CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
October 16th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword depart Gateway for Kingsport. (TF#140)
(New Frontiers) Next morning, the Guardians and their allies prepare to confront the Lord of Corruption in the Beleme Swamp. They leave their mounts behind in a Secure Shelter that Sherwood conjures. Proceeding on foot, the Guardians move single file deeper into the muggy swamp. Reaching the evil shrine, the group finds only Vryxnr there waiting for them. Ivy detects undead under the water and underground and starts to turn them assisted by Elspeth. Vryxnr is attacked by ranged weapons and spells, but many of the assaults strangely miss him. Lilia notes invisible men in the area and the front line fighters slow their advance. Shambling Mounds rise up among the adventurers in addition to zombies. The ground rumbles off in the distance and a huge creature is seen approaching. Its a gigantic humanoid that seems to be composed of the elements of the swamp. Vryxnr calls it the Spirit of the Swamp. The battle rages hot and heavy and the Guardians slowly start to whittle away at Vryxnr's forces. The Spirit of the Swamp is more problematic as it draws portions of the swamp into itself healing any damage done to it. Sherra finishes off Vryxnr with a pair of arrows. Lord Vanarkus and Swanny attack the Spirit of the Swamp. Between their swords and the damage done from spells, the Spirit falls-- right on top of Validar and Swanny. Everyone concentrates on the Spirit of the Swamp and it finally falls and does not reform. While the fallen enemies are checked for magic items, Sherwood scouts inside of the evil shrine. He appears a few minutes later saying that the area is clear.
Inside the shrine the Guardians find where the Black Water is rising up from the earth. Bowls and bottles are near the water to gather up the evil liquid. No one else is around. Elspeth is prepared to begin the purification ritual. She casts a Purify Water Spell and then holds hands with many of those present and channels their goodness into her to fight the Black Water. Lord Kalindor, Ivy, Sherwood, Jallarzi, Grondar, Laucian, Lord Vanarkus, and Lilia join the circle while the others stand guard. Power gathers around Elspeth and it projects outwards towards the Black Water. Black tendrils move towards Elspeth and soon enclose those in the circle. Those in the circle hear voices in their minds and experience visions showing them the rewards for siding with the Dark God. Sherwood is given the vision of Darya returning to him, but then the voice of Mystra speaks to him telling him to not blame himself for what happened to Darya and that he should go on with his life. Many of the others receive similar temptations, but then are countered by the powers they follow. Lilia is offered power, but she learns that it is at the cost of being transformed into a lich. The haughty elf screams at the vision.
Outside the circle of blackness, the others wonder what, if anything, they should do. Kharyna's mace begins to glow in bluish-white energy that finally leaps from the weapon and strikes the area of darkness. As the offers of the Dark God are refused, the energy of those in the circle comes forth once more. This union of power and colors blast the Dark Water away. But even more, the collective energy travels back through the ground taking the minds of those in the circle with it. Finally, the collective reaches the chamber holding the Dark God and seals it once more. In the process, all who were under the thrall of the Dark Water are freed. Those who were part of the circle are thrown back to the ground as their combined task ends.
As they lay there recovering, the voices of the gods speak to each once more. Laucian is rewarded by Ehlonna by changing his longbow into a more powerful Hunter's Bow. Berronar alters Grondar's mace into Truth Giver. Lord Vanarkus hears a voice telling him that the debt has been repaid, suggesting that his resurrection in Whispering Hollow was done by Heironeous. Lord Kalindor's axe is transformed into the Axe of the Valorous, a holy weapon. Ivy receives the Kiss of Azrella, a holy weapon of her order. Lilia is told by the Father of All Elves that she is back on the right path and her bow is changed into a Manabow. As most in the circle start to come around, everyone hears another voice in their head and many know it to be Mystra herself. She offers an additional boon to all who took up this quest to stop the Dark God. Elspeth strangely remains unconscious and Lilia seems to have had a sort of epiphany in that the direction she thought her life was on was the wrong one.
While the Guardians make plans for the future and examine their new gifts, Elspeth awakens. She announces that everyone must leave the swamp now. A thunderous footfall is heard far off in the distance, which just adds urgency to her words. Rushing outside, the Guardians see another giant-sized creature off in the distance. Its is similar to the Spirit of the Swamp, but instead is composed of the elements of the forest. Elspeth calls it a Nature Elemental and it will destroy not only the shrine, but the evil swamp itself. The Guardians rush back to their mounts and ride out of the swamp. The oppressive haze is gone and in time a new forest rises where the swamp had been located. In the plains outside the swamp, Lady Sallavarian conjures her magical mansion for the evening. Right before going inside, Lord Kalindor spots a magnificent white stallion. As he draws closer, he realizes that the creature has wings. It is a Pegasus, his reward from Mystra. (NF#37-41)
GM Notes: That was one very long day, but an even longer one is coming up. In a certain sense all of this was to just patch a leaky roof. As I recall the thing about the Spirit of the Swamp was that you had to do enough damage to 'kill it' in one round, or it would fully heal. And yes, Elspeth is more than a mortal. In fact over in Clash of Empires, Mystra told Jylsera that Elspeth was “part of the family”.
CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
October 17th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies begin their ride back to Rennydale. Sherwood teleports Lord Vanarkus back to Pyris, before continuing on with his own mission to secure a scout near Rifflian. Baron Relon Vanarkus has made a full recovery from his illness. Validar speaks with Lady Ardel and enjoys being home for a day. (NF#41-42)
October 18th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies reach Rennydale. Lady Sallavarian and Elspeth teleport back to Elcadan. Gwenith returns to her post in the service of Lord Cavius. The girls do some shopping in Rennydale. Sherwood returns with Lord Vanarkus.
(NF#41-42)
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Argent, Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Laucian, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
October 19th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians relax in Rennydale. A feast is held and Lord Vanarkus gives everyone involved a gift from Pyris. The women receive jewelry boxes and the men less fancy storage boxes. Everyone is given a silver medallion showing the Pyrisian coat of arms. Sherwood, Kylie and Lilia teleport away to Rifflian to begin their search for Nightmist. Kharyna and her companions return to the Sallavarian Estate and their quest at the Tower of War. Lyonessa casts a Find Familiar spell and an owl she names Dusk is drawn to her. Grondar visits the small group of dwarves in Rennydale and learns the tale of Thunderdelve, a small dwarven settlement in the Silver Sierras. (NF#41-43)
(Blackflame) Sherwood teleports Kylie and Lilia to a spot near Rifflian in the Inner Kingdom. They meet up with their guide Nariya and spend the night in Rifflian at the Silver Swan Inn. Nariya purchases passage on a riverboat, the Mudlark, to travel to Threshold. (BF#1)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia and Nariya.
GM Notes: With the epic quest completed, the is some parting of the ways. Kharyna and her crew continue on in Tower of Magic while Sherwood, Kylie, and Lilia move to Blackflame. Tower of Magic will be added in at a later date, but its first post goes here.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies begin their ride back to Rennydale. Sherwood teleports Lord Vanarkus back to Pyris, before continuing on with his own mission to secure a scout near Rifflian. Baron Relon Vanarkus has made a full recovery from his illness. Validar speaks with Lady Ardel and enjoys being home for a day. (NF#41-42)
October 18th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians and their allies reach Rennydale. Lady Sallavarian and Elspeth teleport back to Elcadan. Gwenith returns to her post in the service of Lord Cavius. The girls do some shopping in Rennydale. Sherwood returns with Lord Vanarkus.
(NF#41-42)
Roster of the Guardians of Light: Lord Vanarkus (PL), Argent, Arocken, Chareos, Grondar, Ivy, Lord Kalindor, Laucian, Lyonessa, Lord Rowan, and Sherra.
October 19th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians relax in Rennydale. A feast is held and Lord Vanarkus gives everyone involved a gift from Pyris. The women receive jewelry boxes and the men less fancy storage boxes. Everyone is given a silver medallion showing the Pyrisian coat of arms. Sherwood, Kylie and Lilia teleport away to Rifflian to begin their search for Nightmist. Kharyna and her companions return to the Sallavarian Estate and their quest at the Tower of War. Lyonessa casts a Find Familiar spell and an owl she names Dusk is drawn to her. Grondar visits the small group of dwarves in Rennydale and learns the tale of Thunderdelve, a small dwarven settlement in the Silver Sierras. (NF#41-43)
(Blackflame) Sherwood teleports Kylie and Lilia to a spot near Rifflian in the Inner Kingdom. They meet up with their guide Nariya and spend the night in Rifflian at the Silver Swan Inn. Nariya purchases passage on a riverboat, the Mudlark, to travel to Threshold. (BF#1)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia and Nariya.
GM Notes: With the epic quest completed, the is some parting of the ways. Kharyna and her crew continue on in Tower of Magic while Sherwood, Kylie, and Lilia move to Blackflame. Tower of Magic will be added in at a later date, but its first post goes here.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
October 20th –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians relax in Rennydale for an extra day. (NF#43)
GM Notes: More padding. This time it is because the Blackflame group does return later on in New Frontiers. The problem was that more days passed in Blackflame than did in New Frontiers.
(Blackflame) Sherwood and the elves depart Rifflian on the Mudlark, a riverboat sailing to Threshold to the north. On the ship they encounter Yusef, a Priest of Celestian. After some discussion, he joins the group on their expedition to the Black Peak Mountains. (BF#1-2)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia, Nariya and Yusef.
October 21st –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians begin their ride to Corunglain. That night Argent conjures a Leomund's Secure Shelter. (NF#43)
(Blackflame) The Mudlark reaches Threshold after nightfall. While making their way through the Fogor Island part of Threshold, the group comes across Master Finder Rat being chased by thugs. Rat was Kylie's old mentor in the arts of finding and the halfling is known to Sherwood. Yusef drives off the thugs using his unarmed method of combat. Rat joins the group and they spend the night at the Hook and Hatchet. (BF#2)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia, Nariya, Rat and Yusef.
GM Notes: Rat was a character that I briefly played in a MB game on Q-link called "Company of Thieves". The game was run by GM Shifty, who played Padraig in the Frontier. I lasted for only a few months before I stopped paying attention to that game. Much to my surprise, years later Rat was still around as an NPC and was now 10th level! His character sheet from Company of Thieves was the basis of this version of Rat, right down to the magic items he had.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians relax in Rennydale for an extra day. (NF#43)
GM Notes: More padding. This time it is because the Blackflame group does return later on in New Frontiers. The problem was that more days passed in Blackflame than did in New Frontiers.
(Blackflame) Sherwood and the elves depart Rifflian on the Mudlark, a riverboat sailing to Threshold to the north. On the ship they encounter Yusef, a Priest of Celestian. After some discussion, he joins the group on their expedition to the Black Peak Mountains. (BF#1-2)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia, Nariya and Yusef.
October 21st –
(New Frontiers) The Guardians begin their ride to Corunglain. That night Argent conjures a Leomund's Secure Shelter. (NF#43)
(Blackflame) The Mudlark reaches Threshold after nightfall. While making their way through the Fogor Island part of Threshold, the group comes across Master Finder Rat being chased by thugs. Rat was Kylie's old mentor in the arts of finding and the halfling is known to Sherwood. Yusef drives off the thugs using his unarmed method of combat. Rat joins the group and they spend the night at the Hook and Hatchet. (BF#2)
Roster of Blackflame group: Sherwood (PL), Kylie, Lilia, Nariya, Rat and Yusef.
GM Notes: Rat was a character that I briefly played in a MB game on Q-link called "Company of Thieves". The game was run by GM Shifty, who played Padraig in the Frontier. I lasted for only a few months before I stopped paying attention to that game. Much to my surprise, years later Rat was still around as an NPC and was now 10th level! His character sheet from Company of Thieves was the basis of this version of Rat, right down to the magic items he had.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
October 22nd –
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword reach Crossroads. (TF#140)
GM Notes: Ironically, for most of the time the forum games were running, the Seekers were on the road traveling from Gateway to Kingsport.
(New Frontiers) – As night begins to fall, the Guardians are close to Corunglain. People are seen fleeing the city on foot, chased by a large band of unknown attackers and numerous wyverns are spotted overhead. Even worse, portions of Corunglain are burning! The Guardians ride to assist. Magic and arrows are used to kill one of the wyverns and drive the rest away. Continuing on they find the attackers are a mixture of hobgoblins and bugbears. The Guardians hack their way through the horde and route them to the cheers of the formerly fleeing citizens of Corunglain. While deciding their next move, a cry is heard from the people. One of them is with child and has chosen this time to give birth! The leader of this group, a man named Orin, explains what happened. It was supposed to be a time of celebration. The wizard Drakkimor had liberated Fort Runnels and a feast was being held in his honor three nights ago. The next thing the people knew, the humanoid horde was inside the city looting and killing as they went. Orin saw his family killed and swore vengeance. While Bella is giving birth to her child, the Guardians move forward in an attempt to take control of the Vesubian Gatehouse. There they will be able to have a secured place for them and the refugees.
Argent flies overhead while Lord Kalindor carries Chareos on his Pegasus. The scouts find more humanoids on the roof of the gatehouse including goblins and orcs. Down in the courtyard inside the gatehouse, the humanoids watch as trolls tear into Corunglain citizens. Argent causes a Wall of Fog to form blocking the humanoids from seeing the riders approaching. Magic is used to remove the humanoids on the rooftops, while Lord Vanarkus and Lord Rowan ride through the gate and engage the trolls inside. Following behind them providing arrow support are Arocken, Laucian and Sherra. The Guardians rush to close the gates into the city while clearing the buildings of the gatehouse of their humanoid invaders. The enemy is defeated and the gatehouse is secured. The refugees move in to the buildings to get out of the cold.
While the refugees settle in, scouts are sent out to determine what goes in the rest of the city. Argent flies off to scout before her flight spell expires. In a park in the northern part of town she finds that a massive human sacrifice is in progress. Fire Giants were spotted on the far shore working catapults to bombard the Duke's star shaped fortress. A rescue plan is formed. Several of the Guardians will ride to the rescue while the rest will stay behind the fort. Lord Vanarkus, Arocken, Lord Rowan and Chareos will ride to the park, while Lord Kalindor will ride his Pegasus with Lyonessa as a passenger. The riders reach the park and find a trio of orcs leading the sacrifice. The area of the sacrifice is covered in blood. Lord Kalindor drops from his Pegasus in the midst of the orc leaders and engages one of them. As he does, he notices another follower of Heironeous among those to be sacrificed. Lord Kalindor and the orc warrior he is fighting nearly battle to the death. The head of the orcs engages Lord Vanarkus and surprises him with his strength and skill. A wagon driven by a half-ogre with a dwarf barrel their way into the park. The dwarf throws a flaming war hammer that hits the orc leader in the back of the head. Gorso, the half-ogre, leaps from the wagon and frees the follower of Heironeous. The priestess then pauses to gather her strength and unleashes a Holy Word. In response all allies are filled with warmth and all orcs in the area drop dead. The orc priest disengages, taking the fallen warrior with him. That quickly the battle at the park comes to an end.
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword reach Crossroads. (TF#140)
GM Notes: Ironically, for most of the time the forum games were running, the Seekers were on the road traveling from Gateway to Kingsport.
(New Frontiers) – As night begins to fall, the Guardians are close to Corunglain. People are seen fleeing the city on foot, chased by a large band of unknown attackers and numerous wyverns are spotted overhead. Even worse, portions of Corunglain are burning! The Guardians ride to assist. Magic and arrows are used to kill one of the wyverns and drive the rest away. Continuing on they find the attackers are a mixture of hobgoblins and bugbears. The Guardians hack their way through the horde and route them to the cheers of the formerly fleeing citizens of Corunglain. While deciding their next move, a cry is heard from the people. One of them is with child and has chosen this time to give birth! The leader of this group, a man named Orin, explains what happened. It was supposed to be a time of celebration. The wizard Drakkimor had liberated Fort Runnels and a feast was being held in his honor three nights ago. The next thing the people knew, the humanoid horde was inside the city looting and killing as they went. Orin saw his family killed and swore vengeance. While Bella is giving birth to her child, the Guardians move forward in an attempt to take control of the Vesubian Gatehouse. There they will be able to have a secured place for them and the refugees.
Argent flies overhead while Lord Kalindor carries Chareos on his Pegasus. The scouts find more humanoids on the roof of the gatehouse including goblins and orcs. Down in the courtyard inside the gatehouse, the humanoids watch as trolls tear into Corunglain citizens. Argent causes a Wall of Fog to form blocking the humanoids from seeing the riders approaching. Magic is used to remove the humanoids on the rooftops, while Lord Vanarkus and Lord Rowan ride through the gate and engage the trolls inside. Following behind them providing arrow support are Arocken, Laucian and Sherra. The Guardians rush to close the gates into the city while clearing the buildings of the gatehouse of their humanoid invaders. The enemy is defeated and the gatehouse is secured. The refugees move in to the buildings to get out of the cold.
While the refugees settle in, scouts are sent out to determine what goes in the rest of the city. Argent flies off to scout before her flight spell expires. In a park in the northern part of town she finds that a massive human sacrifice is in progress. Fire Giants were spotted on the far shore working catapults to bombard the Duke's star shaped fortress. A rescue plan is formed. Several of the Guardians will ride to the rescue while the rest will stay behind the fort. Lord Vanarkus, Arocken, Lord Rowan and Chareos will ride to the park, while Lord Kalindor will ride his Pegasus with Lyonessa as a passenger. The riders reach the park and find a trio of orcs leading the sacrifice. The area of the sacrifice is covered in blood. Lord Kalindor drops from his Pegasus in the midst of the orc leaders and engages one of them. As he does, he notices another follower of Heironeous among those to be sacrificed. Lord Kalindor and the orc warrior he is fighting nearly battle to the death. The head of the orcs engages Lord Vanarkus and surprises him with his strength and skill. A wagon driven by a half-ogre with a dwarf barrel their way into the park. The dwarf throws a flaming war hammer that hits the orc leader in the back of the head. Gorso, the half-ogre, leaps from the wagon and frees the follower of Heironeous. The priestess then pauses to gather her strength and unleashes a Holy Word. In response all allies are filled with warmth and all orcs in the area drop dead. The orc priest disengages, taking the fallen warrior with him. That quickly the battle at the park comes to an end.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
Back at the gatehouse, the defenders hold off the humanoids and receive aid from an unexpected source. A woman moves out of the shadows and calls out to the defenders, “I am Valena Feador of Ehlonna. Who holds the battlements of the Vesubian Gatehouse?” Laucian answers her and reveals that he too is a follower of Ehlonna. Grondar uses Truth Giver to make sure Valena is speaking truthfully. After hearing about the sacrifice in the park, Valena is ready to leave again when more arrows come flying in. An attack force arrives forcing the defenders to fight back and quickly eliminate them.
Back at the park introductions are made. The dwarf is the warrior Oran Firehammer, while the woman is Crysania of Heironeous. Drakkimor himself is found and he seems dazed. Lord Vanarkus believes the effect to be similar to the one the Hextorites used in the Siege of Gateway. Crysania relates her tale of what happened during the victory feast. The Duke made a toast and right after it, everyone started to fall. Orcs swarmed the feast hall and took everyone prisoner. Crysania and others were taken through a strange shimmer in the wall and appeared in a very different place. At this other place, the prisoners were divided up and the villains of this attack here revealed. The leader of the orcs was present and was called Dek. With him was a six-armed Priestess of Hextor named Xanathom. She was the leader of the forces of Hextor in this part of the world. Next was an elderly looking mage called Opikus, who seemed to be the leader of this alliance. Lastly, there was a drow maiden named Krazzora who was a Priestess of Lloth. The prisoners were divided up and that by way of a magic mirror were whisked to other places. The group, along with the rescued men and women, begin to ride back to the Vesubian Gatehouse. Lord Kalindor and Lyonessa fly off on the Pegasus to destroy more of the fire giants' catapults. The Pegasus is wounded and forced to the land on the shore.
Lord Vanarkus rides along with Drakkimor and his companions. They clear the West Gatehouse. Vermin are found in the gatehouse, dining on the dead. Among these are ghouls and a ghast. It is decided to hold this gatehouse as well and those rescued will rest here with Lord Rowan in command. Lord Vanarkus and Chareos ride back to the the Vesubian Gatehouse. As they ride back, snow begins to fall. At the Vesubian Gatehouse, Argent begins to cast her shelter spell. It's a full blizzard by the time she finishes and the invoker collapses from the effort. The Guardians retire for the evening. (NF#43-52)
(Blackflame) Lord Sherwood leads his group out of Threshold on foot. Once far enough away from the town he summons three Phantom Steeds to ride on the journey ahead. The magical horses are twice as fast as the real thing and can even run across water. They follow what they believe to be an ancient road up to the side of a cliff where it seemingly ends. Nariya discovers that a portion of the wall is really an illusion and the road continues on into and upwards in the mountain itself. Continuing on, the explores emerge from the tunnel up onto a road that winds its way through the mountains. They come to a bridge that had a tower built in its middle that blocked the way. However, the upper levels of the tower collapsed long ago and fell into the river far below. The doors to the towers are open and the group passes without incident. Further along in the mountains, they come to another bridge, but this one has collapsed leaving a huge chasm to cross. Sherwood changes into a griffon with a Polymorph spell and flies everyone across. The Phantom Steeds are abandoned at this point and travel continues on foot. When the spell ends, they'll fade back into the nothingness that spawned them.
As the group walks along, they circle around a pile of stone debris in the road. This is a common sight as there have been may landslides in the passing years. However, this one is different and some unknown creature lashes out and grabs Sherwood by the ankle and drags him off into a system of small tunnels. It happened so fast that no one had time to react. Lilia takes charge and a rescue effort is launched. Yusef goes in first, followed by Nariya. Lilia casts Alter Self and she shrinks down to halfling size, while Kylie casts Wraithform on herself.
The cramped tunnel system opens up into a larger area and a strange alligator-like reptile is encountered. It attacks, but the searchers manage to slay it quickly. A second reptile is found deeper in the passages and finally they find Sherwood himself. He is unconscious in yet another cave and is being menaced by three smaller versions of the reptiles. Kylie drives the three kids off and Sherwood comes around and now has a large bump on his head. The group starts to make their way out of the tunnels. Sherwood still has his Polymorph spell running and changes into a snake to make it easier. The group relaxes once outside. Kylie goes back in to look for treasure and Sherwood keeps an eye on her with his Crystal ball. After moving on from the reptile caves, Sherwood creates his Hidden Lodge and the group settles in for the night. (BF #3-6)
GM Notes: In spite of how large that day was, it's still not the longest day.
Back at the park introductions are made. The dwarf is the warrior Oran Firehammer, while the woman is Crysania of Heironeous. Drakkimor himself is found and he seems dazed. Lord Vanarkus believes the effect to be similar to the one the Hextorites used in the Siege of Gateway. Crysania relates her tale of what happened during the victory feast. The Duke made a toast and right after it, everyone started to fall. Orcs swarmed the feast hall and took everyone prisoner. Crysania and others were taken through a strange shimmer in the wall and appeared in a very different place. At this other place, the prisoners were divided up and the villains of this attack here revealed. The leader of the orcs was present and was called Dek. With him was a six-armed Priestess of Hextor named Xanathom. She was the leader of the forces of Hextor in this part of the world. Next was an elderly looking mage called Opikus, who seemed to be the leader of this alliance. Lastly, there was a drow maiden named Krazzora who was a Priestess of Lloth. The prisoners were divided up and that by way of a magic mirror were whisked to other places. The group, along with the rescued men and women, begin to ride back to the Vesubian Gatehouse. Lord Kalindor and Lyonessa fly off on the Pegasus to destroy more of the fire giants' catapults. The Pegasus is wounded and forced to the land on the shore.
Lord Vanarkus rides along with Drakkimor and his companions. They clear the West Gatehouse. Vermin are found in the gatehouse, dining on the dead. Among these are ghouls and a ghast. It is decided to hold this gatehouse as well and those rescued will rest here with Lord Rowan in command. Lord Vanarkus and Chareos ride back to the the Vesubian Gatehouse. As they ride back, snow begins to fall. At the Vesubian Gatehouse, Argent begins to cast her shelter spell. It's a full blizzard by the time she finishes and the invoker collapses from the effort. The Guardians retire for the evening. (NF#43-52)
(Blackflame) Lord Sherwood leads his group out of Threshold on foot. Once far enough away from the town he summons three Phantom Steeds to ride on the journey ahead. The magical horses are twice as fast as the real thing and can even run across water. They follow what they believe to be an ancient road up to the side of a cliff where it seemingly ends. Nariya discovers that a portion of the wall is really an illusion and the road continues on into and upwards in the mountain itself. Continuing on, the explores emerge from the tunnel up onto a road that winds its way through the mountains. They come to a bridge that had a tower built in its middle that blocked the way. However, the upper levels of the tower collapsed long ago and fell into the river far below. The doors to the towers are open and the group passes without incident. Further along in the mountains, they come to another bridge, but this one has collapsed leaving a huge chasm to cross. Sherwood changes into a griffon with a Polymorph spell and flies everyone across. The Phantom Steeds are abandoned at this point and travel continues on foot. When the spell ends, they'll fade back into the nothingness that spawned them.
As the group walks along, they circle around a pile of stone debris in the road. This is a common sight as there have been may landslides in the passing years. However, this one is different and some unknown creature lashes out and grabs Sherwood by the ankle and drags him off into a system of small tunnels. It happened so fast that no one had time to react. Lilia takes charge and a rescue effort is launched. Yusef goes in first, followed by Nariya. Lilia casts Alter Self and she shrinks down to halfling size, while Kylie casts Wraithform on herself.
The cramped tunnel system opens up into a larger area and a strange alligator-like reptile is encountered. It attacks, but the searchers manage to slay it quickly. A second reptile is found deeper in the passages and finally they find Sherwood himself. He is unconscious in yet another cave and is being menaced by three smaller versions of the reptiles. Kylie drives the three kids off and Sherwood comes around and now has a large bump on his head. The group starts to make their way out of the tunnels. Sherwood still has his Polymorph spell running and changes into a snake to make it easier. The group relaxes once outside. Kylie goes back in to look for treasure and Sherwood keeps an eye on her with his Crystal ball. After moving on from the reptile caves, Sherwood creates his Hidden Lodge and the group settles in for the night. (BF #3-6)
GM Notes: In spite of how large that day was, it's still not the longest day.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 October 16th to 23rd
October 23rd -
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword travel from Crossroads to Reedle. (TF#140)
(New Frontiers) The blizzard that started the night before runs all day and into the night, giving the Guardians of Light a chance to recover. (NF#52)
GM Notes: Another padding day. Auril blew up a big, big storm.
(Blackflame) The explorers continue on the next morning. Sherwood summons his Phantom Steeds once more and the group rides along at a leisurely pace. The road continues onward and early in the afternoon it suddenly ends. A long bridge that spanned a deep chasm is no longer there. All that remains are several of its supports that stand like great pillars in the valley below. On the other side where the bridge would have ended there is a wall with a large gate set into it. The Phantom Steeds are abandoned once more and Sherwood Polymorphs into a eagle to carry everyone across. As he is bringing the last person over, Sherwood spots movement a few miles away from where he is setting the group down. Staying in eagle form, Sherwood scouts the strangers from the air and finds them to be half-elfin in nature.
At the ruins of a small town just past the wall, the group plans to meet the approaching half-elves. Sherwood greets them out in the open while the rest are hidden in case of an attack. The male half-elf calls out in greeting and asks if Sherwood needs sanctuary. He introduces himself as Talen and the girl is Lia. When Nightmist is mentioned, the pair say that she is their grandmother! Feeling that there is no danger, Sherwood has his companions come out and introduce themselves. As the group talks to the newcomers, it is learned that they are half-drow and this sets off a tense argument. Cooler heads prevail and it is decided to camp here for the night.
During guard duty Sherwood speaks to Lia about numerous things and he begins to suspect that these half-elves are his cousins. Talen has the family look to him. Sherwood suspects that his grandfather James the Red had a child with Nightmist and that child was the twins' mother. The twins will take the group to see their grandmother Nightmist. (BF #6-7)
GM Notes: Next time we arrive at the longest day. This one day is its own thread!
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword travel from Crossroads to Reedle. (TF#140)
(New Frontiers) The blizzard that started the night before runs all day and into the night, giving the Guardians of Light a chance to recover. (NF#52)
GM Notes: Another padding day. Auril blew up a big, big storm.
(Blackflame) The explorers continue on the next morning. Sherwood summons his Phantom Steeds once more and the group rides along at a leisurely pace. The road continues onward and early in the afternoon it suddenly ends. A long bridge that spanned a deep chasm is no longer there. All that remains are several of its supports that stand like great pillars in the valley below. On the other side where the bridge would have ended there is a wall with a large gate set into it. The Phantom Steeds are abandoned once more and Sherwood Polymorphs into a eagle to carry everyone across. As he is bringing the last person over, Sherwood spots movement a few miles away from where he is setting the group down. Staying in eagle form, Sherwood scouts the strangers from the air and finds them to be half-elfin in nature.
At the ruins of a small town just past the wall, the group plans to meet the approaching half-elves. Sherwood greets them out in the open while the rest are hidden in case of an attack. The male half-elf calls out in greeting and asks if Sherwood needs sanctuary. He introduces himself as Talen and the girl is Lia. When Nightmist is mentioned, the pair say that she is their grandmother! Feeling that there is no danger, Sherwood has his companions come out and introduce themselves. As the group talks to the newcomers, it is learned that they are half-drow and this sets off a tense argument. Cooler heads prevail and it is decided to camp here for the night.
During guard duty Sherwood speaks to Lia about numerous things and he begins to suspect that these half-elves are his cousins. Talen has the family look to him. Sherwood suspects that his grandfather James the Red had a child with Nightmist and that child was the twins' mother. The twins will take the group to see their grandmother Nightmist. (BF #6-7)
GM Notes: Next time we arrive at the longest day. This one day is its own thread!
Try it and find out!