14. The Fall of Torgen

Torgen attacks the Earth Giant, is no longer dazed. Earth Titan takes lightning damage, takes unyielding avalanche damage from Magnus, and hits Magnus. Earth Giant Stalkers take unyielding avalanche damage, killing one of them, the other one misses Magnus. Earth Giant soldier takes unyielding avalanche damage, deals thunder damage to Magnus and bloodies him, takes lightning damage from motes and remains slowed. Other Earth Giant soldier draws attack from Torgen, who misses, and then uses thunder strike on Alain and Torgen. Xiu gives Zargosz a potion of vitality, spends an action point to grab Zargosz, jumps down the hole, and they all land on top of Alain. Hill Giant shaman fires a lava blast and misses Xiu. Battle chief leaps over the pit to watch what's going on below. Alain uses resistive formula on Torgen and Zargosz, spends action point to use curative admixture on himself, saves against daze. Firestorm launches fire at Magnus. Hill Giant minion throws a rock down at Magnus, and misses. Zargosz moves the wind and lightning storm to kill the minion, then takes his second wind. Orcs yell in orcish and attack the crocodile. Magnus uses his second wind, hits the Earth Giant Stalker and kills it, then swings and hits the other Earth Giant.

Torgen hits the Earth Giant soldier and heals Xiu from bloodied and is no longer dazed. Earth Titan takes lightning damage and unyielding avalanche damage, and misses hitting Magnus with two fists. Earth Giant soldier takes unyielding avalanche damage, swings his thunder maul and misses Magnus. Other soldier uses thunder strike on Zargosz, Alain and Arbalester, dazing them. Xiu uses changeling trick and bloodbath on Hill Giant soldier, then activates her sidestep stance. Hill Giant Shaman fires a lava blast and misses Xiu. Battle chief uses magic to cancel firestorm in front of orcs, heals the orcs and then whispers in common, Xiu notices that the elemental mage is standing next to the battle chief. The elemental mage mocks us and tells "Grennit" to enjoy us, and that he'll give his regards to the Frost Giant Jarl. Alain casts frost dweomer on Torgen's weapon, uses his circlet of second chances to become undazed. Firestorm throws fire at Xiu, Zargosz, Arbalester, then moves in next to us. Zargosz summons serpentine vines on Firestorm and Hill Giant Soldier, is still dazed and immobilized. Orcs move down the stairs, one attacks the crocodile. Magnus regenerates, uses crushing surge on the Earth Giant soldier and misses.

Torgen uses lay on hands to heal Zargosz, moves in on Earth Giant soldier and hits him with holy strike, bloodying him. Earth Titan takes lightning damage and unyielding avalanche damage, smashes Magnus good. Earth Giant Soldier takes unyielding avalanche and lightning damage, hits Magnus. Other Earth Giant soldier takes ongoing damage, is still restrained but is no longer bleeding. Xiu throws a shuriken for arterial slice against Firestorm, is still immobilized. Hill Giant Shaman falls into the fire, uses earth storm on Xiu, Arbalester, Torgen and Alain. Alain uses clearsense powder to unblind himself, stands up and fires predatory shards into the vines. Firestorm attacks Xiu and misses. Zargosz takes fire damage, calls lightning on the Hill Giant Soldier and Firestorm, is still immobilized but not dazed. The orcs come into the room and throw hand axes, one of which crits Zargosz. Magnus regenerates, uses defensive resurgence and then crushing surge on the Earth Giant soldier, killing it.

Torgen uses tremorsense, heals Xiu and lets her move out of the vines, lays hands on himself, is still blinded. Earth Titan takes lightning and unyielding avalanche damage, smashes Magnus again. Earth Giant soldier dies from force damage. Xiu takes her second wind, saves against blindness but is still immobilized. Shaman swings at Alain, who prevents the attack with his shockweave armor. Battle chief charges down the stairs and attacks Magnus, which heals all of his allies, then yells out a command to re-position his allies. Alain steps out of the fire, uses regeneration infusion on himself, takes second wind. Firestorm takes arterial slice and predatory shards damage, swings and misses at Xiu. Zargosz fires tremor at Shaman, saves against immobilized. Orcs move in next to Xiu, other one charges Alain and bloodies him, and another one hits Zargosz. Magnus gets hit by Earth Titan, is bloodied, and attacks with crushing surge.

Torgen moves up to attack orc and hits him. Earth Titan takes lightning and unyielding avalanche damage, smashes Magnus again. Xiu uses clever strike on the orc, bloodying him, and saves against immobilized. Shaman creates an earth storm against Zargosz, Xiu, Torgen and Alain. Battle chief calls out commands to allow his allies to move, and then hits Alain and knocks him out. Firestorm punches Xiu. Zargosz is blinded, casts black harbinger and turns into a tiny raven and flees upwards into the throne room, is no longer blinded. Orcs attack and miss Xiu and Torgen, one of them hits Torgen. Magnus regenerates, shifts and attacks with lasting threat against the Earth Titan.

Torgen takes his second wind, uses strength from valor on three orcs surrounding him, hits two of them. Earth Titan takes unyielding avalanche damage, strikes at Magnus and hits. Xiu tumbles over to the firestorm blindly, stabs it with rogue's luck, kills it and is un-blinded, and Zargosz turns off the vines around her. Battle chief calls out commands to let the orcs move around Torgen, then moves up and crits Xiu. Zargosz transforms back into half-orc form and launches storm spike at bloodied orc. Orcs attack Torgen. Magnus uses bull charge on the Earth Titan.

Torgen provokes attacks from the orcs by moving, bloodying him, then attacks the battle chief and two of the orcs with radiant damage. Earth Titan takes unyielding damage and smashes Magnus. Xiu uses bait and switch to hit the battle chief, then drinks a potion of healing and runs for it. Hill Giant chases after Xiu, spends an action point to hit her and blinds her. Battle chief takes fire damage, hits Torgen. Zargosz crits the bloodied orc, killing it. Orcs attack, one hits Torgen. Magnus misses the Earth Titan.

Torgen uses spirit reliquary, gains temporary hit points and attacks the battle chief, bloodying him, lays hands on himself. Earth Titan takes unyielding avalanche damage, misses Magnus twice and spends his action point to hit him once. Xiu uses handspring assault on shaman, runs away. Xiu is blind, tries to bluff the shaman and fails. Shaman misses Xiu. Battle chief orders shaman to move nearer Xiu, hits Torgen. Zargosz uses storm spike on battle chief and then uses action point to blast him again. Orcs attack Torgen, one hits. Magnus uses crushing surge and misses.

Torgen misses the battle chief. Earth Titan takes unyielding avalanche damage, crits Magnus. Xiu tries to assault the giant, misses him (because he's not there), tries to move past him and bounces into him, and is now un-blinded. Shaman hits her and knocks her out. Battle chief knocks Torgen down. Zargosz transforms back into half-orc, blasts battle chief with storm spike, who is wobbling but still up. Orcs kill Torgen. Magnus pulls out his spare waraxe and throws it at the battle chief and kills him. The orcs, with no money at stake, decide to stop fighting Magnus.

Earth Titan takes unyielding avalanche damage, hits Magnus twice and drops him. Zargosz, in raven form, flies down and administers potion of vitality to Magnus. Orc mercenaries leave. Magnus stands back up and uses crushing surge on the Titan with a crit.

Earth Titan uses earth shock and misses both Zargosz and Magnus, doing only half damage. Hill Giant Shaman moves over to attack Magnus. Zargosz turns into a swarm of baby snakes and attacks the shaman with floating death and moves around the Titan, hitting him. Magnus hits with crushing surge, killing the Titan. The Shaman tries to call the mercenaries back, they want nothing to do with it, and he surrenders.

Zargosz examines the battle chief for Xoriat influence, and sees something that troubles him. This giant has spent significant amount of time in the realm of madness, long enough to have affected his physical form, and it was not involuntary. He determines that there's some sort of alliance between Dal Quor, Xoriat, dragons and the giants. We raid the place for treasure. Magnus, in accordance with what he guesses might be Torgen's wishes, takes a potion of vitality and throws him the lava with all of his gear.

13. Belly of the Beast

Torgen shifts out of the fire, and crits the Earth Giant with his jagged axe, saves against slowed. Shaman re-enters the room and sends stones to pummel us, hitting Xiu and critically hitting Magnus. The bleeding kills the Earth Giant, one of the Hill Giants misses Magnus and the other hits Zargosz. Firestorm blasts Alain and Magnus, filling their area with fire. Slingers throw at Torgen, but are deflected by the dancing shield. Zargosz pulls out his club and swings at the Hill Giant with aggressive fury, and his crocodile bites from the other side. Xiu charges that Hill Giant. Magnus stands and uses lasting threat on the Hill Giant in front of him, bloodying him. Alain fires greater magic weapon and crits that Hill Giant, granting greater magic weapon to Magnus.

Torgen shifts into the vines and hits the shaman and Hill Giant, then spends an action point to attack, then swings his arc of vengeance on them, hitting the Hill Giant. Shaman steps back, casts a spell and encourages the others to attack Torgen. Bloodied Hill Giant swings at Magnus and misses, taking damage and killing him. Hill Giant swings his club and hits Xiu and Zargosz. Firestorm launches a firestorm at Torgen, immobilizing him, then withdraws into the other hallway. Slingers throw at Torgen and one of them hits. Zargosz stands and fires Nature's Balance for poison damage on the Hill Giant, then the crocodile chews on the Giant. Xiu stands up, uses her changeling's trick to gain combat advantage and charges the Hill Giant. Magnus charges the shaman and misses. Alain uses restorative infusion on Zargosz, puts away his crossbow, draws his staff, fires life-tapping darts at shaman and uses action point to static shock the Hill Giant.

Torgen heals Xiu, draws his throwing axe and throws it at the shaman. Shaman uses earth storm on Magnus and Torgen, hitting Magnus and blinding him. Hill Giant swings and misses Xiu. Firestorm moves out of sight. Slingers throw at Torgen and miss, thanks to the shield. Zargosz summons a boar, which charges the bloodied Hill Giant, but misses, and the crocodile chews again ineffectively. Xiu attacks Hill Giant with bloodbath. Magnus suffers damage, bloodying himself and removing the blindness, and uses tide of iron on the shaman, slamming him up against the wall. Alain moves in on the Hill Giant, hits him with aggravating force, then uses regeneration infusion on Zargosz.

Torgen moves in on the shaman and crits him with resurgent strike and kills him, allowing Magnus to heal up from being bloodied, and smashing the shaman through a door, subjecting his body to a guillotine trap. Hill Giant takes ongoing bloody damage, swings and misses Alain. Slinger throws at the crocodile and bloodies him. Crocodile finally chews through and kills the Hill Giant, then converts the regeneration into healing and is no longer bloodied. Xiu stows her katar, and throws her shuriken and misses. Magnus drops his defensive stance, then charges through the fire at one of the slingers, criting him. Alain reloads his crossbow, moves in to sight the slingers.

Torgen attacks the slingers with his bardic taunt. Firestorm throws another burst of fire. Slinger flees from Magnus, throws a rock back at him. The other slinger takes fire damage, attacks Torgen with a rock. Zargosz commands his boar to attack the wall. Xiu runs through the fire and spends her action point to leap at the bloodied slinger with aerial assault, killing him. Magnus moves over to the dead slinger to drag him onto the lava. Alain takes his second wind, then runs through the fire into the room.

Torgen moves out of the fire to attack the other slinger with holy strike and misses, then lays hands on himself to un-bloody. Firestorm launches a fiery burst at Xiu and Magnus, missing them but engulfing them in flame, and he disappears into the lava. Slinger punches Torgen. Zargosz's boar hits the wall again, then he blasts it with a stormspike. Xiu takes fire damage, realizes that the lava is being fed by an underground source, then moves and throws a shuriken at the remaining slinger. Magnus pushes the corpse further into the lava, then climbs on top of it. Alain fires predatory shards at the cornered slinger.

Torgen hits the slinger. Slinger takes force damage, then punches at Torgen and misses. Zargosz and his menagerie attack the wall while the rest of us are on the other side doing real work, smashing a hole in the wall. Xiu throws shuriken at slinger. Magnus rides the giant corpse. Alain uses fleeting dweomer on Torgen's axe, fires aggravating force at the slinger.

Torgen hits the slinger and kills him. We search the place for treasure, then divide up the platinum.

We find a magic box on the giant that is a communication device with someone who recognizes us and promises to make us scream and die.

Xiu picks the lock on the small doors and we begin walking down a dimly-lit corridor. Xiu unlocks another door at the end of the hall, hears sleeping creatures inside. Magnus finds a secret door. At Alain's suggestion, Xiu checks the door for traps, but doesn't find any. Magnus opens it and we discover the hall of the battle chief.

Torgen casts Wrath of God, then moves in and finds a pit trap dropping him into a cavern with an Earth Titan and Earth Giants. The Earth Titan exclaims "At long last, the giants shall have their revenge!" Xiu throws a rope down to Torgen and hooks it to the secret door. Hill Giant Shaman fires blast of fire at Xiu and misses. Alain turns his crossbow into an animated arbalester and misses the shaman, then draws his staff. Firestorm launches fire into the corridor. Zargosz unleashes storm on the firestorm. Orc mercenaries emerge from behind us to attack Zargosz, who is bloodied. Magnus moves into the room and falls through the floor at a different point.

Torgen attacks one of the Hill Giants. Earth Titan swings at Magnus and hits with one fist. More hill giants move in to hit Magnus, but he shrugs off the damage. Xiu throws tornado strike with shuriken, kills two hill giants, and saves against immobilized. Shaman misses Xiu again. Alain slides down to the ground, hits hard, falls prone, fires lightning motes at earth giants and titan, gives dancing shield to Torgen. Firestorm begins making his way down the magma. Zargosz moves the storm and kills two hill giants, summons a crocodile to attack orcs. One of the orcs, grabbed by the crocodile, blocks the others from getting out, but three of them are still able to attack Zargosz, and one hits and one crits. Magnus activates unyielding avalanche and uses come and get it, then spends his action point to use thicket of blades to hit all of them, critting one of them.

12. The Giant Fortress

Nymm 15, YK 1000

Rrrgrr has stayed behind to prepare the Torrians and lead them to Argent. All of us save Magnus have memories of our experiences being possessed by Physandos and the Piscodemon who possessed Zargosz. Once we've settled back in, we resolve to follow the Giants' supply lines back to their headquarters and eliminate their leader in order to break the siege.

Zargosz flies, in raven form, out to scout the area and is attacked by a Roc, and he goes into the river and transforms into a fish. Magnus summons speedy horses for us. Alain uses his military tactical knowledge to determine that giants tend to be arrogant and don't worry about protecting supply lines. Zargosz finds an underground stream that will allow us to take our horses through underground. Magnus uses dungeoneering to make sure we stay on track. We come up a few hundred feet from the fortress.

We see two Ogres playing a game involving humanoid skulls, and a Hill Giant lounging by the doors. Xiu scouts past them and sees a rocky ridge on the other side of the castle. Magnus attacks.

Torgen attacks and marks the ogre, and then Zargosz unleashes a tremor to knock him and the other ogre down. The marked ogre stands up and swings his club at Torgen and critically hits him. The other one stands and throws a javelin at Magnus, followed by a charge, which also misses. Xiu moves up. Magnus uses inexorable advance to hit both ogres. Hill Giant bellows, steps back and opens the doors to let his Rage Drake out, then throws a rock at Xiu, which misses. Alain fires a runic resistance bolt into the ogres midst, bloodying one of them. The Rage Drake rushes out from the fortress and leaps at Xiu., hitting her with a pair of claws.

Torgen begins regenerating thanks to his armor, moves up to hit both ogres, hitting only the non-bloodied one. Zargosz calls lightning down on both ogres, hitting only the bloodied one. Ogres swing at Torgen and Magnus, missing both of them. Xiu moves in to flank the ogres, hitting and nearly killing the bloodied ogre. Magnus uses tide of iron on the bloodied ogre and kills him, then moves to attack the Rage Drake with his action point and tide of iron and immobilizes him. Hill Giant throws a rock at Magnus and misses. Alain uses curative admixture on Xiu, moves up next to Torgen and fires a repulsion strike at the ogre, bloodying him. Rage Drake bites at and misses Magnus.

Torgen swings and misses the ogre. Zargosz moves up on the Rage Drake and fires a storm spike back at the ogre. Ogre moves, drawing attacks from Torgen and Xiu, who kill him. Xiu moves to the Rage Drake and hits him. Magnus swings at the Rage Drake and misses. Hill Giant yells out for the shaman and runs back into the compound. Alain moves up near the rage drake, fires a magic weapon bolt into it that enchants Xiu's and Zargosz's weapons. Rage Drake bites at and misses Magnus.

Torgen charges and crits the Rage Drake. Zargosz turns into a snake and spits out a cloud of locusts at the Rage Drake. Xiu attacks the Rage Drake and bloodies it. Magnus hits the Rage Drake. Alain moves behind the group, fires at the Rage Drake and misses. Rage Drake hits Magnus.

Torgen hits with a critical holy strike and kills it. Another Rage Drake emerges from the castle, along with two Hill Giants who throw rocks at him, one of which strikes a glancing blow, and another Hill Giant Slinger. Zargosz moves toward them, shifs to his half-orc form and throws a storm spike at the drake, missing it. Xiu charges the Rage Drake and misses. Magnus bull charges the Rage Drake and marks him. Hill Giant throws a rock at Magnus. Alain moves up, fires an aggravating force bolt into the Rage Drake.

Torgen moves up. Rage Drake tries to leap in the air, but then Magnus hits him and keeps him from leaping, but he then leaps out of the fortress. The Hill Giant Shaman emerges, sends out a big explosion at Magnus, Torgen and Xiu, but only Xiu is hit and blinded, then uses his Earth Rage on Magnus and Torgen, knocking Torgen prone. Hill Giants move forward, one of them provoking an attack of opportunity from Magnus and dying. Hill Giant Slinger slings a stone at Magnus, which breaks open and showers him with acid. Zargosz attacks a Hill Giant with a Storm Spike and misses it. Xiu gets out her clearsense powder and uses it, then charges the Hill Giant and kills it. Magnus takes damage to end the acid and slowed effect, moves past the shaman and takes a hit from his staff, bloodying him, then uses come and get it on the Giants inside the fortress. He also looks over and sees a summoning circle inside the fortress. Hill Giant hits Magnus. Alain moves up, uses curative admixture on Magnus, un-bloodying him, then fires positive energy infusion at the Shaman.

Torgen stands, charges the shaman and hits him. Rage Drake leaps over Zargosz, clawing at him along the way and hitting him with one critical hit. The Shaman uses Earth Tremor, pushing Alain and blinding him, and then he shifts, drawing an attack from Magnus. Hill Giant Slinger swings a fist at Magnus and hits him. Zargosz moves up to joiin Alain and fires a Storm Spike at the Shaman, knocking him prone and healing to full. Xiu uses tornado strike on the Shaman and Hill Giant, heals up to full. Magnus uses his second wind, goes into a defensive stance, uses thicket of blades on the Hill Giant, Slinger and Shaman, hitting all but the Shaman and slowing and bloodying them. Hill Giant swings and misses Magnus. Alain uses clearsense powder and fails his save, moves forward, puts the crossbow on Torgen's shoulder, fires a blind shot and hits the Hill Giant with an aggravating force bolt.

Torgen swings and misses. Rage Drake leaps over Zargosz, clawing at him four times and bloodying him. Shaman stands up, moves to Xiu, draws recieve the charge attack from Torgen, then tries to flee, drawing an attack from Xiu that bloodies him. Slinger slams and misses Magnus. Zargosz runs inside the fortress, takes his second wind. Xiu chases down the shaman and hits him, switching places to keep him from getting to the summoning circle. Magnus and the Hill Giant exchange misses. Alain uses clearsense powder, throws a blinding bomb at the Rage Drake, moves in to flank with Xiu.

Torgen attacks the Rage Drake and bloodies him, healing Zargosz. Rage Drake claws Torgen and bloodies him. Shaman pushes Xiu out of the way and runs past her, taking an attack of opportunity. Slinger misses Magnus. Zargosz turns into a snake, unleashes a swarm of locusts on the Slinger. Xiu moves up on the Hill Giant to flank with Magnus and hits him, nearly killing him. Magnus hits the Hill Giant. Alain draws an attack from the Hill Giant, allowing Magnus to kill him with an attack of opportunity, then gives dancing shield to Torgen, fires aggravating force bolt at Slinger.

Torgen regenerates, is no longer bloodied, uses second wind, hits the Rage Drake and then uses lay on hands on himself. Rage Drake leaps over Torgen, but because of second wind and dancing shield, he is unharmed. Slinger slams Magnus. Zargosz shifts back into a half-orc, fires storm spike at the slinger and misses. Xiu moves up and attacks the slinger and kills him. Magnus begins moving to hold the doors. Alain fires an aggravating force bolt critical at the Rage Drake.

Torgen attacks the Rage Drake with a critical Holy Strike, killing it, and then moves back inside. Earth Giant comes through the far door, stepping into the summoning circle and throws a rock at Magnus, then calls out to Boris and Ung, his Hill Giant allies, who also throw rocks at Magnus, one of which hits him. Zargosz moves up and casts vine serpents at the Earth Giant and at Ung. Xiu moves in and uses handspring assault on the Earth Giant, then shifts back. Magnus uses defensive resurgence, then moves in and attacks the Earth Giant. Alain moves up, fires aggravating force bolt at Earth Giant.

Torgen charges the Earth Giant and misses. Hill Giant Shaman uses a whisper of pain on Magnus. Earth Giant takes vine serpent damage, swings at Magnus and misses, allowing himi to shift back. Hill Giant takes vine serpent damage, swings at Magnus and misses, allowing him to shift next to that Hill Giant. The other Hill Giant moves out and uses his sweeping club attack on Zargosz and Xiu, missing both of them. Fire elemental comes in and throws a firestorm into the room at Xiu and Torgen, missing them. More Hill Giant Slingers move up behind the Shaman and fire at Torgen, one of them hitting the shield and the other hitting him and showering him with acid. Zargosz summons a crocodile to flank the Hill Giant, and he misses. Xiu takes fire damage, moves to attack the Earth Giant, bloodying him, and goes into Sidestep Stance. Magnus uses knee breaker on Hill Giant. Alain moves up, switches to his staff and uses lightning motes on Earth Giant, a Hill Giant and the Fire Elemental.

Quotes:
"I'd rather have a shaman in front of me than have to have a frontal shamanomy."
"That's just great... my super power is dick jokes!"

10. The B-Team

Nymm 10, YK 1000

Rrrgrr the Torrian has come to Argent to serve Obanar, as Magnus returns to inform Obanar of what has happened.

Lord Eversun of Shae Loralyndar (Eldeen Reaches) has sent Hadrai Quickarrow, Reginald/Tirador and Lycia Tarravan into Khyber. They had encountered savage dwarves, a goblinoid tribe and a deep gnome tribe in close proximity to one another, and they did not get along. They emerged from Khyber to see the city of Argent in the distance. A road intersects ours, and in the distance, we see Rrgrr, and we join forces.

As we approach the fortress, we see an army of earth giants, ogres, elementals and rocs. From the battlements, Magnus sees them preparing to siege the fortress. Obanar has protected the fortress with a field of magical force, which is holding for now. Magnus again suggests releasing the warforged titan into their midst.

Hadrai sees that they are setting up the siege on the south wall, that there are two gates there, and that the south side is the only side where the ground rises up to reach the gate. The other three sides are sheer cliffs. Despite the noises from the army, Hadrai catches the sound of a distant waterfall, and he spots a road cutting down the west side. He informs Tirador of all of this.

They begin sneaking through gulleys to get to the road on the west, keeping brush between us and the army and avoiding the gaze of the Rocs. Hadrai and Reggie grow somewhat tired as they move through the terrain, but Rrrgrr and Lycia are able to help them keep moving. Magnus sees a detachment of giants and ogres beginning to circle the city.

Hadrai thinks we can make it to the west gate before the giants do, but it would be a near thing and they'd spot us going in, and we decide to keep moving to the water. Lycia detects the force field before we run headlong into it. Obanar tells Magnus that he recognized contact from a smaller force, but he doesn't know their intent. Magnus climbs onto the battlements and moves to that side of the fortress.

Hadrai uses his fey step to get past the barrier, and then sneaks up to the culvert. He begins climbing up the walls as quietly as possible. He jumps up and runs into Magnus, and they do not hit it off. Rrrgrr begins digging in the dirt, looking for a way under the field. Magnus contacts Obanar to report. Hadrai convinces Obanar to open the portal for his allies, and Magnus tells Obanar they need to fix the teleportation hole in the field.

Magnus introduces himself to all of us and gives us the basics of Argent and its war with the giants.

Rocs have flown in through the hole in the field and dropped off four Earth Giants, and one Roc has been stuck inside the barrier, and we are defending one of the gates from their attacks. Rrrgrr throws a rope down the battlements onto the platform. Reggie fires off two arrows, hitting with a crit for 57 hp against the staff-wielding giant and 18 hp against another giant. Hadrai fires swarming spirits at a giant for 15 hp, leaving him blinded and in a swarm of bees. The Roc flies over to attack Reggie, but it just barely misses him. Hill Giants throws a boulder at us, hitting Lycia for 12 hp, and the other two move to attack the gates for 27 hp, cracking it. The blinded one manages to get to the gates and hit the gate for 9 hp. Lycia runs and slides down Rrrgrr's rope, landing onto the platform. The shaman signals to the Roc, then moves and unleashes a blast of volcanic fire at Lycia for 9 hp, giving her vulnerable 5 fire. Magnus jumps down off the battlement, taking 25 hp and bull charges one of the Hill Giants at the gate for 23 hp and pushes him back 1 square, then spends an action point to bull charge a Hill Giant at the gate, marking him.

Rrrgrr pounces from the wall, landing acrobatically and taking 13 hp and misses his attack on a Hill Giant. Reggie uses Eyebite on the Roc and uses elven accuracy to hit for 4 psychic, making himself invisible until his next turn. Hadrai misses the caster, but the arrow turns and hits another Hill Giant with grappling spirits instead, Reggie fires combined fire to hit the caster, and then Hadrai spends an action point and fires Corralling Shot at the shaman and the hill giant that was slowed, drawing them together. A Roc flies over and grabs Hadrai, dropping him into the clouds surrounding the fortress. Hill Giant swings his club at Rrrgrr, but he uses his iron hawk defense to reduce the damage. Another attacks and misses Magnus, causing him to laugh. The slowed Giant moves up and hits the gate for 17 hp. Lycia moves in and uses her righteous brand on one of the Hill Giants at the gate for 18 hp, and is still vulnerable to fire. Hill Giant Shaman creates an earth storm that catches Magnus and Lycia for 36 hp (crit) and Rrrgrr for 18 hp, blinding them. Magnus resists the blindness, then moves to attack the Shaman and the rest with Come and Get It, kills the Shaman and hits the others.

Rrrgrrr uses purifying meditation to save against blindness, then steps between worlds to hit one of the Hill Giants, teleporting it off the ledge and to its death, and then he teleports and spends an action point to roar at the two Hill Giants remaining for 8 hp, immobilizing them short of the gate. Reggie fires Pinning Shot at Roc, immobilizing it and sending it plummetting to the ledge for 100 hp, but it is still not bloodied. Hadrai makes his death save. Roc clambers to its feet, but decides that Hadrai is dead and not a threat. The Hill Giants swing sweeping club strikes at Magnus, Rrrgrr and Lycia, but only hits Rrrgrr, smashing him into the wall for 28 hp. Lycia uses Healer's Mercy to heal Rrrgrr and herself, un-bloodying both of them, she recovers from blindness. Magnus takes his second wind, uses appalling crunch on Hill Giant, bloodying him.

Rrrgrr stands up, attacks the bloodied Hill Giant for 18 hp and then teleports him to the edge, going along with him and watching him plummet to his death. Reggie fires Shadow Wasp Strike at the remaining Hill Giant for 32 hp, bloodying him. Hadrai fails a death save. The Roc begins flying back up. The Hill Giant swings at Magnus and misses, saves against fear. Lycia moves in on the Hill Giant and swings a Healing Strike, healing Rrrgrr and doing 27 hp. Magnus uses inexorable advance and misses.

Rrrgrr runs back, attacks Hill Giant with Strike the Avalanche and misses. Reggie determines that the Roc is not coming back to attack and fires Twin Strike at the Hill Giant for 25 hp. Hadrai fails his death save. Roc is trying to fly out, but bounces off the force field. Hill Giant swings at Lycia and misses. Lycia swings Strengthen the Faithful on the Hill Giant for 25 hp, killing him, then runs to the edge and lowers a rope over the edge. Magnus slides down the rope, drops the remaining 150 feet to Hadrai's side, uses unbreakable to resist part of the 74 hp damage.

Rrrgrr goes to the battlements and pulls the rope loose, Reggie throws him his rope and flips down from the battlements, Hadrai fails his death save and Magnus uses his MVP power to keep him from failing it. Lycia ties her rope onto Rrrgrr's and then onto the battlement. Magnus pours a potion of vitality into Hadrai, waking him up, then uses Argent Portal to teleport us to the Grand Mal.

Meanwhile, Lycia approaches the wounded Roc, which has landed on the platform, to use a healing power on it. Reggie uses his nature skill to calm it. The Roc flies into the air around Argent.

Magnus and Hadrai report back to Obanar, who tells us that there are attacks at the main gate that has broken through the barrier. He then opens a portal to Rrrgrr, Lycia and Reggie to get them to the main gate as well. The army of giants smash at the force wall, knocking it down briefly to allow a hill giant, a Behir and an earth elemental to charge in. We all see that the Hill Giant is carrying a large earthen sphere strapped to his back.

The Behir rushes toward the gate. Reggie fires his pinning strike at the Hill Giant suicide bomber and pins him. Rrrgrr ties a rope to the battlement and starts Soul Dance stance, granting him concealment, then slides down the rope to the ground below. He sees that the Earth Archon is standing in the ground, and is slowly turning the ground around him to quicksand. Hadrai fires an elemental spirits arrow at the Giant for 13 hp. The Earth Archon moves closer to the wall and raises its hammer, slamming it into the ground to create a tremor that strikes Lycia for 22 thunder damage and is knocked prone. Magnus uses his power jewel to regain an encounter power, and then leaps off the battlements and takes 30 hp, bloodying him, uses defensive resurgence to heal and un-bloody. Behir moves in on Magnus. Lycia stands, changes her armor to resist lightning, uses bastion of health to heal Magnus. Behir breathes lightning at Magnus for 21 hp and dazes him. Hill Giant hurls the sphere at the gate, it explodes and takes a small chunk out of it.

Behir moves. Reggie fires biting volley at Earth Archon for 30 hp. Rrrgrr moves in on Earth Archon and uses Supreme Avalanche Confrontation for 8 hp. Hadrai misses the Behir, runs toward the other part of the wall. Earth Archon hits Rrrgrr for 16 hp, uses Iron Dragon Defense to take only 1, and is pushed back and knocked prone, then it moves back out of range. Magnus uses bull charge on the Behir for 31 hp and pushes it back and knocks it prone and uses his pinning waraxe to immobilize him. Behir tries to eat Magnus and fails. Lycia slides down the rope and takes 19 hp, then moves over into the Behir's aura, spends an action point to give the Behir ongoing 14 radiant, then uses inspiring word to heal herself. Behir takes 14 radiant, eats Magnus for 12 hp, saves against radiant damage. Hill Giant charges Rrrgrr and crits him for 27 hp, uses strikeback bracers and misses.

Behir stands up, Reggie fires Shadow Wasp Strike at Earth Archon. The Guardian's tower begins firing lightning at the invading army. Rrrgrr stands up, uses step between worlds on the Hill Giant for 9 hp and uses flurry of blows for 7 hp and they both teleport closer to the Archon. Hadrai uses squall spirit for 30 damage on Earth Archon, Reggie uses Combined Fire for 37 hp to bloody him, then misses with Flickering Arrow and Inevitable Shot. Magnus swings and misses, uses action point for thicket of blades and misses. Behir moves, uses his action point to try and fail to eat Lycia, drawing an attack from Magnus that misses. Lycia moves in and attacks Behir with avenging flame for 27 hp. Behir takes 5 ongoing fire, tries to bite Lycia and misses. Hill Giant attacks Rrrgrr and misses.

Lightning burst comes from the tower and kills the Behir, and we mop up the rest of them.

Obanar believes that the giant army might be attacking other settlements, and the best way to blunt the threat of the army would be to follow its supply train back to headquarters and take out its leaders.

Quote:
"Elven balls are made of cotton candy."
"Never eat fighters."

Torrian Race Rules

Here are the Torrian race rules, for Giants players:

+2 Constitution, +2 Strength or Wisdom
Size: Medium
Speed: 8 squares
Vision: Normal
Languages: Common, One other
Skill Bonuses: +2 Endurance, +2 Nature

Vitality: +1 Healing Surge
Leap: Treat all jumps made as if they had a running start.
Roar: You have the roar power.

Roar
Encounter * Fear
Standard Action Close Burst 3
Targets: All enemies in area
Attack: Strength +2 vs. Will, Constitution +2 vs. Will, or Wisdom +2 vs. Will
Hit: 1d6 + chosen attribute modifier damage and target is immobilized (save ends). Increase to +4 bonus and 2d6 + chosen attribute modifier damage at 11th level, and to +6 bonus and 3d6 + chosen attribute modifier damage at 21st level.
Special: When you create your character, choose Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom as the ability score you use when making attack rolls and to determine damage with this power. This choice remains throughout your character's life.

9. Fall at the Hands of Physandos

Nymm 9, YK 1000

Zargosz transforms back into a half-orc, calls down lightning on invisible Torrian hunter, leaving him in a zone of thunder. Xiu moves next to Torgen, crits the invisible Torrian for 50 hp, bloodying him. Torrian strikes at Magnus and misses, the others are both out of the river and no longer dazed. Alain fires across the river with crossbow at the Torrian fighting Magnus for 17 hp, giving magic weapon to Xiu and Zargosz. Magnus swings his axe two-handed at the Torrian and misses. Torgen uses holy strike on invisible Torrian for 18 hp, making him visible to everyone.

Zargosz knocks the no longer invisible Torrian out with his club. Xiu moves and uses acrobatic strike on the Torrian guard or 23 hp, bloodying him. Torrian attacks Magnus for 17 hp, other Torrian hunter throws two javelins at Xiu, one of which hits her for 24 hp. Other Torrian uses rending claw on Xiu for 18 hp, and -2 to defenses. Alain fires positive energy infusion at bloodied Torrian. Magnus uses inexorable advance on his Torrian and bloodies him. Torgen marks the bloodied Torrian.

Zargosz checks to make sure the Torrian he downed is alive, then moves closer to the bloodied Torrian. Xiu stabs the bloodied Torrian, drawing on Alain's positive energy and doing 23 hp to him. Torrian next to Magnus tries to jump across the river, drawing an AOO from Magnus that stops him and does 21 hp to him, then he moves again and jumps behind the nearby rock. Other Torrian hunter throws javelin at Xiu and misses. Bloodied Torrian hits Torgen for 18 hp. Alain moves in, fires his crossbow and crits the bloodied Torrian, knocking him out and giving magic weapon to Torgen and Xiu. Magnus pulls out his shield, emphasizing that he does not need it for defense, and uses tide of iron on the Torrian for 14 hp. Torgen charges with ardent strike at Torrian hunter and crits him with jagged axe, doing 32 hp and 10 ongoing.

Zargosz uses tremor on Torrian hunter and hits for 20 hp, bloodying him and knocking him prone. Xiu moves over and knocks him out with a tornado strike. Remaining Torrian shifts back, drawing an attack from Magnus that knocks him out.

Alain and Magnus use their ropes to tie them up, during which we find treasure and a Helm of Able Defense, which Magnus claims, gives his Circlet of Second Chances to Alain. We take a brief rest.

On the other side of the river, there is a clearing and a small settlement made up of wood frame buildiing and thatched huts, full of Torrians going about their work in complete silence. One Torrian notices us and the entire town turns to look at us. A large Torrian with dark gray fur approaches us timidly and introduces himself as Gruthow, but does not appear to be frightened of us. We introduce ourselves in the most friendly way possible. They all seem to be following the lead of this Torrian, and Alain thinks that at the moment we're talking to Gruthow, but that Physandos is still subtly there. Zargosz mentions Thoror, and Gruthow smiles and says in a higher, more shrill voice, "Oh, champions, eh? They'll let anyone wear those cloaks these days, won't they?" We've met Physandos.

A female Torrian says "I'm over here!" and jumps from Torrian to Torrian to talk to us. Zargosz detects that he is a demon or a demon's servant, Torgen realizes that he won't let them go easily. Xiu tries to bluff him that we have Thoror's items, and intend to return them to him. Alain realizes he could use the positive energy of healing arts to confound Physandos, and uses a healing power on Gruthow. Zargosz applies a healing poultice that further confounds him, and a wave of dark energy emerges from Gruthow. Magnus begins inscribing wards and builds a magic circle against elementals, boosted by Zargosz, Torgen and Alain's arcane and religious skills. Magnus pushes Gruthow into the circle, and Physandos threatens us and vanishes as a cloud of darkness.

Gruthow comes out of his trance and they all look around in different directions. "Physandos goes to wake Urthix." We begin chasing Physandos up to the cave, and find a cave that looks like a dark maw.

Xiu moves up to the cave entrance and throws a sunrod into the cave, she sees a spot of shadow on the back wall that seems to be getting away from the light. There is a stench that gets more powerful the closer we get, there is a pile of bones just inside the cave entrance. We hear the sound of a very large foot hitting the ground, and a deep growl. Zargosz climbs up onto the bluff and sees a little further into the cave, but still doesn't see any monsters, although he does see a much larger pile of bones in the back of the cave, and uses his mage hand to pick up the sunrod and move it deeper into the cave. Magnus climbs up onto the blufff to join Zargosz. Torgen moves to the bluff climbs up. More shadows emerge from the cave and launch psychic attacks against Zargosz, and one of them pulls him in and explodes, damaging him and destroying itself. Torgen spots a Rakshasa in the back of the cave, who summons another shadow and then fires a ray of force at Torgen. Alain misses a minion with his crossbow, moves up and uses resistive formula on Xiu, who extends it to Magnus.

Xiu throws shuriken at one of the shadows and destroys it, and adapts her sidestep stance. A dragon emerges from behind the pillar and unleashes his thundering breath, hitting Zargosz with a crit for 32 hp and knocking him prone. Zargosz transforms into a swarm of flying scorpions and shifts next to the dragon, attacking him with floating death for 13 hp and shifting past him and stinging a shadow minion out of existence. Magnus drinks his elixir of will and moves to come and get it on two shadows and the dragon, destroying both shadows. Torgen is compelled to move forward next to Magnus and the dragon. Shadow sudden strikes and misses Zargosz, other shadows move in toward him and attack as well, nearly killing him. The Rakshasa fires his ray of manipulation at Zargosz, missing him twice. Alain climbs up, gives regeneration infusion and curative admixture to Zargosz. Magnus, using his newfound arcane knowledge, realizes that the dragon is controlled by the Rakshasa.

Xiu moves through the gap created by Magnus, drawing an AOO from Shadow, and moves over to attack the Rakshasa using an action point to use Bloodbath for 40 hp, giving him 14 ongoing damage as well. Adamantine dragon's thunder echo resounds for 15 hp on Torgen, Magnus and Alain, and then he activates his fear aura, stunning Alain until the end of his next turn, then he releases a thundering roar on Magnus, Alain and Torgen for 16 hp, knocking Alain prone. Zargosz absorbs the regeneration and heals, then sends forth a plague of locusts at shadow demons, creating a zone of locusts but not damaging them. He spends an action point to take his second wind. Magnus attacks the dragon with lasting threat, uses his pinning axe to pin it in place. Torgen swings his axe and misses Magnus, but is still dominated. Shadows sweep past Zargosz, attacking him on the way and moving in on Xiu, who is threatening the Rakshasa. Physandos takes ongoing damage, shifts back and uses deceptive attack on Xiu, damaging and dominating her, then summons another shadow. Alain is stunned.

Xiu charges Zargosz for 13 hp, is no longer dominated. Thunder returns and does 15 to Torgen, Alain and Magnus, then the dragon breathes again. Alain and Torgen are bloodied, the dragon attacks Torgen for 19 and 5 ongoing, drawing an AOO from Magnus for 16 hp. Zargosz turns back into a half-orc, moves to blast Physandos with a critical, hitting him with Vine Serpents and restraining him, and killing the shadow demon next to him. Magnus uses suppression crystal, uses appalling crunch on the adamantine dragon and misses. Torgen takes 5 ongoing, slashes at Magnus and crits for 38 hp and ongoing 10, and Physandos laughs out of Torgen's mouth, he is still dominated but no longer taking ongoing damage. Shadows move in and slash at Zargosz, and he takes 27 hp of damage, bloodying him. Physandos takes damage from vines, attacks Zargosz for 12 hp and dominates him, then fires again for 17 hp, knocking him down. Then he spends an action point and fires two rays at Xiu, critically hitting and hitting again for 26 hp, dominating her. Alain stands, uses restorative infusion on himself, fires predatory shards at the dragon and creates zone of force.

Xiu, dominated, moves in to provoke an attack from the dragon, which provokes an attack from Magnus, who takes radiant damage from Torgen's mark. The wing buffet does 26 hp and knocks her down. She remains dominated. The dragon's echo does 15 to everyone but Zargosz, he takes 5 force damage, then uses roar of thunder again, knocking Torgen out and knocking Alain down. Zargosz makes his death save, but is still dominated. Magnus attacks the dragon. Torgen fails his death save. Shadows swarm on Alain, one hits him, he has 2 hp left. Physandos moves toward the front of the cave, blasts Alain and knocks him out, also dominating him, then blasts Xiu for 15 hp. Alain fails his death save, but makes save vs. being dominated.

Xiu stands, and is no longer dominated. The dragon's breath rebounds and does 15, knocking Alain into unconsciousness, then he breathes again with non-lethal intensity. Zargosz fails a death save, is still dominated. Magnus stands, uses defensive resurgence and misses his attack. Torgen succeeds on his death save. Shadows converge on Xiu for 18 hp, knocking her down to 3 hp. Physandos fires at Xiu and hits for 18 hp and dominates her.

Xiu fails a death save, is still dominated. The dragon's breath rebounds and does 15, knocking Torgen into unconsciousness, then he blasts Xiu and Magnus, knocking her unconscious. Zargosz makes a death save, is still dominated. Magnus takes Alain's Deep Pocket Cloak and flees, after Physandos taunts him.

Quote:
"Bad rock! Bad rock! Go back to Hell!"

8. Auctorita Draconis

Nymm 8, YK 1000

Obanar explains that the mage took one of the five pieces of Auctorita Draconis, which is the artifact that was used to sever the planar connection to Dal Quor, and could be used to reforge it. When the artifact was used, it was destroyed by a dragon and shattered into five pieces, which were hidden.

We need Siberys dragonshards so Obanar can build us the Implements of Argent, a magic item set useful in battling the giants assaulting Argent. Quar, the former guardian, died but we could talk to him in the necropolis, and he might be able to tell us where to locate the dragonshards. We could also check into the library to find information on the location of pieces of the Auctorita Draconis, and we need to find out what happened the Torrians, the rest of the army that helps to defend Argent. Obanar doesn't know where they are, but they departed a long time ago, forswearing their oaths to defend Argent. The Proctor, who led them out, has his ex-home and office here in Argent, and we might find clues there. Obanar can also perform a divination that will allow to have visions of when they left.

Most of us go to the library, while Magnus goes with Rrowthar to help re-establish the defenses on Argent. Zargosz, Alain and Xiu puzzle out the basics of the library layout and find scrolls and books related to the Quori invasion. Meanwhile, Magnus is learning about the arcane sigils protecting the devices. Zargosz researches the physiology of dragons, trying to draw some conclusions to understand how they used the artifact, leading him to suspect that at least one dragon must have been involved in the first use. Alain studies the history tomes for clues, while Torgen analyzes historical texts as well. We found numerous hints and clues that allowed Xiu to find hidden texts in the library, which led to even more material.

Magnus determines that another planar rift opened to let the mage and his elementals in to the archives.

In the third hour of research, Zargosz uses herbs to try and keep us all awake and focused. Alain finds an arcane tome and examines it, and Xiu finds a tome devoted to research on a chaos artifact, a weapon forged in the elemental chaos that has a mind of its own and can assume any shape. She pockets it. Torgen continues researching history, and we have successfully discovered some information on the Auctorica Draconis. It was known by the giants as Piranoth's Bane, who was a Quori who was "banished for all eternity" by one of these artifacts. We learn the names of the three dragons involved in its creation. Vvaraak created it, Ygrathor for her skill in Warding and Zinorum for constructing it and giving it form. It had to be used after Piranoth was defeated, and he was in an unconscious state. Dragon Omega, known for his mighty strength, split it into five pieces across the multiverse. One piece was found by a champion named Deecon, who gave it to the guardians of Argent.

Magnus has developed specifications for a new ward that Obanar and Rrowthar can craft to make the vaults more secure.

We all head over to the chapel to search their scrolls. Magnus searches for hidden documents, and feels like he is being watched. Torgen begins to lead a chant of meditation to his elven ancestors, and we all begin praying to our various gods, and we get a vision of darkness and crawling horrors in return. We continue praying, and tendrils of dark energy are making their way into our body. Xiu loses a healing surge as strength begins to be drawn out of her body. Magnus gets the impression that the dark presence that is trying to disrupt us is related to Xoriat, the plane of madness. We continue praying, and despite our misgivings and the presence of Xoriat, we feel safe and at peace. We see a projection of a servitor of Vvaraak.

After interrogating us, Vvaraak tells us that the place we seek is in the Astral Sea, the Temple of Inchoate Mysteries. There are giants there, unlike any we will find on the material plane, that are the foremost experts on Piranoth's Bane, and they know the ritual necessary to restore it to working order.

We explain what we've found to Obanar, who casts the ritual to link us so that we can speak to him telepathically, but he is exhausted and it fails. We are reluctant to share information openly, in case the enemy can overhear us. Obanar gives us the potions to link our minds so we can witness the departure of the Torrians.

We go to the home of the Proctor to look for clues. We discover a hidden room, and the door is trapped and locked. Xiu disarms the trap and unlocks the door, and we find a room full of ledgers and records. Hidden and rolled up in a hollowed-out table leg, we find records from the time of the last Proctor right before the Torrians left Argent. We discover that the proctor, named Thror, has several deposits from Physandos, and realize that he was betraying the Torrians. It takes us about six hours to study all of the documents and discover the lingering effects of arcane magic on the scrolls, with the stink of darkness and mind control.

We take the potions to go back and see Thror talking to the assembled Torrians, who seem uncertain about this gathering. Thror is inciting them to leave, and he is wearing a ring bearing the signet of an ancient cult devoted to Oblievex, a demon. We notice that he is casting a spell without the crowd's knowledge. The mist around us grows darker, as if something else has entered with us. He is taking them to the Sheltered Woods, to become minions of Physandos.

Obanar prepares us a feast, and gives out items that will help us on our quest. We decide to teleport to the Sheltered Woods. Magnus has the Argent Portal ritual. We spot two Torrian guards, who look hungry, after Xiu scouts, Zargosz offers them some food, but one of them thinks it is a trap.

Zargosz fires lightning at one of the Torrians for 16 hp. Xiu uses wild tumble cut for 45 hp on the same Torrian, bloodying it. Torrian hurlers throw spears at Xiu (miss) and Zargosz (miss) and Torgen (hit) and Magnus (hit). Bloodied Torrian shifts and disappears from our sight, the other one moves closer and shifts and vanishes as well, using a sneak attack against Xiu for 23 hp and dazed. Another Torrian climbs up on top of a boulder across the river, calls out a challenge and leaps across the boulder. Alain hits himi with Greater Magic Weapon, uses Resistive Admixture on Xiu (and Torgen) and spends an action point to crit with Repulsion Strike. Magnus unsummons his armor, draws an AOO for 12, leaps across the river, uses his action point to use come and get it on the hurlers, pulling one of them into one of their traps. The trap sets off a wall of dazzling force, smashing into one of the hurlers and pushing him into the deep water. Torgen activates his tremor sense, charges with ardent strike at one of the hidden Torrians and hits him for 16 hp.

Zargosz turns into a frog, fires a plague of locusts at Xiu and the two Torrian guards, missing both guards and hitting Xiu for 7 hp, spends action point to use storm spike on the Torrian hunter for 7 hp, pushing him into the river. Xiu hits the bloodied Torrian for 15 hp, knocking him out, and shifts out of the cloud of locusts, saves against daze. Torrian hurler hits Magnus, the other one floats further downriver. Concealed Torrian hunter moves toward the group and hits Zargosz. Torrian hunter in the river swims up onto the bank. Magnus summons his armor, draws his axe and misses. Torgen hits the concealed Torrian for 16 hp, who is now marked.

Quotes:
"This is non-lethal fisting."

7. Into The Vaults

Nymm 7, YK 1000

We make our way to the Guardian Tower, and pass, among other things, a pre-Schism Temple of the Sovereign Host. We go past the Hall of Champions, which is the base camp of the Champions of Argent, and between that and the Temple is the Marketplace, which is a collection of deserted shops and residences.

Obenharr asks us to hold off any questions and help him defend it from siege by giants and elemental creatures, who are making their way to vaults beneath the tower. He heads into the tower, and Rrowthar leads us down to the vaults, where a door is partly ajar.

As Magnus and Xiu examine the well-constructed walls, Torgen and Alain hear odd, metallic whooshing noises from inside. Alain suspects earth and/or cold elementals inside. Xiu sneaks up to the door to scout, and she sees a large earth elemental and three smaller ice elementals, reports back to the group. Magnus gives nail of sealing to Alain and Xiu. Xiu asks Rrowthar what is in the vaults, and he explains that beyond the entry chamber lies an approach that lies upstairs and a central room with magical defenses to prevent intruders.

Xiu pushes the door open, and uses Bait and Switch on the earth elemental and moves in next to the cold elementals. Rrowthar gets into the middle of the door and uses cause fear to push the earth elemental next to Xiu, immobilizing it. Zargosz launches a fire hawk at the ice elemental nearest Xiu, killing it. The earth elemental (Battle Wall) hits Xiu and shakes off fear. Alain uses Greater Magic Weapon on Battle Wall. Frostfell harrier hits Xiu and the other misses Zargosz. Torgen moves in and charges the Battle Wall. Magnus moves in to attack the Frostfell harrier with crushing surge, misses and takes cold damage and slides back on ice.

Xiu uses Tornado Strike on Battle Wall and Frostfell Harrier, critically hitting the Battle Wall, bloodying it and missing the Harrier, taking cold damage and sliding back, then she shifts back and moves up to the door at the far end. Rrowthar claws the Battle Wall. Zargosz, now standing next to the Battle Wall, shifts back and uses his fire hawk on another Frostfell Harrier, but it misses, and Zargosz is affected by cold damage and slides back. Battle Wall slams its fists into the ground and tries to attack Torgen and Rrowthar, missing both of them. Alain fires magic weapon bolt at Frostfell Harrier near Xiu, destroying it. Frostfell Harrier shifts and attacks Torgen, but misses. Torgen shifts between Frostfell Harrier and Battle Wall, and uses Whirlwind Smite on Harrier, killing it and on the Battle Wall, which is looking pretty bad. Magnus uses crushing surge on the Battle Wall, killing it.

Xiu uses the nail of sealing to seal off the entryway back to the tower. Rrowthar pushes open the door, yells out "The defenses are up! More foes!" and we see four more Frostfell Harriers. Zargosz moves forward. Alain moves up, detects faint aura of enchantment and an abjuration effect in the chamber, and notices that the Harriers are not moving with their usual alacrity, uses curative admixture on Xiu and reloads his crossbow. Frostfell harriers slowly move up and one attacks Rrowthar. Torgen moves and misses. Magnus rushes into the room, drawing an AOO from Harrier, which hits him, and then uses Tide of Iron on the harrier, destroying it.

Xiu sheathes her katar, quick draws her shuriken and kills a harrier with it. Rrowthar moves in and gets in the way of Magnus, attacks another harrier and misses it, but inspires everyone else, although he slides back onto a sigil on the floor. It flares to life and accelerates the slide, and is pushed through another one and past the barrier on the side of the room. Zargosz misses with firehawk, takes cold damage and slides him back. Alain moves up, misses a harrier and is slid back. Frostfell harrier moves to attack Magnus and miss, the other one tries to draw us into the room. Torgen moves up, throws a handaxe at a harrier and kills it. Magnus uses tide of iron on the harrier nearest him and misses, causing him to slide back near Alain, and he moves back to engage again.

Xiu throws shuriken at harrier and kills it. Zargosz moves up, uses prestidigitation to clean dust off part of the floor. Alain moves cautiously in, looking for glyphs, but doesn't see any. Torgen spots two glyphs and moves in, spotting two more, and Magnus moves up to join him, spotting another one.

Xiu follows in the path of the dwarves, and Magnus hears a shout of triumph from beyond the door. Rrowthar is trapped behind the barriers, yelling encouragement at us. Zargosz moves in behind the dwarves. Alain also moves in, and the group is together, moving around the glyphs. Torgen moves up to the door and pulls it open, revealing two Fire Archons and two more Frostfell Harriers, as well as one of the defensive curtains of force. The Fire Archons' shields flare, one crits Torgen and pulls him in, the other one hits as well and Torgen is crispy fried and on fire. Magnus bull charges a Fire Archon, pushing him back and knocking him up, then uses his appalling crunch on the downed Archon, bloodying it.

Xiu moves up, uses defensive stance on Fire Archon and misses with a shuriken. In the back of the room, near the force curtain, a human elemental mage steps out, Magnus spots him wearing a bag of holding, and then mocks us for being too late before firing an elemental burst of cold and fire. He misses Magnus but hits Torgen, sliding him into the corner. Zargosz moves up and calls lightning on the mage, missing. Alain fires and misses the mage, gives restorative infusion to Torgen. The harriers slash at Magnus, but he ignores their attacks due to his resistance, Torgen takes a hit from a harrier. Torgen takes a bunch of fire damage, attacks the frostfell harrier, misses and gets bounced against the wall, he is not on fire or dazed any more. The downed Fire Archon stands up, swings his scimitar at Magnus and misses. The other one attacks Magnus and misses as well. Magnus, standing in the midst of two Archons and two harriers, uses inexorable advance, hitting one Fire Archon.

Xiu moves up, quick draws her katar, changes her defensive stance on the mage, and leaps across the room to land next to the mage with aerial assault. Zargosz hops up and fires locusts out of his mouth at the Fire Archon. Alain pulls out his staff, fires Runic Resistance to kill two harriers, damages bloodied Fire Archon and grants fire resistance to Magnus. Harrier attacks Torgen, bloodying him. Torgen takes a second wind, closes with the fire archon and attacks with valiant strike. Fire archon uses flame shield enticement, hitting Magnus and Torgen, the bloodied fire archon also uses flame shield enticement and hits everyone. Magnus resists all his fire damage, hits the bloodied fire archon, nearly killing it, and he is no longer on fire.

Xiu takes fire damage, uses her armor of sudden recovery to end ongoing fire and gain regeneration, then crits the bloodied fire archon, killing it. She uses her changeling trick on the mage, but he spots it, she uses her action point to use wild tumble cut on the mage, then shifts back. The elemental mage steps back, calls up elemental burst on Xiu, Torgen and Alain, damaging and dazing them, then slams them into the walls. He then spends his action point to do it again, hitting Alain and Torgen and knocking them into the wall, bloodying Alain and knocking Torgen out. Zargosz uses floating death on the fire archon, shifts over to the mage and attacks him, transforms out of his toad form, uses action point to use furious assault and nature's balance on the mage, damaging him and making him vulnerable to damage. Alain takes fire damage, takes second wind, uses action point to fire life-tapping darts at the mage, saves against fire and daze. Frostfell harrier moves to flank Zargosz, slides him into the wall when he misses his AOO, then attacks him, bloodying him. Torgen takes a lot of fire damage, fails his death save. Fire archon crits Magnus, who then takes aura damage, shifts and uses come and get it, drawing in the archon, the harrier and the mage, and the harrier sends him flying into the wall when he misses, then he takes his second wind.

Xiu regenerates, throws a shuriken at the harrier and kills it, she is still dazed. The elemental mage steps back, fires another elemental burst at Alain and Xiu, dazing them. Zargosz moves over and pushes Torgen into the room where Rrowthar can see him, then turns into a big snake. Rrowthar uses healing word on Torgen. Alain uses restorative infusion on himself, is still dazed. Torgen takes fire damage, lays hands on himself, saves against daze. Fire archon regenerates, hits Alain with scimitar. Magnus takes fire damage, moves up and grabs the mage.

Xiu throws a shuriken at the elemental mage, hits him and he teleports away, leaving a burst of elemental force, is still dazed. Zargosz fires and misses fire archon. Alain hits the fire archon with positive energy infusion, saves against daze. Torgen uses majestic word on Alain, lays hands on himself, saves against being on fire. Fire archon hits Alain. Magnus runs around the archon, which misses with his AOO, uses tide of iron to push it next to Xiu.

Xiu hits the fire archon, is still dazed. Zargosz slithers over and spews a cloud of locusts at the fire archon. Alain moves in and kills it with a repulsion strike. We take a brief rest, inspect the area and see that there are things missing that the mage obviously stole.

After about ten minutes, the wards come down, Rrowthar rejoins us, and a lean and haggard Obenharr teleports in. "Argent's defenses are once again in place, we can afford a few moments of rest to talk about the day's events. He took a piece of the divine engine and left everything else." He offers food, drink and explanations.

We take an extended rest, he presents Alain with a magic staff.

King Galifar sent Obenharr here, and sent champions, and he's been here ever since. Argent's mission to guard against incursions from the elemental chaos. According to the Paragon compact, champions are to be sent every generation. Alain explains that Galifar has fallen. The giants are behind the latest attack, but Obenharr is surprised to learn that the mage who attacked us was human. They stole a piece of the divine engine that the dragons used to imprison a primordial named Tinanoh.

If there is a power behind this that is controlling the giants, perhaps that explains the change in strategy. A magical effect keeps the temple district from falling to ruin, even though the inhabitants of the city have died out long ago. Most of the former inhabitants have either died or left when no further champions were sent.

Obenharr did detect the mage teleporting out, but was too weak from sealing the defenses. He tells us about the divine engine, which was used after the end of the war between the demons and dragons. The dragons established the paragon compact, and bound all future civilizations to this compact, which defends Eberron against powerful threats to the safety of the world. The Mystagogues guard against Xoriat, the Argent Defenders protect against the Elemental Chaos.

Quotes:
"Nobody puts Battle Wall in a corner!"

6. Defending Argent

Nymm 7, YK 1000

Bulette misses Magnus. Zargosz, immobilized, turns into a giant toad, fires lightning from his mouth at a Bulette and his crocodile bites and grabs the basilisk, then he turns into a stone toad. Obenharr begins trying to reinforce the magical protections around Argent. Magnus determines that Obenharr is using ancient warding rituals that may be the basis of Kundarak rituals, and the statue is of Boldrei, then attacks and bloodies the Bulette. Galeb Duhr attack Torgen, then withdraws, drawing AOO from Torgen, and the other calls forth a wall of stone that misses Torgen. Another Galeb tries to hit the crocodile with a stone wall, but fails.

Xiu uses her acrobatic strike on the bloodied Bulette, who is looking wan. Torgen attacks a Galeb Duhr through its stone wall. Rrowthar shifts back and roars, blasting the non-bloodied Bulette and healing his allies. Alain steps out and uses lightning motes on Bulettes and basilisk, and is slowed as a result. Bulette leaps at Torgen and attacks, missing. The bloodied Bulette takes 5 from Zargosz's effect, takes her second wind. Crocodile attacks basilisk and misses, and is no longer slowed. Obenharr continues the ritual. Magnus uses crushing surge on the bloodied Bulette and crits him. Galeb Duhr throws rock at Torgen and hits him, another one punches and bloodies him and the other attacks the Crocodile.

Xiu uses acrobatic strike on the bloodied Bulette, nearly killing it, and uses action point but misses. Torgen attacks Galeb Duhr, bloodying him, then moves away, drawing an AOO from the Galeb Duhr and then spends his action point to charge the other Galeb Duhr. Basilisk uses gaze on Rrowthar, Alain and Crocodile, hitting Alain and slowing him. Rrowthar moves. Alain steps into predatory shards, fires off a static shock that bloodies the basilisk and saves versus slow, but is immobilized by basilisk's gaze. Bulette digs into ground, comes up and sprays earth and stone at Rrowthar, crocodile and Alain. The other Bulette shifts, taking an AOO from Magnus that kills him. Crocodile bites the basilisk. Obenharr continues his ritual. Magnus steps and engages the other Bulette. Galeb Duhr attacks Torgen, Magnus and Obenharr unsuccessfully.

Xiu moves in to flank Bulette with Alain with Tornado Strike, hitting him and sliding him into the predatory shards. Torgen runs up next to the Galeb Duhr and attacks him with Ardent Strike and gives Divine Mettle to Alain, ending his petrification. Basilisk takes lightning damage, attacks and bloodies the crocodile, then saves against lightning. Rrowthar uses healing word on Torgen, almost fully healing him, then attacks and bloodies the Bulette. Alain shifts and attacks Bulette with aggravating force. Bulette takes lightning damage, leaps out of the predatory shards and misses Magnus, spends action point to take his second wind, and is no longer bloodied, fails his lightning save. Crocodile misses the basilisk. Obenharr continues the ritual, but makes no progress this round. Magnus hits the Bulette, bloodying him and pushing him into the predatory shards. Galeb Duhrs throw stone shards at Torgen and crocodile.

Xiu moves to flank with crocodile and stabs the basilisk, nearly killing it. Torgen moves in and attacks bloodied Galeb Duhr, missing. Basilisk misses crocodile. Rrowthar misses Bulette. Alain moves in and kills the basilisk, moves his dancing shield to Magnus. Bulette takes lightning and force damage, it dives underground and attacks Alain, who crits with shockweave armor and dazes the Bulette, but then is knocked prone. Crocodile attacks Galeb Duhr and grabs him. Magnus dives into the tunnel and misses the Bulette. Torgen gets hit with stone shards by Galeb Duhr, the other one punches the crocodile.

Xiu acrobatically moves between the statues to get to flanking the Galeb Duhr with crocodile, attacks with Acrobatic Strike. Torgen moves in, attacks bloodied Galeb Duhr and misses. Rrowthar attacks the Galeb Duhr, flanking with Torgen. Alain stands up, draws his crossbow and fires an aggravating force bolt at the Galeb Duhr being bitten by the crocodile, bloodying it. Crocodile bites the Galeb Duhr. Obenharr completes his ritual and a wave of energy seals the Bulette tunnels and expands outward, inadvertantly trapping Magnus underground with the Bulette. Magnus attacks the Bulette with crushing surge. Galeb Duhr throws stone shard at Torgen, the other one uses his stone wall and misses Torgen and Rrowthar. The other Galeb Duhr kills the crocodile.

Xiu uses changeling trick to gain combat advantage on the Galeb Duhr and stabs him, nearly killing him. Torgen crits the Galeb Duhr and kills it, then closes with the other one. Rrowthar moves to flank with Xiu and kills it. Alain fires an aggravating force bolt at the last Galeb Duhr and hits it. Bulette tries to bite Magnus and misses. Obenharr fires and kills the last Galeb Duhr. Magnus misses the Bulette.

Rrowthar administers oil of flesh returned to Zargosz. Bulette hits Magnus. Magnus pulls out a sunrod and tries to irritate the Bulette into diving for the surface. After Obenharr defuses the ward effect in that area, it dives up into the room with Magnus on his back, hitting him with a crit, which Magnus negates with his shield.

Obenharr calls up a map of the city in the reflecting pool and shows us the areas under attack. "Other invaders have entered the city. I must go to the highest level of the guardian's tower. Rrowthar will lead you to the intruders so you can deal with them." We are unable to take a short rest, and follow Rrowthar to a more collapsed part of town. A rough voice calls out "You are not the old annoying one. I do not know who you are, but you're too late! Our task here has been completed!"

Everyone but Torgen notices a large hole in the air above the street pulsing with elemental energy. A large magma elemental humanoid stands in one of the rubbled buildings. Magnus can see the magma brute, but senses more elemental creatures behind walls that we can't see.

Xiu pulls out a distance shuriken and throws it at the Magma Brute, but misses. Rrowthar moves into the building and sees two "little rocky things" and crits the Magma Brute. Zargosz moves up with Rrowthar and sees the "rocky things" made up of shards of stone and fires a Storm Spike at the Magma Brute, activates his Ring of Giants to push him down and blast him into wall. Torgen summons Wrath of God, then charges Magma Strider and misses him. From his new vantage point, he sees more stone creatures and a Hill Giant. Hill Giant fires volcanic blast, hitting Torgen, making him vulnerable to fire. Alain misses with crossbow bolt but gives magic weapon to Xiu and Magnus. Magnus uses his action point, runs up to engage the other Magma Strider with Kneebreaker. Stony creatures move in to surround Torgen and Magnus. Magma Brute smashes Rrowthar, lighting him on fire, and takes Storm Spike damage from staying in one place.

Xiu moves over and flips up onto the wall to attack the stony creature with Clever Strike and destroys it, then spends an action point to move around the Magma Brute and attack it with Acrobatic Strike. Rrowthar takes fire damage, moves in and attacks Magma Brute, bloodying it, then puts himself out. Magma Strider misses Magnus, other Magma Strider misses Torgen. Zargosz uses clay of creation to summon a fierce boar next to the Magma Brute, then uses a Storm Spike on the Magma Brute. Torgen takes fire damage, then swings and misses Magma Strider but kills stone creature, uses lay on hands on himself. Hill Giant Shaman fires volcanic blast and misses Magnus. Alain misses with crossbow bolt, uses curative admixture to un-bloody Rrowthar. Magnus uses Thicket of Blades to attack the Magma Strider and three rock creatures next to him, killing one and causing the others to skitter away and share its energy with the Magma Strider and then charges back to hit Magnus, knocking him down, but he stands back up. They then try to attack Magnus, and one hits. Bloodied Magma Brute moves over to Zargosz and attacks him, lighting him on fire. The other one moves past Torgen, drawing an AOO, then smashes down on Torgen and misses.

Xiu moves up, uses Clever Strike on Magma Brute. Rrowthar moves up and claws Magma Brute with a crit. Magma Strider misses Magnus, moves past him and lights him on fire when he misses his AOO. The other one misses Torgen and moves past him, lighting him on fire when he misses his AOO. Zargosz takes fire damage, transforms into a toad, spews a plague of locusts on the Magma Brute, but misses, leaving a cloud of locusts around the Magma Brute, and the boar attacks and misses. Torgen takes fire damage and attacks the Magma Brute behind him, missing him but marking him, and puts out the fire on him. Hill Giant Shaman fires volcanic blast and hits him. Alain throws Alchemist's Frost at Magma Strider, uses action point to fire Aggravating Force bolt into Magma Brute, killing it. Magnus misses the Strider, takes his second wind, and avoids attacks from the rock creatures. The other Magma Brute misses Torgen.

Xiu moves along the wall, uses Clever Strike to attack the Magma Strider next to Magnus, killing it. Magma Strider misses Torgen, moves away and draws AOO from Torgen and Magnus, both of them catching on fire again. Zargosz hops over and fires plague of locusts at the other Magma Brute. Torgen takes fire damage, is bloodied, and misses, but saves against the effects on him. Hill Giant Shaman misses. Alain fires aggravating force crossbow bolt at remaining Magma Strider, uses Regenerative Infusion on Torgen. Stony creatures attack and miss Magnus. Magma Brute attacks Torgen and misses.

Xiu flanks Magma Strider with Magnus, hits and bloodies it, shifts back out of its reach. Rrawthor moves over to attack the Hill Giant Shaman. Magma Strider attacks Magnus and misses. Zargosz takes fire damage, draws his thundering club and charges the Magma Strider, missing, he is still on fire, and the boar misses. Torgen uses Ardent Strike to hit Magma Brute. Hill Giant Shaman slams his staff into the ground and fires an earth storm out at Rrowthar, bloodying him. Alain moves over to Magma Brute, misses with his staff. Magnus uses Tide of Iron on Magma Strider, pushing him back. The portal of elemental energy expands out further, and bursts out, hitting Rrowthar. Magma Brute tries to smash Torgen and misses.

Xiu attacks the Magma Strider and kills it, then moves over to engage the Hill Giant. Rrowthar moves back, is still blinded. Zargosz takes fire damage, steps back and fires tremor at Magma Brute and misses, but is no longer on fire, the boar crits and destroys a stone creature. Torgen regenerates, misses the Magma Brute, moves off and draws an AOO to move over and lay hands on Rrowthar. Hill Giant Shaman moves away from Xiu, uses action point to fire volcanic blast at Xiu with a crit. Alain hits the Magma Brute, moves past him, drawing a missed AOO that causes him to take holy damage from Torgen's mark, then moves to Rrowthar to use clearsense powder and give him back his sight. Magnus tries to attack stony creature, it misses, rebounds and misses Alain. Rift bursts out, crits the Hill Giant Shaman and damages Magnus. Stony creature attacks Alain and misses. Magma Brute hits Zargosz, setting him on fire again.

Xiu moves to attack Hill Giant Shaman and misses. Rrowthar uses healing word on Torgen, then moves to attack Hill Giant Shaman. Zargosz takes fire damage, charges Magma Brute with thundering club, triggering thundering attack, is still on fire, boar charges the Magma Brute and misses. Torgen moves around to attack Magma Brute. Hill Giant Shaman swings at Xiu with his staff. Alain kills the magma brute with static shock, moves over to stand near Rrowthar and Magnus, pulls out his crossbow and puts his staff back into his cloak. Magnus attacks Hill Giant, immobilizing him. Rift bursts out, damaging most of us.

We manage to kill the Hill Giant, find a scroll that includes a ritual to open an elemental rift. Alain use the ritual to close the rift, with assistance from Torgen and Magnus. Rrowthar suggests we follow him to the guardian's tower to join Obenharr, after we take a brief rest.

Quotes:
"The invisible underground Bulette is marked. And bloodied."
"1... 2... 3... 4... FUCK!"
"I want a Donkey Kong jelly sandwich."
"One-armed lion man is just alright with me."

MVP: Torgen

5. Welcome to Argent

Nymm 1 - Nymm 7, YK 1000

Xau has been put into a healing coma by the head of House Jorasco until we can get a piece of the chaos-infused elemental ebony from which the dagger was fused, and there are rumors that it can be found in Goradra Gap. Legend has it that the Gap is a portal to the Elemental Chaos, it translated to "Torn Earth" in a dwarven dialect that lines up with Torgen's prophecy, Baron Jorlann d'Cannith contacted Alain and they were getting report that shipments from the Mror Holds are being disrupted due to trouble in the Gap. House Kundarak asked Magnus to investigate trouble in the homelands around Goradra Gap.

We take an airship to Krona Peak, and the scruffy raven that we noticed observing us a few times in Stormhome does as well. At some point, the raven transforms into Zargosz Duur and explains that he is a Gatekeeper Mystagogue and is headed to the Gap to investigate divination by the Druid Council.

After landing at Krona Peak, we buy 7 magebred horses from House Vadalis so that we'll have backups. We can travel about 50 miles a day, which takes us about a week of travel across the foothills of the Ironroot Mountains. About halfway to our destination, we enter a large clearing, and a rocky protrusion bars our way, with a few large trees ablaze with arcane fire.

Zargosz and Xiu stealthily scout around the protrusion and see a lion-like humanoid from a race none of us have seen before, five sparks of fire dancing around the wounded lion-man, as well as two pillars of fire, a rock elemental of some kind and a fire archon leading them. The lion-man is holding a singed scroll in one paw.

Xiu launches a handspring assault on the Fire Archon, and is inside a cloud of fire and ash. Alain casts a cold fleeting dweomer on Magnus's axe, and he moves up. Zargosz enters a fast stance and moves up as well.

Xiu enters Sidestep Stance focusing on the Archon, uses Acrobatic Strike on him and bloodies him. Torgen charges the Archon with Ardent Strike, but misses. Alain casts Resistive Formula on Xiu, fires Greater Magic Weapon that misses the Archon but infuses Torgen's weapon. One earth elemental moves to interpose between us and the lion-man, the other one rumbles toward Magnus and pounds his fists into the earth, but Magnus resists any damage. The sparks rush in, strike the lion-man and then bounce back out, he takes three hits and one crit, and is alive but badly wounded. Archon blasts Xiu and Zargosz with fire, drawing them to him. Magnus goes into Reign of Steel and charges into the midst of the elementals, drawing an AOO from the Fire Archon, uses his action point for Come and Get It to pull in the Archon, a Fire Elemental, an Earth Elemental and a Spark, destroying the Spark and critting the Archon, nearly killing him. Fire Elemental takes ROS damage, backs up and tries to slam Magnus but misses, the other one fires a lance of flame towards Xiu, Torgen and Zargosz, hitting only Torgen, doing fire damage and immobilizing him. Zargosz takes fire from the tree and the fire elemental's fireburst, then rushes across the battlefield to defend the lion-man and fires Floating Death, a burst of insects, at two of the flame sparks, missing both of them, speeds over to the other two and fires the burst at the other two sparks, destroying them but they explode and scorch Zargosz. He uses action point to call lightning down on the fire archon, fire elemental, earth elemental and Magnus, hitting only the earth elemental. Lion-Man invokes a blessing of Dol Dorn on Zargosz for healing surge +8, then he roars at the sparks and pushes them away, immobilizing them.

Xiu takes 10 fire damage, moves in to attack the Fire Archon and then shifts out of the firestorm. Torgen takes 10 fire damage, draws his hand-axe and misses, uses healing on the lion-man to un-bloody him, then saves against immobile. Alain fires runic resistance at the Archon, killing him and giving fire resistance to Xiu and Magnus. Earth elemental swings and misses Magnus, the other one hits Alain. Sparks break free of immobilization, Magnus uses Shielded Sides to shift and attacks the fire elemental, bloodying it, and marks most of the remaining elementals. Bloodied fire elemental takes ROS and launches a firestorm at Magnus and the earth elemental, bloodying the earth elemental and missing Magnus. The other fire elemental shifts back toward the fiery tree. Zargosz fires a plague of locusts at the earth elemental with furious assault.

Xiu moves to attack earth elemental and very nearly kills it with her Wild Tumble Cut. Torgen takes fire damage, moves over to assist Alain against earth elemental. Alain uses magic weapon on the earth elemental. The other earth elemental dies from ROS, and the one next to Alain and Torgen uses a rumble that hits Alain and shifts him back away from the elemental. The sparks attack the lion-man but miss. Alain hits the elemental with magic weapon. Magnus takes some fire damage, then takes an AOO from the bloodied fire elemental before killing him with inexorable advance. Fire elemental fires another firestorm on Magnus. Zargosz runs between the firestorms and throws storm spike at the earth elemental.

Xiu moves to attack remaining fire elemental. Torgen attacks the earth elemental and gives Alain a healing surge. Alain moves up and misses with Magic Weapon. The elemental misses Alain and Torgen, takes thunder damage that bloodies him. The sparks bloody the lion-man. Magnus shakes off the immobilization, then charges the fire elemental with bull charge for a crit, doing a massive amount of ongoing damage and knocking it prone, bloodying him. Fire elemental takes ROS damage and ongoing damage, and has gone from nearly fully healthy to almost dead, and misses Magnus. Zargosz goes back to help the lion-man with the sparks with a vine burst that destroys them both.

Xiu moves in and kills the fire elemental, Torgen attacks the earth elemental, Alain hits him with repulsion strike. The earth elemental attacks Torgen and misses, then Magnus comes over and kills it.

The lion-man thanks us and says that we saved him the trouble of finding us. He introduces himself as Rrowthar, and says it is his honor to deliver unto us an invitation, and hands us two sheets of vellum. One is a ritual scroll, the other is a letter. The letter reads:

Honor and invitation. Stand forth and be recognized, the invitation has been given, the choice has been made. As heroes of your realm and warriors without equal, you have been chosen for the singular honor of serving the great and ancient city of Argent. Accept this duty and privilege, the world needs you. Obenharr, Last Guardian of Argent. None of us have ever heard of Argent before.

Argent was established in the wake of the Dawn War in agreement with the dragons. We read the scroll and teleport to Argent. We are in a courtyard full of marble statues, a statue of a female dressed in robes overlooks a glowing reflecting pool. An elderly human, Obenharr, welcomes us, and then the whole place shakes. We are introduced as the palace continues to shake. Two Bulettes burrow into the hall.

Xiu moves into the Bulette's square. Torgen attacks the other Bulette. A stone-eye basilisk comes up through the tunnel and targets Rrowthar, Zargosz and Alain are slowed (save ends). Alain throws a blinding bomb at the Basilisk, uses an action point to fire predatory shards at the Basilisk and Bulette. Other Bulette uses earth burrow to pass underneath Torgen, and the Bulette sprays rock and earth at Rrowthar and Torgen. The other Bulette digs away from the shards, sprays Zargosz with rock and dirt and knocks Alain prone. Zargosz summons a crocodile which bites and grabs the basilisk, then is immobilized. Obenharr runs to the statue to try and restore the magical defenses. Torgen hears more creatures coming in throough the tunnels. Magnus uses crushing surge on the Bulette and misses. Galeb Duhr come up from one tunnel and move toward Obenharr, pick up the shattered stones and hurl them at Alain and Torgen.

Xiu uses Bloodbath on Bulette, Torgen charges the Galeb Duhr with Ardent Strike and marks both of them. Basilisk takes predatory shard damage, escapes the crocodile's grab. Rrowthar uses a healing power that blasts the Bulette and heals many of us. Alain is prone, stands up, casts dancing shield on himself, fires positive energy infusion bolt into Bulette that Xiu is riding. Bulette jumps at Rrowthar and hits him.

Quotes of the Evening:
"I turn into a Monitor Lizard because it pleases me."
"It was about protoplasm riding a dinosaur, but you made it something dirty."

CoL Recap: Cultists in Stormhome

Dravago 27, YK 1000

We have repaired the ship and arrived at Stormhome. We are staying in Stormhome, but not at the resort.

Alain circulates amongst House tradesfolk asking around about dragonmarked individuals, and finds out they're more common in the villas. He recently saw a person in the port area last night getting off a rowing skiff, noticed that he was moving furtively and had some sort of dragonmark. Xau and Xiu hit the streets looking for information, but they're out of their element amongst the very wealthy. Torgen sits on a bench with Magnus to think, remembering our encounters with Brenner, and thinks that he is probably delivering something here, and that we need to be looking for where Brenner is going to meet his contact, or who is his contact.

Xau and Xiu decide to ask around about where a covert meeting might take place, there are docks where House Lyrandar magewrights work on airships and galleons. Underneath that dry dock, a dragonmarked Lyrandar heir is meeting with someone less important, so it is a good possibiilty. Magnus, with assistance from Alain, uses his knowledge of the underground, investigates the sewer system for easy covert entry and exit, and spots three such places in this district.

Xiu checks in with Drenna's message at Sivis, which is dated yesterday, "Brenner arrived Stormhome late last night. Currently in hiding near butcher's at intersection of Dragon & Lightning. On overwatch awaiting further instructions."

Xiu sneaks up to Drenna's hiding spot on the roof of a nearby tanner, spying on the butcher's shop. She finds out he has made one trip to the Sivis message station from the boat, and hasn't left the shop since. With assistance from the group, Magnus casts Thief's Lament on the butcher's shop, while Alain builds a pair of blinding bombs. Xau goes into the Sivis message station as Brenner, retrieves a message for him that says "Agreed. 10 PM. Plaza of the Three Mermaids. -Lord." We have about seven hours to plan. Xiu, with Xau and Magnus, forges a message from Sivis to Brenner, a perfect duplicate of the message that was sent. The message sends him under the dry dock at 8 PM.

Magnus goes to the area, claims to be on a mission for the captain of the Lightning's Fury, and sets a snare ritual. Xau poses as a half-elf in a cloak, but Brenner spots the snare and throws a dagger at Xau, starting the fight.

Xiu charges and pushes Brenner into the snare trap, triggering it and snaring Brenner. Torgen moves in and attacks Brenner, missing. Brenner stands, attacks Torgen and misses, saves and gets free of the snare. Xau crumples to the ground, Alain recognizes that chaos is flowing into him from the dagger in his side. Alain draws an AOO, is blinded, swings and misses with Greater Magic Weapon. Magnus comes in, hits him with a Kneebreaker, bloodying him and slowing him, spends an action point to use inexorable advance and knocks him out.

Torgen grasps the dagger in Xau, pulls it out and is in battle of wills with the dagger. Alain heals the chaos storm wound in Xau, who is stable but unconscious. Magnus grabs dagger sheathe from Brenner, slams it onto the dagger in Torgen's hand and tries to use nail of sealing, which explodes in reaction to the magic. Magnus searches Brenner's Deep Pocket Cloak and finds the sheathe for the dagger, a bolted and magically sealed coffer, and about 7,500 gp, which he turns into platinum using his magic box.

Xiu delivers Xau to House Jorasco, and he is put into their care. We wrap his Deep Pocket Cloak around the dagger, Magnus takes that and the box to House Kundarak and hides it in the sewer system, sending a Sivis message to House Kundarak with clues to its location. Torgen takes Brenner somewhere safe to stash him and leaves Drenna to guard him. Alain hires a Deneith protector to guard Xau and goes to meet him and Xiu at House Jorasco, but they have more than a little trouble convincing Xiu to leave Xau and go to the rendezvous with them. Finally Alain half-badgers half-convinces her by offering the help of Cannith in exchange for Xiu's help fighting "Lord."

Near the Three Mermaids fountain around 10 PM, Xiu and Alain are outside watching, Magnus and Torgen are in the nearby pub. We see someone moving up, he sees that Xiu is not Brenner and summons elementals using his dragonmark of storm, then summons cyclones.

Xiu attacks elemental for 23 hp, killing it, and uses her action point to use Wild Tumble Cut on Lord for 27 hp. Magnus runs out, kills the other elemental minion and summons his armor. Torgen runs out to confront huge Cyclone, finds out one of the "civilians" is armed, and attacks him for 17 hp, before Torgen attacks the Cyclone and misses. Alain recognizes the "civilians" as Stormfront Cultists, and he believes that "Lord" is Torval Enchiliost, head of the Storm Walkers, the cloak & dagger arm of Lyrandar during the war. Cultist fires at Xiu and hits her for 15 hp lightning whip, dragging her back away from Torval. Other Cultist hits Torgen, but can't slide him. Huge Cyclone draws AOO from Torgen, then uses storm burst on Alain and Magnus and misses them, moving next to Xiu. The other Large Cyclone attacks Xiu. Alain is caught in two auras, but moves up and fires flaming crossbow bolt at Torval, hitting him and igniting flame weapons for Magnus, Xiu and Alain.

Torval moves back, summons a Chillfire destroyer in the path. Xiu moves in on the Huge Cyclone and attacks him. Magnus attacks Huge Cyclone, activates Reign of Steel and uses come and get it on Chillfire Destroyer and Cultist, missing both. Torgen is fairly sure that when we smash the Chillfire Destroyer, it will explode. He runs up to the Huge Cyclone and summons Wrath of God. Cultist attacks Torgen with rapier and misses, other Storm Cultist moves up, fires his bow and misses. Huge Cyclone uses stormburst and hits Magnus, Torgen and Stormfront Cultist. Chillfire Destroyer misses Magnus. Alain uses Greater Magic Weapon on Cultist, bloodying him and giving magic weapon to Magnus and Torgen, then shifts away from Chillfire Destroyer.

Torval summons raging aura of electricity that hits Torgen, Magnus and Alain (crit). Xiu attacks Huge Cyclone with Rogue's Luck and bloodies it. Magnus shifts next to Chillfire Destroyer and Huge Cyclone, uses Thicket of Blades on both of them, bloodying the Chillfire and releasing its fire aura. Torgen lays hands on himself, moves up to Cyclone and Chillfire, swings and hits Cyclone. Cultist hits Alain with rapier, bloodying him. Magnus kills the Huge Cyclone with Reign of Steel, Large Cyclone uses stormburst, hitting Alain (crit) and knocking him out and also damaging Torgen and Magnus, then teleports next to Torgen, Magnus and Xiu. Chillfire attacks Magnus. Alain makes a 20 on death save with Rescuer from Magnus, is prone but awake.

Torval moves forward, casts earth rage spirit on Magnus and Torgen, knocking them prone and doing 23 thunder damage. Xiu drops her Brenner disguise to become an elf and handspring assaults Torval and moves behind him. Magnus attacks the Chillfire Destroyer and kills it, causing it to explode in flame and magma. Torgen uses Majestic Word to heal Alain up from bloodied, then lays hands on himself and attacks from prone against the Large Tornado. Stormfront Cultist attacks prone Alain with rapier, bloodying him again. Windfiend Fury (Large Tornado) takes Reign of Steel damage, attacks Magnus with lightning strike and misses. Chillfire Destroyer core explodes, missing Magnus and Alain, hitting Torgen and nearly killing him. Alain spends action point, stands, throws Runic Resistance and Life-Tapping Darts at Torval, uses Restorative Infusion on himself.

Torval misses Xiu with psychic attack, tries to flee and Xiu crits him into unconsciousness. We kill one Stormfront Cultist and the other one gets away. The guards arrive as we are trying to carry Torval away and catch the remaining cultist. The colonel escorts all of us, including Torval and the cultist, to the palace where we'll be treated and interrogated. We're escorted into the court of the Baron of Lyrandar, where she hears evidence from Alain and House Cannith against Torval, with Brenner as a witness. Magnus makes a deal with Brenner for information and the money inside the casket as proof, in exchange for immunity. Brenner admits to hiring House Thuranni to steal Karrnathi funds at Torval's direction, with written notes to back it up. Torval is stripped of his title and his post and held for execution, she apologizes and rewards us, instructing her Seneschal to reimburse Karrnath for 1.4 million gold, gives us 6,000 gp in gems and 10,000 gp in Lyrandar travel. She presents Alain with a suit of Shockweave Armor +3.

CoL Recap: Demons in the Air

Dravago 26, YK 1000

We are boarding an airship (Lightning's Fury) to Stormhome. We are given 2000 gold for operating expenses, give 19 pp to each member of the party, keep just over 200 in party treasure. Alchemical preparation: (3) Clearsense Powder (Lvl 11), (2) Tracking Dust (Lvl 4), (10) Suppression Crystals (Lvl 4). Magnus returns from an errand and we board an airship. Lightning's Fury is a smaller corsair type airship, armed and fast but without as much passenger room as a standard airship. The journey will take us 12 hours.

Demons materialize on the ship, Torgen spots them and everyone but Alain hears cries of alarm and pain from belowdecks. Xiu comes out and tells Alain what's going on, then heads up to the deck. Chasme demon gores the captain badly. Another one claws and kills a half-elf on the way to attacking Torgen and Xiu. Alain climbs up to the deck, moves in next to Torgen and Xiu and misses the Chasme demon with a staff attack. Magnus gets up, grabs his shield and begins making his way up. Torgen uses Wrath of God to enhance damage for Xiu and Alain. Xau heads belowdecks and finds a fire demon setting fire below. Lyrandar crewmen begin making their way below to regain control of the ship. The Captain draws her rapier and swings at Chasme demon that gored her, it bats it aside dismissively and sneers Abyssal at her.

Xiu does a handspring assault across the deck and stabs the Chasme demon that is attacking the captain. It responds by buzzing its wings and dazing Xiu and the captain. The other one tries to buzz Alain and Torgen, succeeds with Alain. Alain fires Predatory Shards at Chasme demon, and then falls unconscious due to buzzing. Magnus runs up to Shadow Demon, drawing an attack of opportunity which he resists with Unbreakable. Below decks, the Immolith intensifies its flame, making more smoke and fire. Torgen tries to wake up Alain, but is unsuccessful, he attacks Chasme demon. Xau rolls between the Chasme demon's legs to flank with Torgen and attacks with Trickster's Blade, bloodying the Chasme Demon. Captain hits the other Chasme demon, Priest blasts the Chasme demon with lightning ineffectively. Shadow Demon attacks Magnus, who is still vulnerable from running, with void rake.

Shadow Demon comes above decks and attacks Torgen. Xiu charges other Chasme, crits and bloodies it, saves vs. daze. Chasme demon attacks Torgen with a crit, activating the regeneration on his armor. Other Chasme gores the captain again. Alain wakes up. Magnus attacks Shadow Demon twice. Torgen marks Shadow Demon, unleashes arc of vengeance on Chasme demon (miss) and Shadow Demon (hit). causing the Shadow Demon to manifest fully on this plane. Xau moves in to attack the Shadow Demon with Bat Aside, knocking the Shadow Demon and Chasme demon down. Lyrandar priest fires lightning blast and misses Chasme demon.

Shadow Demons attack Torgen and Magnus. Xiu attacks Chasme demon with two katar strikes. Chasme demon buzzes Xiu and Captain and flies off the ship, the other Chasme demon fails to buzz, flies up, taking attack of opportunity from Alain. Alain fires Life-Tapping darts, missing Shadow Demon for half damage and healing Torgen, gives dancing shield to Torgen. Magnus takes second wind, hits the other Shadow Demon. Immolith emerges on deck to attack Magnus with a curse, slowing him. Torgen swings and misses at Shadow Demon, marks the Shadow Demon. Xau leaps into the elemental ring, slingshots up and lands on the Chasme demon, kills it and lands on his feet next to Torgen. Captain uses dragonmark to storm strike the remaining Chasme and drag it back to the ship, crewmen fires an arrow at it and misses.

Shadow Demons attacks Magnus below decks, other one stands and attacks Torgen. Xiu balances on the railing next to the Chasme demon and kills it, is no longer unconscious. Alain misses with magic weapon, uses curative admixture on Torgen. Magnus attacks the Shadow Demon below decks, saves against slow and is now on fire. Immolith crits Magnus, he uses his wyrmshield, but is grabbed by fiery tendril. Xau crits the Shadow Demon and bloodies him, slides him off the ship. Captain goes below decks, dodges past Shadow Demon thanks to Magnus's mark and goes into the cabin, they summon the air elemental to attack the Immolith. Lyrandar priest blasts Shadow Demon with lightning.

Shadow Demon below deck attacks Magnus, Shadow Demon above deck turns into cloud of shadow, dealing damage to Torgen and effectively blinding everyone on the top deck. then flies away. Xiu goes below decks, shifts form into a Shadow Demon, doesn't fool him but attacks him. Alain fires two attacks, doing nothing, and gives regeneration infusion to Magnus. Immolith squeezes past Magnus, taking an attack of opportunity. Torgen attacks the Shadow Demon and misses. Xau runs through lightning, stabs Shadow Demon and bloodies it. Captain shifts back away from fiery aura and takes second wind. The elemental discharges electrical particles to hit Shadow Demon, Immolith, Xau and Magnus. The Captain and helmsmen warn us that there's a big boom coming, and we should get out of the way.

Shadow Demon claws Torgen, one above decks kills the priest. Xiu takes fire damage, takes crit from Immolith when she goes above decks, Immolith takes attack of opportunity from Magnus, then charges the Shadow Demon above decks. Alain uses restorative infusion on Magnus and fires crossbow bolt at Shadow Demon. Magnus uses defensive resurgence, tries to get free of grab but is still grabbed, uses thicket of blades on Shadow Demon and Immolith but misses them. Immolith takes reign of steel damage, bloodying him, attacks the helmsman and takes an attack of opportunity from Magnus, drags the helmsmen into his fire aura. Torgen uses strength from valor on Shadow Demon (crit) and Immolith (hit). Xau hits the Shadow Demon, then runs out of the lightning area. The helmsmen tells the captain how to activate the big boom, and a burst of lightning hits Magnus, the Immolith and the Shadow Demon, nearly killing the two remaining demons. Helmsmen tries to blast the Immolith and misses.

Shadow Demon attacks Torgen, the other one attacks Xiu. Xiu attacks Shadow Demon, moves back and uses action point to use Wild Tumble Cut. Alain heals Torgen, moves above decks and uses lightning sphere on Shadow Demon above decks. Magnus kills the below decks Shadow Demon and the Immolith in a swinging axe kill. Torgen attacks the remaining Shadow Demon after coming up on deck. Xau moves up, flanks with Xiu and attacks for a lot of damage, but doesn't kill him. Crew puts the flaming airship into a dive toward the ocean below.

Shadow Demon hits Torgen, Xiu kills it with Bloodbath. The airship is flown down to put out the fire by dipping into the water. Torgen and Alain know that the demons were summoned through a symbol that Alain recognizes as one commonly employed by the Lords of Dust.