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Messages - Wildfire

#16
Yarlia's attention keened to a sharp edge upon hearing Shankaria speak of recent changes. Her world was one of constant study and that study did not concern the world beyond the borders of Karyn'Zyth, the elven homeland. For her to take a journey beyond the borders was to open her mind to the outside world. It was often spoken that all of nature is one. What affects one thing affects all things. Suddenly Yarlia felt that the self imposed isolationism of her people could be their undoing. Their withdrawal was understandable but was hardly sustainable. Perhaps the Blood Tear that the gnome elder spoke of would also be a sign of a change in her kin.

On the other hand, she had seen the destruction of many elven villages and even the now decrepit remnants of Crusindiar, once a city for all to meet and trade in peace. The overgrown and burned out shells of buildings and halls she saw was a nauseating reminder of the raw carnage that could be inflicted upon a community. It was difficult to shake those images from her memory. The hope and promise that was there and the laughter that no doubt echoed off of those stone walls haunted her. Yet it was those promises of hope that allowed her to believe that things could be different...that her mentor and, for all intents and purposes, her second mother, Varshya, could bury the searing animosity for outside races- specifically humans.

Yarlia intently watched Varshya enter the center fire circle where all of the high ranking druids convened and the others gathered around. She was once again dressed in her green and gold ceremonial robes that had been shed at the beginning of her song. The young apprentice witnessed Varshya scan the crowd until her eyes came upon the one elder human among the many gathered here. She knew her master well enough to know that when she twitched her eyebrow that it was an unfavorable judgment that she had cast upon the elder human. It did not seem to matter to Varshya that he was standing with all of the others. He was a human and that was enough.

In Varshya's address to the crowd she spoke of The Shadow Riders (the unofficial agents of Xanthakos) being seen more frequently in the open plains between the city states, Xanthakos, and north of Kaaryn'Zyth. It was a lonely stretch of land that was claimed by nothing except the stench of war.

She also spoke of gargan (a general term used for common humanoid and giant enemies) attacks increasing in the elven forest homeland. This was quite an unusual turn of events since most of the gargan had been routed from the forest centuries ago. It was enough of a concern to worry Varshya which meant to Yarlia that it must be more significant than she ever would have guessed.

Yarlia heard concerned whispering from her elven kin behind her. One newly inducted disciple, Jerril, tapped Yarlia on the shoulder and she asked, "Yarlia, do you know of anything about this? How come we have not heard anything until now?" Yarlia wanted the question to wait until Varshya was finished with her telling but she needed to prevent a possible panic among the others. "The situation is being dealt with by those that deal with it. Rest assured that if it's a concern to Varshya that many are out keeping ours safe."

Jerril wasn't entirely satisfied with Yarlia's response. Not being told that her home was in danger seemed too secretive in her mind. It was her home after all so why shouldn't she be told? Jerril leaned back toward Yarlia's ear and pressed the point, "It seems wrong to keep that threat a secret. Wouldn't you agree?"

Yarlia was quickly getting infuriated. She wanted to hear Varshya speak. "Do you think it wise that all tender information be known by everyone? I'm sure that would swiftly compromise the security of homeland. Do you think it wise that our folk needlessly panic? Have you ever known our kin to not take precautions to securing our forest? Someday you may be a keeper of secrets and know that not all information is for everyone. Some information is veiled for a reason. Now pay attention to Mistress Varshya."

Varshya also spoke of a meeting that an elven scouting team had with a band of adventurers and a pack of Shadow Riders simultaneously. Each group had members of the Nightstar family-presumably brothers. The adventurers, who called themselves the Shadow Hunters, were quite clearly fighting the Shadow Riders. They were fighting over the sacred Elemental Eyes which is what initially drew the scouting team to the adventurers. The elven scouts aided the Shadow Hunters in beating back the Riders. It was apparently a fortuitous decision to help them because the Shadow Hunters were sent by Zebulon (whispers murmured through the crowd upon hearing the name) and not the petty fortune seekers they were thought to be.

Varshya finished her part in the address, "The ancient Nightstar Family still rules Xanthakos. They've sent one of their own to lead a campaign it would seem. I do not expect that they'll abandon it so easily."

Varshya's words hit Yarlia like a hammer. Change was upon them indeed.
#17
Ashe looked out at the faces that were gathered at the symbolic fires and entwined circles. Many of the young faces were filled with hope and innocent wonder at what they had just witnessed. He imagined that he would have to now include himself in that list. While he was by no means young (he was man quite beyond his years) he felt like a child at seeing the dazzling display. It brought to him a warm kindredness in spirit with the others that were witness to and partook of the spectacular ceremony. He was reminded that it was so easy for one to get lost in the day to day business that the slog of melancholy can deafen them to true music of their soul. The recent events certainly focused his purpose but it was this ceremony that made him appreciate why.

The brush wardens gathered to the central fire as Shankaria spoke the names of those that had passed to the next cycle. Ashe knew some of the names- a hierophant of his stature would. He had made numerous contacts through his years just by who he was and the reputation he had gotten during that time. He was not sad to hear of their deaths. He had known quite well that their voices would be mingled and joined as one and heard through the Vallenwood's everlasting melody. His voice, as would the voices of everyone here, one day would be part of that sacred song. He smiled thinking not of their absence but of their presence and the life they had. So often it was that grief, and occasionally deep despair, would take the ones who's lives were touched by the one that died. It was a hard emotion to overcome. Ashe often thought that it was the naked realization that a piece of themselves had died that made the death of a loved one so difficult. He knew that if one allowed that seemingly insurmountable gloom to pass that it would ultimately lead to celebrating the life that was being mourned. If one could embrace the epiphany that a piece of that person, in fact, lives through them, they would feel a freedom like no other.

He knew it, but couldn't always feel it.

The shadow hanging over his thoughts quickly left. This night was far too precious to him to yield to the past. He was in the present and what a blessed, shining gift that was!
#18
My pleasure! *bow*
#19
Forest Keep Session 39 "Ancient Halls with Dirty Walls"

World Date:

Party:

Mirri: Phineas
Faznar: Chassic
Belwar: Griznuq
Zurn: Wildfire

After defeating the Iron Orc we continued our search for Burke the Ettin whom we knew had the glyph of the Varn'Khor. So we went deeper into the cave. Mirri snuck ahead and came to the smoldering remains of a fire and heard voices. The rest of the party moved forward to the fire. We then heard a resounding thud. "Um...that can't be good." So Faznar shimmied his way to the entrance (turns out the cave is doughnut shaped). Along the way he saw what appeared to be a big bear on the right side of a chamber and on the left was the garbage dump. The "bear" was just a pile of hay covered in multiple bear skins. When Faznar got to the entrance he found a big damn boulder blocking the entrance. "Yeah...that wasn't good".

Mirri, Belwar, and Ghering stay at the entrance while Zurn and Faznar search the bed for the glyph. It's vulgarly apparent that the boulder will not be moved by the likes of our puny party and no glyph is found in the bed pile. Voices are heard outside the cave though and Ghering can understand them and even speak their language! He informs us that there's not just one ettin but two. Imagine that...two bodies and four personalities!

We begin to try and negotiate with the Burke and Ernesta (female ettin). Having assumed that the ettins are actually in league with Margarath our negotiations don't really go so well. In fact, they put yet another rock in front of the cave. "Yeah...that was soooo not good." They apparently don't like Margarath either.

Since there is no other way out, we toss ourselves on the mercy of Ernesta who is clearly the brains of these two..er...four? Being able to tell the difference between honesty and bullshit Ernesta decides to let us out but not before we hand over our weapons. They have nothing to gain by holding us and as it may be, we're actually sort of on the same side.

Finally freed, we take a big sigh of relief and deep breath of fresh air since the cave kinda stunk. Through our conversation we forge a tenuous alliance with the ettins. They tell us that they were actually pressed into service by the Iron Orc (he was the boss! No wonder he was so damn tough) and don't really feel comfortable holding the glyph. They agree that we leave them alone and agree to help them in the future should they need it, they'll give us the glyph. We agree. We also tell them that we'll inform the Forest Keep that they're out here and to not harm them and that they should be able to find sanctuary in the Keep if the need arises.

The following day we're about to head back to the Varn'Khor outpost and imlore the ettins to come with us to help clean up the mess they left in front of the door. Four day later we arrive to the outpost to find that it's infested with dwarves, elves, and humans! WTF? How in the hell did they find this place? Of all the nerve...

Belwar and Zurn approach the troupe and Belwar recognizes an old friend named Scarmane. Belwar informs the infesters that we have a pair of ettins with us but they're on our side. Mirri, Faznar, Burke, and Ernesta approach (Two ettins, a gnome, and a cat lady walk into a bar...). Naturally the troupe is nervous wondering if the ettins were going to cook them or squash them into jelly. Instead, the ettins help clear their pile of trees in front of the outpost door. In short order the door is cleared.

Belwar and Scarmane use the glyphs to open the door (yeah...Scarmane of all people. Y'know the dude who we only ever met in game this one time. It's not like Zurn was carrying around the damn glyph for years keeping it safe or anything or in the party for even longer. Nooooo....he didn't do anything like that. snark snark). Inside we see a tunnel that runs deep. Oddly enough the tunnel doesn't appear to be fashioned stonework but rather more like dirt...odd for an old dwarven dwelling. Upon close inspection...it's not dirt it's Garachi guano (Those aren't pillows!). Suddenly we all realize what this means. It means this place has to be scrubbed down of all the poop that's been smeared and dried on the walls. We must undo the work of "thousands of generations".

After traveling down an impressively long poo lined corridor we come to Hall 1 with a double hammer sigil carved into the floor (the sigil was discovered after the hall was cleaned of Garachi ick). At the opposite end of the hall are 3 ramps leading to Hall 2. Nothing else is in Room 1.

Hall 2 is also empty but it also has ramps on the opposite side leading to Hall 5 and 5 and 5 (3 rooms identical to each other and empty). On the "south" side of Hall 2 is an entry to Hall 3. Hall 3 contains table-like structures tall enough for dwarves to work from or use to eat from (or both). On the east side of Hall 3 is Hall 4. Hall 4 is a long room and at either end are stone hearths that have fires burning in them. Either these fires are always burning or lit up when we entered the front door (I know, it sounds self absorbed and egotistical to think such a thing)...we're not sure. Later, after the two week cleanse, we find out that there is a secret door on the east side of Hall 4 hiding a corridor that continues east and banks north to meet with the entry hallway that leads to Hall 1.

After investigating Hall 4 we explore the other side of the complex and find ourselves in the north west corner in Hall 6. This hall has 2 circular carvings in the floor in the shape of a doughnut. The inside diameter is 10'-0" and the outside diameter is 15'-0". We ultimately have no idea what these are for but we guess they could have been used for training in some way. Hall 6 next door but not connected to the other Hall 6 has 2 sets of  3 triangles in a triangle pattern. The pattern on the west points north and the pattern on the right points south. Each individual triangle is carved into the floor. Again, we don't know for sure what these patterns are for but, like the other room, we guess that they are also for training.

Hall 7 next to the Triangle Hall 6 is a long hall and carved into the floor are 7 holes that appear to be in very specific locations. We assume that something like posts fill these holes and that they too are used for training.

Johan's Very Important Note (not expressed in game): The east wall of Hall 7, when cleaned, is found to have a gemmed mosaic of Moradin's Hammer & Anvil on it. The mosaic is 8' tall and 12' wide.

Turns out that the mosaic on the east side of Hall 7 hides a secret door that leads via a short passage to a library of sorts. From inside the passage, one can look into Hall 7 through a clever lens system that uses the gems of Moradin's Hammer  (on the mosaic in the room beyond). There are 4 10x10 tables one of which has a big damn old book written in old dwarvish. On the east wall are a shelves of scrolls and such. On the south side of the Hall 8 is a hallway that leads to a big set of spiral stairs. Hrm...wonder what's up there...
#20
Game Log / Session 38 "The Iron Orc"
March 10, 2014, 12:33:06 PM
I actually have fun writing them even if I do miss a couple of details.
#21
Game Log / Session 38 "The Iron Orc"
March 03, 2014, 06:00:46 PM
Session 38 "The Iron Orc"
Party:
Belwar: Griznuq
Mirri: Phineas
Himo: Himo
Faznar: Chassic
Zurn: Wildfire

The following day we, The Forest Keepers, continue to follow the tracks that lead to the home base of Burke the Ettin. Ghering the Orc comes insists on coming with us and we gladly accept his company.

Through the forest we come to a simple network of pointy wooden bulwarks meant to seriously impede accessible progress unless the normal entrance route is taken. Beyond the bulwark is a large clearing in the middle of which we see two orcs, an enormous boar, and a fire roasting deer and a pig. Beyond the fire is a large cave entrance.  A discussion ensues on how best to proceed into the compound, and swipe the glyph with as little combat as possible. We vote that Melzak...err...rather Faznar proceeds in and tries to BS his way through by pretending to be Melzak. Mirri meanwhile will take the road less traveled around the bulwarks and up the hillside that will then lead down into the compound.

Mirri, like a cat, slinks her way past the bulwarks and up the hill. At this point she's discovered by an orc masturbating in the bushes. Battle ensues. The two orcs in the clearing near the fire along with the boar begin to move towards the commotion. Himo follows in Faznar's footsteps which bring to the far side of where Mirri and the horny orc are fighting. Belwar like a gazelle hops the bulwark and proceeds towards Mirri. Zurn and Ghering follow Belwar. The big boar sees Belwar and decides to attack the sweaty toothed dwarf. Belwar is smitten with the idea of having a boar as a mount. Himo and Faznar inflict some long range damage, Mirri inflicts some up close damage, and Belwar, Ghering, and Zurn make bacon. During all of this one orc flees into the cave.

After reducing the threat on the outside of the compound, The Forest Keepers decide to take their ire into the cave.

Entering the cave the passage runs left and right. With no tracks to follow we take a stab at the right passage. An orc shoots Mirri and runs further into the cave. Mirri, not at all pleased with this, follows the wily orc. Amidst a couple of more arrow shots Mirri catches up with not just one orc but two! Shortly after the rest of the party arrives, so begins the battle. It is a battle of much blood with this one orc that must have invested lots of gold in the glyph taking industry because he was damn tough. So tough that Faznar kept asking if he was bloody. During the fracas even Ghering was caught in one of Himo's chaotic spells and took some damage (and wasn't at all happy of it). Eventually the orc could not stand the Los Angeles style beating he was enduring and tried to flee. With a final blow Zurn, who up to this point spent most of his time healing Mirri (because sometimes the price of inflicting awesome damage is awesome wounds), brought the iron orc down.
#22
He ran up the steep slope dodging large trees and on occasion toppling small ones. He sensed he was getting close to his destination. He had come all this way on an undeniable urge that drove him from the sacred bush. As he reached the top of the ridge his breath came to him with challenge. He needed to rest a while.

Finally cresting to the height of this leg of impressive foothills that, after climbing it, he felt should by all rights be named mountains he took a deep breath and tilted his head back to face the night sky. His broad, muscular chest heaved in its thirst for air. Sweat built up on his thick brow and cooled him with the breeze. He leaned upon a large rock outcrop that if he were of a mind would make decent shelter.

He took out his water skin and greedily drank it down. He had more so in his mind he wasn't being too careless in his rationing. He casually walked around knowing this would help him catch his breath. He stopped occasionally and placed his enormous hands on his knees and bent over in a stretch. He felt alive! The consuming fulfillment of fatigue had never felt so good to him.

He looked out from the hill crest to take in the overland sight. At three different points in the sky he could see that Akadi, the deep blue moon, was near a waning half, Istisha, the emerald green moon, was near a waxing half, and Grumbar, the brown moon, was in a waning gibbous phase. The three of them cast an eerie glow upon the trees. To him it was as though he was seeing them for the first time with new eyes. His heart pounded in excitement despite his efforts to calm it down. There was a magic in those moons and it filled him with purpose. He gently felt his belt pouch to be sure the five berries were still in his protection. Satisfied that they were he took another sip from his water skin.

As he finished his gulp he felt an energy from deep within him and from outside of him all at once. It was a vibration as from a sound, a deep bass hum that seemed to come from the ground itself. He looked all about him checking to be sure it wasn't his kin to come collect him. No, it was something else. He knelt down and touched the ground with both of his hands. He could feel the depth of the emotion tied with this drone. He looked ahead to see if he could see the source of this sonic fountain. Well ahead of him he saw a glow that he would have missed were he not actively seeking it as he was now. He could barely see it for its distance but it had distinct colors much the same as the moons in the sky above him. The pieces of his life and recent events began to take shape and make sense. He could feel his destiny and his purpose. He didn't think about what it was he just knew it and it was almost in view.

His legs began to move him quickly and effortlessly down the hillside towards the glow.
#23
Game Log / Session 26 - Like Shooting Dwarves in a Barrel
February 12, 2014, 06:14:59 PM
Bravo...thanks for this!
#24
Game Log / Session 27 - Captain Tindarin
February 12, 2014, 06:14:01 PM
Thanks for the recap Johan!
#25
Maragarn looked at Shankaria's soothing and matronly smile. He took comfort in knowing that she was there to lean on in a time of need. He liked to think he didn't need anything, he was, after all, a revered Vallenbrush warden. What more could he need? He needed his Vallenbrush. He needed to be among friends. He needed to be here. He needed Mahiya.

He removed his flute from his belt and looked at it. It was so common among his kin and it was what everyone expected to see a satyr with. At this moment it gave him courage. He looked overhead to see the colorful light tendrils reaching for the center fire. He needed to bring them full circle. He spied the Blood Tear through the needles and branches of the grove. There it was, a sign of portents, a sign of change.

By now the drone had embraced everyone in the grove. Varshya sang in full glory, Eswarth and Mirriam kept one beat over the over, and Cailyder spun her fire sticks around with dizzying abandon. They were all ready and waiting for him. Maragarn began to play his flute. It was low and whispering at first. Barely audible even to him. Like the drone, he could feel it. He wanted to play a lamenting dirge but in this moment he could not. The flute's volume began to rise and did so in time with all of the other fire stewards ritual offerings. Maragarn sunk into his place of peace. He could feel himself being moved by something within him and without him. His mind drifted away to wonder and intuition. It was here that he knew who he was and what his place in the world meant.

The chromatic streams of light finally connected to the center fire and flared up and out in a swirling, blazing twist of elemental divinity. The four fire streams made one and the one made four. It was a union of all things to make precious life.
#26
Game Log / Session 37 A Torch in the Dark
February 03, 2014, 07:28:36 PM
Session 37 "A Torch in the Dark"

Along our road to find the glyph we discuss the implications of having the two journals, one of which basically indicts Bardek of being a traitor (thereby offering Belwar sanction). The journal also indicates that Bardek believes he's a chosen of Moradin. Naturally, teaming up with Vorntoque would indicate otherwise. But it's also mentioned that Bardek may not actually be involved with Margarath (the gargan master). It's also discussed that it's odd that the journals are still intact...maybe for blackmail use? Maybe Urguth has them in case he needs to use them for leverage against Bardek.

We continue...


Knowing that making haste is crucial in getting the glyph, we, The Forest Keepers, force on to the next camp.

We hear some noise coming from up ahead and send in Faznar the Giggly in to investigate. He crept close...closer...closer still.  He spied an ogre, some orcs, slobgoblins, and an orc on a poor man's crucifix with his feet spiked into the ground being tortured (as if the spiked feet weren't torture enough) over a fire. Then Faznar giggled too much. He sends a magical message to Zurn, "THE JIG IS UP!!". Zurn conveys the message that Faznar may be turned into gnome marmalade shortly.

ATTACK! Faznar charms the ogre into beating one of the orcs into the ground like a tent post. The ogre confused at what he just did dimly says, "I dun a bad ting..." and proceeds to avenge his friend by tangling with Belwar. Mirri and Belwar tag team the ogre and a couple of orcs in a very bloody melee involving the pack of gargan. On occasion Belwar and Mirri were outfitted in red dunce caps, red devil horns, and red dildo hats (apparently it's the latest fashion for the injured). One of the pesky orcs was a shaman of some sort.

After the melee ended we approached the tortured orc (which is a really good name for a dive bar on the docks of some city). The orc has all manner of runes, dwarf-orc hybrid runes in some cases, tattooed on him. Among them on his right shoulder is a rune of the Kharan'Jhul and on his left the rune of the Marin'Thar (the scout division of the Kharan'Jhul). Not sure if we should let him go or kill him he states plainly, "Either kill me or release me." Being the trusting sorts with a sense of empathy, at least some of us, we let him go.

Through our conversation we find out that he's a soldier in a war that is raging and he's reluctant to tell us more information because he's not sure what side of this war we're on. He's on the side of Moradin and he wants proof that we are as well. We prove through revealing Zurn's holy symbol and Belwar's dad's axe that he can trust us. Later we show him our glyph.

He tells us the temple for which we seek the glyph was an outpost of the Varn'Khor (Soldiers). He also tells us that Burk the Ettin is leading this branch of the gargan and that he has the other glyph. He asks, and rightly so, why we seek the temple. Belwar informs him that we seek it in the hopes that it will in some way make up for the unfortunate death of Dannobar. That it's also for the greater good of his kin even though he's not in their favor. Ghering the Orc is surprised that we're doing this even though we're not Kharan'Jhul. How does he know that, we ask? "Because I am Kharan'Jhul." He replies.

Dun-dun-DAAAAH!!
#27
Game Log / Session 36- Tombs, Temples, and Troubles”
February 02, 2014, 11:00:01 AM
Session 36 "Tombs, Temples, and Troubles"
Date:

Party:
Belwar: Griznuq
Faznar: Chassic
Mirri: Phineas
Zurn: Wildfire

Trillomore gives the party a scroll that contains all of the glyphs of the Kharan'Jhul. Each outpost of the four branches of the Kharan'Jhul has two glyphs. One glyph is common between all four outposts meaning there are four stones with the same glyph (glyph of Mordin). The other glyphs are signature to each outpost. Both are needed to open the doors to the outpost. The glyph the party has is a glyph of Moradin. Since we now know the location of the other glyph (see Session 36) we can get it and reclaim and identify the outpost. The antmen squatting in the Moradin Temple/Outpost will be happy to have the freshly cleaned gargan valley all to themselves.

The rune that the companions described to Trill is that of an ancient dwarven empire called "Droung'Knaqt" (Drown-Nacht). Generations ago (several dwarven generations...millennia, all in all), there were four such outposts to that empire.

These outposts were used for a few reasons, one of which was the canonization of the Kharan'Juhl (Kah-Rahn-Jewel), who were special agents of Moradin.

The Varn'Khor were Soldiers of Moradin.
The Nicht'Luraw were the Magi of Moradin.
The Marin'Thar were Scouts of Moradin.
The Tareen'Phol were Dispatchers of Moradin.

Eager to get on the road to find the second glyph to uncover the mystery of the Moradin Temple as it relates to the Kharan-Jhul the party gathered their gear and head for the exit of the Forest Keep.

Before leaving, Corris asked if we had been to Dannobar's Tomb since the discovery of Melzak in the Keep Dannobar's quarters. Corris wanted to make sure that all was correct ("Was Dannobar's crypt desecrated?" "Umm...how the hell would we know?". Um...nooo? Corris wanted to make sure that all was correct. So down to the tomb we go!

Upon arriving we investigate his sarcophagus to see if it's been tampered with. After all, the book Melzak was searching for, though incomplete, had detailed human anatomy possibly for some necromantic means(?). Also, why else would Melzak be down here if not to mess with a redeemed soul that escaped the talons of Vorntoque?

The sarcophagus has not been moved or messed with that we can see. The companions searched the crypt for signs of vandalism or other untoward desecration. Ultimately, Zurn climbs on top of the sarcophagus and called upon Ehlona to consecrate it.tomb. A ghostly image of Dannobar appears and has a worried and disturbed look on his face. He splits into eight tendrils of light and they shoot out to each brazier in the chamber. Investigating the braziers we find little crystal vulture skulls. SON OF A...!!!

Dannobar continues to look worried. He puts his hand on Zurn's bicep and points to the back wall. What's on the back wall? Nothing.

After much searching, it was determined that there was a glimmer of some kind on the rear wall of the crypt.  SON OF A...!!!

Trillomore was summoned for his arcane input, and he dispelled that glimmer, a large rune circle (~10' diameter) was revealed on the wall. This rune circle was determined to be a teleportation circle. SON OF A...!!!

Trillomore enlisted the companions to dispel that too.

We discuss the endless ways and means of fonging Melzak until his outsides are in, his insides are out, his entrails become his extrails. Pain! Lots of pain!

Faznar gave the crystal vulture skulls to Trillomore and we leave the tomb who is excited about studying them.

Now we can go to the Temple of Moradin.

We arrive to find that the door to the temple has a rubbish pile of trees in front of it, effectively barricading the door. SON OF A...!!! We search for the tree that has the glyph hidden in it only to conclude that it's in the pile...SON OF A...!!! We search the pile to find the tree to find it split in half, yes, IN HALF, and the glyph is gone. Say it with me...SON OF A...!!! It was then that it occurred to Zurn that since the Dwarves, Orcs, and Ogres were once allied it could have been during the time of Kharan'Jhul. With the Stonehammers seeking a rekindling of that alliance it could well mean that the gargan are also searching for the glyphs to gain control of the outposts! Zoinks Scoob!

So we figure that anything that could split a tree in half, clear trees with such ease, and move them in front of the door has to leave some sort of tracks. Lucky for us, they do! Mirri follows the tracks and we come across a camp of gargan consisting of four hobgoblins and one cranky orc. This party must have been eating their Wheaties because they were tough! Not tough enough to beat us but tougher than one would expect...or so it seemed.

Searching the bodies we found no glyph but we did find that the tracks continued.
#28
Game Log / Session 35- Melzak: PITA Extraordinaire
February 02, 2014, 10:56:42 AM
Session 35 "Melzak: PITA Extraordinaire"
Date:

Party:
Belwar: Griznuq
Faznar: Chassic
Mirri: Phineas
Himo: Himo

In summary:
The companions, after having cleared the chasm and installed the Garachi, returned to the Keep in order to update Corris on the developments to date.

Update Corris.

Spend time speaking with Trillomore - Dine with him.

When leaving Trillomore's apartment, it was rather late at night. The companions became aware of people who were apparently loitering in proximity to what used to be Dannobar's quarters.

The companions went to investigate, and found a handful of human savages. Belwar recognizes the lead fellow as a sometimes companion to Melzak (this man's name is Firque).

Talk, talk, talk, intimidate, blather.

FIGHT.

Three of four of these savages are killed and one (Firque) is captured.

The companions find that the door to Dannobar's quarters is unlocked...it's not supposed to be!

Investigate Dannobar's quarters, and find Melzak lurking in the inner room. He appears to be frightened and claims to be hiding from the humans that are outside. He says that they were chasing him for no reason at all, and he took shelter in this building to hide from them. The place was unlocked when he got there. He only agrees to come out if he's taken into custody!

The companions oblige Melzak.


Melzak is caught and put in jail.
#29
Game Log / Session 34- Two Books and an Axe to Grind
February 02, 2014, 10:55:26 AM
Session 34 "Two Books and an Axe to Grind"
Date:

Party:
Faznar: Chassic
Mirri: Phineas
Zurn: Wildfire

In an effort to help make camp, Belwar went in search of firewood. The rest of the party (Faznar, Mirri, and Zurn) caught curiosity fever!

The party decided to help Belwar find some firewood and simultaneously get a peek at what exactly was housed up in the woods that the gargan feared. We approached the copse of trees and Faznar with his means of invisibility scouted ahead. Mirri and Zurn stayed back to watch the feast...er...wait for Faznar to report back. The forest was carpeted in bones and all manner of carcasses. Ever hungry, the monster could smell fresh meat which, unfortunately for Faznar, invisibility doesn't hide. The chase was on!

Faznar weaved through the trees trying to shake the monster. The monster chased Faznar trying to follow his dodgy scent. Mirri had enough of this game of cat and mouse and decided teach this monster the meaning of pain. Zurn followed knowing that healing would certainly be called for but so would dousing the light of Vorntoque! What better way to irritate him than killing his pet?

Coming upon the monster it had a hooked beak, sword-like talons, bad breath, and a nasty disposition. It was a twisted looking vulture creature that fit in nice with Vorntoque's theme. A few hits from Mirri and the Vulturething retreated to it's cave. Not because it was scared...oh no no...but rather because it was cunning. The cave entrance had left and right passages and the Vulturething went down the righthand passage. The party chased it into it's den and Mirri and Faznar followed it to the right, and Zurn went to the left hoping to flank it from behind.

Mirri and Faznar fought with this respectably ferocious beast dealing hits and certainly taking them. As Zurn routed his way around he found another passage that lead to a small antechamber. In the antechamber was contained a chest. With no time to investigate Zurn continued to track around to the fight. Mirri and Faznar fought as heroes, bled like stuck pigs, and made their ancestors proud. Eventually Zurn made his way around the back to see Mirria dn Faznar fighting but withdrawing. All at once Mirri, Faznar, and Zurn struck down the Vulturething and celebrated with a frosty mug of magical healing.

After resting a wee bit, the three decided to check out the chest. Contained in the chest were two books and an axe. One book was written by Stroud Fireforge and details an attempt by the Stonehammers to undermine the Fireforges as a slow coup attempt. The last entry in this book was about 7 months ago. The other book was written by Bardic Stonehammer and details a sympathetic attitude towards orcs and ogres that dwarves of old once had. Bardic wants to rekindle the lost love and alliance.

Also in the chest was an axe of dwarven make. This was the axe that Belwar made for his father, Stroud, and was taken by Urgoth after killing him. Nefarious dealings indeed.

•   5 Gems worth 1,000 GP each
•   5 Gems worth 250 GP each
•   5 Gems worth 50 GP each

After removing all of the contents of the chest Faznar decided to make big potty in the chest as a thank you for the hospitality he was given as a prisoner of Urgoth and The Master.

Belwar returned with firewood to find the party exhausted, beaten, and carrying two books and an all too familiar axe. Belwar drops the firewood.

At the end of this session, when the chasm was actually cleared of evil, the garachi present worked together to bring about an illusion that showed the rest of the garachi leaving the dwarven temple. The Burlar (chief) was shown in this illusion to place the remaining runestone in a tree, and cover up the hole with a mortar of sorts.
#30
Game Log / Session 33- Leftovers
February 02, 2014, 10:54:45 AM
Session 33 "Leftovers"
Date:

Party:
Belwar: Griznuq
Himo: Himo
Mirri: Phineas
Zurn: Wildfire

Beginning this session we had a choice of sweeping out the leftovers in the tunnel complex or playing fetch with the Vorntoque pet in the copse of trees. To the tunnels we went.

We entered back into the tunnel complex to where the Shrine to Ehlonna was in the Valley of the Gargan. Apparently there were some leftovers that still spread their foulness. This just will not do! Be gone denizens of despair!

We entered the tunnels and had the choice of left or right; we went left (had we gone right it would have led us straight to that castle- Labyrinth). This route led us near to Ehlonna's shrine but the air was still reeked of death. To get to the source of evil we tried to walk up a ramp covered in a slime of stink that was slicker than snot on a doorknob. There was also  a dweomer that caused fear which set Mirri's fur on end.  Eventually she made it up there.

We entered a room that looked like some sort of laboratory. There was a table with all sorts of boney fragments and beakers full of noxious ichor. The walls were covered with drapes made from huge greasy feathers. Searching the walls behind the curtains we found two hidden doors- one in the northwest corner and the other in the south east corner.



We went through the secret door to find a room. Above the hearth in the room was a huge picture of a man...presumably Vorntoque the Vulture King. He was a devishly handsome man with dreamy eyes and a wardrobe that would have been a killer on the catwalk. Above a black / purple fire that danced in the hearth was a sizeable cauldron of beefy bubbling stew made of blood and various body parts...eat your heart out Wolfgang Puck, in this case, literally. We dumped the cauldron and decided to check out the other door in the first chamber.

In the other room we found a large dais with money all over it! Unfortunately there were 3 floating skulls above the dais. Like Augustus Gloop looking at the river of chocolate, Himo went for the money. The Skulls didn't like that very much and we began to aggressively negotiate who the money would belong to. Although the skulls were a bugger to kill, we did.

•   1,000 GP
•   250 GP in Arcane Components
•   Ritual Book containing 4 rituals that have not been identified
•   2 scrolls each with a very complex ritual

We went all the way back to the entrance to explore the hallway that went to the left. It didn't take long before we found a chamber that was obviously a chapel to Vorntoque (the last skeleton that had fled to this room).  There was a bone mosaic on the floor and bones scattered all about. At the far end of the room there was an altar. When we approached the altar the bones all assembled themselves into skeletons. They had a serious bone to pick with us. Pick we did. Using all the resources we had left, we turned them into a bone pile that future archaeologists would have difficulty in reassembling.


The air in the tunnels instantly was filled with flowers and butterflies (not really but it's a heck of a visual) and the foulness eradicated! We won!