Session 3 - Versus the Powerlord! (Herbie, Daltonya)

And her paladin, the Celestial Dragon revered
And through the ranks assenting murmurs reign
The paladin to rev'rence, but ransom took
For the Darkfury; he with haughty mein

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Herbie, Daltonya

The session kicked off following the revelation of High Priest Galvin's death, and his replacement at the hands of some unidentified fiend.  The party discovered clues leading them to believe that Usiris' old mentor, a kindly kobold Paladin named Grandfather Krak, had been kidnapped by some mercenary group named 'the Powerlords.'

Usiris' mentor needs help!

The crew set out for Kymal, where the mysterious dragonborn Syndi vaguely recognized instructed them to leave personal possessions that will help him break the kobold at a drop point.  "He won't last much longer," the mysterious dragonborn said.  The party had already searched Krak's room, discovering a diary amongst his personal effects, and had planned to make the drop in the city.

Kymal's streets are as rough as its reputation.

Using Ixta's personal airship, The Black Manta, the group made their way to Kymal.  Located in the heart of Tal'dorei, Kymal is a seedy, corrupt town that thrives on gambling and oppression.  The crew split into multiple parties, and each of the groups made their way into the city through various means; bribery, intimidation, and skullduggery.

After making their way inside, the groups stayed split up; some investigated a local fountain in full disguise, some headed straight for the seediest local gaming hub named the Rusty Slot, and still others drank.  Herbie and Guy tracked down a Thieves Guild contact, after Herbie discovered why the fountain was no longer operational (a box with a curious platinum orb had been shoved in the fountain water return pipe).  Ixta's crew spread to the four winds with orders to carouse and discover information on the area ... covertly.  Sorta.

As the groups converged on the gaming establishment, the Rusty Slot, they found it to be an oasis for the well-to-do members of the city, as well as a haven for adventurers.  The place was packed with soldiers of fortune and explorers, mingling with the upper crust of the city.  Clearly, this was an exciting place to be!  Could it house the way to the crypts below Kymal, where the dropoff was?

The Rusty Slot, despite its crude name, is an opulent gambling house.

Usiris and Daang nearly got grifted by a sleazy bartender named Chad, who was looking to make a quick gold coin based on 'information' on how to get into the crypts below Kymal. Usiris had pity on him and taught him the error of his ways.

"Hey bro, you looking for a way into the crypts bro?"

Daltonya was recognized by a half-orc bouncer named 'Big Rob.'  Big Rob harbored dreams of being an adventurer himself, but never could pull himself away from the Rusty Slot.  He asked for Daltonya's autograph for his nephew, Little Rob.  Daltonya and Rob hit it off immediately, with Rob providing key intelligence on the comings and goings of several shady characters.  Rob even offered to cover the doorway while Daltonya went below.

"Oh shit, are you Daltonya?!"

Aemeyt and Syndi, still in disguise, sat at a nearby table after being recognized immediately at the door.  The head waiter approached them after some time and inquired about why they were at the gambling house.  They weren't expected, after all.

"Good evening, Father ... "

Aemeyt and Syndi managed to bluff the waiter into letting them into the lower chambers, which turned out to be an entrance for the crypt!  Aemeyt quickly charmed the waiter into showing them the way and leaving; signaling to the rest of the group, they all made their way downstairs into the crypt with no issues.  Rob guarded the doorway as a favor for Daltonya.

The crew all squeezed into an elevator that went down several floors.  They'd learned above that the crypts were a place where adventurers flocked, to earn gold and grow as heroes.  The group went past multiple levels, hearing screams and yells occasionally as they passed floor after floor.

Eventually, they arrived at the bottom floor, where they discovered a zombie operating the elevator winch with an equally zombified donkey providing the horsepower.  They made their way through a series of winding passages lit by magical torches and eventually found the room where Krak was held.  He was guarded by six thugs; they were quickly dispatched.

The jail cell was actually quite nicely appointed.

The group rescued Krak, but immediately grew suspicious.  Krak was in excellent health and his 'cell' was actually quite comfy.  Didn't the mysterious dragonborn say that he 'wouldn't last long?'  While Usiris reunited with Grandfather, the group searched the cell.  They found letters, written in Draconic.  They demanded to know what the letters said, and Krak grew embarrassed.  After some negotiation, Usiris started to read the letters aloud ...

"My dear Usiris ... "

The letters turned out to be farewells to Usiris, just in case he didn't survive this ordeal.

Once Krak got his equipment on and readied himself, the group ventured further into the crypts.  They reasoned that they couldn't go back through the casino, since it would alert any remaining conspirators topside, so they followed the sounds of rushing water deeper in the lair, hoping to identify an underground river by which they could escape.

After prowling around, they eventually came to a dimly lit door.  Guy ventured ahead to see who was about and overheard this exchange:

 Powerlord: “When is that ship getting here, Wulkax?”

 Darkfury: “MY NAME IS DARKFURY, MINOTAUR!”

 Powerlord: “That name is stupid.”

 Powerwife: “Darling, please let’s not make the dragonborn angry.  Darkfury, when can we expect the ship and our payment?”

Darkfury: “Soon.  I assume the kobold is unspoiled?”

Powerwife: “Of course, we’re professionals.  He’s unharmed and well-fed.”

Powerlord: “Whatever did you need him for anyways?  He seems harmless.”

Darkfury: “The dragon will decide.  Do not question him.”

Powerlord: “You speak often of this dragon, is it your master?”

Powerwife: “Darling, wait … I hear something …”

After hearing this, Guy decided to be bold and strode into the chamber.  This angered the minotaur, who promptly lost control and began attacking.  The Powerwife became alarmed at the minotaur's anger and sought to calm him, but to no avail.  She pleaded with the group to spare her husband.

"Do not kill him, please!"

The minotaur attacked ferociously, seemingly turning on anyone that damaged him.  The Powerlord was able to cover huge distances and inflict grievous damage.  The battle turned to one of survival!  Every attempt to calm the huge beast failed; his armor seemed to glow and react to attempts to charm him!  Eventually, the Powerwife landed a blow on him, and minotaur wheeled about, looking to slay his own wife!

The rampaging Powerlord!

Just as the situation was about to turn grim, Herbie succeeded in Polymorphing the Powerlord into a calf.  Exhausted, the group wonders what to do next ...

The PowerCalf.

Session 2 - Galvin's Treachery (Usiris, Syndi)

Thus as she prayed, her prayer to Void heard
Along the Divine Gate's height it was passed
Burning with wrath, behind the dragon hung
His void and furor amassed

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Usiris, Syndi

Following the undead attack, the party gathered their wits and decided on their next course of action.  Guy wished to explore further in the dungeon, but the party decided to return to the Turst Fields to report their battle with the undead fiends.  Guy was displeased.

After returning to the camp, the party took a long rest.  The following morning, Guy stated his intentions to go back to the ruined temple, which the group voted against.  What followed was a tense standoff between Daang and Guy, nearly resulting in blows.  In the end, Guy threw his dagger down disgustedly and stormed off.  The group pondered what this meant.

On their way back to town, the group began to form a plan: using illusionary magic, they would surprise Galvin, the High Priest of Pelor.  While at this temple, they would confront him with the spectre of now-slain Celesta.

"Hey Galvin, what's shakin'?"

The plan took shape.  Some of the group snuck off to get better vantage points.  Others caused a distraction, while Aemeyt and Syndi (in illusory disguise as Celesta and Elwym respectively) went to the temple.  The acolytes near the temple entrance shrieked in fear at the sight of the undead Celesta, which roused Galvin.

Hold Person didn't seem to work!

After accusing Galvin, Aemeyt (as undead Celesta) distracted him while Herbson cast Hold Person on the High Priest.  It worked!  Or so they thought ...

While the group closed on the paralyzed Galvin, Usiris noticed a small twitch from the cleric of Pelor.  No sooner had he noticed, than Galvin attacked!  Usiris waited to engage until he had proof that Galvin was indeed a foe ... proof that would follow mere seconds later when Galvin's form melted away to reveal a massive fiend who assaulted the heroes!

"He said this would be easy.  The damn dragon lied again!  Fine, I'll do this myself!"

The group attacked the creature with fervor.  In short order, the monster turned to run as the tables were decidedly turned against it.  Retreating into the temple after using its innate ability to cast darkness, it summoned help from the depths of the Abyss.

Their screeching cry freezes opponents in place.

Two winged demons ripped through a portal and immediately beset the party.  Although the demons were fearsome, the group quickly killed one and forced the other to retreat.  Eventually, the monster masquerading as Galvin was destroyed by Daang, but not before turning on the acolytes cowering in the temple and killing several.  As the demon died, it screamed aloud, "ORCUS WILL HAVE THIS WORLD!" and dematerialized upon death.

Usiris used his radiant healing magic, a boon from his celestial patron Abriell, to revive one of the fallen acolytes.  Guy led a smaller team deeper into the temple and located the High Priest's quarters.  After a quick Dispel, the group entered the room and located a large trunk, which housed the liquifying remains of the original Galvin.  They also discovered a small, magical mirror that seemed to be a communication device.  While Syndi was holding it, it grew warm and started vibrate; when she held it up and disguised herself as Galvin, another dragonborn came into view through the mirror.  

This dragonborn mentioned finding some items of Krak's and delivering them to Kymal at the 'usual dropoff.'  Syndi couldn't shake the feeling that she knew this dragonborn, but there was something unsettling about him.  The memory eluded her and after successfully deceiving the other dragonborn, stowed the mirror in a safe space inside Herbson's extra-dimensional secret compartment.  Usiris grew concerned at the mention of his long-time paladin friend; Grandfather Krak was apprehended by this dragonborn or his allies!  The dragonborn suggested finding some items of Krak's to help 'break him' and that the little kobold would not last much longer.

"Find something personal.  Something we can use to break him ... "

Aemeyt used his clerical powers to speak with the deceased Galvin and learned a few things: something called a 'void dragon' was involved, Galvin was killed by the demon, amongst other clues.  With the true Galvin found, the demon threat ended, and peace restored, the group made their way back to Khor's tower, where they were greeted by Bartleby, the majordomo.

"Ah, Captain Ixta ... someone was looking for you."

Bartleby informed Ixta that her first mate, a kobold named Betty, had dropped by to inform her that her airship was fully repaired and awaiting her orders.  He also pointed the group in the direction of Khor Oreheart, master of the tower and Usiris' mentor.  

Usiris regaled Khor with the story of what had happened so far, and eventually got to the part where Krak may be in trouble.  They searched the little kobold's room, and found nothing except a small diary that contained heartwarming messages about Usiris and Khor.  Usiris surmised that this type of information is what the villains were searching for.  The group made plans to set out for Kymal at earliest light aboard the Black Manta, Captain Ixta's newly repaired ship.

The Black Manta.  First Mate Better ensures the she's ready to fly!

While some of the group prepared for a rest, others ventured into the night to wrap up any pressing business in the Turst Fields.  Guy approached his business partner Garth Underston; Garth fled at the sight of Guy because he had apparently squandered the profits of his mug-selling venture on a magic pig; it would have been the mascot of his tavern, The Pig & Whistle.  Guy threatened the barkeep and together they came to an agreement; 10% ownership of the tavern, which would be renamed Captain Guy's Port for All Storms, and a 100% cut of all the profits from a new round of signed mugs.

"But it was a magic pig!"

Herbie decided to upgrade some equipment and sought out a guard named Stephen who owned a magical crossbow.  Though the initial trade offer of a poorly-made orc dart was refused by Stephen and the counter-offer of the arcanomechanical armor from Herbie was likewise rebuffed, there seemed to be a bit of interest from the guard.  Herbie was well-known for selling many trinkets and wares, and perhaps a deal could be struck.

The group bedded down for the night with plans to fly to Kymal in the morning to rescue Grandfather Krak and continue to unravel the mystery around the undead plague.  Was it connected to this 'void dragon?'  Only time will tell ...

Session 1 - The Ruined Temple of Pelor (Aemeyt, Allen)

Say then, what god the fatal strike provoked?
Pelor and Orcus' chosen,
Filled with wrath
Against the dark, with deadly intent

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Aemeyt, Allen

The party prepares to head deeper into the temple, joined by Daang and Usiris freshly returned from their adventure with Khor.

Upon entering the ruined temple, the party made their way around the winding tunnels and numerous traps of Pelor's ancient sanctum. 

The group encountered an old campsite, defiled by orcs; more orcs were found slain in the next room, their dessicated bodies laying dormant for untold numbers of years.  The orcs were felled by a mysterious enemy, the only clue left behind were rusted arrows coming from a direction deeper in the temple.

After avoiding (or failing to avoid) several more traps, the party eventually found a mysterious cubic monolith.  Herbie used his spell Comprehend Languages to decipher the writing.

"ORCUS COMES.
ABANDON ALL HOPE."

The group argued about how to approach the cube; Syndi casted Dispel Magic, breaking a rune of unknown origin while Identify didn't reveal any more secrets of the looming stone.  After some time, the group left the stone alone and found more parts of the mysterious temple, including a secret chamber with odd, hexagonal white tilework and a demon statue.

The demon's statue.

Half the party decided to rest in the hexagonal room before venturing on, but the others had a hunch; the room on the northwestern edge of the map may contain some information.  Perhaps a library?  Their hunch was correct as the team, after nearly falling prey to more traps, discovered the High Priest's Library.  They were able to recover several valuable tomes, and discovered many of the books that dealt with Pelor's dogma had been ... defiled.

The library of Pelor's chosen.

After reconvening, the party discovered that one of the traps contained a secret entrance!  Using some rope and ingenuity, they were able to lower themselves to the lower levels, where various horrors awaited.  A large torture room filled with old, dessicated bodies and long-congealed bloodstains was found; it was sorely out of place in this holy temple.  Who used this room?

Eventually, the group found ornate iron doors, embossed with the skull of the same demon they saw earlier.  Upon entering, they saw a scene of total carnage; bodies coated the floor, the chamber was covered in blood.  Flies buzzed through the air.  A solitary, spectral warrior awaited them atop the pile of corpses, impossibly fresh despite their age.

The Sword Wraith Commander

The Sword Wraith Guardsmen

Upon engaging the Commander, he summoned four spectral guardsmen and the battle was joined.  A well-placed Wall of Fire by Usiris effectively contained the wraiths, and clutch Guiding Bolts from Aemeyt helped the team whittle down the enemies.  When the tide was appearing to turn, the servant of Orcus made itself known ... a terrible specter bent on annihilating all life.  The battle was a pitched affair, but the party was well-organized and their tactics were sound.  Victory was in their grasp when Orcus' servant eventually faded away ... 

Only to be met by the risen specter of the elven cleric they were sent to find, Celesta.

The servant of Orcus, a bodak.

Celesta's specter rendered Ixta unconscious with her terrible gaze and Herbie's life was put in immediate danger.  Through heroic actions from Guy, Usiris, and the others, they were able to defeat Celesta's risen form, much to the dismay of Daltonya, who wished to capture and perhaps return her.

The group found some treasure and decided to take a breather, now that the Temple of Pelor was safe ... they think.

Session 0 - Part 1 (Daang, Usiris)

Emboldened thus, the dark-winged prophet spoke:
"Not for neglected catacombs or prayers
But for the betrayer host, whom Pelor scorned
And took his vengeance, barring brethren restored."

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Daang, Usiris

Our session opens in the Turst Fields, where Daang the half-orc barbarian and Usiris the aasimar celestial warlock (half-siblings on their father's side) reconnected after some time away, and made their way to the tower of Khor Oreheart, a staunch ally and friend after receiving a summons from the dwarven paladin.

"Usiris, I have some news for you ... you had better sit down."

Ozrick Dunn, a former disciple of the Celestial Dragon Abriell, had broken into the tower and stolen a very potent vial of ethereal oil created by Khor's alchemist, Minerva.  Khor gave Usiris a Sending Stone, and instructed the warlock to use it as soon as he found Ozrick.

"Henry, come along!"

Minerva, along with her mechanical octopus Henry, joined Daang and Usiris in the hunt for Ozrick.  Their first step: gathering information from the local town about the whereabouts of their prey.  

They split up, visiting the blacksmith, a former adventuring minotaur named Volgun who runs The Perfect Defense, the apothecary Eventide Ointments run by Tess Bright, and finally Moira Oakheart of the Full Tap Inn.

"I remember you ... in the mountains.  Daang, how are you!"

Eventide Ointments' proprietor  seemed very intrigued by Minerva.

Moira had seen Ozrick.  "Dodgy half-elf fella?  Yeah, he stayed here at the Full Tap!"

The tower, surrounded by an ancient battlefield dating back to the Calamity.

The group learned that Ozrick had stayed at the Full Tap and had taken delivery of a potion while he was there.  They explored his room and found a note mentioning a place called 'the forgotten tower.'  It also smelled faintly of sulfur and brimstone.  They followed the clues gathered from the room and Moira, eventually finding the long-forgotten mage tower to the east.

After making their way across the old battlefield, they came to a locked tower door.  Thanks to Minerva and some clever tactics, they breached the tower and encountered a summoning circle and a mysterious black orb mounted on the wall.  The summoning circle suddenly erupted and out stepped three devils, intent on guarding the tower.

Led by a black dragon devil named an Abishai, and flanked by two Merregons, the group was hard-pressed by the hellspawn.  But thanks to overwhelming power of the barbarian, as well as some creative use of a pit from Minerva's Robe of Many Things, the enemies were overcome.

But what is it for?

After defeating the devils, Usiris, Minerva, and Daang tested the black orb ... and were transported to the Shadowfel, an alternate plane of existence very similar to the Prime Material.  There was also a tower on the opposite side, though in better repair.  From the tower's vantage point, they discerned some ruins, a small hamlet or village, and a forest of ghostly trees.  Minerva used her skills to determine that Ozrick had fled to the ruins, and the group gave chase.

They happened across Ozrick near a cave, and overheard him arguing loudly with another entity about a 'contract.'  There was a loud sound, and the conversation stopped.  

Henry to the rescue!

Minerva sent Henry in to investigate and discovered Ozrick and a large metal construct waiting for them.  The combat was joined.  After a very long and brutal fight, Ozrick was defeated.  The shield guardian became inert; the group determined it was the amulet around Ozrick's neck that allowed the guardian to be controlled.  Minerva was given the amulet for study.

In the fray, Usiris had forgotten to use his Sending Stone to alert Khor that Ozrick had been located.  Only after the warlock had been killed by Daang did Usiris use the stone.  Khor's voice came back immediately, grim and stern: "She's coming."

A portal of gold and silver energy erupted across the room, and out stepped Abriell, celestial dragon of the Positive Plane, patron to both Khor and Usiris, and one of the most powerful forces of good known to exist.  She expressed her disappointment in Usiris for killing Ozrick without telling her.  She then retrieved the body and turned to leave, but not before magically illuminating a treasure hoard Ozrick had somehow amassed (or found).  There was no sign of the ethereal potion that was stolen, and no clue as to who the entity was that Ozrick was conversing with.

"You have failed me, Usiris."

Amongst the treasure was a Mantle of Spell Resistance, Dimensional Shackles, a Rope of Entanglement, and a single coin that smelled of sulfur.  It was identified as a coin belonging to Dispater, ruler of the second level of Hell, and the 'arms dealer' of the devil hordes.  With Abriell's rebuke stinging in his ears, Usiris and his friends returned to Khor's tower triumphant ... and defeated.

Was Dispater involved with Ozrick's plan?  Why has Abriell grown so distant from Usiris?  What was the ethereal potion for and who was Ozrick's contact?  Only time may tell ...

What is the connection to Dispater?

Session 0 - Part 2 (Ixta, Guy)

Sing, O Muse, of vengeance deep and deadly
Whence to Tal'dorei unnumbered ills arose
Which many a soul of mighty warriors
To the viewless shades untimely sent

SESSION INSPIRATION AWARDS: Ixta, Guy

Our campaign opens in an inn ... and our heroes assemble after many months apart.

• Ixta the tiefling swashbuckler, beautiful and deadly.
• Allen the brooding human gunslinger, full of dark purpose.
• Syndi the dragonborn genasi wizard, fate-touched and fiery.
• Daltonya the dwarven monk, brimming with promise and whiskey.
• Aemeyt the elven cleric, with a mission all his own.
• Guy the human pirate, adrift without a crew and ship.
• Bertrand the human wizard, who catalogs and collects items.
• Usiris the aasimar warlock, overflowing with light and law.
• Daang the half-orc barbarian, she who smashes.

The party reconvenes in the Turst Fields after spending some time abroad.  They spend some hours in a local inn, The Pig & Whistle, owned by a human named Gareth Underston.  Guy and Gareth work out a business deal involving signed tankards, with 50% of the profit going to Guy.

"Well, good to see you all again."

After a boy asks for an autograph of the locally famous monk Daltonya, Bertrand notices a disheveled elf cleric named Elwym in the corner, clearly distraught.  After some investigation, they discover that this elf was affiliated with the god Pelor, the All-Father.  They learn that he did not come alone; he traveled with a senior cleric named Celesta, also an elf.

Elwym told the party that they were to cleanse an abandoned temple near town, where the dead had been restless. The group decided to visit the newer temple of Pelor located in town, but not before Bertrand attempted to steal Elwym's holy symbol.

"Don't take this from me too."

Guy heroically leads the group to the temple, and the group reluctantly follows the boisterous captain.  At the temple, Guy speaks with Galvin, head cleric of Pelor in the Turst Fields.  The meeting is contentious and the party believes he is hiding something.

"Boy, get your ass out of my temple."

Aemeyt impersonates Elwym with an Alter Self spell, and gleans important information from Galvin.  Galvin knows of the elves and their mission to the old temple, concluding the talk with Aemet with a cryptic, "Damn, that means there's another one now."

The group heads to the tower, their local base of operations, owned by Usiris' ally Khor Oreheart.  Khor is not present; he is off adventuring with two members of the party, Daang and Usiris, as well as his head alchemist, Minerva.

The group gets some supplies from Bartleby, the majordomo of the tower and they head off to find the abandoned temple.

"How may I help you?"

Using their skills, the party finds the pathways Gareth mentioned that lead to the old temple.  They find an abandoned campsite and bed down for the night using a spell from Bertrand, but not before Guy does some scouting and discovers the abandoned temple about 2 hours walk from their camp.  In the morning, they set out and discover the ruin.  It appears an ancient battle happened here.

There was a great battle here and the temple is a decrepit ruin.

As they approach, the party is attacked by two giant skeletons.  After a brief combat, the party dispatches the undead and prepares to head deeper into the temple.

The giant skeletons were able to shake off a Turn Undead attempt.