Meet 31, Adv 2, 4/27/13

This was a fairly quiet night for the party. Lots of conversation and adventuring, much opportunity to role play. They knew they were going against Kronig, and they also know that he was not a fight to be taken lightly. They had a finite amount of time to "rescue" Tempi and needed help. That led to the Bullywugs, reasking the goblins, and then eventually the half-elves and humans found on the 2nd floor for their aid. The feeling was to use the same tactics used against Korlok - overwhelming force against a singular foe.

Write up follows:

The floor here fairly empty, both stairs leading up to a common landing. A series of arrow-slit windows dominated the south wall, while a great hall ran north toward a series of noble bedrooms. Two side corridors ran from here to the east and west, the east dominated by piles of mounded furnishings, the west open and dim looking. Finally a set of doors on the east and west side were visible as well, the western door marred by water stains all over the floor.

Not wanting to chance anyone spotting us from the main hall, we actually climbed up the railing along the last few steps and entered the 2nd floor foyer, weapons out and ready, as we made our way to the western door. Quietly we knocked, trying to get the Bullywug (we hoped!) attention without making enough noise to attract Kronig (or alert Sisspak). As a precaution, Fergus did scan around, finding that an evil snake-like presence was watching us through the furniture barricade. We attempted to communicate with it, but it back and then away, gone from the paladin’s range.

The Bullywug’s did open the door for us and we entered, meeting 4 of the amphibian creatures. Murgo, who we had befriended earlier, and his three brood-mates: Ploog, Glarp, and Golup, We were in what had one time been a barracks but had been refitted by the Bullywugs for their purposes. Very wickedly sharp spears were in abundance, and there were 3 decent sized tubs that had been brought here from somewhere else. Holes had been knocked in the ceiling and we saw the base of a cistern of some sort overhead, a few crude copper pipes shunted into place. The room had dozens of algae-filled bowls and cups placed on most of the available shelves and surfaces.

We talked for a bit. The Bullywugs once numbered over 30, down to 4 now. Been here for a few years. There were various attempts to escape but the best was through the well, supposedly it had led elsewhere but the remaining Bullywugs could not prove it since those that did not come back up either died from lack of air or escaped. The growing number of stirges and the pitched battles they had in the past with the goblins had decimated their numbers so much that they had not dared to try to use the well again.

Instead they had saved the bones of their fallen comrades (stored in the next room), found some equilibrium here, and made it their point to barter their algae-wine for whatever they needed. Composed of various fungi they allowed to ferment in a mix of their own skin secretions and algae growths they cultivate, it smells like chocolate and packs such a powerful kick that its effects can make even the most level-headed person drunk in a single quaff.

Sadly, to prove this, Bill traded the battered ship’s compass we had for a sample of the Bullywug wine, which got the hobbit completely wasted and laughing his ass off. Fist’al purchased two of the bottles and we talked about the lay of the land up here and who was around.

The crazies were just to the north of the Bullywugs, off folk who would often beat themselves. Beyond that were some rooms the Bullywugs shared with the half-elves, growing specialized fungi in the damp darkness. Then there was clearing area that overlooked the garden. Down the main hall eventual it led to Kronig’s chamber. The entire right side of the 2nd floor was property of the yuan-ti.

After some time we wished the Bullywug’s a fine good day and left, taking the northern door and finding ourselves in the narrower confines of the 2ndary halls. The corridor went north where we heard some muffled noises from the right hand side, it also continued to the west where it ended at a reinforced door. The group opted for the door first.

Mentally drawing up Fergus’ map of Candlewick, we suspected that this was a door to the parapet and as the others we had seen to date, was locked. A quick go round with the Spymaster’s key ring found us a likely choice and we used it, but first oiled the hinges. The door was stiff, but did open. Sure enough, outside. To the left, some 80 plus feet away was the south tower where the stirges were, to the right, a bit further along to another tower.

We opted NOT to use the parapet here, as it would not be a smart call with the stirges fairly close and no place else to run. Instead we closed it and thought there must be another way to get to the northern area of the parapet wall and try to find the shrine to Hestia and lower the Crimson Sanctuary.

We regrouped and travelled north, passing the doors to the right where there was rhythmic chanting, slapping, and moaning. Fucking? Who knew – we were going on. A bit further up we came upon the half-elven platoon and decided to be open and forthcoming with them.

Their leader was named Nerill and there were 6 of them. They had a priestess of Ares with them and we learned that they had been here some 2-3 years. Were over 20 at one point. They had been dispatched by Elven Keep to find out the locales of the former Guardian Keeps and discover if they were still viable. Identified as Orange Platoon, the elves of Woodhelven were often embarrassed of their half-breed cousins and would band them together and send them off on these ridiculous missions. The feeling was though that after 12 years of service, even half-elves would be allowed to own land and have a half vote in the elven council meetings, so many half elves joined the army.

Nerill and the others felt abandoned and betrayed by their full blooded kin, thinking they were sent here to die by attrition. There was no proof of this, but it was in their minds anyway. This led us to then discuss the capture of Tempi who was still alive and in Kronig’s possession. The half-elves took the gear and came here to discuss what was to happen next and talk about whether they made a mistake by having any dealings with Kronig.

We talked, begged, cajoled, swore to the gods, and used every persuasive thought we could during our prolonged conversation with Nerill until the half-elves agreed to march on Kronig with us. It was mostly due to the consensus that we can and will bring down the Crimson Sanctuary.

We even had a brief run in with the crazy’s that were to the right, a group of 5 or so humans, followers of Hestia, who were sent here (according to their own twisted belief) to honor the virginal goddess and repopulate the place by having constant sex. They offered to come with us but it was squashed as not a good thing and decidedly crappy to do to the unwashed hippies.

From that point on we talked about tactics, the layout around Kronig’s place, and what tactics we would use to take the ogre down. Flimflam did try to re-recruit the goblins as well as Tindoreg, but both rebuffed the gnome.

It was almost 6 PM and if we were going to mount a rescue for Tempi, it had to be now and soon.

Meet 30, Adv 2, 4/20/13

The group had run afoul of Kronig, the Ogre, and arguably the 2nd most powerful figure (to fight) in Candlewick. Sisspak the yuan-ti is the 1st, but they have had no real contact with him. The roster ran:
Sisspak (yuan-ti)
Kronig (Ogre)
Korlok (Lizardman)
Funtarig (Goblin)

If you wonder who the other "power" combats could have been you would have to include:
Tindoreg (Bugbear)
5-Headed Hydra (in lizardman area)
Davers (Dryad)
Arcanocere

It's strange because the other 4 are there, but not expected for combat purposes unless something goes horribly wrong.

And the first four WILL wipe the party across the floor if they try to go toe to toe with them. To paraphrase what my freind Mike is fond of saying, "Not every problem can be solved with a hammer."

Write up follows:

With Korlok down we had the opportunity to look over the chamber. There were 4 other corridors out of here, two on the north and two on the south. They were dark and filled with water, the same as the main chamber we were in. IN the quiet we heard nothing and blocking the torch light allowed the elves to look with care, seeing no heat sources of any kind. Finally a handful of arrows were sent flying down them but resulted in nothing but faint“tik” as they hit the far walls.

 

We listened then to the two doors on the eastern wall, the one we came in from and the 2^nd that we had blocked with a shovel. We heard nothing. Not sure if the lizardmen (we suspected 1 or 2) were still nearby but confident that the sound of our tremendous fight would have given them pause that assaulting us would be a deadly and stupid idea. We took the shovel out from under the door and then discussed our options and what to do next.

 

We opened the door and looked, seeing a corridor roughly 20 paces long that turned to the left. A door was just at the entrance of the hall on the left hand side and through it we heard lots of deep, regular breathing. What was it? Did we want to attract it? Fist’al assured us the door was open and unlocked and dark inside. We decided not to shine a light inside.

 

No longer wanting to go down that hall we went back to Korlok’s chamber and gave the side corridor’s a serious once over – finding nothing except for places where they joined one another back and forth. The party then wanted to check out the rest of the basement and see if they could find anything they might have missed.

 

We left via the original corridor we came in and proceeded back the way we came, turning northward down the passage that the 2 flying compys had come out of. We proceeded with care, seeing nothing yet except for the ankle deep water and the base stone walls. Eventually the corridor turned to the right and we travelled on, feeling a disturbance on the floor under our feet, a section where the floor was cracked and water was oozing up through the faint crevice. Past here was a door on the left, closed and tight.

 

Convinced it wasn’t trapped we were going to open it but decided not to and pressed on. The passage moved to the left where it went for some distance, turned to the left again with another long travel, and then the left again. By this time it was getting close and back to where the breathing was coming from. That and Marcus and Fist’al were convinced that something was following us. Was it lizardmen? Doubtful, unless they were also suicidal. Yuan-ti and Sisspak? Most likely –they had been shadowing us now for 2 days, watching and observing.

 

We back tracked, finding no one until we arrived back at the firmly closed door. Some shoulder action forced it open and then we heard WHAM as a ballista bolt shot out and just missed Ben and Fergus, blasting into the stonework on the other side of the hall. It was a training room of some sort, although outside of the ballista there were no other weapons present.

 

The group worked the bolt out of the wall and began to look around the room when we heard figures in the distance and getting closer. Heavy, big, couldn’t understand the language due to the distance and intervening walls. We thought about it and guessed on Kronig, the ogre that supposedly lives on the top floor. Taking Flimflam’s advice we retreated into the training room, shut the door part way, and drew up into lines with bows and arrows at the ready.

 

Kronig and company (which we now were able to deduce as the half-elves based upon their voices and the polygot of elven and common words being spoken) tromped on till they got to Korlok’s chamber where there was much conversation and moving about. Some 15 minutes of tense time passed until we heard them coming back out of the chamber and back down the hall they had come from.

 

The decision was made to make contact, especially after we heard Kronig complaining to his companions about us, the trouble we’ve caused, and that we are currently in the Chapel in the Courtyard. Not wanting to let them find Tempi we spoke up and tried to arrange some sort of alliance. Kronig didn’t take well to it, and we found ourselves talking in circles and the ogre only growing more wroth at the thought of allying with us – even against Sisspak. He left but we waited 10 minutes to make sure they were gone before daring to come out.

 

Now what?

 

We went back to Korlok’s chamber and were dismayed to find all the bodies gone as well as Korlok’s humongous axe. Also, the other door was open and beyond that, the door with the breathing seemed to be ajar.

 

We drew up battle lines, Fergus and Ben taking spots closest to the door, and using his trident, shoved it open. Something with an alligator’s head came snaking out on a long neck and bit at the two heroes! Spears and tridents were plied as it bit and savaged the two of them, Ben’s shield being chewed through and folded in half. A second head came over and we heard something heavy moving. Ben and Fergus shouted for the party to flee and then Ben was bit! The fighter was mauled terribly as he slid over, only a well-placed aid from Fergus kept him from being eaten. Either way he was at -6 and dying. Marcus came to help carry the fighter away when the paladin was also bit, also badly wounded and barely able to stand.

 

As for the retreat, Link had broken his nerve and was leading the way out of Korlok’s chamber and down the corridor. He hit the corner…and blam – giant frog! It wrapped its tongue around him and he twisted and pulled and struggled…and managed to make his strength check! Flimflam and Fist’al hit the corner next, circling around and leading the attack to the giant frog who released Link and moved to defend itself. Arrows flew, the last giant rat we had with us was eaten, goblins added their missile fire to the melee. Finally it was Flimflam who landed the final blow and the giant frog fell over dead.

 

We limped and cried and staggered, eventually making our way to the stairs and then out of the lizardman compound. The last few goblins (not Ratterig who was staying with us) spoke to us of honor and respect and how they watched what we did and recognized there were other ways to not only fight, but work together. We wished them well and suspected that we would not be having much dealings with Duuk Garthic and Meredint again.

 

It was after 2:30 when we returned to the Chapel where we found the priest’s quarter’s busted in, dead horses, 2 dead half elves (stripped of everything) and no Tempi. We looked over the place and deduced that Kronig and the half elves came in, killed the horses, took the useable meat, and Tempi lashing out in his simple fashion killed the two half elves before being taken along with all his gear.

 

Sonovacrap.

 

We needed a change. We healed what we could, our stores of goodberries exhausted now and healing spells pretty much gone. Them we geared ourselves up, Link and Urthar admitting that they wanted spears too until they could help get Tempi back, and we left going to Tindoreg.

 

Reentering the Keep was odd and we were anxious for any possible attack. The door to Tindoreg’s area was closed and we were informed by Jether and Loink to “Go away! Scram!” Lovely. Now wanting to anger to resourceful bugbear, we discussed options and voted on going upstairs and trying to meet with Murgo and the Bullywugs – just to get a lay of the land so to speak. We ascended the stair to the second floor from the Grand Foyer, weapons out and palms sweaty…wondering just what we were going to find.

Adventure 2 Roster

Only because it's been asked - here's the layout of who's who in the party.

Accurate as of 4/20/13

Active Members

Sir "Flimflam" Warwick Gaboikya Murkor Zull Waywocket - Gnomish 2nd Level Druid of Demeter
Tempi Rhyback - Half-Orcish 2nd Level Fighter
Marcus of Woodhelven - High Elven 2nd Level Fighter/1st Level Wizard
Fist'al Daenir - Wood Elven 3rd Level Thief
Fergus Bryan Shelby O'Kain - Human 2nd Level Paladin to Poseidon
Bildad "Bill" Brandybuck - Hairfoot Halfling 1st Level Sorcerer

Hirelings:

Benievre "Ben" - Mid-20's Human 2nd Level Warrior - Shieldbearer
Urthar - Mid 30's Human 2nd Level Commoner - Porter
Etterig - 14 year old Human 1st level Commoner - Linkboy/Torchbearer

Those who have passed on or been retired.

Enthir Ferrentoff - Grey Elven 1st level Wizard - currently retired.
Device Rhyback - Half Orcish 1st Level Cleric of Athena - Deceased.

"Ironboar" Turkor Avery Ghildry Waywocket - Gnomish 1st Level Barbarian - Deceased

Chase of Gul - Human 1st Level Ranger of Artemis - Deceased

Meet 29, Adv 2, 4/13/13

The party was getting picked and nickled throughout the trek across the lizardman area when the decision was made to not follow the breadcrumbs the lizardmen were sowing for us and instead plunge ahead. It turned out to be a better decision because they missed 4 out possible ambush/encounter areas and found themselves well placed @ Korlok's lair.

The battle with the giant lizardman was terrible and filled with much damage dealing  - the goblin archers really making the most of the combat by continuing to supply a constant and withering concentration of arrow fire which is what made Korlok's death a foregone conclusion.

I hope they remember this lesson in other places of the dungeon as it it beyond required in order to defeat some of the other foes here in Candlewick.

Write up follows:

At the base of the stairs we drew up as best we could into marching order. The problem was the narrow confines of the passage meant having 2 abreast was going to hamper our fighting ability (except for the goblins it seemed). The air was cooler and there was a moistness to the air that was cloying and faintly reeking of algae. The passage stretched on for another 15 or so paces from the base of the steps and then ended at “T” intersection.

Mentally we drew up our map of Candlewick Keep. We knew we were along the southern wall of the keep proper, so a right turn at the “T” would lead to the Courtyard and eventually the outer wall, and a left turn would lead us further under keep itself. If the lizardmen were down here (and they were since they had shot and killed the conjured hobgoblin a few minutes earlier), they would most likely then have retreated to the left.

Fergus took off his helm, put it on his trident, and stuck it out into the hall slowly. WHOOSH! And arrow flashed from the left and passed just under the helm, going down the corridor where it ended with a “crack”. Ok – left indeed. The party began discussing many option of what to do and where to go and how to do it which only made Bill grow bored. So the Halfling rooted around in his bag and drew out an apple pie. Yes – an apple pie. It had pack gunk on it and the crust was a bit nackered, but it looked good and soon the smell of cinnamon and apple and sugar was filling the corridor while the Halfling was busy eating the pie.

Which made about half the party interrupt their important decision making moments and ask him for a piece. So Bill handed out handfuls of pie and the party noisily ate it while Flimflam looked on with wonder at the groups actions.

Eventually it was eaten and we got back to making out way in. We need a distraction and that is where Bill came in again. He wove his hands and summoned another monster – this time a kobold, armed with a light crossbow. He pointed left and told it to charge and shoot and shoot some more. It went with a reptilian bark and skipped ahead, crossbow flashing – and sure as hell it hit a lizardman and knocked him down!

We filled the hall and followed while the lizardman still standing shot the kobold dead. But the summoned monster did its job by taking one out (briefly) and distracting the other, allowing us the race down and engage. The fallen lizardman struggled to his feet while the other one stepped back and continued firing. The two lizardmen were at the corner of a left passage, with the main passage continuing back another half dozen paces and turning left as well.

The battle was halted due to the lack of force we could present at once and the fear of hitting the rest of the party with arrows. It was Fergus and Ben in the front, with one of the goblins and his giant rat up as support. It was some decidedly back and forth combat while the lizardmen slowly retreated and held their own. And then from the left side a blast of pink and the rat was gone. Giant Frog!

The group decided to split their assault, a few of them going left to the frog, while the rest stayed on the lizardmen and the hallway cleared would allow the goblins in the center of the group to bring their bows to play. Hit point frittered on all sides as we plied bow, spear, and sword on the scaled foes. The giant frog swallowed one of the goblins whole. One of the lizardmen went down under fang and claw.

In place now, the goblins along the back of the party fired, arrows flashing. A few of them were too low and hit other goblins in the back. In fact, Fist’al shot one of the goblins with a very poor arrow shot! This in turned angered another goblin who turned and shot Fist’al who in turn was hit. Then Marcus and Fist’al filled one of the goblins with arrows and killed him while the 2nd one looked on. Marcus asked the goblin, “Is there a problem?” and seeing the situation, the goblin shrugged and agreed that there was no issue and returned to the greater melee.

The last lizardman finally backed up around the corner and was gone and we decided NOT to follow him. Instead the combat with the Giant Frog was coming to a close as Ben was now in the frog’s mouth getting bit while he and Fergus stabbed it repeatedly until it fell over and finally died. We tended our wounds and gathered arrows, spreading out the ones we had gotten from the lizardmen. Throughout it all, Fist’al was convinced we were being watched and even Fergus’ paladinial abilities was detecting a faint aura of sibilant evil at the limit of his range. Sisspak? Maybe. But, still the snake-man was not daring to come forward.

Of the two choices, we voted to go down where the giant frog came from first. It was only after 20 or so paces that we noted the increase of water and eventually the hall was filled ankle deep. Not confident, we decided to turn around and go the other way where the lizardman had gone. We drew ourselves up and went down to the more northern corridor. A glance showed it clear.

We traveled slowly down until we noticed that here too was water on the floor, also eventually ankle deep. We proceeded with Care, Ben and Fergus testing the floor with the spears as we travelled. Eventually we noted a side passage to the right as well as a continuation straight ahead to the west. Moving slow we expected more lizardmen, but were instead surprised by what seemed to be two flying compy’s (small lizards, about the size of a cat) hitting the two fighters.

Both were trying to shove the fluttering flying menaces back, while avoiding their foul claws and fetid breath. Scratches ensued and Ben was bleeding pretty badly from the chin before he got a grip on his compy and body slammed it into the wall, effectively shattering the fragile lizard. We heard a whistle from around the corner but Fergus did not let go as the compy tried to escape, instead also managing to smash his into the wall, killing it.

Ben was cut pretty bad and Flimflam was worried that the filthy creatures were probably carrying some sort of disease. What to do now? Go north towards where the compy came from along with the possible retreating lizardmen, or go west? The water was at our ankles and we were getting tired. Bit by bit we were losing hit points and our strength was frittering away.

The party decided to NOT follow where the lizardmen were leading us, and instead went west. And it paid off for in a few minutes we were outside a sturdy door. Fist’al checked it out and convinced us it was both untrapped and unlocked. Was this Korlok? We hoped so. A detection of evil resulted in many targets inside. A battle plan was devised and we shuffled around the corridor, getting ready.

The door was thrown open and we beheld Korlok. He was 9’ tall, plate spines running from his skull down to his tail, weighing in at 1100 lbs. There were two other lizardmen as well as two of the flying lizards. Marcus hurled his hand forward, rose petals flying, and shouted out the final arcanic syllables of his sleep spell…

And everything in the room EXCEPT for Korlok fell over, unconscious. The party pushed forward, Ben a bit surprised. Fergus charged close enough and finished off one of the sleeping lizardmen. A few of the goblins filed in, taking position on the back wall, bows at the ready. Due to the confines of the hall and the sheer number of us, we were all not going to be able to get in. Bill shouted, “There is another door in here!” and our fear was we had to shut it somehow. Tempi had the spikes, but he was not here. How to stop the door?

Fergus volunteered his shovel but was not going anywhere except in front of Korlok who had its massive axe up and ready. Urthar, the porter, volunteered to jam the shovel under the door and hammer it into place, spiking it shut.

Fist’al was convinced that Sisspak was still back behind us somewhere and Bill and Rattireg were bringing up the rear as we tried to fill the room. Arrows flew, stabbing into Korlok, but not doing nearly the same damage that we expected. Flimflam started to cast a spell. Korlok charged, Fergus set to receive with his trident, but failed to get through. The huge axe swung, just missing. It hit the floor with a tremendous crash, another one also passed over his head. The group realized that Korlok was a VERY dangerous foe.

Ben stepped into place, spear stabbing out. Hit! Korlok snarled and drove the party back a fast step. Urthar managed to block the door with the shovel. Fist’al tried to sneak across the battle. Flimflam snaked off Whozea. Whozea and Sanford ran across the room to coup de graced the fallen lizardman and compy from the sleep spell. And then Flimflam faerie fired Korlok, outlining him in purple flames, reducing his armor class.

Arrows flew, frittering away more hit points from Korlok. Spears were flying, none of them hit. Korlok again threw his axe all over, concentrating on Fergus and hitting him. He shrunk behind his shield and the mighty shield burst asunder. Dropping to his knees, he rose up as another blow came across, and Korlok hit Fergus, crumpling the paladin to half damage immediately. Korlok then scanned the foes around him and focused on Fist’al, pointing his axe, and snarled in toothy common, “You’re Next!”

Rats and goblins were at his feet, biting and drawing blood. Fist’al charged Korlok and tumbled through his legs, stabbing up and out – and unable to complete his backstab. Urthar tossed a shield into the battle, Fergus grabbing it and getting it ready. Bill shouted out a call and summoned a demonic mane into the fight! In slavered and raced forward biting and scratching at Korlok.

Goodberries and lay on hands were plied as arrows filled the air again. Korlok was wavering, with over 15 foes arranged about him, he was unable to stay focused on any single figure and was staggering back and forth. The goblins were chanting their battle cry, suddenly filing the air with their voices, giving them bonuses during the battle. Korlok smashed his axe to the side, flattening Sanford the fox.

Spears flashed, none hit. It was now that Fergus was shouting to Korlok about his dead son, Nalifess, which irritated the hell out of him, causing the lizard man to blindly ply axe again and again on the paladin. Hit points continued to fade as the battle pressed on.

Bill shot a ray of frost, frosting the side on Korlok. And then one of the goblins shot Korlok in the head, arrow quivering as he fell over and finally died. The party slowed and drew many ragged breaths as they took stock of the situation with the leader of the lizardmen dead and the party still standing.

Meet 28, Adv 2, 3/30/13

Ability Score Damage.

I am not sure when I started using this and then again when I stopped using it, it had to be many decades ago, but I have brought it back to bear recently (last 6 years?) and find it to work out really nice. Your Strength, Intelligence, yada yada represents your "at best" score and potential - the same way an IQ score represents your intelligence quotient - it is not necessarily how smart you are - but how smart you are capable of being. Many things can negatively impact this - and the same goes for ability scores.

I like the idea of the Intellect Devourer - but just don't like the way it is presented, especially in a non-psionic campaign. What I've done is I think, made it more inside the realm of possibility and made it that much more possible for a party to engage and resolve themselves with.

Of course getting brain-smacked down to an Int of 1 just takes all the "fairness" and "resolving" out of the equation. At least for the poor sod who was slapped upside the head.

Write up follows:

After healing and bandages were applied, the party discussed our next options. We were hurt and down some resources, but wanted to press on. Ben and Urthar were going to stay in the main room along with Rattirig and Bill, watching the grand foyer as well as keeping a ready eye at the stairs down and the unconscious Funtarig. From the main entrance chamber on the Lizard Man side (that had fought to from the back way), there were two doors on the north side, one of which had water at and around it staining the floor. We talked about it briefly and decided to check the other door first.

 

Once Fist’al pronounced it clear of traps, Tempi led the group in and we entered. It was a charnel house. Various goblin bodies were hanging from hooks above and their guts were stung out, stretched on complicated loom and braces to dry, and some crude unfinished bows and arrows were in here.

 

Tempi noted something on the opposite wall and it revealed itself to be a 4’ ambulatory pulsing brain on what seemed to be 4 muscular leonine legs. Arcanocere! The Half-orc stormed forward and was struck hard, the spectral whips flailing about his face and neck. He stumbled, dropped his sword, and fell barely breathing. The arcanocere then runs to the west, leaps, and hits the wall where it seems to phase right through it. A clattering of junk falls to the ground in front of the wall where it flew and then it is gone.

 

Flimflam and Fergus try to help Tempi who received a double blast from the Arcanocere. His intelligence has dropped to “1”, and he is effectively brain dead. They help him up and the group now needs to hole up somewhere and quickly, as without Tempi and Funtarig, we have no chance in a frontal assault with any future lizardmen.

 

Bill goes and checks out the things that the Arcanocere seemed to have left behind, a smattering of coins, a bowl of dog stew, a pipe, very good pipeweed, and a battered ships compass. What the hell? We gathered it up and it was decided that we should hole up somewhere now. What about Funtarig? It’s at this point that Ben (who was watching the front door) reported that he saw the arcanocere running past the Grand Foyer and seemed to phase right through the front door!

 

Fergus, Fist’al, and the lone goblin that stayed with us (not Rattireg Shoemaker) all hoisted Funtarig off the ground and proceeded to drag him towards the goblin area. Meanwhile the rest of the group led Tempi out of the lizardman area and eventually across the courtyard to the Chapel.

 

They went first to the priest’s quarters where they looked around carefully, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. Listening to the concealed doorway, they did hear some commotion in the chapel itself, leading them to believe the arcanocere had run there. Was it attacking the horses? Do they confront it? They discussed the matter for a bit (while Tempi was staring straight ahead and soiling himself) and then decided to frontal assault the brain beast. Weapons at the ready they tore open the concealed door and rushed the area…finding the horses here, two chickens, and near the front door, 3 bales of hay and a large bucket of oats. The arcanocere had gone.

 

Meanwhile Fergus and Fist’al had dragged Funtarig to the goblin side of the Foyer. The cart had been ruined, the bracings broken. Lizard man and goblin bodies abounded. A number of goblins were here and they wanted someone to be in charge. Fergus wanted to give Funtarig and leave but the goblins were clamoring for guidance. He gave them some suggestions such as block the door any way possible, maybe get the other door from the lizardman side and install it here, someone take care of Funtarig. Get the lizardman bodies now while they can.

 

Picking one goblin in particular, he asked his name, learning it was Meridint. And then he intoned by the power of the Doglords and the fact that Funtarig was currently out, Meridint was the new defacto goblin leader and Duuk Garthick should obey him. His charge executed, the paladin and thief tried to leave as fast as they could, getting to the front door where they opened it…

 

Face to face with the Arcanocere.

 

It brain whipped both of them, sapping both of the intelligence in the process (Fist’al more than the Fergus). Then it tried to run up the stairs while goblins ran helter skelter and Fergus was shouting at the elf to “Shoot it!” It careened up the steps where something started it with a hissing shriek (Sisspak?!?!?!) and then it came DOWN the other set of stairs with a rolling lope. Fergus swung at it, scoring a shallow cut while arrows rained all over the place. The Arcanocere turned at the landing and leapt – sailing into and through the western wall where it phased into the goblin area.

 

It dropped a variety of goods and gear, some of them hinges and even a set of master craftsmen tools. Fergus took the tools and then gave the hinges to Meridint with instruction to fix the doors now on to their side and block the entrance any way they can. They the two of them left and returned to the party at the Chapel.

 

Together again, we talked about what happened and checked on Tempi who was smelling bad and standing around. The party stripped him of his armor and corralled him in a makeshift area surrounded by pews, treating the barely cognizant half-orc the same as their horses. They used the hay and oats to make the horses’ paddocking more healthy and Tempi grabbed one of the two random chickens and proceeded to eat it, raw and alive. Feathers, beaks, and all.

 

The group locked up behind them and went back to the keep to meet with Meridint and discuss finishing off the lizardmen and Korlok the Devil’s Fang below. In the Grand Foyer the goblins were very industrious, already dismantled both doors from the other side and had dragged them over where they were trying to get them to fit their own side. It was slow and difficult going but they were employing typical goblin ingenuity for making a problem work with whatever they happened to have on hand.

 

It was during their proud discussion about how one door fits but they were going to shove the oak tree in the other side and brace it there that Flimflam gave a surprised, “WHAT!?!??” and told them that he had given orders to Funtarig never to cut the tree down in the garden. Meridint replied that HE was the leader now and FERGUS had told him to fill the hole any way possible.

 

Flimflam was wroth and raced down the goblin hall toward the garden, learning that 3 goblins had been sent there already with axes. When he got to the garden though, he found two goblins sitting there sort of wandering about, the third one missing. He told them to go back to the door and help and then looked in the garden. The oak was still there, a single notch was at its base. Creeping up to it, Davers the Dryad stepped out, her leg bleeding and very angry. Wanted to know what happened and Flimflam told her about the change in goblin leadership.

 

He did another plant growth in the area, growing and strengthening the tree and making the cucumbers and other vegetables go wild in their fecundity. Then Davers wanted more time with the venerable gnome and he felt his will failing as his clothes slipped away. And then he was in the throes of passion and ecstasy with the Dryad and time lost all meaning. Whenever someone wanted to go check on Flimflam, as soon as they got to the garden, they had a change of mind and turned away, heading back the way they came and decided to wait.

 

The party helped the goblins drag bodies, fix the door, and eat, eat, eat. About 8 lizardmen had died in the conflict in the goblin halls and some 20 goblins met the same fate. The wait for Flimflam lasted this time 8 hours until 7 pm when the gnome druid emerged drained yet very happy. We set up with Meridint that we hoped Funtarig got better during the night and we would regroup for the final assault in the morning about 9 AM.

 

We went back to the Chapel and checked on Tempi who was still the same. He was terribly foul as he had soiled himself over and over. Strays were drawn…and Fergus drew short one. Sighing the paladin used his knife to cut the half-orc’s clothes free, and then paid Etterig (my name is Link…oh, wait, it IS Etterig!) the linkboy to help him out, one noble! The two of them used lots of water and wiped most of the half-orc clean, noting he was getting rashes and chafed from the mess he was wearing.

 

The group went to sleep and we rested without issue, waking the next day where we restudied spells, prayed, and went over our equipment for this last assault on Korlok. Tempi seemed unchanged, and Fergus was much better from the Arcanocere’s attack (although Fist’al was still reporting a sort of “fogginess” to his thoughts).

 

By 9 AM on the 24^th of Birthmonth we were at the new doorway of the goblin halls where we met with Meridint who informed us that Funtarig had a relapse during the night and died. Apparently no one had noticed the two knife wounds to the back of his head. Surprised, but not totally shocked at this change of events and leadership, we made the acceptable noises of sorrow and decided to press the advantage from yesterday and demand some goblin help.

 

Meridint informed us we would be getting 5 goblins armed with lizardmen bows and 1 giant rat. Unlike yesterday’s assault, the goblins would be primarily an archer unit, not a melee unit. This did not go well with the party and we had much back and forth until we got him to agree to each of them taking a spear and shield, with a 6^th one coming along as “front line” fighter only.

 

It was 9:40 when we returned to the lizardman hall and checked out the stairs down. Fergus felt a sensation of evil, the same spotty one he had felt here and there over the last day or two – he suspects it is Sisspak or another of the possible yuan-ti here. It is ahead and most likely in the secret hall. He speaks to it and it is started, moving away until it is gone from his sense.

 

As for the stairs down, they look dangerous and foreboding. No one wants to chance it, suspecting lizardmen not too far away. Bill solves the problem by summoning a monster – getting a 6’ tall orange-haired green skinned hobgoblin to appear. He points down the stairs and gives it orders to go ahead and engage anyone it finds down there. The hobgoblin snaps to attention and takes off. We follow a few steps until the hobgob trips over some simple alarm trip wire, dropping some metal and wooden pieces propped up there. This signals the foes down the hall and three arrows later he falls over dead.

 

Knowing that there is at least 1, maybe 2 lizardmen down here, we draw up into marching order and ready ourselves to go down and brace our foes.

Meet 27, Adv 2, 3/23/13

Changing plans in mid stream.

The party had a decent plan sorted out for this battle against the Lizardmen, however it was lynch pinned on the fact that they were able to open the back door to the Armory. If they are/were able to do that, then their estimation on spells and assaults and what not would have had the Two-Horn tribe under fire from 2 points and unable to bring their full weight to bear in either direction.

They did have a key, but the door was barred from the inside and it required more time and resources to open it - which meant they were not in place to fire off the much needed sleep spell when the lizardmen came streaming out of their stronghold. It also meant the party had tougher situations to go against as the lizardmen were able to provide a united front against them.

With the goblins at their beck and call, they were well off, but their original plan did get broomed early on.

Write up follows:

While we were going over the plan and our options, we heard a “knock” at the door. A knock, at the door, from the courtyard, where no one should know where we are. Fergus went to the door, identified NO evil outside, had his sword drawn, and opened it to see…Bill.

 

Fergus and Chase had an erstwhile companion, a hairfoot Halfling from the eastern suburbs of Gul named Bill. They were supposed to meet up with him over a month ago and he just never showed. A Halfling sorcerer with a penchant for stealing pies and in need of shedding a few pounds from his mid-section, the paladin had not thought of seeing Bill anytime soon.

 

He was here, following our trail (as it was) for a few weeks now. He stumbled upon Kahr Konig, the naked druid, who guided the Halfling in our direction and gave him what advice he could. Arriving maybe half an hour ago, he had snuck into Candlewick Keep and watched the entire debacle with the stirges and Fist’al. Moving slowly and with care, he made his way to the priest’s home and chanced knocking on it before the stirges noted his presence.

 

We were happy to have him back and we shared our story with him and he with us, during this time Marcus was continuing his writing in his book (Monster Summoning 3) and then the party grew tired and readied themselves for bed.

 

On the dawning of the 23^rd, Fergus was still ill and had to go to the temple to do his toilet while the rest of the party broke their fast, prayed, and readied themselves for the sure to be protracted fight with the Two-Horn Tribe. It was 8:30 when we left the priest’s house, collecting our caltrops and sending a few arrows at the distant stirges to remind them to leave us be.

 

We came into the main keep and went immediately towards Tindoreg, pleased to see it was closed. We opened the back door into the passage inside the bailey wall and shut it behind us. Link lit the way for us and we made our way to the secret door that lead to the goblin area of the Keep.

 

We entered, and then made our way to Funtarig, the leader of Duuk Garthic clan. The goblin was having his way with two of his concubines and offered us the chance to partake before the upcoming fight. We declined. At this point we solidified our battle plan and strategy with Funtarig and got ourselves ready.

 

In this upcoming conflict, we had Fergus, Tempi, Marcus, Flimflam, Whosea, Sanford, Fist’al, Bill, Ben, Urthar, Link (my name is Etterig!), Funtarig, and 12 of his goblin warriors and a handful of their trained giant rats. We were going to launch our main attack through the Armory door (convinced we have a key), and have a diversionary baiting by having the goblins leave their main door open a little, luring the lizard men out and shifting their attention across the keep’s compound – hopefully making our foray into their area swift and decisive.

 

The mass of us snuck out through the secret corridor into the throne room and then to the main corridor that lead to the back door of the armory. We left Bill, Ben, and Marcus at the corner, with a clear view of the grand foyer. Link was stationed between the three and the rest of the party quietly snuck down to the door in question. Once there Funtarig sent his runner back through the secret area and eventually to the entrance of the goblin section to let them know to open the door. Fist’al used his key and opened the door and the group readied themselves to storm the armory.

 

And we waited.

 

Almost 10 minutes passed until we heard the lizardmen open their door to the Foyer, Marcus told Link, Link told the group, and Funtarig roared out a challenge and his group stormed the doors.

 

And they did not open.

 

The lock was undone but it was barred from the inside! The plan was quickly unraveling; we HAD to get in through the Armory now. Funtarig was plying the door with his axe and the goblins were howling in fury. We heard combat down in the Foyer. Cursing, Marcus left his spot where he was going to cast the sleep spell and ran to the Armory door, shouting to everyone to “Move, stand clear!”. He recited the words of a scroll he was carrying and pointed at the center of the door. A corrusculating shaft of black energy struck the center of the barrier and seemed to sink in, sending spiderwork cracks throughout the structure.

 

Nodding at the goblins, Funtarig plied shoulder to the door once again with a bellowing roar and the bracing bar that had been holding it in place from the other side was sufficiently weakened from the shatter spell that the door flew open and the combat raced into the armory. There were three lizardmen in here, one closest to the door, and they were snarling at the mass of greenskins and the party swarming in.

 

Bill and Ben raced up, informing us that the window to cast the sleep spell had passed and the lizardmen had ran across the foyer and it sounded like there was a massive battle just inside the goblin entrance area! The party grimaced at this turn of events and we decided to keep up with the other part of the plan – assault the Lizardmen from the back of the Armory.

 

From the hall we had just come from, two lizardmen appeared, bearing bows and started shooting down the hall. Ben stood his ground, shield at the ready. Fist’al from further back shot at the lizardmen while Bill was working fast and furious to summon a monster. The elven scout was barely struck from the fusillade while one of the Lizardmen was missed. Bill was able to summon a giant rat which he sent to assault the lizardman on the left, not doing any real damage but making sure he could not return fire.

 

Meanwhile in the Armory, Funtarig was leading the charge against the lizardmen, the goblins chanting as they did so, and the party racing behind them. Two more lizardmen came around the corner near the others down the hall and added their arrows down at us. Urthar and Link were raced into the Armory, with Ben walking very slow backwards and Marcus and Fist’al firing back at slow retreat. Flimflam struck one of the lizardmen with a flare spell and ruined most of the firing for this round.

 

We heard sounds of battle from the Grand Foyer, and it was the roar of Lizardmen and Goblins…and we suspected it was not going well for the goblins based upon what we were hearing.

 

Inside the Armory, Tempi and Fergus were lending their efforts against the lizardmen, the half-orc hacking one of them almost completely in half. From the other side of the Armory door, leading further into the lizardman area, we heard their sibilant voices but were unable to decipher what they were saying. The 2^nd lizardman was taken down by 5 goblins swarming over her, knocking her down where she was then attacked by the giant rats.

 

We decided to abandon the hallway, Ben going last while the party filled the interior of the Armory. Marcus is hit by one of the many arrows in the hall, just getting inside before the rest of the arrows peppered the hall.

 

The last lizardman inside the Armory was destroyed just at the door, the goblins tearing it to shreds. From the hall, Bill was able to feel that his summoned giant rat was finally destroyed. Ben stood at the ruined entrance to the Armory, shield and spear ready, Fergus standing with him, listening for anyone who might be coming.

 

As for the 2^nd door out of the Armory, Fist’al came forward with the key ring and tried it out, opening it. He found the right key and shouted, “I got it!” as it turned. The door opened as soon as it was unlocked and two lizardmen with bows were there along with a 9’ tall, 750 lb giant frog. The frog shot his tongue out, hitting the elf, and it struck and stuck to him. Fist’al was able to grip the door frame tightly, preventing himself from being sucked into the gaping maw. The tongue let go but he was struck by 3 arrows! Most of them were light wounds, but it was terrifying to the elf who faded back into the melee while Funtarig and the rest of the goblins ran toward the hall and the new threats.

 

Marcus added arrows down the hall, peppering the giant frog and Funtarig hit the frog with a thrust and smash of his axe. Flimflam dropped a handful of goodberries at Fist’al who scarffed them down with relief. The giant frog tongue snatched a goblin from the melee and the greenskin flew into his mouth where he was being eaten. The lizardmen fired arrows back, ricocheting around Marcus and missing.

 

While the assault was going on the Giant frog, Funtarig managed to get past its bulk and brought the fight to the lizardmen behind it. The goblins in the hall hit the frog hard and then sent their giant rats to swarm UP on to the frog itself, biting and clawing as they did so, causing the amphibian to croak maddeningly.

 

It was at this time that inside the Armory a section of the west wall slid open and two of the lizardmen in the hall were now in the secret passage. One tried to grab Urthar and failed, the porter was able to skip back shouting. The second one grabbed Link, snagging the 14 year old torchbearer and tried to pull him into the passage! With a strength born of terror, the young man was able to keep himself from being taken, slamming his torch into his foe. Tempi and Fergus went to race over and help while Bill realized that he was pretty much the only one close enough, a lone goblin warrior standing with the Halfling.

 

Bill shot off a Ray of Frost while Marcus pulled out his Chain Rod and hurled it in the lizardman’s direction, wrapping it around the neck and pulling. This distracted him, forcing him the pull. He released the torchbearer and then he was beaten to death by the rest of the party. The lone goblin that was with Bill, identified himself as Rattireg Shoemaker and the two of them (goblin and Halfling) made a pact to stay with one another during the conflict.

 

The giant frog was finally taken down, goblins all around it. As it dies, it buries a goblin under its weight. To goblins then continued down the hall to the lizardmen still there singly facing Funtarig. From the hall, Ben glances out and catches sight of 1 lone lizardman sneaking down. The blue scaled archer was a mere 12 feet away and getting closer.

 

Down at the main battle, Funtarig was then attacked from the side hall, Arrows all over the place. One of them struck him in upper stomach/chest area, going deep. Blood was spittled around his lips and the goblin was staggered – but not fallen!! From the hall the blue lizardman was under assault by another summoned giant rat.

 

As we raced to help out the goblins Fergus was struck by a hidden lizardman, the arrow coming from the secret corridor, striking his shield where he splintered it. Snarling, the paladin grabbed the secret door and pulled it closed just before another arrow would have hit him.

 

Funtarig was having a rough time, but still standing at this time. The goblins were supporting their leader, filling the hall with spears and aid. The giant rat was ripping into the lizardman who tore the rat to shreds. The press of melee in the hall was keeping the lizardmen from using their bows, forcing them to use teeth and claws.

 

Tempi charged into the fray, adding his bulk to the combat and driving the battle line forward. At this point we were able to see around the corner and noted another giant frog and three more lizardmen there. We now had 1 in the secret corridor, three around the corner, 1 giant frog, and two very hurt and battered ones at the corner of the hall. As for our party, Funtarig was badly hurt and dying from arrows in his chest and needed healing, and at least 3 or 4 other goblins had been slain, with the others still with us only lightly wounded.

 

The battle was a crazed melee, the goblins were still chanting, and another lizardman when down in a blast of sword and spear. Tempi beat the hell out of the lizardman that stuck its neck out of the secret door, and the closest goblins finished him off. With the secret passage now clear, Tempi shouted that we needed more help at the front. Flimflam and Whosea made their way forward while Fergus and Marcus took the secret passage to come to the front.

 

Meanwhile, Fist’al waiting in the Armory with the two hirelings, arrow nocked and set, shot the blue scaled lizardman and killed him finally.

 

Tempi was wildly swinging during the battle, a danger to everyone around him as he hurled his 6’ sword in crazy arcs. Funtarig was crying a rally to his goblins and the greenskins answered it, filling the next chamber with their surging assault. The gnome on his wardog added their efforts to the battle, cudgel flailing everywhere.

 

The giant frog swallowed another goblin whole and Fergus critically struck another lizardman in the back, killing it. The tide of battle continued in our direction as Tempi critically hit another one, cleaving its leg off entirely.

 

The party was badly hurt and we tried to shuffle around, giving the less hurt of us the chance to step forward. And then the battle turned. Funtarig was then hit by spear and arrow, critically hit and he falls over at under 0 hit points. His collapse caused the goblins to fail their morale and they stopped chanting and fled. All ran away except for 1 stalwart goblin and Rattireg Shoemaker and a single giant rat.

 

We were facing 3 lizardmen and 1 giant frog and the party was badly hurt. But Marcus was finally close enough to hurl his rose petals into the fight and call out the words of a sleep spell, dropping the enemy – every single one of them. The group coup de graced the sleeping lizardmen and the giant frog. Meanwhile Flimflam and Fergus checked the unconscious Funtarig who was at -7 and fading. PLUS he had a bad wound in the chest that would kill him outright – unless he was hit with some magical healing.

 

There was a brief argument over it and Flimflam said he would not help (neither would he kill him), and Fergus just couldn’t let him die. The druid swore he was going to betray us in the future, and Fergus was arguing that he was an honorable comrade during the fight. The paladin then laid hands on the goblin leader – once to stop the death in “X” time, and again to stabilize him.

 

The battle was over for now – but the area was not secure. 12 lizardmen and 2 giant frogs were killed in the fight, as well as Funtarig and 6 goblins and 4 giant rats on our side. Hasty healing was dispensed and we were talking about what we were supposed to do next.

Meet 26, Adv 2, 3/9/13

The party's paladin was suffering from the "disease" table roll I had done on him, a chronic gastro-intestinal mess that would sap his strength and constitution over the next "x" weeks - affecting him every day. It was not terminal, but it means his usefulness was on a a limited basis and would be dropping over time.

There was also the introduction of the Dryad. A point of information for the party (there are 3 scattered in the Keep: Dryad, Tindoreg, and Sisspak - the last is very dangerous/deadly) and it could have gone poorly. She's a bit mad and not trusting, but the druid used a plant growth spell right on top of her tree and I shifted a few plusses into the reaction roll because of it. It's good because she was helpful - otherwise would have been neutral. And that might have meant the druid was not going to get out of her loving grasp for a few days/weeks instead of a few hours.

Write up follows:

The party spent the rest of the evening eating, reading, and writing, eventually falling to sleep. Fergus grew iller during the night, the paladin’s stomach roiling and cramping. He woke up terribly sick, needing a place to go to the bathroom. He cramp-walked his way across the chapel of Zeus, made his one into one of the naves, and let himself go. The rest of the party broke their fast and gave Fergus a wide berth after he returned.

We left the chapel and made out way across the courtyard to the stable, keeping a wary eye for any stirges. Once there we fed and watered them, doing what little we could to keep them clean with no fresh hay. It was decided that we had another day tops for the horses where they were before the floor of the stalls would get too foul for them to stay. We would have to move them.

As for our next plan, we wanted to walk the inside of the bailey walls and try to find either a back way to the Two-Horn lizardman area, or maybe their “secretive” way in. We entered with care, the bailey interior was disused and in poor repair. The floor of the south east tower was visible through the portcullis bars and there seemed to be an inordinate amount of bees.

We looked about and discovered a narrow 4’ wide corridor that ran northward through the wall towards the keep itself. We opted to take it, walking single file, and searching with deliberate care the entirety of the western wall in hopes of discovering a secret passage. It was slow going and eventually we were ended at a lowered portcullis.

Beyond it and to the left was a door which would lead to the Two-Horn tribe area, and past that was a bar to raise/lower the portcullis. There was no way to raise the bar and even Tempi’s prodigious strength could not lift the iron gateway. It was decided we should leave here and try something else inside the keep proper.

While turning around and trying to make their way out of the bailey wall, we were dismayed to find the number of bees and hornets had tripled for some reason and they were agitated. We had to get out and it meant skirting the bees. The group ran one at a time out the door and into the courtyard, a few of us getting stung but nothing terrible.

It was almost 10 AM when we entered Candlewick Keep again and made our way across the Grand Foyer and through the Great Hall in hopes of making it to the back of the Armory area near Tindoreg. It was here that we saw a goblin body lying outside the Spymaster’s office, dead. An examination showed he had died from poison and we suspected Sisspak was behind it.

At this point we suspected that there was a set of secret corridors on the lizardman side of the Keep to mirror the ones on the goblin side. Knowing about the third stone up from the bottom trick, we entered the Castellan’s office and Fist’al proceeded to check out the eastern wall. And when he felt the 4th stone he checked click slightly and sink in, he felt that he was successful.

Until the spring loaded door fully opened and he was shot in the chest twice by lizardman arrows. We dragged him away from the doorway and staggered out into the hall, pulling the door closed as more arrows thunked into the wooden portal with a faint vibration. Just outside Tindoreg’s area, near the back door to the Armory, we saw a few lizardmen waiting on line. They wanted the arrows in Fist’al’s chest and even though it was macabre, we traded. Feeling a bit “out there” and knowing now the Two-Horn tribe was aware of us and ready, we wanted to go and meet with Funtarig of Clan Garthic goblins and discuss what tactics we could in regards to the upcoming fight.

We were let into the goblin territory and met with the leader who was anxious to get the attack rolling and soon. More apt to do a frontal assault, we instead filled them in on sneaking in the Armory way. But we wanted a count of the lizardmen arrayed against us. That was when he let us question the tortured humanoid he had here (we found a common language of elvish to speak to it with).

Its name was Nalifess and was one of the sons of Korlok the Devil’s Fang (leader of the Two-horn lizardmen). It said its number were like the stars in the night sky. It was not very helpful but it did answer a few questions and then it was slain and it’s body cooked and eaten. A battle plan was drawn up where we guaranteed we can open the Armory door and sneak into the lizardman area from behind. Funtarig committed 12 of his clan to the attack, knowing that any more would leave the goblins in a weakened position. This was going to happen in a few hours.

Flimflam wanted to check out the garden again, relying on a tip from Tindoreg that spirit was there somehow and tied with the tree that is still there. He was given leave and Tempi and Fergus went with him. He used his contact with Demeter to make the local plants grow (including the oak) and while pouring his efforts into the spell effect, Fergus and Tempi just had a desire to walk away and think “Flimflam is going to be ok!”

When it was over, a gnomish woman with green hair and brownish skin was standing there. She was named Davers and identified herself as a dryad. She gave some more info about the Crimson Sanctuary to the druid and then invited him to spend time with her. 6 hours. Sated and empty, Flimflam went back to the goblins tired and the “battle plan” was moved off until tomorrow.

We went to the courtyard where we readied the chapel for possible horses (and the cart), using the grasses we had gotten from the garden in the goblin area for the steeds. Unsure as to whether the lizardmen could come at us from the well, we checked it out. 25’ down to the water level, we took the bucket and chain and then collapsed the cover onto of the well to keep it blocked.

It was here that we thought it would be best to take care of one last thing at the stables and Fist’al ran out to take care of it. But it was on his trip back that stirges came from the sky and hit him. He was getting stuck and drunk from and staggering closer and the group was going to run out to help him when Marcus told everyone to “look out” and he cast a sleep spell right on the elf and his stirge brigade. The elf was immune but his stirges were not and they well asleep right on and in him. He raced into the chapel and we slammed the door just as other stirges were dive-bombing from the sky.

We pulled them from his body, crushed the bat/birds, and hurled them outside (seeing 1 stirge stuck on the other side of the door!). Some healing was dispensed and then we ate, took care of the horses, and the water skins were refilled by Flimflam and his “create water” spell. Exhausted at 8:30 we were going to discuss our plan for tomorrow and how it was going to play out.

Meet 25, Adv 2, 3/2/13

I like to occasionally use the non-normal canon of monsters at least once an adventure, something off the wall or outside the norm. I've always had a fondness for Bugbears - the bristly haired damned sly and wily burly lords of the goblin race. Smarter than the average ogre and close to their strength, a deadly enemy to encounter.

And even though I had one in here, I instead speak of the Intellect Devourer. A misunderstood creature - a giant brain with clawed feet that used psionics to suck your brain dry. I run a psionic light (read - almost non-existent) campaign and instead had to take the beasty and give it a tweak - so instead - it sucks spells and intelligence. Besides clawing the shit out of you. 4' tall, weighing in at 150 lbs, and capable of blasting your spells away or devouring your intelligence - I have 2 or 3 of them running around Candlewick.

And the party only just barely encountered one.

Write up follows:

The party decided to use the key ring to mark the doors we have already been in, giving the doors and the keys similar marks with a chisel found. We realized after marking a few doors though that we were making a god-awful amount of noise and we had a wandering group of goblins come by, wondering what we were doing. It was seemingly common knowledge that we were the Doglords and friendly with the Funtarig and the Duuk Garthik clan so even though the greenskins were here and armed, they were predisposed towards being friendly and filled us in on where Tindorig the Trader was (down the hall towards the kitchen). That area was generally neutral territory and even the Two-Horn lizardmen and the Duuk Garthik goblins do not engage in meaningless combat or rivalry there.

We waited for the gobs to move on and then checked out the last two offices here, The Castellan and the Reeve. The Castellan’s office had nothing for us (although we did note that there was at one point a key box with 14 distinctive slots for Candlewick’s keys) and we then went on to the Reeve’s. The door was stuck hard and the group wanted to listen to the door before opening it. It was here that we heard faintly a “whooshing” noise and then Flimflam staggered back from the door a bit stunned. It seemed that he had “lost” two of his spells for the day. Then we heard another crash – inside the Spymaster’s office (adjoining the Reeve’s).

The door to the Spymaster’s was now locked and we talked about what to happen next. There was one of the books we had gotten from the Mage’s office (as well as the two cages that had the same name) that identified something called the Arcanocere and flipping through it quickly, we did spot a few hand drawn pictures showing a 3-4’ tall brain-like creature with 4 massive clawed legs to propel it around. As Fergus said, he would be happy never to see it.

We opted eventually to go into the Reeve’s office (since it sounded like the Arcanocere (maybe?) was no longer here but in the Spymaster’s office) where we saw it was pretty ruined. There were two points of difference: a woven basket of reeds filled with almost 2 dozen fresh eggs was on the desk, and along the north wall was a red felt gnome’s cap. We looked over the books (trading documents for roughly 25 years during Candlewick’s standing) and decided we did NOT trust the eggs. At all. Where did they come from? There were no chickens? And why here in a strange room with a stuck door and had once had a 4’ tall walking brain monster in it?

The party used a coat rack we picked up in the Castellan’s Office and brought the eggs and basket down to the Mage’s Office, opened the secret door, and placed them in here sealing it up behind us.

Flimflam took the hat.

It was 20 to 4 now and the party wanted to talk to Tindorig the Trader so we travelled down to the Kitchen’s hall. Here were 3 goblins and 2 lizardmen waiting. The gobs offered to let us cut ahead of the lizardmen (who were just staring at us, saying nothing) and we opted not to, not wanting to piss off the lizardmen. The gobs were ushered into the dining hall (according to our map) by a paid or really skuzzy Halflings and we waited.

It was while we waited that a 5’ tall, strange amphibian humanoid (Bullywug) hopped down the hall to us with a crude sack on its back. It spoke to us, identifying itself as Murgo, and was dismayed to find even more new comers stuck here in Candlewick. It seemed there were only a handful of the frog-men left and they had been reduced in territory to a smaller place on the 2nd floor. We had a good conversation with Murgo who did trade with Marcus some sort of potato-like soaked item (supposed delicacy). When the Bullywug went in to talk to Tindorig and the lizardmen came out, they were surprised to see us let the bullywug in ahead of us.

It was commented that the lizardmen and the Bullywug were on peaceful terms and our being courteous to the frogman meant something to the lizardmen. We waited until our turn and were let in next for trade. Two very skuzzy Halflings were here, Jether and Loink. Loink was…special. Slack jawed, staring into space, not right in the head. Apparently he was hit a few times in the past by the Arcanocere and it made him a bit of a vegetable – but unpredictably dangerous as well.

At this point we meet Tindorig – and he’s a bugbear. Some 7’, 350 lbs, goblinoid but huge and covered in bristly bearlike wiry hair from ears to toes. Chased goblin thieves on flying balloon here 8 years ago. Jether and Loink have been his slaves for a long time. He fills in some of the mystery to the party for a trade of some items, answering questions for a bit. The Crimson Sanctuary is some sort of ritual to Hestia, something the long ago spymaster and mage were doing when they were some of the last to stay behind. There is an altar somewhere that would need to be carefully removed in the same order it was built, and if done, the Sanctuary would be dropped.

Tindorig does not know exactly where it is except that it is NOT in a common traveled area. After a few weeks of him being here he had to take a neutral stance as Sisspak, The Two-Horn Tribe, and the Duuk Garthik factions were approaching combat (which even for his knowledge of expertise, would have meant his death). He does sell the party a key to bedchamber on the 2nd floor as well a bucket of black paint – making sure that they understand his neutrality in this and all things.

It’s about 5 now and we go to the door at the end of the hall here and try keys until we find one to open it, revealing a noisy and duty corridor that goes under the thick walls of the keep itself. Just inside and to the right is a set of dense portcullis and to the left the passage (4’ wide) travels in the gloom. We light torches and a group of 9 goblins show up to trade and meet with us, saying that Funtarig wants a conversation with us.

We take the gobs with us into the corridor (tight!) and travel along, shutting the door behind us, and one of the gob’s point out that there is a secret door here that leads back to goblin area! He takes us through and we find ourselves INSIDE a secret set of passages between the rooms on the west side of the keep.

We meet with Funtarig who suggests a siege on the Two-Horn’s in the AM and he will supply 12 of his best warriors for this attempt. We beg off and say we want to scout and will talk to him tomorrow and maybe have another plan of action. From here we take the secret passages again back to the throne room and then out there down the great hall, to the grand foyer, and then outside to the courtyard.

Wary of stirges, we hide out in the farrier while the horses are tended to and then decide to check the well in the fading light. We make a crude torch, put it in the well bucket, and lower the chain down into the shaft. The well goes down 25’ to the water line, and below that maybe 10’ or more. The water that comes up seems fine to drink and the group moves on.

From here it’s to the priest’s chambers where we clear out much of the broken furnishings, lock and brace the concealed door to the chapel, and paint the thick leaded glass windows with the black paint we traded from Tindorig to keep our own light out. Some caltrops are placed outside both sets of doors and we eat some cold rations. As the time passes 7:30 Marcus copies a spell into his book and Flimflam dispenses goodberries before casting the spell again in anticipation for tomorrow.

Meet 24, Adv 2, 2/23/13

Two pieces of thought in this pre-posting musing.

The blogosphere had a back and forth on "empty rooms" in a dungeon and whether it adds or detracts from the game. I want to rebut and say there is no such thing as an empty room. There is always something in there: old furnishings, discarded whatever, even just a difference in the air pressure or what might be on the floor or walls. Not every room is an encounter, not every room is a fight/puzzle/trip/trap/treasure.

When designing Candlewick Keep, I made sure that there were rooms that would be empty. It's not a zoo, its a place. I also hid a few caches of goodies about and gave thought as to what might be left behind by the former inhabitants (and unfound by the newer ones). In typical DM/PC relations, my group has already stumbled on 2 of them and claimed them on the 2nd day of being in the place so maybe they weren't as "hidden" as I suspected, but as for the 1st part of the statement, there are plenty of empty rooms in the Keep as broadly defined by the blogosphere, but in realty, not empty at all.

The other thought/rumination is that this was a different adventure/crawl than most of my group had been used to as of late. It's not a buzz-saw adventure (where you run forward, get chewed up, relax heal, run forward and combat the next section, ad nauseum), and if you try it, you will get steamrolled. There would have to be some sort of "siding" with one of the factions in the keep, and the group chose the goblins. It wasn't planned, could have been the lizardmen.

I look forward to seeing how this plays out as the meetings go on.

Write up follows:

There was a divided conversation on whether we should go to the Chapel next or the Ferrier. The group was discussing the matter when Sanford (the fox) began making yipping noises and getting agitated. Flimflam used his powers to talk to the fox and learned that it heard something coming, smelled like bad blood, and was closing in. It indicated up and the group looked.

 

About half a dozen flying creatures about the size of a beagle with bat like wings and long narrow beaklike faces were diving at the party from the Southwest tower. Marcus whirled and immediately hit the door to the ferriers with his should, bursting it off the hinges with a crunching thump. “Inside, now!” he ordered, the hirelings and some of the group hastening to make their way in. Ben, Fergus, Tempi and Fist’al stayed outside, weapons at the ready as the flying beasts hit the group.

 

Ben was able to impale one of the flying creatures on his spear while a second one plunged its beak through a joint in his armor. One his Fergus up in the shoulder, another was stopped by his shield. Another actually managed to strike Fist’al. And each one that hit the party wrapped their eight legs and feet around whatever part of their victims that they could and proceeded to “suck” – drinking their blood with gleeful abandon.

 

Tempi swung his greatsword at the one closest to Fergus, not actually drinking from the paladin, cleaving it in two with a clashing blow. He then dropped his sword and wrapped his arms around the one with its beak IN Fergus’ shoulder and chest. In his fervor and excitement, the burly half-orc squeezed the stirge hard, actually causing a fountain of blood and stomach contents to flow into the paladin and then rain about the battlefield. It was vomitous to say the least.

 

Marcus tore off some of the bins in the smithy and taking a large hunk of iron ore, shattered one of the few windows open and then took up position there with his bow at the ready. Meanwhile Link and Urthar were drawing pairs of torches from the supply bins at the elven fighter’s order s and lighting them in order to try and burn the stirges off.

 

Fist’al had gotten close enough to grab a torch and beat one of the flying beasts from his chest where he stomped it to death. Ben was next in line. Fergus was trying to get the stirge off of him, feeling ill from the mix of blood and guts pouring into his open wound. He grabbed a belt knife and tried to stab at the stirge but Tempi was whipping the three of them around in his efforts to dislodge the beast that the paladin inadvertently stabbed himself. Snarling in fury, the half-orc redoubled his grip on the stirge and tore it free, the monster squirming about.

 

Marcus called out that 2 more were coming, these two diving out of the sky and aiming for Tempi. He drew aim and fired, dropping one of them from the sky, but his 2^nd shot failed. The last stirge was dive bombing Tempi who at the last moment whirled around, using the stirge he was holding as a shield! Impact! The flying monster impaled the held one and the two of them hit the ground with a crunch. At this point it was just mopping up the last of the flying creatures and the battle was done. There was a mess everywhere and we no longer felt safe in the open. Keeping a ready eye on the SW tower, we did note other stirges up there but they were not inspired to attack the group at this time.

 

While bandages were being passed about, the group looked around the smith’s and decided to take the couple hundred pounds of iron ore and tin that was still here, walking it to the cart in the stables to pass the time. Eventually we closed the stables doors and crossed the courtyard to the chapel and adjoining priest’s domicile. Both appeared to have suffered some damage in the past but were in fairly decent condition. Ever mindful of the stirges on the SW tower the party decided to check out the priest’s house first.

 

20’x10’, effectively one large room with a small eating area and private shrine to Zeus, there had been conflict in here some time ago. There was a passage from the north west corner of the room to what we guessed would be the Chapel itself. While Fergus was fixing up the shrine Flimflam and Fist’al were checking out the bed and wall. While the rest of the group was watching and paying attention to the distant stirges.

 

We did find written on the wall by the bed, in blood, the words, “Sisspak is free Bewa”. Who is Sisspak? Did not know and hoped we didn’t need to find out any time soon.

 

The door did lead to the Chapel and the group entered with care. The Chapel to Zeus was sizeable, maybe 50’ deep and twenty across, pew seating for 80, a confessional, altar, even the remains of a holy water font. What was odd though was the feathers. There were a variety of plucked feathers scattered about the room, with most of them being located by the front door nave. As far as the front door was concerned, there was a bracing bar that could be slid in place, making this building a secure point should the party need it.

 

There was nothing else to be found and the party broke for lunch before making their way to the main door of the keep at sometime after 12.

 

The door was well traveled and used and we entered with exaggerated care. There was a foyer, a great hall running down the center and into the gloom of the keep. Two sets of stairs spiraled up from both ends of the foyer to the 2^nd floor. On the right side was a battered doorway and on the left was a corridor that was choked with piles and piles of furnishings filling the entire opening. Looking at the map we had, we decided that we wanted to go to the 2^nd floor to the den.

 

As we approached the left stairs though, we did hear voices on the other side of the barrier and coupled with the stink of sweat socks and ripe bananas, we suspected that goblins were nearby.

 

We got into a conversation with them behind the barrier. They were curious about us, had been here for years, and wondered if we were going to be an aid to the Two-horn tribe (lizard men we eventually deduced). When we told them about statues and Zeus and going upstairs, we were then told that Sisspak was up there and it was NOT a good idea, and maybe the Trader Tindorag could help, and finally their own leader, Funtarig of the Duuk Garthik tribe had a statue they could look at and we should talk with him. This was mostly facilitated by Flimflam telling the goblins that he was the Doglord and expected a modicum of respect when the greenskins were talking to him.

 

The barrier was moved aside (it was actually build on a cart, allowing the goblins to roll it back far enough to get it. They were VERY concerned during the moving and hastened us in without any waste of time. We were led past many apartments and former offices that the goblins had repurposed for their own uses. There were also lizard man skin shields, some scale mail, and many spears that were made with lizard man claws and teeth. We learned the goblins captured by the enemy were often gutted and their intestines made into ropes, twines, and bow strings.

 

After passing many goblins (who were not bothered by us, and we discovered very much outnumbered us) we made it to Funtarig, the leader of the goblins. He was huge and muscular (for a greenskin) and had a 6 count of half naked goblin women at his side as personal guards. There was a broken lizardman figure hanging from the ceiling in a cage, fingers snipped off and teeth broken out. We treated with Funtarig fairly and honestly, learning that he did have a statue in the garden we could look at (right size, wrong material) where were expressly told NOT to touch to oak tree (a bad 20’ specimen in very poor condition). They were growing lots of cucumbers and other vegetables here, and there was a mass of leather and rope on the left side of the open air garden that we were told was a goblin balloon, floating in here some 8 years ago.

 

Which brought us to the question of why there were so many different diverse groups here and there was something called the Crimson Sanctuary in place that made sure they could not leave. This was in line with was Kahr Konig had told us that the mage and spymaster were doing before they had left Candlewick. We left, thanking Funtarig and agreeing to be back at some point after we visited the Trader (Tindorag) and to steer clear of Sisspak. There was an ogre on the 2^nd floor as well, named Kronik, but he was no friend of the Sisspak OR of the goblins.

 

We made our way back to the Grand Foyer where the goblins let us out and sealed up their bolt hole again. We did note that the other side of the hall seemed more menacing now that we knew what was in there (Two Horn tribe, lizard men, and the leader named Korlok, the Devil’s Fang) and made our way north down the great hall. We assumed the Trader would be in the Throne Room and made our way there; passing the Reeve, Castellan, Spymaster, and Mage’s offices respectively, as well as another larger hall that went to the kitchens and dining room.

 

At the Throne room we knocked and then entered, finding only garbage (in abundance!) and many rates, some of them the size of large cats! It was when one of them dared to take a nip of Fergus that we shut the door and rethought our direction. The Trader should be down here (maybe the kitchen?) but we opted to look over the offices first.

 

The mage’s office was somewhat wrecked. There were also two goblins and one lizard man body here, dead for a while, with their heads seemingly sunken in. scattered books abounded. A top shelf had a few knickknacks on it. We were going to leave but Flimflam decided to detect magic, and we found a wizard mark on the wall. Marcus looked it over with care and opted to try and open it, suspecting that it needed to be traced perfectly. He took his time and did so, and the back wall opened up! We found the wizard’s private sanctum with 8 spell scrolls, 2 empty spell books, about a dozen magical theory tomes, a half dozen potions, a wizard’s hat, and a plethora of inks and scrolls. We took everything and felt really good about it. As for the wizard’s hat, Marcus took it and learned that it improved his reading ability as well as gave him the ability to read other languages he did not know (not magical ones).

 

From there we went to the Spymaster’s office and it was a bit different. There were 6 dead bodies in here (again gobs and lizardmen – as well as 1 rattlesnake!) and the desk was pristine and clean. Yeah, didn’t want to chance it. Fist’al said he could do it. Examined the room and suspected poison gas (eventually corroborated by vent holes in the ceiling). Would have to go to the desk, chair was permanently mounted to the floor, some sort of roller lock on the front.

 

He took the new potion we found that would raise his Fortitude save and entered. As he closed on the desk, he noted the lizardman had a note in his grasp, he took it, could not read it, tossed it to the door. Marcus was able to make out some of the words, identifying the numbers “452” on the page, but couldn’t decipher the rest of the note.

 

Fist’al looked over the rest of the bodies and one of the goblins had a note that read, “No one” and “starts with a 6”.

 

He went to the roller lock and looked – 5 digits long, numbered 1-6. In order to open the 4 drawers, he would have to operate the lock. In order to operate the lock, would have to sit in the chair to release the pressure plate holding the locks in place. He sat. The chair sunk slightly and he felt a prick at the base of his thigh but the roller locks moved. Fist’al thought and spun the dials to read “63452” and then pulled the lever…

 

And the desk unlocked. We found a Vortex Cloak (absorbs direct spells if worn), a ring of poison resistance, a ring of enhanced healing, and many vials of anti-poison (needs to be administered within 4 rounds of being poisoned). We took the items and were feeling really good. It was almost quarter to 3 and we were discussing where to head next.