Daggers of Edilar

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 01: "Aftermath of Treachery"

Written By: Liriel
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-12-734
RL Date: 02-12-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Zee, Damian, Thragnar, Jelani, Liriel
NPC's Present: Mataculese/Demon, Lord & Lady Hammar, Sillibys, Lady Lakasha, Verinda, various other guards and priests

Location: Magmaville

Short Version: Picking up from Endels Public IC thread: Arrival of the Red Orc, Zee went to warn Hammar and Ashenwood, Liriel met with Amies, and Gibreel dealt with the demon disguised as a mage. Afterward, all but Gibreel met with Lord Hammar and various others concerning the presence of a Traitor in Magmaville.

Long Version:
Rather than bring Mataculese with him to the hut, Gibreel transported the demon that was disguised as a mage to some unknown location where he had previously set up a trap. He and Damian and Jelani were talking via a spell, so the group still in Magmaville were aware of what was happening. Once there, the bolts that were automatically set off bounced off the thing's skin, so Gibreel conjured a lightning bolt that bounced and reflected off of the room's stone walls, repeatedly striking the creature's body.

A mist rose from the burnt body, coalescing into an incorporeal half boar, half ape form. The form spoke to Gibreel, telling him that it hoped "the Traitor takes you all." The form then faded away.

Gibreel alerted Damian and Jelani, and the two speculated that the traitor he referred to was Sillibys, as Liriel had noted he was acting oddly earlier. After a short discussion about whether Gibreel would stay where he was to rest and study his spells, in which it was decided that he'd remain there where he was safe and undisturbed, Damian sent Zee off to warn Lord Hammar and Lord Ashenwood of the treachery.


While Zee went off to warn Lord Hammar and Lord Ashenwood, Liriel went to the roof in hopes that Amies would approach her for the requested conversation. Amies came and the two talked until Zee and the others approached. (See separate private log)


Meanwhile, Zee went to Lord Hammar's compound and found Lord and Lady Hammar along with several others, including a very upset Sillibys and Lady Lakasha (The Harmony's Voice), who was trying to comfort him. Trying to follow Damian's instructions, the elf acted very oddly, trying to get Hammar to join him outside so they could talk alone.

Having aroused Hammar's suspicions, Lady Lakasha scanned him to see if he is somehow posessed, then after Hammar was reassured the elf was indeed himself, just acting oddly, Hammar ordered him to deliver his message in front of all. Bracing himself, Zee looked at him and said "Trust no one, not even your closest advisors this evening. If you have questions you are to go and ask Damian, that is all he told me."

Hammar told the elf to go find Talys (Ashenwood) and asked the Voice to bring along her other priestesses and come to the hut with him in case Mataculese was there. Zee informed them that the goblin mage and the creature weren't in the hut, but had disappeared.

Sillibys became even more agitated and Hammar ordered Zee to accompany them to the cabin, sending someone else to find Lord Ashenwood. Trying to follow Damian's orders, Zee refused to lead them, instead allowing Lord Hammar to lead the way while he accompanied them.


Back in the cabin, Damian was alerted by a prearranged signal that something wasn't right on the roof. He quickly woke Thragnar and came outside and raised himself to roof level, just in time to see the girl-mage fly off at an astonishing speed and Liriel open the hatch and call down to him that the elf and others were approaching and that they needed to talk. He let Liriel know he was at the edge of the roof, she quickly told him that the girl had asked for something and that they should talk more about it later.

Moving back inside the cabin, the she-orc was moved into the private back room with Jelani and tied up there. Zee comes ahead to let the others know that Hammar and the rest have come back with him. Damian, displeased that he came back with them, ordered Zee to the roof to watch. Damian, Thragnar, and Liriel made quick preparations inside, with Zee on the roof getting more and more upset at being excluded. The group was waved to come in.

Lady Lakasha entered, followed by the Hammars, Sillibys, and two other priestesses, one of whom was Verinda, well-known to Liriel. After asking about Gibreel and being reassured that he has the demon-thing under control, Sillibys collapses on one of the stools in relief. Hammar confirmed that they were aware of a demonic presence and that Sillibys was somehow affected.

Sillibys revealed that it happened almost immediately after Liriel's meeting with him near dusk earlier that day. He brushed off his lack of reaction at the news she gave him, then explained Melchior's secrecy as his normal habits. Liriel confirmed that Amies had told her much the same earlier.

Sillibys continued that when he went to find Melchior to talk to him about it, he'd found him dead by an orc-dagger. Damian made a comment (largely ignored) about the orc dagger likely being a ruse as Liriel left where she was supposed to be to go to Sillibys, trying to reassure him that he wasn't at fault. Sillibys noted that someone came up behind him, and that's when things got foggy.

Following up on Damian's comment, Liriel told Hammar that the child, Amies, had information about what happened and that they should talk to her, growing a bit frustrated when she is brushed off, both by the Damian and the others.

With many questions still unanswered, Damian suggested that they call it a night and continue in the morning.


Session length: 2.5 hours

XP: 85 experience/hour/level

Treasure: bits and pieces of information and a she-orc to question.

Casualties: the body of Mataculese

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 02: "Let's Get this War Started!"

Written By: Gallorn
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-13-734
RL Date: 02-26-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gallorn, Gibreel, Jelani, Liriel, Thragnar, Zee
NPC's Present: Gestash (Red Orc), Lord Hammar, Sillibys

Location: Magmaville

Short Version:
The group talked with Gestah concerning the Sythian Army and her own people's intentions. Completing the conversation, they finished various other tasks in town in preparation for their departure to the south for their mission.

Long Version:
As Gestah first awakened, Liriel rushes to her side to comfort the orc, using her gift for languages as bestowed by the odd amulet. As soon as the orc was calmed down, Damian ventured forward and linked his mind to the orc as well as to Gibreel Deeowen’s mind. Speaking through the mental link to avoid straining the Red Orc, the duo quickly dealt with the relationship of the Red Orcs to the Sythian army and how they had come to join up with to fulfill a prophecy and an old obligation to their ‘masters.’ Soon, the conversation shifted towards the overheard plans of the Sythian army and their retreat following their defeat in Magmaville to warmer, wintering grounds in the South. Speaking quickly, a figure known only as Maltos seemed to lead the Sythian army until Turin took over the night of the first defeat. Finding the extent of the she-orc’s knowledge limited, several tidbits were gleaned by the two mages before letting her rest.

Following the conversation, the group split up quickly in Magmaville to make preparations for their departure. Gallorn was tasked with gathering materials to make a stretcher for Gestah, whilst Thragnar was left to oversee her care. Jelani and Zee ventured to the SCE seeking Sillibys and elusive answers about the possible lunar tree seed that Jelani had given Melchior before his death. Meanwhile, Gibreel, Liriel, and Nyr headed to speak to Lord Hammar, seeking the final supplies for their task and quickly informing the elven leader of the information obtained from the Red Orc, whilst also leaving a plea for the Red Orcs to be released to attempt to find their way back home.

As the tasks were completed, one by one, the group found itself reassembling at the cabin before departing for Boardertown on the first leg of their journey. Neither Gibreel, nor Liriel accompanied the group as they had business in Westdalia and gifted with magical steeds by Nyr, their journey was to be a swift one indeed. The rest of the gathered Daggers sought to further their journey to Boardertown, riding magical mounts as bestowed upon them by Jelani, but their ride was not to be peaceful this afternoon.

Late in the afternoon, four wyverns suddenly came upon the group as Thragnar offered only a few words of warning. Rushing for the treeline, the dwarf was stuck in the open and subsequently lifted into the air by one of the wyverns as the other three tried to land and follow the rest into the dense woods. Fighting bravely and for his life, Thragnar managed to survive the beast’s poison, whilst returning blows of his own, but the assistance of the youngest mage of the group, Gallorn, seemed to turn the tide, sending the beast crashing into the snow a sparse 100’ from where it had originally grabbed the dwarf. Sensing an opportunity, Thragnar summoned his steed and fled into the shadows of the forest, eager to be free of the dangerous beasts.

Separated by the attack, the situation looked grim for a time, until a large column of fog rose a distance above the road. Using the marker, the group was able to reband and kept on their way to Boardertown.

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 95 experience/hour/level

Treasure:
-Information from Gestah concerning the Sythians & Red Orcs.
-Supplies from Lord Hammar for the journey south.
-A possible wyvern tail for study

Casualties: A lone wyvern

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 02a: "DoE Training"

Written By: Gallorn
PCDM: Nyrhtlyk
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-15-734
RL Date: 03-1-2004
PC's Present: Gibreel, Hurley, Jelani, Liriel, Nyrhtlyk, Thragnar, Xavier
NPC's Present: Gallorn, Zee

Location: Alderd Plains, SE of Heartville

Short Version:
Taking a day off from traveling, the group pauses to train together for the conflicts ahead and to discuss the tactics and fighting abilities of those present.

Long Version:
Although the plains of Alderd are cold and barren this time of year, the need for the Daggers of Edilar to train together is apparent to many and they take to the snows in the early morning as it stands. With Damian's voice prevailing, he quickly summons up various illusions of the monsters to which the group might soon be facing, showing each for it's strengths and weaknesses to the extent of the mage's knowledge. Quickly assigning partners, and roles in any combat, the various fighters step forward to test their skills against the illusions, following a display by Liriel and Xavier against three hill giants, which proved far easier than expected. As the training continued, eventually Xavier and Zee squared off, though for some reason the obviously more skilled Xavier reduced his advantages against the warrior, giving Zee and easy time of it, though the elf didn't leave without a few marks to show for the experience. The morning is spent in such training for the warriors, others watching and learning as the exercise continues.

In the afternoon, it's the mage's turn though being mages they choose an open discussion across a table compared to any real exercise of magical skills and abilities. The conversation proves troubling, as many find it difficult to open up regarding their own abilities, often just labeling themselves with what they think their role should be, rather than any specific effects they may employ. However, some headway is made, begrudgingly, and by the time they separate, a new understanding of the abilities and roles of all in the discussion is achieved.

Session length: 2.0 hours (fighters) 1.5 hours (mages)

XP: ?? xp / hour / level

Treasure: Learning to work together

Casualties: Illusionary Giants, Hobgoblins, Wyverns, and others.

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 03: "The Scout Who Knew Too Much"

Written By: Gallorn
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-18-734
RL Date: 03-4-2004
PC's Present: Gallorn, Gibreel, Hurley, Jelani, Liriel, Nyrhtlyk, Thragnar, Xavier, Zee
NPC's Present: Colgere

Location: Khardfee Plains, South of the Durloch Mountains

Short Version:
After several days of travel, racing ahead of the returning Sythian army, the group split up for a time. Damian and Jelani ventured closer to the southern encampment of "Three Sails" whilst the others set about establishing a base of operations. Jelani, a professed magical scout, ventured into the city alone to gather information and ran afoul of it's inhabitants.

Long Version:
Following the day spent in training on the 15th, the group has spent the remaining time traveling towards their destination. They are driven in no small part by the intense figure, known to most as Damian, who conjures magical steeds each morning which race across the very earth as if chased by the minions of Ballog. The snow proves no obstacle, and even the waters of the Lindarin River do not slow them as they race across the surface causing ripples only for the speed of their passage. By now, the group has been joined by the enigmatic mountainlord, Colgere Algion and his place in the company has not been sorely contested as the challenges ahead of them loom like an impossible task.

On the 18th, having ridden hard for most of the morning, the group suddenly stops upon the southern flank of the Durloch Mountains. Damian quickly instructing them to find whatever shelter they may and warning them of his own return in a while. Then, spurring his steed and finding Jelani to accompany him, the two mages streak off to the southeast, intent upon their own task. Damian's magical mounts fading into smoke and mist behind them, preventing any from following quite so easily. Riding for a little over a bell, the two mages stop still shy of the Sythian encampment and exchange words in warning and fellowship before this task. A quick mental link is established between the two magi and though, he was told before, Jelani is quickly reminded of the importance of his mission and the safeguards in place. Satisfied, Jelani heads off towards the encampment, Damian waiting until the mage can no longer be seen to start his own journey back to the others, knowing Hurley to be left waiting on his return.

Jelani continues on the mount for a time, getting close enough to the encampment to run across the first patrol of hobgoblins. Avoiding their number, the magus soon dismisses his mount and assumes the form of a sprite to continue his journey through the air and bolstering himself with other defensive magics. Along the way, he finds the near skeletal remains of what could be mistaken for a human child, but is more likely to be that of a halfling. Ignoring the find, the mage ventures closer to the center of the town, taking quick count of the forces visible and seeing what the Sythians have brought to this small halfling community. Along the way, he encountered a magical wall, one whose full nature he could not discern, whilst tracing the nesting place of several wyverns that had returned from the west.

As Jelani pauses to study the strange magical protection which seems to encompass the whole of the Sythian holdings in the city, he's suddenly alerted by a sudden hiss overhead as six of the wyverns begin to dive towards his position. Quickly telling Damian of his situation, the young mage finds himself in the midst of a brutal fight for escape. One of the riders turns out to be a mage whose spells continually slam into Jelani as he tries to get away, making his own spellcasting near impossible. Finally, battered, bruised and blinded by a spell, the young mage is overcome with anger and quickly unleashes his own spell upon the riders, throwing a ball of flame into their midst. Though successful, Jelani dips into the ground with his blindness and slams into it hard. By now, three of the riders have been disposed of. Two through their own incompetence, another through Jelani's burst of flames. But, the remaining three quickly drop their crossbows and draw nets which they throw upon the downed sprite. As the nets encompass him, Jelani finds himself stuck and thinking quickly, shifts his form first to that of an earthworm in an attempt to escape.

As the young mage tries to escape, hobgoblin voices surround the area, quickly searching through the net for signs of the invisible sprite, unaware of Jelani's new form as a very large earthworm. One of the hobgoblins seems to think he's found the young mage, and soon another authoritative woman's voice calls out, before she too intones a spell. As the spell rips over the area, Jelani's invisibility is dispelled, but so too is his blindness. Visible now, one of the hobgoblins hoists the mage skywards, holding him proudly up, only to find Jelani suddenly trying to resume his spritely shape once more. Aware of the trick, the hobgoblin holds on viciously, refusing to let Jelani get away so easily. From there, the mage changes first into a pegasus, then into a bull, and finally into a sprite once more in a desperate attempt to get away. However, the sheer numbers of hobgoblins and foes drags him down.

Session length: 5.5 hours

XP:
Active Participants: 100 xp / hour / level
Waiting Participants: 75 xp / hour / level

Treasure: Base of Operations, Small Amount of information on Three Sails

Casualties: 3 wyverns + riders, 1 hobgoblin, Jelani

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 04: "Travel under Fire"

Written By: Hurley Bristlebum
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-19-734
RL Date: 03-11-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gallorn, Gibreel, Hurley, Jelani, Liriel, Thragnar, Xavier, Zee
NPC's Present: Colgere

Location: Southern Khardfee Plains

Short Version:
Finding their plans altered by Jelani's capture, the group immediately shifts into high gear, setting out across the Khardfee plains towards the Sythian Encampment in the halfling town of Three Sails, trying to avoid the seemingly increased patrols in the area.

Long Version:
By morning, the remaining Daggers of Edilar could sense impending change upon them. Already it seems, Damian and Gibreel had begun to set things in motion from the night before and those around them could literally feel the level of tension rise. As the morning began, it seemed normal with the double watches and the steady progression of individuals, gathering their equipment and a quick meal before being uncertain of exactly what Damian meant by preparing to travel. However, that question was soon answered as the reclusive magus made his own way into the common area of the cabin and ate a quick meal, before sending everyone into motion to leave the cave.

Their exit was stalled however, as a dark shape was seen in the windy and cloudy skies beyond. Liriel's keen vision quickly identified it as a wyvern, and everyone fell back into the mouth of the cave to avoid being seen. Quick orders from Damian set the group to making sure to conceal all reflective material upon their bodies, and the group waited in the darkness as the shape lingered in the sky. Finally, after a time, it began to circle to the southwest, away from the encampment and the line of travel intended by the Daggers of Edilar. Free to begin their journey, the group quickly clambered down the rocky slope which led to their temporary base of operations and started in the field. Damian seemed the most eager to begin the journey, using his long legs and height to his advantage to be the first down the mountainside, but he soon paused on the plains, quickly enchanting a spell that sent numerous globes of magical 'eyes' out to watch the area around him.

From there, the Daggers traveled at a forced pace, the shorter members forced to nearly run to keep up, whilst Thragnar fought with the odd complexities of a pair of magical boots which irritated him to no end. Though the pace was quick, it soon stalled as one of Damian's orbs returned to him and he quickly assimilated the information. Pulling the group in close, Gallorn was called upon to throw an illusion over the group to shield them from the sky, as another wyvern approached from the east. However, as the group settled into the long grass of the Khardfee plains, a sound drew their attention a short distance away in the grass. Hurley was quickly sent to investigate, unfortunately rousing a pheasant from it's nest, which soon attracted the attention of the wyvern. The gnome tried to make it back into the safety of the illusion, but Damian ordered him back onto the plains, heading north, gambling upon the gnome's stature to make the riders think a halfling was trying to escape. As the riders spotted the gnome and circled lower, it seemed the man's gambit paid off.

Soon enough, the wyvern was in a dive with Liriel reporting a pair of figures upon it's back. Reporting this, both Liriel and Xavier nocked their arrows, preparing to end the lives of the riders, but a raised hand from Damian held them back for the moment. The group watched in horror as the wyvern's dive began to level off, the attack upon the gnome set to occur all too soon, but as it seemed to be in the final moments of it's attack, Damian quickly spoke a single word of magic into the air and the unthinkable began to happen upon the wyvern. Immediately, it was as if the second rider was torn from the beast, along with the saddle and they began a rapid freefall towards the earth, one which was noticeably better controlled than expected. The driver of the beast however, barely managed to hang on, his body turning the wyvern to the left causing it a lazy circle in the sky. As it became apparent he too would not fall, Damian's hand dropped and Liriel quickly sank two arrows into the man's body, whilst Xavier pulled back his massive bow and only fired one which caused the man to immediately lose his grip. That man's fall too was more controlled than expected. Seeing the falling men, Damian quickly sent Hurley and Zee after the first passenger, whilst Colgere and Thragnar raced after the falling driver. Liriel and Xavier were held back for a time, eager to see the response of the wyvern. However, free of it's riders, the thing began a path back towards the encampment so it was allowed to go.

Racing after the fallen and now limping driver, the trio of Colgere, Liriel and Thragnar had an easy time with their quarry. Colgere delivering a single blow to kill the man, upon which the three stripped the body of all it's possessions and did their best to conceal him in the tall grass of the plains to avoid immediate detection. Returning to the others, they found that Hurley and Zee where not so lucky, and although Zee had followed the man's tracks, they disappeared at a large rock and even Hurley's divine magic could not locate the missing man. Intrigued, Damian quickly ordered a search pattern and seemed eager to resume traveling when Zee found the man's tracks. Gibreel quickly enchanted the elven ranger, making him faster than normal and the elf cut through the tall grass, following the man's trail, the rest of the group fanning out into a wedge behind him. Zee followed the man for a time, before losing the track again, but a raven was spotted on a rock, chewing on a piece of bread which invited immediate interest as Hurley headed that direction to check it out. As the raven flew away, Zee trained an arrow upon it and missed, only to find the goblin magus reducing the bird into a sudden explosion of feathers by a spell. Even as this happened, Colgere came over to Damian, whispering to the mage and drawing his attention to a shape in the long grass. A shape normally unseen to the casual observer, but to magi familiar with the illusion, it was a small match.

Calling out the man's location, a hasty flight was given as the group started to entrap him, only to find the long grass suddenly growing a mind of it's own and twisting about their feet. Most easily slipped free of the grass and continued pursuit, amazed at the resilence of the downed rider as he managed a pace that only a few could match. However, it was a pace that could not be maintained and eventually he slowed, only to be cut down by Colgere once more. As the man's body lay bleeding upon the plains, he was quickly stripped of his belongings and hidden in the grass, before the Daggers of Edilar resumed their trek across the plains, taking more caution than before to insure the safety of their trip.

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 100 experience/hour/level

Treasure:
- Complete Gear of two Wyvern Riders

Casualties: Two Wyvern Riders and their Dignity, a single raven

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

Session 05: "How the Mighty Are Fallen"

Written By: Hurley
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-20-734 (Midnight)
RL Date: 03-19-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gallorn, Gibreel, Liriel, Xavier, Zee
NPC's Present: Colgere, Hurley, Thragnar

Location: Khardfee Plains

Short Version:
Surprised by a Sythian death squad, the group quickly flees the Khardfee Plains, losing one of their own in the process.

Long Version:
Tired from a long day of travel, the group settles into the magical cabin Damian created, finding the anticipation of the next day a bit much to handle. As the night progresses, they gradually drop off to sleep, except for the two member who are left awake to stay on watch. By this time of the evening, the watch has fallen to Thragnar and Gallorn, leaving Thragnar atop the cabin to look into the surrounding plains, clutching in his hand a piece of twine which is attached below to a red bit of cloth that is watched by Gallorn. As the evening progresses, Thragnar notices things become silent, whilst the twine suddenly seems caught. Trying to free it from the trap dooor, he finds the door won't open and something must be wrong, muttering under his breath, he realizes the words can't be heard and uses his warhammer rapidly on the trapdoor, trying to alert those below to no avail.

As the dwarven Battlelord struggles to come to terms with what's going on, a figure appears in front of him dressed in dark clothes and throwing darts faster than humanly possible. Shielding his face, the darts bounce off his armor and his skin aided by the goblin magus's magic. As the dwarf reacts, more figures appear and he makes a desperate move running off the edge of the cabin, eager to warn his companions. A literal hail of poisoned darts follow his descent and as he makes it to the bottom, more figures suddenly materialize. As the poison of the darts burns in his blood, weakening him greatly, he slams into the door, finding that it too is quiet as he does so and won't budge. He finds himself suddenly very alone and outside, a momentary battlecry on his lips as he turns with his warhammer, as he's cut down quickly by Sythian warriors, their blades cutting through the stone of the building itself as the dwarf falls.

Inside, it's Gallorn and Xavier both who notice the odd silence. Acting quickly, Gallorn runs around waking those around him, whilst Vinny hurls a bag of arrowheads at Zee to get the elf up. Struggling out of needed rest, the group works to put on their armor, on edge by the eerie silence and the lack of warning from the tough dwarven Battlelord. As the warriors awake, the slow process of donning their armor begins, whilst the mages are quicker to act. Silence being what it is, it doesn't stop Damian as he slips on a pair of goblin gloves, rapidly invoking their powers to make speech unneccessary for his own magic. Conjuring up a thick fog, he quickly surrounds the outside of the compound, even as Gibreel hurriedly writes upon the wall in a bit of chalk, leaving a symbol of magic and then a message. The message is brief, "I can get out everyone except one."

Damian reads the message from the room as he finishes getting the rest of his backpack upon his shoulders. Moving into the room, Liriel is being helped by Gallorn to don her armor, but reading the goblin's message, Damian has already made up his mind. Pausing for a moment, finding that he can't speak, though Liriel can, he moves to kiss her. The kiss is not romantic, so much as a goodbye, before the secretive mage makes his way to the goblin, taking off one of his gloves and pressing it into the goblin's hands and quickly showing him how to activate it. Grabbing the chalk, he writes briefly, "Do it, I'll stay." Slipping into the middle of the room, he sets about further spellcasting, preparing himself for the departure of the rest. As he concentrates, Liriel comes over after a few moments, quickly pressing the amulet into his hand and looking at him oddly. Damian only nods, then falls backwards and disappears through a hole in time and space.

The cabin is a mess of confusion as the bodies all quickly try to make sense of what to do. Looking to Gibreel for guidance, the goblin quickly organizes the rest, getting them prepared and then with an unspoken word of magic, aided by Damian's glove, the goblin and the group, except for Zee vanishes through another hole in time and space. As they vanish, the walls begin to give way to a new assault, a beam cutting through them as easily as a knife through butter. Ducking for his life, Zee can only shout in silence at the assault, before another word of magic from Gibreel far away, whisks him to safety.

As the aftermath of the spell's effects fade, the group finds itself in unfamiliar surroundings, though Xavier seems pleased enough. Setting the group at ease, Xavier quickly summons additional dwarven guards as the group is spread out in a defensible, but open room to be careful of the reach of the Sythians. Finding their number to be two less, Gibreel quickly explains what happened, before settling down to his books and the ones that Liriel carried, looking for new solutions to the task at hand.

Meanwhile, over the cabin Damian hangs in the half-light of one of the moons hundreds of feet in the air. Looking downwards, he can see the form of Thragnar laid out in front of the hut as the mists rise to conceal the hut. Adding a farewell to his friend, Damian begins to trek westward, eager to be away from here should the earlier visions of Wyverns flying at night prove to be true. Keeping to his course, he flies until the magic ends and then, walks as he must through the night and most of the early morning, wary of enemy patrols on the ground and in the air. The effects are tiring, adding to the lack of sleep from the night before. As he progresses, until midday, he's startled by the sounds of Gibreel's voice in the area, and looks somewhat surprised when the goblin turns out to actually be present, rather than just a figment of his imagination. Checking upon the others, Damian agrees to allow the goblin to take him to them. Gibreel insists that Damian leave behind the dagger that Gibreel gave to him in Heartville, hiding it amongst the tall grass of the plains, before the pair vanish once more, slipping through time and space.

Returning to the secretive Black Dagger compound, Damian returns the amulet to Liriel with only a brief explanation. Speaking with Gibreel, he asks the goblin to find out what happened to Thragnar's body, before setting about giving a brief tour of the BD complex and assigning individual rooms in the complex for the lot. As they are all preoccupied with their new surroundings, Damian slips off and through the hidden ways that mark the passage to his own rooms, retiring for some much needed rest after the events of the night before.

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 85 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Nothing

Casualties: Thragnar

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

Session 06: "Threading the Needle"

Written By: Nastero
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-20-734 (Late Evening) through 2-21-734 (Late Evening)
RL Date: 03-26-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gibreel, Hurley, Liriel, Thragnar, Vinny, Zee
NPC's Present: Amies, Colgere, Gallorn

Location:
BlackDagger Compound, then Khardfee Plains

Short Version:
Liriel has a visit from an unexpected visitor bringing warnings and gifts for the goblin magus, Gibreel. As the evening passed uneventfully, the next morning was full of activity as the group returned to the Khardfee Plains and setup their plans to assault the Sythian holdings later that night.

Long Version:
(2/20/734 ; Late Evening) Settling into the hidden compound created by Damian, the group finds it difficult to relax when things are still so confusing about the outcome of their intentions. As Liriel returns to her room, intent upon some rest before the morning activities announced by Damian, she's surprised as Amies steps out of the thin air to speak with her. Though the conversation is not long, Liriel does learn a little of what Amies has been up to for the last few weeks. She apparently left Magmaville in the company of Karec, Rhade and others. Though, she mentioned that Rhade had fought off a demon that had possessed her, whilst Karec was more doubtful in his ability to remove the demon's influence. Still, the visit was not a mere social one, and Liriel briefly told Amies of the group's plans related to the Sythian Encampment. Amies had her own thoughts on the matter, suggesting an artifact or some tool of the ancients was at work disguising their encampment, but the conversation quickly turned back to the Amulet of Ancients that Liriel guarded. As Amies inquired for the amulet, Liriel rebuked her desire once more, only to hear Amies stern warning of the potential for the amulet to take over either Damian or Gibreel. Listening to Amies words in the matter, Liriel can only pause as Amies quickly lays out her belief that the amulet will take them over and make them fearsome indeed, even to their friends. In such things, Amies can only state, "If the Amulet takes over one of them, I will kill them." Finding the conversation difficult, Amies makes sure that Liriel knows the words to evoke the amulet's power and quickly leaves three scrolls for Gibreel's eyes alone, a soft warning to avoid informing Damian about them. Still filled with questions, Liriel is disappointed when the girl suddenly vanishes, as quickly as she came.

Taking the scrolls to Gibreel, Liriel quickly tells the goblin of the strange meeting. Gibreel too is perplexed by the girl, but takes the scrolls without a problem for his own study. Speaking briefly, the two discuss Amies revelations as Gibreel mulls over the new information, curious as to how best to apply it to the situation. In time though, the meeting grows wearisome and the two part company, Liriel returning to the main room where Hurley is busy teaching Thragnar the finer points of Ellemessym. Still unsure of things and unable to speak to Damian as he's retired, she returns to her room, the visit having done little to comfort her for the night.

(2/21/734 ; Dawn) As morning comes to the compound, it's heralded only by dwarven voices echoing from the front chambers into the back. As the group gathers, it's obvious that Damian has something in mind this morning as he and Gibreel chat idly as the others gather. As final preparations are made, the group makes sure to travel light for the goblin's benefit, taking only their weapons and armor and a few days supplies at most. Settling into the positions decided by Gibreel, the magus quickly takes them all back to the Khardfee plains where the goblin's mark upon the dagger left by Damian serves as a point of reference for them to arrive. Settling into the location, Gibreel quickly shields the place in illusions, whilst Damian borrows the Amulet of Ancients to quickly cast a quintet of magical steeds. Finishing the experiment with the mounts and noting that Gibreel too is finished, the two mages find a spot of comfort in the grass and quietly go about catching some rest, whilst the others move about their own patterns, mounting a larger watch than normal and remaining wary through the morning.

Late in the day, the two magi awake from their slumber, intent upon their books once more as they sit and quickly memorize spells whilst the others look nervously around the plains. Finishing with their work, Damian quickly offers words of encouragement and direction as to what they will attempt to accomplish this night. As he speaks, he laces his words with careful thoughts, keeping the tone steady for those listening. The goal is not to kill, nor decimate the Sythian armies. The goal is simply to prevent them from having a nice winter here, destroying their food supplies, shelters, and whatever else presents itself as a target of opportunity. To this end, the plan rests upon the ability of nearly all involved to generate distractions, to set the camp into a blaze of chaos, before the flames begin to appear in the midst whilst they are unable to deal with them directly. Once this is accomplished, the group is to vanish as quickly as they came, upon magical steeds until they reach a point where Gibreel can send them back to safety. Secure in the plan, the group mounts up upon the steeds that were summoned a half-day prior and using the fading light, they head to the SE, away from the encampment and towards the sea, counting upon the ability of the mounts to ride across the water to take them into the compound by suprise in a few hours time.

Session length: 3.0 hours

XP: 80 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Nothing

Casualties: None

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

DOE Session 07: "Fire and Brimstone"


Written By: Hurley
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 02-21-734
RL Date: 04-08-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gibreel, Hurley, Liriel, Thragnar, Xavier, Zee
NPC's Present: Colgere, Gallorn

Location: Three Sails

Short Version:
The group began the assault on the Sythian encampment at Three Sails.

Long Version:
Armed with earthsblood and oil and munchkinbombs and various spells, the group set out to wreak havoc on the southern Sythian Winter Encampment. Streaking across the water on Amulet-enhanced phantom mounts, they drew near and pulled up to break off to their various tasks. Liriel handed the amulet to Damian, then the group split up. Damian took to the skies, Hurley and Gibreel took one of the mounts and headed for the docks of the city, and the remainder took the other four mounts and followed Xavier's lead around the edge of the city toward the hobgoblin camps outside of the city walls.

Damian began first, using a spell to open a huge gaping 10' deep holes in the side of one of the six ships in the harbor. As it tilted and began to sink, the alarm was raised there and Damian moved away toward the next ship.

In the meantime, Xavier lead the others toward the Hobgoblin encampments outside the city walls. Sweeping through the encampment at high speeds, leaving the blood of any that try to stop them their wake, they called attention to themselves as they headed toward the city walls. As they rode through, Colgere used a symbol on a shield to try to create confusion within the troops as the group passed through the hobgoblin camp.

As the two distractions were set, Hurley made his way quickly to the seven larger buildings reported by Jelani before he disappeared. Setting off alarm lights as he lands on the first, he quickly began setting up and scattering the earthsblood and earthsblood/oil mixtures on the roofs of the larger buildings. A blue-sashed male mage and a number of other males in white sashes ran out, searching for what set off the lights. The blue-sashed mage quickly began directing the others and they began casting spells, clouds of pixie-like lights heading for the harbor and a smaller number searching the area near the buildings. Hurley continued setting the accelerants, trying to avoid the pixie-lights.

During all, Gibreel hovered over the city, invisibly, keeping an eye on the various operations and supplying small distractions where he could. He noted a yellow-sashed woman rising from the first sinking ship, and set about distracting her with an illusion of a wanted mage.

Liriel, Zee, and Xavier doused the wooden walls of the city with earthsblood/oil mixtures and set the three munchkinbombs at varying points as those on the walls try fruitlessly to stop them. Liriel doused the main gate with pure earthsblood. As the group veered away, Gallorn called his magics and three streaks of flame spilled from his hand, making their way to the three bombs and setting them off. Large explosions follow as the bombs explode and the fire quickly spreads along the wooden walls.

Liriel, Zee, Xavier, Gallorn, Colgere and Thragnar continued on, riding the mounts back through the camp and hurrying over the water then due west, easily outpacing the wyverns trying to catch them. As the other distractions unfolded, Hurley finished setting all the accelerants and, rushed by a small spark that lands on him and flares, quickly began lighting the explosives and accelerants as they began directing more of the small sparks at his locations. Finishing up, he quickly sets the final munchkinbomb in his possession, dropping it into the mages below before flies back toward the docks to make his own retreat.

Damian finished opening a hole in his third ship, noting with some surprise that rather than beginning to sink, it actually began to rise. Watching, he surmised that he'd found one of their flying ships. Ready to make his own retreat, he backs away and fastens the amulet to his shirt, noting a blonde woman in a gold sash on the deck of the third ship, apparently watching him.

((To be continued....))

Session length: 4 hours

XP: 100 experience/hour/level

Treasure: none

Casualties: hobbies and mages and sailors, oh my!

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

Session 08: "Ending the Run"

Written By: Hurley
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-21-734 (Late Evening) through 2-22-734 (Hours Before Dawn)
RL Date: 04-13-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gibreel, Hurley, Liriel, Thragnar, Vinny, Zee
NPC's Present: Colgere, Gallorn

Location:
Three Sails, then Khardfee Plains

Short Version:
Jelani drowns in a sinking ship, the rest of the group completes their mission in Three Sails and leaves the area.

Long Version:
Unbeknownst to the group, Jelani is still alive and well upon a Sythian ship in the harbor. However, as the group commences their attacks, Damian sinks the ship that Jelani is upon. Confronted with the lurching ship, Jelani struggles to escape the cell, fighting furiously at first, before offering prayers and thoughts to Telk, before finally resigning himself to his fate as his head slips beneath the water. There's a slight pause, as held breath grants a few more precious moments of life, then it too is spent and in a frantic bit of resignation, Jelani exhales and swallows the water, his mind quickly blacking out as it's deprived of air.

Meanwhile, Damian is busy making his escape from the Sythian encampment, moving quickly over the waters back towards the mainland in an attempt to meet up with the others. Using his mental link to keep up with the situation, he's soon discovered by a wyvern and it's rider who come charging in to capture him. Summoning five more images of himself, he awaits the onslaught, only to be slightly amused as the wyvern misjudges the distance and slams into the water. Lingering a moment, Damian soon notes other wyverns a distance away with his enhanced sight and mentally calls to Vinny for a pickup, effectively holding off the attacking group and making his way to the warrior so that they might flee, behind the main body of the group.

Left to their own devices, the main group continues along with the rough plan, taking their mounts rapidly away into the west after leaving the encampment to the SE along the water in an effort to make their trail harder to follow. Hurley, finding himself stuck within the city, works quickly in finishing his task, but when he spots a group of Sythian mages working on the problems he's generated, he can't help but smile and send the last of the bombs gifted to him by Colgere into their midst. As the screams and flying bodies are enough to satisfy him, he beats a hasty retreat to the west aided by Gibreel's flight spell to take him away from the compound. Gibreel, finding himself the last to act, quickly sets off his bombs sending them down below and summoning a few 'clockwork' creatures to spread more confusion amongst those fighting the fires below. Finished with the task, Gibreel winks out from the skies above Three Sails, only to journey to the IMG compound in Coopersvilleforge, intent upon summoning the Imperial Mages to see if a second assault can be hastily prepared.

Session length: 3.0 hours

XP: 85 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Nothing

Casualties: Jelani, Unknown Number of Sythians

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

Session 09: "Elsewhere"

Written By: Hurley
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-22-734 (Hours Before Dawn)
RL Date: 04-20-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gibreel, Hurley, Jelani, Liriel, Thragnar, Vinny, Zee
NPC's Present: None

Location:
Imperial Mage's Headquarters, Coopersvilleforge ; then ; ????????

Short Version:
Gibreel meets with Aremius Collerain trying to arrange a second offensive this evening, whilst Jelani meets an acquaintance who offers him back his life for a price.

Long Version:
Gibreel settles into IMG Headquarters, using the ring given to him by Torin to silence those who might question his authority. Gathering scrolls and volunteers for the task of a second assault, he goes with Aremius into the scrying chambers to further illustrate the compound beyond what he can do upon paper. Scrying the region, it comes up with a barren hillside, with an odd plume of smoke and unexplained fire coming from the middle, but no signs of habitation. With Aremius looking on, Gibreel politely asks for a bit of help, only to get into another pointless argument between himself and the older magus. Baited by Aremius and growing tired of the man's pushing, Gibreel decides to take matters into his own hands, or ring in this instance.

Scowling at Aremius's difficulty, Gibreel returns to the gathering mages of the IMG and issues them a simple command. "Heartville has lost its College, and Magmaville is in ruins its most powerful and oldest mage by mosts guesses is dead. We are the last hold of magic in the Confederation if the rumors from Khardfee are true, and those who watch have been blinded. It is no longer a question we are at war. With Torin's authority I am opening the most restricted area of our library to the High Mages. Our Library will be divided up also among those mages who are to go into hiding in the general populace here in Coops if they cannot travel with magic--those who can travel the winds may hide in places of their choosing. Each Mage of High ranking will choose apprentices to take with them along with these spells, and items from the vault as we are to weak when compaired with our enemy and standing here together we will simply fall in one strike."

Shocked by the proclamation, there is a general uproar from the mages, though Aremius himself seems somewhat stunned by things but uses the uproar to slip away whilst Gibreel works the crowd. Dealing with the mages, he quickly tries to explain his viewpoint, pushing the need to preserve what's left but as the hecklers continue, Gibreel eventually punches a magus, sending the man flat onto the floor, clutching a broken nose at the goblin's surprising strength. Finishing with these, Gibreel heads off to find Aremius, scouring the halls and catching apprentices running about madly to ask them questions. It's only with the call of trumpets announcing Torin Brand's arrival that the goblin determines where Aremius might be. Heading in that direction, sprawling at the confusion, there's a small measure of a power struggle between the goblin and Aremius, before Torin orders it to private quarters to be handled away from the watching eyes and listening ears of the rest of the IMG.

Jelani finds himself in shadow, speaking to one who can best only be described as a darker shadow amongst them. Addressing the man as "Baron," Jelani speaks briefly with the man, but it's obvious that Jelani is not the one in charge. The Baron only answers what he likes and it's obvious that he desires something from Jelani, even more than Jelani's desires his own life returned. A bargain is struck, the terms of which echo only in the memory of those present and Jelani once more finds himself returned to life upon the midnight shores near Three Sails. Looking down, Jelani is shocked to discover his garb, and even his body has been changed to that of a female Sythian mage. Dealing with this new discovery and the shock of the change, Jelani can only whisper for the Baron to see if the figure is still around, whilst plotting what to do in the shadow of Three Sails.

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 100 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Jelani's Life

Casualties: IMG Mage's Nose, Jelani's Humanity??

[Endel]

Chapter One: The Righteous

Session 10: "Waiting for Gibreel"

Written By: Hurley
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-22-734 (Before Dawn for Gibreel) ; 2-22-734 (Dawn to Evening for Group)
RL Date: 04-28-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gibreel, Hurley, Jelani, Liriel, Thragnar, Vinny, Zee
NPC's Present: Gallorn

Location:
Khardfee Plains, 65 miles west of Three Sails

Short Version:
Gibreel speaks with Aremius & Torin Brand at IMG Headquarters, while the group travels further west on the Khardfee plains, trying to elude the Sythians only to find that the Sythians have found them, once again.

Long Version:
Finding his actions of the last half bell being challenged, Gibreel steps into Aremius's private office with Torin Brand, fully expecting the worst. As he quickly outlines what he's doing and why, he finds that Torin is already aware of Aremius's opinion on the matter, something to which he can only expect opposition. Still, however, it seems that Torin was not summoned by Aremius and that in some aspects, Aremius's plans are more than Gibreel expected. Forced to rescind his orders, Torin orders that all the high mages begin carrying battle magics and that plans are put into place in the next few days to insure the survival of the IMG at all costs in order to wage this war against the Sythians. As the meeting winds down, it's obvious that Torin is tired from being awoken and orders Gibreel to make a full report on the incident at Three Sails, complete with strategic maps, before the Emperor retires once more to his quarters for some rest. Gibreel doing likewise, leaving Aremius alone with his thoughts in his office.

Sleeping until Midday, the group recovers from the long night and sets off across the plains once more. They take fewer precautions than they had previously traveling the plains, trusting that the distance from the Sythian Encampment and the odd route to get here across the water helped to conceal their trail. Still, wary of what might happen, the group travels in tight formation, leaving Zee to cover and conceal their tracks as best they can as the move off to the northwest, eager to be closer to the pass that leads them into Khardfee proper, just in case Gibreel doesn't return. Colgere, abandoning his self-appointed task as Guardian of the group, determines that his usefulness with the others has come to an end. Invoking a spell, he travels back to the safety of his private compound, leaving the others upon the Khardfee plains.

The day's trek is easy, the only sightings of wildlife are hawks and quail, both viewed in a suspicious light for the time being, but unwilling to kill every aspect of nature they come across, the group ignores them for the most part to continue their trek. As night falls, the group selects a defensible location to make camp, using Zee's skills to build a shelter for those who would sleep and increasing the numbers of the watch. Setting up so that three men watch for over half the night, the group settles in for the night, wondering if they are truly safe.

The answer to that question, comes soon enough as the latter half of the first watch finds trouble coming to them all too soon. Thankfully, those on shift are the hardened warrior Vinny, and the Battlelord Thragnar, so they respond quickly and aptly, alerting the others who had slept in their armor just in case. As the foes fell upon them, Vinny cleaved a pair of dogs in two, before rushing back to join the others in the battle. Thragnar found himself squared off against a mountain of a man, brandishing a wicked axe. As they traded blows, Thragnar discovered his own was ineffective, whilst the man's was powerful, but didn't harm the dwarf thanks to Gibreel's protective magics. Spotting a second figure behind the first and knowing reinforcements would be here shortly, Thragnar made a careful decision to fall with the man's blow, landing upon the ground and faking his own death. As the man stepped over to continue towards the shelter, Thragnar smiled from the ground and turned his attention to the second figure hidden behind the first.

At the shelter, Damian, Gallorn, Liriel, and Zee awoke with a start. Quickly reacting, the warriors rushed towards the entrance, whilst Damian threw a magic upon the back of the fleeing swordswoman. Almost instantly, Liriel and all her possessions seemed to grow, transforming the already powerful warrior into something just shy of a giantess as she charged out of the hut. Still, moments after leaving the hut, the sounds outside where shattered by a thunderous sound and a flash of light, directed upon the hut. Liriel and Zee managed to duck out of the way, taking only a portion of the lightning's blast, but Gallorn was caught totally by surprise and quickly succumbed. Damian, for some odd reason was untouched, and still sitting upon the ground, he waited listening to the darkness, searching out his own target in this fight by the spidery words of magic that are sure to follow. Meanwhile, brushing themselves off, Liriel and Zee rush the large man that downed Thragnar, slamming into the man they quickly find he's shielded in much the same way they are, but for the moment at least, he's outnumbered...

((...To Be Continued...))

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 90 experience/hour/level

Treasure: None

Casualties: Gallorn, 2 Dogs

[Cleobourne]

Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 8:04 pm    Post subject: DoE Session 12: "Oddities in Hendville"  

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DoE Session 12: "Oddities in Hendville"

Written By: Nyrhtlyk the Dark
DM: Cleobourne
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 3-10-734
RL Date: 07-19-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Liriel, Vinny
NPC's Present: Hurley, Thragnar

Location:
Hendville, Alderd

Short Version:
Arriving in Hendville, the group investigates something strange about a house.

Long Version:
Arriving on 3/10/734 in Hendville, the DoE spread out to familiarize themselves with their surroundings, unaware of their location. Left to their own devices and minimal information from Damian, they can only watch as he heads off to the Temple of Kaldinsky on his own.

Searching the town proves to be rather pointless for most, but Hurley & Thragnar come across something odd in an alley. Unsure of exactly what they are looking for, Thragnar moves to stand guard, whilst Hurley runs off to find the others. Being only partially successful, Hurley finds Liriel at the temple steps, and later Vinny within a nearby tavern. Unable to locate Damian, the four remaining members of the Daggers of Edilar make their way to the location that Thragnar pointed out to find the dwarf waiting for them.

Curious and unsure of their final goals without Damian, the group moves to investigate the house, which proves to be a true oddity as Liriel is struck by the sadness of the place, whilst the male members of the group sense nothing strange at the location. Searching through the room, they quickly move into a nearby kitchen, where Liriel finds a secret door in the pantry. With only a narrow opening, Hurley is sent to investigate that, whilst Thragnar and Vinny knock down a door leading into another room.

The contents of that other room prove to be a rather large dog, with a pink bow and pink toenails which watches the group carefully. Unsure of how to deal with the dog that won't cause Liriel more issues, the group instead turns it's attention back to Hurley's discover in the pantry of a ladder leading up to another level.

(To Be Continued...)

Session length: 4.0 hours

XP: 65 experience/hour/level

Treasure: None

Casualties: None

[Nyrhtlyk the Dark]

Since the last Trip Ticket was posted out of order, let me quickly recap recent TT's for everyone who endeavors to look at this thread. After posting the remaining ones that were skipped, we'll resume normal posting starting with TT #13.

DoE IC Events Order:
DoE Session 1: "Aftermath of Treachery!"
DoE Session 2: "Let's Get This War Started!"
DoE Session 2a: "DoE Training"
DoE Session 3: "The Scout Who Knew Too Much"
DoE Session 4: "Travel Under Fire"
DoE Session 5: "How the Mighty are Fallen"
DoE Session 6: "Threading the Needle"
DoE Session 7: "Fire & Brimstone"
DoE Session 8: "Ending the Run"
DoE Session 9: "Elsewhere"
DoE Session 10: "Waiting for Gibreel"
DoE Session 11: "The Battle Continues"
DoE SideSession: "Nyr & Kaldinsky"
DoE SideSession: "Thragnar's Report"
DoE SideSession: "Vinny's Trials"
DoE Session 12: "Oddities in Hendville"
DoE Session 13: "Bad Man or Good Man?"

[Nyrhtlyk the Dark]

DoE Session 11: "The Battle Continues"

Written By: Nyrhtlyk the Dark
DM: Endel
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 2-22-734 (Evening) to 2-23-734 (Midmorning)
RL Date: 05-04-2004
PC's Present: Damian, Gallorn, Jelani, Liriel, Thragnar, Vinny, Zee
NPC's Present:

Location:
Khardfee Plains, 65 miles west of Three Sails

Short Version:
Ambushed upon the Khardfee Plains by a Sythian death squad, the group battles to stay alive.

Long Version:
The battle continues unabated as the Daggers fight for their very lives against better equipped and prepared opponents. For each skillful strike, it seems the Sythians have magics to counter and the magics of Gibreel upon our heroes steadily begin to falter under the onslaught. Damian does his best to shield them from magics, dispatching one fireball long before it could explode upon them, before he himself is beset by opponents and forced to fend for himself.

Still, the situation looks good for Liriel, Vinny and Zee who have converged upon an axe-wielding warrior. At least for a moment anyway, Liriel in her huge size strangely begins to feel a sensation in her arms and legs and is soon paralyzed completely, utterly at the mercy of the axe swinging warrior who concentrates upon her form, but can’t dispatch her due to Gibreel’s magics. Zee meanwhile, ignores the larger opponent, finding his partner alone a short distance away and races to help Thragnar battling a smaller opponent. By this time, Thragnar has held his opponent and Zee knocks the man to the ground, pulling an arrow from his quiver and shoving it down the man’s throat since he’s already well versed in the protections upon the Sythians. As the arrow slides into the man’s throat, choking him, oddly enough the body begins to fade away. Immediately, Zee turns to scout the area looking for hostile casters, whilst Thragnar turns his attention back to the big warrior facing Liriel and Xavier.

Muttering his thanks to Sembral for his gifts and requesting another, Thragnar hurls a dispelling sphere around Liriel’s position, allowing her to move once more, but affecting untold magics in the area upon Liriel, Vinny, and the axe-wielding Sythian. Meanwhile, a short distance away, Damian continues to battle for his life, having been thrown to the ground and fighting with the Sythian who clambered atop him in heavy armor and continued to pound away. Fireballs erupt around the pair, staggering the man, but seemingly unable to touch the magus and soon, the assailant is forced to flee, his position taken by another Sythian who seems to appear out of the very night itself.

Staggered by this new opponent, Damian takes a risky gambit and with a single word of magic, launching himself and his new opponent into the air. Tumbling down, Damian’s fall is halted by the magic of a Sythian ring, but it seems his opponent shares a similar ring and the battle continues in the air, unabated.

Meanwhile, the combination of Liriel, Thragnar, and Vinny overwhelm the axe-wielding opponent, shattering his magical defenses and then ending the man’s life in short order. As the man falls, he fades away, only to be replaced by an invisible warrior, whose attacks were barely halted by the keen senses of Vinny. Struggling against their invisible foe, it’s only by a stroke of luck that they disarm him and he quickly flees the battle.

Zee meanwhile, finds several Sythians upon the outskirts of the battle, and selecting a likely female, launches his attack. Finding her too, to be shielded from physical strikes, he makes a risky gambit and uses his own weapon to disarm her. Afterwards, she quickly flees the battle, fading away like the others.

Damian proves to be the last, struggling with an opponent who, like the rest of the combatants, seems to possess incredible speed and simultaneously chokes the mage, whilst punching him in the back. Still, as Gibreel’s magic wears thin, Damian has a moment to act and acts quickly, focusing the powers of the amulet into a single, concentrated spell of ease and directing it directly at the arm around his neck. As the spell explodes, to even greater potential than Damian had imagined, the Sythian’s arm cut from his body by the magical force and he along with the rest of the Sythians flee into the night, to regroup and plot their next attack.

Session length: 3.5 hours

XP: 100 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Sythian Long sword, Sythian Mace, Sythian Arm sans Owner

Casualties: 2 Sythians

[Nyrhtlyk the Dark]

SideSession: "Kaldinsky & Me are Like This!  or Nyr & Kaldinsky"

Written By: Nyrhtlyk the Dark
DM: Dalan
Group: Daggers of Edilar
IC Date: 3-1-734
RL Date: 07-08-2004
PC's Present: Damian
NPC's Present:

Location:
Keytown, Temple of Kaldinsky

Short Version:
Damian manages to gain access to Grand Dean Venisia in the Temple of Kaldinsky in Keytown.

Long Version:
Waiting in the front foyer, the Acolyte was surprisingly helpful in leading Damian on towards the Grand Dean, though Damian found it to be a little too helpful. Instead of going directly to the Grand Dean, instead, Damian is directed to one of Kaldinsky's Deans, who demand to know his business as required with the Grand Dean.

More interested in the Grand Dean than this peon, Damian reveals the Diary of the Archmage Cazoras to the man, a book which soon whets the man's appetite for knowledge. Keeping his business mostly to himself, Damian is soon directed to the private foyer in front of Grand Dean Venisia's private rooms. It's there that the Grand Dean finally bumps into Damian and as they are left alone, he begins to discuss his reasons for coming.

Speaking quickly of his interest in The Book and it's reading. He offers his services and those of his companions in guarding the book whilst it's being read. However, as a matter of latter discussion, he offers up the knowledge contained in Cazoras's diary in exchange for information about the elven brooch worn by Liriel.

Listening to the discussion, the Grand Dean is curious about his words and inquires if it would be alright to use the Blessings of Kaldinsky to ascertain the truth of his interest and involvement. Quickly casting a pair of spells, the woman sets to discovering Damian's true intentions through the use of a truth spell. Having little to hide and having no desire for the dangerous book, other than to hear it being read. Damian quickly passes the woman's tests. However, he's made to wait for a time as the Grand Dean slips back into her quarters to consult with Kaldinsky himself concerning Damian's attendance and she returns within a half-bell to inform Damian of the location of the reading, with assurances that the Kaldinites there will be expecting him.

Thanking the Grand Dean for her assistance, Damian promises to return within a half-bell with the brooch for her examination and sets off into Keytown to locate Liriel.

Session length: 3.0 hours

XP: 85 experience/hour/level

Treasure: Location of reading of "The Book" ; Information about the Elven Brooch

Casualties: None