To the brave and noble paladins that have destroyed parts of my keep I, Nathaniel, presently of this mangy group of privateers do send greetings.
First I wanted to express my sincere thanks to you for your defeat of the aboleth. Keeping my plans from it had turned into quite a pain, and finding ways to manipulate my controlled lieutenants without letting on what was happening was getting increasingly complex.
I hope you forgive me my mild deception earlier. If I had let on that I actually knew of the aboleth's presence it would have foiled years of effort should you have failed in your endeavor. As it now stands, it will still take me years to recover from this setback, but at least now I don't have to hide my movements from something living a few hundred feet beneath my feet.
That having all been said, let us dispense with further pleasantries and get on to business. If you found this letter it means that you are bent on destroying my organization and have come after me specifically.
Suffice it to say, I must discourage you in this as it would cause me great inconvenience if you were to cause further damage to my facilities. The loss of our portal and our means of getting another one temporarily means that if we take sufficient damage we must turn our attention to the Land of the Five Rivers to restock our supplies and build our strength. I would prefer that we could avoid that eventuality given how close we are to their shores, but if we are sufficiently crippled then I am afraid to say we won't have a choice but to take what we can get while we reattain the capacity to go farther afield. I am sure you understand.
If you persist, I should warn you that you will die. Not even, I will note, by the hands of my crew. There are still perils in this keep that you have yet to unlock. Suffice it to say: This place was built thousands of years before my time for a purpose, and ultimately some seals are better left closed.
Yet I realize you are mostly Paladins. Thoughts of death do not scare you. So I offer you this carrot as well: I am leaving the island for a sort of business trip. If, when I return, I find that you have left without attempting further devastation, I will ensure that the last piece of a certain artifact ends up in your hands.
I look forward to returning to my keep to find it in a better state than when I left it. Thank you for your considerations in this matter, and I hope we can do business again in the future.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Journal of Arcadius
Aboleth Island
Having borrowed the mysterious magical underwater writing implements some of the others are using, I can at last jot down a few notes. Time is short, however.
We have successfully located and defeated the Aboleth Telepath.
We dealt with the apparent leader of the pirates, and I tried to negotiate with him in good faith, but it served no purpose, as he either was mind controlled or is in voluntary league with the Aboleth. Ragnarr, wisely, if abruptly, brought an end to the negotiations.
We explored, fought foes, and ended up trapped for some time in an underwater grotto. To our advantage, as it turned out, giving us time to rest and recover.
We faced the Aboleth and its remaining minions deep underwater. It was a fierce and very hard-fought battle, but at last we triumphed, and the thing is slain.
Now, we've decided to deal with the pirates, who are clearly a very great and evil threat in their own right. Ragnarr agrees with me, but for some reason Crunch thinks the Pirates should be helped and strengthened, in hopes they might decide to fight the Aboleth. I see no wisdom, or even logic, in this... but it matters not as the others have come round, and we are preparing to attack.
I commend my soul to Lord Pelor, may he guide me and give me strength.
*A*
Having borrowed the mysterious magical underwater writing implements some of the others are using, I can at last jot down a few notes. Time is short, however.
We have successfully located and defeated the Aboleth Telepath.
We dealt with the apparent leader of the pirates, and I tried to negotiate with him in good faith, but it served no purpose, as he either was mind controlled or is in voluntary league with the Aboleth. Ragnarr, wisely, if abruptly, brought an end to the negotiations.
We explored, fought foes, and ended up trapped for some time in an underwater grotto. To our advantage, as it turned out, giving us time to rest and recover.
We faced the Aboleth and its remaining minions deep underwater. It was a fierce and very hard-fought battle, but at last we triumphed, and the thing is slain.
Now, we've decided to deal with the pirates, who are clearly a very great and evil threat in their own right. Ragnarr agrees with me, but for some reason Crunch thinks the Pirates should be helped and strengthened, in hopes they might decide to fight the Aboleth. I see no wisdom, or even logic, in this... but it matters not as the others have come round, and we are preparing to attack.
I commend my soul to Lord Pelor, may he guide me and give me strength.
*A*
Arcadius and the Shadow Dragon
PART V - A MISSION AGAINST THE EVIL ONES
I arrived in a dark place of cold damp stone. At first it seemed pitch black, but I hesitated to call forth the light of Pelor, knowing nothing could make my presence more obvious. However, once my eyes adjusted, I saw that there was a very faint and distant light, and that I was indeed in a large natural cavern, as I had been told I would. Alas for the enemy Drow, they had but newly claimed this place, and must have failed to search it thoroughly enough to find the hidden beacon or marker that allowed teleportation to this spot.
Slowly, very slowly, I advanced. My time among the Drow had taught me some rudiments of stealth, however strange it may be for me as a Paladin of Pelor. Still - it is far, far from the greatest of my strengths, and I knew my task was to gain a sense of the enemy situation, then strike immediately. I spent what seemed like hours, taking each step with care, not only to avoid notice by the enemy Drow, wherever they might be, but to avoid falling into to some hidden pit or crevasse. At last, I could begin to make out details in the dim light.
Standing as still as I could manage, partially shielded behind a stalagmite, I saw five Drow. There was a woman who looked very high-ranking, performing a ritual on an altar inside a circle of power of some kind. Behind her were various implements on a table and a basin of blood. From time to time she dipped an implement into the blood. The area around her crackled with magic. Another woman who appeared to be of low rank was draining the last blood from a hanging something that must once have been a man of humanoid race, but it was so horribly carved up, in a most ritualistic fashion, that it was hard to say what it had been. From the look of the body, and the brown dried color of some of its blood, I guessed that the wretch had been tortured, very slowly, to death. Another high-ranking Drow, a man in fine armor and robes, stood by with a sardonic expression on his face. From time to time he scanned the area. The two remaining Drow were male guards of some lower rank, they stood by, facing outward and watched. However, all the Drow seemed tired, as if this ritual had been going on for hours.
Still, there was an edge of nervousness in the lower-ranking Drow, as if whatever ritual was being performed was so dangerous that its outcome worried them. Perhaps that danger, whatever it might be, was why this ritual was being performed in such a remote place. Fortunately, given the vileness of their deeds, that remoteness left them less defended from other threats, and exposed them to the just retribution they were about to receive. I now noticed that in front of the Drow lady - the wizard or priestess - was a complex arrangement of geometric forms and symbols on the ground. In the midst of it, something was slowly appearing... something formed, for lack of a better way to put it, of voids and spaces rather than shape and mass. My mind reeled, but then I felt the light of Pelor coursing through my spirit, giving me strength.
Whatever it was, in that place of power, it was growing.
I arrived in a dark place of cold damp stone. At first it seemed pitch black, but I hesitated to call forth the light of Pelor, knowing nothing could make my presence more obvious. However, once my eyes adjusted, I saw that there was a very faint and distant light, and that I was indeed in a large natural cavern, as I had been told I would. Alas for the enemy Drow, they had but newly claimed this place, and must have failed to search it thoroughly enough to find the hidden beacon or marker that allowed teleportation to this spot.
Slowly, very slowly, I advanced. My time among the Drow had taught me some rudiments of stealth, however strange it may be for me as a Paladin of Pelor. Still - it is far, far from the greatest of my strengths, and I knew my task was to gain a sense of the enemy situation, then strike immediately. I spent what seemed like hours, taking each step with care, not only to avoid notice by the enemy Drow, wherever they might be, but to avoid falling into to some hidden pit or crevasse. At last, I could begin to make out details in the dim light.
Standing as still as I could manage, partially shielded behind a stalagmite, I saw five Drow. There was a woman who looked very high-ranking, performing a ritual on an altar inside a circle of power of some kind. Behind her were various implements on a table and a basin of blood. From time to time she dipped an implement into the blood. The area around her crackled with magic. Another woman who appeared to be of low rank was draining the last blood from a hanging something that must once have been a man of humanoid race, but it was so horribly carved up, in a most ritualistic fashion, that it was hard to say what it had been. From the look of the body, and the brown dried color of some of its blood, I guessed that the wretch had been tortured, very slowly, to death. Another high-ranking Drow, a man in fine armor and robes, stood by with a sardonic expression on his face. From time to time he scanned the area. The two remaining Drow were male guards of some lower rank, they stood by, facing outward and watched. However, all the Drow seemed tired, as if this ritual had been going on for hours.
Still, there was an edge of nervousness in the lower-ranking Drow, as if whatever ritual was being performed was so dangerous that its outcome worried them. Perhaps that danger, whatever it might be, was why this ritual was being performed in such a remote place. Fortunately, given the vileness of their deeds, that remoteness left them less defended from other threats, and exposed them to the just retribution they were about to receive. I now noticed that in front of the Drow lady - the wizard or priestess - was a complex arrangement of geometric forms and symbols on the ground. In the midst of it, something was slowly appearing... something formed, for lack of a better way to put it, of voids and spaces rather than shape and mass. My mind reeled, but then I felt the light of Pelor coursing through my spirit, giving me strength.
Whatever it was, in that place of power, it was growing.
Crunch's Manual
If this doesn't count as three entries, then it sure as frak counts as one.
Click here to download (pdf, 250 KB)
Have never used this service to host files before, so let's see how this goes.
Click here to download (pdf, 250 KB)
Have never used this service to host files before, so let's see how this goes.
Monday, November 29, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
So, what is up with those guys in the crystals, anyway?
I mean, were they imprisoned in there by the Aboleth? If so, they may be powerful allies. On the other hand, we might just be unleashing another great evil on the world by releasing them. Sure, they might be enemies of the Aboleth, but when we're done with that (if we ever are) we might just have to then go after the crystal guys.
I wish that Damn Wizard would get here! He was always good at figuring out stuff like that.
Until then, I need to see if I can get Sztuczka to try her cannon on them. I wonder if she's heard anything about those crystal guys in her travels? I forget if we asked her, although I suspect we did. Still, wouldn't hurt to ask again if it comes up.
I mean, were they imprisoned in there by the Aboleth? If so, they may be powerful allies. On the other hand, we might just be unleashing another great evil on the world by releasing them. Sure, they might be enemies of the Aboleth, but when we're done with that (if we ever are) we might just have to then go after the crystal guys.
I wish that Damn Wizard would get here! He was always good at figuring out stuff like that.
Until then, I need to see if I can get Sztuczka to try her cannon on them. I wonder if she's heard anything about those crystal guys in her travels? I forget if we asked her, although I suspect we did. Still, wouldn't hurt to ask again if it comes up.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Death the next adventure, but not yet...
Death. I still do not look forward to it, but I must say I do not fear it. I look at my time, short and a painful experience it was, which I experienced death as a gift. Pelor has given me the greatest gift one can ask for. The removal of fear. For i now know that Pelor has created a paradise for his followers. That I will return home and be with my family once again. As i said though part of me looks forward to this day, I hope it to be when I have gotten older and had a family of my own. When this is done I look forward to going home having a family and kids. For I have much that i can pass on. I have learned a lot from my travels with all of theses warriors. Even Tupper has taught me several things. Things like, there are people that need to be guided to be at their best. There are some that just do not have it in them to reach new heights. Enough of that. For I just want to remember to the good times. For this and my future goal are the true driving forces in my life. It is what helps me push on when we are sleeping in mud or badly injured. This and good friends to lean on.
And this is again why I say death can wait. For life it shelf has such great experiences and helps mold us into better people. So Pelor I thank you for removing this fear of death, but I ask that you look over all of us so we can all live and grow.
And this is again why I say death can wait. For life it shelf has such great experiences and helps mold us into better people. So Pelor I thank you for removing this fear of death, but I ask that you look over all of us so we can all live and grow.
And the battle continues
It is amazing in a short time I have seen improvements with our battle tactics. For the most part we are fighting as a group instead of trying to be a hero and running off and fighting by ones self. Well I should not say we are complete free of that, but I am seeing less of it. The greatest benefit of this is Ragnar is allowed to use more spells in is arsenal then just healing spells. This is a very important thing because these abathilths are become more and more of a challenge. Soon any slip up will cost people their lives. Already we have seen spells that turn people into balls of flesh, or spells that capture a person and prevent them from doing anything for a battle.
I see difficult days ahead of us. The abalith are sure to be keeping eyes out for us. Any town controlled by them is not going to be safe. We are going to have to keep low profiles in between the battles or there will be no rest for us. Speaking of which, we are still clearing out this pirate base. I hope this does not take to long we really need to go restock and be quickly onto the next abablith. In the mean time we will just have to push as quick as we can.
I see difficult days ahead of us. The abalith are sure to be keeping eyes out for us. Any town controlled by them is not going to be safe. We are going to have to keep low profiles in between the battles or there will be no rest for us. Speaking of which, we are still clearing out this pirate base. I hope this does not take to long we really need to go restock and be quickly onto the next abablith. In the mean time we will just have to push as quick as we can.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
I seem to need a new strategy.
After being taken out of the final phase of the battle with the aboleth when I got turned into a horrible flesh-thing, I then proceed to join the next battle by charging in again and this time getting trapped in a magic , unbreakable sphere! You'd think after all the time I traveled and fought along with Keniroh, that I'd know better than to charge in and make myself a target for the mage! But no, I charge on in way ahead of the others and would have been useless for the rest of the battle if Ragnarr hadn't been able to free me.
Next time, if they've got a mage, I've either got to take him out first, or hold off on charging till the others are about to get there too. I shouldn't be making these amateur mistakes. I must pray to Halmyr for forgiveness.
After being taken out of the final phase of the battle with the aboleth when I got turned into a horrible flesh-thing, I then proceed to join the next battle by charging in again and this time getting trapped in a magic , unbreakable sphere! You'd think after all the time I traveled and fought along with Keniroh, that I'd know better than to charge in and make myself a target for the mage! But no, I charge on in way ahead of the others and would have been useless for the rest of the battle if Ragnarr hadn't been able to free me.
Next time, if they've got a mage, I've either got to take him out first, or hold off on charging till the others are about to get there too. I shouldn't be making these amateur mistakes. I must pray to Halmyr for forgiveness.
The Ex-Wife
I've been wondering, lately, if perhaps I've been too hard on the ex-wife.
Don't get me wrong. I haven't been too hard on her by that much. I'm not going to suddenly decide that I was wrong to leave her (the sword aimed at my head says a bit too much about how well that would have worked out), and I'm not saying she wasn't some manner of crazed vicious beast of the seven hells, fueled by the power of dark gods and sheer hate, not when I know which dark god fueled her and she was perfectly willing to admit that hate, literally, provided that power for a good bit of what she did.
I can't but thinking, though, that I'm not exactly innocent in the whole mess. After all, it was her that told me, early on, too, that it wasn't too likely that a follower of Wee Jas and a cleric of Pelor weren't going to have the easiest time of it, as far as marriages went. And that wasn't even counting the human/dwarf bit, or the nobility/not bit, or the bit where she slaughtered an entire village of lads I had just finish curing of plague in order to prove some legal point or other. Or, for that matter, that she thought all the healing I did was robbing her goddess of souls that lawfully belonged to Wee Jas.
Alright, so she was right. It was a terrible idea. If I'm perfectly honest about it, it would never in a thousand generations have worked, not even if she had'd been some kind of saint and I had stayed out of her mead cellar.
Really, I don't know what made me think it was going to work out. I was young, I suppose. And less connected to Pelor's will.
And my eyes came right up to her arse. By Pelor's beard, that might have helped more than I'd care to admit.
She was a damn fine woman, in her way. In the bedroom, particularly.
But it never would have worked out, whatever else I'd like to say. And maybe, I think, I should stop blaming all of that shit on her.
Or maybe she was just an awful, horrid bitch. I suppose I'll never know.
Don't get me wrong. I haven't been too hard on her by that much. I'm not going to suddenly decide that I was wrong to leave her (the sword aimed at my head says a bit too much about how well that would have worked out), and I'm not saying she wasn't some manner of crazed vicious beast of the seven hells, fueled by the power of dark gods and sheer hate, not when I know which dark god fueled her and she was perfectly willing to admit that hate, literally, provided that power for a good bit of what she did.
I can't but thinking, though, that I'm not exactly innocent in the whole mess. After all, it was her that told me, early on, too, that it wasn't too likely that a follower of Wee Jas and a cleric of Pelor weren't going to have the easiest time of it, as far as marriages went. And that wasn't even counting the human/dwarf bit, or the nobility/not bit, or the bit where she slaughtered an entire village of lads I had just finish curing of plague in order to prove some legal point or other. Or, for that matter, that she thought all the healing I did was robbing her goddess of souls that lawfully belonged to Wee Jas.
Alright, so she was right. It was a terrible idea. If I'm perfectly honest about it, it would never in a thousand generations have worked, not even if she had'd been some kind of saint and I had stayed out of her mead cellar.
Really, I don't know what made me think it was going to work out. I was young, I suppose. And less connected to Pelor's will.
And my eyes came right up to her arse. By Pelor's beard, that might have helped more than I'd care to admit.
She was a damn fine woman, in her way. In the bedroom, particularly.
But it never would have worked out, whatever else I'd like to say. And maybe, I think, I should stop blaming all of that shit on her.
Or maybe she was just an awful, horrid bitch. I suppose I'll never know.
Pirates
For all that I've traveled the planes, talked to odd folks, seen places where lads do things entirely different from what I would think is is the right way to do things, I haven't ever made it to anyone else's prime material plane. So I'll admit here that I can't speak from exact experience, but there are some things that just baffle me. For instance, I have to wonder: what the hell do pirates do in wherever Crunch is from?
See, everywhere I've been, most of the bastards I've known have, at the very least, a basic understanding of what it means to be a pirate. These are bastards who take up a profession that calls for more raping, pillaging, drinking and sodomy than my ex-wife's lawyers. The best of them is out for themselves, and can cause all manner of trouble for innocent folks just trying to get from place to place, double if they happen to be women, and I don't care what the damned cheap woodcut books might say otherwise. These are lads more prone to causing torture and rape, not heaving bosoms and throbbing manhoods and all that other rubbish in those damned books my ex-wife likes.
Not to put too fine a point on it, they're more likely to kill an innocent bastard than fight for good, and the only way they could be described as strong-willed is in how much rum they can hold before they pass out. In that, aye, they're good lads, and good to have at a party. But I wouldn't hold that up as a great measure of their character. They'll not only drink all your rum, but they'll steal the good stuff, soil your holy symbols and do things to your wife that she'll bring up every damn time you ever have a fight for at least the next fifteen years. If Pelor had wanted dwarves to perform such disgusting acts, he would have made us taller.
But Crunch's pirates must be different somehow. Perhaps where he's from, pirates are a kind of singer/dancer, better at spitting out witty verse than skewering bastards with swords. Or perhaps they're some sort of simpering, eye-make-up wearing men who act like women, or a great, cheery bunch of bastards who spend their time standing up to evil hordes of ninjas.
I don't bloody know. All I know is that, apparently, pirates are the sort of people we should not only leave alone, but give them tips about improving their enormous fortress of death, so that they can more easily rape and pillage their way through the sea and cut the boats out from under unsuspecting dwarves who have somehow been convinced that it's a good idea to go out on the ocean.
I mean, we're dealing with pirates here, by Pelor's beard. Pirates.
You'd think he was trying to defend a fortress of frolicking kittens.
See, everywhere I've been, most of the bastards I've known have, at the very least, a basic understanding of what it means to be a pirate. These are bastards who take up a profession that calls for more raping, pillaging, drinking and sodomy than my ex-wife's lawyers. The best of them is out for themselves, and can cause all manner of trouble for innocent folks just trying to get from place to place, double if they happen to be women, and I don't care what the damned cheap woodcut books might say otherwise. These are lads more prone to causing torture and rape, not heaving bosoms and throbbing manhoods and all that other rubbish in those damned books my ex-wife likes.
Not to put too fine a point on it, they're more likely to kill an innocent bastard than fight for good, and the only way they could be described as strong-willed is in how much rum they can hold before they pass out. In that, aye, they're good lads, and good to have at a party. But I wouldn't hold that up as a great measure of their character. They'll not only drink all your rum, but they'll steal the good stuff, soil your holy symbols and do things to your wife that she'll bring up every damn time you ever have a fight for at least the next fifteen years. If Pelor had wanted dwarves to perform such disgusting acts, he would have made us taller.
But Crunch's pirates must be different somehow. Perhaps where he's from, pirates are a kind of singer/dancer, better at spitting out witty verse than skewering bastards with swords. Or perhaps they're some sort of simpering, eye-make-up wearing men who act like women, or a great, cheery bunch of bastards who spend their time standing up to evil hordes of ninjas.
I don't bloody know. All I know is that, apparently, pirates are the sort of people we should not only leave alone, but give them tips about improving their enormous fortress of death, so that they can more easily rape and pillage their way through the sea and cut the boats out from under unsuspecting dwarves who have somehow been convinced that it's a good idea to go out on the ocean.
I mean, we're dealing with pirates here, by Pelor's beard. Pirates.
You'd think he was trying to defend a fortress of frolicking kittens.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
So, after killing the aboleth and it's direct minions, we were left with the question on whether to leave or route out the pirates first (who may or may not have been willingly helping the aboleth). Crunch wanted to make a deal with the pirates to protect this location from future attempts by the aboleths (or other powerful, evil entities or groups) from retaking the base. Arcadius did not like this idea and wanted to route out the pirates. The two argued back and forth on this matter and there were certain similarities to the argument I had with him and Alcander months ago back when this journey began (and I see Arcadius still doesn't understand the true reason I had to atone).
There were some key differences between that time and this more recent one. These pirates are far less trustworthy than the person I was trying to deal with (and that's saying something). The only thing they can be trusted to do is stab us in the back at the time that is most beneficial to them. And the pirates (if they weren't willingly working for the aboleth) have already proven themselves utterly incapable of protecting a base such as this from such powers. At least the person I was dealing with had a plausible chance of holding her end of the deal.
That being said, Crunch's heart (Does he have a heart? Or is it more of a pump?) was in the right place. I will have to counsel him on this matter, but doing so should happen when we're not surrounded in enemy territory. And I think in general it would be easier to give him good counsel when Arcadius is not immediately present.
In the mean time, I want to get this over with, we can not afford to delay very long. Doing so only gives our true enemies more time to prepare for us.
There were some key differences between that time and this more recent one. These pirates are far less trustworthy than the person I was trying to deal with (and that's saying something). The only thing they can be trusted to do is stab us in the back at the time that is most beneficial to them. And the pirates (if they weren't willingly working for the aboleth) have already proven themselves utterly incapable of protecting a base such as this from such powers. At least the person I was dealing with had a plausible chance of holding her end of the deal.
That being said, Crunch's heart (Does he have a heart? Or is it more of a pump?) was in the right place. I will have to counsel him on this matter, but doing so should happen when we're not surrounded in enemy territory. And I think in general it would be easier to give him good counsel when Arcadius is not immediately present.
In the mean time, I want to get this over with, we can not afford to delay very long. Doing so only gives our true enemies more time to prepare for us.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Ragnarr: Well... Thanks, Pelor
I believe I've said before that the gods work in mysterious ways. Aye. We're on to this again.
So I tried my plan. I sort of tried my plan. Alright, I made a bloody mess of my plan, sort of.
I think I meant to loudly convince the others that I was going to cast a portal to retreat. Except that... well, it could be that my source of courage messed me up a whee bit, and the next thing I know I'm blabbering something about teleporting behind the aboleth, which is of course going to just get us attack where we are. But, at that point, I figured what the hell, we might as well try this. The worse case I could figure is that the aboleth would send it's servants up to us, in which case we're at least fighting them in an inky blackness when we've already got a shield wall put together and a place we can defend.
Which is, in a way, kind of what happened. Hrogar, in a rash attempt at bravery, tried to offer them 10 minutes to surrender. But he got bitten by a big shark. Then some other things happened all at once, and the next thing I know I'm being treated like some kind of damn elven magical girl by tentacles, and my plan of calling in divine reinforcements was pretty much up.
Except that, here's the thing. The aboleth, as far as we could tell, had put together his defenses based on whatever he had lying around. That shark? That was their main lug in front, their version of a stack of paladins. And it ended up in the ink with us, unable to see much, really, and having the shite smacked out of it by the divine hand of Pelor.
Not only that, but the dumb bastards had made a wall of force between the shark and it's two spellcasters and everyone else. With the shark in the dark, the paladins did their thing, and half of their bloody force was gone before the other half of the bastards could do a damn thing.
From there, things really went pretty smoothly, as these things go. Arcadius exploded in some sort of rabid brain rape beam, but everyone's brain arses stayed clenched plenty tight. Hrogarr had some bastard try to rip out his soul, and spent a wee bit of time as a horrid blob of agonized flesh. (And I might have, ahem, fixed his blindness so that he could see the horror he had become, and his hearing so he could listen to his own screams of agony. It was a accident! I swear, Pelor!) But as these things go with this bunch, that's really fairly on par. Fairly good, even.
And that's the second Aboleth that's gone rather well, all things considered.
Either the boys are getting the hang of this, or the gods are out of better plans and are making damn sure we can't screw this up.
So I tried my plan. I sort of tried my plan. Alright, I made a bloody mess of my plan, sort of.
I think I meant to loudly convince the others that I was going to cast a portal to retreat. Except that... well, it could be that my source of courage messed me up a whee bit, and the next thing I know I'm blabbering something about teleporting behind the aboleth, which is of course going to just get us attack where we are. But, at that point, I figured what the hell, we might as well try this. The worse case I could figure is that the aboleth would send it's servants up to us, in which case we're at least fighting them in an inky blackness when we've already got a shield wall put together and a place we can defend.
Which is, in a way, kind of what happened. Hrogar, in a rash attempt at bravery, tried to offer them 10 minutes to surrender. But he got bitten by a big shark. Then some other things happened all at once, and the next thing I know I'm being treated like some kind of damn elven magical girl by tentacles, and my plan of calling in divine reinforcements was pretty much up.
Except that, here's the thing. The aboleth, as far as we could tell, had put together his defenses based on whatever he had lying around. That shark? That was their main lug in front, their version of a stack of paladins. And it ended up in the ink with us, unable to see much, really, and having the shite smacked out of it by the divine hand of Pelor.
Not only that, but the dumb bastards had made a wall of force between the shark and it's two spellcasters and everyone else. With the shark in the dark, the paladins did their thing, and half of their bloody force was gone before the other half of the bastards could do a damn thing.
From there, things really went pretty smoothly, as these things go. Arcadius exploded in some sort of rabid brain rape beam, but everyone's brain arses stayed clenched plenty tight. Hrogarr had some bastard try to rip out his soul, and spent a wee bit of time as a horrid blob of agonized flesh. (And I might have, ahem, fixed his blindness so that he could see the horror he had become, and his hearing so he could listen to his own screams of agony. It was a accident! I swear, Pelor!) But as these things go with this bunch, that's really fairly on par. Fairly good, even.
And that's the second Aboleth that's gone rather well, all things considered.
Either the boys are getting the hang of this, or the gods are out of better plans and are making damn sure we can't screw this up.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
So, we killed the Aboleth. And nobody died!
I am dissapointed that I wasn't able to think of a better plan to delay the enemy than the one I came up with, but alas, at least we still survived.
Unfortunately, I was less than useful in the final moments of the battle after the Aboleth turned me into a mass of flesh and pain. It didn't help much when Ragnarr (trying to be helpful) cured my blindness and deafness, therefore allowing me to see and hear what a terrible mutation I had become. I can't say it wasn't an interesting experience, but it's certainly one I hope to never have again.
I am dissapointed that I wasn't able to think of a better plan to delay the enemy than the one I came up with, but alas, at least we still survived.
Unfortunately, I was less than useful in the final moments of the battle after the Aboleth turned me into a mass of flesh and pain. It didn't help much when Ragnarr (trying to be helpful) cured my blindness and deafness, therefore allowing me to see and hear what a terrible mutation I had become. I can't say it wasn't an interesting experience, but it's certainly one I hope to never have again.
Arcadius and the Shadow Dragon
PART IV - THE UNDERDARK
Without delay, the lady Viriya and I set forth. We hunted for fell things in the deep places, slew them, and then hunted on. We spent much time together, just she and I. She was proud in her bearing, as one might expect from a daughter of so noble a house, yet I must say that from the first we liked each other. Indeed, I was most impressed at the wisdom of the Lady Alis in placing us together, for few of her folk would have worked so well, so closely, with a human of the surface, and a devoted servant of Lord Pelor at that! I think that Viriya was surprised to meet a human of proper and correct bearing, for she had heard that my kind were by and large boorish as pigs. This might be close to the mark in many lands, but not so that of the Five Rivers. For my part, I found her devotedly loyal to her grandmother, honorable, but remarkably direct and unsubtle for one of her folk.
I told Viriya of my land, and my family, Guardians of the district of Ideb, and from this she took that my family are lords or princes, and thus peers of her own. Nothing could dissuade her of this notion. When I explained that my family are rather protectors, devoted to the law and the right way, and not self-interested "lords" such as are found in other lands, this seemed only to increase her opinion. In the weeks that followed, as we came to depend on each other for our very lives, as we faced foul and hideous things of the underearth, we talked of many things. I came to know much of her thoughts, and she of mine. Despite her most worthy loyalty to her family, she is ill at ease with her people as a whole. She is a woman of high ideals who believes in devotion to duty, and she hinted to me how poorly she fares in the stealthy games of advancement among her folk. Indeed, she spends much time in the lonely places underearth precisely because she is happier there, fighting clear and unambiguous foes. She has even wandered the surface lands, at night in solitude, seeking the answers of her heart. I have come to admire her. No, more, much more than that...
There was a moment, when we were setting out toward a deadly thing of the darkness, and our lives were again in each other's hands, that something happened. Without thinking of it, as we advanced forward and rested in a hidden place, we put our hands together for comfort. Then, it was as if lighting had struck us! We were frozen. I looked at her, into her eyes, felt her hand tighten against mine, and at that moment there was in her no proud bearing, no cold reserve, only a young woman trembling with feeling she could not hide or control. And I trembled too. We drew closer to one another. O' Lord Pelor, what can I do, what must I do? My heart is afire!
But duty is duty, and tasks must be completed. We held each other's hands for but a long moment, though an age of bliss it seemed. Then, as danger was mere footsteps away, we went on and spoke no more of it. From that point onward we were more formal and grave in our dealing with one another, but when we looked in each other's eyes, the lie of that formality was laid bare. O' Gods! I am reminded of my own country, and my days in Point of Origin. In my land, youthful dalliances are tolerated as a normal part of life, but one is expected to grow up and to marry properly, and to do so before too many years have passed. One's family has much to say in this matter. In Point of Origin, as a youth, I confess I did indeed enjoyably venture with some girls of the city, but gave my heart to none. Now I am of the age where I would be expected to marry, and where is my heart? Alas, I know. Strange, fate is.
O' Lord Pelor, may I not be distracted from thy path, in this time least of all! But, give me hope...
In time, we returned to the city, for my calling to duty was upon me. The noble lady Alis told me of whom I faced and what I must do. I hesitated to meet her gaze, for I wished to bring no recrimination or dishonor down upon her granddaughter, yet I knew and know that I cannot lie. However, if the lady Alis noticed my discomfort, she gave no sign. Soon the word was given and the time to depart had come. I was guided by a party of Drow, Viriya among them, to a place far outside the city, not indeed the same place from whence we departed before. I had prayed for several blessings of protection from Lord Pelor, and now called upon them. Then I was teleported away. My last memory before the magic took hold was of Viriya's eyes, and the plaintive look in them. Oh that I could have beheld them for a little longer! Shall I see them again?
Without delay, the lady Viriya and I set forth. We hunted for fell things in the deep places, slew them, and then hunted on. We spent much time together, just she and I. She was proud in her bearing, as one might expect from a daughter of so noble a house, yet I must say that from the first we liked each other. Indeed, I was most impressed at the wisdom of the Lady Alis in placing us together, for few of her folk would have worked so well, so closely, with a human of the surface, and a devoted servant of Lord Pelor at that! I think that Viriya was surprised to meet a human of proper and correct bearing, for she had heard that my kind were by and large boorish as pigs. This might be close to the mark in many lands, but not so that of the Five Rivers. For my part, I found her devotedly loyal to her grandmother, honorable, but remarkably direct and unsubtle for one of her folk.
I told Viriya of my land, and my family, Guardians of the district of Ideb, and from this she took that my family are lords or princes, and thus peers of her own. Nothing could dissuade her of this notion. When I explained that my family are rather protectors, devoted to the law and the right way, and not self-interested "lords" such as are found in other lands, this seemed only to increase her opinion. In the weeks that followed, as we came to depend on each other for our very lives, as we faced foul and hideous things of the underearth, we talked of many things. I came to know much of her thoughts, and she of mine. Despite her most worthy loyalty to her family, she is ill at ease with her people as a whole. She is a woman of high ideals who believes in devotion to duty, and she hinted to me how poorly she fares in the stealthy games of advancement among her folk. Indeed, she spends much time in the lonely places underearth precisely because she is happier there, fighting clear and unambiguous foes. She has even wandered the surface lands, at night in solitude, seeking the answers of her heart. I have come to admire her. No, more, much more than that...
There was a moment, when we were setting out toward a deadly thing of the darkness, and our lives were again in each other's hands, that something happened. Without thinking of it, as we advanced forward and rested in a hidden place, we put our hands together for comfort. Then, it was as if lighting had struck us! We were frozen. I looked at her, into her eyes, felt her hand tighten against mine, and at that moment there was in her no proud bearing, no cold reserve, only a young woman trembling with feeling she could not hide or control. And I trembled too. We drew closer to one another. O' Lord Pelor, what can I do, what must I do? My heart is afire!
But duty is duty, and tasks must be completed. We held each other's hands for but a long moment, though an age of bliss it seemed. Then, as danger was mere footsteps away, we went on and spoke no more of it. From that point onward we were more formal and grave in our dealing with one another, but when we looked in each other's eyes, the lie of that formality was laid bare. O' Gods! I am reminded of my own country, and my days in Point of Origin. In my land, youthful dalliances are tolerated as a normal part of life, but one is expected to grow up and to marry properly, and to do so before too many years have passed. One's family has much to say in this matter. In Point of Origin, as a youth, I confess I did indeed enjoyably venture with some girls of the city, but gave my heart to none. Now I am of the age where I would be expected to marry, and where is my heart? Alas, I know. Strange, fate is.
O' Lord Pelor, may I not be distracted from thy path, in this time least of all! But, give me hope...
In time, we returned to the city, for my calling to duty was upon me. The noble lady Alis told me of whom I faced and what I must do. I hesitated to meet her gaze, for I wished to bring no recrimination or dishonor down upon her granddaughter, yet I knew and know that I cannot lie. However, if the lady Alis noticed my discomfort, she gave no sign. Soon the word was given and the time to depart had come. I was guided by a party of Drow, Viriya among them, to a place far outside the city, not indeed the same place from whence we departed before. I had prayed for several blessings of protection from Lord Pelor, and now called upon them. Then I was teleported away. My last memory before the magic took hold was of Viriya's eyes, and the plaintive look in them. Oh that I could have beheld them for a little longer! Shall I see them again?
Journal of Crunch, Day 290b
-day290-B:
Please disregard previous warning. Through the mighty powers of Justice, Friendship, and Love, we have prevailed against the aboleth and its minions of Hatred and vile tools of Deceit. The battle obliterated the enemy units, and went without dire injury or loss of our forces; though there is still a shark unaccounted for in the area and Hrogar Bon'argasarc is presently a gurgling blob of meat. (Hrogar is expected to improve in condition.) We are currently discussing our next plan of action, of which thi I should participate.
Please disregard previous warning. Through the mighty powers of Justice, Friendship, and Love, we have prevailed against the aboleth and its minions of Hatred and vile tools of Deceit. The battle obliterated the enemy unit
Dantroe
The telepath is dead, finally. We took our sweet time in getting to it. We did quite a bit of damage to the pirates' base along the way, and it's a wonder we didn't get ourselves killed in the process. (But really, using an enemy's corpse to test the extent of the magical traps in a room? And you're a paladin? Something here does not compute, as Crunch would say.) We expended so much of our resources that we had to rest for the night, in less than ideal conditions. This meant the enemy had time to muster all of its remaining forces and lie in wait for us.
And what's more, why are we trying to cast ten minute long spells while there are sharks and casters trying to kill the rest of us? That's the sort of thing you do before making the hole in the convenient stone wall the enemy has provided for us, or you don't try it at all. He could have at least done it where we weren't totally blind from the ink cloud.
Oh well, we got through it alive, although in some cases just barely. Now we get to find out whether the pirates were actually mind controlled, in which case they might be a little more agreeable than before, or if they were willingly working with the aboleth for some mutual benefit, in which case, they're likely to be even more ticked off.
And what's more, why are we trying to cast ten minute long spells while there are sharks and casters trying to kill the rest of us? That's the sort of thing you do before making the hole in the convenient stone wall the enemy has provided for us, or you don't try it at all. He could have at least done it where we weren't totally blind from the ink cloud.
Oh well, we got through it alive, although in some cases just barely. Now we get to find out whether the pirates were actually mind controlled, in which case they might be a little more agreeable than before, or if they were willingly working with the aboleth for some mutual benefit, in which case, they're likely to be even more ticked off.
Ragnarr and Dogwater's Planar Adventures: The Game
I don't remember when Dogwater showed up on his own the first time. I remember sitting in the bar, trying to enjoy a beer over all the damn drunken dwarven bastard singing that "Hi Ho" song at the top of their lungs. Or maybe the tops of their heads. Louder than their lungs can handle, is what I'm getting at, and there was an arseload of unconscious dwarves to prove it.
But anyway, I'm minding my own business, when Dogwater walks in the front door. I'm serious. No, I wasn't drunk enough to hallucinate. The little bastard knew better than to open a portal in the wrong part of Sigil, but he could get his teeth around a door and open it like nothing. Especially this time. I remember he seemed bigger than before.
So of course I down my beer and order another for the road, figuring that I was off on some damn quest or another. But it didn't quite happen like that. Dogwater just jumped up onto the bench next to me (nearly broke the damn thing, I think. That little bastard is heavy.) and dropped an icicle next to me.
I thought maybe he was trying to be nice, but was a wee bit misguided, being a dog and all. So I tried to explain that if I iced my beer, the singing bastards would think I was wearing a fake beard, if you get my meaning, and I wasn't about to have them pulling on the damn thing.
He just picked up the icicle between his teeth, shook it back and forth, and set it back down.
Well, I may not be the best with animals, but I figured he wanted to play fetch. So I picked up the icicle and threw it across the room.
I hadn't really noticed that the bar had gone quiet, and that Dogwater seemed to be getting more than a few stares. But I sure as Hel (no offense, Hel) noticed that when I threw that icicle, every bastard who could fit behind a bar, under a table, or around a post was there in a hurry.
Dogwater leaped off of my bench and landed on a table across the room, breaking the thing in half. (Which sounds more impressive than it is. There'd been so damn many brawls in that bar that Gunter figured out how to build tables that practically broke themselves. They were cheaper to fix that way.) He leaped over onto that icicle, grabbed it in his teeth, and leaped back to me.
Gunter didn't look too happy with me after that. The table was fine, but Dogwater had left a wet spot across half the bar, and it wasn't going to be me cleaning it up. I grabbed the icicle and took Dogwater outside.
And from there we were off. I managed to throw the icicle about twice before Dogwater decided he was bored with the street, grabbed me by me codpiece, and dragged me through the city. He didn't stop until we'd gotten to the nearest portal park.
Dogwater dropped the bone next to me and ran over to the nearest portal and stood there drooling. And I don't mean drooling like your normal dog. Your normal dog, you look at him drooling and you think "he couldn't possibly be drooling that much. Where is it coming from?" But Dogwater's bloody made of drool. I was afraid there'd be a lake before he was done.
So I looked at the portal, figured it went to the astral plane, and tossed the icicle through.
Dogwater went right in after it. He was back before I could take a sip of my road beer. The bastard.
I picked another portal. It went to Arcadia. Figured that wouldn't be too dangerous for him.
Ten seconds. If that. The little bastard was fast.
Well, I didn't really want to wear out my arm, and I really wanted to have a drink of the damn beer. So I found a variable portal, waited until right before it was ready to switch, and tossed the icicle through.
Admittedly, I might have forgotten to check where that portal went. Which might have been nice of me. But eh, at that point I figured Dogwater could find it.
And he did. He stood next to the portal for a second, sniffing. Then he turned, sniffed the other portals around, and jumped through one that went to bloody Pandemonium.
I didn't want to get him killed. He was an irritating little bastard, sure, but he wasn't that bad. And I'd just sent him to Pandemonium.
I finished my beer in silence, feeling like a right bastard.
The little bastard waited just long enough for me to think he was gone for good. Just enough time to finish my beer and decide I should go talk to Gunter about what I owed him for damages. Just enough time for me to see a portal from the Nine Hells opening, and decide that I should get out of there before some giant, pissed off demon came through and thought I looked delicious and the laws of Sigil be damned.
Demon my arse. It was Dogwater, barely looking steamed, with a melting icicle in his mouth, looking as happy as could be. Wagging his tail all over the damn place, spraying water. Looked like he'd spent the best day in the park he'd ever had.
Well, what could I do? I bought him a beer. I figured the little bastard was mostly made of the same stuff as the beer, anyway, so what could go wrong?
By Pelor's beard, was I wrong about that one.
Have you ever seen a water elemental vomit?
Monday, November 15, 2010
A good battle
Today was a good victory, even if it did not look promising at the beginning of the day. So we woke up and broke down the stone wall. Only to find ink filled water. Not much time passed and we found out the hard way that there was a mage in the water. Thankfully we were able to take this mage down fast, but then we really found out how much danger we were in. We needed to deal with a shark, two water elves, a human magic user, an octopus and the abalith.
At this point Rogar told he had a plan, but would need 10 min to execute this plan. So some of us setup a defense. Not all of us did this. Not entirely sure what they were doing, due to the ink. It however did not sound like it was going well. This plan did not work out, because the mages starting casting spells that prevented Rogar from finishing his spells. So at this point we attacked.
Long story short we were able to kill everyone, but not sure at what cost. We will have to see as things work themselves out. There is still a lot to do and we are still in a pirates base.
At this point Rogar told he had a plan, but would need 10 min to execute this plan. So some of us setup a defense. Not all of us did this. Not entirely sure what they were doing, due to the ink. It however did not sound like it was going well. This plan did not work out, because the mages starting casting spells that prevented Rogar from finishing his spells. So at this point we attacked.
Long story short we were able to kill everyone, but not sure at what cost. We will have to see as things work themselves out. There is still a lot to do and we are still in a pirates base.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Journal of Crunch, Day 289d-290a
-day289-D:
We have moved on from Nathaniel's position to a lower point of the facility's aquatic conduit system. Resistance was encountered on the way, including an octopus and an unit of sharks. Due to extended operations, we have elected to set up camp in an alcove for the night. During this time, we were assaulted by crabs and poisonous fish, and then barricaded into our position. It is likely that they will be prepared for us in the morning.
Conclusions: This location is far more than a mere pirate base, and almost certainly the base of the dread aboleth. Arkadesh appears to be fine despite the repeated use of an enemy device, however, regular use of these items is not recommended. Azan may be vulnerable to the commands of the aboleth, though potentially no more or less than any of us. Dantroe's combat operations, though daring, have proven that he is a "forge queen". Hrogar has been a regular source of insight and strategies. Ragnarr is significantly more stable outside of a tavern, though not more sober. Sztuczka is now our explosives specialist.
-day290-A:
Ragnarr has cast a diagnostics spell on me out of Curiosity. It appears the Cannith-Vimnar Error Reporting Method is difficult to interpret by the uninitiated. Recalibration to a [0-9] numerical system will be a minimum requirement. Yech. Gratitude is natural for Ragnarr's concern for my well-being, however, it is still a [0-9] numerical system. Information throughput will suffer.
We are preparing to breach the stone barricade placed over the entrance to the alcove of our encampment. Final termination is likely. If this the final entry, and this journal is found by others inside a pirate fortress, be warned! There is danger here! Guard yourself against invasions of the mind!
We have moved on from Nathaniel's position to a lower point of the facility's aquatic conduit system. Resistance was encountered on the way, including an octopus and an unit of sharks. Due to extended operations, we have elected to set up camp in an alcove for the night. During this time, we were assaulted by crabs and poisonous fish, and then barricaded into our position. It is likely that they will be prepared for us in the morning.
Conclusions: This location is far more than a mere pirate base, and almost certainly the base of the dread aboleth. Arkadesh appears to be fine despite the repeated use of an enemy device, however, regular use of these items is not recommended. Azan may be vulnerable to the commands of the aboleth, though potentially no more or less than any of us. Dantroe's combat operations, though daring, have proven that he is a "forge queen". Hrogar has been a regular source of insight and strategies. Ragnarr is significantly more stable outside of a tavern, though not more sober. Sztuczka is now our explosives specialist.
-day290-A:
Ragnarr has cast a diagnostics spell on me out of Curiosity. It appears the Cannith-Vimnar Error Reporting Method is difficult to interpret by the uninitiated. Recalibration to a [0-9] numerical system will be a minimum requirement. Yech. Gratitude is natural for Ragnarr's concern for my well-being, however, it is still a [0-9] numerical system. Information throughput will suffer.
We are preparing to breach the stone barricade placed over the entrance to the alcove of our encampment. Final termination is likely. If this the final entry, and this journal is found by others inside a pirate fortress, be warned! There is danger here! Guard yourself against invasions of the mind!
The Trouble with Arcadius
I'm not exactly sure what the damned aboleth did to Arcadius, aside from that it's something to do with the amulet. But I'm damn sure it isn't good.
As best I can tell, it can't control his mind. Not really. Suggest a few things, yes, but probably nothing dramatic. And the aboleth can track him, read his mind, that sort of rubbish. And, for all I know, the aboleth could make that damn connection bigger any time it pleases.
If I tell Arcadius about it, the aboleth will know we're on to him. Which might be fine, but having the means to feed bullshit to the aboleth is too good an opportunity to just let go. I can't tell the paladins about it, because they'll end up either telling Arcadius about it or clobbering him on the head, and he's still too damn useful in a fight. And besides, if I send Arcadius out of the room for a conference, the aboleth will start suggesting that we're all under aboleth control, and anything we do out of place afterwards will back it up. That damned telepath doesn't need much control if we start giving it things to work with.
So the only thing to do is sit on my arse and wait for a chance to use the aboleth's connection. It'll only work the once, and it'll have to be done just right. If I screw it up, the others might think I'm controlled, or we might have to take out Arcadius.
Without him, I don't know that we can take this bastard.
By Pelor's beard, I wish Jacob were here. He's the only one I know who might have been able to help me with this one.
I guess it's just me.
Pelor, help me make this work.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Journal of Arcadius
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From the Journal of Hrogar
The situation is less than ideal. Here is a diagram of what it looks like:
Yes, we could do with some backup to help take out their backup.
Yes, we could do with some backup to help take out their backup.
Swiming with the fishes... again
I am very certain the abalith is here. We have had so many different creatures and people attack us while at this pirate base. It it was just pirates i would continue to not jump to judgment, however we have had several different fish creatures, pirates and sea elves attacking us. If this is not the work of an abalith then the creature controlling these people needs to be stopped non the less.
It is quite tonight. We decided we needed allow Rogar to sleep. He was running low on spells, which is never a good thing when getting close to an abalith. So we found an out cove. Hopefully we can get a full night rest and push early in the morning, but i think that is wishful thinking.
Well i was right. First there was a fish that released a poison and then a crab attacked. And the interesting part is now there is a stone wall keeping us in this cove. I guess we might as well rest because there is going to be a tough fight ahead of us tomorrow.
It is quite tonight. We decided we needed allow Rogar to sleep. He was running low on spells, which is never a good thing when getting close to an abalith. So we found an out cove. Hopefully we can get a full night rest and push early in the morning, but i think that is wishful thinking.
Well i was right. First there was a fish that released a poison and then a crab attacked. And the interesting part is now there is a stone wall keeping us in this cove. I guess we might as well rest because there is going to be a tough fight ahead of us tomorrow.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Arcadius and the Shadow Dragon
PART III - THE DROW
The fog of magic cleared, and I was standing in the darkling subterranean forest outside the city of Lady Gozen. A short journey took me there. It was much the same as before... shadowed, unearthly, lit by dim but beautiful phosphorescent light in purple, green, and blue, woven with nature in the Elvish way, but woven with natures's dark night rather than the daylight. The Drow are a people of long memory, and the guards had not forgotten me. Though unexpected, I was welcome.
I made my way through the dark streets to the house of Gozen, and was told the Lady was not home, but away on other business. Nonetheless, I was permitted entrance, and bidden to wait for her. I stayed in a room in the visitor's quarter of the house, healing with help from the Drow, and preparing myself for two days until the great Lady returned. She was as I remembered - noble, proud, and grave in her bearing - carrying herself in a manner that would make the most dignified Guardian of the Land of the Five Rivers honored to be in her company.
Indeed, I felt honored that she made time to speak with me within hours of her return. I described my mission and my plans to her. I explained that I wished to help her against her vile foes in return for the healing her folk had given me, but also asked the favor of teleportation for my purposes afterward. Though her bearing never faltered, it was clear she was concerned by my desire to visit the sea elves. She told me of the ancient perfidity of the surface elves, both sea and land, and how we humans were deceived in dealing with them. I replied that in this matter I believed I could trust their self-interest, for the sword I wished to trade would be of great use to them, and they could not take it from me by force except at great cost to themselves.
In the end, she consented to transport me to a place a few days travel from them, but would in no way send me directly into their power. What I did after that would be my own choice. I was most thankful.
For her part, she revealed that her foes, the wicked Drow who kept Alienists among them, had a small base of operations that I might be able to destroy single-handedly, however the exact time to strike would have to be chosen with care. It could be some weeks. She asked in the interim if I cared to aid her people against such lesser and local threats as they faced. I replied most readily that I did, for I greatly honored her. She told me to wait, and she would find someone from her house, one who knew the area intimately, to join me in dealing with such foes.
I passed a few more days, and spent my time well, learning about the house of Gozen and the people of the city. I was allowed to wander freely about the town. Certain things became apparent to me. The Drow do indeed carry themselves with great dignity, reminiscent of my homeland, and it is this trait which first made them so appealing to me. However, living among them I saw that they indeed have another side to their character, one that recalls the dark stories about them, for they are most subtle and not always trustworthy in their dealings with one another. Nonetheless, I think that those who speak ill of them choose to emphasize that which is bad and ignore that which is good. They are very brave, intelligent, show the gravest of courtesy, and have a complex but very real honor code of their own. I wonder what is the full and true tale of their ancient sundering from the rest of the Elven race?
In due time, the Lady Alis told me that if I was ready, she had work and a partner for me. She introduced me to her granddaughter, the lady Viriya Gozen, with whom I would go hunting in the dark caverns for creatures that sought harm to the Drow. I fear that some subtle faltering of my bearing and seriousness might have shown, for lady Viriya is beautiful even by the high standards of the Drow, who are a pretty folk. Indeed I think she is the loveliest women I have ever seen. She is young, very young for a Drow. Yet, like all her grandmother's kin, she is fearless and formidable, a great ranger and warrior of her folk... most worthy and admirable traits!
I called upon Pelor to give my heart steadiness, and focused my mind on that which must be done.
The fog of magic cleared, and I was standing in the darkling subterranean forest outside the city of Lady Gozen. A short journey took me there. It was much the same as before... shadowed, unearthly, lit by dim but beautiful phosphorescent light in purple, green, and blue, woven with nature in the Elvish way, but woven with natures's dark night rather than the daylight. The Drow are a people of long memory, and the guards had not forgotten me. Though unexpected, I was welcome.
I made my way through the dark streets to the house of Gozen, and was told the Lady was not home, but away on other business. Nonetheless, I was permitted entrance, and bidden to wait for her. I stayed in a room in the visitor's quarter of the house, healing with help from the Drow, and preparing myself for two days until the great Lady returned. She was as I remembered - noble, proud, and grave in her bearing - carrying herself in a manner that would make the most dignified Guardian of the Land of the Five Rivers honored to be in her company.
Indeed, I felt honored that she made time to speak with me within hours of her return. I described my mission and my plans to her. I explained that I wished to help her against her vile foes in return for the healing her folk had given me, but also asked the favor of teleportation for my purposes afterward. Though her bearing never faltered, it was clear she was concerned by my desire to visit the sea elves. She told me of the ancient perfidity of the surface elves, both sea and land, and how we humans were deceived in dealing with them. I replied that in this matter I believed I could trust their self-interest, for the sword I wished to trade would be of great use to them, and they could not take it from me by force except at great cost to themselves.
In the end, she consented to transport me to a place a few days travel from them, but would in no way send me directly into their power. What I did after that would be my own choice. I was most thankful.
For her part, she revealed that her foes, the wicked Drow who kept Alienists among them, had a small base of operations that I might be able to destroy single-handedly, however the exact time to strike would have to be chosen with care. It could be some weeks. She asked in the interim if I cared to aid her people against such lesser and local threats as they faced. I replied most readily that I did, for I greatly honored her. She told me to wait, and she would find someone from her house, one who knew the area intimately, to join me in dealing with such foes.
I passed a few more days, and spent my time well, learning about the house of Gozen and the people of the city. I was allowed to wander freely about the town. Certain things became apparent to me. The Drow do indeed carry themselves with great dignity, reminiscent of my homeland, and it is this trait which first made them so appealing to me. However, living among them I saw that they indeed have another side to their character, one that recalls the dark stories about them, for they are most subtle and not always trustworthy in their dealings with one another. Nonetheless, I think that those who speak ill of them choose to emphasize that which is bad and ignore that which is good. They are very brave, intelligent, show the gravest of courtesy, and have a complex but very real honor code of their own. I wonder what is the full and true tale of their ancient sundering from the rest of the Elven race?
In due time, the Lady Alis told me that if I was ready, she had work and a partner for me. She introduced me to her granddaughter, the lady Viriya Gozen, with whom I would go hunting in the dark caverns for creatures that sought harm to the Drow. I fear that some subtle faltering of my bearing and seriousness might have shown, for lady Viriya is beautiful even by the high standards of the Drow, who are a pretty folk. Indeed I think she is the loveliest women I have ever seen. She is young, very young for a Drow. Yet, like all her grandmother's kin, she is fearless and formidable, a great ranger and warrior of her folk... most worthy and admirable traits!
I called upon Pelor to give my heart steadiness, and focused my mind on that which must be done.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Journal of Crunch, Day 289c
-day289-C:
We have located a secret river entrance to the facility and, thanks to Sztuczka's technical knowledge, destroyed it. This action also slaughtered a large amount of fish. We then traveled deeper into the facility by means of the former riverbed and located another underground dock. It is here that we met a pirate named Nathaniel, who appears to be in charge of some quantity of pirates in the facility. Engagements in discourse with him have not led to a mutually-agreeable situation. He does not believe an aboleth to be on the premises, and demands compensation for the loss of his personnel and equipment. While compensation seems reasonable given the circumstances, we are unable to pay the required amount.
Ragnarr then made an attempt at mace-based diplomatics, which did not end well, and thus delayed the discussion until Nathaniel's pirate forces could be neutralized. During this combat, Azan lost control of his body and battled against us.Thi I was unable to effect repairs to him at the time due to entrapment inside a spherical wall of magic. Fortunately, Azan is still alive and of sound mind. Nathaniel and his bodyguard are effectively secured, and we are currently engaged in generating an inventory list of the goods in the area. No further gunpowder has been found, however, Ragnarr has expressed great joy over the discovery of a cask of alcohol.
An item of note: Nathaniel claims the crystal prisons in the facility are not of pirate construction; they have existed here for as long as the pirate forces have inhabited the facility (at least 150 years).
We have located a secret river entrance to the facility and, thanks to Sztuczka's technical knowledge, destroyed it. This action also slaughtered a large amount of fish. We then traveled deeper into the facility by means of the former riverbed and located another underground dock. It is here that we met a pirate named Nathaniel, who appears to be in charge of some quantity of pirates in the facility. Engagements in discourse with him have not led to a mutually-agreeable situation. He does not believe an aboleth to be on the premises, and demands compensation for the loss of his personnel and equipment. While compensation seems reasonable given the circumstances, we are unable to pay the required amount.
Ragnarr then made an attempt at mace-based diplomatics, which did not end well, and thus delayed the discussion until Nathaniel's pirate forces could be neutralized. During this combat, Azan lost control of his body and battled against us.
An item of note: Nathaniel claims the crystal prisons in the facility are not of pirate construction; they have existed here for as long as the pirate forces have inhabited the facility (at least 150 years).
Monday, November 1, 2010
From the Journal of Hrogar
You know what I like about cannons? Pretty much everything. They give you much the same benefits as a wand of lightning bolts, but without the need to be able to cast magic! Admittedly, instead of a wizard it helps to have a gnome around to use it, but under our current circumstances, that's pretty much what the cleric ordered.
The problem with fighting aboleths is that you really don't want to kill their servants, because you know their servants are under mind control. Now mind you, most of the servants we've tended to see strike me as the sorts with a predisposition toward that acts the aboleth is having them commit. That is to say, the aboleth tends not to use direct control of all it's minions so much as it sets up circumstances as needed so that most of the 'minions' are willingly doing what the aboleth wants. That being said, I don't feel right just slaughtering all it's minions. But then, I've always been counseled not to go into battle blindly. As mentioned before, this has caused no small amount of head banging between me and other paladins.
None the less, I believe that the group is suitably restraining itself, killing when it can't be helped, but not becoming an unthinking murderous mob.
The problem with fighting aboleths is that you really don't want to kill their servants, because you know their servants are under mind control. Now mind you, most of the servants we've tended to see strike me as the sorts with a predisposition toward that acts the aboleth is having them commit. That is to say, the aboleth tends not to use direct control of all it's minions so much as it sets up circumstances as needed so that most of the 'minions' are willingly doing what the aboleth wants. That being said, I don't feel right just slaughtering all it's minions. But then, I've always been counseled not to go into battle blindly. As mentioned before, this has caused no small amount of head banging between me and other paladins.
None the less, I believe that the group is suitably restraining itself, killing when it can't be helped, but not becoming an unthinking murderous mob.
Letter from Arcadius to his father
(from the stay in The Land of the Five Rivers, and written in its language and script)
To the honored, right-thinking and right-acting Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, who was son of Ar-Mirihaal, who was daughter of Ar-Khadesh, who was son of Ar-Kinas, who was daughter of Ar-Mahdin, who was son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, first of our rightly-guided lineage.
Keeper of the lineage of Dehret
Guardian of of the district of Ideb
Speaker in the assembly of the province of Zakhmemet
My father
From your son, Ar-Khadesh
*A*
Know o' father that I am briefly once more in The Land of the Five Rivers, but alas, only in distant Khemhet. I and my companions are merely passing through on our way to other lands. I have taken them temporarily under my Guardianship, and thus far they have behaved correctly and brought no discredit to it.
Know o' father that I must report to you certain things I have seen in Khemhet. Merchants of the Kingdom of Izmir, strange that their customs may be, are behaving in ways contrary to their own interests, but in accordance with the command of their tyrannical king. They are selling, but not buying, and thus hoarding gold that will no doubt fund the rumored war against Point of Origin, worthy city of the servants of the Gods. Know also that there is a strange unease in the district of Khemhet, and the common folk seem restless, though they cannot or will not explain why. Whatever is happening, it is contrary to the old and right paths, and I therefore humbly beg you to mention this matter to those who have need to know such things.
Know o' father that I have much more I would like to say than time and wisdom permit. However, recall if you will the tales of Thamuut the Fisherman, of Musheret the Peasant and Ar-Dahun the Foolish Guardian, and especially of Ekhmose and the Basalt Tomb. Reflect upon the time in which each is set, and I believe they will prove instructive.
Know o' father I pray that, gods willing, when the current troubles are past, and the vile forces of darkness and disorder are purged, we shall have time to speak at length and leisure.
Know o' father that I honor you, my mother, and our family, may they be blessed and may they act in accordance with the old and proper ways.
Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.
To the honored, right-thinking and right-acting Ar-Mahdin, son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, who was son of Ar-Mirihaal, who was daughter of Ar-Khadesh, who was son of Ar-Kinas, who was daughter of Ar-Mahdin, who was son of Ar-Ahrum, who was son of Ar-Dehret, first of our rightly-guided lineage.
Keeper of the lineage of Dehret
Guardian of of the district of Ideb
Speaker in the assembly of the province of Zakhmemet
My father
From your son, Ar-Khadesh
*A*
Know o' father that I am briefly once more in The Land of the Five Rivers, but alas, only in distant Khemhet. I and my companions are merely passing through on our way to other lands. I have taken them temporarily under my Guardianship, and thus far they have behaved correctly and brought no discredit to it.
Know o' father that I must report to you certain things I have seen in Khemhet. Merchants of the Kingdom of Izmir, strange that their customs may be, are behaving in ways contrary to their own interests, but in accordance with the command of their tyrannical king. They are selling, but not buying, and thus hoarding gold that will no doubt fund the rumored war against Point of Origin, worthy city of the servants of the Gods. Know also that there is a strange unease in the district of Khemhet, and the common folk seem restless, though they cannot or will not explain why. Whatever is happening, it is contrary to the old and right paths, and I therefore humbly beg you to mention this matter to those who have need to know such things.
Know o' father that I have much more I would like to say than time and wisdom permit. However, recall if you will the tales of Thamuut the Fisherman, of Musheret the Peasant and Ar-Dahun the Foolish Guardian, and especially of Ekhmose and the Basalt Tomb. Reflect upon the time in which each is set, and I believe they will prove instructive.
Know o' father I pray that, gods willing, when the current troubles are past, and the vile forces of darkness and disorder are purged, we shall have time to speak at length and leisure.
Know o' father that I honor you, my mother, and our family, may they be blessed and may they act in accordance with the old and proper ways.
Rightly we have done, rightly we do, and rightly may we do in the times to come.
Darn Wizards
Annoying wizards. You go to the extra level to protect your self from their evil way and they find a way to bend the laws of the world. They say rouge are dirty fighters, but I think most wizards give them a run for their money. There are some wizards that have learned to find a balance and try to help others. Most just love to show case their power.
On another note we have continued to push on. We meet a pirate who claims to be the leader of this group. While other talked with him I kept a look out for guards. Good thing I dd because sure enough some water elf showed up. After fall prey to their mind control the others were able to fend them off. I hope we find this abalith soon. This is getting worse by the hour.
On another note we have continued to push on. We meet a pirate who claims to be the leader of this group. While other talked with him I kept a look out for guards. Good thing I dd because sure enough some water elf showed up. After fall prey to their mind control the others were able to fend them off. I hope we find this abalith soon. This is getting worse by the hour.
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