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arcane12
Memunite
(11/17/03 7:49 pm)
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Arcane's Thurday night log
It looks like I may not have any takers for a write up for my Thursday game (even with an XP award) so I will write them myself.  I understand though, as writing is not everyone’s favourite topic. My plan is to write these as journal entries done by Satau, and in the event of his death I will either continue these as ‘prophetic entries’ or hopefully will have conned someone into doing them (I did have one or two consider it, but they have yet to ‘get around to it’). The catch up entries will be shortish, and I will try to keep the other entries down in size (no blow by blow combat descriptions :P ). I will put in asides that are not a part of Satau's Journal as GM note eg. below:
GM note: The party started out with 4 players, with new characters at 5th level: MHumFtr5, MHumMnk5, MHumRog5, FHumClr5. Additional: M=Male, F=Female; Hum=Human (Elf, Dwf,...); Then class & level.
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arcane12
Memunite
(11/17/03 7:50 pm)
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First Page of Satau's Journal
A dream last night, it bothered me. It was of strange individuals entering a small human village, casting about search for adventure to be had. I wonder if these four humans have anything to do with Hedrack’s plans to reclaim the temple near Nulb. It is too much of a coincidence not to be. This will be interesting.
I have dreamt about them again. I now know there is a link. The humans have headed straight out to the temple after being advised it was a good place to look for adventure. The man in the inn that helped them looked familiar, I think he was one of Master Thaque’s agents.
The group did not fear well against their first adversary, obviously their cleric does not have the faith in her god to protect her from undead that she should. Still they prevailed, and that is all that matters.
The hobgoblins did not scare these adventurers until they saw them in force. Such an untidy retreat, they need to be taught the value of tactics. Still the survivors will know betters than letting themselves get split up to be surrounded and taken down one by one. It was amusing to see the cleric get beaten to death with her own arms. If I get a pet, I think I will want a Dire Ape of my own.
GM note: This is how the players described it! – Claw, Claw, Rend.
---edit---
Retitled.
Edited by: arcane12 at: 11/26/03 4:37 pm
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arcane12
Memunite
(11/17/03 7:51 pm)
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Second Page of Satau's Journal
Their second foray went better. They were able to convince two clerics of St. Cuthbert to help out, and also picked up a mage and a new fighter from the inn. This time they did not let themselves get split up and things went more smoothly. What made me laugh was when they gave the gnome a magic weapon as his ‘share’ of the loot. Watching it struggle with a two-bladed sword more than twice it’s size was a joy. It has been a while since I have had gnome, and now I feel peckish.
GM note: Additions: Terjon, Nierethi, new characters FHumClr5 (sigh can we say please make a new character?), and MHumBarb5.
Apparently when a little girl mentioned her father was missing they jumped to help. Why? There was no offer of money. No other reward. Bah. One of the clerics, and the gnome (that one I ate yesterday game me some indigestion but I digress) have left the group, but they have been joined by Chatrilion. I am not sure why they suffered the old fool that referred to himself as ol’Del, but as his warnings of a dragon are true they were wise to listen.
They seem as surprised to see the dragon as it was to see them. If this is so why did they bother to listen to ol’Del rather than kill him to stop his prattling? Anyway, it seems due to his inability to get out of the way quick enough Chatrilion has gotten himself killed by the dragon. Thaque would not be pleased if he was still alive. Still a few lucky shots and the dragon is down, I am amazed they are all still alive. Perhaps the luck of the gods is what keeps them alive. Perhaps they are the ones to stop Tharizdun from returning. Maybe that is not such a bad thing. I will keep this one to myself for now.
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edited for consitency, and to add formatting
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Retitled
Edited by: arcane12 at: 11/26/03 4:37 pm
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arcane12
Memunite
(11/26/03 4:35 pm)
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Third Page of Satau's Journal
The dreams continue. I still wonder what they portend. They managed to walk straight up to the area where the human they were looking for was held. It looks like these adventurers are soft. They elected to return to town with Spugnoir rather than sleep a night in the moathouse area. Interesting, but I guess they do not realise that the inhabitants are close to receiving help soon.
The gnolls had secured the upper area against attack, but this barely slowed the group. A new face is among them, female, yet carries a sword. I do not understand why the people of the surface world allow their females to participate in such foolish pass times. It interests me as to the taking of a captive. They do not plan on eating the female human cleric, so why not just kill her? They will find it in their error as the little tiefling is about to set her free.
DM note: HumFFtr5, The cleric is now an NPC. (change of players)
It is as I thought. The pitiful remains of Master Thaque’s expedition are no match for seasoned adventurers. The Grell almost spelt their doom, but quick reflexes saved their lives. They seem to be baffled with the notes and sigils they have found. This is good.
The band heads back to Hommlett, not knowing that the ones they seek, once holed up at the mill have realised the game is up and moved on. If it were not for the clues already gleamed and the scrap of a note found at the abandoned mill, these adventurers would be stuck.
No dreams of late. The last one I had was of them deciding to make a trip to Verbobonc to sell some of their takings. I can only thank the nameless ones that I was not subjugated to that. I would have had to send Victor and Beth to kill them just to stop from going insane!
---edit---
Retitled.
Edited by: arcane12 at: 11/26/03 4:36 pm
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arcane12
Memunite
(12/3/03 6:27 pm)
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Fourth Page of Satau's Journal
The dreams have begun again. I had almost forgotten about them. At first I thought it to be indigestion from the tasteless orc brain I had just had. Not that that helped. It seems the rag tag group has arrived in Rastor. Their meeting with the locals goes well, and they dog our agent Tal.
Tal fares poorly. Having dealt with a menace the party is ill equipped to understand, they travel up to the mines to begin their assault in earnest. After a ‘questionable’ assault on a wandering guard the oriental man and Pelorite leave the group. However they are lucky enough to meet up with a traveller who is looking for a cause that joins their rag tag band. It is luck that he is a divine caster, as they will be in need of one, without doubt.
DM note: I had expressed a desire to get rid of the NPC (previously a PC) and one player suggested he play a cleric to help the party. He retired his monk, bringing the party closer to a balanced whole. HumMClr6
Due to the uncanny senses of the wilderness warrior in the group they are able to deduce that the south entrance is in fact the more heavily used one. The group moves up to the main gate (west) and stands around discussing tactics. Eventually the dull gnolls are able to figure out that these humans are not actually cultists (only took them 5 minutes) and bar the gate, then open fire. The group moves off to the south gate thinking it less heavily guarded.
Two attempts later and the forces of the Air temple begin to wane. A sorceress joins the motley crew to make an almost respectable force. They are finally able to take down Faralith (with the help of his backstabbing second in command) to finally sum up the first of many temples they will be taking down.
DM Note: New player (total 5 now.) HumFSor6
No one seems to have noticed yet that there is a hostile (hostile to all rather than the usual intra-organisation hostility) force at work. Most assume the earth temple have made a move to solidify their new position and to show they mean business. This should give the group of heroes the breathing room they need to amass what power they need to hold their own in this place I call home.
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 Infiniti2000
Cherub
(12/3/03 8:50 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Fourth Page of Satau's Journal
Cool, so Choranth was able to join the party in killing off Fachish. Is the traitorous little bitch still alive? 
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arcane12
Memunite
(12/3/03 9:22 pm)
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re: Choranth
Yup, alive and kickin'. The party was quite confused when she stepped in and struck the killing blow on Fashish (oops) but were able to come to a compromise (they were pretty beat, could have won by themselves, but didn't want to take undue risk by attacking her when she was at full health).
Unfortunately this meant she took her key with her, but I gave Omatharis a key in his chest (ala earth bridge) for them to grab. I think the 1/2 orc got away too. I am not 100% sure what to do with her as the air temple was sacked so I had her run off.
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I can't wait to get to the bit where Krystaf turns up. Ahhh a dragon is the wilderness, is there anything else that can put the fear of the gods into a group players/characters? The first time they saw it taking down some food and stayed clear, the second time they spotted 'something odd' on the mines so the rogue went ahead to check it out!! Al by himself! Opps someone forgot to mention that dragons have a spot score as ridiculously high as the rogues hide? 
Edited by: arcane12 at: 12/9/03 7:59 pm
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arcane12
Memunite
(12/9/03 7:55 pm)
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Fifth Page of Satau's Journal
Another day, another dream. Once the air temple was thoroughly cleaned out (even if they missed a treasure or two) the group headed towards the western bridge complex. Do they plan to come straight in here? If they do it will be to their doom! If they manage to get past D’Gran, the dragon will surely get them.
After killing the hydra (how a beast like that got locked in here I may never be able to see) the party successfully negotiate with the orcs. I feel it is only their willingness to kill gnolls that made the orc leader warm to their presence. The orcs will now leave, while the adventurers assault the fire bridge.
Ho ho ho! That did not go as smoothly as they might have wished! I am amazed they were able to drag themselves out of there without any losses. The barbarian did almost die twice however. Pity, I may have been able to request his corpse. A close study of one of these individuals may elucidate me as to where these useless dreams come from.
After that failure it is no surprise that they have decided to head in a different direction. However it looks as if they are having as much trouble with the undead as they do with outsiders. That old dwarven spectre surely put the fright up that thief. A second try did not prove any more successful as the priest was not powerful enough to destroy the undead, only force it to flee to a place they could not chase it.
It is with interest now to see that the recent batch of failures did not dishearten this band. Rather than give up they persevere if only by returning to the main door, hoping for an easier time of it. It looks like they will have it as the forces that hold this gate think more of themselves than they are worth. I would think Mereclar would get the idea that he is worth less than the other areas if he ever finds out how much less he gets paid.
The group of humans make quick work of the forces here, but barely stay to take their rightful spoils before leaving, fearing a counter-strike from more powerful forces. Soon they will come to understand the nature of this place, and realise the folly of thinking that we will pitch in to help some of our fellows in need. But that is neither here nor there as this time they have fled the area leaving some more choice rewards for scavengers to take.
Turning back at the entrance to the mines the party head towards the earth temple, surely to continue their crusade against all that is evil in this place. I still am undecided of whom to root for as these people may just put me to the sword with the rest of the fanes here. I may eventually have to take steps to ensure this does not happen when and if the humans arrive.
The earth temple is hit by the first raid and loses it’s preliminary forces to the adventuring band. After some rest the motley crew resume their persecution of the Troglodytes within these caves and force their way into the main temple area itself. A hard battle is fought, especially considering the added advantage of the earth high priest recycling some of his forces taken down in the first raid as zombies. Still the lack of real firepower hurts the earth temple and it is eventually sacked with the altar itself even being destroyed, ironically causing the barbarian to lose the magic from his new primary weapon taken from the swordmaster. It was a pity he sold his old sword to buy an item for the thief. It just goes to show that charity is not a virtue to be upheld by the thinking man.
Before leaving the mines to go to sell the latest batch of stolen equipment, the humans release the prisoners and investigate the tunnel that leads to the northern bridge complex. The thief opens fire immediately on Axred, probably due to the large chest of gems the giant hordes. The interaction can only go downhill from there, and barely a minute later it is left to see the three-armed aberration dead on the floor, with only two others next to him. Unfortunately they are only badly wounded and with a little healing magic are put back on their feet.
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Infiniti2000
Cherub
(12/10/03 8:37 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Fifth Page of Satau's Journal
Heh heh, that must have really pissed off the barbarian. I look forward to seeing what pain and suffering Krystaf causes. Are you gonna use the Krystaf/Vranthis/Chymon love triangle like I used? My group enjoyed it and had a hard time just letting Krystaf go.
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arcane12
Memunite
(12/10/03 11:58 am)
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Krystaf/Vranthis/Chymon love triangle
Hard to tell. I plan on having it in there (more or less) but it depends on the players. Krystaf has set them the task of bringing Vranthis's head for a 'reward', Fragarach. I am having it as a minor artifact, and in the hands of a non-CG it identifies as a +1 weapon. If id's by a CN or CG it will fail with an overwhelming aura. Then legend lore, etc will be needed. I plan on running my own 'version' of Fragarach, close to one of the CG versions here, but with my own twist.
The party has a NPC bard at the moment that is there to help one of the PC's get the temple raider PrC but he will 'recongnise' Fragarach and want to do some research - a good way to get him out of the party again! 
Unfortunately the PC's have not yet decided wether to take Krystaf up on his offer - they are considering on lying low, and generally hiding until the big scary dragon is gone. :P
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arcane12
Tolling Bell Cultist
(12/11/03 2:28 pm)
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Sixth Page of Satau's Journal
Luck is with me once more as the visions stop for a while, except about two weeks later where I see them talking to some humans in a tavern. Due to the frilly nature of the tavern, I would suspect it is in Celene somewhere, perhaps even the capital, Enstad. The nature of the ones they are talking too becomes apparent when his symbol of Olidimara swings into view. The rogue and priest talk to the fellow, managing to track down a pair of goggles of darkvision. The cleric cuts the party a deal, but asks them to look after a friend of his who wants a taste of adventure.
The next dream is another two weeks later, the humans (and now one elven companion) meet up with a foppish fellow who calls himself Cole Harkin. Cole relates that he wishes to see some acts of heroic adventurism so that he may write an epic about their feats. The band of adventurers shrug, and assume that this is the fellow they are meant to look after.
A foray into the area north of the earth temple reveals another tunnel leading into an area haunted by dire apes. Quick work is made of these fearsome beasts, and Sadavel (the rogue) locates a corpse, laden down with the sword of water. They are not aware of the irony that soon a thief will be instrumental in the return of a sought after item, that was stolen by another thief!
Narrowly avoiding falling into the pit the ruffians strike their way to one of the primary door to the northern bridge complex, and in their usual chaotic manner each tries their own plan without advising the others on what they plan on doing. Kiayu (the barbarian) strides in with a coin, the focus for a silence spell, ready for battle. He is confused by the fact that he is not immediately fired apon (as that is what he would have done) and has problems communicating due to the field of silence. Once he finally divests himself of the coin, he is able to figure out that the guard is getting quite huffy over the fact that the intruder was no replying to him. A small negotiation ensues, ending when Kiayu gets tired of talking and attacks. Omatharis and Riu are on the scene quickly, even releasing the insane chimera, but are taken down without much hassle by the infidels. The chimera proves to be the fiercest foe, taking down many humans and elves, but eventually succumbing to the combined might of the adventurers, even if it almost froze the barbarian to the spot.
Whilst looting the motley crew come across the cook, and once they found him to be non-hostile hired him to join their band. Retiring back to the house in Rastor they have rented, Rene (Party fund tracker, and cleric of Olidamara) set about purchasing food to stock their larder so the cook can keep them comfortable. Most of the party seem to trust the man, however there is the occasional comment about his trustworthiness and access to the food they all eat.
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arcane12
Tolling Bell Cultist
(1/21/04 1:35 pm)
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Seventh Page of Satau's Journal
It looks like they have decided to take a new direction in hand, as they have approached the south door again. Quickly overpowering a small defensive crew posted to keep any rabble out, the adventurers confidently head east, possibly to their doom in the fire temple!
A quick battle with a restless spirit seems to indicate a greater deal of competence than shown on the previous two encounters with this creature. Perhaps the foolish humans have learnt something from their time spent traipsing around the mines. Soon they could even be ready to cross one of the lesser-guarded bridges. This is interesting.
A group decision begins a detour right past the resting place of Tulian’s eye – it is amusing to know that a veritable treasure has been under the Air Temples noses and now this band of …heroes… has passed it too! An altercation with some Kou-toa guarding the water temples boats ends with one near drowned thief, and the savage human moaning for yet another lost weapon. Kiayu should have kept a better grip on his sword when he tried to hit the fleeing Whip.
Continuing on from here the group blunders into a trap set by the cloakers who guard this tunnel – the cloakers seem to have been paid by the fire temple to keep the way towards their area safe now that the main door is breached. The fight is nothing much to note, except the wild blows by the warriors in the group do more to harm anyone than the beasts attacking them do.
Following the passage east the group stumble upon the caves containing the Descratan and the undead dwarf. After a good look around, and the rogue even spying on the undead dwarf without being spotted leads them to spend some time discussing what to do. I almost snoozed off, if that is possible to dream of dreaming! Finally a decision is reached and they try to engage the creature in conversation. When it approaches them with an evil glint in its eye muttering about killing all life they run screaming like the weak will humans they are.
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