DrK's Age of Worms OOC pt7

[DrK]

A handful of would-be adventurers gathers to explore an ancient tomb, eager to trade their discoveries for a ticket to a better life. What they find within presages the advent of the Age of Worms, an era of darkness, decay, and writhing doom.

So... As the last of the games I'm starting up this year the famous Age of Worms!

A brief 16

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1. Its D&D 3.5 obviously

Character creation
2. Stats are 28 pb
3. Starting at level 1
4. Average wealth for class
5. 1 flaw/ 1 trait. If the flaw is not relevant I reserve the right to say "no"
6. NO Homebrew. No fixes.
7. Max hps at level 1. Rolled for the others
8. Alignment: Not evil
9. Multiclassing: Rules are in effect
10. Available sources

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Players Handbook I + II
Complete Warrior/Arcane/Divine/Scoundrel/Mage
Frostburn/Sandstorm/Stormwrack
Tome Magic (Pact magic / Binder only)
Races Stone/Wild/Destiny
Magic Item Compendium / Spell Compendium
Magic Incarnum

Anything from other sources you may request but may be "no". Small things like a feat or a spell are more likely then say a class.

Player Expectations

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Be polite
4-5 Posts per week reliably
In it for the long haul (ideally you'll have been in a game for > 1 year already)
If you're going to be absent e.g work/ holiday let me/OOC know and we'll be fine

Last Thing

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Two options for style of game...
1/ My normal: Mid-op with relaxed "rule of cool" style and an effort by me to limit player death

2/ A higher op more challenging style with player death a distinct possibility (Age of Worms is pretty tough).

Could people please vote

The town of Diamond Lake has never been a place to dream of, but it's home. At least for now.

Diamond lake is a muddy smudge on the map of the hills east of the fabulous Free City. The area's inhabitants are predominately miners and laborers, serious folk who spend most of their lives toiling below ground. When not working, the miners celebrate along the Vein, a seedy road lined with ale houses and brothels. Overall, the village is a sooty, sullen place prone to unpleasant bursts of violence and passion. But Diamond Lake holds plenty of opportunities for adventure, for the uplands surrounding the town are rife with the ancient tombs and burial cairns of long-dead cultures.

Idle chatter around the village speaks of a trio of richly dressed adventurers who frequent the taproom of the Feral Dog, Diamond Lake's most notorious tavern. The confident heroes of the Free City spoke of hard-won battles on their journey to Diamond Lake, and of their intention to explore the long-abandoned Stirgenest Cairn on the lake's distant southeastern shore. You, the PCs, being natives of Diamond Lake, know that cairn is oft explored by the community's youth, who always find it completely empty of marvels and perfectly harmless.

Not so another cairn within a day's ride of the village. This cairn lies near an iron mine that went dry about 50 years ago. The mine's charter lapsed when its manager died a few years after the ore did. Situated in sort of a no-man's land, the cairn was all but forgotten, its yawning entrance overgrown with weeds and choked with debris. Rediscovered by a group of curious children a decade ago, the cairn was at first a community secret held by Diamond Lake's youth, who dare each other to disappear into its cyclopean entrance to prove their bravery. But one such time, when the wind was just right and a haunting, almost magical tone emerged from the depths of the forlorn tomb, one of the group of children stepped foot inside at the encouragement of their peers and never was seen again.

The adventurers, now boasting in the Feral Dog, bring back bad memories for you all of that night. Dire oaths were sworn, and promises that the children you once were intended to take to your graves. Some of you may have grown apart in the years since, but the talk of the cairns brings you all back to the Feral Dog, sitting around a table and talking of everything except what is on your minds most...

Chapter 1. The Whispering Cairn

THe whispering Cairn was a maze of tunels where the band of would be heroes encountered terrifying swarms of acid spitting beetles, ancient traps made by the wind warriors, the ancient Vaati, outsiders dedicated to Law. Insie a fake tomb with rainbow lanterns they discovered a passage up to a locked door that would only open if they recovered the bones of a small boy - Alistair Land who had died many years before. The party - and especially the young and idealistic Constablle Conlon travelled to the Land farm nearby where they found suggestions that a necromancer had dug up the bones and encountered an owlbear that was killed and a baby Dukethat Talsien adopted and still lies in the old mining cottage that the party had been using as a base. Back in the village the sheriff suggested Smenk and his gang of criminals may be involved and they met Allustan the wizard approached them curious about the cairn and pointed them towards the old observatory where a necromancer named Filge had taken up residence. Battling undead and weird macabre statues and zombie dinner parties they reached the top of the observatory and met Filge. They defeated the necromancer who confirmed it was Smenk and his gang who stole the bodies, although Smenk was concerned of an evil cult, "The Ebon Triad" in one of the mines. Then they let Filge go and restored the Land Family bones. The ghost boy was true to his word and opened the door for them. The returned to the tomb and found the true tomb, an amazing structure depicting the battle between the Wind Dukes and the forces of Chaos led by the wolf spider. They also discovered the tomb of Zosiel the architect who had constructed the cairn. Mirriana still wears his jeweled diadem and they carry a potent artifact they found a talisman of the sphere!. Returning to Diamond Lake she meted out justice to Smenk's thugs. Executing the savage half orc Kullen and seeing the rest of the gang sent to the salt mines of Iuz.


Chapter 2. The three faces of Evil

After speaking with Allustan the party headed towards the dourstone mines to investigate the rumours of the evil cult of the Ebon Triad. They were joined by Allustan's student Claire (a good necromancer) as Leila the anima mage and Bernard the rogue left. In the caves underneath the mine they found a nightmarish dark cathedral to evil gods and 3 nests of evil ruled over by an vile cult magus known only as the Faceless one. The first set of caves was a Temple of Hextor ruled by a priest named Theldrik. The fighting was fierce and the heroes almost died but they persevered and eventually killed all the Hextorian cultists and captured their leader Theldrik. The second set of tunnels was a maze of dank rocks where Talsien trampled through like a bull. Here the foe was grimlocks and a cult dedicated to the savage Erthnul. THey were soon defeated and they found mad writings about an upcoming apocalypse, a rise of darkness and an Age of Worms that would wipe out the light. This it seemed was the goal of the Ebon triad cult. Venturing into the third temple is the dark temple of Vecna, built it as a maze the heroes slew kenku cultists and rescued the halfling ranger Lan who still travels with them. They found the strange and truly evil Temple of Vecna and there confronted the evil Faceless One, a dark and powerful mage and defeated him. Although the alchemical fumes and the like gave Hal strange new powers. Also an insight into the Age of Worms to come should the Cult of the Ebon triad have its way. Even in victory there came a dark shriek as Thedlrik's soul was consumed and fro the dark pool in the underground cathedral arose a vile creature. An avatar of the Ebon God with the worst bits of Erythnul's savagery, Vecna's magic and Hextor's military might. I could not however match the might of Kavaki and was killed! Ending the threat of the Ebon triad to Diamond Lake

Chapter 3. Encounter at Blackwall Keep

After the victory in the mine there are some changes in Diamond Lake as Smenk and Dourstone are hung for the dark God involvement. They met Allustan who was concerned about the green worm they had found with Filge, the Ebon Triad and rumours of undead in the hills. He asks the party to go to nearby Blackwall Keep to speak with Marzena - a battle mage friend of his.

They walk to Blackwall to find it under siege by lizard folk, although not enough to stop the party cutting their way in. Sadly Marzena has been taken by the lizards deeper into the marsh. The hero's cut their way back out and head to the lizard lair. In the lizard lair a disgusting poo monster almost killed them. They then encountered the lizards but in a positive turn of events befriended the lizards after one of them turned out to be infected by a dread worm of Kyuss. The shaman - Hiska - brokered a peace with Mirriana and Hal to agree to leave the "pink skins" in peace if the party would kill the chief who was in thrall to a black dragon.

Happy to agree the party surge onwards where they find the purple scaled chief and his minions barbecuing a captured shoulder with a battered and bloodied Mazrena and more soldiers tied up in the corner. THe battle commences as club meets trident and Talsien rampages around trampling all and sundry as Claire's necomrancy cripples as many as possible. A terrifying battle cry of "THE AVALANCHE HAS DROWNED YOUR CHIEF! NOW THE SNOWY TSUNAMI IS RACING FOR YOU!" from Goat as he kills the chief. It doesn't take long before the battle is over. The lizards are defeated and the prisoners freed and healed where possible. Marzena the Mage grateful to Allustan's "heroes" that have come and saved her. While she is glad to be saved she points down the corridor deeper into the nest, "Lizards are taken down there by the King. There is screaming and when they come back they are changed. A great evil is happening here..." Here words bolstered by Hiska the shaman once more begging you to save the eggs. A truth that is sorely needed as they find the egg cave with a massive black dragon egg in the middle that in the light they can see worms swimming within it! A battle breaks out with 3 black dragonspawn as the party defeats them with Hal's lightning blade, Lan's new lizardman trident and Goat's club whilst Claire burns the dragon egg, fire consuming the worms before they can infect all the lizard's eggs. Marzena saved and the lizard's now free of the influence of Kyuss Worms and the Black dragon their work is done and the agree to help Marzena back to the keep before heading to the great Free City of GreyHawk to meet Marzena and Allustan's mentor - Eligos the Sage for advice on the sudden uprising of evil.


Chapter 4. Hall of Harsh Reflections

With the rumors of an Age of Worms, an apocalyspe spawned by a minor undead godling named Kyuss abounding the party headed to the Free City of Greyhawk with the writings of the Faceless One from the mines and the dead worm from Filge (and Hal looking forward to catching up with Filge once they reach the city). The city when they reached it was packed with all that is civilization surprising Tal and Goat. As they walked through the streets the others were surprised as well when a chimera escaped from a caged being transported to the arena. In the face of the magical and melee power it didn't last long and the crowd cheered you on suggesting you fight in the Champion's Belt games in a few weeks. Finding Eligos proved easy as you met doomsayers en route and explained how you had come to be there. Eligos seemed interested and concerned and suggested lodgings in the "Crooked House Inn" while he consulted his books. The party explored, some heading to the impressive pyramid of mages, Goat seeing the huge arena and meeting the imposing Lord Loris Raknian who invited him to fight in the arena. After shopping the party reconvened in the Crooked House inn when a pair of look-alike Mirrana and Hal's walked in and stabbed poor Tarquin the owner - neither lasts long in the combat backed by Claire's power and the the faces of Mirriana (who killed herself!) and Hal fade to weird blank faced grey dopplegangers, one carrying a key with an octopus design. Saving Tarquin he points them towards the "Sodden Hold" a long abandoned warehouse near the river docks. The warehouse is easy to find but inside the boxes are alive as mimics attack - in the aftermath a frsutrated Claire leaves the party to continue making sure to hand over the Talisman of the Sphere to Mirriana for safe keeping. Further in the warehouse they find some prisoners in cells, but two are tricksy dopplegangers who fight hard until Goat's impressive battlecries and club kill them. Then in the cells they find help and maidens in distress. The wizard is called Merrick who seeks too help you fight the cult of shapechangers that have caged him whilst the woman is a Snow Elf noble. Sadly Brave Halsephaeus also takes his leave mere minutes after Claire. Continuing to explore they headed through a destroyed and broken flooded storeroom fighting invisible stalkers before finding an elevator down to a water filled underground maze. In the maze they discovered the doppleganger lair! Although first they had to get past the pet giant octopus. With Elithas's acidic song helping they defeat it and move into the strange maze. Spiked pit traps, dopplegangers posing as orphaned children, and a roomfull of mirrors bar their way but with swords and music they chop their way through. Mirriana smashing all of the mirrors guaranteeing a century of bad luck but revealing the heart of the doppleganger lair and a strange symbol on the iron door.

In heart of the lair the greater doppleganger lord disguised as Allustan stood but the mirror beyond revealed its true alien nature before Lan's trident smashed the priceless magical artifact. Other lesser cult followers joined the battle and the battle was fierce but eventually the heroes prevail and the cult is destroyed. However in the looting, clues lead to a power beyond the cult hidden in the sewers of the city. The clues lead to a series of fungus filled purple glowing grottoes and mind thrall drow and a naga that the party handily chop through and reach the heart of the cult - an alien lair of ogranic rock and stone carved by none other than an illithid. The first room contains a strange and hostile stone brain but as Mirriana shields herself from psionic influence she uses her power of the sword to shatter it into stone chunks. More strange alien rooms have a lab with a tank filled a weird clawed octopoid creature and the Mindflayer master's treasure trove of arcane curios guarded by a vrock demon. The mindlfayer speaks to them all then, introducing himself as Zyrxog and his wish to kill them all!

The battle in its temple is fierce as the beast is both a mind flayer and powerful sorcerer and guarded strange organic/metallic constructs - one a squidllike beast, the other a 4 armed mantic like beast. THe battle costs much and at the end with the flaming magics fading sadly both Julienne and her archer friend Ellithas lie dead, bodies burnt beyond recognition and Talsien's mind forever effected by the cloynig alien touch of the Mindflayer. As they loot the mind flayer's secret lab, a note is discivered suggesting that the plot againt them may run deeper than they thought! And in a secret diary clues about the plots of Kyuss once mre and a vile artifact know as the apostolic scrolls.

"Zyrxog,
I have a problem. You with your particular skills could handle it. There are some adventurers new in town that have disrupted some of my "business partner's" interests further East. They are a goliath named "Goat", a human woman named Mirriana Conlon, a halfling vagabond name Lan, a savage looking creature called Talsien and an elven noble called Halsephalus. Please kill them for me. If you can do so I'll give you an extra 5% on our transaction.

- Lord "R"

Chapter 5. The Champion's Belt

In the aftermath of their victory against the mindflayer the party are hollow after the death of the bard and leaving of both Claire and Halsephus. Although Goat is inspired by news of the upcoming Champion's Games at the Grand Arena where a Lord Raknian invites him to compete. Fate judges that a good idea as Eligos the Sage invites the party to see him. The days exploring Greyhawk are good for most even as Mirriana struggles with her loss. Goat focuses on the excitement of the games even seeing the trio of adventurers - Auric, Khellek and Tianna that they first saw weeks before in Diamond Lake exploring Cairns, but legendary as The Leatherworks" and the previous arena champions. In a quiet Temple Mirriana also meets a mysterious women named Celeste that piques her interest. Later that evening at Eligos's house they meet the mysterious Celeste again and the sage explains his fears about the artefacts they had brought to the city. The worm a "kyuss" worm and his worries that if the Ebon Triad is on the move and allied with the minor cult of Kyuss that something dark could be afoot. Particularly with "Lord R" acquiring a copy of the diabolical Apostolic Scrolls! The sage has discovered much and explains that Raknian was once a champion now fallen from favour but runs the game. Aquaintances such as Theldrik and Garras (the Priests of Hextor under the Diamond Lake mines) suggests a dark heart and the scrolls could allow one to summon a creature of evil and drown the Free City in undead and death. At this point Eligos asks the party if they could enter the games to try and find the scroll and stop Raknian plans, and the party agrees; both in order to foil whatever Raknian, and as a bonding activity after the strains of the previous adventures. Celeste ushers in two other guests. One, Ekaym Smalloak is to be a guide and manager through the games and their ceremonies, and has a personal stake as he suspects Raknian in the disappearance of his sister Lahaka. The other is Zarina, a warrior woman skilled with both spell and blade, and mutual friend of Celeste and Marzena come to aid the party in their quests! The party decide to call themselves The Owlbears for their entry into the games, after Taliesn’s rescued cub.

In the events leading up to the games, the party relaxes, Taliesn smartens up, Goattracker procures blue and gold tabards for the team, Merrick researches, Lan keeps to himself, Zarina duels on an even footing with Mirriana, and Mirriana cautiously starts a relationship with Celeste. At the feast before the games the party are also introduced to Raknian and his cruel and brutal head of security, Okoral, before being sequestered in the Coenby beneath the arena (all the better to investigate the catacombs where Raknian must be conducting his schemes!).

On the first day the party are pitched into a four-way elimination match, overcoming a disgruntled druid, a ruthless horselord's warband, and a team of elven royalty! In the aftermath Mirriana offered to raise one of the fallen princesses killed by the other teams, as they were friends of Celeste. With their resources expended the party decided to wait until the night of the second day to go exploring, battling their way though ghouls in the catacombs to quickly discover spawn of kyuss, confirming their suspicions! Running a gauntlet of undead the party eventually found their way to the centre of Raknian’s plot in a chamber where the cleric Bozal was incubating a humungous Ulgurstata Kyuss Worm to unleash on the final of the games! Although successful in driving off Bozal, with depleted resources and faced by a deadly Alkilith demon, the party too are forced to retreat without being able to stop the plot. After recuperating and relaying their findings to Eligos and Celeste, the party face ruthless dwarven killers Pitch Blade on the third day of the games. After a short and brutal battle the dwarves are left for dead, enraging Raknian and Okoral to whom they were plainly connected, but leaving the party once again too depleted to venture into the catacombs again, though Lan’s true sight does identify a demon at the right hand of Raknian’s honoured guest Prince Zeech, and that Celeste is in fact an angel in mortal form!

On the fourth day there is scandal, as The Owlbears not paired against one of the remaining teams, but are instead drawn in the monster exhibition match, a privilege normally reserved for the reigning champions! Despite being faced off against a particularly dangerous frogehemoth and Raknian manipulating the start time to deplete the party’s most effective spells, the frog monster is quickly slain, much to Raknian’s fury! After the match the party confides their concerns in their fellow finalists, forewarning them about the giant worm. In return reigning champions Auric and Khellek of The Leatherworks agree to cover for the party’s absence whilst they delve in the catacombs again, and to fight non-lethally in the final.

Quickly reaching Bozal’s chamber, this time the evil cleric is swiftly defeated, the alkilith demon destroyed, and team manager Ekaym’s sister is discovered, turned into a grotesque taxidermy with Raknian’s signet ring still clearly imprinted on her neck. Unfortunately Bozal’s ritual is self-sustaining, powered by an Apostolic scroll, a beam of energy connecting the scroll to the cocoon in which the Ulgurstata is gestating. Deciphering the scroll, Mirriana learns the full extent of the heinous plot! In exchange for feeding the Ulgurstata a powerful individual, the ulgurstata would grant its benefactor immortality and unleash a wind of undeath across the city that would turn the population into spawn of Kyuss! After a brief debate about whether it would be better to attempt to destroy the worm now, attempt to evacuate the city, or face it at a time of Raknian’s choosing, the party decide to destroy it now. On the second attempt Mirriana is successful in dispelling the scroll and unleashing the Ulgurstata! In the confines of the chamber the fight is brutal, but Goattracker and Lan are successful in slaying it after Mirriana binds the goliath’s soul to his battered body to prevent it departing and his extraordinary fortitude keeps him moving! Mightily relieved, the party returns to the arena undercroft to recuperate and anticipate Raknian’s disappointment after the final.

On the final day of the games, The Owlbears face off against The Leatherworks in the final. Before the match Taliesn telepathically communicates the party’s success to Eligos, and Lahaka’s fate to Ekaym. Overcome by rage at Raknian, Ekaym gets himself ejected from the VIP box. The match starts with Mirriana anticipating and countering Khellek’s long-range attack. Goattracker engages Khellek’s golems, whilst the others fight Auric – magically enlarged to over 15ft tall! In the middle of the match Raknian has his men uncover the shaft to the Ulgurstata’s chamber, revealing his perfidy to all:

"LO! The Apostle of Kyuss will soon be among us. It will devour your Champions and a plague of Kyuss will bring darkness across this land!!"

In the arena The Owlbears and The Leatherworks share a moment of amusement at Raknian’s confusion, as both teams know the threat has already been dealt with. But then the fight continues. Auric manages to subdue Taliesn with the flat of his blade, whilst Goattracker smashes Khellec’s golems to bits. Finally, Zarina and Lan manage to stun the 15ft Auric, and with his gigantic friend and his golems fallen Khellek realises the match is up and yields. The Owlbears are the champions! Immediately Mirriana attempts to level charges against Raknian, but in the thunder of the crowd her words are not heard and during the prizegiving Raknian manages to slip away unnoticed. During the ceremony Ekaym thanks the party for finding his sister and allowing him to lay them to rest, though he now has to travel to Radigast City to inform his parents of her fate. Strangely, Eligos and Celeste are nowhere to be found.

Making their way back to the inn for the first time in five days, the party becomes aware of a commotion, and smoke rising. Eligos’ house is abalaze! Hurrying as fast as they can, the party make their way to the scene. With Merrick abjuring them against fire, Mirriana breaks down the door in a panic whilst Lan and Taliesn make their way up to the second floor windows. Passing the bodies of assassins on the stairs, Mirriana Lan and Tal come to Eligo’s study at about the same time, finding Okoral and one of his minions stood over the body of Eligos (which is missing a hand) and holding a blood-spattered silk dress. Full of rage, the three heroes tear Okoral apart and subdue his minion, rescuing Eligos’ body and his bag from the flames but finding no trace of Celeste before the house collapses behind them.

In a grim mood, the party drag Okoral, his still-living minion, and Eligos back to the inn. Looking through Eligos’ bag, Zarina finds a letter addressed to the heroes’ mentor Allustan in Diamond Lake:

"My dear friend Allustan. What your adventurers have stumbled on sickens and terrifies me. You and Marzena were right to send these to me, and, I think you would be proud of your motley band. They have acquitted themselves well. That will be crucial in the coming months I think.

The worm, the talisman and the return of the spawn and the spread of the cult it all feels wrong. Every secret I reveal turns darker and sickens me further as I feel we are on the verge of something truly awful. I think we both fear the same thing that he has found a way free of his prison. If that happens then all are at risk. My notes are here, please read and see if you agree. If we are both in agreement, we can take them to our Master, though even he may ill-equipped to deal with this and what writhes in our futures. I have asked Celeste to investigate the la…"


Chapter 6: A Gathering of Winds

In the aftermath of the fire, the heroes continue looking through Eligos’s papers. Ancient books describing a jungle Empire sacrificed to a Dark God, details of the cults of Hextor, Erythnul and Vecna and the Ebon Triad. Although not clear how it goes together it clearly had Eligos rattled. The sightings of undead, the rise of cults of Kyuss and Ebon Triad in various cities and the damned green Worms and their spawn spreading all over the lands rapidly plaguing adventurers in tombs and the wilderness. Above it all is a picture of an ancient temple in a jungle, a floating dark orb above the spires circled with an inky mark "Where is it?" The papers are a confusion and the party don’t really know what to make of them.

Putting those to one side, the party turns their attention to the recovered bodies. Eligos’ body is badly damaged, putting him beyond the party’s resources to resurrect. Okram’s body resists Mirriana’s spiritual interrogations. With those two options closed Mirriana brings all her rage and worry to focus on the surviving member of the assassins! He is forthcoming about having killed Eligos, but insists that it was Celeste who cut off Eligos’ hand, and adamant that the assassins only injured her! He’s also sanguine that his bosses will help him escape justice, so Lan stabs him in cold blood in order to ensure that he doesn’t, somewhat to Mirriana’s consternation, Merrick’s approval, and Taliesn and Zarina’s discomfort.

The next morning Mirriana prepares a sending spell to Celeste, experiencing a wave of relief as her suspicions are confirmed and she receives a reply! Celeste and a resurrected Eligos are fine and lying low, the two women tentatively expressing their affection and relief. Later the priestess meets with Queen Renida to raise the elven princess as she promised in the arena. In return she is named Elf Friend, Ruathor, and taught a word of friendship that will elicit help from any elf.

A few days later the Champions of Greyhawk receive an urgent summons: A dragon has attacked Diamond Lake! They arrive to devastation. The black dragon, calling itself Ilthane and brood-mother to the eggs the party destroyed at Blackwall Keep, has laid waste to much of the town in search of the party and was placated only by the town council giving up the location where Allustan is thought to have expeditioned to. Barely having time to get angry at the council, Ilthane returns, and after a battle that raged through the town and the docks the beast is finally slain, however not before Ilthane reveals that her master is Dracotha, a name from legend! Zarina recalls that the red dragon Dragotha was once a favoured consort of Tiamat before angering her! Legend has it that Kyuss promised to restore Dragotha to life after death after Tiamat inevitably caught up with him, but betrayed Dragotha by raising him as a terrifying Dracolich instead, thus linking Kyuss directly to the party’s adventure at Blackwall Keep! With Ilthane dead the town council are more compliant. Using her Word of Friendship on the elvish council member, Mirriana learns that Raknian had passed through on his way to meet Prince Zeech in Alhaster. The council also reveal that Allustan had returned to the Whispering Cairn to conduct further investigations, so the party decide to go and look for him.

Ilthane hadn’t been able to penetrate the cairn, and venturing into the tomb of Zosiel where it all began the party find new excavations have revealed a portal to a greater tomb of General Icosiol, Zosiel’s master! Unfortunately, both Taliesn and Goattracker are called away on other quests but they are soon replaced by the half-drow paladin Elkish and reclusive druid Navarra. Fighting their way through the tomb’s defences the party discovers Allustan trapped in a stasis field and rescue him. Allustan urges them to go deeper into the party to recover weapons to use in the battles to come. Defeating spiders, elder black puddings, ghouls, demons, wind warriors, and even making their way down a river of blood, the party eventually discover the true tomb of Icosiel, and are blessed with the approval of the legendary Wind Duke, a piece of the rod of seven parts, and both Zosiel’s diadem (still worn by Mirriana) and the Talisman of the Sphere are restored to full power!

Returning to Diamond Lake the party confer with Allustan. He feels old, and that he has nothing further to teach the party. Instead he directs them to seek guidance from his own mentor, Manzorian the legendary arch-mage of Magepoint! Navarra decides not to follow the party any further, but Merrick teleports the party to Magepoint directly. Walking into the nearest tavern to get their bearings, the party walks straight into Eligos and Celeste!

Chapter 7: The Spire of Long Shadoes

Player	Character	Race	Class	Init	HPs	AC (base) FF, Touch	Saves (base)	Perception
RCgothic	Mirriana	Human	Cleric3/Church Inquisitor3/Divine Oracle2/Divine Disciple5/Crusader 1/Contemplative1	+3	118	32+ FF 29+ T 21+	+11/7/19	+6
Starbin	Landhal	Tundra Halving	Scout/shooting star ranger 15	+6	95	21 FF 16 T 16	+12/16/9	+19
DrK	Zarina	Human	Warblade /Fighter / Wizard / Spell Sword / Abjurant / Jade Phoenix	+2	125	19 FF 17 T 12* normally +12	+14 (20)/11 (17) /8 (14) (Supp' Resistance)	-2
Ghostfoot	Elkist Talphrin	Half Drow	Paladin / Spirit shaman	+5	103	22 FF 22 T 10	+22/17/22	+10
Camber	Donal Ren	Human	Rogue/Fighter/CHameleon
Auranghzeb	Makavoy the Dustdigger	Illumian	Beguiler 4/Binder 1/Anima Mage 9/Sand Shaper 1

The fallen/Lost
Bernard the changeling rogue
Leila the mage
Claire
Halsaphus v.2
Julienne and Elithas
Kavuloia the Mighty Cleric of Kavaki
Talsien "mind talker" and warshaper
Navarra
Merrick
Taliesn

Diamond Lake

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@ Players
- Please post your background and a link to your PC in your first post and choose a colour. I need a linke to Talsiern's sheet the one I have doesn't work.
- Please let all players post before the chatting starts (so all the payers are on the 1st page! )


The tale so far....
IC thread 1
IC thread 2
IC thread 3
IC Thread 4

The ramblings....
OOC thread 1
OOC thread 2
OOC thread 3
OOC Thread 4
OOC Thread 5
OOC Thread 6

Old Recruitment... (we keep losing arcane casters!)
Level 8 (possibly no selection)
Level 6 re-recruitment (Julienne/Elithas)
Skill monkey wanted (Lan)
Arcanist wanted (Claire)

Birthdays
Goat: Sunday the 23rd of Goodmonth
Hal: Starday the 15th of Coldeven
Tal: Godsday the 11th of Harvester
Mir: Earthday the 20th of Patchwall
Lan: Freeday the 7th of Growfest
Zarina: Starday the 3rd Coldeven

Equivalent:
Goat: August 29th
Hal: March 20th
Tal: September 14th
Mir: October 28th
Lan: April 8th
Zarina: March 3rd

Spoiler: Free City of Greyhawk

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Spoiler: Map Key

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The Grand Citadel

GC1 The Grand Citadel’s Wall and Towers
GC2 Battle Gate and Gate House
GC3 The Great Blockhouse
GC4 Half Circle Wall
GC5 Prison Blockhouse
GC6 The Redoubt
GC7 Stables
GC8 Courtyard

City Gates

CG1 Highway Gate
CG2 Marsh Gate
CG3 Cargo Gate
CG4 St.Cuthbert's Gate
CG5 Wharfgate
CG6 Duke's Gate
CG7 Druid's Gate
CG8 Black Gate
CG9 Garden Gate

Artisans’ Quarter

A1 Guildhall of Architects &Stonemasons
A2 Metalsmiths' Hall
A3 Artisans' Quarter City Watch Station
A4 Carpenters' Guildhall
A5 Performing Artistes' Guildhall
A6 Guildhall of Leatherworkers, Weavers &Tailors
A7 Fruit of the Mill
A8 New City Fountains
A9 Guildstation of the Nightwatchmen
A10 Grand Tent
A11 Halmaster's Hall
A12 The Fat of the Hog
A13 Laborers' Union Hall
A14 Eridok's Expedition Provisions
A15 Maldin and Elenderi's Shop
A16 Residence - Dorshak Krane
A17 Darred Hebbren's tower
A18 The Wild Goose
A19 The Broken Staff
A20 The Nine of Swords
A23 Able Carters Coaching House

Clerkburg

C1a Grey College - Hall of the Dean
C1b Grey College - College Hall
C1c Grey College - Timber Hall
C1d Grey College - Iolavai House
C2 The Great Library of Greyhawk
C3 The Old Mill
C4 The Black Dragon Inn
C5 Jewelers' &Gemcutters' Guildhall
C6 University of Magical Arts
C7 The City Mint
C8 New Mill College
C9 The Bardschool
C10 Bridge of Entwined Hearts
C11 The Savant Tavern
C12 Free City Arena
C13 Clerkburg City Watch Station
C14 The Roc &Oliphant Tavern
C15 University of the Flanaess
C16 Guild Station of the Nightwatchmen
C17 The School of Clerkship
C18 Gnarleyhouse
C19a Students' Quarter residences
C19b Students' Quarter residences
C19c Students' Quarter residences
C19d Students' Quarter residences
C19e Students' Quarter residences
C20 Guildhall of Lawyers and Scribes
C21 Temple of Celestian
C22 Boardinghouse - room of Talasek Thraydin
C23 Residence - Derider Fanshen
C24 Residence - Elraniel Tasmarien
C25 Temple of Boccob
C26 Residence - sage

Foreign Quarter

F1 Mercenaries' Guildhall
F2 Silver Dragon Inn
F3 Sages' Guildhall
F4 Blue Dragon Inn
F5 Ahlissan Merchants' Headquarters
F6 Moneychangers' and Pawnbrokers' Guildhall
F7 City Workhouse
F8 The Pit
F9 Cartographers' Guildhall
F10 Foreign Quarter City Watch Station
F11 Translators' Guildhall
F12 Red Serpent Restaurant
F13 Guildstation of the Nightwatchmen
F14 Burrow Heights
F15 Nyrondese Traders' Hall
F16 Little Ket
F17 Temple of Rao
F18 The Silver Garter
F19 Temple of Trithereon
F20 Fallen Mage Townhouse
F21 The Whistling Fish
F22 Residence - Gruenab
F23 Abandoned Bathhouse
F24 Residence - Kardis the Sage
F25 Residence - Sir Lemajen Sterrich
F26 Porbell's Pawnshop
F27 Residence - Kelas Arnad
F28 The Grey Tower of Loz Toron
F29 Residence - Harm Bumastus
F30 Warehouse of Morton Hammel

Garden Quarter

G1 City Botanical Gardens &Well
G2 Otto's Residence
G3 The Nymph and Satyr Inn
G4 Sacred Temple of St.Cuthbert
G5 High Tower Tavern &Hostelry
G6 Star of Celene Inn
G7 Garden Quarter City Watch Station
G8 Gold Dragon Inn
G9 The Grand Theatre
G10 Temple of Pelor
G11 The Golden Phoenix
G12 Temple of Zilchus
G13 Chapel of Fharlanghn
G14 Sanctum of Heironeous
G15 Residence - Adarian Herbifrage, Sage
G16 Temple of Istus
G17 Residence - Judge Porthos
G18 Residence - Kiri &Marie
G19 Residence - Barlo Millrose
G20 Residence - Aestrella Shanfarel
G21 Residence - Phillidor
G22 Embassy of Furyondy
G23 Patrician's Club
G24 Lord Silverfox's Manor
G25 Royal Opera House

High Quarter

H1 Embassy of the Duchy of Urnst
H2 Lord Henway's Menagerie
H2a Henway Family Manor
H2b Grey Manor
H2c The Aviary
H3 Wheel of Gold Gambling House
H4a Embassy Circle Manor
H4b Embassy Circle manor
H4c Embassy Circle manor
H4d Embassy Circle manor
H4e Embassy Circle manor
H4f Embassy Circle manor
H5 The Lord's Tomb
H6 Residence of Fioranna Aielestriel
H7 City Guard Barracks
H8 Nightwatchmen's Guildstation
H9 Courts of Justice
H10 City Gaol
H11 Diplomatic Residence
H12 Residence - Stivak Dorbreddin
H13 Wizards' Guildhall
H14 Lord Mayor's Palace
H15 Residence - Org Nenshen
H16 Residence - Jallarzi Sallavarian
H17 Residence - Glodreddi Bakkanin
H18 The Tomb
H19 Bluto House

Outskirts

O1 City Cemetary
O2 Lord Wheatsmill's Manor
O3 City Slaughterhouse
O4a Caravan Park
O4b Caravan Park
O5 Merchants' and Traders' Guild Livery
O6 Millstream Effluent
O7 Stone Ring
O8 Lord Wainwright's Manor
O9 Grey College Observatory
O10a Caravan Warehouse
O10b Caravan Warehouse
O10c Caravan Warehouse

River Quarter

R1 River Quarter City Watch Station
R2 The Green Dragon Inn
R3 Low Seas Tavern
R4 The Wizard's Hat Inn
R5 Guildstation of the Nightwatchmen
R6 Tarnek McGloogan's Warehouse
R7 The River Rat
R8 Temple of Pholtus
R9 Gobayuik's Undertakers
R10 West City Warehouse
R11 Barge Inn
R12 The Dogtail Inn
R13 The Maned Lady
R14 The Sea Willow
R15 Abandoned house

Slum Quarter

S1 World's End Tavern
S2 False Duke's Stables
S3 Beggars' Union Guildhall
S4 Temple of Ralishaz
S5 Assassins' Guildhall
S6 Garraldson's Locksmithy
S7 Dragon Turtle Tavern
S8 Left Hand Inn
S9 Fedroot's Daggerarium
S10 Old City Well
S11 Chapel of Ulaa
S12 Flophouse

Shacktown

ST1 Shrine of StCuthbert
ST2 Sawmill

Thieves’ Quarter

T1 Turin's Servant Agency
T2 Whitehorse Inn
T3 Old City Watch Station
T4 Merchants' and Traders' Union
T5 Madame Serena's Fortunetelling
T6 White Dragon Inn
T7 Guildstation of the Nightwatchmen
T8 Gold Digger Tavern
T9 Brass Dragon Inn
T10 Chapel of Olidammara
T11 Shrine of Beory
T12 City Orphanage
T13 Public Bathhouse
T14 Fischer's Locksmithy
T15 Common Crypt
T16 Millrose Brewery
T17 Madame Zaccaruso's Rooms for Rent
T18 The Cindered Augur
T19 Nyrondal House
T20 Halfhock's Pawnshop
T21 Old City Great Hall (Thieves' Guild)
T22 Phoenix Boarding House
T23 City Depot
T24 Hariad's Jewelry
T25 The Hanged Man Inn
T26 Esteemed Chapel of Norebo
T27 Vesper's Pawnshop
T28 Mama Esther's
T29 Odd House
T30 Fish Processing Warehouse
T31 Mill/Grain Warehouse
T32 Produce Warehouse
T33 abandoned warehouse
T34 abandoned residence
T35 Great Burn Court

Wharves

W1 Temple of Xerbo and Osprem
W2a Office of the Cargo Inspectorate &Warehouse
W2b Office of the Cargo Inspectorate &Warehouse
W2c Office of the Cargo Inspectorate &Warehouse
W2d Office of the Cargo Inspectorate &Warehouse
W3 Dockers' and Wharfmen's Union Hall
W4 Pilots' &Seamen's Guildhall
W5 Wharves City Watch Station
W6 City Warehouse
W7 The Free Traders office &warehouse
W8 Temple of Procan
W9 Eridok's Warehouse (see A14)
W10 Snagtooth Shipbuilding
W11 Residence - Fionor Clawhand
W12 Alliance of Tenha Workers'
W13 Abandoned smuggler's warehouse

[RCgothic]

Subscribed!

[Stegyre]

Subscribed, with popcorn, still watching events unfold.

[redzimmer]

But surely GoatT is back on the active roster?

[DrK]

But surely GoatT is back on the active roster?

Yes, I just cut and pasted it from OOC6. My opening needs expanding.

I still need to add the book 5/6 summaries.

@Stegyre
Should be good after what is clearly the final showdown

[Ghostfoot]

Ooh, action - exciting! Let me clear some space in my diary to get back to the fun

[DrK]

Not to bad
CL check (1d20+12)[32] vs Haste
CL check (1d20+12)[32] vs Mage armour (greater)
CL check (1d20+12)[29] vs Superior resistance
CL check (1d20+12)[30] vs Heart of water
CL check (1d20+12)[31] vs Heart of Fire

She managed to steal its haste, mage armour, drop its saves and pick up the two other hearts of elements

[DrK]

On my crib sheet I forgot two of his protections,
(1d20+12)[13] vs DC 28 vs Arcane spell surge
(1d20+12)[13] vs DC 28 vs Fly

EDIT: Well clearly Zarina's spell theft had started running out around then

[RCgothic]

Sorry, keep meaning to post but I'm shattered today. I tried to concentrate and watch bake-off at the same time but it's just not happening! I'll try and get a post up tomorrow.

[DrK]

Sorry, keep meaning to post but I'm shattered today. I tried to concentrate and watch bake-off at the same time but it's just not happening! I'll try and get a post up tomorrow.

No worries. I can understand the lore of tasty cakes. Who doesn't like celebrity cakes

[Ghostfoot]

Sorry just trying to get my bearings:

So it's 3x normal move actions to close with them (ie ~80ft)?

Is it only Zarina who is hasted?

[DrK]

Sorry just trying to get my bearings:

So it's 3x normal move actions to close with them (ie ~80ft)?

Is it only Zarina who is hasted?

Zarina stole it's haste with spell theft. But yes, it's 80ft to reach them.

@RCGothic
For your last 10ft of movement as you pass the doorway into its chamber you feel a wall of pressure and evil fircei

A repulsion spell blocks the door. Will save to push through it

[RCgothic]

WILL (1d20+26)[37]

[Ghostfoot]

oops

(1d4)[2] rounds

[DrK]

A savage attack from the PCS there!

Vs the Holy explosion from Mirriana
(3d20)[14][2][12](28)

And vs the Moonbolts
(2d20)[16][18](34)

[RCgothic]

You need both fortitude and reflex saves Vs the storm of shards 😉

[DrK]

Ah, I'd best roll some Reflex saves as well then!
(3d20)[4][12][20](36)

[DrK]

Just awaiting Merrick, Goat and Lan

- Also, you'le have all seen Mirriana smash into a shimmering wall of magic before pushing throuhg as she made her save and smashed through the repulsion spell warding the entrance to the chamber

[RCgothic]

Felhammer hasn't been active since 1st July, so I think we've lost him again.

Probably best to just bot Goattracker till the end of this module or pretend he never came back in the first place.

[redzimmer]

Oh hell. Wrong Channel.

[redzimmer]

Spellcraft (1d20+21)[36]

Knowledge: Arcana (1d20+21)[37]

What’s old weavy got on the burner?

[RCgothic]

A targeted greater dispel affects every spell on a target. You need to roll against each.

[redzimmer]

Not sure how many waiting in the spellcraft

But let’s do some up I guess. Take as many as you need!

(1d20+33)[45]
(1d20+33)[53]
(1d20+33)[46]
(1d20+33)[38]
(1d20+33)[44]
(1d20+33)[50]
(1d20+33)[53]
(1d20+33)[36]

[RCgothic]

Can you just talk me through the +33 you've got there? Looks like it might be CL+20 instead of CL(to a maximum of 20).

One of the reasons Mirriana doesn't (yet) use greater dispel magic is because she's only +3CL over Dispel Magic's cap of CL10 and a +3 bonus isn't really worth a spell slot 3 levels higher. (And she gets some good mileage out of her +4 bonus to dispel checks).

[DrK]

I had the same query of where the +33 comes from?

[redzimmer]

Looks like I gone and misread the description. It should be +13. Still nice to see one of use is awake.

And I’m out of better ideas so let us reroll:
(1d20+13)[26]
(1d20+13)[23]
(1d20+13)[32]
(1d20+13)[19]
(1d20+13)[26]
(1d20+13)[21]
(1d20+13)[26]
(1d20+13)[27]
(1d20+13)[26]

Take as many as you need.

[Starbin]

In it to win it!

Landahl Snowstrider

Spoiler: Crunch

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Tundra halfling Mystic Ranger (Shooting Star) / Scout
Level 11/4, Init +6, HP 95, Speed 30ft
AC 21, Touch 16, Flat-footed 16
Fort +12, Ref +16, Will +9; BAB +14/+9/+4
Abilities Str 12 Dex 20 Con 12 Int 13 Wis 14 Cha 8
Racial Abilities +2 Dex, -2 Str; Small (+1 attack, +1 AC, +4 Hide, 1/2 wt equipment, 3/4 carrying); 20ft move; +2 Jump/Listen/Move Silent/Survival; +1 all saves [racial]; +2 save vs fear; +1 attack w/thrown weapons
Feats Point Blank Range (+1 attack/damage w/in 30 ft); Tactile Trapsmith (Use Dex mod for DD & Search); Precise Shot (No penalties shooting into melee); Swift Hunter (Classes stack for FE and Skirmish); Improved Skirmish (+2d6 damage/+2 AC w/20' move); Travel Devotion (1/day, gain swift action per round - 1 min); Extra Favored Enemy (Constructs +2); Greater Manyshot (fire separately)
Class abilities Skirmish (+4d6 dam, +4 AC w/10ft move; +6d6 dam, +6 AC w/20ft move); Trapfinding (detect DC20/magical traps); FE (att/dam/skills): Arcane Hunter +4, Undead +4, Elementals +2, Constructs +2; Wild Empathy (+4 Dip vs animals); Track (+14); CS: Rapid Shot (gain 1 extra shot, -2 to all shots); Battle Fortitude (+1 Fort/Init); Uncanny Dodge (can't be flatfooted); Fast movement (+10ft); Trackless Step (doesn't leave tracks); Bonus Feat; Weavespeak (1/day, sending to Mystra divine class); Bonus spells (1st, 2nd, 3rd); Improve Spellcasting (CL 7); CS: Manyshot (3 shots w/standard action)
*FE: vs Bluff, Sense Motive, Listen, Spot, weapon damage
Skills Hide/Move Silently +21; Listen/Spot/Search +19; Disable Devices +17; Tumble +35; Survival +13; KS: Nature +10; KS: Geography +7; Jump +10; Climb +4; Balance and +10; ; KS: Dugeoneering +2; KS: Arcana +3; Sense motive +3
Flaws Murky-eyed
Languages Common, Halfling, Dwarf
Favored Class: Ranger

Weapon	Att	Dam	Size	Crit	Range	Wt	Type	Notes
MW composite longbow	+21/+16/+11	1d6+1	Ranged	x3/20	110ft	2	P	MW, Str +1
Short Sword +1	+17/+12/+7	1d4+2	Light	x4/19-20	-	1	S	Kaorti resin shadow hand
+1 Javelins of force	+22/+17/+12	1d4+2	Ranged	x2/20	30	1ea	P	+13/+8/+3 in melee, force

Armor	Type	AC	Dex	Pen	Spell fail	Speed	Weight	Notes
+1 mithral shirt	Light	+5	+6	-0	10%	30ft	5	MW, magic

Equipment pack; bedroll; winter blanket; map case; 5x fish hooks; 2x flint & steel; 20x chalk; mug; silk rope; signal whistle; water skin; whetstone; 10x tindertwig; ice chalk; insulating gel; furs; mw thieves tools; 20x silver arrows; 10x adamantine arrows; 30x cold iron arrows; 4x nets
Magic items efficient quiver, +1 mithral shirt, everburning torch, +1 returning trident, darkweave adventurer's outfit, ring of the darkhidden (invisible to dark vision); scout's headband (+2 Spot; 3 charges/day - 1=Darkvision 1hr; 2=see invisible 10min; 3=true seeing 1min); darkweave vest of resistance +1 (+1 saves, +1 [circ] hide in shadows); gloves of endless javelins; Truedeath crystal (+1d6 vs undead, ghost touch); Lifekeeping crystal (+3 [comp] vs energy drain/inflict/death effects); Quicksilver boots (2/day move full speed as swift; over liquids, gain conceal vs AOOs); Horizon Walker chronocharm (2/day, move 1/2 speed as swift; no AOOs); Laughing Rogue chronocharm (1/day reroll disable device check), 3x alchemists fire; 1x CSW potion (5th); 1x CMW potion; Darkness domain draught (Gain domain powers for 24 hours, with spells)
Money179gp, 5cp

Spoiler: Fluff

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Spoiler: Description

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Landahl Snowstrider is tall for his kind and possessed of the lean ruggedness that most of the halflings of his tribe displayed ... although it may seem different to those used to a more happy-go-lucky type of halfling. His shoulder-length black hair is usually tied into a tail, with wisps usually slipping free around his face periodically. His eyes are like chips of blue ice - hard and piercing. He favors long sleeves and pants, used to the cold weather of his homeland. However, underneath his clothes, his upper torso is covered with tattooes, each marking specific accomplishments he achieved through his tribe.

He tries to keep all of his gear with him, never knowing when he'll need something ... or when he'll have to move out. Most of his possessions are in his pack, which he'll set aside during battle, if necessary. One of his prized gifts is a plain-looking quiver that was magically enhanced to store extra equipment, ensuring that he rarely is without his bow ... or the right arrow for the job.

Across his back, he carries a blade almost as long as he is, the hilt wrapped in white fur and sinew. He wears a dual-sided cloak, suitable for stealthy travel during the day or night. In general, Landahl appears to be ready for whatever the world can, and will, throw at him.

Spoiler: Personality

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Landahl is not a particularly outgoing, personable individual. The Abbor Alz do not lend themselves to happy-go-lucky individuals, and years of fighting giants has taken its toll on the scout.

However, he is not introverted, nor mute - he simply lacks the patience for idle chatter and half-hearted pleasantries. He speaks his mind bluntly, and often will engage in meaningful discussions with his companions. Just do not expect gossip, or idle speculation about the weather ... he'll clearly let you know when a storm is coming.

Spoiler: Background

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Lan grew up in Diamond Lake, along with the others. But after the horrors he and his friends experienced in the mines, he left after a few months, wanderin to the east. He found a new home in the Abbor Alz mountains - it was harsh, severe, and deadly, but it became home. In such a hellish environment, few would ever see the cold beauty of the first sunrise after a snowfall, nature's crisp blanket of snow untouched by mortals. Nor would they last long enough to witness a summer sunset on the Long Lake, the last rays of the day sparkling like diamonds on the still mountain waters. Yes, the land was dangerous, and not for the faint of heart; but with time and experience, one learned to avoid most of them.

Landahal Snowstrider learned quickly to survive; but it was a lonely life, with few to share it with. He found meager work as a tracker, scout and guide ... when adventures or merchants had need of a skilled man they called upon him ... as they did during his last trip into the mountains.

---

Lan watched the group of hobgolins for a few more moments before melting back into the early morning shadows. Sniffing the air, feeling the crunch of the snow, he shook his head. While the sky was clear now, a storm was coming soon ... and in the Peaks, that meant trouble. However, there was nothing he could do about it, so he headed back to his own camp as quickly as he could. It took him a little over half an hour to return to his companions. "Looks like they've linked up with another group. Now there's ten hobs, six asleep, four on guard duty. Something big in the center, but couldn't see it ... just hot breath. No signs of prisoners, unless they're in that pile."

The huge half-giant fingered his axe, grinning in anticipation. The holy warrior nodded as he stood and pulled forth a large, glittering curved blade. "Let's take it to them while we have the advantage of daylight." The twin snow elves, one an archer and the other a bladeswoman, looked at each other and shrugged. The final member of the group was somewhat of a contradiction in terms - a glacier dwarf fire mage. He started chanting, encasing himself in a semi-transparent suit of banded armor, and waved to the others to move out.

Lan cleared his throat with a growl. "Hold yer arses a minute! I'm all for ambushing this lot, but give me a little more time and I can learn some more about our victimes, and avoid any surprises."

The champion pondered for a moment, then looked at the half-giant who looked about to burst. Gazing at the sun, he shook his head. "No. The risk is too great to wait. We must attack before they decide to kill the prisoners."

With a grunt of exasperation, Lan shook his head, pausing for a long moment before he finally motioned for the others to follow. He muttered to himself that something felt wrong, but he wasn't going to undermine Daltaan. Besides, there was always a chance that the champion was correct, and Lan was wrong.

Yeah, right.

---

Lan ran through the trees, his breathing like the huffing of a dire lion, loud and harsh to his own ears. He kept glancing back past the lumbering dwarven mage, trying to spot the flying magi. Of course, their pursuer could turn invisible, so his efforts were probably wasted. The ambush had started out well enough, with four of the hobgoblins falling quickly to the group. However, when the 'leader' cast off his disguise and turned out to be an ogre mage, things took a turn for the worse. It had gutted the barbarian and ripped one of the twins apart with barely any effort. To his credit, Daltaan called for the others to retreat while he took rear guard ... but the triumphant roar echoing across the valley mere moments later didn't bode well for his survival. Borgrim had made it out, but between a dwarf and a halfling, there was little chance they could outrun their pursuit ... it just meant they would die tired.

As they passed a large outcropping, covered in snow and ice, he slowed down and held his hand up, signalling to Borgrim to stop. Sniffing the air and looking around, he studied the outcropping a bit more. After a moment, he could see an opening in the rocks, hidden from the casual glance. But something else, near the entrance, caught his attention, too, and he smiled. Grabbing a branch, he motioned Borgrim closer and started to whisper as he worked on their tracks. The ogre moved forward, now visible, as the three remaining hobgoblins trailing behind. The group approached the outcropping and would have passed it, but something drew the ogre mage's attention. Looking down, he saw the tracks of his prey continuing on past the rocks, but something had disturbed the snow heading to the outcropping. Staring for a moment, the ogre snarled as he saw the faint lines of magic in the same direction, confident they had reached the endgame. "Poor, poor, half-men ... trying so hard to hide. Do you think I am a fool? Do you think me STUPID?"

His voice rose to a roar, but a moment later, he disappeared from sight and flew towards the now visible opening in the outcropping. Landing lightly near the entrance, he peered in carefully, looking for the halfling and dwarf. Suddenly, a huge hand reached up from the snow and grabbed his foot. Startled, he glanced down to see a body, preserved in ice, holding onto his leg. As he stumbled back, the thing rose from the ground, standing at least as tall as the ogre mage. One-on-one, he would have easily escaped the creature, blasted it to bits with his magic. But when the second entombed body rose up behind the monster, the ogre magi was pulled down into the hardened ice, kicking and screaming in rage the entire way.

It was an easy thing for Lan and Borgrim to finish off the fleeing hobgoblins, and return to their camp to recover the artifact they had been searching for. Ironically, despite Daltaan's concerns, the two found no survivors to save - all the signs suggested they have been eaten long before.

---

Lan and Borgrim returned to town once the quest was done. They worked together for a bit, but when the threat of the giants arose, Borgrim returned to his people to bring word and aid back. Lan decided he had enough of the mountains for a bit, and a yearning came to return home, and face the demons that had driven him away in the first place. Thus it was that Landahl Snowstrider returned to Diamond Lake, wondering what he would find in the small lake town ...

Um … two potential crits, I think.


Crit 1 - (1d20+21)[30], Dam - (1d4+8)[10]
Crit 2 - (1d20+21)[23], Dam - (1d4+8)[10]

[DrK]

Some good rolling there, I'll go through the numbers tomorrow as I need my notebook to actually follow where things are! Its that complicated nowadays then it'll be the irate hordes of evil!
Though will be fun. After this the finale of the Chapter it'll be the end of Chapter 6 and we can return Talsien as well

[redzimmer]

Bring on tha trampling

[DrK]

Elkist (1d20+22)[30]
Zarina (1d20+16)[19]

Will saves vs Repulsion