CR 571 November 16th - 18th
November 16th –
(The Frontier) The ships dock once more early in the morning. The rest of the Seekers of the Sword formulate a plan to capture Claudius. But while they are planning, Claudius has plans of his own. While the Seekers talk on the Intrepid, Claudius charms the captain and first mate and has the Endeavor pull away. Then he hits the hull of the Intrepid with a Lightning Bolt at the water line and then the main mast with a Fireball! The Intrepid begins to sink and burn! Padraig puts out the worst of the fire with a Pyrotechnics spell. Then he flies off to stop Claudius. Stephanie uses Lightning to absorb the smaller fires. Gomja and Fiben go below decks and work to board up the hole in the hull the Lightning Bolt made. Padraig stops Claudius with a Color Spray and then deals with most of the crew with a Web Spell. The Intrepid limps forward and docks with the Endeavor once more. Perrel swings over to the Endeavor and makes for the helm. There he finds Captain Bartran, First Mate Hemar, two sailors and Dani. All of them appear to be charmed. Kitten leaps to attack Perrel! The jaguar bites Perrel's wrist, but he manages to toss the cat into the Web. Kit, Fiben and Fallon also go over in search of Claudius' war dog. The beast changes to an imp and attacks them! The imp is defeated and it vanishes in a puff of sulfur. With the imp gone, those it charmed return to the normal. The Endeavor is brought under control. Several magic items are found on Claudius and once they are taken away, his form shifts into that of a complete stranger. A few more Hextorites are found among the crew and they are thrown into the brig along with the false Claudius. (TF#152-156)
(New Frontiers) The Guardians wait for the men in Ansimont to arrive. The men arrive expecting to find the Duke, the Guardians, and their guards all asleep but instead find them very much awake! The men were not expecting battle, nor did they have the skill to put up much of a fight, and quickly surrender. They all claim that Charles Ansimont ordered them to come here and bring everyone to the DeVir Warehouse. The Guardians climb into the wagons and make their way to the warehouse. Once more the men there are not fighters and are easily overpowered. Ivy dispels magic on Charles Ansimont and he falls to his knees, having been freed of the influence that has been directing his actions for several years. Charles claims that there is a monstrous fish, an aboleth, below the warehouse that is reached by a platform that is lowered several hundred feet into the ground. This all was set in motion by a Zora DeVir, and most suspect that this was one of the demonic sisters in disguise.
The Guardians get on the lift with the intent of going down to deal with the aboleth. They are lowered down the shaft and when it opens up once more, they find a large cavern with most of it filled with water. They spot the aboleth and attack it with ranged weapons and spells. However, it is only an illusion and the real aboleth appears further out it the water. It is quickly destroyed by the Guardians and all under its control are freed. Lyonessa's sister, Myveria, is found down in the cave. The monster destroyed, the Guardians return to the Inn and rest for the night.
After rising in the morning, Duke Relon speaks with Baron Charles Ansimont and works toward restoring order to Ansimont. (NF#101-102)
CR 571 November 16th - 18th
CR 571 November 16th - 18th
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
(Elfquest) Nariya leads the way to the location of the House Medallion as seen in Laucian's vision. The cottage is found easily enough. Fearing that the occupant is a medusa, based on the stone states of men in the Black Armor, the group proceeds with caution. Lilia uses magic to protect herself from a medusa and takes the form of a small bird to spy the inside of the cottage. The owner of the cottage is a plain middle-age woman dressed plainly. The woman notices Lilia and seems to realize that there is someone polymorphed before her. The woman tells Lilia to tell her friends to join her for lunch. Lilia flies back and tells the others about her encounter. Sherwood suspects that the woman is a forest spirit of some kind and that they won't find out anything out here. So Sherwood and most of the others accept the woman's invitation and goes inside. The half-elves stay outside with the cooshee's.
Inside the house, the woman has set out a light lunch. She says her name is Jewel and she is very polite. She fawns over Onyx. Sherwood asks Jewel if she knows about a House Medallion. Jewel in turn shows the medallion, as she was wearing it around her neck on its chain. She'll hand over the House Medallion when the other 11 medallions have been located. Jewel then goes on to show that she knows just how many medallions the elves have found thus far and other information that should be beyond any normal way to know. Jewel asks the half-elves to come inside and join the lunch. The cooshee's need no encouragement and flock to Jewel's side. Jewel pets and fawns over each of the elfin dogs. Jewel goes on to explain what Moorkroft has done. He seeks immortality from the Mother Tree and that is why he raised an army to invade the Sylvan Realm. But when they arrived the elves were gone. So, he kept the orcs out of the forest to prevent them from destroying any vital clues. Moorkroft found the elves that had merged with the trees in a state of suspended animation. He cut these trees down and drained their vitality from them. The process extended Moorkroft's live, but his appearance become more and more elfin and that just drove him mad. Jewel also tells Kylie that her mother is safe and that they will be released when the Mother Tree is restored.
After having lunch with Jewel, the elves are off once more. Nariya leads the way to the location of the Justice Medallion while Sherwood teleports back to the Griffon Stable to retrieve the barge. Along the way, the group talks about their encounter with Jewel and some believe that she was related to Ehlonna herself! All the animals in the area loved her, she called the half-elves children and even referred to herself as being a “Lady, living in a cottage, in the forest”. According to myth, Ehlonna was the very first half-elf and thus considers all half-elves her children.
Nariya leads the group directly to the scale she saw in her vision. The scale presents a test of intellect. A voice tells the elves that there are 10 bags of gold coins. Nine of the bags has coins weighting 10 ounce coins, while the last is only 9 ounces. With just one weighting, the group has to pick which bag weights less. Lilia has the solution almost immediately due to the influence of the Crown of Stars she wears. Kylie figures it out after a while and her solution is correct. The Justice Medallions is then rewarded to the elves. Sherwood arrives with the barge and camp is set up for the evening. (EQ#19-21)
GM Notes: The encounter for the House Medallion was one that I did change from the adventure. It was supposed to really be a medusa, but I changed it into something else. Jewel was a manifestation of Ehlonna, marking the second time that this particular goddess put an appearance in the game. She was also the old women at the old Temple of Ehlonna in the early days of the Sword of Doom game. She didn't really break any rules by doing this, Jewel merely offered advice.
Inside the house, the woman has set out a light lunch. She says her name is Jewel and she is very polite. She fawns over Onyx. Sherwood asks Jewel if she knows about a House Medallion. Jewel in turn shows the medallion, as she was wearing it around her neck on its chain. She'll hand over the House Medallion when the other 11 medallions have been located. Jewel then goes on to show that she knows just how many medallions the elves have found thus far and other information that should be beyond any normal way to know. Jewel asks the half-elves to come inside and join the lunch. The cooshee's need no encouragement and flock to Jewel's side. Jewel pets and fawns over each of the elfin dogs. Jewel goes on to explain what Moorkroft has done. He seeks immortality from the Mother Tree and that is why he raised an army to invade the Sylvan Realm. But when they arrived the elves were gone. So, he kept the orcs out of the forest to prevent them from destroying any vital clues. Moorkroft found the elves that had merged with the trees in a state of suspended animation. He cut these trees down and drained their vitality from them. The process extended Moorkroft's live, but his appearance become more and more elfin and that just drove him mad. Jewel also tells Kylie that her mother is safe and that they will be released when the Mother Tree is restored.
After having lunch with Jewel, the elves are off once more. Nariya leads the way to the location of the Justice Medallion while Sherwood teleports back to the Griffon Stable to retrieve the barge. Along the way, the group talks about their encounter with Jewel and some believe that she was related to Ehlonna herself! All the animals in the area loved her, she called the half-elves children and even referred to herself as being a “Lady, living in a cottage, in the forest”. According to myth, Ehlonna was the very first half-elf and thus considers all half-elves her children.
Nariya leads the group directly to the scale she saw in her vision. The scale presents a test of intellect. A voice tells the elves that there are 10 bags of gold coins. Nine of the bags has coins weighting 10 ounce coins, while the last is only 9 ounces. With just one weighting, the group has to pick which bag weights less. Lilia has the solution almost immediately due to the influence of the Crown of Stars she wears. Kylie figures it out after a while and her solution is correct. The Justice Medallions is then rewarded to the elves. Sherwood arrives with the barge and camp is set up for the evening. (EQ#19-21)
GM Notes: The encounter for the House Medallion was one that I did change from the adventure. It was supposed to really be a medusa, but I changed it into something else. Jewel was a manifestation of Ehlonna, marking the second time that this particular goddess put an appearance in the game. She was also the old women at the old Temple of Ehlonna in the early days of the Sword of Doom game. She didn't really break any rules by doing this, Jewel merely offered advice.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
November 17th -
(The Frontier) The Endeavor is completely searched and something magical is found in a open storage crate. Its a 6” square stone cube that seems to be painted to look like a house. The prisoners are questioned. They reveal that they all work for Har, the High Priest of Hextor who was assigned to the Seekers from retrieving the Sword of Doom. The man who impersonated Claudius tells them that the real Claudius is dead. (TF#157)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Stephanie (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Perrel, Schar and Tania.
GM Notes: This had all been the idea of Claudius' player. The real Claudius was killed 'off camera' and replaced. The false Claudius first appeared when Claudius showed up with fierce looking dog, it was his imp in disguise. By this time I believe that Claudius' player was gone, so this ended this particular sub-plot. And yes, the stone cube was a variation of the Stone House mostly recently seen in Cynalon Knights/New Frontiers.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians of Light are thanked for their efforts in Ansimont with a feast. (NF#102)
(Elfquest) The barge departs the area where the Justice Medallion was recovered and they fly towards the roc guarding the Eagle Medallion. The cooshee's go along and with them the barge is rather full. Valena talks to the elfin dogs preparing them for what is to come. Once at the roc, Valena speaks to the giant bird once more. The roc hands over the Eagle Medallion and says that if they need help in the future to just ask.
Continuing on, Sherwood pilots the barge to the Palace of the Elfin King. It covers an island in the river off the shore of Pinit, an abandoned elfin town. Much like the Sky Palace back in the Elfholds, the Palace of the Elfin King is among the trees on the island. All that can be seen of the palace is a ring of six landing areas along the other edge. The areas seems similar to the concealed griffon stables, but these ones are wide open. Rope bridges seem to connect the various areas. The main part of the palace is concealed beneath thick, thorny vegetation. Figures in elfin plate mail armor are seen in the landing areas. The group attempts to get past the thick vegetation but find the way blocked, leading them to believe that it is a magical defense created by ancient elves to protect the palace.
Having no other choice, the group lands the invisible barge on one of the landing pads. Aided by the cooshee's the armored constructs in the elfin plate are quickly taken down and destroyed. However, there appears to be no way to reach any other areas of the elfin palace! The rangers will note that the wood here is very old and that a path that many feet have taken can be seen. However, it just leads up to a trunk of a tree and simply ends. After searching the quarters of the landing area, several leaf-shaped pendents are found. When a pendent is near the tree where all the footprints went up, the tree turns hazy and it can then be passed through.
Before the group can pass through, Sherwood is attacked by an unseen foe. A burst of high wind throws the ranger-mage backwards. Sherwood suspects that his attacker is an invisible stalker. The unseen foe is quickly taken out. Afterwards, Lady seems to be upset over something. It is quickly determined that Lilia is missing! She had been invisible during the explorations, but now she is just gone. Valena talks to Lady and the cooshee says that Lilia passed through the tree. The group spreads out and moves through the tree portal individually to prevent the group from being caught up in any area effect spells.
Passing through the tree portal, Sherwood and the elves find themselves in a new area of the Elfin Palace. The area is circular and multi-leveled. It appears to be an area for guests and the middle is wide open. Lady leads everyone into the middle and a green dragon rises up from the open area! Talen runs off consumed by dragon fear. The dragon breathes and kills Lia, Valena, and several of the cooshee's. Those who are observant realize that the dragon is just an illusion, as it is doing no damage to its surroundings as it thrashes about. Sherwood dispels the illusion and the threat is no more. Those killed by the dragon's breath were just asleep. While recovering from the battle with the illusionary dragon, the sound of hoofs are heard nearby. Laucian calls out in the language of the centaurs and gets a response. Caperling, the son of the centaur is found! Lacking a leaf pendent, the young centaur was trapped here and was hiding from the dragon illusion.
(The Frontier) The Endeavor is completely searched and something magical is found in a open storage crate. Its a 6” square stone cube that seems to be painted to look like a house. The prisoners are questioned. They reveal that they all work for Har, the High Priest of Hextor who was assigned to the Seekers from retrieving the Sword of Doom. The man who impersonated Claudius tells them that the real Claudius is dead. (TF#157)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Stephanie (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Perrel, Schar and Tania.
GM Notes: This had all been the idea of Claudius' player. The real Claudius was killed 'off camera' and replaced. The false Claudius first appeared when Claudius showed up with fierce looking dog, it was his imp in disguise. By this time I believe that Claudius' player was gone, so this ended this particular sub-plot. And yes, the stone cube was a variation of the Stone House mostly recently seen in Cynalon Knights/New Frontiers.
(New Frontiers) The Guardians of Light are thanked for their efforts in Ansimont with a feast. (NF#102)
(Elfquest) The barge departs the area where the Justice Medallion was recovered and they fly towards the roc guarding the Eagle Medallion. The cooshee's go along and with them the barge is rather full. Valena talks to the elfin dogs preparing them for what is to come. Once at the roc, Valena speaks to the giant bird once more. The roc hands over the Eagle Medallion and says that if they need help in the future to just ask.
Continuing on, Sherwood pilots the barge to the Palace of the Elfin King. It covers an island in the river off the shore of Pinit, an abandoned elfin town. Much like the Sky Palace back in the Elfholds, the Palace of the Elfin King is among the trees on the island. All that can be seen of the palace is a ring of six landing areas along the other edge. The areas seems similar to the concealed griffon stables, but these ones are wide open. Rope bridges seem to connect the various areas. The main part of the palace is concealed beneath thick, thorny vegetation. Figures in elfin plate mail armor are seen in the landing areas. The group attempts to get past the thick vegetation but find the way blocked, leading them to believe that it is a magical defense created by ancient elves to protect the palace.
Having no other choice, the group lands the invisible barge on one of the landing pads. Aided by the cooshee's the armored constructs in the elfin plate are quickly taken down and destroyed. However, there appears to be no way to reach any other areas of the elfin palace! The rangers will note that the wood here is very old and that a path that many feet have taken can be seen. However, it just leads up to a trunk of a tree and simply ends. After searching the quarters of the landing area, several leaf-shaped pendents are found. When a pendent is near the tree where all the footprints went up, the tree turns hazy and it can then be passed through.
Before the group can pass through, Sherwood is attacked by an unseen foe. A burst of high wind throws the ranger-mage backwards. Sherwood suspects that his attacker is an invisible stalker. The unseen foe is quickly taken out. Afterwards, Lady seems to be upset over something. It is quickly determined that Lilia is missing! She had been invisible during the explorations, but now she is just gone. Valena talks to Lady and the cooshee says that Lilia passed through the tree. The group spreads out and moves through the tree portal individually to prevent the group from being caught up in any area effect spells.
Passing through the tree portal, Sherwood and the elves find themselves in a new area of the Elfin Palace. The area is circular and multi-leveled. It appears to be an area for guests and the middle is wide open. Lady leads everyone into the middle and a green dragon rises up from the open area! Talen runs off consumed by dragon fear. The dragon breathes and kills Lia, Valena, and several of the cooshee's. Those who are observant realize that the dragon is just an illusion, as it is doing no damage to its surroundings as it thrashes about. Sherwood dispels the illusion and the threat is no more. Those killed by the dragon's breath were just asleep. While recovering from the battle with the illusionary dragon, the sound of hoofs are heard nearby. Laucian calls out in the language of the centaurs and gets a response. Caperling, the son of the centaur is found! Lacking a leaf pendent, the young centaur was trapped here and was hiding from the dragon illusion.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
While deciding what to do with Caperling, as they cannot take the child with them on this dangerous mission, five Magic Missiles slam into Sherwood! Tracking the source, the group sees an ancient elf dressed in black whom they believe to be Moorkroft! He thanks the group for bringing the medallions to him. Talen starts to escort Caperling out of the area and back to the barge, but gives the centaur his leaf pendent and returns to help out in the fight. The elves fight back, but their attacks pass harmlessly through the evil mage! Laucian realizes that Ember used the same trick back in the orc caves underneath Corunglain and that the real Moorkroft has to be close by. The cooshee's run towards the real Moorkroft and swarm over him. By the time Sherwood reaches Moorkroft the cooshee's have ripped him apart. However, there is no blood on the floor, just melting snow! It was just a construct of some type and not the real Moorkroft.
Lady leads the group towards the missing Lilia and reaches an exit tree. The leaf pendents open the portal once more and the group cautiously passes through. The next area seems to be a large and very lovely garden. A large willow tree is in the middle of this area and there are many statues suggesting that this is a combination art gallery and garden. Kylie realizes that the garden is just an illusion and underneath it a nightmarish version of the garden filled with dangerous plants! The group hugs the outer edge of the area and Lady leads the way to the exit tree.
The next area appears to be a better quality of guest quarters. More constructs in elfin plate are seen. There is a fountain in the middle of the area and two stone golems are on guard there. Lady tells Valena that Lilia is near. Sherwood has the area scouted before moving in. Kylie uses a Wraithform spell to explore. She finds Lilia imprisoned in a building guarded by one of the stone golems. A plan of attack is quickly formulated. The constructs in elfin plate are lured into a narrow area and trapped in Web. Next, the stone golems are lured away from the middle area and then Sherwood puts up a Wall of Force to keep them out. Next Sherwood casts a Knock spell that opens the nearby doors and opens the chains securing Lilia. Kylie helps Lilia recover her gear. The building the other golem was guarding is found to have a still locked chest in it. The chest is determined to be magically sealed and can't be picked. It's just grabbed and taken along as the group retraces their steps back to the barge.
However a new danger shows itself as the elves reach the landing area. A huge shadow is seen over head a giant black dragon is spotted. After a long discussion, it is decided to let Lilia pilot the barge and lead the black dragon away. Unlike everyone else here, Lilia has read the instructions on how to use the Spell Engine fully. Using her distraction everyone else will depart on foot with the goal of returning Caperling to the centaurs. Lilia takes control of the barge and flies off with it. She is spotted by the dragon and hits it with a barrage of Magic Missiles. Lilia speeds off in the barge with the black dragon in pursuit.
Using the distraction, everyone else and Caperling cross over the rope bridge from the landing area to the abandoned elfin town on the shores below. Reaching the ground and the abandoned town, the group sets up camp for the night. (EQ#21-27)
GM Notes: As I noted earlier, the Elfin Palace was my own design. The adventure had a place called the White Tower as the home of the Elfin King or Queen. It was stone in construction and decidedly not elfin, at least as I portray the elves, so I came up with something different and hopefully a lot cooler.
Lady leads the group towards the missing Lilia and reaches an exit tree. The leaf pendents open the portal once more and the group cautiously passes through. The next area seems to be a large and very lovely garden. A large willow tree is in the middle of this area and there are many statues suggesting that this is a combination art gallery and garden. Kylie realizes that the garden is just an illusion and underneath it a nightmarish version of the garden filled with dangerous plants! The group hugs the outer edge of the area and Lady leads the way to the exit tree.
The next area appears to be a better quality of guest quarters. More constructs in elfin plate are seen. There is a fountain in the middle of the area and two stone golems are on guard there. Lady tells Valena that Lilia is near. Sherwood has the area scouted before moving in. Kylie uses a Wraithform spell to explore. She finds Lilia imprisoned in a building guarded by one of the stone golems. A plan of attack is quickly formulated. The constructs in elfin plate are lured into a narrow area and trapped in Web. Next, the stone golems are lured away from the middle area and then Sherwood puts up a Wall of Force to keep them out. Next Sherwood casts a Knock spell that opens the nearby doors and opens the chains securing Lilia. Kylie helps Lilia recover her gear. The building the other golem was guarding is found to have a still locked chest in it. The chest is determined to be magically sealed and can't be picked. It's just grabbed and taken along as the group retraces their steps back to the barge.
However a new danger shows itself as the elves reach the landing area. A huge shadow is seen over head a giant black dragon is spotted. After a long discussion, it is decided to let Lilia pilot the barge and lead the black dragon away. Unlike everyone else here, Lilia has read the instructions on how to use the Spell Engine fully. Using her distraction everyone else will depart on foot with the goal of returning Caperling to the centaurs. Lilia takes control of the barge and flies off with it. She is spotted by the dragon and hits it with a barrage of Magic Missiles. Lilia speeds off in the barge with the black dragon in pursuit.
Using the distraction, everyone else and Caperling cross over the rope bridge from the landing area to the abandoned elfin town on the shores below. Reaching the ground and the abandoned town, the group sets up camp for the night. (EQ#21-27)
GM Notes: As I noted earlier, the Elfin Palace was my own design. The adventure had a place called the White Tower as the home of the Elfin King or Queen. It was stone in construction and decidedly not elfin, at least as I portray the elves, so I came up with something different and hopefully a lot cooler.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
November 18th –
(The Frontier) With Claudius gone, Stephanie asks Perrel to join her as co-leaders of the Seekers of the Sword. Captain Bartran has the Hextorites hung for their crimes and their bodies thrown overboard. Padraig Identifies the stone cube and learns that it is an extra-dimensional dwelling. (TF#157)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Perrel, Stephanie (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Schar and Tania.
GM Notes: This particular Stone House was an upgraded version of the one that appeared in New Frontiers/Cynalon Knights. It also allowed me to set up some filler adventures while the ships were at sea. Much liking getting players into a game while the group is a sea, there are only so many different adventures you can run while sailing. This gave the group something else to focus on in between having their ships randomly attacked.
(New Frontiers) The Duke's procession departs Ansimont on the last leg of its journey to Elcadan. With Duchess Vanarkus, Lady Allonica, and Lady Sallavarian gone, Lyonessa, her sister Myveria and Ivy ride in the carriage to continue the illusion that those ladies are still present. Just as the procession reaches the side road that leads to Fort Streel Span and beyond it the fallen city of Akorros, something is noted off to the side. Baron Vanarkus spots a woman who looks suspiciously like Wendy! With her are four zombies all of whom resemble former members of the Seekers! They are Dalliance, Arafel, Claudius and Ti-Cat. Ivy easily stops the zombies while Wendy unleashes powerful magic. She casts a Prismatic Spray that kills several of the cavalry, does terrific damage to Baron Vanarkus and turns Sir Rowan and his mount into stone!
Sir Kalindor urges Duke Relon to ride faster towards Elcadan to avoid this ambush, but the trap the demoness' have laid is just starting to spring. A Cloud Kill spell appears behind the riders and soon after that a Wall of Fire appears in front of them. Some happen to glance a small cargo ship hovering over the top of the Cloud Kill keeping pace with it! Sherra sees the ship and using her Boots of Levitation rises up to greet it before the Cloud Kill can reach her.
Baron Vanarkus, Chareos and some of the cavalry close in on Wendy and she suddenly vanishes from sight! This confirms that this is not the real Wendy, but instead one of the demoness' in disguise. Wendy reappears in the carriage and is surprised to find the Duchess gone. Squire Moonshadow tries to hit the demon with his sword while Lyonessa and Myveria cast spells. Baron Vanarkus reaches the carriage thanks to his Boots of Speed and stabs the demoness twice with his sword doing terrific damage. The demoness decides to take Baron Vanarkus instead and teleports both of them away with his blade still in her body.
Sherra reaches the slowly flying ship and discovers that it is called the Blackhawk and that it is a slaver vessel. All of the crew is at the bow watching the battle going on below them. A fireball explodes covering the front of the ship, thanks to Chareos, taking out most of the crew except for the captain and the Blackhawk's mage. Sherra then hears voices in the cargo hold down below before taking out the mage from a surprise bow attack.
An Acid Cloud appears over the procession causing more damage. Fortunately, Sir Kalindor's Holy Weapon hedges the magic attack out and spares those close to him any damage. Ivy uses casts a healing spell on her mace and it heals all of those close to her. While that is going on, ten sparkling Magic Missiles are noted in the sky striking a previously Invisible target. Argent appears in the sky as does Thelma DeVille. The demoness is hit with a Silver Shards spell and she vanishes while Lady Sallavarian appears.
(The Frontier) With Claudius gone, Stephanie asks Perrel to join her as co-leaders of the Seekers of the Sword. Captain Bartran has the Hextorites hung for their crimes and their bodies thrown overboard. Padraig Identifies the stone cube and learns that it is an extra-dimensional dwelling. (TF#157)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Perrel, Stephanie (PL), Dani, Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Schar and Tania.
GM Notes: This particular Stone House was an upgraded version of the one that appeared in New Frontiers/Cynalon Knights. It also allowed me to set up some filler adventures while the ships were at sea. Much liking getting players into a game while the group is a sea, there are only so many different adventures you can run while sailing. This gave the group something else to focus on in between having their ships randomly attacked.
(New Frontiers) The Duke's procession departs Ansimont on the last leg of its journey to Elcadan. With Duchess Vanarkus, Lady Allonica, and Lady Sallavarian gone, Lyonessa, her sister Myveria and Ivy ride in the carriage to continue the illusion that those ladies are still present. Just as the procession reaches the side road that leads to Fort Streel Span and beyond it the fallen city of Akorros, something is noted off to the side. Baron Vanarkus spots a woman who looks suspiciously like Wendy! With her are four zombies all of whom resemble former members of the Seekers! They are Dalliance, Arafel, Claudius and Ti-Cat. Ivy easily stops the zombies while Wendy unleashes powerful magic. She casts a Prismatic Spray that kills several of the cavalry, does terrific damage to Baron Vanarkus and turns Sir Rowan and his mount into stone!
Sir Kalindor urges Duke Relon to ride faster towards Elcadan to avoid this ambush, but the trap the demoness' have laid is just starting to spring. A Cloud Kill spell appears behind the riders and soon after that a Wall of Fire appears in front of them. Some happen to glance a small cargo ship hovering over the top of the Cloud Kill keeping pace with it! Sherra sees the ship and using her Boots of Levitation rises up to greet it before the Cloud Kill can reach her.
Baron Vanarkus, Chareos and some of the cavalry close in on Wendy and she suddenly vanishes from sight! This confirms that this is not the real Wendy, but instead one of the demoness' in disguise. Wendy reappears in the carriage and is surprised to find the Duchess gone. Squire Moonshadow tries to hit the demon with his sword while Lyonessa and Myveria cast spells. Baron Vanarkus reaches the carriage thanks to his Boots of Speed and stabs the demoness twice with his sword doing terrific damage. The demoness decides to take Baron Vanarkus instead and teleports both of them away with his blade still in her body.
Sherra reaches the slowly flying ship and discovers that it is called the Blackhawk and that it is a slaver vessel. All of the crew is at the bow watching the battle going on below them. A fireball explodes covering the front of the ship, thanks to Chareos, taking out most of the crew except for the captain and the Blackhawk's mage. Sherra then hears voices in the cargo hold down below before taking out the mage from a surprise bow attack.
An Acid Cloud appears over the procession causing more damage. Fortunately, Sir Kalindor's Holy Weapon hedges the magic attack out and spares those close to him any damage. Ivy uses casts a healing spell on her mace and it heals all of those close to her. While that is going on, ten sparkling Magic Missiles are noted in the sky striking a previously Invisible target. Argent appears in the sky as does Thelma DeVille. The demoness is hit with a Silver Shards spell and she vanishes while Lady Sallavarian appears.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
Up on the deck of the Blackhawk, the captain rushes Sherra but then he suddenly freezes and Serena appears. The Inquisitor sets down next to the Spell Engine on the deck of the Blackhawk and takes control of it. Down in the hold Baron Vanarkus and the demoness appear in the cells. They exchange threats and Baron Vanarkus rams his sword through the demoness' throat and out the top of her head as she hits him with a Power Word: Kill spell. Both fall to the deck dead and then the demoness vanishes. Sherra finds the lifeless body of Baron Vanarkus.
With one demoness driven off and the other slain, the attack comes to an end. Serena gains control of the Blackhawk and lowers the ship close to the ground. Lady Sallavarian reports that her plan work and the demoness deception in Elcadan has been revealed to all. Only the Duke's former guards are resisting and they are hold up in their stronghold in the Duke's castle. Accompanying Lady Sallavarian are representatives for most of the temples in Elcadan. They spotted the Wall of Fire as they were riding out to greet the new Duke and they they rushed to assist.
Serena speaks to all that she has witnessed a miracle, for Baron Vanarkus' previously lifeless body has started to breath once more. This brings a chuckle out of one of the new arriving Priests of Heironeous that Validar has done this before. The stranger introduces himself as Cereld who was with Validar on the Seekers earlier this year. In actuality, the Ring of Regeneration that the Baron wears healed him back to life.
It is decided to take the Duke to the Sallavarian Estate on the Blackhawk, so that the journey can be completed as quickly as possible in case of more attacks. Sir Rowan's stone form is secured on the deck of the Blackhawk and Serena has it rise up into the air. Sherra directs a makeshift crew in how to use the sails to maneuver the ship.
The four zombies of the former Seekers are wrapped up and put into the Blackhawk's hold. It was initially believed that they could be raised from the dead and restored to life, but given how long has passed since they died that is no longer possible. A Resurrection spell is now required and it is a higher level and more draining spell on the caster. Crysania vows to perform the task when a time comes when she is not needed for a day.
In the hold of the Blackhawk, the former captain is questioned but he seems unable to answer. Lyonessa tries to coax him using the Singer's Harp, but to no avail. Lady Sallavarian believes that the captain is under a Geas, a powerful charm that forces the victim to perform a preset task or face death. Jallarzi does not believe she can remove the insidious charm.
In the other cell behind the Songstress there is a tearing sound and strange demonic creatures erupt out of two of the bodies! They are babus', a type of demon known for their stealth and assassination skills. The demons are quickly killed and they disappear back to the abyss. The bodies that housed the demons were those of the male Seekers, leaving the female ones, Dalliance and Arafel untouched. There is some concern that there is a danger hidden in their bodies, but it is decided that the demons want the Guardians to think there is something wrong so that they will destroy the bodies.
The Blackhawk arrives at the Sallavarian estate. Ivy departs immediately to travel to Elcadan. Elspeth had informed her that Mother Boelle was very weak and they feel that she is close to death. The priestess ride into town in the company of several guards. They reach Azrella's Temple in Elcadan are soon at the side of Mother Boelle's bed. Ivy hugs her mentor and teacher, the closest thing she ever had to a mother, for the last time. Boelle laments having to pass a burden on to Ivy and when they do hug some unseen force erupts out of Boelle and passes into Ivy, forcing her to take several steps back. With that, Mother Boelle passes into the afterlife.
Later that evening, Serena holds a small demonstration on how to use the Blackhawk's spell engine for the mages and those interested in its operation. (NF#102-106)
GM Notes: Many more throwbacks to the early days of The Frontier game here. As I write this, the Yusef solo stuff has not been added to the campaign history yet, but the Blackhawk first appeared there and some of the crew was fleshed out more.
With one demoness driven off and the other slain, the attack comes to an end. Serena gains control of the Blackhawk and lowers the ship close to the ground. Lady Sallavarian reports that her plan work and the demoness deception in Elcadan has been revealed to all. Only the Duke's former guards are resisting and they are hold up in their stronghold in the Duke's castle. Accompanying Lady Sallavarian are representatives for most of the temples in Elcadan. They spotted the Wall of Fire as they were riding out to greet the new Duke and they they rushed to assist.
Serena speaks to all that she has witnessed a miracle, for Baron Vanarkus' previously lifeless body has started to breath once more. This brings a chuckle out of one of the new arriving Priests of Heironeous that Validar has done this before. The stranger introduces himself as Cereld who was with Validar on the Seekers earlier this year. In actuality, the Ring of Regeneration that the Baron wears healed him back to life.
It is decided to take the Duke to the Sallavarian Estate on the Blackhawk, so that the journey can be completed as quickly as possible in case of more attacks. Sir Rowan's stone form is secured on the deck of the Blackhawk and Serena has it rise up into the air. Sherra directs a makeshift crew in how to use the sails to maneuver the ship.
The four zombies of the former Seekers are wrapped up and put into the Blackhawk's hold. It was initially believed that they could be raised from the dead and restored to life, but given how long has passed since they died that is no longer possible. A Resurrection spell is now required and it is a higher level and more draining spell on the caster. Crysania vows to perform the task when a time comes when she is not needed for a day.
In the hold of the Blackhawk, the former captain is questioned but he seems unable to answer. Lyonessa tries to coax him using the Singer's Harp, but to no avail. Lady Sallavarian believes that the captain is under a Geas, a powerful charm that forces the victim to perform a preset task or face death. Jallarzi does not believe she can remove the insidious charm.
In the other cell behind the Songstress there is a tearing sound and strange demonic creatures erupt out of two of the bodies! They are babus', a type of demon known for their stealth and assassination skills. The demons are quickly killed and they disappear back to the abyss. The bodies that housed the demons were those of the male Seekers, leaving the female ones, Dalliance and Arafel untouched. There is some concern that there is a danger hidden in their bodies, but it is decided that the demons want the Guardians to think there is something wrong so that they will destroy the bodies.
The Blackhawk arrives at the Sallavarian estate. Ivy departs immediately to travel to Elcadan. Elspeth had informed her that Mother Boelle was very weak and they feel that she is close to death. The priestess ride into town in the company of several guards. They reach Azrella's Temple in Elcadan are soon at the side of Mother Boelle's bed. Ivy hugs her mentor and teacher, the closest thing she ever had to a mother, for the last time. Boelle laments having to pass a burden on to Ivy and when they do hug some unseen force erupts out of Boelle and passes into Ivy, forcing her to take several steps back. With that, Mother Boelle passes into the afterlife.
Later that evening, Serena holds a small demonstration on how to use the Blackhawk's spell engine for the mages and those interested in its operation. (NF#102-106)
GM Notes: Many more throwbacks to the early days of The Frontier game here. As I write this, the Yusef solo stuff has not been added to the campaign history yet, but the Blackhawk first appeared there and some of the crew was fleshed out more.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 16th - 18th
(Elfquest) Sherwood and the elves rest in the abandoned elfin town of Pinit. Come the morning, the chest they recovered the day before is Knocked open. Inside it are the Hydra and Nymph Medallions! Sherwood is shocked that they found them so easily, but then realizes that Moorkroft wanted them to be found. His goal is to destroy the Mother Tree, but cannot do so with her hidden! So he want the medallions found and used.
Near midday, the group reaches the griffon area where the hidden geysers are located. There, Sherwood decides to split up feeling that Moorkroft wont make any moves until the Mother Tree is restored. One group, Sherwood, Nariya, Kylie, Lia and Caperling will make their way to the Centaur village and recover the Centaur Medallion. The other group, Laucian, Valena, and Talen return to the griffon stable for mounts. Sherwood's group camps out in the wilds, while Laucian's group spends the night at the griffon stable. (EQ#27)
Near midday, the group reaches the griffon area where the hidden geysers are located. There, Sherwood decides to split up feeling that Moorkroft wont make any moves until the Mother Tree is restored. One group, Sherwood, Nariya, Kylie, Lia and Caperling will make their way to the Centaur village and recover the Centaur Medallion. The other group, Laucian, Valena, and Talen return to the griffon stable for mounts. Sherwood's group camps out in the wilds, while Laucian's group spends the night at the griffon stable. (EQ#27)
Try it and find out!