Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 28, 4/12/23

Knowing we were looking to leave tomorrow, the group finished up their shopping. Pestle spent some time making some healing potions, Camunsant the half-orc apprentice giving the gnome a hand, using the College’s alchemy lab and some reagents supplied at a cost by Percy Threecoppers. We loaded up on food stuffs and gear and on the 10th of Birthmonth, spring air and sunshine with us, left the town of Nulb along with the contingent from the Order of the Gnarley Woods.

It was some 3 to 4 miles out of town and south through the dense forest. Many of the trees were confusing to us and trails were non-existent. Rowan had enough wilderness lore to help him get his way back to here and out again should need be due to the thick tree cover making any sighting with the sun or moon impossible. We hoped to get a feel for the temple area and maybe some light exploring before possibly returning back and hiring a person or two to help us out in the future – a shieldbearer and a thief if we could find one.

Eventually we came to an area where the undergrowth was a solid tangle of vines and thorn bushes. The Order let us know that beyond here was the Temple and they would not dare to enter. Furd drew his great sword and using it a machete, hacked and chopped his way along and through, 20 feet or so until the passage finally parted enough for us and the party came to the other side of the warded area.

It was horrible

The land rose ahead in a washed out and tired looking version of the world we knew. The sun seemed anemic, the sky was grey-blue. Twisted trees with leprous looking leaves when they had any at all dominated the land. We walked toward the center where some walls and a building stood, our ankles getting welt from the brambles and diseased looking underbrush that clogged our passage. Fat ravens spun lazily in the sky, croaking out their disgust at our presence.

We walked on, sounds both muted and shrill. We approached the busted wall surrounding the temple grounds and got our first view of the Temple of Elemental Evil. It was huge with numerous gargoyles and carved faces adorning its walls. Strange baffles and cutouts made the place feel like it was screaming. The grounds were a mess of thigh-high overgrown thorns and bushes and the entire wall looked like it had been assaulted in the past, the tops maybe 20’ tall, rounded, and broken. There was a tower close to here with the top that had collapsed. It was thought that we’d check that place out first.

Ophelia had dared a detect evil spell and was overwhelmed by the constant wave of malevolence everywhere. But, as we came closer to the tower, she was able to feel 8…15…20…26 distinct evil presences within. We all picked our way around, Albert slipping and wrenching his ankle, going to slow the mage down a bit.

We came to the front door and on seeing it had a chain around it, split ourselves up and got ready to open the door and attack. A lit flask of oil was prepared and floated in where Aredhel burst it, setting the opening on fire and starting the fight. And they responded with a withering storm of arrows that had us scatter back and draw ready. They burst out, human, male, dirty and unshaven, wild looking and grunting and snarling – language seemingly absent from them for now.

The first batch were clad in leather and sporting spears but beyond were others including slingers, archers, crossbowmen, and some metal clad fighters. Albert called a summons and a troglodyte appeared, javelin stabbing out and catching a spear wielder head on. Furd positioned himself near the front and smote the first, cleaving into the seconds. Spells and missiles fired but they slung some molotovs out at us, setting the ground on fire. Hamburger charged in and smote down 2 of the closest fighters and cleared the area a bit for Furd.

More missiles fired and Aredhel cast sleep within, dropping a number of the archers but it inspired the main fighters to march out, longswords flailing in the air. Rowan called another summons and got a hyena – it ran out to attack, slipped on some flaming oil, rolled helplessly and getting itself on fire and then charged in terror across the field where it collided with the Troglodyte that had just been struck by a nearby spearman, and setting the oil reptilian ablaze – the two of them screaming in terror and pain as they were consumed from the blaze. (Multiple fumbles!)

Aredhel was struck hard and went down to zero, forcing the party to already run about to get some healing in place. But it was the approach of the leaders that had us worried – which had Albert draw one of Burne’s spells and read off – Suggestion – suggesting to the leader of the thugs that they were actually friends and could use his help. He failed his save, pointed to himself and grunted, “Torrand!” and then plied his sword against the same guys he just came out with.

Meet 49, Adv 11, 4/1/23

In my world, goblins are horde creatures and they overcome their natural poor morale whenever they have a knowing 4 to 1 advantage over their targets. They chant, singing as they attack. It's a rousing song that bolsters their people, giving them the equivalent of a Bless - +1 to hit and +1 on Morale - each round. And it stacks to +5.

So the longer the fight goes on, the more overwhelming the goblin warriors and their assault becomes. So adventurers have 2 choices - stand their ground and hope they denude the assaulting foes enough to negate the 4 to 1 advantage - or run for their lives. There is no right answer, and each goblin encounter is different.

Follows:

The group decided to check out the stairs going up, giving Grendel a little time to get matters…in hand. Connal muddled through for now. The steps were worn in the center from thousands of people using them in the past. The 2nd floor had more destroyed south walls open to the night air beyond. A few stone doors were here, and after checking them out, we saw an office in each. Darius went first and there was a weird burping noise and he disappeared – reappearing below in the pool formed by the choir area. Standing in almost 20+ inches of water, he sighed and got out, stripping off his wet stuff for now and setting up his brazier to help dry it out.

Connal went next, also appearing below. On a second go through though, neither man got portalled down. We found some old scrolls here, the paper dried out from over a century of being out and exposed to the elements. But each was a better than expected clerical scroll. There were other books here as well, genealogy, birth and death records.

We went up to the 3rd floor, and it was also with a shattered south wall. A circle of stones were here and signs of an old fire pit here. The smell of ogre was not too old – none here at this time. There were some closets here and a few sleeping cells. IN which we found a total of 4 bodies – each badly assaulted by the ancient dwarves and left here. We left the dead alone and feeling uncomfortable as if being watched, moved on.

It was on the 4th floor that the tower area was getting smaller and we felt really uncomfortable going any further. Connal checked out the rooms and after verifying that they were more private rooms, we decided to not go any further up and instead head back to the main floor of the Cathedral.

Once here we went down to the lower level where we could see water had collected. A ballista was here (poor condition), and a number of barrels and boxes – also rotted along the base. The chamber was pretty large and there was another set of stairs getting even lower. We went there and it was a good 30’ down until we arrived at a sizable subterranean chamber. The south wall was collapsed and ruined, crystals and gypsum crusted from the ceiling. And there were dozens. Scores. Hundreds of dead here. Their bodies had been reduced to scraps of flesh and bones, obliterated from the assault of the dwarves during the Randari Water when they destroyed Hillscar and collapsed the earth on everyone here.

There was one figure, standing before the wreckage of the south wall. Orcish in size, clad in robes, had a female shape, arms upraised and hands out as if stopping the force that came and killed everyone. She was encrusted with grit, rock dust, bits of stone, and cemented limestone, eternally entombed in rock. We felt…out of place and bit in awe being here. So we left.

Back upstairs we decided to rest. It was after 10 and we split up the watch for now. Tomorrow we would head to Canaslan and Wendover to get some answers. Grendel drew first watch and the party rested. Eventually both the elf and Connal were no longer under the effects of the philter. The night passed on but it was about 111:30ish when Grendel heard a noise out there. He went and listened and then it repeated but not as an echo – closer.

We weren’t alone.

He ran to wake the group who swiftly armored up and drew into a long line within the Cathedral, weapons out and ready. And then they came, chanting and singing, filled with their own raucous calls. Goblins. Lots of them. They came screaming and shouting, some with spears, other with swords and clubs, a few on wargs. And flatbows rang out, cracking at the party.

We returned fire and did our best to make a better line, trusting the tree line to make a direct charge at us impossible. The first few greenskins fell and others charged in meeting spear and sword. But the first fighters were over 30 at least. And more were coming. Much more. The battle coalesced around two parts with Connal and Grendel making one pivotal point and Rhygar and Darius being the other. Everyone fired spells and bows, and then we filled the air with summons. Giants rats, crocodiles, even a damned Dire Bat. The group was hit, and we took a number of withering blows, a number of us doing our level best to hold the ground and drive enough of the goblins back. And the waves kept coming.

But finally, after 9 brutal minutes of frantic combat there seems to be a shift in the combat as the goblins have stopped their chanting and whatever effect was adding such fury to their attacks. We weren’t done, but we hoped that things were going to get easier for us here on out.

Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 27, 3/29/23

The group spent the 7th staying around the Guild Grounds, knowing that The Festival of Love, Aphrodisia Day, was tomorrow and the day after that, the Viscount’s person should be in town. So we made sure our gear was in repair, joked and laughed with the staff and students, and gave whatever help we could to Saleyn O’Hare for tomorrow’s festivities.

And what a day it was. Most of the town at least made an effort to decorate and participate in the morning prayers. Saleyn spoke about the need  for love for all creatures and that it is one of the unifying forces that lends strength to both parties in any relationship. Not all love is carnal, some is friendly, some is familiar, some is merely quiet respect – but all love in all forms should be celebrated. We danced around the maypole and shared crowns of flowers and garlands around necks.

There was a queue of people heading back to the Guild Grounds of Nulb, a procession at least 300 people strong. Once there, there were some dancing and prayers, some suggestive tones and Saleyn going over the rules for anyone who wanted to participate in the Festival’s more…adult themes.

Furd and Aredhel did notice a person here that was obviously from out of town. She was an older woman, late 30’s? Older? Her clothing was of the latest cut and style and she had a bemused expression on her face. She made her way over and introduced herself as Imeri, from further downriver maybe near Dyvers. She was engaging, funny, and knew a bit of the party’s exploits as they were locally famous.

Hallucinogenic incense had been introduced and everyone was getting a bit of a high off of it. Rowan found himself entrenched with a number of local girls who wanted to see what things were like with an elven personage, and Pestle ended up spending time with the groundskeeper, Ringine, the half-orc, sharing a picnic meal and eventually coming up to the belfry to laugh and ring the bells whenever the interest struck them.

Opehlia wanted to spend some time with Saleyn, the attractive priestess gave the Athenian the attention she wanted. Albert ended up getting a contact high and had to be transferred to an unused room to sleep it off. Furd spent time with Imeri, with Opehlia, and eventually when they showed up, the ogres and other member from the Order of the Gnarley Woods. Aredhel had private time with the Master of Swords, Boris Silversword. Overall, the Festival was a rousing success and the day passed exhaustedly for everyone.

The next day we awoke, got dressed and cleaned up, and eventually went to the Main Hall and auditorium where the Guildmaster, Shev Jackson, was waiting for us. Besides the 5 masters of Nulb’s college, we did also see the 4 count from the Order of the Gnarley Wood as well as Imeri and another persons who was doting near her, identified as Eela.

We learned that Imeri was actually the Viscountess Imeri Blackstaff and she had come directly to meet with the group. A progressive firebrand, she holds massive sway with the council of Greyhawk and was looking to support and patron the endeavor.

There was lots of concern about the Temple of Elemental Evil. Its origin, its rise, and eventually its downfall and overrun a century earlier. They detailed the three demonic entities: Zuggtomy, Lloth, and Lareth. We learned of their rise and assault and how the original Order of the Gnarley Woods gave up their life and souls to contain the possible corruption. The Temple grounds have been well contained for decades but now with Iuz conquest across all the Flanaess, the thought was to close this back door to Gehenna once and for all.

It was mentioned that the 3 gods of Olympus, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, had a vested interest in the original Temple and that leant some credence to the newfound deity interest with Furd and Aredhel.

A large force would be met with an overwhelming response from within and shatter the barrier that was in place. But a small group would not cause anything more than a ripple and the group was given the green light to make the trip there.

We had a few things to work out. We had a group name at last: The Revenants. We also elected a face or speaker for the group: Pestle. We then elected a leader for the group: Albert. In order to give our party more sway with the local lords and powers that be, and in response to our efforts so far to date in freeing Hommlet, the Viscountess Imeri knighted Albert as Sir Albert of Blackstaff and all were happy.

We talked about what we would need going in and we voted on hiring two possible hirelings: a Thief with some skills in locks and traps, and a Shieldbearer to stand before the mages and sorcerers of the party. We would interview possible applicants tomorrow and then we were ready to head off to the Temple shortly afterwards.

Meet 48, Adv 11, 3/18/23

The group woke up on the 21st later in the day, and took the day fairly light and easy. Some scrolls were written, drinks were drunk, and we watched outside the raid fall, muddying up the road. We were hoping to get some information about the area, specifically the locale that they called HIllscar? There was  local historian, the Stroyteller, Avir, who we plied with some beer to get a heads up.

Hillscar was a temple grounds and college area that had been overrun and destroyed during the Randari war over a century ago. It’s about 9 miles or so east, south east of here and the main cathedral is located on top of the central hill. We then figured what we might need. It meant going into the rain to the Tradehouse (making Eoghan unhappy) where we grabbed a few things, including some basic bolts of cloth.

Once back at the Wandering Ewe, we killed a little time and had Shim prestidigitate once of the bolts into Sunrise Yellow color. The plan was that we would visit Lady Vari tomorrow and bring it as a gift. We rested well and slept more than enough.

The next day was the 22nd of Plantmonth, the Festival of Pies. Any and every person who had anything left over in their larders were invited to make pies and bring them out the share with the rest of the populace. It was a spring day, beautiful, wonderful. The baker had been working hard and just about every one else had brought many types of pies to share. Some musicians were playing about, a few locals were juggling, and there were dozens of different types of pies to sample. Most were free, a few were for sale. All were delicious.

At some point the Dikstra family arrived at the town square with their own pies, their family…and their hired hands. Sonnab and his crew. Darius grit his teeth and made sure to follow the 18 year old shepherd around the festival. Blocking him from enjoying any pie. Not one. Not a single slice. Sonnab was growing upset, visiting different stands and trying to get pieces. Darius made sure to knock them over, buying them outright first, or just taking the plates and handing it to another festival goer.

It ticked off enough of the locals who contacted the Sheriff Torod who suggested that Darius and Rhygar leave the festival for now since they were abusing Sonnab. Darius didn’t take it well but allowed himself to go back to the Wandering Ewe. The young man thought he was free of it all but the rest of the group intervened and allowed him to get 1 piece of pie – and that was it. If he took another, there would be a problem – as promised by a smack across the face.

Other people came and left, including Lord Glagdir and Lady Vari. Her paramour, Hragring, was snubbed but the Festival was still fun for what it was. We all reconvened and went back to the Thol Estate where we cleared the air with Lady Vari. Apologies were given stories exchanged, and we even gifted the dyed cloth. In addition, we had Shimlagesh prestidigitate the other bolt of cloth to blue. Lardy Vari assumed that the gnome was a dyer and was willing to share his skills with other noblewomen she knows.

We rested and the next day, Plantmonth the 23rd, after getting ready, we left Glagdir Province, heading east and south east towards eventually Hillscar. The landscape was scrub at first but over time grew wooded and then denser. At some point we had to climb a tree to get a better sight line on the ruined tops of the cathedral. The day was passing on and the light wasn’t going to last.

However, the common denizens of the forest gave way for a 6 count of oversized giant weasels who charged us. Missile weapons fired and Wilhelm’s spells calmed the most aggressive specimen. But they came on, biting and clawing, Connal taking the brunt of their attacks. Eventually enough had been taken out that we could scare off the last one. Healing was dispensed and we moved on.

Eoghan and Connal had done a decent job getting us to the grounds around Hillscar. Most of the other buildings had been reclaimed by the forest, leaving foundation stones and the odd wall. The Cathedral was on the top of the hill of which part of it had been blown apart by the Gorokian dwarven assault long ago. Even portions of the Cathedral had been sheared off. But the place was quiet. Only our voices and the creak of our armor filled the air. Through the shattered walls we could see the inside of the Cathedral – nothing grew within. Plants seemed to grow to the wall but not beyond. There was a death-like and unnatural feel to the place.

It was shortly before 7 when we chanced to enter. Some water had come in through the busted stones but nothing else. The main floor had some pews still visible, almost all were destroyed. We wandered in and made our way to the choir section, with which part of it was submerged with standing water. Beyond we could see some piled stone making a makeshift wall. A set of double stairs went up to the upper floors, one on the south side, the other on the north. But we went on to the end and took a look beyond the low wall.

A shattered case was here, damp with broken glass within, some sort of written manifest could be seen there. There were also some cut ropes and makeshift blankets tossed around. Finally a group of 5 barrels with brewers marking and stamps from Paxain, Canaslan were against the back wall. Grendel and Connal were checking the area out, looking over the ruined box. There was a note from Wendover Brewers and Apothecists (which according to Rhygar was a small sized city or large town in Canaslan.

“In conjunction with the Freyjacobites request, please feel free to test the intensity and potency of the enclosed Philters brewed to your expectations and demands. For best results, the determined affectant should imbibe the Philter. For lesser results either tactile or inhaled consumption is applicable but the duration will be severely truncated to a week tops.

We hope these Philters adhere to your needs Rector and we here at Wendover Brewers and Apothecists are looking forward to another endeavor in the future.

Stavraphore Morkanus, Master Apothecaire

Wendover Brewers and Apothecists,

Storied District, Wendover, Canaslan”

Philter? Touch or inhaled? There was nothing in the box but busted glass. And then Grendel and Connal were both flush. Very flush. Fevers rose, skin grew warm, and they were…erect. Looking for someone to lie with. It came on them fast. After explaining how they felt and what was going on, referring to the letter, we came to the realization that Sonnab and his crew must have come upon the orcish girls here, got dosed from the busted philter – and were overcome – doing the evil they did. And it also explained why after 5 days they seemed to come out of their stupor and seek to end it.

Wendover? Do we go there next? Where were the orcish girls and why were they here? Some answers and more questions. Do we look over Hillscar more? We’d need to talk it over. It was already 7:30 PM or so on Plantmonth the 23rd and we had a full day.

Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 26, 3/15/23

We went to the Boatswain’s Tavern and the place was crowded, but a section near the bar and near the back opened up for us. The party sort of split up, some heading to a place to sit, where Furd’s blacksmithing friends had motioned them over. Albert wanted little to do with this and was making his way to the back of the tavern and second floor stairs. On the way there was a woman, a mercenary looking person, with a few others, very upset, scowling at Furd with murder in her eyes.

Aredhel meanwhile ordered a round for everyone from Lodriss, even going through the motions to help hand out a hundred or so rounds of ale for the appreciative patrons., Tolub was here and sparred with the sorceress, comments being passed about. Pestle managed to get to a section of the bar and was hoisted to a stool and out of the way. We had tried to let Furd know about the scowling woman and Albert was up on a landing at the second floor where two older men were playing checkers, a middle aged woman named Florence was there. She struck up a conversation with Albert, fascinated that he had a book and she had some knowledge of low level arcane and herbology based upon her background.

As for the merc, she had gotten up and ran at Furd, knife drawn. It was Estrada and she blamed Furd for getting Latisto and Artto killed. Furd tried to brain her with a chair after taking a good slash across the gut from her blade. Others at the table rose up to help defend the Half-Ogre, and others tried to join in the other way. A cloud of gnats was summoned on Estarda’s face and Tolub of the Longsword was watching the whole thing and laughing. Some of the watch had come and the bouncers recommending to Furd and his friends that they leave for now. We didn’t want a black spot on our name a few days before the Viscount’s man arrived and decided to vacate the area for now. We left, heading back to the college while Aredhel and Pestle were behind wrapping things up.

At the College, Boris Silversword was there and he got more information about the death of Latisto, the foray into the Gnarley Woods by Furd, and what happened and how it happened. A crime had been committed, maybe 2 – but at the end of it, Furd was given a bye as being in the wrong place and the wrong time. We were getting worn out so we crashed.

Birthmonth the 6th and 7th came, some of the party members still looking to avoid town, were wrapping up their last projects and lessons at the guild halls. Shev Jackson did summon the group to sit for a bit. One of the local business men, there are two major merchant houses here – the McClusky and the Goldenthans, The Goldenthans wanted to meet with the party.

Jamie and Irayne Goldenthan were the Prelate and his eldest son of the merchant house. They have dealings and holdings all over the nearest 6 cities in the Flaness with a minor trade route with the Sword and Cheese Tradehouse in Hommlet. They had heard of the attacks there and eventually death of Rannos Davi who had owed the Goldenthan’s money. A contingent from the Church of St Cuthbert had made a trip to Hommlet and Jamie and Irayne went as well to see what had happened.

They had some conversation with a number of the people in the area, getting a feel of what happened and learned of the party’s position in it all. What concerned him though was that his youngest child, Orty Goldenthan, had been in Hommlet doing work for Rannos Davi and has not turned up. Does the party know anything about it?

The party swore to their innocence and Jamie eventually came to the acceptance of it, making his departure. Irayne, the son however, had a different look on his face and was mistrustful of the party and their actual supposed innocence. Great.

Then we had a meeting with the Ecclesiastic diplomats from the Church of St Cuthbert. Three of us had the chance to sit with the Council members: Adeptus Ekka (human administrator), Adeptus Minor Tai (half elf – builder and glassmaker), and the Sacrosanct Melja Hardhome (Dwarven keeper of relics). They were pissed. The Church had been sacked – 13 members of the church had been killed, one of them being the Main Priest Calmert! Plus, the place had been set on fire, blood spilled on holy land, the holy water font had been destroyed, and various items had been taken from the place.

We did our best to placate the Council member but the longer we talked, the more it became apparent that we were somewhat at fault. As for Calmert’s cudgel? We admitted we had it. The place had thousands of crowns of damage done to it and it was going to take months or years to fix all the destruction – assuming it was possible. They wanted a payment to fix the place and we goggled at the cost they were looking for. It was also subtly dropped that if ever wanted to ever get, find, or purchase a healing potion or anything of the like in the future – as well as train here at the guild hall – we’d have to do something to make this matter right.

We went back and forth on a tithe amount, eventually coming up with 21% as a number that all parties could accept. From this point on, the party would tithe 21% of any and all treasure based items immediately to the Church of St. Cuthbert, until such time we eventually give a total of 8,000 gold crowns.

Hands were shook and we watched them leave, worn out and concerned.

Tomorrow is the Aphrodite Festival of Love, and the 9th is when the Viscount’s people are to have a meeting with the group. Good luck!

Meet 47, Adv 11, 3/11/23

When writing this adventure, I wanted the figure of Sonnab to be that of a person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did something horrible because of it. However, he is truly repentant and wants to make amends for his crime - but does not have the skills or capability to do so. So he keeps snowballing the problems larger and larger.,

He also figures in to the larger BBEG that is to come as he has a connection to a divine power but there is no direct through-thread that made it possible. 17 year old 3rd level commoner with 8th level druidic abilities. Either way, if the party can get him exonerated, great. If not - then not. I hope they do - he's a dumb fuck, but a like Peregrine took - an honest fool.

Follows:

Leaving the Dikstra farm, the party agreed that Sonnab was a mess of a person who had made terrible choices and then just kept building on them. The two dogs, Ajax and Butch, were walking with them as they discussed the situation. They were going to hold off on letting the Lord Glagdir know the details and the Sheriff Torod too if at all possible.

Eventually at the Province main, the Sheriff was happy to see his animals returned. We obfuscated the truth as much as possible for the time but the Sheriff was not a stupid man. He suspected that Sonnab and maybe his entire crew were responsible. Dikstra’s eldest son had come to the Tradehouse today to buy 4 new shovels, the group went off to talk with Sonnab, Niring had been caught at the scene, and the 2 dogs were discovered up there.

The group did impress on the Sheriff that there was more to the matter at this time and they wanted his patience and approval so they could finish the job properly. Torod was willing to give it to them but would watch the situation and make sure that Sonnab and his crew were not going to skip town in the near future.

From there the group wandered the town, making a few visits as need be. The Lord Glagdir was visited and the young nobleman was given a rough outline of what was going on. We checked out the local horses and Darius was pretty happy with what he saw. Shim needed some much needed rest and the party spent time back at the Wandering Ewe. Once again, Eoghan had another strange encounter this time with a young man, Ithvi, who on seeing Jessie, was inspired to head back to visit his goodwife for some afternoon…time.

We let the hours pass, eating and drinking, readying ourselves for the trip to go to Swelter Ridge. A few hours of sleep helped and then by 10 we were on our way to the Dikstra farm. We picked up Sonnab there, the young druid touched shepherd was overwhelmed and happy to have someone else guide him. We tried to avoid having any detailed conversation or promises as we walked onward. The moon was slowly waxing and the night was clear, so there was enough light to guide our way.

Swelter Ridge was north of the Provincial lands but an identifiable landmark. The cliff was maybe 30’ tall of rock, 4 to 500 long, a natural ponding at the base of it. We walked around the far end of it to the base shore. Using one of the already established fire pits, we lit a welcoming fire and waited in the dark and quiet. About an hour or so after midnight, a troupe of orcish warriors and braves arrived, beating a drum slowly in time to their approach.

We waited and then lowered weapons, and they did likewise. The leader was the Fire Champion, a brute named Svandan. Besides the almost 20 orcs here, there was a dark furred individual identified as their Justicar, an orc named Fundar. Not all of them spoke Common and we went back and forth between orcish and common. They were happy to see no dwarves with us at this time and met Sonnab with a nod.

We had to impress on them that we were not taking over Sonnab’s debt but were willing to help the young man fulfill it. Could it be changed? No – an agreement was made for 30 to 50 gemstones – quality does not matter. They aren’t merchants, but Firvanir. Randari. Honor and words count. Renegotiation is an alien concept to them.

They went over the crime and the state of the women again, getting a Randari view of the crime and the onus placed on the women and the Far Dam orcs. They demanded recompense. We offered to maybe look into the crime. The women/girls were taken and placed somewhere for some reason. Who could it have been? The Underfang goblins are in the area  and could have been a party to it, maybe not though, would have most likely just taken them for slaves.

There is also an Ogre named Ricar Mankiller who walks the Randari ruins. He is a cruel warrior with a small troupe of like minded ogres. It's best to give him tribute and stay out of his way. He is known to ride a wyvern that he had tamed some time ago. Either way, heading to Hillscar which is near Canaslan is most likely our best bet. As for why the orcs do not, they all stay clear of this area since according to the wisest seers, between now and the summer solstice is when the sovereign lands some into being. And any tribe that is in the area is immediately enslaved to the lord and the lands. It’s been almost 3 years since the last one, and all the Firvanir tribes give the entirety of the Southern Rand a wide berth these days.

At some point Darius was trying to come up with a different manner of payment but he ended up irritating the Justicar and then the Fire Champion. WE DO NOT RENEGOTIATE A DEAL AFTER ALL PARTIES SWORE TO DO IT!

He got it and shut up.

They are like us, they don’t want their Chief Ungar or their Subchief Ralid to get wind of what happened as the matter would escalate and an honor raid and coup would have to be called – and no one wants that. As the Justicar said, those days are in the past and everyone should be more concentrating on getting along if at all possible. We agreed and wrapped it up. They still demanded that Sonnab show up here every night between midnight and three – even if he has no gems. Honor demands it. As for us, take what time is needed. Days? Weeks? A month or more –that is ok – the party’s word and the Vanguards of Ragnarok are good enough.

We left and reminded Sonnab to not make any decisions on his own anymore. His job is to just come back every night and that’s it. Don’t rob, don’t steal, don’t do anything. He agreed and thanked us. It was 1:30 when we dropped him off and it was Plantmonth the 21st at 2 in the morn when we came back to the Wandering Ewe – a day before the Festival of Pies. J

Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 25, 3/8/23

The two ogres were beset by Latisto and his two mercs, getting cut and hurt. Ix ran up finally, Furd in tow, and the ogress smashed the merc back a step or two. Meanwhile the sky above was growing darker and menacing. Furd then hit – but targeted Latisto. “What the FUCK are you doing!?” “Um, Sorry!”

“Get with the program, Damn it!” Furd was torn – attack the ogres, attack the mercs? At this point Artoo, Estarda, and Latisto each finished off Ugg and then Krak – the two ogres dropping down with mortal wounds, howling their death cries. Ix was furious, and forced her fury out with a raucous cry – and a bolt of lightning tore from the sky and blasted Latisto to death. The ground became as glass and the concussive blast drove everyone back. This then allowed a second burst to fall from the sky –and Artoo and was slain, the entire front of his body charred and black.

Esartda lowered her battle axe, hands up, and dropped to her knees. And Ix commanded her to go. She bent to pick up Artoo’s body and was granted it. She left. And Ix looked around, Furd with her. And then Ugg made a cough and climbed to his feet. “Why was I dead?” “Cause you suck at fighting.” “Why am I not dead now?” Ix shrugged, “It happens for some reason when I’m here. So get up.”

The same thing happened to Krak and Furd was happy he didn’t side against the ogres. They talked a bunch, comparing him to a baby ogre. The thought then came to check out the obelisk to make sure it still was locked. So they tried to do the combo around the great stone, One ,Two, Three, Four, Five. It took 8 tries for them to get it right. But this time – the Obelisk moved! It slid aside, revealing an opening in the stone base going down. It was too small for any of the ogres to fix, but Furd if he removed his armor and pack could squeeze his bulk down there.

It was a tomb with a dead body on a bier of rock, clad in the remains of vestments. A spear with the same lightning symbol as above was against the wall. There were a few cases as well and a holy symbol. As he was looking around he felt a voice in his head and a presence in the area. It was happy to see him, and Furd was happy to hear the voice. He needed some help here and could not directly help out. The Ogres have been great praying to him this last year, but he needed a more direct champion. Furd was happy to be that guy. He took the spear, the symbol, and one of the chests filled with Silver ingots. And he left with the knowledge that Zeus had his back.

On emerging the spear and silver appeared to be disguised as dirty and unvaluable. Hew bartered with Ix for her armor (Chainmail, ogre sized), leaving his behind and agreed that’d he’d be back to see his new friends soon.

As for the rest of the party’s time in Nulb, they made the most use of the advantage of the next 2 and a half weeks. Training, meeting, drinks, food, camaraderie, and recentering themselves after the rough time they had in Hommlet. They know the Viscount’s representative would be coming soon and they wanted to be rested and well enough to meet with him.

Ophelia spent a decent amount of time with Saleyn, getting better and better with her healing. She even made her own kit, aided by the Master of Cups in putting it together. They had many deep conversations of a clerical nature about the gods and their place in the cosmology – and the concerns with the demonic entities that had already made themselves known here and what they might plan in the future days to come.

Rowan did work with Argalaine of the Order of the Gnarly Woods, the druid learning about their earlier days. There was a temple here, located in the Woods. It was once upon a time a place of harmony and learning but over a century ago, had been overrun by a warped shattering of elemental forces, powered by a number of demonic creatures. Many died at that time and it took the entire might of the Order to help contain the evil in place as champions entered the Temple and sealed the rift, killing the demons within and themselves as well.

Since then, the Order prevents others from going in to that area, fighting against the corruption every year that threatens to escape the place. The forest had been claiming more land each year, but the evil still exists. As for Rowan himself, the Order helped outfit him in a set of hide armor and corrected Hamburger’s vision for the near future.

Aredhel got a second tattoo of Persephone on her other forearm, the twin to the Hades one she already sported. She also had a burgeoning relationship with the Master of Swords, Boris Silversword; the two of them often seen at shows, plays, or even just getting a drink or meal. She expanded her time and friendship with people in town, blossoming in her time not under Albert’s shadow.

As for Albert, he spent almost every day he could in the library. He poured over old scrolls and books, hoping to get a more detailed answer as to how the demonic issues and the dice he had found were all connected. And he studied. A lot. He wrote scrolls and practiced his magic. Every day. Even when he failed to bathe or take care of himself, he stayed inside, even Percy Threecoppers wanted Albert to get out and see the world. Pestle would come by and Prestidigitate the worst of the dirt and filth from her wizard friend.

Pestle made a few scrolls but she ended up looking for a better set of clothes, something that she knew she had always wanted. In her shopping, she remet up with Banana, the gnomish merchant they had freed from the Manorhouse along with the Siksalli family. They had a nice time for a few days until the gnome mentioned that he was heading upriver to arrange a shipment of textiles to come back here. He was going on the Longsword, a large merchant vessel that plies the Nyr Dyv river and would be back in a week and half.

Seeing Pestle’s clothes, Furd went and visited the same clothier with the gnome where he arranged the crafting and purchase of a set of suede gloves. Then an entire outfit followed. But the end piece was a belt buckle that Fione the smith allowed the Half-ogre to craft at one of her forges – successfully making a nice one.

During the days though as the group was getting closer to the end of their time, Aredhel ran afoul of Captain Tolub of the Longsword. He was advising the sorceress that she should choose better friends and to leave Lodriss alone. He even leaned in and gave her a depreciating and aggressive kiss on the cheek before sauntering off.  She returned to the College and asked the party if they would come to the tavern tonight, telling them about Lodriss. Boris and Tricia were there as well. Tricia informed the party that even though she was far from the larger cities, she was aware that Tolub and his crew were members in good standing of the Freesworn Collective; a thieves guild that operates in this area of the world.

All she wanted was to have some back up if she went to support Lodriss tonight by showing up even though Tolub told her to stay away. The party agreed and we were going off to the Boatswain’s Tavern tonight, Birthmonth the 5th just around dinner.