(kind of rushed copy/paste - might not make much sense to those who weren't present)

The party and allied forces headed back to the city. En route, you met a savage humanoid mother was seeking revenge on wizards who killed her sons (as well as the rest of the males in her village); she was stalking your powerful group to determine if any of you were ones that she was seeking. The Royal Guardsmen convinced her to come along to see the King, in case he could do anything to help her, especially if people are going around destroying villages (and also because they didn't want a savage vigilante running around unchecked, but they wouldn't tell her that part).

The King wanted to see you right away. He thanked you for your efforts and then wanted to talk to you in private (without his guards). He seemed a little angry but it turns out, he wasn't angry with you but rather because his wife was kidnapped. As ransom, it was said that he stop the investigation of the Greenspire estate, and turn over the artifacts as well as Basil, Melenna, and Brennan. Though, rather than trick the trio to their deaths as the letter suggested, the King asked for their help (not as the King, but as a man who wants his wife back in one piece).

Meanwhile the grieving mother was not allowed to see the King due her resistance at removing some bone daggers, so instead she was directed to speak with Mayor Rohan. There, she told him her story and what she knew of the incident. Rohan suggested that she travel with the party if only because the party seemed to have some knowledge of clues that she had. Brennan made the savage newcomer promise not to reveal anything she was about to see, and she agreed.

The group did some leg work activities: researching new rituals and asking around town about the queen's past (to confirm whether or not she was really kidnapped or a willing participant in the random demands). They also cast speak with dead on Theurge, using some of the lich dust, resulting in Theurge being reborn! Though, he was very tired from the ordeal his body, mind, and soul has undergone. Doing Object Readings on the ransom note they learned more of the circumstances surrounding the letter's writing, delivery, and drop-off: it was apparently written by Duncan, delivered by some skinny goblin, and the queen was apparently unconscious during the letter drop-off. They also learned about the jade statue of Sureya, which seemed to be chiseled by a trio of halflings under the direction of Duncan.

The group debated between several options but ultimately chose to go to the mausoleum (where the first queen was buried) since the king was going there for his weekly visit and also because one interpretation of the ransom letter suggested this to be the ransom delivery site. They lift open the sarcophagus and find no body (or parts), and instead find an emerald green portal.

Jumping down in the portal, they find themselves in a cavernous room with no apparent exits. There is a warning written in the air that they are expecting the artifacts and any doublecrossers will be left to rot. In the alcove on the side is a keystone, whose rune matches a carving on the wall. Placing the stone to the rune carving causes another portal to open. Quickly the shuffle through the emerald opening.

The group finds themselves in another chamber, though Brennan somehow did not appear with you - somehow he vanished while crossing through. There was a fight with some fleshy creatures whose bodies were covered in jaws filled with sharp teeth, and one was even crawling on the wall by digging its teeth into the stone and spitting it's thick saliva to hold people in place.

After dispatching the aberrations, you take a moment to recover from your injuries and then go to examine the pile of keystones in the corner (each with a different rune on its face). After some searching, you find one keystone whose rune matches the carving on the wall. Placing the stone to the wall, a green portal opens and the party quickly goes through ...

fba827

Slightly different format for the recap this time (less list, more fluff because this is a copy/paste for a recap I had to write for an absent player); though I think I prefer the 'list' format better because it's easier to 'glance' for info ...

The group met with the king for the second appointment. They told him of the situation at the ruined Delphus (the dragon, the beholder, the 2 trolls, the ice barricades, the Farwalker journal). During the conversation, the king told of the Sureya investigation status: after questioning the guests it seems no one has personal first-hand knowledge of actually having seen or spoken to Sureya for months, questioning the staff they (eventually) said that she has been out of town for months. The king further goes on to say that Sureya's estate is continually being watched by men from the royal guard. Finally, the king also gave the group the time and place where the Necklace of the Ruby Flame's destruction ritual was going to be cast and (although the king did not necessarily care if you were there) said that since you showed interest in being present that you could get to that location to meet his royal guard that would be doing the ritual (it was going to be done in a spot a few days west, so out in the former war-zone, away from the kingdom itself).

With a couple days to spare, Melenna and Syd studied the rituals in the Farwalker journal, Brennan went to investigate around town in case there was something for him to do while waiting, and Basil went to catch the Bullthorns as they were leaving to get some allies to join in the task of facing whatever was to be released from the necklace. Melenna took an opportunity in the evening to get herself invited to one of Sureya's evening parties (going as a guest of a random man named Ambrose), she snooped around (even found that those "security" auras from the paintings were detecting the presence/absence of certain creatures but couldn't tell more than that) nor was she able to see actual evidence of Sureya other than second hand reports of people saying "they think they saw her around". Once the grop regrouped, they also visited Timor to get help for the coming battle (and got a couple priests of Melora assigned to help). They also visited Aleena to get help (and got a couple paladins of Pelor assigned to help). Keep in mind that none of these gathered allies (except for the royal guard) know the specifics of the background, they only know they are coming to help take care of an evil thing.

With the gathered allies, the group heads to the ritual site being prepared by the royal guardsmen. Upon arrival, they find that some of the royal guardsmen had been killed enroute to the site due to antics of the necklace on the way. The ritual is cast on the necklace and the others ready for what is to come. As the ritual is finished, a crack forms in the ruby pendant of the necklace - the flame that once burned inside of it extinguishes and out of the smoke near the necklace emerges a grotesque humanoid woman. Her limbs are bony and gaunt while her face and skin seems almost decayed. All around her, the prevalence of death and decay can be felt burning the flesh of anyone that approaches her. Nyssa is the first to realize that this is a rare being, once a creature of flesh that has been warped by necrotic rituals and forgotten lore of undeath (a lich).

A long and hard battle ensues as the lich causes several skeletons (forgotten dead left buried in natural shallow graves from the war) to crawl their way through to the surface. The lich continued to burn the ground with fiery energy that drained life, as well as her necrotic aura, and tossing blasts of energy at those who annoyed her. The skeletons continued to claw at the forces with burning claws. The allied forces (Royal Guards, Bullthorns, Priests, Paladins) and the PCs fight off the skeletons and the lich. During the fight, Melenna grabs the necklace in case it had an effect on the lich (though it did not seem to) as well as blasting away at the skeletons and slowing the lich so that she could not get away. Brennan worked on taking out skeletons one at a time and eventually blasting at the lich with radiant energy. Syd helped blast the skeletons and his prescience helped counter some attacks against his friends. Basil directed the forces around the field, and coordinated their attacks so that everyone helped weave and distract the lich so that others would have an easier time of striking. Nyssa, despite her fragile appearance, caused the most destruction to the lich, for her spirit was somehow protected from the brunt of the liches effects, causing her minimal discomfort and with rage she managed to critically strike the lich several times with her blade sheathed in radiant fire. The skeletons were destroyed and the lich eventually killed and crumbled in to dust. Between the healing of the allies, the only major casualty on the allied forces was that of a paladin (sent by Aleena). However, with the healing skills and attention from the force, he too was saved from any permanent damage despite the pain he suffered.


Current in game time: November 07, 7791, noon.
Melenna, Syd, Nyssa, Brennan: have riding horses on loan from the king
Basil and the allied Bullthorns: have warhorses
The clerics and paladins: have riding horses from their own orders.

Party Location: At the aftermath of the battle site. Though we may just fast forward back to the city at the start of next session if no one has any particular thing to do out here.

fba827

(in a brief list format since i'm tired, sick, and short on time -- and more grammar and spelling mistakes than usual because i'm not rereading as i type)

* The group spread around town to gather information. Some asked specifically about Sureya while others asked around for people matching the description of "The Mistress," some asked random strangers while others checked in with allies (Aleena and Sarim). Eventually, you were directed to Sureya's house in the wealthier district of the city. A brief external survey revealed a walled perimeter and door guards.

* Brennan woke up the next morning feeling a little weak and with his hair starting to turn a little gray, as best as you can guess, a side-effect from his experimentation with the earrings the day before.

* The group had their second meeting with the king and (eventually) turned over all the artifacts that you had, and gave him Canmore's message of "I will turn over the ring when his brothers are no longer a threat" though the king still wants to talk to Canmore and get that ring, Canmore neither wants to be meet the king nor give up the ring (until the family situation/threat is neutralized).

* The king is also holding the jade statue for you (so when it turns in to a creature at night and slays all within his palace, you'll know what happened :-P )

* Based on the stories you've told him so far, the King rewarded each of you with personally selected items for your help so far.

* The King says you're welcome to check back in two days (after he's had a chance to talk to his advisers and experts) so that he'll have a better plan on how to deal with Malcom, Duncan, Sureya (whose house he says he'll have watched for now), protecting or destroying the artifacts that he currently has, and getting the artifacts he doesn't have...

* You later went to go check at Sureya's manor to confirm that she was there... there was a party going on and none of you saw her, though people at the party mentioned she was around, and it was suggested that she might be "entertaining" male guests.

* Melenna found lots of magical traps and wards around the house (she was the only one who was able to go in further than just the foyer)

* Mitra, the captain of Sureya's house guard, said she'd relay your message to Sureya though you got the impression that she was just humoring you as a courtesy.

* At request of the King, you head to Daphnis (a mid-sized city in the plains just west of the Elara Mnts), to investigate how viable it would be to start relocating some of the refugees there as a permanent settlement annex to the Kingdom of Tarvos. He further explains that some of his own men went there to do that and have not been heard of since.

* You get to Daphnis - the main gate entrance is completely covered over by a slab of ice, but breeches along the wall make it simple enough to still get in. The city is mostly in ruins without an animal in sight, just some overgrowth and brush collecting in areas.

* Nestled in the ruins of a large building in the city center is a dragon (Azameer), and near him are a beholder and 2 trolls. The dragon lets you talk to him for as long as you continue amusing him and stimulating him with conversation, plays, and ballads -- some of your stories were more successful than others. But your glib tongue kept the situation from getting out of hand.

* Eventually you were told to leave when you were no longer amusing, and, surprisingly, not a single attack was drawn by any creature (the beholder and 2 trolls seem to be holding position at the dragon's behest). And, as you left, as a result of your epic-like diplomatic charms in your farewells (I guess at that point, he was more amused by your leaving than by your staying ), Melenna was able to take a book (the nature journal) with her - it is a record of local flora and fauna (animal and plant species seen in the area, a little about the prime growing season and migration patterns, and so on) as well as a few nature-related rituals interspersed.

* On the way back to the city, the party is accosted by some bandits who seem to think (at your mention of ties to the king) that you would fetch a good ransom price. Combat ensued and it was a difficult ... for them! Between veils of darkness, tight maneuvering that left no quarter to move without more strikes, grabs from chilling hands, radiant burning from moving, being knocked with such force to be tossed around the narrow ledge .... in the end, the party won with some minor casualties but no permanent injuries.

As of the end of the session, you made it back to the city. You probably have a couple hours before the follow-up meeting with the king if there was anything you wanted to do (otherwise, next time we'll pick up with the meeting with the king)

---
Incidentally, this marked the group's second encounter with a nonhumanoid creature (the first was the fateful blob of shadow essence), but the first encounter with an intelligent nonhumanoid creature (be it friend or foe).

fba827

Slightly out of order for simplicity

Pre-session:
1) Nyssa and sydd meet Kara, a woman escaping some goblins.

2) While escaping, the three feel a tremor, and Kara falls in to a crevice.

3) Under ground, Sydd and Nyssa fight some small earth elementals as well as some kobolds that were holding some dwarves as slaves.

4) The trio eventually continue on and get to Talon Lake ...

In Game sesion start: Oct 25, 7791, 3pm

1) Melenna finishes casting gentle repose on the bodies of the fallen allies while Brennan returns from his survey sidetrek.

2) A woman (Kara), a young girl (Nyssa), and a gnome (Sydd) approach. But Kara is upset by the two dead bodies (Talus and Theurge) and ends up revealing herself as actually being Canmore in disguise.

3) A whole lot of exposition follows as Canmore explains (his version of) things.
Brief version: Prior to starting the war, the Red King (RK) had researched and gathered relics of power to help him in his coming war of conquest. Then, he waged war. Then, he disappeared and some how the council of Tarvos got in possession of these relics. Fearing that the people could not begin to recover from the RK's advance until all sign of him were gone, the council hid the relics. What the council does not know i that the RK had three triplet sons (Malcom, Canmore, Duncan). At night, from beyond the grave (or wherever the RK is) he whispers to them and shows them visions of where these items are. So Canmore (claiming to be not on good terms with his family) has been essentially racing against his brothers to try and collect these relics so that Malcom and Duncan don't have them. Canmore has been trying to keep the PCs safe(r) by not wanting them to get too involved so he had been manipulating them in to helping (he has been Kara, Caleb, Kevin, the orc prisoner, and a couple other random people that they met) trying to guide the PCs towards his goals. He further states that of the 11 relics, he has 1, the PCs have 3, his brothers have 4, and 3 are still, apperently, in custody of the council wherever they hid them in the first place.

4) The scarred sage and timor remeet with the PCs. every body goes back to the city.

5) Basil and Melenna learn that the bullthorn army is in the process of packing up to go back to the elven lands. and they no longer have deputy rights within the city (thus can not brandish weapons or aide in policing, etc)

6) The body of theurge is left at a temple of ioun, the body of talus is left with the bullthorn captain for transport back to talus' family.

7) Basil, Sydd, Nyssa, the Scarred Sage, and Timor go meet with Rohan (royal mayor) in order to explain (since explaining to rohan is a way to get an audience with the king). they then successfully convince him of the story (retold canmore's version of things) and get an appointment with the king for the next day

8) Canmore, Melenna, and Brennan have been waiting back at camp. They also recombined the jade pieces to reform the statue, only to learn that it is a statue of Sureya. Basil raises concerns that it is not just a statue but might potentially be sureya herself transformed in to jade. so it is not sold but they ask the scarred sage to hold on to it for them at his tower.

9) Basil, Sydd, Nyssa, and the Scarred Sage go meet with the king the next day and explain the story to him. he thanks them for all their hard work thus far. he also requests the Necklace of the Ruby Flame from them (which Basil turns over). Sydd also (unknown to canmore) gives the king a drawing of what canmore looks like. The King also asks for a) the other two artifacts that the PCs have (the boots of the traveler and the shadowfell earrings), b) wants to talk to canmore himself (since he is the source of the information, information that contains a lot of state secrets, but it is also several bold claims of the red kings children and such -- a sensitive topic to be certain), c) he wants the scroll with the ritual to destory the necklace that they mentioned they had, d) wants any recommendations that the PCs have for getting the remaining artifacts from Malcom and Duncan

10) The king further goes to say that he'll have his people take appropriate precaustions now that they have a better idea what to watch for (i.e. scrying at night, keeping the items mobile, and better guards, etc).

11) The PCs have an appointment to remeet with the king in two days (Nov 4, 10am) with the agenda items he mentioned

12) Since the scroll to destroy the necklace was an easy one, they took that to rohan a couple hours later that same morning

13) Canmore is not happy at all that his name or heritage were used when had specifically asked not to out of fear of the reaction his lineage would get (as was evidenced by the same reaction the PCs got when he told them) and also since he feels he has the best chance of stopping his brothers and can not do that if he is caught up explaining himself instead of working towards finding or destroying the artifacts.

14) The PCs are preparing to go around the city to find out what they can of "The Mistress" that they heard of from the goblinoid before ...


In game end of session: nov 2, 7791, 2pm.

fba827

Some minor events from the session listed out of order to make the summary easier.

1. Talus and Basil passed an initiation test, becoming honorary members of the Kaytar Orc Tribe of Kethlowood forest. Brennan had to pass a series of longer tests but also eventually became an honorary member of the tribe. The three now have tribal tattoos as marks of their victory.

2. Melenna and Theurge used the time to continue searching the tribe's tents but still found nothing that they were looking for.

3. They did, however, see an orc being brought in as a prisoner - he was caught snooping around and is not part of the tribe.

4. The orc prisoner was revealed to be some sort of shapechanger, but he would not reveal his true form. Though he did make it clear that he knew the PCs and that he wanted their help to escape before sunset or else the entire tribe would be in danger. Eventually, he was kept at the tribe in care of the chief while the PCs went off.

5. The party went to the Scarred Sage's tower in order to make their appointment with him. The five of them, plus the Sage, then left to go investigate the mysteries at Talon Lake.

6. They find a few more dead bodies, and also meet Timor, an officer sent by Boreas (high priest of Melora) to investigate. He does not mention the underwater cavern but the PCs do notice that he is wet.

7. Theurge goes to check the underwater cavern to see if anything has changed. He realizes that the water in the lake has been recently poisoned. But nothing in the cavern itself has changed, save a pair of fresh water footprints (most likley Timor's)

8. Melenna learns that the local flora and fauna that feeds off the lake is poisoned, just like the lake itself is. But the timing of the darkness at the lake does not coincide with the apparent start of the lake's poisoning.

9. Brennan takes a horse to go and check on the crazy cat lady, to see how from a local's perspective things may have changed. The Scarred Sage and Timor have seemingly wandered off to continue looking at other things.

10. Basil, Melenna, Talus, and Theurge find themselves in a difficult fight against a shadow creature and three smaller shadow versions of themselves.

11. After being sucked inside the belly of the shadow monstrosity, both Talus and Theurge are eventually spit out, as corpses. While Melenna and Basil eventually kill the things from a safe distance.

12. Melenna casts gentle repose on the corpses of her fallen allies.

In-game session end time: Oct 25 7791, near Talon Lake. Talus and Theurge are dead. Basil (with one of the horses) and Melenna are there preserving the bodies. Brennan (with one of the horses) is still off checking on the cat lady. The Sage (with one of the horses) and Timor are somewhere near by.

fba827

In game time at start of session: Oct 11, 7791 7pm

Some minor items listed out of order of ease of listing.

1. Used the boots and (unknowingly) traveled back to Feb 03, 7791, to the elara mountain pass. Found Basil's grandfather in a fight with 8 humans. Also a pregnant eladrin (Sureya, turned out to be Basil's aunt) and the aunt's son (Arius, who is Duncan's brother) and the son's apprentice (Torin) were there. The humans turned in to devils and then vaporized when they died. Sureya gives birth to Taya, an eladrin-teifling crossbreed (predominatly eladrin but with horns and a tail). And the devils had on their equipment two portal scrolls that would take the caster to some portal on the west coast.

2. Went to the church of Avandra down the road, tended to the mother, baby, and grandfather. Further clarified Basil's relationship to everyone. Saw Queen Marleena at the church also, she was there helping make plans for church evacuation, heard that Sigfried was there as well. No one there heard of Caleb. After 1 hour passed, the boots pulled them all back to their normal timeline, but 5 days later.

3. Went back to the Scarred Sage's tower. Drink with him (though the wine ended up being poisoned). Talked with him about the stuff at Talon Lake, about Taya, about Torin, about the orcs in Kethlowood, and other names and happenings. Agree to meet him again in 4 days to go investigate Talon Lake with him.

4. Return to Kethlwood Forest to see the Orc camp. They find that it has been attacked sometime since they were last here. Many fewer orcs than before and the tents are all in disarray. Speaking to the chief, learn that the Tunkara (albino elves) broke the peace by killing his son a couple days ago. So they have been fighting since.

5. Some Tunkara attacked, PCs help defend the orcs, and took a Tunkara hostage. Talking to him, he says it was the orcs that broke the peace and that they didn't even know about the chief's son.

6. Melenna searched around for the artifact by did not find it

7. the orc chief thanks them for their help in fighting and asks if they want to be honorary members of the tribe.

End of session game time: Oct 21, 7791 4pm

Teaser for next time: finalizing anyone that accepts honorary tribe membership, and most likely going to make their meeting with the scarred sage

fba827

In-Game Session Start Time: 04 Oct 7791, 7pm

(A couple events mentioned in a different order for ease of listing)

1. The group revisits the small farmhouse that they raided and burned, finding several hobgoblins digging through the rubble looking for "the boss' stuff"
2. After a minor cantrip from Melenna, Theurge approaches the hobgoblins, but they act as though they knew him but not expected him, and quickly ask him to help dig and sort
3. A fight eventually breaks out and the hobgoblins are killed, except one left for questioning.
4. Questioning the hobgoblin, they realize he doesn't know much but it seems his boss is Duncan, that Duncan went for a couple days to go swimming, and that there is someone named the mistress that they assume Theurge was sent by. The mistress is loosely described as an eladrin female with "sky gray" hair.
5. The group retake the boots after they reappear 5 days from when they first dissapeared. And they reappeared in the same spot.
6. The group travels to Theta to meet Caleb. Caleb seems to know more than he lets on, but the group tell him that they won't give him the necklace but instead will give it to the next elected high priest of Avandra, since that is the office Caleb said he was working for.
7. The group revisits Talon Lake and find a rotted corpse of a fisherman they spoke to the first time they were here. They check on the cat lady but she is find, just staying in her cabin, though not all her cats are back yet so she was anxious.
8. The group travels 1.5 hours away from the lake and attempt to activate the boots again, this time with everyone in the zone ...

In-Game Session End Time: 11 Oct 7791, 7pm

Teaser for next session:
You all gathered around while Brennan put on the boots, and then you all concentrate to activate them. Dust and debris kicks up all around you and Basil feels a little weaker. As the sandstorm subsides, the five of you find yourselves on the mountain ridge road at the Elara Mountain Pass. Behind you is a woman on the ground, apparently in labor, and further beyond her is the Avandra Temple though it seems full of life and activity compared to when 3 of you were there before. In front of you is a skirmish of several humans attacking this lone eladrin (that Basil thinks might be his grandfather), while two cloaked figured are running up the road trying to avoid the combat.

fba827

In-Game Session Start Time: 02 Oct 7791, noon

(A couple events mentioned in a different order for ease of listing)

1. The group finished diving treasure found from the last major battle
2. Theurge experimented with the magical boots, it caused a teleportation zone but Theurge kicked off the boots and ran out of the zone, causing the boots to vanish on their own, leaving trace amounts of residiuum where they vanished from
3. Melenna recals an eladrin childhood of an eladrin known as the Traveler who takes people to visit long lost relatives and then brings them back a few days later -- while she had no knowledge of the boots, the effect that the boots caused (the cyclone, the residuum, etc) is the same that she knows from this supposedly-make-believe stories.
4. Aleena thanked the party for their help and left. The group let her take the horse and wagon so that she could more easily travel back to Metia, where she is going to take are of her mother's funeral arrangements.
5. Melenna had a strange vision of Tarvos soldiers doing a patrol in some mountains, it seemed as though she was seeing through someone else's eyes. Though she has no idea specifically where this was or who the soldiers were.
6. The group is tracked down by a messenger. He delivers a package from Caleb but then gets scared away by Theurge (who was attempting to make sure the delivery man was really just a delivery man). The package contained a letter from Caleb (saying he was the same guy who hired them originally, apologizing for getting Bree involved, giving them partial payment, saying he'll be in Theta on the 10th, saying how to destroy the necklace, and a couple other subtle hints in the text and word usage in the letter)
7. On the back of the letter Talus' keen eye sight notices smudges that are actually bleed through from another sheet of paper that gives them hints on other locations (Kethelood: Skullbearer's tent; Talon Lake: Cavern; Northern sage: allied?; NW small farmhouse!: guarded!)
8. Group goes to Kethlowood Forest, fights an orc patrol that tried to talk in orcish but then battled, and then later they see where the orc village is in the middle of the forest with hundreds of orcs
9. They leave and go to talon lake, toss Theurge into the water. They find an underground cavern with melora religious symbols, a small tree-like altar with obsidian earrings, and some shadowfell ichor suspended on the ceiling.
10. they take the earrings which releases a shadowfell goo into the ground above, making things above ground around Talon Lake seem a bit deeper/shadowy


End session: 04 Oct 7791 7pm. Resting about 1.5 hours away from lake. With the three warhorses from Bullthorn army

fba827

The group left the Scarred Sage's Tower, and headed east, towards Theta, but staying off-road so as to limited who might be pursuing them.

After traveling for about half-an-hour they came across a the site of a previous battle. There was a dead horse attached to a covered wagon, along with a dead armored man, and a young girl (around 14-16yo) who was, surprisingly, still alive. She was pulling the wagon apart looking for something.

The group approached her, and after some discussion learned her back story. Her name is Aleena Brightspear, her mother is Sarah Brightspear (the high priestess of Pelor, who also serves on the Tarvos Kingdom's council). Sarah and 4 others were found dead this morning with the elven army's symbol craved in to their foreheads. The city is investigating within the city, however Aleena is convinced that something else is going on. Because, the day before she and her mother (and now-dead guard) were attacked here on the road by some goblins who attempted to steal her mother's chest of clothes. Aleena figured it was more than a coincidence and so she came back to this battle site looking for clues. While talking to her, Aleena also made mention of seeing a tiefling in the woods during the fight but he was gone by the time she looked up again.

The group helped Aleena search and eventually found goblin tracks. Following the tracks then ended up at an old farmhouse, surrounded by a few small tents. Walking around the area were several goblins.

The group approached the goblins and asked (going on a hunch) to speak with Duncan. The goblins said Duncan wasn't there but then they started demanding to know who the PCs were.

The PCs simply drew blades - the affiliation with Duncan and the fact that he wasn't there was enough of a reason for the PCs to want to attack. During the fight, Melenna went inside the farmhouse only to discover 4 hobgoblins inside. Melenna fled back out but the hobgoblins continued to remain inside.

Once the goblins were killed, the group tried to lure the hobgoblins out. At first they tried some tricks, but in the end they started burning the house to smoke the hogoblins out.

After a while, the hobgoblins leapt out of the second floor window with a large clothes chest (Aleena identified it as her mother's chest).

It was a very long and hard fight with the 4 hobgoblins, but in the end, they were killed.

Aleena was filled with relief since, in her mind, she has just avenged who she blames for her mother's death (the fact that they had her mom's stuff was enough evidence for her that they were involved in the previous day's attack).

Basil quickly rode to a safe distance (not wanting the necklace artifact to raise the goblinoids as undead) while the others put out the house fire, kept an eye out for trouble, and searched the wreckage.

It's now month 10, day 2, noon-ish.

fba827

(not exactly in order, some things of similar topic are said together to streamline this)

1. Party heads out of Metia (approx 10pm). As they leave, Theurge leaves various notes with different contacts telling them slightly different things regarding expected direction, Melenna and Basil get three warhorses from camp, and Talus and Brennan retrieve the horse and cart they had stowed at the Blue Ox Inn.

2. They do a little backtracking to hopefully lose anyone (if anyone) following them and then camp for the night.

3. They visit the Scarred Sage in the morning. He is a little nervous of the group at first, saying for months he has had dreams about the 5 of them bringing a heart of fire leading a skeletal army to his door.

4. The Scarred Sage says it's an artifact - a highly powerful magic item beyond normal abilities. He also makes a passing comment that this is the second time someone came to him to discuss an artifact recently (after some pressing he says someone from the office of Ioun came by a week ago, but it isn't his business to discuss what the matter was about)

5. The Sage doing some research and experiments and determines a few random pieces of information regarding the necklace (some of this was already known by the PCs and discussed with the Sage).
a) he can't be certain without a lot more research but the method to destroy the necklace may require the use of an equally powerful object that focuses opposite energy than what the necklace focuses on
b) the necklace mentally communicated with the holder (don't need to wear it for it to communicate)
c) the necklace pics up general and basic immediate thoughts of the holder, but it isn't mind reading in to deep thoughts of history
d) it's aware of the surroundings based on the holder's perspective (sight and sound)
e) if worn, grants fire resistance (5 + 1/2 wearer's level)
f) if worn and used as an implement, any power with the Arcane, Implement, and Fire keywords (all three) has its damage increased by 5 + 1/2 the level of the power
g) the undead are under her control as the necklace sees fit
h) the necklace can raise corpses within (X) feet
i) This is the Necklace of the Ruby Flame
j) he knows of a similar item from over a millennia ago, when a young wizard named Malik obtained and used it but the undead under his control eventually turned on him, no doubt he and the necklace came to a disagreement
k) the necklace is definitely sentient and has its own motives, this is probably why she has been whispering evil and disruptive things in hopes of causing discord to further its goals (whatever they are)
l) although this point was not discussed with the sage, you also know (based on the journal) that the red king was seen using a raise undead power that appeared similar in effect to what this necklace can do
m) there is probably more but that is all that you have collectively figured out by now

6) While on a trail, the party is greeted by a tiefling standing in the road before them with goblins getting in to position on either side of the road. He does some sort of grab on Theurge and then says he just wants to talk, asking why they have involved themselves.

7) Over the course of talking with the Tiefling, they learn a few things --
a) his name is Duncan
b) he is one of three tiefling triplets
c) Canmore is another tiefling, Duncan doesn't seem to like Canmore, and Duncan seems sure that the party if working for/with Canmore
d) Theurge feels like he knows Duncan and has some instinct to attack
e) Duncan makes reference to being late for his "appointment with that harlot Sarah"
f) Duncan seems to have a severe dislike for elves, constantly dismissing Talus or, if addressing him, referring to him as a dog.
g) Duncan offered Brennan the option to join him.
h) Duncan offered that they leave the necklace and go home forgetting that they were ever involved
i) He seems insistent that Talus has the necklace (even after Talus had given the necklace to Basil while out of sight)
j) He knows of Theurge's race, saying that Theurge is playing for the wrong side of the game but at the same time, he doesn't care because Theurge is so weak and therefore it doesn't matter.
k) he refers to the goblins as Green Fists (though not sure if that's the name of this group of goblins of just the name Duncan gives to goblins in general)

8) Duncan is better trained than the PCs (he was able to dodge/avoid almost all attacks). He was using his gauntlets to hold PCs in place or to do a force burst for an area effect. after a long chase fight, Duncan eventually got away. He also wore chainmail and had a longsword strapped to his back (which he never unsheathed and just used his guantlet attacks the whole time)

9) The PCs fought the goblins (and wolves) killing them and getting the necklace out of range of the dead quickly so the corpses did not come to life

10) During the night, The Sage's crystal flashed as a warning that they were being scryed.

11) Basil, Melenna, and Talus got a general announcement over their armbands from their Captain "This is a general announcement - any Bullthorns in Metia are to report to base camp immediately. Any Bullthorns outside of the city must report to camp before entering the city."

12) The Sage will continue to research the Necklace of the Ruby Flame. The PCs will check back when they have time

At the end of the session, it is now 7791 October 02 07:00. The party is preparing to leave the Scarred Sage's tower (where they spent the night) due to the fact that they were being scryed upon last night.

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I find myself wanting to post more detailed narratives for session journals, but, alas, the time never seems to be there.

So the few I did write in narrative style are very very rushed. And those not in narrative style are basically outlines.

Sorry to anyone has been reading and finds them non-flowing rough outline/lists. I wish I had more time to make them better.

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(just leaving this simple for now -- will flesh it out later)

1. In the sewers, the party finished formalizing their agreement with Sigfried

2. Two eladrin came down to the sewers, they are part of Talus' military unit. They say they were assigned to follow Talus because the captain was worried he was starting trouble (his name is linked to the incident at the royal mayor's office as well how odd it is that Sigfried was here to see talus specifically)

3. While still in the sewers, they are all attacked by some goblins

4. After the goblins are killed, they all spring to life with mystical energy and fire, just like the corpses did at the church the day before.

5. Searching the bodies they find a small note that simply said "Find him in the market square"

6. The group goes to the Church of Ioun (where Sigfried told them to go to get the ritual scroll he discussed). Katara gives them the scroll and ritual components and asks if it has anything to do with the royal announcement at noon (which it didn't).

7. The announcement turns out to be the king himself.. he has returned (from hiding) to the city to declare that Tarvos considers the war to be officially over since there has not been sign of the Red King for a month.

8. At the library (connected to the Church of Ioun) they do research and find a reference to a young mage named Malik who overnight seemed to turn in to one of the strongest necormancers and pyromancers. Theurge hides the book under a floorboard so that they could get it later

9. A library page approaches Brennan, asking if he's seen him somewhere before. The page makes reference to how he and his friends were at some jewelry shop looking at some fine quality necklaces, then asking if they bought it. He goes on to say that if they like such good quality, they should check out Brightspear's cobbler shop. Although she is out of town, she should be back tomorrow. Brennan and Theurge take hostile actions towards the page, figuring him a liar. Then later figure there must be impostors pretending to be them going around town.

10. They go to the Three-Legged Unicorn, a tavern in the seedier part of town) to get away and talk.

11. Brennan hires someone to try and find the impostors

12. The army elves get an official okay from their Captain to do what Sigfried is asking as long as it's in the best interest of the city and doesn't endanger their own elven kingdom.

13. More research was done on the necklace, and they find a journal of Chester Copperpot, that tells the tale as he is escaping the Red King in Janus and in it, it mentions that the Red King was able to raise dead as beings of walking dead on fire.

14. At the Church of ioun they seek out the page that approached them before. But he's not there and the people at the church say they have no idea who that was.

15. Later on, some fighting breaks out between Theurge and Brennan as each no longer trusts the other to hold it. To stop the fight, Talus took the necklace to keep with him.

16. As the day starts coming to an end, around 10pm, the group decides that they will leave that night, out of the city with the necklace, to find a way to hide or destory the item.

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The group gets back to the Metia

(leaving this brief for now, will flesh it out later)

1) Left the rescued family at the Blue Ox Inn

2) The contact that hired them was not at the meeting spot, so Theurge waited while the others did other searching

3) Talus goes to find Sigfried Waterfield, and finds out that he is a high priest of Avandra that serves on the royal council of advisors to the king. Sigfried isn't at his office so Talus leaves a message for him with the aide.

4) Brennan goes to the royal mayor's office in case Sigfried isn't found or is corrupt. The administrative aide there isn't able to let Brennan see the royal mayor since he's busy, so Brennan leaves a message (saying that Talus Thistlewhite needs to talk to him). Brennan then makes sarcastic comments abouthow bad things could happen if he doesn't get to speak to the royal mayor. The aide takes this as a threat. Brennan gets escorted out of the office and told if he ever is seen there again, he will be tossed in prison.

5) Theurge is still waiting until dawn, but still no sign of their contact.

6) Talus gets a message from his Captain to report to base camp immediately because Sigfried himself was there wanting to talk to him.

7) Talus speaks to Sigfried, and Sigfried is frieghtened by the idea of the necklace being in the city. So he follows Talus to where the necklace is

8) Theurge, not wanting to be exposed hides in the sewer.

9) Everyone ends up talking in the sewer. The PCs don't want to give it to Sigfried in case he's corrupt. Sigfried wants it insisting that it can't be in the city because it attracts things.

10) Sigfried is also concerned because only the people on the council know about the necklace so he's concerned as to who this person that hired the PCs is, as well as the goblins that had a map of the temple and necklace's hiding place.

11) The PCs bargain with Sigfried that they will take it out of the city and hide it. Sigfried agrees under the conditions that a) it's done quickly b) it's done quietly c) where they hide it is safe from others getting it d) where they hide it is protected from the necklace by casting a certain ritual (he says he'll make arrangements for them to get the needed ritual scroll)

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Upon reaching the church, they leave the horse and wagon around the corner of the perimeter wall. They inspect the gate and find the barricade bar smashed in pieces on the outside, so they are able to gently push the gate door open and peek inside.

There is a series of five buildings (the center far back one being the largest), an open courtyard in the middle, and a well. Quickly, they realize that the crumbled map they found on the ambushing goblins is the same layout as this church.

Cautiously they begin to move in to the courtyard. To the left building they can hear a baby crying while to the right they hear what sounds like a lot of things breaking.

Deciding a child would be important, they go to the left door first. It's not locked but blocked by something on the inside, so they crawl in through the window. They find a large open room that seemed to at one time serve as traveler lodging and game room. At the door they can see someone had blocked it with several cots. In the corner is a woman cradling a crying infant.

Theurge attempts to speak to her, but it is clear that she is suffering signs of shock and is unresponsive, doing nothing but cradling her child.

Bree is able to eventually talk to the woman. She explains that she and her family were out last night chased by kobolds so they took shelter here. But her husband and other child were separated when they entered the church so they're out there still, somewhere.

The group promises that they will look for the rest of her family and take her back to the city, that she should stay here where it's safe and they'll come back.

They knock and listen at the next door. There is a little shuffling noise but then it is silent. So they leave that building alone for now.

Next they head to the door to the right of the entrance, where they heard the crashing and breaking noises. They open the door and find what appeared to be a dining hall and kitchen area. Scavenging around are several large rats knocking jars and dishes off of the shelves. Two of the rats are dire rats and turn to attack the party, but are quickly dispatched. The group goes no further in to the building and instead simply closes the door.

They head to the main worship hall, find some dead bodies dressed in Avandra robes. There are some stirges in the rafters that they kill. They then push the altar to the side. As it slides, a magic mouth appears on the altar warning that, "Be aware that opening this lockbox will alert Sigfried Waterfield himself"

The group does eventually open up the lockbox and find a sword as well as the necklace item they were looking for. As soon as the necklace is taken out of the altar's space, the dead bodies in the chamber behind to hover in mystical energy and fire, as if being pulled to life like a puppet on strings. A fight ensues and the PCs eventually kill them.

With the item in hand, the group wants to hurry back to the city. Two of them head to the wagon and get the woman and infant ready. While the other two start quickly running to the other buildings to search for the remaining father and son.

They find one dead body, but he doesn't look like the husband. However, they do find a loose brick with some ritual scrolls hidden behind it. In the other building, they find the missing child who says his father had jumped out the window to lead the mean things chasing them away.

Taking the child but not yet having found the husband, they decide to take the family (without the husband) back to the city and come back later to find him.

As they are leaving, they spot the husband being taken up the mountain side by some kobolds. They realize that chasing them up the mountain and back would ruin their chances of getting back to the city in time. But, they know rescuing him would be important, so they run after him, fight the kobolds, and reunite him with his family.

They continue on back to the city. The border guard initially stops them, but upon seeing Talus' miltary insignia, they simply wave them through.

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It is early morning in Metia, and the city is busy with its normal routine. Unknown to four random strangers, their day is about to be anything but ordinary.

Talus is busy cleaning up his space in the shelter he stayed at last night. Occasionally pausing in his routine to help another refugee fold sheets and similar tasks.

Brennan and Bree are (separately) heading to the market square for breakfast.

Theurge is walking through some alleyways when he happens to notice an odd sight. Out of the city sewers, a group of 10 goblins start skulking through the shadows and head directly to a shelter. He does not take action yet but follows to see what is going on.

Once reaching a door to a shelter (the same one Talus is in), the goblins draw their weapons, push a young boy out of the way, and kick open the door. Those outside (Theurge, Brenan, and Bree) quickly decide to help seeing how the goblins are obviously up to no good. While Talus, inside the shelter, springs in to action to protect the refugees from the assault.

The two lead goblins speak to each other briefly in the goblin language, but no one else seemed to know what they said.

Those outside shoot down the rear ranks of the goblins. While Talus, and a couple refugees wielding random improvised weapons were able to block the door and take down the goblins before they got to the others. One goblin did manage to break a window and so a few did get inside, but it still no use. The goblins were defeated before any of the refugees were killed.

With the fight ended, all but one of the refugees quickly flee, thankful they still have their lives. The one that does remain approaches the four strangers. "My, how Avandra shines," he begins, "it is fortunate that you were here to save us and that I as here to find you... I was just preparing for a dangerous journey, and seeing how you handled these green skins, it seems you could handle it better than I. It seems Avandra's hand has guided us together, would you at least listen to my offer over breakfast?"

The four strangers say they will listen, but that they will do so a couple blocks away since the city patrol will be busy here for cleanup. As if on cue, the patrol come to assess the situation and the refugee leaves to go get breakfast.

Once the patrolmen collect the information, they dismiss this as a random attack of ruffians trying to get supplies. The patrolmen thank the strangers for their help, and then head off. Leaving the four strangers to head to the meeting sight to speak with the refugee.

The refugee arrives with a tray of stew, apologizing for the meager offerings but reminds that it is all that is available due to the food rationing. "Now, as for what I was saying before," he continues, "I am part of a special order of Avandra. During the chaos of evacuating the church, something was left behind and it is very important that we get it back. The journey to the church will be dangerous and I fear for my own safety, but after the skill you all just displayed, I thought I would try my luck and ask you since you seem more than capable."

"My order is able to pay you well, 300 gold pieces for your trouble. In fact, I will double this if you are able to get the item and return it to me before sunset so that I can hurry back to my order tonight with it. I know this is a lot of money, but this is very important to us."

When asked for more details, the refugee continues, "It is a gold-link necklace with a ruby pendant. It's hidden in a secret panel under the altar of the church. And the church is just on the other side of the Mountain Pass. I can let you borrow my horse and wagon in order to speed up your journey. However, I will need the horse and wagon back once you return. Nothing else left at the church is of consequence to the order, so you can keep anything other than the necklace that you find. Do we have a deal?"

The strangers discuss the matter and eventually agree then hurry off so as to get back before sunset.

While riding the cart, they head west, passing through some countryside, see some soldiers practicing off in the distance, and eventually cross the border guard. The guard doesn't anyone from leaving, simply warns them to be careful because kobolds are known to come down from the mountains at night, so no issues or delays are had at the border.

As they continue to ride, there is a log blocking the road. The training and experience of the four tip them off to an ambush so they quickly hop out and prepare. Sure enough, there is a set of goblins hiding on the road side but the party quickly dispatches them.

On one of the dead goblins, they find a crumbled up parchment map showing some buildings and a large "X" - not knowing what it is for, the party puts it for review later. They also find a protective cloak and decide to use it.

Without much more to do, they clear the log blocking the road and eventually make it to the church they were sent to.

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