Gate to the Abyss

Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) Starday15th

There is a temporal disruption while Graxusas tries to be lucky enough to try and counter the energy missile the Controller hurls to destroy the demonic scroll. For a moment it seems that the lizard folk sorcerer is able to stop but then.. no. Time continues once again and the massive 60' wide gate appears and a horde of demonic beings start to fly, crawl, hop, and jump through.

Overlord Romack, Lord Royce take action. Lord Royce, leaps into the air and flies towards the gate, his eyes turn to pure black with no whites and his long spear burns with a black energy. Overlord Romack grows to a massive size - over 30' in height and starts to lay into the hordes with a massive two-handed blade. A blue beam of energy darts out from Rory Dragonbane to impact the Abyssal gate - it seems to be the fighter/mage is trying to close the portal.

For a moment, Royce looks to the Fellowship and yells out to catch and kill the Controller and close the main doors!

The party at first  ignores the Lord's command all engage the demonic hordes. It seems though, that many spell effects are nullified in this hall - assumedly a protection against this exact action which affects the spells of the party but all the demonic hordes abilities as well!

Graxusas starts to fire bolts of lightning into the horde of demons, taking out rows as they fall to the powerful bolts. Cedric also stays to fight on, using his holy powers of Istus to great effect. Gothi walks up a pillar (Boots of spiderclimb) and then starts firing arrows into the demons, taking out many. Kantif uses his monk and rogue abilities destroying demon after demon. Doc Holliday blasts demons back to their plane with his pistols and lays into more with his blade and holy power of the Raven Queen.

Graxusas then polymorpths himself and Doc into cloud giants. Their great size allowing them to engage and be engaged by more demons. There is a wild magic happening with Graxusas' spells - courtesy of a green flaming red pickle (DM: see blog entry: The Demon Scroll and Betrayal).

Again Lord Royce yells for the party to get the Controller. The horde continues to spill out of the portal For every demon destroyed in a cloud of burning ash, 3 more take its place.

The party splits, Graxusas, Kantif and Cedric stay to fight the demons pouring out of the portal and close the doors to the great hall, while Gothi, Doc and Thograa race after the Controller. Kantif goes to close the doors and it seems the two iron golem guards were told by the controller to 'kill anything and everyone" so they attack Kantif AND the demons.

Graxusas starts to wade through the demons his giant form being attacked from all sides. It seems the wild magic is still affecting him as he is as easy to hit by the demons, but his is resolute to get to portal. The sorcerer can see a massive plan filled with a surging group of creatures.. thousands. But he sees that there is a set of standing stones with link the gate to the prime material plane. Realizing this, the lizardman jumps through following Lord Royce to take the battle to the Abyss. Laying into the columns with his massive hammer, giant-sized Graxusas works with Rory's widening cone of energy to close the gate. Overlord Romack continues to slaughter many his even larger giant form seemingly near impervious to the demons.

Cedric and Kantif continue to destroy the demons, but they still pour through the gate.. but it looks a little smaller now.. after Graxusas destroys one of the 5 pillars.

Meanwhile, the Controller races through the main war room where chaos has ensued, as many demons had made it into here and are being engaged by Romack's forces. Giant-sized Doc heads down a passage and comes into a foyer stairwell where he sees two young female troopers. Both exactly the same and saying the other is the impostor! 

 Graxusas is able to destroy the pillars while Royce destroys demons on the Abyssal plane, the demonic creatures never to exist again after being destroyed here. Kantif gets the golems engaging the demons while Cedric saves his henchman Skrit and continues to destroy the demons. As the gate starts to close due the powers of Rory Dragonbane and the destruction of the pillars, Graxusas BARELY makes it though to safety in the hall. Lord Royce.. is not as lucky and as the gate closes can be seen being surrounded by the demonic hordes.

Gothi catches up, then Thograa. and after some discussion, the former controller looks at the three adventurers as well as the trooper and a blast of psionic energy catches all and they are stunned. The creature transforms and moves to the trooper its long tentacles wrapping around the girl's head, a tear falls down her cheek and then crunching and gurgling sounds as her brain is consumed by the illithid.

The body slumps to the floor as the tentacles release the trooper's head. It turns to the party, but noises are coming down the hall, running feet and shouts. the mindflayer - or is there more than one.. THREE? -  touches each of the adventurers briefly.. and Gothi, Doc and Thograa each feel as if parts of their mind open up.. never before thought or felt.. like doors opening into vast rooms or planes of existence.. and the Illithid is gone.

Aftermath

 Overlord Romack is heart broken as Lord Royce - is gone now in the Abyss. The city of Wayberry it seems is being overrun by demons. the Gate that opened in the hall was not the only one it seems 3 others were opened by mercenary crews of the Black Runes. The demons overrunning the forces of Romack as well as turning back and engaging the forces of the BlackRunes and citizens of Wayberry. After 3 hours, the gates close down by the city but it is infested with demons and only to the Northeast did Wayberrians, BlackRunes and others escape with the GreySkull Mercenaries as well. 

Overlord Romack declares the battle lost for Wayberry as well as the Duchy of Ulek.

The Fellowship are taken by Lord Rory Dragonbane to a set of suites to rest and heal as they need to. The set of rooms which included multiple bedrooms, a central sitting room with fireplace, large table and comfortable chairs, a kitchen area - fully stocked. There is a single entrance door to the suite. The Fellowship assume this whole suite may be for guests or ambassadors. Very Comfortable beds - they have not rested in anything like this before. Lord Rory leaves, looking very troubled and sad. "I have never seen the Overlord Romack like this.. Royce is.. like a son to him." Rory shows each of the Fellowship a small bronze disk. "This activates an invisible servant that will do your bidding.. similar to a butler, server or cook. Is tied to this suite.. unfortunately." The elf winks. "I will check in with you in an hour.. or will you be resting longer?"

Sigmund with tears in his eyes stares on at the nothingness that was his home. "This group seems rough around the edges. But, were clever. And were lucky. We can make this work. Everything we just did was for nothing... If we don't try to help people down there. Not saying we charge into the flames but we should help stragglers. Take a while to recuperate. But in an hour or so I'm headed down there. I've died twice. Raven Mother forgiving maybe I can die 4 times. Won't be today. I don't know how much more I have left." He says and injects the empty casings into his hands and shoves them in his pocket.

Kantif puts his thumb and forefinger to his chin and contemplates. “We’re all pretty wounded from that fight, plus Graxusas has no spells left. If we go down there too soon we may end up dying but we also need to help people.” 

"Agreed. But its going to have to be a balance. We can rest for the minimum we need to get into condition. I dont think it would be wise to get into a fight, we should try to avoid one as much as possible, but we still need to get the Grayskulls to safety" Cedric notes.

Doc nods with a determined look. "I agree Cedric, i ain't looking for a fight. If the Gray Skulls die then all this was for nothing." 

The Demon Scroll and Betrayal

 Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) Freeday14th

 

When we join our adventurers, Hagrahoc, and the four rogues of the Scars advise the Fellowship of an assassin that butchered and killed all of the guild members. It seems that there was only one assassin. Kantif learns that it may have been his father as the bolts and daggers had a secret mark only the infamous assassin uses. It seemed the assassin had been able to neutralize a large portion of the guild before the alarm was raised. Noose - the guild-master - was taken after what looked to be a long battle. Many traps left by the assassin took out more of the guild members. It looked that of a guild of 50+ members, less than ten now survived. The Scarlet Spider Syndicate was no more..

Providing healing and aid to the rogues, Cedric and Doc are able to assist some and neutralize a powerful poison which had magical properties.

Hagrahoc tasks one of the guild members - Tassa - to guide the Fellowship out a secret entrance to the city. She agrees with reluctance.

Kantif and Doc decide to explore a little into the former guild halls, coming across many traps it seems either left by the assassin or the guild's.  Using stealth, and investigative skills, the two adventurers delve deeper but then decide to turn back.. too dangerous.

While this goes on, Gothi, Cedric and Graxusas, rest and decide to allow the sentient being - an infernal devil - in the magical trident to read the scroll that the Inquisition gave to the leader of the GreySkulls (See Blogpost). Gothi allows the demon to take control of her. After some discourse and study, the small

scroll has expanded to over 12' in length. A tome in length.. it seems. 

The devil advises Gothi that the scroll creates a portal - it is assumedly to the Abyss. (Gothi can see its his form now - a winged humanoid devil with fine black scales) 

The party discusses back and forth on why the Greyskulls were given the scroll and why the unit was to attack in a very specific direction in the battles. Finally, Graxusas identifies the scroll that it creates a massive portal to the Abyss, where if it is destroyed or covered in blood. Further discussion on why the BlackRunes and Scarlet Brotherhood want..

 Doc takes a moment to look at his new pistol - the former Commander's - reaches into his bag of holding and gets a blast of cold hit his hand. With surprise, he determines that the head of the Commander - which had been cut off at the end of the battle - was NOT dead. the dwarf was alive - somehow and in the bag of holding! Grabbing hold of the dwarf head, Doc feels that it was growing a new body..

After some dialogue, a truce was offered by the Commander, and for now, Doc agreed. but the 1/2 orc does not have access to his supplies all in the bag for now..

 Leaving this until later, taking a look from where the noises former bazaar, they see an old acquaintance: 

Thurr Tyyne (pronounced: '13' or  'Thirteen') is a travelling salesman of dubious repute. A Tiefling with 8 fingers on one hand and 5 on the other, he was nicknamed '13' early in life.He sells ointments, potions and unique items of strange or no real  worth.

 He has one famed product:

Thurr Tyyne's Green Flaming Red Pickles

These have become well known - '13' travels amongst the realms and planes peddling his wares. His pickles have
- if roasted - give a green flame. Once roasted for a exact 60 seconds, they are imbued with magic. A random magic. They need to be eaten while the green flame consumes them pickle.

The party see a portal the tielfing is moving his supplies

through. Some of the party each see a kindred spirit as they see these adventurers through the gate (DM: Check out the Laughing Moon Campaign). Some of the party buy and ingest a number of cooked pickles:

• Doc seeminly nothing happens..
  
• Gothi is pelted by snowballs! Gains experience (5000) and then nothing..
  
• Kantif gains a power in his hand - cold - to drain life and sucks 3hp. permanently from Doc! Doc is very upset.
  
• Graxusas has an effect on his spell, his firebolt is cast with a greater effect
  

Finally, the party is able to exit the city of Wayberry, emerging in the cellar of a former apothecary. Using their skills of stealth, the Fellowship are able to infiltrate the Overlord Romack's lines and once again meet with the Controller - the head of the Overlord's espionage forces. Advising of the betrayal of the truce by the BlackRunes, she asks for evidence. The party reluctantly provides the demonic scroll of summoning as proof. A change comes over the controller and she grimaces. Taking a small rod in hand she breaks it and a gate appears (Arcana reveals this was a Contingency spell). the Fellowship is sucked into it with the Controller and they teleport into unfamiliar place..

The heroes appear in a massive room on a balcony overlooking a large room bustling with activity. A large diorama..? No it is moving.. (Arcana checks show these to be silent images and more powerful illusions being cast by a cohort of wizards wearing robes emblazoned with the heraldry of Romack) that show a detailed view of Wayberry and the area around, trenches, and defenders positions, Romack’s troops and forces encircling the city. And hanging above back to the North east high above is the massive flying fortress of Overlord Romack. Every few minutes some of the images flicker as an illusion fades and is recast. 

The Fellowship are ON the flying fortress of Overlord Romack.

Uniformed offices rush in and out over to a group, more wizards look to be sitting at desks being given scrolls and then casting spells (sending and more powerful message 1st or 2nd level..? Arcana check)
The party are ushered into a small foyer from the balcony that surrounds the war room, then told to wait. 2 massive metal statues guard the door holding dual bronze blades at the ready one each crossing the door across from the party. The Controller waits not speaking for a minute, then her eyes will lift and she nods to the fellowship. “Go ahead.” At that moment, the 2 metal golems swords will be sheathed and the thick doors pushed open by them. A long pillared hall can be seen to lead up to a dias. Upon it is a table to one side, a large chair, looking to have been created from a massive skull. Standing at the table is an imposing figure, a grizzled muscular older man probably in his 70s for a human, wearing 1/2 plate. Standing nearby is a younger man, looking bemused with his arms crossed, long black hair in a pony tail, his hands and arms covered in scars, wearing blood-red chain and plate, looking to be in his late 30s. The younger man turns to look and nods to the Controller and looks over the adventurers with an appraising eye. The older man does not look up from the table, which appears to have a miniature illusion of the battlefield of Wayberry below.

“What news Dasin?” The Overlord says quietly in a gravelly voice. Still watching a small flight of griffon riders heading west of Wayberry.

The Controller steps forward and with a perfunctory bow.

"Overlord Romack and Lord Royce," with a slight bow to the warrior in red chain and plate, "this.." a pause, "is the RedWater Fellowship."

The party introduce themselves - Graxusas with his long list of titles to amused looks from all - with a hand flicker from the Controller.

With a slight smile, Lord Royce murmurs, "ahh the ones with the flying tower.."

As each is introduced, Lord Royce, looks the person over with a keen eye.. Measuring them up in battle or skill, perhaps.. Once introductions are done,

the Controller advises the Overlord of the news of the potential betrayal of the truce by the Black Runes.

The Overlord had not turned from the table, not looking up, watching a single griffon rider fly off to the south. "Proof." A statement more than a question.

The Controller  - Dasin - shows the scroll as ghostly hand plucks it from the 1/2 orc's hand and it floats to a darker area on the far side of the table.

Controller Dasin grates,  "Lord Rory Dragonbane."

A handsome elf with silvery long hair, ageless, wearing finest leathers and chain, multiple wands and rods at belt, (Arcana check tell these are all powerful items) appears in a cloak glowing with a multiple
colours. A 2nd ghostly mage hand traces the seal in wax of the scroll while the 1st holds it. A quiet but thoughtful voice, "Infernal.. No.. Abyssal.. " the scroll continues to be examined as it unravels to the full length. "From.. Ahh.. The 133rd layer it looks to be.. of the Abyss"

Lord Royce, looks over to the elf. "133rd? That is a recently acquired domain of IUZ." The elf nods. Still examining the scroll.

"This.. This has been opened." Lord Rory murmurs.. 

The warrior in red armour looks back to the party with a raised eyebrow. In a smooth deep voice, asks "Did anyone read this..?"

The party advises they had.. Kantif advises and that they did read it.

At that point a bolt of energy shoots forth from the Controller and streaks towards the scroll.. BETRAYAL!

 

(DM the party use inspiration so Graxusas can counterspell but still, the Controller is able to fire the burst of energy.. the scroll bursts
and a massive gate (80' x 80') appears in the room where a legion on demons stand ready to pour through.....)

DM - follow-up: Graxusas has the lucky feat so start of next session, he will be allowed to use it.. Maybe the gate does not open.. Until next time.

 

Commander Taeryn Ic Zuln

 Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) Earthday13th

Our heroes stand around the well, a secret entrance to the Scarlet Spider Syndicate - the Fellowship's way out of Wayberry - while an old adversary stands above them the BlackRune Commander Taeryn Ic Zuln standing at the peak of a house.

 It seems the Commander had been following the party and was prepared for them. A giant spider is in a tree nearby scuttling slowly closer, with a number of drow elves nearby.

After some dialogue, the party with Doc Holliday flipping the bird to the Commander.. attack. Doc pumps two shots into the Commander both perfect shots - which go right through the Commander. he looks to stumble back, and it seems to have no effect as he stands straight again and with a rasping laugh. The Fellowship go into action attacking the giant spider and drow. Gothi and Jawbone bring their ranged attacks and the monstrous dog-shark tear into the drow. Kantif using his stealth, moment and his sneak attacks coming into effect. Cedric's stalwart defense and paladin abilities are key as the battle rages.

Back and forth, the battle rages, the majority of the spells cast by the Commander countered by Graxusas.. except a key one, where Doc Holliday is dominated the Commander. Doc, using all his key and major abilities brings Kantiff to near death and then lays into Graxusas as well. The Lizard sorcerer

polymorphs into a Cloud giant and the battle by that point had turned to the Fellowship's favour.

The party is able to finally defeat the drow, spider and Commander.  With the sounds of Wayberry and BlackRune patrols coming, they quickly head down the well and find the secret door to the guild. 

Venturing in they find the bazaar outside the guild, but all the merchants and more seem to be gone. They see the draconian rogue/eldritch knight - Hagrahoc, the guild's 2nd - with four younger members it seems of the Scars, all are injured and look to be unconscious or worse.

The Cathedral, Allies and an Old Advesary

When we rejoin our adventurers it is nearing 10 bells in the evening as Isen leads the Fellowship and points to Seen - San - Sawn's Bathhouse.

Doc Holliday shakes his head. "You all go ahead, I'm gonna speak to some sailor's, perhaps find a small boat with some tight lipped fellows who will smuggle us down river a touch. From there we can slip back into the camp. Best to do it when we have no heat on us." Sigmund says as he slides the last of his weapons into the bag of holding. 

“Why were you so impatient to go to the docks, Doc? It’d be dangerous to go off alone, especially with that commander being here.” Kantif asks, not upset, just curious.

Cedric muses, ""I concur with Kantiff. Going off so swiftly is odd to me, I had thought you might want to take things a little more cautiously. Just an observation" He comments, keeping his tone neutral.

Doc, relents, but does not go in. Kantif, Cedric, Declan and Isen enter the house and enjoy a very refreshing bath and more. Their clothes are cleaned - some not having been this clean since purchase. Cedric makes note of an older woman whom sees to be paying extra attention - covertly - to the group. Then disappears before the adventurers leave. Feeling MUCH refreshed, the clean adventurers rejoin Doc, Gothi, Thogra and Graxusas.

The adventurers split up again into 2 groups and covertly as possible head down to the docks. While on the way, Gothi hears a familiar bark and howl and with a joy rarely seen is rejoined by her pet and mount, JawBone! A group of guards follow but with skillful stealth the group evade the grumpy guards.

Near the docks, the party makes note of a number - fifteen - massive war galleys. All have flags or banners similar of a fanged skull or similar. The impressive war galleys are well-guarded and have a
large number of crew doing repairs and maintenance. The two paladins feel an oppressive force coming from one of the great ships. A giant demon, winged perches on one of the mast's yardarms. The party are able to stay hidden and avoid a number of patrols and groups of Black Runes. Crossing over a massive canal using the Two Towers, the party makes its way to the Cathedral. The party move up and see some familiar faces and some not in the mercenary company of the GreySkulls. A guard at the broken down gate, ushers them through, pleased to see some familiar and powerful allies. The Cathedral was once a magnificent building but now has been heavily damaged from aerial bombardment most likely from OverLord Romack's flying fortress. Cedric has an epiphany and realizes

the building was once a great cathedral to his goddess - Istus. The party realizes that the GreySkull unit has been taken heavy losses, nearly every soldier is wounded in some way. The party is told to wait, and then make a temporary camp for a while because Commander Bajin is busy. While the party waits (DM: @ #1) Gothi hears something.. and a familiar voice inside.. Kantiff using his stealth and monk abilities to go unseen scuttles inside (DM: #2) and sees some familiar faces. Kantif sees a wounded giant, and a number of GreySkulls. Then he hears the voices as well. The Inquisitor!

Commander Bajin (DM: #3) is having a full on conversation with the Inquisitor Darakus as well as his underling - Balial. The hobbit is very animated and seemingly frustrated with commander (?) and gives very specific instructions to be ready to leave the city as soon as possible. The Inquisitor seems to under a great deal of pressure.. something is happening.. the hobbit is perspiring heavily as well.

Kantif realizes that in the conversation that it seems the Black Runes are planning something for BEFORE the end of the truce.. four days hence. Kantif - in the zone - stays extremely well hidden, Balial at one moment seemed to look right at the monk/rogue but she does not see him in the end. The Inquisitor makes it very clear that the Commander needs to lead his forces out the Northeast gate at a signal from the Black Runes.

The party enters the cathedral, seeing many more soldiers wounded and slumped weary and in pain all around. (DM: #4s) Doc and Cedric make off to assist and use the medical and divine skills but then decide to meet with Commander Bajin. The party learns that over half the unit is gone, normally numbering over 200, now below 50. Conversing with the RedWater Fellowship, they learn his wife and 2nd in command has headed to Fax on the Wild Coast to find their son - held by the BlackRunes. Bajin beseeches the party to assist and meet with her and together the party can rescue the boy.

At this point, the party hears the Inquisitor returning. So all scramble down into the crypts and hide.

Listening, they hear Darakus order Commander Bajin.. "Tomorrow Night. Make sure your unit heads Northeast up the road (DM: yellow arrows). Do not stray South of that!" Giggling and seemingly back in a good mood, the hobbit gives Bajin a scroll "Do not lose that!" and then takes his leave.

The party agrees to help the Greyskulls. Doc promises to speak to Overlord Romack's forces and allow them to surrender. Bajin at first does not like this but relents and agrees. As proof of his bond, Bajin gives them the scroll, seemingly written in infernal or abyssal. The party decides to study this further at a later time in a safer place.

The party assists a number of the soldiers, Cedric using his divine power, Doc using his medical skills and divine powers as well. Others in the group assist as well. Notably, Thogra does not assist the wounded. Traveling North in the city, the party sees the destruction wrought by the Overlord's forces and spells.

Making it to the Irownworks smithy - a potential ally - but the building is destroyed. Further on, the party makes it to the inn they stayed at some days ago, but seems longer.. The Broken Crown Inn. Entering they make note of some Black Rune guards and a cloaked and hooded figure in the corner. Learning some news of the Ironworks, that possibly the owner and Master Smith had survived. Taking their leave, they realize the hooded figure is one of the Maskers - Guild of Arcane Lore (DM: Previous post) Without incident the party is able to leave. The party decides to find the Scarlet Spider Syndicate - led by the rogue, Noose.

Gothi feels a buzz in the back of brain.. his trident - with the demonic sentience - offers again to read the scroll..

The Fellowship travels stealthily to the entrance to the guild hall - a well - in a little used and rundown plaza to the South with some houses. As the party enters the plaza, they look about.. nothing. Then as the party moves over to the well, Kantif drops a rock into the well, listening. Hearing a sploosh, they start to make ready..

Then a raspy chuckle and voice from back and above. "Well.. well, well RedWater Fellowship. You don't think I had forgotten about you.. after what you did to me?" On a nearby roof, stands the dwarf mage - Commander Taeryn
Ic Zuln - one hand holding a stave, the other under his cloak - from previously the DeathGrounds and before that from Enstad. (DM: Blog Post ) One side of his face is heavily scarred, much of his hair is gone, his face, neck and skull's skin ravaged by what looks to be many teeth marks..

 

Escape from the Green

Date: Month: Coldeven (Common | Snowflowers: Elvish) GodsDay,11th

 The RedWater Fellowship have a decision to make. 3 humanoids - a human, dwarf and orc - are to be sent over in a cage to the waiting undead that are milling around in the Deathgrounds. Doc Holliday hopes to save them, amongst the party whom don't want to alert the BlackRunes to them. The bleachers and seats are probably 1/2 full of BlackRunes,

Wayberry merchants and aristocrats. With a start, they also see the Inquisitor Darakus (DM: blogpost) in the seats conversing with a dwarf. His two 'servants' with him.

 After some debate, the party decides to do it. Graxusas sends his owl familiar up to the rooftops to watch, and the lizardman sorcerer watches the action. Going to the 2nd floor in the end, as the 1st floor is filled with debris and broken timbers and refuse. A group of robed figures - skeletal features visible for a moment and the chant or tone they call out and the Green shield opens for a moment. The crane swings over the cage, and the 3 humanoids tumble out into a swarm of undead. Doc takes out some planks over a window, and tosses a rope and calls out - with a thaumaturgy enhancement from Graxusas - "Run for it!" The 3 figures nearly surrounded start running towards the safety.

 Gothi fires her longbow, expertly taking out a zombie and a skeleton that were advancing on the trio of prisoners. Kantif fires his shortbow to great effect, his sneak attack taking out a zombie. Graxusas notes THE dwarf wizard (was speaking to the inquisitor) they had met in Enstad in the stands and realizes he is about to cast a fireball. Using his sorcery skills he counters the spell. The BlackRune wizard smiles.. the party realizes he could have countered the counter.. but did not. With a crack of a musket shot, Doc Holliday, takes aim and shoots one of the robed figures chanting to hold open the shield. The dead-eye shot knocks the robed creature over and the shield opening starts to close. Meanwhile just before it closed, 4 ballista bolts flew through the hold and hit some of the party. Kantiff is able to deflect some of the damage from one.

 The party sees the dwarf wizard jumps down and stands with the other 3 robed figures, each are an underdark lizard folk with facepaint of a skull. They look to be raising hands and chanting once again to re-open the shield. Meanwhile the party continues to blast with magic - fireball and more, arrows, the undead advancing on the prisoners. The party is able to recover one human, the 1/2 orc is overwhelmed by undead, but they are able to save the dwarf as well, Cedric reaching down to easily pull the battered man to safety.

 Making their retreat, the Fellowship realize that the BlackRune dwarf wizard may have recognized some of them. Parts of the building collapse around them as it seems multiple spells blast the apartment building, coming down in a huge cloud of dust and debris. Dusting themselves off and bandaging minor wounds the heroes vacate the area, looking for a safe haven in the undead infested city streets of the Green. 

As the party sneaks through the streets of the Green, Kantif strikes up a conversation with Thogra. “I’ve been meaning to ask you. What kind of rogue are you? I’m a bit of a swashbuckler.”
Thogra grins toothily at Kantif. "My skills are pretty standard, 2nd storey stuff, I never had the chance to specialize too much. Know a bit about poisons, and of course my skills to my god take up a lot of my time."
He pats the large bag at his side that holds the bones of "Fluffy". [Once the party went stealth, the 1/2 orc told Fluffy to sleep and turned into the pile of bones]
He turns back to Kantif, "you seem to have more talents than just a swashbuckler.." Nodding to the blood stained wraps on Kantif's hands.
Kantif inspects his blood stained wraps, flexing his hands as he nods to Thogra. “Indeed. I’ve been training to become a ninja and use my fists and my body’s ki in combat. In fact, you should feel more quiet than usual since I imbued everyone here with some of my ki. There’s quite a few innate abilities in one’s body that most people have yet to gain control over. I plan to gain more control over these innate abilities as we continue adventuring.”

 Carefully picking a way through the ruins, the party notes an ancient man working in a cemetary. Approaching the elder, they have a dialogue, it seems the cemetary is a garden where he grows a number of different vegetables, herbs, spices and fruits. The party notes the old man's eyes are full black no white. At first there is some concern there was this was the figure from the nightmares.. but then the heroes realize, not. The party barters, wine for the delectable tea, spice, and sugary berries. Kantif looking for poison, is advised on a process for this, the elder calling him an "assassin". The old man seems to be able to see into people's souls or spirits.. and have great insight into each of the group.

 Using a variety of skills, the party is able to find a secluded building - a broken down house - to rest in, after dodging and skillfully avoiding roving packs of zombies and other undead. Taking a short rest, near six bells. They are near the one exit that Declan and others in the Green have advised may be a way to exit. A well, that connects to the river and then to the sewers in the main part of Wayberry. Thogra uses his clerical powers to heal the party, the heroes still unsure on whom the 1/2 orc rogue/cleric worships. the 2 paladins determine it seems possibly the jovial 1/2 orc is a worshiper of some god who's realm is guardian of.. unknown, scorpions and snakes seem to be relevant to him as well. The dwarf and human, are thankful, but decide to head towards Skully town and don't want to try and break out of the Green.

The party then strikes out and heads to this well. The local rumours are that no undead enter the area.. is there something in the well? Reaching the plaza, they tie a rope and climb down into the well. Gothi doing a backflip, slips and falls into the water. Graxusas, able to breathe underwater, confirms there are a few air pockets to the zone of where the green shield is, and letting the party use his ring of water breathing, as well as holding breath, are able to pass it back and forth and finally cross through the holy shield, and are once again in the city of Wayberry in the sewers.

The Fellowship make it through the sewers, and finally exit into a narrow street. The party meets a group of 3 soldiers, drunk. At first they seem to be a patrol, but then the party realize these may be not on duty. With some careful deception, and a few bottles of wine, they are able to pass on. The party then note a shadowy figure going into a shop a Rankin's Meat and Cheese shop. Using magic, and then thieve's cant they try to make contact with the figure but there is no reply. Breaking into the building, Kantif and Doc search. Then a blade appears at Doc's throat. A man behind him seems upset at the intrusion. After a scuffle, and then some very well timed sorcery command spells by Graxusas, they turn the table on this rogue and take him prisoner. It seems after some interrogation, that his name is Isen. He is a member of the Scarlet Spider Syndicate (which seems to owe a favour to the group)! As well, he has heard of this group. They are called The Rat Catchers in Wayberry. Doc leaves some gold for the damage to the Meat and Cheese shop.

Isen agrees to guide the party to the headquarters of the GreySkulls - a destroyed cathedral in the dock district. Some of the party those that don't have a 2nd set of clothes, decide to go to a bath house - suggested by Isen as he holds his nose. A tailors was put up as an option for those that need clothes, but of course this would be a break-in and the two paladins - Cedric and Doc - are against this. 

There are now about 4 days left in the Peace treaty.

As some of the party waits while others go to the bathhouse, Gothi hears a familiar bark & howl from towards the dock.. JawBone!?

Dreams and the Colosseum

[ DM: the RedWater Fellowship go up a level and gain new abilities and spells]

 Date: Month: Coldeven (Common) Moonday,10th [Snowflowers: Elvish]

 The heroes rest and search the warehouse hideout further. Kantif and Graxusas do some investigation and with the sorcerer's detect magic cast search the decrepit and ransacked warehouse rooms. The heroes note a ward around Thogra's room -seemingly divine. the 2 find a flagstone that holds some treasure of worth and then a strange illusion at the base of a pillar in one of the large rooms which defies their attempts to open or dispel.

After this searching, the party then rests. In the Green it seems though that it is difficult for any to rest here, all the fellowship experience nightmares..

Cedric: since in the Green a nagging.. Itch or whisper continues to just be beyond your awareness.  the spirits of the dead haunt your dreams.. As if a procession of everyone hear that has died..  You see a young woman with long blonde hair in a flowing gown. You know her! She smiles at you as she walks amongst the procession of dead that walk thru your mind..

a girlfriend, close friend, a sister..?? You cannot remember!

The scene changes.. She walks with you as you stroll down a lane there are people everywhere.. Live and well. the Spring flowers and trees are in bloom, smiling she looks about and races off into a small park. You chase after laughing.. As you run.. You see the people smile and laughing enjoying the park change.. Skin starts to peel back.. Bone shows, eyeballs wither away into empty sockets.. Flesh is eaten away by maggots and slithering dark creatures you cannot bear to look at. They still seem not to notice as you recoil from them. The girl laughs still racing ahead of you.. There is a bridge over a small stream. She stands on the railing and looks back at you laughing. All around you now the people are either crumbling to dust or walking skeletal or dead flesh walking.. A shadowy creatures stands at the far end of the bridge. Cloaked and hooded.  She does not see it.. She laughs once more and walks the railing teetering left and right with her arms out to balance. With a motion of a long clawed hand, a pulse of force energy hits the bridge.. And the girl slips and falls off the railing.. You run to the railing and look over into an abyss of darkness. The laughter continues for a moment, you look to the far end of the bridge the cloaked figure seems to smile even though you cannot see its features.. The cloaked figure turns to you then and you realize you should not meet its eyes.. If you do.. It will know you.. It will have you, even.. your past life.. Don't look into its eyes.. as you awake with a start, covered in sweat.

 

Graxusas - you see a young man - looks to be a 1/2 elf - in the shirt and cloak of the famous circus you ran, he asks you a question, and with a nod and grin he races away. You are not sure, but think this may have been one of the staff to assist with tent setup, packing and unpacking the wagons - a roadie - hmm.. there was a family of 1/2 elves in the troupe.. Yes! the Tormins. You see him and his brother and mother laughing as they setup a tent, working away happily. You look forward to the take in coin tonight, both from the people coming to see the show and the marks unaware they will be fleeced. Your grin widens at the thought..

The scene changes.. You see your circus being attacked by Black Rune forces and all the people being put in slave collars, those that did not die to the blades of the dwarves. As you stand there, they file passed, each one looking at you with pleading eyes and words to save them, free them.. You laugh and a Black rune dwarf standing next to you grins and counts large gold coins into your hand.

As you look towards the file of new slaves, you see your circus wagons burning.. Your friends dying.. And in the background.. A cloaked figure stands. One clawed hand grasping the throat of one of your dear friends.. The cloaked figure turns its head to you then and you realize you should not meet its eyes.. If you do.. It will know all.. Don't look into its eyes.. You jerk awaking from the horrible nightmare..

 

Kantif: As you sleep, at first, it is the times with your family, good times, cherished and with your loving mother and brother and sister.

The scene changes. You find yourself back with your old unit in the Black runes in Fax. You enter a small finishing village. The other BR troops lay about killing those whom resist and taking slaves. You try and covertly help a small hobbit boy, hiding him in some hay behind a stack of wood in a barn. But the other BRs are very skilled at finding any hiding from the slave collar. And the boy is taken and joins the slaves, crying.

The scene changes and you see your father.. The shadow assassin. He stands before a tall cloaked figure nodding and then bows. Turning towards you he grins and winks and steps into some shadows and fades away.

The scene changes and you see a prince or duke playing with his family, holding a young girl in his arms. Then a blade appears in the prince's throat. Gagging blood, he stumbles and the child falls from his arms with a cry. There stands your father wiping the long wicked blade on the cloak of the fallen prince. Your father looks to you with another smile and winks again as he turns to the family. Behind, you see the cloaked figure again, then it turns its head towards you and you realize you should not meet its eyes.. If you do.. It will know all.. It will be able to control you like it does your father…? Don't look into its eyes..

You jerk awaking from the horrible nightmare.. Breathing heavily..

 

Doc Holliday: you sleep, you have not slept this well in many a moon. As you sleep you dream and figures are approaching you.. It is as if you see your self multiple times. Then you realize it is you each one is you. And each one is you at the moment you died. Your eyes blur with tears for a moment and then you see Her. And for a long moment, all the pain washes away as if in a waterfall. It is Her. The Raven Queen. Ravens flitter and fly about her. She seems to be walking away from you towards a shadowy realm, but you can see that mask, that beautiful mask.. All is.. Perfect as she glances back that one time about to look at you?

Then all goes wrong.. The ravens die.. Flesh peeling away, feathers falling to dust, the gentle familiar cawing you enjoy turning to whispers and cackles and gurgles. She turns to face you and it is not Her.. It is a cloaked figure and kneeling before it is your grandfather one large clawed hand comes down to encompass his head. And then the cloaked figure looks up to you.. you realize you should not meet its eyes.. If you do.. It will know all.. It will know your whole tribe…it will find them.. None of the Hollidays will ever see the Raven Queen.. Don't look into its eyes..

You jerk awaking from the nightmare.. Looking about wildly for a moment..

 

Gothi: you sleep.. At your feet is Jawbone, keeping you safe. You see your kin.. You feel the connection to them all through the crystal gem. It has been so long.. years, decades.. centuries..? Since you felt this.. Right. You join with your brethren to the link that connects you all and it is.. Right. In your dream you feel the pulse of the gem in your body and breathe a long sigh content..

The scene changes and you see the dragon.. Trapped under the ice at the top of the mountain lake. Why.. Do you feel you have a connection to this dragon?

The scene changes again No.. Something is wrong.. You see one of your kin - a young man - being captured by black Runes in Enstad. No longer burning.. Burnt trees and destruction everywhere. The young man is in a slaves collar and led to a tall cloaked figure. The cloaked figure reaches out to the boy, it's long claws digging in as the boy cries out. You know what it digs for.. The boys slumps to the ground as the cloaked figure's head turns to you, one clawed hand holding a dripping crystal..  you realize you should not meet its eyes.. If you do.. It will know you.. It will be able to find you.. it will find all your kind.. Don't look into its eyes..

You jerk awaking from the horrible nightmare.. Safe.. For now..

 

 All the heroes wake-up at the same time.. each covered in sweat and glancing about. Troubled, most take some

time and move off on their own. Gothi, she needed fresh air - as fresh as it can be in the Green - and headed up top. Creeping carefully amongst the ruins of the mansion, the ranger spies some skeletal figures wandering the grounds of the mansion. Gritting her teeth in anger, she fires off arrows at the undead. At first they are cut down, but then more appear and then more. And then a large lumbering creature starts to push through the group towards the ranger and she realizes it is time to flee. Down into the hideout she runs. The party, meanwhile had time to prepare
for the onslaught. 

The foremost undead looks to be a combination of many humanoids all mashed together. Heads,arms and legs stitched seem to make its massive frame. The party using some of their new abilities and spells are able to defeat the monstrous creature and a horde of smaller skeletons and zombies

Resting a little, Graxusas, decides to smash the giant's hammer on the illusion at the base of the pillar. This does not have the affect that he wanted as the ceiling started to cave-in! Just as he was leaving, he saw the illusion had fallen and a set of stairs going down were visible amongst the falling timbers and blocks of stone..

The party then moves out. Thogra gathers the bones of Fluffy, and puts them in a bag that would not be able to hold that much size and weight. Heading towards the Colosseum, Rigo, the guard of the kobold cleric to Istus - Skrit - is reluctant to come and takes his leave to head to Skully town, with Skrit having decided to join Cedric in the paladin's quest.

Using Graxusas' well as the find the path ability of Kantif's monkish skills, the party is able to skillfully cross a large part of the Green, avoiding wandering undead. 

Coming up to the area of the Colosseum, the Fellowship see what looks to be a large building, three stories high with balconies. Declan advises these used to be apartments, but are now boarded up, the other side of the buildings is the actual amphitheatre.  

Using a variety of skills the party scales the side of the apartment building and breaks in to the rooms overlooking the amphitheatre. A large clear area on this side of the river had a variety of undead milling about.. on the opposite side of the river large sets of seats / bleachers were setup, where it looks like Black Rune dwarves, and other Wayberrians sat in anticipation of the upcoming events. A large crane with a cage that would hold 3 or 4 humanoid sized creatures looks to be able to swing over from the other side of the river to deposit them for battle. Declan shakes his head.. 

"No one usually survives the Deathground" The boys sighs. 

The Fellowship relized they would need to go into Wayberry - perhaps a prison break to find whom they searched for.

Next time.. espionage in Wayberry..

 

Fluffy!

 When we last left our heroes of the RedWater Fellowship...

A heated battle was ongoing with a varied group of undead creatures whom had cornered a group of humanoids. Some now had fallen, the final few were now fighting a battle of dead and dying comrades. The Fellowship was in dire straits as well, Many injured, as well the sorcerer Graxusas had lost much to

a energy draining kiss from a female spectre or shade.

Kantiff looks about standing over a heap of bones and freshly undead dead.. "I can hear more zombies coming. We may need to get out of here!" Saying this the shadowy monk fades into the shadows and starts to search for his enchanted dagger. 

Gothi, just walking down the side of the small house, jumps lightly to the ground and nocks an arrow. "I wish JawBone was here..." She murmurs as she fires multiple arrows into undead in battle with Cedric, Doc and Graxusas.

Doc Holliday yells out, "We have to get out of here!", wiping blood from a gash on his forehead.

As the party prepares to disengage, a horde of zombies and skeletal humans pour into the intersection

they look to be running in front of a massive fell beast. The skeletal three-headed monstrosity pulls a large wagon. With a roar from one of the heads, a 2nd head whips down to bite a skeletal archer's head right off that was preparing to attack the Fellowship. With the flick of a whip, the tall humanoid in hooded cloak stands at the front of the wagon, whipping the zombies and skeletons. Seeming to be herding the undead creatures, as well, the 3 headed.. hydra(?) The Fellowship at first thought the cause was lost to save the small group of humans and kobold and immediate flight was the next step. The creature is covered in blood and gore, it lumbers along pulling the old wagon which has the name Crakin Wine Estate visible through the grime and dust

Then.. Kantif's eagle eye noted something strange.. the cloaked figure was getting the bone hydra to attack the undead and were not bearing down on the Fellowship or the pinned down group. The figure's hood flew off and there standing at the front of the wagon was Thogra!

With a cheer from the Fellowship, the heroes re-doubled their efforts and brought the attack to undead.

At one point the bone hydra loses a head to an attack from a large zombie. At that point, you hear a cry of rage from Thogra.. "Fluuuufffy!" The next moment, the large ogre zombie, is attacked by the 2 remaining heads of "Fluffy"(?) as well as by Thogra and goes down with a groan and moan.

Even though many of the zombies stood up again and joined the attack, between the still-going wall of fire, the attacks Fellowship and finally the Bone Hydra, the undead are destroyed.

Thogra looks over to the party with a big toothy-tusk grin. "By the Wizard's manse.. what are you doing here!?" He hugs each of the Fellowship and after some healing of the now three humanoids, a kobold and a human. Whom seems to be the kobold's assistant or bodyguard. The kobold is a priest of Istus, whom gets into deep conversations with Cedric quite quickly.

Thogra advises the party of the current status of the Green.. 

"Skully Town. This is a stronghold of live humanoids whom scratch and claw out an existence in the Green. humans, dwarves (not BR), gnomes, 1/2lings, goblins, kobolds, hobgoblins, lizard folk, orcs, 1 giant, I hear too.., some ogres and gnolls, etc. Ruled over by an Ogre magi - Arch-Duke Sorbo. supposedly a cruel bastard...

2nd, is the horde of undead. Most of this is mindless masses of zombies, skeletons, ghouls, shades and more. But there is another force at work here as many times these mindless undead seem to have purpose in their attacks on Skully Town and other areas. The rumours are it could be a lich, vampire, ghost... who knows??" Thogra helps load wounded party members as well as the only 2 whom survived.. the kobold and a human named Pedrigo, "Jus' call me "Rigo" a gaunt tall human male in a breastplate, carrying a two-hander and large crossbow, he has one ear missing as well as multiple scars all over his arms and hands.

While Thogra tells the party of the current status, with some remarks thrown in by Rigo on Skully town as well, the 1/2 orc drives the wagon pulled by 'Fluffy' to his 'hideout'. "I found a good place to hide in here", the rogue grins toothily. An estate is reached, the mansion is mostly burned to the ground, a few charred 2nd and 3rd floors still stand. As Thogra pulls the wagon up into what was probably the foyer of a very fine mansion, he jumps off. Both of the two heads of Fluffy turn to him and nuzzle his chest. Thogra chuckles and scratches the skeletal heads behind a horn. "Sorry girl.. I wish I could help you more.." sighing, "Go to sleep, Fluffy." and with a clatter of bones, the monstrosity collapses into a pile of bones on the floor. 

Thogra leads the party over to a secret trapdoor, disarming a few traps on it. Leading the party down a ramp, they enter what was once a large cellar that had a warehouse connected to it. Once the mansion was the home to a merchant of fine paper, vellum and scrolls.

The party rests while Graxusas uses his newly discovered powers to identify a number of items. The party splits of treasure and gets a good rest. At the end of a long rest, Graxusas, feels refreshed the draining power of the spectral woman no longer affecting the lizard (DM: all levels recovered).

What next for the Heroes of the RedWater Fellowship?

Stealth and devastation in the Green

 Doc Holliday whispers, "Kantiff should take the lead on this infiltration this seems like his kind of move. I don't think we can talk our way into the lines. Maybe we can talk our way into the green but not past the trenches."

 Nodding the rogue/monk, murmurs “Good plan Doc, maybe if we do well in this mission we can try negotiating with the Controller for a proper power source for our tower. By then we would’ve proven our usefulness so it would be beneficial for them to give us one to scout with our smaller tower” 

The party agrees with this in muted murmurs and nods. They were trying to be very quiet as they were in a dangerous and precarious position. The Fellowship were all in a large crater no doubt caused by OverLord Romack's powerful attacks from his flying fortress/city. Less that 50 feet ahead was the trench walls of the troops outside the Green of Wayberry. A mixture of goblins, humans and at least one

BlackRune dwarf guarded. A steady rain poured down making the former farm field muddy and treacherous. 

Nearby one of the Controllers guides a human whom called himself "Runner Arkos", lay in the mud, pointing out the guards whom interestingly, mostly faced towards the Green and NOT out at Romack's besieging forces. Between the strongpoints, they learn magical wards cover much of the fields, so the heroes decide to bypass the BlackRune forces using stealth and magic.

Kantif uses his shadowy monk abilities to make the party near invisible (DM: pass without trace). The party moves forward up to a hastily built barbed wire and mixture of long spikes. Then along past a large dead tree, which looked to be have been blasted by fire. With a few close calls when one or more of the party were not quite as silent as needed. A BlackRune dwarf assumed the noise was some animal and tossed a rock over the crawling party members.

Finally with some deft thaumaturgy by Gaxusas to put out the fire and some spooky sounds which freaked out a number of the guards, the party is able to successfully make it to the walls of Wayberry, after taking out one formerly sleeping goblin in a tent. The party takes the goblin's body planning to dispose of it in the Green.

A large section of the wall is crumbling and destroyed but the holy forcefield encompassing the Green. Using the rod provided by Controller, the Fellowship the party finally enters the Green.

The party come down in what appears to be the large gardens and fields of a mansion. The gardens are untended and overgrown, plants and grass long with weeds abounding.

Ignoring the mansion which looked to be locked up - but with many windows smashed - the Fellowship enter the crumbling streets of Wayberry. Once the influential and area lived in by the merchant leaders and other aristocrats.

As they stealthily creep down dark streets, they hear shuffling and scraping ahead. Graxusas sends hos owl familiar up to scan the ruined city under the glowing holy shield. Plotting a course through the streets, they tactically avoid a number of mobs of undead creatures. A skeleton in rags, is bent over and seems to be continually grasping handfuls of black dust that it then swallows - it seems - and the dust falls and settles back into the pile. Doc and Kantif shrug and scuttle up behind the undead and then with a giant strength punch by Doc and the martial arts strikes of Kantif, the skeleton is pulverized. They gather some of the strange dust -which smells like cherry.

Moving on, the party is about to cross over to another shadowy ruin, and Doc hears the whimper and cry of a child. Investigating, the Fellowship enter the former shop of Zanig. Using stealth and subterfuge they explore the rooms and finally encounter a young boy named Declan holed up and hiding in one of the rooms. Formerly a drummer boy in the Yeomanry 3rd light archers, they learn the remains of his unit were put in the Green after battling the BlackRunes, South of Wayberry. The party realizes that one oft he main reasons the boy had survived was a wondrous item from his brother - a Periapt of wound closure - this allowed the boy to survive a number of deadly encounters.

Declan is a wealth of information on the Green and is most willing to go with the Fellowship if they are leaving the Green. Learning of their plans, Declan suggests some  underground and above ground routes to get to the arena -where prisoners and more are set upon by undead formerly for Wayberry aristocrats and possibly now for the BlackRunes.

Avoiding a number of groups of undead, the party then hears the sounds of battle off down a street. Declan implores the party to follow- but Doc and Cedric charge off to the sounds of battle. 

A mass of undead have cornered a group of humanoids, looks like 3 humans, (2 men and 1 woman) a kobold and another cloaked figure. 

Preparing, the Fellowship of RedWater attack the undead horde with surprise. A wall of fire appears

between the 5 humanoids and burning the horde of undead, Kantif, Doc and Cedric rush forward, their attacks cutting down skeletal and zombie dogs on chain leashes and the handler of one group. Gothi marks one of the undead horde, her arrows doing massive damage as they hit.

Lighting bolts from Graxusas carves a path through a row of undead. Then a winged shadowy female tries to charm Kantif but his elf blood helps him resist the charm. The battle is turning the wall of fire protects the group of 5 and kills many but then the party hears more creatures coming from down one street.

Then two of the 5 fall, and the shadowy floating female reaches out to Graxusas. The lizardman is unable to resist the necromantic energy and feels drained of energy! (DM: 3 levels drained, but they think his power and energy will return after a long rest.. he hopes!)

 

 

 

 

The battle continues next session... it is not looking too good for the Fellowship!