Return to Monmurg

The party regroups at Farshore after four days of sailing around the Isle of Dread. Ortho and Z teleport the party to Monmurg. Z reminds the party to keep a low profile as the Hold of the Sea Princes is under the influence of the Scarlet Brotherhood and spies are everywhere. The Scarlet Brotherhood and the Crimson Fleet are rivals, and neither are friends of the party.

The cannon is happy to see the party, and to hear of the demise of both the Scarlet Brotherhood's base camp and the destruction of the ancient temple of the Demogorgon. After hearing the description of events and of the magical anvil, Riesaru identifies the artifact as the Dread Forge. It is a terrible device that enables a spellcaster to create any item by magically supplying the necessary knowledge and power (item creation feats and XP) as long as the user has sacrificed enough victims on the forge to power it. It is this evil item that must be recovered and destroyed. According to the current divinations, the forge remains somewhere on the Isle of Dread. And Tellax will undoubtedly begin using it again to reestablish his cult. Riesaru does not know why the Death Knight, Lord Khayven of Rax has traveled so far to the Isle or why he needs the aid of the Dread Forge.

For bringing the demontainted items to be destroyed, The Third Canon of Flaggran is willing to pay each party member 4000 gp in addtion to the 10000 gp for destruction of the base, and raise Rudolpho. Rudolpho (and Vin) are still compelled to recover and destroy the Dread Forge, of course. Riesaru is also sending an emissary by ship to Sasserine to help future events unfold in the right direction.

The party teleports to Sasserine for a brief shopping run, some ale drinking, and other activities...

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Party Loot: 14000 gp for each PC. The party also recovers 13300 gp of raw gems and valuable minerals from the bags in the Demogorgon's temple.

XP Standings

Rudolpho advances to 13th level, when he is truly resurrected. Nesta and Vin are within extra credit of going up. Others are closing in soon, maybe within an extrodinary effort of extra credit.

Level 13: Rudolpho, Z
Level 12: Nesta, Vin, Gwen, Hjalmgerdr, Daria, Ortho
Level 11: Chiri, Medea, Druugen, Spanky, Newt.

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XP awards:

updated character sheets electronic, e-mailed by Thursday 12/04/08 11:00pm = 500 xp

updated character sheets paper, submitted by Sunday 12/11/08 1:00pm = 350 xp

updated backup character sheets, submitted by Friday 12/05/08 noon = 1000 xp and major magic item for backup character

character diaries/logs/plans/ambitions for the two weeks of downtime for the party, by Friday noon = 100-400 xp

npc character sheets = 100-400 xp, I have several that need sketched out.

kidnapping Jason Cunningham for the next gaming session = 5000 xp
creating a diversion for Tracy, Missy, and Sarona = 5000 xp
recruiting a hot sexy chick to play serving maid during the game = 10000 xp
getting Monty Cook or Ed Stark or Bruce Cordell to write a personalized Savage Tide side-trek adventure = priceless

Hey Hey We're the Monkeys!

The exploration of the foul temple continues, as the party traverses the pit and proceeds into the next chamber. Daria and Rudy scout ahead and discover a well, and a moment after, four large armored baboons rush out of the side corridors and charge the party. Rudy charges, and the party engages in combat. Making quick work of his monkey, Rudy discovers the fiendish octopus living in the well. Always one for a good wrestle, the barbarian allows himself to be grappled. The noise of combat draws four troglodyte priests and two large war apes wielding swords. The battle continues on, with the party eventually triumphing over the temple denizens. Daria spends a bit of time milking the octopus.

Though well equipped, the temple residents appear to be living in almost squalid conditions. A search of their dwelling chambers reveals nothing except the stench of monkey and trog. Exploring a back passageway, Daria discovers a glyph trap, and it is quickly discharged. The passage way continues around and opens midpoint in a large hall. The adjoining chambers house more large monkeys and a troglodyte priest with is baboon assistant. Daria draws a bead on the biggest monkey and knifes 'em good. The battle collapses into the middle of the chamber quickly as the party brings their might to bear against Garag, the Cannibal, Khelm and Satonga. Again, the temple lieutenants are not enough to repel the party from the mighty Demogorgon's unholy shrine and the party is victorious.

Rudy is completely dissatisfied with the lack of loot, and presses on down to a set of double doors. Exploring the caverns beyond, the rest of the temple appears to be abandoned. Only one chamber has anything significant inside, but that was a pile of well used furs (smelling of trog) and some rudimentary furniture. A careful search concludes there is no loot to be had, and the party presses on to the next set of double doors.

The doors open revealing a large cavernous room. Sacks and boxes are along the right wall, and left, large wooden benches lined up in parallel. At the far side of the room, a large statue of the demogorgon stands behind a bloodstained altar. A robed troglodyte priest stands to the left of the altar, a gargantuan war ape to the right. Sitting in the pews, a heavily armored skeletal figure looks over to the party and stands up slowly. Far off in a corner on the right wall, under a glowing red light, a large rune covered anvil glows eerily with heat.

The skeletal figure raises his arm in a gesture to the party, and says "Hold, intruders! You know not what you interfere with! These creatures have no business with you, save that you have attacked them. I, Lord Khayven of Rax, have no interest in fighting you at all. Begone, and I will spare your lives." The party offers to leave, taking the anvil. The high priest troglodyte hisses at the party with the mention of the anvil. An unknown caster hurls a feeblemind spell at Ortho, and with that combat ensues.

Vin and the gargantuan monkey meet in the middle of the room. Ruddy dashes in, Nesta fires arrows at the undead knight, and Daria slips into the melee. The statue of the Demogorgon comes to life and moves briskly into the middle of the room. Tellax, high priest of the Demogorgon, hurls a blasphemy spell that stuns most of the party. The next round is brutal as the temple leadership pounds the party without reprisal. As combat rages on, Vin is the first to fall as the Great Beast rends the paladin into a lump of armor and flesh. Lord Khayven moves across the room and slowly moves the anvil into a giant sack after laughing Nesta's hail of arrows.

Spells fly and the battle limps along as the party struggles to find its footing in the battle. Hjalmgerdr revivifies Vin and Daria distracts the great beast with deadly sneak attacks. The unknown caster appears between the alter and the anvil, a baboon with sorcerous abilities. Tellax flame strikes the back of the room, leaving Ortho a bit woozy. Finally, after a few rounds of concentrated effort, Nesta's hail of arrows and Daria's biting dagger. The Great Beast falls, and Rudy is able to focus his entire rage against the Demogorgon stone golem. With the center of the room no longer dominated by the Great Beast, the party scrambles after Lord Khayven to thwart his efforts to pack off the anvil.

Another well placed flame strike by Tellax and Ortho crumples, other party members are strained as Lord Khayven continues his work with impunity. Rudy charges the undead knight and takes a brutal lump as he swings into range. Rudy hammers the knight but Lord Khayven's reprisal attack is truly devastating. Rudolpho falls after three powerful swings from Lord Khayven's chilling blade. Hjalmgerdr is faced with a difficult choice, but decided to revivify Ortho to avoid moving near the dread knight. The party dispatches the baboon sorcerer, Shamok, leaving only the high priest and the dread night defending the temple and the magical forge.

The undead knight summons a fiendish steed, and it picks up the bag with the anvil. Tellax summons a demon and retreats behind the altar. The party begins assaulting the steeds, and Nesta takes aim at the high priest. Tellax creates a wall of stone around the undead knight sealing him off from his assailants. The party tries to get past the barrier, as two members of the party focus on the priest. With Rudolpho's body trapped inside the barricade, Vin looks for a way over the wall, but finds that Lord Khayven and his steed are completely enclosed in stone. Nesta contines to assail the priest with arrows, as the party tries to deal with the stone wall. The summoned demon is destroyed by the party as the high priest plane shifts away. With all immediate threats gone, the party suspects that the undead knight has fled as well.

After a long and arduous effort the party opens the wall, Lord Khayven and the anvil are gone. Rudy's body is still crumpled on the ground, the party gathers him and the sparse contents of the main temple and heads back to the Sea Wyvern.

==========
Session Characters: Ortho, Nesta, Vin, Gwendelyn, Hjalmgerdr, Ruldolpho, Daria
Session Loot: 3 - potion of cure serious wounds, 8 - wands of cure light wounds (20 charges each), 2 - cloak of resistance +1, gauntlets of ogre power +2, helm of wisdom +2, ring of invisibility, wand of cure light wounds (35 charges), lesser rod of extended meta magic, amulet of natural armor +1, bracers of health +2, 3 vials of fiendish octopus ink.

The value of the "demontainted" items will be determined in a future post.

The Wreck of the Wailing Sail

The legend lives on from the Olman on down
of the big bay they called, "Gitche Gumee."
They bay, it is said, never gives up her dead
when the skies of Ready'reat turn gloomy.
With a load of raw mithril ore three tons more
than the Wailing Sail weighed when empty,
that fair ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
when the "Gales of Ready'reat" came early.

Sailing up coast, the watch eyes a pillar of smoke off in the distance. Vin and his steed spy ahead of the Sea Wyvern. The smoke is rising from a small village, a ship is wrecked by the dock, and fire burns over all. The party anchors the ship away from the dock, and walks the rest of the way to shore. Two gargantuan crabs, apparently drawn by the scent of death, emerge from the depths and attack the party. Battling by the broken hulk of the Wailing Sail, the party brings down the monsterous beasts.

Exploration of the Wailing Sail reveals a few interesting items: a ceramic jar of "Kongu's Kosher Pickles of Power", and a few silken black leotards similar in size and crafting to the one recovered from the battle dancer with the skeleton sewn onto it.

The village was deserted, most buildings were burning save two. Exploring the first one revealed a pile of dead bodies, dress in the garb of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Most of the bodies showed tremendous slashing wounds. In the other building, Daria discovers a swarm of undead lead by a cleric of the Scarlet Brotherhood. Spells fly as the party closes in on the red-robbed priest. In defense, the priest throws up a wall of blades surrounding him completely. Vin bravely jumps through the blades to deliver a blow to the Scarlet Brother. Weakened by the whirling defense, Vin is struck down to one last breath of life. The party continues it's assault on the priest, but Vin manages to strike him down with a final effort.

Nesta discovers tracks of several large, heavy apes moving around the base then following the trail to the cave. Approaching the entrance, Daria explores the entrance and deenergizes several glyphs. One summons a fiendish ape, which is quickly dispatched.

The party discovers a large ceremonial room, and pillars engraved with three enterlocking triangles. Exploring the door opposite the entrance, Nesta triggers a Symbol and many party members are drained of strength. Even the resiliant Daria lays helpless with all of her strength gone. Hjalmgerdr restores the party after a bit of a break, and high adventure lay ahead.

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Session Characters: Ortho, Nesta, Rudolpho, Hjalmgerdr, Vin, Gwendelyn, Daria
Session Loot: +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, amulet of natural armor +1, +1 heavy mace, masterwork heavy crossbow, gloves of dexterity +2, periapt of wisdom +4, jeweled holy symbol of Wee Jas (1000gp), 500pp, one jar of Kongu's Kosher Power Pickles (heroism as potion, 10 pickles, gnomes get additional +1).

The Story of Gwendelyn

Letter of Introduction

Bards Guild of Sasserine
Master Bard Ob Iwan Knobie
Minsteral of the Fith Road
Songster of the Jedway
Keeper of the Ritual Songs of TaNaboo

Dear Master Bard

As a matter of formal introductions, I am Gwendelyn Maruth Erastine Sembolojan Andantino, first daughter of Malanfar Saitekal, son of Milflan Sysirian, son of Muntilo Sandorano, son of Meutonio Silistina, son of Milano Salsarian of the House Andantino. and Gwenivian Paliranto, daughter of Gwruiron Falentass, daughter of Gwminoa Khaferista, daughter of Gwishena Impireoan, daughter of Gwinapenne Rediminie of the House Sembolojan. I was born on the first anniversary of the death of my oldest brother, Maleneer Sitalken.

According to the last songs he penned in his journal, as it was returned to me through the bards guild, my brother, Maleneer Sitalken, was traveling with and recording the exploits of a party of brave knights and wizards on a noble quest to free their people from the clutches of an evil dragon. Much of the journal had been damaged, and some appeared to be missing. Many questions remain regarding my brothers death.

All my life, I have worked to ready myself for this journey that would lead me to learn the circumstances surrounding my brothers death and his wonderful songs that have been lost. When I came of age, I joined the local Bards guild hall and began studying my craft under the famous Gnome Bard, Richolen Littledon Libarata Tigfriedroy Meltormae. While I learned much from him, one of the most important lessons was that experience is the greatest teacher. So, I left the guild hall after completing my apprenticeship and began traveling the roads guided by my search for information about my brother. I also have been tasked by my mothers clan to investigate the status of some distant cousins who, last we heard, were successful produce merchants in Sasserine. If possible I am to locate any descendants, including an 'unusual' son of which nothing more is known.

Please be aware that I have accepted employment with Lavinia Vanderborens Estate as party historian in the search organized to find her brother and to resupply the Vanderboren colony of Far Shore. In my absence, please hold any information which may arise regarding my brother, Maleneer Sitalken Andantino, or information on other clansmen of mine which may be living here in Sasserine, for me until my return.

May your Voice be true
and your Tune carry far

Gwendelyn Maruth Erastine Sembolojan Andantino
First Bard of House Andantino
Historian of the Clans

XP Standings

Gwendlyn, Hjalmgedr, Daria, and Ortho have advanced to level 12. Chiri, Medea, Druugen, Spanky, and Newt have made 11.

12th level: Nesta, Rudolpho, Vin, Z, Gwendlyn, Hjalmgedr, Daria, Ortho

11th level: Chiri, Medea, Druugen, Spanky, Newt

Updated character sheets (reflecting the recent advancements) e-mailed, mailed, faxed, or delivered to me are worth 300xp.

Can You Hear Me? Can You See Me?

The party returns into the depths of the Isle of Dread, to the strange twisted city of Golismorgia, searching for the artifact that holds the cerulean curtain in place. Resuming their exploration past the ziggurat, the group travels around the cavern clockwise until they are faced with trouble.

An injured purple worm proved no match for the hearty band, as well as two strange liquid constructs. Only after regrouping did the party find the location of the artifact, Tlaloc's Crater with Tlaloc's Tear deep inside.

Carefully exploring the crater, the party finds strange mold and fungi present. As they begin to examine the pool of liquid in the bottom of the creator, a cold of cold strikes them suddenly. The party scrambles, stumbles, and fumbles but cannot get a viable target to combat. The unknown entity toys with the party for several rounds, hurling spells at the hapless adventurers.

Finally the creature make a move to devour Nesta's brain, and draws enough attention where the party can finally direct their efforts. Combat drags on until Ortho gets a lucky shot with a polymorph spell and that allows Vin's griffon to finish off the Neh-Thalggu Scion. With the death of the vile aberation, Rudy returns to his statue chopping happiness and makes quick work of the statue in the middle of the pool.

The whispers of the olman spirits rise up, then become silent. The cavern trembles and the roar of running water can be heard in the distant. With the oncoming tide, and the presence of the soon-to-be-awakended abloleths, the party makes a steady trek back to the surface and to the Sea Wyvern.

Back aboard the ship, Z delivers an urgent message. Riesaru Bonoro, 3rd Vector and High Priest of Fharlanghn in Monmug, has aquired information that the Scarlet Brotherhood is operating a secret base near ruins that may contain the artifact he has commissioned you to acquire. He bids you to make haste to the bay near the Lost Citadel on the western side of the island. For destroying the Scarlet Brotherhood's base, in addition to aquiring the artifact, Riesaru is willing to pay each party member 10,000gp.

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Session Characters: Nesta, Ortho, Daria, Vin, Gwendlyn, Rudolpho, Hjalmgerdr
Session Loot: none

XP Awards

Daria and Nesta get the 500xp bonuses for being such loyal OGGoO readers.

Hjamgerdr and Ruldolpo get 1000xp for updated character sheets submitted by the deadline.

Updated character sheets submitted by 12:00pm Sunday 11/9/08 will be worth 400xp.

From the Diary of Vin IceMark

Dearest Lavinia,

On our long journey to, and in my time here at Farshore, I have seen a great many things never I have seen before. As a follower of the Traveling God, I thirst truly, for these new things and I have enjoyed the many wonders and blessings this journey has shown us.

However, as is the way with any journey, many sad and troubling things are also laid out before us. Fharlanghn teaches us that in travel toward the horizon, all things will be revealed to us, and so my faith has spoken to me. I am inspired, nay, compelled to act.

It is the plight of the indigenous peoples of these lands which beckons me to act in some way. After the attack on Farshore and the destruction of the Crimson Fleet, I began searching for a way to put the resources deposited here by evil to use for good. I have pondered and searched for some benefit that I, a lowly Paladin, might be, but should have known that Fharlanghn would provide. Thus, I have proceeded down a path laid out to me in a dream and I believe it will be most helpful in the long term prosperity of the Olman peoples, the Sasserine colonies, and even the native tribes such as the Phanatons. I present this plan and the actions taken according to it as a gift to you, my Lavinia.

My dream laid it out thus. In the harbor, two remaining pirate ships lay wrecked. Discussions amongst our party members, left me with the firmest understanding that the party did not feel it appropriate to waste precious resources on the wrecks nor should the party tie itself to any mercantile activities in any way. This was seen as a distraction to our primary mission. I take this as a comfort that the party seems so single minded to continue in service of House Vanderboren. The eagerness and enthusiasm so strongly expressed by some of the more boisterous party members would give pause to any enemy of Farshore.

With it determined that the wrecks were not considered party property, I set about establishing the team with which the plan would be enacted. Gwendelyn and Z happily agreed to help. Z and the Olman wizard Miahuaxochitl have been training a small number of apprentices and of that small group, two were selected for our team. One for each ship, these apprentices have undergone training from Z in specific repair spells and shipboard combat magics. With these repair spells, and repair damage wands provided by Miahuaxochitl and Z, each of the ships have been refloated and returned to seaworthy condition. Gwendelyn, using the resources of Jeran Emrikad and Farshore records, has recreated a fine set of charts, logbooks and manifests for each ship.

Now with the ships in pristine condition, I turned to the Olman for the next part of the plan. Once I explained the ships purpose, the Olman were most enthusiastic about the venture. From the Olman comes crew, pilots and marine guard for each vessel. Admittedly, much of this crew lacks large ship experience, however arrangements for additional crew and permanent masters were made on our last trip to Sasserine.

The ships will be registered as property of the Order of the Islands Charity and will be based in one of the larger Olman ports. The ships have been painted in neutral colors, but will carry letters of mark and fly flags of House Vanderboren and Clan IceMark. They each will also carry letters of protection from the Gnomish House Andantino, and the Temple of Fharlanghn. In addition, each also carry open contracts from the Bards' guild as couriers.

The purpose of all this is simply to aid the Olman. This will give the Olman a market for their goods, mostly raw materials, and will provide needed income to boost the conditions of the villages contributing the resources. The Olman will organize the cargo's and distribute the returning resources as they see fit. Gwendelyn and Z will visit occasionally to verify cargo and goods are moving as we hope. All funds will be used to advance the indigenous Olman peoples of this region.

The ships bear new names too, my Lavinia. Long may the Paladins Faith and Lavinia's Grace ply the seas. May their crews sail them confidently, defend them vigorously and may Fharlanghn guide them to the horizon and back safely to the comfort of their families.

Your humble and devoted servant
Vin IceMark
Paladin in Fharlanghns service