The Coffin, the Brazier and the Sanctuary

8th of Reaping High Summer - Lortenford, in contested lands West of Wayberry

The Fellowship rest for the night without incident. Still affected by the curse of being unable to heal naturally or magically very well, the party continue to use what healing powers they can muster.

After the party had recovered some health, Gothi was still interested in what or who was in the small coffin. Using her X-ray vision inherited from FERA the colossus before her demise [DM: Blogpost], she focused on the metal coffin. Scanning in as she feels the pain coursing through her eyes as the powerful sight activates, she sees into the coffin a small form, what appears to be a young human male skeleton boy - slight movements - alive..? or Undead?

Doc recalls that in his early life a close friend - the elf girl, Gilwin Duress - telling him of a wood elf sanctuary Rel'sillar up river a few hours from the village on the opposite bank. A marked hidden trail allowed access. May be a safe place to rest. This reclusive group - an offshoot of wood elves - Copper elves -  were known to Family Duress, they had an trade agreement with House Duress wine for a variety of unique goods created by the Rel'sillar. Doc had not met them personally but had seen one or two when he was a boy in Wayberry.

The group leave the destroyed village taking wagon and all the supplies they could find from the destroyed village crossing over the river and head North up the path, staying on alert for giants and demons.. as well other other potential threats. 

It turns out to be a warm sunny day, heating up even more by afternoon. Then Gothi sees it - due to the ranger's excellent survival skills and perception. At a side tributary to the large river, a hidden sign weaved in living branches notes the start of the Rel'sillar family lands. 

Tibaltuous not wanting to take the cursed[?] Brazier or box [from Iuz and BlackRunes - BM Blogpost] with Gothi, head further up the path along the river about a few hundred yards and then off 

into the bush, the brazier dripping blood all the way. The bard hides the two items and they return to the party after covering the tracks.

The group then ask Doc more about the Wood elves of Copper Elves. Doc thinks back, supposedly Copper elves a further unique group of wood elves go by "family", not "clan or house". Very reclusive, excellent with crafts and creating with wood and more.

The Fellowship take the path into the forest, cleverly hidden but now with Gothi showing the way, easy to follow. The path goes under a large tree with many massive and small roots hanging down blocking the path-like grotto. The party talk about burning or destroying them and finally decide this is not a good plan if they want to ask the elves for sanctuary! The party try speaking out to the tree, Gothi tries a few command words.. and it works! The roots part creaking and writing out of the way, making enough room for even the large wagon - with CUBE - to pass under. The path to the sanctuary is open.

Ahead, they arrive in a valley with high cliffs and mountains on all sides. a mist or fog covers most of the upper reaches of the valley sides. Perhaps in aiding the copper elves to be here undetected. A water fall pours down into a lake which feeds off into a stream that disappears into the forest. A small skiff is in the river, with a single humanoid -copper elf perhaps - appearing to be fishing. Birds fly around, the peaceful sounds of nature, animals and more all around them. The heroes smile at each other feeling safe.

As the wagon and party move along the well kept path, they are all surprised when a massive skeletal dragon or monster screeches from the overhanging thick branches with a clattering takes a chomp towards the two riding on the wagon - Doc and Thogra. 

Thinking quickly, Doc shouts at the horses and slaps them with the reins. But the draft hordes, normally slow moving are already spooked, rear up and moving forward quickly! 

Gothi shouts out in elvish, and the massive skeletal head stops moving. It appears to be a large skull of a giant alligator. A young copper elf girl appears, looking at the party in wonder through one of  the eye sockets of the skull. The contraption, controlled by vines and ropes raises up as the young elf jumps down to greet the group.

She introduces herself as does the Fellowship, asking for sanctuary. The girl, Veela Rilfaa'silna Spring of the Willow, is a very young copper elf, wild red and green hair with light blue eyes, she is tall and lithe wearing leathers of forest green and brown. She has taken on responsibility to guard the family, telling the party of the ill that has befallen the family.

This family of copper elves have been decimated by demons and giants. After the Great Deliverance took 3/4 of the young strong folk, the battles with BlackRunes and then Iuz's demons and giants has diminished the family down to a mere three. Veela tells the adventurers, the power of the Grotto Mill'uo a elemental spring beneath the giant oak tree - she points to the massive tree dominating the valley - sacred to the elves - has protected the area from demons flying over to see and giants exploring the forest and river area. Along the way, she calls out to the fisherman. She advises this is Jacc'nin Tr'loos - "Old one" with no sight. This elderly elf, even old by elvish standards spends most of his time in the river fishing. His other senses easily make up for the lost sight. Veela whispers his eyes taken while captured by gnolls in hills to the West,\. The elf is old, whispers Veela way before the party's Mothers, mothers, mothers, great great great mother were born (except maybe Gothi) They think he may be over 800 years old, the young elf shrugs.

His scarred face old and wrinkled, the bald friendly old elf walks confidently without sight along with the group asking about news from Wayberry and the war.

The Sanctuary, formerly a family of 300+ folks living in tree houses as well as grottos along the river is now empty, a ghost town. Fallen into disrepair most have been boarded up. The massive tree has only one house in use by the three. The old and young elves take the party up to meet Veela's mother and leader of the sanctuary. Seral'asa, a tall copper elf, with long green and blonde hair tied in a long pony tail. Her Timeless beauty still makes her youthful, but the wisdom shines from violet eyes. She wears a dress made of living leaves weaved with leather armour. A vine covered bow in hand she looks sternly at the old and young elf allowing the sanctuary to be breached by unknown and potentially dangerous folk.

After some conversations, in the end she lowers her guard and relents looking happy to have visitors. She is especially interested to meet Gothi the Foreclaimer whom is a very distant relative of elf-kind.

The party rest and recover, taking a well appointed and furnished house near the river. Seral, is able to make poultices that heal the cursed wounds from the trapped box. All the party take meals and drinks, except Kantif at first and then he reluctantly accepts, his previous dealing with elves troubling him. Veela asks him innocently why but he curtly says, 'That is a long story'.

She replies, "I love long stories!" 

The rogue/monk changes the subject and Veela quickly loses interest.

It has been quite some time since the party were able to truly rest and recover. The healing salve, the delicious food and drink, the calm gurgling from the small river and far off sounds of the waterfalls, the sounds of animals, birds and more all bring a calm soothing rest to the party.

The party spend two days here, able to contact Skrit and get news of Dragonkeep. No sightings of
demons of Iuz, building continues in all areas, but very troubling news.. no word from Lukann at the flying tower. Skrit - and now Thogra as well - send multiple Sendings to the wizard, but no reply. 

The party decide to continue on with their hunt for relics to assist them in battling Iuz and the BlackRunes, The party is allowed to take some Spring water from the Grotto Mill'uo, which Seral' advises is similar to potent Holy water. Taking their leave from the Sanctuary and the three elves after agreeing to look up some friends in Wayberry - if they return there or even if the folk are in the destroyed city any longer. 

Tibaltuous and Gothi head up to find the two items stashed, it appears no one disturbed them. The bard then tries putting some of the Holy water into the blood filled brazier. It foams and bubbles out a black foam. covering the ground in all directions out to 20 feet or so. [DM: Think of a Coke bottle and Mentos] The party try again with more holy water - larger amount, and even more ground is blackened, all the plants killed and destroyed around, a black and red sludge all that remains. Tibaltuous had hoped the potent holy water may counter the blood but it seems the Brazier of blood is more powerful. The box is covered in this black and red sludge now as well. The bard, hunts a rabbit down and kills it with a single shot [DM: poor rabbit!], the bard using the dead rabbit to wipe down the box. It cleans most of the sludge off the box. 

The brazier once again strapped to his back again - trailing blood, they return to the path and rejoin the party. The bard places it on the wagon and then the trail of blood comes off that. The party then turn to the small metal coffin.

The party prepare.. as they have heard legends of vampires and the various ways to fight or defend against them. Most are ready with their holy water. After some interaction with this deep voiced 'creature' in the coffin locked from the inside, the party threaten to kill and destroy, and the creature relents to open the coffin as long as they don't kill him right away. As it creaks open, the party seen a white skinned, white haired boy looking up at them. 

The party confronts the creature and he - going by the name "Lars" is indeed undead and appears to be some type of vampire. It does not seem to be affected by the sunlight.  Holy water is thrown on him and he gags and coughs "Arggahh!" as it burns his skin. Gothi having tactically climbed a tree shoots an arrow - dipped in holy water - goes into Lars' shoulder! "Aaaah!" The arrow appears to do little or no damage but fire and holy damage do. Doc does Divine sense and confirms he is undead. Lars appeals to the group to let him go or maybe they can strike a deal.

Thogra says, "Hey maybe we can work with this guy." Tibaltuous looks incredulous at this, but it is pointed out the bard is carrying evil items.. Graxxuzazz casts detect evil on the creature but does not get any sense back of evil..  Kantif  using his eyeball of detect thoughts does not get any evil intent from the boy. Doc, Paladin of the Raven Queen, contemplates what would she want? Intelligent undead are normally a bane she destroys, but this boy.. does not appear to be evil.. or have evil intent?

After some tense negotiation, the party agree to take him along as a potential ally! Lars - he says - died as a boy probably a hundred years ago. Was last out of his coffin 50 years ago in a giant's stronghold where evil and dark magics were used to create undead by a necromancer giant. Lars had been taken there, but was a mistake or different from the other abominations created by the evil wizard. "I'm a thirteen year old boy!" Was the sarcastic lad's common sarcastic reply. He advises he has mage, rogue and some fighter skills. Doc asks for proof, "destroy that tree."  The boy weaves some power and a bead of energy shoots out, BOOM! The fireball engulfs the tree. The party agree - Tibaltuous still reluctant - to work with the vampire.. for now. The dry-witted young looking man joins the group. Doc recalls meeting an undead creature a dark and dreadful ghostly form in The Green which drained energy a similar way that killed Lars. [DM Blogpost]. Kantif uses detect thoughts again on Lars and it appears he is telling the truth on when he was privately tutored and learned his skills. The party do not ask about his full name, home or heritage. 

The tree continues to burn catching more trees and grass on fire... Gothi tries to put the flames out. Tibaltuous agrees to help Lars with a FULL resurrection spell, if he can be killed NOW. But then the party vetoes this to allow the thirteen year old boy to come long with them for now.. they have an Accord. "I will not betray you." Lars says. 

A healing spell is tried on Lars, and it does extensive damage. Grimacing the undead replies, "Don't do that again, thanks!"

They travel onwards. Getting closer to where Lady Cowl had advised where the temple to Hextor was located. A smoke trail is seen far off, South of the main road the Fellowship travel on. Gothi and Kantif sneak towards the smoke trail and fade into the shadows and foliage. The granite block stone road is no now old and disrepair, weeds and bushes growing up amongst the cracks and broken blocks. The two head along the old ruined road in the bushes and shadows along the left side, and then hear sounds ahead.

Yips and barks and a guttural language is head, neither understand. Gothi climbs a tree while Kantif moves forward to see tall 7 foot tall humanoids with jackal like heads. ahead. Appear to be guards? A larger group on one side call out in yips and barks to others on the other side.

Kantif and Gothi retreat to the party and Gothi signals to stop the wagon! The party discuss and start to come up with some plans to engage with these dog-like creatures...

Until next time..

The Giants & Special Delivery for the Fellowship

 7th of Reaping High Summer

The party had been stopped by a messenger. A box had appeared at the Overlord Romack's HQ depot. Addressed to the Fellowship - listing all their names. [except Tibatluous] Appears to be from the Black Runes and IUZ. 

A package [black wood - ebony -  no visible lid, lock or opening] had arrived with all the heroes' names on it, with a symbol imprinted on both sides, [top

and bottom]and a tassel hanging from a blood red wax seal. The symbol they know well.. Black Runes. The wax imprinted seal as well.. IUZ. The messenger a gnome riding a sweat covered pony, advises it arrived at the HQ depot.. Know one sure how or who dropped it off.

What to do with this...? The party starts to think about trying to open then hear the activity in the village.

Located currently at Lotenford, a small village by the river. The party are carefully watching as it appears 3 giants and Firegiant a even larger deformed hill giant..? and what may be a younger hill giant that is fully covered in skins and rags. They are throwing boulders, rocks, chunks of masonry at various buildings in the town. The party do not understand the language - perhaps some type of undercommon - but the three giants appear to be having some type of game or competition in smashing the houses with the missiles.

The party make plans and then start to move off. Kantif, goes invisible, silent and stealthy as a shadow moves up amongst the buildings. Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz skirt the buildings to the right hoping to perhaps put them giants in a crossfire with spells and more. Doc, Gothi and Thogra prepare. Gothi using her ranger skills, marks the firegiant preparing to take a deadly shot with her bow. Doc primes his musket and lines up on the firegiant just as the massive humanoid throws another chunk of masonry at what appears to have once been a stables. The missile pulverizes a wall with a large BOOM! CRASH! Timbers and walls cave in as the building slowly starts to collapse. It appears that one way to win this competition is to take out a building with one missile as the firegiant looks quite pleased with himself, making signs at the larger female giant. 

As Kantif is scuttling from cover to shadow, he hears a child's cry from a building ahead, appears to have once been a tavern. He stealthily moves up to investigate.

Meanwhile, the bard and sorcerer are making their way around the village, trying to be quiet and covert, even with the bard in platemail. The noise from the giants appears to make it easier for the two.

Thogra cracks a joke with Doc and Gothi now using Keen Eye - as they keep gun and bow trained on the giants waiting for the signal - Graxxuzazz's signature powered-up lightning bolt to crash into one or more of the giants.

Kantif moves into the former tavern and sees an older woman covered in dust and blood and child hiding in the back behind the bar. The rogue/monk shadowsteps up nearby and then quietly speaks to the two - invisible. Unfortunately this has the wrong effect on the two as the little girl shrieks in surprise and fear to the voice nearby - even though he was trying to talk in a comforting tone.

The firegiant appears to notice this and looks over at the tavern. 

Seeing this, Doc doesn't hesitate and the echoing shot of his musket booms out through the town. The shot goes true, and hits the giant in the back close to neck muscles. Gothi then looses her arrow as well
at the gunshot and Thogra grins and moves up fading into the shadows, muttering words to a his strange god SET.[DM: info]

Tibaltuous and Graxxuzazz hear the gunshot but were not in position yet so scramble to move forward. 

Battle ensues.

It appears the three giants are drunk as their aim and capabilities are off or sluggish. Doc does extensive damage [DM: dual NAT 20s] with his musket.

Graxxuzazz's lightning bolt double powered and wide cracks out to hit two of the giants doing

extensive damage to the two now smoking and burned. Tibaltuous charges up to the smoking and burnt giants. He lets off a faerie fire that envelops two of the giants. [DM: this single spell was key for the heroes attacks allowing advantage]

The giant's eyes turn black and energy wave washes over the bard but he is able to fight off the effects. The giant swings a massive club smashes the bard [DM golf shot] into a crumbling building. 

The smoking giant tries to affect Graxxuzazz with its evil gaze, but it does not affect the athletic and portly lizardfolk. 

Gothi's arrow goes deep into the firegiant's flesh between armour plates down to the feathers, doing massive damage. Her new cave bear friend - named Morsel - lunges forward to attack the giants as well.  Kantif uses his sneak attack and monkish abilities to glide in and deal bloody wounds and then

retreat out of range. Tibaltuous uses his bard skills, and finally flaming sword to cut and thrust into the smaller fomorian giant. Doc continues to shoot with his musket and pistol and hack away with his blade, blood flying in all directions  Graxxuzazz taps on his final power to let off more spells and blasts three giants with another lightning bolt. At one point the sorcerer floats in the river and pops up everyone round to cast a firebolt spell.

The party had not had time to rest since the battle for the CUBE and flight from Wayberry so all were low on spells abilities and more. [DM blogpost]

Thogra pulls out FLUFFY - a 3 headed skeletal hydra - and it starts attacking the firegiant as well as the rogue/priest backstabs one of the giants.

The giants continue to try to retaliate, doing extensive damage to the heroes but the party's skills at keeping them occupied from multiple directions and wearing them down with missile weapons, spells and attacks finally take all the giants down! 

All heroes of the Fellowship are covered in blood, sweat and more [blood hard to tell if their own or giants'] 

Breathing heavily, and bandaging wounds all take a moment at the silence.. then the sound of a bird in a tree nearby. The party rest and search the giants gathering some unique treasures.

The small metal long box that appears to be a coffin is in one bag of the firegiant. It appears to be

locked from the INSIDE. Trying to open, a guttural voice from inside tells them to go away. The party thinking this may be a vampire decide to NOT open as it was now dusk.

The party turn to the box from IUZ and the BlackRunes. Discussion back and forth on opening or NOT or just getting rid of..

In the end, the party decides - maybe not all - to OPEN the box. Tibaltuous cracks the wax seal and an

edge appears black light seeping out. Then it opens further and a black obsidian like skull is seen in a felt covered interior. 

WHUMP. Black energy ripples through everyone within thirty feet. Which hits the whole party. All the party fail a saving throw and look to be paralyzed - except Tibaltuous. Then a wave of destruction crashes over all. [DM rolls dice 100 hp. damage] The bard stumbling and bleary from the damage [1/2] throws the box as far as he can. 4 more waves of necromantic energy blast out from the box and skull. 

This 'gift' from IUZ and the BlackRunes could have killed the party.. the bard saved the party.

[DM: all party members appear to need to heal naturally1 HP per day or spell cast or 1 HP per Hit dice rested]. 

A large copper bowl continually seeping blood that appears to disintegrate living flesh it touches is found. All the party share a nightmare - appearing to be related to the blood bowl. All seem to drown in
blood. The party try to figure out how to keep it - but the nightmares.. 

Tibaltuous ties it to his back and the the bard now has a blood trail following him as he walks about.

The party rest.. again. 

What next for the Fellowship?