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<blockquote data-quote="Goonalan" data-source="post: 5019406" data-attributes="member: 16069"><p><strong>The Friday Knights in Scions of Fallcrest (with Pics)</strong></p><p></p><p>The Friday Knights</p><p></p><p>Session 16- The Scions of Fallcrest Part 3 Shaking the Crimson Hand.</p><p></p><p>In play this week we have-</p><p>Cathal, Human Fighter Level 4</p><p>Farkill, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Level 3</p><p>Lucan, Elven Rogue Level 3 (Level 4 after an Extended Rest)</p><p>Rock, Dwarven Fighter Level 2 (Level 3 after an Extended Rest)</p><p></p><p>Ignaran is missing, presumed still at work.</p><p></p><p>It's a one-man show, Lucan heads up the sloping passage, spots the mine cart poised at the top ready to be let loose, to send crashing down into the Knights. His instincts take over, he wedges a pair of 'spare' daggers into the front wheels of the cart- that should severely slow its progress.</p><p></p><p>He then creeps around the cart to get a good look at the two shoddily dressed individuals on the other side.</p><p></p><p>Alas he is spotted.</p><p></p><p>Actually he gets spotted when he rams his dagger into the spine of Kaz'Gar the Human Ranger, at which point the now crippled Crimson Hand member surrenders- not much of a fight, particularly as the second miscreant, Aneurin, a Human Rogue, runs into the eastern wall, thumps it hard- another secret door opens, and then dashes off screaming into the dark.</p><p></p><p>Game Over.</p><p></p><p>Lucan pulls the secret door back shut, he can hear the sounds of more bandits readying themselves for action. He grips tight to Kaz'Gar, puts his blade to the man's throat, and as the remainder of the Knights reach the spot, mutters “speak or die?”</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3726985206_b3ea846eb5_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>Lucan, MVP.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #50 [700 XP = Level 4] Kaz-Gar, Human Ranger (Level 4 Elite Skirmisher) & Aneurin, Human Rogue (Level 4 Elite Skirmisher). Too easy? Or just very well played- Lucan was rolling hot, natural 20 for stealth, and same again for his attack.]</p><p></p><p>Kaz'Gar burbles the truth- more bad guys waiting for the Knights ahead, probably setting up some sort of ambush, anywhere up to a dozen more Crimson Hand members, the Ranger states.</p><p></p><p>'No time like the present then.' Cathal grins and kicks open the secret door. It's a patented Friday Knight move- the head long charge into danger. Cathal leads it, Rock's not far behind- Lucan takes care of Kaz'Gar, and by take care I mean... use your imagination- he loots the Ranger's still warm corpse before joining the others for the fracas.</p><p></p><p>The Knights rush into yet another guard chamber, tables have been hastily overturned and awaiting the Knights arrival is a whole host of bad guys- introductions to follow. First on the agenda however are the swathe of caltrops the charging Knights have just run into.</p><p></p><p>Damaged and slowed is not enough however- the front line, Cathal and Rock cannot be stopped.</p><p></p><p>In the Crimson Hand's corner we have- four Human Bandits; Bramm their Lieutenant Leader-type; Borsk a huge Half-Orc Warrior, not overly bright; and Finn and Fenn, Human Mage and Human Warrior- respectively, the last pair are brothers.</p><p></p><p>Threats are made, missile weapons are flung and fired, and the Knights hop and scatter towards the barricades.</p><p></p><p>Two of the Human Bandits are killed in the opening exchanges, Bramm, the brave leader of the Bandit squad, legs it.</p><p></p><p>Lucan, on a roll, spirals out a dagger and catches Finn, the incanting Human Mage, unawares- and another critical; so fond is he of this manoeuvre that he tries it again, and hits again doing enough damage to sink the Mage in a little under six seconds.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- Action Point (said in a comic/derisory tone). Gah!]</p><p></p><p>Fenn, brother of Finn, goes mental- leaps the barricade and goes after Lucan, alas (for him) Rock gets in the way- there follows a slugfest- Fenn and the huge Half Orc versus Cathal and Rock, with missile support from both sides.</p><p></p><p>It's a no-brainer for the Crimson Hand, they get soundly beaten (to death).</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3726179377_03105865f1_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>Borsk is quite a looker- actually he looks a little like me, your friendly DM, no, honestly- he really does.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #51 [1475 XP = Level 8] Human Bandit x4 (Level 2 Skirmishers); Bramm Human Bandit Lieutenant (Level 4 Skirmisher); Finn, Human Mage (Level 5 Artillery); Borsk, Half-Orc Warrior (Level 6 Brute) & Fenn, Human Fighter (Level 4 Elite Brute).]</p><p></p><p>The Knights rob the dead and then without a moments hesitation, except perhaps a short rest to top up the tank, they press on- the passage leads on into darkness, mumbled cries somewhere ahead- Lucan is sent forward to scout the way.</p><p></p><p>While he's gone Rock notices something odd about the wall he's leaning on, awaiting Lucan's return, he puts his shoulder against it and heaves. Sure enough, yet another secret door and another dark passage within. He shares his news, the Knights however decide to mark time until Lucan returns- point-man is his job these days, and he does it so well.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- Bastard.]</p><p></p><p>Lucan returns forthwith, there are yet more of the Bandits, nothing special- Lucan thinks - awaiting the Knights' approach, in a small bedchamber further down the passage; he thinks he saw the guy who ran from the last fight with them- Bramm.</p><p></p><p>Rock and Farkill keep an eye on the passage, while Lucan leads Cathal into the newly revealed secret passage, and on into a jumbled storeroom.</p><p></p><p>Unbeknownst to the two Knights, secreted away high on one wall is a cubby-hole in which sits a baby-faced Gnome twisting a dagger in his hands.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- I ask for perception checks, as the PCs say they are searching around, Lucan rolls a natural 20, Cathal rolls a 19 plus bonuses.]</p><p></p><p>Lucan dashes up a stack of crates and is at the cubby-hole in seconds, his blade pressed against Lem, the baby-faced Gnome's, throat.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3726985538_5e6460dfbd_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>The villains are getting younger and younger...</p><p></p><p>Lem comes quietly, actually he's a very temporary member of the Crimson Hand, his actual employer is Gwladys Protheroe, the Halfling Crime Lord that Lucan is so fond of, and vice-versa. The players are not aware of this however, and he's not telling.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #52 [600 XP = Level 7] Lem, Gnome (Level ?). Only two PCs in the action here.]</p><p></p><p>Lem tells the Knights everything they need to know- there are half-a-dozen to a dozen bandits left; a mad Priest who hasn't been seen for days, and the big boss- he's called Haledon, a swordsman of sorts apparently, a bit of a rake- a ladies man. Lucan shakes his head- competition. The whole operation Lem declares is pretty ramshackle, he's fairly certain there must be someone else in control, pulling the strings.</p><p></p><p>Lem is also polite, and makes suitably crude jokes to lighten the atmosphere. Saving Cathal, everyone likes him - nobody of course seeks to question the fact that he's so keen to tell the Knights exactly what they need to know.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- one of those moments as a DM you have to sit back and chuckle, my players, unless they read this, will never realise that Lem's job was to make sure the Knights clear out this pit of... competition, what better way than getting a bunch of do-gooders to do your dirty work for you, very clever is Gwladys Protheroe, at least at times.]</p><p></p><p>Lem is released.</p><p></p><p>And unharmed.</p><p></p><p>Made my day.</p><p></p><p>The Knights head on, further into the lair, slowly building up speed they jog around the corner and into the next chamber packed with flailing low-life Crimson Hand Bandits, and in their usual manner cut them down.</p><p></p><p>Five more Human Bandits lie dead and Bramm, their erstwhile (fleeing) leader, is captured and beaten a little- he's just not cute like Lem.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/3726985718_e6629a3c6f_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>Room 6b. Bandits!</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #53 [800 XP = Level 5] Human Bandit x5 (Level 2 Skirmishers) & Bramm Human Bandit Lieutenant (Level 4 Skirmisher).]</p><p></p><p>Before the Knights can get really worked up with Bramm, a voice rings out-</p><p></p><p>“Come fight me, you feebling scumdogs, I am Haledon the Great, master swordsman, wit and raconteur.”</p><p>“What's a raconteur?” Rock asks.</p><p>“A type of beetle.” Lucan replies.</p><p></p><p>“He's very confident for the last man standing isn't he?” Cathal observes and scratches an itch.</p><p></p><p>The Knights forget Bramm, who scuttles off, and instead edge forward in order to get a glimpse of Haledon.</p><p></p><p>Haledon eventually hoves into sight, he's well dressed, his Chainmail armour is beautifully maintained, his beard neatly trimmed- and suitably rakish, his hair fly-away, his complexion clear- he obviously has a good moisturising regime.</p><p></p><p>Oh and he wields a Flaming Longsword, seemingly with expertise.</p><p></p><p>There's a lot of pushing and shoving in the Knights' ranks- no one wants to be at the front.</p><p></p><p>The Knights and Haledon exchange barbed remarks, artfully-crafted rejoinders, put-downs and bon-mots. </p><p></p><p>Actually...</p><p></p><p>“And so we meet at last...” Haledon begins.</p><p>Lucan nudges Rock.</p><p>“Shut yer yap!” The Dwarf barks and rumbles forward at full tilt.</p><p></p><p>And it really doesn't go all the Knights' own way.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- a smile plays around the DMs lips, he readies his 'mwah-hah-hah.']</p><p></p><p>First contact and Cathal is hurt badly, although not yet blooded, and Haledon is unscathed. It very quickly descends into a war of attrition, the Knights start hitting but Haledon never misses, and oft times his attacks dish out a chunk of damage.</p><p></p><p>Farkill is swiftly relegated to back row, serving up the healing and failing repeatedly to land a ranged spell or weapon attack.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- what edition are we playing again?]</p><p></p><p>Lucan is not going anywhere near this guy, excellent at scouting but a stranger to danger (or at least this sort of danger), he's content to guard the Priest of Moradin, and fling his daggers for piddling points of damage- a striker shorn of his power.</p><p></p><p>It happens of course, the Knights win through, but it takes much of everything, and even then Haledon is content to fling down his weapon and surrender, knowing full well that the information he holds, is the prize.</p><p></p><p>He bargains well, and the Knights are undone, Cathal particularly as he wants to quit Fallcrest as soon as he can and head after the enslaved citizens of the Vale. He's still grumbling about the rich folk bossing him around, that's ex-mercenaries for you.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3726985878_9bae20a1fd_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>Haledon, proves a difficult stain to remove.</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #54 [700 XP = Level 4] Haledon Human Fighter, leader of the Crimson Hand (Level 8 Elite Soldier) With a healthy AC of 25 and other defences to match Haledon proves difficult to shift.]</p><p></p><p>Haledon eventually agrees to be taken back to Fallcrest and into the custody of the Fallcrest Guard, only then- when he's safe from the Friday Knights, will he reveal the location of the 'foul witch who brewed up this plan.' His opening position was to be paid and then released- he gets knocked down however- with a hammer, and so softens his stance a little. </p><p></p><p>The Knights agree but decide to take a little time to check out the rest of the Crimson Hand's lair, in search of pretty baubles to satisfy their greed (Lucan).</p><p></p><p>They quickly locate Latimer the Half-Orc Rogue's old room, and therein some half-finished bottles of Morrain Whisky, one of Rock's favourite tipples, it doesn't last long.</p><p></p><p>They also find a chest full of valuables and plenty of coin, and a magical shortsword- needless to say they've already confiscated Haledon's sword and armour.</p><p></p><p>Oh, and a Deathrattle Viper, which launches itself at Rock and has to be battered to a bloody pulp before it lets go. It was in Latimer's dirty laundry, as was the treasure.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3726986016_4cb23d8471_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>Rock – Snake. Snake – Rock, A-ha-ha!</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude Encounter #55 [200 XP = Level 1] Deathrattle Viper (Level 5 Brute).]</p><p></p><p>The Knights continue on... there are other chambers to check out.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3726180085_c446e0e649_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>The Crimson Hand leave their collective savings lying about for the Knights to collect.</p><p></p><p>Eventually the Knights end up in another bed chamber, this one holds an altar to some dark god; actually on examination the altar turns out to be dedicated to a Demon Lord called 'Crypticus', a deceitful brute fond of... well, deceit. Go figure!</p><p></p><p>Farkill swiftly brings his axe into play, soon after the altar is no more, and it is thus that the second chest stuffed with the ill-gotten gains of the Crimson Hand is found, including some Ritual Scrolls. Nice work!</p><p></p><p>Of the Priest there's no sign.</p><p></p><p><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3726180431_d45e2b2b95_o.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" /></p><p>The altar looks at Farkill funny- you know what happens next.</p><p></p><p>Haledon is dragged into the chamber, he's now trussed up like an Erathismass Turkey, even he doesn't know where the Priest has gone, he hasn't been seen in days.</p><p></p><p>A further concerted search of the chamber...</p><p></p><p>[DM Interlude- they know there's a secret door there, I know there's a secret door there, now someone please tell the dice.]</p><p></p><p>Eventually Rock, “ah-hah, here it is”, finds it.</p><p></p><p>The Knights wrench open the heavy stone door and descend a set of well worn stairs into...</p><p></p><p>And that concludes session 16, the Knights amassed a total of 8908 XP all told, more next time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Goonalan, post: 5019406, member: 16069"] [b]The Friday Knights in Scions of Fallcrest (with Pics)[/b] The Friday Knights Session 16- The Scions of Fallcrest Part 3 Shaking the Crimson Hand. In play this week we have- Cathal, Human Fighter Level 4 Farkill, Dwarven Cleric of Moradin Level 3 Lucan, Elven Rogue Level 3 (Level 4 after an Extended Rest) Rock, Dwarven Fighter Level 2 (Level 3 after an Extended Rest) Ignaran is missing, presumed still at work. It's a one-man show, Lucan heads up the sloping passage, spots the mine cart poised at the top ready to be let loose, to send crashing down into the Knights. His instincts take over, he wedges a pair of 'spare' daggers into the front wheels of the cart- that should severely slow its progress. He then creeps around the cart to get a good look at the two shoddily dressed individuals on the other side. Alas he is spotted. Actually he gets spotted when he rams his dagger into the spine of Kaz'Gar the Human Ranger, at which point the now crippled Crimson Hand member surrenders- not much of a fight, particularly as the second miscreant, Aneurin, a Human Rogue, runs into the eastern wall, thumps it hard- another secret door opens, and then dashes off screaming into the dark. Game Over. Lucan pulls the secret door back shut, he can hear the sounds of more bandits readying themselves for action. He grips tight to Kaz'Gar, puts his blade to the man's throat, and as the remainder of the Knights reach the spot, mutters “speak or die?” [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3726985206_b3ea846eb5_o.jpg[/IMG] Lucan, MVP. [DM Interlude Encounter #50 [700 XP = Level 4] Kaz-Gar, Human Ranger (Level 4 Elite Skirmisher) & Aneurin, Human Rogue (Level 4 Elite Skirmisher). Too easy? Or just very well played- Lucan was rolling hot, natural 20 for stealth, and same again for his attack.] Kaz'Gar burbles the truth- more bad guys waiting for the Knights ahead, probably setting up some sort of ambush, anywhere up to a dozen more Crimson Hand members, the Ranger states. 'No time like the present then.' Cathal grins and kicks open the secret door. It's a patented Friday Knight move- the head long charge into danger. Cathal leads it, Rock's not far behind- Lucan takes care of Kaz'Gar, and by take care I mean... use your imagination- he loots the Ranger's still warm corpse before joining the others for the fracas. The Knights rush into yet another guard chamber, tables have been hastily overturned and awaiting the Knights arrival is a whole host of bad guys- introductions to follow. First on the agenda however are the swathe of caltrops the charging Knights have just run into. Damaged and slowed is not enough however- the front line, Cathal and Rock cannot be stopped. In the Crimson Hand's corner we have- four Human Bandits; Bramm their Lieutenant Leader-type; Borsk a huge Half-Orc Warrior, not overly bright; and Finn and Fenn, Human Mage and Human Warrior- respectively, the last pair are brothers. Threats are made, missile weapons are flung and fired, and the Knights hop and scatter towards the barricades. Two of the Human Bandits are killed in the opening exchanges, Bramm, the brave leader of the Bandit squad, legs it. Lucan, on a roll, spirals out a dagger and catches Finn, the incanting Human Mage, unawares- and another critical; so fond is he of this manoeuvre that he tries it again, and hits again doing enough damage to sink the Mage in a little under six seconds. [DM Interlude- Action Point (said in a comic/derisory tone). Gah!] Fenn, brother of Finn, goes mental- leaps the barricade and goes after Lucan, alas (for him) Rock gets in the way- there follows a slugfest- Fenn and the huge Half Orc versus Cathal and Rock, with missile support from both sides. It's a no-brainer for the Crimson Hand, they get soundly beaten (to death). [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3726179377_03105865f1_o.jpg[/IMG] Borsk is quite a looker- actually he looks a little like me, your friendly DM, no, honestly- he really does. [DM Interlude Encounter #51 [1475 XP = Level 8] Human Bandit x4 (Level 2 Skirmishers); Bramm Human Bandit Lieutenant (Level 4 Skirmisher); Finn, Human Mage (Level 5 Artillery); Borsk, Half-Orc Warrior (Level 6 Brute) & Fenn, Human Fighter (Level 4 Elite Brute).] The Knights rob the dead and then without a moments hesitation, except perhaps a short rest to top up the tank, they press on- the passage leads on into darkness, mumbled cries somewhere ahead- Lucan is sent forward to scout the way. While he's gone Rock notices something odd about the wall he's leaning on, awaiting Lucan's return, he puts his shoulder against it and heaves. Sure enough, yet another secret door and another dark passage within. He shares his news, the Knights however decide to mark time until Lucan returns- point-man is his job these days, and he does it so well. [DM Interlude- Bastard.] Lucan returns forthwith, there are yet more of the Bandits, nothing special- Lucan thinks - awaiting the Knights' approach, in a small bedchamber further down the passage; he thinks he saw the guy who ran from the last fight with them- Bramm. Rock and Farkill keep an eye on the passage, while Lucan leads Cathal into the newly revealed secret passage, and on into a jumbled storeroom. Unbeknownst to the two Knights, secreted away high on one wall is a cubby-hole in which sits a baby-faced Gnome twisting a dagger in his hands. [DM Interlude- I ask for perception checks, as the PCs say they are searching around, Lucan rolls a natural 20, Cathal rolls a 19 plus bonuses.] Lucan dashes up a stack of crates and is at the cubby-hole in seconds, his blade pressed against Lem, the baby-faced Gnome's, throat. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3726985538_5e6460dfbd_o.jpg[/IMG] The villains are getting younger and younger... Lem comes quietly, actually he's a very temporary member of the Crimson Hand, his actual employer is Gwladys Protheroe, the Halfling Crime Lord that Lucan is so fond of, and vice-versa. The players are not aware of this however, and he's not telling. [DM Interlude Encounter #52 [600 XP = Level 7] Lem, Gnome (Level ?). Only two PCs in the action here.] Lem tells the Knights everything they need to know- there are half-a-dozen to a dozen bandits left; a mad Priest who hasn't been seen for days, and the big boss- he's called Haledon, a swordsman of sorts apparently, a bit of a rake- a ladies man. Lucan shakes his head- competition. The whole operation Lem declares is pretty ramshackle, he's fairly certain there must be someone else in control, pulling the strings. Lem is also polite, and makes suitably crude jokes to lighten the atmosphere. Saving Cathal, everyone likes him - nobody of course seeks to question the fact that he's so keen to tell the Knights exactly what they need to know. [DM Interlude- one of those moments as a DM you have to sit back and chuckle, my players, unless they read this, will never realise that Lem's job was to make sure the Knights clear out this pit of... competition, what better way than getting a bunch of do-gooders to do your dirty work for you, very clever is Gwladys Protheroe, at least at times.] Lem is released. And unharmed. Made my day. The Knights head on, further into the lair, slowly building up speed they jog around the corner and into the next chamber packed with flailing low-life Crimson Hand Bandits, and in their usual manner cut them down. Five more Human Bandits lie dead and Bramm, their erstwhile (fleeing) leader, is captured and beaten a little- he's just not cute like Lem. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/3726985718_e6629a3c6f_o.jpg[/IMG] Room 6b. Bandits! [DM Interlude Encounter #53 [800 XP = Level 5] Human Bandit x5 (Level 2 Skirmishers) & Bramm Human Bandit Lieutenant (Level 4 Skirmisher).] Before the Knights can get really worked up with Bramm, a voice rings out- “Come fight me, you feebling scumdogs, I am Haledon the Great, master swordsman, wit and raconteur.” “What's a raconteur?” Rock asks. “A type of beetle.” Lucan replies. “He's very confident for the last man standing isn't he?” Cathal observes and scratches an itch. The Knights forget Bramm, who scuttles off, and instead edge forward in order to get a glimpse of Haledon. Haledon eventually hoves into sight, he's well dressed, his Chainmail armour is beautifully maintained, his beard neatly trimmed- and suitably rakish, his hair fly-away, his complexion clear- he obviously has a good moisturising regime. Oh and he wields a Flaming Longsword, seemingly with expertise. There's a lot of pushing and shoving in the Knights' ranks- no one wants to be at the front. The Knights and Haledon exchange barbed remarks, artfully-crafted rejoinders, put-downs and bon-mots. Actually... “And so we meet at last...” Haledon begins. Lucan nudges Rock. “Shut yer yap!” The Dwarf barks and rumbles forward at full tilt. And it really doesn't go all the Knights' own way. [DM Interlude- a smile plays around the DMs lips, he readies his 'mwah-hah-hah.'] First contact and Cathal is hurt badly, although not yet blooded, and Haledon is unscathed. It very quickly descends into a war of attrition, the Knights start hitting but Haledon never misses, and oft times his attacks dish out a chunk of damage. Farkill is swiftly relegated to back row, serving up the healing and failing repeatedly to land a ranged spell or weapon attack. [DM Interlude- what edition are we playing again?] Lucan is not going anywhere near this guy, excellent at scouting but a stranger to danger (or at least this sort of danger), he's content to guard the Priest of Moradin, and fling his daggers for piddling points of damage- a striker shorn of his power. It happens of course, the Knights win through, but it takes much of everything, and even then Haledon is content to fling down his weapon and surrender, knowing full well that the information he holds, is the prize. He bargains well, and the Knights are undone, Cathal particularly as he wants to quit Fallcrest as soon as he can and head after the enslaved citizens of the Vale. He's still grumbling about the rich folk bossing him around, that's ex-mercenaries for you. [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3455/3726985878_9bae20a1fd_o.jpg[/IMG] Haledon, proves a difficult stain to remove. [DM Interlude Encounter #54 [700 XP = Level 4] Haledon Human Fighter, leader of the Crimson Hand (Level 8 Elite Soldier) With a healthy AC of 25 and other defences to match Haledon proves difficult to shift.] Haledon eventually agrees to be taken back to Fallcrest and into the custody of the Fallcrest Guard, only then- when he's safe from the Friday Knights, will he reveal the location of the 'foul witch who brewed up this plan.' His opening position was to be paid and then released- he gets knocked down however- with a hammer, and so softens his stance a little. The Knights agree but decide to take a little time to check out the rest of the Crimson Hand's lair, in search of pretty baubles to satisfy their greed (Lucan). They quickly locate Latimer the Half-Orc Rogue's old room, and therein some half-finished bottles of Morrain Whisky, one of Rock's favourite tipples, it doesn't last long. They also find a chest full of valuables and plenty of coin, and a magical shortsword- needless to say they've already confiscated Haledon's sword and armour. Oh, and a Deathrattle Viper, which launches itself at Rock and has to be battered to a bloody pulp before it lets go. It was in Latimer's dirty laundry, as was the treasure. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3726986016_4cb23d8471_o.jpg[/IMG] Rock – Snake. Snake – Rock, A-ha-ha! [DM Interlude Encounter #55 [200 XP = Level 1] Deathrattle Viper (Level 5 Brute).] The Knights continue on... there are other chambers to check out. [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3726180085_c446e0e649_o.jpg[/IMG] The Crimson Hand leave their collective savings lying about for the Knights to collect. Eventually the Knights end up in another bed chamber, this one holds an altar to some dark god; actually on examination the altar turns out to be dedicated to a Demon Lord called 'Crypticus', a deceitful brute fond of... well, deceit. Go figure! Farkill swiftly brings his axe into play, soon after the altar is no more, and it is thus that the second chest stuffed with the ill-gotten gains of the Crimson Hand is found, including some Ritual Scrolls. Nice work! Of the Priest there's no sign. [IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2488/3726180431_d45e2b2b95_o.jpg[/IMG] The altar looks at Farkill funny- you know what happens next. Haledon is dragged into the chamber, he's now trussed up like an Erathismass Turkey, even he doesn't know where the Priest has gone, he hasn't been seen in days. A further concerted search of the chamber... [DM Interlude- they know there's a secret door there, I know there's a secret door there, now someone please tell the dice.] Eventually Rock, “ah-hah, here it is”, finds it. The Knights wrench open the heavy stone door and descend a set of well worn stairs into... And that concludes session 16, the Knights amassed a total of 8908 XP all told, more next time. [/QUOTE]
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