Facing Orcus (Update: Included Mesh Hongs Campaign - Heroic Tier)
Thats about right, I have 3 strikers, 2 leaders and a defender, between them they deal out a lot of damage. This was also the only encounter they thought they were going to have that day so they let rip with their daily powers and major item effects.
The warlord has a power that means that when any PC crits all the PCs get a free attack, that can really bump up the DPS. The paladin also gets an opportunity attack when ever his challenged target attacks someone other than him, that gives him more attacks.
Also remember damage from zones and ongoing damage from powers, it all adds up.
Well here you go, I havn't done a lot of proof reading so I hope it reads OK:
PART 1 - HEROIC TIER (1 to 13)
Background
The campaign starts in Titans Crown, a town built on a lump of rock in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest. There are four small farms within a day’s travel of Titans Crown but otherwise it is completely isolated. Titans Crown is an independent community separated from the “Empire” whose nearest settlement is about 700-1000 miles away (I made a map and was a bit enthusiastic with the scale, this is now a long running joke in the campaign).
The two closest major settlements to Titans Crown are:
- Holdfast – a major dwarven city built inside “The Three Peaks” mountain range.
- Crystal Spires – an Eladrin town nestling just inside the fey wild, famous for its wizards school, “The Crystal Spires University”.
PCs
Brand Wolfheim – Human, Paladin
A nobles son (from Titans Crown) who joined the church or Erathis as a champion. He is one of a small number of Paladins in Titans Crown. The Paladins are all nobles and as they have very little to do they treat their headquarters as a social club.
Botoxilain Darkleaf – Half Elf, Cleric
A true believer in the power of the community and a native of Titans Crown. He has grown into the role of organising the community and helping it work together and as such is well known and liked. (note: the slight silliness of his name lead to a long running joke in the campaign where all half elves have outrageous names with either X’s or Z’s in them)
Jerimiah Goldstone – Human, Warlord
Jerimiah is the son of a middle class family who joined the military to improve his status. He now holds a special place in Titans Crowns watch, while he has great tactical insight and intelligence he is not suitable for command of the towns watch and has found himself sidelined, spending his days compiling tactical reports. (note: the reason he has been sidelined is that he is too honest, Titans Crown is a finely balanced utopian society that relies on an ingrained but stable level of corruption – not that the PCs know this at this point).
Galen – Human, Rogue
Galens parents died when he was young and he was brought up on the street, where he was apprenticed to a number of kind individuals who taught him how to survive. Galen knows the two criminal syndicates that operate in Tiatans Crown:
- The Barony of Kind, who run upper town
- The Sveegal Brotherhood, who run lower town
Galen is renowned for keeping a neutral profile between the two, and has always kept to low level crimes so as not to draw too much attention to himself, as he was taught.
Tellis Eladril – Eladrin, Warlock
Tellis is from Crystal Spires, and is the son of a poorly regarded family. His parents didn’t ever really seem to get on with the rest of the community. Tellis went to the University to learn magic but was thrown out for “having no magical talent”, it wasn’t his fault he was a warlock and not a wizard.
Tellis came to Titans Crown for a change of scenery and to find work, when he arrived he was given free lodging by the Sveegal Brotherhood to act as an occasional advisor, one of Galens jobs is to keep in touch with Tellis to make sure he has everything he needs.
Rayon – Elf, Ranger
Rayon is a young Elf from the small community of Thrinsdale which is about a weeks travel from Titans Crown. He is going through the Elven tradition of wandering where before claiming adulthood Elves must travel to other Elven communities and learn a variety of customs and forest lore. Rayon decided he would instead learn about human settlements and travelled to Titans Crown to see what it was like. He wasn’t particularly well received but is working as a woodsman and hunter.
Heroic Tier Plot (introduction)
- There has been a series of earth tremors, and the northern community of Far Farm have missed a scheduled delivery. Lord Cragstein (ruler of Titans Crown) gathers the group (except Galen) and tells them to go out there and check everything is alright.
- Galen’s criminal contacts ask him to go out to Far Farm to collect the latest shipment of ‘special honey’, which is an illegal potent blend of alcohol and honey made by a secret process which is very popular among the upper classes of Titans Crown.
- When the group get to Far Farm they find the buildings sunk into the ground at odd angles and bodies buried up to their waists in a pattern that suggests they were fleeing the area.
- Kruthik encounter, with the little buggers popping out of the ground. When this is over the group spot some goblins watching from the forest who take the opportunity to attack the group. When they are defeated and an uneasy truce is brokered the goblins say they know what caused the earthquakes and will lead the group to the source. The goblins lead them into the forest and straight into a sneaky ambush, cunning goblin buggers!
- Investigation of the corpses reveals a map that leads them through the forest to a clearing. The clearing is a large black ash field with a ring of dead trees in the centre of it, the unusual thing about these trees is that they are all chained tightly to the ground, and creaking softly even though there is no breeze.
- At the centre of the ash field is a hole in the ground that leads to an underground temple. In the temple the group face some undead then discover an ornamental pool of black water. When they approach a series of necrotic tendrils reach out and grab them….
- The group are transported into a valley, in the middle of a huge battle. They can see a vast army of undead, Cyclops, and fomorians surrounding a force of Eladrin who are falling back to form a circle on the valley floor. Heroically the group skirmish their way to join the Eladrin (stopping to help a few groups on the way with healing and moral support) then they push their way into the centre of the circle where Tellis realises his father (Theron) and the dean of the university (Savander), both seeming very much younger, are arguing over using a rutual. Also at this point a rainbow dragon flies overhead chased by three dragons (red, black and white).
Savander forces Theron to activate the ritual, and the group see a towering demon summoned (Notan – Aspect of Orcus). At this point things start to happen very quickly and the group are disorientated in the battle, but an angel (Veledra – angel of the Raven Queen) appears overhead a large magical wave flows over the entire valley catching everyone present and the group appear back in the underground temple shaken and confused over what had just happened.
(Summary so far)
- About 75 years before the campaign starts there was a brief but important war between forces of the Shadowfell and the Fey Wild. The two armies met in the middle world.
- When the forces of the Fey Wild were looking beaten Tellis’s father used a ritual he had discovered to summon aid on the insistence of the Dean of the University. This actually summoned an aspect of Orcus, at that point an angel of the Raven Queen also stepped in.
- Tellis knew nothing about this war, but it did go some way to explaining the small amount of people in Crystals Spires relative to its size, and also why the people their shunned his family.
- The war was really an elaborate ruse by Orcus to draw out the Raven Queen and force a diplomatic crisis between the Gods, hoping that she would intervene directly and break the Gods pact of “no direct interference”. What actually happen was that a couple of well intentioned Angels of the Raven Queen took matters into their own hands and Pholtus (the god of law) decided to step in to stop inference with the middle world. Pholtus halted proceedings, banished Notan and Veledra into a holding prison and enforced a contract which stated that champions representing each side would emerge and face each other in a winner takes all personal conflict. Unfortunately this in itself was in opposition of the gods non interference policy and resulted in the rest of the gods finding Pholtus in contempt, punishable by destruction of the god and the eradication of all references and memories of him from existence. (The PCs don’t find this out until late Heroic/Paragon tier, when they get their hands on a copy of the contract!)
- Under the contract the only people whose souls were not held in limbo were the Dean (who was the contract anchor, and neutral), Tellis’s father (who did a deal to side with the Raven Queen), an angel of the Raven Queen (who was cast out for acting out of turn), and three dragons who were resistant, but not completely immune to the contract and could not be held. Tellis’s father then spent the next 40 years gathering an adventuring group who tried to reverse the curse and contract he was under, and tried to find the chosen champions who would fight on behalf of the Raven Queen…..
On with the plot
- The group travelled to Crystal Spires to talk to Tellis’s family. When they get there they found a group of old adventurers at Tellis’s house, some of whom seemed familiar from the groups childhoods.
- Tellis talks to his farther who apologises for never telling him his families history but says that he and his friends have spent their lives trying to pay their debt and undo the chain of events that they have started. Then ravens start to congregate around him, and in a touching and disturbing scene Theron tells Tellis that he loves him as he is ripped to shred by Ravens, saying that he knew this was coming.
- The next thing the group did was confront Savander Raytouched (dean of the university). They got to see him and discovered that he had gone quite mad, saying that he was cursed. It became apparent that he was possessed by at least 6 different entities (3 dragons, the aspect of slaughter, the aspect of destruction, a fallen angel of the Raven Queen and maybe all the souls that lost their lives at the battle). In his lucid moments he apologised for his error and said that he was the “curse anchor” and physically linked to all the parties involved in the curse. He then led the group down to his work room where he had a massive blackboard filled with mad notes and rantings, here he inferred that the creatures possessing him would know anything that he did, but the only way to lift the curse was to hunt down the creatures one by one and destroy them. He then pointed at the names of dragons on his board under the title of “The Lords of Winter” and gave them a series of rituals that could be used to turn the dragons hearts into magical bracers to help them in their mission. They left in a state of confusion but made sure to inform the authorities at the university that their dean was no longer fit for leadership and should be watched.
- Back at the house that night shadowy figures started appearing as if waiting for something. Tellis’s mother (Samsarrow) gathered her old comrades and desperately started preparing a ritual. As the shadowy minions of the Raven Queen approached the PCs were told to fend them off while Samsarrow finished the ritual.
The group did this and were very surprised when Tellis’s mothers ritual ended with her friends either killing themselves or allowing her to kill them. This ritual’s completion turned Samsarrow into a Lich, at which point the Minions of the Raven Queen faded away as their targets souls could not be collected.
- The compounded shock for Tellis was pushed further as his mother (if she still was his mother) informed him that he had a twin sister who she had kept secret from his father and was in great danger. Without further a do she collected her adventurers gear, saddled her horse and said Kaya (the daughter) was being looked after in Holdfast, and she was going to get her.
NOTE: Orcus couldn’t believe his luck when Pholtus stepped in and forged a divine contract, this was something he could exploit with devastating consequences. Orcus took the opportunity to prophesise that an Eladrin would be born that carried his blood and would grow to become his champion (this was so he could invest it with his own power); the Raven Queen as the mistress of fate saw what he was trying to do so added that in the same birth a child with her blood would also be born as her champion. One of these is Tellis and one of these is Kaya.
- The group rummaged through the remaining possessions at the house and found a diary written by Theron and left for them. This was a handout printed as an A5 booklet I gave them:
Expedition to Moon Ridge
The rock filled pit between the howling stone and the graves of stolen promise seems to have at one time been the entrance to some sort of temple. From remnants of old pillars and several paving stones we have deduced that Orcus was worshipped here in some form or other, maybe three or four hundred years ago.
There was also evidence of magical seepage probably from an underground source which has tainted the natural wildlife.
The animals in the area seem to be possessed of an unnatural intelligence and quickly grew accustomed to our camp routine and martial abilities.
Wolves, drakes and vermin make the area their home. We dispatched many in the three days we were camped, including what we assumed was their Alpha male. A large Dire wolf with a crown of horns which were covered in a thick acidic substance that made wounds almost unbearable to endure.
We finally abandoned camp without finding a serviceable entrance, or discovering anything else of value. The followers of Orcus have been at this place but perhaps their work here is complete.
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Tomb of Hadrak von Helmstein
By means of favour and not some considerable coin we were granted permission by Lord Cedric Helmstein (the sub cursor von was dropped some sixty years hence for reasons we have not been able to determine at this time) to open the family vault at Vikensburg.
We descended four floors below the surface into a suspiciously elaborate family tomb. Along the way Baztox was impaled twice with spear traps, one missing his heart by a matter of inches. We also came across several obscured pits, some of which on closer inspection contained vicious poisoned spikes at their bases twenty feet down.
On the fourth floor we noticed that the ancient sarcophagi had been recently disturbed and their contents removed.
Sam noticed tracks in the ancient dust and what appeared to be the waxy residue from candle stubs. Our suspicions were realised when we came upon a chamber that had been cleared out and had been daubed with black texts and dark symbols, a bloodied circle was still just visible on the ground. We had finally found the birthing ring of undead that had been terrorising the townsfolk. But what other foul treachery had been spawned there?
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The aspect of Notan exists in three legendary scriptures:
The purple blood brood manual of ever lasting evil
This is the much rumoured original text for the creation of powerful undead. It is said the Xxerticux the flailing prince transcribed it while under the dominant eye of Vecna.
It is assumed that there is information on the forms and powers of Orcus.
The gentle words of the white elder
A copy of this text was rumoured to have been sold for over one thousand astral diamonds about forty years ago in Port Kromstein.
It is said to be the direct teachings and reflections of the Raven Queen herself. This book must have something important to say about Orcus (her sworn enemy).
Surviving the Abyss (extract – cult of Orcus)
A complete copy of this mysterious work has never been discovered. In fact ownership of even a page is rumoured to be a death sentence. I have heard talk of a cabal of “Black Mages” who plunder the abyss for rare magical artefacts and powers who guard their secrets well.
Other possible sources
The blasphemy of denied praise – Orcus propaganda
The tale of the strangled hand – Elven folklore
Beyond Pelor’s reach – unknown
Vecna’s Broken Promise – Treatise on undeath
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The Seasons End – Tavern in Long Brook
Room 3, GF
Remove grate from fire, find the set of handles to the left and pull the bottom one only.
The other two handles are trapped.
Descend to the room below, do not step on or hold rungs 15, 18, 20 or 23, they are trapped.
The room below is safe from all scrying / divination
There is an alter of resurrection with two uses left ONE
There is a cabinet with supplies in it.
There is some money in a secret compartment in the second reinforced chest.
If the Wrightbrooks still own the Seasons End tell them you are my son there should still be a lot of credit available behind the bar.
If anyone remembers Marcus Wrightbrook (or if by a miracle he is still alive) there is also a favour owed to the Eladril family.
We bought out his debts on the tavern and his sons home from the DeMorritt family, we asked only for Room 3 and the debt in credit at the bar. They are good people, do not abuse our legacy. Be wary of the DeMorritt family they have strong connections with all manor of illegal goings on.
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Titans Crown
Be aware that the old Dwarven Settlement of Titans Crown holds many secrets and is probably the central point of all our fates.
We have all spent time there in one way or another, either seen or unseen. The history of the place is something you should look into yourself but be certain that all is not as it seems and all is certainly not well.
The Cragstein family history may be worth exploring, there may very well be skeletons in the closet whose bones may be rattled for good effect.
The Church of Moradin also has more then one secret order that may be worth shaking down. Blood as they say is thicker than water, but honour stands forever.
The spire of morning may be worth your while investigating.
Be careful if you have cause to visit the lake at south farm, we sensed an ancient malevolence there.
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Pact dragons.
It is Vor’teth’s belief that the three dragons present at the battle were caught up in the pact.
Koffdraal’yir’Klinder – White dragon.
Fwend’sur’Ylonder – Black dragon
Razanieer’fel’Wrender – Red dragon
It is most likely that they were called or hail from stone sky. Though black dragons are found in swamps therefore it would be worth our while investigating the sinking sea.
Thinking back to the battle I remember seeing the magical tide wash over the dragons who were buffeted by its wake but otherwise seemed unaffected.
Perhaps the arcane properties of dragons resist more than axe and arrow?
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We met a gypsy on the road today, a strange woman travelling alone and undefended. She stayed our feet and talked with us a while, insisting that she had one eye that saw the past and one that saw the future.
Jebit would have none of it and stubbornly distanced himself from the rest of us insisting that the gypsy folk could not be trusted.
We shared some food with her and talked pleasantly for a while about the route she had taken and the path she would take. We assured her that we had had no troubles in more than a week of walking.
She thanked us and by way of returning our hospitality offered to read our fortunes.
Me: “I mourn a child I do not know, and fear a child I will not see”
Wilhelm: “The blood of you ancestors guides your hand to right the wrongs that balance breaks”
Vor’Teth: “You will lie to your comrades to protect the one you wish to kill”
Baztox: “The child you seek sits in the shadow of the autumn tree”
Samsarrow: “You will sacrifice your friends to feed a promise already broken, the blood will never wash from your hand”
Perhaps Jebit was right to have no time for this woman, her divinations have the air of truth but have troubled my party greatly. Her words for Vor’teth and my beloved disturb me. If she speaks the truth what are these lies and what would cause sam to turn against us?
I will not believe that my friends are anything but just and true.
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Fort Durd’Dor
Fort Dur’dor is an interesting place, an old castle surrounded by a more modern town. It appears to be the last bastion of civilisation before the uncompromising wilderness. The outpost of Titans crown lies some seven hundred and fifty miles further north.
The original settlers must have been highly motivated to move such a long way through an unfamiliar and dangerous land.
The dwarven town of Iron Pass lies about two hundred miles up river, situated across the only visible route through the Fell Fall Mountains. I have heard it said that there is a lush tropical jungle surrounding a crystal lake in a hidden valley at the heart of the range. I have even seen it marked on maps, but the dwarfs forbid any travel past Iron Pass and the ore and minerals they produce, and the fine marbles they quarry ensure their continued sovereignty.
There seems to be plenty of work for those with an adventurous spirit in Fort Durd’Dor. They have two guilds set up for the employment of sell swords, and the large garrison of troops stationed at the castle protect the land well enough from assault.
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Whilst we were staying at the Lute of Sweet Comfort tavern we were approached by a young cleric who was looking to hire a reliable team to go on an expedition into the Fell Foot Forest.
He had a rough map that apparently led to a distant shrine that was overdue for consecration. He wished us to escort him to the shrine then bring us back, and was willing to pay the very fair price of three hundred gold to each of us on completion. After some negotiation we settled on two hundred and fifty gold each and we would journey on to Fell Bank instead of returning to Fort Durd’Dor.
The journey to the shrine through the forest was simple enough, a trek of about three hundred miles on horseback. On five occasions we found ourselves travelling the Feywild which we Eladrin found very agreeable though it made me long for my home at Crystal Spire.
The shrine turned out to be a stone alter in the shape of a tree, with eight stone birds circling it facing out. This was the first time I had realised that this was a cleric of the Raven Queen, and I wondered if this was a sign or some sort of way point we were meant to follow.
Milo (the Cleric) tidied up the vegetation and prayed at the altar for some time whilst we stood watch. He then asked if we would like to join him in dedication to the Serenity of the White Lady.
Jebit would have none of it, and when it became apparent that a drop of life essence was required Wilhelm refused. I was happy to assist as were the rest of the party.
We each pricked our smallest finger with a silver needle that Milo was carrying, allowing a single drop to fall onto the alter then we all held hands whilst Milo recited a simple prayer.
Our lady of sorrow sway
Count out our rhythm mark the day
Our footfalls guide our duty know
Towards our fate we gladly go
It was after this that I started to realise that my dream of averting the path of the pact I had made was futile. I can see now that standing at that altar I pledged myself to the fate that she herself set out.
I do not regret this action even now I hold my son in my arms. My fate may be sealed and signed for in blood but my son one day will be free. Savander has promised me he will do everything in his power to help.
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Ibstock
Three days we have been in Ibstock and thrice we have been attacked by spiked and spiny devils in the night.
Vor’teth has been gravely wounded, the poison these devils are covered with seems to also carry a disease of some sort. I fear for Vor’teths life, but we must move on before the authorities here detain us.
They are already suspicious of our seeming trail of destroyed tavern rooms across town. Also the temple of Pelor have started following Jebit after he asked too many question about local devil cults.
I have booked passage on the Queen of the Fell, a river barge that will take us to Port Kromstien. I hope that Vor’teths strength can last.
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The Trial of Thar Gromholmson – Dwarven Folklore
Seven pieces of gold
Six pieces of silver
A shard of bloodstone
Three uncut diamonds
Down into the depths of despair, past the tombs of his fathers. Eaten by the stingers and the scratchers, scalded and blinded by embers.
The forge of the fathers fathers groaned and protested as the tested stole past and onwards to the barred door of those who came before.
Seven pieces of gold
Six pieces of silver
A shard of bloodstone
Three uncut diamonds
A will of iron
A flask of pure sky
The challenge met, the secrets kept. Within the chamber that holds no time Thar Gromholmson slept, then days or months or years passed by, and triumphant to the surface cries, of honour bravery and Moradins cheer. The axe of deliverance shall cleanse all fear.
There are several different versions of this Dwarven legend, these are the most common elements. It is highly unlikely we will add to this. But the Axe of Deliverence is a major artefact weapon, and would most probably be keyed to attack devils or demons.
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The eye of subdual
In the cavern of dark water
3 steps, 2 steps, wait, 4 steps, duck, run
At the winding stair
Always step to your right hand, never look down
Beware the last gasp of Chirio
Jebit found these words on a scrap of paper in the back of book of called “oCults oft Devilkynde an Theyre Sekrets”.
He believes the eye is possibly a Rakshasa item that works on peoples minds, and would probably be located in the underearth.
The instructions seem to point towards an underground maze.
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I received a communication today from Baztox stating that Botoxalain has been born. He is healthy and shows no untoward birth marks or defects.
We have already arranged for his enrolment into the church of Erathis at Titans Crown, Jebit still insists that we should have chosen Moradin to ensure a good initial standing with the dwarves at Holdfast and Iron Pass. But what is done is done, we shall provide him every opportunity to develop compassion, understanding and community spirit.
I understand at the battle he was free with his ministrations and leant aid to the injured even when unsure of his surroundings. This bodes well that the job we shall do of raising him and will stand him in good stead for the trials ahead.
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Vikensburg Cults
Vikensburg seems to have more than its fair share of cults. I suppose that it is not unreasonable that the capital city is an ideal place to recruit and insinuate your way into power.
The Vikensburg Horticultural Society
We are sure that this is a front for an ancient evil. The society has a great deal of support from both the Nobles and upper classes and the city council.
The front is very active holding many banquets and charity balls and has donated many public works to the city. Especially the beautification of open spaces and the restoration of monuments.
City Elder Garath von Lowethian is the current chair of the society and seems to be held in an unimpeachable position. We have learned that several accusations of corruption and bribery have gone uninvestigated and some of his vocal opponents have ‘left town suddenly’.
The Black Claw
The claw is a small but viscous band of assassins. They have close connections to most thieves guilds in the city. It is Jebits theory that they will be a tool for the Orcus Aspect of Slaughter.
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McRanson’s Honourable Trading Company
Wilhelm spent a month working in disguise as a dock hand and general labourer for Ransons.
In that time he witnessed several undeclared shipments, bound from or to Iron Pass. He was also able to help Sam gain entry to the booking office after hours where she found secret records of protection rackets and bribes with certain sections of the city watch and four council members.
She also found more than one reference to the “Homecoming Fund” and a couple of clues that pointed towards the shifting of money and ‘assets’ to another organisation in Varlth.
Note: We investigated this further when we found ourselves in Varlth. Our efforts turned up nothing more than the name “The Noxious One” and some sketchy references to a series of shipments recovered from Mt Viken.
We have recently learnt that McRanon’s has opened up offices and shipping yards in Port Kromstien, Ibstock, Long Brook and Fort Durd’Dor.
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- The group then went to Holdfast and were surprised to find it in the middle of strange attacks by the undead. They helped defeat the undead menace then set about finding Tellis’s sisters foster family. There they discovered that Kaya was a gifted child and master craftswoman but had suddenly transformed into a demon, destroyed a temple of Moradin and ransacked a nobles study before leaving holdfast in a trail of destruction.
- The group then gathered information on the Lords of Winter (dragons) and found that they were a renegade collection of dragons that had left Stone Sky to live on Black Crags (a location marked on the players map).
This is where the main story took a back seat for a while and the party did a number of side quests.
- Investigating a dwarven magical research lab high in the mountains. Here they discovered that some dwarves were researching stable teleportation portals, and that they were teleporting through creatures from the Far Realms. The group decided that this was a terrible idea and tried to arrange for the research to be closed down.
- Investigating the Tower of Morning in Titans Crown. This turned out to contain a teleport circle to a large facility under Titans Crown that was actually an ancient dwarven prison for locking away aberrations. The recent earth tremors had broken some of the chambers and the group had to kill or force back aberrants in their holding cells. They also saved the few remaining dwarves and restored communications between the prison, Holdfast and now the Human town of Titans Crown (who were previously unaware of the facility). This secret facility has been isolated for about three hundred years.
- The group discover that there is a cult of Orcus in Titans Crown who try to assassinate Galen. The group then allow themselves to walk into a trap and turn the tables, killing most of the cult. During the fight the high level cult leader (the black baron) mocks them, then Tellis’s Lich mother comes crashing through a skylight and chases him into the night.
- The group then realised that they could hold off no longer and must follow up the Black Crags lead. (I didn’t realise it but the thing that was stopping them was their belief that they would have to fight 3 dragons at the same time if they went there!).
The thing that pushed them to go to Black Crags was that refugees from a small Halfling village turned up in Titans Crown saying that they had been forced from their homes by Dragonborn coming down from the crag. Lord Cragstein (ruler of Titans Crown) granted them land in Far Farm, which slowly became the village of Farfham.
- When the group arrived at the Black Crags they discovered the Haflings barrows empty and a huge excavation, from which the now undead remaining haflings under the command of a dwarven Orcus cultist emerged….
- After they had defeated the series of dwarves/undead they discovered that an ancient temple to an unknown god had been excavated. This housed a strange ruby disk in which the faint outline of a humanoid shape could be seen. This disk itself was also a teleportation circle. Very strange. They also found the Dwarven leaders note book (again a hand out):
Day zero
I have received portents of the reckoning. My visions are becoming clearer and I can deny the signs no longer, Notan guides my hand and my soul. Orcus shall rise and the proud and mighty will fall. A new age is upon us, I pledge that tomorrow will be the first day.
Day one
I cannot believe how unprepared I have been. I have been all too comfortable in these surroundings and I have grown fat on my indulgence.
Day two
I gathered the chosen today, we have consensus that when called we must be in a state of complete readiness. Vanedon made contact to report that his work continues to go smoothly and the Chamber of the True Number are unaware of our actions.
It will take me a few days to prepare the orb in wholeness for the signal. After all these years I would be ashamed to miss my mark.
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Day six
It is done. I am tired from the magicks and my mind reels with the weight of the tether.
Day seven
We gathered for the last time before the call today. I am pleased with my team, I feel we will not have to wait long now. The connection I share with our Lord and Master is heavy with expectation.
Day twelve
To arms, I can actually feel it! It is the Aspect of Slaughter that shall rise and soon. I have prepared all my tools and equipment. I shall send them out tomorrow so I can act quickly when required.
Day fourteen
It will be tomorrow, all these years and tomorrow it arrives. I have spoken to Vanedon about his preparations. It is strange that every aspect of our work is so detailed and yet his role is clouded in shadow. Our Lord moves in dark ways, I am sure his role will become clear to him in time. I am sorry that I will likely never see him again, but heartened in the knowledge that he is a good fellow.
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Day fifteen
I have resigned my commission and set my library to the fire. Four generations of coded Osprekt lore now lies in ashes in my fireplace, a tragedy for some, a necessary insurance for me. The last thing we need is some for wrong headed fools to stumble onto our glorious plan.
The Demon Aspect of Slaughter has risen from her slumber. I have left Holdfast along with my team for what will probably be the last time. I write this from our likely rendezvous with the Aspect. I hope I am alive tomorrow to continue our work.
Day sixteen
What a sight to behold. Beautiful, elegant and noble in form, wreathed in hellfire and viscous to the core. My hand trembles now to be travelling with her.
She has collected a book containing a likely looking map from the temple of Moradin, and the Rod of Rust from Jorgen Stronghold. Who would have thought that fool had something so powerful and didn’t know? From what Slaughter has told me he wasn’t in residence so regretfully he still breathes.
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Day twenty
We are about ten miles from the crag, an awe inspiring wall of rock. The Aspect of our Lord has instructed us to remain here until she return for us. She will travel the peak and destroy the altar of winter. I do not know why.
I have extrapolated all the pertinent information from the manuscripts and sought guidance from the rod. Everything points towards our goal being somewhere in the vicinity of a Halfling village. Why are these things never quietly tucked away in the forest or in an ancient cave?
I think the She is going to beat the residents of the crag into submission to use as foot soldiers in our raising of the community. It is comforting to know that we are of sufficient usefulness not to risk in open warfare.
Day twenty two
She has been gone a long time. I had not realised how much I had grown accustomed the suffering of her presence. This sky is too bright, the thin sweet air chokes my lungs. We should burn this place, we should sink the world back into the Abyss.
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No more days
There is no day. All things are either Now or History. I have thrown off the shackles of the calendar. Why did I allow myself to be chained to that yoke of oppression?
History is dead, but the dead shall serve us well.
These Haflings are good workers, now that they serve Orcus. I am glad they didn’t all run away. It took sometime to perfect the transformation but it was well worth it.
I have improved upon the ritual to create stronger servants, these are too powerful to use as diggers. In a future Now I will have an army of such creatures and lead them in the glory of Orcus.
We have found the temple, Her Glorious Beautificance of Life Ending has descended and returned with her prize. We shall call it the Mantle of Orcus, and a more cunning cloak I have never witness in all my History. She can hide amongst the cattle and choose the slaughter with the leisure of a God. She will depart in the next Now and I already miss her, however my God is strong with me and I have wondrous work to toil at.
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In History and maybe future Now people were closer to God, both spiritually and also in physical form.
Why did it end?
Why is this Now so different?
The answer may lie in the Ruby disk we have discovered. I believe that it is one of a number of markers of the Future Now. I believe there are more hidden treasures waiting for us. The Mantle of Orcus will lead the Slaughter to their door, or give her the truth to dispatch us her humble servants to do her bidding.
I have tried to free the captive History, but to no avail.
It is a great magick and it will take more time.
I fear not, I have the patience and the protection of my God.
Down here I have lost track of the Now.
Maybe I am the Now?
Yes I think we are.
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We have found ourselves singing, and taking great joy in it. I do not know where these words came from but inside I know that they are true. Happy is the Future Now when I will witness his rise, and surely in some small way I have been instrumental in his ascension.
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord
Bow down for the coming of the Lord
Lay down for the coming of the Lord
When he comes we will see it in the blood
Shout fierce for the coming of the Lord
Shout fierce for the coming of the Lord
Raise arms for the coming of the Lord
Set shields for the coming of the Lord
When he comes we will feel it in the blood
Rage long for the coming of the Lord
Rage long for the coming of the Lord
Kill them all for the coming of the Lord
Commit your soul to the coming of the Lord
When he comes he will see it in our blood
When he comes he will see it in our blood
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The mysteries of the Ruby disk still taunt my Now. I have uncovered with the We the definite existence of further disks. They are from a History that even History cannot name.
If only I had the Rod of Rust I could maybe track them down. But it has a higher purpose and my beautiful Goddess of Slaughter requires its council.
So what are we doing here now? I have come to a dead end, a full stop in my archaeological endeavours, I have tantalising glimpses of the Future Now but elsewise I am at a loss.
I know my Lady is striding onward towards victory, but what of I?
What of we?
Our time will come.
Patience, slumber and renewal. Rest first, then waking then the sport of destruction.
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord.
-end-
- The group then went up Black Crag, battled Dragonborn and the White Dragon, on its death a magical inscription appeared on the floor of its ice cave:
Magical Inscription on floor of ice cave (revealed on death of white dragon)
We three have doomed ourselves, and dragged this noble enterprise into the mire. Our glorious endeavour however bright it burned was all too brief, now all we have ahead of us is the tortuous shackle of fate.
We damn the Raven Queen, We damn Orcus, We damn ourselves. For in the end who else have we to blame?
We know that for us oblivion will come, Klinder of snow shall mark the way. In death at least we can regain some dignity, and maybe grasp our final freedom.
We damn you and we welcome you, your blood forever stained, your souls forever chained to our passing. There will be a day when all the magicks finally drain from this realm and bleed into the elemental chaos and the astral sea. You have played your part. History may not see it, but we know.
Ylonder lies in the sinking sea, somewhere in the poison mists you will find your next willing victim. Though none of us will submit to our prescribed and stolen fate, your revenge is not undeserving.
Our passing will not be the end of our tale.
Koffdraal’yir’Klinder
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- This pointed the way to the next dragon, somewhere in a massive swamp called the sinking sea. The group immediately headed in that direction, realising that they should track down and destroy the remaining two dragons before heading into the empire to chase Kaya.
There were three side quests on the way:
- They came across an overgrown and abandoned temple (temple of the red sun) which they investigated and fought guerrillas and a gorillon.
- On the edge of the sinking sea they helped a tribe of elves investigate problems with their local guardian spirit which it turned out had been corrupted and taken over by a hag.
- Deep in the sinking sea they found out about a flesh prince of orcus who was collecting bodies and performing necromantic experiments in order to perfect new and powerful undead creatures. They fought their way through to him, killed him and escaped as his laboratory island collapsed into the swamp.
- The next dragon was to be found on poison hole island, deep inside the sinking sea. There they fought various black Dragonborn, a swamp Hag with some basilisks and finally two dragons at the same time. One standard black dragon and its malformed and twisted offspring. When they had been defeated the following message burnt with an eerier green glow in the swampy waters..
Magical Inscription in swamp (revealed on death of black dragon)
The rot of ages seeps through my flesh, my bones bend and my children twist and wither before me. What price the arrogance of the poison pledge, a poison that corrupted every breath I took, and the followers who bore me here.
My loathing for you is complete now that I lie dead and butchered in this tomb. I wish my soul transported to the fell to meet the treacherous queen so that I may spit upon her before I am cast out into the void.
Fear not brave assassins your history is already echoing along the halls of time. Those that follow will know your names and mark them as they strive to set the annals right. The final reckoning can not be escaped, though I wager you shall evade and destroy for some time yet. When the Magicks burn from the sky and the world is left sinking and alone your names will be chanted and cursed in hatred as the colour slips away.
Wrender has made your final butchery more of a game. The enemy of my enemy is indeed my friend. Where the ground was torn asunder exposing the black pits of the underearth you shall find his prison lair.
Enjoy the sunlight while it warms your back for there is still hope you shall fail and fall in the darkness, maybe our joint tragedy can be averted.
Fwend’sur’Ylonder
- The group were not sure exactly what this meant for the location of the next dragon. They were also getting concerned about the weight of prophecy and fate that was being placed on their shoulders. At this point they started to realise that in many ways they were just pieces in a game being played by the gods, a game which they didn’t know the rules of. They headed back to Titans Crown to think things over.
- Back in Titans Crown refugees had started arriving from the Empire, it seems that a civil war had broken out some time ago and people were fleeing the conflict. This was seen as good news for Titans crown who could swell there numbers and start populating the outer farms turning them into villages.
An adventuring group called the Purple Dragon Slayers also arrived in town and were hired by Lord Cragstein to help police the migrant population.
The fallen angel of the Raven Queen met with Brand (the paladin) and managed to convert him from Erathis to the Raven Queen. Shortly after this Brand learnt that the fallen paladin had burst into Titans Crwon paladin’s club demanding sanctuary, only minutes before a powerful Lich (Tellis’s mother) burst in and killed him and another paladin who got in the way. On hearing this Lord Cragstein demanded that Jerimiah (Warlord) get rid of that troublesome Lich. (Jermiah agreed, but knowing exactly who she was didn’t actually do anything about it himself, instead he ordered the Purple Dragon Slayers to look into the matter).
- Eventually the group discovered that the dragons message was referring to the Scar, a massive gorge that rent deep into the earth about two weeks travel away. Thrinsdale was on the way so they decided that they would also stop by and meet Rayons family.
- In Thrinsdale Rayon was met with surprise and open arms, they hadn’t heard from him for sometime. He met with the elders who listened to all his achievements and pronounced him an adult (hurrah!).
- About a day away from the Scar the group came across a wizards tower. Here they met Andropov the Arrogant (human, epic wizard) and his assistant Gregov (warforged cleric of Temperon). Andropov told them that the Scar was home to a community of Drow who were protecting a Red Dragon. Andropov was pleasant and knowledgable, also giving off the impression that he was at least 200 years old, he inferred that he knew of the group (or people like them) but for certain reasons could not discuss their mission with them or interfere with the drow directly.
- The group descended into the gorge and on their way down discovered an ancient tomb, in which the disturbed and defeated Ram’Kal’Ram’Ra and Egyptian style mummy king who it turned out had a headdress that was very useful for Warlords. (It has never left Jerimiahs head sinse!).
- Inside the large complex the group battled many Spiders, Drow warriors, Drow shadow and venom casters, a drider swirdmage, drider venom caller and the fearsome drider pit princess. This took more than a day, and while the group were resting (barricaded in a room) the dragon came out to threaten them and in a bid for sympathy left them a copy of the Divine Contract to try and make them see that they were being used by the gods.
Hand out:
- All current hostilities within the established boundaries of conflict shall be suspended immediately and absolutely.
- All claim of ownership to the parties present shall be held and rendered in suspension until such a time as the Contract of Destiny has been resolved. At that time all ownership shall transfer to the possession of the party in whose favour destiny has fallen.
- The demon form Notan and the angel form Veledra are to be henceforth banished from this place and held in isolation in the Void Matrix of the Sixteenth Seal of Discord until such a time as the dispute is resolved as per this binding contract.
- All present and noted parties who remain active shall be rendered neutral for a period of 100 years or until such a time as another outside force of equal magnitude intervenes in such a way as to unbalance any neutrality.
- Any present and noted party who interferes directly in the observance of any aspect of this contract shall be bound directly into the neutrality of the designated contract anchor.
- The contract anchor is expressly prohibited from discussing the details or existence of their role or the events that instigated the forming of the contract until such a time as the contract is rendered obsolete.
- It shall come to pass that champions representing both parties involved in the Contract of Destiny shall rise from within the natural boundaries of the conflict.
- These champions will represent all aspects of the world they represent, and will journey and shape the world to the ideals for which they stand.
- Ultimately the champions representing both parties will face each other in an unspecified challenge or a series of unspecified challenges.
- The contract party whose champions stand alone and undefeated when all opposing champions have fallen will be deemed in favour under the stated terms of the Contract of Destiny as agreed.
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- Upon the above stated and agreed upon resolution terms the Contract of Destiny will be deemed complete and settlement will be made.
- The favoured party shall claim the return of their instigating aspect and all ownership of those held in suspension shall be transferred to the favoured party.
- The instigating aspect of the unsuccessful challenger shall be discorporated utterly and their essence shall be added to the Void Matrix of the Sixteenth Seal of Discord as reasonable payment for services rendered.
The above binding divine contract is enacted by the divine right of:
Pholtus the Pale
To the agreement of:
Orcus - The Demon Prince of the Undead (as represented by the Demon Notan)
Raven Queen - The Spinner of Fate and Goddess of Winter (as represented by the Angel Veledra)
Witnessed by:
Archmage Andropolov the Arrogant
Divine Oracle of Temperon Gregov
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- Now the group knew that for better or worse they were involved in something dangerous on an unprecedented scale. They had mixed feelings about the concept of fate and whether they had any free will in the situation. All they really knew is that they had a dragon to kill, a dragon that possibly had about the same level of responsibility as they did for the current situation.
- The battled through the remaining encounters until they faced the Red dragon and its offspring. The dragon bargained for the group to spare the lives of its children, and the group agreed only to see the children flank them and attack. That sealed the fate of all the dragons there, any creature that doesn’t honour a bargain deserves to die. There was no magical inscription when the red dragon died, its very absence was as poignant as any vague threat.
- The group tried to visit Andropov on their way back as the contract they had been given was witness by him. But he was gone, they would have to find him later.
- When the group got back to Titans Crown they discovered that drastic action had been taken. The purple dragon slayers had dutifully investigated the Lich problem, unfortunately this had led to Tellis Mother hunting them down and killing them one by one. However the group also learnt that Lord Cragsteins only son had at some point revealed himself as a follower of Orcus and had killed Lady Cragstein and would have killed his father if it wasn’t for the Lich who burst in and saved Lord Cragsteins life. Lord Cragstein quickly saw the error of his ways and sent out word to those in the know that the Lady Samsarrow was an ally of Titans Crown and should not be interfered with. (how convenient)
This got the PCs from level 1 to 13, the paragon tier story sees them set off into the Empire to see what all this civil war is about, and to try to catch up with Kaya (the aspect of slaughter).
Well that’s a major wall of text, I have missed loads out but it gives you a general idea of most of the main points. I hope you found it amusing.
PART 1 - HEROIC TIER (1 to 13)
Background
The campaign starts in Titans Crown, a town built on a lump of rock in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest. There are four small farms within a day’s travel of Titans Crown but otherwise it is completely isolated. Titans Crown is an independent community separated from the “Empire” whose nearest settlement is about 700-1000 miles away (I made a map and was a bit enthusiastic with the scale, this is now a long running joke in the campaign).
The two closest major settlements to Titans Crown are:
- Holdfast – a major dwarven city built inside “The Three Peaks” mountain range.
- Crystal Spires – an Eladrin town nestling just inside the fey wild, famous for its wizards school, “The Crystal Spires University”.
PCs
Brand Wolfheim – Human, Paladin
A nobles son (from Titans Crown) who joined the church or Erathis as a champion. He is one of a small number of Paladins in Titans Crown. The Paladins are all nobles and as they have very little to do they treat their headquarters as a social club.
Botoxilain Darkleaf – Half Elf, Cleric
A true believer in the power of the community and a native of Titans Crown. He has grown into the role of organising the community and helping it work together and as such is well known and liked. (note: the slight silliness of his name lead to a long running joke in the campaign where all half elves have outrageous names with either X’s or Z’s in them)
Jerimiah Goldstone – Human, Warlord
Jerimiah is the son of a middle class family who joined the military to improve his status. He now holds a special place in Titans Crowns watch, while he has great tactical insight and intelligence he is not suitable for command of the towns watch and has found himself sidelined, spending his days compiling tactical reports. (note: the reason he has been sidelined is that he is too honest, Titans Crown is a finely balanced utopian society that relies on an ingrained but stable level of corruption – not that the PCs know this at this point).
Galen – Human, Rogue
Galens parents died when he was young and he was brought up on the street, where he was apprenticed to a number of kind individuals who taught him how to survive. Galen knows the two criminal syndicates that operate in Tiatans Crown:
- The Barony of Kind, who run upper town
- The Sveegal Brotherhood, who run lower town
Galen is renowned for keeping a neutral profile between the two, and has always kept to low level crimes so as not to draw too much attention to himself, as he was taught.
Tellis Eladril – Eladrin, Warlock
Tellis is from Crystal Spires, and is the son of a poorly regarded family. His parents didn’t ever really seem to get on with the rest of the community. Tellis went to the University to learn magic but was thrown out for “having no magical talent”, it wasn’t his fault he was a warlock and not a wizard.
Tellis came to Titans Crown for a change of scenery and to find work, when he arrived he was given free lodging by the Sveegal Brotherhood to act as an occasional advisor, one of Galens jobs is to keep in touch with Tellis to make sure he has everything he needs.
Rayon – Elf, Ranger
Rayon is a young Elf from the small community of Thrinsdale which is about a weeks travel from Titans Crown. He is going through the Elven tradition of wandering where before claiming adulthood Elves must travel to other Elven communities and learn a variety of customs and forest lore. Rayon decided he would instead learn about human settlements and travelled to Titans Crown to see what it was like. He wasn’t particularly well received but is working as a woodsman and hunter.
Heroic Tier Plot (introduction)
- There has been a series of earth tremors, and the northern community of Far Farm have missed a scheduled delivery. Lord Cragstein (ruler of Titans Crown) gathers the group (except Galen) and tells them to go out there and check everything is alright.
- Galen’s criminal contacts ask him to go out to Far Farm to collect the latest shipment of ‘special honey’, which is an illegal potent blend of alcohol and honey made by a secret process which is very popular among the upper classes of Titans Crown.
- When the group get to Far Farm they find the buildings sunk into the ground at odd angles and bodies buried up to their waists in a pattern that suggests they were fleeing the area.
- Kruthik encounter, with the little buggers popping out of the ground. When this is over the group spot some goblins watching from the forest who take the opportunity to attack the group. When they are defeated and an uneasy truce is brokered the goblins say they know what caused the earthquakes and will lead the group to the source. The goblins lead them into the forest and straight into a sneaky ambush, cunning goblin buggers!
- Investigation of the corpses reveals a map that leads them through the forest to a clearing. The clearing is a large black ash field with a ring of dead trees in the centre of it, the unusual thing about these trees is that they are all chained tightly to the ground, and creaking softly even though there is no breeze.
- At the centre of the ash field is a hole in the ground that leads to an underground temple. In the temple the group face some undead then discover an ornamental pool of black water. When they approach a series of necrotic tendrils reach out and grab them….
- The group are transported into a valley, in the middle of a huge battle. They can see a vast army of undead, Cyclops, and fomorians surrounding a force of Eladrin who are falling back to form a circle on the valley floor. Heroically the group skirmish their way to join the Eladrin (stopping to help a few groups on the way with healing and moral support) then they push their way into the centre of the circle where Tellis realises his father (Theron) and the dean of the university (Savander), both seeming very much younger, are arguing over using a rutual. Also at this point a rainbow dragon flies overhead chased by three dragons (red, black and white).
Savander forces Theron to activate the ritual, and the group see a towering demon summoned (Notan – Aspect of Orcus). At this point things start to happen very quickly and the group are disorientated in the battle, but an angel (Veledra – angel of the Raven Queen) appears overhead a large magical wave flows over the entire valley catching everyone present and the group appear back in the underground temple shaken and confused over what had just happened.
(Summary so far)
- About 75 years before the campaign starts there was a brief but important war between forces of the Shadowfell and the Fey Wild. The two armies met in the middle world.
- When the forces of the Fey Wild were looking beaten Tellis’s father used a ritual he had discovered to summon aid on the insistence of the Dean of the University. This actually summoned an aspect of Orcus, at that point an angel of the Raven Queen also stepped in.
- Tellis knew nothing about this war, but it did go some way to explaining the small amount of people in Crystals Spires relative to its size, and also why the people their shunned his family.
- The war was really an elaborate ruse by Orcus to draw out the Raven Queen and force a diplomatic crisis between the Gods, hoping that she would intervene directly and break the Gods pact of “no direct interference”. What actually happen was that a couple of well intentioned Angels of the Raven Queen took matters into their own hands and Pholtus (the god of law) decided to step in to stop inference with the middle world. Pholtus halted proceedings, banished Notan and Veledra into a holding prison and enforced a contract which stated that champions representing each side would emerge and face each other in a winner takes all personal conflict. Unfortunately this in itself was in opposition of the gods non interference policy and resulted in the rest of the gods finding Pholtus in contempt, punishable by destruction of the god and the eradication of all references and memories of him from existence. (The PCs don’t find this out until late Heroic/Paragon tier, when they get their hands on a copy of the contract!)
- Under the contract the only people whose souls were not held in limbo were the Dean (who was the contract anchor, and neutral), Tellis’s father (who did a deal to side with the Raven Queen), an angel of the Raven Queen (who was cast out for acting out of turn), and three dragons who were resistant, but not completely immune to the contract and could not be held. Tellis’s father then spent the next 40 years gathering an adventuring group who tried to reverse the curse and contract he was under, and tried to find the chosen champions who would fight on behalf of the Raven Queen…..
On with the plot
- The group travelled to Crystal Spires to talk to Tellis’s family. When they get there they found a group of old adventurers at Tellis’s house, some of whom seemed familiar from the groups childhoods.
- Tellis talks to his farther who apologises for never telling him his families history but says that he and his friends have spent their lives trying to pay their debt and undo the chain of events that they have started. Then ravens start to congregate around him, and in a touching and disturbing scene Theron tells Tellis that he loves him as he is ripped to shred by Ravens, saying that he knew this was coming.
- The next thing the group did was confront Savander Raytouched (dean of the university). They got to see him and discovered that he had gone quite mad, saying that he was cursed. It became apparent that he was possessed by at least 6 different entities (3 dragons, the aspect of slaughter, the aspect of destruction, a fallen angel of the Raven Queen and maybe all the souls that lost their lives at the battle). In his lucid moments he apologised for his error and said that he was the “curse anchor” and physically linked to all the parties involved in the curse. He then led the group down to his work room where he had a massive blackboard filled with mad notes and rantings, here he inferred that the creatures possessing him would know anything that he did, but the only way to lift the curse was to hunt down the creatures one by one and destroy them. He then pointed at the names of dragons on his board under the title of “The Lords of Winter” and gave them a series of rituals that could be used to turn the dragons hearts into magical bracers to help them in their mission. They left in a state of confusion but made sure to inform the authorities at the university that their dean was no longer fit for leadership and should be watched.
- Back at the house that night shadowy figures started appearing as if waiting for something. Tellis’s mother (Samsarrow) gathered her old comrades and desperately started preparing a ritual. As the shadowy minions of the Raven Queen approached the PCs were told to fend them off while Samsarrow finished the ritual.
The group did this and were very surprised when Tellis’s mothers ritual ended with her friends either killing themselves or allowing her to kill them. This ritual’s completion turned Samsarrow into a Lich, at which point the Minions of the Raven Queen faded away as their targets souls could not be collected.
- The compounded shock for Tellis was pushed further as his mother (if she still was his mother) informed him that he had a twin sister who she had kept secret from his father and was in great danger. Without further a do she collected her adventurers gear, saddled her horse and said Kaya (the daughter) was being looked after in Holdfast, and she was going to get her.
NOTE: Orcus couldn’t believe his luck when Pholtus stepped in and forged a divine contract, this was something he could exploit with devastating consequences. Orcus took the opportunity to prophesise that an Eladrin would be born that carried his blood and would grow to become his champion (this was so he could invest it with his own power); the Raven Queen as the mistress of fate saw what he was trying to do so added that in the same birth a child with her blood would also be born as her champion. One of these is Tellis and one of these is Kaya.
- The group rummaged through the remaining possessions at the house and found a diary written by Theron and left for them. This was a handout printed as an A5 booklet I gave them:
Expedition to Moon Ridge
The rock filled pit between the howling stone and the graves of stolen promise seems to have at one time been the entrance to some sort of temple. From remnants of old pillars and several paving stones we have deduced that Orcus was worshipped here in some form or other, maybe three or four hundred years ago.
There was also evidence of magical seepage probably from an underground source which has tainted the natural wildlife.
The animals in the area seem to be possessed of an unnatural intelligence and quickly grew accustomed to our camp routine and martial abilities.
Wolves, drakes and vermin make the area their home. We dispatched many in the three days we were camped, including what we assumed was their Alpha male. A large Dire wolf with a crown of horns which were covered in a thick acidic substance that made wounds almost unbearable to endure.
We finally abandoned camp without finding a serviceable entrance, or discovering anything else of value. The followers of Orcus have been at this place but perhaps their work here is complete.
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Tomb of Hadrak von Helmstein
By means of favour and not some considerable coin we were granted permission by Lord Cedric Helmstein (the sub cursor von was dropped some sixty years hence for reasons we have not been able to determine at this time) to open the family vault at Vikensburg.
We descended four floors below the surface into a suspiciously elaborate family tomb. Along the way Baztox was impaled twice with spear traps, one missing his heart by a matter of inches. We also came across several obscured pits, some of which on closer inspection contained vicious poisoned spikes at their bases twenty feet down.
On the fourth floor we noticed that the ancient sarcophagi had been recently disturbed and their contents removed.
Sam noticed tracks in the ancient dust and what appeared to be the waxy residue from candle stubs. Our suspicions were realised when we came upon a chamber that had been cleared out and had been daubed with black texts and dark symbols, a bloodied circle was still just visible on the ground. We had finally found the birthing ring of undead that had been terrorising the townsfolk. But what other foul treachery had been spawned there?
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The aspect of Notan exists in three legendary scriptures:
The purple blood brood manual of ever lasting evil
This is the much rumoured original text for the creation of powerful undead. It is said the Xxerticux the flailing prince transcribed it while under the dominant eye of Vecna.
It is assumed that there is information on the forms and powers of Orcus.
The gentle words of the white elder
A copy of this text was rumoured to have been sold for over one thousand astral diamonds about forty years ago in Port Kromstein.
It is said to be the direct teachings and reflections of the Raven Queen herself. This book must have something important to say about Orcus (her sworn enemy).
Surviving the Abyss (extract – cult of Orcus)
A complete copy of this mysterious work has never been discovered. In fact ownership of even a page is rumoured to be a death sentence. I have heard talk of a cabal of “Black Mages” who plunder the abyss for rare magical artefacts and powers who guard their secrets well.
Other possible sources
The blasphemy of denied praise – Orcus propaganda
The tale of the strangled hand – Elven folklore
Beyond Pelor’s reach – unknown
Vecna’s Broken Promise – Treatise on undeath
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The Seasons End – Tavern in Long Brook
Room 3, GF
Remove grate from fire, find the set of handles to the left and pull the bottom one only.
The other two handles are trapped.
Descend to the room below, do not step on or hold rungs 15, 18, 20 or 23, they are trapped.
The room below is safe from all scrying / divination
There is an alter of resurrection with two uses left ONE
There is a cabinet with supplies in it.
There is some money in a secret compartment in the second reinforced chest.
If the Wrightbrooks still own the Seasons End tell them you are my son there should still be a lot of credit available behind the bar.
If anyone remembers Marcus Wrightbrook (or if by a miracle he is still alive) there is also a favour owed to the Eladril family.
We bought out his debts on the tavern and his sons home from the DeMorritt family, we asked only for Room 3 and the debt in credit at the bar. They are good people, do not abuse our legacy. Be wary of the DeMorritt family they have strong connections with all manor of illegal goings on.
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Titans Crown
Be aware that the old Dwarven Settlement of Titans Crown holds many secrets and is probably the central point of all our fates.
We have all spent time there in one way or another, either seen or unseen. The history of the place is something you should look into yourself but be certain that all is not as it seems and all is certainly not well.
The Cragstein family history may be worth exploring, there may very well be skeletons in the closet whose bones may be rattled for good effect.
The Church of Moradin also has more then one secret order that may be worth shaking down. Blood as they say is thicker than water, but honour stands forever.
The spire of morning may be worth your while investigating.
Be careful if you have cause to visit the lake at south farm, we sensed an ancient malevolence there.
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Pact dragons.
It is Vor’teth’s belief that the three dragons present at the battle were caught up in the pact.
Koffdraal’yir’Klinder – White dragon.
Fwend’sur’Ylonder – Black dragon
Razanieer’fel’Wrender – Red dragon
It is most likely that they were called or hail from stone sky. Though black dragons are found in swamps therefore it would be worth our while investigating the sinking sea.
Thinking back to the battle I remember seeing the magical tide wash over the dragons who were buffeted by its wake but otherwise seemed unaffected.
Perhaps the arcane properties of dragons resist more than axe and arrow?
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We met a gypsy on the road today, a strange woman travelling alone and undefended. She stayed our feet and talked with us a while, insisting that she had one eye that saw the past and one that saw the future.
Jebit would have none of it and stubbornly distanced himself from the rest of us insisting that the gypsy folk could not be trusted.
We shared some food with her and talked pleasantly for a while about the route she had taken and the path she would take. We assured her that we had had no troubles in more than a week of walking.
She thanked us and by way of returning our hospitality offered to read our fortunes.
Me: “I mourn a child I do not know, and fear a child I will not see”
Wilhelm: “The blood of you ancestors guides your hand to right the wrongs that balance breaks”
Vor’Teth: “You will lie to your comrades to protect the one you wish to kill”
Baztox: “The child you seek sits in the shadow of the autumn tree”
Samsarrow: “You will sacrifice your friends to feed a promise already broken, the blood will never wash from your hand”
Perhaps Jebit was right to have no time for this woman, her divinations have the air of truth but have troubled my party greatly. Her words for Vor’teth and my beloved disturb me. If she speaks the truth what are these lies and what would cause sam to turn against us?
I will not believe that my friends are anything but just and true.
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Fort Durd’Dor
Fort Dur’dor is an interesting place, an old castle surrounded by a more modern town. It appears to be the last bastion of civilisation before the uncompromising wilderness. The outpost of Titans crown lies some seven hundred and fifty miles further north.
The original settlers must have been highly motivated to move such a long way through an unfamiliar and dangerous land.
The dwarven town of Iron Pass lies about two hundred miles up river, situated across the only visible route through the Fell Fall Mountains. I have heard it said that there is a lush tropical jungle surrounding a crystal lake in a hidden valley at the heart of the range. I have even seen it marked on maps, but the dwarfs forbid any travel past Iron Pass and the ore and minerals they produce, and the fine marbles they quarry ensure their continued sovereignty.
There seems to be plenty of work for those with an adventurous spirit in Fort Durd’Dor. They have two guilds set up for the employment of sell swords, and the large garrison of troops stationed at the castle protect the land well enough from assault.
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Whilst we were staying at the Lute of Sweet Comfort tavern we were approached by a young cleric who was looking to hire a reliable team to go on an expedition into the Fell Foot Forest.
He had a rough map that apparently led to a distant shrine that was overdue for consecration. He wished us to escort him to the shrine then bring us back, and was willing to pay the very fair price of three hundred gold to each of us on completion. After some negotiation we settled on two hundred and fifty gold each and we would journey on to Fell Bank instead of returning to Fort Durd’Dor.
The journey to the shrine through the forest was simple enough, a trek of about three hundred miles on horseback. On five occasions we found ourselves travelling the Feywild which we Eladrin found very agreeable though it made me long for my home at Crystal Spire.
The shrine turned out to be a stone alter in the shape of a tree, with eight stone birds circling it facing out. This was the first time I had realised that this was a cleric of the Raven Queen, and I wondered if this was a sign or some sort of way point we were meant to follow.
Milo (the Cleric) tidied up the vegetation and prayed at the altar for some time whilst we stood watch. He then asked if we would like to join him in dedication to the Serenity of the White Lady.
Jebit would have none of it, and when it became apparent that a drop of life essence was required Wilhelm refused. I was happy to assist as were the rest of the party.
We each pricked our smallest finger with a silver needle that Milo was carrying, allowing a single drop to fall onto the alter then we all held hands whilst Milo recited a simple prayer.
Our lady of sorrow sway
Count out our rhythm mark the day
Our footfalls guide our duty know
Towards our fate we gladly go
It was after this that I started to realise that my dream of averting the path of the pact I had made was futile. I can see now that standing at that altar I pledged myself to the fate that she herself set out.
I do not regret this action even now I hold my son in my arms. My fate may be sealed and signed for in blood but my son one day will be free. Savander has promised me he will do everything in his power to help.
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Ibstock
Three days we have been in Ibstock and thrice we have been attacked by spiked and spiny devils in the night.
Vor’teth has been gravely wounded, the poison these devils are covered with seems to also carry a disease of some sort. I fear for Vor’teths life, but we must move on before the authorities here detain us.
They are already suspicious of our seeming trail of destroyed tavern rooms across town. Also the temple of Pelor have started following Jebit after he asked too many question about local devil cults.
I have booked passage on the Queen of the Fell, a river barge that will take us to Port Kromstien. I hope that Vor’teths strength can last.
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The Trial of Thar Gromholmson – Dwarven Folklore
Seven pieces of gold
Six pieces of silver
A shard of bloodstone
Three uncut diamonds
Down into the depths of despair, past the tombs of his fathers. Eaten by the stingers and the scratchers, scalded and blinded by embers.
The forge of the fathers fathers groaned and protested as the tested stole past and onwards to the barred door of those who came before.
Seven pieces of gold
Six pieces of silver
A shard of bloodstone
Three uncut diamonds
A will of iron
A flask of pure sky
The challenge met, the secrets kept. Within the chamber that holds no time Thar Gromholmson slept, then days or months or years passed by, and triumphant to the surface cries, of honour bravery and Moradins cheer. The axe of deliverance shall cleanse all fear.
There are several different versions of this Dwarven legend, these are the most common elements. It is highly unlikely we will add to this. But the Axe of Deliverence is a major artefact weapon, and would most probably be keyed to attack devils or demons.
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The eye of subdual
In the cavern of dark water
3 steps, 2 steps, wait, 4 steps, duck, run
At the winding stair
Always step to your right hand, never look down
Beware the last gasp of Chirio
Jebit found these words on a scrap of paper in the back of book of called “oCults oft Devilkynde an Theyre Sekrets”.
He believes the eye is possibly a Rakshasa item that works on peoples minds, and would probably be located in the underearth.
The instructions seem to point towards an underground maze.
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I received a communication today from Baztox stating that Botoxalain has been born. He is healthy and shows no untoward birth marks or defects.
We have already arranged for his enrolment into the church of Erathis at Titans Crown, Jebit still insists that we should have chosen Moradin to ensure a good initial standing with the dwarves at Holdfast and Iron Pass. But what is done is done, we shall provide him every opportunity to develop compassion, understanding and community spirit.
I understand at the battle he was free with his ministrations and leant aid to the injured even when unsure of his surroundings. This bodes well that the job we shall do of raising him and will stand him in good stead for the trials ahead.
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Vikensburg Cults
Vikensburg seems to have more than its fair share of cults. I suppose that it is not unreasonable that the capital city is an ideal place to recruit and insinuate your way into power.
The Vikensburg Horticultural Society
We are sure that this is a front for an ancient evil. The society has a great deal of support from both the Nobles and upper classes and the city council.
The front is very active holding many banquets and charity balls and has donated many public works to the city. Especially the beautification of open spaces and the restoration of monuments.
City Elder Garath von Lowethian is the current chair of the society and seems to be held in an unimpeachable position. We have learned that several accusations of corruption and bribery have gone uninvestigated and some of his vocal opponents have ‘left town suddenly’.
The Black Claw
The claw is a small but viscous band of assassins. They have close connections to most thieves guilds in the city. It is Jebits theory that they will be a tool for the Orcus Aspect of Slaughter.
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McRanson’s Honourable Trading Company
Wilhelm spent a month working in disguise as a dock hand and general labourer for Ransons.
In that time he witnessed several undeclared shipments, bound from or to Iron Pass. He was also able to help Sam gain entry to the booking office after hours where she found secret records of protection rackets and bribes with certain sections of the city watch and four council members.
She also found more than one reference to the “Homecoming Fund” and a couple of clues that pointed towards the shifting of money and ‘assets’ to another organisation in Varlth.
Note: We investigated this further when we found ourselves in Varlth. Our efforts turned up nothing more than the name “The Noxious One” and some sketchy references to a series of shipments recovered from Mt Viken.
We have recently learnt that McRanon’s has opened up offices and shipping yards in Port Kromstien, Ibstock, Long Brook and Fort Durd’Dor.
-end-
- The group then went to Holdfast and were surprised to find it in the middle of strange attacks by the undead. They helped defeat the undead menace then set about finding Tellis’s sisters foster family. There they discovered that Kaya was a gifted child and master craftswoman but had suddenly transformed into a demon, destroyed a temple of Moradin and ransacked a nobles study before leaving holdfast in a trail of destruction.
- The group then gathered information on the Lords of Winter (dragons) and found that they were a renegade collection of dragons that had left Stone Sky to live on Black Crags (a location marked on the players map).
This is where the main story took a back seat for a while and the party did a number of side quests.
- Investigating a dwarven magical research lab high in the mountains. Here they discovered that some dwarves were researching stable teleportation portals, and that they were teleporting through creatures from the Far Realms. The group decided that this was a terrible idea and tried to arrange for the research to be closed down.
- Investigating the Tower of Morning in Titans Crown. This turned out to contain a teleport circle to a large facility under Titans Crown that was actually an ancient dwarven prison for locking away aberrations. The recent earth tremors had broken some of the chambers and the group had to kill or force back aberrants in their holding cells. They also saved the few remaining dwarves and restored communications between the prison, Holdfast and now the Human town of Titans Crown (who were previously unaware of the facility). This secret facility has been isolated for about three hundred years.
- The group discover that there is a cult of Orcus in Titans Crown who try to assassinate Galen. The group then allow themselves to walk into a trap and turn the tables, killing most of the cult. During the fight the high level cult leader (the black baron) mocks them, then Tellis’s Lich mother comes crashing through a skylight and chases him into the night.
- The group then realised that they could hold off no longer and must follow up the Black Crags lead. (I didn’t realise it but the thing that was stopping them was their belief that they would have to fight 3 dragons at the same time if they went there!).
The thing that pushed them to go to Black Crags was that refugees from a small Halfling village turned up in Titans Crown saying that they had been forced from their homes by Dragonborn coming down from the crag. Lord Cragstein (ruler of Titans Crown) granted them land in Far Farm, which slowly became the village of Farfham.
- When the group arrived at the Black Crags they discovered the Haflings barrows empty and a huge excavation, from which the now undead remaining haflings under the command of a dwarven Orcus cultist emerged….
- After they had defeated the series of dwarves/undead they discovered that an ancient temple to an unknown god had been excavated. This housed a strange ruby disk in which the faint outline of a humanoid shape could be seen. This disk itself was also a teleportation circle. Very strange. They also found the Dwarven leaders note book (again a hand out):
Day zero
I have received portents of the reckoning. My visions are becoming clearer and I can deny the signs no longer, Notan guides my hand and my soul. Orcus shall rise and the proud and mighty will fall. A new age is upon us, I pledge that tomorrow will be the first day.
Day one
I cannot believe how unprepared I have been. I have been all too comfortable in these surroundings and I have grown fat on my indulgence.
Day two
I gathered the chosen today, we have consensus that when called we must be in a state of complete readiness. Vanedon made contact to report that his work continues to go smoothly and the Chamber of the True Number are unaware of our actions.
It will take me a few days to prepare the orb in wholeness for the signal. After all these years I would be ashamed to miss my mark.
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Day six
It is done. I am tired from the magicks and my mind reels with the weight of the tether.
Day seven
We gathered for the last time before the call today. I am pleased with my team, I feel we will not have to wait long now. The connection I share with our Lord and Master is heavy with expectation.
Day twelve
To arms, I can actually feel it! It is the Aspect of Slaughter that shall rise and soon. I have prepared all my tools and equipment. I shall send them out tomorrow so I can act quickly when required.
Day fourteen
It will be tomorrow, all these years and tomorrow it arrives. I have spoken to Vanedon about his preparations. It is strange that every aspect of our work is so detailed and yet his role is clouded in shadow. Our Lord moves in dark ways, I am sure his role will become clear to him in time. I am sorry that I will likely never see him again, but heartened in the knowledge that he is a good fellow.
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Day fifteen
I have resigned my commission and set my library to the fire. Four generations of coded Osprekt lore now lies in ashes in my fireplace, a tragedy for some, a necessary insurance for me. The last thing we need is some for wrong headed fools to stumble onto our glorious plan.
The Demon Aspect of Slaughter has risen from her slumber. I have left Holdfast along with my team for what will probably be the last time. I write this from our likely rendezvous with the Aspect. I hope I am alive tomorrow to continue our work.
Day sixteen
What a sight to behold. Beautiful, elegant and noble in form, wreathed in hellfire and viscous to the core. My hand trembles now to be travelling with her.
She has collected a book containing a likely looking map from the temple of Moradin, and the Rod of Rust from Jorgen Stronghold. Who would have thought that fool had something so powerful and didn’t know? From what Slaughter has told me he wasn’t in residence so regretfully he still breathes.
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Day twenty
We are about ten miles from the crag, an awe inspiring wall of rock. The Aspect of our Lord has instructed us to remain here until she return for us. She will travel the peak and destroy the altar of winter. I do not know why.
I have extrapolated all the pertinent information from the manuscripts and sought guidance from the rod. Everything points towards our goal being somewhere in the vicinity of a Halfling village. Why are these things never quietly tucked away in the forest or in an ancient cave?
I think the She is going to beat the residents of the crag into submission to use as foot soldiers in our raising of the community. It is comforting to know that we are of sufficient usefulness not to risk in open warfare.
Day twenty two
She has been gone a long time. I had not realised how much I had grown accustomed the suffering of her presence. This sky is too bright, the thin sweet air chokes my lungs. We should burn this place, we should sink the world back into the Abyss.
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No more days
There is no day. All things are either Now or History. I have thrown off the shackles of the calendar. Why did I allow myself to be chained to that yoke of oppression?
History is dead, but the dead shall serve us well.
These Haflings are good workers, now that they serve Orcus. I am glad they didn’t all run away. It took sometime to perfect the transformation but it was well worth it.
I have improved upon the ritual to create stronger servants, these are too powerful to use as diggers. In a future Now I will have an army of such creatures and lead them in the glory of Orcus.
We have found the temple, Her Glorious Beautificance of Life Ending has descended and returned with her prize. We shall call it the Mantle of Orcus, and a more cunning cloak I have never witness in all my History. She can hide amongst the cattle and choose the slaughter with the leisure of a God. She will depart in the next Now and I already miss her, however my God is strong with me and I have wondrous work to toil at.
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In History and maybe future Now people were closer to God, both spiritually and also in physical form.
Why did it end?
Why is this Now so different?
The answer may lie in the Ruby disk we have discovered. I believe that it is one of a number of markers of the Future Now. I believe there are more hidden treasures waiting for us. The Mantle of Orcus will lead the Slaughter to their door, or give her the truth to dispatch us her humble servants to do her bidding.
I have tried to free the captive History, but to no avail.
It is a great magick and it will take more time.
I fear not, I have the patience and the protection of my God.
Down here I have lost track of the Now.
Maybe I am the Now?
Yes I think we are.
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We have found ourselves singing, and taking great joy in it. I do not know where these words came from but inside I know that they are true. Happy is the Future Now when I will witness his rise, and surely in some small way I have been instrumental in his ascension.
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord
Bow down for the coming of the Lord
Lay down for the coming of the Lord
When he comes we will see it in the blood
Shout fierce for the coming of the Lord
Shout fierce for the coming of the Lord
Raise arms for the coming of the Lord
Set shields for the coming of the Lord
When he comes we will feel it in the blood
Rage long for the coming of the Lord
Rage long for the coming of the Lord
Kill them all for the coming of the Lord
Commit your soul to the coming of the Lord
When he comes he will see it in our blood
When he comes he will see it in our blood
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The mysteries of the Ruby disk still taunt my Now. I have uncovered with the We the definite existence of further disks. They are from a History that even History cannot name.
If only I had the Rod of Rust I could maybe track them down. But it has a higher purpose and my beautiful Goddess of Slaughter requires its council.
So what are we doing here now? I have come to a dead end, a full stop in my archaeological endeavours, I have tantalising glimpses of the Future Now but elsewise I am at a loss.
I know my Lady is striding onward towards victory, but what of I?
What of we?
Our time will come.
Patience, slumber and renewal. Rest first, then waking then the sport of destruction.
Sing loud for the coming of the Lord.
-end-
- The group then went up Black Crag, battled Dragonborn and the White Dragon, on its death a magical inscription appeared on the floor of its ice cave:
Magical Inscription on floor of ice cave (revealed on death of white dragon)
We three have doomed ourselves, and dragged this noble enterprise into the mire. Our glorious endeavour however bright it burned was all too brief, now all we have ahead of us is the tortuous shackle of fate.
We damn the Raven Queen, We damn Orcus, We damn ourselves. For in the end who else have we to blame?
We know that for us oblivion will come, Klinder of snow shall mark the way. In death at least we can regain some dignity, and maybe grasp our final freedom.
We damn you and we welcome you, your blood forever stained, your souls forever chained to our passing. There will be a day when all the magicks finally drain from this realm and bleed into the elemental chaos and the astral sea. You have played your part. History may not see it, but we know.
Ylonder lies in the sinking sea, somewhere in the poison mists you will find your next willing victim. Though none of us will submit to our prescribed and stolen fate, your revenge is not undeserving.
Our passing will not be the end of our tale.
Koffdraal’yir’Klinder
-end-
- This pointed the way to the next dragon, somewhere in a massive swamp called the sinking sea. The group immediately headed in that direction, realising that they should track down and destroy the remaining two dragons before heading into the empire to chase Kaya.
There were three side quests on the way:
- They came across an overgrown and abandoned temple (temple of the red sun) which they investigated and fought guerrillas and a gorillon.
- On the edge of the sinking sea they helped a tribe of elves investigate problems with their local guardian spirit which it turned out had been corrupted and taken over by a hag.
- Deep in the sinking sea they found out about a flesh prince of orcus who was collecting bodies and performing necromantic experiments in order to perfect new and powerful undead creatures. They fought their way through to him, killed him and escaped as his laboratory island collapsed into the swamp.
- The next dragon was to be found on poison hole island, deep inside the sinking sea. There they fought various black Dragonborn, a swamp Hag with some basilisks and finally two dragons at the same time. One standard black dragon and its malformed and twisted offspring. When they had been defeated the following message burnt with an eerier green glow in the swampy waters..
Magical Inscription in swamp (revealed on death of black dragon)
The rot of ages seeps through my flesh, my bones bend and my children twist and wither before me. What price the arrogance of the poison pledge, a poison that corrupted every breath I took, and the followers who bore me here.
My loathing for you is complete now that I lie dead and butchered in this tomb. I wish my soul transported to the fell to meet the treacherous queen so that I may spit upon her before I am cast out into the void.
Fear not brave assassins your history is already echoing along the halls of time. Those that follow will know your names and mark them as they strive to set the annals right. The final reckoning can not be escaped, though I wager you shall evade and destroy for some time yet. When the Magicks burn from the sky and the world is left sinking and alone your names will be chanted and cursed in hatred as the colour slips away.
Wrender has made your final butchery more of a game. The enemy of my enemy is indeed my friend. Where the ground was torn asunder exposing the black pits of the underearth you shall find his prison lair.
Enjoy the sunlight while it warms your back for there is still hope you shall fail and fall in the darkness, maybe our joint tragedy can be averted.
Fwend’sur’Ylonder
- The group were not sure exactly what this meant for the location of the next dragon. They were also getting concerned about the weight of prophecy and fate that was being placed on their shoulders. At this point they started to realise that in many ways they were just pieces in a game being played by the gods, a game which they didn’t know the rules of. They headed back to Titans Crown to think things over.
- Back in Titans Crown refugees had started arriving from the Empire, it seems that a civil war had broken out some time ago and people were fleeing the conflict. This was seen as good news for Titans crown who could swell there numbers and start populating the outer farms turning them into villages.
An adventuring group called the Purple Dragon Slayers also arrived in town and were hired by Lord Cragstein to help police the migrant population.
The fallen angel of the Raven Queen met with Brand (the paladin) and managed to convert him from Erathis to the Raven Queen. Shortly after this Brand learnt that the fallen paladin had burst into Titans Crwon paladin’s club demanding sanctuary, only minutes before a powerful Lich (Tellis’s mother) burst in and killed him and another paladin who got in the way. On hearing this Lord Cragstein demanded that Jerimiah (Warlord) get rid of that troublesome Lich. (Jermiah agreed, but knowing exactly who she was didn’t actually do anything about it himself, instead he ordered the Purple Dragon Slayers to look into the matter).
- Eventually the group discovered that the dragons message was referring to the Scar, a massive gorge that rent deep into the earth about two weeks travel away. Thrinsdale was on the way so they decided that they would also stop by and meet Rayons family.
- In Thrinsdale Rayon was met with surprise and open arms, they hadn’t heard from him for sometime. He met with the elders who listened to all his achievements and pronounced him an adult (hurrah!).
- About a day away from the Scar the group came across a wizards tower. Here they met Andropov the Arrogant (human, epic wizard) and his assistant Gregov (warforged cleric of Temperon). Andropov told them that the Scar was home to a community of Drow who were protecting a Red Dragon. Andropov was pleasant and knowledgable, also giving off the impression that he was at least 200 years old, he inferred that he knew of the group (or people like them) but for certain reasons could not discuss their mission with them or interfere with the drow directly.
- The group descended into the gorge and on their way down discovered an ancient tomb, in which the disturbed and defeated Ram’Kal’Ram’Ra and Egyptian style mummy king who it turned out had a headdress that was very useful for Warlords. (It has never left Jerimiahs head sinse!).
- Inside the large complex the group battled many Spiders, Drow warriors, Drow shadow and venom casters, a drider swirdmage, drider venom caller and the fearsome drider pit princess. This took more than a day, and while the group were resting (barricaded in a room) the dragon came out to threaten them and in a bid for sympathy left them a copy of the Divine Contract to try and make them see that they were being used by the gods.
Hand out:
The Contract of Destiny
- All current hostilities within the established boundaries of conflict shall be suspended immediately and absolutely.
- All claim of ownership to the parties present shall be held and rendered in suspension until such a time as the Contract of Destiny has been resolved. At that time all ownership shall transfer to the possession of the party in whose favour destiny has fallen.
- The demon form Notan and the angel form Veledra are to be henceforth banished from this place and held in isolation in the Void Matrix of the Sixteenth Seal of Discord until such a time as the dispute is resolved as per this binding contract.
- All present and noted parties who remain active shall be rendered neutral for a period of 100 years or until such a time as another outside force of equal magnitude intervenes in such a way as to unbalance any neutrality.
- Any present and noted party who interferes directly in the observance of any aspect of this contract shall be bound directly into the neutrality of the designated contract anchor.
- The contract anchor is expressly prohibited from discussing the details or existence of their role or the events that instigated the forming of the contract until such a time as the contract is rendered obsolete.
Proclaimed Destiny
(resolution sub clause)
(resolution sub clause)
- It shall come to pass that champions representing both parties involved in the Contract of Destiny shall rise from within the natural boundaries of the conflict.
- These champions will represent all aspects of the world they represent, and will journey and shape the world to the ideals for which they stand.
- Ultimately the champions representing both parties will face each other in an unspecified challenge or a series of unspecified challenges.
- The contract party whose champions stand alone and undefeated when all opposing champions have fallen will be deemed in favour under the stated terms of the Contract of Destiny as agreed.
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Sanctioned Restitution
(final settlement terms)
(final settlement terms)
- Upon the above stated and agreed upon resolution terms the Contract of Destiny will be deemed complete and settlement will be made.
- The favoured party shall claim the return of their instigating aspect and all ownership of those held in suspension shall be transferred to the favoured party.
- The instigating aspect of the unsuccessful challenger shall be discorporated utterly and their essence shall be added to the Void Matrix of the Sixteenth Seal of Discord as reasonable payment for services rendered.
The above binding divine contract is enacted by the divine right of:
Pholtus the Pale
To the agreement of:
Orcus - The Demon Prince of the Undead (as represented by the Demon Notan)
Raven Queen - The Spinner of Fate and Goddess of Winter (as represented by the Angel Veledra)
Witnessed by:
Archmage Andropolov the Arrogant
Divine Oracle of Temperon Gregov
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- Now the group knew that for better or worse they were involved in something dangerous on an unprecedented scale. They had mixed feelings about the concept of fate and whether they had any free will in the situation. All they really knew is that they had a dragon to kill, a dragon that possibly had about the same level of responsibility as they did for the current situation.
- The battled through the remaining encounters until they faced the Red dragon and its offspring. The dragon bargained for the group to spare the lives of its children, and the group agreed only to see the children flank them and attack. That sealed the fate of all the dragons there, any creature that doesn’t honour a bargain deserves to die. There was no magical inscription when the red dragon died, its very absence was as poignant as any vague threat.
- The group tried to visit Andropov on their way back as the contract they had been given was witness by him. But he was gone, they would have to find him later.
- When the group got back to Titans Crown they discovered that drastic action had been taken. The purple dragon slayers had dutifully investigated the Lich problem, unfortunately this had led to Tellis Mother hunting them down and killing them one by one. However the group also learnt that Lord Cragsteins only son had at some point revealed himself as a follower of Orcus and had killed Lady Cragstein and would have killed his father if it wasn’t for the Lich who burst in and saved Lord Cragsteins life. Lord Cragstein quickly saw the error of his ways and sent out word to those in the know that the Lady Samsarrow was an ally of Titans Crown and should not be interfered with. (how convenient)
This got the PCs from level 1 to 13, the paragon tier story sees them set off into the Empire to see what all this civil war is about, and to try to catch up with Kaya (the aspect of slaughter).
Well that’s a major wall of text, I have missed loads out but it gives you a general idea of most of the main points. I hope you found it amusing.
firesnakearies
Explorer
Holy crap, there's so much awesome there. Man, I want to play in your game.
Sounds like an amazing campaign.
Sounds like an amazing campaign.
Derulbaskul
Adventurer
So, Mesh Hong, I knew you designed great monsters and encounters but, seriously, your campaign rocks!
Thanks for posting it here. Sorry I can't give you XP but the only way I could give you XP each time you deserved it would be to create a series of alts... which is against board policy!
Thanks for posting it here. Sorry I can't give you XP but the only way I could give you XP each time you deserved it would be to create a series of alts... which is against board policy!
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