CR 571 September 1st to 20th
GM Notes: The busy month of September kicks off and we start to have games overlapping from multiple sources. September by itself is roughly half the size of everything I've post as far as the recaps go. 569 through August of 571 was 45 pages long at my font size. September was 23 pages alone. Give its size, I split September into two parts. The First 20 days are below.
September 2nd –
(The Frontier) After a week's preparation, the Seekers depart for the ruined city of Mesilva. (TF#81)
September 7th -
(Argent's Adventures) Lady Jallarzi Sallavarian teleports Argent to Lord Sharadin's home in Gateway. Lord Sharadin is putting together an expedition based on information obtained during the aftermath of the Siege of Gateway. Lady Sallavarian 'volunteered' Argent for this mission to get her out in the world. Back in Gateway, Argent meets Sherry and Terry and Lord Sharadin once more. She was here about a year and a half ago while attempting to become an apprentice. Argent is disappointed to learn that both of Lord Sharadin's apprentices have gone off to adventure. Also present at the manor house is one Lord Armon Flamehilt. Lord Flamehilt has been selected as the leader of this expedition. Schar of Azrella is also present, as Lord Sharadin asked to have a healing priest along on the mission from Selinda of Azrella. That evening they all share a fine dinner at the estate that Argent helps cook. Over the meal Lord Sharadin explains the purpose of the mission.
Intelligence found on the foul Priests of Hextor indicated that they had sent an expedition to locate Karn's Keep and find the Sword of Doom. The historical details are sketchy, but what Lord Sharadin was confident in was that Lord Karn was a lieutenant of the Archmage Keln, the former ruler of the Keln Imperium. Lord Karn was given the Sword of Doom and with it performed many successful missions for Keln. It is known that Karn was based in a vast fortress somewhere to the north and west. In the early days of the war, an adventuring party was sent to Karn's Keep and they conquered the fortress, killing Karn in the process. But the Sword of Doom was not found. It is said that the adventurers continued to search for it but were never heard from again. Whatever the truth of the situation was, the possibility of the Sword of Doom falling into the hands of the Priests of Hextor must not be allowed.
To that end an adventuring party was being put together. Lord Flamehilt would be the head of the party. He was a warrior who had participated in the liberation of Gateway less than two years ago while the squire of Sir Justin Moore. Other adventurers had been recruited by General Logan's right-hand man, Captain Shea and still others by Lord Sharadin's nephew, Lord Sherwood. The rest of the group would arrive over the next few days. Lord Sharadin gives Argent a packet of information to study about the quest to find the Sword of Doom. Fortunately, there is a old road that runs from Gateway to Karn's Keep, but the majority of it is through wild and uncontrolled lands. There are several outposts along the way, but only the first few are controlled by Cynalon. (AA)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Argent and Schar.
GM Notes: While I didn't make that many changes to how The Frontier unfolded, I went whole hog with Sword of Doom. Given just how everything had played out over the years, having Lord Sharadin simply give a mission to a bunch of random people didn't make a great deal of sense. So a great deal more thought was put into it this time. This was when Jallarzi kicked Argent out and into the world. Lord Flamehilt was added to the early stuff in Gateway making his ties stronger. The first few Sword of Doom posts was filled with trying to decide who would lead and I just skipped that drama. Likewise, there were many people who signed up for the game who either never posted or posted only a few times. I simply just removed most of them to streamline things. The Argent's Adventures stories would re-tell the Sword of Doom game down the line.
CR 571 September 1st to 20th
CR 571 September 1st to 20th
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 September 1st to 20th
September 8th -
(The Frontier) The Seekers encounter a giant porcupine on the way to the ruins of Mesilva. (TF#81-82)
September 9th -
(Sword of Doom) The other adventurers arrive at Lord Sharadin's house. Once they are all present, Lord Sharadin outlines the quest to the newcomers. Captain Shea arrives to set up the adventurers account with the Crown. After some discussion the adventurers settle on the name of the Company of the Sword for their group. They are awarded an abandoned mansion to use as a base of operations in Gateway, but don't bother to do anything with it at this time. They decided to accept caravan guard duty for a caravan leaving in two days for Gerald's Fort, the most distant Cynalon controlled outpost on the way to Karn's Keep. The group's mages agree to an open spell book policy and share spells among themselves. (SoD#1-4)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Eliza, Jonathon, Merri, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan and some cannon fodder.
GM Notes: Argent's Adventures will go into all of this in greater detail. When or even if I get there, the roster of the group will be more specific. You always need some folks to kill off!
September 10th -
(Sword of Doom) Horses and supplies are purchased for the Company. (SoD#3-4)
September 11th -
(Sword of Doom) The Company departs Gateway riding along with a 30-wagon caravan bound for Gerald's Fort. They are traveling on the Karrak Road that leads north into the dwarven lands and ends at Fortress of Karrak. Trevor is the caravan master and Argent and Lord Flamehilt remember him for their visits to Gateway before. Late that afternoon they reach Camp Carrington, a caravan stop over. (SoD#4-5)
September 12th –
(Sword of Doom) Trevor's caravan leaves Camp Carrington and reaches Trell's Garrison. (SoD#5)
GM Notes: These are the places to rest one day apart going to the north of Gateway I mentioned earlier.
(New Frontiers) Baron Relon Vanarkus is unexpectedly poisoned by drinking a fresh bottle of wine delivered by his friend Lord Taron Cavius. Baroness Lysandra Vanarkus starts to send a messenger to the Sallavarian Estate for aid, when Jallarzi appears at the Castle along with Elspeth of Azrella. Elspeth had a vision showing that Baron Relon was going to be attacked in some manner and that she and Jallarzi needed to go to Pyris immediately. (NFV#1)
GM Notes: Above is setting up the behind the scenes events that led to the New Frontiers game. I did change it to Elspeth having another vision instead of summoning Jallarzi as that would have taken days and the Baron would have probably succumbed to the wine by then.
This is also the first mutli-game on the same day post. My criteria for how these are listed is the older games first followed by the newer ones. The exception being if one game leads into another one, then they are in the proper order. Just wait to you get 5 games happening on the same day!
September 13th -
(Sword of Doom) In the middle of the afternoon, a unit of hobgoblins attack the caravan the Company of the Sword is guarding. The hobgoblins are easily overcome and some are captured. Jonathon questions the prisoners about the Zombie Master and they say that he controls lands to the north, near Waypoint. The humanoids fear him. The dead are buried and the wounded healed. Trevor's Caravan continues onward and reaches Long's Wait, the next to last stop over before Gerald's Fort. (SoD#5-8)
(New Frontiers) After finally defeating the Hextorites in Whispering Hollow, Cereld begins the journey back to Gateway. Jason and Andara of Azrella remain in Whispering Hollow. (NF#104)
(The Frontier) The Seekers encounter a giant porcupine on the way to the ruins of Mesilva. (TF#81-82)
September 9th -
(Sword of Doom) The other adventurers arrive at Lord Sharadin's house. Once they are all present, Lord Sharadin outlines the quest to the newcomers. Captain Shea arrives to set up the adventurers account with the Crown. After some discussion the adventurers settle on the name of the Company of the Sword for their group. They are awarded an abandoned mansion to use as a base of operations in Gateway, but don't bother to do anything with it at this time. They decided to accept caravan guard duty for a caravan leaving in two days for Gerald's Fort, the most distant Cynalon controlled outpost on the way to Karn's Keep. The group's mages agree to an open spell book policy and share spells among themselves. (SoD#1-4)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Eliza, Jonathon, Merri, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan and some cannon fodder.
GM Notes: Argent's Adventures will go into all of this in greater detail. When or even if I get there, the roster of the group will be more specific. You always need some folks to kill off!
September 10th -
(Sword of Doom) Horses and supplies are purchased for the Company. (SoD#3-4)
September 11th -
(Sword of Doom) The Company departs Gateway riding along with a 30-wagon caravan bound for Gerald's Fort. They are traveling on the Karrak Road that leads north into the dwarven lands and ends at Fortress of Karrak. Trevor is the caravan master and Argent and Lord Flamehilt remember him for their visits to Gateway before. Late that afternoon they reach Camp Carrington, a caravan stop over. (SoD#4-5)
September 12th –
(Sword of Doom) Trevor's caravan leaves Camp Carrington and reaches Trell's Garrison. (SoD#5)
GM Notes: These are the places to rest one day apart going to the north of Gateway I mentioned earlier.
(New Frontiers) Baron Relon Vanarkus is unexpectedly poisoned by drinking a fresh bottle of wine delivered by his friend Lord Taron Cavius. Baroness Lysandra Vanarkus starts to send a messenger to the Sallavarian Estate for aid, when Jallarzi appears at the Castle along with Elspeth of Azrella. Elspeth had a vision showing that Baron Relon was going to be attacked in some manner and that she and Jallarzi needed to go to Pyris immediately. (NFV#1)
GM Notes: Above is setting up the behind the scenes events that led to the New Frontiers game. I did change it to Elspeth having another vision instead of summoning Jallarzi as that would have taken days and the Baron would have probably succumbed to the wine by then.
This is also the first mutli-game on the same day post. My criteria for how these are listed is the older games first followed by the newer ones. The exception being if one game leads into another one, then they are in the proper order. Just wait to you get 5 games happening on the same day!
September 13th -
(Sword of Doom) In the middle of the afternoon, a unit of hobgoblins attack the caravan the Company of the Sword is guarding. The hobgoblins are easily overcome and some are captured. Jonathon questions the prisoners about the Zombie Master and they say that he controls lands to the north, near Waypoint. The humanoids fear him. The dead are buried and the wounded healed. Trevor's Caravan continues onward and reaches Long's Wait, the next to last stop over before Gerald's Fort. (SoD#5-8)
(New Frontiers) After finally defeating the Hextorites in Whispering Hollow, Cereld begins the journey back to Gateway. Jason and Andara of Azrella remain in Whispering Hollow. (NF#104)
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 September 1st to 20th
September 14th –
(The Frontier) Zynara feels sick during the morning. Later in the day, the Seekers are attacked by landsharks. The monsters eat Blod's horse and one of the mules. Part of the monsters are taken and the Seekers ride on. (TF#82-84)
(Sword of Doom) After another long day of riding, the Company reaches Gerald's Fort, the destination of Trevor's caravan. Jonathon reveals his connection to the Zombie Master. The Zombie Master's zombies destroyed his home village many years ago and he was one of the few survivors. Jon swore vengeance and took up the study of necromancy to better understand his enemy. (SoD#8-9)
GM Notes: While it was not intentional, Jonathon and Ivy have basically the same background. Home village destroyed by undead. While the idea for the Zombie Master was part of The Frontier, I didn't actually get to use him until the Sword of Doom game.
September 15th -
(Sword of Doom) The Company departs Gerald's Fort, continuing to ride north along the Karrak Road. At the end of the day, they come to a fork in the road. The western fork continues north and into Rockhome. The eastern fork goes in a northeasterly direction and the Company's eventual destination of Karn's Keep. The ruins of a caravan stop are here, but they are abandoned. (SoD#9)
(New Frontiers) Lady Jallarzi Sallavarian contacts her cousin Lord Sherwood Sculley in regards to the attack on Baron Relon Vanarkus. They talk and decide upon a course of action. A man named Lothar delivered the wine to Pyris Castle. The name is familiar to Sherwood as Lothar has ties to the banditry in the area. Lord Sherwood will start to recruit adventurers to go after Lothar and find out what this is all about. Jallarzi will impersonate the Baron in an attempt to draw any other assassins out. (NFV#1)
September 16th -
(Sword of Doom) Early in the afternoon, the road forks once more for the Company of the Sword. The main track continues to the northeast, while the other heads north. The northern track is darker and seemingly less traveled. The Company heads to the north, believing that it will lead them to the Zombie Master. As they ride further along, the forest around them becomes dark and twisted. A walled compound is spotted up ahead, but as the Company gets closer to it the deformed trees seem to reach for them! Schar manages to turn the undead trees and the Company reaches the compound. The front gates silently open and the Company rides inside. Beyond the gates is a large courtyard. There is a stable, a corral for mounts and a water fountain. A set of double doors lead deeper into the compound and statues of Ehlonna are on both sides of it. The inner compound has a series of huts ringing the outside and an altar dedicated to Ehlonna. Several stately elms grow here. The Company slowly moves forward and several animals come out to greet them. These include two wolves and their pups and a black bear. An ancient elfin Priestess of Ehlonna comes forth to greet the group. She was aware of the Company's impending arrival and has items to help them battle the Zombie Master. The Priestess says that the Zombie Master uses a nearby graveyard as his base of operations. The gear given to the group by the priestess is handed out and an evening meal shared. The Company settles in for the night. (SoD#9-13)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sherwood Sculley teleports to his uncles home in Gateway and reports the incident with Baron Vanarkus. He then travels to the Seekers mansion and finds that the Seekers are away on a mission. He slides a note for Lord Vanarkus underneath the nobleman's door. From there Lord Sherwood teleports to Ainsun, the home of the Clan Grunalf in the Elfholds. There he recruits Lilia and Laucian of Ehlonna. Sherwood leaves a note for Lord Acerion, having missed the man himself, in Alexandria. (NFV#1, NFA#1)
GM Notes: There were actually two different New Frontiers #1 and #2 posts. There was one for Validar himself, and a different one for the Adventurers. Hence the NFV and NFA designations. They merged with the third post.
(The Frontier) Zynara feels sick during the morning. Later in the day, the Seekers are attacked by landsharks. The monsters eat Blod's horse and one of the mules. Part of the monsters are taken and the Seekers ride on. (TF#82-84)
(Sword of Doom) After another long day of riding, the Company reaches Gerald's Fort, the destination of Trevor's caravan. Jonathon reveals his connection to the Zombie Master. The Zombie Master's zombies destroyed his home village many years ago and he was one of the few survivors. Jon swore vengeance and took up the study of necromancy to better understand his enemy. (SoD#8-9)
GM Notes: While it was not intentional, Jonathon and Ivy have basically the same background. Home village destroyed by undead. While the idea for the Zombie Master was part of The Frontier, I didn't actually get to use him until the Sword of Doom game.
September 15th -
(Sword of Doom) The Company departs Gerald's Fort, continuing to ride north along the Karrak Road. At the end of the day, they come to a fork in the road. The western fork continues north and into Rockhome. The eastern fork goes in a northeasterly direction and the Company's eventual destination of Karn's Keep. The ruins of a caravan stop are here, but they are abandoned. (SoD#9)
(New Frontiers) Lady Jallarzi Sallavarian contacts her cousin Lord Sherwood Sculley in regards to the attack on Baron Relon Vanarkus. They talk and decide upon a course of action. A man named Lothar delivered the wine to Pyris Castle. The name is familiar to Sherwood as Lothar has ties to the banditry in the area. Lord Sherwood will start to recruit adventurers to go after Lothar and find out what this is all about. Jallarzi will impersonate the Baron in an attempt to draw any other assassins out. (NFV#1)
September 16th -
(Sword of Doom) Early in the afternoon, the road forks once more for the Company of the Sword. The main track continues to the northeast, while the other heads north. The northern track is darker and seemingly less traveled. The Company heads to the north, believing that it will lead them to the Zombie Master. As they ride further along, the forest around them becomes dark and twisted. A walled compound is spotted up ahead, but as the Company gets closer to it the deformed trees seem to reach for them! Schar manages to turn the undead trees and the Company reaches the compound. The front gates silently open and the Company rides inside. Beyond the gates is a large courtyard. There is a stable, a corral for mounts and a water fountain. A set of double doors lead deeper into the compound and statues of Ehlonna are on both sides of it. The inner compound has a series of huts ringing the outside and an altar dedicated to Ehlonna. Several stately elms grow here. The Company slowly moves forward and several animals come out to greet them. These include two wolves and their pups and a black bear. An ancient elfin Priestess of Ehlonna comes forth to greet the group. She was aware of the Company's impending arrival and has items to help them battle the Zombie Master. The Priestess says that the Zombie Master uses a nearby graveyard as his base of operations. The gear given to the group by the priestess is handed out and an evening meal shared. The Company settles in for the night. (SoD#9-13)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sherwood Sculley teleports to his uncles home in Gateway and reports the incident with Baron Vanarkus. He then travels to the Seekers mansion and finds that the Seekers are away on a mission. He slides a note for Lord Vanarkus underneath the nobleman's door. From there Lord Sherwood teleports to Ainsun, the home of the Clan Grunalf in the Elfholds. There he recruits Lilia and Laucian of Ehlonna. Sherwood leaves a note for Lord Acerion, having missed the man himself, in Alexandria. (NFV#1, NFA#1)
GM Notes: There were actually two different New Frontiers #1 and #2 posts. There was one for Validar himself, and a different one for the Adventurers. Hence the NFV and NFA designations. They merged with the third post.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 September 1st to 20th
September 17th –
(Sword of Doom) Arathnasis and Perrel are sent out to scout the Graveyard. They ride fast and get past the deformed trees easily. The graveyard consists of one large mausoleum in the middle with innumerable graves all around it. The graveyard is square in shape and there is an entrance on each side. Zombies begin to come shuffling out of the mausoleum as the riders get close. Spurring their horses on, the scouts return to Ehlonna's sanctuary. A plan of attack is ironed out and the Company departs for the graveyard. The Company splits into three groups once at the graveyard. Each approaches the mausoleum from a different path. As they get closer, the zombies start to come out once more. However, many more zombies begin to pull themselves out of the graves surrounding the mausoleum! The Company tries to fight the zombie horde, but ends up wounded and withdraws. They return to Ehlonna's Sanctuary to rest and heal. A new plan is hatched to try tomorrow. (SoD#13-16)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sherwood recruits Grondar of Berronar Truesilver and Chareos, a former apprentice of Lord Sharadin, in Nemiston. Then he teleports to Elcadan to recruit Kylie Lanthorn, Sherra, and Ivy of Azrella. (NFA#1)
September 18th –
(The Frontier) Seekers reach the ruins of Mesilva. The ruins are deserted, as the slaves departed weeks ago. Scavengers have reduced the corpse of Woodstalker to bones. Zynara realizes that she is pregnant. The stone door is reached and the mages use magic to try and open it. Several spells are used and attempts fail, but finally the doors are opened, however a demon appears. The demon falls after a terrific battle, but Thengor, Thundron and Starkin are killed by it. Continuing on into the cave, the Seekers discover a second formation of pillars like the ones underneath Gateway. The pillars are covered in Elder runes and state that 'magic is the key'. Padraig believes that these pillars are linked to the ones underneath Gateway. Another passage leads to a shaft going down into darkness. Padraig covers the opening with a Wall of Stone which Finrod breaks through soon after as the group decides to explore down the shaft. The Seekers find more tunnels down below and before long they come across an undead beholder. The undead monster is easy killed, but during the battle Finrod cast a Haste Spell and unknowingly it affected Zynara. She rapidly aged one year and give birth to a son they name Ross. With this new development, the Seekers go back up the shaft and Padraig tests out his theory to see if the pillars are a teleportation grid. Vonte went off to bury Thundron and Starkin's bodies but never returned. Pad casts a spell on the pillar going to Gateway and vanishes. Hours pass and he has yet to return. Most of the Seekers retire to the paradise realm to relax and recover. Finrod, Omni and Claudius wait outside for Padraig to come back. Back in Gateway, Pad sets off the alarms that Lord Sharadin put into place. Omni and Claudius follow shortly afterwards and trigger the alarms that Sharadin just replaced, much to the annoyance of the Archmage. (TF#84-91)
Roster of the Seekers: Validar (PL), Arocken, Bernice, Blod, Claudius, Finrod, Mercy, Omni Tuens, Padraig, Stephanie, and Zynara.
(Sword of Doom) Returning to the graveyard, Schar casts Invisibility to Undead on Perrel and armed with the Company's oil, he goes forth to create a fire trap. The spell fades out right as Perrel finishes pouring the oil. The zombies come forth once more, but this time the Company stands as one group. They lure the zombies into the fire trap and it is ignited. Over sixty zombies approach the Company and over half of them fall to the fire trap. The priests turn more of the zombies and what remains fall to the Company's swords and bows. Continuing on, the Company enters the mausoleum. In the center of the mausoleum is a stone coffin dedicated to a “Thaddeus the First”. The lid to the coffin is pushed aside and the zombie inside the coffin is turned. The bottom is easily turned aside and stairs going down are found. The Company goes down the stairs and at the bottom they trigger a Skull Watch spell which sends out a screeching alarm. From side passages, zombie hill giants come forth from the alarm. The Company engages the giant zombies. Several are turned and wander off, while others are slain. Merri is killed by a hill giant zombie. Before the last giant can be engaged another skull comes flying in and this one talks! The skull demands, “Who are you to invade my lair? What do you want? Speak quickly or my guards shall destroy you!” Lord Flamehilt and Jonathon respond and the skull indicates that the Company would make good zombies. Spells are cast at the skull, but they don't seem to damage it. The skull then runs down some spells to cast and settles on Cloudkill, as it won't do too much damage to the bodies. Omni shatters the skull and a voice calls out “that was an act of aggression!”. The Company tries to withdraw, but bugbear zombies start to come down the stairs. A sickly yellowish-green fog blows in towards the stairs. The bugbear zombies are turned, but the process of moving back up the stairs took too long and Perrel an Arathnasis are covered by the sickly looking fog. However, it does them no harm at all. Argent theorizes that it was just a Wall of Fog and not a Cloudkill. Perrel is enraged by this trick and rushes after the Zombie Master and finds the villain. The Zombie Master then tags Perrel with a Magic Missile spell and puts him down. The Zombie Master then vanishes. Schar and Arathnasis arrive on the scene and Schar heals Perrel. Perrel continues the search for the Zombie Master and the reset of the Company joins him. While the Company is deciding its next move, a figure in studded leather comes warily down the stairs. He is enraged at the condition of the forest around the graveyard. The Company explains that the Zombie Master is behind all of this. The stranger introduces himself as Crandor and joins the Company in their fight against the Zombie Master. Continuing on, the Company finds a small temple dedicated to Orcus, the foul God of the Undead. The Zombie Master is present and casts a Lightning Bolt towards the group. Spells are cast that the Zombie Master and the warriors rush him. The Sunburst scroll is used and numerous zombies hidden in the temple are destroyed. Badly wounded, the Zombie Master flees through a secret door. The Company follows and catches up to him and end the villains life. The altar to Orcus is destroyed and the group searches the Zombie Master's lair. With it now late in the day, the Company sets up camp for the night. (SoD#17-27)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Crandor, Eliza, Jonathon, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan.
(Sword of Doom) Arathnasis and Perrel are sent out to scout the Graveyard. They ride fast and get past the deformed trees easily. The graveyard consists of one large mausoleum in the middle with innumerable graves all around it. The graveyard is square in shape and there is an entrance on each side. Zombies begin to come shuffling out of the mausoleum as the riders get close. Spurring their horses on, the scouts return to Ehlonna's sanctuary. A plan of attack is ironed out and the Company departs for the graveyard. The Company splits into three groups once at the graveyard. Each approaches the mausoleum from a different path. As they get closer, the zombies start to come out once more. However, many more zombies begin to pull themselves out of the graves surrounding the mausoleum! The Company tries to fight the zombie horde, but ends up wounded and withdraws. They return to Ehlonna's Sanctuary to rest and heal. A new plan is hatched to try tomorrow. (SoD#13-16)
(New Frontiers) Lord Sherwood recruits Grondar of Berronar Truesilver and Chareos, a former apprentice of Lord Sharadin, in Nemiston. Then he teleports to Elcadan to recruit Kylie Lanthorn, Sherra, and Ivy of Azrella. (NFA#1)
September 18th –
(The Frontier) Seekers reach the ruins of Mesilva. The ruins are deserted, as the slaves departed weeks ago. Scavengers have reduced the corpse of Woodstalker to bones. Zynara realizes that she is pregnant. The stone door is reached and the mages use magic to try and open it. Several spells are used and attempts fail, but finally the doors are opened, however a demon appears. The demon falls after a terrific battle, but Thengor, Thundron and Starkin are killed by it. Continuing on into the cave, the Seekers discover a second formation of pillars like the ones underneath Gateway. The pillars are covered in Elder runes and state that 'magic is the key'. Padraig believes that these pillars are linked to the ones underneath Gateway. Another passage leads to a shaft going down into darkness. Padraig covers the opening with a Wall of Stone which Finrod breaks through soon after as the group decides to explore down the shaft. The Seekers find more tunnels down below and before long they come across an undead beholder. The undead monster is easy killed, but during the battle Finrod cast a Haste Spell and unknowingly it affected Zynara. She rapidly aged one year and give birth to a son they name Ross. With this new development, the Seekers go back up the shaft and Padraig tests out his theory to see if the pillars are a teleportation grid. Vonte went off to bury Thundron and Starkin's bodies but never returned. Pad casts a spell on the pillar going to Gateway and vanishes. Hours pass and he has yet to return. Most of the Seekers retire to the paradise realm to relax and recover. Finrod, Omni and Claudius wait outside for Padraig to come back. Back in Gateway, Pad sets off the alarms that Lord Sharadin put into place. Omni and Claudius follow shortly afterwards and trigger the alarms that Sharadin just replaced, much to the annoyance of the Archmage. (TF#84-91)
Roster of the Seekers: Validar (PL), Arocken, Bernice, Blod, Claudius, Finrod, Mercy, Omni Tuens, Padraig, Stephanie, and Zynara.
(Sword of Doom) Returning to the graveyard, Schar casts Invisibility to Undead on Perrel and armed with the Company's oil, he goes forth to create a fire trap. The spell fades out right as Perrel finishes pouring the oil. The zombies come forth once more, but this time the Company stands as one group. They lure the zombies into the fire trap and it is ignited. Over sixty zombies approach the Company and over half of them fall to the fire trap. The priests turn more of the zombies and what remains fall to the Company's swords and bows. Continuing on, the Company enters the mausoleum. In the center of the mausoleum is a stone coffin dedicated to a “Thaddeus the First”. The lid to the coffin is pushed aside and the zombie inside the coffin is turned. The bottom is easily turned aside and stairs going down are found. The Company goes down the stairs and at the bottom they trigger a Skull Watch spell which sends out a screeching alarm. From side passages, zombie hill giants come forth from the alarm. The Company engages the giant zombies. Several are turned and wander off, while others are slain. Merri is killed by a hill giant zombie. Before the last giant can be engaged another skull comes flying in and this one talks! The skull demands, “Who are you to invade my lair? What do you want? Speak quickly or my guards shall destroy you!” Lord Flamehilt and Jonathon respond and the skull indicates that the Company would make good zombies. Spells are cast at the skull, but they don't seem to damage it. The skull then runs down some spells to cast and settles on Cloudkill, as it won't do too much damage to the bodies. Omni shatters the skull and a voice calls out “that was an act of aggression!”. The Company tries to withdraw, but bugbear zombies start to come down the stairs. A sickly yellowish-green fog blows in towards the stairs. The bugbear zombies are turned, but the process of moving back up the stairs took too long and Perrel an Arathnasis are covered by the sickly looking fog. However, it does them no harm at all. Argent theorizes that it was just a Wall of Fog and not a Cloudkill. Perrel is enraged by this trick and rushes after the Zombie Master and finds the villain. The Zombie Master then tags Perrel with a Magic Missile spell and puts him down. The Zombie Master then vanishes. Schar and Arathnasis arrive on the scene and Schar heals Perrel. Perrel continues the search for the Zombie Master and the reset of the Company joins him. While the Company is deciding its next move, a figure in studded leather comes warily down the stairs. He is enraged at the condition of the forest around the graveyard. The Company explains that the Zombie Master is behind all of this. The stranger introduces himself as Crandor and joins the Company in their fight against the Zombie Master. Continuing on, the Company finds a small temple dedicated to Orcus, the foul God of the Undead. The Zombie Master is present and casts a Lightning Bolt towards the group. Spells are cast that the Zombie Master and the warriors rush him. The Sunburst scroll is used and numerous zombies hidden in the temple are destroyed. Badly wounded, the Zombie Master flees through a secret door. The Company follows and catches up to him and end the villains life. The altar to Orcus is destroyed and the group searches the Zombie Master's lair. With it now late in the day, the Company sets up camp for the night. (SoD#17-27)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Crandor, Eliza, Jonathon, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan.
Try it and find out!
Re: CR 571 September 1st to 20th
September 19th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers relax in the pocket dimension. Zynara asks Stephanie to be Ross' godmother. Padraig scries Finrod for teleporting purposes and appears close to the elfin mercenary. Claudius and Omni do not return with him. They are back in Gateway getting the mansion ready for the arrival of Zynara and Ross. (TF#92)
(Sword of Doom) The Company continues to explore the Zombie Master's lair. A treasury is found including spell books. Lord Flamehilt has Crandor, Perrel and Schar travel to Waypoint to find out what to do about the base underneath their graveyard. While a second group carries the treasure found back to Ehlonna's Sanctuary. The remainder of the Company will stay at the Zombie Master's lair. The day passes quietly for those at the graveyard.
In the woods north of the graveyard, Crandor, Perrel, and Schar come across a small group of goblins with a prisoner. Crandor circles around while Perrel and Schar ride closer. Perrel casts a Hold Person on the goblins and Crandor slays the rest. The prisoner introduces himself as Mastiff. They learn that Waypoint is now held by goblins. Realizing that they now want to avoid it, the group returns to the graveyard while Crandor goes to scout out Waypoint.
Returning to Ehlonna's Temple, the high priestess thanks the group for what they had accomplished. She also says that Ehlonna has a reward for them and that all the Company needs to return here. Those at the temple relax and study new magicks. Late that night, all of the Company returns to Ehlonna's Temple for sleep. (SoD#27-30)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Crandor, Eliza, Jonathon, Mastiff, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan.
September 20th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers return from the pocket dimension after resting. It is decided to use the pillars to return Zynara, Ross, Blod and Mercy back to Gateway. They also decide to use the pillars to send the horses back to Gateway too, as they will just use the pillars to return once the explorations are complete. Padraig shrinks the mounts and then uses the pillars to take them back to Gateway. Padraig polymorphs his own horse and it falls over dead. Several hours later, Padraig returns to the Seekers in the company of Claudius.
Back in Gateway, Zynara and company find people waiting on their arrival. One of Lord Sharadin's daughters is present to identify the arrivals. A simple lift mechanism has been added to the well, allowing easier up and down transport. Once at the mansion, Selinda of Azrella visits and heals Zynara, restoring her to full health. Selinda announces that Ross is perfectly healthy. Captain Shea inquires if the Seekers have a report on just how the pillar formation works. Padraig arrives with the horses and then departs again with Claudius. Late that night, Omni notices a darkly dressed man near the Seekers Mansion. (TF#93-95)
(Sword of Doom) The Company rests at Ehlonna's Sanctuary. The magic items are identified and handed out. (SoD#30-31)
(The Frontier) The Seekers relax in the pocket dimension. Zynara asks Stephanie to be Ross' godmother. Padraig scries Finrod for teleporting purposes and appears close to the elfin mercenary. Claudius and Omni do not return with him. They are back in Gateway getting the mansion ready for the arrival of Zynara and Ross. (TF#92)
(Sword of Doom) The Company continues to explore the Zombie Master's lair. A treasury is found including spell books. Lord Flamehilt has Crandor, Perrel and Schar travel to Waypoint to find out what to do about the base underneath their graveyard. While a second group carries the treasure found back to Ehlonna's Sanctuary. The remainder of the Company will stay at the Zombie Master's lair. The day passes quietly for those at the graveyard.
In the woods north of the graveyard, Crandor, Perrel, and Schar come across a small group of goblins with a prisoner. Crandor circles around while Perrel and Schar ride closer. Perrel casts a Hold Person on the goblins and Crandor slays the rest. The prisoner introduces himself as Mastiff. They learn that Waypoint is now held by goblins. Realizing that they now want to avoid it, the group returns to the graveyard while Crandor goes to scout out Waypoint.
Returning to Ehlonna's Temple, the high priestess thanks the group for what they had accomplished. She also says that Ehlonna has a reward for them and that all the Company needs to return here. Those at the temple relax and study new magicks. Late that night, all of the Company returns to Ehlonna's Temple for sleep. (SoD#27-30)
Roster of the Company of the Sword: Lord Armon Flamehilt (PL), Arathnasis, Argent, Crandor, Eliza, Jonathon, Mastiff, Perrel, Schar, Selarin and Tristan.
September 20th –
(The Frontier) The Seekers return from the pocket dimension after resting. It is decided to use the pillars to return Zynara, Ross, Blod and Mercy back to Gateway. They also decide to use the pillars to send the horses back to Gateway too, as they will just use the pillars to return once the explorations are complete. Padraig shrinks the mounts and then uses the pillars to take them back to Gateway. Padraig polymorphs his own horse and it falls over dead. Several hours later, Padraig returns to the Seekers in the company of Claudius.
Back in Gateway, Zynara and company find people waiting on their arrival. One of Lord Sharadin's daughters is present to identify the arrivals. A simple lift mechanism has been added to the well, allowing easier up and down transport. Once at the mansion, Selinda of Azrella visits and heals Zynara, restoring her to full health. Selinda announces that Ross is perfectly healthy. Captain Shea inquires if the Seekers have a report on just how the pillar formation works. Padraig arrives with the horses and then departs again with Claudius. Late that night, Omni notices a darkly dressed man near the Seekers Mansion. (TF#93-95)
(Sword of Doom) The Company rests at Ehlonna's Sanctuary. The magic items are identified and handed out. (SoD#30-31)
Try it and find out!