Mystara

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.

Iuz makes an appearance

Late on day 4 of the Temple investigation, you're back together. Resting, memorising, planning, and doing push-ups.

Looks like someone has come to find out what happened to Falrinth. A late night wandering wizard was caught short and found himself on the end of Arnie's sword.

Wizard: "Wall of Fie-yarr - ha HAAAAA!!!"

Arnie: pauses <shrug>

Wizard: "Huh? You just walked straight through my Wall of...." <gurgle>

Yeeup. Arnie's bad-ass.

Oh - and Sahrim - nice work on the Detect Poison. Yeah. That was a *good* idea. I mean we all know how much dwarves like to quaff poison BUT...

DAY 5

Ok. Here's the plan. We go in - front door - start punching guys in the face. Their friends come. We kill them. We kill their friends. We take their stuff. Don't talk to me about strategy son, *I* know strategy. I know heaps of it.

OR

We disguise someone as that wizard, who kinda looked important around here, and lure a few bad guys out, killing them swiftly and quietly. When we can see a hole in their defences, we conceal ourselves and sneak in, springing our trap on the unsuspecting guards.

We also take out one of their commanders in his sleep, go toe-to-toe with Iuz the Evil and a few minions for a couple of rounds just to see what he's made of, then organise a diversion whilst an agent of good planted deep inside the temple shows us to an escape route where we can re-group.

What will we use as a diversion? Easy. We just happen to have a beagle, who is actually a hydra, but who *thinks* he's a beagle. We dispel him back into a hydra, and make our grand escape.

Press "play" on that one!

---

Well as it turns out, plan B is the better one.

What next then?

The Guru has been recalling, slowly, parts of a poem that seems to relate to the Temple and the powers within.

Kella (your secret agent on the inside) has also told you about the existence of portals somewhere in the lower levels that lead to elemental planes. Although some lead directly to the plane - a potentially lethal environment - some lead to elemental "nodes". Although the nodes are no doubt hostile, they are potentially habitable, and may contain the secrets to eradicating the evil in the temple and surrounds.

But what about that mysterious part of level 3 that you know about but have struggled to access? What about those brass-bound doors? Have you missed something critical here, or are you best to leave it alone and come back to it?

You've suppressed the factional elements on the upper levels effectively, and even hurt the Greater Temple guard. But with Iuz on the prowl and god knows what else, how long will it be before new, stronger factions emerge from the seemingly endless supply of evil-doers passing through Nulb and the surrounding areas.

TheDM.

B-team Takes the Torture Chamber

Kazandra - or should we call her "Lacrisa"? - took charge of this one.

After something of a false start, those puzzled faces in the front line figured out what was what and bagged the torturer. Kazandra secured the bugbear assistant, along with the two orc prisoners.

The rescue list is a man-at-arms, taken in a raid with the two females. He tells you, when the pain of the dislocated joints settles down to a mere excruciating level, that he refused to join the temple followers, and he is sure that he was to become food for gnolls.

The girls confirm his story, and tell you they are country folk, and just want to get home. If they could be shown the way to the outside, they would be most grateful.

The turnkey wears chain mail, has a bronze ring with a triangular jet setting, and 23 gp in his purse. A quick search yields 4 gems hidden in his surcoat.

HP Boost

How do you increase your max hp's over the course of the campaign?

Wish?

Some other type of quest?

Any ideas for those that want to increase max hp's due to crappy rolls? Has this happened in any other game variations that we know? And if so, is it a bit munchkin or is it realistic enough to incorporate?

Level Frenzy!!!

Ever had a character tag along with a bunch of high levels, suck away their XP like a hungry hungry hippo, only to find that you've "bumped your head" at 1 below the next highest level?

The agony!

XP - one of the rarest commodities, more valuable than gold. What's more frightening than being killed, body lost? Being double level drained, that's what! Lose two levels in this game and you MAY AS WELL start again...

The proposed rule amendment is to the "training" optional rule that has been in place since the campaign started.

If you have time to spend out of the adventure - "downtime" as we call it - you can allocate some of that time to training for the next level threshold that you cross.

If you cross that xp amount during the adventure, then you will be able to level, so long as you have a safe place to meditate - an "extended rest" if you like (excuse the 4th ed. parlance).

You will need to spend the money on training also, just as you would normally.

This rule will be retrospective to a certain extent - if you currently have a character in the Temple, with potentially enough XP to level, AND you have enough "downtime" to spend, along with sufficient gold, then all you need now is an extended rest and you should be ready for new and improved challenges!

I should mention that the Temple challenges in the lower levels are now actually matched roughly to your levels. No more steam-rolling through with a strong front line and a flanking manouevre - this next phase is going to take tact, skill, diplomacy, and possibly a healthy dose of luck.

So if you have the opportunity to level, I'd say take it.

It could be your last.

It's all in a half day's work

That mysterious northern section of level 3 - that's what we'll do!

The triple chained brass doors sealed with soft metal, decorated with ominous runes that generated an alarming number of saves vs spells, stood firmly in your way.

But some other areas of level 3 beckoned.

It would be fair to say that the breakfast meeting called by the Hill Giant, his pet worg, the ogres and the bugbears of area 314, didn't go as well as they'd expected. It went the way of most meetings with top-heavy management, devolving into utter confusion. Well ok, there was a spell involved.

Someone must speak to the caterers about the amount of ice in the water also. Well ok maybe there was an Ice Storm involved.

So that meeting lasted about 2 minutes in total before all attendees had to be listed as "apologies".

Bursting through the rear access to area 302, the Troll watchman was quickly overcome. His 3 cohorts that were waiting outside didn't last long, with Sahrim's fire elemental and Pan's incendiary ball doing large amounts of fire damage early, and Ratso's battle-axe crew keeping the last one down until the fireman arrived.

Pan really needs to work on his aim with that ball though - with two casualties to friendly fire (the glaive wielding bugbears).

Two strange creatures in 307 were swiftly dealt with, and a sense of complacency set in soon after.

This was rudely interrupted by the sight of a dead elf in 326 - and before anyone could recover after a sharp intake of breath, the sight of a hideous banshee turned most of the party away.

Pan and Sahrim held their ground, and braced for the wail of the banshee...

Save versus death magic...

Pan - saves - not dead.

Sahrim...

...rolls a 5...

...and it's a save!

The bear was on hand, after also making the saves, and quickly moved in for a vicious claw, bite and bear-hug - and sent the banshee back to hell.

The revised roster now includes only 2 of Ratso's personal guard, 11/18 and 2/15 for the glaive-guisarme wielders.

Only 4 of his Air Temple battle axe buddies remain: 17/19, 16/16, 14/14, 13/13.

I think the only area remaining on level 3 (apart from the mysterious northern section) is the north-east corner, 321-324, and maybe 328).

You might consider further exploration down to level 4 - will this level reveal some more secrets? A way of overcoming those brass bound doors? For certain you will want to be at maximum strength, and have as much intel as possible. Level 4 will be a challenging level, even for your trusty A-team. You have managed to hit a weakspot of level 3 at full strength, and round up a solid fighting force to take care of the upper levels.

If level 4 are on alert, your task will be much harder.

If you haven't quite got the message yet...level 4 will be HARD. You've already had one save or die moment on level 3, so don't think that there won't be more to come, from traps and monsters alike. You've come this far...don't f*#k it up now!

But rest assured the rewards will be there for the taking...the haul on offer will be Monty with capital M. You just have to find it, and take it!

Juniors take lunch on day 4

Well...it's been quite a morning.

The Guru and Dwervyn have shown initiative and leadership, and have been well supported by up-and-comer priestess Kazandra. Titan has had his usual devastating impact, and Lysander has had the closest of shaves to see another day. Elzix and Bridget have been wisely keeping well clear of the front ranks, survival instincts in this hostile environment being primary.

Mugwort has shown courage and loyalty, but has lost his faithful bugbear crew, and has only what remains of the Air Temple crew that he talked around. Sven has been on hand to sing a lively tune and rally the troops.

Air Temple Bugbears: 2, 3 hp's.

Brian + 2 Gnolls - 8/9, 13/13, and 6/6 hp's + 1 Hobgoblin 1/8 hp.

River Sailor - 0 lvl - 6/6 hp + 4 Men-at-Arms - 0 lvl - 4 hp each. Each can be kitted with Chain Mail + longsword/javelin quite easily.

You have now set free 2 merchants and 3 servants from 114.

You are suitably attired in brown surcoats, and one might be forgiven for thinking you are now the replacements for the Earth Temple followers.

Next on your agenda is 147, 150, 151. You might like to nominate if there are split groups, who is where, and what path you will take to get to your destinations.

QUAN!!!!!

To take us all back to that fateful round...

 

 ... An attack was launched on the party while they were searching an Earth Temple priest's quarters.  A wave of swordsmen, lead by a cleric had burst in on them.  Lysander had instantly dropped the glass of brandy he was drinking (quite a nice drop), and whirled his trident up to face the attackers.  The rest of the party formed up, and the attackers were soon repelled and fled.  Several of our heroes, including Lysander pursued, hoping try and stop the cleric leader. 

 

Charging headlong after anybody really isn't Lysander's style, and he didn't feel right about it now.  But, they had easily countered the cleric and bested the swordsmen, so he supressed the pang of doubt and tried to press the advantage. 

 

However it appears they may have been lead into a trap.  Before long another wave of swordsmen had fell upon the group, and a disorganised melee had erupted.  The party held their own long enough for the trailing members to catch up and join the fray, and things seemed to be going well, considering.

 

Specifically, Lysander had managed to inflict a vicious puncture to the abdomen of the swordsman he faced, and had turned to face a second.  He struck down this new opponent and then, clutching his side, the first had also fallen - his wound overcoming him.

 

And that's when it happened. Things were happening too fast, and something didn't feel right.  Suddenly time felt as viscous as molasses and Lysander felt his eyes begin to move to the right.  His head gradually began to turn as well and somewhere in amongst the clamour of battle a soft, out-of-place crackling could be heard.  Finally his body began to turn to the right as well, and his sight panned over the chaos of the skirmish: Dwervyn charging down the hallway toward the melee; Kazandra desperately blocking a slash with her shield, the Guru smashing his weapon into the groin of an off balance swordsman. A bright flash in his periphery, his head still turning, painstakingly slowly. 

 

And even as it comes into view, it doesn't register as danger right away.  It takes a moment, even within full, fearful effect in view now - speeding toward him, before Lysasnder thinks to move out of the way. 

 

He lunges left, or at least tries to.  He can have only moved mere inches before the stroke of lightening rips through him.  Out before he hits the floor, his body crumples, seemingly lifeless...

The Fair Temple Warriors Conquer Earth!!!

The first combat against the undead was disciplined and decisive. Both a front and rear attack, with a strong showing from the priests, ensured that your enemy was demoralised and on the back foot from the beginning.

A well-timed charm in your second sortie, and a strong front rank, ensured the run of success remained unbroken.

A rear attack on some Ogres, and a strongly presented holy symbol from the Guru, and your next set of enemies were on their way.

But in your fourth outing, although having found the rear entrance, discipline was lost.  Three easy wins on the trot had you believing your own hype, and with a couple of crafty spellcasters in the mix, the strong frontline couldn't be formed, and a chaotic melee ensued.

Not wanting to let the Curate of the Earth Elemental Temple get away, the junior team gave chase. You were met, however, by a rear-guard force with something special up their sleeve. As the men started to fall, thier leader (and now your prisoner) unleashed a mighty weapon of magic, which felled your comrade, Lysander.

(Well, at least that's how you remember this story for now!)

You have pursued Romag, and found him cowering in the Temple proper.  There was obviously something that has broken his spirit.

Now, having eliminated or taken over the Elemental factions, you still have some problems to overcome. You have unexplored areas which potentially still have both bad guys AND stuff to take. You have a fallen comrade. And the senior team have their own issues to resolve for the day before rejoining.

Treasure - starting with Romag and Hartsch, their commander and his lieutenant:

Chain mail - magic

Mace - magic

9pp 14gp 3ep

Jasper

Hartsch

Gold ring

Gold brooch with triangular jet

11gp 17pp

Cmndr

Bronze ring, triangular jet

Gold chain

35gp, 40pp

Lieutenant

Bronze ring, triangular jet

24 gp, 16 pp

This is for 136 and 137.  I break at this point to tell you that there is an iron chest in Romag's quarters, and a locked chest in the Commander's room. There is magic detected inside both.

I can give descriptions of these areas again if you wish.