Hey Readers,
It seems that I am just destined to always be late on all of these, and once again you have my sincere apologies. I will be writing two sessions today, the first one (below) is last weeks adventure. The one that I will be writing this afternoon was this weeks adventure. I swear that I will get back on a regular track, really I swear. For now though why don't I just tell you what happened last week...
So the adventurer's came out of the tunnel on the west side of the Ridgeback Mountains. Following their guide they were brought to Xiang Dei. Their guide told them that he would be taking them before the head of the resistance, and knowing that they still needed to complete their mission they had no reason not to follow their guide to speak with the man who held power in this part of the world. When they were brought through a back door into the Magistrate's office however, they thought they had gone from the frying pan and into the fire. It turned out however that the Vin-Yhoi Magistrate WAS in fact the leader of what they called the Weipo Resistence. Magistrate Quan was more then happy to meet with them when they arrived. He informed them that any enemy of Vin-Yhoi was gladly an ally of his. He then asked the companions what they had done to earn the enmity of Emperor Woo. Looking at one another, remembering what had happened the last time they had truthfully told their story, they hesitated, but in the end Namsuri stepped forward and told truthfully of their plight. The Magistrate, for his credit, did not interrupt, did not doubt there story, he simply sat and listened and seemed to weigh their words. After the story had been told, he offered the party rooms in his estate. Gladly taking the respite the party bunked down for the night, and in the morning were called back before the Magistrate. Magistrate Quan informed them that he believed in their story, and that he was willing to help them as much as he could in the future, if they would be willing to help him and his people now. Seeing there mission coming to a success the party agree whole-heartedly. The Magistrate informed them that the Emperor had become informed of the party's escape, and he thought that the agent in his dungeon giving away that they had a secret tunnel, which they had still not found, was testament to the importance of the prisoners that they had been. He told them that the Emperor had marched his legions, and that they were arriving on shore and through the small mountain pass even as the conversation was being had. He told the party that he needed them at one of the later landings on a secluded beach near the base of the mountains. There would be 20 ships making landfall there, and he needed them to be there to torch the boats as soon as they were able. They were confused as why all he needed them to do was torch the boats, but he was insistent that the particular act of putting flame to the boats would office for all that was planned. The adventurer's agreed and were giving horses to set out that night to get into position.
Riding hard the group arrived in the low dunes by the secluded beach in time to see the boats land, and see the army march of of them. 20 boats, with 100 soldiers per boat put 1000 men on the beach between the boats and the party. Seeing their cake walk disappear the party came up quickly with a new plan. Namsuri would sneak around and travel through the water to each boat and set a fire below decks where it would take longer for the men on the beach to notice. At the first sign that someone was noticing, Raistlin and Ulemon were going to create a distraction to draw the army's attention away from Namsuri, quickly setting fire to all of the other boats. The plan worked fairly to perfection. Namsuri had set fire to the bilge rooms and 3 of the boats, and was moving on to the tenth when luck finally left him. A soldier was aboard and Namsuri had to quickly hide or be spotted. Hiding behind a ladder, Namsuri bid his time, and at the right moment, with as much force as he could muster, he struck from the shadows. With a gurgle the man died. Namsuri quickly lit the fire but was spotted as he was leaving the boat by one of the soldiers friends that was waiting for the man that Namsuri had skewered to come back. Namsuri, for his part, immediately cast vanish and made his way to the next boat, but now the man was advancing with a few others on Namsuri's position. Ulemon and Raistlin had a decision to make, no one had spotted the fires on the other boats yet, but they saw the men advancing toward where they knew that Namsuri was going to be setting his next fire. Holding their actions they waited and held their breath. Luckily Namsuri set his fire and made his way to the next ship before he was discovered. Keeping up vanish spells now as he moved between ships he continued his job. As he moved to the 13th ship though he heard a yell, turned and saw smoke, and then saw as a giant fireball exploded by one of the cook fires. Ignoring his silent fire setting, he began lighting torches, and running down the line of remaining boats throwing them up onto the deck simply to start the fires as quickly as possible now that the jig was up. Raistlin and Ulemon for their part had just seen a man walking toward the first boat Namsuri had set fire, and they waited hoping against hope that he would be unaware. Moments later though the worst happened as at a run he started back to the campfires yelling about the boat being on fire. Raistlin took him with a scorching ray, and before anyone knew what was truly happening he fire balled the closest cook fire, but even in the chaos, their position was now known to the enemy. So even as Namsuri was firing the rest of the boats, Ulemon was taking position in front of Raistlin to give him cover as they kicked the hornets nest again with another fireball to keep the attention off of Namsuri. Ulemon held his ground even as he was rushed by the first five fastest runners. Even as Raistlin burned one down with another scorching ray Ulemon was among the remaining four, keeping them back from Raistlin as he continued to cast spells to create as much confusion as possible. The soldiers, although obviously trained, had trouble striking Ulemon as he fought from between them, but with his caster safely out of the way Uemon had no qualms about where he could or could not thrust a sword. Finishing the four soldiers in what seemed to be record time Ulemon readied himself for the next wave. Five more more running across the sand toward him, and even as two went down to a well placed fireball, the other three were on Ulemon like jackals on a carcass, taking damage now, Ulemon still fought them off, and reset himself as the rest of the army seemed to be coming at him all at once. He took his stance and readied himself for what would probably be his last stand. When all of a sudden he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Warrior, our job is done, the boats are aflame, quickly, let us withdraw" Ulemon heard the words Raistlin spoke, and for the first time in his life was glad to not have to fight. Turning with Raistlin they made their way into the dunes, and with a few quick spells later, were completely obscured from the searching enemy. For Namsuri's part, he was making his way back to where they had left their horses when he saw a hail of black arrows come out of the darkness and strike targets near the campfires. Specifically targets that had moments before been shouting orders to the men. Not having seen the archers themselves, and assuming that he would not be a target, Namsuri made his way back to the horses and met up with Ulemon and Raistlin. Thankful that they had all made it away safely they rode back to Xiang Dei.
Arriving back into Xiang Dei they found themselves in a carnival atmosphere. Emperor Woo had sent a sending to the Magistrate declaring his renouncing of all claim to the new Nation of Weipo. The now Emperor Quan, welcomed back the party as conquering heroes and threw a feast in their honor. During the feast he informed them that as repayment for their duty to Weipo, that he would right it into the laws, that in the future if Volunthus came to Weipo for aid… they would find it. The party went well into the night, and when the party found themselves in the morning they had fresh horses, and the new Emperor had provided them with a map of the route they had told him that they planned to travel. Wishing them luck on their mission, the Emperor bid them goodbye, and they parted the city as friends, and dare say it heroes of Weipo. Half a day down the road, when they stopped for a midday break Namsuri who was keeping watch heard to beings walking toward them through the woods. Before the party could see them they heard the argument the pair seemed to be having, thus their weapons had all been put away by the time that Donovan and Davin had entered their camp. Demanding that the dwarves send them back to the own time, the dwarves looked shocked… "but you sell have other objectives on the quest that you have undertaken…" the dwarves tried to argue. Well one argument and a few Knowledge History checks later turned out that the names on the list that they had been given, were not all from the same time period, and with that knowledge, the party allowed Donovan and Davin to speed them along to their next "time". With the spell being cast, and a flash around them, the group found themselves suddenly in the desert. Quickly taking their bearings, the party moved northeast to the City-State of Oasis. Upon entering the city, the party made their way to the grand bazaar. All seemed as it should be and they quickly found out that they were now 215 years before their own time. The only problem they had was Raistlin getting dirty looks from some people who still remembered the horrors the black robes had committed during the War of Magic, but other then the slight prejudice, the party had no problem making purchases and getting a quick lay of the land. As the light started to fade to the west, the party made their way to the Shaw's palace. Speaking to the Shaw's Majordomo, they were led to a waiting room to wait for their audience. It was not until five hours later that the party was led in to see the Shaw. However, none of them had complained as the waiting room was outfitted with food, drink and harem slave girls enough for ten men. Being called into the Shaw's audience chamber they walked into a six sided room, with a throne sitting on a slightly raised in front of the wall directly ahead of the door they had entered through. Having taken the lay of the land, doing some quick research, and having remembered some of the History of Quastalia, the party was ready, and came to the Shaw with an offer of assistance in helping him to convince his rivals to see the promise in his plan that he would present the next day at the first "Desert Conference" that would take place between all of the leaders of the Eastern Desert. The Shaw, sat quietly and listened to their proposal, and when they were finished quickly snapped his fingers and the room started filling with guards. As the doors closed again he rose, and spoke for the first time, as he walked off his dais toward the group, his Majordomo behind him. "I have to clue how you learned of my plans, but you will rot in the dungeon until they come to fruition, I will not have you spoiling everything" With that the guards advanced. Seeing that is was all a misunderstanding, the party tried to simply hold their ground, the guards for their part were not trying to kill them, simply trying to disarm and capture them. But as soon as Ulemon made for one of the exits all of that changed. The Shaw threatened the rest of the party with death if Ulemon did not stop. Having no desire to see his friends killed he stopped, and surrendered. It was then that Namsuri took a chance and explained to the Shaw exactly what all was going on…
That was where last weeks session stopped, on that amazing cliff hanger. It was really fun watching the party make all of their plans and everything to have them thwarted by the fact that they had given the Shaw no reason to trust HOW they had acquired all of the information that he had told less then five people. It is always fun running a battle where no one is really trying to kill anyone else, although deaths did occur. Stupid Wizards and their spiked pits, and Kitsune bite attacks that crit ON TOP of sneak attack damage. Anyway, I hope to have this weeks adventure up soon. Now that I finally have some free time. Until next time fans, may your dice only fumble when your life is not in danger, and may you see 20's when they annoy your DM the most…
-DM Eraser
Friday, January 25, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Sky is Falling...
Hey Readers,
Yes I know that I am late again with the post. I have the kind of job that has the propensity to get really busy with almost no notice. Anyway it was a fun session this past week. It was on Thursday instead of our normal Wednesday nights do to my hectic work schedule. It was fun despite the fact that our campaign map program decided that it didn't want to work, but every once in a while doing everything by imagination isn't a bad thing. So.... without further ado, away we go...
As the wizard finished his casting, Ulemon and Namsuri saw him fall from the carriage and watched as two soldiers picked him up and with a blast of snowy air bundle him into the carriage. For a moment, the defenders at the wall thought that the wizard had failed. That the spell had fizzled away and that he had fainted before its completion. But when the sky quickly turned black, the defenders knew that the wizard had succeeded. The first of the flaming chunks of debris came down on its own, a single flaming meteorite that strike the ground and a thump and and crash and a burst of flame. Hopefully the defenders thought that perhaps that was it, but then the skies opened up, and flame rained down upon them. No one knows who was the first at the wall to break and run, but after the first it was a full rout to get back into what seemed the relative safety of the city. Ulemon, Namsuri and Tariel were all at the wall, and they all fell back in disarray with the rest of the defenders. Namsuri quickly picking his way through the throng and down back alleys and dodging debris as he made his way towards, what seemed, the relative safety of the Tower of the Sun, which even during the "bombardment" seemed to still rise pristine among the buildings surrounding it. Meanwhile Tariel and Ulemon were having trouble, tripping into craters left by debris, running into other fleeing soldiers, and just all around having no success getting off of the major streets that just seemed to be killing fields for the masses. Somehow, broken and bloodied however they made it, with the rest of the survivors, deeper into the city, and along with the thin crowd, in the direction of the Tower of the Sun. Raistlin on the other hand had been allowed, due to need, to stand with the elven mages in their hastily constructed watch tower. From here they planned to cast spells to assist in the defense of the city. But farther back from the main line, it made a great headstart towards getting away from all of the falling debris. The mages as well saw the safety that the Tower of the Sun provided, and thus when Raistlin arrived with the mages and the first of the defenders, he was able to find Namsuri among the first of those to arrive. Quickly walking through the crowds pouring in they find Ulemon and Tariel, and through some finaggling managed to find a cleric to do some quick healing to take them off of deaths door. Ulemon, even before healing however, was the first person to try to corral the masses that had crowded into the Tower's attrium. Thinking quickly, and bringing all of the survivors down into the safety of the underground catacombs, the adventuerers decided to quickly return to Volunthus to report on the fate of the Elven capital. So leaving the Tower ahead of the Black Army's advance, stole some horses from the south side of the city, that had been spared from the horror of the north side, and rode as quickly as possible for Volunthus.
Pushing their horses, the party arrived in Volunthus a mere nine days after the attack on the Elven capital. Reporting ot Commnader Sandoval the adventuerers delievered the chilling news. Momentarily caught in thought the party had a moment to ponder themselves what should be done about this threat that had seemed to materialize out of no where. It was decided, that the group would go Chrysanthus, Weipo, Vin-Yhoi and the Desert of Fire to recruit allies in the war that was sure to come. The Commnader for his part was going to contact the Tower of Wizardry and Seaward and warn them of the threat as well. Commnader Sandoval offered the group accomadations fro the evening as they rested and repared for what what would be a long and hard road ahead. The next morning, when they awoke, the party made its way to Commnader Sandoval's office, but along the way they were sidetracked by a pair of dwarves, who introduced themselves, with quite a flourish, as Donovan and Davin. They told the party that they would be assisting them in getting to their destination. Both of the brothers pulling wands, the party was prepared to be teleported, but as the spell was being cast, Raistlin realized that something was wrong. Before he could say anything however th spell was finished, there was a flash of light, and the party found themselves in the brushland that overlooked the southern mountains. After a group look at their surroundings, landmarks and the position of the Sun, the party realized that they were in Vin-Yhoi, just outside of the capital city of Deng Wei. The party decided that traveling to Deng Wei would be their best option, and so off they set, on foot, to the capital. After only a half day's walk the party came within sight of the city. It was then that Raistlin and Namsuri saw that something was very wrong. The great Tower of Vin-Yhoi was under construction. The Tower, which had stood for some 200 years, which had been built after the War of Magic, was still only halfway through construction. The party, quickly leaving the road, made camp and discussed what they would do with this new said knowledge. Looking back toward the city, and watching people along the road, and between their various intellects, the party estimated they had been sent back in time 198 years. Immediately they thought that it had been either a mistake or sabotage. But then they all remembered the conversation they had with the dwarves right before they sent them back, the dwarves had given Namsuri a list of names of people for them to contact, and as Namsuri pulled out the list and read the names, Raistlin pointed out that all of the names, were those of rulers who currently, 198 years in the past, ruled the nations that Commander Sandoval had instructed them to visit. They quickly re-evaluated the position that they were in, maybe it was neither a mistake, or sabotage, maybe there was something about "when" they were that was the key to fixing things in the "future". They quickly decided that they would follow their original mission parameters, but that they would have to be careful. The "past" was very differnt from the "future" where they lived. For example, in Vin-Yhoi, especially in Deng Wei, Namsuri would have to remain in human form, with some additional disguise elements as well, otherwise he might be taken as a slave. Seeing as how Vin-Yhoi was the largest slave nation in the realm, and their love of taking Kitsune into slavery. Also, they did not know how to "fix" the problem, but in this time Raistlin's robes would mark him immediately as someone not to be trusted. Although in their time the black robed mages had gained back trust that had been lost during the War of Magic, in this time they were trusted almost less then Goblins and Orcs. With this knowledge in hand, and after Ulemon had quickly adjusted their clothing to appear more "period" they entered the city of Deng Wei.
Passing through the gate of Deng Wei was itself a mild challenge for the group. A guard stood at the gate stopping everyone who entered. The guard would question the traveller, and then an assistant would right up entrance papers for the visitor. The party did not have any trouble getting in, but they had a few tense moments between Raistlin and Namsuri (in human form) as they both talked theri way past the guard. After everyone had entered the city, the party split up to find what information they could before speaking with the person whose name was on the list, Vin-Yhoi's Emperor, Emperor Woo. Namsuri got caught up with pair of thieves, but managed to extract himself and his possessions from the situation. When the entire party came back together for the evening in the vacinity of the market is when everything decided to go downhill. Namsuri was revealed by a slave as a Kitsune and was immediately set upon by the town guard. Since their entrance papers were also "a bit off" the rest of the group was taken as well. Being held in the city prison, they were questioned as rebels from Western Vin-Yhoi, but the party successfully evaded those questions as they tried to tell the truth about the situation. Of course when no one believed them they were beaten and then left by the guards in their cells. However do to the mistaken identity that they were accused of working for the Western Vin-Yhoi rebels, they were sprung from jail by a sympathyzer, and led through a secret passage out of the prison, out of Deng Wei infact, and under the mountain range into Western Vin-Yhoi.
This is where we left it for the night. The party was VERY confused, but they were excited with the twist.
I would again like to apologize. Although the session was itself a bit weird do to the lack of our campaign tool, I still should have been able to put together a better update then this. Also the fact that it is even later then it should be. So I am sorry, and I will try to make sure it doesnt happen again.
On a happy note though, we have a session tonight and I will try my best to have the update up tomorrow. :)
Until next time readers, may your axes dig deep and your arrows fall heavy.
-DM Eraser
Pushing their horses, the party arrived in Volunthus a mere nine days after the attack on the Elven capital. Reporting ot Commnader Sandoval the adventuerers delievered the chilling news. Momentarily caught in thought the party had a moment to ponder themselves what should be done about this threat that had seemed to materialize out of no where. It was decided, that the group would go Chrysanthus, Weipo, Vin-Yhoi and the Desert of Fire to recruit allies in the war that was sure to come. The Commnader for his part was going to contact the Tower of Wizardry and Seaward and warn them of the threat as well. Commnader Sandoval offered the group accomadations fro the evening as they rested and repared for what what would be a long and hard road ahead. The next morning, when they awoke, the party made its way to Commnader Sandoval's office, but along the way they were sidetracked by a pair of dwarves, who introduced themselves, with quite a flourish, as Donovan and Davin. They told the party that they would be assisting them in getting to their destination. Both of the brothers pulling wands, the party was prepared to be teleported, but as the spell was being cast, Raistlin realized that something was wrong. Before he could say anything however th spell was finished, there was a flash of light, and the party found themselves in the brushland that overlooked the southern mountains. After a group look at their surroundings, landmarks and the position of the Sun, the party realized that they were in Vin-Yhoi, just outside of the capital city of Deng Wei. The party decided that traveling to Deng Wei would be their best option, and so off they set, on foot, to the capital. After only a half day's walk the party came within sight of the city. It was then that Raistlin and Namsuri saw that something was very wrong. The great Tower of Vin-Yhoi was under construction. The Tower, which had stood for some 200 years, which had been built after the War of Magic, was still only halfway through construction. The party, quickly leaving the road, made camp and discussed what they would do with this new said knowledge. Looking back toward the city, and watching people along the road, and between their various intellects, the party estimated they had been sent back in time 198 years. Immediately they thought that it had been either a mistake or sabotage. But then they all remembered the conversation they had with the dwarves right before they sent them back, the dwarves had given Namsuri a list of names of people for them to contact, and as Namsuri pulled out the list and read the names, Raistlin pointed out that all of the names, were those of rulers who currently, 198 years in the past, ruled the nations that Commander Sandoval had instructed them to visit. They quickly re-evaluated the position that they were in, maybe it was neither a mistake, or sabotage, maybe there was something about "when" they were that was the key to fixing things in the "future". They quickly decided that they would follow their original mission parameters, but that they would have to be careful. The "past" was very differnt from the "future" where they lived. For example, in Vin-Yhoi, especially in Deng Wei, Namsuri would have to remain in human form, with some additional disguise elements as well, otherwise he might be taken as a slave. Seeing as how Vin-Yhoi was the largest slave nation in the realm, and their love of taking Kitsune into slavery. Also, they did not know how to "fix" the problem, but in this time Raistlin's robes would mark him immediately as someone not to be trusted. Although in their time the black robed mages had gained back trust that had been lost during the War of Magic, in this time they were trusted almost less then Goblins and Orcs. With this knowledge in hand, and after Ulemon had quickly adjusted their clothing to appear more "period" they entered the city of Deng Wei.
Passing through the gate of Deng Wei was itself a mild challenge for the group. A guard stood at the gate stopping everyone who entered. The guard would question the traveller, and then an assistant would right up entrance papers for the visitor. The party did not have any trouble getting in, but they had a few tense moments between Raistlin and Namsuri (in human form) as they both talked theri way past the guard. After everyone had entered the city, the party split up to find what information they could before speaking with the person whose name was on the list, Vin-Yhoi's Emperor, Emperor Woo. Namsuri got caught up with pair of thieves, but managed to extract himself and his possessions from the situation. When the entire party came back together for the evening in the vacinity of the market is when everything decided to go downhill. Namsuri was revealed by a slave as a Kitsune and was immediately set upon by the town guard. Since their entrance papers were also "a bit off" the rest of the group was taken as well. Being held in the city prison, they were questioned as rebels from Western Vin-Yhoi, but the party successfully evaded those questions as they tried to tell the truth about the situation. Of course when no one believed them they were beaten and then left by the guards in their cells. However do to the mistaken identity that they were accused of working for the Western Vin-Yhoi rebels, they were sprung from jail by a sympathyzer, and led through a secret passage out of the prison, out of Deng Wei infact, and under the mountain range into Western Vin-Yhoi.
This is where we left it for the night. The party was VERY confused, but they were excited with the twist.
I would again like to apologize. Although the session was itself a bit weird do to the lack of our campaign tool, I still should have been able to put together a better update then this. Also the fact that it is even later then it should be. So I am sorry, and I will try to make sure it doesnt happen again.
On a happy note though, we have a session tonight and I will try my best to have the update up tomorrow. :)
Until next time readers, may your axes dig deep and your arrows fall heavy.
-DM Eraser
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Black Army
Hey Readers!
Sorry for the long wait between posts here. Between the Christmas holiday, and a couple of weeks where there was no game night, I have not had anything to write about. Add that to the fact that I did not write any additional posts during that same amount of time and we end up with what we have here, three weeks without a post, and let's not forget that even though there was a game this last Wednesday, between game and now I was SUPER BUSY at work. But the darkness is passed and we are back now folks. To recap, the party had just been part of stopping the Black Army from "completely" destroying the city of Wonder, and now we begin with them dealing with the aftermath...
As the Dragon Rider finished his spell, and the majority of the Black Army that remained in the city disappeared with the Dragon and its Rider, leaving carnage and fire behind. Namsuri, Raistlin and Ulemon having seen the destruction caused by the dragon's acidic breath rushed up the stairs to where the defenders had valiantly made their last stand, but when they arrived found nothing but melting human remains. Ulemon did note as they stepped over the remains that upon one of their shields was the device of the Knights of Volunthus. Filing away that information, the party looked upon the doors of the Temple of Tyr that stood before them. Although warped slightly by the acidic spray, the doors seemed little worse for the wear, and as the party stood looking at them they began to open together in unison. Stepping out first were four dwarves, all wearing white robes with chain shirts over them, and all four had a crossbow pointed out in the party's direction. Quickly seeing that the battle was over, they put up their weapons and started ushering civilians out of the temple. With a nod to the adventurers, the dwarves promptly seemed to forget their existence, and the party turned and went back down the steps to see what they could do to assist the town. Ulemon immediately got busy joining a water brigade, lining up to pass buckets to throw on the fires to try to put them out before they spread even further. Raistlin sought out apothecaries and wizard's shops to help them to recover from the attacks, and Namsuri attempted to help everyone, as he helped himself to a bit of gold here, and a few pieces of silver there. After the majority of the fires had been put out, and the majority of the city folk had been helped to the extent the party could provide, they figured that getting back to Volunthus to give a report was probably the smartest plan that they could come up with. So moving back to the edge of town they started discussing which way they should travel. Knowing how close they were to the Tower of Wizardry, Raistlin convinced the party, that they should return to Volunthus via the Eastern Road. Seeing no reason to deny that the Eastern Road returned them to Volunthus at roughly the same pace as the Southern Road, the party set off. However upon reaching the edge of town they came across a noble, on a fine black stallion, riding in the middle of a formation of heavily armed men. As they watched the noble ride through the streets they saw that he rode near enough to the damaged buildings, and injured people to appear concerned. But not close enough to actually allow any of the filth to soil his fine clothes. As he approaches closer to the party, his armed escort fan out to form a defensive line between the party and their leader. After exchanging pleasantries with the party and half-heartedly thanking them for their help during the battle he fields a few meaningless questions from the party about his lack of appearance at the battle. Quickly coming to anger he turns and rides off, his guards quickly following and reforming their box formation. Knowing that their welcome has now officially run out the party leaves the City of Wonder, heading East in the direction of the Tower of Wizardry.
Upon arriving the party splits up to each accomplish their own tasks. Namsuri went searching for a teacher to give him some elementary knowledge of how to use his new found 'talent' (Namsuri having recently taken a level of Bard, he took this opportunity to roleplay gaining that knowledge). Ulemon, having no interest in magical teachings, went directly to the Inn that sits beside the Tower. Raistlin, as it was his idea to come this way, had the most pressing business at the tower. Traveling up to the top floor to where the Archmages waited, Raistlin prepared himself for the Test, and for the inevitable change it would have upon his life. As he stood outside the door to the Archmage's audience chamber he looked down at his brown robes, specifically at the deep red colored cloth belt that held his component pouch. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room. (There actually was no in-game test that was worth any amount of roleplaying, we covered it all by notes so not to interrupt the flow of the game with a solo adventure) Entering the room and completing the test, Raistlin watched as two of the dark figures that were in the room when he started had stood and left the room. The third stood as well, and spoke without revealing their identity, "It is thought that you would like to know, that it was not the third test that led to this choice. It was your actions throughout the testing. We know that it was not your conscious choice, but we also know that it is what you desire, and what you have earned." With that the figure also left. Not knowing what else to do, Raistlin delayed a moment, and in that moment a flash filled the room. All of a sudden, a tall man stood before Raistlin, resplendent even in dark black robes, the man stood in the well lit room as if partially obscured by shadow. Raistlin, knowing this man, but not wanting to show any emotion, stood as straight as he could before him. The man stared at Raistlin, and then with the most effortless of gestures, produced a small chest which he placed on the floor before him. "As is customary, your first set of robes... and a gift from the council. With that the man, who Raistlin knew to be the High Archmage, vanished, it another flash. Opening the chest, which had no lock, Raistlin looked inside to find his destiny. It side the chest has a fist-sized diamond, which he immediately placed atop his staff. It held to the top as if glued in place, and as if it was designed to fit just there. With that done, Raistlin reached into the box one more time... and pulled out the black silk robes that he would call his own.
(I would like to point out that Quastalia has a magic system where all wizards, and there are no sorcerers, have to take a test before they are allowed to use higher level magic. The magic itself is not restricted, they can use higher level magic without taking the test. But if they are found out then the Archmages of the Tower send out groups to hunt them down. Magic is 'controlled' in Quastalia, at least as well as it can be, no one has ever been stopped from taking the test, but those who can not handle the power of higher levels of magic, find that the test is their final reckoning. For those that pass, they are grouped together with like-minded individuals dependent upon which of the Gods of Magic they favor. White, Red and Black, and the colors of robes worn by Wizards who walk the lands of Quastalia. Lawful Good Wizards wear White. Lawful Neutral Wizards wear Red. Lawful Evil Wizards wear Black. Now this being said, a Lawful Neutral character can often find himself wearing White or Black robes, as the influence of the test washes over them. The test itself does not change a characters alignment. Although there have been times where after their role being determined the Wizard in question has gone on to embellish traits of the path that he travels. All of that being said, Raistlin did not kick puppies and kill innocents during his test. No, the black robes found him by far subtler means...)
The next day, after the brief shock of the rest of the party members seeing Raistlin in his new black robes, the party went before the Archmages to tell them of what they had witnessed in the town of Wonder. The Archmages were particularly interested in the Dragon, as Dragons had not been seen in the Realm of Quastalia for the past 200 years. After their conversation, the party was granted their request of the Archmages sending them directly back to Volunthus on the wings of a spell of teleportation. This saved the party 3 weeks of travel by horseback, and allowed them to report back far sooner then Commander Sandoval could have hoped and dreamed. Shuffling into the Commander's office, high atop the Keep's Tower, the party began to deliver their report on what they had seen in the City of Wonder. During their explanation of the Dragon and its rider the Commander's High Priest took a sharp intake of breath, which due to his normal silent demeanor, stopped the party's telling of their tale. Unsuccessfully trying to get the Commander to allow him to speak with him alone, he began telling the story of the mural room. As the group came to the bottom of the stairs, they watched as the High Priest made a series of complex hand motions before opening the only door at the bottom of the solid stone staircase. Walking into the room, the party saw as the murals on the wall changed and shifted as if alive. They were moving so fast that they could not even comprehend what they were seeing. It was not until the High Priest began to pray that the party could keep up with the visuals that went around the circumference of the room as though an ancient flip book. They saw the Black Army as a wave breaking upon the white cliffs that obviously could be see as Fortress Volunthus. But more importantly it showed the dragon and its rider, flying above the army. Seeing more of the possible futures the party turned to trying to identify all of the possible outcomes. It wasn't until the party was making their way back up to the Commander's Office that they had any real proof that what they saw was more then a fancy illusion. A messenger came upon them in a rush, "Commander, the Elves to the West are under attack from the Black Army" he almost shouted as he rushed down the hallway towards them. After verifying the information, Commadner Sandoval requested that the party continue their reconnaissance, and after they agreed, had his High Mage grant them teleportation to put them into the Elven capital before the attack came.
Appearing in the middle of the Knights barracks in Mistrheal, the barracks commander was unhappy with a black-robed mage being in his presence, but as quickly as the party left it was of little consequence. The party quickly found the Protector General who led the 'Protectors' in Mistrheal's forest. Explaining their presence he gave them a jeweled pendent that would identify them to his troops. With this, and a crudely drawn map, the party made their way northward into the forest. The forest itself was as thick as always, and some sort of mist/fog seemed to be stealing even more of there sight the farther they got away from the city. Eventually they realized that it was really smoke, although they had not as of yet run across a fire. On their third night of scouting Namsuri, who was on watch, heard something. Investigating he found a scouting formation for the Black Army. Waking his companions Ulemon and Raistlin they crept upon them and ambushed them. After a short but brutal fight, forced at point-blank-range due to the smoke, the party retreated upon hearing the sounds of the bulk of the Black Army coming straight for them. Although the fighting was tremendously bloody, and no quarter was asked in the end, one member of the scouts had been disabled in the first round of combat. The party bound him and took them with them. Having found the army Namsuri, using his stealth got as close as he could over the course of the next day. Seeing that the smoke in fact was coming from the Black Army who was burning the forest for 200 yards in all directions of their line of march, stopping the 'Protectors' from taking advantage of the formerly ample tree cover to snipe at them along their line of march. Making their way back to the capital to interrogate their prisoner they were met along the way by a group of 'Protectors'. Offering to transport their prisoner for them they were able to pick up their pace and they made it back to the capital a half day before the advancing army. After a quick interrogation session, where they learned that the Black Army was mostly infantry led by a what they assume from the information given is a 'dark cleric' and an 'Anti Paladin', they receive information that the Black Army is now visible from the fortifications that the elves constructed quickly to halt the army's advance. The Black Army, for their part, took up row upon row as they stood read and waiting to attack the city. A carriage, centered in the middle of the infantry formation, opened its door, and in a gust of cold wind and blowing snow, out stepped a man in silvery robes, whose face was hidden in the shadow of his hood. Climbing the back of the carriage and standing upon it, he called upon minor magic to amplify his voice. Offering the elves the chance to surrender now, or to watch their city burn. With absolutely no thought for consequences, Ulemon stood and called out that they would receive no such pleasure as surrender that day, and with that his arrow joined that of all of the elven archers as they fell upon the ranks of the Black Army, although those aimed at the Wizard bounced harmlessly off of a semi transparent shell that had formed around him. It was then that it happened. The party saw the Black Army retreat slowly, one step at a time, as the Wizard dropped his head as if in prayer. His voice still amplified spoke one word, which Raistlin identified as the final word to a very powerful spell. Although the spell itself was not identified, with the completion word being spoken the sky started to turn dark above the city. It became darker and darker the higher the figure raised his arms... until the figure seemed to pass out from exhaustion. The party watched as the figure was pulled from the top of the carriage and put back inside it as the Black Army continued to move back a few cautious steps at a time. Thinking that the spell had failed, there was a cheer from the elves at the barricade... and that is one the first of the flaming rocks began to fall from the sky...........
That is where the session ended for the evening. It had gone a bit over time but I wanted to get to the natural stopping point of the enemy wizards epic spell. The spell itself is NOT an epic level spell, although its results sure seem that way. The players were pissed that I was making things up, so I told them what book to look in... then they were pissed for all sorts of other reasons. The Book of Exalted Deeds, and the Book of Vile Darkness from 3rd Edition D&D are amazing resources for a DM, they are completely broken for players, but for a DM they give a lot of freedom from having to straight make things up, and may I say that the corruption spells in Vile Darkness are Heinous in the extreme. Don't believe me? Look up the corruption spell "Apocalypse from the Sky"
Once again I will apologize for the couple weeks of new update, and again for this one being late being posted. Now that everything is back to normal it shouldn't be a problem. That being said, we are playing early tonight do to my having to work tomorrow evening. I will try to have the next segment up tomorrow that means.
Have a great day readers, and may your sword thrusts be quick, and your rays on target.
-DM Eraser
Sorry for the long wait between posts here. Between the Christmas holiday, and a couple of weeks where there was no game night, I have not had anything to write about. Add that to the fact that I did not write any additional posts during that same amount of time and we end up with what we have here, three weeks without a post, and let's not forget that even though there was a game this last Wednesday, between game and now I was SUPER BUSY at work. But the darkness is passed and we are back now folks. To recap, the party had just been part of stopping the Black Army from "completely" destroying the city of Wonder, and now we begin with them dealing with the aftermath...
As the Dragon Rider finished his spell, and the majority of the Black Army that remained in the city disappeared with the Dragon and its Rider, leaving carnage and fire behind. Namsuri, Raistlin and Ulemon having seen the destruction caused by the dragon's acidic breath rushed up the stairs to where the defenders had valiantly made their last stand, but when they arrived found nothing but melting human remains. Ulemon did note as they stepped over the remains that upon one of their shields was the device of the Knights of Volunthus. Filing away that information, the party looked upon the doors of the Temple of Tyr that stood before them. Although warped slightly by the acidic spray, the doors seemed little worse for the wear, and as the party stood looking at them they began to open together in unison. Stepping out first were four dwarves, all wearing white robes with chain shirts over them, and all four had a crossbow pointed out in the party's direction. Quickly seeing that the battle was over, they put up their weapons and started ushering civilians out of the temple. With a nod to the adventurers, the dwarves promptly seemed to forget their existence, and the party turned and went back down the steps to see what they could do to assist the town. Ulemon immediately got busy joining a water brigade, lining up to pass buckets to throw on the fires to try to put them out before they spread even further. Raistlin sought out apothecaries and wizard's shops to help them to recover from the attacks, and Namsuri attempted to help everyone, as he helped himself to a bit of gold here, and a few pieces of silver there. After the majority of the fires had been put out, and the majority of the city folk had been helped to the extent the party could provide, they figured that getting back to Volunthus to give a report was probably the smartest plan that they could come up with. So moving back to the edge of town they started discussing which way they should travel. Knowing how close they were to the Tower of Wizardry, Raistlin convinced the party, that they should return to Volunthus via the Eastern Road. Seeing no reason to deny that the Eastern Road returned them to Volunthus at roughly the same pace as the Southern Road, the party set off. However upon reaching the edge of town they came across a noble, on a fine black stallion, riding in the middle of a formation of heavily armed men. As they watched the noble ride through the streets they saw that he rode near enough to the damaged buildings, and injured people to appear concerned. But not close enough to actually allow any of the filth to soil his fine clothes. As he approaches closer to the party, his armed escort fan out to form a defensive line between the party and their leader. After exchanging pleasantries with the party and half-heartedly thanking them for their help during the battle he fields a few meaningless questions from the party about his lack of appearance at the battle. Quickly coming to anger he turns and rides off, his guards quickly following and reforming their box formation. Knowing that their welcome has now officially run out the party leaves the City of Wonder, heading East in the direction of the Tower of Wizardry.
Upon arriving the party splits up to each accomplish their own tasks. Namsuri went searching for a teacher to give him some elementary knowledge of how to use his new found 'talent' (Namsuri having recently taken a level of Bard, he took this opportunity to roleplay gaining that knowledge). Ulemon, having no interest in magical teachings, went directly to the Inn that sits beside the Tower. Raistlin, as it was his idea to come this way, had the most pressing business at the tower. Traveling up to the top floor to where the Archmages waited, Raistlin prepared himself for the Test, and for the inevitable change it would have upon his life. As he stood outside the door to the Archmage's audience chamber he looked down at his brown robes, specifically at the deep red colored cloth belt that held his component pouch. Taking a deep breath, he entered the room. (There actually was no in-game test that was worth any amount of roleplaying, we covered it all by notes so not to interrupt the flow of the game with a solo adventure) Entering the room and completing the test, Raistlin watched as two of the dark figures that were in the room when he started had stood and left the room. The third stood as well, and spoke without revealing their identity, "It is thought that you would like to know, that it was not the third test that led to this choice. It was your actions throughout the testing. We know that it was not your conscious choice, but we also know that it is what you desire, and what you have earned." With that the figure also left. Not knowing what else to do, Raistlin delayed a moment, and in that moment a flash filled the room. All of a sudden, a tall man stood before Raistlin, resplendent even in dark black robes, the man stood in the well lit room as if partially obscured by shadow. Raistlin, knowing this man, but not wanting to show any emotion, stood as straight as he could before him. The man stared at Raistlin, and then with the most effortless of gestures, produced a small chest which he placed on the floor before him. "As is customary, your first set of robes... and a gift from the council. With that the man, who Raistlin knew to be the High Archmage, vanished, it another flash. Opening the chest, which had no lock, Raistlin looked inside to find his destiny. It side the chest has a fist-sized diamond, which he immediately placed atop his staff. It held to the top as if glued in place, and as if it was designed to fit just there. With that done, Raistlin reached into the box one more time... and pulled out the black silk robes that he would call his own.
(I would like to point out that Quastalia has a magic system where all wizards, and there are no sorcerers, have to take a test before they are allowed to use higher level magic. The magic itself is not restricted, they can use higher level magic without taking the test. But if they are found out then the Archmages of the Tower send out groups to hunt them down. Magic is 'controlled' in Quastalia, at least as well as it can be, no one has ever been stopped from taking the test, but those who can not handle the power of higher levels of magic, find that the test is their final reckoning. For those that pass, they are grouped together with like-minded individuals dependent upon which of the Gods of Magic they favor. White, Red and Black, and the colors of robes worn by Wizards who walk the lands of Quastalia. Lawful Good Wizards wear White. Lawful Neutral Wizards wear Red. Lawful Evil Wizards wear Black. Now this being said, a Lawful Neutral character can often find himself wearing White or Black robes, as the influence of the test washes over them. The test itself does not change a characters alignment. Although there have been times where after their role being determined the Wizard in question has gone on to embellish traits of the path that he travels. All of that being said, Raistlin did not kick puppies and kill innocents during his test. No, the black robes found him by far subtler means...)
The next day, after the brief shock of the rest of the party members seeing Raistlin in his new black robes, the party went before the Archmages to tell them of what they had witnessed in the town of Wonder. The Archmages were particularly interested in the Dragon, as Dragons had not been seen in the Realm of Quastalia for the past 200 years. After their conversation, the party was granted their request of the Archmages sending them directly back to Volunthus on the wings of a spell of teleportation. This saved the party 3 weeks of travel by horseback, and allowed them to report back far sooner then Commander Sandoval could have hoped and dreamed. Shuffling into the Commander's office, high atop the Keep's Tower, the party began to deliver their report on what they had seen in the City of Wonder. During their explanation of the Dragon and its rider the Commander's High Priest took a sharp intake of breath, which due to his normal silent demeanor, stopped the party's telling of their tale. Unsuccessfully trying to get the Commander to allow him to speak with him alone, he began telling the story of the mural room. As the group came to the bottom of the stairs, they watched as the High Priest made a series of complex hand motions before opening the only door at the bottom of the solid stone staircase. Walking into the room, the party saw as the murals on the wall changed and shifted as if alive. They were moving so fast that they could not even comprehend what they were seeing. It was not until the High Priest began to pray that the party could keep up with the visuals that went around the circumference of the room as though an ancient flip book. They saw the Black Army as a wave breaking upon the white cliffs that obviously could be see as Fortress Volunthus. But more importantly it showed the dragon and its rider, flying above the army. Seeing more of the possible futures the party turned to trying to identify all of the possible outcomes. It wasn't until the party was making their way back up to the Commander's Office that they had any real proof that what they saw was more then a fancy illusion. A messenger came upon them in a rush, "Commander, the Elves to the West are under attack from the Black Army" he almost shouted as he rushed down the hallway towards them. After verifying the information, Commadner Sandoval requested that the party continue their reconnaissance, and after they agreed, had his High Mage grant them teleportation to put them into the Elven capital before the attack came.
Appearing in the middle of the Knights barracks in Mistrheal, the barracks commander was unhappy with a black-robed mage being in his presence, but as quickly as the party left it was of little consequence. The party quickly found the Protector General who led the 'Protectors' in Mistrheal's forest. Explaining their presence he gave them a jeweled pendent that would identify them to his troops. With this, and a crudely drawn map, the party made their way northward into the forest. The forest itself was as thick as always, and some sort of mist/fog seemed to be stealing even more of there sight the farther they got away from the city. Eventually they realized that it was really smoke, although they had not as of yet run across a fire. On their third night of scouting Namsuri, who was on watch, heard something. Investigating he found a scouting formation for the Black Army. Waking his companions Ulemon and Raistlin they crept upon them and ambushed them. After a short but brutal fight, forced at point-blank-range due to the smoke, the party retreated upon hearing the sounds of the bulk of the Black Army coming straight for them. Although the fighting was tremendously bloody, and no quarter was asked in the end, one member of the scouts had been disabled in the first round of combat. The party bound him and took them with them. Having found the army Namsuri, using his stealth got as close as he could over the course of the next day. Seeing that the smoke in fact was coming from the Black Army who was burning the forest for 200 yards in all directions of their line of march, stopping the 'Protectors' from taking advantage of the formerly ample tree cover to snipe at them along their line of march. Making their way back to the capital to interrogate their prisoner they were met along the way by a group of 'Protectors'. Offering to transport their prisoner for them they were able to pick up their pace and they made it back to the capital a half day before the advancing army. After a quick interrogation session, where they learned that the Black Army was mostly infantry led by a what they assume from the information given is a 'dark cleric' and an 'Anti Paladin', they receive information that the Black Army is now visible from the fortifications that the elves constructed quickly to halt the army's advance. The Black Army, for their part, took up row upon row as they stood read and waiting to attack the city. A carriage, centered in the middle of the infantry formation, opened its door, and in a gust of cold wind and blowing snow, out stepped a man in silvery robes, whose face was hidden in the shadow of his hood. Climbing the back of the carriage and standing upon it, he called upon minor magic to amplify his voice. Offering the elves the chance to surrender now, or to watch their city burn. With absolutely no thought for consequences, Ulemon stood and called out that they would receive no such pleasure as surrender that day, and with that his arrow joined that of all of the elven archers as they fell upon the ranks of the Black Army, although those aimed at the Wizard bounced harmlessly off of a semi transparent shell that had formed around him. It was then that it happened. The party saw the Black Army retreat slowly, one step at a time, as the Wizard dropped his head as if in prayer. His voice still amplified spoke one word, which Raistlin identified as the final word to a very powerful spell. Although the spell itself was not identified, with the completion word being spoken the sky started to turn dark above the city. It became darker and darker the higher the figure raised his arms... until the figure seemed to pass out from exhaustion. The party watched as the figure was pulled from the top of the carriage and put back inside it as the Black Army continued to move back a few cautious steps at a time. Thinking that the spell had failed, there was a cheer from the elves at the barricade... and that is one the first of the flaming rocks began to fall from the sky...........
That is where the session ended for the evening. It had gone a bit over time but I wanted to get to the natural stopping point of the enemy wizards epic spell. The spell itself is NOT an epic level spell, although its results sure seem that way. The players were pissed that I was making things up, so I told them what book to look in... then they were pissed for all sorts of other reasons. The Book of Exalted Deeds, and the Book of Vile Darkness from 3rd Edition D&D are amazing resources for a DM, they are completely broken for players, but for a DM they give a lot of freedom from having to straight make things up, and may I say that the corruption spells in Vile Darkness are Heinous in the extreme. Don't believe me? Look up the corruption spell "Apocalypse from the Sky"
Once again I will apologize for the couple weeks of new update, and again for this one being late being posted. Now that everything is back to normal it shouldn't be a problem. That being said, we are playing early tonight do to my having to work tomorrow evening. I will try to have the next segment up tomorrow that means.
Have a great day readers, and may your sword thrusts be quick, and your rays on target.
-DM Eraser
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