Well, I think one of my groups is pretty much done with the current roleplaying campaign. We may pick it up again later, but that isn't likely.
So adieu to Darwin, Jelena, Ember and Raizix.
The other game is just picking back up with DnD 3.5 in Kalamar, so I'm still running a DnD 3.5 Kalamar game, just with a different group...seems that is what we keep going back to. It'll be once a month on the 2nd Friday of each month.
In other gaming for me I recently finished disk 3 of Final Fantasy IX. That means I'm on the last disc, which is essentially wrap-up and a string on boss battles. I'll see how it goes.
Showing posts with label Coin Trilogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coin Trilogy. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
With great power...
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The group wakes up, having camped outside the house of Joseep the woodcarver. Having protected him from werewolves while he was suffering from belladonna poisoning, he was grateful for their assistance and wished them good luck on their travels.
Travelling during the day was uneventful. There were a few additional farms farther north of Joseep, including some cattle farms, but this eventually opened up into the Skarna plains. Some sparse woods were spotted here and there and Jelena and Raizix were able to get track some game.
That evening, however, proved to be more eventful. Raizix, during his watch heard a buzzing noise and alerted his companions at once. A swarm of 13 stirges quickly flew into the torch light.
Most that approached Raizix were killed straight away, but two landed on Jelena and one was dangerously close. Darwin dispatched them with bolts of magical energy, and Raizix cut in twain the remaining airborne stirge.
After returning to sleep, and then waking the next morning and breaking camp brought another surprise. A dozen riders on horseback were approaching their position, with weapons drawn and a menacing appearance. Raizix responded first by firing an arrow from his new longbow, and Jelena followed likewise. The range was not easily overcome however, and they both missed their targets.
Darwin didn't have a similar problem, and downed five riders and their horses with a fireball. All the horses were apparently dead, and all but one of the men was either killed outright or unconscious.
Reacting quickly, the remaining riders split up, moving left and right, with only the apparent leader of the group riding straight for them. Two of the riders slowed their horses and turned around to aid their fallen comrades.
Ember slowed the leader by causing the very grass to grab the ankles of his horse, slowing and eventually stopping it.
One of the rider, not wearing armor and clad in bright clothes shouts out over the din of battle and charging horses, "you'll pay for that, wizard!" and methodically shoots his longbow and Darwin, narrowly missing with each shot.
Two of the riders that were now in the lead were obviously not human in their appearance as they did not wear helmets. The group could make out orc like features in the face, and were reminded of the half-orcs that attacked them recently in Zoa that were in the wizard Daresh's employ.
Using arrow and spell, one of the half-orcs was killed at a distance, but the other made it to Raizix from the south-west only to be deterred in his attack by Deekin who commanded the warrior to flee, and in his haste to depart opened himself to a fatal attack.
At about the same time, a human approached the group from the south- east and announced, "Surrender yourselves and face the charges of crimes committed in Zoa!" with no response, he charged toward Jelena but his horse pulled up short before he could slash at her with his blade.
Darwin seeing that the riders who had turned back were approaching again, targeted the wounded but conscious man and his benefactor who had brought him up on his horse. This second fireball blast was lethal to him, but the other rider remained lucid and landed on the ground, not far from his now dead companion and horse.
The brightly clad man then shouts again, "Wait! We surrender!" He backs up his actions by throwing down his bow, and the remaining men do the same, save one.
"I'm not paying you to surrender! Attack them!" Realizing the futility and precariousness of the situation he was in, the rider turns his horse around and rides back south.
Raizix pulls the nearby rider from his horse and pulls up Darwin behind him onto it. Ember takes the mercenary towards the remaining group. The leader shouts out again, "the one on horseback isn't my man! Permission to tend to and aid my fallen comrades-in-arms?"
"Granted!" shouts out Raizix, spurring his new mount toward the remaining rider.
Darwin, not intending to wait, says, "slow the horse." Raizix complies, and shortly thereafter Darwin intones the words again to cause a small bead of fire to race towards the rider and erupt in a fiery explosion. The horse falls dead on the ground, and the rider quickly stands and continues running.
He eventually slows, choosing to face his opponents directly. Darwin casts another spell, causing the man to stop, unmoving.
Raizix disarms him, and then pins him on the ground. While atop of him, Darwin intones once again, and upon touching Raizix, causes him to grow to much larger proportions.
The man starts to move in a short time, and twists his head around to get a better look at both Raizix and Darwin. Spying Darwin out o the corner of his eye, he growls and attempts to break free of Raizix's grasp. Raizix begins punching him in the face, until he falls unconscious. He then ties him up, and he drags him back to the waiting combined groups.
"Who are you and why did you attack us?" asked Raizix of the unarmed and unarmored man.
"I am Treon and these are my men. We are from the mercenary guild of Zoa. We were hired by Xeff, the half-Orc over there to track you down and bring you to justice."
"What crimes did he allege we commit?" asked Raizix.
"He said that you freed several prisoners and left several guards dead in your wake."
"That couldn't be farther from the truth. Have you heard of the wizard Daresh?"
"Indeed I have, but I fail to see..."
"We have been attempting to stop Daresh and her quest for power. Even now she is amassing an army here in Skarna to attack Zoa and perhaps attempt to take the entire region. Xeff must have been one of her minions."
"Do you have any proof of this?"
"No, I don't, and I don't need to explain myself to one such as you. Gold is the only reason you need."
"That's not true. Me and my men aren't evil. We choose our contracts. We don't relish fighting or killing," Treon says, looking at Darwin. "So, are we your prisoners?"
"No, you may return to Zoa, but we will take the horses. What will you say when you get back?"
"Keep the horses. Xeff paid for them. When I return I will tell three widows that their husbands died under my command, and for that I am grievously sorry."
"If someone asks, we were headed east," says Raizix, handing the man a bag with 50 gold coins inside.
"If someone asks, I'll tell them to burn in the nine hells. We don't take kindly to being deceived. Farewell and good luck."
With that, Treon takes his men aside, and they make shallow graves for the three dead men and the horses. They then leave on foot, not once looking back.
The group then waits for the human to wake, intending to question him. He eventually awakes, and finds himself tied to a tree, and a hood over his head.
"Who sent you?" starts Raizix.
"Daresh, as if you didn't know."
"Where is she?"
"It doesn't matter. You can't stop her."
Raizix hits him on the side of the head with his armored fist. "I said, where is she?"
"Castle Triumph, to the far north, in Natfal."
"Now, do you look forward to death's sweet release?"
"Daresh will punish failure, even after death. No, death is no release."
"Very well," and Raizix nods to Ember, who draws her dagger against his neck, killing him almost instantly.
They begin to mount up, and Deekin joins Raizix on his horse. "Raizix? Deekin is concerned...Darwin is becoming scary. Deekin thinks it is the coin."
"Perhaps. But he's our only chance against Daresh."
"Just make sure the price isn't too high," warns Alafarus, the intelligent short sword hanging on Raizix's belt.
The group wakes up, having camped outside the house of Joseep the woodcarver. Having protected him from werewolves while he was suffering from belladonna poisoning, he was grateful for their assistance and wished them good luck on their travels.
Travelling during the day was uneventful. There were a few additional farms farther north of Joseep, including some cattle farms, but this eventually opened up into the Skarna plains. Some sparse woods were spotted here and there and Jelena and Raizix were able to get track some game.
That evening, however, proved to be more eventful. Raizix, during his watch heard a buzzing noise and alerted his companions at once. A swarm of 13 stirges quickly flew into the torch light.
Most that approached Raizix were killed straight away, but two landed on Jelena and one was dangerously close. Darwin dispatched them with bolts of magical energy, and Raizix cut in twain the remaining airborne stirge.
After returning to sleep, and then waking the next morning and breaking camp brought another surprise. A dozen riders on horseback were approaching their position, with weapons drawn and a menacing appearance. Raizix responded first by firing an arrow from his new longbow, and Jelena followed likewise. The range was not easily overcome however, and they both missed their targets.
Darwin didn't have a similar problem, and downed five riders and their horses with a fireball. All the horses were apparently dead, and all but one of the men was either killed outright or unconscious.
Reacting quickly, the remaining riders split up, moving left and right, with only the apparent leader of the group riding straight for them. Two of the riders slowed their horses and turned around to aid their fallen comrades.
Ember slowed the leader by causing the very grass to grab the ankles of his horse, slowing and eventually stopping it.
One of the rider, not wearing armor and clad in bright clothes shouts out over the din of battle and charging horses, "you'll pay for that, wizard!" and methodically shoots his longbow and Darwin, narrowly missing with each shot.
Two of the riders that were now in the lead were obviously not human in their appearance as they did not wear helmets. The group could make out orc like features in the face, and were reminded of the half-orcs that attacked them recently in Zoa that were in the wizard Daresh's employ.
Using arrow and spell, one of the half-orcs was killed at a distance, but the other made it to Raizix from the south-west only to be deterred in his attack by Deekin who commanded the warrior to flee, and in his haste to depart opened himself to a fatal attack.
At about the same time, a human approached the group from the south- east and announced, "Surrender yourselves and face the charges of crimes committed in Zoa!" with no response, he charged toward Jelena but his horse pulled up short before he could slash at her with his blade.
Darwin seeing that the riders who had turned back were approaching again, targeted the wounded but conscious man and his benefactor who had brought him up on his horse. This second fireball blast was lethal to him, but the other rider remained lucid and landed on the ground, not far from his now dead companion and horse.
The brightly clad man then shouts again, "Wait! We surrender!" He backs up his actions by throwing down his bow, and the remaining men do the same, save one.
"I'm not paying you to surrender! Attack them!" Realizing the futility and precariousness of the situation he was in, the rider turns his horse around and rides back south.
Raizix pulls the nearby rider from his horse and pulls up Darwin behind him onto it. Ember takes the mercenary towards the remaining group. The leader shouts out again, "the one on horseback isn't my man! Permission to tend to and aid my fallen comrades-in-arms?"
"Granted!" shouts out Raizix, spurring his new mount toward the remaining rider.
Darwin, not intending to wait, says, "slow the horse." Raizix complies, and shortly thereafter Darwin intones the words again to cause a small bead of fire to race towards the rider and erupt in a fiery explosion. The horse falls dead on the ground, and the rider quickly stands and continues running.
He eventually slows, choosing to face his opponents directly. Darwin casts another spell, causing the man to stop, unmoving.
Raizix disarms him, and then pins him on the ground. While atop of him, Darwin intones once again, and upon touching Raizix, causes him to grow to much larger proportions.
The man starts to move in a short time, and twists his head around to get a better look at both Raizix and Darwin. Spying Darwin out o the corner of his eye, he growls and attempts to break free of Raizix's grasp. Raizix begins punching him in the face, until he falls unconscious. He then ties him up, and he drags him back to the waiting combined groups.
"Who are you and why did you attack us?" asked Raizix of the unarmed and unarmored man.
"I am Treon and these are my men. We are from the mercenary guild of Zoa. We were hired by Xeff, the half-Orc over there to track you down and bring you to justice."
"What crimes did he allege we commit?" asked Raizix.
"He said that you freed several prisoners and left several guards dead in your wake."
"That couldn't be farther from the truth. Have you heard of the wizard Daresh?"
"Indeed I have, but I fail to see..."
"We have been attempting to stop Daresh and her quest for power. Even now she is amassing an army here in Skarna to attack Zoa and perhaps attempt to take the entire region. Xeff must have been one of her minions."
"Do you have any proof of this?"
"No, I don't, and I don't need to explain myself to one such as you. Gold is the only reason you need."
"That's not true. Me and my men aren't evil. We choose our contracts. We don't relish fighting or killing," Treon says, looking at Darwin. "So, are we your prisoners?"
"No, you may return to Zoa, but we will take the horses. What will you say when you get back?"
"Keep the horses. Xeff paid for them. When I return I will tell three widows that their husbands died under my command, and for that I am grievously sorry."
"If someone asks, we were headed east," says Raizix, handing the man a bag with 50 gold coins inside.
"If someone asks, I'll tell them to burn in the nine hells. We don't take kindly to being deceived. Farewell and good luck."
With that, Treon takes his men aside, and they make shallow graves for the three dead men and the horses. They then leave on foot, not once looking back.
The group then waits for the human to wake, intending to question him. He eventually awakes, and finds himself tied to a tree, and a hood over his head.
"Who sent you?" starts Raizix.
"Daresh, as if you didn't know."
"Where is she?"
"It doesn't matter. You can't stop her."
Raizix hits him on the side of the head with his armored fist. "I said, where is she?"
"Castle Triumph, to the far north, in Natfal."
"Now, do you look forward to death's sweet release?"
"Daresh will punish failure, even after death. No, death is no release."
"Very well," and Raizix nods to Ember, who draws her dagger against his neck, killing him almost instantly.
They begin to mount up, and Deekin joins Raizix on his horse. "Raizix? Deekin is concerned...Darwin is becoming scary. Deekin thinks it is the coin."
"Perhaps. But he's our only chance against Daresh."
"Just make sure the price isn't too high," warns Alafarus, the intelligent short sword hanging on Raizix's belt.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Towards Haanex and Beyond
July 26, 2009
The group, after making their own coin of power, realize that being in or near a house with several bodies isn't a good idea. And if they didn't...
"Deekin thinks we should go. Bodies and the watch don't mix," says Deekin in his usual manner.
The group slinks away through alleys and side streets and make their way to the docks, knowing that their ship the Hyperion and Captain Wein would be waiting for them. They set sail and head toward Haanex, where their adventure began.
Shortly after leaving Zoa on the Hyperion, they find themselves sailing close to shore due to the winds making waves out on the bay too choppy. Ember and Jelena, the wood elf sisters, see a wagon that appears to have some trouble. Jelena describes what she sees, an everyone agrees to go investigate. They row to shore on a dingy, setting ashore a distance away.
"Let's not be caught unawares...everyone ready in case there's trouble? Good," says Raizix.
The group approaches cautiously, and see three bodies on the ground near the wagon that they couldn't see from the bay. One, wearing a robe and hat has a pool of blood underneath him, and two armored men share a similar fate. One of he armored men has spikes sticking through their helmet.
Then from the sky they see what attacked the wagon. Two manticores come flying down out of the sky, and fling a dozen spikes between the two of them at the group. Darwin, unprotected by armor and having minimal dodging ability is almost downed by the first volley. He responds ferociously, tapping into his new-found power and unleashes a fireball directly in the path of the lead manticore. Jelena shoots two arrows in quick succession, and then drops to the ground, looking for cover, along with Raizix and Ember.
Darwin soon joins them, but not by his choice. Another volley of spikes comes at him. A few hit home, and he falls to te ground, unconscious. Ember and Deekin rush to his aid, and Raizix takes a forward position, readying himself for the creatures should they fly close enough or land.
Darwin is quickly revived by Deekin's healing spells and conjures another aerial explosion. This one proves lethal to the lead manticore, which plummets to the ground. The other manticore lands, and approaches Raizix threateningly.
Raizix is ready for this, and charges with wild abandon, dealing a mighty blow. It appears that the manticore may fly off, but obviously angered at the death of it's companion and showing more than animal intelligence and emotion, it begins attacking Raizix.
Raizix, however, is up to the task and defends himself well. He counters, and between his sword blows and Jelena's arrows, it is quickly dispatched.
With the creatures dead, the group looks at the humans on the ground.
Inside the wagon, they see a more gruesome sight. A man and a women are inside, half mangled and half eaten, apparently by the manticores.
They check the bodies for any signs of identification, which is lacking, and take the several valuable gemstones from the robed figures pouch.
It doesn't take long for the group to recover on the ship, and they find themsleves sleeping at night. Raizix, sleeping in a cabin with Deekin is awoken by a screech and sudden pain on his chest. He awakes to find an almost ethereal creature hovering over him. He is buffeted again by wings, claws and teeth. Deekin awakes and begins screaming in terror and alarm.
The cries awaken Jelena, Ember, and Darwin, who begin running toward Raizix quarters.
Raizix, who had been sleeping unarmored but with his sword nearby, grabs it and begins cutting into the creature. Even though injured greatly, he hacks into it, killing it just in time for the others to witness it's destruction.
Deekin points out a note pinned to the creature, which he picks up and reads aloud.
"'Give up. You cannot hope to fight my growing power.'"
"Must be from Daresh. She must have meant for me to die," says Raizix. Everyone else nods their heads in agreement.
After that, it doesn't take long for the ship to reach Haanex. The town doesn't look much different from the last time they were there, except blue smoke is billowing from a tower in the center of town, which the group knows to be the home of Veoden the wizard and their original employer.
They enter the tower, and find the source of smoke is a scrying spell being cast by the wizard. Within a nearby mirror, the image suddenly shifts and lunges northward, settling on a castle. Inside the castle, they glimpse an image of Daresh, before the scrying spell is distrupted and ended prematurely.
Veoden congratulates the group on creating their own coin of power, but warns of it's corrupting influence. He wishes them luck and sends them on their way.
Heading northward toward the castle they glimpsed in Veoden's scrying, they soon reach a small, well kept hut. It's sunset, but no smoke rises from the chimney. Several weeds grow outside, which Ember recognizes as belladonna. Jelena recognizes wolf tracks, but doesn't think much of them.
"Perhaps we can take shelter here for the night. Let's see if anyone is home," says Raizix, as he knocks on the door.
There is no response. Jelena listens closely, and hears a slight moan of pain come from inside the hut. "I think someone is in there, and they sound hurt."
They decide to investigate. The door is locked and apparently barred, but they eventually get in. Inside, they see several carved wooden figures around the hut, and a back room that has a hanging cloth instead of a door. They hear another moan from behind the curtain.
"Be careful," warns Ember. "Belladonna is supposed to be a cure for lycanthropy. There might be a werewolf in there, or someone who will soon become one."
Jelena pulls back the curtain, and sees an old man lying in a bed, unconscious. There are more carvings in here as well, more intricate and detailed than in the other room. She looks closer, and checks his skin and body. She finds claw marks across his belly, and feels a fever.
"This man was scratched by a wolf, and took some belladonna, probably as a precaution. It's poisonous, but he'll live."
The man's eyes open suddenly. "Get out! They'll find you here, just like they got me. Werewolves...," he trails off. "Been after me for weeks. They attack at night...left...left... board..."
"Left board!" he screams before collapsing again.
Ember looks around the hut, and finds a loose floor board to the left of the fire place. She finds several thousand coins inside, and also a silver hammer.
Just then the howls of wolves can be heard in the distance. The howls are heard again shortly after, much closer this time. "He's in no shape to protect himself. We have to keep him safe," says Raizix, and everyone else agrees.
They close the door and bar it shut again as best they can. They take up defensive positions inside, preparing for the worst. It doesn't take long for a pack of wolves to come to the door. Unable to open the door or shatter it on their own, they stop their assault.
Just when they thought it was over, two humanoids with wolfish faces and bodies bust through the door and window, but everyone was ready for it. Deekin casts a spell, immobilizing one, while Raizix steps up to prevent them from making any headway into the hut. Jelena attacks with her bow, while Darwin and Ember cast spells amidst the battle. It doesn't take long for the werewolves go fall, and the surviving wolves retreat off into the surrounding land.
Curious as to where the werewolves came from, the group follows their tracks, while Ember remains behind to care for the man in the hut and protect him should the wolves return.
The path of the werewolves eventually leads to a dilapidated farmhouse. In the nearby stable they find two malnourished draft horses, and in the house they find a couple dozen silver coins.
They keep the coins, but give the horses to the man to help pay for repairs to his hut and get himself re-situated.
The group, after making their own coin of power, realize that being in or near a house with several bodies isn't a good idea. And if they didn't...
"Deekin thinks we should go. Bodies and the watch don't mix," says Deekin in his usual manner.
The group slinks away through alleys and side streets and make their way to the docks, knowing that their ship the Hyperion and Captain Wein would be waiting for them. They set sail and head toward Haanex, where their adventure began.
Shortly after leaving Zoa on the Hyperion, they find themselves sailing close to shore due to the winds making waves out on the bay too choppy. Ember and Jelena, the wood elf sisters, see a wagon that appears to have some trouble. Jelena describes what she sees, an everyone agrees to go investigate. They row to shore on a dingy, setting ashore a distance away.
"Let's not be caught unawares...everyone ready in case there's trouble? Good," says Raizix.
The group approaches cautiously, and see three bodies on the ground near the wagon that they couldn't see from the bay. One, wearing a robe and hat has a pool of blood underneath him, and two armored men share a similar fate. One of he armored men has spikes sticking through their helmet.
Then from the sky they see what attacked the wagon. Two manticores come flying down out of the sky, and fling a dozen spikes between the two of them at the group. Darwin, unprotected by armor and having minimal dodging ability is almost downed by the first volley. He responds ferociously, tapping into his new-found power and unleashes a fireball directly in the path of the lead manticore. Jelena shoots two arrows in quick succession, and then drops to the ground, looking for cover, along with Raizix and Ember.
Darwin soon joins them, but not by his choice. Another volley of spikes comes at him. A few hit home, and he falls to te ground, unconscious. Ember and Deekin rush to his aid, and Raizix takes a forward position, readying himself for the creatures should they fly close enough or land.
Darwin is quickly revived by Deekin's healing spells and conjures another aerial explosion. This one proves lethal to the lead manticore, which plummets to the ground. The other manticore lands, and approaches Raizix threateningly.
Raizix is ready for this, and charges with wild abandon, dealing a mighty blow. It appears that the manticore may fly off, but obviously angered at the death of it's companion and showing more than animal intelligence and emotion, it begins attacking Raizix.
Raizix, however, is up to the task and defends himself well. He counters, and between his sword blows and Jelena's arrows, it is quickly dispatched.
With the creatures dead, the group looks at the humans on the ground.
Inside the wagon, they see a more gruesome sight. A man and a women are inside, half mangled and half eaten, apparently by the manticores.
They check the bodies for any signs of identification, which is lacking, and take the several valuable gemstones from the robed figures pouch.
It doesn't take long for the group to recover on the ship, and they find themsleves sleeping at night. Raizix, sleeping in a cabin with Deekin is awoken by a screech and sudden pain on his chest. He awakes to find an almost ethereal creature hovering over him. He is buffeted again by wings, claws and teeth. Deekin awakes and begins screaming in terror and alarm.
The cries awaken Jelena, Ember, and Darwin, who begin running toward Raizix quarters.
Raizix, who had been sleeping unarmored but with his sword nearby, grabs it and begins cutting into the creature. Even though injured greatly, he hacks into it, killing it just in time for the others to witness it's destruction.
Deekin points out a note pinned to the creature, which he picks up and reads aloud.
"'Give up. You cannot hope to fight my growing power.'"
"Must be from Daresh. She must have meant for me to die," says Raizix. Everyone else nods their heads in agreement.
After that, it doesn't take long for the ship to reach Haanex. The town doesn't look much different from the last time they were there, except blue smoke is billowing from a tower in the center of town, which the group knows to be the home of Veoden the wizard and their original employer.
They enter the tower, and find the source of smoke is a scrying spell being cast by the wizard. Within a nearby mirror, the image suddenly shifts and lunges northward, settling on a castle. Inside the castle, they glimpse an image of Daresh, before the scrying spell is distrupted and ended prematurely.
Veoden congratulates the group on creating their own coin of power, but warns of it's corrupting influence. He wishes them luck and sends them on their way.
Heading northward toward the castle they glimpsed in Veoden's scrying, they soon reach a small, well kept hut. It's sunset, but no smoke rises from the chimney. Several weeds grow outside, which Ember recognizes as belladonna. Jelena recognizes wolf tracks, but doesn't think much of them.
"Perhaps we can take shelter here for the night. Let's see if anyone is home," says Raizix, as he knocks on the door.
There is no response. Jelena listens closely, and hears a slight moan of pain come from inside the hut. "I think someone is in there, and they sound hurt."
They decide to investigate. The door is locked and apparently barred, but they eventually get in. Inside, they see several carved wooden figures around the hut, and a back room that has a hanging cloth instead of a door. They hear another moan from behind the curtain.
"Be careful," warns Ember. "Belladonna is supposed to be a cure for lycanthropy. There might be a werewolf in there, or someone who will soon become one."
Jelena pulls back the curtain, and sees an old man lying in a bed, unconscious. There are more carvings in here as well, more intricate and detailed than in the other room. She looks closer, and checks his skin and body. She finds claw marks across his belly, and feels a fever.
"This man was scratched by a wolf, and took some belladonna, probably as a precaution. It's poisonous, but he'll live."
The man's eyes open suddenly. "Get out! They'll find you here, just like they got me. Werewolves...," he trails off. "Been after me for weeks. They attack at night...left...left... board..."
"Left board!" he screams before collapsing again.
Ember looks around the hut, and finds a loose floor board to the left of the fire place. She finds several thousand coins inside, and also a silver hammer.
Just then the howls of wolves can be heard in the distance. The howls are heard again shortly after, much closer this time. "He's in no shape to protect himself. We have to keep him safe," says Raizix, and everyone else agrees.
They close the door and bar it shut again as best they can. They take up defensive positions inside, preparing for the worst. It doesn't take long for a pack of wolves to come to the door. Unable to open the door or shatter it on their own, they stop their assault.
Just when they thought it was over, two humanoids with wolfish faces and bodies bust through the door and window, but everyone was ready for it. Deekin casts a spell, immobilizing one, while Raizix steps up to prevent them from making any headway into the hut. Jelena attacks with her bow, while Darwin and Ember cast spells amidst the battle. It doesn't take long for the werewolves go fall, and the surviving wolves retreat off into the surrounding land.
Curious as to where the werewolves came from, the group follows their tracks, while Ember remains behind to care for the man in the hut and protect him should the wolves return.
The path of the werewolves eventually leads to a dilapidated farmhouse. In the nearby stable they find two malnourished draft horses, and in the house they find a couple dozen silver coins.
They keep the coins, but give the horses to the man to help pay for repairs to his hut and get himself re-situated.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
An unexpected addition
July 5, 2009
"I will come with you to help keep Halaan and the books safe, but I won't do anything that endangers Halaan," says Geolain the wizard.
"Of course. We appreciate your help," says Raizix.
The plan that Raizix, Jelena, Darwin and Ember had come up with was quite simple. Take the books to Seargent Soolie, get Halaan safe, and then take the books back by force.
Upon leaving the city of Zoa, Geolain uses a ring of invisibility to make himself invisible. "If they see me, they will suspect something immediately," he explains.
The group reaches the point they meet with Seargent Sollie the day before, and don't see anything unexpected.
Seargent Sollie is waiting with Halaan, and also with several others, most armed with bows and crossbows. He shouts out, "You, with the books! Bring them to me, alone!"
Raizix walks toward Sollie, with books in tow. He hands the bag with the books over, which Sollie opens. Apparently satisfied, he nods towards one of his men who is holding Halaan, who escorts him toward Raizix. Raizix takes him by the arm and begins losening his bindings.
"Once we get to everyone else, drop," he whispers to Halaan. Halaan nods and continues walking. A few seconds later, everyone springs to action. Jelena draws an arrow from her quiver and shoots at the nearest bowman in the trees.
All the others return a volley, while the one she shot at tumbles down from the tree, unconscious. Darwin and Geolain both unleash magical energies, with Geolain conjuring a lightning bolt aimed at the watch seargent and Darwin exploding a ball of fire on those closest to him.
It doesn't take long for all of the seargents men to be killed or left for dead, and Halaan is eager to get back to his forge and the unfinished coin. "Do you have the devil's blood?"
"Indeed we do, Halaan, indeed we do." They all return to Zoa, with Geolain taking the books of magic back with him to his tower.
Halaan gets right to work, but not minutes after he begins, there is a knock at the door. Raizix opens the door, sees half a dozen men with weapons, and quickly closes the door again, leaning against it.
"Help!" he yells, as the door opens slightly and then slams back closed again.
Jelena runs up and tries to hold the door as well, while Darwin and Ember assist Halaan.
The door is them busted off of it's hinges as the men outside force it open with a portable ram. Jelena steps back, and shoots one of the men, who quickly falls to the ground. Darwin causes bolts of pure magical force to slam into several of them, also knocking them to the ground, unconscious.
While they are fighting inside the building, Raizix and his kobold companion Deekin are facing more formidable opponents outside.
Two half-orcs with hide armor and double axes, two humans with chainmail and longswords, and two humans with banded mail and swords begin flanking the enterance to Halaan's forge.
Then, two crossbow bolts fly by Raizix's narrowly missing him. Deekin casts a spell, and the lead man is held immobalized. Raizix charges at him wildly, cutting deeply into his neck, causing him to fall. He continues his swing, and gives grevious wounds to the two other humans nearby.
Jelena and Ember quickly dispatch the other three on the ground, and Jelena uses her superior bowmanship to get at the crossbow snipers on the nearby rooftops.
Darwin, the only one still inside the building when Halaan finishes making the coin by using one of the unconscious men on the ground as a sacrafice, takes the finished alchemical item and feels a sudden surge of power, with new arcane pathways opening in his mind.
He steps outside, and sees everyone else outside, and also hears the city watch approaching. "Deekin thinks we should go now. City watch and dead bodies don't mix, methinks."
Raizix glances around and sees that the leader of the latest attackers had a strange glove and intracately crafted short sword. He grabs them before leaving, and their is an audible voice that says, "Ah yes. You will do."
"I will come with you to help keep Halaan and the books safe, but I won't do anything that endangers Halaan," says Geolain the wizard.
"Of course. We appreciate your help," says Raizix.
The plan that Raizix, Jelena, Darwin and Ember had come up with was quite simple. Take the books to Seargent Soolie, get Halaan safe, and then take the books back by force.
Upon leaving the city of Zoa, Geolain uses a ring of invisibility to make himself invisible. "If they see me, they will suspect something immediately," he explains.
The group reaches the point they meet with Seargent Sollie the day before, and don't see anything unexpected.
Seargent Sollie is waiting with Halaan, and also with several others, most armed with bows and crossbows. He shouts out, "You, with the books! Bring them to me, alone!"
Raizix walks toward Sollie, with books in tow. He hands the bag with the books over, which Sollie opens. Apparently satisfied, he nods towards one of his men who is holding Halaan, who escorts him toward Raizix. Raizix takes him by the arm and begins losening his bindings.
"Once we get to everyone else, drop," he whispers to Halaan. Halaan nods and continues walking. A few seconds later, everyone springs to action. Jelena draws an arrow from her quiver and shoots at the nearest bowman in the trees.
All the others return a volley, while the one she shot at tumbles down from the tree, unconscious. Darwin and Geolain both unleash magical energies, with Geolain conjuring a lightning bolt aimed at the watch seargent and Darwin exploding a ball of fire on those closest to him.
It doesn't take long for all of the seargents men to be killed or left for dead, and Halaan is eager to get back to his forge and the unfinished coin. "Do you have the devil's blood?"
"Indeed we do, Halaan, indeed we do." They all return to Zoa, with Geolain taking the books of magic back with him to his tower.
Halaan gets right to work, but not minutes after he begins, there is a knock at the door. Raizix opens the door, sees half a dozen men with weapons, and quickly closes the door again, leaning against it.
"Help!" he yells, as the door opens slightly and then slams back closed again.
Jelena runs up and tries to hold the door as well, while Darwin and Ember assist Halaan.
The door is them busted off of it's hinges as the men outside force it open with a portable ram. Jelena steps back, and shoots one of the men, who quickly falls to the ground. Darwin causes bolts of pure magical force to slam into several of them, also knocking them to the ground, unconscious.
While they are fighting inside the building, Raizix and his kobold companion Deekin are facing more formidable opponents outside.
Two half-orcs with hide armor and double axes, two humans with chainmail and longswords, and two humans with banded mail and swords begin flanking the enterance to Halaan's forge.
Then, two crossbow bolts fly by Raizix's narrowly missing him. Deekin casts a spell, and the lead man is held immobalized. Raizix charges at him wildly, cutting deeply into his neck, causing him to fall. He continues his swing, and gives grevious wounds to the two other humans nearby.
Jelena and Ember quickly dispatch the other three on the ground, and Jelena uses her superior bowmanship to get at the crossbow snipers on the nearby rooftops.
Darwin, the only one still inside the building when Halaan finishes making the coin by using one of the unconscious men on the ground as a sacrafice, takes the finished alchemical item and feels a sudden surge of power, with new arcane pathways opening in his mind.
He steps outside, and sees everyone else outside, and also hears the city watch approaching. "Deekin thinks we should go now. City watch and dead bodies don't mix, methinks."
Raizix glances around and sees that the leader of the latest attackers had a strange glove and intracately crafted short sword. He grabs them before leaving, and their is an audible voice that says, "Ah yes. You will do."
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Darkness is Rising no more
July 5th, 2009
Last weekend, the group finished up the second module of the Kingdoms of Kalamar Coin Trilogy, Rising Darkness, by Kenzer and Company.
I thought to mark the occasion that I would let one of the players post the story from his character's point of view. Daniel/Raizix has agreed, so the next post will be from him.
We'll be starting Coin's End on the 26th, and will be finishing up making HackMaster Basic characters and playing the free adventure released for it, "White Palette, Ivory Horns," from Kenzeroco.com on the 31st.
Last weekend, the group finished up the second module of the Kingdoms of Kalamar Coin Trilogy, Rising Darkness, by Kenzer and Company.
I thought to mark the occasion that I would let one of the players post the story from his character's point of view. Daniel/Raizix has agreed, so the next post will be from him.
We'll be starting Coin's End on the 26th, and will be finishing up making HackMaster Basic characters and playing the free adventure released for it, "White Palette, Ivory Horns," from Kenzeroco.com on the 31st.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Coin Trilogy 04 - Sunday, May 4th
This session was a little late due to birthdays and scheduling conflicts.
The group did find the mithril that they had been after, after some searching around.
They found a mithril meteorite in the dark hills to the north, and found two interesting things. The first was a cave that had been tunneled out on the side of the crater, and a shack built about the crater. They saw goblins coming in and out of the cave, and mining the meteor. They decided to investigate the shack first.
Inside, they saw someone working at a forge with a large assortment of alchemical mixtures and chemicals, who was chained to the forge. Seeing he was obviously captive, they tried to free him. They spent some time, and Ember opened the lock with her lock picking tools.
After being freed, the man identified himself as Arowain, the alchemist, and told how he was making a coin of power for the wizard Daresh under duress. Just then, Daresh, a human female wizard, enters the shack, and is enraged. She pulls the coin of power, unfinished, from the forge, where it hits her hand. Still molten hot, it grafts itself to her palm. She cries out in pain, and turns towards Ember. A bolt of electricity erupts from Daresh's hand, and before it hits Ember, Arowain jumps in front of her.
Daresh then stumbles out into the darkness. Arowain's dying words to the group are to warn of the new power of the coin of power now grafted to Daresh. The last ingredient for the coin of power is blood, and since it is grafted directly to Daresh, it's power could be unlimited. The coin normally destroys it wielder in a short matter of time, but since it relies on her to survive, they pose a significant threat to the region and the world. He also tells them to seek Halaan, the other person who knows the secret to making a coin of power, safely, and that Veoden can assist them.
The group then leaves the shack, and decide to search the caves for mithril, which Veoden agreed to pay for, and any other information that may help them. So far, they have encountered several goblins which they have dispatched.
XP was a little slim, but they have two pounds of mithril so far.
The group did find the mithril that they had been after, after some searching around.
They found a mithril meteorite in the dark hills to the north, and found two interesting things. The first was a cave that had been tunneled out on the side of the crater, and a shack built about the crater. They saw goblins coming in and out of the cave, and mining the meteor. They decided to investigate the shack first.
Inside, they saw someone working at a forge with a large assortment of alchemical mixtures and chemicals, who was chained to the forge. Seeing he was obviously captive, they tried to free him. They spent some time, and Ember opened the lock with her lock picking tools.
After being freed, the man identified himself as Arowain, the alchemist, and told how he was making a coin of power for the wizard Daresh under duress. Just then, Daresh, a human female wizard, enters the shack, and is enraged. She pulls the coin of power, unfinished, from the forge, where it hits her hand. Still molten hot, it grafts itself to her palm. She cries out in pain, and turns towards Ember. A bolt of electricity erupts from Daresh's hand, and before it hits Ember, Arowain jumps in front of her.
Daresh then stumbles out into the darkness. Arowain's dying words to the group are to warn of the new power of the coin of power now grafted to Daresh. The last ingredient for the coin of power is blood, and since it is grafted directly to Daresh, it's power could be unlimited. The coin normally destroys it wielder in a short matter of time, but since it relies on her to survive, they pose a significant threat to the region and the world. He also tells them to seek Halaan, the other person who knows the secret to making a coin of power, safely, and that Veoden can assist them.
The group then leaves the shack, and decide to search the caves for mithril, which Veoden agreed to pay for, and any other information that may help them. So far, they have encountered several goblins which they have dispatched.
XP was a little slim, but they have two pounds of mithril so far.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Coin Trilogy Session 08 - Sunday, July 20, 2008
Raizix, Jelena, Ember, and Darwin came into large harbor at Zoa mid-morning. The first sight they had of the city was a large statue on the harbor wall, and twin gates on the wall.
They entered through one of the gates and made for the dock. As Captain Wein didn’t have money to pay for docking, Raizix paid the 1 sp per foot of ship for the first day. Wein also had to forfeit a part of his cargo in lieu of a tax. At this point, the adventurer’s parted with Wein and the Hyperion, though Wein said if they wished to charter his ship or book passage, he could accommodate them at a fair price.
Raizix asked Stiruck to lead them to his friend, Purguld. Stiruck agreed, and they all disembarked. As they were leaving the ship and stepping onto the dock, a wolf ran up to them, apparently running from something. The wolf hid behind Jelena, a shortly a tall, disheveled looking man caught sight of them. “Wolf! Think you can hide behind a girl, eh? A tree-hugging elf girl too!”
“Want to say that a little closer?” asked Jelena.
“That wolf belongs to me. He’s cost me quite a bit of money, and I feed him, though he’s barely worth what I feed him.”
Raizix and Darwin walk over to the man, and Raizix puts his arm around him. “What seems to be the problem here?”
Eventually, the group talk the man out of the wolf, and give him a few copper coins, though they probably gained his animosity.
They eventually reach Purguld’s, which is in small town. Purguld agrees to pay back his friend debt by offering a discount on goods he can provide, and whatever aid he can provide. He buys their spare armor, and fits a suit of masterwork plate armor he has to Raizix. Jelena also asks him to create a suit of chainmail barding for the wolf.
I pulled a page out of Mr. Steve’s Accordlands campaign, and rather than providing a monetary award, I used a 90% buy, 60% sell percentage to give a small break to the players as a reward. Also, it makes sense for a craftsman to offer discounts and incentives rather than outright cash, as they don’t have much just lying around.
After that, they go search out Geolain the wizard. Geolain says that he can find the location of Halaan the alchemist, but they must return the next day, an hour before dusk. They agree to do so, and spend the night on the ship rather than say in an inn. As they leave the next day, a women cuts Raizix purse strings. She takes the bag, and passes it on to another before she is tackled buy Raizix. Jelena takes a shot at the mans hand, attempting to get him to drop the bag, and succeeds. The man runs away, and Jalena hits the woman hard in the face.
The city militia approach in less than a minute, and attempt to determine the situation. They let everyone go, but have taken note of the adventurers.
They then avoid the market square after that, and wait in small town until dusk. They find Geolain in his tower, and he tells them their task. The Sentinels of the True Way, an anti-magic group has taken several books of magic and will be burning them the next morning. Geolain asks them to recover the books and deliver them to him. He will then provide a map to Halaan’s location. The group agrees to help, but are concerned about a run-in with the law. Geolain says that the Sentinels often work outside of the law, so if there is any trouble, they should be able to rely on a defense of recovery of stolen property.
Geolain says he doesn’t know where the Sentinels are based or where the books are, but he knows someone who should know: Driscal, the owner of the Blind Beggar Inn. So the group goes to the Blind Beggar Inn. They enter, and Raizix asks if the barkeeper is Driscal. The barkeep says “No, name’s Helmit. Driscal’s at the Willing Maid, and won’t be back till the ‘morrow. Can I get you a drink?”
Ember doesn’t trust him, as he seems a bit nervous. Raizix asks for an ale, and put a gold piece on the counter. ‘Helmit’ goes through the backdoor, and is absent for half a minute. Ember follows in, as does Darwin. They can’t find him, and Raizix says, “Nothing to worry about here…we’re not here to cause trouble.” He then goes in the back room too. They find a door to a storeroom, which is mostly empty, and a door leading outside. Raizix goes back to the bar, and asks a man at the bar, “You come here often?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, I have something important to discuss with Driscal. But I need to talk to him tonight. Do you know where he lives?”
“Maybe I do. But it sounds pretty important. I don’t part with important information for free. What’s in it for me?”
Raizix goes downstairs and picks up a large cask of ale, and sets it in front of the patron. “Well, this is a start. I’d be happy to pay for this ale for you.”
“Oh, well then. It’s down the street, next to the weaver. Two stories, it overhangs the street.”
So the group head to the house. They see a light coming out of the second story window. Ember and her dog Fang say they will keep guard outside. Darwin, Raizix, Jelena and her wolf Amatasaru enter the house. They don’t see anyone on the first floor, but see a stairway leading upwards and a door presumably leading to a cellar. Jelena and her wolf stay on the first floor, while the other to go to the 2nd floor.
“Driscal, we have something to discuss with you, we’re not armed…Can you hear me?” asks Raizix in a loud voice. No response.
They reach the second level, and see ‘Helmit” packing a bag by candlelight.
They eventually intimidate him into telling where the books are. In his cellar. He neglects to tell them that it’s guarded, but they don’t trust him, so they ask him to lead the way.
As soon as Raizix clears the stairwell, and sees that the four are planning to attack him, he charges one, killing him quickly and follows through with his sword and kills Driscal as well.
A big battle ensues, with the three remaining guards, and then the other sentinals are seen approaching the house. Ember enters the house and closes and locks the door and calls down for help.
After fighting in the house and on the street, they kill or subdue the other sentinels as well. They leave them for dead, grab a few swords, a magic bracer, and all the books, and head to Geolain’s tower.
They entered through one of the gates and made for the dock. As Captain Wein didn’t have money to pay for docking, Raizix paid the 1 sp per foot of ship for the first day. Wein also had to forfeit a part of his cargo in lieu of a tax. At this point, the adventurer’s parted with Wein and the Hyperion, though Wein said if they wished to charter his ship or book passage, he could accommodate them at a fair price.
Raizix asked Stiruck to lead them to his friend, Purguld. Stiruck agreed, and they all disembarked. As they were leaving the ship and stepping onto the dock, a wolf ran up to them, apparently running from something. The wolf hid behind Jelena, a shortly a tall, disheveled looking man caught sight of them. “Wolf! Think you can hide behind a girl, eh? A tree-hugging elf girl too!”
“Want to say that a little closer?” asked Jelena.
“That wolf belongs to me. He’s cost me quite a bit of money, and I feed him, though he’s barely worth what I feed him.”
Raizix and Darwin walk over to the man, and Raizix puts his arm around him. “What seems to be the problem here?”
Eventually, the group talk the man out of the wolf, and give him a few copper coins, though they probably gained his animosity.
They eventually reach Purguld’s, which is in small town. Purguld agrees to pay back his friend debt by offering a discount on goods he can provide, and whatever aid he can provide. He buys their spare armor, and fits a suit of masterwork plate armor he has to Raizix. Jelena also asks him to create a suit of chainmail barding for the wolf.
I pulled a page out of Mr. Steve’s Accordlands campaign, and rather than providing a monetary award, I used a 90% buy, 60% sell percentage to give a small break to the players as a reward. Also, it makes sense for a craftsman to offer discounts and incentives rather than outright cash, as they don’t have much just lying around.
After that, they go search out Geolain the wizard. Geolain says that he can find the location of Halaan the alchemist, but they must return the next day, an hour before dusk. They agree to do so, and spend the night on the ship rather than say in an inn. As they leave the next day, a women cuts Raizix purse strings. She takes the bag, and passes it on to another before she is tackled buy Raizix. Jelena takes a shot at the mans hand, attempting to get him to drop the bag, and succeeds. The man runs away, and Jalena hits the woman hard in the face.
The city militia approach in less than a minute, and attempt to determine the situation. They let everyone go, but have taken note of the adventurers.
They then avoid the market square after that, and wait in small town until dusk. They find Geolain in his tower, and he tells them their task. The Sentinels of the True Way, an anti-magic group has taken several books of magic and will be burning them the next morning. Geolain asks them to recover the books and deliver them to him. He will then provide a map to Halaan’s location. The group agrees to help, but are concerned about a run-in with the law. Geolain says that the Sentinels often work outside of the law, so if there is any trouble, they should be able to rely on a defense of recovery of stolen property.
Geolain says he doesn’t know where the Sentinels are based or where the books are, but he knows someone who should know: Driscal, the owner of the Blind Beggar Inn. So the group goes to the Blind Beggar Inn. They enter, and Raizix asks if the barkeeper is Driscal. The barkeep says “No, name’s Helmit. Driscal’s at the Willing Maid, and won’t be back till the ‘morrow. Can I get you a drink?”
Ember doesn’t trust him, as he seems a bit nervous. Raizix asks for an ale, and put a gold piece on the counter. ‘Helmit’ goes through the backdoor, and is absent for half a minute. Ember follows in, as does Darwin. They can’t find him, and Raizix says, “Nothing to worry about here…we’re not here to cause trouble.” He then goes in the back room too. They find a door to a storeroom, which is mostly empty, and a door leading outside. Raizix goes back to the bar, and asks a man at the bar, “You come here often?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, I have something important to discuss with Driscal. But I need to talk to him tonight. Do you know where he lives?”
“Maybe I do. But it sounds pretty important. I don’t part with important information for free. What’s in it for me?”
Raizix goes downstairs and picks up a large cask of ale, and sets it in front of the patron. “Well, this is a start. I’d be happy to pay for this ale for you.”
“Oh, well then. It’s down the street, next to the weaver. Two stories, it overhangs the street.”
So the group head to the house. They see a light coming out of the second story window. Ember and her dog Fang say they will keep guard outside. Darwin, Raizix, Jelena and her wolf Amatasaru enter the house. They don’t see anyone on the first floor, but see a stairway leading upwards and a door presumably leading to a cellar. Jelena and her wolf stay on the first floor, while the other to go to the 2nd floor.
“Driscal, we have something to discuss with you, we’re not armed…Can you hear me?” asks Raizix in a loud voice. No response.
They reach the second level, and see ‘Helmit” packing a bag by candlelight.
They eventually intimidate him into telling where the books are. In his cellar. He neglects to tell them that it’s guarded, but they don’t trust him, so they ask him to lead the way.
As soon as Raizix clears the stairwell, and sees that the four are planning to attack him, he charges one, killing him quickly and follows through with his sword and kills Driscal as well.
A big battle ensues, with the three remaining guards, and then the other sentinals are seen approaching the house. Ember enters the house and closes and locks the door and calls down for help.
After fighting in the house and on the street, they kill or subdue the other sentinels as well. They leave them for dead, grab a few swords, a magic bracer, and all the books, and head to Geolain’s tower.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Coin Trilogy 07 – Sunday, June 22, 2008
Coin Trilogy 07 – Sunday, June 22, 2008
Raizix – Human Fighter 3
Raizix – Human Fighter 3
Jelena – Wood Elf Ranger 3
Darwin – Grey Elf Sorcerer 3
Ember – Wood Elf Druid 2/Rogue 1
Well, it happened. After fighting 4 skeletons, setting off three traps (all glyphs of warding, and killing a zombie that hacked off it’s own arm, the group reached level 4. They also talked with the captain of the Hyperion, Wein. He said that with a bit of hard work, the ship could sail in a little over a week.
So, Raizix talked with the captain of the Forsaken, Pocaat. Raizix said that the Hyperion wasn’t well off, but with some hard work and help, Captain Wein could get his ship underway and put this behind him. Raizix then suggested that the 10 freemen from the Dragon’s Breath could go over to the Hyperion with him and his companions. That leaves Pocaat and his 20 crew to take the Dragon’s Breath and the Forsaken.
Pocaat agrees to this arrangement. Naval law said the Dragon’s Breath was his, but the Hyperion was a ship in distress. The freemen were freed from their forced servitude, so don’t work for him either. The freemen agree to this arrangement too. Some of the ships stores from the Dragon’s Breath are transferred to the Hyperion to get them started.
The cleric had quite a bit of treasure on himself, and then the captains quarters, which he had converted into a chapel with altar for the the harvester of souls, also had a sizable treasure. Some of this was originally taken from Captain Wein, who said it was a fitting reward for rescuing him and his ship.
So, now the group have a ship pretty much of their own. Wein has agreed to help them in any way he can, for as long as he can. Next stop: Zoa!
We leveled at the end of this somewhat short session.
Raixix – Human Fighter 4 (Learned Great Cleave)
Jelena – Wood Elf Ranger 4 (Got an animal companion, a wolf, and 1st level spells)
Darwin – Grey Elf Sorcerer 4 (Learned Disrupt Undead and Scorching Ray)
Ember – Wood Elf Druid 2/Rogue 2 (Evasion and maxed out listen, spot, search, disable device, and put a rank in open lock)
Well, it happened. After fighting 4 skeletons, setting off three traps (all glyphs of warding, and killing a zombie that hacked off it’s own arm, the group reached level 4. They also talked with the captain of the Hyperion, Wein. He said that with a bit of hard work, the ship could sail in a little over a week.
So, Raizix talked with the captain of the Forsaken, Pocaat. Raizix said that the Hyperion wasn’t well off, but with some hard work and help, Captain Wein could get his ship underway and put this behind him. Raizix then suggested that the 10 freemen from the Dragon’s Breath could go over to the Hyperion with him and his companions. That leaves Pocaat and his 20 crew to take the Dragon’s Breath and the Forsaken.
Pocaat agrees to this arrangement. Naval law said the Dragon’s Breath was his, but the Hyperion was a ship in distress. The freemen were freed from their forced servitude, so don’t work for him either. The freemen agree to this arrangement too. Some of the ships stores from the Dragon’s Breath are transferred to the Hyperion to get them started.
The cleric had quite a bit of treasure on himself, and then the captains quarters, which he had converted into a chapel with altar for the the harvester of souls, also had a sizable treasure. Some of this was originally taken from Captain Wein, who said it was a fitting reward for rescuing him and his ship.
So, now the group have a ship pretty much of their own. Wein has agreed to help them in any way he can, for as long as he can. Next stop: Zoa!
We leveled at the end of this somewhat short session.
Raixix – Human Fighter 4 (Learned Great Cleave)
Jelena – Wood Elf Ranger 4 (Got an animal companion, a wolf, and 1st level spells)
Darwin – Grey Elf Sorcerer 4 (Learned Disrupt Undead and Scorching Ray)
Ember – Wood Elf Druid 2/Rogue 2 (Evasion and maxed out listen, spot, search, disable device, and put a rank in open lock)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Coin Trilogy 06 - Sunday, May 25, 2008
Raizix - Fighter 3
Jelena - Ranger 3
Darwin - Sorcerer 3
Ember - Druid 2/Rogue 1
The group boards a cog, the Forsaken, and a bound towards Zoa. Quite a bit happens in 14 days:
Day 6: Killed two Sahugain that attacked. One almost made it away to come back another day, but didn't make it.
Day 9: A Sea Serpent began approaching the ship, but was diverted, mainly through bow shots and summoned porpoises.
Day 11: A pirate ship attacked, even though they were obviously outnumbered. The ranger proved her ranged combat abilities here.
Day 14: A badly damaged vessel was found. The PCs took the dingy to investigate. It turned out to be ridden with undead on deck. A living cleric of the harvester was found aboard, and was eventually killed. The rest of the ship hasn't been explored yet though.
The group is close to level 4. That concerns me, in that the second part of this adventure is for levels 2 through 4. I might have to start limiting XP or some other measure.
Jelena - Ranger 3
Darwin - Sorcerer 3
Ember - Druid 2/Rogue 1
The group boards a cog, the Forsaken, and a bound towards Zoa. Quite a bit happens in 14 days:
Day 6: Killed two Sahugain that attacked. One almost made it away to come back another day, but didn't make it.
Day 9: A Sea Serpent began approaching the ship, but was diverted, mainly through bow shots and summoned porpoises.
Day 11: A pirate ship attacked, even though they were obviously outnumbered. The ranger proved her ranged combat abilities here.
Day 14: A badly damaged vessel was found. The PCs took the dingy to investigate. It turned out to be ridden with undead on deck. A living cleric of the harvester was found aboard, and was eventually killed. The rest of the ship hasn't been explored yet though.
The group is close to level 4. That concerns me, in that the second part of this adventure is for levels 2 through 4. I might have to start limiting XP or some other measure.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Coin Trilogy 05 - Sunday, May 15, 2008
The group finished up fighting goblins in the cave near the mithril meteor crater. They didn't find much more, though they did find the goblins youths and women towards the rear of the cave. Rather than kill them, they intimidated them into leaving with their belongings.
Then, as they were returning, they ran into a (random) encounter with gnolls and a hyena. They were taken care of easily. Then, they had a (not random) encounter with two ogres who had captured a dwarf. The ranger snuck up on them, and returned to report. Everyone snuck up, and due to some great coordination of sneak attacks, charges, and daze spells, the ogres didn't even have a chance to attack.
The dwarf thanked them, and said while he didn't have money for a reward, that he had a friend in Zoa who owed him a favor, and that they could call on him if they needed to.
They escorted him back to Hannex, where they talked to Veoden. They decided that he might not be on the up and up, and decided to sell him only half of the mithril, but gave him the information they knew. He said he didn't know the man Arowain had said they should seek, but knew someone who would be able to find him. Therefore, he has chartered a boat for them to Zoa.
The group got quite a bit of gold for finding Arowain and the mithril, and they also gained a level, so we spent the rest of the session leveling up and buying equipment in Hannex. Next stop, the high seas and Zoa.
Hopefully finishing up the Tomb of Horrors this Friday, and then back to the coin trilogy on Sunday. Not much time to prepare, but there's not much left of the tomb and the seas have a few excellent encounters before reaching Zoa.
Then, as they were returning, they ran into a (random) encounter with gnolls and a hyena. They were taken care of easily. Then, they had a (not random) encounter with two ogres who had captured a dwarf. The ranger snuck up on them, and returned to report. Everyone snuck up, and due to some great coordination of sneak attacks, charges, and daze spells, the ogres didn't even have a chance to attack.
The dwarf thanked them, and said while he didn't have money for a reward, that he had a friend in Zoa who owed him a favor, and that they could call on him if they needed to.
They escorted him back to Hannex, where they talked to Veoden. They decided that he might not be on the up and up, and decided to sell him only half of the mithril, but gave him the information they knew. He said he didn't know the man Arowain had said they should seek, but knew someone who would be able to find him. Therefore, he has chartered a boat for them to Zoa.
The group got quite a bit of gold for finding Arowain and the mithril, and they also gained a level, so we spent the rest of the session leveling up and buying equipment in Hannex. Next stop, the high seas and Zoa.
Hopefully finishing up the Tomb of Horrors this Friday, and then back to the coin trilogy on Sunday. Not much time to prepare, but there's not much left of the tomb and the seas have a few excellent encounters before reaching Zoa.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Coin Trilogy 03 - April 13th, 2008
Characters:
Ember, Wood Elf Druid 1 Rogue 1
Jelena, Wood Elf Ranger 2
Raizix, Human Fighter 2
Darwin, Grey Elf Sorcerer 2
Synopsis:
Not much happened story wise in this adventure. First, we leveled up. Then we ate pizza. Then we finished up the random dungeon we had started the previous time. There was a trapped door, which the rogue accidentally tripped off and was shot by an arrow. There was also a monstrous centipede, two orcs, and a krenshar.
The orcs had a bunch of treasure, making finishing out the dungeon worthwile. Two gems worth 1500 gold total, and a masterwork longsword.
They also discovered a room with painted frescos on the wall. One wall, directly opposite the door, showed a meteor about to impact, and three large dragons flying away. To the left was a red dragon flying through the sky toward some mountains, and to the right showed a blue dragon in a large body of water.
I wanted to connect this random dungeon with some of the other locations and with the story line, hence the meteor. Also, it's fun to let the players hypothesize about what something is and then you can use it. "Hey, we were right!"
On the way back, they spotted a Hill Giant. Good thing it didn't spot them.
After that, the group returned to town and bought some new equipment. Next time, we'll see where the group wants to go.
Ember, Wood Elf Druid 1 Rogue 1
Jelena, Wood Elf Ranger 2
Raizix, Human Fighter 2
Darwin, Grey Elf Sorcerer 2
Synopsis:
Not much happened story wise in this adventure. First, we leveled up. Then we ate pizza. Then we finished up the random dungeon we had started the previous time. There was a trapped door, which the rogue accidentally tripped off and was shot by an arrow. There was also a monstrous centipede, two orcs, and a krenshar.
The orcs had a bunch of treasure, making finishing out the dungeon worthwile. Two gems worth 1500 gold total, and a masterwork longsword.
They also discovered a room with painted frescos on the wall. One wall, directly opposite the door, showed a meteor about to impact, and three large dragons flying away. To the left was a red dragon flying through the sky toward some mountains, and to the right showed a blue dragon in a large body of water.
I wanted to connect this random dungeon with some of the other locations and with the story line, hence the meteor. Also, it's fun to let the players hypothesize about what something is and then you can use it. "Hey, we were right!"
On the way back, they spotted a Hill Giant. Good thing it didn't spot them.
After that, the group returned to town and bought some new equipment. Next time, we'll see where the group wants to go.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Coin Trilogy 02 - April 06, 2008
Characters:
Ember, Wood Elf Druid 1
Jelena, Wood Elf Ranger 1
Raizix, Human Fighter 1
Darwin, Grey Elf Sorcerer 1
Synopsis:
The group begins to follow the map they found in Artuur Dairoo's grave. There are several locations on the map, with names and dates. They decide to follow the dates in chronological order to 'follow in his footsteps.'
The first location is just north of of the village of Hannex, about 15 miles. Moving is slow, because the ranger is providing food and water for the group so they can conserve their rations. Shortly after they start, they encounter a Giant Bombardier Beetle. Fang, Ember's dog, attacks it without mercy. Then Jelena shoots it with her bow, but the arrow is deflected by it's hard shell.
Raizix then runs up to hit, and slams into it with his greatsword, causing it to crumble to the ground.
Much later in the day, and close to their destination, they see a group of travelers, coming from the northeast and traveling in about the opposite directions as them. They don't interact much, and the travelers don't seem intent on causing any harm to them.
They camp for the night, and then make their first destination shortly after sunrise. The mounds are a strange phenomenon. They are three mounds, each about 60 feet wide and 100 feet tall, and perfectly rounded. They appear man made, and not natural occurrences, though their are no entrances. Around the second mound, they find three much smaller mounds, about 5 feet tall, and about 7 feet diameter. After checking for magic, they see that all three radiate magic, and they decide to unearth them.
The first is a statue of a white dragon. One of its eye sockets has a white pearl in it, and the other is empty. At it's base was a ruby gemstone, resting between it's fore claws. They dig out a second statue, and it is of a red dragon, but its head has been crushed in. At it's base was a blue sapphire. The last excavation reveals a blue dragon statue, similarly crushed as the red dragon, and at it's base is a pearl.
The human picks up the gemstones at the bases, and then inserts the pearl into the empty eye socket of the white dragon. The base of the statue moves backward on its own accord, and reveals a stairway leading down.
Inside, they encounter several things, including a group of kobolds, a smaller group of goblins, two traps, and a tiny white dragon. For their trouble, they found 400 gp, 100 feet of silk rope, a scroll of identify, a masterwork buckler, 50 masterwork arrows, 12800 copper coins, 1920 silver coins, a pink pearl, and three vials of acid.
They still have some more exploring to do, and see what, if anything this place has to do with Walker Dairoo and his discovery..
As a DM, this adventure was quite fun, as I used the random dungeon generator at http://www.aarg.net/~minam/dungeon.cgi. I just added a back story, akin to the sunless citadel, to make it believable. I also used the random treasure tables in the magic item compendium for the first time. I think it made a much more interesting treasure than the DMG treasure tables.
Ember, Wood Elf Druid 1
Jelena, Wood Elf Ranger 1
Raizix, Human Fighter 1
Darwin, Grey Elf Sorcerer 1
Synopsis:
The group begins to follow the map they found in Artuur Dairoo's grave. There are several locations on the map, with names and dates. They decide to follow the dates in chronological order to 'follow in his footsteps.'
The first location is just north of of the village of Hannex, about 15 miles. Moving is slow, because the ranger is providing food and water for the group so they can conserve their rations. Shortly after they start, they encounter a Giant Bombardier Beetle. Fang, Ember's dog, attacks it without mercy. Then Jelena shoots it with her bow, but the arrow is deflected by it's hard shell.
Raizix then runs up to hit, and slams into it with his greatsword, causing it to crumble to the ground.
Much later in the day, and close to their destination, they see a group of travelers, coming from the northeast and traveling in about the opposite directions as them. They don't interact much, and the travelers don't seem intent on causing any harm to them.
They camp for the night, and then make their first destination shortly after sunrise. The mounds are a strange phenomenon. They are three mounds, each about 60 feet wide and 100 feet tall, and perfectly rounded. They appear man made, and not natural occurrences, though their are no entrances. Around the second mound, they find three much smaller mounds, about 5 feet tall, and about 7 feet diameter. After checking for magic, they see that all three radiate magic, and they decide to unearth them.
The first is a statue of a white dragon. One of its eye sockets has a white pearl in it, and the other is empty. At it's base was a ruby gemstone, resting between it's fore claws. They dig out a second statue, and it is of a red dragon, but its head has been crushed in. At it's base was a blue sapphire. The last excavation reveals a blue dragon statue, similarly crushed as the red dragon, and at it's base is a pearl.
The human picks up the gemstones at the bases, and then inserts the pearl into the empty eye socket of the white dragon. The base of the statue moves backward on its own accord, and reveals a stairway leading down.
Inside, they encounter several things, including a group of kobolds, a smaller group of goblins, two traps, and a tiny white dragon. For their trouble, they found 400 gp, 100 feet of silk rope, a scroll of identify, a masterwork buckler, 50 masterwork arrows, 12800 copper coins, 1920 silver coins, a pink pearl, and three vials of acid.
They still have some more exploring to do, and see what, if anything this place has to do with Walker Dairoo and his discovery..
As a DM, this adventure was quite fun, as I used the random dungeon generator at http://www.aarg.net/~minam/dungeon.cgi. I just added a back story, akin to the sunless citadel, to make it believable. I also used the random treasure tables in the magic item compendium for the first time. I think it made a much more interesting treasure than the DMG treasure tables.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Coin Trilogy 01 - March 22nd, 2008
A week later than the game, but getting around to posting this.
Darwin - Grey Elf Sorcerer
Ember - Wood Elf Druid, with dog companion Fang.
Jelena - Wood Elf Ranger
Raizix - Human Figher
Starting a new game in Kalamar with some new players. The Coin Trilogy is based on three modules from KenzerCo, starting with The Root of all Evil.
The game started with the characters in the town of Hennex, and seeing a handbill asking for adventurers. They answer it, not having met each other before, with the exception of the two wood elves Ember and Jelena, who come from the same elf settlement and decided to adventure together.
They go to the tower of the wizard Veoden, who explains the situation. He is looking for mithril, and thinks he knows a source. He will pay 100 gp per pound, and increase the amount per pound if more is brought to him. Once the group agrees, he tells them of a 'cursed' family whose last decedent died in the last few months. He is supposed to have a map that was buried with him.
The group begin to balk at grave robbing, but he then explains the need. His associate has gone missing, and the location of the mithril and his disappearance may be related as they were doing mithril experiments together. He also says he will smooth things over with the authorities if the need arises.
With this knowledge in hand, the group goes to the graveyard. They jump over the walls, and search the graveyard. Using information that proved to be incorrect, they first search the only mausoleum in the graveyard, which turns out to be the eternal resting home of a group of skeletons.
The group dispatches the skeletons with some difficultly, but no one is seriously injured except the fighter, who is healed by the druid.
They then search for the actual grave of Artuur Dairoo. Upon finding it, the ranger and fighter begin digging. The ranger then borrows the fighters sledge to smash open the locks. Inside they find a disfigured corpse that turns out to be a ghoul. Apparently the 'curse' is real. They destroy the body, allowing Artuurs spirit to leave his body.
With map in hand, they return to the wizard Veoden and explain the trouble in finding it. He is genuinely surprised about undead so close to the city, and says he will warn the city watch and leaders of the city. He also agrees to pay the group 200 gp per pound of mithril returned to them, and gives them an advance of 25 gp each.
Of the two new players, they seemed to catch on pretty quick, and one, new to roleplaying, had a good time and is looking forward to our next game. One of the regulars, who doesn't 'roleplay' much is actually enjoying this one more, as it gives him an opportunity to interact with the players and NPCs more that the other game.
Darwin - Grey Elf Sorcerer
Ember - Wood Elf Druid, with dog companion Fang.
Jelena - Wood Elf Ranger
Raizix - Human Figher
Starting a new game in Kalamar with some new players. The Coin Trilogy is based on three modules from KenzerCo, starting with The Root of all Evil.
The game started with the characters in the town of Hennex, and seeing a handbill asking for adventurers. They answer it, not having met each other before, with the exception of the two wood elves Ember and Jelena, who come from the same elf settlement and decided to adventure together.
They go to the tower of the wizard Veoden, who explains the situation. He is looking for mithril, and thinks he knows a source. He will pay 100 gp per pound, and increase the amount per pound if more is brought to him. Once the group agrees, he tells them of a 'cursed' family whose last decedent died in the last few months. He is supposed to have a map that was buried with him.
The group begin to balk at grave robbing, but he then explains the need. His associate has gone missing, and the location of the mithril and his disappearance may be related as they were doing mithril experiments together. He also says he will smooth things over with the authorities if the need arises.
With this knowledge in hand, the group goes to the graveyard. They jump over the walls, and search the graveyard. Using information that proved to be incorrect, they first search the only mausoleum in the graveyard, which turns out to be the eternal resting home of a group of skeletons.
The group dispatches the skeletons with some difficultly, but no one is seriously injured except the fighter, who is healed by the druid.
They then search for the actual grave of Artuur Dairoo. Upon finding it, the ranger and fighter begin digging. The ranger then borrows the fighters sledge to smash open the locks. Inside they find a disfigured corpse that turns out to be a ghoul. Apparently the 'curse' is real. They destroy the body, allowing Artuurs spirit to leave his body.
With map in hand, they return to the wizard Veoden and explain the trouble in finding it. He is genuinely surprised about undead so close to the city, and says he will warn the city watch and leaders of the city. He also agrees to pay the group 200 gp per pound of mithril returned to them, and gives them an advance of 25 gp each.
Of the two new players, they seemed to catch on pretty quick, and one, new to roleplaying, had a good time and is looking forward to our next game. One of the regulars, who doesn't 'roleplay' much is actually enjoying this one more, as it gives him an opportunity to interact with the players and NPCs more that the other game.
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