Rudolpho stands on the deck of the Sea Wyvern, his eyes trying to pierce the horizon. Something feels out of place. The rhythm of the waves dances along in the melody of the wind. Rudolpho can hear a song far away. In the early morning mists on the shoreline, he begins to see a face... Maria.
----------
After rescuing Vanderboren manor from a vicious reprisal from the smugglers in Kraken's cove, the party gets some much needed rest and relaxation time. The party cashes in their loot and goes shopping. Lavinia and the Vanderboren estate are a flurry of activity, as she establishes herself as the head of the household.
Vin receives an award for his bravery and effor, trying to rescue the patrons of a burning tavern. All hail, Vin! Champion of the City Watch of Sasserine. Hip, Hip, Huzzah! Lavinia even throws a banquet in his honor.
A month passes and Lavinia approaches the party. After studying the papers, left behind by her parents, she has discovered the plans for the Vanderborens to establish a colony on a far away island. The trade created by this could guarantee a position of prominence in the region, for the Vanderboren heir. Lavinia is assembling for a resupply trip to Far Shore, across the Vohoun Ocean to the Isle of Dread.
Lavinia is a ship short of hauling the necessary supplies, and is willing to contract the services of the Sea Wyvern for 10,000gp. In addition, Lavinia agrees to pay the salaries of any crew members that the party needs to hire to man the ship on the expedition, and for any necessary supplies.
A frenzy of preparations starts as party members prepare for their journey. The party hires a captain, Amella Venkalie and she takes over many of the duties for preparing the ship. She is capable, short tempered, and hates gnomes. Zaelinniaeus takes the position of navigator and Cap'n Spanky is demoted to First Mate Spanky. Kongu is appointed to chief of the watch since he never sleeps, and spends most of his time on deck anyway.
Some of the passengers are noteworthy. Father Feres, Lirith, Avner Meravanchi, Skald, and Urol Forol are all traveling to Far Shore. Avner made quite a fuss when he arrived late. Dispite Vin's efforts to negotiate with Avner, Daria 'stepped in' and resolved the issue.
The first night out, Lavinia invites everyone to dinner to celebrate their departure. The Jade Ravens make up some of the crew on the Blue Nixie, and the party gets to socialize with them at dinner. Lavinia seems genuinely excited about the trip, although some at the dinner table supposed she was more excited to have Vin there. After dinner, the party discovers a cut in the crossing rope, and is attacked by a 'pickled' mephit.
As the journey continues, all things are quiet. Except Avner. Apparently he has earned the wrath of Daria and Newt.
----------
Sea Wyvern's Captain's Log (by Amella Venkalie)
Day 0: The prick Avner showed up late. The arrogant bastard made me so mad I walked off. Apparently, he angered someone else because his servants carried him on board later. His precious horse has disappeared, and it wouldn't startle me to find out that the half-orc brute ate it. I made officers of two of the owners, they seemed to be competent. The elf is a bit bookish, for my likes. The other hasn't been sober enough yet to carry on.
Day 0: Afternoon, set sail finally. The weather is good.
Day 1: Lavinia's dinner. A boy, this group is going to be drama. Avner was practically drooling over Lavinia, it made me sick. I chuckled through the entire meal watching her snub the blow hard, and make goo-goo eyes at the strait-lace Vin guy. He seems her type. I don't know what happened to the rope or where that mephit came from.
Day 2: Damn, Avner is screaming again. The pair of trouble-makers are at work, its going to be a late night. I'll go up on deck and see if that half-orc fellow finally pins his foot to the deck with the ballista.
Day 14: Arrived at Fort Blackwell. The land lubbers all paraded ashore. Father Feres was in a hurry to visit some shrine. Avner returned in a huff. I think he pissed off his servants, because they did not return. Kongu did seem concerned that they did not return, but they weren't listed on the log either. Kongu is a strange creature, I've never seen anything like him. That half-orc, Rudolpho, must have an ex-girl friend name Maria the way he carries on about her. He talks about her almost as must as the damn ballista.
Day 20: That Kongu thing as a pet fish that is now glowing red. Some of the crew is getting spooked. They always get spooked at some point, but with the cast of characters on this ship, nothing should surprise them.
Day 21: A floating wreck named The Cresting Wave came up along side us in the darkness. Infested with undead, it was. The crew made quick work of them, and Nesta found a family trinket. That is going to go over well with the crew. Curses, eh. sorry lot they are.
Day 23: Avner came pleading to me. Pathetic worm. I told him he'd better make nice and be useful or there might not me enough of him left when we reach Far Shore. The Navigator is working on something, not sure what, boy he is a quiet fellow. At least he has his sea legs. Avner carries a bucket with him now.
==========
Session Characters: Rudolpho, Kongu, Vin, Nesta, Newt, Daria and Zaelinniaeus
Session XP: 200 each
Session Bonus: 100 XP to Daria for creative solution to plot line
Session Loot: none.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Experience Totals
As I have it, here are the current standings:
Nesta- 8190, 4th level
Rudolpho- 8190, 4th level
Vin- 7915, 4th level
Newt- 8140, 4th level
Chiri- 5310, 3rd level
Daria- 6060, 4th level
Kongu- 6725, 4th level
Nesta- 8190, 4th level
Rudolpho- 8190, 4th level
Vin- 7915, 4th level
Newt- 8140, 4th level
Chiri- 5310, 3rd level
Daria- 6060, 4th level
Kongu- 6725, 4th level
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Teen-age mutants, ninjas, and frogs!
The brave adventurers, after discovering the plot to assault the Vanderboren estate, make a hasty trip back to Sasserine to save Lavinia from suffering revenge directed at Vanthus.
The Sea Wyvern disembarks at Sasserine, and with due haste, the party speeds to the Vanthus estate. Hampering the partys travel, the city has erupted into a festival celebrating Wormfall. In the nearby city of Cauldron, adventurers stopped a sinister plot, one year ago. The city elders have ordered kites, fireworks, parades, feasts, floats, and acrobats to fill the city.
Kongu, who hasn't adjusted to being around meat-bags, bumps a rowdy gnome and with the help of Newt, starts a brawl in the street. Vin and Rudolpho do not let the distraction stop them, and continue to the estate. As lethal force is introduced into the brawl, the gnome's big half-orc side kick, weighs in and turns the tide of the skirmish. In the end, the party retreats into a carriage dragging the unconscience bodies of Kongu and Nesta along with them.
Vin and Rudolpho are making good progress when they happen across a float rolling out of control, and starting to burn. Not bothered with such a minor distraction, Rudolpho continues is progress to the Vanderboren manor. Vin, sensing danger for a nearby inn, struggles to stop the float from crashing into the building. But without help, Vin's single-handed efforts were not enough to stop the death and destruction. Vin rushes bravely into the burning building to help rescue a handful of patrons. The carriage picks up Vin, and they continue on.
Near the final bridge into the section of the city, where the Vanderboren estate is located, Rudolpho is stunned by an explosion. An entourage of six stiltwalking assassins, led by a sleek black leotard-clad acrobat, assault Rudolpho in the middle of the street. Ruddy, worn down by the last 24 hours of constant struggle, enters his last rage to combat these would-be interlopers. The fighting is fierce, grace and agility versus brutishness and strength. The party arrives in time to see Rudolpho fall to the sensual attacker. The party finishes off what little Rudolpho left, and revives the barbarian for the task ahead.
All is quiet at the Vanderboren manor, until Rudolpho (after one-too-many kicks to the head) announces to the hall that he has a note. The brawl breaks out, and moving from room to room, the party discovers Lavinia and other hostages on the top floor. The bullywug brutes are vicious, and wear the party down further. Lavinia opens a secret cache of supplied, and with the party reinvigorated, return to cleaning out the manor of the froggish infestation.
In the end, the bullywug chief and the acrobatic assassin escape. But Lavinia and the Vanderboren estate are saved. Lavinia increases the party's stipend to 200gp/month. Where is Vanthus? Where is Maria?
==========
Session Characters: Rudolpho, Kongu, Vin, Nesta, Newt, and Zaelinniaeus
Session XP: 2420 each
Session Bonus: 300 XP to Vin
Session Loot: ring of protection +1, black skeleton leotard, jade serpent earrings (500gp), masterwork studded leather, masterwork scimitar, finely crafted silk belt (of ogre power), +1 leather armor (size M), periapt of wisdom, +1 repeating crossbow.
The Sea Wyvern disembarks at Sasserine, and with due haste, the party speeds to the Vanthus estate. Hampering the partys travel, the city has erupted into a festival celebrating Wormfall. In the nearby city of Cauldron, adventurers stopped a sinister plot, one year ago. The city elders have ordered kites, fireworks, parades, feasts, floats, and acrobats to fill the city.
Kongu, who hasn't adjusted to being around meat-bags, bumps a rowdy gnome and with the help of Newt, starts a brawl in the street. Vin and Rudolpho do not let the distraction stop them, and continue to the estate. As lethal force is introduced into the brawl, the gnome's big half-orc side kick, weighs in and turns the tide of the skirmish. In the end, the party retreats into a carriage dragging the unconscience bodies of Kongu and Nesta along with them.
Vin and Rudolpho are making good progress when they happen across a float rolling out of control, and starting to burn. Not bothered with such a minor distraction, Rudolpho continues is progress to the Vanderboren manor. Vin, sensing danger for a nearby inn, struggles to stop the float from crashing into the building. But without help, Vin's single-handed efforts were not enough to stop the death and destruction. Vin rushes bravely into the burning building to help rescue a handful of patrons. The carriage picks up Vin, and they continue on.
Near the final bridge into the section of the city, where the Vanderboren estate is located, Rudolpho is stunned by an explosion. An entourage of six stiltwalking assassins, led by a sleek black leotard-clad acrobat, assault Rudolpho in the middle of the street. Ruddy, worn down by the last 24 hours of constant struggle, enters his last rage to combat these would-be interlopers. The fighting is fierce, grace and agility versus brutishness and strength. The party arrives in time to see Rudolpho fall to the sensual attacker. The party finishes off what little Rudolpho left, and revives the barbarian for the task ahead.
All is quiet at the Vanderboren manor, until Rudolpho (after one-too-many kicks to the head) announces to the hall that he has a note. The brawl breaks out, and moving from room to room, the party discovers Lavinia and other hostages on the top floor. The bullywug brutes are vicious, and wear the party down further. Lavinia opens a secret cache of supplied, and with the party reinvigorated, return to cleaning out the manor of the froggish infestation.
In the end, the bullywug chief and the acrobatic assassin escape. But Lavinia and the Vanderboren estate are saved. Lavinia increases the party's stipend to 200gp/month. Where is Vanthus? Where is Maria?
==========
Session Characters: Rudolpho, Kongu, Vin, Nesta, Newt, and Zaelinniaeus
Session XP: 2420 each
Session Bonus: 300 XP to Vin
Session Loot: ring of protection +1, black skeleton leotard, jade serpent earrings (500gp), masterwork studded leather, masterwork scimitar, finely crafted silk belt (of ogre power), +1 leather armor (size M), periapt of wisdom, +1 repeating crossbow.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
The Wake of Destruction
With a brief rest, the brave adventurers resumed their exploration of Kraken's Cove. More death, mayhem, carnage. Twisted diseased pirates roam the caverns still hungry after fresh feedings. The party battled their way to find the leader of the Kraken's Cove, Kigante Valeros, dead at the hands of his infected followers. Nearby, the deft bladesmanship of the captain of Slippery Eel, fights off a remaining pocket of diseased pirates.
Harliss Javell tells a tale of Vanthus Vanderboren's continuing deception, betrayal, and villainy. Vanthus was aboard her ship to steal a giant black pearl, the size of a man's fist. During the struggle, the pearl shattered, and a wave of green gas swept the area. Those affected, turned into raving cannibals attacking those that weren't. In her rage, Harliss dispatched her lieutenant to exact revenge upon the Vanderborens. Now Drevoraz travels to Sasserine and the party must stop him.
Vanthus in his treachery, set fire to all but one of the ships. The Sea Wyvern is ready to sail, and the party has a new allies in their quest.
==========
Session Characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Newt, Daria, Vin, and Kongu
Session XP: 1900 each
Session Loot: +1 rapier with bronze griffon hilt, ring of swimming, darkwood buckler, 3 silver bars (30 gp each), vermillion ink (40 gp), +1 studded leather, masterwork rapier, purple silk cloak w/emerald clasp (20 gp), silver locket w/portrait of Vanthus Vanderboren (10 gp), mayless root paste, sassone leaf residue, id moss, striped toad stool, larval mind flayer (1000 gp), 2 potions of lessor restoration, masterwork kukri, slippers of spider climb, gold nose ring with silver chain and earring (100 gp), ruby ring (120 gp), leatherbound masterwork nautical charts (+4 circumstance bonus on plotting course), [in three chests] 120 gp, 448 sp, 683 cp, 3 garnets (20 gp each), an emerald brooch (50 gp), 5 pearls (100 gp each).
Harliss Javell tells a tale of Vanthus Vanderboren's continuing deception, betrayal, and villainy. Vanthus was aboard her ship to steal a giant black pearl, the size of a man's fist. During the struggle, the pearl shattered, and a wave of green gas swept the area. Those affected, turned into raving cannibals attacking those that weren't. In her rage, Harliss dispatched her lieutenant to exact revenge upon the Vanderborens. Now Drevoraz travels to Sasserine and the party must stop him.
Vanthus in his treachery, set fire to all but one of the ships. The Sea Wyvern is ready to sail, and the party has a new allies in their quest.
==========
Session Characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Newt, Daria, Vin, and Kongu
Session XP: 1900 each
Session Loot: +1 rapier with bronze griffon hilt, ring of swimming, darkwood buckler, 3 silver bars (30 gp each), vermillion ink (40 gp), +1 studded leather, masterwork rapier, purple silk cloak w/emerald clasp (20 gp), silver locket w/portrait of Vanthus Vanderboren (10 gp), mayless root paste, sassone leaf residue, id moss, striped toad stool, larval mind flayer (1000 gp), 2 potions of lessor restoration, masterwork kukri, slippers of spider climb, gold nose ring with silver chain and earring (100 gp), ruby ring (120 gp), leatherbound masterwork nautical charts (+4 circumstance bonus on plotting course), [in three chests] 120 gp, 448 sp, 683 cp, 3 garnets (20 gp each), an emerald brooch (50 gp), 5 pearls (100 gp each).
Friday, March 23, 2007
The Story of Kongu
The Story of Kongu
Once upon a time there was a gnomish couple that owned a pickle shop. The shop was very successful and the man and wife were very happy together for many years. They planted the cucumbers in the spring, tended the fields throughout the summer, harvested every fall and spent their winters pickling.
The gnomish couple was no ordinary gnomes. The wife was an accomplished druid and the husband was a wizard and alchemist. They experimented with the cucumber crop and the pickling process to introduce many magical and alchemical effects. Soon their pickles were known far and wide and merchants came from all the surrounding lands to buy their pickles.
Despite all of their success, as the years went by the old couple realized that something was missing in their life. Unable to have a gnomish child themselves, the old gnome decided he would make a companion for him and his wife. The old gnome was determined, and in a few short years he had uncovered the secrets of making constructs and granting sentience to animated objects.
After another year of toil, the old gnome had created an artificial man. Although the creation was much bigger than either of the old gnomes, they called him their son and named him Kongu - a type of gnomish sweet pickle relish.
Kongu was strong, durable, fast, and intelligent and helped the old couple around the farm greatly. Unfortunately, Knogu was also lacking in personality (Cha 6) and seemed to have no self-preservation instinct, often acting quite imprudently (Wis 6). The old gnomes took good care of him though and every time he was damaged the gnomes would repair him with magical pickle juice of repair light damage.
The new family was happy together for a number of years - then came the savage tide. As the family began to hear news and rumors of diseased marauders, all of the people that had come to depend on their magic pickles were now begging for a pickle to cure the savage disease. The old man was on the cusp of a breakthrough when the marauders attacked their cottage. During the fight, a rack of alchemically-treated pickles exploded killing everyone and damaging Kongu so much that he was rendered inert.
With all of the chaos following in the wake of the savage tide no-one ever came looking for the old pickle-makers Knogu’s inert body remained undiscovered and undisturbed beneath the occasionally shifting rubble for decades. Eventually a cracked clay jug of the pickle juice of repair light damage shifted and began to slowly drip on Kongu. Kongu eventually awakened, dug himself out, and repaired the remainder of his damage.
Not knowing his place in the new world, Kongu began hiring himself out as a fearless mercenary and eventually signed up with an adventuring party.
==========
XP Award: 55 points
Once upon a time there was a gnomish couple that owned a pickle shop. The shop was very successful and the man and wife were very happy together for many years. They planted the cucumbers in the spring, tended the fields throughout the summer, harvested every fall and spent their winters pickling.
The gnomish couple was no ordinary gnomes. The wife was an accomplished druid and the husband was a wizard and alchemist. They experimented with the cucumber crop and the pickling process to introduce many magical and alchemical effects. Soon their pickles were known far and wide and merchants came from all the surrounding lands to buy their pickles.
Despite all of their success, as the years went by the old couple realized that something was missing in their life. Unable to have a gnomish child themselves, the old gnome decided he would make a companion for him and his wife. The old gnome was determined, and in a few short years he had uncovered the secrets of making constructs and granting sentience to animated objects.
After another year of toil, the old gnome had created an artificial man. Although the creation was much bigger than either of the old gnomes, they called him their son and named him Kongu - a type of gnomish sweet pickle relish.
Kongu was strong, durable, fast, and intelligent and helped the old couple around the farm greatly. Unfortunately, Knogu was also lacking in personality (Cha 6) and seemed to have no self-preservation instinct, often acting quite imprudently (Wis 6). The old gnomes took good care of him though and every time he was damaged the gnomes would repair him with magical pickle juice of repair light damage.
The new family was happy together for a number of years - then came the savage tide. As the family began to hear news and rumors of diseased marauders, all of the people that had come to depend on their magic pickles were now begging for a pickle to cure the savage disease. The old man was on the cusp of a breakthrough when the marauders attacked their cottage. During the fight, a rack of alchemically-treated pickles exploded killing everyone and damaging Kongu so much that he was rendered inert.
With all of the chaos following in the wake of the savage tide no-one ever came looking for the old pickle-makers Knogu’s inert body remained undiscovered and undisturbed beneath the occasionally shifting rubble for decades. Eventually a cracked clay jug of the pickle juice of repair light damage shifted and began to slowly drip on Kongu. Kongu eventually awakened, dug himself out, and repaired the remainder of his damage.
Not knowing his place in the new world, Kongu began hiring himself out as a fearless mercenary and eventually signed up with an adventuring party.
==========
XP Award: 55 points
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Step by step
The party continued it's search in the lair of the Lotus Dragons. The vile Vanthus Vanderboren, has eluded the group so far. The party battled a Rhagodessa and a Bugbear Zombie to delve deeper into the lair.
The party, even while tactically impaired, managed to defeat the dread denizens.
==========
Session characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Vin, Newt, Chiri
Session XP: 200 each
Session loot: none
The party, even while tactically impaired, managed to defeat the dread denizens.
==========
Session characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Vin, Newt, Chiri
Session XP: 200 each
Session loot: none
I'm Sailing Away... [corrected]
The party's next encounter was the leader of the Lotus Dragons, Rowyn. After informing her of Vanthus' betrayal, and Penkus' last words, Rowyn recruits the party to bring Vanthus back to her for justice and not Lavinia. Rowyn offers double of what Lavinia is paying the PC's for the effort.
After three days, Rowyn sends pages of letters from Vanthus detailing his current activities and location. The party learns the location of the Kraken's Cove, in the Blood Bay, and books passage on a small sailing vessel.
Upon arriving on the beach near Kraken's Cove, diseased and malformed monkeys attacked. Completely enraged, the crazed beasts attacked. One infected Newt with their dreaded fever. The party was not prepared for the carnage at the entrance of the cove, two ships were on fire burning vigorously in a large oil slick. Body parts, gnawed and eaten, scattered everywhere. No body was left whole, and many where twisted and deformed.
Two misshapen and psychotic sailors, twisted, diseased, attack the party at the entrance near the cove. Further in, a dread beast assaults the poor PC's and really opens up a can of whoopin. But the PC's persevere and win the day. The blood and gore needs to be clean off of the loot. Kongu wakes up from a dirt nap, and cheers "I've got 10 hit points, HUZZAH!"
==========
Session Characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Newt, Daria, Kongu
Session XP: 1150 each [correction, verified by Waldo 2.0]
Session Loot: bag of saffron (600gp), dish ware (200gp), three potions of cure moderate wounds (already used), shattered black shards (250gp), 7 bolts of silk (50gp each)
After three days, Rowyn sends pages of letters from Vanthus detailing his current activities and location. The party learns the location of the Kraken's Cove, in the Blood Bay, and books passage on a small sailing vessel.
Upon arriving on the beach near Kraken's Cove, diseased and malformed monkeys attacked. Completely enraged, the crazed beasts attacked. One infected Newt with their dreaded fever. The party was not prepared for the carnage at the entrance of the cove, two ships were on fire burning vigorously in a large oil slick. Body parts, gnawed and eaten, scattered everywhere. No body was left whole, and many where twisted and deformed.
Two misshapen and psychotic sailors, twisted, diseased, attack the party at the entrance near the cove. Further in, a dread beast assaults the poor PC's and really opens up a can of whoopin. But the PC's persevere and win the day. The blood and gore needs to be clean off of the loot. Kongu wakes up from a dirt nap, and cheers "I've got 10 hit points, HUZZAH!"
==========
Session Characters: Nesta, Rudolpho, Newt, Daria, Kongu
Session XP: 1150 each [correction, verified by Waldo 2.0]
Session Loot: bag of saffron (600gp), dish ware (200gp), three potions of cure moderate wounds (already used), shattered black shards (250gp), 7 bolts of silk (50gp each)
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