Session 1..............................................................................................................................1Session 2..............................................................................................................................1Session 3..............................................................................................................................3Session 4..............................................................................................................................4Session 5..............................................................................................................................6Session 6..............................................................................................................................7Session 7..............................................................................................................................8Session 8............................................................................................................................10Session 9............................................................................................................................11Session 10..........................................................................................................................14Session 11..........................................................................................................................16Session 12..........................................................................................................................17Session 13..........................................................................................................................18Session 14..........................................................................................................................19Session 15..........................................................................................................................20Session 16..........................................................................................................................21Session 17..........................................................................................................................23Session 18..........................................................................................................................25Session 19..........................................................................................................................26Session 20..........................................................................................................................29Session 21..........................................................................................................................32

Dugger – Vallock – January 3, Year 232Rachel – Afina – April 12, Year 232Joanna – Angelique – April 12, Year 232Mark G. – Sin – July 28, Year 232Mark – Killian – August 3, Year 232Mike – Kylen – November 30, Year 232Greenbond – Baldrick – December 21, Year 232Deceased – Luster – b. September 7, Year 232; d. March 17, Year 250

Session 1Real-time: January 10, 2005Game-time: March 10, Year 251

The tale of Luster - Angelique and

Session 2Real-time: January 31, 2005Game-time: March 15, Year 251

After the successful attack on the mud dragons, the group is readying for our ceremonial roof-raising. We have been laboring amongst our other duties for the last year to build our new home. It is on the outskirts of town at the northernmost part of town in a newly established square.

Afina investigates stories of a local bear attack. Sin works on creating a potion from the mud dragon poison sacks. Vallock investigates a boar sighting.

Kiban comes to visit the home in progress and deliver a message from Mystro to Kylen. Kiban is a wizard apprentice born the year after we were. There are still some hard feelings about not being part of the “chosen”. Kiban and Kylen come to words, Kylen punches first. More words and Afina breaks it up.

The next day is the anniversary of Luster’s death. On St. Luster day the townspeople are quieter than normal in observance of the occasion. We plan a memorial observance. Kylen visits Mystro, his mentor. Kylen shares with the group that Mystro wanted us to visit the “Giants Teeth”, a group of seven stones.

We travel to the area where Luster lost her life to the hag. On the way back from having an observance, we sense a creature in the jungle ahead of us. The trees smelt of dead beer. Killian and Afina believe it to be a boar. We go after it to get food for tomorrow’s house raising. After some semi-skilled running, we surround it and attack. Timon never had a chance. Vallock makes the last stab into the back bringing the six foot beast to the ground. The group brings it back to our house by sunset.

The next day around 20 town folk come to help with the house. The master builder of town helps to direct the activity. Also invite parents, our mentors, new neighbors, and the famed storyteller (Eyvon the Akashic) to the evening festivity. Sin gains much kudos for a deliciously prepared boar meat. Later, Shamus comes and calls out Sin. Sin comes out and invites Shamus in. Shamus accuses Sin and then flicks a mark on his check. Sin draws his wind blade and attacks, missing mightily. The others offer Shamus a beer and he begins a toast. Killian then steps in to stop the toast. He and Shamus trade words and then Shamus strikes him as well, marking his face. At that point Shamus says “I’ve had enough of this den of infidelity” and walks off into the rainy night. All return to the party and it peters out late into the night.

After all are gone Vallock and Killian are drinking when they seen a green light from the square. Vallock looks out the window and sees the hag with a baby bear over her head. She slams it to the ground and slices the bear. The hag then looks straight at Vallock and he hears a voice that says “The lesson will be learned.” Afina wakes from a nightmare. Vallock calls to arms and the house rouses. We quickly run out to the square, Vallock and Sin try to administer aid to the bear. The party brings the bear into the house to administer more aid. Vallock goes to get a healer while Kylen seeks counsel from Mystro. The aged mage gives general advice to the shaken young mage – he advised extreme caution against hag. The party decides that they must seek the Giant teeth –

perhaps a key lies there to get more power to defeat the hag. They know they are too weak right now. Dawn approaches

Session 3Game-time: March 19, Year 251

At dawn Killian’s brewmeister mentor, Zibaan, came by to fetch the kegs and take them back. We leave the bear in one of the rooms; try to tend its wounds. The women go to look for the Mother Bear. The rest do their standard town things where they are questioned about the party and Shamus’ accusations. Afina commutes with mother bear and lets her know that all is okay. The bear is healed by Baldrick and returns good feelings.

Game-time: March 20, Year 251

Get provisions for three days journey and let our respective folks we will be away on. We find the mother bear and return her. A couple hours after that as we head to Giant’s Teeth we have the feeling that we are being watch. Sin cast detect magic and finds there is a presence off to the left, at least 60 feet away. It moved off – we keep going. After a half hour we hear the mother bear calling, not in distress, but calling for the cub. We cannot find any evidence of the bear. Detect magic reveals nothing. Reach the Giant Teeth in the late afternoon, two hours of daylight left. Nothing else happened on the way. At the center of the Teeth has been dug up and down into the ground about two feet. There is gray stone and cleared and cleaned off, perhaps a week ago. The stone is well cut and keeps going beyond into the earth. There are three marking areas on the stone, demarked by symbols for “Sacrifice”, “Command (x3)”, and “Hope”. Each is surrounded by words – the bottom (Hope) with animals, all different except for fish. The middle one is types of things (sword, hand, gem, cloud). The top is the names of the ships that came. “Honor those who came before you. Speak words closest to their hearts and be blessed.” Stones are covered with moss. All have three symbols that are the same on all the stones. Kylen realizes that there are 7 of us, one for each stone. First – two hands open with a circle, second – sun with a sword in the middle sticking straight up, third is an 8 pointed star with an eye in the middle. Kylen remembers that “faith and honor are the sword and shield of the righteous” was the motto for the champions of the sun. When we say the motto, a blue light fills the teeth and we look almost translucent. From the outside we are invisible. Kylen remembers another phrase – “Knowledge and judgment cannot be overcome”. When we say this it is like we now have glasses. We are unable to think of anything else to try. Settle in for a night making camp at the open side of the teeth.

During the night Killian is keeping watch when Vallock screams out of his sleep. The Hag just struck him and sapped his strength by four points. Killian screams out that the Hag is there – everyone awakes out of the dead sleep. Killian lands a hit. Sin tries a Mudball spell but misses. Kylen tries a Mudball and also misses. Baldrick tries a Mind Stab but misses. The Hag chooses to run, Killian charges after her. Sin casts a Detect

Magic and doesn’t sense anything over the Teeth and the stone in the center. The Hag radiates the same as Sin had sensed in the woods earlier in the day. The Hag stops running, turns, and hits Vallock, clawing him for more damage. Afina hits. Sin checks out the center stone but doesn’t seen anything special. Vallock hits. The then moves off again to flee. Baldrick tries a mudball. Vallock keeps pressing the attack and hits. The Hag disappears and keeps going into the brush. Vallock shoots a longbow at the Hags general direction. The party regroups in the stones and debates Hag Hunters and Hag droppings. Standing in the middle area randomly we speak the phrases and again get invisible. Baldrick does some healing to Vallock. The party goes to sleep. Angelique learns that each member needs to say the motto to become invisible.

An hour later, Angelique’s “spidey” sense makes her look around. Kylen shouts out to stop talking. Angelique’s uses a hero point and sees the Hag standing over Vallock. She charges and swings, making a glancing blow. She yells “the Hag is back”. Everyone gets up and surrounds the Hag with attacks, all missing the first round. Vallock hits and takes the Hag’s head off. The party recovery’s the family heirloom from Luster, a compass.

Session 4 Game Time: March 21 Y251 (Jo as log keeper)

(Big Dog, Dugger, Mark D. and Jo present. Rachel sick, G Money in FLA)

Most of the day is spent contemplating the “H” stone. After much debate, Afina touches the “Bear” symbol. All the words disappear. More contemplating. The monkeys come back. Kylen goes to the monkeys and tries to speak to them. They give him a nut. He eats it. Nothing. Night falls. The sounds from the forest are not normal. Killian on first watch.

The sound of a squealing pig shatters the silence of the night. Killian awakes Sin, Vaylok, Kylen and the Greenbond. It is soon determined by Vaylok and Killian (aided by darkvision of the circle) that a number of melon sized spiders have slain the unfortunate pig. The others do not awake.

***And then the monkey’s came running out of the forest singing loudly and offering mugs of beer and jars of a strange slippery substance. It appears they wished to barter for the twins.*** On a more serious note --- Angelique has a dream of her mother with her chin resting on her cupped hand. She sees on her finger a ring, a ring of two fish. In the morning, she touches the symbols on the three slabs and touches “Fish Fish” on the “H” stone. The slabs glow then disappears revealing a root choked passageway.

***The monkey’s, rebuffed initially returned with fine (if skimpy) silks and supple leathers to up the ante…we wavered.***

The companions start chopping at the roots after we find no spells to help. After ten feet, it is easy to distinguish that the passageway is made with wood walls and footings which have been deteriorated by the roots. The wood appears to be from a ship and has runes on the boards that are for preservation and hardness. The sloped passageway is about 40 feet down then it flattens off for about 40 feet before it widens into a 30 ft long tomb with a body on a platform. This is not how our culture would treat the dead. Bodies are usually burned; they are of no importance once the person is gone.

The woman lying on the stone wears a ring with two fish like A & A mother and resembles them. She died young. On the urns around the platform each has the three symbols we saw above.

1. Circle with open hands - The open hand defends better than the sword2. Faith and honor are the sword and shield of the righteous3. Eight pointed star - Knowledge and judgment cannot be overcome

***The monkeys seemed content to bide their time and allow us to enter the tunnel. I think they are laughing at us.***

Angelique touches the fish fish ring on the body; it is warm to the touch. She asks Kylen to touch it. It is ice cold and then the urns dissolve into three wraths. Baldrick said the sword and shield phrase. Killian said the knowledge phrase. Kylen said the open hand phrase. The wraths pause and then continue the attack. Angelique jumps up on the platform and takes the ring. The body crumbles away leaving the ring and the dress.

***Hey, hey we’re the monkeys!!!***

The wraths walk through the characters giving damage to strength points. Angelique puts on the ring. Touches the one from the #2 urn, says its phrase. It is ice cold and starts to turn toward her until Baldrick hits him with a mudball. Kylen is getting his ass kicked. Angelique touches #3 who after fades to dust. Everyone else goes into defense mode. #2 and #1 also fade into dust after Angelique touches them. There are a lot of hits to strength points. Kylen is the worst off with only 1 strength point left. (Sorry, I don’t have the stats for the others.) After a check for magic, it is determined that something is under the platform. Several people together push it aside and inside find lots of stuff.

Coins – 750 gold and 350 silverLeather bags (rotten) – 30 small gem stonesScrolls – spellsMaster work great sword12 frosted glass vials (6 glow)Multiple heirloom items of the old kingdom: signet rings, banners, silver tiara with gem,

big ass cut ruby in rock cover by dirt

Session 5Real time – April 4, 2005Game time – March 22, Year 251

Half the party is weakened from the wraiths and feel cold. Kylen feels that the cut of the gem focuses the magic. The party debates on what to do with the goods. When the twins touch the gem, it glows. Touching together doesn’t add to it, does not for anyone else in the party. The party moved the slab back over the gem. Head back thru the jungle towards home. Getting close to night before we make it back to home, right before the square. Afina hears a noise coming from the woods, we cower behind a wall near the house.

A tall dark skinned muscular man stumbles into the square, staggers forward, and falls to one knee. He continues down the street as something comes crashing through the woods towards the town. In comes a man with long hair and good looks on top of a horse – a creature we have never seen. Both the man and creature appear to be dishelved and been through something. His face looks shocked. The first man, by this time on the other side of the square, hops the wall and peers back warily. Sin yells at him to stop, he yells back in a strange language. His forehead is bandaged, the horse is wounded, his quiver is empty. Vallock observes that he is the most handsome man he ever saw.

***The Queen****

Sin maneuvers around to get better position. The man on the horse gets pissed and yells while shaking his sword at Sin. Baldrick pulls out a flag to show the creature. It seems like he changes language. Afina joins the semi-circle around the intruders. He cries out a word – “blah blah blah” pointing to the flag Baldrick is holding, then turns his horse and bolts out of the town the way he came. Sin runs after him into the woods. The rest of the party goes to see the first intruder, who is now passed out behind the wall. He seems animalistic with fangs and more of a jaw structure, somewhat ugly from our standards. He has no weapons, a couple of pieces of chain armor and leather – different craftsmanship. Kylen went to get Mystro, Vallock went to get Morgan the War Mane. Sin and the rest get the bounty and return it into our quarters. Along the way Kylen runs into Jonas, who is the first to come to our area. He eventually asks where we were, the women say we were exploring. Kylen doesn’t find Mystro – his nemesis Kiban follows him back to the house. No one knows what the creature is and what the home was. Morgan and Jonas take him to the main greenbond to keep watch over him. Baldrick, Kylen, and the Greenbond go with the creature. The twins cook dinner. Killan, Sin, and Kiban hang back and keep watch. The townspeople ask questions of Vallock and Kylen about what happened. They choose to return back to the house.

[Edit this: The next day the elders come and visit ask us what happened – where we found everything. Share the flags and banners. Popular decision is that these were

hidden until a better time. The discussion turns to recounting the invaders and what to do next. They all agree that we need to follow the trail of the horsemen. We prepare for the journey….]

Session 6Real time – April 25, 2005March 23, Year 251

After a rough night, everyone goes off and does some things to prepare. In the morning, Eyvon the Elder decides it is time for a Ceremony of Self Discovery. Everyone goes to the clearing in the woods used for this. A chant happens and all outside sound is drowned out, the sky becomes black and white. Angelique, Killian, get a feat as they are Unfettered. Sound and color come rushing back.

Traveling with our intrepid adventurers Toren, Master of Hunters, Windize of the Crow Tribe, and Afina’s bear (Da’ Ber – think Chicago). We travel for three hours, not going as fast as as Toren would like, breaking once for a while. By noon we reach near Watcher’s Peak and find the intruders beast of burden, dead. It is readily apparent that it died of exhaustion. Bags are strewn about, empty water skin, empty food satchels. Toren searches and quickly finds the trial. He states the movements are staggered – the man/thing is likely injured and not moving quickly. We travel through the day, make it to the edge of the woods.

We take turns keeping watch. During the night there was rumbling in the distance (possibly a rock slide), but nothing else of consequence occurs. By the time we bed down, all were exhausted. The next day we break camp and make our way up into the mountains. Part way in we find the carcass of a dead deer – no clear indication of what happened. As we continue the haze is building up. Come across a rock fall. Start crossing when Windize spots the stranger at about 250 feet away. Vallock tries to hit it with a bow – seemed to get him but he goes behind a rock. We start moving toward when the ground in front of us opens up and an enormous wounded dragon comes out. It is Grandfather Blue – a legendary creature that stalks the mountains. Toren told of it in his youth cutting down a friend of his. It is Blue that keeps all from crossing the mountains. The creature is cut and bleeding. From its entrance, most of the party starts sliding down the hill to the left towards a large hole.

Most of the party falls into the hole which goes into rushing water. They land in a deep pool that is essentially a crack inside the mountain. The water level is falling as the party members manage to stay afloat with their packs. Afina makes it to a wall and starts climbing to an square opening that is 40 feet up the wall. Vallock tries to send a rope down from above with “Grandfather Blue” watching. Killian helps steady the animals and then add to the rope that Vallock sent down. Grandfather attacks Vallock – bashes and grapples him, impaling with two spikes. Da’ Ber attacks Grandpa.

Meanwhile back in the pool of water, the level is dropping rapidly – a foot a second. Everyone gets a foothold on the wall. The water continues to go down. Kylan seems to notice this last and is the furthest down the drain, er, hole.

Make up on the rockslide, Tooran comes out of no where and attacks the creature. Grandfather Blue bites at him. He also swings around and lets Vallock go sailing into the rock slide. Grandfather bites down again on Tooran and he no longer moves. Afina lights up a magically dry lantern in the tunnel, Baldrick is climbing up towards it.

Windize slides down into the hole. The dog is barking. Tooren is being eaten. Lots of confusion with ropes and lamps. Afina lowers a rope down to three down in the water. The bears stops itself near the hole. Angelique reaches the rope as Windize lands in the water. Vallock steadies himself on the rocks by the dog. Grandfather Blue comes down the slide and knocks the Bear into the hole. Killian is lowering himself by rope. Vallock makes his way down the rope as well, but must drop the dog in order to get a better hold. Killian grabs the dog on his way down. The Bear hits the water. Eventually everyone gets into the tunnel. We lower Afina and using two lines get Da Bear up with all.

It took only a few minutes. We are now very tired, wounded, bitterly cold, and smell of wet dog and bear. We also just lost a town elder and our guide - someone we have looked up to our entire lives. Above us Grandfather Blue still menaces and a stranger hides in the slopes above us. The only path now is into the darkness of the tunnel. All in all, perhaps we should have listened to the monkeys….

Session 7Real time – May 16, 2005Game time – March 24th – noon

Tunnel walls are covered in paint and chalk artwork – somewhat primitive but all encompassing. Pictures of flowers, tree, sky, etc. A black rampant lion is repeated - “merchant”. The walls are smooth carved out of the mountain.

The party rounds the corner to see some stairs curving up and a hallway to the left. [Several minutes are spent moving the party a few inches past the dominos]. Clarification that the tunnel we came in was once part of a larger network and was exposed by the rift in stone. Vallock goes up two revolutions into a room 20x30. It is lit by natural sunlight with a 4 inch slit that the light is coming through with a platform next to it. He sees that it is an arrow position – can see that Grandfather Blue is outside wandering about. Going back to the open hallway the small cracks in the wall we noticed before are now bigger – getting to a foot in size. It’s unclear how long ago the cracks happened. Affina notices pictures on the walls of white bears – things she has never seen before. Another picture is a king talking/negotiating (?) with a dragon, color of dried blood. It continues for another 10 feet and widens into a room with wide open 20 foot archways on the left and right. The one to the right looks like a tavern area with tables, a door on the far wall, darkness in the SE corner near the hearth w/ a depression in the

ground and moss on the walls. Further inspection shows it was a water course that came through. The molded pile is rotten clothes and the remains of a human body under a blanket, skeletal remains. Searching reveals a pouch with dried leaves (hooch) and a pipe. The door’s handle was cold – detect magic sensed three magical objects.

The left room is 60 feet long w/ 4 foot walls every 20 feet. Wood bed frames (7 feet) are in each section and about 20 pots in one section. Furniture in the room is from a wood we are not familiar with. No personal effects are found.

The party was divided on what to do – most deciding to go. The room is small and full of shelves. On the floor are three egg shaped objects (football sized) in iron stands. It is cold in the room. Sin enters the room and determines by using his hand that the cold is coming from the eggs. [The monkeys cackled from behind the wall]. Kalen touched an egg, had a sense of a white field and that someone knew he was there. Vallock also touched all three, same thing happened.

To the north is a small room with what looks like a pool table. Webs get thicker to the north. There are large double doors. We decide we need to make camp and rest. Sin does a Detect Magic and senses a large but dispersed magic source through the double door. Set up standard watch schedule.

Second watch Windize spots movement at the edge of the light. Killian and Angelique are woken. Turns out there are two very large spiders in the hallway with the cobwebs. The ones awake decide to keep the party in the center of the main room to keep an eye on things. The spiders do come back and check things out but then disappear.

In the “morning” we open the double doors. The 30x30 room in clad in silver – catching the light of the torch. Ten foot circular opening in the center of the room with stone work on our edge of it. Slightly doomed room about 15 feet high also silver. The floor is not silver. Kylen finds the walls are, of course, magic – of the transmutation variety. The three star symbols and the rampant lion are on the walls. Reciting the chants from earlier do not seem to do anything.

Continue down the hallway with the webs. Found a privy. Burning webs to see what is the hallways. Find a walled off passage that has since been opened up. Human sized passage. Continue to the end of the hallway and find a stone door. It leads to the outside. Go back and look in the tunnel. Find web bundles – burn them. They hid breastplate armor, flasks (burning oil?), and a glass ball. There is also 41 gold pieces. The spiders stay at bay. Work our way back to the silver room. The thought is the smoky blue gray glass ball can fit in the hole by the side of the stairs that lead down in the silver room. The glass ball and breastplate are magical. Vallock drops the ball into the hole – it starts to roll around like a coin slot thing at COSI. It seems the ball gets smaller in size. Vallock steps on the circle and disappears. The rest of the party decides to follow. We are in a similar room, but not the same – symbols moved a little bit. There are the same double doors from the previous one.

We cannot move the doors. A search for secret door reveal this is the only exit w/ no impediments. After lots of pushing we get the doors to move open – lots of wood crates are on the other side. Break open a crate and see it is filled with nicely made metal objects. A noise comes from broad stairs that rise up. Sounds like metal on stone coming down the steps. There are three short humanoids (e.g. drawves), even though we have never seen them before – short, beards, with an axe and sword. Two in bed clothes and one in leather aprons. Enter cliffhanger music…

Session 8Real date: June 6, 2005

Aria tries to make positive contact (using all her assets) and approaches the lead drawf in the leather apron. The rest of the party generally is wary and defensive. She moves forward with open palms. He puts out his hand in a universal “stop” motion, then proceeds up the stairs.

We open up some more of the crates in search of leather straps to use with the breast plate. Find enough to strap it on, not for combat. No significant markings on the walls, but they are standard stone block construction. On the side walls are shallow but hard to see carvings of the rampant lion with three stars – different stylistically. Sin examines the door and listens, hears guttural sounds.

After a couple of hours we knock on the door. The move the wood cross bar and several dwarves are there in full armor, weapons drawn. A woman is the leader. She casts a Tongues spell and has Angelique come forward. The woman asks that we go back through the portal as our mortal enemy; the Selani will get both them and us. She doesn’t want to tell us much – just wants us to leave. The matriarch asks if the others are “hers”. A Detect Motives spell shows they are both amazed that we showed up as well as scared. Angelique explains that we cannot go back. After some thought the leader says that we cannot stay down here. Led up stairs and see that there are a total of 5 portal rooms. Led out through larger set of doors up a long ramp past four working smithies. Up another ramp. We are not cramped moving through the halls. Level with kitchens, closed doors, and apartments. One room is vacated and we are all jammed into it. Requested that we stay there for the time being. The furniture is drawven. Afina does our thank you bow and the matriarch does it slightly back to her.

After a short time the matriarch comes back and she takes us to a more formal area with an ornate door. There is a circular chamber of simple stones set in a ring around the room. The guards stay outside (the bear and dog are back in the room). Casts Tongues again and can speak to us.

Vaylok asks for a description of the solani (looks like mounted hunter though w/bluish skin). Recognizes the pattern of the warriors armor, he is a solini of the house of Autumn. Solani have sky cities!!!

We are in Tazal Faine, an old human fortress. “A short way across the sea or a long way across the land from Shanalar.” We are 100 miles SW of the sea.

This fortress was given in trust to the dwarves by the last human commander before he left to defend Shanalar. She tells us her it is our (Angi’s) right to claim the fortress as her heritage. Some records exist, mostly religious, there is one record in the commanders old room, carved into the wall. (we must convince them to let us see them). No equipment from the human armories remain.

Fish ring shows her heritage as a scion of the House of Berefonde, this makes her potential heir to the throne. This was the last Great House to hold the throne.

Kylen is called ‘the enchanter’, asked if he has the power of the portal, hints others may want him to help improve there works (metalwork?).

After this conversation we go back & wait, dinner is served to us in common room alone with matriarch & 2 others (Boria Gurstone, master runethane) offers us their hospitality for as long as we wish to stay, warns us not to go to surface, not normally Soliani near but they do visit from time to time, allow us full access to any unguarded place on our honor. Offer to teach us “a higher language”(Matriach Sedda Vengeld).

Take us about 7-12 weeks to learn basic language.Fortress is along river, village along river (once human) now populated by the

Tolz (our size, strong, gray skin, not fierce, not terribly INT, simple work, farm, hunt, mine, trade w/Durgan, also cut down forest trees & send down river to sea)

Leaders (Sedda – equivalent of Evan in Freehold/chanter for the dead), (Isiak Bertold, master trader) (Boris), 4 families in fortress (names to follow by GM). Other communities exist but in different parts of empire, no direct contact. Maybe 150 durgan in fortress.

Scared texts from the ‘Golden Tower’ – reveals basic religious ceremonies, from a group known as the Golden Brotherhood. (symbol – hands w/heals together)

Take down and let us look at 4 other portal rooms. Ramp leads down to rooms, other room to left that may hold more rooms. All have lion/star crest, no sign of where you might get to using them. Not all were built at the same time.

Wind eyes – Totum warrior (his animal was killed by Solani (crow)), huntsman of his tribe. Other totum tribes (hawk, wolf, etc). His job was to protect his peeps from bad stuff. He drew Solani’s attention and led him away. Never believed the Solani would be that tenacious, it was 3 weeks of almost solid running.

Last kings of Atalban symbol was the mailed fist over the intertwined fish.(Vial 6 (blue) – 2 portions of permanent glow, 3 silvery powder – inv x 1 hour if

poured over person (not cloths), if suspension drunk – small damage, full INV for 3d6 hours, last three – sweet liquid – 2 doses each, 2d4+1 healing)

Other set of doors on the portal room ramp reveals 1 larger portal room, This is the portal to Shanalar (Sedda’s face gives us the answer).

Session 9Real time: 11 July, 2005Game time: 8 July

Angelique meets a drawven stonecutter friend and socializing widely (teaching gambling to the natives). Sin learns drawven cooking well enough to add it as a skill. Baldrick learns about herbs as a skill. Afina picks up a little Tolz language. Vallock learned to make armor and got some breastplate – drank beer. Axes and bows for Wind Eyes. Kylen wrote scrolls in his chambers. Killian picked up Tolz language.

One day, Sin and Afina are in the tower get his small glimpse of the outside and feel of wind. See dwarves harvesting and tending apple trees, in the brewery, smoke out of a smokehouse, and a couple sneaking off into the overgrown practice fields. See Melshi bring a covered plate to a small building whose contents were not specified before – told nothing important there. Comes out about 20 minutes later with an empty plate. Afina and Sin decide to inform the others when we meet up later.

Afterwards Melshi seeks out Vallock and says someone wants to meet him. Disguises him in ash and an old cloth. Takes him to the same building. Inside is an old drawven lady who says: “this warms my heart that you have come back after so many years. Come Sallin, sit down”. She appears very old – bad eyesight, etc. Vallock doesn’t lie directly, but chooses to be obtuse. “everything will be put right, you will soon have your keys back to the palace and we can pay for what we’ve done”. “tell me what happened since I was gone”. “I have not done well. It took much out of me. I have been here a long time. The young ones come and keep me company.” She asks “does house Marchant have the throne now?”. He replies “they were the last that I heard”. She “I knew you were good people. The interlopes have gone back to their dens. I have faith in you boy, you never let us down even though we let you down.” She says she is getting tired and Vaylok makes to leave. As he is leaving he notices an aged and tattered Marchant banner.

Melshi says the woman was the leader of the durgen when the humans left. Vaylok asks about any prophecies, but Melshi doesn’t know of any. She has been out of it since the humans left. Vaylok believes that she could have valuable information. Melshi says she will ask once if she wants to talk to Vaylok again. If not, then she will not bring it up again.

The dwarves are going to have a Ceremony of Enlightenment. The group is not invited, but Kylen, Anglique and Baldrick ask to attend. All the leaders gather in the ceremonial room and three drawves come in – 2 male, 1 female, all carrying heavy stones with just long shirts on. All the drawves there take out silver hammers and chant a work-like chant. As the song gets going the three in the center are holding stones above their heads. The chant builds and builds, the power gathering in the room. The three in the center are hard to see. They in turn drop their stones, the chant quickly slows down and the ceremony is over. Well wishing happens for the ones in the middle. Very positive atmosphere. The three are tired, but happy. Everyone heads to the party that will happen this evening. Sedda, the lead chanter comes and asks Angelique what she thought of the ceremony. [Lots of side meetings with some of the party].

The next day two Tolz walk out to the building while Melshi waits, then come back to the fortress. Afina spots a glint in the sky. Sin seconds the spotting. They go back to warn the others. They tell the leader Sedda that they see a glint. We go hide in our rooms, prepare for battle. Melshi comes back to wait with us. She says the cities are filled with thousands of people. The city passes without incident. Afina and Sin go back to the tower and see small lights going from it down to the forest. It was heading south-southwest. Kaidir, a person that Kylen has worked with wants him to go to market with him. The party prepares to travel, getting disguises ready – makeup, etc.

Kylen goes with his friend to the market that happens once a month. He observes that they barter with hand motions rather than talking. Conversation is friendly, barter is aggressive. In the meantime, Sin and Afina spot lots of movement at the edge of the woods. In time a large number of wolf fighters are coming out of the woods in ranks towards the town. We raise the alarms in the fortress. They are called “Tagaans”. Bells start ringing in the town, people are cowering. There are approximately 30 Tagans, three groups of 10 each, each with a dog. Kylen and the dwarf are moving quickly to the fortress and cross the bridge. They close the gate behind Kylen. Sedda says the Tagan are raiders and take what they can – especially during market day. The Tolz are very submissive. Tagaan used spells on a horse. When they leave they kill one of the Tolz by ripping its throat out. The Tolz work to clean up what they can and take the victim away. Igor, aka Baldrick, wants to go see the body to help learn any connection between the humans and tolz. It appears that the difference is more racial, not species.

That night we head toward the sea, traveling along the river…

The aftermath of the Tagaan raid was dark and unpleasant. Apparently the durgen had been harboring hopes that the rumored strength and virtue of the race of Men would appear and take pity on the Tolz. This, of course, was a fairly hypocritical stance and the durgen themselves could have made a good battle of it but have chosen not to.

As the company gathers its possessions and packs supplies for their journey away from Tazal-Faine, Vaylock and Angelique are taken aside by Sedda Vengeld, the chanter and leader of the Durgen community.

"I am sad to see you depart, even though it is for the best," she said emotionally. Sedda had come to care for the humans more than most of the durgen. She knows their potential and the anguish they feel at being lost from their home.

"I do not know whether to have you follow the sun, the moon, or the north star to find your home, but, in time, I believe you will find it. Until you do, follow your heart and seek the nobility that is your heritage."

The company shoulders its burdens and heavy heart and heads toward the gates of the fortress under cover of darkness. As they pass through, a dwarf reaches out and presses a small roll of paper into Angelique's hand. A quick smile reveal's Melshi's face before she disappears back toward the fortress.

The Tolz village is quiet as they move through, memories of the raid fresh in their minds. Vaylock feels his emotions keenly, his boots scuffing the ground that could have been a battleground.

Angelique takes a moment to unroll the paper message and peer at it in the wavering moonlight. In simple pen, it shows the river leading to the sea. Halfway between Tazal Faine and the sea is an island in the river. Marked on the island is a circle with six rays... a sun.

Session 10Real Time: August 10, 2005Game Time: ???

The party leaves the village, traveling along the river on an ancient road that is now in ruins. Start moving out of town. Come across some houses after 20 minutes. Move on another half hour. Section of the road heads into the forest, overgrown. Continue to find these houses along the side of the road, every 15 minutes. Decide to move during the night and sleep during the day. Some of the party pick up a “vibe” that the forest is not as friendly as our home jungle – something not quite right. Kylen does a detect magic and senses a soft presence everywhere. The party can’t figure out any more information.

Traveling a half hour in we are well off the traveled path. The more into the forest, the less “disturbed” the forest is. Make cold camp. We stay up until about 5am and then take turns on watch. During Baldrick and Angelique’s watch they feel a shiver go through them. They wake the camp – Windeyes go out and searches the forest. He reports seeing nothing “must have been spirits”. About 5pm we finally give up sleeping or pretending too.

Killian and Angelique scout out ahead and look for anyone on the road. They do not see anyone at first. They work their way down to a house and find some folk outside. The company works on a cover story (traveling musicians), clothing, checking makeup, etc. The old woman at the house waves, but otherwise uneventful. We press on.

Later that evening, Killian sees some glinty light up the road. Someone has a cart with a light on it. We decide to go off the road. A child or durgen creature is pulling a hand cart containing covered goods. As he gets closer the creature has big ears, looks very odd. He passes us by, and then Kylen loses his nerve. He runs out to the road, runs down to the confused creature, and strikes a natural critical blow. The creature crumples down and then Kylen proceeds to cast a healing spell to slow down impending death. Cart contains sacks with vegetables, iron trinkets, etc. There is a buried sack that radiates some kind of magic.

Baldrick determines he can speak some drawvish. Angelique rifles through the coin bag and finds three rings. He says he traded the “dog people” for it. We barter that we take only one ring, the most powerful one. Turns out it is a ring of protection – plus two. As Sin has the worst AC, he gets it. Angelique threatens the creature with bodily harm if he tells anyone. We move on.

On day 5 away from the durgen as we camp during the day, Angelique hears a noise. By now Sin regularly sets up an audible alarm that keys off of visual movement. Turns out it goes off as the shadowy things show up again – three this time about 30-35 feet away. As they come closer – each one is human sized with bounds of iron around their arms and chest. Kylen sees they are magical/spiritual in some way. At 20 feet see they have no eyes, mouths are open. Becomes clear they are going towards the twins. Each one has a dark line across their necks. Kylen asks via spell if they will cause harm – they nod “no”. The other party members are slowly awakened. Angelique asks if they want us to follow and they nod yes. Vallock believes they are ancient uniforms. They are making beseeching motions to “come”. They are wary of the bear.

Lead us into the forest – travel for 90 minutes when we get nervous. Keep going. 2 hours from camp the trees are thinning. Eventually see the ruins of a two story tower covered in moss, broken stones in a 100 foot clearing that only has short grasses. The three float to the middle of the circle and then fade into the ground. Walk across the field to the tower. The animals refuse to cross. Afina and Windeyes slip – the moss came off revealing a human skull. The entire field is likely strewn with them. It’s not complete with them, but there are many.

Get to the tower on the other side, most of the first floor wall is there – stairs going up to a second story. Moss covered. Do find evidence where some stone was burned by magical fire. We continue looking around. The three spirits come back. Baldrick asks if they want a ritual of death and they say yes. Sin looks for secret doors but does not find any. They get asked if there are more of them, they look down. Ask if the sins of the past can be righted, they nod yes. Is the secret in Shanalar – they say yes. Did the Solani do this? Yes. During the chant process, a large number of sprits rise up through the circle of the chant and dissipate into the sky above. Lasts an hour before the spiritual vibrations cease and the party is physically and emotionally exhausted. Decide to head a little way back to where we came and make camp.

The second day of travel away from the killing fields and getting near the river, we feel that odd feeling in the woods is now gone. Nearing the river we come upon an overgrown orchard and a house with its roof caved in. Cautious surveillance reveals no one there and hasn’t been for years. The company gathers extra fruit for later. The road is more overgrown than before. Do find a mark in the stone – box with a vertical line through it by the entrance – a do not enter warning symbol. Searches inside the house reveals no significant finds. Sin finds a secret door in the floor. Underneath is a box that has magic inside. Open revealing a dagger in a sheath with two medals in the remains of velvet. The dagger has one serated edge and a wet green shine. On the box is the name “Rian”. Kylen touches the blade and suddenly doesn’t feel well. He detects poison and determines that it is contact poison on the blade. Baldrick comes up with some herb concoction to help him out.

Continue down the river but the houses have not been lived in recently – say 5 years or so. Finally get a sighting of the island. On our side of the river (western side) is a boat with 4 Tagaan next to it….

Session 11Real time: August 23, 2005Game time:

The Tagaan are loading deer onto the boat. Angelique, Afina, Windeyes, and Killian sneak up to attack. Killian becomes a demon death machine, rolling natural 20’s and lopping off heads. Two of the Tagaan jump in the river to start swimming away. Windeyes jumps in after them. Angelique jumps up onto the side of the boat and then jumps on the same one. As the rest of the company runs to the frey, Sin spots a lone Tagaan on a hill beyond the trees – he spotted the melee. All four are dead. The Tagaan on the hill is now gone. Vallock asks Windeyes to go look for him.

There is a rustic chest in the boat, which we now we see is small. Study the chest and open it. It is full, with the top layer full of ripe fruit. Underneath are tools, some gold coins, and a bunch of gemstones that raw (need to be cut). Kylen notes that it seems odd the Taagan would have fruit as they seem like meat eaters.

Made it to the island, the animals would not get out of the boat. Sin notices an absence of birds and animals, just insects. The bear is in the water by the boat, the dog stays in the boat. The party locates a couple of paths and make their way inward. The forest starts to look darker ahead down the path – 100 feet. As we discuss what to do, a loud angry Tagaan sounding voice comes from the darkness. Sin senses an aura that is larger and more tainted than any since he gained “The Sight”. We continue to discuss and the voice comes out louder and meaner. The air is shaking. Angelique decides to sense motive while everyone else hides behind a tree. Then out of the darkness comes a huge dragon who flies by. All but Baldrick and Sin panic and run.

Baldrick launches a mudball. Sin tries a gusting wind – nothing works. Sin animates his windsword and swings. Manages to get a minor cut in. The dragon begins to play with all the characters. Kylen had paniced and ran to the river, grabbed the boat, and started rowing. Windeyes starts screaming Crow war cries and runs away from Vallock. Angelique and Vallock calm down from their panic. Around this time the darkness starts to pass and Baldrick/Sin see a structure down the path. They start running for it. Vallock goes after Windeyes. The dragon makes for Windeyes and hits him, just misses Angelique.

Sin and Baldrick make it to the structure. Baldrick races up some stairs, Sin goes in the door of the structure on the left side. Looks to be old barracks. On the right side is an old smithy with a clearly durgen anvil w/ runes on it. Everything else is decrepit and has not been used in ages. Baldrick sees that the central building is round, appx. 100ft. in diameter with six spoke building out. See creepers and stone going down. Appears that it is a hole and goes 50-100 feet deep w/ some water below.

Angelique lands an arrow – more melee exchanges. Windeyes draws his attention away, it flames him with something, he goes down. Angelique hits again. Vallock hurls insults in durgen. The dragon lands and starts to pull apart Windeyes. Killian charges. Vallock and Affina land major blows. Killian lands blows. The dragon starts to fly up in the air to retreat. The dragon starts to have steam coming out of his mouth – preparation to breath weapon. Killian lands again with a bow. By this time Baldrick makes it to the scene and casts a Mind Stab spell. He flies off and heads to the river and falls into it. Kylen sees it come to the surface and float down the river. The rest make it to the other shore, then see three Tagaan take Kylen.

Session 12Real time: September 19, 2005

The bear is not found, the dog followed Kylen. The party decides to camp back at the structure. We are too weak to go after Kylen. We bid him well – perhaps he’ll find young nubile women in the village of Athens…

At the camp, Sin cooks dinner. Everyone else searches the grounds. Kennels, Library, monk quarters, smithy, grand hall, etc. Baldrick and Afina search for bear tracks by the river. Exploration of the hole – smell of rotting flesh and vegetation, chemical smell, water, etc. 50 foot drop, 120 feet across.

New watch rotation: Angelique/Vallock; Afina/Killian; Baldrick/Sin last couple of hours. After the second watch, hear sounds of Taagan rustling in the woods. Everyone is awoken and make for the high ground of the fort. Arrows start to fly as the damned Taagan come to us in two groups. Baldrick did a glow globe so we could see one group. Sin does a Blinding Light on one in another group. Killian and Vallock are firing arrows back. Afina and Angelique charge down the stairs and start cleaving. Afina takes one down, Angelique takes a good double axe blow. Two run up the stairs and engage with Killian and Vallock. Down on the ground Angelique is very hurt retreats back up the stairs to help out. Vallock and Afina finish of off the five on the ground. Meanwhile Sin spots three more coming from the woods in the south. He establishes a defensive position until the come up the stairs and one is a leader about 50% larger than the rest. Sin retreats like a little baby and makes way for the fighter.

At this point there is the leader engaged with Afina and two others with Killian. Baldrick heals himself while Angelique makes her way to him. Sin comes up and helps out Killian. The Tagaan on Sin ends up loosing his balance and tumbles down the stairs. Killian retreats. He and Angelique get healing potions. Afina lands a 20 on the bad dude. He turns to attack but loses his sword. Vallock hits, but loses his balance on the second hit and goes down the stairs. Afina hits again, Vallock gets him from the back. Afina takes out the last fighting one. Vallock and Angelique take him out with arrows – the boat drifts away down the river.

The very tired and beaten up party heads back to the ruins and dragon’s lair. The leader’s great sword has three stars around the sun on the cross. We all rest to about 2pm, healing and getting spells back. Vallock takes some Taagan scalps.Pile made up of Tagaan weapons or gear. Tons of “gathered treasure” from the Tolz. There are some rough gemstones and Atalban vintage coins. 1000gp, 10,000sp; 15,000tin. Detect 3 magic items – cloak (illusory), a hat (illusory), and a spoon (avocation). Detect secret doors shows a northern door with dim magic beyond. Sin, Angelique try the door. Vallock tries and hands reach out and grab his hands. A ghost comes out and asks who we are and what the “words” are. He asks who wants to become a Champion of the Sun, to swear and take an oath forever. Vallock, Afina, and Angelique decide. They step forward to the door and a great light shines from within, the walls inside glow like sunlight. Asks them to knell and repeat “the sun above is my guiding light to purity truth, and honor. I serve the just cause of men and the righteous throne of Altalban. I will not stray from this course until the throne is restored.” A sword appears in his hand and he knights each one. Inside is chain mail, plate and chain of golden shean, etc. Etched into the wall is a large map of the kingdom. In the center of all the displays of the equipment is a knight who died centuries before.

He points out gear for Vallock – plus one daggers and plus one plate and chain. Angelique finds plus one leather jerkin, plus one rapier. Afina finds plus one breast plate, plus one great sword. All have sun and star motif. His name is Santos. He is surprised that after converting the three, he isn’t released from his obligation.

<Insert section of history here that Jim read>

Angelique tries to release Santos by declaration, but it doesn’t work.

Session 13Real time: October 3, 2005

Notice that the star Taer is rising and strong – earth based spells are stronger. We spend the rest of the day with Santos and spend the night getting a good nights sleep. The watch happens at the top of the hole. Angelique and Vallock are on first watch when Afina wakes up screaming (appx. 10pm). Sin shakes to wake her up. Afina says the Bear is in trouble, that we need to get to him immediately. She believes Tagaan are killing him. We promptly go up to the surface with all our gear. At the surface Afina feels drawn to the north. The party rushes that way.

Reach a clearing where the bear is on the ground being pummeled by Tagaan. Three are dead around it, with three attacking. Angelique charges, jumps the bear, swings and fumbles. The rest of the party charges in, Sin hitting a particularly menacing looking pine tree with an ice bolt. Vallock and Afina each cleave a Tagaan. The last ran, but had no chance. Baldrick healed the Bear and saved its life. Conveniently, a boat is on the shore – which we take back to the Citadel. There everyone takes some coinage.

We use the boat and make two trip over to bring everyone and everything. We search for a suitable spot to hide the boat. Then we look for a trail. Find the end of a well worn trail. Baldrick looks for where the original Tagaan watcher saw us. Finds nothing. Establish marching order and proceed. Da’Baer is 50 feet or so off to the side at all times. Head roughly westward, four or five miles past the ridge over the river. A larger ridgeline is a few miles away. After a while we notice a buzzard circling over us and following along. Afina starts to wonder as we walk that up a hill would be a great lookout point. Angelique and Killian eventually find a Tagaan murmuring in the hills. They sneak attack and kill him. They then go to get around the other side and kill him too. Looking about they see a column of smoke on the horizon, cannot see more lookout holes.

Walking along the path Afina says the rocks moved/shifted. Detect Magic shows nothing. We move on. Before we get to the camp a huge menacing long armed creature comes out of the woods and attacks. We quickly surround and attack from all sides. He goes down to one knee, then buckles over. During the fight he grabbed Afina’s blade tried to break it. We find out later he was a “Blade Breaker”.

Session 14Next up – “The Rescue”Real time: October 24, 2005Game time: Mid-afternoon

Killian and Angelique sneak up to the camp – 3 Tagaan crouched around a charred circle of earth – pawing at something. They are in a very large clearing w/ fairly little cover and with large stones strewn around. They decide to go back and get the rest of the party. After some carefully considered thinking, we set back out.

Killian and Angelique sneak back up to the camp. Vallock has a levitate put on him to make sure he stays quiet. Angelique spots one of the Tagaan who notices that the rest of the noisy party advancing. She also notices that their ears are perking up. Sin floats up to the top of the tree – doesn’t see anything. Floats up more and he can’t tell what they are doing, but it is clear that they know we are there.

The attack commences, with everyone moving in. Sin floats even higher above the fray. Well, trap really. Turns out the Taggan in the center are chained down and unable to flee. Hidden in some really good concealment are at least 15 Taggan in groups of three. They throw spears and gets some modest hits into Killian. Vallock takes several hits by spear. Affina and Angelique fire bowed weapons. About 15 more come out of cover and start running toward us. Vallock and Killian retreat to the edge of stones at first, and as it appears we are being overrun everyone retreats. Sin comes down from his vantage to tree level, but by this time the Taggan have swept through the tree line – moving towards the party. Vallock finds a rock and tree to make a stand, the rest except for Baldrick and Killian. Baldrick runs to the north to draw off a number of them. Killian comes around from the other side and draws a flank to three Tagaan who are looking for him.

As the leader type is wounded and on his knees, Vallock does a hero move and cleaves his head off for maximum demoralizing value. His head flys off but not in the direction Vallock wanted. Several of the Tagaan back off and look momentarily stunned. At this point several of the Tagaan are down. Enough go down that the morale is gone and most flee. Afina and Killian knock off the last two, Angelique hitting one with a bow. The party at the rocks starts running towards the barking of the crew. As the party is running towards Baldrick, they find him but with another eleven Tagaan behind him. During the battle Sin lands a vicious blow of nine points of damage, with more damage from his newly learned “Fire Shield”. Vallock, Afina, and Angelique all kill more. At the end, more flee – total of 13 who ran away. There were 25 total. Kill counts are: Vallock - 4, Angelique – 1 (leader), Afina – 3 (one leader), Killian – 3, Daber – 1.

Going back to the clearing, one chained Tagaan is dead, one is almost worked free but his hand is mangled. As we search for footprints to find Kylen, Sin spots a shadow move in the west. The party moves to pursue. We spot shoes that are twice as large as human sized. We keep pursuing and a it throws some kind of flashing disc that explodes on a tree. Sin and Vallock are momentarily blinded. We choose to break off the pursuit. Going back to the camp we find sleeping areas, giant boot prints that are older, scratching in wood, smithy for rivet making, leather works area with deerskin. Camp overall held up to 50 Tagaan. The holes are simple, but effective cover. In the firepit was a skeleton that on top was a stone that the Tagaan were chained on. After a detect magic, Sin notices that there is possibly a structure in the hills to the west – the same direction the giant went. Baldrick cuts the two Tagaan loose. Sin finds a suitable campsite about half hour east of the Tagaan site.

Session 15Date: November 14, 2005

Rain through the night. Watchers hear various tortured screams. After the night we go and make our way to where the creature went to. We trudge to about 300 yards and see a 30 foot stone structure. Killian and Angelique scout out ahead with their sneak skills. They see four structures and what appears to be a trail. Near one of the buildings there are raspberry bushes. As they move to another area and they are in tomato plants. The two are now right next to the building. The structure looks to be ok in maintenance, and of human origin. Killian spots a large creature (blade breaker) back by the building.

The next twenty minutes is spent in heavy tactical planning, various sexual innuendo, bad jokes, etc. Finally, we do a flank attack using flight spells (Baldrick) for the heavy armor and See Invisibility (Sin). Angelique is the first in, going to the top of the eastern most pitched roof and looking into the center of the buildings. She spots a second blade breaker by the larger two story building. The windows have bars on the outside and stained glass. On the southern building there is a chair and spy glass on the roof. Angelique sees small stone pieces – two feet long strewn on the ground. One nearest where she is has a round hole in it, that looks like a jump point!

We attack! The first blade beast goes down after a charge attack and hits from Affina, Sin, Vallock, and the Daber. The rest of the party moves to the other one. Sin covers the door of the first blade beast ready for someone to open it. Angelique spots the door opening on the east building and runs towards it. Out comes a ten foot green giant creature who jumps up and knocks down most of the party. Alone Killian faces the second blade beast while the others attack the ten foot greenie. After another round Sin runs up to and Angelique fly’s around on the blade beast who is pummeling Killian. Angelique does a head shot using a hero point that stuns the blade beast. Killian hits as he crumples and then backs up to heal. Sin finishes the beast off while Angelique goes off to the greenie.

Back at the ten foot greenie Affina is getting bashed repeatedly crushing blows. At this point Angelique, Affina, Daber, Vallock, and Killian are on the hulk. Sin sees a demonic shape come up from behind Baldrick and hit him. The feeling is one of death – anti-life. The demon has horns, is floating, and pale looking.

Back at the greenie – Vallock spears the green giant through the chest cavity. He stumbles and falls to the ground dead.

Baldrick does a cure wounds on the demon and hits him for damage. Sin charges and lands a very modest hit using a hero point. Angelique flys over and attacks, landing what seems like damage. The demon flys through Sin towards Baldrick. For what seems like a long time Sin sees the land of the dead, a horrible landscape with extreme despair. He then realizes it only lasted a split second and is over. The effect leaves him momentarily stunned. Killian lands a hit with his poison dagger and then it goes into the ground. Baldrick senses that it under the big building.

Session 16Real time: December 5, 2005

Angelique flys around to look into the buildings. The rest binds wounds and are generally wary. We then proceed to ask lots of questions in a desperate attempt to stall for time until someone comes up with a winning strategy with our battered troops and a bad ass undead. Vallock goes to the Eastern building first with its door open. He shines a glow globe on his sword – there are large piles of junk in the building, shelves lined w/ stuff.

Sin will cast a Detect Magic and scans the east building. Up on a shelf around 9 things are glowing. Vallock investigates and comments that it looks like Tollz things, clothes, etc. He finds two wood chests, 2 foot x 1 foot x 6 inches – oak, well made. There are six wooden vials in the first one. The second has three wooden vials. Baldrick takes them and stores him in his pack.

Vallock and Sin move onto to the Observatory building. Notice there is no lock on the door. Vallock opens and reveals a dimly lit room inside that has stairs, hogshead kegs, little else. Go up through a trap door. Examine the telescope – appears to have a divination spell of some type on it. Seems to be soundly mounted. They get ready to head back down when Daber roars. The creature has re-emerged and is engaging.

Affina turns and charges – landing a hit. Daber swings. Vallock yells at Angelique to get him down there nearly jumping off the roof before she is ready, flying him down to the ground (groaning all the way). Baldrick advances and does a healing spell on the demon, doing 13 damage. Lights fire up inside its corporal body. Baldrick uses a hero point and does another spell for 21 damage. The demon “loses containment” and dissipates. Baldrick still feels its presence.

The entire party charges and busts in the doors of the western building. Scrolls, work tables, drapes, windows, etc. There is a mosaic in the center of the room, but empty. Drab colors for the tapestry’s, lots of shelves and chairs. The mosaic stone is a single stone that was meticulously carved out. Angelique spots an invisible door in the ground in the far end of the room. Sin detects magic on one shelf, and beneath the floor there. On the tables are papers with dust – writings in tongues we are not familiar with.

Quote “[after a demon hits Baldrick seemingly out of turn] Did he cheat? I thought only Jeff did that…”

Everyone moves to go into the invisible floor door with Vallock just opening it when we have to roll initiative. The demon comes up through the floor right in front of Baldrick – just missing him. Angelique swings but misses. Baldrick takes a hit from the demon. Everyone is now swinging. Vallock lands a crit for 28 damage. It dissipates again. We rush to get down. Vallock opens the invisible door (which never can be seen) showing stone steps.

There is a circular chamber, ten feet high with seven ceremony stones. The far side of the room is Kylen rope tied spread eagle on the ground. He has white hair and is not moving – the hilt of a weapon all the way into his heart. Magic is in wardrobe, weapon, and ceremony stones. Sin tries to study the magic. The wardrobe is mundane compared to the stuff in the center – necromantic. The stones are “tainted” magic. There is no life aura around Kylen.

Sin animates his windsword and cuts the ropes tying up Kylen. Then opens up the wardrobe. Inside is another wooden chest just like in the building and 15 blue robes on hooks. Sin uses his sword to move a rope over to near Vallock who takes it and starts dragging the body to the stairs. Before the dagger passes the ring of stones, the creature rises up through the floor and attacks Vallock for 18 points. Killian jumps down. Angelique fly to Kylen and was struck by the demon. She’s grasping the dagger and pulls it out using a hero point. The dagger became a poisonous snake but she made a will check and threw it over by the wardrobe. The demon immediately swings around and

attacks her. Vallock and Killian surround. Baldrick does a healing on Kylen, who has blood pooling where the dagger was. The demon starts taking serious damage.

Quote: Affina says “does it mean we can surround?”

Affina and Angelique spot that the stones are glowing momentarily as the creature is getting hit with damage. Sin makes for the far side to get an opening. The demon moves to occupy the space where Kylen is lying prone by the stairs. Angelique and Killian get attacks of opportunity hurting it. They both use hero points for extra attacks. It barely made its way through Vallock trying to get to Kylen. As he becomes hit more, he is more translucent and less smoky. He tries to enter Kylen’s body, but cannot. Killian then attacks again hitting for mucho damage. The demon gets pulled into the circle by a magical wind. Sin attacks but misses. Baldrick passes. A wisp throws itself at the ring of stones. Killian attacks again but misses, Vallock misses. Sin swings and lands for two points of damage and the creature disappears. The seven stones break with a crack. We detect no more of the demon presence.

The chest and wardrobe has two items – silk cloak and a short rod (ornate stick with markings of command on it), Freehold markings. Scroll upstairs of transformation magic, two dozen in the freehold script – philosophies of Maneus, history of royal house of someone, research on botanical notes, draft notes for political relations within the kingdom, last five scrolls are markings of the royal regalia with the oath “the right to rule is the oath to protect.” Drawing of scepter, 4 feet long. Finally the crown is shown as a collection of crowns – 7 really and 7 swords. One is recognized as the tiara from the Giant’s Teeth.

Kylen’s story – dragged by the Taggan – and literally dragged him along and killed the dog. The troll took him from the camp to this place. Troll tied him down and was struck by the dagger. His personality is now changed – more serious and focus. He went to the land of the dead – fought this spirit – Nesmathakul, someone who failed the test and was doomed to the land of the dead. He managed to figure out how to get back. Luster appeared in the land and defended him, saving him from permanent death. Kylen comes back stronger and more confident having lived through the experience. He is now convinced, however, that Luster that can be saved and will be focused on it and now wants to get back to Freehold.

Session 17Real time: December 19, 2005Game time: evening of July 22nd

Angelique uses her flying ability to do a perimeter search to make sure no one was coming from the battles. She hears that nature sounds have returned. Nothing unusual noted.

Kylen says there is a box in the wall. Angelique works it out and pulls it out. Made of iron – foot square. The top has a two inch hole with leather slits up against it. Inside are rings – over 30 of various shapes. We find a fish hook to get one of the rings. The wooden box has a bunch of Atalban gold crowns - 241. Killian realizes the chest has a false bottom. Underneath lined with velvet – containing 4 jump balls!!! Realize that they are from different houses from the kingdom. We get all the rings out – 37 in all. Angelique will keep all, Killian has one, Afina has one, Kylen has one, Baldrick has one. Angelique looked for one, but none called to her.

Sin does a detect secret doors and compartments, looking for a jump room. Found nothing. As we make camp, Sin does two healing spells on Afina.

Stuff we find in daylong search: Map Akashic Nodes – this was an Akashic node. Map of local area with river and island, but also w/ nodal temple near its eastern edge – notation that nothing of consequence was found there. [Insert notes from Big Dog here] determine it is year 1861 of Atalban reckoning.

Find Kylen’s staff.

Cloak - +10 to hide when worn – Kylen choose itFore Cane of command - +10 for diplomacy - angelique9 vials from Troll house – 6 are preservative sin takes, 3 are healing – healing goes to vallock, Angelique, affina; Basement vials – 2 are clear mind against mental attacks baldrick, 3 are healing one for killian, sin, and kylen, 4 are birth control Scrolls of Maneous – careful study of scroll will increase wisdom by one – Sin will take

Spend an entire day searching and healing and discussing where to go next. After much debate we decide to head back to the island so that Kylen can look around. We would then probably head to the dwarves and think about whether just Kylen or all of us go to Freehold.

We make our way back to the island. When crossing the river our boat gets overturned from the dragon flying up out of the water! Angelique (flying) attacks its back. Vallock and Afina go under the boat to paddle. Baldrick flys away, Kylen flys the other direction, Daber is going downstream. Sin decides to paddle from the rear of the boat. Angelique tries the diplomacy rod to convince the dragon to change tactics. This tact does not appear to work, the dragon lands on the boat pushing it underneath the water and breaking apart. Kylen gets hit from acid breath. Killian and Afina grab pieces of the breaking up boat to get some buoyancy. Baldrick hits it with “attack from within”. Sin tries to hit its ass from zero range with an icebolt, but misses with a 1. Angelique gets its attention using the rod of commandment. Killian attacks using his dagger and hits. Sin is unable to use a spell due to the water. Kylen hits the dragon with 20 damage on a fire bolt. Baldrick flys over and does a fly spell onto Angelique, getting her out of the water. Killian hits again with the dagger. Vallock gets a bite and claw attacks. Angelique is done trying to convince the dragon that she is a Champion of the Sun and starts swinging.

The dragon goes straight up and does a breath weapon on Vallock doing 34 taking him to negative one. Baldrick and Sin cast healing on him. A final blast of energy by Kylen does in the dragon.

Session 18Real time: January 16, 2006Game time: July 31 (after the week in the first 3 sentences)

We spend a week on the island. Vallock spends three days tanning and creating armor out of the dragon hide. Sin spends a week studying the scroll to gain Wisdom. Baldrick puts forth that the entire party should go back to Freehold, because we need to use an orb to transport, want to see how our families are, etc.

Follow the river back to Tasil Fain fortress – around 3pm in the afternoon as we are flying we see a 50lb small boulder fly up out of the woods about twice tree level and go back down. We investigate where it came from. There are two huge creatures, double the size of humans. Decide to attack, focusing on one of the creatures. Angelique hits with arrows twice, an unknown force in the woods hits twice. Afina moves up closer to hit. The creature charges and deals a 15 point blow onto her. Sin casts an air elemental who misses at it tries to attack the second creature. Sin also casts a mind stab. Angeligue hits a crit arrow – into the head for 11. Mystery guy also hits for another two shots. Afina whiffs a first blow, lands a second for 19 points. More attacks land and the first creature falls to its knees and dies. More attacks land at the second one – he turns and runs away.

We see someone who looks like Windeyes, same dress, same braided hair, leather armor, etc. He is dishelved and beaten up, however. It is notably not Windeyes. Obehi is his name – from the Hawk tribe. The two creatures had killed his wife, and attacked his village. Vallock engages in conversation. The creatures were Giants.

Obehi runs after and hunts down the remaining giant. The other giant is clearly wounded but did an ambush maneauver. Obehi hits him multiple times and eventually does him in. One last shot into the forehead ensures certain death. Vallock and Angelique followed along but didn’t interfere. One giant had a woodsmen axe, boots, rotten meat, and a metal tankard. The other had sewing implements.

We establish that Obehi’s tribe is from the east – east of where we are now. Also believe that the Crow tribe is from the south. Baldrick offers to heal Obehi – does so for 19. He recognizes the name Solani.

Next day we disguise Angelique and Vallock as Tolz. Brom, a friend of Angelique, embraces her. Rumors are already flying about dragon slaying. She makes sure all is fine. We get all the rest of the party inside. Durgen opinion of us improved because we defeated the Tagaan that harassed the nearby area. A feast is being prepared. During this time we hear that Melshi, the hermit is near passing.

Vallock and Angelique go to see her. They convince her and then a council that the fortress should be transferred to us – the humans! Basically she had a life guilt that the dwarves did not do enough to help, so she must do this to make it in the afterlife. Continue the caretaker relationship. Wild bison, breads, etc. along with dwarven songs and a reenactment of the dragon battle. All hailed Killian, the “mopper”! At midnight the Denelva passes away and preparations must begin.

At the ceremonial room, the stones are set up in the correct way for. The hermit is set up for the death ceremony. Sedda begins the chant, picked up by the elders, and then the others. We have never heard the voices in such a way before, very moving and emotional ceremony. Melshi lights on fire the ceremonial drawings she made. By dawn the body reaches repose and the ceremony comes to an end.

In consultation with the dwarves, note that the normal powerballs should work to go back to another gate while the last would allow us to go to a portal from any location. We go and activate the portal to “Khorgosin Outpost”. By 4pm of the day we arrive we find an overgrown path leading to Freehold. The town is deserted – signs of fire damage on stones, ships gone, looks like everything is cleaned out. Eventually end up at Mystro’s house. Stripped bare, but there is a sealed door in the room. Also stripped bare but a 4x4x3 foot ornate wood box. He runs to another part of the room and says “the star door is gone”. He is completely deflated.

The box has no hinges, no locks, etc. On the top are all the symbols for the heavenly bodies. Kylen hasn’t seen it before and doesn’t know what it is. We notice that there are star symbols. In examining the box, we notice that the symbols move when touched – even though it is carved and inlayed. We start to move the symbols around to match the current ascendance, etc. After many hours of trying, we get it. A glint of light lines the box opening.

[insert list of objects found here, including the letter from Mystros]

Session 19Game time:Real time: February 6, 2006-02-06

And so it begins: We search the remains of Freehold. Vaylok goes to Morgans, Baldrick goes to Evan’s and Saleks, Sin goes to our home, and the sea witch home and the point on the cliffs to meditate, Obehi stands watch, Killian goes to the brewers, Twins contemplate the letter from Mystros. Kylan hangs out at Mystros tower brooding, pouting and sulking (oh yeah and pining too).

Morgan’s: - painted on inner wall in ash, find one of the diagrams of a legendary battle, diagram shows moment before the victorious move.

Our Home: - stripped

Evans: - finds book of ceremony

Brewery: - several bottle of the finest beer.

Angi/Afina: - Kylan run back into mystros house looking happy. He has a magic key that goes into the wall, opens the star door, is swept inside and disappears, star door closes.

Cliffs: - Sin meditates uses his whistle and hears the ‘voices of the village’ on the wind.

Spend the night at Mystros tower

Killian & Obahi hear big jungle cats fighting, two death screams (odd, unusual), wake Vaylok & investigate. Find several dead cats & two Gouraks (large humanoids, bad guys from the deep jungle, knew of, never saw before. Once in combat they ‘rage’, clever in combat). A third emerges from the corner of a building in front of Obahi. Combat commences

M3/Obahi – 23pts & 21pts from great club to Obahi, Obahi runs like a scalded cat (with only 6pts left!)

Vaylok/Killian prepare to fall back/M3 tries to overrun takes 20pts + poison from AoO.

Obahi – stops and opens fire in support, M3 takes 16pts from 2 arrows.

M2 charges Killian: Killian takes 23pts from club

Killian attacks M3: M3 takes 12pts damage

Vaylok attacks M3: M3 takes 32pts from 2 attacks +8pts from Killian opportunist attack dropping M3 (Yeah!)

Vaylok takes 13pts from M1/2 (javelin)

Obahi shoots at M1: M1 takes 7pts from 1 arrow

Killian takes 25pts and 16pts from club of M2 & goes down

Valok steps up and strikes at M2 for 55pts (25/15/15)/

Vaylok takes 17pts from M1

Obahi s shoots at M2: M2 takes 6pts from one arrow

Vaylok drags Killian out of the fight and through a doorway.

M1 fades into the night.

Obahi moves forward to the doorway, M2 has faded from sight too.

Vaylok gives Killian potion of healing.

The balance of the party arrives and get jumped by M2/M1

Angilique takes 24pts from the club of M2

Sin takes 22pts from M1

Angi strikes at M2: 12pts from rapier to M2Sin attempts to fly away & gets line drived for 26pts by M1’s club (-2/disabled)

Obahi: shoots M1 w/2 arrows for 20pts

Sin flys away like a wounded duck

DaBar: charges M2 and does 11pts to M2

Afina charges M1 & does 21pts

Baldrick casts ‘attack from within’ on M1 doing 27pts (save for ½)

M2 strikes at Angi doing 35pts (goes down unconscious)

Afina takes 18pts from M1

Vaylok charges M2 and nearly decapitates M2 w/critical hit (27pts)

Obahi fires on M1: hits twice for 17pts killing it.

Combat Ends!3 dead bad guys (orges w/4lvls of barbarian)Angi -7ptsKillian 6ptsObahi 6ptsSin -2ptsAfina/Vaylok – better the halfBaldrick – untouched

We retreat to Mystros tower to heal & sleep. (2 days)

Cut to Vaylok/Angi/Baldric scenes.

To the Giants Teeth!!!

As we enter dark/overcast descends, Afina spots 4 shadowy figures (4th lvl shadow puppies) Combat Begins! (yet again)3 SP’s attack, 1 SP howls (Will save)Obahai/Killian affected by fear & panicBaldric is hit for 6pts by a bite (tripped/prone), 10pts from 2nd biteAngi hits SP4 for 8ptsSin hits SP1 with psonic blast for 27pts backing him offVaylok hits SP4 for 15ptsAngi hits SP4 for 4pts with AoOAfina hits SP2 for 17pts & 27pts and dissipates (kill)DeBar hits SP3 for 12pts, 14pts & 10pts killing itSin hits SP4 with Windblade for 9pts killing itCombat ends!

The party heads off to the jump point.

Session 20Session the 20th, held upon this, the 28th day of the second month in the year of our lord Two thousand and Six:

We ponder…………

….and head off to the dwarves.

The dwarves receive us back with relatively open arms.

Trade talks with the dwarves ensue (Maal Vengeld, Magister, brother of Seda) (Mark puts on the hard sell and rams the plan down the parties collective throats ) (The dwarves grin with glee as gold flows into their coffers)

Ask Sedda about any human strongholds/fortresses/old maps/legendsSuggests a council to get most info/views

Council is held – Great and wondrous wisdom is imparted.- Sedda, Boris Gerstone (master runethane), Isiac Bertold (master trader),

Lavanic Bertold (Master smith), Maal Vengeld (magister, wizened old dude).- Info on Solani –

o divided into 4 houses (Autumn, winter, spring, summer) divided kingdom and rule each autonomous.

Autumn – City of Valldun Winter – Masbast Spring – Merus Renom Summer – Grimas e Moire

- Nearest Human construction – tower on coast (Tower of Darzel). Built before Kingdom of Atalban, but men were last there, avoided by the Tribes. Unnatural amount of foul creatures in area legends of attracting them. Solani avoid it.

- Lands of Goblin Tribes to east then areas of Obahi’s people. Tribal’s may be headed south for winter.

- Tagas Gau, Toz trade city/S ruled – Biggest port near us. - Remote areas may still have unmolested ruins.- Regalia notes:

o Far more potent together, find scepter and you will have found key to great power. Believe city of Sedan is Solai prison, may also harbor treasure room, possible scepter may not have been recognized.

- house of autumn – sign of leaf- House of winter – crescent moon- House of Spring – Lightning- House of Summer – Sun

The council is completed, we are stocked up with turnips and set off to the Tower of Darzel! Huzah! (August 9th).

Week passes uneventfully except for passage of one predator.

Reach the goblin lands (they have wargs). Obahi points out their tracks/droppings.(There will be three weeks in Goblin lands to reach Tribal lands).

The GM calls me a wus and the roll for “random” encounters starts.

Day ten we find a burned area of the forest (patchy vs. constant area). Baldrick examines rare surviving trees and finds they had strong spirit guardians perhaps Dryads.

Baldric attempts to call out the spirit, female form appears hiding behind the tree singing a counter tune to the one that Baldrick used to call her out. Baldrick, Obah-hi and Killian entranced by the song and sit to listen.

Vaylok attempts to speak with the spirit but has limited success, Angilique gives Baldrick the “double wet willie” and breaks the spell.

She tells Baldrick that fire creatures came and killed goblins & wargs, burned trees. She is only a few hundred years old and has not seen them before. She saw them walk, not fly. They look like flaming people. Purposful in their actions. At end she reaches out and touches his waterskin before leaving (turning it to a healing water).

Day 12: spot pall of smoke ahead along our line of advance. Find four armored flaming creatures about 10’ tall. Toasting trees.

Like the crazy fools we are we engage.

Combat Begins!Sin leads off with a water blast spell catching three of the creatures for 28pts. Obahi opens fire and misses twiceVaylock Afina Angi & Killian advance to close the range. Sin Flys forward, Baldrick holds back at 100’ to cast (slow advance)Bad guys return fire with a fireball that does 32pts of damage

Sin lets go a second water blast for 15pts of damage to three of them.Baldrick uses ‘attack from within’ on one for 25pts of damage.Bad Guys charge Vaylock, Afina, and DeBar.

22 to vaylock, 40 to afina, 19 to DeBar (plus fire damage)Vaylok hits creature for 43pts in three strikes.Angilique hits same creature for 8+2(flame) damage after rolling for a flankKillian strikes at one for 11pts in two strikesSin uses a mind stab and missesAfina strikes at one for 27pts in two attacksBaldrick casts protection from elements on himselfVaylok takes 37pts from three attacks.Afina takes 39pts from three attacks

Obahai fires at one on Afina doing 19pts on two attacksVaylock hits one for 41pts in three attacks killing it and strike the one on Afina for 20pts on a cleave.Angilique tumbles behind Afinas and strikes for 8+5 pts killing it.Killian flanks one for 14pts in two attacksCreature hits Angi, Afina, Vaylock & Killian with a fireball for base 38pts!Sin fire a crossbow at spell caster creature for 9pts of damageAfina falls backBaldrick healed Afina for 12ptsKillian takes 35pts +11 fire from three attacks and goes down dead (-17pts)

Obahi shoots at the spellcaster and missesVaylock hits creature for 19pts in one strike after tumbling into position

Angilique hits for 14pts + 2 fire damage on one attackWall of fire rings Vaylok/Angi/creatureSin fires at spell caster creature for 8pts of damageAfina fires at spellcaster for 14pts in to attacksBaldrick heals Afina for 8ptsCreature takes Vayok down to -14 (not dead) in three hits.

Obahi shoots at spell caster for 19pts in two attacksAngi attacks for 19pts in two attacks killing it.Spellcaster flees into woods.Sin shoots at spellcaster doing 7pts killing him!

Combat ends! (Ouch!)Bad Guys all deadKillian DeadVaylok critically injuredAfina badly injuredAngie badly injured

Found three +3 long spears. [insert note – Jim look in DM guide for more on what else they found]

[insert epilogue here]

Session 21Real time: March 20, 2006

The party is in shock about losing Killian. [We debate amongst ourselves about whether the characters would try to save Killian]. They all participate in the chant minus Obahi and follow the death ceremony. Baldrick leads the chanting, the chanting taking on a life of its own and builds on its own.

[Cut to Killian] Killian feels fine, no wounds, in a dim land with a rocky landscape. Light and objects have an odd distortion, for example making it difficult to reach out and exactly touch where you think an object is. Mountains are in one direction. One part of the landscape is darker, the other is lighter. He heads towards the light. He comes across a person sitting – it is Luster. She stands and greets him. She instructs him that if he heads to the light (Eto) he can find true death. Luster says that none of the choosen should have died yet, and that he must resist going to the light and overcome whatever is put in his path. Killian asks questions about how she knows this. She says others told her, and she is confident that someday she will live again. The darkness is to the lands of the living. Killian asks her a question that only she would know, she answers correctly. He asks about Freehold, she said that she saw several of them some time back, but not many. Only Kylen has broken up the endless eternity of this place. He turns to walk toward the darkness, walking for some time that he cannot track. In time he gets weary.

He is surprised when his parents appear in front of him. They explain that they remain in the land of the dead to guide others. “The time for man has passed in Atalban, its time to find the peace that we could not find in life.” Killian responds “the way of peace has never been my way”. They look sad that he has chosen with the path of pain, and is sorry they cannot come along. His mother comes to embrace him. Killian avoids being completely succumbed by them as they struggle to get him to the ground. He breaks free of them, and they fade away.

Killian continues on, he notices that the light is slowly growing dimmer. Ahead is water. Over a rise he encounters a huge river, the size of the Mississippi. He scans along the shore for anything that could help. Killian picks up a rock and throws it into the river. It appears to sink as one would expect. He walks along the river for a while. After a time it starts to bend towards the light. A skull half buried in the ground advises him that the land is full of illusion with reality hiding in the shadows. The skull says a running leap would have it make it to the other side [insert skull quote here]. Killian walks back the other way and the river also eventually bends to the light.

[Cut to chanting] Obehi notices an animal a mile or more off. He chooses to stay about 60 feet from us, but between the party and animal. He also instructs his hawk to go to a tree further out and be a lookout.

[Cut to Killian] Killian wonders if the skull voice was like his parents or trustworthy. He decides that the river is really not as big. It appears not quite as big, but still far to large to jump over. He does a trial jump on the land and it seems to work fine. From a distance the skull says “trust me, trust me – you can step over it. It’s all an illusion.”

[Cut to Obehi] There are three creatures the size of a horse, but shaped more like a dog or a wolf, moving roughly in our direction. They are currently around where the battle with the Salamanders was.

[Cut to Killian] Killian walks further along the river, not trusting if it really is bending back to the light. Getting tired. Maybe its dinner time in a normal day. The river is now pointing the brightest area of the light. He turns around and starts heading back from where he came. Tiredness now 9 or 10pm. Confirms that the river is a like a horseshoe shape. Killian touches the river. He loses 5 hit points and it feels like he burns his hand.

[Cut to Obehi] They come to within a half mile and sit down. Obehi stares back at them.

[Cut to Killian] Goes back to the skull “why did you tarry, I told you you could make it”. “I’m not in the habit of listening to skulls”. “well there isn’t much else around here is there?” More banter goes back and forth. Killian says its time to get to the other side. The skull says he doesn’t want to go over there – “don’t want to sully your victory”. Picks up the skull and fakes throwing him in the river – the skull screams “stop, stop, I’ll tell you – don’t do it”. He claims to show him the thing he cannot see near the rocks. Where the skulls says, its feels like stones – the base of a bridge. The skull isn’t adverse to crossing – urges not to drop him in. “We’ll go slow, you’ll be fine” says Killian. The

bridge that cannot be seen is about 3 feet wide. Killian crawls along. The skull mumbles and curses. They manage to make it over to the other side. He puts him down along the shore. Killian can tell ahead it is very dark, it is dusk near the shore.

Gets to the point where his body is starting to say, it should sit down and take a rest. He ignores it. It is getting progressively darker where the light of Eto is dim on the horizon. Starts to see a dim candlelight. The light is a small lantern on top of a boulder with a creature sitting next to the edge of the light, waiting. Killian tries to bypass it. Notices that it keeps coming around to it.

[Cut to Obehi] The three wolf creatures, one is flanking left and one to the right while the third is approaching. Obehi moves back to the chanters and moving slowly toward the chanters.

[Cut to Killian] Approaches the light. Killian will pick up a rock about 60 feet away from the light and pitch a stone into the circle. The creature says that “you lost the chance to sleep, you lost the chance to die, you lost the chance to live. Come sit with me.” Killian decides to throw a rock at the candle. He hits the boulder – does not flinch the ogre guy. The creature is humanoid about 9 feet tall. There is no color, all is gray. Leather cap and apron. Morningstar on the ground near him. Killian did notice that he always comes up on the left side of the boulder. After 5 minutes walking in the darkness he ends up coming to him again. On the second pass “Will you just sit down, you are starting to annoy me.” “Just sit down”. Killian climbs up on the boulder. There is a spring of oil on top of the boulder, not sure what the wick is that is burning. The flame is not giving off heat. No sensation of heat or cold. Killian jumps down from the boulder and the giant puts his hand on his weapon. Killian and the creature threaten each other. Killian strikes and lands a blow for 15. The creature hits for 7. Killian again for 5. It misses its 3 attacks. K hits for 9. The creature hits him for 22 points and then another 16 as the Morningstar rips off some its back. The creature hits him for another 10 points and passes out. When Killian comes to the creature is staring at the flame. Killian lays there and starts to feel better. Can see that the creature is wounded. “shall we again” says killian. “As many times as you like”. A morningstar comes through the air – he rolls away. Killian tries to disarm him. Succeeds and eventually kills him. The light then went out.

[Cut to Chanting] Killian’s body takes on deaths repose – he is truly gone. Everyone gets their armor and weapons back on. We quickly attack the approaching wolf like things. Angi hits for two hits – one apiece, Vallock for 1 on the bowed weapons. Sin does a sorcerous blast for 28 points. Obehi hits for 11 with his bow. Afina misses. Baldrick does a sorcerous blast as well (water for Sin’s air). Vaylock hits for 5. Wolves are now only 50 feet away (they kicked up the speed). Baldrick hits one with another sorcerous blast for 38 vaporizing it. Angi hits for another 2. Sin misses his crossbow. Obahi hits for 12 and 8 with his bow, the wolf thingy goes down. They are large looking wolves, singeing the grass where they lay.

It is 2am, we decide to camp here. Will stay here and light a pyre for Killian the following evening. By morning the pyre is ash. “The eight are now six. Oh wait, five and a crazy guy.” “Which one is the crazy guy.” “All right, four and …”

The party uses an avoidance strategy for goblins and others. We break through a tree line and reach the lands where Obahi is from. The date is September 25th. Finally run across Obahi’s people, who are shocked that he is alive. They are about a week away from moving south. His tribe has dim memories of humans from many years ago, but there is no hard or bad feelings. We are welcomed into the tribe. They listen to our stories of a village of surviving humans. We don’t tell them our true quest in an attempt to not have anything happen to them. We trade the +3 spears from the salamander’s with +2 bows.

Obahi asks his tribal council about leaving to adventure with the gang. The council asks that he leave something or make some sacrifice for him leaving. He argues that something is going on in the lands, he would benefit the tribe by going with the humans to find out what’s going on and then come back and let them know. The council asks that he return in the spring when they return from their migration and report on what’s going on.

SESSION 22

April 17, 2006

Dugger missing again!!!!!!!!

Journey eastwardish towards Crow tribe. Run into a hunting party, which is odd at this time of year. Obahi talks with them and tells them who we are. Vaylok tells them how Wildeyes died. The Crow tell them that the Selani fighter that was chasing Wildeyes returned to their encampment 9 days ago and punished them by making them stay where they are and not follow the animal migration. If they did the Selani would kill all the women and children and leave the men to morn. The group follow the hunters back.

Oct. 7th

Come over the ridge with the hunters and see a camp set up by a stream. We are taken to the elders. Taken to the largest tent where we meet the elders: two women and a man.

Is Vaylok a ‘brother’ to Windeyes? Quick call to Dugger…Yes.So than Windeyes finance is now the betrothed of Yaylok. Windeyes woman was taken hostage b y the Selani and is being held until Windeyes/Yaylok turn themselves in.

According to Jim, “we have chains but no balls.” For Vaylok

The Group decides that they will head to the tower and later get the chick. They make a deal with the elders that they want to go to the Darzel Tower first and do what they need

to do first then will go and rescue the girl. The tribe will leave now but leave a few warriors who will wait to hear from us so that they can come and get her.

Cosm:

The Desor has risen and it is associated with Choas. +1 for the unfettered on Saving throwns.

Weather getting brisk but sun is warm. Feel a belonging to the land…Land Good Ugh!

Oct. 11th 10am

Come to the coast, eastward, see two big things sticking up. Look to them like two tall trees with just canopies and no foliage down the rest of the trunk. Obahi and Angelique sneak up on the things. They find a small cairn of stone with a stick on which is a skull. Baldrick casts detect magic on skull and finds magic. It is a permanent mark spell that warns of danger/death if one were to walk past the skull. Obahi thinks about turning into a hawk and fly around to check out the area. Baldrick can sense that this is an area that animals avoid, so Obahi still decides to do it, but is cautious. He sneaks and takes low flights around. The two big things sticking up are the towers, about 50 yards from the beach. Each one is sticking up in the air on a single column of stone. Areas around have no vegetation and there is lots of rubble. No signs of movement or life.

We start heading towards the towers. We try to sneak as best as we can. We head towards the northeast tower, the first one we come to. We sneak up around the hills to get there. Marching order Vaylock and Afina, then Angi, then Sin and Baldrick and lastly Obahi. Obahi notices that the ground moves in several spots all at the same time and then stops. He informs Sin and Baldrick, who are ahead of him. Sin detects magic. Lots of spots of magic are detected all around. In about 20 more steps, the earth stops erupting at our feet. 12 skeletons appear. Some have the distinguishing marks or tribals with tusks and the rest are more distinguishing human. 8 more skeletons appear and we are surrounded. Each is carrying a weapon of some kind.

Angi tumbles to the outside of one of them and hits for 10 points of damage for some serious damage, but still standing. Obahi attacks twice for 22 points and takes one down. Baldrick casts earth hammer, which creates a hammer shaped weapon made of rock and earth, etc., etc. Afina hits and kills two, with a cleave, 16 points on one and 13 on another. Vaylock attacks two and killed both. Skeletons attack and hit a lot of us. Sin misses. Melee continues………..About 9 more skeletons appear on the outskirts and the ones that we killed disappear into the ground. Afina cleans up the battlefield (my donation to the log since I’m writing this). Okay, Vaylock does his share too. Sin is pretty hurt, but heals himself. Angi watches one sink into the ground to observe the effect. The bones and the weapon sink back into the earth.Detect magic again and we can see them sinking further and further into the earth. Battle done! Success.

Tally:

Vaylock - 8Afina – 11Angi – 1Sin – 0Baldrick – 4Obahi - 4

Afina rules!