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Adventure Summary - 07/25/12

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 20:06:28 +0100

The party began its quest into the Underdark in attempt to prevent the corruption of the Staff of Pelor. Elmmorra and Antaris revived within a holding cell to witness the transformation of Valiant's noble steed into a clockwork abomination by the handywork of evil Derro's.

Taking off into the Underdark the group pushed on, encountering dangerous terrain and equally dangerous monsters. They are on the King's Highway, a system connecting roads within the Underdark that ties the various bastions of civilization together.

Underdark Fungus which grows on and near the Kings Highway

Their ultimate goal? The Shadow Fell and Esarham, the Graveyard of Demons.

Adventure Summary - 08/04/12

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 22:56:32 +0100

The group had stumbled upon what appeared to be a Drow raiding party, little did they suspect that they were being watched the entire time. :)

After being discovered, Shimmer, Valiant's disowned warhorse grew furious with the ambush and charged one of the warriors who deftly skirted the attack causing Shimmer to ram into a tree and render himself unconscious. Derro's (a dwarven clan who were the result of genetic breeding performed by mind flayers) took hold of the horse and dragged it into a nearby hole. Antaris and Elmmorra were rendered unconscious in the ambush as well, and taken underground.

The hole by which Shimmer, Elmmorra, and Antaris were brought through:

An evil Derro:

In the meantime, the rest were lead to the leader of the party, a formidable blade master known as Alak. Alak, was accompanied by a Drow Priestess Sabal, and a Warrior named Chal, as well as various others.

Left: Chal, Center: Sabal, Right: Alak

The Drow turned out to NOT be a surface raiding party as the group has anticipated, instead they were probing the surface world looking for answers to gaps in their knowledge regarding the staff of Pelor.

The Drow have observed the Black Circle, their agents, and their progression. The Baron Van Grimm, a Human Noble, began the process back in the valley of Westhaven, and the town of Windbourne. The foolish mortal believes his sacrifices (at this point the sacrifice of his only son, as well as coordinated the attack on the temple of Garl Glittergold in Zazesspur) as a guarantee that he will partake of the power of the staff when the Circle completes its agenda.

The Baron Van Grimm, as last seen in Windbourne:

While the Drow are fearless and resourceful, a relic of this power, and of it's capabilities, causes the Drow discomfort. Information and history of this staff has been the domain of the surface world, and they would be more than content if it remained there. Much to the party's dismay however the staff is almost complete, it's pieces found by the Black Circle agents, they are seeking a temporary refuge in the Underdark to perform a ceremony by which the staff will be reformed, albeit in a corrupted and dark state.

While the Drow are discomforted by the presence of the Black Circle, they fear other Drow will ally themselves with the Circle in exchange for power. If the Circle cannot be manipulated, it is better they simply didn't exist as far as the Drow are concerned.

They have observed the Circle making preparations to enter the Shadowdark, and are rumored to be heading to Esarham, the Graveyard of Demons. Since the Underdark offers much more opportunity than in surface areas to enter the Shadowdark, Esarham is a place where the corruption of a such a powerful artifact can commence.

Betrayal is always an expectation of the Drow. Any temporary alliances are just that, temporary and only made if seen as advantageous to them. The group took the information to heart and will be journeying back to Mithrendain to gear up for the potential confrontation with the Circle down below, miles into the heart of Faerun.

To be continued!

Adventure Summary - 07/14/12

Sat, 04 Aug 2012 06:25:54 +0100

Leaving the Werewoods behind the party noticed that the clearing in which they had stowed their airship exhibited a great deal of smoke. Upon arriving they saw part of the nearby forest and bushes in flames, and threatening to engulf their ship.

The crew had been rendered unconscious, and Kirgill the Chaos Mage was missing. The party used cunning and skill to put out the fire and treat their hapless crew.

Once they assessed the issue, they healed the crew, inspected the airship and left off for a near by portal to the Feywild so that they may arrive in Mithrendain.

Mithrendain is a fabled Eldarin enclave, one of the greatest outside Evermeet and home to Kiva and Kallindor. Upon their arrival they are greeted by the guardians of Mithrendain and escorted to the Citadel Arcanum tower in the center of the city.

While being reunited with their family, Kiva and Kallindor inquire about obtaining passage to the Underdark. Kiva's mother, Vyndra Sysvani, a prominent member of the city's ruling council, alerts the party of a strange occurrences outside the city boundaries being detected by the tremor stones. If they are willing to investigate the cause and assist the city watchers with the issue, she will look into passage to the Underdark is they are so intent on dying. :)

Commencing investigation of the incidents, Valiant happens upon a worthy upgrade to his horse Shimmer, becoming the proud new owner of a Gryphon mount. The Paladin is ecstatic.

Marching eastwards out from the city the group surveys the area, eventually stumbling upon an opening in the ground, and making out faint tracks, they follow the evidence a few hundred yards from the opening to happen upon what appears to be a Drow raiding party!

Ended for the night. :)

Adventure Summary - 06/16/12

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:06:59 +0100

The group finished the hard-fought battle to slay the demons and bring to ruin the Forsaken Ring of the Werewoods. Gnorm had disappeared briefly during the battle, but returned, seemingly his normal self.

Once defeated, the Shifter tribe showered the group with well earned treasure and items.

Now that the battle is over, and the party has averted civil war among the tribes, ridded the Werewoods of a demonic infestation that had recently been active again, and destroyed two singularly evil artifacts of power (the demon heart stones) the party rests up to return to their Airship and commence the quest to the Underdark!

Adventure Summary - 04/28/12

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:42:32 +0100

The group finished the hard-fought battle with the giants participating in the defense of the Shifter village. After defeating them, the bodies of the giants shriveled up much like the Stone Claw the party encountered in the Marketplace. Frederick, the old Human Wizard from Candlekeep working with the Blood Paws, performed some rituals upon the bodies extracting evidence that the Giants were demonically marked in some fashion. Further investigation is ensuing.

Frederick The Wizard

In light of the evidence, Ranven and Geldax are calling for a special session of the Village Council of which the heroes are invited. Before attending however, they are met by a group of ambassadors from the village of Windbourne in the valley of West Haven where their adventures started.

They speak to the rebuilding of the valley, that Turu the Gold Dragon and others from the surrounding area have pitched in to help. While the group speaks, Kallindor and Voxferien notice that one of the members (named Kit) seems to not quite fit in. Upon further pressing they discover he seems more nervous overly theatrical then needed. Kit makes his way to the bathroom with Vox following a half pace behind and Antaris settling in as back up when upon rounding the corner, Vox is taken by surprise as a finds a nasty shortsword at his throat and a terrible voice in his ear "You have stuck your nose where is does not belong!" Antaris rounding the corner of the hallway sees what Vox sees, being a wispy dusty residue and a sulphate smell pervading the area as Kit disappears without a trace.

Kit prior to his disappearing act

Making their way back the group informs the Windbourne ambassadors of the deception, and thanking the group for their assistance prepare to embark back to the valley of West Haven, as the group prepares to join the Blood Paw ruling council for a decision on how to resolve this situation.

Adventure Summary 04/07/12

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 18:04:49 +0100

The group re-capped events leading up to their arrival in the Shifter tribal village of the Blood Paws (the same clan as Elmmorra).

The Werewoods outside Baldur's Gate, home to the Blood Paw, Stone Claw, Iron Tree, and other shifter clans.

Investigating the situation the group met with Elmmorra's close druid friend, Xunxena. Xunxena, being a member of the council elders, brought the party up to speed on the situation.

After consideration of the news, the group pondered their alternatives ranging from stealthy assassination to poisoning, as they made their way to stay within the home of Xunxena.

The druid home of Xunxena

Being midday the gang visited the marketplace for lunch, and while dining at an outdoor Bistro containing delicacies and specialties imported from Baldur's Gate, Elmmorra happen to notice a strange sight. Another Shifter of the Stone Claw clan moving suspiciously through the marketplace. Elmmorra followed while the rest of the group finished their food and ordered to go boxes.

Overview of the marketplace

While rounding a marketplace stall, she caught the Stone Claw finishing up something and then hurrying away. While she was just about to commence pursuit, a violent explosion rocked the plaza, killing some vendors and wounding several others including Elmmorra.

Shrugging off her damage, she doggedly (hehe) pursued the Stone Claw rounding upon him as he attempted to make a break for a guard post door in the defensive wall (who were absent at the moment due to the explosion). Elmmorra pounced upon the unfortunate shifter digging her claws deep within. Flipping him over, a look of unbridled terror streaked across his face, and after attempting to mouth apologetic words a sickly green substance spread from underneath his clothing enveloping him in agony and killing him forthright leaving only a dried husk of a corpse.

The Council of the Blood Paws called an emergency meeting, and the group was invited to join. While at the council meeting Elmmorra and the others gave testimony to the actions of the Stone Claws, Ranven, the new chieftain sabre-rattling with the surrounding clans offered the latest and reports of Blood Paw scouts, as proof the Stone Claws are being malicious. Many in the council, aware that their new-found civilized society is very fragile, offered a more cautious path of diplomacy.

Meanwhile, to help investigate, Gnorm, Blood Paw officials, and a wizened old Human Mage named Frederick, went to investigate the corpse of the Stone Claw bomber, only to unfortunately find it missing! Gnorm was about to inform the council of the turn of events, when out of nowhere the roars of Hill Giants distinctly boomed out over the valley and the group rushed to meet the new threat, and combat ensued!

Ugly mug of a hill giant our valiant adventurers face!

Upon next meeting we finish the battle, wrap up the conundrum of the Blood Paws, and forge ahead on the main quest! :)

Adventure Summary 02/11/12

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:26:20 +0100

The party started off by making preparations to leave the town of Plague-Mort and back out into the demonic landscape of the Abyss.

Approaching the eastern-most tip of Plague-Mort

Holding Kirgill prisoner and bargaining with him for information, the party made arrangements through Mercentius to have their airship and crew meet them outside of Baldur's Gate and work on a containment cell for their captive.

Leaving Plague-Mort, the group found the portal they needed, disguised as a dead tree. Kallindor was able to lift the veil off the tree revealing the portal and the party was able to step through and return to the Prime Material Plane.

However, the experience of leaving the Abyss left its mark. When moving through the portal the members felt as if they were stepping though the oily residue left upon the top of water. They then discovered that splotch marks of inky darkness splattered their bodies haphazardly and could not be washed, burned, scrubbed, or blessed away. Soon there after the marks dissipated, seeming to seep into their skin.

Traveling from the Abyss was a harrowing experience

Waiting to see what might happen, Valiant was reunited with his glorious steed "Waste of 2 Feats" while Valen and Phillip and a member of the crew discovered them and brought everyone back to where their airship "The Fury of Celestia" was parked. Making arrangements to hold Kirgill, Kallindor bargained with the Gnome learning of something the Gnome valued highly in exchange for his freedom (and a potentially deadly trip to Thay).

Learning of a rare and near priceless ring hidden in the cesspool of Luskan, Kallindor contracted a Mage in the city to establish a portal between Baldur's Gate and the nearest they could open one to the abandoned tower of the Arcane Brotherhood (now overrun with undead).

Kallindor picked his way carefully, holding a key given to him by Kirgill, to where he might extract the ring. It was found that while Kallindor made his way to the tower, he began to experience tiredness, aches, sunken eyes, and his vision changed in fits and starts to show only shadows and auras. The condition appeared to worsen the deeper he went into the tower. Undead of lower intelligence seemed to ignore Kallindor and he finally discovered the hiding place of the ring. Opening the extra-dimensional space he saw the ring was swimming in a inky blackness. The warlock fashioned a device to snag the ring, which turned out to be prudent as the cup and stick disintegrated soon after being dipped in the blackness.

Soon after grabbing the ring a tumultuous uproar was heard in the tower and ferocious undead creatures seem to pour out of the woodwork to chase Kallindor down as he made his back to the portal.

A sinister creature of darkness chases our heroic adventurer

Kallindor made it back just in time before being completely consumed by a evil force which seemed to be heightened by the presence of the evil undead creatures. Collapsing into the other side the warlock once again felt the pain of portal travel, and upon his return, the party felt an almost overwhelming need to lose their sense of self and become one with this internal darkness. Antaris was most affected, the interaction with Kallindor upon coming through the portal lit off a chain of visions and imagery that cemented his quest by the Deck, to slay or bring to ruin Taranna, of the monk order Sangha. Taranna is both the spiritual and martial leader of this order who are renowned in the realms for deeds that rival the Harpers, righting injustices, feeding and clothing the poor, healing the sick, freeing the enslaved, and much more. Antaris now feels the weight of his quest most acutely.

Recovering the ring, they discovered the ring of fate upon the owners use and after which it unravels itself from existence, allows the bearer to alter a thread of destiny changing an outcome to how they see fit. One other such ring exists, but has been lost for eons.

After surviving the trip to Luskan and finishing the containment cell for Kirgill, the party then traveled a short distance East to the Werewoods, where they embark to help a close friend of Elmmorra stop her Shifter clan from sinking back into barbarism.

Until next time! :)

Adventure Summary - 01/28/12

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:53:12 +0100

The group found themselves transported from the mansion of Selamchant to the Plane of a Thousand Portals, a layer of the Abyss.

Once deposited upon the plane, they faced down a group of nasty demon roaming the plane seeking victims. The party dispatched the enemies and then after taking a brief rest, headed in the direction of the nearest known township with mortals, Plague-Mort.

After traveling several hours over treacherous terrain, the party made it to Plague-Mort by dusk at its eastern gate. Going through, the party found themselves in a seedy and grim residential district with bodies, suspicious and dangerous looking beings roaming about, and horrific screams and other noises.

They made their way to a where they had heard of one inn run by mortals, the Eye of The Dragon. Once within they purchased a room and had an interesting dinner of exotic food.

Ready to retire, they went to their room, and after barricading the door and setting up watch proceeded to a well-earned rest. However, during the second watch, a mysterious cloaked figure took the party into a state of lucid dreaming and brought to a large banquet table. During their feast he produced a deck of cards and each party member drew forth.

Vox, Elmmorra, Kiva, Kallindor, and Valiant drew luckily, and received a handsome reward. Antaris and Gnorm unfortunately drew cards of ruin, and are now forced to undertake a minor quest to rid them of the deck’s influence.

After they drew their cards, the party was brought back to their watch and sleeping quarters of which they experienced a failed attempt by a couple of hapless goblins to break into their room and thieve what they could.

Next morning, the group breakfasted and then went to the marketplace pondering their next move when Kallindor was approached by a strange looking old man who appeared half-human and half-demon. The stranger identified himself as Mercentius, and revealed his was once a possessed Paladin of Torm who fell from his deity’s favor due to the atrocious acts he committed.

Sensing the Unholy Avenger, Mercentius offered a deal; he would bring Kirgill to the group and also provide information as to someone who would pay well for the troublesome Gnome if he was given the sword. The party agreed and Mercentius was true to his word bringing the Gnome back to one of his safe houses a little over 24 hours later.

The sword was exchanged, and Mercentius told Kallindor of Szass Tam, a zulkir Red Wizard of Thay willing to pay handsomely for the Gnome if brought to him.

The party started their interrogation of Kirgill, learning that the Circle had sent a team to retrieve the last component of the Staff of Pelor within the depths of the Underdark at Mantol-Derith, a secret trading city in which nearly anything is bought and sold. Kirgill revealed that if all went well, the team would be retrieving it today, but that is if they actually survived.

Kirgill also told that his master, Zaidar Hunfrid, was the only human of the Circle, and the one intent on the re-forging of the staff. The leader, Helminion Faradol, an Eladrin, is the oldest and most power of the Circle. Kirgill also divulged one of the favorite hiding places of Zaidar. Something the party will follow up on (it was said to be near Highmelt Lake on an earth mote 5 miles up).

The Gnome also confirmed that Antaris’s brother Calanion was killed and his form assumed by aberrant outsider.

The group formed a planned getting word to their airship crew docked in Athkatla to finalize repairs and meet them outside of Baldur’s Gate. They plan to continue their interrogation of Kirgill aboard a special room to be created aboard the airship which will contain him. Then, they will stop over the Werewoods to handle an issue with Elmmorra’s tribe of Shifters.

Adventure Summary - 10/01/11

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:11:06 +0100

The party continued their plans for infiltrating the Selemchant estate in the Gem District. Kiva and Antaris worked on getting invitations to the gala event celebrating the ascension of Marquis Serroth from Lady Aura of the Coprith family, who is among one of the more important 10 merchant families of Amn.

Kiva and Antaris scored significantly in that many of the Copriths had "graciously declined" to attend the event secretly because of the rumors about (soon-to-be) Duke Serroth (coincidentally, Lady Aura fell "violently ill" and was unable to attend). Valiant made plans to acquire invitations from the event planners, and was able to wow them with his "Regard Me" style and perfect hair.

While adventuring in the city, several wanted posters were spied by the party:

Antaris - Missing, presumed dead, reward for evidence of death or returned if alive. Wanted for questioning in murder.
Kalindor and Kiva - Collaborators of Antaris, wanted for questioning in murder.
Valiant - Suspected Fallen Paladin, wanted by church of Sune. Considered armed and very regard-able.
Elmmorra - Rogue shifter, wanted for questioning.

After acquiring the invites, the party worked on splitting up the group for an infiltration mission through the front door, and also through the sewers. The sewers of Athkatla are among one of the most extensive and complex on the Sword Coast, and Kalindor, Vox, Speed Bump, and Elmmorra valiantly traipsed their way through as Gesh, Kiva, Antaris, and Valiant attended the gala event in the hopes to find Kirgill.

The gala at the Selemchant estate attracted of course the elite of Amnian society. The members of the group who were attending the gala made their entrance set out to find their target, being Kirgill. Gesh, unused to such splendor, was dazzled by the decorations and spied a pretty young girl to dance. Unfortunately, while Antaris, Kiva, and Valiant were engaging Serroth in light conversation (and looking to be free of his dreadful and sinister presence quickly) Gesh accidentally crushed the foot of his dancing partner. The ballroom stopped immediately as the poor girl screamed, blood flowing freely from her mangled foot. Gesh, being a cleric, was able to heal the injury, but not the embarrassment, and had to work towards gaining the favor and trust of the young woman for the rest of the evening.

Grand Hall of the Selemchant Mansion:

Meanwhile, in the sewers, the rest of the party started the dirty job of traversing the Athkatla sewer system to gain entrance to the mansion. They went down into the very bowels of the vacant mansion to search for an entrance. Seeing a maintenance door, Speed Bump, the misfit cleric, attempted to search for traps and disable locks. Kalindor guessed the fumes of the sewers baffled the cleric into thinking he was a Rogue, and before he could stop him he unfortunately set off a spike trap embedded in the door. Vox discovered it was a present left by the previous thieves that had been using the mansion as a base of operations.

Dangerous Sewers

After plunging through for a while, the sewer group came across a sewer line intersection and Speed Bump forged ahead as a scout to discover a disgruntled water elemental infused with sewage, and a rot grub swarm slithering across the floor. Kalindor took this opportunity to try out his new toy, a steam-powered Gatling gun unleashing a hail of steam driven bullets into their enemies while Vox hit the deck as loud pops and venting steam issued from the weapon and dispersed into the sewer tunnels.

Back at the mansion, after the foot incident, Antaris and the rest continued watching for Kirgill. They finally found him on the upper floor of mansion, near the balcony area overlooking the ballroom. He was with his dwarven entourage, and also speaking with Serroth. Kirgill ad Serroth left with the group tracking in tow.

After heading to the topmost floor of the mansion, the party discovered that Serroth and Kirgill had entered a short hallways and passed through a very impressive and foreboding door. Upon closer inspection the door appeared normal, but had several blood runes etched across the archway. The cleric and paladin concluded from the runes that a sacrifce of blood must be paid to pass. Kiva slit her hand as an offering and the door de-materialized into a dreadful demonic doorway through which the players passed.

The door prior to the blood offering:

And then after:

The party stepped through and entered into a vast upstairs suite, the room heated and smelling of sulphur. They awaited their confrontation as the sewer party fought on...

To be concluded! :)

Adventure Summary - 09/17/11

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:25:16 +0100

The players docked in Athkatla, "The City of Coin", and went to work on repairing their airship while they toured the city, buying some odds and ends and taking in the sights.

The group visited Waukeen's Promenade, an elaborate shopping mall, and the Adventurer's Mart, run by Ribald Barterman. After doing some shopping, the group grabbed lunch at one of the many cafe's near the Promenade, and while eating they spotted Kirgill, the Gnome who had captured and tortured Antaris's elder brother Calanion on the Nelanther Isles a few weeks back walking through the district.

Portrait of Kirgill:

They followed Kirgill out of the Center District into the Gem District (where Athkatla's noble houses and others of influence and wealth dwell). They followed him to where one of the mansions of the Selemchant family resides. They noticed him speak with the guard at the front gate, and be allowed entrance.

Concocting a plan to hopefully gain entrance to the mansion, and kidnap Kirgill, they did some reconnaissance around the area.They found roughly a block and a 1/2 away a long vacant mansion of a wealthy family they decided to base their attempt from.

An exterior view of the vacant mansion in the Bridge District:

After gaining entrance to the mansion, they discovered that three others were operating out of the house using it as a base of operations to access possible hidden relic/treasure houses of the many temples of Cyric which dot the city.

The party continued plans for using the sewer and other options to carry out their assault. They investigated the vacant house, and also tailed some servants to a local merchant finding out that there are plans to hold a large event tomorrow evening at the Selemchant mansion for the ascension of a duke of their House.

The show goes on!