Thursday, February 26, 2009

Bandits of Barrow Hill -Session 2-

(campaign related post)

The troupe continued its journey through the long forgotten tomb. As the Two Scars explored the crumbling grave they encountered more ghouls, seemingly at every turn. After desposing of nearly half a dozen of the creatures, the troupe eventually encountered a large sacrificial room, inside this macabre chamber were an assortment of several bizzarre undead creatures. A mound of animated corpse parts, a moving writhing mound of severed hands, two powerfully built zombies, and a strange brain in a jar. The creatures were fierce, and nearly impossible to kill with the magics of the brain constantly reanimating them, but the Two Scars prevailed, destroying all the creatures, and shattering the jar. Aside from destroying undead within the tomb, the troupe also came to realize that this was obviously the lair of the bandits, or at least the bandits at once used this place before succumbing to the undead. Also, this was where the eladrin were taken and disposed of. Along the way the troupe encountered several recently sacrificed bodies, but it was apparent that the bodies were being torn apart, as if one of the eladrin bodies was hiding something inside of it. Regardless, this was apparently difficult for Dalanor, but he kept his head about him, and continued non the less. Also, there were times when the group seemed to be watched by something, and it came to be known that Erentaelik was communicating with some kind of spectre. This spectre seemed to be that of the fallen necromancer the troupe had slain some months ago. Eventually they found something important to the necromancer, a small sigil of some sort, but Kharask stubbornly refused to have anything to do with the infernal wizard. An argument erupted between the drow and the dragonborn, but eventually they gathered themselves and prepared to finish there search of the ancient tomb.

more to come soon!!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Thoughts of Destiny

(Another character related post. This one is dedicated to the happenings going on in the campaign. With all the good character building going on, i dont want to lose sight of the stories focus. This is some insight from Kharasks point of view)

Kharasks thoughts trailed backwards again, but not back to the great tragedy of his past, or even to his childhood, they went back to the happenings of the last season. Much had happened that had shaped his destiny, and only now was he beginning to realize how evident it was. His arrival to Kharan Has was no chance, he had no intention of heading to the corrupt islands, where human kind lived like kinds and queens while giving in to the corruption of slavery and power. The only place he heard that was civilized and offered him a chance to better himself was the coastal town. The events after arriving in that town played in his head often. There first encounter with goblins that lead them to the plot to bring back some fiendish wizard buried deep in the sewers underneath the town. Was there more going on than kharask knew. What was the significance of the imp there, and did it have something to do with the workings of the cult of tiamat? Was it a random event, that simply needed taken care of, or was the beautiful view of the great chasm looming beneath Kharan Has a warning or portent of some kind. Then there was the resurgance of the cult itself. Kharask had known of the blue scales and there corruption due to the dark queen of dragons, but he had not known that there reach was so far north. Were the blue scales driven out long ago, or had they become so large and influential that they were reaching north for more power and land. It was true that they had slain a dragon, a few wyrmlings too, and Kharask knew that dragons were territorial, and so much draconic so close to a civilized settlement was rare, unless a war was immenent. Was this the blessing that he had asked tovik for? to be ushered north to where the route of all the evils were. Or was this simply a teaser of more to come, of something far more vast and sinister. Kharask had his ideas of course. The planar beacons, the blue scales, other intelligent creaturues chosing sides. Some things were evident, even to the slow thinking dragonborn. A war was coming, power was being built up, and alliances being forged. Kharask still had no idea what would be required of him, but expected his death at some point. No matter, so long as tovik allowed him to kill every last soul that harmed his people, all would be well.

ok, thats some gaming stuff, hope you guys enjoy!

New Adventure !!

Well, the troupe finished there tour of the hammerhold and headed back to Karahn Has, a bit richer for the experience. After arriving the Two Scars took some needed time to tend to themselves and refresh there gear with some hard earned coin. After seperating from the group and shortly after arriving back in town, Kharask took to some important duties, notably turning the head of Durzagon over to the dwarves. He also gave them a trophy of his victory over the deep dwarves and there host of devils. Kharask views the dwarves cautiously, he has heard of there greed, but also that they are more than likely an honorable folk, though he and his clan had little dealings with them. After setting things straight he gave yet another gift to alahn, the child ward in the care of there alchemist ally. (vadrier i think) The child was indesposed tending to his punishment for causing an accident in the alchemists lab. After setting his tasks down and finishing them the Dragonborn retreated to the comfort of the sprite, taking some time to replenish himself and get rested for the Two Scars next contract. Not long after he had settled in, he was approached by a likeable half elf who was eager to join the two scars, the half elf lead a band of his own, but wanted him and his troupe to officially join the company to give them some stability, it also sounded to Kharask that his troupe seemed to be good, but also seemed to be losing in focus. The half elf was sincere about wanting to know the charter and rules of the company, and Kharask agreed to meet with the half elves troupe once they returned from finishing a current adventure. Before he had heard word from the half elf, Kharask was approached by an Eladrin and his apprentice for some work. After going over the details, Kharask agreed to go north along a common trade route the Eladrin take, and scout it for bandits that had been hounding the Silver elves caravans. The Two Scars gathered there gear, and proceded to head north. Two days out the company encountered what Azriel later called a manticore, a strange lion beast with a human like head and a quilled tail. The creature had a thick hide, and was a hard opponent, but it was brought down mainly due to Erantaeliks magic, as he crafted snake like tendrils of electricity to wrap about the beast and bring it crashign to the ground. Once grounded the beast was easy to finish. After taking care of the manticore and getting there rest, the troupe headed further up the trade trail, once they finally reached the general area of there destination, they were attacked by ghouls dressed in commoners clothes. The creatures were difficult opponents, but able tactics and some quick thinking brought the combat to a needed close. After picking up there trail, azriel tracked there movements back to an ancient burial tomb of the sun god Phaethon. Once inside, the troupe encountered yet more ghouls, this time lead by a vile creature known as a Ghast. The battle was a difficult one, but again tactics and good training paid off, leaving the two scars victorious once again, but with a vast tomb to explore.

ok, the adventure ended there, and i'll pick up after the next session.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

A Destiny

(Character related post)

Kharask was patient as he sat across from his elder. The elder was a small dragonborn with fading scales. Many had turned white with age, and the final days his winter was near. Most dragonborn never saw such a state of age, but the seer's were much different. This elder's name was Tuk'vuneth and was a celebrated seer. He had helped rid the surrounding tribes of a powerful blue scaled dragon. He also used his sight to discover the lair of some blue scaled dragonborn who had turned to Tiamat, and helped destroy them before they spread. Being ten years old, Kharask was considered a full adult having just shed the last of his spring scales, and as such, came before the seer so the elder might read the threads of his future. Tuk'vuneth sat within a circle of white stones, the sun to his back. Kharask sat across from the seer, the sun shining on his face. Within the first set of stones and between the two dragonborn was a smaller circle of stones. The seer held a small sheet of folded animal skin that he carefully seperated, inside was several small colored stones. Holding his hand over the small circle, he flung the stones into the sand. Kharask followed the seer's gaze, but did not understand the meaning of the stones, so waited patiently for the words of the seer. The seer's voice was heavy, and forced.
"The breath of the dragons will come out as flame." Kharask nodded hearing these words, he had been having the pains in his chest associated with the development of his draconic lung. Many of his tribes used the flames of the dragons in combat, and he was not suprised this would be his method of attack as well. The seer continued. "You will carry the flames of leadership, and you will carry them beside the flames of war." Kharask nodded again hearing the seers words. He had been training witht he warriors for some time, but it was assumed that his natural talents would lead him into the tests for the warlords. The seer picked up the stones, leaving one smaller one in the sand, and then threw them again, looking to the ones that stayed within the circle. "You will face yourself many times, and lose everything once." Kharask nodded again at the words, but did not truelly understand them, he thought it might mean he would die in battle, or perhaps he would meet someone of his own strength and lose. The true relevance of these words would sting him later, and stay with him forever. The seer continued, throwing a set of bones within the stones. "You will never mate within this tribe. Those which are closest to you within this tribe, will not be with you when you leave." These words did not suprise Kharask, the mortality rate of the warriors were fairly high, and most of his current friends were in the combative caste of the tribe. Also, mating for leaders was not common, it was considered to take away from the responsability of leadership and place the responsability of family before it. To quell this temptation, many leaders had to give up there families until there leadership role was completed. There was also no guarantee kharask would stay within his tribe. Many surrounding tribes were looking for capable leaders, and Kharask may be chosen once he completed his training. The seer gathered up the stones and bones and began putting them away. "That is all i see of your future young one. From here on you will be Kharask, Torn-Flames. You may go." Kharask nodded, but hesitated, staring down at the circle. After several moments the seer gazed on the young dragonborn. "Do not disobey your elders young one. You must go attend your duties." Kharask nodded at his words, but pointed. " I am sorry great elder Tuk'vuneth of the calm sand, slayer of Ginteth the blue. But will you tell me nothing of those stones?" Kharask was pointing in the circle. The seer peered into the circle, and an irritating puff of breath escaped his nostrils. In the sand, just buried under the sand were six small stones. No, it was five stones, with a bone in the center. The old seer was flustered at such a mistake, but made no attempt to appologize, instead he gently brushed the sand off of the stones. The seer stared at the stones for several minutes. Kharask waited patiently, not interrupting the seer, looking at the stones himself. There were five stones in a perfect circle. A small piece of white marble, a rust colored pebble, a small sliver of jade, a small circle of obsidian, and a piece of blue quartz. in the center of these stones was a small broken bone. After waiting several moments, the seer looked up at Kharask. "These stones are irrelevant and hold no importance to you. Begone." Kharask nodded and got up, making his way back towards his weapons master. The seer stared at the stones, but did not touch them, instead, he buried them and covered them with a large stone. The seer moved and entered a resting den, propping himself against a wall. His attendants heard him muttering in his sleep that night, his last night on this world. When adressing the chieftan, the attendants told him that the last words of the great seer were ".. to never know.."

ok, thats just some flavor past stuff. =) hope you guys enjoyed it.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Angath Hammerhold take two! complete!!

Well, it was no easy task but the troupe once again delved into the ancient hammerhold. This time around there goals were a bit loftier, instead of scouring the dwarven ruins for ancient artifacts, the troupe came to locate and destroy a planar beacon, a beacon they believe the cult of tiamat is using to summon devils into reality. The Two Scars went through the the upper most part of the hammerhold, to the elaborate doors guarding an entrance to the underdark. Although assisted, the brave halfling, merric, disabled the clockwork door on his own. Even as Dalanor and Azriel chirped insight, the small adventurer seemed to tune them out, showing a focus Kharask had not seen before. After bypassing the door, the troupe traveled into a complex and ancient Duergar mining operation. Although obviously unused for a long period of time, the Duergar and there slaves attacked the troupe at literally every turn. Its important to add the beauty of the ancient underground complex, with well built bridges connecting other passages across an underground waterway. In the end, the Two Scars found there quarry, a devilish duergar hybrid, and a strange otherworldly statue that they believed was the planar beacon. This was not an easy won victory, but the party never really lost control, constantly focusing on taking down important foes, while protecting those allies that needed protection. After claiming the head of there crazed leader, and a menace that there ally had wanted dead, the troupe destroyed the statue and ended its magic.

Several things happened that Kharask had took note of over the course of this adventure, and this second part of the post describes that

Azriel - Not much really changes with the elf. He's reliable in a fight, mobile, and always quick to aid his allies. He never really suprises Kharask, although the dragonborn did note the new defensive flourish the elf had developed and used to shield his friends on several occasions. Kharask still has a hard time forming an opinion of the elf, not really having anything in common with the forest dweller. He notes that azriel is content to follow the troupe, seems casual in his emotions, and never really commits himself wholey to any action. He stays true to the stereotype of the elves, but kharask hopes to one day scratch the surface, and find the true motivations of this curious ally.

Merric - Kharask is delighted that the halfling follows them. He finds the small humanoid amusing, and useful. Always the last to be judged by the enemies, he is always the first to show his foes the mistake of underestimating him. Kharask was dissapointed when he caught the halfling hiding a valuable gemstone instead of handing it over. Although he recovered with a lie, Kharask saw it for what it was, a lie. Being used to allies that would never steal from one another, he found himself at a loss of what to do. It would be his custom to beat the halfling for his transgression, but he knew that the ways of the humans and those that many of the local humanoids followed did not appreciate or recognize this form of punishment. He fears the halfling's rough upbringing may have lead him to his deception, but ones past cannot be made an excuse. It needs to be an example by which a future is shaped. Still the halfling performed admireably in combat, and Kharask has no intention of removing him from there company. If he continues to abuse Kharasks good will though, the dragonborn may be foreced to take measures he would rather not.

Dalanor - The wizard performs as he always does. He utilizes his powers to strike his foes at long range, attack there very minds, and slow them down with blasts of elemental energies. Outside of combat he has inexhaustable knowledge on many important topics. The eladrin still fails to use his powerful abilities to there full tactical potential, but he has a feeling the eladrin still craves glory and acceptance to a fault. Still, he's coming around, when not in combat situations his head becomes cool, calculating, and in Kharasks opinion he seems wiser than even the elf. He is noting a strange tension forming between the fey and the drow, but he hopes his observations are incorrect. For now, the fey elf is an extremely capable advisor, and he's honest, something that many of the others fail to show.

Erantaelik - The drow is calculating, he knows something or is hiding something, of this, Kharask is certain, but still, these are not dragonborn he is leading, and Kharask attempts to give them some of the freedoms they are used to. Poison, the drow is also using poison, he could tell from the bolt that he fired at baerd, also the devils reactions were similar to what he has seen in poisons. The troupe still fails to realize Kharasks understanding of the physical frame, it was his duty to not only lead his comrades, but to recognize such hazards as disease and poisons, and to be able to treat them. How he deals with this will be dependant on the drow. Poison is not an honorable way to fight, but the drow has little in the way of honor. He'll let this play out until he can think of a reasonable solution to this, but doubts the drow would listen to him regardless. His independance shows kharask that he was either a slave, or not used to having much freedom, and will be very slow to give up any choices he has made on his own. For now the dragonborn can only praise the combat efficiency of the drow. He uses his magic expertly, showing up the fey spellcaster by utilizing his less spectacular understandings of the magic arts with tactical know how. The drow could go incredibly wrong in the future, but he could also be an amazing hero. He only needs get out of his own way.

Baerd - Kharask had one goal when going into this adventure, to save his friend. He has lost too many friends to a forced destiny, and was willing to risk his own life to make sure baerd had a second chance. Now he hopes baerd can utilize his great and terrible rage agains his enemies, without the possibility of harming his allies. He can understand that baerd wanted the axe for its amazing power. Looking back, the curse of the axe seems quite sad to the dragonborn. This magnificent weapon, aching for a hero to wield it, and so tainted with the failure of its own past that it would corrupt any would be hero that would touch it. Although Kharask could understand how a curse could be formed, he could not allow his good friend to die such a worthless death. He hopes by placing the cursed weapon into the hands of those that had in turn cursed it that the enchantment will be swallowed up in the deathe of the duergar. Regardless, it exists alone again, in icy darkness. Baerd now has a new chance, and vengeance is still attainable, without the taint or possibility of hurting his allies.

Ok, thats all for now. i'll try and keep regular posts, assuming my computer stays alive.