pogre's story hour Zandyrium -episode 66- (5/10/2006) A short update.

[pogre]

Interesting. The whole thing kind of gets swept up under the carpet. As a player, that would make me nervous as all get out. Did I just end up making an enemy that I really didn't want? Or was the issue truly handled discreetly and it's finished?

Yeah, time to get out of town and hope all is well.

You have really captured the players' feelings about this adventure. It created many seeds of doubt and they were more than ready to head back to the hackfest at LCoB!

You asked about how I create a mystery style adventure. Here is the formula that works for me:

1. Create a timeline of events.

2. Detail the events and the motivations of the respective NPCs involved.

3. Make a flow chart with alternative routes for the series of events - trying to anticipate some areas of PC intervention.

4. Create a clue/action list to throw things at the PCs when things bog down. (I'm not real big on making the players figure things out - if they're making progress, great! but if not I keep it moving with further action or clues.)

Don't be afraid to let the story move forward without the PCs intervention - let things run their course. This is something I learned from one of my favorite adventures Shadows over Bogenhafen.

This style allows me to improvise when the players take unanticipated actions - which they nearly always do. For example - Mercutio posing as a vagaband traveler was unexpected, but a lot of fun!

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 13

“What do you think it is?” Wassabe asked.

Githraldul continued to poke around the edge of the lumberjacks’ camp. “Big biped of some sort, probably a giant. He has a number of smaller friends with him too. They may have taken some of the woodsmen with them.”

“Alive?” Heinrich asked.

“They were when they left the camp,” Githraldul responded.

“Let’s go,” Mercutio stated grimly.

The adventurers headed into the woods with Githraldul leading the way. The path was simple to follow. It was a clear path of broken saplings, branches, and other debris leading away from the camp. A few hours later the adventurers discovered a camp site. They decided to camp and rest as well.

During the night Heinrich though he heard a strange voice muttering.

“Who is this,” the feint voice called.

Heinrich was could not be sure he heard a voice or whether it was a daydream.

“They look like nice ones,” the voice muttered.

Now, Heinrich was sure, it was a voice, and it was coming from the trees above!

“Why nice ones here? Why now?”

Heinrich alerted Thoren and woke the rest of the camp.

As many of the adventurers rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and grabbed their weapons a dark shape floated down from the treetops. The large creature landed directly in front of Heinrich. The creature’s lower body was that of a huge arachnid and its torso and head was a strange humanoid, with fey-like features.

“Greetings,” the creature said.

“Hello,” a surprised Heinrich replied.

“Why are nice ones in the deep woods?” the creature asked.

“We’re hunting a group of creatures who killed our friends,” Heinrich replied.
“They are humanoids like us,” Githraldul offered, “except one who is very large.”

“Yes, I saw them,” the creature’s voice was slow and studied. “They were not nice ones. Goblins and one big, big with a great thumper.”

“How big was he?” Heinrich asked holding his hand above his head, indicating a possible height.

“Oh no, much bigger,” the creature replied. “Three times your height at least.”

Ginny let out an audible gasp.

“Must be an ogre,” Thoren commented.

“Ogre!” Wassabe exclaimed. “Are you mad? It’s a giant.”

“I agree,” Justinius said.

“My name is Githraldul,” the ranger moved forward and offered an open hand to the creature.

“I am called Silcrass,” the creature responded offering its hand in return.

The rest of the party followed suit introducing themselves.

“Is there anything else you can tell us about the giant and the goblins?” Wassabe inquired.

Silcrass told the group they were not carrying any prisoners that he knew of, although he thought they might have eaten humanoid that night at camp. Silcrass also revealed he was a student of the arcane arts and asked if any of them had anything to trade. Mercutio offered a mage armor scroll. Silcrass practically squealed in response and ran up a thin line to his lair to retrieve a number of items to offer in trade. The bargaining was hard for Mercutio repeatedly refused Silcrass’s offers, but finally an agreement was made.

“Excellent, you drive a hard bargain Mercutio,” Silcrass stated. “I am returning to my lair, but I am always willing to make trades if you find anything of interest.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Mercutio promised.

Silcrass climbed a nearly invisible thread up to his tree canopy lair. The adventurers headed back to bed.

*****

The forest had faded into the hills and the adventurers contemplated turning back when they spotted a huge cavern mouth set in the hillside up ahead. A humanoid of some kind was stationed at the mouth of the cave.



“I’ll sneak up and take him out,” Githraldul volunteered.

“I’m coming too,” Ginny added.

The two stealthy adventurers made their way up the hillside. As they closed on the cavern they could see that the humanoid was a large orc. Closing range, Ginny inexplicably misplaced her foot and fell. The sound of her fall drew the orc’s attention and he put a large horn to his mouth and blew. The loud call of the battlehorn sounded through the hills. The final note was cut short by one of Githraldul’s arrows penetrating the orc’s neck. The orc fell to the ground dead, but the alarm had sounded.

****

A few seconds later, a Hill Giant of immense size, a pair of orcs, and a goblin appeared in the cavern mouth. Surveying the surrounding area, the Giant reached down and plucked a large boulder from the ground. With a grunt the giant launched the boulder at Ginny. Ginny felt the breeze go by as the boulder narrowly missed her head. She immediately began retreating. Githraldul launched an arrow at the giant before following suit and running.



Thoren rushed forward passing the fleeing rogue and ranger. The goblin next to the giant cast a spell at Thoren, but Thoren shook the dweomer off. Mercutio and Wassabe began moving in wide arcs around the battle area to present flanking threats. Heinrich stepped up and cast silence on the goblin spell caster. Thoren attempted to take cover as the giant hoisted another boulder. The great rock tumbled through the air and tagged the fighter knocking the air from him.

Thoren realized there was no cover in the area sufficient to protect him from the giant’s missiles. Throwing caution to the wind he jumped up on the stone and began shouting, “You filthy, cowardly, cur – come down here and fight me you great pile of goblin dung! Or are you afraid you wailing, weeping woman?”

Even from 100 feet out Thoren could see the insult had achieved the desired result. The Giant’s countenance turned grim and bright red color rose on his face. With a terrible bellow the Giant charged down the hillside.

Heinrich cursed under his breath. He had hoped they could flee and regroup. All considerations for leaving were gone now and he tried to buoy his companions for the coming clash. “Close friends! Close!” Heinrich shouted.

The giant’s rage unbalanced him and his swinging club went wide of its mark. As the weapon crashed into the ground a great cloud of dust rose from the impact and Thoren felt his feet lift off the ground from the impact. Thoren brought his two-handed sword to bear and drew blood from the giant’s side.

Wassabe tried to dart in behind the giant unnoticed. Unfortunately, the giant spied his quick movements out of the corner of his eye and whirled around swinging his weapon. Wassabe’s dexterity saved him from a devastating blow and he now had the giant flanked.

Mercutio summoned a sand sprite and instructed it to fly at the giant’s eyes. The sorcerer followed this up with a few well placed magic missiles. The clerics waddled along, trying to close the distance to the giant. Githraldul hit the giant with a pair of arrows that seemed to only add to his fury.



Focusing on the instigator of his rage, the giant struck a measured blow against Thoren. This strike hit full force and shook Thoren to his spine. The fighter knew if he received another blow such as that he would not survive. Mercutio launched another round of magic missiles and Githraldul hit with another pair of arrows. The clerics continued to struggle forward and Ginny tried to enter the combat from a flank.

Wassabe, however, delivered a serious blow to the giant. The blade dug deep into the giant’s flesh and as he withdrew it a great gout of blood came forth. The giant reeled in pain, turned and landed his club solidly against Wassabe. Wassabe saw nothing but white before his eyes and then spots. His vision was clouded by warm liquid, which he knew to be his own blood. He was not sure how he remained standing.

Wassabe’s blow was all the goblin wizard and orcs needed to see. They began beating a hasty retreat into the hills while the party was still occupied with the giant.

The giant raised his club to finish Thoren’s life and a pair of arrows zipped through the air and struck home on the giant. Gagging on his own blood, the giant fell in a great heap.

Ginny dashed off after the escaping humanoids, but Thoren and Wassabe were too weak to follow. The clerics moved forward and cured the injured fighters. Ginny returned after a short while to announce she had lost the humanoids.

The adventurers made their way up to the cavern. Therein they discovered a number of large sacks. The sacks contained all sorts of things, some valuable, many not, and the remains of several woodsmen.

Justinius oversaw the last rites and burial of the men. The adventurers gathered up the treasure and started the long trek back to Zandyrium.

 

[pogre]

I had to share this e-mail I received from Wassabe's Player (Spacehulkster). It came after I sent out the background for Wednesday night's game to get things jump started - last session was almost without combat!

Nice writin' Pogre! If this doesn't get us in the mood for fighting nothing will!

"For Galtikvalt and Uberstahl!"

I feel a DEEP TPK coming over me!

And thus, a new gaming term for my table is born "DEEP TPK."

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 14

Wassabe casually whittled a piece of river birch while the night wore on. He truly hated the night watch, and to make matters worse, tonight he was alone. The sorcerer Mercutio rarely took a late watch, the priests always wanted a morning watch, and they never let Ginny stay on watch with him. Heinrich had something about him ‘being distracted’ if Ginny shared his watch.

Distracted? Wassabe thought, Hell, if that girl was around right now I could really concentrate! Wassabe chuckled, but his situation had not changed, he was still looking at another three hours of watch, alone.

There was a sudden, perceptible change in the sounds of the forest surrounding the camp. Things were quieter and more foreboding. Wassabe reflexively coiled like a snake ready to strike. The stillness in the night was as loud as a warning horn to the swashbuckler. Then he spied the reason for the change in ambience.

An enormous arachnid was working its way down toward the camp tents from the canopy of trees above. Wassabe slowly stepped over to the nearest tent and whispered within, “Mercutio, Heinrich, awake.”

The two spell casters emerged from their slumber and joined Wassabe outside the tent. Wassabe pointed at the huge arachnid. The beast was preoccupied with moving its lengthy limbs around the other tent. Wassabe charged across the camp and planted his weapon in its abdomen. The spider was caught completely off guard and leapt back to a nearby boulder.



“Take that ye’ beetch o’legs!” Wassabe screamed.

Mercutio quickly loosed a volley of magic missiles into the arachnid, which were followed by Heinrich’s Holy Hammer.

The spider snapped its mandibles instinctively at Wassabe, but its efforts were as pitiful as a moth trying to fly through a blazing fire. Wassabe jumped up and buried both of his blades in the arachnid’s abdomen covering himself in ichor up to the wrists.

The rest of the adventurers emerged to see what the noise was all about.

“That was not necessary,” Mercutio noted. “Another shot of magic missiles could have saved you the mess.”

“Ye’ know what ye’ old desert lizard?” Wassabe queried with a smile. “These ole’ clerics got a place of glory waitin’ on ‘em. This is the only chance at glory I got.” Wassabe held his twin blades aloft.

Justinius rolled his eyes and went back to his bedroll. Ginny smiled and did the same. Thoren was obviously pouting and dragged his great blade back to his tent. The fighter propped the two-handed sword against the tent and said, “I guess I don’t need this tonight.”

*****

Ginny motioned for the group to take cover. All of the adventurers scrambled to the side of the path. It was a well-practiced routine, which they performed quickly and quietly.

“What is it Ginny?” Thoren asked.

Ginny did not answer but pointed to two large shapes moving across the trail to the river.

“Trolls,” Thoren whispered back to the rest of the group. Although by now, that was quite obvious to everyone present.



“They will pass,” Justinius counseled.

“Not if we stop ‘em,” Wassabe offered.

“What?” Heinrich was truly incredulous at the implication of Wassabe’s response. “How could we possibly benefit from fighting these monstrous beasts?”

“We jes’ killed a Giant. What’s a couple trolls?” Wassabe asked. “Thoren, are you in?”

“I forbid it,” Justinius whispered harshly. “It is patently fool hardy.”

Thoren looked confused and torn by the debate.

“Can we kill a couple of Trolls Thoren ole’ boy?” Wassabe asked.

Thoren nodded, maintaining a quizzical look on his face.

“That is not the question,” Heinrich chided.

“That’s always the question padre!” Wassabe answered. He jumped out onto the road. “Hey, ye’ green bastiches!”

The trolls turned their ponderous heads to view the human in the road.

“Come get some!” Wassabe gave his war cry and charged.

Thoren charged right after the swashbuckler and in short order the melee was on.

“My church is not raising him,” Heinrich complained to Justinius.

“Do not look at me,” Justinius answered. “I am happy to perform last rites though.”

Ginny had snuck around the backside of the trolls and dug her dagger deeply into the back of its neck. The troll lurched forward coughing up bile and fell dead. The other troll took a huge shot from Thoren’s weapon through the midsection and it too fell dead. The adventurers quickly began burning the foul flesh to end the threat.

“Don’t thank me now Father,” Wassabe said with a smile. “Such good deeds are all in a day’s work!”

Heinrich just prayed the group could make it into Zandyrium without further incident.

To be continued…

 

[pogre]

Zandyrium
Episode 15

The group reaches Zandyrium to find a city in the throes of preparing for war. They learn that someone/thing called Boethricus din Woad has managed to unite the barbaric Hobgoblin tribes of the north and has already laid siege to a northern city or that it has already fallen – rumors are conflicted.

Heinrich dutifully reports to his temple and learns that he may be called up for military duty, but receives leave to go from Zandyrium.

Heinrich met the rest of the group at the Barrel. “If we wish to continue our explorations at Fools’ Pass we need to go now.”

“I thought we were going to take our time in town and make a few items, like a potion or two,” Mercutio countered.

“I could be called up for military duty by my temple at any time. However, they have given me permission to leave the city for now and report in again next month. I would like to be unavailable until then,” Heinrich stated.

“Jes’ do what I been doin’ for years – pick up anchor and set sail for a new port,” Wassabe suggested.

“No, I will do my duty if I am called upon, but right now I have the opportunity to go.”

“We’ll leave tomorrow,” Thoren stated with finality. Everyone smiled at each other over the fighter’s pronouncement and the matter was settled.

*****

The journeys back to the complex was thankfully uneventful, but once inside they found that a few of the rooms previously cleared were occupied by new inhabitants. The throne room, which previously was the den of a mighty ogre, now held a small tribe of orcs. Thoren grinned in anticipation as the orcs took up battle positions and hurled insults at the adventurers.



Thoren buzzed his mighty two-handed sword around his head and waded into the enemy. Wassabe and Heinrich followed suit attacking with zeal.



Thoren’s steel ripped through the orc ranks. One green-skinned enemy after another fell in waqsted piles of flesh, blood, and splintered bone. The sprays of blood seemed to fuel the wild fighter’s fury and at one point his blade swept through four of the orcs. The orcs made a bid to retreat, but the blood-lusting adventurers would have none of it and sent the humanoids’ souls packing. Thoren sat down on one of the corpses backs and fetched a cloth from his pack. A couple of swipes from his oil cloth and the blade appeared renewed.

****

Much of the rest of the area the adventurers had explored remained unoccupied, so the group headed down an unoccupied corridor.

“Who’s a coming?” a voice whispered from ahead in the corridor.

Ginny froze and put up her hand halting the group.

“Are they sent with news? Are they here to help?” the gruff whisper had a strange quality to it, a certain desperation.

“We are here fair sir,” Heinrich finally spoke up. “What is your plight?”

“Plight? Plight! Plight!” the man’s voice was building to a shrill crescendo. “Manfredo? Is that you boy?”

Wassabe whirled an index finger around his ear to indicate his evaluation of the speaker’s sanity. When the man appeared before the party, half in rags and half in armor it did nothing to change this image. However, the man was wearing a holy symbol of a good deity.

Heinrich replied, “Are you lost fair templar?”

“He’s lost it alright,” Wassabe replied.

“I am not lost!” the man replied in a screech. “I am seeeeking!”

Heinrich cautiously moved towards the man. “Something seems to have you addled dear friend. Perhaps we can help?”

“You ask me to desert my friends?” the man screeched. He pointed to a group of skeletons neatly lined up on the wall. The man jumped up on a stalagmite and donned a full knight’s helm.



The man jumped at Heinrich. Thoren rushed up and before the word “no” issued forth from Heinrich’s mouth had the crazed templar cut and half.

“That cured ‘em,” Wassabe pronounced with satisfaction.

***

The group found a secret door in an area they had previously examined. The secret door lead to a very cramped passage ending in a 20’ x 20’ room with a 2’ x 7’ pane of glass in the center of the floor. Beneath the pane of glass was a figure in quiet repose holding a handsome longsword across its torso.

“Ginny, What do ye’ think?” Wassabe asked.

Ginny inspected the glass carefully. “There is some sort of gas swirling around in there. I’m guessing the coffin is protected by a gas trap of sorts.”

“I don’t want him jumping out of there with that sword,” Thoren states.

“True enough,” Wassabe agrees.

Justinius says a short prayer to Gravitas Morte and announces, “The being in the coffin is dead and not afflicted with undeath of any type.”

“I will state flatly I will not tolerate anyone disturbing this tomb,” Heinrich announces.

“Or what?” Wassabe challenged.

“Or you will receive no healing from me,” Heinrich answered.

“Fine,” Ginny states. “I do not like the looks of this trap in any case. Let us return to the cell and rest.”

Ginny’s suggestion is agreed to and the adventurers head back to the cell chamber and set up cold camp.

**
“I say we get after that dragon tomorrow,” Thoren suggested.

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Wassabe agreed.

“Look, there are a lot of areas we have not yet explored,” Heinrich countered.

“None with dragons though,” Thoren stated.

“That was my point,” Heinrich said.

“We will vote on it in the morning,” Mercutio stated. “In the meantime, everybody shut up. I’m going to sleep.”

*

The dragon vote had gone against Thoren and he pouted for a while, but as the group continued their explorations he got over it. The caverns worked in and out of different places, but they always seemed to emerge back at the cavern site of a large lake. Wassabe notices that there are three craggy islands sticking out of the lake.

“Are there any scales on those islands?” Justinius asked.

Wassabe reassured everyone in the group that the islands were in fact not living at all. The group continued exploring caverns, but eventually they seemed to lead back to the lake cavern. A debate then ensued whether the group should endeavor to explore the islands or face the dragon.

To be continued…

 

[pogre]

Edit: Episode 16 is not really a proper story hour episode at all. When I posted it I was far behind current events in the campaign and wanted to catch up rapidly. The post below is really just a collection of short DM logs, barely polished at all, that I sent out to the players. I have kept it here for the sake of completeness and perhaps I will fix it up some day. However, most readers not directly involved in the campaign may want to skip down to the last few paragraphs of this post and proceed from there.

Episode 16

Fast Forward

I am almost a year behind on the story hour and I was starting to view it as a burden in some ways. I do not mind writing the updates and we are really enjoying the campaign these days, but… I just cannot seem to make time for pictures to accompany the updates. Now, pictures have always been my shtick for this story hour gig. I realize I’m no Sepulchrave, but having a few pics with the story hour might make it worth looking at – and therein lies the rub.

I have decided to do a rapid fast forward: Something I had contemplated for some time, but seeing the suggestion from PC to Sepulchrave in his recent advice thread helped cement my decision.

Following the fast forward, future episodes will have a few pictures, but I plan to take these shots during gaming. This is not without problems – it will be tougher for me to take high quality photos and I will not be able to take as many. However, you will get shots of the actual set-ups and how we do things.

Second, updates will be shorter but hopefully more frequent. This means there will be episodes of just written word and no pictures, but I will try to make up for it with maps, player handouts, and other stuff.

On to the fast forward update –

The group did manage to kill Devron the lich in the Lost City, but the victory was short-lived due to other concerns in Zandyrium. The bad guy, Boethricus din Woad continued his campaign, managing to capture the last human city north of Zandyrium and had the Dwarves holed up in Galtikvalt.

The party had worked for the emperor in doing some scouting and managed to take out an advanced Boethricus scout camp of hobgoblins, wyverns, and a hill giant. They received high praise from one of the emperor’s top scouts, Rothlor, for their successes. Much to their surprise, the Emperor’s captain dismissed them shortly after this.

An investigation revealed the Emperor’s captain had in fact been replaced by an Ogre Mage and there was a traitor in Heinrich’s own temple. The group managed to catch the Ogre Mage by surprise and sent the cleric off on the run. They chased the cleric out of the city and caught up with him at an abandoned whaling station. There they captured the booty of the 100 ton merchant ship The Last Coin. The Merchants’ Guild then admitted the party as junior members in thanks for their service to the city.

This crisis was followed by the disturbing news that the artifact known as the Eternal Flame was stolen from the Dragon Rock monastery. The Eternal Flame was the focus of the protective magics that helped preserve Zandyrium’s walls. Boethricus’s involvement was heavily suspected!

The group went to the monastery and discovered nearly all of the monks* had been killed save one blind brother. Through interviewing the brother and a Speak with Dead spell the group learned a nasty group of harpies were involved. The party cleared the harpy den finding another clue leading them to one of the many old dwarven holds that dot the hills and mountains of the continent. They defeated the foes in the hold only to discover that the hammer known as the Eternal Flame had been stolen from the original perpetrator. A trip into the dark swamp and a confrontation with a hag sorceress finally led the group to the Eternal Flame secreted in the belly of a basilisk.

Restoring the Flame proved to be difficult as a diabolical strike team hit the monastery as soon as they returned. The party barely beat the devils. The monastery was manned by imperial troops and the group contemplated their next move.

Heavily invested in Zandyrium and with a lot to lose the group decided to try and help relieve the siege of Galtikvalt. Part of the group’s incentive to do so was Uberstahl. Uberstahl is the only metal that can retain enchantments of +3 or higher making it highly sought after, and nothing the group wanted the forces of Boethricus to have! Further, if the group could establish a trade route with the dwarves it would mean BIG money.

The Journey to Galtikvalt
===================

“Aye, keep the shore to port there, rudder,” Wassabe shouted out.

At sea, in the small boat with Wassabe, was almost more than Heinrich could take. The ex-mariner had said nothing but orders and filthy jokes since the party had left Zandyrium.

“Ginny, get up her and work my foremast a bit!” Wassabe laughed.

“That’s enough!” Heinrich replied harshly.

“Keep working that rope father, leave the sailorin’ and sea talk to me,” Wassabe replied.

Thankfully for all aboard, the days on the sea were few as the water and wind cooperated with the group’s travel. The river’s delta appeared before them and a great cloud of smoke rose from there. The delta held Boethricus din Woad’s second army, and by far the largest of his three warhosts. Rothlor the ranger had warned the adventurers the delta army had between 15,000 and 20,000 humanoids. As the party approached the delta the army looked larger, much larger!

Heinrich, Mercutio, and Justinius had prepared for this part of the journey. Employing a combination of spells and stealth they guided their boat through the massive encampment.

The humanoids were organized into massive workgroups by the hobgoblins – stripping timber and creating a fleet of ships on the delta. A massive forge emanated black smoke and hundred of hammers were ringing off anvils as the hobgoblins forged armor and weapons.

The few villages the adventurers passed on the river beyond the camp were all long since abandoned. The adventurers hoped the places were abandoned before they were transformed into the smoking ruins now there. Occasionally, Mercutio provided a gust of wind to keep the boat traveling upstream, but for the most part prevailing winds allowed the group to make steady progress.

“Something is flying this way,” Wassabe called out. “To shore, to shore!” The group quickly moved the boat to shore and covered the vessel and themselves with branches and brambles. A wyvern with a rider drifted lazily over the group’s position following the river’s path downstream. Once the Wyvern was gone from view the group set off again. The sudden sightings and dashes for cover occurred at least once per day. During the fifth day on the river the group thought they spied a dragon instead of the usual Wyvern, but could not be sure.

When they reached the outskirts of Boethricus din Woad’s camp it became obvious that this fighting force was smaller than the army in the delta, but far more elite. Hordes of Wyverns screeched overhead, dark shapes flew around the camp, orcs, ogres, hill giants, stone giants, and worse jostled each other in camp. Sneaking past this encampment, the party spied an abomination that they concluded must be Boethricus din Woad: A creature of immense size, Boethricus’s lower body was that of a giant snake and his upper torso resembled a great blue djinn. Equally terrifying was the devil Boethricus was consulting when the party passed them. Once the group had cleared past the camp and were heading up the mountain to Galtikvalt, Justinius confirmed that he was certain they had seen one of the nine Pit Lords!

There was only one remaining dwarven outpost before the group reached Galtikvalt and it was disheartening to say the least. Under normal circumstances the outpost with its thick walls, ballistae, and stalwart 80 or so defenders would have appeared at least challenging to invading army. But, the adventurers had seen the enemy, and they knew this outpost was little more than a road-bump.

*****

Arriving in Galtikvalt the adventurers had to talk their way past the Stone Hand, a series of five towers that protect the great cavern city. Learning of their mission the great lore master, Grogni Grimsson, escorted the group to the King of Galtikvalt, Mendri Dernaxe.

“Who are they,” the king did little to conceal his contempt for the adventurers.

“They are from Zandyrium my lord,” the loremaster Grimsson replied.

“I assume from your recent travels you can understand why we are not shipping Uberstahl at the moment, despite the constant protestations of your Emperor?” King Dernaxe asked.

“Indeed,” Justinius answered, “In fact, your highness, we have come to lend our backs to this cause. It is our belief that if Galtikvalt falls, Zandyrium will fall.”

King Dernaxe raised one bushy eyebrow at the priests comments, “What kind of temple do you serve?”

“I am a servant of Gravitas Morte your highness,” Justinius replied.

“Who is this Gravy Morty?” King Dernaxe asked Loremaster Grimsson.

“Gravitas Morte is the Thraegean god of death my king,” Grogni replied.

“Oh,” the king studied Justinius for a moment, “You may have much to do around here in a few days.”

“Our purpose is to aid in the resistance,” Wassabe stated.

“First, you’ll need a proper weapon,” the king laughed, “like your partner over there [pointing at Thoren]. Now, that blade has some heft.”

Thoren smiled widely.

“I welcome any help at this moment,” King Dernaxe admitted. “Boethricus continues to gather his strength to prepare for the assault. He seems to be recovering from some great exertion, probably from summoning creatures from the Hells. However, you can be sure, in a few short days his army will come and it will be brutal.”

“King Dernaxe, what of Gravinvalt?” Grogni asked.

“Can these folks handle Gravinvalt?” the king seemed truly incredulous at the suggestion from the loremaster.

“They are highly accomplished.”

“Hold on, what in the hells is Gravinvalt?” Wassabe complained.

“Wassabe, be still!” Heinrich tried to cover for the swashbuckler’s impolite remark.

“Hey, I liked these guys when they were making fun of Gravy Morty, but I feel a set-up coming,” Wassabe continued.

“I must admit I am curious too,” Ginny offered.

“Loremaster Grimsson,” the king stood up from his throne, “I leave this matter to your judgment.” With that the king left the throne room with his guard.

“Let me make a proposal to you over a bit of ale and meat,” Grogni suggested, waving his hand for the adventurers to follow him.

****

“So, your defense plan is to run away?” Heinrich wanted to make sure he had understood the loremaster correctly.

“If we could reclaim the Seal of Ages lore not even Boethricus himself could bypass it. The mines of Galtikvalt would be sealed until we returned to them and the clan would be saved.” Grogni answered.

“So you seal up Galtikvalt, run out the backdoor, and wait until the threat is over?” Wassabe asked.

“That is the idea.”

“Then Boethricus gives up on Galtikvalt and attacks Zandyrium,” Ginny stated.

“Probably, but would you rather face him with or without a large supply of Uberstahl?” the Loremaster countered.

“He has a point,” Justinius interjected.

“Would the Galtikvalt clan come to the aid of Zandyrium?” Heinrich asked.

“I do not know,” the Loremaster admitted, “But at least there would be a clan and a possibility of their aid.”

“Where does Gravinvalt fit into this?” Mercutio inquired.

“Gravinvalt is an abandoned outpost 30 miles southwest of here. It was the hold of King Hargrim. King Hargrim’s tomb holds the Tome of the Seal of Ages.”

“Why hasn’t anyone gone there before?” Ginny asked.

“They have,” Grogni said.

“And?”

“They did not return.”

“What’s in it for us?” Wassabe demanded.

“You will save Galtikvalt and possibly your own city as a result.”

“Would there be a possibility of our securing some trade rights to Uberstahl?” Heinrich asked. “We own a small trading interest we are trying to get off the ground and…”

“No need to explain,” the loremaster held up his hand. “I respect a man with religious and pecuniary interests. I can safely promise that if we secure the seal, and Galtikvalt and Zandyrium survive this evil assault, your trading company will be at the top of our list of traders.”

Reflecting on the absorbent amount he had spent on 25 pounds of Uberstahl a few weeks ago, Wassabe could not help but grin at the prospect of controlling trade of the precious metal. “We’re in,” the swashbuckler quickly announced.

“Excellent!” the loremaster proclaimed. “Time is of the essence, you must set off straight away. Galtikvalt must now rely on your haste.”

***

Yanni and Bradni, a pair of Loremaster Grimssons apprentices, accompanied the adventurers to Gravinvalt. They revealed that the name Gravinvalt means the Revered Mountain of Burials. They also revealed the fortress had fallen long ago to deep ones and had been desecrated. This new bit of information spurred Justinius on with renewed vigor.

No one was able to ascertain what exactly “deep ones” were.

The entrance to Gravinvalt lies in a small valley criss-crossed by streams. The young dwarves wished the party well and set-off for Galtikvalt. The dark caverns of Gravinvalt called the party forth.

The group was successful in capturing the Seal of Ages in Gravenvalt. Unfortunately, a negative energy trap forced the party to take several days in figuring out what to do.

Galtikvalt fell to the forces of Boethricus din Woad while the party was trying to recover King Hargrim’s seal in Gravinvalt. As the party left the ancient hold of Gravinvalt they ran into the refugees fleeing from Galtikvalt led by the Loremaster Grogni Grimsson. Loremaster Grimsson explained how most of the Dwarves and the king had perished in the final battle for Galtikvalt and the Uberstahl mines were lost. The king called for Grogni to lead the refugees to Verkorenvalt and re-establish the hold there if Galtikvalt could not be defended.

“So you are traveling to this Verkorenvalt?” Thoren asked.

“Yes, young warrior,” the Loremaster confirmed. “It is an old deep hold. It was lost centuries ago, the last of the deep veins of uberstahl was there.”

“Why was it abandoned then?” Heinrich asked.

“Something was found,” Loremaster Grimsson replied. “Deep, deep in the mines an ancient prison was opened. A dreaded, forgotten evil was unleashed, and the hold was abandoned.”

“Well, why in Hades are you going back?” Wassabe asked.

“Two reasons come to mind. First, it is far from Boethricus’s path. It’s doubtful he would come this far out of his way to pester a ragged band of Dwarven refugees. Second, it is the last hold of Uberstahl I know of, and without Uberstahl our legacy is lost.”

“And the ancient evil?” Heinrich asked.

“I do not know, but it must be confronted. I was hoping you might help us in this regard.”

The adventurers looked at each other and finally nodded grimly to the loremaster.

The journey to Verkorenvalt began.

The first level of Verkorenvalt held a large Hill Giant tribe that the group wiped out fairly easily. They decided to rest before assaulting the lower levels.

The group was camped in the mountain vale near the entrance of Verkorenvalt resting after their exploration of the first level. During the early evening hours a huge bear attacked them. Wassabe took terrible damage from the beast, but eventually it was killed. An examination of the bruin revealed that it was fiendish in nature and most unnatural. The rest of the night passed uneventfully, and in the morning the group endeavored to further explore beneath the dwarven hold.

Following the spiral staircase down they entered a chamber with two arched doorways with dwarven words carved above them. There was also a few piles of scrap metal piled up in this room. Heinrich cast comprehend languages while Justinius inspected the metal. The word over the western arch was industry and the word over the northern arch was imagination. Justinius announced that although the metal looked to be high quality steel he could not be certain whether it was uberstahl or not.

The adventurers decided to head toward industry and found a room containing a large furnace and a few work tables. The tables had the remnants of some sort of drawings on it, but age had rendered the parchment unreadable. There were a number of stone-working tools and the furnace appeared to be a high quality forge. The group pushed onto a further corridor, but after a short distance found that the passageway was completed collapsed.

Retracing their steps, the adventurers found themselves in a room in the imagination area full of steel frames of half-completed machines. Two dwarven skeletons were pinned to the wall in an apparent misfire of an exotic war machine. Parchments were scattered about the tables of this room as well depicting all sorts of bizarre and unusual inventions. Initially considering taking the parchments, Heinrich decided against it when he discovered how truly brittle they were.

Opening a door, the group found a bedroom with a desk, bed, chest, and a few other sundry items. Another comprehend language spell from Heinrich revealed that the bookshelf was lined with more ideas for different exotic machines of all sorts. The book on the desk, however, proved to be a journal of a fellow named Erfindenger Stonegear. The final entry read: <insert final entry>.

“So this is the joker that released the evil, eh?” Wassabe commented.

“It would seem so,” Justinius agreed.

“I think it is safe to assume we can plan on facing whatever evil this guy unleashed,” Mercutio commented.

“Indeed,” Heinrich replied grimly. “To the mines.”

In response Wassabe whistled a strange tune.

…..

The mineshaft led several feet down into the darkness. The old mine cart racks were broken in several places and there were some signs of traffic in and out of the place. The party eventually arrived at a large chamber full of various piles of rocks and ore and a turned-over, dilapidated mine cart. Several shafts led out of the chamber and the group explored a couple of different ones before one led into a huge chamber full of huge bats. The heroes made short work of the bats, but noticed that all of these giant bats were fiendish as the ones they had defeated the prior day.

The group pushed on into the twisting mine passages finally emerging in a large chamber. The chamber had four blindingly white runes, one on each wall. At the far end of the room stood a horrible, 15-foot tall behemoth with four arms. Two of the limbs terminated in menacing chitin claws. The two center limbs ended in humanoid-like claws one of which grasped an inky dark sword that seemed to breathe hate into the room. The creature glowered at the group with soulless black eyes.

Mercutio tossed off a magic missile at the demon from across the chamber. Wassabe quickly moved into the chamber, circling wide in hopes of flanking the evil creature. The demon responded with a babble of arcane sounds and Mercutio fell confused to its mind-scrambling power. The sorcerer began to sprint away from the rest of the group, retracing his steps down the mineshaft.

The clerics through a couple of ineffective spells at the demon and Thoren began to cover the chamber to engage in combat. The demon roared and with a power word stunned Justinius. Panic began to creep into the group, as the five now became three fighting the abyss-spawned monster. Thoren closed taking a massive amount of damage from the dark sword as he did so. The fighter tried to deliver a shot, but mostly failed. Wassabe tumbled into position and delivered some damage to the creature.

The demon swung his mighty black blade through the air creating a horrible screeching noise. So loud and foul was the weapons screech that Heinrich was temporarily stunned. The demon concentrated its full fury on Thoren and quickly had the fighter unconscious and bleeding out on the chamber floor. Wassabe tried to dissuade the creature from landing a killing blow, but he himself was lifted from the floor with one of the giant claws wrapped around his body. Heinrich snapped out of his stunned state, and braved another attack from the demon to rush forward and heal Thoren to nearly full fighting strength. The renewed Thoren failed to hit effectively again and the creature unleashed a torrent of damage on the fighter culminating with him being lifted aloft by the other claw.

Heinrich realized that this might be his final moments on the world. Mercutio was running off in a far away mineshaft, confused. Justinius was drooling, stunned by the demon’s power. Wassabe and Thoren were trapped in the creature’s claws, vainly wiggling against its mighty strength. Heinrich had prayed his most powerful supplication to restore Thoren, there was little else he could do but swing at the thing with his mace. A reign of terrible blows came down from the demon, staggering the cleric. “Siegphorus prepare a place for me,” Heinrich prayed silently.

A moment passed and a golden arch of light passed over Heinrich’s head and blasted into the demon. The demon visibly winced from the force of the holy light. Heinrich turned to see that Justinius had recovered his senses enough to call forth the holy, burning light. The demon spasmed and fell and all that remained in the chamber was its foul dark sword and chest of gold and silver coins. The prayer had nearly killed Wassabe as well, but he had survived. Both clerics were nearly completely spent and used the remainder of their prayers to restore as much of the adventurer’s health as possible. As Mercutio returned to the chamber everyone realized that they had survived a very near thing.

…..

The dwarves were understandably euphoric at the reconquest of Verkorenvalt and began to return to the ancient hold. They quickly rewarded the party with 210 pounds of uberstahl and an invitation to use the hold’s workshops to create anything they wished. It had been over two months since the party had left Zandyrium and this was the first taste of true success they had experienced in that time. There was much to do, but first they set about the task of securing Verkorenvalt for the dwarven refugees.

While Justinius began work refining the Uberstahl and shaping it Heinrich found a quiet room to do some sendings. First, he must pass on the unfortunate news of the fall of Galtikvalt.

To Rothlor the Ranger: I am well. Bad news. Galtikvalt has fallen. Boethricus preparing invasion fleet. Nearly all uberstahl reserves in Boethricus’s hands. Helping dwarven refugees at Verkorenvalt.

Heinrich took a deep breath and waited for the response. It came a short time later.

Return Message from Rothlor: Boethricus’s fleet at sea. Siege imminent. Can we expect help from you or the dwarves?

Heinrich grimaced at the returned sending. He was hoping they would have more time. He convened a meeting of the adventurers.

“How can that fleet be already at sea?” Heinrich asked.

“It cannot be the whole fleet,” Wassabe answered. “Typical Zandyrium panic.”

“Except, this is not someone typical of Zandyrium,” Mercutio replied. Rothlor had always struck him as a very even-keeled kind of person.

“Perhaps we could use another perspective?” Justinius asked.

“Your superior?” Heinrich replied.

“I was thinking of our good captain,” Justinius answered.

“Solid thinking, I was planning on giving him a sending anyway.”

“What of Rothlor’s question?” Thoren asked.

“I do not know yet. We of course will help. It is how we are going to help that I must pray about,” Heinrich answered.

“How can we return to Zandyrium anyway?” Wassabe asked.

“I can take care of that,” Mercutio offered. “I can teleport myself and three other folks back to the city gates or the docks.”

“Why not into the city?” Thoren asked.

“The walls won’t allow it. Assuming our work at Dragon Rock remains in place,” Mercutio answered.

“Let me issue a sending to the Captain and see where our ship is. Maybe he will know more.” Heinrich turned from the meeting and returned to his private room.

To Captain Disod aboard The Last Coin:
I am well. Where are you? What do you know of an invasion fleet? How goes the trading?

The response came immediately.
Sailing to southern Thraegian Coast. Cleared lots of coin at Zandyrium. Twenty-four thousand. Took liberty of setting sail when emperor began commandeering vessels. Also hired…

Heinrich arched his brow at news of the bounty the good captain had secured. That was quite a return on their investment. Of course it might not mean much if they could not get the ship back to port safely. The captain undoubtedly was not familiar with the brevity sendings required and would force him to pray for another.

To Captain Disod aboard The Last Coin:
What of the invasion fleet?

Again the response was quick.
Aye! Over two-hundred cogs afloat headin’ fer’ the harbor. City raised the great chain just as we tacked clear. Had to hire a few...

Heinrich returned to the group. “Captain Disod tells me there is a war fleet with over 200 ships on its way to Zandyrium.”

“How is that possible?” Mercutio complained. “They could not have made that much progress on those boats we passed at the delta.”

“Aye,” Wassabe responded. “There’s no way more than 30 could be done. Them boats aren’t from the delta.”

“Kalcedon**?” Justinius asked.

“Aye,” Wassabe answered.

“Sadly, that makes sense,” Heinrich reluctantly admitted.

“Now what?” Mercutio asked.

“I need to reply to Rothlor, but I think there is a lot of ways we can help defend Zandyrium,” Heinrich stated. Heinrich turned to return to the private room.

To Rothlor the Ranger: The dwarves are out of the picture. We will help defend Zandyrium.

Return Message from Rothlor: Understood. The great chain*** is nearly gone. Amphibious assault on northern docks will occur in next forty-eight hours. No sign of Boethricus.

Heinrich returned to the group and relayed Rothlor’s answers.

“How are we going to help defend the city?” Thoren asked.

“I’m not to keen on being a body on the wall,” Wassabe stated.

“I’m open to suggestions,” Heinrich admitted.

“What of the magic arms and armor I have been working on?” Justinius asked.

“We need to do some serious assessment in the next couple of hours and make a plan,” Mercutio insisted.

The group continued their conversation in earnest.

**************

There you have it – our campaign summarized to the present, with a bit more detail towards the end. I’m sure the players will pipe in with extra background knowledge they feel is important. At least I am encouraging them to do so. We play again this Wednesday and I only have a vague idea of what they are planning – exciting stuff!


*Monks are more like templars and scholars in the Zandyrium campaign. D&D monks remain in the far East where they belong.

**Kalcedon was the last northern human city to fall to Boethricus’s forces.

***The Great Chain is a defensive device that stretches across Zandyrium’s harbor to help keep invading fleets out or at least delayed.

 

[BSF]

Episode 16

Fast Forward

I am almost a year behind on the story hour and I was starting to view it as a burden in some ways. I do not mind writing the updates and we are really enjoying the campaign these days, but… I just cannot seem to make time for pictures to accompany the updates. Now, pictures have always been my shtick for this story hour gig. I realize I’m no Sepulchrave, but having a few pics with the story hour might make it worth looking at – and therein lies the rub.

I have decided to do a rapid fast forward: Something I had contemplated for some time, but seeing the suggestion from PC to Sepulchrave in his recent advice thread helped cement my decision.

Pogre, sounds good. Whatever it takes for you to enjoy writing up the story.

I do have a query for you, I see that the PCs have learned a bit more about Bothriechis. Did you end up using the minion that came out of that thread as well?

Storywise, it sounds like the PCs have got a lot done. It's great that they are working the merchant angle. It will be fun to see how the pieces pick back up from here.

 

[pogre]

I do have a query for you, I see that the PCs have learned a bit more about Bothriechis. Did you end up using the minion that came out of that thread as well?

Well, yes and no. I did use the lizardman in a side encounter, but the levels came pretty fast in the early part of the game that he was basically a flash in the pan. The ogre mage on the other hand was a big pain for the PCs. Thanks for coming back BSF - I appreciate it!

 

[BSF]

Coming back? I didn't go anywhere.

That's too bad about Sseeth. I liked him. I have been considering re-using those NPCs for my game. Alas, Sseeth would be less than a full challenge for my group at this point as well. Maybe I will keep his basic background and change his role from being a foil to being an NPC the party will be interested in working with?

I appreciate that not all the NPCs in your game understand Sending. I have this image of Captain Disod launching into an elaborate conversation, saying his piece, and waiting for Heinrich to reply. Then when there is no reply getting a big annoyed before the next sending comes in.

I do miss some of the witty conversation between PCs. Otherwise, the summary does pretty well.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

There you have it – our campaign summarized to the present, with a bit more detail towards the end. I’m sure the players will pipe in with extra background knowledge they feel is important. At least I am encouraging them to do so. We play again this Wednesday and I only have a vague idea of what they are planning – exciting stuff!


*

Well while not all that important, I must reminisce about a heroic Wassabe moment:

We had just easily taken out a hydra, when we were assualted by a group of drow. They were wiping the floor with us, however we had managed to put a hurt on their witch leader. Fearing defeat, she turned invisible and we thought she would escape us. Wassabe however ran to an exit and covered it (after he was hit with a ray of enfeeblement and was down to 3 STR). In his weakened state he managed to fend off a bull rush, and then an over run by the drow witch. This enabled the rest of the party to come up and finish her off.

Good job Wassabe!