D&D Campaign Session for September 16th, 2001

Played with 3rd Edition Rules

Player Characters:

Glothe Longstride, Dwarf Male Fighter, 4th Level (Caleb)
Ithil, Elf Female Rogue/Fighter, 1st Level/2nd Level (Dennis)
Kari Morningdew, Human Female Ranger/Cleric of Fharlanghn, 1st Level/4th Level(Andy)
Kessem Chexz, Female Elf Wizard, 5th Level (Neil)
Odlits Burdfriend, Male Half-Orc Wizard, 4th Level (Bill)
Sakara, Elf Female Ranger, 1st Level (Greg)
Simon, Human Male Sorcerer, 2nd Level (Geoff)

Creatures Great and Small

After a night's rest near the edge of the swamp our party of adventurers had finally reached the point where our group would split apart and pursue our own paths in the world. Before our departure the treasures found by the group were identified and divided among the party. Each of the group received a portion, and I was the recipient of a beautiful ring that Kessem tells me will protect me in combat.

The portion of the treasure that was claimed by our band included two rings, a couple of potions, and a few other assorted items. I am sure that they will assist us in our future quests.

This done we split up and proceeded in two directions. Our group consisted of myself, Kessem, Glothe, Simon, Azaki, Kari, Ithil, Odlits, Riis, and Deina who are continuing on to the Keep. Westwind, Kobort, Kespin, Ramne, and Mike are going to Seblingham where they will help rebuild the temple of Heironeous after returning the villagers to their home.

We said our goodbyes and started our day's travel.

The day was uneventful other than the light rain that was falling and making our travel less comfortable. One of the few bright sides to the rain was that it started washing the mud from the swamp off of our bodies.

In the evening we stopped for the night on a hill. During the first watch we were awakened by the watch because of two shambling mounds approaching our campsite their bodies being struck by lightning on nearby hills. I identified the creatures for the group and gave what knowledge I had of them to the rest of the party. Unfortunately we were not able to evade the creatures because most of the group was still waking up when they entered the camp.

Immediately Kessem blasted the creatures with her wand, but the damp nature of the creatures protected them from the fireball.

After this the battle was joined, and due to the coordinated effort of ranged strikes, magic, and close combat the creatures were defeated with minimal wounds inflicted to the party and no fatalities. This is always a cause for celebration, especially when we have lost so many companions in the last couple of days.

After the creatures were defeated we searched the remains and found 7 pp and 50 gp, which were divided among the group. In addition we found a hollow tube made of Mythril, about a foot long and approximately 1" in diameter. It is believed that this might be a magical chime, and is placed in Kessem's care until we can better identify it.

During the 3rd watch, Kari and I were alerted to the sound of Gnolls in the distance. We awoke the rest of the group and prepared for battle, but the sounds receded into the distance. Kari was visibly anxious to follow them into the darkness, but the rest of us were not anxious to chase the creatures. After the sounds receded everyone returned to sleep and the rest of the night passes uneventfully.

In the morning we packed our belongings and started out for Macsen's Keep. Soon after leaving camp we found the tracks of the Gnolls, but decided that we would not pursue them. We reached the keep early in the morning, and immediately noticed that the mercenary encampment was severely reduced, and appeared to be half the size it was when we departed. The drawbridge was down, but the portcullis was not raised.

Upon entering the keep we were greeted by Corporal Issic who requests that we report to Lord Macsen and the Curate to report of our adventures. Also upon entering we were required to check in with the scribes. They were visibly shaken upon matching Selena and her description in the Keep's records.

In the courtyard several dwarves bash each other with axes. I have seen that this can be a very effective fighting technique, but relies very heavily on the other person standing there and taking the blows. Anyone who retreats and stays out of range of their short legs and encumbered forms could easily decimate these valiant, but slow warriors. I wish that I could have helped Glothe realize this, but it is part of his blood that he can realize no other technique could possibly stand up to his armored form. Perhaps someday he will learn.

After checking in I immediately left the keep to find the stream near where my brother's pyre had been. I prayed for my brother, and bathed myself in the icy water of the stream. Removing much of the stink of the swamp from my body, and soul.

Upon returning to the keep I immediately went to a merchant to inquire about new clothes for the Dinner, which I had been informed, was being held in our honor. I chose a wonderful green silk, and though it was costly I was able to get clothes made for the night. I picked these up later in the day and was very pleased with the workmanship and style. While waiting I went to the courtyard where a monk was practicing in a style that I had never seen before. I waited for him to end his practices and approached to talk with him.

He introduced himself as Ingoth from Abthur, a monk of Zuoken and Xan Yae. During the minutes that followed we discussed spending time together the next day practicing together and comparing unarmed combat techniques. I was excited to finally have someone to practice with, and expressed a strong desire to spend as much time as my new acquaintance was willing.

During this time my companions bathed and made other private arrangements.

In the evening we were gathered by the Captain of the guard and let toward the inner bailey. Inside we were greeted by the curate, acolytes, guards in formation, Lord Macsen, Ariallis, and a number of prominent citizens.

There is immediately a round of loud applause for the group, and then Lord Macsen greets us as heroes and makes a speech on the importance of our adventures. He asks us to recount the rest of our adventures over dinner and invites us into the banquet hall for a feast. Several courses are served including roasts, fish, and a large cake for desert.

During the dinner I first spoke with the curate who was shocked at my new form. I really wish people would stop doing this because it causes me to remember the moment of my death every time. Sharp spears piercing my body and soul. He then seemed to recover and asked me if I was happy with my new body, and explained that he had heard of such things but had never known anyone who had been blessed as I had.

After the dinner I returned to the temple of St. Cuthbert and donated a large donation of copper and silver. The acolyte was shocked at the donation, and had to empty the donation plate twice to keep the coins from overflowing onto the floor. I then prayed and went to sleep after an exhausting day.

The night passes uneventfully.

In the morning I am up early and leave for the courtyard to start my morning meditation and exercise. Ingoth met me in the courtyard and we started practicing together. I got a few early strikes, but quickly found that I was outclassed. After those early blows I was stunned by the techniques, and was distracted by the noise created by dwarves bashing axes on shields as they watched the combat between myself an Ingoth. After our practice we left the keep to discuss Zuoken and the possibility of my practicing more with him in the weeks to come. He stated that he could only teach his techniques to people who are willing to choose the path of Zuoken. He also stressed that he was not a master of Zuoken, and was only a disciple.

We spent our time in discussing the beliefs of Zuoken, and gathering information so I could make an intelligent decision if I would give up Ehlonna as my deity and start following the path of Zuoken.

That night we all gather in the tavern. There is much drinking and revelry, including a drinking contest among the Dwarves that Glothe wins. After the contest Glothe is lifted onto the other Dwarves shoulders, and barely keeps from loosing his dinner on the floor.

At the end of the week Ingoth asks me if I choose the path of Zuoken and Xan Yae. After a brief moment of thought I agree to choose this path, and my training begins in earnest.

The next three weeks are filled with training for the members of the group with only a few items of note occurring.

Reddof's sister, Sakara, arrives at the keep and requests that she is allowed to assist us in transporting Reddof's body to Pitchfield. She is greeted with warmth, and immediately becomes one of the group.

Deina and Riis leave with their fallen comrades for the Temple of Pholtus in Pitchfield seeking resurrection.

During the second week a Halfling rider arrives at the keep and then departs again quickly.

Vorril and his detachment return from Seblingham telling tales that the Temple of Heironeous is being rebuilt and that Kobort has gotten a great promotion. The town is reported to be prepared for the coming winter.

Kessem reports that she has identified the Mythril tube as a "Chime of Opening" that can be used 40 times to open any type of lock. The group decides that she should hang on to it for times when Ithil is not available to open locks.

At the end of the 4th week an Ettin hunt is formed and our group is asked to complete the mission before the Ettin has a chance to ravage more of the countryside. We agree to undertake the task, and set out to the East looking for signs of the beast. Ingoth tells me that it is time for him to move on, but that he will await my return before departing.

We travel east for 4 hours before finding sign of our prey. Kari and I follow the signs to a cave at the base of a gully. Kari uses a scroll of silence to allow us to approach silently, and attempt to surprise the beast in its lair. As we get to the entrance we look inside and cannot see the beast. Sakara passes me a lantern, and as we survey the cavern the Ettin awakens.

I bravely charge into the cavern with Ithil and Glothe quickly following. The battle was fierce and bloody with many spells, arrows, and bolts in addition to fierce close combat needed to slay the creature. Ithil was also able to set herself into good position for attacking the Ettin from the flank as Selena and Glothe distracted the beast. We removed one of the heads from the beast to use as proof of its defeat upon returning to the keep. Also after our encounters with the giant we burnt the Ettin's body and smashed the skeleton after the Pyre.

Within the smelly cave hidden by animal skins was a large chest containing trade bars marked with the Mezia Family Mark and a small sack. There were 3200 silver trade bars and 280 gold trade bars estimated at approximately 500gp value total. In the small sack were three gems (an Obsidian of approximately 12gp value, a blue Quartz of and estimated 6gp value, and a Golden Yellow Topaz of an estimated value of 600gp).

On our return to the keep we returned the trade bars to the Mezia and received a reward of 50gp which was distributed 6 to each member of the party, and the 2 extra being donated to the temple of St. Cuthbert. Gems kept to be sold at a later time and in Selena's possession.

The residents of the Keep ask about our most recent adventure and many glorious stories are told.

I later tell Ingoth the story, and he stays for the rest of the week finalizing my training and initiation into the Order of Zuoken and Xan Yae.

The party spends the time finishing training and preparing ourselves for our departure to Pitchfield.

At the end of this week a rider enters the keep. He is well equipped and looks like a knight of Sunndi. Lord Macsen comes out after his arrival and reads a letter from Count Hazendel thanking the party for all of their valiant efforts on behalf of Sunndi.

Along with this comes letters of recognition for Kessem, Redoff, myself, Kari, Glothe, and others in Seblingham. These letters proclaim the bearer as a Hero of Sunndi, and are accompanied by a small pouch containing 50pp.

The next day the group gathers to determine their path in the days to follow. Glothe saddens us by announcing that he will travel east looking for final resting place of Durgeddin. The rest of the group will be traveling the caravan route on their way to Pitchfield with the body of Reddof in an attempt to get him resurrected. Kessem has purchased a cart to help us transport the body, and I have made arrangements to ride with her on our journey. After leaving the keep and heading toward Seblingham we caught up with a caravan, and after their discovery of who we are quickly asked us to accompany them on the road to Seblingham.

The first day and a half has been uneventful, but tomorrow we reach Seblingham.

Here endeth the session, as excerpted from the journal of Selena, Monk of Ehlonna.