Forrester's Against the Elves Campaign
- Thread starter Morrow
- Start date
Morrow said:
I wouldn't worry about it too much -- I think we can trust Foleful to post on his own on the subject.
I do think you should make sure to get some Krikara quotes in the next session report -- if need be, ask her for some, because she had quite a few good ones. Damn Dark Creeper language. Sooo tough to get a handle on.
And Foleful -- you'd better watch it. Your big blue freakish head is going to explode. I mean, how many different philosphers and philosophies do you have crammed in there?
H'm. On second thought, I don't think I want to know . . .
Last edited:
3rd of Charder
In the morning the companions moved on, leaving Doon to work on his newest sculpture, “One Cat, Two Cat, Dead Cat, Chewed Cat.”
Foleful lead the party through the maze of tunnels to the center of Freetown. They made their way through the huge central cavern past several goblin caves to Freetown’s only tavern, the Hole. It took Atarax a few minutes to convince Kriggle that he should leave Mighty Steed outside. When the party entered all the bar patrons turned, saw a kobold in full plate armor and carrying a lance entering the establishment, and broke out laughing. The party breathed a sigh of relief when Kriggle mastered his anger, somehow convincing himself that everyone was laughing at someone else.
The party elbowed their way to the bar, looking over the orc bartender, the orc and ogre bouncers, and clientele made up primarily of orcs and goblins, but including at least one bugbear. The party ordered beer and mushroom sandwiches, the house specialty. No one noticed that Krikara had disappeared somewhere.
Foleful approached one of the waitresses, “Zargentia. How’re tricks?
Zargentia looked Foleful up and down, “You’re still alive. I won the pool.”
Foleful began quizzing Zargentia about local happenings since he had last been in Freetown. She explained that the former owner of the bar, Belko, had been killed some time ago in the orcish part of Freetown and the Hole was now run by the bartender, Pankwig.
At the same time Pankwig was striking up a conversation with Atarax, “You know how to play that thing?” He indicated Atarax’s lute. “Nobody to play around here, with all the death and destruction." Pankwig described strange happenings in Freetown; people being eaten by strange creatures, people going mad and killing each other, and people turning into rat creatures. Many goblins had taken refuge in Sanctuary, a closed section of Freetown controlled by a strange orcish monk named Zorn. During the recent civil wars in Freetown, Zorn had taken more than a hundred goblin and orcs and founded Sanctuary. He controlled who could enter or leave the community. He claims he has a way to test for the disease that turns people into rat-creatures and turns away those who are infected.
Satisfied, Atarax headed for a corner of the room and began singing, telling the story of the party’s raid on a surface elf caravan. Goblins, orcs, and bugbears have surprisingly little in common, but they all love to hear about dead elves. None of them had ever heard a bard of Atarax’s talent.
While Atarax sang, Foleful attempted to ask Zargentia about Gargonne, a nasty bugbear spellcaster of his acquaintance who would not be happy to hear that Foleful was back in town. Zargentia stiffened and quickly walked to the other end of the bar.
Foleful shrugged and began quietly casting a divination. The moment he began casting every humanoid in the bar began moving. They rushed about, hiding under tables, behind the bar, anywhere to get out of his sight. “What do you think you’re doing?” shrieked Zargentia, dragging Foleful into the back room. “You moron!” she hissed, “Do you know how many people have died around here, killed by spellcasters?”
She explained that Gargonne had gathered a group of spellcasters who had survived the recent civil war, including a couple clerics of Nerull. The group had taken to killing at random, causing panic throughout Freetown. A couple months before Freetown had been peaceful. The civil wars were over and Freetown was as calm as it ever got. Then people starting going crazy and killing each other. The rat disease had begun to spread. Gargonne’s group began their reign of terror.
While Foleful spoke with Zargentia, Thar attempted to calm the crowd by buying a round of drinks for the entire bar and apologizing profusely. Atarax refused to play again after his performance had been disrupted, but the crowd began accepting the beer.
Foleful and Zargentia returned from the back room. “You all have to leave now,” she said. Foleful lead the party outside.
In the morning the companions moved on, leaving Doon to work on his newest sculpture, “One Cat, Two Cat, Dead Cat, Chewed Cat.”
Foleful lead the party through the maze of tunnels to the center of Freetown. They made their way through the huge central cavern past several goblin caves to Freetown’s only tavern, the Hole. It took Atarax a few minutes to convince Kriggle that he should leave Mighty Steed outside. When the party entered all the bar patrons turned, saw a kobold in full plate armor and carrying a lance entering the establishment, and broke out laughing. The party breathed a sigh of relief when Kriggle mastered his anger, somehow convincing himself that everyone was laughing at someone else.
The party elbowed their way to the bar, looking over the orc bartender, the orc and ogre bouncers, and clientele made up primarily of orcs and goblins, but including at least one bugbear. The party ordered beer and mushroom sandwiches, the house specialty. No one noticed that Krikara had disappeared somewhere.
Foleful approached one of the waitresses, “Zargentia. How’re tricks?
Zargentia looked Foleful up and down, “You’re still alive. I won the pool.”
Foleful began quizzing Zargentia about local happenings since he had last been in Freetown. She explained that the former owner of the bar, Belko, had been killed some time ago in the orcish part of Freetown and the Hole was now run by the bartender, Pankwig.
At the same time Pankwig was striking up a conversation with Atarax, “You know how to play that thing?” He indicated Atarax’s lute. “Nobody to play around here, with all the death and destruction." Pankwig described strange happenings in Freetown; people being eaten by strange creatures, people going mad and killing each other, and people turning into rat creatures. Many goblins had taken refuge in Sanctuary, a closed section of Freetown controlled by a strange orcish monk named Zorn. During the recent civil wars in Freetown, Zorn had taken more than a hundred goblin and orcs and founded Sanctuary. He controlled who could enter or leave the community. He claims he has a way to test for the disease that turns people into rat-creatures and turns away those who are infected.
Satisfied, Atarax headed for a corner of the room and began singing, telling the story of the party’s raid on a surface elf caravan. Goblins, orcs, and bugbears have surprisingly little in common, but they all love to hear about dead elves. None of them had ever heard a bard of Atarax’s talent.
While Atarax sang, Foleful attempted to ask Zargentia about Gargonne, a nasty bugbear spellcaster of his acquaintance who would not be happy to hear that Foleful was back in town. Zargentia stiffened and quickly walked to the other end of the bar.
Foleful shrugged and began quietly casting a divination. The moment he began casting every humanoid in the bar began moving. They rushed about, hiding under tables, behind the bar, anywhere to get out of his sight. “What do you think you’re doing?” shrieked Zargentia, dragging Foleful into the back room. “You moron!” she hissed, “Do you know how many people have died around here, killed by spellcasters?”
She explained that Gargonne had gathered a group of spellcasters who had survived the recent civil war, including a couple clerics of Nerull. The group had taken to killing at random, causing panic throughout Freetown. A couple months before Freetown had been peaceful. The civil wars were over and Freetown was as calm as it ever got. Then people starting going crazy and killing each other. The rat disease had begun to spread. Gargonne’s group began their reign of terror.
While Foleful spoke with Zargentia, Thar attempted to calm the crowd by buying a round of drinks for the entire bar and apologizing profusely. Atarax refused to play again after his performance had been disrupted, but the crowd began accepting the beer.
Foleful and Zargentia returned from the back room. “You all have to leave now,” she said. Foleful lead the party outside.
Outside, Foleful found Krikara waiting for him. She held a small gallon barrel, which she had taken from the possessions of Solon the cat-demon. She explained that she had detected magic in the beer so she had gotten a sample for Foleful to examine. A few quick object loresight spells, cast safely out of earshot of the bar patrons revealed that the beer had been brewed two weeks before by Pankwig, and that it was contaminated with some form of contagion.
Each member of the party felt a dead weight in the pit of their stomach as they realized that they had drank the contaminated brew.
Kriggle, who was presumably immune immediately cast cure disease on Foleful and Atarax, “May the blessings Kurtlmack be upon you.” Unfortunately he did not have sufficient magic to heal Thar and Rhuun.
Foleful immediately ran back into the bar. The bar patrons dived for cover as he yelled, “The beer is contaminated!”
Pankwig cursed at Foleful, only becoming angrier when he saw Kriggle, riding Mighty Steed, following close behind Foleful.
Atarax quickly positioned himself between Foleful and Bite, the ogre bouncer who appeared prepared to rip the xvart in half, “Now Bite, there’s no need to fight.”
[Game Note: The whole group cheered at this point. For the last several sessions we’d all been waiting impatiently for Atarax’s spells to work on someone besides another party member.]
“Get out,” snarled Pankwig, “My beer is fine.”
“My magical powers tell me different.”
As Foleful confronted Pankwig, Krikara attempted to slip behind the bar, only to be stopped by the orcish bouncer Torelk.
Now everyone began talking at once. Pankwig yelled at Foleful and Kriggle. Foleful yelled back at Pankwig. Torelk pushed Krikara along with the point of his sword. Thar spoke quickly, assuring Kriggle that this was not the time to fight, “These are the friendliest people we’ve met. They’re not very friendly, but still…”
Eventually Pankwig, with Bite's help herded the party out the door, but not before agreeing to allow Thar to come back with Atarax so he could play again. As the party exited the bar for the second time they realized that Krikara had slipped away in the confusion. Knowing their resourceful rogue, they withdrew a short distance from the bar and waited.
A short time later the darkcreeper emerged from the bar. She explained that she had snuck into the room above the bar. She found several barrels of water and two of beer, all non magical except for a something she had found at the bottom of the second barrel of beer. She handed Foleful a coin with a foaming mug emblazoned on it. She had not been able to determine if the beer in the tun which fed the taps downstairs was magical.
Foleful was about to cast a spell on the coin when Thar pointed out, “Maybe we shouldn’t identify the stolen property right in front of the place we stole it.”
The party walked through Freetown as Krikara described her exploration of the bar. Soon they stopped and Foleful cast several object loresight spells. He learned that the coin had been crafted seventy-four years ago by a drunken orcish wizard named Dypso. Its only magical ability is to convert water into beer. After a quick conference, the party decided to put aside their investigation of the contaminated beer for the time being and go to Sanctuary.
Just outside Sanctuary they encountered a patrol, who recognized them as the party who had attacked a Sanctuary patrol a few days before. However, Atarax quickly smoothed over the problem by placing all blame for the earlier incident on the cat-demons.
The patrol accompanied the party to Sanctuary, explaining as they went that everyone who entered the community had to give a sample of their blood. The blood was then tested by ‘Aunty Em,’ who could tell if the blood was contaminated by the rat disease. The process took about a week. Atarax revealed that the party believed they knew the source of the disease, and the patrol agreed to take them to see Zorn.
The patrol lead the companions to a large cave where an orcish monk was training twenty-five other humanoids, mostly goblins. The orc, who was introduced as Zorn refused to talk to the party until they had given blood to be tested. With some reluctance the party agreed.
Zorn was very interested to learn about the contaminated beer. He took a sample that Krikara offered him and promised to look into it. When Foleful began challenging Zorn about the laws of Sanctuary he clutched his head, clearly in pain. Zorn quickly recovered, but he refused to continue the conversation and invited the party to rest while he finished his class.
Each member of the party felt a dead weight in the pit of their stomach as they realized that they had drank the contaminated brew.
Kriggle, who was presumably immune immediately cast cure disease on Foleful and Atarax, “May the blessings Kurtlmack be upon you.” Unfortunately he did not have sufficient magic to heal Thar and Rhuun.
Foleful immediately ran back into the bar. The bar patrons dived for cover as he yelled, “The beer is contaminated!”
Pankwig cursed at Foleful, only becoming angrier when he saw Kriggle, riding Mighty Steed, following close behind Foleful.
Atarax quickly positioned himself between Foleful and Bite, the ogre bouncer who appeared prepared to rip the xvart in half, “Now Bite, there’s no need to fight.”
[Game Note: The whole group cheered at this point. For the last several sessions we’d all been waiting impatiently for Atarax’s spells to work on someone besides another party member.]
“Get out,” snarled Pankwig, “My beer is fine.”
“My magical powers tell me different.”
As Foleful confronted Pankwig, Krikara attempted to slip behind the bar, only to be stopped by the orcish bouncer Torelk.
Now everyone began talking at once. Pankwig yelled at Foleful and Kriggle. Foleful yelled back at Pankwig. Torelk pushed Krikara along with the point of his sword. Thar spoke quickly, assuring Kriggle that this was not the time to fight, “These are the friendliest people we’ve met. They’re not very friendly, but still…”
Eventually Pankwig, with Bite's help herded the party out the door, but not before agreeing to allow Thar to come back with Atarax so he could play again. As the party exited the bar for the second time they realized that Krikara had slipped away in the confusion. Knowing their resourceful rogue, they withdrew a short distance from the bar and waited.
A short time later the darkcreeper emerged from the bar. She explained that she had snuck into the room above the bar. She found several barrels of water and two of beer, all non magical except for a something she had found at the bottom of the second barrel of beer. She handed Foleful a coin with a foaming mug emblazoned on it. She had not been able to determine if the beer in the tun which fed the taps downstairs was magical.
Foleful was about to cast a spell on the coin when Thar pointed out, “Maybe we shouldn’t identify the stolen property right in front of the place we stole it.”
The party walked through Freetown as Krikara described her exploration of the bar. Soon they stopped and Foleful cast several object loresight spells. He learned that the coin had been crafted seventy-four years ago by a drunken orcish wizard named Dypso. Its only magical ability is to convert water into beer. After a quick conference, the party decided to put aside their investigation of the contaminated beer for the time being and go to Sanctuary.
Just outside Sanctuary they encountered a patrol, who recognized them as the party who had attacked a Sanctuary patrol a few days before. However, Atarax quickly smoothed over the problem by placing all blame for the earlier incident on the cat-demons.
The patrol accompanied the party to Sanctuary, explaining as they went that everyone who entered the community had to give a sample of their blood. The blood was then tested by ‘Aunty Em,’ who could tell if the blood was contaminated by the rat disease. The process took about a week. Atarax revealed that the party believed they knew the source of the disease, and the patrol agreed to take them to see Zorn.
The patrol lead the companions to a large cave where an orcish monk was training twenty-five other humanoids, mostly goblins. The orc, who was introduced as Zorn refused to talk to the party until they had given blood to be tested. With some reluctance the party agreed.
Zorn was very interested to learn about the contaminated beer. He took a sample that Krikara offered him and promised to look into it. When Foleful began challenging Zorn about the laws of Sanctuary he clutched his head, clearly in pain. Zorn quickly recovered, but he refused to continue the conversation and invited the party to rest while he finished his class.
Nice write-up.
A few clarifications for those of you playing along at home.
1) Dark Creepers have the power to Detect Magic as a spell-like ability several times a day. (Creepers of Krikara's character level can also cast Darkness twice/day, but that's immaterial at the moment.)
While Atarax was lute-ing and Foleful was chatting up Zargentia, Krikara was skulking around the bar, looking for things magical. Much to her surprise, all of the mugs of ale radiated magic. She dumped some in an empty wine keg (for she was carrying the Bag of Holding taken off of Solon, the rakshasa), and when Thar bought the house a round of drinks, helped herself to even more. And then asked Pankwig if he could fill up a small keg directly from the tap.
Her little trek to the upstairs, where she stole Pankwig's beer-making coin, gave the party an important piece of information: whatever Contagion is on the beer, it's not coming from the coin, because beer coming directly from the coin doesn't radiate magic.
2) When Foleful flew (on top of Elemental, his small air elemental familiar) back into the bar, he didn't shout "The beer is contaminated!"
No, he shouted "Bad Ale! Bad Ale! Bad Ale!" Much more amusing
.
3) Atarax was EXTREMELY pissed off at Foleful for disrupting his Performance (which was 35 on the check!). He was clearly in the Bardic Zone . . . but when everybody dove under tables to take cover when Foleful started casting, it kind of ruined the moment.
4) The civil wars have actually been going on for at least nine months or so, not a couple. Gargonne and his spellcasters have been blowing people up (or whatever) for at least some of that time.
5) Doon's new work was actually "One Cat, Two Cat, Dead Cat, Shoo, Cat!". But close enough
.
A few clarifications for those of you playing along at home.
1) Dark Creepers have the power to Detect Magic as a spell-like ability several times a day. (Creepers of Krikara's character level can also cast Darkness twice/day, but that's immaterial at the moment.)
While Atarax was lute-ing and Foleful was chatting up Zargentia, Krikara was skulking around the bar, looking for things magical. Much to her surprise, all of the mugs of ale radiated magic. She dumped some in an empty wine keg (for she was carrying the Bag of Holding taken off of Solon, the rakshasa), and when Thar bought the house a round of drinks, helped herself to even more. And then asked Pankwig if he could fill up a small keg directly from the tap.
Her little trek to the upstairs, where she stole Pankwig's beer-making coin, gave the party an important piece of information: whatever Contagion is on the beer, it's not coming from the coin, because beer coming directly from the coin doesn't radiate magic.
2) When Foleful flew (on top of Elemental, his small air elemental familiar) back into the bar, he didn't shout "The beer is contaminated!"
No, he shouted "Bad Ale! Bad Ale! Bad Ale!" Much more amusing
.3) Atarax was EXTREMELY pissed off at Foleful for disrupting his Performance (which was 35 on the check!). He was clearly in the Bardic Zone . . . but when everybody dove under tables to take cover when Foleful started casting, it kind of ruined the moment.
4) The civil wars have actually been going on for at least nine months or so, not a couple. Gargonne and his spellcasters have been blowing people up (or whatever) for at least some of that time.
5) Doon's new work was actually "One Cat, Two Cat, Dead Cat, Shoo, Cat!". But close enough
.The party found themselves alone for a few minutes. During their brief conference they came to several conclusions:
- No one should ever interrupt Atarax when he is performing.
- If seems unlikely that Pankwig or any of the regulars at the Hole are responsible for contaminating the beer. More investigation should be done at the Hole to determine how the contagion was being introduced, and hopefully who was responsible. (Thar offered repeatedly that saving Freetown from the rat-disease was unlikely to help the party reach any of their goals, but for the most part he was ignored.)
- The rat disease probably wasn't simple lycanthropy. Lycanthropy wouldn't explain the vicious claws the rat-creatures possessed, their startling speed, or the strange way that the disease is being spread.
- No one should ever interrupt Atarax when he is performing.
- There may be some magical effect involved in the fierce loyalty which Zorn inspires.
- Zorn is the only person who comes to mind as having his situation improved by the recent chaos in Freetown. Perhaps there is some connection between him and Gargonne.
- Zorn need not be aware of the connection, his debilitating headache may signal some kind of outside influence.
- No one should ever interrupt Atarax when he is performing!
Against the Elves Session 4
Since Zorn was avoiding him, Foleful turned his attention to Kierce, one of the goblins from the patrol that had brought the party to Sanctuary. To the best of Kierce’s knowledge Zorn had created the laws which govern Freetown, but Kierce wasn’t absolutely certain. He explained that the diet and training the people of Sanctuary receive makes them immune to the rat disease. Apparently Aunty Em can cure the disease, but she can’t cure everyone so it is the law that diseased individuals be turned away. Kierce also explained to Kriggle that the reason that he has seen so few kobolds in Freetown is that most of them were killed in the recent civil war.
Foleful requested permission to cast some divinations. Kierce was initially reluctant, Sanctuary law generally forbids spellcasting because of the ‘fireball problem’ in Freetown. However, he secured permission for Foleful to cast spells while accompanied by Bip, a goblin wizard.
Foleful cast a pair of though captures after explining their purpose to Bip. The first, cast at the entrance to Sanctuary, revealed warfare among the bugbears who had originally controlled this part of Freetown. He saw the invading bugbears tearing down the portcullis at the entrance to what is now Sanctuary. He saw a massive bugbear leading the defenders, skillfully mowing down his enemies with a spiked chain. Kierce explined that the large bugbear was Garyark, a bugbear slaver who had controlled this area before abandoning it six months ago and holing up in a small complex to the south, shortly before Zorn founded Freetown. Both Kierce and Bip were clearly afraid of Garyark, but confident that Zorn could defeat him if he ever returned.
Before casting his second thought capture, Foleful questioned Bip about the laws of Freetown. Bip, like Kierce reported that Zorn had made the laws, but suggested he may have had help from Bloody Pulp and Mikek, two high ranking goblins.
Foleful then cast a second thought capture near the great stone gate that blocked the route to inner Sanctuary. Bip would not let Foleful even get close to the gate, since it had not yet been determined if he carried the rat disease. Foleful received an image from a creature lying on its back staring across at Zorn, who stood in the middle of the cavern forty feet away. It could also see a crowd of goblins and other humanoids watching from behind Zorn. Foleful could feel that the creature’s dull thoughts were further clouded by a haze of pain.
Bip explained that occasionally other creatures tried to move into Sanctuary and take over: ogres, bugbears, a strange combination of ogre and fish. Zorn had defeated each challenger in turn.
While Foleful talked with Bip and Kierce, Thar and Atarax inquired among the other goblins waiting to enter Sanctuary about the young goblin from Thar’s vision. None of the goblins could help Thar since they hadn’t been inside inner Sanctuary yet. They were impressed to meet a real cleric of Maglibuyet, and Thar agreed to lead them in a service shortly.
Foleful continued his line of inquiry, discovering that some rat-creatures had attempted to attack Sanctuary, but Zorn had killed them.
Shortly thereafter the party was offered a meal of mushroom sandwiches and water. The party was initially suspicious, which sent Kierce into a diatribe about the laws of Sanctuary (which seem to expand every time they are exlained): Don’t do anything suspicious. Don’t cast spells. Eat the food and water you are given, it will increase your resistance to the rat-disease. Obey Zorn.
Ignoring Kierce’s irritation, the party carefully examined the food they were offered. It was not magical or poisoned, but Foleful’s extensive knowledge of fungi also told him the mushrooms were good to eat but had no special properties. The party eventually decided to accept the food and ate it with gusto.
Since Zorn was avoiding him, Foleful turned his attention to Kierce, one of the goblins from the patrol that had brought the party to Sanctuary. To the best of Kierce’s knowledge Zorn had created the laws which govern Freetown, but Kierce wasn’t absolutely certain. He explained that the diet and training the people of Sanctuary receive makes them immune to the rat disease. Apparently Aunty Em can cure the disease, but she can’t cure everyone so it is the law that diseased individuals be turned away. Kierce also explained to Kriggle that the reason that he has seen so few kobolds in Freetown is that most of them were killed in the recent civil war.
Foleful requested permission to cast some divinations. Kierce was initially reluctant, Sanctuary law generally forbids spellcasting because of the ‘fireball problem’ in Freetown. However, he secured permission for Foleful to cast spells while accompanied by Bip, a goblin wizard.
Foleful cast a pair of though captures after explining their purpose to Bip. The first, cast at the entrance to Sanctuary, revealed warfare among the bugbears who had originally controlled this part of Freetown. He saw the invading bugbears tearing down the portcullis at the entrance to what is now Sanctuary. He saw a massive bugbear leading the defenders, skillfully mowing down his enemies with a spiked chain. Kierce explined that the large bugbear was Garyark, a bugbear slaver who had controlled this area before abandoning it six months ago and holing up in a small complex to the south, shortly before Zorn founded Freetown. Both Kierce and Bip were clearly afraid of Garyark, but confident that Zorn could defeat him if he ever returned.
Before casting his second thought capture, Foleful questioned Bip about the laws of Freetown. Bip, like Kierce reported that Zorn had made the laws, but suggested he may have had help from Bloody Pulp and Mikek, two high ranking goblins.
Foleful then cast a second thought capture near the great stone gate that blocked the route to inner Sanctuary. Bip would not let Foleful even get close to the gate, since it had not yet been determined if he carried the rat disease. Foleful received an image from a creature lying on its back staring across at Zorn, who stood in the middle of the cavern forty feet away. It could also see a crowd of goblins and other humanoids watching from behind Zorn. Foleful could feel that the creature’s dull thoughts were further clouded by a haze of pain.
Bip explained that occasionally other creatures tried to move into Sanctuary and take over: ogres, bugbears, a strange combination of ogre and fish. Zorn had defeated each challenger in turn.
While Foleful talked with Bip and Kierce, Thar and Atarax inquired among the other goblins waiting to enter Sanctuary about the young goblin from Thar’s vision. None of the goblins could help Thar since they hadn’t been inside inner Sanctuary yet. They were impressed to meet a real cleric of Maglibuyet, and Thar agreed to lead them in a service shortly.
Foleful continued his line of inquiry, discovering that some rat-creatures had attempted to attack Sanctuary, but Zorn had killed them.
Shortly thereafter the party was offered a meal of mushroom sandwiches and water. The party was initially suspicious, which sent Kierce into a diatribe about the laws of Sanctuary (which seem to expand every time they are exlained): Don’t do anything suspicious. Don’t cast spells. Eat the food and water you are given, it will increase your resistance to the rat-disease. Obey Zorn.
Ignoring Kierce’s irritation, the party carefully examined the food they were offered. It was not magical or poisoned, but Foleful’s extensive knowledge of fungi also told him the mushrooms were good to eat but had no special properties. The party eventually decided to accept the food and ate it with gusto.
After their meal the party requested to meet with Aunty Em and talk to her about the disease. Since Aunty did not live within inner Sanctuary, Kierce reluctantly agreed, but insisted that he, Bip, and another pair from the patrol, Igor the goblin rogue and Chump the orc accompany the party to make sure they were not attacked on the way and infected by the rat-creatures.
The party quickly gathered their gear and moved out. A couple hours later they had reached Aunty Em’s cave. After some negotiation with her bodyguard, a huge ogre wearing full plate and hefting a greatsword, they were admitted into Aunty’s presence.
Aunty was a tall, gaunt humanoid with long stringy hair. She sat stooped in a rickety rocking chair and greeted her guests. Atarax, hoping to ingratiate himself revealed that he had met Em’s sister, Aunty Anne, in Gulg. However, he quickly dropped the subject when it became clear that there was on love lost between Aunty Em and her sister.
Aunty Em explained that she was something of a magic crafter, specializing in necromancy and brewing potions. Atarax asked if she could alter a charisma enhancing cloak he had taken from the dead cat-demon to fit him, but such a task was beyond her skills.
The party could not learn much from Aunty Em regarding the disease. She had been approached by Mikek to discover a way to detect the disease. She did not believe it was standard lycanthropy, and had been able to cure it, but the process was time consuming and costly. She did not know how long the disease could stay dormant before manifesting itself in its host.
The party asked what Em did when she was done with the blood. She explained that she threw out the contaminated samples and drank the others. The party attempted to press her about why she drank the blood, but she only said that blood is life. Atarax could sense that she wasn’t telling them everything, but could not discover what she was hiding.
Aunty Em attempted to sell potions to the party, and when they refused she ushered them to the door. She did tell them she was in the market for the bodies of thieves, but would not explain why. She eyed Krikara, “I guess you wouldn’t do, would you dear?”
“Not being dead. No I wouldn’t.”
The party marched back toward Sanctuary, talking about the situation at the Hole as they went. Bip revealed that the last person to irritate Pankwig had burst into flames a few hundred feet from the bar.
When they returned to Sanctuary the party dispersed among the goblins waiting to enter inner Sanctuary. They met a former goblin slave named Spud, a goblin child named Chip, and his mother Zaranna. Chip was unsure about living in a community lead by and orc, but approved of letting the orcs do the fighting for them.
Zavanna, recognizing the party’s power and experience, asked what the party was doing in Sanctuary. When Foleful explained that they were seekers after knowledge. Zavanna seemed unconvinced, nodding toward Kriggle, deep in conversation with Mighty Steed, “Even him?”
Again a meal was offered, and Foleful found a quiet spot to cast object loresight on the mushroom sandwiches. His spells revealed that the sandwiches had been made in the last day by a goblin named Pete who lived in inner Sanctuary. The spell also revealed that the sandwiches had no magical abilities.
Some time later the party was resting in a cave off of the main cavern when they were approached by Mikek, the high ranking goblin they had heard so much about. Mikek wanted their help with Garyarch, the bugbear slaver who was holed up south of Freetown. Mikek knew a secret way into the complex where Garyarch and his followers lived, and wanted the parties help neutralizing the threat that the bugbears represented to Sanctuary.
The party coldly asked what was in it for them and Mikek responded, irritated, that if they wanted to enter Sanctuary it stood to reason that it was in their best interest to defend it. He also offered the treasure recovered from the bugbear encampment.
Mikek became angry once again when the party began questioning him about the laws of Sanctuary and demanding, ‘non mind-altering food.’ Mikek was ready to storm out when the party once more changed tactics and, ignoring their suspicions about Sanctuary and intentions to investigate further, agreed to kill Garyarch.
Mikek, appeased, explained that Garyarch had 20 or 30 bugbear followers and lots of slaves. Mikek knew the area where the bugbears were holed up and knew of a secret entrance that allowed access to the complex through a presumably unguarded storeroom. Mikek agreed to accompany the party on the raid, along with Bloody Pulp and Igor. The party agreed to go the next day. Before Mikek left he agreed to allow Foleful to cast some divinations to prepare for the following day.
As soon as Mikek was out of earshot, Foleful began casting an arcane eye. While he was casting, Bip stopped by the cave, and was angry to recognize the spell. Thar turned aside Bip’s complaints, saying Foleful had permission to cast any spells he chose. Bip went away, furious.
Unfortunately by the time Foleful was finished casting, Mikek had already gone back in to inner Sanctuary and the gate was closed. Foleful could find no way for his spell to bypass the great stone gate.
Foleful cast a number of other spells. He identified and distributed several potions taken from the cat-demon and cast a divination to gain some information about Garyarch’s encampment. His divination revealed that there were more than 50 bugbears in the encampment. He also detected a lot of pain coming from goblins, kobolds, and another race he could not identify.
The party was somewhat suspicious that Mikek had underestimated Garyarch's forces, but decided that since Mikek was going to accompany them treachery seemed unlikely.
While Foleful cast his spells the rest of the party again mingled with the waiting goblins. They met Umeli , a member of a race they had never seen before called the Mungaeli. Umeli appeared to be a strange combination of a goblin and a dwarf. She revealed that hers was a slave race bred by the Dispana house of the Drow. They were tough, strong, and small, making them excellent miners, but they were also incredibly sensitive to pain, making them easy to control. Umeli revealed that the training she was receiving from Zorn was helping her control her sensitivity to pain.
Shortly thereafter a badly wounded patrol entered outer Sanctuary, closely followed by a pair of large Boarclopses. Zorn, who had been teaching another class, immediately charged across the cavern and struck one of the boarclopses, sending it sailing fifteen feet through the air, slamming against the wall.
The party began casting spells. Atarax centered the two creatures inside a confusion effect, while Thar cast a bull’s strength on Rhuun and Foleful cast a bolt of conjuring on the creature who still stood. Immediately a small dog made of fire appeared next to the creature and began nipping at its heals. Kriggle, Krikara, and Rhuun began moving toward the creatures, readying their weapons.
The boarclops which Zorn hit and, confused, began attacking its companion. Zorn snatched up a broken piece of portcullis from among the trash littering the floor of the cavern and swung it at the nearest boarclops, but swung wide with the unweildy weapon.
Atarax called to the boarclops who had avoided the confusion effect, “I suggest you hit the boarclops who just hit you.”
Foleful cast another bolt of conjuring, hitting the confused boarclops and creating another fire elemental dog. The dog bit the creature and caused it to catch fire.
Kriggle charged the first boarclops, smiting it and slaying it instantly. At the same instant Krikara popped up from hiding behind some rubble. Her arrow dropped the second boarclops.
Zorn, panting and looking disgusted that the fight did not last longer called, “Dinner!” and kicked one of the boarclops, which sailed thirty-five feet threw the air to land near the gate to inner Sanctuary. Thar noticed that Zorn was drooling slightly out of one side of his mouth and rubbing his forehead. Zorn picked up both boarclopses and carried then through the gate into inner Sanctuary.
[Game Note: Much to Forresters dismay, even this show of prowess didn't earn Zorn any respect. The players crack jokes about Zorn at any opportunity and repeatedly hound the DM, "Do we love Zorn yet? Are we growing hair in strange places yet?" and generally belittling the mind-control plot that we've convinced ourselves is going on somewhere.]
The party quickly gathered their gear and moved out. A couple hours later they had reached Aunty Em’s cave. After some negotiation with her bodyguard, a huge ogre wearing full plate and hefting a greatsword, they were admitted into Aunty’s presence.
Aunty was a tall, gaunt humanoid with long stringy hair. She sat stooped in a rickety rocking chair and greeted her guests. Atarax, hoping to ingratiate himself revealed that he had met Em’s sister, Aunty Anne, in Gulg. However, he quickly dropped the subject when it became clear that there was on love lost between Aunty Em and her sister.
Aunty Em explained that she was something of a magic crafter, specializing in necromancy and brewing potions. Atarax asked if she could alter a charisma enhancing cloak he had taken from the dead cat-demon to fit him, but such a task was beyond her skills.
The party could not learn much from Aunty Em regarding the disease. She had been approached by Mikek to discover a way to detect the disease. She did not believe it was standard lycanthropy, and had been able to cure it, but the process was time consuming and costly. She did not know how long the disease could stay dormant before manifesting itself in its host.
The party asked what Em did when she was done with the blood. She explained that she threw out the contaminated samples and drank the others. The party attempted to press her about why she drank the blood, but she only said that blood is life. Atarax could sense that she wasn’t telling them everything, but could not discover what she was hiding.
Aunty Em attempted to sell potions to the party, and when they refused she ushered them to the door. She did tell them she was in the market for the bodies of thieves, but would not explain why. She eyed Krikara, “I guess you wouldn’t do, would you dear?”
“Not being dead. No I wouldn’t.”
The party marched back toward Sanctuary, talking about the situation at the Hole as they went. Bip revealed that the last person to irritate Pankwig had burst into flames a few hundred feet from the bar.
When they returned to Sanctuary the party dispersed among the goblins waiting to enter inner Sanctuary. They met a former goblin slave named Spud, a goblin child named Chip, and his mother Zaranna. Chip was unsure about living in a community lead by and orc, but approved of letting the orcs do the fighting for them.
Zavanna, recognizing the party’s power and experience, asked what the party was doing in Sanctuary. When Foleful explained that they were seekers after knowledge. Zavanna seemed unconvinced, nodding toward Kriggle, deep in conversation with Mighty Steed, “Even him?”
Again a meal was offered, and Foleful found a quiet spot to cast object loresight on the mushroom sandwiches. His spells revealed that the sandwiches had been made in the last day by a goblin named Pete who lived in inner Sanctuary. The spell also revealed that the sandwiches had no magical abilities.
Some time later the party was resting in a cave off of the main cavern when they were approached by Mikek, the high ranking goblin they had heard so much about. Mikek wanted their help with Garyarch, the bugbear slaver who was holed up south of Freetown. Mikek knew a secret way into the complex where Garyarch and his followers lived, and wanted the parties help neutralizing the threat that the bugbears represented to Sanctuary.
The party coldly asked what was in it for them and Mikek responded, irritated, that if they wanted to enter Sanctuary it stood to reason that it was in their best interest to defend it. He also offered the treasure recovered from the bugbear encampment.
Mikek became angry once again when the party began questioning him about the laws of Sanctuary and demanding, ‘non mind-altering food.’ Mikek was ready to storm out when the party once more changed tactics and, ignoring their suspicions about Sanctuary and intentions to investigate further, agreed to kill Garyarch.
Mikek, appeased, explained that Garyarch had 20 or 30 bugbear followers and lots of slaves. Mikek knew the area where the bugbears were holed up and knew of a secret entrance that allowed access to the complex through a presumably unguarded storeroom. Mikek agreed to accompany the party on the raid, along with Bloody Pulp and Igor. The party agreed to go the next day. Before Mikek left he agreed to allow Foleful to cast some divinations to prepare for the following day.
As soon as Mikek was out of earshot, Foleful began casting an arcane eye. While he was casting, Bip stopped by the cave, and was angry to recognize the spell. Thar turned aside Bip’s complaints, saying Foleful had permission to cast any spells he chose. Bip went away, furious.
Unfortunately by the time Foleful was finished casting, Mikek had already gone back in to inner Sanctuary and the gate was closed. Foleful could find no way for his spell to bypass the great stone gate.
Foleful cast a number of other spells. He identified and distributed several potions taken from the cat-demon and cast a divination to gain some information about Garyarch’s encampment. His divination revealed that there were more than 50 bugbears in the encampment. He also detected a lot of pain coming from goblins, kobolds, and another race he could not identify.
The party was somewhat suspicious that Mikek had underestimated Garyarch's forces, but decided that since Mikek was going to accompany them treachery seemed unlikely.
While Foleful cast his spells the rest of the party again mingled with the waiting goblins. They met Umeli , a member of a race they had never seen before called the Mungaeli. Umeli appeared to be a strange combination of a goblin and a dwarf. She revealed that hers was a slave race bred by the Dispana house of the Drow. They were tough, strong, and small, making them excellent miners, but they were also incredibly sensitive to pain, making them easy to control. Umeli revealed that the training she was receiving from Zorn was helping her control her sensitivity to pain.
Shortly thereafter a badly wounded patrol entered outer Sanctuary, closely followed by a pair of large Boarclopses. Zorn, who had been teaching another class, immediately charged across the cavern and struck one of the boarclopses, sending it sailing fifteen feet through the air, slamming against the wall.
The party began casting spells. Atarax centered the two creatures inside a confusion effect, while Thar cast a bull’s strength on Rhuun and Foleful cast a bolt of conjuring on the creature who still stood. Immediately a small dog made of fire appeared next to the creature and began nipping at its heals. Kriggle, Krikara, and Rhuun began moving toward the creatures, readying their weapons.
The boarclops which Zorn hit and, confused, began attacking its companion. Zorn snatched up a broken piece of portcullis from among the trash littering the floor of the cavern and swung it at the nearest boarclops, but swung wide with the unweildy weapon.
Atarax called to the boarclops who had avoided the confusion effect, “I suggest you hit the boarclops who just hit you.”
Foleful cast another bolt of conjuring, hitting the confused boarclops and creating another fire elemental dog. The dog bit the creature and caused it to catch fire.
Kriggle charged the first boarclops, smiting it and slaying it instantly. At the same instant Krikara popped up from hiding behind some rubble. Her arrow dropped the second boarclops.
Zorn, panting and looking disgusted that the fight did not last longer called, “Dinner!” and kicked one of the boarclops, which sailed thirty-five feet threw the air to land near the gate to inner Sanctuary. Thar noticed that Zorn was drooling slightly out of one side of his mouth and rubbing his forehead. Zorn picked up both boarclopses and carried then through the gate into inner Sanctuary.
[Game Note: Much to Forresters dismay, even this show of prowess didn't earn Zorn any respect. The players crack jokes about Zorn at any opportunity and repeatedly hound the DM, "Do we love Zorn yet? Are we growing hair in strange places yet?" and generally belittling the mind-control plot that we've convinced ourselves is going on somewhere.]
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4th of Charder
The next day the party followed Mikek to Garyarch’s encampment. When they got close the party stopped to share spells and potions, preparing for the coming battle. Mikek quickly found the secret entrance to the caverns. He eased open the door and Foleful sent an arcane eye inside. He saw a small cavern where a dozen bugbears lay sleeping. Beyond it was a tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was a small pool where a pair of bugbears were fishing, beyond which was another room where a handful of bugbears were resting.
Half way down the tunnel toward the pool, it opened up on the right revealing a large cavern where most of the bugbears congregated. Kobold and goblin slaves were chained to the walls. There were two firepits. A goblin hung by his ankles above one, and a goblin tied to a spit slowly roasted over the other. In one corner several bugbears watched a pair of goblins throw a goblin head between them, keeping it away from a kobold who scampered back and forth trying to get it. When ever any of the trio slowed, they were severely beaten by the bugbears.
Beyond the large cavern was another smaller one with a stone door at one side. Foleful deduced that Garyarch had a private chamber beyond the door. Foleful was able to isolate two bugbears weilding spiked chains, apparently Garyarch’s lieutenants, among the crowd.
Krkara, Mikek, Igor, Bloody Pulp, and Rhuun slipped through the door, using their roguish skills to sneak amongst the sleeping bugbears and slit their throats. They successfully killed eleven bugbears before they were spotted by one of the pair fishing at the other end of the tunnel.
Mikek, Igor, and Bloody Pulp ran down the tunnel to neutralize the fishermen and the others in the chamber beyond. Foleful cast a grease spell in the entrance to the larger cavern, causing much confusion as the bugbears tried to move against the intruders.
Kriggle and Rhuun dispatched several bugbears who leapt across the grease, but not before Rhuun took a pair of nasty hits.
Atarax began singing to inspire his companions while Thar cast prayer to increase their battle prowess.
As the other moved down the tunnel to engage the bugbears Thar stopped to cast animate dead on the fallen bugbears. Flesh began falling from the eleven dead bugbears as they climbed to their feet, becoming skeletal warriors ready to attack their still living brethren.
The bugbears in the larger cavern began throwing down rugs over the grease, but were hampered by attacks from Kriggle, Rhuun, and Krikara. Their situation became even worse when first Thar, then Atarax cast confusion spells. Most of the bugbears immediately began attacking each other, and their attempts to defend their encampment disintegrated into chaos.
Foleful began summoning fire elemental dire apes, one after another, to attack the bugbears who weren’t yet confused.
At that point a huge armored bugbear carrying a spiked chain entered the cavern. Garyarch yelled, “What the hell is going on?” He survayed the scene, “ I hate spellcaters, I’ve always hated spellcasters. I will continue to hate spellcasters for the rest of my…”
“Short!” interjected the party in unison.
“Life,” finished Garyarch.
The advancing skeletons were beginning to impede the party’s progress. Rhuun tumbled by them into the cavern. Thar cast invisibility and followed her. He slipped by the fighting bugbears and placed one of the fire pits between him and Garyarch. Then Thar instructed the skeletons to mob one of Garyarch’s lieutainents. The skeletons charged go them out of the way of the rest of the party as Foleful summoned a stranged winged creature formed out of air, and then summoned a swarm of earth elemental stirges around Garyarch, most of whom immediately attached themselves to his body.
Krikara fired arrows from hiding while Kriggle charged back and forth on Mighty Steed.
Atarax attempted to cast hold person on Garyarch, with no effect.
Mikek, Bloody Pulp, and Igor entered the cavern behind the party. What they found was total carnage. About half of the bugbears were dead, and most of the remainder fighting among themselves. The bugbear skeletons were swarming one of Garyarch’s lieutenants while the other lieutenant and Garyarch himself were engaged with Foelful’s summoned monsters.
Now the battle would truly begin.
The next day the party followed Mikek to Garyarch’s encampment. When they got close the party stopped to share spells and potions, preparing for the coming battle. Mikek quickly found the secret entrance to the caverns. He eased open the door and Foleful sent an arcane eye inside. He saw a small cavern where a dozen bugbears lay sleeping. Beyond it was a tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was a small pool where a pair of bugbears were fishing, beyond which was another room where a handful of bugbears were resting.
Half way down the tunnel toward the pool, it opened up on the right revealing a large cavern where most of the bugbears congregated. Kobold and goblin slaves were chained to the walls. There were two firepits. A goblin hung by his ankles above one, and a goblin tied to a spit slowly roasted over the other. In one corner several bugbears watched a pair of goblins throw a goblin head between them, keeping it away from a kobold who scampered back and forth trying to get it. When ever any of the trio slowed, they were severely beaten by the bugbears.
Beyond the large cavern was another smaller one with a stone door at one side. Foleful deduced that Garyarch had a private chamber beyond the door. Foleful was able to isolate two bugbears weilding spiked chains, apparently Garyarch’s lieutenants, among the crowd.
Krkara, Mikek, Igor, Bloody Pulp, and Rhuun slipped through the door, using their roguish skills to sneak amongst the sleeping bugbears and slit their throats. They successfully killed eleven bugbears before they were spotted by one of the pair fishing at the other end of the tunnel.
Mikek, Igor, and Bloody Pulp ran down the tunnel to neutralize the fishermen and the others in the chamber beyond. Foleful cast a grease spell in the entrance to the larger cavern, causing much confusion as the bugbears tried to move against the intruders.
Kriggle and Rhuun dispatched several bugbears who leapt across the grease, but not before Rhuun took a pair of nasty hits.
Atarax began singing to inspire his companions while Thar cast prayer to increase their battle prowess.
As the other moved down the tunnel to engage the bugbears Thar stopped to cast animate dead on the fallen bugbears. Flesh began falling from the eleven dead bugbears as they climbed to their feet, becoming skeletal warriors ready to attack their still living brethren.
The bugbears in the larger cavern began throwing down rugs over the grease, but were hampered by attacks from Kriggle, Rhuun, and Krikara. Their situation became even worse when first Thar, then Atarax cast confusion spells. Most of the bugbears immediately began attacking each other, and their attempts to defend their encampment disintegrated into chaos.
Foleful began summoning fire elemental dire apes, one after another, to attack the bugbears who weren’t yet confused.
At that point a huge armored bugbear carrying a spiked chain entered the cavern. Garyarch yelled, “What the hell is going on?” He survayed the scene, “ I hate spellcaters, I’ve always hated spellcasters. I will continue to hate spellcasters for the rest of my…”
“Short!” interjected the party in unison.
“Life,” finished Garyarch.
The advancing skeletons were beginning to impede the party’s progress. Rhuun tumbled by them into the cavern. Thar cast invisibility and followed her. He slipped by the fighting bugbears and placed one of the fire pits between him and Garyarch. Then Thar instructed the skeletons to mob one of Garyarch’s lieutainents. The skeletons charged go them out of the way of the rest of the party as Foleful summoned a stranged winged creature formed out of air, and then summoned a swarm of earth elemental stirges around Garyarch, most of whom immediately attached themselves to his body.
Krikara fired arrows from hiding while Kriggle charged back and forth on Mighty Steed.
Atarax attempted to cast hold person on Garyarch, with no effect.
Mikek, Bloody Pulp, and Igor entered the cavern behind the party. What they found was total carnage. About half of the bugbears were dead, and most of the remainder fighting among themselves. The bugbear skeletons were swarming one of Garyarch’s lieutenants while the other lieutenant and Garyarch himself were engaged with Foelful’s summoned monsters.
Now the battle would truly begin.
