Session 37

Date: 6/23/2015

Attending: Jake, Chris, Joey, Aaron, Dave

Absent: Justin - Girlfriend time

Start Time: 7:20 p.m.

End Time: 10:10 p.m.

XP awarded: 2000

Game time elapsed:  3 days

Enemies Defeated:  Demonic Skeleton

Notes:

Continuing the exploration of the tomb complex, the party finds a book called Slight of Hand Tactics, along with several magic items and potions in the unexplored burial chambers, saving the large double door at the end for last.

Approaching the large double door, Fyn carefully searched it for traps. There were 4: a magical circle of death trap, a magical feeble mind trap, a mechanical pit trap, and a mechanical poisoned dart trap. Fyn had trouble disarming the pit trap, triggering it several times, but was able to finally disable it, the darts, and the circle of death. Unfortunately he set off the feeblemind trap and was reduced to a drooling imbecile.

Heading into the room, they saw a large unopened stone sarcophagus, a pile of bones, and the bodies of 3 adventurers. The bones animated into a large 4 armed skeleton with a tail and a canine shaped skull. They Knights fought valiantly, and were able to win the day despite Bajol being incapacitated (Justin absent) and Fyn feebleminded.

Opening the sarcophagus (which was trapped as well) they found a sack of coins, a first world scroll titled “Prayers of the Omnian Faithful”, a magical breastplate, and Storm’s Fury – an extremely  magical heavy pick. They rested in the room for 16 hours, and then swam back out of the complex – feeding Fyn a potion of water breathing to do so.

They found their companions waiting in a clearing not far from the pool. Grigor consulted with his familiar, and determined that Grandmother Hazel, the Witch of Loston, would be their best bet to have Fyn’s wits restored. It was a day and a half journey to Loston.

Loston proved to be a village built on the tops of mountain foothills. Mother Hazel lives in a cave converted to a cottage; she cures Fyn but does not let anyone inside her home. After curing Fyn, the party heads to the village inn – Hilltop – but Grigor stays behind to talk with Hazel.

Mother Hazel’s conversation with Grigor can be summed up in the following:

*She knew his grandfather Albaer Dragomir

*She is not interested in events outside of her village

*She confirms the existence of other planes – there is a world enchantment that prevents access

*The “demons” that the Tainted Ones worship are extraplanar

*When asked about the various players (Ellicor, Puppet King, etc…) advised the party to find out what is at stake before committing to a side

*Says the Gnome of Gnomewood may have more info, but to be careful in approaching him

*Mentioned that the Endless who lives on the west coast is from another world

*Grigor asked her to try to scry the location of Mario and Ellicor she did

*Mario is on a boat traveling the river

*Ellicor is on a ship sailing west

*To cancel a debt owed to Grigor’s grandfather, offered to magically transport the party to a location of their choice

Grigor met up with the Knights and relayed the info. The knights unloaded the cart into their room at the Hilltop Inn and did a full inventory/upkeep. In the morning they decided to stop and provision up. Wandering into the general store, an obviously magical sword is noticed hanging on the wall. The proprietor nonchalantly mentions it is for sale; it seems that he has quite a few magic items for sale as local adventurers who explore the Xiannian Tombs tend to convert their booty to cash at his shop. The party decides it’s time to drop some serious coin. End Session

Session 36

Date: 6/14/2015

Attending: Jake, Joey, Aaron, Dave, Chris, Justin, Ben as Master Shake

Absent: none

Start Time: 7:40 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 1750

Game time elapsed:  1 day

Enemies Defeated:  1 void beast, 2 dark knights, 4 wraiths, 1 dread wraith

Notes:

In the tomb they find Master Shake, his other adventuring party slain by the denizens of the crypt.  He says that he is in the tomb looking for something specific (treasure), and joins with the party. In one of the burial chambers they find an enormous alligator like beast with tentacles, which appears to be an outsider. They slay it but it takes a lot out of them. They fight two dark knights in another room, and hole up in a 3^rd room to rest and rememorize. It is a fitful night and they are attacked first by 4 wraiths, and then later by a dread wraith before finally getting some rest. They find various magic items and a book titled the Art of Jumping. Finally they find the burial chamber of the cavalier, and Feydor is able to take the scrolls of the order. Master Shake trips a trap and falls down a long chute into god knows where. They knights shed a brief tear and then move on continuing to explore. End Session

Session 35

Date: 6/7/2015

Attending: Jake, Joey, Aaron, Dave, Chris

Absent: Justin – medical tests in morning

Start Time: 7:20 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 1000

Game time elapsed:  6 days

Enemies Defeated:  1 dire bear, 2 black bears

Notes:

In the morning the party awakes and continues to explore the ruined tower. Making their way up to the second level of the ruins they find a black altar and evidence of the dark rites of the Tainted Ones. Frumious consecrates the altar, destroying it. Having completely cleared the tower, the party heads back to the camp outside the tower clearing. Grigor examines the surrounding forest and discovers that just underneath the mossy floor is a vast network of ruined buildings. They party sleeps all day and then begins journeying at night.

They pick up the cart and continue through the day, arriving at Woodbounty midafternoon. They stop at a local shop that sells magical goods, the Twinkling Oak, and then head to the local shrine which is tended by an orc named Samac. Samac is not a full priest, but has visions and some divine spellcasting ability. He informs Frumious when asked that his bishop is Rudulac, who dwells in Boarlanding. Samac has a vision of Feydor opening something with a blue triangle on it, which the party interprets as them being on the right track. They take rooms in the Quiet Beech Inn and head out in the morning.

They continue traveling west through the woods when they encounter 2 black bears lead by a dire bear. They put down the beasts after a hard fight, and Grigor sends Kyros out to scout around. Kyros sees and reports a figure Jarl identifies as the Beastlord – an Orc dressed in furs. He is traveling with 4 dire bears, 12 dire wolves, 4 dire boars, and a large cat of some kind. Grigor wants to meet/confront him, but the rest of the Knights, particularly Fyn, advise against it. The group decision is to ride through the night to put as much distance as possible between them and the Beastlord, which they do. At day break they sleep for 7 hours and then ride through the rest of the day and late into the night.

They get up at daybreak the following day and ride west, camping at night to get back on schedule. In the morning they confer with their guides Jarl and Bors, and decide to go straight to the tomb first. They arrive at night; the tomb is submerged in a small forest pool. Jarl and Bors tell them that that is where the weapon known as Storm’s Fury is located.

Swimming down into the pool, they find the submerged entrance, and after avoiding a trap on the door, enter the tomb. End Session.

Session 34

Date: 5/31/2015

Attending: Jake, Joey, Justin, Aaron, Dave, Chris

Absent: None

Start Time: 7:20 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 2200

Game time elapsed:  2 days

Enemies Defeated:  6 owlbears, 2 spectres, and 8 advanced skeletons

Notes:

The Party journeyed on towards Forestend, arriving that evening. They book rooms in the Inn of the Last Candle. The innkeeper’s name was Tully. They sold and bought goods, and met the acquaintance of Jarl, a Bear of Loston, and Bors a Wolf of Loston.  Loston is a removed village to the west, and it has two marital orders, Bears and Wolves, which patrol the forest and protect the village. The party made arrangements to have Jarl and Bors escort them into Mossreach Forest, looking for ruins as they made their way towards Loston. Jarl told them of a Tomb in the area around Loston where a potent magical weapon was said to be stored. He also described the blue triangle insignia used by the Cavaliers of the Blue Mount and said that it was in the tomb somewhere. Jarl also told the party that the Xiannian Tombs, their chosen destination, were not far from Loston to the southeast.

The next morning, led by Jarl and Bors, the party heads to the forest, parking the cart under a large bush in the tree line. They follow a winding trail into Mossreach, and encounter 6 owlbears along the way (which they slay). Arriving at the first ruin at night, an old tower long since collapsed past the second floor, they begin to investigate.

The tower ruins are haunted, and on the first floor they fight and destroy two spectres and 8 advanced skeletons. After the fight they retreat to the camp outside the clearing to rest up before continuing.  End Session

Session 33

Date: 5/25/2015

Attending: Jake, Joey, Justin, Aaron, Dave

Absent: Chris – Basketball game

Start Time: 7:30 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 2000

Game time elapsed:  3 days

Enemies Defeated:  Marquis Daedalus, 10 wolves, 4 dire wolves

Notes:

Having returned to their rooms for the night (following Session 32) they were surprised to find an invitation from the Marquis Daedalus to Grigor, to join him on the battlements. Grigor was dealing with a bout of stomach flu (Chris absent) so the entire party chose to go in his stead.

As they made their way up to the roof, they noticed that guards were missing. A large storm was forming outside, pounding the castle with wind and rain. Stepping out on to the roof, in the dark storm they saw that they were alone, save for Daedalus. A few quick words were said and a battle was then joined. Daedalus wielded magic made of darkness, and revealed himself in his true form: that of a manticore.

The fight was brutal, but the Knights wore him down. When it was clear that he was defeated, he cast a spell and disappeared. The party ran downstairs to the wing where he was staying, only to be intercepted by his guards who informed the Knights that the Marquis wasn’t feeling well and was not seeing visitors. While the party argued with the guards and debated a course of action, Fyn snuck down the hall and into the common room of Daedalus’ quarters, confirming that he was in fact now in his room and seemed to be injured. He then snuck out and the party went back to their own rooms, a trifle disappointed, but victorious.

In the morning they left the castle and went into Carradeen proper, where they purchased a map of Ashvale and of Goldmeadow.  They then hired a boat to head south on towards Goldmeadow and the Xiannian ruins. They traveled by boat for 3 days and had the river captain put them ashore at the southern tree line of Mossreach Forest.

That night as they camped outside of the woods they were attacked by a wolf pack made up of 10 wolves and 4 dire wolves. They survived and threw the carcasses onto the cart, intending to sell them in town. End Session

Session 32

Date: 5/17/2015

Attending: Jake, Chris, Joey, Justin, Aaron, Dave

Absent: None

Start Time: 7:43 p.m.

End Time: 10:30 p.m.

XP awarded: 850

Game time elapsed:  2 days

Enemies Defeated:  none

Notes:

Picking up where Session 31 left off the party leaves Velar’s Arms of Note and walks into the street. Bajol (having recently leveled up) summons his warhorse, only to find that a ghostly Zephyr arrives instead of Bear.

The party turns in for the night having been invited to join Baron Fredrick for dinner the following day. In the morning they head out into town again. Frumious stops by the local church and meets Father Dolman, the halfling head of church in Carradeen. They talk shop.

The rest of the party goes to Ellard’s Oddities, which proves to be the exact same shop as the one in Shadowmount, also manned by Ellard. Ellard pretends to not recognize the Knights. The Knights peruse his wares and Grigor notes that many of his items are evil in nature. He notices a book titled Summoning From the Lower Planes (planes being an unknown concept at this point). Curious he takes the book down and flips to the title page and sees that the author is Ellas of Throckwaddle the City. Since it means nothing to Grigor and is obviously an evil subject he puts the book back and the party leaves. The Players however note out of game that Throckwaddle the City is from the Neustrasia campaign setting, and suggests that somehow the two worlds may be connected.

They meet Baron Fredrick for dinner where he suggests they stay in his apartments in Carradeen Castle. He also offers to have the King pick up the tab for the Knights at the Ivory Cup. They party takes him up on both offers. Fyn and Grigor head off to meet with the representatives from the Illmarian University, and Bajol pays a visit to the Marquis Daedalus.

Fyn and Grigor discover the Illmarian reps are to buy any first world texts if possible, and barring that take them with force. The conversation quickly dissolves and Fyn and Grigor quietly kill the representatives and dispose of the bodies.

Bajol has a polite neutral conversation with the Marquis. All return to Frederick’s rooms and turn in for the night.

In the morning the Knights attend the first day of the political summit in Carradeen. Present are:

Host

King Albus Wynnic, Marquis of Wynnic, Baron of Carradeen, King of Avonhollow, and King of Mossreach

Choval Empire Representatives

Aiken, Archbishop of the Chovalian Church and Ambassador of Narsus, First Patriarch

Sevarius, First Inquisitor and Marshal of the Justicars

Captain Broaca, Commander of the Archbishop’s military escort

100 men at arms including 4 Lieutenants, 8 Sergeants, and 16 Corporals

10 Justicars

6 Acolytes and 2 Under Priests attached to the Archbishop’s retinue

Avonhollow Nobility

Daedalus, Marquis of Dalus

20 Red Sashes from Dalus

Hillary, Marquis of Paerus

40 men at arms from Paerus

Norham, Marquis of Ellic

Norham’s 5 companions: Shervan, Quell, Sal, Borune, Albert

Mossreach Nobility

Fredrick, Baron of Templemount

Jovithe, Tax Collector for Templemount Barony

10 men at arms from Templemount

Larius, Baron of Forest End

6 Rangers from Forest End Barony

Caloric, Baron of South Mooring

15 men at arms from South Mooring Barony

Zacary, Baron of Stonechair

10 men at arms from Stonechair Barony

Tullimus, Baron of Woodspear

20 men at arms from Woodspear Barony

Tullimus’ additional retinue: 2 cooks, 4 jugglers, 6 lutists, 8 manservants, 4 chambermaids, a doctor, and an astrologist

Omnian Church

Bishop Vornic of Suncrest

Father Argus of Mooncrest

Sarath the Hermit

Father Eon

4 acolytes attached to Bishop Vornic

1 aide to Father Argus

And an older warrior serving as Eon’s escort

Others

The Knights of Mist Valley

A contingent of dwarven merchants

2 Representatives of the Illmarian University (absent – see above)

Mario, formerly of Illmar

Oscarius, Telmon, and Grovath of the Parliament of Owls

The King calls the summit to order and announces that the Choval representatives have something to say. Aiken takes the floor and gives an impassioned speech, the gist of which is that:

*The Chovalian Church is the only true Omnian faith – all others are heresies

*They are asking each ruling or governing noble to take an advisor from the Chovalian Church

*All Omnians, secular or not, are called to commit to the Chovalian Church

Albus makes it clear that he does not intend to make any formal commitment one way or the other, but will allow those present to make their own decisions. Frumious confronts Aiken in front of everybody, asking him to clarify a few points of theology.

The group then breaks for individual discussions. Frumious approaches Aiken and tries to reason with him further; in the course of conversation he finds that the Chovalian version of Omnianism sees the First Born as lesser races, elevating humanity to a master race position. Aiken seems interested in recruiting Frumious to help the Gnomes understand their “proper place”. Frumious politely refuses.

Bajol approaches the King and leaves his card with the guards hoping for an audience. He finds himself in a brief conversation with Sevarius, who lets him know that he considers what Bajol is doing (being a paladin) a form of witchcraft, and would love for Bajol to come to Choval as Sevarius could have him burned at the stake. Bajol was taken aback by Sevarious’ naked hostility.

Grigor approaches Mario and is able to impress him. He finds that Mario’s base of operations is in Westfork, and receives an invitation to visit. Grigor then polls the Owls and finds them disgusted by the Chovalian announcement, but still unwilling to get directly involved.

The party feels out the Omnian officials and finds them unimpressed with the ultimatum given by the Chovalians.

The party then heads back to their rooms, feeling intolerant of the blatant politicking occurring. End Session

Journal Entry #22

Osgood,

My apologies for being so long out of communication.  We have bedded down outside of a fallen tower in the forest outside of Forestend.  Here is a brief recap of the last several days.

When we left Halvenspring we ended up spending the night in Woodspear, where the keep of Baron Tellemus is located.  Bajol had the beautiful idea that we sleep in his keep, as he was not there to stop us.  His Man-at-arms was quite accommodating, and we had a peaceful nights sleep.  The next morning we headed out to Longdock where we booked passage on a riverboat headed to Carradeen.  The 2 day trip down river was quiet and pretty relaxing.

Arriving at Carradeen was a pretty impressive sight.  This place is huge.  With ships, and people, and merchants everywhere.  We were mistaken for nobility when we disembarked and given a recomendation of a place to stay called The Ivory Cup.  So, Osgood, I need to take this time to inform you that there IS an "Other Half", and they live so much better than we do.  Not that our little tower is bad, but this inn was the most opulent thing I have ever seen.  Men everywhere in powdered wigs, hot baths, soft beds in large rooms.  Exquisite food and drink.  It is a lifestyle that would not be hard to get accustomed to.  The price, however nearly broke us, so our stay was very short lived.

That evening we met with Baron Fredrick and had dinner.  It was polite conversation, and a good meal.  He invited us to stay at the palace as members of his retinue, and we happily obliged. I also was able to pay a gentleman to track down Gwilyth.  I'm not sure if I ever told you about her, Osgood.  She is my sister.  Some 10 years older than me.  She was sent to Carradeen because her and my mother never got along, however I suspected it was something more.  Hopefully I can find her while I am in this region.

After dinner, I had a meeting with representatives of the Illmarian University.  They claimed to have little knowledge and were just simple merchants buying up documents.  They had no interest in FW artifacts that were not text of some sort.  I showed them the sheet with the Heraldic Signifiers on it, and they were extremely impressed.  We could not agree on a price, however, and I declined their offer.  That is when they attacked Fyn and I and we had to defend ourselves.  Needles to say, those 2 gentlemen will not be stealing from anyone ever again.

The next day was the big meeting, and what a meeting it was.  It was a massive collection of nobles, and wise men, and people jockeying for power.  The main even was the representative from the Choval Empire declaring that they have found the one way to be Omnian and all other people of faith must recognize their authority or some bullshit like that.  I stopped listening because I realized that this was going to result in a war one way or the other, and I will pay more attention when I have to choose a side.  There are more inportant things to deal with then petty men arguing over petty things.

Once the central speeches were concluded, I started to make my way through the crowd.  I ran into some representatives from the Parliament of Owls and we caught up on the goings on of late.  Nothing of note to write back about.  Then I spotted Mario across the room, and made my way to him.

Mario seems woefully unprepared to lead anything.  He is surly, and really only interested in garnering the favor of those with money.  We spoke briefly, and after convincing him that I might be a person of means, I received an invitation to dine with him in Gold Meadow.  What a better way to take that player off the board than at his own table.  Shortly after that meeting exhaustion set in and I retired to my chambers for some rest.  I think I came down with some sort of bug or something because the next thing I remember we were approaching the town of Forestend to the south.

Apparently while I was convalescing the group squared off with Daedalus on top of the palace.  His true form is that of a Manticore!  Oh, I would have loved to been there.  Sadly, Daedalus got away, but not without taking quite the beating.  Regardless, maybe now he will slink back to Shadowmount and leave us alone.

So we arrive in Forestend.  This place is fairly heavily fortified.  We found out while stabling the horses that it is not uncommon for beasts and Tainted to attack the city on average twice a week.  We got rooms at The Last Candle, where we also met some members of the Losten military.  They gave us some info on known locations of ruins and tombs, and agreed to serve as trackers and guides as we make out way to where we believe the Xinnian tombs to be located.  They also mentioned that they have seen far less redcap activity recently.  This could mean that all of Tainted activity is being focused on our region.  Be careful. 

We struck out this morning on horseback to the first known ruin.  On our way we overtook a group of feathered bears of some sort.  Like a half owl, half bear creature.  You know what?  I'm just going to call them Owlbears.  Done.  We fought some Owlbears.  Then we got to the tower.

We found this in a clearing.  It is old dilapidated, and reeks of evil.  There were also clear Steel-toe tracks moving in and out of the building.  Bajol sensed a strong evil presence within, and we entered to deal with the threat.  That presence consisted of 2 ghost like creatures that gave Bajol, Frumious, and Feydor a bit of trouble, but were eventually dispatched.  Not without taking some damage, however.  We are currently bedding down outside of the tower to get some rest, and so I can re-up on spells.

So how are things back home?  Since I have not heard form you, I am going to assume all is quiet.  I have an assignment for you.  But you must be inconspicuous about it.  I need to know why Klaus was sent to Halvenspring.  I also need to know what our city is hiding.  The people of the town, the fact that others get "assigned" here, the red cap concentration.  I can't shake the feeling like we are missing something right in front of our face.  So see what you can find out, but don't draw interest.  If something is about to blow, I don't want us to be the ones who strike the match.  Well, I'm going to do a little work on Daedalus' journal and then turn in.  Until next time.

Grigor