The fight was over relatively quick. The five demons were dead, and the heroes had acquired a bell, which when grabbed, attacked itself to your hand in a very painful manner.
One they went to explore and find the missing pieces. Soon they found themselves in a room full of pillars with mirrors on, facing some undead. Truxas got ported into an oubliette by one of the mirrors. While Carric and Gnoguh fought the undead, Truxas was facing off two starving gnolls in a very little room. Luckily for him, Gnoguh soon found himself in the same oubliette. This left Carric alone with the undead. It didn't take long for him to end up there as well though.
Tirsday 16th Yuly- Mansday 16th Auktaubor
They searched high and low for an exit, but couldn't find any. Luckily, it seemed that the air in the oubliette was magically replaced. And they had plenty of food, via Carric's magical food basket. After a while, Carric tried to send a sending, but no response was given, so it was impossible to know if the message had gotten through.
Gnoguh found some info the book of Baphomet, saying that such oubliettes were often used by the clergy of Baphomet, and that most of them would empty themselves once in a while. Usually after a month or so.
And, true enough, a month later; the oubliette ejected the brave heroes, right into the chamber full of mirrors. However, they were soon back. And it happened a few times. Only on the fourth try (after spending 3 months in the oubliette and several close calls) did they manage to beat the mirrors and kill the undead, gaining the mask that they needed to enter the inner sanctum.
9. december 2008
2. december 2008
21st session
The combat started looking really bad, but some good action from the heroes, like a well-placed Stinking Cloud, turned to battle. After that, they decided to leave the boar there for now, and continue on. Soon they came to a new room, in which they encountered 3 ghosts of the past. After proving they were ready to continue, the heroes were told some things about the dungeon.
It appears that the Well of Madness used to be a temple to Baphomet, the demon prince of Minotaurs. The leader of the gnolls is hiding in something called the Inner Sanctum. To access the Inner Sanctum, one must collect 4 items from around the dungeon and place those items at the same time in 4 different ritual circles. That will activate various traps and release the guardians, two dead dragons. Exactly 1 minute later, the doors to the Inner Sanctum will open, allowing access for a time.
After talking to the ghosts (and impressing them - Gnoguh soloed the boar!) the heroes went south and west. First they found one ritual circle in a room, and then they found a huge room, with platforms, two minotaur statues and a hell of a lot of blood. The dagger was in there, in two parts, on two different platforms. As soon as they entered the blood, the statues started attacking them constantly. As if it wasn't enough, some demons were hiding in the blood. It ended up being a long and hard fight, with most heroes being fairly close to dieing. But they prevailed, killed the demons, and acquired the dagger.
After that, it was time for a rest.
Mansday 15th Yuly
After resting, the heroes continued south, where they found another ritual circle, which was placed in a room which also had two huge bowls of water, that several of them found suspect.
They pressed on, and further south, they found a serie of connected rooms with odd pillars, an altar, and some demons. They tried to sneak up on them, but the larger of them demons spotted Carric as he peaked around the corner.
It appears that the Well of Madness used to be a temple to Baphomet, the demon prince of Minotaurs. The leader of the gnolls is hiding in something called the Inner Sanctum. To access the Inner Sanctum, one must collect 4 items from around the dungeon and place those items at the same time in 4 different ritual circles. That will activate various traps and release the guardians, two dead dragons. Exactly 1 minute later, the doors to the Inner Sanctum will open, allowing access for a time.
After talking to the ghosts (and impressing them - Gnoguh soloed the boar!) the heroes went south and west. First they found one ritual circle in a room, and then they found a huge room, with platforms, two minotaur statues and a hell of a lot of blood. The dagger was in there, in two parts, on two different platforms. As soon as they entered the blood, the statues started attacking them constantly. As if it wasn't enough, some demons were hiding in the blood. It ended up being a long and hard fight, with most heroes being fairly close to dieing. But they prevailed, killed the demons, and acquired the dagger.
After that, it was time for a rest.
Mansday 15th Yuly
After resting, the heroes continued south, where they found another ritual circle, which was placed in a room which also had two huge bowls of water, that several of them found suspect.
They pressed on, and further south, they found a serie of connected rooms with odd pillars, an altar, and some demons. They tried to sneak up on them, but the larger of them demons spotted Carric as he peaked around the corner.
25. november 2008
20th session
Lordday 13th Yuly
Not long after their return to the SPH, they meet Torn, an old acquaintance of Carric and Targron, now a wizard working for the Church of Kord, and send by Trevor as magical assistance amongst many things.
They explain Torn what they are doing, and all decide (after a lot of debate back and forth) to find out who this Paldemar character is. They spend some time asking around at the slave-blocks, but with little luck. The trails leads them to Brugg, the ogre who is captain of the guard in the SPH. Torn gets the idea to bribe him with food, more precisely with boar, which is a favorite dish of ogres. He takes the bribe, but claims knowing nothing of Paldemar. It's obvious that he lies. So when he leaves, they all follow, only to see him disappear in the portal area beneath the giant minotaur statue.
Disheartened that they seem to have hit a wall regarding Paldemar, they head to their favorite drow merchant, Gendar. There they learn that Paldemar is the apprentice of the mages that run the SPH.
After this, it is quickly decided to find out where the Well of Demons is. Gendar knows this as well, and draws them a map.
Sonday 14th Yuly
The brave heroes once again head out into the Labyrinth beneath the Thunderspire Mountains. After some hours following the map drawn by Gendar, they arrive at what appears to be the entrance of the Well of Demons. A large door with a demon face carved into it. But there are traps.
After dealing with the trap (BOOM), they enter a large room with a blancket of darkness covering the entirety of the right wall. In there, they are swarmed by giant beetles and the like. After a short fight, the remaining insects flee back into the holes from which they came out.
The heroes proceeded to investigate the darkness, which turned out to be magical, but not magic, and quite resistant to any lightsource. It also became apparent that there seemed to be no floor in the darkness.
Was it a trap by Gendar? Or had something happened that changed the layout? Many things were debate, but few conclusions were really conclusive.
So they moved on, finding a dining room, some barracks and a kennel, and running into some gnolls and hyenas. They proved no match for the heroes, in fact, several mentioned that it was almost too easy.
Once again, they moved on, and found another door. Behind the door, they spotted a huge dire boar chained to the floor, full of arrows in it's hide. Our heroes moved in, Carric first. But as soon as he stuck his head inside, he was assaulted by arrows and magic, injuring him quite severely.
Not long after their return to the SPH, they meet Torn, an old acquaintance of Carric and Targron, now a wizard working for the Church of Kord, and send by Trevor as magical assistance amongst many things.
They explain Torn what they are doing, and all decide (after a lot of debate back and forth) to find out who this Paldemar character is. They spend some time asking around at the slave-blocks, but with little luck. The trails leads them to Brugg, the ogre who is captain of the guard in the SPH. Torn gets the idea to bribe him with food, more precisely with boar, which is a favorite dish of ogres. He takes the bribe, but claims knowing nothing of Paldemar. It's obvious that he lies. So when he leaves, they all follow, only to see him disappear in the portal area beneath the giant minotaur statue.
Disheartened that they seem to have hit a wall regarding Paldemar, they head to their favorite drow merchant, Gendar. There they learn that Paldemar is the apprentice of the mages that run the SPH.
After this, it is quickly decided to find out where the Well of Demons is. Gendar knows this as well, and draws them a map.
Sonday 14th Yuly
The brave heroes once again head out into the Labyrinth beneath the Thunderspire Mountains. After some hours following the map drawn by Gendar, they arrive at what appears to be the entrance of the Well of Demons. A large door with a demon face carved into it. But there are traps.
After dealing with the trap (BOOM), they enter a large room with a blancket of darkness covering the entirety of the right wall. In there, they are swarmed by giant beetles and the like. After a short fight, the remaining insects flee back into the holes from which they came out.
The heroes proceeded to investigate the darkness, which turned out to be magical, but not magic, and quite resistant to any lightsource. It also became apparent that there seemed to be no floor in the darkness.
Was it a trap by Gendar? Or had something happened that changed the layout? Many things were debate, but few conclusions were really conclusive.
So they moved on, finding a dining room, some barracks and a kennel, and running into some gnolls and hyenas. They proved no match for the heroes, in fact, several mentioned that it was almost too easy.
Once again, they moved on, and found another door. Behind the door, they spotted a huge dire boar chained to the floor, full of arrows in it's hide. Our heroes moved in, Carric first. But as soon as he stuck his head inside, he was assaulted by arrows and magic, injuring him quite severely.
16. november 2008
Book: The Keeper
The Keeper, who is this new world is the God of War, Tyranny, Death, the Dead and Winter, is, according to the book, an ancient God who arrived in this world around 11.000 years before the Infernal Calendar started (whatever that is), when the dragons returned to the world to battle the mindflayers who had enslaved most of the world. The dragons and gods were successful, and the mindflayers either left for other worlds, or went into hiding, deep underground in -10987.
The Keeper has, it appears, at least 4 distinct Exarchs, powerful creatures each in their own right, who serve different aspects of the Keeper. The Raven Queen handles the dead in the Shadowfell (much like in your religion, only there, she is a greater goddess), Asmodeus rules the devils in the Nine Hells (much like in your religion, only there, he is a greater god), Bane is here on Draegor, and rules an empire to the north called the Ebon Empire (in your religion, he is a greater god) and Zorich, who was elevated to Exarch in 475, (who doesn't exist in your religion) resides in the Astral Dominion, as the personal bodyguard and advisor to the Keeper. The other Exarchs were promoted from their mortal status when the Keeper, along with the other gods, left the world for the Astral Dominion in -6702.
Symbol: White Dire Wolf
The Keeper has, it appears, at least 4 distinct Exarchs, powerful creatures each in their own right, who serve different aspects of the Keeper. The Raven Queen handles the dead in the Shadowfell (much like in your religion, only there, she is a greater goddess), Asmodeus rules the devils in the Nine Hells (much like in your religion, only there, he is a greater god), Bane is here on Draegor, and rules an empire to the north called the Ebon Empire (in your religion, he is a greater god) and Zorich, who was elevated to Exarch in 475, (who doesn't exist in your religion) resides in the Astral Dominion, as the personal bodyguard and advisor to the Keeper. The other Exarchs were promoted from their mortal status when the Keeper, along with the other gods, left the world for the Astral Dominion in -6702.
Symbol: White Dire Wolf
Book: War of the Scar
For more than 500 years, the Cendriane Empire of the Eladrin has ruled most of the northern hemisphere. Cendria Nightsky is dead, and the power has passed on to her son, G'rik Nightsky.
One day in 1459, during the hottest day for centuries, a great earthquake is felt just about everywhere in the Empire. Cities are destroyed, thousands and thousands die before they even know what happens. But the Empire was just a foreshadowing of what was to come.'
For reasons unknown, the epicenter of the earthquake ripped a planar hole to the Elemental Chaos. Elemental beings filled with chaos and hatred start pouring out into this world, leaving chaos and destruction wherever they go. The Eladrin immediately recognize the thread to the world, and start funneling every single resource available towards fighting the elemental invasion and stopping the destruction.
After 13 years of fighting, the war is won when Ossandrya of the Spiral Tower, leader of the collective armies of the world, kills the three elemental lords Y'vir, Fririr and Oy'klir with her sword, Coldbringer, sending the flamelords tumbling back into the scar that the earthquake created. Alas, around Osandrya lay more than a million Eladrin, dead, scorched by the elemental fires of the Elemental Chaos.
A mere four years later, the remaining Eladrin retreated back into the Feywild, leaving the other races of the free from their dominance.
Written by Carryc Ossandrya, Master of the Spiral Tower, 3107
One day in 1459, during the hottest day for centuries, a great earthquake is felt just about everywhere in the Empire. Cities are destroyed, thousands and thousands die before they even know what happens. But the Empire was just a foreshadowing of what was to come.'
For reasons unknown, the epicenter of the earthquake ripped a planar hole to the Elemental Chaos. Elemental beings filled with chaos and hatred start pouring out into this world, leaving chaos and destruction wherever they go. The Eladrin immediately recognize the thread to the world, and start funneling every single resource available towards fighting the elemental invasion and stopping the destruction.
After 13 years of fighting, the war is won when Ossandrya of the Spiral Tower, leader of the collective armies of the world, kills the three elemental lords Y'vir, Fririr and Oy'klir with her sword, Coldbringer, sending the flamelords tumbling back into the scar that the earthquake created. Alas, around Osandrya lay more than a million Eladrin, dead, scorched by the elemental fires of the Elemental Chaos.
A mere four years later, the remaining Eladrin retreated back into the Feywild, leaving the other races of the free from their dominance.
Written by Carryc Ossandrya, Master of the Spiral Tower, 3107
Book: History of the Auran Empire
The History of the Auran Empire.
The Auran Empire was born many years ago, when a small city-state called Ty decided to do away with their hereditary monarchy and become an elective monarchy instead. The ruler would sit for life, but at his death, the people who chose the next in line. The first to be chosen was Aura Goldclaw, a beautiful and wise human woman. No one knew who she was, but everybody was smitten and impressed by her.
For years, she led Ty with a firm, if not firm hand. They prospered way beyond their neighbors, and soon the neighbors grew jealous. Wars started, and Aura proved to be more than just a politician. For years, Ty won every single war.
50 years later, Ty was fast becoming the capitol of a great kingdom, aptly named after the ruler, Aura. Aura's popularity rivaled that of the gods. This is when he showed her true colors. Aura is in reality a Gold Dragon. But little did it matter to the inhabitants to the Kingdom of Aura. They still loved their fair and just leader, beyond any racial barriers.
Aura thus continued it's expansion, and about 100 years later, the Kingdom of Aura had swallowed up just about every kingdom nearby, becoming the Auran Empire. Since then, it has continued. For nearly 1500 years the Auran Empire has expanded, covering the entire continent. Aura Goldenclaw still rules, living in Ty, the greatest city in the world. Aura Goldenclaw rules with a just but very firm hand. His laws are fair, but harsh, and utter loyalty is demanded. Under the law, all races are equal, except of course for slaves. All free men and women learn to read and write, and the Auran Empire still blossoms, and is a huge beacon of light in an otherwise dark world.
Written by Jeremiah Jarrack, 1673
The Auran Empire was born many years ago, when a small city-state called Ty decided to do away with their hereditary monarchy and become an elective monarchy instead. The ruler would sit for life, but at his death, the people who chose the next in line. The first to be chosen was Aura Goldclaw, a beautiful and wise human woman. No one knew who she was, but everybody was smitten and impressed by her.
For years, she led Ty with a firm, if not firm hand. They prospered way beyond their neighbors, and soon the neighbors grew jealous. Wars started, and Aura proved to be more than just a politician. For years, Ty won every single war.
50 years later, Ty was fast becoming the capitol of a great kingdom, aptly named after the ruler, Aura. Aura's popularity rivaled that of the gods. This is when he showed her true colors. Aura is in reality a Gold Dragon. But little did it matter to the inhabitants to the Kingdom of Aura. They still loved their fair and just leader, beyond any racial barriers.
Aura thus continued it's expansion, and about 100 years later, the Kingdom of Aura had swallowed up just about every kingdom nearby, becoming the Auran Empire. Since then, it has continued. For nearly 1500 years the Auran Empire has expanded, covering the entire continent. Aura Goldenclaw still rules, living in Ty, the greatest city in the world. Aura Goldenclaw rules with a just but very firm hand. His laws are fair, but harsh, and utter loyalty is demanded. Under the law, all races are equal, except of course for slaves. All free men and women learn to read and write, and the Auran Empire still blossoms, and is a huge beacon of light in an otherwise dark world.
Written by Jeremiah Jarrack, 1673
Book: Battle of the Nine Sons
Cultists of the ruler of ruin haven’t always been relegated to the fringes of civilization and the filthy reaches of Yeenoghu’s realm, and once, not long ago, they united long enough to mount a credible threat to the established nations in the world. During the height of the last human empire, Nerath, a mortal gnoll known as the White ruin came to power in his tribe after butchering the chieftain and all his sons in one horrific combat. With the warriors cowed,
the gnoll champion swiftly turned to the other tribes stalking the forests and hills, seeking them out, one by one, to challenge their chieftains. Those who fought him died, and those who didn’t vowed their service, cementing their alliance with the blood of their firstborn sons. Not long after, the White ruin accumulated a horde of gnolls, hyenas, goblins, orcs, and dread demons summoned from the Abyss, and in the name of his wicked master, turned hungry eyes to the lands of humans.
At this time, King Elidyr, a wise and just monarch, ruled the lands of Nerath. When word reached him of the approaching storm, he gathered his glittering knights and allies to meet the demonic host. His forces, although numerous, could not compare to the ravenous beasts under Yeenoghu’s banners.
Elidyr struck and fell back a dozen times, each loss finding his diminishing army deeper in his own lands, and the gnolls scouring the earth of castle, town, and city. His numerous forays bled the host, racking up appalling numbers of dead, but nothing Elidyr did could halt the tide’s progress.
It wasn’t until the Battle of Nine Sons, when much of Nerath drowned in its own blood, that Elidyr finally triumphed over the invaders. He and his sons, each bold knights and great champions in their own right, formed a wedge and rode their magnificent charges through the unruly ranks, driving deep to reach its monstrous heart. As they rode, their armies hit the horde from both sides, sacrificing themselves for one final attempt to halt the enemy’s progress. Elidyr and his sons fought through the press, each taking grievous wounds and vanishing in the sea of blades, claws, and teeth, until only the king remained, dripping with the blood of his eldest and most beloved son. It was then that the White Ruin sought out this courageous warrior and challenged him to single conflict.
For nine days and nights, while the armies fought around them, Elidyr and the White ruin fought, hacking and chopping at each other, neither willing to surrender. On and on they battled until the dawn of the tenth day, when the roiling dark clouds broke and the light of the gods shone down upon the embattled forces. The White ruin, unaccustomed to the wholesome power of the enraged gods, shielded his eyes, giving Elidyr the chance he needed to drive home his shining sword in the black heart of the terrible monster. Just as he struggled to withdraw the blade, the White Ruin loosed a tremendous screech and was pulled, along with the noble king, into the Abyss.
The victory won at the cost of a king and his sons proved bitter, for the destruction of the kingdom suffered was too much and its people were too scattered to rebuild. In time, Nerath crumbled like the gnoll host, until it too passed into history. Some whisper, though, that Elidyr is not dead and lives on, fighting Yeenoghu in the Abyss. They feel that one day he will defeat the Beast of Butchery and return to the mortal world, bringing with him a new age of justice and peace as he drives back the darkness overtaking the world.
the gnoll champion swiftly turned to the other tribes stalking the forests and hills, seeking them out, one by one, to challenge their chieftains. Those who fought him died, and those who didn’t vowed their service, cementing their alliance with the blood of their firstborn sons. Not long after, the White ruin accumulated a horde of gnolls, hyenas, goblins, orcs, and dread demons summoned from the Abyss, and in the name of his wicked master, turned hungry eyes to the lands of humans.
At this time, King Elidyr, a wise and just monarch, ruled the lands of Nerath. When word reached him of the approaching storm, he gathered his glittering knights and allies to meet the demonic host. His forces, although numerous, could not compare to the ravenous beasts under Yeenoghu’s banners.
Elidyr struck and fell back a dozen times, each loss finding his diminishing army deeper in his own lands, and the gnolls scouring the earth of castle, town, and city. His numerous forays bled the host, racking up appalling numbers of dead, but nothing Elidyr did could halt the tide’s progress.
It wasn’t until the Battle of Nine Sons, when much of Nerath drowned in its own blood, that Elidyr finally triumphed over the invaders. He and his sons, each bold knights and great champions in their own right, formed a wedge and rode their magnificent charges through the unruly ranks, driving deep to reach its monstrous heart. As they rode, their armies hit the horde from both sides, sacrificing themselves for one final attempt to halt the enemy’s progress. Elidyr and his sons fought through the press, each taking grievous wounds and vanishing in the sea of blades, claws, and teeth, until only the king remained, dripping with the blood of his eldest and most beloved son. It was then that the White Ruin sought out this courageous warrior and challenged him to single conflict.
For nine days and nights, while the armies fought around them, Elidyr and the White ruin fought, hacking and chopping at each other, neither willing to surrender. On and on they battled until the dawn of the tenth day, when the roiling dark clouds broke and the light of the gods shone down upon the embattled forces. The White ruin, unaccustomed to the wholesome power of the enraged gods, shielded his eyes, giving Elidyr the chance he needed to drive home his shining sword in the black heart of the terrible monster. Just as he struggled to withdraw the blade, the White Ruin loosed a tremendous screech and was pulled, along with the noble king, into the Abyss.
The victory won at the cost of a king and his sons proved bitter, for the destruction of the kingdom suffered was too much and its people were too scattered to rebuild. In time, Nerath crumbled like the gnoll host, until it too passed into history. Some whisper, though, that Elidyr is not dead and lives on, fighting Yeenoghu in the Abyss. They feel that one day he will defeat the Beast of Butchery and return to the mortal world, bringing with him a new age of justice and peace as he drives back the darkness overtaking the world.
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