"Beast of Burden" & "Into the Fire"

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Five, “Into the Lair”, February 17th, 1020:

They decide to move on in two teams. Lannon will turn invisible and bring Mark and Cassie with him in one bag of holding while Luekia will try to move unseen in her dark burka with Alton and Timothy in another bag. This will give each trio a rogue, a high-level cleric, a person who can transform into an animal, and a person in semi-aquatic form if an emergency water exit is required.

Luekia continues to control the wolves, sending them down the far entrance to the ledge with the hobgoblins and instructing the wolves to attack whoever or whatever they find there. This catches the attention of the other humanoid creatures within the room.

Lannon continues to scale the wall without being detected and makes his way forward, bypassing most of the humanoid wolves and bugbears in the room. He makes his way towards the staircase leading up to the leader’s chamber, finding it blocked by two giant humanoid wolves and a half-dozen bugbear. He decides to try to pass them by climbing the ceiling about their heads.

Lannon passes most of the creature, noticing that the ceiling appears to be moist in this region. He reaches a spot where part of the ceiling crumbles in his hand, dust and rock falling below. This catches the attention of the guards, one of which comes over to where he is to investigate. Lannon remains still and waits until the guard concludes that nothing out of the ordinary is happening and returns.

Lannon continues and more of the ceiling comes off in his hand and falls. This convinces all of the guards that something is indeed going on. Several of the guards head up to and unlock the door to the chamber, entering to alert and guard their leader. This actually helps Lannon, as he scampers into the room while the door is opened.

The room has some furniture in it and Lannon moves to behind a large trunk to let Mark and Cassie out of the Bag of Holding. Realizing that the animal-creatures will soon detect their scent, they waste no time in attacking. Cassie is restricted from using her most lethal spells due to small size of the chamber. Mark directly attacks while Cassie tosses Magic Missile spells into the fake deity to prevent him from using spells. Lannon tries to sneak across for a backstab but the creature detects him. Cassie then shifts to tossing spells into the creature’s bugbear bodyguards while Lannon and Mark drive their magical swords into the creature.

The fake deity then polymorphs into an oversized spectral wolf, which causes Lannon and Mark some pause as Lannon says “That’s the same thing that big Mojo and caused him to start dissolving.” The momentary respite is all the time that the creature needs to make a break for the doorway, at speeds faster than the other three can stop him. The main alarms have now been sounded in the primary room. As the spectral wolf charges into the main chamber other humanoid wolves flock to it. The large hairless and tattooed humanoid wolf rushes to the pit and casts a spell, causing the empty robes near the pit to fill up with ghost-like creatures.

From behind the hiding area Luekia calls back the wolves she has sent away while Timothy charges out with his holy symbol and successful turns the undead, causing them to return to the pit. Alton tosses Heat Metal spells onto the weapons of the creatures in the room. The wolves that Luekia controls return followed by a dozen goblins riding upon worg wolves. Cassie is now in a large enough chamber to let loose by massive Fireballs from her crown, which has the effect of cutting down roughly half the opponents in the room.

Alton and Cassie then work out an effective tag-team maneuver that they had planned. She casts Rock to Mud beneath the fake god’s feet, turning the floor under his feet into quicksand, which the wolf form cannot move through. He polymorphs back into his humanoid dog form only to then be hit with Alton’s Detect Magic, which turns the mud back into rock, encasing him in the floor. Cassie the skewers the trapped creature with a Lightning Bolt, by which time both Mark and Lannon are upon him. Lannon stabs into the creature’s heart as Mark drives his sword into its skull.

Once the leader is dead the remaining animal creatures come out of a daze. The hobgoblin leader negotiates with the party, stating that they were controlled and requesting permission to leave rather than fight. Cassie agrees to these terms only after receiving the promise that they would leave the Kralt Lordholding. The remaining monsters quickly depart.

A quick search of the leader’s room finds a chest with coins, mostly copper but enough of other metals to be worth taking. The bags of holding are filled. The group teleports back to the Monastery and reports their success. The Kralt Lordholder orders up that a celebratory meal be prepared and insists that they spend the night as his guests.

The End (for now)

 

[Silver Moon]

Module #128 - Sept. 26, 2004

Module 128, “The Birth”, February 18th, 1020:

Narg and Mojo are sitting around Jerry’s tavern having a beer with Jerry and Vincenzo while the midwife Jamie checks on the Vallessa. She returns and announces “The baby has dropped, looks like the birth could be any day now.” Narg exclaims “It’s about time, I don’t think I can take much more of this.” Jamie exclaims “You? She’s the one who’s got something growing inside of her.” Narg replies, “And tells me every chance she gets.”

Jamie and Vincenzo leave to return to their farm. Jerry looks to Narg and says, “I gather you two had another fight?” He replies, “Yeah, this time over my sneakers of all things. I’ve been wearing them for the five years since we last visited Alton’s world, so they’re now to the point where they are really comfortable. She insists they are old and worn out and should be thrown away.” Mojo says, “Well, if that’s her criteria she should get rid of you too.”

The three don’t act the least bit surprised when Cassie teleports back into the middle of the room and dumps the others out of the Bags of Holding. Jerry gets each of them food and drink while they relate what transpired up in the Kralt Lordholding.

February 19th, 1020:

Another day of sitting around the tavern when an unexpected arrival walks through the door, namely Narg Junior (he is from an alternative future, see the Story Hour for Module #100, “Chinese Take-out”). The group last saw him the previous year at Narg and Vallessa’s wedding. “What are you doing here?” Narg asks. The boy replies, “Tomorrow’s my birthday so I thought I’d spend it with you.”

Narg replies, “That’s nice, if I’d known I would have bought you a present.” Mojo looks at Narg and says “Hey Dummy, don’t you get it! Tomorrow is his birthday….your son.” Narg exclaims, “Oh, yeah, I should go tell Vallessa.” Jerry says “No you idiot, leave her alone and don’t tell her anything, she’ll find out soon enough. Just alert the midwife and her cleric husband. Send somebody to get them NOW! Trust me on this, my wife had twenty-six children.”

Mojo asks Narg Junior “Won’t it be rather strange, you being here to see yourself be born?” The boy replies, “No stranger than seeing a younger version of you Dad (the alternative Mojo was his stepfather).” “Don’t call me that,” Mojo replies. The boy looks around and says, “Hey, where is that half-elf Bitsey who I met at your wedding? She was really cute.”

Narg blurts out “Away, far away!” Jerry says, “Not that far. She’s the this Lordholding, in the town of Farnsberg. She’s the town’s current Mayor.” Mojo interjects “Big deal, you get to be Mayor of that town by winning a pie eating contest.” Jerry interjects, “There’s more to the competition than that and the Mayer gets their weight in gold.” The boy says, “So she’s both cute and rich. See you guys later.” He disappears out the door.

As anticipated, later that evening Vallessa goes into Labor.

February 20th, 1020, 11:30 A.M.:

After fourteen hours of heavy labor a three-quarters elvan boy is born. Vallessa is adamant that the boy NOT be named Narg Junior. Narg says “But that is what we named him last time.” She replies, “No, I was told that in that other reality you were dead and I named him that in your memory. You’re very much alive this time.” Mojo interjects “Well, if that’s the only problem with the name I can take care of that for you.”

They spend the rest of the day working on names, coming up with a long list of choices including the names Clint, Otis, Brooks, Duke, Scott, Jay, Bootsey, Macco, Mac, Rudy, Duncan, Meldar, Ranier, Kathadin, Cuarthol and Two-sheds. Mojo likes the name Spike and says that is what he’ll be calling he kid regardless of the name chosen. The day ends with them still unsure, but with Narg leaning towards Cuarthol, an elvan term meaning bow & helm, and Vallessa leaning towards Kathadin, a name of unknown origin although it has an elvish sound to it.

May 9th, 1020:

Nearly three months have gone by and Narg and Vallessa still haven’t reach any agreement on what to name their son, who the nickname “Spike” seems to be sticking to.

The ship Silver Moon arrives in the city of Jawltorn where most of the party has arrived for the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the City of Jawltorn Hospital, which Serita is the chief administrator of. They arrive at the building where the auction had taken place the previous year (see the Story Hour for Module #117, “League of Assassins”). Kindor has converted the building into an ambulance bay, with eight horse drawn medical carts. He has also had a hospital ship constructed and docked a mile away, to transport these teams anywhere on the continent in the event of an emergency.

Serita gives the group a tour of the hospital, an elaborately made multi-story stone building built in the shape of a wagon wheel. The circular outer ring has all of the patient rooms, each of the nine ‘spokes’ are devoted to clergy and healers of the different religious alignments and the center circle is the hospital ‘s administration building. The opening ceremonies go well.

 

[Silver Moon]

Module # 130 - Game 1 - 10/31/04

Module #130, “Into the Fire” by Grant and David Boucher, is from Dungeon Magazine #1 The module states “A small kingdom with a mountainous western border is assumed to exist; the DM should name the kingdom, its king, and its capital as desired”. I have chosen to use “Istivin: City of Shadows” by Greg A. Vaugham & Erik Mona from Dungeon Magazine #117 for these elements, and will then follow up the adventure with one or more modules from the Istivin trilogy presented in Dungeon Magazine #117-119.


Cast of Characters
Fiona, female half-elf 8th Level Wizard (Celticwolf)
Mojo, male elf 8th Level Fighter (Enchantr)
Mark, male half-elf 8th Level Ranger (player not online)
Narg, male half-elf 9th Level Fighter (Biz1489)
Purge, male human 6th Level Monk (NPC)
Serita, female half-elf 11th Level Druid (Kriskrafts)


Chapter 1, “On the Road Again”, May 25th, 1020:

On a sunny spring day, several of the adventurers are sitting around Jerry’s Tavern on Silver Moon Island. The party leader Narg is celebrating the fact that he and his wife have finally agreed upon a name for their three-month old child, that being Curin. With Narg are his friends Mojo and Mark, as well as the druid Serita who has recently returned from the City of Jawltorn.

The mid-day meal is interrupted by the familiar buzzing sound of Mojo’s combination magical communication device and bottle-opener. “It’s the Queen Phone” Mark, Narg and Serita exclaim in unison.” “I have to find a way to turn this thing off,” Mojo states as the buzzing sound increases. “Just answer it,” Mark states. Mojo flips open the corkscrew on the device and speaks into it stating “Hi Sweetie, what’s up?”

Mojo looks up and says, “She has another mission for us.” Narg states, “Can we get paid this time? I’m tired of doing this for free.” Mark tells him “Stop complaining. You didn’t even go on the last one.” Serita asks Mojo “What’s the mission?” He relays back “Missing person, some Prince from one of the little kingdoms in the East Lordholding.” “How long has he been missing?” the druid asks. Mojo relays the question and then replies “Fifteen years.” “And they’ve waited until now to call us?” Narg exclaims.

Mojo gets a few more details and then says goodbye. He puts the corkscrew back in his pocket and says, “She wants us to go to a City State known as Istivin. The King just discovered a clue to his long-lost son and wants someone to investigate.” “Where is this place?” Serita asks. Mojo replies “Along the boarder of the Zalpar Lordholding.” “Aw no, we have to go hang out with those hippies,” Narg states. Mojo replies, “Yeah, we’re to start at the Quan Hospice, where the Eludicators Adventuring Team hangs out.” Serita says “Are we going to get paid?” Mojo replies, “We should, she says the kingdom’s wealth comes from gold, silver and platinum mining.”

They discuss who should go. Narg volunteers to lead the group. Serita says “Shouldn’t you stay home with your baby?” Narg replies, “Nah, I just get in the way.” Serita says that he shouldn’t desert his wife with a colicky baby. Narg reluctantly agrees to hire a nanny to help her out while he is gone and sends a message over to Jamie, the headmistress of the school on the island. Jamie arranges for one of the teenage hengeyokai girls to stay with Vallessa. Jamie also gives Narg a shopping list of items to pick up that are needed for the school.

All four decide to go but it is noted that they don’t have any wizards or rogues with them. Serita heads over to the home of the wizardess Fiona to convince her to come along while Mark tracks down the monk Purge. Objections are raised to Fiona bringing along her pegasus, but she points out that she knows how to cast a ‘Reduce’ spell, so it will fit into the Bag or Holding for travel. Narg says “In that case we’re taking TWO bags of holding, I’m not traveling with any hay burner.”

Mojo suggests bringing his new roommate, the drow elf ranger Ailsheir. Narg exclaims “No drows! And I can’t believe you gave him my old room!” Mark says to Mojo “I thought you were going to take Narg’s old room and give yours to Ailsheir.” Mojo says, “I was, except that would have required me to clean his room and then move all of my stuff. It was easier just to give it to the drow as is.” “And he didn’t mind the mess?” Serita asks. Mojo replies, “Well, before he joined us he had lived in the Abyss, Narg’s room was only a little worse.”

Fiona and her mount get into one Bag while the four men climb into the other. Serita picks up the bags and teleports the group to the Quan Hospice. The Hospice is one of ten stone fortresses along the Zalpar Boarder Road, a 400-mile long roadway that surrounds the landlocked Lordholding. While Zalpar places severe restrictions on travel within their lands but all people are free to use the border road, which is guarded and patrolled by the Zalparian dwarves of New Rockhome. Travelers may also stay free of charge for up to a week at any of the hospices.

Each of the Zalparian Hospices was built at a strategic location along the road, on easily defended higher elevations with visibility for tens of miles all around. A trio of administrators consisting of a wizard, a scholar and a monk runs each hospice. A dwarven military unit is also stationed at each hospice.

The Quan Hospice also serves as the home and headquarters for the Elucidators, one of the continent’s best-known adventuring teams. Rather than maintaining a standing army the Queen has assigned the protection and defense of her Lordholdings to three different teams of adventurers. The Eludicators are responsible for the three central lordholdings while the Silver Moon Adventurers look after the three southern lordholdings. Unfortunately the Elucidators are currently out-of-commission so the Silver Moon has been doing double duty.

Dominic, a gnome high priest of Ukko who serves as leader of the Elucidators, greets the Silver Moon Adventurers. He escorts them all to the Hospice’s nursery, which is the reason why his team is currently unavailable. Inside the nursery are the monk and former Silver Moon team member Ji-Do Kwan, his wife and wizardess Llynn, and their four-month old quintuplets. Serita empties out of the bag-of-holding a large quantity of knitted baby clothes that Jamie had made for her new nieces and nephews.

Narg tells Ji-Do “My son is around the same age, I know what you’re going through.” “Times five,” the monk replies. Dominic thanks the Silver Moon for agreeing to take his team’s missions in the interim stating that, “Once the kids are toddlers and weaned we’ll be able to have the monks at the hospice watch them when the Queen needs us.” Ji-Do says “Yeah, and when the kids turn five or six they’ll be moving to the school on your island.” “We don’t need that,” Mojo exclaims. “As if Jamie would let them go anywhere else for school,” Llynn comments.

Mojo pulls Narg aside and says “We don’t need any more children on the island.” Narg replies, “What do you mean? I love kids, and you’ve got the majority of a softball team right here.” Mojo answers, “Softball? Look who these kids have for parents, a monk and a mage. They’ll be a bunch of bookworms. They won’t want to play ball, they’ll just sit on the bench and do mathematical equations in their heads.” Narg repels “Well, I could use a good team statistician.”

Dominic tells the party they should go get settled and he will talk to them over dinner. Narg replies, “Good. Then you can tell us about this petty little kingdom we have to go save.” Serita adds “Well, it least it’s somewhere that we’re not in any trouble with. There aren’t many places like that left on this continent.” Mojo reassures her “Don’t worry, I’m sure that we’ll also wear out our welcome there in no time.”

The Silver Moon adventurers are each shown to individual rooms. Fiona locates the stables and gets her pegasus out of the bag before the reduce spell wears off.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 2, “Off to Istivin”, May 25th, 1020:

The Silver Moon Adventurers join the Cleric Dominic and the other members of his team for dinner. Present at this meal are the ‘night crew’ of babysitters, comprised of the dwarven fighter Flashis and human Viking fighter Torvard. The two of them were inadvertently responsible for the multiple births by giving the newlyweds a bottle of wine that had been spiked with a fertility potion. As punishment Dominic assigned them the evening caretaker chores, supervised by Llynn’s brother Aaron to ensure that they take proper care of the infants.

Over dinner Narg asks Dominic for information about the Kingdom of Istivin. The cleric replies “They are a small mountainous land along the border with Zalpar. The Kingdom currently has a population of over 25,000, the majority of whom live in the capital city of Istivin. The city itself is in the far northeastern corner of the Kingdom. The city is not far from the Davish River, which flows and merges with the larger Javan River to the east, that river marking the border to the adjacent Kingdom of Keoland. The city and most townships lie on the Sterich Plain, surrounded by the Chrystalmist Mountains to the north, west and southwest and the Joten Mountains to the south and southeast.

The city itself has a long history, dating back 800 years. The population is 80% human, 15% dwarf, halfling and gnome, and the remaining 5% mixed, primarily elvan. It is run by an Aristocracy named. The hereditary leader is King Querchard, although since the days of the first Phlooredian King the Istivin ruler has adopted the title of Marquis to avoid confusion. The land gets its wealth from mining operations in the mountains around the kingdoms. They have also been attacked over the centuries from giants living in the mountains. Ten years ago the city briefly fell to an onslaught of giants. The population fled to the Keoland Kingdom, regrouped and during the next year were assisted by the East Lordholding retook the city and drove the surviving giants back. That was the last time they had trouble from the giants.”

“So who is this missing prince?” Serita asks. Dominic replies “Querchard’s only son. He disappeared around the same time your group first organized. I’m not sure what this new information the King has about this but am told that the King will be waiting for you at Fort Silan, the first fortress along the main highway to Istivin. To get there you will need to travel around thirty miles north along the Zalpar Border road heading towards the Flla Hospice. You will then reach a road heading northeast into Istivin. Around twenty miles up the road you will reach Fort Silan.”

The party debates different modes of transportation to get there. None of them are particularly thrilled about a fifty-mile long hike through the mountains. Dominic offers to loan them out horses belonging to Zalpar but they decide to fly there instead using Fiona’s pegasus. Arrangements are made for them to leave shortly after dawn.

Mojo objects to the early hour but is told by Serita “You’ll be traveling in the Bag of Holding, so you can just go back asleep.” He looks to Narg to support him on changing the early hour but Narg says, “Don’t look at me. I’ve gotten used to getting up early when my son starts to cry for his morning feeding.” “Why, you don’t have to feed him!” Mark exclaims. Narg replies, “No, but somebody has to get the kid to bring him to his mother. Do you really think that Vallessa is going to get out of bed in the winter just to turn around and get back in it?”

May 26th, 1020:

The morning goes by rather quickly for everyone except Fiona and her mount who have to fly the fifty miles to their destination. The journey along the Zalpar Border Road is eventful, with her flying high above other travelers and an occasional dwarven patrol. The Istivin Highway segment is a little trickier, with her pegasi becoming the target of rock-throwing giants at a few places along the way. She presses on, flying higher and out of their reach of the rocks (much to the chagrin of Narg’s player, who is anxious to fight giants).

They reach Fort Silan shortly before noon. When Fiona is within sight of the fortress she lands on the main road and lets the others out of the Bag of Holding and they then approach the gate. The fort is a large multistory structure built of stone and standing atop a cliff from which the mountains can be seen from the north and west. Two tiers of walls surround the outer section of the fort and dozens of archers are currently atop the walls. The higher of the two towers rises up to a point seventy feet about the structure. The party reaches the main gate and announces themselves.

The party have been expected and their reputation as the continent’s foremost adventuring team precedes them. They are soon ushered into the great hall of the fortress when King Querchard waits. The man is surrounded by his two principle advisors. The first of these is a tall bearded muscular fifty-year old human male with a diagonal scar across his face who is introduced as Frush O’Suggill, Captain-General of the Watch. The other is an older thin-faced human with short white hair and a white goatee. He wears a high-collared black robe and matching skullcap. He has sharp pointed eyes. The man is introduced as Verbane, Chief Wizard of the March.

Showing his usual distain for authority Narg ignores the two advisors completely and begins the conversation with the King by exclaiming “Yo Crown-breath, what’s the scoop?” “I beg your pardon?” the Monarch exclaims. Mojo, of all people, interjects “I am General Mojo of the Queen’s Army and at her request have come to offer you our assistance. Could you please tell us the cause of the current problem?”

The King states “Fifteen years ago my only son Lomaran, then only nine years old, set sail for the east to begin his final schooling in preparation for his eventual succession to the throne. His shi never reached its destination. After a search along our coasts I presumed the ship and my son to be lost at sea. I was without an heir and without hope, until now.

Ten days ago the body of one of my knights was returned to Fort Silan by a group of strange, gray-skinned gnomes. He was a member of a seven-man squad patrolling high in the mountains near our western border. These men were some of the strongest and bravest in the realm. The other six men have been missing in action for over week from when their patrol was to end at Fort Wheelan and I fear the worst.

The dead knight was Sir Hujer. He had died of burns, exposure to cold and many terrible wounds. Stranger still was what he bore on his person, a silver necklace bearing my royal seal.” The king lifts a tarnished necklace from his lap and holds it up. “This is the same necklace that I gave to my son, just before he disappeared so many year ago. To say the least, it is extremely odd that it should be found so high in the mountains, when by all rights it should now be lying at the bottom of the sea.”

Serita asks exactly where the ship departed from. The King replies “The port city of Nos Nevits in the East Lordholding Kingdom of Raylan.” The Silver Moon adventurers are familiar with that city, as the father of their cleric Vincenzo rules it. They also know that it is situated more than 100 miles to the east.

The King continues “I’m not only interested as to my son’s possible whereabouts, I am also gravely concerned about this new threat from the west and the possibility of…well, of whatever threat slew my knights and possessed my son’s necklace. Because of the presence of the giants we know so little about what lies in these mountains beyond our mines. This is why I have asked for your assistance. I would like you to find out who or what is behind this attack, what happened to the rest of he patrol, and, if possible, what all of this has to do with my long-lost son and heir.”

Mojo exclaims, “Hold on, that was fifteen years ago. Don’t you have any more kids?” “No, he was my only child,” the King replies. Mojo says, “Then I think you have another problem. Maybe somebody should have a talk with you about the birds and the bees.” Narg interjects “Hell, even Matthan has a kid, and he…” Serita cuts Narg off, stating to him and Mojo “And maybe I should just bang both of your heads together.” She then mutters “However, perhaps I should have a talk to the Queen about druidic fertility treatments.”

Narg says, “Excuse me your majesty. I must confer with my teammates.” The six step away and he says “What do you think?” Mojo says, “I haven’t heard any mention of payment. We need to find out how much we can get away with charging him.”

Mark asks, “Do we even want to do this?” Serita states, “The knight died of fire and ice, that means a mage, an ogre mage or a dragon.” Narg says, “I heard giants! I’m in. At least this isn’t one of those missions where we have to answer riddles from pixies or try to be nice to lawful good clerics.” “Or rid the world of giant cosmic dogs with gnolls as fleas,” Mojo quips.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Three, “Bird Watching”, May 26th, 1020:

“So how much do we ask for?” Fiona says. Mojo says “Well, we could get him to let us take the necklace. It’s probably worth something if we want to sell it.” Serita says “Well, let’s try to get a fixed amount regardless of what we discover. The likelihood of us finding the Prince after this much time isn’t very promising.”

The head back and Serita asks what the boy looks like. The King produces a portrait of him at age nine. “Prissy looking guy,” Mojo mutters. Serita, with her usual bluntness, gets right to the point “How much are you going to pay us?” The king tells them that he has considerable wealth should they be successful, with silver, gold and platinum from his mines and that his capitol city is known for its sages and scribes so he also has a considerable number of scrolls that could be used for compensation.

They pull back to discuss this further. “Sounds good to me,” Mark states. Purge says to Narg, “And given those sages and scribes we should be able to get the writing utensils, ink and paper that Jamie asked you to get.” Mojo protests, “I am not going to put up with being paid in school supplies.” “I think we’ll go for the precious metals instead,” Narg states. “Or the scrolls,” Fiona interjects. “Make that AND the scrolls,” Serita adds.

They head back over and agree to undertake the mission. Narg asks, “So, exactly what type of giants and other monsters are there in these mountains who we might run into?” The Captain-General responds to this question “All types of giants. We’ve also run into ogres and trolls.”

“Any other monsters threatening this kingdom?” Fiona adds. The wizard advisor says, “Well, we did have a problem with the drow opening up a portal to the abyss eighteen years ago.” This causes all six adventurers to look up with an alarmed look. “Leaving, what a good idea,” Mojo quips. “Hold on, why don’t you tell us more about this,” Serita states.

Verbane states “Istivin fell under the attack from a wholly unanticipated opponent – Lolth, Demon Queen of Spiders. An immense black hemisphere of dark energy appeared over much of the city’s central square, completely cutting off the government and military leaders who were trapped inside. The hemisphere expanded slowly and every day engulfed more of the city. Fortunately a group of brave adventurers penetrated the barrier, defeated Lolth’s machinations and returned unharmed, sealing the barrier behind them. We have had no trouble from the drow since that time.”

“Why don’t I trust that to still be the case,” Fiona ponders. Mojo turns to Narg and says “See, I told you that bring Ailshear would have helped.” Narg sarcastically replies, “Yeah, sure, a place that’s historically had trouble with drow would just welcome one with open arms.” Narg says “Look, don’t worry about it right now. It’s not like we’ve never fought them before. Hell, half of us here right now battled in the Abyss less than two years ago.” (Module #100 – “Chinese Take Out”, the ENWorld Story Hour at the following link: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28642).

The King provides them with a map of the road through the mountains. He states, “Since the gnomes wouldn’t reveal the location of the lair, or even where they found Sir Hujer, you must begin here where the original patrol began and follow its patch until you discover what happened. The gnomes said that Sir Hujer’s last words were a warning about fire or flames. He was not very coherent at the end, may be rest with the gods.”

Mark suggests, “Maybe we should try to find and track these gray-skinned gnomes.” Mojo says, “Good idea. I’ve killed giants before. Killing these gnomes would be something new for me.” Fiona says “Fighters! Mojo, I think he meant we find the gnomes to ask them for information, not eliminate them.” “Party pooper,” he exclaims. Narg requests that they be issued mounts to which the King agrees. The party is provided lodgings for the evening.

May 27th, 1020, 7:00 A.M.

The party gets an early departure. They have dressed for colder climates, as it is a brisk forty degrees out and snow can be seen atop the mountains in the distance. They ride westward towards the mountains, which by mid-morning still remain in the distance, being further away than they appeared to be.

They finally reach the mountains, stopping for lunch at a steam in the foothills. They continue on into the afternoon, not finding any recent tracks other than those of small animals. They start to reach the first of the higher peaks. These peaks are fairly steep and some large winged creatures are seen flying overhead. They get closer and deduce that the birds are giant eagles. There are six of them in total, three sitting upon nests on three separate peaks with the mate flying near each.

The party discusses asking them for information. Serita climbs onto Fiona’s pegasus and asks the men “Is there anything you’d like me to ask the birds?” Mojo replies, “Yeah, tell them not to poop on us.” As the pegasus starts to near a nest the male eagle goes into a dive towards her, claws extended. Serita attempts to speak with the creature to no avail, as it lets out a loud angry screech. When the bird is within 100 feet of them the pegasus’s own instincts for self-preservation kick in and it to makes a long wide dive to the side. Mojo’s player comments “This is just like the movie Top Gun!”

Once the pegasus is far enough off the eagle breaks off its attack and returns to the nest. Serita refuses to take “No” for an answer and does a druidic transformation into a giant eagle and flies upward. Rather than heading towards that agitated bird she instead flies towards the nest which appears to have the youngest eagles, calling to them in the language of the birds.

The same result follows, with the male eagle diving towards her. Narg looks up from below and says, “I’m confused. I thought they were proud, noble and intelligent birds. Why do they begin with an attack?” Mojo replies, “Well they say that elves are proud, noble and intelligent but look at the two of us.”

Serita attempts to evade but is less experience with this particular form as the bird, which manages to dig both of its claws into one of her wings. It shreds the feathers and flesh to an extent that Serita can no longer continue to fly and she begins to plummet to the ground below.
Narg turns to Mojo and comments “You know this is somehow going to end up being my fault.” Purge comments “You can tell he’s married.”

Mark begins to worry when she still falling while little more than 100 feet from the ground when she transforms back into a half-elf and her Ring of Feather Falling kicks in. She is rather angry when she reaches the ground and her mood doesn’t improve when Mojo applauds. “They should not have been so uncooperative! I was in their own form,” she exclaims.

Purge says, “They were protecting nests. If someone who was a possible threat approached Jamie while she was protecting one of her children she would have done the same.” “Or she’d offer him some soup,” Narg comments. Mojo says “Both. She’d cut his head off with a sword and then pour the soup down the stump.” Serita says “But the nests should be empty. It’s too early for eagles to lay a clutch.” The ranger Mark says, “Regular eagles yes, giant eagles have an earlier mating cycle.” “Well, if you’re done trying to talk to birds can we move on?” Narg exclaims.

 

[Silver Moon]

Game #3 - 11/14/04

Chapter Four, “Like A Rolling Stone”, May 27th, 1020, 1:00 P.M.

The group rides on for another four miles as the road winds thought the valleys under the higher peaks. They reach a section where the road narrows to around twenty-feet between the high cliffs on either side and much of that is strewn with rocks and a half dozen boulders from prior rockslides. They carefully make heir way around several of the larger boulders when the ground beneath their horses’ hooves suddenly transforms to mud.

Serita is able to get her horse out of the mud moving forward and Mark follows, trudging through the muck. Mojo and Purge likewise work to extract their horse from the rear of the mud area. Narg and Fiona’s horses are towards the center and are in the worse shape, sinking up to the saddle. Fiona calls her pegasus to fly over and she climbs off the horse and onto its saddle instead.

Narg decides to abandon his mount, tossing and looping his magical rope onto the top of a large boulder and having the rope pull him up towards there. The rope contracts to a six-foot length and Narg’s feet brace against the side of he rock. Much to his surprise, the rock moves, standing up on two rocky legs and parts of the stone move to reveal eyes and a mouth. Narg scampers up onto the top of the creature.

Three other boulders also become animated and Mojo complains about not liking this. Fiona tries to urge her horse out of the mud to no avail. Rocks of various sizes before the party move together and create a wall preventing them from moving forward. When rocks then begin to do the same in the rear Serita calls for a retreat. Mojo and Narg object until the earthquakes then begin and rocks start to shower the area from above. They then reconsider, Narg jumping onto the back of Mojo’s horse as it rides past. A falling boulder strikes and kills Fiona’s horse.

The rapidly growing rear wall is about three feet in height when Serita and Mojo reach it and they are able to have the horses successfully jump the hurdle. They retreat a good distance until the earth around them starts shaking. Mojo’s first comment is “I guess it’s official, everybody hates us if even the stones in the road decide we’re the enemy.”

Fiona flies back to see what is happening on the other side of the wall, seeing that the avalanche has ended and the mud has been turned back to stone. There are six rock creatures now around the two dead horses, eating them. She flies back and reports this to the others. Serita complains, “I don’t think that King gave us very good intelligence about this mission. You’d think he would have known about the rock creatures. What should we do now?” “Go back and throttle that King,” Serita replies. Mojo says, “I don’t know, this may be a valuable find. Do you know what the market is for a self-building wall?”

They decide to set up camp and cook supper, sending Fiona and Mark out to scout for an alternative path through the mountains. They return and announce that avoiding the notch ahead will add at least a day to their journey. “Forget that, what are the other choices?” Narg says. “What’s wrong with the Bag of Holding?” Mojo exclaims. Fiona replies, “The four remaining horses, I only have one Reduce spell left.” After a short debate they decide that is still the best option so decide to stop for the night where they are and have Fiona study enough reduce spells in the morning to shrink all four horses.

May 28th, 1020, 7:00 A.M.

They get an early start. Mojo suggests, “I don’t like loosing. Let’s go back and fight the rocks!” “I don’t think so,” Fiona states. Mojo replies, “No, really, I’ve figured out what to do. We go back and drill holes in each of them. Then we fill the holes with water and cast a Cone of Cold spell. The water will freeze and expand, causing the rocks to split open.” She responds, “And how do you propose drilling these holes to begin with?” He answers, “Hey, I’m just the idea guy, you folks can work out the details.” He is overruled and the party

Serita again suggests going back and yelling at the King. She is also overruled. The four horses and reduced. Purge goes into the Bag of Holding with them to help keep the animals calm after putting makeshift blinders on the animals so that won’t panic at being in an enclosed space. Narg insists on getting in the other bag of holding. “Don’t like the smell of horse dung?” Mark asks. Narg replies, “Actually it’s Purge that I don’t want to smell.” Narg, Mark and Mojo get into the other Bag.

Serita joins Fiona on the back of her pegasus and take to the air. They fly low over the road in order to still look for evidence of the knights and also not make themselves a target to giant eagles or rock-throwing giants. The reduce spell is good for an-hour-and-a-half during which time they manage to cover a distance of over fifteen miles, landing at the far end of a large lake and letting everyone out of the bags

They scout out an area that looks like another group camped there before. Mark checks the tracks and concludes that a group of six to eight humans and their horses camped there a month ago. The lake itself hugs the foot of a steep mountain pass and is about three miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide. The water in the lake is clear but also very deep, as they do not see the bottom.

The group enjoys and mid morning meal and watches the active volcano immediately to the north. The party’s map indicates that it is Mount Torch, one of two active volcanoes in the region. A plume of smoke can be seen rising from the crater at the top. Following the meal the group prepare to depart. They are down two horses but do not see this as a significant problem as Fiona can now ride her pegasus instead and at the speeds they are traveling through the mountains the monk Purge can keep up with them on foot.

The road circumnavigates counterclockwise around Mount Torch, heading first northeast, then north, then northwest and then west. When they have traveled for around six miles since the lake they reach a narrow winding section of the path. Fiona is in the lead, flying quietly slightly above the road as the scout. As such, she is the first to approach a crossroads in the next notch, where several roads meet surrounded by steep cliffs.

From this point one road continues southwest around Mount Torch and two other roads branch off to both the north and northeast. Fiona spots a group of a half-dozen fire giants sitting around a campfire in the middle of the northeast roadway around fifty feet north of the crossroads. She is able to have her mount sharply bank up and back before they spot her and flies back to the other to alert them about the giants.

 

[Silver Moon]

Game #4 11/21/04

Chapter Five, “The bigger they are the harder they fall”, May 28th, 1020, 10:45 A.M.

Upon hearing that there is a group of fire giants right around the bend Mark, Mojo and Narg all opt for a strategy of Get’em! Fiona decides to first cause a distraction by flying up and out and tossing down a Lightening Bolt, which wounds three of the giants. She also then sees that the giants have eight hell hounds with them. Serita pulls from her belt pouch a handful of gas pellets, which she throws onto the ground in front of herself and her allies. The effect of the gas simulates a Haste spell so they all pick up speed closing on their foes.

Fiona pulls a maneuver to pivot her pegasus around while dodging some large boulders tossed by the giants. Mojo uses his hammer of throwing to strike at the first giant who the ranger Mark makes a beeline towards. Seeing flames coming form the mouths of the canines, Narg decides to make himself the target for them, given the fire resistant magic that he has.

Several of the giants toss rocks over towards Serita and Purge. Between her Boots of Speed and his monk speed as well as the magical haste they are both able to dodge but keeps them from closing for an attack. Narg manages to kill the first two hell hounds that reach him. Mojo continues to toss his hammer at the giants but then changes opponents when a hell hound lunges at his throat. As the hammer returns to his hand he bludgeons the canine. Mark manages to cut down the first giant. Narg yells to Mark “Save some for me looks like fun, I’ve had it with these dogs,” as he decapitates another. Serita tosses a Chill Metal spell onto the giant’s weapons.

Fiona is getting annoyed at rocks being tossed up at her and her mount. She waits until several giants have lifted up large boulders above their head to throw when she hits them with a Rock to Mud spell, disintegrating the swords weapons. The mud also temporarily distracts the giants allowing Mark, Mojo and Narg to close on three more. Fiona begins tossing Magic Missiles down into them. Purge’s staff strikes the few remaining dogs and they then retreat.

After two more giants fall it becomes obvious which of the remaining three is the leader as the other two move to protect him. Mojo and Narg both target these two guards allowing Mark to close supported by spells thrown by both Serita and Fiona. Purge deals with the remaining hounds.

Once the battle is done the animals are searched and Serita extracts a few critical components from the bodies to use to make giant strength and control potions. A magical sword is found but it is too large for any to use so they wrap it and then put it into a Bag of Holding. A pouch of money is found on each of the giants with a large number of coins. Serita examines the coins finding them all to be local currency. Mojo comments, “We should find us some jobs being giants, it apparently pays well.” Purge looks at the bodies and says, “It may, but I don’t care for the retirement plan.”

Based upon the items in their backpacks it appears that the giants were traveling to this area from somewhere else. “Where do you think they came from?” Serita asks. Mojo replies, “Well, I’d say that a long time ago a mommy fire giant and a daddy fire giant got together and decided to make some babies.” “Oh shut up,” Fiona comments. Narg stands there contemplative. Serita asks, “What are you thinking?” He answers, “I’m thinking that I want to go kill some more giants. I’m guessing thy are the ones behind the disappearance of the knights.”

They follow the tracks along the northeast road until the road then turns northwest but the giant’s tracks continue from the east. Narg says they should continue to follow the tracks. Purge says, “That isn’t our mission.” Mojo just shakes his head and tells Purge, “Like we’re going to listen to you, a guy who lives in a sod house and doesn’t wear shoes.” Narg says, “The parameters for this mission weren’t that clear. This is the best lead we’ve found so far.” Fiona says, “You’re thinking like a fighter.” “What’s wrong with that!” he replies. She answers, “Would you like a list?”

Serita says “We didn’t bring a cleric with us to speak with the dead. It would have been helpful if you had left one of the giant’s alive to question.” Narg says, “Hey I gave them a chance.” “When?” Fiona states. He replies, “I’m sure I must have said something or other to them about surrendering.” “I don’t recall hearing that,” she states. “Well, then I at least meant to,” he replies.

Mojo suggests having Fiona fly up and do some reconnaissance. “But the giants might see her. That would give away our position,” Purge states. Mojo says “So? They’ll attack her not us. Then we’ll get to kill giants. Seems like a win-win situation to me.” Serita suggests invisibility but Fiona says that she didn’t study that spell this day.

They continue to debate what to do. Serita exclaims “How much time do we have to spend pretending to look for this kid before we can go home?” They discuss looking for the gray gnomes again but are unsure of where to best do that.

They then examine the map to try to ascertain where the giants may have come from, being cognizant of the fact that both fire giants and hell hounds prefer warmer climates. They see that in addition to Mount Torch there is one more active volcano on the map, Roaring Peak Volcano some twenty miles east, and decide that should be their destination. They ride on for the remainder of the morning and most of the afternoon, finding the valleys between the mountains to be passable for the horses but at a much slower pace than the road had been.

By early evening they detect a plume of smoke rising up from the opposite side of the next hill. Mark and Purge scout ahead and return to tell the others that it looks like an organized encampment of some fifty or so armed men. They assume these must be troops working for King Querchard and ride forward to greet them. As they approach the men take up arms and move out to surround them. Fiona says, “Guys, they aren’t wearing any type of organized uniforms nor do they look friendly. I think we’ve stumbled onto a camp of brigands. They also realize that Mark and Purge had underestimated the size of the enemy force, with them actually numbering close to eighty.

Narg tells his friends “Don’t do anything rash. I’ll handle this.” Mojo rolls his eyes. Narg rides forward ahead of the others and a man armed in magical armor with a very fancy two-handed sword moves forward towards him. Narg says “Hello. The Queen sent us. I’m Narg of the Silver Moon.” That results in an unexpected reaction and the man yells out “The Silver Moon found us! Throughout the camp he and all of his followers drop their weapons and throw up their arms to surrender.

The brigand leader says, “We thought we had gotten far enough away from you.” The others in the party begin to talk among themselves. “Do we know these guys?” “Not sure”, “Something seems familiar.” Narg pulls back and Serita says, “I think they may be from that bandit camp that was near Gelorynth.” He says, “We cleaned their clock three times, but the last time was when?” Mark says “Eleven years ago”

Narg returns to the brigand leader and first confirms that that is who they are. He then says, “The Queen sent us but not to hurt you unless absolutely necessary. You are ordered to disband and steal no more.” The bandits all nod in agreement to this. Mojo adds “And turn over to us all that you have stolen from others.” “So that we can return it,” Mark adds. “Never said that,” Mojo mutters.

The bandits are all relived that they are not going to be either attacked or imprisoned. They have a large stockpile of food and drink and decide to have a celebration, making the Silver Moon the guests of honor. Serita and Fiona are both cautious about partaking in the festivities but it soon becomes obvious that this group is too afraid of the consequences to attempt anything devious. The horses are tended to and everyone gets a chance to fill their bellies.

Serita and Fiona both use this as an opportunity to find out about the region. The outlaws have been in the Istivin area for the last year but have operated mostly along the main highway. They indicate that they only retreated to the mountains the previous week when a large army was heading down the road. The party realizes that this contingent was the King’s guard heading to Fort Silan and had nothing to do with the bandits but do not tell them that.

They ask about any encounters in or near the mountains. The bandits say that they attacked and robbed a group of four clerics of Ukko who were on pilgrimage. Serita insists that they surrender what they took from the clerics. The bandits turn over to them four clerical scrolls, a potion, a suit of magical ring mail and a magical mace. The bandits have not seen any giants but do tell of running into and fighting a group of fifteen ogres.

Following the meal Narg orders the bandits to split up all of their remaining possessions, to go separate ways the following dawn and to never steal again. He adds, “If we ever run into any of you again and you’ve been committing crimes we will not be so forgiving.” Mojo adds, “King Querchard knows about you. He told us right where to find you. You’d best get out of his kingdom.” Narg whispers, “Why’d you tell them that?” Mojo replies, “So they’ll get the hell away from us.”

It is starting to now get dark. The Silver Moon gets ready to depart. Narg tells the former leader of the group “We’re going to go report to the King. If any of these men try to follow us they’ll regret it.” They decide to ride on for at least the first few hours of nightfall to put some more distance between them and the bandits.

DM’s Note: The players were now in a section of the module’s map that was totally devoid of description. So I needed to quickly come up with a scenario involving fire giants and an active volcano. Fortunately the module “Preemptive Strike” by Paul Culotta from Dungeon #74 should fit in perfectly and enhance the overall mega-module.

 

[Silver Moon]

Module 129, Game 5

Chapter Six, “Battle in the Sky”, May 29th, 1020

Fiona questions the wisdom of attacking the home of the giants without any provocation. Narg says, “Fine, we’ll come up with a valid reason to kill them all.” Fiona says, “And what, in your opinion, would the proper justification be?” Mojo replies, “Oh we’ll come up with something solid. Like if they’re using a salad fork instead of a dinner fork at meals.” Narg says, “Sounds good to me, get’em!”

They discuss the items obtained from the bandits, which Mojo summarizes as being “A cheap bunch of crap.” Serita says, “Well, what did you expect. They got the stuff from beating up some clerics of Ukko.” Narg says, “Yeah, maybe they should have been rewarded for that.” The group concludes that it isn’t nearly as fun to insult clerics of Ukko in the absence of Timothy, their party’s Ukko cleric.

They continue to follow the path of giant tracks through the mountains. Purge suggests that Serita talk to an animal to get an indication of where they are. Unfortunately the only animals nearby are fish swimming in a stream, and Serita says, “I won’t talk to fish. They are too simple minded and hard to communicate with.” “Then why do you still talk to Narg and Mojo,” Fiona asks. Narg interjects, “How can fish be stupid, they swim in schools?” “You’ve just made my point,” Fiona comments.

After they’ve gone around five or six miles from the bandit camp Serita complains that they are on a wild goose chase. Narg says, “Tracking these giants is the best lead that we’ve got. It also might bring us to some terrible violence.” “Nothing like a good frontal assault to break up the day,” Mojo adds. Fiona says, “If we find a lair full of fire giants we are NOT doing a frontal assault.” “Party pooper,” Mojo states.

Fiona casts Invisibility spells onto both herself and her pegasus and does some ariel reconnaissance. She spots the other volcano another ten miles away, the party not seeing it due to a large mountain in between. She comes back and gives them two options to reach it, continuing through the mountains east or heading southeast for a few miles and then crossing the plains south of the mountains. The plains route would be longer in miles but might actually be as quicker as it would be easier on the horses. They decide to go that way.

The group hears a loud eagle like screech from the mountain to their left. Racing across the sky are five winged griffins. Mounted on one of them is an elf that blows a high-pitched whistle before twisting in his saddle to fire an arrow at an enormous red dragon in pursuit. Astride the monstrous reptile is a red-haired black-skinned giant wielding a large sword.

At the sound of the whistle, the four riderless griffins scatter in different directions. Meanwhile, the elf’s arrow sinks into the dragon’s right eye and with an outraged bellow it blasts a burst of flame that singes part of the griffin’s wing, causing it to flutter down to a field about 100 yards away. Roaring in triumph, the dragon begins to land while licking its chops. The elf pulls free of the saddle, unsheathes his sword and prepares to face the approaching reptile. Mojo comments, “Too bad. I brought a box of Pegasus Helper with me but no Griffin Helper.”

Fiona decides to offer her assistance to the elf. She flies high up into the air and gets above the dragon and giant and then sends a Lightning Bolt down into both the reptilian mount and its oversized rider. Both are wounded but assume that the elf on the ground was responsible and continue to dive towards him. The other members of the Silver Moon party charge in the direction of the elf.

Fiona pursues from above and behind the dragon and sends a second bolt of lightening down into the creature, this time damaging its wings although it is still well enough to stay aloft. The damage is enough to prompt the dragon to decide to flee back to the safety of its lair rather than continuing the attack.

The party approaches the elf, which stands down from his challenge stance. They decide to dismount and approach on foot, as their horses are reluctant to get any closer to the Griffin.

 

[Silver Moon]

Referenced elsewhere so am bumping the thread. This also reminds me that I need to get back to finishing the log for "Into the Fire".