I want to be good and prepared when we get started again in three weeks, so I was wondering what the party planned to do next...
Travel to the Ivlis March and search for the fane there?
Travel to the hills to the north and search for the other fane?
Search for "where the river flies" and the Tome of Strahd?
Go to castle, knock on door, die?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Ravenloft: Fortune Telling
"The tome you seek holds knowledge of the ancient and knowledge of the land. Seek it where the river flies."
"If you find the tome and delve into its secrets, you'll discover the source of the lord's strength. If you read it carefully, you may also discover how to rob him of that strength."
"Your quest is doomed. You must find the three defiled places described in the tome. At each fane, you must kill the guardian and place the guardian's body in the shrine."
One of the fanes is in a swamp, one is in an area to the north
"If you find the tome and delve into its secrets, you'll discover the source of the lord's strength. If you read it carefully, you may also discover how to rob him of that strength."
"Your quest is doomed. You must find the three defiled places described in the tome. At each fane, you must kill the guardian and place the guardian's body in the shrine."
One of the fanes is in a swamp, one is in an area to the north
Friday, April 13, 2007
Ravenloft Character: Drogen of Flamekeep
Name: Drogen of Flamekeep
Race: Human
Class: Cleric 5/Exorcist of the Silver Flame 3
Experience: 28000
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion: Silver Flame
Homeland: Thrane
Age: 23 Height: 6'2" Weight: 188 lbs.
Action Points: 9
Statistics: STR 14, DEX 10, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 18, CHA 14, BAB +6/+1, Fort +7 (+9), Ref +2 (+2), Will +7 (+11), Init +4, AC 22 (+9 armor, +3 shield), HP 52
Skills: Concentration +12, Diplomacy +8, Heal +8, Knowledge (arcana) +2, Knowledge (history) +2, Knowledge (religion) +10, Knowledge (the planes) +5, Spellcraft +8
Class Abilities: Turn Undead (5/day, +2 on rolls), Flame of Censure, Weapon of the Exorcist (heavy mace), Weapon of Silver (heavy mace), Darkvision 30 ft., Resist Possession (+2 sacred bonus on charm/compulsion from undead, +4 to resist magic jar, etc.), Smite Evil (+2 to hit/+3 damage 1/day)
Weapons/Attacks: +10/+5 melee (1d8+4, +1 heavy mace), +6/+1 ranged (1d8, longbow)
Equipment:
Feats: Unquenchable Flame of Life, Improved Turning, Weapon Focus (Heavy Mace), Improved Initiative
Domain Spells: Exorcism & Protection, 1st: Protection from Evil, Sanctuary; 2nd: Magic Circle Against Evil, Shield Other; 3rd: Remove Curse, Protection from Evil; 4th: Spell Immunity, Dismissal
Granted Powers: Protective Ward (1/day, +6 (cleric level) resistance bonus on next saving throw, standard action, abjuration effect, 1 hour duration)
Force Possessing Spirits Out (Eberron p. 106)
Spells: 0 level (6/day): Detect Magic, Guidance, Resistance; 1st level (5+1/day): Bless, Divine Favor, Ebon Eyes, Shield of Faith (Protection from Evil); 2nd level (4+1/day): Deific Vengeance, Ghost Touch Armor, Hold Person (Magic Circle Against Evil), 3rd level (3+1/day): Dispel Magic, Light of Venya, Searing Light (Protection from Evil), 4th level (2+1/day):
Bonded to Ravenloft symbol:
Whenever attempt to turn undead, symbol casts light spell for 1 round
At will, use dancing lights, flare or light (save DC 10+Cha modifier)
While wearing holy symbol, detect undead within 60 feet
Attacks bypass damage reduction of any undead creatures
2/day Use Halt Undead as a spell (Caster Level 10, Save DC 13+Cha modifier)
Lose 4 HP until I get rid of holy symbol
-2 on Fortitude saves
-1 on attack rolls
Favored Spells: 1st level: Bless, Comprehend Languages, Conviction, Detect Undead, Divine Favor, Doom, Ebon Eyes, Faith Healing, Hide from Undead, Nightshield, Nimbus of Light, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith, Vigor, Lesser, Vision of Glory; 2nd level: Aid, Bear’s Endurance, Bull’s Strength, Consecrate, Deific Vengeance, Divine Protection, Eagle’s Splendor, Ghost Touch Armor, Hand of Divinity, Hold Person, Owl’s Wisdom, Restoration, Lesser, Silence, Sound Burst, Spawn Screen; 3rd level: Aid, Mass, Align Weapon, Mass, Awaken Sins, Conviction, Mass, Daylight, Demon Dirge, Devil Blight, Dispel Magic, Fell the Greatest Foe, Flame of Faith, Ghost Touch Weapon, Holy Storm, Invisibility Purge, Know Opponent, Know Vulnerabilities, Light of Venya, Magic Vestment, Prayer, Remove Curse, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Shield of Warding, Spark of Life, Vigor, Vigor, Mass Lesser, Wall of Light, Weapon of Impact; 4th level: Delay Death, Discern Lies, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement, Imbue with Spell Ability, Mass Shield of Faith, Positive Energy Aura, Restoration, Revenance, Spell Vulnerability, Tongues, Undead Bane Weapon,
Proficiencies: Simple weapons, all armor & shields (except tower)
Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal
History: Some might say it was destiny that Drogen became an Exorcist of the Silver Flame. Both of his parents were devoted members of the Flame, his father Markosh a powerful paladin and his mother Arnyana quite a strong exorcist herself. Long before they were married, the two of them were part of a band of warriors who put an end to evil spirits and demons throughout Khorvaire. Eventually, working so closely together and finding common bonds in faith, they decided to marry.
Unfortunately, for Markosh, giving in to love was a break in his armor of perfect faith. He became susceptible to outside influence. One of the more powerful devils whose plans he had thwarted began a slow, systematic process of revenge, exploiting that break in the armor. He preyed on Markosh's fears for his wife and unborn child, and on little jealousies Markosh had about his other comrades-in-arms.
Markosh was tricked by the devil into seeing one of his comrades, an exorcist named Theros, as a rival. He became obsessed with the notion that Arnyana was cheating on him. That perhaps the baby growing inside her wasn't even his. He kept these thoughts to himself, sure that he was going mad, and the devil continued to feed them.
Drogen was born in Flamekeep, and for a short time, his parents were happy. Then they were called back into duty alongside Theros and the rest. They had discovered an outpost of The Lords of Dust just outside The Demon Wastes, and they were going to destroy it. When they got there, however, a devil took possession of Theros and began confirming Markosh's worst fears. Theros told him that he and Arnyana had conspired to lure him out to this remote place to kill him so that they could be together. Markosh, furious, killed Theros. He realized what he had done too late, and disappeared into the Demon Wastes, abandoning his wife, his son and his faith.
Arnyana had a heavy heart, but she returned to her responsibility and raised Drogen. He had a natural talent for the same skills she and Theros had displayed, and given Markosh's actions, rumors began to float about that perhaps Theros had been the father. Eventually, these lies took their toll on the already heart-broken Arnyana, and she hung herself a month before Drogen's 16th birthday, before he was accepted into the priesthood of the Flame.
Shamed by his past, Drogen abandoned his family name, becoming known only as Drogen of Flamekeep. In his 20th year, a mysterious man approached him while he and his schoolmates were on a trip to Aundair. Once he had gotten Drogen alone, he told him that he was his father, and he told him of the devils that had corrupted and tricked him. Drogen was horrified. He was even more horrified when Markosh said that he had joined the Lords of Dust, and that their faith was a joke. He had come back to recruit his son, bring him into the fold. Shaken, Drogen told him the man he needed to get some of his things and that he'd meet him back in a week.
A week later, when Drogen returned along with powerful warriors from the Church, the man never showed up. One who had lived so long among lies could easily spot the deception of a 20-year-old man of faith.
Now 23 and a powerful exorcist in his own right, Drogen has sworn to destroy any and all extradimensional evil, and he hopes one day to be able to find and destroy the creature that once was his father, as well as the devils that destroyed his family.
While investigating Castle Ravenloft in Karrnath alongside a Silver Flame strike force, he bonded with the holy symbol of Ravenloft. Unfortunately, shortly after he began using it, he fell to Strahd in vampiric wolf form. Fortunately, Ylo, another cleric of the Flame, prevented him from rising as a vampire.
Race: Human
Class: Cleric 5/Exorcist of the Silver Flame 3
Experience: 28000
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion: Silver Flame
Homeland: Thrane
Age: 23 Height: 6'2" Weight: 188 lbs.
Action Points: 9
Statistics: STR 14, DEX 10, CON 12, INT 14, WIS 18, CHA 14, BAB +6/+1, Fort +7 (+9), Ref +2 (+2), Will +7 (+11), Init +4, AC 22 (+9 armor, +3 shield), HP 52
Skills: Concentration +12, Diplomacy +8, Heal +8, Knowledge (arcana) +2, Knowledge (history) +2, Knowledge (religion) +10, Knowledge (the planes) +5, Spellcraft +8
Class Abilities: Turn Undead (5/day, +2 on rolls), Flame of Censure, Weapon of the Exorcist (heavy mace), Weapon of Silver (heavy mace), Darkvision 30 ft., Resist Possession (+2 sacred bonus on charm/compulsion from undead, +4 to resist magic jar, etc.), Smite Evil (+2 to hit/+3 damage 1/day)
Weapons/Attacks: +10/+5 melee (1d8+4, +1 heavy mace), +6/+1 ranged (1d8, longbow)
Equipment:
+2 half-plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 heavy mace, holy symbol of Ravenkind, wand of cure light wounds (39 charges), (1) scroll of consecrate, (1) scroll of bull's strength, periapt of wisdom, Longbow (with 40 arrows), 50' silk rope, (4) flasks of holy water, icon of Ravenloft (+4 caster level when turning, 1/day Cast Cure Serious Wounds), cleric's vestments, 100 pp, 25 gp
Feats: Unquenchable Flame of Life, Improved Turning, Weapon Focus (Heavy Mace), Improved Initiative
Domain Spells: Exorcism & Protection, 1st: Protection from Evil, Sanctuary; 2nd: Magic Circle Against Evil, Shield Other; 3rd: Remove Curse, Protection from Evil; 4th: Spell Immunity, Dismissal
Granted Powers: Protective Ward (1/day, +6 (cleric level) resistance bonus on next saving throw, standard action, abjuration effect, 1 hour duration)
Force Possessing Spirits Out (Eberron p. 106)
Spells: 0 level (6/day): Detect Magic, Guidance, Resistance; 1st level (5+1/day): Bless, Divine Favor, Ebon Eyes, Shield of Faith (Protection from Evil); 2nd level (4+1/day): Deific Vengeance, Ghost Touch Armor, Hold Person (Magic Circle Against Evil), 3rd level (3+1/day): Dispel Magic, Light of Venya, Searing Light (Protection from Evil), 4th level (2+1/day):
Bonded to Ravenloft symbol:
Whenever attempt to turn undead, symbol casts light spell for 1 round
At will, use dancing lights, flare or light (save DC 10+Cha modifier)
While wearing holy symbol, detect undead within 60 feet
Attacks bypass damage reduction of any undead creatures
2/day Use Halt Undead as a spell (Caster Level 10, Save DC 13+Cha modifier)
Lose 4 HP until I get rid of holy symbol
-2 on Fortitude saves
-1 on attack rolls
Favored Spells: 1st level: Bless, Comprehend Languages, Conviction, Detect Undead, Divine Favor, Doom, Ebon Eyes, Faith Healing, Hide from Undead, Nightshield, Nimbus of Light, Remove Fear, Shield of Faith, Vigor, Lesser, Vision of Glory; 2nd level: Aid, Bear’s Endurance, Bull’s Strength, Consecrate, Deific Vengeance, Divine Protection, Eagle’s Splendor, Ghost Touch Armor, Hand of Divinity, Hold Person, Owl’s Wisdom, Restoration, Lesser, Silence, Sound Burst, Spawn Screen; 3rd level: Aid, Mass, Align Weapon, Mass, Awaken Sins, Conviction, Mass, Daylight, Demon Dirge, Devil Blight, Dispel Magic, Fell the Greatest Foe, Flame of Faith, Ghost Touch Weapon, Holy Storm, Invisibility Purge, Know Opponent, Know Vulnerabilities, Light of Venya, Magic Vestment, Prayer, Remove Curse, Remove Disease, Searing Light, Shield of Warding, Spark of Life, Vigor, Vigor, Mass Lesser, Wall of Light, Weapon of Impact; 4th level: Delay Death, Discern Lies, Divine Power, Freedom of Movement, Imbue with Spell Ability, Mass Shield of Faith, Positive Energy Aura, Restoration, Revenance, Spell Vulnerability, Tongues, Undead Bane Weapon,
Proficiencies: Simple weapons, all armor & shields (except tower)
Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal
History: Some might say it was destiny that Drogen became an Exorcist of the Silver Flame. Both of his parents were devoted members of the Flame, his father Markosh a powerful paladin and his mother Arnyana quite a strong exorcist herself. Long before they were married, the two of them were part of a band of warriors who put an end to evil spirits and demons throughout Khorvaire. Eventually, working so closely together and finding common bonds in faith, they decided to marry.
Unfortunately, for Markosh, giving in to love was a break in his armor of perfect faith. He became susceptible to outside influence. One of the more powerful devils whose plans he had thwarted began a slow, systematic process of revenge, exploiting that break in the armor. He preyed on Markosh's fears for his wife and unborn child, and on little jealousies Markosh had about his other comrades-in-arms.
Markosh was tricked by the devil into seeing one of his comrades, an exorcist named Theros, as a rival. He became obsessed with the notion that Arnyana was cheating on him. That perhaps the baby growing inside her wasn't even his. He kept these thoughts to himself, sure that he was going mad, and the devil continued to feed them.
Drogen was born in Flamekeep, and for a short time, his parents were happy. Then they were called back into duty alongside Theros and the rest. They had discovered an outpost of The Lords of Dust just outside The Demon Wastes, and they were going to destroy it. When they got there, however, a devil took possession of Theros and began confirming Markosh's worst fears. Theros told him that he and Arnyana had conspired to lure him out to this remote place to kill him so that they could be together. Markosh, furious, killed Theros. He realized what he had done too late, and disappeared into the Demon Wastes, abandoning his wife, his son and his faith.
Arnyana had a heavy heart, but she returned to her responsibility and raised Drogen. He had a natural talent for the same skills she and Theros had displayed, and given Markosh's actions, rumors began to float about that perhaps Theros had been the father. Eventually, these lies took their toll on the already heart-broken Arnyana, and she hung herself a month before Drogen's 16th birthday, before he was accepted into the priesthood of the Flame.
Shamed by his past, Drogen abandoned his family name, becoming known only as Drogen of Flamekeep. In his 20th year, a mysterious man approached him while he and his schoolmates were on a trip to Aundair. Once he had gotten Drogen alone, he told him that he was his father, and he told him of the devils that had corrupted and tricked him. Drogen was horrified. He was even more horrified when Markosh said that he had joined the Lords of Dust, and that their faith was a joke. He had come back to recruit his son, bring him into the fold. Shaken, Drogen told him the man he needed to get some of his things and that he'd meet him back in a week.
A week later, when Drogen returned along with powerful warriors from the Church, the man never showed up. One who had lived so long among lies could easily spot the deception of a 20-year-old man of faith.
Now 23 and a powerful exorcist in his own right, Drogen has sworn to destroy any and all extradimensional evil, and he hopes one day to be able to find and destroy the creature that once was his father, as well as the devils that destroyed his family.
While investigating Castle Ravenloft in Karrnath alongside a Silver Flame strike force, he bonded with the holy symbol of Ravenloft. Unfortunately, shortly after he began using it, he fell to Strahd in vampiric wolf form. Fortunately, Ylo, another cleric of the Flame, prevented him from rising as a vampire.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Ooops
I just realized that I am an idiot. You'd think I would have figured this out sooner, but hey... idiot. I just realized that I will not be able to join you guys this Friday seeing as my parents, sister (+ husband and nephews) and brother (+ wife and niece and nephew) will be in town for Passover (it's really Easter by that point, but who am I to argue). I am now wishing for Jamie Madrox's powers so that I could be in two places at once (heck, Lourno Durgo's powers post-Computo would even work for this one). Sorry. Please kill some undead for me.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Savage Worlds
Okay, at Randy's suggestion I picked up the Savage Worlds rpg. It seems like a lot of fun. I believe it best suited for some kind of pulp action game, short arcs, like dime novels. I think either Sword and Sorcery fantasy (exploration, very Howard), traditional Pulp Adventure, (Tales of the Gold Monkey anyone?) or they have a very cool Victorian, gaslight monster hunting setting called Rippers. I like all three and they are just for back-up in any case. Do you guys have a preference?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Upcoming Schedule - March through May
Our schedules are almost completely theoretical these days, as everybody seems to get busier, but I figure it's still worth giving a rough idea on scheduling. So...
March 23rd - Settlers of Catan (Paul, Jason, you in?)
March 30th - Poker Game
April 6th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
April 13th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
April 20th - Poker Game
April 27th - Settlers of Catan (Chris, Jason, Dave F.?)
May 4th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
May 11th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
May 18th - Poker Game
May 25th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part One
I'm hoping that by May, I will have some free time to put the Eberron adventure together. But I wouldn't mind having some fallback plans. Paul, had you given any serious consideration to running Metabarons? I'd love to play it. Chris, you still thinking about Teen Champions? Jason, anything you're itching to run?
March 23rd - Settlers of Catan (Paul, Jason, you in?)
March 30th - Poker Game
April 6th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
April 13th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
April 20th - Poker Game
April 27th - Settlers of Catan (Chris, Jason, Dave F.?)
May 4th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
May 11th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Arc Two
May 18th - Poker Game
May 25th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part One
I'm hoping that by May, I will have some free time to put the Eberron adventure together. But I wouldn't mind having some fallback plans. Paul, had you given any serious consideration to running Metabarons? I'd love to play it. Chris, you still thinking about Teen Champions? Jason, anything you're itching to run?
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Gaming Friday?
So with Nate out (you're out entirely, not just on hold for GM'ing, until April, right Nate?) and me nowhere near ready to run Eberron, what do we want to do for the last two weekends in March? I had planned a poker game for the 30th, so that's still on the schedule, but do we want to go ahead and get together this weekend (the 23rd) and just play videogames, hang out, etc.? Or do we want to take another week off and then re-convene in the first weekend of April for Ravenloft Arc Two?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Ravenloft postponed
Hey, guys. Sorry to do this. Because of the promise of blurbs from some top authors if I can pull this off, I've accepted a ridiculous writing challenge. In an attempt to top my November record of 60,000 words in thirty days, I'll be trying to write the last 50,ooo words of a novel in twelve days.
Because of this, I won't have time to prep or run Ravenloft until the first week of April. Since we're at the end of Act One, we can either pick back up in the first week of April, or wait until after Eberron's next arc. I'll leave the choice up to the majority.
Again, guys, sorry about this!
Nate.
Because of this, I won't have time to prep or run Ravenloft until the first week of April. Since we're at the end of Act One, we can either pick back up in the first week of April, or wait until after Eberron's next arc. I'll leave the choice up to the majority.
Again, guys, sorry about this!
Nate.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Pantheon High RPG
Okay, check out this link. Apparently someone in Texas digs Pantheon High enough to create a new PH campaign. Do any of you know the Mutants & Masterminds system?
http://www.atomicthinktank.com/viewtopic.php?p=348478&sid=532e79c5c1a47231f6914373aee265b9
http://www.atomicthinktank.com/viewtopic.php?p=348478&sid=532e79c5c1a47231f6914373aee265b9
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Ravenloft: The Call
You awake with a start and take quick note of the word that appears in your mind. The word is important, even more so than your surroundings. You can handle any threat that might try to take you unaware, not that the various traps and alarms you've placed around this latest hiding spot would allow such a thing. No, the word is the most important thing-always different, but always a trigger.
You cast a single glance around the darkened room, then speak.
"D'nal."
A slight flare of pain, and you uncurl the fingers of your left hand. More words appear there, burning silver in the skin of your palm. As they begin to fade, you read them carefully.
Two days, sunrise, snow wolf cottage.
You know the place. The dwarf named Kraal has used it as a safehouse several times. Two days isn't much time without taking public transport, but not impossible. Without another thought, you grab your gear and leave this latest hovel. Thrane calls.
The Silver Flame needs you.
You cast a single glance around the darkened room, then speak.
"D'nal."
A slight flare of pain, and you uncurl the fingers of your left hand. More words appear there, burning silver in the skin of your palm. As they begin to fade, you read them carefully.
Two days, sunrise, snow wolf cottage.
You know the place. The dwarf named Kraal has used it as a safehouse several times. Two days isn't much time without taking public transport, but not impossible. Without another thought, you grab your gear and leave this latest hovel. Thrane calls.
The Silver Flame needs you.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Eberron Adventure Journal: The Fall of Long Shadows
Vult 10 - Vult 25, YK 998
Part One - Dragon's Return
After bringing Gunter Hegerin back to the Golden Dragon and explaining to the ambassadors what had happened, thus preventing the breakout of a new war, the Wolves spent a few days in Stormreach. Their newest ally Maechen shopped at the magic shops for magic inks and pages so that he could scribe some of Gunter's spells on the journey back. The Golden Dragon disembarked for Sharn on Vult 20.
During the journey, Pel took time to talk to Zan, the Tyrant and former employee of his father about what he'd discovered. Zan revealed that he had been undercover in Cord's organization, and that he had discovered plans involving a coup against the Tyrant's council. They weren't specific, but what worried him was that the names of Pel and Xain were both there. Zan wasn't sure what this meant, if Vadis' own son was against him, and he fled rather than worry about being assassinated for uncovering something he shouldn't. He asked that Pel not report what happened to Vadis or anyone, to let Zan live in his new life aboard the Golden Dragon.
Lysander had come down with something in Xen'drik, and it only worsened on the journey back. By the time the Golden Dragon arrived in Sharn on Vult 23, he was nauseous and extremely tired. When the ship arrived to find a small party of well-wishers, Lysander wasn't even well enough to offer performances or stories.
As the rest of the Wolves disembarked into the warm rain of an evening in Sharn, they were accosted by officers of the Wharf Watch. They told the Wolves that they had been tipped off that the adventurers might be carrying unauthorized salvage from Xen'drik, and that they would need to return that and face fines. Before the adventurers could react, however, a House Orien courier pushed his way to the front of the crowd and handed the officer a letter of marque, indicating that the Wolves had been operating under the auspices of House Cannith since Vult 3.
The courier also handed Pel a letter, carrying the familiar seal of Lady Elaydren d'Cannith. After Pel tipped him, Brand stopped the courier to explain that he had recently regained his memory (a convenient lie to explain his disappearance) and was seeking to rejoin House Orien. The courier helpfully suggested Terminus in Tavick's Landing, but suggested that Brand be careful, as the area was heavily influenced by the criminal gang known as the Tyrants. This, of course, was good news to Brand, given his connections within that group.
Councilor Sava Kharisa of the Lower Central Ward also greeted the Wolves, especially Pel, quite warmly, and was introduced to their newest member Maechen Eyre. She asked if Pel and the others could visit her gallery sometime in the next couple of days, before the Nights of Long Shadows, a three day holiday of danger and monsters which would begin on Vult 26.
Meanwhile, an envoy from House Phiarlan delivered a small package to Lysander. Upon opening it, he reported to the Wolves that he had been summoned by his house, and that he would see them later in the week. They bid him well and wished him better health, and he got into a waiting skycoach to depart.
Part Two - Old Haunts and New Friends
Before heading over to the Guild Hall and their usual drinking spot of The Drunken Dragon, The Wolves stopped by a Sivis message station so that Brand could send a message to his mother in the Eldeen Reaches, telling her that he was alright and that he would talk to her soon.
Then it was off to Upper Dura and the Clifftop District, where the adventurers stopped in with their guild. They arranged to add Maechen to the charter of the Wandering Wolves, as well as change the status of Tworock and Brand. From there, they went to grab a drink and read Lady Elaydren's letter at The Drunken Dragon.
Before settling into their private table, Pel spotted an old friend, the young mage Elias Volan whom they had hired to help them with a cockatrice problem. Volan greeted them happily, glad to see them survive Xen'drik, and introduced his new adventuring band, made up of a human rogue named Huran, a human cleric of the Sovereign Host named Wertham Althoreus and a beautiful half-elven girl named Beless Diaphran, who was putting on quite a singing performance on the stage. After exchanging general pleasantries, and giving Wertham the flametouched iron holy symbol of the Host that they had found, earning a pleased if restrained response, the Wolves settled back into their private table.
There they read the letter from Lady Elaydren. It was brief, saying only that she needed to see them at her townhouse in Parlan Tower as soon as was convenient, but that it wasn't as urgent as most of her missives had been, and could certainly wait until after they'd rested a bit from their recent journeys.
Feeling the need for rest, the group agreed to head to bed for the night and meet again at Gareth's Gear in the morning. Pel returned to the apartment of Malfiore' LeQuande, while Brand, Luggoth and Maechen all bunked at the guildhall. Before they did, they offered up the Silver Holy Symbol of Vulkoor that they had found as a trophy for the hall, which the bartender, Mira d'Ghallanda, happily mounted over the bar.
Part Three - Matters of Finance:
The next morning (Vult 24), Pel joined the group and they walked over to Gareth's Gear, explaining to Maechen that they had a good arrangement going with this store, and that one of the former Wolves worked there. Only Brand and Pel knew that Gareth was Pel, and that the Wolves owned the shop.
They were pleased to discover that Gareth's Gear had some nicer fixtures, a magically lighted sign and other indications that it had been doing well. They were enthusiastically greeted by their dwarven manager, Jalis ir'Mroranon, who reported that she didn't have any excess profits to give them but the store had been doing quite well. Tock wasn't there, out doing some work, but Jalis helped them put their spoils into the inventory, at least what wasn't divided amongst themselves, and from the general treasury they each earned about 5000 gold, plus close to 350 to put into the Kundarak account.
When they were done cashing in their treasure, the Wolves disembarked for various errands, agreeing to meet up again at mid-day at the Drunken Dragon. Brand waited for Tock, and when he got there he gave him a list of items he was hoping to have made, including a wand of cure moderate wounds for the party and gloves of dexterity and a bag of tricks (rust) for himself. Tock worked up the expenses, which Brand paid, and Tock told him it would probably be about a week and a half until he could get all of the items crafted.
Pel, Dura, Luggoth and Maechen walked together back to the Dura quarter and stopped in at The Dragon's Hoard. Pel bought himself an Infinite Scroll Case, then made his way to a variety of scroll shops in the Mystic Market to outfit himself with enough scrolls to make the new device worthwhile. Luggoth purchased Gauntlets of Ogre Power at The Dragon's Hoard, and then made his way down into Middle Dura, looking for a new place to live. He found something he liked while wandering around the districts, finding the unusual (some might say mad) district of Hareth's Folly, and purchasing a cheap, one room apartment outright for 200 gp.
Maechen didn't find anything to his taste at The Dragon's Hoard immediately, and instead walked down the road to the Esoteric Order of Aureon, a prominent Wizard's Circle in Sharn. After talking with the mages at length, and deciding that he wished to join their ranks, he paid the princely initiation sum of 2500 gold for his first annual membership.
The Wolves met once again at the Drunken Dragon and, deciding that they were hungry, stumbled upon a little restaurant named Kavv's, which served an intriguing blend of Khorvairian food styles, using spices and vegetables the adventurers hadn't seen before. The meals were cheap but exquisite in quality, and the adventurers vowed to "remember this place" when they were in the area of their guild or usual tavern.
Walking through Sharn to get to the Central Plateau, the Wolves decided to stop in and make deposits on both their personal accounts and the Wolves' group account. It was there that they were introduced to Rochus D'Kundarak, a dwarven Silver Key and security specialist who told them that he had been assigned as their personal banker, and would be happy to help with security, deposits, letters of credit and other financial matters.
Part Four - A Lady Takes Her Leave:
After dealing with their finances, the Wolves walked down into Middle Central and met Lady Elaydren at her townhome in Parlan Tower. She greeted them warmly, introducing herself to Maechen, and asked after the adventurers, offering them fine snacks and wine from Aundair. After a little bit of small talk, Lady Elaydren got into why she had invited the adventurers to her home, and why she had known to provide them with a post-dated letter of marque.
She explained that Lady Sharri d'Deneith had visited her a couple weeks ago, and had urged Elaydren to cut all ties with the Wolves. She offered up quite a dossier, pointing out that the Wolves had ties to the Tyrants and the Daask, that they served at least one rival house in Phiarlan and that one in their midst (Luggoth) had a history of being a drifter who committed violence against worshipers of the Silver Flame. She also made noises about them "plundering Xen'drik illegally," which tipped off Elaydren to expect her ploy with the Wharf Watch upon their return. She secured a letter of marque for the Wolves, not wishing them to get into trouble.
Elaydren told the Wolves they didn't have to worry, that they had been loyal and helpful friends, but that she would be talking to them less often. Not because of Lady Sharri's insistence, but rather because she and her fiance were moving to Aundair, where they could become more involved in House Cannith operations there. They were leaving in the first week of Zaratyr, the next month. However, she did deliver invitations to the Wolves, including invitations for Tworock, Kanatash and Tock, for her wedding, to take place in about three months, during the first week of Therendor.
Lady Elaydren bid the Wolves farewell, hoping that they would see her either before she left or at least at her wedding in Aundair.
Part Five - Goodfellas & Goblins:
From Lady Elaydren's townhouse, the Wolves wandered down into the Lower Central Plateau, where they found Sava's Gallery in the Stone Towers. Councilor Kharisa Sava's gallery was quite impressive, especially given its relatively provincial location, and as the Wolves were looking around, Kharisa approached them and welcomed them. Pel, wanting to continue building a useful relationship with the councilor, impressed her by discussing some of the historical elements in some of the paintings. This probably had something to do with her inviting Pel to dine with her at some point in the future.
However, she also offered it as payment for services. Specifically, she warned that the Boromar Clan, always active in her district, was getting increasingly pushy in the last month. Asking merchants for increasing amounts of "protection" money with increasing frequency, resorting to violence more quickly, that kind of thing. She asked if the Wolves would be willing to make their presence known in Lower Central a little bit, to intimidate the Boromar enforcers the way they had been intimidating the merchants and common people in the area. Pel reluctantly agreed, not wanting to step on too many toes given his own maneuvering in the world of crime.
As they left Kharisa Sava's gallery, intent on finding a spot for dinner, the Wolves discussed what they thought was going on with the Boromar Clan. They had heard from various people that the Boromar and Daask were engaged in various squabbles, and that it was only getting worse, and many suggested that given the Daask's monstrous population, they might make some kind of move during the Night of Long Shadows.
After dining at a restaurant in the Olladra's Kitchen district of the Central Plateau, the adventurers wandered the city asking questions and looking for information. Pel and Maechen teamed up and found out that the Boromar had been acquiring explosive glyphs, ogre- and goblin-bane weapons and out-of-town assassins and mercenaries with experience fighting monsters.
While Maechen retired to his new quarters with the Esoteric Order of Aureon, Luggoth returned to a few games of chance and drinks at the King's Tavern and then home to his new apartment and Brand again rented a room at the Clifftop Guild Hall, Pel had a busy night. First, he shifted into his guise as a scabby half-orc hobo and did some begging and information gathering in the Daask controlled Malleon's Gate district of Lower Dura. What he discovered was that the Daask had also been making noises about violence, and he guessed that the Boromar were gearing up for war in a defensive nature, expecting an attack from the Daask.
After that, Pel went down to the Cracked Mirror tavern to meet with Xain, his contact with the Tyrants. Given that Pel still didn't trust Xain after the theft of the schema and the creation pattern, and what he had heard from Zan, it was a rather frosty meeting. Especially when Xain revealed that Vadis, Pel's father, had ordered him and the rest of the Wolves to steer clear of the Emerald Claw, as the Tyrants were building an information-gathering alliance with them. Pel didn't believe the orders truly came from his father, and he demanded to speak with him directly, but Xain wouldn't budge. Trying to get further, Pel mentioned Zan to Xain, who was quite insistent about finding out what Pel knew. Pel simply stormed out, telling Xain that he would tell his father what he knew. He then returned to LeQuande's apartment to get some rest, and sleep in late until the next morning.
Part Six - Preludes and Developments:
The next day, Vult 25, was the last day before the city and indeed much of Khorvaire would endure the dominance of dark magic known as Long Shadows. As such, the city was both somber and rushed, holding its collective breath wondering what the nights would bring while doing their best to get last minute preparations made for three long nights gathered around fires against the darkness roaming the streets.
As arranged the day before, the Wolves met again at the Drunken Dragon, this time for a short but pleasant lunch. Pel finished the last of his information gathering for the Wolves by bringing Brand information he had learned about Terminus, the House Orien enclave in Tavick's Landing. He had learned that there was a cult of the Traveler inside Orien, but didn't find out many specifics about their role in the Sharn branch of the House. He found a man named Markus Hume d'Orien, Minister of Scheduling for Terminus, and believed that he might be receptive to Brand. Markus had no love for the politics of the House, believing their role to be a public service rather than a gods-given right. Brand resolved to seek Markus out later that day.
Luggoth, inspired by the notion of the violence of the Long Shadows, decided to look into the Silver Flame temples in the area. Maechen, still observing Luggoth in the name of the Prophecy, tried to follow him, but the canny shifter had no trouble detecting his shadow, and he turned things around on him, coming up behind Maechen and grabbing him by the throat. He growled at Maechen to stop following him, insisting that he didn't care about the Propecy, and Maechen diplomatically demurred, taking his leave to go back and find his quarters in the Esoteric Order of Aureon once more.
Free to scope out the Silver Flame temples, Luggoth was unsurprised to see that they were well-guarded, ready to defend against the depredations of monsters. What did surprise him was that he saw some shifters, obviously worshipers of the Flame, going into the temple. This inspired him to head back to the King of Fire and get roaring drunk before passing out in his apartment, roughly an hour before the Long Shadows began. If Maechen was right about Luggoth's role in the Prophecy, it clearly wasn't going to start tonight.
Brand, for his part, summoned his courage and returned to the world he had left behind long ago, the world of House Orien. He went into the enormous lightning rail station Terminus and found the office of Markus d'Orien. When he introduced himself, Markus knew a little about Brand's story already, and had clearly heard of his uncle Aeromus. It was also clear that Markus had little use for Aeromus, although he did share the bad news with Brand that Aeromus had risen to a position on the ruling council in Passage, Aundair.
Markus quickly agreed to hire Brand on as security for the caravans and lightning rails, and mentioned that they had a Blade of Orien working for the Sharn enclave who headed up security in general. He was in Thrane, but would be back within the next week or two. Markus also spoke plainly to Brand, telling him that he understood a desire for vengeance against Aeromus and justice for his father Traega, but that Markus would be of no help in that regard. He wouldn't hamper Brand, and indeed promised to bury the paperwork so that Aeromus wouldn't immediately know of his nephew's return to the fold, but neither would he be a political ally, choosing instead to remain neutral.
Pel stopped in at Sava's Gallery to warn the councilor of what he had heard, and then made himself visible, in his half-elven Wandering Wolves guise, hoping to catch the attention of someone in the Tyrants. Someone he hoped would be looking for him. Someone was, but it wasn't his father, or at least she didn't present herself as such. A stern, somewhat cold woman who introduced herself as Yelena talked to Pel, expressing no small amount of irritation but also conveying a message of pride from his father. She repeated Xain's instructions about the Emerald Claw, and told Pel that he had successfully gotten rid of Xain as a contact, but that she would be his go-between. It was dangerous, she reminded him, for him to see his father directly.
Unhappy with this new contact, Pel insisted upon seeing his father, making allusions to the alliance he and Lysander had been planning between House Phiarlan and the Tyrants. Yelena promised that Pel would see his father after the Long Shadows, that Vadis would come to Malfiore' LeQuande's apartment. Pel would be there, as the day was getting long, and it wouldn't be long before the Long Shadows fell upon Sharn...
Part One - Dragon's Return
After bringing Gunter Hegerin back to the Golden Dragon and explaining to the ambassadors what had happened, thus preventing the breakout of a new war, the Wolves spent a few days in Stormreach. Their newest ally Maechen shopped at the magic shops for magic inks and pages so that he could scribe some of Gunter's spells on the journey back. The Golden Dragon disembarked for Sharn on Vult 20.
During the journey, Pel took time to talk to Zan, the Tyrant and former employee of his father about what he'd discovered. Zan revealed that he had been undercover in Cord's organization, and that he had discovered plans involving a coup against the Tyrant's council. They weren't specific, but what worried him was that the names of Pel and Xain were both there. Zan wasn't sure what this meant, if Vadis' own son was against him, and he fled rather than worry about being assassinated for uncovering something he shouldn't. He asked that Pel not report what happened to Vadis or anyone, to let Zan live in his new life aboard the Golden Dragon.
Lysander had come down with something in Xen'drik, and it only worsened on the journey back. By the time the Golden Dragon arrived in Sharn on Vult 23, he was nauseous and extremely tired. When the ship arrived to find a small party of well-wishers, Lysander wasn't even well enough to offer performances or stories.
As the rest of the Wolves disembarked into the warm rain of an evening in Sharn, they were accosted by officers of the Wharf Watch. They told the Wolves that they had been tipped off that the adventurers might be carrying unauthorized salvage from Xen'drik, and that they would need to return that and face fines. Before the adventurers could react, however, a House Orien courier pushed his way to the front of the crowd and handed the officer a letter of marque, indicating that the Wolves had been operating under the auspices of House Cannith since Vult 3.
The courier also handed Pel a letter, carrying the familiar seal of Lady Elaydren d'Cannith. After Pel tipped him, Brand stopped the courier to explain that he had recently regained his memory (a convenient lie to explain his disappearance) and was seeking to rejoin House Orien. The courier helpfully suggested Terminus in Tavick's Landing, but suggested that Brand be careful, as the area was heavily influenced by the criminal gang known as the Tyrants. This, of course, was good news to Brand, given his connections within that group.
Councilor Sava Kharisa of the Lower Central Ward also greeted the Wolves, especially Pel, quite warmly, and was introduced to their newest member Maechen Eyre. She asked if Pel and the others could visit her gallery sometime in the next couple of days, before the Nights of Long Shadows, a three day holiday of danger and monsters which would begin on Vult 26.
Meanwhile, an envoy from House Phiarlan delivered a small package to Lysander. Upon opening it, he reported to the Wolves that he had been summoned by his house, and that he would see them later in the week. They bid him well and wished him better health, and he got into a waiting skycoach to depart.
Part Two - Old Haunts and New Friends
Before heading over to the Guild Hall and their usual drinking spot of The Drunken Dragon, The Wolves stopped by a Sivis message station so that Brand could send a message to his mother in the Eldeen Reaches, telling her that he was alright and that he would talk to her soon.
Then it was off to Upper Dura and the Clifftop District, where the adventurers stopped in with their guild. They arranged to add Maechen to the charter of the Wandering Wolves, as well as change the status of Tworock and Brand. From there, they went to grab a drink and read Lady Elaydren's letter at The Drunken Dragon.
Before settling into their private table, Pel spotted an old friend, the young mage Elias Volan whom they had hired to help them with a cockatrice problem. Volan greeted them happily, glad to see them survive Xen'drik, and introduced his new adventuring band, made up of a human rogue named Huran, a human cleric of the Sovereign Host named Wertham Althoreus and a beautiful half-elven girl named Beless Diaphran, who was putting on quite a singing performance on the stage. After exchanging general pleasantries, and giving Wertham the flametouched iron holy symbol of the Host that they had found, earning a pleased if restrained response, the Wolves settled back into their private table.
There they read the letter from Lady Elaydren. It was brief, saying only that she needed to see them at her townhouse in Parlan Tower as soon as was convenient, but that it wasn't as urgent as most of her missives had been, and could certainly wait until after they'd rested a bit from their recent journeys.
Feeling the need for rest, the group agreed to head to bed for the night and meet again at Gareth's Gear in the morning. Pel returned to the apartment of Malfiore' LeQuande, while Brand, Luggoth and Maechen all bunked at the guildhall. Before they did, they offered up the Silver Holy Symbol of Vulkoor that they had found as a trophy for the hall, which the bartender, Mira d'Ghallanda, happily mounted over the bar.
Part Three - Matters of Finance:
The next morning (Vult 24), Pel joined the group and they walked over to Gareth's Gear, explaining to Maechen that they had a good arrangement going with this store, and that one of the former Wolves worked there. Only Brand and Pel knew that Gareth was Pel, and that the Wolves owned the shop.
They were pleased to discover that Gareth's Gear had some nicer fixtures, a magically lighted sign and other indications that it had been doing well. They were enthusiastically greeted by their dwarven manager, Jalis ir'Mroranon, who reported that she didn't have any excess profits to give them but the store had been doing quite well. Tock wasn't there, out doing some work, but Jalis helped them put their spoils into the inventory, at least what wasn't divided amongst themselves, and from the general treasury they each earned about 5000 gold, plus close to 350 to put into the Kundarak account.
When they were done cashing in their treasure, the Wolves disembarked for various errands, agreeing to meet up again at mid-day at the Drunken Dragon. Brand waited for Tock, and when he got there he gave him a list of items he was hoping to have made, including a wand of cure moderate wounds for the party and gloves of dexterity and a bag of tricks (rust) for himself. Tock worked up the expenses, which Brand paid, and Tock told him it would probably be about a week and a half until he could get all of the items crafted.
Pel, Dura, Luggoth and Maechen walked together back to the Dura quarter and stopped in at The Dragon's Hoard. Pel bought himself an Infinite Scroll Case, then made his way to a variety of scroll shops in the Mystic Market to outfit himself with enough scrolls to make the new device worthwhile. Luggoth purchased Gauntlets of Ogre Power at The Dragon's Hoard, and then made his way down into Middle Dura, looking for a new place to live. He found something he liked while wandering around the districts, finding the unusual (some might say mad) district of Hareth's Folly, and purchasing a cheap, one room apartment outright for 200 gp.
Maechen didn't find anything to his taste at The Dragon's Hoard immediately, and instead walked down the road to the Esoteric Order of Aureon, a prominent Wizard's Circle in Sharn. After talking with the mages at length, and deciding that he wished to join their ranks, he paid the princely initiation sum of 2500 gold for his first annual membership.
The Wolves met once again at the Drunken Dragon and, deciding that they were hungry, stumbled upon a little restaurant named Kavv's, which served an intriguing blend of Khorvairian food styles, using spices and vegetables the adventurers hadn't seen before. The meals were cheap but exquisite in quality, and the adventurers vowed to "remember this place" when they were in the area of their guild or usual tavern.
Walking through Sharn to get to the Central Plateau, the Wolves decided to stop in and make deposits on both their personal accounts and the Wolves' group account. It was there that they were introduced to Rochus D'Kundarak, a dwarven Silver Key and security specialist who told them that he had been assigned as their personal banker, and would be happy to help with security, deposits, letters of credit and other financial matters.
Part Four - A Lady Takes Her Leave:
After dealing with their finances, the Wolves walked down into Middle Central and met Lady Elaydren at her townhome in Parlan Tower. She greeted them warmly, introducing herself to Maechen, and asked after the adventurers, offering them fine snacks and wine from Aundair. After a little bit of small talk, Lady Elaydren got into why she had invited the adventurers to her home, and why she had known to provide them with a post-dated letter of marque.
She explained that Lady Sharri d'Deneith had visited her a couple weeks ago, and had urged Elaydren to cut all ties with the Wolves. She offered up quite a dossier, pointing out that the Wolves had ties to the Tyrants and the Daask, that they served at least one rival house in Phiarlan and that one in their midst (Luggoth) had a history of being a drifter who committed violence against worshipers of the Silver Flame. She also made noises about them "plundering Xen'drik illegally," which tipped off Elaydren to expect her ploy with the Wharf Watch upon their return. She secured a letter of marque for the Wolves, not wishing them to get into trouble.
Elaydren told the Wolves they didn't have to worry, that they had been loyal and helpful friends, but that she would be talking to them less often. Not because of Lady Sharri's insistence, but rather because she and her fiance were moving to Aundair, where they could become more involved in House Cannith operations there. They were leaving in the first week of Zaratyr, the next month. However, she did deliver invitations to the Wolves, including invitations for Tworock, Kanatash and Tock, for her wedding, to take place in about three months, during the first week of Therendor.
Lady Elaydren bid the Wolves farewell, hoping that they would see her either before she left or at least at her wedding in Aundair.
Part Five - Goodfellas & Goblins:
From Lady Elaydren's townhouse, the Wolves wandered down into the Lower Central Plateau, where they found Sava's Gallery in the Stone Towers. Councilor Kharisa Sava's gallery was quite impressive, especially given its relatively provincial location, and as the Wolves were looking around, Kharisa approached them and welcomed them. Pel, wanting to continue building a useful relationship with the councilor, impressed her by discussing some of the historical elements in some of the paintings. This probably had something to do with her inviting Pel to dine with her at some point in the future.
However, she also offered it as payment for services. Specifically, she warned that the Boromar Clan, always active in her district, was getting increasingly pushy in the last month. Asking merchants for increasing amounts of "protection" money with increasing frequency, resorting to violence more quickly, that kind of thing. She asked if the Wolves would be willing to make their presence known in Lower Central a little bit, to intimidate the Boromar enforcers the way they had been intimidating the merchants and common people in the area. Pel reluctantly agreed, not wanting to step on too many toes given his own maneuvering in the world of crime.
As they left Kharisa Sava's gallery, intent on finding a spot for dinner, the Wolves discussed what they thought was going on with the Boromar Clan. They had heard from various people that the Boromar and Daask were engaged in various squabbles, and that it was only getting worse, and many suggested that given the Daask's monstrous population, they might make some kind of move during the Night of Long Shadows.
After dining at a restaurant in the Olladra's Kitchen district of the Central Plateau, the adventurers wandered the city asking questions and looking for information. Pel and Maechen teamed up and found out that the Boromar had been acquiring explosive glyphs, ogre- and goblin-bane weapons and out-of-town assassins and mercenaries with experience fighting monsters.
While Maechen retired to his new quarters with the Esoteric Order of Aureon, Luggoth returned to a few games of chance and drinks at the King's Tavern and then home to his new apartment and Brand again rented a room at the Clifftop Guild Hall, Pel had a busy night. First, he shifted into his guise as a scabby half-orc hobo and did some begging and information gathering in the Daask controlled Malleon's Gate district of Lower Dura. What he discovered was that the Daask had also been making noises about violence, and he guessed that the Boromar were gearing up for war in a defensive nature, expecting an attack from the Daask.
After that, Pel went down to the Cracked Mirror tavern to meet with Xain, his contact with the Tyrants. Given that Pel still didn't trust Xain after the theft of the schema and the creation pattern, and what he had heard from Zan, it was a rather frosty meeting. Especially when Xain revealed that Vadis, Pel's father, had ordered him and the rest of the Wolves to steer clear of the Emerald Claw, as the Tyrants were building an information-gathering alliance with them. Pel didn't believe the orders truly came from his father, and he demanded to speak with him directly, but Xain wouldn't budge. Trying to get further, Pel mentioned Zan to Xain, who was quite insistent about finding out what Pel knew. Pel simply stormed out, telling Xain that he would tell his father what he knew. He then returned to LeQuande's apartment to get some rest, and sleep in late until the next morning.
Part Six - Preludes and Developments:
The next day, Vult 25, was the last day before the city and indeed much of Khorvaire would endure the dominance of dark magic known as Long Shadows. As such, the city was both somber and rushed, holding its collective breath wondering what the nights would bring while doing their best to get last minute preparations made for three long nights gathered around fires against the darkness roaming the streets.
As arranged the day before, the Wolves met again at the Drunken Dragon, this time for a short but pleasant lunch. Pel finished the last of his information gathering for the Wolves by bringing Brand information he had learned about Terminus, the House Orien enclave in Tavick's Landing. He had learned that there was a cult of the Traveler inside Orien, but didn't find out many specifics about their role in the Sharn branch of the House. He found a man named Markus Hume d'Orien, Minister of Scheduling for Terminus, and believed that he might be receptive to Brand. Markus had no love for the politics of the House, believing their role to be a public service rather than a gods-given right. Brand resolved to seek Markus out later that day.
Luggoth, inspired by the notion of the violence of the Long Shadows, decided to look into the Silver Flame temples in the area. Maechen, still observing Luggoth in the name of the Prophecy, tried to follow him, but the canny shifter had no trouble detecting his shadow, and he turned things around on him, coming up behind Maechen and grabbing him by the throat. He growled at Maechen to stop following him, insisting that he didn't care about the Propecy, and Maechen diplomatically demurred, taking his leave to go back and find his quarters in the Esoteric Order of Aureon once more.
Free to scope out the Silver Flame temples, Luggoth was unsurprised to see that they were well-guarded, ready to defend against the depredations of monsters. What did surprise him was that he saw some shifters, obviously worshipers of the Flame, going into the temple. This inspired him to head back to the King of Fire and get roaring drunk before passing out in his apartment, roughly an hour before the Long Shadows began. If Maechen was right about Luggoth's role in the Prophecy, it clearly wasn't going to start tonight.
Brand, for his part, summoned his courage and returned to the world he had left behind long ago, the world of House Orien. He went into the enormous lightning rail station Terminus and found the office of Markus d'Orien. When he introduced himself, Markus knew a little about Brand's story already, and had clearly heard of his uncle Aeromus. It was also clear that Markus had little use for Aeromus, although he did share the bad news with Brand that Aeromus had risen to a position on the ruling council in Passage, Aundair.
Markus quickly agreed to hire Brand on as security for the caravans and lightning rails, and mentioned that they had a Blade of Orien working for the Sharn enclave who headed up security in general. He was in Thrane, but would be back within the next week or two. Markus also spoke plainly to Brand, telling him that he understood a desire for vengeance against Aeromus and justice for his father Traega, but that Markus would be of no help in that regard. He wouldn't hamper Brand, and indeed promised to bury the paperwork so that Aeromus wouldn't immediately know of his nephew's return to the fold, but neither would he be a political ally, choosing instead to remain neutral.
Pel stopped in at Sava's Gallery to warn the councilor of what he had heard, and then made himself visible, in his half-elven Wandering Wolves guise, hoping to catch the attention of someone in the Tyrants. Someone he hoped would be looking for him. Someone was, but it wasn't his father, or at least she didn't present herself as such. A stern, somewhat cold woman who introduced herself as Yelena talked to Pel, expressing no small amount of irritation but also conveying a message of pride from his father. She repeated Xain's instructions about the Emerald Claw, and told Pel that he had successfully gotten rid of Xain as a contact, but that she would be his go-between. It was dangerous, she reminded him, for him to see his father directly.
Unhappy with this new contact, Pel insisted upon seeing his father, making allusions to the alliance he and Lysander had been planning between House Phiarlan and the Tyrants. Yelena promised that Pel would see his father after the Long Shadows, that Vadis would come to Malfiore' LeQuande's apartment. Pel would be there, as the day was getting long, and it wouldn't be long before the Long Shadows fell upon Sharn...
Upcoming Schedule - February through April
Schedule time is here again! This is all maybe a little more tentative than usual, as Mat (our fearless Cthulhu GM) has potential work overload, and I am going to be stressed and overloaded as well. I think almost everybody on this blog knows already, but for the two or three of you who don't, I am buying the Round Rock Dragon's Lair, and if all goes as planned (keep your fingers crossed) the purchase will take place on February 19th. I plan to lose the rest of my hair from stress by the end of the week. So anyway, there's every possibility that I might have to bail on a February or March game, but I *think* I'll still be able to (and probably really need to) game.
At any rate, as always, folks let me know if there are changes that need to be made to the schedule. I'm assuming Ravenloft's first arc will be five sessions, if it's more or less we'll move Eberron until the first arc is done. And as with last month, I'm forecasting further out, even though I'm sure there will be changes between now and April.
February 2nd - Character Building - Ravenloft
February 9th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
February 16th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
February 23rd - Poker Game
March 2nd - No Gaming - STAPLE!
March 9th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 16th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 23rd - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 30th - Poker Game
April 6th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part One
April 13th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Two
April 20th - Poker Game
April 27th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Three
Figure in May, we'll finish up Eberron, have a poker game and then start either Chris's teenage delinquent Champions game or, if that's not ready, go back for another round of Ravenloft. What say ye?
At any rate, as always, folks let me know if there are changes that need to be made to the schedule. I'm assuming Ravenloft's first arc will be five sessions, if it's more or less we'll move Eberron until the first arc is done. And as with last month, I'm forecasting further out, even though I'm sure there will be changes between now and April.
February 2nd - Character Building - Ravenloft
February 9th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
February 16th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
February 23rd - Poker Game
March 2nd - No Gaming - STAPLE!
March 9th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 16th - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 23rd - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft (First Story Arc)
March 30th - Poker Game
April 6th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part One
April 13th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Two
April 20th - Poker Game
April 27th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Three
Figure in May, we'll finish up Eberron, have a poker game and then start either Chris's teenage delinquent Champions game or, if that's not ready, go back for another round of Ravenloft. What say ye?
Christmas for Lysander
Jason, Lysander picked up a few magic items when we divided up treasure and did a little shopping. He still has his own cash to spend, of course. 5,000 gold pieces all for you. Don't forget that if you spend some EXP, Tock can create scrolls, potions and Wonderous Items. Here's a few other goodies for you:
Scroll: Cure Light Wounds
Scroll: Invisibility
Wand: Cure Moderate Wounds (50)
Here's the half empty: you need to remove the Wand of Cure Light Wounds from your character sheet. Lysander gave that to Brand in exchange for his spiffy new wand.
Merry Christmas!
Edited by Randy to add: Lysander also owes 31 XP as his share of the creation of a wand of Cure Moderate Wounds.
Oh, and Lysander had some adventures that the rest of the Wolves don't know about yet. I'll email you about those, or possibly just tell you when I see you for gaming on Friday.
Scroll: Cure Light Wounds
Scroll: Invisibility
Wand: Cure Moderate Wounds (50)
Here's the half empty: you need to remove the Wand of Cure Light Wounds from your character sheet. Lysander gave that to Brand in exchange for his spiffy new wand.
Merry Christmas!
Edited by Randy to add: Lysander also owes 31 XP as his share of the creation of a wand of Cure Moderate Wounds.
Oh, and Lysander had some adventures that the rest of the Wolves don't know about yet. I'll email you about those, or possibly just tell you when I see you for gaming on Friday.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Eberron Adventure Journal: The Wrath of Vulkoor (2)
Vult 9 - Vult 10, YK 998
Part Five: Scorpion's Sting
The journey back into the jungle and to the drow shrine took about four hours on horseback. To no one's surprise, Halas Martain begged off coming along, and so it was that Maechen, Lysander, Luggoth, Brand and Pel journeyed off to rescue Gunter Hegerin from a fate he probably deserved. On the way, Maechen rode alongside the dour Luggoth, explaining to him that he had been sent by his draconic master to observe Luggoth and his part in the prophecy. Maechen recited the passage of the Prophecy, which was: "In the year that an empire of blood strikes against the goddess of blood, a child will be born to a pack of wild men. This tribe, part beast, part man, will roam the land where Xoriat touched the trees and all within. This child, after twenty summers have passed but before twenty five, will find his destiny. He will lose all he holds dear at the hands of evil, and choose instead allies willfully wearing the mark of the wolf, some also bearing the marks of the dragon, to struggle against terrible forces. He will stand and be judged by gods, men and demon alike. He will face his own righteous anger. He will struggle with his own nature. And his decision will tilt the balance." Lysander thought this definitely sounded like Luggoth, but Luggoth himself wasn't so sure, having little interest in prophecy.
Eventually, their journey took them to a rope bridge crossing a deep chasm, which Hackrazet had told them would be about 100 feet or so from the drow temple. Wary of ambush and expecting drow trouble, the group drank antitoxin from the party's store of supplies. Brand then decided to do some scouting, using a scroll of talk to animal to speak with a nearby bird and send him on a scouting mission across the way. The bird gave them enough information to realize that there was a Scorrow with the drow, but didn't spot any of their foes hiding in the forest and undergrowth the other side of the bridge.
Lysander cast invisibility on Brand, who crossed the bridge. About halfway across, he spotted a drow hunter hidden in the underbrush, but when he realized that the drow couldn't see him, he continued on. Slowly, he snuck up behind the drow hunter, but as he was about to strike, a guttural voice called out a warning in the drow language, and a Scorrow rose from its hiding place in the underbrush.
While Maechen meditated to enter prophetic favor, Pel, Lysander and Luggoth charged across the bridge. Two Xen'drik boomerangs came flying out of the jungle, one of them nicking Luggoth's shoulder as he ducked out of the way of the other. Brand attacked the hunter, but with the warning he had gotten from the Scorrow, he managed to turn Brand's deadly sneak attack into merely a severe wound.
The Scorrow rushed over to help, slashing at Brand with his long knives and stinging him, the poison overwhelming Brand's system, even with the antitoxin, and causing him to weaken. Seeing this, Luggoth shifted and rushed to kill the wounded drow hunter in front of Brand, even as Maechen fired magic missiles at the Scorrow. Unfortunately, the magically-resistant Scorrow shrugged the attack, although he couldn't shrug off a slash from Brand's shortsword that chipped away part of his chitinous carapace. Pel, feeling the blessings of the Traveler so that he could evade the underbrush with ease, rushed over to the other drow hunter and dealt him a nearly deadly blow with his scimitar.
The Scorrow struck Brand again with knives and tail, and Brand stumbled back, struggling to remain conscious as the poison coursed through his system and swallowing a potion of cure moderate wounds. Luggoth pressed past the dead drow hunter and slashed the Scorrow with his greatsword, although the beast seemed in fine shape, enough to dodge Maechen's ice knife spell at least.
The other hunter turned and ran back toward the jungle, clearly intending to warn the drow at the temple, but Pel rushed after him, although the blessing of the Traveler faded just as he swung his scimitar, and he struck a thicket of vines instead of the hunter's head. Fortunately, Lysander was watching and managed to drop the runner with an arrow.
The Scorrow rained a couple of ineffective blows on Luggoth's glamered breastplate, and then was beaten down by Luggoth, magic missiles from Maechen and a wound from Brand's rapier. He scuttled back, heading for the deeper jungle, but before he could get far, Luggoth, Pel and Brand pulled out their bows and crossbows and peppered him with bolts and arrows, and Maechen finished him off with his wand of magic missiles.
After giving Brand a potion of lesser restoration to fight off the effects of the poison, the group began moving toward the temple. They moved about forty feet into the jungle, hearing the distant sounds of chanting and drumming, at which point they sent Brand ahead to scout once again. He reported back that there were two drow warriors, two drow women (one obviously a spellcaster), a shaman and a bound and gagged Gunter, and they were performing some kind of ritual to a large scorpion with a fiendish appearance. He believed that because of the noise, they should be able to approach fairly easily.
This turned out to be true, and the Wolves moved into position. Brand fired first, loosing an arrow and killing the warrior who was guarding Gunter. Luggoth fired an arrow into the older drow woman, who reacted by using a scroll of invisibility. Maechen, seeing that the attack was on, launched a fireball that killed the younger drow woman and wounded the shaman, and Lysander launched into an inspiring ballad.
The drow shaman cast Prayer on his allies, and one of them moved over to push Gunter into the pit with the scorpion. Moving quickly, Luggoth shifted, flew into a rage and leaped into the pit, attacking the scorpion with a fury. This distracted the scorpion from its sacrifice and it turned to attack Luggoth, landing savage blows with its claw and tail. Brand also rushed in, pulling out his swords and attacking, but he miscalculated his approach and suffered a vicious claw strike from the scorpion as well.
Maechen cast haste on the party, and then flew into a rage himself, rushing up to attack the shaman. Lysander and Pel both shot arrows that hit the shaman before Maechen clubbed him. Meanwhile, Crowley, Brand's snake, bit the other drow hunter and knocked him unconscious.
Two more hunters emerged from the back of the chamber, throwing Xen'drik boomerangs into the fray, as Luggoth and Brand continued to exchange blows with the scorpion.
Lysander stopped signing, charging the wounded shaman with his rapier and running him through, as Brand launched a flurry of five blows on the scorpion, leaving it bleeding and dying on the floor of its own killing ground.
Luggoth, Pel and Maechen made quick work of the other two drow warriors, and the sacrifice was over. Or so it would seem. Even as Lysander began casting healing spells, and Brand used his pearl of power to cast embrace the wild and search for the invisible drow woman, she was moving into position. She reappeared next to Luggoth and tried to kill him with a skillful attack that marked her as an assassin. Fortunately, Luggoth's endurance enabled him to survive both the attack and the poison on her blade, and before he could respond to her attack, Maechen, Brand and Crowley had dropped her to the floor, leaving Luggoth to administer the final killing blow.
After finding some magic weapons and gold hidden in an altar, the Wolves mounted back up to head back to Hackrazet's farm.
Part Six - A Demon's Bargain:
Four hours later, as the sun began to set, the Wolves arrived back at Hackrazet's farm. He served them a meal of spiced Gur'kash meat and long corn mash, and offered them cots to sleep in the farmhouse above the Gur'kash. He explained that the Bulette usually attacked in the morning, and that it hadn't been by in a few days, so he expected it soon.
Worried about Gunter's health, the Wolves reluctantly decided to try and feed him. Brand prepared weapons, and Lysander a counterspell, as Pel removed his gag, intending to shove corn mash and water into him. The corn mash got to him before he could speak, but he had a second to speak before the glass hit his lips, and he began to cast what Lysander recognized as a teleportation spell, which he couldn't counter. Fortunately, Brand was quick to smack Gunter with their newly found magical hammer, causing him to fumble the words and lose the spell. Pel decided that Gunter had enough to survive on, and wouldn't be getting anything more.
In the morning, the Wolves were awakened by the sound of the celestial Bulette loudly munching on long corn out in the field. Luggoth leaped down to the floor of the barn, but slipped on a pile of Gur'kash dung and mildly twisted his ankle, causing Lysander to chuckle just a little as he nimbly tumbled to the ground and began singing to inspire. Maechen once again entered prophetic favor as Brand tumbled down and cast Cat's Grace, and Pel chose to simply climb down one of the ladders.
The Bulette continued to munch on long corn, blissfully unaware that the Wolves were moving out into the Gur'kash pen and preparing to attack. Maechen cast haste on the party once again, and Pel cast bless.
Having had its fill of long corn, the Bulette dove down into the ground, and the Wolves rushed out into the field, but found only that the hole had filled in. While Maechen, Brand and Pel continued to cast spells to prepare, and the haste slowly dwindled, the Bulette swam underneath the ground toward the Gur'kash pen. He emerged a few seconds later, swallowing one of the Gur'kash whole.
Luggoth shifted and crashed through the fence, slashing at the Bulette, and as the rest of the Wolves moved in, Maechen began firing magic missiles, which the Bulette's celestial aura shrugged off.
The Bulette landed a nasty bite on Luggoth as the haste effect faded, and the Wolves began attacking in earnest, surrounding the celestial beast and slashing at it. The Gur'kash panicked and stampeded, trampling over Maechen as they tried to flee.
Leaping into the air, the Bulette swung all four of its claws at Luggoth, slashing him badly, but he swung his greatsword at its exposed belly as it came down, cutting a six-inch gash and covering himself in some of its innards and half-digested Gur'kash. Lysander and Brand joined in on the attack as Maechen fired empowered magic missiles, and the severely wounded Bulette dove into the ground once more, disappearing before they could land a killing blow.
Unable to track down the Bulette, Hackrazet offered Brand another deal, suggesting that he could simply owe him a favor. The group was wary, given that they already owed a favor to a death priest, but saw no easy way out. Brand negotiated that the deal wouldn't involve killing anyone, or doing incredible harm to anyone they held incredibly dear, and Hackrazet accepted those terms, even throwing in a month worth of Eternal Rations as a thanks for their help in driving the Bulette off.
XP:
Lysander 2980
Luggoth 2980
Pel 2980
Brand 3798
Maechen 3798
Part Five: Scorpion's Sting
The journey back into the jungle and to the drow shrine took about four hours on horseback. To no one's surprise, Halas Martain begged off coming along, and so it was that Maechen, Lysander, Luggoth, Brand and Pel journeyed off to rescue Gunter Hegerin from a fate he probably deserved. On the way, Maechen rode alongside the dour Luggoth, explaining to him that he had been sent by his draconic master to observe Luggoth and his part in the prophecy. Maechen recited the passage of the Prophecy, which was: "In the year that an empire of blood strikes against the goddess of blood, a child will be born to a pack of wild men. This tribe, part beast, part man, will roam the land where Xoriat touched the trees and all within. This child, after twenty summers have passed but before twenty five, will find his destiny. He will lose all he holds dear at the hands of evil, and choose instead allies willfully wearing the mark of the wolf, some also bearing the marks of the dragon, to struggle against terrible forces. He will stand and be judged by gods, men and demon alike. He will face his own righteous anger. He will struggle with his own nature. And his decision will tilt the balance." Lysander thought this definitely sounded like Luggoth, but Luggoth himself wasn't so sure, having little interest in prophecy.
Eventually, their journey took them to a rope bridge crossing a deep chasm, which Hackrazet had told them would be about 100 feet or so from the drow temple. Wary of ambush and expecting drow trouble, the group drank antitoxin from the party's store of supplies. Brand then decided to do some scouting, using a scroll of talk to animal to speak with a nearby bird and send him on a scouting mission across the way. The bird gave them enough information to realize that there was a Scorrow with the drow, but didn't spot any of their foes hiding in the forest and undergrowth the other side of the bridge.
Lysander cast invisibility on Brand, who crossed the bridge. About halfway across, he spotted a drow hunter hidden in the underbrush, but when he realized that the drow couldn't see him, he continued on. Slowly, he snuck up behind the drow hunter, but as he was about to strike, a guttural voice called out a warning in the drow language, and a Scorrow rose from its hiding place in the underbrush.
While Maechen meditated to enter prophetic favor, Pel, Lysander and Luggoth charged across the bridge. Two Xen'drik boomerangs came flying out of the jungle, one of them nicking Luggoth's shoulder as he ducked out of the way of the other. Brand attacked the hunter, but with the warning he had gotten from the Scorrow, he managed to turn Brand's deadly sneak attack into merely a severe wound.
The Scorrow rushed over to help, slashing at Brand with his long knives and stinging him, the poison overwhelming Brand's system, even with the antitoxin, and causing him to weaken. Seeing this, Luggoth shifted and rushed to kill the wounded drow hunter in front of Brand, even as Maechen fired magic missiles at the Scorrow. Unfortunately, the magically-resistant Scorrow shrugged the attack, although he couldn't shrug off a slash from Brand's shortsword that chipped away part of his chitinous carapace. Pel, feeling the blessings of the Traveler so that he could evade the underbrush with ease, rushed over to the other drow hunter and dealt him a nearly deadly blow with his scimitar.
The Scorrow struck Brand again with knives and tail, and Brand stumbled back, struggling to remain conscious as the poison coursed through his system and swallowing a potion of cure moderate wounds. Luggoth pressed past the dead drow hunter and slashed the Scorrow with his greatsword, although the beast seemed in fine shape, enough to dodge Maechen's ice knife spell at least.
The other hunter turned and ran back toward the jungle, clearly intending to warn the drow at the temple, but Pel rushed after him, although the blessing of the Traveler faded just as he swung his scimitar, and he struck a thicket of vines instead of the hunter's head. Fortunately, Lysander was watching and managed to drop the runner with an arrow.
The Scorrow rained a couple of ineffective blows on Luggoth's glamered breastplate, and then was beaten down by Luggoth, magic missiles from Maechen and a wound from Brand's rapier. He scuttled back, heading for the deeper jungle, but before he could get far, Luggoth, Pel and Brand pulled out their bows and crossbows and peppered him with bolts and arrows, and Maechen finished him off with his wand of magic missiles.
After giving Brand a potion of lesser restoration to fight off the effects of the poison, the group began moving toward the temple. They moved about forty feet into the jungle, hearing the distant sounds of chanting and drumming, at which point they sent Brand ahead to scout once again. He reported back that there were two drow warriors, two drow women (one obviously a spellcaster), a shaman and a bound and gagged Gunter, and they were performing some kind of ritual to a large scorpion with a fiendish appearance. He believed that because of the noise, they should be able to approach fairly easily.
This turned out to be true, and the Wolves moved into position. Brand fired first, loosing an arrow and killing the warrior who was guarding Gunter. Luggoth fired an arrow into the older drow woman, who reacted by using a scroll of invisibility. Maechen, seeing that the attack was on, launched a fireball that killed the younger drow woman and wounded the shaman, and Lysander launched into an inspiring ballad.
The drow shaman cast Prayer on his allies, and one of them moved over to push Gunter into the pit with the scorpion. Moving quickly, Luggoth shifted, flew into a rage and leaped into the pit, attacking the scorpion with a fury. This distracted the scorpion from its sacrifice and it turned to attack Luggoth, landing savage blows with its claw and tail. Brand also rushed in, pulling out his swords and attacking, but he miscalculated his approach and suffered a vicious claw strike from the scorpion as well.
Maechen cast haste on the party, and then flew into a rage himself, rushing up to attack the shaman. Lysander and Pel both shot arrows that hit the shaman before Maechen clubbed him. Meanwhile, Crowley, Brand's snake, bit the other drow hunter and knocked him unconscious.
Two more hunters emerged from the back of the chamber, throwing Xen'drik boomerangs into the fray, as Luggoth and Brand continued to exchange blows with the scorpion.
Lysander stopped signing, charging the wounded shaman with his rapier and running him through, as Brand launched a flurry of five blows on the scorpion, leaving it bleeding and dying on the floor of its own killing ground.
Luggoth, Pel and Maechen made quick work of the other two drow warriors, and the sacrifice was over. Or so it would seem. Even as Lysander began casting healing spells, and Brand used his pearl of power to cast embrace the wild and search for the invisible drow woman, she was moving into position. She reappeared next to Luggoth and tried to kill him with a skillful attack that marked her as an assassin. Fortunately, Luggoth's endurance enabled him to survive both the attack and the poison on her blade, and before he could respond to her attack, Maechen, Brand and Crowley had dropped her to the floor, leaving Luggoth to administer the final killing blow.
After finding some magic weapons and gold hidden in an altar, the Wolves mounted back up to head back to Hackrazet's farm.
Part Six - A Demon's Bargain:
Four hours later, as the sun began to set, the Wolves arrived back at Hackrazet's farm. He served them a meal of spiced Gur'kash meat and long corn mash, and offered them cots to sleep in the farmhouse above the Gur'kash. He explained that the Bulette usually attacked in the morning, and that it hadn't been by in a few days, so he expected it soon.
Worried about Gunter's health, the Wolves reluctantly decided to try and feed him. Brand prepared weapons, and Lysander a counterspell, as Pel removed his gag, intending to shove corn mash and water into him. The corn mash got to him before he could speak, but he had a second to speak before the glass hit his lips, and he began to cast what Lysander recognized as a teleportation spell, which he couldn't counter. Fortunately, Brand was quick to smack Gunter with their newly found magical hammer, causing him to fumble the words and lose the spell. Pel decided that Gunter had enough to survive on, and wouldn't be getting anything more.
In the morning, the Wolves were awakened by the sound of the celestial Bulette loudly munching on long corn out in the field. Luggoth leaped down to the floor of the barn, but slipped on a pile of Gur'kash dung and mildly twisted his ankle, causing Lysander to chuckle just a little as he nimbly tumbled to the ground and began singing to inspire. Maechen once again entered prophetic favor as Brand tumbled down and cast Cat's Grace, and Pel chose to simply climb down one of the ladders.
The Bulette continued to munch on long corn, blissfully unaware that the Wolves were moving out into the Gur'kash pen and preparing to attack. Maechen cast haste on the party once again, and Pel cast bless.
Having had its fill of long corn, the Bulette dove down into the ground, and the Wolves rushed out into the field, but found only that the hole had filled in. While Maechen, Brand and Pel continued to cast spells to prepare, and the haste slowly dwindled, the Bulette swam underneath the ground toward the Gur'kash pen. He emerged a few seconds later, swallowing one of the Gur'kash whole.
Luggoth shifted and crashed through the fence, slashing at the Bulette, and as the rest of the Wolves moved in, Maechen began firing magic missiles, which the Bulette's celestial aura shrugged off.
The Bulette landed a nasty bite on Luggoth as the haste effect faded, and the Wolves began attacking in earnest, surrounding the celestial beast and slashing at it. The Gur'kash panicked and stampeded, trampling over Maechen as they tried to flee.
Leaping into the air, the Bulette swung all four of its claws at Luggoth, slashing him badly, but he swung his greatsword at its exposed belly as it came down, cutting a six-inch gash and covering himself in some of its innards and half-digested Gur'kash. Lysander and Brand joined in on the attack as Maechen fired empowered magic missiles, and the severely wounded Bulette dove into the ground once more, disappearing before they could land a killing blow.
Unable to track down the Bulette, Hackrazet offered Brand another deal, suggesting that he could simply owe him a favor. The group was wary, given that they already owed a favor to a death priest, but saw no easy way out. Brand negotiated that the deal wouldn't involve killing anyone, or doing incredible harm to anyone they held incredibly dear, and Hackrazet accepted those terms, even throwing in a month worth of Eternal Rations as a thanks for their help in driving the Bulette off.
XP:
Lysander 2980
Luggoth 2980
Pel 2980
Brand 3798
Maechen 3798
Friday, January 26, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Ravenloft Character: Aerich Bloodborn
Name: Aeric BloodbornRace: Human
Class: Wizard 5/Blood Magus 2
Experience: 22,706
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Religion: Silver Flame
Homeland: Karrnath
Age: 21 Height: 6’ Weight: 218 lbs.
Statistics: STR 13, DEX 15 (17), CON 15, INT 17, WIS 11, CHA 10, BAB +3, Fort +4 (+8), Ref +1 (+4), Will +4 (+4), Init +3 (+3), AC 13/17 w/Mage Armor (+3 Dex), Move: 30, HP 42
Skills: Bluff +3 (+3), Concentration +10 (+12), Craft (Artist) +1 (+4), Heal +2 (+2), Knowledge (Arcana) +9 (+12), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +8 (+11), Knowledge (Planes) +6 (+9), Knowledge (Religion) +7 (+10), Listen +0 (+3/+5 with familiar nearby), Profession (Scribe) +2 (+2), Spellcraft +10 (+15), Spot +0 (+2 with familiar nearby), Survival +0 (+2 on other planes)
Class Abilities: Blood Component (use own blood in place of material spell components), Durable Casting (subtract Blood Magus level from Concentration check damage), Stanch (auto-stablize below 0 HP), Scarification (carve scrolls into own skin)
Weapons/Attacks: +5 (2d8+1, Undead Bane Spiked Chain), versus undead +6 (2d8 +2d6 +1, Undead Bane Spiked Chain), +6 (1d8, Light Crossbow), +6 (Ray Spells), +4 (1d6+1, Club)
Equipment:
Undead Bane Spiked Chain, Gloves of Dexterity +2, Wand of Magic Missiles (5th: 42 charges), Wand of Magic Missiles (1st: 13 charges),Potion: Cure Light Wounds (1), Potion: Cure Moderate Wounds (1), Potion: Sanctuary, Skin Scroll: Stoneskin (7th), Scrolls: Mage Hand (1st), Detect Magic (1st), Spell Vulnerability (5th), Halt Undead (5th), Dispel Magic (5th), Protection From Evil – 6 (1st), Identify – 4 (1st), Mage Armor (1st), Ray of Enfeeblement (1st), Dimension Door, Haste, Lightning Bolt, Scry, Phantom Steed X2, Dagger, Light Crossbow, Bolts (10), Adamantine Bolts (10), Alchemical Silver Bolts (10), Holy Water (3), Sunrod (2), Tindertwig (2), Feather Fall Token (1), Acid (1), Backpack, Belt Pouch, Waterskin, Ink, Inkpen, Paper (5), Traveler’s Outfit, Rations (1), Spellbook, Spell Component Pouch, 0 CP, 10 SP, 30 GP, 15 PP, Letter of Credit 277 GP, Rubies worth 100 GP (10)
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Spiked Chain), Great Fortitude, Toughness, Extend Spell, Craft Wand, Scribe Scroll
Proficiencies: Club, Dagger, Heavy Crossbow, Light Crossbow, Quarterstaff, Spiked Chain
Languages: Common, Draconic, Infernal, Abyssal, Mabran
Contacts: Kalibar Jenks, a scoundrel and a spy with whom Aeric worked on a clandestine mission to benefit the Church of the Silver Flame (and presumably one of Jenks' many employers).
Spells: Specialization School: Necromancy – Prohibited Schools: Enchantment, Illusion
0 – Detect Magic, Disrupt Undead, Launch Item, Read Magic, Touch of Fatigue; 1st – Expeditious Retreat, Magic Missile X2, Ray of Enfeeblement, Ray of Flame X2; 2nd – Bone Fiddle, Command Undead, (Extended) Mage Armor, Life Bolt, Scorching Ray; 3rd – Fireball X2, Fly, Greater Disrupt Undead; 4th - Stoneskin
(In Spellbook: 0 – All; 1st – Backbiter, Expeditious Retreat, Identify, Magic Missile, Ray of Enfeeblement, Ray of Flame, Shield, Spirit Worm; 2nd – Bone Fiddle, Cat’s Grace, Command Undead, Invisibility, Life Bolt, Mirror Image, Scorching Ray, Slapping Hand; 3rd – Dispel Magic, Fireball, Fly, Greater Disrupt Undead, Halt Undead, Many Jaws, Spell Vulnerability, Vampiric Touch); 4th - Burning Blood, Stoneskin
Name: Langstrom
Race: Bat
Statistics: STR 1, DEX 15, CON 10, INT 9, WIS 14, CHA 4, BAB/Grapple +2/-3, Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +6, Init +2, AC 20 (Touch 17, Flat Footed 18), Speed 5’/40' fly, HP 21
Skills: Hide +14, Knowledge (Arcana) +7, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +6, Knowledge (Planes) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Listen +8, Move Silently +6, Spellcraft +7, Spot +8
Feats: Alertness, Improved Evasion
Special Abilities: Low Light Vision, Blindsense, Empathic Link, Share Spells, Deliver Touch Spells, Speak With Master
Weapons/Attacks: +4 (No damage)
History:
Blood? Let me tell you something about blood. I was raised in Karrnath among the followers of the Blood of Vol. I was taught that undeath was the ultimate state of existence – no surprise given who my parents are. In ceremony after ceremony I gave my blood, just like the rest of the cattle. A sacrament to Vol. A symbol of my devotion. I learned how the evil gods of the Sovereign Host created Death – taking our loved ones away. And I learned how to cheat Death and the glory of acheiving a state of being beyond the limited world of mortals. Everyone expected great things of me, of course. How could the son of two such important figures do any less. And by the cult’s standards, I did very well. I excelled in the Black Arts. As I grew so did my power over the energies of life and unlife. And all the while I gave of myself – gave my blood at the ceremonies.
Then I joined the Emerald Claw. My bloodsucking parents were so proud. I was proud. We were Vol’s hand, reaching out to destroy the evil machinations of the Sovereign Host and their pawns. But as I continued my studies, I began to have questions. The more I studied Necromantic energies, the more I wondered at my teachings. I saw the power of blood. I noted how it interacted with the physiology and energies of the intelligent undead. I observed the effect it had on my parents after they fed.
On a fateful mission aboard an airship called the Jade Fury, I witnessed more death and destruction than on any previous assignment for the Emerald Claw. We chased down a Lyrandar airship called the Cloud’s Destiny in search of a powerful artifact stolen by a newly-born exalted one. My unit’s mission was stymied by a group known as the Wandering Wolves – a name we had begun to hear all too often when it came to botched missions for the Claw. And when it looked as if we would fail, our captain steered our airship directly into the Cloud’s Destiny. I could see the faces of passengers in the portholes as our ship approached. So many innocent souls – ones who had nothing to do with the Soul Blade. Nothing to do with the vampire called Lucan. Nothing to do with the Wandering Wolves. All of them would die. Killed by followers of the Blood of Vol who claimed to hate Death so much.
I died that day. But that was not the end of my life. It was the true beginning. For I saw a Silver Flame. And I heard a loud pounding: the beating of my heart. And a crimson torrent washed over me, stripping away the lies I had been told all my life. In that moment I was reborn and I could sense the power flowing in my veins. All my life I had given up my blood to Vol. Now finally I saw that all I was doing was feeding evil. Feeding Death and the ones like my parents who live and thrive on it. On that day I was reborn and I will dedicate all the power that flows from my heart to the destruction of the Blood of Vol cult. I will rip the power from the undead to leave them the lifeless husks that we all should become once the sacred blood stops flowing through our veins of its own accord.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Upcoming Schedule Note
Since I had to reschedule my OKC trip, I'll be out of the game on Feb 2, which is when we were considering the start of Ravenloft. I suppose my wizard/blood magus could just come in a little later than everyone else, but I wanted to put this out there in case it affects Nate's planning for the beginning. Or it could affect Mat's planning if we are going to continue Cthulu that week.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Eberron Character: Maechen Eyre
Name: Maechen EyreRace: Human
Class: Wizard 5/Barbarian 1/Dragon Prophet 1
Experience: 25,400
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Religion: Aureon
Homeland: Aundair
Age: 31 Height: 5'9" Weight: 155 lbs.
Statistics: STR 14, DEX 14, CON 16 (18), INT 18, WIS 13, CHA 11, BAB +3, Fort +7 (+3), Ref +3 (+1), Will +7 (+6), Init +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Init), AC 12 (+2 Dex), HP 44 (51)
Skills: Balance +2, Concentration +8, Craft (Bookbinding) +6, Craft (Alchemy) +7, Decipher Script +8, Gather Information +5, Jump +3, Knowledge (Arcana) +10, Knowledge (History) +7, Knowledge (Geography) +1, Knowledge (Dragon Prophecy) +4, Spellcraft +10, Survival +3
Action Dice: 8
Spells: 0 (4/day) -- All 0-level spells; 1st (4/day) -- Comprehend Languages, Ebon Eyes, Enlarge Person, Feather Fall, Grease, Identify, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Lesser Orb of Acid, Reduce Person, Shield; 2nd (3/day) -- Bull's Strength, Ice Knife, Invisibility, Phantom Foe, Web, Wraithstrike; 3rd (2/day) -- Clairaudience/Clairvoyance, Dispel Magic, Fireball, Haste, Lightning Bolt, Tongues
Class Abilities: Fast Movement, Rage 1/day (6 rounds), Constellation Power: Falazure
Weapons/Attacks: +6 (1d10+3, Greatclub +1), +6 (1d4+2, Masterwork dagger)
Equipment:
+1 Greatclub, Amulet of Health +2, Wand of Magic Missiles (5th level) (49 charges), Pearl of Power (1st), Spellbook, Explorer's Handbook, Backpack, Alchemist's Lab, Light Horse (w/Pack & Riding Saddle), Masterwork Artisan's Tools, Everburning Torch, Bedroll, Scroll Case, Parchment (10 sheets), 50' silk rope, waterskin, spell component pouch, Tindertwigs (10), ink & pen, identity & traveling papers, 2946 GP (Dave, is this a House of Kundarak letter of credit, gold and platinum, jewels, etc.? Break it down for me if you will)
Feats: Combat Casting, Dragon Prophesier, Extend Spell, Improved Initiative, Prophecy Shaper, Scribe Scroll
Proficiencies: All Simple + Martial Weapons, All Light & Medium Armor, All Shields (except Tower)
Languages: Common, Draconic, Gnome, Elven, Argon
History: Growing up the son of a moderately famous bookbinder in the city of Passage, Aundair, the gangly, introverted boy named Maechen would oft times wonder at his surname – “Eyre.” It was, he learned, derived from the name of the moon and mid-spring month of the same name, and Maechen was excited when his mother explained how it was associated with the dragonmark of making. Throughout adolescence, he felt drawn to the moons, the stars, and the Ring of Siberys, certain that his family name would prove a calling, that his dragonmark was soon to appear.
It never did.
Reluctantly, he took up his father’s trade of bookbinding. Some years into his apprenticeship, he learned a secret that explained both how his father had avoided military service in the war and how the family maintained such a comfortable living: his father had a private contract with House Orien to construct the finest spellbooks in service to those wizards House Orien sent to the frontlines. Once he was “in” on his father’s secret, Maechen was only too happy to help him. He became friends with many a visiting wizard, began to study their simplest cantrips, and was encouraged by them to continue his studies.
In his mid-teens, Maechen was sent to the metropolis of Fairhaven to begin his formal study of wizardry at the prestigious University of Wynarn. He excelled in his studies, learned the principles of alchemy, and even found himself setting aside his books at times in service to athletic pursuits - the latter more in service to romantic pursuits than any love of sport. Maechen had become involved with a classmate, a spirited beauty with auburn hair. Her name was Melaan Windshire. On a lightning rail field trip to the Starpeaks Observatory, the pair snuck in after hours and consummated their love beneath the field of stars. It was that night that she told him about her hobby of studying the Draconic Prophecy.
A year passed. The pair were inseparable and, when Melaan learned that she was carrying Maechen's child, they married and took a leave of absence from the university. Those were Maechen’s happiest days, living with Melaan and studying the Prophecy together, caring for his young son, and eking out a modest living making spellbooks as the war drew to a close that seemed to bode well for his future.
The first wedge between the pair was, in a sad irony, the Prophecy itself. For Melaan it was a hobby; for Maechen, an increasing obsession. As if returning to his childhood, he felt sure he was on the cusp of some fateful discovery, but it was always just around the corner, always in the shadows just beyond his vision. Maechen cared deeply for Melaan and his son, Zanj, but his obsessiveness gave him a temper he never knew he had and arguments were frequent and painful.
In the year 995 YK, he dreamt ceaselessly for three months of a great silver dragon. When an emissary arrived at his home claiming to represent such a dragon - Vuulaytherus of the Chamber – Maechen accepted the man's word without question. Accepted, too, that he had a role to play in the Prophecy, that he was to travel to Argonnessen in one year’s time to accept that role from Vuulaytherus, and that in the intervening year, he would travel Khorvaire at the dragon’s bidding to prove himself.
Fired by the purpose he’d so long craved, Maechen left his home and family the following day, leaving only a note of darkest regret. He knew they could never understand that this is what he had to do. That if he didn’t follow his calling, his life would be as nothing and even his devotion to them would be undermined – for what husband and father could face his loved ones knowing he had failed to play his part in fulfilling a destiny that would surely make the world a better place for them?
The year that followed tested Maechen as never before, traveling many lands beyond the borders of Aundair in service to Vuulaytherus. He sought out obscure magic items, rare documents, and sages both esteemed and held in contempt. At times Vuulaytherus’ commands made little sense – what did a dragon need with a handful of sand from the shores of Newthrone in Q’Barra? – but Maechen performed them with the zeal of a true acolyte. And he also tasted his first combat, putting into practice those arcane battle magicks that were mere theory in college. But even as Maechen felt the righteousness of his path, ever did his wife and son remain in his memory. He always sent them a portion of the spoils he earned adventuring for Vuulaytherus, and occasionally, when he could tolerate the emotionalal toll, he would even write them. He wanted them to know that he was well and that he thought always of them, but he never left a means of responding - lest he risk weakening in his resolve.
On the appointed day, he sailed for Argonnessen with a crew of men he thought to be traders, but who proved to be little more than wreckers looking to prey on ships driven from Argonnessen by the Seren barbarians who protected its coasts. In a fitting twist of fate, they themselves were set upon by Serens. Perhaps the Serens recognized that Maechen wasn’t truly aligned with these corsairs, perhaps they saw in his eyes the calling of the dragons that they too worshipped. Whatever the case, he was the only man on that ship to not have his belly put to barbarian spear that day. Instead he became their captive.
The life to come was brutal and filled with the pain of learning amongst a people who responded to failure with the sharp crack of a fist. Maechen was forced to learn their ways lest the wildlands themselves leave him starving or devoured by some monster. And so he learned to fight, wielding the shaped greatclub of the Serens, and he learned to channel his moments of rage into bursts of great fighting prowess in battle. He even learned their language, a curious mixture of Common and Draconic. When the day came that he decided Vuulaytherus could wait no longer, Maechen was confronted by the Seren tribal elder on trying to sneak from the village. Indeed, his leaving had been foretold, and the confrontation was simply a final parting of ways with a rare outsider who’d managed to earn a measure of the tribe’s respect. "Just a measure," the old man told Maechen, a rare smile lining his tan, creased face. Maechen was gifted with a mighty club etched with arcane symbols, and more importantly, given a sacred cord with which to bind his long, black hair in the ponytail worn only by those tribesmen considered worthy fighting men.
In the weeks to follow, Maechen ventured into the depths of Argonnessen with only the calling of the Prophecy to guide him. Even with his newfound survival skills, the jungles beat him down, he became emaciated as prey proved too elusive to hunt, and when he finally found Vuulaytherus, he was half-mad from his journeys. What followed Maechen recalls only as one remembers a dream, but secrets were told him that toppled the final barrier of doubt that he was destined to play a role in the shaping of the Prophecy. He bore no dragonmark, but he would indeed be a “maker,” and that which he forged would shape the world more than anything so mean it could be made by hand.
Just a few weeks ago, Maechen awoke from his fugue meeting with his newfound master. He found himself hale and hearty, staying in a comfortable inn in the city of Stormreach on the vast, unexplored continent of Xen’drik. He felt as if he’d slept well for the first time in years. His more fiery impulses had faded, replaced with an understanding that he would fulfill his role even if it took years, decades...or more. His zeal for the Prophecy was now counterbalanced with a level of serenity. A glowing symbol of the draconic constellation of Falazure had appeared on his shoulder overnight, the final confirmation that Vuulaytherus had faith in him.
And so it was that when a messenger arrived with word from the great, silver dragon that Maechen was to seek out a man in Xen’drik with a key role to play in the Prophecy, Maechen didn’t howl for joy, but rather smiled the quiet smile of one who understands. He had suffered the turmoil of indecision the whole of his life, to the point of hurting those he’d loved dearest, but now he knew the pain would not be without reward.
He readied his gear.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
A Note on the Upcoming Schedule...
I've got no problem starting Raveloft in two weeks. Kinda itching to do it, Frank Quitely. If we can just know by next weekend, that would be awesome. We've got four in the party so far. Ben, are you in? I might also have a friend from College Station who wants to give Ravenloft a shot. Anybody mind?
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