CR 571 October 10th to 15th
October 10th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers relax in Gateway. Dani and Tania return from Karn's Keep via the Elder Artifact. Most of Tania's hair was burned away from the Fireball. She starts to wear a wig to cover her lack of hair. Padraig goes to Karn's Keep to work on researching a new spell. (TF#133-134)
(New Frontiers) The Guardians travel from Ansimont to Favaro. They spend the night at the Far Fields Inn. (NF#22)
(Argent's Adventures) Argent begins her studies on the Pillar Artifacts. She already has copious notes on the formation at Karn's Keep, so she decides to compare those to the other formations discovered starting with those pillars already used and identified. Using the artifact, Argent teleports to Mesilva to study that formation. From there, she goes to the artifact underneath Gateway. From Gateway she moves to the tropical island holding the ruins of Tulom. Once satisfied with her studies, Argent uses the pillars to return to Karn's Keep by way of Gateway. Something goes wrong and Argent appears in the ruins of Mesilva and feels strangely weak. Mustering the energy to use the artifact one more time, Argent successfully uses it to reach Karn's Keep. Her head spinning, Argent manages to make her way up the main hall of Karn's Keep where she collapses. Lord Sharadin is summoned and just as he is picking Argent up to take her to her quarters, a second Argent enters the hall and she too collapses! (AA)
(The Sylvan Realm) Unknown to those back at Karn's Keep, a third Argent appears at a completely new pillar formation far to the north and west. This Argent appears on top of a tall tower made of softly glowing red stone among unknown ruins. Its much colder than where Argent had been. Argent is understandably confused by these turn of events. She has no idea which pillar would take her back home, if any. While trying to sort all of this out her head starts to spin and Argent collapses. (SR #8-9)
October 11th –
(The Frontier) Wendy's trial begins. The ruling body for the trial is General Logan Rowan, Durn of Heironeous, and Mother Selinda of Azrella. Several Seekers testify at the trial, including Lord Flamehilt, Dani, Finrod, and Stephanie. Perrel proposes to Schar. She accepts. (TF#133-135)
(New Frontiers) Sherwood rejoins the Guardians in Favaro at the Far Fields Inn. Sherwood reports that the Order of the Green Gryphon adventuring band has made a serious dent in Lothar's bandit operations in the Timberline area. Sherwood also tells how Karn's Keep has been captured and that Lord Sharadin is using it as his base of operations. A new mage guild is being formed there. After breakfast they ride towards Rennydale. In the afternoon, they leave the Streel Highway and ride a worn trail to Rennydale. That night Sherwood and Kharyna conjure their magical housing. (NF#22)
(Argent's Adventures) Argent awakes the next morning to find Jallarzi sitting beside her bed and Elspeth close by. However she is not her her usual room, but one of the guest rooms. Lady Sallavarian speaks to her apprentice, trying to find out what happened to her. Other than the temporary weakness Argent does seem perfectly healthy. Jallarzi questions Argent extensively as if making sure she is really her. Sherry appears in the doorway telling Jallarzi that they are ready. Unsure what is going on, Argent follows Jallarzi out into the hallway. There she finds Lord Sharadin and his other daughter Terry. They are coming out of the room next door with another Argent! The two Argent's eye each other over in shock and begin to argue with themselves. Lady Sallavarian orders them to knock it off and behave. As far as they can tell, the two Argent's are the real thing. Even their magic items were duplicated in the pillar accident. With this happening and coupled with how the Seekers originally ended up at Karn's Keep by accident, Lord Sharadin decides to discontinue use of the Pillar Artifact for now. It is also clear that the two Argent's can't stand to be around each other, so its decided to separate them. One Argent will remain here at Karn's Keep to continue the work on the Pillar Artifact, while the other will go to Elcadan with Jallarzi. From there she'll go off and adventure on that side of the kingdom. Lady Sallavarian suggests that the two Argent's finally go back to Crossroads and see their family. This triggers another argument between the two Argents until Jallarzi puts her foot down and yells at both of them. The Lady Sallavarian reveals just what happened to her own parents, how they were killed under mysterious circumstances and how she'd give anything to see them again and Argent selfishly chooses to ignore her own family. Both Argents are driven to tears by the story and meekly agree with Jallarzi. Lady Sallavarian teleports both Argents to the Blushing Maiden Inn in Crossroads. From there, they make their way through town and reach Tanner's Goods, the shop Argents family runs. Argent's parents are understandably both relieved and concerned over what happened to their daughter. It seems that Jallarzi had contacted them a long time ago to let them know that their daughter was safe, much to Argent's surprise. After a long reunion, Lady Sallavarian teleports everyone back to Karn's Keep. One Argent stays behind, while the other goes with Jallarzi and Elspeth back to Elcadan.
GM Notes: This is the event that Argent refers back to in New Frontiers #113 where she said that she hadn't cried like that since Jallarzi had yelled at her. And yes, her real last name is Tanner. The reason why the Pillar Artifact has been acting wonky will be revealed in time. Later on when Lord Sharadin sees Argent again, he asks how she has been since the incident. This was that incident.
(The Sylvan Realm) Sometime the next day, the third Argent awakens in the ancient ruins to the northwest. She finds her hands chained together and that her gear has been taken. Her captors appears to be orcs, but these orcs wear uniforms and stand up right. Normal orcs are hunched over. Argent finds herself a prisoner to a female orc that she comes to know was Myev. Communication is limited as they do not share any common languages. Argent guesses that these orcs what her to tell them how to use the Pillar Artifact, but does not reveal this information. She figures that Lord Sharadin and Jallarzi will come looking for her at any moment, so she just needs to bid her time and wait for rescue. (SR#8-9)
CR 571 October 10th to 15th
CR 571 October 10th to 15th
Last edited by GM Mad on Wed Jan 24, 2018 7:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Added Sylvan Realm entries
Reason: Added Sylvan Realm entries
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 10th to 15th
October 12th –
(The Frontier) Wendy's trial concludes. The council decides upon death by Disintegration in two days. That evening many of the Seekers are relaxing in the Lucky Seven's Tavern. Perrel is involved in a card game and is showing extraordinary luck. A barbarian thinks he is cheating and tosses the table aside. A bar fight breaks out involving Perrel, Stephanie, Finrod, Fiben and Kit. Stephanie tackles the barbarian and chaos ensues until the Gateway Guard break it up. Elsewhere, Lord Flamehilt is inflected with a magical disease. Weakly he tries to make it to the local Temple of Azrella. Later a Fire Elemental attacks the Seekers mansion. Finrod hastes Stephanie and she destroys the Fire Elemental in three swings. The Seekers work to put the fire out, but the mansion is heavily damaged. The Seekers take rooms at the local inns for the night. (TF #134-136)
(New Frontiers) As the Guardians get closer to Rennydale they can see an oppressive haze hovering over it. En route they come across poor peasants fleeing from Rennydale. They beg the adventures to let them pass and to not go to Rennydale. They claim that the Lord of Rennydale is a vile and cruel man. Passing the peasants the Guardians ride towards the Bridge at Elderhold, a guarded bridge over a steep ravine on the way to Rennydale. The Guardians formulate a plan of attacking by using magic to get over the barrier and attack from the rear. Those going down to the bottom of the ravine find the bodies of peasants who were thrown from the bridge to their deaths. Lord Vanarkus leads the rest of the group up to the gateway to speak. The commander of the bridge is defiant, but after Lord Vanarkus identifies himself, the men of the tower overpower their leaders and allow the Guardians to pass. A Private Robeson leads the revolt over their former leaders and explains the situation in Rennydale and how good men had turned malevolent. The commander is checked for magic and it's found that he is charmed. Sherwood dispels the charm and the commander is back to being himself. He tells the Guardians that he and Lord Cavius, among others, traveled to the Beleme Swamp to clear out a growing population of undead living there. The group's camp was ambushed by strange multi-legged lizards that Cavius called basilisks. The men fell under the spell of these basilisks and were compelled to go into the swamp. There in the swamp they found a crude stronghold of Vryxnr, the Lord of Corruption. At the stronghold the men were forced to drink a black liquid and it controlled them. The men were then returned to do the Lord of Corruption's will. It is suspected that this black water is the same liquid that tried to change Baron Relon Vanarkus.
The Guardians continue on towards Rennydale while they have the daylight. Sherwood scouts overhead while polymorphed into an eagle. A few hours later, the group comes across a prisoner being held in a cage. Several of these basilisks of compulsion are in the area. The main body of the group goes to engage the basilisks while Kylie and Talia slip around to examine the man in the cage. The basilisks are easily destroyed and the man in the cage turns out to be the messenger that Lord Vanarkus sent to Rennydale when he returned home. The messenger is nearly dead and Grondar saves his life. The messenger identifies himself as Lodric and says that the group he was riding with was attacked by the Rennydale guards. He does not know what became of the rest of his companions. Deciding that they can neither take Lodric with them, nor leave him behind, Lord Sherwood suggests a third option. He'll teleport the messenger back to the Sallavarian Estate. At the same time Sherwood will be able to update the situation with Jallarzi and alert all their contacts of the danger this Lord of Corruption is to the cities in this region.
With darkness starting to fall, the Guardian continue onward towards Rennydale intent to scout out the town and the castle of Lord Cavius. As they get closer to town, they hear the sounds of the drawbridges providing access to Rennydale being raised. This is followed by bright beacon lanterns being activated around the outside of down, illuminating all around Rennydale. Lord Cavius' castle rests on a ridge above the town, overseeing Rennydale. More of these beacon lanterns are lit at the castle, but not as many as in the town below. The Guardians ride past the town unchallenged and move closer to the castle. Sherra, Kylie and Talia are sent out to scout ahead. Sherra and Talia combine to use their magic items in their scouting. Talia uses her Boots of Springing and Striding to leap over the moat where she sticks to the wall thanks to her Spider Cloak. Sherra rises up into the air using her Boots of Levitation while Talia pulls her over the river with a rope. Kylie produces her Ebony Fly Figurine to summon a pony-sized fly. Riding the fly like a mount, Kylie flies up to scout out the castle. No other ways into the castle are found. However, the drawbridge is still down. Suddenly, alarm horns are blown, but none of the scouts believe that they were spotted. The main group ride towards the castle fearing the worst. As they approach they are challenged by the guards overhead. Lord Vanarkus answers the challenge and is welcomed into the castle! The portcullis protecting the drawbridge is raised and more lights shined into the courtyard beyond. As the Guardians ride in, Kharyna sounds her Horn of Valhalla and a squad of six men appear out of nowhere.
(The Frontier) Wendy's trial concludes. The council decides upon death by Disintegration in two days. That evening many of the Seekers are relaxing in the Lucky Seven's Tavern. Perrel is involved in a card game and is showing extraordinary luck. A barbarian thinks he is cheating and tosses the table aside. A bar fight breaks out involving Perrel, Stephanie, Finrod, Fiben and Kit. Stephanie tackles the barbarian and chaos ensues until the Gateway Guard break it up. Elsewhere, Lord Flamehilt is inflected with a magical disease. Weakly he tries to make it to the local Temple of Azrella. Later a Fire Elemental attacks the Seekers mansion. Finrod hastes Stephanie and she destroys the Fire Elemental in three swings. The Seekers work to put the fire out, but the mansion is heavily damaged. The Seekers take rooms at the local inns for the night. (TF #134-136)
(New Frontiers) As the Guardians get closer to Rennydale they can see an oppressive haze hovering over it. En route they come across poor peasants fleeing from Rennydale. They beg the adventures to let them pass and to not go to Rennydale. They claim that the Lord of Rennydale is a vile and cruel man. Passing the peasants the Guardians ride towards the Bridge at Elderhold, a guarded bridge over a steep ravine on the way to Rennydale. The Guardians formulate a plan of attacking by using magic to get over the barrier and attack from the rear. Those going down to the bottom of the ravine find the bodies of peasants who were thrown from the bridge to their deaths. Lord Vanarkus leads the rest of the group up to the gateway to speak. The commander of the bridge is defiant, but after Lord Vanarkus identifies himself, the men of the tower overpower their leaders and allow the Guardians to pass. A Private Robeson leads the revolt over their former leaders and explains the situation in Rennydale and how good men had turned malevolent. The commander is checked for magic and it's found that he is charmed. Sherwood dispels the charm and the commander is back to being himself. He tells the Guardians that he and Lord Cavius, among others, traveled to the Beleme Swamp to clear out a growing population of undead living there. The group's camp was ambushed by strange multi-legged lizards that Cavius called basilisks. The men fell under the spell of these basilisks and were compelled to go into the swamp. There in the swamp they found a crude stronghold of Vryxnr, the Lord of Corruption. At the stronghold the men were forced to drink a black liquid and it controlled them. The men were then returned to do the Lord of Corruption's will. It is suspected that this black water is the same liquid that tried to change Baron Relon Vanarkus.
The Guardians continue on towards Rennydale while they have the daylight. Sherwood scouts overhead while polymorphed into an eagle. A few hours later, the group comes across a prisoner being held in a cage. Several of these basilisks of compulsion are in the area. The main body of the group goes to engage the basilisks while Kylie and Talia slip around to examine the man in the cage. The basilisks are easily destroyed and the man in the cage turns out to be the messenger that Lord Vanarkus sent to Rennydale when he returned home. The messenger is nearly dead and Grondar saves his life. The messenger identifies himself as Lodric and says that the group he was riding with was attacked by the Rennydale guards. He does not know what became of the rest of his companions. Deciding that they can neither take Lodric with them, nor leave him behind, Lord Sherwood suggests a third option. He'll teleport the messenger back to the Sallavarian Estate. At the same time Sherwood will be able to update the situation with Jallarzi and alert all their contacts of the danger this Lord of Corruption is to the cities in this region.
With darkness starting to fall, the Guardian continue onward towards Rennydale intent to scout out the town and the castle of Lord Cavius. As they get closer to town, they hear the sounds of the drawbridges providing access to Rennydale being raised. This is followed by bright beacon lanterns being activated around the outside of down, illuminating all around Rennydale. Lord Cavius' castle rests on a ridge above the town, overseeing Rennydale. More of these beacon lanterns are lit at the castle, but not as many as in the town below. The Guardians ride past the town unchallenged and move closer to the castle. Sherra, Kylie and Talia are sent out to scout ahead. Sherra and Talia combine to use their magic items in their scouting. Talia uses her Boots of Springing and Striding to leap over the moat where she sticks to the wall thanks to her Spider Cloak. Sherra rises up into the air using her Boots of Levitation while Talia pulls her over the river with a rope. Kylie produces her Ebony Fly Figurine to summon a pony-sized fly. Riding the fly like a mount, Kylie flies up to scout out the castle. No other ways into the castle are found. However, the drawbridge is still down. Suddenly, alarm horns are blown, but none of the scouts believe that they were spotted. The main group ride towards the castle fearing the worst. As they approach they are challenged by the guards overhead. Lord Vanarkus answers the challenge and is welcomed into the castle! The portcullis protecting the drawbridge is raised and more lights shined into the courtyard beyond. As the Guardians ride in, Kharyna sounds her Horn of Valhalla and a squad of six men appear out of nowhere.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 10th to 15th
Lord Cavius emerges from the castle to converse with his guests. The conversation is short and Lord Cavius reveals that all of this, the poisoning of Baron Relon was a ruse to lure the best and the brightest here to Rennydale so that they could be captured and corrupted by the black water. The Guardians refuse and battle begins. The front-line fighters rush Lord Cavius himself while more men and trolls flank the group. Lilia seals off one flank with a Web spell. Swords and spells fly fast and furious. Priests of the Lord of Corruption appear behind Lord Cavius and cast a Hold Person spell that affects Lord Kalindor. Po is struck by this priests staff and his arm withers horribly. While the battle rages all around him, Acerion concentrates and brings an innate ability into play. He starts to glow and then this glow radiates out from the paladin. In its passing wake, many magical effects are dispelled! The summoned warriors and trolls vanish. The black water's effects on Lord Cavius are dispelled and he collapses in anguish over what he has been forced to do. Swanny rushes the enemy priest offering him the choice of surrender or die. Surprisingly he chooses to die and touches himself with his staff. Lord Cavius calls for the fighting to stop and for the most part it does. Ivy heals the damage done to Po and the group heals its wounds. Lord Cavius notes that the brazer that summoned the trolls is in his throne room. Cavius spots several of the men still under the effects of the black water heading towards the throne room to take the brazer away. The Guardians chase after them. The men are easily dealt with and captured. Kharyna takes the Staff of Withering and the brazer and puts them in her Portable Hole to be destroyed at a later date in her mother's Spell Engine. The prisoners in the dungeon are released and the Guardians settle in for the night. Down in the dungeon, Lord Cavius releases Gwenith Moonsong, his former Captain of the Guards and she joins up with the Guardians. (NF#22-31)
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Gwenith, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Kylie, Laucian, Lilia, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
(Argent's Adventures) After spending the night in her own room, one of the Argents leaves the Sallavarian Estate in search of adventure in Elcadan. Elspeth receives another vision from Azrella that terrifies her. She rides to the Sallavarian Estate to reveal it to Jallarzi. Later, that afternoon, Lord Sherwood arrives at the estate. He is brought up to date with what happened to Argent and about Elspeth's vision over dinner. The two cousins do some quick research at the Estate Library, but then decide to check out the library at Karn's Keep as its books seem to be older. All three teleport to Karn's Keep where they run into the Argent that stayed behind. While they research the library, this Argent learns that Sherwood will be going to a place where both her friends Kharyna and Kylie are currently at and decides to go along. With the Pillar Artifact off limits, there is only so much she can do here. Lord Sharadin agrees, as having both Argents adventure will determine if she is suffering any ill effects from what happened to her. (AA)
(Borderlands) Argent arrives at the High Road Inn in Elcadan in search of adventure. (BL#1)
GM Notes: At this point we part company with the 'other' Argent as she's off to have her adventures in Borderlands. These will be added to the recap eventually. Part of the reason I am spreading this out so much is for future expansion. My intention with Argent's Adventures was to cover her early days training with Jallarzi, her time in the Sword of Doom game and then after the split cover the adventures of this other Argent in the Borderlands game. Oh, and this is also the Argent who is in the Clash of the Empires game. The Argent in New Frontiers has pretty much had her story told there, so no reason to go over it again.
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Gwenith, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Kylie, Laucian, Lilia, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
(Argent's Adventures) After spending the night in her own room, one of the Argents leaves the Sallavarian Estate in search of adventure in Elcadan. Elspeth receives another vision from Azrella that terrifies her. She rides to the Sallavarian Estate to reveal it to Jallarzi. Later, that afternoon, Lord Sherwood arrives at the estate. He is brought up to date with what happened to Argent and about Elspeth's vision over dinner. The two cousins do some quick research at the Estate Library, but then decide to check out the library at Karn's Keep as its books seem to be older. All three teleport to Karn's Keep where they run into the Argent that stayed behind. While they research the library, this Argent learns that Sherwood will be going to a place where both her friends Kharyna and Kylie are currently at and decides to go along. With the Pillar Artifact off limits, there is only so much she can do here. Lord Sharadin agrees, as having both Argents adventure will determine if she is suffering any ill effects from what happened to her. (AA)
(Borderlands) Argent arrives at the High Road Inn in Elcadan in search of adventure. (BL#1)
GM Notes: At this point we part company with the 'other' Argent as she's off to have her adventures in Borderlands. These will be added to the recap eventually. Part of the reason I am spreading this out so much is for future expansion. My intention with Argent's Adventures was to cover her early days training with Jallarzi, her time in the Sword of Doom game and then after the split cover the adventures of this other Argent in the Borderlands game. Oh, and this is also the Argent who is in the Clash of the Empires game. The Argent in New Frontiers has pretty much had her story told there, so no reason to go over it again.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 10th to 15th
October 13th –
(The Frontier) Come the morning, the Seekers of the Sword find the wing of the mansion that held the kitchen and servant's quarters heavily damaged. There is some discussion on what to do with the mansion, either try to repair it or remodel a different one. The group decides to remodel the Company of the Swords mansion instead of rebuilding the old Seekers Mansion. Lord Flamehilt wakes up in Azrella's Temple. He was healed of the magical disease by Lara of Azrella. The Temple of Heironeous was also attacked during the night, but Wendy remains a prisoner. Those involved in the bar fight report to a Priest of Heironeous to give their statements. They are charged twenty gold to help the tavern owner repair the damage done. Fiben makes a spectacle of himself and spends the night in jail. (TF#136-137)
(Argent's Adventures) After breakfast the next day, Sherwood, Jallarzi, Argent and Elspeth teleport to Lord Cavius' castle in Rennydale. (AA)
(New Frontiers) Lord Vanarkus holds a late night debriefing before many of the Guardians turn in. They talk about the strategy used during the fight and what could be improved upon. Over breakfast, Lord Cavius reveals what he knows about the Beleme swamp and that Ardelphia is a trap to capture adventurers and convert them to the Corruption. Not long after that Kylie is surprised when Sherwood, Jallarzi, Elspeth and Argent appears before her. Sherwood apologizes for being late, but it was necessary. Elspeth received a vision and they had to do some research on it and now they have a good idea just what is waiting for them in the swamp.
After lunch, Elspeth shares her vision. She had a strange dream where she was a drop of water falling from the sky. She landed on a mountain and seeped into the ground. The drop of water then emerged into an underground chamber where a figure wrapped in pure darkness was laying on a slab. Then the water drop landed on the dark figure and Elspeth felt as if she was being burned from coming into contact with pure evil itself. The water was charged with darkness and then drained away once more. A long distance away, the water emerged from the earth and was used to change those who drank it. There, Elspeth saw herself and others purifying the water once more to release those in its thrall in the process.
Sherwood speaks from there saying that there are ancient legends and myths that relate to what Elspeth saw. That long, long ago when the gods did freely walk the earth they did band together, forsaking ancient rivalries to fight a dark god of death and corruption. The gods managed to imprison this evil god, but in the process almost destroyed reality itself. After this they left this plane and would work through proxies instead of acting directly. It was said that this ancient god who must not be named sought the end of all reality itself. Sherwood believes that the source of this black water is in the Beleme Swamp.
After dinner, Lady Sallavarian casts Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion for the adventurers to rest in for the evening. Jallarzi hosts a spell symposium to work out who should carry what spells in this large group. (NF#31-35)
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Argent, Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Gwenith, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Kylie, Laucian, Lilia, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
GM Notes: As revealed in Clash of Empires, “He Who Shall Not Be Named” comes from 'outside' the universe. In a sense the figure wrapped in darkness is his avatar that was defeated by the gods back before the current races existed, but after the Elders fell. The Black Water is essentially normal water that touched the avatar and was corrupted by it. The chamber the sheathed figured is held in is from a module that I have yet to actually run. It was such a cool, pun unintended, visual that is stuck in my head.
(The Frontier) Come the morning, the Seekers of the Sword find the wing of the mansion that held the kitchen and servant's quarters heavily damaged. There is some discussion on what to do with the mansion, either try to repair it or remodel a different one. The group decides to remodel the Company of the Swords mansion instead of rebuilding the old Seekers Mansion. Lord Flamehilt wakes up in Azrella's Temple. He was healed of the magical disease by Lara of Azrella. The Temple of Heironeous was also attacked during the night, but Wendy remains a prisoner. Those involved in the bar fight report to a Priest of Heironeous to give their statements. They are charged twenty gold to help the tavern owner repair the damage done. Fiben makes a spectacle of himself and spends the night in jail. (TF#136-137)
(Argent's Adventures) After breakfast the next day, Sherwood, Jallarzi, Argent and Elspeth teleport to Lord Cavius' castle in Rennydale. (AA)
(New Frontiers) Lord Vanarkus holds a late night debriefing before many of the Guardians turn in. They talk about the strategy used during the fight and what could be improved upon. Over breakfast, Lord Cavius reveals what he knows about the Beleme swamp and that Ardelphia is a trap to capture adventurers and convert them to the Corruption. Not long after that Kylie is surprised when Sherwood, Jallarzi, Elspeth and Argent appears before her. Sherwood apologizes for being late, but it was necessary. Elspeth received a vision and they had to do some research on it and now they have a good idea just what is waiting for them in the swamp.
After lunch, Elspeth shares her vision. She had a strange dream where she was a drop of water falling from the sky. She landed on a mountain and seeped into the ground. The drop of water then emerged into an underground chamber where a figure wrapped in pure darkness was laying on a slab. Then the water drop landed on the dark figure and Elspeth felt as if she was being burned from coming into contact with pure evil itself. The water was charged with darkness and then drained away once more. A long distance away, the water emerged from the earth and was used to change those who drank it. There, Elspeth saw herself and others purifying the water once more to release those in its thrall in the process.
Sherwood speaks from there saying that there are ancient legends and myths that relate to what Elspeth saw. That long, long ago when the gods did freely walk the earth they did band together, forsaking ancient rivalries to fight a dark god of death and corruption. The gods managed to imprison this evil god, but in the process almost destroyed reality itself. After this they left this plane and would work through proxies instead of acting directly. It was said that this ancient god who must not be named sought the end of all reality itself. Sherwood believes that the source of this black water is in the Beleme Swamp.
After dinner, Lady Sallavarian casts Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion for the adventurers to rest in for the evening. Jallarzi hosts a spell symposium to work out who should carry what spells in this large group. (NF#31-35)
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Argent, Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Gwenith, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Kylie, Laucian, Lilia, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
GM Notes: As revealed in Clash of Empires, “He Who Shall Not Be Named” comes from 'outside' the universe. In a sense the figure wrapped in darkness is his avatar that was defeated by the gods back before the current races existed, but after the Elders fell. The Black Water is essentially normal water that touched the avatar and was corrupted by it. The chamber the sheathed figured is held in is from a module that I have yet to actually run. It was such a cool, pun unintended, visual that is stuck in my head.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 10th to 15th
October 14th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers gather at the Temple of Heironeous to ensure that the Zombie Master does not try to free Wendy. Wendy is Disintegrated by Lord Sharadin without incident. The Seekers begin to move their belongings to the Company Mansion. The old staff is retained and the gear being left behind put into storage. Stephanie leaves Thunder behind in Gateway. Blod announces that he is staying behind with Zynara and their son Ross. Perrel and Schar decide to get married before leaving Gateway. (TF#137-139)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Claudius, Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Perrel, Schar, Stephanie and Tania.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies ride north from Rennydale towards the Beleme Swamp. The oppressive haze over Rennydale is now gone. Jallarzi summons griffon mounts for herself and Kharyna to ride and scout ahead. A few basilisks of compulsion are found and destroyed along the way. Jallarzi summons her Magnificent Mansion for the evening. (NF#35)
October 15th –
(The Frontier) Perrel and Schar are married by Mother Selinda of Azrella and Jolara of Tymora. Dani, Kit, Tania, and Fiben use the Pillar Artifact to return to the tropical island where they helped Silvarn. There Dani captures a tropical bird and Fiben a small monkey he later names Isaac. Padraig returns having completed research for a new spell called Warp Missile. (TF#140)
GM Notes: Warp Missile is essentially a Magic Missile that can be fired back to someone scrying you through a crystal ball or by spell. In spite of Lord Sharadin declaring that no one should use the Pillar Artifact any more, lots of people still do! Although to be fair, that all happened before the idea that no one should use it came up.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies continue towards the Beleme Swamp. As they get closer, Lord Kalindor can feel the malevolence of the place from even this distance. A squad of basilisks with riders is spotted close to the swamp. They are easily removed by bows and spells. The charm on the riders is dispelled. One of the riders Gwenith recognizes as Captain Yorick of Rennydale. He was with Lord Cavius when he was captured and charmed last summer. One of the other men, Kieran, calls out to Lyonessa, calling her by her sister's name Myveria. He was a member of the adventuring party Myveria was in, called Ranthal's Raiders. They were also charmed by the basilisks and went into the swamp and drank the black water. All Kieran knows is that many of the group he was in, including Myveria, were sent to Ardelphia. Sherwood scouts ahead and finds the location of the enemy shrine. He also finds a good place to set up Jallarzi's magical mansion; a tight spot on the narrow path. (NF#35-37)
GM Notes: Lyonessa's missing sister, Myveria, was part of her submission from the start. It gave me something to work towards as the game progressed. Next time, the assault on the forces of the Dark One!
(The Frontier) The Seekers gather at the Temple of Heironeous to ensure that the Zombie Master does not try to free Wendy. Wendy is Disintegrated by Lord Sharadin without incident. The Seekers begin to move their belongings to the Company Mansion. The old staff is retained and the gear being left behind put into storage. Stephanie leaves Thunder behind in Gateway. Blod announces that he is staying behind with Zynara and their son Ross. Perrel and Schar decide to get married before leaving Gateway. (TF#137-139)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Claudius, Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Perrel, Schar, Stephanie and Tania.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies ride north from Rennydale towards the Beleme Swamp. The oppressive haze over Rennydale is now gone. Jallarzi summons griffon mounts for herself and Kharyna to ride and scout ahead. A few basilisks of compulsion are found and destroyed along the way. Jallarzi summons her Magnificent Mansion for the evening. (NF#35)
October 15th –
(The Frontier) Perrel and Schar are married by Mother Selinda of Azrella and Jolara of Tymora. Dani, Kit, Tania, and Fiben use the Pillar Artifact to return to the tropical island where they helped Silvarn. There Dani captures a tropical bird and Fiben a small monkey he later names Isaac. Padraig returns having completed research for a new spell called Warp Missile. (TF#140)
GM Notes: Warp Missile is essentially a Magic Missile that can be fired back to someone scrying you through a crystal ball or by spell. In spite of Lord Sharadin declaring that no one should use the Pillar Artifact any more, lots of people still do! Although to be fair, that all happened before the idea that no one should use it came up.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies continue towards the Beleme Swamp. As they get closer, Lord Kalindor can feel the malevolence of the place from even this distance. A squad of basilisks with riders is spotted close to the swamp. They are easily removed by bows and spells. The charm on the riders is dispelled. One of the riders Gwenith recognizes as Captain Yorick of Rennydale. He was with Lord Cavius when he was captured and charmed last summer. One of the other men, Kieran, calls out to Lyonessa, calling her by her sister's name Myveria. He was a member of the adventuring party Myveria was in, called Ranthal's Raiders. They were also charmed by the basilisks and went into the swamp and drank the black water. All Kieran knows is that many of the group he was in, including Myveria, were sent to Ardelphia. Sherwood scouts ahead and finds the location of the enemy shrine. He also finds a good place to set up Jallarzi's magical mansion; a tight spot on the narrow path. (NF#35-37)
GM Notes: Lyonessa's missing sister, Myveria, was part of her submission from the start. It gave me something to work towards as the game progressed. Next time, the assault on the forces of the Dark One!
Try it and find out!