Fighting in Darkness

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Josiah

Leaving Taegan’s hut Murf, Rakham and Adda went to the pool after Murf dreamed of it during the night. At the pool he saw an image on the surface of a older being sitting in a throne of  an old tree, below him the pale lady and another pale creature sat. Murf’s eyes met the older being and then he saw Tordan flourishing, lively and then suddenly he say it change quickly falling into ruin. Then the pool surface cleared and he saw a book under the water. Adda held him over the surface as he reached down, grabbed it and pulled it out. The book was dry, untouched by the water. Then they walked to the temple of Nian.

Talia spent the previous day training with Egel after speaking with Idunn about joining the temple. The next morning Adda joined her and they trained for the first half of the day while Murf read his book. When Talia and Adda finished their training they found Murf and Talia looked at the book Murf was reading. She was immediately drawn to the book. She heard a voice in her head asking her to join the Ward King.

Grisha remained behind and spoke more with Taegan, asking if Taegan could teach him more or help him befriend animals. Taegan said you must prove you are an agent of balance and nature. Then Grisha returned to The Helping Hand and met with Kosef there. Soon Talia, Murf and Adda joined them. Kosef explained what he remembered happening in Weyfort and what he knew of the Shagar.

Then the party went to check on the poster to see find the name of the woman who was wanted for killing her family. While reading the poster they noticed Laney Darr watching them from an alley.  Kosef and Adda approached her and Kosef offered her a deal, he would turn the wanted woman, Erika Brandvell over to Laney and she would forget about Talia. She agreed if he included the difference  in the bounties which was 150gp, they settled on 100gp but said he only has 5 days.

Next the group went to The Temple of Elil and agreed to retrieve the bodies for them in exchange for the dropping the charges against Rakham and Murf. The priestess cast something on Kosef and he could feel which direction would lead them to the bodies. They headed to the underfarms.

Traveling down past the Underfarms they turned right and passed through a guard post manned by two Trihill Patrol guards. They opened the portcullis for them and said if they got into trouble retreat to the gate and they would try and support them.

The party descended deeper passing several tunnels in which Grisha marked their path at each junction. After what seemed like at least two hours the tunnel opened up into a large cavern with scattered giant mushrooms growing throughout. Making their way through the mushrooms a violet colored one sprang to life attacking the party with tendrils. It manages to hit Kosef once before it was killed by a dagger, several sword strikes, a hurled ball of fire and a great ax split it in half.

The party noticed a cut mushroom stock as they continued and then another one. Soon they saw a new mushroom which Murf recognized as the same type as the cut stock.  Kosef hurled a dagger at the mushroom and it began emitting a ear piercing sound. After a few more attacks the mushroom collapsed to the ground and fell silent.

As the party continued the cavern became tall and narrow, like a fissure. After a few minutes a flapping sound above caught their attention darkness descending on them engulfing Talia. In the darkness Adda slammed her ax into a stalagmite breaking the handle in half. As the creature tried to fly off with Talia she released a burst of flame killing the creature and dropping her back towards the ground. Murf tried to catch her but ended up on the ground as well in a heap.

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Crushing Diamonds

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Josiah

As Adda left The Helping Hand two armed guards approached, both dressed in the brown and gray of the Trihill Patrol. Their shock at seeing a Tiefling passed quickly and they nodded and continued past towards The Helping Hand.

Soon after Murf, Rakham and Grisha had fallen asleep in the upper level of a ruined building Grisha had been staying in for the last few days Murf and Rakham were awaken by George yelping. Murf looked up to see a toothy maw surrounded by writhing tentacles above him. He used his fey presence but it didn’t seem to have an affect, then as he tried to roll off the platform he became tangled in his blanket and only managed to bump into Rakham. The creature climbed down the wall above the three companions and on of it’s tentacles stung Murf through the blanket. Rakham grabbed Murf and Grisha and rolled of the platform, as he did he lost his grip on Grisha but managed to pull Murf with him. While Rakham was able to land on the ground gracefully, Murf fell flat in front of him. Rakham then ducked under the platform that he had been sleeping on mere seconds ago drawing his sword and shield.

Murf scrambled to his feet and rushed out of the ruined building onto the street but as he did Rakham watched the segmented body of the creature with its numerous legs climbed down from the platform and followed Murf across the ruins catching up to him just outside the doorway.

As Adda walked through the dark streets of Tordan she heard the cry of a familiar voice in the distance to her right. She turned and rushed down the street towards the sound. As she approached she saw Murf coming out of the doorway on the side of the street. As he did a creature with tentacles standing just a bit higher than Murf emerged from the building biting into his side almost engulfing him in its tentacles. She dashed forward and slashed the creature with a glancing blow from her great ax. Rakham attacked the rear of the creature gashing it with his short sword. Murf broke free and protected himself with armor of cold energy. The creature followed, striking Murf with a stinger like end of its tentacle. As it did a blast of cold energy released from Murf’s wound driving the creature back but it quickly turned and bite Adda raking down her shoulder and arm with its teeth.

Adda grabbed Murf, picking him up and retreated up the street away from the creature. The guards she has seen earlier ran towards her from The Helping Hand and continued to the building. Murf magically ignited a small fire under the the creature but it pulled back quickly. Then it turned, moving towards Rakham and attacked him, stinging him once. Even in his weakened state his dwarf blood resisted the poison.  He backed away from the creature, moving out of the ruined building. The two guards reached the doorway and attacked the creature with their spears hitting it twice. The creature turned and climbed up the wall over the building as Rakham hit it with a crossbow bolt and Adda with one of her hand axes. The creature disappeared over the wall and into the darkness.

As Adda asked the guards to keep watch as she found Grisha and carried him back to The Helping Hand. Murf and Rakham searched the next building over and found a burrow with a trail of blood into it. Murf slide in crashing to the bottom and Rakham followed behind. Following the small burrow in a crouch Murf crept around the corner and spotted the creature looking at him. It rushed forward at him but he managed to evoke a small fire in front of himself and the creature turned and disappeared from view.  Murf extinguished the fire and him and Rakham caught the tail of the creature retreating through another tunnel. The floor of the room had scattered bones, coins, rotting clothing and leather. Rakham and Murf gathered up the coins and returned to The Helping Hand.

Grisha woke up and Adda led him to her room in The Helping Hand before she made her way to The Temple of Nian. Rakham and Murf snuck into their room and rested the night there.

The next morning Grisha and Rakham wounds had gotten worse. Grisha headed to the temple to seek help while Rakham and Murf went to ask around town for a healer. Grisha made his way to the Temple of Nian first. There he met with Arnaka and Adda who had been training the using of healing spells. Even Arnaka took a sharp breath when Grisha revealed the wound in his shoulder.  He cut a split in Grisha coat and inspected the wound showing Adda the dark pattern extending from the wound and the red puffy areas around it. He also noted the temperature of the skin around the wound was very hot. He told Grisha that the temple could save him if he agreed to pledge an allegiance to Nian. Grisha asked a few questions about the pledge but decided against it when he saw the ritual bowl with some type of binding runes on it. Arnaka warned him that he would die in a day or two without magical treatment. Arnaka instructed Grisha to keep applying the healing salve saying it would give him more time.

Rakham and Murf headed to the east market noticing two new posters along the way. One was for the woman who murdered her family and offered 200gp for her capture. The other was for the head of a flying beast hunting the road to The Dwarf Wilds. It was described as a winged beast covered in spines which was attacking horses, oxen and humans along the road. They continued to the central market and Ilka’s blade. She was busy working on another high quality great sword. When she took a break Rakham paid her 2gp for the space and told her he would not be working there anymore. She said he was welcome to come back and work as they had extra smith work. He asked if she would be interested in the Chalcedony gems they had found and she recommend he try The Finest Gems down the street.

They found a small wooden sign, the corner broken off. Pushing the door open it hit something inside but they managed to squeeze into a small stuffy room littered with scattered books, small boxes, cloth rags, pouches, several small tables and magnifying lens. A middle aged Halfling looked up at them, her thick brown curly hair was shoulder length and a bit disheveled and she was dressed in a green vest and trousers with several pockets. She was friendly and spoke in a squeaky voice and her name was Tyme Reedfellow. Rakham managed to haggle the sale of the three Chalcedony gems for 8pp and agreed to return if they had more gems. When asked about any other healers Tyme got uncomfortable but quietly told them about a healer who lives across the Summer Bridge on the left just passed a huge tree growing out of a building.

Meanwhile Grisha slowly made his way to the Temple of Eiah, there he met with a healer but was unwilling to commit to this temple either and made his way back to the temple of Nian. There he and Adda left the temple and encountered Murf and Rakham as they passed the central market. The group decided to go and seek the aid of Taegan.

After an hour and a half they arrived in Taegan’s glen. He grimaced looking at the wounds and instructed the party that they needed the powder of two small diamonds to heal these wounds. The party then returned to The Finest Gems. Tyme seemed quite happy to see them except for Adda whom she seemed a bit concerned about. She managed to find a small diamond which they agreed to purchase for about 200gp in coins and the gold cloth ribbon and leather belt set with Malachite gems.

Returning to Taegan just before nightfall with the gem Taegan invited the party into this hut which lead to a elegantly shaped underground living quarters. There he began the preparation and rituals and in the morning he pulled a black smoke from both Grisha and Rakham and healed them of most of their wounds.

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The Island part two

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Josiah

In the morning at The Helping Hand Murf took a bath and Grisha ate breakfast with George. As Murf emerged from the bath room he overheard a woman speaking with Dagmar about the wanted posters. She left three posters with him and said she would be back in two days. The posters showed 350gp reward for Talia, 150gp for Rakham and 100gp Murf.  Dagmar warned the party that Laney Darr would return in two days and she should be taken very seriously. After much discussion the party decided to have Dagmar go speak to the Temple of Elil on their behalf. Then they headed for the island.

Heading south to the river the party spotted an old Temple across the river and thought about investigating but continued up river toward the island. After passing the summer bridge they noticed a trail of something large dragging along the same trail. It branched off after about ten minutes and they saw large round footprints. They continued to the island and noticed the boat was no longer at the shore but was on the island. Grisha turned into a bear started swimming toward the island with Adda. As they did Rakham noticed three giant flies circling above the ruined keep.

Rakham fired his crossbow at one of them striking it, then the three creatures flew across the lake toward the group. Murf put the largest one to sleep after it had been hit by Rakham’s crossbow attacks, and it fell into the water. The other two attacked Rakham and Murf as Talia went unconscious from the terrible sound of these creatures. Adda and Grisha managed to swim pack to shore where Grisha attacked the fly attacking Murf and Adda joined Rakham fighting the other.

Grisha hit the strange armored fly which was the size of a large dog with his claws and teeth before it stabbed him just below his neck with its pointed proboscis. The dagger like point sunk deep into his shoulder as his form changed from a bear back to a human. Murf was able to stab the fly twice his his knife.

Rakham and Adda hit the other fly several times but Adda accidentally hit Rakham and herself in the process. Then it stuck Rakham with its dagger like beak injuring him badly. A black spiderweb like patter spreading out fro the wound. As the injured creature struggled to fly after another strike Rakham struck a clean blow separating its head from its body.

Then out of the water the first and largest fly emerged but before it could attack a terrible bird like cry from the island called both the surviving flies back across the water.

Murf managed to awaken Talia with a hard slap from her half conscious nightmare like state. Then the party hide under some thick foliage and rested for an hour. Grisha tried to heal his wounds with good berries but they had no affect. Rakham’s wounds also would not heal.

After rested for an hour the party returned to the three hills.  Talia took Murf and Rakham went to the temple of Nian and met with Arnaka but Rakham refused treatment at the Temple of Nian when told he would have to swear not to go to the other Temples. After meeting with Arnaka Talia stayed at the temple while Rakham and Murf returned to near the Helping Hand but went to Grisha’s hovel instead.

Adda went to the Helping Hand where a master bard was playing for a packed room. His name was Doran the Wanderer.  While Adda listened to he music Dagmar caught her attention and said he has spoken on their behalf with the Temple of Elil and negotiated an agreement for the Temple to drop all charges against Murf and Rakham. In return they would retrieve two bodies from the Underfarms. Dagmar said they could get more details at the temple if they agreed to the terms. After playing for some time Doran took a break and Adda approached and spoke with him for a bit about his travels and his tricks for staying alive that he had learned in the dungeon of the Tower of Knobs. It grow dark more quickly than expected and Adda left the Helping Hand to return to the Temple of Nian as darkness fell across Tordan.

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The Boar of Varrngan

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Josiah

Rakham spent the previous day creating a set of studs for his leather armor. He purchased the materials needed and was able to create all the studs. In the morning Rakham continued his work at Ilka’s blades on converting his leather armor to studded leather made some progress.

Talia attended class at the temple of Nian with Kalpana while Adda trained with Arnaka. After class Adda ran into Dagrun who was lingering in the hallway. She recommend he try becoming a healer when he mentioned how he wanted to become one. He seemed very excited by this idea and ran off to speak with Arnaka or Idunn Kanta’lil.

At midday the party met at the Helping Hand and Grisha lead them back to the house where he found Kosef. In the main room there was only a wooden box with some scattered toys, one of the a doll dressed as a member of the Tri-hill patrol. Talia also found a brown cloak and shirt with the Tri-hill patrol emblem on it which she took.

While Adda and Rakham made there way into the cellar, Talia heard a sound from the back room. She quietly moved down the hallway and observed a dog like creature licking the dried blood from the the mattress. She returned to the main room while Grisha recited some form of ritual.

The cellar looked like it had not been used for a long time. A few empty crates and a barrel lined the walls. The ceiling however had runes drawn in some kind of dried blood in a large circle. It looked like it had created semi-recently. The floor showed some recent disturbances but no one investigated them throughly.

George started yapping and Grisha stopped his ritual as George rushed to Grisha’s side. The party waited quietly in the building as an older man with a walking stick moved past the building.

The smaller room contained a bunk bed also covered in blood. Another small box of toys contained a small horse and cart as well as a stuffed animal in a form similar to the animal Grisha had guarding the door. Talia took them.

The larger bedroom floor and mattress was covered in dried blood. It appeared that all personal goods had been removed. Tracks could be seen in the blood and after much searching the group was able to identify a single set of bare foot tracks in blood leading away from the room and out of the building to the left.

Grisha changed into a large black wolf and smelled the pillows and was able to identify a scent on one of the pillows, as well as the cloak which Talia had found. It was also on the tracks leading out of the building but could not be followed on the recently rain cleaned stone street outside.

The party returned to the Helping Hand and then Talia lead them to find Taegan. After an hour of wondering in a circle a Boar lead them to the glen where they met with Taegan previously. Several other boars and sows and piglets roamed the grassy hillside nearby. Talia knocked on the door and Teagan emerged followed by the enormous boar. Talia told him that the hunt would occur in 3 days. He said that was good, there was still enough time to prepare. He would protect the boars of this area but was concerned about the boars in the old city.

He then asked the group to follow as he followed a small path leading out of the glen to the north. Teagan lead the group out of the glen and through a long abandoned part of the city eventually leading them to a small hill with what looked like an ancient temple at the top. Its circular walls build with large stones still standing although many parts had broke away and lay scattered around the hill. Above the entrance to the temple a large circle area was noticeable empty, now just smoothed stone.

As they group approached a deep breathing could be heard from inside and at the entrance Taegan reached into his shirt and grasped the stone hanging from his neck, mutter a few words. As the rest of the party gathered around they could see a creature sleeping in the center of the round stone walls taking up almost all of the same. A giant boar like creature unlike anything they had seen or heard of before. It’s tusks were longer than Talia. Its enormous body covered in coarse black hair which raised and lowered with its breathing as it slept.

Taegan explained that this was a remnant of Varrngan, the forgotten god.

“I fear if the balance is upset he will awaken bringing chaos and destruction to Tordan. This is why you must make sure the boar hunt does not upset the natural balance.”

“Since Lord Dorgan began the hunt fifteen years ago the harmony of nature has been challenged and is beginning to shift.”

After discussing the creature the party walked back to Taegan’s hovel but before leaving Grisha and Taegan paid there respects to the creature. Upon returning to Teagan’s hovel Grisha also asked if he could come and spend time with the boars here which Teagon replied.

“They are beasts of free will, if they accept you, you are welcome”

Talia asked told Taegan if he knew of the pool to the south and that the Dawn Lady had guided her here. Taegan chuckled and stroked his beard with his cloven hands before speaking.

“The pool may guide you to the Ward King but not the Lady of the Dawn. Trust not in the Fey, they are chaotic and whimsical with their own agendas and goals. They give nothing without cost. Stay clear of the Dun Lord.”

With that the party returned to the Helping Hand as the sun began to approach the horizon and dusk settled on Tordan.  After visiting Kosef in the Helping Hand, Talia and Add set off to the Temple of Nian. On the way they noticed three new posters on the wanted board. All three looked familiar. They immediately made there way back to the Helping Hand and notified Rakham.

In the morning Rakham went and commissioned a new set of clothing and a haircut and then worked at Ilka’s blades on paid working, paying for his space for the day and pocketing a few gold for himself. Ilka had more work in the coming days as well, they had received a large order and were currently making spear heads.

Talia and Adda trained at the temple in the morning with Arnaka. They were also joined by Dagrun. Early in the morning a woman came in with a deep puncture wound in her side. Arnaka sprang into action assigning tasks for everyone as they got her on the medical table.  Adda was able to heal her to prevent further blood lose. Then Arnaka showed how to apply the bandages and the woman and two men who had brought her in left the medical room and met with someone else from he temple. Then Arnaka lead the group in some ritual and prayers which Talia grasped rather quickly. Dagrun didn’t seem to make much progress much to his disappointment. He did seem rather distracted through the morning which could have been the cause for his lack of learning.

The party regrouped at The Helping Hand near midday to prepare to return to the island…

 

 

 

 

 

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The Book

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Josiah

Talia made her way to the Temple of Elil. As she entered a priest greeted her and asked whom she was here to mourn. When she mentioned Loru and Garin he motioned for a priestess who asked to speak with her for a moment. She lead Talia into a small office like room down the set of stairs.

“You are a friend of Loru and Garfin and no others have come forth to mourn them.”

She pulled two packs from behind the desk placed them in front of Talia.

“Please choose what you will leave with them for their journey onward. These will determine the choices they have for their journey, choose carefully.”

Talia looked over the items, the rapier, ocarina, Garin’s long sword, and decided to leave all their items with them. The priestess nodded in approval and thanked Talia.

She lead Talia to the lower level where the bodies rested on raised stone slabs and left. After standing quietly near the bodies for a few moments Talia removed her book from her pack and placed it on the stone slab, she then pulled the crystal from around her neck and stabbed it into the book. The crystal struck the book and sunk into it and arcane runes appeared across the cover of the book from the crystal. Then Talia declared she wanted nothing to do with this book, or its powers. Suddenly the room darkened as a gust of air extinguished the candles in the room. A figure of a tall woman dressed in a flowing gown made of leaves appeared floating above the body and the book. Her presence overwhelming and terrifying. Looking down at Talia with a scrawl.

“You dare renounce The Dawn Lady? You will not be given another chance!”

Talia responded yes and the crystal fell to the stone as the book and the Lady disappeared. Light returned to room but the candles seemed to flicker for a minute. Then Talia heard another voice, a deeper darker voice.

“There are others choices, join the Dun Lord”

The room returned to normal, the reddish glow from the lanterns and orange glow of the candles dimly lighting the room. Talis took her crystal and placed it on Loru’s body and left the temple.

She and Adda made their way to the Temple of Nian for the evening.

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Frogs and Toyja pods

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Josiah

Upon returning to the Helping Hand Adda asked Felicia if she would check on Kosef and make sure he was not injured. Felicia said she would check on him and asked if they would be interested in retrieving some of the black toyja pods and a giant frog from across the summer bridge. Dagmar also have Adda a notice for Kosef which she placed in his room by his bed.

Around midday Adda, Murf, and Talia heading for the summer bridge by way of the river. As they crossed the bridge they heard the soft sound of a bell and a crusty looking dwarf with an eye patch scrambled out from under the bridge to block their path. He asked for gold for the bridge maintenance and after some negotiation they agreed to pay 4 gp for round trip passage across the bridge.

After crossing the bridge the road continued through a narrow stretch with a few building which looked to be maintained along the side of the road. A feeling of being watched crept over the group so they investigated the nearby building. After looking at the front of the building and seeing a solid door and lower windows which had been bricked up Talia tried to climb to the second story windows but could not climb the weather smoothed stone. Around the side of the building Adda helped Talia up the 3m wall. At the top she could see a large well kept garden on the inside. At the window a Halfling appeared with a large crossbow. Murf cast sleep on the window and head the sounds of others inside the building falling asleep. The halfling’s skin at the window turned into what looked like wood and she told them to stop and they did.

They continued to the swamp area and found the tree with black toyja pods. While Murf collected the pods a large frog moved to the bank and grabbed Talia with its tongue. Adda raged and rushed forward striking the frog with her axe. Talia tried to stab the frog but couldn’t get her arms free as it bit her repeatedly. Then it turned and dove into the water. Adda tried to hit it as it did but she slipped in the mud. The frog and Talia disappeared under the murky water but suddenly tendrils of black green energy momentarily erupted from the waters surface grasping for living beings. Then Talia splashed to the surface and the frog floated to the surface unmoving.

With Talia safely back on shore and Murphy carrying a bundle of toyja pods the group noticed something large swimming toppers them under the water. Adda healed Talia and managed to grab the dead frog while Murf kept the giant snake at bay.

The group hurriedly left the water, returning to the road and making there way back to the Helping Hand.

Upon returning to the Helping Hand the group spoke with Kosef and Grisha who had found him in an abandoned building and brought him to the Helping Hand.

Talia made her way to the Temple of Elil to say goodbye to Loru and Garfin.

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Druid Wild Shape

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Josiah

Know Beast Shapes:
Starting with 3 at 2nd level and +1/level after.

Shape limits:
Nothing smaller than a Rat, crab or small bird.

Learning a new Beast Shape:
To learn a new best shape the druid must spend 24 hours living with a wild beast in its natural environment. It can be difficult to find animals which will allow the druid to live among them for this time. This can be aided by magical means such as animal friendship. After 24 hours the druid must make an animal handling (Wis) check with the DC 10 + the animals CR. If the check succeeds the druid can begin crafting a magical effigy of the creature. This must be made from something from the animals lair or the area where they live and it must resemble something about the beast. An appropriate crafting check must be made to complete the effigy. The DC 10 + the animals CR and takes one day to complete. If the druid uses tools they are proficiency with they can add their proficiency bonus to the role. If they use a part of animal they have an advantage on the role, examples of usable parts are fur, bone, teeth or horn. If the check is failed the materials are destroyed but the druid can try again after a long rest. If the effigy is ever lost or destroyed the druid cannot use this best shape until they make a new effigy with the same requirements. They do not need to repeat the first step of the process again. A new Beast Shape can be learned at anytime but a druid can only have a number of effigies up to their max known Beast Shapes.

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Death March

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Josiah

As the party prepared to carry the bodies of Loru and Gerfin from the tunnels Rakham noticed the one of the unexplored tunnels led to a small dugout chamber covered with small bones, old cloth and leather. He searched the small nest and found a few coins and three gems. Then the party managed to carry the bodies out of the tunnels and back into the sunlight. After laying the bodies in the abandon building they discussed what to do next. As they did they heard the sounds of feet walking down the street towards them. A group dressed in alternating black and white robes carrying two stretchers approached. They said they were from the Temple of Elil and were here to take the bodies.

Rakham threatened them with his crossbow and said they could not have the bodies but they persisted and Rakham attacked. Adda was already seriously injured and stayed out of the conflict. Murf frightened three of the humans forcing them to run off but they soon returned. One of the priests conjured forces which held Murph in place. Adda picked him up under her arm and began carrying him towards the temple. Rakham continued the skirmish after being forced to flee temporarily by a magical command from one of the priests. His attacks on the head priestess seemed to injury her but the others were quick to heal her. As the situation escalated the priests and priestesses began attacking Rakham with puffs of greenish flames that burned his chest and face. Eventually, filled with angry and grief Rakham abandoned the bodies and headed towards the Merchant’s friend ignoring his companions along the way.

Rakham went and broke into Gerfin’s room at the Merchant’s Friend and then returned to the helping hand. There Falicia healed him and after eating some food he noticed a bard sitting at a table. Rakham gave him a gold and told him not to play here tonight.

The rest of the party passed the east market on the way to the Temple of Nian. Talia checked the posters and found out that the hunt would take place in 6 days night. At the temple of Nian Adda, Murph and Talis went into the prayer courtyard and Adda prayed while Murph slept. Talia met Dagham and asked him about location of the Temple of Elil. He said it is a blocky stone building with alternating black and white stones around the entry way just north of the central square. She told him to tell Adda that she was going to the Helping Hand and then she set off to the Temple of Elil.

At the temple Talia gave the names of Loru and Gerfin and said she was a friend. A priestess noted the names in a large tome. Another priestess led Talia down two levels to a large chamber with 9 raised stone slabs. The bodies of Loru and Garin lay on two of them and three other bodies occupied other stones. The air was thick with incense and candles and a reddish glow from lanterns on the walls. After spending a few minutes near the half-elf bodies she listened to the other mourners near the three bodies, one man and two children. The man was dressed in a uniform with the symbol of the three hills on it. The man mourning bore a resemblance to the body.

After finishing her prayers Adda and Murf returned to The Helping Hand. Adda spoke with Rakham but he had not seen Talia and wanted to be left alone. Murf sat down with a bowl of soup and quickly learned how to use a spoon. A bit later Talia returned and bathed in the washroom. Adda inquired about Kosef with Dagmar… After eating everyone turned in for the night after a long joyless day.

The next morning Rakham went to Ilka’s Blades and was able to do some work for her earning 2 GP, one which went towards renting the space. He also started working on designs for a folding crossbow.

Adda awoke early and went to the Temple of Nian. During the morning lecture Arnaka recruited her to help with an injured man and later she was approached by Idunn Kanta’lil who asked to speak in private. Idunn quickly led Adda to a small office asked what should would like to focus on and Adda said healing people in need.

Adda and Rakham returned to the helping hand where Talia and Murph has spent the morning. Talia asked if she could take the group to see Loru and Gerfin’s bodies.

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Darkness in the tunnels

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Josiah

Dagmar gave Talia the note that Rakham left for her. After changing her appearance she headed to the abandon plaza and head the voices of the party in an abandon building.

After the group crawled out of a trapdoor they found themselves in one of the abandoned houses near the old well. Talis soon found the party and joined them as they retraced the steps of the first Zel they had encounter several nights ago. They entered the building the Zel had retreated into in the darkness and searched the building for tracks. Searching the old stone floor they found several marks where the moss had been disturbed leading towards one of the walls. As Talia moved to the wall to search it she noticed a different sound as she stepped on the ground. The party searched the ground and found a wooden door covered with dirt and rocks. Opening it they descended into the tunnel below.

In a maze of corridors they saw light coming from one of tunnels to the left. It was a small dugout passageway which looked to lead to back to the sunlight. Past that they found collapsed part of a tunnel. Upon further investigating it looked like the tunnel had been filled with stone from buildings to block the passageway. Rakham, Adda and Murph investigated the ruble pile and began moving rocks to clears some space on the top of the pile. After a few minutes there was enough space for Murph push through and view the other side. It was a similar passageway but he could see strands of silk attached to some of the rocks they had been moving. As they worked they never realized that they were about to be ambushed.

As the back of the group Gerfin noticed something in the shadow behind the group as he and Loru watched the rear passageway. As Adda and Rahkam continued moving rocks the sound of something clicking and growling could be heard from the back. A terrible looking insect-like creature with pincers and huge eyes rushed the rear of the party attacking ferociously.

Gerfin and Loru were first to feel dread and hate coming from the creature as it rushed forward mandibles and pinches gnashing. Gerfin froze in terror and collapsed. The creature rushed past Gerfin and crashed into Loru, biting and clawing as it knocked him to the ground. Murph cast a sleep spell behind the creature but it seemed to have no affect. Even though the party was at a disadvantage fighting this ferocious creature in the small tunnels, they managed to nearly slay the beast but just before that one of the group noticed Gafin’s unmoving body being dragged away into the darkness by a familiar triangle shape headed humanoid. It had wrapped a cord around Gerfin’s neck and was now dragging him away from the party. Loru turned and rushed after, as he ran past the small tunnel on the side of the passageway a Zel stepped out behind him and stabbed him in the back and with that one blow set him to the ground. It then grabbed his unconscious body and dragged it away from the group. Talia rushed forward and sent forth an a electrical blast into Loru and the Zelg which caused the creature to dropped Loru and retreat.

By this time Rakham and Adda managed to kill the creature insect like creature. The remaining party split into two groups. Talia, Murph and (for a moment) Adda tried to help their dying friend while Rakham gave chase after the Zels and Gerfin. Adda knelt at Loru’s side and tried to focus her energy on healing him but there was too much blood. As Talia continued trying to stop Loru’s bleeding Adda joined Rakham and changed after the creature whom had taken Gerfin.

As Murph and Talia leaned over Loru’s body they tried focus on their patrons and ask for help. The wound was too deep, Loru had lost too much blood too quickly. Loru coughed and blood sprayed from his lips. His eyes opened, his distant stare looking past Talia at the ceiling.

“Well.. I think that’s it for me then. At least I did what I came for. Thanks guys. It was a pleasure. Take care of the kid. I like her smiles”

As the blood dripping from the corners of his mouth he continued.

“Gerfin, let him keep the rapier, it was our father’s you know. And the ocarina too. And tell Kosef i’m sorry but i won’t be able to keep the promise. Rest of you will do fine. Maybe except Murph. My family… Here i go…”

With a laugh and another cough his body went limp as the pool of blood beneath him grew.

Rakham caught up with the Zel and it dropped Gerfin’s body and ducked around the corner. Rakham peered around the corner with his heavy crossbow but the Zel was right there waiting for him. It attacked with a sword as Rakham fired his crossbow but both missed. Both then retreated and did so again but this time the Zel rushed past Rakham and climbed up a tunnel in the ceiling and out of view.

Meanwhile Adda heard a sound as another Zel approached behind her, she turned around and hit it with her hand ax twice. As it fled Rakham fired a crossbow bolt into its back and it fell to the ground.

The searched the passageway on the right and found Rakham’s things as well as his hunting trap which was set and snapped on his arm. Also some coins were found. They took Gerfin’s body back to the rest of the party and Loru’s body.

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The Bottom of the Well

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Josiah

Since last adventure with the boar, the whole party was exhausted and so they decided to return to the Helping Hand. There was some drinking and talking, during which Talia went missing with a mug full of beer.

The party rested the night at the helping hand. In the morning Adda went to train. Rakham went with Loru and Murf to the Merchant’s Friend to find Gerfin to convince him to join them in their quest to find the equipment stolen from the Rakham by Zels. Together they went to Ilka’s Blades. There Rakham paid 1 GP for his space rental and make arrangements to pay 1 GP/day to keep the space available. He spent the morning crafted studded leather out of the Loru’s leather armor after buying the studs from Ilka for 12gp. Rakham certainly enjoyed that more than anyone.

The group met up with Adda on the way back and then made their way to the abandon plaza. After not finding any tracks in the plaza they started searching the largest building overlooking the square. It looked like an old temple with a small graveyard in the back surrounded by a rusted wrought iron fence.  In the side building to the left they found a secret tunnel into a passageway below. Climbing down into the passageway Rakham noticed three strands of silk which stretched across the opening. He carefully cut them as he descended but noticed they stretched along the ceiling of the small passageway and around the corner. The rest of the party entered the tunnels but not until after Loru marked the walls of the old temple with a notice for Talia and Kosef of their location.

Exploring the tunnels to came to a junction. The left fork led to a door which opened into a cellar. The door was hidden from the cellar side as it looked just like the stone wall. Taking the stairs from the small cellar led to a building which was attached to the main building through which the party had entered originally. While taking some dirt form one of the tombs Murph found a new companion, a little scorpion, which he took as his new friend and locked him in a glass scroll case. The old graveyard was visible through the window of the building above the morgue cellar.

Continuing back through the tunnels they saw sun light to the left and found a small chamber with where the well from the plaza dropped into these tunnels. Another passageway led away from the chamber on the opposite side but the group did not pass through the well chamber, instead they backtracked and continued down another passage which turned right and came to a dead end about 60 feet down. Half way down a side passage on the left lead to steps which went up to a wooden trap door. Adda moved the door and climbing out of the tunnel into an abandoned building.

Meanwhile as Rakham and Murf continued down the tunnel. Loru heard the sound of crossbows being loaded from the dead end. He and Garfin moved for cover in the side passageway which Adda had gone through. Rakham and Murf rushed the end of the tunnel as crossbows fired at them through holes in the wall at the dead end. When they reached the end Murf tried to throw the scorpion that he had captured in the Morgue through a hole in the wall, however he missed and the scorpion turned on him. Rakham tried to kick the wall where the crossbows were firing from but it felt solid so he grabbed Murf and retreated outside to where Adda had gone with the scorpion in very slow pursuit.

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