Meet 36, Adv 3, 6/22/13

The framework for this adventure was based upon the party's relationship with the new Marshall. Depending on whether they were deputized or not was going to dictate the direction the adventure went.

Feeling uncomfortable with Marshall Westwinter, they opted to forego the honor and thereby defined the way this little town-jaunt was going to go.

Write up follows:

Over the 4 weeks that we trained we also had our equipment repaired, sold off odd bits of esoterica we had found, purchased new supplies and items we thought would come in handy, and made sure our home was in fine repair and well stocked.

 

Auri was a constant appearance at the Hall of Heroes, although getting any real conversation out of her was difficult as she was very non-descript in her answers and most of her past was still a shrouded mystery. She spent the majority of her day painting, working on some heroic 4 part depiction of Tempi’s final days.

 

As for the rest of us we read books, wrote spells, made contacts, and tried to learn what we could of Marshall Ippsilas Westwinter and his deputies. The Marshall himself was a Centurion during the Goblin Purge and his charter and appointment came directly from King Argos in his desire to “ensure law” to all the towns, cities, and thorps to the west of Elvenkeep that had suffered the most under the goblin yoke and most recently from the organized banditry that was plaguing the roads. Aristocratic, militant, exacting – he seemed to be well received by the people of Shakun although he had made some waves with the established militia and the Captain of the Guard, Thragriel.

 

His deputies were next. An Amazonian woman of 6’2” and 200 lbs., Caladis was his right-hand person and although capable with sword and spear, sported a massive 16# double-bitted war-axe as her weapon of choice. She was terse and showed no emotion except for quiet disgust unless with the Marshall. Sterkis of Woodhelven was next, a wood elven archer who supposedly had some skill as a sharpshooter, greasy looking and furtive, he was known for his long bow which was almost as tall as he was.

 

After that was Zerphis of Gul, a bladesman who was fond of rapier and dirk combat and had spent much of his time patrolling the Elven quarter as well as Tanner’s Way. According to Fist’al, even Pellis the Rugmerchant (local leader of the thieves guild) gave this guy a wide berth and avoided contact with him. Lastly was Belamy Freespell, a booming voiced and friendly personage who although had a broadsword at his waist, was more proud of his ironwood Barmeerian made heavy crossbow. The presence of an overly large tom-cat named Magnum that often shadowed his steps made the locals think that Belamy might be a sorcerer of some sort.

 

It was on the 24^th of Heatmonth, just as the summer was beginning to flow and the temperatures rise that we were paid a visit by Marshal Westwinter and his deputy Caladis. We welcomed to the Hall of Heroes and the Marshall wasted no time in getting to the heart of the meeting, which was to ask the party to be deputized to, as he put it, “promise to support and defend the people and property of Shakun against all banditry and lawlessness in the name of Baron Taugis and King Argos.”

 

Needless to say we were stunned. We tried to ask questions and work around this but the Marshall was looking for an answer now. Our questioning of his request only seemed to irritate the Marshall who began to lose confidence in us. He wondered aloud at what type of adventurers we were, if we were rabble-rousers or not. He asked to see our charter which we presented and he pointed out that Geld, Auri, and Bildad were NOT on the charter and therefore were not entitled to stay at the Hall of Heroes and should find lodging elsewhere. He also wondered if the town Exquecher, Gilderoy Farwalk, had come in to take our quarterly tax responsibility.

 

We begged for time to see if taking the deputation would conflict with our current charter with Baron Taugis and settled on finding out and an answer on the 26^th. The Marshall left, Caladis with him, reminding the party that Geld, Auri, and Bildad had to be out and someplace else by 10 PM.

 

After he left we realized that the Marshall being pissed at us for not jumping at his request was going to be a thorn in our side. He had mentioned bandit attacks between here and Orland over the last week or so and that if that was the case, we were not performing our current charter as adventurers. Also, since he ostensibly answered to King Argos and not Baron Taugis, the Marshall was a bit outside the normal chain of command. By having us be deputized we would then be under his “command” so to speak and not the Baron’s. This was a bit beyond us for now.

 

Auri went to the Rhyback’s to sleep, Bildad going with her. Marcus put up Geld in the Pixie Down Inn for the night. As expected, we were “checked” just after 10 PM and assured the deputies that we were good, and the 3 non-signed members were not staying here. We rested and the next morning gathered together and made our way to Town Hall to meet with the Magistrate and add BIl, Auri, and Geld to the Charter.

 

We noted that Sterkis, the elven deputy, was watching us during our trip across Town Square and did NOT see him upon our leaving. From there we went to see Baron Taugis and spoke to him in couched terms about the Marshall where we were given to learn that the Marshall was actually following the letter of the laws in question if not the spirit. We left the Baron and returned home where we were asked to show our Charter and then had to sit with the Exquecher as he went over our finances and made sure our tax responsibility was up to date.

 

After he left we talked long about the deputation and eventually decided that we would NOT accept the tin stars the Marshal was offering. Belamy Freespell did show up to visit with us on the 25^thand even though we knew he was checking up on us, he was engaging, conversational, and seemingly friendly. We did try to get his drunk of Bullywug wine but the effects instead seemed to pass on to his cat and he remained clear-headed.

 

As expected, on the morning of the 26^th @ 8:30 promptly AM, Marshall Westwinter and Deputy Caladis returned where we respectfully declined his offer of deputation and told him that we wanted to maintain our focus as adventurers first and maintain our primary allegiance to Baron Taugis.

 

It went over like a drunk dwarf at an elvish wedding.

 

The Marshall had just left, incensed and disappointed at our decision and hoping that we would at one point come to our senses and revisit this issue.

Meet 35, Adv 3, 6/15/13

This was the unofficial soft-start of the 3rd adventure I called "All the King's Horses". It was to be a mostly town adventure, much needed from the constant d20 sword rattling and dungeon crawling we had been in as of late.

One of the things that came up was the introduction of the new character Auri, a femal half-orcish fighter - played by the same player who had recently lost Tempi. There was a sort of expected, "hey, welcome," time and intro but during the role-playing, it morphed into a wedding between the dead former character and new character - which was both humorous and morbid at the same time.

Write-up follows:

Following the notes as they appeared on the Hall of Heroes, we went to visit Baron Taugis @ Castle Canastel and were surprised to find the place poorly guarded by a single inebriated guardsman. We had some conversation and learned it was the Baron’s daughter’s 14^th birthday 3 days ago and the party was still going on. The guard tottered off to go announce us and we realized that there was no one in the barbican either watching. This was not normal and we were very concerned. Eventually the guard returned and escorted us in, but not until he was tricked into eating a goodberry that Flimflam had prepared earlier to restore sobriety.

 

Head clear, he escorted us to the banquet hall where we feinted drinking. There were almost a dozen very inebriated people here, a mix of keep staff and guardsmen. From here we went off to the audience hall where the Baron was sitting in various ill fitting clothing and his daughter was making out with two men. Many signs of drunkenness and lewdness were taking place. Fearing something diabolical, Fergus used his abilities and assured us that there was an aura of evil coming from the floor and walls.

 

We got the Baron sober (more goodberry) and a handful of guards as well as his family (his daughter was chased up to her chambers). There was supposedly only 2 casks of ale for the party put it had been three days and they kept finding more cask of ale in the larder – so the party has been stretching on.

 

With the party now ending and the drunkenness coming to an end we talk to the Baron about Brandone Broman and the bandits who has suffered from goblinwater and their deaths in the basement. It was maybe 2 weeks ago and the bodies were given last rites by a visiting priest of Hades and then interred in the Potter’s Field in an unmarked grave.

 

The priest of Hades had been here for 3 days and Father Gavilerin had vouched for him. Did he have something to do with the evil? And what was with the casks of seemingly endless ale? We checked over the basement fully and found that 4 more water casks had some of the ale in it. We were given permission to take one back to our Hall to study and then looked over the rest, deciding that the origin point of the evil might be the dungeons where the two men died and the priest of Hades had done his ritual.

 

We left the baron’s and split up: Flimflam headed to the Rhyback’s to let them know of Tempi’s passing, Fist’al headed to the Broman Estate to meet with Lirea, and Fergus and Bill went off to the Temple grounds to talk with Gavilerin and see about the Hadesian priest that had visited earlier. Marcus and Geld had stayed at the Hall to work on the aviary noted to Perrin, the artifact seeker who had hired the party some time ago.

 

Flimflam went to Mamma Rhyback and Derrick and did his best to explain what had happened to Tempi and how he had died. Meanwhile the Rhyback’s had a half-orcish female fighter in the house who had come to marry Tempi (some sort of planned nuptial). There was much tears and blaming of Flimflam of this matter. During the difficult conversation it came around that Tempi SHOULD marry Auri (the half-orcish girl) and Flimflam should do the ceremony. Then afterwards he could be buried without issue.

 

The gnome was flabbergasted and it didn’t take much (other than SERIOUSLY disappointing the 350 lb 6’9” barely calm and collected Mamma Rhyback) to be convinced to do this. Auri (who had been crying) was thrilled at this and was whirled away to get the planning in place. The wedding would be tomorrow @ noon…with Tempi’s internment to follow.

 

Fist’al went to the Broman home where Lirea was thrilled to see him. Eden (her sister, 9 years old) was asleep and Lirea’s home had gone under some repairs, but still much was to be done. He shared some Bullywug Wine with her and the two of them became drunk, where they retired to her bedroom and spent the rest of the night enjoying one another carnally.

 

Lastly Fergus and Bil went to the Temple where the met Gavilerin and learned that the priest was a travelling priest of Hades but one he had met before. The feeling that some sort of evil ritual was performed was bothersome to the venerable Father who agreed that he would go on the morrow @ perform a cleansing on the area, hopefully enough to diminish the evil aura.

 

On leaving Fergus did visit the shrine of Zeus and made a donation there before the two of them returned to the Hall of Heroes.

 

The aviary was sent and Flimflam informed the party of the ceremony he would be performing tomorrow on the dead Tempi. They checked over the body – he was in bad shape and smelling and rotting. Fergus worked on a coat stand with extra bracing to hang Tempi on during the ceremony and Flimflam wanted to go in the morning to the Undertaker and get some shrouds and linens.

 

In the morning Fist’al returned, taking the long way around to check out the new Marshall’s home (construction was going on there), as well as getting an invitation to…Tempi and Auri’s wedding. It was apparently going to be a town-wide event. Flimflam ate fast and went to Nadere the Herbalist to talk with her about the men who had died in the Dungeon and to talk to her about getting some Myrrh to help combat Tempi’s growing fecund stink. She suggested the undertaker and Flimflam went off to Southgate.

 

There he was stopped by the guards who had been given explicit orders NOT to let him out (Mamma Rhyback had feared he would run). Meanwhile Town Square was being retrofitted for the wedding and most of the townsfolk passed said they would definitely be there. The guards went and got the Undertaker who dickered with Flimflam to the tune of 13 and a half nobles to help prepare Tempi’s body for the wedding and funeral to follow but would need 2 hours to get it to happen.

 

So they raced back to the Hall and got the body ready. The “tempi-stand” was going to be touch and go to see if it would hold (the party went with “please hold!!!”) and we followed the aisle to the Town Hall where Tempi was wheel barrowed in place and then lifted to the stand…which held for now.

 

The wedding march began and in the view of over 1,000 townsfolk and visitors, Auri was escorted down the aisle, wearing white, led by Derrick and Mamma Rhyback to meet her husband, marry him, and then proceed to his already prepared gravesite. During Flimflam’s impassioned oratory, the tempi-stand groaned and broke. Only Fergus’ quick thinking stopped the dead half-orc from falling…him and three of the other ushers, the four of them literally holding Tempi aloft and pleading with Flimflam to finish the ceremony.

 

Eventually it ended and Auri became Auri Rhyback. Gifts were given, we learned that part of the price Flimflam had to pay was to automatically admit Auri into the party as a full member, and then once the papers were notarized, Tempi was placed in a coffin and then led to the graveyard where he was lowered to his final resting place and buried.

 

During the massive town party afterwards Fist’al snuck back to the Marshall’s house where we posed as a laborer and gave the carpenters a hand. Marshall Westwinter returned and took some note of Fist’al but seemed to dismiss his presence shortly afterwards. Unable to leave now without attracting attention Fist’al worked until 5 and then returned to the Hall after getting a mental layout of the 1^st floor of the Marshall’s home.

 

We began our training the next day and for the next almost 3 weeks worked hard on our skills. During the training Perrin did show and not only paid us for the statue of Zeus, but also bought the Statue of Apollo and the Malachite festooned vase with Hercules on it, giving the party enough money to pay for training as well as have a few extra coins in our pocket. We agreed that if he had other jobs we’d be interested and he said if we found any other religious themed artifacts he’d be happy to buy them.

 

Training was going to be over on Heatmonth the 24 but there were other things going on in Shakun during this time that was going to keep the group’s free time occupied as they were to learn.

Meet 34, Adv 2, 5/25/13

And this ends adventure two. The party did what they expected and had a nice wilderness treck back (lots of chatting at the table, hence the lack of "getting things done"). There are some bookkeeping that have to take place next meeting and then it's roll roll roll into adventure 3.

Write up follows:

We trucked out of Candlewick, walking south in effort to reach the clearing beyond the Endless Forest. Fergus and Urthar were pulling our laden cart, forcing it both around and over the large tree roots that made up the floor of the forest. As we approached the border though, the old growth was replaced with new growth, which also meant underbrush and other flora to slow us down. Ben added his weight to the cart, pushing along with the two men pulling.

By 11:30 we were out and we pressed on, following the border as we went. Fergus and Flimflam were being very cognizant of the forest, trying to find the huntsman cottage once again. By 2:30 we arrived there and let ourselves in. It was the same as the last time we were here, nothing new having happened in our absence.

We rested and thought about trying to find Kair Konig again, talking about our options and what we could try, when Kair himself arrived, alerted to our presence by the number of strange figures in the woods as well as what his animal companions advised of him.

We traded him some of Korlok’s blood and talked about our options. He knew about the dryad acorns Flimflam was carrying and spoke to the gnome in depth about what his options were, eventually the two druids coming to a solution that (spoken in Sylvan), was in the best interests of druids, no necessarily the party or general civilization at large.

We rested the night and left the next day on the 27th, heading the long way to home. We ran across a troupe of 13 halflings and a single gnome travelling to the oracle at Titestory to find out why the gnomish young man was having terrible dreams and a seemingly bout of bad luck dogging his steps. They went with us to the Roaring Treant Inn on the traderoads where we rested for the night after much drinking and carousing.

On the morn of the 29th when we attempted to leave we were pressured to buy a sway-backed nag from a travelling dyer who we thanked but moved on (after Fist’al stole his sample pouch because the guy was being a douchebag). And it was in the evening of the 29th that we arrived finally in Shakun.

We made our way to the Hall of Heroes where we had a note to 1) contact Ms. Rhyback who wanted to have Tempi meet someone (awkward!!), 2) contact Baron Taugis on our return for something regarding the Waywocket home, and 3) Meet with Centurion Westwinter, the new Marshall, when we were able to.

We split treasure, paid off Link, Urthar, and Ben (actually giving Ben the magic shield we found). From here we wanted to rest and then begin the process of training and re-equipping ourselves over the next few weeks.

Meet 33, Adv 2, 5/18/13

This was the wrap up of Candlewick Keep for the party, involving them crawling over places they couldn't get to before and maybe getting some questions answered. There was some treasure to be found and the group did so without issue - nothing overpowered for a group of 2/3/4th level players. And certainly nothing that'll get them rich. Should have enough to pay off the retainers, train, re-equip, and get a few small cool items and then off again.

The followers of Hestia were left alive (wounded of course) @ the end and in the long term, I am going to use that bit of crumpet. And for the paladin, there was the continuous defiling of the Chapel of Zeus which also will have its own impact @ some point.

Write up follows:

It was 10 to 10 on Birthmonth the 25^th when we left the Chapel and made our way back to Candlewick Keep and made our way to the now seemingly silent 2^nd floor. After all the people and life we had seen and experienced, it was disturbing to walk around the keep with it so quiet.

We checked the eastern corridor, still blocked by the barricade of furniture the yuan-ti had set up some time ago. We felt no presence of evil, and saw no easy way through. We then decided to look over the door there. Fist’al assured us it was free of traps and unlocked, and after opening it, saw it was at one point an armory for the keep, now abandoned. Translucent snake scales the size of coins abounded but other than that, there was nothing in here. A 2^nd door led to the north.

We opened it and looked carefully. We exited on the other side of the barricade in a 5’ wide hall that ran to the east ending at a door (which we assumed would lead to the eastern side of the parapet). There were two corridors here running north, both of them with doors on both sides, reaching off into the gloom. According to our map, it seemed this was originally servants’ quarters.

We wanted to check them both out, but after going back and forth, felt very uncomfortable about either. So Bill summoned a monster, getting a giant, 15# rat to appear. Marcus applied a light spell to the rat and then the Halfling sent it up the closer passage first, where it ran about half way and then stopped, refusing to go past the 2^nd door on the left. Bill called it back and then did the same to the other passage, where it went almost to the end and stopped again.

The spell ended and we went over our choices, deciding on the right most corridor. We proceeded with caution but a touch with calamity befell us when coming from one of the right hand doors, a 5’ asp slithered out and bit Fist’al on the leg. Luckily it only struck his boot and then the reptile raced under the adjoining door on the left. We hit at it, but the snake escaped.

No longer wanting to risk this, we left the corridor and returned to the armory room. Here we all put on boots if we had them, and thought about how we can block the base of the doors so no other snakes could come out and bite us. We went back to Kronig’s room and took the bedding from there, estimating we had enough to block 3 doors. We were going to need more.

We searched over the former half-elves area, nothing of use. We did go back to the crazies/Hestians area and found some very soiled clothes, nut no sign of the Hestians. We guessed we had enough now to block off 8 of the doorways so went to head back to the former yuan-ti side, opting this time to check out the barricade closer to Kronig’s room.

It was here we saw a change. The barricade had been dismantled and spread to either side, offering a narrow passage through to the room beyond. An internal portcullis was down here, preventing anyone from getting in. We looked around for a lever to lift it and found none. So Fist’al crept up to the bars and used his mirror to look around the corner and see if he could find a lever.

He did so. Along with less than half-dozen of the followers of Hestia. They were crouched there, each one naked, covered in dried feces, and sporting very old ceremonial weapons they took off the wall.

We had conversation with them, Borthek (the speaker) was complaining that we ruined everything. We tried to counter that the Crimson Sanctuary was probably never supposed to last 15 years and it degenerated to snarls and complaints and then outright violence as we tried to physically lift the bars and they sent two of their men forward to stop us with spear thrusts. We countered with arrows and they fell back screaming.

That was when Marcus cast Charm Person on one of them and begged him to lift the gate. The remaining Hestians tried to stop him and a struggle ensued. At this point Ben and Marcus each grabbed one of the bars of the portcullis and began wrenching left and right, the metal squealing until they snapped off. We were in.

The battle (was it even one?) after that was short and brutal as we killed one of them and wounded the others. The fight out of them, Borthek moaned and railed against us but we came in, took the statue of Zeus that we wanted (as well as some other treasures!) and then left. The Charmed Hestian, Geld, came with us and wanted to get cleaned up and wear clothes again. We detoured to the former Bullywug area and used their baths while the majority of us then went down to the main hall and dismantled the goblin door mechanism…especially since it was built on top of a cart!

It was going to take many hours and Fergus was going to be doing much of the work. Meanwhile we then explored Tindoreg’s area, hoping he had left something behind we could use. Some of it was there, but anything of serious use was taken. There were some books about Candlewick and some of the bugbear’s notes filled the margins. In our reading we learned about other doors that were hidden that hadn’t been able to open, as well as one of them in Sisspak’s area that the frustrated yuan-ti had liberally had his minion spit poison all over it until it was deadly for anyone to touch.

We went to the goblin secret area first and behind the midden was another door. We opened it and discovered: 2 bags of food and 2 water skins (empty each), Medium metal shield, 3 broad swords (1 ornate), 4 daggers, 2 footman maces, 4 scroll tubes, and a small wooden box with healing draughts, potions, and potions of rejuvenation. Whoo hoo!

As for the upstairs door, we wanted some new spells ready and Marcus offered to study while we got our items ready. A few of us continued to explore and discovered that one of the tower’s bases did lead to the moat itself, but it seemed dangerous to cross (diseases). By dinner time spells had been restudies and Fergus was done with the cart, assuring us it would need to be pulled, but would carry 500 lbs without danger of falling apart, more than that it began to get dicey.

We went up to the 2^nd floor to the door we expected was marked with poison and was locked. A Detect Poison showed it was VERY poisoned and we did not want to touch it. What was inside? Was it worth the risk of dying? We weren’t sure and then had an idea. We drilled a hole in the wood with our auger, but could see nothing. So Marcus drilled three more holes close to each other in a square pattern and then smacked the weaken wood off with a hammer.

It was a small room, only maybe 5’ deep. There was some armor visible in the hole and some words above it. We decided to risk opening it, but again, the door was very poisoned. So we got another brainstorm. Bill went up to the door and cast summon monster through the opening…and this time he summoned a Zombie!

It took some work but he made the zombie understand it had to open the door (after is staggered around for a bit) and we were in! We found Lord Candlewick’s royal armor: Bronzed-steel banded mail, helm, large metal shield, trident, and steel broad sword, all chased in royal blue and bearing a candle crest on them. On the wall was a large stone semi-circular plaque that read, “Even the darkest night is broken by a single candle’s flame.” A candle sconce was just below it.

We took the armor and then decided to put a candle in the holder and light it.

The entire Keep seemed to lift beneath our feet and shake briefly. Light was streaming in from the outside windows. We raced to the windows and looked – the top of each of the towers now sported a 10’ tall bonfire flame of yellow and white. A beacon, probably visible for miles around.

We extinguished the candle and went back to the 1^st floor where we rest and ate.

Flimflam and Fist’al went to go and talk to Davers, the dryad, but on seeing the comely elven scout, it was Flimflam who had the desire to walk away and the elf was taken to the dryad where they had a very enjoyable night together.

On the morn of the next day, Flimflam tried to go to Davers to get her to give up Fist’al, but the dryad said she would tire of him in a few years. Eventually Flimflam had to do a favor for her, she handed him some acorns from her tree and told him to plant them and then press his hands to the ground and make the plant grow. They would grow and eventually each tree would have dryads of their own. She the mother, him the father.

He agreed and Davers let Fist’al emerge from her trunk, happy, dirty, sated, and dully responsive. He guided the elf back to the party and we began the process of putting our affairs in order and finally leaving Candlewick for the long journey home.

Meet 32, Adv 2, 5/4/13

This was the final big fight of the campaign. The way I had envisioned the adventure was that Sisspak and his 2 other yuan-ti were the equivalent of the Bogey man, terrifying to hear about but you don't want to meet them ever. They wander about, fast, genius level intelligence, but merely observers unless they are physically assaulted.

Kronig and his chamber was always the lynch-pin.

Easiest way to get to the Altar of Hestia was through the former lord's panic room, across the parapet, and down the north-east tower to where the spymaster had set up the altar 15 years earlier. The secret door was not operated like the others in the Keep, hence why Kronig never discovered it. And even if he had, it was too smal for him to use.

Alternative way would have involved the party crossing via the parapets through the other doors on the 2nd floor (easiest was by the Bullywugs) but would have involved risking contact with the stirges. So a night-time crossing would have been better. A work around of the stirges was hinted at by the local crazies - smear yourself in fecal matter or at least carry it on you - it repels the stirges. And thanks to the horses and Fergus' stomach sickness, we had plenty of crap to make this happen.

Kronig being slain was a 50/50. He doesn't spend all day in his area and is fond of visiting the Bullywugs and the Half-elves, so risking a trip into his chamber was more than possible. The flip-side of that of course were the yuan-ti who were constantly watching Kronig's area and were opportunistic should a chance to strike arise.

Overall, I really liked the way the party handled it.

Write up follows:

We spent roughly 20 minutes going over tactics and what our plans were. Nerill and the half-elves were going to be equipped with bows; Fiona Silverhair was going to bless the entire party with the force of Ares. Murgo and the Bullywugs were going to jump into the room, Fergus and Ben filling in the gaps, the 6 of them holding Kronig in place. The rest of us were going to fill in the other areas and support the front line fighters with spells, shields, and bow work.

 

Assuming we did drop Kronig fast, we were then going to make an effort to drop the sanctuary as fast as we can before running into Sisspak. What about Tempi? We hoped to find him fast and save him as soon as possible.

 

We left the elven area, crept back to the overlook, snuck up to Kronig’s room, and drew ourselves up, ready for the combat. The Bullywugs were crouched low, spears up and ready, poised to jump. The knob was turned, door thrown open, and there was the one time royal bedroom, now used as Kronig’s area. Near the bed was the 9’, 775 lb Ogre, holding Tempi aloft and slapping the half-orc back and forth across the face. He seemed to be unconscious, cheeks are bloody and red.

 

The Bullywugs then leapt. Their jumps cleared across the intervening space as the hit the Ogre, spears first. Some of them were batted aside; one of them scratched his arms. At the last moment though Kronig was able to lift the half-orc up and blocked one fairly deadly thrust with Tempi’s body. Fergus and Ben charged next, Ben hurled a spear, but struck shaft side. We roared, shouted, and snarled as we filled the room. Fergus was concentrating, the holy aura of Poseidon flowing about him.

 

Kronig lifted Tempi over head and hurled the half-orc into the massing fighters. One of the Bullywugs is knocked down from the flying half-orc. The room filled up fast as we filed in. Kronig whipped up Korlok’s axe and sneered, “You’ve made a tremendous mistake” as he tore into the throng about him.

 

The half-elves hurled arrows all over the place, almost a dozen clothyard shaft peppered around the Ogre, one of them critically hitting Kronig. With a furious cry, he swept his axe back and brought it whistling around, one Bullywug ducks behind his shield but it is crushed, a 2^nd Bullywug struggled briefly but managed to avoid getting slain outright. Flimflam called out to Demeter and lined Kronig with burning fairie fire lights.

 

Bill, very drunk on Bullywug wine, was shouting out the words of his spell, summoning a zombie which hit the Ogre. However a wild surge happened and a 2^nd zombie appeared – this one appeared over the Halfling and hit him – effectively dropping him to zero. Flimflam and Whosea struggled to stand over the Halfling, trying to block any of the blows. Marcus tried to blind Kronig but the ogre dodged and the light spell shot past.

 

We shot arrows at Kronig, once again hurting the ogre. However, during the exchange, Fist’al critically fumbled, his attention off to the side, and then was struck in chest and would be dead in an hour or less. He stumbled over and smashed his skull and was knocked out. Marcus sent his own flaming arrows into the melee.

 

Kronig swept his axe sideways, critically smashing into Fergus whose own shield fell apart. He snarled at the paladin who was shouting “URTHAR! A SHIELD!!” that his luck was over. Axe came over and JUST missed, slamming into the floor. Bullywugs (only 2 remaining) stabbed out, whittling away a few more precious hit points from the Ogre. Kronig smashed one Bullywug over, causing one of them to be stabbed and slain instantly.

 

Whosea and Flimflam were taking the zombie down and Urthar frisbee’ed a shield to the paladin. Kronig’s axe slams out at Fergus who manages to block the weapon with the tines of his trident. Trying to twist it around, he held it long enough to screw up any other assaults from the Ogre. Ben lashed out, more hit points whittling away.

 

We continued to press the attack on Kronig, while Marcus read his scroll of Monster Summoning III, getting a GIANT tick to appear! 75#, 5’ tall, 6 legs, it assaulted the Ogre immediately. This appearance though terrified Fergus who turned and fled the battle. He made his way out of the room, shoving everyone out of the way. Once outside the paladin hit the hall and started to run faster – however he was surprised – by a 7’ tall snake-man who spit a globule of venom at his face.

 

Poison in his eyes, he coughed, slid, and fell onto his face. Before passing out, he did shout, “Yuan-ti!” The group shuddered, we could NOT fight Sisspak OR his minions as well as Kronig at the same time.

 

We poured on our attacks, arrows, spears, and swords flashing. The Ogre was bleeding terribly, and then the Yuan-ti in the hall spit another globule of poison, this time in the room where he struck one of the half-elves. He too fell over. Kronig tried to tear the tick from his midsection, succeeding but doing terrible damage to himself. His axe came up one last time and crashed down on the last Bullywug who sacrificed his shield.

 

Seeing Ben down and Fergus have run, Ploog, the last Bullywug loses his morale and ran out of the room, jumping to the hall. Kronig fell over, dead at this time. The yuan-ti there tried to spit at the Bullywug but missed. Meanwhile the remaining party members swarmed the hall and with Marcus’ tick, hit the yuan-ti hard and fast. Flimflam meanwhile raced for Fergus and used his anti-venom to get the paladin back up.

 

The yuan-ti was having a difficult time with the combat and after a short round, attempted to flee, barely making it back to the barricade in time and slithered through, arrows dogging his steps the entire time.

 

We dispensed healing, bandages, and whatever anti-venom we had, taking time to see what resources we had left. Rattireg was still here, as well as Nerill Silverhair, Fiona, and 2 other half-elves. Kronig was dead and the yuan-ti now knew we were here.

 

We searched over Kronig’s chamber for anything, finding a secret door on the eastern wall. It was too small for Kronig, and the opening mechanism was too fine for his to use. We opened the secret area, the passage a small 4’ tall, 1.5’ wide opening; and it revealed a 20’ x 30’ secret cache and panic room.

 

Inside were 6 sets of leather armor, 6 shields and swords, 12 spears and daggers, barrels of food and water (currently empty), 12 sets of clothes, 6 backpacks, 12 cloaks and boots, 12 blankets, 6 50’ coils of rope, 3 iron strong boxes, and 1 potion travelers case. There was also a door on the north wall that we assumed would lead to the parapet.

 

We agreed to share the bounty of the room with the half-elves, and agreed to give a portion to Ploog the Bullywug who lived but did flee @ the end. The boxes were filled with crowns and nobles. The majority of the box was filled with healing draughts and potions, as well as a few invisible potions and a fly!

 

From here we opted to go to the north door, checked it for traps and unlocked it, revealing indeed the parapet. We went to the right, going to the tower there. The door was opened without issue and we were looking in the 20’ round chamber. There was a trapdoor in the ceiling and one in the floor, each was 3’ x 4’. We lifted the one going down first and shone our torch down. It was 20’ down to the floor and there was some sort of candle light burning down there already.

 

We tied rope to the crenellations closest to the tower and tossed it down the hole to the base of the tower. Fist’al was lowered down to the base of the tower, 2 other doors in here, South and west. Another trap door was along the east wall. On the north wall was an altar; altar cloth, bowl, chalice, talus, two candle sticks, and two lit candles. We seriously expected it was Hestia’s altar.

 

Fiona joined Fist’al at the base of the tower. We talked about what to do next and Fergus was adamant that we needed to take apart the altar in the inverse that it was assembled. There was some sort of red dust in the bowl which according to the books we had taken from the Reeve’s office was most likely some crushed garnets.

 

It took us some time to decide what to do first and eventually made the decision to have Fiona blow out the candles. As soon as they extinguished, we noticed Fiona was not there. We reignited the candles and Fiona reappeared, unconscious from some sort of enchanted exhaustion. This was not the order.

 

So we now needed another plan. Fergus was lowered down to the floor of the tower and lifted the bowl instead, putting it aside. Whew. He then touched the chalice, moved it aside, put it down –and disappeared. Damn. We replaced the chalice and Fergus reappeared unconscious. Ok…what to do.

 

We had a series of back and forths, going through 6 of our party until we succeeded in dismantling the altar completely and without issue. As soon as the last piece was removed, we felt a strange pressure running through the Keep and those on the upper portion of the tower looked out at the parapet and watched a seemingly red tinted aura creep up the very air and up to the sky, ending with a ‘pop’.

 

The Crimson Sanctuary was lifted.

 

We decided to rest here, sleeping for the night in the tower for ease and the wait for our people (our party and the half-elves) to awaken from their magical sleep. The next day we all woke up, had a great meeting with the half-elves, went back up to the panic room, split up the gear, and checked out Kronig’s chamber. No change.

 

We walked across the 2^nd floor, met with Ploog and gave him his share of the found bounty. We learned that he heard a mass exodus of bodies leaving Candlewick, the Bullywug wanted to wait until it was safe. The half-elves went back to their area and gathered all their belongings, bidding us farewell and then left Candlewick. Ploog also bid us a farewell.

 

From here we went down to the main floor and it was quiet. And we heard the remaining goblins address us and learned that most everyone had gone, only 9 goblins stayed. Rattireg was suggested to strongly go with the goblins left and to leave Candlewick now. Rattireg and Bill were sad to lose one another but it was going to be for the best.

 

We went off to the Chapel to check on our cart and were terribly dismayed to learn it was taken. It was 9:30 AM on the 25^th of Birthmonth when we discussed what our next action was going to be and where we were going to look for the statue of Zeus.

Meet 31, Adv 2, 4/27/13

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

Write up follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet 30, Adv 2, 4/20/13

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

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

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

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

Write up follows:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Now what?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Sonovacrap.

 

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

 

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

Adventure 2 Roster

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

Accurate as of 9/10/16

Active Members

Sir "Flimflam" Warwick Gaboikya Murkor Zull Waywocket - Male Gnomish 6th Level Druid of Demeter

Sir Wizard-Lord Marcus of Woodhelven - Male High Elven 5th Level Fighter (retired)/5th Level Wizard

Tranis Fistlorn - Male Human 5th Level Ranger of Artemis
Steiner Sidaerius Tyson Whoreson - Male Human 5th Level Cleric to Apollo
Casius Avidius "The Fox" Gratidanus - Male Human 5th Level Thief
Caidius - Male Human 4th Level Thief/3rd Level Fighter

Henchmen:

Geld - Female Human 4th Level Warrior/2nd level Fighter (Teamster), Follower of Hestia. Formerly charmed by Marcus. Changed into a woman during a Hestian ritual.
Viridia - Female Human 4thLevel Expert, Employed by Tranis, Formerly a member of the First Sons of Shakun. Skilled in crowd working and locks.

Taulib - Male Human 15 y/o 3rd Level Commoner/0 Level Druid, follower of Demeter. Employed as Valet by Flimflam. Former stablehand at the Roaring Treant Inn. 

Fermius - Male Human 4th Level Warrior/1st Commoner, Employed by the party. Formerly a member of the First Sons of Shakun. Used to be in the Shakun Militia. Crippled left arm has his duties reduced to inactive/Castellan for Tower and Hall.

Hirelings:

Benievre "Ben" - Mid-20's Human 3rd Level Warrior - Shieldbearer

Urthar - Mid 30's Human 2nd Level Expert- Porter

Etterig "Link" - 14 year old Human 3rd Level Commoner - Linkboy/Torchbearer
Encrinus - Late 30's Male Halfling 3rd Level Warrior - Slinger
Vestanus - Mid 30's Human Male 3rd Level Expert - Porter
Funis - Mid 40's Human Male 3rd Level Warrior - Light Footman
Liscinia - 20 year old (appearing) Female Half Elven 3rd Level Warrior - Shieldbearer
Caeticcius - Late 20's Male Human 2nd Level Warrior - Heavy Footman

Deceased:

Device Rhyback - Half Orcish 1st Level Cleric of Athena - Fell 90' to death.

"Ironboar" Turkor Avery Ghildry Waywocket - Gnomish 1st Level Barbarian - Fell 90' to death

Chase of Gul - Human 1st Level Ranger of Artemis - Killed by goblin arrows.

Tempi Rhyback - Half-Orcish 2nd Level Fighter - Killed by Kronig, Ogre. Posthumously married to Auri

Fergus Bryan Shelby O'Kain - Male Human 4th Level Paladin to Poseidon - Murdered by Fist'al.

Fist'al Daenir - Male Wood Elven 4th Level Thief - Vengeance/Killed by party after murdering Fergus.

Auri Rhyback - Female Half-Orcish 4th Level Fighter - Died during a raid on a dwarven bolthole by a wight.

Quintus Typhon Helms - Male Human 3rd Level Sorcerer - Died during a raid on a dwarven bolthole.

Zeta Chi "Kai" Stardust - Male Half-Elven 1st Level Fighter/2nd Level Thief - Died during a raid on a dwarven bolthole - poisoned.

Maehdros Curufin - Male Wood Elven 4th Level Thief - Died during fight with Scarene as a victim of friendly fire.

Retired:

Enthir - Grey Elven 1st Level Wizard - Doing scribe work in Shakun
Bildad "Bill" Brandybuck - Male Hairfoot Halfling 2nd Level Sorcerer - Doing research in Shakun
Sanric - Male Human 3rd Level Ranger of Artemis - Helped hunt down Fist'al. Established group in Ferron.

Mummus O'Donnell - Male Half-Orcish 3rd Level Fighter - Joined Sanric's Group based in Ferron.

"Boomsprocket" Taren Fitzpatrick Udofire Doubleluck - Male Gnomish 4th Level Cleric of Heaphestus - Joined Sanric's Group based in Ferron.

Bull Bowl - Male Half-Ogre 3rd Level Barbarian - Not a good fit for the party, wandered back home.

Kilven - Male Human 4th Level Barbarian - Retired from adventuring, happy to work on a local Homestead.

Erdan Nailo "Nightbreeze" - Male High Elven 5th Level Fighter. After losing a finger and seeing the Kraken, is taking time off from adventuring for now.

Meet 29, Adv 2, 4/13/13

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

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

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

Write up follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meet 28, Adv 2, 3/30/13

Ability Score Damage.

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

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

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

Write up follows:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Face to face with the Arcanocere.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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