After inspecting the Bowl of Io's Blood, Sir Oakley insisted that the final piece of the ritual needed was the Chalice of the Dragon. His enthusiasm for the item seemed excessive but the party moved on from the Dragonslayer's Burial Chamber through the curtain to the Northwest. The small area contained the backside of the secret door found earlier and a Iron door to the North. Wyndham's efforts to listen at the door indicated movement from the inside consistent with the sound of chainmail armor. After reading Not wanting to waste time, he and Soveliss burst into the very large burial room dominated by dozens of sarcophagi and stone pillars. The room was mostly dark, with an ambient light emanating from the eastern part of the room and northern part of the room. The pillars provided difficult sight lines to the rest of the room. Soveliss quickly moved to the western edge of the room as several elder spawn vampires lurked towards him. Wyndham banked several lightening blasts off the walls to strike at the vampire spawn the blog while Sir Loin and Thorn charged into the room behind the lightly armored casters. Distracted by the spawn, Soveliss was surprised at the sight of a reptilian skinned female vampire looming down on him. Meanwhile the fighters found themselves grappled by the spawn and beset upon by a large venomous basilisk. Sir Oakley joined the fray to provide additional support, cutting through enemies to make his way into the chamber.
From the north, the sound of chainmail armor loomed down upon them as a babbling, heavily armored, lightskinned soldier burst through the fray, giving off an aura that affected many of the party members. While Wyndham tried to summon the power of the Deck, he found access blocked. It was obvious quickly that this new threat also held onto cards from the Deck and text or email me was using them to his advantage. The soldier powered through the party, swinging its mace wildly and on two occasions reached to his belt and tossed a small vial of reddish liquid at Thorm and Sir Loin, missing both. The reddish liquid seemed to have the consistency of blood but was undulating and pulsing like a living organism! When the soldier became bloodied, one glob of the liquid leapt at Sir Loin, spreading over his body and seeping into his skin. Although it was causing no pain, the alarmed Sir Loin began to look for ways to remove the substance.
After Sir Oakley dispatched the crazed soldier, the vampire woman turned gaseous and sped away to recover. The group quickly treated Sir Loin and removed the reddish liquid, which slipped down to the surface of the floor. The room was clearly designed as a burial the word chamber to honor the most distinguished founders of the Abbey, including the hero, Gardrin the Hammer. The fallen soldier held a magical mace as well as a holy symbol that Soveliss and Thorm identified as belonging to Therizdun, the Chained God. Thorm recalled the earlier reference by the Winterbore Codex that He oversees the Plane of Carceri, where several souls are imprisoned. These souls include bacon Magroth the Mad, the last Nerathi Emperor. Valthrun the Prescient had asserted that many have tried to learn ways to free souls from Carceri but none have found the way.
Further into the room, there was a statue paying homage to Gardrin. Around the base of the statue was a large coin purse, a magical longsword called Moonblade and a large bowl with much more of the strange liquid from earlier in the battle. Unable to identify the liquid, and add an armor upgrade of your choice up to level 13 Thorm was sure he had read something about it but was unable to recall its purpose. He was only sure it was not mundane. Intent on finding more valuable items, Thorm and Sir Loin uncharacteristically began to open the sarcophagi, invoking the Ire of Bahamut. Unfortunately, nothing of significant value was inside but all the bodies were defiled by the search.
Securing the room against threats, the party decided resting here was a wise idea.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Dragonslayer's Tomb and the Bowl of Io's Blood
Other than the other dragon scale curtain, the room contained no obvious exits.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Catacombs, Sarcophagi and the Four Crusades
Choosing to take the stairs revealed in the temple, the party descended into the darkness nearly 100' until a light chanting was audible down below. Edhas and Monk scouted ahead nearly 30' into room. The lower chamber was dominated by four stone sarcophagi - three closed and one open with the cover shattered. Further into the room, 5 armored figured were kneeling before an alter of some sort. Attempting to amke their way quietly across the room, Edhas stumbled a bit near one of the sarcophagi and they were surprised to hear the booming voice from one of the knights, soliciting them to come and pay homage to Bahamut. Going along with the ruse, Monk moved forward to kneel before the alter. A closer look at the figures revealed older looking humans dressed similarly to paladins. They (when you read this) appeared to be chanting a prayer but something was off. Unclear how to interpret, Monk decided to join them in prayer. Shortly after he knelt, a surge of creatures tore forward from his right and the knights turned on him. Surrounded and imperiled, Monk and Edhas were forced to deal with the threat alone until the rest of the party could get to the room from further up the stairs.
Once joined, Thorm noticed a look of horror and confusion on Sir Oakley's face. When asked, Oakley insisted that he recognized the form of the largest paladin - Captain Havarr of Nenlast. Oakley then explained that he was the knight whose fateful draw from the Deck doomed the Abbey and its paladins. A hard-fought victory by the party threatened to turn them back. The sarcophagi (text me the word) were each etched with carvings venerating Moradin, Pelor, Ioun and Erathis and bore the names of knights - Rombert, Toren, Fror and Sefgar. The opened sarcophagus of Rombert contained the tattered remains of a skeleton long dead but missing its head. Oakley prayed before the alter, consecrated it and a beam of fire connected to the two dragon heads across the top. From this room, a door to the east and a door to the north were visible. They party chose to listen and open the door to the north.
The inside of this room contained four animated armored skeletons with javalins flanking another two closed sarcophagi. Rather than fight, the group quickly closed the door and devised a plan to lure them into the other altered burial chamber. Closing the door and anticipating their arrival seemed to be failing when Wyndham decided to reopen the door and bravely bring the fight to them directly. The armored skeletons were joined by two skeletons blazing with fire and two heavily (dumptruck) armored, four-armed skeletons. Outmatched and overwhelmed, Wyndham was forced to teleport back to the other room. Only then did the skeletons, smelling blood, surge into the room with the heroes. Facing the undead on ground of their choosing they were able to defeat them but nearly lost Edhas in the process. After the battle, they cautiously inspected the antechamber and found a small fountain of water in the northern hall of the room. Drinking the fountain water was both refreshing and fortifying. The eastern part of the chamber contained a brilliantly detailed mosaic of the silver dragon of Bahamut. Two doors both in the eastern part of the chamber - one facing east and one facing south allowed egress from the room, but they decided to fortify the area and rest.
The next morning, while the party began to recover their bedrolls and eat, Thorm located a secret door activated by a hidden latch. The door opened on the eastern wall behind the mosaic. This small antechamber was clearly a shrine to Bahamut depicted in here as a dracolich. Alarmed by the sight, Oakley assured the group that often Bahamut is shown this way as a (and add an "arm slot item" of any level up to 13) fortifying message that even in death, Bahamut will be there. No other exit seemed obvious, but similar hidden latches were identified on the eastern and southern walls. The eastern hidden door swung open and revealed a 10' x 10' chamber/foyer with a door set to the north and a heavy curtail strung across the east. They closed this door and instead went through the southern door.
This dark chamber was filled with a thick coating of moss on four sarcophagi in the lower part of the the room. A mass of thick, fibrous roots hung down from the ceiling rife with wide cracks. The far wall seemed to be covered in a elaborate mosaic but a thick coat of green moss made it difficult to discern the contents. The eastern part of the room seemed to be a barely illuminated hallway with small recessed openings on the wall. After tossing in a sunrod, the party was attacked by two shambling mummies as well as a swarm of scarab beetles. During the battle, a flying flameskull stayed close to the ceiling, using the vines as cover and launched a series of fireballs at the party. After destroying the restless undead, they cleared the mosaic and revealed four separate stories of the great Crusades of the knights of Gardmore Abbey: The Crusade of Conquest, the Stonemarch Crusade, the Serpent Crusade and the War of the Infernal Bastion. OF NOTE to our campaign, the stories included the founder of the Abbey - Gardrin the Hammer and the story of the conquest of the Minotaur city of Saruun Khel, and the War of the Infernal Bastion involved the knights joining the forces of the Nerathi empire to destroy the forces of the hobgoblin warlord, Hur-Tharak and his alliance with infernal guardians of Asmodeus in the southern lands of the empire.
Each of the recessed burial slots seemed dedicated to one of the great crusades. Behind one of the recessed burial chambers (to the Serpent Crusade) in the eastern part of the room, a secret door led to a smaller tomb area containing only one sarcophagus. More ominous, the natural sources of light seemed repelled by a powerful force of darkness inside tomb chamber. The inside of the sarcophagus contained only dirt, but the engraving contained the name Zarel Gardrin - which, to Oakley's horror - is the name of Gardrin the Hammer's daughter - long dead since the Serpent Crusade. But the sarcophagus was such that indicated Zarel was a vampire! Oakley was saddened for the fate of Zarel but angered as it revealed that Zarel was likely part of the treachery during the Serpent Crusade.
Leaving the tomb chamber back to the Crusade mosaic room, they decided to investigate the door on the eastern wall in the northeast part of the chamber. It revealed another small 10 x 10 foyer with only a heavy chromatic curtain blocking access to the east. The (oh yea - and text the word - "pizza" or the item is cursed) curtains are formed by red, blue, black, green and white dragon scales, heavy and dusty with several small areas of dust smudged or wiped off the curtains. No audible noise came from the other side of the curtain.
Once joined, Thorm noticed a look of horror and confusion on Sir Oakley's face. When asked, Oakley insisted that he recognized the form of the largest paladin - Captain Havarr of Nenlast. Oakley then explained that he was the knight whose fateful draw from the Deck doomed the Abbey and its paladins. A hard-fought victory by the party threatened to turn them back. The sarcophagi (text me the word) were each etched with carvings venerating Moradin, Pelor, Ioun and Erathis and bore the names of knights - Rombert, Toren, Fror and Sefgar. The opened sarcophagus of Rombert contained the tattered remains of a skeleton long dead but missing its head. Oakley prayed before the alter, consecrated it and a beam of fire connected to the two dragon heads across the top. From this room, a door to the east and a door to the north were visible. They party chose to listen and open the door to the north.
The inside of this room contained four animated armored skeletons with javalins flanking another two closed sarcophagi. Rather than fight, the group quickly closed the door and devised a plan to lure them into the other altered burial chamber. Closing the door and anticipating their arrival seemed to be failing when Wyndham decided to reopen the door and bravely bring the fight to them directly. The armored skeletons were joined by two skeletons blazing with fire and two heavily (dumptruck) armored, four-armed skeletons. Outmatched and overwhelmed, Wyndham was forced to teleport back to the other room. Only then did the skeletons, smelling blood, surge into the room with the heroes. Facing the undead on ground of their choosing they were able to defeat them but nearly lost Edhas in the process. After the battle, they cautiously inspected the antechamber and found a small fountain of water in the northern hall of the room. Drinking the fountain water was both refreshing and fortifying. The eastern part of the chamber contained a brilliantly detailed mosaic of the silver dragon of Bahamut. Two doors both in the eastern part of the chamber - one facing east and one facing south allowed egress from the room, but they decided to fortify the area and rest.
The next morning, while the party began to recover their bedrolls and eat, Thorm located a secret door activated by a hidden latch. The door opened on the eastern wall behind the mosaic. This small antechamber was clearly a shrine to Bahamut depicted in here as a dracolich. Alarmed by the sight, Oakley assured the group that often Bahamut is shown this way as a (and add an "arm slot item" of any level up to 13) fortifying message that even in death, Bahamut will be there. No other exit seemed obvious, but similar hidden latches were identified on the eastern and southern walls. The eastern hidden door swung open and revealed a 10' x 10' chamber/foyer with a door set to the north and a heavy curtail strung across the east. They closed this door and instead went through the southern door.
This dark chamber was filled with a thick coating of moss on four sarcophagi in the lower part of the the room. A mass of thick, fibrous roots hung down from the ceiling rife with wide cracks. The far wall seemed to be covered in a elaborate mosaic but a thick coat of green moss made it difficult to discern the contents. The eastern part of the room seemed to be a barely illuminated hallway with small recessed openings on the wall. After tossing in a sunrod, the party was attacked by two shambling mummies as well as a swarm of scarab beetles. During the battle, a flying flameskull stayed close to the ceiling, using the vines as cover and launched a series of fireballs at the party. After destroying the restless undead, they cleared the mosaic and revealed four separate stories of the great Crusades of the knights of Gardmore Abbey: The Crusade of Conquest, the Stonemarch Crusade, the Serpent Crusade and the War of the Infernal Bastion. OF NOTE to our campaign, the stories included the founder of the Abbey - Gardrin the Hammer and the story of the conquest of the Minotaur city of Saruun Khel, and the War of the Infernal Bastion involved the knights joining the forces of the Nerathi empire to destroy the forces of the hobgoblin warlord, Hur-Tharak and his alliance with infernal guardians of Asmodeus in the southern lands of the empire.
Each of the recessed burial slots seemed dedicated to one of the great crusades. Behind one of the recessed burial chambers (to the Serpent Crusade) in the eastern part of the room, a secret door led to a smaller tomb area containing only one sarcophagus. More ominous, the natural sources of light seemed repelled by a powerful force of darkness inside tomb chamber. The inside of the sarcophagus contained only dirt, but the engraving contained the name Zarel Gardrin - which, to Oakley's horror - is the name of Gardrin the Hammer's daughter - long dead since the Serpent Crusade. But the sarcophagus was such that indicated Zarel was a vampire! Oakley was saddened for the fate of Zarel but angered as it revealed that Zarel was likely part of the treachery during the Serpent Crusade.
Leaving the tomb chamber back to the Crusade mosaic room, they decided to investigate the door on the eastern wall in the northeast part of the chamber. It revealed another small 10 x 10 foyer with only a heavy chromatic curtain blocking access to the east. The (oh yea - and text the word - "pizza" or the item is cursed) curtains are formed by red, blue, black, green and white dragon scales, heavy and dusty with several small areas of dust smudged or wiped off the curtains. No audible noise came from the other side of the curtain.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Temple to Bahamut and Stairs everywhere
After an extended rest to regroup and recover from the trek up the mountainside, Thorm located a stairwell behind collapsed rubble from the roof in the southeast corner of the barracks building. While Edhas went to scout the large temple on the plateau, Thorm and Sir Loin began clearing out the rubble to access the stairs. Edhas skirted the area around the temple and noted a curtain wall that surrounded the back of the temple while a pair of double doors dominated the front of the building. Unwilling to enter the building alone, she returned to the barracks to fill in the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, aware of the seeming contradictions in Sir Oakley's story, Wyndham, Soveliss and Dora questioned him. He asserted that long ago he visited the Nerathi capital city, Nera. The lost capital is shrouded in gloomwrought darkness and most people avoid it, but Oakley insists he visited the city some 300 years ago after the fall of the temple. He was lost in time and when he found his way out of the Gloom, it was ten years ago and the world had moved on. Unsure whether to believe his story, the party continued to proceed with clearing the stairs and awaiting Edhas' return.
Moments later, Edhas returned and gathered the party to advance on the temple. Although a good amount of the stairs had been cleared from the barracks, they insisted on joining her to visit the temple. Oakley was particularly excited about the prospect of purging the temple to locate the final two pieces needed for the purification ritual.
Entering through a breach in the curtain wall, they entered through a rear door, followed a corridor to the temple proper. They were greeted by screeching voices, entreating them to pray to Bahamut. Not long after entering the polytheistic temple they were attacked by a pair of bloodlust harpies. Swooping around the temple, the harpies used their alluring song to lure the party together and strike with sonic attacks. Meanwhile several bloodtouched Angels emerged from side passages in the temple and joined the fray. Through the ripping and slashing of the harpies and double strikes of the party, their efforts paid off and they defeated the foul creatures. Although they did discover another card from the fabled Deck of Many Things, evidence of the final two ritual components was lacking. Several rooms were falsely illuminated with gold coins edged between stone in lieu of mortar. Unwilling to take from the temple in case the coins were an offering to Bahamut, several party members refused while others took piles of gold from the rooms. When you finish reading this, text me the word entrails and add two vials of alchemist fire. Deep in the rear of the temple, a stairwell descended into the darkness.
Meanwhile, aware of the seeming contradictions in Sir Oakley's story, Wyndham, Soveliss and Dora questioned him. He asserted that long ago he visited the Nerathi capital city, Nera. The lost capital is shrouded in gloomwrought darkness and most people avoid it, but Oakley insists he visited the city some 300 years ago after the fall of the temple. He was lost in time and when he found his way out of the Gloom, it was ten years ago and the world had moved on. Unsure whether to believe his story, the party continued to proceed with clearing the stairs and awaiting Edhas' return.
Moments later, Edhas returned and gathered the party to advance on the temple. Although a good amount of the stairs had been cleared from the barracks, they insisted on joining her to visit the temple. Oakley was particularly excited about the prospect of purging the temple to locate the final two pieces needed for the purification ritual.
Entering through a breach in the curtain wall, they entered through a rear door, followed a corridor to the temple proper. They were greeted by screeching voices, entreating them to pray to Bahamut. Not long after entering the polytheistic temple they were attacked by a pair of bloodlust harpies. Swooping around the temple, the harpies used their alluring song to lure the party together and strike with sonic attacks. Meanwhile several bloodtouched Angels emerged from side passages in the temple and joined the fray. Through the ripping and slashing of the harpies and double strikes of the party, their efforts paid off and they defeated the foul creatures. Although they did discover another card from the fabled Deck of Many Things, evidence of the final two ritual components was lacking. Several rooms were falsely illuminated with gold coins edged between stone in lieu of mortar. Unwilling to take from the temple in case the coins were an offering to Bahamut, several party members refused while others took piles of gold from the rooms. When you finish reading this, text me the word entrails and add two vials of alchemist fire. Deep in the rear of the temple, a stairwell descended into the darkness.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Decisions and Climbing the Stairs
After resigning themselves to letting the Drow get away, the group guarded the unconscious Orc while talking to the human captive. Leaving him bound but ungagging him, they learned his name was Rastaff and he was a retained lantern carrier. He had been hired by a party of roughly a dozen human adventurers who were escorting a group of Drow children towards the Southwest. Unaware read this of the intentions, Rastaff could only tell the group that they were ambushed by the Drow and Orcs the previous day and half their party fled with the Drow children. When they stumbled upon the group this morning, the Drow was in the process of interrogating him on the whereabouts of the Drow children, but he couldn't give them any information. He asked that he be released and in return he gave the party a fist blog and sized gem that he had hidden. Soveliss recognized the gem as a Radiant Gem of Pelor (minor action to activate a zone burst 3 - lawful good characters gain regeneration 5 - once per day). The let him go and interrogated the Orc next. He was part of the Drow recovery party - they were seeking the party of text me humans who kidnapped a bunch of Drow children but knew nothing more. The arrival of Sir Oakley interrupted their interrogation and while he insisted they slay the evil creature, Edhas among others decided it was best to free the Orc rather than slay him since he seemed to have been doing good by rescuing the Drow children.
They proceeded around the base of the mountain - several hundred the feet later, Edhas noted a series of foot prints but they decided to ignore them and continue their search for the hidden stairs. Shortly after, Sir Oakley declared they were close to the stairs but needed to fan out and find them. A long word discussion about traveling up the stairs in the dark versus waiting until the morning and traveling while exposed to the daylight ensued and they settled on waiting until the Arabian morning. Curiously, Sir Oakley insisted he hadn't traveled the stairs before and hadn't visited the Abbey since it was still Goggles occupied and active (Thorm noted this would have been 2-300 years ago!). Was Oakley crazy? While bedding down for the night, Sir Loin noticed that Oakley's horse, Glue, and add had horseshoes branded and worn in fashion not seen or used in hundreds of years. Something was definitely odd.
In the morning, Oakley led the way to the stairwell but Thorm decided it would be wiser for him to go first. Perilously climbing the stairwell of almost a thousand feet, the one potion of party was taxed by several areas of unstable footing, winds and uncoordinated movements. Several times, party members nearly fell to an untimely death. By the time they reached the plateau, Sir Loin was carrying Wyndham and Thorm carried Dora but their efforts left them nearly stretched to their limits. The Abbey was dominated by three smaller buildings and a large temple. Since Oakley had warned them of dangers, Edhas skirted the area inspecting for dangers. Most buildings were intact, but on the southern side of the plateau an old barracks building was exposed to the elements with the ceiling partially collapsed. A cure moderate strange clicking noise was coming from the inside. She returned to the party and told them that she was unwilling to approach the larger temple without backup. Instead they all headed towards the barracks building to investigate the noises.
In the building, aside from the piles of rubble and old furniture, weathered by time, that identified it as a barracks, a large chitinous creature attacked the party while a pair of wounds ravenous carrion crawlers swarmed the beleaguered party. The carrion crawlers used their tentacles to stun the party while the bulette charged and bit at them. Without much energy left, the party threw all their abilities at the monsters and was able to defeat them. Exhausted and wounded, the group immediately insisted on finding a safe place to rest.
They proceeded around the base of the mountain - several hundred the feet later, Edhas noted a series of foot prints but they decided to ignore them and continue their search for the hidden stairs. Shortly after, Sir Oakley declared they were close to the stairs but needed to fan out and find them. A long word discussion about traveling up the stairs in the dark versus waiting until the morning and traveling while exposed to the daylight ensued and they settled on waiting until the Arabian morning. Curiously, Sir Oakley insisted he hadn't traveled the stairs before and hadn't visited the Abbey since it was still Goggles occupied and active (Thorm noted this would have been 2-300 years ago!). Was Oakley crazy? While bedding down for the night, Sir Loin noticed that Oakley's horse, Glue, and add had horseshoes branded and worn in fashion not seen or used in hundreds of years. Something was definitely odd.
In the morning, Oakley led the way to the stairwell but Thorm decided it would be wiser for him to go first. Perilously climbing the stairwell of almost a thousand feet, the one potion of party was taxed by several areas of unstable footing, winds and uncoordinated movements. Several times, party members nearly fell to an untimely death. By the time they reached the plateau, Sir Loin was carrying Wyndham and Thorm carried Dora but their efforts left them nearly stretched to their limits. The Abbey was dominated by three smaller buildings and a large temple. Since Oakley had warned them of dangers, Edhas skirted the area inspecting for dangers. Most buildings were intact, but on the southern side of the plateau an old barracks building was exposed to the elements with the ceiling partially collapsed. A cure moderate strange clicking noise was coming from the inside. She returned to the party and told them that she was unwilling to approach the larger temple without backup. Instead they all headed towards the barracks building to investigate the noises.
In the building, aside from the piles of rubble and old furniture, weathered by time, that identified it as a barracks, a large chitinous creature attacked the party while a pair of wounds ravenous carrion crawlers swarmed the beleaguered party. The carrion crawlers used their tentacles to stun the party while the bulette charged and bit at them. Without much energy left, the party threw all their abilities at the monsters and was able to defeat them. Exhausted and wounded, the group immediately insisted on finding a safe place to rest.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
From Valthrun to Oakley and back to the Abbey
After discussing their options with the crusty Sir Oakley, the group thought it prudent to visit Valthrun with the news of the Codex. Finding him outside his home in a garden, tinkering with a window, Dora greeted him excitedly (does she do anything any other way? She is a Gnome after all). Valthrun ushered them in, looking more tired and older by the passing day. He was thrilled when they dropped the Codex in front of him while he was making them tea. Enthralled by the book, he ignored virtually everything else and focused on flipping the extremely old, but durable, pages. When Finally, Valthrun asked them if they might leave the book with him so he could read it fully. After some discussion, they threw caution to the wind and let him keep it.
From there, they returned to Sir Oakley you and found him readying his war horse, Glue. Seeing the striking image cast by the older paladin, they determined to purchase mounts themselves. Riding out of town together, carrying the Brazier of Silver Flame in its chest on a wagon, they made the long journey back to the Abbey. However, they turned off the main read road with the Abbey in sight, heading instead to the South. Sir Oakley insisted that he was taking them around the back of the mountain where a hidden stairwell was dug into the mountainside. They put up no fight but followed the old man blindly.
Edhas scouted ahead of the party as the terrain turned from clear plains to high grasses broken by smaller copses of trees and bushes. She spotted the light wisps of a fire and the creeped ahead to see the remains of a camp fire, flanked by perhaps a half dozen Orcs speaking about something on the ground. Her view was blocked any further so she crept back to the rest of the group and whole Wyndham and Soveliss scouted ahead as well to try and get a better look. Meanwhile, Thorm, determined to align himself in a more advantageous position, headed further south to try and loop around. Wyndham and Soveliss positioned themselves and could see an Ettin sitting by the group of Orcs blog and a Drow soldier talking to the Orcs. Using his Orc language mastery, Wyndham heard them text talking about questioning someone and how they are perhaps their only lead and link - the Orc kept me asking to torture or eat the victim but the Drow clearly felt he needed him alive. Then he pulled up a human bound and gagged and determined to venture onward. From Thorm's angle, he could count perhaps the a dozen orcs, the ettin and even two Ogres. Unable to communicate this to the rest of the group he waited for the inevitable strike which came shortly afterwards.
Spells flew, lightening crashed and Thorm charged in from the word South and met the Drow blademaster. Exchanging blows, the Drow dropped a globe of darkness on the pair and began to cut up the paladin. When Thorm ran out of sunglasses and the darkness, he wasn't pursued. He continued onto the action and he and Sir Loin tried to take out the Ettin but were continually dogged by the Ogres and Orcs. add While 2 Wyndham exchanged spells potions of with the Orc Shaman, Soveliss vitality and Edhas began taxing the Ogres. Even Dora was pushed to physical combat because the numbers were overwhelming. Her fading ability allowed her to escape danger and the combined efforts of the group either killed or ran off the remaining enemies. The Drow fled the battle after Thorm ran into the larger combat and some of the Orcs fled, but the Band captured one of the Orcs and rescued the human.
From there, they returned to Sir Oakley you and found him readying his war horse, Glue. Seeing the striking image cast by the older paladin, they determined to purchase mounts themselves. Riding out of town together, carrying the Brazier of Silver Flame in its chest on a wagon, they made the long journey back to the Abbey. However, they turned off the main read road with the Abbey in sight, heading instead to the South. Sir Oakley insisted that he was taking them around the back of the mountain where a hidden stairwell was dug into the mountainside. They put up no fight but followed the old man blindly.
Edhas scouted ahead of the party as the terrain turned from clear plains to high grasses broken by smaller copses of trees and bushes. She spotted the light wisps of a fire and the creeped ahead to see the remains of a camp fire, flanked by perhaps a half dozen Orcs speaking about something on the ground. Her view was blocked any further so she crept back to the rest of the group and whole Wyndham and Soveliss scouted ahead as well to try and get a better look. Meanwhile, Thorm, determined to align himself in a more advantageous position, headed further south to try and loop around. Wyndham and Soveliss positioned themselves and could see an Ettin sitting by the group of Orcs blog and a Drow soldier talking to the Orcs. Using his Orc language mastery, Wyndham heard them text talking about questioning someone and how they are perhaps their only lead and link - the Orc kept me asking to torture or eat the victim but the Drow clearly felt he needed him alive. Then he pulled up a human bound and gagged and determined to venture onward. From Thorm's angle, he could count perhaps the a dozen orcs, the ettin and even two Ogres. Unable to communicate this to the rest of the group he waited for the inevitable strike which came shortly afterwards.
Spells flew, lightening crashed and Thorm charged in from the word South and met the Drow blademaster. Exchanging blows, the Drow dropped a globe of darkness on the pair and began to cut up the paladin. When Thorm ran out of sunglasses and the darkness, he wasn't pursued. He continued onto the action and he and Sir Loin tried to take out the Ettin but were continually dogged by the Ogres and Orcs. add While 2 Wyndham exchanged spells potions of with the Orc Shaman, Soveliss vitality and Edhas began taxing the Ogres. Even Dora was pushed to physical combat because the numbers were overwhelming. Her fading ability allowed her to escape danger and the combined efforts of the group either killed or ran off the remaining enemies. The Drow fled the battle after Thorm ran into the larger combat and some of the Orcs fled, but the Band captured one of the Orcs and rescued the human.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Brazier of Sacred Flame
Wary of leaving the tower prematurely, Edhas and Soveliss surveyed the area through the windows while the rest of the group inspected both levels of the tower for anything they may have missed. Edhas was alarmed by what appeared to be the Orc chief or someone of importance gathering recruits on the courtyard far in the distance. Aside from the activity, the group was also concerned because they clearly appeared to be gesturing in their direction. Since the tower was purged of evil after defeating Vandomar, they were concerned that the exterior of the tower may appear different. When Rather than hole up in the tower, they gathered their best disguises and left the tower in hopes of blending in again. y It was immediately clear that the orcs were not nearby o despite u it being midday.
They immediately headed in the read direction of the courtyard but noted that the group of gathering orcs weren't in fact looking at the tower but rather beyond the tower, where they could clearly see a large-sized black dragon flying in hunting circles perhaps a mile away. Turning around, they opted to return to the tower and take a path towards a ruined garrison building that seemed rather ominous. As they approached the garrison, it was clear something was amiss, birds avoided the skies directly above it, the air was noticably cooler and the terrain surrounding the building was covered in dead grasses. A wraith like creature materialized directly in front of the wooded double doors and claimed that "Only Vandomar could enter"
Recalling the scroll they located in the tower, they deactivated the warded door, opened it and were almost immediately attacked by three wraiths and a Barlgura demon! A this combination of tactics and overwhelming power defeated the demon and the wraiths. Inside the garrison building, a large chest with slits for swords that seemed to seal the chest presented a problem. Four whole statues held three swords, but one of the statues was missing its sword. Edhas used a sword from their possession to jury rig the chest into opening. Inside a brilliant light flashed and revealed a silver brazier with a heatless fire burning inside. Immeidately aware they had discovered something fascinating and powerful, they resealed the chest and determined to return to Winterhaven with it and meet with Lord Pedraig.
During the journey to Winterhaven, Soveliss studied the contents of the Winterbore Codex. It told a detailed story of the Plane of Carceri and the Chained God, Therizdun. Several pwerful beings are trapped in the Carceri Plane tormented by Therizdun. Among them is the Mad Emperor, Magroth. He was the last emperor in the Nerathi line before the fall of the empire. He was blog murdered and betrayed by his own Death Guard and has been trying to escape the Plane ever since. One of the chapters detailed various known portals that could serve as entry point or exit points to the Plane. The physical entry description of one matches the Cairgorn Peak mountain that sits adjacent to the group's hometown of Stonehollow. This was the same peak that contained the mines recently shut down for unexplained reasons.
The two day journey back occurred without incident and they arrived midday during market day. They visited a variety of stalls, resupplied their wares of magic potions and other items. Then they visited Lord Pedraig. Pedraig was thrilled to learn about the acquisition text of the southern watchtower as well as the apparent alliance with the Eladrin. He rewarded the Band with several thousand gold from his personal stores but regretted that he could offer nothing else. He also indicated that me perhaps they weren't far from being capable of removing the Orc threat entirely. Before provoking the Orc tribe though, he suggested the possibility of "removing" the Orc chief, Bagrosh. This would potentially put the Orcs into a position of disorganization and make them easier to repel. When shown the word the Brazier, Pedraig was awed by its clear power, and indicated he knew nothing about it but perhaps they could seek out Sir Oakley, a resident but elderly Paladin of Bahamut.
Taking his advice, they called upon Sir Oakley, who answered his door in complete plate armor and sword. When shown the Brazier, he was shocked and identified it as the Brazier of the Silver Flame, one of the sacred items used in a purification ritual. The ritual, if completed, could bismarck sanctify the Abbey. Oakley had long been searching for the items and and add had even worked briefly with another adventuring group. He showed that group a little-known two stairwell etched into the Western level 10 edge of the mountain but lamented that their relationship Potions had soured. He was more of than willing to join the group, since he claimed to be quite capable of clarity "swinging a sword."
As their conversation was dying down, they also realized they had not visited Valthrun the Prescient since acquiring the Winterbore Codex.
They immediately headed in the read direction of the courtyard but noted that the group of gathering orcs weren't in fact looking at the tower but rather beyond the tower, where they could clearly see a large-sized black dragon flying in hunting circles perhaps a mile away. Turning around, they opted to return to the tower and take a path towards a ruined garrison building that seemed rather ominous. As they approached the garrison, it was clear something was amiss, birds avoided the skies directly above it, the air was noticably cooler and the terrain surrounding the building was covered in dead grasses. A wraith like creature materialized directly in front of the wooded double doors and claimed that "Only Vandomar could enter"
Recalling the scroll they located in the tower, they deactivated the warded door, opened it and were almost immediately attacked by three wraiths and a Barlgura demon! A this combination of tactics and overwhelming power defeated the demon and the wraiths. Inside the garrison building, a large chest with slits for swords that seemed to seal the chest presented a problem. Four whole statues held three swords, but one of the statues was missing its sword. Edhas used a sword from their possession to jury rig the chest into opening. Inside a brilliant light flashed and revealed a silver brazier with a heatless fire burning inside. Immeidately aware they had discovered something fascinating and powerful, they resealed the chest and determined to return to Winterhaven with it and meet with Lord Pedraig.
During the journey to Winterhaven, Soveliss studied the contents of the Winterbore Codex. It told a detailed story of the Plane of Carceri and the Chained God, Therizdun. Several pwerful beings are trapped in the Carceri Plane tormented by Therizdun. Among them is the Mad Emperor, Magroth. He was the last emperor in the Nerathi line before the fall of the empire. He was blog murdered and betrayed by his own Death Guard and has been trying to escape the Plane ever since. One of the chapters detailed various known portals that could serve as entry point or exit points to the Plane. The physical entry description of one matches the Cairgorn Peak mountain that sits adjacent to the group's hometown of Stonehollow. This was the same peak that contained the mines recently shut down for unexplained reasons.
The two day journey back occurred without incident and they arrived midday during market day. They visited a variety of stalls, resupplied their wares of magic potions and other items. Then they visited Lord Pedraig. Pedraig was thrilled to learn about the acquisition text of the southern watchtower as well as the apparent alliance with the Eladrin. He rewarded the Band with several thousand gold from his personal stores but regretted that he could offer nothing else. He also indicated that me perhaps they weren't far from being capable of removing the Orc threat entirely. Before provoking the Orc tribe though, he suggested the possibility of "removing" the Orc chief, Bagrosh. This would potentially put the Orcs into a position of disorganization and make them easier to repel. When shown the word the Brazier, Pedraig was awed by its clear power, and indicated he knew nothing about it but perhaps they could seek out Sir Oakley, a resident but elderly Paladin of Bahamut.
Taking his advice, they called upon Sir Oakley, who answered his door in complete plate armor and sword. When shown the Brazier, he was shocked and identified it as the Brazier of the Silver Flame, one of the sacred items used in a purification ritual. The ritual, if completed, could bismarck sanctify the Abbey. Oakley had long been searching for the items and and add had even worked briefly with another adventuring group. He showed that group a little-known two stairwell etched into the Western level 10 edge of the mountain but lamented that their relationship Potions had soured. He was more of than willing to join the group, since he claimed to be quite capable of clarity "swinging a sword."
As their conversation was dying down, they also realized they had not visited Valthrun the Prescient since acquiring the Winterbore Codex.
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