Game Session Recaps

[frenzied67]

Highlights of Episode Twenty Nine
Erath, Melad  Firesday the 13th CY1031 (in the wee hours)

Descending to the ground floor, the party set three hour watches into a twelve hour rest period.  Waking at false dawn, they stretched out and downed Jolrael’s manifested Goodberries before ascending the spiraling stairs again.  Wending around bad spots in the floor, the party discovered that the inner stairwell topped off on this fourth floor.  With further searching they discovered a stairway spiraling up hugging the exterior wall.  They also found a water stained carpet that was not as disheveled and time rent as other items found before.  This big rug burst to sudden savage life when probed, trying to engulf Riardon within its dirty folds.

Jolrael summoned a strong directed wind mighty enough to make the fabric thing struggle, and occasionally be blown back.  Jolrael and Riardon either froze it or singed it with tossed magics.  Leiya manifested a hovering mace that did more than knock dust away, and her spells of light placed even more burn marks on the sinister weaves of the rug.  Hubert struck once with his scimitar, while Enkili flailed futily away after having to struggle to the fore.

Miraculously, no one in the group received any harm from the carpet, and after a thorough search room by room (that revealed not a thing), the party took the stairs up to the fourth level.  Before them, at the top of the landing, the flooring looked very treacherous.  To the right a narrowing curved hall was choked with rubble, which was the easiest path given to the adventurers.

Highlights of Episode Thirty
Erath, Melad  Firesday the 13th CY1031 (in the wee hours)

Jolrael cast light on a throwable stone which the party took turns tossing ahead of themselves to suppress surprises.  Following the outside circumference of the tower, they had to walk all the way around the central portion of the tower.  Along the way two holes were found in the wall where siege engines had broke through in some long ago fight.  Double doors used to be an entrance into the sixth story central chamber; those doors were cast down by the long ago fight. 

The light stone was tossed in and it immediately sank into liquid muck, diffusing the illumination.  Goo and muck covered much of everything and liquid dripped from above, some in trickles some in mere drips.  Parts of bodies lay strewn about, mostly as well gnawed bones.  The stench was horrid.  Riardon and Blaylocke noticed the flash of gold in the shadows, but fear of an ooze kept them from dashing in.  Instead, they sent a Mage Hand in their stead.  The bracelet was securely attached to an arm and torso that were too heavy to drag over, so the rogue finessed the clasp open.

Talk of green slime and black ooze made Enkili nervous, so he tried to spot movement on the ceiling.  A drip in the eyes all but blinded the Mandagan, so they used the Mage Hand to carry the stone up.  They discovered a hole in the ceiling filled with black and red ropy goop… and body parts caught as if in webs.  That made the group realize that this room was some creatures midden heap, and the hole in the ceiling was an advantageous chute the creatures could use against them.  The decision was made to ascend a level and meet the creatures in their den.

On the seventh floor they discovered bad sections of floor around the outer circumference of the tower, but the central chamber, though filled with rubble, was sound.  There was an almost ten by ten hole in the floor before a set of double doors that still stood.  Somehow the group managed to sneak up on the doors and range themselves for an ambush.  Jolrael stood before the doors, beyond the pit, pretending he had opened them with magic, though Blaylocke was the one who opened the northern most portal.

Jolly noticed blood sprayed on the inside of the door and a large alter covered with old and fresh blood.  A partially devoured human arm and a silver chalice sat on that stone.  He cast light on another stone and cast it inside.  Leaping over the alter, a living corpse with a long wagging tongue and hatred on its face charged out intent on destroying the sorcerer.  The ghast was met with an arrow from Blaylocke and a firebolt from Riardon as it passed through the door.  It changed course and moved south to face Riardon and Enkili.  Three ghouls slipped through the door, one going for Riardon, one trying to pass around the pit to get to Jolrael and Blaylocke, and the other stopping in the doorway.

Two more ghouls arrived just as the ghast and one ghoul were destroyed by the party.  Only Hubert took some harm during the bout, and the lad was fortunate enough to not succumb to the corpse chill grasp of the ghoul.  Using the terrain and disrupting tactics, the party finished off the ghouls shortly after their boss ghast perished.  Moonstones encrusted the silver chalice, making it the only thing of monetary value the party found.  After using a healers kit to buoy Hubert’s health, the group assembled on the stairway leading up to the eighth and final floor of Ulfang’s tower.  Knowing that they still had to loot the midden room and explore the basement level of Ulfang’s tower, the group felt fortunate that they still had the opportunity to climb that one level more.

Highlights of Episode Thirty One
Erath, Melad  Firesday the 13th CY1031 (in the wee hours)

Under the spire roof of the top floor there were four triangular rooms radiating from the center of the room like spokes on a wheel.  Riardon moved up ahead and gave the scene a good probe, and heard scrabbling sounds in the dark.  Impatiently, Enkili moved up behind the Elven Rogue, yet banged his foot off the last step alerting the floors inhabitants.  They began to bay in a basso profundo cry like hounds.  Enkili knew he had messed up so he moved out to take the brunt of the attack.  The hounds seemed to have extra teeth growing in several rows, and glowing red eyes, they were mastiff like but much larger than those mundane dogs.

One of the burly hounds was slain before it could attack anyone, the other managed to breath fire on Riardon, Jolrael, and Leiya.  It was cut down before it could do any follow up mischief.  Jolrael had noticed that the hellhounds had collars.  Instead of name tags, or ownership tags, the two metal lumps seemed more like puzzle pieces.  Taking a chance, the party assembled the two halves and discovered that the two metal lumps made a key when conjoined.  After a long fruitless search for valuables the group talked about taking either a long or short rest.  They opted for the short rest.

Sure enough on the basement level they found an ornate door with a lock that the key fit.  On the other side of the barrier, Riardon discovered a swinging blade trap and a pressure plate.  His first plan to negate the trap did not work, and it took Riardon a while to figure out how to disable the device.  They found that the they were within a circular chamber with outer rings of hallways.  A creature rounded the nearest blind corner crawling along the wall, it immediately attacked Riardon as he was the closest.  The poor rogue was well damaged by the time the surprise wore off.

Riardon was able to slip the beasts attention when Hubert moved up to engage the monster.  Enkili used one of his Battlemaster maneuver’s to help Jolrael escape the claws and bites of their foe.  Leiya took a moment to figure out the creature, and the knowledge shocked her.  “It is a Nosferatu”, she called out with fear etched on her features.  Following a hunch Enkili challenged the undead beast as he sidled around it; “Ulfang, you look all dried up!”  The creature did not like itself being named so truly.

Sorry, this is another cliffhanger that we will not get back too until two weeks after Halloween.  We will be playing a one-shot of Call of Cthulu and setting fire to children caught in costume.

Highlights of Episode Thirty Two
Erath, Melad  Firesday the 13th CY1031

For a brief moment Hubert and Enkili had Ulfang surrounded, and Enkili managed to land a grievous slash upon the nosferatu.  Ulfang slipped aside and delivered some punishment upon Hubert.  After being flanked again by Enkili and Hubert, the undead creature caught the Mandagan, Jolrael, and Riardon in a cone shaped blood gout.  A bad case of projectile vomiting that damaged the trio.  After a rain of damage upon his person, the Nosferatu bit Enkili and drew healing from the damage he delivered upon the Human male.

In the next turn Ulfang was able to drop both Enkili and Hubert.  This forced Leiya to step into harms way.  Between her and Blaylocke, they got both fighters to their feet; though neither man was able to heal to full health.  Several time the two men were dropped to unconsciousness, and Ulfang managed to vomit blood upon Leiya, Enkili, Hubert, and Riardon.  Both Blaylocke, then Riardon managed to deliver desperate but debilitating attacks upon the undead creature.  Between the two of them they managed to slay Ulfang the Black and end its threat to the world.

93PP, 167 GP, 243 EP, 600SP, and 900CP were recovered as were 2 amethysts, 2 coral, 1 pearl and 1 tourmaline.  In a three inch jar was an ointment of an indeterminate nature.  Three potions were also recovered; one with silver liquid that had a sliver floating within, one that looked and smelled like a healing potion, and the third draught was cloudy green and smelled of the sea.  A jellyfish shaped bubble bobbed within this third potion.  The party began to discuss returning to Anstarre for training and research, Riardon argued (unsuccessfully) that they should continue on to Elfton to do their training.  Anstarre was two days travel away, while Elfton happened to be near two weeks travel to reach.

Highlights of Episode Thirty Three
Erath, Melad  Firesday the 14th – Bardan the 17th CY1031

In Anstarre the party spent over twenty days learning and training in their fields of expertise.  Guild dues were paid so no one fell into arrears.  Near the end of their training Enkili had more time to research his family’s lost blade and Leiya took the time to start casting continual flame upon the objects of her friends, so they did not have to rely upon torches and actual fire to illuminate their way in dark places.  In that time Blaylocke and Jolrael figured out that their mystery potions were actually a potion of healing, Keoghtom’s Ointment, Hill Giant Strength, and a potion of poison.  Alarmed at that last philtre, Blaylocke and Leiya insisted that no good could come of that draught; without much argument against the act, they poured this poison onto the ground.

Various party members sequestered out unwanted items from everyone’s packs and sold them, dispersing the profit among each member.  Unlike their last visit to Anstarre, the party did not have the same accommodations as each other.  Instead Leiya spent her nights at the local Melwenite chapel or at an inn nearby, Reardon found a place were average means artisans and middle class merchants took room and board.  Enkili and Hubert decided on being pampered at a place where the rich came to stay, Hubert learned that a bellhop usually did know where to find hash and hookers.  Blaylocke traversed from inn to tavern to find his lodging.  Bards from all over the countryside were in town for the bardic competitions and celebrations held in the middle of the month of Barden.

Using new magic she had accessed, Leiya sent word to Wellborne Huxley and the urchin Miria in Solare.  After over half a month learning new techniques, Riardon practiced his “art”, pulling off a weekend heist from a well to do merchant’s house.  When Blaylocke was not learning new songs and poems, and more intricate beats, he spent time and money on repairing that suit of plate armor the party had recovered in their first mission together.  At a historians house in the wealthier section of town, Enkili met a bard who described his families sword too him and told him this rumor: The sword is said to be wielded by an Efreet under the service of a foreigner.  The Efreet’s master is said to be searching for an ancient artifact in the ruins of Darsta.

Though he all but pleaded with the party, and he did threaten to leave, Enkili could not persuade the group to set aside their quest to stop the Chained Wings slavers.  They did agree to get to The Freehold by the quickest means possible and return the same way.  After researching the problem the party found that going part way on the road to Elfton then cutting overland took almost half as much time as following the road or river.  However they could not take the wagon with them if they traveled thus; they would have to buy their own riding horses and store the bulk of their possessions with Wolf.  Tents and jugs were gathered and stored with care as well as fifty days of rations, even though they planned to consume food Leiya claimed she could summon by magic.

*for all of you who keep up with these gaming recaps, it was decided that December 9th would be our last game of the year.  December 26 will be a night for family and love.  Merry Christmas one and all, Santa the Barbarian is coming in his sleigh to slay us all!

Highlights of Episode Thirty Four
Erath, Bardan Watersday the 17th – Bardan Endrest the 22nd CY1031

After procuring mounts, food, fodder and various other supplies, the company set out in a heavy rain.  In an effort to save the comestibles, Leiya used a spell that made an abundance of food for people and beasts.  This she did again after the party rose the next day; another day filled with constant rain.  They discovered that water had gotten into their dry rations, spoiling some of the food.  They partitioned the spoiled food out for a day down the road that Leiya could call upon Milosta (Melwen) to remove the wet and taint and make the food whole again.  Later they found the overland trail and left the established road. 

Near evening they discovered that a recent flood had washed away signs of the trail.  Blaylocke and Leiya were divided in their opinion on the right direction they should go.  Leiya was best able to reason out the correct direction and the party found the set of trails they needed.  Camping near a stream, the party was beset that night by an Owlfox; an aberration created by arcane or sometimes fay magic.  Enkili, who was on watch, managed to warn the group before receiving a bite on the arm from the creature.  The Mandagan’s increased martial prowess quickly drove the creature into literal flight as the desert man’s friends tumbled from their sleep to help.  Blaylocke spent the time figuring out what the creature was while Riardon threw a firebolt spell.  Hubert had come out with his scimitar so was unable to involve himself in combat as the creature was already fifteen feet up and climbing.  Leiya dashed out and immediately used a healing word to shrink Enkili’s arm wound.  A well placed arrow ended the fight.

Under Blaylocke’s guidance the party stayed firm to their trail that day and camped near the road to The Freehold after another rainy day.  A nearby troupe of tinkers offered the company access to their wares, common goods.  Blaylocke, Riardon, and Leiya bought themselves used books, discovering some arcane spells, and clues to possible adventures.  Enkili traded his 50’ hemp rope in for 50’ of silk rope.  The Dwarf’s entertainment was of a caliber that the merchant Grubbo Gorbsen (I don’t know the real spelling, sorry) mentioned that the Cat and Badger Inn in The Freehold would be generous to a good bard. 

In the early evening the party entered the freehold, finding the free city tense and overrun with Seddaran troops.  In order to control the city’s trade practices of remaining neutral during a war, Seddar had cut off the sea and inland roads into the city.  When The Freehold capitulated an occupation force was immediately stationed within.  Citizen and soldier alike paid the foreigners special attention as they made their way into the more influential section of town to find the Cat and Badger Inn….

Highlights of Episode Thirty Five
Erath, Bardan Endrest the 22nd - 23rd .CY1031

Denninel, the Half Elven proprietor of the Cat and Badger Inn gave the party individual rooms, and a duck and strawberry supper with red wine.  As they dined and had light conversation, Riardon noticed the glare of a stranger.  This individual knew he had been spotted so he rose and left.  After Riardon shared this observation with his friends, the rest of the party was naturally concerned.  Calmer heads counseled against trying to tail this man, so the group retired to their beds.  Leiya studied the alley beneath her window and noticed a pipe smoking man watching their series of rooms.

They consolidated into a pair of rooms and slept the night through unmolested.  Rising in the morning, Leiya again glances out her window and discovers more Sedarran soldiers in the vicinity than normal, this news stirs Riardon’s suspicions.  The rogue quit the room to question the innkeeper about the soldiers movements.  Instead he overhears guardsmen asking after the party in the inn’s common room, Denninel arguing that her guests should not be rousted by the soldiers.  Quietly backstepping, Riardon brought this alarming news back to his friends.

Though Enkili wondered why they should not confront the soldiers, he did follow the rest of the group out the second story window; Jolrael’s Feather Fall spell allowing for safe egress.  As they pondered whether to head east or west through the alley four human like creatures suddenly manifest, two at either direction of the alley.  A pair of hidden snipers took aim one from east and one from west, damaging Jolly with the surprise they elicited.  One human and a bugbear charged in from the west, while a pair of bugbears hustled in from the east.  Enkili tripped the human then rained several slashes at the vulnerable figure, doing a lot of damage to the man.

Jolly and Riardon moved to face the monsters from the east, their spells ineffective the first round, lethal the second.  Jolly was shot down, was healed, then gets taken out a second time.  Even with Blaylocke’s bardic assistance, Hubert also was downed twice, once by the bugbear he faced off against, and after a healing, the archer took him down again.  As she shot down young Hubert, the woman shouted “Best regards from the Chained Heart!”.  Enkili killed the Human male and turned his eyes on the lone bugbear looming over the unconscious boy.

Blaylocke used Healing Word to bring Hubert back from the brink, and this convinced the bugbear to withdraw.  Instead of chasing the bugbear down, Enkili swarmed up the two story building and took to the roofs.  He discovered that both snipers were already gone. One thing was clear to the party. The slavers knew they were in town and they had influence with the occupying guards.