tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65553404467763277842024-02-07T15:14:32.552-08:00Way of the WickedWay of the Wicked is a Pathfinder Compatible adventure path that places your players into the role of an evil party, bent on bringing the lawful good realm of Talingarde to it's knees.
This place will serve as a journal of my player's escapades as well as the twists and turns of the story. I'll also be sharing anything related to the sessions that come along. Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-15608205873073993292014-11-11T21:22:00.001-08:002021-03-29T14:54:03.274-07:00Breaking Balentyne: Part I<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: yellow; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Dear, Constant Reader<i>, </i>this is for you. Going forward I will no longer be telling this from the perspective of a journal. I find myself time and time again wanting to retell the story. So going on this will be a story instead of a journal. I hope you will still enjoy what my players and I have to share with you. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Armory</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXDORkXwTGu1wW4kBfgp7_WvwzfAKP9A3YBxGK2GU78wh4Ol_5_W4i55D8_lIZpbKhvWuK7-l0gUYckhz860pTm-UCnYeh18iurCzZloq__MGQz4mrvd_F9rOxNMdHtptBpzHe_GEtgfh/s1600/D19+Castle+Armory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXDORkXwTGu1wW4kBfgp7_WvwzfAKP9A3YBxGK2GU78wh4Ol_5_W4i55D8_lIZpbKhvWuK7-l0gUYckhz860pTm-UCnYeh18iurCzZloq__MGQz4mrvd_F9rOxNMdHtptBpzHe_GEtgfh/s400/D19+Castle+Armory.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
10:15 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
<br />
So it was decided. Drae, Kiliketz, Styx, and Maldrake's familiar Hellmare pressed on through the trap door of the storage room to further investigate the garrison. They left the storage area and found themselves in a circular room. An old stairway rose to an upper level while a strong wooden door exited to the west. There were a few old weapons laying around and a currently shutdown but recently used forge. The quartet scavenged slightly through the weaponry, perhaps to find masterwork or magical items and could find nothing.<br />
<br />
Before proceeding through strong wooden door, Kiliketz listened for any sounds. The little mephit heard not one single iota of noise. He showed an affirmative to this and proceeded to open the door. This opened to a ten foot wide thirty foot long hall way that turned sharply north at the end. Hellmare reported telepathically back to Maldrake of the passages and safe passage at least thus far. Because of this, the rest of the group carefully came up through the trapped door. Grumblejack had a difficult time as he was very large.<br />
<br />
Maldrake spoke, "We should check upstairs first before proceeding. We don't know what could be on those upper floors."<br />
<br />
Kiliketz and Hellmare went up stairs. They found themselves in a large circular chamber to which this open room six large flags hang on the wall. Perhaps these could be hiding spots at a later point. Maldrake was not exactly ready to move upward, but knowing the upper floor was not occupied the hallway proved to be a better exploration point for now.<br />
<br />
Stix went forward following Drae. They looked around the corner in the decently lit hallway. Raising a fist to tell the party to stop, he held his palm out in moved it to mimic a door opening and closing and held up five fingers on his right hand. He pointed to Kiliketz and motioned him to come forward.<br />
<br />
Drae whispered to the mephit, "I need you to listen to each of these doors. Can you do that?"<br />
<br />
Chuckling to himself Kiliketz laughed out, "Oh course I can grey one." He placed his ear against the first door on the right and could hear nothing. Drae with aid of Stix, unlocked the door and pushed it open to find themselves in a well kept room. The clean L-shaped room contained a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and a chair here as well as other typical furnishings. The only thing of any value here was Captain Barhold’s medal of commendation, which had an inscription on the back. The inscription on the solid gold medal read:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Sir Captain Barhold may the way of Mitra guide you ever forward."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other than this small discovered the desk had some used writing utensils and blank parchment. The wardrobe also had some ratty boots. Drae recalled something odd about the name of this Captain. Before proceeding he went back to the group and said, "I believe this person has a relation to Bellam. His last name was Barhold as well."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The group shrugged this small discovery off and continued to clear rooms. They switched to the left side and repeated again. Kiliketz placing his ear to the door, waiting for sounds and together they would unlock the door. This room was a slightly smaller room and was very well kept but clearly had not been occupied in a very long time. There was almost nothing of any value here save a few dusty clothes in the wardrobe which might fetch a few silver. Stix closed the door behind him and they locked the room back up.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Moving northward to the next room on the left, the group found the jack pot of rooms. Clearly they must have stumbled onto the Captain's rooms. As before no sounds could be heard and they opened up the door to an amazingly clean and wealthy looking room. Searching the wardrobe revealed a small chest with nearly thirty pounds of assorted finery. There was also twenty pounds of mixed royal clothing. These items were snatched up as well. As Stix and Kiliketz began to move out of the room, Drae stopped them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Wait you two. I think there is a secret wardrobe with in the wardrobe. Interesting, what do we have here?" Drae inquired.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pulling at a small slit in the back of the wardrobe revealed a hidden door that had a mix of envelopes and letters. Motioning for Stix and Kiliketz they went back to the armory to go over the letters. He handed one to Kallista, Maldrake, and Urgeon. Urgeon began to read his out loud, "My dear Kaitlyn. Another night of unbearable tossing the turning has plagued me once more. I wish our love did not have to hide like a snake in a bush. I will be in town again tonight. When you husband leaves, signal me as such by leaving a leaf in your window."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maldrake continued on with his given letter, "That was an amazing night Kaitlyn. Your body is as sweet as the autumn dawn on a Rova morning. I cannot stand being away from you. I wish your oaf of a husband wasn't in the way. We could then be together forever."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kallista then finished with her letter, "My love of my life Zacharias, you make me feel like the women I was meant to be. I am torn that I must live in this prison of hate while looking onward to my palace of lust. I have a surprise for you next time we meet."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After returning the letters to Drae for safe keeping, Kallista said, "So the rumors were right. Maybe we could use these letters to our advantage. Drae keep those close to your chest."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They all returned back to the hall way keeping the louder of the bunch on the back but Kiliketz then listened to the final room before checking the far north door. This door was locked and no sound could be found. Upon opening the door there was only a bed and a tiny table with a parchment on it. The parchment was a route that surrounded the town of Aldencross. Drae put this info into his pouch as they locked the door behind them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The tiny ice mephit listened to this door now. He reported that he could hear the clanking of armor and the footsteps of men getting louder as they moved from east back to west. There was clearly something or someone out there. The rag tag group backed off initially to discuss what they should do. They left Kiliketz at the door while they formulated a plan. In the next five to seven minutes or so he reported knew information.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He said, "These footsteps stay steady for only about thirty seconds when they pass the door going east. They take almost two minutes to return when they get back from the west."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maldrake stepped up and sent Hellmare out once more. With only a few seconds Hellmare reported back telepathically to Maldrake what he could see.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Master, this is a huge hallway. Twenty feet wide, easily one hundred fifty feet to the west and another twenty to the east. I can see two southern doors and three northern doors towards the end of the hallway. At each end are gigantic doors. Easily big enough to walk animals and wagons through. What shall I do master?" the invisible familiar explained..</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maldrake replied, "No, come back through if it is safe."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The familiar did as he was asked and the door was closed. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"We should poison their water supply or food supply or something." Kallista advised.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I concur, but we must find it." Maldrake replied.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was a moment of confusion on the poison remaining. Drae was sure he used all of it but, Urgeon produced one more five pound bag of the arsenic. A collective smile graced everyone's faces. First though, they retreated back to the armory to begin their trek to the top of the tower.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Archer's Strongpoint</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdf8eMYKFCX0Ij9omtYF0PX4JtdutrpQlMRpNjgI-h3V6MCnlJpCfet0mJ-YBD9hVJ3yGjrqoLYnp0pc8qCiagWJJZl4j9adouEHn5W8PTdECc4ILDXwYPlRCqkAa3p2k27ivvEGF81Tn/s1600/Castle_Tower_by_heatherbunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdf8eMYKFCX0Ij9omtYF0PX4JtdutrpQlMRpNjgI-h3V6MCnlJpCfet0mJ-YBD9hVJ3yGjrqoLYnp0pc8qCiagWJJZl4j9adouEHn5W8PTdECc4ILDXwYPlRCqkAa3p2k27ivvEGF81Tn/s400/Castle_Tower_by_heatherbunny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
10:30 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
They passed though the flag room, ignoring the door leading to the west much like the hallway in the armory and continued upward. This level after a close inspection turned out to be a key archer’s strong point. Arrow slits adorn its entire outer wall. Wooden racks contain the watchtower’s store of arrows. Four thousand normal arrows neatly sorted into a two hundred quivers of twenty arrows each hang on the racks.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Maldrake commented that we should maybe snap them or destroy them but instead we moved along for fear of making too much noise and we were not sure where we were. This did not dissuade Stryder from snatching up five quivers of arrows for himself. Kallista decided however to take a gander out some of the arrow slots.<br />
<br />
What she saw left her gape-mouthed for a moment. Out of most of the slits the tower they were clearly in overlooked most of the landscape beyond. As she moved to the northern side of the wall, the gate house stood below and across the river. She could see two sets of bridges now. A wide sturdy one that was most likely the entrance to this place. It was large enough to accommodate two or three horses abreast. One end went back towards the west and was not able to view due to the corner of the garrison obscuring vision. To the east was a draw bridge with the bridge up.<br />
<br />
The others took a gander on by one as they saw the scale of fortress at which they were tasked with infiltrating. It looked so small to them from the city of Aldencross. To see it in person words could not do it justice. Filthy Mitra loving scum they may be, ignorant engineers be they not. Twenty-five feet above the large walkway they could also see the a smaller bridge that was no wider than perhaps ten feet. Equipped at staggered intervals were buckets or some sort of mechanical contraptions. Regardless of what the group was seeing, the purpose was clear: Punish enemies with whatever tricks this garrison had up their sleeve who dared opening walk along that lower walkway.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Rookery</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0spKoy0jdUkkz430-cpiP_xccg-YarkUoi_yUO5_7zxFL2fRA0pCOm5DRt81sedaJEzW-OveMpL3kAATin-oX8IL6ctw2I8Ig023wOt5ezh5X4-K2Sq8il_g_NXkqddOlf6Ze8n6vAWtb/s1600/Rookery_The_Wall_Tim_Anderson_Game_of_Thrones_Winter_is_Coming_Ltd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0spKoy0jdUkkz430-cpiP_xccg-YarkUoi_yUO5_7zxFL2fRA0pCOm5DRt81sedaJEzW-OveMpL3kAATin-oX8IL6ctw2I8Ig023wOt5ezh5X4-K2Sq8il_g_NXkqddOlf6Ze8n6vAWtb/s400/Rookery_The_Wall_Tim_Anderson_Game_of_Thrones_Winter_is_Coming_Ltd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
10:45 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
At the next level a foul stench hit each nose with a force that if viewed carefully one could see them actually take a quarter of a step back. The Nessian Knot found themselves in twenty by ten foot room with two solid wood doors. Carefully, Maldrake placed an ear to the door and could hear a muffled scuffling.<br />
<br />
Drae stepped to the door and gently tried to open it and it was firmly locked. He began to pick the lock and after only a few brief moments he had it open. He peeked inside to see almost no light except for a candle on the other side of the room. Drae closed the door carefully and turned to the party, "It is the rookery. I don't know if it is he, but from those rumors that just might be Mad Martin" Drae said.<br />
<br />
Drae looked into the door once again and stepped in a bit more being very careful not to let any unneeded light. With great stealth he examined the area. The stench was greater now. The floors were covered with an inch of raven droppings. To the right on Martin's desk was a signal horn. He took a mental note of this and returned to the group.<br />
<br />
Stryder and Stix turned up their noses at the sight and smell of his boots. They were covered to the laces. A plan was in order. It was agreed that a plan needed to be formulated. Drae was fairly confident that he could end this miserably little man's life and send him to Mitra thirty seconds before he knew he was there. After hearing about the signal horn, Maldrake was taking no chances.<br />
<br />
"Hellmare will go in with you and grab the signal horn as you jump him. We will follow in after we get the signal from Hellmare." Maldrake advised.<br />
<br />
Drae simply nodded and cracked the door slightly and entered. The stench of decaying bird shit was not as overtly a problem as walking on it. Squash, squish, squash. Closer now. He raised one of his rapiers up to strike the blow to Mad Martin. He watched Hellmare appear near Martin and disappear. Drae nodded to the infernal creature.<br />
<br />
With a lunge Drae struck the studying man in the side of his back. He let out a howl of pain and quickly jumped up from the his chair and went to reach for his signal horn only to see it float away. Maldrake and Kallista plowed in first, followed by Stix and Styder. Grumblejack and Urgeon brought up the rear. The fight was over in only a few swift seconds but not before Martin was able to command one or two swarms of ravens to crash down on Drae. They pecked and scratched all over his body. Drae nearly lost an eye.<br />
<br />
This proved to be futile as Drae plunged his rapiers first into his neck and then into his chest. The blood which proceeded to flow was sticky, as Martin's body with limp. Drae slid the sad sack off his weaponry and gave it a flick. The raven's aggression subsided. Drae handed Maldrake his wand that could cure lighter wounds and with in a few flourishes he was good as new again.<br />
<br />
Standing at the stairway leading back down, it was discussed that the rookery may not be usable with out Mad Martin, but the ravens are still alive and well.<br />
<br />
"How do you expect to deal with them all?" Kallista asked.<br />
<br />
"Grumblejack can kill puny ravens." Grumblejack replied and went on into the door. Worried the party looked in at the sheer comedic sight. This nearly ten foot tall monstrosity is grabbing at the ravens. He snagged three or four out of the hundred flying around. They left him be for a few minutes while they continued to come up with a plan.<br />
<br />
Stix spoke up first by raising a bomb and a flame about to lick the fuse, "I got a plan." Maldrake dismissed the small goblin.<br />
<br />
Maldrake and Drae began discussing the idea of poisoning the water supply of these ravens. There was further debating on how much arsenic was left. While Maldrake, Drae, and Urgeon were calculating the poundage of the last small bag of arsenic an unbelievably loud explosion to which was followed by a brilliant flash of light. Stix cackled with glee as the flaming corpses of some three or four hundred raven's lay charred around Grumblejack's feet. Stix hopped up and down and all around. Scuffing in sadistic circles as he kicked up bodies of dead raven's to and fro. A couple raven's even lay askew the cold stone walls. This proved to be quite a compliment of Stix's bomb making skills as the room 40 feet in diameter.<br />
<br />
Kallista glared at the small alchemist and began rushing everyone back into the rookery as Maldrake listened for any reinforcements. Ten minutes passed as no one came to check on poor Martin and his dead ravens. Attempting to scold the young goblin proved to be futile. He only smiled. They allowed him to continue his work. After the rookery was finished, Grumblejack ate what he could of Martin before the party had to move on.<br />
<br />
Maldrake spoke up, "Shouldn't we do something with the remains?"<br />
<br />
Urgeon simply replied, "The disgusting piece of unworthiness was eating his food up among the ravens. Look at the stacks of his dishes. The servants probably leave his meals at the door, knock and run away. I know I would."<br />
<br />
So it was decided to be safe to move on. Before they could get completely out of the door, Grumblejack scooped up some charred bird and had himself a snack.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">From Flag Room to Courtyard</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IAOZj9LhYGBY9B4rG5b1ia_xRjSnMMV4zGJ6mM_Xmhh13KVPKZ7j6YvDbSw3ANTwe8OWTUMCq9e9zST7A-KkCi49ok043CHJNPKTOnUZ3NOnEhDyFxbaGFdYs-rsQCYexPGHwg68xdqY/s1600/quiet_courtyard_by_nightblue_art-d3691rf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IAOZj9LhYGBY9B4rG5b1ia_xRjSnMMV4zGJ6mM_Xmhh13KVPKZ7j6YvDbSw3ANTwe8OWTUMCq9e9zST7A-KkCi49ok043CHJNPKTOnUZ3NOnEhDyFxbaGFdYs-rsQCYexPGHwg68xdqY/s400/quiet_courtyard_by_nightblue_art-d3691rf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
11:15 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
The door to the courtyard was unlocked. It was not well lit aside from torches near a building to a the north. The moonlight shined over the open yard as a large fountain was the first visual landmark. To the direct west and east of the door there were sets of stairs leading up. The cobblestone pathway led northwest and was difficult to see where it would end as a smaller build to the west of the door was blocking the view. But not blocking enough to realize at the center of this courtyard was an inner tower that raised upwards of around another 70 feet. The stairs leading upward had shown that the lay out was that of a typical garrison, high stone walls, guard perches that surround the courtyard though no troops could be see.<br />
<br />
As if on schedule or secretly listening in a flicker of light could be see bouncing up and down along the walls as shadows changed shape. It was quickly identifiable as a bulls-eye lantern. Almost in perfect timing, the same light could be seen by looking up and to the east. The party and narrowly missed opening the door right as a guard was passing by. Instead, this guard was about to start his own rounds among the top level of the garrison. Maldrake took action first.<br />
<br />
"Hellmare, I want you to fly up and out and please tell me what you can see." Maldrake telepathically commanded. And so the little creature went invisible and did as it was told. Flying high into the air it could survey the large open area and massive walls. There were only two guards on duty that it could count of as their bulls-eye lanterns lit up massive expanses of area at a time. In only a few minutes there was enough area covered to report back a decent run down of the layout.<br />
<br />
"Master, there are two guards that alternate. At all times there is one on the ground and one on the surrounding edges." Hellmare reminded. Maldrake patted his familiar on the head. They retreated back into the flag room and formulated a plan of attack.<br />
<br />
Urgeon made the point that a surprise attack would be optimal but would need to look natural, "We know that each of these scum has a signal horn and isn't afraid to use it. We also do not know how the system of alarming each other is setup. This attack must look normal and thus I think I have the solution."<br />
<br />
Maldrake and Kallista listened attentively.<br />
<br />
"See what we do, is attack with a group of eagles that I can summon." Urgeon suggested.<br />
<br />
Grumblejack spoke up next, "Why eagles? Grumblejack not afraid of eagles, why ug'ins be afraid of eagles?"<br />
<br />
Urgeon looked upon the ogre with admiration of his question, "Because dear ogre, we can't very well summon a demon or other kind of unwordly being. Surely they would not be alarmed at being attacked by some stray eagles."<br />
<br />
Grumblejack shrugged and sat down.<br />
<br />
Drae commented, "What about the ground level guard?"<br />
<br />
Urgeon replied, "Well, it seems that they have an order to what they do. If we take out one, the other can't signal while another attack is happening. We would probably make too much noise to go unheard but a pack of eagles could be just quite enough that the guard won't know what happened before it is too late."<br />
<br />
"Then I want to help end that ones life, I'm stealthy enough to pull it off." Drae retorted confidently if not a bit arrogantly.<br />
<br />
Maldrake sent hellmare out again to tell them when the guard was about to go to the top level of the courtyard. Once signal was given, the attack commenced. Urgeon summoned three eagles to attack the guard while Drae cast grease on the bulls-eye lantern. Naturally the guard lost grip on his lantern and was in extremely low light. Balentyne must not have cared too much about inner security as this guard dropped to his knees with in a few quick strokes from Drae and a couple pecks and bites from the eagles.<br />
<br />
The lantern let out a brilliant burst of flames as the glass broke and the oil ignited. Drae motioned to the group to get to the other guard before he could see the flames. Quickly Maldrake, Kallista and Stix moved to the corner of the large inner tower to jump the unsuspecting guard from the left. Stryder, Grumblejack, and the rest stayed close to the southern building to jump him from the right.<br />
<br />
They could see him walking down the stairs after coming from the north west. His lantern gave him away easily. Forty feet, he walked absent-mindlessly to his death. Thirty feet, he stopped to lace his boot. Closer now. Drae came up behind Grumblejack, wand ready to cast grease. Twenty feet, he was close enough to see his tired eyes. His armor wasn't even properly put on. Ten feet, and appearing below his feet was a puddle of grease. With out fail, the trooper fell flat on his ass and his signal horn, lantern, and a few arrows went flying. Maldrake and Stix were on top of him before he even knew what had happened. Like clockwork, the party swarmed the defenseless guard. Stryder put a couple shots into him as everyone else took their shots in turn. His limp body lay beaten and bloody. Grumblejack feasted a bit more but left most of the remains.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Choir Hall</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qw5bresEgeYFkuZk5lWqf3fefDiMC3blc-h4fO0tX7qCxMoALL54qRZRfcyx_9hxjJ0NbVLwxw8L_QDqyzWiWAw_hLqGZxZKzrMk1xkw-MJcE_KFU_V36RQOoPqiaL5J3W2EQIw78eSK/s1600/i__m_in_your_church_at_night_by_girlunknown-d4818uh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qw5bresEgeYFkuZk5lWqf3fefDiMC3blc-h4fO0tX7qCxMoALL54qRZRfcyx_9hxjJ0NbVLwxw8L_QDqyzWiWAw_hLqGZxZKzrMk1xkw-MJcE_KFU_V36RQOoPqiaL5J3W2EQIw78eSK/s400/i__m_in_your_church_at_night_by_girlunknown-d4818uh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
11:45 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
Before entering the inner tower the party though it best to venture to the smaller buildings first. Listening closely there was no sign of activity beyond the ornate doors. Drae and Stix both confirmed that these doors were not locked, nor were they trapped. They opened the doors and before them was a magnificent choir hall. Apart form the well made pews and Mitra inspired decor, it was only a mere church. They looked in just slightly to see around the edges of the ceilings, statutes of numerous saints of the Mitran faith. It is calmly lit and well maintained.<br />
<br />
Maldrake wasn't interested in entering. Kallista felt the same way. There was nothing of importance in here. She mentioned the rumor about strange magical statues singing with the singers. It made them worried to enter. Though nothing seemed unusual. So, they left the church alone and moved on.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Stables</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T-waNJizJTClehJZsF6plIGmF4rzrkSdXMmWjQ-ozLg1YBaICqHgMdCZ9yGEotb0APhpfO9LS-aXDsi3_HHvYhN5IoPv9CpyQN0dI8rHX_xN5rbLIYk8JU6FkxboV0ISZxakQ7YcO-pw/s1600/stable_by_silversparrowstables-d6lnael.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T-waNJizJTClehJZsF6plIGmF4rzrkSdXMmWjQ-ozLg1YBaICqHgMdCZ9yGEotb0APhpfO9LS-aXDsi3_HHvYhN5IoPv9CpyQN0dI8rHX_xN5rbLIYk8JU6FkxboV0ISZxakQ7YcO-pw/s400/stable_by_silversparrowstables-d6lnael.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
11:55 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.<br />
<br />
Moving directly south of the church, they came upon the smaller building to which was unidentified. Going around to the west of the building revealed the familiar doors of a stable. There were no animals inside. It looked as though it may have been empty for a while. Much like the church there was nothing of great interest here and to this group contained the same level of life as the church.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Great Hall</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGcGSPvcNgm07oCDHf-a2ipqaViU3a762y4-XXYpLRa7zruYnMWqVyQvZNJU-klUYHJuuNN4igXL_QHdet3mlfb8r0vIE8g7C4v0VB773X5V6JNRTp7PQBoUejev_hgEOnZjkpGKMJxNX/s1600/eldevin___exarch_tiaund__s_mausoleum_halls_by_louisagallie-d5aae7t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGcGSPvcNgm07oCDHf-a2ipqaViU3a762y4-XXYpLRa7zruYnMWqVyQvZNJU-klUYHJuuNN4igXL_QHdet3mlfb8r0vIE8g7C4v0VB773X5V6JNRTp7PQBoUejev_hgEOnZjkpGKMJxNX/s400/eldevin___exarch_tiaund__s_mausoleum_halls_by_louisagallie-d5aae7t.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
12:05 P.M Day 118, Rova 18, 3042 AP (After Peace)<br />
<br />
Day 8, 22 days remaining.<br />
<br />
They could hear the footsteps. Unsure of how many, but plenty sure this snowball wasn't going to get any smaller, the burst in. The doors flew open and two shocked guards turned to see the sinister party baring down on them. They drew their weapons an prepared for a fight. If there were any question about something evil being afoot, it was made apparently clear when Stix let loose a bomb in the stone gathering place. The explosion rocked the walls and dust fluttered from the rafters. The blast ripped up the flesh of the approaching guards as the flames lit one of them a blaze. This enraged the solider further. He charged towards that party taking a swing. The solider that was at the farther part of the great hall lifted his signal horn and let it blow.<br />
<br />
"I knew we should have waited outside!" one of the guards yelled out.<br />
<br />
The howling signal rippled through the room. For as tiny as the horn was the sound was magnificent. It was louder than the explosion. Though as soon as the signal horn was finished, two more guards were already coming down the stairs. Grumblejack advanced along side Kallista and exchanged blows with the first two guards. The latter warriors began their charge as well. Urgeon summoned a mini armada of elementals to join the fray. Being lightning elementals they were able to fly about with great speed and agility. They thrashed at the guards with amazing power. The guards were clearly out numbered and were doomed or so it seemed. Styder let loose a flurry of arrows from across the room. Missing with frustration, the arrows flew off into the distance. Just as Maldrake began to close in on the right as Drae closed in on the left four more guards stormed down the stairs.<br />
<br />
Stix was at it again. Letting another bomb fly over the party it landed perfectly positioned t cause immense damage. Immense damage was an understatement. It caught another two guards on fire and dropped another. Drae and Maldrake began their part in the fray dealing quite a bit of respectable injuries to the average armored troops. Their screams filled The Great Hall and echoed up the cold stone stairway. Grumblejack bashed down one of the guards as Kallista dispatched another guard. Her blackblade supercharged with a shocking grasp electrocuted the poor man to his knees.<br />
<br />
Urgeon directed his lightning brutes to converge on their targets. With their powerful attacks the troops proved to be party tigers among a sea of scissors. The electrical bursts from each attack were amplified as the soldiers breastplates made for perfect conductors of the powerful strikes. Sizzling hair and boiling skin soon began to stink up the large room. What would normally give way to proud moments of rallying and perhaps even a banquet or two instead provided shelter to remarkable display of carnage.<br />
<br />
Though the troops were no match for the group at hand, the numbers were getting worrisome. Two more guards came down the stairs only to be introduced to more bombs. These final two unlucky souls took the brunt of Grumblejack's fists and Kallista swift blade. In addition to that unlikely tag team Maldrake began to chill the breast plate of one of the troops. You could see the season of his face. A summer evening, calm and relaxing as he barley noticed a change. It was already closing in on winter in the north. Into fall where the poor boy was attempted to adjust his breastplate while trying to dodge attacks. When he then was succumbed to the winter blasts as his armor seized around him and caused great pains to strain against the frozen metal. He didn't last long before the party took him down. There was still one final troop left standing as one more solider began his way down the stairs, though this was no mere solider like the other rift raft that Nessian Knot had been forging a path against.<br />
<br />
Rushing down the stairway came a dashing knight adorned in brilliant plate armor. It shine so bright that it appeared to amplify from the torch lights in the area. An armor decorated with golden trim and holy symbols of Mitra. Through the open face plate one could see a black beard aging on the edge of gray. His wrinkled but handsome face peered with concern but also pity for his fallen comrades. He bellowed out to the heretics, "Lay low your weapons, less you risk endangering your mortal souls any further with this villainy!"<br />
<br />
The reply came with a blotch of grease below his feet to which he shook off with ease and began by cutting Grumblejack down with ease only to turn and strike down one of the elementals. It looked dreary at first. This mammoth of a paladin was crushing our dear party with great ease. Stryder's aim became much better as he plunked a few arrow through the tough plate. Most of the melee struggled greatly and to quite a fault. The lightning elementals did score a few good blows and as Drae came in to get his share of the fun, Stix took this as an invitation to quite literally light up the party. The incoming explosive hit the knight square at his feet and set him a blaze. Sadly it also knocked Drae flat on his back and left him unconscious. Kallista unleashed a flurry of magic missiles against the holy man.<br />
<br />
The lone knight renewed his mighty blows and struck Kallista down with a smite only the gods of old could resemble. It was as if she didn't exist. She was reduced to nothing. He turned with excellent agility to then clobber the other elemental and dispatch it to the whatever realm it came from. Maldrake did revive the party only to have the Knight knock some of them back down once more. The hero of the day was the psychotic pyromaniac of a goblin named Stix. The little green bastard kept the Knight lit on fire while everyone else was slowly pinging him away. The group fought long and hard. While the fight only took a couple minutes, it seemed like a life time.<br />
<br />
So there the group stood, in The Great Hall panting over a pile of partially charred and bloody corpses. Maldrake took Draes wand to cure everyone to a healthy state and retrieved the magical armor and other great rewards from the dead. It felt like a turning point of immense triumph. Kallista was estatic to awaken to the dead Mitran scum. She plunged her Blackblade into the skulls of each body, feeling the surge of pleasing joy from herself to the blade and back again. After gathering their composure and realizing what their mission was, Kallista was ready for the action.<br />
<br />
"Signal the Bugbears! We have taken out at least half of these troops!" she commanded.<br />
<br />
Maldrake kneeled to pray and began to ask his god a question, "Is it time great one. Have we done enough? Will we bring glory to you and to Thorn?" Maldrake was quickly answered in the negative. "I'm afraid not Kallista. We have a lot of work to do."<br />
<br />
They decided to move on and not rest. Drae and Maldrake both were concerned about leaving all those arrows left to use. Drae lifted a torch from one of the walls and motioned to Maldrake to head to the archer's room.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-27947793605126141692014-10-24T12:35:00.003-07:002021-03-29T14:54:06.556-07:00The Way to Balentyne<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7:00 P.M - Day 116, Rova 16, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Day 6, 24 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>The Beginning</i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPfHLASmZqQf0vi1F18q2Mdfv-GsOEfdx9TNoq7baFSUcU9vFbp2Q6WOu6hIedOP92Y5K82e5usQrJBIIj22YMSY930w1yeNCcBxk9G0swPnA4fXHh4An5Soz53lbLTQoi4mHJyI0sOfw/s1600/lost_road_inn_by_asahisuperdry-d5i798b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPfHLASmZqQf0vi1F18q2Mdfv-GsOEfdx9TNoq7baFSUcU9vFbp2Q6WOu6hIedOP92Y5K82e5usQrJBIIj22YMSY930w1yeNCcBxk9G0swPnA4fXHh4An5Soz53lbLTQoi4mHJyI0sOfw/s1600/lost_road_inn_by_asahisuperdry-d5i798b.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The Dalliance at night.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We spent most of our day gathering any tools we may need for this venture. We stocked up on what food we could gather from The Dalliance and began our trek. We knew it would take the rest of the day and most of the next. So we cleaned up the inn as best we could as to not raise suspicion about Bellam and Alicia being gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Drae met up with us before we proceeded onward. We thanked him for his excellent work and welcomed him to go forward with us to take down Balentyne. As I write this, the trip is unbelievably dull. Bellam must have really been hurting for money to want to make this trip by himself. We lugged our gear for miles with no real indication of how far we had traveled. It was starting to stink to high heavens as well. Grumblejack insisted on bring the bodies of Bellam and Alicia for snacks. It didn't matter much. The stench was worth the moments of peace. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<br />
12:00 A.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Faith in Grumblejack</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIGXDofm6o3Sb8oLpC4mTohw5UCaV5bCYpJDJwvtuZrX1xVHTrmG2WP1ehW44D2hv6RhQIxegp-1StYkSfxBMExa2I3Gch68-gADCPPHR2IDDc3hA4Chan7o_GcmWSNn14bxv12Jf9MX1/s1600/tunnel_by_feeshseagullmine-d67m4qr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIGXDofm6o3Sb8oLpC4mTohw5UCaV5bCYpJDJwvtuZrX1xVHTrmG2WP1ehW44D2hv6RhQIxegp-1StYkSfxBMExa2I3Gch68-gADCPPHR2IDDc3hA4Chan7o_GcmWSNn14bxv12Jf9MX1/s1600/tunnel_by_feeshseagullmine-d67m4qr.png" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Into the tunnel we go.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
We had spent the last five hours traversing the dark and dank tunnel on our way to Balentyne. We finally decided to setup camp and rest. Maldrake and Stryder worked to get a small flame going, which left eerie shadows among the tunnel walls. Grumblejack sat down with us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"Grumblejack has question." The ogre blurted out of almost no where. After all he had been deadly silent the entire trip thus far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake looked to the ogre and replied, "Yes Grumblejack. What question do you have?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“Hmmm...” said the ogre suddenly suprising contemplative. “Grumblejack not know much about the gods. Men who wear Mitran suns always hated Grumblejack, so Grumblejack hate them back. What gods like ogres?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake later confessed to us that he didn't know which gods gave two shits about ogres but he knew Grumblejack wasn't exactly privy to the information either. He told the ogre, "Asmodeus is the only god who does."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“So, Asmodeus likes ogres, eh? Can Grumblejack still fight and worship Asmodeus?” Grumblejack questioned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake nodded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“Can Grumblejack eat people and worship Asmodeus?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake smiled and nodded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“Can Grumblejack get revenge on people who throw him in prison and worship Asmodeus?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake nodded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“Then Grumblejack worship Asmodeus.” His mood immediately shifted from contemplative to joyous. Grumblejack danced around with almost childlike glee. “Yay! Now Grumblejack have god too! Nobody stop Grumblejack with god on his side! Wait ... isn’t Asmodeus god of badness, devils and telling fibs? Does worshipping devil-god make Grumblejack bad person?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake shook his head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Grumblejack gently approached Kallista and placed his fingers around her holy symbol. He inspected it carefully. Then he walked back to the bones of Bellam and Alicia. He began snapping bones and biting down to create fine details. He bit down on a strand of rope to break up the threads and began weaving it around the bones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We looked upon these actions for about an hour as he worked on some sort of artwork or contraption we really were not sure what. During that time we finished our little camp and setup our bedrooms. We downed a little mead and some bread.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Grumblejack stood up holding a mess of bones and string. He turned his back to us, put the string over his neck and turned back around. "Now Grumblejack have symbol too!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
An oversized symbol of Asmodeus is what he had created. He laughed out loud and pat him on the back. Grumblejack had smiled and we went off to bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
10:00 P.M Day 117, Rova 17, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Day 7, 23 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>The Arrival</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
There was not much more to write about this day. We spent the entire day walking and finally made it to the end point. The storage area was above us. We pried open the secret door and it revealed that Bellam was telling us the truth. There was no way this place was used on any sign of a regular basis. Dirt, mold, and cobwebs were everywhere and on everything. We left the area and went back down into the tunnel to discuss what we needed to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Our group was far to large to go together. We would be making too much noise. We picked out Stix and Drae to begin scouting. They were clearly our stealthiest members. We brought this up and they agreed. Grumblejack did not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
He stepped on and said, "Listen, Grumblejack be stealthy. Grumblejack is going."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We looked at each other nervously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Grumblejack went on, “Grumblejack have no problem with plan. Grumblejack quiet as death! One time, Grumblejack sneak up on a farmer to steal sheep. The farmer turned around and look me straight in the eyes. He so scared, little man make water. Grumblejack asked him if he saw anything. Farmer say no. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Grumblejack stopped and smiled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“See...Grumblejack VERY stealthy.”</span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-30586032120385893192014-10-23T11:04:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:07.346-07:00Inn Trouble<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:00 A.M - Day 116, Rova 16, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 6, 24 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drae</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a knock at the door. A hunched over old lady answered the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mama, it's time again, lets get your stew up and out!" a solider gleefully exclaimed.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjCrVB58sYC7hcKNdSRqxKsy8BHeTsN2Z-tspMpg-Du44WuIlZ7wwY5yvgcXm7cp188c2MKqr2wfFa0kSycPP3m-I79KHQ1zipziveslbsi5sE2-TYk7ryrMgKwTxTsqbMZW9b7_fTsOk/s1600/drae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjCrVB58sYC7hcKNdSRqxKsy8BHeTsN2Z-tspMpg-Du44WuIlZ7wwY5yvgcXm7cp188c2MKqr2wfFa0kSycPP3m-I79KHQ1zipziveslbsi5sE2-TYk7ryrMgKwTxTsqbMZW9b7_fTsOk/s1600/drae.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Drae gets to work.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh deary me my boys. I don't think I can today. My back is all bad after making this last batch. Please though, take the stew to the hard working soldiers. I will see you next month for the next batch." She croaked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh alright mama, it sure won't be the same with out you there. You get some rest mama." the soldiers said as they helped load the giant cauldron. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As the door closed, Drae revealed himself and because to quickly pull up the floor boards once more so he could properly dispose of the body. The only place he could think to hide her was the tunnel below the Dalliance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9:00 A.M - Day 116, Rova 16, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 6, 24 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Dalliance</span></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3I7mUZe6v4xencVByt9olIzUfXKZfKgzBApMV546HE1y8OdlPx6AtUt8IBIBgvW9avA02tYgLU2ygeFup8aKSXXt1NhOrIV5M57sfOYCDM3ErFO2v85f0AI1UawXqo2jls7AGYjIIyaG/s1600/tavern_by_anthonyavon-d6h3utd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3I7mUZe6v4xencVByt9olIzUfXKZfKgzBApMV546HE1y8OdlPx6AtUt8IBIBgvW9avA02tYgLU2ygeFup8aKSXXt1NhOrIV5M57sfOYCDM3ErFO2v85f0AI1UawXqo2jls7AGYjIIyaG/s1600/tavern_by_anthonyavon-d6h3utd.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Dalliance still a mess.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We awoke today to pounding on the front door of The Lord's Dalliance. There was shouting as well. We all went down to the main area of the tavern. We peeked through the shutters and saw a crowd of about ten or eleven townsfolk and just as many soldiers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Come on Bellam! What is the hold up? We want our breakfast and coffee. You oversleep again you god damn lush! You were suppose to be opened three hours ago" a disgruntled solider bellowed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stix ran to Maldrake's room and pounded on the door. "Maldrake! Wake up." He pounded on the others door as well and they began to stumble out. "We have customers!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake shook his head in disbelief and looked to Kallista who just stepped out of her own room. "Bellam is haunting us again. We killed him but we didn't think about his business." He put on his circlet and turned into a common chef. "Well, lets go we have customer's waiting."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista, Urgeon, and Stix did the same. They let the few people in and quickly apologized and tried their best to scrounge up some grits and pieces of meat. The patrons scoffed at the obviously shoddy food and drink. They ate it none the less. Maldrake could see Kallista's temper being tested with all the Mitra-loving scum.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Time was not on our side. We also had to wonder what happened to Drea. Did he actually make it to Mama's house? Did we make a mistake trusting him? So many questions still left unanswered. Or we so we thought. Almost as though a request for a response were surveyed among the tavern patrons we heard surprisingly great news all things considered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I need this pay, I can't be sent home because that damn priest thinks we might be coming down with something. Maybe if those soldiers who were sick would keep their pants up instead of in bed with whores I could be working right now!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Curious Urgeon looking as a chef approached the young man and asked "What happened to the soldiers?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Some sickness. I'm not sure what, it happened about an hour ago. The troops were having a great time, they were enjoying Mama's soup, even though she couldn't make it because her back was ailing her." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon replied, "Oh, how many? Is it serious?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smartly the soldier came back with, "How the hell should I know? I'm not a medic! All I know is about seven died and twenty-seven of them down and out with sickness!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon walked away smiling once his back was turned. Clearly Drae succeeded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We shuffled on for about another hour and as the crowds died off but before the lunch hour could hit us, we decided to put up signs in The Lord's Dalliance advising patrons that they would be closed for at least three weeks because Bellam and his wife had to leave to go to Ghastenall to see about her parents. We had no idea if this is where the parents were or if they were alive but the chances were in our favor that the patrons don't know either. Regardless, we were going to infiltrate Balentyne tonight. The clock had started for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However at least for a few days if things go badly we know this place can be our refuge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-17342076231726743202014-10-13T11:29:00.001-07:002021-03-29T14:54:08.257-07:00Bellam's Basement Adventure<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11:15 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 5, 25 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The End</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-UrUwmOTxwi4jILYxL3iDhCregYWl_lwvNA1kfcdgvsU_aRNAgBxCHl9sydqGfv_8KKr_DR-kdiIgcVQbZTCDVZTCAQOOTx1Bgwz_NVG3ooaTds7v02VF9pVBzl_ZCWyNbRZqNCa1JSn/s1600/tunnelday4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-UrUwmOTxwi4jILYxL3iDhCregYWl_lwvNA1kfcdgvsU_aRNAgBxCHl9sydqGfv_8KKr_DR-kdiIgcVQbZTCDVZTCAQOOTx1Bgwz_NVG3ooaTds7v02VF9pVBzl_ZCWyNbRZqNCa1JSn/s1600/tunnelday4.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Back to the tunnel once more.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon, Stixx, and Grumblejack who was carried down by Stixx to be as quite as possible laid low in the basement of The Lord's Dalliance since around 9 P.M. Maldrake waited for his familiar to signal him telepathically. With just a few moments after 11 P.M Maldrake got the signal. Sure as shit runs down a privy, with a careful gaze through a his cracked bedroom door Bellam was tip toeing down the flight of stairs to the lower level of the establishment. Maldrake, Stryder, and Kallista moved only five feet at a time to ensure absolute silence while they followed him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The ugly human is going down the stairs master. Same as before master.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Little one, tell the others this, they should be downstairs Warn them not to scare him away..</span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Master says to tell you the ugly human is coming. Run, hide, do not scare him away.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack, Stixx, and Urgeon rushed back about two-hundred feet to stay out of immediate range. They could hear the large stone slab behind the false wall began to grind open and thus began prepared themselves. Bellam had either become careless or overly confident as he didn't even bother closing the secret door this time. He stepped carefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake, his familiar, Kiliketz, Kallista, and Stryder moved in and saw the door wide open. They saw the innkeeper just leaving their sight and closed in. With no regard to being quite or acknowledgement of stealth Maldrake and Stryder slammed the secret door shut. Urgeon summoned earth elementals and they began to earth glide into the walls of the tunnel. They traveled inside the stone walls detecting the tremors made by the walking Bellam. Bellam has no idea he was being followed by the minions.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We could now see the look of terror on Bellam's face and he looked behind himself and began to walk further and faster down the tunnel. Uregon motioned to his minions to get ready and grab his legs to trip him and trip him they did. Bellam quickly looked around with a confused but still horrified look as the elemental grabbed his legs and dropped him to the ground. He howled and screamed. They surrounded the little man, holding him easily in place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Shut up. No one can hear you down here. Make any more moves and my elementals will glide you into the walls and leave you in a prison of stone." Urgeon warned.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKtohoQsSifoNY91vA5T-IUQKZGH2_JrTb2JlShV7xmrz8uByZgtosWLfszf6CfV3a-AA6DBGjwnvzkfAZibFQn9wKvVlMbgTLG3wnJhRqrN6bneCr-xNSZSPWeUKcuhY0Yml3KQwHoiX/s1600/gank_by_kimsokol-d5abbt0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKtohoQsSifoNY91vA5T-IUQKZGH2_JrTb2JlShV7xmrz8uByZgtosWLfszf6CfV3a-AA6DBGjwnvzkfAZibFQn9wKvVlMbgTLG3wnJhRqrN6bneCr-xNSZSPWeUKcuhY0Yml3KQwHoiX/s1600/gank_by_kimsokol-d5abbt0.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bellam was not cut out for this life.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Nu, nu, nooo. I, I, I, I, will give you what you want. I didn't think anyone needed the, th, the, wine." Bellam stuttered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake and the rest closed in, "Oh no friend. We are here for more than wine." he said with a sadistic guffaw. "You're going to tell us what you know about this tunnel and your going to tell us right now." He added with a small kick to the weak man's back as he was trying to get up from being tripped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bellam's situation began to become more and more real to him as his torch revealed the guests who had been staying in his inn. He nervously continued, "If this is about The Dalliance's service, I assure you, I can make sure you are handsomely refunded."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Silence and nothing but filled the barely lit tunnel. We look at each other and began to laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Get up." Urgeon commanded and lifted the scrawny man to his feet. Two streams of wet could be seen running down each pant leg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surrounding him, they all took off their circlets and began to transform. Bellam's eyes bulged with barley controlled chaos and bared his teeth in dismay. Shifting his eyes from a gnome one moment to a goblin the next. We could debate all day about what really caused him to shit his trousers, but we knew it was seeing a two foot tall ugly gnome transform into an almost ten foot tall ogre. Grumblejack smiled at Bellam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh no. What do you want from me?" Bellam asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What are you doing down here?" Kallista asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Taking a huge and deep breathe, Bellam began, "Ok, Ok, Ok. I give in. Captain Barhold was going to put away at least a couple years worth of the finest wine this side of the watch wall. We're not even at war and supplies keep getting wasted on that blasted garrison! It's not right! My family and generations before me have always supported the troops of this region and we get nothing for it. So about twenty months ago I chased a couple rats down here and saw this door open, and then I decided to go in and that's when I found the stash of food and such at the garrison and I and I and I though I should have some and."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista slapped him, "Get a hold of yourself. Go on."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"It wasn't right to see it go to waste so I took it. I know it's a crime, please don't turn me in to Balentyne, they will send me to Branderscar. I can't live with filth like that." Bellam said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake bent over and picked up the dropped torch and rolled up his sleeve. He stepped right up to Bellam and put the torch near his arm and showed him the forsaken brand. With a smirk Maldrake stated, "You already have been." Then he slugged him and caught him before he could go down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You've got a lot worse to worry about than Balentyne good buddy." Urgeon said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I'm bored with him. He's useless and worse he's weak. Feed him to Grumblejack." Kallista added nonchalantly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Wh, wha, what? No, no, not that. Ok, Let's see, the tunnel is roughly 50 miles long. It goes along the coast and heads all the way to Balentyne. No one knows about it, not even the high ranking officers, generals, or anyone!" Bellam exclaimed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all nodded and gestured for him to continue.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HhV7TjnQg37zIw-dYjH8A2gsnSsyBZoxnbXSTSRiTFDa0VZksSo5g5o4cgEjTwxMJIgJI_PSr5pwUpCMB3QpndAL1BvmA7DQy6ZqzSWMC1ySDELQWiJ4DTAcZmP93NGR9pNpXdbF7Axh/s1600/7958b16d98710e1f0fef2f325956e3b2-d41jp5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HhV7TjnQg37zIw-dYjH8A2gsnSsyBZoxnbXSTSRiTFDa0VZksSo5g5o4cgEjTwxMJIgJI_PSr5pwUpCMB3QpndAL1BvmA7DQy6ZqzSWMC1ySDELQWiJ4DTAcZmP93NGR9pNpXdbF7Axh/s1600/7958b16d98710e1f0fef2f325956e3b2-d41jp5b.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kallista was done playing games.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That storage they use is old and moldy. Only the iron rations are any good. Even still, they continue to stock it with new things every eight or nine months and I go up the tunnel about three weeks after and have what is deserved. It doesn't matter, like I said no one knows about this place. It used to be for whores and no one knows about it!" Bellam repeated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx lit a bomb and puts out the fuse, lights it again, and puts it out, while looking at Bellam and said "That's too bad for you, right Kallista? Right Maldrake? Right Urgeon?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Grumblejack, feast away." Kallista beckoned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No please wait!" Bellam begged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista motioned for Grumblejack to stop just as he was about to take off Bellam's hand. "Yes?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What came next was mostly a mishmash of ramblings, whines, and cries. Kallista had heard enough and just as she was about to motion again Bellam spoke up with something so surprising and shocking to Kallista that she was momentarily speechless. A rare thing for Kallista mind you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bellam began, "Now, I don't mean to threaten you. This is not a threat. I am just stating something that I have no doubt clever individuals like yourselves have already figured out but as I am nearly to lose my arm to your big friend their it bears repeating. If I am killed, the local township will start to wonder where I went. I've been here for decades as has my father's father and his mother and wives before them. I do not know your plans for this town nor do I care at this point. I only know that prisoners like yourselves won't want and investigation around here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Speaking as though anything past his first sentence didn't happen Kallista replied incredulity, "You don't mean to threaten us?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And those were the last words Bellam heard as she motioned for Grumblejack to take it to the bone and don't leave any meat on said bones. A bone shattering scream came out of Bellam as Grumblejack's rotten teeth buried into the warm flesh of the man. He tugged and pulled at his fresh arm meat and broke it off at the elbow. Bellam went crashing into Maldrake to whom he looked up at him before succumbing to the loss of the blood and certain shock and said, "You forgot about my wife, Alicia." Bellam smiled and passed out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the slaughter pieces of brain matter splattered the darkened walls. Pieces of splintered bones littered the tunnel floor. Tattered remnants of the weak man's clothing could be found haphazardly everywhere now. Maldrake then looked up from the mess with only timid concern, he spoke calmly and rationally now, "Lets get back upstairs, get cleaned up as best we can and prepare for tomorrow. I will handle his wife."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11:30 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Alicia</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
Maldrake slipped into Bellam bed looking as close as an Assimar can look to Bellam's appearance. It was dark and almost no moonlight was shining in. Alicia mumbled something about coming to bed and there was nothing else left to do but end her life. She was a loose end. Maldrake slipped a dagger into her throat and as she gurgled out her last dying breaths, Maldrake smiled into her eyes as the moonlight shined through the window.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rest went off to sleep. Grumblejack slept in the tunnel and feasted greatly on Bellam and his wife Alcia. </span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-34767662544516075242014-09-22T10:24:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:56.882-07:00Mama Giuseppe's Famous Stew<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>8:15 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 4, 26 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We knocked on the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ah yes?" a raspy but high pitched voice answered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mama Giuseppe, we are volunteers, we want to help you in anyway for the big day at Balentyne tomorrow. The troops mean a lot to us and this town!" Drae bluffed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWlfR4UAJQ6X6d6cwifiahAVpO_nQK4SWPL13qhofSbULyYl_7KWFPXOGdS3Ta7why8-bSiTBTGkMbBEBmnFLi0ha64v7bJxbKmPoarTzaoOEuuaIegnABx7hpPNBw9BgKyy67qp7dC0J/s1600/medieval_france_by_azot_2013-d6267jz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWlfR4UAJQ6X6d6cwifiahAVpO_nQK4SWPL13qhofSbULyYl_7KWFPXOGdS3Ta7why8-bSiTBTGkMbBEBmnFLi0ha64v7bJxbKmPoarTzaoOEuuaIegnABx7hpPNBw9BgKyy67qp7dC0J/s1600/medieval_france_by_azot_2013-d6267jz.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Mama Giuseppe's home</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ohhh, how nice of you." Mama Giuseppe exclaimed as she opened the door. "Oh and you even brought your little brother, how responsible of you!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx and Drae smirked and entered the the tiny home. It stunk of old woman and spices. The large cauldron was sitting over a stone fire pit boiling over hot coals. The smell was unbelievably delicious and enticing. The old woman had actually went back to stirring the pot humming merrily."Oh can you hand me that bowl of vegetables." Stixx shrugged helplessly as he couldn't reach it and Drae helped the old woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"How much allowance are you getting for being here little boy." Mama Giuseppe inquired about Stixx, but didn't look back to meet his gaze. "I'm sure you are a helpful boy."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drae motioned to Stixx to get her to turn away and pointed at the four large containers of poison shoved in sacks. Stixx then reached for a spice knowing he couldn't reach it and as a result it was knocked off and crashed with clatter of broken class and a small plume of dill weed powder. She smiled warmly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Don't worry your pretty little head dear, I'll get it." Mama Giuseppe comforted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As she bent over to clean up the clever mess, Drae dumped the poison into the cauldron, it bubbled with reaction but was over quickly and began stirring. The smell didn't change much at all. She stood up, winced at her back pain and saw Drae stirring the stew. She had hobbled over to the cauldron, took a wooden spoon from her table and spooned up a sip. Then another, and another. "Taste perfect! You boys have helped me so much!" she rejoiced.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So how do you get this up to the fortress Mana?" Stixx asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh the soldiers come and wheel it up there for me." Mana Giuseppe replied. "But right now I feel tired, this just needs to simmer over night."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx and Drae helped her to bed and left the house to report back to the rest of the group about what had happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>8:45 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Back at The Dalliance</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We gathered in the biggest of the rooms in The Dalliance. After today's craziness most of the drunkards that appeared at this time of night had decided to stay in doors in case of another ogre attack. Drae and Stixx came up to the room and rapped on the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We got the stew all ready to go guys." Drae said. "But there was a just a minor set back." he warned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR9ZYlxIb-F-Ck1fzAWaCoQXMyU2neroVdtELojkidIHVgJDK28UoVeHuQ5pZ9rECp64x1LLULK_nldcbUI3_rmFI3XEJWnT3FHiXFjwRhooXKP2w_Ij5IP4VlVOiJy-0QNJ8LMoFF9qM/s1600/adventure_planning_in_solitude_map_room_by_tidmatiger-d4ywdup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYR9ZYlxIb-F-Ck1fzAWaCoQXMyU2neroVdtELojkidIHVgJDK28UoVeHuQ5pZ9rECp64x1LLULK_nldcbUI3_rmFI3XEJWnT3FHiXFjwRhooXKP2w_Ij5IP4VlVOiJy-0QNJ8LMoFF9qM/s1600/adventure_planning_in_solitude_map_room_by_tidmatiger-d4ywdup.jpg" height="400" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Maldrake and Kallista with a map of the area.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"What happened?" Maldrake asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"The old hag tried some of the poisoned batch. Three wooden spoonfuls." Drae explained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx chimed in, "It may not be enough to kill a normal person, but she is very old. I'd say she is around 80."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just in case, you should go check on her in a few Drae." Maldrake suggested. "We wouldn't want her to die on us."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"And you care if she does?" Drae replied surprised.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scoffing at such a suggestion, Maldrake replied, "Of course not. But we have to plan for it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Even if she does, can't we just look like her anyway?" Urgeon said. "I mean, let Drae go baby sit the wrinkly bitch and if she dies, who cares? That off the clock drunkard Bellam might try to go down to the basement again and I want to be waiting for him."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drae nodded in agreement. "I will head back over there. Go ahead and head down I can take care of any problems that arise. You aren't going to traverse the tunnel tonight though are you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista replied, "Doubt it. We still don't know enough yet, the poison stew will help us dwindle down some of the troops, and we should bring all the numbers we can. That means you as well."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon, Grumblejack in a gnome form, and Kiliketz made their way to the basement after they heard Bellam head to bed. Urgeon had given his circlet to Drae in case things went south at the old woman's place. At first Urgeon almost got caught but passed it off as being drunk and went back to his room. A second attempt was good enough to make it to the basement. Maldrake's familiar was positioned perfectly to warn Urgeon when Bellam was coming down and to be ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>9:15 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Drae returns to Mama's house.</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was dusk. Drae arrived at the old woman's home. He knocked gently. He heard a faint moan. He opened the door and closed it very quietly. Drae made his way to the old woman's bedroom and found her laying down convulsing lightly with spatters of blood dripping down from her ears and thick mucus coming from her nose. The cauldron simmered calmly. Drae looked down at the old woman who was struggling in her sleep and shrugged.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksS_DxM_z519iET6NxCQDhl1iFEEukBCIbmiUgOEIO9uYdTrr1EIvo2xMo6TpQUKY41VWIMNviN6_sHdvkF_lRhHM0q1_NwiEUZ5TIKXoryJu9MJI1zp-pbvdintRfkQXM6Rt0BK-YZd1/s1600/todd_1625948c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksS_DxM_z519iET6NxCQDhl1iFEEukBCIbmiUgOEIO9uYdTrr1EIvo2xMo6TpQUKY41VWIMNviN6_sHdvkF_lRhHM0q1_NwiEUZ5TIKXoryJu9MJI1zp-pbvdintRfkQXM6Rt0BK-YZd1/s1600/todd_1625948c.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mama Guiseppe's final moments.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He said to himself in the lonely home, "Just great. Whelp, better take care of this." He picked up a pillow and pressed it over her head. She struggled only lightly, lets out a bit of gas, and just stopped. Drae decided he would just stay in the old woman's home and wait till morning. He pulled up the floorboards in her old rickety home and stuffed her down there and got some light rest. </span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-25619121595313852582014-09-19T19:37:00.002-07:002021-03-29T14:54:10.105-07:00Rumors and Recon<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5:00 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 4, 26 days remaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stayed put in the Dalliance since the walk back. We were understandably on edge and wanted to regain all composure before we began investigating more options to taking down Balentyne. We have a loose cannon with Grumblejack, and a strange dark-skinned fellow with white hair who says he is with us. All in all, we didn't want to go and put all we worked for at risk and have to deal with Thorn. We all agreed it was best to leave Grumblejack upstairs it took a bit of explaining which left us with headaches and thus will not be in this journal again. Constant reader, if you feel this is lacking then maybe you are on the same level as the subject in question.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rsxXBvvS7GloDDbEeeMeEOjlFsQ4fGB3AkCkOsknXGXiLcDUWNOzZt2hDYuXaLIUYW6k2nRtoUnaP5WZ_LXjRxiCueyGJ-tMYp8jLEvlMB0RnP0KOfiojssLvoC2LW0FFeVK4e-nxFv7/s1600/braveheart___tavern_by_agnidevi-d33kilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rsxXBvvS7GloDDbEeeMeEOjlFsQ4fGB3AkCkOsknXGXiLcDUWNOzZt2hDYuXaLIUYW6k2nRtoUnaP5WZ_LXjRxiCueyGJ-tMYp8jLEvlMB0RnP0KOfiojssLvoC2LW0FFeVK4e-nxFv7/s1600/braveheart___tavern_by_agnidevi-d33kilt.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another night in The Dalliance</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began the rumor search. With the issues we had with Grumblejack quite a few people were in the Dalliance tonight gossiping:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you ever been to the choir hall of Balentyne? Amazing! The priests are such beautiful singers and sometimes the stone saints that adorn the place join in the chorus. Such a miracle! </span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lord Havelyn is a good soul but so grim and gloomy. For so great a lord to be unhappy, he must be guilty about something!</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That Captain Zack Eddarly is a handsome one, isn’t he? Such a gallant! And still unmarried at his age. He’ll make some lady of proper breeding quite a catch won’t he?</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Balentyne’s magister, that creepy Tacitus, has been spending a lot of time working on something in his tower! I don’t know what it is, but it’s said that something unnatural was recovered from the north.</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ye Merrie Men are coming to town and the handsome William Marcus Marlow is coming with them! Can you believe it? The Bard of Barrington! Here! They are doing the “Fall of Amberlyn”! Oh, I can’t wait!</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you seen Kaitlyn Mott? She’s the most beautiful woman in town! How did an ugly lump of a man like Captain Franz Mott bag a looker like her? And how does he keep her, that’s what I want to know! </span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you had any of Mama Guisseppe’s beef stew? Delicious! I hear she goes up to the Watchtower and cooks a big batch of it for the men every Monday! What a nice old lady.</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did you hear about prisoners escaping from Branderscar? Were they ever caught?</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here’s to the soldiers of Balentyne! One hundred of the finest fighting men it’s ever been my privilege to serve with.</span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hear Captain Varning is leading another patrol out tomorrow. I wonder how long they’ll be gone this time? The last time they were gone for five days! If you ask me, these patrols are a waste of time. They’re just an excuse for Varning to get out of the tower and gallivant around the country side instead of doing his fair share of guard duty. </span></i></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We engaged some of the towns folk in friendly conversation that night. When they talked about the escaped prisoners of Branderscar, Maldrake bluffed and said that he thought they actually were caught again already! Or when they talked about Mama Guisseppe’s soup and we inquired when. It was Sunday and she was making a batch tonight for tomorrow on Moonday! What luck we had.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With hearing the possibility of their being one hundred or more soldiers we knew this soup that is brought to the fort could easily be a vehicle for some nasty poisons. We found out that she was just down the road a piece. We needed to get together and discuss this right now because time was of the essence. Maldrake sent his familiar down to the basement where we knew Urgeon and Stixx were waiting for orders. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFLw7RqwPkLx_2eGIjxXntdkrkaGbkFuMK8-f9Y_b9-NzrHIER0mW6pbV2X8IM8GFyX2DPhwhMReS_qAnMOCQLCfqMQWDzhMYP1ncheKTt_uGMNyOaQxmQGHMCJwLePriWlQqYZMTs1NO/s1600/moretavern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFLw7RqwPkLx_2eGIjxXntdkrkaGbkFuMK8-f9Y_b9-NzrHIER0mW6pbV2X8IM8GFyX2DPhwhMReS_qAnMOCQLCfqMQWDzhMYP1ncheKTt_uGMNyOaQxmQGHMCJwLePriWlQqYZMTs1NO/s1600/moretavern.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Stixx, Stryder, Urgeon, and Drae blended in quite well.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before we did, Urgeon was dead set on finding out what this tunnel was for and what Bellam knew about it. He tried to get the man drunk and talk his ears off. This proved to be very difficult as Bellam loved his wine and his booze never drank on the job. This of course did not stop Urgeon from trying. After the first few times he was polite but soon it was starting to get annoyed and Urgeon didn't want to press him any further. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">7:30 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We gathered together in the larger of the rooms we stayed in and began to discuss the options at hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Stixx, what kind of poisons do you think you can muster?" Maldrake inquired. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2mslQdSyYbMdQ6mxZTRTM0KZMGgSC2CxNpJEZuaKuBdHOclmdqY7Rc2pOt6jSRpHK0aLeZNOgl2FcwPG5PVnP_gWZYYfcdNzzCbJ8c_JfQYG4h7VM0OJmKUpqs-DMiJSQueLG59KGQfO/s1600/goblin_by_pervandr-d2yoydw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2mslQdSyYbMdQ6mxZTRTM0KZMGgSC2CxNpJEZuaKuBdHOclmdqY7Rc2pOt6jSRpHK0aLeZNOgl2FcwPG5PVnP_gWZYYfcdNzzCbJ8c_JfQYG4h7VM0OJmKUpqs-DMiJSQueLG59KGQfO/s1600/goblin_by_pervandr-d2yoydw.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stixx returning from the tunnel.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx shrugged and looked through is alchemist tools. After a bit of discussion hemlock and arsenic were the two final choices we thought about using. There is no way we would make enough to poison an entire brigade of troops or even part of them in time. We knew of the alchemist in town. It was late but we thought it was a good place to start. Urgeon volunteered to see what the local alchemist had, buy it and report back but was not finished with the inkeeper. Stixx went along to appraise the quality of the stock. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon continued to press the fact that we had a completely secret tunnel that as far as we all knew only Bellam the innkeeper actually knew of it and he had no idea we knew about it. "He's holding out, we need to catch him down in the tunnel." Urgeon advised. "I'm done here, I'll go check out what the alchemist has."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Urgeon and Stixx arrived the alchemist was about to close. They told us that the alchemist didn't want to let them in but Urgeon being sly as he was bluffed his way in. He told the alchemist he had a rabid dog that was a long time family pet and it was time to put it down and that they needed arsenic or hemlock. The alchemist suggested that there are other humane ways to do away with a family pet. Luckily for Urgeon this alchemist must have been quite dumb, gullible or both because he believed the summoner. The alchemist showed them a stock pile of 2 gallons of arsenic that Stixx appraised to be highly potent and could easily be confused for cholera. The alchemist didn't even bat an eye at the idea of needing 2 gallons of the stuff for his dog. Urgeon and Stixx took the poison and returned back to the inn and reported the findings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8:00 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiSIuh3hZnBjp5lrcgcjMblSTHZsFM7GAoimcOOBzx1KxfnUKnUwxQJVAry-_xnVvbN7kHhyrUivFkfovSGWwOTY1EPQu9dMEFcermQWv2Xzq3R6gWioDivh_v9xkIG1aW8-7s3uUfHiK/s1600/old_woman_by_mounachan-d3biwm9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiSIuh3hZnBjp5lrcgcjMblSTHZsFM7GAoimcOOBzx1KxfnUKnUwxQJVAry-_xnVvbN7kHhyrUivFkfovSGWwOTY1EPQu9dMEFcermQWv2Xzq3R6gWioDivh_v9xkIG1aW8-7s3uUfHiK/s1600/old_woman_by_mounachan-d3biwm9.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>What fate does she await?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We need to get to the old lady Guisseppe’s house tonight and poison that stew before it is too late." Urgeon said. "Stixx and I can easily dupe that old bat and get in tonight before she goes to bed."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"That sounds like a solid enough plan." Maldrake said approvingly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"No." Drae interrupted. "I'll go with Stixx."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Fine, but when we do that can we please start planning for if Bellam goes below again?" Urgeon pleaded. "I've had it with this playing around."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Patience young one, Asmodeus rewards those who succeed at his plans." Kallista praised motioning in an evil sadistic ritualistic signing. Urgeon merely shook his head and sat down on the bed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"We're off to see the old lady now, it should not take long, expect us back in an hour." Drae told the party.</span></div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-33248420562810644802014-09-19T06:07:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:12.546-07:00A New Found Friend<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11:45 A.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Day 4, 26 days remaining</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Off the beaten path we realized it was time to have a real heart to heart. We started to see that Grumblejack has been a follower, a lackey, a minion. He was here with us because we didn't tell him to leave.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ668FYJGIGXfFGuTVrjlYaDzDcDMQ7w9Q9oVyaLK0Ep1k530yIBNLlKOJFb220FTKHu0rNqh6BvAk9Iu-tmmBrhR83RZg1SvV1mEAd9gLSrA1TsxUiK4Okp9LBjls0bSbPbFRI8Kpfkf/s1600/backgrounds___forest_by_scummy-d4vb4ha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJ668FYJGIGXfFGuTVrjlYaDzDcDMQ7w9Q9oVyaLK0Ep1k530yIBNLlKOJFb220FTKHu0rNqh6BvAk9Iu-tmmBrhR83RZg1SvV1mEAd9gLSrA1TsxUiK4Okp9LBjls0bSbPbFRI8Kpfkf/s1600/backgrounds___forest_by_scummy-d4vb4ha.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Three miles away from Aldencross.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista and Maldrake started to converse about the subject and Maldrake said we should kill him off. He has almost jeopardized our efforts. We were lucky enough to be able to baby sit him with his circlet of disguise but the point of failure we encountered is not really teaching him how it works. Afraid of tipping off Grumblejack to such an awful turn of events they started to speak in Abyssal. Maldrake continued on with is his protests that the Ogre would ruin the mission but Kallista insisted that his muscle could come in handy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake suggested that they take him in shackles straight to Balentyne and infiltrate the fort that way. Kallista scoffed at such an idea. She made remarks that while that idea has worked a few times in their travels she mentions that the drunkards down at the inn talk as if there are hundreds of soldiers and that Maldrake isn't being realistic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This bickering went back and forth for a few minutes and Grumblejack interrupted them both, "Grumblejack would not have made it half as far as this without his friends. If not for you, Grumblejack might have died in filthy prison cell with great deeds undone! Now, together, we do great and terrible deeds! Grumblejack grateful that you friends share in his adventures!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They looked at him with dumbfounded admiration and tried to explain what happened with him at the tavern. "These circlets can make you look like something else. You only need to think about it and concentrate but it only lasts ten minutes. Can you tell time?" Maldrake asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I can tell time whatever Grumblejack is supposed to tell him. Who be time, he a friend?" Maldrake shakes his head.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi4RDocBW-AViL5vEdaWVx3RovTs6YycpihgyS_VqC3ophrQxDDzIqBPVTs9wFrfP6a71TVnaxJJJNT3-MyLk0TBRHPrC9ZbsHdYzXSmVhdLfStOrenxXiARb4yXFvDMPbh8J4D2lhctZ/s1600/ogre-dwarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVi4RDocBW-AViL5vEdaWVx3RovTs6YycpihgyS_VqC3ophrQxDDzIqBPVTs9wFrfP6a71TVnaxJJJNT3-MyLk0TBRHPrC9ZbsHdYzXSmVhdLfStOrenxXiARb4yXFvDMPbh8J4D2lhctZ/s1600/ogre-dwarf.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Grumblejack mid change.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Just try to think about looking like a human." Maldrake suggested.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You want Grumblejack to look like 'ittl uns?" Grumblejack asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"You can look like that tasty dwarf on the ship." Maldrake replied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack smiled and closed his eyes and soon enough we were looking at Kargeld again. We all nodded in approval and began to walk back to Aldencross. Ten minutes later Grumblejack's form </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">changed back. We shook our heads.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Grumblejack you need to watch your hands. If they look like they are changing, you need to think again about being that dwarf." Kallista mentioned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack turned back into the dwarf again and began to walk with one hand out in front of him. We sighed and tried to be patient with the beast. It seemed to work for him for now. We all agreed though that he could very well become a liability if we don't have a better way to keep him in check. There may be places he can roam free as himself but here it is far to dangerous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1:00 P.M - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along the way back he would lose his form a few times but he was slowly gaining it back again. We did finally make it back to the Inn and we got Grumblejack up to his room which had a door that had been barely repaired and clearly had been knocked off the hinges with ease. We decide to bring the ogre drinks and food instead of letting him stay down with us while we listened to more rumors for the night. </span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-2983055153201002282014-09-17T09:01:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:13.247-07:00Loose Ogre in The Dalliance<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">10:30 A.M. - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Day 4, 26 days remaining</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We made our way back tediously as we did on the way to the cottage. After thirty minutes and getting back to the south eastern part of Aldencross we saw two soldiers charging from the south and getting ready to pass us. We were hidden enough to not be seen but Urgoen quickly disguised himself as one of the soldiers and jumped out to meet them. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDsx8lAm3L01T_SSSP9pAgOz34xMeg9f-tMGv8XZBjGisuxGoqmtCbGxv6weqAwbpbXEOI3nh48tNXMmrI4xl5SfytV5j78O_k1rqcZvnZsRpGytEXB_YvnjrnG-VCSolty_mx7oGh-Dp/s1600/city_streets_by_mariana_vieira-d3b8mla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDsx8lAm3L01T_SSSP9pAgOz34xMeg9f-tMGv8XZBjGisuxGoqmtCbGxv6weqAwbpbXEOI3nh48tNXMmrI4xl5SfytV5j78O_k1rqcZvnZsRpGytEXB_YvnjrnG-VCSolty_mx7oGh-Dp/s1600/city_streets_by_mariana_vieira-d3b8mla.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Urgoen changes quickly to get into the fray and investigate. </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"What is going on here, what is the ruckus about?!" Urgeon blurted out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"There is no time for twenty questions solider, there is an Orge on the loose in The Lord's Dalliance." one of the men informed Urgoen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"Well lets go, what are we waiting for?" , demanded Urgoen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake quickly ordered his familiar, "Little one, I need you to fly as fast as you can and get to Grumblejacks room and get that iron circlet right away!" The beast screeched, went invisible and off it went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
And so they went. Drae went slowly to the inn, while Maldrake disguised himself as Sir Balin, while Kallista, and Stryder adorned themselves as Knights of Alerion. Quickly Kallista and Maldrake go the rear of the Inn and find two guards blocking the door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"We are covered here, you cannot go in right now, there is a beast in there!" The scared soldiers warned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Kallista could feel her blackblade surging with a need to murder this worthless guard and she had to hold her composure. Thinking of it later we could not believe she was able to do it. Maldrake ordered the spineless men, "I Sir Balin, Captain of the Knights of Alerion command you to stand aside. This is the ogre that we have been following for months since he had escaped from Branderscar prison!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Confused and worried the guards still stood their ground and said "I'm sorry Sir Balin, but our orders are from Balentyne, if we move it's our hides!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Kallista had enough. She intimidated the worried men. "Get out of our way and that is an order! You have no idea what you are dealing with here and if your superiors knew of your incompetence and your impeding of catching a known dangerous monster like this you might find yourself in Branderscar <i>with </i>the beast!" The men move aside as Styder, Maldrake, and Kallista burst in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the front Urgeon and Stixx also looking like normal guards burst in through the front to see Maldrake, Stryder, and Kallista come in from the back. There was Grumblejack, going absolutely crazy pounding his fist and scaring the barkeep as he sat cowering in a puddle of his own piss and it smelled like he may have shit himself as well. A couple unlucky patrons remained in fear in the corner and two guards were already in the Inn trying to net the beast and failing. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQk5lVcYSq32rk676WIHES_zQJh19mGf2W8W8lFDKIzyeW3oNGhPMsBwrvYKhaIZhIz4g_Y-5XQCFqWUXHY_NLZcx_bauICOutmxffXy8X9A_JgsDjiypk1CkHXXbdkkze1KN2aFlpZps/s1600/ogrefighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQk5lVcYSq32rk676WIHES_zQJh19mGf2W8W8lFDKIzyeW3oNGhPMsBwrvYKhaIZhIz4g_Y-5XQCFqWUXHY_NLZcx_bauICOutmxffXy8X9A_JgsDjiypk1CkHXXbdkkze1KN2aFlpZps/s1600/ogrefighting.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dwarven solider attempts to tackle the ogre.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
As soon as Urgeon entered he looked out the window to summon his eidolon to crash through it. "The beast has summoned a spawn of hell!" a commoner out side yelled. The eidolon ran to the basement as he commanded with a quick yelp in infernal. With all the commotion and yelling no one noticed. With this distraction Urgeon quickly moved to the basement to hide in the secret tunnel. Stixx came with him. There they stayed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i><span style="color: cyan;">I have it master Maldrake. I have the circlet, what should I do?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: cyan;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="color: cyan;"></span></i></span><br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Bring it down stairs we will need it for the ogre very quickly we think. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake and Kallista pull off the guards, "Back off, we know how to handle his, we've dealt with him before." Maldrake ordered as Sir Balin. The guards backed off. Grumblejack leaned over the counter panting. Kallista brought the guards to the other side of the room pretending to be concerned. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><i>Little one, tell this creature I am Maldrake and Grumblejack need not be afraid. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="color: cyan;">Grumblejack this is Maldrake please calm down. The man you see next to you is not one of those it'l uns. It is me Maldrake. Your friend. Just calm down and walk with us we will get you out of this. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
Maldrake, Stryder, Kallista and the other guards walk the ogre out of town and towards Balentyne. After about 30 minutes of walking, we got far enough outside of town so incase we needed to kill some guards no one would hear them. Drae was stalking in the near by shrubs and trees staying out of sight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"You all should go back and protect the town, we can handle this mongrel." Maldrake suggested,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"With all due respect sir, we should get him to Balentyne." one of guards replied.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"There is still a beast loose in the inn, didn't you see it crash through the window? Townsfolk could be in danger!" Kallista balked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Looking scared and shocked the guards nodded and started to double time it back to Aldencross. We all went to the side into some trees to lose our disguises for a bit to ease Grumblejack's mind and figure out what to do next. </span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-73961309134357223532014-09-17T04:28:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:14.438-07:00The Secret Laboratory<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8:00 A.M. - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 4, 26 days remaining</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We checked on Grumblejack and of course he was passed out but still alive. We decided to leave him and move forward to the south east edge of town. We went together into the forest only about thirty yards so we could be unseen. Kallista attempted to go deeper into the forest while Maldrake and Stryder formulated a plan. We didn't see her again for almost an hour. Maldrake commanded his familiar to fly above the tree line and see what he could see. The tree line at the highest was only about fifty feet. The familiar quickly reported that there was a clearing but it was around two-hundred yards away or so. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stryder advised us that he would climb to the top and so he did. It was child's play due to his catfolk heritage. At the top he said that he could see Balentyne across the bay. He could see no clearing. He attempted to jump to the next tree and succeeded easily. He tried again and failed and fell fifty feet below and almost broke both his legs if not for landing and rolling just right. We shook our heads and told the cat man that at his rate it would take hours. Maldrake sent his familiar up with a long silk rope and with each others guidance they navigated their way through the forest. It took a couple tries to get off because we started to move to fast and the rope would get tangled and yanked out of his familiars mouth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9k7gLDSHKPLGcl4TP6wFm5osYw5XUBOmLA7Hb3XaU5mcY_BO5MmJkl5gt3z9SNk5LkXeETcDNAv0zNylS0CzxwuRz2Xl-5bsuvsq4v54ZAGBBoC_6dh6OuJD97jT-YKR5KOrEmuuO644/s1600/forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9k7gLDSHKPLGcl4TP6wFm5osYw5XUBOmLA7Hb3XaU5mcY_BO5MmJkl5gt3z9SNk5LkXeETcDNAv0zNylS0CzxwuRz2Xl-5bsuvsq4v54ZAGBBoC_6dh6OuJD97jT-YKR5KOrEmuuO644/s1600/forest.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fiftieth time is a charm?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We proceeded slowly and carefully through the forest and just over twenty-five minutes later we arrives at a clearing in the woods. We saw a wooded cottage with only a single wooden door. We could see the start of a path back out of clearing and we were only about twenty yards off the path. Before we went in, Malrake ordered his familiar to find Kallista in town and help her guide her way here as well and so it was done. After nearly an hour total spent on getting everyone to this place it was time to investigate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9:00 A.M. - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9lyZ0hqECnvNDAyBbcOePWOdZhURcSsuAA8yX3mpKf0unlFqCYObItHtWXQgoPuOSwXNNWyFXA2cnwWpNvWR9MaKHAmK1B7VjIzjLTpKps6TAqByqjEqRAIB1dZBRyoj_vDx9tfwDE7/s1600/1580806-bigthumbnail+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9lyZ0hqECnvNDAyBbcOePWOdZhURcSsuAA8yX3mpKf0unlFqCYObItHtWXQgoPuOSwXNNWyFXA2cnwWpNvWR9MaKHAmK1B7VjIzjLTpKps6TAqByqjEqRAIB1dZBRyoj_vDx9tfwDE7/s1600/1580806-bigthumbnail+copy.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Strange place for a cottage.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We approached the cottage and Stryder could see that this path is heavily used and therefore we should proceed carefully. Stixx and Maldrake check out the door and while it was locked it is not trapped. Stixx picked the lock easily. Urgeon magically opened the door to be sure and it opened with ease. Maldrake looked in and all he saw was a twenty by thirty foot room with no furnishings and a slightly dusty floor and no windows. We could see quickly that this was actually a stone cottage with wooden exterior. No matter though we all entered and to the left there was another door. It too was not trapped and it was not locked. Inside was a mess. Broken furniture, splintered planks of wood, and general dirt and mold were scattered all over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After about ten minutes eyeing over the place Kallista was getting very impatient. She rushed out the door only to fall flat on her rear and as she did, a small plume of dust arose from the opposite side of the front door she was about to exit and she notices pattering foot prints scurrying up more dust. She quickly alerted the party but before they could get any real track on what was going on she said it was gone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There is something invisible out there." she said as she pointed in a non direct location. Stixx stayed indoors while Urgoen helped move some of the broken pieces to get a better look at the floors and walls. While outside trying to figure out what we just encountered a voice broke the confusion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"I am Drae. I followed you here. I over heard while you just entering the forest that you were looking for this place and though I am a bit of a local around these parts I've never seen any of you and I have to wonder what a group like this would be out in the middle of the day."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We did not know what to make of this strange dark skinned elf. He said that he knows that we followed Bellam into the tunnel and after he heard a couple rumors himself a week ago, he too said this would be a perfect opportunity for him to seek his revenge on Balentyne. It is the keepers of that place that eradicated his family years ago. We didn't question his motives and Maldrake's familiar detected no good on this elf and Kallista's Blackblade was remaining docile. Drae said that he heard the rumors about Bellam needing a stash of fine wine and a tunnel that may have been sealed years ago that lead to Balentyne. So we agreed to move along with him and figure out if he was legitimate later. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">9:30 A.M. - Day 115, Rova 15, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drae and Stixx went searching and found a small trap door in the corner. It was locked but only in the most basic form. Maldrake leaned over and didn't seem to concerned with the possibility of traps and slide the tiny bolt lock to the side and the door dropped open. There was a faint light coming from the right side of the room, mostly likely that of a candelabra as it was not a very bright light. Maldrake went down first and saw nothing of any danger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2s9otvHgtmk_lfXLRu7ko1kpNyHyFGv62LmlLfg3cX2mSBCpkxeMcPT4If2RdUwLvY6vhqFiB90PjNtDAJYCofgIWuqxoOUGN3dAgeXznlU0fnOrKjXPxsYspCdhAlckfrFcB6JDgQ_0/s1600/alchlab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2s9otvHgtmk_lfXLRu7ko1kpNyHyFGv62LmlLfg3cX2mSBCpkxeMcPT4If2RdUwLvY6vhqFiB90PjNtDAJYCofgIWuqxoOUGN3dAgeXznlU0fnOrKjXPxsYspCdhAlckfrFcB6JDgQ_0/s1600/alchlab.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>What in the hell is lab doing here?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"There is a huge dead body of some sort on a slab here, I think it's a golem. My little pet tells me it is active but don't worry it has straps around its legs and arms." Maldrake said up the ladder to the first floor. He added, "Looks like wine cellar turned alchemist lab down here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all came down one by one and all agreed that we had nothing to fear from the golem and even Stixx chimed in with a comment about the quality, "Dat be the shittiest creation I could see."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stryder seemed nervous. He stayed behind all of us and beads of sweat seemed to pour from his eye brows and dripping down over his fur. We thought nothing of it, as he is always quite and nervous most of the time. Kallista moved in to check out this creation and with out warning a giant fist swung and stuck her right in the face and she reeled back in pain. We all quickly looked at Stryder who in a faint voice murmured, "I don't think it's bindings are in tact."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz_fqT4DVbtI7tJRDR1sTu00FuYsmL36VDBrjou9Xv5W66Pqb6FUNRpOkQ7uhY_YSUITtyoawYGaQeItTqsp_aocVRlaNMjYKXayNCBBqerTAScIZ0kNg-Lg-whkfGxYrHQ_9nLDLB5ck/s1600/tumblr_n6nk5vZ3sa1reohnuo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinz_fqT4DVbtI7tJRDR1sTu00FuYsmL36VDBrjou9Xv5W66Pqb6FUNRpOkQ7uhY_YSUITtyoawYGaQeItTqsp_aocVRlaNMjYKXayNCBBqerTAScIZ0kNg-Lg-whkfGxYrHQ_9nLDLB5ck/s1600/tumblr_n6nk5vZ3sa1reohnuo1_1280.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The flesh golem rises.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So the fight with the nasty flesh golem began and was over almost as fast as it started. We closed in on it with fearsome disregard. Stryder watched his arrows bounce off its outer skin, while Urgeon cast a magic fang spell on his creation. Stixx quickly closed in and dropped one hell of a bomb on the beast and lit it a flame. Maldrake ordered Kiliketz to strike it with a cone of cold only to watch it's efforts be nullified with in an instant. Kallista struck the abomination with her blackblade and saw her shocking grasp similar dissipate into the beast. Drae moved in to get closer and healed Kallista with a wand and she thanked him quickly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake closed in to strike the golem and missed, but Kallista, Drae, and Stixx most certainly didn't miss and the creature howled in anger. When it could respond again, it stood up and those close enough got a few cheap shots in. It however was not enough for the beast to protect whatever its master intended for and died in a burning pile of melted flesh, rivets, and bolts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There wasn't much to take from that place except some ointments and bindings. Stixx found a masterwork alchemist lab. Maldrake tore down all the surrounding permanent alchemist labs and could not find any secret doors or further traps. While this was concerning we had no idea what was in store for us later in the day. We gathered our composure and head back the way we came, leaving no care for the way we left this strange building. Maybe our owner would get the hint that we weren't impressed.</span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-54111189990744084312014-09-16T05:06:00.001-07:002021-03-29T14:54:15.804-07:00Grumblejack and Mead<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8:00 P.M - Day 114, Rova 14, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 4, 26 days remaining</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we decided to stick around the inn for a most of the day. We processed what this tunnel could mean for us and of course ate and drank ourselves into a tizzy. Not nearly as bad a Grumblejack however. Grumblejack approached Maldrake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGMdIdFekE35Lbw8FosN-MN-Pl3SEXPw7HDQgrAqVuMpeiQtr4ft2v7L3of2ozSHMDuwjXuRFQgXuEinMfasYgRJka6MU6xcwtjpEr5mxq6hd_ADps0Eb1D6Hwi0bUSlLDYhGKM-DOq-8/s1600/tavern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGMdIdFekE35Lbw8FosN-MN-Pl3SEXPw7HDQgrAqVuMpeiQtr4ft2v7L3of2ozSHMDuwjXuRFQgXuEinMfasYgRJka6MU6xcwtjpEr5mxq6hd_ADps0Eb1D6Hwi0bUSlLDYhGKM-DOq-8/s1600/tavern.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Another busy night in The Lord's Dalliance!</i> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Grumblejack want coin. Grumblejack want big mutton and drink like them." He pointed to other drunkards in the Inn. "Grumblejack want coin." Maldrake, not in the least bit concerned gives him a gold piece and Grumblejack in his human form clumsily moves to the bar and tells the barkeep "Grumblejack want that." and points to another patron as he hands over his gold piece. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"So you want a cup of Dwarven stout?" He takes the coins and gives Grumblejack change. Grumblejack in an angry tone replies back to the bar keep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Grumblejack no want to buy more coins, Grumblejack want Dwarven Snout!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Stout. Alright pal, take it is easy. It will be a moment this is a lot of stout."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few moments went by and we see the bar keep bring Grumblejack a large bucket with the Dwarven Stout in it. Sure enough Grumblejack starts to down the bucket of stout rather quickly and making a mess of himself and the barroom floor. He soon finishes and lets out a roar of a belch and goes back to see Maldrake and asked again, "Grumblejack want coin. Grumblejack want more snout of dwarves."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRokQoXzObppceEOZwISIaWJ_yUw64sbtUAUWOziW2t5pqKQACuw1k1pQG6RS8gxoRCk_69xJ74N2CWtm562hyd511I-pRmTn2nBx7bAeiYVXUSM09srDTh_FlPZXHcXfA3km6AoxzaVZP/s1600/inn_by_ideljenny-d5pjzzl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRokQoXzObppceEOZwISIaWJ_yUw64sbtUAUWOziW2t5pqKQACuw1k1pQG6RS8gxoRCk_69xJ74N2CWtm562hyd511I-pRmTn2nBx7bAeiYVXUSM09srDTh_FlPZXHcXfA3km6AoxzaVZP/s1600/inn_by_ideljenny-d5pjzzl.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">It was time for Grumblejack to leave.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake hands him his share of the gold he has accumulated since escaping and tells him to go buy what he wants. This sum was easily over two-thousand gold pieces. Never the less, Grumblejack doing what he was told walked back to the barkeep and dumped the pouch of gold pieces on the counter and it went sprawling all over. Grumblejack recites as he did before, however the bar keep looks at him and simply put the coins back in the bag and tell him he is too drunk. He takes one coin and gives him another bucket and yells to Maldrake, "You need to get your friend to bed, he's going to drink himself to death and poverty!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we did. We took him up to his room and with in almost a few seconds as if on cue dropped face first onto the floor and his circlet went rolling away. He turned to his normal self and we locked him in the room and went to discuss what we had planned for the next day. After a short discussion we thought it best to try and find out what was hiding at the south east part of town. Maldrake had a plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Get some sleep, we've got a long day tomorrow." Maldrake advises as we went back to our rooms for the night. </span><br />
<br />Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-8634364526401604162014-09-11T04:30:00.006-07:002021-03-29T14:54:16.656-07:00A Weasel Among Us<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12:30 P.M - Day 113, Rova 13, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Day 2, 28 remaining.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Maldrake awoke suddenly. He nudged Kallista, Stixx, and Ur'goen out of sleep. "I just heard something, someone is sneaking around. Are we all accounted for? " Kallista and Stixx looked about and nodded. We looked down over the small balcony moving as quietly as we could and we saw the innkeeper, Bellam Barhold owner of The Lord's Dalliance tip toeing from his room and down stairs and what appeared to be low lower level of the inn but not quite the basement. From his body movements Stixx nudged Maldrake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"He be tryin' to hard to not be seen. He be tryin' to hard to not be heard. He be tryin' to hard to be perceived. He may be foolin' da drunks but he doan fool may." Styxx informed all of us. Maldrake nodded and sent his familiar to give chase. All his family could tell him was that he was going to the basement. Maldrake commanded his pet to follow Bellam but only to the basement and tell us what is happening. We lost contact. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYijY46TC0Mo9FAz0UY2UpHx_CDrnj18NO4HD3Kb5rPiwFvELrsXDipYzSAh0UfDvsWzaxBUWTeqVVwQxRK6KRnjHyxkd1r-UcyGrcasp_NpjpGlXTRcRP44H7eg8FSJ6XGAdfgx3Nvi9/s1600/Underground_Tunnel__Laaaame____by_ErebusNyx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYijY46TC0Mo9FAz0UY2UpHx_CDrnj18NO4HD3Kb5rPiwFvELrsXDipYzSAh0UfDvsWzaxBUWTeqVVwQxRK6KRnjHyxkd1r-UcyGrcasp_NpjpGlXTRcRP44H7eg8FSJ6XGAdfgx3Nvi9/s1600/Underground_Tunnel__Laaaame____by_ErebusNyx.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Who builds a secret tunnel?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
So Stixx, Kallista, Ur'goen, Maldrake, Stryder and even Kiliketz went down stairs. Luckily our party was so large that we were able to take all available rooms. Went we got to the basement level, only Maldrake and Stixx went in first. No one was in there. Maldrake's familiar telepathically told him that Bellam went through the wall to the east, though we could see nothing. We waited just a few moments in case Bellam was on the other side of this wall and began to search. Sure enough there was a secret door. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Kallista was first to volunteer. "Let's go and catch him. He is on to us lets get him." She said she went into the tunnel and only with the faintest glow she could see the shadowy report of a torch giving off its dim light through her dark vision. She motioned the rest of us to follow and Maldrake, Ur'goen, Stryder, and all of us, even Grumblejack eventually stumbled down to the basement and we began to move a little faster and could see us getting close to the light. Only Maldrake, Kallista, and Stixx went on though. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just as we got close enough to see the silhouette of the man. Then the figure stops and tilts his head as though he is listening intently for something. We've only traveled about two-hundred feet at this point. The figure turned around and looked back at us. Of course it could not see us and only the darkvision capable among us could see him. We stayed still for nearly ten minutes in complete silence. After this time we could see his foot steps begin again and he slowly moved on. We were able to keep a steady pace with him for about another three-hundred forty feet before the quite stone tunnel was filled with an abrupt howling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ATS6Q-czZs5W9lTkj3q4ISWLCszp9tIckGQIYAEIqum2B7RbexEOQn0LviISQEdq0m2vnCDzrwwi6G2ruL4fCQMBBNhYcMc-O4FcoCf1H8FZSuKzNOFVQm6CPjAbk6qO244tA2TlP-D/s1600/c14fbb07fc936cb4ad23d0bdaf5e0079-d4n4zuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ATS6Q-czZs5W9lTkj3q4ISWLCszp9tIckGQIYAEIqum2B7RbexEOQn0LviISQEdq0m2vnCDzrwwi6G2ruL4fCQMBBNhYcMc-O4FcoCf1H8FZSuKzNOFVQm6CPjAbk6qO244tA2TlP-D/s1600/c14fbb07fc936cb4ad23d0bdaf5e0079-d4n4zuk.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Dank and dreary we are but leery of this chapel eerie.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Who goes there?" Bellam yelled out. Goes, goes, goes, there, ther,the is what we heard as the echoes of his terrified presence broke down any semblance of silence. We all froze in our tracks suddenly. "Come on out now, I won't hurt you and you have nothing to be afraid of." He was terrified and his voice was on edge. Little did the little weasel know what could be waiting for him should he push us further. This time the wait was even more unbearable. He stood looking back at us for nearly twenty-five more minutes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">12:50 P.M - Day 113, Rova 13, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Styxx beckoned Maldrake down to his level and whispered to the tiefling cleric "You all be too loud up in har. You nad to get buck while you inviseeeahhble pet and me go check this out." Maldrake simply nodded and gestured Kallista and Kiliketz to hold back and motion on Styxx and his invisible beast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Kallista quickly whispers, "We'll stay with in darkvision distance of you, but you keep on him." She motions them on. And on they went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Styxx slowly advanced on the trembling man in the dark. Both of our parties had easily exceeded half a mile now and we kept in pursuit. A few times the farthest party made noise that Styxx could hear but he was clearly too far behind the innkeeper for it to mean much of anything. We followed Bellam until we got to a corner and made our way around it only to lose him for just a few seconds. This part of the tunnel got a bit curvy but soon straighten itself again. We have been down here for over an hour now and have walked nearly a mile and then the unlikely happened. Styxx who was getting a bit ahead of his feet kicked a pebble down a small incline in the tunnel and of course Bellam had to hear it and a blood curdling howl was let out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"HA! I KNEW IT. I KNEW SOME BASTARD WAS FOLLOWING ME, IT'S TOO LATE FOR YOU NOW, HERE I COME." Bellam screamed and gave chase into the darkness. Styxx bolted backwards toward the way he came and when the rest of us saw him we drew our weapons. Styxx simply waved us back and we all began to run at full speed. Looking back over our shoulder Bellam began to slow, he could not match our constitutions and was easily losing his breath and stumbled and fell down. Once we got of the secret door and back up to our rooms Maldrake formed a plan. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeiGNoLnmP3-d9gDNaNa_9LVDq1jc1MqqHsmA62uu351EzBMllZ2n-02qQt5ACNJmpMLoY37uPZIlJq3FpqBVBE8WALU86VocwvwPiSMELkm0f_2I5ILXppugmTInPH6M7kxSbSPVMTuP/s1600/dungeon_level_1___level_concept_a__tunnel_by_cloister-d4m02xn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeiGNoLnmP3-d9gDNaNa_9LVDq1jc1MqqHsmA62uu351EzBMllZ2n-02qQt5ACNJmpMLoY37uPZIlJq3FpqBVBE8WALU86VocwvwPiSMELkm0f_2I5ILXppugmTInPH6M7kxSbSPVMTuP/s1600/dungeon_level_1___level_concept_a__tunnel_by_cloister-d4m02xn.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">How long does this go on?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
2:30 P.M - Day 113, Rova 13, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"Kiliketz, this is your chance to redeem yourself. You need to go with my little beast, I want you to go back down there tonight, watch for Bellam, and travel the length of that tunnel and report back. It cannot be a long tunnel if he was willing to travel it on foot in the dead of night, return back and let us know. Do this and forever cement yourself in our loyalty to you and you to us." There was not much to it and mephit and the familar went about their way and the rest of us went to back to sleep. Before we did, Maldrake ordered his familiar to inspect the tunnel to see where it goes and come back with a report. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
7:00 A.M - Day 114, Rova 14, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<i>Day 3, 27 remaining.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We spent the rest of the next twenty-four hours exploring more of Aldencross learning the area a bit better. Maldrake was getting worried because it had been over twenty four hours before we saw his familiar and Kiliketz again and began to fear the worst. It wasn't until we awoke from the next nights sleep that his familiar returned and Kiliketz drearly reported that the reason it took so long is that the trip was almost one-hundred and ten miles total. In a sad and whiny voice Kiliketz informed, "We ended up in what I believe was a storage area in a very fortified area. I believe that tunnel goes to Balentyne."</span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-39163808892647490062014-09-06T22:29:00.002-07:002021-03-29T14:54:17.882-07:00Exploring Aldencross<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>You are close now. Just a few miles from here sits the small market town of Aldencross and less than a mile from there is the watchtower of Balentyne – your goal. Already Sakkarot’s horde gathers and prepares to move. Within two weeks, they will be in a small valley north of the lake awaiting your signal. Fire the rocket into the air at just the right moment and you will take the first step towards claiming vengeance against Talingarde. Destiny has taken you here. Destiny has given you a mission. There is no doubt that the future of this green and pleasant land lies in your hands. You could go to that town right now and warn them of the plots of the sinister Cardinal Thorn. You could give yourself up and face the justice you deserve. You could turn back from the horror and the slaughter that you are going to inflict upon these Mitran sheep. This is that moment. This is the turning point. After this, there is no going back. Any one eager for redemption? I thought not. Come, my friends. We have work to do.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>We must burn Balentyne. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5:00 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGw1X-fJcqmKQREN7c98_njkaaBvBCkr6Q44JvlJsgfhO9DoOxmRCUkd-1akdbGso66_q6se8m6eiEdIauZvSCuqP4yN8c-0x-4ns54pyMW74wslcVoeoq3G-qbFz6fsR8OGadPN90Bjc/s1600/medieval_1_by_alexshatohin-d70s8gm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGw1X-fJcqmKQREN7c98_njkaaBvBCkr6Q44JvlJsgfhO9DoOxmRCUkd-1akdbGso66_q6se8m6eiEdIauZvSCuqP4yN8c-0x-4ns54pyMW74wslcVoeoq3G-qbFz6fsR8OGadPN90Bjc/s1600/medieval_1_by_alexshatohin-d70s8gm.jpg" height="153" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Aldencross</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unloading the goods.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sleep. When will sleep come? As I'm writing this we are trying to find a place to quickly unload the furs, tusks, and ivory. Luckily the general store was just opening, the owner was very happy to see us. When I say us, I mean what we wanted to look like. Those circlets came in handy. Sure Grumblejack as a human was awkward but he got around. We still got a few looks from people about Kiliketz. Maldrake's monstrosity of a familiar thankfully could be kept invisible as to know rile up any would be townsfolks. We made a nice killing on the ivory and tusks. It is too early to tell because we are all too tired but I'd say we made over three or four thousand gold, plus what we raided from sad Kargeld.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmgx1oAgUGwQyo8UmkGUIHdlBxMRy8ZCMWlW2o1M8a5GZ7YcObVkDqEkvPVmAaqCBsuqCDzPrMxX2wCoVxxixK-NBoW5tTM74TFZ3rFOkJODxZaD9Cm-ENZIQfWazraUH9Lmi-2aPxJj5/s1600/general+store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmgx1oAgUGwQyo8UmkGUIHdlBxMRy8ZCMWlW2o1M8a5GZ7YcObVkDqEkvPVmAaqCBsuqCDzPrMxX2wCoVxxixK-NBoW5tTM74TFZ3rFOkJODxZaD9Cm-ENZIQfWazraUH9Lmi-2aPxJj5/s1600/general+store.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Not a bad little shop, after Balentyne maybe we can loot it.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6:00 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQCPEyxckd0_ps7RO7K0ElOQFfpfz2pgCH970Gv1hFWNtHg27st3d_cn0ErcDT3BZ1Ir2EPRbA6evMIW_JtP3WFqFW-LLrFtthdeiRZ2Abv4YAo2x_fpSHhSluBumIp0z_djJW0LGL5fZ/s1600/medieval_town_by_shutupandwhisper-d6q07yv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQCPEyxckd0_ps7RO7K0ElOQFfpfz2pgCH970Gv1hFWNtHg27st3d_cn0ErcDT3BZ1Ir2EPRbA6evMIW_JtP3WFqFW-LLrFtthdeiRZ2Abv4YAo2x_fpSHhSluBumIp0z_djJW0LGL5fZ/s1600/medieval_town_by_shutupandwhisper-d6q07yv.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Aldencross begins to bustle.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We spent most of this day exploring and found a few places. The town center which was a place for a market of some sort but no one was here. </span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx reported back his lone adventure. He decided to go check out the local graveyard. We don't know why. We don't know what goes on in that goblins head most of the time. We figured as long as he isn't trying to light something on fire our cover will be fine. Here's what he told us:</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Fr-P_c94OwUn5D-yAt4r-kaS-4TdsbRMi5iY_gr3fLIyB-EZSAgwOKeI6deg6uQTeWOU5R5F_rwnVQx5vAn37CVSnoIE2MFlrdmjwQ7OWBppw8CmhXgLuOAJf54EQoz_igRmd-Pad01/s1600/graveyard__commission_1_by_shewolf294-d5b1hjg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Fr-P_c94OwUn5D-yAt4r-kaS-4TdsbRMi5iY_gr3fLIyB-EZSAgwOKeI6deg6uQTeWOU5R5F_rwnVQx5vAn37CVSnoIE2MFlrdmjwQ7OWBppw8CmhXgLuOAJf54EQoz_igRmd-Pad01/s1600/graveyard__commission_1_by_shewolf294-d5b1hjg.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">An evil deception?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went to the graveyard. First thing I saw was two nasty corpse hands coming around of a grave in the back part of the yard. Moments later a series of small children holding hands began weaving in and out of the gravestones. The corpse's head, arms and torso were up out of the ground now. The little children were playing and laughing tapping the hideous creature on the head then they ran off into forest and I gave chase. I looped back to the same graveyard and the corpse was gone but the laughing was still going on. I walked away and heard a little girl crying and when I turned around everything was back to normal. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8:00 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The rest of us found a few fancy manors and Maldrake was desperate to find some magical items. He knew what was being asked of us and we needed some real fire power. The only place open was a scroll shop -- The Illuminated Scroll. The shop owner said when asked about magical items of such caliber only said he might know someone and to come back in three days. We continued on and scouted out a fair bit of the city, but over all pretty boring place. We spend an hour trying to investigate a path in the south east part of the town that looked like it could go somewhere but no matter how hard we tried we would end up somewhere else in the town. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH1LtWkWz14XdOhj2UIxOyFb90koFjZ5lOh_sMffaoAXTtaDVI7E0D4CnEuXDOcP8Q7HCBiGdS5WUpXNn6mSuMgoi9ra8OUWCUY90YdCFoj0AmFz4YWTfAhl9jcfICMZxeeJhvdCSxdjy/s1600/pharmacy_by_realnam-d6rvlo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH1LtWkWz14XdOhj2UIxOyFb90koFjZ5lOh_sMffaoAXTtaDVI7E0D4CnEuXDOcP8Q7HCBiGdS5WUpXNn6mSuMgoi9ra8OUWCUY90YdCFoj0AmFz4YWTfAhl9jcfICMZxeeJhvdCSxdjy/s1600/pharmacy_by_realnam-d6rvlo6.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stixx was a kid in a candy store at the alchemist.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">11:00 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed on the graveyard after Stixx tales and ignore a few abandoned buildings, a warehouse and farmhouse. Timon's Meadery might be a nice place to stop after we are done by we have to stay on task. The cities only watch tower is at the far east side of town and that road will lead to Balentyne. The smithy shop owned by Erasmus VonKraig was pretty average we restocked a bit but nothing of real value for us there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3:00 P.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then there was The Lord's Dalliance Inn, which turned out to be a great place to gather information. While we are here we should probably jot those down and so after a few drunken hours we picked up a bit as soldiers would come from Balentyne and citizens would flood in for late afternoon food and drink:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BqHIs5Km_kCTlnGQZXRtLJpE-jEwWs_ucYKQlDhHWquytIOLU2J-l2gLXH0eG9JYeh6lFrt7mC7vGnmO6Y-BwlMFz06axcKyq88RaCXqJgeqbAhi2vM2FDfx3Vv_8acIJt3qUKfiGhaj/s1600/Tavern_by_jjnaas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BqHIs5Km_kCTlnGQZXRtLJpE-jEwWs_ucYKQlDhHWquytIOLU2J-l2gLXH0eG9JYeh6lFrt7mC7vGnmO6Y-BwlMFz06axcKyq88RaCXqJgeqbAhi2vM2FDfx3Vv_8acIJt3qUKfiGhaj/s1600/Tavern_by_jjnaas.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Rumors everywhere!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bellam Barhold is such a lush. He does enjoy his wine. He’s always complaining about how he can’t get any of the good stuff here in the borderlands.</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hear a raven arrived at the rookery last night! I bet it carried important news though I know not about what.</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Those dwarves are a thieving lot! I heard one of them was caught picking a man’s pocket.</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soldiers today! A worthless, shiftless lot! Balentyne is in total disarray. Soldiers today are too lazy – not like in my day.</span></i></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">8:00 P.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Day 1, 29 remaining.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Nothing else to record, we are all on the brink of extreme fatigue and we need a good night sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-25359583102250958592014-08-28T06:25:00.003-07:002021-03-29T14:54:20.413-07:00Dwarfing the Problem<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3:30 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Loose Ends</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sleep is still an afterthought. It is cold. It is damp. We meet up with Kargeld and his sole remaining crew member. Kargeld blocked us from getting on the ship at first. He stared us down with ferocious eyes. "You bastards tried to kill me and killed most of my crew. I don't know what you though you could pull but you can find your own ride"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack grunted "I tired of red hairs belly aching. Time sleep." With that Grumblejack hopped on the boat from the dock. "You still liv'n, can't be killi'n if you be liv'n." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kargeld looked back to see Maldrake holding the clay seal Thorn gave to us. "Let us on this boat and take us to Aldencross or I break this seal and we see just how far you get with Thorn. You aren't the only one with orders. We've been running on practical no sleep since the last guard change so we got rusty. We apologize for your crew." </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Kargeld grumbled and let the party on the ship only partially believing Maldrake's excuse and letting us on board. We moved onward through the foggy morning night. About 30 minutes later and far enough away from the bugbear camp that we could no longer tell where we here, there was a massive shunt to the boat. Kargeld yells out “Ice in the water! It’ll rip out our hull!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone but Kargeld, the crew member, Stryder, Urgoen and Kiliketz who was hanging out top the mast of the ship fell into the water. A surprise to us the water was not frigid in the least bit. It was cold of course but no way could their be ice. Regardless Kargeld went along with his falsehood “Get them out! They'll freeze in that icy water!” We pulled everyone in rather easy. Kargeld still stood proud of his valiant efforts to save everyone. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When Kargeld walked over to Stixx to look as though he gave a shit, we learned later what he was actually doing was mocking us. Stixx later told us that Kargeld whispered to him "How do like my ship now?" smirked a shit eating grin and walked away. At this point Maldrake through clever telepathy with his familiar communicated to all of us to prepare yourselves because we are going to take Kargeld out before we get to the shore. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4:00 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We attacked. There wasn't much more too it, that stupid dwarf was still injured from our brawl and since no one liked the fat prick anyway no one helped him back to full heath. The fight was over in less than 30 seconds. Both of the men were dead and blood was everywhere. Grumblejack got hungry and began to feast on the dwarf and his human crew member. We shrugged and let him do his business. We took a calculated risk with this move. We had no navigator but with a combined effort and aiding Stryder who vastly had the superior survival skills directed us on the right course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We looted the ship completely of any valuables, grabbed our trade goods and Kiliketz steadied the rudder as we turned it around to have it sail out to the middle of the lake. Prior to this however we took out all goods below deck, anything that was particually dry, we splintered any crates they were in, and soaked them in some lantern oil we found below. We tired together all the rope we had and thankfully there was another one-hundred feet of rope below, it was ratty and on its last leg but good enough to tie around Urgeon to pull him to shore after he summoned a small fire elemental to start the blaze. The ship went up with ease and sailed a few hundred more feet before going the sails went ablaze and stopped to finally burn to its end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6lMrxGIntGD9F8P8GS2AhzkSeubkssGDcIhcXAz1f1JBlQKe4AJy_hagDLl7gNh1OdL51HLFKjhh1qDlFusPoKyy94RWNPIJUMJgPcSC-5pxIl0Y64tLU99VF3kGcTAIn7Cp-u4FxU4m/s1600/the_burning_ship_by_liktarka_animal-d4fszxw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6lMrxGIntGD9F8P8GS2AhzkSeubkssGDcIhcXAz1f1JBlQKe4AJy_hagDLl7gNh1OdL51HLFKjhh1qDlFusPoKyy94RWNPIJUMJgPcSC-5pxIl0Y64tLU99VF3kGcTAIn7Cp-u4FxU4m/s1600/the_burning_ship_by_liktarka_animal-d4fszxw.png" height="256" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>We liked it fine Kargeld.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-35633472762300787092014-08-26T06:43:00.003-07:002021-03-29T14:54:23.816-07:00Sakkarot and the Tail of Loose Ends<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">11:30 P.M - Day 111, Rova 11, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i-GvCTV2tN3eTsdHeFY0qG9zWjhB05iH6-TGUIhXWT7a76i3E7gYeGkucL0tA3Tfu2S3RY-wZ-TNkTrKxV-66Faeg0UMsDGfThYhsi2EhnFrVeaq1hnbqGpjNw8kYXiX_zrlfz-Fx6Lb/s1600/the+dock.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i-GvCTV2tN3eTsdHeFY0qG9zWjhB05iH6-TGUIhXWT7a76i3E7gYeGkucL0tA3Tfu2S3RY-wZ-TNkTrKxV-66Faeg0UMsDGfThYhsi2EhnFrVeaq1hnbqGpjNw8kYXiX_zrlfz-Fx6Lb/s1600/the+dock.png" height="320" width="268" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We arrived at last. </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After days of trying to get this ship though ice river waters to the south we make it to Lake Tarik. With only a few hundred more feet to go, Maldrake reminded all of us through his telepathy friend that we would be attempting to take out Kargeld very soon, possibly prior to delivering the shipment if possible. We pull into the dock and could see an immense number of bugbears gathering around campfires making loud and cheerful noises. However, waiting for us at the docks were four very angry looking bugbears ready to start some trouble.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeUHgzYRk0tXD8NCpmpyJY8QLPP4MqUDRMvAgbEeArIkamwYM6CyXaHVUJPz128kO8gRpkA78aGDI0i4Ev1Iv6CT9yb6PlMm9Jd5QOVs9l3oJySWOikYS_4l_fepGpyyBSVCs2wE7Si76/s1600/bb2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeUHgzYRk0tXD8NCpmpyJY8QLPP4MqUDRMvAgbEeArIkamwYM6CyXaHVUJPz128kO8gRpkA78aGDI0i4Ev1Iv6CT9yb6PlMm9Jd5QOVs9l3oJySWOikYS_4l_fepGpyyBSVCs2wE7Si76/s1600/bb2.png" height="200" width="163" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Confused Bugbear</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqnJHbEZhE-_G6YZYLajVkwMa2EUz8GkLKIaGGcx8r4mcV6EdnZykOeHtK32VYWPYxnuiz4Cqu3tkSIFKGDFsA1jYN6jLrbAQgyt43V7ICi2APqT0vCOmlUghrhvjks57SKYse8A9Zcnk/s1600/bb3.png" height="181" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Drunk Bugbear</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We didn't know if this was planned or if they were drunk or just what was going on but we thought it best not to murder the kin of the leader we are trying to deliver weaponry to. That of course didn't stop Kargeld and his crew. "Men! Take these ugly mugs out! They want a fight, we'll give them a fight!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
So as the crew offloaded onto the dock and began to scuff it out, we decided to use this as a chance to take out Kargeld. At first when Stryder nailed one of the crew, he was able to pawn it off as a miss and Kargeld kept on swinging, dropping down the one bugbear with an axe. Grumblejack meanwhile was not sure this was the right move to start attacking the bugbears so he grappled one and threw the hairy mongrel into the river.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkf6bz5fqq9PysprMaLTrv1m1XLX7OA-1aLaHkTu87AfSoMTFjGVDX0rcVvPQ1oRRyQYzF-BiCmDmX_rVbI9hiJ-24S2FEtKFP3jB-7kjjw6Vcfids2aTUL9i5xR051W2zNHllurEw1Sq/s1600/bb1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqnJHbEZhE-_G6YZYLajVkwMa2EUz8GkLKIaGGcx8r4mcV6EdnZykOeHtK32VYWPYxnuiz4Cqu3tkSIFKGDFsA1jYN6jLrbAQgyt43V7ICi2APqT0vCOmlUghrhvjks57SKYse8A9Zcnk/s1600/bb3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkf6bz5fqq9PysprMaLTrv1m1XLX7OA-1aLaHkTu87AfSoMTFjGVDX0rcVvPQ1oRRyQYzF-BiCmDmX_rVbI9hiJ-24S2FEtKFP3jB-7kjjw6Vcfids2aTUL9i5xR051W2zNHllurEw1Sq/s1600/bb1.png" height="156" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Arrogant Bugbear</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEsetMP2WeBA4fWgwSGJKtEwQTYxSUvwsaoQbGrxIdJfrgeY82xnuFP0rjvSy0DOFYQ3QFqLrt86UCJEGDyU62wAKCQVEjLO8xHqj6UXvzRWGFwF3joTE-FBQ8_BPb0T2mXa3BBk-DvQT/s1600/bb4.png" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="193" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pointless Bugbear</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEsetMP2WeBA4fWgwSGJKtEwQTYxSUvwsaoQbGrxIdJfrgeY82xnuFP0rjvSy0DOFYQ3QFqLrt86UCJEGDyU62wAKCQVEjLO8xHqj6UXvzRWGFwF3joTE-FBQ8_BPb0T2mXa3BBk-DvQT/s1600/bb4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From there we could see a pack of six more bugbears starting to advance at the upper most part of the bank leading down to the place on the dock where we were scrapping. The rest of us starting to go ahead and waylay on the crew and Kargeld. Kargeld lost it, and began to rage. He cut down another bugbear. Kargeld took a shot from Stryder as Maldrake, Urgeon, and Kallista dispatched three of the crew with ease. Just as Kargeld was about to cut down Maldrake, a booming voice bellowed from the top of the docks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
“Who sent you?” Sakkarot demanded of us in unaccented common.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Kargeld was extremely quick to respond, "Thorn sent us you fool! Now help me kill these traitors, they are trying to kill my men and take your steel!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
"That is a lie" Maldrake bellowed. "The ship is extremely rocky and you were fighting on the dock. Next time have better tactical awareness!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NYyj0SS1XM2inCPMlEyik0JWK1sSxymvVcG8luSwEk5WD7jZyi3a-e_Vl0yhyphenhyphen2w0_lyUbVeG2fxHKJciprHTKcQBbbG0WNTT1LEFvOuyxZFieqmKa43q9XxinPx65YObamB4MEjwWAIf/s1600/kargeld1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NYyj0SS1XM2inCPMlEyik0JWK1sSxymvVcG8luSwEk5WD7jZyi3a-e_Vl0yhyphenhyphen2w0_lyUbVeG2fxHKJciprHTKcQBbbG0WNTT1LEFvOuyxZFieqmKa43q9XxinPx65YObamB4MEjwWAIf/s1600/kargeld1.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For once Kargeld didn't.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AkOcEU9XSYamk7JLJAtpawEmUwNrUZ5MZQfN5VArXckpw9Uy_4NlV6qIB8GhZc4EtiCW4L20ZG3NqG8JMclI-WUM4ITqmUwcE4yLgSD3LfQvPj2B9vFIQxOBjQ1dQCZfAOHcqel1rbh0/s1600/maldrake1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AkOcEU9XSYamk7JLJAtpawEmUwNrUZ5MZQfN5VArXckpw9Uy_4NlV6qIB8GhZc4EtiCW4L20ZG3NqG8JMclI-WUM4ITqmUwcE4yLgSD3LfQvPj2B9vFIQxOBjQ1dQCZfAOHcqel1rbh0/s1600/maldrake1.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Maldrake lies yet again.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sakkarot pondered on our stories, "You each seem to be telling the truth as far as I can tell. Right now, that is not important to me. “If it is Thorn who sends you, then you are welcome here.” He turned to the somewhat stunned throng of bugbears who were getting ready to storm the boat and eat us for dinner. “These humans are my guests. I will deal with anyone who harms them. They are our allies!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
He then turned to Kargeld and to Maldrake, "And so you are aware what is important to me, it is those weapons. If you disagree I can see what a few hundred of my men decide."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
Stixx in a hurried nervous yell, "Grumblejack, you heard the man, help me unload some of these. Before they could get to it, Sakkarot breaks up the hatch and grabs a crate for himself and opens it “Behold, they bring us steel!”. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX7ufnYEaSTVnI2aRim_QKySAd0ba6W-S-kpBzjUnbd_0mxDi4eeIwlWo8gdE4SZP1xlgoQOeQpCF7HUateTqX_XHWZaF-G6Zzw5r6uuBCLkpnh9dj9ixOEqnO_B2M6oBpFj3mdX-MUSD/s1600/WayOfTheWicked_Sakkarot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsX7ufnYEaSTVnI2aRim_QKySAd0ba6W-S-kpBzjUnbd_0mxDi4eeIwlWo8gdE4SZP1xlgoQOeQpCF7HUateTqX_XHWZaF-G6Zzw5r6uuBCLkpnh9dj9ixOEqnO_B2M6oBpFj3mdX-MUSD/s1600/WayOfTheWicked_Sakkarot.jpg" height="200" width="192" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Sakkarot Fire-Axe demands order!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1:30 A.M - Day 112, Rova 12, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Private Audience</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We drank. We ate. We laughed. These hairy mongrels weren't so bad after all. Hell Kargeld wasn't so bad after all when you got a few ales into him. But soon enough Kargeld passed out and it was time to discuss the bugbears future. Now that most of the camp is down and out we could discuss things around the fire. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sakkarot spoke up, “You are traitors to your own kind. You must know </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that. When Balentyne falls and my horde pours through its </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">shattered gates, we will slaughter the Talireans by the thousands. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yet I see no regret in your eyes. Tell me, how can </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">this be?”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">No one spoke. We were not expecting to be challenged. Urgeon stands and lifts his sleeve showing his forsaken brand. We ask him what business he has working with Thorn. He tells us that he too is part of the Knot</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">– the Avernian Knot. “I am the only true </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">member of the knot. The rest are only fools.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We ask, if that is how you feel, why do you betray <i>your </i>kind in your heart? </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sakkarot pulled </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">aside his great breast-plate and revealed the holy symbol of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Asmodeus burned into his chest. “We all have our scars. Interesting fact, Thorn used to be a Cardinal of Mitra."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We drank and ate a bit more, but it was clear that it was time to go on. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sakkarot has one last thing to say: “Tomorrow </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you must depart this camp. It will never be truly </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">safe for you here. Over the next week, more tribes will rally </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to my banner. I will promise them blood and give them </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">steel. Then at last I will be ready to march. A week after </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that – I will be poised to strike. I will move my horde to </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the valley just north of Balentyne. There we will wait for </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">your signal. Fire this rocket into the air. Within the hour, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">we will attack. Make sure that the way is ready."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He paced over to a stew pot and took a spoonful and ripped off leg of a near by roasted boar. He drank the stew emptied the meat and took a large bite out of the boar. After swallowing, he went on. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“After we gather, my horde will be idle and start to grow</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">anxious. I can hold them together for another two weeks. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After that, I expect desertions and squabbling. Get your </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">work done before then. You have one month to infiltrate </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and destroy Balentyne.” Sakkarot then stared right into our eyes with cold calculation and handed us a carefully wrapped signal rocket. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Can you do this? In one month can you break the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Watch Wall?”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We solemnly nodded and agreed that we could. He grunted and nodded “Thorn has faith in you. If you </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">weren’t his best, he wouldn’t have sent you. Do this and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">your names will be legend. Now go. Hail Asmodeus!”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhbGR09FocgZa0nfT-Q_54joDcTjomXcdvNwLehipsLkAqagaaZapfNuC6KCrYNVRI7kVJQiYpZsIXsbzut2jjkjVpKo0eVkl8Ed-XfDcUWYA9146ZsA01LpbHQdKgYc-WJxQDkZ-C_sK/s1600/campfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhbGR09FocgZa0nfT-Q_54joDcTjomXcdvNwLehipsLkAqagaaZapfNuC6KCrYNVRI7kVJQiYpZsIXsbzut2jjkjVpKo0eVkl8Ed-XfDcUWYA9146ZsA01LpbHQdKgYc-WJxQDkZ-C_sK/s1600/campfire.jpg" height="451" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Balentyne is soon, but first we must deal with Kargeld.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-32545326533107950142014-08-20T08:55:00.006-07:002021-03-29T14:54:51.612-07:00The Frosthamar Part II<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>8:30 A.M - Day 108, Rova 8, 3042 AP (After Peace)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seal Isle Continued</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We arrived. Kargeld was all ready and willing to make some extra funds. That dwarf was like a madman. Ordering people around, saying things like "We could take as many as four boats!" We were not buying in. Sure, we could trust Kargeld. He wasn't stupid. He loved his money too much. However, he was wasting our time. This ignorant dwarf doesn't know what Thorn is really like. We do.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn75a20FEdAkTgHb0inuBkcs6KNWMTwM0-Nc2kSfoSCM1LlgCzhrBHqcFdcaT-qbtQ8G4GQR9kpVljRw7Age3KwDWkYiSve_46CuWpyeS_930Te2N-t8DUUu780URtlsogEuCk3B9fMJO3/s1600/frozenwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn75a20FEdAkTgHb0inuBkcs6KNWMTwM0-Nc2kSfoSCM1LlgCzhrBHqcFdcaT-qbtQ8G4GQR9kpVljRw7Age3KwDWkYiSve_46CuWpyeS_930Te2N-t8DUUu780URtlsogEuCk3B9fMJO3/s1600/frozenwater.jpg" height="159" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Oh so cold.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEryyxRahKK2JOgXQZt5nzmmPenBBnkCC2yqbTLaqlM5TnQXzU_2TQLHl_EO7CmJbO2Tbpuzc1Y6Z0863iBYf5wg7j431i1hKef2EgAIZ4GEprs_mD5lPpaW1gq2dQv4016ezL1pDOXXS/s1600/bunyip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoEryyxRahKK2JOgXQZt5nzmmPenBBnkCC2yqbTLaqlM5TnQXzU_2TQLHl_EO7CmJbO2Tbpuzc1Y6Z0863iBYf5wg7j431i1hKef2EgAIZ4GEprs_mD5lPpaW1gq2dQv4016ezL1pDOXXS/s1600/bunyip1.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A Bunyip takes a crew member's arm!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh what is the problem now you yellow land bastards? Money is to be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">made here! Fine, fine miss out if you want." Urgoen, Strumm, and Grimalkin did at the last minute decide to go with Kargeld to make sure nothing was up. Urgoen reported back that it was a short trip. There was a the boat was almost capsized by two </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">very aggressive bunyips. Strumm and Grimalkin fell into the frigid waters as did two of Kargeld's men. Sadly Strumm and Grimalkin were unable to last long enough to allow rescue. One of Kargeld's ship mates also perished, but not due to the freezing temperatures stunning you into oblivion no they lose an arm from a Bunyip attack, went into shock and then went under. The water in the area was almost to freezing. Urgoen barely made it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After returning we thought of commenting about the loss of three people for what at best will amount to 150 gold pieces, one skin for each body lost right? Urgoen remarked that he felt like the captain didn't try very hard to save anyone and that we should be mindful of his future actions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>7:00 P.M - Day 108, Rova 8, 3042 AP (After Peace)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Whale Hunters</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4rT-VnG5Gr4rbFUbYICLsowckM3xRrbqyfCdOMa20lauhlJAzjfgCdL-nWieIpR1w3oaNLDrwyp31ay_2jlBN6Hq4vSSzhfy3ct7qavtPArQuxKIi2DAGLnEy4em7hZ2fDy9-sQZAIkc/s1600/hunter_by_luna133-d4weynl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4rT-VnG5Gr4rbFUbYICLsowckM3xRrbqyfCdOMa20lauhlJAzjfgCdL-nWieIpR1w3oaNLDrwyp31ay_2jlBN6Hq4vSSzhfy3ct7qavtPArQuxKIi2DAGLnEy4em7hZ2fDy9-sQZAIkc/s1600/hunter_by_luna133-d4weynl.png" height="200" width="158" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>White Tusk</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Half a day later we were spotted by another ship. It was clearly not a military ship like a few days back but never the less we were not looking for trouble. We thought it best see what they wanted. We responded to the hail and banked against their ship gently. The men were not exactly tribal, that would be a gross underestimation but rather they were wild. They were natural. We could easily tell they lived off the wilderness. Kargeld as usual had his axe at the ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They were whale hunters. This was apparent with just a small glace to the rest of their boat and the stacks of ivory and narwhal tusks. You should have seen them, eyes tracking our weapons like children following candy. The only had ivory and the narwhal tusks for trade. The leader White Tusk an ambitious young chief in his well spoken voice told us the ivory chunks were worth 20 gold pieces each. We took on as much as we could and as much as we could bare to hear Kargeld complain about. The boat was very close to the water line and we didn't want to sink. We took on probably three or four thousand gold pieces worth of ivory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>12:15 A.M - Day 109, Rova 9, 3042 AP (After Peace)</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Laughing Storm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Snow. Snow. It was snowing. Not near a blizzard but flurries thick enough and a wind chill hard enough to make it feel like it. We could hardly see anything. As much as Kargeld gave us grief the smug dwarf could move a ship. It wasn't as bad as it seemed. We were bunch up very close so heat was not in shortage. With out warning, we were attacked. From the left of the ship a blast of cold nailed a quarter of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Four ice elementals spawned on board the ship and started to way lay us and so battle had begun. They were not much of a fight, we all took some scratched but over all we over powered them very easy. They were very small targets and could not take much of a hit, but the entire time we kept hearing taunts and getting hit with more ice blasts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Oh heee heee! You can't see me!" the mystery voice taunted. We would down one elemental and hear another taunt, "Hey that was my brother's cousin!" And so on and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX31pP0kJ9DOmT2NElqs1cKYzxIUkLqT6KAOmNkFkE8-tuYnhUk5GCg5yCI_XPrj7N5xTZfSGxF0OGc0xPRwMRH3LYDKfeTk-doJQaivVemV5mF0MV9elc2PzkSwizKEoKz43TldeqWpm/s1600/Outsider_mephit_ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqX31pP0kJ9DOmT2NElqs1cKYzxIUkLqT6KAOmNkFkE8-tuYnhUk5GCg5yCI_XPrj7N5xTZfSGxF0OGc0xPRwMRH3LYDKfeTk-doJQaivVemV5mF0MV9elc2PzkSwizKEoKz43TldeqWpm/s1600/Outsider_mephit_ice.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kiliketz, the great ice mephit?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally the voice showed itself and came down to deck level and started to fight us. Unfortunately for the voice, it landed next to Maldrake who at this point had enough. With Stryder and the crew fireing upon the voice, he went down to one knee very quickly and of course just as quickly the begging started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Alright, <b>Alright, ALRIGHT, </b><i><b>ALIRIGHT</b>, </i>already I get it, you can't take a joke come on now, chill out, why so cold? I can be useful, let me live, I can show you!" the voice said.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake quickly quashed this, "Why should we, you just tried to kill us?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"My name is Kiliketz, the great ice mephit of the northern seas! No wonder you tried to kill me, you've never heard of me, how sad." Kiliketz slumped. "No matter, you didn't see me coming, I could be useful, you killed all my friends, so why I don't I start making some new ones. Obviously trying to kill you means they were a bad influence."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake gave his rebuttal, "You let my pet bite you, and the harmless disease will allow us to track you. You do this, and we can trust you." Kiliketz agreed joyfully. Kargeld grunted with disapproval. </span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-49832603602522232632014-08-14T20:39:00.005-07:002021-03-29T14:54:25.218-07:00The Frosthamar Part I<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>10:30 P.M - Day 96, Arodus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that was it. We waved farewell to our master and confidant. The Frosthamar was a single-masted knarr with a square sail. Similar to a Viking longship but wider and with a deeper hull better suited to carry cargo. Loaded the Frosthamar was. Sitting heavy in the water, the ugly ship held twenty four tons of weaponry, arrows and shields emblazoned with a flaming axe. The captain was a grizzled north-man with a wiry beard, pale blonde hair and countless scars. His name was Kargeld Odenkirk and he was, as promised, a ruthless mercenary with little thought of anyone but himself. His crew consisted of a half dozen grim sailors who spoke little of the common Talirean tongue.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhks7c5b9JOMFEIa9YGnfIfI83zzhFXfhxZyiMPlcokDyYcLuuajsPLkje8bZGcgWMS-7FAjsS-MqPm-Lq-8io2aNOOqtsd_jh3xLngGEqRB2xoBf6fcTcrF02LjNOiMUYNB2RGGe6ENX3a/s1600/the_frosthamar_zps1b7e12af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhks7c5b9JOMFEIa9YGnfIfI83zzhFXfhxZyiMPlcokDyYcLuuajsPLkje8bZGcgWMS-7FAjsS-MqPm-Lq-8io2aNOOqtsd_jh3xLngGEqRB2xoBf6fcTcrF02LjNOiMUYNB2RGGe6ENX3a/s1600/the_frosthamar_zps1b7e12af.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Frosthamar</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We met Kargeld and all he asked was “You will guard our boat all the way north, yes?” Maldrake nodded and sat down on a crate. We all loaded aboard and the ship started to make our way north. The air was musty and humid but crisp enough to sleep under the stars with out much grief. We had to sleep shoulder to shoulder with his crew and the cargo. Thankfully, Kargeld's crew took the first shift of what I assume will be many shifts to come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>10:30 A.M - Day 99, Arodus 31, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We traveled a day and half down the river Varnyn and out into the open ocean. It was a fairly boring few hours. We passed by countless farming communities and fishing villages. Kargeld would smile smugly and give a big ol' cheerful wave to everyone. Citing to us that "Wouldm't want'em getting suspicious eh?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>6:00 P.M - Day 103, Rova 3, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Three days have passed. We can see the bustling city of Daveryn to the west, we make small chat about it. Kargeld quickly quashes our small talk. “This is no pleasure cruise. Besides, I won’t get our cargo within a mile of a Talirean harbormaster.” Praise Asmodeus to give me the strength not to murder this pompous asshole. I cannot wait to watch his pitiful little ship burn and his ignorant crew get fed to the fresh water beast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5:00 P.M - Day 104, Rova 4, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Blade of St. Martius</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPFPX33AkRdUV-qe7O-ZtPft7ivgdsC4geTZVheLNwKotpiESHoR0X-Im3I0IXRRvGrh6U9TMXW71ULWgRgclltrvBflVV2RYXJgpjItvvqiI_0vIXTwJpEBxZMDbotVfFFRCYDH0EDJl/s1600/Ship_by_Jujika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPFPX33AkRdUV-qe7O-ZtPft7ivgdsC4geTZVheLNwKotpiESHoR0X-Im3I0IXRRvGrh6U9TMXW71ULWgRgclltrvBflVV2RYXJgpjItvvqiI_0vIXTwJpEBxZMDbotVfFFRCYDH0EDJl/s1600/Ship_by_Jujika.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The Blade of St. Martius</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not more than a day later, just when we were certain this trip could not get more boring the unexpected happened. Some action! We spotted a patrol ship coming from the west. Kargeld shouted “She’s seen us, sure as damnation. And there is no way the ‘Frosthamar’ will outrun her loaded like this. One look at our cargo and they’ll know us for exactly what we are – weapon smugglers.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake, keeping his composure are the incompetence of this dwarf said "Be easy friend. Be soft. Lets not make a ruckus unless we need to. "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kargeld, replied "What did ya have in mind?"</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K-trRQPoldKyO9CG_Y1duLdKF4qgltoBfYoHJxlTAaHT6UIq5hgQPf8J82pRtbRAni8Tz5BT00FwkgPP2D3gAGhwwFilZ6sCnf8whzmtDAmVO7M_o8l1v_753T62EHmQCX651trAxS6o/s1600/bowman_captain_by_shanyar-d694tp8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5K-trRQPoldKyO9CG_Y1duLdKF4qgltoBfYoHJxlTAaHT6UIq5hgQPf8J82pRtbRAni8Tz5BT00FwkgPP2D3gAGhwwFilZ6sCnf8whzmtDAmVO7M_o8l1v_753T62EHmQCX651trAxS6o/s1600/bowman_captain_by_shanyar-d694tp8.jpg" height="195" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Strumm taking aim</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake, "Leave that to me and Urgeon, you just have you men ready in case this goes south." Kargeld nodded. Maldrake and the rest of us Grumblejack excluded activated our circlets we had received before the Nine Knots. Since they are hats of disguise in magical properties, we made our selves look like knights similar to Sir Balin. We tied up Grumblejack so that it looked like he was a prisoner and positioned the rest of the crew around him. Kargeld stood at the front of the ship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After about ten minutes the ship finally pulled aside The Frosthamar. The crew of this ship yell out “Heave to in the name of the king!” Heave we did. The captain of the patrol boat spoke "Who is the leader of this ship!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake, seeing that Kargeld was seconds away from blowing our master plan said with a booming baritone of a voice, "Solider stand down! Do you know who you are addressing? Do you have any idea the kind of shit you and I both are going to get from the Watch Wall if we don't get this prisoner north!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Captain Sambryl retorted, "I am Captain Sambryl and this is my ship The Blade of St. Martius. We are tasked solely with patrolling these waters and not one damn person from the Watch Wall has informed us of any prisoner transfer, explain yourself right now!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake, "Classified."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTFmHyXozr3qxk8zJO6QwyuO3BMK8xrRO7jIkN7IcOJWpl72REpVjnZu03V49K_Z1_LEzRlhj9h4skri4krNONY5F5RjADp8QcR4uMC9MsUghKxd7M3kV-QR488N48evqZSYJFmLg6aCe/s1600/kargeld1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTFmHyXozr3qxk8zJO6QwyuO3BMK8xrRO7jIkN7IcOJWpl72REpVjnZu03V49K_Z1_LEzRlhj9h4skri4krNONY5F5RjADp8QcR4uMC9MsUghKxd7M3kV-QR488N48evqZSYJFmLg6aCe/s1600/kargeld1.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kargeld is itching for a fight</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Captain Sambryl was so taken back by this he quite literally stepped back two steps. "What do you mean classified? Branderscar Prison is to the south, you are going north. This doesn't make sense!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Urgeon stepped up and gently moved Maldrake aside, "Sir, if I may. Captain, you clearly have not been paying attention to your ravens. There has already been at least 8 escapees in the last few months. We can't have that. Those drunkards down at Branderscar have sealed their fate. Those idiots allows 6 prisoners at once to get the best of them, this ogre is one of them."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Captain Sambryl pondered for a moment and said "Just doesn't make sense, we are suppose to be running the Watch Wall priorities."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake said, "Well, we have our orders like you have your orders. I imagine they didn't want to leave an opening for smugglers just to transport one stupid ogre to his death north."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Questioning further Captain Sambryl asked, "And these crates of arms and armor?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake explained, "Bugbear invasion was rumored."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Awful lot of weaponry for a rumor." Captain Sambryl interrogated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZvOymc2cbBY0qr20MktrvPJZTrNnux1qG3K_7OPb9Na2js8CZYwz6PBpSgKAoEqxFLRbaky1svJmfhFNBZzDyRnznKDxOz6GiElEeWxf0qIJT-y606Z8mOuA8rU0Fq87qT-1494EjHB3/s1600/Anne_Bonny_by_thegryph+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZvOymc2cbBY0qr20MktrvPJZTrNnux1qG3K_7OPb9Na2js8CZYwz6PBpSgKAoEqxFLRbaky1svJmfhFNBZzDyRnznKDxOz6GiElEeWxf0qIJT-y606Z8mOuA8rU0Fq87qT-1494EjHB3/s1600/Anne_Bonny_by_thegryph+copy.jpg" height="166" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kallista and her blade</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake sternly retorted, "Again, classified. I could get put in the stockades for telling you the kind of wood these crates are made of. Listen, do you question all your fellow officers this way? Look, we get it you have a job to do, great job. Maybe you'll get an accommodation some day. You know how this works, orders are orders and if you delay us any further I will be forced to inform your superiors when I get to the north. "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Be on your way then, watch the northern seas, they are getting dangerous this time of year." warned Captain Sambryl. Captain Sambryl and his crew loaded up and the ship began to move away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kargeld sighed "That was close, I was ready to split the ugly mugs face with muh axe!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not much else happened after that until about a day and half later.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>7:15 P.M - Day 106, Rova 6, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Hope of the Haunted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C4Mz6UdeXDjnHEm8c09rxDAV6IQn7sQhfrg_fU4-2Z6OSLhfwNCDmSdkDXVFLfzdarRhyphenhyphenaY04gBqdXeqBMLfpvaobeD7GNmm5RetvH0FHbOv-mLOBpwFx-ucq7YMDmprjcCZvtSOYviV/s1600/triton_by_kipestshin-d3357fr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-C4Mz6UdeXDjnHEm8c09rxDAV6IQn7sQhfrg_fU4-2Z6OSLhfwNCDmSdkDXVFLfzdarRhyphenhyphenaY04gBqdXeqBMLfpvaobeD7GNmm5RetvH0FHbOv-mLOBpwFx-ucq7YMDmprjcCZvtSOYviV/s1600/triton_by_kipestshin-d3357fr.jpg" height="116" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>One of the Mitra scum soliders</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were just getting ready for a shift change. We had just awoke so the crew of the ship could rest up. It was a good thing too. We got ambushed. Out of no where four or five it was hard to count with all the crates and action, water elemental attacked us. That drew the focus of a few of us, but quickly Maldrake, Kallista, Grumblejack and Kargeld could see to the east five tritons. Grumblejack quickly dove off into the water to swim after them. We focused on dispatching the elementals but not before Urgonen was pushed off the side. Stryder let loose arrows along with Strumm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista and one of the triton began exchanged insults. It was apparent that this leader of the group was devoted to Mitra and Kallista's black blade urged her to slay him, it would be a great pleasure. She dove into the water, but it seemed like every time anyone tried to fight this being they would feel the urge to turn away, so we continued to beat down the small force until we closed in on the leader. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It wasn't hard once Kargeld's crew could focus fire him down. In this creature's dying gargling voice we heard "The shining sun has seen the wickedness you hide in hearts. And thus it will be the son who brings your doom."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Uh huh." Kallista mocked. And that was it. Whatever the purpose of this suicide was, we couldn't figure it out. We regrouped and continued our shifts. It was over so fast it was all we could think to do.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dHZTa1kfydRoVu53kR9Ov9yoOu_9Xi7rZcufAr5YeZIT_X6B8mWVTxGnNAg3uG2M_UFJN8SQhjf87OrKMcjePC5vjnP5loAk1f_4EN9zEBZKToznlq26d85piZhPqX5qKQaVd8nmX44T/s1600/triton_shorestalker_by_velinov-d7ex53s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dHZTa1kfydRoVu53kR9Ov9yoOu_9Xi7rZcufAr5YeZIT_X6B8mWVTxGnNAg3uG2M_UFJN8SQhjf87OrKMcjePC5vjnP5loAk1f_4EN9zEBZKToznlq26d85piZhPqX5qKQaVd8nmX44T/s1600/triton_shorestalker_by_velinov-d7ex53s.jpg" height="88" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><i>And their worthless leader</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>8:00 A.M - Day 107, Rova 7, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seal Isle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a good rest, the seas were calm and according to our map we should be nearing the shore with in another day. Or rather we should have. Kargeld dropped one hell of a bomb on us, “We are a little light on fresh water I think. We are passing Seal Isle and there is a stream that feeds into the bay there. We’ll take on water there. I’ll send a party to the shore. Of course, that means we’ll spend a day in some of the richest fur seal hunting grounds all along this coast. I’m thinking of organizing a hunting expedition. Interested?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake and Urgoen were the only ones to speak out. It was nothing major but Kargeld was very adamant about going there. We were forced to go, we couldn't blow our cover. He seemed believable enough and Thorn did say he was getting to greedy for his own good. We thought it was a trap for certain but that was only our guts we had no real proof. We would have to see. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kargeld bellowed out, “This is my boat! I’m the captain! I say we need water so we get it!” Looks like we are on our way to make some extra funds at Seal Isle. Trip will probably take a few days. It is really out of our way. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNVou_xNYs9sT7cn3i01i0OeEEhwChZkWXHBIrqSz2KW2fPnuHhcEcsYKHI5CgngLNZixXfomplmaBT0108YO4eYQChfWQ8dgY147HHgBkdok8S1-1vEjqS_VyfFIUq_C1Qtda9LeU6gf/s1600/seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNVou_xNYs9sT7cn3i01i0OeEEhwChZkWXHBIrqSz2KW2fPnuHhcEcsYKHI5CgngLNZixXfomplmaBT0108YO4eYQChfWQ8dgY147HHgBkdok8S1-1vEjqS_VyfFIUq_C1Qtda9LeU6gf/s1600/seal.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Club some seals make some cash</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-9427199548339697572014-08-11T18:50:00.002-07:002021-03-29T14:54:50.572-07:00The Ceremony Before the Voyage<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">9:30 P.M - Day 96, Arodus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpZt00DEr0VWVEQiCIbg6fmIcwyTROEhMINrDt6lUhl1XhyqQj8W2OW_9e3DvMoLvJ5XjTJMNZ3i7BrOi_mkQkdDJTEZnv71KvIjYoeh3FbG6IonXQehTDwFhzg0ZK2SmRfkrABlCIOZS/s1600/BoneDevil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpZt00DEr0VWVEQiCIbg6fmIcwyTROEhMINrDt6lUhl1XhyqQj8W2OW_9e3DvMoLvJ5XjTJMNZ3i7BrOi_mkQkdDJTEZnv71KvIjYoeh3FbG6IonXQehTDwFhzg0ZK2SmRfkrABlCIOZS/s1600/BoneDevil.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What a glorious sight, praise be to Asmodeus!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We gathered for a feast. It was a lush feast. A feast for only the wealthiest of kings. Thorn announced each of us with the title "of the Nessian Knot". To end it all he summoned a barbed devil and we chose a slave. The devil ravaged into the worthless being. Thorn cut the devil and with the blood we were given markings of on our foreheads. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thorn proclaimed, “The Nessian Knot is forged.” As he put down the dagger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Just in time,” Cardinal Thorn remarks. “My ship has arrived. On the river dock behind the manor under cover of darkness, a square-sailed long ship sails into the slip. It sits heavily in the water, laden with a substantial cargo."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We smiled at one another. Ready to be rid of this place and serve our master with our new found talents, traits, and powers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Welcome, my children,” he said in a deep resonant voice that had an almost inhuman quality to it. “Training is at an end. You have proven yourself worthy. Now, it is time for you to use that training and take on your first mission." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSYAasMwliCLCnQriKLNzvlQQZ13Oa-T3NAcpoC1pwZ7kKdFs7se8SHyTOHo11UJ6wHXmTIDUl0jgCm52mxSwa2N30qEZ2g2HSmD4N2jFjj7qwIgAd-7QYTanTKZf-aFyNBQNLprd8YLM/s1600/The_Ghost_Ship_by_TWPictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSYAasMwliCLCnQriKLNzvlQQZ13Oa-T3NAcpoC1pwZ7kKdFs7se8SHyTOHo11UJ6wHXmTIDUl0jgCm52mxSwa2N30qEZ2g2HSmD4N2jFjj7qwIgAd-7QYTanTKZf-aFyNBQNLprd8YLM/s1600/The_Ghost_Ship_by_TWPictures.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our transportation awaits?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began packing our belongings in our packs as Thorn continued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Your mission is war, my children. You will bring war to Talingarde."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“You have two objectives. First, you will see a shipment of munitions delivered to a bugbear chieftain named Sakkarot Fire-Axe. He makes his camp on the northern coast of Lake Tarik beyond the Watch Wall. With this shipment, the Fire-Axe will have resources enough to unite the barbarous humanoid tribes of the north and light the fire of war."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We nodded and continued loading our bags.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD0bA9R2naJ3hGFjdbTi0qRqZbw3GboW2KVnrXTBLs3r2lPy5nWYpaGrm6v1nW9-R58oa0EgFA6VzZCsUm8MIkljDRsuO-O862R2y4gLpAzXBlaPT7YJbypa6HzI9d8qbgcuu2MpeOJ3s/s1600/cell_block_iv_by_xxsittingbullxx-d772ak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD0bA9R2naJ3hGFjdbTi0qRqZbw3GboW2KVnrXTBLs3r2lPy5nWYpaGrm6v1nW9-R58oa0EgFA6VzZCsUm8MIkljDRsuO-O862R2y4gLpAzXBlaPT7YJbypa6HzI9d8qbgcuu2MpeOJ3s/s1600/cell_block_iv_by_xxsittingbullxx-d772ak1.jpg" height="400" width="254" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thorn addresses us.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Sitting on the dock as we speak is the longship Frosthamar captained by Kargeld Odenkirk. Tomorrow when the ship is resupplied it will be your transport. The captain is a ruthless mercenary and not to be trusted. He knows nothing of the specifics of our mission and you should keep it that way. He knows he is smuggling cargo to the north beyond the Watch Wall. That is all he need know."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake scoffs at the thought of working with a dwarf.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Once the cargo is safely delivered, he will take you just sout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">h across the lake under cover of darkness and land you near the town of Aldencross. There our contract with Captain Odenkirk will be concluded."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx straps a couple torches to his back. Kallista admires her new blackblade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“It is shame how greedy he has proven. I had hoped to let the captain serve me again but it seems he is too much of a liability. Kill him. Kill his crew. Burn his ship and leave no survivors. It is crucial that no one suspects our involvement and that loose ends are taken care of. Be sure to reclaim the coin I gave him. Best not to be wasteful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We chuckled to one another. Maldrake gleamed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxruQIxEai8g9ON6tSSHaJV0Hcm-G9M0HDyGyDB7Mt-8FYYA5_hk3IXpvNtU3kPADVjRPL1xxLCCpY5_63ooKJHhgp0dbLa9iY0vO61Y3E2cMO-xm6uTYwipVsYDEcm_ydrGsSsxPKHvM/s1600/tiefling_by_thatdman-d5eizht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxruQIxEai8g9ON6tSSHaJV0Hcm-G9M0HDyGyDB7Mt-8FYYA5_hk3IXpvNtU3kPADVjRPL1xxLCCpY5_63ooKJHhgp0dbLa9iY0vO61Y3E2cMO-xm6uTYwipVsYDEcm_ydrGsSsxPKHvM/s1600/tiefling_by_thatdman-d5eizht.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista ponders.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“That done, you will begin your second task. We will do more still to aid our ally the Fire-axe. The bugbears are mighty warriors but poor siege engineers. You will infiltrate the tower Balentyne, keystone of the Watch Wall, kill its commander and open the gate for Sakkarot’s horde. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stixx did a cartwheel in excitment. Urgoen shifted. Grimalkin and Strumm looked about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Once the shaggy monstrosities pierce the Watch Wall, the bugbears will pillage and lay waste to the townships of the north and the local garrisons will have no choice but to meet the Fire-Axe in the open field. Sakkarot is the most brilliant, gifted and murderous bugbear of his generation. I expect these battles will go poorly for the knights and yeoman of fair Talingarde.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stryder quietly prepared his quivers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBjTLDs3D7Gi-8tWVDH9ttyrb8K2nPy1K7obfiYGVtvYVWx3ky1KsZTvoyXPcPNUrBugEKTTSaRPRaJSgSs3kuGP-Uc7zFGzJxMhDOUnX3XCEO4ErWW4oykWUfNJjITjJhhNXrRYpzmha/s1600/Robert_Baratheon_2_by_henning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBjTLDs3D7Gi-8tWVDH9ttyrb8K2nPy1K7obfiYGVtvYVWx3ky1KsZTvoyXPcPNUrBugEKTTSaRPRaJSgSs3kuGP-Uc7zFGzJxMhDOUnX3XCEO4ErWW4oykWUfNJjITjJhhNXrRYpzmha/s1600/Robert_Baratheon_2_by_henning.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To my bounded!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2FppV1KgCty11caL2T9A1u3IJBihHoMMoIoc-kSCaA6C-au7pHsRiHLNV1kKulBEfw8dmaCFTwpuNMqZMMlMdiUSSL5-Y8GUsz1Eg518Ho-_qd_3karH5BWpOznLlhmZxwj7kpOvxHat/s1600/maldrake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2FppV1KgCty11caL2T9A1u3IJBihHoMMoIoc-kSCaA6C-au7pHsRiHLNV1kKulBEfw8dmaCFTwpuNMqZMMlMdiUSSL5-Y8GUsz1Eg518Ho-_qd_3karH5BWpOznLlhmZxwj7kpOvxHat/s1600/maldrake.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake enjoys a break.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Do all of this and then when your task is done, break this clay seal.” He hands them a delicately carved clay seal adorned with a tangled knot of thorns surrounding the holy symbol of Asmodeus. “I will have more instructions then. Succeed and I will see you rewarded handsomely. Fail or betray me and you will pray for the comfort of Hell before I am done with you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack scratched himself and munched some more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The mission you start upon today is a holy mission. The people of Talingarde think they have seen the last of the mighty Asmodeus. Soon enough we will remind them that there is no escaping the grasp of Hell. Let us toast our success.” He pours one glass of deep red wine for each of the PCs and then finally pours one for himself. He raises the glass and offers a toast."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> “To <i><b><span style="color: red;">war</span></b></i>.”</span>Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-69961943576784229902014-08-11T10:31:00.003-07:002021-03-29T14:54:27.784-07:00Training the Bounded<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5:00 P.M - Day 96, Arodus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span></b><br />
<br />
Less than four hours later we were called back to the chamber of the master. Thorn eyed us with a great admiration. His demeanor was nothing like that of earlier that afternoon. Thorn with his calm and collective voice told "Your training shall now begin. Go see Tiadora and you will return to me in three months. Three months that I know will bring you close to Asmodeus and our ultimate plan for victory!"<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk4mO-t4i_mXb1gUVs0Ddg89KGLDSLC_6Z1zsyDRF1Td5N_M-n3VxqQ4qYowg6eypfA4SebRrG23zY6GL89oAAPRwpPCf7pJ0I6Pw6UcXkM5kKdDr5u4iXoUU56wr-DWGuGJ4wEZ7Nw_k/s1600/tiadora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk4mO-t4i_mXb1gUVs0Ddg89KGLDSLC_6Z1zsyDRF1Td5N_M-n3VxqQ4qYowg6eypfA4SebRrG23zY6GL89oAAPRwpPCf7pJ0I6Pw6UcXkM5kKdDr5u4iXoUU56wr-DWGuGJ4wEZ7Nw_k/s1600/tiadora.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tiadora loves to teach</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We trained for three months. Each week was something new for everyone of us. We learned how to do things we were never trained to do. We all learned how to try and disarm traps which through this process was a clever way to find out who could do it and who was posing.<br />
<br />
We went through combat training, acrobatics, perception training. If the training was possible by an intelligent being we were put through. If we faltered in the least bit Tiadora gave us warnings by beating her slaves about. A few times we faltered enough to warrant punishment by her own hand. The depths of evil that flows within this mansion and its servants is far greater than Branderscar prison could have ever imagined containing. Whips and chains were used. Failure was not tolerated.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHewdT3RCbELc1UcWVXY95l14TCnuj9_FPFZWMkhMdkUMxEdnEJpNQoJlb6HXAmAGXVNO4_Zm1qIMfUEnt5nhUtxwYJ8DPvVk4jRWYNWNOCocfakrNbtjwHLfu6yQZ6V1SKZ7ly0d8n0V6/s1600/Table_diary_by_maxetormer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHewdT3RCbELc1UcWVXY95l14TCnuj9_FPFZWMkhMdkUMxEdnEJpNQoJlb6HXAmAGXVNO4_Zm1qIMfUEnt5nhUtxwYJ8DPvVk4jRWYNWNOCocfakrNbtjwHLfu6yQZ6V1SKZ7ly0d8n0V6/s1600/Table_diary_by_maxetormer.jpg" height="154" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Page by page</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is all I have for this entry. Three months and this is all I could put to paper. That should give you constant reader a clear picture of how much time was allowed for us to "relax". My arms still hurt from the beatings. <br />
<br />
What I do know is that spring has ended and summer must be closing to an end. It has to be soon. The heat is unbearable around here. My sweat is staining these pages. Tonight we talk to Thorn again after three months of not seeing him. Even if we couldn't see him we felt him around. We are ready for whatever he throws at us now. It is obvious to us know that this was his intention all along.<br />
<br />
<br />Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-80560926210669299612014-08-08T09:31:00.001-07:002021-03-29T14:54:30.837-07:00A Scolding for the Ages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY90RxAqGerB4hiScTRTTcm3m_ntUfBgKF5uhDVtSBTMcfo3HDhhvlvPrTJ2Zen1tTuTicIUTz2L-8ojwGUMw5Kdbe7K2YkB_qe_AjtiRbGW3DiWQvXnkDQQbhfFYzpOxgDUXc0nV6Y96/s1600/kallistabite.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY90RxAqGerB4hiScTRTTcm3m_ntUfBgKF5uhDVtSBTMcfo3HDhhvlvPrTJ2Zen1tTuTicIUTz2L-8ojwGUMw5Kdbe7K2YkB_qe_AjtiRbGW3DiWQvXnkDQQbhfFYzpOxgDUXc0nV6Y96/s1600/kallistabite.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY90RxAqGerB4hiScTRTTcm3m_ntUfBgKF5uhDVtSBTMcfo3HDhhvlvPrTJ2Zen1tTuTicIUTz2L-8ojwGUMw5Kdbe7K2YkB_qe_AjtiRbGW3DiWQvXnkDQQbhfFYzpOxgDUXc0nV6Y96/s1600/kallistabite.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>3:30 P.M - Day 5, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b></b></i><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b></b></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the fun over we leaned over that sorry excuse of a warrior. Each of us took turns checking him over and with final agreement that he indeed was dead. However, Kallista surprised us all. She knelt before him and carefully began removing his armor. We were perplexed. After Kallista unlocked the neck piece for his plate suit and carefully handed the pendant that Thorn sent us after to Maldrake. She looked us in the eyes and plunged into the knight's throat. Tearing at his neck in reckless gouges her teeth snagged on bits of flesh and muscle.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We picked up our goods and cleaned out what valuables were left to take. We knew there was just over three and half hours left before our deadline. We reluctantly returned to the master.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY90RxAqGerB4hiScTRTTcm3m_ntUfBgKF5uhDVtSBTMcfo3HDhhvlvPrTJ2Zen1tTuTicIUTz2L-8ojwGUMw5Kdbe7K2YkB_qe_AjtiRbGW3DiWQvXnkDQQbhfFYzpOxgDUXc0nV6Y96/s1600/kallistabite.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUY90RxAqGerB4hiScTRTTcm3m_ntUfBgKF5uhDVtSBTMcfo3HDhhvlvPrTJ2Zen1tTuTicIUTz2L-8ojwGUMw5Kdbe7K2YkB_qe_AjtiRbGW3DiWQvXnkDQQbhfFYzpOxgDUXc0nV6Y96/s1600/kallistabite.png" height="200" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>How long has she been waiting to do that?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>4:30 P.M - Day 5, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CsYuokNcXvVqva4nZM95hs_B7ERQzFX3PeQPoQ0_w9KT4gp42Q5978kmacPH2BTUgpWmLJgybmZt7Vi3psnMOXdqqDVt0ua8UGkgsPKKtUZtb5pUDPW9bcuy5QG4tq-mty4SBSFbfLKo/s1600/thorndesk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CsYuokNcXvVqva4nZM95hs_B7ERQzFX3PeQPoQ0_w9KT4gp42Q5978kmacPH2BTUgpWmLJgybmZt7Vi3psnMOXdqqDVt0ua8UGkgsPKKtUZtb5pUDPW9bcuy5QG4tq-mty4SBSFbfLKo/s1600/thorndesk1.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>You've returned. Do you have what I seek?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admittedly we did a bit of procrastinating on returning to the master. We were worried. We had a nervous tinge in our guts but we mustered the courage and returned to the top level of the mansion. We all walked three abreast down the long elegant hallway to the chamber of Thorn and there he was just sitting looking over his desk. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Adrastus was just sitting in his study seeming as if he has moved not an inch from where he gave our orders at dusk yesterday. “You’ve returned. Do you have what I seek?” This was the first thing out of his mouth. Maldrake handed over the pendant and stepped back. The high priest held the trinket and paused as if in deep contemplation. He watched the holy symbol glitter in the light. “A pretty enough thing, yes?” he mused. “This is a holy symbol of Mitra in particular the sort favored by the Knights of the Alerion. Perhaps you already knew that."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all shifted slightly, not knowing what to expect next. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thorn began again. “Remember this symbol. This is the mark of those who destroyed our faith and sought to banish all traces of the worship of our Father from these shores. These, my friends, are your enemies.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaSY3qWuowX-gA48sYlmr1j4hyJymhXQszTX1Zvh8WeKvk0gnXM726s7PkEVYMcLdRUVD33GwUuGhU6GJoTlDFm_6369oWxEFzy4xonVooWtUs_B3l1N3lLA5CvQcP7RE5hZdM_svk71m/s1600/pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaSY3qWuowX-gA48sYlmr1j4hyJymhXQszTX1Zvh8WeKvk0gnXM726s7PkEVYMcLdRUVD33GwUuGhU6GJoTlDFm_6369oWxEFzy4xonVooWtUs_B3l1N3lLA5CvQcP7RE5hZdM_svk71m/s1600/pendant.jpg" height="200" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>We risked our lives for a token?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thorn tossed the holy symbol to Maldrake with little regard. Thorn only followed this ungrateful show of appreciation with, “Keep it. It may aid you in disguising yourself.” After Thorn said this he revealed a sickly smile. “You have done well. Escaping from Branderscar, getting through my trial of the knots, and of course slaughtering Sir Balin." His words tapered off after this and he drifted away. His demeanor had changed from that of admiration to disappointment to anger. For what seemed like hours he eyed all of us carefully and intently. We wanted to vomit and it was easy to tell this was how ever one felt.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RwTWqwsqk5BulSqaFlpHkgr-JzBUJEjcVRxgLcaDzq02In76WYUmn071m2OHiZAr2QpCE2y_2NmjGE43gBDTNhSjZmEQamkayuvmJGqWerOfk-euYq1z0Nr5AREsge4YSqUg0EaDmmE-/s1600/shout_by_thenota.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RwTWqwsqk5BulSqaFlpHkgr-JzBUJEjcVRxgLcaDzq02In76WYUmn071m2OHiZAr2QpCE2y_2NmjGE43gBDTNhSjZmEQamkayuvmJGqWerOfk-euYq1z0Nr5AREsge4YSqUg0EaDmmE-/s1600/shout_by_thenota.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>We couldn't look away.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thorn carried on. “A nervous silence loosens the tongue.” Thorn then began to circle around all of us. “Yes, a series of great events were accomplished by your hands. But before I am confident that I should allow you to complete your training, I feel as though words <i>need be said</i>.”<br />
<br />
Thorn makes a simple gesture ti Tiadora. "Leave us dear Tiadora. This is a matter best left between the master, Asmodeus, and the newly bounded.” She nodded her head and simply walked out. Thorn whispered in a faint raspy tone “I <i>know</i> eve-ry-thing” and continued on pacing around. He said it just like that, taking clear pauses between each syllable.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKm9CW0h6S5uOgN49-e-D2Vf2LPTwRmARqIB4D1g94bacvEIBe-Y2y-sY4cC8BAHQuBkZLIT53UN7k8VZunk2ENhYb90aIFAvttYqETy6R0BnRQag9-JX8YQOSIxgVfESbS5m7qx1FECc/s1600/torture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKm9CW0h6S5uOgN49-e-D2Vf2LPTwRmARqIB4D1g94bacvEIBe-Y2y-sY4cC8BAHQuBkZLIT53UN7k8VZunk2ENhYb90aIFAvttYqETy6R0BnRQag9-JX8YQOSIxgVfESbS5m7qx1FECc/s1600/torture2.jpg" height="200" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Mitra scum.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we didn't think our situation could get any more worrisome or sadistic, Thorn continued on. “With the exception of one, there has been a very close act
of blasphemy against Asmodeus within the last 24 hours. Perhaps you remember this man?” He then gestured to five slaves in his chamber and they scurried like lap dogs and picked up a beaten young man. He was naked and bruised. He had carvings that resembled Infernal writing all
over his body. His back had the symbol of Asmodeus charred into it. Where his
manhood once existed, only a twisted barbed wire in the shape of the holy symbol of Asmodeus remained. As hard as it was to comprehend what we were seeing, it wasn't as hard as trying to look away from Thorn's display.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thorn reminded, <span style="line-height: 115%;">“You
remember this man, I know. As I said, I know everything.” He paced around his chamber again. From here, we can only transcript it. Thorn went on a scathing berate. It begins from here until the end of this entry.</span></span><br />
<br />
“Before we get to him and your near blasphemy I was to discuss the bounds of your contract. I know you have upheld the Second Loyalty. You have brought me my pendant as I wished. This pleases me greatly. For it is a true sign, of things to come. So yes, the second loyalty, your loyalty to me, has been upheld.”<br />
<br />
“The third loyalty has not faltered among any of you. You did not chastise your ogre friend when he recklessly destroyed that valuable obsidian orb. Nor, did you show anger towards the rather fool hardy antics of Grimalkin when he destroyed a fairly high priced piece of silver and gem when he set off a trap. You did none of these things and therefore you have remained true to this loyalty.”<br />
<br />
“Many of you fell in the last twenty-four hours and despite this you stayed true to your bound and aided your companions so that you can rise to the challenge and complete the nine knots. By doing so you have upheld this fourth loyalty.”<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
“This brings me to the final loyalty. The first loyalty you have been bound to, and the weakness all seven of you have displayed. I shall go through them now, for to expose flaws allows strength to make headway.”<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Stixx</b></span></div>
<div>
“You Stixx, your weakness comes from your need to be indecisive. You withheld attacks against thine enemy so you would do no harm to others. Why? Are you not all here for the same purpose: to fight in this crusade for the infernal father? You all know the oath you took! This does not mean you get to act in the eyes of chaos, but you must show no mercy to your enemies! Even if showing no mercy means your companions must be born again through pain. Do not forget that while you may harm your friends your enemies won’t have anyone to save them when they fall, and you have one another. ”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Maldrake</b></span></div>
<div>
“You Maldrake have a weakness that is not without irony. You are a cleric of Szuriel, god of war. Yet you kept reserved from going into battle because you are not made for it? How can I expect you to uphold your bounds to the first loyalty if you cannot uphold the bounds to the god you currently worship? If you cannot uphold the views of a weak god like Szuriel in the eyes of Asmodeus, how can I trust you? Be who you were born to be. Be who Szuriel wanted you to be. If you are going to be the champion of war for Asmodeus, then you act like it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Grimalkin</span></b></div>
<div>
“Now we are on to you Grimalkin and your constant foolishness and stupidity. You waltzed around my nine knots acting as though you knew what you were doing. You put your companions at risk and for what? Was it your Pride? No, you are too foolish to know what pride is. If you want to survive, you need to have Asmodeus in your heart and mind, because some day your friends won’t be here to bring you back from the brink of your idiocy!”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Stryder</span></b></div>
<div>
“Stryder, your weakness is not a physical one. I am not sure it is a mental one. For one to have a mental weakness one must acknowledge that they have such a weakness and I am not so sure you do. You have a way about you. It reminds me of the black dragons of old, so vile and ruthless. You take your shots with no regrets. However, you do so with no direction of the father. You are a sheep who one day may not have his mortal shepherds to guide him around. Let Asmodeus be your leader as he is the only true path to your victory!”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Urgoen</span></b></div>
<div>
“Urgoen. You do not seem to care about Asmodeus at all. Not in the same sense that you care to worship someone else. No you are consumed with your petty abominations that you are losing sight of your tactfulness. This weakness will be the end of you. You cannot solely rely on a mere creation of energy to get by. You have your own arcana to use and when that cannot aid you; you seem to be above using these weapons given to you. Only when you are in dire straits did you see a need for them. I argue if you saw a need for them sooner, you wouldn’t be in dire straits! Change my Oread, for continuing as you are will be worse than your death.”</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Strumm</span></b></div>
<div>
“Strumm, your weakness is as real as the gold you wish to possess. It is no secret that you have a weakness for material items. You pick up arrows to save a couple silver pieces. You readily strip the bodies of the long since dead and rotted in hopes for scraps. Even when faced with a contract signed in your own blood you had the audacity to ask what you get out of it! You are thinking like a petty mercenary. I did not choose a mercenary I chose an assassin. Choose Asmodeus and the rewards of your loyalty will out rank any stacks of gold you could hope to possess. "</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Kallista</span></b></div>
<div>
“Now Kallista, my sweet vixen of hate, your weakness is you’re zealously. You wanted this man dead and I know why. He’s weak. Being weak is unfortunate. It is not however punishable by death by the great Asmodeus now is it? If simply being weak were enough to invoke the wrath of the father, my hand would be forced to flay you all where you stand. Trust me friends, I could do it and not lose a bit of sleep over it. Recruits at this stage are silver for seven. Asmodeus does not want blind zealots, he wants acolytes of power.” </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
He walked back to where the beaten man was now dragged next to his desk.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now look at this man. This man’s name is Squire Timeon of
Balentyne and despite not knowing his name, you certainly remember him. After your Ogre friend destroyed my torture
device, he inadvertently found him. Here is what is interesting to me. This
man, this squire of mitra, was perfectly willing to talk to all of you. He in
fact had information that while useless to me, could have been vital to
you. This man had a defiance to speak
with you further when he witnessed Kallista’s proud display of her father."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Why is it, that in a fortress of solitude like mine, a
place of refuge I have given to you, a place where I have fed you, gave you
drink, gave you healing, gave you rest and respite, a place free from the oppressive
ingrates of Taligarde and a place that I have taken great pains to keep of the
utmost secrecy that in my secret nine knots of underground testing that the
rest of you hide your symbols of the almighty infernal Asmodeus?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, with no warning, Thorn slammed his fist down on his desk and the entire room seemed to shake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is a weakness, a weakness shown only by six of you. Kallista it warms my heart and clears my mind to see you display our father’s symbol with pride.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now on to this man, this squire of Mitra, is weak and that is clear. While he has an unshakable determination to his worthless god that alone is not enough to warrant death. There are weak followers of all kinds of deities that can be turned. I’ve turned many in my day."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This man refused to acknowledge something. He didn’t just refuse the second rate gods like Urgotha, or Zon-Kuthon , he refused Asmodeus. For that he certainly should die. However, Strumm allowed him to live and that’s ok. That’s fine. He had information, it wasn’t information I needed, but I can appreciate the need to extract information from someone even if they deserve to die. After all, cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy but reward those who serve thee well.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thorn then shivered as though he was controlling his anger and we suppose he was. Then he turned to Strumm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You kept this man alive for information and that is
commendable. I have to then ask, if you were keeping a devoted worshiper of
Mitra the sworn enemy of Asmodeus and a proclaimed and proved person who is in
defiance of our infernal lord in my own home, alive for these reasons then WHY
IS IT THAT I HAD TO REVIVE HIM!?!?! You let this peon die by the hands of
undead that are just waiting to be released from their eternal living death! “<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thorn waved the beaten man away with the slaves and waived us away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Leave me, I will call upon you when I am ready to decide if I should continue your training."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-4026247587244939922014-08-08T09:31:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:55:08.008-07:00The Demise of Sir Balin<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>3:00 P.M - Day 5, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH27brJk-xuN2Cg8_0RzLB9NsRXxNWeaWyyTzUHy2AI6kYWoLaKnC6E8wOGosgzVanubv2AEmtQ72CcsMz0Nt1-YI88nbYVSJFuD8UX-dimLHrbvjVQbVjlzx-lplMOYC7RHDraYDO6J4c/s1600/Escape_from_Meenlock_Prison_by_jdillon82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH27brJk-xuN2Cg8_0RzLB9NsRXxNWeaWyyTzUHy2AI6kYWoLaKnC6E8wOGosgzVanubv2AEmtQ72CcsMz0Nt1-YI88nbYVSJFuD8UX-dimLHrbvjVQbVjlzx-lplMOYC7RHDraYDO6J4c/s1600/Escape_from_Meenlock_Prison_by_jdillon82.jpg" height="111" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tread carefully, but readied to leave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We raised our wounded and calculated the best possible out come. We knew we had already discovered eight of the nine rooms Thorn told us we would encounter. We rested for eight hours collected our thoughts and decided to move forward into the last room. It had crossed our minds to escape though death was certain if we chose that. Even with a good rest we still were beaten and bruised. Our resources were getting very thin. We were getting thin After spending another eight in the torture room, it was time to move on to the final chamber.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Above the door was yet one more inscription.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Serve thy master well and be rewarded.”</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SkFMDKgTWbj0QaE_0dUO4Ynntgpft-NekXgy2VoSja9MYZbxzp_1JT10QbxRwVvIbwGfAW7-_ar3T8ZbuyLiUFDurFZ-Fd_-KPvfbeyKT7mWkUugcBa3VFNXDsTWGRWZixgJ3A5sZCTz/s1600/dungeon_by_ixaarii-d2zwdye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SkFMDKgTWbj0QaE_0dUO4Ynntgpft-NekXgy2VoSja9MYZbxzp_1JT10QbxRwVvIbwGfAW7-_ar3T8ZbuyLiUFDurFZ-Fd_-KPvfbeyKT7mWkUugcBa3VFNXDsTWGRWZixgJ3A5sZCTz/s1600/dungeon_by_ixaarii-d2zwdye.jpg" height="136" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hoped this would be the last.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was barred and locked. There was a key on a giant ring. After everything we have been through this seemed too easy. Stryder cold and calculating as he is, was getting impatient. Stixx searched for traps and found nothing. Stryder took the key and unlocked the door. He lifted the bar off the door, and kicked it right open. Awaiting beyond the door was a well suited knight bearing yellow and blue coat of arms. This man was in amazing condition and we could not figure out why he was here until we looked around his neck. The pendant that Thorn sent us after was around his neck. Maldrake quickly identified it as a Mitra holy symbol.<br />
<br />
We lined up for an attack with Grumblejack stacked in the ten foot doorway. The knight was calm and simply asked us "Why are you down here and who sent you?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT84tsai8ZgcrNMAhNeCzzF7694vgDsbQ0zNBSMZc1D3ZmwR9I-I-PWk31strvUYnM1Yh0RELZ0GOPCXBsSAGFNUDjb90ZbHsCO90FRLSpfFLwYSUKG0CY3vGp7zYApqGfB3O2kgOaDEx/s1600/Giant_Killer_by_umbrafox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT84tsai8ZgcrNMAhNeCzzF7694vgDsbQ0zNBSMZc1D3ZmwR9I-I-PWk31strvUYnM1Yh0RELZ0GOPCXBsSAGFNUDjb90ZbHsCO90FRLSpfFLwYSUKG0CY3vGp7zYApqGfB3O2kgOaDEx/s1600/Giant_Killer_by_umbrafox.jpg" height="116" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grumblejack was putting up with no shit today.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Urgoen stated only one word, "Asmodeus." That alone was all it took to set events into motion. With in seconds the battle escalated quickly. Grumblejack flex his arm towards the knight with the intent to flash his forsaken brand. Grimalkin and Strumm both agreed that this guy is part of the Knights of Alerion, the <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4ikiRIz7Ig5kK8sYIEEP6ooGTNIFz7zD6cGIoeDxNWYeJtbM6PGOl43tv6nTKrec527ZXPkhLJOerVmOor4j_2lhqY6A7dh7OFZrSXP67CyL7st1OI3N9npDbh4m3dOjnRWIH1zkOCLi/s1600/the_summoner_by_mysticaldonkey1-d5sp2wk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb4ikiRIz7Ig5kK8sYIEEP6ooGTNIFz7zD6cGIoeDxNWYeJtbM6PGOl43tv6nTKrec527ZXPkhLJOerVmOor4j_2lhqY6A7dh7OFZrSXP67CyL7st1OI3N9npDbh4m3dOjnRWIH1zkOCLi/s1600/the_summoner_by_mysticaldonkey1-d5sp2wk.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Urgoen came packing with a pack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
group that is tasked with throwing us in prison. That about all the time we had to discuss any tactics before the knight charged Grumblejack.<br />
<br />
With only a couple strikes the knight brought down Grumblejack who was already in a sorry state from the last sixteen hours of fun. He dropped like a sack of potatoes and from there events were concrete and in motion if there had been any doubts of this. The knights eyes met with that of Kallista and he saw her outward display of Asmodeus and bellowed, “A Forsaken of Mitra!” he says if the mark is shown. “I know not what deviltry has allowed you to be free, but I swear by the Shining Lord that I will see this injustice righted! Mitra will protect and guide me!”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3PPMa8ROCXlC3nTXktqyMh99ggBS54DMyRWhW8cYPNr8g3Gal3n9vXDcZvQrceMZldYkyPeX957LuEVQhgUSUuiB9XGq10aP-Jm3OEs16Ii9ViRd34YcHpRwRIg-yaAzq1r8ZBI2335H/s1600/Death_by_Carrion_Crawler_by_jdillon82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3PPMa8ROCXlC3nTXktqyMh99ggBS54DMyRWhW8cYPNr8g3Gal3n9vXDcZvQrceMZldYkyPeX957LuEVQhgUSUuiB9XGq10aP-Jm3OEs16Ii9ViRd34YcHpRwRIg-yaAzq1r8ZBI2335H/s1600/Death_by_Carrion_Crawler_by_jdillon82.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grimalkin charges.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stryder and Strum let loose volleys of arrows from the back pelting the fanatic knight. <br />
Urgoen summoned forth a fiendish hound to attack the knight as Grimalkin began to setup for a flanking maneuver. Kallista cast a spell of acid in his direction and moved into place to attack the devoted knight of Mitra. She got one good strike off but was easily dispatched by the knight. The <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoTsV-OanhDs9yCiWKIAIKlzllUezqb6G5AVHDVIWHv5JkupmDx8o-axN9T7t-aN9rgcHEDnDjfbr5WIfQ_scz-d75Wg1mHBrZRSkVhePTODzHCWarQxFF1ocM4Rez4n9ypGbTjI0sADS/s1600/the_fallen_knight_by_deskridge-d31m5hn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoTsV-OanhDs9yCiWKIAIKlzllUezqb6G5AVHDVIWHv5JkupmDx8o-axN9T7t-aN9rgcHEDnDjfbr5WIfQ_scz-d75Wg1mHBrZRSkVhePTODzHCWarQxFF1ocM4Rez4n9ypGbTjI0sADS/s1600/the_fallen_knight_by_deskridge-d31m5hn.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The knight fell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
summoned hound took a few bits of flesh from the knights leg as Maldrake swung fast and hard with his weapon to deliver an unbelievable strike. Grimalkin then manged a well timed strike with his long sword. Stixxs dropped an explosive right into the middle of fray slightly injuring Grimalkin and doing nothing to Kallista, while the Knight screamed in pain and uttered more useless threats. The knight missed an attack against Grimalkin allowing Maldrake to recharge the party through his evil channeled energy. This turned out to be futile as the knight simple struck down Grumblejack as the ogre's unyielding fist attempted to crush him. A cleave ended Kallista once more and left her almost in a state of complete death. It wasn't until Strumm and Stryder landed perfect strikes and downed the zealous knight with two well places arrows through the man' weak spots in his armor.Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-47843840090411962662014-06-19T20:16:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:33.336-07:00The Nine Knots<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>7:00 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfrr2Wq6JgNwT2XZWUPr8D37qeVmSpV15Ci7jmE1b0H3Q-GY6mkbt4Z0Wx_kQE6O1yvid8iDFGsw7D8Nl5NtLqvoiQ_-PmPZaYmwEwGM9qAgqNf9M7YODg5S6hFYKa7Vdh1ihmALaqgVI/s1600/tiadora1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfrr2Wq6JgNwT2XZWUPr8D37qeVmSpV15Ci7jmE1b0H3Q-GY6mkbt4Z0Wx_kQE6O1yvid8iDFGsw7D8Nl5NtLqvoiQ_-PmPZaYmwEwGM9qAgqNf9M7YODg5S6hFYKa7Vdh1ihmALaqgVI/s1600/tiadora1.png" height="200" width="105" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>She seems more demented every time.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had given Tiadora our list of needed equipment. It was a
pitifully low amount of money. With seven of us we surely could be prepared for
anything. Stixx and Kallista prepared themselves from their books and studies. Maldrake
prayed as Urgoen prepared his eidolon. Strumm, Grimalkin, and
Stryder readied their weapons and armor. We waited for three days until we were
given further instructions. We were called to see the master once more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thorn simply said, “Have you enjoyed your gifts? The iron
circlets allow you to move amongst your enemies as one of them. The silver
amulets will remind you of your true loyalties. And the other items – well, you
need them now. “You have done well to escape from Branderscar and to accept my
offer. However, you are still not ready for my service. Tiadora will lead you
to the basement of this domicile. There you will find nine chambers each more
dangerous than the last. Somewhere hidden within these chambers is a pendant of
silver and sapphire. Recover the pendant and bring it to me. Let nothing and no
one stand in your way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so that was it. We were led to a ten foot wide archway
that led down a ten foot wide stone stairway. The stair way descended down
roughly fifteen feet. We timidly adventured forth into the first room of this
strange dungeon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUotXjFCinZMMVroUtZreUiIdr2hE3Wo9YD1WYdFfvyjYnHLzu-P2wgVN__gbu1axpwZ_RaZs6TpHzHgfxZT6MqA2btF8zZnL9kRO0yxo7oy86kfeWOUadQPKLR1RVaUYWMQ6ARW8JO7T-/s1600/dungeon__by_manzanedo-d5m3gnc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUotXjFCinZMMVroUtZreUiIdr2hE3Wo9YD1WYdFfvyjYnHLzu-P2wgVN__gbu1axpwZ_RaZs6TpHzHgfxZT6MqA2btF8zZnL9kRO0yxo7oy86kfeWOUadQPKLR1RVaUYWMQ6ARW8JO7T-/s1600/dungeon__by_manzanedo-d5m3gnc.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Into the depths.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So as I scribe here, the set of stone stairs led down,
through an archway and into an unfurnished chamber beyond. Inscribed upon the
archway in the common tongue as a strange phrase:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive
always thy enemy but never thyself.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The room beyond was lit by a small oil lantern hanging from
the center of the chamber. It seems simple enough to go through the doorway to
our east directly opposite of the stairs we came down on. Grimalkin was ready
and willing to show off his trap finding skills and wanted to check the only
door in the room for traps and we didn't know if it was his skills that found
it or his clumsiness but as soon as he stepped in front of the door a pit
opened up. Spiked trap was below the
door. Grimalkin and Maldrake went down
and hurt themselves but not fatally.
After bringing him back up we saw carved upon the wall inside the pit near the
bottom is the phrase: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Thou wert deceived. Pain is thy reward.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We pulled him out and left disabled the trap and replaced
the plate so we could get through the door. We opened the door and nothing. A
false wall is all that hid behind this door. Grimalkin went searching the rest
of the room and didn't find anything unusual. Finally Maldrake, one of the
wisest in the group along with Strumm also very perceptive located two secret
doors. Paranoid as they should be, they searched for traps as well on the doors
and nothing seemed out of place. Upon opening the north wall concealed a small
niche. Inside that niche was a small pedestal that held a jewel that glowed
with pale blue light. It was cold to the touch. There was another inscription:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Thou hast seen through deception to uncover a useful tool.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcWsZu-laQMFMN7Be53tNWzV0GTH-aHnsefcGrFqZfqJWVDrPd4DUkLDx8BSfsJkfgI0CAo5c8OJx65sF0Yg_urj6AikfJk84-vnF59OBtx13EzoRIJUGY2olqWRAm0FI-9VaU4KdCge/s1600/trap1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JcWsZu-laQMFMN7Be53tNWzV0GTH-aHnsefcGrFqZfqJWVDrPd4DUkLDx8BSfsJkfgI0CAo5c8OJx65sF0Yg_urj6AikfJk84-vnF59OBtx13EzoRIJUGY2olqWRAm0FI-9VaU4KdCge/s1600/trap1.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grimalkin trying to find traps.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After some crude appraising, we found this was a clever
crafted bit of sealed quartz with a bit of alchemist ice trapped inside. We
handed it to Styxx for safe keeping or throwing should we need it and began to
check out the southern wall for traps. Again, we found nothing and gave it a
try. We opened it up with an eerie scraping sound we looked down twenty foot
long hallway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>7:30 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKru1mVYEzECCpvtjr0AQtzMfYuPp2IDT2vENONOri0KgYplIaJNqfMmFaDqDTFq5ns8R_BZZUq-ZNf3AZU2aYHlXeWwAzc47BCn86ADqhFaj9fCbECmmCp_uYcIgcP-mIDvVOE83AYI0/s1600/blue+crystal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKru1mVYEzECCpvtjr0AQtzMfYuPp2IDT2vENONOri0KgYplIaJNqfMmFaDqDTFq5ns8R_BZZUq-ZNf3AZU2aYHlXeWwAzc47BCn86ADqhFaj9fCbECmmCp_uYcIgcP-mIDvVOE83AYI0/s1600/blue+crystal.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What could this be for?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We found that the short passage from the north ended in a
wooden door with another inscription:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> “Following the herd
is for fools. Fear not their icy derision. Instead, fear only thy Infernal
Lord.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Inside the stone
chamber, we found four doors – each facing a cardinal direction. The entire
chamber was strangely cold. The ground was absolutely dirty and dusty and we
could tell at least a dozen individuals have walked towards the southern and
the eastern doors. No one seems to have approached the western door however. Same
as before this room was also lit with a small oil lantern that hung from the
ceiling. We remember this room because there was an unusual bit of frost over
the oil lantern.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, we got to it. We searched the doors. Grimalkin started
with the eastern door and he discovered there was a javelin trap. So he decided
to disable it and set it off. A javelin went through his shoulder and he reeled
backwards. Grimalkin made a comment
about having. Grumblejack open the south door and begrudgingly that’s what he
did. Naturally, he took one to the lower leg and pulled it right out and said, <i>“Toothpick.”<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSLe5fUizscXUutX15T3vqqVrXDCTyJSd_x2zrojt3Q_jwW9iMRrBBsWBxeZbr8wYKcX6pxaylrY8aTqwLnU2TnvmpFzfaKB_sgWAe7lG6PnZtqUm5solOzpNj6UVraM1WuEMsBDbp9Q2/s1600/ogre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSLe5fUizscXUutX15T3vqqVrXDCTyJSd_x2zrojt3Q_jwW9iMRrBBsWBxeZbr8wYKcX6pxaylrY8aTqwLnU2TnvmpFzfaKB_sgWAe7lG6PnZtqUm5solOzpNj6UVraM1WuEMsBDbp9Q2/s1600/ogre.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Toothpick."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After opening both of the doors that had the traps we saw
two inscriptions: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Thou hast followed the herd.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All we had remaining to explore was the western door and it
was covered in a strange pulsating violet mold. Naturally at this point, Grimalkin was
determined to find more traps. He stepped to the door and before even getting
to touch it, he was enveloped in a blue frost and was instantly knocked
unconscious and was on the verge of dying. That was all it took for us to back as far
away from the door as we could. Strumm
and Kallista carefully studied the area for a few minutes. We were very thankful that we had
dungeoneering experts among us, for we could have all died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista spoke first, <i>“It is a mold. Stay clear of it. Keep
warmth away from it, and for Asmodeus sake keep your torches away from it.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strumm finished, <i>“Cold. Kill it with cold. You magic users
have any cold spells to use?”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We didn’t but we all turned to Styxx. Maldrake spoke,
<i>“Styxx, we could use your little arm now. How about it, can you hit that door
from here?”</i> Styxx pulled out the small crystal and let it fly. The
crystal shattered over the door and frost from the device seem to strangle the
mold causes it to die and flake off. After it did this it revealed yet another
saying:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Thou hast made thy own path.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnahRjiYUNLJfvvNmSG_o0ip_ZwziiPP7OxEiXRW_4JT9G1uHtUueP9ixXKgehRJRJGeoruW3ofqX_EuVKAKg0Bx8EeL0sfJrNcNMscVSR1D_77WdukhKC0WcJH1URgqUxXAZQw2Kvu-7/s1600/frost+trap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnahRjiYUNLJfvvNmSG_o0ip_ZwziiPP7OxEiXRW_4JT9G1uHtUueP9ixXKgehRJRJGeoruW3ofqX_EuVKAKg0Bx8EeL0sfJrNcNMscVSR1D_77WdukhKC0WcJH1URgqUxXAZQw2Kvu-7/s1600/frost+trap.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grimalkin could not stay out of trouble.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before we progressed we had to take some time to revive
Grimalkin. We were on limited potions but we felt we should be able to get
by. After awakening we told Grimalkin
about the mold and helped him to his feet. The door opened to the west only a
bit and continued to the south and made a sharp turn back to the east and then
to the northeast. It was darker but we had torches to light the way.
Grumblejack refused to go in first. He said he felt like he was being used to
set off traps and wouldn’t do it anymore.
As we approached another wooden door, we read the inscription aloud:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Know your enemy. Shatter all that blinds you and then burn
thy adversary to ashes.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>8:00 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We lined up with Grimalkin up front at the door, the party
asked Grumblejack if he would open this door first for us if we checked for
traps carefully and he agreed he would.
Maldrake and Kallista were behind Grimalkin and Styxx along with Stryder
was a few steps behind Grumble jack. Strumm was just beside Grimalkin. We checked for traps and after a few passes
could not seem to detect a thing. So Grumblejack pushed open the door and </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">there
was complete darkness. Torches didn’t light up the new room at all. Kallista,
Grumblejack and Maldrake could see a globe of obsidian on a podium in the
center of the room that radiated darkness.
Before they could even step foot in the door, Grumble jack was struck
twice by gas like beings. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCsd6TqdKPzDU9HWq_qFxvU8ezk74VZ_79pEeGX6sXBMhWS0xRYY_TKJAUGG-y-IWGTTFB8OMkiEUiIHu0wfG9tNDNOMrSPOqzp7cW7F80DPWI9-NgT5zTjc39jrz1RWxyl0ZdJoxlZpS/s1600/vamp+mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCsd6TqdKPzDU9HWq_qFxvU8ezk74VZ_79pEeGX6sXBMhWS0xRYY_TKJAUGG-y-IWGTTFB8OMkiEUiIHu0wfG9tNDNOMrSPOqzp7cW7F80DPWI9-NgT5zTjc39jrz1RWxyl0ZdJoxlZpS/s1600/vamp+mist.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deadly creatures.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were small holes I recall about one inch in diameter
in the floor at regular intervals. It was soon apparent what these were for.
The beings went down into the holes and came back out at the back and hovered
in the air. Maldrake quickly warned,<i> “Vampiric Mists. Tread carefully.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And so we tried.
Grumblejack went in followed by Maldrake and Kallista the only ones who
could currently see into the room. That was all they were able to do before
being struck again by painful bites to their necks and flew out of range again.
Grumble jack lost his temper at this and shattered the podium allowed light
from the torches to enter and causing the mists to reel in pain from the light.
They did the only thing that was left to do, the mists turned to fight. The
battle was short lived after the light came in however. Stryder and Strumm made
quick work of the mists after Styxx did not want to harm us with one of his
bombs. One mist was vanquished while the other went down into the holes and we
never saw it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We located that there were two doors in this room – one
leading north and one leading east. After fumbling around to open them we
realized they are both barred. It was easy enough for the heavy bar to be removed
in the adequate light. Grumblejack huffed and puffed to himself. He made it
clear we were not going to use him to open trapped doors anymore and he considered
this room to be trapped. So we searched
and searched and came up with nothing special about the doors to the north and
the east. We decided to go north after healing those who had taken some minor
damage. The northern door opened at the
end of the passage to another wooden door. Unsurprisingly the door was
inscribed with yet another platitude: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Cruelty is a tool not a pastime. Be ruthless to thy enemy
but reward those who serve thee well.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>8:30 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was only one thing in this room – a torturer’s rack.
That cruel implement was functional and ready for use but was empty. Like the
rooms before, the chamber was lit by an oil lantern that hung from the center
of the room. It seemed like forever searching and searching. Grimalkin searched the far west wall, north
wall, east wall and he found nothing. Maldrake tried the same and nothing. We
all tried finding anyway out of this place and there was nothing, just the
torturing device. We touched it, checked it for traps and still nothing. We
jolted it a bit and nothing. We went back to the walls and tapped on them and
hit them and still nothing. No traps, no doors, absolutely nothing. Finally we just gave up on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWPXX1aTN2q5vra4GnocxSPSivvw8OSj0DkkXQp2BqLtQn0RSmV-ZgVD1jrUhY-VJds_Tut_PblWgiVp4CHM8GsSycCme24dkg7tdegR1NMoQl0gl5MhJYF6fXcdeCzkZ5iQ_GE6qBfrI/s1600/torture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWPXX1aTN2q5vra4GnocxSPSivvw8OSj0DkkXQp2BqLtQn0RSmV-ZgVD1jrUhY-VJds_Tut_PblWgiVp4CHM8GsSycCme24dkg7tdegR1NMoQl0gl5MhJYF6fXcdeCzkZ5iQ_GE6qBfrI/s1600/torture.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We didn't want to ask.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>9:00 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We opened the western door then of the strange hole-filled
room into a hall way back to the north again to a corner. Much like the
previous hallway only our torches kept light going. We turned the corner and
there was another wooded door. Just as doors in the past this too had a small
message scribe into it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The chosen are revealed by their might. The weak deserve no
sympathy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We lined up on the twenty foot long by ten foot wide corner
passage. Grumble jack stayed in the back while Kallista, Maldrake, Grimalkin
and Strumm were in front. Stryder and Styxx stayed further back around the
corner and waited. We checked for traps
as usual and we had Kallista open the door with a flick of her wrist and
magical words. The door flung open into a couple of mithral cobras coiled at
the far back of the room. The oil lantern there had gleamed off their metallic
scales.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLmc_RqiGSCKxOMbc_G8-NoMwkE3FLnXJ1ZuhXWiqj6X5zh7gyN1yZg_0FtOW_0pEiAS7J0hqWLVUvwlaEZ3MtM6F41VOb99BurPZJSn-CvmJlhIkyxET7Sen49R5JH1c6pOYdrBsEa7r/s1600/cobra.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLmc_RqiGSCKxOMbc_G8-NoMwkE3FLnXJ1ZuhXWiqj6X5zh7gyN1yZg_0FtOW_0pEiAS7J0hqWLVUvwlaEZ3MtM6F41VOb99BurPZJSn-CvmJlhIkyxET7Sen49R5JH1c6pOYdrBsEa7r/s1600/cobra.png" height="200" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>We made it, but barely.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were lucky enough to get a decent position before they
could attack. Grimalkin and Strumm went in first, following by Maldrake and
Kallista. It was apparent that these
cobras were not to be underestimated. Most of our weapons were borderline
useless. That outer skin was durable as ever and we were worried for our lives.
Grumble jack charged in to make room for Styder and Styxx to get some good
shots off. The first down was Strumm, he
was cornered by one of the cobras and it quickly dispatched him. The other very
nearly brought down Grimalkin and Kallista. Grumblejack crushed one of the
snakes hard and drew the attention of both of them. He continued to take blows
while Stryder landed hits with his arrows with absolute precision. The fight lasted only a few minutes but
Grumblejack took the brunt of the damage and it was obvious. He was in a bad
way. We left him how he was because he said he could go on. We picked up the
bodies of the snakes because they were made of pure mithral. When Strumm was revived he chastised Maldrake
for his cowardice as a cleric. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We looked at the door to the south and checked it as normal
for traps. Nothing as we started to expect. We started to assume that the first
traps were to weed out the weak. Naturally so we thought. As paths before we
opened it to a hall way into another door and of course another inscription:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Suffer not the fool. Stupidity is our faith’s cardinal
sin.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grimalkin checked for traps and we didn't double check him.
He seemed to be on a decent streak of finding traps. Beyond the door was a
square chamber with a podium in its center. The chamber was lit only by a
hanging oil lantern. Upon the podium was a pendant of silver -- a dragon with
sapphire eyes. We looked at one another thinking this surely is it. Grimalkin
stepped up once more to search for traps. He searched the podium and when he
got near the stairs that led up to the east, he heard a loud metallic sound of
a pin being removed from its socket. A spiked ball trap swung down and
Grimalkin was able to move fast enough and missed taking quite a blow from the
trap. Sadly, the podium was utterly destroyed along with the pendant. We all
walk in, and go to check out the stairs.
Another quip:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Only the foolish believe great deeds are so easy or so obvious.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We picked up Grimalkin and he went back to searching for
secret passages and found none. Kallista tried though she is nowhere near as perceptive
as the rest of the group and found nothing amiss. Along the rest Maldrake,
Strumm, Styxx, Stryder, all found nothing. Even Grumblejack took a shot and
couldn’t find anything, though this was expected to be quite honest. Maldrake
suggested we go back to the torture room once more and look for clues. Grumblejack grumbled more at this waste of
time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTq9gMcyz9kYIxXkjvb_sUvBpS8Y7EmNchITnL2dZbS3c2qA6qQHG7Uk_gwX1wY_y4E3bO2CmzKCPzPZ8GuB37pSfbWbZ3ytFf3FG63-grmTHX50WS4d2O2wE-5U7P9ZqrYEPPCHleb3X/s1600/cropped-stair_trap_fin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTq9gMcyz9kYIxXkjvb_sUvBpS8Y7EmNchITnL2dZbS3c2qA6qQHG7Uk_gwX1wY_y4E3bO2CmzKCPzPZ8GuB37pSfbWbZ3ytFf3FG63-grmTHX50WS4d2O2wE-5U7P9ZqrYEPPCHleb3X/s1600/cropped-stair_trap_fin.jpg" height="125" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Poor Grimalkin.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>9:30 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We patched ourselves up and made our way back to the torture
room. We spent nearly an hour here. We searched, poked, prodded, and searched, poked
and prodded some more. Still we found nothing. Grimalkin spoke up and said “I’ll get in the
device!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Foolishly he did just that, closed it on himself and damn
near paid for it with his life. We got him out of the contraption and stabilized
his bleeding though he was still under.
At this point Grumblejack snapped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HVV5RqA46dsExBuXJRN6p8bbFN64wadaCqn7gZ-wY633dQ-PQQ2zW_JfAQVmwB3MET9gg8Klj2Fnah5kBk_dRcKn524edC3fBIbbHPhkxpTPf3RvB_mzXza6Oj_QTD_02JbdTlj-L01L/s1600/ogre_by_iamgabouwness-d5jso2r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HVV5RqA46dsExBuXJRN6p8bbFN64wadaCqn7gZ-wY633dQ-PQQ2zW_JfAQVmwB3MET9gg8Klj2Fnah5kBk_dRcKn524edC3fBIbbHPhkxpTPf3RvB_mzXza6Oj_QTD_02JbdTlj-L01L/s1600/ogre_by_iamgabouwness-d5jso2r.jpg" height="200" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here he comes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack howled, <i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">“THAT IS FOR KILL’N ‘ITTLE UNS. THAT IS
NA FOR US. THAT IS IT. I AM NOT GOING TO STAY IN THIS ROOM ANY MORE. THIS THING
DOHN WORK SEE LOOK, SEE LOOK, SEE LOOK!!!!”</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With each “SEE” he slammed his fist down on the torturer’s
rack. With each “LOOK”, he would pull it up from the ground to which it was
bolted. Kallista demanded for him to
calm himself but it was no good. The tidal wave of absolute fury over came any
sense of rationality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fDtNOiG7Ss1X_0VN3BFMFM3pFjUaLWfCNgQwD8Rua8lojjRiu1y_cITAHACP6R_1KdutVOjiYROp-pG3ZpTlySOSPruvkxs5onLFG5JvYHKrcjCPUqzJoJrA7piOoH6Xq7lTMKtzqmKo/s1600/mage_hate_by_kipestshin-d35zvnx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fDtNOiG7Ss1X_0VN3BFMFM3pFjUaLWfCNgQwD8Rua8lojjRiu1y_cITAHACP6R_1KdutVOjiYROp-pG3ZpTlySOSPruvkxs5onLFG5JvYHKrcjCPUqzJoJrA7piOoH6Xq7lTMKtzqmKo/s1600/mage_hate_by_kipestshin-d35zvnx.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They pushed him too far.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grumblejack continued, <span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“I WON’T STAY HAR NEE MORE. I ERRRR
AM FREEEEE!!”</span></i> </span>and the word free, strained in his voice as he ripped the device
from solid ground ripping up pieces of stone with it and toss it to the south
west corner and it slammed against the wall with a hallow banging sound.
Everyone was looking at Grumble Jack with dawning horror. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But Maldrake and Strumm drew everyone’s attention by
pointing to the corner. <i>“I think I heard
a gasp.”</i> Maldrake whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ93HM1S7rD5etATfANILGhvmaDB4N1qFdN-Uxjbx7TPTm610I3cF3BPC1JYNNA7o-3dmtkrTDDL1T6b9ngVdFGEbr2y1cNtECMO7czo5hbaHw_THidJqmG9pFKERdypFTc1qntBEpeQO/s1600/maldrake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ93HM1S7rD5etATfANILGhvmaDB4N1qFdN-Uxjbx7TPTm610I3cF3BPC1JYNNA7o-3dmtkrTDDL1T6b9ngVdFGEbr2y1cNtECMO7czo5hbaHw_THidJqmG9pFKERdypFTc1qntBEpeQO/s1600/maldrake.jpg" height="200" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Maldrake</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maldrake searched the wall and sure enough there was a
secret door in the south west part of the room. We slammed it open and there
was a cowering, brown-haired young man in there. The lowly man says that he meant us no harm
and wants to know how you got here. Strumm quickly lead the interrogation at
this point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Why are you here and why are you hiding”, he probed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The scared boy of a man simply replied, <i>“I got lost down here with my
master a few days ago and it is too dangerous to go on.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“What do you know? Tell
us or we have ways of making you talk!”</i> Strumm ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ9buK8mFBXgeeNHnpG_OcLNLEEulAsnUvRqVntj2srgPjiZqrm5U289J5lR-zUJN1oUvaHGHDcxHGeDkXvvSFDiQzBSoDuPF6QjXQkXOj3XLEgPqEaZJBU89X_SVTXyitGCCJYVu6hWN/s1600/coward.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ9buK8mFBXgeeNHnpG_OcLNLEEulAsnUvRqVntj2srgPjiZqrm5U289J5lR-zUJN1oUvaHGHDcxHGeDkXvvSFDiQzBSoDuPF6QjXQkXOj3XLEgPqEaZJBU89X_SVTXyitGCCJYVu6hWN/s1600/coward.png" height="200" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Coward of Mitra</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Without much delay he began to tell us about the cobras in
the nearby room and that there is a secret passed on the west wall in the room
with the podium. He began to recite even more secrets until Kallista got closer
to better understand what was being said. Her pendant glittered under the light
of the lantern and the torches. It was then we all realized that we still had
these symbols as she was the only on displaying it. This coward of man’s demeanor instantly
changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhREpLipXj1cEHgNb1ttScdRJqYuB1Gz1SVPAezdsj_9_91OJLQJguI_o08wXp0BA_7LFjRRjs6XbA1lshhxPLcQg6rukmRWC7vq9ZcXJk_6JMCXDOfoCUnEILESTOqVH0No1uiFCbxm_/s1600/strumm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhREpLipXj1cEHgNb1ttScdRJqYuB1Gz1SVPAezdsj_9_91OJLQJguI_o08wXp0BA_7LFjRRjs6XbA1lshhxPLcQg6rukmRWC7vq9ZcXJk_6JMCXDOfoCUnEILESTOqVH0No1uiFCbxm_/s1600/strumm.jpg" height="141" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Strumm means business</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“You Heretic, I won’t aid you! You get that beast of a woman
out of here or I am not saying a thing!”</i> The man said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista shrugged and said, <i>“Kill him, what use is he to us.
He devoted to Mitra. He doesn’t deserve to live. Don’t worry I’ll make it
quick.” </i>She began to draw her scimitar to strike and Strumm stopped her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“No, how can you be so devoted to a god you were just told
of? Just leave the room, he’ll talk to us” </i>Strumm offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kallista refused and threated again. Strumm instead tied the
man up and brought him along back to the room guiding him ahead like a human
trap detector. Kallista scoffed at this treatment and followed along. We made our way through the room with podium,
we easily found the secret wall and traveled down the dark hall way. The all
way only went to the left and came to another door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoyBAOkw2Vaxh9iOBQBuAdt1gOFq2K9_Rb0zckglPrOXMsoyrAix0AcW9Hf8_9rutrzq2tKbswyd8L66kkdxkcRYs2NalIklnjfWPK4bkr4jkDJMmxPC3qim7NAZSmda2jajNZxSWV2-r/s1600/Tiefling__s_Head_by_GRB76+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoyBAOkw2Vaxh9iOBQBuAdt1gOFq2K9_Rb0zckglPrOXMsoyrAix0AcW9Hf8_9rutrzq2tKbswyd8L66kkdxkcRYs2NalIklnjfWPK4bkr4jkDJMmxPC3qim7NAZSmda2jajNZxSWV2-r/s1600/Tiefling__s_Head_by_GRB76+(1).jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...............</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>10:00 P.M - Day 4, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The door we found had yet another message for our viewing
pleasure:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Secrecy is our greatest ally. Exposure brings death.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the door checked for traps we decided to enter. This
room was completely dark, or it would have been except for our torches. In the center of this stone chamber was a
patch of bare earth surrounded by a two inch tall brick circle. There was a
giant man-sized purple mushroom with a strange bulbous cap. The moment we
opened the door it emitted a wail that echoed through the entire chamber for
nearly two solid minutes. We slice it up and it stopped. However we could hear
a tremendous banging against the far west door along with loud growing. The
door was starting to give so we decided to leave this room, close the door and
trek back to the only room we thought should be free of traps. We made a mad
dash closing the entire set of doors in the process and took refuge in the
torture room. The screaming tapered off,
waited another 30 minutes for any sign of activity and went to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>6:30 A.M - Day 5, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Styxx, Kallista, and Maldrake woke first. They prepared
their spells and mutagens for the day. The rest awoke and donned their armor,
strung their bows and we prepared for another brutal day. We ate iron rations
and drank some water. We only had half a day remaining to find that pendant. We
marched to the room with the strange mushroom and to our surprise the door to
the west while cracked and budged out was not broken through. We carefully listened and could hear slight
scuffing, like feet dragging on a floor. Strumm pulled out a dagger, ordered the
prisoner to walk towards the door and so he did. He stopped just before the door, torch in
hand, and began to read another message aloud:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Beware the fallen for they may rise once more to threaten you.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first thing Maldrake did was check the cobras and of
course they were dead. He looked to Strumm, nodded, and so Strumm whipped the
rope and the unnamed man proceeded to open the door. He opened up the door and
four dead and rotting sailor-like men charged towards the unnamed man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“Draug”</i> Maldrake identified. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y3IT2diszrtqGOS0pzeHEscXs3-n2-d9xmMktoRNiOH1wDhdc2xmnY817fMn3d1BOC1HirGo-RgnXnms5SLscaYJFf-zHHErtYNvNeJPhjdRvheDFK0ELrxwUpyP6pCa05YmrAtygF0R/s1600/dead1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y3IT2diszrtqGOS0pzeHEscXs3-n2-d9xmMktoRNiOH1wDhdc2xmnY817fMn3d1BOC1HirGo-RgnXnms5SLscaYJFf-zHHErtYNvNeJPhjdRvheDFK0ELrxwUpyP6pCa05YmrAtygF0R/s1600/dead1.png" height="200" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What have we gotten ourselves into?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The unnamed man was quickly slain. Kallista began with a charge first following
by Grimalkin and Maldrake. Strumm and Styrder fired arrows from afar. Styxx
finally began dropping bombs now that he could easily hit only the baddies. They struck down Kallista and Urgeon lost his eidolon
and almost lost his own life until he decided to shoot a cross bow. Styxx put
up a great fight but was charged by one of the remaining dead and was removed
like a flea beneath the rusted great axe.
The rest of the party faired
alright and destroyed the Draug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGFRWcF34WF79rN6ARqGuflS7mvkrq2DViELpjh8Fl9rE93WNH-4SyOTLF7lKcZ35f2lOZ1T2qcqLT4a3gJtWpPfntEpsoMlMv70gNxE7Q0PYn4-OjKlwzs_h_gbNXqrhMqutcVmN2v5E/s1600/Undead_by_TheStink411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGFRWcF34WF79rN6ARqGuflS7mvkrq2DViELpjh8Fl9rE93WNH-4SyOTLF7lKcZ35f2lOZ1T2qcqLT4a3gJtWpPfntEpsoMlMv70gNxE7Q0PYn4-OjKlwzs_h_gbNXqrhMqutcVmN2v5E/s1600/Undead_by_TheStink411.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Release us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b>7:00 A.M - Day 5, Desnus 29, 3042 AP (After Peace)</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two down in a room with rotted coffins and resources almost
completely expended and now with less than twelve hours left, the party is
facing certain death by what is behind the next door or the fate of coming back
to Thorn empty handed. Strumm made a point of it to search the dead as soon as
possible for treasure. What a strange man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-88872844018442412712014-06-10T10:15:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:34.478-07:00Meeting the Master<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3:00 P.M - Day 1, Desnus 25, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We awoke from a grand sleep that will never be matched again. We slept like logs. We enjoyed our freedom. It was short lived however, Tiadora is here. We know why. We know it is <i>that </i>time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She walked us with out Grumblejack to the Master's chamber. As the dark pine doors opened we saw him. Tiadora lead us to a beautifully appointed office richly decorated with dark wood and sumptuous brocade tapestry. Sitting in a leather high-backed chair we saw a devilishly handsome fellow whose smile we could never forget.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosIhaiuZpdNujJfQfmnJO3Iy6oKFIdVpJOQC7szVjFFN5670_l4HEKKATxhpFDfWwrCDyJ7yEr5khirunIrtrkEybD14hwQDjuhUYyR8MApHx6Wio_eRSkdER9I8_1U9BdSu2LmWYZ4cI/s1600/thorn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosIhaiuZpdNujJfQfmnJO3Iy6oKFIdVpJOQC7szVjFFN5670_l4HEKKATxhpFDfWwrCDyJ7yEr5khirunIrtrkEybD14hwQDjuhUYyR8MApHx6Wio_eRSkdER9I8_1U9BdSu2LmWYZ4cI/s1600/thorn.png" height="320" width="177" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Master</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the next few moments were were in awe as he spoke to us. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I believe you to be the first to ever escape from Branderscar Prison. Well done! Of course, you had help from the outside,” he said with that wicked smile.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“But enough with the pleasantries. You must be curious why I’ve helped you. Rest assured this is no random act of altruism. I have brought you here for a reason. My name is Cardinal Adrastus Thorn. I am the last high priest of Asmodeus left on the island of Talingarde. Once the</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prince of Nessus was rightly revered alongside the other great powers. Now, the king of Talingarde has become a puppet to Mitran fanatics who wish to destroy any religion that does not bow to their insipid sun god."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stroked his small beard and continued on.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“For their blasphemy, I will see the same people who imprisoned and condemned you suffer. I understand what you went through for I have faced it myself.” </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With that, he pulled down the sleeve of his robe and reveals his own runic ‘F’ brand. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I am going to burn Talingarde to the ground and from the ashes I will build a new nation that knows its rightful master. I cannot do this alone. I seek servants worthy of our Infernal Father’s majesty. Have I found them in you?”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That is when he rose and we all twitched in surprise. He asked us “Join me! Serve me well in this holy endeavor and I will raise you up in the eyes of gods and men. I will make you princes and princesses of the new Talingarde. Today, swear fealty to me and to Asmodeus.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We didn't know what to expect. We saw him reach for a quill, a dagger, and piece of leather to write on. He presented us with the contract of the bounded.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBf5YdET8yQLM6tyxrsOEJ2NcXYkFXYbqpMuVOitdqvDNVgTgnC7AB6dDxZxMfpeZno8SzHVApalBWE2PobBSIgtFjG2jae8xI-uaBj9UEKrOIo30QWJI6RhUfuS4PXn3QKRJkQgN3hsW/s1600/the+pact.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBf5YdET8yQLM6tyxrsOEJ2NcXYkFXYbqpMuVOitdqvDNVgTgnC7AB6dDxZxMfpeZno8SzHVApalBWE2PobBSIgtFjG2jae8xI-uaBj9UEKrOIo30QWJI6RhUfuS4PXn3QKRJkQgN3hsW/s1600/the+pact.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Contract</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Only one of us dared speak up to what could only be described as a lunatic and that was Strumm to ask what was in it for him. Thorn only pointed him to the third loyalty and handed him the quill and the dagger.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHOEiHcE49tYS2oVtSnI8o7qkP4KPnLFxd8yOcjJW9M8LSBeXBQ2VKVjd73A34wsN2cfC7g2TY1xaa_SpG9UqcXGmjOIcxozAXkDERDD4m5ip_FE4xXSMoTimJtE7JXi87zysNxipixKG/s1600/the_enchanted_trinkets_shop_by_shutupandwhisper-d6v841n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHOEiHcE49tYS2oVtSnI8o7qkP4KPnLFxd8yOcjJW9M8LSBeXBQ2VKVjd73A34wsN2cfC7g2TY1xaa_SpG9UqcXGmjOIcxozAXkDERDD4m5ip_FE4xXSMoTimJtE7JXi87zysNxipixKG/s1600/the_enchanted_trinkets_shop_by_shutupandwhisper-d6v841n.jpg" height="212" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Spend correctly.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One by one we slashed our palms and dripped the blood into the ink jar to which we signed the pact. Once completed the Thorn spoke one last time.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Well done. Your first command: prepare yourselves. Stay within the manor. You are still hunted by the Talirean soldiery. In three days we begin your training.”</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepared ourselves we had. We used a small stipend of 200 gold pieces to ready our basic needs. We had no idea what to expect.</span></div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-86908493115139546762014-06-10T10:14:00.000-07:002021-03-29T14:54:36.672-07:00Finding the Manor<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4:45 A.M - Day 1, Desnus 25, 3042 AP (After Peace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After defeating that beast in the marsh we only had a brief moment for introductions. We met up with these other three forsaken known as Grimalkin, Strumm, and Urgoen. All we knew really at this point was that they hard a much harder time than we did of escaping. We could only assume that if a forsaken had escaped from Branderscar and they were in the moors, they were going to the manor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Through careful and coordinated survival skills the moors proved no issue for us. We arrived at the manor with an hour of defeating that swamp beast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmcDTDn17Dm1pj99sldCbJYvgEuZZLNCcJF57f2XZs6Ab1OqKmT8KrlDvqxem1RcrGZ7sMGNDKjF-CKt49IFL5C34WAQNaPdt72Zi1f4khNXM2hatilyhcLqHhDwqtr4hPNFIKK-jHeL0/s1600/manor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmcDTDn17Dm1pj99sldCbJYvgEuZZLNCcJF57f2XZs6Ab1OqKmT8KrlDvqxem1RcrGZ7sMGNDKjF-CKt49IFL5C34WAQNaPdt72Zi1f4khNXM2hatilyhcLqHhDwqtr4hPNFIKK-jHeL0/s1600/manor.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Look for the single lantern in the upper story.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3koSYd8gJy5Z3w56JOXwDsDCk1WoS7AA9FsZWk3UtWvQP9tW52a6Bd26q7kvnVySB-o6Nr3sLLh9QQWg5H7gchPKFzQR4LHJlC2jJMZT-c_5cZ6-H_OXCqQklGgOXnhYRe4QMV1hTPR2/s1600/toast_to_eternity_by_viccolatte-d3giqnd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3koSYd8gJy5Z3w56JOXwDsDCk1WoS7AA9FsZWk3UtWvQP9tW52a6Bd26q7kvnVySB-o6Nr3sLLh9QQWg5H7gchPKFzQR4LHJlC2jJMZT-c_5cZ6-H_OXCqQklGgOXnhYRe4QMV1hTPR2/s1600/toast_to_eternity_by_viccolatte-d3giqnd.jpg" height="157" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Like an angel or so you think.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We could see the large, imposing house sitting upon the top of a hill. It was surrounded with barbed wire fencing and painted a dark green. As Tiadora had informed us we saw a lone lantern burning in the upper story. We decided to enter and change our lives forever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we came to the door we were greeted by Tiadora once more but she was dressed in a beautiful white gown, a striking polar opposite from when she arrived at Branderscar. She welcomed us in her sly and quite way and called forth slaves to help us get into clean clothes and gathering food and drink.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCkVTCATtjO31ixSf5e3TZV2DX3utVLkghb14SyJpFCaxNCRoYunzbBHkCUnrBYWv_lHVS2tQHooUroMwxtxaTpbvRGrKpkSIlc_hg6JQ1K5neZl2SmbSOqLVzH74WzJnS4MbeWWXmaw0/s1600/Bedchamber_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCkVTCATtjO31ixSf5e3TZV2DX3utVLkghb14SyJpFCaxNCRoYunzbBHkCUnrBYWv_lHVS2tQHooUroMwxtxaTpbvRGrKpkSIlc_hg6JQ1K5neZl2SmbSOqLVzH74WzJnS4MbeWWXmaw0/s1600/Bedchamber_3.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Heaven.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She led us to our room and provided us with special healing wine to cut into the last days worth of injuries. Some needed more than one swig to do the job. Our rooms were immaculate and while modest in looks, appear to all of us as a stay fit for royalty after coming from Branderscar. Regardless it was remarkable and well deserved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-73064306418066943572014-06-09T10:45:00.001-07:002021-03-29T14:54:38.325-07:00Crossing the Moors<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i> 3:30 A.M - Day 1, Desnus 25, 3042 AP (After Peace)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It didn't take long to find our way from Branderscar through the moor. We had a keen idea of where to be and where to go. Our survival skills were in top form this morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVGVZ4cy3pJrTdDFYaZ47I6aj_B75efaAGbTCEubnSRkdyLdKvlSEGE_BCbdB1_ssYlCY8291KMoLsQOplf_2qNfxoF5gZU5Qb_hNH4V6l_br61hCiDzkg_UxPFIZZu3GPUHrAF8798Bq/s1600/swamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVGVZ4cy3pJrTdDFYaZ47I6aj_B75efaAGbTCEubnSRkdyLdKvlSEGE_BCbdB1_ssYlCY8291KMoLsQOplf_2qNfxoF5gZU5Qb_hNH4V6l_br61hCiDzkg_UxPFIZZu3GPUHrAF8798Bq/s1600/swamp.jpg" height="118" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Never travel the moors at night.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We could barely see it by the moonlight on the large pool with in the lush wetlands. Through giant moldy oaks and brush that you could hide a hill giant behind we saw what looked like some horse or camel carrying someone on it's back and struggling across the water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was a sound. There was a struggle among the fog followed by a splash, grunt and gurgle. A giant frog, 10 or 12 feet in bulk lunged from under the cover of the moss covered water. We had to make a choice and that choice was to kill this beast because it could turn on us next.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We made our way down to the pool. As we closed in, we noticed it recoil slightly as though struck by something though we could see this injured being not make a single move yet, he was caught totally off guard. We continued to close in. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT61coXTRnqqpeLKbbYtKn4D5643rAwcd49XzTetYGg9e7FKhia7-0D0EVCmOpCN-I1vt5RroFfIjtvUDGDPeGgOoSnTeS9N1F2jfx0t1NGVV6J9QuXoOA5NZCP6PK8SUILbLMmyHB4g2/s1600/josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT61coXTRnqqpeLKbbYtKn4D5643rAwcd49XzTetYGg9e7FKhia7-0D0EVCmOpCN-I1vt5RroFfIjtvUDGDPeGgOoSnTeS9N1F2jfx0t1NGVV6J9QuXoOA5NZCP6PK8SUILbLMmyHB4g2/s1600/josh.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Who was the mysterious archer?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stryder took a careful shot and even through the thick mists he landed a brutal shot. Grumblejack splashed in following soon by Maldrake and Kallista. Fear for his safety, Stixx stayed on shore as this water was coming up to the waist of the bigger folk. He need not drown after the day he has had. While we all closed in on this beast from beyond the lagoon </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vix'thra like a coward retreated yelling "I don't know what that woman expected but you are crazier than shit house rats if you think I'm going in there!" And so he did, his lumbering animated dead following him away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KePz4Rz8OLcF6WKdT5_0sUv5UnTzauaar4MEmuaqmYrf4B-6Jd6UwMnWXNUy_XFXgbC6Kxjmb0X8ewy0jBHtwj8QiYSkjHXXFGfznowLV_9nRkghSROeUZMDcMRySaDvFig4rESzrNGB/s1600/frog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KePz4Rz8OLcF6WKdT5_0sUv5UnTzauaar4MEmuaqmYrf4B-6Jd6UwMnWXNUy_XFXgbC6Kxjmb0X8ewy0jBHtwj8QiYSkjHXXFGfznowLV_9nRkghSROeUZMDcMRySaDvFig4rESzrNGB/s1600/frog.png" height="123" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not much of a challenge.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Through the midnight glare a few us could see the "F" branded on his mans upper arm. A forsaken, another escapee of Branderscar! We readied out weapons for battle. As we did so this being noticed us but didn't seem to care and continued to fight for his life. Across the moor we discovered who struck first. A pair of humanoids, possibly human or elf at the time it was too hard to tell had weapons ready. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Needless to say the beast didn't put up much of a fight after all. We hamstring it's hind leg and broke one of it's front ones and while it could barley keep afloat Grumblejack slammed the frog to its death below the murky waters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Careful studying of the area revealed tracks leading away from our main path. We thought maybe it could be a lair or lead us to more of them and if that be the case we moved on instead of venturing that way. Before we could do that we had to make sense of these new adventurers. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWH5QKNlLCEV0zRVzH-Lg5wpBwr8mI43uvIpLTmqXFiSvlpgVGfXD5zOS-sFQ9q-lbVQC0wTLDyRyBfMo5V5_6pc8GO8VLOILbuNJhyphenhyphenWJ801pG6Tt8g2Q43m6zmfo1u4uiZWCBwz69fuu/s1600/tracking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWH5QKNlLCEV0zRVzH-Lg5wpBwr8mI43uvIpLTmqXFiSvlpgVGfXD5zOS-sFQ9q-lbVQC0wTLDyRyBfMo5V5_6pc8GO8VLOILbuNJhyphenhyphenWJ801pG6Tt8g2Q43m6zmfo1u4uiZWCBwz69fuu/s1600/tracking.png" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Which path will lead to the manor we so seek?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6555340446776327784.post-17213545046660076622014-05-29T10:23:00.001-07:002021-03-29T14:54:39.853-07:00A Dirty Penance<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strum and Grimalkin have more in common that most criminals that arrive at Branderscar. Both are half-elves. Each of them respect laws, honor, tradition, loyalty, and each equally love trying to bend such things to their advantage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3ArSBj4l5iBLn3iGZ3umqeY6ek3nMMtBsvfu3C9_myAJpHEuo6E16ZkIButmFJmGQQmq4CalZUaPuckn8QlIJ7GlsRmmbY4l6kmocqeADyBF3k_I4r51L6iFkQ4x0-hFEvocsttbdieQ/s1600/puppeteer_by_larbesta-d4z6jp5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3ArSBj4l5iBLn3iGZ3umqeY6ek3nMMtBsvfu3C9_myAJpHEuo6E16ZkIButmFJmGQQmq4CalZUaPuckn8QlIJ7GlsRmmbY4l6kmocqeADyBF3k_I4r51L6iFkQ4x0-hFEvocsttbdieQ/s1600/puppeteer_by_larbesta-d4z6jp5.jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Grimalkin's mind is a twisted one.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grimalkin found himself in the depths of Branderscar through a slight lapse of mental judgement. During a sermon dedicated to Mitra and his ever shining love, he began having splitting pains through out his neck, back, and head. The agony was immense. This was no mere discomfort or ache Grimalkin had been <br /><br />experiencing. What he was going through was a clear sign that he should not be here. A sign that blared through out his cortex <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUjesQvk_KHm05J_EmR_x9jUzvv-LssTl3PgtCXJQM_zejGwyYNLIOwLjzfGy27oPcGHMtdmaMgoOrz8YC8J2jzrAS_1CWEm-JGe5mlKp6O-7cnSamCipHIyk0QeO55y5aHJDKU4XzAkA/s1600/86637ac05cc119bb52c508f964cc3122-d4eal34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUjesQvk_KHm05J_EmR_x9jUzvv-LssTl3PgtCXJQM_zejGwyYNLIOwLjzfGy27oPcGHMtdmaMgoOrz8YC8J2jzrAS_1CWEm-JGe5mlKp6O-7cnSamCipHIyk0QeO55y5aHJDKU4XzAkA/s1600/86637ac05cc119bb52c508f964cc3122-d4eal34.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Something had to give.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
burned images of Asmodeus into memory. While he has no particular degree of worshiping to Asmodeus it was clear there was a calling at hand. Throbbing with an unstoppable beat, Grimalkin's blood roiled and toiled through his veins. <br /><br />"Praise be to Mitra the one and true father of us all!" Grimalkin recited in his cell to the only one who would listen. His audience being another half-elf named Strum and a couple rats. <br /><br />Grimalkin continued "I just could not take it anymore. I don't know why I did what I did, it was so uncharacteristic of my being but I felt compelled, I felt that his pompous old wind bag was offending my inner soul and his wretched voice was like nails against a mirror." <br /><br />He went on to describe how he remembered lunging at the preacher, the screams, some blood, and waking up to being branded. He wasn't even aware their was a trial. He didn't even get to defend himself. <br /><br />Then there was Strum, a lowly (by Talingarde standards) assassin that botched a job out of his own accord. He claimed he is here to kill people not depose of bodies. Strum recalled the murderous act that he was called upon to fulfill. Called upon may be a poor choice of words, paid to do so would be better ones. In the realm of Talingarde murder is obviously not allowed. Killing for money makes the need for punishment that much greater. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-gok3yjDht5gOJveF6wk-wy-bU9t4sCBFE4EBLVPlJakEcWwg8tk9Q036ujAUkg2RAe6KkJ9ykW7wleX0xlroLuVau7DqOPmsrW2xes73d4GHKx_NQ7fcxG9fl5I6BN8S5mIPf1ySIka/s1600/escape13.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-gok3yjDht5gOJveF6wk-wy-bU9t4sCBFE4EBLVPlJakEcWwg8tk9Q036ujAUkg2RAe6KkJ9ykW7wleX0xlroLuVau7DqOPmsrW2xes73d4GHKx_NQ7fcxG9fl5I6BN8S5mIPf1ySIka/s1600/escape13.png" height="200" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Assassins come in all shapes.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />Strum was sentenced to death for the murder of a noble, but to really make it stick, there were guards that were killed by a rival clan and they went ahead and pin those on him as well. In Branderscar, the noble is enough, the rest is just gravy to the lawful good folk of Talingarde. <br /><br />Upon getting into Branderscar cell block, he was shackled next to another half-elf known as Grimalkin. Strum listened to the tale Grimalkin retold. <br /><br />“Oh, dearest,” proclaimed the unfamiliar woman. “I’m so relieved you’re alive!” She quickly turned to that bastard Tomas. “Could we please have a moment alone, good sir? For pity’s sake?”<br /><br />He says he could see Tomas goes blank for a bit and then quickly agree with her. “Of course, my lady. For you,’ tis no problem.”<br /><br />“Have you forgotten me, dearest?” the unexpected visitor said with a smirk, and she dropped her pretense of grief.<br /><br />“Call me Tiadora. We possess a mutual friend who would like to meet you and your fellow cell-mates. Unfortunately, our friend is unwilling to visit you in your present rather shabby accommodations so it seems you must escape. Don’t be so dour. Just because it’s never been done before is no reason you can’t be the first."<br /><br />“If you manage that, cross the moors on the outskirts of town. On the old Moor Road you’ll see a manor house with a single lantern burning in the second story. There our mutual friend waits. That is all I know. He did want me to give you this.” <br /><br />He shows Strum the veil that she gave him and only said “Something to remember me by, dearest.”<br /><br />Assuming her message delivered Grimalkin says she roseand the guards returned. Immediately, her demeanor<br />once more changed and she is again a perfect picture of grief. “No, I can’t bear to leave you!” She gave me a kiss on the cheek. The kiss was ice-cold and felt somehow alien and inhuman. Tomas shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s time, miss.” She looked deep in Tomas’ eyes and said, “Thank you for letting me say good-bye. There’s no need to search my dearest. You are such a good friend for letting me see my dearest one more time.”<br /><br />“Such a good friend,” Grimalkin remembered Tomas repeating as if his voice was almost mechanical. Then the watch sergeant seemed to snap out of it and bowed politely. “A pleasure, madam,” She leaves unveiled. Her eyes meet the PCs one last time and she briefly gives them a wicked smile.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Three days,” telepathically echoes in my mind. Grimalkin said and added “Don’t disappoint me, dearest”. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The two didn't know what this veil did but they did experiment with it. Each of them noticed by pulling on the designs they came off. First they pulled off the gold bars and a bag of gold dropped at their feet, it attracted a guard and because all the coins scattered there was no time to stealth anything away except the veil. They didn't seem to mind, it was more than five months of pay all over the cell block. It was welcomed and no additional guards will called.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<div>
Grimalkin then took out the lock picking tools, got free with relative ease and released Strum. Each took a dagger from the veil, and also removed the bag and the holy symbol though, finding out afterwards that those those were of no use to them. It was a bit dark so they also took off the lantern for better hallway vision. We tussled with some guards but it turned out to be futile. We were out matched. We saw they had longbows, long swords, armor, and shields. Our daggers were nothing compared to that. Luckily they didn't kill on us the spot, but we were knocked out and put back in the cell block.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGqTLPHfUfxv_1jEriiQyrkic4YoaqexgGeWZ2UQaqQH9bIyJOJrMwCkyppQgdl8pBmH0YCLymjgrXhZZnCO_6li70JrKkPOKgCGjCnGP1kDrFvR8xPaGFP-LFwi-5EDBaPmIT586Vm97/s1600/escape2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGqTLPHfUfxv_1jEriiQyrkic4YoaqexgGeWZ2UQaqQH9bIyJOJrMwCkyppQgdl8pBmH0YCLymjgrXhZZnCO_6li70JrKkPOKgCGjCnGP1kDrFvR8xPaGFP-LFwi-5EDBaPmIT586Vm97/s1600/escape2.png" height="124" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Branderscar is a lonely place.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
We turned to our last resort which was to use the magic window and the rope. We climbed out the side of the jail cell wall and eventually ended up making ourway to the outer rim of the south west part of the prison walls. Here we found the Gardenrobe. The place where waste is dumped into the sea. We took our opportunity and went for it. With no gear at this time, we the swam through the rough ocean currents with out much trouble but was rather time consuming. We knew the prison would be on high alert at least for a few days. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvJFTgIz7aR7uAA3RT0Cfxu3R5KRvUagTcS3LxzWDkLFWmbn8vqrhwpOveYSrKAQeORy_2OrIW153CjHNg_K3gpO2o8enAgFccQBXT9OGlVJPC5v-YLp0tgI44rIycjUmN64_6fMl_RV_/s1600/escape12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvJFTgIz7aR7uAA3RT0Cfxu3R5KRvUagTcS3LxzWDkLFWmbn8vqrhwpOveYSrKAQeORy_2OrIW153CjHNg_K3gpO2o8enAgFccQBXT9OGlVJPC5v-YLp0tgI44rIycjUmN64_6fMl_RV_/s1600/escape12.png" height="104" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's a hard knock life.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While we spent hours swimming and days hiding, with only minor crustaceans to feed on, and only salt water to drink, by the time we had made it to the start of the moor and began cross the swamp lands in the dead of night we were exhausted. We did manage to get the jump on a single guard who was presumably rushing for the additional protection.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With only a short bow, a leather-wrapped club to knock folks about, a long sword, a heavy steel shield, a quiver of arrows, and a chain shirt we ventured onward. Strum and Grimalkin have survival skills but they don't have long. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
Way of the Wickedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09199264257596812896noreply@blogger.com0