Wandered Roads 48

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 48
April 4, 2018

Campaign Timeline

The Runelord's Last Stand

Oathday 11th of Neth

Crispy Dwarf Platter

The Heroes of Sandpoint, minus Ehlyna quickly vanquish the remaining Sinspawn and regroup. Oriana is disheartened to find out that the other chained woman, a Grey Maiden, is long deceased. Her body strangely scarred and dried out, almost brittle to the touch. She is released and laid on the floor, covered by a silk sheet.

Realizing that they have no way of knowing where Ehlyan and the Runelord vanished to, they turn to Oriana for help. She admits that she has been no further than this chamber though states that the Runelord would often retreat “above,” as she referred to it. She knows that one of the snake mosaics in the chamber magically teleports anyone who stands on it to the great hall below, where the illusionary masquerade ball had been taking place. She is unsure where the other one leads, though surmises that it very well may go to the Runelord’s private sanctuary.

Following her logic as sound, Daellin promptly hops onto the teleporter and disappears. The rest follow. Oriana joins them as well, after depositing her deranged and unconscious Grey Maiden on the bed.

Immediately upon arriving in a new chamber, they discover Ehlyna, slumped on the floor, several broken potions laying around her. She is horribly burnt mass of armor and flesh and unmoving. A quick check shows that she is alive, but only barely. She is healed quickly and, in a daze, she recounts her brief encounter with the Runelord and the trapped spellbooks.

With Ehlyna tended to the group looks around the room. The Heroes, along with newcomer mage Alistar and the Grey Maiden leader Oriana, find themselves in a strange, organic feeling room of pinkish, sweaty clay walls embedded colored crystal and a floor that resembles cracked, reddish mud. The sound of deep, labored breathing can be heard, emanating from the walls themselves. Shelves line the room and several piles of what appears to be adventuring gear and loot sit on the ground. A pile of indiscernible charred ashes sits at the center of a large scorch mark on the floor near three ancient tomes sitting on a low table. Ehlyna explains that this is where she accidentally triggered the flame trap.

The gear is gathered up and Daellin, never in fear of a teleporter, steps on the snake mosaic located in the entry niche and finds himself back in the Runelords bedchamber. Everyone makes their way back as well and they begin plotting on how to regroup, find and defeat the Runelord in order to gain control of her Shard. Daellin suggests that if it is not possible to retrieve the Shard, they should retreat to Magnimar and reassess the entire endeavour.

Before plans can be fully made though, a loud but low grinding sound fills the air and the entire chamber seems to vibrate. Oriana draws her flaming sword and announces that the sound indicates someone below activating the transporter to this chamber. Everyone quickly arranges themselves to engage an approaching foe.

Let’s Finish This

Instead of Runelord Sorshen appearing through, two Babau Demons and two Lemure Devils appear. The Lemure appear to be momentarily stunned but the Babau spring into action, attempting to summon more of their kind. As the melee is joined, the Babau use their teleporting and darkness to great use, moving about the area and blinding and isolating combatants. After a few moments, Runelord Sorshen appears in the far corner of the room and enter the fray, sending fireballs all around the room. She briefly paralyzes Daellin and continues to be supernaturally agile, dodging all attacks. She laughs and taunts the group, allowing herself to be surrounded before flying to the other side of the room.

Finally, Alistar uses his magic to dispel one of her magical protections and it is enough for Calina to get some good hits in with her bow, taking the Runelord down. She is then beaten down some more and finished off by Oriana with a flaming sword stroke beheading her. As she dies, the Runelord morphs into a different form, that of a still beautiful woman, but horned and winged. A succubi, by the look of it. After a short while, the remaining Babau are dispatched, though they put up a good fight, proving to be capable opponents. Their gear is confiscated and the group retreats to the sanctuary room for some rest. It is confirmed that the Runelord/ Succubus is in possession of the sought after Rune Shard, and in an unforeseen twist, Kallin somehow ends up in possession of the Rune of Lust.

Once in the sanctuary, Orianna breaks down, completely unhinged and ends up crying herself to sleep. Daellin uses the teleporters and returns below to the bedchamber and gathers up all the pillows and sheets he can carry to make the rest more comfortable. Alistar immediately sets at getting the spell books identified. Kallin begins leering at and making inappropriate advances on everyone, and several times tries to snuggle up with either of the two sleeping Grey Maidens. Fortunately, he is easily redirected by his companions and his newly developed cravings are quashed.

Session Pics

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Alistar Gavin Lourdis, Human Mageknight- played by Don K
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - currently played by Malcolm G
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder

and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Wandered Roads 47.5

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 47.5
March 27-31, 2018

Campaign Timeline

Ehlyna and the Runelord, Alone at Last

Oathday 11th of Neth

No one runs from Ehlyna!

Ehlyna follows the fleeing Runelord through the magical portal with no idea where it could go. She finds herself in a small alcove in a larger room that she can only see a small portion of. The Runelord is not immediately visible. The  walls  of this  oddly  shaped  room  appear  strangely  molded, their  surfaces  like  sweaty  pink  clay  infused  with  bits  of glittering crystal.  The  floor  looks  like  dry,  cracked  mud  dark  red  in  color, and  the  ceiling  arches  only  eight  feet  overhead. Ehlyna shakes of the disorientation of the teleportation and considers her next move, opting to move further into the room looking for the Runelord.

Ehlyna comes around the corner and sees the Runelord across the room near the far wall. Ehlyna knows that with the Haste magic cast upon her by the Elf, she can reach the Runelord in just a moment. As she move, she takes a little more notice of the room around her. The space is filled with a strange sound of what sounds like loud raspy breathing coming from all around. Several shelves and cases sit against the wall in various places. At it widest the room is about 15 yards across.The Dwarf quickly closes the gap, with help from her magical speed, and makes a heroic charge at the Runelord, swing just one of her axes at her foe.

Ehlyna swings her axe, Duraz Maraz, at the Runelord, coming in at an odd angle to try to get past her excellent defenses. The strike looks to be true and the Runelord, realizing the blow to be quite dangerous, attempts to retreat, but is unable to avoid the attack. The axe bites deeply into Runelord Sorshen’s side and her eyes widen in shock and pain! She floats back a bit, seeming to be staggered by the blow, then reaches out and grasps a red shard of metal from a display rack nearby, the Shard of Lust! As her fingers wrap around the metal, she winks at Ehlyna and then disappears, but this time, there is no swirling portal to follow her through. Disappointed, she turns back towards where the portal was in hopes of returning to her team.

quick layoug

Looking back into the niche she first appeared in, Ehlyna finds that the portal is gone. She does see a familiar snake mosaic on the floor there. She also notices that there are numerous items scattered about on shelves and short tables against the walls here. As she examines the room and alcove, she feels the effects of the Elf’s spell wear off, and as it usually does, it drains her, slowing her step and reaction times.

Ehlyna slowly makes her way across the room to the shelf with the goggles or glasses with dark purple crystal lenses, intending look through them in hopes of it helping out. Worse case, she’ll sell them. Curiosity getting the best of her, she puts the goggles to her eyes and everything has a purplish tint to it, as expected, but she notices nothing else. She shoves them into her belt for later. She then turns to the shelves and tables, collecting as many items as she can into a pile on the floor while also looking for any sort of potions or other useful items.

Ehlyna piles all the items she can find, which includes numerous sacks and pouches, a strange coin and stand, some fancy red boots and a dark platinum ring with a shield on it. She then gathers up the pile of adventuring gear on the other shelf that consists of a suit of Human sized light plate armor, a shield, a broadsword, a single, ornate gauntlet, a small knife, a helmet, a potion belt with 4 potions in it, and a backpack with bedroll, canteen and change of clothes.

Ehlyna stops when she gets to the several, ancient tomes. She knows that many wizards are known to trap their spellbooks, and if these are such books, touching them may be a mistake.

Throwing caution to the wind, Ehlyna picks up the backpack, removes the bedroll and opens it. Then using the 3rd axe she’s carrying around while holding the open backpack at the edge of the shelf where the books are. Ehlyna attempts to use her axe to push the books off the shelf and into the backpack instead of touching them.

As Ehlyna moves the books, the entire area bursts into flame, engulfing everything nearby! The fire licks Ehlyna and immediately, she thinks she detects two more bursts of explosive flame in immediate succession. As the flame subsides, a terrible stench flows to Ehlyna’s nose and she realizes that it is her own flesh, almost completely burnt off of every exposed area of her body. Her hair and beard are completely gone, as is everything not made of metal. The spellbooks remain, now sitting on the floor among the charred remains of the shelf. The backpack, bedroll and clothing are likewise destroyed. She turns and sees that the pile of other gear she had gathered up is nearby and still ok, it must have been out of the blast range. She notes that her armor and even the axe handles of her two prized axes are damaged, though the handle of the magical axe she is holding looks fine. She pauses for a moment, realizing the extent of her wounds and understanding that even this tiny movement of turning around was life threatening. She considers just sitting down and resting or heading for the snake tile in the alcove, hoping it will teleport her back to her friends. As she shifts in place, careful not to move too much, she hears a clink and breaking glass as one of her healing potions falls from the burnt potion belt and smashes into the stone floor below. She remembers that she should have 3 more healing potions in her belt, and carefully removes them so they do not also fall and break.

Ehlyna attempts to drink one of the potions, hoping to help save herself. No more touching magical books for her. She pops the cap off the potion and brings it to her lips and as she tips the vial up, the world goes black.

Session Notes

A quick side trek played by myself and our new player, Malcolm, to resolve the events that happened immediately after our previous game session when Ehlyna, under the influence of Great Haste and Flight (and Lightning Weapon) chased the fleeing Runelord through a summoned portal. I didn't know exactly how it was going to play out, but knew it could potentially be a drawn out affair and didn't want to table it until our next full session then make everyone else wait until we could conclude it.

Needless to say, it did NOT turn out how I expected. A Critical Hit by Ehlyna nearly took the incredibly tough Sorceress of Seduction out, but then she managed to grab the Shard and magically flee again, this time with no way for the Dwarf to follow.

When Ehlyna saw all the other loot in the room, I think she got a bit greedy (which is completely in character, good job, Malcolm) and started gathering it all up to take back (to her companions of course!) I laid out the general GM warning about messing with a wizard's spellbooks without magical assistance, but the stubborn Dwarf (again, good RPing the character here) messed with them, triggering 3 Linked exploding fire traps and sending Ehlyna past the -1xHP threshold.

I explained the "Death Check" and "KO" mechanics to the new player and indicated that a Do Nothing was the best way to stay conscious but that bleeding could be an issue without any help from companions available. He chose to have Ehlyna go for a healing potion, which takes 2 turns, forcing 2 rolls. She failed the 2nd of the rolls, and passed out while drinking the potion! Ehlyna's world faded away and Malcolm was wondering if he would get to introduce his new character sooner than anticipated! Such drama!

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Alistar Gavin Lourdis, Human Mageknight- played by Don K
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - currently played by Malcolm G
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder

and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Wandered Roads 47

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 47
March 24, 2018

Campaign Timeline

Sorshen, Here We Come

Oathday 11th of Neth

A Quick Rest then Upward

After returning to the chamber with the spiral stairs, they quickly check behind the remaining two doors and find nothing but small, empty chambers. Realizing their only course forwarward is actually upward, the group decides rest and recuperate before advancing. 

Wizard eye

After several hours of sleep, study and meditation it is decided that it is time to go and face their final opponent, but first, Vexeron decides to send one of his Wizard Eye’s up the stairs to do some scouting. The Wizard Eye flies up the stairs, about 200 feet up into what ever expects is the actual monument of the Lady’s Light. Finally the stairs stop and it comes out in a large oval room with 8 alcoves, each alcove holding a large, full color statue of one of the seven Runelords. The 8th alcove is empty. 

Embrace the Lady and the Lie

Not seeing anything threatening, the group ascends the stairs and begins to try to figure out where to go next, as there are no visible exits from this chamber. Vexeron tries to translate a ring of Thassalonian runes on the floor and manages to come up with the phrase, “Embrace the Lady and the Lie” or something like that. Having had some familarity with some other teleport magic in the tower, the Heroes begin hugging statues. They find that hugging one statue seems to start the process, but have difficulty sorting it out enough to make the teleporter work. Kallin decides he is going to attempt a divination, but the spell takes some time and the rest of the group keeps trying different ideas. At one point, they accidentally trigger some sort of trap that releases a windstorm and several lightning spewing air elementals. Finally, through sheer luck, they manage to find the right combination of statues to hug, causing the teleporter to activate. They all jump in the flashing alcove and are instantly teleported somewhere else.

Sorshen, Runelord of Lust

Karzoug, Runelord of Greed

The group suddenly finds themselves separate in pairs in different 7-sided chambers with a red metal door in the wall and a serpent mosaic on the floor. After just a brief moment, they are quickly reunited as all three chambers open out into the same area, which appears to be two 7-sided chambers connected together. Each of these areas has a large serpent mosaic on the floor with a post and wheel sticking out of the center of it. Vexeron tests the wheel and post and finds that by turn it, he can rotate the snake tile on the floor. He notes that the two snakes currently face away from each other and begins turning one to make it point toward the middle. As he turns the wheel, a loud, grinding sound can be heard coming from the floors and walls of the chamber and and the entire area seems to vibrate. 

Sad Maiden and Broken Mage

Oriana, Grey Maiden

Others notice that there is an additional red metal door in the area, across from one of the teleporter rooms. Behind this door they find Oriana, the leader of the Grey Maidens and an unconscious person. Oriana immediately postures to attack, accusing the heroes of being Sorshen’s new pawns and playthings. After some is calmed and the situation is diffused. She seems in a very fragile and sad state, having recently been ejected from the Runelord’s presence and realizing that she had been under the effects of strong mind control magic for some time. She has many questions about the rest of her Grey Maidens and though not happy about it, she understands that there had even been some fighting and death between them and the heroes. 

Alistar Gavin Lourdis, Mageknight

She explains that the unconscious form is some sort of warrior mage that Sorshen had been toying with recently. He is wounded and broken but Kallin sets to healing him. Once awakened he introduces himself as Alistar Gavin Lourdis of Mendev far to the east. He says he had been hunting some demons in the Mushfens south of Magnimar when he encountered the Runelord and she placed some powerful mind control over him. He cannot recall all the details of his imprisonment, but knows it was harsh and depraved. Both Oriana and Alistar agree to join the group on an assault against the Runelord, who is said to reside in the chambers above. Oriana explains that by turning the wheels and pointing the snake tiles directly at each other, a magical gate will open, allowing access to Sorshen’s boudoir. Daellin passes out Wax of Defiance for everyone to place in their ears, as it is known to defend against mind control magics and the gate is activated. They also spend some time casting invisibility, defensive, and movement based magics on each other to gain the advantage in the tough battle to come.

The Runelord’s Bedchamber

Stepping through the portal, the group finds themselves in large oval chamber with a seven black pillars supporting a high domed ceiling. The room is opulent and richly adorned. A canopy bed sits against one wall with a half naked woman reclining. She sits up and smiles seductively, welcoming everyone to her chamber. Several Lemures, blob-like devils flank her and two Human women hang from shackles on separate pillars. A lustspawn is also shackled to a third column. Sorshen stands and demands that everyone immediately prostrate themselves in her presence and when they do not, she becomes irritated but in that moment, the heroes attack.

Runelord Sorshen

At first things look grim for the Heroes of Sandpoint as Vexeron identifies himself as a powerful mage, Sorshen calls upon demonic magics and opens a rift directly beneath his feet. The good natured mage is then dragged by clawing and reaching hands into the rift. It closes up before anyone else can attempt to help him. Calina starts peppering the now flying Runelord with arrows as Daellin and Samad step up to deal with the devil Lemures. Ehlyna, enchanted with great speed and the ability to fly, engages the Runelord directly. Kallin, hidden by invisibility, moves to help one of the shackled and wounded Grey Maidens. Oriana, seeing her companions shackled, moves to help them as well. The other newcomer, Alistar, engages his magic in an attempt to dispel some of the magical protections Sorshen seems to have surrounding her. 

The battle rages on for a few moments and it seems that Ehlyna’s axes are slowly but surely whittling the Runelord down. Finally, Sorshen breaks free and flies across the chamber, readying a wand and opening a magical portal in the air and passing through it. Not wasting a moment, Ehlyna speeds through the portal as well. Daellin starts casting flight to follow through the portal sitting up near the ceiling of the domed chamber while the others turn to face the approaching Sinspawn that has released itself from its shackles. 

Here in your bedroom...

Facing the enemy

Flyin' and fightin'

The battle rages on.. overseen by the architect himself!

The final moments

Session Notes

Another session in the books. The Heroes of Sandpoint (ever hear of 'em?) get ever so much closer to defeating their enemy and completing their mission, to recover the Shard of Lust. This session was the untimely death of a PC (to make way for a new PC). We tip our hats and drop our fireballs to the powerful and highly flammable Vexeron. Thank you Don for taking over Vexeron when Greg left the group. It was time to get Don his very own character so Vexeron was unwillingly dragged into the abyss by numerous demons! Ouch!

Looking forward to introducing a new character for Malcolm soon as well!

Our final battle took place in the well designed and made 3d battle arena created by my cousin, Ben. Thanks for work on all that awesome stuff Ben. The pillars, with black marble paint job and gold manacles were tops and that canopy bed was amazing!

The session ended with the big bad fleeing through a portal to who knows where.. and the flying Dwarf following right through as well!

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - driven into the abyss by Don K
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - taken over by Malcolm G
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder
Alistar Gavin Lourdis, Human mage-knight and demon hunter played by Don K

and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Wandered Roads 46

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 46
February 17, 2018

Campaign Timeline

Mists and Paint and Demons

Wealday 10th Neth

Searching Around

After what seems like forever, the Heroes of Sandpoint continue their exploration of the area. Knowing their destiny lies above, but not wanting to leave unexplored areas behind them, the group decides to search the immediate area. Daellin heads toward the one open door in the chamber, holding off on the multiple closed doors until later. The others begin searching the bodies of the Grey Maidens for anything useful, valuable or dangerous.

Dead Grey Maiden

Daellin finds a sparse bunkroom that looks as if it could house quite a few more people than the number of Maidens recently defeated. Unfortunately, nothing else interesting can be found in the bunkroom.  

Back in the spiral stairway chamber, the bodies of the Maidens have been thoroughly looted, and all attention has been turned toward a makeshift table against one wall of the chamber that seems to contain numerous papers, maps, scrolls, and parchments. A quick review of the documents shows it to be quite extensive and detailed plans of the city of Korvosa, mostly from the point of view of an invasion. It appears that the Grey Maidens are serious in their quest to retake the city for their deposed queen.These plans are gathered up and set aside, along with the magical and valuable gear that was formerly possessed by the Maidens.

A Secret Door

secret door

Before checking the remaining three closed doors, Vexeron decides to check the chamber using his See Secrets spell to see if there is anything specifically hidden from sight. Upon casting the spell, he immediately sees a secret door in the stone wall behind where the Grey Maidens’ war table sits. The table is moved and after a careful search, Daellin is able to figure out how to open it.

The secret door leads to a large, columned hallway. The columns are carved to look like sensuous limbs intertwined and supporting the ceiling far above. The walls are covered with minutely detailed murals depicting imaginative and horrific acts involving bloodletting and blood drinking. The blood in the paintings seems to ripple and flow, and when touched, comes off onto fingertips, revealing that it is somehow real blood on the walls. The mural, however, is incomplete and stacks of supplies and ancient scaffolding sits in one corner.

Bloody Mist

A strange red fog seems to be gathered around the perimeter of the room, and shortly after the group has fully entered the room, it coalesces into a handful of distinct, pulsating red clouds with what appear to be slimy green tentacles snaking out from its wispy surface. The clouds quickly surround several members of the party and it appears they are some sort of blood-sucking aberrations. After some time and creative ingenuity involving using cloaks to fan the little red clouds, they are finally dispersed.

Ehlyna finds herself surrounded by foes, just the way she likes it!

During the encounter, Vexeron had noticed that something of a magical nature lay amid the supplies and scaffolding at the far end of the room and shouted it out to his companions as he continued using his flame magics to combat the vampiric clouds. Kallin, who was near the edge of the melee, sprinted to the far end of the chamber in an attempt to locate this potentially magic tool but all he found was scaffolding, painting tools and ancient containers of paint. Disheartened he turned to return to the fight when he noticed the spirit of what appeared to be a workman kneeling near the pile. He engages the spirit and finds out that one of the jars of paint is magical and is how the rippling blood effect is made on the walls. Interesting, but of no help with combating the deadly mists. Kallin returns to the fight and the vampiric mists are eventually defeated.

Samad tries flapping his cloak at the mists, to great effect!

Pyramids and Demons

The party then moves on through the passage at the other end of the chamber and follow it down a long hallway until they reach a 7-sided chamber with rough, unfinished walls. A single pillar supports the ceiling 20 feet above. The far wall, opposite the entryway, is the only thing that is finished in this chamber. It holds a detailed relief carving of a large stone pyramid looming over a coastline. The lower half of the carving depicts what seems to be a cutaway of below ground structures of several levels of chambers and caverns. What appears to be some type of liquid, possibly blood, is shown flowing down through these channels and into the open mouth of a fully nude Runelord Sorshen reclining in the throes of ecstasy.

The Grand Mastaba in Korvosa

Samad and Ehlyna take a closer look at the carving and believe it to be the Grand Mastaba, the stone pyramid that acts as the base of Castle Korvosa, in the city of the same name. Before more thoughtful interpretations of the carving can be made, several Babau Demons magically appear, leaping out of the carving. They immediately take up tactical positions and summon a couple more similar fiends then attack. The Demons use their powers of summoning, teleportation and darkness to great use, but finally, after several moments of intense battle, they are defeated. Wanting to accidentally summon more Demons, the group retreats back to the spiral staircase room to search the remaining 3 unopened doors before heading up to what they hope is the final confrontation.

The Demons are masters of darkness and teleportation

Session Notes

First session back to the old campaign in over 2 years! I have missed it and am so happy to be back! We have a new player at the table, currently taking over for Ehlyna since Jodi is unable to play anymore due to work schedules. Welcome Malcolm! I am so happy to be throwing my trusty 3d6s again!

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - played by Don K
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - played by Malcolm G
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder

and +Jason Woollard as the DM

Wandered Roads 42

Wandered Roads of Varisia
Session 42
month day, year

Campaign Timeline

Securing the Area

Starday 6th Neth

Where Is That Elf Off To Again?

Daellin finds himself, once again, in a location different than that of the rest of his companions. After taking a second to get his bearings, he sees that he is standing in a gold paneled alcove at the end of a large, lavish chamber. The domed ceiling is frescoed with an image of a starry night sky while a thick rug of exquisite manufacture covers much of the floor. Two black benches carved in the likeness of coiling serpents line the nearby walls. Another golden alcove lies to the north. There appears to be a passage leading out to the south of the chamber and across the far end of the room is a hallway with stairs leading up and out of sight.  

More Sinspawn

More importantly, two armed figures stand near each exit from the room. They appear to be the Sinspawn, creatures that were previously battled in the ruins underneath Sandpoint. These Sinspawn are wearing heavy leather armor and carry long polearms. They immediately see the newly arrived Elf and ready their weapons.

With a wry smirk creeping slowly across his face Daellin rolls his eyes in feigned surprise.  "Of course this side would be have to guarded, and by four of these fiends no less" he mutters under his breath.  "I really do need to talk to my companions about these predicaments they keep getting me into.  Sooner or later someone is bound to get hurt.  I can't always be there to protect Ehlyna and the others if duty keeps pulling me forward."

Pretending to notice the guards for the first time Daellin grabs the edges of his cloak and flourishes them dismissively as he offers the guards a curt bow.   Not giving the guards any time to react he steps forward and summons his most arrogant demeanor.  "You there!  Where are the refreshments?  Have you not been instructed to have the kitchen at my full disposal?  What sort of hospitality is this?  Heads will certainly roll if our master hears of this!"

As Daellin is putting on his best spoiled lord imitation (thankfully not much acting required there) he is trying to position himself for slipping around the guards position.

One of the creatures from the far end of the hallway yells something to Daellin in a language he cannot understand, probably ancient Thassalonian. One guard from each position begins to advance slowly, their long pole arms ready to attack. As they approach, Daellin notices some differences between these Sinspawn and the ones previously encountered. These look the same in the arms, legs and head area, but their torsos are different. Even through their heavy leather armor, Daellin can see they shaped like voluptuous, large breasted women.

The nearest advancing guard will be in range to attack within a few seconds though it will take the other one longer to close the distance. The remaining two guards each take up a position in the middle of the exit they are guarding.

The creatures ignore all of Daellin’s attempts at trickery and diplomacy and eventually make it to attack range. Not wanting to risk another combat away from his companions, Daellin quickly casts a spell and teleports himself back to the room he had just been in. His friends were still there, waiting for him to return.

A Sweet Discovery

With Daellin safely back, the party heads back to find Ehlyna and Samad and tell them what they had discovered. When they pass back through the bathing chamber, Vexeron notices a secret door that had not been previously discovered. “Well I say, I do remember casting my See Secrets spell AFTER we came through this room earlier. Good show, chaps. Let’s see where this leads!” he announces in his familiar thick accent.

It is decided that they should retrieve Ehlyna before exploring further and the Dwarf is called from her post in the next chamber. Eager to be done with guard duty, Ehlyna leads the way through the secret door even before Calina and Daellin get through checking it for traps!

The Heroes follow an ancient and seemingly undisturbed hallway around several turns until it ends at a set of double doors. A sweet, perfumed scent can be detected in the air. Daellin and Calina begin checking out the doors and when it is deemed safe, Ehlyna kicks them open. Just as Ehlyna does so, Vexeron notices another secret door just behind the party, directly opposite of the doors Ehlyna just kicked.

The liquid filled orb is quite desirable.

The air in this room is thick with the scent of expensive perfumes. Dozens of delicate crystal jars and vials are displayed on pedestals of polished pink marble along the walls. A glass orb that swims with liquid amber light hangs from the ceiling above on a delicate golden chain. As several of the Heroes enter the room, they are suddenly overcome by the intoxicating cloud of perfumes, causing quite a bit of confusion. Kallin begins looking at his hands and laughing while Vexeron smashes his own foot with the butt of his staff while Daellin and Ehlyna both try to reach the hanging globe. Ehlyna tries to use Daellin as a climbing post but as she does this, Daellin attempts to use her advance to position himself closer to the orb by using a Blink Spell but something goes terribly wrong and Ehlyna finds herself unexpectedly hanging in midair right in front of the glowing amber orb. She grabs for it, causing it to explode, which in turn causes several other vials in the room to explode as well. Glass and dangerous fumes fill the room as the Dwarf crashes back to the ground, landing squarely on top of a confused Daellin. The noxious fumes begin to cause everyone in the room to cough and choke while several of them are still confused by the overpowering perfumes. Eventually the room is cleared and the doors are slammed shut, keeping the toxic gas contained.

A Darker Discovery

After some healing and poison recovery, the party turns their attention to the newly discovered secret door. The usual precautions are taken and the door is opened to reveal a dark and secret shrine of some sort. This black marble-walled chamber’s ceiling is lost in a layer of shimmering black fog, while a long golden rug runs down the center of the room on the floor. A rectangular block of polished stone, black with blood red streaks, sits at the far end of the rug. Several objects sit atop the stone, and Daellin and Vexeron can tell that some of the are magical from the doorway. The air is filled with a strange, nagging hum and the thick scent of cinnamon. The wall beyond the stone altar is decorated with a mural of a voluptuous demonic woman with bat wings, a serrated tail, legs of molten stone and a crown of seven horns. Both of her hands are held out to her sides, palms turned upward toward the ceiling. A globe of blackness hovers above each palm.

a dark altar

Fearing some dark magical trap, the heroes forgo entering the chamber but instead send in Bob, a warrior/ butler created with Vexeron’s magic. The knife wielding butler enters the chamber and approaches the altar. In turn, he retrieves the items off the altar and brings them to the party waiting eagerly in the hallway. The gathered treasure consist of a 7-pointed unholy symbol made of onyx and pearl similar to the headdress worn by the demon in the mural, a blood stained golden goblet, a blood crusted and curved magical knife, a magical incense burner that emits the smell of cinnamon, a case with several hunks of magical incense and a silver scroll case containing a magical scroll.

The Heroes decide to head back to check in on Samad and the prisoners before doing any more exploring and find their companion doing just fine. They tell him about the encounters they have had and that they plan to do some exploring in the natural caverns outside the Grey Maiden’s base before using the teleporter again.

Several of the Maidens have made a case to be set free, they have promised that they are no longer associated with the current goals of the Grey Maidens and want no part in the events going on. They give up what other information they know and pledge to do no ill will toward the party. The members of the party consider it and release 4 of the Maidens who make themselves useful around the camp while the others rest.

Shadow dogs attack!

While the group is resting and Vexeron is analyzing some magic items, Dallin leads Samad off to show him the areas they had previously explored and they return to the exploding perfume room and each take several vials of fragrant ointments without setting off further traps. Daellin then shows Samad the dark altar room and when they enter the room to get a closer look, two huge dog like beasts form in the mist and descend to attack. The shadow dog’s sorrowful howl stuns Samad and Daellin is able to remove his friend before anything bad happens. The doors are closed and the shadow beasts do not pursue. They return to the rest of the party and decide that resting is a good thing.

Sunday 7th of Neth

Don’t Be Such a Hag

flooded tunnels

At the behest of the recently freed Maidens, the Heroes of Sandpoint set out to explore the natural caverns on the entry beach, looking for one of the Maidens that had been led that way by “Sorshen” but never returned. They follow the caverns, which twist around and often end in submerged passages. In one such watery chamber they encounter a tiny fiendish beast that throws water bolts at the party before fleeing into deeper, darker water. Not wanting to engage such a foe in its natural environment, they press on and bypass the submerged chambers until they come out to a small underground lake with a rocky island in the middle.

A single stone post extends from the middle of the island while watery tunnels lead east and west. A naked woman with a scarred face is bound to the post by lengths of dark seaweed. She is covered in fresh wounds and the rock below her is stained with blood. Standing over her and poking her with the butt end of a long spear is a hideous hunchbacked woman with wet, green skin, dripping white hair and bulging orange eyes. Several strange creatures caper and dance at her feet, the same wolf-headed, lobster-clawed beasts that were encountered in the other watery rooms.

When the Hag sees the party on the narrow beach, she cackles with joy and cries out, “Oh no! New playmates here for Daefu to toy with! Sorshen is good to Daefu! Sorshen loves Daefu as Daefu loves her! One? Two? Three? How many more playmates come to Daefu? More sweet, pink flesh to poke and prod, more mouths to sing songs of agony, all because Daefu is loved by Sorshen. She sent you to me, yes? Who wants the first kiss from Daefu? Be patient, new flesh, all will get a turn!”

The Heroes face off with Daefu the Hag

As she cackles and everyone fully takes in her hideous appearance, several members of the party feel their strength sapped from them. The evil Hag then stares at Kallin, cursing him with her Evil Eye. She sends her little gremlins forward to attack while several of the party members engage her on the island. The battle is fierce and Daefu holds her own for some time before falling to the combined might of the Heroes of Sandpoint. The Hag attempts to flee underwater but Daelin takes a deep breath and flies under the water and stops her.

As everyone recovers on the beach, Daellin swims beneath the water and drags back her treasure that had been hidden away in an underwater cave. The treasure consisted of several magical healing potions and a bag of assorted gems, two of which look to be magical in nature as well as her enchanted long spear and a magical necklace she had been wearing made of the bones of dangerous looking sea creatures. The Heroes of Sandpoint then drag themselves back toward their current base of operations to regroup and rest again after such a taxing encounter. Kallin hopes to use some of this time to meditate and contemplate on his recent actions since he seems to have overstepped his boundary with his goddess, Pharasma during the battle with the Hag.

Session Notes

This session saw the departure of an old friend and the re-acquaintence of a different old friend! Greg has unexpectedly had to leave the group but we recently reconnected with an old member of the group, Don, who stepped in and took the reins of Greg's character, the wizard Vexeron.

Session Photos

Daellin and Samad flee from the shadow mastiffs

Hag battle from above

Evil Eye point of view

The Hag, Daefu!

Characters Present:

Kallin Hawkril, Half-Orc shaman and budding Priest of Pharasma - played by +Daniel Ernst
Calina - Varisian Human archer and scout - played by +Carol Coburn
Daellin Silvanthalas, Elven Farstrider Ranger - played by +Ben Lipe
Vexeron, Human wizard - played by Donald K
Ehlyna Fuzziface - Dwarven Warrior - played by +Jodi H
Samad Aldhul, Human ex-mercenary - played by +JeCorey Holder

and +Jason Woollard as the DM