Session 13 – “The Prison City”

Game Date: August 13th, 2006 (Silver Creek, NY – The Shop)

Experience: 7,500 per player; 6,000 per cohort. Bonus: +300 Namakin

CHAPTER ONE – The Thistled Den / Meeting Relak

Having returned to a less-than-pleasant future, the group spent the night at Falstrom’s abandoned homestead, attempting to gain some plan of attack on the upcoming days. Their plan was delivered to them, however, in the form of a cryptic messenger, supposedly sent by Ghanadar, who had days ago fled the city. The group was ordered to meet the messenger that night at the Thistled Den, a tavern near the Great Hall. They did so, but only to find that Calad Brae, now under the rule of Omus, had become a city under watch. Wards and glyphs peppered every building, and wizard-led patrols scoured the city at every hour, keeping a constant watch over the populous. Large and ominous constructs followed the patrols as well, making the thought of an ambush a little less intriguing. At the Thistled Den, the messenger revealed himself as Kedwin, a friend of Ghanadar. Telling the group that they were expected to meet Amadius and Ghanadar north of the city to devise a plan. The adventurers wasted no time, and thanked Kedwin for his efforts. They would not leave the city unharmed, however, and when a scuffle outside of the tavern drew Ander’s attention, the city Watch gathered as well.What had started as a dispute between a half-ogre and the guardsmen soon turned into a brawl when Loutarin’s father was publicly mocked for his cowardice. A battle ensued, leaving the adventurers wondering if they had truly picked a fight with the best odds. They were circled by the guards, whom them made quick work of, but two patrol wizards and their following constructs made the fight a little more balanced. When all was said and done, everyone but Relak and Pontius stood, the others all having been turned into stone by the constructs’ supernatural abilities. It was only by sheer strength and speed that Relak was able to gather all of the tinier statues and make haste down an alleyway where the constructs could not follow.

The group took shelter in a hidden dojo that Relak had directed them to, gathering their strength and regrouping for another possible attack. The attack never came, but Shen-shao, Relak’s teacher, helped to aid the battered group and heal their afflictions. He told them of an underground movement that was in place to undermine the rule of Omus, but there would more time to explain later. For now, they left the dojo under the cover of night, with the large half-ogre, Relak, adding his strength to the group.

CHAPTER TWO – Reunion with Ghanadar & Amadius / Reunion with Egeus & Valgres

Under the cover of night, the search for Ghanadar and Amadius began. Luckily, with the tools that Namakin’s uncle had provided, coupled with the tracking abilities of the group ranger, the small alcove that the two fugitives were using as a base was easily found. Easily found, but not quietly. During their search, the group had split up, with Pontius and Loutarin coming upon a group of patrolling Watchmen. Apparently, the search for Amadius was still on, and enough noise was made to alert the enemy.

While the adventurers did not yet know that preparations were being made for their attack, a moment of respite was had while Amdius and Ghanadar were reunited with their relatives. Their strength being low, it was agreed to take them back to the Cardinal & Crow so they could be properly healed, but not before they would have to fight their way out. A patrol wizard and his men attacked the holed up group from multiple sides, forcing them to split up before they were entombed. The battle was won with Namakin and Ander protecting the wounded Amdius, while Loutarin, Pontius and Relak fought the mage outside. Quickly after the fight, the party teleported to Ogden, desperately looking for some shelter and rest.

The Cardinal & Crow was one of the few places that had not changed for the worse since the group’s return. It was discovered that Egeus and Valgres has used their ‘past’ knowledge of the thieves den located below the tavern to their advantage; they made a deal with Miksalak that eventually allowed them to muscle their way into owning the bar. Upstairs at the Brothers O’Toole, everyone was able to relax and regroup. Amadius was undergoing healing for the potent affliction he contracted, and a bit of informal conversation broke the tension that had followed them everywhere. For tonight, they were able to ease their bodies and minds.

Egeus brought many things to light over some Firewine, including: the fact that the Pale Commander had arrived in Alaron over six months ago, Marzul had been slain, Mask recovered Sorrow’s Memory, the church of Lathander was divided, and that Falstrom had been imprisoned in the seaside dungeons known as Red Ribbon. Without wasting time, the trip to red Ribbon was organized, while Egeus offered to investigate the church matters, while at the same time trying to gather support from Amadius’ troops, who had left the city and were rumored to be hiding in the northern woods. The night of rest was over quickly, and the next morning, the trip to red Ribbon commenced.

CHAPTER THREE – Entrance Into Red Ribbon

The trip to the prison was uneventful, and no plan was made as to how to actually enter the structure until they stood at the doors. Luckily, a mixture of diplomacy and wit gave them access to one of the wardens as they bluffed their way to ‘visit’ an inmate under the orders of Omus. What was going to have been a straight forward assault into the dungeons now became a carefully planned mission of bluffing and lying their way to Falstrom’s cell.

By using Omus as their ’superior’, the adventurers managed to descend three levels into the prison, once by paying off a guard to kill a prisoner, and the other by finding Falstrom’s cell, only to discover that he had managed an escape through the hollow floor into the lower-most level – a dark and fetid underground place that was used for only the most dangerous and troublesome prisoners.

Using once again the tracking skills of Pontius to shed some light on Falstrom’s tracks, the group came face-to-face with the common duergar guards, as well as the large corpse collectors that rifled through the bodies of the deceased prisoners. It was a grim sight, but the trail of Falstrom was still visible, and after a vicious encounter with a few of the previously mentioned constructs the journey continued: straight into a deurgar ambush.

Large and dangerous fey, let loose by the guardsmen for some unknown reason, brought havoc on the group, causing the underground tunnels to rumble with screams, magical energy and the clash of weapons. While the adventurers were victorious, only two of the large fey had managed to sap a good portion of their resources, leaving Loutarin and Pontius in an uncontrollable rage, Relak on the dungeon floor, and Ander & Namakin with the task of restraining their enchanted comrades from killing everything in sight – including their friends.

As the sounds of battle echoed away, the long walk through Red Ribbon was only just beginning….

Player Journal – The Looming Darkness

PC Journal for Namakin (Sam Lauer) 

I start this journal in hopes that our last days can be recollected by the bardic tales and wandering minstrels through song. We have come back to the time we left, but not the way we had left it. So much has changed, much of it for the worse. In pursuit of the second shard to keep it from those that would use it for evil, all started with the portal. Once back to the past, we destroyed the Puppet Master. Living up to his name, he was too a puppet for the Pale Commander. We have recovered gemstone skulls, destroying one that was the Puppet Master’s phylactery. After which, we took Marzul his in exchange for the Shard obtained by the agent of Mask. The sword of Mask, Sorrow’s Memory, also was a bargaining chip we used with Marzul. We received more gold than some kingdoms. With it, our keep was constructed and the rest sits in a secure location.

We returned to our time to find much has changed. Falstrom imprisoned, Amadius and Ghanadar are on the run and Talgrow was sentenced to death which he did with honor and courage. Marzul has been destroyed by Mask. Omus, the great wizard of Calad Brae, is now in power with ties to the Pale Commander. Almost everything that we once knew is no longer. The O’toole brothers are one our few trusted allies in this epic struggle to reach the Iron Acropolis.

I write this after we have found Ghanadar and Amadius sheltered in a small hallow in the ground. Just as we reached them, some of the shady characters of the new watch found us as well. Loutarin, Pontius, Ander, I and a newcomer to the group, the Ogre, made quick work of things. Taking what valuables they had, we fled to Egeus’s tavern in Ogden. That is where we learned of Falstrom’s location and some other valuable information. Our information network is weak but any information is helpful.

Leaving Ogden to go rescue Falstrom in Red Ribbon prison, this is where our adventure continues. On a mission to restore Calad Brae to all her glory, Falstrom needs to be saved and returned to power. We must set things right, for we are part of the reason for this madness in this world.

Once we rescue Falstrom, and we must succeed, we will take on the forces behind Omus’s plague over Calad Brae. Within the city, Constructs roam the streets with blue cloaked wizards whom are adept in the art of magic. Tactics and stealth are our assets for we are greatly outnumbered. I will find a way for my magic to penetrate the seemingly impenetrable creations of Omus. Let the cleansing begin……

Two Years Later…

While cleaning up our den and reorganizing all of the CDs that got moved from the old apartment, I happened to find version 1.0 of our website for the current campaign.  While that in itself is not so exciting, I must admit that the date of the first post took me by surprise – October 6th, 2004.  That means in two months, we will have officially hit the two year mark for the Iron Acropolis campaign!  I know we had been playing for a long time, but seeing the actual date seemed much further back than I had anticipated.

Click on the thumbnail below if you’re curious as to what a screenshot of our posts looked like back then.  Let’s start making plans for a two-year bash in October!

The Shaman Speaks – The Wheel of Time (Pt. 2)

Ander steeled his gaze upon the inside of the entryway to Falstrom’s home, the rest of his companions doing the same. “Open the door, Namakin.” he growled, “Tempus rides with us this night.”

Loutarin, crouching near the door’s frame, tensed as the mage’s unseen servant spell slowly turned the knob of the entrance. He knew he would have to be quick with his attacks, being extremely cautious of stepping in Pontius’ line of fire – a quick duck and slice maneuver should do the trick; at least it would be enough to send whatever was coming through the door back on its heels. If that didn’t do it, the fireball would. If the fireball didn’t, an arrow to the chest would do just fine. And if, by some ill-fated chance, Pontius’ arrow did not find its mark, there was no arguing with Ander’s hammer. There were plenty of contingencies, a safe amount, but the elf had long ago learned never to trust the odds – especially when they seemed in his favor. Whatever was bold enough to come through that door announced did so for a reason.

Outside, Namakin’s familiar followed orders and perched on the fence post, hidden perfectly in the moonlit shadows. The small pseudo dragon had flown silently out the window at the first indication that something lurked outside, blending in with the dark foliage to become almost completely invisible. Now it sat content on the wooden fence, watching what seemed to be the form of another gnome standing outside of the door. The hooded creature held something to its chest, looking behind every few seconds, as if it was being chased. Namakin’s familiar sniffed the air, detecting nothing evil within the immediate area, and from what it could see there was no movement aside from the twitching form in front of the door. He knew that Namakin and the others were holed up in the kitchen of the house, poised to attack whatever was behind the door, and he sent an accurate description of what was standing outside.

Inside, the wizard received word from the tiny dragon and held his hand up to the rest of the party in silence. “It’s a gnome, no others with it.” he whispered. “Be on the ready, but hold your attacks.” No one doubted the small mage, it was almost as if his special deductive powers no longer had the surprising effect that they used to. Now they just simply trusted him and asked no questions. Despite that, everyone collectively raised their weapons with full intensions of fighting at the first sign of aggressiveness.

The creature has left something at the doorstep. He is running away. came the telepathic description. Immediately, Namakin ordered the unseen servant to hold off, leaving the door open just slightly enough for someone to look out and observe. Loutarin held his hand out towards the others, a gesture that mirrored Namakin’s decision to keep the door closed slightly. The elf heard only the very distant pattering of footsteps heading away from the farm into the tall crops – there would be no catching whoever it was, and it was madness to try and chase them into the crop fields. It was an ambush waiting to happen. Looking down, a small leather-bound book had been placed in front of the door, along with a cylindrical casing, also made of leather. Loutarin knew better than to think books were harmless – he had seen more than once the effects of a warded tome. He pushed the door open, letting the moonlight contrast with the few candles that were lit inside. Crouching near the items he said, “Whoever left it ran into the fields. Anything I should worry about?” He was referencing the “gift” left at their doorstep, and when Namakin saw no magical energy coming from them, he nodded his consent. Loutarin picked up the book and the casing, carrying them inside before closing the door and bolting it – a futile attempt, he knew. He could only compare it to a child feeling that a paper thin blanket would be suitable protection from the monsters under the bed.

Pontius lit the remaining candles in the great room, bathing the area in a soft orange glow with shadows that danced in the calm breeze. The group gathered around the center of the floor where Loutarin opened the casing and extracted a rolled-up parchment. He opened it and read the first few lines to himself. After a few moments he lowered it and looked at his friends, “It’s from Ghanadar.” There was a collective sigh of relief, and the elf began to read the message that had been delivered to them in the dark of night:

Friends,I will not trivialize this message with any sort of greeting or cordiality, there is not time. Please know that I am aware of your predicament and have made arrangements to meet with you in the forests north of Calad Brae. I cannot say the name of the messenger who delivered this, but know that he is a trusted source. I’m sure you are wondering how I received word of your arrival, or how I know what you have been through. I promise a full explanation when we meet again, but for now, just thank the gods that you have friends such as Nyd and Egeus on your side.The world is not as you have left it. Things have changed, many of them for the worse. I have read of the past that you know, and I wish I could have lived it – it seemed like such a wonderful vision. You have seen our great city the way she should have been seen, lawful and peaceful. Now you must prepare for a different Calad Brae, one that is deceitful and poisonous.

Namakin, a year ago you had come to me and warned me of a imminent danger that you could not detail. I was visited that same day by a friend of our dear Locklin Bree, a bard who called himself Egeus. I will tell you more when we meet, but he gave me this tome, a record of your travels with him. He said he was writing “the greatest adventure ever told” and everything contained herein was true. I didn’t believe him, of course, but Nyd was able to convince me. I lived a year of my life watching things evolve, while at the same time reading how they had already played out. You four alone have shaped the future.

Loutarin stopped reading and the adventurers looked at each other in silent acknowledgment – the tome delivered with the casing was indeed Egeus’ journal. It was proof enough that the message was authentic. “Egeus has been known to be careless with his items, and he does have a habit of getting caught,” remarked Pontius, voicing what everyone in the group was thinking. After a moment Ander replied, “This is all we have. We must hope this has not come from the enemy’s hands.” They were forced to believe the cleric’s words, and Loutarin continued:

I will tell you what I know: It started almost eleven moons ago, just after I talked to Namakin. A large explosion was heard at the archeological site where we had been searching for Jaxon Goldbrigg’s breastplate. During an investigation of the explosion, Talgrow Venorus was murdered, and the royal mage Omus was put in command until ceremonies could commence to name the next magistrate. That, however, never happened. Omus claimed the title for himself, killing any who opposed him. Amadius, Pontius’ father, was head of the opposition, and was imprisoned to be hanged the following day. Myself and Falstrom wasted no time, and were able to use our clout to free him before the sunrise.I have been on the run ever since. Falstrom agreed to take the punishment, as it was the honorable thing to do. Honor the city’s laws, he said, but I will never undertsand his logic. He was sent to the seaside dungeons near Red Ribbon, he may be dead for all I know. Myself, I have lived in secrecy since, and have only now made the decision to leave the city in search of Amadius. I will be heading north, and you must find me.After reading Egeus’ tome, it is clear the this man called the ‘Puppet Master’ had been the focus of your hunt. it seems that without this figure to distract the armies in the North, Omus had been able to execute plans of his own. I know in my heart that if we can find the heart of these plans, we will again have the upper hand.

You must not bring suspicion upon yourself – fate most certainly has a sense of humor, for Omus has allowed you to stay within the city limits. He has even used you to show that he is kind and generous, even to the sons of traitors. It was a sickening display that I was saddened to have watched publicly. That, my friends, is the public side of the mage, do not find yourself in a dark alley with his minions, for I am sure he would kill you when given the chance.

My letter cannot stress enough – DO NOT make yourselves available to any member of the Church of Lathander! Riots have broken out in multiple cities within the faction. Again, I will explain when we meet. Travel to the Thistled Den on St. Waldof’s Way. The gnome who had delivered this will be waiting for you. Amadius and I await you. Make haste, and trust no one!

Ghanadar
Quiet fell over the great room.  The city that once held them to its breast, now began sinking its claws into their flesh.  Without a word, the hunt for Ghanadar began.

The Shaman Speaks – The Wheel of Time (Pt. 1)

No one moved. The typical summer breeze of Calad Brae that moved through Falstrom’s homestead now began to carry the stench of death. The inside of the house had been rearranged by the group since they arrived, moving all of the beds and cots into the great room, ensuring that any attack would find them together and ready. Namakin, Loutarin, Pontius, Ander and Galibard had all traveled back to Calad Brae, just a day after returning to what would be a different future. They had needed to regroup, to decide what to do with their new found riches, and come to an agreement on what should be done about the Iron Acropolis.

They had decided to spend the night at Falstom’s farm, which they soon found abandoned, but in good condition. Loutarin was the first to take watch, and the rest of the group followed suit, getting the much-needed rest that they all needed. Namakin had did what he could to secure the area magically from any intruders. It was a tense night at the very least, but the adventurers had managed to doze off, despite the looming threat of the unknown. The city was a different place – they could feel it. Something was in the air, and while the Watch roamed the street in their typical fashion, and smell of politics was thick and heavy.

So the group had made their camp in the most familiar spot they knew, and to the sound of crickets and other insects of the night, they drifted off to sleep. Peace, however, like so many other things they had confronted, did not last long enough to savor. Along with the other sounds of the night, Pontius’ keen hearing allowed him only a state of half-sleep, the rest of him keeping a watchful “eye” on his surroundings. It was not the sound of the breeze, Namakin’s soft snoring, or even Ander’s subconscious recital of prayer. No, it was the dripping. Pontius’ eyes fluttered open, after coming to the conclusion that no sleep would be had while the incessant water kept drip, drip, dripping in the next room. Raising to his feet as quietly as possible, he moved, hand on his bow instinctively, into the next room where the sound came from. He rounded the corner, and found it much easier to open his eyes as he saw the source of the annoyance. Tripping backward, his outstretched arm was caught, causing him to reel around, reaching for the hilt of his sword. “Pontius, it’s me!” came the reply. Loutarin steadied his friend. “Sorry. I saw you get up. None of use are moving around this place alone.” The ranger picked up his bow, his eyes quickly turning back to the scene at hand. “Go wake the others,” he whispered.

The group, awakened from their sleep, stood with Pontius and Louratin, staring at the wall of Falstrom’s kitchen. Galibard’s lifeless form was hanging from the wall, shirtless and arms outstretched. It was obvious from the stains on his pants that he had recently soiled himself, perhaps adding to the incessant dripping that woke Pontius. It was mostly blood, however. A dark pool of it has collected under Galibard’s corpse, staining the floor and already attracting the vermin that fed on the deceased. The grim scene was unfolded fully before everyone, almost as if every detail was meant to be absorbed, every moment of pain to be empathized. The fighter’s face was still contorted in a silent scream, with eyes that were now milky orbs that had long rolled back into their sockets.

Ander was the first to take a step forward, feeling some guilt as the man had chosen to follow the group because of him. There was the sick slurping sound of flesh sticking to the wall as he lightly touched the corpse with the butt of his war hammer – he winced in disgust and then turned away, rage beginning to take hold. He could feel that Tempus’ spirit was in him, stronger in fact than Lathander in the past. He wasn’t sure if he should feel acceptance or shame. “He is mocking us.” finally came his response. The rest of the group looked at him, expecting some sort of explanation. “His back, the skin has been flayed. He is now the fey he hated.”

Looking closer, it was apparent that the skin had been cut into flaps on Galibard’s back, a twisted imitation of the gossamer wings of the southern fey. “Let’s get him down. We are not waiting until dawn. This place is no longer safe.” Namakin’s words were sensible, and no one argued with the small, knowledgeable gnome. The gruesome task of taking their friend’s body off the large spikes that were driven into his back was not easy. Even more disturbing to everyone was the fact that no one heard the large metal points being pounded through the wall. Pontius took hold of Galibard’s right arm and got a look at the horrific torture that had been unleashed on the back of the friend. In addition to the skin being peeled from the bone, three large colored pieces of glass had been hammered into the flesh underneath.

“Look at this,” the ranger pointed out to the group. Loutarin, touched the pieces of jagged glass softly and chuckled a morbid realization. “Three shards.”

Knock, knock. There was no time to take it in, as the group swung around towards the front entrance, weapons ready. Again, a soft knock, knock. The small gnome moved quietly towards the center of the room, a small orange glow between his palms being the only evidence of the devastation he would unleash. Pontius, standing twice as tall behind the wizard, already a deadly arrowhead centered on the door. Loutarin nodded his affirmation as he took his place by the door’s side, ready to slice whatever came through to pieces. The holy man, anger coursing through his veins at the death of his friend, wrapped two hands around the Chaos Hammer, taking an offensive stance.

“Open the door, Namakin.” he growled, “Tempus rides with us this night.”

TO BE CONTINUED….