CR 571 November 19th - 20th
November 19th –
(New Frontiers) Next morning Lady Sallavarian transforms Sir Rowan back into flesh. The young knight was unharmed and seemed to have no sense of passage of time. At one moment he was closing in on an enemy, the next he was on the deck of the Blackhawk.
Crysania uses Speak with Dead on the bodies of Dalliance and Arafel and both wish to be restored to life. For the time being their bodies are stored in the Sallavarian family crypt out behind the main house on her estate..
Duke Vanarkus begins the final journey to Elcadan. The Duchess and the other non-combatants will remain behind at the Sallavarian Estate. Lyonessa, Myveria and Argent ride in a carriage to make it seem as if the Duchess really is riding into town. A contingent of Priests of Helm and Heironeous arrive from town to bolster the ranks of the Duke's men. On the way to town they encounter mounted men from High Guard. It is Sergeant Levine and the men the group encountered in Wrassledown. They ask to be allowed to ride along with the group. They are permitted to join the procession.
The group reaches Elcadan and rides into town. Those townsfolk present seem unsure what is going to happen. At the bridge to the island holding New Town and Old Town, the duke stops and destroys the sign saying that there is a toll with his sword. The Duke then speaks about what he plans to do in regard to the City Council and that he will allow those who are hungry to receive food from the overflowing food reserves.
Continuing onward, the procession reaches the City Council Chambers in Old Town. There they find two of the seven councilmen waiting for them. They are Lord Cranmer and Councilman Adelard. They explain to the Duke that the other five councilmen have not been seen for days now. Four of those five are thick as thieves, but the fifth. Mortimer, was their enemy. The four were also the most powerful men in Elcadan. They are Furnow, Gotmun, Pander, and Bulema. The Duke holds Open Court for the people of Elcadan with some of the Guardians standing guard. Other Guardians and the New Seekers go off into town to investigate the missing councilmen.
Sherra explores New Town and specifically the area where Pander holds sway. He owns most of the land here and even has a few streets named after himself. His opulent home is here as well. No one has seen the man for many days now. After the initial scouting, groups are sent out to inspect the individual homes. Sherra picks the lock to Mortimer's home. Inside the find the councilman dead at his dinner table, seeming killed while he ate. All his servants are found dead as well. Mortimer was assassinated.
After the discovery at Mortimer's home, the scouts rush to Bulema's home next. Once more Sherra provides entry, but this time no one is home, not even servants. Ominously, Cereld's battle axe begins to glow, signifying the presence of great evil! Exploring onward two black abishai's are found and slain. The glow on Cereld's axe fades after they die. The scouts are puzzled to find abishai present as they are devils and not demons.
The Duke retires for the evening, announcing that he will hold Open Court tomorrow. Lady Sallavarian teleports the Duke back to the Sallavarian Estate. The Guardians split into two groups. One will investigate Pander's home in New Town, while the other relaxes at the Mage Tower in Old Town. The other guards ride back to the Sallavarian Estate. Ivy goes to Mortimer's home accompanied by Sir Kalindor's squires. There she casts Speak with Dead on Mortimer and he speaks. “I was murdered by Ulana, the so-called Black Widow of Elcadan, at the request of Furnow. I learned their secret and had to be silenced. They are all Priests of Mammon!” The name of Ulana is familiar to Ivy. She's the sister of Furnow, the former head of the City Council and the richest man in Elcadan. Ulana’s husband died under mysterious circumstances many years ago. There were rumors of poison being involved, but nothing was ever proven.
At the Mage Guild, the spellcasters are allow entrance while non-spellcasters have to remain outside. Argent attempts to join the Elcadan Mage Guild, but the receptionist says that she is already a member and that she surprised that Argent was back from the swamp so soon. This surprises Argent, but she quickly concludes that the other her who joined the guild and went on an adventure into the swamp.
At Panders home, the opulent Streelcove, Sherra finds a poisoned needle trap in the lock of the front door. Crysania casts Find Traps just in case. No one seems to be home, not even servants. Cereld battleaxe begins to glow once more and it leads everyone into the basement. Once in the basement Sir Kalindor can also sense the presence of potent evil. Sherra finds a secret door and a small shrine is found. Green abishai flood out but are quickly destroyed. Crysania recognizes the foul shrine as one belonging to Mammon, a powerful devil that some worship as the God of Greed and Avarice! The four missing councilmen being followers of Mammon explains a great deal. The evil shrine is destroyed.
CR 571 November 19th - 20th
CR 571 November 19th - 20th
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 19th - 20th
After that, everyone retires to the Sallavarian Estate for dinner and to plan their assault on the Duke's Guard who are held up in Castle Elcadan. Sir Rowan and Sir Kalindor lead the mission. It is decided to use the Blackhawk to fly over the castle walls and avoid most of its defenses. The ship will dock at high tower in the castle and then the group will make their way downwards. The Blackhawk takes flight with Serena in control of the Spell Engine. The ship goes close to the high tower of Castle Elcadan and guards are noted. The group expected to encounter guards, but these guards are drow! The drow are easily dealt with and the combined forces of the Guardians of Light and New Seekers enter Castle Elcadan.
Moving down to the area above the ballroom, creatures the Ivy identifies as wraiths are seen flying in the open area. There are dozens of the powerful undead creatures! The priests start to turn undead and Argent throws a Fireball into their midst. Strangely, Ivy's turn undead is taking longer. A blue infinity symbol appears before the priestess and she starts to glow brightly. Suddenly, the glow erupts from Ivy and its as if the sun appears inside the castle for a brief instance. The undead are vaporize from the bright light and those drow down on the ground floor are blinded from the attack.
Ivy passes out from the effort the of the turning. When she regains consciousness Ivy says that Mother Boelle spoke to her. When they hugged for the last time, Mother Boelle transferred the Shield of Life into Ivy and it was the shield that made her turn undead far more powerful. Mother Boelle goes on to say that once the Guardian Shield is activated the individual shields do not need to be near each other. They can be moved and an area forty miles around each shield would be covered.
The drow are locked in the castle dungeon while it is discovered that their trail seems to come from the crypt. Scouts move closer to discover where the drow came from. Argent casts Fly and Invisibility to scout ahead. She finds that the back of a crypt has been broken and beyond it is a large natural cavern. The drow are camped here and there is a shaft in the cavern leading down into darkness. There is also a large egg sitting on a bed of red hot coals. One of the drow notices Argent's presence and orders them to attack the invoker. Argent flies back after casting a Fireball.
The Guardians and the New Seekers move forward and prepare for battle. Argent comes flying back trailed by numerous drow. The drow go down quickly, but the one drow who had spotted Argent transforms into a dragon of some type! Hearing the dragon getting ready to breath, the heroes move back and take cover. The dragon breathes a cloud of some kind of acid that dissolves the flesh of all the fallen drow. With the dragon having breathed, the Guardians rush to attack the dragon. Sir Kalindor slays the dragon with several powerful hits from his Holy Weapon. Serena realizes that the egg is another Ember egg and destroys it. The Inquisitor then covers the
shaft with a Wall of Iron to keep invaders out.
While securing the drow cave, Sherra notes the passage of a few feet into the crypt opposite. A secret door is found in the back of the crypt and beyond it is a treasure. Twelve locked chests side along the walls of the hidden room. Another door is spotted and what are guessed to be magical runes are seen on its surface. Sir Corley believes that this is the location of the prisoner locked away in Castle Elcadan that Jacob DeVille mentioned back in Ansimont. Ivy does a Augury and it is revealed that if the door were to be opened there would be “Vengeance upon friend and foe alike!”. It is decide to leave the magically sealed door alone for now. Crysania will ask the various priesthoods to perform more powerful divinations on the nature of this chamber in the morning.
The drow captured earlier are rounded up and placed in chains. They are then taken out into the castle courtyard for the Duke's Guard to see. Crysania uses her Divine Voice ability to influence the guards and make them realizes that they are being used. At the priestess suggestion, the open the main gate and the other Priests of Helm and Heironeous rush in. The Captain of the Guards seems unaffected and Warton of Heironeous stops him with a Hold spell. Castle Elcadan has been liberated. Using the Blackhawk, the heroes fly back to the Sallavarian Estate. There Sir Corley reports to Duke Relon and Baron Validar on the mission to Castle Elcadan. (NF#106-111)
(Elfquest) Come the morning, Laucian, Valena and Talen depart the griffon stable and head toward the Ehlonna's Sacred Grove to enlist the unicorns aid. The rangers find the way to the grove, but the forest itself seems to bar Talen's progress and he eventually just gives up and will wait. Reaching the grove, Laucian and Valena not only find the unicorn that was there before, but his mate and child! The male centaur confirms that the unicorns will assist when the Mother Tree is restored and that they will contact other allies for the task. Laucian and Valena depart the grove and return to the griffon stable with Talen.
Led by Nariya, Sherwood's group continues on towards the centaur village with Caperling. Progress is slow, as they are traveling through the dense elfin woods. The set up camp a few hours from the centaur village, as Sherwood wants to arrive there near midday.
(EQ#28)
Moving down to the area above the ballroom, creatures the Ivy identifies as wraiths are seen flying in the open area. There are dozens of the powerful undead creatures! The priests start to turn undead and Argent throws a Fireball into their midst. Strangely, Ivy's turn undead is taking longer. A blue infinity symbol appears before the priestess and she starts to glow brightly. Suddenly, the glow erupts from Ivy and its as if the sun appears inside the castle for a brief instance. The undead are vaporize from the bright light and those drow down on the ground floor are blinded from the attack.
Ivy passes out from the effort the of the turning. When she regains consciousness Ivy says that Mother Boelle spoke to her. When they hugged for the last time, Mother Boelle transferred the Shield of Life into Ivy and it was the shield that made her turn undead far more powerful. Mother Boelle goes on to say that once the Guardian Shield is activated the individual shields do not need to be near each other. They can be moved and an area forty miles around each shield would be covered.
The drow are locked in the castle dungeon while it is discovered that their trail seems to come from the crypt. Scouts move closer to discover where the drow came from. Argent casts Fly and Invisibility to scout ahead. She finds that the back of a crypt has been broken and beyond it is a large natural cavern. The drow are camped here and there is a shaft in the cavern leading down into darkness. There is also a large egg sitting on a bed of red hot coals. One of the drow notices Argent's presence and orders them to attack the invoker. Argent flies back after casting a Fireball.
The Guardians and the New Seekers move forward and prepare for battle. Argent comes flying back trailed by numerous drow. The drow go down quickly, but the one drow who had spotted Argent transforms into a dragon of some type! Hearing the dragon getting ready to breath, the heroes move back and take cover. The dragon breathes a cloud of some kind of acid that dissolves the flesh of all the fallen drow. With the dragon having breathed, the Guardians rush to attack the dragon. Sir Kalindor slays the dragon with several powerful hits from his Holy Weapon. Serena realizes that the egg is another Ember egg and destroys it. The Inquisitor then covers the
shaft with a Wall of Iron to keep invaders out.
While securing the drow cave, Sherra notes the passage of a few feet into the crypt opposite. A secret door is found in the back of the crypt and beyond it is a treasure. Twelve locked chests side along the walls of the hidden room. Another door is spotted and what are guessed to be magical runes are seen on its surface. Sir Corley believes that this is the location of the prisoner locked away in Castle Elcadan that Jacob DeVille mentioned back in Ansimont. Ivy does a Augury and it is revealed that if the door were to be opened there would be “Vengeance upon friend and foe alike!”. It is decide to leave the magically sealed door alone for now. Crysania will ask the various priesthoods to perform more powerful divinations on the nature of this chamber in the morning.
The drow captured earlier are rounded up and placed in chains. They are then taken out into the castle courtyard for the Duke's Guard to see. Crysania uses her Divine Voice ability to influence the guards and make them realizes that they are being used. At the priestess suggestion, the open the main gate and the other Priests of Helm and Heironeous rush in. The Captain of the Guards seems unaffected and Warton of Heironeous stops him with a Hold spell. Castle Elcadan has been liberated. Using the Blackhawk, the heroes fly back to the Sallavarian Estate. There Sir Corley reports to Duke Relon and Baron Validar on the mission to Castle Elcadan. (NF#106-111)
(Elfquest) Come the morning, Laucian, Valena and Talen depart the griffon stable and head toward the Ehlonna's Sacred Grove to enlist the unicorns aid. The rangers find the way to the grove, but the forest itself seems to bar Talen's progress and he eventually just gives up and will wait. Reaching the grove, Laucian and Valena not only find the unicorn that was there before, but his mate and child! The male centaur confirms that the unicorns will assist when the Mother Tree is restored and that they will contact other allies for the task. Laucian and Valena depart the grove and return to the griffon stable with Talen.
Led by Nariya, Sherwood's group continues on towards the centaur village with Caperling. Progress is slow, as they are traveling through the dense elfin woods. The set up camp a few hours from the centaur village, as Sherwood wants to arrive there near midday.
(EQ#28)
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 19th - 20th
November 20th –
(The Frontier) The Endeavor and the Intrepid reach Tanaroa, the only real port in the Anegoth Archipelago. The Endeavor drops anchor in the harbor, while the Intrepid goes into dry dock to be repaired. The Seekers go ashore to get off the ships for awhile. Dani departs, taking Kitten with him. (TF#157-158)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Perrel, Stephanie (PL), Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Schar and Tania.
(New Frontiers) The priests of Heironeous, Helm and Mystra ride out to the Sallavarian Estate come the morning. They report to the Duke what they have learned in regards to the strange door found underneath Castle Elcadan. Alexander DeVille is indeed being held prisoner there and that his unique tiefling ability is to absorb things from other demons and demon-touched beings. Thus he is a danger to his own family and to everyone else as well. Duke Relon decides that Alexander needs to be removed from his castle. He shall not be freed to carry out vengeance on his family.
Lady Teris Penhaligon bursts into the makeshift Royal Court bearing bad tidings. She has ridden non-stop from her families holdings in the Inner Kingdom. Duke Kelvin has somehow convinced the former king that he should be the rightful ruler of Cynalon! Even know Duke Kelvin is gathering an army to march into the Other Kingdom and 'restore order'. The Cynalonian Civil War has begun.
Lady Penhaligon also bears a message from his Grandmother in Pyris. Lady Gwendolyn states that Lady Ardel had a visitor from Corunglain who was insistent that she accompany him to that city. Lady Ardel refuses and Lady Gwendolyn has the man removed from the castle. Lady Ardel has since gone missing and it is feared that she was kidnapped. Sir Rowan rashly states that he and his squires will ride to Corunglain to free his love. Baron Validar manages to talk him out of it.
Right after that, Sir Kalindor arrives and makes an announcement. While regaining his spells in the morning, Sir Kalindor spoke to his father Hasverion while meditating. The ang'e tells his son that the members of the Order of the Griffon have been taken prisoner and are being held in their base in Alexandria. Even worse, it is realized that the King and Dame Harlena haven't been seen since Karn's Keep!
Lady Sallavarian attempts to scry for the King and Dame Harlena be finds nothing. Next she tries to find the Stone House and is shown a scene where some guards are throwing a chest into the waters in Athenos Harbor. Jallarzi casts Polymorph on herself and changes into a sea elf. Then casts Improved Invisibility on herself and teleports to the scene shown in the crystal ball. Jallarzi returns quickly with the chest and finds the Stone House had been placed inside a Bag of Holding thus preventing those inside from escaping.
(The Frontier) The Endeavor and the Intrepid reach Tanaroa, the only real port in the Anegoth Archipelago. The Endeavor drops anchor in the harbor, while the Intrepid goes into dry dock to be repaired. The Seekers go ashore to get off the ships for awhile. Dani departs, taking Kitten with him. (TF#157-158)
Roster of the Seekers of the Sword: Perrel, Stephanie (PL), Fiben, Finrod, Gloria, Kit, Mercy, Padraig, Schar and Tania.
(New Frontiers) The priests of Heironeous, Helm and Mystra ride out to the Sallavarian Estate come the morning. They report to the Duke what they have learned in regards to the strange door found underneath Castle Elcadan. Alexander DeVille is indeed being held prisoner there and that his unique tiefling ability is to absorb things from other demons and demon-touched beings. Thus he is a danger to his own family and to everyone else as well. Duke Relon decides that Alexander needs to be removed from his castle. He shall not be freed to carry out vengeance on his family.
Lady Teris Penhaligon bursts into the makeshift Royal Court bearing bad tidings. She has ridden non-stop from her families holdings in the Inner Kingdom. Duke Kelvin has somehow convinced the former king that he should be the rightful ruler of Cynalon! Even know Duke Kelvin is gathering an army to march into the Other Kingdom and 'restore order'. The Cynalonian Civil War has begun.
Lady Penhaligon also bears a message from his Grandmother in Pyris. Lady Gwendolyn states that Lady Ardel had a visitor from Corunglain who was insistent that she accompany him to that city. Lady Ardel refuses and Lady Gwendolyn has the man removed from the castle. Lady Ardel has since gone missing and it is feared that she was kidnapped. Sir Rowan rashly states that he and his squires will ride to Corunglain to free his love. Baron Validar manages to talk him out of it.
Right after that, Sir Kalindor arrives and makes an announcement. While regaining his spells in the morning, Sir Kalindor spoke to his father Hasverion while meditating. The ang'e tells his son that the members of the Order of the Griffon have been taken prisoner and are being held in their base in Alexandria. Even worse, it is realized that the King and Dame Harlena haven't been seen since Karn's Keep!
Lady Sallavarian attempts to scry for the King and Dame Harlena be finds nothing. Next she tries to find the Stone House and is shown a scene where some guards are throwing a chest into the waters in Athenos Harbor. Jallarzi casts Polymorph on herself and changes into a sea elf. Then casts Improved Invisibility on herself and teleports to the scene shown in the crystal ball. Jallarzi returns quickly with the chest and finds the Stone House had been placed inside a Bag of Holding thus preventing those inside from escaping.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 November 19th - 20th
The King is brought up to speed on the situation as it now seems that both Corunglain, Athenos and the Inner Kingdom are aligned against the rightful ruler. It is decided to move into Castle Elcadan as soon as possible as it can be defended from an attack force. The New Seekers are sent into Elcadan to carry out that task. Several of the Guardians will use the Blackhawk this evening to fly to Alexandria and rescue Sir Teramar and the rest hold captive in the Order of the Griffon hall.
After lunch, Duke Relon and the King ride into Elcadan accompanied by Sir Kalindor and Sir Rowan and their numerous guards. Upon reaching town, the tell the people that the King will speak to them shortly. The procession reaches the gatehouse into Old Town and the rulers climb up to the platform above the gate. A crowd gathers below and the King speaks. He alerts the people of the impending war coming to Elcadan from those who want things to go back to the way they were. Men are needed for the army and adventurers are to be gathered to help out.
Duchess Lysandra gathers the ladies at the Sallavarian Estate for a private chat. She offers them her assistance in being nobles, since many of them are not. Her Grace speaks of her own dark times and tells the story of how she lost most of her family at the wedding of Jallarzi's parents. It is a tragic tale and most are moved to tears. Duchess Lysandra tells Ivy that Mother Boelle helped her when she was a younger woman and wishes to travel into Elcadan and pay her respects.
Late that afternoon, Serena pilots the Blackhawk over Alexandria. Sherra spots the shadows of unseen flying ships moving slowly over the capital. It is believed that three Alphatian ships are invisible over the city! (NF#111-114)
GM Notes: The Cynalonian Civil War was something that was a long time in coming. In fact, it predates the New Frontiers game completely and most likely has its roots in the Borderlands 2 era. As with just about anything I do, if you go back and re-read the old posts there are hints and clues about what will happen later on everywhere. Sometimes even in the most unusual places.
I'm also not big on maintaining a 'status quo'. As in things stay the same and what the players do, or don't do, really doesn't matter as things really wont change. That's boring and unrealistic. So in my mind, I had the game divided up into phases or eras. There was the before the civil war time, the civil war itself, and then the times after it ends. The whole thing is based on perfectly understandable positions. Those who realize that things need to change against those who do not want change. Add the demoness into the mix and this is what you get. The wrong words in the right ear can lead to dangerous things.
I do a lot of what I call 'parallels'. These are events that happen that are meant to parallel something else in game. For instance, the stuff with the guards at the end of the combat in Wrassledown one such parallel. That encounter showed what could happen with the wrong words whispered into the right ears by the demoness. This is a parallel to the Civil War itself. Years of the demoness whispering the wrong words into the Duke of Kelvin's ears all led to this.
This is also where the New Frontier game was left at. From here on out, the Timeline gets less crowded as only The Frontier and Elfquest/The Sylvan Realm continue on past this point. The days will continue to be spaced out to allow for future expansion, probably in blocks four days per thread.
(Elfquest) Near midday, Sherwood's group reaches the centaur village. Caperling rushes off upon arrival and after a time his father, the village elder comes forth. He thanks the elves for rescuing his son and says that the centaur's faith in the elves has been restored. The Centaur Medallion is handed over. With Nariya in the lead, the group continues west from the centaur village towards the roc nest.
At the griffon stable, enough griffons for all the ride are fitted with riding gear. Valena tells the cooshee's to remain here. Taking flight with Laucian in the way, the group finds Sherwood's group a few miles outside the centaur village. Reunited, everyone rides a griffon to the roc nest. There Valena tells the great bird what has happened. The roc pledges its aid and flies off to the mountains for allies. The griffon riders return to the stable for the evening. (EQ#28)
After lunch, Duke Relon and the King ride into Elcadan accompanied by Sir Kalindor and Sir Rowan and their numerous guards. Upon reaching town, the tell the people that the King will speak to them shortly. The procession reaches the gatehouse into Old Town and the rulers climb up to the platform above the gate. A crowd gathers below and the King speaks. He alerts the people of the impending war coming to Elcadan from those who want things to go back to the way they were. Men are needed for the army and adventurers are to be gathered to help out.
Duchess Lysandra gathers the ladies at the Sallavarian Estate for a private chat. She offers them her assistance in being nobles, since many of them are not. Her Grace speaks of her own dark times and tells the story of how she lost most of her family at the wedding of Jallarzi's parents. It is a tragic tale and most are moved to tears. Duchess Lysandra tells Ivy that Mother Boelle helped her when she was a younger woman and wishes to travel into Elcadan and pay her respects.
Late that afternoon, Serena pilots the Blackhawk over Alexandria. Sherra spots the shadows of unseen flying ships moving slowly over the capital. It is believed that three Alphatian ships are invisible over the city! (NF#111-114)
GM Notes: The Cynalonian Civil War was something that was a long time in coming. In fact, it predates the New Frontiers game completely and most likely has its roots in the Borderlands 2 era. As with just about anything I do, if you go back and re-read the old posts there are hints and clues about what will happen later on everywhere. Sometimes even in the most unusual places.
I'm also not big on maintaining a 'status quo'. As in things stay the same and what the players do, or don't do, really doesn't matter as things really wont change. That's boring and unrealistic. So in my mind, I had the game divided up into phases or eras. There was the before the civil war time, the civil war itself, and then the times after it ends. The whole thing is based on perfectly understandable positions. Those who realize that things need to change against those who do not want change. Add the demoness into the mix and this is what you get. The wrong words in the right ear can lead to dangerous things.
I do a lot of what I call 'parallels'. These are events that happen that are meant to parallel something else in game. For instance, the stuff with the guards at the end of the combat in Wrassledown one such parallel. That encounter showed what could happen with the wrong words whispered into the right ears by the demoness. This is a parallel to the Civil War itself. Years of the demoness whispering the wrong words into the Duke of Kelvin's ears all led to this.
This is also where the New Frontier game was left at. From here on out, the Timeline gets less crowded as only The Frontier and Elfquest/The Sylvan Realm continue on past this point. The days will continue to be spaced out to allow for future expansion, probably in blocks four days per thread.
(Elfquest) Near midday, Sherwood's group reaches the centaur village. Caperling rushes off upon arrival and after a time his father, the village elder comes forth. He thanks the elves for rescuing his son and says that the centaur's faith in the elves has been restored. The Centaur Medallion is handed over. With Nariya in the lead, the group continues west from the centaur village towards the roc nest.
At the griffon stable, enough griffons for all the ride are fitted with riding gear. Valena tells the cooshee's to remain here. Taking flight with Laucian in the way, the group finds Sherwood's group a few miles outside the centaur village. Reunited, everyone rides a griffon to the roc nest. There Valena tells the great bird what has happened. The roc pledges its aid and flies off to the mountains for allies. The griffon riders return to the stable for the evening. (EQ#28)
Try it and find out!