Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
Campaign writeup (2 updates September 7th)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Eccles" data-source="post: 5458017" data-attributes="member: 5675"><p>With some of us a bit broken and bloody we reach the temple of wine and revelry, but it certainly doesn’t live up to its name. Filled to capacity with the wounded and dieing, people came seeking refuge and found as much as the priests could spare. Here we follow Torrent as she seeks a way through the crowd, urging people to make space as we carry the wounded body of the gnomish spy (rivereye badger face) deeper into the temple until finally we reach the head priest Beuron (and leader of the local resistance cell), a large friar who looks happy if stretched to the end of his rope.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/f40.jpg" target="_blank">http://jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/f40.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>He gives Torrent a welcoming hug, glad that she is ok and her mission a success and leads us down through concealed doors into the crypts where a resistance safe house has been set up. Racks of simple weapons and supplies rest against stout walls and he points out a few side rooms with simple sleeping pallets that we can take rest in. Badgerface is taken away by a couple of priests, no doubt to heal his injuries in a more serene part of the safe house and we are left to our own devices for a moment before Beuron appears at the door, his eyes lingering on the goliath.</p><p></p><p>“my fellow, I wonder if I could crave a boon… we have a complication upstairs that I’m sure your…” he says taking the bard by the arm, squeezing it softly “strengths… can overcome”, never one to turn down work Brick agrees, Ashelyne pads along quietly behind the pair as they head up, the sounds of a dirge like song getting louder as leave the crypts. The source of the music is a hulking female Half Orc singing in a deep baritone as she strums along listlessly on her mandolin, around her the crowd watches on awkwardly. Listening for a moment it becomes clear her “song” is about her now dead female lover, snatched cruelly away by the Ragesian flames.</p><p></p><p>Across from the room stand a priest and a paladin, the paladin in particularly looks galled by the bard, his hand clenching and unclenching rapidly over the haft of his cudgel, a peace-tie of pink ribbon lashed quickly around, securing it to his belt loop. “as you can see, its quite killing the spirit of our flock, perhaps you could do something to raise the mood, inspire and encourage, anything must be better than this?” asks Beuron “leave it to me” says Brick enthusiastically, patting one huge hand upon the friars shoulder and reaches for his “large flute”.</p><p></p><p>And he begins to play his Jazz flute, at first he seems to just be playing random notes, but catches the attention of the crowd, soon his notes flow falling into a pattern, drowning out the dirge with their bohemian wildness. Lost in the music he begins cavorting, darting here and there, the crowd’s eyes follow only him as he builds to a feverish crescendo.</p><p></p><p>Half Orc Bard <a href="http://www.elfwood.com/art/y/e/yenk/the_half_orc_bard.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.elfwood.com/art/y/e/yenk/the_half_orc_bard.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>Jazz Flute <a href="http://movieclips.com/qjJc-anchorman-the-legend-of-ron-burgundy-movie-jazz-flute/" target="_blank">Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Movie - Jazz Flute | Video « MOVIECLIPS</a></p><p></p><p>Meanwhile forgotten and ignored the half-orc finishes her song, listened to only by the blind girl as she reels of line after line of her lost love and their death pact. While the goliath skips left and right behind him she shoulders her mandolin, glares a hate fuelled gaze to those how ignore her loss and stomps outside, quickly followed by the paladin and two lackeys, in turn Ashelyn follows them into the cold night air. Beuron is quick to squeeze Brick in thankful embrace “you’ve done wonders my boy, wonders”, concerned about his fellow performer (no matter how dire!) Brick disentangles himself from the friar’s clutches, makes his excuses and dashes outside.</p><p></p><p>In the dark street outside the paladin and his two comrades stand facing the Half Orc “you’re not welcome here, do not return” he says sternly, fingers wrapped tight around his cudgel, still at his waist but the peace tie is gone. She simply glares at them, defiantly until a ball of muddy snow catches her in the face, more snowballs are flung by the paladin’s allies until eventually cracks “I hate you all, no one understands us!” and she flees in tears into the night. Brick watches her leave and then heads back inside, his large hand patting little Ashelyne on the head as he steps passed her “she has a troubled soul” he says sadly. Now alone the girl looks up her</p><p></p><p>“vision” picking through the blizzard above to see the stars clearly and the beings amongst them staring down at her “don’t we all...”</p><p></p><p>In the morning we meet with Beuron, he tells us that both Torrent and Rivereye left early this morning to meet contact and informants regarding Gaball’s School and Shiallis (the Shahalesti mage who currently possesses Rivereyes box of military intelligence), he tells us it’s something to do with the Singing Chasm and a tunnel. Our own interrogation of a Shahalesti in the depository had mentioned them trying to flee the city in a tunnel that was not yet complete.</p><p></p><p>He also has some resistance work that needs to be done, and two additional “recruits” to introduce “they came in late last night, survived the fire and thankful we are for that small mercy. Their talents are unusual, but I’m sure you’re used to that!”</p><p></p><p>Kain – Half Orc Rogue</p><p></p><p>A relatively unknown enforcer for the thieves’ guild and resistance, a former member of the Ragesian army, he “left” in one of its infrequent times of peace. He arrived in Gatepass leaving a trail of muggings and petty thefts behind him and has been here ever since, living a life of simple luxury afforded by his lack of scruples and love of other peoples money.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://paizo.com/image/content/PathfinderRPG/PZO1110-Assassin.jpg" target="_blank">http://paizo.com/image/content/PathfinderRPG/PZO1110-Assassin.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>Crossed with <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/HalfOrcAssassinmini.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/HalfOrcAssassinmini.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>Lembit – Deva Confused Wizard (Shaman)</p><p></p><p>In stark contrast to his companion Kain, Lembit shines with statuesque beauty. Strong of Jaw, high of cheek and a noble brow he would cut a fine figure if only his attention span would pass muster. Lembit appeared in town a few years ago, enrolled at Gabal’s school but has made great progress as an academic and historian, but his practical magic is wild, primal and untamed… far outside the remit of Gabal’s curriculum, and eventually charity wore thin and he was asked to leave.</p><p></p><p>The Deva Race</p><p></p><p>Deep in the recesses of memory, devas’ recall what they once were: immortal servitors of the gods of good, spirits who chose to bind themselves to the world in mortal flesh. For millennia, their souls have been reborn to wage an endless war against the forces of darkness.</p><p></p><p>Like most of his race Lembit has lived many, many lives, being reincarnated upon each death, to learn from his mistakes and continue the fight. Unlike other Devas’ Lembit spent a considerable number of these lives replaying the same lives or similar as a wizard, such memories are hard to let go, old habits die hard so they say, and so do Deva’s!</p><p></p><p><a href="http://static.plaync.co.kr/pr/aion/event/091111_devaday/deva/bg_deva_wizard.png" target="_blank">http://static.plaync.co.kr/pr/aion/event/091111_devaday/deva/bg_deva_wizard.png</a></p><p></p><p>Gabal’s School</p><p></p><p>Gabal, a famed evoker who helped drive the Ragesians out forty years ago, maintains a school of war. This large cluster of squat towers connected by covered bridges and surrounded by a moat and fence is jokingly known as The Castle. Gabal’s students — identifiable by their red robes — are generally viewed as arrogant and hot-tempered, but their mentor forces them to sell their services for low prices, particularly in matters of defense and construction, and a handful of wizards serve in the city military. Gabal is said to scorn magic-users who do not study spellbooks for their powers, and has a particular dislike for sorcerers and warlocks, commonly saying he doesn’t trust people who have that much charisma. Charm is a personality flaw Gabal proudly lacks.</p><p></p><p>With the introductions over Beuron tells us that another of the resistance members who works at the depository has information regarding Ragesian Infiltrators, we meet the dwarf and he spins a tale of a “cat like beast” that fades into the night, he followed one of their wounded members back to a warehouse and will gladly show us the way. In way of thanks for services rendered (and future service to be rendered) Beuron hands us a satchel “I’ve secured these from supplies, they should serve you well I hope” inside is a collection of healing potions and some gold for our efforts.</p><p></p><p>Soon we are out of the temple and back on the streets huddled up against the snow and chill wind that whips through the pass, nearly every street shows sign of fire damage, and the air is thick with the smell of charred wood or worse. We pass groups of peasants sat idle in the streets waiting for death to take the, while others form work gangs, clearing away fallen stone and the bodies they cover. More than once Kain breaks from the dwarf’s lead, clambering over the wreckage coming back with minor spoils and trinkets… the fortunes of war.</p><p></p><p>Soon we reach the district in question, lanes and alleys clogged with fresh unsullied snow, the tracks of visitors clear for all to see. “that’s the one there, can tell by the way those Ragesian bastards gave it a wide birth” says the dwarf spitting into the snow and takes his leave, but his point rings true the warehouse is untouched, with only slight damage to the buildings near it. Kain and Durzon go scouting, with the assassin making it onto the roof, slowly sweeping snow away from one of the ventilation hatches he peeks inside, spotting a number of bandit / guard types along with a mage in robes. We plan to go in the front door while he will slip through the hatch.</p><p></p><p>Our “ambush” goes true to form with Kain lifting the bar from the door silently however the thing then drops as it clears the hooks and clatters to the floor, the Ragesians inside take cover behind the crates.</p><p></p><p>Highlights</p><p></p><p>* Durzon manages to enter the warehouse more stealthily than the rest of us (perhaps because we were standing in the doorway like lemons) and manages to shoot on in the neck with his hand crossbow, the three bandit types retaliate by hurling daggers at him that miss.</p><p></p><p>* Our brave “charge” into the warehouse becomes more of an amble, ending with Ashelyne falling into a 10foot pit that had been concealed along the main path.</p><p></p><p>* The Cat Beast turns out to be the mage’s familiar a Psuedodragon, a long thin reptile with wings and a barbed poisonous tail, this manages to do a number on Durzon bringing him very close to dropping but not for his undead hardiness. o <a href="http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/pseudodragon72_med.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/pseudodragon72_med.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>* Ashelyne manages to find herself trapped between the wizard and her familiar, eventually dropping unconscious because of a combined magic missile and tail lashing, leaving her very close to death on the floor.</p><p></p><p>* This is then confirmed when the assassin shoots the dragon with his hand crossbow and kills it, causing it to explode in a poisonous explosion that rains crates down upon the little blind girl crushing her.</p><p></p><p>* With his familiar dead the mage attempts to flee but is outflanked by the assassin and gutted like a fish.</p><p></p><p>Ashelyne finds herself in the darkness, cold, empty and alone… she is scared, a heavy weight rests upon her, crushing and squeezing the life from her, suddenly there is an intense heat burning inside, a spike of pain to her mind and the visions begin.</p><p></p><p>* First she sees a war fought between unknown soldiers</p><p></p><p>* Second a great Stag made of flame charging towards her</p><p></p><p>* Thirdly a great beast of green tentacles battling a huge devil</p><p></p><p>* Fourth, a bearded devil armed with a large glaive attacking her</p><p></p><p>* Fifth a man dressed in fine pink clothes walking away from her</p><p></p><p>* And finally the face of a gigantic dragon, appearing and breathing fire, reducing her to ashes</p><p></p><p>As soon as it came the heat vanishes, leaving her alone, incomplete… empty.</p><p></p><p>When the others move the crates the girl is lying there, the same but different, scrawnier like all the fat has been burnt from her body… pale and still like the grave, but then finally takes a sharp intake of breath… born again.</p><p></p><p>Giving the girl space and time to rest, they search the warehouse, from his clamberings atop the crates duzon spotted a chest hidden within taller stacks and using the key found upon the dead mage they click it open finding a small hoard of treasure and a series of documents detailing the groups’ orders. They were to arrange a diversion near Erdan Menash’s house to allow another group a chance to abduct him.</p><p></p><p>Erdan Menash</p><p></p><p>Erdan is a council member, the third council member to stand up against the scourge, and the only one of the three that hasn’t vanished under mysterious circumstances. He is known to be flamboyant, bohemian (and closely homosexual) that from time to time sponsors adventuring groups, usually outfitting them with matching outfits and lavishly detailed (in a camp style) weapons and equipment.</p><p></p><p>Lembit takes the mages staff, a length of black fire hardened wood capped at each end with red iron. While Kain finds a fancy dagger inside the chest, its blade waved like a flickering flame, touching the rune stamped into the hilt causes the short sharp blade to ignite. (Also possible he found a new coat and boots among the dead Ragesians, and a few odds and ends from the warehouse as well).</p><p></p><p>We return to the temple, where the priests treat the worst of our injuries, seeing the state of the girl Beuron offers to take care of her personally and guides the waif away from the others, sitting her down and begins his prayers and sets his hand upon the girls head. There is a brief “manly” squeal from the friar before he dashes away quickly, clutching at his hand in pain, skin pallid and sweaty “I… ah… need some air… she’ll be fine… fine” he stammers quickly heading away as fast as possible while still looking reasonably dignified. Ashelyne meanwhile finds a deserted tunnel in the crypts and sits silent in the dark, distraught, empty and alone...</p><p></p><p>A few hours later, suitably recovered the Friar calls us all together, asking us to join the resistance “you would do us a great honour in joining, with your actions over the previous days you’ve certainly caused a stir” he chuckles “You’ve inspired the men, I’m sure some of them would be”… he begins eyes settling on the little girl and his voice changes from up beat to confused “follow you into the depths of hell…” and winces, his good arm reaches to squeeze his bad reassuringly. He manages to muster a smile when we accept and begs leave to rest “I feel a little queer, brick my fellow perhaps you’ll play for me a while, sooth my nerves, yes?” he asks, the goliath accepts, waving his flute eagerly.</p><p></p><p>Alone in the friars room he tosses back and forth in a restless sleep but eventually the soothing lullaby tones of Brick’s flute manage to calm him into a more peaceful slumber but he remains asleep until the morning. The rest of the party are stuck as it were in the crypts safe house awaiting the return of Torrent and Rivereye. Content that his playing is no longer needed Brick leaves, closing the friars door behind him and pads (as quietly as a seven foot man can) along the corridors, he turns a corner and glimpses the trim of a jet black cloak, images of the Half Orc bard flash in his mind and on instinct he calls “hello?” but this only hastens her footsteps, he follows in earnest until finally reaching a dead end in a seemingly abandoned tunnel, large footprints however show signs of passage through the dust choked corridor and scrape marks of a door.</p><p></p><p>Utilising his “great” strength he manages to heave the door open, a waft of stale air comes fro the passageway, he calls again “hellooo?” his only reply is the sound of distance chanting punctuated with a ghastly wet scream “Are you ok in there?”, he takes a hesitant step inside and then stops, sense overcomes valor and he runs off in search of friends, barging into the shared common room “there’s a wounded Half Orc in the under crypt!” he burbles, the mention of a Half Orc raises Kain from his amusement (turning the fire enchantment of his knife on and off) and soon Brick is leading the rest of us back to the secret doorway.</p><p></p><p>As we approach a figure stumbles through the doorway, a badly made limping skeleton made from odd length bones, broken blades strapped where its hands should be and a flickering purple fire where its heart would be. Kain lobs his knife at it, the flaming dagger crashes into its ribcage and the whole thing explodes with a sharp crack, blasting fragments of bone all over the place (but none close enough to hurt us). Lembit rushes forward to investigate, turning the larger sections of bones over in his hands. “Ah the bone shard skeleton, a staple of low ranking necromancers and cultists, still a tricky customer in a narrow area” and quickly begins the tale of</p><p></p><p>one of his many, many deaths adventuring “although the one that got me was much better constructed, sloppy workmanship, you can see around the hip bones, different sex legs for a start”. Standing up the “wizard” bangs his staff into the ground, its iron cap sparks and the whole staff glows a deep red illuminating the way “after me gentlemen” and steps fearlessly into the tunnel, Brick brings up the rear, shutting the secret door behind him.</p><p></p><p>(Middle picture) <a href="http://dndd.yolasite.com/resources/monstermanual.jpg" target="_blank">http://dndd.yolasite.com/resources/monstermanual.jpg</a></p><p></p><p>On our way down the corridor we meet a few more undead, this time dwarven skeletons with stout shields and sharp axes that make a bit of a mess of our rogue Kain. We eventually find a catacomb with some more undead, Durzon attempts to sneak in first, but strays into the sights of three skeletal archers, inside we find a much larger (or perhaps well built) undead warrior and what was described to us as “a puddle of flesh”. Both Kain and Durzon are knocked unconscious (possibly twice) during the fight but eventually we bring them down and can investigate the gruesome remains.</p><p></p><p>A study confirms what we suspect (the remains are of the Half Orc), piecing together the evidence at hand Lembit believes that a dark ritual was cast with herself as the target. He holds the flaps of skin and flesh together and points out a weird gap at the neck “usually the focus of these types of things are a necklace or amulet” and predicts we would be dealing with more than just a skeleton, “she’s probably come back as a Wight, that’s a kind’ve undead thing fuelled by hatred, quite nasty” his gaze then follows the bloody marks we had missed in the red glow of his staff leading back up the corridor to the secret door. “You don’t think she got out while I was getting to you?” asks Brick.</p><p></p><p>We return to the secret door and upon opening it the screams of the dieing are finally audible “I think that confirms your thoughts Brick” adds Kain for once un-eager to throw himself into battle. We follow the trail of destruction and slaughter up and out of the crypts to the temple proper. In the main chamber is the Wight and a small force of bloody skeletons, battling against a lone priestess and a handful of resistance thieves. The priestess calls upon her god, smashing her holy symbol in the face of one skeleton and triggers a chain reaction of bony explosions killing the priest and her allies. Dark energy pulses from the necklace around the Wights neck, and the skeletons of the recently fallen pull themselves free of their flesh and the large gem in the necklace shatters.</p><p></p><p>We battle the Wight and its risen allies, managing to destroy any bone shard skeletons away from everyone (especially the peasanst still in the room as they try to flee for their lives). This fleeing is further complicated (or possible aided via scary herding) as Ashelyne transforms again into something wrong, wreathed in flame and ichor, horns and tentacles. Brick takes his lumps in this fight, being the target of the Wight “soul draining great hammer” more than once or twice, each hit siphoning off his resolve. But with the undead inside the temple destroyed we join the resistance fighters outside (along with the Paladin of St Cuthbert) and mop up any strays and we aid in cleaning the worst of the slaughter away, and with a snow storm predicted people would rather be inside and warm with a bit of blood on the walls than freeze in the purity of the snow.</p><p></p><p>Torrent and Rivereye finally return, and after hearing of our adventures share their own information:</p><p></p><p>* Shiallis (the Eladrin who is currently in possession of Rivereye’s case full of stolen secrets) was recently the focus of a big celebration at Gabal’s upon her progression to Paragon (level 11).</p><p></p><p>o As part of this promotion she has been given her own set of apartments within the school and has started investigating the Burning Sky and its cause (why people are set on fire when they teleport).</p><p></p><p>o She has a rival at the school a mage called Diogenes who disliked her noticeably and he himself could be a potent ally against her, such is the level of his displeasure.</p><p></p><p>o Secretly she is still awaiting the completion of the tunnel into the Singing Chasm so she can flee the city safely.</p><p></p><p>* Meanwhile Rivereye believes that an old contact of his is still within the city walls and that this ally rivals Shiallis in power (or at least closer to her than we are) and might be convinced to help our cause and retrieve his information so that we may leave the city ourselves and take it south to Lyceum Academy.</p><p></p><p>With all this information shared the pair is exhausted and after our own trials and tribulations all head to bed to get a good nights rest (or nightmare laden slumber depending upon who you are). We are woken before Dawn by an anxious Beuron (still nursing his hand defensively and wary of catching the little girls eyeless gaze) “one of my men has discovered the tunnel to the singing chasm will be finished earlier than our predictions, he claims it will be ready by the end of today. Torrent and Rivereye have left to muster their allies, you must find Shiallis and delay her anyway you can until they arrive!” and with that we’re hustled out of the temple with a rushed breakfast into the cold winters morn.</p><p></p><p>After a little trudgery we reach Gablan’s school and see that it certainly lives up to its nickname of The Castle (protected by a moat as well as a tall metal fence, the school resembles a keep more than anything else with four large towers poking out from its thick looking walls). Near the drawbridge is a robed figure, leaning against one of the stone supports proudly sporting a paunch, lazily puffing away at a cigarette as we approach Lembit recognises him as Diogenes. “What are you fine fellows doing here on such a fine summer’s day?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Eccles, post: 5458017, member: 5675"] With some of us a bit broken and bloody we reach the temple of wine and revelry, but it certainly doesn’t live up to its name. Filled to capacity with the wounded and dieing, people came seeking refuge and found as much as the priests could spare. Here we follow Torrent as she seeks a way through the crowd, urging people to make space as we carry the wounded body of the gnomish spy (rivereye badger face) deeper into the temple until finally we reach the head priest Beuron (and leader of the local resistance cell), a large friar who looks happy if stretched to the end of his rope. [url]http://jonathanturley.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/f40.jpg[/url] He gives Torrent a welcoming hug, glad that she is ok and her mission a success and leads us down through concealed doors into the crypts where a resistance safe house has been set up. Racks of simple weapons and supplies rest against stout walls and he points out a few side rooms with simple sleeping pallets that we can take rest in. Badgerface is taken away by a couple of priests, no doubt to heal his injuries in a more serene part of the safe house and we are left to our own devices for a moment before Beuron appears at the door, his eyes lingering on the goliath. “my fellow, I wonder if I could crave a boon… we have a complication upstairs that I’m sure your…” he says taking the bard by the arm, squeezing it softly “strengths… can overcome”, never one to turn down work Brick agrees, Ashelyne pads along quietly behind the pair as they head up, the sounds of a dirge like song getting louder as leave the crypts. The source of the music is a hulking female Half Orc singing in a deep baritone as she strums along listlessly on her mandolin, around her the crowd watches on awkwardly. Listening for a moment it becomes clear her “song” is about her now dead female lover, snatched cruelly away by the Ragesian flames. Across from the room stand a priest and a paladin, the paladin in particularly looks galled by the bard, his hand clenching and unclenching rapidly over the haft of his cudgel, a peace-tie of pink ribbon lashed quickly around, securing it to his belt loop. “as you can see, its quite killing the spirit of our flock, perhaps you could do something to raise the mood, inspire and encourage, anything must be better than this?” asks Beuron “leave it to me” says Brick enthusiastically, patting one huge hand upon the friars shoulder and reaches for his “large flute”. And he begins to play his Jazz flute, at first he seems to just be playing random notes, but catches the attention of the crowd, soon his notes flow falling into a pattern, drowning out the dirge with their bohemian wildness. Lost in the music he begins cavorting, darting here and there, the crowd’s eyes follow only him as he builds to a feverish crescendo. Half Orc Bard [url]http://www.elfwood.com/art/y/e/yenk/the_half_orc_bard.jpg[/url] Jazz Flute [url=http://movieclips.com/qjJc-anchorman-the-legend-of-ron-burgundy-movie-jazz-flute/]Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Movie - Jazz Flute | Video « MOVIECLIPS[/url] Meanwhile forgotten and ignored the half-orc finishes her song, listened to only by the blind girl as she reels of line after line of her lost love and their death pact. While the goliath skips left and right behind him she shoulders her mandolin, glares a hate fuelled gaze to those how ignore her loss and stomps outside, quickly followed by the paladin and two lackeys, in turn Ashelyn follows them into the cold night air. Beuron is quick to squeeze Brick in thankful embrace “you’ve done wonders my boy, wonders”, concerned about his fellow performer (no matter how dire!) Brick disentangles himself from the friar’s clutches, makes his excuses and dashes outside. In the dark street outside the paladin and his two comrades stand facing the Half Orc “you’re not welcome here, do not return” he says sternly, fingers wrapped tight around his cudgel, still at his waist but the peace tie is gone. She simply glares at them, defiantly until a ball of muddy snow catches her in the face, more snowballs are flung by the paladin’s allies until eventually cracks “I hate you all, no one understands us!” and she flees in tears into the night. Brick watches her leave and then heads back inside, his large hand patting little Ashelyne on the head as he steps passed her “she has a troubled soul” he says sadly. Now alone the girl looks up her “vision” picking through the blizzard above to see the stars clearly and the beings amongst them staring down at her “don’t we all...” In the morning we meet with Beuron, he tells us that both Torrent and Rivereye left early this morning to meet contact and informants regarding Gaball’s School and Shiallis (the Shahalesti mage who currently possesses Rivereyes box of military intelligence), he tells us it’s something to do with the Singing Chasm and a tunnel. Our own interrogation of a Shahalesti in the depository had mentioned them trying to flee the city in a tunnel that was not yet complete. He also has some resistance work that needs to be done, and two additional “recruits” to introduce “they came in late last night, survived the fire and thankful we are for that small mercy. Their talents are unusual, but I’m sure you’re used to that!” Kain – Half Orc Rogue A relatively unknown enforcer for the thieves’ guild and resistance, a former member of the Ragesian army, he “left” in one of its infrequent times of peace. He arrived in Gatepass leaving a trail of muggings and petty thefts behind him and has been here ever since, living a life of simple luxury afforded by his lack of scruples and love of other peoples money. [url]http://paizo.com/image/content/PathfinderRPG/PZO1110-Assassin.jpg[/url] Crossed with [url]http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/HalfOrcAssassinmini.jpg[/url] Lembit – Deva Confused Wizard (Shaman) In stark contrast to his companion Kain, Lembit shines with statuesque beauty. Strong of Jaw, high of cheek and a noble brow he would cut a fine figure if only his attention span would pass muster. Lembit appeared in town a few years ago, enrolled at Gabal’s school but has made great progress as an academic and historian, but his practical magic is wild, primal and untamed… far outside the remit of Gabal’s curriculum, and eventually charity wore thin and he was asked to leave. The Deva Race Deep in the recesses of memory, devas’ recall what they once were: immortal servitors of the gods of good, spirits who chose to bind themselves to the world in mortal flesh. For millennia, their souls have been reborn to wage an endless war against the forces of darkness. Like most of his race Lembit has lived many, many lives, being reincarnated upon each death, to learn from his mistakes and continue the fight. Unlike other Devas’ Lembit spent a considerable number of these lives replaying the same lives or similar as a wizard, such memories are hard to let go, old habits die hard so they say, and so do Deva’s! [url]http://static.plaync.co.kr/pr/aion/event/091111_devaday/deva/bg_deva_wizard.png[/url] Gabal’s School Gabal, a famed evoker who helped drive the Ragesians out forty years ago, maintains a school of war. This large cluster of squat towers connected by covered bridges and surrounded by a moat and fence is jokingly known as The Castle. Gabal’s students — identifiable by their red robes — are generally viewed as arrogant and hot-tempered, but their mentor forces them to sell their services for low prices, particularly in matters of defense and construction, and a handful of wizards serve in the city military. Gabal is said to scorn magic-users who do not study spellbooks for their powers, and has a particular dislike for sorcerers and warlocks, commonly saying he doesn’t trust people who have that much charisma. Charm is a personality flaw Gabal proudly lacks. With the introductions over Beuron tells us that another of the resistance members who works at the depository has information regarding Ragesian Infiltrators, we meet the dwarf and he spins a tale of a “cat like beast” that fades into the night, he followed one of their wounded members back to a warehouse and will gladly show us the way. In way of thanks for services rendered (and future service to be rendered) Beuron hands us a satchel “I’ve secured these from supplies, they should serve you well I hope” inside is a collection of healing potions and some gold for our efforts. Soon we are out of the temple and back on the streets huddled up against the snow and chill wind that whips through the pass, nearly every street shows sign of fire damage, and the air is thick with the smell of charred wood or worse. We pass groups of peasants sat idle in the streets waiting for death to take the, while others form work gangs, clearing away fallen stone and the bodies they cover. More than once Kain breaks from the dwarf’s lead, clambering over the wreckage coming back with minor spoils and trinkets… the fortunes of war. Soon we reach the district in question, lanes and alleys clogged with fresh unsullied snow, the tracks of visitors clear for all to see. “that’s the one there, can tell by the way those Ragesian bastards gave it a wide birth” says the dwarf spitting into the snow and takes his leave, but his point rings true the warehouse is untouched, with only slight damage to the buildings near it. Kain and Durzon go scouting, with the assassin making it onto the roof, slowly sweeping snow away from one of the ventilation hatches he peeks inside, spotting a number of bandit / guard types along with a mage in robes. We plan to go in the front door while he will slip through the hatch. Our “ambush” goes true to form with Kain lifting the bar from the door silently however the thing then drops as it clears the hooks and clatters to the floor, the Ragesians inside take cover behind the crates. Highlights * Durzon manages to enter the warehouse more stealthily than the rest of us (perhaps because we were standing in the doorway like lemons) and manages to shoot on in the neck with his hand crossbow, the three bandit types retaliate by hurling daggers at him that miss. * Our brave “charge” into the warehouse becomes more of an amble, ending with Ashelyne falling into a 10foot pit that had been concealed along the main path. * The Cat Beast turns out to be the mage’s familiar a Psuedodragon, a long thin reptile with wings and a barbed poisonous tail, this manages to do a number on Durzon bringing him very close to dropping but not for his undead hardiness. o [url]http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/pseudodragon72_med.jpg[/url] * Ashelyne manages to find herself trapped between the wizard and her familiar, eventually dropping unconscious because of a combined magic missile and tail lashing, leaving her very close to death on the floor. * This is then confirmed when the assassin shoots the dragon with his hand crossbow and kills it, causing it to explode in a poisonous explosion that rains crates down upon the little blind girl crushing her. * With his familiar dead the mage attempts to flee but is outflanked by the assassin and gutted like a fish. Ashelyne finds herself in the darkness, cold, empty and alone… she is scared, a heavy weight rests upon her, crushing and squeezing the life from her, suddenly there is an intense heat burning inside, a spike of pain to her mind and the visions begin. * First she sees a war fought between unknown soldiers * Second a great Stag made of flame charging towards her * Thirdly a great beast of green tentacles battling a huge devil * Fourth, a bearded devil armed with a large glaive attacking her * Fifth a man dressed in fine pink clothes walking away from her * And finally the face of a gigantic dragon, appearing and breathing fire, reducing her to ashes As soon as it came the heat vanishes, leaving her alone, incomplete… empty. When the others move the crates the girl is lying there, the same but different, scrawnier like all the fat has been burnt from her body… pale and still like the grave, but then finally takes a sharp intake of breath… born again. Giving the girl space and time to rest, they search the warehouse, from his clamberings atop the crates duzon spotted a chest hidden within taller stacks and using the key found upon the dead mage they click it open finding a small hoard of treasure and a series of documents detailing the groups’ orders. They were to arrange a diversion near Erdan Menash’s house to allow another group a chance to abduct him. Erdan Menash Erdan is a council member, the third council member to stand up against the scourge, and the only one of the three that hasn’t vanished under mysterious circumstances. He is known to be flamboyant, bohemian (and closely homosexual) that from time to time sponsors adventuring groups, usually outfitting them with matching outfits and lavishly detailed (in a camp style) weapons and equipment. Lembit takes the mages staff, a length of black fire hardened wood capped at each end with red iron. While Kain finds a fancy dagger inside the chest, its blade waved like a flickering flame, touching the rune stamped into the hilt causes the short sharp blade to ignite. (Also possible he found a new coat and boots among the dead Ragesians, and a few odds and ends from the warehouse as well). We return to the temple, where the priests treat the worst of our injuries, seeing the state of the girl Beuron offers to take care of her personally and guides the waif away from the others, sitting her down and begins his prayers and sets his hand upon the girls head. There is a brief “manly” squeal from the friar before he dashes away quickly, clutching at his hand in pain, skin pallid and sweaty “I… ah… need some air… she’ll be fine… fine” he stammers quickly heading away as fast as possible while still looking reasonably dignified. Ashelyne meanwhile finds a deserted tunnel in the crypts and sits silent in the dark, distraught, empty and alone... A few hours later, suitably recovered the Friar calls us all together, asking us to join the resistance “you would do us a great honour in joining, with your actions over the previous days you’ve certainly caused a stir” he chuckles “You’ve inspired the men, I’m sure some of them would be”… he begins eyes settling on the little girl and his voice changes from up beat to confused “follow you into the depths of hell…” and winces, his good arm reaches to squeeze his bad reassuringly. He manages to muster a smile when we accept and begs leave to rest “I feel a little queer, brick my fellow perhaps you’ll play for me a while, sooth my nerves, yes?” he asks, the goliath accepts, waving his flute eagerly. Alone in the friars room he tosses back and forth in a restless sleep but eventually the soothing lullaby tones of Brick’s flute manage to calm him into a more peaceful slumber but he remains asleep until the morning. The rest of the party are stuck as it were in the crypts safe house awaiting the return of Torrent and Rivereye. Content that his playing is no longer needed Brick leaves, closing the friars door behind him and pads (as quietly as a seven foot man can) along the corridors, he turns a corner and glimpses the trim of a jet black cloak, images of the Half Orc bard flash in his mind and on instinct he calls “hello?” but this only hastens her footsteps, he follows in earnest until finally reaching a dead end in a seemingly abandoned tunnel, large footprints however show signs of passage through the dust choked corridor and scrape marks of a door. Utilising his “great” strength he manages to heave the door open, a waft of stale air comes fro the passageway, he calls again “hellooo?” his only reply is the sound of distance chanting punctuated with a ghastly wet scream “Are you ok in there?”, he takes a hesitant step inside and then stops, sense overcomes valor and he runs off in search of friends, barging into the shared common room “there’s a wounded Half Orc in the under crypt!” he burbles, the mention of a Half Orc raises Kain from his amusement (turning the fire enchantment of his knife on and off) and soon Brick is leading the rest of us back to the secret doorway. As we approach a figure stumbles through the doorway, a badly made limping skeleton made from odd length bones, broken blades strapped where its hands should be and a flickering purple fire where its heart would be. Kain lobs his knife at it, the flaming dagger crashes into its ribcage and the whole thing explodes with a sharp crack, blasting fragments of bone all over the place (but none close enough to hurt us). Lembit rushes forward to investigate, turning the larger sections of bones over in his hands. “Ah the bone shard skeleton, a staple of low ranking necromancers and cultists, still a tricky customer in a narrow area” and quickly begins the tale of one of his many, many deaths adventuring “although the one that got me was much better constructed, sloppy workmanship, you can see around the hip bones, different sex legs for a start”. Standing up the “wizard” bangs his staff into the ground, its iron cap sparks and the whole staff glows a deep red illuminating the way “after me gentlemen” and steps fearlessly into the tunnel, Brick brings up the rear, shutting the secret door behind him. (Middle picture) [url]http://dndd.yolasite.com/resources/monstermanual.jpg[/url] On our way down the corridor we meet a few more undead, this time dwarven skeletons with stout shields and sharp axes that make a bit of a mess of our rogue Kain. We eventually find a catacomb with some more undead, Durzon attempts to sneak in first, but strays into the sights of three skeletal archers, inside we find a much larger (or perhaps well built) undead warrior and what was described to us as “a puddle of flesh”. Both Kain and Durzon are knocked unconscious (possibly twice) during the fight but eventually we bring them down and can investigate the gruesome remains. A study confirms what we suspect (the remains are of the Half Orc), piecing together the evidence at hand Lembit believes that a dark ritual was cast with herself as the target. He holds the flaps of skin and flesh together and points out a weird gap at the neck “usually the focus of these types of things are a necklace or amulet” and predicts we would be dealing with more than just a skeleton, “she’s probably come back as a Wight, that’s a kind’ve undead thing fuelled by hatred, quite nasty” his gaze then follows the bloody marks we had missed in the red glow of his staff leading back up the corridor to the secret door. “You don’t think she got out while I was getting to you?” asks Brick. We return to the secret door and upon opening it the screams of the dieing are finally audible “I think that confirms your thoughts Brick” adds Kain for once un-eager to throw himself into battle. We follow the trail of destruction and slaughter up and out of the crypts to the temple proper. In the main chamber is the Wight and a small force of bloody skeletons, battling against a lone priestess and a handful of resistance thieves. The priestess calls upon her god, smashing her holy symbol in the face of one skeleton and triggers a chain reaction of bony explosions killing the priest and her allies. Dark energy pulses from the necklace around the Wights neck, and the skeletons of the recently fallen pull themselves free of their flesh and the large gem in the necklace shatters. We battle the Wight and its risen allies, managing to destroy any bone shard skeletons away from everyone (especially the peasanst still in the room as they try to flee for their lives). This fleeing is further complicated (or possible aided via scary herding) as Ashelyne transforms again into something wrong, wreathed in flame and ichor, horns and tentacles. Brick takes his lumps in this fight, being the target of the Wight “soul draining great hammer” more than once or twice, each hit siphoning off his resolve. But with the undead inside the temple destroyed we join the resistance fighters outside (along with the Paladin of St Cuthbert) and mop up any strays and we aid in cleaning the worst of the slaughter away, and with a snow storm predicted people would rather be inside and warm with a bit of blood on the walls than freeze in the purity of the snow. Torrent and Rivereye finally return, and after hearing of our adventures share their own information: * Shiallis (the Eladrin who is currently in possession of Rivereye’s case full of stolen secrets) was recently the focus of a big celebration at Gabal’s upon her progression to Paragon (level 11). o As part of this promotion she has been given her own set of apartments within the school and has started investigating the Burning Sky and its cause (why people are set on fire when they teleport). o She has a rival at the school a mage called Diogenes who disliked her noticeably and he himself could be a potent ally against her, such is the level of his displeasure. o Secretly she is still awaiting the completion of the tunnel into the Singing Chasm so she can flee the city safely. * Meanwhile Rivereye believes that an old contact of his is still within the city walls and that this ally rivals Shiallis in power (or at least closer to her than we are) and might be convinced to help our cause and retrieve his information so that we may leave the city ourselves and take it south to Lyceum Academy. With all this information shared the pair is exhausted and after our own trials and tribulations all head to bed to get a good nights rest (or nightmare laden slumber depending upon who you are). We are woken before Dawn by an anxious Beuron (still nursing his hand defensively and wary of catching the little girls eyeless gaze) “one of my men has discovered the tunnel to the singing chasm will be finished earlier than our predictions, he claims it will be ready by the end of today. Torrent and Rivereye have left to muster their allies, you must find Shiallis and delay her anyway you can until they arrive!” and with that we’re hustled out of the temple with a rushed breakfast into the cold winters morn. After a little trudgery we reach Gablan’s school and see that it certainly lives up to its nickname of The Castle (protected by a moat as well as a tall metal fence, the school resembles a keep more than anything else with four large towers poking out from its thick looking walls). Near the drawbridge is a robed figure, leaning against one of the stone supports proudly sporting a paunch, lazily puffing away at a cigarette as we approach Lembit recognises him as Diogenes. “What are you fine fellows doing here on such a fine summer’s day?” [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
EN Publishing
Campaign writeup (2 updates September 7th)
Top