Rithas - Threads of Fate

[DM Rithas]

Session 1
A Club in the Dark

Thardferr Date: 03/16/734
RL Date: 01/05/04
DM:Rithas
Location: Free Hills
Players Present:Lily, Uther, Taleus, Bashemgood, Trista

Short Summary: The group met up, each having their own motive for answering the dwarve's call. Setting off to meet with the dwarven reinforcements in the Free Hills, they found an empty dwarf camp by nightfall. Pressing onwards, they were assaulted by an ogre and barely made it away with their lives, arriving back at the camp to nurse their wounds.

XP Awarded: approx 40 XP/level/hour

Session Length: approx 5 hours

Long Summary (compliments of Taleus): No matter what circumstances surround them, all beginnings have one primary driving power in common; fate. To Taleus Mathisi it looked a lot like disparity as he fled the relentless Imperial Mages, and to Uther Unember it must have looked a lot like passion. Lily must have named it glory, and Trista Mei dubbed it adventure. Yet name it as they will, these four could never change the nature of fate itself, even when it brought them all together into the Dwarven town.
   
Recent problems had been surfacing due to Orcish occupation of a nearby mine, and the Dwarven captain Turik was in desperate need for more soldiers to suppress the threat. Coming for their own purposes and being joined under one, the four adventurers set off to meet up with encamped Dwarven soldiers in aid for cleansing the mines. On their journey, a cheesy pornograph… er, a romance builds up between the diviner Taleus and Elven maiden Lily while Uther and Trista scouted ahead.
   
Meanwhile, recently leaving his tribe to fulfill his elder’s command, an Orc named Bashemgood heads towards the same mine in the Free Hills. Still unknown to the approaching group, the Orc rides on towards his path, which can only lead to another inevitable twist of destiny.
   
As the sun reaches it’s resting place at the tip of the horizon, the group of adventurers reaches the Dwarven encampment as planned… only to find it empty and traceless of the soldiers who should have been occupying it. Under foolish hope, the group sets out towards the mines in the darkness with weapons and cautions prepared, but not enough to help them against the Ogre they encounter on the way.
   
After a short and gruesome battle, the group limps off to find that the darkness is nobody’s friend, especially to a group of inexperienced adventurers. With Uther and Lily badly wounded and Taleus and Trista following them in hopes of keeping their own lives intact, the group retreats all the way back to the dwarven camp to lick their wounds and learn from their stupid mistakes.

Casualties: none
Session High Points (compliments of Taleus): Good role playing upon the character’s first time meeting each other, nice conflict between Taleus and Uther and connection between Taleus and Lily. Nice job on everybody’s part to sticking to their character’s personalities.

Session Low Points (compliments of Taleus): Foolish decision of traveling in the darkness, Uther and Lily got badly injured by the Ogre and Uther even went unconscious for a short time, slightly slow combat due to the inexperience with the system, and only three active characters with Trista having to leave early and Bashemgood not included in the actual role playing aside from a side session in the beginning.

[DM Rithas]

Session 2
There be girls in these hills

Thardferr Date: 3/17/734
RL Date: 1/12/04
DM:Rithas
Location: Free Hills
Players Present:Uther, Taleus, Jack, Doderia

Short Summary: After being joined by the halfling, Jack, and another person who was very enigmatic, the group rested for the night and continued on the next morning on the path. A little girl appeared and told them their answers lay in the mine then disappeared. Upon reaching the mine the halfling scouted forward.

XP Awarded: approx 35 XP/level/hour

Session Length: approx 4 hours

Long Summary: As the group sat around nursing their wounds, talk of what had happened to the missing dwarves once more started as two strangers wandered into the sight. A halfling named jack, who was obsessed with getting a meal going, and a human sized figure completely covered in clothing who only gave Doderia as it's name. Quickly pleasantries were put aside and the questions began again, this time of whether the newcomers were actually there to help or if the dwarf encampment had ever even existed.

After resting for the night, the group continued along the path with the desperately needed pair of reinforcements, and as talk moved to whether they should return to town a little girl appeared from behind a rock, assuring them the answers to their questions lay in the mines, even questions they had not asked yet. She then disappeared once more, leaving a very puzzled and alarmed group.

That night the group finally arrived at the mine, but feeling it rather foreboding they decided to camp for the night, and after much arguing about where to camp they finally settled in and rested without incident. Returning to the mine the next day, the halfling jack volunteered to scout out the passage ways and darted into the dark after leaving his sack with Doderia.

Inside, the halfling found a main tunnel from the enterance that was very large, the ceiling a good dozen feet off the ground, it's walls chiselled smooth. The rest the mine was definitely dwarven sized, but not was there sign of silver mining going on. no rock sifts, or anything else required except the actual digging tools. Quickly the halfling scurried back to report his findings to his companions, as they debated whether to go in after him.

Casualties: none
Session High Points: Great roleplaying from everyone, decent pace at most times, good advancement of the story.

Session Low Points: Advancement slowing to a halt at places, some frustrating moments which clueless PCs (although well RPed)

[Dalan]

Session 1 (New Group set off on quest)
A new group is sent

Thardferr Date: 4/11
RL Date: About two months ago (geeze)
DM:Rithas
Location: Coops
Players Present: Turgeiis, Rollard, Aidanis, Welverin, Simplicius, Kerdah,
Short Summary: People individually agree to go the quest to find the missing dwarves.  They then head to an inn and prepare for the next days journey.

XP Awarded: approx 35 XP/level/hour

Session Length: approx 3-4 hours

Long Summary: Dear Diary:
 
 I've decided to write this because I hope that when I someday become a great wizard like Robillard the Great, people will be able to read my thoughts and hopes and dreams.  I wonder if Robillard wrote a diary?  Unfortunately I suppose we will never find out.  So anyway I left the village a few weeks ago, and wandering around Coopersville Forge just after registering with the IMA (and telling them politely that no I would not like an apprenticeship since Robillard never had one) when I came upon a notice.  You know, a help wanted type sign.  Well anyway, this dwarf needed adventurer type people for something, and since I wanted to be adventurer type people, I figured this would be the perfect chance.  So anyway I decided to find this dwarf fellow.  It took awhile, and he told me to come back at a later date.  Extremely nervous, I went to a nearby pub and got plastered.  Completely.  I barely made it to the dwarf's place on time.  Well needless to say I don't think I made a good impression.  I vaguely remember rattling on about Robillard a lot, and I hope I didn't make a bad impression.  I was really excited when I met Turgeiis, for he was a companion of Robillard.  However, I remember him being grumpy, and I think he hit me in the mouth.  I have no doubt him and Robillard were not friendly towards each other.  I cannot imagine how such a blowhard could be in the same company as Robillard.  He must have been a tag along or something.  Taking other people's credit or some such.  Anyway, back to my story.  I met Aiden, Turgeiis, and Simplicius.  Aiden seems like a likeable fellow, the type that would have your back.  Turgeiis I already described, and Simmy well he seems like a good enough fellow, he likes his drinks, so can't be all bad, but he does seem kinda shady.  The Dwarf, Kerdah or something, said 200 of his fellows got lost in the somewhere in dwarven lands.  I didn't really pay attention, but I do think it is strange 200 dwarves getting lost.  I know they are small creatures, but I still think 200 would be able to stand out.  I oh course accepted his asking us for help, as did the others, except for Simmy.  Simmy left without accepting it.  Apparently he didn't want any part of it.  Well, he told us to come back the next day, or something, I really don't remember it very well.  I do remember we went to a pub and met Simmy again.  Boy did he surprise us.  I think he had a large tab at the bar, because the Innkeeper was making ugly faces at him as he tried to explain that he did indeed have a job, and would pay it as soon as he got back.  So I guess Simmy is with us after all.  Then a dwarf came by name Dach who said he missed the meeting.  He seemed like a friendly guy, so of course old Sourpuss was suspicious of him.  I hope he stays with the group.  The  another fellow came by, another nice fellow, by the name of Welverin.  Apparently our conversation piqued his interest and he came over to the table.  He also decided to join the group.  Here is where it got kinda fuzzy, I had a bunch more beers, and I think I said something about never sleeping.  I don't really remember the rest, except that Aidan warned me to slow down.  Nice fellow, he is.  Anyway, As I write this, the next day, I want to remind you, my dear diary, that this may be the start of a very interesting adventure.  I wonder how Robillard's started?

Casualties: none

Session High Points: Rollard and Turg's arguments begin!

Session Low Point: None that I know of.

[Dalan]

Session 2: Even Newer Faces Come

DM: Rithas

IC Date: 4/12

RL Date: June 8th, 2004

PC’s Present: Aidanis, Arryo the Elf, Turgeiis, Rollard, Welverin

NPC’s Present:
NPC'd PC's:

Location: Coopersville Forge
Treasure:
Causalities:
Session Length: 4 Hours

XP Awarded per hour: Around 50/hour/lvl


Short Version:
The next morning the newly formed companions find themselves eventually before the Dwarf whom had 'hired' them.  Once arrived, they discover that their group is already two short what they had expected, but soon learn that a new face has agreed to come along.
The Group tries to get all the information that will be required while also assessing this new stranger, and seems to find everything to their satisfaction.  Not long later they are collecting their mounts and supplies so that they can depart for the Khardfee Border.
They get off to a shaky start, but in no time find themselves at their first campsite of their quest.

Long Version: ( As told by Aidanis )
I awoke early like I have been for the last few months, bringing my books out of their storage place and studying them little by little to keep things fresh.  Knowing the journey that would be ahead of me, I found myself strangely anxious to depart.  I soon found myself down on the mainfloor of the Inn and enjoyed a very small meal to break fast.  Rollard soon joined me, and not seeing any of the other group members present we decided to make our way to the Dwarf Kerdan.
The streets were fairly sparse, but not empty as we made our way to the shop which would function as our meeting place.  Rollard and I entered the shop, and found that the only person we had expected to see was the Dwarf Kerdan himself.  There also was an Elf who stood to one side keeping quiet.
Rollard and I soon learned that a good portion of yesterday's new formed group was no longer inclined to join us on the adventure.  Frowning I looked up at the Elf whom was behind the Dwarf coming to the conclusion he was a replacement.
Turgeiis had finally arrived, something must have kept him.  Finally another person whom I recognized.
Another Elf soon came crashing into the building, loudly proclaiming he was here to join the adventure...  From my time in the Elven lands it was quite easy to place this new elf, Welveren was his name I later learned, was a Ranger.  The other elf Arryo, however, was not as easy to place, though may also be a Ranger.
The new group came together, and began discussing the necessities.  Information, Supplies, and Directions were only a few of the topics which were touched upon.  I found myself leaving most of it up to the others, as Turgeiis especially seemed to be well versed in what to expect.
We found ourselves near the edge of town collecting our mounts and supplies not too late in the morning.  The stableboy was quite accomodating and was sure that our needs were met.  The mounts were to our liking, at least all of us besides Rollard.
 Rollard must have gotten off to a wrong start with the steed as it did not seem to want to cooperate.  Just as we were to begin our way out of town Turgeiis armour turned a shade of pink not often seen in these lands.  Obviously something was afoot, and he quickly blamed Rollard, whom he had just been teasing about the horse earlier.  Rollard flatly denied any involvement, but a chuckle certainly had been had.
Perhaps Rollard's horse sensed his mischief, perhaps not, but it was not long later that Rollard found himself flailing about atop the horse in a mad dashing trip through the city.  Finally the Horse stopped, and Rollard was able to gain a bit of control of the situation.  The group caught up to him, seeing he was alright, and then made some new arrangements.  I let Rollard up behind me, and led his horse on, and we finally began our trip.
The first days travel past with only a little conversation, perhaps we all were lamenting leaving the city, though likely the Elves were not.  Deep into the evening Turgeiis had scouted a good camping spot and we made camp for the night.
Conversation certainly picked up, compared to that on the road, and what time there was left in the night was spent getting to know a little about each of the group in some way or another.

Session High Points:  Rollard's flight on the horse, Turg's armor turning pink.

Session low points: Unkown.

[Dalan]

Session 3

Title: "I LOVE BEHOLDERS!"

Date: June 10 2004
DM: Dalan
Location: Road north of Coops
PC's present: Turgeiis, Aidanis, Arryo, Rollard.

Summary: The Group has setup camp off in the woods a bit from the road near a stream. They've setup the guard roster and are preparing to bed down for the night, with Turgeiis on first watch. About half way through his watch while the others sleep and Rollard studies his books; a loud schreeching sound is heard a ways off. Turgeiis the veteran adventurer tells Rollard to wake the others if anything happens while he goes out to investigate. He walks outside the fire light to readjust his eyes and try to spot this all to familar creature to him. The schreech is heard again but much closer now. Rollard in a panic goes about to waking up the others. Turgeiis heads towards the brush where the creature was heard in an attempt to flush it. Arryo being the first up readies his gear and goes out to join Turgeiis to lend his keen elven eyesight. Aidanis and the others are a bit slower to get up.

Something rustling the bushes nearby draws the two attention. Turgeiis lobs a stick in the brush hoping to flush the creature out. This apparently wasn't his best idea as the creature they flush isn't what they expected. A huge owl bear breaks out of the bursh and flies into the two. Turgeiis having fought and won against these creatures before charges to meet it head on. As the two goliaths collide Arryo looses a volley of arrows into them. Not being the veteran shot he misses the creature with one and hits Turgeiis with the other. The unexpected attack on our hero gives the beast all the advantage it needs; as it picks up the huge man and throws him into a tree like he's nothing. Arryo realizes his mistake and dances with the beast a moment praying that the warrior will shake it off. Lucky for him Turgeiis does and is instantly into the creature again. The owlbear soon realizes his mistake in underestimitating the veteran warrior and after brawling for a bit locks him up in another bear hug. Turgeiis strength is displayed again as he breaks free and resumes the fight. Arryo stands awe striken buring most of the battle trying to land a few feeble attacks but not really doing much. With a final blow Turgeiis is able to bring the creature to the ground. Once the beast is down the two combatants notice the rest of the group engaging what seems to be a Sythian Mage and an unusual looking Beholder. Once Turgeiis gets a better look at the beholder he notices a major flaw in it and it vanishes before he very eyes; once he points it out.

During the battle with the Owlbear the rest of the group once woken up was beseiged by fireballs from a Sythian mage and its Beholder. One fireball actually hits the edge of the camp blackening the ground, the others impact inside of it yet do no damage. As Aidanis and Rollard go to engage the Wizard and its Beholder they find there attacks do nothing. Aidanis also having read descriptions of Beholders before notice its flaw and disbelieves it as well.

Once all the insanity has ended the group meets up near the Owlbear corpse for accountability. Just as they all get there the creature twitches, then lashes out to attack the group. Turgeiis and Rollard are quick to act though and put the creature down for good. As soon as the creature went dwon again Arryo heard footsteps of some unknown force running away in the night. Once regrouped the party decides its best if they make for the nearest city before resting again, incase this mysterious attacker comes at them once more.

Session High Points: The reactions from the players when confronted by the illusions.  the Owlbear's massive damage on Turg.

Session Low Points: None that I can remember.

[Dalan]

Session 4
One Big Halfling

Thardferr Date: 4/13
RL Date: 06-15-04
DM: Dalan (Subbing for Rithas)
Location: On the road to Thantry - Lithar
Players Present: Aidanis, Arryo, Dupre, Rollard, Turgeiis
XP Awarded for previous Session: A lot for killing the Owlbear.  Around 75-90 per hour/lvl.
XP for current Session: Not sure if I awarded XP for this session, but if I did, it was around 45/lvl/hour.
Session Length: Approximatley 3.5 hours


Short Summary:  The group rode hard all through the night and into the morning, trying to get to Thantry. Along the way they saw smoke in the back ground and ran into a heavily muscled halfling. The group chatted with the halfling for awhile, ultimatley ending up with a new member for their cause.

Long Summary: The group rode all through the night and into the morning trying to reach  Thantry. Along the way they saw some smoke in the distance at which rested a halfling going by the name of Dupre – a battle lord of sembral he claimed to be. The group chatted with him for awhile, and he made the preposition that he would alleviate some of the damaged members of the group with out fee, on the condition they keep watch while he sleeps. The group agreed and Turgeiis and Aidanis both take their turn under the healing hands of the battle lord. After waking up the group decided to make their way to Thantry and Rollard offered much information into the quest they were going to do – much to Turgeiis’ objections, and sticking chucking efforts to stiffle the young mage. Rollard then offered all of his reward, and most of the everyone elses to the halfling should he be willing to accompany them. He agreed, saying he had nothing else to do really. The group ponied up and rode down the road to Thantry with Dupre doubling with Rollard on his horse, for awhile atleast – as Rollard decided to give his horse some alcohol in its oats, possibly to make it cooperate. After riding for several hours there looked to be storm clouds on the horizon, they continued to ride though until rain started to beat down upon their heads. At which point they looked for a good copse of trees off to the side of the road. Finding one they used it as a good place to seek shelter from the chilly late winter rains. Turgeiis proceeded to tie Dalan to a tree, and the rest of the group followed suit, tying their horses to a tree so they couldn’t wander off. With Thantry not being too far away and the horses rather tired, the group decided to rest for the night. Turgeiis, satisfied that he did a good job trying his faithful steed – Dalan to a tree sacked out first, still sore and tired from his battle with the owlbear. One by one the group sacked out after having conversations getting to know the big halfling a little better. Eventually it was just Arryo and Dupre still awake, and they chatted up many things, both of them asking why they were there and why they do what they do. Dupre revealed that he joined the ranks of the sembralites after his village just on the edge of the edilarian border had been taken over by the sythians in their occupation. Arryo revealed that he was trained at the Navelorn academy and is simply trying to repay the favor some of the dwarves did, in the attack that took place in Magmaville.

Session High Point: Gaining the new member, Miniturg.  Rollard's unique method of calming his horse.

Session Low Point: Me being absent most of the session.

[Dalan]

Session 5: Thantry

DM: Dalan subbing

IC Date: 4/14/734

(hmm, somewhere the rl dates got screwed up)
RL Date: June 16th, 2004

PC’s Present: Arryo (beginning), Zee (end), Rollard, Turg, Aidanis, Dupre.

NPC’s Present: Rebesa and Marysa
NPC'd PC's: None

Location: Thantry
Treasure: (Rollard) spending the night with a lovely lady
Causalities: Any shreds of self respect for Dupre and Rollard
Session Length: 4 Hours

XP Awarded per hour: Around 50/hour/lvl


Short Version: The group makes it to Thantry.  Arryo departs and Zee joins.  They bid goodnight at a local inn.

Long version: After some time the group reaches Thantry.  After a bit of talking, they are let in the town by a guard who recognizes Aidan.  They meet a few locals, and Arryo admits that adventuring is not cut out for him and leaves the group.  Zee, another elf, joins them later.  Rollard meets a few local women, and they, Dupre, and Rollard get extremely drunk.  The group retires for the night, with Rollard getting to sleep with Marysa, a local woman.

Session High Points: Dupre having to carry the girl and helping Rollard up the stairs, though he is a halfling and as drunk as the other two.

Session Low Points: me being absent again.

[Dalan]

Session 6: Thantry to Leserd Forest

DM: Dalan subbing

IC Date: 4/15/734


RL Date: late June
PC’s Present:  Turg, Aidan, Dupre, and Zee (NPCed)

NPC’s Present: None Important
NPC'd PC's: Zee

Location: Thantry to Leserd Forest
Treasure: None (They left the Manticore hides!)
Causalities: Almost Rollard's horse.
Session Length: 4 hours

XP Awarded per hour: around 90xp/lvl/hour


Short Version: A mage lets off a lightning bolt and flies away with what may be Rollard with the group in hot pursuit.  After shooting a few arrows into the mage, eventually tries to pursue him/her.  They eventually get to the forest, where they encounter and kill three Manticores, wounding a fourth.

Long version:
 In the morning, there was an explosion in Rollard’s room at the inn.  Quick investigation of the noise led to a fight in town where the party attempted to bring down a flying figure that was fleeing with what appeared to be Rollard’s body.  After Turgeiis struck the figure with two arrows, it disappeared.  Dupre, however, scanned the area and spotted the figure further down the road.  The party gave chase, but was unable to apprehend the figure and recover the body.  
   
 After the chase, the party quickly gathered their equipment together while deciding upon their next course of action.  Having determined that the figure was heading towards the northeast, the party decided to go that direction and hunt after the figure and Rollard.  Dupre was unable to ride a full sized horse very well by himself, however, so Aidanis traded an emerald necklace to purchase a pony and its equipment for Dupre.  Afterward, the party mounted their animals and rode hard.  

 As the evening approached, the party came to the border of a forest.  Zee, who was scouting ahead, found Rollard’s cloak on the ground at the edge of the woods.  While those with the skills to learn information of value examined the cloak and the area around it, Dupre watched the sky and spotted the approaching of dark forms.  As the forms came closer, Turgeiis recognized them as manticores, and warned that the creatures were beyond even his prowess.  Heading the warning, the party moved into the forest for cover.  The manticores, however, landed on the ground and showed no signs of fearing to engage within the woods.  

 As the fighting ensued, Dupre cast a cover of magical darkness between the party and the manticores, leaving only Rollard’s mount to take damage from the creatures’ projectile spines.  The party, except for Turgeiis, turned and headed deeper into the woods hoping to use the darkness and the trees as cover.  Turgeiis, however, ignored his own warning, stood his ground, and ambushed the creatures as they came through the patch of darkness, severing from its body the first head that appeared.  Realizing that Turgeiis had not stayed with them, the rest of the party immediately turned around and rushed to engage the enemies.  Turgeiis and Zee provided a strong front line of fighting for the party as Aidanis and Dupre cast supporting spells.  Aidanis’ attempt at placing the creatures into a slumber proved futile but Dupre’s curse upon the manticores combined with the surprising amount of damage that Turgeiis and Zee were causing to the creatures scared the manticores into fleeing the engagement.  As they did so, the entire party moved quickly to take advantage and fell all but a single wounded manticore.  Aidanis then used a magic stone to remove the patch of magical darkness, allowing the party to note the fleeing creature’s northern heading as it sought to escape.  

 In the aftermath of the battle, Dupre was able to provide magical healing for Rollard’s horse, which took the majority of the damage from the manticores.  Conversation ensued about the worth of manticore hide, the taste of their meat, and the treasure that the manticores may have hoarded in their lair.  Weighing the possibility that the manticores may have been under the control of the very person who kidnapped Rollard, the party decided that seeking the creatures’ lair might lead to both treasure and the lost party member  


Session High Points: Turg's comments about Rollard, yet still going to try and save him.  Watching all the group wanting to flee except Turg, and then have the group take out the Manticores with the only real damage done to Rollard's horse.

Session Low Points: A well planned encounter foiled by industrious PCs.

[Dalan]

Session 7:

DM: Dalan subbing

IC Date: 4/15/734

RL Date: late June
PC’s Present: Turg, Aidan, and Zee

NPC’s Present: None
NPC'd PC's: Dupre

Location: Leserd Forest Edge to Cave
Treasure: None
Causalities: Not even a hit
Session Length: 4 hours

XP Awarded per hour: around 90xp/lvl/hour

Short Version:  
The group tracks the Manticore to a cave, where they finish it off, and kill some sort of invisible creature.

Long Summary (As Told by Aidanis):
So here we stood, the bodies of the Manticores which Turgeiis and Zee so handily dispatched lieing nearby, the warmth still in their bodies.  Turgeiis claimed a few momento's from the body, hoping to be able to salvage more when the time was right.  Dupre himself hacked of a paw, full of its prized claws and made his offering to Sembral.

We had a discussion about whether or not to track the one Manticore which got away...  It would be an easy process, we believed, since the Manticore was reduced to land transport before it fled.  It was pointed out that occasionally Manticores could be controlled by outside sources, and we concluded that perhaps such a fiend, if there was one, would be the same one that had kidnapped Rollard.

With that decision behind us, and night attempting to stake its claim on the sky, Zee led us to a rather large opening of a cave.  Outside, Zee saw that there had been recent humanoid tracks, however he did not believe that traces of Rollard could be seen.

Slowly our group made way into the cave, while I scattered light stones every so often so that I could see.  Not long into the cave, we set off a magical alarm.  At least we know that we are dealing with a mage, though whether it is the right one, we do not.

We come to a door which has been magically sealed. Seeing no other routes to take, Turgeiis charges at the door and rips it right off its base.  He then uses it as a makeshift shield he entered the room which had
previously been unaccessible.

Inside, the injured Manticore lay in wait.  Had the mage let the Manticore past the sealed door?  The Manticore attacked, but was just as quickly slayed.

Once again I find myself with what is currently my group, standing near where a Manticore's corpse lies, still warm.


High Points:  Fairly smooth combat, using some mage spells I don't use often.

Low points:  They killed my creatures in one round each!

[Dalan]

Threads of Fate

DM: Dalan subbing

PC's present: Turgeiis, Aidanis, Zee, Dupre

Title: "When good mages go bad"

RL Date: July 13th 2004

Short Summary: We Foiled Dalan's plans of killing us yet again.

Long Summary: After smashing the final Manticore and defeating the invisible stalker, the group thinking there in the clear takes a moment to catch their breath and examine there surrondings. Before long there back at it again when some invisible voice begins chanting. Turgeiis too occupied with making sure the manticore is dead was the slowest to react and was struck full force with a 10d6 lighting bolt, sending him flying into the wall. The rest of the group is quick to react though. Dupre moves to block the opposite door, Zee engages the wizard, and Aidanis attempts to cast a feeble lvl 1 spell on him. While the group keeps him occupied though Turgeiis regains his wits and remember a lesson from Robillard about wizards, tackles the elf to the ground . Once taken to the ground the mage not having the strength to fight off 320lbs of Turgeiis quits resisting. Bad idea on his part. Turgeiis commences to pummel any enchancements out of him, once blood is drawn he takes both wrist and breaks them to help prevent the mage from cast; and to finish it off he cracks a few ribs to prevent him from really getting away.

Once captured the mage proved little threat so Turgeiis in his fit of rage began to question him, with the help of Dupre. As Turgeiis chokes and smacks around and threatens the mage, getting little response but self gratifying. Zee and Aidanis being goodey goodey and appaled at this convince Turg to put the elf down and let them question him. Turg not really caring what they think slams the mage down and has Dupre strip him of everything at knife point. While searching the mage Dupre notices a rather intersting ring on his finger. As soon as the ring was taken off the mages attuide towards the group dramatically changed. He began to communicate with Zee in high elven. The two began going off about families and where the mage thought he was, and how old he was. The elf claims the current time being 60 years after the falling of the moon, which would make him over 700 years old. This elf couldn't possibly be that old naturally from the look of him. As the riddle gets more intense from the questions, the humans make themselves useful and look for phat loots. The other door being wizard locked and not even Turgeiis being able to kick it down, is being hacked down with an axe instead. The elven mage being horrified by whats being done to his door(even though he has two broken wrist, cracked ribs, and is naked on the floor) says his command word and unlocks it for them.

Inside the room the two find a bookcase full of books, two chest, two quivers of arrows, and a few potions. Aidanis checks the books in the shelf and low and behold, discovers 3 spellbooks and numerous journals. The chest on the otherhand are full to the top in silver and gold. Aidanis tells the other he'll check the quivers and the arrows for being magical in the morning when he's got some spells available. In the meantime Zee continues to do some experiments on the mage. The question get a little more indepth and the mages answers aren't adding up. Zee has Dupre slip the ring back on him to see what kinda of answers they can get that way. This proved useless as the elf simply thinks there goblins again and curses. Wondeirng what exactly this ring does Dupre and Zee try it on themselves. All they feel is a slight tingle on there head as if a hat too small is on and nothing more. Turgeiis becoming frustrated with this again begins to slap around the mage while Dupre ask him questions. Some answers are gained at least. Apparently the ring protects against mental assualts and this mage and that he didn't attack us be us who attacked him. Turgeiis being struck by lighting and in a bad mood grabs the elf's ear and twist until he gets a scream and some answers. Zee being a goodey goodey elven ranger runs up to Turg and threatens to fight him if he does that again. Yet another bad career move. Turg ignores Zee and tells him to bring it even in his hurt condition. After a little more arugeing that the elf has two personailities from the ring or some spell gone wrong, and how its not his fault; the group decides to simply turn him over to the nearest IMG or OOS outpost and be done with him. After Turgeiis gives him the boot a few more times they prepare to make camp and setup a guard roster on the broken elven mage.

Session Highlights: They took down my 14th level mage who had a gazillion magical protections on him by tackling him (see Wedding precident).  I was so pissed I made my internet connection stop working until I calmed down and decided to not send raging hordes of Great Wyrm Red Dragons after them.

Session Lowpoints: (My highpoints)  The group begins torturing the elf, while I begin torturing the group with making them question themselves.

[Dalan]

Session 9
That’s gonna leave a mark

Thardferr Date: 4/16/734

RL Date: 7-20-04

DM: Dalan (Subbing for Rithas)

Location: Somewhere in the woods - Tuth

Players Present: Aidanis, Zee, Dupre, Turgeiis

XP Awarded: 50/lvl/hour
Session Length: Approximatley 4.5 hours?

Short Summary: There was some talking to the pansy elven mage. Then there was even more talking to him. Then we trusted him enough to cast a few spells to help us find rollard who was in a not very appealing situation. After the finding of rollard the mage casts another spell and abruptly keels over.

Long Summary:
The group awakens in the morning and finds their captive still bound and right where they left him, after an uneventful resting night. The group converses more with their captive to find out much about him – he thinks he is defending the lunar forest from the goblins who are trying to burn it down. We discover that his ring likely causes him to see everyone else as goblins, which has been what has caused his odd behavior towards us when he is wearing the ring.

He then goes into discussing how he got the ring and yada yada, and ultimately he finds out a spell he cast on it must have gone awry, cursing it. Then after awhile we decide that we are going to take the prisoner to the authorities to deal with him. We pack up the treasure and he wishes that we take everything except his spandex +2 (his undies are magical or some nonsense J ). So we have a discussion about that, that is yet to be finished. But then we trail off and decide to go and save rollard and the captive mage agrees to help us try and find him and he casts a spell allowing us to gaze upon him in a magic mirror. We then see through the mirror and see rollard tied up to a stone slab in the nude with 4 priests abusing his ‘tender’ regions. Rollard manages to notice us using the spell and looks directly at the mirror and mouths the words ‘Help Me’. We agree to set off as quickly as possible as we think the location is one of the series of hills to the east – hopefully the free hills where we intended to go in the first place. Then the mage keels over apparently after attempting to send a message to Rollard. We decide to bury him as he requested and we find a well kept tomb, and exhume the body of his life mate to assure that this is the proper tomb to bury him in along with her. Zee and Aidanis then agree that he should be buried with the robes as he requested but Dupre says that the robes aren’t any good for a dead person and the group should keep them. Turgeiis is waiting around to cover up the bodies, as a pair of elven undies +2 wouldn’t do his manliness much good.

Session High Points: Good RPing

Session Low Points: I don't remember any.