Off towards the northern isle, a few party members noticed a giant octopus submerge itself and swim towards the boat. Everyone prepared for combat.

Tentacles came out of the water and attacked indiscriminately. Edvar, Kyrith, and Iris chopped away the giant octopus. Ferro landed one particularly nasty blow which severed the tentacle from its connection to the main body, tearing much flesh away and convincing the creature to find easier prey. They sailed into a large domed room with two forty foot lock doors for controlling water levels during high and low tide. Barnacles and sea-slime were everywhere. A walkway lead around past the grand lock doors.

The villagers stayed back with the boat as the party approached the caves. A hobgoblin guard approached from higher up the path and said “Our backup has arrived. We’ve been waiting on you.” The party decided to play along and followed a good distance behind him into the cave beyond the lock doors. This cave housed a large ship, over 100 years old, and a few catapult like devices around the perimeter of the harbor. A tall, thin human (apparently Poltur) stood on the shoreline and yelled “Go to the hull of the ship and grab the needed equipment. We don’t have all day.” They walked up the plank towards the ship as Poltur waited down towards a tunnel. Three hobgoblin guards stood nearby the ship.

Kosh and Iris each climbed down a ladder into the hull and were ambushed by a spectral lion and animated crates wielding swords. The ferocity of the attacks left Kosh nearly dead and Iris injured as they fled the hull. Ferro correctly assumed it was Pelastour. The hobgoblins guarded the plank as Edvar began healing his brothers in arms. Taldor and Iris began shooting arrows as Kyrith engaged the hobgoblins. A ghost of an old man appeared at the stern, not threatening or attacking anyone. Poltur disappeared down the tunnel. The spectral lion leaped through a wooden hatch to the deck of the ship and began attacking everyone in melee range.

Eventually, the spectral lion surrendered to overwhelming odds in exchange for helpful information. He knew of an alternate route to the Fluxhold, a chamber where Poltur no doubt hid. That chamber held a giant water droplet which controlled the rising and falling of the tides and allowed anyone in the chamber to observe anywhere within the islands interior. The other tunnels were full of traps. He said he’d been summoned and bound to the ship, only to be released back to the Abyss after consuming four souls. The party, true to their word, allowed the beast back into the hold of the ship, but where they ready for an encounter with this Poltur?

[Brian 2]

August 10, 2013 Recap: Treasure of Chimera Cove

They followed the tunnel descending below the ocean currents towards the second island. A large moat, formerly filled with sea water, ended at a cave in. The spectral lions instructions rang true. A set of trapped double doors with three levers would open a secret entrance if pulled in the proper sequence. Kosh found the release mechanism and led the party up and through a secret tunnel towards the fluxhold, the epicenter of the Chimera Islands.

A dark, dank tunnel upwards toward an open, well lit chamber filled with water. Narrow walkways barely as wide as a hand crossed the room in a grid pattern, standing three feet above the water line. A large droplet descended from the ceiling in the center of the room. Three corners of the 30’ square room contained exit hallways. Kyrith and Ferro advanced, single file, with Taldor and Iris in support. Poltur awaited.

All hell broke loose. Poltur released the water elemental bound within the droplet, causing the whole complex to rumble. Kyrith and Iris went into the room and balanced as well as they could on the narrow walkways. Taldor wasn’t as agile. He fell into the water as a giant two headed snake surfaced, striking both him and Ferro. The water elemental landed viscous attacks on the monk. The giant snake grabbed both Taldor and Ferro. While Taldor was grappled, Poltur landed a lethal rapier blow to his right calf, severing his leg. The ghost of Pelastour appeared and began attacking the elemental. Kosh cast a few ineffective spells and attempted to run into the room. Kosh, being outmatched and near death, ran down a hallway, only to get lightning bolted by some unknown entity in the dark, water filled room. He promptly ran back toward the fluxhold. Ferro was being crushed by the snake until Kyrith slew it. Iris engaged Poltur as Kyrith slew the snake. The water elemental became a vortex and began circling the room, drawing Kosh, Ferro, and Iris inside.

The ghost continued to drain life force from the elemental as Ferro was pummeled unconscious. Edvar, who wisely stayed back due to his inability to balance on the beams, ran in to save Ferro and immediately fell into the water. Iris and Kyrith were both released from the vortex. Iris landed in the water, between Poltur and the water elemental. Edvar and Kosh reached Ferro and saved him from drowning. Iris slew Poltur, releasing the elemental from servitude. The elemental fled and the complex continued to crumble.

Pelastour informed the party that the amulet to control the Terraken, the undead dragon turtle, was in a bag at the bottom of the chamber under the third island. Edvar used the Rod of Mishikal to heal the party up as they ran to retrieve the amulet. They followed another narrow tunnel down towards the moat on the other side of the cave in from the trapped door entrance. This wide, sea floor tunnel descended into a giant, round room. The Terraken lies motionless, at the bottom of the now flooding chamber. Kyrith, Ferro, and Iris strip to the bare minimum and dive into the water, desperately searching for the amulet. The Terraken begins to swim around. Kosh finds a bag underneath the bottom of the Terrakens shell and successfully snatches it. The water level begins rising into the moat tunnel as the party escapes down the tunnel. It seems the Terraken never noticed them…

As the complex continued to flood and collapse, they fled back to the entry chamber, looting a few items from Poltur along the way. Kosh opened the bag, finding the amulet and a cloak. Iris cast detect magic, finding both items enchanted, and put the amulet on. She then decided that she wanted to investigate the Terraken again, dove into the water, and swam towards the beast. Ferro put the cloak on, was polymorphed into a manta ray, and followed Iris.
Iris proved to be quite a swimmer as she made it all the way to the Terraken without drowning. The beast was clawing its way through the walls as Iris and Ferro swam up from behind. It turned, and belched out a noxious cloud of acidic fluid which was fortunately mostly absorbed by Iris’ brooch, leaving only minor wounds on both the heroes. Deciding this was not the best approach to controlling the Terraken, they swam back to the party.

The villagers who accompanied the party to the islands were gone, along with the boat they came in. So the monk assisted the rest of the party swimming back towards shore with the cloak of the manta ray. Everyone in Chimera Cove was excited to see their return and was happy to know the burden they had been forced to carry (guarding the islands) for so many years was finally lifted. A large celebration was planned for that evening. Iris decided to forego the festivities and went into the surrounding forest alone to perform a newly acquired sorcerous ritual.

A huge celebration started at dusk with a large fire in the center of town, music, and plenty of tasty food. Edvar was offered the daughter of the village elder for marriage while Ferro enjoyed the company of the prettiest lady in town. Kosh played with the children and enjoyed the festivities. Kyrith, being a minotaur, was distrusted by the simple barbarian folks, but was offered his fill of food. The monk slept in the barn that evening while Edvar and Ferro enjoyed the warmth of female company. Targas, outcast from his village for so many years, was fully accepted back with his people.

Early the next morning the village was surrounded by Knights of Neraka. They pounded on everyone’s doors, demanding everyone go outside. Kyrith was never found hiding in the barn. Kosh cast expeditious retreat, snuck out the back of a home and was pursued by a knight on horseback for several miles, never to be caught. Edvar’s lady friend stalled for him as he put his breastplate on and carried the Emperors Aspergillum out toward the center of town. Ferro put on his grandfathers breastplate, which now seemed to show the family symbol more prominently, and carried his weapon towards the center of town.

A skeletally thin Black Robed Wizard, the priestess of Chemosh Shiyara from Pirens Bluff, a Knight of the Lily on horseback, and a couple dozen Knights of Neraka occupied the sleepy village on a cool, foggy morning. The villagers were herded toward the boathouse while Edvar and Ferro walked toward the leaders of the Nerakans. Shiyara recognized Edvar from their prior exchange, and asked where the amulet was. Ferro and Edvar denied knowing anything, so the Knight of the Lily called for them to be arrested. Ferro and Edvar, both grabbed by two knights, began to resist. Kyrith, knowing the danger posed by a Black Robed Wizard, snuck out from the barn and ran up to manually grab when necessary.

Will the splintered adventurers survive the overwhelming odds?

[Brian 2]

October 5th, 2013 Recap

Edvar cast Obscuring Mist to camoflauge himself and Ferro from overwhelming numbers of Knights of Neraka. The Knight of the Lily commanded his soldiers tto attack, sparing only the Clerics life. Kyrith, outside the range of the spell, immediately grappled the Black Robed Wizard. The skeletally thin mage attempted to drink a potion of gaseous form while Knights of Neraka surrounded the monk and began slashing and bashing him mercilessly. Edvar and Ferro fought off the ranks of Knights engaging them blindly within the Obscuring Mist. The minotaur easily snapped the Black Robed Wizards neck and threw his carcass to the ground while taking near mortal wounds from numerous attacks. Shiyara stands back and attempts to make Kyrith succumb to a mind control spell. The villagers, surrounded by Knights, begin to panic as several are murdered in cold blood.

Iris, far from the melee in the forest, is startled to see an extremely beautiful woman, surrounded by mist, holding a black eyed ferret with hints sea foam coloration in its fur. The evil sea Goddess Zeboim was hand delivering a familiar to Iris!

“Is this what you were looking for?” she says, caressing the ferret.

“Yes…”

“You know your friends are in a lot of trouble right now.” A phase door opened in a nearby tree and Iris sees the monk surrounded by seven Knights with a dead Black Robed Wizard at his feet. Knights of Neraka where entering a Cloud of Fog, obviously cast by Edvar as a defensive measure. Iris did not know dozens of Knights raided the village of Chimera Cove and she is nowhere near to help her companions.

“Why are you here?”

“I’LL ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE MORTAL!!!..... I have a little proposition for you, Iris Yarrow. You deliver that amulet to my priest in Gwynned and I’ll grant you the power to help your friends survive. The arrows in your quiver will be more powerful than you ever imagined, but for this combat only. Fire this special arrow in the center of your enemies to insure your friends survival. Do we have a deal?”

“Yes, but what did you mean by the center of the enemies…”

“Make sure my amulet gets to Gwynned. Never wonder why it was so easy for your little gnomish ally to find it in that cave. If you fail me, or double cross me, I will make sure your sacred bow will fail you at exactly the wrong time. Take the ferrit. She’ll be a fine companion.”

Confused and afraid, Iris knocked the magic arrow and stepped through the phase door into the center of the village. On horseback, the Knight of the Lily charges Kyrith and runs him through with a two handed sword, knocking him out of the combat. The fury of Iris’ new patron infused through her, turning her cloak sea foam green and granting her abyssal power.

Shiyara attempted to cast a spell at Iris and Iris returned the favor by shooting her between the eyes, knocking her ten feet back into a building, instantly killing her. That shot released a powerful magic Zeboim locked within the arrow:

A massive earthquake strikes Chimera Cove.

The companions withstood the earthquake while most of the enemies and their mounts fell to the ground. The shoreline swallowed the boathouse and numerous villagers and Knights. Numerous crevasses and fissures permeated the small seaside village, razing all of the homes and buildings. Iris launched volley after volley of arrows at the enemies, even slaying the Knight of the Lily as he charged her with a perfectly grouped set of arrows in his chest. Ferro and Edvar slew numerous Nerakans as some began to break ranks and flee. Two surviving villagers grabbed a Knight of Neraka and drowned him. The battle soon came to a close.

Everyone regrouped, healed, and tried to find the pieces of their lives lost in the earthquake. Edvar lost half of his armor and his magic longsword, while Ferro lamented the loss of his favorite throwing axe. The surviving villagers rummaged what they could and made plans to move to Ker-Brindol, as both towns of Beacon and Ker-Tran were under Nerakan control. They debated about how to best return to Gwynned. The mountain pass was out since without the Rangers guidance they couldn’t guarantee a safe passage through the mountains. Taking a boat into the Sea-Goddesses domain seemed as foolhardy as riding horses through a warzone toward the Alunatal River, not knowing if they could get across. At this point, riding seemed the better answer. The party took a group of suitable mounts and rode towards Ker-Brindol that afternoon, wishing the surviving Chimera Cove villagers well.

By mid morning the next day the heat and humidity became excruciating. They rode at a moderate pace over the rolling grasslands of Ackal territory, all suffering from heat exposure. They crossed over a ridge to see two ettins and five hobgoblins raiding a merchant cart. None of the merchants moved. The hobgoblins fired arrows at the party, taunting the ettins into combat. Kyrith charged the ettins and was hit three times by their massive clubs, almost falling unconscious from the ferocity of the strikes. Ferro and Edvar came in next with better success, flanking an ettin blinded by Kosh’s glitterdust spell. Iris rode around the side of the hobgoblins, appearing to attempt a flanking maneuver, but instead kept on riding south, fleeing the combat. After the ettins were defeated, the hobgoblins fled. Kosh casted Haste and attempted to catch Iris, but with no success. Her horsemanship outmaneuvered him and she disappeared into the rolling grasslands of Ackal territory.

The merchants were Ackals from Ker-Brindal, killed mid-transport towards Ker-Tran. They carried a letter written by Chieftain Baur with payment of 5000 steel pieces in tribute for being left alone during the march south by the Knights of Neraka. The party decided to rest, hitch the horses up to the cart, and transport the money back to Ker-Brindal, hoping to keep the village safe from Nerakan onslaught. They left that evening once the temperature cooled down enough for safer travel.

Late the next morning they arrived at a walled village on the coast. The fields were in disrepair and the guards high on the wall acted unfriendly. The guards insisted the party stay far outside the village and lay down their arms. Ferro told the story of the combat with ettins and said they had the money intended as tribute for Ker-Tran. Soon after, the Chieftain and his contingent of guards walked out to meet the party, and once verifying the chests were indeed theirs, allowed them to enter, but only if they turned their weapons in. Edvar refused and stayed outside with the Emperors Aspergillum as the rest of the group went in and met the Chieftain at a tavern near the waterfront.

The village seemed to be in disarray, with animals living in streets and people looking nervous. Eventually the Chieftain arrived and introduced himself as Baur, explaining the current events of his village. Ker-Brindal was under constant threat of attack and they wanted to part of the war descending upon Northern Ergoth. He also said that a Solamnic woman arrived the evening before, drenched in blood, claiming that the party (a highly dangerous gnome sorcerer, a large minataur with no horns, a priest of Kiri-Jolith, and a dwarven fighter in ancient armor) was pursuing her and her life was in danger. A fishing vessel volunteered to transport her into Ergothian terrirory, but to the village of Thonvill, since all the other ports where known to be hostile to Ackals. Baur listened to the partys version of the story and figured his people had been taken advantage of, but the steel pieces she paid more than made up for her indiscretion.

Nevertheless, the party needed aid in reaching Gwynned. Baur, understanding their predicament, went downstairs and asked Captain Fog of the pirate vessel Sextant to head upstairs and speak with them. She walked in the room, with her purple head sash and minotaur guard by her side, and everyone made some past connections. Earlier that winter the Sextant attacked the transport ship the party sailed towards Gwynned, but was successfully driven off by the party’s bravery. Kyrith leapt onto her ship and was put magically asleep by Fog. Fogs first in command, Trint, threw the sleeping monk overboard, effectively ending their last meeting, but sparing his life that day.

Now Trint stands in Kyriths face, challenging him to a game of DrinkSmash, a competition where minotaurs exchange punches after drinking large amounts of potent liquor. Fog says she’s willing to help, for a price. She has some Drinksmash to watch first.

[Some Guy]

November 2, 2013 Recap:  The Search for Iris

The challenge of Drinksmash was under way. Kyrith and Trint both rested mugs of ale upon their heads and took turns punching one another at the crowded alehouse in Ker-Brindal. Both minotaurs drank the dwarven stout and punched with all of their might, fearful of letting the glass fall after each blow. Trint fell to the floor, defeated, after a particularly nasty punch to the jaw sent the ale mug flying. Kosh excitedly cheered as the Trint stood up and acknowledged his kinsmen’s strength. Fog prepared the crew and the Sextant for the journey to province of Thonvil, the likely destination of Iris and the fishing vessel. The party sailed out the next day.

A few peaceful days at sea later the Sextant arrived in Thonvil. The seaside town was in poor condition. They looked for Auntie Dawn, wife of Mayor Baes and proprietor of a Mishikal orphanage, but found the orphanage abandoned and Mayor Baes acting distant. Most of the citizens were gone, and the ones remaining looked starved and barely sustaining life. After a few tries, Ferro eventually convinced a local to speak of the recent events. He was told the town was sacked and overrun by Knights of Neraka, recaptured by the Ergothian Cavaliers, and later the Ergothians were ran off by the Duma-Ker. Auntie Dawns orphanage was forcefully relocated to an abandoned temple in the woods, but no one was allowed to go there. The Nerakans mandated a after dusk curfew.

Wishing to investigate Iris’ arrival, Kosh attempted to question the dock master, but could get no answers. Later that evening he broke into the office and found one vessel had made dock from Ackal Territory, but no details of if it where Iris’ boat or not. He also found out regular shipments were being made from Thonvil to goblin territory and Werim. They feared the Nerakans were shipping onyx.

Next Kosh decided to break into the Mayor home while several party members kept watch. As the Mayor slept, Kosh snuck into his closet to find a human man bound in front of a locked chest. Kosh picked the lock and found it contained a Knight of the Lilly breastplate and other Nerakan military garb. The man began talking to Kosh, seemingly content with his predicament. Kosh thought heard the Mayor move around, and being fearful of apprehension, fled the scene. The mayor opened his front door shortly after Kosh escaped.

Fear of arrest sent the party sent into the woods looking for Auntie Dawn and her orphanage. On the way to the abandoned temple, they noticed they were being followed. They confronted two sentient goblin zombies, the types they’d encountered previously at the onyx mines, and wondered how they were known to leave town. A brief combat sent the zombies fleeing. Not long after they found the temple in the woods and cautiously entered inside.

There was a large hole in the center of the floor, with a stairway leading downstairs off to the side. The building was in terrible shape and long abandoned. Green mist filled the basement. Kosh volunteered to be lowered into the basement to investigate further. He was greeted by a group of ghoulish children who clawed and bit at him until the monk pulled him back to safety. Immediately after a dozen undead children charged upstairs with Auntie Dawn behind them, all apparently victims of Ghoul fever. Edvar used his holy symbol of Kiri-Jolith to destroy many of the undead while the rest of the party quickly slew the rest of the abominations. Nothing more of note was found, so they left for Marilyn’s house in Gwynned, thinking this would be the best chance to find Iris.

Two days later they arrived at Marilyns house outside Gwynned. She hadn’t seen Iris and was concerned about her protégé. Marilyn lamented about the deteriorating state of affairs in Gwynned, including the recent coup of the dock areas and the city gates by the Knights of Neraka. A police state had been set up, with divination magic and weaponry outlawed. Marilyns son Drid, recently returned from completing the test of High Sorcery, lived in town and would be willing to help. He would cast the scrying spell to locate Iris. But first they needed to sneak into town.

Kosh snuck in first, easily passing the guards. Marilyn cast an illusion spell which distracted the guards long enough to get the minotaur and dwarf through. Edvar luck ran out, and was noticed at the gates and harassed by the guards. The Nerakan supervisor recognized Edvar as a local hero, and not wanting to cause any political ire, ordered him escorted the to the Temple of Kiri-Jolith where he was instructed to surrender the Emperors Aspirgillum and his armor to his commanding officer. After Edvar narrowly escaped incarceration, he regrouped with his companions. They decided to do some investigation.

Captain Athor showed Ferro a recently obtained map of Nerakan battle plans. Shown as allies with the Duma-Ker, the Nerakans planned to launch an attack on the city of Hylo with the assistance of the Terraken. Assaulting the Kender stronghold made little sense, until Kosh found out at the Arcane Academy that Magistrate Ullusu had been digging for information about learning how to power a Flying Citadel. The city of Hylo was founded in a crashed Flying Citadel. This could mean the Duma-Ker would turn all the Kender undead and Ullusu would command their army!

That evening they met at Drids apartment and shared information. Marilyn cast a scrying spell which showed Iris, barely alive, travelling south toward Gwynned Harbor along the coastline, riding in the mouth of the Terraken. They hurried to the docks, seeking out the priest at the Temple of Zeboim for answers. The priest, old and disheveled, knew nothing of the amulet or Iris, but was intrigued enough to take them all to Zeboim’s sister temple across the bay for possible answers. The priestess there, beautiful and calm, said she knew nothing either, as terrible winds began howling towards town. The priest and priestess disappeared momentarily as all hell broke loose.

The Terraken arrived. The undead sea dragon spit Iris out into the bay and began ransacking the harbor. Boats flipped, ships sank, as it hurled its body as a weapon on all who lived. Hurricane winds angrily blew as the Terraken destroyed the stockades. Ferro swam out to save Iris, dragging her nearly dead body to the temple. Pale and disheveled, she crawled to the alter and surrendered the amulet, freeing herself of Zeboims quest. Kosh, intensely curious of the amulets power, picked up the amulet for inspection. Kyrith and Ferro immediately took the amulet from him, insisting the evil device stay where Zeboim wished. The priest screamed, as the priestess returned with a bloody dagger in hand. “What have you done?” they asked, as she picked up the amulet and walked to the water. “He was in my way” she hissed as she dove into the bay.

What would the party do next with the city of Gwynned under siege?