Kale Silvermoon
First Post
sry 'bout the double post but on behalf of most of the readers please post more soon... please.
IRON KINGDOMS: The Journals of Heinrich Uberlich - Final Chapter
ReeboKesh
First Post
Tuesday, March 25th, 603 AR
“The Two Towers”
It has been another long day’s journey and we have asked Captain Squint to take anchor, as one of our numbers, Father Darius, is not in any condition to proceed further. He has been greatly weakened by the poison that a Thrall had coated on its blade. I believe we should stay within the safety of the two towers we have passed until he is strong enough to heal his wounds.
This day has proven to be an even greater struggle than the one before. Around midday our progress was momentarily halted by a large tree fallen across our steamboat’s path. A heavy fog had also rolled in obscuring our vision. Father Darius shared the same opinion as I; ambush! I ordered the others to keep a sharp watch while a retrieved an axe from the boat’s toolbox climbed up onto the fallen tree and began chopping away. I did not even notice that Father Darius had also climbed onto the tree until I heard the splash and saw him fall into the water. Thinking fast, First Mate Killian tossed a rope toward me, I enspelled it with magical light and dropped it in the water after the priest. Then Yama said something like “that smell, its so familiar” and the air was filled with flying darts. Swamp Gobbers were attacking us! How could we have forgotten the artificial fog, Yama Khan had remembered the peculiar smell it possessed but alas too late. Several Gobbers ran toward me along the log and as one swiped at me with a rusty blade I leapt across the gap onto the boat’s deck. The battle was truly chaotic and being caught unprepared forced me to rely on the axe I held in my hand instead of my usual repertoire of spells or even my pistols. This incident has caused me to not rely so much on what I have but to adapt to the situations around me, using whatever is at hand to overcome any challenges. I heard Yama Khan curse loudly twice, as his spells fizzled out. I could not tell if the Gobbers had disrupted his spells or if his leather armour was interfering with his casting. I myself have discarded my old armour and wear only my great coat for protection.
Eventually through perseverance and the aid of the crew of The Fortune we were able to drive the Gobbers away. To our surprise Father Darius had not drowned but had managed to reach the riverbank. We continued with the clearing of the tree as Damien’s owl familiar, Shayliss, circled high above keeping a sharp lookout for returning Gobbers.
We continued on for several more hours until we spotted two squat towers standing on either side of the riverbank. Between them stretched a thick iron gate, one we would have to open to continue our journey. Captain Squint docked The Fortune near the right hand bank and Father Darius, Damien Wolf and I proceeded to investigate the tower. Inside we discovered a ladder leading up, Father Darius took point and proceeded up the ladder. When he reached to opening he cried out as a pair of undead Thralls attacked him. I rushed up the ladder and flipping my stiletto dagger “Purgatory” in my hand, hurled it at the nearest Thrall. The dagger flew true striking the Thrall between the eyes and dropping it. Damien dispatched the second Thrall and I turned to Father Darius who leaned against the gate-winch device clutching at his back. “Poison” he was able to spit out before stumbling forward. From one of the tower windows I called for Yama Khan to come to our aid. The grey necromancer reached us and moved toward the stricken Father Darius. Unfortunately Yama Khan’s healing skills were not the miracle cures of the priests of Morrow but more scientifically based and could not overcome the poison which weakened Father Darius greatly. I noticed Yama Khan taking a sample of the poison from the dead Thrall’s blade.
Taking Father Darius’ magical longsword, Damien and I headed back to the boat and across to the other tower. Approaching the tower’s entrance we were assaulted by a foul odour, not the odour of the dead but one similar to bat guano. Sure enough as I entered the doorway with Father Darius’ magical blade, which now glowed with the radiance of a Light spell, six large bats flew out and attacked us. I realised that these were not mere bats but viscous Razor Bats! These flying rodents possessed cruel barbs on their wings and on their whip-like tails, the erratic flying made them almost impossible to hit. We managed to kill two when I noticed that Damien was bleeding profusely from several cuts across his arms and legs, then the air was filled with a magical tingle and a wave of fear washed over me. I managed to ignore the unnatural emotion, which caused three of the bats to fly away from us. Damien had also resisted the magic spell and I turned to the other tower to see Yama Khan salute me, I returned the salute and entered the tower after advising Damien that he should return to the boat.
Inside the tower was a nest made of twigs branches and leaves. Within were two infant Razor Bats that I scooped up into a sack for safe keeping. Climbing up the ladder I discovered that this winch room was empty save for old cobwebs. I signalled to the other tower and tried to turn the gate winch, but it wouldn’t budge. Returning to the boat I had Killian accompany and sent Adon to the other tower. After slaying the three returning Razor Bats that had been frightened by Yama Khan’s spell we proceeded upstairs and once again failed to budge the gate winch. A plan formulated in my mind and I rushed back and arranged for two very long lengths of rope to be wound around the gate winches, trailed out the tower windows and attached to The Fortune’s prow. Once back in the boat Captain Squint started up the engines and put The Fortune into reverse. The ropes went taunt with the strain yet still the gate refused to open! Captain Squint wisely stopped the boat before the ropes snapped and then it occurred to me that something we could not see was holding the gates close, and that something was not in the towers because we had searched them thoroughly. Finally it came to me; the gate was partially submerged beneath the river! I stripped of my heavy gear and dived into the river. At the point were the two gates met, a heavy chain and padlocked were holding it shut. I dragged the chain and padlock above the waterline and drew forth one of the metal tubes on my belt. Unscrewing the lid I let the glass vial of acid slide out into my hand, then I popped the wax seal and poured the acid over the padlock. Within moments the padlock broke open the chains fell away. I climbed back on board just as Captain Squint put the boat into reverse and opened the gates.
Father Darius has expressed his inability to fight by our side in his current condition. I have suggested to the others that we rest for the night and head off in the morning. I await their decision.
____________________________________________________
“The Two Towers”
It has been another long day’s journey and we have asked Captain Squint to take anchor, as one of our numbers, Father Darius, is not in any condition to proceed further. He has been greatly weakened by the poison that a Thrall had coated on its blade. I believe we should stay within the safety of the two towers we have passed until he is strong enough to heal his wounds.
This day has proven to be an even greater struggle than the one before. Around midday our progress was momentarily halted by a large tree fallen across our steamboat’s path. A heavy fog had also rolled in obscuring our vision. Father Darius shared the same opinion as I; ambush! I ordered the others to keep a sharp watch while a retrieved an axe from the boat’s toolbox climbed up onto the fallen tree and began chopping away. I did not even notice that Father Darius had also climbed onto the tree until I heard the splash and saw him fall into the water. Thinking fast, First Mate Killian tossed a rope toward me, I enspelled it with magical light and dropped it in the water after the priest. Then Yama said something like “that smell, its so familiar” and the air was filled with flying darts. Swamp Gobbers were attacking us! How could we have forgotten the artificial fog, Yama Khan had remembered the peculiar smell it possessed but alas too late. Several Gobbers ran toward me along the log and as one swiped at me with a rusty blade I leapt across the gap onto the boat’s deck. The battle was truly chaotic and being caught unprepared forced me to rely on the axe I held in my hand instead of my usual repertoire of spells or even my pistols. This incident has caused me to not rely so much on what I have but to adapt to the situations around me, using whatever is at hand to overcome any challenges. I heard Yama Khan curse loudly twice, as his spells fizzled out. I could not tell if the Gobbers had disrupted his spells or if his leather armour was interfering with his casting. I myself have discarded my old armour and wear only my great coat for protection.
Eventually through perseverance and the aid of the crew of The Fortune we were able to drive the Gobbers away. To our surprise Father Darius had not drowned but had managed to reach the riverbank. We continued with the clearing of the tree as Damien’s owl familiar, Shayliss, circled high above keeping a sharp lookout for returning Gobbers.
We continued on for several more hours until we spotted two squat towers standing on either side of the riverbank. Between them stretched a thick iron gate, one we would have to open to continue our journey. Captain Squint docked The Fortune near the right hand bank and Father Darius, Damien Wolf and I proceeded to investigate the tower. Inside we discovered a ladder leading up, Father Darius took point and proceeded up the ladder. When he reached to opening he cried out as a pair of undead Thralls attacked him. I rushed up the ladder and flipping my stiletto dagger “Purgatory” in my hand, hurled it at the nearest Thrall. The dagger flew true striking the Thrall between the eyes and dropping it. Damien dispatched the second Thrall and I turned to Father Darius who leaned against the gate-winch device clutching at his back. “Poison” he was able to spit out before stumbling forward. From one of the tower windows I called for Yama Khan to come to our aid. The grey necromancer reached us and moved toward the stricken Father Darius. Unfortunately Yama Khan’s healing skills were not the miracle cures of the priests of Morrow but more scientifically based and could not overcome the poison which weakened Father Darius greatly. I noticed Yama Khan taking a sample of the poison from the dead Thrall’s blade.
Taking Father Darius’ magical longsword, Damien and I headed back to the boat and across to the other tower. Approaching the tower’s entrance we were assaulted by a foul odour, not the odour of the dead but one similar to bat guano. Sure enough as I entered the doorway with Father Darius’ magical blade, which now glowed with the radiance of a Light spell, six large bats flew out and attacked us. I realised that these were not mere bats but viscous Razor Bats! These flying rodents possessed cruel barbs on their wings and on their whip-like tails, the erratic flying made them almost impossible to hit. We managed to kill two when I noticed that Damien was bleeding profusely from several cuts across his arms and legs, then the air was filled with a magical tingle and a wave of fear washed over me. I managed to ignore the unnatural emotion, which caused three of the bats to fly away from us. Damien had also resisted the magic spell and I turned to the other tower to see Yama Khan salute me, I returned the salute and entered the tower after advising Damien that he should return to the boat.
Inside the tower was a nest made of twigs branches and leaves. Within were two infant Razor Bats that I scooped up into a sack for safe keeping. Climbing up the ladder I discovered that this winch room was empty save for old cobwebs. I signalled to the other tower and tried to turn the gate winch, but it wouldn’t budge. Returning to the boat I had Killian accompany and sent Adon to the other tower. After slaying the three returning Razor Bats that had been frightened by Yama Khan’s spell we proceeded upstairs and once again failed to budge the gate winch. A plan formulated in my mind and I rushed back and arranged for two very long lengths of rope to be wound around the gate winches, trailed out the tower windows and attached to The Fortune’s prow. Once back in the boat Captain Squint started up the engines and put The Fortune into reverse. The ropes went taunt with the strain yet still the gate refused to open! Captain Squint wisely stopped the boat before the ropes snapped and then it occurred to me that something we could not see was holding the gates close, and that something was not in the towers because we had searched them thoroughly. Finally it came to me; the gate was partially submerged beneath the river! I stripped of my heavy gear and dived into the river. At the point were the two gates met, a heavy chain and padlocked were holding it shut. I dragged the chain and padlock above the waterline and drew forth one of the metal tubes on my belt. Unscrewing the lid I let the glass vial of acid slide out into my hand, then I popped the wax seal and poured the acid over the padlock. Within moments the padlock broke open the chains fell away. I climbed back on board just as Captain Squint put the boat into reverse and opened the gates.
Father Darius has expressed his inability to fight by our side in his current condition. I have suggested to the others that we rest for the night and head off in the morning. I await their decision.
____________________________________________________
ReeboKesh
First Post
Thursday, March 27th, 603 AR
“The Clockwork Temple”
A child asked me once if being stabbed with a sword hurt. I replied that it did, very much so. He then mused that dying must really hurt a lot. How wrong that child was. Death itself doesn’t hurt at all, its what causes your death that can hurt. How do I know? Well yesterday, I died.
We left the relative safety of the two towers in the morning and continued our waterborne journey up river. Eventually we stumbled upon another steamboat, much like our own, except this one had been attacked and was partially sunk. The good Father Darius and I decided to investigate the boat. We found no signs of life, but much bloodstains and deep gouge marks. The crew was certainly dead or worse. In a locked long wooden case I discovered a dozen bullets but no rifle to go with the bullets and case. We left the boat and continued on.
It was not much longer until we encountered the creatures responsible for the sinking of the other ship. A large sharpened log swung out from a low hanging bayou tree and crashed into our paddle wheel, stopping The Fortune dead in the water. Several reptilian humanoids suddenly sprang up from the banks of the river and rushed across the log. They possessed alligator-like features and stood over 7ft in height despite their stooped posture. Naturally we reacted to defend ourselves and protect The Fortune, a battle ensued. During the fight Yama Khan’s use of the Flaming Sphere spell kept the ‘Gator-Men’ at bay. I utilized my new theory that I should not rely so much on my pistols and spells but whatever I had at hand. In this particular case I drew forth a vial of acid from my long coat and tossed it into the face of one of the ‘Gator-Men’. He withdrew back into the swamp taking one of his injured companions with him. After the battle Damien brought to my attention one of the ‘Gator-Men’ weapons, a crude merging of wood, vine and sharpened metal plates. The temple of Cyriss must be close I thought, the ‘Gator-Men’ could never obtain such a worked piece of iron so far from civilization.
Captain Squint informed us that the ship's repairs would take some time but once they were done he would be returning to Corvis, with or without us. We had a handful of hours at best. Tarrying not, we gathered our weapons, gear and the chest containing Cromwell’s body and headed of into the dense jungle. The map provided to us by Father Dumas was very clear, unfortunately after several hours travel we found a path blocked by a gigantic fallen Warjack from the old days of Cygnar’s bloodied past. This Warjack was what else, but the village of the ‘Gator-Men’. We quickly discussed a course of action and came to the conclusion that circumventing the village would take too long so going through it was our only choice. We proceeded carefully; our hands empty save for the traditional ‘white flag of truce’. Luckily the ‘Gator-Men’ did not attack us on sight but took us meet with their Chieftain. Their Chieftain could understand and speak Cygnaran, rather poorly but enough for us to communicate that we meant no harm to them or their village and only acted in self-defense when ‘his people’ attacked our ship. He wasn’t pleased but conceded to let us pass on the condition that we give them some of our weapons. That we did, giving them several daggers, a light mace and a crossbow. I did notice that the ‘Gator-Man’ that I had scarred with my vial of acid possessed a Cygnaran rifle, which he clumsily held like a club. I was able to convince the Chieftain that the rifle was useless to his warrior and that the light mace made a more effective clubbing weapon. We left the ‘Gator-Men’ village and continued onward to the temple of Cyriss, myself sporting a new rifle that I soon cleaned up and reloaded.
Much later we passed several rectangular columns in a clearing. These columns possessed the markings of the Clockwork Goddess and a strange machine-like humming could be heard and felt coming from them and the ground beneath our feet. Eventually we reached a shallow basin and nestled within was a huge rectangular structure gleaming in the midday sun. A gigantic bas-relief face of the Clockwork Goddess marked this structure as the Temple of Cyriss. Within lay our goal, Alexia and the Witchfire blade.
Picking up our pace, we hurried to the base of the temple and proceeded in. Damien sent his owl familiar Shayliss into the air to keep an eye on the temple entrance should Alexia get by us while we were within. I heard Damien mutter a farewell to his familiar, just in case he never saw it again. I can understand why, we had until sunset before the doors of the Temple of Cyriss closed. For another thousand years.
I cannot remember much of our trip into the temple, even now my memory of the details of our journey through the place are fading. Obviously this is the work of Cyriss herself who has left me with an insight into the teachings of her faith but not the secrets of the temple itself. Maybe one day I will return. Nevertheless we fought many of her followers and her children, the Servitors, floating mechanical orbs armed with sharp grasping clawed arms. The temple itself was a huge multi-level metal maze of humming machinery, flashing lights and platforms that moved up and down from level to level.
There is one moment in the temple that I do vividly recall though, my argument with my friend, Father Darius. He had discovered that the heavy chest that Yama Khan and I carried contained our departed companion Cromwell’s corpse, the fact that we had kept this secret for him the entire journey was remarkable to say the least. He did not agree with our plans to try and resurrect Cromwell even going as far as to block our path with his sword at his side, ready to be drawn. At that point I had no choice but to draw my pistols “Law” and “Order”, against the young priest. He could see that I meant to at least try and resurrect Cromwell and I wouldn’t be against resurrecting another friend if I had too. Wisely he backed down. I regret what I did but Father Darius must realize I did not drag Cromwell’s body all these way to not even at least try to resurrect him. The teachings of the god Morrow run strong in him, I admire him for that.
Eventually we reached an immense chamber ringed by a platform leading to a central machine of levers and dials. Below us was a seemingly bottomless chasm arcing with electricity. We spotted Alexia at the foot of a machine on which her dead mother, Lexiaria’s, corpse lay. This was it, the machine that could supposedly bring the dead back to life. Little did I know at the time that I would learn first hand what this machine could do.
Father Darius called for Alexia to cease this blasphemy that she was about to commit. The young woman just smiled a wicked smile and suddenly we were beset by her coven of undead witches. With a textbook precision combination of spells, the witches almost subdued our small group of four. I split off from the others and fired my pistols at Alexia; more to get her attention than wound her, for I missed with both shots. She in turn distracted, attempted to enspell me with a domination spell, to try and convince me to help subdued my companions. I shook the magical compulsion off and dropped to one knee, aimed my the rifle and raised it in her direction. I called out to her to step away from the machine. She refused. My shot tore through her shoulder and she cried out in pain mixed with rage. A began to reload as she turned in my direction and spat at the words of another spell. I recognized the invocation of the Lightning Bolt spell a split second before it tore through me. The pain was unbearable, in that split second my muscles tensed up to the point of almost breaking my bones, and my blood boiled before unconsciousness granted me relief from my suffering. Or should I say death granted me relief.
At that moment I opened my eyes and saw my body below me on the platform, I was a spirit. I was dead. I watched as my companions defeated the coven of undead witches and Father Darius charged Alexia with holy fury, striking the Witchfire blade from her hand and knocking the young witch from the platform over the edge into the electrified abyss below. Then Yama Khan threw open the glass case that contained the body of Lexaria Ciannor and tossed her rotten corpse over the edge after her daughter. Yama Khan lifted my body and carried it over to the machine and placed it inside the glass chamber. Father Darius simply turned his back on the whole scene and said those fateful words that were both a bane to him and a boon to myself, “Do what you must.”
Suddenly I found myself being pulled back down toward the machine and darkness enveloped me once more, if but for a brief moment, for I opened my eyes and looked up at my companions shocked expressions, Yama Khan and Damien where in disbelief. I saw Father Darius turn back and look just as surprised, then a brief smile crossed his features before a look of sorrow replaced it. Yama Khan lifted open the case and enfolded me in a brief hug. Never had I expected that from the Grey Necromancer. Never had I expected to die and be brought back to life either.
Yama Khan tried to help me to my feet but I waved him off. I felt invigorated, never before had I felt so alive as if my body tingled with energy or maybe it was the after effects of the machine or even the Lightning Bolt that killed me, I know not. I noticed Father Darius carefully place the Witchfire Blade into the case he had brought along for it and suggest that we leave the temple immediately.
Armed with the knowledge of the layout of the Temple of Cyriss, which has since left my mind, I lead my companions out of the resurrection chamber.
Before we could leave the temple we came up against more priests and Servitors as well as the head priest, Father Lucant, a four legged; multi armed mekanikal construct, truly fascinating. I was able to convince the mechanical priest that we had got what we came for and had eliminated the witch and her coven that had entered the temple and violated the holy place of Cyriss. Father Lucant was satisfied with our words and escorted us out of the temple, making sure that all the items and trinkets we had picked up were returned to his priests. The priests even brought us Cromwell’s body. Father Darius gave Yama Khan and I a withering look. I just ignored him, lifted Cromwell’s body in my arms and marched in the direction of the river and our waiting boat.
We passed the ‘Gator-Men’ village and reached The Fortune. We have stowed our gear and Cromwell’s body and the boat has begun its journey back to Corvis. I will write again when we are near Corvis.
_______________________________________________
“The Clockwork Temple”
A child asked me once if being stabbed with a sword hurt. I replied that it did, very much so. He then mused that dying must really hurt a lot. How wrong that child was. Death itself doesn’t hurt at all, its what causes your death that can hurt. How do I know? Well yesterday, I died.
We left the relative safety of the two towers in the morning and continued our waterborne journey up river. Eventually we stumbled upon another steamboat, much like our own, except this one had been attacked and was partially sunk. The good Father Darius and I decided to investigate the boat. We found no signs of life, but much bloodstains and deep gouge marks. The crew was certainly dead or worse. In a locked long wooden case I discovered a dozen bullets but no rifle to go with the bullets and case. We left the boat and continued on.
It was not much longer until we encountered the creatures responsible for the sinking of the other ship. A large sharpened log swung out from a low hanging bayou tree and crashed into our paddle wheel, stopping The Fortune dead in the water. Several reptilian humanoids suddenly sprang up from the banks of the river and rushed across the log. They possessed alligator-like features and stood over 7ft in height despite their stooped posture. Naturally we reacted to defend ourselves and protect The Fortune, a battle ensued. During the fight Yama Khan’s use of the Flaming Sphere spell kept the ‘Gator-Men’ at bay. I utilized my new theory that I should not rely so much on my pistols and spells but whatever I had at hand. In this particular case I drew forth a vial of acid from my long coat and tossed it into the face of one of the ‘Gator-Men’. He withdrew back into the swamp taking one of his injured companions with him. After the battle Damien brought to my attention one of the ‘Gator-Men’ weapons, a crude merging of wood, vine and sharpened metal plates. The temple of Cyriss must be close I thought, the ‘Gator-Men’ could never obtain such a worked piece of iron so far from civilization.
Captain Squint informed us that the ship's repairs would take some time but once they were done he would be returning to Corvis, with or without us. We had a handful of hours at best. Tarrying not, we gathered our weapons, gear and the chest containing Cromwell’s body and headed of into the dense jungle. The map provided to us by Father Dumas was very clear, unfortunately after several hours travel we found a path blocked by a gigantic fallen Warjack from the old days of Cygnar’s bloodied past. This Warjack was what else, but the village of the ‘Gator-Men’. We quickly discussed a course of action and came to the conclusion that circumventing the village would take too long so going through it was our only choice. We proceeded carefully; our hands empty save for the traditional ‘white flag of truce’. Luckily the ‘Gator-Men’ did not attack us on sight but took us meet with their Chieftain. Their Chieftain could understand and speak Cygnaran, rather poorly but enough for us to communicate that we meant no harm to them or their village and only acted in self-defense when ‘his people’ attacked our ship. He wasn’t pleased but conceded to let us pass on the condition that we give them some of our weapons. That we did, giving them several daggers, a light mace and a crossbow. I did notice that the ‘Gator-Man’ that I had scarred with my vial of acid possessed a Cygnaran rifle, which he clumsily held like a club. I was able to convince the Chieftain that the rifle was useless to his warrior and that the light mace made a more effective clubbing weapon. We left the ‘Gator-Men’ village and continued onward to the temple of Cyriss, myself sporting a new rifle that I soon cleaned up and reloaded.
Much later we passed several rectangular columns in a clearing. These columns possessed the markings of the Clockwork Goddess and a strange machine-like humming could be heard and felt coming from them and the ground beneath our feet. Eventually we reached a shallow basin and nestled within was a huge rectangular structure gleaming in the midday sun. A gigantic bas-relief face of the Clockwork Goddess marked this structure as the Temple of Cyriss. Within lay our goal, Alexia and the Witchfire blade.
Picking up our pace, we hurried to the base of the temple and proceeded in. Damien sent his owl familiar Shayliss into the air to keep an eye on the temple entrance should Alexia get by us while we were within. I heard Damien mutter a farewell to his familiar, just in case he never saw it again. I can understand why, we had until sunset before the doors of the Temple of Cyriss closed. For another thousand years.
I cannot remember much of our trip into the temple, even now my memory of the details of our journey through the place are fading. Obviously this is the work of Cyriss herself who has left me with an insight into the teachings of her faith but not the secrets of the temple itself. Maybe one day I will return. Nevertheless we fought many of her followers and her children, the Servitors, floating mechanical orbs armed with sharp grasping clawed arms. The temple itself was a huge multi-level metal maze of humming machinery, flashing lights and platforms that moved up and down from level to level.
There is one moment in the temple that I do vividly recall though, my argument with my friend, Father Darius. He had discovered that the heavy chest that Yama Khan and I carried contained our departed companion Cromwell’s corpse, the fact that we had kept this secret for him the entire journey was remarkable to say the least. He did not agree with our plans to try and resurrect Cromwell even going as far as to block our path with his sword at his side, ready to be drawn. At that point I had no choice but to draw my pistols “Law” and “Order”, against the young priest. He could see that I meant to at least try and resurrect Cromwell and I wouldn’t be against resurrecting another friend if I had too. Wisely he backed down. I regret what I did but Father Darius must realize I did not drag Cromwell’s body all these way to not even at least try to resurrect him. The teachings of the god Morrow run strong in him, I admire him for that.
Eventually we reached an immense chamber ringed by a platform leading to a central machine of levers and dials. Below us was a seemingly bottomless chasm arcing with electricity. We spotted Alexia at the foot of a machine on which her dead mother, Lexiaria’s, corpse lay. This was it, the machine that could supposedly bring the dead back to life. Little did I know at the time that I would learn first hand what this machine could do.
Father Darius called for Alexia to cease this blasphemy that she was about to commit. The young woman just smiled a wicked smile and suddenly we were beset by her coven of undead witches. With a textbook precision combination of spells, the witches almost subdued our small group of four. I split off from the others and fired my pistols at Alexia; more to get her attention than wound her, for I missed with both shots. She in turn distracted, attempted to enspell me with a domination spell, to try and convince me to help subdued my companions. I shook the magical compulsion off and dropped to one knee, aimed my the rifle and raised it in her direction. I called out to her to step away from the machine. She refused. My shot tore through her shoulder and she cried out in pain mixed with rage. A began to reload as she turned in my direction and spat at the words of another spell. I recognized the invocation of the Lightning Bolt spell a split second before it tore through me. The pain was unbearable, in that split second my muscles tensed up to the point of almost breaking my bones, and my blood boiled before unconsciousness granted me relief from my suffering. Or should I say death granted me relief.
At that moment I opened my eyes and saw my body below me on the platform, I was a spirit. I was dead. I watched as my companions defeated the coven of undead witches and Father Darius charged Alexia with holy fury, striking the Witchfire blade from her hand and knocking the young witch from the platform over the edge into the electrified abyss below. Then Yama Khan threw open the glass case that contained the body of Lexaria Ciannor and tossed her rotten corpse over the edge after her daughter. Yama Khan lifted my body and carried it over to the machine and placed it inside the glass chamber. Father Darius simply turned his back on the whole scene and said those fateful words that were both a bane to him and a boon to myself, “Do what you must.”
Suddenly I found myself being pulled back down toward the machine and darkness enveloped me once more, if but for a brief moment, for I opened my eyes and looked up at my companions shocked expressions, Yama Khan and Damien where in disbelief. I saw Father Darius turn back and look just as surprised, then a brief smile crossed his features before a look of sorrow replaced it. Yama Khan lifted open the case and enfolded me in a brief hug. Never had I expected that from the Grey Necromancer. Never had I expected to die and be brought back to life either.
Yama Khan tried to help me to my feet but I waved him off. I felt invigorated, never before had I felt so alive as if my body tingled with energy or maybe it was the after effects of the machine or even the Lightning Bolt that killed me, I know not. I noticed Father Darius carefully place the Witchfire Blade into the case he had brought along for it and suggest that we leave the temple immediately.
Armed with the knowledge of the layout of the Temple of Cyriss, which has since left my mind, I lead my companions out of the resurrection chamber.
Before we could leave the temple we came up against more priests and Servitors as well as the head priest, Father Lucant, a four legged; multi armed mekanikal construct, truly fascinating. I was able to convince the mechanical priest that we had got what we came for and had eliminated the witch and her coven that had entered the temple and violated the holy place of Cyriss. Father Lucant was satisfied with our words and escorted us out of the temple, making sure that all the items and trinkets we had picked up were returned to his priests. The priests even brought us Cromwell’s body. Father Darius gave Yama Khan and I a withering look. I just ignored him, lifted Cromwell’s body in my arms and marched in the direction of the river and our waiting boat.
We passed the ‘Gator-Men’ village and reached The Fortune. We have stowed our gear and Cromwell’s body and the boat has begun its journey back to Corvis. I will write again when we are near Corvis.
_______________________________________________
Kale Silvermoon
First Post
insanne... that was unexpected and cool. keep it up.
ReeboKesh
First Post
Friday, March 28th, 603 AR
“A new mystery”
It seems resurrection comes with a price. A caveat if you may. The teachings of Morrow tell us that resurrection is prohibited. We have one chance in this life to make a difference and one chance only. The gods do not allow our souls to travel back to Caen once we have died. It seems the goddess Cyriss has a different opinion on the subject of resurrection. Her teachings that machines that are destroyed can be rebuilt seem to apply to her mechanical servants as well as those of flesh and blood. Yet no religious text explains the phenomena that my companions and I have encountered today.
We awoke this morning to find Cromwell alive and standing over the body of Father Darius. I quick check confirmed that he wasn’t actually alive, he was undead. Our attempts at communication proved futile and we were forced to ‘slay’ the undead Cromwell. I took it upon myself to perform the gruesome task of cutting Cromwell’s body into pieces and placing them in a locked tool chest.
Father Darius spent most of the day in quiet meditation. He has not spoken too Yama Khan or myself at all since leaving the Temple of Cyriss. He obviously must deal with the blow to his faith seeing me brought back from the dead. I wonder has Morrow forsaken the young priest? Never the less I feel more alive than ever before, something is happening to me but I know not, except that it is something for the better.
Later on in the day one of the adult Razor Bats we killed near the two towers flew into the boat seemingly looking for its offspring. I caught the creature with my long coat and realized to my horror that it was undead as well. I quickly dispatched it and tossed its body overboard. Damien came up with an interesting experiment. He caught a large trout with a fishing line then skewed it on his sword, leaving it lying on the deck. Sure enough the fish eventually came back to life or more precisely unlife. The hole through its head had not healed over when it came back to life. The thought of an undead fish was eerie but nothing compared to the revelation that struck us. Have we tampered with the very laws of life and death? Is this bizarre undead creation effect centered on us, on me? What of the undead army that attacked Corvis, will it rise again?
I realized our dilemma and retrieved the chest containing Cromwell’s severed body. I hoisted onto the rim of the boat and paused for a moment. I opened the chest. The severed head of Cromwell looked up at me with lifeless eyes, his mouth opening and closing yet making no sound. Repulsed I tipped his body and the chest overboard. The emptied my guts over the side of the boat. Sorry old friend, I had no choice. I hope it is but your body being animated and not your soul being tortured. I returned to my quarters.
Tomorrow we reach Corvis, we will learn whether our actions have placed this city in peril.
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Saturday, March 29th, 603 AR
“Vinter Raelthorne IV”
We have returned to a city policed by the Cygnaran Inquisition and under the new rule of Vinter Raelthorne IV, the former tyrannical ruler of Caspia. Overthrown by his younger brother Leto Raelthorne, Vinter was imprisoned in the tower dungeon until his escape by certain magical means. Many thought him dead as it has been several years since he was overthrown.
Upon nearing Corvis we noticed a large amount of ships leaving the city. Captain Squint managed to pull alongside Captain Edem’s ship and that is when we learnt the bad news about Vinter’s takeover of the city. Apparently the entire council had been murdered overnight leaving only councilor Borloch who now oversees the Inquisition with the aid of my sworn enemy, the mage Vahn Oberen. We also learnt that the Corvis guards, at the behest of the Inquisition, have been confiscating all swords. Obviously they seek the Witchfire blade. We thanked Captain Edem for the heads up and asked Captain Squint to let us off on the shore, three miles from Corvis. We bid the Captain and his crew farewell and searched for a place to bury the Witchfire blade. We chose a location that we could easily find again and proceeded to bury the blade. Finishing our task we headed off to Corvis.
Upon reaching the front gates Father Darius and Damien’s swords were confiscated as we expected. Father Darius was able to obtain a receipt for his magical blade. I am sure Vinter Raelthorne himself will honor that receipt. We made our way to the church of Morrow to inform Father Dumas of our success in retrieving the Witchfire blade.
We reached the church, entering we found it seemingly empty, uninhabited, until several figures stepped forth from the shadows. It was Captain Helstrom, a pair of guards and an Inquisitor. For a moment Helstrom seemed to be allied with the Inquisitor and was going to give us up to the Inquisition. I thought we would have to fight our old friend when suddenly Helstrom leveled his military pistol at the Inquisitor’s head and fired. The sniveling wretch of a man dropped to the cold stone floor like a sack of potatoes. Helstrom commanded his guards to dispose of the body and approached our group. We soon learnt what had happened to the church of Morrow and to Father Dumas. The aged priest was being kept in the city jail out in the harbor; he was no doubt being tortured for the location of the Witchfire Blade. Helstrom handed us a map of the sewer system under the jail and a whistle to use when approached by Corvis city guards. The whistles peculiar tone would alert guards loyal to Helstrom that we were his friends. Throwing his dark cloak around him, Helstrom left us and disappeared into the fast approaching night.
As I look out the doors of the church I see several drops of rainfall. A storm is coming and once again the heroes of Corvis will have to weather it.
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Sunday, March 30th, 603 AR
“Times change, people change”
This morning I had the most impressive breakfast I have ever had; eggs, bacon, cheese, sweet bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, jams and spreads, washed down with several cups of Caspian dark umber ground coffee. Last night I also partook in scrumptious dinner and slept in the largest and softest bed I have slept in. All this, I thank my hosts, Lady Solor and Demoiselle Claudia. After all it’s a small token of appreciation for rescuing Lady Solor from the Corvis jailhouse and seeing her to safety through the Inquisition plagued streets of Corvis. I hope my companions have fared well with their rescued prisoners, obviously Father Darius will see to Father Dumas’s safety, though the two fellows we liberated from the jail that Damien and Yama Khan were talking to seemed to be of the undesirable kind. Oh well I will meet up with them later at the Cathedral of the Fallen Saint.
Last night proved to be a real eye opener and may have given us some clues as to whom Vinter Raelthorne IV is in league with and explains why he was easily able to take over the city. We had left the Church of Morrow under cover of darkness and rain. Reaching the eastern docks we procured a small boat and paddled out to the jail. Around one side of the high stone structure of the jailhouse we found a sewage/rainwater outlet and with the aid of Yama Khan’s Spider Climb spell we secured a rope and climbed in. As we traveled along the tunnel, with rainwater rushing past our feet we heard the sound of hundreds of rats coming our way. The rodents scurried past us as we hugged the walls of the tunnel; someone or something had frightened them. We learnt soon enough what that something was. The creature’s huge bulbous body nearly filled the sewer tunnel. Dozens upon dozen of grasping tendrils ringed its body. It eyes glowed with an eerie light and when it opened its maw, it almost split the creature in half and revealed row upon row of needle-like teeth lined up like those of a shark. To this day do not know why but my courage broke at the sight of the thing and I ran passed my companions as fast as my legs could carry me. When Yama Khan found me I was at the edge of the sewer tunnel overlooking the rain swept harbor. He told me the beast was dead and I immediately felt relieved. Together we returned to the others. Damien Wolf had found a grate leading up to an chamber and could hear voice coming from the room. He climbed up to the grate without making a sound and returned several moments later, rather paler than normal, for he had heard the voice of Vinter Raelthorne IV. Damien breathlessly repeated what he had heard; Raelthorne was conversing with another, a man named Oberon, we knew him well. He spoke of torturing Father Dumas further and then hanging his gutted corpse from the spire of the Church of Morrow. As much as each of us wanted to see these two men dead we could do nothing, Raelthorne and Oberon are far beyond our skills to defeat them but I swear one day soon there will be a reckoning.
We continued on and found the secret entrance shown on our map. A ladder of iron rungs lead up to a trapdoor. Volunteering, I climbed up and pushed open the trapdoor with my shoulder and holding my pistol “Law” in my off hand. I had never had expected coming face to face with a guard sitting in a waste closet with his pants around his angles, I almost burst out laughing but I held myself and motioned him to keep silent. I made him dress and forced him down the trapdoor, taking his sword of the door of the waste closet where it hung. Yama Khan was able to weasel some information out of the guard and we all proceeded to climb up as Yama Khan bound and gagged the guard. At that point I passed the sword to Father Darius who was without his trusty blade by his side. He in turn passed me his light mace making me realize I would not be able to rely on my pistols or rifle is we were to make this a stealthy rescue operation.
Soon enough we encountered three guards and with deft use of Yama Khan’s Web spell we were able to stop them from sounding the alarm. We forced them down the trapdoor unarmed and continued our search for Father Dumas. We found several unjustly imprisoned people including the wife of the late Councilor Solor. We explained to them that once we found Father Dumas we would return for them.
We had split up at this point and eventually we found the torture chamber. Within we confronted an Inquisitor and something else. The very tall, very strange looking being looked like it was at home in a torture chamber, its pale white skin was pierced by many rings, chains and spikes. It wore strange-looking dark armor of unknown make and wielded a chain of spikes. We attacked the sadistic duo from both sides and I felt the sting of the alien beings’ chain weapon, which had been heated up in the coal fire near the torture rack. We defeated them both and examined the humanoid’s corpse. It’s skin was pale almost white as were its pupil-less eyes. It had pointed ears and teeth sharpened into points or maybe its teeth were supposed to be like that. Never the less none of us had ever seen or heard of such a creature but if Raelthorne had an army of these beings, Corvis, nay the whole of Cygnar was in danger.
Hurrying we found Father Dumas and helped the tortured priest down the ladder. We also released the other three prisoners and made our way to our boat. Eventually, cold, drenched and tired we reached a secluded dock and disembarked. We agreed to meet at the Church of the Fallen Saint in the morning and Father Darius headed off with Father Dumas to retrieve some tome form the Church of Morrow. Lady Solor demanded that she be escorted to a friends house, and both Yama Khan and Damien were quiet rude to her so I stepped in and offered to see her to safety. I left those two talking with the remaining two prisoners about money and rewards. Had they known how influential the Lady Solor was they would have enjoyed the lavish meal and steaming hot both that I was offered as reward for my heroism. The Lady Solor, her friend Demoiselle Claudia and I spent most of the night talking, actually I did most of the talking, recounting our my adventures since arriving in Corvis and my encounter with the Bridge Troll. This seemed to keep Lady Solor’s thoughts off her late husband, though I sense that maybe their marital bound was not so strong there.
I hear the Demoiselle Claudia’s butler calling for me. Must be time to take my leave. I shall thank my hosts for the gracious hospitality and rendezvous with my companions. Hopefully an answer to many of our new questions will be forth coming.
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Monday, March 31st, 603 AR
“Professor Viktor Pendrake”
Though today has been a very uneventful day it has also proven to be a very insightful one. It began this morning when I left the gracious company of Lady Solor and Demoiselle Claudia The grateful Lady Solor handed me a pouch of gold crowns, I tried to knock back the reward but she insisted. I thanked her and told her should she or her associates ever require my aid on any matter to contact me through the Church of Morrow. Stepping outside I suddenly felt as if a new chapter of my life was starting. The feeling of being invigorated and refreshed that I had been feeling since being resurrected still lingered in me but that could have been from the good nights rest and hearty breakfast I had consumed. I opened the pouch and counted the gold. 500 crowns! If only Cromwell was here with me now, he would have fainted dead away. Even more so if he knew what I decided to do with the money. I stopped a passing pedestrian and asked for the location of the Corvis Orphanage. With directions in hand I quickened my step and headed off, I could not afford to be late to the meeting with my companions.
I arrived at the unnamed orphanage and knocked heavily on the door. One of the attending Sisters of Morrow opened and asked my business. I asked if the orphanage was in need of donations, she replied yes. I told her my name and handed her the pouch. She stumbled back in shock upon opening the weighty pouch of gold crowns. I wished her a good day between her constant thank yous and bless yous and headed of toward the Cathedral of the Fallen Saint, I could he the Sister calling out to her brethren about the outrageous good fortune they had just received. And I felt good about it.
Eventually I was in sight of the Cathedral when suddenly a white owl swooped onto my shoulder. I recognized Shayliss and noticed the note tied to her foot. It was from Damien, he wrote that the Cathedral was being watched by Inquisitors and that I should meet him and Yama Khan at The Cracked Cup Coffee Shop.
Arriving at The Cracked Cup Coffee Shop I spotted Yama Khan and Damien and joined them. Damien pointed out the suspicious looking individuals following us by turning the handle of his coffee cup in their direction. I very clever trick I must say. At that point both Yama Khan and Damien asked me about my accent. I thought they were joking, I have never had an accent. Yama Khan insisted I had been speaking with a peculiar accent since meeting him. I must ponder this mystery more for after Father Darius joined us and made the same peculiar comment regarding my speech, I realized that my companions were playing no joke.
Anyway Father Darius told us what he had learnt about the Witchfire Blade. Apparently it was the sword that was animating the dead and drawing them to it. The strange goings-on aboard the Fortune were not the result of my resurrection after all. I was much relieved to learn that. He told us that the sword must be buried or hidden deep underground or within an dungeon so that its undead raising power could not function. From there the sword could not be found by any magical means including scrying. We had two choice The old Orgoth Barracks where the witches had been interred or Fort Rhyker. Father Darius also mentioned one Professor Viktor Pendrake, a renown scholar at the University of Corvis. We decided to go see him.
Asking around we were directed to Professor Pendrake’s office and feeling he was a trustworthy sort with no love for the Raelthorne IV, we introduced ourselves and spoke of our mission and the Witchfire Blade. He seemed knowledgeable on many monster related facts but the sword eluded him. He only concurred with Father Dumas’ suggestion to bury it in one of the two places I mentioned earlier. Damien had the bizarre idea of sending the Witchfire blade into the upper atmosphere. I tried to convince him that such a feat of magic would be beyond any of the wizards in Corvis or maybe even all of Cygnar. As for using mekanikal means, I reminded him that gravity keeps us firmly planted on the ground. This same natural force would most likely prevent an object from getting to up high in the atmosphere, we were talking higher than any mountains here. He seem extremely irritated by our refusal to even attempt such a task and when he suggested we give the blade to a dragon Professor Pendrake almost fell of the stool he was sitting on. Much to learn this one has about the land, magic and mekanika. We asked Professor Pendrake if he knew of anyone willing to volunteer their services to aid us on our mission. He called over a young student, a young man named Arcturion Freud. He carried a longbow at his side and a full quiver of arrows. It was almost as if he had been expecting us.
We bid Professor Pendrake a good evening and made plans to leave in the morning. I spoke briefly with Arcturion before retiring for the evening. He seems an intelligent enough fellow, eager to prove himself in battle. I sense a kindred spirit in him, I believe he has the same desire to see justice served for the good of all as I do.
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Thursday, April 3rd, 603 AR
“Return to Fort Rhyker”
We have just killed a ravening Gorax! The beast took us by surprise while we explored the second keep at Fort Ryhker. Father Darius received a viscous wound to his throat and he seemed to be concerned for a moment that he would not be able to speak. I calmed his fears and he was able to invoke a healing spell to close the gaping wound at his throat. Odd now that I think of it, Father Darius has not cast any clerical spells save healing ones since we returned from the Temple of Cyriss. I now suspect my resurrection may have played a part in Morrow turning his back on the young priest. I am the first to say that rules and restrictions should not be broken but there are times, few and far between, when one must make an exception to these rules, especially if it involves a loved one or a trusted friend. I must find some time to speak to the priest alone.
During the battle with the Gorax, Arcturion proved either very brave or very suicidal rolling between the hulking beast’s legs and coming up behind it to pierce it with a volley of arrows. Never the less it is dead and we have made sure it will not return as an undead beast. Surely we could not survive another attack.
We have been battle the risen dead since we reached Fort Rhyker. Those Thrall we destroyed the first time around have risen to plague us once more thanks to the influence of the Witchfire Blade which we still carry. We left Corvis early in the morning and were stopped at the front gate because one of the guards spotted Father Darius’ stolen guards’ sword. Luckily we were able to talk our way out of the situation lest we found ourselves battling the entire city guard for at that point we were not in the mood to be harassed while on such an important mission.
We found the place were we had buried the Witchfire Blade. Half a dozen skeletons were attempting to dig the sword up. Naturally we battled them, defeated them, dug up the Witchfire Blade and continued on our way. Arcturion did point out some large claw marks on several trees in vicinity but could not determine the origin of the creature who made them. Damien Wolf had a brief squeezing experience with a tree python. Luckily for him his owl familiar Shayliss, warned us in time. A well placed shot from Arcturion freed our wizardly detective and we ate snake for dinner that evening.
Eventually we reach Fort Rhyker and contemplated tossing the Witchfire Blade into the ravine. We decided to explore the second tower this time and entered through the first one. Once again we battled risen Thralls and once again we triumphed over them. In the second tower we encountered more of the undead and discovered a room that contained notes and several tomes regarding the Thralls. Yama Khan greedily took possession of these much to Father Darius’ objections. It was at this point that the Gorax attacked us by surprise and after a hard fought battle the immense beast lay at our feet.
Now we rest. We have several more chambers to explore and then we must decide what to do with the Witchfire Blade.
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Hey guys. Unfortunately that was the last chapter we played of the WFT due to our DM abandoning the game. We may pick it up some time in the future but I cannot make any promises. In the meantime head over to the AtomicThinkTank boards and check out my Mutants and Masterminds Story Hour: Power and Responsibility - A Teen Hero Campaign.
Thanks for reading
Reebo
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For fans of superheroes check out my teen superhero M&M game over at the AtomicThinkTank boards
Power and Responsibility: A Teen Superhero Story Hour
“A new mystery”
It seems resurrection comes with a price. A caveat if you may. The teachings of Morrow tell us that resurrection is prohibited. We have one chance in this life to make a difference and one chance only. The gods do not allow our souls to travel back to Caen once we have died. It seems the goddess Cyriss has a different opinion on the subject of resurrection. Her teachings that machines that are destroyed can be rebuilt seem to apply to her mechanical servants as well as those of flesh and blood. Yet no religious text explains the phenomena that my companions and I have encountered today.
We awoke this morning to find Cromwell alive and standing over the body of Father Darius. I quick check confirmed that he wasn’t actually alive, he was undead. Our attempts at communication proved futile and we were forced to ‘slay’ the undead Cromwell. I took it upon myself to perform the gruesome task of cutting Cromwell’s body into pieces and placing them in a locked tool chest.
Father Darius spent most of the day in quiet meditation. He has not spoken too Yama Khan or myself at all since leaving the Temple of Cyriss. He obviously must deal with the blow to his faith seeing me brought back from the dead. I wonder has Morrow forsaken the young priest? Never the less I feel more alive than ever before, something is happening to me but I know not, except that it is something for the better.
Later on in the day one of the adult Razor Bats we killed near the two towers flew into the boat seemingly looking for its offspring. I caught the creature with my long coat and realized to my horror that it was undead as well. I quickly dispatched it and tossed its body overboard. Damien came up with an interesting experiment. He caught a large trout with a fishing line then skewed it on his sword, leaving it lying on the deck. Sure enough the fish eventually came back to life or more precisely unlife. The hole through its head had not healed over when it came back to life. The thought of an undead fish was eerie but nothing compared to the revelation that struck us. Have we tampered with the very laws of life and death? Is this bizarre undead creation effect centered on us, on me? What of the undead army that attacked Corvis, will it rise again?
I realized our dilemma and retrieved the chest containing Cromwell’s severed body. I hoisted onto the rim of the boat and paused for a moment. I opened the chest. The severed head of Cromwell looked up at me with lifeless eyes, his mouth opening and closing yet making no sound. Repulsed I tipped his body and the chest overboard. The emptied my guts over the side of the boat. Sorry old friend, I had no choice. I hope it is but your body being animated and not your soul being tortured. I returned to my quarters.
Tomorrow we reach Corvis, we will learn whether our actions have placed this city in peril.
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Saturday, March 29th, 603 AR
“Vinter Raelthorne IV”
We have returned to a city policed by the Cygnaran Inquisition and under the new rule of Vinter Raelthorne IV, the former tyrannical ruler of Caspia. Overthrown by his younger brother Leto Raelthorne, Vinter was imprisoned in the tower dungeon until his escape by certain magical means. Many thought him dead as it has been several years since he was overthrown.
Upon nearing Corvis we noticed a large amount of ships leaving the city. Captain Squint managed to pull alongside Captain Edem’s ship and that is when we learnt the bad news about Vinter’s takeover of the city. Apparently the entire council had been murdered overnight leaving only councilor Borloch who now oversees the Inquisition with the aid of my sworn enemy, the mage Vahn Oberen. We also learnt that the Corvis guards, at the behest of the Inquisition, have been confiscating all swords. Obviously they seek the Witchfire blade. We thanked Captain Edem for the heads up and asked Captain Squint to let us off on the shore, three miles from Corvis. We bid the Captain and his crew farewell and searched for a place to bury the Witchfire blade. We chose a location that we could easily find again and proceeded to bury the blade. Finishing our task we headed off to Corvis.
Upon reaching the front gates Father Darius and Damien’s swords were confiscated as we expected. Father Darius was able to obtain a receipt for his magical blade. I am sure Vinter Raelthorne himself will honor that receipt. We made our way to the church of Morrow to inform Father Dumas of our success in retrieving the Witchfire blade.
We reached the church, entering we found it seemingly empty, uninhabited, until several figures stepped forth from the shadows. It was Captain Helstrom, a pair of guards and an Inquisitor. For a moment Helstrom seemed to be allied with the Inquisitor and was going to give us up to the Inquisition. I thought we would have to fight our old friend when suddenly Helstrom leveled his military pistol at the Inquisitor’s head and fired. The sniveling wretch of a man dropped to the cold stone floor like a sack of potatoes. Helstrom commanded his guards to dispose of the body and approached our group. We soon learnt what had happened to the church of Morrow and to Father Dumas. The aged priest was being kept in the city jail out in the harbor; he was no doubt being tortured for the location of the Witchfire Blade. Helstrom handed us a map of the sewer system under the jail and a whistle to use when approached by Corvis city guards. The whistles peculiar tone would alert guards loyal to Helstrom that we were his friends. Throwing his dark cloak around him, Helstrom left us and disappeared into the fast approaching night.
As I look out the doors of the church I see several drops of rainfall. A storm is coming and once again the heroes of Corvis will have to weather it.
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Sunday, March 30th, 603 AR
“Times change, people change”
This morning I had the most impressive breakfast I have ever had; eggs, bacon, cheese, sweet bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, jams and spreads, washed down with several cups of Caspian dark umber ground coffee. Last night I also partook in scrumptious dinner and slept in the largest and softest bed I have slept in. All this, I thank my hosts, Lady Solor and Demoiselle Claudia. After all it’s a small token of appreciation for rescuing Lady Solor from the Corvis jailhouse and seeing her to safety through the Inquisition plagued streets of Corvis. I hope my companions have fared well with their rescued prisoners, obviously Father Darius will see to Father Dumas’s safety, though the two fellows we liberated from the jail that Damien and Yama Khan were talking to seemed to be of the undesirable kind. Oh well I will meet up with them later at the Cathedral of the Fallen Saint.
Last night proved to be a real eye opener and may have given us some clues as to whom Vinter Raelthorne IV is in league with and explains why he was easily able to take over the city. We had left the Church of Morrow under cover of darkness and rain. Reaching the eastern docks we procured a small boat and paddled out to the jail. Around one side of the high stone structure of the jailhouse we found a sewage/rainwater outlet and with the aid of Yama Khan’s Spider Climb spell we secured a rope and climbed in. As we traveled along the tunnel, with rainwater rushing past our feet we heard the sound of hundreds of rats coming our way. The rodents scurried past us as we hugged the walls of the tunnel; someone or something had frightened them. We learnt soon enough what that something was. The creature’s huge bulbous body nearly filled the sewer tunnel. Dozens upon dozen of grasping tendrils ringed its body. It eyes glowed with an eerie light and when it opened its maw, it almost split the creature in half and revealed row upon row of needle-like teeth lined up like those of a shark. To this day do not know why but my courage broke at the sight of the thing and I ran passed my companions as fast as my legs could carry me. When Yama Khan found me I was at the edge of the sewer tunnel overlooking the rain swept harbor. He told me the beast was dead and I immediately felt relieved. Together we returned to the others. Damien Wolf had found a grate leading up to an chamber and could hear voice coming from the room. He climbed up to the grate without making a sound and returned several moments later, rather paler than normal, for he had heard the voice of Vinter Raelthorne IV. Damien breathlessly repeated what he had heard; Raelthorne was conversing with another, a man named Oberon, we knew him well. He spoke of torturing Father Dumas further and then hanging his gutted corpse from the spire of the Church of Morrow. As much as each of us wanted to see these two men dead we could do nothing, Raelthorne and Oberon are far beyond our skills to defeat them but I swear one day soon there will be a reckoning.
We continued on and found the secret entrance shown on our map. A ladder of iron rungs lead up to a trapdoor. Volunteering, I climbed up and pushed open the trapdoor with my shoulder and holding my pistol “Law” in my off hand. I had never had expected coming face to face with a guard sitting in a waste closet with his pants around his angles, I almost burst out laughing but I held myself and motioned him to keep silent. I made him dress and forced him down the trapdoor, taking his sword of the door of the waste closet where it hung. Yama Khan was able to weasel some information out of the guard and we all proceeded to climb up as Yama Khan bound and gagged the guard. At that point I passed the sword to Father Darius who was without his trusty blade by his side. He in turn passed me his light mace making me realize I would not be able to rely on my pistols or rifle is we were to make this a stealthy rescue operation.
Soon enough we encountered three guards and with deft use of Yama Khan’s Web spell we were able to stop them from sounding the alarm. We forced them down the trapdoor unarmed and continued our search for Father Dumas. We found several unjustly imprisoned people including the wife of the late Councilor Solor. We explained to them that once we found Father Dumas we would return for them.
We had split up at this point and eventually we found the torture chamber. Within we confronted an Inquisitor and something else. The very tall, very strange looking being looked like it was at home in a torture chamber, its pale white skin was pierced by many rings, chains and spikes. It wore strange-looking dark armor of unknown make and wielded a chain of spikes. We attacked the sadistic duo from both sides and I felt the sting of the alien beings’ chain weapon, which had been heated up in the coal fire near the torture rack. We defeated them both and examined the humanoid’s corpse. It’s skin was pale almost white as were its pupil-less eyes. It had pointed ears and teeth sharpened into points or maybe its teeth were supposed to be like that. Never the less none of us had ever seen or heard of such a creature but if Raelthorne had an army of these beings, Corvis, nay the whole of Cygnar was in danger.
Hurrying we found Father Dumas and helped the tortured priest down the ladder. We also released the other three prisoners and made our way to our boat. Eventually, cold, drenched and tired we reached a secluded dock and disembarked. We agreed to meet at the Church of the Fallen Saint in the morning and Father Darius headed off with Father Dumas to retrieve some tome form the Church of Morrow. Lady Solor demanded that she be escorted to a friends house, and both Yama Khan and Damien were quiet rude to her so I stepped in and offered to see her to safety. I left those two talking with the remaining two prisoners about money and rewards. Had they known how influential the Lady Solor was they would have enjoyed the lavish meal and steaming hot both that I was offered as reward for my heroism. The Lady Solor, her friend Demoiselle Claudia and I spent most of the night talking, actually I did most of the talking, recounting our my adventures since arriving in Corvis and my encounter with the Bridge Troll. This seemed to keep Lady Solor’s thoughts off her late husband, though I sense that maybe their marital bound was not so strong there.
I hear the Demoiselle Claudia’s butler calling for me. Must be time to take my leave. I shall thank my hosts for the gracious hospitality and rendezvous with my companions. Hopefully an answer to many of our new questions will be forth coming.
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Monday, March 31st, 603 AR
“Professor Viktor Pendrake”
Though today has been a very uneventful day it has also proven to be a very insightful one. It began this morning when I left the gracious company of Lady Solor and Demoiselle Claudia The grateful Lady Solor handed me a pouch of gold crowns, I tried to knock back the reward but she insisted. I thanked her and told her should she or her associates ever require my aid on any matter to contact me through the Church of Morrow. Stepping outside I suddenly felt as if a new chapter of my life was starting. The feeling of being invigorated and refreshed that I had been feeling since being resurrected still lingered in me but that could have been from the good nights rest and hearty breakfast I had consumed. I opened the pouch and counted the gold. 500 crowns! If only Cromwell was here with me now, he would have fainted dead away. Even more so if he knew what I decided to do with the money. I stopped a passing pedestrian and asked for the location of the Corvis Orphanage. With directions in hand I quickened my step and headed off, I could not afford to be late to the meeting with my companions.
I arrived at the unnamed orphanage and knocked heavily on the door. One of the attending Sisters of Morrow opened and asked my business. I asked if the orphanage was in need of donations, she replied yes. I told her my name and handed her the pouch. She stumbled back in shock upon opening the weighty pouch of gold crowns. I wished her a good day between her constant thank yous and bless yous and headed of toward the Cathedral of the Fallen Saint, I could he the Sister calling out to her brethren about the outrageous good fortune they had just received. And I felt good about it.
Eventually I was in sight of the Cathedral when suddenly a white owl swooped onto my shoulder. I recognized Shayliss and noticed the note tied to her foot. It was from Damien, he wrote that the Cathedral was being watched by Inquisitors and that I should meet him and Yama Khan at The Cracked Cup Coffee Shop.
Arriving at The Cracked Cup Coffee Shop I spotted Yama Khan and Damien and joined them. Damien pointed out the suspicious looking individuals following us by turning the handle of his coffee cup in their direction. I very clever trick I must say. At that point both Yama Khan and Damien asked me about my accent. I thought they were joking, I have never had an accent. Yama Khan insisted I had been speaking with a peculiar accent since meeting him. I must ponder this mystery more for after Father Darius joined us and made the same peculiar comment regarding my speech, I realized that my companions were playing no joke.
Anyway Father Darius told us what he had learnt about the Witchfire Blade. Apparently it was the sword that was animating the dead and drawing them to it. The strange goings-on aboard the Fortune were not the result of my resurrection after all. I was much relieved to learn that. He told us that the sword must be buried or hidden deep underground or within an dungeon so that its undead raising power could not function. From there the sword could not be found by any magical means including scrying. We had two choice The old Orgoth Barracks where the witches had been interred or Fort Rhyker. Father Darius also mentioned one Professor Viktor Pendrake, a renown scholar at the University of Corvis. We decided to go see him.
Asking around we were directed to Professor Pendrake’s office and feeling he was a trustworthy sort with no love for the Raelthorne IV, we introduced ourselves and spoke of our mission and the Witchfire Blade. He seemed knowledgeable on many monster related facts but the sword eluded him. He only concurred with Father Dumas’ suggestion to bury it in one of the two places I mentioned earlier. Damien had the bizarre idea of sending the Witchfire blade into the upper atmosphere. I tried to convince him that such a feat of magic would be beyond any of the wizards in Corvis or maybe even all of Cygnar. As for using mekanikal means, I reminded him that gravity keeps us firmly planted on the ground. This same natural force would most likely prevent an object from getting to up high in the atmosphere, we were talking higher than any mountains here. He seem extremely irritated by our refusal to even attempt such a task and when he suggested we give the blade to a dragon Professor Pendrake almost fell of the stool he was sitting on. Much to learn this one has about the land, magic and mekanika. We asked Professor Pendrake if he knew of anyone willing to volunteer their services to aid us on our mission. He called over a young student, a young man named Arcturion Freud. He carried a longbow at his side and a full quiver of arrows. It was almost as if he had been expecting us.
We bid Professor Pendrake a good evening and made plans to leave in the morning. I spoke briefly with Arcturion before retiring for the evening. He seems an intelligent enough fellow, eager to prove himself in battle. I sense a kindred spirit in him, I believe he has the same desire to see justice served for the good of all as I do.
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Thursday, April 3rd, 603 AR
“Return to Fort Rhyker”
We have just killed a ravening Gorax! The beast took us by surprise while we explored the second keep at Fort Ryhker. Father Darius received a viscous wound to his throat and he seemed to be concerned for a moment that he would not be able to speak. I calmed his fears and he was able to invoke a healing spell to close the gaping wound at his throat. Odd now that I think of it, Father Darius has not cast any clerical spells save healing ones since we returned from the Temple of Cyriss. I now suspect my resurrection may have played a part in Morrow turning his back on the young priest. I am the first to say that rules and restrictions should not be broken but there are times, few and far between, when one must make an exception to these rules, especially if it involves a loved one or a trusted friend. I must find some time to speak to the priest alone.
During the battle with the Gorax, Arcturion proved either very brave or very suicidal rolling between the hulking beast’s legs and coming up behind it to pierce it with a volley of arrows. Never the less it is dead and we have made sure it will not return as an undead beast. Surely we could not survive another attack.
We have been battle the risen dead since we reached Fort Rhyker. Those Thrall we destroyed the first time around have risen to plague us once more thanks to the influence of the Witchfire Blade which we still carry. We left Corvis early in the morning and were stopped at the front gate because one of the guards spotted Father Darius’ stolen guards’ sword. Luckily we were able to talk our way out of the situation lest we found ourselves battling the entire city guard for at that point we were not in the mood to be harassed while on such an important mission.
We found the place were we had buried the Witchfire Blade. Half a dozen skeletons were attempting to dig the sword up. Naturally we battled them, defeated them, dug up the Witchfire Blade and continued on our way. Arcturion did point out some large claw marks on several trees in vicinity but could not determine the origin of the creature who made them. Damien Wolf had a brief squeezing experience with a tree python. Luckily for him his owl familiar Shayliss, warned us in time. A well placed shot from Arcturion freed our wizardly detective and we ate snake for dinner that evening.
Eventually we reach Fort Rhyker and contemplated tossing the Witchfire Blade into the ravine. We decided to explore the second tower this time and entered through the first one. Once again we battled risen Thralls and once again we triumphed over them. In the second tower we encountered more of the undead and discovered a room that contained notes and several tomes regarding the Thralls. Yama Khan greedily took possession of these much to Father Darius’ objections. It was at this point that the Gorax attacked us by surprise and after a hard fought battle the immense beast lay at our feet.
Now we rest. We have several more chambers to explore and then we must decide what to do with the Witchfire Blade.
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Hey guys. Unfortunately that was the last chapter we played of the WFT due to our DM abandoning the game. We may pick it up some time in the future but I cannot make any promises. In the meantime head over to the AtomicThinkTank boards and check out my Mutants and Masterminds Story Hour: Power and Responsibility - A Teen Hero Campaign.
Thanks for reading
Reebo
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For fans of superheroes check out my teen superhero M&M game over at the AtomicThinkTank boards
Power and Responsibility: A Teen Superhero Story Hour
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Kale Silvermoon
First Post
hey great job. Im sad its over. But still great.and I Highly recamend, as Anew reader of power and responsibilty, reading it. Its funny and youl love the first adventure.
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