Banewarrens d20 (Angelsboi's party)

[diaglo]

Spies like Us

Fiddle returned to the party's meeting place, The Windlord's Rest. He redistributed the wealth. Arendel bid farewell. He had to return home to seek council with his order. He asked Calrom if he wanted to join. The ranger begged off. Alya was still incarcerated at the Rose Altar with Darian. Sully, Calrom, and Fiddle stopped there next. Fiddle paid them. They exchanged plans and notes. Darian quickly vanished and told everyone not to disturb him for the next 4 days. Alya smiled and went about his business. He had joined the choir.

Sully looked at Fiddle and Calrom, "Do you want to come with me to see Filani?"

"Yes," Fiddle agreed. "I have a score to settle."

The meeting at the Tower of Wits and Work was not pleasant initially. But eventually Sully's cool head won out. It seemed the Rose Altar had a spy by Fiddle's finally reckoning. They left for the Rose Altar again.

Darian was not happy of the news. But he did his best to discover the truth of the matter. And too he received a strange note from Marcus of Tyr. Fiddle tagged along as a bodyguard. There were too many things happening to let down their guard now.

A paladin of Tyr in Grimwold's Revenge is a strange sight. Marcus of Tyr had much news. None of it helped alleviate Fiddle's suspicions. The Sword of Lies was gone. When Darian presented the information to his high priest, a name was mentioned one too many times...Brother Heth. Fiddle had found his next victim. But not the proof.

 

[Piratecat]

I just started reading this - and I wanted to let you know how much I was enjoying it. 17 pages of goodness to go!

 

[diaglo]

I just started reading this - and I wanted to let you know how much I was enjoying it. 17 pages of goodness to go!

thanks,

but really you should thank the DM. i'm just writing a player's journal so i can keep up with the game.

more information to follow on sunday's session.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Hey, we got PC!

 

[biorph]

Wow, the ever famous Piratecat, what an honor.

 

[howandwhy99]

"TIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"

Boy, I wish I had been around for that.

Looks like our one reader finally spoke up.

 

[diaglo]

Friend and Enemy alike

"What about the dragon?" Sully asked. "We had only 10 days to find the Company of the Burning Brand and direct them back to the dragon before he added us to his list of enemies. Besides, Filani tells me that I can help my Auntie now. I need to recover the blood of a True Dragon and expose it to the faerzress of the Underdark for a week."

"Turns out Fit'nari is a Deep Dragon," Fiddle told the others. "His name in Common is Nightscale."

"So I say we give up Himool and his party," Calrom nodded. "Not that I know them or anything. But he is an elf."

Alya and Sully were in agreement.

"I'm not hearing this," Darian hummed and plugged his ears.

"I can't do it in good conscience," Fiddle stated.

"Well then what do you propose?" Alya was getting tired of all the talk. He wanted to get out of Tilverton and his bonds.

Fiddle explained his plan. He wanted to contact Himool and tell him of the threat. Then join together to defeat the Dragon. Claim the blood for Sully. And Fame for slaying the Dragon. Plus get back on Himool's good side. Fiddle had suspected from the last meeting that Carl knew they had stolen the sword.

With some modifications the others agreed. They too didn't feel good about killing the Band of the Burning Brand and picking over their ashes. by giving them to the Dragon.

Darian sent a magical mesage to Carl and received a reply. Fiddle's suspicions were almost confirmed. Himool was pissed. They were in Ashabenford. Too far away to get to the Dragon in time anyway.

Darian returned to crafting his new magic. Of Brother Heth there was no further word. While the rest of the party waited for Arendel's return. A day later the Druid returned. He accepted the group's decision. He also had some interesting news of his own concerning the drow and the Underdark. It seemed dark elf activity in Mistledale was picking up. The druid had several medallions that when worn by an elf transformed them into the appearance of their darker kin. He demonstrated. Calrom was not happy. Later Arendel gave one to Fiddle.

Darian received a message from Carl a few days later. They were to meet at the Border Tower. And from there who knew.

 

[diaglo]

Enemy of my enemy is a Friend

The morning of their departure the party gathered to break fast. Arendel and Fiddle had huge smiles on their faces. They shared a private joke.

"What," Calrom asked. "What's so funny?"

Everyone else burst into laughter. The rest of the patrons moved away from the party. Calrom was a drow. He finally took notice.

"FIddddlllee," Calrom screamed and grabbed the hin.

Someone started to head for the door to summon the watch. Alya waved his hands and sang aloud. Calrom and Fiddle calmed down. Fiddle removed the medallion and Calrom returned to normal.

"Well now I really think it's time we left Tilverton," Alya hinted.

The party made good time. By mid-afternoon they had reached the Border Tower. Carl and a new woman waved to them from nearby. The two turned and left.

“I guess we need to follow them,” Calrom said.

“It is a trap,” Fiddle noted.

A hour or so later, they reached an open clearing in the woods. Arendel hid in the tree line. Carl and the woman stood on the far side with Himool. The elf had his arms crossed.

“Hail and well me...” Fiddle started to say.

“Where is it?” Himool yelled.

“We don’t know where the threat is,” Fiddle responded. He looked around for Dorek the dwarven rogue.

“The Sword you idiot,” Himool fumed. “Where is my sword?”

“We are here on another matter,” Sully interrupted. “A Dragon. The dragon you took your latest weapon from. We came to warn you of the danger.”

Carl, Darian, Alya, Calrom, Fiddle, Sully, and Himool hashed out the problem. Sully admitted guilt in the theft. Fiddle claimed credit, though, when Himool tried to place all the blame on the gnome. The unknowns were introduced. Calrom and Brianna of Tymora. Dorek and the Elven lass appeared too. Carl had hidden them with magic. Oona still bore the scars from the Dragon’s attack. Her face was a melted mess. The parties reached a truce. They would work together to ambush the Dragon at the Moathouse north of Peldan’s Helm. Darian would send a message to the Dragon when the trap was set.

 

[diaglo]

A trap sprung

The trip to Peldan's Helm was fast, quiet, and very businesslike. Neither party spoke much. Both kept watches. Nothing would tangle with such a large company. Even Himool was quiet for a change. The Company of the Burning Brand would wait at the Keep for a signal from Darian or Arendel. They would then travel the four hours to the Moathouse and help slay the Dragon.

The first part of the trap was set. The party arrived at the Moathouse. Fiddle and Calrom quickly did a search for new tracks. A few stray animal tracks, but nothing serious. The elves hadn't been back either.

"I've sent word to the Dragon," Darian announced. "He should be here around midnight. He thinks we are here to help him polish off the Burning Brand."

"I'll send word to Himool," Arendel added.

The party staked out their defensive positions. Sully, Calrom, and Alya climbed the walls. Fiddle ducked into the shadows. They had hours still. Fiddle waited for the Dragon to appear before he cast his spell. He wanted to be ready. Darian summoned a strange creature from a distant place. A powerfully built humanoid with the head of a dog appeared. He had a greatsword strapped across his broad back and an expression that indicated intelligence and protectiveness. They negotiated for a moment or two before Darian handed over a king's ransom in trade bars. Alya also waited before transforming into a trog.

Time passed by slowly. Fiddle sat down and drew figures in the loose soil with his dagger. He had flashbacks to the last time he had fought in this Moathouse. The Blue Dragon falling before his strike. Lightning Strike had earned its name that day.

A figure flew overhead. It could only be the Dragon. Fiddle cast his spell. He was now fleeter of foot. A minute passed. And then another. and....after 20 minutes the Dragon entered in drow form.

"So are we ready?" Nightscale asked.

"Almost," Sully replied. "We still haven't seen them yet. They should be here soon."

Fiddle watched as the drow casually strolled the grounds. He crept right past Fiddle's spot and up the stairs. He waited in the doorway to the main ruins. And then...he was in Dragon form again.

Hours rolled along. Fiddle's spell began to fail. He guessed the others too had lost most of their magic. Still no sign of the Burning Brand.

"Perhaps I should check to see if they are delayed," Arendel spoke.

"Yes, perhaps you should," the Dragon agreed too quickly. "Maybe the ranger should go with you?"

"I'm fine right here," Calrom retorted.

Arendel assumed Hawk form and was aloft and soon out of sight.

A moment later the Dragon spoke, "He was right. I grow tired. What do you have in payment for your lives?"

"He?" Darian asked.

"Himool," Fiddle answered. He approached the Dragon. "The elf sold us out. Just like you guys wanted to do to them. I have something for you Nightscale."

Fiddle tossed the Vladaam signet ring to the beast.

"A very good start," Nightscale grinned exposing all of his teeth. "And you others?"

Darian tossed trade bars slowly out in front of his position. He was trying to buy time.

Fiddle scratched his head. "Why are you trying to buy time? The Company of the Burning Brand is not going to help us. And Arendel won't be back in time." Fiddle drew his dagger and sword.

 

[diaglo]

Fiddle Dragonslayer Skipstone

Fiddle was already aware of the danger. He wanted to make sure the Dragon concentrated on him and him alone. The others needed him to be a true Dragonslayer now. He lunged inside the Dragon's guard. One, two, three he brought Lightning Strike and Hole Punch to bear. The others similarly reacted. Darian blasted the Dragon in the chest with a ray of burning light. His summoned bodyguard still remained nearby. The Dragon returned the favor to Fiddle. He bit, clawed, raked, and buffeted the poor hin. The Dragon shifted to the side slightly. Fiddle still stood, but his lifeblood flowed freely. Too freely. Alya began to sing words of encouragement .Calrom fired a volley of arrows. Sully planted a sphere of lightning on the Dragon's backside.

"Watch out for his gassy breath," Alya cried out.

Fiddle moved inside the Dragon's guard again. This time he reeked havoc with Lightning Strike and Hole Punch. "Feel my wrath Dragon."

Darian ignited a burst of sound around the Dragon's head. This time Fiddle escaped most of the beating. One claw and one wing harmed him. The hin was only just conscious. Alya assumed trog form. Another volley of arrows from Calrom struck home. Sully had no chance to move his Lightning Ball aside this time. Luckily Fiddle dodged under the sparks.

Fiddle attacked again. "It's you or me," he screamed. "Alya can sing my ballad later." The Dragon wasn't in much better shape when Fiddle was done. Darian prepared to join the melee. The Dragon bent to bite Fiddle in half. Calrom distracted him and Fiddle moved under the beast. He leapt into the air. Lightning Strike eviscerated the wyrm.

Crassssshhhshhh. Fiddle collapsed alongside his trophy. The same spot he had slain the Blue. With the same weapon.