D&D 5th Edition RPG campaign journal. Listing the on going adventure in the lands of Taggriell. ----------- DM: Ivan. ---------- Players: Rob, Arthur, Travis, Paul, Bob and John. ----------- Location: Perth, Western Australia
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Sunday, 7th Arodus in the year 815 (Second Era). Autumn.
- The party begin this session, in the Temple of Tiamat, assaulting the Cult forces to impede the final parts of the ritual.
- The final three altars are attacked, the party never relenting, and the Cult forces soon fall. With all five Red Wizard of Thay now killed, the arcane barrier surrounding the main Cultist wearing the Mask Of The Dragon Queen dissolves. The cultists is cut down and the Mask taken by Trenchant.
- As the final unwilling sacrifices, now freed by the party, run to exit the Temple, Trenchant flies the Mask outside and drops it into a lava pool. The Mask sinks into the lava and vanishes.
- Now that the Temple is clear, the party quickly position themselves for Tiamat’s arrival, quickly preparing their gear and drinking healing potions.
- The ground shakes and the Temple begins to shudder. The five altars erupt into flames as the central altar begins to collapse into the ground, forming a large pit of fire. Five coloured Dragon heads emerge as Tiamat arrives into the world.
- The party begin moving around, attacking Tiamat, and assisting each other. Tiamat bites, claws and breaths onto the party. After an initial flurry of attacks against Tiamat, most of which are unsuccessful, the party begin to despair as they realise that Tiamat is beyond their ability to defeat.
- Just as all hope is lost, the Temple roof breaks apart, letting bright rays of light shine forth upon Tiamat. A loud deep voice speaks, “I give you this chance, my champions. Go with the blessing of Pelor.”
- Tiamat is visibly weakened, only somewhat, but enough that the party has a chance now. With renewed hope they launch into a battle frenzy towards Tiamat. The Dragon Queen fights back, desperation visible in each of her five heads, now that Pelor has intervened.
- The battle rages on and on, each member of the party whittling Tiamat down, until finally Gim leaps upwards towards the central Red Dragon Head and slices through the neck with his enchanted great sword. The Dragon Head falls back into the pit, as Tiamat’s body begins to fall downwards. Into the fiery pit her body plunged, and with a final eruption of flame and lava, the dispatched physical body of Tiamat vanished, forcing Tiamat’s soul back to the Nine Hells.
- With the battle won, the party exited the Temple and ascended to the mountain ridge around the Temple. On the Plains Of Despair far to the south of them, the could just make out the vast Alliance Army smashing apart and destroying the last remnants of the Cult Army.
- Finally, the Dragon War was over, and the lands saved, by the “Champions Of Pelor.”
Epilogue - Champions Of Pelor
- Labarett Boturan returned to his village, the Tribe Of Kelhana, in the Elvish lands of Elanion. Thankfully his village had seen little damage done to it during the Cult assault. Labarett joined his brother, Iolas, in guiding his people to prosperity and rebuilding the Elvish lands around them. In time, Labarett would become Chieftain of the Tribe, and the Royal Bloodline of Kelhana remained strong.
- Sir Krondor, Knight of the Anvil, along with his first Banner Knight, Sir Zern, returned to Fanur as war heroes. Soon, many young Dwarvish Knights flocked to Sir Krondor’s Banner, and Sir Krondor’s Banner grew into a mighty force. His Banner was sworn to the security and protection of the northern lands. In time, Sir Krondor would be appointed Dar of Clan Dwgyth, and would rule as Chieftain.
- Trenchant Kincaid returned to his family lands, Winfley village and the estate of his late bastard father, Lord Dylon. The people and his step brothers, Lord Nolan, Sir Ian and Sir Lee all welcomed their brother back. After Trenchant helped the war ravished lands of Winfley back to prosperity, he continued his work with the Harpers. In time, Trenchant would become High Harper, his ever faithful love Naillae by his side.
- Varis Meliamne returned to Crescent Moon a renowned man and sought to settle his dispute with The Black Venom. Having heard of his exploits, they welcomed the skilled assassin back into their flock. With the group’s blessing and assistance, Varis began hunting down any reports of Drow in the area, cleansing the land of the Dark Elves. In time, Varis would become Master Assassin of The Black Venom and lead them into prosperity and infamy.
- Ragnar Krakhammer, now in possession of his life quest, the Sun Blade, returned to the Church of Truesilver. He rallied the true faithful to his call, and cleansed the church of the wrong doers and corrupt. In time, Ragnar would be appointed High Priest of Truesilver, and leader of the Church.
- Gim Moosa returned to Lington as a hero. Using his skills as Blacksmith, and his contacts with the Oglyth Mixnar, he set up a Blacksmith shop. His reputation as one of the Champions Of Pelor saw a great demand for his product, and soon people from all the Human lands would seek out his goods. In time, Gim would become a powerful and rich merchant, owning many Blacksmith shops across the Human lands.
<And with the destruction of Tiamat, a five year campaign was over, that was the final session.>
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Toilday, 16th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Autumn.
- The party begin this session, still in Crescent Moon. After two days spent readying the Frostskimmr for fast sail, the party set sail.
- The eight day sail is uneventful for the most part, until the last day.
- Sunday, 7th Arodus in the year 815 (Second Era). Autumn.
- On the last day of the voyage, just as the ship arrives at the shores of their destination, a small flight of Dragonwing Enforcers gliding on the sea winds to patrol the shores attacks the ship and crew.
- The party quickly respond, but the situation grows dire when to both sides surprise and horror, the Frostskimmr is knocked about as a Kraken takes hold of the ship.
- The Kraken’s tentacles start pulling off sailors and Dragon Enforcers off the ship, dragged to their doom under the waters. The battle is immediately forgotten as the ship starts breaking apart and the party, sailors and crew are forced to abandon ship.
- Most of the crew manages to escape to the shore, with minimal loses of life, but all the cargo, weapons and gear are lost. Luckily the party manage to save themselves and all their critical gear.
- A spectral golden stag appears on the beach, a messenger of Pelor, and blesses the party.
- The party start their trek into the Sunset Mountains and towards the Well Of Dragons, arriving there just as evening is approaching. The twin moons, both in full blood moon, light up the landscape with a horrid red light.
- The party make their way unchallenged to the Temple Of Tiamat, as the forces of the Cult Army have been lured away to the south to fight the Alliance Army. As the party sneak forward, a figure hidden near the entrance reveals themselves, Nac, their former travelling companion steps forward. Nac is the secret Zhentarin agent that had infiltrated the Cult and given the location of the Well Of Dragons to the Alliance.
- With Nac are three Zhentarin Assassins. The group of four were about to enter the Temple to try and stop the ritual but now team up with the party.
- The party storm into the Temple, knowing they have little time before the ritual is complete. They kill the enemies around the first of five separate altars and free the captured sacrifices there. The party force their way into the central hub of the Temple, facing a group of Dragon Enforcers under the command of Severin The Red Wyrmspeaker and current leader of the Cult Of The Dragon Queen.
- The rushing tactic of the party works, as they overcome the Cultists immediately, never giving a chance to Severin to recover, as he tries to avoid the twin daggers of Naillae who never relents.
- The second altar is attacked and the Cult forces killed, allowing the sacrifices to flee. Three more altars remain but time is running out.
<And as the party continue to assault the five altars within the Temple, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
No further XP to be awarded, no more levelling up possible as this is the final confrontation.
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Sunday, 7th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The party begin this session, still within Xonthal Tower. Having just finished a short rest, the party teleport to the final area within the tower, again arriving in pairs.
- Labarett and Gim are the first to teleport. They see a large fireplace in the centre of the room, which keeps this large chamber warm and cozy, the smoke magically vented outside. About two thirds of the skeleton of an adult Dragon is laid out on the floor, all around the room. A large group of alert Cultists, stop their search of the room, and turn towards the newly arrived pair and attack.
- The battle is frantic, as Gim becomes a killing machine, his great axe slicing down four of the Cultists before they can even draw their scimitars. Likewise Labarett drops two more Cultists as the Elf Barbarian sprints through the room.
- The one remaining Cultists erupts into flames, now a living torch, and attacks back. The four Cult Fanatics begin hurling Fireball after Fireball at the Gim and Labarett, the room becoming a furnace, the living torch Cultist immune to the fires.
- Soon the rest of the party begin teleporting into the room but the final foes do not last long and soon the battle is over. Gim and Labarett are forced to consume a large quantity of precious healing potions to sooth their burns.
- After teleporting to the Audience Chamber the party decide to leave the Tower and teleport to the Sun Dial clearing at the start of the Hedge Maze. When they arrive they hear and see an unexpected sight. Ixalelleth, an Adult Blue Dragon, with a Cult Dragon Knight Commander, Belrash, is attacking and destroying Xonthal village.
- As the party approach the Knight Belrash orders the party to hand over the Blue Dragon Mask or else he will destroy the village. The party ignore the order and instead launch an attack against the Dragon and rider.
- Immediately the Dragon Knight vanishes into mist and ice, disappearing from the battle, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, the Dragon Ixalelleth flies around, moving about the village, and uses it lightning breath again and again.
- The party discover that Gim, now wearing the Blue Dragon Mask in combination with the Bracers Of The Thunderer make him immune to all lightning effects and Ixalelleth is unable to attack Gim directly. Instead the Dragon Knight Belrash suddenly appears next to Gim and summons a large Wall Of Ice around them to separate them from the rest of the party and engage in single combat.
- The party push the fight onwards, using all the skills and abilities, and eventually they kill Ixalelleth, the Dragon’s dead body dropping to collapse onto the ground.
- The party manage to breach the solid Ice Walls and join the fight, and soon Belrash is also dispatched.
- The grateful villagers of Xonthal appear to cheer and celebrate the party, offering them thanks and gifts. Using the keys they recovered from the maze, the party unlock the mysterious chest in the Black Smith’s shop and within is the famous lost armour of the Half-Dwarf adventurer Daeros Dragonspear, which the party claim.
- With much ado the party leave as heroes, once again using their borrowed ponies and wagons, and make the return trip to Tealeaf.
- Moonday, 7th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The following morning on the way to Tealeaf, Trenchant uses his last lot of diamonds to Resurrect Iskander. The Cult Wizard is shocked by his return to life but is grateful to the party and explains everything he knows about the Cult’s plans.
- Returning to Tealeaf, the party inform Captain Ricric Longbarrel of what has happened. He informs the party he will send troops and supplies to help Xonthal rebuild the damage done to the village. The party reunite with Captain Zahes of the Royal Scouts Of Crescent Moon, and mount the Scout’s Wyverns for the week long flight back to Crescent Moon.
- Toilday, 16th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- Eight days later, the party fly back into Crescent Moon, the Royal Scouts landing the party directly in the inner compound of the Royal Palace. They are rushed into the Palace as the Council is quickly reconvened.
- The Council discusses what has occurred since the last meeting and what the current situation of the war is. There is mostly agreement as to the actions of the party and Council, except for Winterstalker Delaan Winterhound who represents the Emerald Enclave and who feels the actions of the party and Council have been ineffectual and misplaced. Delaan removes himself from the Council and Alliance, taking with him much needed war assets.
- The party hear a bold and risky plan from the Warduke Lady Laeral Silverhand. Her generals have proposed sending in all Alliance forces from the south to assault the now revealed location of the Cult base, at the Well Of Dragons. Whilst the Cult forces are engaged from the south, the party will arrive via sailing ship from the north, and sneak past the defences to stop the ritual before it is too late.
- Just as the Council is about to end, an urgent message arrives with news that the Capital of Tyriba, the city of Edamor, is under full assault by the combined forces of all five factions of the Cult. The Alliance can not spare any forces, and instead the party implore Elia the Silver Dragon and representative of the Dragon Council to send aid to Edamor urgently. She tells the party she will fly immediately to pass the message onto Protanther but the Gold Dragon will have the final decision.
<And as the party prepare themselves for their last sea voyage towards the conclusion of this epic tale, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- John (Known as “Ragnar”) Dwarf Male. <Played By Rob>
NPC
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Sunday, 7th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The party begin this session, in the Time Chamber of the Astral Dungeons of the Tower of Xonthal.
- They spend some time discussing as to what to do with the strange cylinder, which Naillae and Varis explain is a cypher codex, requiring the correct word to be dialled into the device to open it. The party try a few guesses until they unlock it using the word “Tiamat.” Contained within the codex is a slip of paper with a clock face with many coloured hands pointing at different numbers. The party try using the information on the paper to manipulate the large hour glasses but after a few failed attempts, the party realise that the hour glasses are slightly damaged and are randomly functioning.
- Trenchant breaks open one of the hour glasses and retrieves two Soul Gems, after he learns from a nearby trapped and very cranky Efreeti that the soul of Iskander is trapped within it, and they will need it if they wish to revive him.
- Wasting no more time, and leaving a screaming Efreeti behind them, the party search another room within the Astral Dungeons before deciding to return to the Xonthal’s Tower via the teleporter.
- In pairs, starting with Sir Krondor and Gim, the party teleport to a cramped set of rooms. Directly ahead of them a pair of Cultists and a Cult Fanatic, apparently in the process of searching the room, stop their search and immediately attack the party.
- The fight is hectic as other Cult forces soon join the battle. The party, entering in pairs, overcome the force of Cultists quickly, a Half-Dragon Cult Orator unable to organise his forces in an effective defence.
- The area has numerous small rooms and small connecting halls, and appears to be used as a living quarters. The Cultists were searching for something small, as they had cut and ripped open bedrolls and other items.
- After searching the area but unable to find anything of value, the party teleport to another location. Arriving in pairs, the party find themselves in a circular bedroom, with a large bed, a writing desk with a broken drawer, shelves and tables of arcane items, and a large metal chest adorned with dragons and with four small clock faces on it.
- The party use the slip of paper found within the codex, to decipher a riddle on the chest and after dialling the correct numbers into the clock faces the chest is opened. Within the chest is the Blue Dragon Mask which the party immediately retrieve and Gim decides to wear.
- The broken desk drawer has an empty velvet recess the size and shape of the codex.
- The room is thoroughly searched before the party again use the teleporter to continue, arriving in pairs to the next room. Painted statues of dragons surround the walls of the circular chamber, and a stone altar in the centre of the area is surrounded by large skeletal limbs and claws of Dragons. The occupants of the room, Cult Fanatics, Dragonborn Mages, and Dragon Knights stop their search of the room and attack the first pair to teleport, Sir Krondor and Gim.
- The fight is fierce, with the first members of the party being engulfed in Cones Of Cold, ice forming on their bodies. The Dragon Knights shift around the room, teleporting about via icy mist obviously immune to the effects of the ice cones that engulf them. Some of the party are attacked when they step too close to the altar to discover that the Dragon bones are animated and capable of striking out.
- Eventually however the battle is won, just as the last members of the party emerge from the teleporter.
- Badly injured and spent, the party have to rest before proceeding and take an hour to rest in the room, far away from the animated Dragon bones.
<And as the party catch their breath, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- “Wheels within Wheels” - Open Codex = 500 XP
- “The Light that shines” - Recover Soul-Stone Iskander = 1000 XP
- Campaign Milestone - Recover Blue Dragon Mask = 5000 XP
Creatures Overcome
> XP Allocated
- Half-dragon Cult Orator = 700 XP
- Cult Fanatics = 3600 XP
- Cultists = 150 XP
- Dragonborn Mages = 4600 XP
- Dragon Knights = 1400 XP
Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)
- Arthur (Known as “Gim”) Dwarf Male. <Played By Bob>
NPC
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Starday, 6th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The party begin this session, in the maze of Xonthal. They attempt to try to locate the hidden Halfling criminals but end up wandering the around the maze lost for hours, the arcane properties of the maze draining Varis of some of his life.
- Deciding that the risk to continue the search is too great, the party instead make their way directly to the tower, now that they know the true path.
- In pairs, the party stand upon the stone dias at the top of the stone stairs, and touch the metal plate to teleport into the tower.
- The party find themselves in a round room, with the appearance of an audience chamber. The body of a female high ranking Cult Officer lays dead on the floor, a trail of blood going to the teleport dias in this chamber.
- The party spend some time discussing what action to take next, as the teleport panel in this chamber has eight different symbols. Trenchant uses his Mirror Of The Past on the dead Cult Officer and sees her in a struggle with another Cult Officer, a male with dark skin. The male overpowers her, taking her own Dragontooth Dagger from her and using it to kill her. The male then rips off a necklace from the dead female, with an hourglass pendant. The male wears a blue half pendant on his person, which the party recognise and surmise that this must be Iskander, the Cult Officer who wishes to defect and bring the Blue Dragon Mask to the alliance.
- Finally the party decide to try one of the teleport symbols, a star, and in pairs they teleport into another round chamber. This one has a large central mounted telescope, and many books on astronomy. In this room are three Red Wizards of They and a High Ranking Cult Mage Officer. Luckily, the first pair into the room, Sir Krondor and Sir Zern surprise one of the Red Wizards and the Cult Officer, and the pair immediately rushes into battle.
- The rest of the party arrive into the room by pairs, and by the time that the final members of the party appear, the battle is already over.
- The room is searched, including a small external balcony that overlooks the maze and the village of Xonthal. Looking through the telescope provides an impossible view of the entire surrounds and skies with no obstructions, during which the outline of a Blue Dragon is seen perched upon the nearby mountain range, keeping watch over the village.
- On the dead Cult Officer Mage, the party recover an Hourglass pendant, like the one they saw in the Mirror’s vision.
- After a discussion, the party decide to use the teleport pad, and Trenchant works out how to use the Hourglass pendant to ensure everyone in the party can use it. Soon, the party find themselves in a strange dungeon. The first room contains a teleport dias and three dead Cultists, two killed by magic and one killed by a Dragontooth dagger.
- Following a trail of blood into another chamber, Sir Krondor and Gim sneak up to a large chamber filled with furniture and various items of unknown function. In this room are five elementals, three Fire Elementals and two Earth Elementals. Without waiting for the rest of the party, using the element of surprise the two Dwarven cousins run in and attack one of the Elementals from the rear. They destroy the creature before the others can react.
- The battle is now joined. The rest of the party make their way either into the chamber to join the fight in hand to hand combat or attack from range via the corridor. The party suffer some damage, but in the end they dispatch all the Elementals.
- On one of the crafting tables in the chamber a quantity of scrolls are recovered, giving protection from Elementals.
- The party ignore an adjacent door, that Sir Krondor can hear wind coming from, and instead claim up a long ascending stone stair case. They find themselves in a bizarre and unexpected sight. The stone floor of a t-junction is visible ahead of them, with self standing doors and archway, but there is no ceiling of walls or anything visible under the floor. The t-junction is floating in an infinite sea of stars all around the party, comets can be seen moving through the stars.
- Carefully the party move forward and approach the closest self standing door. When they open it they can see through the door frame into a room but the room is not visible from around the door, even though it should be.
- The party go through the open doorway to step into a circular study of some sort. Shelves of books and scrolls go from the floor all the way to the twenty foot tall ceiling. An ornate wooden table holds a map, that appears to show the Elemental Plane of Fire, with scribbled notes about the City Of Brass.
- Two hidden levers, disguised as books, are discovered that open two secret doors set ten feet above the ground. Using a ladder in the room, Ragnar searches one room to locate a smaller study where he recovers some scrolls. The other secret room is then entered by the whole party where a strange and foreboding large crystal hangs in the room, flames can be seen contained within it and a warmth comes from it. An ornate metal rod is in front of it, set into the floor.
- Near the crystal are some metal hooks set into the wall and a strange silver cloak made of thick and reflective material, inscribed with arcane runes, hangs from one of the hooks.
- The party decide to take a long rest here and shut the door to the outside floating astral corridor. Surprisingly, the party are not disturbed and manage to get a descent sleep in.
- Sunday, 7th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The party awake and Trenchant decides to put a theory he has to the test. He removes his armour and puts on the thick, tight fitting silver cloak, pulling the hood over his head. He goes back to the strange warm crystal and attempts to enter it with no success. Then he uses the ornate rod but can not seem to work out how to use it.
- Varis instead tries to use the rod, whilst Labarett and Naillae watch on. Varis succeeds in locking the rod into position and instantly the upper secret room is filled with raging fire coming from the crystal portal.
- Varis, Naillae and Labarett are forced to run and dive out of the fire, still getting badly burnt, as Trenchant, protected by the arcane cloak, enters into the portal. He sees a land filled with fire and far away he can see a large sparkling city, the City Of Brass. The heat is over powering and even with the cloak hit hurts.
- Not knowing or trusting the cloak to keep him alive, and not wishing to go alone, Trenchant goes back through the portal and deactivates the rod, closing the portal.
- The party then proceed along the floating t-junction, stars and comets around them. They decide to ignore a chamber they can see through an open archway, and instead make their way to a set of double doors.
- They open it to reveal an odd shaped room, with two strange and massive hourglasses that hang from the ceiling. The dead body of a dark skin Cult Officer, lays here. From the Mirror’s vision, they recognise it to be Iskander, the party are too late. Clasped in his dead hands is the Dragontooth Dagger Iskander stole. They find on his person the other half of the pendant he sent the alliance, and also another hourglass pendant, also stolen. A strange cylinder is found near Iskander, with many cogs circling it, each cog with all the letters of the common script. There is no Blue Dragon Mask on his person.
<And as the party decide what to do now, now that their contact and defector is found dead, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- Milestone - Enter Xonthal Tower = 500 XP
- Milestone - Obtain Hourglass Key = 500 XP
- Milestone - Locate Iskander = 500 XP
- Campaign Milestone - Return Iskander to Council = FAIL
Creatures Overcome
> XP Allocated
- Red Wizards of Thay = 6900 XP
- Cult Officer Mage = 2300 XP
- Earth Elementals = 3600 XP
- Fire Elementals = 5400 XP
Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)
- John (Known as “Ragnar”) Dwarf Male. <Played By Bob>
NPC
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Fireday, 5th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- The party begin this session, in Xonthal village. They spend the night in the pub, sleeping and letting Labarett regain his strength.
- Starday, 6th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Early Autumn.
- Awaking in the morning, the party enter the arcane maze of Xonthal. Using the information and poem about the maze, obtained from the school teacher Frone in the village, the party successfully navigate the maze until they are standing before Xonthal’s Tower.
- Deciding to go back and try finding the missing key and Halflings, the party use a teleport pad to go back to the start of the maze, and this time purposely get lost.
- The party come across a series of unusual and odd areas within the maze. Some of these locations required lateral thinking and puzzle solving, some required brute strength and a test of combat against strange and weird creatures.
- The party successfully dealt with five of these locations, retrieving a different gem from each, and were able to find the missing key, though having done so has taken over half the day. The party are confident that there are still other areas within the maze, yet to be discovered, and perhaps the Halflings hide there.
<And as the sun reaches mid afternoon, with the party having to decide to either head to the Tower or continue getting lost to search for the hiding Halflings, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- “Clever Mouse” - Exit Maze Without Becoming Exhausted = 1500 XP
- “Finders Keepers” - Recover Missing Key = 1500 XP
- Arthur (Known as “Gim”) Dwarf Male. <Played by Bob>
- Travis (Known as “Trenchant”) Human Male. <Played by Paul>
NPC
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Oathday, 4th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Late Summer.
- The party begin this session, mid morning, in the village of Tealeaf. The party make some more visits around the village and speak to Sheriff Kella, obtaining an arrest warrant for two Halfling criminals believed to be in Xonthal.
- Now ready to leave, the party depart Tealeaf, expecting to arrive in Xonthal just after midday tomorrow.
- The rest of the day goes peacefully, with no traffic on the road from either direction. Just before night sets in, with half an hour left of light, the party pull off the road finding a small clearing in the thick woods, with enough room to hold camp.
- Varis uses his Ranger skills, and detects two humanoids within half a mile of the party, southwards. Believing this might be the wanted Halfling criminals, most of the party set off in three close search groups, leaving Naillae and the stable lad behind to guard the camp, wagons and ponies.
- The party search the woods until they eventually see the light of a small and well concealed campfire, giving off almost no smoke.
- Varis, Shadow, Trenchant, and Bucky sneak forward, through the dark and ancient woods, until they see a large clearing in the trees where two tents and a campfire burns. A male human in his late forties, in well maintained travelling clothes of a fine cut, sits on a large log. The male has long well kept hair and a trimmed beard, both of which are just starting to turn grey.
- As this is obviously is not a Halfling, Trenchant guesses this might be instead the two mysterious important visitors that Sergeant Tarwan was expecting in Tealeaf. Trenchant boldly walks towards the clearing, and sets off a wire alarm trap, that rings a small metal bell. The male stranger instantly stands up, with a speed that is almost impossible to discern, but very quickly turns from caution to a friendly demeanour, when seeing Trenchant’s face, almost as if in recognition.
- The stranger speaks, in a fine and cultured manner, “Well, you don’t look like a bandit, or a robber or a deserter. Come my friend, share my fire for brief time, whilst we share news of the roads around us. It would be good to know what lays ahead of my journey.”
- The stranger sits and smiles knowingly, “If you have any other companions, they may join us too. You are safe here my friends.”
- The party all come forward and learn that this man is called Corb. He is guarding another person, currently sleeping in one of the tents. Corb won’t reveal who he serves and will only say they have come from Fanur on business, and are headed to Tealeaf. Corb tells the party that they had planned to stop at Xonthal the previous night for supplies and a bed, but when approaching the town at night, they saw a group of hooded figures sneaking through the trees around Xonthal and then headed into the nearby hedge maze. Corb saw under the robe of one figure the purple armour of a Dragon Cultist, so they decided to go around the village and avoid it.
- The party talk and relax with Corb for some time, talking about the current state of affairs, though Corb is careful not to reveal much information about himself of the one he serves.
- Suddenly, the air grows cold, and the sounds of the forest around them cease. A Blackness so complete, to be devoid of all light now surrounds the area. The only sounds to be heard are of large wings flapping and multiple landings of something upon the ground from all around the party from the Blackness. I shrill voice, loud and piecing echoes around the clearing, the source of the voice unsure: “My faith is my armour. My sword cuts down the unfaithful. By the will of Tiamat, I serve."
- Corb jumps up into a combat stance with a speed beyond normal, and turns towards Sir Krondor, “If you have any chance of leaving, leave now! These foul beasts, creatures of darkness beyond your reckoning, are here for me and the one I ward. This is not your fight.”
- Sir Krondor draws out his battle axe, “We have some experience with the likes of these. We fight together.”
- Corb nods and smiles, “Then raise up thy weapon Sir Krondor of Fanur, and we shall smite these foes together!”
- The battle starts with Ragnar casting an empowered Dispel Magic spell to try and remove the Blackness around them, but he is only partially successfully, moving the Blackness back somewhat and revealing some figures hidden in the woods. A group of Dragonborn Cult Officers charge the party whilst an Undead Skeletal Dragon, fresh blue scales and skin hanging off it, approaches the clearing. The dragon aims its head at the other tent with the still sleeping figure in it and opens it jaws, electricity beginning to form for its breath attack.
- Corb points his hand at the dragon and yells, “By Bahamut’s will, hold your breath!”
- The dragon begins to cough and sputter, the electricity sparking away.
- From the Blackness the shrill voice screams, “Fool creature! I ordered you to hold your breath until the Knight was captured, now you are rendered without breath for this whole battle!”
- The party begin engaging the Dragonborn Officers, but take heavy injuries as each Officer breaths fire, poison or cold at the party as they approach.
- Corb begins to speak out in a loud voice, “My faith is my armour.” Yellow light and mist starts to swirl around the man, condensing into shinning plate armour, complete with gauntlets and helmet. The royal colours of Tyriba, blue and white, are draped over the armour.
- Corb continues, “My shield protects the weak.” The yellow light and mist begins to form into a large shield strapped to the left arm of the man, the crest of the royal family of Tyriba and the Wardens visible upon it.
- Corb speaks again, “My sword cuts down the tainted.” The yellow lights stretches out from his right hand, forming into a long golden sword.
- Corb speaks one final time, “By the will of Pelor, I serve.” There is a bright flash of radiant light that surrounds the Knight, as a Shield Of Faith spell now protects him.
- Standing before the party is a Knight Warden, sworn personal protectors of the Royal Family of Tyriba.
- Sir Krondor looks on at the Warden in awe, remembering the last time he, Trenchant, Labarett and Gim saw a Warden, long ago in Lington.
- The Warden shouts, “Save the Prince within the tent!”
- The party now rally to the Warden’s cry, as the Dragon Officers continue their fight. Labarett has taken on the Undead Skeletal Dragon, one on one, forcing it to fight him rather than attack the tent and the Prince within.
- From the edges of the Blackness three Dragonsoul Enforcers and a Champion of Tiamat appear. The Champion speaks in a shrill voice, “Kill the one with the sacred blood of Pelor and leave the Knight to me!”
- The Dragonsouls jump up into the air, their wings extending out, and fly over to the tent. One of the Dragonsouls slashes and cuts down the tent, exposing a young male with fair hair in his early twenties, pulling on clothes and a sword belt. The young Prince looks about him with concern, but no fear shows, only resolve.
- Before the party can react the other two Dragonsouls slash their wicked blades at the Prince, wounding him badly and dropping him to one knee as the badly wounded Prince draws his sword. Ragnar leaps over, his shield extended to ward the Prince, and pulls the Prince behind him, and next to the Warden.
- The Warden places one hand on the Prince and a healing light surrounds him, healing all his wounds. The Warden shouts out, “Guard the Prince! I’ll stop the Champion!” With a speed almost beyond perception, the Warden streaks across the clearing as a yellow light, directly towards the Champion, golden wings appearing behind the Warden.
- The Warden and Champion are now locked in battle, both now floating off the ground a few feet. The Warden has transformed into golden armour, and his shield now shows the symbol of Pelor and Bahamut.
- The air around the pair appears to be bending, as if light itself where being forced away. The air swirls and pushes away from the battle, knocking over trees and sending Bucky hurtling across the clearing. The Champion has also transformed into a demon of darkness and hatred, red glowing eyes, and large black wings extending from its back.
- Trenchant looks at the spectacle and then the Bard suddenly realises who the Wardens are, “By the gods! The lost Knights Of The Radiant Breath!”
- The Champion of Tiamat, its true form now revealed speaks, “Why do you fight me brother? Why listen to the lies of Pelor and Bahamut still. You shall join with the Dragon Queen and become great!”
- The Knight speaks, “I will never serve her!”
- The Champion laughs, “You will have no choice brother, as had I.”
- The pair now move about in a tight circle, weapons flashing, so fast that it is impossible to distinguish where each combatant is, instead flashing lines of light forming random patterns in the air is all that can be seen.
- Sir Krondor yells as he kicks aside one of the Dragonborn Officers, now dead, “Do we help the Knight!”
- Trenchant shouts back, “I don’t think we can, that is beyond us. Protect the Prince!”
- The party now rally around the Prince, killing Dragonborn Officers and Dragonsouls, one by one. The Prince is wounded again but the party keep dragging him away and healing him, until at last, all the foes, including the Undead Skeletal Dragon are dispatched.
- The party cover their eyes, as a bright flash of light and power, erupts from the across the clearing. As they watch, the glare fading away, the Knight Of The Radiant Breath floats slowly down to the ground, as the last dark wisps of the remains of the destroyed Champion blow away.
- Sir Krondor, smiling, moves towards the Knight, “That was amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it!”
- The Knight looks at Sir Krondor with sadness plainly visible on his face, “And nor should you have seen these things good sir. I am sorry, you and your group seem good people but I must do what must be done. I must protect the secret.”
- As the Knight moves forward, his weapon and shield held in a combat pose, the party move backwards, trying to convince the Knight to stop. The Knight solemnly walks forward, and raises his weapon ready to strike, “Forgive me Pelor.”
- A faltering voice rings out from the rear of the party, as the Prince tries to catch his breath, “Enough Sir Corbett! Enough. There has been enough killing tonight, and for the last two millennia. The time of the Ritual is nearly at hand, and Galvan The Blue has already uncovered the Orders secret. These people have proven their worth already and if not for their help two years ago in Edamor, uncovering the plot of the Red Wizards under Galvan's order, to capture Knights of our Order, then we would be lost already. I remember Trenchant, Sir Krondor and Labarett here being responsible for that. Some of them even carry the title of Honorary Warden, bestowed by Sir Castellan of Anwich, under a Field Promotion. Is that not right?"
- Sir Krondor, Trenchant, Labarett and Gim all nod.
- The Prince continues, “Let us introduce ourselves, and then it is time to speak of great and ancient things, but the things you learn tonight must not be shared with the anyone, not even with the Council as there are eyes and hears everywhere that we do not trust."
- Labarett replies, “We can do that my lord.”
- The Prince nods, “Then let me introduce myself.”
- Sir Corbett moves over to bow down before the Prince, head bowed, and the Prince continues, “I am Prince Blanver, eldest son of King Erotill Alderd the second, and heir to throne of the Kingdom Of Tyriba. My family carries the sacred blood of Pelor, and my family are the defenders of the Order Of The Radiant Breath. This is a long tale, perhaps we should sit."
- The Prince and the party sit around the fire whilst Sir Corbett stands behind him at attention.
- Prince Blanver begins, “Four thousand years ago the Cult Of Dragon Queen devised a complex and difficult ritual that would allow them to bring Tiamat forth from her prison in the Nine Hells to this world, to be ruled by her. The forces of the rest of the World eventually rose up against the Cult and a long war began, lasting nineteen years, known now as the First Dragon War. But the Cult was winning the War and something had to be done.”
- “The first Knights Of The Radiant Breath were created, with direct assistance of the greatest Wizards of Lore at that time, the power of the Metallic Dragons, and the power and divine intervention of both Pelor, he of the eternal light and hope, and Bahamut, God of all metallic Dragons and honourable brother to the treacherous Goddess Tiamat.”
- “Knights Of Pelor were chosen for this great honour and responsibility, and two thousand were given that power to become Knights Of The Radiant Breath, and given god like powers. It was through the might of the Knights of The Radiant Breath that the first Dragon War was won. The power of the Knights, through their bonded artefacts was tremendous and to ensure they never feel into the wrong hands, one High Priest of Pelor was chosen, the first of the sacred blood, that tied the oaths together. When ever a Knight would grow old he or she would pass on their bonded artefacts to a new squire under the authority of one of the sacred blood, to swear a new and worthy follower of Pelor, to become a new Knight Of The Radiant Breath. But if a Knight ever fell in combat or mishap or even old age, before they passed on their bonded artefacts, the artefacts would vanish to re-appear at the current eldest member of the sacred blood line of Pelor.”
- “Two thousand years ago, the Cult Of Dragon Queen arose again and with it came the Second Dragon Wars. This time the Cult was better prepared, and with the help of two powerful Elvish Wizards, the Dragon Masks and Draakhorn were forged in the Spell Forge of the Well Of Echoes. With these items, the ritual was much easier to accomplish and the forces of the Cult could gather more readably. The fight was much harder this time, and many lives were lost. For fourteen years the war raged on, and eventually, again only with the assistance of the Knights Of The Radiant Breath, was the war finally won. The Grey Hills where the Well Of Echoes was located was destroyed in the last battle, the location of the Spell Forge lost forever, that is, until it was located again by one within your group last year. Gim is it? Yes, well perhaps you can tell us the tale of what happened when you found the Well Of Echoes?”
- Gim takes the opportunity to talk of his great deed, a story the rest of the party have heard him tell many times. He recites a tale about how he, Balasar, Korvin, Valder, and Nac set off from Phandelver and after many quests and the great obstacles, eventually found the lost Well Of Echoes. When he finally finishes the telling, Gim smiles with pride at what he and the others, some now missing in unknown lands or dead, accomplished.
- Prince Blanver continues, “Thankyou for that retelling Gim. But just because they had lost the Second Dragon War, the Cult and the Red Wizards were not finished. They had finally found a way to not only neutralise the power of the Knights Of The Radiant Breath but to turn that power to the service of the Dragon Queen. The Red Wizards had devised a devious ritual that would force a Knight to be transformed into a Champion Of Tiamat. Soon, members of the Order began to vanish, secretly abducted by the Cult and were transformed. We did not know what was happening at first, and once we realised already nine of our order had been perverted. When the Knights learnt of this outrage, they rose up and the entire Order hunted down and killed those nine Champions. But the Order knew, that they could not protect themselves and be ever vigilant against the Cult abducting them one by one, over a two thousand year period. Eventually, given that time, the Knights would fall one by one to serve the Dragon Queen.”
- “There was only one solution, to vanish from sight. To remove the Knights from all existence and knowledge. At the end of the last Dragon Wars the World was in chaos, kingdoms destroyed and people displaced. It was relatively easy for the Knights to transform their appearance and name, and become the personal Knights of a new leader who dubbed himself the First Emperor Vhurka Alderd, and brought together six of the largest remaining Kingdoms under one Empire Of Arestow. That first Emperor was in truth, the oldest member of the sacred blood line of Pelor at that time, who now swore to protect the secret of the Order. The Empire Of Arestow eventually become the Kingdom of Tyriba, but the ruling family of Alderd, and the sacred blood line of Pelor, has never faulted in rule. The personal Knights of the ruling family eventually became known as Wardens Of Tyriba. Any history book that mentioned the Knights were hunted down and destroyed. A false history book, Tyriba An Official and Complete History, that emitted the existence of the Knights was created en mass by my family generations ago and distributed around all the lands. I was most concerned to learn that your group was asking after the Knights, and more still when I learned you had possession of that dam book Dragons Of The Council! Instead of completely destroying that particular book, the Knight sent long ago to deal with it was a book lover and only cut out the one page from it that had referenced the Knights. Before we could fix that mistake, the book ended up in the secured section of the Lington Royal Library, and thus out of our reach.”
- “Tell me, did you piece together the clues from the two books, did you discover our secret from that?”
- The party look around at each other sheepishly and Trenchant replies, “We were still piecing that together my lord.”
- Prince Blanver smiles and presses on with a nod, “But the Order has never forgotten its oaths to stop Tiamat from entering this world. For two thousand years they have waited, the time is nearly at hand, when once again the Knights will come forward and help fight the final battle."
- “My father, King Erotill Alderd the second, King Of Tyriba, is currently the eldest member of the sacred blood of Pelor. When he passes, that burden and responsibility shall pass onto me."
- “What say you? Can you swear to keep this secret? For now only Galvan The Blue knows of our secret, and he wishes to use this to his advantage against the other sections of the Cult, hoping to convert the Knights himself and thus elevating himself to supreme ruler of the entire Cult. If the rest of the Cult knew this, our Order would be under direct attack by the entire Cult now as they all scramble to obtain Champions, but thanks to the greed of Galvan, there is still hope in keeping this secret a little while longer."
- The party look around at each other and quickly nod, each swearing to keep the secret. Labarett whispers under his breath and nods towards Sir Corbett, “It’s not like we have much choice, with that killing machine over there.”
- The party are invited to stay for the night but they wish to return to Naillae and their camp. They walk back to their camp, wagons and ponies. Naillae looks up with relief, “I was beginning to wonder if I was going to need to come find you. How did it go? Find anything?”
- The party look around at each other, and finally Trenchant speaks, “No nothing at all. We just got lost coming back.”
- Naillae runs an affectionate hand through Trenchant’s hair, “I knew you would get lost, hopeless!” but she leans in and kisses the Bard warmly, grateful for his safe return.
- The rest of the time goes uneventfully.
- Fireday, 5th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Late Summer.
- The party awake refreshed and ready. They set off down the road and just after midday, they see the trails of smoke just ahead that indicate that the village of Xonthal must just be around the next bend.
- Trenchant, using his Cloak and Boots of Elvenkind, sneaks forward to see what the situation is in the village. To his surprise he sees a normal Halfling village, men and women going about their business, and children running about and playing. He sees the large magic hedge maze beyond the village, taking up a vast area, with a tall stone tower at its center. Trenchant returns and tells the party what he saw, that there is no sign of any Cult forces or occupation.
- Trenchant disguises all the party to look like Dwarves, as Xonthal is on the border with the Dwarf Kingdom of Fanur, and the party enter the village. They receive friendly waves and nods. Confused as to what is happening and where is the Cult force, the party speak to some locals to discover that the villagers were warned of the oncoming Cult force by some Halfling children playing in the woods, and that gave time enough to all the villagers to hide in their basements before the force came. For two days they hid. When they finally returned to the outside, they discovered that all the Cult forces were gone, with some damage done to some of the buildings and some items stolen. The villagers believed the Cult must have moved onto Tealeaf, which the party know is incorrect but they do not disclose this.
- The party all look towards the magic hedge maze near the village, sure they know where the Cult forces have actually gone, much closer than the locals think.
- They also learn that the wanted Halfling criminals were indeed in town, staying at the local inn, but something must have spoked the criminals just as the party arrived in town, as the party saw them running into the magic maze, too far away to catch them in time.
- The party speak to some of the locals: Frone Silentdew a teacher who gives the party some information and a cryptic poem about the maze; Dhurdrill Steelbraid the blacksmith who has a mysterious metal chest stuck in his smithy that the party can have the contents of if they happen to find the missing key within the maze; and Breebi Cleric of Urogalan, seller of scrolls and other valuable items.
- Labarett becomes badly exhausted when he attempts to use magic to levitate over the hedge maze, as he is teleported back outside of it. The party soon realise that they will need to navigate the magic maze by walking through it, as nothing short of a Wish spell will bypass the magic defences the maze has.
<And as the afternoon draws late, the prospect of the entering a dimensional breaking magic maze now looming before the party, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- “The Sacred Blood Of Pelor” - Protect Prince Blanver = 5000 XP
- “Justice Will Be Served” - Accept Quest From Sheriff Kella = 500 XP
- “Lost Heritage” - Accept Quest From Dhurdrill Steelbraid = 500 XP
Creatures Overcome
> XP Allocated (Note: Naillae not present for battle & does not count towards XP)
- Undead Skeletal Dragon = 1100 XP
- Dragonborn Cult Officers = 4400 XP
- Cult Dragonsoul Enforcers = 8700 XP
- Champion Of Tiamat = 3900 XP
Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)
- John (Known as “Ragnar”) Dwarf Male. <Played by Bob>
- Rob (Known as “Varis”) Elf Male. <Played by Paul>
NPC
- (Known as “Naillae”) Elf Female. <Controlled by Travis>
Summary
- Moonday, 8th Sarenith in the year 815 (Second Era). Late Summer.
- The party begin this session, still underground the captured city of Phlan.
- Captain Greycastle shows the party the secret exit to the Valhingen Graveyards and then goes back to retrieve the refugees to get ready for their evacuation, hoping the party can make a clear way ahead before Vorgansharax destroys the city.
- The party enter one of the secret doors and follow a long passageway that goes under the river to eventually exit out via a set of stone steps into the Valhingen Graveyard; the muddy footsteps of the Black Knight visible the whole way. Exiting to the outside and sneaking through the Graveyard, the party ignore the set of muddy footprints left by the Black Knight and instead proceed towards a pair of metal gates in the tall metal fence that the party will need to breach for the refugees to escape.
- As they are sneaking through the silent graveyard, a creature appears from an open mausoleum. Its grey skin barely conceals bones as an ancient faded robe drapes over it. The red intelligent eyes lock onto the party with malice, “More intruders I shall have to deal with.”
- Before the Crypt Thing can do more, Ragnar raises his holy symbol of Truesilver and commands the undead creature back. Rays of light shine forth from the symbol and the Crypt Thing is forced back.
- The party push their advantage against the now cowering Crypt Thing but their situation becomes dire when hordes of undead Cursed Skeletons start running towards them from two entrances on a nearby Funeral Building.
- The party are forcing their way their through to one of the closed fence gates but the appearance of a group of Mummies from a cluster of small mausoleums throw the party’s plans into chaos. The gaze of Mummies is strong and eventually Varis is paralysed by Mummy Fear.
- The Crypt Thing, unable to overcome the power of Ragnar’s Turning is brought down and dispatched by the party.
- The Skeleton horde does not relent and the party are becoming desperate for what to do. Sir Krondor yells at Sir Zern to follow him and protect his back, whilst the Dwarf Knight runs towards a pair of Crypt Buildings that the muddy footprints of the Black Knight lead to.
- Trenchant yells at the Knight to come back and hold the line, but Sir Krondor is intent on getting to those buildings and finding out why the Black Knight went there. He knocks aside a pair of Skeletons in his way, as Sir Zern batters away a Skeleton coming from the side.
- The party are in peril. Varis is unable to move, paralysed with fear. Gim is wounded badly and fighting single handedly against a group of Skeletons and Mummies intent on bringing him down. Trenchant is firing arrows into the Horde from afar, perched a top one of the mausoleums. Ragnar is firing spells and cleaving with his Sun Blade whilst he calls down upon his God for assistance, turning some of the Mummies away. Naillae is sneaking into the battle, ducking in and out of buildings, trying to pick off foes one by one. Labarett is slowly striking down enemies but his longsword “Anarchic” is unable to deliver its full potential, the undead foes resisting the necrotic damage.
- Sir Krondor and Sir Zern leave the sounds of the frantic battle behind them as they enter into one Crypt Buildings trying to figure out how to block off the entrances the Skeletons are using. Sir Zern looks inside an open coffin, where the muddy footprints lead up to, and sees a glowing Pendant of Sarenrae, Goddess of The Eternal Light and the Healing Flame. The Half-Orc Knight picks up the pendant and a voice like clear crystal fills his head, “Strike forth my champion, bring forth the light!”
- This must have been what the Black Knight used to get through the Graveyard.
- Sir Zern places the pendant around his neck and then moves over to an adjacent room with a similar but closed coffin and begins to open it. After Sir Krondor fails to close a metal portcullis with a rusty and broken lever, the Dwarf Knight runs and leaps up to the portcullis and forces it downward with a slam as a group of Skeletons runs towards the now closed gate, bony fingers clawing at the metal bars. One of the ways for the Skeletal Horde is now closed.
- Sir Zern shouts to Sir Krondor, “My Banner Lord, catch, I found another pendant!”
- Sir Krondor grabs hold of the pendant of Sarenrae in the air and also hears the same voice, “Strike forth my champion, bring forth the light!”
- The two Knights start running back towards the party, now each glowing with a radiant light. The undead all shy away from the pair, unable to stand the light. The Knights begin carving down foes with ease. Sir Krondor yells out, “Someone needs to close the other door or else all is lost!”
- As Gim begins to falter, surrounded by a mass of Undead, he yells out to Naillae, “Get to the other door now!”
- Naillae bolts out from her hiding spot, tumbles past a pair of Skeletons and dives into the entrance of the front of the other Crypt Building. She looks at an inner open archway and can hear Skeletons running her way. She pulls the lever next to the archway but it breaks off. She can see the Skeletons now, running towards her. She pulls out her Thieves tools with deft and skilled hands, and begins to pry and cut behind the lever, manipulating the mechanism. Just before the Skeletons reach her, with a click, she activates the portcullis on this archway and it falls down hard with a loud bang.
- Both entries are now closed and no further Skeletons can arrive. With no further undead reinforcements coming, and the two Knights now wielding glowing weapons blessed by Sarenrae, the battle is finally won.
- The party see the city behind them begin to collapse as the magic thicket around it starts to crush it. Vorgansharax is flying above the city in circles howling in anger. The Black Knight must have succeeded in killing her two foes. Captain Greycastle runs out from the stone stairs, a mass of scared people behind her, shouting “We need to get these people out now!”
- Naillae runs up to one of the external fence gates and prepares to pick a rusty lock, when Sir Krondor walks past her and strikes the padlock with his climbing hook, smashing it apart. The gate swings open as the refugees of Phlan begin to run out to the open grasslands outside of the city.
- The magic thicket is ripping buildings apart and the weight of the rubble is starting to collapse down into some areas underneath the city.
- Eventually Vorgansharax turns and flies to the west, and as the Dragon does so, the thicket dissolves into dust. Phlan is badly damaged, most of the buildings are destroyed, except for the larger ones that are somewhat in tact.
- The two thousand refugees are glad to have survived and plan to restart and rebuild Phlan, as has happened before. The people of Phlan are a resilient and capable lot, and used to tragedy.
- The party leave with Madame Freona, Captain Greycastle and the Lord Sage and three days later arrive at the Frostskimmr where it is anchored further south down the coast.
- After reuniting with the relived crew, Captain Lerustah orders the ship to set sail back to Crescent Moon.
- The six day voyage is uneventful except for Madame Freona taking over the ship’s galley. She now insists on cooking all the meals for the heroes that saved her and she joins the ship’s crew. After eating her meals, no one complains.
- Wealday, 17th Sarenith in the year 815 (Second Era). Late Summer.
- The party arrive back at Crescent Moon, unloading the Lord Sage and Captain Greycastle. Not wishing to waste any time, the party head directly to the Royal Palace and speak to one of the Council members, Marshall Ulder Ravengard, of the Halfling Golden Regiment Army of Singbury.
- The Marshall advises the party a force of about one hundred Cultists comprising Enforcers, Red Wizards and mercenaries, was spotted headed towards the Halfling village of Xonthal nearly two months ago. The Marshall was organising sending his soldiers to liberate the village, until a letter was received that changed things. The message is written by someone called Iskander and claims that he is with the Cult but has now had a change of heart. A group of Cultists and Wizards has the Blue Dragon Mask and is examining it at Xonthal’s Tower, an ancient Wizard’s tower hidden and protected by an arcane hedge maze near the village of Xonthal. Iskander claims he wants to defect and give the mask over to the Alliance. Along with the letter was a half pendant, that Iskander stated the party would know it is him, as he holds the other half. The Marshall believes an incursion by a small well skilled force, such as the party, will have the best chance of obtaining the Mask before the Cult can fly it away.
- The party speak to another Council member, the Archmage Tallous, to learn what they can about Xonthal Tower and the hedge maze. The Wizard Xonthal has not been seen for many centuries and no one knows what happened to him. He was researching and exploring conjuration and elemental evocation, so he had many elementals and genies around for company. The arcane hedge maze is very powerful, designed to keep people away from Xonthal’s Tower.
- The party immediately leave Crescent Moon, transported as passengers on the Wyverns of the Royal Scouts of Crescent Moon, lead by Captain Zahes who saved the party after they crashed Skyreach Castle into the ground. The start their eight day flight towards the Hafling Kingdom of Sinbury and the village of Tealeaf, the nearest settlement to Xonthal.
- Oathday, 4th Erastus in the year 815 (Second Era). Late Summer.
- The party arrive at the heavily defended Halfling village of Tealeaf. With a population of around a thousand, and with a Golden Regiment Military Post here of around two hundred soldiers, the village has many services.
- Captain Ricric Longbarrel, the Officer In Charge that the party were advised to contact, is not here but out on remote inspections of the forward boundary Watch Towers in the region and is not due back for five or six days. When the party complain about his absence they are reminded that the message was sent to the Council two months ago.
- Instead the party speak to Sergeant Tarwan, the Second In Charge. Whilst speaking to him, the party notice the Halfling soldiers on the defence walls and towers watching intently with spy glasses towards the north east. Sergeant Tarwan will not reveal what they are looking for, except two important people they have been requested to assist in anyway with their travels. When the Sergeant won’t speak further of the matter, as he insists it has nothing to do with the party’s current mission, Trenchant uses a Detect Thoughts spell to read the Sergeant’s mind, to learn that he does not know who these two people are either, as he is only following the orders given to him by the Captain, to pay very high respect to two well dressed Human strangers, and give them any assistance with gear or transport to help them on their way to the Halfling Capital.
- The party also speak to the local Cleric, Samia Lightwater Cleric of Yondalla, and purchase some magic scrolls from her.
- Gim drinks in the local, the Wayfarer’s Inn, and learns some information from the female Halfling Innkeeper, Paeni Havenbluff. She overheard the Captain say something about two special people will be coming through Tealeaf, royalty or something.
- The party commission some riding ponies and small carts, and a young Halfling stable boy, Esme, to look after feeding and caring for the ponies.
<And as the party prepare their gear and themselves for the two day journey to Xonthal village, unsure of what dire fate has befallen the people of Xonthal, that is the end of the session.>
XP Allocation
Group - Combined (This is equally divided by the number of players who were involved)
Quests (Only quests that are completed or rendered undoable, during this session, are shown here)
- “From The Ashes” - Free The Refugees Of Phlan = 5000 XP
- Quest Milestone - Commence Quest Capture The Blue Dragon Mask = 500 XP
Creatures Overcome
> XP Allocated (Note: Sir Zern now as a Follower does not count towards XP)
- Crypt Thing = 700 XP
- Mummies = 4200 XP
- Cursed Skeletons = 3400 XP
Individual (This is only given to that person and is not divided amongst all players)
titsay
yousharknotpass
janainaart
romaincrisis
areudirty