Meet 103, Adv 6, 11/16/19

This was a meeting about expectations and how it doesn't always work out. Thon is a new player at our table and I am sure he had a certain idea about his family, but I was able to approach it from the side during a big LARP session and he had a chance to see the half-orc view of things here and how his character fits into it - from his history to his place in it today.

The same was for the Falser Confectionary. These are murdering gnome magic user assassins who we KNOW killed 7 people, and yet they have a factory where they make candy and are well liked and also free other gnomes from a crushing Theocracy from their ancestral homelands.

Again, its how things are assumed and how they turn out.

Write up follows:

Before we went to sleep, Darius wanted to talk about the plan for tomorrow a bit more. The thought went that we would need to get out of Stivil pretty quick upon completion, but we’d be in 2 different sections of the town. Half of us would be at the Falser’s Confectionary trying to steal the logs, and the other half would be at some restaurant talking to the Falsers with Shim.

His thought went that we should have 1 or better yet, 2, sleds and horses available to get us out. If the Falsers find out we were in their locale stealing from them, we’d be killed. And there was too much chance to have half the group “waiting around” for the other half to finish up their efforts and rejoin them.

So the plan for the next day was Darius to go and find Rhygar Halfman, hopefully at Cod Smithson’s place (where the two girls, Abarin and Gersy should have been taken after we freed them from Ixitch). From there he’d get the young half-orc to go with him and purchase two sleds and horses where they could practice, make sure they can handle them, and then situate them outside of town for a fast getaway. Darius would drive one, and Rhygar the other.

So the group was in agreement and we finally crashed. It was Deathmonth the 12th when we woke up to blue skies and cold air. In the eating room of the Unshackled Wolf we ate a hearty breakfast before we were going to break up for the day. Thon had written to his family earlier but had not gotten a response yet, so wanted to go and see if his mother was home (not his father). Shim offered to go with the half-orc.

Darius, Eoghan, and Barb were going to go and try to find Rhygar and Cods, and according to the waitress, the militia and watch lead, Captain Arsin, would be the best place to go and look – he could be found at the Armory and Militia Office on Empire Way just south of the Arena. Shim composed a letter to the Falsers asking them to meet him at 6 PM tonight at the Bread and Lake, an upscale restaurant in the Westhome district. Brading and Thalin were going to wait here in case a response came. And the group split up.

The party walked together until they arrive at Captain Arsin where Thon and Shim continued going. They passed into Leeward and then down First Tusk Avenue. The quality of homes dropped significantly and the place had a general unpleasant smell to it. Eventually they turned north and came around to Felt’s Road where Thon came to stop in front of his family home that he had not seen for over a year and a half.

It was a squat stone building like others in the area, the roof was a highly pitched thatched roof. An outhouse and semi-attached ramshackle shed attached by a breezeway completed the picture; the yard was small and was mostly mud and weeds but fresh herbs were growing in the many window boxes. With Shim at his side for support, Thon knocked on the door.

His elder brother by 4 years, Teclan, met him with a sneer and some snide remarks. After an awkward meeting, his mother Melwyn and sister Tarya came out, hugging the long missing Thon, and welcomed him inside. The place was simple, clean, yet still poor – especially to Thon’s more worldly eyes. He inquired about his father, learning the elder half-orc was in the shed and rather angry. Tarya had gotten word of Thon’s visit but being unable to read, didn’t get the note deciphered until last night and didn’t inform her parents until this morning a short while ago – hence the excitement.

Before he could get too deep into where he had been, his father Treeve Tarison came in. The meeting was…tense and stilted. Treeve never forgave his son for leaving, even though he told him to get out. His mother had missed him terribly and was worried about him, especially since his younger sister had passed on some 4 years ago from a bad sickness – it was rough seeing him go.

Shim was accorded respect and was confused with being a gnome from the Candy Factory, a fact he tried to correct but had little traction being able to do so. The conversation did get to his experiences and there was dismay that he had spent time with the Firvinir Orcs, or as Teclan referred them, Grubbers – not real Randari Orcs. Melwyn was concerned there was a pregnant girl, and then really wanted there to be a pregnant girl. Thon tried to downplay the situation and even offer money (crowns and nobles) which at first irritated Treeve. Doesn’t he work hard? Is this blood money? Did he kill someone to get this money?

Thon got the family to understand he’s doing a good thing right now trying to solve an orcish problem (and learned the here, where Scratch was first created 4 months ago, is NOT a problem for anyone local as no one knows about it at all!) and promised to come home or write more often. Treeve and his son did hug and the father reiterated his words about don’t come back, but he also rescinded them immediately. Thon was surprised to learn that his father actually worked for Loring! As did his mother and sister and brother!

Loring was a bottom feeder who sends orcs to their death fighting rabid wolves and bears? Um, no. Not according to the family – Loring actually is a pretty decent boss, runs the gladiator contracts pretty tightly, and always tries to get the best return for any orc fighting for him as well as a rapid resolution of his contract. Um…ok. Did not see that coming. The two of them left after much hugs and catching up, promising to be in touch before moving on and returning to the Unshackled Wolf.

As for Darius, Barb, and Eoghan, they managed to get a meeting with Captain Arsin who was coy about identifying anyone in town, assuming the party of three were some sort of bounty hunters. However when Darius said he was looking for Cods Smithson and the conversation turned to the others that might have come home to him, the Captain’s attitude changed completely. Apparently Abarin, Gersy, and Rhygar’s return 5 days ago had made some headway amongst the townsfolk and the story of their escape and liberators was spoken of with great admiration.

Darius and Barb seriously tried to downplay it and begged the Captain to just let it go, they were just doing what was right. Arsin led the three of them through the Trades to Smith Street where a collective of tradesmen were doing their work. In front of a nondescript forge where a half-orc smith was working an anvil and another one, the younger Rhygar, was working the bellows, The Captain announced to Cods to come out and upon seeing Darius, Rhygar ran out and met the fighter with a fierce hug and much back slapping.

Cods came out and pumped everyone’s hand firmly, referring to them as lord (Darius downplayed it) and promising them 100 nobles he had saved up from various jobs as thanks. It was returned and Darius wanted to get off the street as other smiths were out as well, also showing their admiration and thanks to the trio for saving their companion’s daughter and friends.

The Captain left us to our devices and we went with Cods to his home behind the Trades where Abarin and Gersy were outside needle pointing. On seeing the group, the two young women raced out and also added their hugs and tears, this time on Barb’s chest and waist. We did get off the street and inside the simple home where Rhygar caught the group up to what’s been going on and then ceremoniously returning the Cat Pillow to Darius as he promised he would.

We talked for a while, the two women pledging themselves to Barb as ladies in waiting for a period of 3 years but Barb was able to defer this by getting Abarin to admit she would wait here with Gersy until the dwarven girl is finally mentally sound – THAT was her current charge. Rhygar? He was a different matter and pledged himself right then and there to Darius who accepted the young half-orc with reservation. He gave him the layout for tonight and the need for horses and sleds. Rhygar who had been here for 5 days did let the group know that of the 4 procurers for the Arena games, it was word on the street that the Six Pickers and its headman, Tudar, would be the best choice as his animals were typically of the highest caliber.

So we gave the girls our love and thanks, told them we’d see them another time, and then made our way with Rhygar to Leeward section of town and 6-Pickers.

We talked with Tudar, and older male in his early 60’s, and his 2nd a 40’s year old name Vorod. Eventually we did settle on two Clydesdale nags and a pair of 4 person sleds that can be refitted to carts again in the spring (the pair of wheels were stored under the body of each cart). It cost us some coin, but the feeling was it would come in very handy as we expected to get much use out of them on a going forward.

We all met back up @ the Unshackled Wolf and bided our time. The Falser gnomes agreed to the meeting and Thalin began work on his Invisibility spells. Eoghan did make a side visit to his old farm where his wife and child had died, but it was long abandoned and a friendly neighbor didn’t make the place appealing to anyone to move back in (not recognizing Eoghan as his former neighbor).

By 5:30 we split up – Darius earlier had parked his sled west beyond the sight of Westhome while Rhygar situated himself and the wolf south and east of the Trades and the walls of Stivil and waited there. Shim Brading and Thalin when off to the Bread and Lake where they got a table and waited. Darius meanwhile with Barb, Thon, and Eoghan, all invisible, walked the streets, actually passing the two gnomes and their big half-ogre Fryld, as they went off to meet the rest of their friends!

Show time.

Entering the Falser Confectionary, leading the invisible line with hand to shoulder, Darius took a look around the room and made his way to the east side. There were only 8 half orcs/half ogres working the selling floor and one half-orc at the checkout table across the room. The curtain blocking the left door was still in place, but now was a bit pulled aside.

And the door behind it was only 2’ wide and 5’ tall. Perfect from gnomes, not so much for anyone else. Barb and Eoghan were going to straddle either side of the door and slowly pull the curtain away from the wall. This would give the illusion that straight on all was good, but only if you were looking at it at an angle, would see the unnatural shape.

Thon had fingered his lockpicks and withdrew 2 getting ready for the diversion. It was going well as they pulled the curtain back except Eoghan was too close to the nearest display table and was inadvertently pushing it “away” with the back of his thigh. Which had Darius strike into action.

By falling into a display of liquor hard candies and spilling over 300 of the rounded sugary snacks across the floor with an associated “Oh, my god! I am SOOO Sorry!” Various customers and sales floor employees were looking over, all eyes locked on the mess when Darius staggered to his feet, “slipped” on some candy, and plowed headfirst into another display table of sour fruits sugar balls, dropping another 300 plus candies onto the floor. “Oh! Oh! Oh my God!”

Yeah, that was a distraction.

Thon got behind the curtain and stuck the picks in, twisting left and right, catching the tumblers but the ends of the prongs falling free again and again. Um…shit.

Darius was helped up with some good natured “It’s alright, these things happen,” when he noticed the group still had NOT gotten into the door. So he lunged forward and twisted, free arm upsetting a table full of sarsaparilla candies and adding them to the mess growing amidst the floor. A nearby half ogre, helped Darius to stop flailing about by grabbing him from behind and holding him tight while the chaos was being contained.

Thon was muttering curses as the damned picks continued to slip off the ends of the tumblers, bouncing out and off again and again. The sweat on his brow was falling free from his forehead and nose, dripping visibly to the floor and making a wet stain. Barb and Eoghan were getting very concerned standing in one place and waiting…

Darius was helped to his feet and his leg spasmed out, sending at least 30 candies to fly like pin balls across the room and towards the checkout table. The half-orc there gave the half-ogre holding him a nod and nudge towards the door and Darius was firmly guided/manhandled in that direction…

And then Thon got the door open with a successful twist. In no time the three of them entered the narrow and short door, hunched over and twisting to gain entrance, the curtain falling flat in place and then the door closing behind them…

Darius seeing the curtain go flat relaxed and allowed himself to be led outside. The half-ogre, Hrelf, figured that Darius was from another candy factory and was here to cause trouble. He should never come back again. Darius tried to hand Hrelf some nobles and said he was here from Mr. Silver and this should just be forgotten.

Forgotten? Hrelf wasn’t going to forget this and was going to tell the Falsers about Darius and the Mr. Silver Candy Company. Darius just nodded and said, that was probably for the best and was let go, eventually making his way out of town and back to the sled and horse.

As for the other three, there were in a room with a 5 ½’ tall ceiling, a nice great room with gnome sized furnishing, a harpsichord, couches, hanging lights, long hall with two side rooms and ending a double door at the end of carpeted hall.

And four gnomes in decent clothing all staring at the door they just entered from and closed, in the process of dusting and wiping down the room. Fuck…we weren’t alone. They asked if Malted or Uke were here, no answer. We quietly made our way through the room while the gnomes talked about most likely they were here and were invisible. Was it a game? Why were they doing this? Is this a test?

We made our way down the hall, shoulder to hand. To the right was a kitchen where two gnomes were cooking and preparing a lot of food and pastries on the really nice overs and counters. And to the left was a dining room where 20 could sit, and 10 were there now, all gnomes, 6 of which were kids.

No slaves, no slave collars, no one looked beaten or messed up, no one was in rags. This was NOT was we expected to find. It was almost…familial.

There was some questioning if we, (the gnomes) were here, and some answering from the great room that maybe. Ugh. Fuck. The end of the hall was a double door and getting closer Barb was able to tell through the Ravenstone that each door had a wizardmark upon it- the left was an “M” the right was a “U”. The thought was we had seen no office or bedroom – so it was most likely behind here. And before the gnomes started figuring out where we were, we wanted to get in.

So Thon once again took out his picks and worked the lock on the “U” side, opening the lock. He turned the knob. Slowly. Pushed the door. It was dark in there and he pushed it a bit more when some candles flared to life inside and there was a chime like a cascading hard noise, and a spectral voice said, “Welcome home, Master Uke. Would you like a beverage?”

Which got every gnome in the place to come out and look around, looking down the hall and seeing…nothing – just the partially open door.

Gimme a damned break.

We all shoved ourselves inside and shut the door carefully as young gnomes were clamoring from the other side, “Master Uke? Master Uke?” We ignored everything and stood there, hearts hammering as the conversation meandered about on the other side with one of the gnomes saying, “Well, Master, if you want, there’s a brandy waiting for you when you’re ready.”

Gods, we were so boned.

We were again in a small ceilinged room, two large poster beds, tables, chairs, desks, curtains, shelves, knickknacks – obviously where the Falser brothers did their work and slept. We looked over the obvious large desk and although there were lots of books about their legitimate candy business, there were also at least 4 slim tomes that were about Sir Gregor Oslterson and deliveries to, from, and about the Demesne.

We agreed to take them and the disembodied voice said, “Master Uke, it sounds like you have guests, shall I fetch some snacks for all of them?” Fuck fuck fuck magic shit just SHUT UP… After a while, it grew quiet again. We swept all the books into Thon’s backpack, went shoulder to hand line up again, and went back to the door.

No more screwing around, we opened the door and again that damned chime went off and the voice said, “Farewell Master Uke, have a wonderful day!” And a bunch of 2’ tall or less gnome kids boiled out of the kitchen and ran down the hall towards our invisible selves. We grabbed the mug of brandy outside the door, dumped it over, and stayed to the sides as we dodged kids and gnomes milling about and others going, “I told you there were here. Master Uke?”

In the great room we wasted no time, opened the door and marched out quick to the selling floor and damn the curtains and who might see us. As we tried to dodge our way around the room, Barb was inadvertently clotheslined by a half-orc and a 7’ tall lollipop, the barbarian hitting the ground with a strangled gurgle. We felt around to locate her, helped her up and ran out of the place while the half-orc was talking to other half orcs about how something’s been weird today and he is sure he hit someone but no kid was hurt.

Out in the street we made it south and east to the wall and then relaxed the invisibility spell, going visible as we huffed through the cold night air to Darius waiting for us along with the sled. We showed him the backpack full of books, got on the sled, and drove away for the long ride back to Durcent Province.

As for Shim and his contingent, they got to the Bread and Lake early, procured a table near the back, and took to ordering some food and drink. He then asked Brading and Thalin if during the meal, they might want to get up and walk away as he had some private information to share with the Falser brothers about his time leaving the Nightwoods. Walk away? Why? Private. But, we’re all friends. Yeah, but it’s private to me – and maybe the Falsers might want it to be private as well.

At that point Malted and Uke Falser arrived along with the half-ogre Fryld. We all sat down to eat and the conversation meandered only a little bit while Shim was laying the ground work that he wanted to work with them to help free potential other gnomes.

It was at this point that whatever preconceived notions Shim had about the Falsers were slowly chipped away. They had been smuggled out some 12 years ago, shortly after the Theocrat came to power. It was easier then but still expensive. The Theocrat is not a forgiving gnome and his Defenders will often snag entire families and bring them back for re-education.

As for sending Thalin or Brading away, the Falsers felt no need as they would not send Fryld away. Too many gnome issues are shrouded and they need to be shone to the light or the Theocrat will continue to hold sway.

To gnomes it’s a big thing to leave the Nightwoods as it is their ancestral home, as far back as history goes, the gnomes had lived there. But when the Theocrat, in the guise of religious fascism, takes power and solidifies it, even the most ardent believer can’t make the case to stay.

Fryld was one of the half-ogres working with the Centaurs on smuggling gnomes free – and the Falsers took a liking to the half-ogre, especially once they learned he was a natural and untrained sorcerer. Once far away from the Nightwoods they set up shop here in Stivil at a defunct factory and rebuilt it to their needs. Since then they’ve been funding the freedom of various gnomes and their families – to the tune of 136 to date freed. They have a 15 year contract, food and board is provided free as well as education and a marketable skill here. They are free to leave or stay, but the Falsers feel an attachment to every one of them and consider them family.

As for Shim he did let know that he was a novitiate in the Arcane Academy and about 5 years or so ago, after a blistering tirade against the Theocrat to the wrong people, he was approached by smugglers who had been paid to get him free of Nightwoods. Following was a 3 week ordeal of smuggling inside tunnels, boxes, bolt hole to bolt hole, making his way out of the Nightwoods and terrified of being caught at any moment. In the clear thinking that follows, Shim realizes that if his unknown benefactors hadn’t smuggled him out when they did, a week or two tops later he’d have been snatched off the streets and taken away for reeducation and maybe even death.

The Falsers seemed honest and earnest, and they were truthful in their dealings. They have a vaunted interest in half-orcs, orcs, and half-ogres because they respect them and their dedication to clan and family. It’s a bit gnomish in their way of thinking and honor is an important part of most orc’s lives. As for gnomes? Too many humans just discount gnomes as…what? Friendly forest folk? Retarded elves?

Unnecessary?

They did talk about Rargitild of the Green Hills, a friend of their who died due to an alembic imbalance while working on some alchemical mixture. And they did admit that they did “contract” work for an odious human who was looking to fuck over the locals just so his son can get a good job. So…human.

The meal was an eye opener for everyone and it was around 8:30 when Shim and company ended the conversation and wished the Falsers the best. He’d be in touch in the next couple of days about working with them and getting someone out (or so he said). From there they left without haste and made their way eventually beyond the walls and to Rhygar who was waiting for them. They loaded up on the sled and turned to the south and east, their horse pushing forward on their long trip to Durcent Province.

Meet 102, Adv 6, 11/9/19

The group had a chance to visit Stivil.

There are some towns in my world that will be important and I put the extra effort into them, and Stivil is one of them. I hope they get a chance to come back soon.

Write up follows:

The group crashed, falling asleep by 6:30 in the morning and not awakening until about 4 in the afternoon on Deathmonth the 11th. And as Darius was concerned about – it was Marketday in Stivil – the same day as Arena Day.

The Coliseum takes up the center of Stivil, with roughly ¼ of its outer northeast seating long ago destroyed during the Dwarven/Randari conflict, but still capable of giving a place to 15,000 howling fans. We were in the Unshackled Wolf, a nice establishment in Eastview. Talking to Thon and Eoghan, we got the lay of the land so to speak (Lords District to the North, “Top” at the Northeast, Eastview (upperclass) to the east, the Trades (industrial and guild area) to the southeast and south, Leeward (lowerclass section) to the south and southwest, Westhome (middle class) to the west, and Merchant’s Blocks to the north west (commercial)).

We discussed our options and plans for today. We wanted to go the Merchant’s Block and get some better cold weather gear and maybe some snowshoes. Then to the Trades to get a lay of the Falser candy maker place. We were told that most places were open till 7 and the Arena games go all day from 10 to 6. As for the Falsers? There was the local Falser Confectionary Factory – on Sweet Street in the Trades – and EVERYONE in town knows about it and them.

While our conversation with the patrons and serving women were going on, there was a young man in his early 20’s playing the harp and playing it…poorly. To stop him from playing people would buy him drinks and send them over to him. So we did the same, and he came over to thank us. Named Tholling, he was 22 and married, father of 2, was a senior stable hand who always thought he was destined for more, when an elven rider about 8 months ago let him know that he had nice strong graceful fingers – he should play the harp.

So he bought…leased…a small Celtic harp and has been trying to make ends meet doing so.

And Darius told him he was an unskilled hack and should quit.

What?

Serious, you have no skill, and no one is going to tell you this, but strange elven women tossing out comments to the stable hand is not a basis on changing your job and life. He then handed him a handful of coins and told him to go home and take care of his kids and try to get his job back because really dude, you just suck.

Tholling left, dejected, and the group looked at Darius who shrugged, saying he was helping the man out.

We left the Wolf and made our way along Empire Way until we got to Main Street and the Merchant’s Block which was situated near the remains of an interior wall that used to cordon off areas of Stivil before the Great War.

From here we wandered around until we stopped at a clothier and leatherworkers called Grandma’s, run by an elderly dwarven woman. She helped us outfit our clothes and get many of them fur lined or the like and the prices were fair. From there we made our way to an outfitter who provided us with snowshoes which we purchased as well along with some spare catgut to effect repairs.

It was after 6 so we went across town to the Trades and then down two smaller streets till we go to Sweet Street. The Falser Confection Factory took up the middle of the block of 6 larger buildings, the factory being almost 100’ wide and 60’ deep, 3 stories tall with two distinct chimneys at opposite sides of the building. There was an open field around the building fenced in with a copious lighting in the front and some teeter totters and slides on the south/left side for families and kids to play on.

We did not want Shim to go on, the gnome becoming more pensive as time has gone on. Only a few of us went in, the rest of us walked the area in order to get a feel for the layout of the place.

4 guards in the front, dressed in finery and fancy clothes, but big half-orc looking people. Inside the main hall was 30 x 50, and had sample and sales tables on the left and right, the checkout counter in the back of the hall manned by the Falser brothers also dressed in colorful candy looking garb. Everyone else here who was working was either an Orc, Half Orc, or Half Ogre – and there were 12 of them. There was a double door on the right hand side of the room and a curtained area on the left that Eoghan was convinced was blocking a door.

The place was busy, 50, 60, even 70 people wandering about sampling and buying hard candies. We did our best to fit in and bought an assortment as time went on, eventually getting to the Falsers where we paid and thanked the gnomes for the treats – then we left to find our friends outside.

As for them they walked the property without making it look they were walking the property. The back of the factory area was a mess of beaten snow as if paths were made, leading from a single door to the fields behind the Factory grounds, through a break in the interior Stivil walls and then lost in the streets of Leeward. There was no other doors in or out. There were NO windows either. Anywhere except the third floor and they were narrow 2’ tall, 4’ wide windows painted black and from their position were most likely at the TOP of the floor – not at all easy to get out of.

In fact the only other bit of interest was a 4’ wide, 6” tall grating set in the foundation of the property on the north/right side near the rain runoff gutter that was pitched the wrong way and was running into the grate and down into the basement of the factory. What?!

We shared the candy, ate some, and decided that we needed to get more information. It was after 7 and the place was still open but they were winding down operations. So we went in a second time, this time with Shim who made his own purchases and then being the last customers, went to the Falser brothers to talk.

Malted and Uke, were deferential to Shim, and their demeanor was one of respect for their fellow gnome. They talked of the Nightwoods and the spiriting of gnomes out of the Theocrat’s rule. Gnomes were brought eventually here were they worked for a bit (15 years) and then would have a marketable skill and the freedom to go where they wanted. The ended well and we left with more questions than answers and to Shim, a different outlook on the Falser Brothers.

We noted they shut the sliding factory doors in front of the Factory and then locked and pinned it from within – meaning we were not going to get in that way. How do they leave? When do they leave? Thon advised us that we should leave the Trades, go back to Leeward, and he felt he could guide us back to the large Wall separating the Trades from Leeward that had fallen to disrepair and had gaps in it.

So we took the walk and within 10 minutes made out way to the dark alleys and then clear garbage choked areas in the snow. From here we could faintly see the building and the back door was open, almost 8 figures were outside and smoking and talking. Some 5 to 10 minutes later the last one walked out and a large half-ogre along with a gnome stood there, the half-ogre held aloft a double bitted battle axe, looked around panning slowly, then nodded to the gnome and they shut the door. The others outside walked through the alley and then were lost in Leeward.

We had Thon sneak back to the Factory after some time and assured us the door was closed and locked and then checked out the grate. He let us know that he could faintly hear high pitched voices crying and some sounds of flesh striking flesh – but the grate only opened to a room barely 10 x 5 with a rivulet cut in the bottom of the wall where the water ran through.

Ok…We needed some information from the inside. The Falsers most likely lived here, there were other gnomes here working…indentured? What’s with all the half-orcs and the like? Aren’t the Falsers destabilizing the Durcent Province and effacing the sale of Scratch to the locals? We suspected the double door led to the factory while the single door behind the curtain led to the Falser’s private rooms.

As for the people that left, they most likely hit a local bar and Eoghan and Thon led the group to Shadowfall off Empire’s Way – and the closest drinking establishment for those coming through this way. Once here we looked around and Eogahn spotted Hrelf the half-ogre who had sold him some candy inside the Factory. Since he already had some conversation with him, the rest of the group held back while Eoghan went and had some conversation with the Half-ogre and his drinking companions.

It went…went.

Hrelf was with his friend Relf the Half-orc who still worked there, Rhelf the half-orc who was fired after 2 days of working there, and Luden, a friend who made a killing at betting at the arena today and was keeping everyone in their cups.

There was quite a long conversation but the Half-ogre inside is a bit intense, named Fryld and he uses the axe to help him “feel” if anyone is hiding nearby – visible or not. The Falsers have 40, 80, 200 (the number fluctuated) gnomes working there making candy including their kids and they were pretty cowed. There was an incident with poison where Relf was yelled out to “Don’t Touch My Poison” when he was helping move some apple candy at some point.

But Eoghan kept asking questions and finally Hrelf said that he’d set up a tour or meeting with the Falser Brothers tomorrow for Eoghan since Eoghan seemed real interested in the factory and he would let the gnomes know about all the questions being asked. Erghh.. yeah.

We hoped he would just be too plastered to remember too much and by quarter to 11, we got out of there and made our way back to the Unshackled Wolf. Safely in our room we divided the situation into two parts – we needed to get the Falser Brothers OUT of the factory and would need a conversation/.diversion to do so – and for that, Shim was very happy to lead that line of inquiry.

And we would need to sneak some people in invisibly to get through the curtained area and into the Falser Brother’s private area to find the log books for Lord Gregor Ostlerson. Thon was already a keen man with a set of picks so it was going to be him, Darius, and Barb – and we estimated a half hour, maybe 45 minutes tops to get in, look around, grab what we needed, and sneak out in such a way that we don’t attract the attention of the sales floor as well as got out before the Falser Brother’s meeting with Shim, Eoghan, Brading, and Thalin ended. So at 11:30 we were going to turn in and Shim would approach the Falser’s tomorrow to set up a meeting and hopefully, the game would be afoot.

Meet 101, Adv 6, 10/26/19

The party performed one of two possible "heists" at this point - splitting their forces to distract the Jannisary while the "sneaky team" went below to get the book they needed. Time was of the essence and it was the opportunity for the new guy to have a little time in the spotlight - as thieves are often able to do.

The adventure is just about over - a few more meetings and then we'll see how it all plays out.

Write up follows:

The group went over possible plans and then revisited them again and again until they came to the realization they would need 3 groups to carry this off, and each of the groups had their own limitations. We would need a group to enter the basement and find any paperwork that would prove what Lord Gregor Ostlerson was up to – that group WOULD need Thon as he knows the layout of the interior of the manorhouse but has already picked the lock there before.

We would need a group to act as a decoy/diversion for Thon, occupying the Janissary Haki’s attention and as many of his people as possible and if possible, the Lord himself. This group would need Darius who had already introduced himself as the leader of the merc company using the name Fergus.

Lastly, we would need a group or at least a few to stay back at the house with the wolf for two reasons: 1 – the wolf is poorly trained and taking it into the keep was not going to work. And 2 – we were supposed to have Thon chained up and wearing a bag on his head and since we needed Thon to enter the Manorhouse, it could not be him still at the house – which meant the only other orcish person in the group would be Barb – and she and the wolf do not get along.

Thanks to Silver Glass’s spell book, Thalin had access to Invisibility which did give us some extra leeway to making it happen. So – Shim was going to empty most of his bags and leave them here and ride in Thon’s backpack, we was also going to empty HIS bags and leave most of his stuff here – taking the 5 tumbler key that would get us to the basement.

Barb was going to wait here with the wolf and with one of the window shutters open and a chair situation near the corner that would cast her in some shadows – would put the bag on her head and sit there hulking if anyone was going to come and investigate – this left Brading, Darius (as Fergus), Thalin, and Eoghan to head for the Manorhouse.

As for getting the Janissary’s attention, they crafted a noted in which they indicated they would need some more money for a deliver job, but if read with care – the start of each line began with the letters, s-c-r-a-t-c-h. Hopefully something that would want Haki to meet with the group.

It was 1:45 when we finished our preparation and invisibility was cast on the gnome and the half-orc. Shim rode in Thon’s backpack, standing up and keeping his hands and arms on the half-orc’s head and neck to steady himself as well as guide if need be. The realized quickly that walking was a challenge as they could not see their feet and with the falling snow (already 12” and climbing) they had to walk in the middle or back of the group, with Brading acting as a plow break as he shoved his way through the falling and piled snow.

Once at the gate, the same guards were there as earlier and they talked to the group while Darius gave them the note and said he needed to talk to the Janissary. One of the guards went inside and we waited, talking with the other 3 who were watching the party with cautious care. Eventually the Janissary came out in the snow, had some words with Darius and mentioned a “problem to itch” and motioned for them to follow. They crossed the courtyard and at the foyer of the Manorhouse, were instructed to leave their weapons, shields and helms – and then inside to leave their cloaks.

While this was going on, the Janissary pulled one of the guards aside and whispered to him. He looked over the group and then walked past them to the main gate and out of the Demesne – heading towards the share crofter’s hut we had been staying in. Hope Barb was taking care of business. He left a page, a young boy in his early teen years to wait upon us and then lead the group to his offices. Besides the normal compliment of valets and maidens, there were 4 well equipped guards here and 2 more down the hall.

Once ready, we followed the page to the main hall and then to the left towards the offices – according to Thon’s notes, the only thing past here was the door he needed to go down on the right and eventually the main hall where Lord Gregor and his staff stay.

Once the group peeled to the left, Thon and Shim stayed back and waited until the halls were clear. The 2 guards followed the Janissary and party to the meeting room (plus 2 other guards in the area) and the page went with them – so for about a minute or less, the hall was clear.

Now.

Going to the door he worked his picks invisibly until the tumblers hit and then he entered silently, turned and shut the door. Alright, in! Stairs going down – no light. Infravision picked up faintly the line of the steps and there was a warmer source at the base some 16 steps down leading to another room. He took them one at a time but in the dark, invisibly, he did slip and skidded down a few steps before coming to a stop and nursing the few scrapes he had.

Sighing with relief, the half-orc and gnome passenger made it to the bottom where the withdrew the 5 pin key we had taken from Ixitch’s place, stuck it in the lock, and twisted the lock, opening it…

As for Darius and his lot, they were escorted to the Janissary Haki where they sat around the table with the administrator, guards obvious and present, and they shared a drink (required). Then it was some conversation about mercenary groups and wanting to make a name for themselves. Bigger jobs, better opportunities. Did we talk to Thon? Sure, but we were never told we couldn’t, and he did reveal some information that the “group” could use to potentially sell…stuff.

Effectively Darius and the others were peddling the idea that as Mercenaries, they can travel far and wide and sell product if need be and no one would be surprised to see them there. Haki was a bit dismayed that the group had spoken to Thon but did say that business being done here had hit a snag with a distributor being less than prompt and trustworthy.

If they can deliver Thon to Loring in Stivil and be back here in 5 days with proof of delivery without issue, he would then give them another job where they can go can “collect” a sizable sum that is owed to Lord Ostlerson – and they can keep 6% (after haggling). If they succeed in that…then they could be trusted as a possible source for distribution.

Holy crap – deliver the Half-orc to die in the arena and then the next job is effectively go to Ixitch and collect the money.

Darius and the others threaded a tight line in being agreeable and mercenary – but not give away anything that they shouldn’t already know concerning the situation. We figured we would need to give Thon and Shim more time so we dragged the conversation out for almost 40 minutes…

The door opened and there was a feeling of being tired as the two of them held their breath and entered the chamber slowly and with care. There were a few small candles lit. The far side of the chamber was covered with a large alchemist’s lab, many burners going and glassware spiraling up and down to different beakers. Assorted junk and bric-a-brac littered the floor and there seemed to be a body lying in the space near the table.

But it was the pair of baleful red eyes that looked around and glided forward as if a ghost. It came to the door, looked around, and then seemed to inhale and let out a deep breath that filled the hall with a mist that then seeped around the chamber. Thon and Shim made their way to the table where they could see raw lion’s leaf and eyebrite were distilling under some pressurized chamber and running up and along the alchemist’s lab. This was the creation of Scratch.

But what the heck?

Ghost? Where was the books? Any logs? And the dead body – was orcish and seemed to be a Firvinir type, fetishes and similar raw natural accoutrements. But dead for months.

This…was not going to do.

There was a drawer in the center of the table but the ghost was positioned there. We would need to remove him and then open the drawer. The two of them whispered a plan and came up with Shim using his innate ability of ghost sounds to make it sound as if the door was opening. Nice. When the ghostly figure went to the door, we would open the drawer, look for any book, take it, and hide it immediately in Thon’s backpack where it should be unseen.

So…Shim concentrated and the sound of the door opening DID cause the ghost to go over there. They quickly opened the drawer and it was filled with glass tubes and sticks and stoppers and corks and yes, a bound book! Eureka! They took it and hid it in Thon’s backpack just as soon as the eyes were at the door, inhaled…and breathed out.

The gasses having nowhere to go billowed back around the room and Thon and Shim both tried to hold their breath hiding in the corner but Thon succumbed to the sleeping vapors and passed out. Shit.

Shim now had to get Thon up and they needed to go as it’s been about a half hour he guessed. So he needed to get Thon up, but a “stab” would break the invisibility – he needed to be in the backpack. But the book was in there. So he needed to get it OUT of the backpack (visible) and into HIS backpack! Nice idea…But the ghost had come back and we were in line of sight.

Think…think…Shim was watching the fire under the Bunsen burner and had another idea. He used his innate ability to make dancing fires, giving them the same color and intensity of the Bunsen flame.

And then he had them crawl across the table. The ghost went crazy, trying to smack the table (ineffectively), fan them (ineffectively), even using a large rag to buffet the fires.

While the figure was not paying attention, he drew out the book and quickly shoved it in his backpack. He then tried to invisibly get in Thon’s backpack, the half-orc lying on his stomach. But he misjudged and fell out of the pack onto the floor. Fuck damn it fuck.

Trying again and struggling to keep the flames still dancing about, he backed into the pack, hunched low, pulled the flap over his head and then flicked his dagger forward from his wrist sheath and tried to stab Thon in the back through the back.

What should have been a small prick turned out to be sinking 6 inches of knife blade into Thon’s back.

Thon woke up and Shim was hissing at him to Shhhh while Thon was gritting his teeth and taking stock of where he was. The ghostly eyes were looking all over but saw nothing and was still fanning at the flames that were starting to break apart due to lack of clear sight as well as jostling inside the cramped backpack.

Thon got up, crossed the room, and they opened the door and ran up the stairs as the eyes came back and breathed AGAIN, making them lightheaded but doggedly still awake, they came to the top of the steps and opened the door…no one was there, but they could hear a voice nearby whimpering.

Going down the hall towards the entrance, the two hall guards were still not back, and there was a closet style room open with the page boy in there scrubbing boots and wiping his tears. The main room showed everyone’s cloak was still hanging so they were not gone yet. For some reason Thon thought about wiggling the door of the armory room which attracted one of the main entrance hall guards who was told to not worry. Shim was hissing from the backpack to knock it the hell off.

But Thon did it again at the other armory door. Which attracted the guards again who got pissed and decided they should let the Lord know “the ghost was acting up again”.

Fuck. The guards were walking around and the valets and chambermaids came out of the woodwork as well. With the crowding of the room, Thon and Shim went back down the hall and ducked into the closet the page had come out of.

At this time Darius and company were wrapping up their meeting with the Janissary when he was instructed that the “ghost” was acting up again and he ended the meeting now, going to the hall with the group following as well as those guards. And then Lord Gregor Ostlerson emerged with his OWN people from his chamber at the end of the hall angry and red faced. His appearance was very much like Fersic’s, except aged another 25/30 years. Tall, wide, blond, he was imperious in his demands and the guards let him know what was heard.

He whirled to an older woman in Helian robes, “Crone! What’s going on?! Is the damned thing still here?!” She grit her teeth, eyes rolling into her head and replied, “It’s here, my lord. Below as of now but agitated as if something has interrupted its work. I feel…yes, something has vexed it.”

He demanded she look into it while the Janissary introduced us to Lord Gregor. He didn’t seem to know any of us but had been briefed as to our cover story. He hoped we would serve to be useful to his needs as he could use some useful help as of late. Then he barked, “And shut this damned door!” and slammed the closet door closed. With invisible Thon carrying visible Shim inside his invisible backpack inside.

The Janissary wished us well and suggested we go back for now as there were problems here they needed to take care of. So we all went down to the entrance hall and got our packs and cloaks while Thon waited for the hall to get silent before sneaking out the closet door and making his way down the hall, past the surprised page who was looking at the now open closet door again!

Once we were all there we left (Thon letting Brading know he was there with some gentle taps and prodding) and made our way out of the manorhouse, off the Demesne, and back to our hut. Once inside a very relieved Barb and barking wolf was happy to see us. Apparently one of the guards came by about 45 minutes ago to look around but the snarling angry wolf gave Barb enough time to don the bag and sit in the corner – selling the illusion she was Thon and was still here tied up.

The consensus was after making sure we were all here was that we should get the hell out of here now and NOT wait for the snow to end. At best it was 8 hours with good weather to Stivil from here – and with 12”+ inches of falling snow it was going to be longer. But staying here once it was discovered we were in the basement and took something was going to be worse for us.

The book was an herbalist journal belonging to an orcish descended individual named Rargitild of the Green Hills. It dialogued roughly a year or so of his experiments and refining of Lion’s Leaf and other drugs into what was known as Scratch – the last entry being about 4 months earlier where the Sheriff of Durcent Province had paid him a visit and was dismayed at what was going on. Rargitild didn’t seem to have any nefarious motives and was researching for the pure pleasure of it. He did have dealings with the Falser Brothers who often visited with him to exchange recipe ideas and other alchemical and herbalistic ideas.

Rargitild was from Stivil. The Falser Brothers are from Stivil. The Falser Brothers work for Lord Ostlerson – and if there were records – they would have them.

Last line of the chain – Stivil.

We were gone within 20 minutes and Shim rode Darius’ shoulders as we trucked away from the hut and moved with speed and haste east, northeast. The snows continued to fall and the temperature dropped to the low 20’s, high teens…and then eventually 12 degrees.

Bundled in layer upon layer of clothing we trudged along breathing hard and trying to weather the bitter cold and mounding snow. Eventually Brading cast his precious few Endure Elements spells on 3 of us. Darius lit his brazier with about half of his coal and the party walked on. Some time during the night we saw a trio of mammoths walking through the snow and then 10 minutes later, a wolf pack of 8 following the shaggy pachyderms. With aching exhausted feet we kept walking one tired foot in front of the other. By 1:30 or so in the morning the snow stopped falling giving 19” solid in places, mounding up higher based upon snow drifts.

We were so tired, and cold, and aching, and sore. We were soaked to the skin and trying to keep on going when finally about 6 AM we arrived at the town of Stivil. The outer walls had been breached a century earlier and had never been repaired so there were dozens points of entry in and out of the city. The large semi-circle of the Arena was visible from just about anywhere and between Thon and Eoghan who both grew up here, they directed us to the Unshackled Wolf where we tiredly arranged a room and trudged our way 15 hours later up there to strip off our gear, lock the door and collapse to our beds for a long long long tired rest.

History - Nightwoods / Theocrat

One of my players is playing a gnome at this time and the subject of the gnomish homeland has come up again and again. He's asked questions about the Nightwoods as well as the leader, the Theocrat, to help understand while most of the gnomes in this area are the way they are.

So without further ado:

The Nightwoods have been home to gnomes as far back as an record goes. Original records also showed that halflings and elves lived there in roughly equal numbers but elves left many ages ago, and halflings over time filled with wanderlust have been emigrating out.

On good terms with the dwarven and orcish enclaves normally, it was when the Kaizer of the Randari Ympyr started his expansionist push that the Nightwood gnomes were approached to help control the orcish expansion. It was a close vote but the Nightwood gnomes went to war. (almost 130 years ago - gnomes live about 3.5 times the life span of a human)

Gnomes are gregarious creatures - they like to talk and they like the company of other creatures - especially gnomes. An individual gnome would get angry  - but a group of them to commit to all out war is almost unheard of.

After 4 years of fighting and the increasing xenophobic and bloodthirsty destruction the Gorokian Mountain Dwarves were displaying was enough for the Nightwood Gnomes to drop out of the combat and instead work for peace. Their removal from the conflict was enough for the Jarlborrin and Reetersbeard dwarves to do the same about a year later and the Gorokian Dwarves continued their shit for another year until every far flung outpost, keep, and orcish stronghold of power and government had been destroyed.

It soured the relationships between Gorok and Nightwoods ever since.

Normally all beliefs are welcome in gnomish society but the atrocities the dwarves exacted on the orcs for 6 years followed by the next 2 decades the gnomes spent on rebuilding, aid, and support for the broken orcish, human, and other races ravaged by the war made the following and belief in Odin, Thor, Sutur, Thrym, and Tyr seriously impacted and diminished in gnomish society. Open displays of worship were looked upon with some disdain and suspicion; warmonger, dwarf lover, and baby killer were bandied about often.

As the years went on the gentler gods were given sway and a greater impact on Nightwood society. Garl Glittergold and other ancestral gnomish figures were always revered but maybe 35 years ago a powerful orator and adherent for Garl rose to the head of the religious order where he espoused his name took only the title of Deacon.

Since then the following of Garl exploded - with public festivals, singing, dancing, shows, public works, and a firm rebuke for those who don't allow his followers their due. In time the following of the other gods also began to wane. Some of the fields began to have less yields, hunts became less fruitful, some trees might have had some sickness upon them.

The followers of Garl Glittergold did not suffer from these issues and offered to lend his help and prayer to those who needed his help - for a small stipend, a tithe - barely 5%. And again, the Deacon and the Garl Glittergold church prospered.

Other shrines were defaced, statues quietly removed, markers taken down. Priests and clerics were publicly ridiculed and chastised. The Deacon was eventually invited to be the High Lord's religious confidant - further expanding his reach and power. Other impacts of the other gods and even races were now being reduced further. Dwarven caravans were turned away at the borders, then other caravans were denied entry. Immigration trickled and the High Lord repurposed the gnomish armed forced to be one of protection - keeping all other races out.

And then the High Lord, always prone to bouts of brainfever, fell into a coma. Not dead, his heirs could not assume the throne - so it was up to the council to rule until he either awoke or passed on. The Deacon consolidated power amidst the council and was elected as the First or head councilor. He took the honorific of Theocrat and said to speak for the High Lord and Garl Glittergold for the betterment of all gnomes and gnomekind.

He tightened his grip on the Nightwoods and some gnomes not liking the way things were going agonized over the decision to leave but eventually did so. And many of them were denied the chance to leave! Turned BACK from the border, they were then taken by the Theocrat's people where they were indoctrinated again into the ways of Garl Glittergold, and taught that they have a purpose in gnomish society and that is to be a member of it - the outside world is not here and is not safe. This is the gnomish ancestral home and has been so as far back as history goes, at least a thousand years, definitely longer. You. Don't. Leave.

Ever.

Adherence to the Nightwoods is inimical to every gnome.
If you love the Nightwoods, then you love its leader, the Theocrat.
If you listen to the Theocrat's teachings and advice, then you show your love for our god, Garl Glittergold.

Gnomish families try to leave and the loudest dissenters sometimes just disappear.

There is a network of underground tunnels and escape ways that various centaurs, fauns, and satyrs help maintain along with a core resistance of gnomish followers of Idun and Frey who don't live in the 5 principle cities; instead make the homes and lives in the wild and try always to avoid capture by the Theocrat's Defenders. They help spirit the various gnomes in and out of the Nightwoods to others beyond the borders to eventually get these gnomes away and to safety. It is long, difficult, and expensive to maintain and do - but until the High Lord dies, Wakes up, or the Theocrat is removed from power - to some gnomes this terrible choice is all that's open to them.

Meet 100, Adv 6, 10/19/19

This was a meeting introducing a new player at our table as well as a Role Play heavy meeting.

Most of my towns have 2-3 defining characteristics that make them stand out as locations on their own and not to be confused with the other cities the group visits. But as have been pointed out with my current group - the naming convention of some of my towns have been in place for 20, 25, or even 30 years in real time.

So Falcor's Rise does generate the odd guffaw and cries of 'Falcor!!' from the table. As does Bork Keep and the Swedish Chef impressions of 'Bork bork bork'.

Whatever. Pbbth. :)

Write up follows:

Once inside we asked around and got directions to an inn called “The Experience” not too far from the main square. As for Falcor’s Rise, it was mostly an orcish town from its construction to its populace. The streets were ordered but not too neat, some of the grassy areas had succumbed to mud, and there was a bit of depression about the entire place. Also, many of the building had marking standards upon them, indicative that literacy was limited here at best.

At The Experience we were met by a half-orcish wench who seemed unimpressed with us before directing us to see Merk the proprietor if we wanted to stay. The clientele were afternoon drunkards and there was an area in the back where some sort of fighting would take place as evidenced by the roping area.

Merk took our order, we mostly bough some dark stouts and sandwiches of mutton, and then sat and talked about what to do. Most of the group didn’t want to stay, the place giving off the “rob you while you sleep” feel. As for the name, Mark eventually came over and let us know that in the evening they have Feats of Strength where you try to smash a barrel open with a Warhammer from a distance. And then afterwards, they have Trial by Axe where you try to sever a wench’s braid with a thrown axe.

Most of us were horrified but Brading was pretty stoked. We dispensed with staying here and made our way out (the young dwarf holding back long enough to drop some copper coins in Merk’s hand to save him a spot and room for later) and then took better view of where to go and what to do.

We had 2 days to kill so we asked around after getting to a clothier and weavers where we decked out a bit more in clothing lost, had some fur lining added to our cloaks, and did some shopping. We asked for a better place to stay and was told the “Iron Pen” was a good place to stay and was a bit further in town.  It was while we were here and wrapping up that one of the older women working the loom made her way to the front of the store to get a bolt of cloth when she gripped Barb’s arm tightly and with rolled over white eyes hissed at her in a quiet voice, “Beware girl, the Blue Boar has been released” and then let her go and shook it off, eyes rolling back to normal.

No one else noticed this.

At that exact moment, right outside the shop a fat raven gave a raucous squawk, fixed an eye on Barb, and then flew off to another building.

She grabbed Darius and told him what happened and the then the party finished their shopping and made their way outside where we saw 1, and then a 2nd raven take off from nearby roofs and then wing away. The feeling was the Ravenstone was the nexus for this and that the Blue Boar was most likely a person, not an actual animal. We were going to keep our eyes peeled for now.

At Eoghan’s request, we went to a local Bowyer named Flabo who repurposed older bows, and bought a simple short bow for him, happy with the price and comfortable with his skills. From there it was to the Iron Pen where the much better clientele, cleaner room, larger space, and busier staff made us more comfortable that our original choice (except for Brading who still wanted to try the other bar).

It turned out they also did Feats of Strength and we signed up, with Dwarf Tossing to follow! Which we ALSO signed up for! Including Brading and the “Tossee”. We talked to the staff and learned about the cold and that there was a White Dragon that awakens every winter for 2 months and hunts these lands named Icingheart. Hides in the clouds, comes with the snow, almost impossible to see and find – most people just live with it as the dragon avoids the cities and towns and picks off lonely and small groups of easy targets in the wilderness when able to.

As for the games, we had a great time with money being spent, some of us getting some coins for busting barrels and even Darius being allowed to participate in the dwarf toss as the Half-Ogres in the area said to “let the little man have a shot!”. With Darius getting a respectable 12’ on tossing Brading onto some laid out mattresses. Many threw further than him, some threw less. When Barb gave her dwarf a toss and only got 11’ she caught Darius doing a little victory dance and raised arms that she punched him in the kidney and dropped the fighter to the ground with a grunting snarl of “Stop gloating.” From the look Darius gave her, there would be payback at some point.

But the days passed and it was Deathmonth the 9th that we left the town of Falcor’s Rise, travelled down the highway back to the south and west, and then broke trail where Eoghan and Barb suggested would take us back to the woodcutter’s cottage. Sure enough, even with the accumulated frost and frozen dew,  it was obvious that someone else was here, stayed a bit, and then left. 1 set of horse prints from a heavy warhorse and 2 humans, male, booted – came about 2 days ago and left yesterday.

We followed the trail.

By the time 7 PM came and the night had fallen, we knew we still had some time to go. But the temperature was now in the low 20’s and dropping and the amount of cloud cover was increasing. How much further? Brading climbed one of the many Douglas Firs in the area until he was able to look in the direction we were traveling. Maybe 2 miles from here was a thin glow on the horizon – small town, large Thorpe? Camp?

We decided to camp here and set up cloaks, blankets, and lengths of wood and boughs to act as a vision break. Gathering wood we all got around the fire and one by one, took watch and slept the night away. The next morning the sky was steel grey and the promise of snow was on the air. It was by 8 AM that we were on the way as we trudged ever north and west.

Eventually we arrived at a ranch of sorts. Maybe 20 sharecrofter huts, 5 larger building, organized fields. About 15 odd people tilling what fields they could, gathering winter tubers. We made their way closer, the entire place reminding us very much of the layout of Durcent but a bit smaller. Maciles? Ostlerson?

We approached a husband and wife pair in the fields and talked with them, learning this was the Ostlerson Demesne, and the lord was Lord Gregor Ostlerson. There were 5 main buildings: the manorhouse, the granary, the traders, the tavern, and the gathering hall/church. And we could see the line of the prints in the snow did get lost in the fields a bit but headed without error right towards the Manorhouse.

Shit.

We made our way to the Tavern where we had a drink and startled the tavern keeper enough to signal a large heavy set man near the end of the bar. He sauntered over, holding his gut in and holding a truncheon. The feeling was local tough going to pot. He identified himself as Irgar and said he was a deputy for Sheriff Fersic Gregson. Who were we, what did we want, what were we doing here? Suspected we were mercenaries and suggested we move on. We said we would but the snow was coming, anyplace we can stay?

Were told we had to ask at the Manorhouse. We said we didn’t want to bother the lord and were told that ALL the homes here were owned by the local Lord, and if we wanted to stay, go and talk to him about it – otherwise finish your drink and move on.

We got the hint.

Irgar was Deputy? Was Thurbarn NOT Sheriff? What was going on? It’s been 11 days but still – what’s happening? We were told by the tavernkeep that there was lots of issues in the Western part of the Province but here, things were fine. And Sheriff Fersic? Come every 3 days give or take – was just here a day or two ago.

We made our way to the Manorhouse where we were told by the guards to wait while they get someone to deal with us. They were rude and unwilling to talk, but one of them was a trainer of wolfhounds and did get into a spirited conversation with Eoghan about his wolf. Eventually a tall well dressed, rich looking man with a sneer on his bald head came out. He was the Janissary Haki and we had a guard with a wide half-orc wearing a bag and manacled with him.

Lord Ostlerson was busy and didn’t want to meet with us so Janissary Haki was happy to. Yes we can stay in one of the older huts that wasn’t being used for 1 day and get a meal allowance – but they had to deliver this prisoner (delivered with a kick) to Stivil to Fightmaster Loring at the Arena. Apparently, this prisoner, Thon, was to fight wolves and bears and hopefully die doing so. He paid us 10 nobles for the efforts as long as we leave tomorrow, where Loring might give us another stipend for delivery as well.

We took the job and left, heading to the hut in question, going inside, and then getting to talking to Thon. Thon was a half-orc from Stivil who had tried to get a job on the Reetersbeard caravan but getting denied. Not wanting to return home he went looking for other work when he ended up befriending and joining the Wolf Skull Firvinir Orc Tribe. He grew close to a girl Greki and things were good until the fall festival where Scratch made its way into the youths.

He tried it, didn’t like it, but those that took it grew angry all the time and the mood was changing. Even Greki was becoming distant. Eventually there was a raid that she was a part of and when it ended badly with almost 10 of the raiders captured, the thought was to get Scratch out of the tribe entirely.

Thon learned a lot about the Durcent people who came to treat with the Chief and had respect for their new Sheriff and the members of the adventuring group who came to help out. Wanting to be a part of ending the hold of Scratch, he came back to Durcent where he made fake friends with a man named Fersic. Fersic was easy to fool and imagined Thon was his friend if not also stupid (he wasn’t).

Enough information came to him from Fersic about his father buying nails from Stivil made Thon think about following the trail to Fersic’s father, Gregor Ostlerson. The nails were the delivery system of the Scratch and it just seemed too good of an opportunity to miss. He convinced Fersic that he could do any job his father might need in his manor house and Fersic got him a job there.

He was moving hay bales from one side of the Stables to the other and other menial jobs, but he had a chance to look the place over. No drugs here…except there was an area in the basement below the manorhouse that needed a 5 tumbler key to open. That must be it.

Lord Ostlerson left with 2 of his trusted men 3 days ago on some trip and that was a good opportunity to scout. So @ 2 in the morning he tried the door, opened it with his picks, and made his way downstairs to another door. Working on that one he felt a puff of air and passed out.

He awoke the next day and Janissary Haki had some of the local thugs work him over with fists and saps, screaming at him constantly that he would be fucking dead and fucking dead soon for this shit. When Lord Ostlerson came back a day and a half ago with his men, he was already in a shit mood – but this just put him over the top. Janissary Haki had Thon beaten and then salted and then beaten again.

He was to be sent to Stivil where Loring would have him fight rapid animals until he either died, or earned enough money to get his freedom (most likely not). The only thing Lord Ostlerson was missing was someone to take him up there – which our arrival made happen. We were the adventuring group that he had heard about in Durcent – and he had a mental image of the Manorhosue and how to get to the basement – where if there were ANY records of what’s going on –that’s where they would be.

 And we would need iron clad proof of the drug operation to bring to Lord Durcent because going up against another Lord with just our word was tantamount to stupidity and suicide.

Meet 99, Adv 6, 10/12/19

During our adventure we managed to find 3 very beaten up and abused slaves and had to discuss freeing them, taking them with us, leaving them here, or what?!? This has come up before and there was some lively discussion around the table about them and their capabilities.

Not everyone likes this sort of woolgathering and thought process but I find it to be an integral part of the game and helps shape the party members and how they interact with one another.

Write up follows:

While looking through the charnel house that the basement entrance room had become, the group then turned their attention to the three doors on the south wall. We know there were “persons” behind at least 2 of them, and the thought went to setting them free or not. There was much spirited conversation before we at concussed that we should at least look – and then go to the vault upstairs and use the key we got of Ixitch to check the safe.

Barb was the primary speaker and we learned that there was a figure in there, Abarin Codsdottr, we was at the mercy of Ixitch and Malven “The Keeper” (The necromancer) who she referred to as master. She was terrified and kept her eyes closed on command. The room was a seraglio with cushions and bedding and pillows. Three stout 4 poster beds were here, one with a half orc girl in her early 20’s badly scarred and beaten, sporting burns and chained to the wall by manacles and a set of neck chains.

The next bed a catatonic dwarven female also bound but wearing a muzzle and lying in her own filth. The last was a human female dead about a week in a state of undress from torn clothing.

Crap.

After getting Abarin to understand we’d be back in a minute the party discussed feverishly the need to NOT leave these women behind. Brading was firm that they were ALL coming, Barb wanted to save Abarin, and Darius wasn’t sure about the dwarf being catatonic and moaning. We have to go and leave, and its 9 hours or so to the woodcutter’s cottage, and then what? Drag them with us? Where do we bring them?

These were real concerns but Brading was firm that it was the right thing to do. We tried to put a blindfold over the dwarf’s eyes but she was keening and screaming terribly so we stopped. Abarin said she’d been here 7 months or so and was from Stivil, her father was Cods Smithson. The dwarf was named Gersy and had been here about 3 or months and the reason she was screwed up was she had been forcibly taken and raped by The Keeper’s ghouls during the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Ugh, fucking shit.

Ok. We had Shim Ray of Frost both sets of Abarin’s chains and then smashed them from the wall. Her job was to calm Gersy down and we’d be back in an hour or less. We left there and discussed the problems ahead of us at length until we arrived at the vault. We opened the secret door and then noted that much of the tradesgoods had been taken – as well as the horse from the shed! Most likely Gerry Rockbottom.

But the safe was still closed so Will Murder used Ixitch’s key to open the lock…and succeeded! It was filled with thousands and thousands of copper commons as well as a smattering of nobles, bits, and even crowns. There were two bags with some fancy stones within. We guessed over 150 lbs of coin so we divvied it up amongst everyone and then trooped back down to the basement.

The thought was that we were most likely running against the clock before someone from Paxian would be showing up and we wanted to be very gone from here before then. So we went back to Abarin and Gersy who was much better. Gersy was staring at Brading, the only other dwarf in the group and was crying. Brading called to Heimdall, begging for Virtue for her and she sighed and then passed out.

We freed the two of them and went out to the basement and then main entrance hall upstairs. Meanwhile, the last room had a male figure in it calling out. Rygar Halfman. Darius freed him, a mostly orcish (small bit of human) young man of about 14 or so, badly beaten with rope scars around his neck. Said he started out as a linkboy and valet in training for Ixitch before Nardolen the druid took a fancy to him and used him often for her depravity – been here about a year and a half.

We all got upstairs, then outfitted everyone with the bug out bags, some spears and helms, made sure to all be ready. Shim had everyone get together and then hit the entirety of us with a prestidigitation spell, cleaning everyone – which we needed. So it was by 2 that we left Ixitch’ Manorhouse behind and made our way north and west, back to the Hills and hopefully to the Bloodtusk Hobgoblin camp.

It took us the better part of 4 hours to get there and Will Murder spoke of our efforts and the passing of Bad Tom and Elsa Ire. Meanwhile Abarin, Gersy, and Rygar were going to be an issue for us. Rygar had some sort of serious training from what we can tell and Gersy had the Nightengale effect on Brading.

We slept well and the next day we left and continued on our way to the place marked on the map where Ixitch and Big GO would meet up at neutral location – hoping to find something that would lead us back to Big GO. Will Murder took a bag of coin as his share for the efforts at Ixitch’s stronghold and from the many thousands left, Darius put a decent handful of coins in Rygar’s pouch and told him his charge was to take the 2 women safely to Stivil and make sure they were reunited with Abarin’s father.

He wanted to meet up with Darius after but Darius played is close to the chest. Meanwhile Barb did the same with Abarin, giving the half-orcish girl a stipend of coins and telling her to go home and take care of Gersy who would need it.

By this time we had gotten to the barrier between Canaslan and the rest of Rand and there was 5 inches of snow beyond the border. So we made sure we were well covered and then stepped out – and it was cold – maybe mid 20’s, biting wind. We trudged on, Eoghan and Barb guiding us through the snow for hours and hours until we passed the highway on the map between Erylond and Falcor’s Rise – and it was about a half mile before we arrived at the spot on the map.

We gave Rygar our best, Darius gave him the Cat Pillow he had been carrying from home from his mother’s living room as a token for him to remember the group, made sure they were gone, and then approached the house with care. Tall A’Frame style woodcutter’s cottage with an attached stables that would house 2 steeds. No smoke from the chimneys, shutters tight.

We approached from the east to minimize being seen. No one had been here recently and the wood bid outside had barely a day and a half of wood in it. All was locked up tight. Door was Ironwood, shutters were reinforced – not typical. We lifted Shim to look through the soffits on the stables and he saw some owl sign – two stalls, 3 bales of hay, pretty clean, 1 saddle and nothing else.

As for the house, no one had been here for a week plus so we used Ixitch’s key – and damn if it didn’t open the door! Woodcutter’s cottage had no root cellar, all joints and boards were flush and tight, 1 main room with a loft. Loft had some boxes but were empty although one had coins at some point in it. Kitchen had no food but 4 bottles of Forgewhiskey and a stoneware jar of Stonepiss Beer – seating for 6 – bowls and mugs were simple wood.

The fireplace had two piles of wood nearby, one with red waxy coating, the other blue. Shim began scraping the wax off one of the logs and the spell on it flared, filling the room with BRIGHT red light blinding three of us, before a blazing rune appears in the air and broke apart.

What the hell? Signal logs? Since the rune never left the room, we guessed we were ok. We were going to stay here tonight, light a fire and toss a signal log in it, hopefully attract the Big GO and then retreat to Falcor’s Rise for a few days, returning where we would rely on Barb and Eoghan to follow the tracks back to wherever Big GO was.

The next morning, Deathmonth the 7th, was crisp and cool and we threw a blue log on the fire while Darius and Eoghan went outside to see which way the rune flashed off to the west – and the flash blinded Eoghan again. Lol.

We left the cottage, locked it up, covered our tracks and made our way back to the Highway and then Northeast another 3 hours to Falcor’s Rise. A walled city deep in the original Randari territory, they subsist on trades with various Randari semi-nomadic tribes and take a dim view to fighting inside the town with most fines being 5 commons first offense and then expulsion afterwards.

We had a rough time getting in since Eoghan’s wolf was not trained and barely followed his commands, struggling to even sit when prompted. Eventually it required leashes, collars, and even a muzzle which Barb was willing to help with even though the animal almost snapped at her. Once done we made our way through the gates and entered Falcor’s Rise.

Meet 98, Adv 6, 9/28/19

I've played this game for almost 4 decades and one of the things that always bugged me on either side of the screen was Deux Ex Machina - when something wondrous happens to save the party from certain doom. It feels cheap and as the player I always had the sensation I was robbed  - so I try to not have that happen in my games.

Except that it did.

The group had a whistle for over a year and a half in real life time that had been givento them by Dunatis, an Orcish druid (12th level) in the Moratian lands who felt good that the group was fixing the kobold issues out there and if they had run across the giants and felt a bit outside their element, can blow it once and Dunatis and his circle would come to help.

The thought was it would be used for the giant fight which I had expected to occur at the end of the adventure.

But the party didn't need it and we avoided the fight - so the resident Barbarian kept the whistle all this time.

And when they were faced with a TPK at the hands of Ixitch Barrowman, one of the party members remembered the whistle and the group blew it. And I portalled 1 12th and 4 10th level orcish druids into the Stronghold and they helped the group kick the crap out of the bad guys.

And as the DM, I felt cheap. The party was happy and no one but me seemed to bothered by it - but as for myself, it still stuck in my craw.

Write up follows:

The battle continued to rage on around us. The dwarven cleric that finally entered the room made her way behind the Bugbear and shot off a Cure Serious Wounds into him, staving off his impending death. We struggled against the ghoul who crept even closer, magic missiles slamming into it but failing to kill it. Barb was hemorrhaging hit points, Shimlagesh was bleeding out, and the two zombies beat on Eoghan who was struggling to knock one of them down.

We tried to back up into each other and Brading was smashed to the floor by the bugbear after finishing off Elsa Ire. Meanwhile the cleric stepped behind the swordsman fighting Barb and healed him as well! It was approaching the final hour and it looked like the party was done when Barb at the last moment drew Dunatis’ whistle that she had gotten from the druidic orc months ago and let go a single blasting piercing tweet.

The air split open and the shaggy half-wolf form Orc came in with 4 of the circle, looked around the chamber that drew themselves to a stop and looked about, and asked her “What do you need from us little one?”

She pointed to the bad guys and said, “Help us! Please!”

5 Druids, 4 10th, 1 12th, and their animal companions made VERY short work of Ixitch’s support staff. The bugbear, the swordsman, the axe thrower, the cleric, the two zombies, and the ghoul were all killed in a few minutes of slashing, biting, rending, terrible fiery power. Even a fire elemental had been summoned to help finish the fight off.

When it was over, Dunatis admitted he expected the call to come against the giants some weeks ago and was happy to have been a help. He agreed he would meet with Barb again on Icemonth the 1st to discuss their arrangement and relations and before they left, healed the party of their poisons, ills, and wounds.

Ok – that was NOT expected and NOT on the original plan. But it worked – as Thalin said, you can’t save things like the whistle for after you were dead.

At this point we could tell that the necromancer wanted to talk to us as one of the dead bodies here began speaking to us. The necromancer, called the “Keeper” was able to see which way this entire affair was blowing and wanted safe passage for him, his apprentices, and he non-empirics. Willing to give up his contract with Ixitch, he was going to beat feet and get to Grimyria before the angry dwarf could force his hands into something he didn’t want to do.

Time was ticking as Ixitch was having some argument with his other followers and we gave the Keeper the ok that he could leave. From down the hall we heard a door open and close quietly and then a line of people approached. The Keeper was a human, tall, and thin with ulcerous lesions visible on his neck and arms. He had two apprentices, both human, each just under twenty. A girl heavy made up and wearing bullous clothing and leading a chain with two zombies. And a boy corpulent and waddling, beady “kill you in your sleep” eyes and had a catchpole with a slavering ghoul on the end of it.

We gave the Keeper the farewell and he left along with his crew, but not before letting us know it was Ixitch, Gerry Rockbottom and his daughter Fleabite, Nardolen the half orc druid and her two animals and Silver Glass Ixitch’s wizard.

We were going through everyone’s belongings and deciding what to do next. The thought was to continue down the hall and take it to Ixitch now – but that meant leaving this room unwatched and even with the spike in the door, it was enough to slow them down but now totally stop them should they want to leave.

Will Murder offered to stay here, flatbow at the ready and hiding behind one of the curtains. We went down the hall to an entrance area, passages in all directions and a double door to the left with various religious symbology upon it. We made sure the door was untrapped and opened up, looking it. A temple of some sort, two tiers, furthest part of the room raised – dim voices in that direction. A number of backpacks were here on the left, packed and ready to go. A quick look showed clothes and food stuff – bug out bags.

We made our way through to the second tier where a door was on the south wall and the source of the voices. We came closer; made sure it was unlocked, and then entered with care. Small 10x10 room with another door on the south wall. We could hear clearer, some crying, and a rhythmic banging noise in the distance.

We drew up and got ready, then hit the door open and started pouring into the room. Nardolen was halfway across the long chamber which doubled as a dungeon and torture chamber, a silverbacked wolf and a hedgehog the size of a mid sized dog with her! At the end of the room was an open door with Gerry and his daughter visible as well as a human female in her mid-30’s clad in wizard robes and a tall conical hat. There was much yelling at our arrival and Barb ran for the druid getting angry as she did so.

Arrows and spells followed but they seemed to slow down and turn aside on hitting around Silver Glass. Meanwhile Gerry, crying and begging, was dragged into the dark hall by his daughter and we could hear Ixitch down there yelling to “help get this fucking door open!!”

The party launched spears and swords at the chamber while the hedgehog barreled into Barb, driving a dozen foot long quills into her body and making her swoon in agony. Most shots missed the mage who returned the favor by striking out at the group with a Blindness spell which had Darius screaming, “Foul! Fucking Foul!”

We tried to help out Barb, setting up to her left as we coaxed the druid, wolf, and hedgehog off of wasting her, Shim dousing a third of the room in a globe of darkness. While all this was going on, Ixitch managed to get the door open and told Gerry and his daughter to run for it. As then entered the room, Will Murder looked them over, verified their names, and got approval that Ixitch was still in there. He nodded his head and muttered something about not killing kids and their dads, then motioned them to get to the stairs and get the hell out of here.

The battle was turning and the group was pouring on the hurt as they raced down the room, spells flying. Silver Glass hit herself with an Invisibility spell and Ixitch tried to run for it, wounded, but Will shot his at point blank range, and then as he fell over, shot him again. As Ixitch was pleading for help, Will walked right up to him and shot him in the chest, and then again in the head. Silver Glass, wounded was unable to escape and was taken down and then the group managed to finish off the Half-Orc druid and her hedgehog.

The wolf was mourning her loss and Eoghan did his best to calm the animal down and get it to come to him. Once this was done we passed out some healing and started going through what belongings we could. It was at this time that the air split open and 3 figures in black and red, smelling like sulfur and sandalwood, entered the chamber with an official looking scroll. They were here for the body of Ixitch Barrowman who had made a contract with the Tower Arcane in Grimyria for various help and protections on the knowledge that upon his death his body would be remanded over to them for post empirical usage.

Yeah, you can take him.

Once sure that all was done and the Grimyrians left, we checked out Silver Glass’ spellbook, got some trinkets and keys off of them all, and decided that we had a few hours to look around before we should get the hell out of here.

Meet 97, Adv 6, 9/21/19

Big meeting this one was, and it was running long so we ended on a cliffhanger in the middle of fight.

Two main things that occurred though was the party had a second conversation with the BBEG, Ixitch, and this time it did not go in our favor. And the fight at the end showed the group was overmatched.

Ixitch at some point figured out between the first conversation and this one who the party might be. He was wrong on some level, but right on others. And flat out was/is going to use his influence to kill the group's family member and friends.

That's the truth of it. So they HAVE to neutralize him and soon before he becomes a problem.

The second part was the group had to face a concentrated enemy on their home turf - and even though we lost an NPC or two - and multiple members of the party were down - they once again underestimated the effectiveness of the enemy on their stronghold with their strengths.

Write up follows:

Bad Tom flat out said we didn’t need 2 dwarves to talk, and the camp dog was a non-starter so some sword thrusts finished them off, leaving one dwarven crossbowman and the wizard alive…for now. The wizard was young, a bit past 20 and cocksure of himself while the dwarf, Shelvar, was a bit more open and willing to talk to the party. Some questioning, some snide answers, some dead wizard and then we got some information about Ixitch and the others.

Apparently Shelvar is a temporary employee, worked for Ixitch about 5 months, was laid off for 3, and had signed another 5 month contract of which 3 or 4 months have passed. Ixitch has a trusted group of supporters who handle the downstairs portion of the Homestead and apparently they had been practicing for this situation and Shelvar let the group know that enough time has passed that Ixitch and Co. are ready for the group. No he doesn’t have particulars, but he knows that they all have a part to play.

We trussed him up after getting no confirmation about antipoison being in the locked secret room and made our way back to the Entrance Hall. It was apparent that there had been some changes here, small subtle things. We heard faint movement inside the Exercise yard as well as outside. Plus we could see/smell oil all around the front door.

We wanted to burn it off but do it in such a way that we don’t get hit with another fireburst spell. So Shim cast a ghost sound which sounded like 3 or 4 of us going to the front door, followed by a handful of loose rocks tossed at the door, which was followed by the oil being lit under the door and then followed by the fire being BURST by an unseen magical assailant! Shim made the sounds of people yelling and then going silent.

The group then dimly heard the sound of and inrushing of air from the Exercise yard and then a matching one from outside through the window. Ok…what??

Once sure no one was around, we chanced to enter the Exercise yard again. Right near the entrance, the dirt was swirled in a spiral pattern at least 6’ wide…and the ladder we had on the floor was missing. Ok…Lets look around. The thought was the people/person just here portaled out somehow, hence why the inrushing of air, pop, and spiral of dirt. As for the ladder it had to be back on the roof, so we had Brading cast Invisibility to Undead on Bad Tom, Eoghan, Barb, and Darius, and two of them attempted to climb the wall to look on the roof.

And there were two undead half-ogres up here with three ladders right near them.

Fuck, not a good idea – they came back down.

The Delay Poison was in its last hour and Eoghan was in danger to succumbing, so the group hightailed it to the north wall, Will Murder checked the door and let us know that there was a pressure against it on the other side but it was not locked…most likely trapped – and the set up made it impossible for him to disarm it on this side.

So Barb volunteered to open it and the group was expecting maybe a guard and/or a spear trap so we all spaced out and got ready and Barb used her pole to force the door open.

And a pressurized bladder popped and sprayed her with a caustic aerosol poison that go in her skin, nose, ears, mouth, eyes, and lungs…And just as it was beginning to burn – Brading hit HER with a Delay Poison Spell – stopping the effects in its tracks.

The group looked her over and the consensus by Will and Thalin was that she had two poisons on her, an acetic destabilizing one that could kill her, and flammatory one made from dried salamander skin. So it’ll weaken her, set her on fire, and then finish her off.

Crap – we had 4 hours to find a cure for her – and about an hour and a half left to help Brading.

We went in to the next hall, looked down and was going to open the door on the north side leading to the secret door when Darius noted something on the floor. Will checked it out – a wire connecting the two doors together. Open one and the other one opens as well. Nice. Nice try.

We disarmed the trap and held the door in place and then opened the north door – and the trap on the south room went off without opening the door – and no one was hurt! All right!

Key in hand we opened the secret door and it was an armory and trade closet of some sort. Weapons, armor, boxes of trade goods – and a safe set in the floor also guarded by a key. Will checked it out and was sure there was a needle trap set inside the 5 tumbler lock – no antidote visible for now. – Most likely INSIDE the safe.

That we don’t have the key for.

We left the area and decided that we might have to go downstairs and take the fight to Ixitch – but we also know that it might be a bad idea. The thought was to try and talk to Ixitch first and see if we can salvage anything of this situation – two of our members were poisoned and needed help now – and the minutes keep ticking by.

We went back to the Exercise yard, climbed the roof to look out at the front door – no one was there just undead on the roof (who didn’t see us thanks to the Invisibilty to Undead still going) – but we saw the swirling pattern in the dirt out there as well. We went back to the main room, to the hall and disarmed the spear trap, and then talked to Shelvar the dwarf who gave us what little info he was able to – and we let him go, the dwarf VERY thankful and on his way to Grimyria for now.

We went to the dead mage and Bad Tom finished hacking the head off while Darius kept tapping the head and waving his hand it, trying to get the necromancer and Ixitch’s attention. And after a few minutes, we were able to hear once again through the head.

Ixitch was pissed; we had been killing his men, wasting his resources, and ransacking his home. Convinced we were working for Big G O who had sent us here to collect the now 7,700 commons he was owed, he had little interest in making a deal, even when Darius (pretending to be Isilwine still) tried to give him a version of the truth that we were NOT working for Big G O and instead wanted to get to him.

Then we grew concerned as he traced the fact that Isilwine was married to Twilane Diamondcutter – who was the younger sister of an adventurer, and sell sword Darius, who had a group called the Vanguards of Ragnarok – and were them. Shit. He knows who we are.

We tried to beg for an antidote to the poison in the lock and made believe that Thalin was Avulstein – which had the “Keeper” – the Necromancer here, VERY interested in helping – professional courtesy and all. He wanted to have a good word sent back to Parylis that he was helpful and was willing to do a good turn. The antidote portaled up here and we turned the head so they couldn’t see us giving it to Eoghan who downed it with relief.

But Ixitch and Darius/Isilwine went back and forth and Ixitch flat out didn’t believe or trust the group at all. This was going to end and end badly. He was going to order a hit out on Isilwine’s wife, Twilane (Darius’ younger sister) and then do the same for the rest of the group – in a week; they were all going to be fucking dead, dead, dead.

We ended transmission at the same time he did and Darius looked at the group and said – now we have to kill them. This is my kid sister and family, he can’t be allowed to leave here and set this up.

We went to the door going down, made sure that any trap on the other side was set off, and then made our way down the steps to a large room. Some chairs, small tables, comfortable looking living room – pretty big, 30x 50. There were 3 doors on the south wall, one on the north – all reinforced oak. And each had a hanging curtain partially blocking it.

We took our time looking and listening. The three southern doors, the first one had a stink to it like unwashed bodies, the middle was silent, the last had some more foul sickly sweet smell and some weeping sounds on the other side. Meanwhile the north door heard maybe some distant shuffling noises, nothing nearby.

While all this was going on, Shim and Thalin were looking around for secret doors when they found a section of the western wall that could open – but no way to open it from this side – one way secret door. Most likely an escape tunnel. We wanted to block it up and Darius looked in his bag – finding one last iron spike.

Barb was going to set it but it would take 10 or so hits to do it – and it would be loud. So we handed out hammers and around the room we struck the spike 2 times and the ground the same and then stopped and Eoghan listened. Some noises again, nothing new. We hit it another pair of times and stopped. Listening…Someone coming closer and Eoghan could tell that who ever it was was listening on the other side of the door!

We hit it another 2 times and Eoghan let us know the figure was running down the hall. Then we just wailed on it and got it set – effectively closing off their escape route.

But now they know we’re here and most likely getting ready. So we all got near the door, Shim cast an illusion of 3 guys with flat bows looking at the door while Bad Tom was ready to open the door. And we did, one, two, three.

There was a distant moaning and then a snap.

And a god borne line of fire streaked down the hall like Sutur himself empowered it, consumed Bad Tom and the door in cacophony of shrieking flames, and burned Elsa, Darius, and Barb who were near the front.

And the figures ran down the hall as we backed up staring at the space where Bad Tom one stood as we readied weapons…And 4 zombies ran…RAN into the room and tried to hit Brading and Eoghan. Meanwhile right behind them came three other figures – a hulking 7’8”, 500 lb bugbear clad in heavy armor and swinging a heavy 20# flail, a human mercenary with a broad sword spinning in his grasp, and then a stout Gorokian Mountain Dwarf with 2 braces of hand axes. The Bugbear hit the line and we scattered, Elsa Ire taking the first hits as her quarter staff shattered and she fell back shoulder pauldron crushed. The swordsman struck out at Barb who realized that he was a better swordsman than her.

Spells fired, sling stones were shot, Arrows filled the air and Brading turned the zombies – but only two of them managed to flee- the others circling around and engaging Eoghan. Then a ghoul ran into the room and we shot sling stones and magic missiles at it, killing it before it could get close enough to hit one of us. Barb was overmatched and starting to lose the fight when she bit her tongue and swelled up, blood running through her mouth as her barbaric rage helped even up the odds between her and the swordsman.

Elsa took punishing blows as she swapped to her butterfly axe, bleeding from a torn scalp and nursing fractured ribs as the Bugbear was beating her to death. But she managed to center herself and hacked up hard…lopping off the bugbear’s shield arm at the elbow and evening up that part of the battle! Darius was struck by flying axes as the dwarf was trying to take him down. We could hear the dwarf calling down the hall, “Empress, we need you now!!” Followed by heavy mailed figure running down towards us. Eoghan took more hits from the zombies and was starting to stagger.

And as we were trying to set up a solid line of defense, the human mercenary called out, “Empress…A Three!” as he hacked at Barb again.

And there was outrushing of air as another ghoul pounced out of nowhere and appeared in the back corner of the room where Darius, Will Murder, and Thalin was. Shit. And it hit Will Murder like a starving wild cat, tearing and biting and scratching and ripping into the hobgoblin who fell over paralyzed as Thalin ran towards Barb and Darius took up defensive line between them.

And we heard running again down the hall – something was coming and we needed to slow it down. So Shim dodged through the battle, hit the front line, and cast a globe of darkness as far down the hall he could making whoever it was slow down and stumble – buying us another round.

And for his efforts, the swordsman turned his attacks from Barb and instead hit the gnome hard, again and again and again – dropping Shim to -7.

The group was screaming for Brading to help as Darius missed with all of his sling stones at the approaching ghoul and the scroll of magic missiles Thalin read shot off FOUR of the missiles at the undead scavenger – but failed to kill it!! Brading tried to turn the ghoul but failed and it hit Darius in a twisting ripping dance of fury – and the fighter fell over paralyzed!!!

And the ghoul was staring at Thalin and licking its lips.

There we were, Shim dying, Barb struggling against a superior fighter fully in a barbaric rage, Else Ira in the single digits and trying to keep the murderous Bugbear focused on her, Brading with his back turned to the dwarf who was ready to hurl another axe at his back this time, Bad Tom immolated, Eoghan struggling against two zombies, Will Murder bleeding bad and down paralyzed, Darius struggling to break free of his own paralysis and failing, and Thalin facing off with a wounded ghoul stalking closer and closer, with only a satchel full of spell scrolls to hopefully stem the tide.