GAME SESSION ONE
Our Party is hired by Alderman Eustace Thurmond to investigate a delayed carriage that is meant to deliver a package from Princess Rowena Griffonwyr.
The Party includes: Charles Danyell, a Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff); Fig Hustletree, a Halfling (Jason); Jeeroy Lenkins, a Fighter (Nick) [Dies, gets replaced by Geeboy Lenkins, Fighter]; Klee, an Elf (Roxi); Arlan, an Elf (Mina); Zaylene the Elf (Dana); Archibald, a Fighter (Jen); Sabrina, a Thief (Laura) [Dies, is replaced by Grumpy the Dwarf].
Our Heroes find the carriage has been attacked by Bandits, the Courier(s) and the Package taken. Our Heroes track the Bandits to the Ruins of Rybault, and battle the Bandit Chief, a Halfling called Badger.
MORE DETAILS:
We get captured by Bandits, except for Sabrina the Thief, who died. In the town jail we hooked up with Grumpy the Dwarf--possibly there looking for signs of his ancestor when he got caught by Bandits?
The Badger--a Halfling--came in and gloated. The Bandit Priest administered a couple of Cure Light Wounds (Which Archibald probably should have argued about). We don't discover this for a LONG time, but this Priest is actually Vander Cross, alchemist and Cleric of Hissek. After the badger and his men left, our Heroes were freed by Travis Highmire, who claimed to be a sort of Undercover Agent loyal to the Baron who had infiltrated the Bandits. He could not compromise his cover, so he wanted the Heroes to rescue the Princess.
They found some Wizard Stuff AND a small chest with the Royal Seal inside a Fenced in House.
Archibald, Arlan, and Klee explored the basement of a random house where they found a skeleton who had been sealed inside the wall. Before this poor fellow died, he scratched the word "PIG" onto the wall.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group went to the ruined Town Hall, where the Badger kept the Princess beneath the fallen Bell. The Badger started a trap of swinging blades and retreated to the roof as Jeeboy dueled with a Bandit Captain amid the swinging blades. Sadly, Jeeboy died. Meanwhile, Fig climbed up the outside of the Town Hall and threw a dagger at the Badger, nearly killing him and knocking him off the Tower Roof. But, the Badger blew his whistle which summoned his Eagle to catch him and fly him to safety.
We freed the bossy Princess and took her and her companion, Carmilla Darmouth, back to Magnifulum, where we were applauded and rewarded for our efforts.
With the roll of a few dice, we learned that the first adventure occurred on the 15th day of the 6th month. Another die roll says this session starts 4 days later.
At end of session, I revealed the Town Square Message Board:
GAME SESSION TWO
6-19-1143 THROUGH 6-23-1143
WEATHER 6-23= Warm and Cloudy (9 on Weather Chart)
Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff) and Grumpy Greatstone the Dwarf (Laura) conduct some research, learn a few new rumors. After resting a few more days to regain Max HP, they pool their money to rent a wagon and a pair of horses, then return to Rybault to harvest the dead Bandits and collect the bounties.
They collect the bodies, explore the ruined village a little more, and free a prisoner from the cellar of the ruined Temple, who called himself Vander Cross, Cleric of Alaric.
Treasures were found, taxes were paid, bounties were rewarded.
retro-fit detail: Back in Session 1, the Party investigated an old house in Rybault that had a fenced-in yard. Inside this House was "Wizard Stuff", and also the box with the Royal Crest that contained the package the Alderman was expecting.
Among this "Wizard Stuff" was a spellbook, which contains 6 Spells. Both Klee and Arlan are Elves, and may have an interest in the spells in the Spellbook. They should have been able to take it back in Session 1. So Mina & Roxi must determine whether or not either of them are interested in adding these spells to their own list of usable spells, and how to divide them up.
*I misremebered. Each Elf could copy the stupid Spells from the Spellbook. So, suddenly all the Elves are OP, lol!*
You can see the Handout featuring the Spellbook & the Spells in it by logging in to Roll 20 and checking the Handouts.
GAME SESSION THREE
6-24-1143 THRU 7-1-1143
WEATHER:
6-25 = Hot & Dry
6-26 thru 6-28 = Dry Heat Surges (Excessive Heat Warning)
7-1 = Hot & Dry
New Message Board:
In This Exciting Episode:
Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff); Archibald the Fighter (Jen); Arlan the Elf (Mina); Klee the Elf and her rat (Roxi); Grumpy Greatstone the Dwarf (Laura); Fig Hustletree, disrupted Halfling Minor Noble (Jason); Zaylene the Elf (Dana); Aurora the Clumsy, a Wizardess (Alyssia)
The 26th was a Holy Day of Nodlum, and Charles was busy worshipping all day and could not travel. So Archibald, Arlan, Klee, Grumpy, Fig, and Aurora went off to find the Bittersweet Belladonna. There were Fairies, and hilarity ensued. They successfully obtained the Bittersweet Belladonna. Thanks to Fairy pranks, Grumpy's hair was turned Blue, Arlan's skin was turn Black, and Klee got a double-whammy: all her hair fell out AND she ended up with a hooked witch-nose.
On the 27th, they followed the path to the Tomb of the Sleeping King. There, they divided into two smaller groups and explored some of Level One. Finally, they slept for the night.
Upon waking, they realized they did not bring enough food, and spent the 28th walking back to the Elf Encampment. They returned to Magnifulum late in the evening on the First of Zevenmont.
No treasures or rewards were received.
GAME SESSION FOUR
My notes are not handy, so I'll have to fill in things like weather later.
In this episode: Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff); Grumpy Greatstone, Dwarf (Laura); Fig Hustletree, Halfling (Jason); and Zaylene the Elf (Dana).
This must be the session with the new Message Board:
There was an execution in the Town Square, it was the Bandit Lieutenant captured by the Red Brigade. He had been badly beaten up since we saw him in transit on our first trip to the Tomb of the Sleeping King.
Rumors were heard, provisions were bought, Grumpy hired a dude named Fred to carry stuff, Charles Danyell bought a cart and a mule to pull it. The "Alderman's Heroes" were summoned by the Princess, who wanted them to act as her bodyguards as she traveled from village to village--they turned her down!
Our heroes set out once again for the Tomb of the Sleeping King, thanks to slightly cooler weather, we made it there in one day (bypassing the Elf Encampment).
First level of the Tomb has been thoroughly looted, there was pretty much nothing of interest to find. Eventually, our peeps found stair down to the 2nd floor. Here, they split up and wandered around, finding various weird and inexplicable things, including a small treasure in a chest guarded by a scorpion statue and a large crystal floating over a pit that seems to have something or someone locked deep inside it. Both groups ran into a bossy Elf chick named Dermanassia.
After 9 hours of game-session-time (and--odd coincidence) 9 hours of game-time exploring the Tomb; there was NO reasonable, in-game, story-based reason for our Heroes to leave and return to town. They were not too badly wounded, they still had plenty of supplies. So I broke one of my cardinal rules and allowed them to end session INSIDE the Tomb of the Sleeping King.
As Dana already knew she could NOT attend the next session, this meant these characters-and the dungeon-were locked down until further notice. It was speculated that for the very next session any of these players would have to play some other character, and they would NOT head for the Tomb of the Sleeping King. It was speculated that they might become the Princess' bodyguard entourage and/or accept a separate quest to the Blueholme Mines.
GAME SESSION FIVE
Only 1 player showed up for this session--Jeff. As he was the first and only player to attend 5 game sessions in a row, he was awarded 250 XP that could divide among his characters in whatever way he wanted. He used some to finally level up his Cleric of Nodlum, Charles Danyell, who received additional Hit Points, Magic Points, and (randomly rolled) new spell, Bless. The remainder of the XP went to the Thief character he intended to play this session.
After a brief discussion, we decided to have NO game session.
GAME SESSION SIX
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
In this session it was only Laura and Jen, so we started new side characters. Laura played Barlow the Thief and Jen was Ester the Farming Dwarf! These two characters also witnessed the execution of the Bandit Lieutenant, and then proceeded to the farming village of Cropsfield. ...Is there an "S" in Cropsfield? I think half the time there is, and half the time there isn't. *Shrug* Deal with it!
They went to the local tavern, called the Bloated Goat, and got some local info about possible jobs. They heard some negative talk about Farmer Cornwall, who seems to be slowly buying up farms in the area when the original owners fall on hard times.
But Barlow & Ester go to see Farmer Giles Hampton (Howdy Bub!) and get employed. Their first job is to try and drive out some Big Ants that are screwing around his pumpkin patch. Although Barlow had to roll on the Death & Dying Chart, NO players died in this altercation. The Dubious Duo managed to smoke out the Ants, who promptly fled from the Hampton Farm.
However, while investigating the Ant tunnels, they found a mysterious bundle that had been buried in the garden. A bundle of burlap, which was wrapped around a human skull. The skull was filled with little pouches of various herbs, or sands, or spices, and I think it had weird runes carved into it.
So Farmer Giles sent them into the village to ask the advice of Sister Ethyl down at the Shrine of Copia, and the local alchemist, a man named Vander Cross, who had recently returned from one of his little potion ingredient-gathering expeditions. Sadly, neither claimed to recognize the significance, cause, nor remedy of this.
However, one or two other Farmers found similar bundles buried below their crops while working their fields. So Farmer Giles decided to call a meeting of several Farmers whom he felt he could trust...and that's where the session ended.
GAME SESSION SEVEN
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
I may not be remembering this quite right, so correct me if this sounds wrong...
I believe we had Laura (playing both Barlow & Grumpy), Jen (playing both Ester and Fred the porter), Jeff (as Charles Danyel, Cleric of Nodlum), Jason (as Fig the Halfling), and Dana (as Zaylene the Elf).
I think we continued in Cropsfield with Laura & Jen...
I think we had the Farmer's Meeting, and mostly decided that this was the handiwork of Farmer Cornwall. Basically, we thought he was running a land-robbing scheme: the Enchanted Skulls cause crop failures, the owner can't pay his bills, so Cornwall buys the farm & usually lets the previous owner run it.
I think this is when we dug up a couple skulls from different farms, and even delivered to Vander Cross, as he offered to try and research it for them.
Then we were talking about breaking into Cornwall's house to find proof...and I was NOT prepared for that! ...yet.
So we resumed inside the Tomb of the Sleeping King. However, since Archibald was not there, we let Jen play as Grumpy's porter, Fred.
There was some silliness with laser-shooting obelisks, a giant bubble high over a swirling whirlpool, and a Green Slime that was let loose from a stone chest. But, Charles found the Rod of Kiarmuht among the sarcophogi! After that, the two teams had only to regroup and return to Magnifulum.
In Magnifulum, Jen resumed Archibald, and went to give the Bitterseet Belladonna to Dr. Orlock. The group took the Rod of Kiarmuht to the Alderman's House and turned it in to Yorrick, the Alderman's manservant. There were mixed feelings in the group about this, but they wanted the money and the XP for turning in the quest, so they did.
Some other foolishness happened, I can't remember exactly what. It may have been during this stay in town that Fig met Ida Erstwhile, who recognized the status of his family name & displayed an interest in him.
There was some debate over what quest to undertake next. Jeff wanted to go find the Runestone Circle and find a Magic Wand that was lost by Kellistra the Elf. Laura had accepted a quest from a young farmer from Cropfield, named Cedric Blueholme, to find 3 old ledger books from the old Blueholme Mines, not far outside of Stupenderol. Plus, we had promised to meet up with Princess Rowena Griffonwyr as her tour through this part of the kingdom routed back through Etta's Fork. But we had time to think about that, cuz this was the end of the session.
GAME SESSION EIGHT
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
I don't know if there was a miscommunication or what, but we only had 2 players: Laura (playing Grumpy) and Jason (as Fig).
Laura wanted to head east toward the Mines, & they both wanted to keep their promise to rendezvous with the Princess, so they left word of their whereabouts for their companions, hooked up with Ernest the Impressive and went to Etta's Fork.
In Etta's Fork they met a small array of characters: Shara Withencroft, who saw a Unicorn in the surrounding woods; her boyfriend, Blaine Treadwell, the best hunter in the village; they met a moody Elf named Lythander, who would not talk to them of his troubles. They heard about-but did NOT see-"the Fairy Girl", who is presumed to be a woodcutter's daughter, raised by fairies once her family was killed. She is now the Mayor's ward.
They also heard that the Animal Man passed through not too long ago. The Princess had come for a few days but had moved on to Stupenderol.
With little else to do, Grumpy & Fig went out into the woods to stalk the unicorn. Instead, they met a Dryad named Desiderata who expressed concern about the Fairy Girl because "The Snake wants to feed her to the Frog". Our two heroes promised to look into it and stop this if they can.
Meanwhile, Princess Rowena Griffonwyr arrived in town in her coach, along with her servant, Camilla. They were escorted by a group of adventurers which included a Thief, a Wizard, and 2 Dwarves--members of a rival adventuring party called the Breakers. Our two overheard these adventurers discussing a pair of Bandits who were caught by the local guardsmen--but their ill-gotten swag was not recovered.
Asking around, we learned that the 2 Bandits were caught in an old cabin in the woods just a few miles south of the village. Grumpy & Fig went there, did some poking around, and eventually found a secret stash halfway down the well. Here, they found the stolen swag, took it back to Etta's Fork & turned it in to the authorities. They got full XP for the rescued money & a Morality Point. I can't remember if they got a token monetary reward or not.
GAME SESSION NINE
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
So, this time we have Grumpy the Dwarf (Laura), Fig the Halfling (Jason), joined by Archibald the Fighter (Jen), and Zaylene the Elf (Dana).
Archibald & Zaylene come to Etta's Fork and join up with Fig & Grumpy. Zaylene talks to Lythander, who reveals that he is the sole survivor of a group of adventurers who went to Fenwick Keep. He says he is alive, but now linked to the Devil that lurks there, and he cannot go more than 25(?) miles away.
The group talk to the captured Bandits, Brom & Chauncey, who say that there were more members of their little gang, but they went off to loot the Crypt of Benton Bookbinder and never returned.
So the Alderman's Heroes enlisted the help of Ernest the Impressive (although they didn't really need it) and seek out Bookbinder's Crypt to find these Bandits. However, the Bandits have died and become Ghouls. So our team destroys the Ghouls, takes their ill-gotten swag, & steals various items locked away in the Crypt including a Hat, a Mace, and a Sword (I think it was). There was also a massive book that was chained to its pedestal, a cat statuette (jade?) and a weird glowing Orb-Thing that Ernest suggested we do NOT touch.
Having successfully discovered the fate of the Crypt-Robbers and claiming the swag as our own, the team returned to Etta's Fork, satisfied with a job well done.
GAME SESSION TEN
(*Copy* ...*Paste*) Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
This time we have Grumpy the Dwarf (Laura), Fig the Halfling (Jason), joined by Archibald the Fighter (Jen), Zaylene the Elf (Dana), and Charles Danyell the Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff).
The Princess--and her adventurer entourage--moved on to Cropsfield. In groups of 2, our heroes returned to Magnifulum to deposit their Crypt Loot in the bank. One of these groups picked up Charles Danyel and the team reformed in Etta's Fork and moved on to Stupenderol. (Along with Ernest the Impressive?)
Hanging out in the Swiftsteed Inn & Alehouse, they find a waitress named Gwendolina Flank, who has one blue eye and one brown eye, which some speculate may make her a wizard pirate in league with the Badger and his Forest Bandits.
They also meet Maureen Galt, a former adventuress now missing one leg. She is a drunkard now, but claims to be a wizardess whose brother died deep in the Caves of Ormuth (Monster Caves) in the hills north of town.
They hear disturbing stories about Goblins in the mines who sometimes kidnap villagers, Hobgoblins roaming the countryside, the Red Brigade patrolling the general area, the recent visit of the Princess, the arrival of a Father Carlton Shadewell from Magnifulum to help the local Curate Gertrude Dobbs whether she wants him or not, that the Animal Man had been sighted in the village not so long ago, and that Edwin Stormhoof had been robbed.
Our team goes out to the old Blueholme Mines and immediately run afoul of some Goblins armed with Green Slime Bombs. Scared witless, we run back to Stupenderol.
GAME SESSION ELEVEN
Guess what? I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
Grumpy & Charles(?) or Fig(?) go to see Edwin Stormhoof, to get some details on the robbery. The Turban of the Sultan of Oaza was stolen, despite the myriad of magical & mundane security precautions. Grumpy agreed to investigate, and asked Stormhoof about the Green Slime, he promised to have his Top Men check it out.
Back at the Swiftsteed Inn & Alehouse Fig tries to rally the townfolk into a mob to storm the mines, but the mob instantly turns against him, he knows not why. But Archibald hired a fighter named Hyram Hackmore to add a little strength to their numbers.
Also, our Heroes had direct interaction with Gwendolina Flank, and both Archibald the Fighter and Fred the Porter are now smitten with her. Upon leaving the Alehouse, the group runs into a small group of people in holy robes, one of which is Edith Morgrail, an old acquaintance of Archibald's from Incredulos. She urges him to join the Cult of Hissek, citing the many good things they brought to the community. Despite these points he refused and the group returned to the Mines.
This time, even though the managed to kill a few Goblins (despite Hyram Hackmore getting scared and running away), they quickly got surrounded by Hobgoblins. They were brought directly to Blugor and his son, Krom.
Blugor spoke first with the wizard, Ernest the Impressive. Then he spoke to Charles Danyell. Blugor said he did not want a fight with the adventurers at this time, he wanted to relocate the Goblin Tribe, and he asked what the adventurers wanted. Charles told him they were after three books. Blugor told him to take his group and leave and return the next day, promising to vacate all the Goblins by that time. Charles agreed.
The next day, the Alderman's Heroes returned. They encountered a few animals, but the only goblins they found were dead--including what appeared to be the Goblin Chief. Speaking of dead, I believe this is the trip where they found the closed-off cul-de-sac with the Ghoul and the Skeletons...and the Ghoul's eyes glowed red and he asked for the Glowing Orb from the Crypt, to save a Good Soul from an undeserved fate. Our Heroes ran away and locked up again. But they found all 3 of the Mining Log Books and returned to town to rest and contemplate.
GAME SESSION TWELVE
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
Another Cropfield episode to catch up to the main timeline...
We have Ester the Farming Dwarf (Jen), and Barlow the Thief (Laura) joined by Jargonne Something-or-Other the Wizard (Jason).
Our intrepid Farmhands traveled about to follow up with the Sister Ethyl and Vander Cross to see if either of them had any luck with the mystery of the Skulls and the Sickness they caused. They returned to the Bloated Goat and ran into Jargone who had come to the village, intrigued by rumors of the Sickness. He joined the duo.
They contemplated breaking into Cornwall's house in the middle of the night, but an altercation with a killer Scarecrow started a fire that blew that idea. Instead, they came up with a new plan:
Ester would distract Cornwall under the pretense of interviewing for a job, while Jargone and Barlow--magically invisible--freely skulked through his house. They found a secret room in the basement with two men who were wounded by the Scarecrow, one of whom was babbling madly about Bandits and Cultists and terrible plots brewing in Cropsfield.
I don't even remember how we got around to it, but...
We raised a small mob and went to see the Alchemist, Vander Cross. We finally asked the wrong (right?) questions, so he cast an Enlarge spell on his Dog and had it attack while he tried to jump out the window.
We let the mob take care of the Dog and we caught Vander Cross! Alive! He said it was too late, the Snake was slowly taking over the kingdom and those who did not join up would be taken out! Still, there may be a few more of those weird Runed Skulls beneath the crops, but this is totally a win! And now we're just 1 week behind the Main Timeline, close enough for government work!
GAME SESSION THIRTEEN
Again, I don't have my notes with me, so I'm going from memory.
Meanwhile, back in Stupenderol...
Uh...lemme see... There was Zaylene (Dana), Fig (Jason), Jargone (also Jason), Barlow (Laura), and Grumpy (also Laura).
So this Trio went back to Mines yet again and explored a great deal of the second floor until they finally found two cells with living prisoners! Including Hyram Hackmore!
The prisoners heard from the Goblins that a group of adventurers stormed the Mines and slew many Goblins--including the Goblin Chief! These adventurers were led by A mighty Priest of Nodlum named Charles Danyell, and his brave band included a Halfling, an Elfmaid, and a blue-bearded Dwarf!
Back in Stupenderol, our team are considered Big Damn Heroes and a celebration was had in their honor! This celebration lasted 2 whole days, but our heroes eventually recovered enough to head to Cropsfield to give young Cedric Blueholme his Log Books.
The Trio stopped for the night in Etta's Fork where they learned the two Bandits-Brom and Chauncy-escaped from jail and the Mayor had been robbed. During this pit-stop, Fig & Grumpy sought out the Desiderata the Dryad again to touch base. Satisfied, the Trio moved on to Cropsfield.
They arrived in Cropsfield 2 days after some National Holiday.
They turned in the Log Books to Cedrick Blueholme, whose fields were suffering from a bad blight. But he paid them for their work and suggested he may have another job for them in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, our Trio met Barlow, Ester, and Jargone. They learned that the Animal Man had recently been in the village, and that during the holiday festivities Farmer Giles' House was robbed of the Suzara Tablet Fragment, and the Magistrate's House was robbed of...I forget what I said...a statuette maybe? Who's got this in their notes?
The Farmhand group told the Alderman's Heroes about the Runed Skulls and how the local Alchemist, Vander Cross, seemed to be behind it. Grumpy knew this name as the masked man he and Charles had freed from a dungeon beneath the ruined Temple in Rybault. (He was, in fact, the Bandit Priest who cast Cure Light Wounds on us in the 1st adventure.)
They went to see Vander Cross in Jail, both Fig & Grumpy recognized him as the Cleric who healed their party when they were captured by the Badger's Bandits back in Rybault.
Cross tried to be cryptic as they questioned him, but Fig drank an ESP potion and read the thoughts that Cross would not speak. So they learned about the old barn next to the burned-up farmhouse, which the Farmhands knew from the Haversham Homestead (home of the largest rudely-shaped vegetable ever grown in Cropsfield).
Our Trio went to investigate, found some dug-up coffins and learned that bodies were ferried across the river where they were picked up by a wagon to transport them...where?
Well, we caught 2 of Cross' Cultist lackeys, but one killed himself with the poison in his Snake Cult Ring. But the other was sent to jail and so the session ended...
GAME SESSION FOURTEEN
All from memory, no notes! Livin' fast, baby!
Archibald's Birthday is Eightmont 9
In this exciting episode were: Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff), Fig Hustletree the Halfling and Jargone the Wizard (Jason), Archibald the Fighter and Ester the Farming Dwarf (Jen), Grumpy the Dwarf and Barlow the Thief (Laura).
We back up to Stupenderol to follow the exploits of Charles and Archibald. Archibald fired Hyram and took back the advance that was paid, lol! They travelled along with the rest of our team to Etta's Fork. But as Archibald followed everyone else down to Cropsfield, Charles was delayed by Nodlum's Holy Day and arrived one day later.
Archibald spent most of the time missing Gwendolina Flank, the barmaid back at the Swiftsteed Inn & Alehouse in Stupenderol; and therefore missed out on the Cropsfield adventure. Charles missed it by showing up a day late.
They, too, recognize Vander Cross as the Cleric who healed them when they were captured by the Bandits in Rybault. They also learned that during the celebration of a recent national holiday, Farmer Giles' home was robbed of a Fragment of the Suzara Tablet. Also during the holiday celebration, the Magistrate's home was robbed, and a jewel-encrusted candlestick was stolen.
However a celebration was held in honor of all the Heroes who caught Vander Cross and his Cultist Lackeys, more-or-less ending the blight they were inflicting upon the crops, and successfully ending their grave-robbing activities. Honored in this event were: Ester, Barlow, Jargone, Grumpy, Fig, & Zaylene.
Following the ceremony, as the celebration began, all of our Heroes were invited up to the Cornwall estate, where they were congratulated by John Cornwall and spoke again with Travis Highmire. Highmire wrote up a report and asked our heroes to take it, and Vander Cross, and the weird Skulls to Captain Trewiliger in Magnifulum. He had further investigating to do, as there are more Cultists out there, and we've still no idea what they were doing with the bodies they've stolen.
One of these celebration coincided with Archibald's 21st Birthday. Little confusing to figure out which. They all kinda blend together in my notes, but that's what excessive partying looks like, isn't it?
So our Heroes returned to the party back in the village. During the celebration a man rode up and threw a tomato into the Magistrate's face. This man was Chauncey, 1 of 2 Bandits that had been in jail in Etta's Fork. A posse was hastily formed to pursue him, but he got away.
While the posse was drawn away, Fig & Grumpy noticed suspicious movement around the coach-house where the Princess' carriage was stored. Upon investigating, they found Brom, Chauncey's partner in crime, who gave up without a fight.
Our team asked the Princess if they could join her on her trip back to Magnifulum, hoping her team of bodyguards--The Breakers--would be added security to their own charge. She accepted, of course. Ester and Barlow joined the group for the return trip. Jargone remained in Cropsfield.
However, due to High Winds, travel was slowed by half. The expedition made it to Etta's Fork and stopped for the night. Then it was Nodlum's Holy Day again, and Charles was forced to remain behind. But Ester and Barlow remained so he would not be travelling alone.
As they waited in Etta's Fork, they met Elliot Pickwick, newly arrived from Stupenderol on his way to Magnifulum. He claims to be one of the Prisoners that the Alderman's Heroes rescued from the old Blueholme Mines. He has BIG stories about the brave Cleric of Nodlum who single-handedly slew the Goblin Chief Yarig, and then sent the blue-bearded dwarf, Grumpy, to lead the expedition to rescue the prisoners.
Elliot has come to faithfully serve Grumpy the Dwarf in any way he can, as a show of gratitude.
Meanwhile, the rest of our Heroes proceeded to Magnifulum, where there is a new message board.
The Princess went to the Baron's Home, while our Heroes went directly to the Guard Barracks and turned over Vander Cross to Lieutenant Baz Greenscale. He then asked that we take the Skulls to Matron Dezra Harbloom, the Cleric in charge over at the Church of Joss, and ask her to study the things and find out what to do about them.
Because the Cropsfield Sickness has come to Magnifulum.
All the Churches have had their Clerics try Cure Disease spells, but none of them worked against the Sickness. Dr. Orlock has tried a wide variety of medicines and potions, but none of them worked, either.
Quentin, the Magic Item salesman, is offering a bounty for various magic items. The Dungeon Mistresses are celebrating a successful mission they have just completed for the Alderman, and have the Bird Statue from Benton Bookbinder's Crypt as a prize. Bowen Valicor, like Dr. Orlock, is willing to pay if someone can find some clue about how to stop the Sickness. The Alderman wants to open a museum, and is collecting historical artifacts to place within it--he wants an old map from Hillcrown Keep.
Ida Erstwhile had a date with Fig Hustletree, they spent the night together, and at dinner the next evening she invited him on a quest to recover "an object stolen from its rightful owner" that is currently kept in the home of Edwin Stormhoof in Stupenderol.
Oh yeah, as Charles Danyell returned to magnifulum with Ester, Barlow, and Elliot, he had the eerie feeling that he was being watched. He was summoned by the head of his order, Madame Virtuoso Simone Garfunkel, who asked him what he did to make someone leave a cart of horse dung on the steps of the Temple in thanks to Charles Danyell. And she also assigned him the task of recovering the Staff of Commanding which was stolen from the Church of Alaric--and bringing it back to the Temple of Nodlum to "keep the balance".
And then we stopped before Fig had his mysterious midnight meeting with "A Friend" at the Black Altar in Serenity Park...
GAME SESSION FOURTEEN (or THIRTEEN-B)
In this continuance were: Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff); Fig Hustletree, Big Man among Halflings (Jason); and Zaylene/Vaylene the Elf (Dana).
We backed up a little and said that Zaylene came back to Magnifulum with the rest of the group. Barn cats in Cropsfield and alley cats in Magnifulum hiss and run away from her...she thinks she knows why.
Jason's wizard Jargonne is now officially the only PC that remained in Cropsfield.
Zaylene was distraught to find out that her two brothers are Sick with the Sickness from Cropsfield. Dermanassia tells her that she (Zaylene) is "the Luminelle" and that Dermanassia wants/needs her help in obtaining a Key from the Elf Encampment. This Key will unlock a door somewhere in the Tomb of the Sleeping King and will lead to the individual Treasures that they seek.
Fig Hustletree had his midnight meeting in Serenity Park, accompanied by Charles Danyell & Zaylene (who hid in a tree). The "Friend" was a skinny human female with a scarf over her face, she only identified herself as "Triple D". In exchange for the Wizard's Notes from Rybault, she gave Fig a map showing the location of an old Manor House on a small island at the north end of Lake Corcora. She says that the Badger was definitely there earlier that week, but she could not be sure how long he would remain at that hideout.
Fig asked Ida Erstwhile and her Halfling Strike Force to go with him to get the Badger. After some back-n-forth an agreement was made. There team includes Pip Paddywack, searching for his long-lost girlfriend, Pepper (disappeared 2 years ago during the goblin attack on Yoril's Rest); and also Tyra Truedale, who wants to kill Jagmaw, a goblin who chopped off her hand.
And now that everyone is caught up, and there are too many paths to follow, we ended the session!
GAME SESSION FIFTEEN
Eightmont 16-19
Expedition to Hillcrown Keep! This session included Barlow the Thief (Laura); Charles Danyell, Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff); and Zaylene the Elf (Dana).
We went to Hillcrown Keep to find the Lost Journal of Father Wynfrith, which we hoped would have some hint about how to treat the Sickness. Upon arriving, we found "missing" Cleric of Alaric, Carlton Shadewell, and he had in his possession the "missing" Staff of Commanding.
We soon learned that he was using the Staff to Charm various people to join his little "cult". Among his followers was Hyram Hackmore, who abandoned our Heroes when confronted by Goblins in the Blueholme Mines.
Carlton also used the Staff to Charm an Ogre. The Ogre formerly belonged to a small gang of Ogres, led by a Hill Giant. The Hill Giant showed up with 2 more Ogres to demand the release of their guy. We brought out their guy, and shit went down.
Barlow backstabbed Carlton and took away the Staff, and soon handed it off to Charles--the only member of their group that could use it. Zaylene finished off Carlton with an arrow in the back as he tried to run away. Charles used the Staff to Charm 2 Ogres, and had them turn against their Hill Giant boss.
Our Heroes found Father Wynfrith's Journal, and a Map of the Old Kingdom for Alderman Thurmond. We also freed Constantina Toth, whom Carlton kept as a prisoner. She thanked the Heroes, summoned her Wyvern & flew off.
Charles had the Ogres force open the gate to the Inner Bailey, but our explorations quickly disturbed some manticores, so we withdrew.
Our Heroes sent Hyram to "escort" folks back to Stupenderol, while they took refugees to Etta's Fork. Charles insisted on bring his new Ogres "friends" back to Magnifulum. They were NOT allowed in Etta's Fork and were asked to "go around". Then, the Ogres were NOT allowed within the gates of Magnifulum. They are currently camped outside of town.
Our Heroes brought back the body of Carlton Shadwell and turned it over to the Church of Alaric, but Charles took the Staff to Madame Virtuoso Simone Garfunkle at the Church of Nodlum.
GAME SESSION SIXTEEN
Eightmont 16-20
Hunt the Badger!
The Halfling Strike Force is: Fig Hustletree (Jason), Frida Lightfeather (Laura), and Randolph _____ (Robbie). Also the NPCs: Ida Erstwhile (from the Dungeon Mistresses), Pip Paddywack & Tyra Truedale (both from the Breakers).
First: Jargone has been searching Vander Cross' Apothecary Shop in Cropfield for helpful clues. He found a few little hints that don't make a lot of sense, and a recipe for some potion. Friendly villagers suggest he head up to Magnifulum, and Cedric Blueholme asked him to deliver a letter to Grumpy the Dwarf @ the Sneaky Weasel Tavern. This will get Jargone up to Magnifulum where he can start joining various adventure expeditions.
Now, back to Hunting the Badger!
According to Triple D's map: the Badger's HQ is on a small island at the north end of Lake Corcora.
On the same day that Charles, Barlow & Zaylene left for Hillcrown Keep; the Halfling Strike Force headed for the Elf Encampment. We probably all travelled to Etta's Fork together. A heavy downpour forced the Halfling Strike Force to hang out in the Elf Encampment for a whole day--they were better off than the guys headed to Hillcrown Keep.
An Elf named Glymenor ferried them across the river. They walked up to the lake and realized they had NO way to get to the island. So they scoured the forest and built a little boat. After this, they rested and waited for night.
Around dusk they heard some noises several yards away. Upon investigating, they found Ludmilla Rigby caught in a snare trap. upon freeing her, she claims she is running from the Badger & his men, and they had caught her boyfriend. Wary that the Halflings were in league with Badger or even agents for the Baron of Magnifulum, she never gave her last name and would only refer to her boyfriend as T.H.
They claimed to be fishermen, but Ludmilla was skeptical. She suggested that IF they headed to the Badger's HQ and IF they freed T.H. who was locked in a room in the basement to please tell him to meet her at "their usual place". She also gave them a few brief hints about what they might find at Badger's HQ. After this, she went off alone.
The Halfling Strike Force made it to the old dilapidated manor house. They peeked in all the windows and took pot-shots at whatever Bandits they spied within. Down in the wine cellar, Frida found the Secret Door to the "Secret Basement" Ludmilla hinted at. Here, they had a BIG battle with a BUNCH of Bandits and a Bandit Captain.
They also found Thoda Stoneski, who claimed to be working for some third party, and was not a Bandit though she worked with them at the moment. She told them the Badger was searching far-n-wide for someone named "Fig Hustletree". They asked her to fetch the Badger so they could talk to him and negotiate a bargain, she agreed.
The Badger was annoyed at the sight of the Halfling who had almost killed him back in Rybault in the 1st adventure. Upon seeing him, the Badger threw his pet badger right in Fig's face! The Badger was going to run, but Frida stopped him, offering to strike a bargain.
The Badger would NOT negotiate with Fig, Thoda or his surviving Bandits in the room. He announced that he heard Fig Hustletree was trying to raise an army to go back and free the Halfling kingdom of Gardonia--and the Badger wants to join him!
We revealed that the guy who almost killed him IS Fig, and the Badger was annoyed, but swore his allegiance to Fig and his cause. He has been stealing money from the Bandit robberies, he has a map to where its hidden. He was ready to hand it over to Fig to use to hire an army...but found it was stolen from his person--by Ludmilla Rigby!
For now he gave Fig the whistle that summons his pet eagle and promised that when Fig sent for him, the Badger would come with as many loyal men as he could muster and they would be ready to fight! Also, we were "given" Tristan Haddaway (Ludmilla Rigby's boyfriend[?], accomplice, and fall guy), because the Badger just didn't want him around. What will we do with him?
It was really late and we kinda stopped there.
However, after adventuring all day and into the night, I expect we would have to get some sleep, probably right there at the Badger's HQ, then return to the Elf Encampment, where we may have had to camp overnight again before returning to Magnifulum. I'll have to check the calendar.
Yes, that's how it worked.
GAME SESSION SEVENTEEN
Eightmont 16-20
Return to Benton Bookbinder's Crypt...Again!
But First!...
Jargonne the Wizard found a few interesting things in Vander Cross' Apothecary Shop down in Cropsfield. Then he returned to Magnifulum for his own reasons, and also to deliver a summons from Cedric Blueholme to Grumpy the Dwarf. But he did not arrive until after Team Dwarf left.
Grumpy the Dwarf (Laura), Ester Jinglefoot (Jen), Zakim the Cleric (Jason), and...you know, I really think that Robbie was there, but might have just dropped in to see what was going on? Or he might have been playing a Wizard named Victor? Victor was there, I can't remember if he was a PC or an NPC. Other NPCs include Good Ol' Fred and annoying ol' Elliot Pickwick.
The purpose of the expedition was to release the Chronicles of Benton Bookbinder, or at least read it and gain all the knowledge within.
So Team Dwarf left Magnifulum on Monday 8-16 and travelled with the Hillcrown Keep expedition as far as Etta's Fork where the two groups split ways. Team Dwarf continued down to the Crypt. Here they investigated Bookbinder's stone sarcophagus, only to learn that Bookbinder is NOT in it. It appears to be occupied by a man named Flynn, one of Bookbinder's followers. Our heroes struggled to free the Book well into the night before eventually camping in the Crypt itself.
On Tuesday there was torrential downpour and they were unable to leave. Worse than that, a group of goblinoids showed up, seeking shelter. They were led by Authra the Awful, who claimed to be in the area to retrieve Blugor and take him and his forces to the north. This team included Authra, a couple other Hobgoblins, a Bugbear, and about 20 goblins. They brought in members of the Red Brigade, including Sergeant Hilts and Questor the wizard.
Authra was agitated to find Bookbinder's sarcophagus was opened and asked our heroes if they found a staff within. They denied it, and she seemed further agitated.
Some of her Goblins had a Hate-On for the Dwarves and tried to attack them, but they were killed. Authra bore our Heroes no ill will and withdrew her forces as soon as the rain let up.
Our Heroes finally broke the chains on the Book and returned to Magnifulum, along with Sergeant Hilts, Questor, and a handful of wounded Red Brigade troops. In town, they gave the Book to Kellistra, asking her to decypher the pages they could not do themselves.
While this was going on, Grumpy made a quick trip down to Cropsfield. Cedric Blueholme gave him some maps of the old mines and 1000 GP to organize some miners. "Please bring me samples from these areas, so I can get them assayed. Keep whatever money you don't spend on workers and tools." Grumpy accepted and returned to Magnifulum on Friday the 20th.
GAME SESSION EIGHTEEN
Eightmont 20 Hot-n-Dry
Charles' Ogres get hungry. They start scavenging for food--in the Outertown District. People got angry. A mob started. People got hurt. Buildings got damaged. The Town Guard was called out. The Ogres got angry. Things escalated. Eventually, an old man floated our of Falfarren's Tower on a Floating Disc and tossed a few lightning bolts and fireballs. The Ogres ran off into the Wilderness.
Enquiries and investigations ensued.
Eightmont 21 Dry Heat Surges-no travel
Baron Valicor summoned Madame Virtuoso Simone Garfunkel for a private--but URGENT--meeting.
Madame Virtuoso Simone Garfunkel returned to the Great Church of Nodlum and summoned Charles Danyell to her office. There, she told him to go to Stupenderol and assist Curate Gertrude Dobbs in the care of the Pantheon Shrine until such time as he can establish a branch of the Church of Nodlum there.
Eightmont 22-23
Return to the Tomb of the Sleeping King
So...Dermanassia the Elf told Zaylene that she was "the Luminelle" and was therefore the "only one" who could open some door down in the Tomb of the Sleeping King. She also said that they BOTH need to acquire items from beyond that door.
Zaylene wasn't dumb enough to go alone, so she got some of her friends together to form an expedition: Zaylene the Elf (Dana), Charles Danyell the Cleric of Nodlum (Jeff), Jargonne the Wizard (Jason), and Barlow the Thief (Laura).
Unbeknownst to the others, Barlow has been pressured by Winlock the Corrupt Town Guard to steal the Star's Tear from the Elf Encampment. Also, Jargonne has secured a room in a flophouse where he has started brewing a potion. It should be ready on 9-15.
Our Heroes & Dermanassia travel up to the Elf Encampment, and Charles gets the unnerving feeling they are being watched. As they approach the Encampment, Dermanassia decided to linger in the forest "to try and get the drop on who or whatever has been following them".
Our Heroes wander the village and talk to some of the locals. They learn that Dermanassia is not welcome in the Encampment and that she is a failed Ordannameffin (Elf-Knight). An Elf named Glymenor used to Captain a ship (until it sank) and that his First Mate's brother died and the First Mate joined some adventurers in the hoping of finding his brother's murderer.
Zaylene met with Rejitimus the High Steward and asked questions about this Luminelle business & the mysterious locked door. Rejitimus took the Heroes to the Town Hall where...
We consult Nanthelene the Treewardeness and get some info about the prophecy of the Luminelle, an learn that there are actually 5 different Elf chicks who qualify for the title. These are: Zaylene, Dermanassia, Temberlain, Anduelle, Nuellyne. We do NOT know who the other 3 are.
With this info, Rejitimus entrusts his Magic Key Ring to Zaylene.
That night, Barlow staked out the Town Hall where the Star's Tear is kept. It is a big fancy jewel that shoots a beam of light up into the sky through a hole in the ceiling. Barlow did NOT attempt to take it.
The following day, our Heroes rejoined Dermanassia and proceeded to the Tomb of the Sleeping King. Dermanassia quickly guided them down to Level 3, where they were nearly entranced by man-eating Slugs, and discovered an illusion of a dragon.
Eventually, we came upon an invisible Wall of Force and Zaylene uses the High Steward's Ring to allow their group to pass through it. Here, Dermanassia leaves the group and goes down one hallway by herself. The rest of the Heroes take another hall.
They find a Chest that is chained to the floor. It trembles beneath its heavy bonds. Barlow manages to unlock 2 of the chains and our Heroes open the chest...releasing an angry fairy named Thornwhistle who promises revenge and punishment against "Titania's favorite Children" then disappears!
Having been several hours, our Heroes decided to close the Wall of Force and camp in the Room of the Released Fairy Prisoner.
Zaylene uses the Steward's Ring to close the invisible barrier, and they camp for the night in this room.
To Be Continued...
GAME SESSION NINETEEN
Eightmont 20-21
The Halfling Strike Force is: Fig Hustletree (Jason) Frida Lightfeather (Laura), and the NPCs Ida Erstwhile, Pip Paddywack, and Tyra Truedale.
The Halflings decide to turn Tristan Haddaway over to the authorities and split 500gp reward. They then use this money to buy some healing spells from some priests. Ida Erstwhile finally divulges the job: we are supposed to steal the Rod of Kiarmuht from Edwin Stormhoof's private artifact collection in Stupenderol. She refuses to reveal the Quest-Giver. She wants to use Fig's nobility and her relationship with Princess Rowena to insinuate themselves into the Festival that Stormhoof is throwing in her honor.
Frida, Pip, and Tyra leave on Monday 8-23 to try to get hired as "extra help" to run the party. Meanwhile, Fig & Ida offer their services to the Princess as bodyguards, and she accepts.
Frida, Pip, and Tyra all get hired for different jobs--they even get temporary accommodations on the grounds. They meet Thoda Stoneski and her friend Korethil Glimmerglen, who also get hired on as extra security. These 2 are "killing time" until the rest of their team arrives so they can embark on a quest. Also here is an Elf Wizard named Toriel, who has come to strengthen some of the spell-traps on the displayed artifacts.
Fig & Ida arrive on Wednesday the 25 with Princess Rowena & Camilla Darmouth. Wasting no time, that night Fig investigates the Trophy Room, but there is no Rod of Kiarmuht. They break into the basement and find ANOTHER Trophy Room that can be viewed through impassable iron bars.
Fig searches the Main Floor Trophy Room for secret doors and is almost found by Camilla, who is stalking around in the middle of the night. Frida tries to follow her but loses her among the tents of the Extra Help. She hides in a bush and waits for her to come back.
Meanwhile, Fig finds the secret door that leads to the Basement Trophy Room. Knowing that each item is supposed to be magically trapped, Fig sneaks into the Princess' room to "borrow" her Rod of Cancellation, which we hope she has disguised as her walking stick. he is surprised to find the Princess is NOT in her room, but quickly finds the walking stick and rushed back to the Basement Trophy Room.
He gives a wide berth to all the other artifacts and approaches the Rod of Kiarmuht. He taps it with the cane and there is a small burst of light, and the area around the Rod's pillar seems not quite as brightly lit as it did a moment ago. He reaches up and grabs the Rod of Kiarmuht, expecting trouble, but nothing happens.
He quickly hands the Rod of Kiarmuht to Ida, who hands it to Tyra who quickly removes it from the premises. Fig, meanwhile, returns the walking stick to the Princess' room...only to find that she has now returned. As he bursts in, she quickly wraps her rob about her, but he saw her normal clothes--NOT her bedclothes--underneath.
He gives her back her walking stick, and leaves as tactfully as he can.
Camilla finally returns and Frida jumps out to confront her. Frida is very accusatory, and when Camilla seems nonplussed, Frida suggests they go talk to the Princess and Camilla agrees!
So Frida and Camilla go to the Princess' room and Frida starts spouting some nonsense about rumors of an assassination attempt directed at the Princess, and concludes by offering her services. The Princess, bemused, accepts and commands her to remain undercover, so that she may be a "wild card" if trouble erupts.
The next morning, Stormhoof gives the Princess a tour of BOTH Trophy Rooms and learns of the theft. He commands his security team to scour the grounds. We soon learn that in addition to the burglary, the portrait of the Royal Family has been vandalized: it was sliced up and the eyes removed.
By now, guests are showing up for the Festival. Minstrels are playing. There are jugglers and tumblers. There are horsemanship exhibitions, and rope tricks. And LOTS of soap opera bull shit:
Stormhoof's wife, Eleanor, is trying hard to impress the Princess with her son, Fabian. The Princess isn't interested, she has a suitor back in Spectakularos.
Bettina Pembleton wants her daughter, Tifaine, to forget Aiden Dawe, who called off their engagement in favor of Gwendolina the barmaid, and respond to Fabian Stormhoof's interest in her.
Lobelia Hornsby tries to get Camilla Darmouth to introduce her and her sister, Rosamund, to the Princess. She hopes to convince the Princess to help them prove that Edwin Stormhoof is responsible for the death of Rosamund's husband, Ruben. Frida spoke with her, and learned that Lobelia expected some sort of evidence could be found in Stormhoof's office.
Edwin Stormhoof and Toriel were overheard talking about the magical alarms on the artifacts. Toriel says he can only renew certain enchantments, they must get Pendergast back here to renew others.
Korethil Glimmerglen spoke with Toriel about the death of his brother, Thanethil. Toriel says that he and Thanethil were looking for the Talisman. They split up and were following different leads when Thanethil died. So whoever killed him must also be looking for the Talisman.
At one point Edith Morgrail crashed the party with some green-robed Snake Cultists. She gave a gold Snake-Bracelet to the Princess and asked she pass Father Fang's regards to her father, the King.
Bad ass bounty hunter, Greegan Strabe, rode in, dragging Wallingford the Wizard behind him in a sack. He turned Wallingford over to Stormhoof and demanded his bounty, which Stormhoof paid.
Frida broke into Stormhoof's office, found and stole several files. She was nearly caught, but Pip ran interference.
Eventually, Ida went to deliver the Rod of Kiarmuht. Since Fig had to cover for her with the Princess, Frida followed her. Ida recovered the Rod from where Tyra hid it, went into Stupenderol and turned it over--to Edith Morgrail of the Snake Cult!
On Saturday 8-28, Fig & Ida returned to Magnifulum with Princess & Camilla. Frida found out that Thoda and Korethil's "team leader" is Triple D. Frida asked if she could join them on their quest to recover the Lost Sword of Janjevo the Elf-Hero. Triple D said we leave, like, as soon as the rest of my team gets here, so like, if you're here, you can totally go.
Frida, Pip, and Tyra had to help clean up after the festival. So they returned to Magnifulum on Sunday 9-1. Ida fairly split the reward, like she said she would.
New Message Board!
GAME SESSION TWENTY
Eightmont 24 weather???
Back to Barlow, Charles, Jargonne, and Zaylene in the Tomb of the Sleeping King.
First, they explore the remaining area on this side of the invisible barrier. They check the room Dermanassia went into, but she is gone. There is another Scorpion statue, its claws held out almost as though it was presenting something. A plaque says "The Sword of the Defiler", but there is no sword here.
There is one other room on this side of the invisible barrier, and here they find a weird Shrine covered in vines with black flowers(?). On the shrine is an ornate little chest. Zaylene approaches and opens the chest without incident, she find 3 giant acorns--each as large as a tennis ball. Barlow approaches the shrine and the black flowers shoot pollen at him, causing him to fall into a magical sleep for several hours.
Carrying Barlow through the dungeon, we pass through the invisible barrier once more (and close it behind us). We find a room with several small jewelry box-type chests, each clearly labelled--in Elf--"DO NOT OPEN". So, Zaylene opens one anyway and get slapped in the face with a Fairy Curse that gives her skin orange tiger stripes.
Continuing on, we find a room full of scavenged and makeshift furniture--and Barlow is there?! It's not really Barlow, of course, but some creature who claims to be suffering from a curse that causes him to change shape. He tells them about a dead elf at the bottom of the shaft in the next room and Jargonne goes of alone to investigate.
Jargonne find the dead elf, he appears to have fallen down a long shaft. Broken equipment surround his body, but a handful of Arrows are miraculously intact. Jargonne left these with the body and returned to his companion.
The Creature asked to be led out of the Tomb, and the PCs consented. Travelling through the dungeon, our heroes find Dermanassia and also a group of goblins led by a hobgoblin. Jargonne's Sleep spell took them out pretty quick. Zaylene & Dermanassia killed them all while they were unconscious.
They told Dermanassia about the dead Elf and the Arrows and she went off in search of them. Meanwhile, our Heroes--and their weird cursed shape-changing companion--made it out of the Tomb without further incident.
They returned to the Elf Encampment. Shortly after, a small army of goblins and hobgoblins arrived to attack the settlement. This force was led by Blugor and his son Krom. As the Elves rallied to the defense, Barlow seized this opportunity to steal the Star's Tear.
Blugor's goblins fired a few volleys of arrows, but they bounced off a magical barrier surrounding the Encampment--until Barlow took the Star's Tear. This jewel was the generator for that magical shield, and once it failed the Goblins began flinging Green Slime bombs at the Tree of Life.
Charles cast a Silence spell at Blugor--which took affect; and Jargonne cast a Phantasmal Force--conjuring up the image of the dragon from the Tomb. This terrified the goblins so bad that most of them ran away, forcing Blugor to order the remainder of his forces to retreat. But it was too late, the damage had been done.
The Tree of Life had melted and the Elves were in pain.
With no idea what else to do, our Heroes returned to Magnifulum, and the hopes that the Baron could send some sort of help. The weird cursed shape-changing creature ran off during the goblin attack.
Zaylene studied the Acorns of Knowledge, but found them to be of little help to the Elf Encampment.
Barlow does NOT was to turn over the Star's Tear to Winlock, and is unsure of what to do with it.
GAME SESSION TWENTY-ONE
Time jump!
Ninemont 2 weather???
The word has spread about the Goblinoid attack and the citizenry are frightened and upset. Baron Valicor has raised the bounties for Blugor and Krom, and wants the brought in alive. He hopes their public execution will placate the masses.
Meanwhile, Cristoph Wormwood is drawing people into the Cult of Hissek, promising peace and salvation in these trying times.
Rumors insist that some prisoner freed by Charles Danyell the Goblin Slayer and his Stalwart Companion came back to Stupenderol with a peice of Dweomerstone--a very rare and magical coal-like substance that has not been seen in over 50 years.
Another rumor claims that there was an assassination attempt on the bandit who was brought in by the Halfling Strike Force. Who or why is a mystery.
Not a rumor: Charles Danyell has official parted ways with the Church of Nodlum and has decided to honor the God of Art and Music in his own way--by abandoning Cleric to become a Bard!
In addition to this, in the past week, messages have been sent to each member of the Alderman's Heroes:
First: Lord Godfrey Featherstone, the Mayor of Etta's Fork has requested our presence. He says something terrible is going to befall forests around his town and wants our help. We do not have details on this yet, as no one has ventured to Etta's Fork to see what's up.
Second: Erasmus Vyre, Headpriest of the Abominable One summons us to the Church of the Gryffonwyrian Pantheon to discuss a mission. His God gave him a premonition that the Tomb of a prized servant--one Fendred Drakehaven, who died about 7 years ago--was being desecrated by squatters and asked that we evict them. For this chore, he offers 2000gp. Charles Danyell accepted this quest on behalf of the Alderman's Men.
Third: Someone calling herself Mistress Mongfish--a local eccentric with a reputation for being a witch known as Mad-Eye Mary--has summoned us to her home because the Spirits are being drawn into some sort of trap in a secret wizard's lab just south of Cropfield and she wants the Alderman's Heroes to stop it! She even supplied us with a clarinet, a tune to play on it, and a single packet of "spices" that are essential to the quest. Zaylene, Fig, and Charles accepted this quest on behalf of the group.
Fig was keen to visit Tristan Haddaway. Someone incompetently fired an arrow through his cell window and missed him completely. The arrow resembles the calling card of known low-tier assassin called the Jade Scorpion. Tristan can think of no one who would want him dead--except maybe the Badger. He directs us to the Monument of the Forgotten Hero which the Forest Bandits use as a message drop with city gangs to coordinate smuggling, etc.
Here we find a coded note. Once decoded, it reads "Complications have arisen. Require half-fee up front. Usual drop outside Rummery."
Players are formulating plans...
GAME SESSION TWENTY-TWO
Ninemont 3-4 weather = Pleasantly Warm/Warm & Cloudy
Charles Danyell, former Cleric of Nodlum-turned Bard undertook the quest to evict squatters from Fendred Drakehaven's Tomb. He later composed this account of his adventure:
The latest adventure of Charles Danyel, the Expedition into the Tomb of Fendred Drakehaven.
Recruited Gregarrius (wizard) and Rodrick (fighter) in Magnifulum. Journeyed across the bridge and down the river. Ran into a man covered in black, who seemed to have 2 wolves and a bear under his command. Shortly after, the 3 adventurers ran into a man stuck in some bushes, cursing in discomfort. The man revealed he was Hel Vansing, a cleric of Alaric who has returned after a 10 year hiatus, he was also looking for the tomb, so we helped him and he joined our party. Further down the river, we found a dragon's bones, which seemed long enough for a bridge, and it was. Across it, 2 adventurers wandered across. After a brief but friendly introduction, the 2 adventurers Myrna Hoxley (cleric of Alaric) and Girella (wizard), agreed to pause their bandit hunting, and joined us on our way to the Tomb of Drakehaven.
We then ran into some bees, which seemed indifferent as we passed them. At the edge of the forest, 2 panthers came out to greet us, snarling as if defending something. I attempted to speak with them to no avail. We figured it best to not impede them, and turned around to follow the forest's edge. Along the forest's edge, suddenly a roc came down and swiped at the party! Luckily it missed, and the party retreated away from the edge. The roc gave up quickly and returned to the grasslands.
Then, a pack of about half a dozen wolves snuck up behind us! We tried to intimidate them, unsuccessfully, so a battle commenced. Girella and Greg cast a sleep spell, putting all the wolves to sleep. After being the only person hit in battle, I concentrated for 10 minutes on a cure light wounds, healing myself to maximum with a critical spell. I attempted to heal the 2 hurt wolves, which Nodlum denied, so we moved on.
As we passed the road, we ran into the animal man again! He introduced himself as Harcourt Brisbane, who seemed eager to adventure but asked we wait. Unfortunately, it was not destined as we had to keep moving. Towards nightfall, another pack of wolves decided to attack us. We were able to sleep them after taking some hits.
The 3 clerics all round robin healed everyone up. As Hel Vansing went to heal himself, he felt his connection with Alaric sever, he assumes because he as strayed from the path of Alaric and now seeks revenge for his wife, for her soul was banished and body was desecrated by the evil cleric Drakehaven. He further explains that he found out Drakehaven was working for an entity known as the Ghoul King, but has since died while he was away.
Myrna empathizes with Hel, as her entire family is cursed for the souls to not move into the afterlife, for their role in the fall of Fenwick Keep.
Girella says that no one should use their power to stop him from avenging his people, and that Hel needs to gain enough power to push back.
Greg is second guessing being an adventurer, as he only wanted to learn more about magic. We then rest for the night.
While wandering through the woods, we stumble across a small stone building, the face of which was carved to resemble a skull, but where the mouth would be, there is a door. The door has been forced open, and as the party is about to enter, Charles hesitates.
He looks to Hel Vansing and says "This is a defining moment for you. You can turn back and repent in the eyes of your god, or you can continue on your path for revenge, and choose to live for yourself, that's what I did" to which Hel replies, "My mind was made up over 10 years ago in that dwarvish prison."
The party enters the door. Upon entering, 20 bandits are in the first room. We tell them we are there to clean up inside the tomb, so they move in on us. Deciding the make the first move, both wizards cast a sleep spell. Girella puts 12 of the bandits to sleep. The bandits decide to fight. Greg took a beating, but he took that chance to sleep all the other bandits, including the leader, except for one. Charles swings his mighty hammer and kills the bandit with one blow. The party goes around, tying up all the bandits to bring them back to town later.
We go through the door, through a hallway, and into a room with a sarcophogus. The party goes up to the sarcophogus, opens it up, and a decaying corpse reaches out and drains the life force from Hel Vansing. Myrna successfully turns the corpse of Drakehaven, causing it to shrink back into the sarcophogus, pleading to rest in peace.
Hel Vansing reveals a broken holy symbol of the Abominable One. He says "By this god that you serve, tell me what I want to know. Where is the wizard Penderghast, and where is your dark master, the Ghoul King?".
"Penderghast has a secret place of his own, he has usurped control of some religious commune, I know not where, run by one of your brethren I understand. The Ghoul King broods in his secret lair, a place unreachable to you. The only road I know can only be opened by a wizard. Here, take my weapon as a token to show all that you have bested me, and leave me to my torment and pain." Drakehaven extends a mace towards Hel Vansing, which he declines.
Charles grabs the mace, Soulcrusher, and as the sarcophogus closes, a small compartment opens on the head side of the sarcophogus. Inside is The Journal Of Fendred Drakehaven, and a trumpet. Hel Vansing requests the journal. The party loads up all 20 bandits, and makes it back to town safely. We successfully turned in the bandits to the guards, which Girella and Myrna collected the reward for.
Hel Vansing split and enjoyed his time so much, he requested to be remembered if we ever need help again.
Then the original 3, Gregarrius, Rodrick, and Charles make their way to the Pantheon. Charles walks in, speaks to Erasmus Vyre, to tell him the mission has been completed, without revealing that they had looted the sarcophogus. Vyre hands over a chest with 2000 gp.
This concludes chapter 1 of Mr. Danyel's Autobiography: Why Being A Bard is Better (For which he was rewarded 500 xp)
*DM Note* In this account, he fails to include that he found another coded note on the Bandit Captain. He paid to have it translated, and it is available to all as a handout on Roll 20.
GAME SESSION TWENTY-THREE
Ninemont 3-6 weather = pleasantly warm
In this exciting episode are Zaylene the Elf (Dana), Jargonne the Wizard (Jason), and Orivane Cleric of Alaric (rehabilitated Snake Cultist).
Upon arriving in Magnifulum and reporting to the Church of Alaric, Orivane receives a message from Mad-Eye Mary, the Witch of Slaughtertown. He goes to see her and gets the quest about freeing spirits. She directs him to the Sneaky Weasel to hook up with Zaylene and Jargonne, who are preparing to embark on this quest.
This trio head off to Cropsfield and spend the night in the local inn, The Bloated Goat.
Ninemont 4 (warm & cloudy) is a Holy Day to the followers of Alaric, so Orivane finds a "disused" farm field, strips down and worships the sun from dawn to dusk.
Meanwhile, Zaylene & Jargonne get some pig meat from a local farmer (buy local!) and spike it with the Witch's drugs. They find this large circular rock and place this bait, and soon a mountain lion comes and eats it.
Entranced, this mountain lion leads them to the (half) Buried Runestone. They choose to wait until the next day, so their companion can join them.
Ninemont 5 the Trio return to the Buried Runestone and run into Authra the Awful on the way. Zaylene wants to kill her on sight, but the others dissuade her. You know...I don't remember what she told us she was doing there.
But we leave her behind and go to the Runestone, where we play the Witch's Pipes and summon an Air Elemental. This tornado-like being rips up the earth to reveal a secret entrance to an ancient Flahrish way station.
We venture inside and find a wizard and his two bugbears searching for something. Orivane advances and inititates a dialog. We learn the wizard is Pendergast, complete with one blue eye & 1 brown eye. He says this place belongs to an Elven demonologist called Blackleaf.
Pendergast wants a certain Book of Magic. Impressed with Jargonne's moxie, he challenges the young wizard to come and find him--he lives in a place that is run by Orivane's brethren. If Jargonne an do this, Pendergast offers to share the magic book and possibly take him as an apprentice. After Jargonne agrees, Pendergast and his bugbears teleport away.
We find a weird magic vase and shatter it, releasing the sprits, as per the Witch's quest. The grateful spirits grants us all a +1 to AC for the next 30 days.
But that's not all! Zaylene finds a secret cubby-hole in the Summoning Room that contains a mini-sun. They cannot figure out a way to take it, so are forced to leave it. But our heroes found some magical treasures: Oravane found a Blue Stone Beetle in a small Jewelry Box carved from Bone, Jargonne found a magical Morningstar (Sinweeper), and Zaylene found a magical Net of Entanglement.
On Ninemont 6 (Pleasantly Warm) the Trio returned to Magnifulum.
GAME SESSION TWENTY-FOUR
Ninemont 3-6 weather = pleasantly warm
Ninemont 4 is Fig's 26th Birthday
This session features Fig Hustletree the Halfling (Jason)
Fig is trying to figure out who put out the hit on Tristan Haddaway. So he spends a day or two watching the Monument to the Forgotten Hero, then finally checks on the Rummery. At the Rummery, he finds a Street Urchin checking the bushes for the drop. The Urchin led him straight to...
The Rum-Pot is the seediest saloon in the Rummery district. This is where we find Itchy Magurk, a Zoom-head jonesing for a hit. For a few measly gold pieces, Itchy tells us about a girl who works for the Jade Scorpion. This girl is Alana Hydraxis, and she was searching for good luck charms because the Scorpion was targeted with a hex from Mad-Eye Mary. Itchy says she stays in a room at...
The Goblin's Noggin is the seediest bar in town. With some poor negotiating (perhaps helped by his magic/cursed[?] hat), Fig instigates a bar fight. During this fight, he spies a girl fitting the description of Alana running upstairs. He pursues. He chases her to a motel room door, hears voices inside, and bursts in.
Some whacked-out derelict is in the bed, but there are footsteps on the roof above. Fig climbs up to find a figure in a green hood and cape--obviously the Jade Scorpion--and gives chase. He follows the assassin across rooftops until the Scorpion fails a jump and falls to the street below--and dies!
As a crowd gathers around, Fig hastily inspects the body before the Town Guards can show up. He finds several good-luck charms around her neck, and a few notes. One is calling off the hit on Fig Hustletree?!! Another is the order to kill Tristan Haddaway. Both notes are signed R.T.
With no other idea of who to turn to, Fig returns to the Rum-Pot and leans on Itchy Magurk. Itchy tells him about Rotten Tommy, a sort of "agent" that hooks up certain underworld figures with gigs. Itchy quickly directs Fig to Tommy's HQ in the attic.
After a tense confrontation with Rotten Tommy and his bury bodyguard, we learn that the order came in by carrier pigeon and when the job was done, the pigeon was to deliver the message. So, Fig obtained the pigeon.
On Ninemont 5, he bought (rented?) a horse and released the pigeon, which he followed all the way to Stupenderol!
The pigeon came down in a ruined millhouse. Upon entering he found a small assortment of bandit thugs and Ludmilla Rigby--who was dressed all in black. She recognized him right away, ordered the thugs to "get him" and bolted for the nearest door.
He chased her, of course, but in the next room were 2 ladies dressed identically--both masked. They rushed through opposite door and the thugs pursued Fig, he led them outside. A pair of double-doors burst open and a wagon shot out with the horses running full speed. It was immediately followed by a second wagon. You guessed it, each one was being driven either by Ludmilla Rigby OR by her double!
Fig jumped on his horse, picked one, and was in hot pursuit! The Woman in Black drove through the streets of Stupenderol at full speed, driving through various obstacles like crowds of people, and twisting back alleys! She lost a sharp turn and crashed, so Fig caught up with...
Lavinia Stableford, who gloated that Ludmilla got away-and with the Dweomerstone, too! Fig made a hasty offer "lead me to her and I'll let you go", which Lavinia agreed to. Fig tied her hands, and Lavinia guided him out of town and to the Great Stone Dragon.
But there was no sign of Ludmilla Rigby. Lavinia sacrificed herself to buy time for Ludmilla--who could now be just about anywhere!
Disheartened, Fig brought Lavinia back to Magnifulum and turned her over to the Town Guard. I think he got some treasure that the Bandits had stolen, but I think we forgot to give him a reward for turning in Lavinia. We'll fix it later.
So...I think EVERYone should now be back in Magnifulum.
GAME SESSION TWENTY-FIVE
In this episode: Grumpy the Dwarf (Laura).
Technically, we have not heard from Grumpy since he returned to Magnifulum on 8-20 after receiving another quest from Cedrick Blueholme. Now Cedric wants samples from various parts of the mines to get the samples assayed to see in the mine is still workable. He gave Grumpy 1000gp to get diggers and supplies and whatever.
Presumably, Grumpy has been securing these supplies and laborers in this time. He also had to stick around because he didn't want to leave without his trusty sidekick Fred. Fred's wife was pregnant and the baby was set to come any day now. The baby was born on 8-25 and named Fredgar. Also on this day, Grumpy hires Triple D and her Danger Squad to act as guards for the mining expedition. Soon after this happy event, normal preparations resumed.
Ninemont 4 weather = Pleasantly Warm
Grumpy along with Fred and Elliot, led 10 laborers and a wagonful of supplies and heads off for Stupenderol. They make it to Ettas Fork. Here, Grumpy answers Mayor Featherstone's summons.
Mayor Featherstone is the guardian of Honeysweet, the Fairy Girl. Honeysweet says that Yoriara the Unicorn is in great danger and must be kept safe, otherwise "Bad People" will capture her sometime between now and the next Full Moon on 9-15. With his current time constraints, Grumpy feels he cannot devote his attention to this, so he writes a note for the other PCs and sends Fred to deliver it back to Magnifulum. Fred takes the note and returns the same day.
Grumpy meets a fellow named Maligon, who claims to be an agent of our local Lord, the Baron. He says that while Bowen is anxious to impress his Father, he has allowed himself to be manipulated by some evil organization. Maligon is investigating, and says that every quest Bowen gives out is--unknown to him--to further benefit these wicked allies that are using him.
Maligon further explains that Bowen has assigned someone a quest to retrieve Janjevo's sword from the Blueholme Mines. Maligon says this MUST NOT happen. Since Grumpy in going there, he asks Grumpy to intercept the sword and deliver it to him--to Maligon--instead so that he can deliver it directly to the Lord.
Ninemont 5 weather = Short Warm Showers
Grumpy and Co. arrive at Stupenderol--which is under "military occupation" by the Red Brigade (their intelligence states that Blugor's Goblinoids WILL attack a human village, and determined that Stupenderol is the most likely target). Grumpy hooks up with Triple D and learns that her Elf, Korethil Glimmerglen, has secured a guide that can lead them directly to the mines--Hyram Hackmore!
Grumpy talks again with Maureen Galt about that fateful visit to the Caves of Ormuth where she lost her leg and her brother. Learns that they carved their family crest into the wall of the first "room" of the cave entrance they found.
Ninemont 6 weather = Pleasantly Warm
Grumpy & Co. arrive at Blueholme Mines without incident. They set up camp, and Danger Squad begin to scout through Level 1.
Ninemont 7 weather = Warm & Cloudy
With things under control (so far) at the Mines, Grumpy takes Fred & Elliot and heads out to find the Caves of Ormuth (The Monster Caves).
They wander through the Urfwolde Hills for a full day without finding the caves. Luckily they were unmolested by any wandering creatures, and were forced to camp for the night.
Ninemont 8 weather = Pleasantly Warm
After a few more hours of wandering, they finally come upon some caves--3 different entrances are fairly close together. They venture into each one, and carve a "G" at each entrance. The first 2 caves reveal only darkness, bones, and dead animals. But in the 3rd cave they disturb a swarm of Stirges--1 foot long monster-mosquitos. They do manage to kill them or fight them off, but not before Fred was knocked down to 1 HP.
Afraid of losing his valued Henchman, they headed back to the Mines, and managed to arrive just as night fell upon them.
But what happened at the Mines while he was away? And what will happen now that he's back? That's a story for another time...
GAME SESSION TWENTY-SIX
Ninemont 7 weather = Warm & Cloudy
This session features Fig Hustletree the Halfling (Jason), Charles Danyell the Cleric-turned-Bard (Jeff), and Randolph Oldwoof (Robbie).
Fig returned from Stupenderol with his prisoner, Lavinia Stableford, on Ninemont 6. He quickly met up with Charles and learned about the Unicorn quest. They recruited some help--Randolph Oldwoof, Pip Paddywack, Ernest the Impressive, Gregarius the Great, and two new warriors: Wilbur and Knotbury.
This group went to Etta's Fork. Here, they also met with Mayor Featherstone and Honeysweet, and learned of recent werewolf attacks on the village. We learned that Blaine Treadwell has been laying traps to capture the Unicorn alive, and he is being funded by Shara's father, Cornell Withencroft. Holwice Daundelyon, local Pantheon(?) or Copia(?) Priestess is firmly against the idea of catching the Unicorn. And Dulcimera the Dulcet had composed a new song inspired by the stories she was told by her friend Triple D.
Ernest the Impressive buys drinks for the house and we suddenly get deluged with little snippets of info about the Unicorn and where its been sighted.
We go south to the Old Cabin that was once used by Bandits. Blaine found us and stopped us from marching in and getting caught by Snake Cultists. We wait for some to leave, then jump the rest. We kill the 3 dudes, but we catch a female sorceress called The Serpent's Tongue with a quick Hold Person spell. We take her back to Etta's Fork.
We slip the Serpent's Tongue a Potion of Delusion and manage to convince her that it is a Truth Serum. She believes it, and they begin to ask her questions. She has the fortitude to fight it, and tries desperately to give only the vaguest answers. Blaine Treadwell was present for this interrogation.
Despite this, she reveals that the Snake Cult has a man in Etta's Fork, he is called the Esteemed Serpent and is Cornell Withencroft himself. She reveals that the Snake Cult want to free Hissek's Greatest Weapon--a monstrous Snake. To do this they must conduct a certain Ritual on the Vernal Equinox. To perform this Ritual they require: a certain Ceremonial Dagger, the Blood of the Most Innocent, and the Black Altar. The Snake Cult --and especially Cardinal Fang-- are currently in a "Lost Temple to a Goblin God", and Withencroft was directing supplies to them. They want the Unicorn because they need its horn to bypass some mysterious door within the Temple. More cultists are out in the woods hunting the Unicorn, the remaining "leader" for this mission is called The Venom Fang. I think this is all the info they got.
Then, we ended the session so I could have time to consider all this stuff I had not intended for them to learn, lol!
GAME SESSION TWENTY-SEVEN
Ninemont 7 (night), 8 weather (for the 8th)= pleasantly warm
This session features Fig Hustletree the Halfling (Jason), Charles Danyell the Cleric-turned-Bard (Jeff), and Randolph Oldwoof (Robbie).
We decided to deal with Withencroft right away, before he could discover what had happened and prepare himself.
On our way, we just around the corner from a werewolf attack. One poor peasant got his throat ripped out, another was badly clawed up and in shock, babbling: "The creature! The creature! From out of the shadows! The creature!"
The cops showed up, questioned everyone, took the victims away and we continued on to Withencroft's house.
First we tried to bluff him, claiming to be members of the Snake Cult. Due to the "highly unusual" orders they presented, he wanted to double-check with his Superiors. So Charles tried to Fascinate/Charm him with his music. But Withencroft recognized what he was trying to do and resisted, then turned himself Invisible. A half-moment later, a secret door opened in one corner of the study, leading outside.
Disheartened that he may have escaped, Charles quickly cast a Detect Evil spell which caused the Invisible Withencroft to glow--in the far corner of the study! He had not left at all! They smacked him with another Hold Spell and carted him down to the cops.
By now, the Serpent's Tongue was NOT in her cell. Charles cast another Detect Evil and something began to glow beneath the cot in the Serpent Tongue's cell. A large snake crawled out, climbed up the wall and slipped out between the barred window. Randolph shot it, but it didn't even slow up.
We ran outside, shot it again. It slipped around the corner and into an alley. Charles cast a Dispel Magic spell on the snake. She stopped glowing from the Detect Evil and turned back into a Human. Then she was attacked by creature and thrown out of the alley.
We saw the creature, apparently humanoid and wearing a cloak, but so deep in the shadows that we could make out no features. Randolph fired an arrow and missed. Ernest threw a Fireball and missed, but the creature parkoured off one building onto the roof and bounded away.
The Serpent's Tongue was still alive--but barely. They asked the guards if there was a local wizard who might be able to take measures against her using magic, but they said the local wizard--a fellow called Wallingford--was out of town on personal business and they did not when he would return. So Gregarius volunteered to stay with the prisoner until she was safely transported to the prison in Magnifulum.
Then we rested for the night.
Next day we resumed our search. First we found a band of Snake Cultists, who were soon ambushed by Krom and his Goblin Mob. One Cultist shouted out "What about the Blackwater Agreement?"
Krom replied, "I honor no deal forged by stinking humans!" and proceeded to slaughter them all. He led his force north, toward the road, and we turned to go the other way.
We ran into the evil Fairy, Thornwhistle, who seemed to lead a small pack of wolves directly to us. We only had to kill 1 before we managed to put them to Sleep.
In case the Unicorn was watching, Charles tried to heal the wounded wolves...but Fumbled! Charles now suffers a -1 to Spellcasting until he is absolved by a Pantheon Cleric. (OK, he only Fumbled on 1, and then did Heal the other).
We went north and found MORE Hobgoblins and Goblins in pursuit of the Unicorn. They chased it right into an oncoming mob of Cultists. So we split up, went around the Goblinoids, and formed a defensive ring around the Unicorn.
We killed a couple of Cultists, and some got caught in one of Blaine's cages. We killed a couple of Goblins, and Ernest put the rest to Sleep. We managed to Hold Person 2 Hobgoblins while the rest ran away.
Somewhere in there, Charles Fumbled another Spell. But that -1 Penalty will be gone in 24 hours.
Then, we spoke with the Unicorn. It seemed to understand that they were defending it. They offered to take it to Magnifulum to keep it safe. It led them through the woods to an old flowered mound in a wooded glade. Some Fairies came out and explained that her mate died here, long ago, and she would not leave the area. They suggested taking the Unicorn to the Dryad, who could hide it in it's secret little pocket dimension-thing.
So, they did that. They Dryad applauded them and was pleased that Honeysweet used her Human connections and influence to help preserve the Unicorn. The Unicorn granted them all a +1 to their Morality and a +1 to ALL Saving Throws for 1 month (ends on 10-8). The Dryad suggested they return and report to Honeysweet and the Mayor.
First, Charles asked if the Dryad's blood would heal the Curing Tree, and if she would offer some for this task. I don't remember if she gave a definitive answer, but she certainly admitted that her blood had magical properties and hinted that it might work. She would NOT allow damage to herself, even for this. But warned that terrible things were in the near-future at Etta's Fork, and that she was unsure she would survive them unscathed. If she gets damaged in the events to come, she would allow them to harvest her blood.
Charles accepted this and the party returned to Etta's Fork. The mayor rewarded the Party with 1000 Gold Pieces. Honeysweet gave Charles her Fairy Necklace, which would identify him as a Trusted Friend of the Fairy-Folk (+3 Reaction from Fairies).
After this long day, I presume that we spend the rest in Etta's Fork and return to Magnifulum on 9-9.
GAME SESSION TWENTY-EIGHT
Ninemont ??? weather = ???
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