D&D Campaign Session for September 16th, 2001

Played with 3rd Edition Rules

Sakara's Journal

Journal Entry One

After leaving the trading house of Mezia’s employ to seek out my brother, I decided I should start keeping a journal, something I could look back on and try to make sense of what the gods have set into motion. This morning I arrived at Lord Macsen’s Keep to try to find my brother. Agreeing to his wishes when Corp. Isik asked me who I was and what business I had at the keep I told him only my first name and that I was looking for Reddof Nonnac. Gods, what an alias to chose, I though he was joking when he said he was going to use it. (I’ve had a tough time remembering to use it so for the sake of drilling it into my head I will try to always use it in my entries.) Isik looked concerned and asked me to accompany him. I wondered aloud what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into. I had figured he got into a bar fight and was cooling off in a cell…how little I knew. Isik lead me to the temple of St. Cuthbert and sent for the Curate. After I again introduced myself the Curate led me down into the temple, I began to feel the pit of my stomach tighten as he continued into a room that contained Reddof’s body, or what was left of it. I nearly lost it…the Curate explained to me that Ghouls had brought him down. I noticed that Reddof was clothed in St. Cuthbert robes and asked where his equipment was and gave him the three gold I had lost in our bet and informed him that I was Reddof’s sister. The Curate informed me that he spoke to Reddof’s sprit and in typical Reddof style stated that he would not want to be resurrected if it inconvenienced anyone. The Curate gave me the names of the returning heroes who had expressed interest in escorting Reddof’s body.

In my discussion with the Curate he seemed slightly angered that both my brother and myself do not follow St. Cuthbert’s or any gods’ particular path. I would take it that Reddof put his nose out of joint in his belief that his destiny was his own. I decided it best to take my leave before he started his full blown conversion speech. I made my way to the tavern and handed the list to the barkeep. He told me that Glothe was out with the other dwarfs but Kari a ranger was over talking to the green robed person that had come into the keep with me. I have to say, if that is what a ranger normally looks like the Curate really cleaned up Reddof’s body. I decided to nurse my drink and politely wait for the conversation to end. I introduced myself but she seemed distracted…I recognized the look in her eye, it was the same one I had for Mark. (Pelor rest his soul and forgive me for what I had to do.) The conversation was brief but to the point. While she had no problem with me going I needed to find the others and get their blessing. A shout outside kicked in my caravan guard mode and I rushed out to see. It was an odd spectacle. On the one hand there were Dwarfs squaring off and practicing but to the side there was a Gnome sparring with a human. It was so strange to see a Gnome using hand to hand combat. I took a quick glance at the Dwarfs to see if one of them used Glothe’s name but none of them did, at least in common.

I realized that I was going to need money if they were going to delay for any length of time at the Keep. The blacksmith thankfully had an opening and my meager skills were enough to get me immediate work. After a long day at the blacksmith I went to the one tavern in the keep for supper. There I ran into the other heroes. Ithil, the elf that the Curate mentioned to me bought drinks for everyone in the tavern. I slowly approached those people on the list trying to be discreet about it, unfortunately I have never known Dwarfs to be discreet. They were already drunk and made some lurid comments about my relationship with Reddof. Though I wanted to lash out at their disrespect of my brother I decided that my brother would enjoy it more if these half-wits stewed in their own juices of ignorance. Apparently this Glothe held no loyalty to my brother and was going with the other Dwarfs to find this Durgeddin’s storehouse. Likewise for Ithil, she was only going as far as Seblingham. Kessem quizzed me a little about my desire to go but in the end she welcomed me to join. As the festivities wore on I noticed that the green robed gentlemen, Christo, I think was talking to a rather attractive well-kept woman. I have to remember to tell Kari about it in the morning. One of the guards asked me to dance and I reluctantly accepted…I had to get my mind off of the days events and the image of Reddof lying dead.

Entry 2

This morning I found Kari and approached her about the competition she had for the Christo’s affection. As I started to inform her of last night’s activities I noticed that while her armor was still very ‘seasoned’ her appearance was more like the woman last night. I was never known as the wisest but even I can put two and two together. Kari smiled knowingly and I took my leave of her to get to work. On afternoon lunch I investigated the possibility of getting more training…what a joke that was. They wanted to charge me 10 gold! PER WEEK! I doubt those guards are anywhere near as good as Master Grellyn or Mistress Shylithra and they charged more. Anyhow I don’t have much in the way of funds so I decided to practice what Shylithra taught me and try to see if I can master the rapid shot technique.

Entry 3

The next four weeks were quiet with the exception of Ithil working in the blacksmith’s. I could have sworn that when she talked to the smith she pointed at me as she said something. I was making too much noise working to hear. He set her down with the workings for a short bow, but it seemed to my novice eye that she made a couple of basic mistakes, but caught them latter on and fixed them. Word came today of an Ettin in the area and they were asking for the help of the heroes. I was curious as to what an Ettin was and asked to join in the hunt…If I had known what it was before I went, I might have had second thoughts. Kari seemed off her game, I think her thoughts were still on Christo and not her tasks. Luckily both Selena and I were able to pick up the ball and stay on the path. Kari’s lapse was short lived once we found the trail of the Ettin…I think my first thoughts upon seeing the footprint were “whoa! What in Pelor’s name did I get myself into?”

We tracked it to the creature’s layer and after a brief discussion a magical scroll was used to silence our movement as we approached the mouth of the cave. The darkness prevented us from spotting the creature. I handed my lantern up to Selena and she panned the light into the cave. Unfortunately this woke up the Ettin. The group quickly fell into a combat mode with Kari dropping the silence spell as the Ettin closed the distance. I must say it was a bit unnerving to see this two headed monstrosity with two crude clubs moving up to us. My aim was compromised by my nervousness to prove myself, and the sight of this thing so my first arrow went wild. Glothe and Selena charged as Kari readied her bow. Ithil rushed in and tried to tumble between the Ettin’s legs. She was successful but was helped through by the Ettin’s club. The Ettin attacked Glothe and I heard the crunch of metal as the Ettin tried to drive Glothe into the ground. How the Dwarf survived I don’t know, but he kept right on swinging. I settled down and put a good shot into the Ettin but it acted like it was nothing. Kessem called out something in Draconic…I think…Anyway the Ettin seemed to slow down. As I put another shot into it Kari made a plea to her god and the Ettin slowly roared in anger. The Selena jumped up twice at the Ettin and by the look on the Ettin’s face she was making sure that he wouldn’t have any children. I could just barely make out Ithil slashing at the Ettin’s legs with great skill. With a sigh of relief our next series of blows did it in and with a great crash it almost fell on Glothe and Selena. We investigated the cave and found a broken chest with gold and silver trade bars stamped with the Messia house seal. Though my voice in the matter was small I urged them to return the bars to the house and they agreed. (They may have already decided to return them before I spoke but I like to think I had some small part in that). We also found a small sack of gems to be divided up among us later. The others quickly set about what seemed to be some sort of ritual of cutting off one of the heads to bring back (for proof) and then burning the body and smashing the bones. When I asked why Kari responded that they have had too many of their vanquished foes come back as undead to take any chances.

When we returned to the keep the heroes were welcomed with open arms. I was thanked for my assistance and the group was rewarded well for our efforts. For some reason Glothe gave me his share, I think it was out of his misunderstanding for my loss and his other commitment keeping him from accompanying us. We were also rewarded by Folgir Kralson for returning the bars with the usual finders’ reward percentage. He gave us a letter of recommendation, which I took. I don’t think the others were interested in it. I have worked for Messia before and this letter would help me get a better job on the next caravan once we get Reddof raised. Lord Maxim came out to greeat us saying that he had received word from Count HasendalHazendel. He handed each of the heroes a personal letter from Count HasendalHazendel thanking them for their efforts along with a pouch with coin in it. Lord Maxim gave Reddof’s letter and pouch to the Curate. The Curate approached me and gave me the letter and pouch stating, “I think your brother would be honored if you held onto them for him. He was a noble and brave hero.”

I have to say that I almost broke down at that point as I took the items. The group seemed startled for a second as they realized the true reason I wanted to accompany them. At that point I think most of them truly welcomed me into their group. We set out with Reddof’s body the next day and after a two days’ of journey part of which was with another caravan I was told by the others that the next day we would be arriving in Seblingham. The group seemed to reflexively tense up and become more alert when I inquired as to why they told me of the evil that had been festering in that place and that they had lost many brave heroes trying to clear it out. As we made camp for the night I wondered what adventures would await me in this town…

Here endeth the session.