tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12716908336052130832024-02-07T21:36:54.702-08:00RoF Greyhawk CampaignThe trials and tribulations of the Ring of Fear in the World of Greyhawkatwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-41056998809427734832012-02-21T13:20:00.000-08:002012-02-21T14:00:34.475-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 8Hieronymous Tigana won't leave his lab and indeed has turned several mages and members of Watch sent to apprehend him into toads. Yes you read that right toads!<br />
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The Party are asked (told) by Mayor to go get the crazy Alchemist and drag his abnoxious behind to prison for a substantial commission of course.<br />
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The Party head to the Guild of Wizardry and once there are lead down underground to the Alchemy lab of Hieronymous Tigana. It doesn't look like much! Arcane equipment, supplies, alchemy gear...pretty dull. The voice of Tigana taunts the newcomers from a side room and sounds quite, quite mad...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvhJDyucV10LE446MHr2fc5OoalUnwYyJNkTdt3Y7wgy4qfayST866Z3tCN6a1__Fu-ObbWWqvfGNdoxdPDvrBjfFXvT3eJihrR73m4DvF8O50GMD-ytMZe7OWNmL4a_temoa5XlNHl0/s1600/fantasy_art_scenery_wallpaper_ognian_bonev_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvhJDyucV10LE446MHr2fc5OoalUnwYyJNkTdt3Y7wgy4qfayST866Z3tCN6a1__Fu-ObbWWqvfGNdoxdPDvrBjfFXvT3eJihrR73m4DvF8O50GMD-ytMZe7OWNmL4a_temoa5XlNHl0/s320/fantasy_art_scenery_wallpaper_ognian_bonev_02.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately the side "room" turns out to be a 4 story structure that is totally out of proportion to its underground locale. There's no way all that could possibly exist a mere 20 feet below ground.<br />
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Tigana peers down from level 4. Flights of stairs lead up and onto each level, a large, open area is adjacent to the flights of stairs and contains vast, glass vats of bubbling liquids that stretch upwards into the higher levels. The hum of machinery and arcane powers crackles around the lab.<br />
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The Party attempts to cross the open area whilst Tigana pelts them with Alchemical firebombs from above. A few dudes get splash damage.<br />
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The quick KC sets off a series of fire traps before the first flight of stairs and then gets assaulted by animated arbalaster machines situated on little platforms on the wall adjacent to the stairs.<br />
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Ulric gets busy and takes a Relentless Hammer to one of the bubbling vats, Tigana asks him (maniacally) if he knows whats inside? The Dwarf pays him no mind ... crazy mage.<br />
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KC, The Bard, Sir Kelly and Teckcos head up 1st flight of stairs dodging missiles from above.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22Ndy78HSvta1itdogTh4hxyPgRNjPz5_QDK9UBKgsHFjqPkrZBOkuisHMQwcCzQvnF6BqqBCw7cYIWRnt3FB8xFQc-z3dQ8d7uh99IJX1-Ion5Ds0suk-LKO5LYB3kUmAr4hmGcuIQA/s1600/Water_elemental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22Ndy78HSvta1itdogTh4hxyPgRNjPz5_QDK9UBKgsHFjqPkrZBOkuisHMQwcCzQvnF6BqqBCw7cYIWRnt3FB8xFQc-z3dQ8d7uh99IJX1-Ion5Ds0suk-LKO5LYB3kUmAr4hmGcuIQA/s320/Water_elemental.jpg" /></a></div>Ulric finally smashes open one vat and a deluge of liquid (water thankfully) gushes out into the lab. It laps up against the walls before reforming into a fearsome, whirling, raging Water Elemental.<br />
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The Party on the 1st floor find a vast, cavernous room extending out into the distance which contains all manner of supplies and alchemic materials and components.<br />
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Tekcos spies a foot, then another, bigger than the first, and finally the grotesque form of a mismatched man (who has been stitched together) lying on a table is fully revealed. The Psioncist decides not to take any chances and proceeds to saw through the Flesh Golem's neck with his dagger. Nice 8-)<br />
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Ulric and his watery foe duke it out, however the Water Elemental's primary "drowning" power is completely negated by the Dwarf's SeaShimmer cloak (breathe underwater property). Ulric smiles and gives the churning watery thing a good pounding with his relentless hammer ... sonic shockwaves pummel the poor elemental pretty good.<br />
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Tekcos continues with his macabre detail, while KC, the Bard and Sir Kelly continue around and onto the 2nd flight of stairs. The team is assailed by more Arbalaster Hommunclus constructs.<br />
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More maniacal laughter erupts from above and the fire spout traps on the ground floor roar up once more, the raging inferno forms into a Fire elemental that follows the party up the stairs.<br />
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KC continues her route upwards, while the Bard attacks the arbalaster mechanisms. Brother Kelly and Teckcos fight the Fire elemental on stairs 2.<br />
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KC steps out onto the 2nd floor, or so she thinks ... a moment of confusion before comprehension, she is back on first floor! Teleporter?<br />
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The Fire Elemental burns Brother Kelly and Tekcos pretty good. The Bard pushes 1 arbalaster off it's platform and sends it down to to smash on floor and then moves closer up the stairs towards the Teleporter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4iCj9Ysa9H8lDDiGwi1JFjrTRtlG4bWWuDAhDqPww_tIOIG0hPUjW6eOF6XRosUbaECBpn-bHYcIV2uQD6tj6RY9LtLL2m6zh1eNNFlihfsO76HaTq61PuPhyphenhyphenVgQ2-dkt2PVT9QWMSI/s1600/Flesh_golem_by_Jotuntroll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4iCj9Ysa9H8lDDiGwi1JFjrTRtlG4bWWuDAhDqPww_tIOIG0hPUjW6eOF6XRosUbaECBpn-bHYcIV2uQD6tj6RY9LtLL2m6zh1eNNFlihfsO76HaTq61PuPhyphenhyphenVgQ2-dkt2PVT9QWMSI/s320/Flesh_golem_by_Jotuntroll.jpg" /></a></div>Fire Elemental smashed by KC, Brother Kelly and Teckcos. The Bard susses the Teleporter and it is bypassed. The 2nd Floor contains another Flesh Golem ... very much alive! Golem Ramage!<br />
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Ulric batters the Water Elemental into submission and then plods up the stairs to try and help his friends ... the ravaged water elemental reforms after a time and stalks the dwarf's movements from a discreet distance.<br />
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KC, Brother Kelly, Teckcos and the Bard feels the size and power of the Golem's mighty rampage! *Pelvic Thrust* HUH! 8-)<br />
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Floor 2 is another dimension defying room this time containing a vast library. Tome after tome, shelf after shelf stretch back into infinity.<br />
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The Bard minces past the Golem's grasping arms and heads up and onto the 3rd flight of stairs, moveing up he spots a trap door and halts! Just in time as a section of stairs gives way. Phew! 8-)<br />
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The feisty Flesh Golem takes big chunks outta KC, Sir Kelly and Tekcos.<br />
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Ulric goes up to the second floor followed by the skulking Water Elemental ... Ulric finds himself on the 1st floor again, as does the Water Elemental!! A mighty hit from the relentless hammer returns the conjured creature into harmless drops of H2O.<br />
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The Bard notices a weird green aura emanating from the top of fourth floor and the sounds of machinery increasing. He notices that pipes run from the vats to the 4th floor and that 1 particular vat is slowly diminishing. He shouts down to Ulric to go smash that Vat. Ulric doesn't need to be told twice to go smash stationary glass objects. He spits on his hands, grabs his hammer in both hands and gets to work ...<br />
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Tekcos runs past the Golem and gets onto the 3rd flight of stairs (just behind the bard and the gap). KC and Sir Kelly retreat back onto the 2nd flight of steps, leaving the Golem to return to it's rest table and back to it's inert state. Hmmm ... if your not physically on the 2nd floor the golem doesn't attack. KC and the Cleric double move through floor 2 and get past the golem and onto Stairs 3.<br />
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The Bard jumps the gap on stairs 3 and then runs up onto the landing of floor 3. Tekcos and Sir Kelly blasts some more arbalasters while fit and firm buttocked KC runs, leaps and skips her way up onto the third floor.<br />
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Floor 3 is unsurprisingly massive also, a vast labyrinth of bubbling, plopping vats, cauldrons, alchemic "things" and pipes all interconnected and giving off the sounds of active operation. The Bard checks the piping and then starts smashing critical points, KC runs past him and then onto flight of stairs 4.<br />
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Meanwhile, Ulric start smashing the vat indicated by the bard ... Booom! ... small crack ... Booom! ... crack gets bigger ... BOOM! ... faults lines begin arching up the vat structure ... liquid drips out ... drip drip onto stone floor ... ssss!! hisss ... ssss!! and starts sizzling and eating it's way through the granite floor. Ulric's bushy eyebrows rise ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSG1Pw8ihO9kVEAOro-4jSdwRkEa7DenVgPqfmBH6sv9Szu_NnWVfloYVz9v4ntSXZntY5VSR3_0pZwMLKAvsiYXJjZ3tu1q4KYVqyTNM8M3EtNAkVbqkwGpvdsATFD7v3PTzcUQ_WJM/s1600/Falling+Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSG1Pw8ihO9kVEAOro-4jSdwRkEa7DenVgPqfmBH6sv9Szu_NnWVfloYVz9v4ntSXZntY5VSR3_0pZwMLKAvsiYXJjZ3tu1q4KYVqyTNM8M3EtNAkVbqkwGpvdsATFD7v3PTzcUQ_WJM/s320/Falling+Man.jpg" /></a></div><br />
KC on stairs 4 takes no chances and moves slowly, cautiously up the stairs. Checking for mechanical and arcane traps ... sensors on full wide beam alert ... the floor beneath her suddenly disappears! She flails about for any handhold, critically fumbles a saving throw to hang on ... plummets down ... 4 floors ... tries to heroically and acrobatically and vainly to slow her plunge (like all novice Thieves' Guild trainees can do) and possibly reduce some damage ... critically fails again and lands smack bang in the middle of a pool of A C I D forming by the ruptured vat ... you know the one with a large crack running up it ...<br />
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The sly sorceress suffers MASSIVE DAMAGE... 8-)<br />
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The Bard witnesses KC's plunge and also that the green light has increased in intensity and that Tigana hasn't spoken for some time. He heads to Stairs leading to floor 4 and watches what happens ... a section of the stairs disappears in a smooth interval running all the way up to the landing on fourht floor ... timing the disappearing sections, the Bard reckons he can run behind the disappearing chunks and arrive on floor 4 with ease. He gives it a go ... and suceeds.<br />
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Ulric the Mighty is running, running away from the acid, the vat, the lab and all this Thor forsaken magical death trap of a crap place ... he is flat out gone man! 8-)<br />
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Sir Kelly seeing the sorceress's rapid descent and subsequent splash down in a growing pool of acid figures that she probably could do with some help and quickly. The noble cleric leaps off the third flight of stairs, in full scale armour, in slow mo and to gasps of astonishment from the viewing audience to save the life of the stricken KC. He plunges down but expertly slows his descent by snagging handholds and arrives on the ground with nay a scratch. <br />
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The knight then rushes into the acid pool to lift the stunned form of sorceress out of the danger zone and to safety before kneeling to perform healing on the shattered form of KC. The feisty sorceress heals quick enough and still has a little fight left in her. She rushes back up the stairs once more, followed by the slower cleric.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fJiEvYjjoqJU2ZSgoauPQdel6zha5c3TO6hQLjc4dfzDew5SKzc9TeFZJA-zRR2eCDag2VNnFe-uZuU_Kx59FUAVIR128yg_uJYQiZ8VvDeUsbWyMcCBlCDyE6PVT8KlrN0JSK1nF0s/s1600/1-portal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="290" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fJiEvYjjoqJU2ZSgoauPQdel6zha5c3TO6hQLjc4dfzDew5SKzc9TeFZJA-zRR2eCDag2VNnFe-uZuU_Kx59FUAVIR128yg_uJYQiZ8VvDeUsbWyMcCBlCDyE6PVT8KlrN0JSK1nF0s/s320/1-portal.jpg" /></a></div>The Bard and Teckos arrive at the top of the alchemy lab and are faced by 6 arbalasters mechanisms, luckly, these are inert. A strange artifice projects a green beam of light at an arch which forms a shimmering portal ... the machinery up here gives off showers of sparks and plumes of smoke as the portal aperture contracts and dilates at irregular intervals. No sign of the mad alchemist.<br />
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The Bard tries to comprehend the apparatus, while Tekcos moves closer to the portal and peers through ... he sees murky buildings beyond. The Bard tinkers with the apparatus and suddenly brings the portal into sharp focus, just as a series of detonations rumble up through the stone floor from level 3.<br />
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Tekcos Tik, catlike, steps through the pristine portal and he finds himself in a street. Buildings stretch out in both directions, all gray and well worn. The air smells stale, musty and warm, the sky above is a uniform gray color ... through a gap in the murk he spies more buildings arching up and around the 'sky' ...<br />
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What the feck? The Psioncist keeps looking upwards, mouth agape.<br />
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The Bard steps through and he looks around quickly to try and get his bearings. He glances at Tekcos and noting the look of amazement and direction of his gaze ... the bard looks up ...<br />
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What the feck! ... the pair oblivious to their other surroundings continue to gaze upwards and backwards until they both go too far and topple over!<br />
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KC arrives on trembling level four, safely this time, and notice the portal and 2 figures beyond the shimmering aperture. Sticking a tentative hand through divide and suffering no adverse effects the sorceress takes the plunge and step across.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSJOwOz-d5z5VrLmil1z_hQUEdweJMCLBMkI3zezc0jQkqPqwg22F1CA-bCtCNNJGvhP9HSVmt33oGdRctVCLHTMakGPSgevfKnBACmdlx81U-1VLEnUuCLswAJA46H4UlL7v36VH7yA/s1600/happy-feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="194" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSJOwOz-d5z5VrLmil1z_hQUEdweJMCLBMkI3zezc0jQkqPqwg22F1CA-bCtCNNJGvhP9HSVmt33oGdRctVCLHTMakGPSgevfKnBACmdlx81U-1VLEnUuCLswAJA46H4UlL7v36VH7yA/s320/happy-feet.jpg" /></a></div><br />
She looks around and immediately notices a pair of massive red feet a short distance before her ... hmm ... that can't be good ... slowly, ever so slowly KC continues looking up and eventually the sorceress gazes into the glowing, red coals that form the eyes of a Balrog!<br />
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HOLY FECKING SH*TE!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9y4L2JM2LetofPiAvTjXv2ug65QY_QDiV-4Onb9Upenx46G5AaOY7RhY6LGnGzGXalt6b8MYL3n3O0rQf_S0mPeNwGw3uVYcb-qic4Nbw0c2h65aoUFL8Glxl7vyLoisnJsWJPRnb2M/s1600/4e_pit_fiend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9y4L2JM2LetofPiAvTjXv2ug65QY_QDiV-4Onb9Upenx46G5AaOY7RhY6LGnGzGXalt6b8MYL3n3O0rQf_S0mPeNwGw3uVYcb-qic4Nbw0c2h65aoUFL8Glxl7vyLoisnJsWJPRnb2M/s320/4e_pit_fiend.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>KC grabs the 2 prone idiots and drags them back through the portal. The Bard and Teckos recover from the reverie and get to work trying to close the portal. They don't need to bother as another set of detonations from below shatters the delicate array of instruments casting the green beam and the aperture slowly shrinks into nothingness.<br />
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Through the retreating point the party members watch the Demon walk down the street, from around a corner emerge an group of angelic figures. The Balrog hisses and roars at the quartet while the glowing figures reach for weapons ... after an uneasy standoff the 2 groups walk away without a fight. The portal then blinks out.<br />
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<u><b>Epilogue</b></u><br />
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Count Ptreides will pay for the Bard renovations on his abode. Ulric gets his warehouse at the docks.<br />
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The Bard appropriates a title ... from henceforth he shall be addressed as Lord Caerendil Egremont Beaujolais of Greyhawk.<br />
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The Party jointly buy the Nightwatch building across the street from McGloogan's (now Ulric's) warehouse. Partly to be used for Ulric's industrial endevours and partly as a barracks and billet for a small contingent of Knights of Holy Shielding lead by Sir Kelly.<br />
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KC buys the Green Dragon Inn.<br />
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FINatwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-41327802265917872302012-02-18T14:54:00.002-08:002012-02-20T15:00:47.435-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 7The Lord's Tomb is one of the City of Greyhawk's many burial sites. However located as it is within the High Quarter it is the place to be interred for the high and mighty of the city. New crypts are always being dug here because of the demand.<br />
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The party arrive at the location, negotiate themselves past some bored guards and fan out into the complex. Finding nothing of note or suspicion in the first couple of tiers the group descend down to level 3 and to the area rife with builders completing and excavating new tombs.<br />
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The builders are initially interested in the new arrivals but soon lose interest as the party inform of their intentions. Several perception rolls are made to determine evil doings within the vicinity with varying degrees of sucess.<br />
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Tekcos Tik discovers a series of crates similar to the ones found in McGloogan's warehouse and with further investigation finds a cunningly crafted secret door nearby. The halfling Dirkwood, nose to the ground and sensors on full alert is somewhat less fruitful. He does manage to back himself into a Velunaun Marble statue knocking it over and into more statutes that topple to the ground and shatter into tiny pieces.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm_75Z4ymcGwMywEMFhFfsV6fbIVqnBfA_TucOu7cXPwqdSJYn1z7opMWLTJU_0Iq_RkYIvP5fyRAwMY9ruo12nOTxupv6nimOWX48WiGue9A6Or_Os4Uh9L3wBqpkKBMcdB49yx809I/s1600/banksy-fallen-soldier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm_75Z4ymcGwMywEMFhFfsV6fbIVqnBfA_TucOu7cXPwqdSJYn1z7opMWLTJU_0Iq_RkYIvP5fyRAwMY9ruo12nOTxupv6nimOWX48WiGue9A6Or_Os4Uh9L3wBqpkKBMcdB49yx809I/s320/banksy-fallen-soldier.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The builders are outraged, what the bloody hell do you think your doing! The Bard also verbally lambasts the halfling after remembering the rogue's inclinations to destroy ceramic sculptures (bringing up the olde wound of those priceless urns that Dirkwood destroyed in a fit of childish pique during the campaign Against the Giants many years ago).<br />
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The halfling simply shrugs and tells the mob to go get a life and send any bill to the Mayor of Greyhawk. The builders march off in disgust saying they'll take their grievances to the door of the Mayor's Office! (but probably not before grabbing an early lunch and then leching and jeering at passing women).<br />
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Anyway, back to that secret door that Tekcos the Brave had found. Before informing the other party members of his discovery, the erstwhile psioncist gives the door a once over looking for anything that might act as an opening mechanism. He suceeds and promptly opens the door.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rRdegQcSYbRPXxOoumxjuG-f-pK1gy8PuPFhjR_qb7AHQ2Fk8kaj7703fOIyexEMB_XczdDmi_nghjqpbSohaug-31rpd8-EJds3mlcppCSaaWnx32inzIfOWVPQHOC20EdgQcRbV2o/s1600/spider-webs-door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rRdegQcSYbRPXxOoumxjuG-f-pK1gy8PuPFhjR_qb7AHQ2Fk8kaj7703fOIyexEMB_XczdDmi_nghjqpbSohaug-31rpd8-EJds3mlcppCSaaWnx32inzIfOWVPQHOC20EdgQcRbV2o/s320/spider-webs-door.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>An immediate wave of arcane energy pulses through his body and expands outwards. The other party members sense this disturbance also and come running to see what Tekcos has done. They converge at his locale to find the secret door standing ajar but knowing that some alarm has been sent to whoever resides within. There is much chastisement!<br />
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Passing within the threshold provided by the secret door, the party encounters a series of old musty, moss covered, stairs descending downwards. Why is it always downwards laments the claustrophobic dwarf Ulric Von Himmler. More importantly, interjects the Bard, why is this moss growing here?, where does it get it's nutrients?<br />
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Let me answer that question with another question replies the DM...<br />
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SHUT UP! 8-)<br />
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The party form some semblance of order and descend the stairs in single file. There are a few mishaps, slips, trips, falls during the descent but nothing to warrant more than a sentence of description. The stairs level off and the party then traverse a tunnel that eventually opens out into a vast and musty smelling cavernous tomb. A tomb crisscrossed with a shroud of spider webs. Dense and impenetrable. The boys get to work with fire and burn a path through. <br />
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Moving ever onwards through the spidery maze, the party come upon a series of columns, sepulchres and tombs set upon a raised dais. Adjacent to the dais are 2 stone table-like structures and upon one of these lies what looks like the eviscerated remains of a hill giant. A pile of bloody carcasses, which even from this distance are quite clearly human in shape and form, lie nearby the gutted giant. Just before the dias area there appears to a series of pits of unknown depth and crisscrossed with webbing. Roars, rattles and other bestial sounds emerge from within them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXhCAd32YcMB1DpN7Kwtv6wmXgwhAokiwAFFhgc_DywCJXET8w5zovHzFWsL8LSjgMDHya5sUA3SYAL8YvciVBhQ3tn7J6ihuYSB_NcCi_y5tooa-CjQ0exZ5ZkPj8vHswy7Qkejohyphenhyphen0/s1600/spider-webs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXhCAd32YcMB1DpN7Kwtv6wmXgwhAokiwAFFhgc_DywCJXET8w5zovHzFWsL8LSjgMDHya5sUA3SYAL8YvciVBhQ3tn7J6ihuYSB_NcCi_y5tooa-CjQ0exZ5ZkPj8vHswy7Qkejohyphenhyphen0/s320/spider-webs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As the party gaze upon the strange macabre scene before them and begin to wonder if they slipped down through some fissure of reality into a Call of Cthulhu session, they spy a lone figure moving furtively towards the butchered giant.<br />
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I wonder you that is, states Caerendil. 'Yeah' snort the taciturn Dirkwood in reply. 'Whoever he is he's a dead un' interjects Ulric hefting his hammer, Agreed agrees Sir Kelly unsheathing his sword. 'What is the fool doing?' asks KC in hushed whispers....<br />
<br />
There is no expected retort to question from the sixth member of the party. The party turn their heads in unison to stare at the space they've mentally set aside for the figure of Tekcos Tik. He is not there. The party turn their heads back in unison to stare at the distant forlorn figure nearing the bloody table.<br />
<br />
Is that who we think it is?<br />
<br />
Tekcos Tik, brave undaunted scion of psion (10xp Sukh 8-)) approaches the scene of carnage. He carefully checks the two pits near the table to see if anything horrible resides within ... it does..one pit contains a creature that memory states is a Displacer Beast (chorus of 'Orrrrrr' and intakes of breaths from distant group), the other pit contains a massive gigantic rattlesnake. Tekcos edges away from the pits and towards the bloody table and it's morbid contents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfbE7hU0lAMewEgNtWChX74bdXi5xHzrNVuGCFam90pkpd15d73cIL69icu9sdAr2dscv4Xiu1fhArGPvoQQldZXJ1gvZ1xOg5EFHe44xVnUhPWFC8E95d_H0hrGafHlol_Rc_TPqAUE/s1600/arachomancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfbE7hU0lAMewEgNtWChX74bdXi5xHzrNVuGCFam90pkpd15d73cIL69icu9sdAr2dscv4Xiu1fhArGPvoQQldZXJ1gvZ1xOg5EFHe44xVnUhPWFC8E95d_H0hrGafHlol_Rc_TPqAUE/s320/arachomancer.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>A green ray of light shoots out from the dais area and smite the lurking Psioncist squarely in the chest. Oof...considerable damage and ongoing poison damage. Teckos is staggered by the blast and scans the area for the origin of the attack. A voice from the dais area rumbles 'Kill the interlopers my pets' and then all hell breaks loose.<br />
<br />
2 humanoid, rotting forms rise up from behind stone sepulchres and stagger towards Tekcos Tik. Several big, fat, well fed Blade Spiders descend from the webbed ceiling to attack isolated members of the party (KC & the Bard).<br />
<br />
Tekcos recovered somewhat from the initial onslaught, blasts one of the shambling forms with a Telekinetic Punch. The psionic attack crushes the ribcage of the approaching creature and it collapses to the floor. Euphoria is short lived however as from within the creature's shattered body a multitude to tiny spiders emerge and angle towards the stunned psioncist. <br />
<br />
A new figure, elven in form (in fact Drow) and clad in dark leathers stands upright upon the dais. <br />
<br />
He raises a rod and attacks the psioncist with more arcane magics. Attacked from three sources Tekcos Tik will be hard put to stay amongst the living this day.<br />
<br />
Ulric and Sir Kelly seeing the psioncist's predicament rush to his aid (well as fast anyone can rush to anyone's aid when moving at SPEED 5). Running past the pits they are assaulted from above by a vast net of sticky gooey strands of webbing that arrests their forward momentum and leaves the pair immobilsed. A gigantic spider descends from the ceiling and angles towards the trapped pair to begin the feasting!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Ftkt3_XD_ioFOrIFlsgD8Gan-cM6dxcdW8dEEd-PNUeFIkkU6MSiAA8XybCqpOAEK-MMiN-oBINF6ZQP1bl40MLOrwOLSp2CTZLMe6VUi2RT4I90YPjyevTOLk-mmxH_9KgsLAzUVE/s1600/caught.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49Ftkt3_XD_ioFOrIFlsgD8Gan-cM6dxcdW8dEEd-PNUeFIkkU6MSiAA8XybCqpOAEK-MMiN-oBINF6ZQP1bl40MLOrwOLSp2CTZLMe6VUi2RT4I90YPjyevTOLk-mmxH_9KgsLAzUVE/s320/caught.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The fighting ebbs and flows for some time, KC and the Bard (surely the name of a hit 80's TV programme?) tackle the blade spiders in the web maze with a good degree of sucess. Tekcos and Sir Kelly team up to blast both Tomb Spider Swarms to oblivion. Ulric trades meaty blows with the big giant Tomb Spider mama near the pits ... and Dirkwood, well the halfling doesn't sully his blades for some time before finally deciding to leap into the fray to attack the Drow Arachnomancer on the dais...after initially boasting of his unblemished status the stout halfling is soon sorely oppressed 8-)<br />
<br />
Sometime during the battle Keemor the mage arrives with the tomb complex but there is little for him to do other that provide good feasting for the remaining Blade Spiders. The isolated mage is soon cornered, attacked and mashed up pretty goooood. 8-)<br />
<br />
Bad DM.<br />
<br />
Eventually the Drow Arachnomancer is beaten down and killed. Likewise the two spider swarms and after the Tomb Spider mama is dispatched the remaining spiders retreat to the sanctuary of the ceiling leaving the party to search the area unmolested.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-1FQDx_t8W_7N7Ppu00hDRzlodzJzedygURS3BwqqZfYjlpcSEo-eAg-uleljs2yltDL9d5A4Uv8Ze4tlilS6CmWNyHbu1Q1XeDGbVc2ufBXwXQYSYlOxkHNLd75EABIW5EGZHap-7Q/s1600/Displacer-beast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-1FQDx_t8W_7N7Ppu00hDRzlodzJzedygURS3BwqqZfYjlpcSEo-eAg-uleljs2yltDL9d5A4Uv8Ze4tlilS6CmWNyHbu1Q1XeDGbVc2ufBXwXQYSYlOxkHNLd75EABIW5EGZHap-7Q/s320/Displacer-beast.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>All the pits are examined and in addition to the Displacer Beast and the Giant Rattlesnake the party discover other incarcerated beasts, namely a Norker (which Keemor spends some quality time terrorising), a Owlbear (who provided some help during the fight) and a creature that no one can identify and is simply labelled 'Fannyface' (much to it's chagrin).<br />
<br />
What to do with these creatures?<br />
<br />
And will someone please stop Keemor doing those things to that poor Norker!<br />
<br />
Behind the dais is another humaniod body laid out on a stone table. A nearby pedestal holds a weighty tome lying open. Upon examination, the body on the table is revealed to be a unconscious (poisoned) but most definitely alive Elf and the book on the pedestal is found to contain an ancient Ritual of 'Polymorphing'.<br />
<br />
Hmmm...the party piece together the many fragments of information within the crypt to gain an insight into the dealings of the 'The Shapechangers' gang.<br />
<br />
The quartet of evil doers working in unison, would mug humans or preferably elves within the streets of Greyhawk. The victims probably selected beforehand by Imogen Gillet working under her guise as a barmaid at the Green Dragon Inn. <br />
<br />
The gang would then take the unconscious target back to their lair in the Lord's Tomb and using the Ritual of Polymorphing, the Drow Arachnomancer (Clannair Blackshadow) would transform the unfortunate victim into the desired form. Which would then be promptly killed and then harvested for the relevant organic materials.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn_RB32p03E3MB1uQb6CoXbbZCwQGxe93XT7RR6mPbjX74Cfvl26cj1RHMrkkRZaTcodceQA33E5PRJlLTp3qAblAGpRp5pkKT_uS3PQF8IT8QKDecrxVXp2VPYoS5bacMey7FalmmeU/s1600/potions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZn_RB32p03E3MB1uQb6CoXbbZCwQGxe93XT7RR6mPbjX74Cfvl26cj1RHMrkkRZaTcodceQA33E5PRJlLTp3qAblAGpRp5pkKT_uS3PQF8IT8QKDecrxVXp2VPYoS5bacMey7FalmmeU/s320/potions.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The bodily remains would be fed to the tomb spiders whilst the useful materials would be picked up by McGloogan after he made his regular deliveries of building supplies to the crypt complex. <br />
<br />
He would then ship the materials to the Guild of Wizardry for there use as potion components.<br />
<br />
Harral Shastri, the Warlock would then collect the monies for the transaction and distribute it amongst the group. Ingenious! Several party members discuss if the operation is *really* all that bad and wonder if ... the Bard and Sir Kelly say NO!<br />
<br />
Arrrrrhhh...8-)<br />
<br />
Ok we've sussed the plot but still no sign of the Viscount. <br />
<br />
The party fan out to check every nook and cranny of the underground tomb. A weakened and beaten Viscount Kerner is soon discovered down at the bottom of a deep and narrow oubliette.<br />
<br />
He is soon rescued and healed up somewhat by Sir Kelly.<br />
<br />
During these travels Ulric comes upon a suspicious looking cocoon suspended from a strand of web high in the ceiling. Sending furtive glances left and right and seeing that the coast is clear, the stout dwarf heft his shield and after a few practice abdomen twists unleashes the disc at the strand holding the cocoon.<br />
<br />
The magical shield hurtles through the musty air of the tomb and angles towards the spider strand ... which it misses ... as it's trajectory curves back and towards Ulric, Dirkwood Littlelegs arrives in front of the dwarf to see what the commotion is all about...<br />
<br />
DONG!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Bn7U5SP-O_P6wqat1b6SXl4AwEYZlqUr7U6AnsOauPvd0Yig3xbNZpv-GpQnIo4KsUeVgBsuFmLF1p8B125g_ulUdMA9PMPI3Gslg6nKLpgTsSmOcMdQPGSQaM3YLXhyjvcz-82Wrk/s1600/Dwarf_shield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Bn7U5SP-O_P6wqat1b6SXl4AwEYZlqUr7U6AnsOauPvd0Yig3xbNZpv-GpQnIo4KsUeVgBsuFmLF1p8B125g_ulUdMA9PMPI3Gslg6nKLpgTsSmOcMdQPGSQaM3YLXhyjvcz-82Wrk/s320/Dwarf_shield.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dirkwood Littlelegs is knocked prone by an attack from behind. A clattering beside him reveals Ulric's shiny shield rattling to a halt. The halfling looks at the poker faced dwarf with a suspicious gleam in his eye. Ulric smiles blithely and just shrugs.<br />
<br />
The clattering sound alerts more party members whom rush to arrive at the scene and see what Ulric has no doubt found ... eventually someone spies the airborne cocoon. They look back accusingly at the doe eyed Ulric. The dwarf shrugs again before hurling his shield once more and this time snapping the offending strand cleanly. Inside the spidery cocoon is a goodly amount of gold, gems, potions and elixirs (some now smashed!).<br />
<br />
The items are divved up in short order. The pit creatures polymorphed back into their original forms and then the party escort these rescued souls together with Viscount Kerner from the confines of this stale and unholy tomb to the bright and god blessed streets of Greyhawk. The party head with the Viscount to the Embassy of Urnst where there is much rejoicing at his homecoming. The Ptreides family are overjoyed, as are the Greyhawk authorities including it's Mayor.<br />
<br />
Once rewards have been rightly accorded and the resulting joyous celebrations have died down a bit, the Mayor of Greyhawk Nerof Gasgal take Caerendil to one side and informs him of a small problem down at the Guild of Wizardry that the Bard and his party may be able to help him with...atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-10367484705521567952012-02-15T15:25:00.002-08:002012-03-17T17:06:53.832-07:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 6News of Viscount's abduction reaches Brother Kelly in Greyhawk's refugee camps outside the city walls, he decides his friends probably need him about now.<br />
<br />
Teckcos Tik rides back to Greyhawk with an urgent communique from Keoland ambassador for the embassy staff. He meets Brother Kelly at the city gates and they head into the city together.<br />
<br />
The pair inquire about their friends from a passing Watch patrol and are told of an early morning disturbance in the River Quarter. The party dudes decide to tag along with the patrol and arrive at McGloogan's Warehouse just as the fight inside is reaching it's conclusion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkmvUY5QyftPblBKPBq95de1321we7M6_JL7BGX-zuXMRWwhYNE_qJKhoZ-xCXBHjohnzTg2Nys6sn2p3AxC8yGHfNjLXbN9VEQM6v8CQJz-O5exI8peKMxjduf-aYa9Lklpmildiwt0/s1600/mcgloogan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkmvUY5QyftPblBKPBq95de1321we7M6_JL7BGX-zuXMRWwhYNE_qJKhoZ-xCXBHjohnzTg2Nys6sn2p3AxC8yGHfNjLXbN9VEQM6v8CQJz-O5exI8peKMxjduf-aYa9Lklpmildiwt0/s320/mcgloogan.jpg" /></a></div>Several party members want to question the big man McGloogan, who in turn pleads his innocence with the Watch patrol and says the party attacked his premises without provocation.<br />
<br />
Your going dowwwnnnn McGloogan you slag! taunts Cearendil. So you might aswell talk! The Party look ready to beat a confession outta McGloogan whilst the Paladin is conveniently sent to 'buy another rug'...<br />
<br />
*DM staring into camera*<br />
<br />
Only joking 8-) <br />
<br />
Baron Quentin stands implacably in front of McGloogan and refuses to sanction any kind of heinous torturing of the captured man. Eventually the Watch patrol take McGloogan away to the City Jail leaving the Party members to conduct through searches inside the warehouse.<br />
<br />
Brother Kelly spies a secret trapdoor in the warehouse floor leading to a subterranean secret room (near the body of Keemor by the mound of sundered sacks). The secret room is roughly 30ftx30ft in size and once investigated is found to contain more bags of platinum, 15 crates marked for delivery to the Guild of Wizardry and a stack of ledgers.<br />
<br />
The crates are forced open and reveal dismembered body parts! Entrails, sinews, and other such bodily material.. AEUW! Amidst this dissection are many, many jars of a red liquid...which after clerical CSI type analysis is found to be Elf blood.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAOGBazj0ouQT8cWmKHXr5uysSAkOSi4g0wg3TCpt_LJlczDTd6QpxnIEtvSGR0f_ar5zUVEzWXxfAsXwb0lVR-uhmYnfSi8HjVXDGAnQ76EMSWHU080waGxlTwWLngXtMEKLxRSr0uM/s1600/elf-blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="262" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAOGBazj0ouQT8cWmKHXr5uysSAkOSi4g0wg3TCpt_LJlczDTd6QpxnIEtvSGR0f_ar5zUVEzWXxfAsXwb0lVR-uhmYnfSi8HjVXDGAnQ76EMSWHU080waGxlTwWLngXtMEKLxRSr0uM/s320/elf-blood.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The stuff in the crates are all components used to make magical potions and the Elf's Blood is a prime ingredient for Potions of Longevity ( the most expensive and most coveted potion around). The insides of the crates also have a thin covering of some fine powdery substance (no, not cocaine, but dry mortar informs the halfling).<br />
<br />
The Bard remembers that the shade of Imogen Gullet that appeared in the necromantic ritual was considerably older than the corpse would have suggested.<br />
<br />
Several party members do the math and wonder if they can still flog the Elf Blood for cash...what? their dead already and it'll just go to waste. The Paladin, Cleric and Bard remain adamant and say NO! <br />
<br />
Arrrrhhhhhh! 8-)<br />
<br />
The reams of ledgers suggest deliveries to a certain Bubka, Mage of Exchange at the Guild of Wizardry. The crates are all marked for the attention of Hieronymus Tigana. Keemor the Mage relates that Bubka deals with all magical purchases within the Guild while Tigana is the Guild's Chief Alchemist. He is a small, odious man rarely seen. Spends all his time down in the basement within his Alchemy Lab conducting experiments.<br />
<br />
There is however still no sign of the Viscount, so the party retire to the Green Dragon Inn for breakfast and a beer while the Bard and Cleric decipher the ledgers looking for additional clues. Several hours go by.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t1ZXKzlB6y80V9jJN4yuZY8FW3p69UNlzj8XJDdKidXYVhyd2cljCLnVxIZ1MQPXogXqIy_YzZvzWZb8jR07f3Jf0EWRmF1yledGgrvHe7nocus5O5kfgS99PQPiMm12047pcvbKKQQ/s1600/ledgers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="254" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t1ZXKzlB6y80V9jJN4yuZY8FW3p69UNlzj8XJDdKidXYVhyd2cljCLnVxIZ1MQPXogXqIy_YzZvzWZb8jR07f3Jf0EWRmF1yledGgrvHe7nocus5O5kfgS99PQPiMm12047pcvbKKQQ/s320/ledgers.gif" /></a></div><br />
A runner from the Mayor's Office has a missive for Dirkwood informing that the Beggarmaster has a red hot tip concerning McGloogan. He, Albus 'Gaspar' Shand, Beggarmaster of the City of Greyhawk awaits the pleasure of the party at the Red Serpent Restaurant in the Foreign Quarter to exchange this pertinent infomation.<br />
<br />
The Bard and Cleric decide to stay at the Green Dragon to finish off their ledger analysis whilst the rest of the party head to the rendezvous with the Beggarmaster.<br />
<br />
The venue is down the main thoroughfare of the River Quarter and is an impressive 3 story building spanning the road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0u4o6MNAGTMPIsmOyDmncd6Bc_2WmeQlBZfy80VVsCIux5t-XyeP2eQ8MDdYBPYJxbEtmsVxBg9z6hXBRC39OLBjezYgL6_u4Z0Kc5rb0sOR2KvpXhyphenhyphenkQG2PQjmLXt_2S65DNSV9E48/s1600/albus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="271" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0u4o6MNAGTMPIsmOyDmncd6Bc_2WmeQlBZfy80VVsCIux5t-XyeP2eQ8MDdYBPYJxbEtmsVxBg9z6hXBRC39OLBjezYgL6_u4Z0Kc5rb0sOR2KvpXhyphenhyphenkQG2PQjmLXt_2S65DNSV9E48/s320/albus.jpg" /></a></div>The Beggarmaster looks the part, dressed in a motley of rags made from a range of expensive materials. He stands awaiting the party with 2 of his cohorts.<br />
<br />
Dirkwood exchanges pleasantries before broaching the reason for the visit. Gaspar says he has juicy info concerning McGloogan, notably deliveries made at odd hours to odd places...for a price. Namely a massive slap up meal at the restaurant across the street (The Red Serpent).<br />
<br />
The restaurant owners, for want of a better description, are all foreign types judging by their accents (although no one can quite place it, a strange mishmash of Chinese, Welsh, Indian, Irish & Russian) and they don't seem to like Albus 'Gaspar' Shand.<br />
<br />
YOU NO COME HERE! bellows one waiter as the party and the Beggarmaster pass thorough the entrance. 'ILLEGAL! I CALL WATCH!' The irate man then spies Dirkwood in the group and he abruptly falls silent. <br />
<br />
Dirkwood relates that he and his party (including Gaspar) are here for the finest meal this restaurant has to offer. The Restaurant owners perks up and party are lead to the plushest table in the establishment (one that overlooks the bustling street below).<br />
<br />
Gaspar accepts a menu and then orders the most bewildering array of obscure and queer sounding dishes, together with copious selection expensive wines that the party have ever heard. Dirkwood flush with cash from the Warehouse gig begins to sweat. The waiters then ask whether the party wish to eat as well. What kinda food do you do here? asks Ulric tentatively.<br />
<br />
Spicy foods from the western lands of Ket, Tusmit and the Plains of the Paynims beyond. Renown for their exotic flavours and fiery heat. Ears perk up...fiery you say? Well Normal, Spicy or Fiery depending on the person's palate.<br />
<br />
Ulric looks Dirkwood Littlelegs in the eye and orders a Large Fiery, Dirkwood ripostes by ordering a Large Fiery too and then adds a side order of more Fiery, Teckos familiar with the cuisine and what is to come orders a Spicy whilst the feminine and genteel KC sticks to the normal level of potency.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfPC_6Lfky8YsRUEWybY2BaZeMrHwMDu4d2CPAobB2KRzQJMnmEvA43SQAdv7png8RUoo3Qssys2NoYCkcL2b0A7yn9Ub-E_Q6FKahxOEgIevdAAjIVEpoVoBWtbkJntQAUdytgjt8mI/s1600/spicy_chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="236" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfPC_6Lfky8YsRUEWybY2BaZeMrHwMDu4d2CPAobB2KRzQJMnmEvA43SQAdv7png8RUoo3Qssys2NoYCkcL2b0A7yn9Ub-E_Q6FKahxOEgIevdAAjIVEpoVoBWtbkJntQAUdytgjt8mI/s320/spicy_chicken.JPG" /></a></div>Ulric tries his first spoonful of Large Fiery and loses a healing surge..bloody hell this is HOT!<br />
<br />
Dirkwood tries his first spoonful and nearly sh*ts himself...his tongue spasms uncontrollably within his mouth and his renown iron bowels begin to enter a molten state (he loses 2 healing surges and his Streetwise is -2 for 2 weeks)<br />
<br />
Teckcos tries his dish and finds it agreeable (makes Endurance check). No problem. 8-)<br />
<br />
KC watching the 2 boys guzzle carafe after carafe of iced water and down goblet after goblet of warm Yak's milk pokes her food around her plate for some time before finally bowing to the inevitable...she consumes her first tiny spoonful....roll Endurance..natural 20!...it's the most delicious heavenly food she's ever tasted! The Sorceress tears into her dish and quickly consumes the repast. She ends by licking the plate clean before taking the tiniest of tiny sips of chilled water to clear her palate.<br />
<br />
The boys are agog!, the owners are agog!, what a woman! KC regains 2 healing surges and 10 temporary hit points for the first encounter and the owners will be pleased to serve her for free during any future visits. Result!<br />
<br />
KC gives the whimpering boys her most winning smile.<br />
<br />
Bloody foreign rubbish snarls Ulric as he forces yet another spoonful of molten lava into his blistered mouth...Endurance check...suceeds by more than 10...although, it does grow on you...Ulric regains 2 healing surges, the use of his legs, 25% discount on future visits and a +2 on Streetwise for 2 weeks.<br />
<br />
The bloodshot and waxen looking halfling peers across the culinary battlefield and watches the doughty dwarf slowly but surely demolishing the mound of red dripping meat on his plate as sweat streams down from his brow in steady rivulets...<br />
<br />
...Hermes<br />
<br />
...I've never prayed to you before..<br />
<br />
Dirkwood Littlelegs picks up a spoon and piles all the green things that he'd been pushing to one side of his plate during the meal ... he looks the smiling dwarf in the eye before consuming his spoonful<br />
<br />
...crunch crunch munch...<br />
<br />
....hmmm<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKtF6dQlnqfT_pqYXWGvDgvHIp55J51nZ0VCLPuobl9efPMeIsdWk7I8vwl-oMvqAeG5svFGa_uWZh7oAbmxUsirACSuAxSY2mvTKCrP_2YKF7x4FehkjZMNlmKECuVdhYXQo9rYjK1w/s1600/halfling2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="289" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKtF6dQlnqfT_pqYXWGvDgvHIp55J51nZ0VCLPuobl9efPMeIsdWk7I8vwl-oMvqAeG5svFGa_uWZh7oAbmxUsirACSuAxSY2mvTKCrP_2YKF7x4FehkjZMNlmKECuVdhYXQo9rYjK1w/s320/halfling2.jpg" /></a></div>Endurance roll ... roll ... clatter ... natural ... 20! ... you know after the pain there is a most exquisite peace and serenity with this food...the Halfling begins to pick up speed and woofs down the remaining food on his plate ... he finishes with a long draw on his Yak's milk goblet before smacking his lips and giving a contented belch.<br />
<br />
Ahhhhh....<br />
<br />
(3 healing surges, 20 temp hits, free to eat and +1 permanent to Streetwise)<br />
<br />
He's still got it as Ulrich grudgingly accepts that this match is a draw.<br />
<br />
The meal concluded it is left to Dirkwood to foot the bill (1000gps!). Albus after making a point of daubing his lips with a napkin then proffers his information.<br />
<br />
McGloogan makes a lot of deliveries at odd times. Only last week he was spotted making deliveries of building materials to the Lord's Tomb. That isn't so unusual replies Dirkwood, new crypts are always being dug at the Lord's Tomb all the time, there's always building work going on...<br />
<br />
Yes but making deliveries *at* night and not only deliveries but also *taking* similar crates away...<br />
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Ok, ponders the halfling, that is unusual...atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-86608455711961382692012-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:002012-01-08T03:04:50.101-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 5Some people oversleep (Keemor) so the raid begins a few hours late as the first rays of the new day begin to crest the horizon. A quick recon around the premises yields some info. Dogs inside. 2 large warehouse doors (back and front). Windows high above (level three) and what looks like planks spanning the gap between the warehouse and the Nightwatchmen Station. KC fills the party on the Nightwatchmen building. Might be easier to get into that and then across to the roof of McGloogan's warehouse ...<br />
<br />
The party thus break into the Nightwatchmen building (which is mostly deserted during the day). They sneak past a sleeping day watchmen and up flights of stairs to the roof. There are indeed planks thrown across the gap to McGloogan's warehouse. KC attempts the crossing first.<br />
<br />
KC fails and takes a fall, hits the ground, vanishes into shadows only to rematerialise on adjoining warehouse roof. Phew! Ulric the Venture Capitalist shimmies across the divide with no problems. Caerendil the Bard attempts the manuever, fails but not too badly and instead just freezes midway across the gap. Various people try and coax the Bard across the remaining bit, eventually Dirkwood Littlelegs has to go out there to hobbit handle the whimpering ministrel across to the other side.<br />
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The plate clad Paladin attempts the plank journey next ... he assuredly fails!, then desperately grabs for a handhold, he thunders down onto the plank, which breaks and the whole lot goes down ... but is saved by Keemor's Feather Fall spell. Baron Quentin floats down serenely, the planks and debris less so...there is a clashing noise as the wreckage hits the street, there is the sound of barking dogs, there is light inside the warehouse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaWoxOwUwRj-8XaqPR1lU9j73XQaEtBZWvh8uLEOPGEGyw3P1zcXQCXJjKBoMo83GzxFyFidxHyYXnnPLea7oMCY8gi22DdLxp6sbA8f53ufEX2eZJYkFZqBHs-yYubS3CofxMyRv_P4/s1600/Dog_concept_art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaWoxOwUwRj-8XaqPR1lU9j73XQaEtBZWvh8uLEOPGEGyw3P1zcXQCXJjKBoMo83GzxFyFidxHyYXnnPLea7oMCY8gi22DdLxp6sbA8f53ufEX2eZJYkFZqBHs-yYubS3CofxMyRv_P4/s320/Dog_concept_art.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
3 Dogs and a large, bald bearded man carrying a shield and hammer scurry out towards the Paladin, the dogs arrive first and start circling and barking at the Paladin. The Paladin plays it cool and asks McGloogan why a person can't walk the streets in peace without dogs harassing him (oooh you horrible little man Jonesy). McGloogan seeing the unblemished, shining knight gives Baron Quentin the benefit of the doubt and orders the dogs off and back inside. The dogs obey immediately and the big man turns away from the paladin.<br />
<br />
The dudes on the roof reconnoiter the flat surface, there is a gaping 10 metre hole in the centre of the warehouse roof (for light presumably) and various access hatches dotted at 4 points elsewhere. Dirkwood and Keemor decide direct. The hobbit fastens a grappelling hook at the 10 metre hole and throws some rope over ... he then abseils down ... Keemor attempts an abseil ... lets the rope slip thru his weedy fingers, plunges, no more feather fall spells, onto a hard warehouse floor. Dooooosh! 4 stories worth of damarge! Medic!<br />
<br />
Team Hatch (KC, Ulric & the Bard) approach a hatch. KC arrives first and attempts to pull it open. <br />
<br />
BOOM! <br />
<br />
Trap Activates<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z68dgpmHl4TqK2ZKCuMl8GchT_rLjGxPPur6Mg5QOUS_bsrlX3U0x0ybmpsKYeYv5jplt6TXVm1SQvKhIt5CzLygRypn_WJLjv9UqFCPne_9v1zgbm31JOgrNBhUfB4uqqoGdkdXcPg/s1600/rooftop+explosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z68dgpmHl4TqK2ZKCuMl8GchT_rLjGxPPur6Mg5QOUS_bsrlX3U0x0ybmpsKYeYv5jplt6TXVm1SQvKhIt5CzLygRypn_WJLjv9UqFCPne_9v1zgbm31JOgrNBhUfB4uqqoGdkdXcPg/s400/rooftop+explosion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
KC takes damage, Ulric just in the blast area takes damage ... Bard just out of blast area slows his movement towards the pair. KC undeterred, grabs the hatch handle once more and gives it a yank!. <br />
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BOOOM! <br />
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Trap activates. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z68dgpmHl4TqK2ZKCuMl8GchT_rLjGxPPur6Mg5QOUS_bsrlX3U0x0ybmpsKYeYv5jplt6TXVm1SQvKhIt5CzLygRypn_WJLjv9UqFCPne_9v1zgbm31JOgrNBhUfB4uqqoGdkdXcPg/s1600/rooftop+explosion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z68dgpmHl4TqK2ZKCuMl8GchT_rLjGxPPur6Mg5QOUS_bsrlX3U0x0ybmpsKYeYv5jplt6TXVm1SQvKhIt5CzLygRypn_WJLjv9UqFCPne_9v1zgbm31JOgrNBhUfB4uqqoGdkdXcPg/s400/rooftop+explosion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
KC takes more damage, Ulric takes more damage...Bard stays 1 square behind Ulric (out of blast radius). Ulric steps back 1 square and glares at KC. <br />
<br />
KC, the budding Thieves Guild recruit...decides to do a spot of Find and Remove Traps! ... sucess ... now to open the lock ... fail ...<br />
<br />
Meanwhile downstairs, McGloogan surmises that the detonations above coupled to the sound of high speed Eldarin impact from inside means that 'no way is this Paladin just an innocent man out on a walk in the wee small hours'. He turns, raises a finger and tells two of the dogs to tear the knight limb from limb. He himself and 1 dog resumes their trek back to the warehouse door.<br />
<br />
2 large muscular dogs angle in towards the Paladin, one canine's feral lunge goes awry whilst the other nips at the Paladin's calves. Baron Quentin invokes the power of his SeaShimmer cloak and passes through the warehouse wall..leaving the dogs to crash against the solid wall and bark with frustration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa6Z4OaLPncYEugo592aJjM7eq3Xf9CoSEhGvR3qzqNsWDvbjNyzELNFZyicVCgvz0OpDBt62ULz7IG9s-CN8f6Lb4hLEwlJ0msJ4qh381Oh3jeeYZSIjXAI4skgKlNnvl6hQ7BIiDyc/s1600/xbowmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa6Z4OaLPncYEugo592aJjM7eq3Xf9CoSEhGvR3qzqNsWDvbjNyzELNFZyicVCgvz0OpDBt62ULz7IG9s-CN8f6Lb4hLEwlJ0msJ4qh381Oh3jeeYZSIjXAI4skgKlNnvl6hQ7BIiDyc/s400/xbowmen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile, inside the warehouse, Dirkwood is assailed by multiple figures wearing leather armour and crossbows ... loads of sneak attacks and extra damage ... the halfling tumbles and rolls under a wagon for some respite ... where a sound alerts him to another hidden attacker! ... the halfling contorts his body to manuver himself into a position to attack. A deft lunge skewers the would-be attacker before he has a chance to act. Now hidden from quarrel fire ... Dirkwood wonders where the others have got too ...<br />
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Barking from outside, explosions on the roof and ... THUD! ... the eladrin mage smacking onto the warehouse floor. He watches 4 more thieves rise up from shadows to pepper the prone and dazed mage with crossbow bolts ... poisoned crossbow bolts 8-) ... Keemor looks in big trouble. So the Halfling tumbles away from the cart into the gloom by the warehouse walls and then hides in shadows. Thus leaving all the crossbowmen within the warehouse with only one target ... yes the prone, dazed and bloodied Mage.<br />
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A snarl from his right, alerts the halfling of the imminent return of one of the dogs together with McGloogan. Dirkwood quickly fishes out and smashes a vial of aniseed (which in real time he's had on his character sheet for years) onto the warehouse floor, he then backs away from the zone of stinking vapors directly away from the dog.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTc_e2t9UDkopwHaL3b6EaUNFGyXqahgsAqRCbtkBQJfMQBm-uL4zvd3SKd5T05WFhVF9l0V3-WeFE3dQ1pK4mNsgMTiUfpAHwO8n2mRdAMTJVMiRUdazb_TLM2mW5MJw8FHOeMcLKm8/s1600/lock-picking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTc_e2t9UDkopwHaL3b6EaUNFGyXqahgsAqRCbtkBQJfMQBm-uL4zvd3SKd5T05WFhVF9l0V3-WeFE3dQ1pK4mNsgMTiUfpAHwO8n2mRdAMTJVMiRUdazb_TLM2mW5MJw8FHOeMcLKm8/s320/lock-picking.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Meanwhile upstairs ... pick lock again ... fail again ... sighs of exasperation from the Bard and Dwarf followed by squeals and curses from down below.<br />
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The Paladin materialises inside the warehouse and is immediately attacked by hidden assailants. He takes a few poisoned quarrels but spots one xbow wielding attacker ... perched upon a nearby stack of crates ... the paladin sees an opportunity and rushes at and into the stack of crates ... the crates proved more sturdy than anticipated and only a few are dislodged. No way near enough to trouble the perched attacker. Who smoothly reloads his xbow and shoots the knight again.<br />
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McGloogan and 1 Dog (Murdoch) reach the warehouse doors and after a quick assessment of the situation, mage lying on floor getting peppering with xbow quarrels ... they head towards the more threatening adversary ... namely Baron Quentin. <br />
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Meanwhile hanging tough with the airborne brigade, Ulric's red mist begins to descend so before he goes totally berserk and slaughters KC and the Bard in a fit of pique, the dour handed dwarf uses the last ounces of mental control to step up to the trapdoor, shove the curvaceous but ineffectual form of KC aside and then launch a devastating axe attack into the wooden planks...the trapdoor explodes downwards in a shower of big splinters. <br />
<br />
Ulric then glares at KC, who decides to jump down through the broken trapdoor before the dwarf gets any other ideas. The nimble woman lands deftly on the balls of her feet but is immediately assailed by Xbow wielding leather clad humans. KC suffers sneak damage and ongoing poison. <br />
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Upon the warehouse floor, the mightly oppressed Keemor crawls his way towards and then behind a big mound of sacks to gain some measure of respite from the furious xbow assault. He unleashes a magic missile that plucks one assailant from his perch. <br />
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The Paladin is assailed by McGloogan from the front and the dog Murdoch from the rear, the big canine biting furiously at the Paladin's armoured rear. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfF5JzWvD25IyJN4gjSr0mQiD0ueYjN4ELwZB-8V1tMP4Gdcl_yxMyTsuP5A6ApqdZ1HtJYxYyKEqQCftg2rZxerlGk9eOWkTG8CCBAqACJ35RXNRYTOSJBxhMiLrZ1YqXcILotI59NQ/s1600/crates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfF5JzWvD25IyJN4gjSr0mQiD0ueYjN4ELwZB-8V1tMP4Gdcl_yxMyTsuP5A6ApqdZ1HtJYxYyKEqQCftg2rZxerlGk9eOWkTG8CCBAqACJ35RXNRYTOSJBxhMiLrZ1YqXcILotI59NQ/s200/crates.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Seeing this, Dirkwoord stealths his way around towards the paladin and then launches a devastating attack aimed at McGloogan's back. So devastating is the attack that McGloogan's grants combat advantage to the halfling even thou his 'Eyes in the Back of your Head' feat should prevent such ploys (-100xps DM)..anyway Dirkwood gets the advantage and cunningly uses it to drive his vicious shortsword into an adjacent crate ... (fumble) ... right in and up to the hilt ...(saving throw) were it sticks fast ... epic fail 8-) <br />
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Left with a daggar the halfling gives the paladin a quick wave before tumbling back into the safely of the shadows. The paladin is now sorely oppressed. The 2 other dogs arrive (Jimmie and Rupert), 1 beast runs towards the fight between McGloogan and the Paladin, whilst the other launches itself towards the cowering mage.<br />
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Meanwhile in the warehouse office situated on high, 1st Airborne have deftly silenced their Xbow wielding attackers and then make their way gingerly down the stairs. They ascertain the situation on the warehouse floor, Keemor the mage is mightly assailed from all sides by Xbowmen with a large canine, teeth most prominent, angling towards him and the din of battle rising at the far end of the warehouse must be where the Paladin is bravely fighting for his dear life. Caerendil and Ulric sprint towards the Paladin whilst KC goes to help her arcane xxfriendxx xxcomradexx colleague. <br />
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Arcane magics, quarrels, dogs, teeth, snarls, hammers on plate, longswords on shields, manly bellows, more manly Roars! Sling bullets richochets all vie for aural supremacy within the cavernous warehouse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwdJYkrgu8I4yZ3va9rWZRCOp13-672tJZytrfJ0Y5zpTtai7D0Oq7mWDLPtYhNV3j2jTjop4Oklecu8sC2she09MUM8JcKBCgtCLJOF9d7guFtMLivbYFJ7wxhc7iVm4OEHLRhwfNWM/s1600/lightstorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwdJYkrgu8I4yZ3va9rWZRCOp13-672tJZytrfJ0Y5zpTtai7D0Oq7mWDLPtYhNV3j2jTjop4Oklecu8sC2she09MUM8JcKBCgtCLJOF9d7guFtMLivbYFJ7wxhc7iVm4OEHLRhwfNWM/s320/lightstorm.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>KC arrives to assist Keemor with his little disagreement with a large canine and xbowman securely entrenched on his crate perch. The sorceress unleash a staggering lightening storm spell which should rend the dog and the xbowmen into smoking shreds ... the heavily blooded Keemor should remain relatively untouched ... probably ... maybe ...*cough* ... the spell goes off (if a little askew) and unleashes it's deadly lightening storm directly within the stack of sacks ... the mound is sundered and sacks of grain fly in all directions impacting on all in the vicinity ... KC, the Xbowmen ... Keemor the Mage ... and due to the nature of sorcery it seems to gain a life of it own as it continues to churn long after it's spell duration would allow it ... the 5 hit point Keemor is now 3 feet from a churning lightening storm and a large dog called Rupert intent on sinking his canine fangs into the mage's sweetmeats.<br />
<br />
Ulric and the Bard quick march across the warehouse floor is uneventful, a few hidden assailants on the gantry do appear to rain down poisoned xbow bolts on the pair but these annoyances are swiftly dealt with and the duo arrive at the combat zone in good cheer ... where the Paladin, Osiris bless him, is still on his feet and fighting the good fight against his large bearded opponent. <br />
<br />
The dog Jimmie turns away from harassing Baron Quentin to engage the oncoming Dwarf whilst the surprisingly stubborn Xbowman, still ensconced on the stack of crates, takes aim at Caerendil. <br />
<br />
Dirkwood has managed to shimmy his shortsword out of the crate and returned to attack McGloogan from the rear. The sturdy McGloogan is trading unequal blows with an increasingly battered looking Paladin as the dog (Murdoch) continues to find no purchase on the knight's shiny metal ass. Damn your plate encased backside Mr Paladin!<br />
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KC magics the dog (Rupert) into the raging lightening storm as Keemor the mage succumbs to his many injuries and falls unconscious. The unfortunate Rupert is rent asunder by the churning maelstrom as KC performs healing and succor on Keemor. <br />
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The Fight at the Far End of the Warehouse also draws to a bloody close. Caerendil finally manages to pick the Xboxmen off his dug in position with some well placed arcana, Ulric brutally ends Jimmie the Dog's career as a watchdog, followed swiftly by Murdoch with a sorcerous assist from KC. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw40VFA-Zg1rIOnPJUxpH_9b_lrTEWWwYROoxh7g5mNHlrFL9WHwRB8zA3uE0prF1FNa_SFeA5jwQRGRhDo8gN8yLIMI_Bh1cYt8fNc8tOSJqY14atBz5gB2YZzehUtPtORSuCjlu5ib0/s1600/holyswordbyhgjart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw40VFA-Zg1rIOnPJUxpH_9b_lrTEWWwYROoxh7g5mNHlrFL9WHwRB8zA3uE0prF1FNa_SFeA5jwQRGRhDo8gN8yLIMI_Bh1cYt8fNc8tOSJqY14atBz5gB2YZzehUtPtORSuCjlu5ib0/s320/holyswordbyhgjart.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The party surround the big man McGloogan and knock a fair amount of stuffing out of the giant before the Paladin (maybe Caerendil - but I think it makes it more dramatic if it was the Paladin 8-)) calls on him to surrender. Bloodied and surrounded the bearded man throws down his hammer and holds up his meaty hands. <br />
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The battle is over and the party win again! That is good!atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-87022027902516995212012-01-06T07:36:00.000-08:002012-01-07T15:28:13.092-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 4Caerendil, Keemor and the rest of the party (bar KC) meet up and compare notes. The next port of call seems to be Mama Esher's Pastries and Boarding House at the southern extreme of the Thieves quarter. The group arrive at the establishement and Caerendil and Ulric venture inside. They are immediately struck by the smell of flour and baking which is all pervasive. Various dudes joke about setting sparks / flames within a flour infused atmosphere...ha ha ha..but what are the chances?<br />
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After a discussion with the owner (Mama Esher presumably?) Caerendil and Ulric go up to Harral Shastri room and give his door a robust knock. Just a minute, a voice from inside. Ulric replies by kicking in the door!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrrAHYLBWYom1RtfNt3jQbk-15nPMTMcmipkbOBqbMiYvEBQuejMMdUyFGfmD5KyxEdBcPbX4ww50WInY_SQK6PxiE8-ctk-WTSCVnr2wvfsJYx3zZn4Oo5Jxga8Pz0BH8LBGMleU5YM/s1600/warlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrrAHYLBWYom1RtfNt3jQbk-15nPMTMcmipkbOBqbMiYvEBQuejMMdUyFGfmD5KyxEdBcPbX4ww50WInY_SQK6PxiE8-ctk-WTSCVnr2wvfsJYx3zZn4Oo5Jxga8Pz0BH8LBGMleU5YM/s320/warlock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Harral hits the Bard and Ulric with a Fiery Bolt, then follows this up with an Avernian Eruption baking the pair upon burning coals before pulling up his robe and leaping through the window and unto a nearby roof! Undeterred and probably wanting to leave the building by the nearest available exit, Ulric and the Bard quickly follow the Sorcerer out the window and onto the adjoining roof.<br />
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The party members outside react to the commotion with Keemor lashing Harral with lightening magic. The warlock in reply skewers the Eladrin mage with an Iron Spike of Dis, a fiery spear of red hot iron which rises from the ground to impale the unsuspecting Keemor deep in his nethers. Ouch. However Harral is quickly cornered (well quicker than the DM had anticipated 8-)) by the party and they proceed to pound the living cr*p outta him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1ihVUAvaw_Tv6x8AqSL7CGet1d_uCJ-lqUplkL7rq7rQbYiiANb93j093Jwr0IvDJ9OBFZDoQIX2q8Zxyu1F77E2vIBD-mbOQMnB_oxPJgIw2YrFM9tnpbJT-xlTbP70nGkeBZ2j0LY/s1600/ettin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1ihVUAvaw_Tv6x8AqSL7CGet1d_uCJ-lqUplkL7rq7rQbYiiANb93j093Jwr0IvDJ9OBFZDoQIX2q8Zxyu1F77E2vIBD-mbOQMnB_oxPJgIw2YrFM9tnpbJT-xlTbP70nGkeBZ2j0LY/s320/ettin.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>On the ropes, the foul warlock pulls something from within his robes, points a rod at it and mutters something gutteral. A blast wave of arcane energy explodes outwards from Harral's location. All party members are flung backwards by the searing sorcerous wave.<br />
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When they regain their senses, they see that Harral in no more but instead 4 amorphous things are rapidly growing where Harral once stood...these things flop and thrash about as they continue to grow...until the Ettin, the Manticore, the Salamander and the ScytheClaw Drake walk into a Greyhawk bar.<br />
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The Party gird their loins for the start of the first real, evenly matched encounter ... good job nobodies blown their best dailies right? 8-). Ulric takes on the Salamander and is sorely pressed (due to his opponents high AC and vicious dual scimitar attacks). The Paladin trades unequals blows with the giant Ettin (probably because he's wearing no armour 8-)) Dirkwood pings and prances around combat hitting the ettin and scytheclaw drake whenever the opportunity presents itself.<br />
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Keemor unleash arcane magics at the Scytheclaw Drake whom chases him down and then rakes him pretty good in return. Caerendil from his relatively safe vantage point on the roof interdicts most of the monsters actions with wily psychic magics. It keeps the manticore from double teaming Ulric with the Salamander at any rate.<br />
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Eventually the Ettin is ground down by the Paladin, followed in rapid sucession by the Drake (Snake Nibbler proving it's worth) and then finally the Salamander. The Manticore now severely wounded flies away from the City to pastures less violent and more hospitable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFzuga7JLRcPy5TLqHCqHBzyYw7ER-ungLnfAbEyDgzJ7abFnl8PErR-4BP1vY_Da-zNqHfWiu6WYXdtVp6qjMKuABqJ17MeJoTMaL-UmhmU7mEsM-3epyfQqKcROlXmvLyJD0OP6o9Q/s1600/Manticore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFzuga7JLRcPy5TLqHCqHBzyYw7ER-ungLnfAbEyDgzJ7abFnl8PErR-4BP1vY_Da-zNqHfWiu6WYXdtVp6qjMKuABqJ17MeJoTMaL-UmhmU7mEsM-3epyfQqKcROlXmvLyJD0OP6o9Q/s320/Manticore.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Keemor is the only one severely wounded but a bit of healing sorts him out fast. The remains of Harral Shastri and his room are thoroughly searched, revealing loads more money (bags of gems, and 3 bags of gold). A big wad of invoices are unearthed for payments made from the Guild of Wizardry to the warlock and a company trading in the River Quarter by the name of McGloogan's Import Export Company. Various dudes also pick up the ex warlock's rod and other arcane implements (can't remember whom).<br />
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Returning to the River Quarter the party find that McGloogan's Import / Export Company is based in a large warehouse, in a plump spot by the Cargo gate. Caerendil and Ulric the Entrepreneur look at each other and grin. It is also located within the area not paying Protection monies to Dirkwood's Guild and very, very close to the location of the rival thieves guild lair as indicated by KC. The Party are pretty beat up so decide to rest for a couple of hours. Their plan is to check out McGloogan's warehouse in the early morning gloom (around 4am) <br />
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Time passes. KC awakens to begin her dicey reconnoiter of the rival thieves guild lair. She dresses as a Nightwatchmen and disguises herself as a man (with obligatory big, bushy beard). After walking to the area she enters the building and makes her introductions. She plies her cover story for being there (i.e a new recruit transferring in from another part of the city) and meeting with no resistence gets to covert work. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj6fvZHhOpu6zAgVdCq1EUMKTiSoBm694wTEQMrl7yhfytuWeYJ14OA7aq7DFeGBXbclOu5O36Tp3kAtJji80zwMc8PuPLn7CuELTt2udIY6HUi7-bK8WZX0FXZkBmLrsLMI2Ow5wOg4/s1600/rooftopperils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAj6fvZHhOpu6zAgVdCq1EUMKTiSoBm694wTEQMrl7yhfytuWeYJ14OA7aq7DFeGBXbclOu5O36Tp3kAtJji80zwMc8PuPLn7CuELTt2udIY6HUi7-bK8WZX0FXZkBmLrsLMI2Ow5wOg4/s320/rooftopperils.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Careful checking of the building as well as subtle questioning of nightwatchmen reveals little. It appears in all intent and purposes to be a Nighwatchmen station. All the Nightwatchmen appear to be honest and kosher. Crestfallen she returns home to ponder the situation. <br />
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There are two possibilities equally unpalatable. One, her information was wrong (but there were shadowy forms operating in that area before she is sure) or two, someone in Dirkwood's organisation spied her meeting with the halfling and tipped off the rival thieves guild ... who have now moved location. <br />
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Returning to her abode she removes her disguise and goes to report her findings to Dirkwood Littlelegs. Remarkably the halfling is still awake at this extremely early hour (3.00am...remind me to tell you about the time that natural 20s go bad) Dirkwood digests the ominous news from KC and then informs her of the events at the pastry shop. With only a few hours before the planned raid KC decides to rest at the warehouse, she is able to snooze which is more than the psyched halfling is able to do 8-)atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-55184625951725516162012-01-05T14:04:00.000-08:002012-01-08T03:14:05.827-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 3The day after the night before begins early for some members of the party. Ulric is a dwarf on a mission and it doesn't involve rescuing milksop heirs that allow themselves to get kidnapped. On his long morning jaunt the Dwarf visits his favourite tailors where the design and dimensions of Caerendil's magnificent costume are imparted. Ulric ensures the proprioritor that this costume will be a surefire winner at balls to come in the new year. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIOhGowGw_CtY4LoGqbHE2kekQdIL326n3uhyOn3IVSvBNRU-QHKA4wUZIt8wCJm-rbKpkIe2gVDFoC4PqstMb8L0rrT2aWZY6ia7rkV3cPtf28nj14SxZoETyYDnkRmTtnk5Ol4D5zM/s1600/Gold-coins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIOhGowGw_CtY4LoGqbHE2kekQdIL326n3uhyOn3IVSvBNRU-QHKA4wUZIt8wCJm-rbKpkIe2gVDFoC4PqstMb8L0rrT2aWZY6ia7rkV3cPtf28nj14SxZoETyYDnkRmTtnk5Ol4D5zM/s320/Gold-coins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next the industrious dwarf tours the artisan quarter looking for a decent jewellers where he disgorges a vast quantity of gems in exchange for sizeable amount of gold. This small fortune he takes and desposits at the 1st Bank of Moradin after first opening an account. The final leg of his trek sees the Dwarf visit the Guild of Wizardry and to a meeting with Bubka, Mage of Exchange. Several unwanted waterbane weapons exchange hands for another sizeable amount of gold which too, gets deposited. Satisfied with his morning's work the dwarf trudges towards the Bard's abode looking for lunch.<br />
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KC arrives for work at the Green Dragon Inn and find her boss short handed. Several barmaids haven't reported for work this morning no doubt because of last night's festivities and he needs her to cover while he tries to hire some new help. Remembering her precarious predicament at the establishment KC pulls on an apron and gets to work. During the busy morning she learns that the missing barmaids are Brigette and Imogen.<br />
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Dirkwood awakens from his slumbers around mid morning with the words of Nerof Gasgal ringing loud in his ears. Well, thinks the pugnacious halfling, might as well get started. He makes his way leisurely back to the Patrician's Club, grabbing some breakfast rolls from a passing stall in the market. Arriving at his destination, Dirkwood decides to check out the escarpment ringing the Patrician's Club for additional clues.<br />
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Around noon Cearendil the Bard receives a summons from Count Ptreides concerning news about his abducted son. The minstrel wastes no time and hurries along the road towards the Urnst embassy where he bumps into the immaculately dressed and glowing paladin. The Baron is on his way to the embassy to offer whatever support and succor the Count and the authorities may require. The bard informs the knight of the Count's summons and the pair decide that perhaps they should go together to the Ambassador's residence.<br />
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Arriving at the embassy, the Caerendil and the Paladin quickly gain ingress and are lead to a room where they encounter the ambassador of Urnst, Count Ptreides and the mayor of Greyhawk Nerof Gasgal. Ill tidings await the pair as the Mayor relates the latest developments in the kidnapping of the Count's son. A note arrived this morning from the gang that abducted the boy Kerner demanding a sizeable ransom (10000 gold pieces!) to be paid within 3 days if the Ptreides family want to see their son alive. <br />
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In addition the Mayor's preliminary inquiries have revealed that other noble houses have suffered similar attacks during the last two years possibly from the same gang. They have not reported these abductions to the authorities in fear of scandal and appearing to look weak in front of the other noble houses. <br />
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The distraught Count looks to the Bard and Baron Quentin and says he'll be damned if he pays any money to such evil creatures. However he will double the ransom if Caerendil, Baron Quentin and his comrades can rescue his son before the deadline. The Bard and Paladin agree to the request immediately. Nerof spying the forlorn figure of Dirkwood Littlelegs scaling his way hither and thither upon the escarpment beyond, heartily endorsed the proposal. The Mayor informs all present that he has his top operative working on the case even as they speak and he's confident that he will have procured some useful leads.<br />
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A servant interrupts proceedings to inform the Count that Herbert, Kerner's personal guard and valet is awake again and well enough to answer questions (it was he who raised the alarm at the ball last night). The Bard and Baron Quentin take their leave of the Ambassador and the Mayor to go question the man. <br />
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They are lead upstairs and presented to a heavily bandaged man convalescing in bed. After a period of questioning the Bard and Paladin learn that Kerner has been seeing his secret girl for many months now. The pair had been meeting covertly at the Green Dragon Inn in the River Quarter. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJR-SNiy99ojHtJD8AkV-flP0RuGuuWAuNo5rGuPoONvokI3ex-8rTg4qREKbGhPgzAQXhcXAtovM7kcNyJUrbo-CL4zbwN__U2dtTFJKh_AYRw8QQDXfaeA5bWzVc_L6GRGde45zFOM/s1600/107032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJR-SNiy99ojHtJD8AkV-flP0RuGuuWAuNo5rGuPoONvokI3ex-8rTg4qREKbGhPgzAQXhcXAtovM7kcNyJUrbo-CL4zbwN__U2dtTFJKh_AYRw8QQDXfaeA5bWzVc_L6GRGde45zFOM/s400/107032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
He doesn't remember anything specific about the girls features other than a rough profile. Because he felt it prudent during these liaisons to maintain a respectful distance as not to discomfort nor embarrass the Viscount with his lady. No, He did not inform the Count that Kerner was seeing the girl because the Viscount forbade him to do so. How could he earn the trust of the Viscount if he couldn't keep his secrets? The only piece of information he has concerning the mystery girl is a name, Imogen.<br />
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Several ears perk up, Imogen, not Imogen, Imogen, barmaid Imogen from the Green Dragon Inn Imogen? Baron Nibble-Pibbly and Caerendil look at each other in that 'you thinking what I'm thinking' kinda way? and decide that a rapid departure from the ambassador's residence is in order. <br />
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On passing the escarpment bearing the Patrician's Club they scoop up the ineffectual halfling and head implacably towards the River Quarter. Transiting the gate of the High Quarter and out into the lower city, they encounter Ulric heading in the opposite direction. Explanations are made during which time Keemor the mage arrives (as one does when the whiff of combat is in the air) and the three become a five trudging in classic dwarven wedge formation towards their rendezvous with the Green Dragon establishment. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2E3qPK-hTlD5yhzn4Ukk0LYnL8_10jlA2JLUdJfIvy46Md7k5UZLoPM-lfLMVgVF6JYzumXJUAuGZmRtGCB7NqXSWwCvKPSzcMbpdClKtsdEXKhG3c0DDlJTkh_VyhimuwBkVvHSQOs/s1600/kc-kitted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2E3qPK-hTlD5yhzn4Ukk0LYnL8_10jlA2JLUdJfIvy46Md7k5UZLoPM-lfLMVgVF6JYzumXJUAuGZmRtGCB7NqXSWwCvKPSzcMbpdClKtsdEXKhG3c0DDlJTkh_VyhimuwBkVvHSQOs/s320/kc-kitted.jpg" /></a></div>On arrival, they are met by KC who in the intervening time has not only fed and watered a multitude of satisfied customers but has also deduced who the likely culprit behind the kidnapping might be. The sorceress has removed her barmaid outfit and got full kitted out in tight, figure hugging leather armour (pert buttockis most prominent). <br />
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The address of errant barmaid is soon needled out of Richard Damaris, proprietor of the Green Dragon Inn and Team Furious Vengeance descend downtown to the Thieves Quarter and there onto the Boarding House bearing the sign of the Black Orchid.<br />
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Imogen's abode is opposite from the street where the headquarters of the Thieves Guild in this part of the city is located, so Dirkwood Littlelegs decides that it would be prudent to inform the Master Thief of this area (Sharyn Messenger) that he and Team FV will be investigating and snooping around (probably with some violence thrown in too).<br />
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KC, Caerendil and Keemor the mage enter the boarding house whilst Ulric and the Paladin remain outside comparing shoes and silver inlays (it's a long story). Inside, the triad of player characters encounter the force of nature that is Mrs Gale, the proprietor of the Black Orchid Boarding House. She is a very small, very olde, very stern white haired lady. The only other occupant in the room is a mysterious cowled man smoking a pipe who sits silently at a table by the fireplace. <br />
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Negotiations begin. No Imogen is not in, no you most definitely cannot gain entry to her room without her permission! Threats will not work, I pay my Anti-Burglary Protection every month so any problems from you and you'll be answering to the Mr Messenger himself!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6waILT6CzktqnuXDneXDOEkT5x1oyTcFKAxhZvlrSjpCYy0ePcGWWrPwHb4IfL-SFROsPy_xkcqWi9b87lFXsGPkzcNYyeCbdn-eZGFvJCLoCgbLxeiSrBpaxsauWNiGxCsz2Qvt1ZQ/s1600/dooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="244" width="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6waILT6CzktqnuXDneXDOEkT5x1oyTcFKAxhZvlrSjpCYy0ePcGWWrPwHb4IfL-SFROsPy_xkcqWi9b87lFXsGPkzcNYyeCbdn-eZGFvJCLoCgbLxeiSrBpaxsauWNiGxCsz2Qvt1ZQ/s400/dooth.jpg" /></a></div>As the negotiations get more heated a big, burly, hairy, large canine toothed ... erm ... man? enters the establishment through the front door and pauses when he overhears Mrs Gale conversing with the party members in strident tones. <br />
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Shambling over to the group, the gruff, muscular, slight greenish tinge to his complexion ... man? bellows, Anything the matter Mrs G?. Oh nothing to trouble you Dooth, replies Mrs Gale, I'm just explaining some boarding house rules to these young folk. The sub-bestial, uncouth man? grunts before walking away and up a flight of stairs leading presumably to his room.<br />
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Dirkwood having made the acquaintance of the Master Thief of this quarter, returns to join the Paladin and Ulric outside the boarding house and there to join the seemingly life and death discussion regarding shoes and silver inlays (DM facepalm). <br />
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An attractive, buxom woman wearing garments of leather tightly laced in the fantasy tradition and carrying a brown paper bag, struts past the trio of party members conversing in raucous tones outside the boarding house and steps nimbly inside. Baron Quentin does a double take and leaves his oblivious compatriots to their ramblings and follows the young lady into the establishment.<br />
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Ah Imogen you've back, utters Mrs Gale as the young buxom leather clad woman steps into the reception area. The party turn towards the newcomer, the perplexed woman looks at the party and the pipe smoking, silent, cowled man puts down his pipe (to which Rich whispers your all dead, your all so dead 8-)). The paladin enters through the front door and closes it purposely behind him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27o_Um48tvAeUzwhB3QiYg0XtHkuFbekv-tQ6MnouxSmrvJQiG9gGzu_0UiwQ3BX0AQpV6y1nNBQAcmmjvXq-5yP-GaHXph9XWwekuXmZZ-a6ANoR_32kFGiGwt0m68ICzcFyXARY0Cc/s1600/imogen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27o_Um48tvAeUzwhB3QiYg0XtHkuFbekv-tQ6MnouxSmrvJQiG9gGzu_0UiwQ3BX0AQpV6y1nNBQAcmmjvXq-5yP-GaHXph9XWwekuXmZZ-a6ANoR_32kFGiGwt0m68ICzcFyXARY0Cc/s320/imogen.jpeg" /></a></div>The Party confront the barmaid and begin questioning her about her whereabouts last night, and her part in the kidnapping of Kerner Ptriedes. During this phony war, Caerendil notices a blemish on Imogen's face covered by heavy makeup. <br />
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Trapped into a corner, Imogen reacts, she grabs the Paladin's longsword, slashes him across the chest and then tosses him into the room...in one deft, flowing move. <br />
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The sudden assault wrong foots the majority of the people in the room with KC recovering swiftest. Before the sorceress can react however, the leather clad barmaid has already launched another attack striking KC, the Paladin and the unfortunate Miss Gale in a Blinding Barrage before exiting the establishment.<br />
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Outside she encounters Dirkwood and Ulric who have paused in their footwear deliberations by the sudden noise of combat from within and noting their intent uses her remaining movement to shim up the boarding house wall and then up onto the roof. A furious shout from the dwarf makes her pause as Dirkwood Littlelegs nimbly shuttles up after her onto the roof.<br />
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Seeing that Ulric is no threat, Imogen ignores him and neatly sidesteps Dirkwood's feeble attack before running and jumping onto the roof of a house across the street. The shocked halfling follows after the fleeing Imogen nimbly leaping unto the adjacent roof, whilst Ulric tries his first spot of climbing action and succeeds! The others party members inside the boarding house have recovered somewhat. The paladin swifty kneels by the stricken form of Mrs Gale and lays on hands. The others run outside to assess the situation.<br />
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A flailing Ulric leaps onto the neighboring roof shattering tiles with his heavy (silver inlaid) shoes. Untangling himself he watches as the erstwhile Dirkwood battles the female assailant alone. Finally free of debris, the dwarf joins the fray, as Imogen knocks the halfling prone with an adroit leg sweep. <br />
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Perhaps being a little over eager, Ulric overcooks a wild swing that leaves his renown glass jaw somewhat exposed. His female opponent sees the opportunity and strikes the spot with a stinging uppercut and knocks the veteran fighter unconscious! Ulric slumps to the floor as Imogen turns to flee once more. The dazed Dirkwood recovers from his flooring and lunges at Imogen with his shortsword. His strike is true and the female thief is deftly skewered through the abdomen by the halfling's vicious shortsword. <br />
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The mortally wounded Imogen falls off roof onto a series of spiked railings...which leaves her really dead 8-). Breathing heavily, Dirkwood sheathes his weapons and goes to apprehend the condition of Ulric von Himmler. Losing his footing on the snowy roof the halfing slides down the incline and into the prone and unconscious body of the dwarf lying on the lip of the roof ... sending it over the edge, off the roof and onto the street below. Ulric regains consciousness in a snowy gutter.<br />
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Caerendil and the Paladin arrive at the railings and the skewered body of the former barmaid. Conducting a search they find a a bag containing 1000gps on the dead woman. They then co-ordinate with the officers of the Watch as they arrive and the body is sent away to the city morgue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmJNzxPkvmuxgzjR4ZbxNlNWY7gt7eGlMnodXJAlVt2ogzrXys9lfilbTF8Tm0Q2C99BBJrHFWhSymHOwe4dSHXMRCGEGT1QUVEcGC4UCsEa0Xb3wEDbOkCUNZqflSLz_v4A0zgO1BJ8/s1600/tools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="152" width="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmJNzxPkvmuxgzjR4ZbxNlNWY7gt7eGlMnodXJAlVt2ogzrXys9lfilbTF8Tm0Q2C99BBJrHFWhSymHOwe4dSHXMRCGEGT1QUVEcGC4UCsEa0Xb3wEDbOkCUNZqflSLz_v4A0zgO1BJ8/s400/tools.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Imogen's room at the boarding house is thoroughly searched and a large quantity of gold, thieves gear & disguise kits are found. Dirkwood finds a brown bag full of pastries, freshly made, that was dropped by the deceased Imogen when the fight inside the boarding house erupted. The insignia of 'Mama Eshers' is stamped on the bag. The halfling scoffs the lot before scrunching up and throwing away the brown paper bag (DM sobbing sounds).<br />
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Caerendil the Bard has an epiphany and suggests they use Keemor's new position as 'Head of Post Mortem Communications' to question the dead Imogen. Keemor is amiable to such a plan as he always harboured a secret desire to try his hand at necromancy (oh really Dabe?). The rest of the party also agree to this most excellent of excellent plans. They visit the morgue and appropriate the slain body of the barmaid and then head to the University of Magic in the clerical quarter of the city.<br />
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Outside the university, Keemor the Mage is kept waiting by the bastad Dwarven porters. The Eladrin Mage nearly loses it and raises a charged and loaded wand at his tormentors before remembering (in the nick of time) that their all highly magic resistant. Controlling his killing urge the seething Eladrin heads to his laboratory with the rest of the party in tow. Here the Head of Post Mortem Communications angrily opens and rifled through the Big Book of Necromancy Volume 1 before settling on the page containing the 'Speak with Dead' ritual.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L3PgoNJlC733dF0AqzlmBu3FW_QQ90JFpv3hPZGjH8Zy-iYasFrPZnKg0EsC7pmdvkpv7QicR-ZMt04mqlamPG-zj-HQh8PcPdbvGn0RWqs8dQQohGULefW65A2qzfdBxYn5YYp4TW0/s1600/necromancer_1005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="304" width="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7L3PgoNJlC733dF0AqzlmBu3FW_QQ90JFpv3hPZGjH8Zy-iYasFrPZnKg0EsC7pmdvkpv7QicR-ZMt04mqlamPG-zj-HQh8PcPdbvGn0RWqs8dQQohGULefW65A2qzfdBxYn5YYp4TW0/s400/necromancer_1005.jpg" /></a></div>The corpse of Imogen Gullet is placed on a stone slab as Keemor the Mage begin the necrotic ritual. The Shade of Imogen materialises, the former barmaid appears about 10 years older than her physical body would suggest. <br />
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Caerendil poses the Shade a few, pointed questions and learns some useful information. She came from seeing Harral Shastri at Mama Eshers Bakery and Boarding House. The gold she had on her was payment for their last job. Their last job was providing Heronymous Tigana at the Guild of Wizardry with monster parts. The monster parts are used to make potions.<br />
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Eventually the mental strain of keeping the ritual going proves too much for Keemor and the ritual ends abruptly as the body of Imogen Gullet crumples to dust ...<br />
<br />
KC prepares for a nocturnal reconnoiter of the Night Watch station in the River Quarter, the suspected lair of the Rival Thieves Guild. She buys some suitable attire, an abode in the River Quarter and there tries to rests in preparation for the long night ahead.atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-63925073889872024772012-01-05T05:14:00.000-08:002012-01-07T14:41:58.358-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 2The venue for the ball will be 'The Patrician's Club', the finest gentleman's club in the whole of the city, a multi level sprawling establishment that boasts restaurants, gaming rooms, gardens in addition to a fine and spacious ballroom. The tentative start of the ball is 9.00pm thou the majority of attendees do not normally arrive until 10.00pm.<br />
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Dirkwood and Ulrich feel they have no reason to stand on ritual and thus arrive early at around 8.45pm. The pair cluster around the entrance casually watching the hive of frenzied preparation swirl about them, Ulric pops the stopper on a wineskin from his six bag bundle of wineskins filled with ale and offers it to Dirkwood. KC arrives a few moments shy of 9.00pm wearing an emerald shimmering dryad inspired outfit complete with a mask, the demi-humans curtly acknowledge her appearance and then give each other a meaningful look.<br />
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As time passes more dwarves, gnomes, halflings and humans arrive and mingle around the entrance together with Dirkwood, Ulric & KC. Eventually the grand doors of the Patrician's Club are opened wide and the Mid Winter's Ball of Greyhawk formally begins. The horde of demi-humans enter the establishment and make a beeline towards the food and drink.<br />
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The festivities get into full swing as more and more attendees arrive, there are Dwarves from the settlements of Karakast, Dumadan and Greysmere (with some of the younger ones sporting a look not dissimilar to Urza Jaddo, that is shorn beards and high flung hair!) Ulric doesn't know what to make of it and neither it seems do the Dwarven Elders but it has an immediate reaction on all non-dwarves present and hushed whispers erupt around the ballroom. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NIuGsVklYx_LdLwnJvr7ISrt8QilYWKSaXl4jMEXiV40gO7NlTtrfh-7f0NSPI04l_3YOjfavw3MsuEkcDTg2t1F9uw8_EBHIhV-kasRP9UysGpAuRRjXLu4adZFDWd50ZQNRDkjB9s/s1600/ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NIuGsVklYx_LdLwnJvr7ISrt8QilYWKSaXl4jMEXiV40gO7NlTtrfh-7f0NSPI04l_3YOjfavw3MsuEkcDTg2t1F9uw8_EBHIhV-kasRP9UysGpAuRRjXLu4adZFDWd50ZQNRDkjB9s/s640/ballroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
There are Elves from Celene, Gnomes from the nearby settlement of Gottesegrottell(a Greyhawk Protectorate), halflings from Elmshire, Mages from the Guild of Wizardry (with Keemor being introduced as the new 'Head of Post Mortem Communications') and the Circle of Six (formerly the Circle of Eight) including such legendary figures as Mordenkainen, Bigsby, Drawmij, Otto and Nystul, Mercantile Houses from near and far, Nobles Houses of the City of Greyhawk, Clergy of numerous denominations and finally dignitaries and their consulate staff from a wide array of foreign lands.<br />
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The sunken eyed, haggard looking Baron Quentin Nibble-Pibbly arrives at the Patrician's Club and is heralded inside to little notice or fanfare. Downcast, the stooped knight plods across the ballroom to mingle as best as he is able with the other foreign consuls. To complete his evening Starfast Chaos-Destroyer, the newly appointed Ambassador of Geoff arrives to great cheers and raucous applause. The old warhorse is accompanied by a pair of beautiful women on each of his gleaming uniformed arms. Oh Joy. 8-)<br />
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A suitably cloaked and warded Caerendil Elandanior is helped into one of the carriages bearing the crest of the House of Ptreides by a team of crack footmen. Seated within his carriage he finds his fellow passengers to be the youngest son of the Count, eleven year old Viscount Bruhl, his older sister Katrin and her chaperone for the night the noble Lord Henway. <br />
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The procession of carriages begin their leisurely journey to the Patrician Club as Caerendil the Bard converses and entertains his fellow passengers. The scholarly Lord Henway inquires whether the Bard is still actively adventuring as he is always on the lookout for new monsters to add to his menagerie. He'll pay top money for worthwhile specimens. Katrin and Bruhl let on that their elder Brother Kerner (the Count's heir) is secretly seeing a girl in Greyhawk to much teenage giggling. The carriage soon arrives at it's destination and the Count's party are ushered inside and then formally introduced.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9Xq4fnKADLZ3perPrG469ue459JMyZR9dcbPfslR_SG6Yh-xH5PYbKFVg7ODhaGM73qD68aGgow5s4ZhiuXNfzDSyzrOKUf4UeomwkNEZOLDsUojwh55BvjP0Jlv0KhggUdcBjb-yEQ/s1600/kc-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9Xq4fnKADLZ3perPrG469ue459JMyZR9dcbPfslR_SG6Yh-xH5PYbKFVg7ODhaGM73qD68aGgow5s4ZhiuXNfzDSyzrOKUf4UeomwkNEZOLDsUojwh55BvjP0Jlv0KhggUdcBjb-yEQ/s320/kc-dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>With the celebrations in full swing and with most of the invited having arrived, the floor of the ballroom is cleared to allow for the first of the night's dances to commence. Mordenkainen and his fellow mages gather to conduct some great magics to make the dance floor appear to float on the tops of clouds. <br />
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As masked couples begin to glide onto the floor, a young nobleman asks KC for her hand in a dance. Accepting, she is swept onto the ballroom floor and soon loses herself to dancing. The pair are well matched as they twirl and pivot around the floor in flawless precision (One day Morgy I'm gonna make you pay for forcing me to write this stuff!)<br />
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Meanwhile the sullen paladin stands alone and unloved. He watches as the laughing Ambassador of Geoff wheels around the ballroom asking partner after partner for a dance and meeting with no rejection. Baron Quentin takes another large gulp from his emptying wine glass just as a series of loud gasps from one segment of the gathered crowd draws his attention. The turning of heads cause others to pause and seek the cause of the commotion and very soon the majority within the ballroom are casting eyes towards the epicenter of the exclamations and onto...<br />
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Caerendil the Bard standing resplendent in his fantastically insane costume!<br />
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Defying quantum mechanics and various other universal constants ... Time itself comes to a standstill ... an appalling stillness falls within the ballroom punctuated in regularity by the gentle sound of a fainting female body (and the odd elven one).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVJL1QNgetXYuX0QKxcB6qwUIKfw9H_DZZ21ziJXTpF0y0MrEGeUgAojMbdsSheum51u6n690g_7uEAJG0heYymgVaff9K41QRJWBbV8SqNr2TFRgkTN_9SeJU7gaDqXV5dnZuUifjEI/s1600/bard-costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVJL1QNgetXYuX0QKxcB6qwUIKfw9H_DZZ21ziJXTpF0y0MrEGeUgAojMbdsSheum51u6n690g_7uEAJG0heYymgVaff9K41QRJWBbV8SqNr2TFRgkTN_9SeJU7gaDqXV5dnZuUifjEI/s320/bard-costume.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>The Bard, together with his ... beautiful partner ... glow and radiate out into the souls of all present (you remember that scene in Bablyon 5 when Kosh finally revealed himself?) Most people touched are warmed and heartened by the magnificent spectacle, a few, cruel souls are sickened to their very core. They wish to blot out the sight of the monstrosity with bile or gouge their eyes to eradicate all images of the blasphemy...<br />
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...the moment of immaculate perfection passes...<br />
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Great cheers and a general hubbub erupt inside the ballroom as a great mass of people surge to meet and touch the fabric of Caerendil and his magnificent costume. A few others, rush to the drinking tables to order stiff restoratives to calm and clear seared minds. As music and dancing resumes within the room, the great weight on the Paladin's spirit lifts and evaporates as his inherent font of goodness gushes forth once more...a grand Dama appears and asks the privilege of his company in a dance. The beaming, glowing paladin replies that he would be most delighted and taking his partner by the hand guides her serenely onto the marble floor.<br />
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The people at the Ball who have come for things other than dancing and socialising also congregate together in small knots to talk and negotiate. Ulric manages to gather several of the larger mercantile houses and Dwarven Elders together and manages to strike a deal in which if he and Urza are able to raise enough capital to buy a workshop / warehouse, equip it with the necessary tools, equipment and staff and then churn out a few of the "Warforged" prototypes that Urza says he can build then he and Urza will be very rich indeed (to the tune of several hundreds of thousands of gold pieces).<br />
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Moving through the crowd Dirkwood spots his olde mentor Nerof and pauses to converse. The pair witness the spectacle of the ball as they discuss Dirkwood's business and problems in the River Quarter in low, hushed tones. Keemor the Mage is also circulating amongst the crowds as part of the delegation from the Guild of Wizardry, eventually the trio of wizards arrive at the corner of the room hosting Mordenkainen and the Circle of Six. Tobin and Bubka offer muted greetings before moving on, but the Eladrin is starstruck at meeting his idol Bigsy in the flesh, he has trouble speaking as he is introduced to each of the legendary mages in turn and they in turn introduce themselves to him. <br />
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Recovering from this Keemor grabs a drink before spotting a large contingent of Drow elves nearby, relaxing and enjoying the ball's festivities (other party members also perk up at the mention of the word 'Drow' and the possibility of combat 8-)). Unsure of what to do, as nobody else seems to have noticed or seems to care about these fell creatures in their midst, the mage simply stands there open mouthed staring at the drow party for some time. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOjHVAc8424Zy-R8JP85py0dwCnFHZD4vczWikMx70DaiJoyN27axXEAaAov56xkAnxcIzT_-pGBs-kisJu0DfidU3tky48kLpwxIx_MdTQOUQ7K0uxx8IVygm7oAwuLyDxsgDOW33rk/s1600/eladrin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOjHVAc8424Zy-R8JP85py0dwCnFHZD4vczWikMx70DaiJoyN27axXEAaAov56xkAnxcIzT_-pGBs-kisJu0DfidU3tky48kLpwxIx_MdTQOUQ7K0uxx8IVygm7oAwuLyDxsgDOW33rk/s200/eladrin.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>Eventually this subtle observation catches the attention of one immaculately dressed Drow Elf who leaves his fellows to walk over to the Eladrin and bow deeply in greeting. He introduces himself as Prince Melf Brightflame of Celene and the rest of his fellows as the 'Knights of Luna'. Keemor remains silent and simply stares between Melf and the other Drow elves unsure of how to respond. With a click of his fingers the glamour surrounding Melf and the other "Drow" melts away to reveal Eladrin and Wood Elves. <br />
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Eventually the name "Melf" registers within Keemor's keen mind as the creator of the Melf's Acid Arrow and Melf's Minute Meteors range of spells ... comprehension flares within the mage of just whom he's talking to ... and with it his ability to vocalise simple sentences.<br />
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As the ball continues into the early hours, more and more of our heroes head to the floor to dance and make merry (even the normally dour Ulric can be found here kicking his feet up in the traditional dwarven way). As the last strands of final song finish for the evening and people gather themselves and contemplate returning to their abodes, a shrill scream cuts through the festive atmosphere. The crowd parts to reveal a man stumbling into the ballroom. He wear the livery of the House of Count Ptreides splattered in blood. The man takes a few unsteady steps before falling heavily to the floor and there to stain the shiny marbling with his crimson blood.<br />
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The Count, his family and guards rush to the fallen man to learn of what has transpired. The fallen man's raises one arm and points towards the gardens and whispers '...they've taken the viscount' before falling unconscious. All present are shocked and a number of the party immediately head towards the gardens with the Count's men. Ulrich however, cannot hide his disappointment 8-)<br />
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A crowd soon forms in the garden around the scene of the assault and abduction, members of the City Watch form a cordon around it keeping the onlookers back. Nerof and Dirkwood arrive and are allowed through as are the Count and his entourage (including Carendil).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_KnRw8h093qF5P6O8mp5jmqHUscOmDAfNEbvw5Kp-ZfA_3kadZnCfVbSS29jJ8k9kyL9fDP3EiEqmvYs6GVJkJPhAemOTRW5OW6iUYpDYhc013ParaIfqeq7uYhhyphenhyphenTo12xgyXEB1cPg/s1600/halflingfighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_KnRw8h093qF5P6O8mp5jmqHUscOmDAfNEbvw5Kp-ZfA_3kadZnCfVbSS29jJ8k9kyL9fDP3EiEqmvYs6GVJkJPhAemOTRW5OW6iUYpDYhc013ParaIfqeq7uYhhyphenhyphenTo12xgyXEB1cPg/s320/halflingfighter.jpg" /></a></div>Preliminary investigations reveal 2 sets of tracks, one of a big man and one of normal size. Prodded by Nerof, Dirkwoord casts his keen eyes over the area looking for clues. The rest of the party arrive at the cordon and are negotiated through by the Bard. After a thorough search various clues and evidence are uncovered. There were 4 assailants, the big man, the normal size one and 2 fainter tracks, 1 possibly female the other possibly elven due to their faint markings. A scrap of purple silk, possibly from a scarf or shawl is found by the escarpment leading onto the road below. Party members cast their minds back to the ball and several do remember a man dressed in a shock of colours, possibly of an arcane bent that did sport a purple scarf in addition to other gaudy clothing.<br />
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Dirkwood receives instruction from Nerof concerning the importance of the Count and his country to the well being of the City of Greyhawk. Urnst was one of the few countries untouched by the recent Greyhawk wars and thus are fortunate in having a full treasury. The Mayor of Greyhawk would very much like this gold to be spent within this city and as such will provide all of the city's resources to aid in the recovery of the Ptreides's heir. As Dirkwood's compatriot Caerendil seems to be on such good terms with the Count, those resources includes the halfling and his friends also.atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-55961980711174255642012-01-04T14:06:00.000-08:002012-01-05T13:45:37.607-08:00The Shapechangers: Chapter 1After several months in the City of Greyhawk, being lauded and celebrated for their epic naval victory against the arrayed forces of Iuz the Old most members of the party are invited to the last and most prestigious social event of the year, the grand Mid Winters Ball of Greyhawk.<br />
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But lets not get ahead of ourselves, let me fill you in on the wheretos and whereabouts of some of Greyhawk's finest sons (and daughters).<br />
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Brother Kelly has spent much of his time helping the poor and penniless in the many refugee camps slowly growing outside the city walls. The needs of the many in the midst of winter are too great for him to go and attend any balls. <br />
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Teckcos Tik has returned to the Kingdom of Keoland as part of the Ambassador's entourage to seek instruction regarding the King's plans for the upcoming year.<br />
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The young Korbin Shortshanks has left the city to visit his nan and family in the halfling enclave of Elmshire.<br />
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Leaving Dirkwood Littlelegs without his right hand man when he's juggling with his Thieves Guild resources..monthly tithe due and monies are low...no matter how he aligns the columns the numbers just don't add up right! Lofty ideas about branching out into new revenue streams like "blackmailing" and "drugs" are soon discarded as the DM discusses with him the nature of the current 'Mugging' enterprise and how that sits with his Chaotic Goodness? The doughty halfling contemplates the "ifs" whilst smoking his pipe and trying to make the swirling numbers add up.<br />
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--<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RjvLeoqCNRqyHxKhki1cq_pi5RGm9jKKmjgpEs11b-EBs8RNZKDtyDQPliEWx8pi-d0Jrfsk6JWzWDyizqD0H45dTojGylHkmtzBk6ipnldUcsswIjKcKgxl6MPDFZbOOS0OdMFokSo/s1600/sharp-suit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RjvLeoqCNRqyHxKhki1cq_pi5RGm9jKKmjgpEs11b-EBs8RNZKDtyDQPliEWx8pi-d0Jrfsk6JWzWDyizqD0H45dTojGylHkmtzBk6ipnldUcsswIjKcKgxl6MPDFZbOOS0OdMFokSo/s320/sharp-suit.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>Ulric will be going to the ball and no not to do any wussy dancing but to make himself rich! (which some may see as ironic) Acquiring about suitable attire and weaponry at the festivities he is shocked to discover that chain mail and big axes are considered uncouth for such an event. <br />
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Even Dwarves wear normal clothes (and most definitely not made of chain) when attending the ball (although some do offset this with a chain sash draped over the shoulder)....shaken..but not stirred Ulric finds himself the nearest tailor shop in the Artisan Quarter and there buys himself his very first sharp suit (made from finest, smoothest moleskin). <br />
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Asked to pay 20gps for the clothing, Ulric hands the tailor 5 platinum pieces (500gp)! The tailor is initially stunned at the generosity but recovers quickly, not only will he make Ulric another suit for free but the Dwarf can have a new suit every year for free while this tailor is owner of this tailor's shop! <br />
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He even has a daughter that may be...anyway...thanking the tailor for his services Ulric departs with his clothes.<br />
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-- <br />
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Baron Quentin dresses after a ghastly night and feels somewhat under the weather. He will still have to attend tonight's Ball as he is the highest ranking representative of the Kingdom of Keoland currently in Greyhawk. As his day proceeds and noting how people treat him like a normal 'fighter' rather than a gleaming pillar of goodness that he's become accustomed too, the Baron surmises that a trip to the Temple of Osiris is required and there to have a long talk with the High Priest. An audience is soon arranged and the Knight relays the sad contents of his nightmare as best as he is able to the listening priest. <br />
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'What does it all means'? asks the troubled Knight. <br />
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The High Priest is sorely vexed but can only speculate until he's had time to do a full augury with Osiris (which will take a few days) but after further questioning, he is able to determine the face of the man in the dream to be the Renee who perished at the hands of his comrades whilst the Paladin knowingly 'turned his back' and went to buy his rug. <br />
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The High Priest then asks whether the Baron Quentin has ever been burned in his life or applied the touch of flame to his naked skin as a punishment? Why? because fire and flames featured so prominently in the Paladin's nightmare. It is a common mechanism used by the sinner to punish and seek absolution for their misdemeanors<br />
....after a short pause the Paladin's meets the High Priest's eyes and replies in the negative. 8-)<br />
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--<br />
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KC decide that a secret kept is money wasted so decides to visit Dirkwood to sell her information regarding the location of the rival thieves guild. She traverses the alley to his HQ and after negotiating with some lookouts is lead in to meet with the busy halfling. KC lays down her proposition. Rival thief's guild location for membership for KC within the Greyhawk Thieves Guild. Dirkwood agrees to this but only if the information is accurate. KC assures him that it is and tells him the location. <br />
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Dirkwood is unconvinced, the location is a Nightwatchmen station he want's proof that the rogue thieves really do operate from there. Eventually they agree that if KC can reconnoiter and gather solid info that the rival thieves are where she says they are, then Dirkwood will vouch for KC to become a member of the Thieves Guild of Greyhawk. <br />
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To cement the deal Dirkwood asks KC whether she wouldn't mind "polishing his manservant" ... KC's resulting stare could freeze coals...not wanting to end their pact on such a sour note Dirkwood then asks whether she wouldn't mind being his "+1" for the Greyhawk Mid Winters Ball this evening? KC goes all girlie and readily accepts the chivalrous halfling's noble gesture (I kinda missed this conversation so I've done my best to fill in the blanks 8-))<br />
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--<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qGetam2aiV0nvT811ZVdMrt8Yp7NTeDmHJH6nbGXIrgZ3aCJC080eRi5fiHRKe8gt9s2d6npPZ_lFHBipPjKqu1XWHCTv1hdBgiZATHMsOqWSAIMRiS8hYKh2_coAclCfYIJNBpkTos/s1600/gow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qGetam2aiV0nvT811ZVdMrt8Yp7NTeDmHJH6nbGXIrgZ3aCJC080eRi5fiHRKe8gt9s2d6npPZ_lFHBipPjKqu1XWHCTv1hdBgiZATHMsOqWSAIMRiS8hYKh2_coAclCfYIJNBpkTos/s320/gow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>During a staff meeting at the Guild of Wizardy, Keemor the Mage is informed that as he is the newest member of the faculty that he will be required to attend the Mid Winter's Ball as part of the Guild of Wizardry's delegation. <br />
<br />
It's always worthwhile letting the high and mighty of the great city know the calibre of people we have working at the Guild informs the beaming Arch Chancellor. Keemor will be joined in the delegation by Kondradis Bubka, Mage of Exchange and the senior tutor Tobin Potriades, a man not only of great age but also of a greater capacity for food and drink.<br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />
Dedicated readers of this journal may no doubt be unsurprised to find Caerendil the Bard on his hands and knees. What they will find astounding however is that Bard is in deep and contemplative prayar with the goddess Sehanine. The stress of house repairs, house renovations, house modifications, the constant bills, balls, clothes and particularly his costume for the ball is all together proving to much for the erstwhile minstrel..However, however, however will I get to the ball wearing my masterpiece he begs of his deity...perhaps hiring a fine carriage with his last 50gps and a large cloak to hide it until the time is right?....maybe...all I need is a few minutes of peace to formulate my thoughts...<br />
<br />
...a knock at the door...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMctxxpnmMSJrFlQTKdp3X7KzseLLNYgqivLDuQSBmf5mcH97YBAosuUDbtKJqcfJDIbE7mg-n-bMG8G3ueMB3bLKW3dksMSViErHIE0vzWCsZxhfKXui-4nyhp36dmjgXRx7BRkioXfI/s1600/chateau-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMctxxpnmMSJrFlQTKdp3X7KzseLLNYgqivLDuQSBmf5mcH97YBAosuUDbtKJqcfJDIbE7mg-n-bMG8G3ueMB3bLKW3dksMSViErHIE0vzWCsZxhfKXui-4nyhp36dmjgXRx7BRkioXfI/s320/chateau-car.jpg" width="183" /></a></div>Alright Guvnor, my employer asked me to bring these over to you. It's the design of those wine labels you wanted doing...<br />
<br />
(hands over designs) <br />
<br />
and whether you wish to proceed with a print run of 500 copies?...The Bard surveys the intricate design on the paper labels with an expert eye...yes, they are everything that he wishes people to know about the great Caerendil Elandianor! Yes my good man I do wish to proceed. Right you are Guvnor, my master will require a small deposit of 50gp...<br />
<br />
(the last of the Bard's money changes hands)<br />
<br />
Mite obliged Guvnor...exit cockney craftsman left, leaving the Bard to return to his absolutions...yes hiring a fine carriage to take me to the....Blast!...wait a moment we can still work this out..a few moments of peace and I'll have it...<br />
<br />
...a knock at the door...<br />
<br />
Damnation!...A man wearing the liver..liver? livery of the House of Count Ptreides of Urnst stands to attention outside the door. The Bard finding some decorum from somewhere ventures a strangled 'yes?'. <br />
<br />
The Ptreides man informs the Bard that his master would like to extend an invitation for Sir Caerendil Elandanior to accompany him and his to the ball tonight. He asks whether the Bard would deign him such a small boon? <br />
<br />
Caerendil looks at the man and then into camera. <br />
<br />
The Bard makes a point to pause and reflect before accepting the invitation as long as, and the Bard wishes to hear no refusals to this part, as long as the Count and his family will allow him to provide the transportation for next years ball? The Ptreides man says that he can see no reason why the Count would not be amicable to such a request. Honour satisfied the pair part ways and Caerendil returns to his sincere praying.atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-28832763693535786452011-04-20T04:21:00.000-07:002011-05-04T03:01:32.136-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 6.2<b>Chapter 6 - Parte 2 - The Cruel Sea</b><br />
<br />
Cargo Deck<br />
<ul><li>Repel Boarders</li>
<li>Ninja Wizards Stun Ogres</li>
<li>Ballistas Teams make Merry</li>
<li>Difficult Terrain and the Fog of War make Ulric's Day</li>
</ul><br />
Quarter Deck<br />
<ul><li> The Army of One - Brother Kelly</li>
<li>Clerical Wrath leaves a Hole in the Floor</li>
<li> Underdeck Subterfuge</li>
<li>Brother Kelly and Ulric spot somethings familiar</li>
<li>Evil Doers Do Evil </li>
<li>A Game of Ogres and Ladders</li>
</ul><br />
Poop Deck<br />
<ul><li>Priests of Iuz and the Magic Circle</li>
<li>Demon Portal ruptures Reality</li>
<li>Five Mezzodemons Step Lively</li>
<li>Keemor Against the Demons</li>
<li>Ulric Likes Greek Fire</li>
<li>The Priest of Iuz Stands Tough</li>
<li>The Poop Deck is Ablaze</li>
<li>Mezzodemons Run Riot Against The Freed Slaves</li>
<li>2 Vrock Demons appear </li>
<li>Caerendil Uses his Head, Keemor Loses His</li>
<li>Control of the Portal is arrested by Keemor the Ninja Wizard</li>
<li>Dancing Demons </li>
<li>Keemor unleashes the Demons upto a unsuspecting Dirkwood</li>
<li>However Demon Pain is also Keemor's Pain</li>
<li>Keemor decides to Close the Portal Sharpish</li>
<li>The Priest of Iuz is dragged into, Ulric pilfers her Necklace</li>
</ul><br />
The Rescue Ship<br />
<ul><li>The Search for Personal Items</li>
<li>Who amongst you is Rich? :)</li>
<li>The Getaway</li>
<li>The Dragon Flight Give Chase</li>
<li>Ancient Lightning Engines Prove their Worth</li>
<li>The Black Sail Fleet </li>
<li>Arcane Wind Narrows Gap (similarity between this scenario and the bit after the Sack of Imyrr in 'The Weird of the White Wolf' is purely coincidental :))</li>
<li>Sacrifice Slaves or Save Slaves...what would the Paladin do? :)</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bn4ZANYN3llBFo1l6yuO0Pm4DF66CY8BLo0oimCdYS-E6fyKnvEZB1GCzaS4FbslpEc7QD6WDFR06IbozfkAg7iU4nf0pav9kUi-Oo8aZKHRSBWOMTc2YZyLtaMlpr_d4G8_wo5z8Cc/s1600/kraken5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bn4ZANYN3llBFo1l6yuO0Pm4DF66CY8BLo0oimCdYS-E6fyKnvEZB1GCzaS4FbslpEc7QD6WDFR06IbozfkAg7iU4nf0pav9kUi-Oo8aZKHRSBWOMTc2YZyLtaMlpr_d4G8_wo5z8Cc/s320/kraken5.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 50px 0 10px 10px;" width="320" /></a></div>Fleet Manuvers<br />
<ul><li>The Allied Nations Picket Ship</li>
<li>Iron Keg and Explanations</li>
<li> 20 Black Sails against 10 White Sails (Plus a Sub and a Smaller One)</li>
<li>The Bilge Rats ( Admiral of the Fleet and still Vampire Smeller Pursuivant, Sir Caerendil Elandianor and Rear Admiral Ulric 'Burntbeard' von Kronos)</li>
<li>Nasty Things Below</li>
<li>Rudder Smashing and Tentacle Dodging</li>
<li> The Fleets Meet</li>
<li>Allied Ships Packed with Able Seaman</li>
<li>The Tide Turns</li>
<li>Dragon Flight Goes Airborne</li>
<li>The Tide Recedes</li>
<li>Iron Keg Brains a Kraken</li>
<li> Evil Entity</li>
<li>Capital Ships Come with Mages</li>
<li>Black Dragon Down</li>
<li>Victory! </li>
<li>Au Revoir Mon Ami, the Iron Keg is no more as the Bard plays a dirge on his Bugle (Ulric averts his eyes) </li>
<li>Survivors Picked up and Homeward Bound</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM31U9gUhAMHN1HzVHn9tH7jKkbKu3GYtuz2jOuxyAfFPAl8sGkd8Z5vk9z_BTVNDkJ26-EL_Xk-pHKQZ8-HNoY7JhfzdEP2z7BTrMdOT7bW2JiE_hzX41i0p2i4COkqjRRdEAKR-LLmE/s1600/ironkeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM31U9gUhAMHN1HzVHn9tH7jKkbKu3GYtuz2jOuxyAfFPAl8sGkd8Z5vk9z_BTVNDkJ26-EL_Xk-pHKQZ8-HNoY7JhfzdEP2z7BTrMdOT7bW2JiE_hzX41i0p2i4COkqjRRdEAKR-LLmE/s320/ironkeg.jpg" width="320" style="float: right; margin: 50px 0 10px 10px;" /></a></div>Heroes of Greyhawk<br />
<ul><li>Ursa gives the Party 5K gps each in Pearls for rescuing him.</li>
<li>The Keys to the City of Greyhawk come with Free Magical Items!</li>
<li>Meet the new Ambassador of Geoff, Starfast Chaos-Destroyer</li>
<li>Meet the new Master Thief of the River Quarter (nudge nudge wink wink) Dirkwood Littlelegs</li>
<li>The new Bard Residence </li>
<li>The new Fellow of Storm Magics</li>
<li>Dirkwood sacrifices 1000gp to Hermes in gratitude</li>
<li>Brother Kelly takes note and sacrifices 4000gps to Heimdall in gratitude</li>
<li>Ulric takes note and sacrifices 5000gps!!!! in Pearls to Thor...says something about them being crap gob stoppers!</li>
<li>Baron Quentin made Military Attache to newly arrived Ambassador of Keoland. Job comes with a sash and as much Ferro Roches as his stomach can handle.</li>
<li>Teckcos Tik becomes 'Special Advisor' to the Ambassador of Keoland.</li>
<li>KC is paid no mind by rest of party as she is *only* a freed slave right? If she was a member of the party she'd have the same colour cloak right? :)</li>
</ul>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-35771206437849636322010-06-15T14:46:00.000-07:002012-01-07T15:00:18.198-08:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 6.1<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 6 - Parte 1 - Sweeping the Deeps</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Inverted Ziggurat</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Something Ancient</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stone Sentinels and Dwarven Hospitality</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Great Tear</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lord of the Sahuagin</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Bard hobnobs with the Lord</li>
<li>Party in cage</li>
<li>Ulrich gives hassle to the orks</li>
<li>Lightning spells under water <strike> does not</strike> do work (only differently).</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Team Sacrifice</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Party thrown to the sharks but not before</li>
<li>Korbin rolls natural 20 to remove guard's weapons' belt on way into pool</li>
<li>Ulrich takes some with him</li>
<li>Tik blasts them into the water</li>
<li>KC steals dagger and kills the guard with it (Natural 20)</li>
<li>Bard does a 10/10 swan dive into pool</li>
<li>Tekcos does a <strike>belly</strike> buttock flop into the pool after a cool 'Dive then Teleport Away' plan goes "belly up". 8-)</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Sub</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Certain party members get in sub</li>
<li>Tik, KC, Korbin + Hobbit collective shut out</li>
<li>Sharks killed. KC kills an ork as well</li>
<li>Keemor considers recharging the subs failed power cells via the sub-console - but under watch</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Urza Jaddo</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Meet dwarf in stasis field</li>
<li>Gives us some stuff.</li>
<li>Removes anti-magic rune from KC</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Ragnarok Engine</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><ul><li>Background explained</li>
</ul></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin's Collective</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><ul><li>Korbin takes control of his hobbits</li>
</ul></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Retrieving the fuel a.k.a. let's go shopping</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Bypass some robots by swimming over them</li>
<li>Lots of shopping</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jonathan</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><ul><li>Ulrich has remote control for robot, now called ?</li>
</ul></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Retrieving the ring or who let this lunatic drive?</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Go and get ring</li>
<li>Ulrich runs over party and Paladin … twice.</li>
<li>Sahuagin and Bigby's Icy Grasp get on small sub. Bigby enforces strict door policy</li>
<li>KC blasts them out (plus various party members)</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Collective know where the other Artefacts are</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Now they tell us!</li>
<li>We find lots of hobbits there</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's conquer Iuz my precious </div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Party members possessed by items</li>
<li>Keemor puts them to sleep and then fog descends</li>
<li>Explosion in fog</li>
<li>Oldie gnome and hobbit dies. Bard drops Sword</li>
<li>Tik gathers all the items</li>
<li>Keemor just has to hold Sceptre so gets possessed.</li>
<li>KC distracts Keemor while Tik removes Sceptre</li>
<li>Much shouting by Paladin</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ramming speed if you please boson von Himmler</div><br />
<div style="margin:0 auto;width:580px;"><object width="580" height="315"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yWdut__6xhM?version=3&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yWdut__6xhM?version=3&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
</div><br />
<ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Party insult Sahuagin so they follow us to assault floating town.</li>
<li>We have fun shooting it up and ramming</li>
<li>'chain moving ability : not good' </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Lift on 3...1...2...3" </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*Ulric rolls a 2*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Arghhh! Sh1tfeckb0ll0cks!!! Arghh!"<br />
"Once more, ok. Take the strain. 1...2....3..."</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*Sir Quentin rolls a 1*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"ARRGHHH!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Feckrentboypaladin...do it properly this time...ok...1....2....3"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*Sir Quentin, inevitably, rolls a 1*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"ARGGHHHHHHH!!!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Twatboybugg3ryb0ll0cks just lift the fecking chain you GAF!!!!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"It's my back...it's definitely gone this time!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Lift the feckin CHAIN you UTTER GAF"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"No it's real bad...I used to have to get Dinkle-Winkle to walk up and down on my spine...that sorted it out"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"£$%£$%£$^ CHAIN!!!!! NOW!!!!!"</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Actually I don't suppose you'd mind if...?"</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*Ulric in a fit of RAGE lifts and attaches the chain, as Sir Quentin hobbles back into the sub in search of a comfy and supportive chair*</span> <br />
<ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>We have cut command ship out ready for assault</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Che Shortshanks and Fidel Tik in Viva La Marina!</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Elsewhere Hobbit collective, Tik and Brother Kelly start a rebellion in slave domes.</li>
<li>'the slaves are not budging, not interested...you've cut the air supply?!!!..ok their moving now'</li>
</ul>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-43109401900590884812010-06-09T03:44:00.000-07:002010-06-11T08:27:16.674-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 5.4<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chapter 5 - Parte 4 - Ancient Leviathan</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There comes a day when the party's daily routine of sweeping and sieving the eternal seabed is disturbed. They are picked for 'special duty' and will be going forth to a new dig site determined to be the resting place of one of the lost artifacts. Special Team 'Duty' (STD) will be an amalgamation of Team Woad and Korbin from Team Blood (Ulric and Durkwood will remain at the Spooky Spongeville dig). </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
The new dig site is a fair distance away from the light and relative safely of the main evacuation area so STD will be escorted by a contingent of Orcish Guards and an Acolyte of Iuz who will supervise the search activity. He bears some device that will help in this endeavor.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The group traverse their way to the dig site without note and are set to work. Team Woad at an area of recently cleared seabed while wee Korbin is sent forth to explore some subterranean caverns that only he is small enough to crawl into. There are 3 such caves to investigate. The day passes slowly with no items being located despite the mad ranting and gesticulating made by the Acolyte. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin has thoroughly investigated one of the caverns and has moved on into the next. In here he discovers something new, a deep trough filled with fleshy, spherical objects. They appear to be similar to frogspawn only bigger, redder and much more succulent. The famished halfing's eyes glaze over and his mouth begins to slaver of it's own accord, he swims down eagerly to feast. As he mingles in ecstasy amongst the flesh sacs of meaty goodness, his keen halfling eyes catch a golden twinkle from the bottom of the cavern. The capricious halfling pushes the fleshy spheres aside and immediately swims down to take a closer look. It's a RING. The halfling's podgy hand reaches forth to grasp the trinket.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*cue a few faint strands of the One Ring theme from LotR*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRExcPQxv7UgdAAV2YUtHDnuV0gTOmi-0A_dr4in6EhtTt2q3qSmarAXWXh84yEB73iHkvbuUpebbTxKhkIZg7YzTWMeCWA4uBRmaIFSW16L896Fx5NfxbsOPzDkQ7yl8EtYFzkxPMnYs/s1600/ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRExcPQxv7UgdAAV2YUtHDnuV0gTOmi-0A_dr4in6EhtTt2q3qSmarAXWXh84yEB73iHkvbuUpebbTxKhkIZg7YzTWMeCWA4uBRmaIFSW16L896Fx5NfxbsOPzDkQ7yl8EtYFzkxPMnYs/s400/ring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
Meanwhile outside, Team Woad knows nothing of this. No strands of the One Ring theme reach their blocked ears nor indeed do the more ominous opening deep notes of John Williams 'Jaws' overture which has so recently begun in their immediate vicinity. The first any of the group suspect that anything is amiss is when Brother Kelly looks up from his raking to find 2 of the Orc Guards floating in a cloud of their own blood and entrails. He gestures to the others and looks around the area frantically to find the culprits. Pairs of green, finned humanoids make scything attacks against the orc sentries and members of the party. Another 4 of the Orc Guards are cut down in quick succession and the fighters in Team Woad (Brother Kelly, Baron Quentin, erm....???) suffer numerous trident slashes. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The others, the non-melee types, namely the Bard, Keemor, the Comely but Stern Human Female try to squeeze their gargantuan bodies into the tiny opening that wee Korbin went into. The Bard succeeds in squeezing his frame through the cavern entrance, probably all those years of Yoga and intense sexual proclivities. He takes a few moments to orientate himself and then spies Korbin down in the cavern's depths. He swims down. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next at the entrance is CbSHF, who decides that letting the Eladrin mage watch her wiggle her copious yet perfect mound of female derriere through the narrow opening is perhaps a bridge too far in the fight for female equality. She steps aside and lets the Eladrin try. Keemor has no such qualms and attempts to get his massive frame into the cavern even if he has to chew his way in!. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Sea Devils have polished off most of the remaining Orc Guards and the rest appear to be ready to scarper back to the compound together with the Acolyte. The Team Woad Fighters have appropriated dropped orcish weapons and are edging their way to the cavern entrance while on the look out for more of the raiding Sahuagin.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Inside the cavern the Bard and the Halfling decide upon weightier matters, what to do with the Ring. It's clearly magical and with the Bards', erm Bardic Knowledge, it is also clearly the Ring that the forces of Iuz are looking for. But where to they stash it? Answers on a postcard to KorbinandtheBard@Lubeville.com<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATeaRmNmm3M1rq1HWuqkLHKBHHkWC3p_U4UEDIpCqPRsQtKF9PAyM-92xQkKNaqr8hyVFu1185kWhg09gHkYOjdBHYKhtqTNS_jtSwyPF8_VZn7Y1C7FbuegFcAUvghULWlwHihPMHcw/s1600/wear-a-ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATeaRmNmm3M1rq1HWuqkLHKBHHkWC3p_U4UEDIpCqPRsQtKF9PAyM-92xQkKNaqr8hyVFu1185kWhg09gHkYOjdBHYKhtqTNS_jtSwyPF8_VZn7Y1C7FbuegFcAUvghULWlwHihPMHcw/s400/wear-a-ring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's not gonna be pretty so the Bard tells the young and innocent Korbin to avert his eyes whilst he, the Bard, will attempt to 'wear' the ring. Korbin is unsure just what the Bard intends but decides that it's probably safer to turn his back on the minstrel anyway. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A period of squealing later.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin feels a tap on his shoulder and turns to discover the Bard holding out the Ring. 'I'm a giver not a taker!' informs Cearendil defiantly, 'you'll have to do it!'</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do what? asks the naive and innocent Halfling Rogue, his big cherubby eyes looking most big and cherubby.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard leans down and whispers the instructions on the 'Hiding Yet Wearing A Ring' process to the young rogue. He straightens to look into a shocked Halfling face. 'Little boy have big job to do' informs the Minstrel succinctly as he turns his back on a trembling Korbin.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
A period of squealing later.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard feels a tap on his buttocks and turns to discover the Halfling offering him the unworn Ring, 'It hurts worst than Farder O'Patrick ministrations' informs Korbin meekly.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard goes to grab the taxing trinket but is distracted by the shocked and disbelieving stares of Keemor the Mage and CbSHF from up above. His wayward hand instead knocks the Ring from Korbin's outstretched appendage and the quartet watch the piece of vexing jewelry disappear back down into the cavern and settle amongst the egg spawn. Korbin is about to go fetch it again when they are drawn by a deep shout from outside the cavern entrance, </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly: 'I think we should get going, all the orcs are gone and so is the Acolyte and I think there are more of the Sea Devils around, we need to leave now!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The quartet agree that this is probably the best course of action (for several reasons) and depart the cavern forthwith. Team STD then head back to the main underwater complex and arrive without further incident. They find the complex itself in uproar. Apparently the party weren't the only ones attacked by the Sea Devils this day, the sahuagin have launched raids across the entire evacuation area, killing and capturing dozens of guards and slaves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Word on the slave <strike>grapevine</strike> seaweedvine is that Iuz's patience with the Sahuagin is at an end and that a Battalion of his toughest Orcs will be lowered down to the lake bed to teach the sea creatures <b><i>a</i></b> <b><i>lesson in power</i></b>! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45JZdfbaSRqQBBcPDHY7A9bv6gu2AKAF2cdcUO_ql2xOQlaOxjzWrdtXkBWrgUEXMG8jRaKhngxh5JTiHKVEqVtWJaFyJbyKo_OiJWozGP6P7uozbe1rNiJX28WbAGKV2ezxH9IB4qA4/s1600/orc-legion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45JZdfbaSRqQBBcPDHY7A9bv6gu2AKAF2cdcUO_ql2xOQlaOxjzWrdtXkBWrgUEXMG8jRaKhngxh5JTiHKVEqVtWJaFyJbyKo_OiJWozGP6P7uozbe1rNiJX28WbAGKV2ezxH9IB4qA4/s400/orc-legion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During the next couple of days company after company of elite Orcish soldiery arrive on the lake bed and are billeted in the numerous domes. This makes the slaves lives even more miserable as their living quarters are reduced into a smaller and smaller area with every passing hour. After 3 days the Battalion of Orcs have been fully mustered and preparations for the upcoming attack are made complete. As the Orcish formations prepare to march to the location of the Sahuagin Camp, a conversation occurs between the Battalion commander and Prison Warden...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Orc General: 'I need some bait to draw out the Sea Devils, bring me 30 of your most fattest slaves Warden'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Warden: Why the fattest? They will live longer, I require such...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Orc General holding up hand, 'I need the fattest because they'll bleed more and for longer'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Warden: 'Right you are, I'll see what I can do.'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As the Party are newly arrived they are in no way as famished or emaciated as the majority of the slaves. They are quickly drawn into the group that will go with the Orcish soldiery thou they appear to know not why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Orc Force One (Delta Force Orc?) march in step and to great fanfare for about a hour before it approaches a massive rock outcropping close to the Spooky Sponge area. Here the group divides up into 6 companies and each form up opposite a ridge of stone that has a great cavern entrance in the middle of it. 4 long columns of coral snake away from the outcropping and the area contains many dense patches of tall seaweed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To Caerendil's cultured eye the cavern entrance appears hewn and not some natural formation. Before the Bard can mention this the slave contingent is split up into 6 smaller groups and taken into no man's land between the Orcish Companies and the Rock Outcropping. Several of the slaves in each group are then shot with crossbows before their guards retire back to the Orcish ranks and leave the slaves to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly and Ulrich are two such oppressed and the Cleric of Heimdall works feverishly to staunch the bleeding wounds knowing how quickly the scent will attract the blood thirsty Sahuagin. He needn't have worried as waves of Sahuagin appear from amongst the seaweed forest, over ridges and a long vanguard darting out from the cavern entrance and take the Orcish companies from all sides. Mass underwater combat is joined!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI6yc7z4xehxtxRmK6DfImGYPoQ5x_0v8LEBUEJl34L-Q2VqNSjh1haOWJie5lUiEJY2m6l2p3eBfWCD39yVmbOOeo9bbyRffSzBKiIKYx45YP8J_zHwai3Z5n6Of3vYcHnsoM-JU28I/s1600/orc-regiment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQI6yc7z4xehxtxRmK6DfImGYPoQ5x_0v8LEBUEJl34L-Q2VqNSjh1haOWJie5lUiEJY2m6l2p3eBfWCD39yVmbOOeo9bbyRffSzBKiIKYx45YP8J_zHwai3Z5n6Of3vYcHnsoM-JU28I/s400/orc-regiment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Orc regiments release crossbow volleys, the Sahuagin respond with thrown tridents and spears, bodies go down on all sides. The two opposing forces meet and the surrounding seabed and tranquil waters are quickly churned up with dust and blood. In this maelstrom of teeth and sword stand the party members deciding what to do. Some seek out fallen weapons, young Korbin traverses what seems like a Nottingham Forest worth of giant Seeweed to win his daggar. Brother Kelly, the Paladin find spears and crossbows closer to hand and are soon pitted against Sahuagin skirmishers rovering the battlefield picking off enemy stragglers. The others look for refuge, with most heading towards the coral columns spidering away from the outcropping to go hide with the other little fishies. This group comprises Ulric, Keemor and CbSHF. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard attempts communication with the fierce underwater warriors, he accosts one and offers the bemused Sahuagin a fleshy egg (can't remember how you got this?) with solemn and noble sincerity. The Sea Devil takes the offering without note and then slashes the surprised minstrel across the chest with his trident. The warrior then scoots off with his gift leaving the irate Caerendil to mark him for death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The aquatic battle continues unabated with the discipline and order of the orcish regiments proving unable to withstand the ferocity and deft movement of the Sahuagin battle groups. A few of the orc companies are close to being routed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile Team Little Fishy having reached one beam of underwater coral are spotted and way-hey laid by a Sahuagin Skirmisher. Keemor assumes the form of the manta ray and sinks to the sea bottom and throws sand and grit over himself...all that remains visible are his piercing purple, pupil-less eyes. Ulrich seems distracted by something he's found amidst the coral, leaving CbSHF to deal with the Sahuagin threat. The Sorceress has been trying without success to fight pass the Rune of Binding on her forehead to access the source of her power. This time however, with a sharp trident bearing down on her buxom form, her fingers unleash a cone of eldritch power that sunders the Sahuagin into piecemeal. The cone of power continues along the seabed before striking the hidden Eladrin Manta Ray and sending him flailing across the coarse sands severely abrading his buttockis regions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile at the coral column, Ulrich the Scholar breaks away a section of the protected sea real estate (tut tut) and uncovers...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7c0KfHEdD1Q-iPo_PUlZUH9H2jXqLAycacqOuO9EC-8On8ndUr_dqa22QJWzUpw-OkRIhm335G4Msr6965M-5BYImhblsL6xUdDaOry9ZuJ8Tru3w7otJGjSFkVYs4Xj-ETXx5dVNEE/s1600/writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7c0KfHEdD1Q-iPo_PUlZUH9H2jXqLAycacqOuO9EC-8On8ndUr_dqa22QJWzUpw-OkRIhm335G4Msr6965M-5BYImhblsL6xUdDaOry9ZuJ8Tru3w7otJGjSFkVYs4Xj-ETXx5dVNEE/s400/writing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The dwarf is perplexed. The writing looks Dwarven in origin but of a form he has never encountered before. It looks older than old. It says, in fact he doesn't understand what it says, the words are gibberish, a collection of Khuzdul sounds...'High Energy Overflow Pipe', written vertically upon stone underneath the exposed coral. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The dwarf begins to move purposely along the coral bank looking for more. CnSHF and the sore Keemor noting the serious intent on Ulrich's face decide to follow. The rest of the party note the movement of the trio and deduce that something must be up, and if it is the last desperate clutching of damp straws then so be it. They too head in that direction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulrich works his way along the coral bank and finds another spot where patches of Dwarven writing can be glimpsed underneath. His calloused hands begin to sunder great chunks of coral from around the writings. His labor quickly reveal the Dwarven words 'Access Hatch' and also a strange mechanism embedded into the stone. Ulrich begins to tinker with the mechanism until something clicks under the pressure of his probing fingers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The dwarf's keen stone sense feels a faint vibration within the coral bank followed by a 'GRRRRRR' sound. A section of stone encompassed by the cleared coral rolls back and Ulrich has a split second to notice a parallel opening on the other side of the coral bank. Then the force of 10 atmospheres of water suddenly imposes itself on his mighty shoulders followed by a roaring whooshing sound as the lakewater begins to cascade through the 2 openings. Ulrich grabs either side of the opening and stubbornly holds fast.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRpVxOoyG9UjiMBpzgqpsyw3U4RDXNdikir0SNGceBUGlpK0olMSwJauCHkjX84pfAXSjsEq5_Y37w7NmQkrVxUIFkPmIE19EmMKik8sLNq4vGCJcEww7G8WEMnh9RQC_V6Qw_0vQ7L8/s1600/access-hatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRpVxOoyG9UjiMBpzgqpsyw3U4RDXNdikir0SNGceBUGlpK0olMSwJauCHkjX84pfAXSjsEq5_Y37w7NmQkrVxUIFkPmIE19EmMKik8sLNq4vGCJcEww7G8WEMnh9RQC_V6Qw_0vQ7L8/s400/access-hatch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CbSHF and Keemor approach the Dwarf who seems to be standing at the threshold of some cavern entrance. The pair increase the pace of their swimming eager to gain the sanctuary that Ulrich has found. As they near the Dwarf they realise too late that they appear to be caught in some kinda fast moving current and no amount of backpedaling will avail them at this stage. They will impact the Dwarf no matter what they do. CbSHF tries to find purchase upon the approaching coral bank but cannot quite find a hand hole but gets pummeled and bashed against sharp coral for her troubles. She then hits the back of the braced dwarf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Suddenly Ulrich goes deaf! One minute the thundering roar of water the next, nothing. Is he dead? He peers stealthy about him using his periphery vision. He perceives what looks like massive eyeballs on either side of his head. Something big and nasty has snuck up on the Dwarf and attached itself to his back and Ulrich don't like anything big and nasty sneaking up on him and attaching itself to his back. Moments before going berserk the Dwarf notices the shock of long, auburn hair streaming above his head. He quickly realises what the thing on his back must be and also what is blocking his hearing. Ulrich smiles and gets comfortable 8-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The other party members converging on this location all eventually get caught in the raging current thundering into and down both openings. Ulric finally looses his grip after further collisions from Keemor and Korbin and the quartet of clustered bodies are carried through the opening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the other side of the coral bank, the flailing Paladin, the stout Dirkwood, the eager Bard and the slightly bemused Tekcos are all carried inside in quick succession. Only Brother Kelly manages to grab a hand hold and hang on for dear life right at the maw of the raging torrent. The Cleric's luck as so often before doesn't hold and he senses his hand grip beginning to move. Is it the coral sliding or giving way? With a crack, his hand hold breaks off from the coral bank and Brother Kelly follows where his companions have gone before. In his still clenched hand this is what appears to be the broken handle of some mechanism. The Cleric plunges down a dark stone tunnel as the openings behind him begin to close.<br />
</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-72207684960262177172010-06-08T01:57:00.000-07:002010-06-09T12:29:37.762-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 5.3<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 5 - Parte 3 - Marina, Aquamarina</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cage containing the slaves (party plus others) and their guards descends into the watery depths of the Nyr Dyr lake. Numerous people attempt to hold their breath for as long as their lungs and mental faculties will allow. Eventually one by one they succumb to the urge to exhale (in a cataclysmic eruption of air bubbles) and then inhale (a seemingly never ending lungful of cold, dirty lake water).</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Four Terrors of a watery death, namely Convulsion, Dis-orientation, Evacuation and Mindless Panic pay their righteous dues to all of the party members and to various degrees. A period of time passes, a few seconds for the bored looking Orc guards, several lifetimes for the many of the other cage occupants, before all and sundry discover that they really are breathing water and that their bodies are also stubbornly refusing to die.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32a7WrLMTDQSujXK88qY1kMqk5GKuESC6ibZSaF4Bob-AAT3If1GW45gCY2NMWl_1ybCGGQkSjazsHI0vTcs7RxzKpSLrwqCAYHLxRSm8ifNEpj_ZmZQmqa_O2svRzr8FQ8F3ZuyZr3E/s1600/cage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32a7WrLMTDQSujXK88qY1kMqk5GKuESC6ibZSaF4Bob-AAT3If1GW45gCY2NMWl_1ybCGGQkSjazsHI0vTcs7RxzKpSLrwqCAYHLxRSm8ifNEpj_ZmZQmqa_O2svRzr8FQ8F3ZuyZr3E/s320/cage.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Four Terrors of a watery death depart leaving the relieved yet grateful party members to find other ways to occupy their time during the aquatic transit other than drowning. A bikini top becomes unfastened under mysterious circumstances followed by much hilarity between the Eladrin Mage and the Comely but Stern Human Female onto the precise reasons why.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Orc guards wile away their time between looking bored or gazing at the party and it's antics with undisguised contempt.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cage descends parallel to a vast fabric and metal funnel structure that has been a constant fixture since this Journey into the Deep began. It is a bulbous affair and it's fibrous surface fluctuates from time to time. Young Korbin deliberates on the purpose of the mechanism and how it seemingly disregards the laws of physics.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He ventures his concerns to the knowledgeable Keemor, a man known for his learning and rapier-like intellect. The aloof Eladrin peers down at the little halfling cherub at his feet with disdain before postulating that there may be many reasons why the structure remains standing despite the halfling's irrefutable logic.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The main reasons are :-</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1) Korbin is only a *mere* halfling and as such has no business in trying to understand the laws of the physical world. After all how can your race, namely halflings, exist in the natural world at all? When you consider that they consume three times their body weight in food every day and yet do not explode, how is this remotely possible? But more importantly than that, dear youngling ... </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2) it's magic :-)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin's youthful face can't quite disguise the hurt generated by the Mage's masterful answer. The wee halfling continues his vigil staring at the funnel mechanism during the cage's Descent into the Depths, thou he does appear somewhat subdued.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eventually the cage occupants can't help but notice a glow emanating from the waters beneath their feet. Light from below and in time, from many many structures affixed upon the lake bed. Vast wooden/metal domes strewn across a wide, cleared area. Each dome has one of the fibrous funnel mechanisms attached to the roof of it. The cage clangs down upon the lake bed, a short distance from one of the dome structures. The impact sends a small shudder through the bodies of all the cage occupants.</div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The slaves are bundled out of the cage and formed up into a long, straggly line. They are then marched into a trench that appears to run beneath the dome structure. Once past the dome wall the floor of the trench tapers sharply upwards and the party soon find themselves standing and blinking inside a bright and airy dome interior.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A general hubbub of noise greets the party's ears as the domed structure is filled with a multitude of strange apparatus worked upon by a horde of Derro Dwarves and slaves (dwarfs mostly). A low background hum is attributed to the funnel mechanism that seems to blow and suck great volumes of air into and out of the Dome and back to the surface. Additional slaves amble about the place and they easily number in the hundreds. It is a great hive of activity and the party take some time to absorb all that now surround them. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A clanging of shields draws the party's attention to a group of Orcs recently arrived, standing before yet another Priest of Iuz. He directs four nearby slaves to rise to their feet and they then hold forth oiled leather skins bearing illustrations of a Ring, a Sceptre, a Sword and a Chalice.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Priest of Iuz begins to speak in clear, clipped tones.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Welcome to Gulag 13. My Lord Iuz wishes these items. These items are to be found on this lake bed. You shall remain here until they are found or you are dead. Any slave finding any of these items will be granted immediate release from servitude..on this you have My Lord Iuz's word.</div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You have been temporarily granted the ability to breathe the lake waters, this Ritual must be renewed each morning. If you find you are short of breath before this allotted time then return to me immediately or you will die.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*thin weasely smile*</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you decide on escape then the gift of the Ritual will be denied you and you will die. As an example to others who harbor such treason you indeed must die! My Lord Iuz does not accept excuses. Accustom yourselves quickly to these new rules and surroundings and you may yet live. Rest now as your work begins on the morrow.'</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The next few days are spent doing exactly that, working on the seabed in assigned areas (for Team Woad) or crawling around in a twisting, turning claustrophobic maze-like structure that all the halflings are assigned to work in (Team Blood). It resembles a fossilised remains of some gigantic pre-historic sponge and only halflings or dwarfs are small enough to work in the cramped environment. This is where the majority of the kidnapped halflings from Elmshire reside. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Avenues for escape appear pretty narrow so for the time being the party knuckle down to serious investigative work. Making acquaintances and hearing what there is to be heard. In this inoffensive way the group discover a number of interesting things.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are about 4 thousands slaves all told toiling underwater to find the 4 items wanted by Iuz and they encompass all the races of Oerth (good, bad and all shades inbetween). They reside in about dozen Domes and their numbers are added too and dwindle daily.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Only Halflings and Dwarfs have the mental toughness to work in the strange and spooky sponge area. It's spooky because some mentally tough Halflings and Dwarfs have gone missing in the twisting maze and have never been seen againâ„¢.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 4 items coveted by Iuz are discerned to be artifacts previously utilised by the now destroyed human enclave known as the Shield Lands. The story goes that the last Acolyte of Heimdall on the night that the capital, Admundfort finally fell to the Grand Armies of Iuz, escaped on a small boat and sailed it out onto the lake. He then cast himself into the deep waters of the Nyr Dyr bearing the items with him. His sacrifice meant that the artifacts remained out of the hands of the Great Enemy where they could have been subverted to do evil. </div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The items are determined to be</div><ol style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>the Admundfort Ring of Leadership (It's effect is to double the numbers of followers and to increase their loyalty. The more powerful the wearer, the more powerful the effect)</li>
<li>The Chalice of the Shield Lands (Converts normal fighters into Paladins)</li>
<li>The Warblade of the Shield Lands (Increases Leadership, Morale and Command Radius)</li>
<li>The Scepter of the Sorcerer Kings (Reflects magic and psionics)</li>
</ol><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin asks why Iuz simply doesn't use powerful Arcane Magics to pinpoint these items? The Eladrin Mage again rises to take on the mantle of Halfling Nemesis as he regales the information he has ascertained to the wee fellow. The entire lake bed around this area is awash with some strange magic and it makes all scrying and location spells go awry. Here the caster will only give a general idea of an item and not a precise GPS location.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin absorbs this latest affront stoically before asking what a 'GPS' is? Keemor the Mage looks down at the small halfling with an expression of contempt mingled with deep pity (albeit a very, very small amount of deep pity, it is Keemor after all :))</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Backward Youngling, hear ye nothing that I say? the answer is obvious to anyone with but half a brain, it's magic!' :)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Something inside young Korbin Shortshanks moves from the 'amber' state into the 'red' state.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In addition to the other dangers posed by being a slave forced to work in the dark depths, i.e running out of the Air Breathing Ritual at an inconvenient time, being beaten to death by the sadist Orc Guards on a daily basis, simply go missing inside the spooky giant sponge fossil, or perhaps getting your throat slit by an irate halfling in your sleep, etc etc One final danger awaits the poor souls struggling to survive in the deeps, there are also rumors of 'Sea Devils' roaming the evacuation areas, killing and kidnapping slaves and guards alike.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin: Sea Devils?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor the Mage turns to face the inquisitive halfling once more and manages to contort half a sneer onto his mouth before he feels something like a sharpened fish head Shiv (cunningly fashioned by halfling ingenuity from an actual fish head) press against the skin under this throat. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin: Say it's Magic one more god damned time ya smug mofo! I dare ya, I double dare ya!!!!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Eladrin Mage remains motionless and silent, a great torrent of drool escapes from one corner of Keemor's half sneering mouth. Sir Quentin intervenes in an attempt to defuse the situation, 'The Sea Devils Master Korbin! Also known as the *Sahuagin* Surely you've heard of them before?'</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin: Sahuajin?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sir Quentin snorts mightily. 'No you ignorant young pup! Sa-hua-in...back of the throat 'in' ya dig? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And a vicious Paladin beating ensues. 8-)</div><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway to cut a long story short, there appear to be rovering groups of aquatic humanoids called 'Sea Devils' or 'Sahuagin' that behold the area containing the evacuation site as their personal hunting ground and they take no sides nor take any prisoners but prefer to kill or capture anything that dares to cross their path.</div>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-87783807017397949782010-04-20T03:20:00.000-07:002010-05-20T04:57:34.094-07:00Evil in Elmshire - Chapter 5.2<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 5 - Parte 2 - Low Berths</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The next few days pass slowly. The party's captors keep their prisoners cooped up in the cramped, dark and increasing smelly hold. Chances for an escape are slim to nothing, as the sole exit from the hold is a hatch in the ceiling and it is only opened for a precious few seconds each day. During which, food (in the form of fish entrails) and buckets of water are lowered inside. A metal grate covers the hatch opening at all times. Protestations by the hold occupants or attempts at conversation are uniformly ignored.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4VhkBpr3NmSKU7kXL99yTZ2Rsvg4TzCqi8KsU_HVtH_3x-QfgcBR6QKwVYOWRda4b5r38jo4Zjm1_DFSY2JokD3VlsHo2thXngruN22sm_O-YZZiHOvk-5hUtxBlzgZIt4QsaAgEMMU/s1600/fishhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4VhkBpr3NmSKU7kXL99yTZ2Rsvg4TzCqi8KsU_HVtH_3x-QfgcBR6QKwVYOWRda4b5r38jo4Zjm1_DFSY2JokD3VlsHo2thXngruN22sm_O-YZZiHOvk-5hUtxBlzgZIt4QsaAgEMMU/s320/fishhead.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Trapped and thoroughly caught, the party members have plenty of time to assess their current situation and gleam a few hard facts...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast Chaos-Destroyer is not with them (and is presumed killed after his and Korbin's desperate yet epic flight from the Sewer ambush). Erlan Geobells, Ulrich's henchmen is also missing but no person present can shed light on his current whereabouts or predicament. Ulrich however has a sinking feeling regarding his erstwhile retainer.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All hold members are bereft of every piece of equipment or weapon or personal effect that they ever owned or stole. Everything, <b>E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! </b>(said in that crazy Gary Oldman kinda way from Leon), bar scraps of clothing to cover their bare essentials (loincloths for the men, loincloth bikinis for the women and a 'loincloth thong' for the Bard). </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everyone in the hold that possesses the ability to cast spells bears a strange mark or rune on their foreheads. Of the party, Caerendil, Sir Quentin, Brother Kelly, Keemor the Mage and Teckos Tik all bear this rune. It is some weird sigil inked in black that no one has ever seen before. It is definitely arcane, impossible to remove and it's purpose soon becomes apparent when anyone so adorned tries to cast a spell.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUoItf7kIr2Ffp2Kx8Dc8TBjT-xbdRC3PWpBGRdhgT2JC66EKH05CSqr9XbnueTzkVRZ1rhDRt0ydYypQMF8eeAwovwW-Cfgcn6ZlVZLYmsNDNHMu3r7_qXlPdhwxQC0xo6ok7JK4HZ4/s1600/shodo_rune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUoItf7kIr2Ffp2Kx8Dc8TBjT-xbdRC3PWpBGRdhgT2JC66EKH05CSqr9XbnueTzkVRZ1rhDRt0ydYypQMF8eeAwovwW-Cfgcn6ZlVZLYmsNDNHMu3r7_qXlPdhwxQC0xo6ok7JK4HZ4/s320/shodo_rune.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A wave of sickness engulfs the spellcaster. From their perspective, it feels like some taint lying over their source of power, like an oily film upon water, the more they reach for their source of power the stronger the waves of nausea, the smell of death, the 'maggots crawling on their arm' imagery becomes. All who try casting a spell within the hold succumb to this sickness.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The people of a more martial bent, Ulrich, erm....Ulrich 8-), and the two halfling rogues I guess, bear no rune but are so weakened by lack of food they would be hard put to fight off a syphilitic cockroach in their current condition. Thus the reason for the Halfling initiative to tithe food from the rest of the other hold occupants and then gorge on fish guts until the weakened condition can be arrested. Ulric after trying the fish and then witnessing the Halflings consume their entrail repast decides that being in a weakened state isn't so bad afterall.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are other people present inside the hold besides the party members. A group of Elmshire halflings and a couple of humans who stem from Greyhawk. One of humans is an incredibly comely woman but one who seems to prefer her own company. She answers any pertinent inquiry succinctly but any attempts at more 'informal' conversation are met with an icy stare (and if you haven't guessed it already, she is Mr Morgan's new character 8-))<br />
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Time passes in the hold. The only way the party can keep track of the days are the regular meal times and changes in the shafts of light that drift into the hold through numerous minute cracks in the ship's hull. There comes a day when there is much activity on deck. The movement of many hurried feet amid loud shouts extolling urgency. Many of the party members move to side of the ship's hold to peer out of the cracks between the hull's timbers.<br />
<br />
A small fleet of ships appears on the horizon, Keemor with his keen Eladrin eyesight, sees that the trio of ships fly the naval flag of the Duchy of Urnst, a country allied to the City of Greyhawk. Salvation muses the Mage, as he smugly sits back down whilst keeping the knowledge of the fleet's identity to himself. Cearendil the Half Elven eventually regales this exact information to the rest of the party some time later (as the fleet draws closer still 8-)).<br />
<br />
The slaver ship unfurls sails and flees northwards hotly pursued by the Duchy Squadron. Time passes and try as they might, the Slave ship's lead is inexorably whittled away by the approaching naval armada. Another day passes in the chase and come the morrow, more ships appear on the horizon. These however bear the White Skull emblem of Iuz the Old and they number four. Undeterred the Duchy ships maintain pursuit of the Slaver, so eventually at midday with the lake waters at an emerald calm and the hot sun blazing down from an azure sky, <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">naval battle is joined! Cry Havoc and let slip the Eight Tentacled </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cephalopod</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of War!</span><br />
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The many vessels in this area of the lake converge around the slaver and engage. The Duchy ships although outnumbered show their naval spurs in expert seamanship and quickly disable one of the Iuz ships. The Iuz navy appears to be manned by orcs, goblins and other nefarious folk who obviously have no aptitude for naval combat as another of the black sailed ships is left dead in the water by the fast maneuvering Duchy vessels. There will only be one outcome to this battle and the Slaver captain acknowledges this by turning his vessel northwards and seeks to flee once more. The flotilla of Duchy vessels pay him no mind as they steer towards the remaining Iuz ships and a certain victory.<br />
<br />
'Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh'<br />
<br />
With a massive buffet of air, three large shadows pass overhead and then unleash a cloud of burning rain onto one of the Duchy ships. A flight of black dragons roar overhead. Burning, screaming sailors tumble off the stricken ship and into the waters of the lake as the dragons wheel in tight formation and then dive down for another pass. The two remaining Duchy ships turn quickly to disengage and retreat from this draconic onslaught. The passage of one of the ship is blocked by the bow of an approaching Iuzian ship. The three airborne shadows angle towards the vessel and another blast of burning acidic flame falls towards the trapped Duchy ship. It's valiant Captain steers his doomed craft into the midsection of the intercepting enemy ship and the maelstrom of flame quickly consumes both vessels.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElJFrPoDZ0Fb7LCaPrc0qNZqyX2qdVJjrB9AOSQlsZ0HH_83f4ylwpgZwCoh2kQxas4aMo0GjI3TRusr9fwrhOUJ5b1lhY0EMXH0_zXzjelBNDthEXOzbgbReWqQXLma9YH_ohdaFSZo/s1600/blackdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElJFrPoDZ0Fb7LCaPrc0qNZqyX2qdVJjrB9AOSQlsZ0HH_83f4ylwpgZwCoh2kQxas4aMo0GjI3TRusr9fwrhOUJ5b1lhY0EMXH0_zXzjelBNDthEXOzbgbReWqQXLma9YH_ohdaFSZo/s320/blackdragon.jpg" /></a></div><br />
As the sounds of battle diminish slowly into the distance, the observing party members drop from spy holes to sit stunned and shocked by this sudden twist of fate. There will be no rescue today. No quick end to their captivity.<br />
<br />
Two more days pass in sullen silence within the ship's hold before the Slaver ship approaches a vast structure floating upon the Nyr Dyr lake. A great pall of dark smoke sits above the ominous edifice and as their vessel draws nearer still, the party members discern the structure to be composed of a myriad of smaller ships moored and then lashed together.<br />
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Upon these wooden ships, a vast array of new structures have been haphazardly constructed and from these issue forth a cacophony of noise (hammers on anvils, strange thunk thunk sounds - ooh Mr Atwal you spoil us with your mastery of English). Smoke belches forth from numerous funnels thrusting into the sky and the surrounding atmosphere is thick with ash and other noxious smells. Crawling upon this vast armada like ants are countless orcs, hobgoblins, goblins, kobolds, etc the full rogues menagerie of D&D evil bad guys.<br />
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The slaves are brought roughly forth from within the innards of the ship and then pushed and prodded onto an adjacent pier. The sound of a gong draws the attention of the group towards a sinister looking human standing on a raised balcony. He is dressed in the garb denoting a Priest of Iuz.<br />
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Welcome to Helleron, he begins, You are now chattels of My Lord Iuz. Accept this willingly and you may live. Escape is impossible. The Priest gestures to the east, the south and the west. Look about you and see the waters of the Nyr Dyr Lake, land is 7 days sailing in all directions. Even if you could steal a ship you would not get pass My Lord Iuz's Navy nor his Dragon Flight. To the north lie My Lord Iuz's realm and if you would reach it's shores my blessings be upon you as you will most certainly need them. He smiles a wicked smile. So contend yourselves to being good slaves and your lot will at least be tolerable.<br />
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The Bard snorts at this statement. His reward is to be backhanded across the face by a burly orc, the blow breaking the Bard's nose. Cearendil falls to the floor clutching the ruin of his face. If he is expecting sympathy he gets none as the same orc then thunders a kick into his exposed mid drift. The Bard doubles up in pain but wisely remains silent.<br />
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The Priest of Iuz ignores the commotion and indicates to his underlings to proceed. Several party members help the Bard to his feet as the slave group are lead away to a different part of the docking area.<br />
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They arrive at an wharf containing some strange mechanism that holds a large metal cage suspended on a hefty length of rope. The slaves are lined up and then lead to a waiting bureaucrat seated at a desk. He looks to each slave in turn and then indicates either left or right. The slaves lead right have their bodies liberally plastered with a red dye, those lead left are similarly adorned but with a blue woad. Ulric and the 2 halflings are smeared in the red dye whilst the rest of the party are arrayed in blue. Once all the slaves have been processed, the large metal cage is lowered to the deck and the slaves then prodded inside followed by their guards.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBpHsAUi3aGQCe4z0wLdEGOQnVuE4GsmabH3w1C1S9lHP1tzMUo5XMpEPIc1tyLoeTGRU2aD90GI3QGKvyyKvv1ZMiNtm0pBq2sj3gotEYLR2B9PqhyaUTYbox4FOexCLnPyVrf94Yxc/s1600/dyed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBpHsAUi3aGQCe4z0wLdEGOQnVuE4GsmabH3w1C1S9lHP1tzMUo5XMpEPIc1tyLoeTGRU2aD90GI3QGKvyyKvv1ZMiNtm0pBq2sj3gotEYLR2B9PqhyaUTYbox4FOexCLnPyVrf94Yxc/s320/dyed.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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The Priest at the desk then rises and indicates to his underlings to proceed. A group of lesser acolytes begin to chant a liturgy whilst spraying the occupants of the cage with a foul inky liquid. The Paladin quails from it's touch as it appears to burn his flesh. The lead Priest begins reading from a book, his voice carrying over the chanting of the acolytes... <br />
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<i><b>Apipoula, ilo caupo man Hila’y’am Deo Tokemata. Sän ligunaï’dalat on din ekbat oum Luc ilo Milla ilo tenon brakt manna. Mavana mektetet zhit hila foun’dé oum Hila’y’am Deo Tokemata imanétaba zhit meto’ligunaï ilo din mechtaba , Me o chon man baraniba mino assin’omektan pan...</b></i><br />
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The slaves are startled when the cage is suddenly hoisted aloft once more. Many tumble to the floor as the mechanism moves the cage from the deck and suspends it above the waterline. The party look to each other and then at the priests in some confusion. The ritual of the Priest draws to completion and as the final echos of the chanting liturgy fade away the cage slowly begins to sink into the water with a loud clanking sound. As their bodies are swifty submerged by the chill waters of the Lake of Unknown Depths, the faces of the cage occupants become constricted in terror.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ9AN6cODAaOEHRyilkruZEuvkRt3oS0vo4GcVhFDsvVK0d_26Syu79K3N8Is1LXzJS44a5YCFPC81QyO40IjqGat1yZusEs-cHhwZ2kt_Y6z2Iui2wlUSIjxVyHez4XU1EHgsmu2ty4/s1600/bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ9AN6cODAaOEHRyilkruZEuvkRt3oS0vo4GcVhFDsvVK0d_26Syu79K3N8Is1LXzJS44a5YCFPC81QyO40IjqGat1yZusEs-cHhwZ2kt_Y6z2Iui2wlUSIjxVyHez4XU1EHgsmu2ty4/s320/bubbles.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Down (bubbling sounds).<br />
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</div>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-60669936349856751642010-04-11T12:04:00.000-07:002010-05-13T08:51:23.864-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 5.1<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chapter 5 - Parte 1 - The Last Hurrah of Starfast Chaos-Destroyer</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When last we left it the boys have triumphed against the forces of Iuz and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">emerged from the fetid sewers as true heroes of the city of Greyhawk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having vanquishing a combined army of foul zombies, murderous orcs </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and somewhat lukewarm Rennee folk, we now join the the party as they </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">are serenaded by the high and mighty of that fine city, showered with </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">gifts, gold, rugs, and as much heart felt female adulation as their loins </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">could cope with...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">HAH! (said in that 'Chronicler of Conan' kinda way). The scene shifts to a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> cramped dark hold of a slave ship. The vessel pitches along the swaying </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">waters of the Nyr Dyr lake, the motion adding to the misery of the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">malnorished and battered occupants within it's bowels. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hah! indeed. Battle had indeed been joined! But heart felt female adulation </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(ad-u-lation, not ejaculation you sick feckers!) was but a distant dream, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">muttered Caerendil miserably as he chewed on a particularly grisly and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">disgusting piece of fish gut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a nudge from Ulric, the bard spits out the few remaining unpalatable </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fish bones before wiping his mouth with the back of one unwashed hand. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He takes a moment to compose himself before continuing with his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">storytelling...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Zombies rising from the sewer water like foul weeds, twelve deep in places, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hidden assassins emerging from the darkness to pepper us with lethal </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">poisoned darts, berserk orcs assaulting us from the front, and behind them </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">all the wicked Ambassador of Iuz and his dark acolyte summoning more </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">blasphemes to throw against us...'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'WHAT UP'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin Shortshanks interrupts proceedings demanding his 'due'. The </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">halflings being the only ones able to walk upright in the hold and with Ulric </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">still weakened from lack of beer and dwarven bread have become the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'power' within this tiny slave community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the slaves present grumble but cough up a portion of their daily food to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">these two halfling ruffians who take all that is proffered to them, before </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">swaggering back to their 'corner' whilst clutching their nutsacks...and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">then seating themselves to divy up their takings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, following this interruption the bard continued in his retelling...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Mage and Dirkwood fell quickly and unnoticed, succumbing to the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">poisonous barbs of that traitorous thief Tomas Jarek, long may his name </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">be cursed. Assailed from all sides and with retreat no longer possible the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">party draw weapons together and stand back to back to meet the oncoming </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">army of darkness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Against the ravenous zombie horde stand the dour handed quartet of Ulric, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Erlan, Korbin and Brother Kelly. Before the orcs and dark priests our hopes </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">rest upon the martial prowess of the Warlord Starfast Chaos Destroyer, the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paladin Ser Nibble-Pibbly and the Man of Arcane Mystery Tekcos Tik. I, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">myself, join with these brave souls to provide what meagre arcane magics I </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">can bring to bear to aid their combat. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The fighting is fierce on all sides but undeterred Starfast and Sir Quentin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hack and slash their way through the orcish ranks to smite down the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ambassador's priestly acolyte. Much to his chagrin. The pair are however </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cut off from the rest of the party and soon surrounded by ferocious orcs lead </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by the now enraged Ambassador. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Teckcos Tik materialises besides the Priest of Iuz and moves to strike him. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Ambassador oozes spittle into a small, blackened bowl before hurling </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the foul phlegm at the approaching Psioncist. It strikes him full in the face </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and brave, brave Tekcos falls to the floor like a stone, clutching his face and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">writhing in agony.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Those party members facing the zombie horde fight like lions at bay and hold </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">back the tide of evil for a time, until at the last Erlan is pummeled down, down </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">into the rank waters by a horrendous zombie giant and the doughty dwarven </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shieldman rises no more. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpihTG7aD3t-ry-aRwSX6ZVr_MlHsfAluKolciJi0xU6a8632K_G5jLeRfg_HEggRm0_88J_a7BS7eLMTt0bN4QmbCQcmu-0GdnuGR4_AJm64bGKKRYO-ME-dmDvow9jE6ecYAnF2fuIE/s1600/zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpihTG7aD3t-ry-aRwSX6ZVr_MlHsfAluKolciJi0xU6a8632K_G5jLeRfg_HEggRm0_88J_a7BS7eLMTt0bN4QmbCQcmu-0GdnuGR4_AJm64bGKKRYO-ME-dmDvow9jE6ecYAnF2fuIE/s320/zombies.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Courage undimmed, Ulric plants his feet beside his fallen henchmen and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fights the monster alone and mighty indeed is their meeting. Bone splintering </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">blows are traded by both sides and Ulric is much beset. During a lull in the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fighting he witnesses stoic Brother Kelly fall to a dart in the back of this neck </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shot out of the darkness. Damn that Jarek! With a bellow the dwarf strikes </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the Giant Zombie a brutal blow, eviscerating the beast from shoulder to hip, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it sags down into the waters with a deathly groan as Ulric shifts to faces a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">new adversary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Grrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn' </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(undead beastie howl sound effect kindly provided by Jonesy Scary Movie </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Acoustics and Auras)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulric looked back over his shoulder to watch the macabre mound of death</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> give birth to a smaller gianty mass of rage filled zombie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'You gotta be sh*tting me?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the barge, Ulric gives a chuckle, 'shitting me' 'sewers' like it Mr Bard, like </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile on the other wing of this desperate melee, the situation is no </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">rosier. Tekcos Tik is fully unconscious, the poor man never recovering from </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the spittle malady inflicted upon his person. The paladin is down also, felled </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by some vile orcish treachery found on the blades of the brutal warriors. A </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fast acting, creeping, numbing poison (or simply 'Drow Poison' DMG page </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">51 right readers! 8-))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard has also been blighted by the weakening poison but remains on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his feet through sheer dogged willpower and perhaps some equally dogged </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'b*llshitting the DM' die rolling. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3roFgXrLzhPq5pl-roq0p1Qd0KSv9SxTAD96DJqhlx1yiIBsk0lPH8OeV7gl-qkKbs003nlfQMA1KdI9IZaYuaBvjEJzjY8D1p4d0GKPK0mOy2_sFih1vuZawZe50ddH7-HXWUylboA/s1600/priest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3roFgXrLzhPq5pl-roq0p1Qd0KSv9SxTAD96DJqhlx1yiIBsk0lPH8OeV7gl-qkKbs003nlfQMA1KdI9IZaYuaBvjEJzjY8D1p4d0GKPK0mOy2_sFih1vuZawZe50ddH7-HXWUylboA/s320/priest.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast Chaos-Destroyer has fought the Ambassador of Iuz to a standstill, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">almost to the point of death (probably both of their deaths). He witnesses the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wounded priest limp out and through a opening in the sewer wall. It leads to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">some form of room, he unleashes his Golden Lion figurine to finish what has </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">been started as he himself tries to battle through the remaining orcs in a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> valiant attempt to save the paladin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The magical statuette hurtles towards the wounded Priest with it's fangs </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">bared, the Ambassador of Iuz cowers in fear whilst making a keening sound. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Golden Lion is almost upon the Priest when a old man suddenly appear </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">within the hole in the wall and blocks the creature's path. He waves one </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">wizened hand at the magical Lion and it's returns back into it's statuette form. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He gazes at the Priest of Iuz and then slowly back towards the warlord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'I grow weary of this', he mutters absently before turning and vanishing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast breaks out of his reverie and decides that helping the paladin is </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">beyond his current capabilities, he instead attempt to help Korbin Shortshanks </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">negotiate the orc mob and regroup by the hole in the sewer wall. The small</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> halfling had been mightily oppressed by the zombie horde and had decided </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to seek respite behind the one man bulwark known as Ulric Von Himmler. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80zU7cInTuSrEuxuqQa-Q9wZHg2AlPfuh_V6EDGG06loF8LxOhyphenhyphen8fiUMne9OM1IAKuP1XnOZ3FW5Omy-OPAxSvzq3GlQl1500JeF4UPcIihd5fiGuoBOBrRoOEjiM0DGvTIUR1HZekNo/s1600/orc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80zU7cInTuSrEuxuqQa-Q9wZHg2AlPfuh_V6EDGG06loF8LxOhyphenhyphen8fiUMne9OM1IAKuP1XnOZ3FW5Omy-OPAxSvzq3GlQl1500JeF4UPcIihd5fiGuoBOBrRoOEjiM0DGvTIUR1HZekNo/s320/orc.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin pauses for breath and is then drawn by a shout from the Warlord. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast gestures to him and indicates the hole in the sewer wall. The halfling </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">immediately sees the possibility of an escape route and quickly begins to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tumble and roll his way towards the Warlord through the legs of the orcish throng.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leaving Ulric alone, with the remains of the zombie mob. The battling dwarf </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">is quickly surrounded and assailed from all sides by the undead. He cares </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">not but stubbornly stands his ground while whirling and cleaving with his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">gore dripping battleaxe. One reckless strike sunders the head of the half-size </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zombie Giant causing it to return to the sewer water in it's constituent body parts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Across the battlesewer, Starfast and Korbin meet up and avail themselves</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> on the wounded Ambassador of Iuz. The spindy figure has used the small </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">respite offered by the appearance of the strange old man to good use and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">healed himself somewhat. Battle is now rejoined as Starfast attacks him</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> from the front and Korbin angles his way to gain a flanking advantage and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> thus open up a can of hot xesy sneak damage on the Priest's ass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile (in slow mo and at great cost due to moving all the film crew</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> down into a dark dirty sewer, damage to equipment, etc...but hey your worth </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">it) an axe scything through festering bodies, bits of zombie flying in all </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">directions, a teeth-gritted-against-the-pain face of Ulric as a chill born zombie </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">explodes violently near him and sends a wave of biting cold across his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">person....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Priest of Iuz falls to one knee, but Starfast and Korbin can't quite get in</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the killing blow as the remaining orcs rally around the wounded priest. Try</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">as they might the pair can't quite maneuver their way within weapon </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">distance to strike the final blow. Step forward Monseigneur Bard, the half</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> elven minstrel with his last act before the seeping drow poison renders him</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> unconscious strikes the Priest of Iuz with the last vestiges of his arcane </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">energy. The spent bodies of the Priest and the Bard strike the floor together...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cearendil: 'in a cool slow mo kinda way?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DM: No, ran outta budget, sorry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Caerendil : 8-(</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DM: Premature indeed 8-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The death of the Priest dis-orientates the remaining orcs and the ever alert</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> warlord uses this advantage to quickly grab the reeling form of Korbin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shortshanks and then thunders up the staircase that is the only non-sewer </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">exit from this room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the head of the stairs is a door, on the handle of which the warlord places </span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">one bloodied hand. He pauses to venture a quick glance over his shoulder. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast spies the orcs beginning to move in his direction, and past them, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">he witnesses the form of Ulric Von Himmler slumping to the floor as </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">bodies of chill born zombies explode around him (in cool super expensive slow mo 8-)). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He returns his focus to the door as he turns the handle and push the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">dazed halfling into the room beyond. Korbin's vision slows clears to reveal</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a well lit and well gilded stateroom dressed with rich furnishings. As his eyes </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tire of the room's lustre, the room's occupants begin to demand his immediate </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">attention. A pair of elegantly dressed women sit and recline on a chaise </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">longue. One smokes a small reed pipe and wispy white smoke surround</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">s both women. To his right stands a robust table and at the table sit</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 4 robust men dressed in the fashion of the Rhenne...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7KY80eA9ChBUDJhXxFG3_mVIicsGfxOCnplMoncSmgG99bMu7Nw4DBPX6NAY-9jOhj3v3P9XWkrizojs4sU2vS-SYRJ9sZ-xo7s9U2WqAfCMq8FnawlUXN7l-D6ikf914a9h0SlTLjM/s1600/Rhenne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7KY80eA9ChBUDJhXxFG3_mVIicsGfxOCnplMoncSmgG99bMu7Nw4DBPX6NAY-9jOhj3v3P9XWkrizojs4sU2vS-SYRJ9sZ-xo7s9U2WqAfCMq8FnawlUXN7l-D6ikf914a9h0SlTLjM/s320/Rhenne.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*the sound of gases escaping from Korbin Shortshanks*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'That aint what went down fule!' cries Korbin from the Power Corner of the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> slave hold. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Caerendil ceases in his rich story telling, the bard is clearly annoyed with </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the interruption. He looks to the diminutive halfling and with words dripping </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">with sarcasm asks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'and pray tell us what did occur little man?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don't front beatch!, yoose weren't even there!, they capped your sorry</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ass way before then, continues the irate halfling, his speech thick in the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thieves cant</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bard realises his mistake too late, indeed he was unconscious by </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that time and clearly would have no idea what occurred afterwards..perhaps </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the cute, little pipsqueak had a point afterall. The puzzled faces of the other </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hold occupants indicate they clearly hadn't understood the halfling's outburst </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To arrest their inquires, the bard quickly translates the halfling's cunning jive talk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A prostrate Brother Kelly raises himself up on one elbow, 'so ask him what did happen,</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm sure we all want to know'. A chorus of nodding heads and general</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> murmurs of assent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The halfling immediately launches into his story, his version of the facts. The language </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">is heavy in the thievish patois but the bard translates as best as he is able.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Backline wanted to skit! The dawg was giving off p*ssy fumes man, no </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">fight left in him, but me, I was like bring it!, I got no cook outs to go to so </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">if it be today!, let it be it today! I pulled out my strap and put my mack down!</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The warlord wanted to run, the halfling could smell the fear on him but the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">blood lust was on young Korbin and if today was the day he would die then </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">today was a good day to die! He drew his sword and challenged the Rhenne.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*muted cheers from the occupants of the slave hold*</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Backline be a root man, collared him and skit! Rhenne Offensive Line </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">up and body blocking the exits true, 'snickitidy snick' with the Rhenne playa </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">haters, dropped the bomb on the bossman yo!</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast was paralysed with fear, the halfling in exasperation had to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">forcefully drag him across the room as the Rhenne occupants got to their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> feet and moved to block the exits. The halfling skewered a few of the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">them in a lesson in swordplay and then dropped the 'bomb?', erm something heavy </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and inflammable on the Rhenne Leader.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bossman he be a playa, rolled with the bomb, came up gunnin, me I was </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">like bring it, but Backline Niagra Falls yo, he be streaming and sheet. I figure</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Bossman week last friday, but my boy need his crib like now. Da room's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cooking good so we bug out.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rhenne leader deftly dodged the conflagration and drew his weapons.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Korbin wanted to cross blades with him but the warlord had started crying</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and was in no shape to continue. In frustration, Korbin decide he could</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> kill the Rhenne Leader next week but had to get Starfast to the saftely of his</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 'cot'? 'birthplace?' oh 'bed' first. The room was burning quite well so the pair</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> retreated to the next room.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">New room same crew man! Gang banger greenies ballin us. Backline </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">be a real weight now man. Rhenne bumper to bumper and Greenies</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in my lights. I had to skit clean and clear and route one was the shopfront.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The next room was no better. Numerous Orcs stood guard. Starfast was </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">now almost a dead weight in the halflings arms and the effort to keep him on </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his feet was becoming unbearable to young Korbin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Useless sack of ...' mutters Ulric</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">... the halfling had one chance and that was to plunge out of a large window.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A-Teamed the shopfront yo and came up with my groove on. Backline be out too</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> but he be hurtin. On the clock so no time for sightseeing, Loki be on</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> my back today man cause there be more Greenies! In the Pound too! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lock down tight with prison walls!</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin crashed though the window and acrobatically leaped to his feet.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Starfast made it out too but not as elegantly nor without damage. Korbin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">had to think quick as there was more orcs outside. He found himself</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in some kind of compound with large gates and high walls.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Backline down and blubbing again, It bring a tear but I can almost</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> taste the fries man, Too boned to carry the fule so I shim that wall and out, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">clean and clear! Backline be back there pleading for his mama with the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Greenies yo but mine be mine.</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The warlord had totally collapsed now or was suffering from some mental </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">breakdown? Korbin wanted to help the man but he so exhausted he knew </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">he can't escape with him. So he quickly climbed one wall and ran for</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> it and got away completely. The last he knew of Starfast was the warlord's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">voice pleading for his life with the orc guards.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As the bard falls silent so too do the rest of the occupants of the dark ship hold.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> A comely woman not of the party but part of the slave community seems</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> particularly distraught with the plight of the warlord. A man she has probably</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> never met before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a short span of time, the paladin sighs before uttering philosophically, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'well I guess the warlord died as he had lived, it's probably what he would </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">have wanted!'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A murmur of agreement meets this statement, before people actually </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">digest the paladin's words and then look back at him strangely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sir Quentin: 'What?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The bard looks at Korbin chewing on his large mound of tithed fish guts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'So if you'd escaped 'clean and clear', how'd you end up back here Master </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shortshanks?'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin almost chokes on his food. After a bit of chewing and swallowing, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the small figure meets the Bard's steady gaze and with a mouth still partially</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> full of stinking fish guts, utters </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Backline must have ratted me out man!</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-46433914838176135452010-04-11T11:47:00.000-07:002010-04-14T11:56:30.243-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 4.4<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 4 - Parte 4 - Throwdown in SewerTown</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party re-converge at the Black Dragon Inn in the Clerksberg area of Greyhawk.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> They exchange the small nuggets of information that each disparate group as</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ascertained. Baron Quentin details the attack of the chain wielding Rennee Assassin</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and his untimely demise during questioning by Brother Kelly and Korbin Shortshanks.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Several party members exchange glances and ask the knight were he was during</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> this period and why he didn't apply his healing hands?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Off bagging me a Ketish Rug for Candle Keep!', beams the Paladin, patting the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> rolled up furnishing by his side. 'Its a fine piece of workmanship and will improve</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the study no end!'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Several party members again exchange worried glances, Keemor the Mage</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> digests this bit of information and stores it away for a time it may be become useful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The rest of the party describe their time in the River Rat Tavern, the sly attacks</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> instigated by the Renee, Weedol abrupt disappearance, the magic use and subsequent</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> riot outside the Tavern, Ulric approach of the Renee and the discussion about meeting their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> headman. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The boys decide to wait for nightfall and return for the meeting with Tomas Jarek,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the Master Thief of the River Quarter, to see what information their money has bought</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and then decide what other leads to follow up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The afternoon passes quietly with the party readying arms and armour and the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paladin brushing down and cleaning his new, expensive *rug*.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81AgjpT88fj_E76yROZzRaWZ5OUdjQS2CCliPpReGpigYlxKsvWtPJVnccyU4KMRBcfJp7xVs9swbKYlzd4YP5J925ZTpwI8uoWNLw44F1pT20krO4CsBryaU675q-CmoSnBNURUp4Ns/s1600/wanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81AgjpT88fj_E76yROZzRaWZ5OUdjQS2CCliPpReGpigYlxKsvWtPJVnccyU4KMRBcfJp7xVs9swbKYlzd4YP5J925ZTpwI8uoWNLw44F1pT20krO4CsBryaU675q-CmoSnBNURUp4Ns/s320/wanted.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Come evening, the party form up and trudge back down towards the River Quarter.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Moving through the 'Strip', Weedol the Mage spies new Notices adorning many </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Message boards along the bustling thoroughfare. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Notice offers a reward for any information leading to the capture of a rogue Mage, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">whom earlier that day had instigated a riot in the strip and more importantly had deployed</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> illegal magics in doing so. Greyhawk City Law takes a dim view of such activities and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the offered reward is thus substantial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Each notice has a rough drawing of the wanted Mage, which to be fair, only just barely shows a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">slight, slight resemblance to the Elven Mage. But alas, Keemor the Mage becomes scared and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> when </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor the Mage</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> becomes scared, <strike>people die!</strike>!, he does some shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor calls for the party to halt, whilst he himself heads off into a tailors and emerges a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">short time afterwards sporting a new, blue bandanna. He presents himself to his fellow </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">adventurers. They look the elven mage up and down and then slowly shakes their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> heads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor resumes his place within the party and the group continue to wind their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> way down towards Jarek's warehouse. Through the hustle and bustle of the Strip, Keemor</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of the Bandana spies another one of those pesky Notice posters. Wanted mage,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> illegal magics, riot, reward, blah blah blah...the picture of the wanted mage however</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> now sports a bandanna worn in the same style and fashion as Keemor of the Bandanna!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor of the Bandanna becomes scared and when Keemor of the Bandanna </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">becomes scared <strike>people die!!</strike>, <strike>does some shopping</strike> , uses his Cantrip</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> spell to deface the poster, smudging and blurring the artist's impression....which</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> after a while begins to repair itself!...how!, what!, argh! panic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor of the Badanna becomes even more scared, and looks around furtively like</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a cornered rat. He spies the Bard looking at him with a wide, knowing smile. He looks </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at the rest of the party whom can barely suppress their giggling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">YOU BASTADS! exclaims the mage, as a surge of relief courses through him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party all have a good chortle, slap the Mage's back repeatedly and ruffle his hair. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Japes and Hijinkery over, the party then all decide to go home and have some tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well no, they don't, but it makes for a pleasing image. 8-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ok back into character, the party finally arrive at Jarek's warehouse. The gruff </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Master Thief is there waiting for them. Without fanfare or pleasantries, be begins</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> to regale the party on what he has managed to learn about the Rennee and their </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">involvement with the halfling abductions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rennee *are* involved in the kidnappings in Elmshire, the captured halflings are trafficked </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">through Greyhawk and out into boats heading across the Nyr Dyr lake. He suspects</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> that the Rennee may be also be in collusion with the Ambassader of Iuz as he has learnt</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> that several meetings have taken place between the two groups within the Greyhawk </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">sewers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He has learnt of once such meeting scheduled for this very night in which Zorran Sorraith,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the nominal leader of the Rennee will be present. He implies that he knows the route that </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zorran will be taking and could lead the party to an place in the sewers where they might </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">be able to ambush the Rennee party...for the right price...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cearendil the bard listening to the Jarek's words glances into the Master Thief's</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> calculating eyes and has a Proust Madeleine moment. He is shocked to his core as</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the sensation feels as vivid to him as the lute struts pressing into the small of his back. Tomas Jarek is lying, l</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ying through his teeth. He keeps this revelation to himself and listens to what the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">party intentions to this news will be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Well that's that, the first tangible lead we've had', states Ulric, 'I say we grasp this</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> opportunity with both hands, find his fule and then mash the feck outta him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Besides, I love sewers me', beams the doughty Dwarven Warrior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No objections are raised, and while Caerendil does discuss his suspicions of Jarek's</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> offer with Brother Kelly in private, the pair decide to keep the information to themselves</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and see what transpires.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party decide to take up Jarek' s offer and part with another 5 platinum pieces. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jarek and a small band of his henchmen lead the party through Greyhawk's extensive</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sewer system to the *ambush* point. The Sewers are dark and smelly, but so what</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> else is new? After a few hours, the group near the ambush area. Jarek motions towards</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the area that the ambush should be set, nearby there is a large whirlpool of effluent gurgling</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> into an exit pipe...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party move cautiously towards and into the ambush area, Jarek and his shadowy </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">cohorts disappear into the gloom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the darkness, in the silence, the party pick up the sounds of splashing footsteps </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">approaching them from an adjoining tunnel. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is it, thinks Korbin as he quietly unsheaths his throwing knives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A sudden light banishes the darkness. As the party gape around them, a tall, thin</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> pale skinned man dressed in dark dirty robes emerges from within a small cave. Two </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hulking orcs armed with massive brutal looking axes step out to stand beside him</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A whispering voice emerges from within his papery throat...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'We would be honored if you would join us...'</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-27982976087670248412010-04-11T11:37:00.000-07:002010-04-14T11:48:04.725-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 4.3<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 4 - Parte 3 - The Chain is Mightier than the Sword(s) </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">During the time when a section of the party were enjoying the hospitality of the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> River Rat Tavern, another section of the party, the triad formed by Baron Quentin, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly and Korbin Shortshanks ambled along the many side streets of</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Greyhawk and toward their destination of the Black Dragon Inn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The small group is tailed by an assailant unknown (as before) and the trio decide</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> that it is time to rectify this small nuisance. Quickly formulating a plan, Korbin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">slinks away from the company of the Divine Duo(tm) and secretes himself into </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shadows. Brother Kelly and Baron Quentin continue to traverse the streets gaily</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and seemingly oblivious to prying eyes and the trailing assailant. They angle their </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">way towards a section of the city noted for it's *very* narrow streets and lack </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">law enforcement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Turning a corner in the twisting urban maze, the pair quickly move to a dark area</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> nd await the arrival of their dogged shadow. Korbin from his vantage point, watches the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hooded figure enter the confines of the labyrinth and after a short time moves to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At one end of a narrow street, the Divine Duo, at the other end, a Stealthy Shortshanks,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in the middle, somewhere, somplace, a unknown and possibly lethal quarry. Korbin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">unsheathes his shortsword before carefully and silently making his way up the dingy allyway.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The young halfling keeps to the shadows and scans the gloom at every measured step.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Waiting, for fighters and men of action is always hard, and it doubly true for those</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> blessed with the Divine Touch. What would Thor do? Brother Kelly and Baron Quentin </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">having waited for some time for the hooded assailant to reach then, decide in unison, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">that if Mr Assassin won't come to them, then they will bring the Word of the Lord(s) to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">him. The armoured pair draw swords together (oh-err) and retrace their step backup the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">darkened throughfare.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A time of patient and subtle movement finally brings the triumvirate face to face with</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> one another in the middle of the narrow alley. They greet each other with looks of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">puzzlement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*the sound of a long chain unravelling* </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The trio look in the direction of the metallic sound as a figure erupts from the shadows </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">unleashing a length of metal chain towards them. The silvery metal line scythes into </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the motionless Paladin and Brother Kelly and narrowly misses the tumbling Halfling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And a melee ensues.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzwyWK2VXnVw9218vh5nEBWbwIdBXvudV5wHy2hCKu7R3dOdtbQI7qH54joHjT1wDzrg_8IRcLEDhbFomg_K1KXEdSJzeBS1rbVTTxv1I4GzKZgs8cEInGjIyi5jk-yDAo40-dxP9WSs/s1600/rhenee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzwyWK2VXnVw9218vh5nEBWbwIdBXvudV5wHy2hCKu7R3dOdtbQI7qH54joHjT1wDzrg_8IRcLEDhbFomg_K1KXEdSJzeBS1rbVTTxv1I4GzKZgs8cEInGjIyi5jk-yDAo40-dxP9WSs/s320/rhenee.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Three Swords against a Length of Sharpened Chain...and the contest is well</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> matched and hard fought! The assailant seemingly able to move like water</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and attack all three members of the party simultaneously and without breaking a sweat. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eventually the numbers begin to tell and the hooded figure is finally knocked to the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ground and disarmed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unmasked, he appears to be a Rhenee and is bleeding profusely from many </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">sword thrusts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High above, the Gods cluster around the scene to see what will happen next*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Paladin lay hands on the fallen Rhenee and stops his imminent demise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High above, Pelor sighs audibly*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The trio require information and they have a bound and helpless Rhenee at their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> feet and in their mercy. The Rhenee however, looks like a professional and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> probably won't give anything away without some physical enducement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Korbin knows what needs to be done, but the men of the cloth look to their</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> teachings and seek spritual guidance, What would their God do? What would Dabe do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Paladin looks to the murderous glint in Korbin's young eyes, he notes the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> general amblivance / acceptance of, that which will occur to the captured man </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">very soon in Brother Kelly emotionless face . </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High Above, there is standing room only in the Heavenly Viewing Gallery*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Baron Quentin decides that this is indeed the time when he bought that Ketian</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Rug he had his eye on in the Greyhawk Bazaar. It's just gonna look lovely by the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> fireplace in the study back at Candle Keep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Giving a deft nod to Brother Kelly, the holy warrior departs to acquire his prized </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">floor covering, leaving erstwhile Halfling to unsheath this daggar and get to work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High Above, Pelor's unconscious body being borne along many upturned</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> hands to the waiting medical services*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Upon returning, Baron Quentin is "surprised" to the find that the bound and helpless</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Rhenee has died from his wounds. Brother Kelly informs the warrior that the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> man must have had a heart condition that they were all unaware of, an coronary</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> "Daggarintheheartism". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, remarks the Baron Quentin, fancy that! Oh well can't be helped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Information gleamed and digested, the trio return to the Black Dragon Inn to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> fill in the rest of the party on what's they've learned and to be learned in what's</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> they've missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High Above, on a Helpline for Paladin's Anonymous*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hello</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yes, erm my name is Pelor...and I have a problem...</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-73087353630644081412010-04-11T11:33:00.000-07:002010-04-11T11:33:37.282-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 4.2<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chapter 4 - Parte 2 - With Great Power comes Great Vengence!!!! </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The group heading to 'River Rat' tavern find the establishment fairly easily as</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> it's just off the Strip. The Bard informs the party of his intention of going into</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the place disguised (using his hat) and alone but gives a rough idea of what </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">he will look like just in case things get a little heated in there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entering into the drinking hall and finding a table, Starfast, Keemor, Teckos and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the 2 Dwarves quickly take in the dingy but honest nature of the River Rat. It's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">not spit and shine in here by any means, mostly spit actually...however it does </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">allude to being a solid drinking hole for people who like their drinking cheap and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">boisterous. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rhenee are present here and in large numbers, but so too are other folk of </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">differing persuasions and this fact alleviate some fear within the party that they </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">might be walking into a trap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A stranger enters the bar, dressed in merchant's garb and sporting instantly </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">forgettable facial features, the people in the bar clock him as 'unimportant' and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">thus return to their drinking. The stranger then minces across to the bar (the party </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">immediately clock the Bard 8-)) and eventually enters into conversations with </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">several Rhenee concerning the moving of certain items from "inside" Greyhawk to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"outside" Greyhawk without the attracting the attention of the authorities. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rhenne prove amiable to such a proposition and the Bard is lead to a dark</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> corner to got through the many aspects of the required deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile at the drinking table, drink and food is being partaken by the party</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> as they try to keep to themselves. Eventually, and invaribly I guess, the nail that </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">stick out begs to get hammered...and the nail in this case is determined to be Ulric</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. As the fell handed warrior is sipping his pint of 'Hog's Spit', a large, bearded man, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">who from his thundering demeanor and vomit stained clothes suggests a sailing </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">profession of some kind, staggers across to him and then attempts to engage the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dwarf in polite conversation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'So, I 'ear that dwarfs breed by sh@gging their own mothers...is that true? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*broken toothed smile*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulric calmy hands his tankard to Erlan before rising slowly from his seat. He then </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'chins' the fellow into oblivion with one mighty right hook. The tavern's natural hubbub </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">returns, and the unconscious sailor is dragged outside by the bar staff and there</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> dumped into the nearest gutter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">About 30mins later, a similiar scenario is played out again, this time with Starfast</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> decking another drunk. Caerendil from his little alcove notices that the Rhenee</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> are encouraging non-Rhenee drunks to have a go at the party but steering clear</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of the party themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Inexcorably, the time arrives when it is Keemor's turn to play role of the nail</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in this little game. However, this mage don't play that kinda game, as soon </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">as two half-orcen drunks move towards him, without even waiting for them to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> say something, without even looking up, he unleashes a magic missile at the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> lead drunk. The missle whizzes over the head of the surprised half-orc before</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> laying waste to a bottle of spirits behind the bar (Dabe: Magic Missile doesn't</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> hit automatically? DM: Welcome to 4th Edition Mr Bell)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The bar goes quiet and all eyes turn to the mage seated uncomfortably at the table.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'OUT!' cries the Barman, 'we don't permit any magic use in here..Get Out before I summon the Miltia!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor at a loss of what to do, watches Ulric rise from his <strike>perch, perch?</strike></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> seat and head to the bar, he smacks 2 platinum pieces down onto the barrelhead and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shouts 'Drinks are on me!' The dwarf is soon engulfed by patrons rushing to the bar </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and it'll take him a while to make it back to the table thus allowing the 2 half-ocs the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> chance they require. The pair pull daggars and throw them solidly into the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> startled mage and before the party can react to this violent assault the pair rush </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">outside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor the Mage is annoyed..and when Keemor the Mage is annoyed, people DIE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Eldarin Mage blinks from of tavern and out into the street. He spies the 2 fleeing</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> half orcs and hits them with a Sleep spell, one assailent succumbs to the mind</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> affecting magic and topples to the floor, the other appears groggy but continues to stagger</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> away. Keemor begins to draw his daggar with the intention of slittng the helpless half-orcs</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> throat, but before he gets the opportunity, cries of 'Magic Assault! "Call the Miltia!" echo</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> around the street...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor the Mage becomes suddenly fearful and when Keemor the Mage becomes </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">suddenly fearful he does very unrational things, the mage begins reciting an incantation</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and then unleashes a spectacular and somewhat copious Wall of Fog along the entire </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">length of 'the Strip'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cries of 'Militia' and 'Magic Use' soon turn into cries of panic and then into </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">mass hysteria. Keemor is knocked against the wall of the River Rat tavern as a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">panicked stampede get underway on the street, screams and cries of pain puncuate </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the din of many raised and fearful voices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The mage looks to return to the safety of the River Rat tavern but the faces of many</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> shocked patrons crowded at the entrance put paid to that idea. Like a cornered Rat, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by the River Rat, he whips up his robe, his mystic robe, his robe with the words</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 'Magic User 4 Life' inscribed on the back in large neon lettering and scarpers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile in the bar, the patrons returns to nurse their drinks as the commotion </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">outside slowly begins to dissipate (much like the Wall of Fog I guess). The Strip is </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">lined with the fallen and twisted bodies of many people (one of which is a half orc corpse), </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the injuried are tended too and the Watch arrive to co-ordinate the relief efforts and also </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to get a description of the culprit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Still at the bar, within the press of people trying to get a drink, Ulric tries his hand at </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a bit of diplomacy, and gets chatting with a few Rhenee and inquires if there's anyway </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to meet their headman, their king? Why? He proffers that he has some important </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">information that Zorran might be interested in, it concerns the Rhenee Lord's dealing </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">with Iuz...he wonders if they can set up a meet. The Rhenee present absorb this and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tell the Dwarf to wait in the bar and they'll see what can be arranged.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile, in the dark side streets of the River Quarter, a blood splattered mage runs</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> away from the Strip and searches frantically for any form of clothing shop. Eventually</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> he finds one and purchases a new set of attire, general attire, boring non-showy </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">kinda attire, the kind that wouldn't identify him as a mage in a million years. A calmer</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Keemor exits the tailor's shop and head at a more leisurely pace back the Black</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Dragon Inn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the bar, several hours pass, the disguised bard's dealing with the Rhenee eventually</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> end in dead kinda end but Ulric gambit bears fruit and the Rhenee relay onto him that</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> his information is indeed of interest to their boss Zorran Sorraith, he willing to meet </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the party in the wee hours, come back the River Rat then and my people will lead</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> you to the meeting place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulric agrees and the party depart the tavern and head back to the Black Dragon Inn. </span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-80535673786446230092010-04-11T11:25:00.000-07:002010-05-19T15:14:28.104-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 4.1<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 4 - Parte 1 - Way Down in the Hole</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On there leisurely walk to the River Quarter Meet, several in the the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">party notice that their being followed, also, their tails are pretty good. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A quick discussion leads to Korbin Shortshanks, drawing his elven </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">clock around him and then pealing off at a busy intersection to lay </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">low within the shadows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He spies the dude following the party, a Rhenee by this clothing, the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hooded fellow walks past Korbin's location but doesn't appear to notice </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the small halfling hidden in the shade of an alleyway. The Rhenne dude</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> remains doggedly in the wake of the rest of the party. Korbin Shortshanks</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> emerges from the gloom and stealthy follows in his footsteps.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxFoEjbPFzg2htHdv85IHw_ZvKlkhEF4Xrgu8kCyxqZqjtU51ntYQwW5fgJVzdVpnSEX0lsPfljhB_UZvjZjysXOnd32Bv5raN4-R9PmMKnaWeAfv5quOYh6oZC3nHEfUXQf5GqMe5x0/s1600/river-quarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxFoEjbPFzg2htHdv85IHw_ZvKlkhEF4Xrgu8kCyxqZqjtU51ntYQwW5fgJVzdVpnSEX0lsPfljhB_UZvjZjysXOnd32Bv5raN4-R9PmMKnaWeAfv5quOYh6oZC3nHEfUXQf5GqMe5x0/s640/river-quarter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party enter the River Quarter and head down an thoroughfare known</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> locally as 'the Strip'. This area encompasses a vast array of taverns and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> drinking establishments, dingy eateries, a multitude of entertainments </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">are on offer (both above and below board) and it is the gathering place in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Greyhawk for budding adventures...A man could lose his soul in a place</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> like this, warns Brother Kelly...the party then catch the Paladin looking at a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">flier for the 'Silver Garter Gentleman's Club' with a strange faraway look in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his eyes...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*cough* </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Quite, mutters Baron Quentin lowering his gaze.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A peal of thunder rips across the sky, unusual, on such a clear and cloudless</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> day. 8-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As the group venture further along the Strip, the hustle and bustle on the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">street increases exponentially and the party soon find themselves buffeted by </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the throng. They notice large knots of Rhenee folk in the area, seated in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Taverns and eateries and in groups chatting on the street but the gypsy folk</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> seem to pay the party no mind, so the players ignore them in return. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eventually the adventurers locate the alleyway that leads to Tomas Jarek's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">warehouse. In keeping with tradition on what a hideout for a Master Thief</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> would look like, the passageway is dark, dingy, and has plenty of places </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">where a person or persons could hide (probably with an aimed and loaded </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">crossbow)... the party unconcerned, stride down it boldy and commence</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> conversation with several of Jarek's lackeys outside. They are allowed</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> entrance to a rundown warehouse and told to await the arrival of the Master </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jarek turns out to a stoutish, balding man of average height, his face is a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">morass of scars. Initial assessment is of a loutish thug and Tomas's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">opening unfriendly banter soon underscored this. Even the utterance of the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">name 'Shearer' fails to cower the man into some form of cooperation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Any information that the party want from him about the Rhenee will cost </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">them. His price a hefty 5 platinum pieces (which in the new system is a fair </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">chunk of cash 1pp = 100gp).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulric surmising the situation could turn ugly and subtlely slips into his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'warrior stance'. He watches further negoiations with feigned indifference, his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">hand however never straying too far from the haft of his greataxe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eventually even he gets bored of the standoff, the gruff Dwarf pulls 5 platinum coins </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">from about his person and tosses them idly onto the floor by Jarek's feet. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Thief's face convulses and a pall falls upon both parties...the stillness</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> is puncuated by the sounds of windows being pushed ajar and crossbow </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">strings pulled tight...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Looks like we've got a problem with the *lawn ornament* fellas', roars Jarek </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">glowering towards the Dwarf, 'but we can soon solve that'....Ulric tenses and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">grips his axe, the hands of other party members stray towards scabbarded weapons.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> In the interlude, Caerendil the Bard (Caerendil the Brave, Caerendil of the Brass </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cahunas) walks quietly and purposely over to Jarek, he bends down and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><strike>smokes his cnob</strike> collects the coins at the Master Thief's feet and deposits </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">them into his hand.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We don't want any trouble, Mr Jarek, now can you get us the information we </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">require?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Still staring hard at the Dwarf, the Master Thief accents with a brief nod. He </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">whispers that they return tonight and he'll have whatever information his sources</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> can find on the halfling disappeances. The party acknowledge this and then </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">back out of the warehouse and up the alleyway as quickly as their legs will</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> allow. They only relax once out in the relative safety of the Strip.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having time to burn, the party nows split into 2 groups, Starfast, Ulric, the Bard,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Keemor decide to pay a visit to the 'River Rat', a tavern popular with the Rhenee</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in the River Quarter to see if anymore info can be gained. Brother Kelly, the Paladin</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and Korbin decide to return to the hotel....for some reason?...Anyway the party </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">separate and those stories will also be told...</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-57758998180127990622010-04-11T11:14:00.000-07:002010-07-07T01:38:17.075-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 3.3<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 3 - Parte 3 - The Stench of Evil </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party enjoy the evening of drinking and feasting at the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Black Dragon Inn immensely, in addition to the general merrymaking,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a few people gleam useful information from drunken patrons.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Iuzian Ambassador gives off a strong repulsive body odour. His</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> residency (originally the Shield Lands embassy) is home to many</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> fiends and demons. The ambassador is rarely seen during daylight</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> hours (Vampire note Ulric and the Bard 8-))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The current leader of the Rhenee is one Zorran Sorraith, his most</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> unusual feature is a ragged scar running around his throat, the result of a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> previous assassination attempt. He lives on his barge in Barge End where</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the rest of the Rhenee are moored. He has 2 wives and is always </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">accompanied by 4 bodyguards. ..and on most accounts he regarded by </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">most of the common people in Greyhawk as a 'wrong un', into all kinds </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of nefarious activity and possibly in league with Iuz too. The Rhenee are </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">a close knit bunch and will always rally behind their leader.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sometime during the evening a particular table in the feast hall draws</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the attention of many in the party. One, because a strange odour seems </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to emanate from one of the patrons seated there, a fat merchant by his</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> clothing & gaudy jewelry and two, because they are obviously here keeping </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">tabs on the party in a surreptitious way. When accosted, the group feign </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">disinterest but also avoid any form of confrontation no matter the subtle barbs </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">sent their way by the various party members.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party digest this information and retire for the night. Some with female</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> companionship...others without 8-). The night passes peacefully, well as</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> peacefully as it can with the Bard's limbs wrapped around 3 serving wenches </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">on a particularly old and squeaky king sized bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Next morning the party go there separate ways having many differing chores</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> to conduct, any thoughts of being followed and possibly mugged alone and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> without backup are cast aside as all agree that attacking someone in broad </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">daylight just isn't cricket (whatever cricket is).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast and Korbin head to the Greyhawk 'High Market' for some top drawer </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">haggling of magic items. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tekcos Tik pays a visit to the 'Grey College', the foremost academic college in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Greyhawk and there makes a surprising and substantial gift to it's coffers. He is </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">made a honourary fellow of the college on the spot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor the Mage pays a visit to the Greyhawk Magic University following a </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">uneasy meeting with a representative at the Black Dragaon Inn the night before. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He walks to the structure and finds it to be a 3 sided pyramid with no visible </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">entrances...at a loss, the mage is about to leave when he suddenly teleported </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">inside and finds himself shaking hands with an old gentleman with a very long </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">beard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So you a mage? askes the scholar, 'yes' offers Keemor tentatively. Whats your</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> business in Greyhawk?, taken aback by the man's brashness, Keemor replies </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'I'm journeyman mage and my business is my own' somewhat heatedly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fear not Master Mage, we at the University like to keep tabs on new Magic</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Users arriving in Greyhawk in a chance to learn anything new that may be occurring</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in the World Wide Web of Magic. What particular branch of magic do you specialise</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keemor relaxes somewhat and explains that he's into 'Lightning' and Storm magics. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He particularly likes to combine fighters in metal armour with his lightening bolt</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> spell...he finds that nothing else quite hits the spot. The burly scholar laughs before</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> giving Keemor a brief tour of the University's facilities. He is then transported </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">back outside. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly finishes his morning prayers at the large, robust structure that is</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the Temple of Heimdall in Greyhawk. He requests a few words with the High Priest</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and his boon is granted. After the meeting, the Cleric (note not 'Priest' anymore 8-))</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> leaves the edifice of the Temple sporting a new shiny +1 Holy Symbol of Heimdall but </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">also the accursed Holy Symbol of Iuz that the Priests of Heimdall don't seems to want. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On his journey to the Black Dragon Inn, neither do the Merchants or Beggars on the street.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> At a loss, the Cleric finally drops the evil memento down a storm drain and into </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Greyhawk's impressive sewerage system.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Around lunchtime the various members of the party return from their many wanderings </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(strangely unharmed) and congeal together before partaking lunch. Next on the itinerary is </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the meeting with the Mayor's man in the River Quarter and it is to this rendevous that the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">party now beat feet to. </span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-5584484528915311112010-04-11T11:03:00.000-07:002010-04-11T11:17:23.694-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 3.2<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chapter 3 - Parte 2 - Inner City Pressure </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Party's recently acquired and recently repaired barge weaves it way around the sinuous </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">banks of the river Selitan, at it's tiller is (I can't remember for sure but due to some recent and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> undue political pressure, I'm going to have to plump for at random...) Caerendil. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The comely bard stand's half-manfully at the rear with his manicured hands at the tiller </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">guiding the ungainly vessel towards it's destination with seemingly consummate ease. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The mighty Metropolis of Greyhawk looms up out of the wilderness as the evening draws in. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rounding the final, sharpish bend before the city wharves, the Party pass a bank of</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> similarly moored Rhenee vessels (around 20). Their inhabitants stop in their activities and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> begin shouting greetings to the approaching vessel before they spy the persons on board and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> abruptly fall silent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Rhenee stand and show no further emotion and simply watch the Party's boat </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">slowly navigate the bend and head on towards the wharves beyond. The party moor up and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">then disembark. Entry into the City is to negotiated at the Wharf Gate and by means of the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Mayor's Letter of Introduction the Party soon clear this initial hurdle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A small contingent of efficient looking City Watchmen escort the party though the unfamiliar </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">streets of Greyhawk, first to the City Gaol and Justice Courts (where the party relieve themselves</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of their prisoner Roland Proudhair) and then onto the Mayor of Greyhawk's modest residence</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in the High Quarter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The sorry tale of Elmshire is regaled to Nerof Gasgal, the Mayor of Greyhawk. An experienced </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and thus a patient politician, he listens to the retelling carefully and without interruption. Upon </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">conclusion he asked the party what their next intentions are likely to be? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Go down to the wharves and kick some pikey heads in' ventures Ulric </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Before introducing a Longsword up the nether regions of the Iuzian Ambassador in the wee hours of the morning' </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">finishes the Bard</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Greyhawk Mayor sighs, if only it was that easy Young Sirs. Nerof then fills in the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> players on the current situation in Greyhawk, the end of the recent war, the peace treaty, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the establishment of the embassy of Iuz, the Iuzian ambassador Pyremiel Alaxane,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the gold provided by the Rhenee's trading activities to the City Coffers and his unshakable </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">belief that not ALL the Rhenee can be evil (even if the City of Greyhawk Supplement Source </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">book says otherwise - racist T$R scum! 8-)). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He suspects that only a small number would be caught up in this sorry affair and for the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> party to tread carefully. Some of the Rhenee may be guilty of these crimes but the others </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">would never offer them up. In addition, antagonising the Iuzian Ambassador would also be </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">frowned upon and the Greyhawk authorities would be treaty bound to intervene upon his behalf if </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the party were to disregard his advice and launch an attack on his person anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Although his hands are somewhat tied, he suggests that the party visit his 'man' in </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the River Quarter to gleam more information about the Rhenee. When the Rhenee visit the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> city they mostly congregate in that area by the Wharves and his man 'Tomas Ratek'</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> is the Master Thief of the River Quarter (Greyhawk being run by Thieves don't ya know). If</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> anyone knows which Rhenee are behind this business it'd be him, and if Tomas gives</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> you any grief then tell him that 'Shearer' sent you. That should be enough to gain his</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> allegiance and give the party access to his considerable resources.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party conclude that the Mayor's suggestion is a good one and decide to retire for the evening. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Requiring lodgings and being adventurers of considerable parts, they ask directions to the most </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">expensive inn within's Greyhawk's fair walls. The Clerk of the Mayor suggest they try the 'Golden </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dragon Inn', the most expensive inn and eatery in the whole of High Quarter. It is visited by the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">party and found to require parts even more prodigious than the party can currently muster. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High above*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sir Quentin wouldn't have stayed there anyway, states Pelor confidently, the sheer obscene nature </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of the place would be a front to him, why he could feed and clothe all Greyhawk's poor with but a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> week's rent in that place. Thor just smiles and nod, sure sure.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A swift retreat sends the party heading towards the 2nd most expensive inn in Greyhawk named</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> 'The Golden Phoenix'. A opulent hotel and with El Bulli like culinary excellence....Unfortunately, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the room rates here also leave some in the party feeling not as well endowed in the 'part' stakes </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">as this hotel requires...therefore, a third quest is launched to find an inn that will reach the parts</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> that others cannot reach (ok I'm done with the part gags now 8-))</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*High Above*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">See I know my man, continues Pelor, Quentin has his little querks, but deep down there is such</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> a font of goodness within in, he'll eventually make his way to a modest inn somewhere in the poor area,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> you mark my words...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thor continues to beam his broken toothed smile.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, the party stumble into the Black Dragon inn, within an area of the City known as </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Clerksburg' due to large number of schools and colleges of higher learning in the vicinity. This </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">seems like the place, good rooms at decent rates, good if unfussy food (no 'Almorian Stuffed Stirge' </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at this place..pity sighs the Paladin, high above Pelor wincing), a vast and well stocked feasting hall and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> an amiable owner that lookes and converses like Brian Blessed. The party each book a good</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> room for the night and then head to the Feast Hall to see what information can be gather by the repeated</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> consumption of vegetable based drinks.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzEv7Jh0IS1CjYLxzK8GqEorbVWhcrV_y9ngeDNvXNjPe193E7zoocLkaeznOmb7OybrvFRsOgb3NgpUpnAxRhu5FCcsqjK8FbN9t_CIH7OmMDqyNjyhRgCfiu29JjD3xNwG47lLpcyc/s1600/yaDibW_BTvg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzEv7Jh0IS1CjYLxzK8GqEorbVWhcrV_y9ngeDNvXNjPe193E7zoocLkaeznOmb7OybrvFRsOgb3NgpUpnAxRhu5FCcsqjK8FbN9t_CIH7OmMDqyNjyhRgCfiu29JjD3xNwG47lLpcyc/s320/yaDibW_BTvg.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ulric begins as he means to go on and smacks down 3 platinum pieces on the bar and informs</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> everyone within earshot that drinks are on him. A resultant stampede to the bar almost tilts the 3 story</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> building over. Beer is drunk, food is eaten and gentle inquiries are made concerning the Rhenee River</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> folk, the Iuzian ambassador, and where 'entertainment' for the night can be sort.</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-4081948667971898922010-04-09T06:51:00.000-07:002010-07-06T09:16:56.131-07:00Evil in Elmshire - Chapter 3.1<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 3 - Parte 1 - Scions of Goodness</b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The awake party having driven off the last of the Rhenee river folk, steer the barge back onto land. The first rays of the morning sun touch the campsite and some of the poisoned party being to rouse. All awake feeling unwell and naseous but it is only the Bard that returns the gift of the halfling stew and beer back onto Mother Oerth.<br />
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Recovered somewhat they then help in the thorough search of the vessel and many dead things therein and this is what they find...</div><ol style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>a heavy locked chest (opened in Ulric's usual way) and found to contain about 2000 gps and a letter. Letter along the lines of 'Well done, keep up the good work and keeps those slaves coming'</li>
<li>a bag containing about a kilogram of a white powdery stuff, and which Brother Kelly determines to be some form of opiate.</li>
<li>on the dead scary ass dude, a unholy symbol of Iuz and a Pass granting Diplomatic Immunity, valid and stamped in the City of Greyhawk.</li>
</ol><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hmmm...<br />
<br />
The party sail, maneuver the barge along the coast and ram it onto the beach next to the village of Elmshire, considerable damage is inflicted to the barge and too many of the passengers on aboard and the initial enthusiasm for 'sailing fast and ramming the boat ashore!' soon give way to loud curses and angry recriminations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RvGSwaU7gNxeQ4f8JaZHzCykMqAjpulLaj5K6OkJ76k_66HGiY86Gd4yIdkUPD-wGAQNrVsXU3edMbTdH042bkJ-xWM20pG2y0XeCFFQCfrql37oni546vjCqSCffWWP0iWS4vAtYcc/s1600/elmshire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RvGSwaU7gNxeQ4f8JaZHzCykMqAjpulLaj5K6OkJ76k_66HGiY86Gd4yIdkUPD-wGAQNrVsXU3edMbTdH042bkJ-xWM20pG2y0XeCFFQCfrql37oni546vjCqSCffWWP0iWS4vAtYcc/s320/elmshire.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Disembarkation follows with the party and surviving halfling fighters wandering into the strangely quite and empty streets of the halfling habitation. Moving toward and into the village green, a loud voice suddenly accosts them and arrests their approach. <br />
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'STOP RIGHT THERE SLAVERS!, shouts Windsor Greenshade, Mayor of Elmshire from the first floor window of his abode, 'the games up, we know who you are now, so any one of you who attempts to move or try anything funny, DIES!', and to make good on his threat a dozen or so other top floor windows open around the square and the business ends of some very heavy xbows are pushed through and aimed at the party.<br />
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Discussions begin 8-)<br />
<br />
...and end with the Mayor being stabbed and pushed out of the 1st floor window by Roland Proudhair, the Patriach of the Proudhair Family and also the wealthiest halfling in whole of Elmshire (and also and as an aside Mr October in What Halfling! magazine.)<br />
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The Party are assailed by missile fire from the Proudhair Residence, a rather large and luxurious mansion located in a plumb spot in the village square. The rest of the village seem unsure on what to do, so don't fire at the party, this is due to some bellowing from the Paladin, some glib words from the Bard, some elegant pleading from the Warlord, some religious preaching from the Cleric and finally with Ulric losing patience and dropping his pants, bending over and shouting across to Roland Proudhair, 'I respect you most highly!' <br />
<br />
A melee ensues 8-)<br />
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The result of which is burning Proudhair residence, a lot of dead Proudhair family members, the paladin giving a free, open air concert to a raptured halfling audience, a captured and trussed Roland Proudhair, a massive and extremely heavy chest and the majority of the party in a underground escape tunnel, skulking behind a sturdy metal door awaiting a fiery explosion that doesn't quite come.<br />
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Ulric attempts to unlock the chest in his own inimical way, it in turn tries to poison him and anyone else within a close burst 3. Ulric remains unmoved and opens the foul thing some more, the chest finally gives way and disgorges 20 000 gps into the light of day together with a multitude of shiny gemstones. Ulric the Dwarf comes, <i><b>loudly</b></i>, whilst the rest of the party shift uneasily. A secret compartment full of paperwork is also found and handed over to the bard, the correspondences, going back a year, detail the Proudhair's involvement with the slavers and the halfling disappearances.<br />
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Roland Proudhair is also brought around and <strike>tortured</strike> asked some very hard questions. He spills his guts and explains how the Proudhairs used the Merrifoot family as 'muscle', small muscle admittedly but muscle nevertheless to do their dirty work, they kept the family in line via the opiates they learned that they were addicted too. He also informs the party that the slaves are moved to he City of Greyhawk (and not Lankmar Dabe) before being transferred across the lake to a place known only to him as 'Helleron'.<br />
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Ulric in a unparalleled and completely unexpected act of generosity (well certainly to me), donates the lion's share (80%) of the Proudhair Slaver gold to the village of Elmshire. Korbin and Dirkwood although having grown up in the halfling realm, having many relations whom will be directly helped from this noble act of charity, still cry like good uns over this unexpected monetary loss. They understand the Dwarf's decision, but they can't agree with it on roguish principles!<br />
<br />
High above in the heavens, Thor puffs out his chest and looks across the shocked auditorium of watching Gods and singles out the stunned face of <strike>Osiris</strike>, <strike>Crom</strike>, Pelor and beams,</div><blockquote><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>'See, I don't need any Paladins to do my work Pelor, the common folk always suffice!'</b> </span></blockquote><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Pelor still stunned by the actions of Thor's foremost worshiper on Oerth finally replies,</div><blockquote><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>'I worry not Thor, Baron Quentin is my implement of goodness on Oerth, although Ulric's action is to be commended, truly, my knight will show you all what true goodness is really all about'</b></div></blockquote><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile, on Terra Oertha...<br />
<br />
Windsor Greenshade, recently recovered Mayor of Greyhawk, having been given all the facts, decides that the Greyhawk authorities need to be informed of this turn of events. Roland Proudhair must also is to be transported to the City to stand trial for his many crimes. He writes the boys a letter of introduction to the Mayor of Greyhawk (Nerof Gasgal (no relation)) there to explain the situation and see what he has to say.<br />
<br />
The party decide to make a few quick repairs to the beached barge 8-) and then sail it along the Selitan River to the City of Greyhawk.</div>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-91881663497238568032010-04-09T06:40:00.000-07:002010-07-06T09:02:52.027-07:00Evil in Elmshire - Chapter 2.3<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 2 - Parte 3 - Heart of Evil</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Priest quickly moves to the sleeping members of</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the party and the remaining hobbits and tries to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">rouse each of them from their slumbers. However only </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast and Teckcos Tik awaken, the others remain</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> deeply unconscious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In answer to Starfast and Tekcos's alarmed expression,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the Priest quickly explains the situation. The </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ProudHair and the Merrifoots hobbits poisoned the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">coffee and probably the Stew and Ale too. The trio </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">look to the slumped forms of Ulrich, Caerendil,</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Dirkwood and Korbin and think back to the inordinate </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">amount of Stew and Ale they consumed before going to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sheet. Its just the three of them against whatever's </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">coming towards them on that boat. Brother Kelly with </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his divine gifted vision looks out across the lake</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> towards the silently approaching barge. There are </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">6 figures on deck, 5 normal human shapes and a tall </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">individual standing ominously and silently at the stern.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nothing for it, it's do or die! Tekcos lies back on</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> his bedroll and feigns sleep. Brother Kelly and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast seat themselves down near the campfire and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> assume hobbit size.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the party members can perceive the shape of the looming barge. One of the figure's</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> at the brow lifts up a shuttered lantern and signals</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> towards the campfire. Starfast is the first to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> comprehend </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and raises his own hooded lantern to return the exact</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> same signal sequence.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The barge drifts closer and juts up against the sand.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Two</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> figures jump down into the shallow water and approach</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the campsite. From their clothing they appear to be River folk. They holler at the figures huddled around</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the fire. The trio in the camp remain silent and </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">motionless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 2 river folk, Kermit the Blind and Geraint the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unfortunate continue walking fowards, seemingly </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">oblivious to the human Priest and Fighter pretending </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to be hobbits, they cross the line of glyphs...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A massive electrical discharge pummels the pair.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Both take substantial damage and are hurled from</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> their feet. Immediately the party leap up and attack</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the prone fellows. Starfast shoots two arrows into </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">partially blind and prone Kermit, while Brother Kelly</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and Teckos focus their attentions on smiting the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> unfortunate Geraint.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Remarkably both river gypsies weather the electrical</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and melee storm and stay hale and hearty. They </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">*will* be staggering to their feet and they *will* be</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> combatants next round 8-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A bowmen on the barge opens up and begins raining</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> arrows down into the camp area. The large ominous </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">figure shrouded in shadow appears at the brow and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> begins muttering words of eldritch power....a tiny flame</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> erupts in his upturned gnarled hand...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The two oppressed river folk facing the party turn </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and run. Starfast hits the fleeing Kermit with another arrow from his mighty longbow, it's impact </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">staggering the poor fellow down onto one knee, Brother Kelly is casting</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> yet </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">another spell to strengthen himself, whilst Tekcos of the Tik pulls forth a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">n arcane Ice Javelin from amongst his many possessions. He grips the weapon purposely, his sole intention being to hurl it into the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> retreating back of the other river gypsy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DM: Do you have the Javelin Proficiency Blob?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blob: Nope</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DM: Fair dos..</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tekcos does a little run up...then trips on a sleeping</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> form of a hobbit</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...and yet somehow still manages to unleash a wayward javelin. It narrowly </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">misses the ducking form of Brother Kelly and then sails </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">gracefully over the head of the grateful Geraint, before thunking</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> down into the sand about 20 yards further along the shoreline.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Phew! 8-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A fiery ball sails into the campsite and explodes. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The party hurls themselves onto the sand and escape</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> mostly unscathed (bar a bit of singed or burning </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">clothing.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast gets to feet and points at the large figure </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">on the boat and shouts 'FECK EM!' 2 large lions</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> appear</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> on either side of the Myrmidon and charge down towards</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the waterfront. Starfast himself draws 'Soul Drinker'</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and looms up upon the staggered form of Kermit. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly casts another spell..this one extending</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> his divine strength to the other members of the party</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (be they humans or animal statuettes apparently, have </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">+6 damage per hit!).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Teckos gets to his feet and hurls his Axe into the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> back of Geraint. The stalwart River Gypsy stumbles from the mortal wound and sinks </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">into the sweet, shallow waters of the lake </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">only yards from the boat </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">and moves no more. Seeking</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> vengeance the bowmen on the barge pummels the Psioncist</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> with 2 arrows to the chest!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The river folk on the barge are now pushing away from</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> land and the vessel begins to slowly inch away from</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sand...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 2 lions roar and pounce onto the deck adjacent to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the large robed figure, he simply waves one hand</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> in their direction and 1 lion returns to statuette </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">form...it teeters on the edge of the barge, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast looks up from the decapitated blood spewing</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> form of Kermit the Blind and screams 'NOOOOOOOOOOOO!'.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Which seems to generate enough of a zepher to push </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">the wobbling statuette into the barge instead of the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">shallows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The remaining lion mauls the large figure (from the</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> clothing a priest of some kind) as both Brother Kelly</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and Starfast charge up in support.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Tekcos meanwhile pulls a potion out of his robes and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> quaffs it...cheeks bulging the Psionist then </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">teleports onto the stern of the barge and spews a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> cone of flame across the entire vessel...everyone must</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> makes saves to dodge the 3D10 points of breath weapon</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> fire damage</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...including the recently clambered on board figures </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of Brother Kelly and Starfast Chaos-Destroyer!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Most people save (and to be fair the 3D10 potential</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> damage transpires into a damp squib of 13 actual </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">points of fire damage!) One gypsy does a smart pirouette to</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> avoid the fiery wave and then flings himself</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> manfully into the midrift of Tekcos Tik...the pair plunge </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">off the boat and into the waters...and a titantic</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> underwater struggle ensues</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">...well maybe 8-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile on the barge. Brother Kelly, Starfast</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Chaos-Destroyer and one remaining lion are up against</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Mr Tall and Scary plus the last two river gypsies.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> A fair amount of blows are traded by both sides</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> without</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> quarter and each group realises that they are evenly</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> matched. Enough of this, Evil always triumphs because</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> good is stupid..so Mr Scary whips up his hands and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> casts 'Hold person' on the two humans in front of him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Starfast fails like a goodun! and will be held rigid </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">for 20 rounds (could be worst PhilM...just imagine if </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">this were BattleTech 8-)))</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Brother Kelly rolls a 10 and after a long consultation</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> with his legal team manages to massage this total up </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">to the required '12' to succeed against Spells. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now it's Brother Kelly and a badly battered lion</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> v Mr Scary 10th Level (Hold Person - Held for 2 rounds</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> per level..thus 10th lvl 8-)) Bastad and 2 untouched </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">gypsies wielding big machetes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back at the campsite, Ulrich Von Kronos turns over in</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> his sleep and then absently has a rummage down below...he smacks </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">his lips tasting the last vestiges of the lovely halfling stew, a faint glimmer of battle caresses his </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">eardrums.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">..but not enough to warrant getting up, the dwarf promptly</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> rolls over and falls back into deep slumber. 8-) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mr Scary has cast his spell, but Brother Kelly and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the Lion have yet to respond...a claw, claw, bite, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">rake rake routine (all with +6 damage per hit!) and a</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> colossal bastad sword hit for stupendous damage see </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">off the threat posed by the scary priest. He thuds</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> to the deck and unravels into various bodily pieces</span>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At this point a sodden Tekcos re-appears on deck and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> the 2 remaining River folk are now outnumbered and</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> thus being mere NPCs must make Morale rolls...the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">pair decide to discard weapons and dive overboard.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a bit of a standoff the 3 surviving River rats</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> make good their escape, leaving the trio on the boat</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> time to work out how and why the barge is still moving</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> and then steer the vessel back to land.</span>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-92168619259425860432010-04-09T05:00:00.000-07:002010-07-02T05:32:08.498-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 2.2<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 2 - Parte 2 - Tendrils of Evil</b><b> </b><br />
<b> </b> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Team Human have strong suspicions against the Merrifoots, but all attempts at magical meddling with any of the family results in stern telling off by the Mayor. Halflings prize their privacy and if you can't keep that nosy swarthy bastad from prying into our minds then please be on your way!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ok, no more magical prying...Team Human fall back to good olde skills of detection and producing some solid evidence to back up their suspicions. 8-)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brother Kelly asks the Mayor what the weather forecast is for tonight? Calm. And the moon? Waning? Right. The four humans, the four lawful humans </div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Quentin Nibble-Pibbly - LG - Check</li>
<li>Brother Kelly - LG - Check</li>
<li>Tekcos Tik - LG - Check</li>
<li>Star Chaos-Destroyer - LN - Check </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">feel they are honour bound to at least try and protect the Halflings this night as opposed to riding hard for the safety of Greyhawk.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
They formulate the plan, a watch on the beachfront, at the spot with the boat furrow. Prayers are made and weapons made ready. The Halflings and the Mayor are inspired by this act of bravery and proffer the assistance of 8 of their stoutest fighters..'to stand the watch with you'.<br />
<br />
The assistance, as meagre as it may be is gratefully accepted by the Paladin. So 4 Humans and 8 Halflings to test their mettle against the evil that roams in the night, an evil that has no name...<br />
<br />
*a tear rolling down the pump wrinkled cheek of Mother Dirkwood Littlelegs*<br />
<br />
The watch site defenses are carefully prepared. Brother Kelly inscribed wards and gylphs of terrible power in a 30 foot circle around the camp fire. Only the utterance of the command word 'Elmshire' will ensure safe passage across these wards.<br />
<br />
A handy stack of wood is chopped and readied to ensure the campfire will burn brightly all through the night. The halflings have brought copious amounts of food and drink to keep the winter's cold at bay during the long, dark hours of the vigil.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, Team DemiHuman part company with the River Gypsies at the mouth of the river. Disembarked on the eastern bank, the cart riding fellows follow the contours of the shoreline towards Elmshire. <br />
<br />
Can you guess whats gonna happen yet? 8-)<br />
<br />
It's nearing 10pm, the first of the watches is about to being. The first on watch will be Starfast Chaos-Destroyer together with 2 of the hobbits.<br />
<br />
The hobbit soldiery is drawn from all the major Hobbit families of Elmshire, there are 2 Littlelegs, 2 ShortShanks, a Carmudgeon, 2 Merrifoots and 1 Proudhair. So a full representation. It just gets gets you there doesn't it... 8-)<br />
<br />
By this time, the Hobbit Winter Stew(tm) that some of the hobbits have been "preparing" is ready, indeed "finally" ready for consumption. It is at this time that Team Watch hear the tell tale sounds of a cart approaching the site from an westerly direction. Weapons are readied and the watchers peer out into the darkness for any sign of malign intent.<br />
<br />
A overpowering smell of garlic wafts towards them. All hear the bowstring of Starfast Chaos-Destroyer's longbow pull taut, the crosshairs of his bow sight the familiar face of Durkwood Littlelegs seated on a cart. The bowstring tightens some more. 8-)<br />
<br />
After a brief interlude both groups realise whos who and tension eases. Team Cart are allowed into the protected area (using the command word) and two groups eye each other up. Team Nacht Der Vampyre look mighty fine in their thick cloaks and repeating crossbows.<br />
<br />
So seen any Vampires yet? inquires Ulrich. Team Human all shakes their heads. What? Not even a small one? asks the Bard. More shaking of heads. What about him? as two fully loaded crossbows are brought to bear in Teckos Tik's direction. <br />
<br />
Just what by the nine hells are you doing!, exclaims Brother Kelly, that ton of garlic you've consumed has clearly idled your tiny minds! <br />
<br />
Show us your neck *weirdo* command Ulrich and Caerendil in Tekcos's direction. Tekcos somewhat perturbed by two fulled armed repeating xbows being pointed in his direction teleports behind the pair and then telekinetically pins the Bard to the sand.<br />
<br />
Ah Ha! shouts Ulrich, he's turned to mist! he's a vampire! as the Dwarf swings around frantically looking for any sign of the vanished Psioncist. He spies Tekcos behind him and brings the Xbow to bear.<br />
<br />
Tekcos telekintically grabs holds of the Xbow and wrenches it away from Ulrich's grasping hands. <br />
<br />
Brother Kelly strides between the pair and exclaims that no one is to shoot anyone until some explanations have been made. Ulrich and Caerendil state that Tekcos has been bitten and thus a vampyre, Tekcos exposes his neck to show otherwise. Ah, state the Vampire Hunters.<br />
<br />
Goodness confirmed Plan Watch on the Beach is re-initiated. But not before a bowl of Halfling Winter Stew, which thanks to the distraction, is even more ready. All the party gratefully accept a bowl as halflings are renown for their cooking prowess (mostly). <br />
<br />
Brother Kelly, Starfast and Tekcos find the Stew adequate if somewhat bland. Baron Quentin finds it tasty but only has 1 bowlful. Ulrich, Caerendil and the 2 hobbits woof down as much as their allowed to...they just yum it up 8-)<br />
<br />
One halfling then proffers a tankard of Halfling Winter Brew to one and all. To keep out the night's chill. Ulrich, Caerendil and the 2 hobbits accept without hesitation and sink a few pints. The lawful group (strangely Brother Kelly, Starfast and Tekcos refuse as they don't want to drink on duty!!!). <br />
<br />
The Paladin has already fallen asleep as this point and the group assume he's done so as his is the last watch as he's getting his sleep in. Everyone then not on watch goes to sleep too.<br />
<br />
Watch 1, Starfast, +3 on his staying awake roll as it's only between 10-12pm ..so even a girl could do this. Luckly, Starfast stays awake, as do both Merrifoot Hobbits. Nothing unnatural happens during watch 1.<br />
<br />
Watch 2, Tekcos, +1 on his staying awake roll as it's between 12pm-2am and most girls can do this. Tekcos stays awake! But none of Hobbit sentries due for this watch stir from their bedding. Tekcos taking pity on the poor mites leaves them sleeping. Nothing unnatural happens during watch 2.<br />
<br />
Watch 3, Brother Kelly, Grave yard Shift 2am - 4am Lonely, cold and a beeatch to stay awake. Only 1 of the Hobbit Sentries stirs to stand the watch with Brother Kelly, a Proudhair who stirs the fire and then puts on a pot of coffee to provide some succour.<br />
<br />
The 2 hours pass without incident, Brother Kelly yawns and awaits Baron Quentin to stir and relieve him on watch. 15mins goes by and the unusually tardy Baron Quentin remains firmed bedded on his sleeping mat. Brother Kelly finally moves away from his watch position and gives the Paladin a firm shake. Baron Quentin still fails to stir.<br />
<br />
Sighing, Brother Kelly decides to maintain his watch and let the obviously exhausted knight sleep until morning. He goes to move back towards his original watch position. As he passes the halfling sentry he is offered a cup of steaming coffee. The Priest gratefully accepts the cup and sipping it gingerly he returns to his original position.<br />
<br />
He spies a vessel moving towards them on the lake...keep a wary eye on the boat the Priest takes another small sip from his cup. He notices that the coffee has a rather acrid and metallic twang to it...his knowledge of herbalism provides Brother Kelly with the answer to this peculiarity.<br />
<br />
Poison.<br />
<br />
He lifts his gaze from the cup to the halfling tending the coffee pot and spies him looking furtively in his direction...their eyes meet...the halfling jumps to his feet and sprints into the trees, heading towards Elmshire, 2 other "sleeping" halfling forms also rise up and attempt to high tail it away.<br />
<br />
BBBBZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!!!!! the Wards at the rear of the camp are triggered incinerating one of the fleeing hobbits into black ash. The 2 others, the Proudhair and 1 Merrifoot dodge the blast of electrical energy and make the tree line. <br />
<br />
Brother Kelly draws his weapons and checks on the incoming vessel, it's some sort of barge with about 6 figures on it's deck. </div>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-12659639562206179892010-04-09T04:25:00.000-07:002010-07-02T03:48:10.279-07:00Evil in Elmshire Chapter 2.1<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 2 - Parte 1 - </b><b>The Prodigal Son</b><br />
<br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Portal of Kron</b></span></div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Gnomey's Finest will take 2 hours to re-tune the Portal of Kron.</li>
<li>Starfast has a Potion of Treasure Finding and the party have 2 hours to spare.</li>
<li>Starfast, Ulrich and Caerendil head down into the heart of the Ziggurat.</li>
<li>The Behir. More Lightening Damage. More Pain.</li>
<li>A large mound of Treasure in a larger mound of dead eaten things.</li>
<li>Rich Pickings 8-)</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Gnomish City of 'Long Nose'</b></span></div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>Teleportation to just outside the City of Verbabonc</li>
<li>So these Portals link all UnderDark locations anywhere on Greyhawk? Hmmm in the right hands that is a valuable asset.</li>
<li>Normal surface type Gnomes and re-supply.</li>
<li>Ulrich and Starfast find authentic Gnomish Food the bestest thing in the whole world. Better even than Dwarven Bread and Beef Jerky.</li>
<li>Ulrich and Starfast find Gnomish Wine the bestest thing in the whole world too.</li>
<li>Ok we've eaten the finest food, we've drunk the finest wines, now..lets get laid. 8-) The boys slip the room porter a shiny gem.</li>
<li>Gnomish Bordello. *Sukh holding head in hands*</li>
<li>Starfast tries an elf, Ulrich takes three gnomes and Caerendil has one special wh0re helicoptered in from Verbabonc</li>
<li>Starfast "Knob-rot" Chaos-Destroyer 8-)</li>
<li>Good food, good wine, good pus... good company and a mode of instant travel...hmmm..Ulrich and Caerendil formulate a Business Plan</li>
<li>Plan 'UnderDark Gnomish Takeaway' - Capital ventured is 5 000 gps.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rushmoor Keep, Home of House Nibble-Pibbly</b></span><br />
The Par-lar-din has a VISION! A Greater Power has arrayed himself against the party, there is more to the Elmshire Evil than meets the eye. Only the combimed strength of the entire party will meet this threat!.<br />
<br />
Quentin calls a Council of War and Horses are saddled. Quentin, Brother Kelly together with the recently arrived figure of Teckos Tik will ride! (in pony express fashion from Rushmoor Keep along the Caravan route, to join the boys at Verbabonc).<br />
<br />
Teckos asks the DM to tell him when any of the following list of creatures cross the path of the party, a lion, a cheetah, a tiger, a jaguar or a panther...the DM thinks 'Blob..dude...this area is based on Northern Europe', but keeps this to himself and simply voices an 'ok'. Teckos rides and plots patiently but the requisite list of animals fail to appear. Teckos is a little bit aggrieved.<br />
<br />
The riding party reach the Capital of Veluna after changing mounts twice and here they are offered flying steeds (hippogriffs) instead of the usual land based variety. Sir Quentin gratefully accepts. The riding dudes check their character sheets for the 'Airborne Riding' proficiency and then ask the DM what they will need to roll to suceed...oh..normal riding skill...halved 8-).<br />
<br />
So the Paladin mounts his hippogriff and flies! Brother Kelly mounts his hippogriff and flies (like a pro as if born to ride such flying creatures!) Teckos Tik mounts his hippogriff and fl...remains solidly on the ground...after much digging in of spurs and vocal abuse, his mount 'Widow Maker' struggles into the air but remains at a just-above-tree-line kinda altitude...the turbulence here is somewhat greater than that high above in the serene skies..Tekcos's flight is thus fraught and leaves him in poor cheer.<br />
<br />
Teckos then asks the DM to tell him when he crosses the path of a Wolfwere because he wishes to be bitten by such a creature for his cunning but yet undisclosed plan to succeed. The DM checks his adventure outline and notes the singular lack of wolfweres scheduled to appear in the next 5 years or so, he looks up at Tekcos and then simply nods.<br />
<br />
The difficult flight coupled with the non appearance of any of the great cats required for the Great Plan and then this sudden dearth of wolfweres leaves the foremost Man of Psionics somewhat ill tempered by the time the flight reaches the Velunan City of Verbabonc.<br />
<br />
The Paladin informs the party that they have arrived before the UnderDark Fellowship who will arrive at first light if his Vision be true.</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Gnarly Wood and Gnarlier Nethers</b></span><br />
The UnderDark Party arrives in the City of Verbabonc. They are overjoyed at seeing their former comrades and even more so when the Paladin informs them that a Demi God has pitted his powers against them for the upcoming struggle in Elmshire. Great! Just Fantastic!<br />
<br />
Starfast Chaos-Destroyer can't help but notice the itching in this pants that wasn't there the night before the night at the Gnomish House of Ill Repute. He has his suspicions and voices his fears to the Paladin. Sir Quentin listens carefully and then informs the Myrmidon that he has knob rot.<br />
<br />
Starfast then requests a boon from the Paladin, he being a 'Curer of Diseases' whether he wouldn't mind a 'laying of hands' on his nether regions. Sir Quentin looks shocked! 'No sir, I will do no such thing, for firstly I am not such a colassal pervert as some in bardic community would lead you to believe and secondly what you ask is against God and Morality, I suggest you mend your ways and repent for your weaknesses!'<br />
<br />
Starfast leaves the Paladin and looks for more professional help (i.e. those that accept money), eventually he walks into a Temple of Ptah and makes a large contribution to their coffers. Unfortunately none of the priest resident in this small temple are high enough to cast 'Cure Disease'. 8-) The party reformed and refreshed, mount up and head towards Greyhawk.<br />
<br />
Teckos Tik asks the DM why no great cats have crossed their path to date and whether this obstinance is personal? The DM sighes and then informs Tekcos of the geography and general climate of surrounding countryside. Comprehension flares momentarily within the Psioncist and he updates his wanted animal list to include bears, wolves, tough badgers, hardy pumas, etc, etc<br />
<br />
Gnarley Forest and sounds of Battle. Rangers v Bugbears and Ogri. The boys lend a hand, The Cavalry ride hard (no doubt using the 'old ways' and to much fanfare), the Mage suddenly appears more lifelike (Dabe enter left) and he too decides to ride 'hard'...Keemor hits an errant tree branch and careens comically onto the forest floor.<br />
<br />
Party saves the Rangers and the Woodmen show their gratitude by helping the party thorough the forest and onto the City of Dyvers. Then the final stretch to the Gem of the Flaeness, the City of Greyhawk.</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The City of Greyhawk</b></span><br />
Arrival and separation. Tekcos leaves to deliver a message. Keemor naturally suspicious of the turban headed fellow decides to follow him. Tekcos notices the Mage and 'disappears'. Keemor enraged with his feeble tailing skills scribbles down the name of 'Tekcos Tik' in the area on this character sheet marked 'They that will die'. The light of divinity then leaves Keemor the Mage (exit Dabe right) 8-).<br />
<br />
Ulrich, The Bard and the 2 hobbits make it their business to find the Halfling community in Greyhawk to pump them for information about the Evil that lurks in Elmshire. They find the Gold Digger tavern instead. Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold! Starfast visits the bigger Temple of Ptah in Greyhawk to see if he can find succor for his affliction. Brother Kelly and the Paladin check into the Brass Dragon Inn and have a long think.<br />
<br />
After various investigations and intelligence gatherings. The party deduce that the Greater Power who would do them ill is Iuz the Old, a demigod resident on the Greyhawk plane, his special attack is 'Spittle'..Spittle? asks Ulrich, Spittle replies the DM.<br />
<br />
Elmshire was hit with a terrible blight (plague) 5 years ago which decimated a large portion of the halfling population (a great cheer from Caerendil). The disappearance of halflings started a year ago. Greyhawk miltia patrols and hardy adventurers have also disappeared whilst trying to protect the halflings.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of cairns around Elmshire environs, 'Cairns?' asks Ulric, Cairns replies the DM. One lead informs Ulrich and Caerendil that these 'Cairns' once housed Vampires and it is they who now prey on the helpless Halflings.....'Say no more' utter the Warrior and Bard solemnly to the barman of the Nymph and Satyr Tavern. Vampires are indeed to be feared but only to those that are unprepared. Ulrich and Caerendil thus begin 'preparations' to meet the 'Great Vampire Threat' in Elmshire.<br />
<br />
New Weapons are procured at great cost. Weighty Silver Axes, Special Composite Bows that fire specially blessed silver arrows, Exotic Repeating crossbows that propel stakes at an alarming rate, big thick swirling cloaks that make impressive swishing sounds when you twirl them, caskets of greek fire, a cart to carry the caskets of greek fire, a donkey to pull the cart that carries the caskets of greek fire, a dietary regime that emphasizes 'garlic' above all other ingredients.<br />
<br />
After 3 days the Dwarf, Ulrich 'Captain Kronos' Von Himmler and Caerendil 'Vampire Smeller Pursuivant' Earendior are *almost* ready, the last batch of vampire killing armaments will be ready by evening and then the 'Great Purging' can commence!<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Brother Kelly and Starfast Chaos Destroyer have other ideas, none of their investigations indicate that 'Vampires' are the cause of the Halfling scourge. The truth is probably far simpler surmises the Paladin.<br />
<br />
The great party sundering then occurs when the 'Humans', Brother Kelly, Starfast, Sir Quinten and Tekcos Tik leave for Elmshire and inform the 'Demi-Humans', Ulrich, the Bard and the Hobbits to join them when their exhaustive preparations are finally concluded.<br />
<br />
The RoF Great Leave Taking is a solemn affair, with much striking of chests and salutes from the humans and much cursing and jeering from the Demi-humans as they warn the Humans not to come running back to the them when all their necks have been perforated to b*ggery by the vampire bastads!</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Elmshire</b></span><br />
More investigations by Team Human. Six main Hobbit families remain in Elmshire, the Littlelegs, the Shortshanks, the ProudHairs, the Merrifoots, the Carmudgeons and the Sweet Puddings. The richest family in the shire are the ProudHairs. The poorest, the Merrifoots. The award for the most suicides in the last six months also go to the Merrifoots (3).<br />
<br />
The Mayor of Elmshire is a retired adventurer called Windsor Greenshade, (which kinda ar$es up the 'six main families in Elmshire statement, the DM works his mojo and says this is because 'Greenshade' is not a major family in Elmshire. Honour is satisfied.<br />
<br />
Abductions only happen, on calm nights, when the moon is waning. They have occured everywhere, in town and in the countryside. There are no signs of struggle. They began at the shoreline. All families have lost relatives, thou the Proudhairs not for the last six months and the Merrifoots less than the other families. The Merrifoots are addicted to some opiate based drug. The only survivors from an abduction have been 2 fellows from the Merrifoots family, A 'Permon' and 'Drogo' Merrifoot. Mother Dirkwood Littlelegs displays overt racism against swarthy coloured Tekcos Tik, the psioncist lets this slide as shes Dirkwood's mum and he's currently tucking into her tea and cakes.<br />
<br />
Team Human check out various abduction sites along the shoreline. At one site they discover a large furrow under the waterline, as if a large vessel had beached there. They traverse more of the shoreline and watch the many barges travel from the nearby lake, up river to Greyhawk. Large, shallow hulled barges..pretty good vessels those....<br />
<br />
Team Demi-Human load the last of the munitions onto the Great Vampire Purging Cart and decide to take a trip downriver towards Elmshire on a barge manned by River folks. Can we say 'Gypsies' inquired Captain Von Kronos Himmler? The stench of garlic emanating from the quartet is almost overpowering at this stage.<br />
<br />
Team Human suspicions are raised and obviously want to question the Merrifoots, they are discouraged by the Mayor as the Merrifoots have had yet another suicide recently and the funeral is today. The boys decide to attend the funeral which passes without incident. The only item of interest is how the Proudhairs 'sneer' down at the Merrifoots.<br />
<br />
Team Human decide to risk staying the night and take refuge in the abandoned hotel catering for humans. Watches are set and windows and doors barred. Tekcos Tik has first watch, his Wisdom score is 17 and staying awake is all about willpower right?<br />
<br />
Starfast Chaos Destroyer is awaken by the sound of rain and wind rattling the hotel windows. He notes the time and gets up to take his time on Watch. He discovers Tekcos asleep at this post. He shakes the psioncist awake and then lambastes him for his weak will! How could you fall asleep! We could be dead! Why in the army we hung sentries who fell asleep on watch as suitable encouragement for the rest! Now get out of my sight! Blood boiling the veteran fighter takes the watch.<br />
<br />
Brother Kelly awakens in the early hours to take his turn on watch. He goes downstairs and finds soldier-general Starfast 'fast' asleep at his post. Brother Kelly awakens the hardy soldier and pushes him off to bed. Fortunately bar the rain lashing storm, the rest of the night passes peacefully.<br />
<br />
On a rain swept barge Ulrich is handing out strips of beef jerky to the river folk. These to use as ear plugs to blot out the Bard singing and poetry recital evening. The gift of the beef jerky is much appreciated by the River folk.</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></ul>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1271690833605213083.post-36358824043619611702010-04-09T03:39:00.000-07:002010-04-09T06:24:18.239-07:00Evil in Elmshire - Chapter 1<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Chapter 1</b><b> - </b><b>The Second Coming</b><br />
<br />
Orlane<br />
- A Halfling Visitor<br />
- Evil News from Elmshire<br />
- The Adventurers Return<br />
- Forgotten Magic Items<br />
- Groin Strain & Wheezy Boy<br />
- A New Mage for a New Age<br />
<br />
Rushmoor Keep<br />
- In the Paladin's Good Books<br />
- All the Supplies<br />
- Ketish Spiced Beef Jerky<br />
- Caravan of Courage<br />
- The Head Merchant's Daughter <br />
<br />
Caravan to Hookhill<br />
- Smitten<br />
- The Joy of Elven xeS<br />
- The Pain of Tortured Dwarven Muscles<br />
<br />
Hookhill<br />
- Boom Town<br />
- To Track a Dwarf<br />
- Pub!<br />
- Prove It!<br />
- Teenage Elven Love<br />
- The Future Father-in-Law<br />
- Hunted<br />
<br />
Dwarven Mining Camp<br />
- Trail into the Mountains<br />
- Ancient Ruins with Mergoyle Surprise<br />
- Mages are not as weedy as once they were<br />
- Palisade Wall<br />
- Negotiations<br />
- A Farewell to Horses<br />
<br />
Talus Forkbeard<br />
- Carrion Crawlers<br />
- Erlan & Ulrich Reunited<br />
- A Path Not traveled in many a Year<br />
<br />
Going Underground<br />
- Blocked Passage & Up <br />
- Bats<br />
- You have much to learn young Halfling<br />
- Starfast Expert Wall Climber<br />
<br />
Sunken City<br />
- Stone orcs<br />
- Beacon of Light to signal 'We are here'<br />
- Drums in the Deep<br />
- Rust Monsters!<br />
- Orcs!!<br />
- Medusa!!!<br />
- Stone to Halfling Flesh & Broken Swords<br />
<br />
The Waterfall<br />
- Down<br />
- Webs and Phase Spiders<br />
- Previous Gnomy Victims<br />
- Items<br />
- Further Down<br />
- Pool Of Water<br />
- Dwarven Frogman<br />
- 4 weeks in the UnderDark begins to Grate (for some)<br />
<br />
The Svirfneblin City of Kurn<br />
- Massive Cavern<br />
- The Ring of Stones Battle<br />
- Trogs & Gnomes & Lightning Bolts<br />
- Discussions<br />
- Entrance and Appraisal<br />
<br />
The Portal of Kron<br />
- Trogs and Trolls<br />
- Halfling War Party Feint<br />
- Dwarven Direct Approach<br />
- Drow? Why does it have to be Drow?<br />
- Aerial Assault<br />
- Lightening Bolt Battles<br />
- Battlefield Ordinance<br />
- Halflings discover that a Feint is just a Feint<br />
- Lightning Bolts and Metal don't go<br />
- Wheezy Boy makes it to the Summit<br />
- Choppy Choppy Severed Heads<br />
- The Portal is Taken<br />
- The Grateful Gnomes</div>atwalshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01386623408954844976noreply@blogger.com0