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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 8470227" data-attributes="member: 16069">Dark Squad in the Secrets of SaltmarshSession #070: Arty's Trial & Vernon's Diary.Dark Squad (in alphabetical order, no egos here).Daktari (played by Haggis) Male Human Uthgardt Sky Pony Barbarian Lvl 7New Tricks (played by Bear) Male Tabaxi Warlock Lvl 7Ramshambo (played by Kev) Male Half-Elf Rogue Lvl 7Vincenzo (played by Haggis) Male Shifter (Wildhunt) Druid Lvl 7NPCsInverna Nightbreeze (played by Goonalan) Female Wood Elf Fighter Lvl 7 (Sidekick)<s>Garumn Male Mountain Dwarf Paladin of Moradin Lvl 5 </s>RIP*<s>Tarbin Tul (played by goonalan) Male Human Bard </s>RETIRED*Trapped in the Land of the Bad Dead Ancestors.Servants/FamiliarsGerald (Bat/Giant Bat) servant/mount of New TricksOwly (Owl) Vinnie’s familiarThis is session 70, and we've had two weeks off, so- it was a great session, but quiet in comparison to the terrors that had come before, and with no fighting (not any), but again- another good one.So, brief recap- the Dark Squad have the evidence they need to get Arty Swell off the hook (the murder charge), and they've also got quite a tale to tell, at least that's what they think.Point of fact, the real problem- as elucidated below, is what to tell of their tale, by which I mean- what to leave in/out?The revenant?The kraken?The fact that Randall Blackthorn, or as he's better known, Randall the Black, ex-member of The Eyes in the Night is also situated somewhere below Squabblepot (still), and... he's probably not a nice fellow, certainly Ian with one I was in his employ, so...The Dark Squad need to get their story straight.So, what to include/exclude, and remember at the trial Arty's Speaker (that's Vinnie) is going to be subject to a Zone of Truth spell. Actually, the whole chamber in which the trial takes place, and everyone in it, is going to be subject to the spell.[What happened, a recap- getting their story straight 200 XP]The Dark Squad thereafter take to resting, hidden away in Arty's Labs, and keep in mind the guys are all pretty beat up right now, and except for Daktari they are each subject to at least two levels of exhaustion (Vinnie has three).[ATTACH=full]147439[/ATTACH]Some of the Dark Squad are a little under the weather.Therefore, chatter- lots of chatter, which is good for me because I get to listen in on the PCs attempting to put the story (plot) together, or at least to unpick what happened down below.Eventually, maybe twenty minutes later or so, we get there. There's still a little disagreement around the edges but for the most part the Dark Squad have their story.Then sleep, lots of sleep, and keep in mind it's nearly 4 AM when the PCs decide to finally knock it on the head.To wake again, a little more refreshed, and... yet more chatter, and the thing is the Dark Squad really want to see Arty Swell, to tell the imprisoned gnome that they're back, and that they have been successful, and in doing so to practice the telling of their story.To Squabblepot, back up the stairs and first off a brief meeting with Sgt Ecky Thump, the gnome guard gets a good look at the body of Ian with one I, and an explanation of the dark creature's powers. To invade the minds of folk and to make them do terrible things.[ATTACH=full]147440[/ATTACH]Sgt Ecky Thump is convinced, but with all due respect, she's just a burrow guard.Then, soon after, the PCs meet with Arty and tell the alchemist gnome their story.Not everything that happened down below mind, just their story.Arty is... very upset, that doesn't quite cover it, and keep in mind the adventurers have with them the dead body of the bastard (Ian with one I) that invaded his mind, the creature that made him commit that terrible act.[ATTACH=full]147441[/ATTACH]Catharsis may come later, but for now the over-riding question for Arty is- Why?As in, why me?But also just, WHY? What pleasure did Ian with one I derive from this diabolical act?Truth be told the Dark Squad are still working on the answer to that one.Although the usual caveats apply.Fiends/Devils/Demons/Aberrants*, tsk!*Delete as appropriate.[Arty meets Ian, and gets an explanation, of sorts 300 XP]But the Dark Squad are still mostly broken (skill checks at disadvantage etc.), and so they retire again- back to their beds, back to the Lab, and... chat some more.That's right, another half-hour (at least) of how the jigsaw best fits together, refining the story in light of their interview with Arty. Truth be told the PCs are being very clever here, getting the DM, in the guise of at least two NPCs- Ecky & Arty, to ask questions and to try to pick holes in their narrative.It's working, the story is getting tighter, the explanation more mundane- less specific.Less complex... simple.But here's the thing the PCs are forgetting, Squabblepot is a place of not quite serenity, but certainly of calm- it's a community founded on trust, and sharing, and kindness. In truth the gnomes that are going to oversee the trial are looking, more than anything, for an easily understood explanation of events, in short- they want a palatable truth.[Much more chatting about the story to be told 300 XP]Then, after one more sleep, the trial itself.I wont go into great detail, but it was glorious, and we're in what is obviously an ancient temple dedicated to the gnomish gods. A pit within the centre of the temple defines the deep, while a glowing boulder, etched and written upon, hovers and pulses with a radiant light that illuminates the room.[ATTACH=full]147442[/ATTACH]The Trial begins...Through this elemental artefact Habblepop of Garl, the priest here, controls the Zone of Truth spell, and perhaps other (divination) spells.There's a short ceremony, the charge is read, and then the Speaker called, that's Vinnie...Jim (playing Vinnie) came to me the next day at work to say that the trial was superb, and that he could happily spend many more sessions doing something very similar.In truth the trial was a good thirty minutes of Vinnie taking his time to tell the story of the Dark Squad's investigation, and maybe another five to ten minutes of his comrades in arms adding their two-penneth to the narration.With the odd question thrown in here and there from the gnomes, of course.Also present are Burrow Warden Fifthstrike and the presiding judge- Magistrate Halfberk.It begins, or else Vinnie does...“Mes amis, zer wuz not just wun victim ov zis whore-endous crime, zer wur two. Yew see be-four yew a broke-en gnome, monsieur Arty Zwell az suffered tew!”But in precis, here's a nothic- followed by an explanation of the evil creature's history and intent-“Zis fowl cree-chure, zer ling-gering many-fast-a-shun ov a caw-rupted wiz-ard, in-tent on spread-in iz un-hole-sum-ness into zer 'omely para-dice of Squabblepot.”So, the nothic got into Arty's head, witness the scribblings discovered in Arty's bedroom, which the court members have previously visited.Then, all that's left to tell is the Dark Squad's adventures in the deeps, the race to catch up with Ian with one I, and to bring the supervillain to court.Vinnie doesn't hesitate to paint a picture (or a ten) of the geographical and environmental terrors that the Dark Squad had to face down below- lava, boiling mud, tremors, cave-ins etc.But the rest- the kraken, the revenant, Randall the Black?Any of the other monsters?A few rats maybe, they get mentioned. A few undead- skeletal dwarves and zombies, they come up.But the terrifying bad things down there?Not a whisper.But again, the entire explanation has a structure, it answers all of the obvious questions (and a few others besides) and it flows.I don't even bother with asking for a skill check, and besides there's a little spontaneous applause at the end. It's a winning performance by the Moon druid, and his little helpers.The Dark Squad let the court know that they intend to venture back into the depths, after the trial has ended, and when they are full recovered. This in order to ascertain that all of the dangers down there have been accounted for, or else nullified.They do have a habit of saying all the right things, and they're very convincing.Newt was on best behaviour, sure he sounded creepy at least once or twice, but Vinnie never gave up centre stage for long, the druid was 95% of the action.The court- Magistrate Halfberk, Burrow Warden Fifthstrike & Habblepop of Garl (the priest) are all mightily impressed, they even have a speech or two of their own.The first by the Magistrate to exonerate Arty of all charges.The second by the Burrow Warden to thank the Dark Squad for their extensive endeavours.But let's skip back just a few moments to the poignant bit- the answer to the question, why Arty?Vinnie surmises-“Arty wuz an ee-zee tar-git fur zer loathe-sum E-An. He iz a leetul melon-collie n'est pas? Par-tick-yew-larl-lea aft-ur zer deaf of iz wife many years pass. Arty iz a loner, an zer fur eye say tew yew all. Reach out to Arty Swell, cherche 'im, do not shun 'im, embrase 'im to yer buzz-ums, fur friend-ship iz zer best ov sings in such desp-ear-ate times!”Or some such codswallop.He's very good is Jim.[Arty Swell is innocent 1000 XP]Then, more resting, and more chatter- lots of it a variety of attempts by Arty to say thanks to the Dark Squad, repeatedly.But there are things that still need doing, and the PCs (some of them- Vinnie) are still on light duties.Obviously, the plan is to head back down into the depths, but there are other things that need doing before then- and more rest is needed, before the Dark Squad go adventuring again.Arty and Vinnie however get to work the next day, the gnome is keen to teach the druid all that he knows about alchemy. Vinnie spends over 1,000gp of the Dark Squad's promised alchemical reward money (3,850 gp left to spend) learning a variety of recipes, and the associated techniques needed to brew half-a-dozen or more different potions.The alchemy lessons continue in the Lab, as the pair work together to finish off the six potions that were left brewing there, the results of these brews (all successful) are distributed to the Dark Squad members for free.[ATTACH=full]147443[/ATTACH]Vinnie is learning Alchemy.The lessons continue for a few more days to follow, although see below.[Arty teaches Vinnie alchemy 250 XP]While this is going on Newt finds a space all for himself, in the ancient demon/devil summoning chamber within the Labs- as it happens, he just feels so very safe there.[ATTACH=full]147444[/ATTACH]"This is nice!" Newt purrs with contentment.The tabaxi when situated takes the time to read the three ancient tomes that the Dark Squad found in the basement here. The three tomes that were formerly owned, the Dark Squad determined earlier, by Randall Blackthorn (aka Randall the Black).Note, I forget the exact titles of the tomes in question, but they were something like- “The Voices in the Shadows”, and, “Into the Terror Black”, and, “The Bumper Book of Ghoulies”, or something very similar. The point being these are all quasi-arcane/religious tomes devoted to all thinks very naughty.The crazy (it seems that way) gnome (Randall) has annotated the works extensively, with glimpses of his own thoughts and ideas; and a modicum of his story.So, this is what the warlock learns-Randall was/is a warlock, he often refers to himself as- Randall the Magnificent.Randall frequently bemoans the fact that he is/was not better appreciated by his adventuring companions, not given the credit he truly deserves.Randall comes across as a bit of a crazy unhinged individual- full of his own self-worth, scornful of others, and... he has a very odd view of the world. He believes, it seems, that folk are out to get him. All of the time.It appears that Randall was in thrall to not one but two diabolical masters.One of which, Newt believes he knows the name of.Randall, and his colleagues in the Eyes in the Night, were attempting to prevent the coming of a great darkness, 'when all of the light will fade from the world'. This terrible event Randall speculates will be brought about by the arrival of a great and terrible serpent unleashed upon the realm of Faerun.And yes, it all sounds very familiar/similar.To Newt, and to the Dark Squad's story.Newt, very obviously, reports back some (but not all) of what he discovers to his colleagues.Oh, and all of the Dark Squad are aware (even Newt) that Randall and the tabaxi warlock are not so very different from each other.Obviously.[Newt reads up on Randall 400 XP]Last bit, and Ram starts the ball rolling with this one, but later on- when the above jobs have been completed; then Vinnie, Newt and even Inverna help out with this task.But not Daktari, because the barbarian cannot read.It's time, at last, to translate all of VHs campaign diary (VH = Vernon Hucrele, the well-spoken revenant), this is a book the Dark Squad have had in their Bag of Holding since session... DM flits back to check, session 41.The Dark Squad fought Vernon Hucrele the first time around in session 42, he's described there as a Zombie Knight. The fight took over two hours to play out- Vernon was pretty tough back then, or else the Dark Squad were less experienced (lower level). They took a proper kicking.The first dozen or so sections of this campaign diary are translated in session 43, but the detail is repeated here.Over the course of the next two or three days the Dark Squad therefore translate and then piece together Vernon's diary, this is what they learn.Oh, but before we get too far into it- remember the Hucrele's? They were both patron and the folk being sort in the Dark Squad's very first adventure, all the way back in the Sunless Citadel.So, here we go...Vernon Hucrele was a paladin of Torm, the action in this campaign diary takes place in DR 1300, also known as the Year of the Starfall, that's nearly 200 years ago.Oddly, the Dark Squad have received a prophecy about a star fall, we might get to this later, maybe.Vernon was selected for this special/secret mission by the high authorities of the church of Torm, this after a great prophecy came to light, a terrible end-times event- the coming of the Time of Ash.Vernon, and his men, were first sent to Candlekeep to investigate, there they were enlightened by the brothers...They learned that a great red dragon called Ashardalon will wake from its slumber, and that the great wyrm will be a harbinger of this coming darkness.Further research reveals that the prophecy will be enacted somehow in or near the Mere of the Dead Men, which is just to the south of  a place called Saltmarsh.But then, a report from a friendly faction, it seems the true enemy, the instigators of the Time of Ash, are already at their task.Note the enemy are described here as a band of powerful individuals who call themselves the Eyes in the Night- see below for more detail.Vernon and his elite force therefore immediately depart for Saltmarsh, which is the place that the Eyes in the Night have been reported, there task to prevent the coming of the Time of Ash.By any means possible.The Eyes in the Night, as identified individually in the prophecy, are the folk that need to be stopped. They are the diabolical agents who wish to bring the great darkness on.The Eyes in the Night are described thusly (but in precis)-A capricious capering demon/devil summoning terror.A well-fed foppish abomination of nature, said to be able to assume any form.A simple-minded and yet silver-tongued, heartless, killer.A maniacal terrifying elf who laughs in the face of his victims, and befriends the undead.And the fifth member of the Eyes in the Night, is either-a) A magnificently hirsute but mindless killer from the frozen north, orb) A terrifyingly well-armed and armoured dwarf without a beating heart.The prophecy, as Vernon recalls it, seems a little unclear about who the fifth member of the Eyes in the Night is.Hmmmm...Furthermore the five members of this diabolical band (the Dark Squad, I mean- the Eyes in the Night) are given titles in the prophecy, but not alas their true names.They are described as-The Black.The Alchemist.The Consort.The Map-Maker.& Ub.Yep, that last one threw the PCs for a while, I'll say it again- Ub.So, you'll have noticed that a lot of these descriptions could, of course, apply to the various members of the Dark Squad.The present members of the Dark Squad, quite obviously, acknowledge this.They did so at the time.Except for one of them.Vinnie wholeheartedly believes (he says/keeps saying) that the 'well-fed foppish abomination of nature, said to be able to assume any form' refers to Belak the Outcast, the druid the Dark Squad fought and killed all the way back in the Sunless Citadel.Belak was a skeletally thin chap, a druid- correct, and doing terrible things to nature with his experiments et al, but we didn't see him assume any other shape...Odd that it's the PC with a 'G' for Good in his alignment who can't see that there are two sides to every coin.You'd have thought the 'N' for Neutral in his alignment would have helped him to see the light.But, let's get back to Vernon and his diary/story.Vernon and the force for good arrive in Saltmarsh, and soon after discover that the Eyes in the Night are known to some of the folk there. They further discover that the diabolical group have just recently headed off to a place called Farhill, said to be a series of ancient caves that riddle a nearby escarpment.Vernon and his men are in pursuit, en route they further learn that one of the Eyes in the Night- the terrifying killer elf, is known to some as...Wait for it.Giggles.Vernon, of course, sees this as an affront.He's a bit po-faced is Vernon.Anyway, Vernon and his men go after the Eyes in the Night, eventually chasing down one of the diabolical abominations in the dark and depths, to whit- one, Randall the Black.However, then things start to go badly for everyone concerned in the dark deeps- the grey dwarves (the Duergar) get involved. Soon after- after much fighting, chasing and... a ceiling collapse, Vernon and his men get trapped in a watery chamber, sealed off from the world and...Well, there they end their days, starving (and worse) to death.I say, 'and worse' because at some point during this time Vernon's mind/devotion breaks and, long story short, he becomes a revenant.That, of course, is the end of mad Vernon Hucrele's story, at least the bit in the book.And that, that's all we got done this session.Shame the Dark Squad didn't translate this book earlier, it could have proved useful to know some of this stuff in advance.Jim (playing Vinnie) also said to me out in the school yard (we work at a university) at playtime-Jim in quotes to distinguish.“When did you write VH's diary?”About session 35.“When did we find it?”Session 41, it was in the chest with all of the treasure.“When did we start translating it?”Session 43.“Why did we stop translating it?”But alas reply came their none, the bell had gone perhaps, break time was over.The PCs are less than 500 XP off level eight, so that's nice.The Dark Squad’s to-do list reads a little like this- <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    Go down again- back into the deep dark depths, and then through the door, Randall the Black is down there.     </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    To the Moon Pool.     </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    Goblins in the Dreadwood.     </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    Nightshade in the Dreadwood.     </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    To Blackedge, find the Goblin Stair.     </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">    Return to Fallowstone Holy for answers- the Witch’s Tor & the Pact of the Flame. </li> </ol>But we'll revisit this list sometime in the future, no doubt.Stay safe and well you lovely people.Cheers the Dark Squad and goonalan.</blockquote>

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