Oathday Neth 1 around 6AM
The party woke up in the morning and headed out for Fort Rannick. The followed some switchback trails and were on the edges of the forest when they heard some noises, like a wounded animal. Xantumal went to investigate.
They found a bear stuck in a bear trap. Khazen recognized it as Jakardos's animal companion. Jakardos was second in command of the Black Arrows. Xantumal cast a spell and talked with the bear. His master was taken by the weird ones and told him that dogs were coming. The group set up an ambush and killed off the dogs right before a half-ogre mutant stumbled into the clearing. The half ogre was carrying a spear and as the party decended upon him, the ogre started to break down and cry. Seems he was upset they killed his dogs. They party took all of his items, including his blanket with bloodstained Black Arrows patches. They found out that he has a Mammy and brother-fathers and sister-mothers. After they were done asking him questions, Orik put him out of his misery.
They moved toward the Graul farmstead. They got there about an hour later and was attacked by another half-ogre. This one had an ogre hook and one side of his head resembled a pumpkin, a huge puffy mass of tumors and overgrown bone giving his head a lopsided look. The group had no problem taking him out, but not before he raised the alarm by yelling. Nothing came out of the house or barn though.
They decided to head to the barn first. The bear felt that his master was inside. They opened the door and saw three more half-ogres, one with a vesitgal arm, one with overlarge milky eyes, and a third with rippling skin. Khazen cast a fireball and killed all three before they could even make a move.
Inside the barn there was a large double door barricaded from their side, and two walkways leading up to doors on the north and south side of the barn. Checking out the doors, it lead to another room filled with spider webs. On the corners of the walkways were cages, and there were three people in them, all rangers. Moving to investigate, the group was attacked by a huge spider. Throwing open the large door, Khazen, Xantumal and Phain cast some spells, while Orik used his bow. Vale took Xantumal's long spear. Vale was bit and succumbed to poison, but otherwise they made it out unscathed.
The group freed the prisoners, got them outside, then burned down the whole barn.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Session 24 - Inside Skull's Crossing
Wealday Lamashan 30 around 4PM
There were two entrances into the Dam, one was damage and had been repaired and both were barred from the inside. They decided to go to the one that hadn't been damaged. Phain used the gauntlet's power to Stone Shape and warped the door enough to get the bar off the inside. The started to investigate inside and found one room crumbling away and most of the room overgrowing with some sort of viney moss. In the main room they were ambushed by trolls. Using their knowledge of trolls, they used fire to combat their regeneration and defeated them with some injuries. Preacher healed them up with some channels and they headed down the stairs which had writing in giant saying “BELOW DWELLS WET PAPA GRAZUUL! ALL HAIL WET PAPA GRAZUUL!”
Heading down the stairs cautiously, it lead to a room with a large pool of water. Xantumal conjured a water elemental and it was quickly killed by Papa Grazuul, a water troll. Phain used an acid arrow to combat its regeneration and they defeated the scrag before it could hurt them too much.
They found the control room on the level and it contained to circular rune, one containing a devil, and the other containing a pile of ash. Khazen used comprehend languages and spoke with the devil. It was almost dead, but told them information on promise to be released. The dam used life energy to function, and the other devil had succumed to the drain about 50 years before, the last time the dam was needed. Xantumal summoned another elemental into the other rune and it killed the devil, but lowered the water level.
Having aborted catastrophy in the area, the party decided to find a place to rest, then head to Fort Rannick in the morning.
There were two entrances into the Dam, one was damage and had been repaired and both were barred from the inside. They decided to go to the one that hadn't been damaged. Phain used the gauntlet's power to Stone Shape and warped the door enough to get the bar off the inside. The started to investigate inside and found one room crumbling away and most of the room overgrowing with some sort of viney moss. In the main room they were ambushed by trolls. Using their knowledge of trolls, they used fire to combat their regeneration and defeated them with some injuries. Preacher healed them up with some channels and they headed down the stairs which had writing in giant saying “BELOW DWELLS WET PAPA GRAZUUL! ALL HAIL WET PAPA GRAZUUL!”
Heading down the stairs cautiously, it lead to a room with a large pool of water. Xantumal conjured a water elemental and it was quickly killed by Papa Grazuul, a water troll. Phain used an acid arrow to combat its regeneration and they defeated the scrag before it could hurt them too much.
They found the control room on the level and it contained to circular rune, one containing a devil, and the other containing a pile of ash. Khazen used comprehend languages and spoke with the devil. It was almost dead, but told them information on promise to be released. The dam used life energy to function, and the other devil had succumed to the drain about 50 years before, the last time the dam was needed. Xantumal summoned another elemental into the other rune and it killed the devil, but lowered the water level.
Having aborted catastrophy in the area, the party decided to find a place to rest, then head to Fort Rannick in the morning.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Session 23 - To Turtleback Ferry
Fireday Lamashan 18 around 6PM
A dwarf dressed in deep green with a patch that had a fist clutching three arrows approached Phain. He introduced himself as Khazen Dren, a ranger belonging to the Order of the Black Arrows, a group of rangers located at Fort Rannick and charged with protecting the area around it and Turtleback Ferry. He just arrived in Magnimar to request more people to be assigned to Fort Rannick as the activity of the Kreeg ogres have increased. When he heard Phain talking about evil coming to Fort Rannick, it caught his attention.
After exchanging some information they parted ways.
Starday Lamashan 19 around 9am
The day started out with some shopping at the Golemworks. They sold off their extra magic item and spent their money on some upgrades. When they returned to their townhouse they had a message from the Mayor requesting their presence. They headed out to see the mayor and were surprised to see Khazen there. The mayor wasn't convinced that it was as dire as the rangers were saying and decided he would send their group as his assessors to determine the situation there. Phain wanted a parade and the mayor suggested the parade's grandeur would be determined on how much he would have to spend on sending troops to Fort Rannick.
Khazen was also with another ranger from Fort Rannick called Vale. They were all taking the boat back on Wealday. Phain decided to take a trip to Sandpoint and visit his wife before leaving. He hired some guards for his estate as well as some more help.
Wealday Lamashan 23 around 6AM
The boat leaving for Turtleback Ferry left Magnimar starting a week long trip. Phain spent most of his trip studying the Black Tome found at the Runelord of Sloth's seal.
Toilday Lamashan 29 around 6PM
After a week of travel the group finally arrived at Turtleback Ferry. The weather was turning colder and the rains were constant. Turtleback Ferry had earned its name from three ferries made of the shells of giant snapping turtles that had been slain by the town’s founder, a powerful fighter named Autek Lavendy, a hundred years ago. Since it was late they decided to stay at an inn before heading to Fort Rannick.
Phain was looking a little pale after leaving the boat, though he said he felt fine, just too much time under the deck. The party kept hearing stories about the Paradise, a gambling barge that sank a few days before. People would come from all over to gamble there. Everyone on board was presumed dead, including the owner, a woman named Lucrecia. The party had heard that name from Xanesha's letter. Preacher also noticed that the serving woman had the Sihedron rune tattooed on her shoulder. She said if you paid extra you could get a VIP pass at the Paradise. When asked how many people on board had that tattoo, she said all of them would as it was a special party for VIPs that night.
Wealday Lamashan 30 around 9AM
The group woke up and was having breakfast whent hey heard a commotion outside. The lake had started to overflow from all the rain and was rushing into the town. Khazen saved a little girl from being swept away by the current and was attacked by a river snake. Soon after a larger creature of legend swept into town. The party fought against it, but it was too powerful. It soon got bored and swam away. The water was receding a little. The mayor suggested to go to Skull's Crossing, a Thassilonian monument that regulated the level of water in the area. For water reason it wasn't working but it was infested with monsters. Khazen said he would check it out on the way to Fort Rannick.
The group headed out on some trails that Khazen and Vale knew. They approached Skull's Crossing and saw a section had broken away spilling water into Claybottom lake. The group climbed up the Stairway of Skulls, giant steps leading up to a cave.
Inside the cave was an Ettin that the party managed to dispatch, despite being separated by a 15 foot ledge.
That cave lead out to the top of Skull's Crossing, where the water level was at the top of the dam. Looking out they saw a group of ogres taking pick axes to the dam trying to break it. They were only chipping away at it, but seemed to be making some progress. The group attacked, Khazen sending off a fireball at the ogres chipping away at the wall, while Phain and the others attacked the leader. Vale fell in the water while moving up to attack and the ogre leader sensed an easy target and attacked him causing him to fall unconscious. The rest of the group took him out before he could do any more damage.
Preacher healed Vale and Khazen noticed they were Kreeg ogres, one of the more powerful ogre clans in the area, and the reason he had travelled to Magnimar.
A dwarf dressed in deep green with a patch that had a fist clutching three arrows approached Phain. He introduced himself as Khazen Dren, a ranger belonging to the Order of the Black Arrows, a group of rangers located at Fort Rannick and charged with protecting the area around it and Turtleback Ferry. He just arrived in Magnimar to request more people to be assigned to Fort Rannick as the activity of the Kreeg ogres have increased. When he heard Phain talking about evil coming to Fort Rannick, it caught his attention.
After exchanging some information they parted ways.
Starday Lamashan 19 around 9am
The day started out with some shopping at the Golemworks. They sold off their extra magic item and spent their money on some upgrades. When they returned to their townhouse they had a message from the Mayor requesting their presence. They headed out to see the mayor and were surprised to see Khazen there. The mayor wasn't convinced that it was as dire as the rangers were saying and decided he would send their group as his assessors to determine the situation there. Phain wanted a parade and the mayor suggested the parade's grandeur would be determined on how much he would have to spend on sending troops to Fort Rannick.
Khazen was also with another ranger from Fort Rannick called Vale. They were all taking the boat back on Wealday. Phain decided to take a trip to Sandpoint and visit his wife before leaving. He hired some guards for his estate as well as some more help.
Wealday Lamashan 23 around 6AM
The boat leaving for Turtleback Ferry left Magnimar starting a week long trip. Phain spent most of his trip studying the Black Tome found at the Runelord of Sloth's seal.
Toilday Lamashan 29 around 6PM
After a week of travel the group finally arrived at Turtleback Ferry. The weather was turning colder and the rains were constant. Turtleback Ferry had earned its name from three ferries made of the shells of giant snapping turtles that had been slain by the town’s founder, a powerful fighter named Autek Lavendy, a hundred years ago. Since it was late they decided to stay at an inn before heading to Fort Rannick.
Phain was looking a little pale after leaving the boat, though he said he felt fine, just too much time under the deck. The party kept hearing stories about the Paradise, a gambling barge that sank a few days before. People would come from all over to gamble there. Everyone on board was presumed dead, including the owner, a woman named Lucrecia. The party had heard that name from Xanesha's letter. Preacher also noticed that the serving woman had the Sihedron rune tattooed on her shoulder. She said if you paid extra you could get a VIP pass at the Paradise. When asked how many people on board had that tattoo, she said all of them would as it was a special party for VIPs that night.
Wealday Lamashan 30 around 9AM
The group woke up and was having breakfast whent hey heard a commotion outside. The lake had started to overflow from all the rain and was rushing into the town. Khazen saved a little girl from being swept away by the current and was attacked by a river snake. Soon after a larger creature of legend swept into town. The party fought against it, but it was too powerful. It soon got bored and swam away. The water was receding a little. The mayor suggested to go to Skull's Crossing, a Thassilonian monument that regulated the level of water in the area. For water reason it wasn't working but it was infested with monsters. Khazen said he would check it out on the way to Fort Rannick.
The group headed out on some trails that Khazen and Vale knew. They approached Skull's Crossing and saw a section had broken away spilling water into Claybottom lake. The group climbed up the Stairway of Skulls, giant steps leading up to a cave.
Inside the cave was an Ettin that the party managed to dispatch, despite being separated by a 15 foot ledge.
That cave lead out to the top of Skull's Crossing, where the water level was at the top of the dam. Looking out they saw a group of ogres taking pick axes to the dam trying to break it. They were only chipping away at it, but seemed to be making some progress. The group attacked, Khazen sending off a fireball at the ogres chipping away at the wall, while Phain and the others attacked the leader. Vale fell in the water while moving up to attack and the ogre leader sensed an easy target and attacked him causing him to fall unconscious. The rest of the group took him out before he could do any more damage.
Preacher healed Vale and Khazen noticed they were Kreeg ogres, one of the more powerful ogre clans in the area, and the reason he had travelled to Magnimar.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Interlude - Part 2
So ends the Second part of the "Rise of the Runelords" adventure path called "Skinsaw Murders". James Paladin Budwar has died and James will be playing a new character, a dwarven Eldritch Knight that belong to the "Order of the Black Arrows", a ranger group that protect a remote area from Ogres and Giants. His background will have a huge part in the next chapter, "Hook Mountain Massacre"
The party is now 7th or 8th level:
Xantumal - 7th Level Druid of Gozreh
Preacher - 7th Level Cleric of Pharasma
Phain - 4th Level Sorcerer/ 4th Level Rogue
Khazen Dren - 1st Level Ranger/5th Level Wizard/2nd Level Eldritch Knight
The group found a journal in Ironbriar's office:
Ironbriar used his position as Justice to cover up the Cult of Norgorber's murders as well as give them inside information on what the authorities were doing. His journal makes it clear enough that someone he refers to as the “Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms” has stolen his heart and provided him with a new method of murder, the Sihedron ritual. He involved Aldern in the ritual after he turned undead.
The ledger also indicates that Ironbriar has received payment from a group called the Red Mantis for delivery of “Vorel’s Legacy”, a fungus that was harvested from Foxglove Manor which was sent to the sinister group of assassins based in Cheliax.
They also found a note in the clock tower:
The party is now 7th or 8th level:
Xantumal - 7th Level Druid of Gozreh
Preacher - 7th Level Cleric of Pharasma
Phain - 4th Level Sorcerer/ 4th Level Rogue
Khazen Dren - 1st Level Ranger/5th Level Wizard/2nd Level Eldritch Knight
The group found a journal in Ironbriar's office:
Ironbriar used his position as Justice to cover up the Cult of Norgorber's murders as well as give them inside information on what the authorities were doing. His journal makes it clear enough that someone he refers to as the “Wanton of Nature’s Pagan Forms” has stolen his heart and provided him with a new method of murder, the Sihedron ritual. He involved Aldern in the ritual after he turned undead.
The ledger also indicates that Ironbriar has received payment from a group called the Red Mantis for delivery of “Vorel’s Legacy”, a fungus that was harvested from Foxglove Manor which was sent to the sinister group of assassins based in Cheliax.
They also found a note in the clock tower:
My dearest Xanesha!
I am so proud of what you are doing in Magnimar, with your band of murderers bringing souls to our Lord, fueling his awakening! Soon enough, Magnimar will be a much nicer place, with all of its greed sucked dry.
My plans are proceeding nicely up here in Turtleback Ferry. You wouldn’t think that greed could take a foothold in such a desolate area, but when you provide people with just a bit of hope for a better life, it is amazing how their greed rises to the top.
The only obstacle to my plans is Fort Rannick, but that will be taken care of shortly. Then nothing will stand in the way of our Lord coming back to life!
Soon, we shall be reunited and our Lord will begin his glorious reign over all of Golarion!
Lucrecia
Monday, November 9, 2009
Session 22 - Attacking the Clock Tower
Fireday Lamashan 18 around 10am
Both Budwar and Preacher had dreadful dreams of their groups death at the hands of whomever ruled the clock tower. Preacher had a sense that Pharasma wasn't ready for him yet, he still needed to find out the cause of so many souls not reaching her. Budwar knew that planning and strategy would be the key to winning the battle.
Approaching the tower with care, they saw it was in poor condition. A hole about 200 feet up had a rickety scaffolding built to another higher hole. They entered the clock tower and inside was some damage rooms with an unstable staircase winding its way up. They inspected the staircase and made sure to spread out to avoid having too much weight in one place.
About halfway up, they heard a bell fall and everyone scrambled to get out of the way, but Phain, who was walking on the wall with his boots, could not avoid it and got clipped by it. Seeing 3 more bells above, they decided to get out of the tower and come up with a new plan.
The new dwarven scholar cast enlarge and spider climb, and had the other carried up to the top. In the uppermost room was a silk bed and other out of place comforts. Suddenly a demon appeared, but Phain recognized it as an illusion. Phain also found a spot with a silence on it and dispelled it. Suddenly, a snake like creature appeared in the air and a strange snake like mask with green glowing eyes shot something at Preacher, but he wasn't affected. The group summoned some monsters and the enlarged fighters attacked. Niorg used the wand and dispelled the flying while the rest of the group hammered her down. She used a large spear, and when it hit it made a wailing sound, but on her third hit on the paladin, she killed him and the spear wailed even louder. Everyone, shocked but the death of the paladin rallied and killed her.
The group found a bunch of papers containing names of people targetted for the "Sihedron Ritual", including the Lord Mayor. Also they found a note from Xanesha's sister with more information.
Heading back to the Lord Mayor's house, they informed him that he was targeted for assassination, he offered the party 6,000gp each for their role in making Magnimar safe, as well as officially giving them the Aldern townhouse.
Going back to the church of Torag to raise the Paladin from the dead, they clerics informed them that Budwar's soul was not willing to return as he died gloriously saving the lives of his companions. Phain made an impassioned speech to get the cleric to convince Budwar's soul to be willing, but with no luck. Little did Phain and the rest know that there was another that overheard him....
Both Budwar and Preacher had dreadful dreams of their groups death at the hands of whomever ruled the clock tower. Preacher had a sense that Pharasma wasn't ready for him yet, he still needed to find out the cause of so many souls not reaching her. Budwar knew that planning and strategy would be the key to winning the battle.
Approaching the tower with care, they saw it was in poor condition. A hole about 200 feet up had a rickety scaffolding built to another higher hole. They entered the clock tower and inside was some damage rooms with an unstable staircase winding its way up. They inspected the staircase and made sure to spread out to avoid having too much weight in one place.
About halfway up, they heard a bell fall and everyone scrambled to get out of the way, but Phain, who was walking on the wall with his boots, could not avoid it and got clipped by it. Seeing 3 more bells above, they decided to get out of the tower and come up with a new plan.
The new dwarven scholar cast enlarge and spider climb, and had the other carried up to the top. In the uppermost room was a silk bed and other out of place comforts. Suddenly a demon appeared, but Phain recognized it as an illusion. Phain also found a spot with a silence on it and dispelled it. Suddenly, a snake like creature appeared in the air and a strange snake like mask with green glowing eyes shot something at Preacher, but he wasn't affected. The group summoned some monsters and the enlarged fighters attacked. Niorg used the wand and dispelled the flying while the rest of the group hammered her down. She used a large spear, and when it hit it made a wailing sound, but on her third hit on the paladin, she killed him and the spear wailed even louder. Everyone, shocked but the death of the paladin rallied and killed her.
The group found a bunch of papers containing names of people targetted for the "Sihedron Ritual", including the Lord Mayor. Also they found a note from Xanesha's sister with more information.
Heading back to the Lord Mayor's house, they informed him that he was targeted for assassination, he offered the party 6,000gp each for their role in making Magnimar safe, as well as officially giving them the Aldern townhouse.
Going back to the church of Torag to raise the Paladin from the dead, they clerics informed them that Budwar's soul was not willing to return as he died gloriously saving the lives of his companions. Phain made an impassioned speech to get the cleric to convince Budwar's soul to be willing, but with no luck. Little did Phain and the rest know that there was another that overheard him....
Monday, November 2, 2009
Session 21 - Assault on the Seven's Sawmill
Toilday Lamashan 15 around 8pm
After scouting out the sawmill for another day, the group sent the druid in to scout. Turning into a mouse, he snuck in and observed a bunch of the workers in cultists masks. The group now knew that the workers were in on the murders.
Leaving Hogie outside to guard the basement door, the group stormed in. As they moved up the floors they killed off all the cultists they found. Budwar and Orik reached the top floor where there were more cultists, their leader, and a flesh golem that looked like a scarecrow carrying a scythe. Orik charged into the frey and took heavy damage from the scarecrow. As he backed off, Preacher came in and healed him while Budwar tried to make his way to the leader. Preacher took a heavy hit from the scarecrow and fell unconscious. Xantumal him fall and rushed to his aid but also took a fatal hit from the scarecrow. Orik fell victim to a spell from the leader and ran down the stairs. Budwar healed Preacher and went to battle with the Scarecrow. Phain managed to get behind the battle to challenge the leader. The leader cast a spell and disappeared, but Phain was ready with a scroll that made him reappear. The leader used his strange mask powers to try and confuse Phain, but Phain shook off the effects and killed him. Budwar and Preacher managed to kill the Scarecrow.
Unmasking the leader they found out it was Justice Ironbriar. They found a journal of his that was in code. They decided to get the Lord Mayor involved so he would know that Ironbriar was corrupt and so they wouldn't get blamed for his death. They put his head into the interrogation cage and found out some information on the cult. They also found out that he was taking order from some woman in a clock tower.
Wealday Lamashan 16 around 6am
After having the Magnimar guard secure the sawmill, they searched it thoroughly. They found a rookery with 3 crows in it. Knowing it could be a clue to finding the clock tower, they fed the birds and went to the church of Torag to see about bring their friend back to life. The spell to bring him back would be expensive, as was the spells needed to restore some of the abilities he would lose, but they pooled enough money to do it.
Wealday Lamashan 16 around 11am
That day the druid talked to the birds and they knew the location to the clock tower. With the promise of more food when they got back, the druid shap shifted into a raven and followed the bird finding out where the clock tower was exactly.
When they were able to, they asked more questions of the head and found that he was wary of his mistress and his a wand of dispel magic as she would have many spells active on her at any one time.
Later in the day, a dwarf appeared. His name was Niorg and was a scholar of Torag and had spent the last few days inspecting the seal. He was assigned by the church of Torag to help Budwar in whatever he needed.
The group decided to assult the clock tower the next day, and got some rest.
After scouting out the sawmill for another day, the group sent the druid in to scout. Turning into a mouse, he snuck in and observed a bunch of the workers in cultists masks. The group now knew that the workers were in on the murders.
Leaving Hogie outside to guard the basement door, the group stormed in. As they moved up the floors they killed off all the cultists they found. Budwar and Orik reached the top floor where there were more cultists, their leader, and a flesh golem that looked like a scarecrow carrying a scythe. Orik charged into the frey and took heavy damage from the scarecrow. As he backed off, Preacher came in and healed him while Budwar tried to make his way to the leader. Preacher took a heavy hit from the scarecrow and fell unconscious. Xantumal him fall and rushed to his aid but also took a fatal hit from the scarecrow. Orik fell victim to a spell from the leader and ran down the stairs. Budwar healed Preacher and went to battle with the Scarecrow. Phain managed to get behind the battle to challenge the leader. The leader cast a spell and disappeared, but Phain was ready with a scroll that made him reappear. The leader used his strange mask powers to try and confuse Phain, but Phain shook off the effects and killed him. Budwar and Preacher managed to kill the Scarecrow.
Unmasking the leader they found out it was Justice Ironbriar. They found a journal of his that was in code. They decided to get the Lord Mayor involved so he would know that Ironbriar was corrupt and so they wouldn't get blamed for his death. They put his head into the interrogation cage and found out some information on the cult. They also found out that he was taking order from some woman in a clock tower.
Wealday Lamashan 16 around 6am
After having the Magnimar guard secure the sawmill, they searched it thoroughly. They found a rookery with 3 crows in it. Knowing it could be a clue to finding the clock tower, they fed the birds and went to the church of Torag to see about bring their friend back to life. The spell to bring him back would be expensive, as was the spells needed to restore some of the abilities he would lose, but they pooled enough money to do it.
Wealday Lamashan 16 around 11am
That day the druid talked to the birds and they knew the location to the clock tower. With the promise of more food when they got back, the druid shap shifted into a raven and followed the bird finding out where the clock tower was exactly.
When they were able to, they asked more questions of the head and found that he was wary of his mistress and his a wand of dispel magic as she would have many spells active on her at any one time.
Later in the day, a dwarf appeared. His name was Niorg and was a scholar of Torag and had spent the last few days inspecting the seal. He was assigned by the church of Torag to help Budwar in whatever he needed.
The group decided to assult the clock tower the next day, and got some rest.
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