GM Notes: September was a big month. October was a bigger month. November is even larger! It's the size of September and October combined! November will be split up among at least 8 threads.
November 1st –
(New Frontiers) Lord Sharadin teleports the Guardians using the Stone House to Fort Fletcher. They arrive at a designated arrival point in a side chamber of the fort's Shrine to Heironeous on the 4th floor. The Guardians, their mounts and their supplies are unloaded. Lord Sharadin tells Sir Vanarkus that he will return in three days. If it is safe, leave a mark in white chalk by the arrival point. Leave a yellow mark if there is danger.
After unloading the Guardians start to explore their surroundings. Its very cold, as the fort is unheated and parts are open to the elements. Predesignated pairs lead the way, pairing a warrior with a priest to turn undead. Before they can explore too far, a ghostly presence is spotted in the Heironeous shrine. Translucent priests are seen and they seem to be reliving an attack, although no attackers can be seen. The head priest says that “We must hold! The Shield must be protected at all costs!” The spectral replay ends with the priest's death. The Guardians speculate that they were speaking about the Shield of Justice and that it is here in Fort Fletcher. Olivia of Azrella explains that they are spectral minions and that they are trapped in a state of undeath as they relive their last moments throughout eternity. Many wonder if these spectral minions are the undead that are supposed to dwell in Fort Fletcher. As the group talks about the Shield of Justice, Lyonessa suddenly speaks up saying, “the Shield of Justice lies beyond the ether in Fort Fletcher.” The bardess does not know why she said those words, for they were planted in her mind by Hasverion in the City of the Dead.
After the replay, the Guardians move out to explore and secure Fort Fletcher. Very little of the level they are on remains usable. A few doors are closed blocking out the weather, but only restarting the fort's furnaces will drive away the cold of sitting deserted for nearly fifty years. The rest of the Guardians examine the Shrine to Heironeous for clues to the location of the Shield of Justice. The area above the arrival point is searched and found to be in better shape as it is closed to the elements. It is noted that the statues of Heironeous hold lightning bolts in one hand. These bolts sweep back over the altar and point to a small hole high in the back wall. The hole seems to lead into a hidden chamber behind the wall.
The Guardians move into the ballista hallway and find it also open to the elements. As they move out, the spectral minion replay starts once more and they can see more of the battle that took place in the hallway so long ago. As before, it ends in the Shrine to Heironeous. The way to the Helm Shrine is sealed with a protective stone block. Having cleared the immediate area, the Guardians move down to the next level. This level took heavy fire damage and still smells of smoke after all these years. Continuing on, the Guardians move down to the second level of the fort. This area took some fire damage, but not as much as the level above. This level was the quarters for the soldiers stationed here. The middle of the level was where the defensive blocks were raised and lowered to seal off the outside of the fort. All the blocks are currently open and most are damaged, if not destroyed. As the Guardian look around, they hear orcish voices coming from the level below them.
Using the openings from the defensive blocks to climb down, the Guardians find a group of orcs camping in a warehouse on one side of the ground level of the fort. A ramp leads down to an underground corral and it seems the orcs placed their dire wolf mounts down there. Argent seals it off with a Web spell. The orcs are easily overpowered and defeated. A few are kept alive to question, but are belligerent and go the way of the sword. Arocken calms the dire wolves and after the Web vanishes, has them run off back to the Broken Lands.
With that taken care of, the Guardians focus on several tasks for the rest of the day. First they they have to clear away the broken blocks and then move the single intact block into its new position, sealing the fort on the Broken Lands side. Others work to get the fort kitchen into working shape and heating up water for warm drinks. The remainder of the group work on getting the furnaces up and running. (NF#66-70)
(Elfquest) First thing in the morning, the group gets on the barge and gets ready to start their journey to the Sylvan Realm. Lord Sherwood uses the Crown first and he has the barge rise up high into the sky. Then he has it move east at a very fast speed, even faster than the Phantom Steeds could move. Using the Crown of the Stars also seems to create an aura of comfort around the barge. Those riding on it do not feel the cold. The day passes slowly and Sherwood points on those places that he recognizes. The longer he uses the Crown the more of a drain it becomes. As night is starting to fall Sherwood is exhausted and sets the barge down in an area between the Elfholds and the Dwarf Lands north of Fort Hobart. Sherwood hands Lilia the Crown, puts Laucian in charge and then goes to sleep.
After a short break to stretch everyone's legs, Lilia has the barge rise up into the air. She keeps the Elfholds on her left and continues on a mostly eastward course. (EQ#4)
CR 571 November 1st - 4th
CR 571 November 1st - 4th
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Re: CR 571 November 1st - 4th
November 2nd –
(The Frontier) Near nightfall the Seekers of the Sword reach Kingsport after two days on a riverboat. The Letter of Passage given to them by General Logan Rowan grants them access to the city. Kit leads the group to the Screaming Eagle Inn in the Bricktop District of Kingsport. (TF#140)
(New Frontiers) During the night the weather turns foul and another blizzard hits the area, reducing visibility and ruining any scouting. Work is done in the underground corral to remove the wolf smell so that the horses will be comfortable there. Sir Acerion Kalindor starts to clean up the Shrine to Heironeous. The dwarves climb up the coal chute into the fort and work on starting to resupply the dwindling coal reserves. Focus also goes to finding a way to retrieve the Shield of Justice and using magical defenses to protect the fort. Frustrated by the lack of progress on reaching the shield, Sir Kalindor offers a plea to Heironeous and in return receives a vision of lightning playing on the hands of Chareos and Argent. They both touch the lightning bolts held by the Heironeous statues and the way to the shield is open. The mages believe this to be a Shocking Grasp spell and will memorize the spell the next day. Argent is put in charge of placing magical protections in the fort and holds a gathering of the spell casters to iron out a strategy. (NF#70-72)
(Elfquest) Lilia pilots the barge all night as it continues to skirt the northern edge of the Elfholds. It is believed that the barge can reach Ainsun, the home village of Lilia and Laucian. Near dawn, the the River of Monsters comes into sight and Lilia sets the barge down on the river and then moves into a empty spot at the town docks.
Sherwood wakes before the barge lands, has breakfast and starts to re-memorize his spells so that he can take over the barge once Lilia is done. Sherwood quickly realizes that given how much sleep he needs and just how long it takes him to re-memorize a full set of spells that he wont be able to alternate controlling the barge. Given that the group is in a safe port, Sherwood tells the elves and half-elves to spend the day in Ainsun. They'll move on this afternoon.
Lilia goes home to sleep off her time piloting the barge. Laucian takes Nariya and Valena out to the Ehlonna Temple where he was raised outside of town at Black Lake. In town, Kylie, Lia, and Talen are given a tour by Arloen Treelife on how the elfin town works. They are shown the clan Mother Tree whom they call Shalandra. More supplies are gathered up and everyone returns to the barge.
Sherwood is ready to begin the journey once more. He puts the Crown on and moves the barge out into the River of Monsters once more. As soon as he finds a opening large enough through the trees, Sherwood raises the barge up high into the air once more. All too soon the Elfholds have passed by and the great Streel Plain of Western Cynalon is reached. Many of the towns and cities that were passed through before are seen. Favaro to the south and Rennydale to the north. There appears to be a great storm to the northwest, so Sherwood plots a course to pass south of the Silver Sierras and avoid the bad weather.
As the barge flies towards the southernmost point of the Silver Sierras, Nariya notes something strange in the mountains below. Something that does not match the rock around it. Sherwood moves the barge closer and the group is astonished to see what appears to be an ocean-going ship smashed on the mountain side. The ship is nearly split in half, and seems wedged into the rocks. The middle of the ship is higher than either end. Sherwood moves the barge closer and hovers over the wreck. Kylie and Lia attach ropes to themselves and climb down from the barge. Lilia Polymorphs herself into a owl and explores the bottom of the wreck.
Kylie finds quarters that seemed to have been used by a woman in the distant past. She finds a small chest under some pillows. On the other end of the ship, Lia finds a sea chest in a general quarters. Down under the ship, Lilia spots a light source. Making her way through a maze of openings and debris, the elf maiden finds what looks like a small furnace in the shape of a black dragon. Its rear legs and tail form the base and there is a furnace in its belly. There is a book in the dragon's mouth.
A trio of manticores approaches the barge while the wreck is being searched. Arrows and spells are fired at the manticores as they approach. The beasts fire spikes from their tails as they get closer. Sherwood uses a Wand of Lightning on the most wounded manticore and it starts to fall from the sky. The dead beast nearly hits the barge, but passes underneath it and crashes into the area of the wreck Kylie was just exploring! The impact causes Kylie and Lia to loose their balance, but their ropes keep them safe. The wreck shifts and seems on the verge of breaking completely apart. Lilia changes into a sylph and goes back into the wreck to try and recover the strange furnace. The manticores swing back and one is taken out by Laucian at long range thanks to his Hunter's Bow. The second is slain by arrows and magic. This manticore hits the side of the mountain below the wreck, but it is enough for the ship to break in two and tumble down the mountain! Kylie and Lia escape harm thanks to the ropes around them, while Lilia just manages to fly out of the hold carrying the black dragon furnace. With help, the furnace is loaded onto the barge. Sherwood moves on from there, as he is near the end of his shift of flying. After passing out of the mountains, the barge sets down in the light hills near Crowlerd. Kylie takes over piloting the barge through the night while Lilia studies the book that the dragon furnace held. (EQ#4-6)
(The Frontier) Near nightfall the Seekers of the Sword reach Kingsport after two days on a riverboat. The Letter of Passage given to them by General Logan Rowan grants them access to the city. Kit leads the group to the Screaming Eagle Inn in the Bricktop District of Kingsport. (TF#140)
(New Frontiers) During the night the weather turns foul and another blizzard hits the area, reducing visibility and ruining any scouting. Work is done in the underground corral to remove the wolf smell so that the horses will be comfortable there. Sir Acerion Kalindor starts to clean up the Shrine to Heironeous. The dwarves climb up the coal chute into the fort and work on starting to resupply the dwindling coal reserves. Focus also goes to finding a way to retrieve the Shield of Justice and using magical defenses to protect the fort. Frustrated by the lack of progress on reaching the shield, Sir Kalindor offers a plea to Heironeous and in return receives a vision of lightning playing on the hands of Chareos and Argent. They both touch the lightning bolts held by the Heironeous statues and the way to the shield is open. The mages believe this to be a Shocking Grasp spell and will memorize the spell the next day. Argent is put in charge of placing magical protections in the fort and holds a gathering of the spell casters to iron out a strategy. (NF#70-72)
(Elfquest) Lilia pilots the barge all night as it continues to skirt the northern edge of the Elfholds. It is believed that the barge can reach Ainsun, the home village of Lilia and Laucian. Near dawn, the the River of Monsters comes into sight and Lilia sets the barge down on the river and then moves into a empty spot at the town docks.
Sherwood wakes before the barge lands, has breakfast and starts to re-memorize his spells so that he can take over the barge once Lilia is done. Sherwood quickly realizes that given how much sleep he needs and just how long it takes him to re-memorize a full set of spells that he wont be able to alternate controlling the barge. Given that the group is in a safe port, Sherwood tells the elves and half-elves to spend the day in Ainsun. They'll move on this afternoon.
Lilia goes home to sleep off her time piloting the barge. Laucian takes Nariya and Valena out to the Ehlonna Temple where he was raised outside of town at Black Lake. In town, Kylie, Lia, and Talen are given a tour by Arloen Treelife on how the elfin town works. They are shown the clan Mother Tree whom they call Shalandra. More supplies are gathered up and everyone returns to the barge.
Sherwood is ready to begin the journey once more. He puts the Crown on and moves the barge out into the River of Monsters once more. As soon as he finds a opening large enough through the trees, Sherwood raises the barge up high into the air once more. All too soon the Elfholds have passed by and the great Streel Plain of Western Cynalon is reached. Many of the towns and cities that were passed through before are seen. Favaro to the south and Rennydale to the north. There appears to be a great storm to the northwest, so Sherwood plots a course to pass south of the Silver Sierras and avoid the bad weather.
As the barge flies towards the southernmost point of the Silver Sierras, Nariya notes something strange in the mountains below. Something that does not match the rock around it. Sherwood moves the barge closer and the group is astonished to see what appears to be an ocean-going ship smashed on the mountain side. The ship is nearly split in half, and seems wedged into the rocks. The middle of the ship is higher than either end. Sherwood moves the barge closer and hovers over the wreck. Kylie and Lia attach ropes to themselves and climb down from the barge. Lilia Polymorphs herself into a owl and explores the bottom of the wreck.
Kylie finds quarters that seemed to have been used by a woman in the distant past. She finds a small chest under some pillows. On the other end of the ship, Lia finds a sea chest in a general quarters. Down under the ship, Lilia spots a light source. Making her way through a maze of openings and debris, the elf maiden finds what looks like a small furnace in the shape of a black dragon. Its rear legs and tail form the base and there is a furnace in its belly. There is a book in the dragon's mouth.
A trio of manticores approaches the barge while the wreck is being searched. Arrows and spells are fired at the manticores as they approach. The beasts fire spikes from their tails as they get closer. Sherwood uses a Wand of Lightning on the most wounded manticore and it starts to fall from the sky. The dead beast nearly hits the barge, but passes underneath it and crashes into the area of the wreck Kylie was just exploring! The impact causes Kylie and Lia to loose their balance, but their ropes keep them safe. The wreck shifts and seems on the verge of breaking completely apart. Lilia changes into a sylph and goes back into the wreck to try and recover the strange furnace. The manticores swing back and one is taken out by Laucian at long range thanks to his Hunter's Bow. The second is slain by arrows and magic. This manticore hits the side of the mountain below the wreck, but it is enough for the ship to break in two and tumble down the mountain! Kylie and Lia escape harm thanks to the ropes around them, while Lilia just manages to fly out of the hold carrying the black dragon furnace. With help, the furnace is loaded onto the barge. Sherwood moves on from there, as he is near the end of his shift of flying. After passing out of the mountains, the barge sets down in the light hills near Crowlerd. Kylie takes over piloting the barge through the night while Lilia studies the book that the dragon furnace held. (EQ#4-6)
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 1st - 4th
November 3rd –
(The Frontier) Following the instructions given to them by General Logan, Claudius and Stephanie go to see Admiral Hyrak, the Commander of the Cynalonian naval forces. The Seekers are being assigned two ships for the journey, the Endeavor and the Intrepid. Captain Bartran Rowan is the commander of the Endeavor and the senior officer. Captain August Cornell commands the Intrepid. The ships will be ready to set sail in a few days. The Seekers relax from two weeks on the road and prepare for the voyage to come. (TF#141)
GM Notes: Captain Bartran is one of Corley's older brothers, the oldest in fact.
(New Frontiers) The blizzard from yesterday passes and the day is more pleasant. Argent and Chareos cast Shocking Grasp and then touch the lightning bolts held by the Heironeous statues and they transmit the electricity up them and then into the wall behind. The wall turns misty and can be easily passed through. The Shield of Justice begins to glow and the spectral minions walk into its light. Their curse has been broken and the high priest thanks Sir Kalindor for freeing them. Sir Kalindor goes inside and picks up the Shield of Justice. As he holds it, the Shield glows and suddenly slams into his chest, merging with his body so that it can be easily transported. While merged with the Shield of Justice, Sir Kalindor's innate paladin abilities are enhanced.
The magical defenses talked about the night before are put into place. Argent, Chareos and Sir Kalindor go out to scout the area north of the fort, but find no sign of an approaching orc army. Exploration in the mining tunnels connecting to Fort Fletcher continues. (NF#72-74)
GM Notes: There is also a spell that higher level Priests of Heironeous can cast called Bolt of Glory that would have done the trick too.
(Elfquest) Kylie pilots the barge for much of the night and is forced to land on Lake Amsorak when she tires. Talon takes over and manages to reach the far shore and lands the barge some twenty miles north of the ruins of Old Elcadan. During the night, Lilia read the book in the dragon furnaces mouth and she explains that it is a Spell Engine. It was the magical device that allowed the wrecked ship to fly. This engine in particular allowed the ship to fly, to generate a comfortable atmosphere on the ship and to even go invisible. The Spell Engine is secured to the barge and Lilia and Sherwood use spells to power it up.
While that is going on, the rangers go out to look around. Valena finds a skeleton out in the tall grass. She realizes that the unfortunate victim was crushed to death and rushes back to the barge. Elsewhere, Laucian and Nariya encounter a huge snake and realize that this is its hunting ground. The snake is slain and some of the snake is carved up for meat.
The chest that Kylie found is opened with a Knock spell. Inside it are several fancy dresses, a diary, a large book, and a silver key. The dresses are enchanted to be self-cleaning and adjust to the size of the wearer. The book has only ten pages to it, but each page shows a single item. Most of these items are food: strawberries, peaches, nuts and dried fruit, etc. The book is a kind of portable food storage item. Items can be placed into the book and removed with ease. While in the book the food remains in the same state as it was when placed inside. The group adds more supplies to the book and removes a few that were inside.
With the Spell Engine ready, the barge is raised up a few feet from the ground and its position is manually pointed towards the distant Sylvan Realm. Lilia has it rise up above the mountains and the clouds themselves making the land below seem tiny by comparison. The barge accelerates forward at a dizzying velocity, traveling much faster than anyone thought possible. It is suspected that the barge can reach the Sylvan Realm in a week of constant flight. (EQ#6)
(The Frontier) Following the instructions given to them by General Logan, Claudius and Stephanie go to see Admiral Hyrak, the Commander of the Cynalonian naval forces. The Seekers are being assigned two ships for the journey, the Endeavor and the Intrepid. Captain Bartran Rowan is the commander of the Endeavor and the senior officer. Captain August Cornell commands the Intrepid. The ships will be ready to set sail in a few days. The Seekers relax from two weeks on the road and prepare for the voyage to come. (TF#141)
GM Notes: Captain Bartran is one of Corley's older brothers, the oldest in fact.
(New Frontiers) The blizzard from yesterday passes and the day is more pleasant. Argent and Chareos cast Shocking Grasp and then touch the lightning bolts held by the Heironeous statues and they transmit the electricity up them and then into the wall behind. The wall turns misty and can be easily passed through. The Shield of Justice begins to glow and the spectral minions walk into its light. Their curse has been broken and the high priest thanks Sir Kalindor for freeing them. Sir Kalindor goes inside and picks up the Shield of Justice. As he holds it, the Shield glows and suddenly slams into his chest, merging with his body so that it can be easily transported. While merged with the Shield of Justice, Sir Kalindor's innate paladin abilities are enhanced.
The magical defenses talked about the night before are put into place. Argent, Chareos and Sir Kalindor go out to scout the area north of the fort, but find no sign of an approaching orc army. Exploration in the mining tunnels connecting to Fort Fletcher continues. (NF#72-74)
GM Notes: There is also a spell that higher level Priests of Heironeous can cast called Bolt of Glory that would have done the trick too.
(Elfquest) Kylie pilots the barge for much of the night and is forced to land on Lake Amsorak when she tires. Talon takes over and manages to reach the far shore and lands the barge some twenty miles north of the ruins of Old Elcadan. During the night, Lilia read the book in the dragon furnaces mouth and she explains that it is a Spell Engine. It was the magical device that allowed the wrecked ship to fly. This engine in particular allowed the ship to fly, to generate a comfortable atmosphere on the ship and to even go invisible. The Spell Engine is secured to the barge and Lilia and Sherwood use spells to power it up.
While that is going on, the rangers go out to look around. Valena finds a skeleton out in the tall grass. She realizes that the unfortunate victim was crushed to death and rushes back to the barge. Elsewhere, Laucian and Nariya encounter a huge snake and realize that this is its hunting ground. The snake is slain and some of the snake is carved up for meat.
The chest that Kylie found is opened with a Knock spell. Inside it are several fancy dresses, a diary, a large book, and a silver key. The dresses are enchanted to be self-cleaning and adjust to the size of the wearer. The book has only ten pages to it, but each page shows a single item. Most of these items are food: strawberries, peaches, nuts and dried fruit, etc. The book is a kind of portable food storage item. Items can be placed into the book and removed with ease. While in the book the food remains in the same state as it was when placed inside. The group adds more supplies to the book and removes a few that were inside.
With the Spell Engine ready, the barge is raised up a few feet from the ground and its position is manually pointed towards the distant Sylvan Realm. Lilia has it rise up above the mountains and the clouds themselves making the land below seem tiny by comparison. The barge accelerates forward at a dizzying velocity, traveling much faster than anyone thought possible. It is suspected that the barge can reach the Sylvan Realm in a week of constant flight. (EQ#6)
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 1st - 4th
November 4th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword relax in Kingsport. Finrod looks to hire assistants for himself and Stephanie. The group meets the two captains and get familiar with their ships. The first mate of the Endeavor is a woman named Hemar. The first mate of the Intrepid is Gomja, a reformed pirate. (TF#142-143)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sharadin arrivals at Fort Fletcher in the morning along with support troops, a unit of elfin archers, dwarven reinforcements, and a unit of Pyrisian ballista men. Accompanying the reinforcements are several priests of Heironeous and Helm to run the local shrines. Lord Sharadin relates that the King is holding a meeting of the Council of Lords today and that Sir Vanarkus and Sir Kalindor are expected to attend. This should not be an issue since the situation at Fort Fletcher seems to be stable. The dwarves continue to explore the adjacent mines to Fort Fletcher and encounter spiders. The force led by Sir Alon Teramar and Dame Sharl Harlena succeeded in their mission and decimated the orcish horde while they camped. Two of the sons of the Duke of Corunglain were rescued by Drakkimor's group. Lord Kalindor does a quick scouting mission on his Pegasus, but nothing is found.
Lord Sharadin teleports Sir Vanarkus and Sir Kalindor to Corunglain for the Council of Lords meeting. Everyone else is there and a buffet is available. Guests include Crysania of Heironeous and Silvarn. Sir Teramar relates the battle against the advancing orc army. They were at camp and not prepared to defend themselves. The orcs were overrun and routed. Lady Penhaligon relates that all was quiet at Fort Runnels. Crysania of Heironeous tells how her band caught up to the drow in the Underdark and rescued many prisoners, including two of Duke Coran's sons. Sir Vanarkus covers the events at Fort Fletcher, while Sir Kalindor speaks of the recovery of the Shield of Justice. Lord Sharadin reports that Lord Sherwood and the elves have departed Karn's Keep using an item found there called the “Crown of the Stars” to make a barge fly. They plan to reach the distant Sylvan realm in this manner. Silvarn reports that she scouted New Keln far to the southeast and found the Main Temple of Hextor. They plan to sacrifice Duke Coran and his family in addition to what remains of their collection of magic items in return for the Trumpet of Acheron, which would allow the possessor to summon an army of undead. This sacrifice will take place at midnight tomorrow. The King decides that a raid must be launched to prevent this from happening. He takes volunteers for this mission and most everyone here agrees. Sir Teramar is in charge of the rescue mission.
The King tells of his meeting with the Duke of Elcadan. After waiting a long time, the Duchess appeared but the King saw that she was really a demoness! He struck the demoness and she fled. Lady Sallavarian explains that the King possesses items that allow him to see through illusions and protect him from being charmed. The truth is that the ruling family of Elcadan has been dead for a long time, decades perhaps and that demons have ruled in their place. This goes a long way to explain the state of things in Elcadan. These demons are part of the DeVille family and the King orders that these foul creatures be hunted down and removed. Elcadan no longer has a ruling family and a new duke will need to be appointed. Lady Allonica suggests a plan where Baron Relon would gain control of Elcadan, while some of its outlaying lands will be gained by Athenos and Restenford. There is much discussion on this topic and several of those present vow to assist in the recovery of Elcadan.
(The Frontier) The Seekers of the Sword relax in Kingsport. Finrod looks to hire assistants for himself and Stephanie. The group meets the two captains and get familiar with their ships. The first mate of the Endeavor is a woman named Hemar. The first mate of the Intrepid is Gomja, a reformed pirate. (TF#142-143)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sharadin arrivals at Fort Fletcher in the morning along with support troops, a unit of elfin archers, dwarven reinforcements, and a unit of Pyrisian ballista men. Accompanying the reinforcements are several priests of Heironeous and Helm to run the local shrines. Lord Sharadin relates that the King is holding a meeting of the Council of Lords today and that Sir Vanarkus and Sir Kalindor are expected to attend. This should not be an issue since the situation at Fort Fletcher seems to be stable. The dwarves continue to explore the adjacent mines to Fort Fletcher and encounter spiders. The force led by Sir Alon Teramar and Dame Sharl Harlena succeeded in their mission and decimated the orcish horde while they camped. Two of the sons of the Duke of Corunglain were rescued by Drakkimor's group. Lord Kalindor does a quick scouting mission on his Pegasus, but nothing is found.
Lord Sharadin teleports Sir Vanarkus and Sir Kalindor to Corunglain for the Council of Lords meeting. Everyone else is there and a buffet is available. Guests include Crysania of Heironeous and Silvarn. Sir Teramar relates the battle against the advancing orc army. They were at camp and not prepared to defend themselves. The orcs were overrun and routed. Lady Penhaligon relates that all was quiet at Fort Runnels. Crysania of Heironeous tells how her band caught up to the drow in the Underdark and rescued many prisoners, including two of Duke Coran's sons. Sir Vanarkus covers the events at Fort Fletcher, while Sir Kalindor speaks of the recovery of the Shield of Justice. Lord Sharadin reports that Lord Sherwood and the elves have departed Karn's Keep using an item found there called the “Crown of the Stars” to make a barge fly. They plan to reach the distant Sylvan realm in this manner. Silvarn reports that she scouted New Keln far to the southeast and found the Main Temple of Hextor. They plan to sacrifice Duke Coran and his family in addition to what remains of their collection of magic items in return for the Trumpet of Acheron, which would allow the possessor to summon an army of undead. This sacrifice will take place at midnight tomorrow. The King decides that a raid must be launched to prevent this from happening. He takes volunteers for this mission and most everyone here agrees. Sir Teramar is in charge of the rescue mission.
The King tells of his meeting with the Duke of Elcadan. After waiting a long time, the Duchess appeared but the King saw that she was really a demoness! He struck the demoness and she fled. Lady Sallavarian explains that the King possesses items that allow him to see through illusions and protect him from being charmed. The truth is that the ruling family of Elcadan has been dead for a long time, decades perhaps and that demons have ruled in their place. This goes a long way to explain the state of things in Elcadan. These demons are part of the DeVille family and the King orders that these foul creatures be hunted down and removed. Elcadan no longer has a ruling family and a new duke will need to be appointed. Lady Allonica suggests a plan where Baron Relon would gain control of Elcadan, while some of its outlaying lands will be gained by Athenos and Restenford. There is much discussion on this topic and several of those present vow to assist in the recovery of Elcadan.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 1st - 4th
Back at Fort Fletcher, the elfin archers on watch spot what they call ice-blue orcs climbing on top of each other to reach the ballista platforms! Sir Corley is now in command and he issues several orders. The archers are to take down the living ladders, save one. Oil is to be made ready to be poured down the outer wall of the fortress at Sir Corley's command. The remaining Guardians start to arrive, but Sir Corley keeps them all in reserve. The archers easily bring down the living ladders and Sherra and Arocken assist in this task. Ivy is able to determine that the orcs are indeed undead. Sir Corley has the oil poured and then lit. Fire engulfs the wall of the fortress and the undead orcs are burned to a crisp. The initial siege ends as quickly as it began.
Over an hour later, another attack takes place. This time it is ice soldiers carried in ice gargoyles talons, much like the ones fought on the group's ride to Ansimont with Kharyna of Mystra. The ice gargoyles drop the ice soldiers on top of the fortress and they begin to pound on the doors. Sir Corley orders the archers and ballista men to fire at will at the flying invaders. Grondar and Ivy are sent to secure western ramparts, while Yusef and Chareos go to the eastern ramparts. Both groups are backed up by the priests from the nearby shrines. Arocken and Sherra join the archers. The defenders wait for the enemy to break in and run afoul of the defenses the Guardians placed earlier. One of the elfin watchers spots a dark haired woman in white outside with a staff, suspecting her to be the one directing this attack. Ice soldiers begin to slide down to the ballista platforms and start to force themselves into the fortress! As ice soldiers start to break into the fortress on multiple fronts, Sir Corley orders Lady Argent to go outside and remove the one seemingly directing this attack: the elf spotted earlier. Argent casts Fly and then Invisibility on herself and slips away during all the chaos. Argent casts a Fireball at the enemy woman followed by a Lightning Bolt. This is followed up with Argent casting double Magic Missiles that she had bound with a Minor Spell Sequencer. The enemy woman seems concerned at first, but then confused when the missiles hurt her! The Priestess of Auril then vanishes from sight.
In the fortress, the icy invaders break up and fall to the floor in chunks. Argent finds a tiara in the area where the Priestess vanished. Grabbing it, the Invoker returns to the fortress. Sir Corley dismisses everyone after another fifteen minutes and has work started on restoring the defenses.
That evening, Silvarn arrives at Fort Fletcher, having explored the area around the fort at the request of Lord Vanarkus. She found the location of a place she calls the Ice Palace, a huge structure on top of a nearby mountain. Silvarn suspects this to be the base for Auril's followers. Silvarn also confirms that she found the orc army frozen to death miles away from Fort Fletcher. The Guardians decide to take the battle to Auril's forces and Silvarn agrees to transport them to the Ice Palace in the morning. (NF#73-79)
(Cynalon Knights) The Council of Lords discussion continues in Corunglain. It is decided that those going on the rescue mission to New Keln will travel with the king, via the Stone House, to Pyris where Baron Relon can be made aware of his new status and start to make preparations. Silvarn departs to explore the areas around Fort Fletcher before arriving there. Sir Teramar starts to formulate a plan of attack on the Hextor Temple in New Keln. The evening is spent at Castle Pyris. Duke Relon will rule his domain from Elcadan, while Validar will become the Baron of Pyris. Plans are laid out for the journey to Elcadan by way of Wrassledown and Ansimont. (CK#1-2)
GM Notes: With so much happening in New Frontiers, I split the stuff with the nobility out into its own title for a time called Cynalon Knights.
Over an hour later, another attack takes place. This time it is ice soldiers carried in ice gargoyles talons, much like the ones fought on the group's ride to Ansimont with Kharyna of Mystra. The ice gargoyles drop the ice soldiers on top of the fortress and they begin to pound on the doors. Sir Corley orders the archers and ballista men to fire at will at the flying invaders. Grondar and Ivy are sent to secure western ramparts, while Yusef and Chareos go to the eastern ramparts. Both groups are backed up by the priests from the nearby shrines. Arocken and Sherra join the archers. The defenders wait for the enemy to break in and run afoul of the defenses the Guardians placed earlier. One of the elfin watchers spots a dark haired woman in white outside with a staff, suspecting her to be the one directing this attack. Ice soldiers begin to slide down to the ballista platforms and start to force themselves into the fortress! As ice soldiers start to break into the fortress on multiple fronts, Sir Corley orders Lady Argent to go outside and remove the one seemingly directing this attack: the elf spotted earlier. Argent casts Fly and then Invisibility on herself and slips away during all the chaos. Argent casts a Fireball at the enemy woman followed by a Lightning Bolt. This is followed up with Argent casting double Magic Missiles that she had bound with a Minor Spell Sequencer. The enemy woman seems concerned at first, but then confused when the missiles hurt her! The Priestess of Auril then vanishes from sight.
In the fortress, the icy invaders break up and fall to the floor in chunks. Argent finds a tiara in the area where the Priestess vanished. Grabbing it, the Invoker returns to the fortress. Sir Corley dismisses everyone after another fifteen minutes and has work started on restoring the defenses.
That evening, Silvarn arrives at Fort Fletcher, having explored the area around the fort at the request of Lord Vanarkus. She found the location of a place she calls the Ice Palace, a huge structure on top of a nearby mountain. Silvarn suspects this to be the base for Auril's followers. Silvarn also confirms that she found the orc army frozen to death miles away from Fort Fletcher. The Guardians decide to take the battle to Auril's forces and Silvarn agrees to transport them to the Ice Palace in the morning. (NF#73-79)
(Cynalon Knights) The Council of Lords discussion continues in Corunglain. It is decided that those going on the rescue mission to New Keln will travel with the king, via the Stone House, to Pyris where Baron Relon can be made aware of his new status and start to make preparations. Silvarn departs to explore the areas around Fort Fletcher before arriving there. Sir Teramar starts to formulate a plan of attack on the Hextor Temple in New Keln. The evening is spent at Castle Pyris. Duke Relon will rule his domain from Elcadan, while Validar will become the Baron of Pyris. Plans are laid out for the journey to Elcadan by way of Wrassledown and Ansimont. (CK#1-2)
GM Notes: With so much happening in New Frontiers, I split the stuff with the nobility out into its own title for a time called Cynalon Knights.
Try it and find out!