Auntie-T on We Are The Red Guardians

Session The Forty-Fifth

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Fifth

11 March 2023

Lycovyne	45/47
Menka	54/54
Kyril	60/61
Gonchar	88/88
Flint	55/55
Tim	32/32
Seamus	60/64
Cathal	67/67

The party more or less began to follow Menka’s insect path in reverse. We reached the wall we had previously taken down with Gonchar’s hammer and, passing through, headed north. The tunnel was supported in makeshift fashion with hastily erected wooden beams. Ahead, in the distance we heard a loud, barking scream. A cross between a human and an animal.

Interlude

Sat, 31 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Interlude

31 July 2021

Item	Qty × Price	Value
Uncategorized
6 black pearls	6 x 300	1800
3 amethysts	3 x 400	1200
inverted halfling skull	1 x 1200	1200
small pouch of coins	1 x 50	50
6 rubies (S34)	6 x 100	600
Statuary Room Gems
pink satyr	2 x 1000	2000
stone king	3 x 500	1500
sphynx	2 x 200	400
hydra	16 x 25	400
harpy	2 x 400	800
griffin	2 x 350	700
dryad	2 x 50	100
minotaur	2 x 400	600
manticore	2 x 200	400
hippogriff	2 x 50	50
Elder Sign Room
celtic brooch*	1 x 40	40
anklet*	1 x 100	100
silver mirror*	1 x 50	50
3 coin bags	3 x 100 pp	1500
dagger topaz/pommel	1 x 500	500
Mountain Giant
onyx gargoyle statue	1 x 100	100
furs and pelts*	—	100
sack of coins	1 x 148 pp	740
folded tapestry*	1 x 200	200
Soil-Filled Coffin
leather armor, magic*	—	—
purse	1 x 22 pp	110
purse	1 x 37 pp	37
Total: 14787
* Not included in total

The party had entered the Hall of Seven Pillars. We paid our “tax” to security. We were free to move about the cabin/cavern. We were also filthy, stinking, exhausted, bloody, and wounded.

Sidebar - Markheim

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Sidebar - Markheim

14 May 2023

An annotated map of Markheim is saved here.

We entered Markheim from the southeast, following a road that crossed through a village of huts (1). The village seemed of recent construction. Fields and groves lie just south of the village. Men and women of the same racial stock as the worshippers of the ice god worked the fields and populated the village though the overt, undead evil was not apparent. An ancient-looking elven woman worked the groves among the people. Kyril recognized her as Auntie T and acknowledged her all-seeing glance. He dismounted, handed off his horse and walked out into the fields to speak with the elven druid. We would not see him again for a week or so.

Session The First

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Preamble#

Session The First

December 12, 1012

The game will be AD&D 1st edition. We’ll be able to hit the ground running if everyone can roll characters up on their own pre-game. I’m happy to sit in and roll up the character with you if we can meet up, but since it is a busy pre-holiday week as I write, and we all have jobs, families and lives, it is fine if you roll up the character on your own. Just get it done before 12/29.

Session the Second

Thu, 08 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Second

August 8, 2013

Upon entering Farthis and checking the environs, the party visited the local gin mill looking for, of course, information. Working on this information the party visited The Kleb for an entertaining dinner party. After our interview with The Kleb, Kyril and Flint hopped the wall at the Kleen’s complex in an attempt to reconnoiter the hops gardens with explosive consequences, ending with the party taking shelter inside the Kleen’s house. While hiding the party found a trap door and a hatch among the hops bines and headed below ground. Currently the party is exploring the complex beneath Farthis.

Session the Fourth

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fourth

April 19, 2014

Menka returned from his interview with the demon wench at (9) unscathed. Apparently demonic, the woman was a creature of surpassing beauty. She stated quite clearly that if we could get Guldar Heel to free her she would aid the party in its quest to find Melios and the brooch and would be willing to hand over “Hraelock’s” treasure.

Session the Fifth

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifth

August 8, 2014

Standing outside the door to Guldar Heel’s tower, the party gazed out across a bridge over a moat filled with a liquid which emitted a dull, red glow (similar to the pools in the basement of the tower?) in the late afternoon light. As they scanned the bridge a gate in the curtain wall on the far side creaked open. The party crossed the bridge and this external door closed securely behind them. Even the repeated application of Gonchar’s skull could not cause it to shatter or re-open.

Session The Ninth

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Ninth

April 1, 2016

Initiative rolls started poorly and remained that way for some time. Having won initiative, 2 of the poleaxe wielding insectavoids closed to within melee range, while the remaining 3 held their ground in a 20’ semi-circle.

First initiative loss
Flint is hit by a poleaxe for 8 HP
Ranged attack on Lycovyne misses
Ditto for Gonchar
Ranged attack on Arkadios hits for 6 HP
Menka cast bless, but it will not be in effect til next round (initiative loss).
Lycovyne attacks with sword, hits for 10 HP
Gonchar attacks, hitting for 13 HP
Arkadios rolls a 1, nearly impaling Kyril and everyone in between
Kyril rolls a 2
Arkadios gets hit again for 4 HP, loses second shot w/ bow
Second initiative loss
Arkadios gets hit for 8 HP and is nearing death
Lycovyne gets attacked with a bear-claw donut for 2 HP
Gonchar gets hit for 3 HP (ranged?)
Kyril gets hit twice for 7 HP total, death by 1,000 cuts, not sure what happened to the poleaxes..
Flint gets hit thrice for 6 HP total
Menka cures light wounds on Arkadios for 7 HP from within the meat shield
Lycovyne hits with his sword for 7 HP
These creatures are really lusting after the death of the elves in the party but, then, aren’t we all
Gonchar hits for 10 HP
Flint and Kyril both miss with valor
Kyril gets hit for 4 HP
Lycovyne successfully dodges an attack, helped by the blessing of Thoth!
Arkadios gets hit for 4 HP, again
Flint gets hit for 5 HP
Menka cures light wounds on Arkadios for 8 HP
Gonchar hits for 17 HP, cleaving his enemy’s skull in twain
Kyril gets hit for 3 HP but dodges another blow thanks to the bless
Lycovyne gets hit for 3 HP
Arkadios gets hit for 4 HP
Flint gets hit for 9 HP
Kyril gets hit for 5 HP
The blessing of Thoth saves Lycovyne, again
Arkadios gets hit for 2 HP
Flint gets hit for 3 HP
Menka attacks, misses
Lycovyne attacks, hits for 9 HP
Gonchar hits for 13 HP
Arkadios hits for 4 HP
Flint hits for 5 HP
initiative tie, speed factor
Kyril hits for 9 HP and then gets hit, himself, for 5 HP
Gonchar gets hit by 2 claws for 6 HP
Gonchar hits (2) for 11 HP, decapitating another foe
“Arkadios gets hit by (2), hits back”
Flint hits (5) twice, for (4 + 6) = 10 HP total - ouch
Flint gets hit by (5) for 5 HP
Lycovyne hits (1) for 11 HP
Kyril gets hit for 3 HP, is down to 5 HP
Arkadios gets hit for 1 HP, hits back for 4 HP
Gonchar kills (4) in what can be only be imagined was a very bloody fashion
Menka misses, badly, and gets hit for 5 HP in return
Lycovyne hits (1) for 5 HP
Gonchar hits (1) for 11 HP, kills
Menka hits (5) for 6 HP, killing the last insectavoid, praise Thoth!
Insectavoids: 42, 33, 28, 21, 17 HP ( 1 - 5 above )

Lycovyne	32 HP
Menka	29 HP
Kyril	31 HP
Gonchar	60 HP
Arkadios	24 HP
Flint	34 HP

Arkadios immediately quaffed a potion of healing, gaining 8 HP. The insectavoids carried no other belongings than their weapons. Having survived the crappy initiative rolls pitched battle the party took stock of their surroundings. Broiling in the desert, with little hope of reaching the cliffs by nightfall - the journey looks to be 3-4 miles. Light/reversed would work as usual but would be clearly visible as a black half-orb approaching anyone watching from the ruins in the cliffs.

Session the Tenth

Sat, 30 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Tenth

July 30, 2016

The green snake was, apparently, alive and well where we left it, atop the dais in the carved out bowl where a statue of Khamsa once resided.

Hoping to get a bead on the snake from an upper level, Arkadios climbed the stairs to a higher level. Lycovyne, armed with ranged weapons, handed off the staff with continual light to Kyril and followed Arkadios. Unfortunately, through the gloom and dust, they were unable to see the snake from above. Gonchar attempted to throw a large piece of statue rubble at the snake and missed entertainingly.

Session the Eleventh

Sat, 03 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Eleventh

December 3, 2016

The party spent 2 weeks resting and recreating (read: leveling up) at the Arm. It was market time at the Inn. All manner of creatures were present, including humans which were taller than dwarves but shorter than elves or western humans - Orientals!

Arkadios, Flint and Kyril decided to take a ride on the carpet of flying. They flew over a great deal of the local area. Along the way they flew to the lake we had visited previously, in search of pearls. Once there, Kyril cast water breathing and joined his fishy brethren under the surface, finding 8 pearls.

Session the Twelfth

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Twelfth

February 25, 2017

Now, with a chance to look around, we see that our bugbear assailants were wearing very mismatched armor. Probably mercenaries, not organized. The party found a beautiful obsidian mace among the corpses, as well as a very nice halberd. Menka stashed the obsidian mace in his pack, though the party left the halberd behind as it was too difficult to lug around (and no party members used halberds).

Session The Fourteenth

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Fourteenth

16 September 2017

The ettins had attacked the party mid-day. Several party members were sorely wounded after the battle. Menka cured light wounds on Lycovyne for 7 points and twice on Ulland, bringing both characters to 27 points. The party decided to travel a bit more before healing and resting and headed northeast. Strangely, we did not keep a map.

Session The Fifteenth

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Fifteenth

2 December 2017

Preamble#

Session The Fifteenth

DM: 25 November 2017

You are traveling north on the coast road and encounter a large group of mounted individuals who appear out of the eastern hills. They are 12 men, 1 dwarf (the latter mounted on a small pony). The humans are all mounted on warhorses. All are clad in light chain mail with shields strapped to their chests and backs.

Session The Sixteenth

Sat, 17 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Sixteenth

17 February 2018

Continuing from the library, we noted that we had a ton of loot that had not been identified yet. We also unanimously agreed that the monastery was probably not a safe spot to rest for a bit to kick off the identify constitutional in any event. A large bare spot on the south wall signified the original location of the portrait of Phane now residing in the Medusa’s boudoir. Lycovyne checked around the bare spot, it was all that it seemed to be. Bare. Like a tapestry or large picture had been removed.

Session the Seventeenth

Sat, 23 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Seventeenth

23 June 2018

At the end of the eventful hour that was Session the Sixteenth the party was in rough shape, and also clean out of healing spells. Kyril handed Gonchar 4 goodberries, bringing him up to 37 points. We needed to rest, but were in no position, literally, to do so. The minotaur had fought us from the mist at (I) back to the hallway at (H). We formed ranks and marched back to the door at the end of the long hallway.

Session The Eighteenth

Sat, 22 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Eighteenth

22 September 2018

Lycovyne	29/41
Menka	37/39
Kyril	21/46
Gonchar	70/74
Flint	25/48
Arkadios	31/31
Ulland	30/32

Preamble#

The trail of blood lead from the western door at (M), through the hastily erected defenses in the entrance to (N), to the two bodies Flint was examining when some sort of ward in the western wall blew up in his face, literally. The sitting corpse showed no outward signs of injury, though the man he cradled in his arms had been sorely wounded, as if by claws. Black studded leather armor rent asunder. Menka cast 2 cure light wounds on Flint, bringing him up to 25 points.

Session The Nineteenth

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Nineteenth

1 December 2018

Preamble#

There were webs everywhere, though not in the secret room at (C), where it was spotless, no dust. Gonchar pushed the gray gems into the appropriate openings in the room. There was a slot in each of the four corners. As soon as he slid the 4th gem into place, a yellow, glowing field appeared on the floor along the eastern wall. Immediately, a disembodied voice was heard to say:

Session The Twentieth

Sat, 16 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twentieth

16 February 2019

Some History of the People of Diancecht

From the official records of the Cult of Diancecht stored in the church in County Boyne:

This, our Temple of Diancecht, near the Boyne in Hibernia, is presided over by Father Phane O' Keefe, an ancient zealot of Diancecht who is rumored to be hundreds of years old. He is aged, and mostly infirm, but in his youth was devoted to spreading the healing word of Diancecht far and wide.

Session The Twenty-First

Sat, 11 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-First

11 May 2019

We backed out of the room, leaving Hillgauntlet and his bony wenches behind. Immediately, the door slammed shut.

Flint listened at the secret door to the south, across the hallway and heard nothing. Ulland heard even less. The thieves also found no traps on that door. Slowly the feeling of doom that surrounded Hillgauntlet abated.

Session The Twenty-Second

Sat, 10 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Second

10 August 2019

Double doors at the end of the hallway, bronze with a single stone step. The step glowed with some glowing, green translucent light. A human skull was embedded in each door, with a very large pull ring below each (A, below). Kyril was, of course, absent.

We all agreed that, if Kyril had indeed survived, he could get to us much more quickly than we could get to him, so we decided to press onward. The wizards were beginning to feel the presence of excessive amounts of mana in the surroundings as we moved more deeply into the earth.

Session The Twenty-Third

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Third

19 October 2019

Previously, in the safe room in the halfling’s apartments (A) we found a scroll but never got a chance to examine it. Doing so now, we saw that it contained one each of the Whirling Blade and Kheben’s Suspended Silence spells. We decided to roll out some baseline healing before examining the door. The option of finding some place to rest, possibly the halfling’s quarters, was floated but ultimately rejected. We needed to act quickly and to keep moving. Vampires are always at their worst when they’re dead.

Session The Twenty-Fourth

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Fourth

18 January 2020

Having more or less successfully crossed the bridge we arrived at the door into Pippen’s chamber to find it blocked somehow. Cathal smashed his way through and we re-entered Pippen’s room. Inside we found Ilierann - dead and drained, with his throat ripped out. His floating bag had disappeared or been taken.

Session The Twenty-Fifth

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Fifth

3 October 2020

Cathal, Kyril and Menka walked away from Otessa, back down the hallway. We decided to search the hallway. 20 skulls on one side, 20 skulls on the other. The hallway was lined with them. Ulland nocked and arrow, watching carefully for any surprises while we left no crevice untouched.

Session The Twenty-Sixth

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Sixth

7 November 2020

We started out at the crypt entrance marked in yellow. We have something like 33 hours left until the underground river gate opens and are trying to decide what to do with the two very evil swords we found. Cathal wants nothing to do with them and tells us that anyone who picks up either one is in trouble, right away.

Session The Twenty-Seventh

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Seventh

12 December 2020

The spider was unable to open the secret door so it would not be joining us on the ledge at the top of the stairs. We believe we have about 30 hours left before unknown, otherworldly powers break loose in our general area…

As we seemed to be following the underground river upstream Flint reminded us all of Hillgauntlet’s words at the end of Session 20: “The Elder Sign is below us. Follow the river in the direction opposite to its flow and it will lead you to a string of guardians which will lead to the Elder Sign.”

Session The Twenty-Eighth

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Eighth

26 December 2020

We rested for spells, all the while coming up with a plan to strengthen and protect Gonchar and send him into the water to fight the kraken. We came up with the following plan for Gonchar:

Kyril cast barkskin and chill metal. Tim cast invisibility, quickening, haste, strength, water breathing. Menka cast aid, prayer and resist cold.

Session The Twenty-Ninth

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Twenty-Ninth

January 2021

Lycovyne	45/45
Menka	47/47
Kyril	54/54
Gonchar	82/88
Flint	55/55
Ulland	82/82
Cathal	51/57
Tim	25/28

The party decided to head underground through the entrance to the undertemple to the south of the river. Grastic was still talking Kyril’s ears off. He asked if it was time to open the gate and looked scared as he mentioned that activity. When asked why he had to open the door, he said it’s because his dad said the scary lady would be angry if he did not. Menka asked if he would not open it if his dad said not to and he said the scary lady would still require him to open it. Menka then mentioned that the scary lady was gone, M-O-O-N gone, and Grastic didn’t believe him.

Session The Thirtieth

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirtieth

30 January 2021

There were actually 2 separate sets of stairs down, separated by a wall. While the party formulated a plan, Randolph Carter rang us up. He called to tell us that he had to depart. The large brutes at the surface had departed. They were set upon by bees and a giant owl. They attempted to set the monastery on fire and the fire was immediately put out by a rain storm. (There seemed to be some “positive” forces at work pushing them out, couldn’t keep up with the spoken detail).

Session The Thirty-First

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-First

20 February 2021

Still in the temple of the Elder Gods. We were surrounded by a feeling of doom and woe. At the feet of each statue was a large, 3’ diameter alms bowl, though we hadn’t gotten close enough to look in them.

Flint approached the Goat With 1000 Young, with Cathal nearby for the Protection from Evil. As he got closer, he felt extremely uncomfortable. The statue was a large, humanoid black goat, surrounded by a pool of matter. The statue was glistening and the surface seemed to be moving. In the bowl he saw coins, black sapphire gems and a goat statuette, carved from ivory. It seemed to be smirking at him. Menka and Cathal looked over his shoulder.

Session The Thirty-Second

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-Second

20 March 2021

We seem to have found the chain of binding for Grastic’s gate. Apparently at the end of the last session we headed back up to the stream and the little outlet near the alarmed door.

Lycovyne	42/45
Menka	30/47
Kyril	37/54
Gonchar	62/88
Flint	47/55
Ulland	37/82
Cathal	56/57
Tim	21/28

Hypothetically: Menka with water walk (with Ulland, Gonchar), Kyril shape changed, Cathal levitates, carpet: Lycovyne, Tim, Flint.

Session The Thirty-Third

Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-Third

17 April 2021

If he really thinks we’re the Devil,
Then let’s send him to Hell.

Abecoste backed away, apparently not inclined to follow us, though she did not attempt to impede us. The small chain from the vampire’s neck indeed was very powerful. The party voted to cast Legend Lore ivory strips formed into a rectangle and an item to sacrifice. We decided to sacrifice Kyril’s +1 Staff. We sliced some ivory with the Sword of Sharpness from tusks found in one of the mountain giant’s treasure chests.

Session The Thirty-Fourth

Sat, 08 May 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-Fourth

8 May 2021

Lycovyne	10/45
Menka	36/47
Kyril	46/54
Gonchar	34/88
Flint	47/55
Ulland	56/82
Cathal	31/57
Tim	24/28

Pippen really wanted to return to the Hall, did not want to head downstairs. Pippen and Grastic met up again.

We heard from Pippen that Abigail was very proud of that 4-sided statue and devoted to it. We headed down one level (to level 6?) to the 4-sided statue and planning to return, presently, after having drained the aforementioned statue of some of its treasure.

Session The Thirty-Fifth

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-Fifth

21 August 2021

Lycovyne	47/47
Menka	54/54
Kyril	61/61
Gonchar	88/88
Flint	55/55
Seamus	64/64
Cathal	67/67
Tim	32/32

The Dwarven Stronghold In The Mountains#

The dwarves were not part of the training fiesta, so they did what bored dwarves do. Drink. And drink some more. The Halfmoon Inn barkeep just fed them breakfast and ale when they awoke and came down, lunch and ale a few hours later, and dinner and ale 5 or 6 hours after that.

Session The Thirty-Eighth

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Thirty-Eighth

26 February 2022

We re-entered the ugly dwarf’s head, intent on exploring the underground complex before heading back to Westkeep and then onward to the Hall. Unsure where to go first, we hung out in the entry and discussed our options.

We decided to head to the far northern end of the complex where the ceiling had collapsed. Examining the heap of rubble, we noticed that he hallway was not totally closed off. Cathal and Gonchar found a tunnel through the rubble. It was too small for one of the humans to fit through, though the dwarves may be able to wiggle through. Clearing the rubble by hand would be a major excavation project.

Session the Forty-First

Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Forty-First

July 16, 2022

Since our attempt to rest had been disturbed by the Grimlocks, we were still a mess. Kyril cast dispel magic on Flint to bring him back to his usual short size with no apparent effect. Cathal took a pull from Seamus’s mug, getting back 8 hp (31/67). Cathal bound everyone’s wounds.

Session The Forty-Third

Sat, 19 Nov 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Third

19 November 2022

Lycovyne	47/47
Menka	5r4/54
Kyril	53/61
Gonchar	88/88
Flint	55/55
Tim	32/32
Seamus	64/64
Cathal	64/67

Having let Legola return to his repose, we decided to rest in the unique Dionysian bar, heal and regain some spells. We head skittering rocks to the north and a low, indistinct moaning to the south. Not all of us heard it.

Session The Forty-Fourth

Sat, 14 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Fourth

14 January 2023

Lycovyne	45/47
Menka	47/54
Kyril	53/61
Gonchar	88/88
Flint	55/55
Tim	32/32
Seamus	60/64
Cathal	56/67

We continued uphill. Encountering a web, Gonchar’s Flame Blade made short work of it. His Flame Blade illuminated tentacles ahead, hanging from the ceiling to the floor. The tentacles seemed to emit no heat per infravision. Mouths on the tentacles dripped ooze.

Session The Forty-Sixth

Sat, 20 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Sixth

20 May 2023

Menka spoke with Aesil about gaining access to the mirror she kept somewhere in the tower. She was far less than interested in providing access and was neither concerned with events far to the the south nor with the visions provided to the priest by the messenger of Thoth.

Session The Forty-Seventh

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Seventh

8 July 2023

Lycovyne	35/49
Menka	53/54
Kyril	55/61
Gonchar	95/100
Flint	43/61
Tim	34/36
Seamus	59/64
Cathal	61/67

Seamus wanted to skin two of the huge wolves and take their pelts. Given our haste he decided to wait for the return trip. The cavern continued west then turned sharply north. It was misty due to the increasing cold and the hallways seemed to be well and recently traveled.

Session The Forty-Eighth

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Eighth

26 August 2023

Lycovyne	33/49
Menka	45/54
Kyril	59/61
Gonchar	76/100
Flint	48/61
Tim	32/36
Seamus	57/64
Cathal	49/67

The party stood in a room with doors in the north and south walls and another on the northern end of the east wall, the same door we entered through. Charred ice ogre corpses lay strewn about, reeking of burnt hair and flesh. Kyril’s control temperature was still in effect, fending off the cold for those within its 10’ compass. Outside of that 10’ range it was bitterly cold. Seamus didn’t seem to mind the chill. Antifreeze and all that.

Session The Forty-Ninth

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Forty-Ninth

4 November 2023

Menka	54/54
Lycovyne	48/49
Kyril	68/69
Flint	61/64
Tim	36/36
Seamus	64/65
Cathal	53/67
Gonchar	100/100

Lagartha was at full health. We verified that a knock cast on the door caused it to open for 1 minute, after which it closed again, requiring another knock. We also verified that it was locked from the inside, as well. This door lead into a small circular room that seemed to be a study of some sort. Kyril detected magic somewhere along the northern wall. Shelves on the southern wall held gruesome statuettes of horrifying creatures, none magical, all horrifying. One held down a note with Nalfeshnee scribbled on it.

Session The Fiftieth

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Session The Fiftieth

28 December 2023

Menka	45/54
Lycovyne	45/49
Kyril	47/69
Flint	56/64
Tim	36/36
Seamus	57/65
Cathal	53/67
Gonchar	90/100

Seamus and Menka applied some healing magic and prayers to Cathal and Lycovyne. Warm and bound in wrinkly skin, one book we found was certainly Cultes des Gules. The second book remained unidentified. Lycovyne was definitely not a definite. Menka began to pray for 3 hours to receive the spells cure blindness, remove curse and procure hooker.

Session the Fifty-First

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-First

10 February 2024

Menka	37/54
Lycovyne	38/49
Kyril	33/69
Flint	41/64
Tim	36/36
Seamus	46/65
Cathal	15/67
Gonchar	59/100

The session began with the party traveling, with Harald Markgaard, Agnar, Arndt, Ninax, Scarlett and the wayward rangeress Largatha, daughter of Harald, as well as a host of mounted men-at-arms from Markheim, traveling through the thawing, ice, snow, mud and debris-strewn melting mountain passes. Winter-like weather still clung to the area, though a hint of Spring was in the air.

Session the Fifty-Second

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Second

8 June 2024

We sold some extraneous gear and cleaned house a bit. Gonchar and Cathal visited the keep armorer and got their plate mail repaired.

Anticipating 10 days on the road (5 to the Tomb under the cliff and 5 back) we purchased horses, feed and iron rations for around 278 pieces of gold.

Session the Fifty-Fourth

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Fourth

19 October 2024

Note: this session opens up in room F in the map on pg. 330.

Having dispatched the vrock and their succubus hussy, we remained in the 30x30 room that wasn’t as blisteringly hot as the larger chamber. The party could feel oppressive heat emanating from the open door into the fire-room to the south. The current room was fetid with the reek of dead and dispatched succubus and dead vrock, along with now-dead sylphs and nymphs scattered around the room, where they had fallen from the dissipated energy cases which had melted away after opening.

Session the Fifty-Sixth

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Sixth

1 March 2025

Having made it past the disintegration ray^[1], we paused for a bit by the bars in the wall to catch our breath. The psychic and physical darkness weighed heavily upon us. Seamus was the only one not bitten by the chill air.

Session the Fifty-Seventh

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Seventh

19 April 2025

Menka	36/54
Kyril	46/69
Lycovyne	39/54
Gonchar	80/100
Flint	54/72
Cathal	43/67
Tim	36/36
Seamus	38/78

The party emerged from the tomb of the Twice-Crowned into a bowl-shaped, wooded area which clears near the entry to the tomb - the party is stinking, tired, bloodied and bandaged. Two of the party are carrying bags of holding which are overflowing with coinage - luckily, the coins dropping into the dirt all seem to be coppers.

Session the Fifty-Eighth

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Eighth

21 June 2025

Menka	54/54
Kyril	69/69
Lycovyne	54/54
Gonchar	100/100
Flint	72/72
Cathal	67/67
Tim	36/36
Seamus	78/78

We spoke at length with Teos at the bar. He was loquacious in his gratitude and willingly answered our questions.

Creel’s tower was less than a day’s ride from the Horne’d Lamb. The good barkeep told the party that to simply touch the walls of Creel’s tower was … dangerous. Creel himself is a good man and had long held commerce and communication with the Inn as well as the surrounding area. Creel’s wife had died of some unspecified malady - perhaps plague, all sudden-like, and while Creel was out - and the man had not been the same since. Creel had turned to the dark arts of necromancy in an effort to bring his beautiful wife back to life. Teos had nothing but praise for Illyssa.

Session the Fifty-Ninth

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Fifty-Ninth

19 July 2025

Menka	54/54
Kyril	69/69
Lycovyne	54/54
Gonchar	96/100
Flint	72/72
Cathal	54/67
Tim	36/36
Seamus	65/78

The room at (A) was well-maintained and well used. Creel had kept it clean, well swept. Some carpeting covered the floor. It contained bookshelves on the west wall, upon which many books sat. Shelves also hung on the northern wall, glass jars filled with clear liquids and various implements lining them. A sitting area containing a small desk with quill and ink sat in the southeastern corner. A reading chair lay on its side with a spilled bottle of wine on the floor next to it, the red wine staining a throw rug in this area. Crumpled paper was strewn about around the knocked-over chair.

Session the Sixtieth

Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Sixtieth

20 September 2025

Menka	37/54
Kyril	65/69
Lycovyne	36/54
Gonchar	72/100
Flint	37/72
Cathal	43/67
Tim	21/36
Seamus	49/78

{\itshape “When I get my hands on Kyril’s evil sword shit’s gonna get real around here very quickly…”

– Lahtac the Anti-Paladin }

The One Room Session (Almost)#

When the chiming ended, the carvings on the walls cease their infernal undulations. The footsteps we heard outside the room became louder and suddenly 4 subhumans dressed in archaic scale mail broke through the door - three carrying odd, curved battleaxes, one wielding a glistening, dripping dagger. The subhumans launched into the room among us while a creature, human-sized but like a large octopi, ambulating with a sickening undulating gait on its tentacles, glaring eyes in its large head, stayed in the doorway. The creature began to wave its tentacles and the familiar reality distortion field filled the room. The cleric failed his save vs. spell and was incapacitated and disoriented. The rest of the party made their save.

Session the Sixty-First

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Sixty-First

15 November 2025

Menka	54/54
Kyril	69/69
Lycovyne	54/54
Gonchar	72/100
Flint	72/72
Cathal	58/67
Tim	36/36
Seamus	65/78

We found ourselves in possession of Abigail’s hand, and the claw-like gauntlet that contained it. As we gazed upon it while pondering the significance of slicing off a vampire’s hand, the hand itself began to dissipate in a sulfurous mist. Presently, the hand completely disappeared, though it left behind the gauntlet, intact and seeming to smoke as the hand dissolved.

Session the Sixty-Second

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Sixty-Second

7 March 2026

Menka	54/54
Kyril	76/76
Lycovyne	56/56
Gonchar	100/100
Flint	72/72
Cathal	77/77
Seamus	78/78

We gave Heimdell’s crowns to Harald and Maeve. Menka returned the holy symbol of Odin to Harald’s curate, Olaf Iverson.

Kyril

2 vials of holy water
Oil of Fiery Burning

Cathal

Gamred the Golden (+3 two-handed sword, double-damage vs clerics in case Menka gets mouthy, plus user can Detect Magic and Remove Fear 30’ radius 1x/day)

The Hall and Back Again

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Hall and Back Again

8 February 2026

Harald and Ninax, Menka and Cathal discussed the orcish incursions . Cragenheim will be levying troops from the surrounding area in the near future. Priest and knight assured them we would be back through at some point.

Menka, Cathal and Seamus planned to travel to the Hall of Seven Pillars the following morning. Ninax offered to ride with us to the block house. With the cessation of the frigid, lingering winter the road to Westkeep was re-opened, though only a well-protected caravan dare make the journey.

Kyril's Solo Record

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Kyril's Solo Record

8 February 2026

Auntie T. flew with Kyril, accompanying him on his journey to meet with Brann mac Thorn. The archdruid of this region appeared to be equal parts human and plant matter and, as he spoke, there were long pauses in communication. Brann informed Kyril that this would be the last time he could help Kyril gain a level. From here forward he must work with the Great Druid directly.

Flint, Cooling His Heels

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Since Flint was not leveling-up, he killed time in Markheim at the Diamond Spider Tavern, drinking ale and ‘assisting’ the dancers (i.e. attractive thieves wearing translucent silks) there with robbery of certain customers (“marks”), most of whom were out-of-towners passing through on caravans, merchants or farmers selling their goods in Markheim.

The Diamond Spider was, as you know, the local Thieves’ Guild in Markheim, headed by the owner/proprietor, Spider Braz, and the retinue of dancers, bouncers and barmaids, all of whom were guildmembers, or at least non-thieves in the know and on the payroll. There was a complex system regarding who called be “rolled” and who should be left alone, and Flint neither fully understood nor got involved in that.

Gonchar On Patrol

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Since Gonchar was not leveling-up, he passed the time between adventures by volunteering to ride with the Castellan’s men on patrols of the region around Markheim and Ninax’s Blockhouse. He was given a small-ish pony of surprisingly-surpassing speed (“Mala”), and was told by the men he would be riding with to get used to the horse for a day or two, for they must ride swiftly. Gonchar got used to the pony for a day or two, and the animal was smart and fast, and Gonchar - a below-average rider at best - was soon able to ride well and with speed with only two days of getting used to Mala. He was also fitted for lighter chain mail armor, as he was told that plate would not work for the kind of riding they’d be doing.

Session the Sixty-Third

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Session the Sixty-Third

2 May 2026

Menka	61/61
Kyril	76/76
Lycovyne	56/56
Gonchar	100/100
Flint	72/72
Cathal	85/85
Seamus	78/78
Freyvior	81/81

At the Temple of Thoth, Father Malai had described the Hall of Gods to Menka and stated that it would be a good idea to show proper veneration to the gods if we entered that sacred hall. Father Yuyu had described the prayers and intonations for proper sacrifice and veneration to Osiris for this purpose and Menka made note of it (see 5.6.6).

Interlude I: Creel's Tower

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Interlude I: Creel's Tower

14 December 2025

With the portal below the tower closed and danger at least temporarily averted, Creel advised the party that he had sent messages out to his fellow 8 wizards (of ‘The Nine’) asking for assistance. While the party bivouacked at the tower, some of this aid arrived.

Osgoth

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Osgoth Map Key#

Note to players: this is a map of the ‘known world’. The major regions are denoted by numbers, with descriptions of each set forth below. Each region is summarized in terms of political situations, rulers, gods, terrain and some description of note to adventurers. It is all ‘common knowledge’ a resident of Osgoth such as yourselves would know. Only major cities are noted (and described below) - no cities are named on the map, because an 8x12 piece of paper didn’t allow room. Major geographical features (large mountain ranges, hilled areas, forests (temperate and pine), large lakes, huge swamps, major deserts/steppes, significant islands and the largest rivers) are noted. This is not to say that ‘clear’ areas on the map do not include smaller forests, mountain/hill regions, lakes, ponds, smaller rivers, swamps or other terrain. Only the major areas are noted. Further, countless smaller keeps, cities, towns and villages exist throughout the continent, and none are noted on this map.

Ronan MacHood

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ronan MacHood was a well-known figure in Hibernia. MacHood was known as a warrior of note, well-known for his skill with the bow, and even as a young man the bards sung of his feats in the wars against the giants of the north of Hibernia, and it is said his sword and arrows helped defeat the Giant-king O’Grummach, and sent he and his brutes howling back into the mountains and caverns to the north.

Southern Magic: Cleric

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

The primary difference between southern magic and spells of the north is the writing system used to record it - the Thoth mage script. This script, named in honor of the scribe of the gods, is indecipherable to a standard read magic spell. A read southern magic spell is required to perform this task, and mages in the south guard this ability with great secrecy in an effort to solidify their power and preserve their autonomy. Only through the direct tutoring of a southern mage can a wizard from elsewhere in the Realms gain this capability, and many northern mages have found frustration or worse when searching for a willing teacher.

The Tome Of The Wyvernwater Circle

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Appearance: This tome is two octagonal half-rounded slabs of shadowtop wood enclosing 16 vellum pages. Each page contains a single druidic prayer (written spell) as follows: detect magic, faerie fire, invisibility to animals, pass without trace, wailing wind (a unique spell), cure light wounds, fire trap, locate animals or plants, produce flame, touchsickle (a unique spell), call lightning, cure disease, flame shield (a unique spell), hold animal, mold touch (a unique spell), water breathing.