Game Time: August 17
Evil Dead Count: 69 / 100
Starting Location: Shattered District, post Ghost Adventure.
Important Questions:
1. How many days since agreement with Mythrocrax?
- We agreed to 10 more days in the city. Should have plenty of time to vacate the area.
2. What happened to the Doppleganger?
3. What is the Dwarven Torc?
4. Where are we going and why?
- Out of Noldair and away from Mythrocrax.
The Morning After
To get things started after our long eventful night, Ronax communes with nature. He identifies the following:
- 2 small pools of water in the area
- very rough terrain
- animal life is sparse, small game
- there is some nasty magic in the area,
- approximately 1 mile to the N.E.
- edge at west of his range
- moving north near water
The group decides to head north where Rondax identified the three signals. Rondax scouts ahead to locate the targets and lead the group to them. The group finds a trio of Rot Trolls. Thanks to Bono's great memory, the group learns they have a symbiotic relationship with necromatic energy, these particular trolls do no regenerate normally, but rather syphone energy from living creatures.
Rondax and JL charge the Trolls. Both make a strafing run on the Trolls, JL misses but Rondax hits. In the process both take damage from the Trolls.
| 1 | |
| Rondax | Hit White Troll, combination attack for 54 dmg |
| Tyke | Moves and casts Stoneskin on himself |
| Bono | Takes a shot with a crossbow but misses |
| W. Troll | hits Rondax with 3 attacks |
| O. Troll | hits Rondax with 3 attacks |
| S. Troll | hits JL with 3 attacks |
| JL | crushes the O. Troll for 90+ dmg |
| Sol | 2 thrown hammers, both missing, but gives JL another shot (misses) |
| Prentice | Summons a Celestial Owl |
| Owl | Finishes off O.Troll |
| Herman | Hits W. Troll with Guiding Bolt |
| 2 | |
| Rondax | 2 more hits on W. Troll |
| Tyke | Levitates S. Troll |
| Bono | slices open W. Troll, putting it down |
| W. Troll | Dead/Dieing |
| S. Troll | Breaks free from the Levitation |
| JL | 3 hits on S. Troll |
| Sol | 1 Hammer Throw, gives JL another attack |
| Prentice | Misses |
| Owl | gets another hit in for 19 dmg |
| Herman | puts S. Troll down. |
The group finishes all three trolls off with fire after collecting their "treasure" of:
- 3 useless belt pouches (thrown in the fire)
- 3 knives/short swords
- 140 gp
- Carved tooth of blue agate
Rondax back tracks the trolls to their encampment and find nothing of importance.
Serin
The group teleports to the Tower of Serin.
Once there, they make their way into town to sell of all unneeded equipment (70,890). Bono gets an extra 5% on the illicit goods. They then purchase some necessary supplies:
| Who | What | How Much |
| Tyke | spell components Stoneskin, Revivify | 2,000 |
| Sol & Tyke | Flat Cabinet (2x3x6 cabinet which closes flat) | 5,500 |
| | Portable Hole | 10,000 |
| Sol | Heavy Crossbow (+1) | 800 |
| | Healing Potions | 1200 |
| JL | Barding for Donkey | 325 |
| | Art (Painting / Bust) | 1000 |
Before they realize it, the group has spent 9 days in Serin. It's now August 26, and time to get to Dierthane.
But, before they go, they remove the demon/mephit infestation in the tower's basement.
Evil Dead Count: 76 / 100
Dierthane
If you remember, Dierthane is in the Whitelands, a walled city. The group arrives on the outskirts of the city in the old druidic ruins. As the group approaches the town, they quickly realize the walls are now guarded by orcs. With their history, it will not be easy to get into the city. A quick casting of wind spy confirms that every bit of the city's security is now ran by the orcs (walls, gates, street patrols, and docks).
The group skirts the city walls approaching the wall near their warehouse. There they use JL's dimension door to pass through the wall undetected. Once inside, Bono scouts the way to the warehouse. As they pass through the city, they can feel the unease. The orc patrols are looking at arms and armor. There is a Gagnerian banner flying over the recently erected Temple of Dukash.
The group finds their warehouse still standing. Even more surprising is that it's still filled with supplies, including lumber. Galgren is still running the warehouse and he's brought on additional help. The original supply of bronzewood was sold at a nice profit. Galgren is preparing the warehouse to store the new wood. JL, Tyke and Sol immediately head upstairs, out of sight.
The next day about mid-morning, Galgren announces that an Easterner has arrived. The group goes down to meet Hino Azumaro. While the group was out collecting kills, Hino and "Yellow Pearl" had travelled south along the coast for trading. The journey back to Kawan will take him a minimum of 7 weeks.
The group hands over the writ and scroll. The targets listed make an impact on Hino, many of the creatures listed are not easy kills. Since our debt has not been completely repaid, Hino asks that for the group's word that they will continue to fight the evil forces in the world, at least until the debt is paid in full.
He informs us that the Kawanese do not use the "Fire Powder" for war, but rather as a way to celebrate. Hino says he will be leaving for home in about a week and notify the Emperor how the orcs plan to use the powder. He warns that the Emperor may not be willing to give up the trade. Hino portrays the Emperor as a wise man, one that would likely be willing to take an audience with us if we make it to Kawan. He has rooms at the end of the pier if we decide to join him on his journey to Kawan.
The group worries that Kawan may look at other coastal cities to trade the Fire Powder. Both Tedrox and Estivinia is on the coast. The Fire Powder would give any state an advantage in war, which would sit uneasily with The Baron and Ghantra.
Uncharted Waters
Once Hino departs, the group discusses means of reaching Kawan on their own schedule. Tyke proposes the idea of providing Hino the teleportation sigils to Dierthane. Would propose that Hino teleports back to Dierthane in two months time. The group would meet him there, then the parties would teleport back to Kawan. This would save the group the long journey by sea. The group agrees with this idea.
Tyke and Bono go to speak to Hino that evening with the proposal, and he agrees to meet them outside the gates to see the circle. The group is entering into territory that JL has spent most of his life avoiding, diplomacy.
The Resistance
Bono snoops around town looking for information on any resistance to the orcish occupation. He finds a drunk sailor willing to talk. The sailor shares a few rumors:
- Princess Ingrid is gathering forces in the south.
- Prince Halvar was broken out of jail (previous exploits of the group)
- King Thiafin is reportedly alive and played a role in the jail break
- Prince has people in the north, gathering forces
- There's a secret weapon north of Prince Halvar
- Possibly Sert (a 3rd child of royal blood)
- Gathering the tribes
- Running interference between Halvar and Ganeria
To Ghantra
The group discusses which path to take. Either aid the resistance further or take on The Baron's mission to Silverwell. Most are leaning towards Silverwell, interested in seeing how that situation developed.
They leave Dierthane and meet with Hino at the circle. Show him how the circle works and part company.
The group teleports to Ghantra to the Courtyard Circle.
JL's father asks him if he plans on visiting his estates, servants with absent lords lose faith in those they never see. JL is a symbol and symbols must be seen to be effective. Suprisingly, JL's estate south of Ghantra City continues to make a profit. (A more indepth private conversation takes place between JL and his father)
Once JL returns, the group sets off to see The Baron, leaving Prentice behind. They are immediately taken to The Baron's study. He's looking at the tracking map, and remarks that the Bernish situation is cloudy. The group provides The Baron with a sample of the Fire Powder and its origins. He replies that he thought the Sky Flowers used the Kawanese were the result of magic. The group lets him know of the Kawanese trading supplies on the coast and the potential for a diplomatic contact. The Baron asks JL for his opinion on the diplomatic mission to Kawan. JL doesn't care for the potential of being trapped in Kawan.
Everyone has been inquiring as to what JL will do when his ways of errantry. Many remark that JL would make a fine diplomat with his extensive travels, both in location and circles. JL maintains that he is not ready to give up his blade for a life of peace.
Silverwell is discussed at great length. If the Whitelands are slipping, we may be able to use Silverwell to unbalance the orcs. It requires a formal diplomatic mission to negotiate with Silverwell and investigate their position. The Baron would like the group to put a wedge into any cracks we find to fracture the support Silverwell supplies to Gagneria. Sol will be provided an assumed identity accompanied by a magical disguise. The Baron has heard of Dwarven Forgelighters, but his knowledge is limited. JL may be able to scare orcs if he uses his Paladinic powers disguised as a dwarf. In addition, Sol's true identity may be useful at times. The Baron will supply a diplomatic entourage and put as close as he can with a teleportation spell. Additionally, he offers both Tyke and Bono access to new spells.
Southern Holdings
JL has 312 vassals and 600 others occupying his lands in the south. Conchita has been signing for all holdings in JL's absense. The trip south to the estate is quiet, not a single bandit was spotted.
As the group approaches JL's lands, they see palisades surrounding a large parcel of land. Guard towers spot the palisades. JL decides not to share his identity. Rondax attempts to bribe the guard at the tower into allowing the group to pass through. The guard refuses the bribe and hands JL the paperword necessary to enter. A smart remark by Rondax gets him kicked out. The Guard and Rondax go back and forth about JL and his true identity.
As the group travels into the estate lands, the land itself appears to be bountiful and well maintained. The people are wearing Stormslayer branded tunics. Prentice speaks to a couple of the farmers about the circumstances. The group passes farmland, a vineyard, and a wine press before coming to a fortified structure. Those who had been on the estate previously know the structure was built after their last visit.
The guard at the structure takes the paperwork from JL and enters the structure. He returns shortly with notice that she will see him. The group enters to find Conchita in the office at the desk. She is wearing a jewelled headband. She is accompanied by a human wearing a torc with a matching gem. Conchita speaks through the human. JL and Conchita discuss the affairs of the estate. She reveals that the 600 others on the property are mostly prisoners or indentured servants. At first glance, everything on the estate looks good.
Conchita sends for the guard and Rondax. When they arrive, Rondax defends the guards actions.
The estate has expanded to include mines and barracks.
Prisoners wear the tunics, dedicated vassals dress regularly.
The prisoners hail from Tarsk, Calandria, and Ghantra. They seem to be well treated. The indentured servants have been purchased from all over Ghantra. Conchita is effectively running a for-profit prison.
Prentice wants to know the mechanism for how servants/prisoners are to be released. Most appear to have no release date. He's worried about basic slavery.
Dwarven Torc
While at JL's estate, Sol asks Bono to see if he can identify the Dwarven Torc.
This particular torc is dedicated to Lethrun Taurus Pathseeker, the Dwarven goddess of travel, exploration, and trickery. She is the patron god for those who travel far from home as well as dwarvern tricksters.
From the Dwarven Kingdom of Geldar, which had broken away from the Dwarven Confederation.
The Kingdom of Geldar consisted of 4 city-states including Dol Geldar (returned to the confederate) and San Geldar (destroyed). The torcs were worn by clerics and imbued with a link to one of the nine deities. This link allowed the priest to contact their respective god. The torcs were created in forges dedicated to the god in question.