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THE CHRONICLES:
ADVENTURES IN THE ADVANCED FIGHTING FANTASY CAMPAIGN
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The_Wishing_Well
The Hives of Peril
The Ransom of the Horribles
The Riddling Reaver
Tower of the Sorceror
Revenge of the Sorceror
Shadow Over Blacksand
A Darkness Over Kaad
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Caverns of the Snow Witch
Into The Wilderness
Deathtrap Dungeon
The Forest of Doom
The Shamutanti Hills
The Cityport of Traps
The Seven Serpents
The_Crown_Of_Kings
Arena of Blood
Trial of Champions
The Temple of the Dark One
Plague of Dreams
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The Wishing Well
Alexa has a love for all Galana’s creatures, great and small. She had also recently
returned from the Wishing Well, from which she emerged with magical items not
found by previous adventurers (see AFFRPG01). Alexa found the Amulet of Kareep
(which allowed her to speak to Mice) in the hidden safe of a two-headed CALACORM,
retrieved a HELLHOUND Sword after killing its namesake and then found a Bag of
Gold Holding (which could hold seemingly unlimited gold coins) just hanging on a
peg on the wall – how lucky! Alexa had journeyed into the well with her friends Dwarven fighter Malexa and human Wizard Xa – but they were not so fortunate.
Although Xa earlier saved both their hides with a Levitation spell after the pair fell
into a bottomless pit, a later encounter with a beautiful SIREN lured Malexa to his
watery grave, while Xa was mauled to death by the savage HELLHOUND mentioned
earlier.
It was the 274th Year AC (After Chaos), in the Year of the Fox, and on the
outskirts of Alkernis, in the southern lands of a continent known as Allansia, a
family of three set out on an adventure.
Mama Young was a single mother of two, but she was a survivor, and didn’t
take any crap from anyone. She spoke up and said whatever was on her mind, so
she became a bit of an outcast in her hometown of Alkernis. Her two teenage boys
Ben (17) and Anakin (19) were equally “distinctive”.
Anakin liked to dress as his favourite characters of folk-lore. Most of these
were great wizards and sorcerers, and he could often be seen riding a broom
pretending he could fly. Indeed, Anakin dreamed of one day travelling to the Great
City of Salamonis to study Magic!
Ben on the other hand was a rough and tumble larrikin. He also bore no
resemblance to his Mama and older brother, and it was rumored that his birth was
the result of a union between his straying mother and a wandering vagabond that
was apparently a hybrid of Dwarf and Man.
In any case, the three were as close as it came and one day they stumbled
upon a Well that led into a dungeon complex. There had been rumors about nobles
of centuries past casting gold coins into wells, and so the family set down in search
of treasure. Armed with sword, shield, backpack, a lantern and some rations, they
descended.
Once underground, the family befriended a Dwarf named Thrushbeard by
agreeing to eat some of his “nuts”. The bird-bearded Dwarf then told them they
needed a Crystal Key if they indeed wished to find the Well’s treasures. Later, the
ghost of a Wizard called Nandras said he had the Key and would give it to them if
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they slew the MUMMY that had been causing a nuisance in the dungeon. With the
eyes from warriors in large portraits following their every move, they set off in search
of the MUMMY. The party avoided the many chests and items (traps?) that lay
strewn in the rooms and passageways. Perhaps they were fearful, or was it wisdom?
In any case, it made their travels speed ahead, and soon they happened upon the
very powerful adversary that was the MUMMY! Normal weapons did no damage, and
it was up to Anakin to throw a torch on the undead monster, setting it alight, and
destroying it forever! Ben bagged a Dagger of Throwing and with the Crystal Key in
hand, they continued through the dark underground.
After gaining some more information from a CALACORM, they used the Key
to enter the SPIDER KING’S chambers. Mama, Ben and Anakin combined their
fighting prowess to overcome a lurking NANDI BEAR and a particularly nasty
HELLHOUND. With the Treasure almost in their grasp, they were ambushed by a
group of ZOMBIES. While Anakin and Ben quickly moved to secure the treasure,
their Mama was under siege. Horrifically, the last image they saw of their mother
was of a ZOMBIE sucking the brains from her lifeless body (yuk!). As for the
brothers, they went into the Well as boys but emerged as men! With the Wishing
well treasure, and the odd magical item, in hand they committed themselves to
living the Life of Adventure. For Fame! For Glory! For Allansia! For MAMA!
The Hives of Peril
After the death of their mother in The Wishing Well (AFFRPG01), the two
teenage adventurers, Anakin & Ben teamed up with a magic user they had heard
was looking to create an adventuring party. Hermoine was a twenty four year old
wizard whose father’s father’s father was one of the founders of the Wizardry School
of Yore, which was established at the end of the Old Time, before the War of
Wizards. Hermoine lived in the outlying parts of Agra and was seeking “brave
adventurers…seeking adventure”. Anakin was particularly excited – could this be
his ticket to Salamonis? Hermoine was also happy to team with the two up-andcoming Fighters, and together they travelled to Shaggradd’s Forest and into an
underground twisting labyrinth in search of more hidden treasure.
The team tore through a group of SKELETONS and their TIGER SKELETON
creation, and it looked as though this threesome would indeed be a force to be
reckoned with. They had no problem dispatching a CHESTTRAP BEAST that
attacked them furiously, but it was a different story when they found themselves
submerged underwater with a number of RIPPER SHARKS. Hermoine saved the day
with her Illusion and Levitation Spells and then it was off to Pookie’s Eating House,
where they all took advantage of the Dwarven hospitality and enjoyed some hot stew
and an ale or three.
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A jet-gas trap disorientated them for a while but eventually they found their
way to Barnabus the Beggar. When it became clear that Barnabus was a perpetual
liar, Anakin and Ben did the honours and the Beggar was no more! The team then
became stuck in a revolving chamber that continually opened into the same rooms.
Hermoine was particularly frustrated and when they happened upon a baby
CHANGELING, she attacked out of frustration and the party became involved in a
particularly ferocious battle, as the CHANGELING transformed into a WEREWOLF,
then into a GOBLIN, and then finally to a FIRE DEMON. Once dispatched, Hermoine
found a Cloak of Invisibility, using it to steal a Wig of Talking from a sleeping
WERETIGER.
Hermoine, Anakin and Ben had travelled deep into the Hive of Peril, and
faced much danger, and sensed that the treasure horde was close. But their greatest
challenge lay in the next chamber. A powerful VAMPIRE lay waiting and once
disturbed, attacked relentlessly. Ben ran away in terror as Hermoine did her best to
combat the mighty being. Anakin snuck into the VAMPIRE’S lair and ransacked his
treasures, then joined his brother. Hermoine tried to retreat but the VAMPIRE was
too powerful and it killed her with a final, powerful, heart-stopping punch. Luckily,
when the boys returned, Anakin had found a Potion of Life, and brought Hermoine
back from the dead! They then happened upon a YETI, but even its icy claws could
not quell their determination. Hermoine continued to amass items, this time the
Amulet of Ra!
Having survived the VAMPIRE encounter, it seemed nothing could stop the
adventurers now! Not even a horde of ZOMBIES controlled by the evil priest
ANATOL-RA. Hermoine used her Amulet of Ra to thwart the Cleric’s powers while
the boys cut through the mindless undead. A wandering CAVE TROLL and a
prowling GREAT APE were mere cannon fodder, and after reuniting the MAN OF
MANY YEARS with his friend MORPHYR the Sorcerer, MORPHYR granted them one
wish. The Heroes asked for the Treasure! The MAN OF MANY YEARS explained the
way, and the heroes left quickly, traversing a hellfire pit and arriving at their final
encounter. The RED DRAGON was an awesome, fiery force to be reckoned with! The
battle raged blow for blow – BEN and ANAKIN with their swords and magical
daggers. Hermoine with her Force attacks and Shielding spells. When the smoke
dissipated and the fire had burned down to embers, three figures emerged with the
Dragon’s treasure lode. The Hives of Peril had been conquered!
The Ransom of the Horribles
The adventuring trio of Hermoine, Anakin and Ben were quickly creating a
reputation in the southern lands as heroic upstarts, and soon a request to perform a
dangerous adventure arrived at their doorsteps. On the outskirts of the Dwarven
settlement of Bei-Han it had been reported that a band of opposing Dwarven bandits
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had kidnapped Lifitia, the daughter of the resident Dwarven Lord. Hermoine and the
brothers were asked to rescue her. A request they accepted in fine spirit.
The Dwarven bandits called themselves “the Horribles” and had somehow formed an
alliance with the evil XOROA. The Xoroa were giant ant warriors who lived
underground and lay claim to Bei-Han. The Xoroa wanted the Dwarves to leave BeiHan, and commissioned the Dwarven bandits in their extortion bid. Hermoine,
Anakin and Ben snuck into one of their surface holes but soon GIANT ANT
WARRIORS armed with picks and spears were everywhere. Hermoine used her
offensive spells and the two brothers fought back-to-back. Soon the rancid smell of
ANT guts permeated the underground lair, and the three adventurers knew that this
initial skirmish was just the tip of the iceberg. So Hermoine, Anakin and Ben moved
rapidly through the stronghold, setting off and enduring many traps as they went.
Nonetheless, their daring speed caught their opponents by surprise. As XOROA and
ANT WARRIORS fell like flies, t wasn’t long before they happened across the seven
Dwarves known as the “Horribles” who were camped inside the dungeon-like ant
labyrinth. The poor terrified Lifitia was bound and gagged in the corner. There was
little time for pleasantries and a furious battle ensued. The Horribles were skilled
combatants, and Hermoine depleted most of her Mana during the fight. Anakin and
Ben were also badly wounded and had to use all their Healing potions and Herbs.
But the seven Dwarves lay slain and the adventurers had found the fair dwarf
Lifitia.
Now it was time to get the hell out of there.
The XOROA picked up the scent of the invaders and released their trained
WOLFHOUNDS in pursuit. The way they had come was blocked and so the party
had to find another way out. In a fast and furious foray through the criss-crossing
passageways, the injured Anakin and Ben still managed to cut their way through
rooms full of GIANT RATS, HOBGOBLIN warriors and TROGOLODYTE worshippers.
Hermoine used her Find and Reveal Spells to navigate and keep them on the track
to freedom. Finally, the light from above ground shone upon them. Lifitia and
Hermoine were first to reach the surface, followed by Ben. Unfortunately, the
pursuing XOROA speared Anakin as he tried to climb out of their lair, and the
young Fighter fell to the waiting Ant hoard below, impaling himself as he fell on one
of their spears. The trio was broken, and the victory was a hollow one.
Hermoine and Ben were paid handsomely for the rescue of Lifitia. Hermoine
travelled to Kallamehr to meet the great wizard Hammett the Dash, while Ben
pursued an entirely different course. For it came to be that he and Lifitia - the
stocky daughter of the Dwarven Lord - fell in love. After casting a Reveal Rune, the
Dwarven Wisemen confirmed that Ben was indeed part-Dwarf (meaning Ben’s
mother Mamma HAD actually bed a Dwarf as the rumours suggested AFFRPG01).
However, the union was never sanctioned by the Dwarven Lord and so Ben and
Lifitia eloped…never to be seen again… but hopefully to live happily ever after.
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The Riddling Reaver
(from the book “The Riddling Reaver” / WARNING: Plot Spoilers!)
What follows is an actual account of a Fighting Fantasy RPG Campaign, using real
Player Characters and outcomes, played over 6 x 4hr Sessions
It all began in the Month of Dark, in the 274th Year AC (after Chaos), the Year of the
Tiger. Five individuals had gathered in the southeastern City port of Kallamehr to
form an adventuring party. Each had their own reasons for wanting to traverse the
savage continent that was Allansia, but all were united in one respect. A growing evil
was spreading, and it was once again the time for heroes.
Lady Carolina Bluestone of Kallamehr had sent word to her second cousin Sir
Marcellos of Bei-Han to attend the city port. The invitation stressed urgency and
secrecy, so Marcellos suspected trouble. The twenty-six year old human Fighter was
a descendant of the noble house of Rangor to which Lady Carolina also belonged.
Marcellos was ambitious and proud, and had dreams that one day his name would
be known across Allansia. By the time he arrived in Kallamehr, Marcellos had been
joined by four other budding adventurers.
There was Tetra. A thirty-seven year old human Fighter who had travelled
extensively around the southeastern area of Allansia. The raven haired Tetra made
her keep by protecting local merchants who caravanned between the outer villages
and towns. She was as tough as they came, and liked nothing more than the thrill of
the melee. Tetra chanced upon Marcellos at a country inn called the Drowning
Swan, and agreed to join him to Kallamehr. She also recommended stopping by a
small outlaying settlement to pick up her friend, El Ravell.
The bald and pale-faced El Ravell grew up as an orphan after he witnessed his
family massacred by a marauding Necromancer. Found amongst the blood and
carnage by a nomadic human tribe, Ravellbecame a douty warrior, and taught to
fight without mercy. Now twenty seven years of age, and known to his friends as
Rav, he still hides his ghostly white appearance under a full helmet. Only Tetra
knows the horror of that tale, and to this day, Rav has a distrust of magic, and a
preference for the surety of steel.
Together, the three fighters met the female human spell caster Herme, who had
planned to travel Allansia aboard one of the many merchant ships that frequented
the Port of Kallamehr. Herme was already relatively well known in the area, having
already completed two notable adventures – The Wishing Well and The Hives of Peril.
She met the other three adventurers as they camped for the night, and aside from
Ravell, they were more than happy to have a magic user travel with them.
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Finally, less than a league from Kallamehr, they happened upon the mysterious
Shadow. A ninety-six year old (twenty four in human years) Elven Ranger armed with
a unusual “crescent” spear. But it was not his spear that caught the party’s eye.
Shadow’s face was totally embellished with obscure black and green reptilian
tattooing. Shadow claimed to belong to a secretive Elven cult from the remote Silur
Cha region, and also told of the time spent as a prisoner in the evil catacombs of the
Caarth! Indeed, many of the Elf’s tales raised a brow, but in any case, he too was an
adventurer – looking for adventure – and as Rav put it, it was better to have him as
an ally, than an adversary.
The party had been formed.
With the cool Glimmering Sea breeze behind them, the newly formed adventuring
party - Marcellos, Ravell, Tetra, Shadow and Herme - walked through Kallamehr’s
open gates. Marcellos, who had frequented the port on numerous occasions, realised
something was amiss. The normally bustling market streets were deserted and a
great din could be heard from the Rangor Tower on the other side of the city.
Marcellos and Ravell, being poor in pocket, rich in dreams, and quick off the mark,
helped themselves to some scraps of armour from the unattended blacksmith
workshop. Meanwhile Shadow, Herme and Tetra raced to the tower. The ivy covered
Rangor Tower was the home of Baron Bluestone and his wife Lady Carolina. It
seemed like the whole city had populated the market square to gaze up upon the
tower. For on its turret, at its highest point, the Baron himself was perched
perilously close to the edge of a fatal precipice. A dark figure with a flowing deep
green cape, advanced slowly but menacingly towards him.
The Kallamehr city guards tried desperately to get to their Baron’s aid, but their
might was insufficient to penetrate the huge bolted doored entrance at the base of
the tower. Shadow reacted first. Use to operating alone, the Elf darted through the
chaotic crowd and past the guards and climbed the thick sprawling vines of the
Tower. Rather than continue to the turret, he scaled up to an arched window on the
first floor and bravely entered. There he found the old wizard Hammet the Dash,
loyal advisor to the Rangor House, slumped on a sofa – throat slit. Accustomed to
the grisly sight of death, Shadow grasped the ornate box Hammet was clutching,
and bound up the stairs, onward and upward, to the top of the tower.
Meanwhile, in the bustling street below, Tetra tried to explain their presence to the
angry guards. With Tetra’s diplomacy succeeding as more of a distraction than
influential, Herme cast a Locks spell and burst the Tower doors open. Before the
guards could organise themselves, Tetra quickly followed, as did the newly equipped
Rav and Marcellos. Inside the ground floor they found Lady Carolina bound to a seat
and gagged. The heroes’ entry made her jolt in her seat, causing a sealed glass jar of
black spiders perched on top of her head to topple to the slate tiles. Herme launched
herself across the floor and succeeded in a desperate dive to catch the jar and
prevent it smashing and releasing its arachnoid contents. As Marcellos fished
around the finely furnished room collecting whatever he could carry, Tetra and Rav
untied Lady Carolina and listened intently to Lady Carolina’s account. She explained
how her husband the Baron had befriended a Seer as an advisor, only to discover
that he was actually the legendary Riddling Reaver - Bringer of Chaos through the
ages. What fiendish plot was the Reaver hatching, that seemed to involve the
elimination of the Bluestones of Kallamehr! Tetra ushered the distraught baroness
into the awaiting city guard escort, before moving up the staircase. Rav and
Marcellos joined her, but they were already one step behind Shadow and Herme in
their attempt to rescue the Baron from the Reaver’s clutches.
Shadow had nearly made it to the roof of the Tower when a fire emblazed DEVLIN
burst from the stone staircase to block his advance. The DEVLIN was impervious to
normal attacks, and was only weakened when Shadow dowsed it with water. As the
DEVLIN flailed around and intensified for one final attack, Herme arrived and cast a
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magical blanket of ice on the fire-beast, sending the DEVLIN back to the Abyss. The
pair was then joined by their three comrades and together the Heroes – Rav,
Marcellos, Tetra, Herme & Shadow - stormed the roof. But too late! The Reaver had
finished toying with the Baron and mercilessly cast Lady Carolina’s husband over
the edge and onto the rocky shoreline below. The inhabitants of Kallamehr shrieked
in disbelief and the adventurers also appeared stunned, deciding caution was the
best decision at this time. Their hesitation was all the Riddling Reaver needed to
perform a magical leap high onto the top of the Rangor Tower’s flag pole. As the
Heroes contemplated their plan of action, the Reaver laughed maniacally as he
tapped the pole -transforming it into a 15 foot GIANT SNAKE. Simultaneously, the
Reaver launched himself high into the clouds and onto his massive airship which
had appeared above. Herme fired a few magical missiles at the fleeing Reaver, but
they burst into the airship without causing a blemish. The onlookers and even our
adventurers stood in awe, but were soon spurred into action as the SERPENT
launched to attack. Shadow had better success against the GIANT SNAKE as he
swung his Crescent Spear down like a scythe blade – lopping the SERPENT’S head
clean off, and sending the massive bloodied trunk toppling onto the gob smacked
audience below.
As the Reaver’s airship disappeared over the horizon, only one clue remained - the
ornate box that Shadow took from Hammet. Upon closer inspection, the heroes
realised that it was inscribed with a riddle. This proved little problem between their
five sharp minds and before Marcellos could say “more equipment”, they had
dunked the box in water and it opened to reveal a scroll and a task. “Collect three
items hidden somewhere in the City port and the Reaver will give them a chance for
vengeance!” With the mourning Lady Carolina’s blessing and Hammet’s young
apprentice, Dappa, as their guide, they set off into the city in search of the three
hidden items. Only the Riddling Reaver - a servant of Logaan the Trickster God
himself - would set such a mischievous assignment.
To find clues, the group split up into pairs to search the coastal streets of Kallamehr
- streets interspersed with its fair share of cut-throats and villains. Each of the pairs
found numerous clues and had their own special encounters. Tetra and Dappa were
followed around by a six-armed monkey called a KRELL. Ravell and Shadow took
part in a particularly brutal pit fight against a MINOTAUR. And Marcellos and
Herme were ambushed by a GANG OF THUGS but luckily Ravell and Shadow were
nearby to assist. Regrouping as sunset approached, the party wasted no further
time and began unscrambling the riddles they had found in the various nooks and
crannies of Kallamehr. Before long, they had succeeded in the task the Riddling
Reaver had set, and the required three items.
1. Ravell climbed the rickety roof of the Nautical Academy to retrieve a Model of
a Ship
2. Herme brutally hacked the Gold Ring from the nose of the poisonous gas
snorting and pit fighting Minotaur (while it slept in its cage)
3. And Ravell and Marcellos feigned an argument at the Parrot in a Cage tavern,
so that Herme could snatch the Wine Cask from behind the bar.
The Heroes then cast the three items off Brion’s Bluff into the sea. As soon as they
did, a magical ship named the Twice Shy appeared. Rav, Marcellos, Tetra, Shadow
and the young Wizard Dappa joined the Heroes on their voyage whilst Herme
decided to accept the mantle of Chief Spellcaster of Kallamehr that was vacated by
the deceased Hammett and remain behind to protect Lady Carolina and the city
from any future threats. In her place stepped Silverarm, a twenty-five year old
Dwarven Guardian (Cleric) of the Earth God Throff. Silverarm had left behind the
peaceful underground confines of her dwarven delve in the hills north of Kallamehr,
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and swapped it for the adventurers way – where she believed she could spread the
Good word and also assist in the battle against evil. And what no better party to
join!
The Twice Shy streaked across the Glimmering Sea on its phantom voyage and the
Heroes soon had their hands full. Silverarm proved a useful addition to the Heroes’
ranks, Befuddling a fire breathing CHIMERA and allowing the others to overcome it.
A sea encounter with a hungry PLESIOSAURUS was next as it tried unsuccessfully
to smash the Twice Shy. After fending off the sea monster, they had some fun
building a magical glass MANIKIN. But after it didn’t respond to their commands the
impatient Shadow smashed it into pieces. Rav and Marcellos found company with a
friendly ghost called Bhorriz who had been slain by the Reaver in a past life. Tetra
and Silverarm discovered the skeletal remains of a pirate and were soon doing battle
with a cutlass wielding POLTERGEIST. And then Tetra survived a perilous ordeal in
the Battle Paintings room where she was transported into life or death scenes. Not to
be outdone, Shadow and Marcellos entered a Portal of Darkness which miniaturised
them and turned their encounter with a mouse into a giant task! Through all of this,
the fearful Dappa spent most of the time casting Invisibility on himself whenever
trouble beckoned.
The most deadly encounter on the voyage was reserved for Ravell, as he moved
heroically and autonomously through the lower decks of the Twice Shy. Rav was
trapped in the Dining Room, pinned to the door by an IMITATOR while FLESH
GRUBS began devouring him! Rav was unable to escape and looked doomed, until
Shadow burst through, rescuing his teammate from being eaten alive! Silverarm
rocked the entire boat when she touched a model replica of the Twice Shy and then
she was turned into a MONKEY after killing a furry JIB JIB, which just happened to
be the pet of the resident GENIE! The heroes then got into a skirmish with a room of
stuffed animated SAILORS as the ship entered the Gulf of Shamuz. Just when the
adventurers thought the worst was over, the Twice Shy was boarded by an army of
PLAGUE ZOMBIES. The undead marauders launched a frenzied attack against
Shadow, and the tattooed Elf from a far away land was torn apart before his team
mates eyes. The rest of the heroes ran back into the ship’s hull as the PLAGUE
ZOMBIES moaned and wailed in pursuit. Ravell and Tetra found themselves inside a
Riddle Room and Rav made a deal with the incumbent GENIE (the same one that
transformed Silverarm) to solve Riddles in return for the elimination of the PLAGUE
ZOMBIE threat. The GENIE agreed and the threat abated.
With the plague threat nullified, the GENIE watched on as Rav and Tetra began a
frantic riddle solving exercise, whereby failure to unravel the puzzles within a
minute resulted in the scroll exploding! This they succeeded. Marcellos then tried to
leave the Riddle Room with one of the scrolls, only to have it explode in his hands
(ouch!). Without a scrap of Shadow’s body to bury, the Heroes alighted the Twice
Shy. Silverarm’s Monkey curse dissipated and they all began their land-based trek
across the dense and steamy jungles of Arantis. No sooner had the arduous journey
begun than the Heroes were into the green thick of it. A furious battle with a party of
MUTANT LIZARD MEN ensured, and not only were the heroes able to overcome the
mutant beings, they were also able to rescue an adventurer by the name of Waxley
Speed. Waxley was most gracious and knowing Arantis like the back of his hand, he
became their guide. Waxley promised to lead them to a Shrine of Destiny, which
housed a magical artefact that may help them in their struggle against the Riddling
Reaver.
After leading the team through the jungle, they came to a mossy log that spanned a
gaping chasm. Tetra attempted to cross first, but was ambushed by a GIANT SPIKE
SPIDER. Paralysed by its poisonous spike, Tetra was quickly being wrapped up by
the spider’s web. But Marcellos fired an arrow that sent the spider free-falling into
the chasm. Crossing the chasm, they arrived at the mouth of a cave. Rav dispatched
some EYE STINGER guardians while Silverarm cast Spirit Journey through caves to
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scry for traps and dangers. When Ravell entered the cavern he became hypnotised
by the cave dwelling SHAMAN and began attacking his own friends! Dappa was
nearly killed by Rav’s powerful onslaught until Tetra intervened. And as Bad-Rav
and Tetra locked horns, Marcellos again saved the day by sneaking behind the
melee and slaying the SHAMAN (and bagging more equipment) and thus breaking
Rav's trance.
During a well earnt rest in a jungle clearing, Waxley’s body was trapped by a GIANT
PITCHER PLANT. The Heroes attacked the PLANT’S tendril, severing it, and rescuing
a grateful Waxley (for the second time) from its belly. The party then saved some
PYGMIES from a band of HEADHUNTERS (Marcellos scared them away with the
Shaman’s mask) and the PYGMIES rewarded the heroes with some mysterious
Yokka Eggs. Waxley then led the team across a swamp and into a quick battle with
a few slow moving MARSH WRAITHS. Finally they reached the Shrine of Destiny
which was set on a high pedestal of rock and guarded by FLYING GUARDIANS. The
final showdown involved the GUARDIANS swooping in an attempt to knock the
Heroes off the connecting bridge. But Ravell and Marcellos both made it across in
breath-taking fashion. A Yokka Egg was then used to send an awesome fiery
phoenix into the heavens and cause the pursuing GUARDIANS to crumble into the
stratosphere.
Waxley was somehow magically prevented from entering the Shrine of Destiny, so he
stayed behind. Hidden within the Shrine was the magical item known as the
Pendulum of Fate – an artifact that Waxley said could be used against the Reaver.
Silverarm also decided to stay behind – not only to protect Waxley, but she also
wanted to meditate and pray in honour of today being the Holy Day of Throff.
Luckily for the party, a replacement Cleric happened to be wandering by and they
enlisted her services in their quest. The Cleric was a tough human Priestess called
Leia, who worshipped Rogaar, patron of warriors and professional mercenaries! Leia
lived in the mountains close to the Shrine and was happy to replace the dwarf as the
team's magic user. A mysterious and untouchable golden globe then appeared from
nowhere and followed the Heroes into the Shrine. Rav suspected this was Leia’s
doing, but she just winked at him. After lighting a candle to summon the KEEPER
OF THE WAY an entrance appeared inside the Shrine. Ravell, Dappa and Leia
entered and found themselves descending a slimy, fleshy tract. Eventually they
entered a large, gunk-filled gorge and they shouted up to Marcellos and Tetra to
come down (an invitation they declined).
Leia used her Eye Spirit spell to see down the many corridors that branched away
from the huge cavern inside the belly of the Shrine. Having decided on a route, they
trekked deeper within. Ravell evaded a dark swooping WRAPPER that tried to
envelop him then nearly lost a hand grabbing a golden chalice which transformed
into a METAL SENTINEL that was hell bent on destruction. Such was the
SENTINEL’s fury that Rav had to flee (rare!) and he and Dappa ran straight into a
room of digestive PURPLE HAIR. Both were helplessly trapped until Leia came to the
rescue, cutting them free. Ravell then met up with Marcellos and Tetra (who both
finally decided to join in) – only to witness Priestess Leia’s death against a fearsome
gas breathing and foul smelling MUCALYTIC. Leia was being thrown around from
wall to wall like a rag doll while her friends hacked the MUCALYTIC to its grisly end.
As the brave Leia lay dying in a pool of blood and muck she cast her final spell communicating with her deity Rogaar she asked where the Pendulum of Fate was
located – Rogaar was gracious and revealed the Pendulum was “between Good &
Evil”. Her deity also told the party that they were inside the living body of some Godtime creature!
Having recovered from the shock of Leia’s death, Rogaar’s useless clue, and the fact
that they were slowly being digested, the Heroes spent the next few hours searching
exhaustively for the Pendulum of Fate – as well as some time trying to catch the
uncatchable Golden globe. But they were stumped. And just when it looked like they
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would be trapped forever and soon succumb to the God-time creature’s nauseating
digestive system, Ravell made a critically heroic and decisive action. As the others
languished without hope, Rav dove into a dangerously gushing River of Blood. After
a nightmarish journey being pummeled in the torrential river, he emerged – close to
death - inside a giant swirling whirlpool room. And where no others dared to tread,
Rav then single-handedly seized the Pendulum of Fate, which hovered – beating like
a heart - between two monolith ICONS of Good and Evil. El Ravell– we bow to thee!!!
Ravell returned triumphantly to his gob smacked team and they all exited the
Shrine’s innards, with that ever watchful and ever present golden globe in toe. But
no sooner had the party escaped that they came face to face with the true horror of
deception. Waxley Speed was in fact the Riddling Reaver! Unable to enter the Shrine
himself (due to Godtime magical protections), the Reaver needed the heroes to
retrieve the Pendulum for him! He had steered the heroes to Arantis using the Twice
Shy and then guided them to the Shrine. The golden globe was actually a GENIE
under the Reaver's watchful command and it suddenly transformed and wrenched
the Pendulum from Ravell’s grasp, launching it into the hands of its new master!
Before any of the Heroes had to time to mutter “No Fair”, the Reaver had once again
magically boarded his awaiting airship and disappeared into the mountains. Luckily
Silverarm was still close by and quickly cast another Spirit Journey to appear
aboard the Reaver’s airship and discover where it was destined. Dappa, Rav, Tetra,
Marcellos and Silverarm wasted no time – so began the pursuit.
After a day of uneventful travel, the heroes discovered some jelly covered skeletons
known as REPLICANTHS walking up a trail that ran alongside a backward flowing
waterfall! The world in this part of Arantis seemed very different and weird indeed.
Following the REPLICANTHS the party arrived at a magnificent marble building. A
LEPRECHAUN juggling three blue bottles greeted them and made Marcellos
continue juggling the bottles while he went to open the magical doors for them. But
the bottles grew heavier and heavier, and eventually Marcellos fumbled one, sending
it smashing onto the ground. The Leprechaun darted through the door as an angry
GENIE emerged from the broken bottle (a lot of Genies, I know!). The GENIE
demanded to know where the LEPRECHAUN went. Ravell obliged and pointed to the
doors, but as the GENIE darted after the LEPRECHAUN, the LEPRECHAUN cast a
spell on the dibber dobbing Rav, making his fingers all thumbs, and lowering his
Skill!
Once inside the Reaver’s mansion, the party disposed of a group of REPLICANTHS
and some knife throwing disc shaped WHEELIE creatures. A long hallway, with
many side doors, ended at an ornate golden door. The Heroes went straight for the
gold door but it was protected by magic! The magical door had a big eye etched into
it and a voice bellowed that it would only open for the Riddling Reaver himself.
Silverarm cast a Spirit Eye and scryed the adjoining rooms of the Reaver's domain,
then it was onto the action! Ravell charged through one of the side doors and cut
into a STUFFED RIDDLING REAVER, only to have it explode to fill the room with a
sticky hardening paste. Both Rav and Tetra were certain to be trapped and
suffocated to death had it not been for Marcellos, whose quick thinking pulled them
to safely. Marcellos you’re our hero!!! After that, the team became wary of other
traps and avoided the other stuffed REAVERS that occupied numerous rooms.
Silverarm found wine bottles filled with what looked like trapped adventurers. She
opened them all, only to discover they imprisoned CUT-THROATS who once tried to
steal the Reaver’s treasures. A frenzied battle ensued, with the CUT-THROATS
nearly finishing off Silverarm had it not been for the awesome trio of fighters who
intervened – hooray for the Three Amigo's - Ravell, Tetra and Marcellos. Finally, the
party entered a room with cupboards inscribed with yet more riddles. Opening the
doors sprang some nasty surprises. A GIANT SPIDER, a GIANT FROG, 500 pairs of
breeches, a Yokka Egg, a torrent of LEECH infested swamp water, piles of gold (fake
of course) and a pair of dice. Back at the big eyed door, the rampaging Rav had a
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great idea. He stormed into one of the stuffed Reaver rooms and decapitated one of
them, narrowly avoiding a sneezing feather trap. Rav then presented the Reavers
head to the big eye, which said “Master, I’ve been waiting for you” and promptly
opened.
Underground, stone stairs descended to the Reavers Laboratory. The party found
viles of POWDERED CREATURES, one of which had fallen into water and turned
into a MINIATURE SILVER DRAGON. Though a challenge to overcome, it was no
match for our Heroes. Rav grabbed a number of the creature viles and all sensed
that they were very close to finding the Reaver. They stormed yet another room and
cut through a handful of REPLICANTHS who were manufacturing yet more
REPLICANTHS. The party then avoided some of the more bizarre rooms that
branched off the main corridor. Rooms that contained “Particle blenders”, “Mutating
fields” and “Eternal Voids”. One room they did investigate, however, was one that
contained a giant suit of MECHANICAL ARMOUR.
Marcellos stepped inside and mastered the controls which animated the monstrous
Armour, and then it was on to the final showdown! The armoured Marcellos together
with Tetra, Rav, Silverarm and Dappa entered a huge cavern swarming with over
one-hundred torch bearing REPLICANTHS. At the other end, in front of a wall of
magical flame and behind a radiant pool of water, the RIDDLING REAVER continued
his bizarre ritual that sought to destroy the Pendulum of Fate and throw Allansia
into Chaos! Marcellos was stung into action! His MECHANICAL ARMOUR smashed
Replicanths left and right, absorbing the endless clubbing damage from the
REPLICANTHS clammy fists. Silverarm cast Mind Altering spells to disable yet more
REPLICANTHS while Tetra engaged in the more traditional melee of steel cracking
against skeletal bone!
The Riddling Reaver was unperturbed and cackled loudly as the fury ensued.
Sensing that the Reaver needed only a few more precious moments to complete the
ritual, an invisible Dappa, and Ravell (sneaking in the shadows), moved into range of
the tranquil pool. With great vigour, they cast the Miniature powdered creatures into
the water. Immediately they transformed. DEATH DOGS, GARKS, a MAMMOTH, a
MANTICORE, GIANT NANDI BEARS and a GIANT SCORPION. The already fantastic
battle erupted into absolute mayhem. Creature against Hero, REPLICANTH against
creature, hero against REPLICANTH, Creature against Creature… an all-in battle
royale. Even the RIDDLING REAVER himself was attacked. The roaring MANTICORE
slashed at the Reaver causing his ritualistic spell to be broken! As the Pendulum fell
into the pool, and the Reaver focused his attention on the MANTICORE, the GIANT
SCORPION also attacked, knocking the Riddling Reaver into the magical wall of fire
behind him – disappearing in a white flash. Following that, within minutes, it was
all over. The remaining creatures and every last REPLICANTH lay slain … a
battlefield strewn with broken bones, blobs of jelly, blood, guts and bodies. All that
stood were the Heroes of Kallamehr – the rampaging Ravell, mighty Marcellos, the
tenacious Tetra and the mystical Silverarm. Oh, and Dappa!
The Heroes had saved the world of Titan! And with the Riddling Reaver vanquished,
the Father of the World Titan himself appeared. Titan bestowed upon each of them a
wondrous gift - an Eye patch of Seeing (Rav), the magical Sword of Timakron
(Marcellos), an Icon of Good (Tetra), and a Genie Bottle of Entrapment (Silverarm).
Dappa was given a Mushroom of Teleportation and used it to transport the entire
party back to Kallamehr. Waiting there was Lady Carolina and Herme – and a
magnificent festival was arranged to herald their return. Moreover, each adventurer
was tattooed with a magical symbol that would aid them on future adventures
against the ever growing forces of Evil – an Eagle for Farseeing (Tetra), a Cobra for
Mesmerising (Marcellos), a Tiger for Ferocity (Rav), and a Rising Sun for Immunity
(Silverarm).
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The Heroes of Kallamehr – a new force of Good - had arrived, and word of their
phenomenal accomplishment in defeating the Riddling Reaver quickly spread
throughout the civilized world. With their fame preceding them, and a world of chaos
& adventure still to explore, it was on to Salamonis – the greatest city in all Allansia!
The Tower of the Sorceror
(from the book “Dungeoneer” / WARNING: Plot Spoilers!)
What follows is an actual account of a Fighting Fantasy RPG Campaign, using real
Player Characters and outcomes, played over 2 x 4hr Sessions
After their successful campaign against the Riddling Reaver in Kallamehr and
Arantis, the Heroes decided to travel north west to Salamonis – the greatest city in
all of Allansia. The young wizard Dappa joined the three fighters Ravell, Tetra and
Marcellos on the long journey, whilst Silverarm bid farewell to her friends and
deviated to Stonebridge to visit the great Dwarven King Gillibran. After an
uneventful trek across the Allansian plains, and then by ship around the coast, the
four adventurers arrived at Chalice, an emerging city-state only two days walk from
Salamonis. Word of their exploits against the Reaver preceded them and they were
instantly recognised and summoned to the King’s chambers. There waiting with
King Pindar were two other adventurers, who would join the Heroes of Kallamehr in
their next quest. Their names be Alexa and Elantro.
Alexa was a ninety-six year old Elven Ranger from the Alkernis Forest, near the
Glimmering Sea. She still remembers the day she saw ‘a magical ship’ glide across
the water heading west. Little did she know that it was the Twice Shy sailing to
Arantis! As a sworn protector of the forests and its inhabitants, Alexa has a love for
all Galana’s creatures, great and small. And she was no stranger to adventure,
having already completed the Wishing Well quest, from where she obtained some
fabled magical items – the Amulet of Kareep (which allowed her to speak to Mice);
the Hellhound Sword and a Bag of Gold Holding (which could hold seemingly
unlimited gold coins).
Elantro heralded from the great city of Salamonis, and like Herme, he was a recent
graduate of the Great School of Wizardry. At twenty four years of age, Elantro had
completed a thesis in “Magic as the Cleansing Fire”. His theory was that the
spawning Chaos originated from the magical fires of the Abyss and thus only magic
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was the true counter. As an adventurer, Elantro tasked himself with proving it!
King Pindar quickly brought the heroes up to speed with a dire predicament. The
King of Salamonis’ daughter, Princess Sarissa, had been kidnapped on her way to
the strategic wedding with King Pindar’s son, Prince Barinjhar. An evil wizard called
Xortan Throg, riding a GRIFFIN, and accompanied by GOBLINS, had ambushed her
caravan and fled deep into the Darkwood Forest, north of the Catfish River. The
Heroes accepted King Pindar's mission (and the handsome offer of gold coin) – rescue
Princess Sarissa and save the alliance between Chalise & Salamonis. They set off
immediately, guided by Barinjhar and his bodyguard Morval. Barinjhar led them to
a secret entrance beneath Xortan Throg’s Tower which was built into a steep, rocky
crag. Rav, Marcellos, Tetra, Elantro, Alexa and Dappa entered the dark slippery
tunnel, guided by Ravell using his Eyepatch of Seeing.
Ambush! A horde of angry GOBLINS swarmed from small tunnels and surrounded
the infiltrating party. Marcellos - with his Sword of Timakron humming - cut
through a swathe of the hapless humaoids with ease. Elantro cast a Force Wall to
hold most of the GOBLINS at bay, allowing Ravell and Dappa to dash to a staircase.
It was left to Tetra and Alexa, fighting back to back like war-sisters, to bring the rest
of the encroaching GOBLINS to a halt. Quickly they all bound up the Tower’s
staircase before the GOBLINS could regroup. But in their haste, a mighty portcullis
trap was triggered. It came crashing down and Rav, who held up the rear of the
party, was required to dive-roll to avoid its lethal descent. A few levels further up,
and ignoring the wails of tortured prisoners and the screech of Xortan’s locked up
GRIFFIN, the Heroes came upon the Sword Blades trap - giant stone hands,
magically enchanted, holding razor sharp cutlasses. Alexa used her Amulet of
Kareep to command her pet mouse to patter past the Blades. Only to see it sliced in
two! As Alexa wept, Elantro stepped up to the plate. Summoning a vast amount of
Shielding energy, he cast a protective umbrella upon the group - powerful enough to
deflect the heavy and sharp Sword Blades trap!
The heroes traversed ever higher up the Tower’s stone staircase until their way
upward was blocked by a huge Ball of crackling and spitting Fire. But Rav cleverly
ascertained that the Fire Ball was nothing but an Illusion, and in an almost mocking
contempt of the magical obstacle, he strolled forward, into and through the wall of
flame. The others stood back, again marvelling at the bravery that was El Ravell!
Avoiding the many side passages and doors as they continued, the Heroes burst
through a heavy wooden door into the Guardroom, disturbing a burly OGRE and his
squad of ORCS who were feasting on human remnants. After some initial banter, it
was on for young and old. Dappa remained outside as the frantic melee erupted,
with tables, chairs, skewers and roasted body parts flying everywhere. But the
Guards were no match against the awesomeness of Elantro’s magic, Alexa’s arrows
and the combined steel of Rav, Marcellos and Tetra.
Through one more door and the heroes stood face to fae with the Tower’s Sorceror.
In an ornately furnished throne room sat the evil hearted Xortan Throg – waiting on
his ghastly skulled throne, hands already twirling with conjurations. Throg
welcomed them in almost excited expectation. The Heroes felt like they did when
they first met the Riddling Reaver – they were hesitant, nay fearful. Throg then
introduced an old friend. From a door behind him emerged Prince Barinjhar!
Together, Barinjhar and Throg had orchestrated Princess Sarissa’s kidnapping. The
Prince’s motive was to destroy the Chalice-Salamonian alliance, while Throg merely
wanted to draw the so called ‘Heroes of Kallamehr’ to his home ground, and dispose
of them before they could be a threat to his ‘bigger’ plans!
Ravell and Barinjhar (who never liked each other in the first place) didn’t waste any
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time, and engaged in a lethal mono-et-mono sword fight in front of the cackling
Throg. Marcellos guarded the doorway with the frightened Dappa and watched as
Tetra’s hurled axe and Elexa’s arrows simply bounced off the seated Xortan. Elantro
stepped forward to test his theory that only magic can defeat magical evilness but
before he could act he was Force-bolted by Throg to the back of the room. Throg
then repeated the favour to Alexa and Tetra, and they too were plummeted
backwards, landing in a heap at the feet of Sir Marcellos. Barinjhar, an excellent
swordsman, also seemed to be getting the better of Rav. "They're all going to die!"
yelled Dappa. Things looked dire. Marcellos took a deep breath and charged at
Bharinjhar and his intervention swung the battle back in the heroes favour. Rav’s
sword cleaved into the Prince for the telling blow, sending him sprawling to his
death. Tetra threw a dagger at an incense burner hanging next to Throg, smashing
it, and making the Sorceror stand abruptly, yelling No! The team deduced that the
hanging pots seemed to give Xortan his power. Elantro cast a Teleport spell to get
closer to the second incense burner, but it went wrong, and instead it teleported
Alexa right next to Xortan Throg! But this was a blessing in disguise. Alexa thrust
her sword into the vile Sorceror – drawing dark oozing blood. Xortan winced in
surprise and horror, and with his Force Field down, Tetra launched herself forward
and gored the Sorceror with her sword. Both Xortan Throg and Barinjhar lay dead.
Marcellos and Rav found the young and beautiful Princess Sarissa bound and
gagged inside Throg’s private quarters. Marcellos removed the gag and the Heroes
were then subjected to a tirade of pretentious and condescending pronouncements
from the ungrateful princess. As they tried to block the incessant jibes from Sarissa,
and plan their escape, the dormant fireplace burst into flame. Appearing from within
was the image of Xortan Throg! His voice boomed out arrogantly that the Heroes had
merely killed his simulacrum and that he was still very much alive.... many leagues
away.... and would exact his Revenge upon every last one of them. With a cackling
laugh the head then disappeared. The Heroes were unperturbed, and found an exit
that led to the front gates of the Tower. After slaying the GIANT LIZARD that
guarded the gates, they decided not to return to Chalice. They figured that King
Pindar would be none too forgiving that his son, Prince Barinjhar was not only the
villain, but a dead villain. Trusting Sarissa's boast that she knew the Darkwood
forest south of the Tower like the back of her hand, the party headed to Salamonis.
Rav, Marcellos, Tetra, Elantro, Alexa and Dappa had succeeded in their quest – and
without loss to the party - but with the threat of Xortan Throg’s revenge on their
minds!
Revenge of the Sorceror
(from the book “Dungeoneer” / WARNING: Plot Spoilers!)
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What follows is an actual account of a Fighting Fantasy RPG Campaign, using real
Player Characters and outcomes, played over 3 x 4hr Sessions
King Salamon the 57th welcomed the conquering Heroes with open arms. The three
Fighters Tetra, Sir Marcellos and El Ravell; the wizard Elantro; the Elven Ranger
Alexa; and the young apprentice wizard Dappa. The wise and respected King of
Salamonis was most grateful for the safe return of his daughter Sarissa, and pleased
at the news that the evil sorceror Xortan Throg had been vanquished (for the
interim). He paid the Heroes a handsome sum of Gold plus another sum of coin
equal to the reward offered by King Pindar! Such generosity. He also granted them
free food and lodgings while in Salamonis and exemption from any taxes and fees, in
spite of the opposition voiced by the King’s son Prince Salamon. The Heroes took full
advantage of the King’s gracious hospitality, storing their acquired sums of gold in
the secure Salamonis coffers and living like kings, albeit for one night. Although the
Prince had a dislike of the Heroes, King Salamon offered Ravell a post in his
Salamonian Army. Princess Sarissa also asked Sir Marcellos to stay on as a royal
bodyguard. Tetra was offered a position protecting the Temples of Asrel by
Archbishop Kalivan. But they all respectfully declined. Alexa and Elantro were not
as reknowned as their counterparts and as such no offers were made.
Dappa decided he had had enough of the adventuring life, having accompanied the
heroes on the Riddling Reaver and Tower of the Sorceror, and accepted a paid ship
ride back to his home in Kallamehr. The Heroes held a huge party in honour of their
trusty sidekick Dappa and also wrote letters for him to take back to Lady Carolina
and their magic user ally Herme. In the morning they were summoned before King
Salamon and offered another princely some to finish what they had begun at the
Tower. Their mission would be to seek and destroy Xortan Throg once and for all.
But where was Throg hiding? The King advised them to seek the powerful wizard
Nicodemus, who lived in the vile Port known as Blacksand. The King’s spy, Halim
Thrumbar, would help them once inside. So off they went, under the guise of a
merchant caravan. After a long but uneventful trek, the party arrived at the festering
cesspool that was Port Blacksand - home to pirates, cut-throats and some of the
vilest creatures known in Titan.
Ravell tricked the two disgusting TROLLS that guarded the Blacksand Main Gates
by saying they were transporting goods for Lord Azzur himself. Then it was straight
thru to the Merchant District to meet Halim Thrumbar at the Dragons Tooth Inn
(although Marcellos did consider taking on a boasting Swordsman calling himself
Veldik in the Market Square). After a few ales, a chin wag with the landlord Gregor,
and a dodgy game of Cats Eye with some Locals, it was ‘Welcome to Blacksand’ with
ye traditional Bar Brawl. The usual chairs, mugs, dishes, goblins, back stabbing and
mayhem ensued. Eventually, with the threat of the Black Guard approaching, the
Heroes were bundled out by Halim. The wily contact accepted their caravan as
payment for information on Nicodemus and directed the party to a hut under the
Singing Bridge.
The Singing Bridge arched over Blacksand's sewer infested Catfish River. Despite
the large KEEP OUT inscribed on the door, the Heroes persisted and Nicodemus
emerged. “Perhaps you’ve heard of me” began Marcellos. The wily wizard sniggered
and invited them all in. Alexa and Tetra guarded outside and were treated to all the
vile and decrepit sights and smells that made Blacksand such a tourist attraction.
Inside, Nicodemus spoke of how Xortan Throg was assembling an Undead Army in a
hideout in the sewers, right under Blacksand itself, somewhere amongst the maze of
tunnels which belonged to old Carsepolis (the Great City and once capital of Allansia
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that was destroyed by Chaos during the War of the Wizards nearly 300 years ago).
Elantro asked if Nicodemus could provide them with any magic. “I don’t trust magic”
scoffed Ravell. Nicodemus said he had nothing that could help them apart from rum
(which he didn’t want to share) and healing soup (which they had all finished). So
into the dark Sewers the heroes descended.
The party entered the Sewer via the sluice gates under Lobster Wharf. Elantro made
Rav invisible so he could follow some PIRATES carrying large chests who happened
to also be making their way into the sewers. But the spell soon lapsed, exposing Rav
to an angry group of PIRATES, a squad of trident weilding FISH MEN and an
emerging GIANT CENTIPEDE searching for its next meal. The brave Rav was pinned
down by the weight of opposing numbers, and the rest of the Heroes had to come to
Rav’s aid. After a terrific battle in the sewers, the Heroes suffered a rare defeat and
were forced back out of the sewers! Slightly embarassed at their retreat but
nonetheless undaunted, the adventurers recuperated and re-entered the nauseating
sewer complex. This time Rav, Marcellos and Elantro went first. Tetra and Alexa
protected the rear. Bypassing the CENTIPEDE’S lair the front party came across a
pillared recess. Ambush! FISH MEN again, this time with nets as well as tridents. All
the heroes became ensnared except Ravell who counter-attacked at his rampaging
best. Elantro and Marcellos copped their fair share of spear wounds before Alexa
and Tetra got free and joined the fray. In a tight contest, it was the FISH MEN who
were forced to flee his time. As the party regrouped and tended to their wounds, a
GHOST appeared.
The GHOST was Sargon, once High Priest of old Carsepolis, who had been forced to
roam the sewers forever as a spirit. The Heroes struck a deal. They would retrieve
for Sargon the Crystal of Power so that he would become real again. In return,
Sargon would explain where to find, and more importantly how to kill, Xortan Throg.
So Sargon cast a Mind Map of the sewers on Ravell. Rav then guided the rest of the
heroes to a secret entrance that led to the Temple of Hydana. The party stormed the
Temple and encountered a FISH PRIEST and FISH MAN GUARDS. In the frantic
battle that ensued, Elantro cast Restrain to hold the PRIEST at bay and then seized
the Crystal, while the others engaged the surprisingly tough FISH GUARD troop.
Alexa was surrounded and nearly killed, but her Tetra, Rav and Marcellos were too
powerful and soon the battle was over. Marcellos had to be dissuaded by the others
from taking some of the Temple’s treasures (a golden sword and golden goblets) so in
the end they made it back to Sargon with just the Crystal.
SARGON touched the Crystal and was immediately returned to his earthly form.
Grateful, he explained that the Crystal would deflect the most powerful magic back
onto its caster. Sargon warned them that Xortan was able to summon Death Spells.
If they could geode Xortan into casting this, they could use the Crystal to reflect the
Death spell back onto THROG! Tetra decided to go back to Nicodemus to explain
what was happening and warn him of Xortan’s plans should the Heroes fail. She bid
goodbye and good luck to her friends as Sargon cast another mind map on Ravell.
SARGON then vanished and Rav navigated the party (minus Tetra) through the
sewers to a tunnel submerged under the putrid water. Emerging through the other
side, the Heroes were faced with hundreds of SKELETON WARRIORS guarding tall
ornate iron doors! It was like déjà vu (the Replicanth battle in the Riddling Reaver),
except the skeletons this time were wearing armour, and Marcellos didn’t have his
Mechanical Armour! Elantro cast two Walls of Fire as the Skeleton Warriors
advanced, mindlessly trying to pass through the magical flame to get to the Heroes.
While some of the SKELETAL WARRIORS succeeded, it was only far enough to meet
the combined blades of the Terrible Two – Marcellos & Ravell. Everything seemed to
be going well, as the pile of smashed bones grew higher! Until Elantro and Alexa
were suddenly overcome by the poisoned barbs of a TENTACLED THING that had
emerged from the watery shaft behind them. Elantro was stung into action and
immediately cast a Stone Spell followed up by a Shatter spell that destroyed the
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THING before it could fully entrap and kill them. With the last of the SKELETONS
dispatched, the party moved through the large doors.
The doors opened into a giant courtyard that housed a monstrous SKELETAL
TYRANNOSAURUS. It thundered towards the gob-smacked party, snapping its
jagged teethed jaws as the heroes dispersed in all directions. As it chased Rav,
Elantro again cast a Stone spell and paralysed one of the Tyrannosaurus’ legs,
making it topple to the ground. Marcellos then charged the REX with the Sword of
Timakron, and sliced through the second leg of the behemoth, crippling and
immobilizing it. One more set of huge double doors and the final confrontation was
upon them! Waiting for them, just as he did in his Tower before, was the evil wizard
himself, XORTAN THROG. Impressed, though still terribly cocky, THROG expounded
his plan to recreate another SKELETAL ARMY, join up with a rebel PIRATE fleet, and
take over Blacksand. Once he was ruler of the City of Thieves, his combined army of
Evil would march on Salamonis.... then all of Allansia!!! The Heroes retorted with a
nice set of insults about THROG’S ugly face and something about hiding in a sewer,
and then Elantro challenged THROG to cast his most powerful Spell to prove how
powerful he was. And that’s all it took. XORTAN THROG screamed in furious anger
“YOU WILL ALL DIE!” and conjured the darkest and most frightening spell in a
necromancer’s book – the Death Spell. In an instant, a black arc of crackling energy
jetted towards Elantro. Our heroic wizard was ready, as the others looked on in
anticipation. Elantro flashed the Crystal from beneath his gown.....BUT TOO LATE.
The Death spell found its mark, and the black bolt of death slammed into his chest,
and Elantro and all his possessions were reduced to dust!
Now they were in trouble! Their plan, as Elantro, was in ruins! Alexa fired off a volley
of arrows at THROG but they bounced off him like raindrops. Marcellos tried to
flank the evil Necromancer but a Restrain spell cast by THROG rooted Marcellos to
the spot. More horrifically, Sir Marcellos began to turn to stone! Second by second,
from the feet upwards, soon all that would be left of the once mighty Marcellos
would be a commerative stone statue! All looked lost. Desperate, Marcellos drew his
dusty jar of spiders from his backpack (that he procured long ago from the Tower of
Rangor in Kallamehr) and hurled them at the wizard. But with the wave of a hand,
THROG hurled the jar back at Marcellos, who caught it (quite comical actually).
“We’re all gonna die” yelled Ravell, as he drew his sword and charged forwards.
THROG was cackling more maniacally than ever before, and was focussed on Alexis,
who had also drawn her sword in preparation to attack. But as she did, another bolt
of darkness flew from Xortan’s fingertips, hitting Alexa and reducing her to an
insignificant Cockroach in an instant!
Xortan's power knew no bounds but it was matched by Ravell's rage. As the last
hope of the fledgling heroes, Rav managed to sweep into close range and struck at
THROG. His sword planted deeply into THROG, sending blood gushing... again and
again and again. Xortan tried desperately to weave a spell but Rav’s berserker attack
was relentless. Within an inch of death at the hands of the rampaging Rav, Xortan
gargled Mercy and begged a deal. “Spare me and I will help your friends.” With the
partial stone statue of Marcellos shouting “Spare him!”, the cockroach that was
Alexa scampering about his feet and a pile of dust that was Elantro sitting silently
behind him, Ravell halted his frenzy. THROG started with Marcellos, and the
petrifaction began to reverse. But this distraction was all the evil necromancer
required. Immediately he followed his good deed with a Mind Spell on Rav.... but this
last ditch act of evil failed. Ravell shook his head and thrust his sword up through
the ribs and out the throat of their vile nemesis. It was done! Xortan Throg was
dead.
Marcellos’ transformation to stone completely reversed, but unfortunately Elantro
remained as a pile of dust and the Elf Alexa scuttled away to spend the rest of her
days as an insignificant bug. Rav and Marcellos stood. Exhausted. Silent. A mark of
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respect to their fallen adventurers. Rav broke the silence first. “Once again the
strength of steel triumphs over sorcery.” Marcellos followed. “They did so much to
get us this far. But did you see me catch the jar. I can’t wait to tell everyone about
how WE defeated THROG. Soon all of Allansia will know my name”. Rav shook his
head disapprovingly. Nonetheless, the evil that was Xortan Throg was defeated.
Marcellos loaded up with yet more items of treasure and Rav grabbed Throg's fabled
Necromantic spell book (to give to Nicodemus). The two fighters then trudged their
way back through the sewer complex and to the surface. Breathing in the fresh air,
they rejoined Nicodemus and Tetra, who were already in a merry way amongst
empty caskets of rum! Together they celebrated the victory, and drank away the
sorrows of the fallen.
A Shadow Over Blacksand
(from the book “Blacksand” / WARNING: Plot Spoilers!)
What follows is an actual account of a Fighting Fantasy RPG Campaign, using real
Player Characters and outcomes, played over 2 x 4hr Sessions
El Ravager, Marcellos, Alexis and Tetra returned to Salamonis triumphant after their
defeat of Xortan Throg. They claimed their reward and enjoyed the good life in what
was now becoming their home city. During their stay, Ravager seriously
contemplated retiring and taking up King Salamon’s offer of a post as Captain in the
Salamonian Army but he still felt even greater things lay ahead. As for Marcellos, he
was certain that his fame now preceded him wherever he went, and was going to
make sure the word was reinforced with his presence so that he would become the
stuff of legend. Tetra was also beginning to believe the hype surrounding the Heroes
of Allansia, the Great Hopes of the Civilised World. Archbishop Kalivan told her he
had communicated with the Gods and reinforced that she had been blessed by Titan
himself – the Father of the World – and that as long as she forewent wearing Armour
she would never fall against Evil! As such, Tetra swore never to don armour. For
Alexa, it was off to the Forest of Yore, to be with her Elven kind, and tell tales of her
great adventures.
Days in the mighty city passed. And the hunger for adventure returned.
While in Salamonis, the Heroes recruited another wizard to their ranks. Joe
Quartestaff, yet another graduate from Salamonis’ Great School of Wizardry, would
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take the place of the fallen E’lantro. Joe (or JQ to his friends) had lived in Salamonis
all his life, but was inspired by the songs and tales that were weaved about the
Heroes. As a wizard his powers would be indispensable, and JQ was ready to brave
the wider untamed worlds, and perhaps follow in the footsteps of such famous
sorcerors as Gareth Yaztromo or Arakor Nicodemus. No sooner had JQ joined, that
the newly formed party were called upon for service. A travelling merchant named
WALDO offered an exorbitant amount of gold to the Heroic party in return for the
protection of his Merchant wagons. The deal was doubly sweet for the adventurers,
as Waldo was travelling to Meerham, near the Whitewater coast, where the party
had already planned to board a merchant ship to speed their travels around the
Allansian coast.
They arrived in the small village of Merham and were greeted by three of the locals.
Mokum the Miller - elder of the town, Brass – a rich trader from Blacksand, and
VELDIK – bodyguard to Brass. Sir Marcellos had seen Veldik before, in Blacksand,
challenging passers-by to a Sword duel (see AFFRPG06). Mokum offered the heroes
an opportunity to trade, and Rav went about purchasing some daggers. Suddenly,
Waldo came out shouting ‘Murder!’ from the tent where he was negotiating with
Brass. Veldik, Ravager and Marcellos stormed in but all they could find was the
slumped (dead) body of Brass. After some confusion and fighting words between
Veldik and the heroes, Ravager lit an ornate candle on Brass’ table, and the
assassin emerged - a SILENT DEATH. The creature cast a veil of silence and threw
Rav and Veldik around a bit. But the SILENT DEATH was soon dispatched by the
combined magical swords of Veldik and Marcellos. Rav could only watch as he
possessed no enchanted weapon and couldn’t inflict any damage on the SILENT
DEATH.
Quarterstaff entered the tent and cast Reveal, pronouncing the tent safe from
further magical traps. A quick search by Tetra also revealed some of Brass’ personal
letters. The heroes then agreed to accompany brother-in-arms VELDIK back to the
dreaded city of Blacksand. The plan was to find who was responsible for planting
the SILENT DEATH and killing Brass. In return, Veldik said Brass’ son Torbul would
pay Waldo his agreed some for the original trade, and that meant the heroes not
only got paid, but also would have an opportunity to rid Allansia of yet another evil
doer. Veldik travelled with eye-candy Tetra in the front caravans. He had taken a
liking to the feisty red-haired fighter, and took every opportunity to court her. The
wizard Quarterstaff was also with Veldik’s forward caravans, and they passed the
black armoured TROLLS of the Blacksand Gates unopposed.
Waldo traveled with Rav and Marcellos in the second wagon and things didn’t go as
smooth. When stopped at the Blacksand gates, Rav tried the old we-are-on-amission-from-Lord-Azzur, but that only brought laughter from the stinking foulbreathed TROLLS, who told him they heard their cousins fell for that one last week!
In the end, Waldo’s pathetic bumbling combined with Rav’s burly arrogance was
going to result in one of two things. A massive shit fight or the handing over of a
massive entry tax that the Trolls demanded. And handover they did, leaving WALDO
broke, and Rav countering the jibes from Quarterstaff, Tetra and Marcellos with “it
wasn’t our gold in the first place!”
Welcome back to Blacksand.
Veldik took leave as he had the difficult job of telling Brass’ family of the murder of
their father/husband. The Heroes agreed to give him a couple of hours to do so and
in the meantime went to visit their old haunt - The Dragon’s Tooth Inn. Perhaps
King Salamon’s contact Halim Thrumbar would be there to help them? By the time
they had walked through the bustling market to the Dragons Tooth, Ravager was
ready to punch heads, still seething from the TROLL incident. After knocking out a
Local who looked at him the wrong way, Rav soon settled down with an ale or three.
Marcellos did his usual rounds of introductions and soon had the Inn buzzing with
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tales of the Adventures of the Mighty Marcellos. Tetra had the locals goggling and
after a few shouted rounds, she garnered some information on Brass. While
Quarterstaff partook in a nice drop of Sherry!
Halim wasn’t about, but Tetra discovered that Brass was an honourable man, and
very rich. However, rumours abound that he had recent dealings with the powerful
and sinister Guild of Thieves. With some time still up their sleeves, Tetra and
Quarterstaff then decided to drop into Nicodemus’ hut under the Singing Bridge.
But he wasn’t any help, nor particularly happy to see them back in this vile Port
(particularly because last time Tetra drank all his rum!), and he scoffed that he had
far more important things to do than solve a simple murder (like distilling the perfect
brandy). Meanwhile, Ravager and Marcellos visited a clairvoyant, Madame Star, in
the Market Square. She scryed into the future (for a few gold pieces) and saw a
horrible sight. A figure in gold, rampaging through the streets, killing all before it.
Madame Star gazed at Marcellos golden armour. Could he be the Force of
Destruction that she forsaw?
With no time to waste, the Heroes regrouped and headed off to the House of Brass.
The wailing of Brass’ daughter Laurissa could be heard at the end of Field Street.
Brass’ wife was more composed but clearly in mourning. And the new master of the
House, Torbul, was resolute on helping the party find who killed his father. The
sleep-walking Torbul mentioned that his father has recently fallen out with a
strange religious cult in the hope they could cure his strange sleep walking ailment.
But the Cult swindled his father's money. Unfortunately Torbul knew not who they
were or where they could be found. But Torbul was friends with Rannik, one of the
five Master Thieves of the Thieves Guild. If anyone could help, it was Rannik. The
heroes bid farewell, leaving Waldo at the House and Veldik to guard the residents
(though Veldik asked Tetra if she would also like to remain as well, nudge nudge). A
quick walk and they were at the Noose – a section of Port Blacksand run by the
Guild of Thieves.
The heroes entered a large house, home to an unfriendly motley crew of vagabonds,
cut throats and thugs. Ravager strode confidently and arrogantly through the smelly
mass of bodies. The others trailed behind cautiously. Ravager tried to assert his
authority by slapping around two ruffians that were blocking his way. Then it was
on for young and old. The large thieving gang were not afraid and were determined
to teach these ‘smart aleck adventurer types’ a lesson. Ravager drew his double
handed sword and began swinging wildly. Tetra fought valiantly, but they were
hopelessly outnumbered. Quarterstaff cast a shield spell to hold the ugly hordes at
bay while Marcellos cleared a path by charging through with his shield. Just as
Ravager cut down the first of his opponents, RANNIK appeared at the top of the
stairwell and yelled STOP! Everyone froze. Except Ravager who skewered the second
of his victims!
After a meeting with RANNIK, who spent most of the time ogling Tetra, RANNIK
agreed to help the Heroes locate the mysterious cult as a favour to his murdered
friend Brass. Rannik needed a couple of hours to locate the cult, and in the
meantime asked whether Tetra would like to stay at his loft for a fine wine or two
(wink wink). Tetra graciously declined and joined the rest of her party at the House
of Brass. As night fell, Rannik and one of his best thieves JAK, met the heroes and
led them to an abandoned boarded up house in Wall Street. They bade the
Adventurers good luck and disappeared into the shadows. The heroes snuck into the
house through an upstairs window and after groping around in the blackness came
upon a stone stairwell that descended deep below Blacksand.
A large cavernous temple opened before them - with huge pillars and a candle-lit
altar overshadowed by a huge brass statue. They tried to sneak undetected towards
the alter but evil Elimite PRIESTS lay in wait. Ambush! The Heroes had uncovered
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the secret sect of Elim and now had to be silenced. But Elim’s servants were no
match for our brave and tough adventurers. Once the last of the Servants was
killed, the powerful High Priest NAGRIN entered from a side door. Nagrin created
black sludging portals in the marble floor from which DEMONSPAWN pulled
themselves into this world from the Abyss. No normal weapons could harm them, so
it was left to Marcellos’ Sword and Quarterstaff’s magical Fire spells. As they fought,
Tetra attacked Nagrin, only to be smashed against the stone wall by a Force bolt (the
first of many fired against her). Quarterstaff then fell foul to Nagrin’s Fear spell and
cowered in the corner. Ravager tried to get close to Nagrin to use throwing daggers,
but already a few missile weapons cast at Nagrin had merely deflected off him!
As Marcellos sent another Demonspawn back to the Abyss, Tetra summoned her
ICON of GOOD (which was granted to her by the Gods, see AFFRPG04) and sent it
against Nagrin. The High Priest cast a powerful Restraining spell to halt the ICON
and this was just enough of a distraction for Ravager to hit him with a flask of oil,
quickly followed up by a flaming candle. As Nagrin’s back burst into flames,
Marcellos smashed the Jar of Spiders at the High Priests feet, freeing the black
arachnids and allowing them to transform into GIANT SPIDERS. Most of the Spiders
immediately attacked Nagrin, while Tetra protected Quarterstaff from a few stray
ones that threatened to sink their fangs into her involuntarily cowering wizardly
companion.
As NAGRIN screamed from burns, spider bites and a well placed Ravager dagger,
Marcellos darted under the High Priests guard and supplanted his Sword of
Timakron through the evil Priest’s solar plexis and out through his shoulder blades.
The battle was won! A quick search of the Elimite temple revealed some Spell books
and magical items (all of which Quarterstaff took), and a letter written to Nagrin
from someone the heroes had met before - SARGON THE BLACK – Primate of the
Revived Church of Elim. The letter also detailed instructions from Sargon regarding
the murder of Brass who had ‘served his purpose’. Thus, the wheel had turned! How
ironic that the one person who helped them defeat Xortan Throg in the Blacksand
Sewers by obtaining the Crystal of Power and leading them to Throg’s lair (see
AFFRPG06), was now revealed as the one who orchestrated the Murder.
Quarterstaff quickly left the building to show Nicodemus what he had found. As he
left, he saw Silveram scampering down Wall Street having returned from her hiatus
to Stonebridge (coincidence?). Quarterstaff gave a quick summation of events as
Silveram entered the house. Down below, Ravager had begun desecrating the
Elimite chamber by defecating on the blood soaked alter (how refined!). Suddenly
the huge giant statue that towered behind him, once silent and unmoving, bellowed
an arcane roar and tore itself from the stone wall. It crashed the alter into pieces, as
once again Ravager found his sword ineffectual against a magical creature - his
blade simply deflected off the BRASS GOLEM'S gleaming golden hide. Even
Marcellos' normally lethal attacks, made no impact on the giant! Tetra formed the
last line of defence as the GOLEM marched towards the stone staircase exit. Her
god-given ICON of GOOD stood in the GOLEM'S path, but even it was battered away
with ease and sent hurtling into one of the huge pillars. The heroes were
dumbfounded, and simply let the GOLEM leave, and followed in its wake.
Silverarm had never seen anything like it before, and moved aside, as the GOLEM
screamed out of the staircase and raised its giant mass into and through the two
storeys of the house, bringing heavy wooden beams toppling. The Heroes all dived
through a window as the house collapsed around them. THE GOLEM thundered into
the street, tearing down the mainly wooden facades of the Blacksand streets causing an unprecedented scale of devestation on the general populace as well as
any buildings that were in the way of its massive arm width (Madame Star’s
prediction had seen fruition). Blacksanders poured into the streets. Some attacked
the GOLEM, only to be squashed or hammered into the ground. Some fought each
other, blaming curses, gods and prophecies. Some fled, towards the heavily guarded
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units that were forming at the gates. Some, like the Heroes, slinked in and out of the
grubby side streets, following and watching the Golem’s path of destruction from a
safe distance.
Ravager and Marcellos quickly made their way to the House of Brass, where they
discovered Torbul had disappeared. Veldik frantically searched the streets as
conspiracy theories surrounding Torbul were expounded. Rav and Marcellos joined
Veldik who was making a bee line to the Golem as it swung into Field Street. The
CAPTAIN of the BLACK GUARD and his TROLL soldiers were massing with
crossbows and pikes at the other end, should the GOLEM continue to head their
way! Meanwhile Tetra was swept off her feet by RANNIK who held the fiery fighter
close and told her he had seen Torbul walking aimlessly in his sleepwear towards
the GOLEM! Hand in hand, he led Tetra there (nudge nudge). As they all converged
on the brass bohemoth, Silveram cast a Spirit Journey (leaving her body which
copped a stray smack in the head from a beggar) and transported herself into the
GOLEM, revealing a Mechanical Heart hidden behind a chest plate which pumped a
magical Oil of Life through the GOLEM.
"The chest plate!” yelled the dwarven Guardian of Throff, "Hit the Chest plate!"
The GOLEM continued to pound its way towards the Field Gate and the readied
BLACK GUARD. Suddenly, a sleep walking Torbul emerged in front of its deadly
path, seemingly unaware of the giant foot that was about to press him into the
decrepit streetscape. Rav, Marcellos and Veldik were too far away to help. Veldik
yelled out a warning but Torbul seemed oblivious to his surroundings. Silverarm
was blocked by the maddening crowd and all appeared lost. That was until Tetra
streaked from the blackness of one of the alleyways, cheered on by Rannik, and side
tackled Torbul to safety! Hooray for Tetra! The GOLEM was infuriated, and slammed
some Blacksander groupies into the Merchant buildings which were toppling around
him.
With Torbul safe, Silverarm cast Befuddle on the GOLEM - stopping it in its tracks
and causing it to flail its massive arms in all directions. Veldik charged inside
combat range, only to be bashed by a stray GOLEM fist and sent flying into another
street. Ravager kept his distance and hurled rocks at the chest plate. Tetra joined in
with her daggers (as Rannik guarded Torbul) – and a direct hit finally dislodged the
plate to reveal a bolt of intense blue light! As this was happening before the now
cheering crowd, Marcellos created a lasso while the Captain of the Guard called his
Crossbow team forward. Marcellos then completed the most heroic act of his
illustrious career. He hurled the lasso around the GOLEM’s towering neck and
swung himself onto the GOLEM. A flailing gaint hand buffeted him sideways into the
second story wall of a damaged shop (the crowd gasped!) and Marcellos used this
momentum to his advantage to swing a circle around the GOLEM and land on its
back!
As crossbow bolts, rocks and daggers hurled in his direction, some penetrating his
armour, Marcellos swung back to the front of the still befuddled GOLEM and
planted his magical Sword deep into the crevasse which held the blue lit Mechanical
Heart. Immediately, a fluorescent ooze began pouring from the wound and within
seconds the BRASS GOLEM had crashed to one knee – then the other – then fully to
the hard Blacksand street. Blacksanders streamed from everywhere and lifted
Marcellos high in the air as he yelled “You know who I am – I am Marcellos the
Mighty – remember my name – and spread the word.” Silveram ran to join the
heroes (passing a familiar beggar and clubbing him unconscious with her hammer).
Ravager cursed Marcellos luck and clasped his double handed (non-magical) battle
sword as Veldik staggered towards him. Tetra avoided a jubilant Rannik’s hugging
as Torbul woke from his slumber and asked what the fuss was all about.
Before the Black Guard could react (and possibly demand that the Heroes pay for all
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the damage the GOLEM caused), Nicodemus had a cart ready to smuggle them from
the vile city. Nicodemus explained that SARGON had to be stopped. The heroes
needed to warn King Salamon, then seek out Nicodemus' good friend the wizard
Yaztromo in Darkwood Forest. Rannik said a heart felt goodbye to Tetra (claiming a
lock of her hair as keepsake). Veldik scoffed but found solace in his newfound
warrior brothers, Marcellos and Ravager. Silverarm and Quarterstaff exchanged
Spell recipes as Torbul completed the financial transaction with Waldo, thus
concluding what he initially set out to do in Meerham. The Heroes carted their way
to Salamonis under the cover of nightfall, all too aware that soon they would again
be called upon to SAVE THE WORLD FROM EVIL!
A Darkness Over Kaad
(from the book “Allansia” / WARNING: Plot Spoilers!)
What follows is an actual account of a Fighting Fantasy RPG Campaign, using real
Player Characters and outcomes, played over 2 x 4hr Sessions
Fresh from their victory against the BRASS GOLEM in Port Blacksand, the Heroes of
Allansia (Ravager, Marcellos, Silverarm, Quarterstaff and Tetra) did as the wise
Nicodemus instructed, and warned King Salamon of SARGON’S plans. The King
gave them some fine horses for the adventure ahead and then it was off to Darkwood
Forest to find Yaztromo. In the distance, the abandoned tower of Xortan Throg
brought back memories of the rescue of Princess Sarissa and their first encounter
with Xortan (see AFFRPG05). Once in the Forest, they were escorted by Wood Elves
to Yaztromo’s tower. Yaztromo explained that Sargon was creating an Elimite army
and was planning to begin his conquest by marching on the city of Kaad. Yaztromo
had also scryed into the future and said that a prisoner of the Elimite Monastary in
the Icefinger Mountains needed to be rescued because that was the key to future
victory against the Elimites. The Heroes journey north across the Pagan Plains
would be a long one. So Yaztromo gave them a map and a large batch of special
herbal sweet cakes and set them on their way.
After six days of exhaustive travel across the Pagan Plains, the Heroes stopped at an
outpost at the base of the Icefinger Mountains. There they befriended a merchant
names Big Jim and traded their fine horses for furs and mountain and snow gear.
After another arduos trek, this time into the cold mountains, the Adventurers found
the Elimite Monastery, identified by its black flags. Ravager and Silverarm were the
first to enter. Once the whole party was in, the MANTICORE pounced. The
poisonous barb of its sting found its mark on Quarterstaff, disabling him. Tetra
dragged her wizardly friend to safety as Ravager and Marcellos went about dishing
out their own medicine to the hungry MANTICORE. Silverarm chimed in with
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another invaluable Befuddle spell, and then all was silent once again.
Ravager was at his quick thinking best, severing the Manticore’s barb and capturing
its poison for later use. With Quarterstaff healed, they entered the Monastery. It was
deserted. Except for one lowly GOBLIN chained in the dungeon. It took a while for it
to sink in. This was whom Yaztromo foresaw as the Key to a future battle against
the Elimites. The Goblin’s name was GIBLET, and after some rough house tactics by
Ravager, they garnered some vital intell. Giblet said Sargon had hundreds of soldiers
who were marching to Kaad, but that as the ‘best goblin scout this side of the
Catfish River’, he knew a short cut and was happy to assist the Heroes, especially
considering it meant the slaughter of the Orc armies that had joined SARGON.
Giblet also mentioned that he belonged to the GOBLIN KING Bonebreaker’s two
hundred strong Goblin Army that was based in the Tanglewood forest. This force
would be invaluable ally against the Elimite army. After some further discussion
with Giblet and amongst the party, they agreed to follow Giblet. First however,
Ravager explained to Giblet that Quarterstaff had cast a powerful Curse on the
scraggy goblin. It meant that if Giblet threatened any of the adventurers, or strayed
more than five hundred feet away, the goblin would DIE instantly. Giblet gulped and
the journey began.
With the help of their new guide, the Party successfully scaled the treacherous
glaciers of the Icefinger Mountains. On their descent through the frozen valleys, they
came upon a WYRM’S lair. The WYRM burst from it’s cavern in an icy explosion
which catapulted the adventurers into the snow covered terrain. Marcellos and
Giblet ran for cover as Tetra felt the full force of the WYRM’s deadly breathe. With
the massive creature Befuddled by the mystic Silverarm, Rav and Quarterstaff
attacked from the rear, the wizard particularly useful with a Fire consuming spell.
The WYRM collapsed as Ravager cleaned up its lair of treasure! After staying the
night in the WYRM’s shelter, away from the biting cold and snow, the morning dawn
brought the next leg of the adventure.
Giblet lead his newfound friends (?) through the salty swamp marshes at the mouth
of the River Kok. Avoiding the bogs and other pitfalls, they were suddenly ambushed
by grotesque MARSH WRAITHS. The Wraiths were in their home ground muddy
territory and converged on the entire party who were impeded in thick knee high
ooze. Rav summed it up: “We’re all gonna die.” Quarterstaff cast a Shield spell to
save himself as Giblet clung to Tetra, making it even more difficult for the female
warrior to raise her muddy sword. But when it looked like all the heroes would be
smothered to death, Silversarm tapped into the darkest recesses of the MARSH
WRAITH’s animated minds with a Fear spell, and in an instant, the mass of Wraiths
withdrew. Hooray for the Dwarf!
As they trudged through what was now tall reed swampland, they were met by an
army of SWAMP MEN, lead by a fierce looking warrior called ELGON. “Perhaps
you’ve heard of me” began Marcellos. The motley crew of heroes explained their
mission and were escorted to Elgon’s village of E’kaad. There they were cleaned up
and fed (and treated with great curiosity by the local kids) and then presented before
the swamp people’s CHIEF TELAD and their high priest ZUNE. After the adventurers
survived a simple ritual called the Test of the Staff (particularly Silverarm who made
the large Gem at the head of the Staff mysteriously glow when she touched it),
CHIEF TELAD agreed to support them in their battle against SARGON. Sargon was a
worshipper of Elim, an evil God who was the vile Dark brother of the swamp people’s
God of Light - Ashra. Chief Telad assigned Elgon to the party and committed his one
hundred and fifty strong Swamp Army to meeting the Heroes at Kaad.
The next day the party arrived at Giblet’s homeland – the Tanglewood Forest.
Travelling through the thick undergrowth, an overwhelmed Elgon (who had never
stepped outside his swamp surrounds) became caught in STRANGLE WEED. Unable
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to escape, and within minutes of being constricted to death, Ravager and Tetra
launched to his defence, in spite of Giblet’s cries to leave him to die! The warrior tag
team underestimated the volume and strength of the STRANGLE WEED and were
soon trapped as well! As the three hapless adventurers lay strung up at the mercy of
thick animated weed, Marcellos entered. The quick thinking Fighter created torch
sticks with the forest bracken and began burning the killer shrubs. With Tetra free,
The ICON of GOOD was animated and tore Elgon from the WEED’s clutches, soon
followed by Ravager who had a brief thought to pursue the retracting WEED vines,
as they squeeled back into their dark hiding places.
After paying a small fee to a TROLL called Stomp to allow them to cross an algae
choked stream, the heroes came upon the home of the Tanglewood Goblin Tribe.
Giblet explained that one of the Heroes needed to challenge the Goblin King Grolik
“Bonebreaker” Fatnose to a ritualistic battle to the death. Under Goblin law, the
victor would be King! It was an offer Sir Marcellos couldn’t pass. In an insult and
goblin ale induced frenzy, Marcellos cut Bonebreaker to pieces (and Rav made a
handy sum betting on the side) and soon it was to be KING MARCELLOS of the 150strong Goblin army. Tetra wooed the Goblin Elders while Rav established himself as
Captain-My-Captain of the Goblin Captains. The day ended with Elgon, Giblet and
Marcellos partying late into the night like only Goblins could (and Marcellos went to
sleep with images of the beautiful (?) goblin females – one of which he would have to
impregnate within 3mths to remain as King). HAIL the KING, BABY!
In the early hours of another Allansian summer morning, with their time in the
Tanglewood Forest now but a memory, the travelling adventurers arrived at their
final destination, Kaad. And, as Giblet had promised, they arrived ahead of SARGON
and the Elimite Army. After a short time in the Kaad gaol, the Heroes - assisted by
Tetra’s Icon of Good - uncovered an Elimite spy. After interrogating him, they
discovered that the Elimite Army would arrive tomorrow afternoon. At the Kaad
Council meeting, they met fishmonger Mayor MORGENT, historian Father
DURRANT (who successfully persuaded the Heroes to be thankful and lift the curse
from Giblet) and retired Salamonian knight General LANNAMAR. After showing
YAZTROMO’s Seal, and explaining the evil Elimite plans, decisions were made that
would shape forthcoming arena of War! King Marcellos would command the Goblin
army arriving at dawn, bolstered by Wolf riders, the goblin forces would number
200. General Lannamar would command the Kaad Guard of 150 soldiers, archers
and cavalry. Tetra would command Elgon’s spear wielding swamp warriors, 150 in
number who were to be led into Kaad at sunrise by the iconic figures of high priest
ZUNE and Swamp Chief TELAD. And Ravager, as if his deepest dream had been
realized, would assume the position of SUPREME COMMANDER of the 500 strong
KAAD Defence.
The Board was set. The pieces were moving. The Battle for Kaad had begun.
Ravager addressed the Citizens of Kaad with a rousing speech which painted a
picture of the landscape of war ahead and the great battle that needed to be fought.
Then the Heroes used all the resources at their disposal (Icon of Good, Sword of
Timakron, Bottle of Entrapment) to erradicate the Elimite presence in the city – High
Priest Vatchik and his acolytes. The Heroes then planned the defence of Kaad. A
communication system of flags was devised and as the afternoon sun climbed to its
highest. Tetra used her eagle-eyesight to warn of the Orc army that advanced from
the north onto Kaad. When the 250-strong 1st regiment of the Orc Army, known as
the Fingers of Doom, had moved between the forests outside the Kaad walls,
Ravager flagged the attack. Goblin King Marcellos sent his 50-strong Wolf riding
goblin cavalry into a furious assault, while Tetra joined the 150-strong Swamp Army
(under a Bravery spell from Zune) and ran into battle.
The Fingers of Doom had been ambushed in a pincer movement and were being
slaughtered. Their command unit was the first to fall to the Goblin & Swampman
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combined forces. Sargon surveyed the scene from afar, surrounded by his armoured
bodyguard unit, and was quietly impressed at the forces that had converged to
defend Kaad. The evil High Priest had thought he would face very little, if any,
resistance. But his admiration quickly turned to rage and he barked orders at his
150-strong 2nd Orc regiment, known as the Mountain Daredevils, to assist their
brethren. But King Marcellos was prepared, and sent his 150-strong Goblin foot
soldiers into the battle. Together with Tetra and her hero-inspired swamp unit, they
were more than a match for the combined orc army, and began carving their way
toward Sargon.
For Rav, who surveyed the war from his battlements in Kaad, the war was going to
plan. Though there were heavy losses amongst the brave goblins and swamp men,
the Orcs had all been obliterated. Giblet was particularly gleeful at the volumes of
orc blood which coloured the adjoining lake red. Rav took advantage of his Army's
momentum and sent Lannamar’s 50-strong Cavalry Unit pouring from inside Kaad
towards Sargon. But SARGON was a powerful spell caster – a servant of the
primeval God Elim – and he commnded great Spells that were designed for conquest
and conquer. First, a shower of arrows befell the advancing cavalry, causing many
riders to fall! Then Sargon cast a Strength spell that enabled his 150-Elimite soldiers
to inflict more damaging attacks. The Elimite warriors met Lannamar's Noble cavalry
head on - and disposed of them in ominous retribution. SARGON then poured his
2nd and 3rd armoured human Elimite units into the mix, while the Evil High priest
cast skill-sapping spells on the forces of good – resulting in heavy casualties on the
tiring and dwindling goblin and swamp units.
The Tangleweed goblins, valiant to the end, had now met the same fate as their Orc
oppressors – and been obliterated. Similarly, Tetra’s unit had seen their swamp
brothers fall like flies around them, and she retreated back into the forest, to the
healing hands of Zune and the despondant look from the Chief Telad. The tide of
battle had turned. King Marcellos ordered the Kaad gates closed and secured as the
armoured Elimite horde advanced on the City. Supreme Commander Rav called all
his remaining People’s Units and City Guard to the wall embankments. Silverarm
weaved some Befuddlement spells upon the Elimites as Rav ordered his Bowmen to
unleash their arrows. Sargon’s army was undaunted and amassed outside the gates
awaiting his orders. SARGON walked amongst them, still guarded by his elite
troops, and began casting a devastating spell. In an instant – in a show of pure evil
and omnipotent power - SARGON launched a Fear spell that dashed Kaad’s last
hope. Rav's Units at the Wall turned to flee in terror as the Elimites destroyed the
Gate and poured in to Kaad, hell bent on death and destruction. The dour dwarven
priestess Silveram desperately reversed the effects from one of the City Guard units,
allowing them to join Rav in the city’s last stand! Rav grit his teeth, and though
hopelessly outnumbered, engaged the marauding Elimites.
SARGON remained outside the walls of Kaad as his Army routed the town. He
wanted to personally dispose of the Heroes but Tetra’s swamp unit wasn't finished
yet. Having been healed by Zune, they ambushed Sargon in a clever flanking
manoeuvre. While surprised at the attack, SARGON could not be harmed by normal
weapons - and the spear, arrow and sword attacks merely deflecting off him or
passed through his flesh, without causing injury. The swamp unit withdrew in
horror, screaming to their Chief TELAD that SARGON was an evil demon! Even
Tetra's Icon of Good was frozen to the spot by a simple Sargon touch! Sargon
laughed maniacally as Marcellos, King of the slaughtered Goblin Army, stood in his
path. SARGON smirked, then quipped "Show me what you've got, Goblin King."
Marcellos blinded Sargon with his Cobra Tattoo and then let Timakron carve its
bloody name in Sargon's chest. Sargon gazed down at his wound - horrified - and
prepared a massive counter attack that would surely have sent Marcellos into
another plane. But Silverarm followed up Marcellos' attack by casting a powerful
Mind energy bolt into Sargon before he could retaliate. Sargon’s veins and nerve
endings began to swell and just when he looked as if his eye's would explode from
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their sockets, he collapsed, exhausted from the huge battle spell-casting during the
war. Marcellos wasted no time and began drawing and quartering Sargon’s body,
and Ravager grabbed Sargon’s fabled Elimite Spell Book (later handing it to the
Wizard Joe Quarterstaff). The swamp priest ZUNE emerged at the scene with the
Staff of Ashra. "This one cannot be killed in the ways of mortals", ZUNE sighed,
unsheathing the Gem atop the staff, "we can only hope to trap the spirit so that it
may never walk free again." With that, the Gem began to glow and a ghostly white
essnece was sucked from Sargon's body parts into it! The sheath was then again
applied, and bound tightly. "It is done”, concluded ZUNE. The Heroes would later
learn that it was the Staff of Ashra that Sargon indeed intended to destroy in his
raid on Kaad.
Just as all looked hopeless for the outnumbered Rav, the Fear spell that terrified his
infantry units dissipated with Sargon's death, and soon the 150-strong Kaad
reinforcements had swung the battle back in his favour. As the remaining Elimites
surrendered, Rav would take no prisoners, ending the great war in a bloody
massacre! The Battle for Kaad had been won. And Sargon’s dark plans for the rest of
Allansia had been averted. As the inhabitants of Kaad reemerged from their
safehouses cross the blood coloured Lake, there were great cheers for the victorious
Heroes. In the aftermath, the plans for a brighter future were laid. From the gold,
equipment and weapons scavenged from the vanquished Elimites, the City of Kaad
would rebuild and General Lannamar would ensure Kaad restored itself to its former
glory. The Temple of Ashra would be rebuilt, and shrines would be erected in the
honour of the glorious Heroes. Mayor Morgent also handed the Freedom Key to the
City to Silverarm, and Father Durrant ordered that a special Shrine would be
erected to Throff, dwarven Goddess, in honour and respect for the spell casting
Silverarm (and to say thanks for donating all her share of the spoils to the People of
Kaad). In all respects, the Heroes would be welcome back at any time, and news of
their victory would spread with tales from merchants and minstrels.
Goblin King Marcellos transferred his Kingship to GIBLET, so that he may begin the
repopulation exercise with his betrothed Goblin queen. The Tanglewood goblins had
all been decimated, and as one of the last remaining healthy males, it would be up
to Giblet to restore their numbers. Life’s tough! For Elgon, Chief Telad and Zune,
they would return to E’kaad swamp village, and take upon the role as keepers and
guardians of the fabled Staff of Ashra! And so it was that on this 18th Day of
Watching, in the Year 276AC, that four legendary Heroes strode off into the sunset,
secure in the knowledge that a great deed had been done, and that somewhere,
someplace, another great adventure lay waiting!
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
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For the last two years, the adventurers have travelled the length and breadth of
Allansia in a never-ending battle against the Forces of Evil. They have vanquished
many a foe and garnered a reputation as being the one true hope - the Heroes of
Allansia. Now they have decided to venture to the northeastern corner of this savage
land, to begin what may be their most challenging and perilous adventure yet.
After a brief stay in Salamonis - where they used their vast gold reserve to re-equip
themselves - Ravager, Tetra, Silverarm and Joe Quarterstaff teamed up to tackle
ZAGOR - infamous ruler of the famous Firetop Mountain. After a quick discussion,
the party decided against visiting the nearby village of Gilford, and headed straight
to the red-topped mountain. The brave Tetra (still refusing to wear armour, see
AFFRPG07) took the lead position through the mountainside entrance, while
Ravager held up the rear with his newly bought half-wolf Timtoby by his side. After
avoiding a pit trap and effortlessly disposing of the numerous Goblin and Orc
guards, the party was quick to amass a variety of magic weapons and strange keys
that were being kept by the mainly dumb-witted inhabitants. Of particular note was
a black sword with a hilt fashioned in the shape of bats that Ravager found.
Although this greatly enhanced the fighter’s deadliness, it was Quarterstaff and
Silverarm's magic that was soon the determining factor against tougher opponents.
Large OGRES and an IRON CYCLOPS were dispensed by a flurry of spells which
included Fireball, Restraint and Befuddle. Such magical might allowed the Heroes to
quickly traverse the cold dungeon passageways.
The heavily equipped warrior El Ravager (with half-wolf Timtoby in toe), the Dwarven
Guardian Silverarm, and the Wizard Joe Quarterstaff continued deeper into the
twisting cold labyrinth that was Firetop Mountain. The three Heroes made
magnificent progress with the Rav's mapping skills coming to the fore. They skillfully
negotiated the dungeon corridors, conversing with encounters when necessary,
avoiding some when required and, of course, inflicting maximum carnage when
forced! After commencing his adventuring career with a disdain for magic, Ravager
had succumbed its benefits. His newfound magical bow and Arrow of Undead
Slaying was frequently utilised to dispatch of a myriad of creatures including
ZOMBIES, GHOULS, WIGHTS and a VAMPIRE SPAWN that tried unsuccessfully to
hypnotize Quarterstaff. Silverarm met up with some adventuring DWARVES, who
tried to convince her to return with them to their village in the Gilford Hills. But
Silverarm spoke of her duty to her comrades and the quest to find Zagor. How noble!
Quarterstaff had his hands full, not only with his newly found magical doublebladed, two-handed Great Axe of Sarisar, but also with numerous denizens that
were inflicting damage on him left right and centre. But Joe pulled through with
copious swigs of his Healing potion!!! And the way the Wizard wielded the Great Axe
made his colleagues wonder whether the wizard was changing professions!!!!!
As the Adventurers journeyed deeper, they were surpised to happen upon elderly
humans making a living in the Mountan. A Ferryman who assisted their river
crossing, a Librarian with a gambling addiction, and a Shop keeper who sold them a
magic Blue Candle. The candle came into quick use against an ethereal WAILING
SPIRIT! The Heroes also uncovered many a Healing item and a number of magical
items as they slew the dungeon crawling vermin (like GIANT BATS, RATS and CAVE
TROLLS) and looted the bodies of fallen adventurers. Ravager was ecstatic after his
fellow adventurers handed over to him a magical Helmet and Sword. Silverarm was
also delighted as she continued to amass Gold, Gems and an assortment of keys.
Her most recent "numbered" key being attained after Joe and Rav combined to slay
a MINOTAUR, and Silverarm found the key hidden in some broken pottery. Yet there
was also many pitfalls that threatened to derail the group from their mission.
Silverarm found a Bronze Helmet which she discovered to be Cursed upon wearing
(and cannot be removed!); Quarterstaff found a pair of ornate boots which he put on,
only to discover that they were magical Boots of Entrapment - rooting him to the
spot as a MONSTROUS SPIDER pumped venom into his wily veins; and in a savage
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fight involving DEMONHOUNDS and a Boatkeeper-turned-WEREWOLF, Quarterstaff
received a nasty bite which left quite a wound (?); while a Teleport Trap sent the
Heroes backwards into uncharted area (minus Timtoby - who they lost in the
teleportation confusion - poor wolfy). Nonetheless, after now more than 12 hrs facing
the worse that Firetop Mountain had to offer, the Heroes were still at near-fullstrength, and could taste the blood of the final kill!!! Watch out Zagor, because the
magically powered-up Heroes of Allansia are comin' to get ya!!!
And so came the final chapter in the Warlock saga. The Heroes – Ravager,
Quarterstaff and Silverarm – met up with their old counterparts Tetra and
Marcellos, who had also been joined by a female human adventurer calling herself
99.
99 heralded from the town of Gilford, which was two days walk from Firetop
Mountain. Gilford had for as long as she could remember been terrorised by Zagor
and his evil minions. Much suffering and hardship had her community endured at
his hands! But as the number of adventurers passing through the village to tackle
the Warlock dwindled, so did their hopes that one day the Warlock would be
vanquished. In response, a secret group was formed called the Secret Nine –
Gilford’s Guild of Assassins – who planned to use their stealth, agility and guile to
defeat the Warlock Zagor. And so it was that the ninth member to the Secret Nine,
the youngest and best of them, known as 99, seized the opportunity to enter Firetop
Mountain with our heroic party.
Introductions were brief. “My name is 99…” began the new party member, only to be
cut short by Ravager. “Just stay out of my way”, he grunted, as he passed by her,
pouring over his maps. “Don’t mind him”, assured the Tetra, “just keep alert and
stay close”. 99 welcomed Tetra’s calm and mature disposition. “Yeah” added the
dwarven Silverarm, “us girls gotta stick together’. 99 was a little confused, and had
to ask Tetra - “that Dwarf is a She?” Tetra smiled. The wizard-come-warrior
Quarterstaff chimed in with “Look at my massive double-headed Axe!!!” while
Marcellos continued to press 99 with something that had been bugging them since
they left Gilford “are you sure you’ve never heard of me???”
With Tetra again taking the lead at the head of the group, the Heroes continued
their progress through the dungeon corridors. But their plans were thrown into
disarray with the realisation that Quarterstaff had contracted the deadly disease
Lycanthropy (from his bite from the WEREWOLF) and that the transformation to
were-beast had begun. Silverarm, being well-versed in the cursed and undead ways,
was quick to summise. “We need a sprig of Belladonna…. And quickly” Ravager and
Quarterstaff remembered the shopkeeper who sold them the blue Candle to fight the
WAILING SPIRIT, and so they retraced their steps in a frantic race against time!
Using Ravager’s extensive map of the Mountain labyrinth, and after successfully
overcoming the River crossing using numerous means (Boat, Rope, Arrows,
Bridge…) the party found the required herb and Quarterstaff was saved from an
alter life as a Were-beast (though some in the party believed that transformation had
begun with his finding of the Great Axe!). Once that crisis was over, some Teleport
traps continued to plague their luck by transporting the adventurers around the
dungeon seemingly at random. It had numerous results. Ravager came across the
lifeless body of his half-wolf Timtoby, which had been partially chewed to pieces (not
pretty); Tetra got a chance to use her leather Whip to snap a key from a potentially
trapped room; 99 tried to slit the throat of a Giant who was doing nothing but trying
to finish his large Boar meal (ruthless); Silverarm was nearly swallowed whole by a
GIANT SANDWORM (one jaw snap away from death!); and after an encounter with a
old bearded scribe, Quarterstaff was violated by Silveram as he slept (Silverarm got
the Black Sapphire, Quarterstaff just enjoyed the ride – now that’s just wrong!) But
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like on so many occasions before them, the teamwork, tenacity and sheer brilliance
of the party combined to overcome all adversity.
Finally the Heroes were back on track. And after an hour or so walking the
seemingly endless, twisting passageways (and avoiding any dead-end teleport traps)
they arrived at the dark cavern of the DRAGON! After some planning and
considerations, Tetra cast her Icon of Good, and sent the juggernaught into the
cavern. The young RED DRAGON reduced the Icon to a hot-white molten mess, but
the Icon did enough to distract the Dragon so the others could attack. In the furious
battle that ensued, 99 snuck in the shadows to the door opposite, Ravager dodged
the Dragon’s fireballs, Silveram and Quarterstaff cast Mind darts and Force bolts,
while Tetra and Marcellos (Sword of Timakron humming) finished the Dragon off
with a flurry of blows. The young Dragon lay slain and the party prepared for the
final foray.
The WARLOCK appeared as an old and frail man. Silverarm entered his sparse room
first, while her human counterparts regrouped and recouped. Though appearing
harmless, Silverarm knew that she was in the presence of much greatness. She
bantered with Zagor as he boasted that they had all made a fatal mistake in coming
here. Silverarm’s anger swelled inside her as she recounted in her mind all the
Dwarven stories of how Zagor and his legions invaded the mountain that had been
inhabited by dwarves for centuries. Hundreds perished. The rest were banished.
This would be for them. With Silverarm’s Mind Shielding runes activated, she raised
the Black Sapphire that she had taken from Quarterstaff. Zagor screamed in terror
and cowered into the corner as the gem began to glow! But then, in burst the rest of
the Heroes! Hooray for the cavalry! Ravager, Tetra, Quartertstaff and Marcellos
charged at the terrified Warlock, thirsty for blood! “No!” shouted Silverarm as an arc
of black light streaked from the Crystal. But it was too late. The black arc hit
Marcellos in the back! Luckily for Marcellos, his Rune of Shielding saved him from
certain death, but the Crystal’s power was lost! Zagor cracked a wry smile – and
vanished – just as the heroes’ weapons bounced off the Force wall which protected
him.
Silveram shook her head in disbelief at her comrades’ rashness. Zagor’s voice
boomed through the room, stealing Ravager’s thunder - “YOU ARE ALL GOING TO
DIE!” A wall of flame blocked their escape and the titanic battle with the teleporting
Zagor began. The Warlock used a combination of his Mind attacks (against all), Fire
balls (against Rav) and Chilling touch (against Quarterstaff) to assail the heroes.
Quarterstaff cast Reveal to locate the invisible Warlock, who had transformed into
his true figure of power and eminence, while Marcellos’s Sword pounded into Zagor’s
invisible defences. Meanwhile, the three “Angels” Tetra, Silverarm and 99, used the
numerous keys they had found to break into Zagor’s treasure room. With the aid of
99’s parchment (found in the Warlock’s desk) and the help of Quarterstaff’s
deduction (he did graduate top of his class from the Salamonian School of Wizardry)
the three heroines inserted the correctly numbered keys into Zagor’s treaure chest.
The deadly traps were disabled and the vast sum of gold, gems and magical items
opened before them in a moment of sheer Glory Glory Alleliuia!
The treasure find was enough to distract the Warlock. “NOT MY TREASURE” he
boomed, allowing one of Marcellos’ furious attacks to finally break through Zagor’s
defences. The cold steel of Timakron carved a deep wound from Zagor’s shoulder to
his hip, and as Zagor crawled to his Treasure room, pleading “not my treasure….not
my fabulous treasure”, Marcellos ran in slow motion behind him and thrust
Timakron through the back of the once great Warlock – impaling him to the
dungeon floor.
The Warlock of Firetop Mountain lay defeated. The Treasure was there’s. The
Mountain stronghold was handed over to the long suffering people of Gilford (who
would later invite the scattered Dwarven communities inside to live together, in
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harmony). The Heroes divvied up the Gold within the chest, and Joe Quarterstaff
bagged Zagor’s fabled Deck of Cards.
They had entered as Heroes. They emerged as Legends!
The Caverns of the Snow Witch
Once again it was time for our Heroes set out on a new adventure. The team
consisted of that most experienced of campaigners El Ravager, his new trusty halfwolf Timtoby 2, the party's leading lady Tetra, Sir Marcellos (perhaps-you've-heardof-him), the Dwarf with anger management issues Silverarm, and the newest
member, the bridge-fetish assassin 99. Together they were helping an old friend Big
Jim (see AFFRPG08) by protecting his caravans as he traded with outposts along the
Icefinger Mountain range. But soon, bigger things were in store for our brave heroes!
An ABOMINABLE BEAST was threatening the trade route. The creature had already
laid ruin to one outpost and 6 Northmen. Big Jim asked the adventurers to venture
into the Icefinger Mountains to slay the beast! Ravager and Silverarm negotiated the
fee for their services (mercenaries!) and then it was into the frozen wastelands. The
howling wind and snow chilled our Heroes and made the going tough. An encounter
with a huge MAMMOTH saw all but Silverarm get thrown around like rag dolls! 99
had to use all her assassin agility to stop from being hurled over the edge and into a
crevasse while Timtoby 2 had no such luck being squashed by the Mammoth.
Finally, the combined attacks of Ravager, Tetra and finally Marcellos ended the
behemoth’s rampage.
The team settled down for some minor healing, Rav buried what was left of Timtoby
2, and then Rav and Marcellos cut a few steaks off the dead MAMMOTH (?).
Silverarm left her human companions for a brief moment and showed off her
dwarven courage by walking alone across a slippery ice bridge. But she soon fell foul
of murderous SNOW WOLVES who ambushed her in a blood-curled frenzy. Luckily,
Tetra's eagle eye spotted the massacre and she alerted the others. With Silverarm
fighting for her life, Tetra performed a heroic action by sliding all the way across the
ice bridge in one turn, and coming to the dwarven Guardian's aide. 99 also crossed
the ice bridge, but much more slowly, as she enjoyed the feel of its cold surface and
marvelled at the bridge's amazing ice construction. Eventually, Tetra's blade,
Silverarm's warhammer and 99's Charm wand put an end to the SNOW WOLVES,
and the party continued up the mountain.
A blizzard hit and the heroes were forced to find cover, and they fortunately
happened upon an empty cabin. The cabin belonged to a Fur-trapper named
Brogan. After helping themselves to a hearty stew meal beside the warm fire, Rav
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read them a letter he had found. It was the story of Brogan's quest to rid the world
of a Snow Witch who planned an Ice Age for Allansia – and it nearly put Silverarm to
sleep as she lay curled up in the trapper's bed. When the blizzard passed, the party
headed on. An avalanche made the party run for their lives – except for Silverarm.
The dwarven cleric simply stood firm in the face of the natural disaster and put all
her faith in a Stonewall scroll. As the others held their breath, the magic wall held,
and our little stubby Hero was safe! Surviving that, the party ventured upon the
original reason for the foray into Icefinger - The abominable YETI. The creature was
towering over the fur trapper Brogan. The YETI had already killing six Northmen,
and did likewise to Brogan before their very eyes. Rav thrust his newfound spear
into the white beast, joining Tetra in a toe-to-toe melee against its massive claws.
Finally Silverarm flanked the Yeti and cast a very powerful Holy Spear, which tore
the Yeti's head off! 99 comforted the fallen Brogan. She listened compassionately to
his last words "Snow Witch...must stop... Ice Age" and then she proceeded to strip
him of all his clothes and possessions, including a magical Rope of Climbing (no
respect).
Eventually the party found the hidden entrance to the Snow Witch's Crystal
Caverns. Tetra and 99 lit their lanterns as Rav lanced a patrolling ELF with his
spear. The adventurers garnered information about the icy Caverns and the magical
Neckbands that the Snow Witch's minions wore that subjected them to slavery! Any
hope that the heroes would try and move through the ice caverns covertly were soon
dashed when the party stormed a makeshift kitchen. Tetra and Marcellos slashed a
dim-witted NEANDERTHAL to death, while Rav had a good ol' fashioned punch on
with the angry cook! Silverarm was focussed on eating the tasty stew that was on
offer, but soon became embroiled with 99 in a battle against some pesky GOBLINS.
Marcellos rekindled some memories of his time as Goblin-king with one of the
GOBLINS before Rav skewered the last of them with his sword! With the Snow Witch
now sure to know of trouble in paradise, the Heroes slinked deeper into the caverns,
arriving at a cavernous temple. It was filled with a dozen assorted creatures praying
to the effigy of some large DEMON. As Tetra and Marcellos tried to bypass the
gathered crowd, an ORC PRIESTESS yelled out "Who dares pass through the Temple
of T'Armeru without paying their respects?"
Ravager wasted no time hurling his Spear into the angry PRIESTESS. Then he
joined Tetra and Silverarm in belting her GOBLIN and ORC clergy. But as the battle
raged, the wounded ORC-PRIESTESS had a surprise in store for our heroes. With an
ancient command she brought the towering ice effigy of the DEMON T’Armeru to
life!!! The huge ICE DEMON roared and bounded forward into the battle. Silverarm’s
Mind attacks appeared to have no effect. Tetra whipped an ORC into the DEMON’S
path, but it was promptly encased in ice and crushed beneath the DEMON’S
monstrous foot! Tetra then threw a dagger at the ORC PRIESTESS who was trying to
heal herself! Doh! However, this gave the ICE DEMON a chance to attack Tetra and
forced the fearless heroine to retreat down an uncharted dark passage as the
DEMON closed in.
Ravager had his hands full with the remaining ORCS as Silverarm bludgeoned the
last of the GOBLINS with her Warhammer. Just as Tetra lit her lantern to see where
she had run to, the ICE DEMON prepared to seal her fate with an icy blast. Enter
the Silverarm – who cast a powerful Holy Spear force bolt which ripped through the
back of the Ice Demon – sending it collapsing into tiny shards and back to the
unholy abyss from whence it came. Tetra then took on the cornered ORC
PRIESTESS in a bit of sword versus dagger mono-et-mono, only to have the Ravager
creep behind and skewer the PRIESTESS with his spear (spoil sport).
The team then investigated the passage Tetra had run into earlier. Ravager
unearthed a magical White Spear from an icy pool of water in the cave. Tetra lead
the party on (as ususal) and narrowly avoided a pit trap. Then they entered the cave
of Rillion, a BARD who welcomed the Snow Queen’s new recruits (= placed
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Obedience Collars on them). Rav introduced his fellow heroes as Jack, Jill and Leia,
then promptly gave Rillion his own warrior welcome by smacking Rillion in the nose,
pinning him down in a choke lock and headbutting him to a pulp. Then Tetra
wrapped her whip around Rillion’s neck and Silverarm added emotional insults
saying “Rillion was good looking for a human”. Rav then broke some of the hapless
Bard’s fingers and rammed the BARD’S bloodied head into a vase. Hmmmmmmm.
With the interrogation(?) complete, the party traversed deeper into the mountain,
and the icy crystal caverns were replaced by the hard rock of the Icefinger
Mountains.
The heroes rescued the dwarf Ulgrad who had fallen into a pit and was being pelted
by small boulders thrown by a group of GOBLINS. Ulgrad was in awe of meeting “the
Great Silverarm” and bestowed upon her a Slingshot and some magical metal slugs
and a warning to “Beware the White Rat.” Moving on, the Heroes came upon a Skull
Entrance cut into the rock. It was guarded by a disfigured and meek-looking robed
figure named YORGAR, who held a clear Prism. Silverarm whipped a metal slug at
him and Tetra threw a dagger. Both hit their mark, forcing YORGAR to drop the
prism and fall to the ground. Silverarm grabbed the Prism of Illusion while Rav used
his Elven Boots of Speed to get into hand-to-hand range. YORGAR retaliated by
firing a burst of White Fire that nearly hit Rav! Suddenly, Rav’s mind was filled with
a traumatic flashback. Images of his homeland and the terrible atrocity occurred
came flooding back. And in an instant Rav realised that YORGAR was THAT
sorceror! With Rav’s horrible facial scars as a permanent reminder of that fateful
day, Rav slashed through YORGAR’S body again and again - finally avenging the
death of his family and the destruction of his village. Silverarm and Tetra watched
on...
A FROST GIANT wielding a Great Axe was encountered next, and although quite a
worthy opponent, it was still no match for the Tetra-Rav show. Silverarm continued
her good run by collecting a magic Ring of Cold Protection and Ring of Summon
Warrior. Unfortunately, she also put on a Cursed Ring that couldn’t be removed.
This was the second time in her career that she had adorned a Cursed Item – and
although the ring had no immediate negative effect, it conjured an image of a
Vampire in her mind (a sign of things to come?). After Silverarm sling-shot another
one of her magical metal balls to shatter a CRYSTAL WARRIOR, and the heroes
dispensed with a ZOMBIE, they came upon an ornately walled, high ceiling cavern.
Inside was an open sarcophagus – from which a White Rat promptly dropped out of.
As the Heroes discussed their course of action, the Rat began to transform. Rav
threw Silverarm’s Dagger of Throff at it, while Silverarm launched the last of her
magical balls. But these attacks did little as the Rat transformed into a menacing
adult WHITE DRAGON. It fanned its huge wings in the air and wailed a piercing
screech. Rav gave it his best shot by hurling his spear and following up with his
Lightning Rune. Tetra tried to flank the magnificent being, while Silverarm used her
Ring of Warrior Summoning to summon the armoured knight Aragose. The DRAGON
smashed Aragose aside and breathed a punishing Breathe of Ice onto Rav and Tetra.
But just when it looked as though another icy blast was going to finish off our
heroes, Silverarm cast another powerful Holy Spear, which tore through the
DRAGON’S chest, sending it crashing to the cavern floor.
The heroes had but a few moments to begin healing and recuperating, a beautiful
witch emerged from the sarcophagus. It was SHAREELLA – the Snow Witch herself!
She laughed maniacally, adding “no-one can stop me from bringing an Ice Age to all
of Allansia. Intruders – you will join me or my Caverns will be your Tomb!”
Silverarm’s Cursed Ring was a Vampire Curse that made its bearer a servant of any
Vampires within 50 feet. Luckily, Silverarm also possessed a ring of Mind Protection
which counteracted the Cursed ring. Aragose charged at SHAREELLA, successfully
wounding her and sending her screaming and flying into a high corner of the
Cavern. The Snow Witch’s eyes burned red – her fangs grew in anticipation of the
kill. The Witch was too high for Aragose to hit with his sword. Tetra turned invisible,
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awaiting SHAREELLA’S attack. Rav, back to full strength from a Potion of Healing,
readied his black-bladed Sword of the Bat (see AFFRPG09). Silverarm, nearly
depleted of all her magical energy, stood exhausted in the doorway. Would this be
the final climatic battle?
Sir Marcellos and 99 arrived in time to hear SHAREELLA scream her warning
"Lower your weapons and surrender to me, or you will all die!" 99 immediately
readied her Arrow of Undead Slaying as Tetra remained invisible and investigated
the sarcophagus where she found a cryptic scroll. Ravager tried to trick the Snow
Witch by saying “We will bow before you and become your servants”. Silverarm
called off Aragose the Defender as the Snow Witch hovered eerily towards Ravager.
Ravager knelt before her as SHAREELLA tried to Charm him with a spell. Tetra
snuck behind SHAREELLA in the false belief that the Scroll she found gave her
power over the snow Witch - only to have that theory dispelled by being blasted
away by SHAREELLA’S Chilling defence. Silverarm summoned Aragose to attack
again, but this time SHAREELLA’S Ice Fist landed truly and killed the Warrior.
Silverarm cast a copy of SHAREELLA with her Prism of Illusion. SHAREELLA
became infuriated and this gave 99 the opportunity to fire the Slaying Arrow. It
lodged into the real Snow Witch, paralysing her and sending her slumping to the
floor. Rav then charged forward, wasting no time cleaving the Witch’s head off!
The Snow Witch’s physical being was destroyed, but unbeknown to the Heroes her
spirit returned to the sarcophagus to regenerate its powers. The adventurers began
recuperating and searching the cavern while Silverarm decided to leave through the
main doors. Suddenly, the passage walls began to collapse! Silverarm retreated back
into the cavern, as did Rav, who had begun to try and outrun the avalanche using
his Elven Boots of Speed, but then changed his mind and remained with his
companions. Two prisoners of the Snow Witch successfully dashed from the
collapsing area - Redswift (an Elf from the Moonstone Hills) and Stubb (a Dwarf from
the village of Stonebridge). With their Collars of Obedience irremovable but no loner
enslaving them - the two were accepted by the Heroes and would travel together
with them. Stubb was particularly stoked to meet the great dwarven cleric
Silverarm, and remained by her side. Redswift led the group out of the cavern after
Tetra discovered an Illusionary Wall but soon tensions between the veteran Heroes
and their new party members flared.
Tetra took exception with Redswift wanting to keep a glass prism that was found.
And Stubb was very defensive of his Elven friend. 99 did her best to extend an olive
branch while Marcellos threw them a scrap of provisions here and there. Stubb got
poisoned trying to open a serpent carved Iron Casket, while Rav found another pair
of Elven Boots of Speed - and in spite of Redswift's protests - handed them to
Marcellos. Stubb was shocked by Silverarm's lack of caring (and quickly lost faith in
the legend), and despite a prickly dwarven kiss from the cleric, Stubb decided to
travel next to Redswift instead. Tetra then released a bit of her frustration by belting
the crap out of a NEANDERTHAL and Marcellos bagged a strange star-shaped metal
disc. Redswift and Stubb fell foul of a tentacled BRAIN SLAYER, which promptly
drained them of more Stamina and some of their abilities. 99 used her Stealth to
hide amongst the glowing purple walls as Rav hacked the BRAIN SLAYER to death.
99 found a magic scroll of Protection against Elements and another strange shaped
disc, ignoring the incessant protests from Redswift about sharing and fairness.
Unfortunately, Rav wasn't as tolerant. He thought a firm slap would knock some
sense into the arrogant Elf, but Redswift did not take it lying down. The Elf drew his
dagger and cut into the unarmed Rav thrice! Stubb called a stop to this nonsense,
as the others watched on, only to have Rav dishonourably punch Redswift as the Elf
bowed before him in apology! No honour!
As they ventured further, Redswift couldn't help himself and grabbed an ornate
Dagger they came upon, only to have it attack him! Stubb and Rav helped stave off
the magical dagger, and Redswift and Rav were friends again. Unfortunately,
Redswift didn't return the favour when an AIR ELEMENTAL began pummelling into
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Rav who had inadvertently released it from an enchanted shield! It was left to 99 to
save Rav by casting a Protection Scroll against the furious ELEMENTAL. And just
when you thought the adventurers had gotten the message about not touching
anything, Tetra unfurled a Parchment pinned to a door. It was a Death Spell - one of
the rarest and most powerful of evil runes. The SNOW WITCH had placed it in her
Caverns to curse unwelcome visitors - and now each and every one of them was
doomed to die. An unrecoverable loss of Stamina was just the beginning. Luckily,
Redswift and his brother Ash lived in the Moonstone Hills, and near the only one
who could heal them from a Death Spell. The Healer’s name was Yoritar. Stubb’s
village Stonebridge was also on the way to the Moonstone Hills, and they could
replenish there. So it looked like finding Yoritar was their only hope! But they still
had to escape the Caverns!
Rav ran thru a water drenched cave, only to discover it was acid, and copping a
nasty burn. Marcellos cast his Scroll of Dispel magic, turning the acid back to
harmless water. They passed unscathed and entered a large chamber with walls of
ice. An image of the Snow Witch appeared inside a glass Orb set atop an ice plinth.
She scoffed at the Heroes, and boasted how her Spirit had regenerated and claiming
they did not have the means to destroy her. Redswift and Stubb began to gasp for
air as the magical Collars reactivated and tightened around their necks. Tetra threw
a dagger at the Orb and 99 shot an arrow but both projectiles inflicted no damage.
In return, the Snow Witch hit each of the female Heroes with lightening bolts which
streaked from the Orb! Marcellos suggested the Heroes all return into the Caverns to
seek a weapon that could destroy the Orb - but Ravager had other ideas.
Silverarm leant him her Orb of Energy and then in an act of immense bravery –
reminiscent of his leap into the Rivers of Blood (see AFFRPG04) – Rav charged at the
Orb! His Boots of Speed surprised the Snow Witch but she still managed to loose a
Skill-sapping spell which drained some of Rav’s abilities. But it was not enough to
halt the warrior - who struck the Orb with his black Bat Sword. An explosion of ice
blasted him to the ground, but Rav stood - and attacked - again and again.
Marcellos was inspired and stormed in to join, as did 99 - each of them withstanding
icy blasts that streaked from the Orb and hit truly. Finally the flurry of sword strikes
from the three Heroes shattered the SNOW WITCH’S Orb! With the Orb nothing but
shards of ice, Tetra dragged Redswift and Silverarm helped Stubb to the exit.
As the party made their escape, the SNOW WITCH’S maniacal laughter echoed
behind them and her labyrinthine Crystal Caverns began to shake and collapse.
Tons of rock and ice tumbled down, some smashing onto Rav, 99 and Marcellos. But
with their Elven boots pumping, Rav and Marcellos lifted 99 up and scuttled her
across the collapsing landscape to safety! Outside, the sun dawned a new day and
the terrifying destruction of the Caverns was nothing more than a deep rumble.
Redswift and Stubb were able to remove their Collars of Obedience and received a
few more scraps of provisions from Marcellos. The rest of the Heroes recuperated
whatever Stamina they could using herbs, provisions and the Orb of Energy. But
they had little time to reflect on the magnitude and significance of their defeat of the
SNOW WITCH as now the arduous journey to Yoritar lay ahead. With the spectre of
the Death spell hanging over all their heads, it was on to Stonebridge!
Into The Wilderness
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Using Tetra’s map, the Heroes (Marcellos, Ravager, 99 and Tetra) traveled
with the Elf Redswift and the Dwarf Stubb through the Icefinger Mountains to the
River Kok. Under the spectre of the Death Spell, they moved mostly without a word.
They travelled for 2 days, and thankfully the trail was easy going, the weather kind
and and the journey uneventful. The party walked during the day, then rested at
night, always under the guard of one of their own. When they finally arrived at the
River Kok, a wide and deep fast flowing river, morale was good and hearts still
hopeful, though the Death Spell had already started weakening them. Tetra spied a
small barge along the riverbank and the group conversed with the locals. Ravager
and Marcellos bartered some of their goods, while Tetra put up the gold asked for,
and the party was taken across the great swelling river. After another mile or two on
foot, with the arduous towering landscape of the Icefinger Mountains safely behind
them, the party moved onto the Pagan Plains - a vast wilderness, predominantly
windswept and barren.
Using her Eagle eye sight, Tetra spotted an advancing group of horses, and
the team decided to greet them. The horses were in actual fact four CENTAURS, and
they were very interested in hearing about the adventurers’ time in the Crystal
Caverns. After the CENTAUR leader Rangard took a particular interest in Tetra’s
White Spear – which he said was actually the Pagan Spear of Centaurs – they
demanded the party surrender a treasure item each in exchange for “safe passage”
through the Pagan Plains, which Rangard claimed was their land. While the group
rummaged through to see what they could offer, Rav proposed a different option - a
challenge. A one-on-one dual. Rangard agreed, but added it would be a fight to the
death, with winner takes all!
The Battle between El Ravager and Rangard was fierce. But Rangard quickly
realised that he had met more than his match against the powerful Level 21 Hero
Ravager! Before long, Rav’s Black bladed Bat sword had tasted more than its fair
share of CENTAUR flesh, and Rangard knew he would be defeated. But instead of
conceding, Rangard called on his fellow Centaurs to “Kill them All!” The battle that
ensued stained the Pagan plains with much blood. In the end, Rav slew Rangard,
Marcellos and 99 fought to vanquish one more, while Tetra’s whip proved effective
against another. Redswift chimed in for a few choice arrow attacks and finally
Silverarm used her Restraint spell to capture the last centaur. Rav convinced the
proud centaur, called Caras, to help them, and that he did by agreeing to carry
Silverarm to Stonebridge as an advance party.
The Dwarf and Centaur combined together in their first test as a duo,
dispatching of two swooping BIRD MEN. When they finally arrived at Stonebridge,
Silverarm was greeted with much fanfare and treated like royalty. Caras had fulfilled
his part of the agreement and rode off into the wilderness. The King of the
Stonebridge dwarves, Gillibran, pleaded with Silverarm to accept a quest to recover
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his lost magical warhammer. Without it, Gillibran feared that the amassing Hill Troll
army that was gathering to the northeast would overcome Stonebridge. Silverarm
said she would need to consult the rest of her party, who she said would be arriving
soon. Though Gillibran knew Silverarm had been cursed with the Death Spell, he
left her with one thought to ponder. “That there are more important things in life
than living… and the honour of the dwarves is one of those things….”
The rest of the adventurers encountered more BIRD MEN looking to avenge
their fallen feathered friends, but the Heroes averted their attacks with the aide of
Marcellos’ mesmerising Cobra tattoo and Rav’s Bat sword. They then passed an old
man who warned them to avoid drinking from the waterhole. Stubb found the dead
body of his friend Morri, who had been killed by the dwarves sworn enemies – the
HILL TROLLS! “Curse them”, he bellowed! Night fell, and as they slept, dreaming of
their arrival into Stonebridge, they were attacked by a WEREWOLF. Redswift was on
guard, but was surprised and bitten by the WEREWOLF (but later aided by a sprig of
Belladonna that 99 carried) while Marcellos was attacked twice by the WEREWOLF
before it was slain. Luckily for Marcellos, both bites clamped onto his Elven armour!
As morning broke, they could see the wisps of smoke in the distance that was
Stonebridge, less than an hour’s walk away.
In spite of their close proximity to Stonebridge, the Pagan Plains’ barren
landscape was once again to be drenched in the blood of battle. Stubb spotted a
party of HILL TROLLS heading towards Stonebridge. Bravely (or foolishly), he
immediately charged into attack, with Tetra and Rav following him into the fray.
Marcellos decided to keep heading to Stonebridge, picking up the increasingly sickly
Redswift in a fireman’s carry, and using his Elven Boots of Speed to shuffle them
there. Meanwhile, the brave Stubb, fired up by memories of his fallen friend Morri,
took on two TROLLS. But Stubb was dwarfed not only in size, but also in battle
prowess, as the war mongering HILL TROLLS used their Great Weapons to bring
him down. His last cry to Rav and Tetra was “Flee” before a heavy War Spear
skewered him from the collarbone to the hip! But Tetra was already in the thick of
battle and unable to retreat - hard pressed by the might of the Hill Trolls who were
pounding the unarmoured warrioress into submission.
Rav counterattacked furiously. He used his Manticore Poison and combined
that with his legendary fighting skill and magical sword to incapacitate a few of the
mighty TROLLS, but he could see that Tetra was in the fight of her life. The bloodied
and battered Tetra fought gallantly using her magical Pagan Spear, but even with
the magical shield she had cast, the end was nigh. Rav tried valiantly to fend off
some of the TROLLS massacring Tetra but it was all for nil. With a final swipe from a
TROLL Great Axe, the brunette Hero was gutted and intestines spilled, she fell to the
hard rocky ground. Rav finished off the last of the TROLLS, but was it all too late?
Rav used a Transformation Scroll to turn into an eagle in an attempt to carry Tetra
back to Stonebridge…but alas, her lifeless body was too heavy and he could only
watch as she took her last breath of Allansian air!
When all the remaining heroes finally regrouped in Stonebridge, and after
much discussion both amongst themselves and with the Dwarven King Gillibran,
they decided it would be unwise to assist the Dwarves in recovering the fabled
Warhammer. With the Death Spell weakening them every day, they would continue
their journey east to the Moonstone Hills. Before leaving, El Ravager signed a pledge
to commit 746 gold pieces from his Coffers in Salamonis to build a Statue in the
Salamonian courtyard that was worthy of Tetra’s status as one of the Heroes of
Allansia. The letter also asked for two of Tetra’s close friends in Veldik (Bodyguard to
the House of Brass) and Rannik (Master Thief) – both of Port Blacksand – to be
contacted in case they wished to contribute to the erection of the Statue. The pledge
was stamped with King Gillibran’s Royal seal and sent via GOLDEN EAGLE to King
Salamon.
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With Redswift on his last legs and looking feebler by the hour, they then
began the two-day track in search of Yoritar the Healer.
*
It wasn’t too long before another HILL TROLL war party was encountered, this
time a scouting unit of three. The TROLLS had been amassing around
Stonebridge in an attempt to strangle supply routes and weaken the Dwarves
before invading. Their ambush party badly injured Silverarm, but Rav, Marcellos
and the assassin 99 proved devastating against the TROLLS on this occasion.
After the battle, two other Heroes who had heard the commotion joined up with
the three. They were Joe Quarterstaff, back from a rest in the village of Gilford and
a visit to Firetop Mountain, and Alexa, who had returned from her time with the
Elven commune in the Silent Wood near Stonebridge. As they greeted each other,
reminisced about old times, and caught up with current events, Redswift was
seen staggering towards the Red River. The Death Spell had claimed its first
victim. Alexa played her part in Redswift’s last moments on Allansia by
comforting him as he left this world and joined Galana on the magical Forest
plains in the heavens.
With Redswift’s body buried, his Bow marking the grave, the Heroes continued
onward. After two days, and the Death Spell weakening them every day, they
arrived at a long rope bridge that spanned the River. Tentatively they crossed,
and were soon moving through the rocky and tortuously twisting labyrinth that
was the Moonstone Hills. Finding a cave entrance, Rav, 99 & Quarterstaff used
99’s magic rope to ascend a cliff face, and then Rav used his Eyepatch of Seeing
to investigate. When deep in the tunnel, Rav was attacked by a deadly creature
known as a NIGHT STALKER. With its “frightening presence”, it quickly overcame
Rav, who was forced to flee. Rav made it to the tunnel opening and then
completed an enormous heroic leap across the gaping chasm onto another cliff
face. WOW! This left 99 and JQ (with his massive double bladed war axe) to fight
the enraged bohemoth. They both withstood its fear-spell attack and combined to
slay the beast, though not before receiving a few gaping wounds from the
STALKER’S giant claws.
The heroes recouped and traversed the Hills with greater purpose as they got
closer to Jovik’s Peak, where the Healer lived! The party moved across a grassy
plain where Rav avoided a deadly RATTLESNAKE’S bite, but he wasn’t so lucky
when he climbed a rope ladder into a MAN-ORC’S Tree House, getting slammed
by the waiting MAN-ORC’S axe and plummeting to the rocky landscape. Rav then
yelled to burn down the tree! Marcellos liked the idea, but Alexa spoke of the
trees as alive and opposed the suggestion vehemently. When JQ took the elf’s
side, the team moved on. Nightfall approched, as did the certain death of the
Death Spell, so they pressed on dangerously in the night. A sleeping BARBARIAN
was the next encounter. 99 used her stealth to move up to the savage, and with
sword at his throat, woke him. The BARBARIAN attacked in a berserk rage, but
after 99 delt a crippling blow, the BARBARIAN ceded and was questioned by the
heroes. JQ gave the BARBARIAN some Healing cakes to gain his trust, and in
return he told them how to find the Healer’s cave.
Finally, after five days of exhaustive travel across the Wilderness - from the peaks
of Icefinger, across the Pagan Plains, over two great Rivers, through Stonebridge
and into the Moonstone Hills - they had arrived! Silverarm was waiting for them
in a makeshift camp outside the cave entrance. JQ and Alexa remained at the
campsite, having been forewarned by the BARBARIAN not to enter unless they
were deathly ill. So only those inflicted with the Death Spell (Rav, Marcellos, 99
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and Silverarm) entered the darkness. Inside sat the horribly twisted figure that
was Yoritar the Healer. The Heroes announced their presence, their origin and
the reason they were here. Yoritar committed to helping them, but warned that
the Healing process was not infallible. Yoritar had only ever cured the Death Spell
once, and that was after the great wizard Nicodemus had befallen it.
The Healing Ceremony began with the adorning of the Masks of Life, and then the
Crossing of the Bridge of Hope. But it was the next stage, the Calming Walk,
which saw one of their number fall. In the howling depths of the dark tunnel, the
BANSHEE’S evil cry penetrated 99’s calm, and she was beset upon. Silverarm
knew it would not be a pretty sight - as no amount of armour nor shielding could
quell the frightening and furied attack of the Undead BANSHEE. And Yoritar
warned that none were permitted to come to her aide, or the Healing Ritual be
broken. The BANSHEE slew 99 without mercy, wailing in delight, as her three
companions watched on. When they emerged from the tunnel, the full moon was
out and Yoritar explained the last stage. They needed an item of silver to summon
the magical PEGASUS that would take them to Firetop Mountain, for the final
stage of the cure. If they could be on the mountain’s summit as the sunlight to
the new day broke, they would be free from the fate of the Death Spell.
Marcellos had 2 silver coins in his pocket, and gave one to Rav. Silverarm only
had her silver cursed ring, which she was unable to freely remove. It was
sickeningly clear what she needed to do. With the grinding slice of steel through
bone, Rav lopped off Silverarm’s finger! Rav assisted Silverarm’s bleeding with
healing herbs, then with a flap of the Pegasus huge wings it was up and away to
Firetop Mountain. Rav decided to clear a patch of the eerie red grass (that gave
Firetop its name) but in doing so released a sleepy gas which nearly knocked the
heroes out. But the history book was yet to be closed for these intrepid three! And
with the first rays of the morning sun, all three were cured of the Death Spell!
Rejoicing with hugs and tears of reliefe, Rav, Marcellos and Silverarm flew the
PEGASUS back to Jovik Peak to pick up JQ and Alexa. The party then decided to fly
back to Darkwood Forest and find the fabled Gillibran Warhammer of the Dwarves
and return it to Stonebridge. To use the Pegasus again, JQ used another silver ring,
Alexa used the silver arrow of Undead Slaying, Silverarm used her Element spell to
create an item of silver (Doh! She should of done that instead of cutting off her finger!)
and Marcellos used his Creature Copy spell, and then it was once again airborne
and high over the Pagan Plains.
Deathtrap Dungeon
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Marcellos, Silverarm and Ravagar flew atop their mounts – magical PEGASUS –
above and across the Moonstone Hills and then the Pagan Plains, westward to
Stonebridge. But FATE works in mysterious ways. For as they set their PEGASUS
down to rest near a stream in the quiet hills north of Chalice, they happened upon a
caravan of humble merchants. The merchants were also on their way to Stonebridge
and the Heroes were surprised that the merchants were not fearful of the HILL
TROLLS amassing around Stonebridge. The merchants told of a fierce battle a few
days ago, east of Stonebridge, where a lone Dwarf wiped out an entire advance WARTROLL party! Knowing that this referred to the battle where Stubb the Dwarf and
Tetra perished – and El Ravager survived (see AFFRPG10 “Into the Wilderness”) – Rav
could only shake his head! Regardless of the accuracy of the merchants’ stories, it
did seem true that the dreaded, but dim-witted, HILL TROLLS believed that
Gillibran’s Hammer had indeed been found. As such, the threat on Stonebridge had
declined… for now.
With this comforting news told, the merchants asked whether the party was heading
to the TRIAL OF CHAMPIONS? Being the 30th Day of Fire (2 days before the
renowned event) the Heroes decided to waste no time, and use the PEGASUS to head
north-east to Fang… To test their SKILL and WITS in the most infamous and deadly
Dungeon in all of Allansia.
“TRIAL of CHAMPIONS”
Heroes Wanted!
On the First day of Watching, Baron Sukumvit orders the doors of his
Deathtrap Dungeon in FANG to be opened…
Over the years, hundreds of intrepid adventurers have entered the dungeon, pitting
their skill and wits against the fearsome monsters and deadly traps within...
None have ever been seen again…
Prize = 25,000 Gold Pieces
Individual or Party Entries Accepted.
Will you be the one who triumphs where so many others have failed?
Will you emerge to be hailed as the victor in the Trial of Champions?
Rav, Marcellos and Silverarm arrived in Fang, had a meeting with Baron Sukumvit
himself, and were treated as kings because their status and stories of their
adventures proceeded them. They all spent the night in one of the Baron’s
magnificent suites, enjoying the best food and wine Fang had to offer. Rav even
negotiated with the Baron to not have any taxes and charges levied on any of their
purchases in Fang. Sir Marcellos had a great time signing autographs for his
adoring populace. The shy fighter (NOT!) got groomed, clipped and pampered, and
even had portraits made up of him! Silverarm did some recruiting for new party
members, as well as entertained some of Baron Sukumvit’s staff with some Dwarven
prayers and minor magic tricks. The new party members were Garry Greensleeves,
Fingers McShifty and Zan.
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Garry Greensleeves was from the Silent Wood, east of Stonebridge. The 100 year old
Elf had travelled alone to Fang by foot, a task already quite impressive. Hearing the
Heroes were in town, he organised a meeting with them through the Dungeon
Official Zaragan. The party immediately took a liking to the Elven Ranger, who had
no fear in competing in the Deathtrap Dungeon. As they had worked with an Elf
before (Alexa), they had no doubt that Garry would be a useful ally.
Fingers McShifty was a 28 year old from the Dwarven community in the City of
Anvil. Unashamedly a Thief by trade, she was a new breed of roguish Dwarf who
believed in gaining her wealth and fame through more surreptitious means, as
opposed to the gruelling work that was associated with mining for gems. Being that
Deathtrap Dungeon inherently involved a Dungeon and Traps, McShifty fitted the
bill perfectly given her Underground Lore and Rogue skill specialties. And what
better way for Fingers to amass an incredible wealth rapidly, than with a heavyhitting armguard that was Rav-Marcellos-Silverarm!
Zan looked very familiar to the Heroes from Kallamehr. And the twenty-seven yearold’s story kept the Heroes listening for hours. Zan had travelled all the way north
from his homeport of Kallamehr to Fang for one reason. He knew that one day the
Heroes of Kallamehr would enter the Trial of Champions. For two years he had lived
in the Chiang Mai province as a fisherman, as well as practising his art as a fighter.
Each year hoping that the Heroes would arrive, until finally…. they did! When asked
whether they had seen him before, Zan explained he was the older brother of Dappa
the Dash, the young wizard who helped the party defeat the Riddling Reaver. Zan
spoke of his honour in joining the party and of Dappa and Lady Caroline, who were
both well.
And so it was that the Heroes numbers had grown to six…and aptly christened
the “SIX PACK” by Marcellos.
After much fanfare and ceremony, the Six-Pack entered the Deathtrap Dungeon
to begin the Trial of the Champions. Silverarm obtained a special key which
opened a box to reveal their first clue “GET NO MESS”. The team then proceeded
very cautiously into the Dungeon, with Fingers leading – and using her Detection
skills on everything and anything. Zan got his first taste of action and joined
Marcellos in defeating three wild, club-wielding NEANDERTHALS. Unfortunately
for Zan, he later tried on a rat-skull wristband one of the NEANDERTHALS was
wearing. It was Cursed and resulted in two Skill points lost.
With Rav mapping, the party then successfully crossed a 12-Pole Trap, thanks to
Finger’s trap knowledge and the use of one of the dead NEANDERTHALS bodies.
Rav and Marcellos then combined to elimintae some hapless HOBGOBLINS as
Fingers rummaged through a bag they were fighting over. Zan’s luck continued to
worsen when he rang a BELL OF QUAKING that caused 4 points of Stamina
damage. The heroes soon emerged inside a large Cavern that housed a gigantic
polished human idol flanked by two large winged birds. Fingers used her Agility
to climb up and reach of three fist-sized Emeralds that served as the Idol’s eyes.
One of them exploded in a poisonous cloud of mist as she tried to pry it free.
Surviving that, she successfully removed the other and it fell safely into
Greensleeves waiting hands.
The WINGED GUARDIANS animated into action, just as Rav and Marcellos
predicted, and the battle was on. Fingers jumped from the Idol into Greensleeve’s
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arms, but was then attacked by one of the swooping stone GUARDIANS.
Silverarm was also knocked down after a boulder she cast missed its target. The
Dwarven Cleric then cast an Elemental Dome of Metal and encased herself and
Zan safely inside. Garry Greensleeves had a bad start when her bow string
snapped while trying to fire off an arrow. The Guardians attacked fiercely, and
their stone bodies reduced any damage inflicted against them. However, the
combined might of the heavy hitting Rav and Marcellos was enough to bring the
birds’ frenzy to a shattering halt! Greensleeves kept the massive emerald, as the
party determined that collecting Gemstones (the unscrambled word from GET NO
MESS) was vital to the Trial’s success.
The Heroes then ventured deeper into the dungeon, passed some minor
passageways and some doors. Silverarm couldn’t help herself and stormed into
one of the empty rooms, in spite of Marcellos’ constant warnings that “nothing
good shall come of this…”. He was right. The door magically closed itself and a
voice boomed out a question. Silverarm answered the question with a question
and in an instant the room began to fill with incredible volumes of water. The
others efforts to open the door were futile, and it wasn’t until Silverarm cast her
powerful Force Bolt that she escaped a potentially watery tomb. Unfortunately for
Rav and Marcellos, they were on the other side of the explosive Force spell and
suffered splintering damage as the heavy wooden door exploded from within!
After that they ventured down a passageway that ended in a deep, wide pit. A
rope hung from the ceiling above the pit but McShifty’s keen eye detected that the
rope had been tampered with and would snap if swung on….yet another trap in
the deadliest of dungeons! Heading back the opposite way the passage led to a
dead end in the form of a full sized mirror. Fingers began to investigate the Mirror
for a secret way onwards but as she did, the team heard tremors and rumblings
echoing through the corridors. Before anyone could ascertain what was going on,
a giant ROCK GRUB burst through the dungeon wall. Heavy rock and rubble
collapsed onto Silverarm, as the beast chewed at her stocky body. Marcellos used
his Boots of Speed to get into the action, and Rav also cracked his sword into the
GRUB’S toughened hide. Finally, Silverarm composed herself to cast yet another
powerful Force Bolt to snap the neck of the bohemoth.
As the Heroes pondered their next move, Fingers examined the Mirror more
closely. Before she could say “Oh My Throff!”, her image began to transform
before her. Her head swelled the size of a pumpkin and her body became twisted
and contorted. The pain caused 6 points damage and rendered her unconscious.
Rav dragged her away but was unable to revive the brave Dwarf, who seem
transfixed in her contorted state. As the “Six Pack” contemplated their next move,
Marcellos heard more tremors from deep within the ROCK GRUBS’s bore hole.
Marcellos, Zan and Greensleeves prepared themselves, and before Marcellos
could say “nothing good will come of this” another ROCK GRUB burst from the
hole to attack. It’s mandibles pierced Zan and Garry, but Marcellos was the
difference and finished it off by running his sword through the creature’s brain
and spewing yellow ooze onto Zan! Yummy!
Fingers finally regained consciousness but was permanently scarred by the
Mirror’s Curse. Healing herbs did nothing so Shifty drunk the Hobgoblin’s
concoction she found earlier – but it burnt her gut like acid, casuing her further
damage and to spew blood! Yuk! As Zan began to lose his mind (starting a
traditional Kallamehr dance), and Silverarm contemplated using a Spirit Journey
spell to cross the wide Pit, Rav bravely faced the Mirror to try different theories to
help McShifty. Nothing seemed to work - and he nearly became a victim of the
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Mirror’s power himself. Marcellos, Garry and Zan briefly ventured into the Rock
Grub’s bore hole, but soon turned back. Eventually the party decided to
investigate some of the earlier passageways that they had previously avoided.
Though her skill and stamina was depleted by the Mirror of Ill Reflection, Shifty
McFingers still led the party, demonstrating the courage of the Dwarven people.
Unfortunately, she was ambushed by two ORCS! Using her Agility, Shifty rolled
out of harm’s way and allowed Marcellos, Zan and Garry to take down the
berserker ORCS! Zan and Greensleeves upgraded their armour and then moved
on.
Another room revealed a gruesome sight. One of the Barbarian’s that had entered
the Deathtrap Dungeon was impaled on a board full of long spikes. Shifty
reconnoitered the room for more traps while Zan darted in and out. Fingers found
a small vile which contained a Potion of Healing as well as a Silver Goblet full of
red liquid. Using her Detect skill she revealed a booby trap. She tried cleverly to
use the barbarian’s lifeless body as a shield but when the dart went off it still
managed to hit her arm causing a vile poison to rush through her veins….she
wasn’t having any luck at all! Silverarm couldn’t sense any magic from the goblet
nor its contents. Shifty was more cautious now, so she poured the goblet’s
contents in the Hobgoblin’s flask for later consumption.
The Six Pack then discovered a long coil of rope in another room. Unfortunately,
another pit separated them from the valuable item (rope prices were high in those
days). No worries for Ravager, who in his usual impulsive way, gulped down his
Potion of Levitation and jumped over the pit, snatched the rope, then jumped
back! His peers watched in awe as the great man did his thang! The group then
quickly moved back to the original pit with the tampered rope. With Rav’s
Levitation spell still active, he lept over this pit with Marcellos holding one end of
the rope. They looped the centre of the rope around one Six Packer at a time –
pulled tight – and showing off their huge muscles, Rav and Marcellos ferried each
person across the chasm! Marcellos was last to cross. Tied to the end of the rope
he used his Boots of Speed to gather pace and with a mighty jump and even
mightier pull from his team mates, he vaulted across, falling briefly into the pit
but able to scramble up and out.
The passage ahead was narrow and long….it extended 20, 30, 40 nay, 50 feet.
The party discovered a room full of candles and stone statues. Marcellos
recognised that one of the staues was the Knight who entered the Dungeon at the
start of the competition! Rav said the room should be avoided and his advice was
taken. A second room with a SKELETON WARRIOR seated on a stone chair was
entered. The Skeleton was fully armoured and held a Parchment as well as a
sword. Rav attacked, and slashed at the SKELETON’S neck with his Sword of the
Bat. The SKELETON WARRIOR animated to life and fought back. Marcellos and
Zan joined in. Though the SKELETON’S bony mass and full body armour reduced
the effectiveness of the Six Pack’s swords, they eventually reduced it to a pile of
bones. Silverarm bagged the parchment which warned of a MANTICORE lurking
somewhere in the dungeon, while Ravager grabbed the SKELETON’S sword.
Silverarm revealed the Sword’s powers, and it improved Rav’s attack strength
AND damage inflicted. Rav smiled a rare smile, and then donated his Sword of
the Bat to Zan (who didn’t even say Thanks!)
The Six Pack walked down into a filthy room full of rotten foodstuffs then came
upon a trap door in the ceiling. Five GOBLINS were busy sharpening their swords
in wait. Marcellos climbed up and immediately pointed to his Tanglewood Goblin
Crown and proclaimed himself as Goblin King (see AFFRPG08 “Darkness Over
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Kaad”). After much conjecture, the dim-witted Goblins agreed to a one-on-one
duel to reclaim the Crown. After Marcellos disposed of his challenger GOBLIN
“Gobbo” with a lazy three slashes of his Sword of Timakron, the remaining four
goblins agreed to serve Goblin King Marcellos so long as they could give orders to
the two Dwarves – Silverarm and Fingers! Rav wouldn’t have a bar of that, and
after winning a wager with the GOBLIN “John”, Rav cut him down, then sheathed
his sword and did an impressive Ultimate Package maneuvre which locked up
another GOBLIN. Marcellos then ran his sword through the backs of the other
two GOBLINS. Rav finished the massacre by poking his subdued goblin’s eye out,
then silencing it’s squeals by breaking his neck! Suffice to say, Silverarm, Garry
and Fingers just stood with their jaws dropped!
The party moved on, with Rav mapping furiously, and they discovered a room
with a skull on a plinth that had purple Amethyst gemstones for eyes. Marcellos
lassooed the skull and whipped it out of the room, avoiding a multiple dart trap
which would have hit anyone in the room. Fingers bagged the valuable gem,
giving the party TWO large Gemstones – an EMERALD and an AMETHYST. Could
this be two of the Gems required to successfully exit the Deathtrap Dungeon?
McShifty led the party into a mirrored corridor and took a glimpse at her
disfigured state. Rav and Zan decided to try and smash the mirrors but that only
awoke a MIRROR DEMON with four heads and arms that let out a great wail and
flayed about as it advanced on the two fighters. Rav backed off then gave the
DEMON a taste of his new Skeleton sword (which he affectionately named “Rav
Junior”). The DEMON shrieked in pain and was repelled down the corridor.
Before it could advance again, Rav used Zan’s Morning Star and shattered the
Mirrors, sending the DEMON back to its unearthly plane. Marcellos patted Rav
on the shoulder with “Well done”, but Rav just dusted his shoulder off in
contempt of his colleagues lack of action!
The Six Pack then split into two groups to traverse up a flight of rat skull-lined
staircases. Fingers bagged a shield on the way; while Silverarm helped her side
avoid a rat infested false step. Regrouping at the top of the stairwell, the party
then moved through the cold dungeon passage until they came upon two slain
ORCS being stood over by Throm the Barbarian – another contestant in the
Dungeon. After exchanging pleasantries (although Throm thought Fingers was
some sort of dog-beast named Mirror?), the Six-Pack and Throm decided to
continue through the Deathtrap Dungeon together. Zan grabbed a note pinned to
the wall warning him of the Trialmasters – much to the chagrin of the more
experienced heroes who remembered the last note that Tetra opened which
unleashed a Death Spell (see AFFRPG10 “Caverns of the Snow Witch”)! Eventually
they came to a deep pit. Throm was now leading the party and set up his rope for
the party to rappell down. Marcellos suggested tieing each member separately
and lowering them down more safely but Throm scoffed at that! During the
descent Silverarm fell 40’ and landed on Garry and Rav! Sir Marcellos just shook
his head.
A massive battle in a large stalactite cavern was next. Silverarm held back and
checked out a book shelf and found a parchment and a Potion of Find Traps.
Meanwhile, four stone club weilding CAVE TROLLS roared and barked in their
giant tongue at the advancing heroes. Rav whispered “for Tetra” (alluding to her
death at the hands of trolls in AFFRPG11 “Into the Wilderness”), while Garry
unleashed a flurry of head shot arrows. But the Elf wasn’t impressing anyone as
they all missed! Throm got smacked around a bit but showed his courage and
fearlessness by getting back up and fighting hard. Marcellos chimed in for some
choice cuts but it was El Ravager who was the highlight. Armed with his “Rav
Junior” he severed two of the behomeths arms and legs in a truly impressive
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display. But the most spectacular moment was still to come. As he joined
Marcellos to engage the “head” TROLL, Rav’s magical sword met the Troll’s stone
club in a massive deep echoing “clang”– and unbelievably both weapons were
destroyed. Rav Junior’s blade lay on the cavern floor lodged half way into the
TROLL’S Stone Club which had broken in two!
As Rav tried to comprehend the Impossible, he got punched in the face by the
TROLL, but Fingers passed him Marcellos’ Morning Star and together with
Marcellos and Throm, they toppled the last of the TROLLS! Rav finished by
crushing its skull deep into the earth! (Nasty). At the same time, Fingers and
Garry were helping Zan move a boulder which covered a backpack. But it was a
trap that released a number of heavy stalactites from the ceiling above them.
Fingers rolled out of the way and then Greensleeves redeemed himself by
grabbing the unsuspecting Zan and saving him from being crushed by the
stalactites (bravo!). Unfortunately for Zan, the backpack was full of rocks, which
strangely seemed to delight the warrior from Kallamehr – who seemed to be
slowly losing his mind. Zan wrote cryptic messages on the rocks, like “Beware the
Trailmasters” and “Zan will be killed”.
As the Six Pack + 1 continued their dungeon crawl, they came upon a fully
armoured DWARF sitting on an elaborate chair. He was Thorgrim – one of the
Trailamasters. He babbled on about the group joining forces, getting this far, and
having already met one of the other Trialmasters (?) but soon came to his point.
One of the party needed to complete a Test of their Fighting Skill. Throm bravely
stepped forward but conceded to Rav and Marcellos. Marcellos then conceded to
Rav and handed him the Sword of Timakron in what was a moving sight. Rav
then entered the Arena of Death and had one minute to unscamble two
anagrams, or he would face all the creatures in the arena. Within seconds, he
had unscambled the notes and yelled out “Minotaur”. A secret door opened and a
large snorting MINOTAUR charged furiously into the arena. But its sight only
made Rav reminisce at the time when they encountered a Minotaur back in his
hometown of Kallamehr and when a wizard named Hermoine brutally severed its
nose to retrieve a Gold Ring (see AFFRPG04 “The Riddling Reaver”). Rav smiled
wryly and with just a few swings of Timakron, the MINOTAUR’S lifeless body hit
the straw covered floor.
Thogrim congratulated Rav and another secret door opened and the dungeon
crawl continued. Marcellos used his rope to lassoo another item. This time a
barrel. Fingers checked it out and determined it safe and found a valuable white
pearl. They now had 3 Gemstones - AMETHYST, PEARL and EMERALD. Rav
tried to open a door that exitted the room but the door was actually a MIMIC.
While Throm’s axe and Garry’s arrows finally forced the MIMIC to release Rav, it
was not before Rav was punched repeatedly by the MIMICS morphing Fist!
Greensleeves finished off the MIMIC by dousing it in oil and setting it alight.
Finally, Rav’s mapping determined that there were four long passageways
remaining to be investigated. Would the adventurers ever find the way out and
claim their 25000 gold prize? A glass plane separated them from hundreds of
large insects that swarmed around a crown adorned with a diamond. As much as
they thought they may need this precious gem, they dared not break the glass! A
pool of water was revealed by Silverarm to be an underwater tunnel, so Rav dived
in impulsively and emerged 50 feet at the other side. Unsurprisingly, he found
another passage with two doors and a grille in the floor. The passage opened
ahead into a cavern where a dozen small creatures danced around a strange
effigy. Rav ignored them, and opened the grille. Searching the mud within he
found a brass bell and a grappling hook. Rav swam back to report his find.
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The rest of the party decided it would be too dangerous for all of them to swim
through the tunnel, especially given Silverarm and McShifty were Dwarves, who
were not noted for their swimming prowess. So they decided to take the furthest
passage. Fingers opened a door that revealed a room with a drape covered cage.
Marcellos put on his “lady” voice and had a conversation with a woman calling
her self Algaida, pleading from inside the cage to free her. But Rav said “Nay”,
deducing that a woman locked in a cage covered with a drape could only be one
thing – a MEDUSA. They slammed the door shut and moved on. Throm and
Silverarm then heard childish giggling ahead. Throm got spooked thinking the
voices were ghosts, so Silverarm went in front. Two LEPRECHAUNS appeared,
giggling and laughing, goding the party to follow them. Rav and Marcellos
remembered the Riddling Reavers palace and the problems a LEPRECHAUN
caused them a few yers back (see AFFRPG04 Riddling Reaver), so the party
decided to not proceed. Unfortunately for Silverarm, she realised upon exitting
the LEPRECHAUN’S passage that her Amulet of Fortune had disappeared….
Exhaustion from hunger and fatigue were setting in. The heroes had spent
perhaps 12 or 18 hours inside the Dungeon and they hoped the end was in sight.
But just what end? Victory or Death! They stopped and rested outside the room
with the draped cage. A pathetic “hissing” emanated from the room as they all ate
their assorted provisions, Shifty yelled “What in Throff’s name!” as an invisible
force pulled open her backpack, spilling its contents onto the cold dungeon floor.
“My PEARL” yelled the Dwarven Rogue, as the fighters in the party sprung into
action. They moved back into the LEPRECHAUN’S corridor and there sniggered
two black hatted LEPRECHAUNS boasting about the PEARL they had stolen.
Marcellos threatened them and the LEPRECHAUNS retaliated by Blinding him.
Ravager charged, resisting their magical incantations, but only to have the
LEPRECHAUNS vanish into a secret door in the corridor. Rav was fired up and
pursued. Zan checked out a slippery chute and Silverarm revealed that the chute
was actually coated in a magical Oil of Slipperiness.
Throm guided Marcellos to the water pool while the others tried to retrieve the
PEARL. Rav found the pesky LEPRECHAUNS huddled in the secret passage and
after overcoming Petrification dust, he surprised the magical larrikans by
grappling one of them. After pounding the hapless LEPRECHAUN against the wall
a few times, and poking his fingers in its eye (charming!), his companions agreed
to give the Talisman of Fortune back but not the Pearl. They also warned Ravager
that the Chute led to the most horrible of creatures – the powerful BLOODBEAST
- and also that the Pearl they stole from Shifty was not needed to escape the
dungeon. With that information, Rav exitted and promptly discarded his captive
down the chute! Heartless. Shifty was a little pissed that Rav didn’t get the
PEARL back but Rav reminded her of the 25000 gold pieces that awaited them
should they survive the Dungeon. Unfortunately, the LEPRECHAUN’S buddies
weren’t impressed with Rav’s treatment of their kind and they sought retribution.
Enter the Silverarm, who promptly cast a magical Aura and convinced the
Leprechauns that he wasn’t worth it.
Marcellos eventually got his vision back and the adventure continued. Fingers led
the way, and used her agility to traverse a 20’ chasm to retrieve a Winged Helmet.
She then sold it to Zan for 7 gold pieces. Rav and Marcellos then used the “ol’
lassoo trick” to try and drag a warrior and another DIAMOND out from a polished
marble chamber. But the body and precious gem were only illusions – a trap that
triggered the ceiling to descend upon anyone in the chamber! Luckily, they were
outside the doorway and it cost them only a couple of feet of rope. The team then
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had to decide where to head next. Throm wanted to swim through the waterfilled
underground tunnel but Shifty suggested they break the glass that held the giant
Insect Swarm to get to the DIAMOND in the crown. To cover both bases, the party
split. Rav, Throm and Zan swam into another part of the dungeon. Garry
Greensleevs, Marcellos, Shifty and Silverarm approached the Glass. Garry used
the gentle spiked ball that it is the Morning Star to tap on the glass – the plan
was to make a small hole and smoke out the insects – but unfortunately the
Morning Star sent the Glass pane shattering to the floor. The Swarm attacked
and the hapless four found themselves jumping into the underwater tunnel.
Shifty McFingers was struggling. A poor swimmer and in her deformed state she
gulped in the murky water and relied on Marcellos to swim back, grab her, and
emerge safely on the other side. Shifty coughed and spluttered “Ye saved my life”,
to which Marcellos winked and said “You can repay me later” (after 9 o’clock!)
Regrouped, the Heroes continued. Another room revealed an Elf in the grip of a
huge Boa Constrictor. The heroes surrounded it and turned it into chop suey, but
the Elf was already on her last breath. Garry pleaded for anyone to spare some
Healing Potion to rejuvenate her Elven kindred, to which Rav obliged. The Elf was
Herley, a rival who was also competing in DEATHTRAP DUNGEON. In between
her thankless boasting about the Elven race and their Superiority over all other
beings, the party found out that Herley found the DIAMOND but lost it to a
NINJA. She also had a note that suggested 3 GEMS were required to exit the
Dungeon. The party had an EMERALD and an AMETHYST, so the equation was
clear – find the Ninja = find the Diamond = their ticket out! Herley also had a
Monkey Bone Charm which came with a note “use to combat the creature in the
Pit” – the Blood Beast perhaps? In spite of Herley’s preference to travel alone, she
agreed to move through the dungeon with the Six Pack, and could be heard
remarking to Garry as they moved out “That McShifty chick is one ugly Dwarf!!!”
Fingers rummaged beneath a muddy grille in the floor that Rav had already
cleared and then used her Thieves Tools to disarm a Treasure Chest that was
booby trapped. Footsteps leading to and from the Chest suggested someone had
already been there! The chest was empty, but Shifty commented that it looked
like a valuable item was removed from inside…hmmmm. Then the passage opened
wide into a large cavern, where a dozen TROGLODYTES danced and sung around
an effigy made from mud and bone. Mistaking the TROGS for GOBLINS, Sir
Marcellos adjusted his Goblin Crown and pranced forward. “Excuse me my little
friends…my name is Sir Marcellos…. Goblin King…perhaps you’ve heard of
me…”. Throm quipped to the others “nothing good can come of this…” The
TROGLODYTES squealed a Trog war-cry of “Attack!”. Immediately Marcellos was
backed up by his compatriots – and a formidable line was formed. 3 Fighters – 2
Rangers -1 Cleric -1 Rogue – 1 Barbarian. The battle – and victory – was swift.
The little axe-wielding TROGLODYTES were no match for the Heroes. Rav and
Marcellos took on three each (it could have been 6!). Herley was also particularly
devastating, culling her opponent with her two daggers. But instead of staying
with the others, she bolted past the Effigy and out of sight!
Garry followed his Elven sister but the sight ahead made her turn back in retreat.
A 20 foot Bridge spanned a fast moving river. 12 TROGLODYTE archers were
fanned on both sides, and Herley lay still in a pool of her own blood – riddled with
20 or so Trog arrows. The party hid behind the effigy as insults were traded
between them and the TROGOLDYTE leader Titan. Marcellos was particulary
nasty, cuttin off the head from a baby Trog and waving it in the air. The Titan
Trog was infuriated and gave them an ultimatum. Surrender – drop their
weapons – and agree to undertake a task called the Run of the Arrow. IF they
passed, they would be permitted to continue through the dungeon. Silverarm
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walked forward, casting another charming Aura as she did. The Titan Troglodyte
was pacified, allowing Silverarm to pass without the Trial, but not the others! The
TROG ARCHERS began their advance and the heroes did what they do best –
CHARGE!!!! A volley of TROG arrows struck truly, but within a round, the melee
was into close quarters. Zan was delighted to discover that his Winged Helmet
gave him a bonus in combat. Soon, the TROGLODYTE leader had been killed by
Marcellos, and Trogs were being felled left, right and centre. Some Trogs began to
flee. One jumped in the river, drowning, while two fled towards an ornate door.
Marcellos used his Boots of Speed to run them down. He promptly slew one and as
Rav shouted “Keep one alive!” Sir Marcellos sliced the knee caps of the last, sending
the Trog archer falling to the floor, wincing in pain. Shifty picked up all of Herley’s
possessions before Garry did all he could for the Elvin Ranger, rolling her body into
the River. Zan healed himself as Garry then gathered up a quiver full of smaller
TROGLODYTE arrows. Rav then began the interrogation of the last remaining Trog but the poor soul knew little. Rav then pronounced that should this TROGLODYTE
survive the “Run of the Arrow”, it would be allowed to live. But before it could hobble
one step, Greensleeves had loosed an arrow, lethally piercing its throat! The party
noticed three slots in the ornate door before them and they briefly contemplated
returning to the Insect Swarm to retrieve the DIAMOND, but Shifty’s keen eye
detected that the slots were actually part of an intricate locking mechanism. Out
came the Thieves tools, and after a minute of concentration, the ornate door was
unlocked!
The passage twisted deeper and deeper and Rav’s mapping linked up to his utter
delight. Before them crouched an elderly man calling himself Thomas who suggested
the Contestants travel inside his Basket to the Upper Level. Marcellos asked the
question “Perhaps you’ve heard of me?” to which Thomas replied “Oh yes, yes. Yes,
indeed.” Thomas knew of the Heroes of Kallamehr – Rav, Marcellos, Silverarm – but
looked disinterested in the others, especially the deformed Dwarf! Shifty cut to the
chase and paid the old geezer all of her 7 gold coins and Thomas agreed to get them
to the upper level. “Ivy!” he shouted, and suddenly the basket jerked and began to
rise. A large HILL TROLL named Ivy pulled the basket through a hole in the 30 foot
high ceiling and into another room. Armed with a Great Axe, Ivy also demanded
payment! 10 Gold pieces or a Gem each. Rav said how about they give her nothing
and in return spare her life? Rav then began to ask Ivy if the big brute had any
friends around Stonebridge (hinting at a time when Rav single-handedly defeated a
Hill Troll War Party that had killed his friends - Stubb, the Dwarf, and the heroic
warrior Tetra – see AFFRPG11 “Into the Wilderness”). Garry Greensleeves told Rav to
be quiet as Ivy rose her Giant Axe in anger. It was on! Throm, Marcellos and Rav
combined and after a short battle, they had carved their names right into her!!!
Bloody. Tired. Determined. The party of seven stood together. A door in the room
their only option forwards. Shifty again checked and deemed it safe to proceed. They
moved into yet another passage that winded round a corner left. At this point, two
mangy GUARD DOGS barked and attacked. Shifty was bitten twice before Marcellos
and Throm hacked their way past the canine aggressors. McFingers received some
medicinal attention from her colleagues as Marcellos checked the carcasses. Before
long, the team had come upon a 40’ high wall that blocked their way. Ravager
noticed a 5’ gap at its top and Marcellos hurled his rope and grapple in one fluid
movement into the gap. But something stirred up there. A terrifying roar and loud
thuds made the hair on our heroes necks stand on end. Ravager was unperturbed
and scaled the rope upwards. What he saw was a huge dinosaur known as a PIT
FIEND.
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Marcellos also made his way up and got Throm and Zan to bring up the two dog
carcasses. Marcellos then threw the bloodied dog bodies into the cavernous arena as
a distraction while he, Rav and Throm made a run for the double doors on the other
side. The monstrous FIEND took the bait but only for a moment then bounded to
attack the trio. Garry Greensleeves had in the meantime climbed the rope and found
a vantage point from which to fire her Trog arrows with precision. A ferocious battle
ensued! After the dust and sand settled, Rav and Marcellos stood victorious, the
fresh blood from the dinosaur still dripping from their blades. But Throm lay
crushed in the sand by the PIT FIEND – his last breathe to Marcellos “Bury me with
my Axe”. Garry said an Elven prayer as the rest of the party climbed into the pit.
While preparing a burial for Throm, Marcellos found a trap door containing some
valuable items. Zan bagged a large Fiend Shield, Silverarm a potion of Mana, and
Shifty grabbed the potion of Healing.
The Six Pack was now true to its name and they entered a corridor that opened into
a pillared room. Rav ignored a sign that warned “No Weapons Past this Point” and
the rest of the pack followed him, fanning out in the chamber to sweep through it.
Garry Greensleeves was ambushed by a NINJA and was hit by a poisoned shuriken
– but not before the Elf loosed an arrow that hit the NINJA. Two more shurikens
hurled through the air, hitting Zan and Silverarm, forcing them to retreat. This was
the signal for the mighty Marcellos and the rampaging Ravager to act. The NINJA’S
sword skill was impressive, but against these two’s combined fury, the NINJA was
no match. In desperation to flee, the NINJA performed a powerful leap, and
somersaulted over his two assailants. The NINJA charged towards Zan and
Silverarm who were blocking the exit. Zan deflected the NINJA’S attack with his
Fiend Shield, and Silverarm moved aside, as the NINJA scurried to the exit. But
Marcellos had his Boots of Speed and ran the Ninja down – and was then rejoined
by Rav, and a well placed arrow from Garry, to end the Ninja’s life. Their prize was
sweet – a 500 value DIAMOND!
The only way on was downward. One of those narrow chutes coated with magical oil
of Slipperiness was the only option. After much debate, Rav was lowered down with
rope and grapple, yet the chute twisted much deeper. Fearing a stalemate, Rav
released his grip and slid down the chute and into a misty chamber. Before him, in
a wide pit of steamy slime, was the BLOOD BEAST. A bulbous, spiny, fearsome
monster with hundreds of blisters popping into eyes. Silverarm had warned them of
this beast yet nothing could prepare Rav for this encounter. Rav dare not move as
the Beast gazed upon its meal. Rav jingled a bell he had found in the hope that it
could somehow magically tame the Beast, but it only spurred the BLOOD BEAST
into action. It unleashed its powerful spiny tongue attack. The tongue smashed into
Rav and the battle was on. Rav flailed his newfound Ninja sword into the creature,
but for little effect, as the Beast spat out its barbed tongue, entrapping Rav and
smashing its razor lines jaws around him.
Silverarm slid down into the pit and immediately cast her Force Wall attack.
Normally this would end the melee, but the Blood Beast appeared unfazed.
Silverarm then called upon her Elemental powers and caused the ceiling to collapse
on top of the Beast. But the BLOOD BEAST was a fabled being with awesome
defences and recuperation. It shrugged off the Clerics normally formidable attempts
and lashed its tongue into the Dwarven magic user with piercing effect. Rav could
barely breathe given his proximity to the noxious fumes from the slimy pit and
yelled to Silverarm to cast a Light spell into it’s mass of eyes. This the Dwarf did,
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exhausting the last of her Mana! The BEAST was surprised and its eyes shut in
unison – Rav took the initiative and cut thru more than half a dozen of them. At the
same time, the rest of the Six Pack entered the clouded chamber. With the BEAST
seemingly preoccupied with Rav and Silverarm - Zan, Garry and Marcellos made a
mad dash for a narrow tunnel exit on the opposite side of the room.
But the BLOOD BEAST was far from defeated. The blisters that covered the
monster’s massive body opened into eyes on the side that Zan and company ran,
and a long tentacled Spike whipped out of the slime into their direction. The razor
sharp claw smashed into Zan and the poisonous fumes caused the young fighter to
collapse. Garry and Marcellos were running past with their Boots of Speed and each
grabbed an arm as they ebbed closer to the exit. Meanwhile, Shifty slunk into the
muck that surrounded the pit and moved stealthily along the edge towards safety.
While all of this went on, Rav watched in horror as the BEAST’s eyes re-opened, and
its massive jaws widened to engulf him. Silverarm was already moving away as
Marcellos called out “Run for your lives!” But Rav refused to yield. Again the battle
hardened warrior hacked into the BEAST’S fetid exterior, but the heavy fumes were
to take their tole. Rav’s knees buckled. His hand release the Ninja sword and his
vision blurred. Silverarm and Shifty watched in disbelief as their menacing, brazen
Hero-in-arms fell to the floor. With one Snap! The BLOOD BEAST swallowed Rav
whole and thrust him into its acidic stomach!
Time stood still. The unimaginable had happened. (It is said that Rav was still
throwing punches as the acid peeled his skin from his bones, and that while his
weapons and equipment dissolved to nil, Rav’s skeleton remains inside the Beast!
Another tale would tell of a white dove, uncommon in Salamonian parts, landing on
the Statue of Tetra, apparently around the same juncture in time as Rav’s death. And
a Priestess of Salamon claims that she saw a tear fall from the marble statue at the
same time that a newborn baby wailed – a baby born with no hair and a strange
black birthmark around one eye?)
The BLOOD BEAST submerged to savour its most valiant of prey, giving the
remaining heroes a vital round to get closer to the exit. However, its poisonous
fumes also knocked out Shifty and its clawed tail lashed once more at Garry. The Elf
saw it coming and deflected the tentacle away skilfully, but his joy was short-lived
as the fumes also knocked him unconscious. Marcellos had successfully carried Zan
to safety and then with quick thinking he activated his Rings of Breathing and
Invisibility. Silverarm was Immune to the poisonous gases (thanks to her Tattoo of
Immunity, see AFFRPG04 “Riddling Reaver”) and she dashed to Garry’s aide and
then to the passageway, just as the BLOOD BEAST’S horrid body re-emerged from
the slimy pit. It’s enormous maw opened at the body of McFingers – and it fired its
deadly barbed tongue at her. But the tongue was parried away at the last second by
Marcellos’ blade! The golden caped Fighter had made his way to the Dwarf’s side
just in time. He grabbed her deformed, but still breathing body and dived into the
passageway – to safety!
The remaining five took some time to come to terms with Rav’s demise – well, for a
few minutes until Shifty and Greensleeves regained consciousness. There was little
time for commiserations in DEATHTRAP DUNGEON. McFingers led the team to yet
another door and peered in. A MANTICORE lurked within (just as Silverarm’s
parchment forewarned). Marcellos had fought these creatures in past adventures
(see AFFRPG08 “Darkness over Kaad”) and he knew strength of numbers was the
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key. They charged in – spurred on by surviving the last encounter. But the
MANTICORE had a great ranged weapon in its Barbed projectiles. Garry loosed an
arrow into the hybrid Lion/Bat/Scorpion but also was hit by the poisonous barb.
Shifty shuffled forward in the narrow corridor but in a moment of confusion, Garry
decided to stay at the front of the party and was promptly struck by another barb!
Marcellos yelled “Charge” as he joined Garry at the front. Together they charged
forward! But the Manticore continued to shoot its deadly barbs from its tail! Both
Marcellos and Greensleeves were hit. Marcellos defended the projectile with his
shield but Garry was not so lucky. With no armour and no shield, and with poison
already coursing through his veins, the third projectile smashed into his forehead,
paralysing and killing the brave Elf from the Silent Wood – instantly.
Marcellos attacked with every ounce of his strength, his Sword of Timakron buzzing
with evil’s presence and giving the fighter valuable bonuses. Silverarm and Zan
joined Marcellos in a frenzy of steel against claws and teeth. With one last lunge,
Zan plunged his Sword of the Bat – the sword handed to him by Rav – through the
MANTICORE’S neck. At that moment, the spirit of Rav flowed in him – and the boy
became a man! As the remaining four Heroes healed and composed themselves, a
GNOME Trailmaster calling himself Igbut materialised from thin air in front of an
Ornate heavy-set Door. “This is the Final Test”, he boasted. “Pass this and you may
move through the Door to FREEDOM!” The gnome called for the party to reveal three
gems. Shifty emerged from the shadows and produced a SAPPHIRE and EMERALD.
Marcellos revealed the DIAMOND! Igbut yelped with delight! No contestant in the
Trial’s 30 year history had made it this far with all three GEMS. Marcellos
volunteered to insert the Gems into the Door’s magical locks. Using a clue from a
note Zan found earlier, he knew he could unlock the door in 1 or 2 turns.
After inserting the Gems for the first time, a thumping energy bolt streamed from
the lock and into Marcellos – blasting him backwards. But Marcellos would not be
denied. He stood, smoke twirling from his garb, and brushed himself off. The
unflappable Fighter looked at the door – then at Igbut – and inserted the Gems in a
different order. “Perhaps you’ve heard of me” he began, as the heavy iron door made
three loud “Clicks!” and swung open! Igbut screamed with delight and dashed
through the door towards the light at the end of the tunnel. But Marcellos and
Silverarm did not trust the GNOME and ran forward first - only to fall foul of the
final trap! A dart filled with a fatal dose of Poison fired from a concealed hole and
lodged into Silverarm’s arm. But the Dwarven Cleric scoffed at the feeble dart,
licking the poison and smiling with black teeth at Igbut, “Mmmmm, tastes like
mamma’s Dwarven stew…”.
The four remaining Heroes emerged from the Deathtrap Dungeon. Bloodied.
Bruised. Battered. But victorious. Igbut danced around (and Zan joined in with his
Kallamehr jig) as a massive crowd cheered and shouted. Baron Sukumvit greeted
them at the colourful rostrum. He looked astonished, his cold eyes staring in
disbelief. Yet even the all-powerful ruler had to bow at their awesome
accomplishment. And to the deafening noise of the people of Fang, Sukumvit
proclaimed Sir Marcellos, Silverarm, Shifty McFingers and Zan as the “Champions of
the Deathtrap Dungeon”. Laurels were placed on their heads and Freedom to the
City was granted. Last, but not least, a large chest was opened before them containing their prize of 25000 gold pieces.
The Forest of Doom
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As the surviving members of Deathtrap Dungeon, Marcellos, Silverarm, Zan and
Fingers McShifty were each given the title of “Champion!” And as well as the 25000
gold purse for surviving the Trial of Champions, they were granted the Key to the
City of Fang and enjoyed the spoils of their accomplishment:
Marcellos – the finest food, the highest shelf wine and wenches, Oh Wenches! –
Indulgences fit for a King!
Silverarm – a private, soothing spa bath consisting of imported hot rocks from the
Dwarven Mountains of Fangthane - treatment fit for a Goddess
Zan – a deep tissue massage, body waxing, a manicure and a pedicure – caringly
applied by the loveliest ladies your eyes have ever seen
Fingers McShifty - a drop or three of Skullbuster Ale, the finest pipeweed in all of
Chiang Mai, and exclusive access to the Baron’s private gambling halls – the sort of
excesses a Dwarven Rogue could only dream of.
However, a hand delivered message bearing the Seal of Yaztromo interrupted their
festivities. The Dwarven City of Stonebridge was still under threat from HILL
TROLLS amassing in the area. Only by finding the Dwarven King’s magical
Warhammer would balance and peace be restored. The party decided to cut short
their rest in favour of this quest.
First, they recruited a young twenty-four year old Wizard by the name of
Montgomery Ashe. Although Monty’s cinged black hair made him look quite older
(and a little distasteful), Monty’s father was friends with Hammett the Dash (of
Kallamehr) and Monty was indeed trained by Hammett. Monty had recently finished
a tour with a travelling circus, performing hedge Magic, and thirst for far greater
powers and glory. Second, they spent their gold horde on assorted magical
incantations and commissioned magically enchanted artefacts. The Champions then
left Fang to a Heroes send off and travelled to Yaztromo’s Tower on the southern
edge of Darkwood Forest. Arriving there in good time and unopposed, they me the
famous Gareth Yaztromo. Yaztromo had many yarns to tell of days gone by, but the
Heroes entertained his stories. In return they were allowed to purchase some of his
magic potions, and also given some magical healing cakes that the sweet-toothed
Yaztromo had prepared. It was then time to set off into the dark and twisted
pathways that thread through Darkwood Forest.
Monty did the mapping duties while McShifty used her roguish skills to scout the
front of the party, as she did so well in Detahtrap Dungeon. After many hours of
walking, all but Silverarm responded to sudden cries of Help! A fellow traveller was
caught in a hunting trap and was pleading for help. After much discussion with the
stranger named Valdimar, Ashe and Fingers set him free and they traded
information. Ashe even used a spell to Heal his wound. While getting hugged with
gratitude from Valdimar, McShifty used her pickpocket skill and stole a dagger (only
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to later discover that she too had been thieved, losing a potion of Insect Control). Zan
later discovered he too had been rolled by the cunning Valdimar and lost his Amulet
of Ra – a powerful relic which granted a +1 Skill bonus!
The party was on the look out for two GOBLINS who Yaztromo said had found
Gillibran’s Warhammer and separated it into two pieces. As they rounded a bend,
McShifty saw a goblin-like creature holding a black rod. Thinking it may be the
Warhammer handle, the party followed the creature into the forest. Ashe spoke in
Goblin-tongue to which the creature replied “One only must follow, if you wish to
find what you seek.” But when the entire party followed, the creature transformed
into a powerful SHAPECHANGER. The monster launched itself at McShifty and
Monty, smashing them to the forest floo. Marcellos and Zan to bound over them to
face their fierce foe. Marcellos stunned the SHAPECHANGER with his Mesmerising
Tattoo and together with Zan, and the combined Timakron & and the Sword of Bats,
they cut the creature down.
Continuing on, Monty proved a useful ally, Revealing an Oaken chair to be one of
Life Draining, thus saving someone from an Ability and Stamina sapping trap. After
an uneventful night, Ashe woke to the glint of metal coming from a tree. McShifty
investigated and found a Helmet. Having no need for one, it was discarded. The
party then avoided investigating a wisp of smoke which rose from deeper within the
forest and instead made their way to a crossroads. Silverarm had a conversation
with a RAVEN perched on the sign and paid it a gold coin for information about the
forest paths. The RAVEN said it was actually a human transformed into a Raven by
Yaztromo! The team followed the bird’s advice, avoided a slimy hole by the road and
made their way to an OGRE’s Cave. Ashe sang a traditional wizard song, quoting
some Shrek verses, which successfully coaxed the OGRE out and allowing Marcellos
and Ashe to ambush and kill the creature. Once inside the Cave, Monty bashed to
death a caged GOBLIN with his Sling Staff. As the last blow put an end to the
GOBLIN’s screeching, it dropped a shiny black metal rod with a “G: inscribed on it.
The shaft of Gillibran’s Warhammer!
Buoyed by their success with this find, they set off again. McShifty used her Firewall
Wand to burn down an APEMAN’S Treehouse, and then Monty took a Bracelet the
APEMAN was wearing. It was a Bracelet of Fury and decided to trade it off to the
highest bidder. Zan was happy to part with his Ring of Cold Protection for the added
Attack bonus the Bracelet afforded. After another night of uneventful rest, the party
met a familiar face. CARAS the Centaur (see AFFRPG11 Into the Wilderness) whom
they spared the life of, agreed to ferry them across the wide, eel-infested, Catfish
River in return for a small gold fee. All obliged and they parted ways after the
transaction, wishing the other well. The party then encountered a wall of thick web
that stretched indefinitely – blocking their way. Silverarm performed a Spirit journey
and discovered three large spiders hiding within and the path continued beyond.
McShifty suggested heading back to the River and finding another way, as the forest
here was also thick with thorn bush, but Marcellos devised a plan. He used his
Timakron sword to collect the dry thorn bushes and transported them on McShifty’s
armour, then set the bush alight - burning the web a section at a time. When he was
half way, the large female GIANT SPIDER attacked, successfully hitting Marcellos
before he counter attacked and carved his name right into it! Zan ran through the
crudely fashioned webbed tunnel to assist and was also pounced upon by two
smaller (but still big!) GIANT SPIDERS. Ashe missed with his magical metal cannon
ball, but Marcellos moving back to aide Zan and the Brothers in Arms hacked the
Spiders’ limbs to pieces.
After passing the Web Forest, McShifty discovered a CAVE TROLL sleeping deep
within its cave. She, Zan and Marcellos hatched a plan to ambush (and execute, of
course) the large TROLL but McShifty uncharacteristically snapped a bone carcass
while creeping towards the sleeping behemoth. The CAVE TROLL awoke, flailing it’s
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huge stone mace berserker style. But Marcellos and Zan were still able to bring the
TROLL down with their own heavy artillery, allowing McShifty to retrieve a large
sack with gold and trinkets. Meanwhile, another CAVE TROLL outside the cave tried
to ambush Silverarm and Monty. But with these two magic users combining with
Levitation spells, Metal Cannonballs and Mind Darts, the CAVE TROLL was reduced
to pulp!
The third day dawned in the Forest of Doom. The party was travelling very well, thus
far, as if wanting to prove that the Forest of Doom was more about the doom of its
denizens than that of its unwary travellers! With half of Gillibran’s Warhammer in
their possession, they were deservedly confident that they would soon retrieve the
final piece of the fabled weapon. As they prepared to continue, an Elven RANGER
appeared from the forest. Her name was Greta, from the Silent Wood, the same land
from which their fallen comrade Garry Greensleeves had heralded from (before he
was killed in AFFRPG12 “Deathtrap Dungeon”). The 31 year old Greta was actually
Garry’s cousin and had been tracking the party to find out what happened to her
relative. Marcellos explained that Garry died valiantly. Ashe said that now they were
in search of Gillibran’s hammer, half of which they had found. Being a noble quest
to aide the forces of good, Greta joined the party. With Silverarm getting the runs
(last nights dinner of Forest Hare Stew didn’t agree with her) Greta was a timely
addition to the Champions!
As the Heroes approached another intersection, distant drums began to beat to the
north. As Ashe and Marcellos pondered the drums significance (TROLLS?), the
group was met by a wandering monk calling himself Adam of the Vale. Adam warned
of the growing HILL TROLL Army amassing around Stonebridge and suggested that
the party split into smaller groups to cover more terrain in their search for the
second piece of Gillibran’s fabled warhammer. But the party decided to go against
this advice and remain as one unit. McShifty also had found a brass bell that had
tremendous significance to Adam, and he Blessed McShifty in return for the bell.
McShifty then did some pickpocketing and stole a flask from the monk, before
offering it back as a gift to trick Adam into healing the group. Moving on, the group
discovered a well at the side of the pathway. Marcellos created a rope link to
McShifty, which Zan helped him support, and McShifty descended into the well,
while Ashe cast a Telepathy spell to track her movements and keep the lines of
communication open. Down below, McShifty found a small tunnel, large enough for
a Dwarf such as herself to move into. Inside the underground system she easily
dispatched of a number of unsuspecting GREMLINS and found a magical Eye of
Amber that allowed her to determine the Truth from those she questioned.
As nightfall fell, Greta caught a boar for dinner and located a stream to replenish
their waterskins. As the party slept, Zan guarded but drifted off but for a moment.
That time was enough for a lurking WEREBEAST to bite Greta on the neck. She
yelled, startled, and the others woke. Zan fired an arrow at the beast as it leapt at
him. The arrow missed as Zan resorted to his Sword of the Bat and the battle with
the WEREBEAST was on! Marcellos charged to assist Zan, attacking it from behind
and helping slay the creature of the night. Meanwhile Ashe used some of his rare
herbs to heal Greta from the deadly Lycanthropy disease – thus averting her
transformation to Were-form! As morning broke, the party headed through a ravine
and was ambushed by a group of WILD HILLMEN. Five arrows skewed Sir Marcellos
as his magic rope carried him up the ravine. Greta used her deadly accuracy to repel
some of the HILL MEN, as did Ashe with an elemental boulder attack. Even McShifty
was able to take one down with a well-placed Throwing Knife. Once Marcellos was
atop the ravine, he cut down some of the assailants, and was then joined by by Zan
for a tag-team attack. Back in the gorge, Ashe cast an elemental wall to repel
another barrage of arrows while Greta retaliated with her own arrows, including a
flashy “double arrow” volley! McShifty finished off the HILLMEN by casting a magical
Wall of Fire atop the ravine, scorching them to a cinder. Upon searching the bodies,
Ashe found a strange Silver Key, which he kept on his person.
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After more long hours trudging across the forest paths, McShifty spied upon a
strange sight. A magnificent sword protruded from a rock within the forest. After
some investigating, Ashe cast his Reveal spell and determined that only an Elf and
Dwarf together could pull the magical sword from the stone. So Greta and McShifty
combined to draw the Sword of the Holy Knight, which ended up with Greta, who as
an Elf could wield it without penalty. A powerful find indeed! Excited by their find,
the Heroes turned north toward Stonebridge. The sounds of the drums doubled in
their beat, but the party was steadfast, concluding that it was no use going to
Stonebridge’s aide without the fabled Warhammer in hand! They checked out an
abandoned hut along the way but avoided messing with a magical swirling MIST
inside a tall vase therein. Shortly after they were set upon by viscous CAT FOLK who
leapt at them from the treetops. The feline predators inflicted a fair level of damage
before succumbing to the combined might of the Heroes! It was soon after that they
chanced upon a lone, fully armoured DWARF.
The Dwarf’s name was Trumble from Mirewater, and he bitterly despised the
Stonebridge dwarves. The Mirewater dwarves were jealous of their neighbour’s hold
on the Iron Ore Mines in the area, and welcomed the HILL TROLL threat. Trumble
had ventured into Darkwood Forest to actually find his trained Golden Eagle
“Brithdar” whom he had commanded to steal the Warhammer. Trumble was a rare
Dwarven Ranger, but hadn’t lost his fiery dwarven traits. He also wasn’t the
sharpest tool in the shed. The party tricked him into believing that (a) he had been
paid 50 gold pieces for information, when in fact he was paid only 25 - which
McShifty then stole back and reoffered! (b) They were after the Hammer to sell it! c)
McShifty was a Guardian Cleric d) he should lead them to a building that he located
in the area and suspected to be a GOBLIN stronghold! Trumble also pledged he
would protect McShifty, who he revered as a Dwarven Guardian Cleric, in the hope
that she would return with him to Mirewater.
Trumble lead them back through the forest to a small ivy and moss covered stone
building. The door to this stronghold had a funny shaped keyhole, to which Ashe
inserted the Silver Key he had found. The heavy stone chamber slid open revealing a
dark, cobwebbed sanctuary. Stone stairs descended within – deeper into the
blackened crypt-like chamber. Greta lit her torch as McShifty again led the way.
Cautiously they entered a mist filled blackened room with walls constructed of
skeletal bone. Centred in this eerie crypt was a large stone coffin, carved with faces
of doom and despair, with some skeletal remains of a creature beside it.
Montgomery Ashe used his world lore to reveal the skeleton to once belong to a
Goblin. McShifty checked the walls for secret exits, but none were evident, so Zan
and Marcellos were chosen to try and slide the heavy stone slab off the Stone coffin.
This they did – only to awaken the Undead within!
A DECAYER! The remains of a once powerful evil Cleric, semi-decomposed to reveal
its skeletal state, launched into a frenzied attack! The stone lid of its coffin hurtled
at McShifty and smashed into her Dwarven body. Before the Heroes could even
react, a powerful gush of chilling breeze swept through the tomb, causing damage to
all that disturbed it. Moreover, Greta’s torchlight was extinguished and all within
the underground tomb were cast into darkness. As the horrific DECAYER wailed
and shrieked “Death To Intruders!”, Greta launched an arrow into the beast just
before she was suddenly struck down with an overwhelming sense of Fear – causing
her to involuntarily cower into the corner of the crypt.
Marcellos, Zan and Trumble stood beside the Coffin and swung their weapons
against the creature of death. Zan swung his Bat Sword but to no avail as the
DECAYER’S chilling claws slashed into his face and chest, causing a combination of
cold and claw damage. Trumble yelped in fear as the DECAYER followed up this
assault by thrusting its rotted talons into his throat and tossed his lifeless body
against the skull embedded wall. Marcellos yelled a battle cry and launched his
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attack. In one hand his Sword of Timakron buzzed furiously and struck the fiend,
while in the other Marcellos’ shield absorbed a heavy clawed blow! Nonetheless, the
chilling touch of his undead assailant swept through the shield and also into
Marcellos, inflicting damage. Monty Ashe was at the top of the staircase that lead
into the crypt. He realised he needed to relight Greta’s torch to break the darkness,
and rushed down the stairs to achieve this end.
McShifty recomposed herself, unperturbed by the DECAYER’s horrific presence, and
with her Darkseeing ability, watched in awe at the sight of Marcellos’ spectacular
and furious battle. As Monty grasped the torch and quickly began to relight it, Zan
used his Orb of energy to restore some lost health, and McShifty prepared her Wand
of Firewall. In a magnificent conclusion, the Champions launched their assault
simultaneously. Monty hurled a cannon ball of rock, McShifty shot a blast of fire
and Marcellos’ blade cut through the DECAYER’S fetid body. In a brilliant flash it
was over and all was quiet in the crypt again.
It was then time to pilfer the coffin. Zan grabbed gold and gems, Monty a magical
scroll and McShifty the Head of Gillibran’s Warhammer! The lost relic had been
recovered. Trumble’s body was placed to rest in the upper chamber and the party
exited. McShifty held Gillibran’s hammer in awe and received a powerful
premonition. King Gillibran was in danger. “Help Us”, he pleaded in the image, as
enemy pounded at his palace Doors. Based on this, and with the sound of TROLL
war drums echoing in the distance, the Party decided to increase the speed at which
they travelled through the forest, in the hope of arriving at Stonebridge before
nightfall.
As they were about to move through the last darkened stretch of the Forest of Doom,
McShifty noticed a huge nest, 15 feet wide, nestled in a clearing off the trail. As
Greta guarded from a distance with her readied bow and a clear line of sight,
Fingers approached the nest. The rogue noticed some valuables buried in the straw
and bracken-lined dwelling so she climbed inside to investigate. Suddenly, a huge
WYVERN - with its brown and green scales and massive wingspan - cast the nest
and clearing into shadow. Shifty ran for her Dwarven life only to be engulfed by a
liquid stream of molten fire which spewed from above. Monty called the party to hold
as he cast a telepathy spell to talk to the intelligent Dragon-like being. “We mean no
harm, WYVERN” he spoke in Dragon tongue directly into the creature’s mind. The
WYVERN recoiled in astonishment, sparing the dwarf’s life from a second stream of
fire. After the hostilities were calmed, Monty and the Wyvern, named Eua, discussed
their situations. Eua agreed to fly one of the party to Stonebridge in return for five of
the Hero’s treasures. In addition, Monty needed to encase her own horde (her nest)
in a wall of impenetrable rock. The terms were agreed, the deal was done, and with a
quick democratic vote, Fingers McShifty was chosen to carry the fabled Warhammer
of Gillibran to Stonebridge on the wings of Eua. The hope of the Stonebridge
Dwarves aptly rested in the hands of a Dwarf!
Eua grasped the charred - but still very much alive - McShifty in its huge claws and
with a flap of its wings it lofted them high above the Forest tree-tops. Within
minutes, soaring above the Pagan Plains, Stonebridge was in sight. But the HILL
TROLL invasion was well underway. The outskirts of the City lay in ruin – fields and
crops trodden, huts crushed, and Dwarven body pieces strewn. The high wall of the
City was intact but the main gates had been breached and four HILL TROLL Guards
patrolled with long spears. Eua set down outside the walled city, and let loose a high
pitched roar as its wings folded behind its back. Fingers clenched Gillibran’s
Hammer as she surveyed Stonebridge. A battle raged at the centre of Stonebridge,
less than half a mile away. Having delivered her part of the bargain, and wanting no
part in the battle, Eua departed as the HILL TROLLS awaited the tough Dwarf’s next
move. She contemplated swimming into the city via the Red River using her
Breathing magic, but settled on using her Levitation Spells to hover above the din
and move into the city.
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Fingers McShifty hovered high above the roaming TROLLS, as they hurled their
spears at her. The spears fell short and all the warmongering TROLLS could do was
curse and argue amongst each other. Before long Fingers was upon the Stonebridge
Dwarves’ final stand in the centre of the city. King Gillibran stood on the steps of his
Palace, flanked by the last row of his trusty guards. HILL TROLLS roared and raged
as they finished off pockets of Dwarven resistance using their Axes and Spears. A
large contingent moved in on the weary King! But up in the sky, above the tall spiral
of the palace, Fingers hovered. For a fleeting second, all the Dwarves and HILL
TROLLS ceased their engagement and glanced to the heavens. They watched as
Fingers released her grip on Gillibran’s hammer and it fell into the King’s hand – as
if guided by some higher being.
King Gillibran was suddenly engulfed with a resurgent spiritual power, and he
roared a loud piercing battle-cry that itself sent the tide of battle in the Dwarven
favour. Holding his ancestor’s fabled Hammer aloft he yeleld “WE SHALL NOT
YIELD!” With her levitation powers fading, Fingers set down inside Stonebridge and
made her way into the second floor of a carpenter’s workshop. A small group of
Dwarven children cowered in the corner. Fingers comforted them then peered out
the carpenter’s window which overlooked the Palace grounds. There she witnessed a
scene that would forever be etched in her mind.
Dwarven men, many wounded and battered, were joined by women, children and
the elderly – all who had emerged from hiding places within the city. The HILL
TROLLS became panicked as Dwarven pride and confidence return. Dwarven fear
turned to outrage, weakness to strength, and they began to repel the TROLL
invasion and overwhelm the larger TROLLS like ants to a bug. And to spur them on,
and remove any self doubt, King Gillibran wielded the magical Warhammer. Finger’s
eyes widened as the Warhammer magically hurtled across the battlefield and
crashed into the skull of a Troll, rendering it senseless. Then, when a normal
weapon would fall to the ground, the fabled Hammer ricocheted off the TROLL,
seemingly with a mind and life of its own, into a second unsuspecting Troll –
disabling it – and then incredibly into a third, smashing its knee cap and fracturing
bone, before its flight magically ended, returned to the hand of its rightful bearer!
Within minutes, with the Hammer bulleting around and into the marauding HILL
TROLLS - the Battle of Stonebridge had ended.
Stonebridge had been saved at the last minute.
The surviving Dwarven community amassed in the palace grounds, around their
King. Then slowly the crowd parted, like a sea, as a single Dwarf strolled towards
King Gillibran. Fingers McShifty. The crowd roared with cheer. Celebrations were
instantaneous. They would not have believed it unless they saw it with their own
eyes. Of how Fingers McShifty – Angel of Throff, Dwarven Icon - descended from the
Celestial heavens on the wings of a Dragon, to deliver unto them the fabled
Warhammer of Gillibran, and aid the Dwarves in the greatest fight of their lives!
Fingers was soon rejoined by her comrades, who had made it to Stonebridge by foot.
Humbly she explained to King Gillibran that she was not alone in her quest. That
she was but One member of the legendary Six Pack – The Champions of Fang – the
Heroes of Allansia. Together they had retrieved Gillibran’s stolen Warhammer and
helped crunch the combined might of the HILL TROLL clans. The King rewarded
each of the Heroes with a Cottage residence, a Royal Seal and piece of Treasure, and
Freedom to the City. The celebrations lasted late into the night and well beyond.
Peace had been restored to the Stonebridge area….hopefully forever.
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The Shamutanti Hills
They are known as the Heroes of Allansia.
The Six-Pack.
The Champions of Deathtrap Dungeon.
They are Legends!






Sir Marcellos –Fighter.
Silverarm –Cleric
Fingers McShifty –Rogue
Monty Ashe - Sorceror
Greta Greensleeves –Ranger
Zan –Warrior
Their heroic deeds are known across Allansia. Sung by minstrels in the cities, reenacted by children in the villages and retold over much ale in the taverns. A Year
has passed. A year of Peace and Stability in a once Troubled Land. All but Zan have
made Stonebridge their home. It's Dwarven population their family.
With King Gillibran's mighty hammer returned, the Threat of War has ended. The
marauding HILL TROLL Armies have all but disbanded. With the Heroes help, an
Alliance between the Mirewater and Stonebridge dwarves has also been forged, and
the Heroes wisdom has brocaded a peace over the disputed Iron Ore mines. It is a
peace that has swept like a fresh morning breeze across Allansia.
¨ Trade once again flowed between the cities, towns and villages. The nomadic
Centaur tribes that once terrorised the Trade routes across the vast Pagan Plains
have a new leader. Caras the Brave has united the Tribes and helped create a new
era where Man, Dwarf, Elf and Centaur can live as one.
¨ Safe trade routes now stretch as far north as the Icefinger mountains – no longer
racked by the evil of the Snow Witch, the Elimite Order or the Mountain Orc Armies.
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¨ To the NorthWest, there is even peace between the Goblin hordes that populate the
highlands and the sprawling human population of the lowlands. A new Goblin
Order, lead by King Giblet, seeks no harm upon mankind. And the people of the
Great walled City of Kaad, safe from the threat of the evil priest Sargon, once again
live in harmony with the swamp people. A proud race who continue to led by a wise
Council – Chief Telad, the high priest Zune & the respected Warrior Elgon.
¨ Even in the City of Thieves, Blacksand, there is stability. Denizens of this vile port
still talk about the Band of Heroes that saved Blacksand from the Bronze Giant that
rampaged through their cobbled streets.
¨ In the south, Kallamehr has become a shining star whose light penetrates the
darkest jungles that surround much of that land. Lady Carolina has united the
southern reaches and her Court Sorcerer. And it is heard that Dappa the Dash had
been joined by his heroic brother ZAN, and together they travel as emissaries of the
Noble House of Rangor.
¨ At the heart of the great continent, Allansia's capital Salamonis continues to
thrive. With the evil Sorcerer Xortan Throg vanquished by the Heroes, trade and
relations are strong between the great cities. In the Grand White Salamonian
Courtyard, gleaming marble shrines stand as symbols of hope and power,
immortalising great wizards, like Vermithrax, and fabled warriors, like Tetra –
Daughter of Titan!
¨ In the east, the community of Gilford has grown and prospered. With the
tyrannical Warlock Zagor vanquished, the area has grown to accommodate a
sprawling human population, while Firetop Mountain has once again become home
to the proud Dwarven race. Together, Man and Dwarf have secured this vital
gateway to the Moonstone Hills.
However, Allansia is but One of Three Continents of Titan! Two hundred and eighty
five years ago, the War of the Wizards raged across all three continents. On the Old
world, the region known as Kakhabad was left in ruin and abandoned by mankind.
It became a vermin pit. Festering for centuries. Dormant.
Until now….
The Heroes were met in Stonebridge by the Great Wizard Nicodemus, who had made
a rare journey from Blacksand. He told them that their friend Zan has not moved
back to Kallamehr. Rather, Nicodemus sent him to the Old World six months ago, as
his eyes and ears. Nicodemus feared something catastrophic was brewing. Two days
ago, Nicodemus received a message from Zan. A message he had been dreading!
An evil force sought to once again unite the Hordes of Chaos. For two years now
Analand had prospered under the influence of the Crown of Kings. The fabled Crown
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has mystical abilities to help rulers run their kingdoms wisely. Each of the five
kingdoms in the Femphry Alliance kept the Crown for four years and used its power
to make their kingdoms happy and prosperous.
NOW however, the Crown has been stolen. Birdmen seized the Crown and were seen
carrying it off towards the high peaks of Mampang. Nicodemus is certain that the
evil Archmage of Mampang has stolen the Crown and will use it's power to unite the
Chaos hordes under his rule – a rule that will threaten not only all the nations of the
Femphry Alliance, but also Titan itself.
The Crown of Kings must be recovered.
The Heroes bid King Gillibran and their Stonebridge friends goodbye and prepared
to return to Port Blacksand with Nicodemus. Marcellos and Monty decided to pay
the “retired” Silverarm a last visit in case she no longer needed her magic and
equipment. Unfortunately for them, Silverarm was unavailable and so too her vast
depth of accumulated goods. Marcellos donated his cottage to the Worshippers of
Throff, so that any dignitaries, nobles or well-to-do that visited Stonebridge could be
accommodated. Monty scoffed at Silverarm’s acolytes, but donated one gold piece
and some advice “When a Wizard gives you an Order – don’t hesitate!” Fingers
entertained the idea of renting out Gillibran’s cottages while they were away, but in
the end decided against it. While Greta bid farewell to her “gentle” Dwarven friends
and many tears were shed. Nicodemus explained the quest to an alerted King
Gillibran and the Stonebridge community gathered en masse at the Wall of the city
to cheer their Saviours as they departed.
From Blacksand, a galleon called the Dancing Dolphin took them on an arduous
journey across the Western Ocean to the port of Analand, on the continent known
as the Old World. It was a gruelling ocean voyage. All of the heroes fell ill on one day
or another, due to a meagre daily diet of seaweed soup, salty fish and lard on bread.
The Analanders dressed very colourfully but their celebratory attire masked a deep
suspicion of outsiders. Yet the Allansian Heroes were left to their own devices, even
by the City Guards, known as SIGHTMASTERS who wore splendid ornate armour
and headgear. The party quickly met up with their old friend Zan, though they were
unsure who he was at first, because he had changed his looks by tattooing his face
and wanting to be referred to by his Old World name - Arkai Darku. Arkai told the
rest of the Heroes about the Quest for the Crown of Kings, and the emerging dark
power of the Archmage of Mampang.
Arkai stressed the importance of departing Analand to seek the Crown immediately,
but after a long sea voyage, most of the party wanted to rest and not leave until next
morn. (so much for urgency!) Unperturbed by the locals’ suspicious gazes, Monty
Ashe let his gold do the talking and before Marcellos could say “Perhaps you’ve
heard of me?” Monty (who announced himself as Mr Smith) had arranged
accommodation for his team mates, as well as a hot meal and a hot bath. Monty was
charming the locals, like the Inn Keeper Vandegal, and two street urchins, Ronin
and Hamid, and soon the generous name of Mr Smith was on the lips of many an
Analander.
Monty spent most of his time making numerous requests of his newfound friends,
while the rest of the Heroes rested. Yet soon it was time for Fingers McShifty to
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utilise her roguish skills. While the Analand market’s reputation for pickpocketing
and thievery dissuaded the mighty Marcellos, McShifty new all the tricks in the book
and went undeterred into the bustling market to price a wagon and horses for the
Heroes’ journey. Monty paid for the bulk of the purchase, and Fingers haggled to get
a small discount. The result was an eight-seater covered cart and two horses. Monty
then asked Vandegal to arrange three adventurers for hire - a Swordsman, a
Bowman and a Healer. Monty enticed the Hired Help with payment-in-full, in
advance, for a 2 week journey to Khare, as well as supplied them with weapons and
provisions. It was an offer that attracted a quick audience.
Refreshed, re-equipped and re-manned, the party left the Gates of Analand with
three new team members. Sargonus- a tough, skilled swordsman, and former
member of the Analand militia. Deholand – a wily Bowman who was a tad shy,
perhaps due to a troublesome stutter. And Surereson – an elderly Healer who
seemed very suspicious of the ‘non-humans’. The eight-strong party rolled into the
mainly deserted scrubland on their journey towards Khare. Through valleys, up and
down hillocks, on the only path that winded north. Surerson bored Arkai silly with
the same questions over and over again (like “What’s your name?”) and continued to
cast suspicious dispersions against the Dwarven Shifty and Elven Greta. Deholand
was fascinated with Greta, marvelling at her ears, and displayed his Bow Skill in
front of her at every opportunity eg with a well aimed arrow into a tree trunk by the
road. While Sargonus pestered Monty about who he thought was the best fighter in
the party, and then when Monty finally conceded “You are”, Sargonus continued to
ask “so when are you going to announce it to the rest of the party?”.
On a fine cool day, with only the caw of crows for company, the road eventually led
them to their first stop – the small village of Cantopani. Many eyes followed their
progress through the small hamlet, until Farrell the Overseer confronted them.
Monty joined Farrell for tea in his hut, while Sargonus – who had resigned himself to
being Monty’s bodyguard - guarded the front. Farrell’s advice did not come for free
and he warned Monty about the journey ahead only after the gleam of gold shone
from his rough palm. The others, meanwhile, checked out a Trading outpost in the
town. McShifty wasn’t interested in the standard items, but once she was re-joined
by Monty, together they haggled with a plump merchant from Brice called Ryan, and
they traded gold and gems for a Bag of magical Goblin teeth.
They left Cantopani and before long the road forked in two directions. The yelp from
an old, wild-haired man high up a tree drew their immediate attention. Fingers
climbed atop the wagon, in spite of Surerson’s warnings, and helped down the man,
named Alias. Monty also gave the old geezer a ration pack and water. Alias said was
from Khare and was travelling to Analand but was robbed by mischievous ELVINS
and placed in the tree. After Fingers handed him back the pouch she actually stole
from him in the first place (Shifty fingers!), Alias rewarded them with a parchment
containing a rhyme about a Key, as well half of a page ripped from most probably a
recipe book. Heeding Alias’ warning about magical ELVINS in the lowland valleys,
the party decided to head into the high hills of Shamutanti, in the direction of the
Old Schanker mines.
As the going became steeper and harder, the crumbly dirt road not helping their
cause, they soon could hear the sound of metal on rock in the close distance. As the
horses rested, Monty deciphered bickering GOBLIN voices in the same direction.
Greta, Fingers and Arkai decided to check it out. They traversed through the tall
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grass, off the main path, and in the direction of the ruckus. But as they climbed a
hillock overlooking their destination, a TWO-TAILED SERPENT lashed out at Greta,
striking her on the thigh, and releasing it’s deadly poison. Greta was stunned, but
flailed her magical Sword of the Holy Knight at the beast, only for the SERPENT to
dart away and immediately recoil back at her from a different direction. The TWO
TAILED SERPENT raised it’s demonic head as high as Greta was tall and again
slammed its toxic fangs into her body, causing more serious damage. Greta
staggered back, as the SERPENT readied the final blow, but Fingers threw a Goblin
tooth between them. It sprouted immediately into a fully armoured GOBLIN and
attacked, but only to be smacked by the SERPENT’S fangs - in the forehead - and
killed instantly. But the distraction was enough for Greta to escape. Arkai dashed
forward and engaged the Serpent, his black Sword of the Bat slicing through the
grass by his side. In a furious foray of hissing against slashing, Arkai finished the
SERPENT without mercy, impaling his sword through its head without mercy as it
tried to slide away.
Greta limped back into the wagon. Deholand watched with great concern as
Surereson lay his Healing Hands upon her to restore that much needed Stamina. As
Fingers and Arkai rejoined them, it was clear that the poisonous bites had reduced
Greta’s abilities. The party took Surerson’s advice of waiting and seeing if her
condition worsened before treating it. Arkai and Shifty looked at each other and
nodded. “We’re going back,” said Shifty. “It’s payback time,” said Arkai. The rest of
the group waited at the wagon, as brooding clouds began to form overhead. By the
time the duo made it back through the tall grass to the hillock, it was drizzling.
Shifty stealthily surveyed the landscape, which revealed a small group of GOBLINS
moving in and out of what looked like a mining cave entrance. Shifty said she was
going back to inform the others. But Arkai had other plans.
Arkai Darku tried to flank the GOBLINS, but he slipped on a rock, attracting their
attention! “Humans!” one shouted, and they advanced on the lone fighter. Arkai
doubled back behind the hill, but soon the GOBLINS were upon him. Four of the evil
creatures attacked, shortly joined by another four. Arkai fought valiantly, critically
wounding one in the leg but they soon got the better of him. Arkai made the decision
to flee, as the GOBLINS continued to slice and stab the brave hero! Barely able to
move, Arkai dropped his backpack, which lightened his load and allowed him to
escape. But with his backpack gone, so too was many a treasure within. Shifty
heard the battle rage and created a GOBLIN from a magical tooth. She sent it to aide
Arkai and battle the other GOBLINS – a command it obeyed unquestioningly.
Fingers then arrived back at the wagon and alerted them to the situation. Marcellos
and Sargonus joined McShifty and headed to Arkai’s position as the sky darkened
and rain fell.
The trio quickly found the badly wounded Arkai, who had made it clear of the
GOBLINS (who had stopped to fight over his backpack) and Marcellos shared a
moderate Potion of Healing with his fellow fighter. Then the four Heroes advanced
into the GOBLIN’S lair – the old Schanker mine. It was dark. Sargonus lit a torch
and Marcellos and Arkai stood in the entrance. They saw a group of GOBLINS
camped around a fire deeper inside the mine passage, tearing at the flesh of another
humanoid looking creature which they were roasting like a spit. Smelling the
Human scent, the GOBLINS grabbed their shortswords, shouting “Humans!” and
charged into attack. But this time, things would be different. Marcellos used his
Timakron sword to halt advancing GOBLIN party – lancing bodies and chopping
limbs, while Arkai carved up his share of Goblin flesh with his Sword of the Bat.
Drenched in Goblin blood, they readied themselves for the next wave. A second wave
of GOBLINS charged at them, but suffered a similar fate. GOBLIN blood was spilled
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heavily, and internal organs lay strewn on the rough mine shaft floor. Suddenly,
there was a roar from within the mine, and a large OGRE thumped towards them. It
slammed its huge club at the two fighters, but to no avail. Marcellos severed its
ankle tendons and cut through its bone, as Arkai slashed the OGRE’S musclier
neck, and then thrust his blade deep into it’s chest. Seeing this, the remaining
GOBLINS retreated.
Shifty moved in, taking out a fleeing GOBLIN by smashing its head with her
Warhammer. She also came upon some gems, and once joined by the others, found
a rune-inscribed Dagger, which she gave to an awe-inspired Sargonus. The four
conquerors scoured the mine for survivors, but found nil. And when the mineshaft
led them to a low ceiling, poorly constructed tunnel, they stopped their search,
barring the doorways so that none may return. Alas, they left the mine without
finding Arkai’s backpack, nor it’s contents. Dismayed, but alive, they stumbled
through the undergrowth, back to the Wagon, where their party greeted them. A
crackling fire was burning and Ashe had made a hardy stew, with pancakes for
dessert. Greta sang Elven songs, and Deholand watched her with almost a sparkle
in his eye. Surerson mumbled in his sleep, and after a satisfying meal, they all
joined Surerson in slumber, posting a guard every hour.
It was just before midnight, when Arkai was on guard. Two large mangy WOLVES
sniffed around their camp position. Arkai smartly woke the others. Sargonus
charged at one of the Wolves, but it jumped on him, getting the better of him, before
being cut down by Marcellos and Arkai. The second pounced at Arkai, only to be cut
off by a well placed Greensleeves arrow and a blue twirling Magic Missile from Ashe.
Arkai finished it off by thrusting his black sword into it’s grizzly throat. The Heroes
continued at first light on the path to Khare. They came upon a massive stone
bridge that spanned the raging Shamutanti River. Camped at the bridge beside a
cart and strong horse was an old fiend - Silverarm. The Dwarf explained how she too
had been sent by Nicodemus to recover the Crown of Kings. She met Ashe’s hired
helpers, and they judged her demeanour as rude. Silverarm also berated Ashe and
Marcellos for visiting her Temple in Stonebridge and trying to acquire her
belongings. After some more friendly banter, they headed off, with Shifty and Arkai
joining Silverarm in her smaller cart at the front. After many hours of travelling
through the winding and undulating countryside, they came upon the Kristantanti
outpost. A friendly community that wore their hair high - tied up with Bones - and
lived in chattels carved into a steep hillside.
Monty met with the village elder, named Kristat, and went with him to the Ale House
to talk. Montgomery was again very generous with his money, and after a few ales,
he garnered some information about their journey north from another elder.
Apparently hostile “Tall Ones” (GIANTS?) claimed the northern area as their own.
Meanwhile Sargonus tried to arrange accommodation for the party but was short on
cash, so Silverarm chimed in with the needed funds, after haggling to get breakfast
and a washroom included in the price. With the entire group eventually settled
inside lodgings for the night, and the horses in the stable, Arkai decided to do a bit
of late night shopping. Ashe helped him out with some coinage and Arkai returned
with a new Backpack. In the morning, they all felt thoroughly refreshed, having slept
in warm, secure and comfortable surrounds, and they enjoyed a complimentary
Foxbroth breakfast together as a team. While a small issue of some missing items
from their wagon and cart reduced the local stable boys to tears as they mumbled
something about “glowing Elves”, the Heroes were soon on there way again.
Ashe suggested they head into the valley to avoid the “Tall Ones” that claimed the
mountainous area as their own. However, an unfortunate turn east had them
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heading up into the mountains and into the HILL GIANT territory. Silverarm “Spirit
Journeyed” into one of the caves, declaring it safe, and Ashe Revealed that a large
humanoid inhabited the other. They steered their wagons past massive gates and
the path ahead stretched through a ravine between two large caves. Suddenly a
huge boulder was hurled from inside the cave and it crashed on top of Silverarm’s
cart, dealing substantial crushing damage. The force of the boulder also destroyed
the cart, and sent Fingers and Silverarm’s cargo toppling to the ground. An angry
bearded HILL GIANT emerged, brandishing its stone club. It bellowed in anger
“Invaders!” and charged towards the convoy. Greta and Deholand fired arrows, the
latter missing, but Greensleeve’s aim was true and the arrow lodged into the side of
the GIANT’S head. It grimaced in pain, but that was nothing compared to Ashe’s bolt
of Lightning, which slammed into the advancing GIANT, charring it’s flesh and
causing its eyeballs to boil and explode. The huge creature slid forward in a burnt
and crumpled mess, coming to a stop at Arkai’s feet.
The Heroes readied themselves for the second assault, as two similarly sized, and
equally infuriated HILL GIANTS lumbered up the road to wage war with the Heroic
party.
The huge HILL GIANTS swung their huge stone clubs in fury, smashing what was
left of Silverarm’s cart, and her horse, into oblivion. But that was as far as the
behemoths’ could advance. While Sargonus steadied the horses (much to his chagrin
– as he wanted to do battle), and Surerson cowered in terror, Arkai Darku and Sir
Marcellos stood firm and cut their blades deep into one of the GIANT’S limbs. Arkai
wielded the magical Sword of Bats while Sir Marcellos’s Sword of Timakron was
deadlier than ever, being dipped in the poison from a Manticore’s Barb (see
AFFRPG12 “Deathtrap Dungeon”). Arkai unfortunately suffered the GIANT’S wrath by
getting stomped on for some Size 30 Boot damage, but this act of brutality was met
by Silverarm’s Mind Attack which fractured the GIANT’S skull. Monty Ashe
completed the melee with a well placed Magic missile that pounded into, and
toppled, the “Tall One”.
The second GIANT experienced a more ghastly fate. Deholand and Greta shot arrows
at the three storey high creature, with Greta’s aim particularly decisive, lodging deep
into its eye socket. But the HILL GIANT barely had time to wince when Fingers
McShifty grabbed her Fire Wand from her backpack and immolated the second
GIANT with a large burst of flame, just as Greta loosed another arrow, felling the
HILL GIANT to it’s bulky knees – in agonising death. Silverarm wasted no time and
retrieved the Giant’s treasure from deep within its cave, while McShifty added a
Fishing Net to Monty’s supply laden wagon. Marcellos showed a rare touch of
compassion by stuffing horse feed into Silverarm’s badly injured stead, (causing
more distress than good), but Greta used her Elven affinity for animals to calm the
horse and mend its wounds. Deholand thought the episode was so beautiful! As one
of the GIANT’S smouldered, Shifty snapped off one of its fingers for what Dwarves
considered a finger-lickin consumption! Colonel Sanders would be proud!
The victorious team descended from the HILL GIANT’S territory and continued their
journey towards Khare. They kept to the established paths, as they deemed them
safer, despite this being a longer route. As the winds grew ever colder, the dark
clouds gathered and rain began to fall, they thankfully arrived at the Hamlet of
Dhumpus. There they were welcomed by the humble farming community. Silverarm
lost the plot for a while and started threatening to kill everyone, but was soon given
a hearty broth and mug of ale to quell her frustration. Marcellos enjoyed whittling
away the night by sharing (long) tales of his heroic deeds (they may not have heard of
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him, but they wouldn’t forget him), while the others, except Monty, retired to their
rooms.
When the Dhumpus Council asked for the leader of the party, Monty Ashe was
nominated by the others, and promptly invited to the Council meeting. There he
enlightened the gathering members on the pros and cons of barley crops versus
potato fields. In return he was given a map of Kakhabad to replace the one lost by
Arkai (against the Goblins of the Schanker Mines). In the morning the party woke to
the smell of pickled eggs and Foxtail soup, and the breaking sun through grey
clouds. They briefly stopped at a Merchants tent to view its wares and on exiting
Dhumpus, came upon a blind Beggar named Bourke. Bourke was busy doing what
beggars do - begging for charity. Sir Marcellos acted well below his royal station by
donating a silver Piece and then trying to steal it back. Arkai just kept saying “No” to
Bourke’s requests for coin or scraps. Monty approached and after giving the beggar
a Gold coin, was rewarded with a large Copper Key that the Beggar claimed would
free them from the guard’s Cells in Khare. In addition, he was warned to stay clear
of the Red-eyes, for they were an evil race who took his eyes!
Upon recommencing their journey towards Khare, Monty Ashe was befriended by a
tiny pixie-like creature called Jann the Minimite. The party soon discovered that the
Minimite absorbed all magic within a certain radius. Despite Ashe’s cursing, Jann
was very forgiving and would not abandon his “friend” no matter what. This robbed
the Heroes of Ashe’s magical firepower and left them depleted of magic users, given
that the angry Dwarf Silverarm remained in Dhumpus (although she left the party
her heavy chest – which none dared to open). This combination of events could not
have come at a worse time. Shifty scouted a Cottage situated in a clearing off the
main road and discovered a solitary HILL TROLL guarding there. Greta moved into
“Kill Mode” and fired an arrow into its throat as Arkai, Marcellos and Sargonus
charged in to complete the ambush. But then the real carnage commenced.
While Arkai pilfered the cottage, uncovering a hidden treasure lode, a pack of large
WOLVES darted through the scrubland to besiege the rest of the party. One
attacked Greta, but she was quick to load and release a deadly shaft into the beast,
and then followed up with a second that lethally pierced its neck as it attempted to
leapt upon her. Marcellos was set upon by another, and it clamped its jaws deep
into his arm causing a nasty gash. The sight of his red royal blood splattered on his
golden armour set him into action and as he carved his name into the matted haired
creature, he also had to fend off two more of the canines as the situation worsened.
Shifty used one of her magical Goblin teeth to create an armoured Goblin to assist
Marcellos, as she ran back towards the wagon. Ashe and Surerson sat secure in the
wagon, though Monty himself thirst to join the fray. “It it was not for you! Damn
Minimite, my magical elemental fury would be unleashed!” he screamed. Jann was
taken aback by the outburst, but responded with kindness “You’re my friend. Jann
forgives you.”
Elsewhere amongst the cottage forest, Sargonus would face his moment in time. The
moment all brave fighters welcome and dread at the same time. Surrounded by the
enemy. Outnumbered. Outgunned. But with Courage in his heart and Sword in
hand, he would not Yield. And fight he did, against a pack of four bloodthirsty
WOLVES. Their rotten, yet powerful, yellow fangs tore through his body without
mercy. Yet Sargonus took with him to the afterworld the fact that his blade also
drew their blood. Sargonus died fighting! At the same time, Deholand, who was in
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the wagon, lifted the covers to witness the final seconds of his fellow Analander’s
bloody death. Monty yelled out “Nooooooooooooooooooo!” and Surerson called aloud
“Run, we must Run,” as he crawled to the wagon’s exit. Deholand was terrified, his
bow and arrow wobbling in his hands as he took aim. And then to amplify all their
horror, Jann shrieked “Trolls!” Their hearts skipped a beat as two more brutish
TROLLS, shields and halberds in tow, advanced on the wagon.
Arkai had just finished stuffing his backpack with treasure, and had ignored the
calls from Marcellos, and the cries from Sargonus. But just as he stood to leave the
cottage, the four WOLVES that mangled Sargonus, fur tainted with bits of their
prey’s meaty bits, scampered into the cottage to attack. Immediately, Arkai threw
himself through the closed window, and crashed into the underbrush, rolling into a
small fold in the earth. The WOLVES growled and scowled at his retreat and each
leapt threw the window after him. But as they landed onto the wet forest ground,
they took sight of more fetching prey. Greta had joined Marcellos, and now they
faced off with the canine savages. Greta, specialist with the bow, switched to her
Sword of the Holy Knight, forged to unite Elves and Dwarves across the lands (see
AFFRPG13 “Forest of Doom”). Marcellos nodded, impressed, blood dripping down his
arm, and the battle commenced. But the WOLVES were soon cut down - no match
against the combined experience and might of the newly formed tag-team.
Back at the wagon, Shifty was scampering up into the Driver’s seat, while Surerson
was climbing out. Deholand had steadied his aim at the advancing HILL TROLLS,
and his shot lodged into the chest of one. But that only angered the TROLLS and
they charged with their halberd’s straight at the defiant archer. Both of their longtipped blades lanced Deholand’s body, bursting through his back, and spewing
blood onto Ashe and even the quick-darting Jann. And as the TROLL’S withdrew
their polearms from Deholand, the Archer’s body was ripped apart and flung to the
muddy pathway. Ashe screamed in fury – both at the TROLLS’ slaughter of his hired
archer, and Jann’s negating presence. Thinking quickly, Monty threw five of his
goblin teeth high into the air, out of Jann’s magical aura. The teeth sprung into
armoured Goblins and fell onto the TROLLS, attacking at the same time. The
TROLLS were completely surprised, but relished the opportunity to fell their smaller
evil cousins! Immediately, Ashe gave the command for Shifty to spur the horses
away, which the Dwarf accomplished in spite of her lack of experience with horses.
The wagon bolted away, as Monty reached out to scoop up the elderly Surerson, who
had just stepped off. The TROLLS were left to spend a few rounds pounding the
gritty GOBLINS to a pulp. Marcellos used his Boots of Speed to catch up with the
group and Greta dashed nimbly through the forest to get to the wagon at the road’s
bend, and jumped aboard. Safe. For now. The TROLLS cursed and stomped in
anger. Then they grinned an evil grin as they took sight of the carnage around them.
The torn apart Deholand, the shredded Sargonus, the slain TROLL, and the
numerous WOLF carcasses. Arkai slinked away into the dense forest undergrowth unseen - as the TROLLS roared in delight. “There’ll be feasting t’nite, my luv!” said
one. “Wulf Crackle on da Spit, Hooman Stew in da Pot, and our ded son Eddie a-lafresco, me dearie” replied the other. With that their slobbering tongues and
calloused lips smacked together. Gross.
The deaths of Deholand and Sargonus stirred Ashe into a frenzy. As the group sat in
silence, with only the rumbling of the wagon’s wheels over the rocky Shamutanti
road as comfort, Ashe began to pepper Jann with shots from his sling staff. Jann
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dodged and weaved, pleading for his “friend” to stop, but eventually one of the sling
shots smashed into the thumb-sized Jann, and in a flash of white sprinkles, the
Minimite was gone. The others healed and assessed their performances, as Greta
took the reins from her Dwarven friend, and steered the posse toward the large town
of Birritanti.
A few miles from town, a black-clad Assassin named Flanker appeared on the road.
Greta announced herself as Greensleeves from the Silent Wood, and Flanker
immediately challenged her to a duel. The Elf wasn’t one to back down and leapt
from the wagon to engage in a bit of mono-et-mono. The rest of the party watched on
and Monty prepared his Wand of Magic Missile (just in case). Greta duelled with
Flanker in a spectacular sword fight - the Assassin with his acrobatics and doublebladed scimitar, and Greta with her graceful, yet deadly, Elven swordsmanship.
Flanker had underestimated the Elven Ranger and soon he was incapacitated and at
her mercy. And in the Elven spirit of compassion, mercy was given. Monty and
Shifty then convinced Flanker to join them on their journey to Khare, which he
agreed. But Flanker was as bold as he was cocky, and he also managed to negotiate
a sum of gold and healing herbs as payment for his services. Marcellos warned that
“no good can come of this”, given Flanker had openly spoken that he was an
Assassin, but his words were not heeded. And just when they thought they were free
of Jann, the Minimite reappeared to befriend Surerson! Monty just shook his head.
And so their numbers were bolstered once more.
As night fell and light rain cascaded from the heavens the Heroes entered Birritanti.
The Festival of Children was in its last throws, whereby the children run the town
for the day. Flanker excused himself saying he had business to attend to and would
rejoin them in the morning. Surerson and Jann seemed to be getting on surprisingly
well and retired to the Pleasant Dreams Inn (waka waka wow!). The rest of the party
cashed in their gems as their was a great demand for these in Birritanti and they
took the gold they received to the General Store and Weapons-Smiths, to re-equip
and re-arm. While speaking with the traders, Monty and Shifty learnt of a magic
user named Lorana the Justifier, High Priestess of Libra, and they decided to visit
her. They found themselves in a luscious temple, much richer in look and feel than
the surrounding buildings, and ordered a magical item that would allow them to
control the pesky Minimite. In addition, Shifty considered recharging her Wand of
Fire. Leaving the temple, they returned to the Inn and sniffed around for some hired
help to replace Monty’s fallen brethren at the hands of the TROLLS. The Inn’s
proprietor suggested a Dwarven Crossbowman named Valezka, who happened to
still be drinking in the Inn. After some haggling over the hire fee, Valezka agreed to
accompany them to Khare, after fancying the Dwarven lass Fingers McShifty – being
particularly attracted to the fact that she hadn’t shaven today!
So the Heroes retired for the night at the Pleasant Dreams Inn. Monty Ashe stepped
on one of the floorboards in his room and sensed a magical presence underneath.
Under one of the boards was three magical tomes that had been hidden there by Joe
Quarterstaff. They were priceless Spell Books that once belonged to Xortan Throg
(The Book of Dark Necromancy; see AFFRPG06 “Revenge of the Sorceror”), Sargon the
Black (Book of the Revived Church of Elim; see AFFRPG08 “Darkness Over Kaad”),
and Aldoran Zagor (see AFFRPG09 “The Warlock of Firetop Mountain”). Monty went to
sleep with a huge smile on his face, and the others in the party also slept solidly.
But their rest was disturbed in the early hours of the morning by loud knocks at
their doors. The Sheriff of Birritanti and five guards were searching for the Assassin
Flanker. He had been seen entering Birritanti with the Heroes and was now wanted
by the authorities for allegedly brawling with the Tavern Keeper, whose name was
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Glandragor. In addition, Flanker was accused of stealing Glandragor’s magical Axe.
Monty levitated to the safety of the Inn’s rooftop, while Valezka and Arkai considered
engaging the authorities in combat. Eventually, Greta negotiated with the Sheriff
and explained that they had no knowledge of Flanker’s whereabouts. Indeed, they
did not, and it seemed that in any case, Flanker had vanished. After a hearty
breakfast, Monty picked up the Scroll of Control he had ordered from Lorana, and
also received a Blessing to assist his success on their noble quest. It was then off to
the Crystal Falls, where Greta and Monty refreshed themselves, healing any
wounds. Greta also filled one of her waterskins with the Crystal Water, hoping to
duplicate the falls’ healing affects later. Before bidding Birritanti farewell, Surerson
discussed the possibility of staying behind, as his friendship with Jann the Minimite
had reduced his party worth to virtually zero due to not being able to cast healing
spells. Greta convinced him to stay with them and Monty reminded Surerson about
the full payment he had made for his services.
As the horse drawn wagon trudged over and across the Shamutanti Hills, they soon
came to a junction. Jann suggested they take the lowland valleys, as she had heard
that a WITCH prevented lived down the other route. They took Jann’s advice but
were soon faced by a large field of black, sweet smelling Flowers. Both Greta
(through Wood Lore) and Monty (World Lore) suspected the combination of alluring
aroma and black petals spelled trouble! They sent Valezka to check it out, and he
passed out from the BLACK LOTUS affects, requiring Monty to use a Force Spell to
lift him out of the field. So a number of hours were wasted as they double-tracked
back in the direction of the WITCH. No sooner had they taken that course that they
happened upon the Cottage of GAZA. GAZA was an old and fat woman who invited
the Heroes inside for tea. Monty and Arkai obliged, secretly throwing out the soup
she poured for them. But when Greta and Surerson refused GAZA’S hospitality, the
mild mannered woman revealed her true colours. GAZA’S eyes widened and her
stature became strong and threatening, as she prepared to attack Greta. Monty
heard the ruckus, and while Arkai searched the Cottage, Monty stood in the
doorway to block the Witch’s advance, saying “You wanna fight….then fight me.”
Monty cast an earthen cannonball which smashed into GAZA sending her toppling
onto the road. But not before the Witch unleashed a purple bolt of energy at Greta,
who parried with her Sword of the Holy Knight, causing an explosion of purple
sparks. GAZA immediately sprang back up on her feet and screamed “the enemies of
Gaza will die!” The yell sent the horses bolting, but GRETA successfully reined them
in, saving the wagon from heading into a ditch and being damaged. Monty grabbed
his lightning wand and followed up his first attack with an electrical storm. Most of
the attack seemed to bounce off GAZA, but some streaks cut deep into her flesh,
scorching and wounding her. Undaunted, GAZA cast a Summon Monster area spell.
This spell transformed her Wooden table and chairs into WOODEN GOLEMS. Arkai
wasn’t hanging around and bolted out the door as they animated and clambered
after him. As Arkai fled the cottage, he yelled at Monty to watch out, so the wizard
spun around and cast Web across the doorway, successfully locking the WOOD
GOLEMS inside. GAZA took the opportunity to make herself invisible, and she
Levitated into the tree tops. As Greta swung the wagon around, preparing to exit,
Monty prepared his greatest move. The crafty spellcaster conjured a powerful area
Detect Spell, which not only revealed three magical items inside the cottage, but
more importantly located Gaza high in the tree. As the WITCH began to cast another
spell, Monty shot another Lightning Bolt at her. The electrical arc smashed into her
invisible body, conducting with the tree, and causing it to split and explode with a
thunderous “crack”. GAZA fell to the hard forest floor, charred and defeated. Arkai
ran in to finish her, withstanding Gaza’s last roll-of-the-dice paralyzing gaze, and
plunged the Sword of the Bat repeatedly into her squealing body!
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The Heroes were victorious. Valezka woke from his flower-induced coma, and
immediately cut the Witches eyes out – for he collected Eyeballs! Monty then round
up a number of valuable and magical items from the area. He cut the Witches Ring
from her finger, found a Potion of Healing, an Acid Arrow Wand with five charges
left, and used the torn parchment he got from a Old Man Alias outside Analand to
complete a page from Gaza’s recipe book, which was in fact a powerful Ghoul Blood
spell. Feeling very proud of themselves, and full of confidence, the party then arrived
at the last Hamlet before Khare. The Hamlet was called Torrepani and was inhabited
by Svinns – a race of Man-Orcs. But there was much despair in the town because
the Chief’s eight-year-old daughter Areon had been kidnapped by marauders to be
sacrificed at midnight to a terrible HILL DEMON. The Heroes accepted the Chief’s
plea to rescue her, in return for the Svinn leader’s pouch of treasures.
Monty, Valezka, Greta and Arkai set off, while Surerson and Jann remained behind
with the wagon in the Svinn village. After an hour walking over hillocks, they came
upon a Well covered in prickly weeds. Greta lit her torch and they descended. Led by
Valezka, they tread cautiously through the high walled caverns. The walls and floor
were covered in thick weeds. Deep moans sounded periodically, and as they rounded
corners the ceiling rocked and crumbled slightly. Monty averted a Snake Pit trap,
and Valezka warned them to not make any loud noises because the roof was
unstable, being devoid of supports or struts. Monty also cast Razor on Greta and
Arkai’s swords to increase the damage they inflicted, but his spell backfired on
Arkai, instead reducing the Sword of the Bat’s damage. Finally Monty found a secret
door in the grassy wall and it opened into a huge cavern. But just as he was
surveying the area, a deep thunderous crack sounded from the back of the party.
Valezka yelled “Cave In”, as Arkai and Greta dived for safety. Monty was already
clear of the rock slide and tried desperately to prepare a Web Spell to save the
Dwarf. But Valezka’s warning was to his last words, as tonnes of earth crashed on
top of his stocky frame, crushing him instantly.
The remaining three stepped into the black cavern. An exit about fifty feet ahead of
them opened into the night sky. The walls and floor were still covered in weed, but
thick tangled roots also protruded from them, as did shards of bone and skull,
littered and embedded wherever the eye could see. Monty cast Fireball to assist
Greta’s torchlight, but it only revealed more of the cavernous horror. Greta heard a
young child’s whimper to their right, and the party bravely stepped in that direction.
A voice hissed in return. ”Leave us. Or Die! As Monty, Arkai and Greta stepped
warily towards the whimpering Areon, the ground suddenly began to shudder then
exploded from under them. Rock, soil and roots thrust the three heroes violently in
the air. Arkai landed awkwardly, injuring his shoulder and neck. Monty landed
closer to Areon’s scared cries, and the light from his flaming hands shone upon a
small child curled up in a ball, frightened for her life. At the same time, thick roots
burst from the earth, flailing at the three adventurers. Greta was tangled, and
unable to move, although she still managed to grasp her burning torch and Sword of
the Holy Knight. Arkai turned to her aid. Although his Sword of the Bat’s damage
was lessened due to Monty’s ineffective Razor Spell, he still managed to cut through
some of the roots, allowing Greta to wriggle free.
At this was all happening, Fingers and Marcellos were passing by the front of the
cave and moved in to investigate. Marcellos used his Boots of Speed to rush towards
Monty and Areon. Shifty noticed the ground beneath the tangled roots was cracking
and yelled ‘Get Out!” Monty picked up the Svinn girl and then teleported out of the
cave to safety. Marcellos had only a second to wonder “What about me?” when a
dagger plunged into his back from the darkness. Not keen on finding out what held
it, and heeding Finger’s call, Marcellos again used his magical boots to flee the cave
but not before the dagger carved another notch in his muscular frame. With her
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Darkseeing ability, Shifty saw the creature that wielded the knife – it was a skeletal
UNDEAD SERVANT, draped in rags and hissing menacingly.
It was now only Greta and Arkai who were left inside the cavern. But as they turned
to exit, the HILL DEMON emerged! A towering mound of rock, bone and earth
spewed from the cave floor high above the duo. It’s momentum sent a thundering
shudder through their very core. It moaned a deep guttural tone, which Ashe
determined to be Demon-speak for ‘Sacrifice”. Greta stumbled, as the HILL DEMON
attempted to crush her Elven frame. Monty quickly cast an Elemental Wall in front
of the DEMON, and although the behemoth smashed through it, the wall
nonetheless slowed its assault, allowing Greensleeves to scamper safely out. As the
5 heroes stood together outside the HILL DEMON’S lair, light drizzle began to fall
from the night sky. The newly compassionate Ashe cast a sleep spell on the crying
Areon, and then all was quiet.
As they were about to head off, Finger’s keen eyesight noticed the glimmer of
treasure from within the cave. Marcellos warned her about her greed adding
“Nothing good could come of it”. Fingers unhappily agreed, instead casting a
GOBLIN from her magical bag of teeth, and commanding it to round up the treasure
inside. The GOBLIN tramped into the cave, but the last sounds they heard were a
loud rumble, a whimper of ‘Help’, then a Burp! Leaving the area, the Heroes walked
back to Torrepani. Waiting there was Surerson and Jann. Moreover, the entire the
Svinn community of fifty burst into joyous tears and song! Areon, daughter of Chief
Proseus had been returned, and the HILL DEMON had been slain! Hooray or the
Heroes! Proseus and the Svinn elder Farreous handed over the agreed treasure
(payment for good deeds done) which consisted of 4 gems, a magical Amulet of
Healing (rechargeable) and a Ring of Shielding (Rechargeable).
Greta was saddened by the Svinn people’s assumption of the DEMON’S demise, and
feared the children may wander into the cave to play. But Arkai convinced her to
sleep on it and said they would clarify things in the morning. When morning came,
the party was well fed and rested (although Monty’s magical energy was still severely
depleted). Greta was given a special floral tiara to wear and a wooden pulpit had
been constructed for her, for the Svinns believed Elves to be bringers of bountiful
crops and good weather. But Greta’s news was unwelcome. “The HILL DEMON
lives!” she pronounced. The Svinns were outraged and arguments broke out about
finishing the job, or returning the treasure. Fingers offered them a Warhammer so
that the Svinns could protect themselves. Monty sealed the deal by pretending to
cast a magical spell on it that would repel the Orc Marauders. Scammed! Then it
was time to head to the Cityport of Traps - Khare.
Khare: The Cityport of Traps
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It was still early morning when they arrived at the cityport of Khare. The breeze was
even colder here and the sound of the rushing Jabaji River was none too distant.
The Heroes had discovered a bit of preliminary information about Khare and its
surrounds. From Monty’s World Lore, and snippets from Surerson and Jann, the
Heroes were painted a picture of a trap-filled city built with archaic laws built
alongside a toxic river. Surerson bid the party farewell, as he had fulfilled the terms
of his engagement. Jann also said goodbye and together the old Cleric and his
Minimite friend wandered off back towards Torrepani. Marcellos banged the hilt of
Timakron on the huge gates and a guard responded gruffly. After some deliberation,
the party entered Khare in two shifts, as they had to spend 12hrs in a holding cell
due to the increased activity of Lycanthrope in the area.
While waiting outside the Gates for their turn in the cells, Monty and Arkai made
quick work of three nomadic Red-Eyes whose only crime was that they said ‘hello’.
Monty had heard stories of this evil race and used his Lightning and Acid Wands
like two quick-shooters to fell two of the “blind” humanoids. Simultaneously, Arkai
leapt from the Wagon and carved the Sword of Bats into, and through, the last. The
Khare guards high in the parapet cheered at the entertainment, and then felt sick as
Monty began to carve out the Red-Eyes eyeballs (Valezka would be Proud, see
AFFRPG14 “Th Shamutanti Hills”). When it was Marcellos, Greta and Fingers turn to
wait, a gang of mischievous Orc children harassed them. Marcellos’ cries of ‘Go
Away’ fell on deaf ears, but when Fingers pickpocket one of the street urchins, her
work was reciprocated and one of her potions was pilfered. Fingers grabbed the
child’s arm and Marcellos drew his sword (knowing that in Khare, killing someone
who thieves from you is Lawful). But this action and the manic shouting from the
other Orc kids only attracted Eadward - Captain of the City Guard – and his men.
Eadward heard each sides case and promptly confiscated the Potion and jailed the
child, who they recognised as a known troublemaker called Stowe.
Monty used the Key he had received from a blind beggar (see AFFRPG13) to open the
cell door holding himself and Arkai, and also used it to release another prisoner.
This elderly inmate was Farric, and he said he used to be a Sorceror, until the cruel
guards severed his hand. Nonetheless, he promised to give the party some
information about the Northgate in return for his freedom. Monty and Arkai then
rejoined Fingers and Marcellos who met a heretic priest who suggested they
renounce their God, and convert to Slaang - God of Destruction and Malice. The
heretic also told them that a ceremony was being performed in the Chapel of Slaang,
on Slaang Street, and that if they passed the Test, they would be granted a wish.
After a hasty meal of rations and water, the Heroes rode their wagon into the City. In
this poorer part of Khare they came upon the Dwarven community – hundreds of
downtrodden families. Being a kindred Dwarf, Fingers spoke to one of them to
discover a creature had been terrorising the area and they would give the party all
they had if it was destroyed. The creature ended up being a LIVING CORPSE which
slept in the gutter across the road. Arkai approached and the undead rotting
carcass sprang to life and attacked. Marcellos also joined the unusually long battle
as the Living Corpse had the ability to use its severed limbs to attack independently
as a separate creature. Monty tried unsuccessfully to net the CORPSE but soon it
was reduced to a pile of diced flesh. The onlooking Dwarves, street urchins and
village folk cheered, and were suitably impressed, although sceptical. Who were
these powerful visitors to Khare? Why were they here?
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Fingers went inside the Dwarven house of the Cobblestones, claiming her friends
were just Merchants, and received the family’s life savings of 15 gold pieces, of
which she only took 6 pieces, in a show of Dwarven solidarity. They also answered
any of her questions, including the whereabouts of a Magical Emporium on the
northside of the city. The party then met up with Farric the Sorceror who had
arranged with Monty to meet in the Chainmakers Shop, on Chain Street. For his
freedom, Farric told the party that the Northgate was protected by a magical
enchantment. Only four people knew of the Enchantment, but even so, each only
knew one line. This ensured the safety of the City Port, as the Northgates opened
into the Baklands, a land of chaotic Hordes and nomadic creatures. He also told
them that the First Noble of Khare, Garin Alderay, knew the entire incantation, but
that he was considered untouchable. Also, while Farric was locked away, he
overheard the guards mention that one of the four people that knew a part of the
enchantment was a Scholar. So off the party head, to the westside of Khare, and to
find the Scholar who lived in Scholar’s Crescent (funny enough).
Marcellos considered checking out the sweet smelling aromas coming from a kitchen
house, but the locked door (and the fact that this was the Cityport of Traps)
dissuaded him. Moving though the now bustling main streets, they arrived at
Scholars Crescent. First they visited the General Store which was run by a friendly
Dwarf named Gowdrin but he didn’t have anything the party needed (namely Mana
potions for Monty). Gowdrin did share some information about the Magic Emporium.
He said Cirracco, the Emporium’s owner, was fussy about whom he served and that
he didn’t like Dwarves. Leaving the Store, they passed a fish pond and entered a tent
occupied by three BLACK ELVES, smoking from a hookah pipe. Monty knew BLACK
ELVES to be Evil, heavily involved in crime, and connected to the black markets – so
he hoped that they could help him with getting some Mana potions. Marcellos was
kicked out of the tent for not smoking, while Monty and Arkai successfully
pretended to puff the drug. (Arkai actually had to inhale the alluring pipeweed once,
but its only effect was to turn his frown upside down).
Monty then struck a business deal with the BLACK ELVES, although he initially
whispered to Arkai ‘Get ready to kill them’. Taking advantage of their drugged state,
Monty convinced the posse that he had paid them 207 gold coins (which was
actually only 107) and in return they agreed to supply 10 x Mana Potions and Map
of the City. The Black Elves stashed the gold in a black velvet bag and said they
would have the goods at their tent by nightfall, which was approximately nine hours
away. Meanwhile, outside the tent, Greta was intrigued by the black winged
creatures that flew high above the Khare skyline. Looking up, her pure Elven face
was hit with a runny hot splash of bird poo. Fingers laughed, “Stupid Elf.” Monty
told Fingers to go and speak to Gowdrin the Dwarven Store Owner and ask where
they could find the Sage. Meanwhile Greta washed her face in the Fish pond and
Marcellos refilled the Heroes’ waterskins. Greta saw a fish burbling in the shallow
pond, and also saw a gold coin at the bottom. The Elf dipped her arm in to get the
coin, much to Marcellos’ cautious chagrin. As she withdrew the coin, the fish spit at
her, once again hitting her in the face. Luckily for Greta it washed the poo away, but
the whole episode was also observed by the two Dwarves, Fingers and Gowdrin, who
commented in unison “Stupid Elf!”
With their water supplies replenished and their hardworking steeds refreshed, the
party headed along Scholar’s Crescent in search of the Sage. A crowd had gathered
to watch two small Woodland PIXIES beating each other to a pulp. They cheered and
egged on the two small creatures, who were fighting over a woman! Soon they had
knocked each other unconscious, and the crowd dispersed. Greta comforted one of
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them, as PIXIES were part of the Woodland order, and were often mistaken for
Elves. When the Pixie regained consciousness, it offered to take her to the Sage. The
other Pixie gave Monty directions to the High Priest of Slaang, but then ran away to
chase his beloved. Seeing this, the other Pixie followed in pursuit, catching the other
at the Fish Pond where they promptly tried to drown the other. Gowdrin watched
from his shop, shaking his head, “Stupid Elves.”
The party continued through the crescent, where an open air market was set up.
Numerous traders and merchants canvassed their wares - selling mugs, bowls, pots
and dolls, for a handful of copper pieces each. A particular trader caught their eye,
for he was throwing coloured stones into a fire and they exploded into small arcs of
red and blue light. Greta and Fingers approached him, and the trader commented
that the Elf and Dwarf looked well travelled and affluent, and asked whether they
would be interested in some of his ‘special stones’? So Greta and Fingers followed
the FIRE MASTER into his deceptively large tent, closing the drapes behind them. A
large open air fireplace burned in vibrant colours in the centre of the room, with
smoke wisping into a flute in the tent’s roof. While the Fire Master stepped into
another room to retrieve the ‘special stones’, McShifty noticed the fire generated no
heat and was an illusion. Furthermore, in the centre of the hearth was a small
chest. She mentioned this to Greta, who continued her impulsive day and snatched
the chest from the fire. As soon as Greta had the chest, she realised it was too big to
hide in her pocket, so she tried hurriedly to take her backpack off so as to stuff it in
there. Fingers was appalled by the clumsy execution of the theft by the Ranger and
used her Pickpocket ability to snatch the chest from Greta and hide it under her
own garments. But it was too little, too late. The FIRE MASTER re-entered the room,
holding two Blue Stones, and quickly surmised that Fingers had stolen the chest.
“How dare you steal from the Fire Master” he yelled! Fingers turned and bolted
towards the exit as Greta raised her hands apologetically. But as they did, the Fire
Master through the two Blue Stones at them. The stones exploded into massive blue
flame that knocked Greta down and knocked the chest from Shifty’s hold, as well as
throwing her through the door and onto the cobbled street.
The rest of the air traders gasped, and soon cries of “Trouble”, “Thieves” and
“Guards” echoed up and down Scholar’s Crescent. Fingers went for her Fire Wand to
retaliate, but Ashe called Arkai to restrain the fired-up Dwarf (pardon the pun).
Marcellos drew Timakron and leapt into the tent, where Greta was within an inch of
her life, as the FIRE MASTER (surrounded by a glowing blue aura) had her pinned
down and was attempting to run a blade against her throat. “The punishment for
theft in Khare is death” cried the FIRE MASTER, as Greta retorted with “We can talk
this over”. Marcellos charged the Fire Master, knocking him away from Greta, as the
Elf grabbed the dagger from her assailant. Meanwhile four City Guards who had
been alerted to the ruckus arrived outside. Arkai and Fingers met them and pleaded
their case while Monty entered the tent to diffuse the stand off. Another agreement
was brokered by the diplomatic wizard whereby Greta’s life would be spared. The
FIRE MASTER’S dagger and his small chest was returned, as well as compensation
which included Silverarm’s chest, a Lightning Wand and Greta’s contribution of ten
gold pieces. (Silverarm’s chest provided some comic relief in that it contained nothing
but a farewell letter and sketch of the Dwarf).
Dear Friends,
I leave you all this empty chest.
May it be both a vessel for your glorious finds, and a reminder of my generosity.
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The Earth Goddess, Throff, has spoken to me through the whispers in the valleys
of the Shamutanti Hills.
The people of Kakhabad are in desperate need of spiritual guidance. They are
Godless. Fearful. There is a deep and sad void filling their hearts. It is a time of
great adversity and even greater uncertainty.
As a Guardian of Throff it is my duty to put into deed the One True word of
Throff. So that the people of this dark land can be given some hope to grow and
prosper.
Good Luck on your quest for the Crown of Kings. For it is noble and great.
Let none stand in your way.
Silverarm
In return, the FIRE MASTER explained to the guards that this was all just a
misunderstanding.
Before leaving, Monty used the party funds to purchase some of the FIRE MASTER’S
magical coloured stones and Greta healed her wounds with a magic potion. Soon the
well-to-do abode of the Scholar Lortag the Sage came into view. Monty entered the
house while the others stationed themselves outside. Lortag and Ashe spoke on a
wide range of topics, from education to rum making, from the business of
merchants, to the Northgate. Ashe donated a sum of gold to Lortag’s School for
Underpriveleged Kids, and the Sage agreed to tell Monty one of the lines that are
needed to open the Northgate – but only if Monty solved a Runestone Puzzle. This
Ashe did and was told one of the four lines. Monty bid Lortag good day and informed
the party of his find. Bouyed with this information, they then decided to check out
the Chapel of Slaang, as Marcellos recalled that there was a Test offered whereby a
Wish would be granted to the successful volunteer.
The Chapel itself was a large open-air tent with a shrine and idol at one end. When
the High Priest, Torbain the Malevolent, called for a volunteer, Ashe was the only
team member willing. Success would mean Slaang would grant him a wish. Failure
would mean that Monty would have to renounce his faith and convert to Slaang –
God of Malice and Destruction. Monty was required to use his impressive problem
solving skills for the second time in two encounters. To Torbain’s disappointment,
Monty pronounced the correct answer. And after discussing what he should wish for
with the rest of his team, he decided to ask “What are the names of the living people
that know the lines to the Northgate incantation?” Torbain consulted Slaang and
gave four names: Lortag the Sage, Darius the Beggar, Garin Alderay…and Torbain
the Malevolent. Knowing they now needed Torbain to tell them one of the lines,
Monty offered him a Fire Stone he purchased from the Fire Master. Torbain once
again consulted Slaang and agreed, but added that Slaang demanded to see the Fire
Stone used on one of the party first! Monty suggested that he could inflict the same
damage from his Wand of Magic Missile instead, but this only made things worse –
for now Slaang wanted to see the damage from both the fire stone AND the missile
inflicted!
As everyone gave Ashe room, he promptly took one for the party, exploding the Fire
Stone at his feet, then firing a Magic Missile into his arm. That’s gotta hurt! Torbain
laughed sinisterly and whispered to them another line of the incantation.
The Heroes now had two of the four lines needed to open the Northgate, although
they were not sure of the order in which they should be spoken. With time still to
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kill before meeting the Black Elves to collect their purchase, the heroes decided to
investigate a sparsely dressed humanoid who was praying next to a ramshackle
building in Scholar Crescent. Nearly nine feet tall but looking very much like a
Cleric in deep meditation, the figure knelt unmoving – like a statue. After some
deliberation, Greta decided to walk over to the humanoid and get its attention with a
little “Hmmm Hmmm”. Instantly, the MANTIS MAN’S eyelids flashed open to reveal
totally white eyeballs and its long sinewy arms flailed out and grappled Greta. The
Elf tried to break free but the creature’s hold was like stone! Marcellos sprung from
the cart, yelling “Relaease her, Fiend!” Fingers gasped in horror, and contemplated
firing off a Fire Wall, but Greta was too close to the beast. As Marcellos charged in
with his Boots of Speed, the creature lunged forward and clamped its mouth full of
razor sharp teeth into Greta’s neck. A torrent of Elven blood exploded onto the
creature’s face as it ripped through skin and flesh. Marcellos’ Sword of Timakron
buzzed as it carved into the beast’s back, slicing to the bone. But the silent creature
didn’t flinch and struck again at Greta’s neck, as if trying to sever her head from the
body, and again taking Greta to within an inch of her life. Marcellos slashed down
again, this time managing to sever both of the creature’s arms and sending Greta
toppling to the ground in a pool of blood.
As Arkai leapt from the cart to join the fray, and Monty readied a Magic Missile,
Marcellos stood to face the beast. Marcellos the Mighty. Slayer of Evil. The armless
creature stood tall, an imposing sight, then launched its jaws in attack. Marcellos
used his shield to parry the assault, then thrust his Sword upward and through the
chest of evil! As the creature lurched backward, still silent, Arkai’s Sword of Bats
carved a deep wound, and Monty’s blue missile of magic smashed into it’s jaw,
sending the MANTIS MAN to it’s death. McShifty raided the ramshackle building and
found a number of rotting carcasses hanging from the ceiling. In addition, her keen
eyes of detection discovered a bag of gold, a golden necklace and a black bottles
potion, which Monty sensed was magical. After moving from this area, they then
headed to the Wayfarer’s Rest – an Inn in the Docklands area of Khare – as Mcshifty
had a date with a Dwarf she met earlier named Ankin . Soon the sounds of singing
and merriment came into earshot,a dn the smell of cheap and plentiful ale filled
their nostrils.
Marcellos guarded the wagon, while the others set off into the Inn. Fingers and Arkai
quickly went about sculling ale, and dancing and singing with the buxom wenches
and salty sailors. Great averted the attentions of some inebriated sailors, and
checked out the Noticeboard for any Clerics looking to be Hired. There she found an
ad for "Goff, servant of Throff – meet me at the Stables for a good time." And so it
was that the 31 year old Goff, the Dwarven Guardian joined the Heroes. Meanwhile,
Monty eyed a familiar face – Flanker! Although the Assassin they had met (and
hired) previously had aged terribly as a result of his encounter with Gaza the Moon
Witch of Shamutanti. Monty used his Hat of Disguise to speak to Flanker
anonymously, but quickly got bored to tears with the old man’s retelling of random
adventures. So he revealed himself, and re-introduced Flanker’s sparring partner
Greta. Flanker was both shocked and elated to see the pair, but he saw this as an
opportunity to raise 250 gold pieces to purchase a Potion that would reverse his
Curse! Monty was more interested in why the Assassin took their gold and healing
Potions, and then did a runner on them?! But in any case, Flanker accompanied the
pair back to the Wagon.
As sunset was approaching, they made their way back to the Westside of Khare, to
the Black Elves tent. As they arrived early, all of the party except Greta stopped by
at Gowdrin’s store, and they purchased some supplies for Goff (who had joined the
party with nothing but a Holy Symbol and his faith). Greta reconnoitred the Black
Elves tent, two of which were waiting inside. She notched an arrow, as a deep-seated
hatred welled up inside her at the thought of countless years of Black Elf terrorising
of Wood Elves. But a fingerless beggar distracted her rage, and made her think that
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perhaps the vagabond could assist them with the whereabouts of Darius the
Beggar?
Greta borrowed some silver pieces from the Bank of Monty, and dropped a couple in
the beggar’s tin cup. However, it soon became apparent that all this filthy beggar
knew was how to frustrate people that wanted information. As a number of other
beggars closed in on the Elf, Goff walked over to assist, having dealt with many of
these poor sick and homeless in his time at the temple. Goff immediately offered this
saintly advice – "If that scum doesn’t give you your silver back, then kill him!" Ah,
the life of the pious in Khare! Greta demanded her silver back, and then as the
beggar tried to crawl away, she stood on his scab-ridden leg. The low-life squealed in
pain as he fumbled to return the coins. Suddenly, the rest of the party in the wagon
noticed four guards approaching.
Marcellos and Monty decided to holler them over to the wagon to report that Flanker
had stolen gold from them! Flanker was horrified but it turned out well for the old
geezer, who retorted that they were holding him prisoner. The guards were none too
impressed that the wealthy merchant Monty, with all his well-armed Lieutenants,
were holding the poor cursed Assassin against his well, and didn’t care for any deals
that were made outside of Khare’s walls! Flanker fled the scene (Monty tasked
Fingers to follow him) and the guards walked towards the injured beggar. Greta
explained there was no issue, and the frightened beggar agreed! The guards were
satisfied, and with a blessing from Goff, they happily continued on their rounds.
It was then time for their rendezvous with the Black Elves. Monty was keen to get
his hands on the much-needed Mana potions that he had paid for. Monty, Marcellos
and Arkai went into the tent. One of the Black Elves was still noticeably under the
influence of some strong hookah pipeweed, but the second Black Elf, named
Charvez, was alert and waiting, although he had some bad news to report.
Unfortunately, a gang of thugs had stolen the Heroes gold retainer! Monty was none
pleased, and after some tense discussion and negotiation, Charvez handed them a
magical Black Elven Mask as a token of goodwill. Marcellos, Greta, Arkai & Goff
agreed to accompany Charvez to seek out and strike back at the Thugs. While Monty
would wait for Fingers to return from her tailing assignment.
As light drizzle began to fall, and the shadows of the darkened laneways encroached
upon them, Marcellos, Greta, Arkai & Goff scuttled behind Charvez, as the Black Elf
led them through twisted laneways and up and down ladders and walkways. Greta
put the Mask on, wanting to hide her Wood Elven features, but the Mask caused her
some minor damage, before Goff ripped it from her face. Charvez scoffed at Greta,
grunting that wood elves could not benefit from Black Elf magic. Goff kept hold of it
from then on. After half and hour of confusing travel, they arrived at their final
destination. An isolated and cold laneway, with only a door and red lantern at one
end. Charvez scooted inside and beckoned the others to follow.
But here the four Heroes hesitated. Greta notched an arrow, not trusting the Black
Elf, and surveyed the 40 foot long laneway. 20 foot high walls towered above her on
each side, as water echoed through rusted pipes and rats scurried in and out of the
garbage strewn around the lane. Marcellos looked for a means of escape and moved
over to a window boarded up with planks. Arkai clutched his Sword of Bats and
gripped his Pit Fiend Shield, in anticipation. Goff cast an eyeball and sent it up
above the high walls, where he uncovered 4 human figures armed with Daggers,
laying on the rooftops. Marcellos went to pry open the wooden beams when they
Exploded! A Spiked Board trap, coiled tight with springs, snapped into his upper
body, and threw him furiously against the far wall. But what would have maimed
any normal person, only inconvenienced the great man - He stood up, dusted
himself off, gulped down a healing potion, and cracked his neck back into position.
With Charvez not reappearing from the door, the party debated whether this was an
Ambush or part of a war between Black elves and Humans, that they had been
caught in the middle of.
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And then the three Red-eyes emerged, blocking the exit to the laneway. As one
began to call out "Greetings Adventurers…", Greta decided to shoot first and talk
later, and loosed her arrow. It missed. However, two of the Red-eyes retaliated
immediately. They opened their eyes to reveal deep glowing red pits and in an
instant, two streaks of flame whooshed down the alley, with one hitting Greta and
burning her. Goff used his Magic Eye to check the laneway behind the Red-eyes and
it was clear. Meanwhile, Marcellos had tried to open the door that Charvez went
through but only succeeded in cutting his hand on a hidden blade (he was having a
bad night!), and narrowly avoided falling unconscious
Goff suggested the team talk to the Red-Eyes, but before he could say "For Throff’s
Sake", Marcellos had grabbed a Blue Fire Stone from his belt and hurled it at the 3
Red-Eyes. Simultaneously, Greta had notched a second arrow and had fired that off
as well. All this just as one of the Red-Eyes was trying to cease his fellows from
shooting any more Fire Beams. Greta’s arrow lodged into his shoulder, and then the
Fire Stone landed at his feet and exploded in an arc of blue flame –blasting him and
his two friends into Red-Eye heaven. Goff then cast a magical bridge out of the
laneway and onto the rooftops.
The party quickly scampered up the bridge, with Marcellos leading the way with his
Boots of Speed. The four figures on the roof - Thugs swathed in black robes and
armed with daggers - stood from their prone positions to assault the Heroes. The
first Thug threw a Gas Sphere at the surprised Marcellos. It burst on his chest but
had no effect on his advance. The golden warrior launched himself off the bridge and
onto the rooftop, mesmerising the Thug with his Cobra Tattoo, and cutting open the
Thug’s stomach, spilling intestines onto the wet tiled roof. A thrown dagger from the
second Thug deflected off Marcellos’ armour. Then, in a blur of gold, Marcellos had
lanced his sword up and through the second Thug, ending his life.
Arkai Darku was next up the ghostly bridge, and he too leapt off and onto the
opposite rooftop. A Thug hit him with a Gas Sphere projectile, but as with Marcellos
there was no ill-effect. Arkai then parried the Thug’s knife attack and finished off the
melee by slashing half the Thug’s jaw open. As blood and saliva poured from the
gaping wound, Arkai began to interrogate the Thug, but to little avail.
Goff ran to the end of the bridge onto the far rooftop, overlooking the fallen RedEyes, while Greta finished off the fourth Thug with two well placed arrows, the
second of which landed through the Thug’s cheek and mouth, causing him to
collapse in agony. Greta too tried to interrogate the Thug, but failing to get any
information, performed a particularly brutal act by dragging him by the arrow shaft,
like a fish on a hook. As the body trailed across the bridge and into the laneway,
eventually the arrow tore apart the Thug’s face, killing him.
Goff and Arkai found a skyroof that overlooked a room in which Charvez and his two
Black Elf comrades stood around a table apportioning a large amount of gold coin
between them. Enraged, Goff cast a Force Wall which thundered down through the
skyroof, smashing glass and caving in a portion of the roof, straight on top of the
smug Elves, crushing them instantly. Arkai rappelled down into the room
commando-style using a rope and grapple from the Thugs. He then opened the door
that lead into the room from the laneway, so that his teammates could enter.
Unfortunately, he also tried to remove the red glowing lamp that hung outside the
doorway, and a booby-trapped explosion scorched his arm! Eventually, the four
Heroes "mopped-up" the area – a process which involved pillaging all the bodies, as
well as the rooms in the small building.
As rain poured through the skyroof onto the crumpled Black Elves, the heroes found
a small enclave with a ladder leading underground into a 5-foot high and wide
passageway. Goff grabbed a lantern and went down first. Greta continued her
barbaric ways by dismembering the head off the "fish-hooked" Thug with one of the
Elven scimitars. Goff used the head as a bowling ball, rolling it ahead of him to set
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off any traps that may be in the passage. The rest of the team followed, and
eventually after a few turns and fifteen minutes of crawling (other than the Dwarf
Goff, who walked) the passage ended at a trap door above them.
While all this was happening, Fingers returned to Monty with news that Flanker had
sought refuge with 2 shady characters in a house on the corner of Mayne and
Slaang streets. "Excellent" replied Monty, as he urged the horses towards the
location, and his own little bit of payback. Fingers broke into the house from the
side alley, and used her Detection skills to locate an acid trap. Disarming the device,
she then snuck upstairs. Using his Hat of Disguise, Monty tried a few schemes to
get them to open the front door, including "I need directions", and "I have a package
for Flanker". Eventually, he annoyed one of the occupants enough that they flung
the door open armed with a rusty cutlass. Monty was ready and conjured his Scroll
of Ghoul Blood to paralyse the unsuspecting owner. As the door flung open, he saw
Flanker rising from a couch. Before the assassin could grab his Double-bladed
Scimitar, Monty had removed his Hat of Disguise to reveal his pale complexion and
cinged hairstyle, and fired off an Acid Arrow from his Wand. As Flanker was
knocked down, the other occupant of the house raised a siren upstairs. As it wailed
to attract the City Guards, Fingers entered the upstairs room and plunged her
Battle Pick repeatedly into his back.
Monty and Fingers carried Flanker’s hapless body (weapons and armour in toe) into
the wagon, covering him with the tarpaulin. As some stray Kharean onlookers
gasped and pointed accusingly, Fingers spurred on the horses and the wagon rolled
away. Four City Guards approached them in the cobbled road, and Monty attracted
their attention and pointed exasperatingly down the street, shouting "They went
thataway." The Guards said "Thanks" and shuffled in that direction. Monty directed
Fingers to drive to the Wayfarer’s Inn, as Flanker awoke beneath the tarp. After
some questions about Flanker’s armour and scimitar, which the terrified Flanker
mumbled answers to, Monty smiled and said "Here, take this Healing Pill" and
handed the Assassin his toothpick sized Monkey Bone Charm. Through tears and
slobber, Flanker began to chew, as Monty whispererd the fatal incantation. The
Charm transformed instantly into a 6 foot high pole, snapping Flankers jaw 180
degrees and ripping apart the front of his face. Blood and facial sinew showered
Monty and the wagon’s contents, turning the tarpaulin into a teepee.
McShifty had seen some nasty stuff in her time (and indeed, as a Dwarf ate a lot of
it) but even she had to look away from the maniacal scene of carnage. As the wagon
rolled into the Wayfarere’s Inn stables, Monty threw the Stableboy an extra Silver
piece, to ignore the blood running from under the wagon onto the hay floor. The
Stableboy nodded and returned with new hay and a water bowl and some rags for
Monty to wash the gunk from his face and garments.
Meanwhile, back at the trap door, Goff cast a Reveal Spell on the room above. It was
clear of occupants and the front door had some sort of mechanical trap on the
outside to keep intruders out. Together with Marcellos, Greta & Arkai Goff opened
the trap door and entered the single room flop-house. Rain pelted outside, so they
decided to stay here the night, moving the bunks to block both the front and trap
doors while they slept. A few hours after midnight, while Goff guarded and the
others slept, he heard the tumblers of the front door lock opening. This was followed
by frustrated and gruff voices, yelling obscenities as they tried to get inside. The
party was immediately awakened and pressed against the bunk to stop the
outsiders getting in. Weight of numbers caused the door to open slightly and a
polearm was jammed through the gap, as the human ruffians tried to barge
through. Greta kept them at bay with some well-placed arrows, and eventually the
ruffians retreated.
Fearing exiting from the front, Goff suggested going through the roof. Marcellos,
Arkai and Goff perched themselves atop the bunk bed and eventually their
combined efforts succeeded in pushing through some water damaged boards.
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Meanwhile, Greta travelled back through the underground passage to whence the
carnage began. When the cautious Elf arrived at the original trap door, she
overheard Red-eyes discussing their plans to hunt down and kill the "tattoo-faced
warrior" and the "robed magic-user with cinged hair". Greta scurried back to the
flophouse, where she relayed what she had overheard. The four Heroes then doused
the front bunk and trap door with oil. They completed their plan by placing a
burning candle that would be knocked on top of the oil by anyone coming through
the trap or front door.
Up in the roof cavity, Goff used his Dwarven Dark-seeing ability to guide the rest of
the party safely across the ceiling boards, up a metal ladder, and outside onto the
high rooftops of Khare. Marcellos then used his Rope of Climbing to safely transfer
them to an alleyway, and from there, they slinked through the dark rainy streets to
the Wayfarers Inn. Monty was already fast asleep, having enjoyed a good meal, a hot
bath, and the company of Jerric the inn-keeper, and Mabelle the barmaid (whukka
whukka whukka). After Greta slipped the innkeeper a few gold coins, Jerric
confirmed the one they sought was here, and Monty was woken from his slumber to
greet his "enforcers."
Fingers also rejoined the group (after sleeping in the wagon in the Stable, and
waiting up most of the night for a hot meal to be delivered – that Monty promised
but forgot about). As Greta, Fingers, Arkai, Marcellos and Goff enjoyed a hearty
breakfast prepared by Jerric’s wife, Monty went down the street to purchase a
Merchant’s Pass. On his way he met Lortag the Sage, who was on his way to the
Street Fair in eastern Khare. Lortag warned Monty that the Red-eyes were hunting
down those guilty for killing their kind (not to mention gutting their eye-balls!!!) and
moreover, that Garin Alderay’s chief Advisor Issrak, was issuing a decree to his City
Guards at midday, to assist the Red-eyes and prevent a possible re-occurrence to
the "Night of Carnage." Ashe tapped the brim of his Hat of Disguise, thanked Lortag,
and then continued to the Merchants Guild station at the Docklands. After slipping
an Official twenty-two gold pieces for a 2-Day Merchants Pass (which included the
relevant taxes), as well as an extra five gold pieces ‘under the table’, Monty returned
to the Wayfarer’s rest.
As the morning sun cast its welcome eye over the city of Khare, Monty, Marcellos,
Arkai, Goff, Fingers and Greta made their way across the Harbour Bridge and to the
Northside of Khare. They arrived at the Magic Emporium, which was run by a
celestial-looking figure named Ciracco D’Angelo. Monty did well to explain the
history of some of the team’s acquired items. This raised Ciracco’s interest, and
allowed for some valuable bartering opportunities. Meanwhile, Marcellos, Fingers
and Greta guarded outside the Emporium and were approached by three
troublesome Red-Eye creatures. Marcellos let Timakron do the talking, Greta fired
off Twin Volleys of arrows, and the Red-eyes let loose a few well placed Fire Blasts
from their eyes. But after a quick and bloody battle, the Red-Eyes were slain. The
ruckas attracted the City Guards in the area, but Monty flashed his Merchant’s pass
to keep them away from the wagon, and Marcellos successfully convinced the
Guards that the killings were in "self defence".
Now stocked and replenished with Mana and magical items, the party headed down
Market Street – towards a huge bronze statue that loomed ahead.
Before continuing their adventure in the City of Khare, the party found themselves a
Horse & Wagon Trader and decided to upgrade their goods-laden wagon to a larger
14-seater model. After Fingers did some shifty negotiating, the party made the
transaction using a payment combined of gold, Red-Eye eyeballs, a smoking pipe
and some weed. With a patrol of six City Guards doing the rounds, the heroes
decided to continue past the Shrine of Garamose and onto North Gate Walk. The
loud clatter of dice and the sounds of merriment from the Gambling Halls of Vlada
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attracted their attention. Fingers and Arkai paid the five silver piece entry fee and
played a few rounds of Chase the Ace, The Wheel of Fortune and Snake Eyes.
Fingers was particularly successful, and was promptly asked to leave by the Svinn
proprietors, while Arkai had some wins, but unfortunately more losses. While Greta
guarded the newly acquired wagon, Marcellos, Goff and Monty had words with the
two Svinn bouncers outside. Monty unknowingly enraged one of the Svinns by
making reference to Proseus and the Svinn village of Torrepani (apparently the
Kharean Svinns are not too fond of their Torrepani cousins).
Monty asked about the Portal Room, and the Svinn Bouncers invited him to “check
it out”. When the door to the room was opened, it revealed an impenetrable
blackness. As Monty began to cast Reveal to make clear the mystery, one of the
Svinns pushed him in! As the bouncers chuckled at the wizard’s predicament,
Marcellos used his Mesmorising Tattoo to gain the element of surprise, and kicked
one of the culprits into the void. Before the second Svinn could say “I'm Stuffed”,
Marcellos grappled him and hurled him in as well. Goff offered to cast a Reveal spell
on the Void after being secured by rope to the main double doors to the Gambling
Hall. However, as soon as he touched the black Portal, he was also sucked in – rope
and all. Marcellos considered grabbing hold, but Goff’s last words were “leave me
be!” (Goff knew that in the complicated realm of Teleportation magic, only the
maximum encumbrance of the first connect person could be Teleported successfully,
and Marcellos’ weight could effectively get them ‘stuck” in a never-ending void
between reality and the other side of the Portal – Whew!). So it was that Monty, Goff
and two Svinn bouncers ended up in the faecal cesspool that is the Khare sewer
system.
The slime infested sewer was a labyrinthine tunnel network, full of nauseating
gasses, poor visibility and absolute filth. Monty cast a ghostly Hand and added a
Fireball to the mix to create a floating globe of Light. However, his solitary wandering
was soon interrupted by the two terrified and enraged Svinns, who tried toi hack the
wizard to death with their scimitars. Monty came within an inch of his life in the
battle and had to call on Libra’s Blessing to land a eye-popping killing blow on one
of the Svinns. For the second bouncer, Monty cast Command and Stopped the
bouncer in his tracks. A magic missile finished off his assailant, just as Goff
slammed his Mace of Ciracco into the Svinn’s back! Goff then cast his Find spell to
point them in the right direction and they began their trudge towards the sewer exit.
As the hope of daylight broke through the ceiling ahead, two huge Slime Eaters
emerged from the muck. Poisonous gasses puffed from the horrendous creatures'
snorkels as its heavy claws slashed at Monty. Goff’s Healing spell was put to full
use, and Monty was in no mood for another skirmish. The wizard cast Elemental
Wall to block out one of the monsters, while blue flashes from his Wand of Missile
and purple streaks from his Wand of Acid pelted into the second. A spectacular
Storm of Lightning finished off the slimy behemoth. Goff and Monty dragged
themselves to the surface, and emerged in a Graveyard that ran alongside North
Gate Walk. They then caught site of their luxury 14 seater wagon and rejoined the
rest of the party.
In the absence of Goff & Monty, the rest of the team had moved on from the Portal
Room and continued to the Temple of Courga, in search of Darius the Beggar.
Fingers and the face-shrouded Arkai checked out the North Market on the way.
Fingers visited the alchemist Ashmyre, and purchased a Minor Healing Potion, as
well as obtained some more information about the Temple. Greta continued to keep
an eye out for City Guards, and kept the wagon one step ahead of their patrols
(Marcellos was concerned that Monty had the Merchant’s Pass, and that this could
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spell trouble if they were quizzed). The party drove past a Jail guarded by armoured
Red-Eye and soon were in sight of the ominous North Gate. As they surveyed this
desolate part of Khare, they caught site of a beggar being attacked by two ferocious
Harpies. Greta notched her signature double-arrow combo, just as one of the
Harpies clawed at the beggar, knocking him, and the mouldy bread and rat carcass
he was carrying, to the hard cobblestone road. Marcellos yelled “Darius!” – the
beggar turned his head in their direction – and the Heroes were spurred into action!
Greta unleashed her arrows and they lodged into the first Harpy, causing it to
scream violently. The second harpy took flight and gathered some reinforcements
hovering in the sky, as Greta reloaded and pumped another dual volley into its
feathered frame, causing it to collapse to its death. The other Heroes prepared for
the assault from above, as five Harpies swooped at the Wagon. Fingers cast one of
her Goblin Teeth and the armoured Goblin sprung to life to engage the 1 st Harpy.
But the small creature was no match for the evil winged beast. The Harpy picked up
the Goblin and tossed him onto a sharp post that was nearby, killing it instantly.
The second Harpy attacked Sir Marcellos, who drew his Sword of Timakron, and
sent it’s buzzing blade up and threw the creature’s throat. As the Harpy gasped its
last gasp, Marcellos turned to the first Harpy that had just dispensed of the Goblin.
“Die - Evil creature of Chaos!” he yelled, as Timakron carved his name into the
beast.
The third Harpy swooped at Greta, but the sharp shooting Elf had already notched
two more arrows, and they hit truly. Seeing that this was not enough to stop the
creature, she drew her Sword of the Holy Knight, and as the Harpy tore through the
Wagon’s tarp, she thrust forward, again and again, tearing deep holes into the
Harpy and spilling torrents of deep red blood. The fourth Harpy dove into the back of
the Wagon, smashing over the large storage of rations, and flailing its razor-sharp
claws at Arkai. But Arkai parried its frenzied attack with his Pit Fiend Shield, and
followed this up by plunging his Sword of the Bat sharply down into its spine. The
Harpy wailed and went into spasms, as Arkai kicked it out of the wagon and onto
the street. The last of the airborne monsters tore though the other side of the wagon,
ripping more of the tarpaulin to shreds. But it was greeted by the steely eyes of
Fingers McShifty, as her pick swung down and cracked open the Harpy’s eye socket!
All but one of the Harpy swarm lay twisted and still. Marcellos barked out a
question to the one that still twitched in the street. “Give me one reason why Sir
Marcellos should spare your life”, to which it’s beak chirped “Human scum”, giving
Marcellos the only reason he needed to leap in the air from the wagon and land
beside it - decapitating the Harpy's head!
Darius approached the victors yelling “Oh gracious Saviours, Who would risk their
lives but for the sake of a poor old blindman?” Greta and Arkai helped the elderly
soul into the Wagon as Marcellos spoke. “I am Sir Marcellos, perhaps you’ve heard
of me? We are Adventurers – adventuring in search of Adventure! Come, let us aide
you with food and shelter.” Darius was overjoyed, “What about wine???” Fingers
gave Darius a waterskin and a provision, adding “Don’t push your luck.” At this
time, the party was rejoined by the extremely putrid smelling Monty and Goff, who
told of their harrowing subterranean ordeal. After a visit to the Northern Markets
Bathhouse, where they soaked heavily, cleaned their belongings, and bought a set of
new robes, Goff cast healing on Darius’ wounds. The party then parked their wagon
inside the great Temple of Courga, where Darius told his story.
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Three years ago, Darius De Longville was the Seventh Noble of Khare. As such, he
obtained knowledge of one of the lines that was part of the magical incantation to
unlock the North Gate. One day, an up-and-coming Noble by the name of Garin
Alderay, tricked Darius into bathing in water tainted by the toxins of the Jabaji
river. As a result, Darius contracted the dreaded Blindness Disease. (Goff & Monty
both rubbed their eyes in disbelief...and fear). No longer fit for public duties, he was
cast on the streets and had lived the life of a beggar ever since. To express his
gratitude in freeing him from the tormenting Harpies, Darius agreed to share the
line, but he could only recall half of it “By Courga’s grace….” However, he
remembered that the Shrine of Courga inside the Temple was also able to recite the
line. Goff used his Knowledge of the Gods, and Monty his World Lore, to reveal that
a special ritual was required to communicate with Courga. Fingers and Marcellos
searched the temple for a clue to the ritual. They found disturbing murals, rich
tapestries and sacred artefacts, as well as Gargoyles perched high in the temple’s
eaves. McShifty then found a small plaque set underneath the green iron idol of
Courga, and it revealed the Kissing Ritual required to make Courga speak. As Goff
and Darius made their way to the Shrine, Fingers called them to stop. Her Roguish
Detection skills noticed that the black rug draped over the front steps leading to the
Shrine looked unnatural, and that there was a second series of narrower steps
leading up the side.
The party congregated inside the Temple of Fourga as they contemplated how to
complete the Kissing Ritual. Greta was low on arrows and wanted to go to the North
Market to resupply, while Monty and Goff had their own problem with red and itchy
eyes. The blind beggar Darius warned them that they may have contracted the
dreaded Blindness Sickness from their time in the sewer. Greta’s Crystal Waters
were poured on their eyes but in had no effect, so the trio of Monty, Goff and Greta
decided to head out of the temple to resupply and also visit Ciracco again in aide of
a cure for the disease. Marcellos closed the huge iron doors behind them, barring
the doors from the inside with some steel candle rods. Fingers decided to investigate
the black rug which draped the steps that lead to the Idol of Courga. In doing so she
fell foul of a Bequest Curse (which had been cast into the rug) and it forced her to
donate her most valuable item to the beautiful God of Grace. Rummaging through
her possessions, she found her Wand of Fireball and promptly parted with it.
Marcellos and Arkai looked on in astonishment, but dare not retrieve the Wand for
fear of Courga’s wrath.
Meanwhile, Goff, Monty and Greta headed to the Magic Emporium. A six man City
Guard unit stationed at the North Jail (which was further guarded by armed RedEye) stopped the heroes in the street. Captain Eadward was looking for “The Eyeball
Assassins” who were responsible for the massacre in Slivers Alley (and other such
atrocities). Eadward showed them a “Wanted” poster and asked them if they knew of
the Assassins, or could provide any information.
WANTED
THE EYEBALL ASSASSINS
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The Merchant of Death
The Dark Warrior
For the unprovoked and viscous slaying of:
 6 Red-Eyes
 7 Humans
 3 Black Elves
Help keep safe the fair City-port of Khare!
If you have any Information about these wanted criminals it is your duty to speak to
a City Guard Today
Failure to do so is punishable by Imprisonment and Torture
REWARD for CAPTURE
160 gold pieces
Issued by Lord Issrak, Chief Advisor to First Lord Garin Alderay
Monty had on his Hat of Disguise, and a new set of clothes, and played up his
‘Smithsonian Johnson” pseudonym to divert Eadward’s suspicions. Goff and Greta
backed up Monty’s Merchant business story, and the Captain and his men
proceeded to the North Gate. Arriving at the Emporium, Greta stayed outside to
keep watch while Goff and Monty entered. Ciracco was surprised to see them and
said they would know by morning whether they had contracted the Blindness
Sickness. If they woke with some loss of vision, then they had contracted the deadly
disease – which had cost Darius his sight three years ago. Ciracco said he could
cure the Disease for 450 gold pieces a head. Monty also had up his sleeve a Cure
spell from Xortan Throg’s Spell book (see AFFRPG06 “Revenge of the Sorcerer”) but
this would deplete a lot of his Mana. While they were at the emporium, Goff sniffed
around for any Healing Potions and Ciracco told them that one of the lines required
to open the North Gate was known by Lord Shivna – who was deceased. Goff told
Monty he could communicate with the Dead, so they decided to go and fetch the
others and check out the Cemetary.
On the way back, Greta stopped off at the North Market and purchased fifty Arrows,
a Wineskin and Clothes for Darius (in the hope that this would help his memory), and
a Sewing Kit to repair the Wagon’s Tarp (that was torn by Harpies earlier). Goff also
suggested they buy some weapons to fight the possible Undead creatures they may
encounter in the graveyard, so they also picked up some Silver Arrows and Holy
Water. When they arrived back at the Temple, Captain Eadward and his men once
again stopped the Heroes before they could re-enter Courga’s building. Monty’s face
had changed (courtesy of his Hat of Disguise) and this raised the Captain’s
suspicions. Monty did well to say he liked theatre and this involved changing his
appearance. The Captain bought the story because coincidentally the Festival of the
Mask was being held in Eastern Khare. But in any case, Captain Eadward ordered
the three to empty their possessions for the Guards to inspect. As Monty, Goff and
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Greta declared their items, another City Guard checked the contents against a list of
Evidence. Goff and Monty were in the clear, but Greta had a Gas Sphere which she
procured from one of the Ruffians who had ambushed them in Sliver’s Alley. When
questioned, Monty quickly explained they had purchased the Sphere from Ciracco.
Captain Eadward confiscated the Sphere and before moving his unit to the Magic
Emporium, he asked where they were lodging for the night. Monty said the
Wayfarers Inn.
Having avoided the City Guard’s questioning, Monty, Goff and Greta rejoined the
rest of the party inside the Temple and they all shared the information they had
garnered. Monty cast Reveal on the Idol of Courga and in doing so had to overcome
a Bequest Curse (the same that Fingers succumbed to) but his Talisman of Luck gave
him the edge. Monty then completed the Kissing Ritual and the God of Grace
revealed the full line of the Incantation that Darius failed to remember (even after
drinking a skin full of wine). It be “By Courga’s Grace & Fourga’s pride”. The Heroes
then left the Temple (including their Wagon and the three horses that had left steamy
poo-poo deposits for Courga’s acolytes to clean). Marcellos promised Darius that he
would return in three months to Cure Darius’ Blindness Sickness, and Monty gave
the Beggar some provisions and a handful of gold coin to tie him over until then.
Darius promised the Heroes that when his eyesight was restored, he would fight to
have his Noble title reinstated and give them all positions in the Kharean hierarchy.
Parking the Wagon in a secluded laneway behind the Temple of Courga, and with
Arkai guarding, the others followed Cirracco’s advice and entered the Cemetery to
search for Lord Shivna’s grave site. Fingers found it straight away in the form of a
large tomb. Sliding across a stone slab that served as the entrance, the Heroes
descended into a dank, dark and cobwebbed Tomb. Greta lit a torch and memories
of the savage battle with a DECAYER in the Forest of Doom (AFFRPG13) came
flooding back. Fingers detected a pressure trap on one of the stone steps and
narrowly avoided setting it off. Underground, they were confronted by a large stone
slab which slid open with a heavy grind. As a white cloud of dust and smoke draped
to the ground, Greta heard the stone slab entrance also grind closed, entrapping
them. As they looked at each other in the flickering flame light, fear and uncertainty
set in. Then the DEATHWRAITH rose from the sarcophagus. Two piercing white eyes
under a black hooded cloak and clutching a ceremonial dagger, the DEATHWRAITH
hissed “Die!”
Goff grabbed his Holy Symbol of Throff, yelling “the Power of Throff compels you!”
repeatedly and successfully keeping the DEATHWRAITH at bay. Monty fired off a
Magic missile and Acid Arrow which both struck truly – yet both bolts merely passed
through the incorporeal fiend, as it continued to hiss “Kill Me!” Greta passed the
torch to Fingers, as Marcellos’ Sword of Timakron hissed furiously. Goff used his
Undead Lore and yelled – “Ye face a DEATHWRAITH – only Silver Weapons shall
harm it”. Greta immediately loaded two Silver Arrows in her Bow and cried “taste the
Vendetta from Greta!” as she loosed both shafts. One missed but the second struck
truly and silver coursed through the WRAITH’S veins, causing it to shriek and wail.
Goff hurled a vile of Holy Water at the creature and its garments burst into green
flame. Greta followed up the onslaught with two further “Vendetta from Greta”
volleys , and all hit their marks! The DEATHWRAITH was gone in a flash of white
light, and replaced by the smoky image of an elderly naked man. “I am Lord Agar
Shivna, former First Noble of Khare. Thank you for freeing me from an eternity of
torment. How can I repay you?”
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And so the Heroes uncovered the final line of the Incantation required to open the
magical North Gate – “One lock made out of Golem’s Hide.” Lord Shivna
disappeared, being replaced by a scroll which Fingers grabbed hold of. It read “For
sleeping of the Sleepless Ram, Seek out the one they call the Sham.” Monty used his
World Lore and believed the Sham to be the name of a sorceress that journeyed into
the Baklands from Khare to be never seen again. However, he knew not of what the
Sleepless Ram referred to. As the party searched the Tomb for any other valuables
or clues, Greta went back up the staircase to check the front stone entrance – and
unwittingly set off the Gas Pressure Trap. The poisonous fumes made her feel ill as
the gas hissed out and began to engulf the entire chamber. McShifty reacted quickly
by reciting her Scroll of Breathing and running into the gas to Disarm the Trap. The
opaque gas cloud made the disarmament very tricky but Fingers was up to the task
and the poisonous gas was vacuumed back into the pressurized mechanism.
Fingers even offered to use her Rune of Locking to open the stone slab that enclosed
the Tomb but Marcellos said ‘Patience, young Rogue”, and the Heroes worked out
that sliding the Stone Coffin lid back into place opens the front slab.
The Heroes time in Khare was coming to an end. They had uncovered the four lines
of the Incantation required to open the North Gates.




“I Bid You Portals, Open Wide” from Torbain the Malevolent
“So Tumblers Two, Sealed Deep Inside” from Lortag the Sage
“By Courga’s Grace and Fourga’s Pride” from the Idol of Courga; and
“One Lock made out of Golem’s Hide” from the deceased Lord Shivna
So only one challenge remained: TO recite the lines in the Correct Order.
Greta had sewn together the Harpy–torn wagon covering and so they spent the cold
drizzly night holed up in the wagon in a dark alley behind the Temple of Courga.
Goff and Monty had enough constitution to shake off the Blindness Disease, and as
daylight broke all the Heroes were keen to leave the Cityport of traps and continue
their quest for the Crown of Kings into the uncharted Baklands of Khakabad.
While Goff, Monty and Arkai guarded the wagon, Fingers went on a little errand.
Using her stealth, she slinked into the North Market, just as the morning sun broke
and the Khare merchants were setting up their stalls. Monty had asked (?) the Dwarf
to go and purchase some horse feed, but after negotiating a good price on her
purchases and selling the party’s gems for top dollar, Fingers returned with not only
the feed, but also some Potions of Mana and silver-tipped arrows. Greta bagged the
arrows before heading off with Marcellos to explore the city as a couple (don’t worry,
it wasn’t 9 o’clock yet…). Goff appeared confused for a while asking “Where’s our
boss, the Merchant?” and needed Monty to clarify that the Merchant and Monty was
indeed the same person (looks like the Hat of Disguise really worked…) Monty added
that in any case he IS the boss because he controlled all the logistics of the wagon’s
supplies. Goff retorted with “Stuff that!” and everything was back to normal :o)
Monty scoffed down the Mana potions (because he said he did all the work), leaving
one for Goff, which the Servant of Throff consumed then expended to Heal Fingers’
injuries from the previous session (Dwarven solidarity at its best). It was then onto
business. With the four lines of the incantation in their grasp, they headed to the
North Gate. Arkai noticed the City Guard were busy roughing up the Merchants in
the North Market (as they pressed them for information on the Eyeball Assassins),
and so Arkai quickly tightened the scarf which concealed his face. The party avoided
the Guard and steered their three-horse drawn wagon within earshot of the
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vegetation-covered North Gate. Monty confidently strode up to the gate which
bellowed “None Shall Pass without correctly reciting the Incantation.” While the
others watched from the safety of the wagon, Monty spoke what he thought to be the
first line.
“One Lock Made Out of Golem’s Hide”
Immediately, the cobbled road beneath his feet was drenched in a deep red colour,
and an eerie gas hissed all around the brave Wizard. Monty continued
“So Tumblers Two Sealed Deep Inside”
Immediately, a SUPLHUR GHOST formed from the gas, screaming “None Shall Pass
without the Incantation”. The rest of the party screamed for Monty to get the heck
out of there, as the Horses reared on their hind legs and neighed in fear. The
Sulphur Ghost ripped through Monty as he fled, tearing strips of his flesh with the
burning acid that trailed from its body. As Monty staggered towards the wagon,
charred and bloodied, the Sulphur Ghost swooped towards him for the finishing
blow. Enter Goff! The Dwarven Guardian leapt from the wagon, as Fingers held the
reins, and stood between his magic-user ally and the Ghost. Casting a Commune
Spell, he communicated with the incorporeal creature, asking forgiveness for
disturbing it from its abyss, and sending it back to whence it came. All was quiet at
the North Gate once again….until Goff tried to speak the words of the incantation in
a different order.
“By Courga’s Grace & Fourga’s Pride….”
Once again the cobbled road bled and the Sulphur Ghost attacked those who dared
recite the Incantation incorrectly. But this time Arkai Darku was ready. The dark
warrior entered into a furious battle against the magical Ghost, deflecting its
assaults with his pit Fiend Shield and slicing the Sword of the Bat through the
being’s enchanted form. Goff also chimed in for some hefty blows with Ciracco’s
Hammer, while the severely wounded Monty fired magic Missiles from the Wagon.
The Sulphur Ghost’s fury was abated once more. The Heroes regrouped and
discussed the correct Order of the Four Lines. But Fingers warned them that they
needed to be quick – for a dozen City Guard under the order of Captain Eadward
was marching up from the market towards them. Captain Eadward yelled “The Laws
of Khare forbid attempting to open the North Gate! Get Them!” Some Guards readied
their crossbows, while other drew their swords, but none were in a hurry to pit
themselves against the “Eyeball Assassins” and the rest of the “Analand Gang” –
who had already killed Red-Eye, Black Elves and Thugs without mercy.
Goff bellowed another combination of the four lines and finally locked in the first
line correctly, but erred on the second. The Sulphur Ghost re-emerged, but although
each time it inflicted some scolding damage on Arkai, in the end it was no match for
the powerful warrior and Goff’s Hammer combined. As the City Guard got in range
for crossbow fire, Captain Eadward screamed “Attack!” and a volley of bolts were
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belted towards the party. But the badly wounded Monty managed to cast an
Elemental Wall and the bolts thudded harmlessly into it. At the same time, Goff
yelled out yet another combination of the Incantation…
I Bid You Portals Open Wide
So Tumblers Two Sealed Deep Inside
One Lock Made Out of Golem’s Hide
By Courga’s Grace & Fourga’s Pride
…And with a deep grind of centuries past, the heavy 40 foot high gates swung slowly
open, tearing through the thick overgrown vegetation which engulfed them. Fingers
spurred on the horses, and the wagon rolled out of the North Gate, picking up the
rest of the party as it exited. Goff briefly contemplated casting a Force wall to stop
Marcellos from jumping aboard – as the Dwarf considered him unworthy – but
relented in the end (and I am sure that Marcellos would have suggested that Nothing
Good would come of that action…). In the end, the City Guard was left aghast, and
Captain Eadward left muttering “They’ve broken the Law!”, as the Heroes journey
across the cursed and dark land known as the Baklands began….
The Seven Serpents
After leaving the Cityport of Traps, the wizard Montgomery Ashe, the Dwarven Cleric
Goff, the Elven Ranger Greta Greensleeves, the Dwarven Rogue Fingers McShifty,
the legendary Sir Marcellos and the dark Warrior Arkai Darku ventured across the
rocky and desolate landscape that is the Baklands. They rolled their three-Horse
drawn wagon across the barren Baddu-Bak Plains towards the Forest of Snatta.
After a few hours of uneventful travel, a flock of Nighthawks swooped down from the
dark storm clouds above. Fingers was raked by their talons, but joined with Arkai to
successfully fend them off. As Marcellos fumbled in the back of the wagon for a
torch to light, Monty spurred the wagon onwards and away from danger. After that,
the party decided to always keep a torch burning atop the wagon post. Shortly they
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arrived at a junction marked by a large gangly tree. As the party decided which way
to head, the bare branches of the tall tree twisted into the face of an old man. Words
could be heard whispering through the branches - “Shadrak is expecting you. Head
east to Fishtail Rock.”
That sounded like a good a plan as any, and so the Heroes traversed eastwards and
found an old disfigured hermit holed up in a cave located 20 feet high in the rock
face. His name be Shadrak, a disfigured and elderly Seer who had travelled from
Allansia many moons ago and settled in the Baklands to keep an eye on the
Archmage. With his health declining, and heartened by the sight of the legendary
Marcellos amongst the Heroes, Shadrak offered all he had in terms of food and
bedding, and bestowed upon the Heroes a powerful scroll with three Spells written
in common upon it. Shadrak also imparted information about the Archmage’s Seven
Serpents and explained that each had a Weakness that removed their
Invulnerability. Shadrak knew only of one such weakness - destroy the Air Serpents
shell while in its gaseous form, and you may defeat it. In return, Monty shared the
magical Incantation that opened the North gate of Khare. Marcellos tried to convince
the frail and elderly Seer to accompany them North, but Shadrak had fond
memories of Khare, and decided to walk back the the Cityport to spend the last of
his days in the company of the cityfolk.
The party made themselves comfortable in Shadrak’s cave, and all but Goff (who
meditated to recuperate extra Mana) took shifts guarding the horses and wagon
which remained below on the plains. With no stars or sun for guidance, the heroes
were unable to track time, but they rested and recuperated for a great many hours
after Shadrak departed. Together they enjoyed a not only shared each others
company, but also the remaining Lizard stew and the warmth of a crackling fire. But
as the others slept, and Greta happened to be on guard, the heavy cloud-cover was
broken by the appearance of a full moon. Greta knew this to a bad sign and as a
black cloak of magical darkness descended upon her, the Elf made a frantic escape
up the stone steps to Shadrak’s cave and yelled to her party members “Awaken!”
As they scrambled for their weapons, the Moon twisted from its fullness and
transformed into a glimmering silver Serpent which glided in the night sky. The
Moon Serpent’s hisses echoed throughout the cave, sending chills through the
startled party. Fingers McShifty freaked out and hid in the shadows. Monty
summoned his Serpents Bane ring (taken from the Harpy in “Cityport of Traps”) in
an attempt to communicate with the Serpent. The ring forced the Moon Serpent to
reveal some information about the Mampang Fortress that may assist the heroes
later, but not now!
Three magical gates protect the Fortess’ Inner Sanctum.
Suddenly the Moon Serpent whipped its slithery form into Shadraks’ cave. Monty
launched a magic missile and Greta shot an arrow – both hit truly – but both
projectiles dissipated into white harmless sparks as soon as they hit the Serpent’s
hide. Then Monty, Greta and Goff were engulfed in a magical veil of darkness which
blacked out their vision. The two heavy-hitters Marcellos and Arkai charged forward
to meet the beast head on and a fantastic battle ensued. Marcellos’ Sword of
Timakron hummed and struck true, as did Arkai’s black Sword of the Bat, but their
strikes also had nil effect, other than causing an icy blast of cold chilling damage to
shoot through their weapons and into their own bodies!
It seemed the Moon Serpent was invulnerable to the entire Heroes magical arsenal.
Arkai kept yelling “try Fire!” as Marcellos and Monty had a Committee Meeting. This
seemed to make Goff go Berserk! The Cleric charged at the Serpent with his
Ciracco’s Hammer in hand. The Serpent gleefully snapped up Goff in its maw,
throttling him like a rag doll, but the brave and clever Dwarf had cast “Reveal” and
managed to lay his hand on the Moon Serpent. The Spell confirmed Arkai’s
suspicion that Fire was the Moon Serpent’s weakness, and as the Serpent spat the
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Servent of Throff to the hard cave floor, the Heroes rallied for a fiery assault. Arkai
and Marcellos swapped their magical swords for logs of fire, Monty cast elemental
flames and Greta launched a flaming arrow-head. The combined attack
overwhelmed the Moon Serpent as each fiery wound did massive amounts of damage
to the being. Eventually it squeeled in absolute pain and fell to its death. As it did, a
magical essence dispersed amongst the Heroes and their own powers were
rejuvenated – marking the end of a truly satisfying team victory.
With one Serpent down and six to possibly encounter, the party left Shadrak’s cave
– buoyed by the victory as well as fed and rested - and set off north. After a few
hours listening to the sound of wagon wheels grinding on the rocky road, they came
to a four-way intersection where the earth was broken and dishevelled. After much
caution and planning – including Marcellos hurling a net and rock into the middle in
an attempt to “trigger something” - they decided against Goff’s idea to cast a magical
Bridge to get them across. Instead, they tied a rope to Fingers McShifty, who walked
across the broken ground, searching for traps as she did. Just as she reached the
centre, four large spiny Baddu Beetles burst from underground and attacked their
prey. Marcellos and Greta were sprayed with a vile acid spit from the Beetles, while
Goff was ambushed by one of the subterranean crustaceans and chewed up badly.
Greta chimed in with some dead-eye arrow shots (before again being spit on), while
Monty propelled an earthen cannonball at one of the creatures. Eventually, the
Marcellos-Darku Tag Team championship had sliced and diced the last of the spiky
Beetles, and in the process Marcellos had used his Boots of Speed to save Goff from
possible annihilation (my Hero!)
With wagon, horses and wagon-load intact (much to Monty’s satisfaction) the heroes
spent a few minutes recuperating before Greta used her Tracking skill to determine
that the northwest path was well worn with horse and wagon tracks. The Heroes
continued their trek across the dark and barren Baklands in this direction for a few
hours until the road ahead was blocked by a caravan of nomadic Black Elves. The
stealthy rogue Fingers McShifty and the deadeye Ranger Greta Greensleeves scouted
the encampment. At least half a dozen Black Elves milled about eight wagons, but
soon the Elven sentries were alerted to Finger’s presence on the outskirts of their
encampment. A volley of black arrows thudded into, and around, the fleeing Dwarf.
Greta had the perfect vantage point overseeing the action, and retaliated with her
own well placed arrow shots, including a thudding shot with one of Ciracco’s
magical golden arrows, into the head of the Black Elven Leader. With their leader
badly wounded, the Elves retreated behind the wagons, and Fingers and Greta took
the opportunity to themselves withdraw and warn the others.
When they arrived back at their 14-seater mega-wagon, Fingers relayed the news of
the Elven caravan. Sir Marcellos warned that nothing could come of pressing the
Black Elves and Goff – who was low on Mana - agreed. But on the counter, Greta
wanted to return to the Elven caravan with one of the party to find another vantage
point, and Monty argued that an attack on the Elven caravan was the best option
(equipment, equipment). Greta had had enough of the discussion and scouted the
caravan again – this time on her own. She found the Black Elf leader – who seemed
unscathed by the head shot wound earlier - also scouting and a skirmish ensued.
Greta let loose her trademark “Vendetta from Greta” double arrow volley and struck
true, but then made a hasty retreat back to the wagon. On her return, it was
decided to take Marcellos’ advice and back peddle south. Fingers turned around the
horses back from whence they had came – a decision that cost the party an extra 4
to 6 hours of travel.
Once back at the junction, where lay the scattered carcasses of the Baddu-Bak
Beetles, the Heroes turned north east, once again in the correct direction of the
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Forest of Snatta. After a short while, they discovered an abandoned church which
stood off the road, albeit in ruin. Goff knew the design to be that of the Worshippers
of Slaang – God of Malice. A thorough search of the temple by Fingers uncovered a
floor tile that covered a narrow staircase that spiralled down into a dark and dank
catacomb, walled with entombed slabs. Monty read the runes on one of the slabs
which warned against intruding, yet in spite of this, and the fact that the Temple
belonged to the evil God Slaang, the party decided to rest and recuperate inside its
walls. The heroes also emptied the contents of their heavily laden wagon and stored
it inside the church. They also piled rubble on top of the tile to prevent anything
surprising them while they slept. Goff meditated to restore more Mana whilst Greta
took the first shift guarding. As the snores of her fellows filled the temple, the Elf
noticed the rubble holding down the tile begin to be displaced, slowly, rock by rock.
Greta loudly and quickly woke the others as the first of six Deathwraith rose from
the now open stairwell.
Goff grabbed his Holy Symbol of Throff to keep the Undead at bay, yelling “The
Power of Throff compels you,” whilst Greta loosed two silver arrows and paralysed
two of the Wraiths. The other Deathwraith drifted slowly towards the dark warrior
Arkai and the legendary Marcellos. Both fighters used their magical swords, but the
Sword of the Bat simply cut harmlessly through the Wraith’s ethereal body, while
the humming Sword of Timakron pierced one of the Deathwraith without any effect.
Goff shouted “You Fools! The Deathwraith can only be harmed by Silver weapons” so
the party retreated to safety outside the temple. As the six Wraiths started pillaging
the Heroes equipment within – and with Goff advising that great treasure usually
accompanied such Guardians of the Dead, the heroes hatched a plan. It involved
Fingers sneaking into the temple and down the staircase to search for treasure,
whilst Goff ran to the hole in the floor, and held the six Deathwraith at bay with his
Holy Symbol – a daring plan, particularly because Goff was aware that failing to hold
the Undead at bay would result in his almost certain death.
Fingers slinked through a broken hole in the temple wall, and ran down the
stairwell, finding a silver set of Armour, and a silver Dagger inside an open coffin.
Goff then burst through the Deathwraith horde as they shrieked “Die!” The devoted
Dwarf was surrounded, and held up his Holy Symbol, relying on the Warding power
of his God Throff to protect him. Goff shouted at the top of his voice “I AM GOFF –
SERVANT OF THROFF – YOU SHALL NOT HARM ME!” And it worked. The Wraiths
were kept at bay, screaming “No!” as Fingers emerged adorned with their treasure.
McShifty then used her Earring of Levitation to escape through the ceiling beams of
the Temple. The Deathwraiths screamed in despair before disappearing into the
church floor
The party rejoiced but were not satisfied with just the silver finds. Believing that a
greater treasure lode lay within, Arkai Darku volunteered to go back into the
Deathwraith’s catacomb. He put on the Silver chainmail and grasped the silver
dagger in his rugged hands – and in that moment he was transformed from the Dark
Warrior into the Silver Warrior. The golden garbed Marcellos smiled at his protégé as
Arkai walked back into the temple. Immediately, the Deathwraiths re-emerged and
screamed with delight at the re-entry of their prey. But their delight quickly turned
to terror, as Arkai’s prowess in close combat combined with the silver Wraith
Dagger, carved deep wounds into their bodies, tearing human flesh and spewing
mortal guts onto the ruined temple floors. As the last of the Deathwraith sighed in
thanks that the great Silver Warrior had ended their eternity of torment, mountains
of gold coins exploded from the catacomb walls, spilling into the stairwell. The
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heroes ran in, scooping up a vast gold bounty, as well as retrieving their wagon load
of equipment and supplies.
They set off north again with haste, wanting to reach the Forest of Snatta quickly,
where Greta’s Woodland skills would stand a better chance of locating a water
source (the last of which was drunk at breakfast). The horses in particular were
dying of thirst, but fortunately the party’s detour from the Elven caravan had put
them in the path of fast-moving “Sham”. Montgomery Ashe had been waiting for this
moment due to a parchment he procured in Khare which read “For Sleeping of the
Sleepless Ram, Seek out the One they call the Sham.” The Sham actually travelled
the Baklands disguised as an old dwarf, and while Greta was a bit sceptical, it was a
gold coin donated by the newly created Silver Warrior Arkai that proved that the
party were friends. The Sham transformed into her true form - the beautiful
Sorceress called Dintainta. She had been made aware of the Heroes noble quest to
recover the Crown of Kings by Shadrak. (Marcellos wasn’t surprised that she had
heard of him). In return for the gold coin, Dintainta gave Arkai a Vial of Swirling
Vapours, which when uncorked in the immortal Ram’s presence, would paralyse it
long enough for them to get past. She also gave them a Wand of Purification (against
Poison), and Marcellos bought two of her major Potions of Healing for a couple of
hundred gold pieces.
Arkai was quite captivated by the beautiful sorceress and asked her to accompany
them on their quest, but the Sham said she had another destiny and needed to
remain in the Baklands. Dintainta then showed off her magical powers by creating a
water spring from the barren rocky landscape. The party quickly refilled all their
waterskins and the horses lapped up the much needed sustenance. Before she
transformed back to a dwarf, Monty asked the Sham what she knew about the
Seven Serpents, to which she replied “Make peace with the Klattamen.”
YOU continued your trek across the gloomy and barren Baklands until you
encountered a lone Elf heading your way from the forest. After cautionary
salutations, the Elf revealed himself to be Aelnai – Great Ranger and Scout of the
Forest of Snatta. Goff quickly set the inexperienced newcomer straight telling him
that until the party says he’s “Great”, he’s just another adventurer wannabe. Fingers
nodded, as she scratched her beard, and grumbled something about the presence of
‘another pretentious Elf’. Conversely, Monty welcomed Aelnai, as did Greta, who
treated her Elvin brethren to 4 gold pieces - a traditional offering of camaraderie
representing Patience, Peace, Nature & Loyalty. But Aelnai was less than impressed
with the Silver-Gold-Dark warrior Arkai, and the pure Golden fighter Marcellos, who
both laid claims to “legendary” status, and made quips about the Aelnai’s traditional
name. With pleasantries aside, the wagon trundled off in search of the nomadic
Klattamen. Aelnai directed them to where he last saw some of the primitive
humanoids, and soon the party came upon their makeshift village.
The village was lit with torches burning on long poles, and home to about two dozen
Neanderthal-like Klattamen – women, children, elderly and some male warriors.
Monty used his World Lore and Languages skills to make contact with the grunting
Klattaman, whilst Arkai and Marcellos held up peaceful offerings made up of four
Ration parcels. The three heroes were escorted deeper into the encampment, whilst
the two Rangers – Greta & Aelnai, flanked the village to get a clear shot of it’s
occupants. Fingers and Goff remained wit the Wagon, keeping the horses clear of
the hungry and scrappy looking Klattaman villagers. Monty and the fighters were
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paraded before the gnarly Klattaman Elder, who presided over a huge bubbling pot.
The three heroes were offered bowls of some type of steaming stew which they
tentatively tasted, to the growling cheers of the Klattamen. Arkai went all the way,
eating the flavorsome meaty chunks and crunchy roots, and this brought much
excitement. Soon, the Klattaman had formed a circle and battered Klatta-women
had guided Arkai into its centre.
Monty whispered to Marcellos that it looked like Arkai had been selected for some
type of ceremony, as Greta and Aelnai oversaw the energetic proceedings from a safe
distance. Arkai nearly got into a scrap with an overzealous warrior Klattaman – who
didn’t appreciate his defense of one of the Klatta-women – but Monty calmed things
down. And before Arkai knew it, he had been undressed from the waist up (no
magical armour, helmet or armband) and the Klatta-woman had painted him with
black tar stripes – which formed a nice pattern against Arkai’s white skin. And so
there Arkai Darku stood, in anticipation, powerful muscles rippling to the beat of
some Klatta drums. And then silence, as the Elder bellowed more incoherent garble,
and the Klattaman Champion emerged. Nine feet tall, bulging with heavy muscle,
clutching a two handed studded club firmly in one hand. The Champion roared,
exposing a mouth full of large rotten and jagged teeth, and pounded a nearby rock
to smithereens in show of strength. Arkai Darku flexed his own arsenal and drew
his black Sword of the Bats from its scabbard – and the two behemoths collided in a
flurry of combat.
The Champion swung wildly, crashing his club into Arkai’s leg and tearing flesh
from bone. But Arkai was no ordinary opponent. His combined expereinece, ferocity
and sword ability had fallen many a foe, and he parried the Champions attacks,
creating opportunities to carve his sword deep into its frame. Marcellos and Monty
started a slow clapping chant, “Arkai…Arkai…” As the Champion brought his heavy
club pounding into the hard earth from another missed swing, Arkai slid between its
legs, skewering the Champion from between its legs, and tearing upwards, sending
entrails gushing. There was a new Champion in town – his name was Arkai. By this
stage, the Klattaman crowd was cheering for Darku and as their Champion fell
silent, the Elder stepped forward to present Arkai with his prize. Through Monty’s
interpretation, Arkai Darku – new Champion – was awarded a Bag of Ground
Crystals that could be used against the Fire Serpent to dispel its invulnerability. As
the other party members converged on the village, the Elder sketched a map in the
dirt which Aelnai recognized as a path that led to an evil Witch who lived in the
Forest.
So into the green Forest of Snatta they traveled. After a few hours, they arrived at an
intersection and Aelnai explained where the paths lead. North to the Witch’s House
and then the great River Kharabak; East to the Elvin Commune and carnivorous
plant life; and West to the Serpent’s domain. After some strategizing, the party
decided to head to the Witch, in the hope she would be able to give them information
on the Serpent’s weakness, and then they could double back to destroy it. After
another few hours they arrived at the natural steps which led to the Witch’s
residence. But before they ventured up the path, they decided to make camp and
recuperate from a long adventuring day. Arkai and Fingers gathered up dry
branches to lie across the pathway as a warning system, and then strung some rope
low over the ground to trip up intruders. Monty and Marcellos began to start a fire
for warmth and light during their rest, while Goff holed up inside the wagon and
began meditating in an effort to regain Mana. As this was happening, Greta and
Aelnai head into the Forest of Snatta to locate a water source and forage for food.
Greta found a stream and made several trips back and forth refilling all the water
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skins. Meanwhile, Aelnai avoided gathering potentially poisonous roots and berries,
and rather, tracked a deer and promptly cornered and killed the game, providing a
hearty meal for all after it was skinned, gutted and cleaned.
As what remained of the deer carcass roasted and crackled over the large fire, and
hours crept away, Arkai happened to be on guard when his dry bracken warning
system went off. He promptly woke his comrades, and as they peered into the still
and gloomy woods, they armed themselves in preparation for the unknown. All of a
sudden, the northern path erupted into a fifteen foot wall of fiery hell – setting fire to
both the tall trees and ground foliage, and destroying the rope trap. Just moments
later, the southern side of their position did likewise. The Heroes were trapped
between two massive walls of flame. Fingers grabbed the horse harnesses to steady
the three steeds, while Arkai passed the Klattaman’s Crystallized Pouch to Greta,
who promptly tied it to the end of a notched arrow. And then a piercing wail echoed
all around them and the fifteen foot high Fire Serpent burst through the north wall
to attack.
Monty immediately used his Serpent’s Bane Ring to gain a piece of information
about the Mampang Fortress, as Greta loosed the arrow and it struck the Fire
Serpent’s body, exploding in a spectacular shower of sparks. Instantly the tongues
of flame that spewed form the Fire Serpent’s body disappeared, and its scaly, yet
penetrable flesh was revealed. Monty followed up Greta’s attack with a purple swirl
of magical missile, and Aelnai also fired off an arrow, and both attacks lodged deeply
into the Serpent. But the giant Serpent wasn’t done for yet, and it continued to
advance, picking up Arkai in its maw and thrusting him into the forest, and
knocking Aelnai likewise onto the opposite side of the track. Marcellos, Goff and
Greta dove into the underbrush and to safety, with Greta managing to also draw her
sword in the process and cutting the Serpent’s tail as it whipped by. The enraged
Serpent then carved a path straight through the hero’s wagon, causing serious
injuries to the three horses, and crashing one side of the wagon cover, sending a lot
of the wagon’s contents spilling on to the road. The Serpent then coiled itself to a
halt before it crashed into the southern wall of flame.
Fingers continued to rein in the frantic and injured horses while Monty yelled
“Begone” as another missile streaked from his wand, striking truly. Goff then
whipped open his backpack and grabbed a flask of oil to hit the Serpent with, while
Greta notched one of his magical Arrows of Ciracco, and lodged a flaming log of
wood onto the tip. But as the two frantically prepared, the golden garbed Sir
Marcellos burst from the forest floor, sword of Timakron humming, and charged the
Fire Serpent, yelling “I am Marcellos – perhaps you’ve heard of me!” The Serpent
gleefully darted in his direction, looking to crush the righteous fighter. Goff, Greta,
and the rest of the heroes watched in awe as the Serpent snapped it’s jaw at
Marcellos, who feinted an attack, before sliding beneath the beast and slicing his
magical sword along its belly. Black blood spurted out as the creature wailed. The
wound was enough to give Greta and Goff time to synchronize their attacks. Goff
smashed an oil flask onto the Serpent’s head, as Greta fired the flaming Ciracco
arrow into the oily target. Immediately the arrow pierced deeply, and the Serpent
once again became a plume of flame – but this time the flames scorched and burnt
the creature, sending it toppling at great speed into the track and rolling to its
demise into the northern wall of flame. As it writhed and squealed, Goff ran closer
and hurled yet another oil flask onto the bonfire.
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In an instant, the Fire Serpent turned to ash, and the blockade walls of flame
became extinguished. As with their previous victory against the Moon Serpent, the
Fire Serpent’s essence was transformed into a pulse of magical energy that swept
through the victorious heroes. The wave of energy restored a point of Stamina
(including for the horses), a Save point and Mana point, and once again the forest
was still. Buoyed by their success, they calmed and tethered the horses and trudged
up to the Witch’s house. Fingers McShifty checked the door for traps as Marcellos
listened closely and could make out some feminine song from within. As Fingers
opened the door, a long, well-to-do hallway was revealed that ended at a set of
crystal strung drapes. As Great contemplated loosing an arrow down the hallway,
and the others expressed caution, Aelnai made out that some of the song’s words
were from an ancient Elvin dialect, used in times long ago. Aelnai boldly entered, as
Greta jarred the door open. Behind the drapes was a well stocked and smartly
presented study. And rather than an evil Witch, Aelnai found the beautiful and
reclusive Elvin Sorceress called Fenestra. She had been singing to herself, unafraid
and well aware of the hero’s presence.
Fenestra had captured the Sun Serpent and trapped him inside a magical orb. As
Monty revealed another of the Mampang Fortress’ secrets, Fenestra told a story
about how hundreds of years ago her father was killed by the Water Serpent.
Knowing the Water Serpent and Sun Serpent were friends, Fenestra planned to lure
the Water Serpent to her abode, where her powers were most lethal, and exact her
revenge. The rest of the party filed in, and Aelnai and Goff were forthright about
their quest to recover the Crown of Kings. Fenestra understood that this motley crew
of heroes was the perhaps last hope for not only the Forest of Snatta, but in
stopping the Archmage from commanding a powerful army of chaos hordes that
could threaten the entire civilized world. First, she gave the party a Silver Whistle
that when blown at the Kharabak River bank, would summon a ferryman. Fenestra
also gave them three Mana Potions (which Goff consumed immediately) and three
minor healing potions and a Talisman of Luck. The heroes had to relinquish some
items in return, but because Fenestra had no desire for gold or weapons, she settled
for a silver mirror, a bag of marbles and some candles.
Fenestra also shared some valuable information with the party. She told them that
they needed to use oil to defeat the Water Serpent and that the Water Serpent may
be working with the Air Serpent. Fenestra also warned that the Earth Serpent was
pursuing them from the Baddu Bak plains, and that they should avoid any further
rest until crossing the River (less they wanted to encounter this Serpent). Lastly, she
told them about the Time Serpent – perhaps the most dangerous of the Serpents.
Her father had created an Incantation that could defeat the Time Serpent; however,
over the years it had become lost in the Vischlami Swamp. The last Fenestra had
scryed that it had been found by a tribe of Marsh Goblins. The heroes thanked her
kindly, and even asked for her to join them, but she cautioned that should they fail,
she needed to remain here to prepare a defensive plan for the Forest of Snatta.
Before they departed, Marcellos asked if she could reveal the function of the Black
Mantis potion. Fenestra agreed in return for a final gift. Goff once again rummaged
through the wagon inventory list, and gave her the Black Elf Mask. Fenestra hung
the trade on her study wall then explained that the Black Mantis potion would inflict
2d6 and -2 Trait points to anyone who consumed it (and also that their Wand of
Purification, could reverse these properties if desired).
The heroes were once again ready to rock and roll.
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With Marcellos having wandered off alone into the Forest of Snatta, the Heroes
decided to head south to meet the Earth Serpent head on. Within a few hours,
Fingers detected the trees in the distance swaying violently, before the Earth
Serpent revealed its rock-armoured body and roared into attack. Monty Ashe quickly
used his Ring of Serpent’s Bane and the Earth Serpent was forced to reveal a secret
about the Mampang Fortress: “Offer no coins to Valignya if you value your life.” The
Elven duo of Aelnai and Greta fired arrows at the behemoth, but the volleys
disintegrated on impact. Fingers grabbed the horse reins to try and turn the wagon
around but was unable to settle the horses and hoof-kicked twice in the process.
Monty transformed a Goblin tooth into an armoured Goblin and sent it into attack,
but the Earth Serpent slammed its tail into the forest track, sending a 50 foot
earthquake in all directions, felling trees and sending the Goblin toppling. The
Goblin regained its footing only to be crushed under the massive weight of the
Serpent.
Arkai ran to Fingers and helped get the horses under control and turn the wagon
around, as Monty stood before the Serpent as it rumbled into attack range. Monty
summoned a double charge of levitation and the Earth Serpent was uprooted from
its spot, high into the air, as it thrashed about smashing into the trees that
surrounded the forest path. Its grey hard rock exterior immediately changed to a
fleshy green colour as Greta launched her trademark Vendetta of 2 arrows
simultaneously. One was a standard arrow, the other a golden Ciracco arrow. The
standard arrow still shattered upon impact, but the Ciracco arrow lodged deeply in
the Serpent, drawing green bloody ooze. The dead-eye Elf then launched another
Ciracco arrow for similar lethal effect, as Monty sent a blue streak of magic missile
tearing into the Serpent’s flesh.
With the levitated Serpent helpless to counter attack, Goff threw a gold coin at it (for
no effect) and then Monty streaked arcs of lightning from his fingertips into the
Serpent, causing it to wail and scream in pain. Goff then finished it off by hurling
his golden Hammer of Ciracco into the Serpent, causing it to vaporize in a brilliant
explosion of white energy (and restoring a small amount of vitality to the victorious
party). Buoyed by their teamwork and success, the party headed north to the great
river Kharabak. After an uneventful trek, they arrived at the water’s edge. A low
dense mist hovered over the great river. Goff blew the Silver Whistle that Fenestra
gave them, and the cranky and dirty Ferryman Jedd emerged from the tangled
undergrowth. After some heated negotiation, Jedd agreed to ferry one horse, all six
heroes, and their equipment and supplies for the healthy sum of 119 gold coin
(which he received and promptly hid away in the forest). The ferry service would take
multiple trips due to Jedd’s boat only being able to safely hold four passengers (and
the horse counted as two, and their netted supplies as one).
Arkai, Goff and the team’s equipment and supplies would be ferried over first; Greta
and Monty would rest at the river’s edge; while Fingers and Aelnai would transport
the horse-drawn wagon (and some leftover supplies) back south to the Sorceress
Fenestra for safe keeping. Fingers and Aelnai arrived without incident (which Aelnai
was surprised by because he had heard that the northern forest of Snatta was named
after man-eating Snattacats – none of which had yet troubled the party). Fenestra was
happy to look after the horses and supplies, but the wagon needed to be left on the
forest path until Marcellos returned from his hiatus. Aelnai and Fingers then
mounted one of their horses and rode off back to the River. Meanwhile, Goff and
Arkai’s boat ride across the still misty river was taking a turn for the worse. The
journey had begun well enough, with Jedd rowing the boat across the water with
powerful strokes, and singing a shanty or two. But after a few hours, Jedd was
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wheezing and struggling. His face was bright red and looked swollen. Arkai offered to
row for him, and Goff suggested he take a breather, but Jedd yelled at them in a
savage rage that included bits of tooth and blood!
Before Goff could say “Holy Throff!” Jedd’s eyeballs exploded and a green gas
jettisoned from the empty sockets, followed by gas venting from the ferryman’s ears
and mouth. The gas was poisonous and Goff and Arkai beagn to fall ill, but
managed not to pass out. Goff then grabbed his Oil Flask from his pouch in case
this was the Water Serpent, but they soon realised that it was actually the Air
Serpent and they knew that they had to destroy its shell. Arkai drew his black
Sword of the Bats and promptly lopped off Jedd’s head…Jedd’s head baby, Jedd’s
head. Goff then put away his flask and grabbed Ciracco’s hammer and smashed the
ferryman’s lifeless body into a pulp of bone and skin. The crushing of Jedd turned
the gaseous cloud into an ashen colour and the Air Serpent’s form became
frighteningly apparent. The formidable creature lunged at Arkai repeatedly, but the
Dark-Silver Warrior held it at bay with his Sword and Shield, landing some decisive
blows that cut through the Serpent’s smoky form as if it was real flesh and bone.
As pieces of the Serpent spewed onto the boat and into the river, Goff cast a Wall of
Force and smashed it into the Serpent, but still the it advanced, until Arkai yelled
“Die!!!!” and spliced the Serpent’s head into two pieces! Once again, a brilliant
explosion of vapour-like energy pulsated from where the Serpent once hovered,
revitalising the victorious Heroes to some extent. As Jedd’s head looked up vacantly,
Arkai grabbed the oars and Goff cast Direction to safely navigate them back to the
Forest of Snatta and regroup with the others. Awaiting their return was Monty and
Greta – but they also had their hands full. As Monty perused his Spell Books, his
honed Wits detected an invisible being smashing through the low dense brush
towards him. Immediately the wizard cast an earthen ball of mud and rock,
smashing into the creature as it pounced – revealing its true form to be that of a
fearsome striped Snattacat.
The Snattacat reeled around on its powerful legs to continue its attack but Monty
cast another Goblin’s tooth to distract it. The little armoured Goblin didn’t know
what hit it as it became the victim of not only the muddied and wounded Snattacat,
but also a second which pounced invisibly from the forest! Monty had seen enough
and Levitated out of range, leaving the two savage Cats to tear the hapless Goblin
limb from limb. While this was happening, Greta was fighting for her life against a
third Snattacat that completely surprised the resting Elf! The Cat had already torn
strips out of Greensleeves face and arms, as it bit and clawed through its Elven
meal. But Greta wasn’t done for by a long shot, and she drew her Sword of the Holy
Knight in all its glory, and slew her feline aggressor with equal savagery. Monty was
safe, but soon realised the two Snattacats had finished with the Goblin and were
preparing to pounce on Greta, who had pressed her back against a thick tree in
readiness for the onslaught. Monty came to her aid, dropping an explosive blue Fire
Stone on the two cats – killing one and sending the other scampering back into the
Forest.
Just as the Snattacat battle ended, Arkai and Goff rowed onto the river’s bank, and
Fingers and Aelnai galloped onto the scene. They welcomed each other in a show of
relief and camaraderie, and some shared their horrific ordeals. Soon the subject of
crossing the river came up again. Goff, Arkai, Monty and Greta formed a work-party
to build a raft, while Fingers used her keen detection skill to keep watch for more
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Snattacats. As the work party began gathering wood and tying it with reed, a fire
was lit and Aelnai began skinning and preparing the Snattacats for consumption (a
delicacy he had learnt from his dear mother who was probably still wondering where
in Galana’s name he had disappeared to?) After a number of tedious hours, the
four-man makeshift raft was complete with a set of oars, and Aelnai had cooked,
packed and preserved the Snattacat meat in leaves and minerals.
Marcellos rode into his compatriot Heroes’ encampment just as they finished
constructing the second five man raft. Fingers clapped and cheered at the legendary
fighter’s arrival, while the others muttered in contempt at Marcellos’ sojourn in the
forest. After using Goff’s rope to tie the boats together, and Marcellos’ magic rope to
secure Goff and Monty to the raft (as they were voted most likely to fall in the water),
the Heroes embarked on crossing the River Kharabak. Greta was assigned to look
after the frightened horse (which she name Roch – the Elven word for horse) while
Aelnai sat at the head of the first boat, behind the Snattacat head, as the lookout.
Goff also gathered up the detritus (skin and guts) of the Ferryman and slopped it
into a pouch, on the recommendation from Marcellos. Marcellos said that perhaps
down the track, the Cleric of Throff could commune with the Spirit of the Air
Serpent, so that Monty could use his Serpent’s Bane ring to extract some
information. Into the mist covered waters they rowed. Minutes soon turned into
hours, and Arkai and Finger’s arms screamed for a break.
As they gathered their breath and rested, Goff cast Direction to ensure the party was
headed towards the swamp. Before long they were again in motion across the deep
and eerie river. Suddenly Aelnai spotted a bubbling area of water ahead and alerted
the others. As Goff and Marcellos readied their flasks of oil, and Monty contemplated
casting an oil spray with his elemental powers, the front boat was struck from
underneath by a powerful force. The boat was jolted violently and Aelnai, Greta and
Roch the Horse nearly fell into the icy waters. Monty threw one of his Goblin teeth
into the River and it immediately transformed into an armoured Goblin, frantically
trying to remain afloat. The intrusion into the river coaxed the Water Serpent out
from beneath the murky water’s surface, and a twisting tower of water sprouted
from the black river and over the Goblin. The Water Serpent wailed in fury, as
Marcellos’ Sword of Timakron hummed, and Monty quickly used his Serpent’s Bane
ring to reveal another secret about the Mampang Fortress (“Pay your respects to
Naggamanteh”)
Greta had her hands full calming Roch as it whinnied in fear, as Arkai and Fingers
worked together to turn the boats away. Simultaneously, the Water Serpent came
crashing down on top of the hapless Goblin as Marcellos and Goff hurled the
uncorked oil flasks. Marcellos’ aim was true, while Goff’s throw went wide. But one
oil flask was all it took, and immediately, black veins hurtled through the Water
Serpent, revealing its vulnerable form. As the Serpent vanished beneath the swell,
Fingers threw another Goblin tooth onto the other side of the boat. Once again the
Water Serpent emerged to feed on its prey, and this time the party was ready with a
potent artillery strike. Aelnai loosed a golden magical arrow of Ciracco (kindly
supplied by Greta) and it lodged deeply into the Serpent’s flesh causing it to shriek
in pain. Arkai threw a blue Fire Stone which erupted in a furious ball of blue energy,
splattering bloodied pieces of the Serpent in all directions. Monty summoned a
lightning strike and crackling forks launched from his fingertips, ripping and tearing
through the Serpent. Again the Serpent submerged with the Goblin in its maw, and
steam hissed from the river.
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Never one to mess with a proven formula, Fingers cast her last Goblin tooth into the
River. The terribly wounded Serpent launched itself up again, killing the floundering
Goblin in one snap, but this was to be its last foray. Aelnai launched his second
Ciracco Arrow, this one again hitting truly, and disintegrating the Water Serpent in
a fantastic explosion of white mist – which surged through the victorious heroes and
restored some Mana & Stamina. The River Kharabak was again quiet and still and
Goff assured them that they would arrive at the Vischlami Swamp within the hour.
But as their river barge closed in on their destination, Aelnai again noticed a
disturbance on the river. This time a school of carnivorous Flying Fish were darting
in their direction.
Marcellos threw some of the meaty Snattacat rations (that Aelnai had prepared
earlier) into the water, and Monty threw an even more tempting meal (another
Goblin) in an effort to distract the killer Fish away from the boats, but the diversion
failed. The snapping razor sharp teeth of the flying predators were upon them. In a
last ditch effort Fingers and Marcellos dumped four more open meaty rations into
the River. This time the lure of an easy meal was enough to deviate the Flying Fish
from their primary target, leaving the heroes unscathed. Finally, after what seemed
like more than five hours, the party made land in the form of the muddy, dank and
dark Vischlami Swamp. Fatigued, the party decided to set up camp on the rafts
before beginning another day’s worth of trekking across the knee deep bog (waist
deep for the Dwarves). They settled in for the night’s rest, and in the wee hours of
the morning Monty happened to be on guard when three spears were launched at
the wizard from the darkness. Two of the ornately fashioned spears pierced his flesh,
as he sounded the alarm. Immediately, the well oiled creature-killing machine that
was the Heroes swung into action.
Two lines of large Lizard warriors – eight in total - bounded across the swamp flats,
their scaly arms grasping spears as their forked tongues screamed obscenities. As
Goff, Shifty and Monty moved to the rear of the boats for cover, Aelnai and Greta
moved to the flanks and loosed a volley of arrows, ranging from lethal ‘called shots’
to Greta’s trademark two-arrow Vendetta. Overcome with arrow wounds, two of the
Lizard men retreat, but six pressed forward. Arkai drew his black Sword of the Bat,
and activated his Armband of Strength (thanks Fingers) while Marcellos’ Timakron
was ready to once again rid the world of evil. The two brothers in arms stood side by
side as they cut into the warmongering Lizardmen. Marcellos was able to dazzle
some of the reptile warriors with his Cobra Tattoo, while Arkai tried unsuccessfully
to pick up one of the dead Lizardmen and throw it at two of the others. Nonetheless,
the combined might of the Fighters was more than a match for their opponents. Two
Lizardmen in the distance turned to flee as cries of “Lizard warriors – retreat” echoed
across the lifeless swamp. But Greta loosed a lethal shot which smashed into one’s
throat. Aelnai was not to be outdone, firing an arrow which ricocheted off a tree and
slammed into the temple of the last Lizard man.
Fingers quickly searched the bodies, finding nothing of use, while Marcellos and
Arkai rounded up some of the ornate spears, adding it to the net pack which was
tied to Roch. Enter Montgomery Ashe. Magic User. Scholar. Barbaric Torturer.
Unfortunately for three of the Lizard men, they were only incapacitated. Monty took
out his Monkey Bone charm and offered it to one of the Lizardmen, speaking in their
tongue saying “This will heal you.” But as soon as the desperate Lizardman placed
the charm in its muzzle, Monty spoke the incantation that caused the charm to
expand into a six foot long staff, instantly snapping the Lizard Man’s jaw 180
degrees! The other two Lizardmen gulped, unable to avenge the execution. They
hissed expletives before divulging their leader’s name and then were summarily
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executed in similar fashion. Aelnai looked on in horror as Greta expressed how
appalled she was at the sickening act of cruelty against a defenceless creature. Goff
and Fingers just spit on the carcasses, as Marcellos and Arkai wiped away their
tears…of laughter!
The party then ventured through the boggy swampland, with Goff astride Roch. The
going was slow and tiring, until Aelnai once again spied the next encounter. Four
small Marsh Goblins, armed with crude spears, were frantically running in the
Heroes direction. Aelnai and Arkai grabbed handfuls of gold and presented it to the
Marsh Goblins in a show of peace. Monty then used his Language skill to speak in
the Goblin tongue and assure the frightened creatures that they were on a quest to
defeat the Seven Serpents. Monty also explained that a Goblin King was part of their
company, alluding to Sir Marcellos – who was Goblin King of the Tanglewood Tribe
in Kaad. The Goblins weren’t impressed, but nonetheless took Aelnai’s 20 gold piece
offering, and handed over a tattered parchment given to them by an old Sorceror of
the Swamp.
Monty cast his eye of the magical tome and concluded that this Scroll of Slowness
was indeed the scroll that Fenestra spoke of - that required to defeat the Time
Serpent. Buoyed by their find, they continued on the advice of Aelnai who led them
out of the marshland. There they came face to face with the ancient winged Serpent
of Time – steam hissing from its fanged mouth – hovering fifteen feet above the
ground. Aelnai immediately launched an arrow, while Arkai and Marcellos threw the
Lizardmen spears they were holding. But all three Heroes were suspended in some
type of warped time continuum and there actions were reduced to slow motion. That
was until Monty Ashe read from the Marsh Goblins scroll, causing the Time Serpent
to holler violently, and breaking the suspended animation. Marcellos’ spear missed,
slamming into a tree, but Arkai and Aelnai’s attacks hit true. But the projectiles
seemed to have no affect, as the Time Serpent whipped itself 180 degrees and began
to flee. Marcellos activated his Boots of Speed and charged forward. Aelnai pursued
full speed by foot, while Monty also ran after the Serpent, but at a canter. Goff
jumped down from Roch, yelling “Infernal Beast”, as Greta took the reins, picking up
Arkai on the way.
The Time Serpent flapped away and across a short rocky plain to the foothills of the
Zanzanu Peaks, known as the Low Xamen. There it perched on a craggy rock and
turned to face Marcellos, who had no trouble keeping up with the winged beast. The
other party members were closing in, but Marcellos had no time for latecomers.
Tying his Rope of Climbing round his waist, he elevated himself into the air and in
range of the Time Serpent. Timakron buzzed, as the legendary fighter went toe to toe
with the Serpent of Time. Marcellos landed two telling blows – severing its wing
tendons - in a show of unsurpassed brilliance. Next to arrive were Greta and Arkai
riding Roch. Greta threw her magical Elven Dagger and it planted into the neck of
the Serpent, as Arkai spectacularly launched himself onto Marcellos’ rope and then
onto the ledge where the time Serpent roared. Greta cheered the two fighters on, as
Marcellos and Arkai both landed decisive blows to the Serpent’s belly, sending it
toppling between the rocks.
Aelnai was next to arrive, sweating and out of breathe, but just in time to see the
Time Serpent buckle and fall in his direction. Marcellos was floating down with the
magical rope, and so unable to execute the killing move; while Arkai was stranded at
the top of the rock ledge. ‘This is my chance to be a Hero” Aelnai gleamed, hoping to
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land the final blow and kill the Time Serpent. But Arkai had other ideas. As the
Time Serpent rumbled to the floor of the foothills, Arkai jumped off the ledge and
freefell on top of the Serpent, plunging his black Sword down into the top of its
head. A brilliant white light sent rejuvenating pulse waves in all directions (also
reaching the cantering Monty – thank you very much). Greta cheered ‘Go Team!” as
Marcellos shook his head saying ‘I did all the work, Darku”. Aelnai stomped his feet
yelling “No fair” as Arkai rose from where the Serpent would have fell, with a glint in
his eye and words of advice “When Arkai in top form, no one come close!”
After this titanic battle, the weary party trudged up a pathway that led into the Low
Xamen. In the distance, they could make out the menacing spire that was the
Mampang Fortress, less than a day’s travel away. Suddenly, storm clouds blackened
out the sky and heavy rain began pelting down. Monty sensed a magical conjuration
at work and the heroes needed to find cover for the night, else they be stuck in the
torrential pour and unable to rest and recuperate. Aelnai found a series of caves,
and he and the two dark seeing dwarves investigated. Goff heard a monstrous roar
from within the small cave mouth he reconnoitred and warned the others. Fingers
smelt the combination of rotted flesh and faces from within her cave, and also
warned the others. Inside Aelnai’s cave was what looked like a half female-half goat
creature cowering against the far wall. Marcellos threw a rock into the creature but
it moved not. Monty warned them not to enter fearing the cave was cursed with
Petrification. So they all stood in the downpour until Fingers decided to go into the
small cave with the bellowing roar.
Inside she found a Jib Jib, a furry cabbage sized creature that emitted a cavernous
roar as a self-defence mechanism. It scurried to the exit and past Arkai, who tried to
scissor kick it as he crouched down in the exit. Arkai failed and his effort looked
more like an epileptic fit as the Jib Jib darted into the foothills. Greta tethered Roch
to a rock underneath an overhang, and reluctantly bid her frightened friend
goodnight. She then joined the others in the small cave. Goff and Fingers were
already happily asleep in two of the Jib Jib alcoves inside the cave, while the others
took turns sleeping and guarding. As hours passed and their thoughts of what lay
ahead in the Zanzanu peaks turned into dreams (and nightmares) the dark fury of
the storm gave way to the cold light of daybreak. The party feasted hungrily on their
provisions and drank from their waterskins, sharing a heroic yarn or two to build
their spirits, before setting off to continue their quest for the Crown of Kings.
The Crown of Kings
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The Heroes awoke and feasted hungrily on their provisions and drank from their
waterskins, sharing a heroic yarn or two as they prepared to ascend the Zanzanu
Peaks. Before they set off, Fingers McShifty investigated the cave that contained the
statuesque goat-woman. After moving the corpse aside, the daring Dwarf discovered
the magical Great Axe of Sarisar that had been hidden inside by the wizard Joe
Quarterstaff when he travelled through the Low Xamen. Goff used some of his spells
to assist Fingers retrieve the Great Axe, and then laid claim to the enchanted
weapon. Unfortunately in the process Goff and Fingers contracted a fatal Trembling
Disease from touching the She-Satyr corpse. Monty Ashe flicked through one of his
Spell Books and found a Cure Disease incantation which he cast on Goff (but they
figured Fingers would overcome the Disease given that she had a Resistance to
Poisons and Disease). Monty then lit a torch stick and burnt the She-Satyr corpse.
As spoke plumed from the cave, Fingers continued her exploits by checking out the
putrid smelling cave.
Using her Darkseeing and Detection skills, Fingers avoided a Skunkbear ambush,
but Fingers couldn’t avoid being distracted by the Bear’s stink bomb attack and
gashing claws. Injured, Fingers fled as Arkai Darku drew his Sword of the Bat and
slashed into the Skunkbear. Arkai then executed a Fighting withdrawal to maneuvre
the Skunkbear out of the smelly cave and into the open. Aelnai and Greta launched
a volley of arrows which struck true, and this was followed by another arrow attack
from behind them. As the Skunkbear wailed and collapsed to its death, and was
quickly set alight by Monty, the others turned to face the friendly fire. A black
hooded Elf emerged from a hiding place in the rocks. She was Naruta-Ang from the
Avanti Wood. Greta welcomed her with the traditional Elven greeting and Naruta
joined the party. Monty bestowed her Goblin Tooth in a display of trust and
friendship between Man & Elf. Aelnai and Fingers then entered the Skunkbear’s
cave to search for items or treasure. As the others waited outside, the two became
more desperate in their efforts, deciding to wade through the Bear’s stinking pile of
faeces! Fingers spewed her guts out (unable to cope with the spicy stench) but
Aelnai managed to hold his guts enough to rummage through the muck. However, it
was all for nil.
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So the party of Heroes organised their order of march and continued to climb the
narrow path that winded up the Zanzanu mountain. It was late morning when
Aelnai spotted more hoof tracks that led off the path up the onto steep mountain
ledges. Two She-Satyrs brandishing spears then emerged. The party proved they
were no harm and the Satyrs were intrigued by the presence of worldly travellers in
their domain. The Heroes were ordered to accompany the Satyrs to the She-Satyr
village to retell their stories to the Queen. Goff and Alenai stayed behind with Roch
and the netted equipment, while the others journeyed up a steep incline, across a
rope bridge and through a series of intricate tunnels, until they entered the cavern
of the Satyr Queen named Sh’Houri.
As the Satyr community gathered around, one by one the heroes stepped forward to
tell of one of their adventures. As the hours passed inside the quiet torch lit cavern
and the adventurers’ spoke, the large Satyr crowd sat enthralled at the tales of
faraway lands, strange inhabitants, great battles and scary monsters. Then Sh’Houri
thanked the heroes for sharing their stories and explained why the She-Satyr loved
to listen to such yarns - for though the She-Satyr thirst for adventure, they can
only breathe the rarified are of the High Xamen, and thus are unable to travel
beyond the Zanzanu ranges. Sh’Houri then announced it was time to “Trade”, as
this was a Satyr tradition. Once again each Hero was called forward and asked to
offer something up to the Satyr Queen. In return, Sh’Houri would exchange this for
a gift of her own.





Naruta exchanged a Throwing Dagger and gained a Pearl ring
Fingers exchanged her empty Ring of Levitation for a Rusty Bottle
with a Genie rune etched on the outside
Monty exchanged his Ring of Serpent’s Bane and received a pouch
containing magical Dust of Mirroring
Arkai exchanged a Scimitar and received a magical Pendulum of AllSleep
Greta exchanged a silver arrow and received a Gas Mask
After the confusing Gift process, Monty cast reveal on the items he detected were
magical. Fingers then asked Sh’Houri if they could help cure the Trembling Disease.
Sh’Houri s explained that one of her sisters, Sh’Himbli, had contracted this disease
a day ago and left the village to find a place to die (which is the She-Satyr way). The
party told Sh’Houri that they saw Sh’Himbli killed by a Skunkbear, and Fingers
contracted the disease coming to her aide. The Satyr Queen thanked them for this
news and said that only the wise man Colletus could cure someone of this fatal
disease. The heroes were then ushered quickly away from the village, as it was too
dangerous to keep the diseased dwarf amongst them. When they returned to Aelnai
and Goff, they saw Goff running around with a torch stick saying “shoo shoo” and
Aelnai darting back and forth waving his arms and making strange noises. Goff and
Aelnai then tried to explain that they were keeping Jib Jib’s away. Riiiiiggghhht!
Before they set off, Fingers couldn’t resist the temptation to open the Rusty Bottle
and it exploded in a cloud of gas, poisoning nearby Aelnai until he could grab his
Wand of Purification to halt the affects. The party then continued their advance
towards the Mampang Fortress, winding their way up through the High Xamen. The
trail ended at a wide plateau that overlooked a deep gorge. A rope bridge spanned
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the journey across to the other side. Goff tested the bridge and it literally “groaned”
as he placed his boot upon it. Remembering the inscription in the cave from last
night, the party called out for Colletus. A blind old man in raggedy robes appeared
from the other side of the abyss. This was Colletus and as the Groaning Bridge
disappeared, a new magical bridge replaced it to allow safe package,
While this was occurring, Aelnai noticed another trail that spanned the edge of the
crevasse, but the path was blocked by a tower of large boulders. Fingers and Naruta
decided to use their Climbing ability and scale the boulders to check out what was
on the other side. Once over, Fingers determined that the crevasse narrowed in the
distance, making it possible to jump across. However, his Dwarven knowledge of
Mountainous terrain also warned him that the path was susceptible to avalanches.
So Aelnai climbed back over to rejoin the party. Naruta used her agility to follow him
back, but slipped and smashed her nose against the hard rock face. This seemed to
allay any suspicions that Monty and Arkai had about Naruta not being who she
claimed she was.
Goff was first to cross. Colletus explained that the Archmage’s minions of the
Netherworld “took his eyes” but he escaped and was nursed back to health by
Fenestra of the Forest of Snatta. Colletus is a servant of Throff and has been waiting
for years to return the favour to a fellow acolyte. As such, Colletus expended all of
his mana to restore Goff to FULL MANA. Monty drooled as Goff screamed “I HAVE
THE POWER!” Goff was rapt and showed his appreciation by giving Colletus two
gold pieces. Colletus passed these onto Monty in return for some provisions.
Colletus also gave Goff a golden Locket on a Chain which was a much treasured
artefact of Cartoum – Captain of the Mampang Guard. Colletus then cured Aelnai of
the Trembling disease, and shared some information about the Birdmen – they are
hated and feared creatures, but some amongst them are known as the Samaritans
and also seek the Archmage’s demise. Colletus then asked if any of the heroes had
in their possession the Ivory Satyr Spear - legend had it that such a weapon existed
amongst the She-Satyr – and that the spear had the power to kill the Archmage.
Fearing they needed the Ivory Satyr spear to complete their quest, Goff and Alenai
decided to head back to the Satyr village. Unfortunately, Colletus had expended all
of his power and was unable to summon the “true bridge” so Goff needed to use
some of his fresh supply of Mana to make a spectacular leap across the gorge. Giff
fit Aelnai on his back and made the leap safely by leaving his gold and map
parchment with Arkai, and discarding some other non-essential items. Aelnai
removed all of his equipment, loading it all into the large net that was strapped to
Roch. Bidding Monty, Arkai, Naruto, Fingers, Greta (and Roch) farewell, Goff and
Aelnai headed back from whence they came, while the others continued to the
fortress.
After a few hours, Goff and Aelnai encountered the two She-Satyr scouts and were
allowed court with Queen Sh’Houri. Again, hours of storytelling passed; as did the
Gift ceremony.


Goff exchanged a Talisman of Luck and received four pieces of rare
bulbous Mana Restoring fruit (which he later gave to Monty)
Aelnai exchanged a Silver Whistle and gained a red Bottle of Fire Water
But when Goff asked about gaining possession of the Ivory Satyr Spear, Sh’Houri
cackled and her sisters prepared the “Pit” for a ‘battle to the death” with the Satyr
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Champion. Goff accepted and was lowered into the pit. The Satyr Champion wielded
the Ivory Spear and had six Mangy Wolves tethered to separate leads. As Aelnai
watched on under guard, the Satyr Queen screeched “Fight!” and the warrior-race of
She-Satyrs roared in anticipation of a battle royale. The Champion released all six
Wolves and readied herself to follow this up with the Ivory Spear. Goff immediately
raised his stubby arms and cast a powerful Force Wall into the oncoming
aggressors. The Force Wall had a spectacular effect – smashing into the six Wolves
and hurtling them back into the Satyr Champion - and splattering them all against
the Pit wall. It was over in a flash.
Goff dusted his robes and grabbed the magical Spear as the Satyr crowd
dispersed to allow the deadly Dwarf and her Elven friend safe passage and
goodwill on their quest. As night fell, the two Heroes then travelled through the
dark, back to their team mates. Another Leap spell saw them traverse the gorge
and they were soon at the Mampang Wall. Naruta was on guard at the time and
called out to her new comrades and together the party holed up beneath a rocky
alcove outside the tall gnarled outer wall of the imposing Mampang Fortress. The
party arranged the Guard duty (excluding the magic users) and after an arduous
days travel and adventure, all but the rostered sentry drifted quickly off into a
deep sleep.
The morning broke to reveal the menacing spires of the Mampang Fortress.
Marcellos rejoined the party and Goff bestowed his Ivory Sartyr Spear to Aelnai in a
show of graciousness and Elven-Dwarven solidarity. As the others ate their rations,
Fingers and Naruta foraged for water, and spotted a party of ragged Klattamen
heading into the Fortress Grounds. Fingers gathered her team mates and followed,
but by the time they had assembled, the Klattamen nomads had disappeared. Greta
tethered her horse Roch in a secluded rock crevasse (leaving it water and two days
feed), while Marcellos, Aelnai and Goff rifled through the equipment and gold laden
cargo. Fingers then led the heroes through a high tunnel which was the only
entrance through the great outer wall. Two armoured Mampang Guards emerged on
the far side and Aelnai and Greta launched a volley of arrows, sending one that tried
to reach for his curved Horn toppling lifeless to the ground. The other Guard drew
his sword but was quickly subdued by Arkai & Marcellos. Enter Monty the
Toothpick Torturer. Monty spoke in the Klattaman native tongue and extracted some
information about the Fortress and its surrounds – including the fact that a massive
training grounds was on the north side of the Fortress, and that troops were being
trained by traitorous Analand Sightmaster Officers. Having garnered all he could,
Monty convinced the incapacitated Klattaman to place the “Toothpick of Healing” in
his mouth; only to have Monty whisper the spoken command that extended the
bone staff and violently impale the Klattaman through the top of his head and down
through his jaw!
Goff cast his ghostly Eyeball and sent it across the open expanses of the inner
grounds. The eye reconnoitred the huge closed wooden gate entrance and also the
battlements, where the Birdmen lookouts were posted. Naruta then used her
disguise kits to transform Marcellos, Arkai and Monty into Klattamen lookalikes,
while the two Elves Aelnai & Greta strapped on the black Klattamen guard armour
and helmets. The party then knocked on the door and Monty spoke in the
Klattaman tongue stating they had prisoners (Goff, Fingers and Naruta) for the
Captain of the Guard, named Cartoum. Four Klattaman guards stormed through the
door with pikes in hand, and surrounded the prisoners. Monty explained that he
believed the prisoners were the Assassins, but this caused the Guards to attack first
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and ask questions later. All the prisoners were wounded, with Naruta coming to
within an inch of her life. After getting lanced twice, Goff said ‘Stuff This Plan” and
grabbed hold of his Ciracco Hammer – slamming it into the side of his assailant’s
head. Simultaneously, the rest of the Heroes ambushed the aggressors’ and dragged
their bodies into the Fortress – barring the entrance shut.
Inside the torch lined fortress walls, Goff healed Naruta while Monty again
introduced his Monkey Bone staff to one of the still breathing guards. But before
Monty could obtain any information another squad of Klattaman Mampang soldiers
emerged from a T-junction to repel the intruders. Arkai and Marcellos stood fast and
combined their impressive sword prowess to cut the eight Guards down in a savage
fury. After donning pieces of the Klattaman armour, Arkai then searched the Guard
Quarters and found a large Iron Key inside a small drawer under the desk.
Meanwhile, Fingers and Aelnai found a putrid latrine and decided to use it to
dispose of the Klattamen guard bodies. After feeling sick from the nauseating fumes,
Aelnai and Fingers retreated, but not before the image of Shadrack appeared within
the fetid confines. Shadrach warned the Heroes that three magical “Throben” doors
block their way – and that only two of the Archmage’s trusted advisors
(Naggamanteh the Torturer and Valignya the Miser) knew the secret to open the
doors. Shadrach also explained that a group of Birdmen known as the Samaritans
could become allies as they also sought to overthrow the Archmage. Then Shadrach
disappeared, concluding with the sad fact that his message was sent from the spirit
world - after Archmage spies had tortured and killed him - and were now on the way
to warn the Archmage.
The party then ambushed two unsuspecting Black Elves who were perusing an
Order dispatched from Cartoum promising a bounty for the heads of the “Analand
Assassins.” Aelnai and Greta slammed arrows into them (including a trademark
Vendetta from Greta), and then Arkai chopped one of the Black Elves arms off, while
the last was “mesmorised” by Marcellos’ tattoo before being carved up by the
humming Timakron. With the Fortress Gate section of the Mampang Fortress
cleared and secured, the storming Heroes gathered in front of a large Iron double
door. Monty touched it and felt a powerful magical energy – could this be the first
Throben door? Arkai gave the large Iron Key he found to Fingers, and the dwarf slid
it into the lock. The magical door cascaded open in a domino effect revealing a
bustling hive of activity beyond. A massive open-aired courtyard was coming to life
with the noise and movement of the Klattaman population of Mampang – people
bustled to and fro, traders erected their canapies, Klattaman Guard were scattered
about, Red-eye mingled in groups, Sightmaster Officers walked dressed in their
fancy attire, while a myriad of merchants and stalls were strung out through the
courtyard environs.
Arkai, Naruta and Fingers entered the courtyard first, and did their best to blend in
with the locals. The Klattaman-looking Arkai visited a stall to haggle for some
commoner’s robes, while Shifty took advantage of her compact stature and began
playing games with the local riff-raff. Naruta – dressed in the armour of the
Klattaman Guard - stood uneasily by Arkai’s side, and before long the trio took the
interest of three Sightmaster officers. As they approached, Fingers slipped away and
headed towards a bedraggled soul shackled to a pillory. Arkai greeted the
Sightmasters and explained that he and his party were mercenaries looking to join
the Mampang army, and attributed his common accent to his half-breed blood. The
lead Officer was very impressed and offered Arkai a ranking position in the
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Klattaman army – once he and his team relinquished their weapons and equipment
as per the Mampang law.
As Naruta accompanied Arkai and the three Officers to their tent set up in the
courtyard, Goff, Marcellos and Monty entered the Courtyard and joined them. Two of
the officers began to suspect something was not right with these well armed and
equipped “Klattaman” but before they could raise the alarm, Monty had out his
Pendulum of All-Sleep. Drawing their attention, he cast the Pendulum’s magic and
the three officers slumped into the arms of the Heroes. They all then quickly rushed
into the Sightmaster tent. All awhile, the two Elves Greta & Aelnai watched on from
the magical doorway. As a number of Birdmen circled above in the sky, there
attention was diverted to three Red-eyes who seemed to notice that something was
amiss with the Sightmasters. One of the creatures shuffled towards six guards
playing some type of dice game, while the other Red-eye shuffled towards the Main
Guard House. The third continued to spy on the Sightmaster Tent.
Meanwhile, Fingers helped the Barbarian Varek escape from the Courtyard Pillory.
The grateful Barbarian returned the favour by explaining that the Heroes needed to
blow a special whistle to get the Samaritan faction of the Birdmen to come to their
aide. Fingers then tried to buy a “special” whistle from one of the stalls, only to get
in an argument, and end up stealing a wooden one. The shifty Dwarf then made her
way to a small side entrance that appeared to also lead into the Inner Keep. A
Gnome named Ridd greeted her and explained that a condition of entry was to
relinquish a magic item or treasure. Fingers said she had neither and barged her
way in. Ridd complained profusely at this act of disrespect and warned that Fingers
would be sorry, before disappearing through a door. The corridor stretched onwards
to a second door, but Fingers thought it best to return to the main party.
Back in the courtyard, Marcellos and Arkai approached the six guards who were
being hassled for attention by the Red-eye. Arkai grabbed the Red-eye by the scuff of
the neck and threw him to the ground, yelling ‘How dare you bother their game!”.
The unit of Klattaman Guard were very impressed by Arkai’s work, and invited their
strangely-equipped Klattaman brothers to join in on their game. Moreover, the
Guards were delighted that Arkai and Marcellos had lots of equipment and weapons,
for it was the Klattaman way to share these things equally amongst their kind. So
the dice were rolling and the coins were flowing, and much merriment was had by
all.
When the gambling game finished, the soldiers announced it was time to share their
equipment and weapons. Marcellos acted quickly, tossing eight gold pieces into the
air, and causing four of the Klattaman to dive onto the ground after the coin. Arkai
and Marcellos then drew their magical swords and made their own announcement –
“You want our swords…then have them”, immediately attacking the unsuspecting
guards. The battle was short and swift, the Guards being no match for the Dynamic
Duo. The surrounding Klattaman peasants began to scream as one of the Klattaman
gaurds tried to flee, but the Barbarian Varek pounced on him, choking him to death.
In the Sightmaster tent, Goff, Monty and Naruta had changed their clothing for
Klattaman leathers. Then Goff apologised to his God Throff before summarily
breaking each of the Sightmaster’s necks (and sloshing fine wine over one of them to
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make it appear as though they were asleep from drunkenness). Naruta and Monty
searched the tent and found a Green Metal ring, a Vial of Gel, a chest of Gold and a
cursed Garment of Binding, which Monty took the lapels off to add to his Klattaman
leathers. At the same time, the other two Red-eyes had summoned twelve more
Klattaman Soldiers from the Guard house, and they had surrounded the tent. Aelnai
and Greta readied their bows, sensing that the proverbial was about to hit the fan.
Goff peaked out from the tent, saw the Guards preparing to assault and relayed this
back to Monty and Naruta. Monty had heard enough. He grabbed out his Tooth of
the Hill Giant and threw it at the Klattaman. Instantly it transformed into a tall
lumbering Hill Giant, armed with a huge Hammer. Monty followed this up by
commanding the Giant to “Kill all those armed with Pikes”. The Guards were struck
with fear, forgetting about the tent and frantically flaying their pikes at the
rampaging Giant. Four of their numbers were pounded by the Hill Giant, before they
managed to begin overwhelming the behemoth. Goff seized the opportunity to strike
at the concentrated melee. The dwarven Cleric emerged chanting and waiving his
hands as a Wall of Force thundered into the Klattamen and Hill Giant – killing the
Klattamen and breaking the Giant’s leg.
At the same time, the Elves loosed their arrows. Greta fired off her trademark
Vendetta, felling one Red-eye, while Aelnai launched a called shot that thumped into
another’s skull. The third Red-eye fled into the crowd as Greta and Aelnai then
turned their attention to the Birdmen. But they too were exiting the area, flying
away towards one of the huge spires that loomed above the Inner Keep. Onlookers
gasped and cowered, locking up their stalls and fleeing into the numerous rooms
that were dotted on both levels of the courtyard. Aelnai & Greta charged into the
Guard House and promptly freed eight Barbarians from the Steppes. They, like their
leader Varek (whom Fingers released from the pillory) had refused to join the
Mampang Army. Aelnai convinced them to join the Heroes against the Archmage –
which they agreed to do in return for weapons and food.
The party of Heroes regrouped on the blood soaked courtyard, as the Barbarians
rejoiced with Varek and began a murderous rampage against the helpless Klattaman
community. They gathered weapons, food and supplies with unnecessary brutal
force. Goff the Neckbreaker was appalled and readied a spell to help the Klattaman
women and children – only to be calmed by his comrades for the might of the
Barbarians would be a valuable asset. Varek tried to justify his brother’s savagery,
as the Heroes gathered round an old beggar who lived amongst a pile of rags and
debris. But this was no ordinary beggar – to everyone’s astonishment it turned out
to be Arthur Ashe – Monty’s thought-to-be-deceased father.
Arthur – who now lived by the name Javine – was now blind and toothless, living off
moldy crusts and the copper donations from the community. But he was once the
Grand Wizard to King Salamon of Salamonis. Monty thought he perished whilst on a
mission for the king – but Arthur lived – albeit zapped of his wizardly powers – after
encountering a Demon from the Netherworld. This Demon he believed to be existing
in the Old World as the Archmage of Mampang. Javine warned Monty that the
Demon could only be killed in its human form. Once slain, it needed to be destroyed
before transforming to its true Demon being. Monty was still in shock – having
harbored so much anger against King Salamon, he found this anger transferred to
his father, for abandoning him to a travelling Circus Show and leading him to
believe he was dead. But Javine said he was ashamed to return to his son – yet
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destiny has prevailed, for now they are joined again – and the Demon will fall at the
hands of the Son of Ashe Senior!
Moving on from this bizarre reunion, the party investigated a tall ornate metal pole
that was erected in front of the huge main double doors that led into the Inner Keep.
A fancy sword and axe appeared magnetized to it. Goff cast Reveal on the pole and
discovered that it was a magical trap that was activated if anyone tried to open or
tamper with the double doors. In addition, only the wearer of a magical gauntlet
could remove any of the items (which Monty checked out to be nothing more than
ordinary weapons). Fingers then pronounced that the only way forward was through
the side door that she checked out previously. The doormaster Ridd the Gnome
required a magical or treasure donation from each, in order to pass safely into the
Inner Keep. The party was aware and cautious of the Gnome’s powers so agreed to
his demands – handing over magical items and sums of gold that satisfied the
greedy creature.
Before heading into the corridor, Fingers damaged the lock that led through the
Guard House to the Main Mess & Training Grounds, and Marcellos got the
Barbarians to barricade it shut to stop more Klattaman guards getting into the
Courtyard. At the same time, Monty took a chance and asked Ridd whether he could
restore some of his Mana. The boastful Gnome replied ‘Of Course’ – but such a
service would require even more magical items to be handed over. Hungry for Mana,
Monty agreed, relinquishing more items, including Xortan Throg’s Spell Book of
Necromancy. And so it was that the Heroes of Titan entered the Inner Keep of
Mampang.
Before entering, Monty gave 20 gp to his downtrodden father. Ridd then led the
adventurers to a door before retreating into his own room. Fingers opened the door
to reveal a putrid smelling room coverd in slime and muck. Marcellos activated his
magical Rope of Climbing to string across the room so that Fingers could make her
way over the muck to another door on the other side. A voice beyond the far door
demanded Gold in return for Entry, and one of the large mounds of muck began to
shake to reveal a large creature beneath. Greta placed a well aimed arrow into the
forehead of the creature causing it to moan. The party retreated and closed the door
to the Room of Slime, and began to hatch a plan. While doing so, Aelnai overheard
fierce battle cries coming from the courtyard, but his team mates seemed
unperturbed. Fingers reopened the door with Greta readied with Bow & Arrow, but
waiting for them was the disgusting site of the Mucalytic.
Monty warned the team to ‘Beware the breath of the Mucalytics”. Greta loosed the
arrow and it lodged into the vile creature but not before the Mucalytic smashed the
door into pieces and snorted its vile breath on the duo. The poison coursed through
the Elf’s veins, while Fingers was able to resist the affects. As the two turned to
retreat, the Mucalytic used its large mucky fists to bash Greta and Fingers for some
parting damage. Aelnai loosed an arrow and it struck true, while Arkai Darku
activated his magical items of Strength & Protection in readiness for a counter
attack. Marcellos joined the dark warrior, and together they hacked the Mucalytic to
death. Marcellos used his Gum of Breathing to safely operate in the poisonous gas,
but Arkai felt sick, and began to cough blood. Another Mucalytic emerged, and they
attacked again (although Marcellos’ Tattoo of Mesmorizing seemed to have no effect
on the Mucalytic). Before long, the two fighters stood victorious over the hacked
Mucalytics. Aelnai then used his Purification Wand to remove the poison from Greta
(who was seconds away from death) and Arkai.
Marcellos advanced to the next door, and the voice demanding gold turned out to be
Valignya, Lord Treasurer to the Mampang Fortress. Monty again called out a
warning from information that had been garnered from the Seven Serpents – “Offer
no Coins to Valignya”. However, Valignya demanded gold coin in return for the
password that would open the second Throben Door. The treasurer suggested
stealing the gold back off Ridd, but instead Monty conjured a bar of Fool’s Gold. The
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rouse worked, although Valignya only accepted this offering so long as each team
member also partook in a Khulian tea drinking ceremony of trust & Friendship. If
they agreed, he would tell the last Hero the password. One by one the heroes
entered the plump and pompous Valignya’s quarters, and were served tea by
Valignya’s slave Korvosa – as Valignya’s large black jaguar snarled at his master’s
feet. Fingers found the tea wonderfully invigorating, while Greta felt sick and needed
Aelnai to use his Wand of Purification to assist. But all of the party maintained the
legitimacy of the gold bar – that is until Goff entered.
When Valignya asked for the Cleric’s honesty, Goff felt obliged to explain that the
bar was indeed fake! Valignya was outraged! But after much shouting and intense
negotiation, Valignya agreed to speak the password to Goff – and in return Goff
pledged to return to Mampang with a reward of hundreds of gold pieces - once the
Archmage was killed. Goff then rejoined the party and they re-entered the courtyard.
The bodies of five of the Barbarian Warriors lay motionless, spears protruding from
their bodies. One of the Barbarians had been decapitated and his head staked to the
top of a spear – although none appeared to be their leader Varek. Ridd reappeared,
impressed that the heroes had discovered the password, and (after a fracturing team
discussion) a deal was made in that Ridd would bestow upon them healing in return
for the password.
As Goff approached the huge Throben Double doors, he remembered the magical
Pole that would be activated if the password was incorrect. Goff tried to convince
Valignya to speak the password in his place, but Monty wouldn’t stand for any of
that. The wizard even went as far as to give Ridd a magical Amulet in return for
looking after his long lost father, then volunteered to speak the password himself.
His father was so proud, and kept aplogozing for abandoning his son, and also not
helping his Barbarian friends. Monty’s rage swelled as he imagined King Salamon,
sitting back on his Throne laughing, as his father - the once noble Wizard Arthur
Ashe – was sent to his doom! To compound his anger, the password that Valignya
had given them – even after respoken in different languages and order – did not open
the doors! Monty lost only his gold pouch as the magical pole trapped anything
metal he was carrying. Fuelled by anger, Fingers, Goff, Aelnai, Arkai & Marcellos
stormed back into Valignya’s room. But the Lord High Treasurer had vanished –
leaving behind his dying tea slave Korvosa, and a large bejeweled chest.
Aelnai tried to listen to the slave’s last words but no sound eminated form her lips!
The Heroes then began a frantic search of Valignya’s office and the adjoining rooms
– strong was their desire to catch up with Valignya! Meanwhile, Greta and Monty
guarded the Courtyard. Greta spied a figure at the first Throben Gate – it was Ridd
the Doormaster. Notching an arrow, the deadeye elf targetted the Gnome as he
rummaged through his sack of goodies, withdrawing a large Key. Fearing Ridd was
going to try and open the Throben door to allow the Klattaman army to enter, Greta
launched a long range arrow that thumped into the Gnomes wrist – forcing him to
drop the key and impaling him on the Throben Door. Immediately, the huge Throben
Gates glowed and hundreds of Needles exploded from the door, into and through
Ridd – killing him instantly. Greta then dashed across the courtyard, to take Ridd’s
sack and the Throben Door One key.
As Greta Greensleeves dashed back, Monty saw twelve Birdmen armed with spears
in the skies above, six of which were zooming down and behind the running Elf.
Just as the six Birdmen released their deadly shafts, Monty cast an earthen
Elemental Wall that rumbled up from the cobbled courtyard, and shielded Greta
from the attack. The Birdmen looked fearful of the magical display, and all twelve
retreated back to the tall spires and parapets of the Fortress. Back at the Search
Party, whilst Goff and Marcellos guarded, Arkai found tea, silver coins and
provisions; Aelnai found a map of the courtyard with a strange phrase written beside
the picture of the Throben doors; and Fingers found a secret passage in the
Mucalytic chamber. Aelnai showed Marcellos the map, and the mighty fighter then
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relayed the info to Monty – who promptly whispered the words at the gates – which
magically cascaded open in a stream of bejeweled wonder!
As they entered the Main Inner Keep, a side passage ahead of them opened, and
Fingers and the others emerged. Reunited, Fingers quickly reclosed all the secret
entrances and the rest of the party rummaged through Ridd’s sack – retrieving the
gold and magical items they imitially lost. As the Throben Door magically reshut,
two dozen armed Birdmen could be seen flying into the courtyard. A few of the
winged creatures grabbed the lifeless body of Ridd, while two others pointed and
squawked at the Heroes beyond the Throben Doors, just as they completed closing.
The corridor ahead was lit by torches in braziers, and ended in two doors. One had a
side window, and wonderful smells and the hiss of steam wafted from within. The
Heroes peered inside and could make out a large buxom Hobgoblin, cooking up a
storm yelling at smaller goblin servants.
The Hobgoblin, calling herself Throg, called out to Monty – who was still disguised
as a Klattaman officer – and invited him to sample some of the food from her special
larder. But Monty snapped back saying he was too busy, and instead was given a
take-away jar of Ant Meatballs. Fingers moved through the far door and could hear a
“Caw” sound and scratching coming from one of the 3 doors in the room. Marcellos
and Arkai burst in, swords blazing and Tattoo mesmorizing, and startled three
Birdmen. One of the Birdmen cried out “Friends We Be,” so the two fighters eased
off. The Birdmen explained that they were the Samaritans – and had the same goal
as the Heroes – death to the Archmage of Mampang. Although there were only three
of them, the Samaritans handed over a “special” silver whistle to Marcellos. “Once
you have found the Crown - blow this whistle and we will come to your aid, if we
can.”
Aelnai then asked them for information about the way ahead. Peewit, the leader of
the Samaritans, replied that Birdmen did not dare venture deeper into the Inner
Keep, but they were still able to point the way to Naggamanteh the Torturer. Peewit
also added that a Barbarian was captured after the battle in the courtyard and
taken to Naggamanteh. The party thanked the Samaritans (and Monty gave them
the Ant Meatballs). Soon the heroes arrived at a heavy looking metal door. The
sound of a whip cracking within was enough to confirm that this was
Naggamanteh’s location. As Monty recited yet another Serpent warning “Pay Your
respects to Naggamanteh”, Fingers picked the complicated iron door lock, and the
team prepared to enter.
Aelnai spied inside the torture room, and Arkai lifted up Fingers to peer over the
door
A burly Ogre called Naggamanteh had just finished whipping Varek the Barbarian to
death
Valignya and his pet Jaguar “Hashi” crouched in a corner
Aelnai & Greta burst in, firing arrows at Valignya & Hashi
Naggamanteh threw a hand axe which struck Greta
Hashi attacked and was finished off by Aelnai
The Heroes remembered the Serpent’s warning to “Pay your respects to
Naggamanteh”
Arkai stepped forward and announced himself as the Dark Warrior – adding, “We
have no qualms with you Naggamanteh”
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The Ogre Torturer retorted - why do they not attack?
Greta explained that they respect him and his great work as a torturer
Aelnai and Arkai added that they have come to kill the Archmage, not Naggamanteh
– and do not fear him – and soon Naggamanteh will be free
Naggamanteh was intrigued but not convinced, so Greta gave him 50gp to removate
his torture room – and added her precious Wooden Homeland Clasp to secure the
deal
Naggamanteh was overcome with emotion, saying that the Heroes were the first to
ever care about him, and in return he warned them of the third and final Throben
Door – which was a magical Blind Fire trap – “only those with eyes shut could pass”
The Heroes thanked Naggamanteh and then forced the terrified Valignya to hand
over his gold and tea.
Valignya showed them a Golden Key which he said opened his Treasure Chest, back
in his office
Aelnai, Arkai and Fingers escorted the fat treasurer back through the secret
passages
Arkai warned his comrades to seek cover while Valignya opened the chest
The chest exploded into a powdery cloud which struck Fingers
Even though Fingers had a resistance to poisons, Valignya’s trap brought the Dwarf
to an inch of her life
Aelnai cast his Wand of Purification, and the huge amount of poisonous damage was
sucked out of Fingers, restoring her health
Arkai slashed the fleeing Valignya, and then Aelnai walked up to the wimpering
Miser, cutting his head off with a cutlass
The team regrouped and moved through a T-junction into Nylock’s Shop
Nylock was a plump merchant (similarly looking to Valignya)
A magical Imitator being called Dopey lived in the walls and searched and presented
Nylock’s wares
Goff pooled the team’s finances and purchased numerous beneficial pirces of
equipment, as well as every magical item available:







A Cutlass of Damage
3 x Serpent Candles that penetrated magical darkness (which
Nylock said they needed to get through the Chamber of the Night)
Powder of Weapon Damage
A Sun Jewel
A Potion of See-Future
An Egg of Protection (against Birdmen)
6 x Khulian Silver pieces (that melted metal)
Nylock explained the benefits of each item, and the transaction was made
The party then made their way to a fiery scorched large door which housed
the magical Blind Fire
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Heeding Naggamanteh’s advice, they closed their eyes, and led by Fingers,
avoided a fiery doom
Safe on the other side of the third Throben Door, they came to another door,
above which a sign read “Chamber of Night”. A lit candle in the shape of an
entwined serpent was painted on the front
Heeding Nylock’s help, they lit the three Serpent Candles
Then tying themselves together they entered the magical blackness of the
Chamber of Night
The candles indeed lit the way, revealing an undulating metal floor with slits
Blades scythed out from below, above and from the sides of the passage
every ten feet
Marcellos used a Khulian coin to try and melt the floor, to no avail
Goff marked an “X” in the floor which proved they were indeed making
progress
After 60 feet, six tests, numerous wounds, and all of their connecting rope
cut, Naruta fired an arrow into the nothingness ahead and they listened for
impact
Hearing nothing, and fearing the corridor was never-ending, the party
decided to retreat
Monty teleported back to safety
Naruta used her Assassin’s agility to run back
The rest of the party made the slow journey back, just as they had done
going forth – with Goff and Greta finding dodging the blades particularly
difficult
Greta then shot a second arrow down the Chamber passage and it thudded
into a wooden surface, less than 30 feet away
Marcellos’ extended his magical Rope of Climbing in horizontal mode and it
hit a solid object at 20 feet
But when Naruta clung to the end of the rope, lit candle in hand, she found
the passage had once again extended further than the rope could reach
After much debate, Greta grabbed one of the torches from the braziers and
strung it to another arrow shaft, and again firing into the Chamber
Again, the thud into wood, and after a few moments, the wisp of smoke
This time, beyond the darkness, the party also heard the opening of a latch,
the creak of a heavy door, and a gruff voice ‘Cartoum, sir, the door is on fire”
The Heroes rejoiced, as Monty reminded them of Cartoum’s locket
Goff grabbed the locket from his backpack and handed it to Naruta
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Naruta attached it to her Klattaman leather, and the party once again
prepared to enter the darkness – this time confident that wearing Cartoum’s
Locket would counteract the magical extracting blades of the Chamber of
Night
The party re-entered the Chamber of Night – serpent candles lit – and with Naruta
wearing Cartoum’s Locket
But once again the retracting scythe blades activated
After numerous theories were tested, the team decided to try without the candles
Using Marcellos’ magical rope of Climbing, Fingers made it to the door 20 feet within
the corridor
The others followed
Fingers, Arkai, Marcellos and Monty entered Cartoum’s room
Cartoum was guarded by a burly Klattaman wielding a spear
Fingers immediately offered the Locket as a sign of peace
Goff reiterated from down the corridor
Cartoum was elated to have the Locket retrieved, and in return showed the Heroes
the way forward through a secret passage
Cartoum also warned them about the Sleepless Ram, the Archmage’s infinite power,
the right Archway if they succeed in bypassing the Ram, and the fact that the lit
Serpent Candles activated the neverending scythe blade passageway!! (…so that’s
what the last Serpent’s secret was)
Monty and Greta seriously considered doing away with the cooperative Captain of
the Guard, but Goff warned them that he would protect him
Goff then healed himself, and Fingers assisted Greta
The Heroes entered the marble Chamber of the Sleepless Ram – a room with dark
blood splattered all over the walls
A stone door slid down shut behind them, preventing their return to Cartoum
The Sleepless Ram opened it’s eyes to reveal an Undead-like void, and began to
animate with an unnatural shiver
Naruta uncorked the Vial of Dintainta, and after a few nerve wracking seconds, the
Vial shattered releasing the magical vapours
The Ram was frozen by the vapours, as it strained to complete its rampaging
carnage
The heroes wasted no time and ran through the right-hand archway, as per
Cartoum’s direction
The archway was a portal to another plane, and opened onto a small shiny platform
Greta and Naruta almost toppled over the edge into a bottomless void
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Some of the party believed a ‘leap of faith’ was required to progress – but none dare
take it
Monty tossed a few coins over the edge and one landed on a step which magically
appeared leading upwards
Greta then took the lead by tapping ahead with her sword, revealing more steps
spiraling upwards into the heavens
After one hundred steps, they reached an ornate brass double door, and the steps
behind them disintegrated into oblivion
Monty and Goff noticed demonic inscriptions adorning the doors
Monty reminded the party that the Archmage needed to be killed twice…
Naruta drank the See-Future potion from Nylock and had a vision of Gods bestowing
Demi-God power on a normal being
Naruta relayed the vision, and Goff believed this could be a calling from Throff – a
reward in return for great sacrifice
Goff gave Monty the Satyr Spear so that during the battle he could Animate it
against the Archmage
Marcellos’ Sword of Timakron was buzzing so much it nearly flat-lined
Fingers detected an acidic trail laced in the door itself
Arkai avoided the acid and pushed the door open with his sword and the
Archmage’s chamber was revealed
Maps adorned the walls, a strange telescopic device protruded from one of the many
open windows, thunder bellowed in the dark clouds beyond
The Archmage sat behind his desk – splendidly adorned, but no sign of the Crown
The Archmage stood and pronounced the party’s doom in a tirade of evil intent
Lightning streak outside as white energy also crackled between the Archmage’s
fingers
The party fanned out into the straw covered room
Arkai activated his Armband of Strength, his Ring of Protection, and doused his
Sword with Mantis Poison and Dust of Damage.
Marcellos activated his Boots of Speed and his Rune of Countering
Aelnai considered not attacking, until Goff threatened to kill him
Greta & Aelnai then loaded up Silver Arrows; Naruta notched a standard arrow
Fingers used Stealth to become unnoticed in the commotion
Goff prepared a Wall of Force
Monty unfurled Shadrak’s Scroll
But the Archamge was all powerful – protected by an invisible deflecting force field –
and let out a bellowing laugh
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Greta’s arrow struck Goff; Aelnai’s called shot struck Marcellos; Naruta’s arrow
struck herself; Goff’s Wall of Force struck Greta; Marcellos charged but rebounded
off the force field; while Arkai did the same but also received an electric shock from
the magical defence
The party was in disarray
As they rummaged through their equipment and weapons, and consulted their notes
and spells, the Archmage unleashed a powerful demonic incantation
Suddenly, Goff, Monty, Arkai, Greta and Fingers were under the Archmage’s
command – their orders – to kill those who still stood defiant
Marcellos cast invisibility on himself and was no longer a target
Greta hit Naruta with an arrow, and Goff added to the damage by clubbing her with
his Ciracco warhammer
Aelnai got the jump on Fingers and tapped her with his Wand of Purification, but to
no avail
Monty then cast Bane from Shadrak’s Scroll, and all of Aelnai’s abilities were
decreased by 3 points
Aelnai fled, successful avoiding Monty’s next attack of Doom, but getting hit by
Arkai’s Sword and Finger’s pick. Luckily, the poisonous affect of Arkai’s sword was
lost when it hit Aelna’s Klattaman armour
Aelnai noticed some Birdmen hovering in the dark skies outside the chamber
Marcellos noticed the faces of his ‘zombie-fied’ compatriots trapped in the glass lens
of the telescope – they relayed this to the others
Naruta grabbed a torch and lit the straw floor - it caused a flash of flame and plume
of smoke that caused Goff and Greta to back away
Naruta then leapt over the flames and perched herself onto one of the open window
ledges
Seeing the Birdmen, Naruta yelled out desperately – “Help us. Attack. Destroy the
Telescope. Do something!”
Meanwhile, Marcellos used his Boots to dart to Fingers, and snatched the
Samaritan’s Silver Whistle from the dwarf, blowing it (although no sound was
emitted)
The Archmage was concerned by these events and stopped his lightning arc;
changing to a spell that would open a Portal to the Demonic Abyss
Naruta watched the Birdmen swoop around to the rear of the tower, then the nimble
Assassin lowered herself onto a ledge that ringed the outside of the chamber
Greta loosed two arrows at the running Aelnai, but both missed, as Goff joined in
the chase
Monty then hurled the Satyr Spear at Aelnai hitting the Elf and embedding the
Spear in his side
Aelnai was close to death and running out of options – so he decided to perform his
greatest, most heroic feat. The Elf pulled the Satry Spear from his bloody side and
leapt over the desk to directly attack the Archmage
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At the same time, the three Samaritan Birdmen launched into the Chamber from
behind the Archmage, smashing him with their talons, and knocking him over
As the Archmage fell forward, the Crown of Kings – before now invisible on his head
– dropped to the floor
Aelnai thrusted the Satyr Spear into the toppling Archmage – causing him to wail
“Noooooooooooooo!”
The ‘zombified’ heroes snapped out of their demonic trance, in time to witness
Marcellos driving Timakron into the Archmage’s back
The Archmage’s robes began to catch fire – his body seemingly being transformed to
molten rock
Aelnai took his pirate cutlass and tried to decapitate the transforming Archmage –
but the cutlass was one of the Archmage’s magical traps, and it deflected off his
neck, releasing a poisonous barb into Aelnai’s hand
Monty cast the Doom spell from Shadrak’s scroll and it damaged the now black
bubbling pool that was the Archmage
Greta also shot an arrow into the black mass
Goff began to pray to Throff – but fell short of the sacrifice required of Demi-God
status
Arkai grabbed the Crown of Kings and placed it on his head – but this formed a new
gateway for the true Demonic form of the Archmage –and the black sooty mass
began to take the Demon’s horrific shape
Meanwhile, poison cursed through Aelnai’s veins, and he screamed for help – yet
despite his heroics, his calls fell on deaf ears – and the poison resulted in a
gruesome death as his blood turned to acid….
Monty smashed the Crown off Arkai’s head with his Monkey Staff
The Demon began to emerge from the black hissing pool, but Marcellos used all the
evil-slaying power of Timakron to sever its head before the demonic being could
completely transform
The Samaritan Birdmen reentered the now safe Tower, as the Demon hissed, turned
to ash, and the last wisp of wind from the now settling storm blew the ashes away
Greta – close to death herself (whats new) began to sing the soft Elven melody for
her departed brethren, so that Aelnai’s soul would pass into the hands of Galana
The Birdmen, led by Peeweet, rejoiced at the amazing victory, and explained that the
Mampang Fortress was now in ruin, and the Archmage’s Army would disband and
be no further threat to the Old World
Peeweet said his Birdmen soldiers would fly the Heroes back to Analand to return
the Crown to Man – so they may rule the Old World wisely and peacefully
Monty cast Reveal on the Crown and considered for a moment the option of wearing
the Crown to assume the mantle of new Demon King of the Netherworld….
But after 12 days of adventuring across Kakhabad – from the Shamutanti Hills, to
Khare, to the Forest of Snatta, throught the Vischlami Swamp and up the Zanzanu
Peaks to the Mampang Fortress - the Party decided to accept Peeweet’s offer
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The party hoped that the Galley commissioned by Nicodemus to sail them back to
Allansia would also still be waiting
They prepared to set off – not before ransacking Aelnai’s belongings – and the
Birdmen agreed to make two short stopovers (1) to the Fortress Courtyard to pick up
Monty’s father, Javine (2) to the Forest of Snatta to the Elven Sorceress Fenestra,
where the party had left a wagon load of equipment and supplies
Battered but Victorious – the Heroes of Titan prepared for the three day flight back
to Analand
1. With the Archmage vanquished, and the Mampang Fortress collapsing
around them, the Heroes split into 2 groups
2. Monty, Goff and Naruta searched the rubble and found Monty’s father
Arthur, still alive, but shaken
3. A unit of Birdmen then flew them and the Crown back to Analand
4. Arkai, Marcellos, Fingers and Greta gathered the remains of Aelnai, and
another team of Birdmen, led by Peerwit, flew them to the Forest of Snatta
5. The Heroes met Virtus – younger brother of Aelnai – and after burying Aelnai
in the forest, Virtus joined them
6. They travelled through the dark forest to the Elven Sorceress Fenestra
7. At Fenestra’s Hut, they reclaimed their wagon-load of possessions
8. Fenestra gave Virtus two magical Talismans of Fortune – in honour of the
heroic deeds of Aelnai
9. On the way back to meet the Birdmen, the party was ambushed by
Snattacats
10. Virtus was unscathed in his first battle – killing one of the deadly cats with
deadlier aim
11. Greta was mauled badly before Fingers used her stealth to sneak up on the
Snattacat and slam her pick into its skull
12. Marcellos was the first attacked but recovered quickly to carve Timakron into
the forest feline
13. Arkai then dropped his burning torch to re-arm himself with his shield and
dispense of the last of the Snattacats
14. The Heroes then met up with the Birdmen and flew into the Shamutanti
Hills, holing up for the night at an abandoned temple
15. In the morning, Fingers investigated the temple and found a sign warning
them that only devotees of Throff were welcome
16. Monty had been there earlier and explained that another signed shared the
same warning, albeit written in Elemental Runes
17. Fingers also found a well and a trap door, but left the temple untouched
18. Goff later arrived and retrieved a black jar from the well, which he later
discovered held captive an untamed Earth Elemental that would wreck havoc
on all within its grasp
19. All the Heroes then gathered at the Royal Court of King Arkle of Analand
20. Delegates from each of the 6 Kingdoms of the Femphrey Alliance were also in
attendance
21. Arkai proved that the Crown was not demonic by placing it on his head and
making complex meteorological pronouncements
22. Marcellos explained that the Birdmen were no longer to be feared, and
indeed could be relied upon and trusted
23. With the Crown of kings returned - order, peace and prosperity was restored
to the Old World
24. A tremendous celebration was held; much questioning and retelling of
adventures was exchanged; and a Regal Ceremony was conducted, in which
each hero was offered a chair on the Council of the Femphry Alliance
25. But each of the Heroes respectfully declined the high ranking positions in
favour of the Smell of the Adventure
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26. Over the next five days, the Heroes used their Royal Sash of the City status
to live like Kings, with every whim and call being satisfied:
 Marcellos signed autographs and retold his feats; and was given a
parchment that told of a “new” Deathtrap Dungeon competition. He also
determined the use of his Khulian pieces and Egg of Gas
 Greta & Victus learnt of the undead Pirate Captain named “Cinnabar” –
and his savage strangehold on the seas around Allansia
 Fingers tailed the noble gentry through bars and inns, to no real avail
 Monty spent time with his father, piecing together their distant lives
 Goff rested and prayed, restoring much needed Mana
 Naruta disappeared into the shady back alleys
 Arkai gamed in the Gambling Halls, breaking even; he also learnt the full
power of his Wraith Armour & Dagger
27. And then finally what they had been waiting for: from across the Kingdoms of
the Old World arrived the rewards for their heroic feats:
 Arkai: a Shield of the Defender which would absorb lightning and force
attacks when held; and also had the normal (200000) defence properties
 Marcellos: an Orb of Restoration which could be used once to increase
any rechargeable item within 50 feet by 6 recharges
 Fingers: an Amulet of Fire protection that reduced any fire damage by d6
points
 Naruta: an infinite Jug of Fire Wine, that could be spat (5feet) at
opponents for d6 acidic damage
 Greta: a Helmet of Accuracy, that increased the chance to hit with any
projectile item by 1; and also had the normal (100000) defence properties
 Virtus (in lieu of Aelnai): a Scroll of Earth Essence, that could be read
infinitely to inflict 2d6 on any earth based creature (eg rock, stone)
 Goff: an Air Chalice that houses an Air Elemental (15SK; 2Att; d6DMG;
20ST – can only be harmed by magical weapons, uses 1stAtt to topple
opponents within 25 feet radius, TestSK) – will attack all those within 50
feet; except the holder of the Chalice
 Monty: a Scroll of Clouding Gas that can be read infinitely to cast a
10x10’ cloud of gas within 50feet (3DMG once, then Test STR or d3
minutes unconscious)
28. Before setting off on the 90-crew “Prancing Dolphin”, they visited the
Markets to purchase numerous supplies, including a massive larder of food
& water
29. Goff then assured King Arkle & the Femphrey Alliance that the Heroes would
rid the seas of the Undead Pirate Cinnabar
30. Armed to the teeth, and feeling more powerful then at any point in their
heroic careers, the newly dubbed “Titans of Titan” set sail across the Western
Ocean – and Onward To Allansia….
Arena of Blood
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Session 1
1.
The Heroes (minus Goff) boarded the Prancing Dolphin and left the Old
World behind on their 14 day ocean voyage
2. Arkai justified his Sword credentials in a practice duel with the ship’s best
fighter named Jo’ad
3. Arkai befriended the Ship’s Captain Miresh Ma’kel, and was given
comfortable quarters next to the Captain
4. Arkai arranged for 50 of the Ship’s crew to be trained in swordplay
(Marcellos assisted)
5. Arkai became romantically linked with the patchy haired Lieutenant Kym
6. Marcellos befriended the dentally challenged young ship-mate Traph, giving
him the Sphere of Gas to improve his confidence and status
7. Virtus practiced his archery, and while doing so befriended an Elven
Mariner named Nish-Alah
8. Nish Alah was in charge of one of the ship’s Ballistas, and together with
Virtus trained seven other Elves in the use of the large crossbows
9. Fingers McShifty encountered a crazy one-legged Dwarf named Radan who
lived in the cargo hold and was planning to sink the Prancing Dolphin as a
protest against Dwarven oppression
10. Naruta moved stealthily around the ship, spying on crew members and
determining the best hiding places
11. Monty spent quality time with his father Arthur Ashe, trying to fix his
blindness to no avail
12. Monty gave his father the Hat of Disguise to pep his downtrodden spirits
13. Greta was feeling sickly and kept away from the rest of the party – spending
a lot of time wittling wood; and lurking around the disused galley
14. The party was concerned with Greta’s condition (and mood-swings) and
deduced that she had been poisoned
15. Greta had been consuming a vile concoction in the ship’s galley – which
Naruta detected was poisonous.
16. Naruta and Virtus threw out all the ‘bad soup’ and Marcellos used his Wand
of Purification to suck the poison out of Greta
17. On the sixth night, each Hero had a strange dream, and as they ate heartily
at breakfast, they did share these
18. They also spoke about Greta – and how she had since returned to her sickly,
moody self, but the party had little time to worry about that
19. A mysterious ship of fog was closing in on the Prancing Dolphin
20. Arkai discovered that five of his magical items were missing – and went
searching for LT Kym
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21. Fingers and Naruta found Arkai’s items in the crew’s quarters and returned
them to him
22. Arkai confronted LT Kym who was reduced to tears as she explained she had
huge debts to repay
23. Captain Ma’kel tried to outrun the fog – and Virtus lit one of the Ballista
spears and fired it at the Fog Ship – but to no avail
24. Before long, the fog had consumed the Prancing Dolphin, reducing vision to
1 foot
25. Captain Ma’kel brought the Dolphin to a full stop – as deep drums began to
beat in the distance
26. Marcellos kept the 50 Crew Fighters calm with positive stories of his
legendary adventures
27. Virtus ordered 4 more Ballista’s to fire through the Fog
28. Naruta and Monty searched for Greta and found her back in the galley
29. Naruta seemed angry that she had been disturbed and loaded a Vendetta
from Greta at Naruta, and ordering her to leave!
30. Naruta tried to talk to Greta but Greta wasn’t joking and fired at Naruta
31. Luckily, Monty cast Blind on Greta and the Elf’s shots smashed into the
galley wall
32. With Greta Blinded, Naruta put her into a choke hold rendering her
unconscious – then tied the Archer up with some strips of wire
33. Suddenly, the massive bulkhead of another ship crashed into the side of the
Prancing Dolphin – and continued to tear Ma’kel’s ship in half
34. The fog had dissipated but many of the crew were injured by the impact and
some were thrown into the icy ocean waters
35. As the Prancing Dolphin was ripped apart and tipped into the sea, Arkai
launched himself onto one of the oars of the enemy vessel
36. Monty had no time to rescue his father and teleported to Marcellos
37. Marcellos grabbed Monty and jumped at the hull of the enemy ship
38. Monty cast Shatter in mid-air and smashed a hole through the ship, landing
safely on sacks of grain or rice
39. The hole then magically sealed behind them
40. Virtus and Shifty also made a desperate lunge for the oars – but only Fingers
made it
41. Virtus was slammed into the icy ocean
42. Meanwhile, Greta and Naruta were being tossed violently inside the galley
43. Naruta used all of her Ninja agility to run up and out of the crumbling
Dolphin and then onto another oar
44. Water filled the galley and woke Greta up – luckily the Blind spell had worn
off
45. As the galley caved in and a section of the wall exploded away into the sea,
Greta managed to wriggle free of her constraints, and jumped into the ocean
to join Virtus - before the once great Prancing Dolphin gurgled into the black
sea
46. About 40 of the 90 strong crew had survived, and were clinging to debris –
these included Traph, Jo-Ad, Nish-Alah, Captain Ma’kel, Lt Kym and Radan
(who was yelling “Down with Oppression”)
47. Traph handed Greta the Sphere of Gas and she tied it to the tip of one of her
arrows
48. As the enemy ship turned back towards the survivors, Virtus and Greta
grabbed onto some of the floating debris and paddled towards it
49. Monty and Marcellos were in complete darkness, and began to move around
to survey their surroundings
50. Arkai used some rope to loop around the ship’s railing and climb up – and
Fingers and Naruta also used their Agility to get to Arkai's rope
51. Soon, Virtus and Greta had also made it up the side of the ship – a hull
constructed of an eerie combination of dark wood, wrought iron and the
white bones of the dead!
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52. A female voice boomed from the deck as a rope ladder was dropped to the
sea “Come aboard, and we guarantee your safe passage to land”
53. Ma’kel warned his fellow crew that they would become slaves if they
complied – but the dismayed sailors felt they had no choice
54. Arkai activated his Svinn Ring of Protection as Naruta peered over the side
railing – to the sight of probably 100 motley pirates and assorted scurvy
surrounding a youthful pirate captain at the ship’s fore deck
55. Could this be the undead pirate captain Cinnabar that they have heard so
much about? And if so, were they aboard his ship “The Virago?”
56. The pirate crew cheered and jeered as the first of the Dolphin’s crew climbed
aboard – it was Jo-ad, and he was promptly stripped and shackled
57. Naruta, Fingers, Arkai, Virtus and Greta took advantage of the Pirate crew’s
distracted state, and snuck on board, making their way to a door on the aft
deck
Session 2
1. Arkai, Greta, Virtus, Naruta and Fingers were joined by Goff on the aft deck
2. Arkai gave the badly injured Greta a moderate Healing Potion to drink, but it
had no affect
3. Naruta entered the ship’s galley disguised as one of the Pirate crew; and
tricked five pirate crew to drink from the Jug of Infinite Fire Water – but it
had no effect
4. They all then raided the ship’s galley
5. Arkai & Goff disposed of Bladderwrack the huge blubbery Galley master
6. Naruta assassinated one of the crew and felled another
7. Virtus and Greta launched numerous arrow volleys and helped nullify the
rest of the opposition
8. Arkai and Virtus began to torture one of the incapacitated crewmen
9. While others in the party searched the galley and fallen; Greta fell into her
‘dark depressed mode’ and began to draw images in the blood stains
10. Cinnabar’s large parrot had spotted the team earlier and had sounded a
warning - sending twelve of the Pirate Horde bursting into the galley,
surprising all the Heroes - except Virtus
11. Virtus fired an arrow at an Oriental-looking Pirate woman called Wu-Lin; but
the shot missed, and she returned fire with a Shuriken that hit Virtus
12. Goff charged another Pirate that had a large gaping mouth; but before he
could get close, the Pirate fired a neck-choking device, entrapping the
Dwarven Cleric
13. Arkai tried to negotiate with them, until the Pirate Captain Cinnabar entered;
with his Parrot familiar in tow
14. Cinnabar welcomed them aboard the Virago and offered to overlook that the
Heroes had killed his Galley-master and five of his men, in return for their
surrender
15. Fingers and Greta thought about fleeing, but Cinnabar warned that for every
escapee, death to a peer would follow
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16. Arkai then challenged Cinnabar to a duel- in return for the party’s freedom.
Cinnabar gleefully agreed
17. And so all the Heroes (except Arkai) were stripped of all their possessions,
including footwear, and shackled in heavy chains (although Virtus offered
some resistance)
18. Fingers used her Concealment to hide and retain a few small items on her
person
19. They were then escorted to the fore deck, where 30-odd of the Prancing
Dolphin crew sat – heavily shackled and with despair on their faces as they
witnessed the enslavement of the Titans of Titan!
***
20. Meanwhile, Marcellos and Monty found themselves in a large dark pantry on
the lowest deck of the Virago
21. Monty realized magic didn’t work inside the ship – testing this theory with
his Monkey Bone Charm which remained toothpick size
22. Marcellos entered the slave hull and saw rows of bedraggled slaves shackled
to oars
23. Marcellos disposed of a hook wielding Pirate named Keelhaul Jack; then took
on ten more Pirates before surrendering to the Cyclops Whipmaster Lagan
24. Marcellos was stripped, chained and escorted to the top deck to join his
peers
25. While the fight ensued, Monty snuck into the Brig – which was full of
cadavers
26. After the fight concluded, Keelhaul’s body was locked in the Brig (Monty hid
amongst the dead) – luckily Monty had obtained the Brig Key and could
escape!
***
27. So it was that Arkai, Marcellos, Fingers, Virtus, Naruta and Goff were
dragged onto the fore deck to the roars of the motley Pirate army, as the
Skull & Bones flag was raised on the highest mast
28. One of Cinnabar’s Officers, Mirel the Red, announced the terms of the duel
and asked Arkai to extol his background
29. But Arkai had gulped a Fire Water potion just before, and was unable to
speak
30. Marcellos announced that he would speak for Arkai and extolled some of
Arkai’s achievements, before adding that the Duel was not fair because
Cinnabar was unbeatable
31. Cinnabar roared with laughter, and agreed, demonstrating his immortality
by grabbing one of his men’s scimitars and piercing his own heart – without
any harm done – and only for dust to explode from the exit point in his back
32. Cinnabar ordered Mirel to fight in his place
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33. Goff took a punt that Cinnabar longed to remove his Undead Curse, and
interjected – extolling he could help Cinnabar break the curse by reclaiming
his heart – if only Cinnabar would foretell his history so that the Heroes
could unravel the Curse
34. Although Goff had no evidence that this was the case, his proposition
intrigued Cinnabar – and struck a chord somewhere in Cinnabar’s soulless
void
35. Cinnabar forgot about the duel – instead calling upon his parrot ‘Waxley’ to
verify Goff’s claim
36. Arkai spat out the Fire Water but it was only harmless white froth
37. Waxley landed on Goff’s shoulder – and Goff felt a feint pulse of magical
energy - and then Waxley squawked “He is a Devotee of the Gods”
38. Cinnabar cackled with deep delight “Dwarven Cleric – this is indeed a
fortuitous encounter - I grant thee 4 days to foresee how I can remove the
Undead shackles that bind me to the cursed Virago. Do this, and you and
your party go free. Deceive me, and you‘ll be wishing you had ne’er met
Captain Cinnabar!”
Session 3
1. Goff was unshackled and housed in the Aft Guest Quarters. Under the
watchful eye of the assassin Wu Lin he began meditating in an effort to
communicate with Throff
2. Arkai began to sing before being slashed by Harry the Pirate’s dagger
3. Some of the Heroes then overheard Cinnabar telling Mirel the Red to take 8
of the Heroes items and equipment – as payback for their killing of eight of
the Virago crew. They also saw a large metal cage - where their equipment
and weapons were stored
4. Arkai, Virtus, Fingers, Greta, Marcellos, Monty and Naruta, and the 37
strong Dolphin Crew were then chained to oars on the lowest deck- and
forced to row strenuously under the tyrannical rule of Lagan, the Cyclops
Overseer and Whip Master
5. Arkai began a whistle a tune to alert Monty to their location – only to arouse
Lagan’s anger , and resulting in Naruta being whip-lashed
6. Greta’s eyes suddenly turned black as coal and started to refer to herself as
the Dark One, in a spooky possessed kind of way
7. Greta was dragged to the Top Deck and interrogated by Cinnabar after the
three strange symbols that she drew in blood on the galley floor were
recognized by the Pirate Prince.
8. Cinnabar stripped Greta of her garments revealing the same three symbols
carved across her stomach – the ‘Dark One’ then demanded that a Spell
Book be brought to her
9. Goff used his Cleric Lore to determine that the symbols represented some
type of Demonic ritual that Greta was part of. Moreover, Cinnabar was keen
to complete the ritual – adding that he too had experienced a similar ritual at
the hands of the Slave Demon Quezkari
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10. Goff and Greta said they didn’t know where the Spell Book was – even after
being wounded during the questioning. Cinnabar ordered a thorough search
of all the Heroes belongings – but to no avail
11. After dressing up as a Pirate, Monty made his move in true ‘Die Hard’ fashion
– sneaking out of the Brig, and underneath the Slave Pews. Form this
vantage point, he determined that 10 Pirates and three ‘key’ personnel –
‘Bear’, ‘Bosun’ and ‘Lagan’ – occupied the Slave Deck along with 37 Dolphin
crew and 60 bedraggled slave rowers
12. Fingers successfully accessed the Lockpick set she had smuggled on her
person and removed her retsaints - but pretended to still be shackled to the
oar
13. Monty stole the Shackles Key off Lagan, before climbing the lift chains to the
Mid-Deck.
14. Monty tipped a huge drum of oil onto the mid-deck and then avoided an
attack from Silas Gallow’s grappling choke device in true Matrix dodging
fashion – before successfully smashing a lantern onto the floor and sending
the mid deck alight
15. As flames and smoke plumed, the Virago Crew went into firefighting mode,
and Monty slid back down the lift chains
16. Monty gave Traph the Shackles Key and the young seaman began to unlock
all the Dolphin crew. Meanwhile, Fingers used her lockpick to free the rest of
the Heroes. And then it was on for young and old
17. As the fire raged on the mid-deck, a number of Pirates stormed the Slave
Deck, but were soon dispatched by the Dolphin crew and the sword wielding
fury of Arkai, Marcellos, and Virtus – with Arkai decapitating one of two
assailants he fought at the same time
18. Naruta snapped a mop handle in half – turning it into a stake, then used her
stealth to hide amongst the cargo, before surpising the Cyclops Lagan and
thrusting the stake into his neck – severing his main artery in a bloody
explosion
19. Fingers tried unsuccessfully to use Lagan’s whip to bring down Bosun the
Axe-wielding Executioner, but didn’t have to worry as Marcellos burst his
scimitar into the masked executioner’s larynx and out through his spine
20. Naruta then armed herself with some meat hooks and surpise attacked two
other Pirates – slamming the hooks into their necks and hanging them from
the heavy beams in a spectacular single action double-assassination!!
21. Goff remembered that he felt the transfer of some magical energy when
Waxley the Parrot had landed on him earlier – so Goff tried to cast a
Telepathy spell on Wu Lin – and it worked!
22. Goff read Wu Lin’s thoughts – and that she was planning to slit Goff’s throat
23. Goff then followed this up with a Force Wall attack – but the Cleric was only
able to cast a lower level Force attack. Nonetheless, Wu Lin was knocked
down and dropped her dagger
24. Goff stood up and prepared for Unarmed combat – himself being an exponent
of Pi-Ha-Do (The Way of the Pious Hand). Wu Lin smirked and returned with
a display of her own Martial arts kata.
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25. After a flurry of unarmed strikes, blocks and counter-attacks, Goff sidekicked Wu Lin through the Aft Quarters stained windows. Wu Lin hung
periously from the ledge, before Goff launched a Twisting Fist Strike into her
glass cut face, slamming her nose bone into her brain, and sending the
Assassin flailing to the ocean depths
26. Mirel the Red and a handful of Pirates stormed the Quarters – but Goff had
already evaded and hidden in a different room, thus avoiding being
discovered. Mirel and her posse then retrieved Greta from a cage that
Cinanbar had locked her in
27. Naruta used her Disguise skill to mimic Bear, and the Pirates above deck
began to raise the lift – but Naruta was weary that the well lit level above was
being guarded and didn’t proceed upwards
28. Naruta spied that Cinnabar and Mirel the Red were on the mid-deck and that
Greta was being held in Silas’ neck grapple lock. Moreover, the fire had been
doused and replaced by the fiery anger of 45 enraged Pirates that wanted
BLOOD!
29. Cinnabar made the Heroes aware that Greta was with him, and that they
had one-minute to surrender to slavery, or else face certain death
30. The 60 bedraggled slaves lost the will to fight when Monty and the Heroes
couldn’t prove that they had the magical power to defeat the Undead Captain
– and dropped their weapons
31. The 37 Dolphin Mariners had been reduced to 36 after Nish-Alah was killed
in the earlier battle – much to Virtus’ sadness. Nonetheless, they were still
led by the senior leadership group of Miresh, Lt Kym and Jo-ad – and would
rather die than return to slavery!
32. Marcellos ordered the Dolphin Mariners to barricade two of the entrance
hatches into the Slave Deck, restricting any attack to one portal. Monty tried
to fire a Magic Missile at the Pirates swarming on the next level, but was
unable to cast any magic
33. Cinnabar bellowed a 10-second warning then after that time called on
“Quezkari” three times
34. Greta watched as Cinnabar turn to ash, then rose from the dust in the form
of a Skeletal Undead Pirate Captain grasping an eerie green smoking skull
35. Waxley fluttered around squawking “When the Undead Captain Rises – Death
Must Follow”, as an ankle-high, thick green mist rose from the floorboards
below the defiant Heroes and Dolphin crew
36. As the situation teetered on boiling over into full scale battle, Goff once again
returned to Prayer… inside a cupboard … confident his in Throff would
prevail
Session 4
1. The Undead Cinnabar – green flaming skull in hand - prepared to confront
the Slave Uprising, his frenzied crew, led by first-mate Mirel the Red, calling
for blood!
2. Greta explained the next step in the ritual required a Spell Book from the
wizard Monty; and convinced Cinnabar that it was Quezkari’s will to keep the
Slaves alive
3. Cinnabar disappeared into the thick mist and rematerialised on the Slave
Deck – demanding all before him yield to his ominous glory
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4. Marcellos questioned the Undead Captain, and was struck by the skull, with
chilling effect
5. Marcellos, Arkai and Virtus surrendered without a fight and the Pirates
swarmed the Slave deck to re-shackle them after a full body search
6. The Dolphin Mariners, led by Miresh Ma’kel, called for Monty Ashe to come
to their aide – but the wizard was hiding amongst the dead in the brig
7. Naruta and Fingers used their stealth to escape capture and hide in the lift
well
8. When Monty and the Spell Book were not forthcoming, Cinnabar threatened
Greta with execution – angered at the Elf’s deception
9. Monty gave himself up – and was promptly set upon by pirates and stripped
of all possessions
10. Greta and Cinnabar (now returned to his youthful human appearance)
obtained Zagor’s Spell cards and ascended to the Top Deck
11. Iorga the Bear became the new Whipmaster amongst the Slaves, and with 30
Pirates guarding the Slaves, the heavy rowing commenced and the path to
Blood Island resumed
12. Zagor’s spell cards were set alight and reduced to ash, and Greta smeared
them over her naked body, much to Virtus pleasure
13. When the ash touched Greta’s arcane symbols, some of her wounds were
healed
14. Greta then conveyed the next step of the ritual – to enter theTemple of the
Dark One on Bone Island
15. Cinnabar proclaimed this was impossible as the Temple was protected by a
ring of 7 magical stones
16. Greta said that she needed 7 magical items to dispel the defences
17. Cinnabar gave Greta access to the Heroes items storage cage – and she chose
7 magical items – which were promptly locked in a sturdy chest
18. Fingers moved up to the top of the slave deck stairwell before deciding it was
too risky to proceed
19. Naruta crept into one of the guest quarters on the mid-deck and disguised
herself as one of the pirates
20. Naruta moved amongst the pirates, trying to find the ‘ornate blue box’ that
she saw in her dream
21. Naruta found some gold pieces and a silver Khulian piece which she
promptly stashed away in her gem pouch
22. Greta’s eyes turned jet black – seemingly at her will now – and she convinced
Cinnabar that she needed Goff’s clerical powers for the next ritual
23. The pirates searched the ship for Goff – Silas Gallows wanting ‘blood for
blood’ because Goff killed his beloved Wu Lin
24. Greta teamed up with the disguised Naruta and they found Goff hiding in a
cupboard in the one of the State Rooms
25. Goff was dragged onto the main deck where Cinnabar called upon his parrot
Waxley to test the validity of Goff’s importance in Greta’s ritual
26. But before Waxley could perform the check, Greta intervened – again with
eyes black – and successfully convinced Cinnabar that such a test angered
Quezkari
27. Silas warned Goff that his time would come…
28. Goff was shackled with Monty, Arkai, Marcellos and Virtus – who were
getting weaker as minutes of heavy rowing turned into hours
29. As night fell, the shackled Slaves were allowed to sleep but their stamina was
reduced by fatigue, and their condition further deteriorated due to lack of
food and water
30. Fingers slept out of sight in the crook of a roof beam – but also weakened by
hunger and thirst
31. Naruta’s disguise was working and she was making her way freely around
the ship
32. Virtus used a throwing knife to hit Waxley – but when the assassin went in
for the final kill, the parrot had disappeared – and flew to Cinnabar
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33. Virtus hid on the mid-deck by joining a card game, calling himself Boris, and
winning a few hands
34. Naruta discovered her pouch (of gems, gold and the Khulian piece) had been
torn in half and all contents lost
35. Waxley perched on Cinnabar’s shoulder as they were joined by Silas Gallows
in a hunt for Waxley’s assailant
36. Waxley saw Boris (Virtus) and squawked “There be the Spy!” – Silas fired his
neck choke grapple and Boris was promptly shackled to one of the slave oars
37. Night turned into Morning and the Heroes were awakened by the cry of ‘Land
Ahoy” from the Crow’s Nest
38. The Virago had docked at the end of a long iron rusted jetty
39. Awaiting them on shore were 30 black armoured soldiers, 2 horse drawn
wagons, a large burning brazier flanked by a tribal shaman and armoured
giant, and their fancily armoured leader – Lord Carnuss
40. In the distance Greta could see a large bustling port, an ominous colosseum,
and a foreboding castle atop a hill
41. Marcellos, Arkai, Virtus, Naruta and Monty were unshackled from the oars
and reshackled together in a line
42. Goff remained behind with the remaining 21 Mariners, and 58 bedraggled
slaves
43. The prisoners were then marched to the main deck and paraded in front of
Lord Carnuss
44. Cinnabar yelled from the forecastle – “Behold, I bring you the Titans of Titan”
45. While the pirate crew was preoccupied, Fingers used her Climbing and
Stealth to steal provisions from the Galley before jumping ship and hiding
under the beams of the jetty
46. As the shackled heroes walked the long plank onto the jetty, Marcellos tested
his Tattoo of Mesmorising on Arkai – it worked – so magic was back on the
menu
Session 5: October Synopsis
1. Arkai, Virtus, Naruta, Marcellos, Monty and the Mariners were marched –
shackled – onto the beach of Port Wintersholm on Blood Island
2. Greta remained on board the Virago with Captain Cinnabar and his crew –
and was sent off to retrieve six of the Heroes magical items to hand over to
Lord Carnuss
3. Lord Carnuss took Marcellos aside to boast how Quezkari had found and
restored one of Shareella’s Collars of Obedience - before drugging him
unconscious and assigning two guards to take him to the Colosseum – to be
paraded before the waiting masses
4. Carnuss then demanded a sixth ‘Slave Champion’ and Monty obliged by
spilling the beans about Goff in the slave galley
5. Fingers surveyed the scene from a hiding place beneath the jetty – and
slipped a whip and Lockpick set to Goff as he crossed from the Virago to the
beach
6. Goff rejoined the main party of Heroes – after surviving an assassination
attempt from the vengeance-fuelled pirate Silas
7. The 14 severely weakened Mariners – led by Miresh Ma’kel – stood fearful
and under guard
8. The Heroes were marched to the iron-brand-filled brazier – prodded by 6
pole-arm wielding Blood Guards
9. Monty was wounded by two of the Guards after speaking out-of-turn to Lord
Carnuss
10. The Heroes were forced to kneel before Malu the Shaman, and an armoured
Troll – as Carnuss and 28 of his Guards looked on
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11. Fingers snuck into the cargo that was being carried by the Guards onto a
waiting wagon – along with a sack containing the six magical items that
Greta had chosen
12. Goff used the lockpick from Fingers to undo his shackles, and before Malu
could stab Monty with an ornate knife imbued with an obedience
incantation, Goff cast an invisible Mind Dart that sent the Shaman wailing in
pain
13. Monty shattered his constraints and cast Control on the Armoured Troll –
who promptly dismembered one of the Guards
14. Goff then conjured his trademark Forcewall of Throff and smashed the
Shaman 30 feet away
15. Lord Carnuss called out to “Subdue the Uprisers” – and all the Heroes were
attacked and wounded by the polearm Guards
16. Goff cast another Force Wall – this time hitting Carnuss and two of his
personal guards
17. Carnuss’ Guards were taken down but amazingly, the Force attack seemed
to have no affect on Carnuss – who waved his mace yelling “Fools! This is not
Quezkari’s Will - Surrender or Die!”
18. Virtus did a commando roll and grabbed the lockpick set off the stony beach
– freeing himself and grabbing a polearm to defend himself
19. Arkai was attacked by two guards but timed his defense perfectly - the
swinging of their blades cutting through his shackles
20. Arksai then smacked one of the guards with the flailing chain, before
grabbing a sword and doing battle
21. Monty was being attacked by two guards as well, and used lightning bolt
blasts to fry them in their suits of armour – but not before suffering near
fatal wounds
22. Marcellos woke from his drugged state – and although shackled, immediately
drew one of his captor’s swords – and a great sword fight ensued in front of a
large crowd that had gathered outside the Colosseum
23. As a wagon of Guard reinforcements thundered from the Castle towards him,
Marcellos dispatched the guard to the boos of the crowd – then unlocked his
shackles
24. Marcellos sprinted to the beach – zig zagging to avoid being run over by the
Guard’s wagon
25. Fingers whipped her horses into a frenzy – directing her wagon towards two
groups of guards and trampling them to death – this also prevented the
crossbow armed guards from loosing bolts
26. Fingers then steered her Wagon past Marcellos, who jumped aboard in one
heroic swoop – a smile immediately stretching across his face as he found
himself in possession of the Heroes six magical items
27. Naruta saw that Monty was close to death, and selflessly moved in to
Assassinate one of his aggressors – but the Elf Assassin was slain by a wellplaced polearm blade – sending her guts spilling onto the white sand beach –
and fleeting images of her life flashing before her eyes
28. Goff made it to the Shaman and promptly broke his neck before hiding
behind the large brazier – where Traph and Monty also hid
29. Cinnabar transformed into his Undead Form – Skull of Power glowing green
in hand - as his parrot Waxley squawked “Nothing good can come of this!”
30. Greta took the element of surprise and grabbed the Skull of Power – planning
to jump off the Virago into the waters below – but a voice entered her
subconscious before she did so – it was Quezkari: “Do this, and you choose
death over Glory”
31. Greta continued her plan – only to find her hands affixed to the Skull – as
arcs of green energy exploded into her body, stripping her clothes and
ripping her flesh
32. Monty saw Greta being torn apart by the Skull’s unrelenting power and
commanded the huge Troll to hurl his sword like a Javelin at Cinnabar – but
the throw missed!
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33. The Troll was then set upon and slain by 6 more polearm guards that had
joined the fray from the jetty
34. Undead Cinnabar raised the Skull before his crew – as Greta dangled in
brutal unrecognizable pain – “Traitor! We could have ruled Titan – as Undead
Brothers!”
35. Greta begged Quezkari forgiveness – gargling in blood that she still wanted to
join him – to which she heard Quezkari hiss “Oh, you will….You will”
36. Greta’s last remaining flesh was then stripped off her bones – the second Elf
to fall on the beach - and her skeletal remains fell in a heap. Rising
immediately as a Skeletal Warrior of the Quezkari!
Session 6: November Synopsis
1. The battle between Lord Carnuss’ Blood Guards and the Heroes raged on
2. Arkai and Virtus finished off their opponents in quick fashion
3. Monty controlled the Guard driving the reinforcements wagon and ploughed
into Lord Carnuss
4. Lord Carnuss used his magical mace to smash one horse away, and a second
horse deflected off his armour - but the remaining two horses, wagon and
crew crashed into Carnuss resulting in a massive wreckage
5. Goff healed Monty – restoring some valuable Stamina
6. Monty told Traph to use a hot Branding Iron on the Heart that the Shaman
dropped
7. Fingers rammed his horse drawn wagon into five attacking Guards
8. Marcellos jumped out of the wagon and used his Battle Lore to stir the 14
Mariners into action
9. Monty lost control of the wagon driver and noticed a unit of Cavalry and Foot
soldiers massing near the Castle
10. The undead Cinnabar and his crew were enjoying every minute – mocking
the heroes and predicting their impending doom
11. Goff retreated to an outlet of jagged rocks
12. Marcellos cut through the Guards that had begun executing the frenzied
Mariners
13. Arkai joined him to help free the Mariners – much to Lt Kym’s joy (hello lover)
14. Captain Miresh Ma’kel unshackled himself and awaited Marcello’s escape
plan
15. Lord Carnuss emerged from the wreckage unscathed – along with six
wounded Crossbowmen - and cried “Kill them, Kill them all!”
16. Lord Carnuss Cavalry charged towards the frey from the Castle
17. Fingers steered his wagon around towards Lord Carnuss and the
Crossbowmen – then jumped out before it also crashed into them
18. Monty transformed into a Birdman, and also transformed Virtus as well –
and together they picked up Goff, Fingers, Marcellos & Arkai
19. Lord Carnuss and Undead Cinnabar cursed the Heroes escape yelling “We
will meet again!”
20. Mirel Ma’kesh and the remaining Mariners were horrified at being abandoned
– before being mercilessly slaughtered by the Cavalry
21. Monty used World Lore to determine that Blood Island consisted of two
Islands – and flew in the direction of a cove on the second ‘Eastern’ Island
22. Marcellos noticed a small Pirate skiff heading in the same direction as his
Birdmen carriers
23. Goff used his Mountain Lore to ensure they landed beside a freshwater river
24. The Heroes quenched their Thirst, and washed themselves for the first time
in a long time
25. Fingers used Mountain Lore to build a fire and shelter – and the party
recovered from their ordeal
26. Virtus did some foraging and caught a turtle, a wounded hawk, and some
rare healing herbs
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27. Virtus returned with enough food to feed the party – and they ate a hot
cooked meal – warming their spirits
28. The Pirate skiff that Marcellos saw was the ‘Scar of the Sea’ – one of
Cinnabar’s raiding vessels. It was captained by Lucius Mantrapper and was
tasked with delivering the Skelatal Assassin Greta
29. But as skeletal Greta walked to the Heroes position on Eastern Island –
Lucius and his 4 man crew threw a net around her
30. Goff tried to warn Greta, but to no avail, as Marcellos activated his good old
Boots of Speed to arrive on the scene first
31. Lucius recognized Marcellos (much to his delight) and revealed themselves to
be in allegiance with Nicodemus, and warned that Skeletal Greta was sent by
Cinnabar to kill them
32. Skeletal Greta explained that this was initially the reason she was
resurrected by Quezkari, however outside the Virago had her own free will
and was just like the living Greta
33. Goff and Arkai were particularly skeptical but after Greta disarmed herself,
she was accepted into the party
34. Lucius gave Goff a Scroll bearing the Seal of Nicodemus – and added that
only a true Hero of Titan could open it
35. Goff promptly opened the Scroll and read the letter to the Heroes. It was from
Nicodemus and implored them to come to Fang to help search for a magical
artifact that could defeat Quezkari (and Cinnabar)
36. Virtus gave Monty a polearm which the wizard converted to a Quarterstaff
(after many failed attempts to wittle one himself)
37. Lucius and his crew sailed the Heroes across the Western Ocean for four
days and nights. One of the crewmen Nister assisted the heroes with wound
kits each night
38. The Heroes arrived in the Great City of Fang refreshed and sought out
Nicodemus in the House Almighty
39. There was much fanfare in Fang, and Marcellos grabbed a flyer which
explained that today was the start of the new Trial of Champions
40. The Heroes met Nicodemus who explained their next adventure – to enter the
Trial of Champions and retrieve the Box of Logaan
41. Nicodemus also bestowed an Elven Blessing on Virtus; and revealed the true
intent of Skeletal Greta – as well as foresaw that the skeleton would be able
to lead them to the Temple of the Dark One
42. The Heroes then began placing their orders with the Acolytes of the House
Almighty, according to the rules of the Trial of Champions
43. Marcellos distributed some of the magic items amongst his teammates
44. Monty sold the Wand of Acid Arrow for nice sum of 150 gold pieces
The Trial of Champions
Session 1 (December Synopsis)
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1. The High Priestess Ophelia of the House Almighty paid for the Heroes
equipment and supplies
2. Waarlord – an acolyte of the Goddess Sindla – joined the party
3. Goff remained behind in a Temple of Throff, to make use of the Holy
Throne after consuming a particularly nasty curried broth
4. Baron Sukumvit hailed the glorious return of the “Six-Pack’s” original
members – who completed the first Deathtrap Dungeon 2 years ago –
Marcellos, Arkai and Fingers. He also let Marcellos know that ‘a number
of items needed to be found to complete the Trial…”
5. The crowd cheered as Fingers led the party through the crystal-lit
dungeon. Grelator was also at the front putting her Undead Life Sense to
limited, but sometimes effective, use
6. Monty mapped their progress (while Arkai explained his idea for mapping
on a magical device called an iphone)
7. Grelator opened a door in spite of the sign “Keep Out!” and two
Hellhounds attacked.
8. Arkai & Grelator were wounded before the beasts could be vanquished by
Marcellos, Arkai and Virtus
9. Fingers and Virtus searched the room, as Waarlord cast his healing
spells
10. Fingers found a gold bell and Monty noticed a “G” inscribed on the inner
side
11. The party came to a bridge that spanned a deep chasm. Squawks could
be heard beneath, as Fingers descended a rope that dropped into the
darkness below
12. Eventually they all decided to cross the bridge, heeding a sign that said
they needed to discard an item into the chasm first. Monty providing one
gold coin per person to this end.
13. Fingers found a lever built into a wall that opened a secret stone door
14. Waarlord cast Ghost Hand to pull the lever up, and the door opened
15. Marcellos tried unsuccessfully to hold the door open, while Monty was
stuck by a poisoned needle trying the lever again (although he quickly
neutralized its affects with an antidote)
16. Eventually the party moved through and into another corridor, and came
upon two doors - a smelly “witch broom” door (could this be the home of
the Witch Stirges that Nicodemus said has the Box of Logaan?), and an icy
“dead imp” door
17. Grelator tested the vapours with some of Waarlord’s worms, before the
party hatched a plan to flush out the occupants of two rooms
18. Marcellos swung the witch broom door open and activated his Boots of
Speed to high-tail it away, as Waarlord smashed the icy door open with
his 2-Handed Hammer – such a peaceful fellow
19. A swarm of Giant Mosquitoes buzzed from the witch broom room and
attacked
20. Virtus and Grelator fired a combination of poison-tipped and normal
arrows but the Mosquitoes were soon upon the party
21. Grelator, Marcellos and Arkai used their swords to cut the insects down,
but not before one of the Mosquitoes pierced Arkai with its proboscis
(thanks Tazz)
22. A large savage creature known as a ColdClaw then emerged from its icy
chamber, and lumbered towards the party, freezing the walls and floor as
it progressed
23. Behind the Coldclaw, another swarm of Mosquitos gathered, but were
held back by the extreme cold
24. Arkai and Marcellos pelted the ColdClaw with Fire Powder Bombs, but
they had little impact
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25. Monty stepped forward and launched an Earthen Cannonball (Tai Chi
Master style), and then followed this up with a Raiden-like Lightning Bolt
which ripped apart the ColdClaw in a brilliant display of electrical fury
26. The second swarm of Mosquitos then attacked
27. Marcellos and Arkai did their best to hold them at bay, but the insects
quickly engulfed all members of the party
28. Monty smashed two Mosquitos down with another earthen cannonball,
freeing Fingers from battle; Waarlord was very impressive with his
Indiana Whip; Virtus slammed called shots into a couple of the insects;
Grelator was hit a few times before the other Heroes came to her aide;
and then Arkai and Marcellos finished off the rest in quick fashion.
29. Waarlord did another spot of healing, as Arkai felt ill for a while and
decided to take a swig of antidote to be sure
30. Fingers searched the ColdClaw’s frozen cavern – absorbing some cold
damage – but was compensated with four finds: a Gold Skull with waxed
cavities, a frozen vase painted with a “D” and containing something
inside; a pair of Boots of Featherfall; and a Cursed Gold Ring of
Petrification
31. Grelator then stepped into the yellow vapour and opened the witch broom
door - revealing a cluttered abode and an old hag stooped over a large
boiling cauldron
32. Grelator fired a poison arrow as the witch cast a spell
33. The arrow disintegrated in mid air, as a bolt of black energy flew from the
witch’s hands and struck Grelator’s Bow, blackening it entirely and
burning like acid into the skeleton’s hands
34. Grelator retreated as the witch’s door slammed shut and she cackled
“Fools!”
35. The party then noticed large Grubs with Pincers were climbing up
Grelator – Marcellos shouted “Run into the Freezer room”, as Waarlord
followed
36. Just as Grelator entered the room – the Bow turned completely to acid
and the Grubs had started chewing through her bones
37. Grelator collapsed – within an inch of death – her life essence ready to
drift back to the Underworld
38. Luckily, the icy cold air killed the Grubs and Grelator had dropped her
cursed acidic Bow
39. Waarlord cast a Mister Miyagi Healing spell to restore some much needed
health to Grelator
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 2 (January Synopsis)
1. Waarlord expended more Mana to Heal her Skeletal comrade Grelator
2. Waarlord and Grelator examined some of the items they had found but
were yet to open or reveal for hidden properties
3. Monty continued to map the dungeon
4. The party decided not to venture back into the Witch’s room, although
Arkai theorized about some clever engineering that could be constructed
to pipe ice cold air into the witch’s abode (go figure?)
5. Fingers led the way deeper into the dungeon and developed a system of
opening doors that involved a Listen Check, a Stealthy open, Peering past
the slightly ajar Door – and later adding a fourth step of Investigating the
room using Marcellos’ mirror
6. Marcellos also developed a system of Formations (for single file, double
file, doorway entry etc) - as well as regular Boots of Speed activations
7. Virtus used his Tracking skill to ascertain who had been before them,
and found an area where a bloody skirmish had taken place
8. Soon the Heroes came upon a room of Orcs
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9. Virtus used a called shot to hit one of the Orcs in the throat, then Arkai
& Marcellos separated arms and heads from some other Orcs – keeping
two alive for interrogation
10. Monty tricked one of the injured Orcs into revealing some information
about the dungeon (Skeletal Demons, and Spiders’ Lair), then rewarded
the Orc with a Cursed Ring of Petrification - which turned the hapless
creature to stone
11. Monty searched the Orc bodies and found a gold ring – but lost it to
Fingers during her ‘Roguish Appraisal’
12. Fingers searched the bunks area and found a blank parchment which
Monty revealed to be a Scroll of Astral Journey. Only magic users could
use the Scroll and so he passed it on to Waarlord
13. Arkai grabbed a number of Orc Throwing Daggers, then placed the stone
Orc statue in the dungeon corridor with a sign saying “Don’t Mess with
the 6-Pack” (a homage to their first foray in the original Deathtrap
Dungeon)
14. Grelator acted dead in the corridor while using her 360 degree head as a
lookout
15. The party found a bowl of Goodberries which Virtus revealed were a bit of
a hit and miss affair, and to be avoided
16. Fingers was encouraged by Marcellos to eat them, and Arkai convinced
the Dwarf to cut herself to see if the berries had healing properties –
which they did
17. Fingers began a frenzied consumption of the different coloured berries –
most healed, but the odd one made her feel very sick (even with her high
Resistance to Poisons)
18. Monty advised Fingers to drink a Universal Antidote which made her
“berry feast” safe
19. The party found a narrow candlelit passage, and Grelator’s Life Sense
saw an invisible Imp sitting on the plinth surrounded by four candles
20. Fingers touched a Pile of Rocks, and they began pelting her – Monty tried
to catch one and Arkai tried to smash one away with his sword – but no
cigars!
21. The party soon determined that the Rocks wouldn’t strike if Fingers was
blocked from view, so moved around as such
22. The Heroes came upon a poorly nailed door that the Orc warned of.
Fingers opened it (as per her system) and saw a dusty and cobwebbed
room, littered with bones, which prompted Marcellos to summise that
‘nothing good can come of this’
23. The party averted entering, but Fingers was eventually teleported into the
cobwebbed chamber of bone after stepping into a black room (Virtus tried
to grab her out… or did he push her in???)
24. Fingers searched a table in the room, as two Skeletons proclaimed
themselves as the Riddling Skeletons – announcing that Fingers had to
Speak Not but the Answer to a Riddle
25. Waarlord cast ‘Direction’ to track down Fingers to the nailed door room,
and also entered chanting his Ward Undead mantra
26. An electric field blocked others from following Waarlord and the door
slammed shut
27. Waarlord was struck by an electrical bolt of energy from the ceiling after
continuing her Mantra
28. Fingers found a Skeleton Key in the table drawer after Detecting and
Disabling the drawer trap
29. Fingers was also struck by an energy bolt after answering the Riddle
incorrectly – before she answered correctly the second time
30. One of the Riddling Skeletons congratulated Fingers – before collapsing and said her reward was in the drawer of the table (doh!)
31. The party then continued to an intersection with narrow corridors
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32. After ignoring pleas for help from one direction, they entered the Liche
Queen’s Room
33. Both Monty and Waarlord determined that the Liche Queen was at
powerful Undead being, and so the team promptly kowtowed before her
34. Marcellos undertook the Liche Queen’s Challenge which involved wearing
a magical gauntlet Cursed with six excruciating tortures
35. Marcellos succeeded with ease, impressing the Queen and further
embedding his legendary status
36. The Liche Queen rewarded him with a scroll that revealed the “Set Two”
combination of numbers
37. Monty also performed the Test successfully and was told that the Box of
Logaan resided with the Witch of Decay
38. Arkai decided to also bear the Gauntlet of Pain. In spite of finding the
Test a lot more difficult, he succeeded and the Liche Queen revealed that
“only one amongst them can summon She that can overcome the Witch”
39. The Party deduced that the Queen’s answer might relate to a spell, but
were left confused as neither magic user (Waarlord or Monty) had any
Summoning spells
40. The Heroes then rescued a Halfling named Billy Bob who was caught in
Giant Spider’s web – Fingers freed the Little Person, pickpocketting a gold
ring in the process (0.5…)
41. Virtus was firing poisoned arrows with impressive flair – spewing spider
eye-guts with his deadly aim
42. Fingers threw a Fire Powder Bomb that sent two more Giant Spiders
scurrying back into their webbed tunnel
43. Marcellos and Arkai were determined to cut through the sticky web and
eventually cleared a path (which reminded Arkai of an old gold club
adventure back in Analand)
44. Fingers broke off a Spider’s leg and used it as a torch, moving deeper into
the Spider’s lair – but only to arrive at the base of a high vertical shaft
cocooned in yet more web
45. Marcellos persuaded Billy Bob to accompany the party – to find a
treasure to replace the gold ring he had lost (hello Fingers…)
46. However, the other Heroes decided to send Billy Bob back to his
subterranean community – to perhaps return later with a torch and some
food
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 3 (February Synopsis)
1. Grelator started the session strategically – suggesting the party needed to
go back to the Witch; as well as spend time determining all the items that
everyone was carrying
2. But nothing came of the strategy – other than remembering once again
the Liche Queen’s hint that “only one amongst them can summon She
whom can destroy the Witch”
3. Fingers got hit by yet another rock as she crossed in front of the
enchanted pile of rocks
4. Fingers opened a door that revealed a small empty dark room
5. Waarlord threw a worm inside and it disappeared – in the same way
Fingers did in the Teleport room
6. The party then met Trialmaster Noy who welcomed them to two Tests –
one of Strength & one of Intelligence – failure at either stage would result
in Death. Success meant the party could advance further into the
dungeon
7. Marcellos volunteered to undertake the Test of Strength – which involved
a tug-of-war against a muscular Neanderthal
8. As the others watched on, Marcellos endured one of his most perilous
tests ever – as the Neaderthal edged him ever closer to defeat – and
Death!
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9. Fingers tried to help by taunting the Neanderthal, and flashing his booty;
Monty spoke in the Trailmaster’s Eastern tongue and conned him into
thinking he was a Quality Control officer working for Baron Sukumvit
(and uncovered that a Potion of Strength would have helped Marcellos
immensely); Waarlord tried to determine any magical presence; Grelator
did a fancy foot shuffle; Arkai suggested an all-out attack; while Virtus
continued to grumble ‘Hurry Up, Marcellos’
10. Marcellos tried to use his Mesmorising Tattoo, as well as his Skills and
Specialties, to influence the contest – but to no avail
11. But just as Trialmaster Noy prepared to proclaim Marcellos’ demise – the
golden warrior summoned all his internal strength and drew the
Neanderthal across the line, and claimed VICTORY! And more fodder for
the Inglorious Volumes of Marcellos
12. The next Test was one of Intelligence – the party was lowered into a caged
pit and then handed a parchment by Trialmaster Noy – they had 13
minutes to solve a puzzle
13. After some debate over the answer, the party concurred with Marcellos,
and Monty gave the Trialmaster their answer – CORRECT!
14. Trialmaster Noy revealed a secret magical door that led deeper into the
dungeon – the party were now permitted to move through at any time,
but they wanted to check out more uncharted passageways first
15. The Heroes found a magical suit of silver Elemental Armour, and after
Grelator checked it out, and Monty revealed its powers, Arkai ended up
wearing it – and looking like a million silver pieces!!! Perhaps Arkai was
now a match for Stirges!
16. The party then moved through another heavy door and found themselves
at the top of a staircase (much to Monty’s mapping delight)
17. Fingers opened a large chest and found two empty gold flasks – Monty
determined that one contained the remnants of a potion of Strength,
whilst the other the residue from a Potion of Healing….someone had been
here before
18. Waarlord and McShifty then searched a dingy cobwebbed basement full
of rotting crates and barrels
19. After a battle with some disgusting Dire Rats, Waarlord was bitten on the
ankle but also managed to retrieve a gold ring from the inside of some
mouldy bread. Monty revealed it to be a Ring of Swarm Control – perhaps
another useful weapon against the Witch!
20. Fingers then decided to check out the other Teleport room –after getting
hit by another rock on the way through ;o)
21. Marcellos warned McShifty that ‘nothing good can come of being
Teleported’ but Fingers’ curiosity was insatiable and he asked for 5
minutes… then Waarlord promptly pushed the Dwarven Rogue into the
room!
22. Fingers McShifty emerged in the middle of the Witch’s room – she cackled
with delight “I’ve been waiting for you” – as Fingers surveyed the room,
sighting a ornately fashioned blue box sitting proudly on one of the
shelves
23. The Witch cast 2 mosquitos (one piercing the Dwarf with its probiscus), as
2 killer Bore Grubs climbed up onto Fingers from the putrid mist at her
feet – ripping open her flesh with their razor sharp maws
24. McShifty cowtowed to the Queen of Decay, offering gifts and service, only
to be shown the badly decomposed head of another Dwarf that had also
entered her lair uninvited (perhaps the Dwarven contestant Sharn
Rockbiter)
25. The Witch then summoned 3 massive Spit Worms and told Fingers that if
she killed the worms, she could go free
26. Fingers McShifty dropped her backpack, and gulped a Major Healing
Potion, before using her Agility to cartwheel behind one of the Worms,
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and slam her Warpick into the blubbery mass – but the Worm exploded,
spewing acid onto Fingers!
27. The Witch cackled as the ‘entertainment’ intensified, with Fingers
dispatching another Spit Worm by jumping on its back and squeezing it’s
acidic spit onto the other one, before dispatching of the last in impressive
fashion
28. “Woo Hoo!” – Fingers enjoyed a fleeting moment where she thought she
had won her freedom – until the Witch’s laughter was replaced with these
dry words “Now, you die!”
29. Meanwhile…. The rest of the party had grown restless in waiting to
discover where Fingers had teleported to, so followed behind – but
unfortunately for McShifty, they teleported to different (previously visited
& safe) locations of the dungeon
30. Fingers McShifty made a frantic dash for the exit as the mosquitos closed
in, stabbing her as she scrambled for another Healing Potion
31. Five more Bore Grubs climbed onto Fingers as the Mosquitos made way
for a black bolt from the Witch’s fingers – which struck and decayed the
Healing Potion (which Fingers then threw at the Witch, only to see it
decompose in mid-air)
32. With no help forthcoming from his heroic brethren – Fingers made her
last desperate action. She threw herself into the locked door in an
attempt to crash threw it and run into the Ice Chamber to freeze off the
Grubs (a la Grelator)….. But Fingers FAILED!
33. The Bore Grubs chewed into the Dwarf’s muscles and tendons, bringing
the Dwarf to her knees, and then another black bolt of energy smashed
into her back, punching a hole through her chest – exploding shards of
bone and meat onto the door
34. As the Bore Grubs continued to burrow, Finger’s last memory of this
world was of being carried by the Mosquitos and dropped into the Witch’s
Cauldron, and then the extruciating pain of an oily furnace stripping
away flesh to bone!
35. The rest of the party regrouped, unaware of Fingers fate - Marcellos
scratched a message into the wall next to the Teleport room in case
Fingers returned (‘Eat at Noys’)
36. Monty went back to the room with the 4 Candles and the invisible Imp
(which only Grelator could see)
37. Monty revealed the candles to be Candles of Banishment, and spoke in
the Imp’s magical tongue to strike a deal with the devil
38. Monty freed the Imp, named Ngldror, and in return Ngldror promised to
command some of his Imp friends under the bridge to raid the Witch’s
room and retrieve the Box of Logaan
39. Once free, Ngldror screamed “Undead Amongst You” and attacked
Grelator, who quickly slashed the Imp with his dagger, causing purple
ooze to splatter from the still invisible creature. Ngldror flew away – and
failed to return within the allotted 10 minues
40. Waarlord coughed up some black phlegm as he realized that he had
contracted some horrible Sewer disease from the rat bite
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 4 (March Synopsis)
1. The party was joined by a masked Elven Rogue named Talon StoutHawk, Master of 1000 Locks, Defender of Darkwood, & Protector of
Halflings everywhere! Talon was a friend of Billy Bob and had entered via
a secret passageway in the Spider Cavern.
2. Waarlord discovered that his frozen “D” inscribed vase was beginning to
thaw – revealing a brown coloured item within. Talon drew his dagger
and cracked the ice seal, and with Monty’s help, the party had discovered
a Bag of Invisibility Dust
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3. As Talon warned his newfound friends about a rat horde he discovered
on the basement stairwell, that very same vermin began scurrying
towards the Heroes….joined by two large hairy Giant Spiders
4. An invisible Imp stole a Breathing Mask from Marcellos
5. The party retreated into the Imp Candle room. There they met Goff –
Servant of Throff. The Dwarven Cleric had initially entered with the party,
but fallen ill, and had holed up under the plinth in the Imp Room, which
is where the party now found him.
6. Grelator used his Life Sense to reveal more Invisible Imps down the
hallway (in the opposite direction of the advancing rats and spiders)
7. The party decided to move towards the Imps, which was also the way to
the Witches Room
8. Marcellos cracked an Egg of Poisonous Gas in the path of the vermin,
immediately paralyzing their advance – although a small number
continued through
9. The Imps seemed to feared Grelator – and backed away as the skeleton
advanced - hissing “the Undead is amongst them” (which Monty
translated)
10. Grelator fired ye olde “Vendetta from Greta” into one of the Imps as a
parting gift
11. The party arrived at the Witches Room and Monty setup his Candles of
Banishment down the corridor (to trap one of the Imps and possibly
dissuade the others)
12. Waarlord cast Deity (in between twitching his nose, and looking for cheese)
to ask his God Sindla for help in unraveling the Liche Queen’s advice that
“One amongst them possesses the means to summon She that can defeat
the Witch”
13. Sindla appeared in Waarlord’s mind and said the party was well placed to
defeat the Witch, but that she couldn’t reveal what the Liche Queen
meant, as doing so would nullify the power bestowed to one of the party
14. Now it was time to Kick Ass – kill Stirges the Witch, get the Box of
Logaan, and avenge the Death of Fingers!
15. Monty began enchanting everyone’s weapons with bonuses to Hit or
Damage
16. Arkai stormed in splendid in his silver Elemental Armour – throwing a
Flash Powder Bomb at the startled Witch
17. Talon drew a dagger in one hand and a sword in the other and followed
close behind
18. Marcellos used the Invisibility Dust and also entered
19. Goff cast Eyeball & Hand spells in preparation for searching the Witches
abode
20. Virtus notched an arrow and stood in the doorway, as Grelator &
Waarlord guarded the hallway
21. With the Witch stunned by the Flash Bomb, Arkai wasted no time and
kicked over the cauldron, spilling the boiling concoction and all of its vile
contents onto Stirges
22. Stirges screamed and was knocked backwards onto her many cluttered
shelves, sending the Box of Logaan tumbling to the floor, along with
stacked rows of items and trinkets
23. At the same time, small Bore Grubs emerged from the tepid fumes that
engulfed the floor, and climbed up Arkai, Marcellos and Talon. Some of
the Grubs started to tear at Arkai, but were unable to penetrate his
substantial armour
24. Grelator entered the fray and put on her Ring of Swarm Control,
immediately taking control of the Grubs, and preventing them from
devouring his three comrades – and instead sending them scurrying in
the direction of Stirges
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25. Arkai hacked at the vile Witch with his magical sword (that was also
coated with Blood of Nil poison). Stirges screamed and hissed expletives,
black ooze spurting from her wounds
26. Talon stabbed her with his sword and dagger – but yielded a different
result – that of sand, as each blade exited
27. Marcellos searched the collapsed shelves for the Box of Logaan, as did
Goff with his Eyeball but neither could find it
28. Virtus fired a carefully placed arrow into Stirges – but it too only drew
sand
29. Arkai continued to slash and hack the vile Servant of Decay – who had
been unable to recover from the surprise attack. Talon pinned the Witch’s
arms into a wooden shelf, as Arkai thrust his Sword of the Bats up into
her throat and out through the top of her head!
30. Black ooze spewed all over the place, as Arkai stepped back. Stirges
began to disintegrate as the blood became acid, burning off the Bore
Grubs that Grelator sent to attack her
31. Talon quickly withdrew his sword as the dagger (and Stirges) turned to
sooty ash!!!
32. Virtus joined Marcellos and Goff’s eyeball in the search for the Box – but
it was Arkai’s moment – and he reached into the debris and retrieved the
Box of Logaan in one move!
33. A cursory search of the Witch’s lair turned up two backpacks (full of
magical stuff, and Fingers McShifty’s equipment), some labeled vials
(Swimming & Staining), four magical Pouches of Grain, and a Potion of
Cure Disease….which Waarlord promptly consumed, thus ridding him of
the Rat Disease
34. The party distributed their mother lode, then Grelator checked out the
bridge that spanned a gaping chasm – and saw tons of invisible Imps
abandoning the dungeon corridors and flying down into the darkness of
the abyss
35. Talon sent down his Hawk, named Stoutclaw, but it was gratefully set
upon by the evil Imps, and killed
36. Goff cast another Eyeball and sent it after the Imps, which tried
fruitlessly to attack it as well.
37. The Eyeball was able to recon the area and revealed (a) a 150 foot drop
into an underground river that flowed into a tunnel (b) a huge cavern
lined with hundreds of hanging and clawing Imps, that darted in and out
of the water; and (b) a rope that descended 100 feet to a ledge and cave,
which was occupied by some spindly humanoid carrying a rucksack and
wearing a necklace laced with skull heads
38. The party concurred with Marcellos that no good could come of a descent
down, so the party made their way back through the Deathtrap Dungeon
to Trialmaster Noy (using Monty’s map)
39. The Trialmaster greeted them respectfully and opened the magical portal
that led deeper into the dungeon, adding “Congratulations Contestants,
you are now half way in the Trial of Champions…..”
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 5 (April Synopsis)
1. The party moved through a magical wall portal into what Trialmaster Noy
explained was the second half of the dungeon – and past the point of no
return!
2. An armoured Sentinel wielding a huge spiked mace awaited them at the
end of a wide underground passageway
3. Marcellos recognized the figure to be similar to the Armoured Sentinel he
used to fight a horde of skeletons in the Riddling Reaver
4. The Sentinel proclaimed itself to be Kurgash the Merciless – it had been
expecting them; it knew of Marcellos & Zan (Arkai); and was happy to see
Quezkari’s ‘Agent of Death’ amongst them
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5. The Sentinel threw a black pearl onto the dungeon floor and it opened a
20 foot wide chasm
6. Monty levitated at the back of the party and cast Control on the being,
but to no affect. He followed this up with a Magic Missile but the blast
dissipated into harmless red sparks against the Spiked Armour
7. Goff cast Eyeball and sent it down the chasm – a Skeleton King riding an
Undead Warhorse was charging up from within the abyss
8. Goff & Waarlord could feel the icy chill of evil intensifying
9. Marcellos & Talon combined to rig up a rope and grapple – and Marcellos
hurled the grapple at the Sentinel, the hooks lodging over its shoulder
and into its underarm
10. Monty cast yet another spell – this time Copy, and an exact replica of the
Armoured Sentinel emerged – smashing it’s heavy spiked mace into the
original’s back
11. The Skeleton King emerged on its stead and sent an icy blast of Fear at
the Heroes – Marcellos was reduced to a blabbering mess; and Grelator
was turned into the service of the Skeleton King
12. Grelator fired a holy-water tipped “Vendetta from Greta” into her closest
target which was Virtus! Ouch!!!
13. Grelator quickly reloaded but Talon successfully grappled her; pinning
her down to the ground before she could loose any more arrows
14. Monty’s Copy pummeled the Sentinel again with the spiked mace
15. The Skeleton King charged forward out of the Abyss
16. Arkai reacted quickly, grabbing the stray rope tied to the grapple and
pulling it with all his might, sending the Sentinel toppling over into the
crevasse
17. Goff & Waarlord stood side-by-side and began their Undead Mantra – “No
Undead Shall Pass!!”
18. The Undead Warhorse reared on its hind legs and whinnied, as the
Skeleton King bellowed in anger – unable to break the Mantra’s defence
19. Grelator’s voice mimicked Talon’s mother and pleaded with the Elf to free
her. When that failed, Quezkari’s voice came through and told Talon that
it would spare its life if it released Grelator – but Talon held fast!
20. The Skeleton King dismounted with its sword & shield as Waarlord &
Goff prepared to defend their peers from its attack using nothing but the
Power of their Faith!
21. Monty then commanded the Copy to hurl its heavy spiked mace at the
Skeleton King – a perfect hit – and it smashed into its back and skull –
multiple spikes impaling the Skeleton King and sending its Life Essence
back to the Undead Plane
22. Grelator & Marcellos were freed from their Fear induced conditions
23. Waarlord & Goff tried to pick up the Skeleton’s sword & shield but only
succeeded in being burnt by an icy chill
24. The Undead Warhorse tried to retreat into the closing chasm; but
Grelator chased it and mounted the skeletal being (it was after 9) – but
after a short rodeo she but was bucked off and injured
25. Arkai lasooed the Warhorse and broke it in whilst Virtus used his Elven
Lore to calm the beast
26. Grelator picked up the Skeleton King’s sword, shield and armour without
damage and then searched the King and the Warhorse’s rucksack. She
found a black pearl, a vial of liquid and a strange ornate metal shaft
inside the King’s ribcage
27. Upon advice from Virtus, and after Arkai rigged an elaborate rope trap,
Grelator placed the Skeleton King’s crown on her head
28. Wearing the crown granted Grelator powers as a Skeleton Queen – able to
Command skeletons, cast Fear upon mortals, and Control the Warhorse
(hereafter named Boney), as well as see and hear through the horse
29. Goff & Monty revealed the other items: a Black Pearl of Summon
Skeleton Warriors, a Vial of Levitation, and an ornate Clock Hand
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30. Talon discovered a wide pit that descended 100feet deeper into the
dungeon’s depths
31. The party used the thick chain that dangled into the shaft to climb down.
Monty levitated Boney under the watchful eye of Queen Grelator
32. Once all down, they found a cavern with four lifeless Boarataurs – all
slashed violently to death
33. Waarlord found a clay pig on one of the slain, and broke it open to reveal
a gold ring. Goff revealed it to be a Ring of Misfortune
34. Talon led the party up a staircase and through a door – to the party’s
horror in contained a large Marble Statue of a White Ram – like the one
that guarded the Archmage of Mampang. Not having any Vapours of
Dintainta to use to paralyse the Marble Ram, they retreated back down
the stairs
35. Waarlord used his Ghost Hand to retrieve a Silver Chalice from a small
alcove
36. Monty determined the Chalice to be fashioned in Fang and touched it to
reveal its properties – a Chalice of Life Draining – which weakened his
Abilities & Stamina
37. Waarlord still had the chalice in his Ghostly Hand and pulled it away
from Monty before it rendered the Wizard lifeless
38. Talon carried a flaming torch and lit up a cavern devoid of crystals – then
Waarlord used the Chalice’s remaining Life Draining properties against a
Xoroa – an Ant Warrior race
39. A fierce battle ensued between three battle-hardened Xoroa, Marcellos,
Arkai and Queen Grelator on Boney. Virtus chimed in with some well
placed poison tipped arrows and the Ant Warriors fell
40. The Heroes now stand before a huge set of Iron Double Doors
emblazoned with fancy Sukumvit script
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 6 (May Synopsis)
1. Talon asked Monty to check his Vial of Staining to see if it was
magic. Monty dabbed some of the blue liquid on the tip of his
finger, and it turned blue. The wizard deemed it not magical, and
his concerns that it could be poison fell on deaf ears
2. Marcellos hypothesized that perhaps the blue liquid was a magical
masking agent, as the Box of Logaan shared the same royal blue
painted exterior
3. Talon then checked the great Iron Doors for traps, but they swung
open as soon as he touched them
4. The party moved into a wide passageway where Talon & Waarlord
lit a torch and discovered 6 large bore holes in one end of the
passage – whilst in the other direction, a wide pit needed to be
crossed to progress. The great doors closed behind them
5. Queen Grelator rode Boney closer to the bore holes as loud
clicking sounds emanated from within; She cast her Fear Aura as
the rest of the party moved out of the Fear’s radius to the edge of
the pit, which dropped 20 feet into a bed of long spikes
6. Giant Centipedes spewed from the bore holes, unaffected by the
Fear Aura – their mandibles striking Boney’s skeletal armour –
sending a Chill shock into the centipedes with each snap!
7. Virtus fired a “Virtus Volley” of two arrows with deadly accuracy –
hitting the centipedes, but unfortunately bouncing off their metallike hides
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8. Grelator retreated with his mount, as the number of Centipedes
multiplied to ten
9. Talon, Virtus and Goff successfully jumped over the crevasse.
Waarlord failed to make the leap and fell down into the spiked pit
(whip flailing) with a thud
10. Arkai & Marcellos then jumped the pit with Monty, and were
immediately followed by Grelator and Boney
11. The centipedes ended their assault; but Waarlord was poisoned by
the spikes and coughing blood.
12. Marcellos handed the Cleric an antidote, and then Grelator tied a
rope to Boney’s saddle and hauled Waarlord out of the pit – before
giving him a major healing potion to restore much needed health
13. Grelator then continued her good run by noticing a small plaque
and hole at the end of a small side passage. The plaque read
“Summon the Win ed Creature” – Marcellos remembered the party
had a number of lettered items, one of them a bell inscribed with a
’ G’
14. Waarlord rang the bell and a dove appeared from the hole – it
delivered a parchment that read “Completing the Trial, All in Good
Time, The First to Place, on 2:4:9” – the party now had two such
parchments
15. Talon then befriended the dove, having lost his hawk earlier in the
trial, and named it ‘Lady’
16. The party moved on to discover a well dressed, yet crushed and
bloodied elf , laying on a stone staircase that led to an archway
carved in the shape of a mouth.
17. The Heroes recalled that Fingers McShifty (bless her soul) had
mentioned that four other contestants had entered the Trial, a
Dwarven Noble, an Elven Prince, a Chaos Warrior, and an Eastern
Warlord. Marcellos added that the Dwarf was probably the dead
carcuss found in Stirge’s; the Chaos Warrior was the Armoured
Sentinel they sent into the abyss; this elf body was the Prince, and
that left only the Eastern Warlord
18. Talon knelt beside the elf and heard his last words – “Find the two
hands to unlock the way past the crushing wall” – when suddenly
Talon was grappled and constricted by a Giant purple Tongue that
lay beyond the arch
19. Virtus fired two poisonous arrows into the Tongue – killing it – as
Talon rolled away, and Marcellos lassoed the princely elven body,
dragging it out of the room
20. The looting of the body commenced. Monty had trouble revealing
any magical items; but Goff succeeded in determining an elven
Bow of Lore (+1 to Hit) which Virtus took; a Dagger of Silence (for
Talon); a Potion of Major Mana (which Waarlord consumed, in spite
of Goff’s protests). Grelator loaded the remaining sundry items
onto Boney
21. Grelator then entered the gaping archway and tried to hack off the
tongue to no avail. Talon joined the skeleton and they heard the
soft strumming of a harp. Talon could also discern words saying
“You must swim the lake; my music will protect you”, but the Rogue
ignored them.
22. Grelator lit a lantern and could see a beautiful naked woman
perched on a rock in the middle of a dark cavernous lake,
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strumming a harp and with long hair covering her naughty bits
(much to Virtus’ disappointment)
23. The party guessed the creature to be a Siren – of which Marcellos
reminded them that ‘Nothing good could come of this’. Grelator
also used her Life-Sense to make out a writhing, slithering-type
creature below the murky water’s surface
24. The party avoided the watery cavern and came across a tall golden
statue of a splendidly adorned humanoid body with a dog head.
Another plaque at its base read ‘For the Dog-headed Idol, Only a
Ring of Gold, Ensures Safe Passage, and a secret Foretold’
25. Talon gave up his Ring of Misfortune, and a voice boomed that
‘You have done as Durrak asks; All Elves May Pass – Now place on
thy Hands that which you require Foretold’. This made it clear that
two more gold rings were required for offering. Luckily, Monty had
kept the Gold Rings from the Orc’s lair, and Billy-Bob, and these
were offered to allow the Humans and Goff to also pass
26. The Items foretold by Durrak were:
27. The Vial of Staining – non-magical; once stained, cannot be
removed – useful against invisible creatures
28. The Vial of Swimming – magical; endows Swimming prowess for a
short period
29. The Numbered Parchment from the Dove – magical; a combination
of numbers; one of three required to avert certain death on the
Throne of Gold
30. Virtus noticed an armoured figure in eastern garb dart into a
passageway ahead – and the party followed
31. The Eastern Warlord – Zen Kye-Sedutche – awaited the party
beyond a stone archway of three dragon heads
32. Zen announced himself, and bantered with the heroes before
cursing them for their alliance with Undead beings
33. Arkai Darku, a splendid in silver elemental armour, stepped
forward and accepted the warlord’s ‘Challenge of First Blood’. If
Zen drew blood first, then the party would abandon Grelator &
Boney to taste his blade; if Arkai drew blood first, then Zen would
allow the party to pass without further confrontation
34. A magnificent battle of flashing swords and polished maneuvers
ensued – as both fighters were equally poised for victory.
35. Arkai struck first, but his Sword of Bats hit the samurai’s ornate
eastern armour – and the warlord disappeared in a cloud of smoke
– appearing behind Darku. But luckily for Arkai, Zen’s katana hit
Darku’s shield for no damage, as Arkai swung around and landed
another telling blow – this time piercing Zen’s side and spilling the
samurai’s blood.
36. Zen stepped back in dismay, and Arkai did not press. The group
then exchanged information about what Parchments each had
found, and the party now had the three parchments that Durrak
spoke of – the final one reading ‘The Setting of Hands, Precisely
Fits, The Order of Three, is 1:7:6’
37. Zen wished them well, and added that it was now up to Fate to
decide who amongst them would pass the Trial. But after Zen
refused to join them unless 50% of the Trial’s reward went to him,
Marcellos dazed him with his Tattoo of Mesmorizing – allowing
Arkai, Talon and Marcellos to triple team and attack the samurai
in a dishonorable frenzy
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38. Virtus also chimed in to hit Zen with an arrow, but it struck the
samurai’s armour and again he turned to smoke – reappearing
behind Marcellos, although incapacitated from his extensive
ambush wounds
39. His last words were ‘You Dishonor…’ before Arkai lunged his black
sword into Zen’s throat, reducing his last breathe to bloody gurgle
40. The looting of Zen’s body began immediately, with subsequent
revealing from Goff. It turned up:
41. Smoke Armour & Helmet of Zen – samurai armour, if struck,
teleports the wearer behind the attacker for a free strike
42. A Potion of Restore Ability – which Monty consumed to reverse his
Life Draining condition
43. The third Numbered Parchment – required for the Test of the
Golden Throne
44. Zen’s Ceremonial Katana – non-magical, but a gift from Zen’s
father, the Grandmaster of the Isle of Despair
45. The party then swapped a few of their items around, while
Marcellos checked who had what on the team’s Special Items list.
46. Everything was accounted for except the Amulet of Teleportation
which Monty was believed to be carrying. Monty said he didn’t
have it, to which some members quipped that perhaps you’re
hiding it from us. To prove his innocence, Monty allowed Talon to
frisk him. It was also decided that the Box of Logaan was safer in
Arkai’s possession
47. The Heroes then moved into a chamber which contained a large
wooden stump, to which was tied a thick rope that held up a small
wooden box; a silver Axe adorned with ornate symbols was
embedded in the stump
48. Marcellos asked Monty to read the symbols, to which the
increasingly confused wizard mumbled ‘I cannot discern it, as it is
an ancient Elven text of the Axe-Chipping tongue…”
49. The rest of the party stared at Monty in disbelief, concluding that
the Wizard had gone mad. Grelator suggested tying up this ‘new’
Monty to Boney, but Marcellos calmed the Undead Queen after
protests from Talon & Monty
50. The skepticism was interrupted by Waarlord, who tried to
determine whether the Axe was magical, only to suddenly wield
the Axe at Talon!
51. But the nimble Rogue parried the attack, and executed an
impressive figure-four lock on the possessed cleric, before
Marcellos used the flat of his sword to knock the Axe out of
Waarlord’s hand – thus freeing him of the Curse
52. Talon suggested that it was highly likely that cutting the rope
would activate a trap
53. Marcellos then jumped up and, in one amazing move, used his
spare sword as a can opener and cut open the wooden bottom of
the box as it dangled from the rope
54. Out dropped a note: ‘One Trial; Two Hands;& Three Sets; For
Victory’
55. Another narrow passageway ended in a small cul-de-sac. Virtus
found a loose stone that looked to be a switch, and Talon used his
10foot pole to press it from safe distance
56. A 10x10foot trap door opened below (big enough even for Boney).
Goff cast two levels of Eyeball and sent his eye down to explore. At
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the end of a 250foot slide, the Eyeball entered a 20x20 foot Room
of Iron with only one exit – an Iron door cast with images of skull
and bone, with a large handle & circular lock opening surrounded
by a skeletal hand
57. Waarlord produced the Skeleton Key he was carrying, inscribed
with a white Circle – could this be the Key to that door?
58. The party then moved beyond the dragon archway. Talon deemed
it safe, other than noting that the maws of the life-like dragon
heads smelt of cordite; and three large ruby-coloured gems were
embedded on the heads
59. The passage stretched ahead, ending in two dark doors; while a
narrow side passage descended down stone steps towards a murky
waterway (which Marcellos & Monty calculated with their mapping
skills to be the other side of the lake).
60. Lined against the wall of the stairwell were six alcoves, and all
except the closest alcove contained a decorated vase sitting on a
low marble plinth – the same type of vase that Waarlord carried
and was marked with a ‘D’
61. Marcellos tied the now pre-looped rope around Talon; and while he
and Arkai held one end, the Rogue crept stealthily down the stairs
to investigate the other vases
62. Talon used his mirror to ascertain (without touching) that the
second vase had an R, the fourth a G, and the last an N – it looked
certain that placing their D vase on the first plinth would spell
DRAGON!!!
63. As the Heroes pondered the repercussions of such an act, Talon
also noticed that the first plinth was actually a pressure plate….
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 7 (June Synopsis)
1. The party discussed cutting or burning off Monty’s blue finger
convinced that the blue dye was masking his magical power
2. Dr Waarlord gave Monty a clerical examination for any signs of
Undead presence or Godly signs – the Cleric straight away
determining that Monty’s skin was unusually clammy and cold,
and had no magical aura!
3. Monty tried a hedge spell upon Marcellos’ request, but it failed –
indicating that his magical powers were indeed suppressed
4. Monty reiterated that they needed to find him a Remove Curse
Item or Potion
5. As the Wizard bit down on Waarlord’s whip (even though it wasn’t
after 9) Arkai skinned Monty’s blue finger, and noticed the flesh
beneath was like a paste, with no bleeding (Arkai stored the blue
skin on Boney)
6. As Goff healed Monty’s wound, Grelator received a telepathic
message from Quezkari, which the Skeleton Queen shared with
the party
7. Grelator & Marcellos were particularly interested in the part about
“a member of their party had departed the dungeon”…
8. Virtus had a conversation with the Bow of Yore – which said it
looked forward to helping the Elven Ranger succeed with its
Volleys of Virtus
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9. Arkai & Marcellos tied rope around Talon before the rogue crept
down the stairwell to twist around the remaining vases and
confirm the lettering spelt ‘Dragon’
10. Talon heard the Siren’s harp, and became locked in a lovesick
trance – drawing his sword to cut free of the rope and swim to his
lost love Glorfingal – but Arkai & Marcellos pulled him away from
his goal
11. Talon tried to Con his team-mates by saying Glorfingal could help
them pass the Trial eg she had magical items
12. Virtus, Grelator & Marcellos bought the story, but Arkai said he
was too smart for that trick and grappled the rogue, before
executing a choker hold and rendering Talon unconscious
13. Once Talon awoke (love-free), Arkai hacked off the slain Zen
Sedatche’s arm and Grelator threw it into the black lake –
watching it sink, but not before noticing something slithering
below the surface
14. After using his Ambush skill, Virtus suggested checking the iron
doors at the end of the corridor before doing anything with the
vases
15. Talon entered a room wherein a Shimmering Robe hung emblazoned with runes similar to what existed on Arkai’s armour
16. As Talon snuck up to the Robe, Grelator noticed a 9x9foot life
force behind the Robe – though Talon’s Helmet of See-Invisible
revealed nil
17. Waarlord threw a worm at the robe and it shimmered, as if an
illusion
18. Talon sent Lady Dove to perch on the robe’s shoulder, but it
vanished in a sudden burst of white feathers
19. Arkai hacked off Zen Sedutche’s foot and tied it to rope, before
throwing it at the gown – the robe shimmered and the foot also
disappeared – although this time the rope was caught tight in an
invisible void
20. All the party combined their Strengths and grabbed onto the rope
– which was also tied to Boney – but the rope snapped at the robe
end
21. The Shimmering Robe disappeared and a monster revealed itself –
an abomination known as a Gaping Maw – a giant eyeless mouth
full of razor sharp teeth, with four spindly arms that flayed from
its body. Grelator shouted ‘It’s a Trap!’
22. Talon noticed the Maw had a serpent like tail that seemed stuck
inside a 1x1foot hole in the wall – and thus the creature could not
advance
23. Virtus and Grelator loosed arrows, then Arkai & Marcellos
attacked and the Gaping Maw was hacked to pieces, its size
shriveling to less than a hand span. Talon then used his sword to
sever it from the 1x1foot hole, and it fell lifeless, as the rest of its
form slid away into the small bored tunnel
24. The heroes opened the second iron door, and found a six-armed
bronze statue of an exotic Warrioress holding five scimitars and a
lantern – all cast in metal
25. Talon noticed a second clock hand inside the lantern and tried to
noose the statue - but as soon as the rogue touched the brass
warrioress it came to life – blades swirling at Talon, Marcellos &
Arkai
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26. The scimitars drew Talon’s blood, whilst Arkai & Marcellos’ sword
attacks were futile
27. Talon used his Agility to retreat, allowing Waarlord to heal the
rogue
28. The Warrioress hit Marcellos’ Zen Armour, and the fighter turned
to smoke, reappearing behind the statue
29. Arkai continued to get pummeled by the scimitars, each blow
amplified in power (and damage)
30. Goff fired off two force bolts, smashing two of the Statue’s arms,
including one with the Lantern – allowing Marcellos to grab the
Clock Hand!
31. The Heroes exited the room; Arkai drank a potion of healing and
Talon placed the ‘D’ inscribed vase on the empty plinth
32. Immediately the three dragon-headed arch became animated and
the embedded rubies began to glow. Grelator again shouted ‘It’s a
Trap!”
33. The Heroes broke into two groups – Arkai, Marcellos, Grelator &
Boney ducked into the vase-lined passage; while Goff, Waarlord,
Monty, Virtus and Talon ran back towards the empty chamber of
the Gaping Maw
34. Three large fireballs spewed from the dragon heads, hitting Talon
and hurling him into the chamber, unconscious and on fire
35. Monty doused the flame, but Talon was close to death. Goff cast
healing on the rogue; Virtus gave his Elven brother a healing
potion; and Talon then ate some Healing herbs
36. Marcellos, Arkai & Grelator began rearranging the vases, when
suddenly the Skeleton Queen was grappled by a tentacle from the
black lake
37. An icy chill from Grelator’s magical armour burnt the tentacle, but
not before it threw the Skeleton Queen into the murky depths
38. Grelator sunk to the bottom and unleashed a Fear Aura burst
39. The Tentallus was unaffected by Fear and thrust its tentacles at
Arkai – who was more than a match for the watery monster,
combining with Marcellos to repel its frenzied grappling attack
40. Grelator watched the Tentallus retreat and drew the Dagger of
Silence while walking underwater to emerge at the far side of the
lake
41. Meanwhile, Goff stepped out of the Maw’s room to test the Dragon
heads, which spewed another three tongues of fire at the room
42. Virtus then fired a succession of long-ranged called shots to
shatter the three rubies, and disable the dragon heads, as the Bow
of Lore showered much praise and glory upon his deadeye Master
TRIAL of CHAMPIONS - Session 8 (July Synopsis)
1. As Virtus and his Bow exchanged pillow talk, Waarlord suddenly
went into a trance, mumbling garbled nothings
2. Talon walked up and literally slapped some sense into the
seemingly possessed cleric, causing Waarlord to drop the Black
Pearl of Raise Skeletons that he was holding
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3. Waarlord snapped out of the trance, and engaged in a slapfest
with Talon, while the black pearl shattered into thirteen pieces
that sprouted into armoured sword wielding skeleton warriors
4. Virtus quickly grabbed Monty and exited the room with Goff
shuffling in toe
5. Waarlord cast his Undead Mantra, holding seven skeletons at bay,
and allowing Talon to commando roll safely out the door
6. Waarlord followed, repeating the Words of the Blessed Sindla to
slow the skeletons pursuit
7. Virtus ran to Arkai & Marcellos at the edge of the murky
underground lake
8. They tied rope to Boney and the other end to an arrow and Virtus
fired it with dead-eye precision, across the lake, and into the
waiting skeletal hand of Queen Grelator (to which the Bow of Yore
cried ‘Great Shop Master Virtus’)
9. Grelator gave Boney the command to bolt, as he held onto his rope
end for dear life, skimming across the water, pass the fear-induced
Siren, and onto the base of the steps
10. Grelator was now in range of the Skeleton Army and used her
Crown of the Skeleton King to command them to Halt!
11. But before the command worked, Waarlord went into another
trance and Grelator had to resist relinquishing control to her old
Master Quezkari!
12. Grelator ordered the Skeleton Army to jump into the black lake
and use their skeletal frames to build a ladder that could reach
the Siren
13. This they did, and then Grelator gave the command to kill the
terrified Siren, which they also did, stabbing her six times
14. As the blood of the Siren poured off the rock into the lake, Virtus
then fired an arrow into her forehead – the arrowhead exploding
out the back of her neck!
15. The Skeleton Army was attacked by the wounded Tentallus,
crushing four of their number, before Grelator ordered a counter
attack, and the Tentallus retreated once again
16. The skeletons then retrieved the Siren’s Harp, as well as her
lifeless naked body, and also found a Pouch of Infinite Bag Holding
at the bottom of the lake (which Grelator later retrieved)
17. After the Skeletons’ magical resurrection lapsed and they turned to
dust, Goff revealed the magical items, and Talon appraised the
thirty-one gems inside the pouch
18. Waarlord continued to become entranced at random intervals, and
after some further face slaps, was tied up by Marcellos, before the
Cleric received a six point boost to his Mana
19. Marcellos untied him, and Waarlord complained that he was very
hungry. Arkai shared a ration with Waarlord, as well as Marcellos
and Goff, while Virtus decided to consume his own provision
20. Waarlord again started rambling in undecipherable syllables, as
Marcellos, Goff , Arkai and Virtus (despite his Resistance to Poison
& Disease) suddenly felt violently ill – noticing their food was full of
small weevils
21. Waarlord was unharmed – and again received a second resurgence
of Mana that boosted his power
22. Goff handed out vials of Universal antidote to his brethren and
drinking these seemed to quell any further Stamina reduction
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23. Waarlord offered to heal someone to show he meant no harm, and
the elf Talon accepted the human cleric’s gesture – but Talon’s face
was streaked with black veins and his Stamina was actually
reduced
24. This was the last straw, and fearing Waarlord had become
possessed by Quezkari, Talon & Goff knocked him into
unconsciousness
25. Talon lifted the ‘D’ vase from its plinth and the three dragon heads
spewed a wall of flame unfortunately blocking the pathway back
26. Talon cursed the dungeon’s shenanigans, then proceeded to
remove and replace the ‘D’ vase several times, triggering (and
avoiding) a number of traps, before an oil filled flame bomb
dropped from the ceiling and set the staircase and the vases alight
27. Talon tried to use Zen Kye Sedatche’s hacked body to douse the
flames in the stairwell but to no avail
28. Arkai walked into the flames - unscathed thanks to his elemental
armour – and picked up the ‘N’ vase from its plinth
29. Marcellos noticed the sound of scything blades, and realized the
four armed iron Warrioress statue was advancing from the
opposite end of the hallway
30. Arkai replaced the vase, and oil dropped onto him from the ceiling
– igniting in flame - but again his elemental armour prevailed as
the Silver Warrior rejoined his team mates
31. Goff cast a horizontal Wall of Force against the three fiery Dragon
heads, holding the flames at bay, as all the heroes scampered
underneath
32. They regrouped inside the room that had a wooden stump, a thick
coil rope strung into the ceiling, and a silver Axe engraved with
ancient runes of Axe-chippery (according to Monty’s Lore)
33. The party ran to the trap door that dropped into a 200 foot slick
shaft, and then 20 feet down into a chamber
34. Goff slid down the chute, and timed his casting of Bridge to
perfection, creating a soft cloud at the base of the slide to land on
35. The rest of the team slid safely down, including the unconscious
and tied Waarlord, and the undead warhorse Boney
36. A skeletal bone emblazoned door with a strange circular keyhole
was the only way out
37. Waarlord gained consciousness after smelling Goff’s cheeseencrusted toes, and offered the Skeleton Key that he carried – only
to be knocked unconscious by Goff again
38. Talon opened the iron door with the Skeleton Key and the party
entered the Golden Throne Room
39. Virtus defied the whims of the group and showed great elven
compassion to awake Waarlord with his waterskin – much to
Goff’s displeasure
40. Lexus the Trialmaster, and Grand Wizard of the Sorcery Tower, sat
beside his alchemists lab, with a red skinned Imp on his shoulder
41. The party traded some magical items for potions of mana – which
Goff drank all of, in spite of Monty’s plea for a sip
42. Arkai then volunteered to undertake the Test of the Throne, with
Lexus pronouncing that the Silver Warrior had perhaps surpassed
Marcellos’ mantle as the ‘The World’s Greatest Hero’
43. The test involved placing his hands against certain numbers in a
particular order – the order of which the team was able to
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successfully ascertain – thanks to a set of magical parchments
that Marcellos carried
44. The wall behind the Throne shimmered and disappeared, and the
Heroes entered their final test – The Test of the Clock
45. A magical storm wall of electrical energy crackled and buzzed and
closed in on the Heroes, as they contemplated how to place the
two clock hands that they had in their inventory
46. With one round to spare before being shredded by the Storm Wall,
Talon placed the hands on 1.23, to coincide with a note that
Marcellos had found earlier
47. The stone wall behind the grandfather clock crumbled to dust, and
the light from an outdoor arena greeted them
48. The victory horn was sound and the adoring crowd flocked to the
stands to meet the Victors in the Trial of Champions!
49. The Heroes basked in their glory, as trumpets blew and streamers
and tickertape fell upon them like gold and gems from the heavens
50. But as they stood in relief and awe at their accomplishment, a
number of observations raised questions and concerns:
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Trialmaster Torgrim, flanked by two lines of 15 ceremonially
dressed soldiers, enters the massive gates that are the only exit
from the Victory Arena. Torgrim is holding a long scroll, and
eyeballing an unfamiliar contestant: Talon Stout-hawk
Zen Kye-Sedutche’s father (with black clad accomplice) calls out to
Marcellos “Where is my son? You have stolen his Smoke armour!”
Young Dwarves call out to Talon “he wears the Lord’s Helm! Lord
Rockbiter has been killed!”
An Elven Clan calls out to Virtus “Alief has fallen – but the Bow of
Yore must be returned to its true homeland”
A black hooded figure reveals its skull head, before melting back
into the crowd
A brown hawk circles the Arena, and responds to Talon’s whistle
by looping and squawking in acknowledgement
Acolytes of the House Almighty call to their friend Waarlord “we
have come to escort you back the House Almighty - High Priestess
Ophelia awaits your return”
The black crescent moon flags of Lord Carnuss flap side by side
with the royal blue Flags of Fang – and Blood Guards can be seen
in the crowd
Virtus receives a telepathic massage from Nicodemus (which
Virtus relays to the party) warning them of a pact between Lord
Carnuss and his brother the Baron Sukumvit; and telling them to
immediately head to the docks, where the Star of the Sea awaits
them
Baron Sukumvit’s royal carriage rolls into the Arena, a squad of
well armed cavalry ahead and behind, as the Army’s Archers on
the walls stand in salute
The Temple of the Dark One
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Session 1 (August Synopsis)
1. The tied-up Waarlord confessed his pact with Quezkari – a pact
that had already resulted in Stamina damage to Marcellos, Arkai,
Goff, Virtus & Talon
2. Waarlord also claimed Quezkari had told him that the Wizard that
walked amongst them was not of the mortal world – which
outraged Ashe!
3. Meanwhile, the Assassin Azlord – wearing a full face mask - visited
the House Almighty and donated 5 gold pieces to Priestess Ophelia
for some information about Waarlord’s whereabouts
4. Trialmaster Torgrim ordered the Halfling lover Talon arrested for
compromising the integrity of the Trial
5. Elven Archers readied their arrows at the sight of the Undead
Queen Grelator on skeletal Boney
6. Baron Sukumvit arrived with his cavalry escort and dismissed
Torgrim’s orders, instead inviting the party on the Walk of Heroes,
and to victory celebrations at his palace – and to collect the
50000gp reward
7. Grelator sent Boney into a frenzy circling the Heroes, prompting
the Baron’s bodyguard Zaragan to appear
8. Marcellos & Arkai ripped open a grille to the sewer system, as
Talon used a smoke bomb to block their shenanigans
9. Boney was decapitated by a black arc of lightning from Zaragan –
sending a sad energy into Grelator’s cavity where the heart of
Greta once beat
10. The Heroes escaped into the Sewer, with Talon successfully and
spectacularly diving in head first down the ladder
11. Grelator cast Fear Aura which dazed the surrounding soldiers
12. Waarlord stayed above ground and used his whip to trip Zaragan,
and grapple him to stop his pursuit
13. Zaragan managed to head butt Waarlord, causing blood to swell in
the cleric’s mouth. Immediately Waarlord spat on Zaragan’s face completing the fourth task in Quezkari’s pact – and causing the
black wizard to fall into madness
14. Baron Sukumvit then snuck up on Waarlord and swept down a
long bladed pike through Waarlord’s neck, resulting in the second
decapitation of the night – and sending Waarlord into the waiting
arms of Sindla
15. Nicodemus was hidden in the crowd, and teleported Silverarm into
the sewers to aide the other Heroes
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16. There was little time for introductions - Talon lit a torch while
wiping the vomit caused by the nauseous fumes that clogged the
tunnels
17. Goff cast Direction to lead the party to the Docks, where the Scar
of the Sea was berthed
18. A Death Wraith rose from the sewer muck and pronounced their
demise
19. Goff cast Ward Undead to keep the creature at bay, allowing
Marcellos & Talon to kill it using Holy Water
20. Virtus saved Grelator from an ambush by slamming a called shot
into the many eyes of a Giant Water Spider
21. Marcellos and Arkai then finished off five more of the watery
arachnids
22. With her Protection spell activated, Silverarm used Force to
unscrew the heavy bolts of large grate that separated the heroes
from the docks
23. Talon moved stealthily through the busy harbor, arriving at the
Scar and meeting Azlord, who had been recruited by Lucius
24. Talon & Azlord ferried the rest of the party to the Scar using a liferaft, hiding them under some tarps
25. Once all were onboard, the Hawk that flew above the Victory Arena
reappeared above the Scar, and Talon quickly reacquainted
himself with the great bird of prey, naming it Nighthawk, and
seemingly able to command it’s path of flight through Elven
commands (though the hawk would not perch on Talon’s arm)
26. Lucius and his 5-man crew welcomed the Heroes and gave them a
Satchel from Nicodemus which explained the coming of an Undead
Apocalypse
27. As Lucius and the Heroes ensured there was enough provisions in
the Scar’s hull for 14 days travel, Azlord won 25 silver pieces in a
sparring contest against Gordbold & Jerek, the twin crewmen who
fancied themselves as fighters
28. Talon again used stealth to get to the markets, avoid roaming Fang
soldier patrols, and sold some of the party’s gems – using the gold
for a Remove Curse potion, some Healing potions and some rare
herbs to heal Undead diseases
29. The Scar of the Sea set off to Bone Island along the Red River and
into the Western Ocean, a 4 day voyage (if the Gods of Winds &
Tides be kind)
30. Although under the protection of the Scroll of Sindla, the Virago
emerged from a cloudy fog behind the Scar of the Sea!
31. Virtus ordered the Scar navigator Nister to change direction to
determine if the Virago had seen them – a great move as the
ghostly vessel passed by, disappearing as mystically as it had
emerged
32. However as night approached, the party noticed a second vessel
behind them on horizon
33. Silverarm used Spirit Journey to travel across the deep ocean
water to the small vessel – and spied 6 assassin-clad figures
aboard, as well as another black garbed figure in eastern looking
armour, holding a staff with a glowing orb at its tip that housed
the image of an elderly eastern male
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34. The party deduced this was Zen Kye Sedatche’s family, and Goff &
Virtus suggested making contact with them to explain they were
on a quest to Save the World!
35. But the others decided to wait until morning and see if it still
followed
36. As the Sun rose to welcome in a new Spring day, the following
realizations dawned:
 Goff, Marcellos, Arkai & Virtus were wrecked with hunger –
unable to keep down any food, and continuing to lose 1
Stamina point each morning
 Talon’s black plague lines spread across his body, and he
continued to lose 2 Stamina points per morning (Silverarm tried
a Healing spell but it failed to restore the Elf)
 Monty was unable to bear the light from the sun’s rays – being
scorched for damage with each exposure (and all help for the
fading wizard failed - Talon tried the Remove Curse potion, and
the Undead herbs, and even Silverarm tried to Ward any
Undead spirits out of him)
 Grelator had guarded all night but still restored 6 Stamina
points from midnight to dawn
 The Clerics – Goff & Silverarm – restored 2 Mana per night
 The Eastern boat still followed
37. Given the declining health of the majority of their party (and given
that they had a 30 day’s buffer before Nicodemus’ prophesy would
eventuate), the heroes decided to abandon course to Bone Island,
and asked Lucius to take the Scar to a safe port – which the
Captain agreed to albeit meaning it would require heading in the
opposite direction to Bone Island
38. During the voyage, Arkai experimented with dunking Monty in the
icy ocean, but only succeeded in determining that the wizard
seemed impervious to the cold
39. Grelator couldn’t sense any Life in Monty and dragged the wizard
from his dark corner within the hull and onto the sunny deck,
stripping the wiry wizard naked, as Azlord restrained Monty in a
full nelson
40. Monty groaned and burned, pleading for help and mercy, as the
other Heroes remained silent, and the crew of the Star of the Sea
looked on in horror
41. As Monty sizzled into oblivion, his flesh scorching like paper under
a magnifying glass, Grelator paraded around with part’s of the
wizard’s skin, before that too turned to ash
42. Azlord then broke Monty’s neck and twisted it off, sending it
rolling onto the deck and completing the session’s 3rd decapitation!
43. This disturbing episode behind them, and after a day and night’s
travel (and the small Eastern ship still in tow) the Allansian coast
finally came into view
44. But as the sick heroes endured another morning of illness and
despair, the Virago’s ghostly fog again appeared in front of the
Scar’s path, blocking it’s course to port
45. Goff and Virtus told Silverarm to give one of her ill team mates the
Scroll of Remove Curse that they thought the party bought with
the gems. But Silverarm’s scroll was actually her own from a
previous adventure, and so she retorted “No means No – go cast a
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Bridge spell and get over it!” (as their Goddess Throff shook her
head from the heavens)
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 2 (September Synopsis)
1. The Virago blocked the Scar’s passage to the smuggler’s port of
Kaynlesh Ma
2. Marcellos hypothesized that the Virago before them was just an
illusion
3. Silverarm reaffirmed the theory given that the Scroll of Sindla was
supposed to hide them from the eyes of Cinnabar
4. The quiet crewman Baradas spoke up and accused the Undead
Skeleton Grelator of attracting the attention of the Virago
5. Grelator agreed to leave the Scar and row away to test Baradas’
theory, as Virtus commended the brave sacrifice
6. The Virago descended upon the solitary small rowboat as Queen
Grelator tied some rope to herself and dropped into the icy waters
7. Grelator attempted to chill the Virago from underwater but only
succeeded in summoning Quezkari
8. Quezkari tried to possess Grelator a number of times and
command her to join Cinnabar but the skeleton resisted
9. Grelator untied the rope and descended into the icy darkness of
the ocean, the pressure of its depths crushing the skeleton of its life
force! And thus ending the reign of the Undead Queen!
10. The Virago disappeared, as Marcellos took the helm of the Scar
and sailed it safely to the smugglers port; the black assassin’s ship
and Nighthawk still in tow
11. Lucius was well known in Kaynlesh Ma and the crew of the Scar
was welcomed
12. Siblyx, Talon and the twins Gordbold and Jerek went ashore with
the Bag of Gem Holding and headed to the markets
13. The gems fetched a hefty price and allowed them to purchase
seven Potions of Remove Curse from a magical crone called Helaine
14. The party used the potions to cure Arkai, Marcellos, Virtus and
Goff of their Hunger and Plague curses
15. As Siblyx shouted the fighting twins to some fine ale, Virtus met
Gwen Greevesleeves in a local tavern, the identical twin of Greta
Greensleeves (they’re everywhere)
16. The Heroes explained Greta’s fate to Gwen, who drew her own
blood to swear an Oath of Vengeance against Cinnabar
17. Night fell, and Talon went to the black market with Arkai and
Gwen to purchase a variety of arrows, an eastern sword for Siblyx, a
holy symbol for Goff and a major Potion of Mana for Silverarm
18. Before departing Kaynlesh Ma, the Heroes suspicions of Talon’s
Nighthawk reached boiling point
19. Silverarm cast Restrain on the hawk, and noticed it momentarily
change form to a large green parrot – the very same parrot that
accompanied Cinnabar!
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20. Silverarm and Arkai resisted a Mind Control spell that the hawk
seemed to cast upon them
21. Arkai stabbed his Sword of the Bats at the hawk but it
disappeared
22. Talon used his Helmet of See Invisibility and conveyed to the
others that the hawk was still trapped but had turned invisible
23. Suddenly a godly voice boomed out to all onboard “I am Logaan,
the Trickster God, I commend you on uncovering my earthly spy.
Release my bird Waxley and I will leave you to your quest”
24. Silverarm maintained her spell as Logaan explained that he had
sent the hawk to merely observe the Heroes progress and provide him
some amusement
25. Logaan further added that he is the God of Balance, and his role in
this game was to both help and hinder – to help, he has been keeping
the Assassin’s vessel at bay; but in hindering, the presence of Waxley
was allowing Cinnabar to also track the Scar of the Sea
26. Arkai asked the God for some answers as Silverarm reminded him
that each piece of advice would also affect the heroes adversely in
some way down the track
27. Logaan revealed:
a. The Heroes are the last hope in preventing the end of the world
b. Cinnabar can only be killed if Quezkari is defeated
c. The party needs to go to the eastern village on Bone Island to
discover the means to summon Quezkari once in the Temple
28. The Heroes could not decide whether to keep Nighthawk
overseeing the Scar, or see it away, so Logaan left the decision to
randomness and the die roll resulted in the hawk leaving and leaving
the Heroes to the Fate of other Gods
29. As Talon lamented the loss of yet another bird, the Heroes set sail
into the moonlight
30. After four days of sailing (and much needed rest and recuperation)
the Scar left the Western Ocean , and entered the Black Ocean - the
black ship still shadowing your progress
31. In the middle of a foggy night on the 8th Day of Winds, as Virtus
and Margo the Cook guarded their sleeping comrades, the assassins’
cometh!
32. Virtus used his detect ambushes to alert the party, awakening
them from their slumber, as Margo was knocked unconscious by sleep
gas
33. Virtus avoided the gas bombs thrown at him, then pleased the
Bow of Yore by taking out one of the ninja-like assassins before being
hit himself by shuriken and engaging in a sword fight with two other
dark clad assailants
34. Arkai and Marcellos wore their gas masks to resist the sleep gas
and cut through the two assassins that were getting the better of
Virtus
35. Siblyx and Talon used their agility to climb nimbly out the
portholes and up the side of the boat - taking out boarding assassins
with their daggers, but simultaneously being hit by shuriken
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36. Gwen emerged and took out another assassin with an arrow, but
she too was hit by well-aimed shuriken
37. Marcellos roused the troops and Gordbold and Jerek loaded the
heavy harpoon bolts into the ballista’s
38. Goff used his dark seeing to locate the eastern ship, and Nister
tried to maneuver the Scar so it could use both ballistas against the
assassins vessel, but Nister fell unconscious from the sleep gas
39. Marcellos took the helm and steered the Scar of the Sea beside the
black ship, as a voice called from afar“Heroes of Titan – let us avoid
further bloodshed; we only seek what is ours – the Armour & Weapon of
our fallen brother Zen Kye Sedatche”
40. Arkai answered by firing a heavy bolt into the hull of the assassins
vessel and it began to take in water; as Jerek did likewise from the
second ballista
41. Goff cast a light globe onto the black ship’s foredeck, lighting it up
as Virtus and Gwen fired a volley of arrows into the surprised ninjas
42. The black ship’s magic user cast a spell that rained arrows from
the sky, killing Captain Lucius and injuring Jerek
43. Arkai covered the last of the Scar’s lanterns on the aft deck but he
too was hit by a rain of arrows
44. Silverarm healed Virtus, then threw a fireball into the direction of
the magic user and the sails caught fire, lighting up their target who
wore a large ceremonial helmet
45. Virtus and Gwen thud arrows into the enemy spell caster, as
another fireball from Silverarm this time found it’s mark – smashing
into the magic user and sending him wailing to his death
46. As the black ship began to list and the fire gained intensity,
Marcellos determined that the Heroes still had time to board and
pillage it before it sank
47. Silverarm cast Eyeball and revealed the hidden positions of the
last two assassins, and Arkai and Gwen jumped aboard the black ship
to finish them off
48. The crew of the Scar began hauling the enemy’s weapons, supplies
and cargo onto their ship
49. Gwen grabbed the Black Crystal staff but a powerful force jolted
into her, causing extreme pain and preventing her from releasing the
shaft
50. Goff cast Hand and wrenched the Staff from Gwen and saving her
from further duress
51. As the assassins black ship sunk to the murky ocean depths, the
Scar sailed towards Bone Island
52. On the morn of the 9th Day, dark clouds ahead indicating a storm
brewing on the horizon
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 3 (October Synopsis)
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1. With Captain Lucius’ death, some of his remaining crew had
become disillusioned with their quest and unrest surfaced
2. Baradas alleged that Gwen’s white eyes were signs of an Undead
influence; whilst Gordbold protested the lack of information about
their objectives
3. Gwen nominated Sir Marcellos as the new Captain of the Scar of
the Sea – and the decision was upheld without challenge
4. Arkai proclaimed himself 2IC and then tried to find his spiritual
side through meditation
5. Lucius was buried at sea and then over dinner Captain Marcellos
carefully explained the crew’s role on this mission to save the
world!
6. In the morn, Marcellos manned the helm and steered the Scar
away from an ominous storm front, which added a few more days
to the final leg
7. Over the ensuing days, Siblyx further strengthened his bond with
the fighting twins by giving Jerek a gold ring – a ‘Bro-mance’ equal
to Virtus’s ‘Bow-mance’
8. Gordbold sparred with Gwen - and bested her – before then
amazingly claiming a first strike against Arkai in a friendly duel
9. Talon yelled ‘Land Ho’ from his Seagull’s nest as the eerie Isle of
Bone finally came into sight
10. The clear skies and favourable weather of the last 12 days began
to turn ugly, as Capn Marcellos maneuvered the Scar through the
sharp rocky crags that ringed Bone Island (known as the Giant’s
Teeth)
11. Marcellos headed towards Blackscar’s landing, when suddenly
Talon – still high in his perch – sighted a mammoth sea creature
gaining rapidly on the Scar’s stern
12. Virtus quickly tied himself to a mast as what seemed like a
towering cave mouth rowed with stalactites sprouted from the sea
13. Virtus fired a poison arrow into the creature’s gaping maw, as the
Bow of Yore squealed “I love it when you pull my bow string”
14. Arkai and Jerek loosed the heavy ballista spears and they
disappeared into what was now clearly a beast three times the size
of the Scar!
15. Nister yelled “Behemoth! Run for ye lives!”
16. Marcellos tried to steer the Scar with the huge ocean swell to gain
speed, whilst Silverarm, Goff and Gordbold tried to hoist the sails
17. Siblyx dashed into the cargo hull to retrieve a barrel of oil
18. Talon contemplated cutting a rope from the mast and swinging
onto the gigantic abomination – but the Behemoth’s exterior of
razor sharp spines dissuaded him
19. Everyone started to abandon the Stern Deck before it got
CHOMPED as the Heroes made one last roll of the dice to defeat
the sea menace
20. Arkai fired off another ballista spear into the Behemoth’s mouth and Talon saw it explode out from the top of the creature’s head
21. Silveram cast a Firewall that burned its scaly flesh, and Goff
followed this up with a Force wall that exploded through its rows
of 6 foot long teeth
22. Marcellos was the last to escape using his Boots of Speed – as the
Behemoth’s mouth closed down onto the back third of the Scar
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23. Suddenly Virtus yelled “Erillia” thrice and the horrible scene
became frozen in time. The beautiful Earth Mother appeared upon
the Scar’s deck amidst a forest of vines and colourful flowers that
had engulfed all aboard
24. Nicodemus had enchanted Virtus with an ancient elven blessing while in the House Almighty in Fang - that could be called upon
once to aid the Heroes noble quest
25. Virtus asked the Earth Mother to safely move their ship away from
the Behemoth and into safe waters adjacent Blackscar’s landing –
and his request was immediately done!
26. The threat of the Behemoth was averted and Virtus was
proclaimed Saviour of the Scar, and Vanquisher of the Behemoth
27. The Heroes then rowed to the Isle of Bone, leaving only Nister and
Margo behind
28. Silverarm gave Nister the scroll of Sindla to hide the Scar from
Cinnabar
29. Marcellos told Nister to wait until the 31st Day of Winds before
setting course north around the island – but in the meantime to
look for the signal indicating their return
30. The Heroes landed on Bone Island as heavy rain pelted down, and
faced a journey through muddy and tangled jungle
31. Marcellos and Arkai hid the rowboat and the party set course to
Castaway’s Cave – in the opposite direction of the Temple of the
Dark One
32. Virtus navigated them onward, and after three hours of trudging
through the mosquito infested jungle, the ground became solid
underfoot
33. They skirted up through the increasingly rocky terrain, when Arkai
noticed a small cave atop a slippery stone hillside
34. Talon and Siblyx reconnoitered the cave, and found it led to a
radiant pool of water
35. Talon descended, as Virtus and Gwen climbed up to guard from
the hill’s vantage points
36. Talon accidentally slipped into the water pool as he tried to jump
onto the embankment, and the ghostly pirate Blackscar appeared
37. Dialogue ensued but the ghost assumed Talon had brought pirates
to steal the treasure it guarded, and released an icy chill into the
air
38. Talon was wounded a number of times by the cold blasts before
Siblyx, Virtus and Gwen pulled him out of the cavern and back
into the downpour
39. Goff explained that a Ghost such as Blackscar was cursed and
bound to the cave - and could only be permanently removed by
Banishment or killing it’s killer (= Captain Cinnabar)
40. Siblyx gave Talon his major healing potion, then it was Arkai the
armoured tank’s turn to enter the cave
41. Arkai - tied to 120 feet of rope - touched the pool to make the
Ghost of Blackscar reappear
42. A battle ensued and Arkai’s Elemental Armour protected the
warrior from the ice attacks, allowing him to defeat Blackscar
using his magical Sword of Bats
43. With time of the essence (before the Ghost could reappear), Arkai
dived into the radiant pool and used his skill and strength to swim
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through an underwater tunnel and emerge inside another
underground cave where treasure lay in all its glory
44. After a few swims back and forth (and with his comrades, and a
small flask of air, as back up) Arkai retrieved an impressive horde
of gold, gems, and potions, as well as a fabled magical item called
the Giver of Sleep - a Silver arrow of Undead Slaying
45. Marcellos distributed the find, giving Goff a Potion of Major Mana,
whilst Virtus claimed the magical item after defeating Gwen in a
game of Elven rock, parchment, dagger!
46. In spite of the drenching rainfall, the Heroes felt buoyed by their
successful descent into Castaway’s Cave - but their celebrations
were cut short by the tortured moans that echoed from souls
unseen through the hillside valleys…
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 4 (November Synopsis)
1. The Heroes gathered outside the Castaways Cave entrance as
Pirate Zombies shuffled towards then from the jungle’s edge
2. Baradas suggested that the white eyed Gwen had lured the
Zombies to the hill
3. Gwen gave Baradas the ‘Orc Salute’ then she and Virtus fired a
combination of silver and normal arrows into the advancing horde
4. Siblyx dropped his barrel of oil as his brothers-in-arms Jerek and
Gordbold retreated to the top of the hill
5. Silverarm threw a fireball onto the oil casket causing a massive
explosion that incinerated the charging Zombies
6. Unfortunately the blast burnt the rope that Virtus had attached to
an arrow shaft that he had fired earlier into a zombie
7. Talon noticed a powdery essence burst from Silverarm’s hands
after she cast her spell, an essence that then quickly drained into
the soaked earth
8. Silverarm cast Eyeball to survey the surrounding area, as more
Pirate Zombies emerged from the jungle, and from the low hills,
some even armed with crossbows, numbers swelling to more than
20
9. Silverarm cast a force wall to deflect the Zombies crossbow bolt
attacks as the rest of the undead converged at the base of the
slippery hill slope, but unable to clamber up
10. The Heroes hurled upon the horde a barrage of shuriken, arrows,
rocks and fire powder bombs
11. Virtus loosed some Volleys of Virtus (much to the Bow of Yore’s
ecstasy) as Gwen chimed in with some of her own ‘Gwendettas’
12. Marcellos used his Strategy skill to deduce that the undead horde
were being controlled by a higher ‘tactical’ being
13. Unable to advance up the slope,
14. Virtus used Detect Ambushes and heard more moans from the
rear of their position, where another wave of Zombies had
discovered a way up the hill
15. Talon continued to notice the powdery essence appear whenever a
magical spell or item was used, and hypothesized that this was
respawning more Pirate Zombies
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16. Soon the Zombies had surrounded the hillock, a formidable army
consisting of grotesque archers, crossbowman, lancers and
infantry
17. Silverarm cast a second Force Wall to deflect a rain of arrows from
the Zombie Archers, as Virtus and Gwen exchanged rounds
against the crossbow unit
18. Virtus tried to deflect a bolt in mid-flight but missed, and the
putrid spear cut deep into Gwen, followed by a second, and a
third!
19. Goff chanted the Undead Mantra, and warned Gwen that her
wounds were tainted by diseased Undead blood
20. The Heroes considered running the Zombie gauntlet but
determined that the friendly casualties would be too high
21. Talon and Virtus slid into Castaways Cave in the hope of reencountering the Ghost of Blackscar and uncovering who was
controlling the Zombie aggressors
22. Silverarm cast Enlighten on Arkai and Marcellos which enhanced
their abilities (Goff be Praised!)
23. Then the two heavy hitters were joined by Siblyx and Talon to
defend the hill against the first wave of Zombies
24. Gordbold and Jerek cheered Siblyx on, at the same time berating
Marcellos for his lack of leadership, yelling “if only Captain Lucius
was here…”
25. The first wave of Zombies was reduced to a pool of blood and guts,
although Siblyx was cut by a disease ridden cutlass in the melee
26. The Zombies rained in like the downpour from above, as Talon let
the team know that even Arkai’s Sword of Bats and Marcellos’
Tattoo of Mesmerizing caused the powdery essence to emerge and
then disperse in the ground
27. Deep inside Castaway’s Cave, Captain Blackscar appeared before
Talon and Virtus, his voice booming: “Fools! You have stolen
Cinnabar’s treasure, and awoken his Zombie Horde. Already the
Virago berths in the Lagoon, and Captain Cinnabar walks the Isle of
Bone”
28. Talon conned Blackscar into revealing that the essence of the
party’s magic items and spells was spawning the Zombie horde
29. Virtus then promptly unleashed the Giver of Sleep, releasing a
thankful Blackscar from his ghostly curse
30. The rest of the Heroes retreated into the Cave, leaving the
victorious Zombies to celebrate in true pirate revelry
31. Arkai once again swam through the underwater passage, this time
further in, discovering an exit that opened up into marshland
32. One by one, the Heroes and the crew of the Scar of the Sea swam
underwater, supported by rope and Arkai as anchorman
33. Virtus was the first to emerge from the tunnel, and he quickly
secured the area and also discovered a path that led to the Island’s
river
34. The party moved quickly through the mosquito infested
marshland, crossing the river at a narrow point, and setting camp
on the other side using broad leaves as canopies
35. As darkness fell, the heavy rain continued unrelenting, and Goff
assessed Gwen and Siblyx’s wounds – glumly diagnosing that by
this time tomorrow, they would be irreversibly transformed to
Undead!
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36. The three elves – Gwen, Talon and Virtus – used their Wood Lore
to scour the marshland for two items:
 the rare Herb called Aramance, that can cure the undead
Bloodbane disease
 the dry marsh root from a Suckleberry plant, that is a natural
mosquito repellent
37. After three hours, they had found no Aramance, but enough
mosquito root to burn on the open fire and repel the blood sucking
insects for the remainder of the night
38. Goff cast Heal on Gwen’s wounds, as the Heroes quietly ate their
provisions before settling down to sleep, close to the light of the
campfire, so that the bitter smell of burning Suckleberry wafted
around them
39. Gwen and Siblyx were wrecked by pains from their wounds, as the
Undead disease coursed through their veins
40. As Virtus and Siblyx took up their guard duty shift, Virtus
detected movement from the darkness, as a group of Pirate
Zombies attempted to ambush the Heroes
41. Virtus fired his Giver of Sleep, killing the first instantly, but
leaving the fabled silver arrow under more trudging Zombie feet
42. Virus sounded the alarm, and Arkai, Marcellos and Talon met the
zombies head on, whilst the rest of the party grimaced at the sight
of more Undead emerging from the black marshland to their flank
– as if surrounding them!
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 5 (December Synopsis)
1. Talon performed a heroic (to his standards) sliding maneuver
between two of the Undead pirates – dodging their attacks, and
snatching the Giver of Sleep from the muddy bog
2. Arkai & Marcellos combined to take down two more scurvy pirates
– but not before Marcellos was struck and his Smoke Armour
teleported him behind his foe
3. Silverarm called upon the Warding power of Throff to keep some of
the Undead at bay
4. Marcellos used his Battle Tactics to deduce that more Undead
would soon encroach on their position and called for the party to
retreat to the river! Weaklings first!
5. Gwen and Siblyx led the way, as another party of Undead Pirates
chased after them
6. The crew from the Scar of the Sea (Gordbold, Jerek and Baradas)
all stumbled in the darkness, and pleaded for Virtus to help them
up – but the Bow-loving Elf leapt over them without a second
thought!
7. The three Mariners took on four pursuing Zombie pirates, the
twins holding their own, but Big Baradas was slashed twice by his
opponent
8. Just then, an arrow shot past Baradas’ head - hitting his Zombie
aggressor – it was fired from Virtus!
9. Goff then entered the fray, wielding his Holy Symbol and chanting
his Ward mantra – allowing the three Crewmen to flee
10. Marcellos, Arkai and Silverarm also arrived, cutting down the
Zombies from behind!
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11. The Heroes made it to the River and regrouped – Baradas thanking
Virtus for not abandoning them
12. Meanwhile Talon was on his own and being chased by six Pirate
Undead, unable to break their tail, even with some creative reed
gathering maneuvers
13. Talon caught up to Siblyx and Gwen, and all three Heroes
promptly jumped into the river – thus evading the water shy
Zombies
14. Eventually all the party waded safely across the Bone River and to
the eastern side – Gwen helping the badly wounded Baradas stay
afloat – which confused Baradas as he suspected Gwen to be the
Bringer of Undead
15. The heroes decided to put a ban on casting spells and using
magical items, as this was just summoning Undead Pirate
Zombies!
16. Goff smelt Baradas and deduced the big man had succumbed to
the zombie Bloodbane disease – but kept this info on the lowdown
17. The party travelled through the mosquito infested marshes
towards the East Village, and found a place to rest as daylight
broke, the ground underfoot thankfully rising to hilly terrain as
the rain ceased
18. Goff (who had recently been studying Disease spells) cured Gwen
and Siblyx of their afflictions, and Gwen celebrated by drinking
her Major Potion of Mana (the party evaded the two stray Zombies
that emerged due to the spell)
19. Siblyx joined Talon on a reconnaissance mission to the West
Village as the rest of the team rested and regained Stamina/Mana
20. The Assassin & Rogue discovered an abandoned clay hut village,
in the centre of which was a 3-storey domed clay building with
arched entrances
21. Seven large Clay Golems wearing scary Tribal masks clambered
around the building – seemingly guarding the structure – but too
slow to worry our heroes
22. Siblyx climbed the creeper covered dome in spectacular fashion,
diverting one of the Golems away from its entrance
23. Talon peeked inside and saw an opened stone sarcophagus in the
centre of the chamber, with human skulls stacked against it on all
sides
24. Two red ‘eyes’ glowed down eerily from the darkness of the 30 foot
high ceiling – sending a chill down Talon’s spine
25. Siblyx and Talon returned from their recon, and the party set off
north towards the mountains
26. In spite of all the heavy rainfall and muddy marshland from
whence they came, they reached a dry forest, from where a wisp of
chimney smoke wafted into the dark skies
27. Siblyx provided some comic relief by climbing a tall tree to gain a
higher vantage point only to fall and nearly kill himself
28. Talon led the way into the forest and saw a young ‘native’ being
attacked by a Giant Praying Mantis
29. Talon charged in to help, throwing a gold coin at the creature,
despite Virtus calling out ‘Use a Silver piece’
30. The Mantis snapped at the native, tearing his thigh with its
massive pincers before focusing on the charging Elf!
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31. As the rest of the party moved into Formation 3c, Gwen notched
an arrow….aimed….and loosed a shaft right between the eyes of
the Mantis and into its brain – killing it instantly
32. The Heroes cheered, much to the Bow of Yore’s jealousy!
33. The native’s name was Tee’o – and far from being a cannibal – he
was a brave young man, part of a small village called Usai that
was led by his mother Queen Zytee’a
34. The Heroes entered the Villae of Usai, dragging the large Mantis
behind them, which Tee’o said was ‘good meat’
35. The village was stunned by the appearance of the outsiders – could
the Prophesy of Glatanka be true – “they will come … to purge the
Undead curse from the Isle of Bone”
36. Marcellos explained that they rescued Tee’o from the Mantis and
were on a Holy Mission to Save the World!
37. The Queen asked which God they represented and Silverarm
proudly exclaimed Throff – Goddess of the Earth
38. The Heroes relinquished their weapons and Silverarm passed the
Test of Usai to prove that Throff guided their quest in this
unholiest of places (a test which she passed with flying colors – or
should we say levitating colors)
39. The Heroes putrid muddy clothes were burnt – and replaced with
clean tribal garb - as a symbol of their acceptance as part of the
tribe
40. The party were led by village maidens to hot spring waterholes,
where they enjoyed a relaxing bath, and tasty and refreshing fruit
platters –their experience tainted by the unfurling of Virtus’
sausage
41. Queen Zytee’a summoned the Heroes to her humble clay quarters
to share intelligence:
a. The villagers were acolytes of Glatanka – Goddess of the
Sun & Light
b. The Village is inhabited by 51 men, women, children and
elderly. Only 6 are fighters – and they form the Queen’s
bodyguard
c. Glatanka rewards their devotion by protecting the village
with a golden sun amulet - the Holy Symbol of Glatanka perched atop a fifty foot shard of crystal – this kept out
Undead and allowed sunlight to pierce the heavy cloud and
enrich their meager crops
d. A stone tablet was revealed to the Heroes which explained
the way to summon Quezkari once inside the Temple
e. For saving her son tee’o, the Queen bestowed upon Gwen
the title of Mantis Killer, and gave her a magical Golden
Lion Bracelet. This gift lit up Gwen’s white eyes – for she
believed it to be the Eye of the Tiger that she had been
searching for. The Bracelet allowed magic to be cast/used
without the wrath of Undead Pirate Zombies
f. Virtus the Endowed showed the Queen the Giver of Sleep,
and explained this would slay Quezkari once they
summoned the Demon to the mortal plain
g. The Queen gave the Heroes the villagers’ entire supply of
Medicinal Herbs
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h. The Queen explained that the East Village had been
abandoned for half a century – after the Vampire Lord
T’chuka Mageth and his Clay Golems seized hold
42. Silverarm offered up her Ring of Life Force in exchange for lifting
Tee’os Punishment of Silence that was imposed by the Queen for
leaving the confines of the village. This was accepted and Tee’o
explained what he knew of the Temple of the Dark One:
a. He had once seen a villager touch the stone door to the
barrow, only to disappear
b. Seven large stones surround the barrow - each etched with
strange glyphs and symbols, as well as what appeared to be
a picture on each = a Body; Flame; Flask; Sun; Sword; Ring;
Heart; and Fruit
c. words were once etched on the stone door warning that
“Only the Undead May Pass”
43. The Heroes remained in the village for the remainder of the day
and night, before waking refreshed to a hot cooked meal of Mantis
Stew – all was well, aside from the realization that the diseased
Baradas had disappeared!
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 6 (January Synopsis)
1. The morning revealed that Baradas had disappeared – Virtus
used his Tracking to determine Baradas’ direction being the
Temple of the Dark One
2. The party checked their inventory, adding water, rations,
rope and some tribal healing herbs – of which the injured
Siblyx consumed immediately
3. Gwen challenged Virtus to a dual - an Elven Test of the
Arrow to determine who wielded the Bow of Yore and wore
the Eye of the Tiger
4. Virtus took out the honours (with the help his magical
accuracy items, and some extra help from Silverarm’s
Enlightenment spell) – much to the ecstacy of the Bow of
Yore
5. Marcellos confirmed his theory that wearing the Bracelet of
the Golden Lion allowed spells and magical items to work for
their duration without summoning undead
6. Talon set a perimeter warning system around the village, and
the Heroes returned to the deserted Western Village – the
home of Vampire Lord T’chuka Mageth and his Seven Voodoo
Masked Clay Golems
7. Virtus shared the Golden Lion Bracelet amongst the party as
they experimented with different tactics
8. The Golems were easily coaxed from the tall dome, but
neither Gwen or Virtus’ arrows disintegrated against the
scary voodoo masks, and Arkai’s magical Sword of Bats
could not dent their powerful clay frames
9. Talon lassoed one of the Golem’s legs and the party
combined to try and pull the Golem away, but the plan failed
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miserably - the Golem didn’t budge, instead, it pulled the
rope back towards it with unnatural power, launching Jerek,
Arkai and Marcellos dangerously close to being pounded into
oblivion
10. Arkai climbed the top of the dome and attempted to
smash a way through with Silverarm’s warhammer – but it
failed to penetrate the structure
11. The entire party flushed out six of the Golems, then Goff
cast a Force Wall inside the dome to block the attack of the
seventh Golem – as the brave Virtus made his way forward
into the shadowy dome – the Giver of Sleep notched in his
excited Bow
12. The hypnotizing gaze of the vampire T’chuka Mageth
failed to overwhelm Virtus as he fired the Arrow of Undead
Slaying into the heart of the Lord of Darkness
13. The damage of the Undead Slaying arrow was too great,
and the Vampire Lord was reduced to dust – and too his clay
Golems
14. The seven voodoo masks were claimed by the party, and
they noticed seven unique images etched on the undersides –
images that corresponded to the pictures that Tee’o
recounted on the seven stones that ringed the barrow
15. The Heroes returned to the Village of Usai and Virtus and
Silverarm told the tale of their glorious victory to the
raptures of the tribe
16. The party accepted Queen Zytee’as gift of a small sun
painted on their cheek – the symbol of the Goddess Glatanka
– and a custom that would bestow luck and guidance
17. Arkai contemplated stealing the Holy Symbol of Glatanka,
and Marcellos convinced Tee’o to secretly leave with the party
on their journey to the wreck of the Santalpho on the north
coast
18. Tee’o guided them through the pit-trapped jungle and
hillside terrain, on a long and arduous 8 hour track – filling
the Heroes minds with tales of a terrifying wailing creature
that lived in the Santalpho and roamed the area hunting and
killing Giant Praying Mantii
19. Silverarm and Siblyx removed the Sun painting from their
faces
20. Eventually they arrived at a cliff face that dropped to a
rocky outcrop where the Santalpho had come ashore
21. Virtus used Tracking to find a way down
22. Talon and Tee’o also discovered a dozen or so desecrated
Praying Mantis carcasses strewn on the beach –ripped apart
and dotted with huge puncture marks. Talon’s Tracking
determining that a large pawed creature had departed the
area earlier this morning
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23. Talon and Siblyx used their Agility to board the
shipwreck, and Talon saw the black and orange striped
creature holed up in the cargo bay
24. Silverarm cast Enlighten and Protection on Talon, as he
strung four Fire Powder Bombs together and lit the wick –
smashing the bottles on the creature’s back – and lighting up
the hull with liquid fire
25. The Cat O’ Nine tails – a legendary abomination with its
massive tiger-like head and body, and nine long tails tipped
with heavy barbs - wailed and squealed as its matted fur
coat ignited in flame
26. The Cat crashed through the hull but was met by the
lethal volley of Gwen Vendetta and Virtus Volley that lodged
into its head and neck and ending its painful demise
27. Just as the party breathed a sigh of relief, another high
pitched roar echoed from the hills behind them
28. Arkai, Marcellos and the Elven archers manned the cliff
face, whilst the others gathered at the bottom of the steep
trail on the beach head
29. The second Cat O’Nine Tails tried to sneak up on the
heroes from the Mantii Carcasses on the beach – but Siblyx
averted the ambush when he noticed the barbed tails move
amongst the detris
30. This gave the Heroes one vital round to act – Siblyx joined
Talon in the Santalpho, whilst Silverarm and Goff powered
their stubby legs and followed Jerek, Gordbold and Tee’o in a
mad dash back to the top of the cliff
31. But the Cat O’Nine Tails was a worthy hunter - and let
out a frightening wail as it launched a mighty pounce that
put it right upon the fleeing heroes
32. Virtus and Gwen loosed Vendettas and Volleys that
littered the feline’s head with arrows, blinding one eye; as
Silverarm activated her Levitation necklace to rise above the
chaos; and Goff performed a magical Leap to land beside
Arkai on the clifftop
33. Jerek and Gordbold were not as fortunate – Jerek
becoming decapitated by the Cat’s maw, his body slumping
to the path – and Gordbold pummeled by six of the Cat’s
nine barbs, blood and life force spewing in all directions
34. Tee’o was barbed thrice, his body also falling in a bloodied
mess
35. Marcellos noticed Tee’o was still alive, although he would
bleed to death in a few rounds, so he dashed down the trail
with his Boots of Speed (Go Marcellos!)
36. The two Clerics casting of spells had summoned a horde
of nine Undead Pirate Zombies – normally a bad omen, but
in this battle a fortunate event, as it caught the Cat O’Nine
tails attention, and the the great Cat became engaged against
the Zombies on the shoreline
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37. Meanwhile Marcellos carried Tee’o to safety and, wearing
the Golden Lion Bracelet, administered two Healing spells
which rejuvenated the thankful native!
38. Having torn the Zombies to pieces, the Cat O’Nine Tails
relaunched itself upon the trail – but only into the waiting
barrage of deadly arrow called shots that riddled it’s head –
sending it tumbling into the rocky waters, and resting at
peace beside it’s still smoking mate (whose babies had
spewed from its gut, only to drown in a horrid scene of death!)
39. The party regrouped, with Silverarm drinking a healing
potion, and Talon emerging from the Santalpho with a
bejeweled chest and a magical weapon
40. Marcellos bagged the gems in his Infinite Bag of Gem
Holding, and Silverarm revealed the weapon – a Hell Forged
Flail, which dealt greater damage to Demons, but also had
the ability to possess it’s master when first held…
TEMPLE OF THE DARK ONE - Session 7 (February Synopsis)
1. Having slain the two Cat O’Nine Tails, the party set off from
the Wreck of the Santalpho, and towards the Temple of the
Dark One
2. The Heroes camped at a waterfall at the foot of the
mountains and Talon discovered a Giant Praying Mantis
nesting at the base of the falls
3. Siblyx snuck down to flank the creature, and uncovered a
second Mantii in the process, causing the assassin to retreat
4. Virtus setup an ambush site with a kill-zone and Tee’o lured
the Praying Mantis into the area
5. Talon jumped out from the shrubs to attract the Mantis’
attention, allowing Siblyx the full element of surprise
6. The masked assassin leapt and rebounded onto the back of
the Giant Mantis, plunging his dagger down into the top of
its skull – killing it instantly
7. The second Mantis dashed at the dynamic duo but was
inside the ‘kill zone’ and pelted by a volley of arrows from
Virtus & Gwen
8. As the creature changed its line of assault towards the elven
archers, Marcellos and Arkai emerged from the behind the
ferns and hacked the Mantis to death
9. Arkai then cut open the ‘fat’ Mantis – spilling it’s unborn
foetus onto the ground – as Marcellos drove his sword
through its head (brutal stuff)
10. After an uneventful night, all the party awoke refreshed,
and Silverarm and Goff had successfully meditated to restore
Mana
11. Soon they were off into the mountains and before long in
site of a gully lined with heads on stakes
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12. Tee’o warned the party that they had arrived at their goal
– and Talon spied Baradas kneeling in front of one of the
seven stones that rung the infamous barrow
13. Baradas – looking sullen and crookedly gaunt - charged
the heroes yelling glorious praise to his new master Quezkari
14. Talon threw his Dagger of Silence at Baradas, but missed,
and it landed within the circle of stones, in front of the stone
entrance to the barrow
15. The Heroes lit the Candles of Banishment and
surrounded the Undead Baradas, trapping him within the
magical boundary
16. Talon was engaged by the now Undead former crew of the
Prancing Dolphin – Captain Miresh Ma’kel, the ambidextrous
Jo’ad, and Lieutenant Kym (now heavily pregnant) – and hit
by 2 diseased crossbow bolts
17. The crew emerged to face the ones who abandoned them
on Blood Island – Miresh and Jo’ad yelling at Marcellos,
saying that he left them for dead, and now they are Undead!
18. Lt Kym pleaded for Arkai to join them in death so that her
Master can raise him as an Immortal, and he can join her to
look after their child to be
19. Arkai argued the other way – that Kym should surrender
because he could cure her reached
20. And then it was on! Miresh and Jo’ad fired putrid
crossbow bolts into Virtus and Gwen, as the two elven
archers retaliated with volleys and vendettas, felling Captain
Ma’kel
21. Jo’ad managed to run to Baradas, and as he was brought
down by more deadly arrow fire, he threw himself on one of
the Candles of Banishment, extinguishing the flame
22. Siblyx climbed the gully rock walls but was ambushed by
another crewman Little Traph and struck in the back with a
crossbow bolt
23. The Undead Captain Cinnabar appeared as a green mist,
emerging through the stone barrow door, and materialized
with green flaming sword and Skull of Power in hand,
declaring with rapturous laughter that “None but the Undead
May Pass”
24. Virtus loaded his Giver of Sleep as the Bow of Yore hissed
“Do it my love!” and loosed the shaft at Cinnabar.
Simultaneously the Skull of Power smashed into Virtus face,
sapping his Stamina, but the arrow hit truly, sending
lightning streaks through Cinnabar’s body
25. Captain Cinnabar bellowed with laughter “I have the
Arrow, my Master” and began to sink back into the stone
door
26. Silverarm quickly cast Spirit Hand and grabbed the Arrow
before Cinnabar could take it into the barrow, and place it
back in Virtus’ quiver! Go Silverarm!
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27. Talon saw white essence dust fall from Silverarm and five
Undead Pirate Zombies appeared armed with Spears. Lt Kym
screamed at the demise of her fellow crew, and at Cinnabar’s
retreat, and spurred the Zombies to attack
28. Gwen and Virtus felled one of the Zombies, as Arkai took
on Big Bad Baradas
29. Baradas was no match for the accomplished fighter, going
down in a flurry of cuts and parries
30. The remaining charging Zombies threw their spears at the
Heroes, with one of them hitting Arkai and cutting him with
its diseased tip
31. Goff recited his Undead Mantra which kept two of the
Undead at bay, as Arkai and Marcellos eventually hacked
and slashed the Zombie wave
32. Lt Kym stood alone, and was quickly tied up and captured
– perhaps spared by Arkai’s hope in his lost love, or the
possibility that an Undead being was needed to pass into the
barrow
33. As the Heroes munched on Healing Herbs, and Goff
ensured none of the party had contracted any undead
diseases, Silverarm matched up the symbols etched on the
stones with those of the Tribal masks and then placed them
down
34. The Seven Terrors moan terribly as they relinquished
their magical defences for 10minutes so that the Mortals may
pass
35. Tee’o volunteered to touch the Stone Door – seeing this as
“his moment…and destiny” and called upon Glatanka for
protection
36. Tee’os Glyph of the Sun – the symbol of Glatanka painted
on his face – glowed then faded; and he touched the door and
disappeared
37. Talon concluded that the rest of the party needed to call
on Glatanka for guidance, and then the glyphs would protect
their teleportation journey into the barrow – much to
Silverarm and Siblyx’s concern, as they declined to wear
Queen Zyteea’s painted glyphs
38. One by one each Hero sung praise to Glatanka, their sun
glyphs disappearing and they passed safely to the other side
of the barrow’s stone door
39. Siblyx and Silverarm also passed through safely – but not
before Silverarm impaled Lt Kym’s foot into the ground with
her dagger – as Arkai’s tied up Undead lover spat and hissed
that Quezkari will eat the dwarf’s soul!
40. Inside the barrow, the Heroes stood in a steamy and steep
rock stairwell, which descended to a narrow stone bridge
that spanned a gaping chasm with a 200 foot drop into a
flowing river of lava
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41. Captain Cinnabar stood on the other side of the bridge, in
the entrance of a cave mouth that resembled a skull with
feathered headdress
42. The Undead Captain bellowed “Fools! None can defy the
Will of Quezkari” as Virtus reloaded his Giver of Sleep and
the Bow of Yore whispered “Defy This…”
43. The Arrow of Undead Slaying once again struck true –
white lightning rippling through Cinnabar as it did above
ground – and once again the Skull of Power smashed into
Virtus, sapping his Stamina
44. Captain Cinnabar cried out “Master, I have failed you” as
the arrow added to the already substantial damage incurred
above ground, and the Undead Captain began to topple over
the edge of the bridge
45. Luckily Marcellos had activated his Boots of Speed and
dashed across the narrow expanse as the Giver of Sleep was
loosed – snatching the arrow from Cinnabar’s chest, as his
body fell into the fiery abyss of the lava below – Hail
Marcellos!
46. Suddenly the molten river flared and plumed, and the
Heroes realized that it was quickly rising!
47. They all dashed into a huge underground chamber of
black obsidian, with flagstones etched with symbols of
ancient times
48. As the lava flow rose up and blocked the way back, Tee’o
began to whimper, and became frozen in fear, unable to
move his legs
49. The Candles of Banishment were lit - more for their light
than their magical Entrapment properties – allowing the
heroes to make out dozens of stone gargoyles hanging from
the high ceiling
50. Talon used Detect Traps to lead the party across the large
cavern, and they soon found themselves at the Great Alter of
Quezkari, created in the likeness of the Demon, with a stone
coffin resting at the base with a plaque that read “Here Lies
Chalad Dhurrang – Immortality Earnt” (which referenced the
former naval captain’s deal with Quezkari nearly 37 years
ago, as scribed by Nicodemus in his Satchel of Parchments)
51. Arkai wasted no time, as the rest of the party ringed the
Alter. Arkai retrieved the fabled Box of Logaan – it’s lid shut
tight – and knelt on the only flagstone with a symbol of the
Phoenix God, calling Quezkari’s name thrice!
52. The Shrine of Quezkari lit up with a brilliant green light,
as the stone gargoyles began to stir, and a green ooze spewed
out of the Effigy’s eyes and mouth onto the stone coffin
53. From the ooze emerged the mist-like Demon Quezkari –
it’s massive claws heavy and powerful, it’s form skeletal but
emanating terror and awe, its face wrung with pure evil “Who
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dares summon me from my rest before the Rise of Shekka’s
Moon?”
54. Arkai opened the Box of Logaan and immediately a
brilliant blue light exploded from the small casket and
encased the entire cavern in a net like cocoon, preventing the
stone gargoyles from gaining access
55. Quezkari screamed in anger as he transformed from an
ethereal mist to the solid form of a hideous abomination
“IMPOSSIBLE! You have severed my link to the Pit of the
Abyss – You will pay with your lives!”
56. The Heroes pounced! Marcellos was the first in with his
Boots of Speed, cutting into Quezkari and drawing putrid
green ooze that splashed onto the Shrine
57. Virtus and Gwen loosed a volley of Vendetta’s and
although their magical enchantments were no longer
working, their aims were true, and torrents of blood
splattered from Quezkari with each strike
58. Goff and Silverarm attempted a number of spells, like
Restrain and Force, but the spells just fizzled
59. The Demon roared and leapt into the air – it’s mighty
hooved legs thrusting it up and down in one action –
slamming with incredible power and fury onto the
unsuspecting Siblyx
60. The assassin was brought to within an inch of his life, but
luckily Marcellos and Arkai were in range, and the Elven
Archers were able to pepper Quezkari with more arrows
61. Bloodied and pricked with arrows, Quezkari leapt once
more, this time at Marcellos, but he was able to evade its
crushing heavy damage
62. The Demon landed and attacked Talon with its huge
claws, smashing the elf full body and hurling him across the
cold cavern floor
63. Quezkari then took on both Arkai and Marcellos, but their
amazing sword prowess was able to keep the beast at bay
64. Finally, Marcellos struck and severed its leg preventing
the Dark One from its jumping attacks
65. Quezkari flailed and moaned “Nooooooooooooooo!” and,
sensing its defeat, tried to goad the heroes into a truce
saying “Your magical artefacts from the Virago – spare me,
and they are yours once more…”
66. Marcellos and Arkai raised their ooze dripping swords and
plunged them down through Quezkari’s head and into the
hard rock floor as they both replied “No Deal!” – in memory of
Jarhead’s deceipt
67. The Heroes gathered around the corpse of the Demon as
the Box of Logaan’s enchantment faded, replaced by the
sunlight from outside as the ceiling peeled back into the sky,
forming the face of Logaan the Trickster God
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68. Logaan congratulated the Heroes of Titan, content that
the Balance between Good & Evil had been restored, and the
Undead Apocalypse averted
69. There were high fives all round, as Logaan offered them a
chance to roll the Dice of Randomness before he left the
realm of mortal kind
70. Talon chanced the dice, nominating Magic as his prize –
but Fate did not shine in his favour, and instead Talon was
removed of any Magic having an effect on him in future
71. Arkai also rolled the dice, nominating Life as his prize –
and Fate smiled upon the fighter, and Logaan’s Giving Life
was bestowed upon him, meaning all damage received in
future would be at minus 1
72. Tee’o, Virtus and Marcellos declined to roll, as Logaan’s
eyes were cast in the direction of the remaining Heroes….
Silverarm, Goff and Gwen….
THE PLAGUE OF DREAMS
Session 1
1.
The sun’s rays dawned upon the Heroes - restoring their Saves and Mana. Silverarm
shared her tribal Healing Herbs and Talon the Devout-Hawk (Stout-Hawk) said he
owed her one
2. Logaan the Trickster God – his image constructed in the sky from rubble - reoffered
the opportunity to roll the Dice of Randomness
3. Silverarm contemplated rolling to restore Lt Kym and her unborn child – but at the
risk of having to remain behind on the Isle of Bone as a guardian to the Temple of
the Dark One. None of the party thought this was a good idea, so the dwarf didn’t
proceed, her grumpiness hitting new heights
4. Siblyx rolled the Dice of Randomness to improve his WITS, but the result was
neutral – thus strengthening Talon’s belief that Logaan is the one true God - as one
Hero succeeded, one failed, and one was neutral
5. Logaan bid the heroes farewell warning them that “in their victory against evil, so to
must the Forces of Darkness be empowered, so that the balance between Good and Evil
is maintained”
6. Marcellos, Siblyx and Gwen divided up Quezkari’s 1800-odd gold piece treasure
horde, storing it in the rags and tapestries strewn in Quezkari’s temple
7. Upon exiting the sunken Temple, Arkai approached his beloved Kym’s pregnant
body which had turned to stone, and tried to extract the stone dagger that Silverarm
had planted in her ankle
8. Cracks in the rock that encased Kym’s wound appeared, and soon a baby’s head was
emerging
9. Silverarm cast Aura on the child so that it may be friendly to Arkai, as Arkai used his
Midwifery Skill to reach in to help deliver the baby
10. Upon touching the child’s head, Arkai was blinded by white light and immediately
petrified and turned to stone, despite his pleadings to any God that would come to
his aide in return for a token and conditional commitment
11. Arkai pledged fellowship to Telak the God of Courage and then exploded from
within, suffering some damage (that was reduced by Logaan’s Damage reduction),
before a Warrioress of pure light (armed with a sword and shield) connected with
him, in turn transforming him to pure light
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12. Arkai was transported to a strange village over which he hovered, the sky above
littered with cocoons and cages holding naked tortured humans, and a gigantic red
eye scanning over proceedings
13. Using his thoughts, Arkai glided into the village Church but lost his concentration
and the world became enveloped in darkness
14. Arkai was besieged by six terrifying serpents that were actually the ends of a forked
tongue of a gigantic nightmarish creature that consumed him
15. Arkai was thrown back into reality, no longer touching the child, but with the initial
damage he suffered in the explosion
16. Upon retelling his tale to the party he learnt that no time had passed during his
nightmare journey
17. The Child spewed into the world, the size of a one year old, female, but with a
deformed head - no pupils or ears, slits for a nose and small razor sharp teeth within
her mouth – it uttered no cries, only gaping hollow pucking sounds
18. Having heard Arkai’s tale, none dare touch the child, so Silverarm cast Ghost Hand to
pick up the newborn and wrap her in rags before naming her Kimmi and placing the
child inside her backpack
19. Theories espoused about this baby and the general religious consensus between the
Clerics and Talon (new Acolyte to Logaan) was that there was a reason this Child of
the Damned was born into the party – for a greater purpose ahead - meaning the
Heroes needed to protect her
20. Tee’o – still amazed at the shit he was seeing - led the Heroes back to his Village of
Usai, keen to tell his mother of his successful adventure with the Heroes
21. Three Snake Witches approached as they traversed down the mountains into the
forested lower lands
22. Virtus and Gwen flanked the creatures which called out to the rest of the party“Give
us the Child and avoid the Wrath of Shekka”, as Talon hid in dense shrubs ready to
ambush them
23. After a volley of arrows from the Elves, an assassination attack by Siblyx, and the
combined blades of Arkai, Marcellos and Talon, two of the Snake Witches were slain,
and one lay incapacitated
24. Marcellos interrogated the last and it hissed that the Child belonged to the Witchgod
Shekka, and that unless they relinquished the Child to Shekka, then they would not
be so lucky the next time they crossed paths
25. Marcellos said he’d be a rich(er) man if he had a gold coin for every time an enemy
had threatened him, and gave Talon the honour of executing the Snake Witch – as
Logaan had instructed him to do – and in death the three Snake Witches
transformed fat lifeless oversized snakes
26. Upon arriving back in the Village of Usai, Baby Kimmi was presented to the Village
Elder Yetta, and she foretold a prophesy that mentioned “a Child spawn from Chaos,
gifted into the world, to bring light where evil lurked, and awaken lost souls” adding
that sometimes "Only the most vulnerable shall Vanquish the Unspeakable"
27. Following the old woman’s vague riddles, Yetta and Silverarm bathed Kimmi and
discovered that they could touch the child without peril, and that the child also
seemed deaf, mute and blind, and had no need of sustenance or poo-time
28. Then as dusk approached it was onto the celebration of thanks in honor of the
Heroes accomplishments (although Queen Zy’teea was nervous about the heroes
staying overnight - fearful that Shekka would send for the Child). However, the night
passed uneventfully, other than Araki having a terrible nighmare of the terrifying
creature assailing him again
29. In the morning there was a touch of sadness amongst the Villagers as they
remembered the three of the Heroes party that had fallen in the quest to defeat
Quezkari (Baradas, Jerek and Gordbold) and also that none of the Heroes would
remain behind to help the Usai Tribe rebuild their lives
30. Silverarm and Goff gifted Queen Usai the Candles of Banishment on behalf of the
dwarves to secure the Temple of Quezkari and give her tribe peace of mind
31. Virtus and Gwen gifted the Bracelet of the Golden Lion on behalf of the Elves so that
Queen Zy’teea could cast magic without fear of invoking any Undead
32. The human Heroes gave diddily squat!
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33. Queen Zy’teea decreed a shrine be built in the Heroes honor. Marcellos upped the
Shrine idea to the Heroes’ faces carved into the Mountains that looked out of the
ocean
34. The Queen agreed this was a great idea and commanded her sculptor Zaczek to
make this a reality – but Zaczek was an old man and said he would unfortunately
only have enough time before he dies to carve one image in the mountain
representing the Heroes
35. After a dice rolling competition amongst the party, Goff came up trumps, and chose
the image of Throff as the symbol and reminder of the magnificent deed the Heroes
had accomplished
36. With a new day upon them, the Heroes asked Queen Zy’teea to arrange 87 days of
food and water. The Queen again agreed and ordered it so, but her advisors said this
would take half the day to accumulate
37. The Heroes asked for the supply cache to be delivered to them at the lagoon, and bid
farewell to the fair people of Usai, travelling with Tee’o to the Lagoon
38. The ghost Blackscar had told the heroes that the Virago was laden with magical
treasures and berthed in the Lagoon, but upon arrival, all they found was some
useless ship cargo washed ashore
39. Marcellos noticed a rowboat in the ocean and a bard named Freddy Mayweather
declared himself aboard
40. Silverarm cast a spell to protect Freddy from a swarm of Flying Fish attacks and
enable the boat to moor in the lagoon
41. Freddy explained how he happened upon the Isle of Bone and was overjoyed that he
had met Sir Marcellos – the hero he had sung about and looked up to all his life!
Marcellos was also wrapped that somebody HAD actually heard of him and that he had
found his first groupie
42. Freddy also said he was looking for his sister Kimmie, who everyone soon realized
could be Lt Kym? Silverarm was convinced this was the case, given that she had
ironically named the child Kimmi. If so, the child was Lt Kym’s daughter = Freddy’s
niece = Arkai’s daughter!
43. Arkai reminded the party that the child couldn’t be his given that he had relations
with Lt Kym over 12 months ago! But Silverarm said that it WAS possible as Lt Kym
was turned to Undead and that an Undead-Human pregnancy is uncharted territory!
44. Silverarm and Goff both cast Eyeball into the deep lagoon waters and BINGO! The
Virago was sitting on the lagoon floor shelf, a large cage in the hull laden with all the
magical items that were stripped from the possession during the Arena of Blood
campaign. Marcellos had goosebumps at the thought of being reunited with Timakron!
45. The only thing between the Heroes and the treasure are: some Flying Fish; about
100feet of glimmering water; a heavy locked cage; and the skeletal remains of the
numerous pirate crew that manned the once infamous and feared sea vessel of our
time!
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 2 (November Synopsis)
43. The Heroes were determined to retrieve their magical treasure hoard from the large
locked cage within the hull of the sunken Virago
44. Silverarm revealed Siblyx’s Golden Skull and determined that a chaotic Air
Elemental was trapped inside
45. The Heroes contemplated throwing this into the cage that held their treasure as a
means of smashing it open
46. Goff said he could Force Bolt open the cage lock, and Silverarm added she could then
Spirit Journey to retrieve the treasure
47. After much strategizing, the party decided that the best way would be to lower down
Talon to use his Master Lockpicking skills to just open the cage
48. The Heroes then devised a means to descend into the lagoon using rocks and the
reeds that tangled down from the jungle trees
49. Talon consulted Logaan using his Dice of Randomness and agreed to go down to
unlock the cage and bring up the treasure – on one condition
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50. Talon’s condition was that five particular magical items of his choice would be his to
do as he please – for that is what Logaan has decreed
 Jar of the Earth Elemental
 Xortan's Book of Dark Necromancy
 Sargon's Book of the Revived Church of Elim
 Air Chalice
 Shadrak’s Scroll
51. Goff and the others were appalled, although they eventually agreed, with Marcellos
warning Talon that nothing good can come of blackmailing the party
52. Silverarm cast Protection on Talon to deflect the blade fish attacks, whilst Arkai,
Marcellos and Siblyx held onto one end of the reed rope
53. Talon handed over his surplus equipment to Freddy (temporarily) and then dropped
into the dark deep lagoon waters
54. The blade fish swarmed onto him, but Silverarm’s spell of Protection withstood the
frenzy, and luckily the thick reeds were not sliced apart
55. After a number of calculated rounds, Arkai felt two tugs of the reed and they began
hauling Talon up
56. Suddenly the blade fish darted away from the area as a powerful force pulled the
reed back into the lagoon.
57. Arkai used his Agility and Marcellos used his strength to prevent sliding in, and then
Siblyx cleverly snagged the reed onto a huge tree trunk
58. Something still tugging violently on the reed, and it wasn’t Virtus (it was after nine)!
‘Somebody do something’ yelled Freddy, ‘before Talon bites the Dust’
59. Tee’o prepared to dive in and Silverarm cast Protection on the Prince of the Usai
tribe, but Marcellos ordered him to wait!
60. Goff cast Eyeball to see what the hell was happening underwater, as Virtus readied
his Giver of Sleep in case an Undead Creature of the Sea threatened!
61. Goff yelled in horror as his Eyeball revealed the sight of six thick tendrils wrapped
around Talon’s lifeless limbs – trying to pull him into a giant cave mouth
62. Marcellos asked if Talon had retrieved any treasure (how compassionate) but before
Goff could answer, the reed snapped and Talon was sucked into the creature’s
underwater lair
63. Marcellos reminded the party that he had warned Talon that nothing good would
come of blackmailing the party!
64. Virtus tried to find a way into the cave from the surface, but Goff sent his Eyeball in
and revealed there were no other entrances
65. As Tee’o weeped for the passing of Talon, the others focused on more important
matters like getting the treasure, as Freddy quietly checked out his new found
possessions. Score!
66. Goff then confirmed that the cage door was open (yay!), but then yelled again “Ghosty Undead Pirates swirl and dart around the cage”
67. Virtus offered his Arrow of Slaying to be used as a dagger to take out the Ghosts;
Silverarm suggested she could Spirit Journey into the cage seven or eight times and
bring up the loot; and Goff proposed throwing two Force Walls against the cave
mouth to prevent the Giant Tentacled thing from attacking again
68. As there were no volunteers to use the Giver of Sleep as a jabbing implement against
seven ghosts (funny about that), and they didn’t consider the Tentacles a threat to
Silverarm’s ghostly form, they went with Silverarm’s idea
69. Silverarm cast Spirit Journey and floated into the cage, and instead of being attacked,
the Pirate Ghosts spoke of a Quest to retrieve Blackscar’s bones from Castaway Cave
70. Silverarm relayed the conversation back to the party - If they retrieved Blackscar’s
bones and laid them to rest on his beloved Scar of the Sea, Blackscar would raise the
Virago! The Ghosts would have a ship to sail, Blackscar would repay the Heroes with
transport to whichever port sought, and the earthly treasures would be theirs again!
71. Marcellos, Arkai and Siblyx liked the idea for not only would they have the treasure,
but the Virago was capable of crossing countless leagues in an instant, and so they
would save 7-10 days of travel across the Western Ocean
72. Goff, Virtus and Gwen weren’t as keen because the Undead were an inherently evil
race and the Virago was built by Logaan so there could be problems
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73. But Marcellos convinced them by reminding them that in their past adventures, so
called evil beings had helped them eg Giblet the Goblin, and Undead Greta
74. In the end they decided to undertake the Quest, and Freddy summed up the situation
with a funky riff “…a quest, a ghost ship, and an undead captain…. a party of heroes,
it’s all happenin..” – the sound of which caused Tee’o to wipe away his tears and do
some tribal rap dancing
75. Marcellos, Arkai, Virtus, Siblyx and Goff set off to Castaways cave, whilst Tee’o,
Freddy, Silverarm, Kimmi and Gwen stayed behind to wait for the Usai tribesman
who the party had previously arranged to bring supplies for their journey
76. Virtus navigated his group without incident out of the jungle and to the hilly area
where they were once besieged by an Undead Army in the time of Quezkari’s reign
77. Arkai spotted Catsaway’s Cave and descended into the small cavern, wading across
the shimmering pool of water to an embankment where a pile of bones now lay
78. Captain Blackscar appeared and was stoked that the Heroes had returned. Not only
had they defeated Cinnabar and thus freed him from his curse that trapped him in
the cave, but if they transported his remains from the cave onto his beloved Scar of
the Sea, he could take command of the ghost ship Virago and once again set sail
across the Seven Seas
79. In return for this deed, Blackscar pledged them passage aboard the Virago and
access to all the treasure they could lay their greedy mortal hands on
80. In addition, Blackscar was so overjoyed at the thought of once again captaining a
ship, he also said they could call upon him anytime using the Commune spell that
Goff possessed, and he would be all too pleased to help. What a friendly ghost!
81. Finally Blackscar warned the party that evil spirits still roamed the Isle of Bone and
that his friends were in danger, and they should make haste back
82. Virtus led the Heroes back north to the lagoon as nightfall fell, whilst Blackscar
spirited to the lagoon to appear before Silverarm and warn them of impending
danger
83. Darkness and the sounds of the jungle at night soon engulfed the Heroes, but the
parties soon met as the two Elven Rangers Virtus and Gwen detected each other’s
movement in the opposing direction
84. Gwen’s group had been joined by ten villagers of the Usai tribe, and Goff was quickly
called into service
85. During the villagers’ journey from the Usai village to the lagoon, they were assailed
by three giant mosquitos. The mosquitos were overcome by use of spear, but three
of the younger villagers were bitten, and now ran a fever
86. Goff diagnosed they were diseased by the mosquitos proboscis (thanks Tazz) and
cast Cure Disease thrice to restore them
87. Marcellos was met by the angry villagers who accusing the Heroes of putting their
families in danger, claiming their island was still in an evil grip, that they had been
stripped of all their supplies, and that the Heroes were now leaving them for dead
88. Goff’s curing of the disease calmed down the angry mob as Silverarm reminded the
tribesmen of all the great work the heroes had done, and as midnight approached,
tempers subsided, and a campsite was setup adjacent the lagoon
89. During the night Arkai was again assailed by his recurring dream against a
nightmarish creature, but was woken by Siblyx who had noticed one of the village
guards moving towards Silverarm and Kimmi
90. Arkai immediately charged the young villager – who happened to be one of the
previously diseased tribe boys. The boy snatched Kimmi and turned towards the
charging Arkai, revealing a vile hag’s face hissing and spitting
91. Arkai promptly leapt through the air and in one swipe lopped the tribe boy’s head
clean off – causing blood to spew on Silverarm, breaking the dwarf’s trance state
92. The vile creature/tribe boy dropped Kimmi and Arkai dived and caught her before
she hit the ground – only to send Arkai into an agonizing journey again over an
unknown territory
93. Arkai was more calm this time and asked questions of the glowing warrioress who
seemed to direct him to the church within the village grounds
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94. Within the church Arkai found two villagers boarding up the Church bell tower so no
one could get in, and also breaking the stair spire that wound up to the church bell
dome
95. Suddenly the villagers transformed into serpentine creatures with terrifying heads.
Arkai struck them but the wounds just split into extra tentacled maws
96. The tower collapsed and the huge red eye entered. Arkai attacked the eye,
withstanding the large gaping attacks from the serpents, and severed it in half – only
to have red acid gush over him, melting and killing him him – and then he woke, his
Stamina again reduced by the nightmareish incident
97. When morning broke, the Heroes placed the boy’s severed head back on his corpse,
and prepared for tribal outrage because the face was now human again
98. Luckily, Goff ascertained that the other two diseased teenagers had also regressed
(one had lost his eyesight, and the other’s tongue swollen and forked causing him to
gag) and so they were bound and paraded before the waking villagers to prove that
an evil outside the Heroes doing was at play
99. Tee’o displayed a growing confidence and maturity, using his princely voice to
convince the villagers that the evil only sought Kimmi, and that once the Heroes had
left the Island with the Child all would be well. Marcellos also promised that ‘some of
his crew’ would remain with the Usai people, and he would leave them a ship and
training to sail to other lands
100.
Breakfast passed without word (made worse by the fact that Marcellos and
Arkai refused to eat the villager’s food). Then Tee’o, Gwen and Goff escorted the Usai
tribesmen back home to their village.
101.
When Goff and Gwen returned they mentioned they had found the three dead
giant mosquitos that the villagers encountered – although the insects heads had
transformed into the grotesque faces of old hags
102.
The Heroes then rowed Freddy’s boat to the Scar of the Sea to rejoin Nister and
Margo. There was much joy, hugs and cheer (as well as introduction of Freddy, in
song of course), but moods were soon sullened by the realization that Baradas,
Gordbold, Jerek, and Talon had fallen on the adventure
103.
Arkai then presented them with Blackscar’s bones and they placed them in the
captain’s quarters
104.
Nister berthed the Scar into the lagoon, and then the Virago bubbled and frothed
to the surface of the waves – as Nister and Margo fell to their knees at the sight of
their former Captain Blackscar, now in ghostly form
105.
The Heroes immediately retrieved the treasure hoard – with Marcellos acting as
quartermaster and distributing the loot – making sure he was once again reunited
with the Sword of Timakron
106.
Marcellos explained that the Heroes would be travelling via the Virago from now
on and they needed Nister and Margo to undertake a very important mission - to
remain on the Island to help the Usai tribe rebuild and expand, teach prince Tee’o to
sail, oversee the etching of the Mount of Heroes, keep vigil over the Temple of the
Dark One, and maybe find a nice village woman and settle down to island life
107.
In spite of the seeming enormity of the request, Nister and Margo seemed happy
with that as they were none too keen to sail on the infamous, feared, and ghost
manned Virago
108.
Blackscar barked his commands, and the ghost crew immediately began
preparations to sail - but to where and what end?
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 3 (December Synopsis)
1.
2.
3.
Aboard the Virago, Freddie searched the Captain’s Quarters and found an out of
place dented iron helm, which none of the party recognized
Marcellos gave the order to Blackscar and the Virago set sail in its ghostly form of
fog and wind, sending a damaging chill to all the Heroes above deck. Only Freddie
(below deck) and Kimmi were spared the painful cold chill
Arriving in Oyster Bay, you were greeted by a motley armada of ships, under no
common banner
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4.
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19.
20.
21.
22.
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24.
Captain Bloodaxe’s ship “The Troll” set course to cut off your entry, but you ordered
Captain Blackscar to continue course, banking on the Virago’s fabled ‘Screaming
Lady Ramming head”
The Virago cut the Troll in half (as Freddie played ‘We Can’t Be Beaten”), sinking her,
but another ghostly chill sent damaging effects through the Heroes, now all below
deck
The heroes consumed their remaining supply of Usai village herbs
The Virago pressed on into the Whitewater River, as six more ships from the armada
bombarded the Virago with heavy iron ball catapults and great ballista harpoons
The Virago survived the assault although its masts and deck was decimated – but
only for a few minutes – as the magical structure of the Virago repaired itself right
before Captain Blackscar and his ghostly crew’s eyes
As the heroes sailed past the Village of Oyster Bay it was clear that the townsfolk
were being raped and pillaged by a savage army comprised of barbarians and
pirates!
The next day, the Heroes witnessed the same atrocities occurring at another
riverside town, this time as it was being burnt to the ground, and townsfolk ran in all
directions for their lives
Goff & Silverarm demanded that the Heroes take action to help! But the rest of the
party disagreed with this most noble course of action. As a compromise, they set
Silverarm ashore so she could commune with Throff using Deity – whose command
was sadly not to aide the villagers but remain on course to a greater cause, and also
protect Kimmi – who Throff believed was a Key to a greater good against the root of
evil
By this time, the Heroes had ascertained that magic and spells had no effect on the
Virago, and needed to berth and alight in order to make use of any of their vast
magical arsenal
Also, Kimmi was no longer growing and remained in her 2 year old size – continually
mumbling and pointing the way blindly forward
On the next night, Arkai had another terrible dream of the same nightmarish
creature that had continually plagued his sleep, although this time Monty appeared
to him
Monty was wearing a strange necklace that caught Arkai’s eye and he told Arkai that
he was still alive as a prisoner in Dree;
Arkai explained the Heroes quest to Coven, and of the origins of the Child Kimmi.
Monty then disappeared and the Nightmare Creature moved in to feast on Arkai. But
rather than fight, Arkai called on Telak, the God of Courage
Telak appeared astride his golden armoured lion, and praised Arkai’s courage and
faith, explaining that the Nightmare Creature would now consume him, but that
Arkai would rise again, as a Warrior of Telak, and bestowed upon him a quest
Arkai was then torn apart by the Nightmare Creature in his dream; but this also had
an effect on his reality, in that Arkai was unable to be woken – stuck in a dream state
between life and death!
Freddie displayed uncanny Detect Ambush skills to find a safe place for the Virago to
berth
Back on land, Virtus reacquainted himself with his Bow of Yore – who felt as though
he was being neglected
Virtus then activated his Rune of Invisibility and scared the shit out a priestess of
Iatro – Goddess of Healing and Succour – who was escorting seven children away
from their village that had been raided by Barbarians
Gwen climbed a tree, increasing her complaints that the Bard was giving her too
many orders, while Freddie strummed his lute and joined Virtus to converse with
the priestess, named Amalia
Arkai’s body was carried onto land and a Potion of Remove Curse administered,
though to no effect
Silverarm communed with Throff again to determine what plagued Arkai, but all the
Goddess of the Earth shared was that none of the Heroes had the means to wake
Arkai - the key to this remained elsewhere
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25. Marcellos also had a vision when he touched Arkai – one of Arkai pleading with an
outstretched hand ‘Help me, brother! Help me’ but Marcellos was unable to act in
time, before a giant eye appeared behind Arkai, and he was entwined by six sinister
tentacles that pulled him into the void
26. Back on the Virago, the Iatro clan were fed, and Amalia explained that Elthus had a
population of about 500 – half of which were killed in the attack, and of the
remaining 250, half fled the town, but half were captured. And so the heroes decided
to be Heroes and save the Village of Elthus from the invading Barbarians –much to
the Dwarven Clerics approval
27. All the party (with Kimmi being carried by Silverarm) set off on foot to Elthus, whilst
Captain Blackscar would bring the Virago into port at a predetermined time (with
the comatose body of Arkai on board)
28. Siblyx made his way to the Farm District of Elthus and used his Animal Handling to
calm a tied herd of twenty four fully laden riding horses
29. Untying the horses, Siblyx also rung a large barn with straw and alcoholic spirits,
before releasing the Air Elemental from the Skull of Wax on a group of unsuspecting
barbarians within (and some innocent wenches), and then setting the barn alight, and
riding off on one of the horses
30. The Air Elemental destroyed the fiery barn and all those within – their screams lost
in a powerful cyclone of destruction
31. Siblyx’s action triggered Gwen to use her Helmet to deflect the sun as a signal to
Virtus who had also made his way to the Harbour District beside the Barbarian’s
War Galley ‘The Tracker Serpent’
32. Virtus tried to activate his Rune of Invisibility but it didn’t work (out of charges?) so
he had to rely on his Skill to make his way to the edge of the dock
33. Virtus unscrewed the lid to his Chalice of the Air Elemental and then bolted away
from the scene to leave the powerful being to complete it’s devastating work
34. Unfortunately, the Air Elemental attacked Virtus, and to his terror he realized its face
bore the image of Logaan! A trap! Virtus was able to keep his feet from being swept
from under him, but the Air Elemental hammered the Elf with barrels and debris
from the dock surrounds
35. Virtus braved the furious wind and headed back to the Barbarian ship in the hope
that the Elemental would turn it’s fury onto the galley; but Logaan only laughed
louder as planks of wood from the dock were stripped and flung into his increasingly
pulverized body
36. From the safety of the ridge that overlooked Elthus, Silverarm, Goff, Freddie, Gwen
and Marcellos watched on in horror as the Air Elemental attacked Virtus
37. The two Clerics surmised that Logaan had tampered with some of the magical hoard
that was sunk with the Virago – and they would need to re-Reveal all of the magical
items in their possession
38. The Air Elemental lifted 2 huge heavy crates into the air and prepared to finish off
the brave Virtus
39. Gwen pleaded with Marcellos to help their Elven comrade – and the golden fighter
launched into action, activating his Earing of Teleportation and emerging beside the
Air Elemental, striking at it in a surprise attack with his beloved Sword of Timakron
40. The Air Elemental was stunned for a moment by the magical pain inflicted from
Timakron, giving time for Virtus to make one…last…action
41. Virtus tried to hurl the Air Chalice onto the ship amongst the drunken Barbarians
(who were gob-smacked at what they were seeing), but the mighty gusts of wind from
the Air Elemental prevented the Chalice from leaving it’s area of control
42. The heavy crates plummeted on top of Virtus as images from his heroic life flashed
before him in an instant. The Elf felt no pain as Galana carried his body into the
Garden of Erillia. There was only sorrow, and a tear, as Virtus bid farewell to his
friends, and his beloved Bow. Never more would he grasp its hard shaft or pull its
long string….
43. The winds died immediately, and the last image to dissipate from Marcellos’ view
was the chuckling face of Logaan
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44. Gwen yelled ‘No!!!!!!!’ at the sight of Virtus’ death, whilst Marcellos looked upon the
squashed Elf thinking ‘This is what happens when you pick up strangers, then want to
help them!’
45. A party of six intoxicated Barbarians peered over the side of their War Galley at the
devastation on the docks, and the lone standing figure of Sir Marcellos
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 4 (January Synopsis)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Marcellos tried to tip the ramp from the Barbarian ship into the deep river waters
but failed
As the intoxicated but battle hungry Barbarian horde advanced, and pirates
appeared from within the Barbarian ship ‘The Tracker Serpent’, Marcellos retreated
into a damaged Alchemist’s shop on the dock
Lord Elkas the Elven Wizard was hiding inside and joined up with Marcellos
Siblyx rode his barbarian stead to join the rest of the party on the ridge, as the
Virago appeared
Goff communed to Captain Blackscar and asked him to ram the Barbarian’s ship
Blackscar gladly complied and the Virago turned to mist and decimated the enemy
ship and all those aboard – the Barbarian cheers quickly turning to horrific screams
Unfortunately Arkai, Lady Amalia and the children were also ‘chilled’
Two of the Barbarians had made it to the dock, and Gwen shot an arrow killing one,
and wounding the other
Marcellos used his boots of Speed to grab the maimed Barbarian as a hostage and all
the Heroes regrouped and boarded the Virago (unfortunately Siblyx was unable to
coax the horse aboard)
Lord Elkas made a quick introduction, and the party commented that Elkas’ origin
from the Forest of Yore could be advantageous
Silverarm immediately headed towards the wailing Amalia to offer assistance (with
Kimmi in tow) – only to discover that three of the children had been killed by the
ghostly mist
The leader of the marauding Barbarians and eleven other horsemen charged at the
Virago
Gwen fired two arrows into the Barbarian Leader’s neck and cheek, but the
barbarian seemed un-phased, seemingly more terrified by the fact that
 the Virago had arrived but not under the promised control of Captain Cinnabar
 their own ship ‘The Tracker Serpent’ had vanished
The leader of the Barbarians announced himself as Krom, brother of Throm, and
King of the Serpent Clan of the Barbarians of the Windward Plain
Freddie nominated himself spokesperson of the Heroes
Krom conceded that the Heroes had obviously vanquished the Undead Armageddon,
and so Krom wanted to talk terms to ensure both parties parted ways amicably:
 If the Heroes pledged to not interfere with the Barbarian tribe’s control of the
lands between Elthus and Yore, north of the Whitewater River
 In return Krom would not interfere with the Heroes quest and abandon his
alliance with Lord Azzur and his Pirate Fleet
The Heroes agreed but upon seeing Marcellos, Krom was reminded of his brother’s
death in the Deathtrap Dungeon, and demanded that Marcellos and he have a
‘Barbarian rules smackdown’ (Krom’s victory would avenge his brother’s fall; but if
Marcellos won Krom pledged to spread the word that Quezkari is defeated to all the
other Barbarian clans of the Windward Plains)
Before the unarmed slugfest began, Marcellos tried to retrieve the Armband of
Strength from the unconscious Arkai only to again be transported to a dream plane
Arkai & Monty (wearing a strange necklace) were on the plane for fleeting moments
before Marcellos was torn apart by an unstoppable Nightmare Creature – not even a
last ditch plea to Throff prevented Marcellos from joining Arkai in an endless sleep
in the real world
Freddie replaced Marcellos in the ‘smackdown’ because the Bard’s abilities and
power had been Enhanced and Strengthened by Elkas
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21. Freddie conned Krom into accepting a pre-contest drink from the Fire Wine Jug
(which damaged the Barbarian King) and then Freddie attacked with a flurry of jabs
and punches
22. But Krom was still a formidable opponent – repaying Freddie’s onslaught with his
huge fists, and then placing a choke lock on him.
23. Freddie was undamaged due to Goff’s Protection spell and used his Giant Strength to
break the choke lock
24. Krom screamed “Magic! The Bard cheats!” but Freddie replied by delivering a
haymaker to Krom’s goolies and thus defeating the Barbarian
25. As Freddie put on a triumphant dance for all the onlookers, Krom and his Horsemen
Raiders departed Elthus – but not before Krom warned that the cowardly Marcellos
would not be forgiven for hiding from the ‘smackdown’ and thus further dishonoring
his brother Throm’s memory
26. The Heroes then attempted to recover Virtus and his magical equipment from the
bottom of the river. Goff cast Eyeball a couple of times but revealed that the river
was too deep to retrieve anything
27. Elkas stepped up to the plate and transformed into an Octopus and descended into
the murky river depths, finding Virtus, and lifting him back up to the surface
28. The party stripped Virtus clean of all his items (for that is what the Elf would have
wanted) and distributed the goods via the Marcellos Quartermaster Allocation
System
29. Silverarm declared Marcellos officially out of action – just like Arkai – and the dwarf
was still puzzled over what has become of them – again praying to his Deity for
assistance and receiving only the same response as last time “Protect Kimmi, for the
Child is the Key”
30. Freddie wanted to tie Marcellos and Arkai together on a guest bed in the Virago in a
compromising position but Siblyx would have none of it (the Elf had found much
interest in Arkai’s welfare during this session…)
31. The Heroes set free the captured Barbarian in a gesture of good faith, as refugees
from Elthus that were hiding in the Forest made their way tentatively back into their
ransacked town
32. Virtus’ body was carried into the Forest of Elthus for a traditional Elven burial, and
the Bow of Yore gave a fitting eulogy to his fallen lover
33. Elkas and Siblyx then escorted Lady Amalia into Elthus and witnessed firsthand the
extent of the barbaric acts that had befallen this poor village
34. The party then decided to stay in Elthus for the rest of the day and night as the
villagers buried the dead and cleared the destruction
35. Lady Amalia prayed that the 40 adult males of Elthus who had been ‘captured’
aboard ‘The Tracker Serpent’ were still alive ; thanked the Heroes saying the people
of Elthus would be forever in their debt; warned the party about travelling aboard
the cursed Ghost Ship saying it has already claimed two of the Heroes and those 3
helpless children; and hoped that the party reached Salamonis and were able to
persuade the King to send his soldiers back into the region
36. In the morn Lady Amalia gave Siblyx her blue scarf blessed in holy water (which was
later discarded after it had no effect waking the two Fighters, and Goff revealed the
scarf of no magical value)
37. Kimmi (who had still not grown past her 2yo size) pointed east up the river towards
Coven and this is where the Virago head, under the command of new Lt-Captain
Freddy Mayweather (how ironic, thought Freddie, for this was always his sister’s goal)
38. Over the next two days of sailing, the Heroes noticed that a lot of riverside villages
had been decimated and been deserted. A number of overcrowded river barges
ferried refugees west – in the opposite direction to where the Virago headed – it’s
human cargo full of fear at the sight of the Virago as it glided past
39. The heroes spotted a herd of frightened horses running along the plains, and Siblyx
managed to coax one of the horses onto the Virago
40. At the last major fork of the Whitewater River, LT Freddie gave the order to continue
east towards the Forest of Yore. Elkas remembered the forest fondly, having only left
8 or so weeks ago, but lamented his people’s closed minds, and that even he, an Elf,
would be considered an Outcast
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41. As the party bundled Marcellos and Arkai atop the horse and set foot on land, Lt
Freddie told Blackscar to sail the Virago north east towards Coven, and await the
secret whistling Commune from Goff (adding that Blackscar was allowed to take out
any Pirates, but only engage Barbarian tribes in self defence)
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 5 (February Synopsis)
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18.
Siblyx led the party into the majestic Forest of Yore, with Elkas navigating and the
great heroes Marcellos and Arkai slung across the Horse with no name
Before retiring for the night, Gwen and Elkas foraged in the bountiful Forest finding
rations and rare herbs
During the night the party was surrounded by a large group of Half Elves – but Goff
cast Eyeball and they dispersed, though not before warning the party to head back
from whence they came
Elkas sang the Songs of the High Elves and a gateway to the City of Trees opened
Elkas offered to return the Bow of Yore, so the Keeper of the Gateway - an elderly
Cleric named Girhagh - allowed Elkas, Greensleeves and Kimmi to enter
Gwen was in awe of the ‘greatest Elven City in Allansia’ as it was the dream of all
Elves to visit here
It had been two months since Elkas had left the City of Trees – but he immediately
noticed things were not as he remembered
Elkas learnt that most of the Clerics of the Inner Council – whose power helped
maintain the City’s magical defences - had left on a mission with Vermithrax
Moonchaser – arguably the most reknown and powerful of all Wizards in Allansia and
teacher of Nocdemus and Yaztromo - and the only non-Elf to be allowed within the
secret and sacred City of Trees
Vermithrax had convinced Queen Valendrian that an Undead Ghost ship was
heading into North West Allansia – and that it would bring an army that would
threaten all races in the area. Vermithrax needed the Clerics to help him destroy the
Virago
Queen Valendrian released her Clerics, but when they did not return by the first full
moon of Watching, she felt betrayed by the Human Wizard and sent a company of
her finest Archers after them
When they also did not return, the Queen – already stricken with grief in the death of
her son Alief (killed, she was told, by the competing Heroes of Titan) – believed she
had betrayed the Elven Ways by allowing Vermithrax into the City, and consequently
weakened the City’s defences by her subsequent actions
The Queen demanded that Elkas convince the Heroes to undertake a quest north to
find out what happened to the Elven Clerics and Rangers
Elkas argued with the Queen who refused to help the Heroes – even after Elkas
allowed the Queen to delve into his mind for ‘history & truth’ and she saw that his
quest was noble. But the Queen believed the Heroes’ cause to be that of Human
impulsiveness and folly – and would not be fooled a second time – citing history has
shown that Humans were frivolous beings and ‘this too would pass, as it always has’
The Queen also connected with Kimmi, revealing that the Child of Chaos bore both a
curse and a blessing. If any of Kimmi’s bloodline touched the Child, they would be
able to see the future. But they would also contract a ‘plague’ of sorts – and risk
being trapped in a Plane of Eternal Sleep
This information puzzled the Heroes, for although it made sense in that Arkai could
possibly be Kimmi’s father, what was Marcellos’ connection?
Before being forcibly evicted from the City of Trees, one of the guards, an Elven
Fighter named Lanahgir – passed Elkas a note that had a picture of Lanahgir’s sister
Igadihoan, one of the Keeper’s who went with Vermithrax.
Lanahgir explained that many Elven fighters had deserted the City – fearing the
Queen no longer was of sound mind (including Elkas’ good friend Lord Faunarain).
Lanahgir believed that if Elkas could bring the Inner Council home, then he and
many other Elves would aide the Heroes in their quest
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19. The rest of the party had remained outside the magical Elven city but were left with
four white Elven Archers to ‘protect’ them
20. The High Elves bravely – but foolishly - engaged a large party of Half Elf brigands,
and were surrounded and killed
21. The Half Elves declared themselves part of the ‘Ghost Tribe’ – a Half Elf community
who lived in the Forest of Yore, and were led by twin brothers Ghost Direseeker and
Ghost Tigerchanter
22. The Half Elves were outcasts - not accepted into the City of Trees for they were
viewed as non-pure - and forced from their homes in Salamonis after King Salamon
declared all Elves (including Half Elves) as ‘siding with the Forces of Chaos’ after
Queen Valendrian refused to cede to Salamonian rule during what Salamon
described as a ‘time of war’
23. Freddie spoke for the Heroes and committed to trying to convince King Salamon to
allow the Half Elves back into Salamonis with full citizenship
24. After all, the Heroes had averted any such war because they had:
a. defeated Captain Cinnabar
b. taken control of the Ghost Ship Virago
c. destroyed Quezkari and thus averted the Undead Armageddon
d. spread word amongst the Barbarian hordes of all the above
e. sunk one of Lord Azzur’s pirate vessels – possibly the leader of his fleet in
Captain Bloodaxe
25. In return, Ghost Direseeker said his people would ensure the heroes had safe
passage through the Forest of Yore, and also supplies for their journey ahead
26. Ghost Direseeker advised the party to seek Calorne Mantius, the Census Taker, and a
powerful authority amongst the Salamonian nobility
27. Elkas tested the Queen’s theory of the Child’s bloodline, and touched both Arkai and
Marcellos (it was after 9) but to no avail.
28. Freddie was not as keen to do the same, although he suggested that maybe Kimmi’s
touch would also awaken Arkai & Marcellos
29. The Heroes tried to unravel the mystery of their fighters’ Endless Sleeps, trying to
piece together Silverarm’s confusing translations from her conversations with her
Deity Throff – ‘Kimmi is the Key’, ‘None of the Party have the means’, ‘One amongst you
has the Power’
30. So the party continued on, and after two days, had arrived on the other side of the
Forest of Yore
31. They found supplies amongst three decapitated and stripped bodies – an elf and two
humans – all soldiers of the Salamonian Army
32. It was then off towards Salamonis. After an uneventful day and a half’s trek on the
north side of the River Eltim, they came upon a company of Salamonian soldiers and
cavalry
33. The Captain of the Cavalry unit, Captain Loucas, barred the Elves - Gwen and Elkas from entering Salamonian soil, by Order of King Salamon the 57th
34. Mayweather mentioned Calorne’s name and were fortunate that the Census Taker
was stationed with the military company
35. Calorne acknowledged the presence of the great Heroes Marcellos and Arkai (albeit
in their futile states) adding that any quest involving them must be of ‘great
importance’
36. Calorne agreed to let all of the Heroes pass, and he would even arrange for them to
be presented before the King himself, but on one condition – each of them had to
sign the Census Quill
37. The Census Quill comprised a large Scroll and Feather Quill, both mysterious
artifacts whom many believed had some power over those names it contained. At
the very minimum, once signed, the Quill would be able to track the whereabouts,
and status, of its signatories.
38. Calorne added that all signatures were deemed ‘under Rule of Salamonis, and thereby
bound to answer the call of the King should their services be required’
39. As a sweetener, Calorne said he would see to it that the heavy taxes that were being
imposed across the land to support the war efforts would not extend to the gallant
Heroes
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40. All agreed and signed their lives away, and so Captain Loucas assembled an escort to
take the party into Salamonis
41. A wagon was arranged to hide the unconscious Fighters, the two Elves, and Kimmi,
and the others were given their own steeds
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The Heroes entered the glorious city of Salamonis – the safest city in Allansia
After Archbishop Kalivan confirmed the unconscious hero in the back of the wagon
was indeed Sir Marcellos, the party was pampered and cared for by the Acolytes of
the Temple of Asrel
The Heroes were paraded before King Salamon in the Great Hall of the Royal Palace;
also present were representative families of all the noble houses of Salamon, the
Knights of Salamonis, Calorne Mantius (Census Taker & Tax Collector), Archbishop
Kalivan (Royal Vizier; and Chief Cleric of the Temple of Asrel), Prince Salamon
(General of the Salamonian Army; the King’s son), Princess Sarissa (King’s
daughter), the Alta Kane (Chief Mage; University of Magic), and Issac Rogas (Chief
Sage; Hall of Learning)
The Heroes, represented by Freddie Mayweather, shared their tales, past adventures
, accomplishments, current predicament and goals
King Salamon and his Council of Advisors pressed the Heroes on:
a. The plight of Marcellos & Arkai
b. News from the Forest of Yore
i. Queen Valendrian ‘siding’ with Evil
ii. Salamonian Farmers & Soldiers under constant threat
iii. Half Elf savagery
c. The signing of the Census Quill
i. Whereabouts known
ii. Sworn to King Salamon
d. The Armageddon Invasion
i. Lord Azzur’s Pirate Fleet
ii. Undead Army (Demon Quezkari; Capt Cinnabar & the Virago)
iii. Barbarian Armies of the Windward Plain
e. The Party’s high ‘Amonour’
i. Exemption from taxes and fees
ii. Free provision of meals and board (whilst in the Palace)
f. The Allegations of Baron Sukumvit
i. Cheated in the Trial of Champions
ii. Used a Neckband of Control around the Baron
iii. Cursed the Court Wizard Zaragan
iv. Stole the 50000gp purse
g. The Rise of the Council of the Fallen
i. Baron Sukumvit of Chiang Mai
ii. King Pindar of Chalice
iii. Grandmaster Rain from the Isle of Despair
iv. The Firetop Dwarven Clan
v. Queen Valendrian of Yore
The Heroes were allowed to respond and then there was much debate about future
actions of all involved
Goff recollected, shared (and defended) the events proceeding The Trial of
Champions
a. The Strangeness of Monty Ashe
b. Talon and the Halfling
c. Waarlord and the curse of Quezkari
Prince Salamon stormed out after the Heroes suggested making peace with the Half
Elves
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9.
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Alta Kane cast spells on the Heroes to delve collected thoughts on what happened to
Marcellos & Arkai – uncovering the role of Kimmi
King Salamon ordered Silverarm & Kimmi into the Great Hall and there was
‘discussion’ on whether the child was a ‘good’ or ‘evil’ omen
The King declared there is “much to consider” and that he would make his Royal
Decrees on all matters in the morning following final submissions from both his
Senior Advisors, and Sir Marcellos (should Alta Kane be able to wake him)
King Salamon retired the Court for the night, after issuing the following Royal
Orders:
 Lord Elkas and Gwen would remain under ‘watch’ in the officers’ quarters of
the Royal Palace
 Marcellos, Arkai and Kimmi would be handed over into the care of Alta Kane
in the University of Magic
 Silverarm would be allowed to oversee matters pertaining to
Kimmi’s safety
 Sarissa placed a handkerchief in Marcellos’ garments
 Goff, Freddie and Siblyx would be free to travel throughout the City (but
warned to stay out of the Market District at night)
Goff, Freddie and Siblyx checked out the Old Crossraods tavern in the noble district
(where they had seen some commotion upon entering the city earlier)
They discovered a group of noblemen who were part of a large movement called
‘Humans First’ – committed to harsher action against all elves, and also to keep all
the ‘pointy ears’ out of the City forever
Freddie entertained the tavern crowd with some classic and new riffs from his
upcoming ‘Freddie Does Coven: The Booty Call Tour”; and was offered work at
tomorrow’s market by a pair of gay jewelers named Mellyon & Lowry
Goff parlayed with the friendly female Bar Keep named Felicity and learned that the
Elven houses had been ‘transferred’ to the Noble order, and as such, she didn’t
expect the Elves to be allowed back any time soon
The three Heroes then visited the Market District (against the King’s advice) and
came upon a rowdy bar called the Lewd Orc, where a group of burly and somewhat
intoxicated merchants were terrorizing the Bar staff and ejecting patrons ‘for some
fun’
Two of the loudest bullies demanded Goff pay for their mead and meals, and when
the dwarf objected, one of them crushed a flagon of mead against Goff’s head
Before the second merchant could join in, Freddie drew a Throwing Knife and
pinned his hand to the table, before activating his boot blade and leveraging it
against the ruffian’s spleen
Some of the other members of the merchant’s gang drew daggers and swords, but
Siblyx held them at bay with a nunchuka display that dazzled and distracted the
simpletons who had ne’er seen such an exotic weapon
Before the merchant who assaulted Goff could execute his next attack, the Dwarven
Cleric leapt onto his chair, drawing his mace, spinning around and cracking the skull
of his much slower opponent
Freddie chastised the unruly merchants, as he twisted the knife that impaled one of
their number, before releasing him and throwing a neat right cross that knocked the
man unconscious
As the ruffian merchants left the bar with their tails between their legs, the elderly
Bar Keeper named Eridian thanked the ‘Heroes’ and served them some
complimentary food and mead
Eridian explained all the news and information they heard about matters and events
outside the City walls was controlled by the Royal Palace in a weekly communication
‘The Salamonian Gazette”; he also agreed to spread the word to the common folk
that ‘the Heroes were back in town’
Goff then took Siblyx and Freddie to the Temple of Throff back in the Noble District,
where they met Forkev – the Head of the Throff Order in Salamonis
Goff handed over Sargon’s ‘Spell Book of the Elimite Order’ which Forkev
immediately divined to be ‘a powerful and evil artifact that must not get into the
wrong hands’
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27. Forkev committed to a quest to transport the Elim Book to the Holy City of
Fangthane – the Spiritual Home of all Dwarves in the Freezeblood Mountains. He
asked if Goff would accompany them, but Goff said he was bound to an important
task as a member of the Heroes of Titan
28. Goff mentioned that he knew Silverarm was in town, and also that there was another
evil Spell Book that he would bring to the Temple
29. Forkev said he would wait for Goff to bring the second Book to them before
departing, and that he would also make arrangements for the city’s purveyor of
magic to also visit the temple; Forkev then transferred some of his Mana to Goff in
return for his faith and good work
30. Meanwhile, in the Grand University of Magic, Alta Kane and her Order of Mages
conducted dangerous experiments that joined Kimmi with the two heroes Marcellos
and Arkai
31. Silverarm was lulled into a sleep to avoid interfering
32. Alta Kane successfully woke the two heroes, although they were injured in the
process, and the Heroes had visions of their lives flash by from when whence they
were children, until the Nightmare Creature entered and consumed them
33. Arkai & Marcellos were released from their chains, given back their garments and
equipment, and immediately taken to King Salamon in the early hours of the
morning
34. Kimmi (now the size of an eight year old girl after her connections with Marcellos &
Arkai) remained in chains in the University of Magic;
35. King Salamon was overjoyed that Marcellos was back; and listened with a worried
brow as Marcellos argued Silverarm’s case for Kimmi to accompany the Heroes to
Coven
36. Marcellos demanded he be reunited with his party to be updated with current
events, and the King made it so, assigning them their own royal council rooms to
deliberate, prepare their case and present a united front
37. The Heroes each presented their thoughts and cases:
a. Arkai explained his need to head north west to the Windward Plain to find
and lead the Centaurs on an attack on an army that had taken over Coven
b. Gwen and Lord Elkas argued that the party should head north east to the
Forest of Spiders to seek assistance from Queen Ethilesse
c. Freddie suggested that the party should first seek out a powerful Elven
Wizard called Mordrinath who the King allowed to remain in Salamonis
inside the University if Magic
d. Freddie also mentioned that Ghost Direseeker and the half elves awaited
their return to the Forest of Yore (which was west) in three days’ time
e. Marcellos backed Silverarm in that they would not leave the city without
Kimmi; although they were unsure if the Child would be released from the
University without a shit fight
f. Arkai pondered taking up Alta Kane’s offer of further magical tests with
Kimmi; so they could reveal more of the future
38. As the discussion continued, Goff told Silverarm about Forkev, and so Silverarm
visited the Temple and handed over Xortan Throg’s Dark Book of Necromancy
39. Forkev bestowed Silverarm some Mana and told her to complete her mission with
Kimmi in spite of what the Royal Sage & Mage Orders say about a Dark Prophesy
where “a child will be taken and raised by the Witches to spread the terror of
Marrangha”
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 7 (April Synopsis)
1.
2.
Arkai & Marcellos were given potions of Healing and restored to full health
The party completed the Heroes ‘Submission to the King for Consideration in his
Deliberation’
a. To placate Fang & the Council of the Fallen they handed over:
i. The Helm of See Invisible (back to the Firetop Dwarves)
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3.
4.
5.
6.
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8.
9.
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14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
ii. The Staff & Helmet of Despair, as well as Zen’s Ceremonial Sword
(to the Grandmaster of the Isle of Despair)
iii. 50000gp worth of magical items - the Hell Forged Flail, the Great
Axe of Sarisar and the Monkey Bone Charm (to appease Baron
Sukumvit of Fang)
b. Marcellos & Arkai also signed the Census Scroll to show allegiance to
Salamonian authority
c. On the issue of the remaining Pirate Army threat, the Heroes committed to
making contact with the Centaur tribe of the Windward Plains and getting
them to defend the land against a pirate attack
d. Regarding Kimmi, the Heroes would not leave Salamonis without her
Lord Elkas wrote a letter to the King protesting their innocence in all matters
pertaining to the events in Fang, and explaining that the party was leaving because
saving the world was a greater cause than protecting one city
Elkas suggested the Witches from the Isle of Bones were influencing the Council in
Salamonis to conspire against the Heroes and separate Kimmi from them
Goff warned that the party should reveal all of the party’s magical items from the
Virago
Silverarm revealed the Whistle of Luck and determined that its Disposable
properties had been changed to Fabled whilst aboard the Virago (Lord Elkas giggled
with glee!)
Calorne Mantius entered to secure Arkai & Marcellos’ signatures on the Census
Scroll; then revealed the whereabouts of the dying Elven Wizard Mordrinath
The party left the Royal Palace and headed to Calorne’s House where Calorne’s wife
Eve and daughter Ruth led them to Mordrinath’s makeshift room below in the cellar
Mordrinath was a terrible sight - ghastly grey and terribly bloated
Goff revealed the Wand of Purification and touched the mutated Elven wizard;
Silverarm read her Scroll of Remove Curse – which removed the swelling and
disfiguring - and cast a Healing spell which restored some Stamina
Siblyx was called down from the roof and determined that the wizard had been
exposed to a lethal Deedlewater Toxin, and by all rights should be dead
Mordrinath thanked the party for their concern, but told them it was too late, adding
that he was more saddened by the rift between Man and Elf - fear had led to hatred,
and hatred had overcome sense
The Heroes explained the way of things outside the walls of Salamonis, the plight of
the Half Elves, the child Kimmi, and their quest to Coven to eliminate Marrangha
Mordrinath explained the Prophecy of the Witches Moon on the 1 st Day of Reaping,
when the power of Marrangha was at its most powerful and a ‘great evil would befall
the world’ – he said it was no coincidence that the Heroes have the Child Kimmi with
them – for it is clear that they have once again been called upon by the Gods to Save
the World
Mordrinath said it was his time to pass from this world and take his place on the
Garden of Erillia
The Elf Wizard touched Elkas’ hand and restored a heap of Mana, as well as
conjuring for the Heroes a magical artifact, before his life force left him forever
Lord Elkas revealed the artifact to be a Compass of Infinite Teleportation – which
could transport nine persons across infinite distances anywhere in Titan, or even
onto another Plane
Arkai convinced the others to teleport to the Centaurs on the Windward Plains to
fulfill Telak’s Will
Goff suggested that he could remain behind to leave with the Clerics of Throff in the
morning, and also purchase some magical items, but the others disagreed
Silverarm activated the Compass and took Kimmi from her cell in the Grand
University of Magic; before gathering her team mates and teleporting them to ‘a
centaur tribe closest to Coven, but not in Coven’
The Heroes emerged on the dark and barren Windward Plains amongst a tribe of
Centaurs that were worshipping their Sacred Tree
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22. Arkai spoke for the party and was confronted by Krigu - the battle scarred leader of
the Centaurs – who explained that the Tribe was lamenting a ‘Great Sleep’ that had
befallen one of their kind named Oliharoth
23. Silverarm escorted Kimmi to Oliharoth and the Child shone brightly in the effigy of a
glowing white warrioress before touching the sleeping Centaur and wakening him
24. Arkai recognized the shining Kimmi to be the white warrioress that appeared in his
visions over an unknown village (after he touched Kimmi, one two previous occasions)
25. Oliharoth said he went to sleep about a day from Coven, whilst Caras took first
guard….and now he wakes!
26. Arkai implored Krigu to help rout an Army that surrounded Coven, but Krigu
snapped that the plight of the human town was not of their concern
27. The Heroes contemplated burning the Sacred Tree or casting a lightning bolt onto it,
as tensions reached boiling point
28. Then Caras appeared – a Centaur that Marcellos and Silverarm had met and worked
with in the Forest of Doom and on their journey to Pen Ky Tora (Into the
Wilderness)
29. Caras said the Centaur tribe must join the Heroes for ‘a great evil was sweeping the
land’ and a 600-strong army of ‘Horned Ogres’ surrounded Coven
30. Krigu scoffed at Caras – who countered by declaring that Krigu was not fit to rule the
Centaurs, and telling him one of the Heroes would challenge for the right to decide
the Centaur’s fate
31. The Centaur Elders said a non-Centaur challenger had to offer up his weight in gold
for the right to challenge, then win four challenges
32. Arkai agreed to fulfill his destiny in the eyes of Telak, the God of Courage, and lead
the Centaurs into Battle, so Marcellos put up the fee in gems
33. Lord Elkas cast a number of spells on Arkai, including Enhance Strength and
Enhance Skill, to help him win all four events:
a. STRENGTH - Throw a Spear the furthest
b. ACCURACY - Throw a Spear at a target
c. SPEED - Be the fastest to race around a track
d. UNARMED PROWESS - Best the other in Hand to Hand
34. With Krigu incapacitated, and the Centaurs (sensing a new leader) cheering to finish
him off (landing a blow to unconsciousness) – Arkai gave mercy and Krigu yielded,
pronouncing Arkai the Leader of the Centaur Tribe, in what was one of Arkai’s most
glorious moments!
35. Silverarm healed both Krigu and Arkai and the scene was set for Arkai to lead the
200 Fighter Centaur Army into battle
36. Arkai issued his commands
a. 160 Centaur Fighters and 50 Horses to travel with the party south to the
northern edge of the Forest of Yore
b. 3 Scouts to the north east delta of the Whitewater River to scout and
lookout for the Pirate Army
c. 37 Fighters to remain at the Holy Tree encampments to protect the
remaining 50 elderly and children
37. After a long uneventful trek, and as night turned to day, the Heroes and Centaurs
arrived on the northern edge of the Forest of Yore
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 8 (May Synopsis)
1.
2.
3.
The Heroes & Centaurs travelled across the Windward Plains until night became day
– making camp and resting north of the Forest of Yore
The newly self-proclaimed Mighty Darku assured the Centaurs that if any were
taken by the ‘Great Sleep’, that Kimmi had the power to awaken them – but their
slumber passed uneventfully
Marcellos asked Goff to use his newfound Remove Curse ability to reveal Kimmi’s
affliction, but all Goff was able to explain was that only the Bloodline were affected
by touching the Child
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4.
5.
6.
7.
In an effort to explain Marcellos’ connection to Kimmi, Lord Elkas accused Marcellos
of sneaking in and having his way with Lt Kym ‘back in the day’
The baying of wolves in the distance indicated that blood had been shed somewhere
across the plains
Mighty Arkai assured the restless Centaurs that the Battle of Coven would be upon
them in the next few days, and that they were merely detouring to bolster their
numbers with Elven forces – so that the Elves could marvel at the battle prowess of
the Centaurs
The party split into 2 groups:
a. Arkai & Freddie led the Centaur Army to the east side of the Yore Forest to
meet Ghost Direseeker and the Half Elf rebels
b. Marcellos, Lord Elkas, Siblyx, Gwen, Goff, Silverarm & Kimmi head into the
Forest of Yore to find Vermithrax, and possibly meet up with the Clerics
from the City of Trees, or perhaps even Elkas’ friend Lord Faunarain
Marcellos, Lord Elkas, Siblyx, Gwen, Goff, Silverarm & Kimmi
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
The party rode into the Forest of Yore, but Gwen soon realized they were lost, and
Lord Elkas determined that they were caught in a magical loop and revisiting the
same terrain over again
The afternoon quickly shifted into midnight as the magic of the forest overcame
them and the Nikrekauns appeared
Lord Elkas used his World Lore and Telepathy and explained the Nikrekauns were
mischievous creatures who had one goal in life – to become Leprechauns and travel
the world
To become Leprechauns, they needed three hundred gold piece ‘donations’ from
others - to fill their magical pots and complete their magical evolution
Marcellos cracked open his Bag of Gem Holding and came up with the required sum
in gems which equated to five acts of help from the newly spawn Leprechauns
a. Take them to Vermithrax
b. Restore Goff & Silverarm’s Mana (after revealing the magic items retaken
from The Virago)
c. Reveal the enemy forces in Coven
i. 600 x Rhinomen stationed in Coven
ii. 400 x Rhinomen reinforcements on the way through the Trolltooth
Pass
iii. 3 x Witches….the Sisters of Dree themselves
iv. 1 x Giant of Marrangha
v. 1 x Wizard ….could this be Nicodemus himself?
The party were escorted to Vermithrax’s magical School of Wizardry; inside an
ancient and enchanted Heavenstip tree
Vermithrax explained:
a. He used a Simulacrum to assemble the 12 Elven Clerics from the City of
Trees
b. They travelled to the Whitewater Delta and setup a powerful Banishment
Spell that destroyed the Undead ship ‘The Virago’ (thinking that the Heroes
had failed in their quest to destroy Quezkari on the Isle of Bone; and that the
Undead ship was controlled by Cap’n Cinnabar….. Oops!)
c. Four Days ago he sent Nicodemus and Ghost Tigerchanter’s 50 Rebel Elven
Soldiers to seek alliance with the Elves of the Forest of Spiders, and warn
them of the threat upon the Rainbow Ponds
d. Two days ago he lost contact with Nicodemus after he reported in from
Coven, speaking of a large company of Rhinomen occupying the town
e. A Deck of Summoning from Dree revealed events leading to the Summoning
of a Creature of Nightmares from the Plane of Dreams
f. All of the cards events had since transpired, meaning Nicodemus had failed,
except the Rise of the Witches Moon and the actual summoning of the
Creature itself
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15. The Heroes explained their quest and all the pieces fit into place. Before the Rise of
the Witches Moon on the last night of Watching, they needed to:
a. Rout the Rhinomen Army and other enemy that occupied Coven
b. Allow Kimmi to awaken the 100 Souless Ones trapped somewhere in
Coven
c. Slay the Host of the Summoning Ritual – a Wizard from the School of
the Circle – thus breaking the Creature’s link to the Mortal world
16. Vermithrax gave them the Deck of Cards and also his last two Bags of Communing
Powder created by another wizard named Badedas the Blue
17. The Heroes said they needed more troops to win the Battle of Coven and so would
travel to the Forest of Spiders to complete Nicodemus’ mission and enlist the Elven
forces there
Arkai, Freddie & The Centaur Army
18. Mighty Arkai’s party crossed the River Eltim and met up with the Ghosts in the
eastern woods of Yore
19. Ghost Direseeker was disappointed that the Heroes had not been able to convince
King Salamon to welcome the Half Elves back into Salamonis and restore their
citizenship and rights
20. Arkai and Freddie explained that a great battle in Coven needed to be won, and if the
Half Elves joined their army, then they have King Salamon’s backing that this
contribution would ‘almost certainly’ pave the way back into Salamonis
21. Ghost Direseeker said many of his kind would die in such a battle, but as he was
desperate to lead his people back to their homes, he would consult with his brother
Ghost Tigerchanter to gain his mutual consent
22. Freddy Mayweather sang his #1 Hit “All Dead” from his album “The Prophecy of the
Damned” which foretold of the Heroes Victory in Coven
23. Ghost Direseeker committed to meeting the party at their rendezvous point north of
Yore in the morn, with an answer
24. Meanwhile as Arkai’s Centaur Army rode back to the Rendezvous point they were
surrounded by a 450-man regiment of shiny Knights from Salamonis led by Prince
Salamon and Captain Loucas
25. Prince Salamon had also earlier intercepted the party of Dwarves from the Temple
of Throff that transported the two Spell Books of Evil from Salamonis (they were now
his prisoners)– and the Prince claimed the Heroes were party to this smuggling out of
these dangerous texts – saying Chief Mage Alta Kane had warned the King that ‘the
Heroes had in their possession great books of evil’
26. Prince Salamon would not let the Heroes and their Centaur Army pass unless the
Heroes agreed to:
a. Join his Knights on their holy mission to the Whitewater River
b. Send their Horse creature criminals away
c. Take him to Kimmi and the other Heroes
27. Prince Salamon explained that by signing the Census Quill the Heroes pledged
allegiance to Salamonis, and hence Prince Salamon had authority in the field
28. The Prince added that after completing his mission, he would escort the Heroes back
to Salamonis – claiming he had a Royal Decree written by the King’s Council saying
the Heroes needed to return to Salamonis to explain their disappearance (and other
matters)
29. Kimmi would also be taken to Salamonis – to keep the Child of the Damned away
from Coven, and thus prevent its part in completing the Prophesy of the Damned
30. Although the Centaurs were more than happy to wipe the smirk off Prince Salamon’s
face, Arkai went along with Prince Salamon’s orders to send the Centaurs away,
agreeing to lead the Knights to Kimmi and the other Heroes
31. Secretly, however, Arkai instructed Krigu to assemble the Centaur army north of the
Rendezvous point outside the Forest of Yore
32. Prince Salamon sent message bearers back to Salamonis to update the King’s Council
on his fortuitous find, and report Calorne’s treachery for falsely revealing that the
Heroes were in Oyster Bay
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33. Arkai also included a letter to King Salamon that explained they were on a crucial
mission to Coven, and requesting that the King meet them on the 28 th Day of
Watching at 0900HRS north of the Forest of Yore, and accusing Prince Salamon of
interfering and potentially having blood on his hands
34. Prince Salamon was furious at the Heroes insolence, but allowed the letter saying it
only added to the weight of his argument that the Heroes mission was pure folly
PLAGUE OF DREAMS - Session 9 (June Synopsis)
Arkai, Freddy and the Knights of Prince Salamon
109.
Arkai and Freddy camped with the Knights of Salamonis as they made their way
north to Whitewater Bay to engage an alleged Undead Army berthed there
110.
Arkai ensured the captured Dwarves of Throff were well cared for, and Captain
Loucas handed over the evil Spell-books (at further risk to his relationship with the
single-minded Prince)
111.
The two Heroes convinced Captain Loucas to see to their escape – so that they
may pursue their cause which was for the greater good of Titan
112.
Freddy and Arkai rode through the night towards the Rendezvous point to
remain one step ahead of Prince Salamon; but they were ambushed by a pack of
vicious wolves
113.
Their horses were torn apart, but Freddy used his Knife Throwing and Dagger
skills and Arkai swung his Sword of the Holy Knight decisively to win the battle, and
see the wolves flee
114.
The two heroes camped south of the rendezvous point – Arkai resting whilst
Mayweather guarded and wrote a song about his heroics against the wolves
Marcellos, Elkas, Gwen, Siblyx, Goff, Silverarm, Kimmi and School of Vermithrax
115.
Vermithrax communicated with Queen Valendrian but she still refused to join
the Heroes campaign for a lot of reasons: (1) her people had already done their part
by helping sink the Undead vessel The Virago, (2) one of their Clerics had not
returned (Igadihoan) (3) She did not believe that the magical Elven vapours of the
Forest of Spiders had been breached, for her own Elven City remained cloaked from
the eyes of the world
116.
Silverarm and Kimmi met the true ghastly form of Vermithrax and the wizard
deemed that Kimmi was a demi God.....half Humankind, half Celestial ....and could not
be harmed by any weapon of magic nor man. The Child’s lifespan however was
restricted to human years (the average human lives to 65). The Child’s purpose on
this world was also clouded - for it has both Evil and Good intent. Perhaps the
company it makes shall determine its fate
117.
The party stayed the night at the five star Hotel Vermithrax then set out in the
morning as the forest magically opened onto the Windward Plains
118.
However, before they departed, the Witch Mother appeared in the fireplace via
the Blue Powder of Summoning, claiming their heroics were for nought, and that
Nicodemus had been bested
119.
Gwen fired a silver arrow into the fire, and Elkas cast a lightning wall, but all it
did was burn all of Vermithrax’s hanging plants
120.
The Witch Mother projected the power of the Nightmare Creature into the
room; Marcellos found its power difficult to repel, whilst Silverarm felt blessed that
her Ring of Mind Shielding aided her resistance
121.
As the sun rose to echo in another sweltering day, the Heroes of Titan had once
again regrouped north of the Forest of Yore, and exchanged tales of their adventures
122.
They then travelled north – still a number of hours ahead of prince Salamon – to
meet up with Arkai’s Centaur Army, and then return to the Centaur tribe – as the
Deck of Summoning had revealed that The Holy Tree bore a source of immunity
123.
The Scouts that Arkai had sent to Whitewater Bay had also returned to tell of
three large galleys berthed in the bay, and a settlement of roughly 500 human
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warriors on land. Upon describing the flags on the ships, the Heroes determined that
these were part of Lord Azzur’s Pirate Army out of Blacksand
124.
The Heroes decided it was time again to split the party
a. Freddie and Gwen were tasked with heading back south to meet the Ghost
Elves and see if they would be joining the Battle of Coven. Krigu
accompanied them as did 50 Centaurs and the 50 spare Horses
b. Once they met with the Ghost Elves, Freddie and Gwen were to navigate
across the Windward Plain to Knot Oak Wood, to hook up with the main
party
c. It would be a risky assignment – having to avoid Prince Salamon’s Knights,
the occupied town of Coven, as well as a Rhinomen Army of reinforcements
from the Trolltooth Pass
125.
The other Heroes (Marcellos, Siblyx, Arkai, Goff, Silverarm & Kimmi) rode north
to the Centaur settlement, where Goff communed with the Holy Tree and found it
was indeed a portal to the Animal God Hunnynhaa
126.
A mouth formed in the Tree and Hunnynhaa revealed there were 2 branches
that had fallen in the last 300 years, and that these would protect the holders from
the Evil that they would face
127.
The Centaur Elder Fannona handed over the two white limbed Holy Staves, and
in return the Heroes gave her the two Books of Evil to take care of (wow, thanks)
128.
Hunnynhaa warned the Heroes that damaging the Staves would remove their
power, and that they must not be used as weapons (i.e. offensively)
129.
The party decided one Staff would be held by Marcellos, and the other carried by
Lord Elkas. Elkas gave Arkai his Whistle of Luck as compensation for Arkai’s
reasonableness
130.
They then rode east across the Windward Plan to the Forest of Spiders – careful
to travel wide and out of sight of Coven
131.
Upon crossing the Spider River and hitting the west side of the Forest of Spiders,
and with dusk quickly approaching:
a. Arkai sent 3 Centaur scouts south to Knot Oak Wood to look out (hopefully)
for Gwen and Freddie’s party
b. Lord Elkas began singing the ancient tunes of Erillia as he bravely entered
the thick tangled Forest of Spiders to look for the Elven City of Eren
Durdinath (known as Stittle Woad to humans)
132.
Lord Elkas landed in a Spider Scorpion web trap but escaped using a lightning
blast to break free
133.
Elkas then met a party of Elves who took him to see Prince Brighteye of Eren
Durdinath. The prince explained:
a. Last night they were attacked by an Army of Rhinomen led by an Ogre Giant
that could not be felled. They killed 80 Rhinomen, but sadly lost 15 Elves
b. Their Queen Ethilesse has been unable to be woken since the attack
c. The Rainbow Ponds that hold the magical vapours that conceal both the
Elven Cities of Spiders and Yore had been breached, though they know not
how
d. Elves from the Forest of Yore were also in the city – Lord Faunarain,
Igadihoan and 12 Rangers
e. Lord Faunarain was also unable to be woken, and Igadihoan explained that
Nicodemus had been travelling with Lord Faunarain when they were
overcome during the night by three Serpents with Hags heads and a Giant
outside of Coven - and disgracefully they had to flee, leaving Nicodemus and
many of their number behind
134.
Lord Elkas told the Prince Variel not to worry, as the Heroes of Titan had one
amongst them who could revive the Queen, and his childhood friend Faunarain
135.
The Heroes joined the Elves of Eren Durdinath and tried to revive the
unconscious ones with the Staff of Hunnynhaa, but in the end only Kimmi was able
to awaken them, as her touch filled them with spirited light, and Kimmi again
transformed momentarily into the shape of a white glowing warrioress
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136.
Queen Ethilesse woke and immediately declared war on the Witches of Coven
(that she discovered stealing the magical vapours), as well as the invading Rhinomen
and the rampaging Giant
137.
Lord Faunarain spoke of the horrible nightmares whilst he hugged Igadihoan
and kissed Lord Elkas (for that is the Elven way)
138.
Lord Elkas used the Blue Communing Powder to contact Vermithrax and tell
word of the attack on Eren Durdinath and their success in adding the Elves of the
Spider Forest to their forces
139.
Vermithrax explained that the Giant of Marrangha seems to have regenerative
power, and therefore can only be defeated by killing its creators (most probably the
Witches of Dree)
140.
Vermithrax also relayed a plea to Queen Valendrian from Queen Ethilesse which
showed Igadihoan was safe, and that the magical Rainbow Pond vapours had been
stolen and a powerful enemy threatened them all
141.
The last remaining Blue Communing Powder was cast and Queen Valendrian
appeared – finally committing her 150 Pure Elven Troops to the Battle of Coven!
Yay!
142.
Igadihoan looked forward to seeing her brother Lanahgir, to tell him that her
childhood sweetheart Lord Elkas had proposed marriage, and they would return to
Yore and be wed after the battle
143.
At the same time, Gwen & Freddie returned with 150 Ghost Elves of Yore, and
there were many raucous cheers as Elf, Human, Centaur and Dwarf mingled together
in preparation for war! Even Kimmi seemed excited, making a few more meeps than
usual
144.
To further bolster their troops, the Heroes arranged for Caras to lead 70
Centaurs and 50 Horses back to Yore, on a non-stop mission to pick up Queen
Valendrian’s Elven company, and expedite their journey back to the Spider River – a
mission that would take 16-20hrs – just in time before the last night of Watching
The Adventure Continues…
ENEMY FORCES
Rhinomen (8/9) led by the
Marrangha Giant
Witches
Marrangha Giant
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3
1
Wizard of the Circle (?)
1
Witch Mother
1
HEROIC FORCES
Heroes
Kimmi
Forest of Spiders Elven Archers
(9/5) led by Prince Variel Brighteye
Forest of Yore Elven Archers
(9/5) led by Lord Faunarain
Half Elf Ghost Archers (8/6)
led by Ghost Direseeker
Centaurs (10/2A/10)
led by Arkai Darku / Krigu
PENDING
Forest of Yore Elven Archers (9/5)
led by Lanahgir
8
1
135
12
150
170
150