23. december 2008
22. december 2008
24th session
Freeday, 20th Auktauber, year 25
The next morning, they pressed on, deeper into the forest of Agliir. In the afternoon, they found the elves of the White Raven Tribe, to whom the land and the burial mound belong. After meeting and talking with Moonshadow, one of their leaders, they struck an agreement with the elves. Recently, an outsider elf had arrived, and lured several of the tribe’s warriors away. Together they had occupied the most sacred and holy burial mound for more than a month now. What they wanted was unclear, but the White Ravens certainly didn’t want them there. The heroes were to kill or capture the white-haired elf while if at all possible, sparing the warriors. After agreeing to this, the heroes were led to the burial mound by a mute elf called Zikir.
Once there, they quickly entered and found the white-haired elf. He was conducting a ritual in the bottom cave, with the warriors guarding his back. The battle begun and it proved soon to be lethal. Targron was down and counting no less than 3 times, and Gnoguh was killed by the white-haired elf in his true form – that of a green dragon. The heroes did their best to try to spare some of the warriors, but in the end, only one got away, fleeing the scene after his dragonmaster was dead.
Luckily for Gnoguh, Carric had recently learned a new ritual that enables him to raise the dead. Once done, a seriously weakened Gnoguh returned from the Shadowfell.
There was some very interesting treasure, and amongst it, a round copper disk roughly 3 feet in diameter. Inscribed on the disc is a map of an so far unknown coastline and the following sentence.
Lost here in this briny deep, 10,000 jewels to feed the beast. Below the waves lies the ancient’s hidden trove. Seek not Im’po’potle’s watery dome, lest ye then unleash thy certain doom!
Lordday, 21st Auktauber, year 25
The next morning, the heroes passed into the Feywild. Truxas seemed borderline orgasmic by the change of scenery. Everything was more … well wild. Scents were stronger, light was brighter, darkness was darker, Trees were higher (about 150’ in average it seemed) etc. A few days passed, without noteworthy encounters. In fact, aside from the river, trees and plants, the heroes saw nothing.
Sonday, 22nd Auktauber, year 25
Then, during the second night in the Feywild, during Carric’s watch, he heard and saw something. Some shadow was stalking and observing them, at the edge of perception. He started to wake people up, and then noticed that Truxas was there no longer. As it turns out, it was Truxas, but he was now an Eladrin. He claimed that he during puberty had experienced similar things, but never as strongly. Their debate was interrupted when a giant came out from the darkness, pulling a house-cart. As it stopped, an ancient-looking hunchbacked woman opened and bid the heroes welcome.
The next morning, they pressed on, deeper into the forest of Agliir. In the afternoon, they found the elves of the White Raven Tribe, to whom the land and the burial mound belong. After meeting and talking with Moonshadow, one of their leaders, they struck an agreement with the elves. Recently, an outsider elf had arrived, and lured several of the tribe’s warriors away. Together they had occupied the most sacred and holy burial mound for more than a month now. What they wanted was unclear, but the White Ravens certainly didn’t want them there. The heroes were to kill or capture the white-haired elf while if at all possible, sparing the warriors. After agreeing to this, the heroes were led to the burial mound by a mute elf called Zikir.
Once there, they quickly entered and found the white-haired elf. He was conducting a ritual in the bottom cave, with the warriors guarding his back. The battle begun and it proved soon to be lethal. Targron was down and counting no less than 3 times, and Gnoguh was killed by the white-haired elf in his true form – that of a green dragon. The heroes did their best to try to spare some of the warriors, but in the end, only one got away, fleeing the scene after his dragonmaster was dead.
Luckily for Gnoguh, Carric had recently learned a new ritual that enables him to raise the dead. Once done, a seriously weakened Gnoguh returned from the Shadowfell.
There was some very interesting treasure, and amongst it, a round copper disk roughly 3 feet in diameter. Inscribed on the disc is a map of an so far unknown coastline and the following sentence.
Lost here in this briny deep, 10,000 jewels to feed the beast. Below the waves lies the ancient’s hidden trove. Seek not Im’po’potle’s watery dome, lest ye then unleash thy certain doom!
Lordday, 21st Auktauber, year 25
The next morning, the heroes passed into the Feywild. Truxas seemed borderline orgasmic by the change of scenery. Everything was more … well wild. Scents were stronger, light was brighter, darkness was darker, Trees were higher (about 150’ in average it seemed) etc. A few days passed, without noteworthy encounters. In fact, aside from the river, trees and plants, the heroes saw nothing.
Sonday, 22nd Auktauber, year 25
Then, during the second night in the Feywild, during Carric’s watch, he heard and saw something. Some shadow was stalking and observing them, at the edge of perception. He started to wake people up, and then noticed that Truxas was there no longer. As it turns out, it was Truxas, but he was now an Eladrin. He claimed that he during puberty had experienced similar things, but never as strongly. Their debate was interrupted when a giant came out from the darkness, pulling a house-cart. As it stopped, an ancient-looking hunchbacked woman opened and bid the heroes welcome.
16. december 2008
23rd session
After getting out of the oubliette, the heroes went on to explore the temple of Baphomet, the Well of Demons. They found the missing book in an empty shrine. Now they had the 4 items the ghosts had said would be needed to open the doors to the inner sanctum. They decided to rest up before placing the 4 items in the 4 ritual circles, something which should summon the guardians.
Tirsday 17th Auktaubor, year 25
All pumped up and ready, the heroes spread out, each standing with an item, ready to put it in one of the ritual circles. The guardians were released, and it was, as the ghosts had said, skeletal dragons, breathing necrotic energy. The fight didn't last long, and the only one in any immediate danger seemed to be Truxas. The guardians dead, the heroes continued into the Inner Sanctum. Which was empty. There was a note (impaled into an altar with a sacrificial dagger), saying:
To the adventurers from the oubliette:
If you are reading this, it means that you somehow survived your time in there.
Know this. You have crossed me and my Lord, and interfered with our plans.
This will not be forgotten, nor forgiven. My Lord and Master has assured me that both you and your families,
all that you have dear, will suffer the consequences, sooner than later.
Your homes will burn, your females will be raped, and your children will be eaten
Yourselves will die a brutal and painful death on his altars.
For the glory of Yeenoghu
Maldrick Scarmaker.
Deciding that the gnolls must have left the place behind, the heroes zapped back to Drahar and the Church of Kord.
Once home again, they met with Trevor. He told them that there was still no word of Zeke. The Church had learned from books from the SPH that the tomb of Zorich did not contain the corpse of the Exarch, but instead it contained two artifacts. But when the Church of the Keeper returned from the Feywild, there was no artifacts in the tomb. Moreso, the casting of some rituals had provided a little more information: Zeke was indeed the one who removed those two artifacts from the tomb, and he is still in the Feywild. Not knowing what Zeke could be up to, this worries Trevor to no end, and he wishes for you to go after Zeke, "deal" with him, and return with the artifacts so that they can be examined by the Church of Kord. Naturally, everyone agree.
Then they met with the Council, to discuss some formalia, and with Clarence, the recently appointed Steward of Kegar Manor. He gave them a lot of information regarding things, and plans were made to stay in contact with him. The heroes even tried to find a cleric/mage that could be sent to Kegar Manor to help Clarence keeping in touch with his Lords.
Onsday 18th Auktaubor, year 25
They also made a round trip to the manor, to inspect the grounds and make a few plans. They found a portal in the cellar.
Torsday 19th Auktaubor, year 25
It was time to head to the Feywild. Problem is, where the hell do you access the Feywild from. Waiting for the Church to shift back in seemed like an idea, but several thought it would by silly to sit around and wait for something that might or might not happen in a month. It was decided to look for a more permanent portal, and who better than Gendar to provide some info about a portal?
Torn zapped the heroes to the Seven Pillared Hall, and 500 gp lighter, they had some information.
They were told to head to the forest directly south of the Thunderspire Mountains, follow the river to the west, and find the elves about a day's travel from the end of the river.
Torn's Phantom Steeds made the travel a short one. By evening they arrived at the end of the river, and made camp. Soon an Ettin and his pet dire bear just happened to walk past their campsite. A short but very bloody battle followed, with Carric and Gnoguh both escaping the cold grasp of the Raven Queen by just a hair's breath, but in the end, the heroes prevailed.
Tirsday 17th Auktaubor, year 25
All pumped up and ready, the heroes spread out, each standing with an item, ready to put it in one of the ritual circles. The guardians were released, and it was, as the ghosts had said, skeletal dragons, breathing necrotic energy. The fight didn't last long, and the only one in any immediate danger seemed to be Truxas. The guardians dead, the heroes continued into the Inner Sanctum. Which was empty. There was a note (impaled into an altar with a sacrificial dagger), saying:
To the adventurers from the oubliette:
If you are reading this, it means that you somehow survived your time in there.
Know this. You have crossed me and my Lord, and interfered with our plans.
This will not be forgotten, nor forgiven. My Lord and Master has assured me that both you and your families,
all that you have dear, will suffer the consequences, sooner than later.
Your homes will burn, your females will be raped, and your children will be eaten
Yourselves will die a brutal and painful death on his altars.
For the glory of Yeenoghu
Maldrick Scarmaker.
Deciding that the gnolls must have left the place behind, the heroes zapped back to Drahar and the Church of Kord.
Once home again, they met with Trevor. He told them that there was still no word of Zeke. The Church had learned from books from the SPH that the tomb of Zorich did not contain the corpse of the Exarch, but instead it contained two artifacts. But when the Church of the Keeper returned from the Feywild, there was no artifacts in the tomb. Moreso, the casting of some rituals had provided a little more information: Zeke was indeed the one who removed those two artifacts from the tomb, and he is still in the Feywild. Not knowing what Zeke could be up to, this worries Trevor to no end, and he wishes for you to go after Zeke, "deal" with him, and return with the artifacts so that they can be examined by the Church of Kord. Naturally, everyone agree.
Then they met with the Council, to discuss some formalia, and with Clarence, the recently appointed Steward of Kegar Manor. He gave them a lot of information regarding things, and plans were made to stay in contact with him. The heroes even tried to find a cleric/mage that could be sent to Kegar Manor to help Clarence keeping in touch with his Lords.
Onsday 18th Auktaubor, year 25
They also made a round trip to the manor, to inspect the grounds and make a few plans. They found a portal in the cellar.
Torsday 19th Auktaubor, year 25
It was time to head to the Feywild. Problem is, where the hell do you access the Feywild from. Waiting for the Church to shift back in seemed like an idea, but several thought it would by silly to sit around and wait for something that might or might not happen in a month. It was decided to look for a more permanent portal, and who better than Gendar to provide some info about a portal?
Torn zapped the heroes to the Seven Pillared Hall, and 500 gp lighter, they had some information.
They were told to head to the forest directly south of the Thunderspire Mountains, follow the river to the west, and find the elves about a day's travel from the end of the river.
Torn's Phantom Steeds made the travel a short one. By evening they arrived at the end of the river, and made camp. Soon an Ettin and his pet dire bear just happened to walk past their campsite. A short but very bloody battle followed, with Carric and Gnoguh both escaping the cold grasp of the Raven Queen by just a hair's breath, but in the end, the heroes prevailed.
9. december 2008
22nd session
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.
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.
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
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