Following the rough path they has seen in the sky the party headed wet, into the dangerous moors on the far side of Lake Spendlowe. They soon discovered how dangerous when they encountered wild bears, a strange jack-in-the-box things, a screaming cat and a massive bat – and all before they spotted where the Shooting Star landed. When they climber to investigate the crater they discovered that the shooting star had been removed - but Fern, the ranger, able to spot the tracks of the creatures that took it.

The tracks lead to an underground lair of Derro, small evil fey, that had collapsed when the meteor struck. The party had to fight their way through the Derro, killing those that remained, before they could claim the stone – a massive gemstone for themselves. However, they were able to save three madmen, who had been forced into servitude as slaves of the Derro.

They set off to The Tower of the Heavens, where they knew That Shafley, senior sage and keeper of the books, would be able to provide them with information about the stone. However, their path was blocked by a Giant Beaver dam, and the beavers were supported by a village of hunters whom they had allied with. Fortunately, Mulog the Druid was able able to negotiate passage with the Beavers, and one of the freed slaves turned out to be a man missing from the hunters village - so they were able to befriend the men as well.

Later they were attacked by what they thought was an evil Shadow Monk and his minions and they were concerned that the monks from the Tower of the Heavens might be against them. However, when they met the gate keeper, Hadley, they were told that Shaffley was being held prisoner in his rooms, buy his apprentice – who had turned to evil. They had to fight their way through the tower to find Shaffley, but managed to do it without killing to man innocents – instead they knocked then unconscious or stabilised them as they could, and healing them once they were tied. Some died of course, including the evil apprentice, but most of the guards and sages survived.

Shaffley told them that the Shooting star had been foretold, and that it must be taken to the Forge-Masters – who would exchange it for a book of prophecies – and that he would reward them handsomely when they returned with the books.

The Forge-Masters, turned out to be a group of deep gnomes who had found a matching prophesy and were guarding the location of the books until the Shooting Star was brought to them. After a minor skirmish, they met the Forge-Masters and arranged the transfer. However, as soon as the exchange had been completed the Forge-Masters took their leave and started to blow up their workshops. To complicate matters a pair of small dragons that the Forge-Masters had befriended were circling outside. Fortunately, the rest of the underground lair remained intact, and after a night to recuperate, Seamus the Paladin challenged the dragons to combat. A long battle ensued, with all of the party involved, and eventually the dragons were defeated - allowing the group to claim their small horde for themselves. Before they Left Marvello (the Mage) and Cal (the rogue) managed to recruit some of the Forge-Masters’ Gibberling slaves and their minimal horses to come and work for them, and Mulog managed to half-tame three massive Lizards, who had served as mounts and beasts of burden.

Back at the Tower of the heavens, Shaffley had taken back control and it was a very subdued group of sages and guards who guided the party to meet the Keeper of the Books. True to his word, he rewarded them with a magical item each as well as giving them the magical items that had belonged to his evil assistant.

Then it was back home via Hallbridges, the capital – where Sir Joromi (The Squire) congratulated them and promised to send more people to help them develop their homes.

Rhawn Brewston - Rhawn is a good solid dwarven girl who has lived her whole life in the town of Hallbridges. She is can cook and brew ale (obviously) and has been brought up to marry and be in charge of a household. She knows how to manage a household budget and staff. She thinks Cal is a good catch and that marrying him will be good for her family. However, she is a townie used to living on the surface and isn’t sure about living under a hill right out in the wilds.

Calli Sparcrusher - Cali is a dwarven warrior who passes through Hallbridges every so often when the trade caravan from dwarf mines at Melmond pass through on the way to The Tannery League. She is well armed and armoured, a veteran of a number of skirmishes who knows how to organise a defense and survive on the road. She is comfortable both above and below ground.

Keavy Clancatch - Keavy is from the Belarum, the Dwarven Stronghold in Holden. She grew up as a scout patrolling the area and providing meat for the working dwarves. She knows how to hunt and organise patrols as well as how to cook and survive in the wilds. She is comfortable both above and below ground.

By the time of the next adventure Cal has carved a new tunnel in his under-hill stronghold and tidied some of the rooms up, so they look more dwarf-like. The excess stone has been used to reinforce the outer pallisade, the main entrance to the cave complex now has a proper door, and the escape tunnel has been fitted with a concealed door as well.

Notes:
Melmond is a town further into the mountains, through the Northern Pass, which is 50% Dwarven and 50% human. It’s main income is from the dwarven mines.

Tannery League is the largest ‘country’ around. Technically Berhof is associated with the Tannery League, but it is a long way away, and doesn’t pay much attention to the small state up in the mountains. It has the only city in the area (The Tannery) – with a Temple of Iomedae and a Magic School - it is the most ‘sophisticated’ place around here.

Holden is a loose association of ’lordships’ to the southeast through the Adlerweg pass. It is a fairly ‘rough and ready’ place that sees frequent skirmishes with various humanoid tribes.

Has been tasked with watching the swamps for signs of unrest. He has been given a small enclosed farm set on an island in the swamp. You either need to travel by boat or cross a narrow wooden causeway to reach the island. While the farmstead isn’t particularly impressive it can house Mulog, his steward and a number of research and farming assistants. There are a couple of tanks for small scale controlled breeding experiments and larger external lakes for general cross breeding experiments with the local frog and toad population.

Roselana Pergwyn – a half elf of Varisian descent. Tall, light olive skin, dark hair, green eyes – exotic, attractive, charismatic. Marvello saw her singing in one of the Hallbridges inns – Looking no more than about 18, Roselana tell you that she has travelled a long way away from the travelling show that she called home while she was growing up. When Marvello first saw her, she was playing the zither and singing folk songs. Since then he has discovered that she can dance and has some minor magical abilities. A confident young woman.

Daisy Knotley – daughter of a good friend of Aunt Ophelia. While most girls her age were fascinated by Horses, Daisy was fascinated by the lake, and spent much of her time sailing. When she was old enough, Daisy headed down to the sea to try her hand on the ‘Big Waters’ as she called them. Now, a few years later, she is back. 25-30 years old, with a bit of a limp and a very self-assured manner – Aunt Ophelia is sure that she will be able to keep the staff in line without resorting to her cutlass.

Clover Whitmore – a second cousin twice removed (or something) of Uncle Rufus who has been staying with the Harts for the last couple of years. Only 17 years old, but already skilled in running a household. Clover is a homely young lady with a quiet, competent air. Aunt Alicia recommends her highly.

By the time of the Next Adventure the Lakeside Villa will have been repaired - well all the external walls and roofs will have been fixed and doors secured (including on the secret entrance. However, there hasn't been enough workers to really develop the place, and the rooms and furniture are all very basic. There will be a few 'servants' (Cook, Maid, Messenger, Stableboy) to do the work of running the household (The Tax from Kusnir).

This lists the 'Free' stuff that comes as the reward for previous actions. Spending money will allow more developments.

A couple of months after Seamus' visit to The Tannery, an envoy from the temple arrives with a proclaimation from the church that declares that Seamus has been awarded the title Knight of Iomedae. That means he is entitled to be called Sir Seamus and to to set up his own Chapter House if he so wishes.

By the time of the next adventure Seamus is master of Gannaway Keep, although it is only a shell of a keep so far. The stone walls have been rebuilt and the gatehouse is habitable with two lower floor rooms, one upper floor hall and a pair of turret rooms (Complete with arrow slits and murder holes to defend the gate). The Inner grassed area is still bare, apart from a simple stable block.

The garrison consists of:

• Tobias the Honourable (Steward)
• 5x Light Cavalry
• 5x Light Foot
• 5x Auxiliaries (who double up as cook / stableboy – etc) [The ‘tax’ from Gannaway]

(Militarty stats here http://johnbs-games.wikidot.com/pathfinder-military-employees)

This lists the 'Free' stuff that comes as the reward for previous actions. Spending money will allow more developments.

After the buffet there were the rewards. First up was the Governor, who made them all Officers of the Order of Berhof and gave them a medal to prove it. OK, there was a bit of cash involved to, although a large part of his largess appeared to be casting a blind eye towards most of the things they took from the keep. Next up was the Abbot with a small cash reward for helping out one of his followers while they were dealing with issues at Kusnir. Then came the Laird.

The first reward went to Marvello of the von Athog family. He was awarded title to the lakeside villa that had once belonged to his ancestors – but was charged with keeping an eye on Kusnir and providing arcane advice when required. The representatives of Kusnir cheered loudly when it was first announced, but were a bit more subdued when the Laird announced That Marvello was to be Reeve of Kusnir and a minor tax was required to support the Villa. However, it appeared that the tax was to be managed locally and Kusnir just had to pay for a few staff in the villa.

The second reward was to Seamus the Paladin who was given title to a disused and ruined shellkeep just outside Kusnir. Again this was greeted with cheers, for the paladin had given over 200gp of his own money to help rebuild their village. They weren’t even surprised when Seamus was announced as Reeve of Gannaway and that the villagers needed to supply building labour and then a small retinue to service the keep once it was built. Fortunately there is enough fallen stone to rebuild the walls and the gatehouse - although there isn’t enough to build anything else there.

Fern the Ranger was appointed Warden of the East and was told that a small tower and dwelling would be built for her at Bramblewarren, a favoured stopping place for trade caravans entering Berhof from the Aldweg road. Mulog the druid was tasked with watching the marshes and swamps on the southern shore of Lake Spendlow, where he will be able to raise Giant Frogs in their natural surroundings. Stonewall the Barbarian was given another small tower, north of Gannaway and charged with watching the mountains for signs of Hob-goblins, Gnolls or Giants.

The last formal reward saw Cal the Dwarf given title to the palisaded caves that ‘The Hammer’ had liberated from the half-orc bandits. He too was charged with watching the mountains for possible signs of invasion.

Craster Strainter, a well-respected Halfling merchant from Hallbridges offered to take their goods to The Tannery where they would get best prices for their ‘loot’ and have the widest range of purchase options in the region. Seamus arranged to ride along with the caravan and visit the Temple of Iomedae, his mother house, in the suburbs of that city.

Cal took the opportunity to mingle with the two wealthy Dwarves who were there – one of whom runs a brewery, the other runs the Unicorn Inn. While he was talking about business, trade and dwarves heroes, he was surreptitiously checking their families over for a potential bride. He also used their connections to send message to the dwarven community at Melmond that he had work available for willing Dwarves.

Marvello took the opportunity to speak with his family members, telling them that now he had a home, he was minded to take a wife. While his mother just cocked her eyebrows, his two aunts were in their element and promised to scour their contact books for suitable candidates.

When they reached the keep they discovered that it had already been taken, although the sentinel guided them in through a magically sealed door in the under under croft. The lower levels had been abandoned many years previously when the last of the magical protectors (Marvello’s ancestors) had been relieved of their duties. Their first task was to overcome the magical protections installed by the magical guardians - and a small colony of Giant Ants that had found a way inside. Then they were able to fight their way through the Gnoll who had overrun the place. It was a long hard fight, but the worked their way up the floors, fighting and overcoming the garrison. As they did they managed to rescue a few of the soldiers from the original garrison and took a small group of female gnolls prisoner. Due to a mis-understanding (and some interesting grapple rolls) one of the females though that Mulog the Druid had taken her as a mate – which lead to a few awkward moments for the druid. They also discovered that the leader of the assault had been an Ogrillon who was wearing The Gauntlet - a deadly enemy to The Sentinel (the object of their previous mission) currently worn by Seamus the Paladin.

However, when it was discovered the Gauntlet forced the Ogrillion to imprison itself in a set of Sorcerous Cells that had been used as the Keep’s prison. At the same time they were disturbed by a Fire Giant and his hob-goblin army who insisted that the party return his daughter immediately, although he didn’t wait for a response before starting his attack. The party separated - Fern, Mulog and Stonewall went to lead a parley with the giant, while Seamus, Marvello and Cal tried to solve the problem with the prison. Although negotiations didn’t really get started the three diplomats, along with some help from the rescued soldiers were able to hold and dissuade the first round of the assault, while the others worked out that the Giant’s Daughter was held in one of the cells and managed to release her - stopping the assault altogether.

Then it was back to the sorcerous prison and trying to find The Gauntlet – which was clever (and powerful) enough to try and hide itself inside the cells. Eventually they forced it into the open, although now it was on the hand of a giant two headed troll! There was a short battle, before Seamus managed to touch The Sentinel to The Gauntlet and the two gloves disappeared in a blinding flash that reduced the troll to a smoking greasy smear on the floor.

They sent two of the soldiers for a relief garrison while they tidied up the loose ends, including telling the female Gnolls that Mulog had been killed in battle and setting them free. When relief arrived they made their way back to ‘civilisation’ - but were caught up in an ambush on the way. The Gnolls that had been beaten off from the assault on hall bridges, had met up with the released females - and the party were caught in a small avalanche trap. This time the Gnolls had a shaman who had access to fireballs and lighting bolts. It was a bit more of a battle than ‘The Hammer’ expected, but they won through in the end.

It became more difficult when Ari moved to shift work, and has become even more difficult with the new roster that she has to work. And that has to fit in with my weekends away - and everyone else’s weekends away – and we have finished up playing sporadically. That, as well as the nature of the campaign we are playing, has made it hard for me to concentrate on the game, and I haven’t been running things as well or as smoothly as I think I ought to. All-in-all, it is time to stop.

So thank you to all of you who have played with us - Greg, Dave and James - you have been a good party and I have enjoyed DMing you.
And, of course, you are still all welcome at the Birthday game in October.

They were a bit wary, until the Spirit launched itself at them and attacked with one of the chains dangling from its body. However, it soon ‘snapped back’ to its original position - although it was able to do same thing next round. Then it ‘jumped’ closer and started to use a ghostly, incorporeal touch that took charisma points from the target. However, the group were hardly able to damage it in return, and any damage they did seemed to repair itself very quickly. However, when half-a-dozen spectres arrived and the cleric announced that he was nearly out of spells the group decided that discretion was the greater part of valour, and decamped, via spell, back to the old orc outpost where the regathered their strength.

Osric spent time to work out that the Chained Spirit was bound to the castle and was the force that was keeping it in good order. He also worked out that the four ‘real’ chains represented bound ‘assistants’ they would have to kill before they could deal with the main Chained Spirit themselves, although he also thought that a dispel magic might have some short term effect. Suddenly Zellara’s song started to make some sense.

Fate of steel—Serithtial
Her cage for years sustained
Four enthralled in lost Scarwall;
Undead to keep her chained.
A spirit first, red war his thirst
Still stands at post of old;
A second foe, infernal soul
Waits high in tower cold.
In kennel’s grime third bides his time
Then vents his killing breath.
And on a stone ’mid ash and bone,
The final dreams of death.
The spirits worn and battletorn
And locked in their damnation,
The chained one’s hold at last grows old
And ushers in salvation.
Yet hope remains amid the chains
When blade’s stone cage has crumbled,
Friends to dread and the death of the dead,
Keys to Kazavon humbled.

Then into the ballroom proper, ignoring the statue with the brittle leather bag over its face. But straight into the ambit of a Danse Macabre. This Guest wing had probably seen more death, pain and suffering than the rest of the castle put together, and the Danse of Death had started. And will never stop, as it tries to suck every living creature under its spell. Indeed Larry and Theo both fell easily into its thrall, although Kat, Osric and Dorrian managed to fend its interests off. Again Dorian shot well, and the monster was killed in short order, although Osric says it will reform in a day or so.

They also discovered a secret door and a path leading down to the lake side – and even the remains of an old jetty - the castle’s secret escape route. However, they decided to leave that undisturbed and explore the second level of the main keep next.

Then it was back across the courtyard to the west wing - although they were beset by gargoyles again.

That battle was harder, and they may well have fallen if they had not risked leaving to rest. However, the dragon was defeated and it withdrew to its lair in the old stables and tried to negotiate its life for its treasure horde. However that party rejected the offer and started to attack Belshallam. However, the dragon changed form and sped past them, up to the roof tops and beyond. And they weren’t even that impressed with the treasure.

However, they decided that they were badly injured and did not wish to stay inside the castle – so the dimension doored back to the Outpost where they had left Majenko and Zellara.

Exploration took them onto the upper floors of the gatehouse, where they met and defeated a number of Minotaur Skeletons.

Meanwhile the others were fighting the undead warriors, although the battle was easier than they expected, because the majority of the guards turned out to be simple skeleton dressed in plate armour. Even the dread skeleton leading them couldn’t stand up to their concentrated attack for very long. Then they approached the gates, under fire from the arrow slits that dominated the approach. The gates were barred and the portcullis was down, so they Dimension Doored inside only to find themselves in locked killing room, dominated by more arrow slits - however, they Dimension Doored beyond that, into the castle proper.

They found themselves in a large chamber that appeared to be full of freshly killed corpses – although the bloodstains were almost black-brown with age. In their puzzlement they almost missed the pile of corpses, bound into a single monster, coming towards them – however, they realised in time to mount a concerted attack.

The Corpse Orgy, for that was its name, reached out using the hands of the corpses it had absorbed and tried to grab people, pulling them into itself, so that it could absorb them. Fortunately, everyone captured managed to escape before they could be absorbed, and they managed to do enough damage to eventually kill the thing.

There is a large set of double doors leading further into the castle ….

The priests confirmed that there was a sword in the tower, Serithtial, which could defeat the Fangs of Kazavathon, for it had defeated the great blue dragon itself. They, the priests, could not wield the sword, BUT they claimed the fangs as a holy relic within their faith. Thus they want the queen dead and the fangs returned to them. However, they did agree to look after our heroes horses while the explored the castle to recover the sword.

So the party approached the causeway leading to the castle, when they came under arrow fire from the remains on the barbican. They spotted a few white faced orcs, shooting at them and judged that they could use a dimension door to get amongst them in Mêlée. Kat and Theo made the jump, but they had underestimated the guards – and soon Theo was cut down and almost dead. Fortunately Kat was able to Dimension Door them away to Osric for healing spells, whilst an Air Walking Dorian took care of the Boss Orc with his bow from a saw distance. While they succeeded in taking the tower, and thus finding a secure base for the night, it was a tough fought fight.

Eventually they were called into the Sun Shaman’s tent and told the story of Kavathon’s Fangs.

“Hundreds of years ago, one of my ancestors was called to join a righteous cause. A man named Mandraivus, a hero from a distant nation, was gathering a small group of warriors to aid in a fight against a despotic dragon named Kazavon, and my ancestor joined this crusade.

He was gone for months, and when he finally returned he was not the same man—his hands shook, his eyes carried a haunted stare, and he cried out in fear at night. He spoke little of what he saw while serving Mandraivus, but did say that they were successful in defeating Kazavon, and that the fortress of Scarwall was now under Mandraivus’s control. He was convinced it would remain impotent as long as the hero managed to maintain a hold on it.

While Kazavon had been defeated, his will to live was so immense that even the remains of his body twitched. The cabal had attempted to destroy the remains, but many fragments of the dragon’s skeleton resisted even their most destructive spells. Mandraivus tasked seven of his surviving followers each with claiming one of the bony relics of Kazavon’s body and ordered them taken from Scarwall. None of the seven would communicate where they were going to the others or to Mandraivus, and they were to ensure that their chosen relics would remain hidden and guarded for all time in order to prevent the dragon from returning to life.

My ancestor told this story to his fellow shamans, and revealed that his chosen relic was the dragon’s fangs. We took to calling them the Midnight Fangs, and chose the ancient pyramid on the shores of Conquerer’s Bay as their reliquary. After hiding the fangs in a secret room deep inside the pyramid, we took to the task of ensuring that the fangs remained safe. For generations, we maintained their task—until Cheliax invaded and slaughtered us. Those few who survived, and knew the secret of the fangs, were forced to flee with their kin into the Cinderlands. For the next three centuries the knowledge was passed from Sun Shaman to Sun Shaman, and we watched with fearful eyes as the city of Korvosa grew around the ancient pyramid.

During the time we guarded them, the shamans studied the fangs and communed with the spirit world about them. We discovered that a fragment of Kazavon’s soul remained lodged within the fangs. While this fragment alone wasn’t enough to work ill upon the world, it could certainly invade the dreams of those who touched them. We Sun Shamans are stubborn and willful, more than a match for the fangs’ temptations and promises, but a weaker mind—say, that of a petty young queen—would have no such defense.

The fragments of Kazavon’s soul are like a plant—once they find suitable soil in which to grow, they can bloom into a mighty tree. This appears to be the case with your queen—her own cruelty and strength have been enhanced greatly by the fangs. Worse, she now possesses two souls—her own, and one grown from the fragment of Kazavon’s, and two souls in one body, will grant her incredible power over her own mortality.”

His prepared speech over, the Sun Shaman speaks of a ceremony called The Blessing of the Ancestors, used in times of war or great upheaval, and decides that this is important enough for the party to take specific advice from the spirt world. The group told the Sun Shaman that Zellara was their spirit guide, and he nodded his agreement.

They were back ontop of Bolt Rock two hours before dawn as the Sun Shaman prepared for the ceremony. It started with a recitation of the ancestors’ virtues, but sun degenerated into a rhythmic dirge-like mumble - and them as dawn finally broke Zellara’s form coalesced out of the campfire’s smoke.

She started with a harrow reading, as she always did, telling of the past, present and warning of terrors to come in the near future. Then she went on to recite a poem, something she had never done before.

Fate of steel—Serithtial
Her cage for years sustained
Four enthralled in lost Scarwall;
Undead to keep her chained.
A spirit first, red war his thirst
Still stands at post of old;
A second foe, infernal soul
Waits high in tower cold.
In kennel’s grime third bides his time
Then vents his killing breath.
And on a stone ’mid ash and bone,
The final dreams of death.
The spirits worn and battletorn
And locked in their damnation,
The chained one’s hold at last grows old
And ushers in salvation.
Yet hope remains amid the chains
When blade’s stone cage has crumbled,
Friends to dread and the death of the dead,
Keys to Kazavon humbled.

And finally she blessed the party in the name of the ancestors. Each was asked to choose a weapon or an item or armour. Osric and Kat chose their armour, Dorian his bow, Theo his hammer and Larry his rapier – and each was granted an extra (permanent) enchantment. The armour gained the Ghost Touch quality, while the weapons became Undead Bane. And them, just before she faded away, she granted one last boon, that fortified their spirits. (Once Only, when the PC fails a saving throw against a death effect, that effect is negated but the PC is stunned for one round)

Cinnabar, called the party out. Blaming them for the pain and terror inflicted on the Shoan Quah, and holding them directly responsible and challenged them to face her and her minions. It had all gone fairly quiet during the Cinderlander fight, but now just about everything stopped, with gargoyles and the remaining assassins lining up with Cinnabar.

And what a fight it was, the party threw everything at it, with Cinnabar was good to her word, and all of her remaining minions concentrated on the party, leaving the Shoanti alone. Theo died, taking such huge damage that he instantly fell to the ground dead. But fortunately Osric knew just the right way to invoke the power of his goddess to return the ranger to life, albeit as a life as weak as a kitten. Then as Cinnabar started to weaken, she changed shape into a huge mantis woman, with claws and carapace, and started in a second time. Fortunately, she had already been weakened and it wasn’t long before she finally fell.

With Cinnabar and her mantises dead – the gargoyles decided that enough was enough and flew off into the night.

It didn’t take long to hatch a plan. Larry had an ant-haul belt - which he lent to Kat. That made her strong enough to carry the totems – which meant that she could dimension door them to the first ledge. The first day passed, although some of the totems fell and started to crack, all the totems remained whole.

On the second day, Kat (still wearing the belt) was able to carry all five totems up to the top ledge. Again, one or two fell, but everything was under control until they spotted the Bulettes circling the rock. Dorian managed to get a few shots off before the creatures made their way up to the first ledge. Then two leaped to the upper level and started attacking. As Larry, Kat and Theo were on that side of the ledge, they took the brunt of the attacks. While the bulettes concentrated on the humanoids they wanted for dinner, they were clumsy and some of their attacks hit the totems. They came in three waves, two at a time - which fortunately meant there was always at least two of the party flanking the beasts. Dorian was able to shoot his bow and Osric was able to provide supporting magic from the rear rank. Somehow they managed to survive the attacks, and kill the Bulettes, with all of their totems intact – but they still had 12 hours to go until dawn and the end of their ordeal.

They managed to keep everything upright until just before dawn, when Kat’s totem fell again – and this time shattered on impact - meaning that she would fail the initiation. They waited with trepidation for the Sun Shaman to return and give his verdict. Larry, Osric, Theo and Dorian were welcomed into the tribe - and Kat was recognised as their ‘Brother in Arms’. Although she wouldn’t be able to hear the secret lore from the Sun Shaman, she would be allowed to stay safely at the Sklar Quah camp.

On the way back, the sun shaman told them he needed to speak with his ancestors before he could share the information, and he left with the chief and his body guard for the Kallow Mounds and the Skull Quah – the tribe of Thousand Bones , their initial contact with the Shoanti. The party were shown to their tent, and the tribe left in the care of Krojan eat what he kills – their old shoanti nemesis.

It took a while, but eventually they saw the worm break surface, and they started casting their spells. It circled them, occasionally breaking the surface and always moving closer, but it was not until they managed to harm it with a ranged attack that it decided to attack. It went quiet for a moment, and then appeared breathing fire across the whole of the party, before disappearing again. The party started to scatter, before it suddenly burst through the surface again – but to attack Theo who was, by this time, some distance away from the others.

However, Theo was having problems of his own, because he the whip he had taken from The Acropolis of the Thrallkeepers was cursed - and had started draining his wisdom. The worm attacked, one massive bite and a swipe from its poisoned tail - but fortunately no attempt to swallow him. Dorian raced around to try and attract its attention, but instead it turned and attacked Kat, who had hit it with a cold based spell. Larry hung back, singing songs of encouragement, while Osric supplied bursts of healing energy to keep his fighters healthy. Eventually Dorain managed to force his way into the monsters mouth, taking serious bite damage as he did, and then forced his way down its throat - only to be met with another gout of Fire Breath as he was partway down. Kat was suffering from a poison which was sapping her strength, and the monster, enraged by the dwarf stuck in its throat lashed out at anyone close. Fortunately, Dorian was able to hack his way out quickly – and made the decision to get out, moments before the creature dived back underground and disappeared back into its hunting grounds. Fortunately Akram the truth speaker, had seen it all – and was prepared to state that in front of the Sklar Quah. They had achieved their immediate goal.
They then took a few days to return the whip to its proper place, heal up and restore all of the abilities they had lost, before heading off to find the Sklar Quah as they prime settlement of Flameford.

The story was told, in Shoanti, in from of a gathering of the Quah, and the chief and the Sun Shaman went into private conversation for an hour or so – at which point Akram told them that if story was not accepted, all of them would be disembowelled for their troubles. Fortunately for the party (and the old truth seeker) their story was accepted and the group were accepted as ‘Honorary Shoanti’ with permission to roam The Cinderlands - and were shown to a guest yurt. However, many of the Sklar Quar sun riders, including their old friend, Kojun, were not happy.

Next day they asked for information about the crown and the fangs that adorned it - but it was not going to be that straight forward. The Sun Shaman told them that while they were Honorary Shoanti, they were not of the Sklar Quar, and he was not able to discuss that deep history with them. So the party asked if they could become members of the Quah. Smiling quietly, the Sun Shaman told them they would have to pass an initiation test - but if they did, he would be able to talk with them. However, he would not tell them what the test was until he was ready to administer it. At this a number of Burn Riders, again including Kojun, were displeased, but rather than argue with the Sun Shaman, they mounted their horse and rode out of the camp ….

After a tentative start, they discovered that it was a Red Reaver, a variant of a Grey Render, who had taken the Tower for his own, and was prepared to guard ‘his’ property with his life. The Red Reaver was massive – over 10 foot tall and about the same weight as a full grown elephant! It huge claws could do massive damage, but it wasn’t a very good tactician, and they soon managed to defeat the beast. It made to run away, but Dorian felled it with a pair of final arrows, as it was trying to fly from the rooftop balcony of its lair. As it died, it fell 30ft to the ground below and left a monster sized imprint!

That gained the confidence of the Moon Quah, and Truth Speaker Akram agreed to accompany them on their quest. Now they stand on the very edges of Cindermaw’s hunting grounds, planning their assault on the beast.

Game on as usual on Saturday?

Happy New Year all.

I'll get my weekends away sorted out as well. Then we can look at Ari's rota and plan for the first part of the year.

I am afraid a few dates have popped up that I can't do including this weekend so I thought I had better record them before I forget to tell you.

09-11 January
30 January
31 January
20 February
29 May

Apologies for any inconvenience and as always I am always happy for the game to continue in my absence.

Best wishes

Greg

When they got there, the door was already open, but thinking nothing of it they dashed inside, and leaving their Shoanti guides to guard the horses, headed deep into the remains of the acropolis. Inside they discovered a cathedral like chamber that housed huge pit, almost filled with dirty water, and a series of doors. So, like all true adventurers, they decided to work their way around the outside. The doors all had a Seven Pointed star in the middle, the mark of Lissala, and when it was pressed the door opened upwards with a groaning noise. A minute later it closed of its own accord, but there was no way for the characters to close an open door earlier.

First they discovered a shrine to an ancient mermaid-demi god, and then a set of trapped runes that kept Osric entranced for ages. By this time they were aware that Kojun and the Sun Quah Shoanti were in the acropolis as they had spotted them through holes in the walls. Still they continued around the outside where they discovered another shrine, this time to Lissala – once a major religious force in the empire of Thassilon and renowned for her hard and harsh laws. They also discovered a chamber with a glowing hole in the floor- which they treated with extreme caution.
At this point they tried to track further round the central room, when the opened a door and met Shadowcount Sial and his chain devil bodyguard. They soon discovered that he was an associate of Laori Vaus, the cleric of Zon-Kuthon who had worked with them in Old Korvosa. Discussions were tense, especially when he said he was here to watch the party. However, he didn’t attack them and even offered to help them out if they were to ally with him. They declined and treated him watchfully.

Then Kat, annoyed that they were even considering allying with the Shadowcount, left the room and burst out into the large room with the pit. Only to discover the fourth group who were I side the temple. Two Red Mantis assassins dropped silently from the ceiling and launched an attack. Soon battle was joined between the Red mantis and the party with the Shadowcount looking on. When a large grey tentacle snaked out of the pit and started attacking the nearest person. It didn’t care who. Noise of the battle brought Kojun and his men back into the room, for a quick round of combat with one of the Red Mantis, but they soon withdrew when they saw the tentacle. Probably assuming (quite correctly) that this was the ‘bad thing’ the Acropolis was known for.

They soon discovered that every time they damaged the tentacle it healed itself completely, and then a second tentacle reached out, both groping to slam and grapple an opponent. Fortunately they withdrew to the chamber they had been in originally, because the door suddenly slammed shut forcing the tentacles to withdraw. But not before Theo had taken a magical whip from the hands of the hands of Lissala’s statue and tried to use it on the tentacles. By this time the Shadowcount had grown bored with the fight, and, perhaps sensing how it would end, stepped into the hole in the floor - which turned out to be a magical elevator shaft.

Once they had recovered themselves, the party followed to discover a small lower level. The only things of interest were a huge strange door in the wall and an ancient stone globe of Golarion, set in a room decorated with stars and butterflies. After investigation both Theo and Kat finished up inside the globe, suffering visions and delusions, until they accidentally stumbled upon the command sequence that brought them back into the real world. Strangely though, Theo lied when the others asked him if Kat had been with him, denying that he had seen her at all. And as this was before Kat escaped from the globe, there was no one there to challenge it.

Still both Kat and Theo have the Sphere walker mark they need to approach the Lyrune Quah and ask them for the services of a truth Seeker.

OOC: Theo alignment change from LN to True Neutral for the extremely unlawful behaviour of telling a wilful and pointless lie.

Once there, they discovered that the Kallow Mounds were the burial major site for all of the Shoanti, and that Thousand Bones belonged to the Skull Quah, the tribe responsible for protecting them. Initially the tribe were hostile to the outsiders, but mellowed when Thousand Bones reminded the tribe that these were the outsiders who had helped rescue a Shoanti body from Korvosa. However, there were also people from the Sun Quah tribe there, with a body to bury and they were less happy to see outsiders there. Indeed the Sun Quah leader, Krojun Eats-What-He-Kills, needed to be talked into accepting the party as guests of The Skull Quah. However, he still challenged the party to a ‘game’ of Sredna, in which he beat Theo handily.

That evening they spoke with the leaders of the Skull Quah concerning the Queen of Korvosa and her new crown, which was believed to include a an artefact known as Midnight’s Teeth. They discovered that they would need to speak with the Sun Quah, but that they would never reveal that information to an outsider - and would likely kill them just for asking. So they concocted a plan that would allow them to recreate an ancient story of an outsider who had once been made a clan member. But it was complicated. Very complicated.

First they would need to get a Sphere Walkers Mark, which would gain them support from the Lyrune Quah, a nomadic tribe. They, in turn, might grant them the services of a Truth Speaker, who would witness the deed and report it honestly. Then one of them would need to be swallowed by a fire breathing monster, called Cinder maw, and cut his way out – preferable leaving the Cinder Maw alive still.

And that might get them in to see the Sun Quah without being killed immediately.

They set off the next day in search of the Acropolis that would allow then to attain the Sphere Walker’s Mark, another few days of journey. However as they travelled they noticed another band of Shoanti, in the distance, that they thought were watching them. And they discovered a decomposing Shoanti Head - set on a spike with crossbow bolts stuck in its eyes. Their guide told them this was the work of The Cinderlander – an Outsider Devil who hunter lone Shoanti, using a screaming sideways bow. There was little they could do, except cremate the head and bury the skull under cairn. Then they continued their journey.
.

They decided that Abner, Ettie and the apprentices should travel to Janderhoff and wait there and, on warhorses given to them by Jasan, accompanied them there. Vencarlo and Neolandus also travelled to Janderhoff with them. Once there, they sold a suit of armour and rented a room for a year, giving their people somewhere safe to stay, and then headed out to Kaer Maga. They elected to take the halflight path up the Storval Rise cliffs to get to the city. Then halflight path winds back and forth inside the cliff, passing through many different types of path and tunnel, including some with blocked up entrances and another area of neat and tidy houses that were all securely locked. They heard strange noises from unusual beasts behind some of the doors and walls, and were completely surprised when they suddenly came out onto a narrow goat path halfway up the cliff. Kat was nearly overcome by Vertigo, but managed to keep her cool until they were back in the tunnels.

At the top, they eventually chose a guide who found them a decent Inn and took them on a quick tour of the city. Large parts of the city are actually built inside the walls of this ancient monument, and only the three core areas are actually outside in the open air. They also got a bit of a surprise when they met a man walking along followed by his Zombie butler, and realised that undead were permitted in the city (or at least in this section).

During the evening Dorian, Theo and Larry decided to go out for a drink, and chose the roughest pub in site with Dorian and Theo half hoping for a bar fight. Osric and Kat made the sensible decision to stay home. The fight happened, sure enough, because they had picked the pub where the mercenaries gather to get work. However, that also meant they were heavily overmatched, especially when Dorian started the fight using lethal combat techniques, The Orc Barbarian grabbed his axe and started in … Fortunately Larry managed to calm it all down before anyone was killed.

Tomorrow they are planning to go shopping and see if they can finds a guide to help them get around the cinderlands.

Belt of Constitution +2 (taken by Osric)

That leaves you with

• Kukri +1, Ki Focus, Shock
• 1 x Kukri +1
• Bardiche +1
• Studded leather +2 (Glamoured) returned to party treasure by Larry.
• Exotic stringed instrument [sitar] (350 gp)
• Assorted Bloodstones (3500 gp)

Master Work Full Plate (sold for 900gp in Janderhoff - cash taken by party)

Allocated to Abner / Ettie to provide living money?

Masterwork Chainmail (sold in Janderhoff and used to pay for 1 year of accommodation for Abner, Ettie and the apprentices)

6 x Punching Daggers, masterwork
2 x Masterwork Sai
2 x Masterwork Sainghan
8 x Masterwork Dagger
1 x Masterwork Falchion
2 x Masterwork Spear

Approx 3000gp for the weapons (assuming these exotic weapons achieve market resale price) With Ettie responsible for sale of the items and management of the money gained.

Then as they continued their journey they were held up by a bandit group. The dwarven Barbarian leader demanded both the pony and the party’s gold. The party refused and threats flew back and forth. But it was the bandits mage that settled the matter by throwing a fireball into the middle of the party. Everyone, except Osric, was caught up in the blast – including Abner, Ettie and the apprentices.

Dorian took the bandit mage out almost immediately, while combat was joined between the dwarf barbarians and Theo. Vencarlo charged the bandit archers,while just about everyone else tried to save the apprentices from dying. Kat used up a potion of CLW, and Osric rushed in to cast Breath of Life on Franz, and then channeled to help revive everyone. It wasn’t long before the bandit leaders were beaten by a combination of Dorian and Theo. However, poor Colin was left lifeless in the middle of the road. Colin was buried at the side of the road in a properly marked grave and with a ceremony performed by Osric and Franz, but it was a sad group who moved on to complete the journey to Harse.

They discovered that Harse is a small town with few shops, and they will not be able to sell or exchange magical items here. Instead they traveled led a bit further to the Horse Ranch that is home to one of Vencarlo’s old adventuring companions, Jasan, and his family. After a quick discussion Vencarlo and Neolandus decided to continue onto Janderhoff, the Dwarven Stronghold. Jasan and his family are heading for Magnimar. They all expect the party to head into the Cinderlands to find the secret of the Queen’s Crown. But what will happen to Abner, Ettie and the three remaining apprentices?

3 x Chain Mail +1
3 x Light Steel Shield w/ spikes (+1 Def)
3 x Potions of Cure Serious Wounds
2 x Potions of Lesser Restoration
Kukri +1, Ki Focus Shock
Green Bloodstone carved like a tiger's head (750gp) [Dorian should have this on his character sheet]
Temple Sword [Dorian has this, I believe]
3 x Kukri +1
Belt of Constitution +4 [Theo has this]
Ring of Protection +2 [Theo has this]
Wand of Illusory Script (22 charges)
Wand of Shield (34 charges)
Belt of Constitution +2
Ring of Protection +3
Bloodstone Paperweight (500 gp)
Exotic stringed instrument [sitar] (350 gp)
Kukri +2
6 x Punching Daggers, masterwork
Bloodstone (500 gp)
2 x Masterwork Sai
2 x Masterwork Sainghan
12 x Masterwork Dagger
1 x Masterwork Falchion
2 x Masterwork Spear
Kama +1, Ghost Touch
Studded Leather armour =2, Light Fortification (25% chance to avoid) [this is blue & yellow]
Assorted Bloodstones (2500 gp)

But we will be able to level the characters out and sort out any loot that needs sharing around. I'll ask Ari to write up a list of the stuff that has already been allocated as well as the items that are available.

Please comment here to say whether you will be able to make the Friday or not - then I don't have to worry about chasing you by phone - my proper phone is currently away for repair and I am using a very basic phone with a restricted contact list that I can barely see :)

I need to check which shifts Ari is working, but we might be able to play on the Friday - It is pretty much a 'going up and share the loot out session', so it won't run too long - although the party will need to make a few decisions about travel etc …

However, the body fell through the gap and landed in the howdah of the Jade Elephant in the garden room below. Dorian, with the help of an Air Walk spell from Osric, went down to collect the body, but the Elephant came to life, and he got out of there fast, before he got attacked. The Kukri had fallen outside of the Howdah onto the floor, but Kat managed to retrieve that using a mage hand spell. Then it was off around the other rooms, with Larry checking everything for traps. They discovered a very magical room with some sort of Mythical Tree growing in it - but decided to leave it well alone. They also discovered a magical bath that warmed the water itself and a magical toilet that disposed of waste automatically.

However, they settled for taking the magical items they knew about (the Kama and Armour from the room downstairs) and then collected up a good number of bloodstone gems from around the place, before they made their way back to the beach where they had left Vencarlo, Nicolandus and the boat. Then they decided to head back inside the secret entrance and rest up until night fall before heading back out and crossing the river. Now they are on the far side, away from the city and have just met up with Abner, Ettie and the apprentices.

That battle over, they are now on the hunt for Lord Arkona himself.

Vencarlo and Neolandus guarded the corridor, while Kat, Theo Osric and Dorian went in to search for their missing party member. They chose to explore slowly, and moved around through the second and third rotating sections before they came to a dead end. All they found was a floor based Glyph of Pain that left them weakened, and a strange wall painting that kept Kat occupied for a while. On looking closely she found an image of herself being eaten by a monkey, which she found quite disconcerting.

Then back to the search. They found Larry and Sivit (the fiendish dark sphinx) in her throne room waiting for them – almost as if Sivit knew they would come back for their missing bard. She started with an Unholy Blight, which left them further weakened before joining into melee combat. Theo was first into combat and took massive amounts of damage from her, but could (like previously) he could hardly damage her. It wasn’t until Kat managed to get a Lightning Bolt through Sivit’s spell resistance that the fight really came to life and the Dark Sphinx closed to fight Kat in melee. In the end, the battle wasn’t as tough as they were expecting - mainly because they had prepared properly for a known challenge.

All together again, they took a while to pool their knowledge and make a decision about their course of action. They concluded that Lord Arkona was probably a Rakshasa, and that the family had been taken over by the Vudran monstrosities generations ago. They also decided that he had designs on the throne of Korvosa. And that he has the key to Vencarlo’s lock box. Jade Elephant and Water Elemental aside, they really felt they should pay the main man a visit before they left Korvosa.

So they headed back the way they came originally, and eventually decided to investigate the lower level. There was a sea cave complete with sailing boat and some double doors that lead into a cathedral like chamber – which was guarded by another Rakshasa and a pair of huge snakes. It was a fraught battle that seemed to be going against them again, and the party fell back on their last resort tactic - the rod of wonder. And it saved them - at the second attempt it turned the Rakshasa into stone - and Theo quickly smashed it to pieces with his hammer.

Now the can rest peacefully before continuing the search for both Larry and Neolandus.

The Villa: Might be a good place for Marvello to settle down and claim back for his family. Others of you might want to contest that claim or build a house of your own close to it. It is close to Kusnir and the lake - but is not very close to the main road - however, it would be fairly easy to make a track out from Kusnit to make transport easy.

The 1/2 Orc Camp: Already has a palisade wall, some underground rooms and a 'built in' escape route. It is a long way from the beaten track and any other villages and doesn't have a proper road to it. That isn't too good for smuggling operations, but is good if you want peace, quiet and countryside - and to be really near the mountains.

Gannaway: Last village before the mountain trail starts - next stop Alderweg Keep and then on through the mountains to Holden. Trade caravans always stop here, and while it is a nearly 50 miles to Hallbridges it is decent road all the way, and not a bad ride on a decent horse. It is well suited for hunters and woodsmen, but not well suited to farmers as (being so close to the mountains) there is more chance of raiders. Because of this it is unlikely to grow all that much larger, although it could do with a strong civic leader.

Chiswell: Only 20 (or so) miles from Hallbridges, and on the main road, this small village already has one decent farm and a blacksmith - so ity is developing as a community. It doesn't have all that much in the way or organised religion - although the smith is a minor priest of Torag. With proper civic leadership, a few countryside patrols and some cultural nuturing, it has the potential to grow into a small town.

Kusnir: has probably reached its developmen potential as a small town - but could be a good place for a home.

Camp Sites: The road on the other side of Lake Spendlowe if marked with three little circle. Each represents an established camping site that caravans head for. You could always settle one of those and start a new settlement from scratch. There is another camp site out beyong Gannaway towards Alderweg Keep.

Potions, Scrolls, Alchemical items or Holy Water are all possibilities.

They were also told that, if they succeeded, they would be allowed to build and settle somewhere in Berhof. Eventually they might even get titles and bigger land holdings.

In Kusnir they discovered that people had been killed – slaughtered at random - but that the killer was leaving some obvious targets unmolested - and had left strage magical scrawls across the walls, in boold. On deciphering these, they discovered the name of the sentinel – and that he was tring to avert a greater evil. Initially investigations led them to believe the problem might be caused by some ‘little blue men’ based in camp some distance away. But then they got there, they discovered the bluemen had been chased away by a group of evil half-orc bandits. There was quite a fight, but eventually the bandits were routed and the rest of the mini stronghold cleared. That led them to Gannaway to ask more questions and then back to Kusnir to search for an old lakeside villa.

On the way they encountered a merchant train and helped a monk clear out a pair of gargoyles from a hermits cave. They were too late to save the hermit, but they did find a book that linked Marvello’s ancestors to the lakeside villa.

The abandoned Villa was only a couple of miles outside Kusnir, but had been overrun but an unpleasant selection of monsters. After clearing the top level, they entered the underground chambers to find a strange patch of darkness that could manifest strange snake-like wisps of energy - that seemed to attack straight through their armour. Eventually they realised they could kill it using magical and silvered weapons, but not before the Paladin had almost been brought low.

Beyond that were the caverns of the little blue men, who swarmed all over the party - putting their on lives on the line to protect their chieftain, priest and shaman. However, they were eventually dispatched, even when their ally, a wererat came to join the fray.

In the lowest levels they discovered an evil creature called a Skulk, that had been possessed by a minor artefact known as the Sentinel. It spoke to them telepathically and selected the Paladin to champion its cause. Now Seamus wears the glove proudly as champion of The Sentinel, tasked with securing The Aldeweg keep, situated on the borders of their barony. When they reported back to the Laird, he gave his approval to the expedition. However, before they left they took to opportunity to sell some of their 'loot' and improve their equipment. Now most of the group have purchased a hammer of some sort and the locals have started calling them 'The Hammer of Hallbridges'.

A door lead to a smaller room with three chests and messages in Vudran. Osric read the cryptic messages, but they decided to open them anyway. Dorian did the first two – he got caught with a contact poison, but avoided the gas trap in the second. Larry opened the third, and managed to escape from the angry cobra inside the chest. In there they found 3 potions of Cure Serious Wounds and three Lesser Restorations.

The next room contained an exit and another lever, which they experiments with. The room rotated, but, after they had pulled the lever four times they came back to the same position without discovering any extra exits. The exit lead to a corridor of tigers heads, which came to life and snapped out of the walls to bite anyone who came into the room. They had just started to destroy it with arrows and spells when they heard the first ‘door’ moving.

The way they came in was first replaced by a pool of murky water, then and pool of clear water, as the room rotated again. The next rotation brought their original room back - but it held Vencarlo Orisini – the very man they had come here to find – who tried to convince the group to return to the surface and kill Lord Arkona with him. However, their initial pleasure turn to suspicion and eventually they realised that it wasn’t Orisini, but an imposter. However, it had shown them a way to disable the Tigers Head Room by pressing a concealed button on the wall.

When they attacked the false Orisini, he turned into a female, fox headed, rakshasa – who had all the combat abilities of a monk as well as innate spell casting abilities. It was a tough combat. She flew into the air and Theo was sent up with an air-walk spell to engage her in combat - only to discover that his weapons could not harm her - although he tried manfully.

Orsic identified the rakshasa as an outsider and used a spell to make Dorian’s bow to fire Good aligned arrows - which did seem to damage her – and would have been very effective if Dorian could aim straight. Katerina, on the other hand, sat there and used up spell after spell after spell as she engaged the fox-head in ranged spell combat.

It felt like it was going to be a close run thing, but they defeated the rakshasa in the end. Then they rotated their area to a position where they their two entrances were against rock walls, healed up and settled down for a night’s rest.

Was that a wise thing to do? Only time will tell.

He did, however admit that both Neolandus Kalepopolis and Vencarlo Orisini had been his guests, but that both had entered the Vivified Labyrinth as a way to keep themselves safe. - He was happy to tell the group how to get into the labyrinth, but was unable to bring them out himself. He even gave the party a picnic bag to help them on their way.

Indeed, the secret entrance was exactly where he had told them it would be - however, he had neglected to mention bother tea water elemental and the full sixes jade elephant that guarded the entrance. However, the party managed to slip past both without any serious combat and entered the first part of the Arkona Dungeons. It was a beautiful underground fungi garden, set over a number of different levels, with rope bridges connecting them. However, it was also guarded by a group of undead fungi Jann who seemed intent on no letting the group pass. It was a tough fight, the Jann breathing clouds of spores and then attacking with great enthusiasm. It was a tough fight, Kat fell and almost perished, and many of the party are still feeling sickly, but they did manage to win the day.

On a lower level they found a bed chamber, it appeared recently occupied, as was home to a craftsmen of some sort – as there were a number of crafted animal items in the room. All of which were left behind. A level down they found the secret door - and decided not to explore the doors they saw on the lowest level, nor explore the sounds of water lapping against the rocks down there. Instead the followed a winding corridor, until the came to a pair of bright metal doors decorated with tigers heads ….