An excerpt from Zoxcri's notes, from his personal journal in Wraithstone.
I met a particular group the other day, seeking a relic of the past. The far past, in fact, not merely something only a few of their generations ago either. They are seeking the genesis gauntlet, from legends of the world's creation. But at least they know where to look for their clues.
They were specifically looking for Vireem, one of the great changers of the city, the man who made it what it was today. He built the incarcery, and it's predecessors, he locked away the worst criminals, built laws, and changed the city for the better by far. It is a pity I never met him in person, we would have much to discuss I would think.
But, this group of humans I met, I regret what happened to them after they arrived here, with their good intentions. Even the cleric, whose hatred of our kind is obvious put aside his differences with only the intent to be well behaved, and they were attacked, and betrayed, and embroiled in secrecy. Those necromancers give wizards a bad name, alive or undead, with what they have done.
I am glad they survived...
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Session 21
Our adventurers begun the adventurers journeying into the Fernmire Swamp. Dragging their boats behind them they headed to the first location on the map given to them by their employer. As they drew closer they came across many light blue mushrooms with white rings decorating the cap as well as dead lizardfolk. Some of the lizardfolk were killed by puncture wounds from a spear and other had their insides burst open. In the distance a pyramid covered in the mushrooms could be seen. As the party approached the pyramid a figure in full plate wield a stone spear. He looked to have a strange look in his eyes and his skin was tinged with a hint of blue. He immediately attacked the party who made short work of him. Upon reaching the apex of the pyramid the party found a statue of a lizardfolk wearing robes holding a sphere in each hand. The sphere glowed slightly of quintessence.
The party collected the valuables of the area and continued on dragging their boats along with them. As they made their way towards the second point of interest on the map they found themselves upon a series of ponds and a human skeleton with his arm draped around the chest and a hand crossbow held in one hand. The Zanben disarmed the skeleton of his crossbow and Saloch checked the chest only to find it empty. Suddenly an arrow fires from the tall grass in the area striking Zanben. This led to a long fight of the players chasing down a lizardfolk ranger who used the terrain to his advantage. Specifically using underground tunnels to swim from pond to pond when ever the party would get too close to the lizardfolk. Not only that but many spiked pit traps littered the area. Eventually Saloch transformed into a octopus, dove into the water and chased the lizardfolk down and throttled him underwater. After the fight was over the party found where the lizardfolk hid the treasure (underwater) and recovered it all for a large reward.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Genesis Gauntlet Session 2 Recap
Eventually, the kobold returns to the stage, and places his almost comically large instrument on his lap once more. He looks about, and the crowd has grown - there was always draw for stories of the Genesis Gauntlet in this town, it was the whole town's purpose to serve them.
"So, these adventurers had defeated the bears, those who had moved into the lair of what was undoubtedly Vireem. Yes, what was once Vireem's very home. But they reached a dead end, There were no other routes for them to explore, it seemed lost." The music slows to build dramatic tension, "Fortunately, the wise and brave Horace of Pelor made a key observation - there was a secret door near the entrance, and symmetry was sought after in constructions. It only took him a moment to do what none before him had done - locate a hidden passage deeper into Vireem's lair." Another dramatic pause. Billing this story as true, the other travellers in the tavern quickly began speaking excitedly to one another - someone had found a clue!
But Valaquiqui continued to talk, "inside, they found the remains of Vireem's loyal servants, some few undead minions still remaining after all these years. They rise to defend the lair from these intruders. They do not last, though, they were old and faded. The warriors Chint and Chint struck them down as Horace repelled them with the might of his god. Righteous work, of course. They found this area was flooded, and moving forward the rest of the structure was further and further underwater. It would seem, they soon found out, that a river had eaten away at the far corner's foundation, and creatures of the sea had moved into Vireem's library. Chint found himself at the mercy of a giant octopus, only saved by the intervention of the others. But there was nothing there, and they scowled. There was only one door left unopened, and without knowing what untold horrors were within, the group decided to reprepare. They were bloodied from the claws of many rats, the teeth of feirce bears, the tentacles of sea monsters, and even the claws of death itself come for them. They returned to town, seeking refuge for the night, to rest and recover."
He played a quick interlude, interrupting it even as he does. "Now, there is something you should know. There was a man who visited this town, a merchant Lauciman. He was rude, but rich, and had demanded a place on the merchant's council that had run the town for some time. Of course, Ivelillo, the owner of this very fine establishment, is strong of morals, and refused to let the corrupt man into power, lest he run the city into the ground. It was wise of him. When the adventurers, Marresisio, Horace, Chint and Chint returned to town, hoping to trade in what they had uncovered inside Vireem's lair they ran afoul of the foul Lauciman's plot to dethrone Ivelillo."
The music returned to it's normal pace, and the kobold continued, "The heroes had found many things locked within the tomb, gems, gold, lost armor from long dead soldiers. They bartered for them inside town, with the many merchants who would not know for some time what they had bought. They crossed paths with Lauciman, and he attempted to hire them for what he claimed was 'justice'. He had apparently been stolen from lately, casks of fine wine waylaid - a crime especially henious in this town."
"They were sent to locate the missing wine, and the only lead they knew of was our noble Ivelillo, owner of this selfsame establishment. They were agressive, as seekers of justice are right to be, and confronted Ivelillo about the wine. He stated firmly that he was in the right, and wouldn't trust a word Lauciman said. The group returned to the elf - that's Lauciman, by the way - and asked him for proof, which he presented to them. Receipts for purchasing the wine. Not being merchants, the group couldn't tell quite what was wrong with them, though they smelled a rat, and Lauciman knew it. He played them again, telling them to seek out Ivelillo's receipts, if they thought his were forged, and the group did - though they regret it, I am sure. They confronted Ivelillo again, and discovered that his papers were clearly forged - a surprise to everyone involved. Without saying another word, the group went to the law, in this town that means constable Thorgunna, though with the little evidence they had, they were unsure whom they were looking at as the theif. They returned to look for Lauciman, only to find that he had fled the city, an act of a guilty consience no doubt. The group chased after him only to find he had escaped, though he lost everything he had worked so hard to obtain, including Ivelillo's legitimate receipt, prooving Lauciman's guilt. In justice, his things were divided amongst the honest merchants of the town, as well as the heroes. And this was only while they were looking for a bed for the night! Imagine what they can accomplish when they put their minds to it!"
He chuckles, and continues, "But eventully the heroes did lay down and rest, recovering their stamina and putting salve on their wounds. Before long, they were prepared to head out again, and they reuturned to Vireem's lair. They pushed open the last door, and found Vireem's labratory - a tremendous victory for them and all who would come after. But before they could so much as glance at it, what had appeared to be the swollen corpse of a sea monster laying on the wet floor rose to attack them, animated by the lingering magics guarding Vireem's tomb. Or perhaps by the powers the heroes were soon to uncover. Great tentacles rose, each as long as a man is tall, and thick as a blacksmith's arms. The tentacles driped with the smell of death and rot, but the heroes were valliant, and they fought the inhuman beast." Now, the music picks up pace, and Valaquiqi continues, "Back and forth they fought, the brothers chint protecting Horace and Marresisio, each of them absorbing blows enough to kill a half-dozen lesser men, and still they fought. The beast was impossible, it's rubbery flesh immune to all but the most feirce of blows, and it fell to a battle of endurance. Horace and Marresisio collapsed from exhausion during the fight, and the brothers chint staggered, barely alive. The beast had them on the ropes. But ultimately, the heroes prevailed. Just as the borthers were ready to succumb to the cold fingers of death, they succeeded. The magic faltered, and the beast sloughed to the floor once more. Beaten near to death, by the mere lingering magic of Vireem, the heroes had prevailed and survived."
A final chord plays, and a collective sigh of releif comes from the audience - though still there is excited chatter about what this story means for them. Valaquiqui says in closing, without the aid of an instrument, "Zook, visionary of the future has told me these four are destined for great things, and that they uncovered there in Vieem's long-lost lair another clue to the greatest of treasures, the Genesis Gauntlet. But, for Weal or Woe, they are on their way to parts unknown. Have any of you the courage to uncover what they unlocked?"
"So, these adventurers had defeated the bears, those who had moved into the lair of what was undoubtedly Vireem. Yes, what was once Vireem's very home. But they reached a dead end, There were no other routes for them to explore, it seemed lost." The music slows to build dramatic tension, "Fortunately, the wise and brave Horace of Pelor made a key observation - there was a secret door near the entrance, and symmetry was sought after in constructions. It only took him a moment to do what none before him had done - locate a hidden passage deeper into Vireem's lair." Another dramatic pause. Billing this story as true, the other travellers in the tavern quickly began speaking excitedly to one another - someone had found a clue!
But Valaquiqui continued to talk, "inside, they found the remains of Vireem's loyal servants, some few undead minions still remaining after all these years. They rise to defend the lair from these intruders. They do not last, though, they were old and faded. The warriors Chint and Chint struck them down as Horace repelled them with the might of his god. Righteous work, of course. They found this area was flooded, and moving forward the rest of the structure was further and further underwater. It would seem, they soon found out, that a river had eaten away at the far corner's foundation, and creatures of the sea had moved into Vireem's library. Chint found himself at the mercy of a giant octopus, only saved by the intervention of the others. But there was nothing there, and they scowled. There was only one door left unopened, and without knowing what untold horrors were within, the group decided to reprepare. They were bloodied from the claws of many rats, the teeth of feirce bears, the tentacles of sea monsters, and even the claws of death itself come for them. They returned to town, seeking refuge for the night, to rest and recover."
He played a quick interlude, interrupting it even as he does. "Now, there is something you should know. There was a man who visited this town, a merchant Lauciman. He was rude, but rich, and had demanded a place on the merchant's council that had run the town for some time. Of course, Ivelillo, the owner of this very fine establishment, is strong of morals, and refused to let the corrupt man into power, lest he run the city into the ground. It was wise of him. When the adventurers, Marresisio, Horace, Chint and Chint returned to town, hoping to trade in what they had uncovered inside Vireem's lair they ran afoul of the foul Lauciman's plot to dethrone Ivelillo."
The music returned to it's normal pace, and the kobold continued, "The heroes had found many things locked within the tomb, gems, gold, lost armor from long dead soldiers. They bartered for them inside town, with the many merchants who would not know for some time what they had bought. They crossed paths with Lauciman, and he attempted to hire them for what he claimed was 'justice'. He had apparently been stolen from lately, casks of fine wine waylaid - a crime especially henious in this town."
"They were sent to locate the missing wine, and the only lead they knew of was our noble Ivelillo, owner of this selfsame establishment. They were agressive, as seekers of justice are right to be, and confronted Ivelillo about the wine. He stated firmly that he was in the right, and wouldn't trust a word Lauciman said. The group returned to the elf - that's Lauciman, by the way - and asked him for proof, which he presented to them. Receipts for purchasing the wine. Not being merchants, the group couldn't tell quite what was wrong with them, though they smelled a rat, and Lauciman knew it. He played them again, telling them to seek out Ivelillo's receipts, if they thought his were forged, and the group did - though they regret it, I am sure. They confronted Ivelillo again, and discovered that his papers were clearly forged - a surprise to everyone involved. Without saying another word, the group went to the law, in this town that means constable Thorgunna, though with the little evidence they had, they were unsure whom they were looking at as the theif. They returned to look for Lauciman, only to find that he had fled the city, an act of a guilty consience no doubt. The group chased after him only to find he had escaped, though he lost everything he had worked so hard to obtain, including Ivelillo's legitimate receipt, prooving Lauciman's guilt. In justice, his things were divided amongst the honest merchants of the town, as well as the heroes. And this was only while they were looking for a bed for the night! Imagine what they can accomplish when they put their minds to it!"
He chuckles, and continues, "But eventully the heroes did lay down and rest, recovering their stamina and putting salve on their wounds. Before long, they were prepared to head out again, and they reuturned to Vireem's lair. They pushed open the last door, and found Vireem's labratory - a tremendous victory for them and all who would come after. But before they could so much as glance at it, what had appeared to be the swollen corpse of a sea monster laying on the wet floor rose to attack them, animated by the lingering magics guarding Vireem's tomb. Or perhaps by the powers the heroes were soon to uncover. Great tentacles rose, each as long as a man is tall, and thick as a blacksmith's arms. The tentacles driped with the smell of death and rot, but the heroes were valliant, and they fought the inhuman beast." Now, the music picks up pace, and Valaquiqi continues, "Back and forth they fought, the brothers chint protecting Horace and Marresisio, each of them absorbing blows enough to kill a half-dozen lesser men, and still they fought. The beast was impossible, it's rubbery flesh immune to all but the most feirce of blows, and it fell to a battle of endurance. Horace and Marresisio collapsed from exhausion during the fight, and the brothers chint staggered, barely alive. The beast had them on the ropes. But ultimately, the heroes prevailed. Just as the borthers were ready to succumb to the cold fingers of death, they succeeded. The magic faltered, and the beast sloughed to the floor once more. Beaten near to death, by the mere lingering magic of Vireem, the heroes had prevailed and survived."
A final chord plays, and a collective sigh of releif comes from the audience - though still there is excited chatter about what this story means for them. Valaquiqui says in closing, without the aid of an instrument, "Zook, visionary of the future has told me these four are destined for great things, and that they uncovered there in Vieem's long-lost lair another clue to the greatest of treasures, the Genesis Gauntlet. But, for Weal or Woe, they are on their way to parts unknown. Have any of you the courage to uncover what they unlocked?"
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Genesis Gauntlet Session 1 Recap
Sitting around a table at a tavern, you see a small kobold take the stage. He was a curious sight, for barely topping two feet tall, the mandolin he carried with him extended past him in both directions, though it didn't seem to bother him.
"Ah, I see a good crowd tonight. Perhaps you would like to hear something new, a tale still yet unfolding." He begins to pluck the strings, and though his fingers and arms were stretched as far as they would go, the sound was sweet and clear, a subtle undertone to the story he was about to tell.
"I am Valaquiqui, and this tale happened a few weeks past, more advenurers seeking the gauntlet of genesis - though one that ended differently than any so far. You see, this group of travellers did not arrive together seeking the gauntlet, they arrived seperately. An ancient wizard by Marresisio, a devout cleric named Horace, and a pair of curious twins, each as large as a mountain and both named Chint. Odd fellows. They came to yours truly asking for information on the gauntlet, seeking it out after meeting in a drunken party the night before. They asked the right questions, and promptly left the town, seeking the treasure of a lifetime."
The kobold pauses a moment, and plays a more complicated peice on the mandolin, an interlude of sorts. "I understand they found a map on the oblisk, a map leading to a secret place underneath the city. They followed he map, and under the city, they found this building that they suspected to belong to Vireem, buried under centuries of silt from the seasonal flooding. I would have never have guessed the forces of time and nature to be so secretive. Inside, they immediately encountered a thick swarm of rats, using an ancient storage closet as their nest, though they simply stuck their torches to the ground and scared them away. Clever, if I must say. They continued to move through the corridor, only to find that the dungeon had become the recent den of a pair of bear cubs. Deciding they were too close to the town to be safe, they promptly struck them down, only to do so within the very line of sight of their mother bear! One of the Chint brothers was knocked to the ground at the bear's maw, only to be saved by the other. A true tale of brotherhood, indeed. With Horace's help, they dispatched the bears, and I for one am thankful, I did not care to have such lumbering beasts so close to my own doorstep."
Another intermission, and the kobold continues, "Ah, I need a drink. Excuse me for a moment, I shall return once I whet my tongue. Would anyone care to join me?"
"Ah, I see a good crowd tonight. Perhaps you would like to hear something new, a tale still yet unfolding." He begins to pluck the strings, and though his fingers and arms were stretched as far as they would go, the sound was sweet and clear, a subtle undertone to the story he was about to tell.
"I am Valaquiqui, and this tale happened a few weeks past, more advenurers seeking the gauntlet of genesis - though one that ended differently than any so far. You see, this group of travellers did not arrive together seeking the gauntlet, they arrived seperately. An ancient wizard by Marresisio, a devout cleric named Horace, and a pair of curious twins, each as large as a mountain and both named Chint. Odd fellows. They came to yours truly asking for information on the gauntlet, seeking it out after meeting in a drunken party the night before. They asked the right questions, and promptly left the town, seeking the treasure of a lifetime."
The kobold pauses a moment, and plays a more complicated peice on the mandolin, an interlude of sorts. "I understand they found a map on the oblisk, a map leading to a secret place underneath the city. They followed he map, and under the city, they found this building that they suspected to belong to Vireem, buried under centuries of silt from the seasonal flooding. I would have never have guessed the forces of time and nature to be so secretive. Inside, they immediately encountered a thick swarm of rats, using an ancient storage closet as their nest, though they simply stuck their torches to the ground and scared them away. Clever, if I must say. They continued to move through the corridor, only to find that the dungeon had become the recent den of a pair of bear cubs. Deciding they were too close to the town to be safe, they promptly struck them down, only to do so within the very line of sight of their mother bear! One of the Chint brothers was knocked to the ground at the bear's maw, only to be saved by the other. A true tale of brotherhood, indeed. With Horace's help, they dispatched the bears, and I for one am thankful, I did not care to have such lumbering beasts so close to my own doorstep."
Another intermission, and the kobold continues, "Ah, I need a drink. Excuse me for a moment, I shall return once I whet my tongue. Would anyone care to join me?"
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Characters for the Genesis Gauntlet
Okay, the characters!
Eric - Marresisio Eld'etoresio, the venerable wizard.
Tyler - Horace Viraseth , the cleric of Pelor
Jon - Chint, the self-absorbed human fighter
Kevin - Chint, the self-absorbed human fighter
Eric - Marresisio Eld'etoresio, the venerable wizard.
Tyler - Horace Viraseth , the cleric of Pelor
Jon - Chint, the self-absorbed human fighter
Kevin - Chint, the self-absorbed human fighter
Session 20 - A Recap (FINALLY)
At Bascom Yates's trial the party convinced the judge to post-pone his execution as his testimony may be needed in the future to arrest Prardo. The judge agreed and sent Bascom back to the prison.
Later Bl'nx wanted to find out what that evil aura in the ocean was so the party hired a sailor and sailed out to the point where it was strongest. Saloch cast water breathing on the party and wildshaped into a shark. The party sank to a depth of 500 feet where they discovered an ancient lizardfolk temple inhabited by Kuo-Toa. In the main hallways they were forced to fight with some mad Kuo-Toa and defeated them soundly. Futher into the temple they found a strange ritual being performed by Kuo-Toa clergy which involved chanted around a large suspended light while hitting it with lightning bolts. Each lightning bolt only seemed to make it bigger.
The party fled from the temple and decided to investigate the offer of employment they had recieved. The address marked took them to a house in the upperclass district where they met a man who wanted to hire the party to track down Fernmire's ambassador to the Lizardfolk in the swamp. While they were searching he also asked them to obtain a strange substance call quintessence for him and offered a large sum of money for any that they could find.
The party purchased two rowboats and four oars and set out to the Fernmire Bog
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Session twenty recap
I was meaning to wait and do this one when I had my notes, but it seems that's not in the cards for now.
The characters rolled were:
Eric - A venerable wizard
Tyler - A stout cleric of strength and healing
Kevin and Jon, to prevent needing a second session to roll up you guys too, I'll just ask you to roll your stats next week, before Jon's adventure, and then do the rest of the work on your own.
Relevant information:
You're starting at first level
To roll stats:roll 4d6 seven times, drop lowest die from each set, and then drop lowest set. If you get a crappy roll, you may scrap the entire set and roll a second. However, if you do you will have no choice to keep the second set of rolls, even if they wind up being terrible.
Maximum starting gold.
Your character must have a desire to discover or collect the Genesis Gauntlet.
The characters rolled were:
Eric - A venerable wizard
Tyler - A stout cleric of strength and healing
Kevin and Jon, to prevent needing a second session to roll up you guys too, I'll just ask you to roll your stats next week, before Jon's adventure, and then do the rest of the work on your own.
Relevant information:
You're starting at first level
To roll stats:roll 4d6 seven times, drop lowest die from each set, and then drop lowest set. If you get a crappy roll, you may scrap the entire set and roll a second. However, if you do you will have no choice to keep the second set of rolls, even if they wind up being terrible.
Maximum starting gold.
Your character must have a desire to discover or collect the Genesis Gauntlet.