tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2998321362139574472024-02-07T13:35:51.113+00:00Hogar's JournalHogar is a half-orc Beastmaster Ranger on a quest to destroy Orcus the Demon Prince of the Undead. This is his journal, recounting the exploits of Hogar and his companions on their quest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-64387529138850047972099-11-01T21:00:00.001+00:002012-07-24T13:21:50.230+01:00Welcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCUmf87k59uoLdvReEE-Wb2aTht31OffjERmwUuLwr14-G_LeNl_YmDlBowaBiDkcKc3j6UX3MVz86hsh2UEzPA_F86KaMamPsJXTk0lVEr1liuZDeBH7vb0aTe6UHs3RD2rGRM5TGcM/s1600/Book_Ashur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpCUmf87k59uoLdvReEE-Wb2aTht31OffjERmwUuLwr14-G_LeNl_YmDlBowaBiDkcKc3j6UX3MVz86hsh2UEzPA_F86KaMamPsJXTk0lVEr1liuZDeBH7vb0aTe6UHs3RD2rGRM5TGcM/s1600/Book_Ashur.jpg" /></a></div>
Welcome to Hogar's Journal. The journal recounts the exploits of my 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons character Hogar through the weekly game run by our Dungeon Master Tim. I started running the Wizards of the coast published adventure H1 <a href="http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/217187400">Keep on the Shadowfell</a> about two years ago for some members of my family. As we approached the end of H1 my brother in law Tim expressed an interest in running a game himself. After being Dungeon Master for a couple of encounters Tim demonstrated himself to have a much more comprehensive understanding of the rules of D&D than I will ever have.<br />
<br />
Before long Tim was writing his own adventures and <a href="http://timbostitans.blogspot.com/">blogging about them.</a> Not to put too fine a point on it I decided to copy him and so Hogar's journal was born. The surviving pages of Hogar's Journal begin just before Hogar and his companions met up with the heroes of the Keep on the Shadowfell and then run in chronological order, through a home-brew adventure written by Tim and into H2 <a href="http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/217417400">Thunderspire Labyrinth</a>. Should you wish to read the blog it will make most sense if you start with the first post made in February 2011 (<a href="http://hogarthehalforc.blogspot.com/2011/02/24th-day-of-garmensis.html">click here</a> to navigate to it). The rest of the posts can then be found in the Contents Page on the right hand side of the screen, start at the bottom and work your way up.<br />
<br />
If you're still reading you've already qualified as one of my favourite people, I hope you enjoy!<br />
<br />
GarryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-10110693949941497932012-09-26T20:27:00.000+01:002012-09-26T20:27:37.441+01:0015th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal
(Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">15<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – Silverkin
Manor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I awoke face down
on a cold stone floor. I opened my right
eye and saw nothing but pale blurred white light. Gradually this coalesced into grey flagstones
and a wooden chair leg, all masked by a screen of unruly hair. I tried to draw breath. As I did so something caught in my throat and
induced a coughing fit. As my body shook
and juddered white hot needles of pain lanced into my eyeballs, phlegm flew
from my lips and snot dribbled from my nose.
Carefully I placed the palms of both hands on the flagstones and pushed
myself up. A gentle suction resisted the
separation of my left cheek from the stone floor. As I prised myself upwards I felt something
drip from my face to the ground. Turning
my head I noticed some stew or broth or something in a puddle where I had been
lay; generously cut bits of turnip or carrot in a thin sauce. I drew in a breath to let out a groan on
behalf of my aching head and the acid tang of vomit invaded my nostrils,
betraying the substance for what it truly was. I could only hope that it was in fact my own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The smell made me choke and
retch. I rolled into a sitting position
to get away from it. Placing my head in
my hands I started to run my fingers through my hair and had to stop when the
resistance of encrusted vomit halted progress.
I became aware of sound. A low
bass thrum, rhythmic in its intonation.
Singing in a male voice. Glen’s
voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<i>“Oooh… a course lass she was,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<i>lewd and abrupt.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<i>She jumped upon me,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<i>And right there we fu…”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Glen!” I interrupted, my face still
buried in my hands. “Could you please, please be quiet?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Orkshpawn!” he exclaimed. “Yourrup!
Hadda hav a little resht, resht, resht…”
I peered up through my fingers to see him sat atop the table, boisterously
waving about a tankard in his left hand, liberally spraying the room with foamy
beer. There is no more sure sign that a
dwarf is drunk than when he spills beer without mourning the loss. In his lap was a small barrel of beer which
he caressed like a mother with a new-born babe.
. “Hadda hav a resht there
didya?” He raised the tankard to his
lips and took a deep, long draught.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was difficult to tell what time
it was. Jacob had boarded the windows of
his mansion up long before we ever came here and Glen’s friends Bob and Eric
had not seen fit to open them up in the time they had stayed here since. A halo of light surrounded the thick timbers
boarding the aperture up, highlighting the motes of dust that danced about in
the ancient room. The sun was up but how
long it had been so I could not tell.
The permanent gloom of the place was held at bay by a myriad of candles;
on candelabra’s adorning the massive table, in sconces and in a large and grand
chandelier suspended from the high ceiling.
Their dancing light illuminated a table strewn with platters of leftover
food, overturned tankards, dirty plates and one raucous drunken dwarf.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What time is it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lllong past the time I drunk you
under the table ranger. Llllllong past! Here,” he plonked the barrel on the table
with a thud and began to fill a tankard with foamy ale. “have another.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t you think we’ve had enough?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well he certainly has.” Glen gestured to the other side of the
table. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I
stood to get a better view. Lying flat
on his back on the cold stone floor was Minron.
He was fast asleep with his mouth open and his tongue lolling out to one
side. His right leg twitched
occasionally as he gently snored away.
Glen hopped off the table and marched up to Minron to try and awaken him
with the toe of his boot. The big
minotaur rocked gently from side to side completely oblivious to the dwarf’s
efforts. Undeterred Glen placed his
tankard on the table with the exceptional care of the steaming drunk and
stooped to try and lift Minron to his feet.
I turned away in search of water just as Rodney entered the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“You
three are still at it are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Just
the one but he’s very persistent.” I said nodding towards Glen. “What time is
it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“About
a quarter of an hour after dawn. I hope
you’re all going to be ready to hunt some displacer beasts.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Jacob
has a cure for Eligos does he?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Yes
but we need to go and get a few things for him, displacer beast tentacles being
one of them.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“When
do we leave?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Jacob
is gathering a few things for us and then we’ll be off.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“You
hear that dwarf?” I called over my shoulder. “I hope you can sit straight in
your saddle.” There was no
response. I turned to see Glen nesteld
into the mighty shoulder of Minron, sound asleep, a faint smile curling at the
corner of his mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Perhaps
we should just collect those two on our way out.” Rodney suggested.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I trudged outside
to the well to clean the worst of the previous night’s excesses from my
person. Suitably refreshed I made my way
to the library to find out how the preparations were going. I pushed through the doors and stopped short
as I strode into a goblin clad in boiled leather armour that lurked just inside
the entryway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It would be sensible for you to
stand to the side of the doorway.” I grumbled after colliding with him. “You must
be this Splug I have heard mention of.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thith ith indeed Thplug.” He
lisped. “Mathter Hogar and Thplug met latht night. Though perhapth mathter Hogar does not
remember tho much of latht night?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There are a few gaps.” I admitted. “It was a pleasure to meet you I’m sure. In future when you skulk try to do it
somewhere out of the way.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeth thir.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney, Eligos and Krevath were
gathered around a desk in the corner of the library. At the desk there lounged Jacob Silverkin and
at his shoulder stood the elf Eric.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have gathered provisions enough
to last you for a few days.” The old lord intoned. “I would suggest that you
head into the forest in search of displacer beasts first and make haste at
that. You will soon become the hunted if
you try to track down displacer beasts at night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ah!” he broke of his lecture as he
noticed my approach. “the belligerent one has awoken. I trust that you gave your comrade a good
send off?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“From what I recall it was suitable
enough. Are our plans all set out?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are all set to go. I need a displacer beast tentacle, some hydra
scales and some glowing moss. I have
marked the likely locations of these on your map and I have some items which
you might find useful.” He slid open a desk draw and took out a scroll, some leaves
and a metal lantern.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Leaves?” Krivath asked. “What are they for?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To help you find hydra of
course! This is a treatise on how to
track displacer beasts,” he passed the scroll to me, “and this will light your
way.” He gave the lantern to Rodney. “Now hurry! You must go whilst you have the light.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite our protestations and
confusion the old man would discuss no more and ushered us out of the room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rook.” I called on my way out. “Are
you coming?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Busy
</i>came his curt reply.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
We
left the library, walked out of the front door and headed towards the
stables. There a grumpy looking Minron
and disconcertingly spry looking Glen awaited us having been collected by Splug.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m afraid there’s just no dealing
with Jacob sometimes.” Eric advised us. “When he gets set on a train of thought
there is no diverting him, you just have to go with it. You shouldn’t have any trouble locating the
forest, you can see it in the distance from here look, just on the other side
of the Ogrfist Hills.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can navigate my way over a hill
to a forest.” I told him curtly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sure you can but just in case
you have any problems Splug is going to join you. He, Bob and I have done some exploring around
here and his local knowledge may be of use to you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We set off, heading south under a
looming grey blanket of cloud. A stiff
breeze whipped over the plains from the mountains to the west and the air had
the crisp smell of impending rain.
Before we had gone an hour flecks of water began to fall building first
into a fine mist and then into a stinging downpour. For most of the daylight hours, or what
passed for daylight under that low thick sky, we tramped over wet scrubby
grassland. I let Splug direct us as I
took any opportunity available to scrutinise the scroll Jacob had given me. To the old man’s credit it did contain some
useful information on how to track displacer beasts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The
grey light had started to take on purple hues as we entered the shelter of the
forest canopy. Rain hissed upon leaves
of all colours from verdant green to brittle brown and darkness began to creep
all around us but still I could find no sign of our quarry. Eventually, through the increasing gloom I
noticed tell-tale scratches on a tree stump.
There were unmistakable tracks nearby, so clear and so freshly left that
we had a chance to find the creature before night truly set in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Splug
had demonstrated that he was the only other member of the group capable of
moving quietly so he and I moved off ahead of the rest of the group, leaving behind
markers for the rest of them to follow.
Quickly the trees began to thin out as we moved onto more rocky
ground. We made our way from tree to
outlying tree towards a sheer rock face about ten feet in height. We crept up to the last tree before a large
pool of water that crossed our path. A
day of rainfall had turned the shallow layer of earth and moss beneath our feet
into a sodden marsh. As the marsh
disappeared into the pool of water so too did the tracks vanish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
This
did not prove to be an issue as a feline roar drew our attention to the top of
the plateau where a large male sat preening himself in the rain seemingly
oblivious to our presence. The beast was
largely obscured by the sides of the platform upon which he rested. I signalled for Splug to wait whilst I
proceed to climb the tree in search of a clear shot at the creature. The tree was old, its trunk and branches
thick. Hand and footholds were not
difficult to come by and the fierce wind did not cause it to sway over much. I attained a point, near to the crown, where
I could stand steady, see the beast clearly, draw my bow to its fullest extent
and was still hidden behind a reassuring curtain of foliage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
As
I drew back the slick black feline was stretched flat on the ground industriously
licking at its left forepaw. Two
tentacles protruded from its back just beneath the shoulder blades. They draped down his flanks on opposite sides,
curled around behind his rump and crossed each other over his tail. They then lay alongside each of the beasts
flanks coming to an end either side of his head. On the end of each appendage was a flat leaf
shaped pad, the inside of each serrated with countless needle sharp points.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I
loosed my arrow and it flew straight and true towards the beast’s heart. But rather than strike home it thudded into
the dirt. The creature, or what I had
thought to be the creature seemed to flicker and I caught the briefest glimpse
of the beast’s genuine location a little way to one side. Cursing myself as a fool for forgetting that
these beasts are able to disguise themselves with illusion I drew another arrow
ready to strike again. As I did so a
commotion sounded in the forest behind us.
It was Minron and the dwarf blundering their way through the trees
making enough noise to wake the dead from their slumber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The
displacer beast sprang to attention upon hearing this noise. But rather than set eyes upon the
perpetrators he fixed his gaze upon Splug at the foot of my tree. With astonishing speed the creature rose to
its feet and bounded across the seventy feet or so that separated him the
goblin. Within no more than a couple of
seconds he was upon Splug, throwing himself from the height of the plateau in a
snarling, frenzied attack. The creature
must have been savouring the prospect of tasting goblin blood. I had already written the goblin off as dead,
but Splug did not meekly wait for the attack to come. In one fluid movement he drew his short blade
and leapt forward to meet the attack.
This bold action caught the beast, and everyone else, by surprise, it
roared in pain and anguish as the goblin’s blade sunk into its flank up to the
hilt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
As
Splug danced away from the beast, Minron came barrelling into the fray closely
followed by the rest of my companions.
The displacer beast managed to avoid their attacks and retreated a few
steps. Blood dripped from the puncture
mark where Splug’s blade had bitten deep. The beast raised its muzzle and
roared, long and loud towards the sky.
Lower pitched calls answered his from the gloom of the forest. Fallen leaves rustled to the rhythm of
footsteps and two smaller female beasts padded into the clearing to surround
us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Glen
and Rodney tried to attack these new arrivals but were foiled by the flickering
illusions that they cast. For his
troubles Rodney was lashed repeatedly by the tentacles of the two
newcomers. A flurry of strikes left the
mage dazed and bloodied. Eligos and Glen
both rushed to his aid. Eligos charged
into the nearest beast and knocked her flat before continuing into the second
and lashing it with her flail. Glen
followed up close behind and chopped his ugrosh down into the prone beast. Before the downed creature could raise
herself in search of revenge Slug was upon her with a dagger in each hand. His arms were a barely distinguishable blur
as he stabbed the hapless creature countless times. When the goblin paused to draw breath the
beast was dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Whilst
this was going on I loosed my second arrow at the large male. Splug’s attack seemed to have dispelled the
illusion that protected him and this time the arrow struck home. It jolted in surprise at the attack from an
unseen opponent. Its head spun around
and its eyes locked onto mine. Whilst it
was distracted a burst of energy from Rodney struck him full in the side and
sent the creature staggering. Krevath
followed Rodney’s spell with a fireball of his own that singed the fur from the
beasts hide. The flames had not yet
cleared when Minron charged into the beast.
The large male lashed out a spiked tentacle in an instinctual act of
defence. Minron tried to block it with
his dragon-tooth shield but such was the impact of the lashing tentacle meeting
the charging minotaur that the shield flapped uselessly to one side. The spikes continued towards Minron and raked
viciously across his shoulder and neck.
Undeterred Minron crashed into the beast and thrust his sword into its
side. Minotaur and displacer beast
crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
As it came to rest in the sodden moss I sent an arrow into the beast’s
side for good measure. As the beast lay
on the ground dazed, breathless and bleeding, Splug sauntered up to it and
buried his blade in its gullet. The
beast did not make so much as a sound as the life drained from it to mix with
the water now pooling on the stony ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last female was circling warily
around Eligos and eying the rest of us with a mixture of fear and
loathing. The spectral figure or a ram’s
head slammed unceremoniously into the beast’s side closely followed by a
fireball. As the creature reeled from
these she suddenly found Minron’s longsword protruding from her neck, the
deadly result of another attack from my charge-happy minotaur friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all of the beasts dead we had
more tentacles than we could have hoped for.
Glen set about the grizzly task of separating them from their previous
owners and stowing them away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You did well.” I said to Splug as I
dropped from the tree. “Quite some reflexes you have there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thplug is grateful for your praithe
mathter Hogar.” He replied with a fawning
bow. “Thplug hath had to dodge many attackths in hith life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Really? I do find that surprising, you seem such a
charming little creature. Come on, we
have hydra to hunt.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-25082366930926673972012-09-21T09:37:00.002+01:002012-09-21T09:37:53.696+01:0014th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">14<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype>
– <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Silverkin</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mansion</st1:placetype></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We rose early the next morning. Glen was up first and had breakfast waiting
for us in the common room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sausages?”
I asked as I recognised the smell. “What would your best friend think about you
eating one of his cousins for breakfast?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What
he doesn’t know can’t hurt him,” was the curt reply “and if you want me to
continue cooking it you wont be saying any more about it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
took a seat at the table and Charrak fussed about me fetching food and
ale. Eventually I shooed him away.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m
quite capable of fetching myself a slice of bacon Charrak. Why don’t you get yourself some food?” The small brown creature wrung his hands
apologetically and bounced up and down in his excitement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh
no sir. Charrak must see that you are
all catered for sir. Charrak does so
enjoy the shop having so many people in it again. Oh yes!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
Minron, Krevath and Rodney came in to join us Charrak scuttled off to fetch
breakfast for them. For a while we sat
and ate our breakfast waiting for Eligos to emerge so that we could head off to
the teleportation circle. When she did
arrive the reason for her delay was evident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Minron!”
her voice echoed through the door several seconds before we saw her. Eventually a female kobold burst through the
door, naked except for a sheet she had hastily wrapped about herself. “I’ve
turned into a kobold!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Silence
dropped over the room like a heavy blanket.
It was only broken when Charrak trotted into the room with a pewter cup
in hand. When he saw the new Eligos he
stopped dead in his tracks and the mug tinkled across the flagstones as he lost
his grip on it. His eyes were transfixed
and though you wouldn’t think it possible for a creature covered in russet
scales to blush, I could swear he did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What
are you staring at whelp?” She hissed at the poor creature. He fled as though faced with Belor himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minron
rose and went over to her. “This is not unexpected,” he said inspecting her arm
“the condition progresses. We should
head to Silverkin Manor soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
can’t go anywhere!” Eligos almost screamed. “None of my clothers or armour
fit! I’m not going anywhere.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
can adjust your equipment.” Rodney said. “It will take a little while, best to
get started.” He rose and gently ushered her out of the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We waited until Eligos emerged once again
clad in her purple robes and body armour re-sized to suit her now diminutive
frame. If her right hand she clutched a
halberd in place of her flail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s
with the weapon change?” I asked her?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d
struggle to hit most foes above the ankle with a flail like this.” She replied.
“This will give me a bit more reach.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We tramped to the teleportation
circle. Some quick words from the
attendant mage. Some more piercing white
light and instantaneously we found ourselves standing in the library at
Silverkin Manor. Rook fluttered from my
shoulder to climb to the loftiest heights of the soaring room. <i>Impressive
</i>his awed voice came to me faintly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacob was not in the library. As Minron, Rodney and Eligos set off to the
kitchens to look for him I led Glen outside with Sid in tow carrying Vic over
his back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You need to construct a pyre?” The
dwarf asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.” I replied. “It’s Praetorium
tradition. It prevents our fallen from
becoming the pawns of Orcus.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are part of the Praetorium?”
Krevath piped up. He had tagged along with
us and his interest had suddenly been piqued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.” I answered. “and Minron as well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You do not wear their symbol.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We are scouts.” I said. “Sometimes
it’s beneficial if people don’t immediately know our allegiance.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What was this Vic’s full name?” The
dragonborn asked, now visibly excited.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vicrael of Endhaven. What’s getting you so excited?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How old was he?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t know.” I said, starting to
get a little annoyed. “A hundred and fifty or something stupid like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Krevath placed a clawed hand on
Sid’s bridle and brought the beast to a halt.
“May I look upon him?” He asked, indicating the shrouded corpse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was in such earnest that I did
not refuse him. He drew the pale cloth
back and revealed the face of my commander.
Vicreal’s skin had pulled taught across the bones of his face and his
eyes had sunk back into their sockets.
The waxy hue had gone from his complexion. He looked pale, fragile and empty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He looks different” Krivath murmured.
“but it is him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You knew him?” Glen asked in
surprise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes. My clan came to the defence of Fallcrest when
the Bloodspears invaded. I met Vic there
and he offered to recruit me into the Praetorium.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What?” There was too much information in that one
statement for me to take it all in at once.
Vic had fought against my grandfather?
This dragonborn was an acquaintance of his from 90 years ago? “Did he
not recruit you then?” was the question I settled on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No, I abandoned him.” He replied
sadly. “Before Falcrest fell I managed to escape with some of my clan and never
saw him again. I had thought him dead.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You abandoned him to die? In your place I would keep such a craven
story to myself. You are in the company
of Vic’s friends and companions at arms.” I growled at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Before I would have agreed with
you. The guilt I felt for my actions
weighed on me for the next forty years.
Eventually it drove me seek out the challenge of the Platinum Dragon to
prove my valour, to myself as much as any other. That bought me half a century of
contemplation inside that pillar, until you set me free. I have been foolish, selfish and cowardly for
most of my existence. I do not wish to
add liar to my list of character flaws.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“It’s time for us to build him a pyre.” I said and stalked off into the woods.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We headed off into the tangled
forests surrounding Silverkin Manor and cut down some trees to build a grand
funeral pyre for Vic. After a while we
had constructed a lattice of tree trunks sufficient to fuel a hot blaze. The others filed out of the house as the sun
began to fall behind the mountains to the west.
Vic’s shadow was cast long over the ground, a dark mantle draped over a
tired land made orange by the fading sun.
Minron lit two torches and passed one to me. As the last of the light faded away we strode
forwards together and thrust our torches into the lattice of wood. I stepped back to stand alongside Glen as the
flames rose to lick at the oh so still form lay atop them. We had dressed Vic in the finest clothes he
had with him a lain trousers and a purple velvet jacket that I had always
relished teasing him about. His hands
clasped his wand to his chest and all of his belongings were placed alongside
him for the trip to the Raven Queen’s realm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are you going to say anything?” Glen
asked me as Vic passed from view behind an orange curtain of flame.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vic does all the talking.” I replied.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-51253844275292062902012-09-21T09:35:00.001+01:002012-09-21T09:40:23.946+01:0013th Day of Meloramensis – Part III<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">13<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part III<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – The
Seven Pillared Hall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen trotted off on Sid to retrieve
Vicrael’s body as Rodney made his preparations to transport us back to the
hall. When he returned we huddled
together, a mass of broken and bruised flesh.
Rodney traced a circle around us with the tip of his staff and muttered
something unintelligible. Suddenly pale
blue light exploded from everywhere at once and a whooshing noise filled my
ears. It built towards a crescendo,
becoming thoroughly un-enjoyable and even painful. Just as I thought I could take no more it
began to subside. The light sank into
the structures of the Seven Pillared Hall and the noise coalesced into the
familiar drone of many people going about their daily business together. I found myself between the feet of the eighty
foot tall minotaur statue face to face with Brugg and one of the mages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney,
Glenn and Krivath explained to the powers that be what had happened down in the
Well of Demons and the part that their estranged colleague Paldemar had played
in the kidnapping epidemic. Minron
accompanied Eligos to the mages’ resident healer to see whether they could do
anything about her transformation. That
left me to take Vic’s body back to the shop.
Glenn offered me Sid’s reigns and the beast allowed me to lead him,
laden with the shrouded figurer of Vic, back to the shop. As I made my way across the hall I heard the
fluttering of wings which signalled the reappearance of Rook. He landed on the pommel of Sid’s saddle and
proceeded to clean him wings with his beak.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where
have you been?” I asked, “I haven’t seen you since you went for that swim in
blood.” He hopped around to face me and
flapped his wings in rebuke. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i>Here and there, </i>his voice sounded in my head, i<i>t takes a long time to get blood out of
feathers with just a beak. </i>He turned
his head to regard the shrouded corpse lay across the back of the boar. <i>I saw
his death through your eyes. He was
brave, and perhaps a bit stupid.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Oh he had both of
those qualities in spades.” I replied, placing my hand on Vic’s back. “Perhaps a little too much of the latter.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i>So now you will burn him?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“It is our way.” I
said. “Orcus cannot make use of ashes as he can rotting flesh and mouldering
bone. What of you?” I asked. “We will
leave this place now and search for a cure for the tiefling. Will you join us?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i>I will.
A cavern is no place for a crow; however spacious it may be. And your thoughts invade my own in oppressive
detail so I may as well see for myself what happens to you.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
We reached the shop
and I tethered Sid in the small stable at the back before going in to see
whether anyone could give me a hand with Vic.
The bell tinkled jauntily above my head as I entered the shop to find
Charrak and the paladin Robert lounging with their feet on the table in mid
conversation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ranger!”
Bob stood and came forward to greet me.
When I’d last seen him he was clad in shining plate from head to toe,
recovering from the attentions of the vampire lord at Silverkin Manor. Here he was dressed simply in homespun tunic
and breeches. His sandy hair was cut
short and two days of stubble bristled from his jaw. “You have returned.” A mote of confusion
passed across his features as he realised that I was alone. “Are the others
with you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They
are attending to the business of reward with the mages.” I said, “as well as
one or two other things. I could use
your assistance in their absence.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of
course.” He said amiably. “Anything to assist one of my saviours. What is it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vic…
has died. I’d like you to help me carry
him in.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bob
and Charrak both took a minute or so to splutter their surprise and condolences
before helping me to carry Vic into one of the back rooms.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
will offer a prayer to Bahamut for him.”
Bob said as we left the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The
test that killed him was in honour of the Platinum Dragon.” I replied
curtly. “Your god has done enough for
him already. The Raven Queen will look
after her own.” The paladin had the good grace not to call me up on my
rudeness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Having conducted
their business the others returned with a pouch of gold coins, an offer to forge
an enchanted weapon for Glen (I have no idea how he persuaded them to do that!)
and no cure for the unfortunate Eligos.
We are going to rest here for tonight and then go to Silverkin Manor to
see whether Jacob can do any better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
As I tried to get
some rest Minron was still awake in the shop. Illuminated by flickering
torchlight he had hunched over a new shield that he had purchased to replace
the one ruined by the warder in the Well of Demons. He was scratching away at the boss with a
small knife. Despairing of sleep I
roused myself to go and see what he was up to.
On the bench next to him was the tooth he had removed from the
dragon. Before him a recess was
appearing in the shield boss roughly the size of a tooth. By morning his shield would proudly display
his grim trophy to friend and enemy alike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Minron
Dragonslayer.” I said approvingly.
Minotaurs don’t smile but he definitely contrived to look happy before
replying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“It was a good
kill. Vic would have been proud.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“It was and he
would.” I replied, gripping his
shoulder. “I’m proud as well, Dragonslayer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-83539841053857236272012-09-14T18:11:00.002+01:002012-09-14T18:11:33.781+01:0013th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">13<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part II<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – The
Inner Sanctum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minron
lead us through the dark passageway and into a yellow marble clad room. Floor, walls and ceiling were all encased in
the smooth polished stone. The walls
rose twenty feet to a ceiling partially obscured by fine tendrils of
smoke. The wisps emanated from four
large iron cauldrons sitting atop braziers in the corners of the chamber. They threw out a dusky light that suffused the
room with an almost golden glow. The
cauldrons were of a size that made one suspicious as to what exactly they were
intended to cook; they could accommodate a man-sized creature most
comfortably. The percolation of whatever
broth they contained was the only sound in the otherwise silent chamber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To the right a tall platform jutted
out from an otherwise smooth wall. In
the centre of the platform there was a golden idol in the likeness of a cross-legged
meditating kobold, doubtless some ancient prophet of the Platinum Dragon
himself. My attention was drawn away
from the platform by the sound of my companions drawing their weapons in
response to some threat on our left.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The threat was in the form of a
gnoll priest loitering behind a stone alter.
The man-dog’s matted green fur was speckled with light brown spots and
about his shoulders hung a voluminous black leather cape that covered him from
shoulders to feet. Behind him were the
two human slaves we had been searching for.
They were held motionless, suspended a few inches above the floor,
within a circle of glowing runes etched into the marble. To the gnoll’s right there loomed the ominous
yet motionless figure of a bronze warder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The gnoll reacted to our presence by
unfolding both hands from the recesses of his cloak to raise them over his
head. In doing so he revealed that what
I had taken to be a leather cloak was in fact a pair of wings, similar in
appearance to those of a bat but of adequate size for the creature before us. In his right hand he held a golden mace which
he brought down to crash into the alter with a sudden fierce movement. The crack that sounded in response was beyond
anything that could have been expected from such a collision. The chamber filled with a cloud of blood red
smoke and the smell of sulphur. As the
smoke cleared I could make out to the gnoll’s left the hulking form of a balgura
demon flanked by two carnage demons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I have been expecting you.” The
gnoll slurred through his canine maw. “I did wonder if our guardian had feasted
on you as you were taking so long, however I am not surprised you got this
far. My name is Maldric Scarmaker and I
have been observing you from afar for many days now. You are an
impressive band. Nevertheless your
efforts have been futile.” he turned to address his newly summoned demons,
“dispatch them. “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
screech of metal on metal heralded the awakening of the warder as he twisted
his massive bronze head to focus his glowing red eyes on Minron. His shoulders swivelled and his torso twisted
as he swatted at the minotaur with a massive double bladed axe. Minron managed to dodge out of the way only
to find himself in the path of the rapidly advancing balgura. he braced himself and met the charge on his
shield, twisting at the point of impact Minron deflected the demon onwards and
past him where he skidded to a confused halt.
The balgura was closely followed by the two carnage demons who gnashed
and menaced the stalwart minotaur, drawing his attention away from the powerful
balgura. The balgura used this
opportunity to approach Minron from behind.
As he raised a claw ready to deliver a devastating blow to the back of
Minron’s head I hastily loosed an arrow that sunk satisfyingly deep into the
demon’s armpit. The creature twisted
awkwardly in pain and shock and tried to wrench the shaft free with his other
hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An
arrow to the balgura did not stop the rest of our enemies though. As the carnage demons continued to swarm
around Minron, Maldric raised his mace once again and pointed the tip of it at
Minron. A bolt of energy swept forth
from the weapon and struck Minron in the chest.
At its impact the mighty minotaur doubled over with pain and sank to his
knees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
carnage demons wasted no time in pressing home the attack against my vulnerable
friend. Eligos and Glen moved swiftly to
his aid. Eligos’ lightly scaled russet
skin rippled and shook as she transformed into her ram-like form and charged
into the balgura, knocking him backwards.
As quick as a flash she occupied the space where the demon had been and
swung at him with her flail. The spiked
ball glanced off the creature’s thick hide and clanged loudly into the metal
hide of the warder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There
was no respite for the balgura as Glen, mounted upon Sid, charged in
immediately in the wake of Eligos. The
boar’s tusks pierced the creatures shaggy hide and stuck in his flesh pinning
him to Sid and leaving him perilously within reach of Glen’s Ugrosh. Standing in his stirrups the dwarf made three
savage swings with the axe, tearing great rents in the creatures throat and
torso. The beast dropped to the ground
with a howl that slowly gurgled to silence, drowned in the demons flowing
blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
carnage demons took up the howl of their dieing companion and swarmed over
curled up figure of Minron, savagely biting and clawing at any exposed area of flesh. The mighty warrior sprang to his feet roaring
something in a language I did not understand.
As he reached his full height a column of light shot down from the
ceiling, a blessing from the Raven Queen.
Our foes seemed to wither in its presence. They all toppled to the ground disoriented,
even the mighty Warder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The effects of the light on the
warder did not last long however, and the automaton’s retribution was
terrible. With a single swing of his
massive axe he knocked Eligos and Minron to the ground. A second swing crashed into Glen and Sid
sending them skidding over the marble flagstones. Finally it raised the axe over its head and
brought it down in a vicious chop that would surely have been the end for the
prone Minron. Fortunately he was able to
roll onto his back and raise his shield just as the blade came down. The heavy blade crashed into the shield with
such force that it left a large gash in its surface and sent it flying from the
minotaur’s grip. Relentless the warder
raised its axe again to deliver another blow.
Glen roared as he urged Sid forward to try and stop the deadly blow, but
before he could get there Maldric flicked a hand lazily in his direction. Instantaneously the dwarf levitated from his
saddle to float helplessly eight feet above the ground. Not easily deterred he swung his ugrosh at
the warder regardless. It did little
damage but was sufficient to distract the warder from slaughtering Minron. Minron seized the opportunity to scramble to
his feet. He levelled his longsword at
the warder and a bolt of lightning shot from the tip of the blade to strike it
in the chest. The warder staggered
backwards under the force of the blast and began juddering uncontrollably.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly Krevath appeared in the
space where the warder had previously been.
He ran past the carnage demons, receiving a scratch or two for his
troubles and straight at Maldric. A bolt
of energy shot from Krevath’s hands towards the gnoll but Krevath was able to
step backwards and avoid it. As he did
to he produced a glass jar from somewhere about his person that was filled with
some sort of black liquid. He removed
the stopper and poured the liquid on the ground. The amount of liquid seemed endless, far more
than could reasonably be contained within the jar. Yet it continued to emerge, and as it hit the
ground it coalesced into a four-legged apparition of a nightmarish hound. I recognised it as a shadow beast. The beast lashed at the sorcerer with
ethereal claws that shredded his robes and scaled hide with ease. Shocked by the savagery of the attack from
this unexpected adversary Krevath retreated hastily back into the corridor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No sooner had the new boy fled than
Rodney stepped forward to take his place.
Bolts of ice flew from his hands towards Maldric and his shadowy
pet. Both managed to avoid the
projectiles easily enough but the mage followed up with wave of energy that
pushed Maldric backwards. The gnoll
staggered back for several steps until he bumped into one of the bubbling
cauldrons placing his hands on the rim to steady himself. As he did so a large black tentacle shot
forth from the receptacle and coiled itself about his torso. Before Maldric had time to react the tentacle
pulled him backwards and he pivoted over the lip of the cauldron to plunge into
the bubbling black liquid within. As he
disappeared whatever magic was holding Glen up in the air dissipated and the
dwarf fell to the ground with a thud.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As this was happening Eligos moved
to attack the two carnage demons. A
mighty swing of her flail struck both of them in the face killing the first of
them instantly. Instantaneously she
whipped the ball and chain into a backswing that caused it to wrap around the
second demon’s ankle. Such was the force
that the kobaldish-tiefling put into the swing that the unfortunate creature
had his legs taken from under him and he crashed to the floor, landing
alongside the freshly grounded Glen. The
dwarf quickly sprang to his feet and summarily removed the creatures head from
his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps emboldened by the death of
the carnage demons, Krevath reappeared to fire two more magical bolts of energy
at the shadow demon. He missed. Twice.
I sighed at his incompetence before sending an arrow into the depths of
the shadowy creature. The arrow
disappeared silently into the void that was the beast’s torso. The creature glanced briefly at the location
where the arrow had disappeared before turning to regard me. After the briefest second the shadow melted
into the flagstones to be seen no more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A loud clang and a crunch returned
our attention to the warder. Slowly he
brought his juddering under control.
Steam shot from its nostrils as it once again fixed its red stare upon
Minron. The bronze hulk lumbered at the
minotaur and swatted him aside with a sweep of its axe. Before it could follow up and strike Minron
again Eligos bounded across the room to slam into the warder with her ram’s
horns. The force of the attack was
enough to spin the warder around and send it crashing to the ground. It tried to rise immediately to its feet but
collapsed under its own significant weight.
Its cause was further harmed as Eligos flail smashed into its back. One of the spikes pierced its metal hide and
a great geyser of smoke shot out from the creatures hellish interior.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through this pillar of steam I saw
first one clawed hand and then another, rise from the depths of Maldric’s
cauldron to grasp the edge. Slowly, with
a great effort, he hauled himself from the murky black depths to emerge from
the pot and stand once again on the marble floor. Unspeakable black ooze dripped from every
inch of his body to form dark pools on the pale marble flagstones. His green fur had been singed almost
completely from his body leaving only isolated tufts of green fur sprouting
from raw scalded flesh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You will pay for that.” he growled
at Rodney.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh look, wings has rejoined the
party.” Glen exclaimed with mock joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dwarf savagely chopped his
ugrosh into the exposed neck of the prone warder before charging at Maldric and
impaling him on the spear-tipped end of the weapon. The gnoll roared in pain and
frustration. He retaliated with a hefty
smack to the dwarf’s head with his mace that left Glen visibly dazed. He made to crack the dwarf again but before
he could do so my arrow took him in the throat.
The strike sent him tumbling backwards into the cauldron once again, this
time never to emerge.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It seems I must do everything
myself.” A voice sounded from behind us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned just in time to see a
portal close behind the slender figure of an aged human male who stood next to
the golden idol atop the raised platform.
His oiled long hair was slate grey and gathered at the nape of his neck.
A neat beard of the same shade clung to
his gaunt cheeks. He was dressed in the
same red robes as the mages of the Seven Pillared Hall and carried a wooden
staff. He did not have to announce
himself, he could be no other than Paldemar, the rogue mage from the hall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before anyone could adjust to the
presence of a new threat in the room a bolt of lightning shot from the tip of
his staff to strike Eligos in the chest.
Upon striking it forked in two different directions to strike me and
Minron as well. Every part of me tensed
and contorted at the impact and all consciousness was given over to the white
heat of pain. Paldemar did not even
allow time for the pain to subside before launching a second attack. He raised his staff above his head with both
hands as he muttered some arcane words of power. A spark of energy fizzed and crackled in the
centre of the room. At first it was no
larger than a hen’s egg but quickly it grew big enough to swallow a man. A broiling, swirling sphere of electric blue
energy. Small jagged charges danced over
the surface of the sphere until it became to big to contain its own power. It ruptured into a cascade of lightning bolts
that streaked out towards us. One of the
deadly forks struck me in the chest and hurled me across the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dazed I rolled onto my knees as a
hacking cough overcame me. I could taste
iron on the back of my tongue and feel the slow viscous seep of blood from my
ears and nose. I tried to rise but found
that I lacked the strength. A gentle
hand was placed on the back of my head.
I twisted to see the figure of Minron crouched next to me, just as
bloodied as I.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That mage must die ranger.” he
said. “Please see it done before he sends
more of us to join Vic.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The touch of his hand grew warm as
he channelled the healing power of the Raven Queen into me. Reinvigorated I stood and drew back an
arrow. Paldemar was too busy surveying
the prone figures of my comrades to pay too much attention to me. I loosed the arrow and it struck home just
under the left hand side of his ribcage.
That got his attention all-right.
The mage huffed as the arrow drove the air from his lungs and looked at
me in surprise. Then he vanished. One moment he was there the next…
nothing. I sent a speculative arrow in
the direction of where he had been but it did nothing more than clatter
harmlessly into the wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The warder, steam billowing from the
hole in his torso clambered rather unsteadily to its feet and swiped at Eligos
with its axe. Eligos tried to roll away
but could not avoid a glancing blow. The
movement of the warder seemed to animate Rodney. Having also been knocked to the ground by
Paldemar’s attack he rose to his knees and thrust two hands towards the top of
the raised platform. The spectre of a
Ram’s head tore itself free of the mage’s body and streaked to the top of the
platform. There was a burst of magical
energy and suddenly Paldemar reappeared as he tumbled from the platform to land
heavily on the floor below.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your trinket gives you away
Paldemar.” Rodney said. “Kill the mage
and the minotaur will fall.” he called to us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eligos took up the task immediately
and charged into Paldemar before he could stand. With blood pouring from his chest and head
Paldemar managed to gain his feet and release a burst of energy that sent
Eligos and Minron flying. Glen tried to
retaliate but was unable to connect with his ugrosh, Krevath joined in with
more success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we gathered around Paldemar to
try and bring an end to this confrontation the warder resumed its attack, this
time targeting Rodney who was now isolated from the rest of us. As the blade of its large double bladed axe
arced inexorably towards the mage Minron threw himself at Rodney and managed to
push him out of harm’s way. Sadly he
could not manage such safety for himself.
The blade struck him in the centre of his breastplate with full force. The minotaur was lifted bodily from the floor
to fly through the air until he struck the far wall and collapsed to the
ground, where he moved no more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney unleashed a magical bolt at
the lurching steaming contraption as he backed away, out of reach of its
flailing axe. “Kill Paldemar.” He called
to us “and this thing will stop”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sunk two arrows into the red robes
of Paldemar as Glen stabbed him with his ugrosh. Paldemar was beginning to look weak. That he attacked Eligos by hitting her with
his staff rather than some sort of spell spoke volumes as to hit state. In a panic he squeezed himself back into the
corner of the room. As his back hit the
marble he reached inside his tunic and yanked an amulet free from his
neck. Raising the trinket high over his
head he screamed, “Protect me, <i>protect
your master.</i>” At the warder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The warder responded by turning from
Rodney and careering towards those harassing his master. He raised his axe, ready to unleash it in an
arc that would sweep Glen, Krevath and Eligos from before Paldemar. But I was too quick. My first arrow embedded itself in Paldemar’s
wrist causing him to drop the amulet to the ground. As soon as the necklace left his grip the
warder froze where it stood. As he
turned to survey his wounded wrist my second arrow sunk into his temple killing
the rogue mage before he so much as hit the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They were all dead. A soft his mingled with the steady simmering
of the cauldrons as steam continued to escape from the now inanimate warder. As Eligos and I moved to revive Minron Rodney
searched Paldemar’s corpse and Krevath retrieved Marldric’s jar from where it
had fallen to the floor. Somehow it was
still full of dark liquid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“So what now?” Krevath asked after Minron had come around
and sat on the floor rubbing his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well we free them for a start.”
Glen said, indicating the still trapped humans.
“Then I suppose we take his corpse back to mages and see what sort of
reward is on offer.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We need to collect Vic and give him
a proper funeral.” I added.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And then we need to find some way
to return me to normal.” Chimed in Eligos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s a long walk back to the Hall.”
I said. “We’d better get started.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s no need.” Rodney looked up
from flicking through a book that he had found on Paldemar. “If I’m reading
this correctly then it’s a portal spell.
I can teleport us there.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The mage is preparing the
incantation now. Personally I think I’d
rather walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-58619963412341633382012-08-30T21:44:00.002+01:002012-08-30T21:44:46.150+01:0013th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">13<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire
Mountain – The Proving Grounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We retreated to the stables. Rodney wasted no time in summoning a light and
sitting down in a corner to translate the book he had recovered from the gnoll
summoner. Minron sat beside the
slumbering Glen to tend his wounds whilst Sid snuffled anxiously nearby. As Minron and Rodney worked, Eligos and I
busied ourselves by lighting a fire, putting a kettle on to boil and dishing
out some trail rations. As we rummaged
through our supplies she turned conspiratorially to whisper to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This
form,” she glanced down at her torso, “I think it’s starting to change
me.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I
looked up from searching for a biscuit that I was sure was in my pack. “Well
you certainly look different,” I replied.
“Not that you look bad,” I added quickly. “Which is not to say you didn’t look
perfectly n…?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m
not talking about the way I look you stuttering fool.” She hissed, “I’m talking
about the way I <i>am. </i>I’m starting to feel sort of, well,
koboldish.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And
how does a kobold feel exactly?” I asked
irritably, stung by her rebuke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
find that I’m drawn to darkness. Just
lighting that fire caused me to recoil.
When I have an enemy at my mercy I want to tear him limb from limb.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s
not like any of us show mercy to our enemies Eligos,” I offered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No
but this is different. Normally it’s
just something that has to be done and I do it.
Now it’s starting to feel… pleasurable.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
She was
clearly very troubled by these changes so I did my best to put her mind at
ease. “When we get out of here we’ll go
straight to that old duffer Silverkin and see if he can’t cure you. In the meantime you’re doing fine. If you hadn’t told me of this I’d never have
guessed but now I know I’ll keep an eye out, make sure you remain in control.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
She
looked a little dubious but somewhat reassured I think. She’s stMinrong willed that one. If she can’t hold off whatever it is that’s affecting
her then no-one could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
We
brewed a cup of the tea that Rodney likes so much and scraped together some
food. I risked disturbing his
concentration to take some tea over to the mage. As I placed the steaming mug in his hands I
enquired as to how his work was going.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Summoning
the understanding of a language from the astral plane can be taxing and more
than a little dangerous but so far so good.” he replied in-between reticent
sips of the hot liquid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anything
interesting so far?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No. Just some simpering platitudes to Orcus,
Belor and other vile gods.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Are
the other artefacts in there?” I asked, gesturing at his bag. He indicated that they were. “May I?” I asked indicating that I’d like to
examine them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Of
course, just be careful with them.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I took
the knife, the mask and the bell and laid them on the floor. They seemed to almost pulsate with malevolent
energy. “So these will open the way to
the trial that awaits us down here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As
long as I can find something in here that tells us how to open the way.” Rodney
replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I left
Rodney to it and went to try and get some sleep whilst Minron watched over Glen
and kept a lookout. When I awoke the
dwarf was awake and scratching Sid under the chin whilst feeding our rations to
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Fattening
him up are we?” I asked whilst rising to a sitting position. He flicked his eyes sidelong towards me in a
reproachful glance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Funny.” In reprimand Glen reached into my pack and
pulled out a trail biscuit which he promptly fed to the boar. “There you go Sid. This is nasty Hogar’s way of saying
sorry.” I hauled myself to my feet and
headed off to see how Rodney was getting on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m
glad to see you looking better master dwarf.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The
mage was rather excited, or at least as close as I have yet seen him. Not only does the book contain instructions on
how to progress through the Well of Demons; it turns out that the figures in
the pillars we encountered yesterday were past adventurers in the Well of
Demons whose essence had been bound to the room where they died. What’s more the book contains instructions on
how to reverse the spell which should release the figures contained within and
even return them to life. Clearly we had
to give it a try so we packed up our gear and made our way back to the chambers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We twisted sunrods in
preparation for the gloom this time. As
we entered, a line of torchbearers cutting through the darkness, the deformed body
parts within the columns shied away from us.
We stopped in the centre of the room, out of reach for any flailing limbs
and formed a circle around the mage facing outwards. I heard the faint flop of a weighty tome
falling open, swiftly followed by the hum of Rodney’s voice. He spoke quickly in a language that I did not
recognise. His ululating tone grew to a
clamour and from over my shoulder I could just make out a vaguely purple
glow. This same mauve luminescence
started to emanate from the compressed spaces between the bodies within the
pillars. All of the heads within the
morass of flesh turned up towards the ceiling and began to howl in unison with
the mystical tones of the mage.
Gradually the purple light blinded me to all else and the howls from the
pillars turned to agonised screams, accompanied by the sound of tearing flesh
and popping bones. Just as the noise
reached a crescendo it stopped, the light faded and the pillars were gone. In their place was a sea of prostrate bodies
almost carpeting the floor. Naked as the
day they were born they began to rise as if from slumber. Slightly unnerved at suddenly being
surrounded by a hundred or so people; mainly humans, a few halfings and a
smattering of more exotic races, we almost subconsciously readied our
weapons. We needn’t have worried. These people were not of a malevolent mood. Even if they had been they were too addled to
have been a serious threat, especially as they were all without clothes or
weaponry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Confused,
humiliated and more than a little angry this mob wanted nothing as much as to
be out of here. We, all of us, offered
up our bedrolls to be cut into strips of cloths to be used to preserve the
modesty of as many of the newly freed rabble as possible. Even so there are going to quite a few
blushes in the Seven Pillared Hall on their return, from both the fugitives and
the hosts I imagine. One amongst their
number did take an interest in how he had come to be free. A dragonborn sorcerer called Krevath. He wasted little time in marching up to
Rodney and questioning the mage on how he had managed to translate the
tome. He was even so impertinent as to
question the reliability of Rodney’s translation and suggest alternative
methods which he considered obviously better. I suppose that’s gratitude for you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
think I shall accompany you to the well,” he declared after quizzing a
reluctant Rodney for several minutes, “I should like to see what lies beyond
the Well of Demons.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If
your going anywhere with me then the first thing you need to do is find some
clothes.” Eligos called from across the room, her distaste for the dragonborn
evident.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Glen
was dispatched, mounted upon Sid, to ride back to the room where the defeated
gnoll summoner lay and fetch something for Krevath to wear. He returned a short while later with some
robes and a staff he had managed to loot from a stash somewhere. Thus prepared we made our way back to the
central corridor of the well where the circles of power were located. When we arrived Rodney handed out the
artefacts. Minron took the dagger, Glen
the mask, Eligos the bell and the book Rodney kept himself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We
need to place these in the circles at the same time,” Rodney instructed, “so
wait for my call before placing them.
Hogar, I would be grateful if you would accompany me.” I nodded my
assent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Krevath
drew breath as if to mutter something, probably an ‘improvement’ on Rodney’s
plan, but Eligos interrupted before he could give voice to his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You
can come with me dragon-man. I want to
make sure you don’t cause us any trouble.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
We went
our separate ways. Rodney and I picked
our way through a dusty corridor.
Scattered about the floor at an alarmingly regular interval were
mouldering skeletons which looked like they had been there for some time. Shortly we found the circle of pulsating
magical energy which we sought. The
glowing blue disc was roughly the height of a man in circumference and traced
some sort of runic pattern on the floor.
If it had any meaning it was completely obscure to me. Rodney produced the book from somewhere
within his robes before calling out to the others with a clear strong voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“On
the count of three place the artefact in the circle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hang
on,” Glen’s voice floated back, “are you going to count up to three or down
from three?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Rodney
sighed. “I’ll count down from three.
Three…”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hang
on!” Glen’s urgent tones sounded out again. “Are we going to place the item in
the circle as you say ‘one’, after you’ve said ‘one’ or are you going to say
something else like ‘now’ when we’re supposed to place it?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Rodney
almost imperceptibly clenched his jaw before replying. “I’ll say ‘now’ after
‘one’. As I say ‘now’ place the artefact
in the circle.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Eventually
we managed to get all of the artefacts placed in the circles at the same
time. The book blazed with a magical
light of brilliant intensity before disappearing altogether, along with the
magic disc. As the book disappeared a
door someway to our right swung open with tremendous force banging loudly on
its hinges. Through the murky corridors
we heard Eligos’ voice call out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Krevath!
Get back here!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Her
only response was a deep menacing serpentine roar, loud enough to make the
entire chamber quake. Rodney set off in
the direction of the roar, dodging between the skeletons strewn across the
floor. Suddenly one of the skeletons
jerked to life, or at least un-death, and grabbed the mage around the knees. I quickly drew an arrow and shot it into the
creature’s ribcage. As usual the
presence of iron reduced the necromantic magic that animated the bones. Unusually all of the skeletons in the area
raised their heads to let out a howl of pain.
I sent another arrow to follow the first. It had the same effect which was sufficient
to allow Rodney slip the grasp of his captor.
Thus freed the mage released a wave of energy which sent the skeleton
crashing into the far wall. Satisfied
that these skeletons posed little threat, I took the opportunity to run past,
through the open door and back into the main corridor. As I rounded the corner I encountered Eligos
and Krevath. Blood was pouring forth
from Krevath’s ears and he was looking a little worse for wear. They were standing in a doorway between a
wide corridor and a medium sized room with a towering ceiling. Another serpentine roar sounded out from the
lofty heights. I looked up to see a
young dragon hovering under heavy wing-beats.
He was perhaps twenty feet from tip of nose to tip of tail and bright
burnished copper in colour with a gleaming almost liquid green tinge to the
scaled ruffles around his throat and neck. Clutched in his talon was the flailing figure
of Minron. Light glinted from the
minotaur’s sword and his scarlet cloak fluttered behind him like a wing of his
own as he flailed and stabbed at the creature’s foot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
I drew
forth an arrow and paused to take aim. I
loosed and the arrow arced upwards towards the dragon’s heart. The dragon was nimble though and managed to
dodge to one side. Even though it did
not strike home, the arrow was enough of a distraction for Minron to land a
blow on the opaque webbed tissue of the dragon’s wing. This cut disoriented the dragon sufficiently
that he spiralled to the ground, releasing Minron as he did so. As the duo hit the ground Glen came charging
into the chamber from the opposite end to me and slashed the dragon with his
ugrosh. Krevath and Eligos wasted no time in piling the
pressure on the confused beast, casting a spell over him and charging in,
weapon raised, respectively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His
confidence shaken by this sudden onslaught the dragon sprang back into the air
flew over Glen’s head and out of the chamber.
As the dragon disappeared around the corner I saw Glen lean over in his
saddle as if to vomit. I didn’t stay to
pay too much attention to the dwarf however; instead I ducked out of the room
and back into the corridor where I found myself face to face with the
dragon. I shot him in the chest but this
had little effect other than focusing his evil intent upon me. The copper lizard rose up on its hind legs
and drew breath. Pouches either side of
his throat expanded, ready to spit his venom over me no doubt. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
My saviour was Minron
at full sprint. He had followed the
dragon’s rout out of the chamber and now with his shield raised in front of him
he leapt into the air and crashed into the serpent’s back, right between his
shoulder blades. The dragon lurched
forwards to land back on all fours.
There was no respite for the creature as Glen and Sid once more appeared
just behind Minron to strike the dragon again.
The sorcerer Krevath appeared at my side and summoned a fireball which
he hurled into the dragon’s face prompting screams of pain from the creature.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
The dragon was not
done though. Once again it hauled itself
onto its hind legs, this time to face Minron and Glen. The skin at its throat bulged as before and he
unleashed a torrent of acidic venom over the two fighters. The liquid ate at the flesh and armour of the
two unfortunate fighters, giving rise to plumes of smoke as their flesh
dissolved. Even as I sent two further
shafts into the dragon’s back Minron resisted the pain of the dragon’s savage
attack to plunge his sword into the beast’s abdomen. As the young dragon doubled over in pain Minron
dropped his shield, reversed his sword over his head and plunged the blade with
two hands into the top of the dragon’s skull.
The dragon opened its maw in a final scream and sprayed venom over the
walls before collapsing and falling silent for the last time. Minron hauled his blade free, wiped it clean
on the soft flesh of the dragon’s throat and sheathed it. Then he drew his dagger, pulled up the
dragon’s lip and started to saw at one of its fangs. I was about to ask him what he was doing when
Rodney appeared out of the chamber where the dragon had appeared cradling an
egg that was nearly the size of his torso.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Any
idea what we should do with this?” he asked.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It
would make a hell of an omelette.” Glen replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m
surprised that you can think of food,” I said, “didn’t you throw up back there?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yeah,”
he answered, wiping his lips with his sleeve, “some sort of blue man came out!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A
<i>what?</i>” I asked<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It
was an elemental sprite.” Eligos offered, “I took care of it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Remind
me not eat anything that you’ve cooked ever again.” I said to the dwarf.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney
looked at the egg and frowned, “I think I’ll just keep it.” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You
can’t carry that with you in here!” Krevath exclaimed, “How will you defend
yourself?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh
don’t worry,” Rodney assured him, “I can make it disappear and reappear again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
Before Krevath
could ask another question we heard the sound of stone grating over stone behind
us. Part of the wall had slid open to
reveal a dark passageway.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-40748101869457759832012-08-27T19:35:00.000+01:002012-08-27T19:36:34.944+01:0012th Day of Meloramensis – Part III<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">12<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part III<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire
Mountain – Hall of the Howling Pillars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With some difficulty we retraced our steps
and rejoined the corridor where we had encountered three ghostly adventurers
the previous day. As we continued along
the gloom Rodney, a miniature ball of flame hovering over his tattooed head as
illumination, flicked through the pages of the book he had recovered from the
gnoll summoner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This
text is ancient minotaur.” He said to
Minron proffering him the text. “Are you
able to understand any of it.” The
minotaur did not even turn his head to regard the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mage,
if the text was common, I could read it.
If it was in modern minotaur I might be able to read it. As it’s in ancient anything you may as well
show me the book of Asmodeus in Barazhad.
I’m afraid I have no idea.” The
mage’s brow furrowed as he returned the tome to its hiding place within his
voluminous blue robes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Very
well, I will summon the knowledge when I have the opportunity to concentrate.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We trudged on. The dwarf tottered alongside his porcine
companion Sid, his footsteps echoing
from the ceiling and walls and reverberating along the tunnel into the
distance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Zaram.” I hissed.
“If you rang a bell and shouted our intentions at the top of your voice
you could scare do a better job of announcing our presence here.” Two paces in front of me the dwarf half
turned to face me. His ugrosh lay across
both shoulders, writs resting upon the shaft to leave his elbows dangling
perpendicular to his ears. He sniffed
and wrinkled his nose, his orange whiskers rippled across his upper lip and his
braided beard swung loosely in front of his tarnished scale shirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Stealth
is for timid surface dwellers; elves and humans.” Somehow the way he said ‘elves and humans’
turned the words themselves into an insult.
“I prefer to face my enemies.
Anyway, it would be no bad thing for me to announce myself. Our enemies will surely quake with fear
knowing they face death at the hands of Hammerfast’s greatest warrior.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Surely.” I replied, trying to keep the sarcasm from my
voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a while the echoes of Glen’s footsteps
and the groan of the leather straps holding his armour in place was subsumed by
a cacophonous mournful wail from somewhere up ahead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dampen
your noise.” I hissed at the dwarf as I
trotted ahead silently to investigate. I
turned right and followed another corridor until it stopped at a set of black
double doors, identical to those that had concealed the gnoll demon
summoners. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doors were sweating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Condensation seemed to seep from the heart
of the ancient wood, forming rivulets that wound a leisurely path down the
grain of the wood to drip on the flagstones at my feet. I held the palm of my right hand to the
bottom of the doors. A moist warmth rose
from the gap between door and floor to disperse amongst the more gelid
atmosphere of the corridor. All about me
was silence so I decided to open the doors.
The merest touch of my fingertips was sufficient for the doors to
silently and gently swing away from me.
As they did so warm air rushed past me at such a speed and with such
force that I blinked at its passing. My
skin tingled and beads of sweat formed at my hairline as my body adjusted to
the change in temperature. I was confronted
with another light ingesting black stone room.
What pitiful lustre that did seep its way into the blackness bounced
languidly across the walls and ceiling to reveal a suite of three, perhaps four
linked rooms supported at regular intervals by uneven nodular columns. I could make out nothing from which the wail
that had filled the corridor could have emanated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I paused in the doorway to await the arrival
of the others. Shortly they caught up
with varying levels of noise, though all quieter than they had been. Rodney and Eligos slipped past me into the
darkness just before Glen, mounted on his Boar barged past to follow them. Eligos rummaged in her pack and drew out a
sunrod. She twisted it and raised it
above her head. Bright light glinted
from the russet scales of the now koboldish tiefling, illuminating her purple
robes and leather amour and cascading out to fill the nearest of the four
chambers. As the light pierced the gloom
another wail sounded out from the pillars supporting the ceiling. Not only that but they <i>recoiled </i>from the luminescence.
The light of the sunrod revealed that the pillars were not nodular stone
structures but piles of densely packed bodies.
The bodies were not whole.
Disjointed limbs and torsos jutted from a protoplasmic core that was
difficult to discern from amidst the circus of flesh. Heads of all races jutted from the press,
their crazed eyes scrunched against the intrusive light as they gnashed their
teeth and wailed in protest. The sound
of the sunrod crashing to the floor and rolling to one side brought my
attention to Eligos as she raised her shield and readied her flail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There
are demons in there.” She said
indicating the nearest column. Minron
and I readied our weapons and cautiously followed them into the chamber.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pillars of flesh had settled into a
catatonic torpor. Silence was our only
companion as we edged our way amongst the slack limbs to investigate the
interior of the chamber. Suddenly the
silence was broken by an enraged scream from the pillars. Sinewy, taloned claws struck out from the
columns to grasp at us. Minron, Eligos and myself managed to jink clear but
Rodney and Glen, together with his mount, were not so fortunate. Grasping fingers palpated across the faces
and torsos of my companions, gradually drawing them further into the morass of
the ululating mob until they disappeared altogether. Just as suddenly as the column near to us had
burst into rapacious action they fell silent and still. But in the still darkened chambers to our rear
we could hear the same commotion, undoubtedly from other such columns. Very quickly this noise also dissolved to
leave only silence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sid!” Glen’s shout, tinged with panic, punctuated
the darkness of the other rooms. “Sid
where are you?” His query was answered
with a porcine grunt from somewhere else in the gloom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Glen?” Rodney’s voice called to add his noise to the
dwarf’s. “Are you alright? I’ve emerged near some sort of alter. There’s a mask on it. It must be the one we are after.” I winced at their racket but there was no
helping it now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“For
pity’s sake.” I called to them as I
nocked an arrow. “Grab the pig, grab the
mask and lets get the hell out of here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He’s
not a pig, he’s a boa..” Glen did not
have time to finish his rebuke before the sound of explosion and smell of
sulphur filled the chamber. An otherworldly
roar soon followed and I did not have to see the source to realise that it was
another balgura demon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not have time to ponder the
consequences of this before three evistro carnage demons unfolded from
encapsulating flesh of the pillars. Without
thought I drew back the arrow readied on my bowstring and loosed it at the
nearest blood red homunculus. It struck
him a mortal wound to the throat, or so I thought. The little demon simply lowered its bald pate
to regard the offending shaft before grasping it in the black clawed fingers of
its left hand and tearing it free. I
sent three more arrows to follow the first, all of them finding their
mark. Though hurt even this was not
enough to bring the pint sized monster down.
My efforts earned me nothing but the attention of the other evistros as
they all hurled themselves at me with murderous intent. I barely managed to avoid their charge before
Eligos came to my aid and blocked their progress. Having put herself between me and my
tormentors she pressed forward to batter them back towards the darkness of
another chamber with her flail. Her
vicious assault bought me the space I needed to finally dispatch my initial
target and put an arrow into the face of a second.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the arrow struck Rodney came careering
around a corner to join us once again in the first chamber. He was surrounded by semi-opaque halo of
flame, non of which seemed to be harming him in any way and carrying a silver
mask depicting the face of a platinum dragon, the visage of Bahamut
himself. The mage was quickly followed
by Glen atop Sid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There’s
another of those big hairy horned ones!”
He shouted before wheeling Sid to block the path of his unseen
pursuer. The pursuer was indeed another
balgura and the large hairy demon was not alone. He was accompanied another carnage
demon. Charging ahead of his larger
cousin the carnage demon closed in on Glen but all he got for his trouble was a
face-full of ugrosh. The balgura’s
attempt to aid the carnage demon was hampered as two bolts of ice arced their
way from the palm of Rodney’s hands to strike the demon in the chest leaving
behind a sheen of frozen moisture clinging to the beast’s front, visibly
hampering his progress. Their leader
thus hampered the evistros redoubled their efforts, savaging Eligos and Glen
with their claws. Minron bellowed a plea
for aid to the Raven Queen and suddenly the area surrounding the minotaur was
bathed in white light. This seemed to
agitate the anguished forms within the columns who began suddenly to chant in
unison in a language I did not recognise.
Their bass tones rumbled through the chamber in a rhythmic beat. Steadily rising in volume and pace their
ecclesiastical chorus spurred the demons on even further. Glen and Sid proved an effective block
against their single foe but Eligos started to struggle up against two of the
beasts. Minron bellowed with rage and
charged to Eligos’ aid. Crashing into
one of the demons he knocked it to the ground.
From there it was a simple matter for a well placed arrow to reduce our
enemies numbers by one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Placing yourself directly in the path of a
rampaging balgura demon is not normally good for your health, as Glen already
knew but the stout warrior continued his defiance of the creature with the help
of Rodney. Having recovered from the
mage’s icy blast the demon once again charged at the dwarf and his pig. Some quick reflexes managed to keep Glen out
of harm’s way and before the demon knew what was going on he was smashed full
in the face by the spectral, but all too solid, apparition of a ram’s
head. The force of the collision sent
the demon careering backwards into the darkness. In avoiding the balgura though Glen had not paid
sufficient attention to the chaos demon that menaced him also. A savage swipe of its claws tore through the
dwarf’s armour and brought forth steams of blood from his torso. To add to the
dwarf's misery the balgura chose that precise moment to come roaring once again
from the shadows to attack the dwarf.
Amazingly, injured though he was, Glen managed to anticipate that attack
and land a lethal slash to the demon's throat.
The momentum of the beast was not to be thwarted however and it crashed
into the dwarf at devastating speed, impaling him on one of its horns and
rendering him unconscious. Glen was now
helpless and at the mercy of the chaos demon that had torn open his chest. Just as it appeared that the demon might add
to our losses in the Well of Demons Rodney came to his rescue and immolated the
demon in a searing gout of flame. This
left but a single diminutive chaos demon standing against Minron and
Eligos. Minron swatted it to the ground
with his shield and I finished him off with an arrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though grievous, Glen's injury was not
beyond Minron's ability to heal. Unconscious
but alive we lay the dwarf on Sid's back and led the beast back to the stables
where Vicrael lay waiting in permanent slumber, there to rest a while.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-1766879160997311592012-07-12T22:24:00.000+01:002012-07-12T22:24:15.395+01:0012th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the
founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">12<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part II<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> – Shrine to
Baphomet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stepped through the door into a brightly
lit stone corridor. After following it
for a short while we reached a heavy black wooden door. At the door’s centre was an iron knocker
shaped as the snarling face of a minotaur.
As we passed through the stone of the corridor changed from dull damp
grey into deep, shining obsidian. So
dark was the stone that it absorbed the light of the guttering torches and spat
it back as bright points of brilliant light that twinkled from the shadows as
stars upon the great vault over the earth.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The obsidian corridor was wider than that
previously, it turned away to our right and sported two doors that opened onto
the wall facing us. The smaller of the
two was directly opposite us with more substantial double doors a little way to
the right. Both sets were made from the
same black wood as the one we had passed through and sported the visage of the
same angry minotaur. Further to the
right was an open plan area with a large communal dining table inside. Bones of suspicious size and origin lay
scattered about the table top. The
double doors hung open to reveal a pregnant gloom. The faintest of red glows struggled and
strained to send its light into the corridor to mingle with the starlight of
the torches. Eligos whispered that she
could hear voices coming from the gloom beyond, I couldn’t hear any. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I crept forwards into the corridor with the
intention of scouting what was beyond the open doors. As I stepped out into the
corridor vertigo swept over me. My eyes,
despite being in a cramped corridor no more than a few feet wider and taller
than I, perceived the breadth of the heavens spread before and behind me in all
directions, a dizzying experience indeed.
After a breath I gathered myself and pressed on towards the double
doors. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I crossed the centre of the corridor,
exposed and alone, vulnerable as a babe before the sandman, a great roar boomed
from the chamber at the end of the corridor.
It was answered by a sharp crack, like that of a whip, from the darkness
beyond the double doors. The rotten egg
smell of brimstone suddenly filled the corridor and was followed by another
boom. This time the noise signalled some
sort of explosion from the darkness. The
explosion threw the doors back on their hinges to slam shut. Such was its force though, that the door
frame was not enough to halt their progress.
The doors, accompanied by fragments of masonry, centuries old mortar and
iron fittings, flew past my nose, far too close for comfort, to shatter upon
the black wall on the opposite side of the corridor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I staggered backwards, caught unawares by
the force of the blast. Quickly I
regained my balance and resumed my creep towards the strewn rubble that had
once been doors. I reached the edge of
the now rough opening and peered in.
Braziers crackled in the four corners of a medium sized room, casting an
orange glow into the centre where there crouched a large hairy creature that
was breathing heavily and noisily. Steam
rose in fragile tendrils from its shoulders as the hulking beast slowly rose
from a crouched position. It was covered
head to toe in thick matted brown fur.
Twice my height it had a jet black, squashed face. The dark disc of its face was penetrated only
twice by tiny pricks of red light, its eyes.
Vicious horns curled down either side of its head; starting at the
temples they wound behind its ears, narrowing all the while, before curving
under its jaw-line to protrude as wicked points either side of its chin. It
turned to gaze around the room, head twitching from side to side to take in its
surroundings. It was clearly struggling
to understand exactly where it was. As
it turned around to take in its surroundings I immediately recognised it as a
balgura. These demons are well known to
the Praetorium and don't often exist on this plane of their own volition. Something powerful had summoned it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From my hiding place in the corridor it
hadn't noticed me. I took advantage of
this situation by quietly knocking an arrow, drawing and loosing it at the
demon's heart. The arrow struck true and
the balgura unleashed a blood curdling scream at the ceiling. I sent another two arrows to follow the first
and both struck home. Black blood
dripping from its chests and the corner of its mouth, the creature looked down
at the arrows in surprise. Slowly he
raised his black horned head to lock his red glowing eyes onto mine. His lips curled back to reveal two neat rows
of needle sharp teeth which parted to bellow a challenge at me. Suddenly three fire demons leap out of the
braziers to stand behind the hulking balgura demon, all of them gazing
menacingly towards me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Outnumbered and alone I decided that
discretion is the better part of valour and backed into the corridor towards
the support of the others. Fire demons
are fast though and they caught up very quickly to engulf me in searing
flames. Eligos and Minron rushed to my
aid. Both of them charged at the fire
demons and knocked one over. The balgura
was not far behind his friends though.
He ran out of the ruined doors and straight into me slashing all the
while with his claws. Battered and
bleeding I backed further away to try and find some breathing space. I ducked behind Vic and Rodney who joined the
fray by standing in the corridor and hurling magical projectiles over the heads
of Minron and Eligos into our foes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I bent double and sucked air into my
protesting lungs I became aware of a commotion in the corridor behind me. Suddenly a snorting squealing boar burst
through the entrance and into the corridor.
Astride the back of this porcine apparition was the whooping, wheeling
form of Glen, at that moment surely the happiest dwarf in all of creation. He bounced and flailed down the corridor like
a rag doll tied to the back of a bucking bronco, his red hair and beard
trailing behind him and his axe swishing around his head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cavalry smashed into the balgura and his
fiery friends at full tilt, sending the demons crashing to the ground and
scattering them in all directions. As
the demons hit the floor a gnoll appeared from the dining room grasping a book
and waving a flail around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Get
up, get up. Kill them all!” He shouted holding the battered leather bound
tome out in front of him and gesturing at the demons. “Obey your master, kill them!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The demons sprang to their feet and swarmed
in amongst us converging on me and engulfing me in flames once more. Minron again sprang to my aid sweeping his
sword over my head and into two of the demons.
As his blade passed over my head I could feel the burns on my flesh
healing at his command. The demons were
not as fortunate as one fell lifelessly to the floor. Eligos wasted no time in joining in. Turning into a fearsome ram she charged into
one of the remaining fire demons, knocking it over. Seemingly taking inspiration from the
tiefling Rodney raised his arms high. A
ghostly figure lurched forth from within the mages body; quickly it coalesced
into the likeness of a charging ram’s head and smashed into the other fire
demon, sending him to join his companion sprawled upon the floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime the balgura demon had
regained his footing. Glen backed Sid
into the corridor before charging at the massive demon again. This time the demon was ready for him and
stopped the boar’s charge by grasping his tusks and using his momentum to smash
him into the wall. He them grabbed the
dazed Glen by the throat and slammed him head-first into the ceiling. A dwarf is a tough nut to crack through. He lashed out with his Ugrosh from within the
demon’s grip to slash its arm. The
balgura yelped with surprise and dropped the dwarf to the ground. This was all the opening that Rodney
needed. He summoned a ball of magical energy
that sped towards the hapless creature and struck it cleanly in the chest. The demon had barely had an opportunity to
register surprise before it dropped down dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vicrael dispatched the remaining two fire
demons which left the six of us in the corridor facing off against the now lone
gnoll. The creature shifted nervously
from foot to foot looking for an escape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You
are defeated and cannot escape.” Vic
said striding through us to face the gnoll alone. “You cannot summon more demons before we strike
you down and I do not fancy your chances of defeating us alone.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vic.” I interjected. “What are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He waved me away and took another step
towards the creature, palms raised out in front of him in a gesture of
supplication. “Your book is one of the
artefacts we are searching for. Give it
to me and we will take you back to the Seven Pillared Hall. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Vic!” I hissed.
“This is madness, he’s a dangerous fanatic. Get away from him”. He silenced me with a look and continued
slowly moving towards the creature.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“You will have to
face the justice of the mages but if you help us I will speak on your
behalf. You may have a future yet, if
you help us.” Vic moved closer still and
stretched out his hand as if to receive the book. The gnoll’s fear was still apparent and he
started retreating back into the dining area.
Vic took a couple of quicker steps towards him to try and cut him
off. Before anyone knew what was
happening a flick of the gnoll’s wrist sent his spiked flail towards Vic's
face. Fortunately for him the old Elf's
reflexes were up to the task and he was able to duck under the attack. My reflexes are not too bad either and before
the gnoll could set himself for another attack he received an arrow to the
throat, bringing an end to his mischief.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Orcus' teeth! What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?” I shouted at Vic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“I thought I could
reason with it.” He replied absently,
gazing down at the fallen beast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
“Your thought
process could do with an overhaul.” I
snapped at him. “You seem to be doing
your level best to get yourself killed lately.
Snap out of it!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric; text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I turned and stalked away towards the
entrance. As I rounded the corner I came
face to face with another gnoll, no doubt coming to see what all the commotion
was about. For a couple of seconds we
just stood there face to face, both too surprised to act. Then Vic's voice sounded out as he hurried
after me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hogar
I'm sorry. There are things going on
that you can’t unders....” He stopped
short as he noticed the gnoll. The
arrival of a second enemy was enough to spring the creature from our reverie;
he turned tail and sprinted away down the corridor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey,
stop!” Vic shouted after the creature
before haring off after it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vic!” I shouted.
“Don't go without the rest of us.”
I called for the others to follow as, with a sigh, I set off after them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I chased Vicrael' around several corners
into an increasing gloom. Despite his
exalted age the half-elf still had a turn of speed about him and was getting
ever further away, his calls echoing after his quarry. Eventually the wall mounted torches ran out
and I was pitched into darkness. I could
hear footsteps ahead and followed them through a door and into a smell that hit
me like it was a solid thing. It was as
though Belor himself has voided his bowels, before keeling over dead and
decomposing for a few lifetimes. As I
wretched at the smell I noticed a half lit room to my right with rotten straw
strewn about the floor. In the doorway I
could see the silhouette of Vic bent over and heaving at the vile stink. I was about to call to him when he
straightened and strode off into the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
have you now.” He said into the
darkness. “Come and face m....” He jerked backwards suddenly and toppled to
the floor before he could finish his sentence.
The shaft of an arrow protruded from the centre of his chest where it
had surely struck his heart. As Vic hit
the ground canine howls and yelps filled the chamber. From the shadows a pack of hyenas emerged to attack. They fell upon the motionless Vic, fighting
amongst themselves to savage the helpless warlock from head to toe. Lumps of flesh were torn from his face, arms
and torso in a feeding frenzy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Madness gripped me as I drew a shaft from my
quiver and with a mindless yowl shot it into the mass of hyenas. Shaft after shaft flew into the morass and
one after another the dogs fell to the ground with a yelp. They were slow to notice the new threat that
I posed and many of their number had died before the majority turned their
attention on me. Despite the advantage
of surprise I knew instantly that I was doomed.
There were just too many of them for me to kill before they took me
down. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I continued to shoot defiantly and wait for
the end. Just as I thought it must come
a brown and ginger blur swept past my right shoulder and barrelled into the
pack. It was Glen, still mounted on
Sid. His Ugrosh clove through the massed
hounds, sending them flying in all directions.
He was quickly joined by Eligos and Minron. Bolts of fire and ice shooting into the wolves
from behind me signalled that Rodney was here too. Together we made short work of the remaining
pack and the gnoll that had lured Vic after him. Minron and I rushed to Vic’s side. Minron inspected the damage done to him
whilst I was at a complete loss. After
patting Vic’s shoulder ineffectually for a few seconds and squeezing his hand I
turned to the Minotaur.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Can
you do anything?” He shook his head
sadly in response. “There is no life
here. He is the Raven Queen’s now.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stood up and moved away from Vic’s corpse,
anger and sorrow vying within me for supremacy.
I could hear Miron behind me muttering incantations to the Raven Queen,
commending Vic’s soul to her. Glen
retrieved a shroud from his pack and gently laid it over the body.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He
was a strange one.” He commented
matter-of-factly. “As elves usually are
but a fine warrior.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He
was an idiot.” I snapped, almost
shouting. “And he has been for some
time.” I added in a more measured tone. “But he hasn’t always been. He was great once. He made me the soldier I am. Many are the foes who have rued the day of
his birth. Our brothers in the
Praetorium will mourn his passing.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He
saved me from a life as a savage beast.”
Minron said in his deep rumble.
“He deserved better than to die at the hands of a mangy man-dog.” He fixed my eyes with his own. “We will save these humans, slaughter those
who took them and pass the Platinum Dragon’s trial to avenge him.” I nodded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We
have a mask to find.” I said. “Let’s go and find it.”<span style="letter-spacing: 1.6pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Maiandra GD";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-73565407452674232922012-06-10T17:00:00.000+01:002012-06-11T12:58:36.553+01:0012th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: auto; page-break-before: always; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of
the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">12<sup>th</sup> Day of
Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – Practice Hall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I slept fitfully until Eligos, having taken
the last watch, roused us to continue our journey. Bleary eyed and more tired for resting than
had we pushed on I struggled to recognise the figure before me as Eligos. As my vision cleared the reason for this
became quite obvious; Eligos had shrunk in height by a further foot and was now
covered head to toe in russet scales.
She looked remarkably like a kobold.
As the situation dawned on Eligos her fury was uncontrollable and
revealed quite adequately that, despite the change in her stature she had lost
none of her physical strength or fighting prowess. After Rodney calmed her down Minron moved
over to examine her. Turning her right
hand over in his he noticed a puncture wound on her palm that suppurated some
unspeakable fluid and was surrounded by a puckered ridge of inflamed flesh.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The
bell.” He muttered. “It brings change through disease, we never
should have used it.” He produced a
salve from his pack and proceeded to wrap it about Eligos’ hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why
are they back to normal?” I asked
gesturing at Glen and Vic, now manifestly without extra hair follicles or
elongated teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who
knows why disease takes hold of some and not others?” He answered, shrugging
his shoulders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Cretin! This is your stupid fault.” Eligos roared at Vic as the launched herself
at him. Her right fist made a solid
connection with his left temple and sent the warlock crashing to the
ground. She would have continued to beat
him were it not for Glen intervening. He
lifted the now much lighter Eligos away from Vic and set her down with himself
between her and the focus of her rage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This
is not helping.” He said, gripping her
shoulders tightly. “The disease can be
reversed. Otherwise the halfwit and I
would be in the same boat as you. Minron
will fix you, isn’t that right?” He
asked the minotaur.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
will try but I am not familiar with the disease so cannot predict with any
certainty what will happen. If there is
a way I will find it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We
may not be able to cure you yet.” Rodney
stepped forward and placed his hands on Eligos’ shoulders. “But we can make your equipment a little more
practical.” The mage closed his eyes in
concentration and slowly, slowly the chain shirt hanging loose about her
shoulders and down to her ankles shrunk until it matched her new form
perfectly. He continued to adjust all of
the warden’s equipment. “When we cure
you I’ll return it all to normal.” He
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We gathered ourselves together and, with a
sheepish Vic brining up the rear, retraced our steps into the corridor and
moved further into the gloom. Before
long we came to a set of wooden double doors framed in a halo of light. From the other side of the doors we could
make out canine yapping and the dull thunk of loosed bow strings. Glenn sniffed the air excitedly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
smell bacon.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bacon?” I replied.
“All I can smell is wet dog.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Trust
me. Bacon and pork chops are on the
other side of that door.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen opened the doors to reveal a chamber
bathed in the light of a series of wall mounted torches. The walls were painted with time-faded murals
of naked minotaurs in battle, tearing foes of various races limb from limb with
hands, teeth and horns. We could not
focus on the gruesome quality of the artwork for long however. From the left I could hear porcine snuffling
and squealing. A glance in that
direction revealed a large boar, its hide pierced with three or four arrows,
confined in a wicker cage. The cage was
encircled by four mangy hyenas who
snarled and snapped at the trapped creature.
To the right four gnolls armed with bows and arrows were taking
pot-shots at the boar. They were safely
separated from the feral hyenas by a waist high wall of straw bails. Vic, distracted as ever by his new dagger,
was bought temporarily into the real world by the presence of the boar.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There
was a man in the hall who lost his boar.”
He said quietly before wandering into the middle of the room. “This creature is not yours,” he bellowed
gesturing at the boar. He was quickly
surrounded by hyenas and struck forcefully in the chest by two arrows. He sunk to his knees blood dripping from his
wounds and the corner of his mouth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Save
that bloody idiot.” Rodney shouted with
uncharacteristic emotion as he strode into the room. He raised both hands palm outwards towards
the gnoll archers. The room suddenly
exploded in a bright flame that ignited the hay bails and drove the archers
back. Minron and Eligos moved to deal
with the hyenas. As Glen moved to follow
them he turned to grin at me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
told you there’d be bacon. And
sausages. And a nice side of ribs!” He then turned and disappeared through the
flames at a jog, heading in the direction of the gnolls.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The efforts of Minron and Eligos together
with a few well placed arrows from me made short work of the hyenas. All the while Vic knelt on the floor with
arrows protruding from his chest. When
he was able Minron went to attend his wounds.
As he dislodged the second arrow blood gushed forth from the wound to
splatter upon the blade of the dagger that so enthralled Vic. The warlock stood, seemingly unaffected by
pain and tried to wipe the blade clean with his sleeve. Try as he might though he could not clean his
blood from it. From my perspective it
seemed to almost seep into the metal, turning the blade a deep red colour. Vic’s eyes darkened into smoky orbs and
without warning he plunged the dagger into Minron’s stomach causing the
minotaur to double over in pain. His
eyes cleared and Vic’s face became the image of shock; he clearly could not
believe what he had just done. He stared
at the knife in shock, an alien object in his hands. Upon viewing the knife his eyes darkened
again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Vicrael,
drop the knife.” Glen’s shout came from
the other side of the wall of flames.
The advice went unheeded as Vic plunged the knife into Minron once again,
this time into the back of his neck. The
minotaur lashed out in response, a back handed blow that sent Vic flying
through the air to crash into the far wall.
He slumped dazed into a seated position, the knife clattered to the
flagstones at his side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Vic’s eyes rolled around in their sockets
the flames that had kept the gnolls from us diminished. As they dissipated a weary and battered but
smiling Glen was revealed. Two dead
gnolls lay on the ground, wicked gashes on their torsos betraying the swipe of
an ugrosh that had killed them. Two
further gnolls, singed to the bone by Rodney’s fire were doing their very best
to get away from the dwarf. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Come
back!” The dwarf called after them. “I’ve got a side of ribs over there waiting
for me once I’ve dealt with you.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I drew back an arrow to shoot at one of
the remaining gnolls I heard Minron grunt in pain and anger as he turned his
healing magic on himself. I loosed and
the arrow struck the gnoll through the heart killing him instantly. As I returned to my quiver for another arrow
Vic’s voice screeched out over the din of battle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Possessed. I am possessed. I must hurt the ones I love.” He clambered to his feet, continuing to
babble in this fashion and lurched to the cage containing the boar. Once near to the cage he raised his hands
over his head. As the boar snuffled his
bewilderment a snarl curled onto Vic’s face.
“BURN” he screamed and a column of searing magic fire swirled inside the
cage. Tortured squeals pierced the air
as the boar charged around in an agonised frenzy. Glen dispatched the last gnoll with a
nonchalant flick of his ugrosh and turned in despair at the unholy noise coming
from the cage. We all called for Vic to
stop but he was deaf to our pleas. The
dagger lay unused on the floor, the blood colour having drained from its
blade. It was not the knife doing this
to the old half-elf, he had simply lost his mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just as I was considering trying to
incapacitate him with an arrow Minron regained his footing and charged at Vic
with an almighty roar. He smashed
headlong into the warlock piercing his side with a horn and sending him
crashing into the cage. As Vic slid down
the wicker bars in a daze the flames stopped and a smoking, scorched and angry
boar crouched low to the ground panting.
Seeing the cause of his misery slumped against the cage the boar rose to
his feet and charged at the hapless Vic.
His tusk viciously gouged the warlock’s back and Vic slumped to the
floor, unconscious and bleeding profusely.
With a look of disdain bordering on disgust Eligos walked over to Vic
and dragged him away from the cage to safety.
I held a knife to his throat as Minron tended him in case madness still
held him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen barrelled across the room, over the
smouldering remains of the hay bails and up to the boar’s cage. Gripping the bars he babbled soothing noises
at the suffering beast. I looked up from
my task of securing Vic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
thought you were looking forward to a nice side of ribs?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t
say that to him.” He scolded me. “Don’t you listen to the nasty orc.” He cooed at the beast. “Glen will look after you now, no one’s going
to eat you Sid.” The boar snapped and
snarled and prowled around his cage. He
was badly injured and obviously in a lot of pain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I
think I can help him.” Rodney
declared. He began muttering some arcane
incantation and walked over to the cage door.
To shouted protests from the rest of us he opened the door. Rather than attacking him the boar trotted
meekly up to the mage and placed his head in his hands. Rodney closed his eyes in concentration.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This
boar and his dwarven master were captured by a group of gnolls and hyenas
whilst prospecting in the tunnels. His
master was taken by the tentacled beast that we faced earlier and taken down into
its pit whilst the gnolls snuck past.
They have been using the boar..”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sid.” Glen interrupted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They
have been using Sid,” Rodney corrected himself,
“for target practice and to train their hyenas. It has not been a happy existence for him.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How
many gnolls?” I asked<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s
hard to say.” Rodney replied releasing
Sid who immediately trotted over to Glen.
“Certainly this isn’t all of them.
If Sid’s memories are reliable then one of them is winged.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No
matter.” I said. “Even winged it wont be able to out-fly an
arrow.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney placed Vic’s
knife in his pack with the bell for safekeeping. We roused the warlock to consciousness and
Minron healed his wounds as best he could.
Vic is confused and more than a little addled but does not seem dangerous. We filed through a door on the other side of
the room, the boar at Glen’s side and Vic taking care to be as far away from
those tusks as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-57054679471681732352012-05-23T12:39:00.000+01:002012-05-23T12:43:38.113+01:0011th Day of Meloramensis – Part IV<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year
781 of the founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">11<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part IV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire
Mountain – Hall of Enforced Introspection<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
exit led directly into a corridor. We
turned to the left and followed it into the gloom. The temperature dropped noticeably so that
our breath misted in front of our eyes. Before
long I noticed a dark stain on the floor.
After preventing the hapless Vic from blundering straight into it (he
was more interested in admiring his new dagger than watching where he was
going) I inspected it more closely and discovered that it was a trail of blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We
followed the trail around several corners until we almost ran into three
figures who barred our way as though waiting for us. Partially translucent all three spectres bore
the signs of brutal, and fatal, combat.
The first was a human male, slightly shorter than I, donned in
chain-mail. About his neck he bore the
symbol of Kord. The second was a stout
dwarf in a suit of full plate. The
dented and scored breast plate bore the remains of the enamelled symbol of
Pelor. The third was a tall elf wizard,
some of the usual grace of his people diminished by the wicked gashes across
his face and torso.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You seek to test your mettle
against the trials of Bahamut.” Said the
human. “What makes you think you’ll be
able to succeed where we have failed.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A closer look at the three spirits betrayed their relative
youth and inexperience. Their equipment
was old and poorly maintained, they bore no comparison to ourselves in terms of
ability, experience or indeed numbers. I
pointed this out to the human ghost and he did not seem impressed. One must wonder why he would ask such a
question when he did not wish to know the answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney had been gazing past the three figures and into the
darkness beyond, his head cocked at an angle as though listening to a sound on
the edge of hearing. Suddenly his focus
snapped to the ghost of the wizard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What is
the power that whispers through these halls?”
He asked</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It is the
essence of three artefacts.” The elf
replied. “Three of the four that Bahamut
would have you seek; a mask, a bell and a book.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You
claimed these artefacts.” Rodney
replied. It was a statement rather than
a question.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Those
three and the fourth, the blade carried by your leader.” The elf turned his gaze upon Old Vic who was
still engrossed by the gleaming blade.
“We gathered all of the artefacts but we could not place them in the
rune circles and complete the task. The
Guardian prevented us.” He gestured at
the fresh wounds upon his torso.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why do you
remain here?” Rodney asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We seek to
aid adventurers worthy to succeed where we have failed.” The human cut in. He turned to look upon me his lip curling in
a half sneer. “You are not such adventurers.
We shall wait for others after you have passed into the
Shadowfell.” Without further comment all
three spectres vanished, leaving us alone in the cold corridor once again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We should
press on.” I muttered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Continuing along the corridor we passed through a door to
the right. We entered another corridor,
this time brightly lit, which came to an end no more than fifteen feet in front
of us at a heavy black curtain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There is no sound here.” Eligos barely breathed the words but so right
was she that they seemed to echo from the walls and ceiling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
gestured for everyone to remain still and crept up to the curtain. I drew forth an arrow and notched it before
cautiously pulling back the curtain an inch or so and peering through. Before me was a large high ceilinged hall
resplendent with light. There was no
obvious source for the light but it gleamed from multiple mirrored columns that
stretched from floor to ceiling. In the
mirror nearest to me I caught sight of a reflection. Looking more closely I could make out the
canine features of a gnoll. The creature
met my eye and with a sudden movement seemed to lunge from the mirror out into
the hall and towards me. Everything went
black.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
wasn’t dead, that much I could tell. The
darkness was all consuming but quickly I realised that something was else was near
to me. The utter silence of the mirrored
hall had been replaced by the rasping of laboured breath. The echo of the gasping told me that I was no
longer in a large room and whatever shared the space with me was no more than a
few feet away. I was about to reach into
my bag and activate a sun rod when I heard the scuff of boots on the floor
right next to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Interesting.” Rodney’s voice filled the void and was soon
accompanied by a brilliant light, shining like a beacon from the top of his
staff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Light
danced around the small chamber revealing the figure of the mage. He was standing nearly shoulder to shoulder
with me but even at such close quarters had been rendered invisible by the
thick darkness. We glanced at each other
before our attention was grabbed by the other creature in the room. It was the gnoll that I had seen in the
mirror. He lay on the floor in an
emaciated heap. Usually proud and
fearsome creatures this one was a wretched sack of skin stretched thin over
bone and coated in matted fur. His stink
was enough to drive one to distraction.
He blinked in the light before focussing on us. Mad eyes swivelled in their sockets and
flecks of foam dripped from maw to floor as the beast hauled himself to his
feet. It was clear that he hadn’t eaten
for some time and myself and the mage looked absolutely delicious.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
creature pounced at Rodney but the mage stopped it in its tracks with a bolt of
energy. As the bolt struck, Eligos appeared
suddenly in the room. With barely a
moments hesitation she took in the danger of the situation and charged at the
gnoll. I drew back an arrow and shot it
into the beast’s midriff earning a canine whelp of pain and a torrent of
blood. Eligos and Rodney continued to
distract it whilst I took careful aim with a second shaft. This one pierced the creatures heart sending
it toppling to the ground before it was able to make further sound.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our
foe dispatched quiet descended on the room.
I scanned around me looking for and exit, none was apparent. Rodney pressed his hands against the granite
blocks and closed his eyes, probing the structure with his mind no doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There is no exit.” He said without a hint of emotion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How did we get in then?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Some sort of teleportation
spell.” He replied. “But without knowing how far and in which
direction we need to travel it would be very dangerous for me to attempt to
recreate it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We wait then.” Said Eligos as she sat down cross-legged in
the centre of the room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait for what?” I knew perfectly well what we were waiting
for of course but one should never turn down the opportunity for a little
healthy sarcasm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wait for the others to free us.” She answered matter-of-factly. I could not resist a wry chuckle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your faith in them is quite
touching.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“My faith in them is based upon
experience. Vic and Minron may have let you down in the past but Glen always comes through.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll make some tea.” Announced Rodney sitting down next to Eligos
and rummaging in his pack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I
dragged the stinking corpse of the gnoll into a corner whilst Rodney magically
heated water in his kettle. As we sat in
a circle sipping on the mage’s bitter brew Eligos gestured at the slain beast
with his cup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“How long do you think he’s been
down here?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did
not have to look up from my drink, moving the creature had given me plenty of
opportunity to assess his state.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Judging by the state of him he’s
barely eaten for a month or more.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Surely he would die of thirst long
before a month passed?” Asked the
mage. I nodded towards one of the
shadowy corners, near to where the beast had been slumped on our arrival.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“See over there?” I said gesturing a
string of slime mould clinging defiantly to the moist blocks of the wall. “There’s enough moisture there to keep you
going for a while once you get desperate enough.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well
that’s something to look forward to.”
Commented Eligos as she returned to her drink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished our drinks and continued to wait. Rodney immediately started brewing another round;
I think he may be slightly addicted to tea.
Eligos started gathering loose bits of stone from the cracks in the
floor tiles and arranging them into precarious piles. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suddenly, after what seemed like an age but was probably no
more than a few minutes, we found ourselves staring at the curtain marking the
entrance to the mirrored hall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’ve
teleported.” Rodney said before
scrambling to his feet and disappearing through the curtain. Eligos followed hot on his heels leaving me
sitting alone next to a piping hot kettle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t
worry I’ll tidy up after you.” I mumbled
at their backs before scorching my hands on the piping hot kettle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stowed it in my pack as quickly as I could before setting
off after them. I moved through the
mirrored hall and around the corner to the left. The mirrored columns continued for a little
while until a second larger curtain partitioned off the end of the room. As I approached I could hear the voices of my
companions and the sounds of a scuffle beyond the curtain. I pulled the curtain open just in time to see
Glen dispatch a mummy to a more permanent death. It fell to join another, already lying dead
on the ground. They were standing before
an alter of Bahamut and Glen looked…different.
His ears were more pointed almost lupine in appearance and tufts of fur
had sprouted from his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What
happened to you?” I asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I rung
that bell.” He indicated an ivory
handled silver bell on the alter. “It
somehow pricked the palm of my hand and a little while later I got this rather
splendid addition to my already magnificent facial hair.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minron picked up the bell and turned it over gently in his
hands to reveal a rune etched on the side of the bell itself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This means
change in Minotaur.” He snorted. “I don’t like change.” He handed the artefact to Rodney who had also
walked over to have a closer look.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe
ringing this released us from the chamber.”
He mused. “other than the
physical changes do you feel different?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I feel
strong.” Glen replied. “More powerful.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Powerful?” Vic chimed in. He had once again been preoccupied throughout
the conversation inspecting his new dagger.
“Perhaps we should all ring it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I would
advise caut…” Rodney began before Vic
snatched the bell from him and rung it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Caution? Where did being cautious ever get
any..Gah!” He cried out as the bell pierced
the skin of his palm. He dropped the it
and it tumbled towards the ground.
Eligos’ reactions were fast enough to prevent disaster though and the caught
it by the handle before it could smash on the flagstones. In doing so the bell chimed and the skin of
Eligos’ palm was also pricked by the artefact. Not that you could tell from her
reaction. She merely cast a sidelong
glance at Vic in reproach for his lack of fortitude.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Perhaps we
should put that somewhere safe.” Said
Rodney producing a cloth from his pack in which he wrapped the artefact before
putting it away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a little while Vic and Eligos both doubled over in
pain as the changes caused by the bell started to manifest. Vic’s
canine teeth grew. His nose compressed
and hair sprouted from his face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey you
look a bit like me.” Glen slapped him on
the back. “My canines came through after
a while as well.” The dwarf flashed the
half-elf a vampiric grin as proof.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve
always preferred an elongated lower canine myself.” I said grimacing at them to show my own
splendid teeth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eligos’ skin darkened to take on a rusty hue and fine scales
formed around her jaw line and brow.
Most startlingly of all she shrunk by six inches! She’s still quite tall but very far from
happy. It took the combined efforts of me,
Minron and Glen to stop her from teaching Vic a lesson for his clumsiness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think
perhaps we’d better all take a rest and get some sleep.” Rodney said in an attempt to calm things
down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sleep? Here.”
I asked my disdain for the notion clear.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.” The mage did not seem to share my view.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You want
to take a nap in a place called ‘The Well of Demons? You don’t think that could be a mite risky?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hogar some
of us need rest. We are out of sight and
with a wall to our backs. We may not get
a better chance.” Rodney and, with the
exception of Glenn, the rest of the group dropped to the ground and set to
rummaging through their things.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Rest? I don’t need rest. I could carry on slaying these beasts forever.” Said Glen.
“All you longuns need to get a grip.” I’m inclined to agree with him but he was
summarily ignored. We’re having a rest.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-67864764020941162402012-05-11T18:47:00.003+01:002012-05-13T20:42:42.230+01:0011th Day of Meloramensis – Part III<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">11<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part III<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire Mountain – Hall of the Crimson Whip<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We pushed through the door and into a brightly lit chamber suffused with a faint red glow. A sickly iron tang permeated the chamber and invaded our nostrils. Before us there was a series of platforms separated from each other by channels containing a thick red liquid, blood.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The smallest platform was that upon which we stood. Jutting immediately from the entrance, there was barely enough room for the six of us to stand upon it. To our right, on its own small platform stood a large and imposing statue of a minotaur. Facing it, perhaps fifty feet away from us on the other side of the room was its twin. Across the centre of the chamber was a large runway-like platform that neatly split the chamber into halves. In the two corners on the other side of the runway there were pedestals. One supported a blade the other a hilt.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “That must be the blade the statue referred to.” Glen said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I suppose we’d better go and get it then.” I replied. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Vic shifted to the edge of the platform. The blood lapped gently against the tiles threatening to splash his boots.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I don’t think we really want to be wading through this stuff.” He said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Then let us try another way.” I answered whilst shrugging my pack from my shoulders. I unhooked a length of rope from its fastening and tied one end to an arrow. Raising my bow high I sent the arrow flying over the shoulder of the big statue on the other side of the room. Rook, sensing my intention fluttered over to the statue and took the arrow in his beak. He hopped and fluttered and flew his way around the statue dragging the rope behind him until it was secure, or secure enough at least. Behind me stood another statue of a minotaur, smaller than the two giants snarling at each other across the room but still a suitable anchoring point. I tied the other end of the rope to the statue and clambered onto it. “One at a time.” I said looking pointedly at Vic. “I don’t want one of you idiots sending me into the drink.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I’m not waiting for a turn on that death-trap.” Said Glen and without warning he sprinted at the edge of the platform and jumped towards the nearer of the two larger statues. He covered the distance with ease.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I edged out over the pool of blood I glanced back only to see Rodney walking <i>over the surface of the liquid! </i>He overtook me effortlessly and stepped onto the central runway. I continued to clamber along. As I reached halfway Eligos leaned forward to peer into the crimson pool.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “There are shadows under the surface.” She said ominously.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hadn’t noticed them before but now that Eligos had pointed them out I could just about make out slightly darker patches of red moving about under the surface. This revelation was accompanied by a sudden creaking noise. The rope started to vibrate madly. Glancing ahead I could see that the large statue was moving. It was also covered with large rusty-reddish stains that looked uncannily like old blood stains. The statues began to pivot at the waist. In their hands each of them held a thick length of chain that stretched almost to the centre of the room. As the minotaurs spun the chains clanked noisily as they were dragged along the runway until disappearing under the surface of the pools.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was clear that when the statues spun with sufficient speed the chains would become deadly lariats which it would be difficult to avoid. In the meantime the rope suspending me over the nearer pool of blood was becoming more and more taut. I scrambled hand over hand as quickly as I could until I was able to drop safely onto the runway. As I did so Rook's rudimentary knot came undone and the rope dropped into the water.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The safe route into the centre of the room gone Minron attempted to follow Glen onto the pedestal of the nearest Statue. He was not quite able to match the dwarf's jump however and ended up just short of the platform. As he sunk into the crimson pool the minotaur managed to grab onto the edge of the platform and haul himself up to a solid footing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Minron and Glen started swinging at the statue immediately in front of them. Un-slinging my bow I started shooting at the same statue. Our efforts were insufficient to interrupt the momentum of statues and before long the chains of both statues were whirling around the chamber in a deadly arc. I was fortunate to have landed on a spot just out of the reach of both lariats. The fluttery touch of displaced air was all that I experienced as the tips of the chains rushed past my chest. Glen Minron and Rook were not so lucky. The chain of the further statue just glanced off Rook as he attempted to fly back to me. Though not a full blooded blow it was enough to send the raven tumbling into the blood. Glen and Minron took stiff blows to the head and chest respectively. Though staggered by the force of the flailing chain the both managed to avoid falling from the platform.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Vic retreated back towards the door and out of the reach of the flails. As he moved he gestured at the depths of the blood pools.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Whatever they are, they’re converging on us.” He cried.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Enough of this.” Eligos muttered and without another word waded into the blood straight towards whatever stalked us under there. She continued to move forward until completely submerged. Minron Glen and I continued to plug away at the nearer statue with little effect. Seemingly from nowhere a bolt of magic streaked across the room and slammed into the contraption, shattering it into countless pieces. I turned to see the mage Rodney strolling nonchalantly away.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I shall retrieve the blade and hilt.” He said before skipping away across the surface of the blood.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With one statue destroyed Glen, Minron and Vic moved to try and get close enough to the second to repeat the feat. Glen one again charged at the edge of the platform supporting him, this time attempting to reach the central runway. It was not quite so convincing a leap as the first time but he did make it with only the slightest splash of blood on his boots. As Glen concentrated on regaining his balance a stream of bubbles erupted from the pool in the vicinity of where Eligos has disappeared. We could see nothing but the movement of feint shadows beneath the surface to mark the Tiefling’s struggles.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Minron landed in our midst a second later. Vic attempted to follow but was well short of the required distance. It was only the quick reflexes of Minron which saved him from joining Eligos beneath the surface of the blood. The minotaur snatched at Vic’s collar and after being submerged for the merest fraction of a second the warlock was hauled onto the runway.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The surviving statue rotated again, lashing its chain across the room. This time we were all out of range. Glen took advantage of the opportunity to once again leap out over the pool of blood. Once again he covered the distance easily, landing gracefully at the feet of the statue and without pause proceeding to batter it with swing after swing of his ugrosh.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Suddenly the blood pools began to boil vigorously to the accompaniment of an unearthly roaring noise. Rodney had successfully made it to the first pedestal and retrieved the hilt before sprinting back to join the rest of us. It seems that moving the hilt had caused some sort of reaction. Suddenly Rook emerged from the boiling blood. Sodden and dishevelled his indignation radiated into my consciousness. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From the other side of the runway Eligos erupted to land on her hands and knees on the runway. She was in as sorry a state as I’ve seen her. Battered and bruised the blood of the pool mingled with her own as it streamed down her face to drip from her nose and out of the joints in her armour to collect in the cracks of the floor tiles. She was to gain no respite however as four blood-red demons sprang from the pool to swarm over the her. One clambered onto her back and sunk his vicious fangs into her exposed neck.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we shifted to engage with this new threat the remaining statue once again rotated and flung it’s lariat across the room. Glen, standing as he was at the base of the statue managed to shrug off the attack and continue the steady work of chopping bits from it’s legs . The rest of us were still out of range but, heedless of who it attacked, the statue did succeed in pulverizing one of the demons. As the hapless demon was swept away by the lariat, Eligos rose to her feet with a Herculean effort. She rained down blows on two of the remaining three demons, drawing blood from each and knocking them both to the ground.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As the demons hit the ground a groaning noise sounded from the remaining statue. Quiet at first, it grew louder until reaching a crescendo as the once proud monument, cut off at the knee thanks to Glen’s efforts, toppled into the blood with a crash.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The distraction allowed Rodney to sprint past us all, over the surface of the blood and to the other pedestal that supported the blade. As the mage raised the blade from the pedestal all of the blood in the room rushed towards him buffeting our legs as it sloshed over the runway. Rodney continued to float on the surface but now had to crouch to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The temporary inundation of blood seemed to revive the remaining three demons. They sprang to their feet and continued their assault on Eligos, quickly knocking the warden unconscious. They would have killed her but for my well placed arrow that prevented one of them from delivering the coup de grace. Rodney and Glen both ran back across the bottom of the now empty pool to aid us against the demons. As the rest of us drove the beasts back from Eligos Minron stepped in to heal the stricken warden.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ferocious though they were it was a simple matter for Vic and I to pick off the remaining demons whilst the others engaged them up close. Shortly we had the room to ourselves and Rodney fell to examining the hilt and blade. The rest of us gathered belongings and tended to wounds. I noticed for the first time another exit on the same wall as the door through which we had entered but in the other corner. After examining the blade for a little while Rodney said.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Ah! I think I understand it now.” He continued muttering something incomprehensible and then pushed the two parts together. A feint glow emanated from where they butted up against each other until, with a sudden movement they fused together to form a dagger. As the two pieces combined the deep and loud roar of a minotaur sounded through the walls. Simultaneously whatever spell was holding the blood in one corner of the room was broken and the foul liquid crashed down in a mighty wave to fill the room once more. Once calm had been restored Rodney raised the dagger up.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">“It has some form of enchantment.” He said as he passed it to Vic.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “I’m sure I can make use of this.” Said Vic, as we made our way to the second door.<span style="letter-spacing: 5.05pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-54609530830297515892012-05-08T16:56:00.000+01:002012-05-08T16:56:17.086+01:0011th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part II</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – The Chamber of the Well</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After another trudge through the darkness the tunnel opened out into darkness before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the gloom I could make out floor tiles and a column supporting the ceiling carved with the likeness of a minotaur. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From our perspective it appeared to be casting a sidelong glance towards us, charged with an almost malevolent intent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In the corner off to my left a shaft of light penetrated the thick darkness to glint off the surface of water, a well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Vic moved forward to investigate the deep rumble of a minotaur’s voice emanated from the column, speaking to me in Giantish.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“<i>Greetings, seekers of Bahamut’s boundless glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who prove unworthy of his attention Shall be claimed forever as his slaves. Those who prove worthy Shall be granted power beyond mortal reckoning. Mask, bell, blade, and tome.”</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As the speech came to an end I noticed movement in the depths of the chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A figure came to a stop behind something, a darker shadow in the gloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reflective gaze of undead eyes held mine for a split second before the ghoul unleashed a soulless scream and charged at us.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vic positioned himself between the rest of us and the ghoul and halted it’s progress with a bolt of energy from his wand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he did so the whole chamber began to quake violently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Debris fell from the ceiling as some of the floor tiles at the edge of the darkness shattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A huge many toothed worm erupted from beneath the floor accompanied by countless lashing tentacles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the tentacles lassoed Vic and lifted him into the air.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I began sending arrow after arrow at the creature as the others rushed in to aid Vic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their haste they failed to notice as lithe four legged creatures dripped from the darkness into the half-light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My shouts of warning were engulfed in the din of battle as the demonic creatures fell from the ceiling, flowed from the walls and emerged from the well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they closed in on my unsuspecting comrades long forelimbs flashed out in attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their fiercely clawed hands grabbed the throats of Minron, Eligos and Rodney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rodney’s attacker was hanging from the top of the Minotaur pillar and hauled the mage from his feet to twitch in helpless suspension.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Minron, Glen and Eligos managed to free themselves and take the fight to these “chokers”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ghoul having recovered from Vic’s attack immediately focused on the most vulnerable member of our group, Rodney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the confusion of the melee no-one could reach the suspended mage before the ghoul launched himself at the mage and bit savagely into his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly Rodney went limp, hanging listlessly from the choker’s iron grip.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A cry of effort from Vic pierced the din of battle as he tried but failed to break free from the grip of the tentacle holding him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worm raised the warlock high into the air and lowered him towards rows of razor sharp teeth in its gaping maw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as his death seemed certain the half-elf simply disappeared from creatures grasp only to reappear at my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worm roared in frustration and its tentacles swirled and lashed around the chamber in a deadly dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those in the chamber threw themselves to the ground and managed to avoid being grabbed by the beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron sprang to his feet and charged at the ghoul still gnawing away at Rodney’s neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minotaur’s charge sent the ghoul sprawling on the ground, Minron then placed his hand on Rodney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His healing touch was sufficient to revive the mage who immediately assaulted the choker grabbing him with a thunderous burst of energy</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The creatures paused in their assault, perhaps awed by the mage’s sudden ferocity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bought Eligos the time she needed to summon forth a miasma of noxious gas around the mouth of the worm before stepping forward into the cloud and savaging it with her flail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to think that the many arrows I had sunk into the creature contributed to its fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whatever the cause the beast could not stand before the paladin and sank back beneath the ground with an anguished wail.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Everyone in the room, friend and foe alike stood transfixed by the disappearance of the worm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron was the first to recover his senses and used this advantage to dispatch the ghoul with a well placed swipe of his sword.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Three of the chokers remained to menace us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen quickly dispatched one with two flowing blows of his ugrosh and I another with an arrow to the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one remaining beat a hasty retreat to a crack in the wall just large enough for him to hide in but to small for any of us to reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos was his undoing though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like an angler casting a line she whipped her flail into the crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a wet thump it caught in his flesh and Eligos ‘reeled’ him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the hapless creature emerged reluctantly from his hiding place we fell upon him as one and ended his miserable existence.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our enemies dispatched we quickly searched around in the dark for an exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two doors exiting the room, one to the south and one to the east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my ear to the southern door and could hear the unmistakeable guttural, animalistic laughter of gnolls, probably the sound of our quarry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have decided to venture through the other door first to clear any other hostiles from our backs before facing the beasts.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-84034070672668780842012-04-03T12:20:00.002+01:002012-04-03T12:20:42.706+01:0011th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part I</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"> – The Seven Pillared Hall</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I was roused from my slumber after what seemed the merest blink of an eye by the ever fretful Charrak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waved the diminutive kobold away as he babbled something about a visitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stumbling outside to the well I drew a pail of water and dumped it over my ale-addled head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sat to drink the remaining water I was grateful that as bad as I felt Glen must have been much, much worse.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As I raised a handful of water to my mouth Charrak bustled out of the shop waving a scrap of paper at me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mister Hogar, Mister Hogar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must read the letter.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have learnt over the last few days that it is not worth attempting discourse with Charrak when he gets excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was doubly true in my hung-over state so I simply did as I was bid and took the parchment from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gradually a letter in the common tongue coalesced before my blurred vision.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Your actions against the duergar are commendable. I am in a position of power in the evil organization behind the bloodreaver’s actions, and I wish to help you defeat my comrades. I have been seeking a way out of the organization, and I believe you can help me. Follow the attached map so that we can meet in secret.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yours,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">A friend</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Together with the note was a map directing us to a location deep in the labyrinth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sighing I hauled myself up and went back to the shop to kick the others awake from their stupor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos had still not returned from her dalliance with Brugg and Vic was nowhere to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glenn, much to my dismay was soon strolling about the shop and whistling to himself without a care in the world despite imbibing gallons of ale the previous evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cursed dwarven constitution was not an endearing character trait first thing in the morning and I told him so.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“your human side makes you weak ranger,” he replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“to make you so grumpy after no more than a barrel of ale or so.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s my human side that allows me to tolerate the company of dwarves, so perhaps you’re right at that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled and set to searching through cupboards for something to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he clattered about I bade Charrak to tell us where this note had come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Another kobold had delivered it to him whilst Glen was testing his strength against Brugg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charrak was convinced of his sincerity, knew the way to the location shown on the plan and offered to take us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron pointed out, with an apologetic glance at Charrak, that Kobolds are rarely trustworthy and this could easily be a trap.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have no other leads on the location of the missing slaves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rodney pointed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Friend or foe this Kobold may know their location if he has an involvement with them.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We agreed that we would go to this kobold trap or no trap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that remained was to wait for our erstwhile companions to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not long before Eligos strode in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may have been my imagination but I could have sworn she had a slight limp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen made a suggestive noise in greeting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well devil-lass I hope the numbskull brute didn’t disappoint too much!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do I look disappointed master dwarf?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She replied.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Perhaps not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you’d not be looking so bright eyed and bushy tailed after a night with red blooded dwarf!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eligos chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hardy though you folk may be its not stoutness of heart that leaves a tiefling girl satisfied in the morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guffawed and slapped my hand on the counter in appreciation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know what you’re laughing at,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen replied morosely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“a milksop human with less pecker than a dwarven babe in arms.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Oh that half of me is all orcish I assure you.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We waited another hour or so for Vic to rejoin us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we lost patience and Rodney and I went to the Halfmoon Inn to try and pick up his trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered to find Mrs Halfmoon busy behind the bar cleaning up after last nights revelry and in preparation for the one to come.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come for your friend have you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s in the store room.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She led us through a door behind the bar, through the small kitchen and another door into a cool windowless room piled with barrels and crates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one corner was the foetal form of Vicrael snoring his way through a fitful sleep in a straw filled pallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and kicked his booted feet, no more than a nudge really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes opened and swivelled to regard me without recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crouched down and put my face through a miasma of alcohol breath to address him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have places to be.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Time to get up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mumbled my name and rolled off his pallet with a moan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to get to his feet but had to pause to vomit all over Mrs Halfmoon’s floor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Have you been drinking full pints again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked as I hauled him upright by his collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d noticed a bowl of water in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dragged Vic over to it, his feet dragging limply on the cobblestones and dunked him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held his head under for a couple of seconds until he began to struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When sufficient sign of life had returned I released him to slump to the floor with a wet slap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned to Mrs Halfmoon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I'd get him to clean that up.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But he wouldn’t do a very good job hopefully this is enough to compensate you for the mess and any other trouble he’s caused you”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I produced a gold coin which Mrs Halfmoon was only too eager to accept as compensation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Rodney and I each took one of Vic’s arms and helped him back to the shop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This behaviour is not befitting someone of your status within the Praetorium.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was gathering information from the local populace,” he replied “that sort of thing can prove very useful.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes well, perhaps next time you reconnoitre the local tavern you should stick to your usual half pints.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We returned to find everyone ready to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After allowing Vic some time to gather his things and sober up a bit we all followed Charrak into the labyrinth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After another trudge through the tunnels we emerged at the location shown on the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a spacious natural cavern with several large boulders strewn around the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around the edge of the space there was a narrow raised ledge about 10 feet above our level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing impassively in the centre of the room was a large bronze minotaur, a twin of the bronze warder kept by the mages in the Seven Pillared Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we passed out of the caves and into the cavern Charrak noticed his kobold acquaintance standing atop the ledge at the far end of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was shrouded and hooded in a black robe and carried a staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I could stop him Charrak bounded into the centre of the cavern calling to the creature;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re here, we’re here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We bustled in to try and stop him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we came nearer to the Kobold mage a bright glow emanated from beneath his robes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon seeing us he raised his arms above his head and shrieked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get them now!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two purple auras of magical energy began to glow and pulse on the ridge at either end of the cavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bones, previously hidden from view atop the ledge levitated into each aura and coalesced into humanoid skeletons wielding bows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As this was happening the deafening clank of machinery sounded from the Bronze warder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its soulless eyes glowed ruby red and steam shot forth from its minotaur nostrils as it slowly turned its head to regard us.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before anyone could react the two skeleton archers drew back their bow-strings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Magical arrows appeared, nocked in place on the string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the skeletons loosed the arrows split into countless copies of themselves showering us from both sides with shafts that had become altogether real.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You must kill the mage.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard Rook’s voice echo in my head as he took flight from my shoulder to flutter around the head of the enemy kobold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kobold summoned some form of energy from his staff with the clear intention of causing the raven harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it had any effect on Rook he did not show it as I loosed four arrows at the kobold in quick succession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first missed but the second took him in the shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This did little harm in its own right but it did spin the mage around so that the third and fourth arrows slammed into his chest the last striking him through the heart and killing him before he’d even lost his balance.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The hail of magical arrows continued as the others, with the exception of Vic moved to engage the Bronze Warder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jets of steam screamed from the statue's nostrils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His roar could have been powered by the bellows of Moradin’s forge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat of his inner furnace twisted the air around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His metallic bovine features shimmered in the haze, as a refection in a pool of water disturbed by the breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As flail, sword, axe and magic bounced from the creatures bronze hide with seemingly little or no effect the beast burst forwards scattering all who stood before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron bore the brunt of the assault and was flung backwards into the tunnels through which we had entered the cavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Continuing his forward momentum the Warder crashed into one of the boulders and shouldered it into the mouth of the tunnel blocking Minron’s path back inside.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As the bronze beast swatted our swarming friends from pillar to post Vicrael and I turned our attention to the archers, striking them with magical bolts and sinking arrow after arrow into their decrepit forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before long both fell one to me and one stolen from under my nose by the ever opportunistic Old Vic.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Minron clambered over the rock to rejoin the fray and one after another Minron, Eligos, Glen and Rodney threw themselves upon the beast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each attack was met by the swipe of a giant metallic arm which sent the progenitor flying across the chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alone as he was even his considerable strength and prowess could not save the creature from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A massive blow from Eligos in ram form sent the creature ponderously toppling onto its backside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron quickly took advantage of the warders vulnerability to strike a telling blow to its neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bronze hide was finally pierced and a violent jet of steam erupted from the gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature strained to regain his feet but sensing victory we rained a storm of blows upon him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eruption of rings and clangs together with the heat of the life-force draining from the Warder turned the cavern into a makeshift smithy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually a fine strike from Glen’s axe separated the beasts head from its shoulders and ended the confrontation.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We retrieved Charrak from a corner where he had been hiding for the duration of the confrontation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I clambered up onto the ledge where the unfortunate kobold mage had fallen and searched his belongings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was holding and an amulet and three pieces of parchment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them neatly rolled up and sealed with a blob of wax, the others mere scraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rodney took the amulet and identified it as a command amulet, though he could not activate it, probably because the warder it controlled had been destroyed.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"You did well to kill the mage so quickly."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"He was powerful indeed to be able to wield this."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I opened the sealed parchment and read the contents to the group.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">To Maldrick Scarmaker, Exalted Chieftain of the Blackfangs and <place w:st="on">Chosen</place> of Yeenoghu: </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paldemar offers you the corpses of these champions as a gift of ongoing friendship, that our arrangement might continue to be mutually beneficial. May you savour their blood.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Your friend and ally, Paldemar</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The first scrap was a more scruffily written note:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">I don’t care how you do it, but deal with these adventurers. Take one of the bronze warders if you must. If they remain in the Labyrinth, they could disrupt my plans. Once you’ve dealt with them, deliver their bodies to our gnoll friends, along with the enclosed scroll.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paldemar</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And the third was a hand drawn map directing the bearer to “The Well of Demons.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The location of the well was annotated with a single word “Blackfangs”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vic took the notes from me for a closer inspection and became visibly excited.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ve heard of this Paldemar.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said waving the notes at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some of the locals were discussing him at the <place w:st="on">Inn</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s one of the mages that run the Seven Pillared hall but he’s been missing for months.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Did they have any idea where he went?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not really.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There was speculation about the Well of Demons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>” He said pointing vigorously at the location marked on the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Apparently he had been researching the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s some sort of mythical shrine to Bahamut built by the minotaurs.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced expectantly at Minron hoping for some further explanation but the big minotaur simply shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Anyway, apparently lots of adventurers have set off looking for the place over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The legend is the shrine is a test to prove your devotion to the Dragon God with a great reward promised to any who succeeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of those who set out for the shrine have ever come back and those few that do take many months to return though they could swear that they had only been gone for a few hours or days at the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locals presume that Paldemar is the latest to join them.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If he wrote a note calling for our capture then he’s been alive until a few days ago at the very least.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen pointed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The kobold mage knew of our encounters with the duergar.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the map back from Vic and studied the markings signifying the Well of Demons.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who,” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is Maldrick Scarmaker and what are the Blackfangs?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic grinned white teeth at me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Didn’t I tell you I was gathering information from the local populace at the inn?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should learn to trust your old commanding officer more.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He regarded me for a second before chuckling at something or other he found amusing and continuing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are more slavers I think; at least they have a reputation for abducting those who wander deep enough into the labyrinth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The locals seem to think that they are a clan of gnolls.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Didn’t the surviving humans say that the missing two were taken by gnolls?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was right of course, which means that we know where we are heading next.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-42862366240449530462012-02-27T17:12:00.002+00:002012-02-27T17:12:19.862+00:0010th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part I</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"> – The Seven Pillared Hall</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">True to my word I led us back to the hall without further incident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we emerged from the tunnels into the hall I soon started to notice people following us from a wary distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly children, the figures would flicker in and out of my peripheral vision, disappearing behind buildings only for heads to poke out and peer at us curiously.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';">During our journey through the streets the number of people tracking our movements began to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before long there were too many of them to be able to effectively mask their presence and even Vicreal noticed that something unusual was going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time we got back to the shop there was something of a crowd behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though they were not acting in a threatening manner their presence was still somewhat disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We entered the shop to find an animated </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Charrak pacing up and down, beside himself with worry.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank heavens you’re back”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He squeaked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Brugg is threatening to take away our stock.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Why would he take away our stock?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He says we owe him money.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diminutive kobold wrung his hands in anguish.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Owe him money?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asked Glen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In what way do we owe him money?”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Taxes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taxes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He going to close us down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll be all on my own with nowhere to go.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eligos attempted to calm Charrak whilst the rest of us tried to infer exactly what was going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all too obvious when you come to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despicable an activity though it is the slave trade is lucrative and it had made the Bloodreavers rich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not wanting to risk coming to the attention of those enforcing the law in the hall and the inevitable clampdown that would follow, they had paid their taxes in full and on time without fuss or complaint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their activity was also therefore lucrative for Brugg and his masters and would remain so as long as the Bloodreavers were left in peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Us shutting the slavers down had cost<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brugg and his paymasters substantial sums of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They either didn’t know or didn’t care about the nature of the business that had been shut down in the process.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This injustice sent Minron into a rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became so agitated that we had to physically restrain him to stop him marching out of the shop and confronting<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brugg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We managed to placate the minotaur enough to at least stay in the shop with us whilst we discussed what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conversation did not last long before Brugg himself, doubtless alerted to our return by the crowd outside, stooped under the lintel to enter the shop.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The brave boys and girls have returned from their adventures having changed life in the mountain forever and leaving poor old Brugg out of pocket.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">All was silent for a moment before Vic flashed one of his friendliest smiles and addressed the ogre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We also rescued several people from a life of slavery and removed the threat of enslavement for many others.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed out.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“True enough.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brugg conceded, folding his arms across his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside, it really does but money is money and those grey dwarves were good customers, worth a lot to me.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As Brugg finished his sentence Minron snorted loudly, bared his teeth and strode up to the ogre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even at over seven feet in height the minotaur was a clear foot shorter than the ogre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless he butted up against the tax collector and growled his challenge;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Those customers raised undead abominations to guard their chattel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in league with an active death cult of Orcus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were enemies of the Imperium, condemned to death for their actions by the holy word of the Raven Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sentence that must be shared by any who stand with them against the balance of life and death.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Brugg, clearly intimidated by the aggression of the minotaur took half a step backwards and began to glance about as though considering calling for backup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic and I quickly stepped between the two beasts, a fight over this would serve no-one’s interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic assured him that we have no intention of closing down the shop and would of course continue to make contributions to the authorities in the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ogre relaxed and turned back to address the half-elf.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s good to hear some sense from the more rational amongst you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is still the question of arrears however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This shop owes me five hundred gold pieces”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rodney stepped forward before Minron could lose his temper again.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We don’t have that sort of coin but I’m sure a business relationship with us could prove just as profitable as your previous one with the duergar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example I can enchant some of your equipment if you bring me the materials I need”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rodneys suggestion was followed by a number of suggestions from the rest of us as to how we could be of assistance to Brugg and his cohorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Including guiding them to previously unexplored sections of the labyrinth (sections that are sure to be teeming with valuable artefacts) and the provision of healing if required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Minron immediately regretted the latter offer when the ogre proceeded to drop his breeches and show him a boil on his backside.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Glen came up with the idea that we continue the discussion at the Halfmoon Inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving Charrack to mind the shop we decamped to the <place w:st="on">Inn</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brugg immediately showed an interest in Eligos which, to my utter amazement she seemed to reciprocate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen turned out to be something of a competitive drunk and insisted on matching the ogre pint for pint despite being only a quarter of his size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Increasingly rowdy and sure of his superiority over Brugg in all things, the night ended with Glen challenging Brugg to an arm wrestle and being thoroughly defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us engaged in dragging him reluctantly from the <place w:st="on">Inn</place> back to the shop to get some sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not Eligos though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were leaving I spotted her disappearing into the labyrinth with Brugg in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most interestingly of all she had changed into her brute form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wild night is in store for the ogre I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still it should secure us a favourable tax rate!</span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Papyrus;"></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-8745748867757031842012-02-21T20:56:00.000+00:002012-02-21T20:56:30.759+00:009th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Year
781 of the founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">9<sup>th</sup>
Day of Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">Thunderspire
Mountain – En Route to the Seven Pillared Hall<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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As we
returned from fetching the stray humans to Mirklemoor’s chambers Rodney
presented me with an amulet and the slavemaster’s flame enchanted maul. As no-one else had use for them he offered to
transfer the enchantment from the maul to my bow and let me keep the
amulet. I’m starting to like that mage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As none
of the others seem to know how to find north on a map it was up to me to lead
us home. This wouldn’t normally be a
problem but it’s very difficult to navigate when people continually wander off
ahead of you. The dwarf marched off into
the distance as soon as we had left the reservoir, he is clearly feeling much
better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
tunnel that the humans pointed out to us was well travelled and lit at regular
intervals by well maintained torches.
For several hours all was well as we followed the tunnel through
countless junctions. After a while the
torches ran out and the natural gloom of the caverns closed in around us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
cave widened out into a large chamber.
In the gloom I could make out numerous skeletons scattered about the
floor, some dwarven some human. They all
seemed to have collapsed straight down from a standing position as though their
legs had suddenly failed them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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At the
far end of the room was a corridor just wide enough to allow us to move along
it two abreast. As we moved closer I
noticed what appeared to be three skeletons floating in mid air a few feet into
the passage. Eligos and Minron led the
way as we moved up to investigate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Before
we knew what was happening Eligos and Minron were engulfed in some sort of
gelatinous fluid that caused their skin to sizzle and blister. Suddenly three wraiths emerged from the cube
to viciously attack Glen and Vic whilst the cube carried Eligos and Minron
further into the corridor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
wraiths flitted in and around the rest of us, disappearing through the walls of
the corridor only to reappear somewhere else entirely. Rarely did they remain
in one place long enough for us to strike them.
Even when someone did manage to land a blow it had little effect on
their insubstantial forms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rodney
raised his arms above his head and in response an imp materialised behind the
cube, it struck the cube with a bolt of energy and then vanished into thin
air. In response the cube moved towards
us once again as the wraiths continued to menace us from the rear. Gradually the wraiths and the cube were
combining to force us all into an ever decreasing space.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unable
to use my bow in such cramped conditions I drew my sword to fend off our
assailants whilst trying to manoeuvre myself into a position where I could
shoot effectively. My efforts were
greatly aided by Glen who dropped himself into a ready stance and slammed the
butt of his ugrosh into the floor. By
some power unknown to me the wraiths and the cube were all drawn to him to be
met by the vicious welcome of his axe blade.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen’s
attack bought Minron the distraction he needed to escape the cube’s hold. A sound akin to the gurgle of a freshly
drained ale barrel announced the emergence of the minotaur from the side of the
cube. He landed on his hands and knees
with a slap as acidic ooze dripped from every inch of his body, fizzing and
popping on the flagstones as it landed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The
minotaur hauled himself to his feet and roared at the cube. As he did so lightning streaked forth from
his open maw. The bolt passed through
everything in the corridor, living or dead before coalescing into one fearsome
bolt which slammed into the cube invoking a thunderclap that left all other
sound superfluous. The impact of the
electricity reverberated through the cube and plumes of steam rose gently from
its sizzling form.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Glen
continued his relentless pursuit of the wraiths until, faced with the deadly
onslaught of his blade they retreated behind the cube. Rodney took advantage of the close proximity
of our assailants and engulfed all of them in a jet of flame. The cube was largely unaffected by the flames
and responded by engulfing the unfortunate mage.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney’s
discomfort was not to last long however.
The retreat of the wraiths had bought me enough space to draw my
bow. I wasted no time in sending a shaft
into the cube. The effect was
devastating. As the arrow buried itself
in the gelatinous mass the cube solidified as if frozen and then shattered into
countless tiny fragments.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney
and Eligos fell to the ground amidst the shower of crystallised acid and
immediately leapt to their feet to join in the attack on the wraiths. Partially insubstantial as they were the
wraiths were still fighting a losing battle as the combined might of the party
wore them down. The fight was brought to
a conclusion as Rodney encased all three of them in solid ice. Blade, bow and magic bolt them finished them
off. As their icy shells fractured feint
wisps of smoke floated towards the ceiling.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As the
smoky forms passed through the roof of the passage a feint voice came to us as
though carried on a breeze;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Thank you”.<span style="color: #ffcc00;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rodney
later informed me that the wraiths were the souls of the cubes previous victims
trapped inside their killer and driven insane over time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having
survived our detour and ambush we are now ready to retrace our steps and find
our way to the Seven Pillared Hall. We
should be fine, as I keep telling Glen, I’m pretty sure I know where I went
wrong last time.<o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-17847554119110531922012-01-31T10:44:00.003+00:002012-01-31T14:20:26.283+00:008th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Year 781 of the founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">8<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part II<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thunderspire</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> – The Horned Hold, Slave Pits<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Pitch darkness slowly gave way to a deep red glow cast by dying embers from an abandoned fireplace. The dim light revealed a wooden door through which muffled voices could be heard. Eligos pushed through the door and into an antechamber from which two further doors exited, one to the left and one straight ahead. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The threshold ahead lay open to reveal a bedchamber. The room was split into two levels by a small flight of stone steps and bathed in the orange light of two further fires, these were well tended and roared warmth into the room. Their low illumination flickered over the sardonic countenances of several gargoyles adorning the walls. The dance of light and shadow across their features gave them a somewhat mischievous expression, perhaps even the impression that they were laughing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the raised level was a grand bed and next to it stood a duergar who regarded us coolly. He stood at over five feet; a giant for one of his people. Kneeling before him was a ragged looking human, covered in grime and barely conscious. The duergar had one hand around the man's shoulders and in the other, one of those poison quills from his beard, the point pressing uncomfortably at the human’s throat.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Glen of Zaram.” He said turning his crimson eyes upon the dwarf fighter. “Your fame precedes you. Turn around and leave immediately or I promise things will get very messy, starting with this unfortunate wretch.” He violently jerked the head of his hostage who whimpered in fear. I glanced at Glen. Beads of sweat had formed on his brow and scattered the firelight in all directions as a look of non-recognition and confusion crossed his features. The dwarf is unmistakeably suffering from some sort of affliction.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “You must be Mirklemoor.” Vic interjected. “We’ve come for the humans you kidnapped. If you just hand them over we will gladly leave you in peace”.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I suspect the old man was lying to Mirklemoor, there’s no way we were going to leave his operation in tact after all we have been through under this mountain. Not that it mattered in the end, the duergar didn’t go for it anyway. He snorted his derision at us.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “Hah! Those prisoners are going nowhere that doesn't bring me gold old timer and now neither are you. You will fetch a good price from the mind flayers, despite the lack of brains for them to feast upon.” With that he thrust the spine into the gullet of the human hostage. His scream quickly turned into a gurgle as he collapsed in a fountain of blood at the slave-master's feet. Before we could react two further duergar of more normal stature and a human priest of Orcus emerged from the shadows.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The two nameless duergar moved forward to peg us back in the doorway as the priest summoned hexes and Mirklemoor advanced towards us. He was now wielding a massive maul sheathed in flames. I have encountered the priests of Orcus on many an occasion in the past. I knew therefore that their hexes caused such confusion in the midst of battle that the presence of even single one of them boded ill for us should he be allowed to dictate the terms of the struggle.<span style="background: #FF3366;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wasted no time putting two arrows into the priest as the others rushed the duergar lackeys in an attempt to force our way into the chamber. Under the force of my companion’s onslaught the duergar quickly moved back leaving an opening into the room, an opening that Rodney was quick to take advantage of. He ran into the chamber to blast the priest and Mirklemoor with bolts of ice leaving both frozen on the spot. Even frozen in place however a priest of Orcus is still a threat and exposed as he was Rodney quickly found himself transformed into a toad!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The priest also summoned a hex and made to cast it at Eligos. I shot him again but although thrown off balance he still managed to hex the tiefling. The others continued to press forward reigning blow after blow on the duergar blocking our path into the room until eventually one dropped to his knees. As he did so he suddenly expanded to four times his original size and then stood to menace us once again by striking Eligos.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Despite this new threat I decided to focus on the priest, knowing full well how dangerous he could be if left unattended. I muttered an enchantment at my nocked arrow that caused it to shatter shortly after impact and bury splinters in the flesh of my quarry. Sadly my aim was not true and the arrow struck his shoulder rather than his heart. Though not a fatal wound the priest was clearly in some discomfort, Vic promptly stepped in and finished him off with a burst of energy from his mind. I'll have to have a word with him later about stealing my kills.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the death of the priest Rodney returned to his human form, although he was clearly still befuddled by the ordeal. To make matters worse for the mage Mirklemoor managed to free himself from his cocoon of ice. He immediately turned his fury on Rodney, attacking the mage with his maul and knocking him into one of the fireplaces.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We redoubled our efforts to get into the room but met with little success against the duergar as the newly giant one blocked even more of our route in. Eventually Vic dispatched him by summoning an equally giant fist of iron which grasped him about the middle and with a series of sickening pops and cracks crushed him to death. The gap created was large enough for Minron and Glen to rush to Rodney's aid. As usual the mage was far from helpless. Upon entering the fire he had conjured a cloak of flame around him which shielded him from the worst of the fire.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Eligos took a swipe at the remaining duergar guarding the door and he also grew to four times his original size, once again blocking our path into the bedchamber. Just as his guard succumbed to gigantism Mirklemoor shouted into one of the fireplaces.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “What are you waiting for? Get in here you idiots.”<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">As he finished speaking, the other door leading from the antechamber burst open and another two duergar entered to my left and attacked Minron. Behind them there appeared a Theurge who raised a thick cloud of choking gas around me. As I hacked and coughed my field of vision was reduced to no further than the end of my nose. In my blindness I felt Rook's presence intensify in my mind.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"> “These duergar are troublesome.” He said and I experienced the sensation of intense energy radiating from my outstretched wings. Except of course they weren't my wings, they were Rook's.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The sounds of battle continued to penetrate through the fog including what sounded very much like a clap of thunder and screams of pain, mostly from voices which I did not recognise. Whatever magic was holding the cloud in place around me did not last long. As my vision cleared I noticed that two of the duergar lay dead on the floor with only one further guard still standing. Another cloud of gas, quite separate to the one which had blinded me lurked beyond the door to my left and Mirklemoor was nowhere to be seen. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rodney gestured at the cloud and at his command it moved away from the door and further into the room. With the way clear Eligos transformed into a humanoid ram and charged through the open door and into the room beyond. As she disappeared from view a cacophony of desperate wails sounded through the door. In response five burning demons materialised in the centre of the room and moved off in the direction in which Eligos had disappeared. The rest of us moved in to aid the tiefling lead by Minron and Glen who went in at at a dead run and disappeared in the direction of the fighting to the accompaniment of a loud crash.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rook landed on my shoulder and I moved up to the door with my bow at the ready. I entered a large chamber which was originally a reservoir for the fortress. There were three large cisterns in the room though only one of them now held water. The others were empty and had ladders placed in them allowing descent to the bottom. One of them, to my right, had seven ragged and dishevelled humans crouched in it, each of them manacled to the floor. Two spiny demons known to Eligos as spinagons hovered menacingly over the slaves whilst Eligos, Minron and Glen stood over the prone figure of Mirklemoor. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I loosed an arrow into the chest of Mirklemoor and another into one of the spinagons, though this seemed to have little effect. As the fire demons turned to regard the new threat Rodney once again gestured at the poison cloud commanding it to coalesce over the demons. As one they began to hack and cough. Very quickly all five of them fell to the ground in agonised death throes.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was at this point that I became aware once again of the presence of the duergar Theurge. I was alerted as he uttered some sort of arcane chant which precipitated a storm of molten hailstones falling from the ceiling directly above my head. As the first stone struck me and singed my armour I felt Rook take flight from my shoulder as the impact sent me crashing to the ground.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I struggled to dig myself out from underneath rapidly solidifying molten rock I noticed that Minron had also been brought down by the hailstorm. Glen, Vic and Eligos continued to engage with the spinagons and Mirklemoor. The spinagons tore spines from their flesh and hurled them at my companions. As the spines streaked through the air they burst into flames. Mirklemoor summoned a gout of flame which rather than attack anyone, flickered over him and caused his wounds to heal and his energy to return. Rejuvenated as he was he turned to Eligos and struck her with two vicious swipes of his maul.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With a furious roar Minron erupted from the rubble which entombed us and hurled himself at the duergar slave-master. His sword struck home with such vim that it rent Mirklemoor’s black armour and added a new wound to replace those recently healed. Glen quickly moved in to back up the minotaur by swiping his axe at the duergar’s knees, hobbling him and then striking him again. Rodney sensing that the slave-master was in a weakened state blasted him with a bolt of energy, killing him instantly. Mirklemoor thus dispatched, the mage gestured once again at the poison cloud and it moved to envelop the Theurge.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Theurge immediately moved out of the cloud in an attempt to cast spells at us. In doing so he moved perilously close to Glen, Minron and Eligos. A mistake which he paid dearly for as Minron charged into him and knocked him prone. Glen followed this up with a vicious attack to his exposed neck before Eligos joined the two of them in hacking the helpless creature to pieces. As this was happening Vic, Rodney and I sent attack after attack at the hovering spinagons. For a long time the attacks seemed to have little effect. Eventually one fell and the other was left severely injured and with little hope of getting out of the chamber alive. As a last vindictive act it swooped into the occupied slave pit and executed one of the humans just before my arrow finished it off.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With all of the slavers dead we started to free the terrified looking humans from their prison. There were six survivors. Including the two executed by Mirklemoor and the spinagon respectively gave a total of eight accounted for leaving two prisoners at large. Vic asked the survivors what had happened to their missing comrades. Apparently they were taken away by a gnoll perhaps two days ago. When asked which direction they had gone their leader pointed out a hidden tunnel which seems to head in the direction of the Seven Pillared Hall. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have decided to hole up here for the night to regain our strength, Glen especially looks as though he could use some sleep. Vic and Rodney are going to loot the corpses of our fallen foes whilst Minron tends to Glen. Eligos and I are going to fetch the other humans we left in the Great Hall back here to travel with the rest of us. Tomorrow I will lead us all back to the Seven Pillared Hall where we will make preparations to track down the missing two.<o:p></o:p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-23474842436622995082012-01-21T13:11:00.003+00:002012-01-22T16:36:57.250+00:008th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: always;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">8<sup>th</sup> Day of Meloramensis – Part I<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">Thunderspire</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";"> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype> – The Horned Hold, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Gate</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was roughly roused from fitful dreams of Diefenbaker's last moments by Glen who was on watch. He was alerting us to a presence in the chapel. As we sprang to our feet and readied weapons a deep rumble echoed around the chamber. The rumble was pierced by an ominous cracking as a large section of ceiling fell to the ground. As the dust cleared it became apparent that a large chunk of masonry was blocking our progress through the chapel. After some arguing as to what to do next we settled on what was really our only option, to retrace our steps and look for another route to Mirklemoor.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Moving back into the landing where we encountered the foul smelling zombies we proceeded along another corridor. As we approached an iron bound door loud voices became apparent. They were speaking in what both Eligos and I recognised immediately as giantish. My heart raced at the prospect of facing orcs. Killing some of my despised kin would be some solace in the face of the loss of Diefenbaker. Eligos could make out four distinct voices bawdily discussing their success in some previous skirmish. I motioned for the others to drop back into the darkness of the corridor and barged my way into the room. Three orcs sat around a rough wooden table clutching tankards. Their discarded weaponry carelessly rested against thighs or on the table top. In one corner crouched an ogre gnawing on a suspiciously large looking bone. Between mouthfuls of marrow he was regaling his comrades with tales of the loot he had taken from some town or other. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“You dolts! The prisoners are escaping”. I barked at them as I burst through the door. Four fanged faces turned to look at me without comprehension. “Fools!” I screamed. “Get over the bridge and after them before they get away”. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As dull witted as they looked none of the four dared to question someone of the orcish race who spoke with such authority. They lumbered to their feet as one and moved towards the door. Barely had they got into their stride when Minron came barrelling through the door head lowered and charged into the nearest archer. Tankard, orc, chair and bow went crashing to the ground. I quickly sank an arrow into one of the other orcs as the rest of the party came through the door, weapons at the ready.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As he came though the door Vic made use of the black magic he has been studying of late and uttered a curse at the nearest orc. As he did so I noticed a change in him that I could swear has happened overnight, though perhaps I've just failed to notice before. He had taken on a sallow hue. His waxy skin seemed to hang taught over his bones and his eyes were dull and hollow with a haunted look about them.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we moved to attack the slavers the ogre reacted with a lightning speed that we did not expect. He smacked Minron with a wooden club itself nearly the size of the massive minotaur. Glen, immediately reacted to the threat posed by the giant ogre by circling around behind him to take advantage of the brute's preoccupation with Minron and sliced him with his ugrosh. Though not devastating the attack clearly surprised the ogre who yelped out in pain and turned his attention to the plucky dwarf. Amazingly, despite being five times his size the ogre seemed somewhat cowed by the determination of the stalwart fighter.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The orcs, though much more nimble than the orge must have been considerably slower of wit. Throughout these initial moments of struggle they remained standing around the table open mouthed. Rodney ensured that such reticence did not go unpunished as with a gesture he caused the table to erupt into a searing column of flame which roasted the flesh of all three of them. The stench of seared orc awoke my hatred of the creatures that have caused me so much suffering over the years. I notched an arrow and loosed it to bury itself in the breast of the prone orc as he struggled back to his feet. Quickly I notched another and put it through his left eye and into his brain thus ending his life. Another of my evil brethren sent to collect the skulls of his dispatched foes from Grummush.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The death of his comrade unnerved one of the remaining orcs and he ran towards a double door at the other end of the room. His friend showed altogether more bravery and stepped across to cover his retreat and throw a poorly directed hand-axe at Minron. Eligos saw the fleeing orc and transformed herself into her brute form to give chase. As he placed his hand on the door handle the unfortunate orc was hit full in the face by Eligos' flail. Blood erupted from his snout but to his credit the beast did not go down.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Despite the failure of the orc to reach the door it swung open unaided, creaking on its hinges to reveal a pitch black void beyond. Rough moaning emanated from the darkness, the unmistakeable tortured voice of the long undead. Slowly a mummy shambled forth, foetid strips of linen hung loosely from him swinging in counter-motion to his pendulous gait. The sight of the creature made my heart constrict in my chest. Somehow he seemed to emanate a feeling of dread. Minron, who later admitted to experiencing the same fear, dealt with it by charging headlong into the mummy sending the reanimated corpse crashing to the ground.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our attention was drawn from the new arrival by the smack of the ogre's club connecting with Glen's head. However by turning to face the dwarf the ogre left himself open to an attack from Old Vic who unleashed a dark bolt of energy from his wand. A shadowy tether formed between the orge and Vicrael’s wand that seemed to drain the beast's energy. His misery was further compounded as Glen and Rodney followed up with vicious attacks of their own. The valour of my companions had left the ogre visibly stunned but still he fought on. My thirst for the blood of orcs temporarily sated at the death of the first orc I turned my attention on the ogre and sent two arrows into his gullet, killing him. As the giant toppled I glimpsed an orc drawing back to strike at Minron. I put a third shaft into his armpit causing him to miss the minotaur. This last misfortune and the death of two of their comrades was enough to send both remaining orcs fleeing through the door and into the darkness, Minron's assailant trailing black blood from his wound.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Only the mummy now remained to threaten us. Eligos and Minron bore down on his prone form slashing at him with sword and flail tearing putrid flesh from rotten bone. Even under such an assault the mummy managed to regain his feet. As he did so flesh and bone knit together to make it appear that his ordeal had never happened. Thus unscathed he swung a fist at Minron and struck with such force that the mighty minotaur staggered back a step. The attack availed him little though as Minron simply used the space between them to charge the mummy and once again send him sprawling on the floor.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Vic stepped forward and engulfed the mummy and Eligos in a gout of flame. The flames had no effect on the tiefling but the mummy fared less well. The musty linen enshrouding his entire form burst instantly into flame. His low moan raised several octaves to become a shrill squeal as he staggered about in agony his arms flailing wildly. Glen took a step towards the mummy and with a mighty heave sent the blade of his ugrosh into his exposed neck to cleave halfway into the creatures chest. The mummy grasped the shaft of the axe even as he dropped to one knee. Glen placed a boot on the mummy's shoulder and heaved the weapon free, releasing a torrent of blood and another scream from our foe. Eligos and Minron both charged into to stricken mummy sending it crashing to ground to ooze blood and other unspeakable substances into the flagstones. An eerie silence filled the room.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The silence was broken by a wet sucking noise and the return of the familiar undead moan of the zombie. The creature rose to its hands and knees, all the while dripping gore onto the floor as the great rent in its torso sealed itself before our very eyes. The monster, bandages singed and soaked in crimson blood, turned on Glen and punched him in the face. The blow splattered the dwarf’s face in gore. Minron rushed to Glen's aid and knocked the mummy over once again. Glen immediately chopped his axe down on the creature's neck nearly severing it but even with the merest slip of flesh holding his head to his shoulders the mummy tried to rise and continue its attack. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rodney brought matters to a head by calling for us to step aside. He raised his magic orb above his head and engulfed the mummy in a blast of searing energy. The creature screamed one last time as his body disintegrated to land on the floor as a pile of dust.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we followed the trail of orcish blood into the darkness Glen fell in beside me to point out to me that the ogre was on his last legs when I stepped in and dispatched him. Utter nonsense obviously but I've learned that it's best to humour him. I noticed that he was sweating slightly before the dark engulfed us, I hope that mummy wasn't carrying some sort of contagion.<o:p></o:p></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-82605328647827408442011-11-14T16:34:00.002+00:002011-11-14T16:34:57.178+00:00Hiatus<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve been getting a few hits lately which leads me to hope that some people are actually reading this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore I thought I’d briefly update you regarding the break between posts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Our journey through Thunderspire has been put on hold as we work our way through a special Halloween adventure written by our Dungeon Master.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenario for the Halloween adventure takes place in a dream-like state whilst we are resting in the chapel from the last encounter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As this is not <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Dallas</place></city> I have no intention of writing about a dream, hence the hiatus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We are through four of six encounters so far and should therefore return to the search for <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mirklemoor on 2<sup>nd</sup> December. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to be able to post about the next encounter within a couple of days of this.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">In the meantime thanks for taking a look at my blog.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Garry</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-22386172327990823352011-10-21T12:21:00.000+01:002011-10-21T12:21:39.398+01:007th Day of Meloramensis – Part III<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7th Day of Meloramensis – Part III</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – The Horned Hold, Western Fortress</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We stepped over the dying duergar and through the door into a tunnel, perhaps ten feet wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few feet the tunnel abruptly turned to the left and stopped at a set of double doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos pushed the doors open to reveal a large chamber with a high vaulted ceiling, a temple of some sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the ceiling had fallen down to carpet the floor in rubble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the centre of the room, raised upon a dais, stood a large statue of a roaring minotour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immeasurably old it had lost large portions of its face and upper torso either to age or falling pieces of ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the four corners of the room miserly torches spat and hissed, drawing on the last of their fuel to send a deep orange glow into the chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shadows danced across the room where the light flickered across the strewn rubble, playing across the features of the battered minotaur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the corner of one’s eye it almost looked as though he was laughing at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directly across from us stood another open door the only other exit from the temple.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Scattered about the room there were six corpses with few signs of decay, whatever had killed them had killed them recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From high up in the ceiling there sounded the flutter of wings heralding the descent of jet back raven to the centre of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he landed he transformed from raven to elf before our very eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elf was wearing the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>robes of a druid which bore on them in several places symbols of the Raven Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myself, Vic and Minron all noticed these instantly and glanced speculatively at each other. The elf's fearful gaze flickered about the room searching for an unseen enemy as he warned us</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You fools its a trap”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sooner had the words escaped his mouth than a sickening tearing sound filled the chamber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a slam the door behind us and the door on the other side of the chamber closed, sealing us in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while the tearing noise continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The sound came from the six corpses littering the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They began to writhe and thrash about and their skin rippled as though the bones beneath were attempting to tear themselves free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One by one the skins of the corpses split from collar bone to navel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rose unsteadily to their feet and as they did so bones and vital organs spilled out of the freshly torn torsos to pile on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately the empty shells of flesh swarmed around the elven druid and attacked him.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Before any of us could react Dief leapt to the druid’s defence, running into the centre of the room and savaging one of the shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distraction bought the druid time to transform again but not this time into a raven, instead he became a hulking bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking a step back he opened his maw and a swarm of locusts burst forth, engulfing the shells.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Myself, Rodney and Vic followed Dief into the room and engaged with the hideous things, though to little effect until Minron charged in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He barrelled straight into the nearest monstrosity, sending it tumbling to the ground with a wet slap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then raised his arms at the ceiling, threw back his head and bellowed a plea to the Raven Queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She responded with a massive column of light that shot down from the ceiling more quickly than we could comprehend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it struck the ground a great rumble shook the mountain itself, sending more rubble cascading from the ancient ceiling.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Whilst the impact of the column shook the room and sent us scrambling for balance its effect on those abominable shells was akin to being struck by a bolt of lightning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The radiance seared their flesh and the shockwave sent them flying across the room to strike wall, floor or statue and land in a dazed heap.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Glen and Eligos followed Minron into the centre of the chamber to take advantage of the chaos he had wrought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos had once again transformed herself into some sort of diabolical brute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she passed Minron I noticed for the first time that in this form she is even bigger than the minotaur.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Other than with the assistance of the Raven Queen our attacks were slow to make impression on the shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a while the sound of tumbling rubble brought our attention to one of the dark corners of the temple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here another boneless sack of flesh rose from beneath the piled debris of the fallen ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distraction allowed the other shells to surround and overwhelm Diefenbaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was brought to attention by his yelp as one of the shells enveloped him completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It draped itself over him via the tear through which it had shed its bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once over him it constricted to form a tight bag over his whole body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dief’s sense of fear and disgust permeated our bond and invaded my consciousness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of blood floated across my nostrils and the gelatinous ooze of internal juices seemed to run across my skin.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As Dief thrashed against the inside of his fleshy prison the shape of paws and the impression of canine maw flowed across the abomination’s skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he ever had any real chance of freeing himself it was instantly negated as a second shell enveloped the first, doubling Diefenbaker’s woes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shifting impressions of a struggling wolf within continued through a second skin but less noticeable and progressively weaker.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As Dief was being enveloped other shells attempted to attack Eligos and Minron.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In her demonic form Eligos was simply too big for them to get a grip on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron was a similar challenge but one them did manage to envelop his left arm and most of his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minotaur lifted his right arm over his head, grasped the sheet of skin trying to envelop him and yanked with all of his considerable might but his grip was not strong enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand slipped free and the shell maintained its tenuous grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His failure sent the minotaur into a rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drew his sword and flailed wildly at one of the shells enveloping Dief with such force that its head was removed from its shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus dispatched it relinquished its grip on Dief and slid to the floor, as gruesome a floor rug as you’ll ever see.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">His bonds loosened Dief renewed his efforts to break free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alone and next to an enraged minotaur the last shell engulfing Dief must have sensed his vulnerability and moved towards his allies at the back of the room, dragging the wolf with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the approach of helpless prey two further shells turned their hungry gaze upon Dief.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Summoning all of my concentration I quickly loosed two arrows at the head of the shell enveloping my companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both struck home but were not sufficient to loosen his grip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the Dief’s captor completed the journey to his friends two further shells enveloped him, adding their strength to his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly inexorably Dief’s prison contracted around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feint sound of cracking bones and the pop of joints leaving their sockets could be heard through the triple layered prison together with shrieks of pain.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Suddenly the world seemed to shrink around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noticeable by their absence my senses were no longer as sharp as I had been used to for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could no longer smell the blood and gore of the inside of the undead shells but more than that was gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The half demon Eligos had, I realised, been distinguishable by a slightly sulphurous aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dwarf and the human each had their own scent, previously detectable even through the layered sweat of several days adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sounds of battle; a shifted stance here, an adjusted grip there had reduced to merely the clash and rasp of blades in combat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything about me was suddenly further away, less intimate, quieter, duller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Diefenbaker was dead.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The three shells that held him peeled away one after the other until finally the innermost, his jailer, released the limp body of my wolf brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caked in the organic slime of the human interior, his fur matted, tongue lolling to one side, eyes open in a final lifeless stare, he fell to the floor and I screamed my fury and despair to all the corners of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But violent death was not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indignity had to be heaped upon my friend as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barely had he touched the floor when his corpse began to writhe and convulse, movement easily mistakable for the death throes familiar to any who have witnessed a violent demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But these throes were more sinister in nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were followed by the tearing sound that first signalled the perils of this temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough his flesh parted to spill canine bones upon the floor and Dief rose from death to menace us as another of these infernal creatures.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Despair quickly gave way to fury, uncontrollable remorseless fury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dropped my bow, drew my sword and fell upon the abominations responsible for Diefenbaker’s end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember what happened, how long it lasted or whether I had any help but after a frenzy of slashing, crying, biting, screaming, scratching and tearing three great folds of skin lay motionless at my feet.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I felt a searing heat to my left and turned to see the risen shell of Diefenbaker smouldering after a flaming assault from Rodney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was quickly followed by savage attacks from Glen and Vic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bellowed at them to leave the wolf alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So quickly after his demise I still hoped to rescue him, tales of mortal resurrection are not so rare as to be impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned my attention upon Dief as the battle continued on around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron, freed from the shell that tried to engulf him, Glen and Eligos advanced on the three remaining shells, beating them back from the elven druid they seemed so intent on killing.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Undead eyes regarded me from within the shell of Diefenbaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whereas before we always knew what the other was thinking and experiencing, at least to some extent, now there was nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the flat stare of the hungry dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached a hand towards him in the hope of igniting some form of recognition, an indication that some spark of my brother wolf remained within.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flinched but did not attack me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not I think, because of any lingering affection but because this druid attracted the shells to him in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fled from my presence and barged into the druid with such force that even in the form of a great bear he toppled to the ground.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Immediately the three remaining shells leapt upon the prone figure of the bear and attempted to engulf it between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without any resistance from the druid they managed to enclose most of him and begin their dreadful constriction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly all three of the abominations collapsed inwards with a jolt as the figure of the druid shrunk to a roughly human size and shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly he had returned to his elven state.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My companions quickly re-engaged with the druid’s attackers and began hacking them to pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combined assault of my friends was sufficient to get the shells to relinquish their grip on druid who fell unconscious to the floor and transformed into the raven which first greeted us in this accursed place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So intent were the others in their attack that they turned their backs on the shell of Dief. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned on them with such malice that I became convinced no portion of his mind remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my sword gripped in two hands I bore down on the abomination of my companion and swung with all my might.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no skeleton to provide resistance his head was easily separated from his shoulders and he slumped to the floor dead.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Discarded, my sword clattered to the ground as I stooped to pick up the flayed skin of my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I carried it over to where his bones lay discarded and draped it over them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gradually the others, having dispatched the other shells, made their way quietly over to me and we stood in a silent circle around him for a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually our silence was broken by Eligos who had returned to her Teifling form.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I think this druid is still alive”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My companions moved over to the unconscious druid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a lingering glance I tore myself away from the remains of Diefenbaker and joined them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dropping to my knees I gently picked up the raven with both hands, he was astonishingly light, no heavier than a single arrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron and Vicreal gathered in close around me to use their healing skills upon him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly his wings fluttered and the raven flew up to the ceiling before coming to rest on the minotaur statue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As he did so everything in the room came into sharp focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colours became brighter and objects became more defined, even in the furthest, darkest corners of the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see clearly the details on the collapsed parts of the statue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel tiny variations in the temperature around me and sense fluctuations in air currents, where it was rising to the ceiling and where it was falling to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A male voice, weary but thankful, sounded in my head.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You are called Hogar?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned my attention to the raven perched on the shoulder of the minotaur statue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intelligent eyes stared straight at me.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied aloud, drawing confused glances from the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How do you know my name?”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I reached out with my mind and found an opening into yours, a void if you will”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice came to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see from your thoughts that is was occupied by your companion over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry for your loss, these creatures were responsible for the deaths of my companions and would surely have eventually killed me if you had not come to my aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Rook and you and your companions have my sincere thanks.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">It seems this Rook had been part of an adventuring party looking to stop the bloodreavers just as we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his party fell into the same trap as us but without someone to warn them were quickly overwhelmed by the forsaken shells, Rook was the only one to survive and was only able to do so by transforming himself into a raven and hiding in the vaulted ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked whether he could change back into an elf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says he cannot and is unsure whether he ever will be able to, his state seems to be some side effect of being entrapped by those things.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">He and I seem to be bound together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has somehow occupied the link I shared with Diefenbaker and our minds are open to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Dief’s mind was sharp, being bound to the mind of an elf is a very different and strange experience that will take some getting used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, exhausted as we are, we are going to barricade ourselves in this temple and take some time to recover.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Shortly before taking the first watch Rodney spoke to me privately for the first time since we met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that Dief’s spirit is still present in this temple and that, if I wished it, he could summon it back to the mortal realm as a spectre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him if he could sense Dief’s consciousness and he replied that he could. I said that I did not imagine Diefenbaker would wish to disturb the ordained order of life and death according to the Raven Queen and would prefer to face whatever lies beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mage confirmed that this was so but both he and the wolf would ease my suffering by performing the ritual if I wished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit it is tempting but we will leave my brother to the long rest, he has earned it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my part I am so shocked a the mage removing his head from the clouds to engage with me that I fear I will sleep little this night.</span></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-85744155868766576622011-10-11T12:22:00.002+01:002011-10-13T13:54:55.184+01:007th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7th Day of Meloramensis – Part II</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – The Horned Hold, Western Fortress</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There was only one way forward from our position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I expected, a set of double doors opened onto the second bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Eligos pushed the doors open she was caught full in the face by some sort of slime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mucus clung to her face and sizzled loudly as it ate at the flesh or her face and neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The culprits quickly became apparent, two zombies stood behind a thick iron bound door at the other end of the bridge, peering at us through a hatch.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The cadavers dripped with slime and their stench, though stench hardly does it justice, perhaps taste would be a better description was nauseating even from a distance of 60 feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heedless of the smell Minron ran to try and force the door open but it resisted even his massive strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rodney summoned a column of flame behind the door to burn the zombies, if they were hurt by it they showed little sign. I attempted to shoot them through the hatch but missed twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen ran up the hatch and stabbed the spear end of his ugrosh through the gap at the zombies’ faces causing them to retreat a couple of steps.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Overcome by uncharacteristic bravery Vic took advantage of their retreat to teleport to the other side of the door and unlock it from the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got swarmed by three duergar soldiers for his trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hearing the click as the lock mechanism released the doors Minron shoved them open, reached into the room, grasped Vic by the scruff of his neck, hauled the half-elf bodily into the air and deposited him back on the bridge out of harm’s way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then stepped forward roaring his defiance and taking Vic's place amongst our enemies.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rodney moved up behind Minron and send a thunderous blast of energy into the room engulfing Minron, the duergar and the zombies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron stood his ground unfazed as our enemies staggered backwards away from the door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos, Glen and Minron took advantage of the space Rodney created and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pushed forwards into the room.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The three of them disappeared behind the door, lost to the din of battle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see the corpulent zombies spit where my friends must’ve been engaging with duergar and then hear the hiss of their corrosive spit as it ate away armour and flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the loud crash of a door flung back on its hinges rang out above the din.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There followed a brilliant flash of light to which the world surrendered its presence.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A high pitched whine filled my ears, blocking all other sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White light permeated my entire field of vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all intents and purpose noting existed outside the extents of my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except my bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could feel the sweat smoothed leather grip in my left hand, the brooding tension of the string in my right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My enemies could not have moved far, even blind and deaf I am still a dangerous opponent.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I reached into my quiver, drew my fingers across the resin smooth poplar shaft of an arrow, up and over the coarse feathers of the fletching until they settled upon the nock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without thought, through the practised movement of countless shots I notched the arrow and heaved upon the string.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goose feathers tickled my cheek and the soft thrum of the tensioned string resonated in my ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loosed and the arrow slapped its way through the length of the draw and out into the void.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perhaps a minute passed in darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my vision eventually cleared a devilish imp with a scorpion’s tail was attacking one of the duergar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately after successfully striking the duergar the imp vanished from sight.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the zombies and one of the duergar seemed to have disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were however two piles of ashes on the ground suggesting they had been incinerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed that this was the work of Rodney but later learned that the source of the blinding light was a duergar Theurge who had slaughtered his own companions in a ball of flame in order to attack our party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By remaining outside the room I had escaped unharmed.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">My vision restored I set my sights on the last remaining zombie and sunk two arrows into him, this was sufficient to see him returned to the underworld.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving into the room I resolved to dispatch the Theurge and sent another two arrows at him, both of there wide of their mark however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room was another entrance hall, similar to those we had seem as we entered the previous two sections of the hold with three doors leading from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the ceiling had collapsed leaving rubble strewn across the floor.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Only two duergar soldiers and the Theurge remained now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the group moved to overwhelm them but before they could press the attack the Theurge summoned a hail of molten stones down upon our heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blanket of molten rock was sufficient to knock myself, Diefenbaker, Rodney and Old Vic to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat of the stones seared and cauterised flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell of roasting meat instantly became all pervasive, a rival even to the lingering stench of the dispatched zombies.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">A swipe of Glens ugrosh was sufficient to cleave through the Theurge and into one of the remaining soldiers, Killing them instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked myself up and put an arrow into the chest of the last soldier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He staggered to one of the doors opened it and cried out</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mirklemoor they've broken throu...”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">He was unable to finish his sentence as my second arrow passed through the back of his neck and came to a rest protruding from his mouth.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: AR-SA;">Battered and bruised myself, Vic, Dief, Minron and Rodney all bore visible wounds from the skirmish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rest was seriously called for but Mirklemoor having been alerted to our presence called for us to press on.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-17984727187716950552011-10-11T12:22:00.000+01:002011-10-13T13:51:53.384+01:007th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7th Day of Meloramensis – Part I</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – Horned Hold, The Great Hall</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I stood watch last and took advantage of the opportunity to scout out our surroundings, with a view to figuring out our next move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building we occupied had two possible exits, to the north-west a narrow doorway leading to an equally narrow bridge crossing the deep gorge that so terrified Vic on our initial approach to the hold. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the south-east a set of double doors leading into a narrow tunnel hewn out of the mountain itself.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Standing on the bridge I could see another wider bridge off to the left perhaps 70 or 80 feet away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both bridges lead to a bastion forming the central stronghold of this fortress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wider bridge emerged from another building further along from the one we find ourselves in and must be accessible via the tunnel to the south east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There appears to be no other method of crossing to the central portion of the Hold. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I roused the others ready to move on I suggested that by travelling through the tunnel to the second bridge it may be possible to eliminate all enemies on this side of the gorge and prevent an attack from our rear when assaulting over the bridge.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The party agreed and we travelled though what turned out to be a relatively short tunnel into hallway with three rooms leading from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at this point that I learned that Rodney has a spectral rat as a pet, named Hawkeye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sent the rat underneath the three doors to see what lay beyond them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However after disappearing under the third door the rat did not return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a little while Eligos peered under the door herself and could see several pairs of boots milling around, at least one pair of which were very grand indeed.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We pushed through the door to find ourselves in a Great Hall confronted with yet more duergar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three large tables dominated the room and a roaring fire crackled and snapped behind our adversaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These duergar were keeping company with some re-animated skeletons, which makes a nice change from the orcs their comrades have been spending their time with in this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They screamed their challenge and we charged them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave us little trouble and the fight was notable for only two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly my inability to hit anything or anyone with an arrow and secondly that one of the duergar quadrupled in size mid way through the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite a sight but it availed him of nothing as we cut him down regardless.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We killed them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we closed in on the last duergar he screamed at us that Mirklemoor is in the western fortress and will kill us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would tell us no more and refused to surrender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I disarmed the wretch and forced him back against the wall at the point of my sword.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“My mother was taken by slavers like you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I snarled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One day I will send them where I’m sending you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Mirklemoor will not stop me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that I drove the point of my sword through his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bathed in his own blood he slid to the floor looking upon the world for the last time.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">With the duergar dispatched we searched the rooms of this new building and discovered three human slaves, timid filthy wretches who looked like they hadn’t eaten properly in some time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gave them some weapons and provisions and offered to pick them up on the way back or give them directions back to the Seven Pillared Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to wait for us.</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-49766710356442974932011-09-30T15:59:00.001+01:002011-10-13T13:50:20.724+01:006th Day of Meloramensis – Part IV<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6th Day of Meloramensis – Part IV</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – Horned Hold, Armoury</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I crept ahead of the rest of the party and moved through the doors where the halfling slinger had fled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I emerged into a small corridor with several rooms leading from it in all directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I searched the rooms one by one my companions followed a short distance behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close enough to come to my aid if needed but far enough away to avoid drawing attention to us by their noisy footfall.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After searching two bedrooms and a storeroom the clash of metal being wrought and roar of forges being stoked became apparent from behind doors at the end of the corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A quick search revealed that there was another route into what was obviously a smithy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The route passed through a small antechamber with a water trough in it, probably used to cool hot iron.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Peeking around the door I could see two orcs and a duergar being told by the halfling that enemies have breached the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly called everyone forward to rush in through the two doors and capture them in a pincer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were organising ourselves into two groups the muffled voice of the halfling could be made out through the door.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">“they’re right outside the door” He cried, his voice followed by the sound of quick scuttling footsteps.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The element of surprise gone we burst through the doors as one and noticed a third orc in the room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eligos and Glen formed a barrier in the main entrance backed up by Vic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myself, Rodney and Minron charged in through the second door to catch them on two sides.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The three orcs quickly went up against Glen and Eligos forming a shield-wall in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic cast a spell on the duergar which seemed to allow him to control the dark dwarf’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever the cause the duergar quickly fell upon his orc comrades rather than us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Charging in through the second door we quickly dealt with the halfling and turned our attention on the confused duergar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seemed to be gaining the upper hand when two spectral forms appeared through a wall behind Vic, leaving him horribly exposed all of a sudden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking back these last minute reinforcements making life difficult for us seems to be a recurring theme of the last few days.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vic quickly ran away from this new threat but not before taking a few swipes from spectral claws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distraction allowed the duergar to recover from Vic’s domination and cast one of those infernal columns of light, blinding Vic, Minron, Rodney and myself.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The enemy pressed their attack whilst half of the party was incapacitated but Glen was up to the task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He adopted a ready posture and struck with unerring accuracy and ferocity at any opponent who found itself within his range.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Slowly my vision cleared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once it had I wasted no time in putting arrow after arrow into the orcs killing two of them before turning on the duergar and wounding him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished of the duergar by interrupting him as he attempted to blind us again, as he fell to the ground I saw Glen dispatch the last orc.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We all turned on the wraiths but they seemed to be partially unaffected by our weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen and Minron set about knocking them to the ground to leave them at our mercy as we finished them off.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vic has taken a severe beating since we arrived at the Hold so we have decided to hole up in one of the bedrooms for the night.</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-39261020360911680592011-09-30T13:39:00.001+01:002011-10-13T13:47:45.247+01:006th Day of Meloramensis – Part III<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6th Day of Meloramensis – Part III</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire Mountain – Horned Hold, Entrance</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Charrak’s map was good and I was able<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to lead us to the Hold with few mishaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about half a day the oppressive tunnels turned into a series of large caverns criss-crossed by deep gorges that disappear to unknown depths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly thereafter we were confronted by the front of a formidable fortress sitting on the other side of and surrounded by a particularly wide gorge.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We crept from rock to rock gradually getting closer to the stronghold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From our hiding place we could a gated and crenulated wall, accessible only by crossing a narrow causeway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was not the main part of the Hold however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behind the gated wall we could see in the distance a bridge leading to the centre of the Hold on the other side of the gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To access the Hold we had to cross the causeway with a sheer drop to our right and a cliff face extending up into darkness to our left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then had to negotiate our way through the small gate sealed by a portcullis, all the while being overlooked by a series of small windows perfect for sheltering snipers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we make it through the gate we had no idea what lay inside between us and the bridge.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I then noticed two orcs standing behind the portcullis and felt a cold fury spread through my bones and bloodlust cloud my vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic stayed my hand however, deciding that we should attempt to gain entrance by subterfuge rather than break ourselves upon the walls of the fortress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He instructed Rodney to hide his weapons and strode forward towards the portcullis with the human mage in tow.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">After the pair had covered roughly half the distance from our hiding place to the gate they were challenged by the orcs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic declared that he had been sent by Kediri with this human to sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a brief discussion between themselves the orcs sent out a halfling to collect them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the halfling met our companions he produced a rope to tie Rodney’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Rodney put his hands forward to be bound the Halfling spotted his magic orb concealed up his sleeve and asked loudly what it was.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Vic and Rodney cut their losses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rodney charged the gate and cast a thunderous wave at the orcs behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic drew his sabre to stab the incredulous halfling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of us broke cover to rush to their aid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite Rodney’s thunderwave the orcs managed to seal the portcullis and began to jab at the mage through the gaps with their spears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More orcs appeared behind the gates and three more halflings armed with slings appeared in the windows above to pelt Vic with shot, quickly knocking him out.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Glen and Eligos charged the gate in an attempt to force it open but found their efforts foiled by the strength of the lock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen took to returning the stabs of the orcs through the gaps in the portcullis with the spear end of his ugrosh but Eligos was too hampered by it to have much effect with her flail.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As this was happening I was so consumed with rage that I could do nothing other than send shaft after shaft at the orcs behind the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was concerned with nothing other than the destruction of these foul beasts, though I had little success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minron had rushed to the aid of our stricken leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He easily killed the halfling that had left the safety of the hold and revived Old Vic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having thus saved the day he charged to join the others at the gate and in a feat of strength only possible from a battle crazed Minotaur, ripped the portcullis from its housing, shattering the lock as he did so.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The gate now removed Glen, Eligos and Minron pressed into the hold to attack the orcs, killing them all with relative ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vic and Rodney cleared the halflings from the windows with projectiles, killing all except one who ran down a ladder and managed to escape through a double door on the other side of the courtyard.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The disappearance of the last halfling brought quiet to the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After allowing Vic a moment to clear his head and catch his breath we all followed the fleeing halfling.</span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-59059504164330743272011-09-30T13:31:00.001+01:002012-09-04T12:57:34.445+01:006th Day of Meloramensis – Part II<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6th Day of Meloramensis – Part II</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – Duergar Trading Post</span></span></div>
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We spent a few
minutes ransacking the place before Glen suggested that, with the previous
owners disposed of, the shop could be a useful method of selling the various
weapons and armour we liberate from the slavers in the labyrinth. This would have the benefit of negating the
mark-down we always suffer when selling to traders who have to sell on at a
profit. I suggested that we could also
sell some of the gems we have found in the past; he was less keen on that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
As we discussed who would run the shop for us in our absence (quickly
deciding that Splug, a goblin that Glen, Rodney and Eligos found in Shadowfell
Keep, Bob and Eric would be just the people for the job and mulling over how to
get them over from Silverkin Manor) a tiny (even by their standards) kobold
emerged from his hiding place behind a packing crate. The scrape and skitter of drawn weapons
coupled with the full attention of all six of us sent him cowering into a
corner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Who are you creature and why do you
skulk about in this shop?” Glen asked
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After much stammering and grovelling prostration he revealed that his
name is Charrak and that he looked after the shop when the duergar were
away. Though they were cruel and often
beat him he had nowhere else to go and had stayed on for most of his life. Vic could see no hint of deceit in the
creature so we offered him his old job but working for us instead. He accepted our offer without
hesitation. As luck would have it he had
overheard enough of the conversations amongst the duergar to have learned the
location of the Horned Hold and was able to draw us a map.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We left him with five gold pieces to pay the mages to set up a
teleportation link between the shop and Silverkin Mansion. Glen wrote a note for him to give to Eric
explaining the situation and we set off immediately for the Horned Hold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299832136213957447.post-41792458350317943592011-09-30T13:26:00.001+01:002012-09-04T12:56:53.952+01:006th Day of Meloramensis – Part I<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hogar’s Journal (Translated from Giant)</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Year 781 of the founding of the City</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6th Day of Meloramensis – Part I</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thunderspire</span></placename><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> <placetype w:st="on">Mountain</placetype></span></place><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – Duergar Trading Post</span></span></div>
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We rose early and headed to the trading post by the name of Grimmerzhul in the south-east corner
of the hall. Rendil informed us that
this establishment is in fact owned by duergar.
If one duergar in an area is involved in shady transactions then you can
bet your last copper bit that the whole community at least knows about it. This seemed the perfect place to enquire
about the location of Kediri.</div>
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As we approached the building I
noticed a hand painted sign which read “adventurers
not welcome”. Not promising but we
trooped in anyway to find two dark dwarves standing behind a counter. They gave us short shrift, refusing to talk
to groups of adventurers in strict accordance with the sign outside. I was all for beating some respect into them
but Vic offered to talk to them alone and ushered us outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We stood outside cooling our heels for no more than a couple of minutes
when Vic came bursting out of the door with bright red duergar spines protruding
from his face and neck and four angry duergar bearing down on him. Another successful negotiation courtesy of
our fearless leader.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We moved as one to his aid lead by Eligos and Diefenbaker. These two managed to drive the duergar back
into the shop and away from the prying eyes of the mages in the hall. Eligos’ brave charge did not come without
cost though as she took something of a beating for her trouble. I have come to learn however that there are
few tougher than the tiefling Warden and it was nothing that she could not
handle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With a foothold in the room it was not long before we began to gain the
upper hand. But just as it was becoming
apparent that we would overwhelm Vic’s assailants a spectral figure burst out
from an adjoining room crying “who dares attack Kediri in his own home?” His boastful declaration of identity making
it clear that not only did these duergar know of the slavers machinations. It turns out, they were sheltering the very
duergar we were looking for! At the
appearance of <st1:city w:st="on">Kediri</st1:city>
columns of light began to appear around
the room leaving all those close to them blinded. Dief however remained unaffected and was able
to attack Kediri knocking him off balance.
Vic despite being blinded had the presence of mind to direct Minron to
charge at the spectre and knock him prone thus taking advantage of Dief’s
efforts. This bought Eligos the time to
summon a swirling cloud of grit and blood which lacerated the duergar whilst
protecting the rest of us. With the help
of Vic's spells this was enough to see off the last of the duergar
soldiers. Kediri then felt the full
force of our fury. For a long time he
resisted, seemingly able to shrug of the effects of many of our blows but
eventually the sheer weight and ferocity of our attacks toppled him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A quick search of
the shop revealed some gems, which Glen immediately declared himself custodian
of, some gold coins, an ornate box which had been used as a till and on the
person of Kediri himself a contract referring to supplying human and halfling
slaves to a place called the Horned Hold<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13149377624935955709noreply@blogger.com0