The Swords of Sunndi, a.k.a. Three Halfling Boys Plus Two

A tight spot?

2007-07-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Bart,
Turns out the main headquarters of the slavers is an island in the middle of a volcano lake. It was guarded by humanoids and a Dragon (whome WW so nicely dealt with). Wind walking the next day brought us right to the main keep on the island. We descended from above fighting 30 or so guards on the roof and forcing our way down the ladders to what seams to be baracks. Fighting the remaining gaurds on this level we eventualy took the upper two floors. Pausing to listen briefley we heard activity on the floor below. Many humanoids were making way for a Blood Golem. As the golem ascended from below a group of high level heavy hitters descended from our entry point above. We know for certain that one is Ajaxtu, one of the slave lords, the some or all of the rest may also hold that title. 2 casters, a fighter, a rouge, and a monk? plus the blood Golem is what we face currently. Our spells are low but our hit points are relativley hi again. One caster is sleeping from one of their own knockout potions, administered by Kespin. Some wounds have been dealt but they are more or less at full. A full round action will wake the sleeping caster. Tess's healing/ and area affects are all but spent, as she has been hurling heavy handed pelorian slap downs all day while keeping us standing. 2-3 of our party members have already begun their 5 round transformation back to vapor form while Westwind and Kespin have yet to intiate this transformation. Top of the order, stakes are high.
Oh yeah we got this one...

-joshua

Future Gaming Dates

2007-04-30T16:54:00.001-07:00

Good evening all!

Here are the dates that we discussed for future gaming:

June 2nd

July 21st

Sept 22nd

Oct 20th

Nov 10th

Dec 15th

No dates in May or August

Do these dates work for everyone else?

Tracey

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

april summary

2007-04-28T18:37:00.001-07:00

We are camped in the troll tunnel for the night.

The dragon comes along and collapses the tunnel mouth on us then fuses it with his fire breath.

We decide to investigate the tunnel. We encounter, piercers, various fungi and some ropers who give us a real problem. We over come them and decide to spend time on the ledge formerly occupied by the ropers.

In the morning we decide to head back and deal with the dragon. Tess stone-shapes a hole in the rock wall. I look ands listen at the hole. I hear the dragon and jump away from the hole as a gout of fire fills the room. Most of the others are caught in it. They flee the room to heal. I ready my bow with the arrow of dragon slaying and take aim out the hole there is something there so I let fly. The dragon screams and there is a loud thump, then all is silent.

1 dragon

1 shot

1 kill!

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-27T15:40:00.001-07:00

Westwind starts to talk then stops. After a moment he says, “I agree we do not have enough information to answer your questions. When has not knowing what we are doing stopped us in the past?”

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Well thats the best plan I've heard yet, I'm in.

I still can't shake the feeling that there is more than one dragon around here. Normally I would agree with Westwind and say that Reds are so territorial and mean that one of this size would be the only one for many many miles. However some things don't add up yet, probably because of lack of information.

1.) Why was big red flying as if on patrol? Why not let his inferior minions do that sort of thing?

2.) There are 9 slave lords. If one could be a dragon than more than one could also be a dragon.

3) We still no nothing about this Earth Dragon Cult.

4) We do know of a family of Blue Dragons that works together.

5) The other thing that Reds are known for is their greed. An arrangement that would be lucrative for multiple territorial Reds might be enough for them to form an alliance and live in close proximity. Slaving would certainly be lucrative, not to mention free food.

6) The slavers have employed at least one dragon, they could employ more.

Whatever the case may be we will find our answers soon and likely the hard way. And we are garunteed a very tough battle, but there is NO CHANCE we are avoiding it. Its time to even the score. This ones for Wrye, Kobort and Cellume! If we have to harry them, fine that sounds smart. But the slavers are going to pay for their evil deeds, and we'll start with big Red.

-Kespin

From: "Patty Rutins" <patty@rutins.com>
Reply-To: patty@rutins.com
To: <aithdim@comcast.net>,<vt.dolphin@gmail.com>,<chris@perkett.net>
CC: <djawshua@hotmail.com>,<cperkett@adelphia.net>,<erik@rutins.com>,<argg.swords@blogger.com>
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:36:00 -0400

Well, that works for me.

From: "Andrew Cancellieri" <aithdim@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 4:15 PM
To: patty@rutins.com>, <vt.dolphin@gmail.com>, <chris@perkett.net
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)

I agree we should plan on more than the dragon. In truth though I don't see how that effects our preparations, as it is impossible to over-prepare for the dragon we saw.

PLAN:

Sleep

Investigate tunnel

Slay dragon

Ransack horde

Get attacked by the dragon's allies

Kill them

Take there stuff too.

WW

OOC:

Tracy: Heroes' Feast.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/777 - Release Date: 4/26/2007 3:23 PM

Mortgage refinance is Hot. *Terms. Get a 5.375%* fix rate. Check savings

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-27T11:36:00.001-07:00

Well, that works for me.

From: "Andrew Cancellieri" <aithdim@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 4:15 PM
To: patty@rutins.com>, <vt.dolphin@gmail.com>, <chris@perkett.net
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)

I agree we should plan on more than the dragon. In truth though I don't see how that effects our preparations, as it is impossible to over-prepare for the dragon we saw.

PLAN:

Sleep

Investigate tunnel

Slay dragon

Ransack horde

Get attacked by the dragon's allies

Kill them

Take there stuff too.

OOC:

Tracy: Heroes' Feast.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.1/777 - Release Date: 4/26/2007 3:23 PM

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

I agree we should plan on more than the dragon. In truth though I don’t see how that effects our preparations, as it is impossible to over-prepare for the dragon we saw.

PLAN:

Sleep

Investigate tunnel

Slay dragon

Ransack horde

Get attacked by the dragon’s allies

Kill them

Take there stuff too.

OOC:

Tracy: Heroes’ Feast.

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-26T06:22:00.001-07:00

I agree that there probably aren't two dragons like the one we saw. However, it'd be a mistake to form a plan based on the assumption that we won't have anything else nasty attack us at the same time or shortly after we tangle with the dragon. This is supposed to be the stronghold of the slave lords, yes? Let's assume it'll be well-guarded and then we can celebrate afterward if it turned out to be easy, how's that?

Yes, let's investigate the tunnel.

From: "Andrew Cancellieri" <aithdim@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 4:55 PM
To: "'Tracey Newton'" <vt.dolphin@gmail.com>, <chris@perkett.net>
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)

PLAN OF ACTION?

Well you all convinced me that going straight up against the dragon, is not a good idea. So I thought we were going to investigate the tunnel that goes down into the mountain. It may be a back door or it may be a dead end. As for other dragons, this is a red and I don't think they like other dragons around. Am I wrong Kespin? Those other dragon like things don't worry me, they are behind us. I don't think we should over think this. Let's investigate the tunnel. All this talking is making my head hurt. LET'S GO, after waiting for spell casters to have their full compliments of spells if we want to sleep in this place.

Westwind

From: Tracey Newton [mailto:vt.dolphin@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:21 AM
To: chris@perkett.net
Cc: Andrew Cancellieri; patty@rutins.com; djawshua@hotmail.com; cperkett@adelphia.net; erik@rutins.com; argg.swords@blogger.com
Subject: Re: april (dragon hunting)

Just a quick check...did we come up with a plan of action?

We are gaming this Saturday, correct? Starting as close to noon as possible?

Cheers!

Tracey

On 3/29/07, Tracey Newton <vt.dolphin@gmail.com> wrote:

My friends and comrades.

I agree that we should wait until morning, because I can ask Pelor for His divine help in ways more specific to our immediate task. For example, he can grant us Protection from Fire (or other energy) that will remove 120 points of damage from every fire-based attack for a couple of hours. His presence will also improve our abilty to resist the dragon's aura of Fear (+4). For that matter, His presence in me will help those around me regardless of what spells are cast. I believe that I can also give Bull's Strength to everyone if desired, though Cat's Grace is not a clerical spell.

I would prefer to not fight this creature at the top of the mountain. That's it's territory and allows it to fly around us with impunity. I could try to entange it in a briar web, but I have a feeling that it will simply break free, if it gets entangled at all. I could try summoning some air elementals, but apart from that, I can't think of anything I can do to keep the thing grounded.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett <cperkett@comcast.net > wrote:

I certainly agree with waiting until we are full on spells.  Yes, my
fists will hurt the dragon.  We haven't mentioned the other dragon-like
things that we saw, smaller tho they were...should we try and destroy
those first before taking on the older wyrm?

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot.  I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :)  I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey.  Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability.  Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear.  After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before?  I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed.  I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind.  The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature.  Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-26T06:19:00.001-07:00

I like this Plan! We sleep, get all spells back, and GO!!

See you all at noon!

Tracey

On 4/25/07, Andrew Cancellieri <aithdim@comcast.net> wrote:

PLAN OF ACTION?

Well you all convinced me that going straight up against the dragon, is not a good idea. So I thought we were going to investigate the tunnel that goes down into the mountain. It may be a back door or it may be a dead end. As for other dragons, this is a red and I don't think they like other dragons around. Am I wrong Kespin? Those other dragon like things don't worry me, they are behind us. I don't think we should over think this. Let's investigate the tunnel. All this talking is making my head hurt. LET'S GO, after waiting for spell casters to have their full compliments of spells if we want to sleep in this place.

Westwind

From: Tracey Newton [mailto: vt.dolphin@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:21 AM
To: chris@perkett.net
Cc: Andrew Cancellieri; patty@rutins.com; djawshua@hotmail.com; cperkett@adelphia.net; erik@rutins.com; argg.swords@blogger.com
Subject: Re: april (dragon hunting)

Just a quick check...did we come up with a plan of action?

We are gaming this Saturday, correct? Starting as close to noon as possible?

Cheers!

Tracey

On 3/29/07, Tracey Newton < vt.dolphin@gmail.com> wrote:

My friends and comrades.

I agree that we should wait until morning, because I can ask Pelor for His divine help in ways more specific to our immediate task. For example, he can grant us Protection from Fire (or other energy) that will remove 120 points of damage from every fire-based attack for a couple of hours. His presence will also improve our abilty to resist the dragon's aura of Fear (+4). For that matter, His presence in me will help those around me regardless of what spells are cast. I believe that I can also give Bull's Strength to everyone if desired, though Cat's Grace is not a clerical spell.

I would prefer to not fight this creature at the top of the mountain. That's it's territory and allows it to fly around us with impunity. I could try to entange it in a briar web, but I have a feeling that it will simply break free, if it gets entangled at all. I could try summoning some air elementals, but apart from that, I can't think of anything I can do to keep the thing grounded.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett < cperkett@comcast.net > wrote:

I certainly agree with waiting until we are full on spells.  Yes, my
fists will hurt the dragon.  We haven't mentioned the other dragon-like
things that we saw, smaller tho they were...should we try and destroy
those first before taking on the older wyrm?

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot.  I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :)  I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey.  Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability.  Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear.  After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before?  I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed.  I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind.  The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature.  Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture."  - Mike Bilodeau

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture."  - Mike Bilodeau

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-25T13:53:00.001-07:00

PLAN OF ACTION?

Well you all convinced me that going straight up against the dragon, is not a good idea. So I thought we were going to investigate the tunnel that goes down into the mountain. It may be a back door or it may be a dead end. As for other dragons, this is a red and I don’t think they like other dragons around. Am I wrong Kespin? Those other dragon like things don’t worry me, they are behind us. I don’t think we should over think this. Let’s investigate the tunnel. All this talking is making my head hurt. LET’S GO, after waiting for spell casters to have their full compliments of spells if we want to sleep in this place.

Westwind

Just a quick check...did we come up with a plan of action?

We are gaming this Saturday, correct? Starting as close to noon as possible?

Cheers!

Tracey

On 3/29/07, Tracey Newton <vt.dolphin@gmail.com> wrote:

My friends and comrades.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett <cperkett@comcast.net > wrote:

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.463 / Virus Database: 269.6.0/775 - Release Date: 4/24/2007 5:43 PM

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-25T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure...

I suspect that as soon as we take on one dragon or dragon-like creature, the rest will know all about us. Dragons can be spellcasters as well, so why wouldn't they use "message" just like we would? We know there's at least one red dragon, plus the other dragonish-things (we saw two?), and then there were troll minions. I suspect that reconnaissance wouldn't be a bad idea.

We should keep a Windwalk spell ready as well. If we get in over our heads, we can hopefully get Windwalk going in time and zoom away. With well-used Windwalk spells, we could harry this place for quite some time -- pick a target, whack it, and be somewhere completely different by afternoon to confuse pursuit.

From: "Tracey Newton" <vt.dolphin@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:22 AM
To: chris@perkett.net
Subject: Re: april (dragon hunting)

Just a quick check...did we come up with a plan of action?

We are gaming this Saturday, correct? Starting as close to noon as possible?

Cheers!

Tracey

On 3/29/07, Tracey Newton <vt.dolphin@gmail.com> wrote:

My friends and comrades.

I agree that we should wait until morning, because I can ask Pelor for His divine help in ways more specific to our immediate task. For example, he can grant us Protection from Fire (or other energy) that will remove 120 points of damage from every fire-based attack for a couple of hours. His presence will also improve our abilty to resist the dragon's aura of Fear (+4). For that matter, His presence in me will help those around me regardless of what spells are cast. I believe that I can also give Bull's Strength to everyone if desired, though Cat's Grace is not a clerical spell.

I would prefer to not fight this creature at the top of the mountain. That's it's territory and allows it to fly around us with impunity. I could try to entange it in a briar web, but I have a feeling that it will simply break free, if it gets entangled at all. I could try summoning some air elementals, but apart from that, I can't think of anything I can do to keep the thing grounded.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett <cperkett@comcast.net > wrote:
I certainly agree with waiting until we are full on spells.  Yes, my
fists will hurt the dragon.  We haven't mentioned the other dragon-like
things that we saw, smaller tho they were...should we try and destroy
those first before taking on the older wyrm?

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot.  I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :)  I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey.  Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability.  Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear.  After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before?  I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed.  I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind.  The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature.  Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture."  - Mike Bilodeau

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-04-25T08:20:00.001-07:00

Just a quick check...did we come up with a plan of action?

We are gaming this Saturday, correct? Starting as close to noon as possible?

Cheers!

Tracey

On 3/29/07, Tracey Newton <vt.dolphin@gmail.com> wrote:

My friends and comrades.

I agree that we should wait until morning, because I can ask Pelor for His divine help in ways more specific to our immediate task. For example, he can grant us Protection from Fire (or other energy) that will remove 120 points of damage from every fire-based attack for a couple of hours. His presence will also improve our abilty to resist the dragon's aura of Fear (+4). For that matter, His presence in me will help those around me regardless of what spells are cast. I believe that I can also give Bull's Strength to everyone if desired, though Cat's Grace is not a clerical spell.

I would prefer to not fight this creature at the top of the mountain. That's it's territory and allows it to fly around us with impunity. I could try to entange it in a briar web, but I have a feeling that it will simply break free, if it gets entangled at all. I could try summoning some air elementals, but apart from that, I can't think of anything I can do to keep the thing grounded.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett <cperkett@comcast.net > wrote:
I certainly agree with waiting until we are full on spells.  Yes, my
fists will hurt the dragon.  We haven't mentioned the other dragon-like
things that we saw, smaller tho they were...should we try and destroy
those first before taking on the older wyrm?

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot.  I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :)  I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey.  Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability.  Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear.  After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before?  I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed.  I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind.  The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature.  Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture."  - Mike Bilodeau

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

More Letters Home

2007-04-15T06:22:00.001-07:00

Hello, Girard.

I am writing these letters, not knowing if I will ever get a chance to send them to you. In any event, it could be important to have these events documented.

We stayed in a copse of trees overnight where we encountered a trio of basilisks. Stupid creatures. They didn't last too long against Westwind, however, and we finished out the night. As we approached Highport the next morning, a flock of stirges fled the city followed by Harpies. The Harpies charmed Westwind, and questioned us. Our responses were acceptable, and they allowed us to continue. We were further questioned at the southern gate of the city. We passed ourselves off as slave-buyers, and it seemed that our disguises worked. We headed toward the center of the city, where the slave markets were located. The streets were filled with every type of vermin, from rats to trolls. I believe I even saw something like ghouls sitting on rooftops, like ravens by a slaughter-yard. We passed a side street that was barricaded by humans and orcs, sitting on what looked like casks of oil. Further down the street, we passed another avenue to the east that led to a temple guarded by two bronze-skinned people.

Ahead, a wider avenue led to a square filled by an open air market where slaves were being auctioned off. There was a guarded stockade, with a yard inside the stockade with a raised platform. Across the street from the market, there was a fortified manor house guarded by half-orcs and men with blue sashes in very good armor. It seems we missed the viewing of the slaves; we should have come in the morning to see the slaves before the auction. The current lot of 10 was being sold for 70 gold pieces. We were about to leave in disgust, when a lot of children came up for sale. There was no way we could pass them up, so we bought them to keep them out of the hands of the slavers still at the market.

We gathered up the children and started to leave the city. A feral-looking man seemed to be staring intently at me. I believe he was trying to detect the level of goodness associated with me. We got very suspicious, and Kespin ducked to the side and became invisible, and Wrye did the same (those his method of invisibility was more due to skill than magic). I gathered the children close to me, and we continued on the most direct path to the gate. The feral-guy (and 8 others) was following us south, when we passed the barricaded avenue. The feral man went to the barricade and said, "Time to Worship" and 30-40 people joined him in pursuing us. 9 of them dropped back and turned toward Wrye, as Lysander and I ducked into a side alleyway with the children.

I cast blade barrier across the road, and Lysander summoned a swarm of rats into the rubble where the men were pursuing us. At this point, the 9 moving toward Wrye engaged him. He dropped one with an arrow, but the feral-man shot a searing light at Wrye, and then a half-orc, called Grolsh, struck Wrye critically with his sword, and then hit him again. I started leading the kids down the road as Lysander hit the rabble heading at us with a fireball. One of them fell, but the rest stayed up. Kespin rushed him, and struck down the feral looking cleric with a called shot to the neck. Wrye retreated down the alleyway and encountered a green slime stretching across the alley. Grolsh pursued Wrye and struck at him again with his sword. In an act of desperation, Wrye tried to jump over the slime, but missed. Unfortunately, landing in the slime proved to be too much for his little body to handle, and he died in the alleyway. Kespin breathed fire, and Lysander shot bolts of that dark energy, and the remaining enemies fell. As expected in a city this evil, the dead began to rise. I called upon Pelor, and the undead were restored to their natural state. We recovered Wrye's body and retreated to the copse of trees. When I spoke to Wrye's spirit, he told me that he did not want to return. He was looking forward to seeing his friend Kobort and other friends again. We will miss the little archer. Pray for his soul, my love.

On the fourth of Goodmonth, I wind-walked back to Safeton with the first four children. When there, I found that Safeton had been attacked! Orcs from the Pomarj had entered the city at the harbor. The orcs had been repelled but the fires were still burning when I arrived. I deposited the children at the temple of Pelor and went out to heal the wounded. The next day, I went back to the copse. It seems that while I was gone, Westwind got bored and went to go play with a group of goblins that were walking by. His actions attracted some Harpies, who came out and charmed him (again), but Kespin was able to dispel the harpy song with his countersong and Westwind was freed of the enchantment. I got back to the group that night, and we moved to yet another copse a bit further on. I left the morning of the sixth with the last two children and headed back to Safeton.

I gave the children over to the care of the clerics at the temple of Pelor and went to check on those that I had healed earlier. Bendelle approached me and told me that someone was looking for me. A shadowy figure, wrapped in a dark cloak, trailed after her. She said, "I leave this one in your hands" and walked away. It was not a very reassuring introduction, and I got the feeling that Bendelle did not entirely trust the one behind her. The figure refused to give its name or the name of those who sent it to find me, but then told me that it needed to find the swords of Sunndi. It told me to refer to it as "Wraith". It said that it was sent to find us by someone whom the swords knew, but would not be more specific than that. It then showed me that it was either a shape-changer or a master of illusion by changing itself to look like me. This was not a good move in trying to build any measure of trust between us. I understand the need for secrecy in many aspects of life, but when asking someone to trust you, I feel it is better to downplay those aspects that you do not wish to share. It didn't seem to be evil, but one does not need to be evil to be used as a tool for evil, so I wasn't going to simply bring it along to the rest of the party without further probing. In any event, it did eventually give me enough information that I could give it some measure of trust, and I brought it down to meet the party on the 6th. I gave my oath to not reveal what secrets it gave me. I felt that removing it from the city was a good idea for the safety of the townsfolk, and I felt that the party could deal with any threat posed by this "Wraith" creature. I do not like its penchant for mimicking the undead, though. Or at least taking the moniker. Perhaps if its cloak were white, or a pale grey, it would be less disturbing. It's something to think about at least.

I will leave this letter in Bendelle's care to send to you when she can.

Be well, love.

Tess

Greetings again, Girard.

I am continuing my documentation of our quest. I have found that I am trying to watch events unfold with the objectiveness that you so often display. It makes me feel closer to you, love.

While I was up in Safeton, it seems that a large flock of 30 or so stirges attacked Lysander, Kespin, and Westwind. Horrible creatures, really. Kespin wasn't badly hurt, Westwind took 2 Con damage from the 8 stirges that attached to him, but Lysander was nearly killed by the 12 con damage that she took. Kespin was able to breathe fire on him, killing all the stirges that were attached to him, through dropping him in the process as well. <Lysander spends one fate point to stabilize.> They healed him as best they could, and I brought both Westwind and Lysander up to full strength when I returned.

Wraith was able to give more information to Westwind and Kespin when it met them, and they did (grudgingly) allow it to join the party. It revealed that the slave lord behind the capture of the Swords of Suundi was Ajaxtu, a name we have heard before. Now that it was with the Swords, it revealed that it is working for the Lord Mayor of Irongate, and that its name is Lawrence of Woton Manor. Kespin and Westwind immediately began calling it "Larry", which I find most amusing. That night, we were awakened by another presence in the copse of trees where we were camping. When we investigated, we saw a ghost of something very large. I knew that it did not pose any danger to us, but also that we did not have the time to spare to send it on its way to the afterlife. We will have to return to this place to put this spirit to rest after we have completed our task with the slave lords in the mountains.

We moved off on the 8^th toward the mountains. I have sketched out a rough map of the paths that we followed. We chose to windwalk to avoid incidental encounters along the way as well as move more quickly across the terrain. We took the small trail that went south of the largest fort we found. It led into the forest in the foothills and started moving up into the mountains. The trail was just wide enough for one wagon, and it did not seem to get a lot of traffic. As it moved farther up into the mountains, the forest changed from mostly deciduous to almost completely coniferous. We eventually lost the trail when it petered out in some more rocky terrain. We decided to fly up the mountain. It seems that the top of the mountain has been sheared off, leaving a large flat terrace at the very top. We suspected that we would find our quarry at the top, so we headed up. We passed a couple of caves, and two yellow-green flying lizards with no eyes flew out at us. We flew quickly away from the mountain, and they gave up the pursuit. We came back to the mountain and renewed our ascent. At that point, we saw a very large dragon fly out over the edge of the mountain, circle around lazily, and return back to the top out of sight. We stopped our ascent at that point. We landed and tried to discuss possible approaches to our assault on the top. Unfortunately, our discussion was overheard by some trolls in a guard post in a nearby cave. They came out, we flew around them and into the cave where we dropped the windwalk and joined battle. We defeated them, anointed them with oil, and set them afire. We then explored the cave. There was a pit trap in a tunnel that seems to go nowhere. The other split passed a shallow pond. The wall by the pond was seeping water, and the floor of the tunnel is damp and very slippery in sections. The tunnel then started sloping downward. It split, and Wraith went ahead to scout it out. The right fork ended in a dead end, and the left fork had nothing within 50 feet of the split.

We returned to the main room where we had fought the trolls. We searched around and found a small statuette of a horse among their belongings. There is an inscription on the statuette that says "Steelhoof" in dwarvish. Unfortunately, none of us speak dwarvish, so for now, the statuette is useless to us. We found a bone scroll case in the pit trap with an arcane mark on the end of it: the letter "O" in draconic, and the arcane rune for "ice". The scroll inside has the spell "Power Word Stun", and we gave the scroll to Lysander.

We will stay here tonight and decide what to do in the morning.

I hope you are well, my love. Pelor watch over us.

Tesseran

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

dragon prep

2007-03-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

Tess- Hero's Feast!

(andrew)

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-03-29T08:14:00.001-07:00

My friends and comrades.

May the light of Pelor illuminate you all.

Tess.

On 3/28/07, Chris Perkett <cperkett@comcast.net> wrote:

I certainly agree with waiting until we are full on spells.  Yes, my
fists will hurt the dragon.  We haven't mentioned the other dragon-like
things that we saw, smaller tho they were...should we try and destroy
those first before taking on the older wyrm?

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot.  I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :)  I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey.  Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability.  Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear.  After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before?  I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed.  I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind.  The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature.  Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-03-28T20:26:00.001-07:00

I cannot use a bow of that sort (read: my weapon groups don't include
bows, just crossbows), so Westwind is likely the best person to take the
shot. I suppose I could run up and stick the arrow in by hand! :) I am
really not good at ranged combat; I prefer to get up close and personal
to my prey. Quite frankly, I think cornering the dragon inside a cavern
would make sense, as it negates the dragon's flight ability. Perhaps we
should scout out a cavern large enough for it to enter, and set a trap?
We don't HAVE to go into its lair if we don't want to.

I know little about dragons, but I am not worried about fear. After
all, haven't you slayed dragons before? I am more concerned about the
other flying lizards we observed. I mislike the idea of sending
Westwind in alone as "bait"... if this dragon is somehow connected with
the Slave Lords, it may know about a powerful halfling warrior named
Westwind. The Slave Lords themselves know about you all, we should
expect the worst, that this dragon may know as well.

I do not think the tunnel will lead to anywhere, but I am willing, since
we are resting up anyway, to continue to explore it.

[OOC for a moment] Andrew, the dragon that attacked our ship, that one
also looked demonic in nature. Wraith doesn't know about that, but I
bet Westwind and Kespin (who saw it close up) remember that vividly.

Chris

Andrew Cancellieri wrote:
>
> Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can't
> make it work the first time.
>
> I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a
> greater slaying arrow.
>
> Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I
> am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than
> 50% damage.
>
> I will definitely take the cat's grace as it will improve my accuracy
> with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon's fire breath.
>
> Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was
> speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not
> specifically of this one mountain.
>
> As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the
> death knights companion. Did I miss something?
>
> I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and
> all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we
> battle this dragon.
>
> Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn't make
> you faster flying. Haste does.
>
>
>
> I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave
> we are in. We didn't go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we
> want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly
> down this tunnel.
>
>
>
> Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the
> slaying arrow.
>
>
>
> WW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.20/737 - Release Date:
> 3/28/2007 4:23 PM
>

Re: april (dragon hunting)

2007-03-28T18:33:00.001-07:00

The red dragon that was part of the ambush on the seas outside of Hardby
was not quite normal in countenance -- I thought that was the dragon you
were talking about.

We don't really know what's in this mountain yet, do we? Although I
admit it's unlikely to have more than one red in a small area, a
mountain of this size could house more than one especially if they are
working toward a common purpose. In any case, a flying battle is likely
to draw the attention of any in the surrounding mountains as well. I
think we're generally agreed that we don't want to do battle in the air.

Scouting this cave would certainly be sensible if we want to use it as a
haven.

Even if we find a way into a lair, we can certainly still use the
halfling-as-bait trick. :)

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-03-28T17:09:00.001-07:00

Want true strike scroll though it could create problems if I can’t make it work the first time.

I definitely want to use the slaying arrow on this dragon. It is a greater slaying arrow.

Kespin I for one did not think you were trying to avoid the combat. I am also uncertain if you can actually kill it if it takes more than 50% damage.

I will definitely take the cat’s grace as it will improve my accuracy with the bow as well as my efforts to dodge the dragon’s fire breath.

Lysander, when Volsabi told us of red dragons in the area he was speaking of the area in terms of the entire mountain range, not specifically of this one mountain.

As far as I know the only demonic-draconic we encountered was the death knights companion. Did I miss something?

I think we need to spend the night as Tess has used spells today, and all our spellcasters should have a full compliment of spells before we battle this dragon.

Expeditious retreat does not affect non-land speeds. It doesn’t make you faster flying. Haste does.

I have a novel and possibly futile idea. We could scout down the cave we are in. We didn’t go too far down and this may lead us somewhere we want to be. If we can all fly to take on the dragon, we could all fly down this tunnel.

Though I still like going up and luring it close enough to use the slaying arrow.

RE: april (dragon hunting)

2007-03-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

No doubt there will be more foes than just the dragon; I'm not sure they'll all be big dragons living close by. I also thought that Ajaxtu sounded draconic, but I'm sure you told us that it wasn't. With a volcanic mountain, though, there could be any number of caverns, and that may be a good reason to try to scout the caldera -- at least get a quick view of it, try to assess whether there are multiple lairs. We're most likely to find red dragons here, am I correct in that, Kespin? The friendly brass dragon along the road also told us that the "reds" live in this region, implying multiple. (Wasn't the demonic dragon also red?)

If we think we can afford the time spent, we should wait and set a hidden watch to see if we spot different dragons, if the patrol is constant day and night, and if there are any other patrols on the mountainside. However, it might not be too long before these trolls are missed, given that they were obviously a guardpost. I don't require extra spell preparation time, personally, and these troll beds are not my idea of a comfortable sleeping place, so I have no particular need to delay other than information gathering.

Because this is likely not the only dragon (though hopefully the biggest) in the area, we definitely need to find a relatively concealed location in which to do battle. There will also no doubt be many, many lesser creatures like these trolls, giants, etc. that will come running if they see the combat. Presuming we defeat the dragon, we should be prepared for an extended battle with its numerous supporters immediately thereafter.

I'm not sure if I know anything about the efficacy of dragon slaying arrows on older dragons; even if it doesn't kill the dragon outright it will certainly do it grievous harm, no? I agree that we shouldn't spend all our resources on the first battle, but it does seem like we'll need all the advantages we can get when dealing with a dragon of this size. Unless we know that a better target is coming up, I think it'll be just as useful now as on a lesser dragon.

From: "Joshua Nase" <djawshua@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:53 PM
To: patty@rutins.com, aithdim@comcast.net, vt.dolphin@gmail.com
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)

First I must clarify... I have no desire to avoid combat with this Red. In fact I am itching to engage it. However the loss of multiple friends recently has worked itself into some form of caution, strange as that may be. I like the plan thats forming here.

I had initialy thought to use Westwind as bait as well, but I am much happier that you said it. :)

WW is the only one that can stand toe to toe with this thing for more than a couple of seconds. If I appear after you have some time to damage it then I can hopefully draw its attack off of you, giving you a chance to be healed.

I get the feeling this dragon is not alone. It was making regular passes above the mountain, implying that it is on gaurd. A powerful watch I know but we are nearing the very powerful and wealthy center of this slaving organization. I feel that there are going to be multiple dragons that we encounter here.

Some of our inteligence states that the slavers report to "Northash" high priest of the Earth Dragons. We have also heard these mountains called the "Dragons Mountains" if I am not mistaken.

"Ajaxtu" is one of the nine Slave lords. Sounds like a dragon name to me. What if all nine of the slave lords are dragons, and they have multiple lesser dragons at their disposal. They already sent one Black dragon after us, a demonic one at that...thats a whole other possible problem. My guess is this is not the only dragon we will find.

I also have my doubts about the Dragon Slaying Arrow. The more my dragon heritage grows the stronger and more resiliant I become. I think most mature dragons will not be affected by this arrow. I recall a giant withstanding one of these missles. I think our best bet is to use the arrow againt a younger dragon that we may encounter.

Trapping it or luring it into a tunnel would be ideal i think. We could fight it in the air but as stated all would likely see and it offers more of a chance the Red will get away.

Scouting the area to see what we could ultiately be up against makes sense to me. Is this something Larry the Wraith could achieve. Only if you get made we will not be in the best possion to rescue you.

Lysander has good points, and I agree that counterspelling could be a huge asset. So true about the anger and arogance.

Speaking of assests, I have: 3 potions of fire resistance, 1 potion haste, 2 scrolls haste(capable of affecting the entire party for 30 seconds) 2 scrolls fly

Don't want to blow everything on this first fight though.

Should we rest to prepare spells (ie protection fear, resistances, powerups)? I am not down too far on spell points but how about Tess and Lysander?

Tess are you planning on heavy artilery spells?

Larry how do you see yourself combating a foe such as this? If we can work in tangent to flank the dragon when WW need relief we could have a devastating impact.

If we can get it down to half HP or less I stand a good chance of dropping it.

Message will work well for this battle, will help us coincide our attacks and get aid where it is needed.

I am sure that wasn't everything....

-joshua

From: "Patty Rutins" <patty@rutins.com>
Reply-To: patty@rutins.com
To: <aithdim@comcast.net>,<djawshua@hotmail.com>,<vt.dolphin@gmail.com>
CC: <cperkett@adelphia.net>,<erik@rutins.com>,<argg-swords@blogger.com>
Subject: RE: april (dragon hunting)
Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:01:27 -0400

1) Fear: Agreed. Perhaps Tess has a prayer that might help us combat fear? Kespin's singing should help as well I'm not mistaken, and we can gather, have a song, and still have a few seconds to get in position and start the attack.

2) Super-senses: will make the initial surprise attack challenging, but Westwind's plan might just be crazy enough to work -- reds are notoriously arrogant, and if we can get him mad then he may forget to use his superior intelligence.

3) Thick Hide: There are spells that can make even fists magical, if need be. Laurence, is this something that you need or do you have other options?

4) Flight: Making the group fly isn't a problem as long as we have enough spells for everyone. My personal spell can last all day if I need it to, but I can't cast that on anyone else. However, my speed in the air is fine for maneuvers, but the dragon can outpace me at least ten times over. The regular fly spells give you better speed, if I recall, but have a limited duration. Expeditious Retreat may even give you enough speed to keep up with the dragon, but do we have enough of those as well to successfully execute a high-speed sky battle (which will also be visible to everything within 50 miles)? Of course, if the duration of the flight spell becomes an issue then my guess is that we'll have already lost the fight. However, is there anything we can do to keep the dragon grounded? Get him to land if possible, stone-shape him into the mountain, web or entangle, or even just a net? Air elemental to create turbulence, force him to land?

5) Fire: I've got some fire resistance for myself and I believe I have a couple of scrolls (I'll check).

6) Reinforcements: With luck, this one is as territorial as the rest of the red dragons. If we can figure out a way to whack it out of sight, that would be even better.

7) Gold vs. Red: Again, if we can get the dragon mad then we've got a better shot at defeating it. The key to this is keeping Kespin alive... Kespin, any songs that you know that would insult a red dragon would come in handy, too.

8) If we don't kill it now, we'll have to kill it later and probably when we're in much worse shape.

9) Reconnaissance: It would be good to find a more confined place to do battle than in the open air, however. I don't think this crevice is large enough for the dragon to even consider entering, and right now this is the only spot on the mountain we know about. We may not need to scout the caldera if we can find a large enough opening on the mountainside. It may even lead directly to the dragon's lair. We'll have to be very cautious about it, but we might have the opportunity to disguise a couple of us as trolls (a patroll...?) so that we have free access to the slopes.

10) Spells: I'm working on cold-based, but I haven't figured them out yet. Perhaps we should go practice on the fort for a little while and then come back... (kidding, kidding.) Right now, though, if the rest of you can keep up the damage, then my best position might be in counterspelling. The dragon not only will have spell resistance, it will also have a sizeable arsenal of magic that it can cast. I can certainly toss around Dispels at range, and if I can make it stick, I've got a scroll of Silence (I think). If we have anything that can bolster our own spell resistance (especially Westwind, if you're the bait), that would also be handy. As for prep spells, I may have a Cat's Grace that I can spare.

11) Agreed about the slaying arrow. I believe I have a scroll of True Strike, Westwind, which you should have no trouble figuring out how to use. You'll have to take the shot immediately, though.

The dragon may be smart enough to realize that it never saw this lone halfling coming up the road, though, so it may suspect trouble. It will hopefully still be overconfident, but it may not think Westwind will be helpless. We have to be able to close to effective healing and fighting range within seconds.

We should also make sure that we have a couple of retreat options (not that we'll use them). Windwalk is one, and perhaps this crevice is another if it's too small for the dragon to enter.

From: "Andrew Cancellieri" <aithdim@comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 8:11 PM
To: "'Joshua Nase'" <djawshua@hotmail.com>, <patty@rutins.com>, <vt.dolphin@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: april

Point by point.

1)       Fear bad. This is my biggest worry.

2)       Super senses bad but not as bad as fear.

3)       Thick hide. I don't think it's a problem as far as magic only but I can't speak for the Larry. In more mundane terms it isn't going to be easy to get a damaging blow in general.

4)       Flight. We have had to fly before.

5)       Breathing fire. I have two of the potions incase anyone else doesn't have one.

6)       Reinforcements. Knowing the bit I do about reds I don't think this one is sharing its turf.

7)       Yes Kespin you are a target.

8) I am not going around the dragon I am killing it.

9) I am against scouting in this case. I think the possibility of detection out weighs the information we are likely to gain.

10) SPELLS. Any one got any cold based spells? Do not fear or become discouraged by its innate resistance to magic just keep pounding it. Got any spells not subject to magic resistance?

11) The way I see it is the best chance to kill it without becoming dead ourselves is to use the arrow of dragon slaying. I admit it is a long shot but it is at least 5% and those are even odds to me. Here is where my fear of fear itself is laying. For me the dragon will need to be within 110' to make my best shot. Thus I think within its fear effect. Kespin are you proficient with a bow? Wrye's bow is available if you think you can make the shot. Larry do you want to use a bow?

A possible tactic: Send me up there. Every one else be flying and invisible and 400' away if you really think its senses are that good. Why? The dragon may not feel threatened by a lone Halfling. I will take all the resistance boosting I can get. With message going can I talk to you? So mister dragon comes over to collect the foolish Halfling who fire a slaying arrow at it followed up by regular magic arrows. It gets pissed and breathes on me which I might be able to avoid, or it lands assuming an easy victory. Dragon and Halfling lock in mortal combat. Then everyone else except Kespin moves in. Lysander firing magic bolts, Tess doing whatever kick dragon butt holy spells she has and the Larry does whatever he can do. Can you do anything at range? Spells? Missile weapons? Within 30 seconds someone, likely me, will need to heal damage so Kespin comes charging in, screaming singing and slinging spells. From then on we keep battering it until it dies. With us flying we may be able to keep it from escaping.

Westwind

From: Joshua Nase [mailto:djawshua@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 6:13 PM
To: patty@rutins.com; vt.dolphin@gmail.com
Cc: aithdim@comcast.net; cperkett@adelphia.net; erik@rutins.com
Subject: Re: april

Let me recap:

1) Fear, we need to bolster our resolve so we don't lose anyone from the battle.

2) Super Senses, the last Dragon we fought could see right through my invisibility. We will have a difficult time avoiding its detection, I would guess that any closer than 400ft away, and it has a good chance of knowing we are there.

3) Thick Hide, only magic will hurt it. Anyone not using a magically enhanced weapon should go home now. (kespin shoots a look at Wraith) Those fists of yours magical by chance?

4) Flight, uggh. We can't let this thing fly around where we can't hit it, and then possibly escape when we hurt real bad, which we will do. Perhaps we can trick it into coming down this tunnel or something.

5) Breath Weapon, well we have a couple of potions of fire resistance.

6) Reinforcements, if this thing has siblings we could be in big trouble. The last thing we want to do is take on more than one at a time.

7) Me, the second this Red gets a whiff of my BO its GOING to come right for me, no doubt in my mind, that's fine because I will be going for it but maybe we can use this to our advantage. If we time my appearance in fray, it could provide some timely relief to others who may be hard pressed by its initial attack. Tess please be ready with the big heals though, its going to relentlessly attack me until I or it cease to exist.

We do have the element of surprise currently and that's good. They don't know we are here and they don't know how many we have. We also have a couple of people who can disguise ourselves. Could be helpful. Some sort of plan that involves luring the Red away from its post and into territory we are comfortable in seems best. I can provide a couple of big hits that could drop him if he is sufficiently damaged. That would keep him from running away when he is hurt, hopefully. Any reconnaissance we could achieve would be most helpful. I just don't think we'll get far around that Dragon. But we do need to know if we start a fight what will likely show up and how soon. I am thinking that just marching up to the top of the mountain and fighting this thing is stupid. There could be two dragons circling for all we know, or an army camped up there.

Any other thoughts, ideas or concerns?

-joshua

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Gaming notes

2007-02-09T18:50:00.001-08:00

This is to be inserted into the previous notes, with the changes given in last month's session:

Kespin flew into a rage and attacked the blackguard, and with one blow, slew the corruption before him. With his death, though, the Blackguard gave off a burst of energy that nearly dropped Kespin. The Wyvern jumped up and tried to grab the body of the evil knight and the two swords, but Kespin was able to hit it badly as it passed him. Wrye nearly finished the creature with an arrow, and Kespin was able to slay it completely. So, now we had the body of the Blackguard and his corrupted sword, and the body of our friend and comrade Kobort and his living sword. Before taking Kobort's body back to the ship, I called upon Pelor to consecrate the body of this ex-Hironeon knight. It might have been better to have someone who could talk to Hironeous directly, but I feel that my efforts brought some peace to an otherwise tortured soul. When we got back to the ship, I asked Pelor to bring me in contact with the spirit of Kobort so that I could see if he wished to return. Neither Pelor nor I will be party to bringing back an unwilling soul, and Kobort had done so much that he might well have wished to remain in the domain of his God. I spoke to our fallen friend, and he said that he needed to stay where he was. I got the impression that his presence with Hieroneous was deemed necessary to keep the fallen knight from returning. Although I am sure he is badly needed on the other side, his loss will be keenly felt in the coming days as we proceed on our path.

We will hold a memorial service for him tomorrow. The hound left immediately, as "the balance needs to be maintained" or something like that. Fiona will be returning to her home region with both Valor and Slaughter, in the hopes that the Hieronean temple in Pitchfield can at least shield the sword if not remove the taint from it. We will need to figure out how to deal with the remainder of the Death Knight's equipment. It is too dangerous to sell or otherwise dispose of, but we cannot use it while it still remains tainted.

Please keep Kobort in your prayers, love. The Hieroneans in Jurne should also be made aware of what has occurred. Perhaps they will know more about Mercy's history.

Be well, love.

Tess

Greetings, Girard!

We stayed at the small village during the next day to give us time to have the memorial service and let the crew finish shore leave. I also experimented with the use of spell casting to destroy tainted magic items. It worked well on two of the items, but the suit of armor exudes such a strong aura, I don't want to experiment on it. We sailed for Safeton the next day, on the 20 ^th of Reaping.

We continued to translate the journal from the ship. It verified that Highport is the main processing center for the slaves, with the Old Temple in Highport being the center within the city. Other cities central in the slave-processing network are Blue and a city in the south of Suundi that is under the control of the Scarlet Brotherhood. The captain of the ship that we captured was supposed to keep an eye on the activities of the brotherhood in that Suundian city, and his report was highly disturbing: he saw about 100 ships in the port, and a large number of bronze-skinned slaves that were called "Olman". Kespin remembered an ancient song about the "vanished Olman". Unfortunately, these Olman are not as "vanished" as the song would imply. The report spoke of "many battalions of troops", consisting of both Olman and other humanoids. Two new names of slave lords were given: Ajaxtu and Stalman Kilm, who always signs his correspondence "In the name of the Earth Dragon".

On the second day on the trip back to Safeton, we saw some ships of the Pomarge sailing at us. We evaded them by sailing into a thick fog bank and changing directions. We exited the fog and sailed for another couple of days before we encounted a ship of Greyhawk. They boarded us, and (after we passed their cursory inspection), we told them of our encounter with the Pomargians. (Is that a word? You'll have to let me know. Lysander seems endlessly amused by the way I seem to mangle most names I come across.) We entered Safeton on the 26 ^th of Reaping, and sent Fiona home with the body of her husband and the two swords. I spent a few days cloistered in the temple of Pelor with the armor from the Death Knight. There are some odd etchings or decorations on this suit that leave me feeling uneasy, but the aura from this suit is so strong…I didn't know if we should simply give it over to the temple in Greyhawk as we have the Ivory Mask from the slave captain, or if it was worth further study.

While I was in the temple, the rest of the party set out to re-outfit the ship and to prepare for the rest of the journey. Rowera wants to continue harassing the slavers on the open seas, so Lady Grey and Lord Adrian have given permission for volunteers from the city guard and other city officials to join the fight as long as they give up their official positions. It seems that there are a lot of people from all different religions who are interested in bringing the fight to the slavers themselves.

They sent Fiona, the body of Kobort, and the swords, as well as the message about the city in the South of Suundi, to the temple in Pitchfield. They also sought to find a way to make the ship unscryable. They consulted with Hammish of Drone, the most powerful mage in Safeton. He gave them some ideas, but it seems that there is no clear way to do so easily or cleanly for any long period of time.

After studying the armor for a couple of days, I resorted to seeking help more directly: I asked Pelor himself for advice. I was hesitant to do so, but the advice was illuminating (if you'll pardon the pun). The taint can be removed from the armor, though I would need help from someone here in town: I was sent to Hammish, the same mage that my compatriots sought out earlier. He recognized the armor, or at least the type of artifact that it represents. He recognized it as an ancient artifact from the time when many of the evil humanoids were awakened. At that time, some of the great Demon Princes brought forth some forges to make very powerful items. Two of those forges were found in Roxis and Airdeep. There were also rumors of a secret forge kept by the kings of the Overkingdom. To remove the taint, one must merely (yes, "merely") partially re-forge it on a celestial forge, such as the one kept by the ancient Wind Dukes, on the other side of the bay in Abbor Alz.

When he had told me about removal of the taint from the armor, he asked me about the tainted armor and where it had come from. I told him of the death knight, and he gave me a history of the death knights.

Over 400 years ago, there was a great leader within the Knight Protectors named Sir Kargoth. He was passed over for promotion in favor of a Sir Benedor in 203 who then solidified his own position by standing up against Sir Kargoth when the latter challenged him to single combat. Sir Kargoth rode out in shame. Something happened when he was near Ral Devin, There was a Temple of Lothan , a Saint of Folkis, where the Orb of Sol was kept. Something happened in the temple, and Sir Kargoth was taken by evil. He rode back and collected 13 knights to his side. He brought them to the temple where they were taken as well. When the 13 rode out, it is said that the "Maw of the Abyss" rode with them. They led a bloody swath across the land toward the capital of the Grey Kingdom . The other Knight Protectors rode into their path to try to stop them. They were unable to stop them, but they did slow them enough to allow all of the other forces still allied against evil to come against the traitors. Although the corrupted knights were scattered, they were not destroyed! In the end, 75% of the Knight Protectors were destroyed, and the remainder was never again trusted.

This betrayal, called "The Great Betrayal" marked the beginning of the fall of the Grey Kingdom. It seems that this is one of the most disruptive events in the history of the modern world. Some of the royal family of the Grey Kingdom , vacationing near Carnifand, was killed when the 13 rode out. The King became much more paranoid after the betrayal, and it is said that the line of insanity that has followed the bloodline of that family stems from this age. There is even some talk of a demonic plot: perhaps one of the demon princes themselves came to corrupt the incorruptible knights. In any event, the Age of Sorrows was declared in 213. In 443, when Ibid the 1 ^st declared all remaining Knight protectors to be outlaw when they opposed his reign, he used the betrayal as evidence of their lack of true fidelity.

One of the great losses counted among many as a result of the betrayal was the loss of nine of the twelve Hironean swords, Of the three remaining, Valor is now known to have been in the hands of Kobort, Honor is still being wielded by a current Knight Protector, and Virtue was destroyed in a battle with Kargoth. Mercy (now Slaughter) was wielded by Sir Khayven of House Rax, one of the thirteen corrupted by Kargoth.

The others corrupted included:

Lord Monduiz Dephaar, Lady Lorana Kath of House Naelax, Prince Myrhal of House Rax, Sir Maeril of House Nalax, Sir Farian of House Lirtham, Lord Andromansis of House Garasteth, Sir Oslan Knarren, Sir Rezinar of House Haxx, Lord Thyrian of Naelax, Sir Minar Syrric of House Darmen, Duke Urkar Grasz of House Torquann, and Sir Luren the Boar of House Torquann (or the Bore….I was too timid to ask for the spelling)

We got quite the history lesson!

Hammish also had some information about the mayor of Irongate. This is very sensitive information, my dear, so please consider before you share it with others. He has studied the hidden powers of the earth, and they suggest to him that the current Lord Mayor of Irongate has been, in different disguises, living there for over 500 years! He has also heard that, in certain times around the new moon, a dragon can be seen hiding in the area around Irongate. At the same time, the Lord Mayor retires to the catacombs beneath the city. It is an interesting coincidence, yes?

Tomorrow morning, we leave for Highgate. I will windwalk us to just outside the city, and we will enter Highgate on the 2 ^nd of Goldmonth. When you hear of any (additional) chaos in the city starting a couple of days from now, my dear, hold us fast in your prayers.

Pelor be with us all.

Tesseran

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

Strategy

2007-01-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

Well little things first
Send the new crew members on shore leave during the day to acquire personal items. NO DRINKING!
Allow the other crewmen who have not had leave to take leave durring the day (back at sunset) or in the evening (back at midnight). Only 25% of the total crew is to be on leave during the evening. Draw lots if necessary.
We need to equip the priestess Rowera. We can give her: +2 light steel shield and +1 morningstar. We need to give her a rank too.
Officially promote the 4th mate to 1st.
See if anyone in the town wants to be a mate, also check among the crew.
Check if the cook can get any needed supplies in town as I don't want to make another stop.

The Plan
Sail to the area of Highport and leave the ship using windwalk.
DO WE WANT TO TRY TO SELL THE SHIP TO SAFETON?
Send the ship on to Safeton with Rowera as acting captain.
If we are selling the ship we need to contact Lady Bendelle to act as our agent and cut her in for a heafty (25%) commission for her or the new temple. Also pay the crew a big bonus (like 50 X daily pay. Thats 5 gp for a sailor, over 1 1/2 months pay.)
We windwalk to our destination. Destroy the bad and free any slaves, collect treasure and make our way back to Safeton. We should probably make a stop in Highport after the slavelords are defeated.
Once in Safeton we should use the Wayfarers guild to return to Pitchfield.

Letters to Girard

2007-01-04T04:48:00.001-08:00

Hello Girard.

I've missed you very much. I have to admit, I thought that you exaggerated the chaotic nature of the group that you had met, but now that I have been with them for these weeks, I see that your description, as always, was no more or less than the exact truth. Things have been very exciting in this past time. Several times I have felt the hand of Pelor extend in our behalf, and I hope I have not disappointed him with my actions.

The last note I sent to you was written while Kespin was conversing with the Dragon Voldsebai that we met upon the road on the 4 th of Reaping. We were leading the freed slaves north to Safeton where they could start a new life. It seems that the dragon had actually heard of the exploits of our new friends from Suundi. I guess they weren't entirely overstating their past deeds, though their dismissal of the "armies" that they have faced still leaves me dubious. The dragon told us of a Paladin of Hieroneous who is in charge of the city guards named Bendelle. Kespin told the dragon about our capture of Gil and the information we gleaned after his capture (though he left out the methods we used to gain the information), and the dragon, in turn, shared some news with us. It seems that Gil's contact in Fax, a piece of filth named Davis, fled Fax and headed for Highport. Other "friends" of the dragon intercepted him on his journey; it seems that collecting slavers and their agents is something of a hobby for Voldsebai and his friends. Voldsebai seems to think that there are several agents per town. The names that Gil gave us are probably key agents and well worth watching. All the trails seem to lead to Highport, but then they go cold. It would seem that Highport is indeed the center of the slavers' system, though they do have a strong presence in Fax and Badwall.

I wish you were here to talk to the dragon yourself. Your ability to see put together disparate pieces of information and ask leading questions is so much better than my own. I do not know about Kespin's ability in that arena, but I'm sure you could help him.

The dragon also told us about a city southwest of Highport that is not marked on any map that we have previously seen. He said that this is an area of red dragons, and there are legends of an extremely ancient Red Dragon sleeping there. The way he spoke of it….I am not certain I have ever heard of a creature of such age and immensity that he described.

When we returned to Safeton on the 5th of Reaping, we met with Bendelle to hand over Gil and pass over the freedmen to her keeping. As I suspected, the temple of Pelor was central in taking over their custody. When we told Bendelle about Motto, the city guard whom Gil implicated in the slavers' activity, she told us that he had not reported for his shift. We soon found out that he was escaping on the Longspar. We took ship on the Pegasus with her captain Sir Adrian, and gave pursuit. Kespin and Voldsebai had stayed outside the city, and we asked Bendelle to send a rider out to let them know of our actions. They soon caught up to us, and Voldsebai swooped low past the ship while Kespin landed on the deck, making a dramatic entrance (as always).

While we were sailing after the Longspar, the strangest thing happened! A Hound Archon (much like that dolt Jared had contacted back at the Temple of Hieroneous at home), a woman, and a half-orc appear on the deck! I prepared to do battle, but our comrades embraced him. It seems that this half orc is Kobort, a cleric of Hieroneous and a Glaive of Azharadian, and was a member of this group back in Suundi. I had heard some mention of him from the group (Wrye seems especially influenced by him), but they had never mentioned the fact that he is a Glaive. He bears a sword that seems to have some faint presence radiating from it. Perhaps. It could simply be that the local environs are confusing my senses. The Hound is called Tyrouche or Ta'Ruush or something like that, and the woman is Fiona, his wife! I don't know who is crazier. Fiona, for marrying him, or Hieroneous himself! Then again, the Hieroneon priesthood has always been more war-like than those of us of Pelor or Rao, so I suppose this Kobort fits in with them well. He told us of some problems that he encountered while using the Word of Recall spell. Instead of bringing him back to the temple he expected, it brought him to an entirely new place. It concerns me that some power could be affecting the Word of Recall spell. Please, Girard, tell the elders of the temple about this so that they can protect themselves.

We soon caught up with the slavers, and did battle upon them. There was a half-dragon (named Thyrus) on the ship who seemed to be the overseer of the slaves. With Pelor's aid, we were victorious, and the slaves were freed. At that time, a small red dragon beckoned to Wrye to follow it below. It led Wrye to a gnomish slave wizard named Miranda or Minerva or something like that. She has declared that she owes Wrye her life or her freedom or something, so she is going to join us. I would be happier about that, as her powers could prove to be very helpful, but her attitude makes her difficult to be with. To be honest, it might be easier to deal with molting sphinxes in heat than to deal with this one gnome. I know I need to work on my patience, love, but this one gnome represents everything that caused me to conduct all of my previous work alone!

We are keeping this ship as well as all information kept by captain about slavers, in the hopes that we will be able to track down the slaving hierarchy if we have our own transportation. We sailed back to Safeton to outfit the ship, where we were told that it would be good if we did not linger overlong with the newly-liberated slavers ship. Their concern is well-founded, though it does not sit well with me. One of the slavers is staying on with us, as Kobort has managed to convert him to the worship of Hieroneous. I am suspicious about his convenient conversion, but if he has truly decided to follow a path of good and honor, I suppose Pelor would require that I give him as much support as I can. He did give us quite a bit of information, though. He said that they came to Safeton from Eldredd. They had been to Hardby a couple of times, where they met at the Black Crane Tavern. Other slave ships that he knows of are the Longspar (Captain = Vessa) and the Ghoul (Captain = Grana (Elf)). He also knew of some merchant ships, one of which is named Storm Seeker. They usually met the merchant ships off the Wild Coast . Westwind and Wrye exchanged some significant glances when the name of the Ghoul came up. I think that that may be the ship on which they were imprisoned.

In Safeton, we re-outfitted the ship, now renamed to "Radiance". It's a 3 level ship, which supposedly means that it can carry 50 tons of cargo. We hired a blacksmith (Brader 3 sp/day), 4 mates 3 sp/day (Cartus, Banhan, Invergith, Odiveer), a navigator (3 sp/day) (Bancil), a Captain 5 sp/day (Glim), a cook 1 sp/day (Fakal), 2 carpenters 2 sp/day (Unar, Odimus), and 27 more crew (+ ex-slavers + marines) 1 sp/day. Gathering the crew and food and such took us a couple more days. I gave 1000 gold pieces to the Temple of Pelor to help with the re-outfitting of the slaves. I know that Pelor will watch over them as they rebuild their lives.

On the 9th of Reaping, we sailed to Hardby, and we arrived on the 10th. Girard, I wish you could see it here! At the mouth of the bay there were two giant statues (men in loincloths) where we were met by a galley, run by one of the largest men I have ever seen. His name is Wilbrum Carrister, and he wanted to know our business before allowing us to enter Hardby Bay . Kespin donned his "Miloki" disguise, and we went to the third pier in. The trade town is northeast through the main town wall. It's a fairly nice city, but they really discourage the use of magic. Despite that, there is a magic Shop in town, run by a gnome named Diran Cornellian. While we went shopping, Minerva stayed on the ship, working on deciphering the ledger.

She found that there were stops in Safeton, Highport, Fax, Hardby (and others). Some stops (Blue, Port Toli, Prymp, and Crocurlet) include pick ups of slaves, but most offloading of slaves occurs in Highport. There were also letters from the captain of Longspar to a Mistress Adrol and a Sturm Bookhotts in Highport that spoke of progress in the "Gold Plan". There was also a letter to Eon Wolf (Lord of Nine) that said to bring a special shipment of Black Lotus to Crocurlet, as well as a commendation. There was a letter warning about the loss of the Ghoul with descriptions of Wrye, Westwind, and Kespin. This matches with what they told you, so again we have some corroboration of their tale from another source. It seems, though, that Kespin has not always had the same aspect that he has now. It seems that back at the time of their abduction, he was more human than he is now.

On the night of the 11th, our ship was attacked on the dock. The cowards attacked at night, and threw firebombs on our ship! Wrye, Westwind, and Kespin fought back with arrows and swords, and with the help of Pelor, I summoned a Water Elemental to put out fires on boat, but the gnome Minerva flew off after the attackers and cast a fireball at them. So much for the restriction on magic use! The Matriarchal Force came to investigate, under the direction of Judge Alita, and we were all (excluding the gnome, of course) arrested.

We spent the night in jail, where Westwind and Wrye competed in the number of rats they could catch. There seems to be a story behind this, though I don't understand it. The food we were given wasn't that bad! At breakfast, Kespin (the Fool!) cast Detect thoughts and in doing so set off the alarm which resulted in a 5000 gold piece fine. Finally our lawyer arrived. Love, you would have thrown her out on her ear if you could have been here! Her name was Selcordia Annasil (the younger). She didn't seem convinced of our innocence in the least. Indeed, she couldn't even be convinced that I am a cleric of Pelor, despite ALL evidence to the contrary. I swear to you, love, she seemed to be about 18-19 years old. She met with Wrye first, and asked him if he is involved with smuggling, burglary, robbery, slavery, and murder. Unfortunately, the little halfling's answers were not as decisively negative as she would have liked. She then met with Westwind, Kespin, me, Kobort, and Lysander. She expressed some doubt as to my and Kobort's true nature, and then Kobort and I expressed some doubt (privately of course, as we didn't want to make a bad situation worse) about her own intelligence.

Lysander told her that his real name is Therian Crasec (or something) and showed her his signet ring. This seemed to mean something, though what it is, I do not know. We spent the next two days incarcerated before the local temple of Pelor could send someone to verify my identity. I met with an acolyte named Carhan and convinced him of my identity. Despite the experience of Selcordia, this did not seem to be a hard thing to do. It seems that in the meantime, there have been mobs coming to courthouse demanding that captives (that would be us) be released to mob. Someone was spreading rumors about us, tying us to recent slaving activity!

Finally, on the 14th of Reaping, I was released. I got the papers from ship, and tried (unsuccessfully I am afraid) to reassure crew. I am not an orator, love. You are the diplomat, and your aid would be invaluable here. Still, we muddle on. I went on to the temple and met with Mother Serena, a lovely, small, white haired woman. She expressed some (well-deserved) mistrust about my comrades still in jail, but I said that I would stay with them as long as their fight continued against evil. She told me of some undead overrunning Stonebreach, a small village one days travel inland from Hardby. We shall have to return to address this, but at this time, we need to finish the quest we are on.

I completed some general errands at the gnome's store, and returned to the ship. I wanted to let my comrades know what was occurring, so I went back to the courthouse. On my way back to the ship, I was attacked by something very odd. It felt like something undead, but when I fought back, it looked like the person "died". Then, when I went to look closer at it, I felt something tugging on my mind. Pelor protected me, and I was saved from the mind-control of the creature, but the sergeant who came to investigate the scene was not so lucky. Surprise, surprise, I was arrested again!! I am afraid that I am not doing the name of Pelor any good in this town, but it seems outrageous to me that those who would do evil can walk around inviolate, while I would be imprisoned for the supposed "crime" of channeling the might of Pelor to bring about their end!

That night, the ship was attacked by a mob from the city. Luckily, Minerva, Fiona, and Ta'Ruush saved the ship, but it seems our unknown attackers have overreached themselves. It has become clear to the Matriarchs that someone is trying to undermine us by setting the mobs against us. We were released and asked to leave Hardby after paying 5000 gp fine for Kespin's spell.

Finally on the 15th of Reaping we were allowed to sail away! Less than an hour away from city, we saw red dragon and two sails appearing on horizon. (Have I mentioned that this trip has been nothing if not exciting, love?) A Red Dragon arrived first and started to dive. It pulled out of its dive and cast a spell that sucked all moisture out of air. This dragon was different then other dragons I have encountered (Voldsebai being the first). It had an evil, extra-worldly aura about it, similar to something demonic or fiendish. Then, the dragon breathed a clinging fire. . Kobort (totally buffed with protective and enhancing spells and flying) and Kespin engaged the Dragon in melee combat. . Then Kespin made an incredible called shot to the neck, and Kobort made a couple mighty hits as well, and the Dragon fell to the ocean. But in the meantime, the other ships were closing. Some of our crew was dowsing fire from dragon breath, others were rowing, and some were manning the ballista. We had a Longship and Galleon approaching. The longship became the target of Minerva's Fireball. The galleon had a big bad bug bear and Priestly-looking guy in rear of ship, and orcs manning the deck. The longship's catapults fired flaming balls at us. One hit at the foredeck (near Minerva and Lysander). At that point, a Fireball appeared amidships and 5 identical robed figures appeared in midair above us. Wrye shot one, and Lysander cast a fireball at remaining 4, though they didn't seem particularly bothered by the effort. The longship was rowed by 12 Ogres and commanded by 6 hill giants and 1 frost giant. They threw boulders at Westwind flying at water level, but he used a force bead, and almost put a hole in their hull. Wrye continued to focus on the mage in the air above our ship, and took out a couple of images. Then the mage cast lightening bolt, making Wrye swear. A lot. In an act of genius (if such a phrase can be used), Kobort cast Blade Barrier in front of the longship. This proved devastating! The Giants and Ogres all jumped off the ship and began swimming (for now). Their boat was in splinters.

Now it was clear that the galleon was going to ram us! Minerva magic missiled the big bad bug bear, and I called down a flame strike in mid-ship. Lysander dispelled the mage's spells which seemed to pain him a great deal more than a standard dispel attempt. The mage magic missiled Wrye, and in return Wrye stuck him with an arrow. Lysander dispelled the mage's spells again, and the mage teleported away, beyond the range where we could find him! At that point, we were struck by the Galleon. 20 grey creatures, radiating an evil aura (Meanlocks) appeared around us. I stayed up, but Minerva and Lysander were catatonic. Kobort called down a Rain of Embers and took out all the Meanlocks. I was very disappointed by the fact that there were no more creatures for me to deal with. Kespin was poised at the rear of the Galleon with the big bad bug bear (hence BBBB) and priest while invisible. Unfortunately, the BBBB heard him and swung at him. The, the other bug bears came and attacked Kespin as well. Kespin grabbed the priest and lifted him up in the air. Westwind shot a magic missile at the priest, while Kobort Smote the swimming ogres and giants three times with the power of Hieroneous. Lysander and Minerva were still catatonic when a Bug Bear attacked me. With Pelor's might behind me, I took him down as the BBBB attacked Kobort and missed. Wrye hit the BBBB, Ta'Ruush hit the BBBB, the BBBB took down Ta'Ruush, I attacked the BBBB, and then Wrye killed it. It was truly an epic encounter, my love.

At this point, our ship was sinking, and the Galleon was the only sea-worthy vessel remaining. Lysander took the duty of watching the priest while Westwind investigated the below-deck areas. Wrye and I concentrated on getting Tiny (you remember Kespin's horse, right?) over to the other ship while Kespin and Kobort got all the other horses out. Of our crew only Odiveer (one of the mates), Brader (the blacksmith), Odimus (a carpenter), Fakal (the cook), and 26 crew men survived the battle. May Pelor keep the rest in his care. Westwind recognized one of the slaves as a priestess of Tritherion named Rowera. I understand that this is the woman who was responsible for setting up the group with the ship that ultimately imprisoned them! He asked the slaves where the overseers had gone and was directed to two rooms on either side of the hold. He tried to trick the overseers into voluntarily emerging into the hold, but failed to gain their trust (go figure). He managed to gain entry on his own (that arm of his is amazing!), and inside he found a huge half-beast, half-man creature wearing armor and carrying a huge sword, with several smaller beast-men around him , Westwind called out for help (very unlike his normal behavior), and Lysander (who was the only one close enough to hear) passed on the request to the rest of us. Kespin finished ferrying over the horse he was carrying and came to assist. Westwind killed all the smaller creatures, and then Kespin and he took on and defeated the larger beast. Lysander tried tying up the priest but ended up in a wrestling match that only ended when he shot the priest with his arcane power. Westwind found two half-orcs hiding behind some crates (Larog and Gladgrat), and freed the slaves using the keys found on the body of the large beast-man creature.

Once the slaves were freed, Lysander, Kespin, and I did what healing we could. Westwind tried greeting the priestess that he recognized, but she didn't seem to know who he was! She told him that she had been kidnapped over 6 months ago from Irongate, but he said that he had met her only 4 and a half months ago! It seems clear that the priestess had been doubled, and that there is a spy in the ranks of the priesthood in Irongate! Twelve of the slaves have agreed to join us in the fight against the slavers. There are three Halflings from Idee among the slaves (Cormoran, Wesal, and Rowapad). We will take the remainder to safety in Hardby, though what the people of Hardby will think is another story. After all, we left only a few hours ago in a completely different ship after being thrown out to do an excessive use of magic. This new ship of ours is very similar to our old ship, with the addition of a battering ram and a few more armaments. It is called the "Eternal Sun". I cannot think of a more appropriate name for this vessel. Pelor has been guiding us, and He will lead us to the defeat of the slave lords. Truly, the "Eternal Sun" is with us always. I am certain that the authorities of Hardby will be able to verify our story by talking to the slaves. I am also hopeful that they will agree to take our captives. We do not have the facilities (nor, I am afraid, do the Halflings have the patience) to keep captives here on board. Their alarmed jail cells should be strong enough to hold the priest. At the very least, these men are guilty of piracy, though slavery may be allowed in the open sea. As you well know, the finer points of law have always escaped me, love.

On the way back to Hardby, we found that the captain has a locked chest in his quarters that is guarded by a Death Rune. . We have not yet been able to open it, but it seems to be highly protected by both magic and poison. We are continuing to work on it. We also started questioning the priest we had taken prisoner. It seems that the ship sailed from Blue. He was given information about us by someone named "Ajoxtu". More disturbing was the information he had on the slave lords. As we had begun to suspect, the slave lords are operating out of a base in the center of the mountains in the Southern Pomarj, where the dragons are supposed to rule. This priest (named Kowse) seems to be a priest of some dragon cult, and spoke about an "Earth Dragon" that rules over all other dragons. His immediate superior is the high priest of the Earth Dragon. Supposedly, this "God Dragon" resides in the center of the mountains, near or at the base of the slave lords' operation. To get to this base, we will need to take the pass up through the center of the mountains, through a stockade or two. Having contacts would help, except for the fact that our little band is so well known that we would be immediately recognized. He knew of no other ships than the ones of which I have already written (Longspar, Ghoul, Radiance ( a.k.a. Longspan), and the Eternal Sun). Kepsin added that he has heard of the cult of the Earth Dragon. It is connected to an ancient (X4) legend about the 4 dragons that created the world.

I need to wrap up this letter, love. We will be sending Ta'Ruush to you with a package of information soon, and I will include this letter in the package. He is also bringing a similar package to Count Hazendel (the Halfling's sponsor back in Suundi) and to the mayor of Irongate. I miss you very much, my love. I am convinced that it is the will of Pelor that I work with these people for now. I believe that there are things I need to learn from them, though I hope I can pass along something of the peace and love of Pelor to them as well.

Be well.

Tesseran

Hello Girard!

I was unsurprised to hear of your enthusiasm regarding our activities after Ta'Ruush's visit to you. We have continued our pursuit of the slave lords since then. It seems that Count Hazendel has darker news to report: He has lost touch with a large part of the Southern Fortresses. Additionally, the Grey Havens seem to be raising an army out of the swamps against the North. Nevertheless, he wants to the campaign against the slavers to continue to the end. The Mayor of Irongate also wants the group to continue. He reports that Arch Mage Mystica has pieced the veil that has blocked scrying over the heart of the Pomarj, and she says that there is a powerful, unearthly magic at the source of the slavers keep. Additionally, there are Giants attacking Keoland. He was very generous with the group, giving us many potions, a wand of curing, a large diamond that would work to bring back someone from the dead (if they were willing), a scroll to do the same, and a Greater Arrow of Dragon Slaying.

We were finally able to open the captain's chest. There was an explosive rune placed on the interior of the chest that went off when the chest was opened. It destroyed many items, but some survived, including an ivory mask that radiates a necromantic and/or transmutation aura and a small box/cube. It seems to be a lock of some sort? There is a strong source of evocation and/or transmutation magic coming from within the box.

We put the freed slaves into the care of the temple of Pelor here in Hardby. We gave the temple 500 silver pieces for their care, and I added an additional 500 gold pieces to the fund. Hopefully, it will be enough to give these people a new life. Pelor is watching them, so I know they will prosper. The temple of Zilchus is helping us restock. It seems that Westwind is highly regarded with the priesthood of Zilchus, though not highly enough to warrant good rates for transactions. We asked both temples to find us a navigator. The only one that the Zilchans found is someone that the Pelorians did not come across in all their searching. We shall have to keep an eye on him. It is possible that he is a spy or a target for scrying that has been placed among us.

We had to leave Hardby after only one day, so on the night of the 16th of Reaping, we stopped at the village of Orz , the very first village we came to. It's a very small fishing village to the east of Hardby. We allowed a quarter of the crew to go off for shore leave, which really helped morale. That night, we saw a strange thing: dancing lights appeared in the sky. It seems that this happens every week, and has for as long as the villagers can remember. They don't necessarily feel evil, but I do not know their source, and that makes me uneasy.

Later that night, Kobort's sword, Valor, spoke to him! I guess this is not an impossible thing, but it is highly unusual. He said that his brother Mercy was approaching. It seems that Kobort is carrying one of the relics of Hieroneous! I know that you would love to see this artifact for yourself, my love, and I hope that one day you shall. Anyway, there are 12 such swords, but some have been corrupted in the hands of Blackguards, and one of these twisted swords was heading toward us at great speed. We ran topside, and watched as a figure mounted on a small(ish) dragon approached and then swooped over the ship. He then challenged Kobort to single combat, and Kobort accepted!

I don't know about the honor to be found in single combat, love. I know that you disapprove of the use of combat to determine anything, but I really don't understand single combat. If you are up against an evil opponent, then you must rid the world of that evil without hesitation. Why would you not allow your comrades to aid you in any way possible? There is no honor to be found in allowing evil to triumph, or even giving evil a "sporting chance". For me, there is no question of honor here. There is good, and there is evil. Good destroys evil so that the world is a better place. But, I digress.

We traveled one hour inland, to a flat field. The evil being greeted us, and greeted Lysander especially. There is something the mage is hiding. Whether or not it is something that needs addressing is another question. I will need to talk to Lysander at a later date.

The Wyvern (for his mount is a wyvern, and not a true dragon) stood behind him as he addressed us. His face looked horrifically burned as he stood there in his ornate armor and his griffon helm. He stood over 6 and a half feet high, and he exuded an aura of fear which we were able to shrug aside without difficulty. He said that the sword "Mercy" had been renamed to "Slaughter", and the battle commenced. True to my word, I restrained from entering the frey, though we had been able to cast protections on Kobort before he entered the fight. The rest of the party was similarly eager to enter the battle, though we all stayed out to give Kobort his chance to slay the evil he faced. At first, Kobort could not seem to hurt the evil knight. His blows seemed to be healing far too quickly. Then, Kobort made a mighty hit and gave every ounce of his energy into his sword. Valor spoke to all of us, saying, "This corruption must end!" The battle turned at that point. Nevertheless, for all the damage that Kobort did to the evil knight before him, the knight did as much damage in kind. Then, with one blow, Kobort died.

Kespin flew into a rage and attacked the blackguard, and with one blow, slew the corruption before him. With his death, though, the Blackguard gave off a burst of energy that nearly dropped Kespin. The Wyvern jumped up and tried to grab the body of the evil knight and the two swords, but Kespin was able to hit it badly as it passed him. Wrye nearly finished the creature with an arrow, and Kespin was able to slay it completely. So, now we had the body of the Blackguard and his corrupted sword, and the body of our friend and comrade Kobort and his living sword. Before taking Kobort's body back to the ship, I called upon Pelor to consecrate the body of this ex-Hironeon knight. It might have been better to have someone who could talk to Hironeous directly, but I feel that my efforts brought some peace to an otherwise tortured soul. When we got back to the ship, I asked Pelor to bring me in contact with the spirit of Kobort so that I could see if he wished to return. Neither Pelor nor I will be party to bringing back an unwilling soul, and Kobort had done so much that he might well have wished to remain in the domain of his God. Nevertheless, he wished to return, so I summoned what strength I had to petition both Pelor and Hironeous to allow his spirit to return to his shell. Love, this was the most painful spell-casting I have ever accomplished, though also the most rewarding and uplifting. I felt so closely connected with Pelor as the energies ripped through me. Twice, I could feel Pelor asking me if I wished to continue, as the price might be higher than I could physically bear, and I could feel his warmth and love as I agreed to whatever the price might be. I do hope to avoid a repetition of this in the near future, though, so it might be a good idea for Westwind to teach Kobort how to dodge such attacks. It seems that there is an additional benefit to the battle: the energy that Kobort poured into Valor has given the sword a greater edge (if you'll pardon the pun) against the undead.

I don't know what we will be doing with the sword at this time, but if you could do some research into the sword called "Mercy", perhaps we might find out who the fallen knight was.

Be well, love.

Tess

--
"A group of people who all share the same mental illness does not constitute a culture." - Mike Bilodeau

test and treasure

2006-03-02T17:07:00.000-08:00

From gill and the dwarf:
pouch with healing ointment
platemail
broad (long) sword
shield
wand of dim door- Lysander
wand of magic missiles- westwind
dagger +2
bracers +2
spell book
532gp, 10sp a garnet

From the humanoids and ettin:
4 wagons and teams plus trade goods- I suggest that these be used for the good of the freed captives
32gp, 98sp, 184cp- Isuggest the siver and copper be likewise used
gold symbol of Pelor- Tess
spear magic- Kespin
lg steel shield
chainmail magic
bejewelled horn
a magic potion
a map case- we should see what is in the map case
a key to a chest and the chest
212gp, 446sp,1070cp- again the silver and copper should help the freed captives
pouch with 6 pearls- Kespin fo identifies

Total coin 776gp, 554sp, 1254cp

Report from the slave ship

2006-01-25T06:41:00.000-08:00

The report from the old slave from the boat contains many details of the travels of the slave ship. Westwind will show you the report and as that it be copied by the temple. Actually he would produce it durring his interview with the priest. Eric knows more exactly what the report says but I have some highlights:

Highport and Carbred are the most visitted ports. Blue and Monmorg also visitted. And a city with high cliffs a long distance from the Wild coast, he may have mentioned the direction but I don't have it in my notes, though I the player know.

The captains nome was Giranna.

The slave lords 20 or so in number run out of a temple in Highport. Their masters are not human.

Rumor is the slave lords have a golden city in the interior of the Pomarj. Possibly run by a demi-god.

Ships mates: Durg, Ebb, Brendon.

The monks in red showed up about a year and a half ago.

There was sometime a special detachment kept in the dark with dark purpleish skin and large eyes.

Westwind will attest that the report is the actual transcript of our interrogation of the old slave.

He will detail the account of the monk who was involved in our capture, his fighting prowess and dress.

Letters home....

2005-11-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

Flocktime 6
My dear Tesseran,

I hope everything with your brother cleared up quickly. I know you were not looking forward to the fallout if you had to become involved, and I was very relieved to hear that it was not necessary. The journey thus far has been very productive. The group that traveled to Jurnre with me has largely disbanded. It’s been hard saying goodbye to my companions, but several have expressed interest in traveling back to Mitrik this time next year, so I may journey back with them at that time.
I have completed several negotiations between the local lords and some of the guild halls here in Jurnre. It has been…let’s simply say instructional and leave it at that. The majority of the discussions were fairly mundane, but I would have loved to have seen your face when the master of the weaving guild took his turn to speak. I think you would have thrown him out the door before he had finished his first sentence!
I miss you, my heart. I have missed your wit and humor on this journey, and it is worse now that I am traveling south on my own. Although Brother Hayburner is good company, his conversation leaves much to be desired.
I am going to be Gradsul for most of Wealsun, but I will be back in Jurnre by Richfest as we planned. I am looking forward to seeing you then. If these letters do not reach you, then they will be awaiting you at the temple in Jurnre.

Peace,

Girard

Flocktime 16
Dear Tesseran,

It seems that Rao has a sense of humor after all. On the way south to Gradsul, I came upon a small village. It was little more than an inn on the road, to be honest. In any event, there was a monkish man who went by the name Rell there in dire need of healing. I was told that he had been set upon by brigands, but that his companion, a most long-winded knight named Sir Harcourt, had driven them off. I healed him, and got to know the knight during the evening as well as a minstrel who was also there. The minstrel told us a story about his experiences upon a slave ship. Tess, I wish you could have heard it. This was an effort worthy of a master bard. I am not ashamed to tell you that I was moved to tears. The slavers seemed to be working with a sect called “The Scarlet Sign”, and he was concerned that the man I had just healed was part of this sect! I asked Rao for guidance, and it turns out that this man’s intentions were not what they appeared to be! His soul was black with evil. I shared my findings with Harcourt to make him aware of the character of his companion. He decided to continue traveling with Rell, but he assured me that he would be on his guard. I hope that will be enough!
The next morning, they continued journeying south to Sir Harcourt’s estates in Gradsul, while I started back north with the minstrel. He revealed to me, after we had been traveling a while, that he was actually part of the band of brigands that attacked the knight’s party. You can be sure that I immediately started wondering what kind of man I had just joined forces with. His real name is Kespin, and he is indeed a bard. (Yes, I know. The similarity to the song we heard playing throughout Mitrik last season was not lost on me either. ) We left the road and found the rest of his companions.
Ah, Tess, I wish I had you here with me now! I am not certain at all about this group. They are giving me a great deal of information about the Scarlet Sign, though. I have enclosed my findings in a separate report and sent it back to the temple along with this missive. I spoke with the head priest there, and he is expecting my reports and will forward them back to Mitrik. Rao willing, he has done the same with the letters that I have been giving him.
There are two Halflings here, named Westwind and Rie. (I don’t know how the second one spells his name, but he is so prickly that I do not think I should ask for fear of offending him). Rie is a master of the woods. I do not think a deer would be able to use the trails that he can find! Westwind is very skilled with his blades, but he is even harder to get to know than Rie. I sense a shadow in him.
The third member of the party (fourth, counting the bard) is an interesting fellow. Very likable and personable. His name is Lysander, and I must admit, I feel more comfortable around him than around the two Halflings.
We are currently traveling in the farmlands of Ulek. We are of necessity avoiding all contact with officials, so I do not know exactly where we are. I will travel with these men a while, though. We are not heading too far away from Jurnre, so I still hope to meet you there for Richfest.
Again, I find myself missing you. I need your advice and your counsel, my love. I am not as sure of myself as I usually am. This is all new to me, and I fear my new companions will not be patient teachers.

Peace,

Girard

Flocktime 26
Dear Tess,

I hope you had a quiet Walpurgis. I know you do not like to acknowledge your birthing day on your own; I wish I could have been there to share it with you. My new companions and I spent it in the home of a very kind Halfling family. There was a young white dragon that had been hunting their area for a little while, and we took it upon ourselves to drive the beast away.
We brought the bones back to the grieving families so that they might complete whatever rituals will bring them peace. Westwind and Rie got into a bit of trouble with one of the matriarchs there when they tried to teach her young son how to smoke their weed. I know you enjoy it, Tess, but I cannot abide the smell for long.
Something happened during the fight, though, that makes me hesitate. The young man I spoke of earlier, Lysander…he is a strong mage, but the energy that he works with is dark. It makes me feel uncomfortable and shaken, like something unwholesome has passed by. He insists that I can examine him with Rao’s will to assure myself that he is pure and good, but that doesn’t answer the question in my heart. We are not naive, my love. I know that there are ways to shield one’s intentions from the eyes of the Gods, so even if the examination shows nothing, the question will still remain.
I am conflicted, my heart. These men are so driven to the Pomarge. When first I met them, Westwind said something about going to defeat the armies and dismantle the slaving trade. I laughed at the time. Considering the amount of time and effort the surrounding kingdoms have spent in trying to contain that wild land, I thought he could not possibly be serious! Now, I fear he was. They are driven by vengeance and anger, and I cannot support this. Nor do I feel that any attempt I make to dissuade them will be well-received.
We are not traveling on any established roads. I am writing to you during the evenings, and leaving these letters in the hands of any who will take them to a temple, in the hopes that the traveling priests of the area will eventually get them to Jurnre. I fear that many of these missives will never reach you. Still, writing to you makes me feel closer to you, strange though that may seem.
We are currently in a small village (you will forgive me if I give no details, as I do not know into whose hands these letters will fall), and we are waiting for a traveling priestess of Yondalla. I will leave this letter with her.

Peace,

Girard

Wealsun 10

Dear Tess,

We have had an exciting week or so here. Brother Hayburner and I are equally unable to explain how we came to be in the thick of such happenings. We had been traveling as usual through the farmlands here when we came upon the tracks of a large beast with many legs. The tracks intersected with a farmhouse that had clearly suffered terrible damage. We found the farmer and his wife inside, and then we took off after the beast. It was rampaging across the countryside, and it was clear that we needed to stop it.
We defeated it in the forest a day's ride away, then we were set upon by ogres. I really did not believe that we were going to survive that encounter. I was knocked unconscious several times, and I know now what you mean when you say that you can feel the protection of God directly around you. I could feel Rao’s presence filling me, protecting me, and sustaining me throughout.
The ogres left after we defeated their mage, and we rested for a day, during which time the Halflings took a (much-needed) bath. The ogres returned in force, however, and demanded recompense from us for slaying the beast, which turned out to be their pet. I started negotiations with them, and the group agreed to the terms laid out by the ogre leader. We were required to seek out an orc that had been causing them some amount of anguish in a part of the swamp. I figured that an enemy of our enemy might be an ally, so I heartily supported that quest.
It turns out that this orc is actually an elvish druid, and he is not the ally I had hoped he might be. He has not only been holding against the ogres, but he sent his swarms of insects to take out a human city nearby. These people had trusted him and welcomed him in, and he destroyed them, nearly to a man. We are sending one of the survivors off to tell the local lord of this tragedy, and I am sending this letter off with him. Brother Hayburner will be going off with him as well. He is a good horse, and he deserves better, and Ulrich has lost everything else. A good companion will serve him well.
We will be going back into the swamps after the druid. I hope that I will be able to hire the services of the hunter who is leading us to lead me back to Jurnre after we finish with the matter at hand. I am looking forward to seeing you again, my love.

Peace,

Girard.