The party followed the Order of the Lantern to their compound/village, and waited around for a while as the Order investigated the ritual. Tselem sat with them - even though they were much higher level than he, he wanted to keep an eye on them and the ritual. The Order eventually decided that they would be willing to buy the ritual from the party, to make a counter-ritual for House Tharashk, but were unwilling to sell one to the party directly. The party refused, and left, disgusted the whole affair.
The party decided to make their way back to Aundair, and began tramping back through the swamp towards the Lantern Tower and beyond. As they were on their way, they were stopped by a snake with a man's head, who began attacking them with several other snake-creatures. The party scored some powerful initial strikes, but then the battle became one of attrition...
Rewards
(None yet, encounter still in progress)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Session #29: The Men in the Trees
(The party realized they had also found a Rod of Scouring Justice +4 [Player's Handbook 2, p. 206].)
The party turned to Miri, wanting to know why they had just been attacked by mummies. She was just as stunned and confused as them. She was especially freaked out by the fact that both she and Tselem had contracted mummy rot from the encounter, making it harder for them to recover.
They all cautiously approached the reading room at the end of the hall, but no further attacks came. Inside the room, they searched through the books and found the information they were looking for in pretty short order (no thanks to Taumir). From the literature, they learned that the people best suited to creating counter-rituals are the Order of the Lantern, a mysterious cult of half-orc clerics living in the Shadow Marches near the Lantern Tower. The party was not especially thrilled at this knowledge, considering the Shadow Marches were a long ways away, and not well traveled.
They all made their way out of the library basement, where Miri then took her leave of them. The party made their way to a House Jorasco healing station, where Azeri's membership in the house got them in right away, if not much in the way of discounts. Tselem got himself healed from the mummy rot, and he then purchased a healing for Miri as well. (He sent her a message through House Sivis' magical post office.)
The party then went about figuring out how to get to the Lantern Tower. They went to the local House Orien teleportation station, and the flunky at the front desk told them the only way to get there was to travel to a port city (a trip of several days), then take a boat to Zarash'ak (a journey of a week), then travel through the dangerous marshes for another day or two to reach the tower. He was very blunt in his evaluation of their chances - "you'll probably die." Tselem was annoyed, and asked to speak with a manager. The manager was suitably impressed by their House connections that he was more polite and helpful, but told them the same thing - no one ever wants to go someplace that dangerous, so House Orien don't have services in that part of the world. The party heaved a collective sigh and prepared themselves for the long trip.
They traveled three days north to Otharaunt, where they boarded a ship that sailed around the western edge of Khorvaire, arriving in Zarash'ak a week later. They spent the night in the city, and while there learned that Thrane had joined Breland in the fight against Droaam. The next day they traveled to Glumtown, an aptly named place, where they couldn't even find an inn for the night and slept out under the stars. The next day, they made their way to the Lantern Tower, and were informed they had yet a little ways to go - when asked where they could find the Order of the Lantern, they were pointed in a vague direction that took them deeper in the forest. Which is how the party found themselves, in the cloudy mid-morning of the 20th day of Nymm, traipsing through the Lantern Swamp in the Shadow Marches on the southwestern end of Khorvaire, searching for the Order of the Lantern.
As they searched, they came into a larger clearing, and in the middle there were two trees far larger than most of the rest they had seen in the forest. As they looked around, to their astonishment, the two trees came to life and started attacking them! A furious battle ensued, in which these strange tree-beasts employed other, smaller trees in the area as foot-soldiers. The party was holding their own, but then Azeri realized she knew what these things were - they were Treants, guardians of the forest, and that they generally would not attack those who are friends of nature. In an attempt to convince the creatures that they fit that category, Azeri used her divine power to heal one of the creature's wounds, and then stepped from the battle to try to repair some of the greenery in the area. The Treants immediately took notice, and stopped their assault.
The Treants asked who they are, and why they are here. The party responded that they were looking for the Order of the Lantern. The Treants considered that, and then one lumbered off into the forest, ordering the party to stay put. About an hour later, three male half-orcs, carrying lanterns lit even during mid-day, came striding out of the gloom. They asked the party who they were and what they wanted. The party showed them the Grant Dragonmark ritual, and said they were here to see if a counter-ritual could be made. The Order of the Lantern considered that, and then beckoned the party to follow them deeper into the swamp.
Rewards
The party turned to Miri, wanting to know why they had just been attacked by mummies. She was just as stunned and confused as them. She was especially freaked out by the fact that both she and Tselem had contracted mummy rot from the encounter, making it harder for them to recover.
They all cautiously approached the reading room at the end of the hall, but no further attacks came. Inside the room, they searched through the books and found the information they were looking for in pretty short order (no thanks to Taumir). From the literature, they learned that the people best suited to creating counter-rituals are the Order of the Lantern, a mysterious cult of half-orc clerics living in the Shadow Marches near the Lantern Tower. The party was not especially thrilled at this knowledge, considering the Shadow Marches were a long ways away, and not well traveled.
They all made their way out of the library basement, where Miri then took her leave of them. The party made their way to a House Jorasco healing station, where Azeri's membership in the house got them in right away, if not much in the way of discounts. Tselem got himself healed from the mummy rot, and he then purchased a healing for Miri as well. (He sent her a message through House Sivis' magical post office.)
The party then went about figuring out how to get to the Lantern Tower. They went to the local House Orien teleportation station, and the flunky at the front desk told them the only way to get there was to travel to a port city (a trip of several days), then take a boat to Zarash'ak (a journey of a week), then travel through the dangerous marshes for another day or two to reach the tower. He was very blunt in his evaluation of their chances - "you'll probably die." Tselem was annoyed, and asked to speak with a manager. The manager was suitably impressed by their House connections that he was more polite and helpful, but told them the same thing - no one ever wants to go someplace that dangerous, so House Orien don't have services in that part of the world. The party heaved a collective sigh and prepared themselves for the long trip.
They traveled three days north to Otharaunt, where they boarded a ship that sailed around the western edge of Khorvaire, arriving in Zarash'ak a week later. They spent the night in the city, and while there learned that Thrane had joined Breland in the fight against Droaam. The next day they traveled to Glumtown, an aptly named place, where they couldn't even find an inn for the night and slept out under the stars. The next day, they made their way to the Lantern Tower, and were informed they had yet a little ways to go - when asked where they could find the Order of the Lantern, they were pointed in a vague direction that took them deeper in the forest. Which is how the party found themselves, in the cloudy mid-morning of the 20th day of Nymm, traipsing through the Lantern Swamp in the Shadow Marches on the southwestern end of Khorvaire, searching for the Order of the Lantern.
As they searched, they came into a larger clearing, and in the middle there were two trees far larger than most of the rest they had seen in the forest. As they looked around, to their astonishment, the two trees came to life and started attacking them! A furious battle ensued, in which these strange tree-beasts employed other, smaller trees in the area as foot-soldiers. The party was holding their own, but then Azeri realized she knew what these things were - they were Treants, guardians of the forest, and that they generally would not attack those who are friends of nature. In an attempt to convince the creatures that they fit that category, Azeri used her divine power to heal one of the creature's wounds, and then stepped from the battle to try to repair some of the greenery in the area. The Treants immediately took notice, and stopped their assault.
The Treants asked who they are, and why they are here. The party responded that they were looking for the Order of the Lantern. The Treants considered that, and then one lumbered off into the forest, ordering the party to stay put. About an hour later, three male half-orcs, carrying lanterns lit even during mid-day, came striding out of the gloom. They asked the party who they were and what they wanted. The party showed them the Grant Dragonmark ritual, and said they were here to see if a counter-ritual could be made. The Order of the Lantern considered that, and then beckoned the party to follow them deeper into the swamp.
Rewards
- 5,000 XP each.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Session #28: The Ritual Secrets
The party dusted themselves off from the battle, and decided to go out into the woods that surround Korth to make a copy of the ritual. Doing so took the better part of the day - Azeri did the copying while Edge and Taumir stood guard. As evening drew on, they returned to town and made plans to make their way to Fairhaven. They debated several methods, but in the end decided on the way that was fastest, and remarkably also the cheapest - lightning rail. They knew there was a price on their heads, but they also knew that the upheaval of the war and the House Deneith succession crisis provided enough cover noise that they could probably slip through town unnoticed. Still, they took no chances, and arrived and boarded seperately.
The three day journey to Fairhaven was for once, completely uneventful. They did however learn some important world news: Breland had attacked Droaam. The Eldeen Reaches responded by saying they will remain neutral. Some responded to this by saying it means they are cowards, hiding behind the Byeshk Mountains where Droaam can’t harass them. Zilargo started locking down its borders – it sees this conflict as a particularly bad omen, as Nymm is supposed to a month under the mark of hospitality and forgiveness.
On the 6th day of Nymm, the party arrived in Fairhaven. The University of Wynarn was closed already, so they found an inn and settled in for the night. The next morning, 7 Nymm, they followed Tselem onto campus to the office of Miri, a human woman who had been one of Tselem's teachers of magic. She was a sweet middle-aged lady who was happy to see her student again and to meet the newcomers.
After the pleasantries were aside, they showed the ritual to Miri. She was initially very skeptical that they had what they said they did, but after looking it over she realized to her astonishment that they had something extremely rare and valuable. Tselem asked if there was a way to create a counter-ritual, one that removes dragonmarks. Miri said through her shock that every ritual has its opposite, but it would require some very powerful magic, far beyond her knowledge. She said she might know where to look up some information on such things though - the restricted section of the library.
The party and Miri made their way to the library, then down several flights of stairs into a dusty, gloomy basement. As they made to enter the room at this level. they were suddenly attacked! Almost a dozen mummies emerged from the walls and set upon them! Miri was just as surprised, and joined in the fight, but she was no adventurer, and contributed very little, though she managed not to die. The party cut through their attackers and blasted them back into dust.
Rewards
The three day journey to Fairhaven was for once, completely uneventful. They did however learn some important world news: Breland had attacked Droaam. The Eldeen Reaches responded by saying they will remain neutral. Some responded to this by saying it means they are cowards, hiding behind the Byeshk Mountains where Droaam can’t harass them. Zilargo started locking down its borders – it sees this conflict as a particularly bad omen, as Nymm is supposed to a month under the mark of hospitality and forgiveness.
On the 6th day of Nymm, the party arrived in Fairhaven. The University of Wynarn was closed already, so they found an inn and settled in for the night. The next morning, 7 Nymm, they followed Tselem onto campus to the office of Miri, a human woman who had been one of Tselem's teachers of magic. She was a sweet middle-aged lady who was happy to see her student again and to meet the newcomers.
After the pleasantries were aside, they showed the ritual to Miri. She was initially very skeptical that they had what they said they did, but after looking it over she realized to her astonishment that they had something extremely rare and valuable. Tselem asked if there was a way to create a counter-ritual, one that removes dragonmarks. Miri said through her shock that every ritual has its opposite, but it would require some very powerful magic, far beyond her knowledge. She said she might know where to look up some information on such things though - the restricted section of the library.
The party and Miri made their way to the library, then down several flights of stairs into a dusty, gloomy basement. As they made to enter the room at this level. they were suddenly attacked! Almost a dozen mummies emerged from the walls and set upon them! Miri was just as surprised, and joined in the fight, but she was no adventurer, and contributed very little, though she managed not to die. The party cut through their attackers and blasted them back into dust.
Rewards
- 4,750 XP each. Time to level up!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Session #27: The Uncertainty of the Victors
When the dawn came, the party deliberated for quite a while, trying to decide what to do next. Many different goals were proposed, and at times different party members were quite opposite in what they wanted to see happen with this ritual. In the end, they decided they needed more information than they had now, so they decided to travel to Fairhaven. Tselem wanted to know if there were ways to reverse the ritual and make it so they could remove dragonmarks, and believed his old teachers at the University of Wynarn could help. Taumir was less focused on the ritual's political uses and more interested in learning more about what his people had been seeking, but felt that Tselem was on the right track. Azeri had grown quite tired of politics and dragonmarks, but was interested in the Wynarn library, so agreed to come along. Edge felt this whole adventure was ill-advised, but was not ready to abandon the group.
As the party made ready to travel to Fairhaven, they were suddenly attacked by four human-looking individuals. The fight was intense, and vicious, and the party was thrown off balance by the fact that their enemies seemed almost to be swiping at them with claws more than attacking them with weapons. As the strangers began to falter at the party's tenacious counter-attack, however, these villains began to reveal themselves as Rakshasa, shape-changing tiger-like creatures. The battle left the party drained, but when it was done, the party remained standing, and their enemies all lay dead.
Rewards
As the party made ready to travel to Fairhaven, they were suddenly attacked by four human-looking individuals. The fight was intense, and vicious, and the party was thrown off balance by the fact that their enemies seemed almost to be swiping at them with claws more than attacking them with weapons. As the strangers began to falter at the party's tenacious counter-attack, however, these villains began to reveal themselves as Rakshasa, shape-changing tiger-like creatures. The battle left the party drained, but when it was done, the party remained standing, and their enemies all lay dead.
Rewards
- 4,800 XP each.
- 10,300 GP total.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Session #26: The Greed of the Mror Holds
The party had several hours to kill before the return portal opened up, so they settled in for the night. It was uneventful, and the next mid-morning (2 Nymm), they stepped through the portal and arrived back at the Goradra Gap. From there, Vondal invited them to come to his home in Frostmantle for a celebration dinner, which they accepted. He arranged for another portal, and they stepped through to arrive in his living room.
Vondal's home was no mansion, but very fine and spacious. Vondal invited them to make themselves at home, and said he would summon them when it was dinner time. The party explored the house, availed themselves of the generous library, and wondered what their next move would be.
When dinner came, Vondal had invited a few of his friends, but made no introductions. The party asked him what was to happen next, and it became clear that Vondal was cutting them out of the deal they had made. He had no intention of democratizing dragonmarks - he wanted to sell them to the highest bidder! The party left the dinner feeling annoyed and betrayed, and resolved to do something about it that evening.
Around midnight, while all the rest slept, the party awoke. Azeri made ready to cast a portal while the rest searched for where Vondal had hidden the ritual. After some doing, they found a locked box in a locked room in the basement that seemed the most likely culprit. As they headed back upstairs though, Vondal was alerted to their prescence and came after them. A short but intense battle ensued. It was cut short by Azeri casting the portal and bringing the party to Korth, and closing it before Vondal could follow them through.
The party, now in Korth in the very wee hours of the morning of 3 Nymm, found a inn and set to work opening the locked box. To their delight and relief, it contained the ritual they sought!
Rewards
Vondal's home was no mansion, but very fine and spacious. Vondal invited them to make themselves at home, and said he would summon them when it was dinner time. The party explored the house, availed themselves of the generous library, and wondered what their next move would be.
When dinner came, Vondal had invited a few of his friends, but made no introductions. The party asked him what was to happen next, and it became clear that Vondal was cutting them out of the deal they had made. He had no intention of democratizing dragonmarks - he wanted to sell them to the highest bidder! The party left the dinner feeling annoyed and betrayed, and resolved to do something about it that evening.
Around midnight, while all the rest slept, the party awoke. Azeri made ready to cast a portal while the rest searched for where Vondal had hidden the ritual. After some doing, they found a locked box in a locked room in the basement that seemed the most likely culprit. As they headed back upstairs though, Vondal was alerted to their prescence and came after them. A short but intense battle ensued. It was cut short by Azeri casting the portal and bringing the party to Korth, and closing it before Vondal could follow them through.
The party, now in Korth in the very wee hours of the morning of 3 Nymm, found a inn and set to work opening the locked box. To their delight and relief, it contained the ritual they sought!
Rewards
- 1,000 XP each.
- 1,800 GP total (looted while searching)
Monday, March 23, 2015
Session #25: The Quest for more money
Vondal explained that to perform the Grant Dragonmark ritual that the Whisper Wood elves had developed, they would need moon slivers. Moon slivers are pieces of the seventh moon that fell to earth and burned into diamonds as they fell. They are actually not too hard to find because they fall with some regularity onto the northern island of Orthoss. However, a century ago, a group of Driders (evil spider centaurs) moved in and claimed the Stargrounds as their own, and now kill any who try to come and collect moon slivers.
The party was unintimidated, and said they were ready to leave anytime. Vondal led them to the House Orien teleportation station nearby. (There were no fixed portals on Orthoss, but Vondal's money had allowed him to buy a premium service where House Orien will try to return them from the spot they were 'dropped off'' until they either return or their bodies are recovered.)
Within moments of arriving in Orthoss, four Driders attacked. Vondal hid behind a tree and left the party to contend with the creatures. They didn't exactly make short work of them, but by the time evening fell on this 1st day of Nymm, the Driders were all dead, and the party was still alive.
Rewards
The party was unintimidated, and said they were ready to leave anytime. Vondal led them to the House Orien teleportation station nearby. (There were no fixed portals on Orthoss, but Vondal's money had allowed him to buy a premium service where House Orien will try to return them from the spot they were 'dropped off'' until they either return or their bodies are recovered.)
Within moments of arriving in Orthoss, four Driders attacked. Vondal hid behind a tree and left the party to contend with the creatures. They didn't exactly make short work of them, but by the time evening fell on this 1st day of Nymm, the Driders were all dead, and the party was still alive.
Rewards
- 4,000 XP each. Time to level up!
- You collected approximately 1,000 moon slivers (total). They're worth about 5 GP each on the open market.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Session #24: The People of the Plains
The party wailed on the Lizardfolk - their numbers were intimidating, but the fight went in the party's favor. At one point, one of them attempted to attack Tselem, at which point Edge shielded his ally by stabbing the lizardfolk through the chest and slinging its corpse across the field! Needless to say, within just a few short minutes, the party stood victorious!
As the dust settled, they realized their victory was a little Pyrrhic - the lizardfolk had slaughtered all the crew of the ship. The party found themselves alone and unattended on the docks that evening. They decided to heck with their mission, and beat it out of town, spending the night in one of the the pleasant forests that surround Newthrone.
The next day (19 Dravago), the party decided that not only did they not want to have anything to do with Newthrone and/or Riedra annexing the Talenta Plains, they also weren't going to sit idly by while it happened. They decided to try and contact the leadership of the halfling clans that roamed the Plains, so they made their way through the forests and trails of Q'barra, and then though the passes of the Endworld Mountains, and arrived on the other side, at the edge of the Blade Desert, three days later, on the evening of 22 Dravago. The next day was spent wandering the Desert, trying to get in contact with one of the halfling clans. It would be another day however (mid morning on 24 Dravago) before they finally caught up to one,
The halfing caravan, which appeared to be a family of traders, was curious and cautious but friendly to the party. One of the first people they met was a girl named Shaena, who directed them to her father. From these two the party learned that a great gathering of the clans was taking place in just a day or two, and the leader of the clans would be meeting with his fellow chieftains. The party decided this was the perfect opportunity to give their warning, and asked if they could come along to the gathering, to which Shaena's clan agreed.
The travelers arrived at the gathering place late that evening. Some of the party decided to get a feel of the camp, and wandered around, listening for gossip and news. As they were doing so, they ran into a dwarf named Travok. He was amiable, and told the party how he was there to try and make a business deal with the clans. In the course of conversation, Taumir asked if he knew anything about the 13th moon. Travok tried to hide his interest and even outright astonishment, but the party could tell they'd hit a nerve. Travok said his employer, one Vondal, would be extremely interested in meeting the party, and would they like to accompany him once the gathering was over? The party agreed, then went to bed.
The gathering the next day was a sight to behold. It was a bustling bazaar, a grand festival, a political rally, and a family reunion all rolled into one. The party was able to gain an audience with the 'president' of the clans, and gave their warning that Q'barra might attempt to invade. He thanked them for their warning and promised to take it seriously.
The next morning (26 Dravago), as the clans were beginning to pack up and depart, Travok approached them and asked if they still wanted to travel with him to meet Vondal. They said they did, and they all departed for the Ironroot Mountains. The journey took a few days, and they did not arrive at the Goradra Gap until 1 Nymm. A trading post sat there, nestled under the intimidating peaks that guarded the way to the Mror Holds, the dwarven lands. There they were met by Vondal.
Vondal was in fact extremely excited to see them. It turned out that he had at one point been very involved with the work of the Whisper Wood elves. He knew as the party did that they had developed a way to give dragonmarks to any person. Vondal saw this is a big opportunity, a way to shift the balance of power in this world in a serious way, to end the monopoly the Draongmarked had over the rest of the people of the world. He persuaded the party to join him in his goal of making the Whisper Wood elves' technique available to everyone. The party was naturally a little cautious, but they felt Vondal was being honest with them, and Taumir especially was excited to be reconnecting with his past after all this time.
There were still some things that had to be done before they could truly begin though, as Vondal began to explain...
Rewards
As the dust settled, they realized their victory was a little Pyrrhic - the lizardfolk had slaughtered all the crew of the ship. The party found themselves alone and unattended on the docks that evening. They decided to heck with their mission, and beat it out of town, spending the night in one of the the pleasant forests that surround Newthrone.
The next day (19 Dravago), the party decided that not only did they not want to have anything to do with Newthrone and/or Riedra annexing the Talenta Plains, they also weren't going to sit idly by while it happened. They decided to try and contact the leadership of the halfling clans that roamed the Plains, so they made their way through the forests and trails of Q'barra, and then though the passes of the Endworld Mountains, and arrived on the other side, at the edge of the Blade Desert, three days later, on the evening of 22 Dravago. The next day was spent wandering the Desert, trying to get in contact with one of the halfling clans. It would be another day however (mid morning on 24 Dravago) before they finally caught up to one,
The halfing caravan, which appeared to be a family of traders, was curious and cautious but friendly to the party. One of the first people they met was a girl named Shaena, who directed them to her father. From these two the party learned that a great gathering of the clans was taking place in just a day or two, and the leader of the clans would be meeting with his fellow chieftains. The party decided this was the perfect opportunity to give their warning, and asked if they could come along to the gathering, to which Shaena's clan agreed.
The travelers arrived at the gathering place late that evening. Some of the party decided to get a feel of the camp, and wandered around, listening for gossip and news. As they were doing so, they ran into a dwarf named Travok. He was amiable, and told the party how he was there to try and make a business deal with the clans. In the course of conversation, Taumir asked if he knew anything about the 13th moon. Travok tried to hide his interest and even outright astonishment, but the party could tell they'd hit a nerve. Travok said his employer, one Vondal, would be extremely interested in meeting the party, and would they like to accompany him once the gathering was over? The party agreed, then went to bed.
The gathering the next day was a sight to behold. It was a bustling bazaar, a grand festival, a political rally, and a family reunion all rolled into one. The party was able to gain an audience with the 'president' of the clans, and gave their warning that Q'barra might attempt to invade. He thanked them for their warning and promised to take it seriously.
The next morning (26 Dravago), as the clans were beginning to pack up and depart, Travok approached them and asked if they still wanted to travel with him to meet Vondal. They said they did, and they all departed for the Ironroot Mountains. The journey took a few days, and they did not arrive at the Goradra Gap until 1 Nymm. A trading post sat there, nestled under the intimidating peaks that guarded the way to the Mror Holds, the dwarven lands. There they were met by Vondal.
Vondal was in fact extremely excited to see them. It turned out that he had at one point been very involved with the work of the Whisper Wood elves. He knew as the party did that they had developed a way to give dragonmarks to any person. Vondal saw this is a big opportunity, a way to shift the balance of power in this world in a serious way, to end the monopoly the Draongmarked had over the rest of the people of the world. He persuaded the party to join him in his goal of making the Whisper Wood elves' technique available to everyone. The party was naturally a little cautious, but they felt Vondal was being honest with them, and Taumir especially was excited to be reconnecting with his past after all this time.
There were still some things that had to be done before they could truly begin though, as Vondal began to explain...
Rewards
- 3,500 XP each.
- 4,400 GP total.
- You found an Amulet of Protection +4 (p. 249 PHB).
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