Mystara

Power gems secured!

Dragon battles - they USED to be scary.

Three whites in a friendly environment - the Air Node - but a full strength party can take them.

Wind Wall is a must in these situations. The perfect barrier to the blast of a dragon's breath. Fireball, against the cold creatures, also an excellent move. Call Lightning however, in an atmosphere buzzing with static electricity, is the frosting on the cake.

What about the Hieracosphinx as a viable opponent?

Well, I'm afraid they didn't fare much better. The first set of four were on the receiving end of some more lightning, as well as the lightning fast blows of Taran and Arnie. The second set of four fared no better.

By this stage, you had successfully managed to employ one of your magic items (the "Censer") to effect control over an Air Elemental foe. Once again inside the Temple, you have managed to convert your enemy into your ally.

The Guru, invisible, and now riding one of these creatures, manages to avoid the attention of a group of Cloud Giants, fly into an adjoining cave, and scoop up a few gems that were ripe for the picking.

And what do you know? Another "zoink" courtesy of The Guru confirms that one of these was indeed the power gem that lands him neatly in the Water Node.

The party re-assembles at the Hut, and Arnie sets about figuring the operation of the power gems, and the evil-looking skull.

You find your way out of the Nodes, and into a new part of the dungeon. Indeed, quite possibly, the final part of the dungeon.

But if so, what is to be found? What is it that lurks here? The biggest baddie yet? Will Iuz make a personal reappearance?

It may be time for the party to just simply escape. This has been an epic journey. You have learned to adapt to the environment, and spend long hours in cold dungeons, always wary of what might be around the corner.

It all started with few bandits in the remnants of a tower on a defensive wall. A secret passage was uncovered, leading you to a deeper part of the dungeon below.

Pan uncovered a set of maps early, which greatly helped your exploration. With a number of sorties, you were able to uncover the factional infighting, and turn it to your advantage. Building your own faction of the disgruntled and put-out, which helped you to ultimately defeat the main Temple forces.

What were they protecting? The Temple remained a source of creatures summoned from elemental planes, which would ultimately do evil on the prime. Bravely (although very nearly stupidly!) you pushed on into the eye of the elemental storm - the Nodes.

Within the Nodes, you have successfully managed to locate what have become known as the Power Gems - individually they can transport people between nodes, and possibly other places, and when combined with the grinning skull orb, seem to have some extraordinary powers.

But what is left to do? Destroy the orb? Perhaps keep it and harness its powers for some other purpose? Find the end of level baddie and stick it up 'em? Perhaps the baddie is the Temple itself, and warrants destruction. Or is the Temple just a "renovators delight", looking to be converted into a magnificent party HQ?

We may just find some answers to these questions over the weekend of 26/27 May 2012. Yet to confirm exact times and location, but I'll be gauging interest and availability over the next couple of weeks.

Got any blacker?

Lysander returns some basic intel, and the party retreats to the "Hut" for battle preparations.

Two adult black's, two eggs to protect, and a mountain of treasure. That's around 40 feet of body, and 40 feet of tail, times two. The lair is just big enough for them to get airborne, but not big enough for them to comfortably attack from the air, whilst still defending the eggs.

With intel, and prep time, this battle looks winnable...

The day the Earth Elementals got killed.

Earth.

Is it weird that a campaign world is called "Mystara", or "The Forgotten Realms", or even "Oerth"...yet you still have an element called "Earth"?

Let's face it. This session was carnage. For the bad guys, admittedly, yes.

For those playing some catch up:

- Earth Elementals. Two of them.

- Lizards. Two of them.

- Stone Giants. Times six.

- One Ascomid (leathery "puff ball" thing).

- Xaren (a Xorn type of creature).

- Gorgons. Two. How good is a Wind Wall in circumstances just like that?

- The "Grues". These guys seem to show up in each node. Not sure if you had noticed.

- Greater Basilisk. You guessed it, times two.

- And finally, that pitched battle where you managed to defeat TWO, count them, TWO fully grown BLACK DRAGONS!

 

Oh wait. You haven't beaten the Dragons yet. By the timne you read this, the Tigers might have. But most certainly, you have not.

So how is this going to work?

Arnie has Strength, that should help.

There's a Bear the Burden in effect, and a few Stoneskins might still be kicking around.

Wind Wall. Very handy. But gone.

What else do you have up your sleeve?

Well, magic items galore, surely..

They've gone to Water...

"So what are we going to do about the Guru?" Kazandra asks, belying her respect for the Dwarven preacher.

"We forge on," commands Taran, "and hope we find him in one piece."

"Do you mean find the Guru in one piece, or we find him whilst WE'RE still in one piece?" Lotto quips.

"Both." Taran hefts his axe, and leads on into the scorching environment of the Fire Node.

Although protected by Sahrim's ability to modify the temperature in the immediate area, you can see a heat haze by your light. Wisps of smoke and ash contribute to the searing that you can feel in your stomach, if not on your skin.

Your next encounter is with six Fire Giants. Not your first time against this type of enemy, but this is the best home advantage they are likely to get.

Chris Bright manages to confuse two of them with a dweomer of his; Pan targets a couple of lightning bolts well; and soon you have your victory. An oil, a philter, and a Scroll of Protection vs Cold are found.

Lysander suggests, "I think we've got what we came for, and I'd feel a lot more comfortable heading back to what we thought was the Water Node entry point. I'm like a fish out of water. Literally."

Now, switching to water environment protection, a recon team is formed.

Lysander, Arnie, Pan, Sahrim (as a dolphin), Lotto, and Chris Bright start a patrol.

Water Elementals have a distinct advantage when completely immersed in water. A haste spell, getting to nearby land, and a few whacks with a Staff of Striking, are exactly what you need to set a level playing field. And then kill them.

Sahrim (now the crocodile), soon after the foam settles, manages to sniff out a submerged entrance to a shelf sitting about 10' above the water line. Here you find another gate, in the shape of a triangle.

A brief conflict with a clan of sea ogres ensues, with Chris Bright taking 4 out with a Color Spray, and Arnie taking care of the bulk of what's left the old fashioned way. A little bit of the ol' "smasho's".

Now here's some interesting finds: a silver plated sea shell serving plate; a metal sea chest; a bronze ocean fisherman sculpture; a bronze nude nymph sculpture; a set of brass ocean shells drawer pulls; and a pair of brass sail boat book ends.

"Are you guys going to be able to keep this pace up?" Lysander asks.

Although he could easily survive this environment, he sensibly reminds his companies of their relative frailties.

"Not a problem," Chris Bright replies confidently.

"You have a plan then?" Arnie asks, recovering quickly from his earlier ogre work.

"Well, Leomunds Tiny Hut is the answer. A couple of them actually."

Chris smirks his satisfaction as the master of the utility spell.

The recon team heads back to the group. "So...Chris...make with the Hut's already," Pan demands impatiently.

"Oh I don't have any memorised."

Silence.

"Well what the hell good is that? We're gonna have to survive 8 hours while you have a nap!" Taran snaps impatiently.

"2 hours. I don't need much sleep. Anyway...goodnight all!" Chris settles into a comfortable position and shades his eyes.

11 hours later, and everyone is back on deck, recharged, Stoneskinned, and Strength'd, as available.

Taran leads on into another hidden grotto, and after dealing with some of the stranger elemental inhabitants, recovers a carnelian gem, believed to be of some importance to the mission at hand.

Ten water-gargoyles are despatched soon after, with the help of Pan's Web. A pendant, a potion, and a halberd are recovered.

Fourteen marine ghouls are also short work, with a devasting Turn by Lotto, and the follow-up hand-to-hand pummelling. The yield: 2384sp, Scroll - Protection vs Cold, Scroll - Protection vs Undead, Scroll of Priest Spells: Illusory Artillery; Solipsism; Prot v Evil; Continual Darkness.

And finally in this chapter, 2 saltwater versions of the Umber Hulk.

Pan's opening Wall of Ice turned out to be twice as effective as expected, having something to do with the environment you are in. Taran, both Enlarged, and Hasted, soon cuts the mighty beasts down. The treasure: 7061pp; black ceramic day of the dead skull; bird and mushroom porcelain figurine; mushroom cap sterling silver pepperettes; brass elf on mushroom doorknocker; violet aranaceous teapot; white ochre wash death mask figure.

What next?

Explore the node further? Head for the exit? Cash in your chips?

Saturday 18 June 2011, we shall find out.

From flying Pan, into the Fire (node)

With a deep breath, an assortment of buffs, and a party huddle, you enter the Node of Fire.

Zoink!

The rooms and corridors of these dreaded pits are humid and hot - so hot that, had it not been for Sahrim's superior control over the local weather, you would be sure to suffer damage after even a relatively short amount of exposure. The lighting varies from dim embers to great pits of leaping flame.

The eight doors from the room that you find yourself in initially are large stone constructions with brass fittings. The rooms and corridors appear to be hewn from the surrounding rock, and as your dwarven companions tell you, are very well made, perhaps with elemental or magical assistance.

Your first encounter is with 3 Dun Puddings. They were easily baked, with a the help of a couple of magic missiles and some well placed blows. A potion was found.

You quickly moved through the node, knowing that your protection from the environment could end at any moment. The Fire Snakes you found next were dispatched quickly, but not before biting Lysander, causing him to become paralysed.

Shortly after this however, you stumbled upon a room with large circle enscription on the floor, and a familiar simple, perfect square symbol on the walls. You also found a simlar circle in another room after this, which had a smaller cirlce inside it. Almost the same, but slightly different.

Arnie and Taran made short work of the Salamanders that were next to get in the way. Two serious looking Fire Elementals also managed to get themselves extinguished by the deadly frontline duo.

Still feeling strong, and with a serious amount of momentum, a young Red Dragon was found and reduced to smoked meat before it could pose any threat to the party. The NEXT Red however, managed to get off a breath weapon, and luckily the fire buffs offered extensive damage reduction for those that got in the way. Taran racked himself up 2 dragon kills this time out.

The spoils along the way included a protection ring, which the Guru took, swapping another one with Lysander (not that he could argue about it in his state). A magic dagger and another potion was also uncovered.

You also managed to run into a somewhat out-of-place denizen of the nodes, a weaver by the name of Jaer. He joined a group of bandits, and regretted his choice of friends almost immediately. After the bandits had turned out to be recruiters for the Temple, he tried to quit, and was thrown into the nodes for his betrayal.

He stood with you, and took some blows, when eight "pillars of flame" turned nasty, taking on a vaguely humanoid form, and lashing out with fiery arms.

The spoils of your victory was a smoky quartz gem. The Guru, experimenting with its use, found that when he touched it he was sent immediately to...well that's what you'll have to find out for yourselves somehow!

The Temple...is yours!

"Well we're ALL going to have to be invisible. That's a given. You guys work out the rest." Chris Bright, it's fair to say, tends to stick to his specialities and not venture too far outside his designated role. It's all about demarcation.

With Sahrim and Lotto as the buff-meisters, the party huddles and moves forward on the curtain, under the cover of Invisibility 10' radius.

The tension rises, as the carefully assembled group inches closer to the curtain, not knowing what to expect. Pan, designated recon specialist, pins the TZGY scarab to his breast, and gently hovers forward. He reaches for the curtain, his breath caught for a moment as his hand is about to make contact with the unnaturally perfect drape.

As if in slow motion, but in lighting quick succession, the curtain forms a small section of itself into fist, and extends a skinny arm in a punching motion. It's reach falls just short of Pan's face. But then another. Pan dodges easily. And another two; Pan jinks sideways to dodge. And two more! The last one making contact with a limb overextended from the previous evasive manouvre.

No damage. That's a worry. Pan grabs for the scarab and boldly presents it to the curtain. The sock-fists quiet. But as he holds it out, he feels his off arm weakening rapidly. In a minute, he has lost all strength in that arm, and it hangs uselessly from his side.

A flurry of notes and shoulder taps later, and Sahrim heals the rot that has set into Pan's arm. Although still invisible, the cover is blown, and another Ice Storm hammers the altar room. Sahrim's Control Temperature protects the party completely, this time.

Now, to press the assault! Arnie leads the way, looking for his next victim. Pan, now back to full strength quickly positions himself at the best possible tactical advantage against the half-elf Deggum, leader of the the Temple Guards, who is taken by surprise and slain by an perfectly positioned dagger thrust. Barkinar, Temple Troop Leader, holds his own against a focussed attack, using sleet to cover his escape. But the parties resources are strong and plentiful, even at range. Magic Missile's spell the end of the last of the Temple hierarchy!

But is this the end? No doubt, you have control of the Temple. The secret entrance could be guarded, and the dweomers on the main doors would surely hold another thousand years hence. However, you know that Iuz could reappear at any time. Although his forces on this plane have been decimated, what of the elemental forces? And what is to prevent him from developing another malevolent army of evil to retake the Temple from you?

The Elemental Planar Portals

You have found the rooms on dungeon level four that appear to correspond with the four elements. They are paired, such that there is an identical room on the east and west sides of the altar room (419). You also believe that standing in the magic circle in each of these rooms will transport you to the corresponding elemental plane. It is hoped that one of the paired circles will transport you not to the plane proper, but something that is known as a "node". The node, in theory, is link between the prime and the particular elemental plane, and is not only thought to be far more survivable, but also may hide something important that is essential to the final destruction of the elemental evil of the Temple.

(The following is a dramatisation of actual events.)

"Let's get ourselves into a node, start picking up the gems we need to plug into Yellowskull there, and wrap this mission up. I don't want to spend another night in this hell-hole if I don't have to." Arnie declares, not wanting to falsely celebrate a battle, when the war isn't won.

"I'm with you, but which one?" Pan, ever-eager at the prospect of taking stuff, is also motivated by the base elven need for fresh air and the smell of flora.

"My intel tells me the west is the destination for elementals summoned from the altar room. So they come up from the east, and get stored in the west, is my best guess."

"Done. But which elemental node are we going for?" Pan quickly responds.

Sahrim chimes in, "We tend to be pretty well protected from fire if we want to try that one."

"Yeah sure let's do it." Chris Bright, distracted as ever, but fully supportive nonetheless.

Pan rallies the party, "Everyone - huddle - lets go! West fire gate, ahoy! Now we all jump in together at exactly the same time and that should make sure we all get through in one go in case there's anything bad on the flip side. Ready? One...TWO...TH..."

The final equipment checks are done as Pan starts the countdown. The party, still pumped from the recent emphatic victory, is ready to take on anything. Throw them into a firestorm and they'll have that thing reduced to a wispy smolder before you can say, "Simmer me tinders!"

But Pan's count catches in his throat, "...ahem...A-HEM...oh sorry guys don't know what happened there...ok ONE..."

"Just a sec," Chris quickly pulls a tome from under his arm and flips quickly to a page. His lips purse and push to one side of his face in consternation. "Hmmmm..." he ponders, "listen...uh...where are we going again? Sorry just checking something."

"The fire node. It's fine. It's only a bit of fire. Let's roll like a pig spit," Arnie says impatiently.

"Yeah the other one's the elemental plane of fire so that's why we're doing this one. Chris...get in." Lotto hurries Chris along with her hand as she rejoins the formation.

"The plane of fire would be bad. I'm glad we're going in the node, that's for sure," Vandross agrees.

"One...T-two..." Pan's stammers slightly, and it sends a chill down every spine.

"Hold the countdown Pan," Chris reluctantly interrupts, "I think we all know we're going to have to re-assess this. Ok...so how is it that we know this is the node - location of the secrets of the Temple, and no doubt great riches - and NOT a direct link to the deepest part of the elemental plane of fire - a realm of pure fire from which we are unlikely to ever escape, even in the unlikely event that we should survive more than an instant?"

"Oh...uh...well I...uh...talked Kelno into telling me," Arnie, with a mix of sheepishness and pride, proclaims, "...and before you say anything, NO I did NOT rough him up in ANY way. Hehe...didn't need to! That little weed knew what was coming if he crossed me...hehe...yeah..."

Lotto winces. The Guru says smacks his forehead and says quiet prayer. Pan bites a finger nail. Chris' eyebrows raise up high. Sahrim ponders whether he could successfully protect himself and the party from raw elemental fire, and for how long. Vandross is just relieved that he has a moment scratch an itch that had formed down the front of his pants when they first got together, but he was too polite to ask everyone to wait whilst he sorted himself out.

"So, what? You don't like my interrogation technique?"

The Quandary

Though ready, willing, and able to push on, there remains some doubt as to which magic circle is going to get you to to where you want to go.

Firstly, Kelno's intelligence may be right, but is it right for Fire? Or just Air? Are all node entrances on the one side?

Also, Kelno may have just been wrong. Was he being offhanded and just giving any answer, not really knowing?

For that matter, does he really know?

And if he DOES know, would he tell you? Would he deliberately mislead you? And how could you know for sure whether what he is saying is the truth, and if not, is he mistaken, or lying, or both, and why?

Lotto has divined some further information, but it is up to you to now determine what information you feel is reliable enough, and what other information might be required.

The Final Assault

You stand at the threshold of an outstanding victory. Heroics and cunning have brought you to this point where you have a unique opportunity to defeat, once and for all, the last of the Temple command structure.

Why does it now seem so difficult?

As discovered with the defeat of Lumiere the Red Dragon, detailed planning and disciplined execution will return success. But this is not a Red Dragon. Although you have knowledge of threat - the ice storm - you have limited knowledge of how it is controlled, and no knowledge of how to defeat it.

Vandross reminds the party of the various buffs to support a basic ground assault. Stoneskin; Endure Cold; Prayer; Enlarge; Haste; Dust Devil; Sanctuary; Silence; Invisibility. Multiple attacks, Magic Missiles, in and out like a lightning strike, smoke me a kipper and we'll be back for breakfast.

"But what of this curtain?", Arnie warns, "We need to know more."

"I can Control Temperature, heal, and offer various protections," Sahrim offers, supporting the hit and run, frontal assault option.

"We can do all of the above, under cover of Invisibility, Darkness and Silence, and test the curtain," Lotto adds.

"Well I've interrogated some of our friends here. We may need to think about summoned elementals, traps, and some sort of accursed rotting disease as well," Arnie cautions.

Kelno, one-time leader of the Air Temple, seems excited by the prospects of once again having a unified Temple, even though it looks likely to be dominated by the newest faction, being YOU. He offers to serve as Temple leader, and once the risk of insurgency is put down, is promising to start with remediation of the upper levels of the Temple.

He needs your support, but what Kelno proposes amounts essentially to a coup d'etat, without the necessity for any bloodshed at all. He argues that they will likely be convinced to step aside and either join or leave the Temple. Although you will need to have the advantage of being able to dominate by use of force, you will not necessarily be required to use it.

Sahrim can see some merit in the proposal, albeit remains suspicious, and wants to hedge against Kelno's betrayal with close supervision through silent and invisible watchers.

Where to from here?

Next face-to-face gamedate:

2 October (Sat night) from say 5pm onwards (about 10am Sat London time)

Day 6 - The Altar of Evil

The day begins like any other.

Waking up on a stone cold floor, covered in several days worth of blood, guts, and gore, some of which doesn't even belong to you. A stiff dungeon draught speeding under the wooden door, broken down to with an inch of falling completely off its hinges - only that door, Lotto's magical glyph, and that one eye of whomevers turn it is to be on watch.

Arnie has come to like the last watch. He meditates on the smell of a summer morning in Ainsun. He hasn't seen a sunrise in about a week now, or squinted through the dewey glare of a hillside as he absorbs the sounds and smells of a clean, peaceful morning.

A hundred push-ups, a stretch, armour up, and it's back to duty.

"What of this Orb?" he wonders. The good clerics feel its innate evil, and shun it. A simple gold sphere, three inches in diameter, shaped to resemble a human skull, sans lower jaw. Atop the crown is a raised diadem with depressions, perhaps designed to hold a small object.

As Arnie examines the object, he too starts to feel its power. Whilst holding the object, he feels as though it is searching for evil, and in so doing, contrasts strongly with the good clerics, Lotto, Guru, and Kazandra. Arnie senses that the possessor of this thing will be able to use its power to sense alignment, to know truth, and perhaps even to inflict harm on others. He wonders also, what might this device be capable of if possessed by a minion of evil, or used on an evil creature? And what might it turn into if indeed there are pieces missing that might fit into those depressions?

"Lotto! Wake-up! Catch!!" Arnie rouses Lotto and tosses the thing at the fumbling priestess. The prank conceals his deep-seated relief as it leaves his grasp.

Lotto reviles as she catches it - it might have been the testicle of a 3-days dead troll. "So what is this thing?" Arnie asks, "Why do we even have it?"

Lotto places it carefully on the ground, and reaches back to turn its face away. "I don't know. I don't think I want to know. But I'll see what I can divine."

Over the course of the morning, Lotto's research confirms the following:

• the item may also be known as The Orb of Golden Death, Yellowskull, Goldenskull, or the Death Orb;
• no good cleric or paladin will willingly touch it;
• the possessor can employ it to Know Alignment and Detect Lie;
• it has the ability to Poison, but you're not sure how this works;
• it may have detrimental effects on the possessor;
• it may have a powerful effect on certain Chaotic Evil creatures.

---

"Ok guys - let's get this job done. By the way Pan, I wouldn't go playing with that little statue. Remember what happened last time..." Vandross rallies the party, and gives a plain observation that, if you don't want to alert yourself to the "PTB" (Powers That Be) in these parts, fiddling with the little ebony statue of a four-inch tall grinning horned skull is probably the last thing you want to be doing.

---

To room 419 - The Greater Temple

This vast centre is impressive in its simplicity. The ceiling is a full sixty feet overhead and appears as a quiet outdoor night sky with stars gleaming in their constellations. The walls are lined with smooth onyx, of such fine craftmanship that the joints can barely be detected.

Around the sides of the room, eight corridors lead off into the unknown. High on the walls between each corridors are small flying buttresses.

Thirty feet north of the entrance is a series of broad steps, leading five feet upwards to a stone altar. Draped across the altar is a sheet of red silk, with an eight-pointed fire symbol embroidered upon it in golden thread.

Flanking the altar are two pillars of gold which reach to the ceiling overhead, and behind the altar is a glistening purple curtain, unmarked by any design. The walls beside the curtain bear ornate carvings - a triangle, an eight-pointed star, a square, and a circle.

In the niches just north of the altar stand monumental statues, each twenty feet tall. To the left is a humanoid garbed in robes, with a horned and grinning skull head. To the right is a monstrosity with a fat bulbous body, four elephantine legs, a long thin neck, and a tiny humanoid head surmounting the whole.

The party decides to explore west (420, leading to 421) and is suddenly engulfed in sleet. A trap? An invisible caster? To make matters worse, gargoyles swoop from the buttresses and attack the party, who are not only blinded by the ice, but also struggle to keep their feet. Pan flies up to avoid slipping, and confronts the main assault team. His stoneskins quickly evaporate, but Chris Bright manages to engage all four in a Hypnotic Pattern. Once Arnie is free of the storm, his decisive and powerful blows make short work of any enemy within range.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the storm, Vandross finds himself in an interesting pickle. Seems there are now TWO Vandross's. After a brief exchange of finger-pointing as to who the REAL Vandross is, and some less than helfpful suggestions from the party as to how best to resolve this problem, Vandross takes matters into his own hands and takes on the doppleganger one-on-one. Now if the doppelganger's mind reading capability had have been working properly, he would of known not to get too close those propellor blades Vandross calls daggers.

With the battle over, the party has the chance to examine the triangular room at the end of the brown corridor. The walls are unmarked save for a huge triangle on each wall, and a baleful red and white eye within each figure. A large circle is inscribed in the centre of the floor, and within it is another triangle, but without an eye.

Not wanting to be hasty, the party moves back to the Greater Temple, looking to explore some of the other corridors. But this time - ICE STORM! The party is hit hard by hail stones as they cross the room, knocking Dwervyn down. Vandross moves quickly to perform CPR, whilst Lotto steps forward to Detect Evil. Pan uses the Gem of Seeing, and reports that one of the statues seemed to be laughing at you. The party flees down the main corridor, with Lotto and Vandross covering the retreat.

What you learn is that the curtain itself radiates evil, and possibly behind the curtain are more evil creatures using magic against you whenever you are in range.

Now that you are back to a point of relative safety, the question is what to next? Do you attempt to avoid the barrage of spells from the altar area and continue to explore the corridors? Do you tackle the curtain directly? Or do you look for another way?

A look back at victory over the Master's forces

Over 10 years ago, after what initially seemed like a failed mission to defeat the Master at his camp, a simple piece of intelligence recovered by an inquisitive halfling turned the tides of war.

Note the XP awards - small in comparison to the hauls you are getting at the moment, but huge in their day.

---

The Aftermath

 

“Well WE just got hammered,” Lotto proclaims, surveying the wreckage that once was the party.

“The ole’ fireballing mage hiding around the corner trick, eh?” Vandross says, scratching his head in consternation.

“I’m sure I had something very important to take care of back at the grove,” Sahrim motions in the direction of Darokin, “and I don’t know if there’s anything I can do for poor old Taran here.”

“Well maybe Tymora will be able to help us in our time of need.  We should really take their bodies back to the church and see what can be done.  Look on the bright side – they weigh a whole lot less now, and they don’t eat as much or require any water!  You see, Tymora works in mysterious ways!” Lotto perks up, trying her best to lift the spirits of her companions.

“Blub,” says Arnie, with a look of surprise on his face.  Being a fish, he doesn’t have much choice.

“And I can take care of Arnie tomorrow no problem.  Don’t you worry yourself one little bit Mr Fishy!  You’ll be killing Chamra gods in no time!”  Lotto looks down, smiling enthusiastically into the fishbowl.  The fish stares back at her, and Lotto feels a slight uneasiness as the fish appears to frown – a facial expression that fish are generally not known for.

“OK everyone, grab what you need, and lets get out of here before Mr Invincible decides he wants to finish us off for good,” Sahrim takes charge, being the party’s senior member.  “We’ll probably find Mr Bright back at Glantri city, I think he copped a bit of punishment in there too.”

“So what are we gonna’ do with these plans we found?  Are they important?” Phoebe pipes in, trying to bring the focus back to the mission.

“Look Phoebe, I really don’t think we should worry about that right now,” Sahrim commands, “Our new mission is to get ourselves back to safety, and try to restore our fallen companions.  The natural law will take care of everything else.  We’ve done the best we could, and that’s all.  We weren’t able to defeat the Master, and that’s just the way it is.”

“You know what Druids are like,” Dressla whispers to Phoebe, “I think I’ll keep them, just in case.”

 

The party begins the long journey back to your homeland.  Lotto is able to sustain the party with her food and water, and apart from a few scary nights in the mountain pass, the group of adventurers manage to return safely to Darokin.

The return journey is a time for much reflection and discussion of what went wrong.  The party comes to the conclusion that sometimes you can do your best, but your best just isn’t good enough.  Adventuring is a hard life.  There is the promise of much fame and fortune, but it also carries enormous risk.  Although children see it as a glamorous and exciting life, the reality is one of utter frustration and despair.

“My days of Chamra god-killing are over man,” Arnie, thankful to be back in his own body, says to Vandross, “This is just bullshit.  I think I’m gonna get into teaching.  Maybe settle down.  That Elven chick I’ve been chasing, y’know, maybe she can come and find ME someday.  But I’m not holding my breath.  There’s plenty of other fish in the sea.  I should know!”

“Yeah man, I’ve been thinking of giving this up for ages now.  I think I want to just go back and patch things up with my family.  Maybe I can get some work as a knife thrower or acrobat, something a bit more sedate,” Vandross replies.

“Well, you’ll die of old age pretty soon, so don’t waste too much time,” Arnie jumps in, ”Do what you think you need to do.  I’ll be around for years yet, unless I get eaten by some hairy monster, so I think I’m gonna enjoy life for a while.”

“Well,” says Sahrim, “It’s been great adventuring with you guys.  I think I’ll miss seeing you two work together – I mean, as far as frontline fighting goes, you guys were poetry in motion.  But, there’s a higher need that I must serve too.  You must understand that we Druids must endeavour to maintain a balance between all things.  You may not agree with my philosophy, but I hope you can respect me.  Maybe we can get together sometime and talk about our old adventuring days?”

Sahrim’s suggestion meets with much approval throughout the remainder of the party.  Lotto looks fondly over her companions, who have fought bravely next to her on many occasions, and a tear comes to her eye.

“Oh please!” says Phoebe, still bristling with youthful energy, “You guys are making me sick!  I dunno about the rest of these dead guys, but big Mr Master baddie don’t scare me!  I kick butt!”

“Stick with me honey and we’ll go places,” Dressla quips.

“Lotto,” Phoebe looks quizzically at the Tymoran cleric, “Is it possible to get any of these guys fixed?  I mean, I know they’re pretty broken, but can you fix them?”

“We’ll see,” Lotto sighs, “If Tymora wills it to be so, then it shall be done.”

 

After recuperating in his hometown of Glantri city, Chris Bright books a flight to Darokin to discuss the future with his old comrades.  He flies in just as they are arriving back from their journey across Lake Amsorak to Darokin city.

“So should we go back to that inn where you guys used to score all those cool adventures from?”

“NOOOOOO!!!!” is chorus from the veterans.

 

A conference room in a nearby tavern is available, and is secured with a few silver for the afternoon.  A survey of the recovered treasure lifts the spirits somewhat.  Well, maybe not the spirits of the charcoal carcasses, but at least the surviving party members have a feeling of security for the next few months.

 

“Well we did OK in the gems department,” Arnie says, sorting them into coloured piles, “Yeah baby I like the look of that!”

“This necklace is fantastic!” Lotto holds it up to her chest and models it for the party.

“It will be interesting to see what’s in these potion bottles,” says Christopher, “Drinks are on me!”

 

A sense of despair is shared by all at the table, despite the wealth displayed in front of them.  The party is still irked by the lack of closure of this part of their lives together.  Having time to reflect on the last few months however, they feel their experience has grown.  Although there is a feeling that more could have been gained from this recent adventure, it is definitely an experience that none will soon forget.

 

Lotto : 10 701 xp

Phoebe:    (f) 5 369 xp ; (t) 5 329 xp

Sahrim: 10 346 xp

 

Taran (if alive):    9 116 xp

Arnie:    8 639 xp

Chris:    7 046 xp

 

Panda (if alive):   (f) 2120 xp ; (m) 2320 xp ; (t) 2320 xp

Alfred (if alive):   6 079 xp

Dressla:    5 171 xp

 

<Simon> (if alive):   4 088 xp

Vandross:     557 xp

 

Total:   79 201 xp

 

“Well if I hang around with you saps any longer, I’ll puke.  So I’m off to take care of business. Dressla?  You coming?” Phoebe stands up becomes much shorter.

“Hell yeah,” Dressla squints around the room, “Oh there you are! OK let’s rock!”

 

Phoebe and Dressla, still weary from the months they have spent travelling and barely escaping death at every turn, stumble towards the barracks of the local allied commanders.  A quick word at the gates allows them passage through to the building inside the high iron fence.  Allied forces patrol the grounds and scrutinise every move, but the information carried by the latest interlopers is instantly recognised as being of importance to the campaign against the Master.

 

Passers by stop to watch as the guards hustle into activity.  Within moments, guards are doubled at every post within and around the military complex.  Doors are bolted shut, and windows are sealed.

 

An uneasy quiet surrounds the camp for the next three hours.  As the sky turns orange, and the cool of the evening begins to settle, a lone messenger breaks the silence as he runs towards the council building.  The young man speeds towards his destination, and onlookers are struck with a feeling that either the war is going to take a turn for the worst, or that they will soon be a part of an historic victory.  Already, family members in regional areas have been evacuated to the major cities out of concern for their lives.  The people of Darokin have been living in fear for months, knowing that any day could be the day of the invasion of their own homes by the Masters forces.

 

Early in the following morning, long before the bakers rise to light their ovens, messengers on thoroughbreds with heavily armed escorts speed off towards the frontlines.  The morning news travels quickly thoughout Darokin.  The evil army had been planning secret raids on key areas of Darokin.  Allied intelligence was gave the Darokin army the initiative, and allowed them to set a trap for the Masters sorties.  The evil forces were crushed, and allied casualties were minimal.

 

The next few weeks returns more stories of success from the frontline: mountain passes secured; enemy camps uncovered and destroyed; and the evil army being routed on every battlefield.  Soldiers begin returning home with news of the Masters forces being hampered by internal disputes and power struggles following massive losses, resulting in rock bottom troop morale and fighting strength.

 

How did the allied forces turn the tables on the Master so quickly?  Intelligence.  Thanks to a small group of fearless secret agents, the allied forces have been able to pre-empt almost every move that the evil army would make.

 

Although the identity of the secret agents is never to be revealed, there are a few Darokininan ex-adventurers who think they know the truth.

 

Primary objective met – 80 000 xp bonus

 

Phoebe:   (f) 10 000 xp ; (t) 10 000 xp

Dressla:   20 000 xp

 

40 000 xp to be split between surviving / resurrected party members

 

Phoebe & Dressla also earn 1000gp per year pension from the Darokinian government and tax exemptions from all allied countries.

The Legend of Whiskey Rumkeg

Missing, and misunderstood.

Or was that his plan all along?

Living in the shadow of an infamous close relation is never easy. Whiskey was never really trusted - noone was ever sure if his "reconnaissance" missions yielded everything that he told them about.

And when he disappeared into the swamp, some breathed a slightly-guilty sigh of relief.

Who was Whiskey Rumkeg though, really?

---

What other characters have we had over time that may have disappeared, or died in mysterious circumstances?

And has there been any characters that may have had a secret history, or perhaps a destiny, that went unknown and unfulfilled?

TheDM.