Monday, January 18, 2010

Session 31 - Council of Truth Levels 2 and 3

Sunday Neth 4 Around 2AM

After a rest they approached the next room. This room had spikes all along the floor and ceilings. There was a staircase across the way leading down. Phain used his boots to walk along the wall and check out the staircase. It was real and not trapped. Searching for traps on the way back he was finding multiple traps when a glowing creature attacked him and then disappeared. Khazen cast a detect invisible spell and directed everyone on its movements until they killed it. Phain lead everyone safely through the traps.

Heading down the stairs they found a room with a strange device. When they started to investigate it, a wizard appeared out of no where telling them to leave his experiments alone. A fireball sprang from his fingers damaging everyone. The group attacked him and managed to avoid a slippery area on the floor. After they killed him they found a Hound Archon corpse he was dissecting. The device in the nearby room turned corpse into healing potions, and they used both the wizard and the Hound Archon to make some.



Going down the other hallway, they came to a room with a breeze blowing inwards. Inside the room was a man covered in tiny bug-like creature. It attacked as well as a swarm. When they killed the man. a swarm burst out of it. Khazen and Xantumal used spells to damage the swarms, Khazen almost was infected but Xantumal had a wind spell that dispersed them long enough to save him. Beyond this room was a scrying pool that required a key. The party remember the key in amber, so they went back up and experimented with the remaining combinations of powders and liquids until they made an acidic solution that freed the key. Using the key caused a pod of water to cover the users head. Xantumal cast water breathing so everyone would be OK when using it.

Heading further down the other hallway, the worked stone turned to natural cavern. They entered a large area with a lake and a boat. Also a small hallway branched off so they decided to see what was down there first. As they were going down the hallway they came to a ziggurat shaped room that had swords raining from the ceiling and falling into slits of the floor only to reappear at the top of the room to fall again. A vampire was in the center of the room and pulled in Phain, Khazen and Orik. Gravity increased in the room and they had a hard time standing up or avoiding falling swords. Orik managed to stand up and attack while Preacher used his aura against death to protect from life drain and then hit him with a searing light spell.



They killed the vampire, but it escaped down a small hole in gaseous form. Xantumal changed shape into a tiny creature and followed it down to the vampire's lair. There he staked the vampire, cut off its head and doused it in holy water.

Heading back to the large cavern, Xantumal cast air walk on everyone so they didn't have to rely on the boat. A large black dragon emerged from the water and breathed acid on everyone, and then bit and held Phain in its mouth repositioning itself for another breath when they felled it as it was inhaling.

After searching for the dragon's treasure, they continued on to an area the was covered in some slippery slime leading to a trench in the floor where water was flowing, and on the other side was a door. Preacher moved up first and got attacked by two crab like humanoids. One grabbed him and took him underwater, but luckily still had water breathing spell in effect. The other Chuul grabbed Phain and took him underwater as well. Vale jumped in to save them, while Khazen, Xantumal, and Orik used ranged attacks. Preacher used his channels to keep himself and Phain alive, but even those were not enough to save his life.

The group retreated back to the library to rest.

Sunday Neth 4 Around 5PM

After resting Xantumal cast a reincarnate spell on Preacher. Preacher came back from the dead, but now as a gnome. Gone was the intimidating priest of Pharasma, replaced by a perky looking gnome. Preacher was not happy about the change, and seemed to have a death wish.

Heading past the water trench to the door, it lead to stairs. Preacher bolted past the group, down the stairs, and into the following room. There were three levers int he room that wouldn't budge. Khazen and Vale came into the room and when Khazen approached the southern doors, they all closed, and three fire elementals appeared. They each moved to one of the switch and pulled at the same time opening the door, but causing walls of fire sectioning off the three areas. Xantumal used a quench spell to remove the walls and weaken the elementals as the rest of the group poured into the room and killed off the elementals.

Heading to the next room there was a grate on the floor and when Phain approached it, two oozes pressed through the grate and turned into four oozes. Khazen cast a well placed fireball damaging the oozes while Xantumal summon elementals to finish them off.

Heading east, the group came to a room with a portal to another plane. Phain advanced and saw a Xill and a Destrachen. The destrachan emitted a piercing howl, while the xill appeared in the middle of the group with a silence spell on. They killed the xill before it could lay eggs in anyone, then turned their attention to the destrachan. Soon both creatures were dead.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Books on the Swords of Sin

The books they found and scanned talked about the Seven Swords of Sin. The Runelords in Thassilonia were wizard kings that styled themselves after one of the seven Virtues of Rule: wealth, fertility,honest pride, abundance, eager striving,righteous anger, and well-deserved rest. Disputes between Runelords were common and were often settled between their champions, who wielded powerful blades each tied to one of the seven virtues.

Over time, the Runelords became corrupt and they also corrupt the Virtues into Sins. Thassilonia fell to a catclysmic event, but the swords survived. They also found the name of each sword and what sin it is tied to.

Asheia, Longsword of Lust
Garvok, Greatsword of Wrath
Shin–tari,Short Sword of Sloth
Tannaris, Bastard Sword Envy
Chellan, Scimitar of Greed
Baraket, Rapier of Pride
Ungarato, Falchion of Gluttony

Monday, January 11, 2010

Session 30 - Council of Truth Level 1

Starday Neth 3 Around Noon

Heading out of the alchemy lab, they turned left and headed to the next room. In this room was two portals, one of jungle, and one of a blasted landscape. The jungle side of the room was foggy, and the other side was smoky. As they entered the room and started to explore, two goblin like creature with wings riding raptors charged out of the fog and smoke. The goblins used wands and zapped targets, while the raptors went after Phain and Khazen. Preacher used a death spell to kill one of the goblin riders while Orik, vale and Khazen worked to kill the raptor. Phain and Xantumal kept the other one busy before the rest of the group could help. The other goblin lived and escaped into a portal not to be seen again.



The next room they found had a large pool in it and a machine that had tubes going into it. Preacher was excited to experiment with the confusing amount of levers and switches. The rest of the group kept a safe distance while he did this. Electricity flew through the air and the pool of water as he flipped random switches. Eventually a huge octopus came out of the water and grabbed Preacher and started to squeeze the life out him. The rest of the group came in and assisted killing it.

After some more experimenting, they decided to move on to the next room. This was a natural cavern and contain some devices that formed a pentagon and had electricity surrounding it like a fence. Phain was able to get through, but an Air Mephit was hidden inside and started throwing lightning bolts and gusts of wind at them. The air mephit could not withstand their assault and soon fell.

Heading back to the cauldron room area they found a library filled with ancient books, and also found information about the seven swords of sin. They examined the books quickly and moved on.

The next room they found had a river of lava running through a trench, and a large cauldron on the other side of it. Xantumal turned into a fire elemental and found some magical items. As they left, Vale left his position of guarding the door and released a trap. Fortunately everyone was out of the room before it went off.

The party decided it was time to rest and holed up in the library.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Session 29 - In Pursuit of Swords

Starday Neth 3 Around 8AM

Hearing that there was an entrance to an ancient stronghold off of the crypt, the group decided to check it out. Jakardros went to Turtleback Ferry to request help with repairs and to send word to Magnimar for men.

Approaching the crypt, they saw a huge hole on the side of one wall, spilling out some contents of coffins. A ghostly figure rose out of one of them with an angry look on it's face. Preacher recognized this creature as a spectre, and called upon Pharasma to protect everyone from the life draining attacks. Knowing the the spirit's attack were mostly harmless, the group dove in and returned it to the afterlife.

The tunnel led down to a complex deep underground. Shalelu and Hogie stayed back to guard the keep and wait for Jakardros's return.

As they entered the first room of the stronghold, they knew they were in for some weird sights. First in this room was a huge trough filled with fish. Somehow these fish survived for thousands of years. Wary of traps, Phain proceeded out the door further into the stronghold. He was greeted by swords from some thugs that Tirana must have brought with her to guard her back. Phain retreated into the room. Xantumal sent some swarm of bugs after the thugs while Orik attacked and wiped them out.

Heading further down the hallway, they came across a pile of treasure. Not buying it for one moment, Phain saw through the illusion and found that the wall would collapse on anyone getting close and releasing a creature in stasis. Further down the hallway some goblins tried to lay traps for anyone to follow but instead caused their own deaths.

The next room they came to had a huge cauldron and 3 skull pillars with different colored water in them; red, yellow and blue. Searching the room they found powder of the same three colors, some lead ingots, and a key trapped in amber.

The party wanted to move on and not mess with it, but Preacher was excited to experiment. Xantumal knew some alchemy and told him that one liquid and one powder needed to be mixed. The first mixture created a small portal to the negative energy plane, the second produced a mixture that was the equivalent to potion of cure serious wounds, and the third mixture summoned a demon.

This demon has some sort of acidic ooze covering it that damaged everyone weapons when hit, and most hits or spells were not effective or not as effective as they should be. Also, the demon summoned a second one. Khazen cast a haste spell while the others attacked. Vale hit the second one with a serious of deadly hits killing it, while completely rendering his weapons ineffective. Orik and Khazen managed to kill the other one. Khazen used a spell to repair everyone's weapons. They decided it would be better to move on than to experiment.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Lucrecia's Journal

After they cleared the keep, the party rested and read the Journal kept by Lucrecia.

Lamashan 19

Today I got word from Mokmurian that Xanesha was killed by a group of humans. She must have gotten really sloppy for them to even get a chance at killing her. He says they are leaving Magnimar, with a pair of Black Arrow Rangers, to come investigate the area so the timeline for our plans needs to be moved up.

Lamashan 22

Finally after being in this back water town for more than two years, the barge will sink tonight during a “special” members only party. I had Kaven over last night and set in motion Rannick’s fall next week. Jaagrath Kreeg secured the help from the Grauls yesterday as well, although I would consider the price he had to pay Mammy too high. Barl Breakbones must really be ruling the Kreegs with a “stone” fist to force Jaagrath to do that!

I am not looking forward to the next few days after I “die” since all I will be doing is laying low and waiting for the next phase to begin.

Lamashan 28

These Kreeg Ogres drive me crazy, they are filthy and crude! At least I got to claim the dungeon and have it decorated to my standards. I know Mokmurian is using them to further our Master’s goals, but I wish there was some other way to do it. Mokmurian was even mocking me about it when he was contacting me about the humans coming into Turtleback Ferry tomorrow. Too bad for them they will be too late to save it.

Lamashan 30

Blast those lazy Kreegs! Because they couldn’t handle a few trolls at Skull’s Crossing they fell behind schedule and now those humans lowered the build up of water today. Drowning the town is a little more sophisticated than other more direct methods, but one way or another Turtleback Ferry’s citizens will be dead.

Mokmurian says they will be heading to the fort tomorrow. I wonder who his spy is in that group giving him information. I guess I should be more concerned with who is the spy here giving him information on what I am doing. Either way, the dungeon here is the most secure place, and even if they could wade through all the Kreeg Ogres, by the time they get to me they will be ripe for the picking.

Neth 1

Tirana arrived today with Asheia, the final sword. The secret tunnel to the ancient Council of Truth stronghold was found in the crypt. Apparently she has most of the schematics to avoid its security protections. Once she reaches the Awakening Altar all Seven Swords of Sin will available. I will receive Baraket only after they finish Chellan, of course.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Session 28 - Reclaiming Fort Rannick

Fireday Neth 2 around 2 PM

Heading up the stairs the group entered the first floor and heard sounds of ogres coming from various areas of the Fort. Despite the loud noises, they decided to sneak quietly upstairs and see if they could find Lamatar Bayden, their commander in his rooms. While they passed what once was the infirmary, the ogre inside somehow heard them pass and flung opent he door and attacked. The group was split, but everyone was ready for a fight and quickly dispatched the monster. Inside the infirmary, they found that the ogre was posing dead bodies as a form of "art".



Heading up the stairs nearby, they approached the commander's quarters. The chapel door flew open and very large Kreeg ogre, the ogre known as Jaagrath, the leader of the Kreegs. As they started to fight him, the Commander's door opened and another Kreeg ogre started flinging lightning bolts down the hallway. Vale took both a viscious hit from Jaagrath's ogre hook, but also was hit by a lightning bolt killing him. Orik went to keep the caster busy, while the rest of the group took out Jaagrath. Eventually both went down, but group was heavily damaged. Knowing there was time to rest as the keep was filled with ogres, they pushed on.

They made sure the upper areas were cleared, and had Preacher, Shalelu and Jakardros up in the tower keeping lookout. The rest of the party collected some of the ogre bodies and animated them as zombies. They cleared out the rest of the keep using the Kreeg leaders.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Session 27 - To Fort Rannick

Oathday Neth 1 around 2PM

Heading down to the basement the group found where the human flesh furniture was being made. Exploring further they came across a half-ogre with an injured leg that had a vestigial twin growing out the back of his neck. Vale was injured and dropped unconscious with a vicious blow of an ogre hook. Preacher healed him while the group took him out.

Exploring the basement further they came across a huge plant creature that once was a Graul. Both Preacher and Vale were swallowed while the rest of the group hacked at it. Eventually Vale killed it from the inside. They found the Rangers' equipment and the rest of the Graul "fortune".

Clearing out the upstairs, they found the attic and the Graul boy's rooms.

Once they made sure all the Graul's were dead and there wear no other Black Arrow survivors, they torched the place and everything inside it.

Moving some distance from the farmstead they made camp and rested for the night.

Fireday Neth 2 around 8AM

The Black Arrow rangers were in better condition after healing, food and a good night's rest. They headed out and scouted Fort Rannick and discovered it had been completely over run by the Kreeg Ogres. While forming attack plans, Phain noticed Kaven looking guilty and pressed him for information. Kaven admitted he was sneaking out of Fort Rannick to gamble at the Paradise Barge before it sank, and was in love with Lucrecia the owner. She had asked him to take a force out to scout the Kreeg's which lead to the Kreeg taking Fort Rannick. The party allowed him to live since they needed all the help they could get.

They decided to sneak into the main Fort by a secret tunnel. They brought a special kind of wood to burn as the smell of it drives away the protectors of the tunnel, Shocker Lizards.

Opening the secret door to the Fort, they were greeted by a beautiful red headed woman that Kraven identified as Lucrecia. Phain attacked but she was quicker and blocked the door. Vale took a series of vicious hits as he pushed past her. Preacher healed him taking some heavy blows as well. Eventually the party overpowered her and finally killed her. The sister to Xanesha, and organizer of all the death and destruction in the area was dead!