Brand Updated

Brand is updated for whoever might play him on Friday. I added a few notes in the comments section on a few of his strategies along with a breakdown of his many attacks when using 2 weapons. Enjoy!

Eberron Adventure Journal: The Demons' Prophecy

Olarune 22 - Therendor 4, YK 999

Part One - Fire on the Five Nations Express:
With two weeks to go before the wedding, the Wolves finished making preparations for the wedding, as well as other business while out of town. Those who didn't already have fine clothing purchased tailored outfits from Davandi Fine Tailoring in Upper Menthis. Meanwhile, Lysander called in a favor to get Sharis d'Orien, a member of the Entertainer's Guild, to spend the next week in Sharn looking for William.

As previously arranged, the Wolves went and met merchant Tyman Karch, who was on his way back to Aundair via the Five Nations Express, and signed on as his personal security. Karch was impressed with what he'd heard of the Wolves' skill, and Brand had gotten a recommendation from the Head of Security in Sharn's Orien enclave to boot. The Wolves were able to stay in one of the rooms in the first class coach, while Karch and his wife Miala stayed in another and his two children, Arabesque and Garren, stayed in the middle room with Karch's personal assistant Ollander Finch.

The first leg of the journey began early in the afternoon in Sharn, and the trip took about seven hours to arrive in the Brelish city of Wroat. Along the way, Brand chatted with the Orien security, and discovered that one of them, a man named Hervar, had bet his fellow security 10 gp each that with the Wolves aboard, the train would have some kind of accident.

Tyman's children very much enjoyed playing with Whitehearth and were fascinated by Luggoth, much to the chagrin of their keeper Ollander Finch.

Lysander decided to explore the train a little bit, but didn't get any further than the other first class cart, where he was stopped by a pair of mages, some House Cannith scions and some lower Brelish royalty who recognized him and pleaded with him to perform some of his music and stories from his recent tour. Bowing to his newfound fame, Lysander spent much of his time that day in one of the dining rooms, playing for the occupants of the first class cart as well as Luggoth, Maechen and Brand.

Pel spent much of his time aboard the lighting rail speaking with Tyman Karch about potential real estate purchases and a holding company he was planning on setting up in Sharn. Karch was cautious, perhaps even skeptical, but definitely interested, and provided Pel with a Sivis message station in Fairhaven where his assistant often checked and sent messages.

The Wolves took their security duties seriously, watching at each stop to see who climbed aboard and departed the Five Nations express and checking several of the other carts, but there didn't seem to be anything amiss. Stops in Hatheril and Sword Keep in Breland were uneventful, as was the first stop in Aundair in Marketplace.

After about two days of travel, the Wolves had not grown complacent, but they were starting to believe they might get out of the journey without some kind of incident. Then, very early in the morning, about halfway between Marketplace and Passage in Aundair, the incident found them.

About five hours after leaving Marketplace, with the moon high in the sky, the Five Nations Express was passing foothills and the Eldritch Grove, with the Tower Vigilant about fifty miles in the distance. Little did anyone aboard the train know that someone had been waiting for them to pass this point.

While most of the Wolves were sleeping, Luggoth and Lysander were on late watch, and they could tell immediately that something was wrong when the roar of the elemental ring stopped and the train began slowing down. Luggoth and Lysander quickly woke their charges, with Luggoth getting the merchant and his wife to their washroom and Lysander helping Ollander to carry the sleeping children to the same washroom so they would all be together. Brand woke on his own, having detected the change in sound, and he looked out the window to confirm that the lightning ring was out before yelling a warning. Maechen began to stir, but Arenydee and Pel were still meditating and sleeping, respectively.

As Luggoth climbed out onto the front of the cart, the rest of the Wolves began to wake in their chamber, and Brand walked to the rear of the cart to see if there was anything noteworthy there.

Seconds later, there was, as a huge fire elemental roared to life alongside the slowing train and began walking to keep up. Luggoth drew his bow and began firing, and Maechen unleashed magic missiles out his window, but the powerful strikes seemed more or less absorbed into the arcane monstrosity. Brand activated his dragonmark to teleport to the roof alongside Whitehearth and drew his bow to join in, while inside, Arenydee and Pel began hastily donning their armor.

Another huge elemental flared to life on the other side of the cart while the first swung his fiery fists into Luggoth, scorching and bludgeoning him. Luggoth shifted into his bestial form, continuing to pour arrow fire into the creature, as Maechen (nudged by Pel) grabbed a stoneskin scroll from Pel's case and began rushing down the corridor toward the besieged shifter. Brand began firing arrows at the first elemental as well.

Another blow from the elemental set Luggoth on fire, and he stepped back into the center of the platform, away from the elementals' reach, to put himself out. Lysander pulled out his bow and began firing at the newly arrived elemental while Brand drank a potion of fire resistance, slinging his bow and drawing his swords.

Pel, suspecting treachery from one of the mages in the other first class cabin, cast a scroll of keen edge on his scimitar and burst in, only to find that no one seemed to be awake.

Then a fiendish being appeared in the sky, his invisibility dropping as he unleashed a supernatural blight on Maechen, Lysander and Luggoth. The enemy was clearly fiendish in nature, with red-tinged skin and leathery bat wings. Seeing this, Luggoth downed a potion of haste for a longer battle, and Lysander loosed an arrow from his bow, pinning one of the fiend's arms to his chest. Maechen rushed outside and cast his stoneskin scroll on Luggoth before preparing a lightning bolt spell, which bounced seemingly harmlessly off the fiend.

As Brand engaged the first elemental in hand-to-hand combat using his rapier and short sword, the other elemental got past his guard, climbing on top of the roof and punching him hard in the back, which gave the other elemental an opening to smash him as well. He was protected from their fire effects, fortunately, but would still be bruised in the morning.

The fiendish being called something out in a guttural language none of the Wolves recognized, and the elementals changed their targets, focusing in on Luggoth. As Lysander began singing an inspiring ballad, Arenydee finished putting her armor on and Pel charged up the ladder to the roof to join the fight.

The fiend tried to free his arm as he continued to fly upwards, battered by arrow fire from Luggoth and Lysander as he did so.

One of the elementals began pounding and burning holes in the roof, trying to get to Maechen inside, while the other pounded on Luggoth with burning fists. Maechen fired off ice knife and magic missile while Brand continued to slice away and Pel cast spider-climb to rush around and begin using healing magic on the wounded Luggoth.

The stoneskin kept Luggoth alive, but he was still taking quite a beating, and finally he gave up on firing his bow at the fiend and instead pulled out his greatsword to begin counter-attacking the elemental. Meanwhile, Arenydee moved to protect their charges, moving them out of the washroom near the battle and back into the one at the rear of the train.

As the fiend finally freed his arm, he began casting a spell, dodging an arrow fired at Lysander to disrupt and vanishing, the result of either teleportation or invisibility. Lysander then rushed up the ladder and drew his rapier, ready to engage the elementals in melee. One of them took advantage of Maechen ducking out to fire magic missiles and smashed both fists down onto him, nearly killing the mage and setting fire to him as well. Maechen stumbled back, putting himself out, and drank a potion of healing before firing back with magic missiles and a grease spell that he hoped to use to trip the elemental off the train.

As Lysander and Pel both began casting healing magic on Luggoth, the enraged shifter finally managed to destroy the first elemental. Calming briefly, he drank a strong healing potion before charging back into battle against the other one, joining Brand and Lysander, both of whom had already changed targets.

Pel began firing his wand of magic missiles at the elemental, and it couldn't long stand the combined assault of the Wolves using magic and blade. However, with a growl of frustration, it stopped punching holes in the roof attempting to catch Maechen as he dodged out of the way, and instead thrust both of its massive arms into the interior, causing the hallway to catch fire. This was its last act, as Luggoth landed a few more deadly blows before Pel finally evaporated the elemental with a burst of magic missiles.

Lysander yelled out to warn everyone about the fire, and Brand began rushing down to get to the area as Pel rushed through into the merchant's room and soaked the blanket from their bed in water from the washroom. Lysander soaked one of the other blankets, and the two of them handed them out into the hallway to Brand, still protected from fire, who used the soaked blankets to put out the fire before it could spread.

The Wolves rushed to the front of the lighting rail to see what had gone wrong and found that all of the crew were unconscious, although alive. Neither Pel nor Lysander could easily identify the magic used, but Maechen stepped forward and suggested that it was a powerful evil spell known as Blasphemy, which would have temporarily banished the bound elemental and potentially killed or at least stunned the crew, as long the caster was on his native plane. Maechen suggested that this meant that the creature had been only half-fiendish, native to this plane. Sure enough, after a couple of minutes, the crew woke back up and the air elemental powering the lightning rail flared back to life as well. The train was back underway, and everyone returned to bed, except for Luggoth, who stayed up to watch over the merchant and his family.

Part Two - Agent of the Silver Flame:
A few hours later, before they had arrived in Passage, there was a knock at the Wolves' door. When they opened the door, they saw one of the mages from the first class cart, a red-haired gentleman in spectacles and fine traveling clothes, bearing a holy symbol of the Silver Flame. "Hello, my name is Nalos Venteri. I'm an agent of the Silver Flame, and it is very urgent that I speak to you in private. May I come in?"

Though the Wolves were wary, especially Luggoth, they let Nalos into their cabin so he could talk to them. Venteri explained that he had been trying to talk to them since just before they left Sharn. He had heard rumors of an assassination plot against a High Cardinal named Ossul, and had done some digging while in Sharn on business.

In Sharn, he discovered that it was worse than he thought: Someone high up in the church was behind the plot, and they planned on framing Luggoth for the crime. Doing a little digging, he found out about Luggoth, his family and the atrocity that wiped out his tribe. He told Luggoth that he believed a corrupted splinter of the Silver Flame killed his tribe, which served to confirm what Pel had learned from communion with his god.

Nalos also revealed that he had been attacked by the half-fiend while in Sharn, but that he had managed to escape. He was going to try and talk to the Wolves before they got onboard the Five Nations Express, but he couldn't catch them in time, and since then he's been waiting for a quiet moment. With corrupt and most likely high-placed servants of the Flame involved, Nalos had already been seeking outside help, and now that the half-fiend knew that he was on the case, he worried about who else might be watching.

Nalos asked if the Wolves would accompany him to Thrane to try and find out who was behind the conspiracy to assassinate Cardinal Ossul. He explained that he believed it to be someone extremely high up in the church hierarchy, perhaps even an Archbishop or Bishop seeking to eliminate Ossul to move up the ladder to the Council of Cardinals.

Given that the Wolves were currently uninvolved, Nalos suggested that they should attend Elaydren's wedding, and not let on that they had met him. If there were spies watching them, they'd have no way of knowing that Nalos had contacted the Wolves. He told them that while they attended the wedding, he would secure them transport to Thrane, and come and get them the day after the wedding.

The Wolves agreed, and Nalos went back to his cabin. The rest of the trip was uneventful, and on 4 Therendor, the Five Nations Express pulled into the station in Fairhaven.

XP:
Luggoth 900 XP
Lysander 900 XP
Brand 1120 XP
Pel 1120 XP
Maechen 1120 XP
Arenydee 675 XP

Communion

Olarune 18, YK 999

Upon Lysander's return to Sharn he is approached by a messenger bearing a note. It reads:

"My dear friend L,

As I am aware from some of our private conversations that, in matters of faith, you are somewhat dubious, allow me to invite you to witness a brief ritual that might shed some light upon my own recent re-dedication.

If you would at your earliest convenience proceed to the address below, I will be pleased to provide you a demonstration as well as with a delicious repast as we discuss it's ramifications.

The apartment belongs to one of my flock who is currently away and has generously loaned it to me for this purpose. He is a individual of great discretion so it would be best if you would disguise yourself and insure you are not followed on your way here.

I and He who walks among us await you patiently.

Faithfully yours,
P"

When Lys arrives (Jase and I agreed over the phone just that now he would) Pel shows him in and pours them both some wine. After some brief pleasantries he says, "Well, let's to it then, shall we?"

Secure behind the arcane protections of Malfiore LeQuande's locked and bolted apartment doors, and with his fellow Wolf at the alert, Pel bows before his private altar to the Traveler, lighting the incense and clearing his mind. He speaks the appropriate benedictions to this most mysterious of deities and humbly makes the following inquiries:

1. Were agents of The Silver Flame responsible for Luggoth's parents' death?

2. Did Aeromus have a hand in the assasination attempt on Brand's father?

3. Did Vadis engineer the theft of the schema and creation pattern from my possesion?

4. Are the Emerald Claw planning an attack upon the Wandering Wolves?

5. Was the list of names that Zan found a "hit" list?

6. Is William d'Deneith currently in Sharn?

7. Is it now very likely that war will erupt between Breland and Drooam?

8. Is Vadis planning for harm to come to Councilor Kharisa?

If the answer to 8 is "YES" go to 9a., if "NO" go to 9b.

9a. Is he trying to set me up as a "patsy" for these actions?

9b. “Will an alliance between House Orien and Hackrazet help give Traega d’Orien the ability to freely return to Khorvaire to reunite with his loved ones?”

After the spell is cast and the answers given, Pel and his friend will adjourn to the dining room to dine and discuss.

Another Month Passes...

Olarune 1 - Olarune 28, YK 999

The Watch, with help from House Cannith, has begun producing portable books of sketches and information about known members of the gangs, which ranking officers of the Watch carry with them. Anyone in these books can be arrested on sight under the provisions of this initiative. The Boromars are politically protected from being in these books, and the Tyrants are protected by virtue of their multiple identities, but the Daask are hit hard by this new directive. Especially when, halfway through Olarune, the City Council hires 70% of the Blademarks in the city to assist the Watch in dealing with gang war related matters.

The Day of Mourning passes on 20 Olarune. The Day of Mourning often causes some tension and anger amongst the Cyran exiles in Breland, and with tensions amped up by the gang war, this year a riot erupts. Angry Cyrans flood the streets, demanding a kingdom of their own, and the riot is put down by The Watch and the Red Cloak Battalion. There is much outrage in the papers over what some see as an abuse of power, and some fiery rhetoric from King Boranel in the Sharn Inquisitive leads many to speculate that this might be the tipping point in pushing Breland into a war with Droamm in order to cool off the tension from the gang war.

By the time Olarune 15 has come, all of the Wolves are back in Sharn and have about two weeks to do whatever they'd like, either individually or as a group.

As Olarune starts to wind down, the Wolves decide to make arrangements for travel to Elaydren's wedding. Brand had been keeping an eye out for opportunities, and discovers that an Aundarian merchant named Tyman Karch has booked passage on the Five Nations Express on the first of Therendor, and has paid for extra security. A little research determines that Karch always pays for extra security, and has in fact had a half-dozen House Deneith bodyguards throughough his three week stay in Sharn, but he seems to just be showing off his money and maybe a little bit paranoid, as there aren't any records of anything happening to him beyond the standard robbery attempts that bedevil most merchants.

It was easy for Brand to land the Wolves the gig as security for Tyman. The pay is free passage and luxury accomodations both ways. The train leaves at mid-day on 1 Therendor, and will arrive in Fairhaven late at night on 4 Therendor, which will give you a day to spend in Aundair before the wedding, to be held on 6 Therendor.

Now the only question is, what wedding gift will the Wolves get for Elaydren and Hetris d'Cannith? Keeping in mind, of course, that she knows you're wealthy adventurers.

BRAND
On Olarune 5, Brand finishes his apprenticeship to Dahlia d'Orien and officially becomes a Blade of Orien. As a graduation present of sorts, Dahlia and her father pull some strings to get Brand a teleport into Stormreach, with a return trip scheduled for Olarune 15, so that he can take some time to visit with his contacts in Orien. Brand is pleased that he is met not only by Yanesh Hite, but by Tworock, who has once again escaped captivity by the giants. Brand gives him the invitation to Elaydren's wedding, but Tworock declines, saying only that "I'm needed here."

On the way to visit Hackrazet, Tworock fills Brand in on what has happened. Drow assassins broke into the Native's camp and attempted to kill his father. They were unfortunate enough to attack after Tworock returned, and he joined the rest of his father's forces in killing the would-be assassins. When they were killed, they reverted to human form, and it was clear that this was not a drow assassination attempt. Tworock isn't sure who it was, but he knows it won't be the last attempt, and he won't leave Xen'drik until he's discovered who it was and taken care of them.

The visit with Hackrazet goes exceptionally well. Hackrazet is pleased with the price negotiated, and Brand has come equipped with contracts that will see Orien operatives placed before the end of the month. Hackrazet even gives Brand a month of Eternal Rations ("good for someone who travels for a living," he says with a wink) as a thank you for hooking the whole deal up.

LYSANDER
After the performances in Fairhaven, Lysander has a meeting with Viceroy Dulaen Elorrenthi d'Phiarlan, Lord Seneschal of Aundair and Master of the Demesne of Memory. This is the discipline that encompasses the written word, including prose, poetry and propaganda, and Viceroy Dulaen spends the better part of the day exchanging stories and showing you books, letters and other history of House Phiarlan. He presents him with a rare edition of The Travels of Chiarlan The Younger, a book written by your mentor *before* he was known as The Heretic, during the early days of the Last War, as a wedding gift. It contains historical insights, old stories and other tidbits that increase Lysander's bardic knowledge as well as his understanding of his mentor.

On the afternoon of 28 Zarantyr, they take a 15-hour journey on the lightning rail to Passage, the seat of House Orien. He gives three performances on the 1 Olarune to a variety of crowds. The most interesting one is when Lysander meets dignitaries from House Orien, including Aeromus d'Orien, the man who framed Brand's father.

On 2 Olarune, Lysander and Arenydee take the lightning rail from Passage, back through Fairhaven and across the border of Thrane. Two days later, on 4 Olarune, they arrive very early in the morning. Lysander gives a performance in their open air amphitheatre, which is attended by many and picketed by some of the more fanatical members of The Silver Flame in town because of your "heretical" training. After the performance, you meet with Viceroy Idal Tialaen d'Phiarlan, master of the Demesne of Shape, which operates in Thaliost. Arenydee has several friends amongst this Demesne. That night, they leave aboard an airship for a morning arrival on 5 Olarune in Flamekeep.

There, Lysander is treated to a luncheon with Viceroy Kels Tialaen d'Phiarlan, Demesne of Music and many of the influential members of House Phiarlan in Thrane. He provides a private performance of the first part of the Cycle of the Wolf, which is personally critiqued by Viceroy Kels and his most trusted acolytes. That night, he performs for many of the high society of Thrane's capital, and in the morning he gives a small, private performance for members of the Church of the Silver Flame.

On the morning of 6 Olarune, Lysander and Arenydee travel to Sigilstar, the "crossroads of Thrane." There they experience a more open-minded and artistic community than in most of Thrane, as well as some of the best tea you've ever sampled. There's also a wealth of alchemy and magical talent at work in the town. Lysander performs two shows, an afternoon and an evening show, in two different medium-sized but elegant theatres.

7 Olarune is a relatively relaxed day, with travel beginning at mid-day and ending only 6 hours later in Aruldusk, a rustic town where Lysander performs a small evening show in a local tavern. The next day, on 8 Olarune, they once again cross the border via lightning rail back into Breland, stopping at the city of Vathirond late at night.

Two performances in Vathirond on 9 Olarune, then returns to the cities he visited during the early days of his tour, this time performing the Cycle of the Wolf. First he travels to Sterngate, where there's a performance on 10 Olarune. Then a long (over a day) journey to Starilaskur, arriving early in the morning on 12 Olarune and performing three performances until 13 Olarune, when the lightning rail provides another day-long trip to the city of Wroat. The royalty once again turns out for your performance, and then it's a morning journey back to Sharn on 14 Olarune for a return engagement at Kavarrah Concert Hall.

After that, you've got about two weeks to do whatever you wish in Sharn.

PEL
Pel has to balance his time between his new congregation, where he sometimes helps Chance with the ceremonies, and his role in the Tyrants, which becomes increasingly dangerous and even bloody as the gang war heats up. Another member of the council, another ally of Cord, is assassinated by the Daask, and once again, an ally of your father takes his place. Your father comes to visit you personally after the assassination and tells you that with the shift in power, he believes he'll be able to officially bring you onto the council within the next couple of months. He also tells you that he has formalized a relationship with the Boromars, and that they are strategizing as to how to end the war with the Daask in the next couple of months. The details are still very sketchy, but he tells you that your role is to get even closer to Sava Kharisa, to offer to help her and in fact become her assistant in the public eye if possible.

This isn't terribly difficult, as Sava clearly finds the half-elf persona you've presented with very charming, and has invited you to all of her gallery showings, sought your advice in dealing with the gang war and generally come to lean on you for advice and support. You also think there's some romantic interest there, although she's too dedicated to her work for that to go anywhere fast.

Pel also communes with the Traveler. He'll have answers when I have the questions.

NPC: Arenydee

Name: Arenydee Elorrenthi d'Phiarlan
Race: Elf
Class: Rogue 6
Experience: 18,675
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Religion: Sovereign Host
Homeland: Aundair (Fairhaven)
Age: 128 Height: 5'4" Weight: 108 lbs.

Statistics: STR 10, DEX 16, CON 10, INT 15, WIS 14, CHA 15, BAB +4, Fort +2, Ref +8, Will +4, Init +3, AC 16 (+3 masterwork studded leather, +3 Dex), HP 25

Skills: Bluff +9, Climb +4, Craft (Sculpture) +9, Decipher Script +6, Diplomacy +6, Disable Device +9, Disguise +10 (+12 to act in character), Escape Artist +6, Gather Information +8, Hide +8, Listen +6, Move Silently +9, Open Lock +8, Search +7, Sense Motive +7, Spot +6.

Class Abilities: Sneak Attack +3d6, Evasion, Trap sense +2, Trapfinding, Uncanny Dodge
Racial Abilities: +2 vs. Enchantment spells & effects, Immunity: Sleep Effects (Ex), Low-light vision (Ex)
Weapons/Attacks: +8 melee (1d6+1, +1 rapier) or +7 ranged (1d4, hand crossbow w/20 bolts)

Equipment: Medallion of thoughts, potion of cure moderate wounds, traveling papers (three sets, two false), identification papers (three sets, two false)
Feats: Dodge, Stealthy, Weapon Finesse
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome

History: What the Wolves know about Arenydee is almost certainly not the whole truth. She was a member of House Thuranni, a professional spy, and as such she has many secrets. What she has told Lysander, and what he may or may not have shared with the rest of the Wolves, is this:

She wasn't born Arenydee, and she doubts very much that when her time comes, she'll die with that name. Changing names is one of the curses of the profession she's chosen.

One of her ancestors (about 12 generations back) was among the first to manifest a Mark of Shadow, and Arenydee's family has been a part of House Phiarlan since its inception. Her mother and father were on opposite sides of the split between House Thuranni and House Phiarlan. Her mother, Vintessa, is a high-ranking dragonmarked heir of Thuranni. Her father, Gathus, whom she hadn't spoken to until rejoining House Phiarlan, is a sculptor in the Artisan and Entertainment Guild of Phiarlan. Baron Elvinor d'Phiarlan, mistress of the desmene of shadow, is a relatively close (third or fourth) cousin. Her father calls her Ateresa.

As Ateresa, she was a member of House Phiarlan for the first hundred years of her life. She joined House Thuranni at its inception when she was 102, under a different name. During her time with House Thuranni, she was married twice, both times to humans. The first time was business, and he died, and she won't speak on it further. The second time was passion, and he died as well, caught up in a web of intrigue with the Boromar Clan, the King's Dark Lanterns and the evil monks of The Mockery. She assures Lysander that her passion and devotion for humans was always lessened, as she viewed them as fleeting. A commitment to an elf, and a change back to her original House, is something she takes much more seriously.

She lived most of her life in Aundair, although she spent about 20 years based out of Sharn during the War.

When they are married, she will take Lysander's family name instead of her father's name of Elorrenthi, but she has already switched back to d'Phiarlan, since she has been a member of the House previously and she is a member again under the auspices of her father and Baron Elvinor.

Upcoming Schedule - May Through July

May 18th - Gaming Off
May 25th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part One

June 1st - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Two
June 8th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Three
June 15th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Four
June 22nd - Gaming Off (Randy at MOCCA, most likely)
June 29th - Eberron: The Demons' Prophecy Part Five (conclusion)

That's probably not exactly correct, as I think Paul is out at least one week that month and I'm sure other folks might have other plans that month as well... let me know what schedules look like and we can probably figure another week or two off from Eberron. But the latest adventure will almost certainly be five parts, played mostly in June with a week or two spillover into May and maybe July.

After that adventure is complete, we could go back to Ravenloft, maybe play the Savage Worlds game Jason's been thinking about... in July we'll be off the week of the 27th, since that's San Diego.

Ravenloft Character: Pyre

Name: Pyre
Race: Warforged
Class: Paladin 5/Hunter of the Dead 3
Experience: 30,632
Alignment: Lawful Good
Religion: Silver Flame
Homeland: Thrane
Age: 6 Height: 6’6" Weight: 302 lbs.

Statistics: STR 15 (17), DEX 14, CON 18 (20), INT 14, WIS 14, CHA 16, BAB +8/+3, Fort +7 (+16), Ref +2 (+8), Will +2 (+8), Init +2 (+2), AC 20/22 w/shield (+2 Dex), Move: 20, HP 98

Skills: Concentration +2 (+6), Craft (Arrowsmith) +4 (+6), Heal +4 (+6), Knowledge (Nobility) +5 (+7), Knowledge (Religion) +11 (+13), Ride +11 (+13), Spot +1 (+3)

Class Abilities: Aura of Good, Detect Evil 60', Smite Evil 2/day, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands (15 HP), Aura of Courage, Divine Health, Turn Undead, Special Mount, Detect Undead 60', Smite Undead 1/day (add Wisdom bonus to attack and +1 damage/level, Spurn Death's Touch (Add Wisdom bonus to saves vs. undead), Turn Undead 6/day as 2nd level Cleric).

Weapons/Attacks: +12/+7 (1d10+4 or +5 two-handed, Sunsword), +12/+7 (1d12 +5, Undead Bane Great Axe) versus undead +13/+8 (1d12 +6 +2d6), +10/+5 (1d8, Light Crossbow), +11/+5 (1d4 +3, Silver Unarmed Strike).

Equipment:

Sunsword (+1 Bastard Sword - wield as short sword), Undead Bane Great Axe, Amulet of Health +2, Cloak of Resistance +1, Gauntlets of Ogre Power +2, Warhammer, Heavy Mace +1, Light Crossbow, Light Hammer, Dagger, Potion Bracer, Potion: Repair Light Wounds (2), Potion: Repair Moderate Wounds (1), Potion: Expeditious Retreat, Potion: Levitate, Potion: Protection From Evil, Scroll: Magic Weapon, Crossbow Bolts (20), Alchemical Silver Bolts (10), Acid (1), Holy Water (4), Sunrod (5), Alchemist's Fire (2), Feather Fall Token (2), Warforged Repair Kit, Silver Holy Symbol, Traveler's Outfit, Backpack, Torches (5), Belt Pouch.

0 CP, 9 SP, 53 GP, 5 PP, Letter of Credit 2,200 GP, Gems worth 100 GP (5)

Feats: Adamantine Body, Silver Smite, Silver Tracery
Proficiencies: As Paladin
Race Traits: Immune to poison, sleep, paralysis, disease, nausea, fatigue, exhaustion, sickening, energy drain; Heal spells cure half; does not need to sleep, eat or breathe, rest 8 hours to prepare spells, Light Fortification (25% to negate crit or sneak attack).
Languages: Common, Celestial, Infernal
Contacts: Cardinal Ossul Hetrion

Spells: Paladin + Hunter of the Dead Spells:
1st – Bless Weapon, Magic Weapon; 2nd - Lesser Restoration

History:
Once a great paladin of the Silver Flame, Torian Kalidem devoted his life to destroying the undead. When Torian was slain in battle with a vicious Lich, the essence of his soul was saved by his everpresent companion, a powerful cleric of the Silver Flame. Determined that Torian's crusade should go on, the Church of the Silver Flame commisioned a special warforged from the House Cannith. It's adamantine body was traced with silver to make even its bare hands a threat to the undead. The souls of Torian Kalidem and the newly born warforged merged into one. Thus was Pyre born to make war upon the dead that walk like the living.

Eberron Adventure: One Month Passes...

26 Vult - 28 Zarantyr, YK 998-999

The Night of Long Shadows (26-28 Vult) was one of the worst in recent memory. As predicted by what the Wolves had learned prior to the fall of 26 Vult, the Daask had been planning to use these dark days to launch an attack on The Boromar Clan. Over the course of three days, bloody gang warfare erupted in Sharn. It was at its worst in the lower districts, but it wasn't uncommon to see a spark of violence, an assassination or a gang of monsters even at the higher levels of the city. Innocents were caught in the crossfire, and worse, deliberately targeted for the monstrous appetites of some of the monsters in from Droaam who had come to help the Daask.

During the first night, when the only indications that anything was wrong were the loud, bestial howls in the distance, Malfiore' LeQuande had two visitors in his penthouse. An older gentleman and middle aged woman knocked on his door in the middle of the night. Anyone nosing around would hear only their claim of being restauranteurs, seeking shelter with the man who had once helped them deliver exotic spices to their foreign clients. Malfiore, of course, knew that like himself, these two were not what they seemed.

After the Night of Long Shadows passed, the violence in the city did not abate. The King was forced to call upon the Red Cloak Battalion, an elite strike force, on more than one occasion. The Daask continued to bring in support from Droaam, not quite enough to be considred an invasion, but enough so that diplomatic talks between the nation and Breland became an ongoing concern. Rumors of war began filling the Korranberg Chronicle. The Boromar and Tyrants, meanwhile, battled the Daask over territory and, increasingly, as vengeance for other attacks. Within the month, it wasn't just foot soldiers dying, but leaders of each faction being assassinated.

In the midst of this chaos, Lysander summoned the Wolves to his home, where he made the rather surprising announcement that he and Arenydee were planning to be married. He was about to embark on a tour of Khorvaire, and wanted to share the news with his comrades before he left. Brand also was on his way out of town, as his new duties with House Orien would see him traveling around Khorvaire as well.

Desperate for help, The Watch sought the help of the adventurers' guilds. It seemed likely that there were ties to the various crime clans in these adventurers' guilds, so they never provided much information, they just sought help in terms of muscle. Even this, however, proved not enough, and the chaos in the streets increased. The information brokers like Phiarlan and Thuranni, not to mention security experts like Kundarak and Deneith, were making money hand over fist. However, with assaults, burglaries, kidnappings and worse going on, the City Council was forced to act. Led by an initiative from Councilor Sava Kharisa, on the 28th day of Zarantyr, the City Council of Sharn enacted a city-wide curfew. After dusk, citizens must have identity papers, and if they have any sort of criminal record, the Watch can run them in on charges of breaking curfew.

PEL
Once inside the home of Malfiore' LeQuande, the two visitors on the Night of Long Shadows revealed themselves to be Vadis, Pel's father, and Yelena, his new contact. Vadis was, as always, distant and cold, but Pel sensed his father's approval in his bold refusal to deal with Xain any further. Of course, he quickly learned why Yelena had taken this personally: Xain was her son, and Pel's questions about his loyalty had caused Xain to move from lieutenant and information broker to mere street-level informant again.

Vadis told Pel several things that night. First, he stressed that Yelena was a trusted ally, and that from now on, Pel was to accept that any word she said was as words directly from his lips. Pel wasn't sure, but he suspected that his father's relationship with Yelena might not be entirely chaste. Second, he told Pel that he was very serious about the truce with the Emerald Claw. He had managed to forestall assassination plans that were in place, and the Claw's eyes were everywhere. Building an information network with the same moral flexibility as the Claw, even with Phiarlan's help, would be years of work. Third, he told Pel that the Tyrants had joined with the Boromar against the Daask. It was a risky move, but thanks to Cord's actions, the Daask and Tyrants were already on bad terms, and now they could strengthen their ties to the Boromar while weakening their enemies. Vadis hoped that it might soon be time for them to make their move and return Pel to working directly for the Council. Vadis cautioned Pel that he had plans that would make this war work to his advantage, and that when the gang war had settled, Cord would no longer be a concern. After answering a few brief questions (put them in the comments below), he took his leave. Pel has not seen Vadis since that night, although he's seen plenty of Yelena, giving Pel orders from Vadis that have him running all over town, helping and hindering various factions.

During the second week of Zarantyr, one of the members of the Tyrants' Council was murdered in his chambers by a Daask assassin. He was a doppleganger, and Pel was able to learn that he was a supporter of Cord. Yelena took his place on the Council about a week later.

BRAND
Brand has become a Blade of Orien, apprenticed to Dahlia Hume d'Orien, the niece of Markus, the man who got him in. Dahlia is Master of Security for the Transportation Guild in Sharn. She is a talented combatant and a bit of a showoff, but she is driven largely by the dedication of her job. She has a taste for travel and adventure, and she often teases Brand that she'd like to switch jobs. "You can go where the House tells you and make sure everything's secure, and I'll live the life of the wandering adventurer!" She loves spending time with the Wandering Wolves and hearing tales of their adventures, and has become a regular fixture at The Drunken Dragon during her off hours.

Brand has begun taking protection work on caravans and Lightning Rail journeys, usually along with Dahlia. He has traveled extensively in Thrane and Zilargo, as well as working a caravan that traveled into the Eldeen Reaches. All told, he probably spent only four or five days in Sharn throughout the entire month, although he did manage to spend four days in the Eldeen Reaches seeing his mother, Rorsa and her pack.

Thanks to his work in Orien, Brand has also begun to make some contacts. In Sharn, his closest confidantes are Markus and Dahlia, but he also has worked a fair amount with Hammond Swith, a diviner wizard in the Ministry of Planning who has been instrumental in helping Markus choose new and safe routes for the caravans. Hammond is a bit distracted, seemingly living a few hours in the future most of the time, but he's been indespensable to Markus and plenty nice to Brand and Dahlia, and the four have formed a sort of "surrogate family" within the Orien House.

Brand has also learned more about exactly what happened with his father. Traega d'Orien was a Master of Scouting for the Transportation Guild in Passage. His job was to scout out potential new routes for caravans, finding where the Lightning Rail didn't go that it was most needed. He did most of his work in the Eldeen Reaches, where he had to walk the line between the environmentally conscious druids and the business-minded members of his own House. His success had gotten noticed, and he was next in line for the position of Viceroy overseeing the northern Eldeen region once his Uncle Diavus was promoted to Lord Seneschal of The Eldeen Reaches, something that was supposed to happen relatively soon.

Aeromus, the son of Diavus, was everything Traega wasn't. Sickly where Traega was strong, conniving where Traega was straightforward and unfortunately, devious where Traega was honest. Aeromus was a Minister of Planning for the Transportation Guild in Passage, and his lineage made him the next in line for Viceroy of Eldeen, while his lack of noteworthy accomplishments pushed his cousin Traega to the fore.

Traega's work in Eldeen was becoming more difficult, as a band of Ashbound terrorists were striking at his accomplishments in the area, claiming that they were destroying the delicate balance. After a couple months of this, evidence came to light that Traega had been funneling money from the Orien projects and into the hands of these Ashbound druids, in order to spend more time in Eldeen with his lover, a druid in the area named Sheryn Wayfinder. Traega's record was spotless enough, and the evidence not quite solid enough, that he was to be exiled rather than tried. Most don't know that on his way to the Eldeen Reaches, there was a failed assassination attempt, which drove Traega to go into hiding.

Ironically, Aeromus did not get the position of Viceroy, as political maneuvering above his head kept his father Diavus from advancing. Nevertheless, with Traega out of the way, Aeromus found it easier to rise in the ranks, and after about 10 years, he rose to the rank of Minister of Planning for the entire Aundarian region, and is now next in line for Viceroy of Central Aundair, a prestigious position that could easily lead to him becoming the next Lord Seneschal of Aundair.

The rest of the story, Brand already knows. How Aeromus found him, took him in, tried to teach him the ways of the House. Encouraged him to think of him as an "uncle." Brand was already uncomfortable with Aeromus' tutoring, and then Yancy Bathanel, a scout and caravan driver in the the Transportation Guild who had often worked with Traega, told Brand about Aeromus framing his father. He had no evidence, and scant few details, but his words had the ring of truth, much more than those of Aeromus. Yancy helped Brand fake his death and escape to Breland. Brand has of late learned that most of what Aeromus taught him about House politics was wrong, at least as regards House Orien, and that the business of the House is nowhere near as cutthroat as he made it seem.

LUGGOTH
On the second Night of Long Shadows, Luggoth was out in the madness, enjoying a little bit of a chance to cut loose in the city. He battled a couple of ogres in the street, and after he had driven them off, discovered that they weren't attacking anyone from the Boromar Clan, as he'd believed, but a 7-year-old shifter child named Borgoth. Moments after convincing the frightened and wounded boy to come out of his hiding place, Luggoth met the boy's sister, a beautiful 19-year-old shifter girl named Savannah. She was immensely grateful, and though poor, offered Luggoth a home-cooked meal and the company of his kind as thanks for saving her brother.

Luggoth went to their home, a poor one-room apartment in the Stoneyard district of Lower Northedge, and was served delicious and plentiful food. Savannah explained that their parents had both died in The Last War, and that she had taken care of their brother ever since. Savannah worked most days as a barmaid at The Bear's Rest. After dinner, Luggoth was shaken when he discovered that both Savannah and Borgoth were worshippers of the Silver Flame. She hastily explained that a shifter priest of the Silver Flame had taken them in during the War and brought them to Sharn. "Without the Flame," she explained, "We wouldn't be alive today." Savannah understands Luggoth's distrust of the Flame, but she claimed that those in her church were accepting of their people, good and kind folk who sought only to do the right thing. She invited him to attend a service, but even if he wasn't interested, she invited Luggoth to return whenever he wanted for a home-cooked meal. Whether or not Luggoth accepted is up to you, Nate.

Presumably, Maechen was also trying to spend some time with Luggoth to talk about the Prophecy and to try and figure out Luggoth's role in all of that. I'll let the two of you decide how you deal with that.

LYSANDER
Lysander's show is being heavily promoted by House Phiarlan. It's called "An Evening With Lysander d'Phiarlan" and promotes that he's an adventuring bard who has performed at notable theatres in Sharn, with helpful quotes from Baron Elvinor d'Phiarlan, King Boranel of Breland (wrangled through a deal thanks to the help the Wolves gave the Dark Lanterns), the owner of Gailan's in Sharn and a couple notable bards from his Circle of Song. Lysander is given free rein to perform songs, plays and stories of his choice, and provided local support from talented young Phiarlan performers at each performance. He is also being introduced to a network of House contacts and learning to serve as spymaster in some respects for some of these younger performers, handing out assignments from Baron Elvinor along the way. All of this is aimed not just at raising his profile and earning money for the House, but at getting notable personages to his shows so that he, Arenydee and other agents of Phiarlan can try to converse with them for information and/or ransack their homes and offices for information while they're at a performance.

The tour begins on Zarantyr 1 with a performance at Mizano Rupa's, a dinner theatre with a reputation for presenting up and comers. All of the Wolves are given complimentary tickets to the performance. If you'd like, you can roll a Performance skill roll for me to see how the first show goes off.

Lysander plays five more shows in Sharn before departing. On 2 Zarantyr, he plays another lunch and dinner show at Mizano Rupa's in Middle Menthis. On 3 Zarantyr, a lunch and dinner show at the Starfire Dragon, a competing dinner theatre. Then, on 4 Zarantyr, he plays an evening show in Upper Menthis at the famous Kavarrah Concert Hall. The crowd is a who's who of high society, allowing Lysander and Arenydee to do some significant information gathering.

After that, Lysander's trip takes him by Lightning Rail out to Wroat (Breland) for a performance on 6 Zarantyr, which is attended by a lot of the political powerhouses of Breland... rumors are that King Boranel and his family are in the audience, although they don't show up for the after-party. After spending two days there to do some information-gathering, they're back on the road to Starilaskur (Breland) for a performance on 11 Zarantyr, then a trip through Sterngate (Breland) and into Zolanberg in Zilargo for two performances on 13 Zarantyr and 14 Zarantyr. Then down to Korranberg (Zilargo) for a series of shows, running from 15 Zarantyr through 18 Zarantyr. During your time in Korranberg, you're to be doing a lot of research at the library, planting stories in the Chronicle and looking into the activities of The Trust. Given how much information there is in Zilargo in general and Korranberg in particular, you're there for another two days.

After that, it's travel by airship to Trolanport for two performances on Zarantyr 22, followed up by a day in town to look into the shipbuilding industry and heavy sea trade that happens in the port, as well as a stop off at the local House enclave for further instructions. Then you take off by airship for about three and a half days, traveling to the northern part of Aundair for a series of five performances in Fairhaven beginning on 27 Zarantyr and continuing until the end of the month. Fairhaven has a thriving underworld, a growing university and the Royal Court of Aundair, so it's a good place to impress and gather information.

The whole trip is paid for by the House: Lightning rail travel, standard accommodations, food, social activities, everything. They even cover the rental on Lysander's apartment while he's on the tour. In the second month of his tour, he'll travel south by lightning rail back through Aundair, Thrane and Breland and finally back to Sharn.

MAECHEN
Maechen has settled in to Sharn, and given that he plans to stay with the Wolves, he won't be able to make the journey back to Argonessen anytime too soon. It takes 28 days by chartered Lyrandar sailing vessel (and costs 8400 gp!), plus at least a week of inland travel, so it's not really practical for Maechen to make a physical journey back. He could also pay a House Orien scion to teleport him the 4000 miles for a price of 40,000 gp. Again, not really practical.

However, he will probably want to invest in scrolls of sending that will allow him to communicate, in 25 word bursts, with his dragon mentor. The scrolls cost 1,125 gp each (or 500 gp and 50 XP each, if bought from a friend in The Order of Aureon), or he can pay 250 gp per each communication by using House Sivis, although that's less private. Having a pair of sending stones made (keeping one and sending the other to his dragon mentor and allowing for more regular communication) would cost 630 gp and 51 xp, plus the cost of getting them there (there's that 8400 gp again, and it would take at least a month before the communications were available.) One way or the other, post in the comments how Maechen chooses to get in touch with his mentor, and what 25 word message he sends. He'll get one back in return.

He also has been working with the Esoteric Order of Aureon, researching spells and such. He has discovered that there are a few greedy and power-hungry members of the Order, but also that there are many noble spellcasters interested in information. Sadly, the power-hungry dominate the decision-making process, and Maechen has alienated some of them, but he has found a friendly niche group to spend time with and research with. As a 5th level spellcaster, he's one of only 25 members of the order of that power level in the Order, and thus brings with him a certain amount of clout. His circle of friends includes only three people ranking above him, 2 6th-level casters and a 7th-level caster. He can also choose to cast spells for money during his time, as three of his first level spells (Comprehend Languages, Feather Fall and Identity) and one of his third level spells (Tongues) are always in demand. Each day that he decides to spend casting, he'll make 45 gp/1st level spell and 135 gp/3rd level (counting the 10% donation back to the Order). What this means is that he could theoretically make up to 450 gp in a day, if he casts all his 1st and 3rd level spells, but this is a very rare occurrence. But if Maechen decides to do commercial spellcasting when he isn't researching his own spells or The Prophecy, he'll make about 2000 gp for each month.

He can also use the Order's library to buy new spells for his spellbook. There is a 50% chance he can find any spell from abjuration, divination, evocation, transmutation and universal, and a 25% chance he can find a spell from another school. Copying the spell to his spellbook will require a donation equal to half of (spell level x caster level x 25 gp).

Ravenloft question

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?

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

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:

+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.

WOW!

Are we actually all going to be there tonight and game? I can't believe it!

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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

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.

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...