GoldRiver Inn & the Thieve's Guild of Enstad

 3rd of Reaping - High Summer

The Fellowship wake up at Azuul's Rest, the smell of burnt wood hanging in the air, but well rested and ready for taking on the many potential tasks for the day. Entering the main room which while cleaned up has two large holes in the wall. Dwynn - the barkeep sets a large meal out for the Fellowship, including eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, fresh bread, 

The BlackRunes appear to be focused on other priorities instead of following up on the bounty - 20,000 G.P. - which is strange to some.

The Fellowship get a daily update with great tidings from the BETA Crew, Sending spells from Skrit: 

Wayberry freed!

News has come that a small strike force of high level adventurers came FROM the Abyss through a portal it is said priests of IUZ created in the city.  through this portal to the Abyssal layer 692(one if a number of levels the cambion demigod has taken control of) these heroes led by a high level warrior priest of Tempus named Royce - THE same Lord and son of Overlord Romack who had been trapped there in a battle on the flying fortress.

Leading a party, including: Sark, High priest and avatar of Dionysus, Rory Dragonbane warrior/archmage and a master thief who goes by the name... Sleet.

A massive battle took place, and it is said the forces of IUZ were taken by surprise and many were destroyed, including a rumour of the leader killed or captured, one R’alaagishar Moondrake Yn’slyy

This news is a delight to the Fellowship, wondering if the verbal contract they had made with the demoin general was still in place. Graxxuzazz checks his bag of holding - the rod given to the Fellowship to teleport the group to the demon general once they secure the Heart of Enstad  has crumbled to dust!  The verbal agreement appears to be  null and void..? [DM: Blog Post]

Further news from Skrit:

No signs of demonic forces from west or north. Small numbers of refugees still are arriving and assisting joining the town. It seems that Dragonkeep has gained notoriety as a safe haven in the area! One potential issue is feeding the burgeoning town through coming winter. Welcome negotiations with the monks from the monastery nearby as well as the kobolds whom still work with Poet [DM BlogPost] and her allies the stone giant brothers. All are welcome to make Dragonkeep their home. 

 At this point more fields need to be planted. Obaz the druid will help Skrit in this area. As well Sir Raknell fallen paladin [Former Dragon Marshall] of St. Cuthbert has headed out on personal quests to regain his god's goodwill.

Rumours come that the BlackRunes have retreated East from the mountains. IUZ forces continue to move East as well as into the mountains.

• Pyra continues to scavenge and explore the mines, finding some interesting items and minor treasures with her kobold crew
• Valoran works with the town militia training and scouting the nearby areas as well as hunting for game
• Irakul works with the militia as well but takes time to discuss the demonic contract he will soon face supposedly one day. [Contract states Irakul and his next 7 generations of relatives' souls
  
  belong to the demon] There may be a way to get by this, learn the demon's true name.. or offer him something worth more than the souls.] Irakul mulls over giving his 8 generations of souls and NOT Irakul's! The lawyer looks surprised, but agrees that may be an option. Or the Shadow Lantern..
• Faust interested in researching in the tower power source, but with no library or the tower there, was for naught. The war-forged warlock then decides to try and contract his patron
• Vencer studies the the verbose and complex engineering tome
• Skrit is fully focused on rebuilding, planting and ensuring the town is ready as new refugees continue to show up
• Fighter's guild is 85% complete

The Fellowship return to their breakfast. Interest in checking out the black sludge that slowly oozes down the riverbed/canal in Enstad. Graxx decides to wait for the BlackRune messenger from the BlackRune administration branch. The rest of the party decide to head off to the GoldRiver Inn - the
gold greed taking them over to fill a box of holding with gold!

Kantif under disguised and persona of Odell Karr - merchant travelling with the Fellowship.

Tibaltuous creates a new ballad on Graxxuzazz name and titles. After trying it out with the Fellowship and Dwynn.. a work in progress. Doc searches for black power doe his weapons, but it appears the BlackRunes have taken ALL stores of it in town. Kantif visits Dreegle's Poisons and Sundries. The rogue/monk engages the draconic proprietor about acquiring poison as well as using Thieves' cant, after some back and forth [and buying a sleep elixir] it appears the Thieves' guild is based in the GoldRiver Inn! The guild it seems is a shell of it former self, the old shopkeeper advised Kantif - or Odell - the guild had or is allied to the BlackRunes, and reminding of the downfall of Enstad was due to the guild working with the BlackRunes a year past. The rogue takes his leave and rejoins the Fellowship while the bard continuers to practice his new song. Hearing of the guild and GoldRiver Inn, the party are pleased as they were planning to head there already.

The adventurers head out, all except Graxxuzazz and Thograa. A light drizzle coming down. Tibaltuous was interested in checking out the black sludge flowing down the canal. Coming to a bridge, they see a bridge over the canal. At the bridge is a BlackRune patrol. Waiting for them to move on, the party heads down and approach the sludge. The stench coming from the area is horrendous and nearly makes all gag and cough and eyes watering. It slowly - very slowly - moves. Gothi notes a orcish clawed hand slowly moving down the riverbed. Gothi holds her breath and moves up and pulls on the hand and out comes a partially skeletal arm and hand. There is a bracer on it, well made but coated in the sludge. Tibaltuous cleans it with prestidigitation on the bracer to clean it. There is a rune on it in orcish: Cloud.  Gothi's hand is stained black and even though she cleans it extensively, it appears to be stained black.. 

The party hear a voice from above and look up. A dwarf peers over the stone railing of the bridge. "Hey what're you doing down there?"

Tibaltuous yells back, "Your mother!" The Fellowship all laughs at this.

Growling, the dwarf hurls a smoking bottle at the party before anyone can react, it explodes as shards of metal cut through the group.

"How ya feeling now, Mother?" he continues to peer down at the group. The party prepare, and then a horn blast - which the party knows is an alert for the BR "enemies nearby".

Gothi goes invisible and leaps across the sludge and heads up to the road. Odell/Kantif moves up the stairs and on to the bridge. Tibaltuous casts invisibility on himself and Doc and jump across and move away.

Meanwhile, a BlackRune messenger arrives at Azzuul's Rest and meets up with Graxxuzazz. The message, the party have a window of time the next morning to use access the Teleportation circle at the BlackRune HQ!

The BlackRune raises a heavy crossbow and aims at the rogue as Kantif approaches him. The dwarf tells him to drop his weapons and gear. "Where'd your friends go? They are all gone! Put yer hands behind your head."

Kantif does this, trying to assuage the BlackRune but it appears he is not having any of it, waiting for patrols to arrive. Gothi behind the dwarf, moves on and heads down the street!

Doc and Tibaltuous come up the stairs - invisible -and decide to head to the inn. Tibaltuous sends a message to Kantif/Odell - "They are heading to the inn."

The patrol arrives and then decide to take the rogue/monk in for questioning as it appears the group the "merchant" was with is WELL known by the BlackRunes. They take his weapons and pack and interrogate him as a part bounty. Odell/Kantif is to be 'escorted' towards the BlackRunes HQ. Finally he casts darkness, the rogue decides to escape, using misty step he then goes invisible. The BlackRunes shout and fire crossbow bolts into the dark. Kantif tails the group and then as they cross the bridge he surprises them able to grab his pack and jumps off the canal rail. Two more patrols arrive both with robes BlackRunes both appear to cast spells. The rogue then moves to catch up to his fellowship, down a rapier and shortbow, as the BlackRunes shout in frustration and sound the horn again.

Meanwhile, the party arrives at the GoldRiver Inn. Doc recalls this was once a prosperous and busy locale, famous in Enstad. No longer, the place is rundown, one swinging door hanging half off its

hinges, windows broken. No one nearby, no noise coming from inside. The 3 adventurers approach and still invisible, head inside. The main room is dusty and empty except for a single human sitting at the only still standing table. A set of stairs heads up to bedrooms as well as behind the bar is an open door to a backroom. The heavily tattooed male, bald appears to be having some breakfast with tea and or coffee. Gothi, Doc and Tibaltuous sneak by into the backroom where Doc knows holds the double doors that go down to the river. There are some supplies there - new weapons - and then the double doors that are double chained and barred. Using his rogue skills, Tibaltuous is able to take care of three of the four locks. At this moment, the tattooed man walks in and picks up a box and takes it out to the main room. Then Doc using his strength of a giant to wrench open the 4th lock on one of the bars. With a bending cracking sound, the metal breaks and the lock is broken off.

There is a sound from the main room so the party hide, weapons ready. Doc on onside of the door to the main door and Gothi on the other. As the man looks in calls out, "Who's there!?" All three try to motion for him to be quiet. The man jumps back and runs away. The party come through the door and see the tattooed man 1/2 way up the stairs.

Doc calling out, "Freeze or I'll blow your legs off!" scattergun at the ready.

Hands up, "Whoa hey.. why ya tryin' to go down there! there's monster down there!" The tattooed man calls out. 

"There's the thieves guild down there and a river of gold." doc replies.

"There is no guild down there.." and then the man jumps up the stairs as quick as lightning.. Doc is faster and a massive boom as the scattergun goes off. The man's head is blasted to a fine red mist sprayed on the stair's wall.

Meanwhile, Gothi and Tibaltuous open the double doors and peer down a wide passage, cobblestones and walled it ramps downwards into the dark. 

Quote of the day: Gothi: "Are we not being bombastic?" as she was about to run down the passage. The two head down into the dark, Tibaltuous' flaming sword held aloft.

Doc awaits what he is assumes is either thieves or BlackRune patrols.

Doc is surprised by a hobbit at his back while a young girl comes in through the main door. Doc goes for his pistol while the hobbit jabs him in the neck, taking extensive damage, he trickshots and kills the hobbit with a single blast. Then turns and shoots the girl taking out her leg. She falls over unconscious.

The group then discuss and heal up the girl and realize the guild is mostly disbanded except for a few members - two dead by Doc. They let her go and she limps out into the street.

Kantif - now no longer in disguise arrives, heads up to the 2nd floor of the inn looking for signs of the guild, but fails to look for traps to his detriment as he stealthily moves into the halls between the rooms normally rents per night. After hitting a slashing blade trap, and taking extensive damage, he returns to Doc as Graxxuzazz with Thograa arrive and join up all four head down the passage.

All notice tiny tunnels or 1 foot holes at various heights on the walls and ceiling. The creatures, the party all recall these reptilian insectoids - except Tibaltuous - and how deadly they were before. Perhaps now the Fellowship is stronger and more skilled not a real threat...? 

Making their way down passages Doc, Kantif and Thograa remember they come to a large cavern with a winch hoist and platform to swing people across. Gothi using her Boots of spiderclimbing walks out to climb over to the winch but the the insectoids attack!

The Ranger defends and kills some, while a large group comes down the passage as well. Between Graxxuzazz' fireball, gunshots from Doc, Gothi tossing some into the depths as well as Kantif attacking with dagger and Thograa firing his crossbow the swarms are defeated and remaining reptoids retreat clicking and screeching in their strange language.

The Fellowship then traverse across the chasm using the lift. Moving on the party come to the crossroads. One passage heads down to the old dwarf city under Enstad. [DM BlogPost]  The other, leads to the GoldRiver.

The party head to the GoldRiver. They come down a familiar passage, and then a blast of heat washes over them, the river of gold! Ahead, a yellow light lights up the passage, and then they reach the doorway into a large cavern. Where the river of gold still flows... BlackRunes once again, working it. The hear is nearly unbearable - gold becomes molten at a high temperature.. and this room has a river of it!

BlackRune dwarves and workers appear to be taking buckets of gold and onto mining carts and then across a bridge. There is an area where it appears a camp is setup, a slight shimmer blurs the vision in that area. All the BlackRunes both guards and workers wear heavy blue metal armour as they work in the area -except some in the camp area do not, wearing normal clothing.

The Fellowship peek in and ponder on their next move..

Intrigue in Enstad

2nd of Reaping - High Summer

The meeting at BlackRunes HQ.

A bland long narrow room, windowless. Two doors facing each other. A row of chairs along the one wall facing the 2nd door flanked by 2 heavily armed BR dwarves. Wearing what appear to be ebony face-like black masks. After waiting for what feels like an eternity, about close to an hour.

Kantif mumbles to Doc and Graxxuzazz these primary unit guarding BR elite or HQs. Called the Centurion. Supposedly numbers only 100 at any given time.

Nearby are 3 large chests, appear to be well made, wood, iron bound. To move on, one of the 2 Centurions advises, bored, "Leave all weapons AND magic in the chest there, they will be safe." Pointing to the middle chest. Graxx mentions his Bag of holding, which one Centurion takes in hand, rather than putting in what appears to be a similar magical space in the chest.

Once the party divests themselves of magic and weapons, the Centurion holds up a small loop and appears to scan party [detect magic]. The dwarf nods to the other. The 2nd Centurion unlocks and open the door and a long hallway stretches out of view. Multiple doors on both left and right.

The 2nd Centurion motions and says "Follow me." Walking, they pass by probably over 30 small doors.

Coming up to another non-descript door on right, the Centurion opens without knocking or waiting. Motions party in.

The 3 adventurers see a small room, windowless - only the one door. A globe of light slightly greenish hangs above the small desk, a plain wooden chair is occupied, with two more small chairs facing. The occupied chair has what appears to be a BlackRune dwarf in black robes. An insignia on his chest - right side - of the BR emblem with a crossed quill and scepter. He has long black hair neatly and tightly pulled back in a pony tail. Dark brown eyes behind silver glasses with small round lenses stay focused on a large stack of papers with only the sound of his quill scratching across parchment.

Without looking up, his distracted voice says in a monotone:

"Have a seat citizens. I will be with you.. Soon".

The click of the door closing behind, the Centurion presumably heading back to the waiting room.

The dwarf ignores the party until finally finishing his writing, he carefully and neatly puts it aside. Now, giving full attention to the Fellowship, he states,

"Greetings, citizens. I am Lower-Sub-Commander 2nd grade Axibahn Creinteros Trentis." He emphasizes "2nd grade" as if with pride.

Taking up a quill, the dwarf pulls out a yellow card and dipping the quill, says, "Citizens, please provide name and place of origin." scribing down these details, if true or not, will set the card in front of him, noting each of the Fellowship - Graxxuzzazz goes through his LONG list of titles, and the dwarf appears to be able to note them all down! After a few more entries the dwarf looks satisfied, then once completed carefully puts quill down. Looks at the heroes with a raised eyebrow and says, "so what can the BlackRunes do for you today, citizens?"

The trio - at first seem interested in why they are called 'citizens', but quickly move on to the real reason to be there. After producing the BlackRune passes given to them by the Commander of the GreySkulls mercenary crew, ask to have access to the rumoured teleportation circle located in the former palace.

Requesting to see the passes, the dwarf looks skeptical. Studying them closely with a magnifying glass, takes out a small vial and opens it, letting a single drop of black liquid on the back of each copper inlaid pass. Waiting, he hums quietly to himself. He then looks at the passes again, with a sniff and with a somewhat dismissive gesture, places them before him. 

The minor bureaucrat in the BR Administrative Yellow Tier, LSC2 Trentis responds following BlackRune policy and rules to the LETTER. 

"These passes you were given? They ahem.. " - the LSC2 advises - "may be good in the field but in the BR-EHQ..? It is no better than a cup of salty water to a fisherman. In Wayberry they allowed access to 2nd tier. But here..". The dwarf shakes his head and continues, "they allow entry to the city but other than that, are worth little more than the copper created from." 

With a bland smile, the dwarf thumbs through a large stack of forms, pulling out a small bundle probably 15 pages of parchment attached with a black-ring in one corner. 

"You will be required to fill out - in triplicate - Form 19.x2.4.Delirn version, sections A through J. Ensure to NOT fill out 'K' or it will invalidate the whole application and you will have to start over."

Pushing the forms over to the Fellowship, the dwarf continues, 

"Once completed, return all 3 forms to BRHQ. Ask for a LSC3 [Lower Sub-Commander 3rd grade] who will take for processing. Expect a response within 5-10 days. We will find your at the Inn - Azuul's Rest?" Doc and Graxxuzazz agree to this.

"Now," standing up, the bureaucrat rings a small bell. "I have much work to do, is there anything else I can assist you with, Citizens?" he does not look very eager to help.

The Centurion opens the door and waits for party to exit and escort to waiting room to gather their belongings - which do appear to be all there.

The young bored human is still there. He starts as if coming out of a daze, at the Fellowship's entry and then sits back with a heavy sigh. 

The trio leave as they came meeting up with their friends later.

***

Meanwhile.. sitting in the Red Pumpkin Tavern. Tibaltuous and Gothi kick back and take a table with a good view

of the heavily guarded bridge over to the BlackRune HQ.

Tibaltuous looks around the room and spots what appear to be two humans, related, probably father and son. The bard puts the charm into high gear and after getting them a drink starts to inquire on latest events, 

"Pa, remember those 2 BlackRunes cuttin' down those trees?" The father looks at the son and with a wave of a hand hushes him, "Don't talk about that.." 

Tibaltuous uses charm and gold to 'persuade' the 2 to open up. It appears that the two workers are part of a crew working on building riverboats.

Gothi and Tibaltuous glance at each other. This is telling for Gothi who recalls the river dried up due to the BlackRunes taking the Heard of Enstad into the Sea of Dust - for some expedition going on there.

The older man continues, at least 10 riverboats are to be built. They are in a warehouse down below the former waterfalls at the  East end of Enstad [DM: Right of E on the Enstad map - large red building]

"The BlakRunes are cuttin' down all the remaining trees!" Quaffing his beer, the older man wipes the beer from his thick beard onto one sleeve of his work coat.

Tibaltuous asks if they are under duress.

The two grin, "Hah! This is good business for me. I am a riverboat man." Smiling at his son, not thinking the impact has on the former elvish capital.

There is no river though, the bard questions. 

The younger worker shrugs and says, "Them BlackRunes say there is going to be a river again."

Now this was interesting to the two. More to Gothi with her and the Fellowship's previous visit to Enstad. [DM: Blogpost] At that moment a group of three BlackRunes and head over to the barkeep. They question her.. Gothi and Tibaltuous catch a few words, "Party.. group.. 6.. Azzuul's Rest".

Tibaltuous quickly starts signing and bringing the small group of patrons into a well-known song, stomping feet and clapping fills the room. "We got to get out of here," he says at a moment break to Gothi while the chorus lines and crowd keeps the tune going. Then the bard comes up with a new plan..

Expertly weaving the song along, the bard and ranger join in appropriately until a opportune moment as even the three BlackRunes sing along. Tibaltuous calls out to the crowd using his bardic charm to weave into it: "Go

into the streets the BlackRunes are in cahoots with he undead!"

All head out and start calling out across the area, yelling and calling out. "BlackRunes are working with the undead!"

The ranger and bard note Doc, Kantif and Graxxuzazz coming back over the bridge as bemused guards listen to the townsfolk spreading the rumours.

Discussion on how to destroy the riverboats go on as the party moves as quickly and covertly as possible down to the final giant tree and Azzul's Rest. Once it is said part of the walls was from a ship either flying or sea borne. 2BlackRunes sit at the bar, 2 merchants look at the Fellowship enters then return to their conversation. 

Dwynn Swordhound  - an orc - is the barkeep comes over and asks if the bard will be performing, and the 1/2 elf affirms this asking for a round of drinks. Gothi asks for the most high alcohol content drink - whiskey or dwarven rum.

As the party takes a table Tibaltuous enthralls [again] the small group. Weaving the charm into his songs. The barkeep and one BlackRune and the 2 merchants are all charmed and some start dancing with the bard! Gothi goes to the bathroom and casts invisibility on herself. Then starts to acquire high end bottles [7] of alcohol while the barkeep is enthralled and dancing.

"Take to the streets my friends, spread love and cheer!" As the group troop out, he adds quietly to one of the merchants - "The BlackRunes are in league with the undead! Tell all." Tibaltuous and Gothi escort the troop out.

While the crowd pushes out, a human in a wide-brimmed hat and overcoat is trying to push in to the bar. Gothi, invisible still recognizes the human! [DM blogpost]

Vicen confronts the party. "You owe me."

Doc replies, "need us to teach ya another lesson, again?" 

Battle.

Vicen charms Doc to stop Graxxuzazz from attacking the bounty hunter. Vicen weaves a spell and tries to hold Graxxuzazz. Doc then grapples Graxx hampering the sorcerer.

Gothi meanwhile is yelling out, "the BlackRunes are in cahoots with the undead!", as they walk down the ramp with the enthralled patrons.

Vicen points a finger at the sorcerer and a beam of black energy engulfs the lizardfolk. [Disintegrate]

Graxxuzazz tries to cast a lightning bolt but Vicen counts this. Then the sorcerer casts it again! The bolt cracks through blasting a hole in the side of the bar! This gets Gothi's and Tibaltuous' attention. The remaining BlackRune fires a crossbow bolt at the bounty hunter but misses and jumps the bar and hides in the back room. Meanwhile, Graxx, very injured moves into the back room hiding with the BlackRune as well.

A fireball blows out the backroom crisping the BlackRune as well as burning Graxx more.

By this time, Gothi dimension doors into the middle of the room with Tibaltuous right behind him, while Doc is now being held with a dagger to his throat by Vicen. Trying to bargain, the bountyhunter tells the group to stop.
Making an incredible maneuver,  the gunslinger pulls his gun and is able to trick-shot the blade out of the surprised bounty hunters hands. Then the raging 1/2 orc pumps 3 more shots into Vicen's gut. Graxxuzazz casts Destructive wave and does heavy damage on the bountyhunter. Tibaltuous tries to cast hold person but it appears to not affect him. Gothi fires her bow doing heavy damage more to bounty hunter. 

"I'll get you next time!" Screeching in rage then casts dimension door disappears into the glowing door.

After the dust of battle clears, the bar and backroom are on fire, a gaping hole in the wall and windows shattered and blown out. Graxx recovers the BlackRune - dead.

Gothi and Tibaltuous exit as people race to assist with putting the fires out. BlackRunes question the remaining party.

The BlackRunes courier arrives and takes the multi-pages form - for access to the teleportation circle. The party is able to rest and heal up. BlackRune spellcaster casts create water and douses the flames. The party are given a room for the night for free for appearing to try and save the inn.

During the night, Gothi and Tibaltuous venture to go spy out the warehouse where the riverboats are apparently being built. They move through the undead areas and encounter undead whom appear to - again - be able to see the two even if hidden due to the yellow glimmer.

Gothi is able to stealthily climb up onto the heavily guarded warehouse. moving some roof tiles out of the way she sees a large inner space, with canals and riverboats being build and loaded. A large chamber or hole in the centre of the area has a blue glow and throbbing come from it. The ranger is not sure what this could be.

Returning successfully from their stealthy exploration, the party come up with plans to destroy the warehouse, destroy all the riverboats, then thinking more on this realize that perhaps Robin and his undead army could well be all that holds back IUZ if the BlackRunes are leaving. So maybe it would be best to allow them BlackRunes to leave. Let Robin confront the forces of IUZ.. and the Fellowship deal with their other tasks, questions and problems.

At this time a sending comes in from Skrit in Dragonkeep town. The Flying tower is gone! It was seen flying South in Ulek by 3 refugees whom made it to the mountain town. Skrit tried to cast sending and messages to Lukan, but it appears the wizard is either using the tower's scrying block in place, or is dead.. who knows. Perhaps the demon general went back on his word and now controls the tower?! More sleuthing on this is needed, but the Fellowship don't have the skills..

Doc heads to his room after getting a nice bottle of wine. A hand grabs him around the throat with a blade in his back. "Ahh no going for the sidearm there, my friend Sigmund.." Says a gruff voice in his
ear. "you know how much you all are worth in bounty? Twenty Thousand gold!" 

Turning the gunslinger around with a laugh, he sees as old friend - Thograa! the 1/2 orc rogue/cleric [?] was able to escape from Wayberry far to the West. Hearing of the groups exploits and more the 1/2 orc was able to finally catch up to his old friends!

So the party have some decisions to make, one appears to still explore the warehouse - blue glow amongst other options and goals debating late into the early morning:

• Tibaltuous bounty for drow - Locations Fax or Nulb?
• Flying tower situation. Last seen flying south in former Duchy demons in control? Or.. Lukan?
• Contract for flying tower for Heart. Not relevant now or...?
• Request from Greyskulls commander and mate- save son in Fax?
• Elves in Bright desert east across sea in Bright desert (Doc personal potential quest)?
• Graxxuzzaz circus (potential personal quest)?
• Doctor in Fax - potential contact ally against BlackRunes?
• Robin's undead army - stop, leave, or..?
• Enstad, appears BR are planning to leave and use Heart of Enstad to 'restart' the river flow East. Destroy or not the riverboats.
• Portal to Sea of Dust (BR expidition) look into or not?
• Check warehouse where riverboats are being built. Blue glow from large hole in centre?

Beta crew

• Dragonkeep possible Demonic invasion?
• Irakul's Demonic contract - soon..

A Fallen Angel & the Fellowship returns to Enstad

 

2nd of Reaping High Summer

Tibaltuous raises the drow in the grip of the telekinesis spell. 5' then 10' closer but then a figure looms through the doorway as the purple haze deepens. The figure seems to be to big for the doorway and it the portal seems to bulge apart to let the creature through. Half skeletal and half white skinned with torn and ragged wings, the woman is over 8 feet tall (?) or.. yes. one of the fallen angels from the room with 4 statues, looks up at the drow in fury and then at the party at the top of the stairs. The lips on one side of her face pull back from her sharp teeth in either fury or a grin, it is hard to tell, with the other half of her golden skeletal form.

Tibaltuous calls out as he wiggles his one hand - shaking the drow in mid-air, "Is this yours?"

She grips the hilt of a long sword at her waist. Through clenched teeth, she says, "I am Sariell. Stop! He is mine."

The Fellowship quickly confer on options with their new ally whom was hunting this 'evil' drow necromancer. 

Tibaltuous advises:

Bounty - if returned:

• 4000 gold alive
• 2000 gold dead [able to be raised]
• 1000 gold dead [not able to be raised]

Client: Countess Selirra D'vorass. She or her agent can be reached in either Nulb (tavern: owner Gubinst) or Fax (Candlemaker in Sails district. Only one. Proprietor unknown). The bounty hunter did a little background search. The Countess has a fleet of merchant ships as well as caravan business. 

The bounty has an item which will - if recovered intact - add 2000gp to bounty.

• Item: set of 3 plain green leather bound tomes. Large burn mark on front disfiguring what appears to be a tree icon on 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Part of the discussion is on the fallen angels, but the party cannot recall details. They also after discussion with the Sariell realize they are in a different dimension - it appears also to be under her control.

The bard starts, "I have your smelly drow.. shall we negotiate.." The first part of the bargain was allowing the Fellowship to return to Oerth. 

Crellinos, pleads with the party to take him with them as it appears he was no longer in control.. After further discussion and heavy persuasion [ by Graxxuzazz with inspiration from Tibaltuous ] 

..an accord appears to be reached but at that moment, Crellinos breaks free from the spell. Dropping to the ground the drow starts casting a spell.

"By Orcus' balls!" the fallen angel growls. Taking hold of the drow by his neck, cutting off the spell in progress.

Confirming the drow would NEVER leave this plane of existence, his torture would be eternal, Tibaltuous asks for a small piece of him. Scornfully, Sariell rips off one of the drow's ears as he shrieks in pain. The angel drops a satchel in front of the party. Tossing the bloody ear to the bard, She looks at the party, "You have 10 of your minutes to leave.. or you will stay here.. as well."

"Save me Kiaransalee!" The drow screams as the portal shuts.. leaving the party on the stairs, the purple glow still pulsing around them all..

Kiaransalee the party recalls is a drow demi-goddess. So it appears the drow was not a worshipper of Lolth. The party then quickly head out of the fallen angel's plane, calling the mantra "Praise the Fallen" as they move through the trapped rooms of the temple. 

The room with 4 statues of the fallen angels, Grax is able to magehand the medallion - a black circle of pure black nothingness off one of the statues. The statue that looked like Sariell the fallen angel has what appear to be tears of blood from one eye. Tibaltuous takes a cloth and dabs some taking the blood of a fallen angel.

As the party heads up the ramp, the purple light is starting to fade. The ramp appears to be filling up with old theatrical props and more which is difficult to navigate, they finally make it out into the dark shadowy haze of the undead lands around the city of Enstad.

The group decides to check the satchel and medallion. Graxxuzazz opens the satchel which has clasps of entwined roses. They find three tomes - the 2nd part of Tibaltuous' bounty is.

Striking out towards the BlackRune controlled city, the party make good time. Heading down a wide path with ruined and burnt

trees on both sides, the party hears sounds of talking ahead. Kantif and Gothi stealth up to investigate. What appears to be a burnt out campfire are 2 zombies and a skeleton. 

Moving up the rogue/monk hides behind some old boxes while Gothi spiderclimbs up the side of a building nearby.

The 3 undead are talking about BlackRunes, as the party listens. It appears from the discussion the BlackRunes are trying to take the areas back from the undead.

The skeleton then peers over at Kantif and Gothi saying, "Maybe those persons can tell us more.." 

The three wait, with Kantif and Gothi looking at each other, perplexed, thinking they had hidden VERY successfully. [DM: the two rolled over 35+ for stealth, but still were seen.. strange. DM reminds the party all the party and Tibaltuous as well have a yellow glimmer around them.. the heroes start to ponder this]

"Come over to our campfire, maybe you can tell us the latest news." The skeleton calls out. 

Kantif walks over to the three around the non-existent campfire.

"How's your guys day going?" Graxxuzazz calls out walking up.

The skeleton calls back, "It's going pretty good, how about you?" 

The sorcerer keeps talking easily to the three, asking about taverns and inns nearby.

"Uhh.. lot of burnt buildings around.. but maybe an intact one..' the skeleton ponders, "the OakSong Tavern is still there.. maybe that will suit you.. but no one lives there like you all." He motions to the NOT undead heroes.

Doc Holliday walks up, one hand at his holstered pistol. "No offense, Mister," the gunslinger/paladin addresses the skeleton, "But you seem mighty well put together for a skeleton."

The skeleton replies, "Well thank you!"

Doc asks, "Any idea that might be?"

The skeleton nods, "Yes, ever since we saw the Light!" 

The heroes are unsure if he is joking or serious with the lipless teeth smiling(?) back.

Graxx asks about a former party member - Robin Hood the Aarakocra. [DM: blog entry], if any one had heard of him.

The skeleton replied, "Very well!"

It appears that Robin Hood now ruled over the undead surrounding the city of Enstad! A warlock follower of Orcus, Robin had the undead at war with the BlackRunes, but recently an uneasy truce was in place that seems to be broken on both sides at times.. 

"Do you want to meet him?" the skeleton asks, then, "what's yer name."

Graxxuzazz goes through his LONG list of titles.

The skeleton looks at the 2 zombies and back at the portly - but athletic lizardfolk. The skeleton appears to be laughing.

The sorcerer tries to persuade the skeleton to divulge where Robin is located but it appears there is some mental block to allow only say or do some things. 

Do you know where he is maybe.. generally?" The sorcerer asks.

The skeleton looks up into the gloom.. in the trees or.. higher...?

Doc looks to be holding back, barely, to not kill the undead. The sorcerer meantime asking one more time how to meet or speak with Robin, the skeleton responds, "Come out to our area West of the GoldRiver Inn. Call out to Lieutenant Channg - a former BlackRune commander."

Gothi asks about the yellow glimmer around the party but not around the undead. The three don't know about the glimmer, except it makes not undead easy to see.. hence noting Kantif and Gothi earlier.

 The skeleton is asked about his profession and if he would like to do more. "I used to be a smith. Now.. I am just a skeleton. The before the Light, was I only had urges to kill.. you. Now I have no urge to kill you, it is as if you are like me."

Doc still is very troubled, it appears the paladin is torn between killing the three undead or not.

"Do you enjoy being undead?" Graxx asks

Pondering... "I enjoy being.. not dead!" The skeleton replies.

"Maybe an archer. zombie archer or skeleton archer. 

The skeleton replies, "Maybe but Robin is the best archer ever!" 

At this point tramping boots can be heard coming down a side road. The party says their goodbyes and head up the side street towards the sounds of boots. Gothi lights up the campfire with flaming arrows from her bow. This surprise the 3 undead but they are happy to have a lit campfire! Graxx gives them a tinderbox.

Two hooded figures come into the light of Tibaltuous' flaming sword. Two dwarves - BlackRunes. They are not glowing like the party.

Speaking to the two Doc and Tibaltuous intimidate the two asking about why they are not glowing. Gun ready and flaming sword aloft.

One BlackRune says, "Whoa hey.. all good here.. don't drink the water."

"I only drink ale, no water in ale." The other says with a grin.

Tibaltuous chuckles at the comment.

The first dwarf then says "We've got the Blessing of the BlackRunes."

The one advises he is, Sergeant Wymind, as the party tells him the names of each as he writes them down. They ask about the Blessing of the BlackRunes but the dwarves decline to answer with a grin.

The party make it to the still intact tavern. Resting and recuperating, the party secure the tavern finding some supplies, searching the cellar some fine wine and ales are found. 

The three books are examined, the first two appears to be a history of Orcus, which Tibaltuous reads OUT loud to the group as they rest in the tavern. All try to ignore this!

Drow demi-goddess and prime enemy of Orcus: Kiaransalee. 

However, shortly after his divine ascension, Orcus was slain by the drow demi-goddess Kiaransalee, who took over rulership of Orcus' layer of the Abyss and locked his wand away in the last layer of Pandemonium. Kiaransalee decreed that Orcus's name be erased from all existence.

Orcus was able to escape when a group of treasure hunting adventurous heroes broke the seal holding him.

8 of the 13 fallen angels were captured right away and doubtless endure eternal torment under Orcus except 4....

Gothi heads out and retraces her steps to where the 3 undead and 2 BlackRunes were left. 1 dwarf - not the sergeant is sitting with 1 zombie. The ranger goes up, and asks the two where the others are. Following their tracks, she comes to a partially burnt oak tree. A building about 30 feet up still looks to be intact. Using her tracking she confirms the 3 went up here. Gothi then hears some voices arguing. It appears it was a small shop. 

As Gothi spiderclimbs up the side of the tree and as she is doing this the zombie is pushed through a broken window and a long blade then is shoved into its body and it falls passed her to crash into the ground - at first not moving then slowly stirs. Still undead!

A scuffle is heard continuing inside! The ranger kicks in the 1/2 broken door to see the skeleton battling Sergeant Wymind.

The sergeant calls out to Gothi, "They attacked me! Get 'em!"

Gothi not believing "What's going on in here!" Hefting a dagger in one hand.

"None of yer business. Leave now!" the dwarf growls.

The dwarf holds up his sword and says again, "Nothing to do with you, I got some side business." 

The skeleton is on the other side of a table, where sits a scroll and bag, he slowly moves back and then turns and runs, Gothi backs up and that point the dwarf goes to close the door. Gothi throws a dagger but it goes over the dwarf's shoulder. as the door is slammed shut.

Gothi then jumps through a broken window and looses an arrow at the Sergeant, catching him in one shoulder as the dwarf is lunging forward the 2nd arrow catches him in the neck, falling dead.

Gothi searches quickly acquiring some gold and gems.

It appears the skeleton has taken the scroll and bag.

Using her excellent tracking skills she is able to track and catch up to the skeleton. The skeleton is facing a group of fives skeletons. All five are armed with swords. As Gothi moves up all 6 turn and say go away. 

"What you are doing is breaking the law." Gothi calls out.

"What law is out here? The skeleton asks defiantly.

Gothi.. pauses holds up her bow and says, "ME." Casting Conjure Barrage. Needless to say, all the skeletons are killed except one which flees into the gloom. 

Gothi recovers the bag and then returns to the tavern, Inside the bag are three vials and a scroll tube with the wax seal of the BlackRunes.

It reads - in dwarvish: 

Overlord Robin,

The agreement is that you will have the city. Hold your forces. 

X..

The party confer and talk about ways to re-write a new letter, cut out different letter modifications and use mending spell. The 3 vials are potions of Cause Serious Wounds. [one has to ingest them to have an effect]. Trying to decide if to do nothing, betray, assist or attack Robin, and even backstab the BlackRunes.. 

Kantif uses his Golden Scarab - finds treasure - which finds a very old but expensive bottle of wine - worth 100GP.

Grax tries to use Teleportation circle to reach the portal located in Enstad at the former palace, now the BlackRunes HQ. It appears there is a block on both the circle here as well as the one in Greyhawk. Seemingly as the two factions are at war, neither not want units coming through each! Perhaps if they are at the actual gate in the HQ..

Finishing their rest the party then treks to the walls of the city still controlled by the BlackRunes. A heavily guarded gate is passed through, the party some with BlackRune passes while Tibaltuous and Gothi decline to pay gold and get bounties of undead instead!

Now finally back in Enstad, the Fellowship look around. The former jewel of the Elvish lands is now mostly a black and charred dead zone of towering burnt trees. Swirling clouds and whirlwinds of the black caustic soot  funnel down former once majestic lanes and roads. Where once musical birds and the sounds of nature were prevalent, now only the forlorn echoes of death, moaning or the cries or calls of a murder of crows are heard. 

The river of Enstad once splendid canals that were filled with fish and a large variety of aquatic life is now empty except for what appears to be a  black sludge flow that slowly oozes its way down the canals bottom riverbed into the wilds around the charred and destroyed city. bones and 1/2 eaten corpses of animals ad humanoids periodically burble up to the top of the slow river of muck. 

Some areas still bustle with life, mainly units of BlackRunes and some refugees and and mercenaries are seen as well.

Making their way to the BlackRunes headquarters - [DM: #9], the BlackRune pass once again allows the Fellowship to pass, except for Gothi and Tibaltuous whom do not have valuable credential. Meanwhile, Gothi and Tibaltuous find a small tavern - The Red Pumpkin - nearby that the bard had performed about a week past. find a table that can see the bridge over to the HQ, the ranger and bard relax.

Making it into the headquarters, the other 3 party members are led by heavily armed BlackRune guards to a waiting room where a young dark skinned human male in fitted red leathers sits bored feet crossed. He looks up expectantly for a moment as Grax, Doc and Kantif enter, then realizing they are not whom he is waiting for, sits back sighing.

The windowless room has a number of uncomfortable chairs, all along one wall facing a 2nd door flanked by two motionless BlackRune guards. 

There.. the party waits.. and waits......

Until next time.

The Thespian, the Bounty and the Fallen Angel

2nd of Reaping, High Summer

Out in the dark depths of the undead infested areas of former great elvish city of Enstad, the RedWater Fellowship come upon an theatre. 

Up above, the Fellowship call back and forth to each other, questioning if they are going to help the living thespian. The undead audience seems to ignore this, focusing on the man. The man though seems to include the flyers IN the story and it seems adding the rescue as part of the ongoing play, seamlessly.

The story continues about a servant of great evil in the theatre, as the bard continues to walk around.

The Fellowship's view from flight:

A gazebo at each end where undead musicians appear to playing..

A ruined temple..

Appear to be two dwarf skeletons controlling lights on the storyteller. But upon closer examination are willow wisps.

As the party decide on strategy, a small figure child-size jumps up on to the platform with the 1/2 elf man and exclaims, "This is a strange story!"

All the undead stop looking at the 1/2 elf and chant: "Darling.. Darling.. Darling..!"

The Jester (?) holds up a scepter or rod and the undead immediately quiet. "Hello my friends!" Holding out both arms one towards the 1/2 elf and one pointing up above towards the circling flyers.

"I think we have new players in our theater!" All the undead IN unison look up at the heroes flying around.

"Are you going to join us?!" Calls out the strange figure that seems to be called Darling. It's eyes, empty sockets. "Join this great travelling circus! No.. this is a theatre company!.. or are you with a circus?" Darling looks at the 1/2 elf expectantly.

The ragged and hoarse man's strong voice, slightly ragged on the edges, but seems to know his craft. Now having performed near15 hours straight.

Doc - riding on Graxxuzaz - in wyvern form - jumps off as the wyvern comes in low and then flies off again.

The Thespian, not missing a beat, continues the story asking "Should the heroes fight or heroes flee", posting the question to the audience. As Doc lands, Darling sees the gunslinger/paladin. The jester appears to unfold birdlike legs and goes from 3 feet to to 8 feet tall.. his bones

Meanwhile, Kantif slow falls up on the back area near the dwarves controlling the 2 beams of light - willow wisps. Gothi circles on his griffon mount, bow nocked and ready while Graxxuzazz flies backup to continue circling, all ready to attack if needed.

We have a new player my friends!" With a flourish to Doc, "What is your name?"

"I'm Your Huckleberry", drawls the gunslinger.

"I'm-yourhuckleberry!" Darling calls out, the audience cheers and claps; and then the jester steps back out of the glimmering light of the willow wisps. Darling folds him self back down creaking and cracking to 3 feet tall and melds into the shadows. Both the 1/2 elf and Doc can feel life energy seep towards the willow wisps barely but still noticeable.

Doc and the orator - named Tibaltuous a bard/bounty hunter had moments to speak to each other as they continue to perform. Doc even does some trick shots to the "oohs" and "aahs" of the crowd. The bounty hunter seems to be tracking a bounty from Verbobonc in in the Kron hills to the North down to the area of the Temple of Elemental Evil, and the Moat house near Hommlet [DM: More Info]. The bounty a male drow elf by the name Crellinos B'Threersar.

Tibaltuou had tracked him from the Moat House near Hommlet. Not sure if he was trying to rebuild there or just looking for artifacts. Does know he appears to be a worshipper of Lolth. An abandoned grisly sacrificial scene in the complex to Her, the Queen of Spiders led South.. to Enstad..

From tracking him, talking with passerby’s whom interacted with him, seeing his camp and the sacrificial scene at the Moat house was able deduce:

• Older male drow
• Walks with a limp (right leg)
• Clothing nondescript, blacks and greys.
• Carries no visible weapons other than a walking cane (fancy has a glass handle of some creature head?)
• Appears to be a necromancer but seems to worship heavily at all campsites to Lloth (these clues are minimal as he covers up but Tibaltuous' skills as a bounty hunter found)
• Scarred face, hair in tight braids down back normally. Stays hooded mostly. Tall at 6 & and 1/2 feet or so

The bounty hunter's current predicament is due to tracking the drow into the undead infested part of city. Is Crellinos looking for something.. someone.. or..?

Client: Countess Selirra D'vorass. She or her agent can be reached in either Nulb (tavern: owner Gubinst) or Fax (Candlemaker in Sails district. Only one. Proprietor unknown). Little background search. The Countess has a fleet of merchant ships as well as caravan business. 

 The party notice after Tibaltuous advises a yellow glimmer - only noticeable at the corner of the eye on the party and bounty hunter. 

Graxx flies down and lands, changing into his portly - but athletic - lizardfolk. Graxxuzazz bows low, takes off his hat and spouts off his long - very long - list of titles. This gives Tibaltuous and Doc a good minute or so to discuss options as the bounty hunter wants to follow the drow into a door at the right of

the platform rather than fly away. Doc agrees and with hand signals advises the party.

The group note as the play continues a bar and barkeep in the stands does steady business for the audience, all enjoying drinks except the skeletons whom drink and it unfortunately pours down over their bones onto the ground. The sorcerer casts prestidigitation to fire off sparks at the end of the titles.

Doc notes where Darling is leaning against.. nothing in the shadows? The jester seems to be quite happy as the audience is with the performance so far. Doc continues the story 'about taking the shot..'. Then Tibaltuous weaves it further about how he took the shot, using his bardic ability to allow the adventurers to move quickly as well as some temporary health. At this point, Doc pulls out his rifle - Blessed News and whirls around to shoot at Darling!

Battle is begun.

Gothi fires her bow and continues to take out multiple audience members, skeletons and zombies mainly.

Kantif sneak attacks one of the dwarves and the skeleton crumples under the attack. The second dwarf turns to face the rogue/monk, which takes their control off the two lantern beams off the willow wisps, one floating up and the other hovering nearby. 

It appears the undead audience reacts to the battle as part of the performance. Clapping cheering and more comes from the shadowy stands.

Tibaltuous weaves a spell into his speaking faerie fire which lights up a good section.

Graxxuzazz lets off a fireball in the stands - the VIP section - which blasts most destroying many ,except one figure, hooded and cloaked, glowing with the faerie fire The stand now on fire gives some glimmering light for the heroes to continue battle. 

Darling, crying and sniffs, "This wasn't part of the play!" breaths a black mist on Doc and Tibaltuous  which is detrimental to them then leaps away OVER the stands and out of sight.

A strange spell hits Tibaltuous and Graxx which sucks 1/2 their health.

Battle continues until the hooded figure is destroyed. The audience even as they fall to attacks melee and missile continue to just clap and cheer as if all of this was part of the play! Jawbone - still in wyvern form - picks up skeletons and zombies from the stands dropping them from on high to crumple and explode on the ground.

Darling peaks around the corner "You're fired!" and then disappears into the gloom his tittering laughter heard fading away into the gloom.

"You're fired!" Yells Doc in reply.

The undead cloaked figure appearing to be a mummy or skeleton of some type is defeated finally - at least the ones battling, the rest of the undead see the play is over start to file and leave the stands, cheers and random clapping still once in a while.

The battle is complete and the Fellowship make formal introductions to the bard/bounty hunter - Tibaltuous.

Not taking too much time except to heal and rest - as well as search for some loot, the party decide to assist the bounty hunter in his hunt for the drow.

Heading through the door, there appear to be some old theatrical items, boxes, props and ragged poles and more. A purple glow emanates from the ramp heading downwards.

At the bottom of a ramp is a circular room where frescoes of what appear to be fallen angels in the Abyss.

This is quite strange.. for the back rooms of a theatre?? The area appears more to be a temple or other complex for these fallen angels?

The party moves forward, encountering traps, statues of what appear to be fallen angels and even  a room with a pool with a strange black liquid creature[DM: which permanently (?) drains hit points]

Moving forward now some of the party have robes and what appear to be sacrificial daggers. A phrase "All hail the Fallen"

Moving forward they come upon a stairway down and at that moment, a drow - the BOUNTY - comes through a door a wild look on his face. 

Before anyone can do anything, Tibaltuous whips out a scroll and casts Telekinesis on Crellinos!

Catching the his bounty by surprise, Tibaltuous starts to raise drow through the air. Crellinos cries out, appears wounded and tired. "No! You will destroy all of us! I cannot.. control.."

At that moment through the partially open door a PRESCENCE is felt not seen.. but felt.. coming closer.. by all. 

Until next time..