Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 31, 5/10/23

We discussed our options and figured to head north, as we had heard some fluttering noises in that direction at some point. However as we went to 30 odd paces down, our voices were raised and echoed down the corridor, eventually attracting the attention of…something. It was heavy and was moving from the North passage towards us. We backed up. The group made their way with slow care back to the original intersection, discussed some options – and was almost smashed by a 20 lb hurled nickel iron ball hurled in our direction.

Most of us ran up the stairs except for Furd who grabbed the ball, arced back, and hurled it down the hall. And hit something – that complained loudly. Already, time to go up the stairs as another ball smashed the corner he was standing in. We drew up in battle lines and sure enough, a 10’ tall, 800 lb ogre trudged up the stairs with a club so huge, it had a copper sink tied to the end of it. We fought the crazed Ogre but it was Torrand who struck the killing blow. We grabbed some light treasure, Furd also taking the bag of 5 (6) nickel iron balls. So at 2:45ish, we went back downstairs.

We went north again, back to the 4 way intersection, and travelled east this time. Decent sized chamber here, lots of filth on the floor. Seemed to be 2 other doors in here. 4 columns to the ceiling 40’ up – each one 4 to 5’ wide. Sounds like some noises and voices up behind the columns. So the wizards summoned some bees and sent them up to instigate/investigate up there. We saw some swatting, a woman's arm, a flash of brown feathers. Cursing.

Harpies? Shit.

They heard us and thought we were in the room, instead of just shy of it. They dropped a 10’x10’ cage down from above, crashing to where we would have been. Then they came out and went to attack us. One of them started singing – and Furd and Torrand were charmed – who then attacked the party – killing Ophelia! In an effort to shut the harpy up, Albert fired a choke spell at it, and it fell from the sky slowly, unable to sing and gasping as it slowly lost altitude.

And then 6 ghouls charged out of the south door and raced to us – stopped only by the gate. Magic missiles flew, spears stabbed, and we spent a few minutes taking the foes against out one at a time. Finally, and only when it was at long last done, did we go through the trouble of lifting the heavy cage and entering the room. We found the rope to hoist the cage, and once done, held the winch in place with a well placed pin. A few of the harpy feathers were taken for magical quills while we looked over the room the ghouls came from.

A few items of interest amidst the garbage – but we did find a set of elven chainmail! A quick armor swap for Ophelia and it was almost 3:30. We approached the north door and on listening – damn it – more ghouls! We set up the cage to fall and tied a rope to the door, eventually getting it open – and more ghouls charged us. We dropped the cage with a mage hand on the pin – and then spent some time killing all but 2 of them. The last 2 ghouls we convinced to leave us alone, and sent them to the south room where we barricaded them in.

Alright – cage up again and we went to the north door. Some trash in here, more ghoul den. But we did find…a head in a chest. It had “222” carved into his head. Lovely. Door in here on the west wall leading to a living area. Couch, chairs. Set of slippers. And under the couch? A severed leg. Seriously? A leg?!? What the hell?

A door was here on the south wall and we listened – hearing 2 somethings on the other side – listening to us! Damn it. And it smelled too. Ghouls? Worse? Wights or Ghasts? We were listening with care and heard faintly a door opening and then it got quieter. One of us went back to the other ghoul room and looked into the harpy hall – seeing 2 ghasts who had opened a secret door and were getting closer. Earlier Aredhel had leant her Bracer of Free action to Furd, and knowing we were going to get in a fight with Ghasts, Furd leant the Bracer to Torrand – who misunderstood the gesture and assumed he was now given the bracer of free action.

No. Lend. Not give. Lend. Oh, fuck. Fight time! We snuck into the now ghast room and shut the door, just as they arrived to come in and get us. We readied spells and actions and they came in hard. The smell was horrendous and we fought quickly and without any fancy displays. It was still a rough fight but the undead were destroyed.  We looked over the room, some treasures, but there was a golden cup that was magical. And some back and forth sampling and attempts showed it to be a Potable Cup (thanks Aredhel!). Anything put into the cup, would be safe to drink afterwards. Nice!

It was Birthmonth the 11th, about 4:30 – and we were discussing what our next actions were going to be.

Meet 53, Adv 11, 5/6/23

It was Plantmonth the 27th and we had escaped from Wendover, sadly with little more than a few weapons, 2 vessels, and the underwear we were wearing. We managed to get Ygraine the Valkyrie free, but she was unconscious right now and soaking wet – weighing in at 300 lbs.

The thought was to make a sledge to drag her with. But being where we were amidst the trees, we needed a place to go. And that was Nobleton, about 2 miles as the crow flies west of here. And we were not crows. The party carried the angel to the east some 2 to 300 yards until the quality of the trees changed from Cedar and cypress to ash/elm, and pine. From there a few of us went off to gather vines and kudzu to use as rope, while Darius and Rhygar used what branches, sticks, and the like they could find to make a sledge large enough and sturdy enough to survive the passage overland we would have to take. It wasn’t pretty and was crude, and was not going to last forever, but by quarter to 4 – we considered ourselves done.

Connal and Grendel took the first go round to drag the thing. We figured 45 minutes on and then 2 others could drag – Rhygar and Darius. We made our way north and west, circling slowly about the lake, ever watching south the distant town of Wendover through the trees. It was as we were getting closer to the border of the forest that the group heard passage in the forest – and getting closer. The party hid behind trees, a few of us climbing high enough to stay in the branches.

On looking around we could see 3 figures inching closer, sniffing and moving oddly. They got close enough for Shim and Connal to identify them for us. “Ghouls!” they hissed. “Damned ghouls!” The undead sniffed harder and charged us – Grendel, Rhygar, and Darius at the base of the trees, weapons up, sling spinning.

Shim summoned a wild horse who appeared in a puff of smoke, whinnying and kicking one of the ghouls, stopping it from running closer. The others ran up and Darius slung a big assed rock at one of them, busting its hip and forcing it to fall over. Connal dropped out of a tree and disabled another. Spears stabbed and the party cut and slashed. Another sling stone tore a ghoul’s lower jaw clean off and finally – we put them down. “That was…lucky!” The party noted. Ygraine was still out and we continued to sledge westward, the invisible Valkyrie safely in place.

The group swapped out for Rhygar and Darius to pull as we made our way further and further. We were pretty shot, hungry, thirsty. Our feet were hurting with no shoes or boots, the ground uncompromising as we plodded on. IN the distance we could see a lake, South Wind Lake, and the faint outline of a walled town on the south shore of it. It was quarter after 5 and Connal and Grendel took over pulling duties as we moved on. The distance was shrinking and we were growing weary.

And then it happened. In the distance north of us, we heard the “Buk buk Bwak!” of a wild Canaslanian Chicken. The rye grass we were walking in was 3’ tall and we could see faintly movement up there. Nothing to worry about – let’s keep going. A few minutes later an answering “buk buk Bwak” to our south. More chickens. North and south? Um.. ok. Let’s go. We picked up the pace a little. Eoghan was able to get a feel that we had a number of Chickens to our north, south, and now east – behind us. 20? 30? More? They were keeping their distance – a hundred yards or so – but were definitely swelling in flock size.

We did what we could to speed up as the clucking grew closer and closer. And ahead of us we could see maybe 40 yards or so, a 4 count stuck their heads up over the rye and “buk buk Bwaked!”.

And then, to our north, the distant call and cock a doodle doo of a full sized Canaslanian Rooster sounded out.

And the mass of chickens around us went fucking nuts and charged!!

We ran – and ran hard. Connal’s feet were still ripped up from the hooks earlier so was going slower already, but was even further slowed by the pull of the sledge he and Grendel were running with. Meanwhile Eoghan’s Longstrider effect was still on but only for a short time. Shim raised his hands and the Ranger snatched up the gnome, and RAN hard to the west and the town of Nobleton. We quickly spread out with Eoghan and Shim in the front, then Wilhelm charging along with Darius and Rhygar right behind the elven druid. And then last was Grendel and Connal and the sledge that was bouncing around with the invisible angel tied to the surface. And the Chickens came – running pell mell to attack. They jumped out of the grass, clawing and pecking. Connal got scratched    and his underwear torn at the shoulder and the sledge made a snapping sound as a 22 lb chicken slammed into it like a cannon ball – but it held.

The group pounded the ground, kicking and running as Chickens burst from the grass to hit and buffet the back three. The elf and monk were getting hit and Darius slowed down a bit with Rhygar. Meanwhile Eoghan stopped, turned Shim around, held him steady and the gnome called out a summon spell – and an orc appeared! He looked around and frowned, asking, “Am I in Canaslan?!”

Shim nodded and told him, “Hold them off as long as you can!” pointing to the boiling mass of 40+ chickens and rising coming towards us.

“Wouldn’t you rather I come with you?!” The summoned orc wailed as the ranger lifted Shim up and once more…WHOOM – burst of speed ran ahead. The orc readied his weapons and attacked, Grendel and Connal spotting him briefly as they charged passed and then the orc screamed in horror as he was ripped and torn apart.

Run!

Grendel was smashed again and again as the chickens kept ripping at him. At one point he stepped poorly on the ground and split his heel wide open but grit his teeth, snarled, “This is fucking bullshit!” and ran through the pain. As the horde of chickens threatened to grow too large again, Eoghan was safely enough ahead to stop once more, turn Shim around and the gnome cast another spell – summoning a wild barbaric elf! The wild elf had a bow in her hand and could see the area around us, and the now almost 50 chickens racing towards us. “Damn it, gnome! Did you summon me to Canaslan!?!”

“Hold them off!” Shim cried out as Eoghan picked him up once more and they ran on.

“GNOME!” The elf turned and fired two arrows, picking off 2 of the chickens that were ready to jump on the monk, clearing a small place behind them, before she too ran on ahead until she could risk another 2 shots.

Meanwhile more chickens were hitting the sledge and pieces were cracking and breaking off. For a moment it slowed as a strut furrowed the ground behind before the offending branch snapped in half and spun away. Connal and Grendel were gasping for air, covered in dozens of scratches. Their feet looked like reddened lumps of ham as they pressed on leaving bloody flecks flying behind. And the rooster’s call was getting closer.

Run!!

From the wall Eoghan could see a figure on top waving them forward and the gate was opened as well, a figure there with a huge bag on his back was jumping and flailing his arms. “Hurry!” They called, “Hurry!” The elf fired two more arrows, picking another 2 chickens off Connal’s back before she was overrun. Eoghan slowed down, stopped and helped Shim turn around and the gnome fired off 3 magic missiles, scattering feathers and angry poultry. Grendel was hit again and again, the elf faltering. Darius slowed down to pace him and using his harpoon, swung it like a bat to keep the most aggressive chickens from taking the elf down.

It was getting dicey at this point if we were going to make it but Eoghan and Shim fired off one more blast of magic missiles before turning for the gate and charging to it. On the wall was a dwarven figure with what seemed to be 4 small trebuchets set up, screaming at the distant party, to “RUN!” At the gate was a half orc with a huge rope and leather looking bag on his back, a 7’ metal tube held in his hands pointing away and towards the charging mass. A gnome was on a platform over the orc’s head wearing a leather apron and thick long fingered gloves, and another gnome was at the orc’s side, a torch lit and ready but held very far away from them for some reason.

The party ran on, Wilhelm racing through the gate next and then Rhygar. A few last frantic chickens tried to attack, shredding the last of Connal’s shirt portion of his underwear, leaving him bear chested and racing with rags in his hand, and a furious pounding dive bomb attempt to shatter the sledge (hit – got it down to 4 hp but still not fully broken !) that snapped a support piece and began the spew broken branches behind it. Connal and Grendel hurled themselves through the gate as the cart broke apart and threatened to roll, screaming in fury as they made it.

The trebuchets on the wall fired and 4 large half gallon glass jars of firewater arced up and fell into the mass of chickens, burning big swaths of grasses as the Chickens with red murder in their eyes leapt forward.

Before they did, the gnome leapt from the platform, hit the bag hard and reached down to the ropes and pulled – sending some liquid racing through the bladders and down the metal tube at a rapid velocity. And the other gnome held the torch in front of the spewing aerated liquid as the orc aimed – and a tongue of fire 30’ long arced out for 11 seconds with a WHOOSHING sound and set ablaze every chicken within range of the gate, making the others back up and Bawk with fury. As the fire died out the dwarf had already dropped down to the ground and was helping to shove the gate closed, the locking bar set in place.

And we could hear for a few minutes angry chickens hurl their bodies at the gate in an attempt to get inside. “Yer all a daft bunch, ain’t ye?” the dwarf asked, identifying himself at Yrning. One of the gnomes and the half orc were taking the flame throwing contraption off and hanging it on a series of racks to be easily but on again while the apron wearing gnome asked the group, “Who the hell are you and what made you risk running across the grasslands like that? You want the chickens to get you?” He identified himself as Saelmigil, “Sail” for short.

Eoghan and Shim were pretty much the ones to talk and said that they were looking for a place to hold up. They were members of the Greater Rand Sellsword and Adventuring Guild and they hoped that Benson Trimend could help them out. Sail looked concerned about that and offered to go ahead to let Benson know of their arrival. Yrning walked with them and they had a chance to look over Nobleton. It wasn’t much of anything – the focal building was the Lodge itself, 2 main floors, shaped like a “T”, a smaller 3rd floor on top with a widow’s walk overlooking South Wind Lake. Dock ran out to the water. Besides that there were some granary and smoke house store houses, a 4 stall open walled stable, and 3 other smaller buildings. That was it.

The Lodge itself was very nice and accommodating. We were escorted to the main eating area where a dwarven cook, Gjuldar, was happy to see us. Sail had gone up to talk to Benson, but for us, we were given a bit to eat and drink for now – roast chicken featuring on the menu. There were 4 visible down here as staff, leading the group to imagine the entire place might be 15 to 25 people tops. The staff and people of Nobleton were nice, spoke warmly of Benson, indicated that he never came down to the dining room, and commented that he had been the owner here for 3 years or so and the last Lodge Owner was a pig and a prick. They weren’t worried about the flock of now over 100 chickens and 2 roosters out the gate, assuring us that in 3 days or so, the flocks would disperse after some interfighting and move on. They have enough stores for now to withstand the “siege” (a fact that Connal Detected Lie to verify – and that they owed no allegiance to Wendover) and would only have to worry if the supply wagons couldn’t get her for 2 weeks or more.

Finally Sail returned and suggested that Benson would meet with one or two of the party tops. We picked Eoghan and Shimlagesh to go and the rest of us waited here. They went up with the gnome to the 3rd floor where Sail knocked and the two were invited in. The penthouse apartment was a bit of a clutter, stacks of dishes and mugs, poor housecleaning. Lots of windows and a wonderful view of the lake and the hills beyond.

Bendon Trimend was a Mountain dwarf, about 4 and a half feet tall, 180 lbs – going to pot. If he was human he’d appear to be in his 50’s. Thick greying black beard, wide eyebrows, lots of scars. Part of left ear missing from lobe down and two smallest fingers missing from left hand – scarred tissue.

He motioned them to sit and invited Sail to leave for now. The Adventuring party thing was mentioned once and he scoffed at it. Wanted to know who they were and what they were doing here. We gave a top down recounting of our time from Wendover and our exploits there. We neglected to mention Ygraine (invisible and guarded outside by Connal) and kept the details light although truthful. He had a mug that he filled constantly just by flicking his finger at it, watching the party tightly.

Knew adventurers were going to come one day. And this group? Now? If they fled Wendover, why did they not go east further into the woods and the towns there? Why did they then turn back around and head past the place they just vacated? Sounds like bullshit – and knows they are hiding something. Might be best to just send you all out to your death but you already ate right? Ate here at the lodge and have no money? Well fuck. Fuck you all. You have to WORK tomorrow to pay for the food I had my people feed you and the room you’re going to sleep in tonight. Tomorrow, if I am still unhappy, you and your group will be expelled and you can take your chances with the chickens. “Sail! Sail! I’m done with them, get them the fuck out of my sight!”

The gnome came and took the group out and back downstairs. And Eoghan and Shim could hear Benson screaming and hurling things about his room. “Fuck! Damn it! Fuck you, Frigga! Grrr!!”

Downstairs we were given a room to stay in, some bathwater to clean up, and also a fresh set of clothes (peasant style), shoes, and underwear. We carried in Ygraine (still invisible) and it was obvious we were carrying something. No, no help thanks, we’ve got it. The entire staff of the Lodge was watching bemused. Connal was looking at the best way to maybe climb up and get to Benson’s room but would have to be outside to do so. He hoped to stay away but the party was seriously done – and the group fell asleep.

We awoke the next day, later than usual. Got dressed and reported to Gjuldar for work. Some of us were sent to scrub pots, others to whitewash the walls, dredge trenches, work stone, and other menial but important tasks. We ate well and it was evening again when Benson had Sail come for the group again. Once more Eoghan and Shim went up to the 3rd floor and Benson was there to see us. He frowned at their clothes. “More stuff you owe me for? How the hell are you ever going to pay me back if I keep feeding and dressing you? Bullshit!”

They went over in more depth the entire Wendover thing, and Eoghan and Shim came clean – telling Benson everything from the beginning. From Sonnab and Philters to Hillscar and Wendover. They went over the party’s trials and tribulations, really giving him a once over of what happened and how it went down – including their loss of all their gear and escape. The dwarf was engaged, listening deeply to the story. He commented that they would be ill prepared to face Wendover under the best of circumstances now even if he outfitted them with some spare swords, spears, and shields.

At this point they said that if he could do better, they’d show him something that would blow him away. He scoffed, been adventuring on and off for 27 years, there is damned little you can surprise him with. Is it the invisible thing? He guessed it might be a hybrid female troll based upon the things the group had mentioned about Stavraphore’s operation and Shim assured him, “Good guess. And it’s wrong. And so are the next 50 guesses.”

It was at this point that we realized that Benson was a shut in. He was coaxed to get up and follow them to the door where he took one last drink and Sail made sure the way was clear. Eyes closed, they led him to the 2nd floor and their room where he shut the door and was able to get a hold of himself. “It’s like being in my room only not. I can cope.” He looked around and sighed. “If this doesn’t blow my socks off, fuck you, I’m throwing you all out tonight.”

Shim dropped the invisibility and we all had a chance to see Ygraine.

“Sweet. Fucking. Frigga.” Benson was agog looking over the Valkyrie. She was scarred up, broken, old wounds, shunts still shoved inside, dirty, filthy, a total mess. But still divine in her own way and sporting a folded up set of 20’ angelic wings. Benson looked her over and cast a Deathwatch spell on her, musing as he muttered and the group answered questions about her and her capabilities as well as what she’s done so far and why she’s knocked out.

He assured us she was alive but her inner stores of divine light were pretty much gone. Unless Sif was looking for her directly and was in the same room, she’d never be seen. She is getting her sustenance from Asgard in her own way, not needing traditional food or drink. But she is very very broken. Only by returning her home could she be whole again. There are things he could do, it would take some time – 3, 4, 6 days – who knows. But he could get a large portion of the hurst that are down to her bones healed over time.

But she would still need to signal Sif and the Bifrost that she is here and needs to come back. Have to take her to holy ground, like big. Cathedral level if you can. And get her to the Apex of it. There is one in Erylond but Benson wasn’t sure that was a good or feasible idea, taking a wounded angel into the city.

The group asked does it have to be an active Cathedral? Nope, holy ground only. At some point an aspect of the god, an avatar had to be on site during the investiture of the locale and the spark of the god is still there, even if it's not active. We suggested Hillscar, and he did not know where it was. Makes sense, if it was a known locale, it would be pretty useless for smuggling. So the group figured in a week they’d get her to Hillscar – allows them to take care of Wendover and get their gear.

It was here that Benson sighed and talked about his former adventuring party. Eoghan came clean about the note we had found from the journal in Ditch and Benson admitted it was from a journal he had written at the end of his last adventuring party’s demise. He did say that the Desmondian Diamond was the most valuable treasure in the world – and he has the key to open it. It also killed his friends.

Adventures don’t have a beginning or an end – they are just where you are at the time.

He sat back and shared with the group of the Desmondian Diamond, what it means to him, and what happened to his group.

He had been a part of an adventuring group with a Mountain dwarf Fighter/Sorcerer named Yurshin, a Half-orc Fighter/Thief named Cantok, and an elven Fighter/Wizard named Rispardia. They had been an adventuring group on an off for the last 20 years when the first Sovereign Land of Duncan Eternal, Grymeria, came into being. It was a huge thing, people were talking all about it. Yurshin was the eldest daughter of Ambassador Guglin Gorok and was present when the entire ruling family, every Thane of the Gorokian Empire had been called together and had a closed door meeting. Turns out that the Underthanes were fanatically going on and on that, “It happened. It finally happened.”

There was a high powered Gorokian Seer named Desmond there who was railing against the Gorokian highlords that they have meddled with forces they don’t understand. Now that it happened, it’s come to pass, and the Norns will have to record it. Seeing that most of the dwarves in attendance were getting worried and not knowing what was being spoken about, the High Thane had everyone leave the meeting except the Upper Lords and Counselors. Yurshin and many others were left outside with no answers.

Many hours later, her father Ambassador Guglin left the meeting and said nothing, was just troubled the entire trip. After arriving home, he and his daughter were immediately summoned to the Sepulcher of Fates – the resting house of all the prophecies and seers. Here they were in attendance with a small contingent of the Gorokian Court and was visited by the Seer Desmond.

The Seer was adamant and assured those who came to him that Gorokian dwarves fucked up again, as bad as they did a 120 years ago (The Randari war and genocide). And as bad as they did 80 years ago (The Reetersbeard Compact). This one was going to take the cake. The Sovereign lands were a poison, a corruption of the world. And with each one that popped into being, were going to spell the doom to everyone. One of them was going to trigger Ragnarok. It was a matter of when.

During this meeting he confirmed that he could in theory construct a rune crafted ritual, a spell of such intricacy that it would allow a rewrite of the Nornian Skein – but it was going to be some time till he finished it -and it was going to take a fuck ton of power to run it. Ambassador Guglin and a small contingent of the Gorokian thanehood who disagreed with the greater council were in on this and happy to help. Money was given, help, anything that was needed. Desmond assured them he needed a decade and we’d have to be hopeful nothing too fucked up happened between now and then.

Yurshin and company eventually did other jobs with her friends and moved on at her father’s advice. Go into the Dungeon if they wish, but she was told that they were never to enter any of the glyph gates of the Terror Dungeon but to pay attention to who did and what they said about it.

Some 3 years ago the Seer Desmond finished the spell, etching the last of it on a diamond of such clarity and size. He described it as the “greatest treasure the world had even known”. The ritual was finished but it would need a powerful magical source to operate it. For now he wanted to mask its unique signature until it was time to use it, so had a casing crafted for it from the artisans at Emberia, and even paid Lord Emberwine to craft and enchant the key for it.

While there to pick up the key, the Dragonlord had gotten some questions of what it was that had been made from Seer Desmond and was getting upset at the answers. It was when Desmond inquired about a magical item Lord Emberwine had been searching for called the Ravenstone, a reputed item that might power the Diamond, that talks broke down. The Seer fled Emberia but was chased quite a bit, eventually losing his tail by going through a number of other Sovereign Lands and hiding the casing and Desmondia Diamond in one of them. He sent a cryptic message to Ambassador Guglin about it but the Seer had been slain on the road home back to Gorok.

Ambassador Guglin then asked his daughter, Yurshin and us to get to Emberia and get the key. We did, and it was a close thing. But Lord Emberwine sent a draconic beast, a twisted offspring of his that had been experimented on, to chase us down and get the key back. We ran, following the clues that the Seer had imparted to the Ambassador, and we fled and fought, hoping to get to where the Diamond is and get the case. The most valuable treasure the world has ever known.

The clues led to here, South Wind Lake. The Lodge owner there had put us up for the night, and then we left the next day, paying for his silence. The beastie followed us to here and the Lodge owner gave up where we had gone to. So there we were, in the caves, just about at the diamond, when the Beastie finally caught up to us. It was a terrible fight and we were going to lose. But one of us had to get out and damn it, I drew short straw. I did not want to go but me friends gave me no choice. I’m the cleric, I’m supposed to stay and support and help. Damn it, we’ve been friends for 27 years. But as the door gave way and the fire raced into the room, killing everyone, I was portalled away hurt and left for dead in Turnball.

The Watcher of the Dead tended to me and asked lots of questions as to what happened. I wrote in my journal and the Watcher I’m sure paid attention. But I was broken inside and I left a week later, with whatever valuables we had collected, not realizing that my mental state was troubling to the Watcher at that time. I came back to the Lodge and after speaking to the Owner, I paid the cost to buy the entire place. And then, after he had confessed to sending the Beastie after us…I killed him. With my bare hands, I throttled him until he died. I was disgusted with him, with life, with everything. Eventually I grew disgusted with the world, my place in it, and swore off everything.

I stay here and watch the water and the distant cave. The Beastie is still there, I see an odd fire now and again. The Watcher came and checked me out but I had him thrown out when his questions grew too upsetting to me. It must have been then that he took my journal and I did not notice at the time. So I sit here day after day and look at my dead friends. I expect I will drink until I die. Or until the world ends.

Whoa.

There was lots of back and forth and it was rather cathartic. He is willing to help us out with the following. We cannot go to Wendover even with what gear he could provide as the group is outmatched, especially as they have a Hellspawn, Kelly there. We need to even the power level a bit. He can outfit us, we go across South Wind Lake to the caves there and face the Beastie who has grown weak over the last 3 years, unable to leave or head home. In the 5th room are his friends' remains. The party is welcome to their gear. The Desmondian Diamond is in the 6th room. If we agree, he’ll give us the key to bring that back as well.

With the gear, we could then sneak back to Wendover and try to find all our stuff lost there, and if we have to face Kelly or Stavraphore – we’d be on better footing. Then, return here to Nobleton and Ygraine should be well enough to travel. And the party heads to Hillscar and climbs her to the top of the Cathedral. Finally, we go back to Glagdir Province and the Far Damn Tribe and Sonnab, resolve all that and then at the end, go to Erylond and see the Church of Freya – and find out what the fuck the Rector was doing and why he even wanted such an item as the Philter of Love?

Meet 52, Adv 11, 4/29/23

Epic. Fucking. Night. Just read. :)

Follows:

There were lots of ideas for plans and they all had many moving parts – but somewhere about 7:30, after the guards did their rounds, we started the first parts. Eoghan removed his hook from his wrist and taking aim at Wilhelm’s cage, made sure the guards weren’t watching and tossed it through his bars, across the 5’ hall, through Wilhelm’s bars, and the druid caught it! Once secreted there, that was the first item resolved. He then tried to get Jessie the rabbit to understand that it needed to go to Darius’ cell and once again, waited for the guards to not watch us before it made it to the hall, and we felt was making SLOW hops to the other side! It worked out and a local guard barked at Darius to knock it off, but ok, matter resolved so far.

Waiting for the guards to make their rounds, Darius lifted the flagstone and Jessie did her best to start digging into the dense dirt, aiming eastward to Wilhelm and Shim’s cell. For them, they were working Eoghan’s hook into the mortar, slowly chipping and scraping a thin line that grew thicker and deeper. The Rabbit was coaxed out of the hole when the guards were getting closer and the flagstone replaced as need be. So far things were going well. It was slow, but proceeding along. Wilhelm and Shim were having a very rough time and had to keep scraping out more mortar.

At one point the guards came and Darius was forced to place the flagstone over the hole while Jessie was in the tunnel, a situation that the rabbit was VERY angry about after the stone was lifted and she refused to dig again at first. Meanwhile the dirt being displaced was filling the honey bucket to the brim and Darius had to hide it somewhere. He decided to shove it against the corner of the wall and floor out of sight of the hallway, stomping it flat. The elf and gnome finally got the flagstone to come up and Shim held onto the hook carefully.

The Rabbit had dug for an hour and a half, making an almost 4 and a half foot tunnel but was exhausted and needed to rest. So Shim started digging from their side, hoping to find Jessie’s tunnel. With no shovel and just his hands, he was forced to use Eoghan’s hook which had the Ranger sigh, seeing his hand replacement getting scratched up and used as such – but it was working. Finally just about 10ish, Shim met up with the other tunnel. He got naked and leaving his clothes here, Wilhelm made a dummy out of the dirt and what hay he could, propping Shim’s dummy against the corner but within sight of the bars.

Shim then pulled and dug and crawled his way through. Dirt fell in his face and the tunnel was slow and hard going. He wriggled and squirmed, making inches at a time headway until he was getting hard to breathe and see. Darius fished around on his end and found Shim’s hand, pulling him up and out of the hole! Filthy and tired, he was now on the other side. Flagstones were replaced and as soon as he could, he turned himself invisible. Alright – plan was working!

For the next step Connal grew belligerent with the guards, tossing hay out of his cell. That got him a visit to the Reeducation chamber.  They came down and dragged him out, locking the cell behind, and took him to the end of the hall. Being larger than Shim, he was placed on the rack, noting various other torture areas, a cabinet area, and a 9’ x 6’ steel looking door with a wheel lock against the far wall. Four guards worked him over, stretching and beating him. The monk ignored most of it, but still moaned and cried as need be. It was when they went to hit him with hot pokers that he allowed himself to be “overcome with agony” and die. Feign Death. (10:05 – he has 50 minutes maximum of Feign death time)

This freaked out the guards who tried to revive him but he was dead. Apparently they had explicit orders NOT to kill anyone and that they fucked up. One guy was taking the fall for it and the other guards were like listen, we have to get him out of here and let Stravraphore know. So they took his “dead” body from the re-education room and walked him down the hall – this allowed Darius to start his portion, screaming and yelling “what happened to my friend? What’s going on?”

They took Connal (who could still see and hear during all of this), out of the prisoner hall, through the alchemy room and the waiting/guard area beyond it. He was dumped there as someone went to get Stavraphore Morkanus. The Apothecia came and was very angry with the guards. Kelly stuck a finger in Connal’s chest and wiggled her nail around, announcing that yes, he was dead.  What followed was a discussion as to what was to happen next. Stavraphore was getting cross with the group as he still had no information yet (maybe a day or two more?) on the party. So he wanted to get rid of the evidence. He ordered the guards to take Connal to the Rendering room, have the Butchers get anything useful off of him, and then burn the remains. If anyone ever came by, they’d say that the other 6 members were the only ones who ever showed, they never saw Connal. Kelly instructed the guards to make sure they kept Connal’s heart and cock for her as he struck her earlier and she wanted a token to remember him and the experience by. Shudder.

He was brought upstairs (1 flight – 1st basement), went down 2 turns and passed 5 to 7 doors before coming to a large chamber – 40’x40’. It was hot and a furnace was at the far end. 2 humans in leather aprons were cutting up various dead bodies, collecting eyes, skin, organs, bones, etc – putting it in jars, bowls, and whatnot. They were told to finish what they were doing now (2 bodies) and then to dispose of Connal. A hook was jammed in both of his ankles and he was hung up on chains pulled to the ceiling, a tin blood bin was placed under his hanging body for now and the guards left, allowing the Butchers to continue their work. The door was locked and Connal was waiting for the right time to do…anything. Time now? 10:36 – 19 minutes remaining on Feign Death.

Backing up in time, Stavraphore was talking to the staff about being careful in the future, no more accidents, and to be more careful on future punishments. Once he was gone and the guards made 1 round, Darius was making lots of noises to the guards. You bastards. You killed my friend. You suck, how dare you. The guards were a bit loath to get at it again but eventually the decision was made to take him out for re-education. Once more his cell was unlocked and he was taken out, dragged down the hall. Shim, invisible, snuck out and stayed VERY close to the key cart, hugging it as it was pushed back down the hall and outside the prisoner area. Darius was not placed on the rack, concerned after Connal’s “death”, instead he was dunked and beaten with ropes and salt – same as Shim was. But, unbeknownst to Darius, he was beaten about 60% as hard as Shim had been yesterday – a fact that still traumatized the fighter.

Shim crossed the Production floor with slow care, eventually making it to the guard and rest area. He looked around and saw the ground was damp in places – maybe Connal had been laid here? None of our gear so he went down the hall and up the stairs – 30’ to the next floor.  He looked around and checked out the nearest doors, not hearing or seeing anything. He was feeling a bit lost as he approached the nearest corner and junction. Where was Connal?

As for the monk, he waited for the 2 Butchers to not pay direct attention to him; one would only catch him out of the corner of his eye. He then ended the feign and controlled the groan from the aches and pains running into him. He folded himself up, reaching up slowly until he could grab the chain at the ceiling. Once there he extricated 1 foot, letting it fall free. Then the same with the second one.

At this point, the further Butcher saw him and was pointing and exclaiming. Connal dropped to the ground and leapt/limped to the nearer Butcher (who was a bit surprised), looking to silence him. A cleaver was lifted and then he watched the other Butcher lunge for a bell to ring. He grabbed the bell from this table and hurled it at the other guy – missing, and the pealing sound of the alarm bell rang twice. A trokar (2’ long sharp metal spike) was snatched up and Connal was joined in the fight against the 2 Butchers.

From the hall, Shim heard a crumping sound in the distance and then some ringing. Guards came out of nearby rooms and ran to the sound, the gnome invisibly following along. They stopped in front of a room and were hastily getting keys to open it. Inside Connal was getting hurt and cut, but punching and kicking out. He was growing frustrated as he glanced over and the door opened – and 3 guards in chainmail and with short swords were there, taking in the tableau. He snarled, tackled the nearest Butcher, and lifted him up, running for the open furnace door. He was stabbing deep in the back for his effort but he hit the opening and punching/shoving hard, blew the Butcher through the hole and into the  flames, making him scream. He turned back, soaking wet, gory, filled with holes, limbs still a bit stretched out, smoke rising from his skin, and murder in his eyes.

Shim quietly shut the door and locked it from within. He then called out a spell, bursting into view as the invisibility ended, and summoned – a giant ant. It lunged forward and grabbed one of the guards by the back of the shin. The other 2 guards approached Connal, but were spaced out slowly, unsure of the conflict. Connal delivered a few telling blows against the lead guy, getting stabbed for his efforts. Shim fired off a magic missile, scoring deep blasts into the next guard. The Butcher dove for Shim, cutting and hacking. A guard went down and the ant helped finish off another.

It was one guard and the Butcher. Just before Shim was skewered, Connal tumbled into the fight and took the blow for the gnome, who fired another 3 magic missiles at the foes, ripping him apart. Finally it was over – Shim had 1 hp, and Connal was at 4. The gnome was naked, everyone was filthy, and they had no idea where the gear was. They suspected it was behind the vault door in the re-education room so they were going to go back down there, get the key, and get our stuff. To do this, they needed to prepare. Connal strapped a short sword and scabbard to his waist and used 2 of the javelin back sheathes criss cross over his chest. Shim took a small back and cut out the head and arm holes, having something to preserve his dignity. Taking a tabard, Connal draped it over his entire body and then Shim hit him with an invisibility spell. The then sat in the crossed sheaths on Connal’s chest hanging on, and pulled the sides of the Tabard around him – hiding him from view as well. As a final, Shim prestidigitated Connal, spewing blood, guts, and gore everywhere.

They left, locking the door behind them, and then made their way slowly to the stairs. A woman was calling for the guard to come out, and was complaining to her work companion that they were slacking off and deserved to get in trouble for it. They made it to the steps and made their way down finally to the main room.

Stavraphore, Kelly, and the others were having a meeting with the guards there and we wanted to get closer to hear, but not be noticed. Shim reminded Connal that Kelly was demonic, meaning she could most likely see through invisibility spells. So they walked across the room to the far alchemy table and stood quietly behind the apothecists working there, their features if seen, would be distorted and obscured by the alembics and tubings.

Eventually the Master Apothecia was done and was walking back. They overheard him tell Kelly that if there were any other issues or any risk to us getting out, he was going to use the flood contingency (whatever that was), he’d lose some guards and apothecists but there were more looking for a promotion. As for his stock, he mentioned his prize and the trolls would most likely be ok. Kelly then said she wanted to go to the Rending Room as the Butchers should be done with her prize and then they were out of ear shot.

Damn it. Running out of time.

They crossed the floor to the metal key cart and gave it a good once over. Connal wasn’t sure he could take it as it was. Shim offered to ray of frost the chain to help weaken it – but they had to wait for a round of noise so the guards didn’t quite hear. The first blast hit and Connal pulled- no luck. But no one heard us. So Shim blasted it a second time, and the guards heard something, but weren’t sure what it was and got to quibbling. Connal pulled again – no luck. But the 3rd and final yank was the charm and the chain broke with a snap. This also attracted the guards but they did not equate it to the key or the crate.

Key in hand and riding on the sling on Connal’s chest, the two of them picked their way invisibly down the guarded hall – Connal for a change making excellent rolls as he tiptoed with care. They did pass the Angel/Valkyrie’s cage and she too could see through invisibility. She showed her happiness and pride for us, and motioned us to go and good luck. They made their way with slow care till eventually they arrived at the party’s cells.

When able to, they told Grendel to be ready and unlocked his cell. The elf nodded, holding the charm of the spear against his neck. They did the same for Rhygar, then Darius. They eventually came to Wilhelm and Eoghan, also unlocking the doors. But they must have made a bit of noise because the guards came to investigate. The party distracted them and Connal and Shim went on to the end of the block. The last guard was here in front of the Re-education room and we needed to move him.

In the nearest magically warded cell were three gnomes. So Shim waved his hand to one and tried to communicate with it as a burrowing animal. So he activated his innate ability and WHAM! The Runes fired off and the gnome in the cell was blown back, skin smoking. The guards all convened there and Connal ran to the last door, key out, and opened it up. But we were seen (at least the door opening real fast) and the guards came to stop them but they slammed the door closed and proceeded to lock it. From the other side they guards then went to attack the door, hacking and smashing at it, hollering back that someone was out!

4 minutes.

Grendel kicked his cell open, and whirled around, tearing the charm free. It enlarged into a full sized spear with markings of Loki upon it, and he one handed thrust it through the guard’s chainmail armor and 5” into the man’s gut. The battle was on! Rhygar lunged out and tackled the guard’s legs while Darius followed with one stone to the man’s face, slinging it hard enough to break his cheekbone, and the other bouncing off his chest. Eoghan was unsure what to do and got closer, but seeing the battle at the end of the hall and the guards trying to get in the Re-education Room, Wilhelm called to Frey and summoned a wolverine who attacked and savaged the last guard.

From in the room the two friends were at the door, hand on the big wheel when they stopped and looked at each other. Does this door lead to a vault – or the damned lake? Is THIS the flood contingency Stavraphore mentioned? Fuck fuck fuck! They knocked on the door but couldn’t hear anything on the other side.

3 Minutes.

Darius slung his last rock and hit the guard while Rhygar continued his grapple. Grendel was stabbing and the guard was hacking and cutting, critically injuring Darius’ man in the back. “Let him go!” Darius called to Rhygar. In the room the two of them ignored the sound of splintering wood and axes blows, running to the cabinet area. They tore open doors looking for anything they could use when Shim noticed a hollow spot under a drawer and pried it open, showing a travelling potion crate.

2 Minutes.

Grendel got hit next and we could hear guards coming down the hall, gathering and yelling. The Wolverine was kicked hard in the head and knocked aside. Darius had no more things to sling and Wilhelm called to Frey –summoning another animal –this time getting a crocodile! He sent it back to the guards at the halls’ end, the reptile biting and savaging the guy there.

1 Minute.

The door was about to give way and Shim and Connal opened the box, seeing 20 healing potions! They each grabbed one, drinking it down, feeling strength run back to them. Going to the door Shim was getting a summon spell ready and Connal palmed a second potion. From down the hall the party heard “DROP! DROP!” and the guard they were fighting fell to the ground – and a split instant later, the rest of the party did the same. But there were still 8 flatbows fired at the group – and it had a withering impact on the party, ripping flesh and piercing deep – everyone felt it, getting hurt badly. Rhygar was down to single digits and we were running out of options.

The door burst open and Shim summoned – 3 stirges! One managed to hit a guard but the other 2 were a nuisance and were then quickly whacked from the sky. Connal’s invisibility ended as they were defending themselves. The crocodile was unable to get another bite in but the guards were in the room and getting closer. Glancing at the door, the 2 friends grit their teeth, ran for it, and turned the wheel handle hard.

And the door flew in, driving the two of them back to the wall – and the waters from Dark Lake blew through the opening like a freight train. It lifted the torture rack and hurled it into the nearest guards, pulverizing them, before slamming into the door frame and splintering into pieces. A wave of water floor to ceiling drove all the air ahead of it and it raced into the prisoner’s hall and filled each cell along the way. The party all glanced over, saw the horror racing towards them, and rolled out of the hall and into the open cells – where the water drove them back against the wall and disoriented them as it churned onward. The crocodile was enjoying the ride, biting every guard that was in its way.

Portcullis at the end of the Prisoner’s block fell from the ceiling , trapping the guards in the hall there. As the water raced down there, slamming everyone into the bars and hitting the Production floor, Portcullis fell from the ceiling at the entrance to the Production Floor, trapping every Apothecia and brewer there amidst the shattering breaking glass and juggernaut of barreling water. As the lake filled onward it ran into the guard room and the stairs up, and the guards there ran on – only to be stopped by the portcullis near the top of the stairs, unable to get to safety as the water filled up to the landing of the 1st Basement but not actually anywhere on that level.

As soon as we could see – everyone was on borrowed time. Connal and Shim were first, swimming out the doorway and up 15’ to the docks above. Under the docks and hanging on to the pylons – the place above was a madhouse with people running about and guards demanding answers. People were at the Wendover Brewer and Apothecists and they were spilling into the street. Safe under the docks for now, Connal told Shim to wait and he’d be back. He took a deep breath and dove back under the water, swimming for the entrance.

Eoghan called on his Longstrider and was making faster swimming motions as the party swam as hard as they could for the end of the hall and the way out. A few of the group had some Endurance which might be needed, but for now, the party was looking to get out before their air expired. They passed Connal who was swimming back in, the monk motioning for them to all go go go. Once they were past him, he swam on hard, pulling and yanking his way forward and down the hall, concentrating on the diminishing air in his lungs.

The party all popped out the hole and to the surface, a few of us gasping for breath. Hiding under the slimy docks we were quiet and waited, hearing Stavraphore Morkanus as the Master Apothecia was trying to let the guards know that there was some sort of breach in the labs and they had to flood it to prevent it from getting out. Sounded like bullshit but the guards and watch were gathering. There were A LOT of people on land and we were very unsure. Looking down the docks, 60’ to the quay, there were some boats at the end there. Once Connal comes back, they were going to go down there, get on a boat and use the lake to get away.

Connal was making some headway and eventually came to the Angel’s cell. He could hear the trolls beating on their door trying to break out. The Angel was telling Connal to leave, her voice easily heard under the water. He shook his head and used the key to open the lock, swimming up to her. He mimed looking for a kiss and she motioned him close, lips on his and breathing fresh air into his lungs. Alright! Clock restarted. He looked over her situation and the silver cord went around her wrists buried in the iron, all the way back up the chain to the wall – where it was a knot like a cable. He reached into the hall and grabbed a short sword from a dead guard piled up there, glanced left, and could see the burning red smoking on fire underwater form of Kelly the demonic swimming closer – shouting, “No! NO!!”

No time to waste. He went to the wall and hacked at the knot of silver cable again and again until it finally broke free – and the silver light went out throughout the entire chain on her right wrist. She smiled and pulled and pulled until it broke free! 1 down, 5 to go! Connal was hacking at the next one and eventually got her left wrist free. Kelly was at the portcullis and could not lift it with all the bodies and furniture slammed into it. She was banging at it, trying to bend the bars but with little luck yet. The first troll had pulled his way free and into the hall, and seeing Kelly, swam to her to grab her arms through the bar and drag her closer, punching her in the face!

Having some trouble with the 3rd chain, the Angel asked Connal for a sword. He smiled and took the one off his waist. As she grabbed it her wings grew light again and the sword burst into flames! The two of them hacked at the silver, splitting a 3rd and 4th chain free. Kelly was dazed from the blows of the troll and jammed her hand into the troll’s face and let out a burst of hellfire, scorching the monster from inside his head out and killing him. She then went back to the bars and was really hoping to tear them out, screeching how she’ll, “Kill you! I’ll kill both of you scumbags and feast on your souls! Fuck!!!”

With the last blows of their swords, the Valkyrie and Connal splintered the last of the silver cords free allowing her to break the chains. With time running out, she hit the hall, smiled at Kelly, tucked Connal under her arm and put on a divine burst of speed with her wings, getting them away and leaving the demonic howling in frustration and despair behind. The light running through Ygraine the Angel grew dim and faint as the last bit of her stores fell away and she passed out at long last. Connal grabbed her under the ribs and swam the last distance out the door and up to the docks, with 300 lbs of unconscious Valkyrie with him.

We discussed leaving and agreed the water was the smartest way. Grendel led us under the docks down to the end and the quay. There was a single master skiff that could seat 8, a rowboat that we could get 6 on, and a canoe with outriggers on the right side, that would get 4. No one had sailing or rowing experience, but we figured rowing would be easier to do. So, sneaking on to the dock, Grendel found some rope in the rowboat and tied the rowboat and canoe together. No one was watching us now as there were lots of activity on shore at the Brewers. We manhandled Ygraine into the rowboat and Wilhelm, Rhygar, and Darius got on the canoe, the rest of the party on the rowboat. And then we cast off the docks and started pulling for open water, looking to head east to the forested bank a third of a mile away. 50’, no one noticed. 100’, no one noticed. 150’ from the docks – and still we were in the clear.

We pulled harder and harder, the entire group exhausted beyond belief. It seemed that we were eventually noticed but we were so far from shore, no one could see who we were or connect us to what happened at Wendover. As we rowed on, we noted what we had lost. All our gear, our magic items. Grin. Frontari. Jack. Lou. We had a sling with no stones, a Loki spear, two short swords, and our casters were about half way out of spells or more. We were also on 1/4 rations for the last day and were weak and tired. We were wearing underwear only except for Shim who was wearing a small sack.

The party was lost and without recourse.

At the shore we pulled past the cedars and cypress trees and then Grendel directed the group to lift the boats out of the water and onto the ground for now – out of sight of Wendover and for us to use. But go back now? That was suicide. We were in a hostile area with nothing to help us with and we know that in the wild – walking through Canaslan – off the roads were wild chickens who assaulted people often without fear.

Darius reached into his underwear and took out the letter we had been carrying for a while it spoke of an ex adventurer, a dwarven priest of Frigga, who lost all his friends on their last adventure and eventually was healed up. He opened a lodge where he sat on a lake by Nobleton – maybe 2 miles from here, still in possession of the original key to open whatever treasure they had quested after and failed.

Not to get on another adventure – but to appeal to the guy as a former member of the Greater Rand Sellsword and Adventuring Guild to help us out a bit as our need was dire. And we still had a tortured, scarred up, beaten and broken angel/valkyrie unconscious with us and she was going to need someplace to slowly get her energy back.

With no other good options in mind – we decided to wait here at least until dusk and then make our way for Nobleton. We looked back across the water to Wendover and scowled. We’ll be coming back. Soon.

Temple of Elemental Evil - Meet 30, 4/26/23

I have a love of B4, The Lost City, a classic adventure if ever there was one. Can't tell you how many times I ran it and played it. However, one of my early and formative memories of it, and how I handle pre-written adventures, was the 4th or 5th place I had adventured into it. I knew it pretty much cover to cover but my friend Dan O was running it for us - and he deviated from the adventure as written. I didn't call him out on it, just wondering what was going on, as he described the fervor of the priests of Gorm and then introduced the god himself and actually affecting the party was eye opening to me. The gods actually took an interest in the adventure and their priests? Not just a cartoon overview of one? For a 14 year old me who was playing A-RAW it blew me away.

I make it my business to do the same for everyone else who plays any pre-written adventure I happen to run - making the broad strokes of it canon - the rest of it personalized. This adventure is no different.

Follows: 

We moved closer to the grove of twisted trees between the overgrown compound and the Temple itself. It was an Uskfruit grove, easily 5 or six trees deep and maybe 500’ wide or then some. And the trees were polluted. Rowan, or druid, advised the party to NOT touch the fruits, the trees, or any of it. We surely weren’t going to risk eating them. And the Ravens had returned, croaking at us from the branches of the trees. We passed through a wider section and then proceeded to the Temple.

The building was monstrous, sprawling over 450’ in any direction. The faces and reliefs had been twisted some time ago to agonizing figures wailing their cries. However it was impregnable except for the main entrance and it was there we headed off to. A raised set of stairs went up to the entrance of the Temple where 3 doors were located – each was 26’ tall and 20’ wide. The door on the east had a series of runes and glyphs on them that when we went to investigate, blew one of our mages off the platform with a crack of thunder.

A Detect Evil quickly overwhelmed Opehlia but not before she confirmed the eastern door not to be touched.

It took a few of us to actually get one of the doors to open revealing the Vestibule of the Temple. Stained Glass ceilings and beautiful works adorned the area – ceiling was 30’ tall in places, racing up to 50' in the center of the temple itself. We listened and echoes came back to us – the place was palatial. We went through the Vestibule and continued on to the temple Main. Two large wings, East and West were seen, pews and altars.

Across the main Temple was a deep open face 20’ diameter well and an altar stone with some stains upon it, giving it the look that someone in the past had been sacrificed upon it. We could continue further in but wanted to check out the wings first, the party yelling at Albert to NOT touch the Murder knife. The knife on the altar stone that makes you want to murder someone. Yeah – we left it.

The western wing had a series or dun coloring to it and we eventually spotted through a closed door a private sanctum and then stairs going down. There were robes here, along with feces upon them, so we opted to move on and away – not going downstairs for now. We went to the eastern wing and again, the same look was there but the coloring scheme was blues and greens. It was in here that we saw an armoire had been dumped over. Pestle volunteered to reach around within.

There were some mirror shards in there and some light and when she touched it, time stopped. A voice was talking to her, identified itself as Poseidon. Was looking for his high priest who apparently died here a century earlier. The god of oceans, hurricanes and horses – this was pretty far from his home base – but he and his two brothers Zeus and Hades had been chased from here and their works despoiled . Poseidon was willing to help out the group to get rid of the demonics and Pestle was chosen as his pick.

A pool of glass fused to the gnomes’ palm and she also managed to get a figurine of a horse as well. She thanked Poseidon and assured the god that he would do all he could to rid the temple of the evil. Poseidon pledged to offer what help he could in exchange.

Time started and the group all shared what happened. So we had all 3 gods contact the party in their own way: Aredhel had Hades. Furd had Zeus. And now Pestle had Poseidon. Ok – all 3 original gods of the Temple were accounted for – let’s go!

We went down the stairs 30’ to the underside of the Temple. There were many passages from here but the group wanted to avoid being seen, so we went south where it was quiet. The passages eventually led to two different armories where we grabbed a few arrows. There was a longer sloping passage that we took next that went on for many scores of steps, came to a landing that went FURTHER down to a 2nd level under the temple, AND another slope that went up and to the west.

We went that way. Eventually it came to a mirror of what we had seen the other way, and we went south to check out the armories. While here a search was also enacted and we discovered a Blessed Bolt of Zeus in here. Nice – we took it and after eating, took stock of what to do. We figured we’d have to head northward at some point as it was a bit after 2 PM on Birthmonth the 11th when we were ready to head to the dungeon under the Temple at long last.

Meet 51, Adv 11, 4/22/23

The group entered what a player at my table referred to as New Jack City - a place of criminal enterprises. They had a chance to look around, went to the place in question, and then were interviewed by the head guy - who Bond Villain took them to the dungeon filled with things he harvests for blood and stuff - including a Valkyrie. A damned angel. And then his pet demon helped subdue them all and threw them in the same dungeon with almost nothing to their name.

And now they have to somehow come up with a plan to escape. 5 of the 6 at the table are enjoying the hell out of it. 1 is not and we had some words...twice...on his actions and attitudes. It has gotten better but there were some rough interactions during this time.

Rule # 1, Always have fun.

Follows:

We awoke the next day on Plantmonth the 26th and after breakfast, were on the road by 8 AM. The sky was blue and the air cool enough. Eoghan was in a rare mood and was not adopting any foolishness on this day. We left the byway and were on the Randari Traderoad, heading east. We hit the outskirts of the town of Third by 9 and then turned here up the Greater North Highway.

The name was more descriptive than anything as it pretty much stayed a 25’ two rut path making its way through the copse and farmlands north of Third. Wild wheat was prominent as we headed onward and within ¾ of a mile, the density of the woods thickened quite a bit, making our passage through the area strange with a full canopy overhead even with 25’ of roadbed. There was a small clearing on both sides of chopped trees and stumps but we were pretty much alone, walking through the thick dense forest north of Third.

It was a bit about quarter to 11 when the trees grew thin once more and the land rose a bit. To the east was a sizable lake, over a mile north to south and maybe a third of that east to west. Numerous skiffs and canoes were plying the waters and we could see a mishmash of docks and quays sticking into the water's surface from the walled city on the lake’s shore. This must be Wendover. The walls were thick and over 20’ tall. Crenelations and watch towers adorned the parapets and we could see surprisingly well armed and armored figures walking pickets. A shanty town was just before the gates before we could make the first guards.

A 4 count, professional and ready, took our information as well as the fact that a few of us were spellcasters. We had to wait to be allowed in through the portcullis and then the barbican and the opposite portcullis. The fact that this town did not exist more than 10 years ago and the amount of possible underground and criminal activities that would be taking place beyond the walls were concerning. Our thoughts were to come here, get the information we needed, and then leave. Eoghan and Connal were concerned as to why were going this far and sticking our necks out. Darius countered that it was the right thing to do.

Once inside the main square seemed incongruous . Kids playing, a dog running, happy families walking about. It was off the main road that we could see Wendover was a place where people were doing what they needed to do – and anything else was window dressing. Also, just humans and pure elves were her – no dwarves, gnomes, or any orcish type. Curious. We eventually came to the area that was the “Storied District” – not too far from the waters where some sluices powered a water wheel and some triphammers. Steps lifted the group higher and higher until we were well over the water table.

The town was well laid out with neat streets and proper signage – both common and standards. We did indeed find Wendover Brewers and Apothecists without too much issue. We rang for service and gave our name to a functionary within. More well dressed and prepared guards were about. Dropping Stavraphore Morkanus’ name and the fact that a shipment didn’t get where it needed to be, we managed to grease the wheels to meet with the company head. We went to the back of the building and then down the stairs 30’ to the basement. From here we went through a number of drying and preparing rooms where Shim and Wilhelm were able to detect a number of herbs in the area, including mandrake root – a rare and difficult herb to acquire. And that was just in the burn barrel. What was going on here?

Eventually past a number of smaller closed room and halls, we came to meeting room with 2 other doors. (Everyone make a Will save please. Anyone over a 20? Connal only – thanks. What? Oh, no reason, play on.) The conference table would seat 10 and in here we managed to meet with Stavraphore Morkanus, and Master Apothecie here at Wendover. A nervous red haired heroin tall and thin woman with a obsequious manner named Kelli was acting as his assistant.

We explained about the lost shipment and that it was found. We described it and some of the situation around it. Stavraphore thought at first that we were shaking him down to deliver the shipment and had his delivery guys/thugs come in, a real ginzaloon looking piece of shit named Raggar. Raggar described the delivery to Hillscar, the condition of the box, and the 4 orcish bints he had there. Excuse me? The orcish girls, he had his guys get them from the many endless supply of orcish scum out there in the Randari wild and sent them along with the philters.

Stavraphore thanked him and Raggar left but was still nearby. Group was keeping it under wraps as we learned the orcs were there on purpose and were put there by Wendover. The Philter? It was for the Rector at the church of Freya in Erylond and if imbibed, would make him irresistible to whatever women were nearby. The orc girls were to effect a proof – the Apothecist was pissed to learn that the philters had been smashed and those who got in on themselves, were instead victim to its effects.

We were going round and round on how best to get what we needed from this guy and get out when Stavraphore decided to show the part a tour of the “Production Floor” and see what is they do here. We followed them out of the meeting room where Raggar and 2 others good naturedly came, went back to the stairs and down another 30 feet to the 2nd level down. We were at or below water level now and there was a dampness to the air. Lots of alembics, industrial sized burners, yards and yards of tubes and beakers were everywhere. He showed the party the various production stages and their processes on how it was all done. Maybe 15 people worked here and there were another 6 guards as well.

Eventually he got a bit smug and asked if we wanted to see,” where we get some of our raw materials as well as my pride and joy?” We followed him to a celled off area with many cells going on to the gloom and dark. We passed a cell with 2 trolls, some wolves, a moose, even a few larger cats. But the next one was covered with a sheet with some light behind it, and we smiled and had it pulled aside.

Revealing an angel.

Winged with silver, white and gold feathers, breathtakingly beautiful, golden blond hair. She was wearing the remains of a potato sack to preserve modesty and was chained by her neck, wrists, ankles, and waist. She had hundreds of scars on her body and twisted lesions under the skin in bruised places. A few spigots had been inserted into her body to extract fluids as needed. But it was the branding of Sif on her shoulder and her demeanor that slightly corrected our initial estimation as to who she was – along with Stavraphore’s explanation.

About 4 years ago he and his organization had run afoul of the church of Sif and it cost them much money at that time. Working with an arcanist who had devised a way to temporarily diminish the divine connection, Stavraphore had arranged a large enough skirmish with a Sifian monastic group and some hired fighters. Making sure that some would die and die heroically, their passing attracted a Valkyrie to come and take the fallen to Valhalla – when Stavraphore had the angelic being blasted from her steed and knocked out. After that it was the right application of pain, magic, and metal to get her here and then proceed to strip her of various body parts over the last 4 years to power their more difficult and stranger potions.

Identified as Ygraine, she begged to die and Stavraphore laughed it off, the others around him chuckling as well. The group did their best to say nothing, smiling weakly as the curtain was drawn closed and we were escorted back upstairs to the 1st basement area and the meeting room again (another save please from everyone – Connal - +4 bonus. Anyone over a 20? Again, only Connal – ok – thanks!).

Feeling that we were on the precipice of something bad, we tried to talk with him but one by 1, the group became dazzled, oblivious to everything for the next 20 minutes. Except Connal. The 2 of them talked, Stavraphore offering 75 crowns from the gnome and the half orc. They went back and forth and then it was combat time as Kelli shifted to something more demonic and attacked. Connal flipped around and back, hitting Kelly in the face. She shrugged it off and he ran around, trying to get to Stavraphore to use the Apothecie as cover. Raggar and his 2 thugs came in and they shot at Connal who dodged the bolts. Raggar coated his sword with a poison and came around the table as Kelli and Connal struggled eventually the monk getting knocked out.

We were all stripped of everything and taken back down to the 2nd basement and cell area. Stavraphore didn’t want us liquidated yet, wanted to know who the fuck we were and what we were doing here. Group woke up everyone in different cells except Shim and Wilhelm. They also took most of out weaponry and magic – missing Connal’s headband, the necklace weapons, even the sling around Darius’ wrist. Jessie the rabbit was also missed somehow, so we had that going as well. We whispered ideas and plans. Shim and Wilhelm’s cell has come carvings seen outside and over the lintel. When Shim tried a detect magic, the runes flared and he was struck – taking 1d8+1 electricity damage and knocked on his ass.

Guards came by and there was some back and forth. Eventually a cart was wheeled down the corridor and a guy with a key within unlocked Shim and Wilhelm’s cage, 4 crossbow guys screaming to “NOT MOVE ! DON’T FUCKING MOVE! FACE THE WALL!!” before running in, grabbing the gnome and club smashing him in the skull until he was knocked out. Then they took him from the cell and went down to the Re-Education room at the end of the hall.

Here he was strapped to a dunking chair and tortured repeatedly. Then he was taken out and beat with ropes with knots at the end and when he passed out, they threw salt at him and then dunked him again. Some half hour later they dragged his broken ass back to the room and left him there.

Something Connal noted? When the door to the mage shocking room was opened – the runes seemed to be deactivated. That was something.

Darius was working on getting an edge of a flagstone up and we were whispering ideas back and forth. Eventually food was delivered (poor quality) and a bark cup full of water – barely enough to keep us going. We were going over plans and ideas on what to do. We were tossing around the rabbit gets to Darius’ cell and digs to Shims. Once there they get the flagstone up and maybe shim crawls back to Darius’ cell while Wilhelm makes a haybaby out of Shim’s clothes. Then in the non magic cell, Shim can talk to Jessie and make himself invisible. We then have Connal go dead (feign), Darius make a shit ton of noise and complaint, and they take him out to be re-educated. Once the door is open, Shim gets out of here and meets up with Connal wherever they bring his dead body.

That’s the idea for now, but this will change. We have a short window in time before Stavraphore gets an answer on who we are and who will miss us – if any. We rested as well as we could, but they came by every 2 hours making noises and throwing water on us to make sure we did not get anything like enough uninterrupted sleep. It was Plantmonth the 27th now about 7 AM and they just came by with another shitty meal – about ¼ of what the group would eat for breakfast.