Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="PHDungeon" data-source="post: 5247726" data-attributes="member: 86320">The next portion of this campaign journal recount the paragon tier of the characters adventures. We've had some new changes to our player roster. The player who was running Derren has unfortunately left us to move out east. The player who is running Vesna has joined us full time and will essentially be his replacement. The current party now consists of Bella (level 11 changeling rogue with a touch of arcana)Deryl Androsax (level 11 human, sorceress/wild mage)Vesna Surtursdottr (level 11 human, warlord)Bjorn Thorskirk (level 11 human, cleric of thor)Turak (level 11 minotaur, warden)Derren Androsax has retired to his new manor just north of Fallcrest with his new bride Briannah (Vesna's sister). The characters have endured a long cold winter in Fallcrest, but spring has finally come again. They have been called south to the town of Moonstair, which is located along the Nentir river about halfway between Fallcrest and the city of Grimmsburg. Their mission is to deal with Skalmed the troll king before he can rebuild the fallen troll kingdom of Vardar, crush Moonstair and march on Grimmsburg. The next few sessions will detail events of the King of the Trollhaunt Warrens adventure. This will be first published scenario used in this game (of course it will see some modifications).The following is Bella's first paragon tier journal.Session 24:  Decent into DarknessLeaning back at my desk I look over my notes on the dissected dragons eye.  Its mysteries have proven to be more complex then I had first anticipated.  Cullen is curled on the desk as I absentmindedly stroke his quartz skin.  He purrs contentedly, like a cat.  Turning his head he smiles up at me.  I look down at him, having read and re-read my notes countless times.  Something catches my eye, in the center of Cullen’s form, something that was not there before.Lifting him up I look closer.  It is like a dark imperfection inside the crystal.  It is like a shard of darkness.“Cullen, what is that?”“Ah, you notice Mistress.  As you increase your prowess I also change and grow.  Soon you shall be able to alter my form to better serve you.  In my new form we will be brought closer together.  Although this will mean that I will not be able to scout afar for you anymore, you will be able to see through my eyes, eyes that will be able to pierce the veil of shadows.”I roll my eyes, a little exasperated.“Cullen, that’s what I have been working on.  I was even able to find the plans for goggles in the libraries of Starke’s compound.  I currently lack the components and though I loathe admitting it, the skill, to create them.  The components are quite rare and they will take time to gather.”Cullen grasps my finger and looks into my eyes pleading.“Ah, but mistress, once you alter my form you will not need the item.  Surely, you see the value?  I only wish to serve you better mistress.”He is of course right; dark vision without the aid of an item would be a boon to any changeling.  So many of my enemies seem to possess it, and it would make impersonating them easier.  However, giving up Cullen’s ability to safely scout afar would be difficult.  Even though I do not make use of it often, it is a proven asset.“I will consider your words with great care.  I loathe sacrificing your current form’s abilities rashly.”Cullen bows his head.“That is more than I could hope for; my mistress is most wise.”Weeks later, as I stand in the pitch darkness of the Troll Haunt, I cannot help thinking of this conversation.  Of course without my familiar’s ability to scout we probably never would have found our way into here.  The Dark Light ritual has proven to be less than effective in the field.  Although no one can see it from outside its sphere of influence, from within it is clearly visible.  I am also finding the fact that it remains tied to me to be less than ideal.  I cannot see beyond its feeble light but enemies can still see me.  Standing here now, blind, my decision is made, as soon as I am able I will take Cullen’s offer.  Assuming we survive of course.Winter had just been relenting into Spring when Moonstair’s call to aid came.  Apparently a new troll king had risen near them and was causing trouble.  Bjorn’s soft heart made it impossible for him to refuse.  I would have preferred to remain in my tower, but my craft is expensive, and the venture could be lucrative.  It would also give me a chance to field test some of my new rituals and besides, the rest of them would die without me. It looked like it would be up to us to play the role of heroes again and slay this troll king before he could lead his armies against Moonstair and possibly Grimmsburg itself.After some unpleasant information gathering involving a local hag we found the Troll King’s, a large hill deep within the swampy mire that is known far and wide as the Trollhaunt.  After some very fortunate scouting from Cullen we found an unguarded sinkhole in the top.  Our siege has so far proven to be effective, but less than ideal. We started by dropping into the sinkhole, and unfortunately into a group of trolls and their odd one eyed, vicious pets (Nothics).  Luckily, seeing a beautiful woman literally dropping amongst them deep in their closely guarded compound caught them by surprise.  I was able to blind one of the trolls with a well placed bolt and find cover while the rest of my companions followed and kept them busy.We were able to deal with them relatively easily.  Unfortunately, Vesna pushed one of them into a subterranean river that seems to run through their warren before we were able to finish him off. He disappeared downstream into the darkness with the swift current.  Now I can feel our time running out the longer we stay here.  Eventually that troll will claw his way out of the river.  The place is infested with trolls. Re-enforcements will be coming, and we will have to find and kill their king, then leave.  Quickly.</blockquote>

Verification