Dave the Dwarf Presents: Legacy of Fire!

Game Master Gandrik Th-kar

What's next? We still need to check out the areas to the north of the bridge even if we bypass the snake. We head that way?

You leave the cover of the building and check to make sure all the gnolls are dead. It was quite a massacre! If not for your planning it could have went in the other direction you think to yourself.

You look to over the bridge and make out the form of the Peytron on the top of the old mill. It seems as if it watched the entire fight and has decided to take wing and find a new home.

Because really who would go up against the 7 of you alone after seeing that?

"Over there is pretty much empty since the peryton left. We still might want to check it out later. That building has the snake, but that one we still have no idea. I don't think me or Grim has scouted it." says Leyli as she points at the unscouted area.

The beast knows the days of easy meals are over. Light has come to Kelmarane. Yes, lovely Leyli we should complete our cleansing of this area. Master Grim, Master Naziri would you do the honors?

Hajar says this as he cleans the gore from Tempest.

You can take your time leveling I don't have much combat planned for a bit.

Grim and Naziri Scout and describe what they saw.

Harpy Picture
She is not in attack position when you see her by the way

The building used to be used as a tannery. As bad as it smelled back then it has to smell worse now. We saw a female harpy tending to over a half-dozen cauldrons that we believe to be previously employed by Kelmarane’s tanner. She is mixing together foul unguents composed of loose body parts, narcotic oils, blood, and less savory substances. The strange thing is she saw us spying on her and merely turned and smiled at us. She did not seem hostile. We then left to report back to you.

Can you get me close enough speak with this creature?

Hajar asks the duo once they come back. He has finished cleaning his blade and armor.

They tell you that she did not make and hostile actions so it should be very easy to speak with her.

Putting more NPC pics in the Campaign thread for your enjoyment.

"You want to go speak with the harpy? They are as evil and self serving race as you will find anywhere. And more importantly, they are very dangerous. I suggest leaving it alone" says Gunk with as much authority as he can muster.

It did not attack Grim and Naziri, I took this to mean that it did not want conflict. I do not know much about these creatures. If we leave it, might it not join in conflict later at a less opportune moment?

Leyli leaves the discussion about the harpy to Gunk and Hajar, she steps outside decided on what she is about to do,

"You have served me long enough my friend, for which I am very grateful. What lies ahead is very dangerous, but this is the path that I should take. As a friend, I want you to take your own path, go ahead and be free, take your place and be king in your own kingdom."

Leyli sets Furball free.

I've decided to just take the domain. By the way is there anything of use from the last encounter?

Al-Akim spys the druid as she releases the animal. He quietly approaches and says to her, "Dearest Leyli, I see it as no small journey to part with a companion such as this. You have my sentiments."

Then, turning to Furball, the Ranger places a hand behind the animals ears, and whispers, "Mighty warrior, go and be a King as she has said, if it is intended we will meet again."

Do I sense Furball returning once Naziri reaches 4th level?

That would make a good story lol

"Thank you Naziri,"

---------------------

After returning,

"Have we decided on where to next? I think we only have a short window before the main camp realizes that none of their folks come back. They might send a bigger scout party this time."

Although Master Gunk disagrees. I think we should speak with this...harpy creature. And deal with it one way or the other. Otherwise, perhaps we move into the town proper?

We may want to think about hiding the carnage out there. It could buy us some more time if we hid the bodies near the snake lair. We know they dont go in there. If they did find the bodies there they may think the snake attacked. That might buy us an extra day or two of surprise.

Mostly mundane items ill give you a list when I can.

"We can do that for now while we discuss our next move,"

Leyli will help piling the carnage,

"Let's try and make it look like that they tried to run from the snake but failed, if they have a brain of some sort they might think that the snake is around and may give us an advantage."

Hajar will stand watch for the snake while the group arranges the bodies.

Is everyone going to go talk to the Harpey?

Hamzah uses channel energy to fully heal Hajar.

Furball seems retluctant to leave but obeys its masters wishes. It truly has seen more strange things than he/she? can understand. Furball is happy to roam the plains. Before long travelers and members of the caravan begin to tell stories fondly of a pride of lions that hunt almost solely gnolls in this area.

Let me know what your doing. Or we can break for the weekend and let everyone level. Even though that will make me =(

You know I'm always wanting to post. I'm waiting for the rest to post their wishes

Raj shifts uncomfortably. While misdirecting the gnolls even further is probably a good idea, any Gnoll with any brains at all will quickly see that these gnolls were not killed by a snake, unless we hid them so far into the snake's domain that the gnolls could not closely examine the dead. That would put us much to close to the snake than I'm comfortable with however. MUCH to close. He turns away and shudders, and some of the group get the distinct impression that Raj is afraid of snakes...

Raj gazes towards the Tannery. Winged Hags, that's what Harpies are. If this ones not plotting something I'll eat Nemaides. Nemaides gave a loud squawk of alarm but Raj rolls his eyes. Just a figure of speech, Nemaides. We should press our advantage with the gnolls if we can, but a nearby harpy simply can't be ignored.

I've spoken my piece on the topic of the harpy. I think it is foolish to trust a creature of that nature. The thing lives here ... in a den of gnoll activity. It must have some kind of alliance with the gnolls. Or at the very least it has a mutual tolerance for them. This is the kind of creature that would just as soon stab you in the back. If you think we can win it over, great. I personally think it is a tremendous risk.

After a pause, Gunk adds we've killed what? 14 gnolls now? They had about 40 ish to begin with? One more good tactical strike and I think we could easily take out the main base. Putting the corpses in the snake lair could provide us with just the perfect ruse for this sort of tactic. Perhaps we put the bodies there and wait for them to come investigate?

"Well if I were the leader I would send more gnolls to investigate, but your plan is good Gunk, lets ambush the investigating party,"

Another ambush? This one worked well enough. Let's do it with the Lady of the Sun's blessing. Master Gunk, do not forget, the Church of Sarenrae is fouled and that Harpy creature is present. We have much to do before we face this genie ruler of Kelmarane

Like I said I'm not running any more combat with gnoll patrolls. So here is what happens.

1d100 ⇒ 24
1d20 ⇒ 15

You set up one last ambush to deal with a huge force of gnolls you forsee coming. You have the fight take place in the area with the giant mamba. When the time is right you strike. Using your vaired magics you use the snake to your advantage and kill 15 of the pack of 20 gnolls that came to slay you. The snake also died in the process. And all parties have expended all magic and other resources.

Your only reasonable option now is to head back to camp. You have killed 35 gnolls a direboar and a giant snake. You see no more patrolls.

That ends day 6. It is night when you make it to camp injured and tired. Hamzah uses all his power to heal everyone at the start of day 7. He then informs you all he can not stomach anymore carnage and will be staying at camp from now on.

It is now the morning of day 7.

Hajar calls a meeting with the remaining members of the party and invites Almah also

I do not believe it is a wise decision to leave the harpy to its own devises. We must confront the creature before we go into the town. Either we drive it off, slay it or see its purpose. I would not be comforted knowing it is nearby while we engage the remaining members of the Kuldis tribe. It could come to their aid at a most opportune moment.

Hajar pauses in his assessment.

We must also look to the Church. The gnolls are our enemy yes? But they are not the greatest threat to Kelmarane, we must know more about this creature from the Great Beyond. We have seen evidence of demonic influence with the Schir. Hajar's face clouds at the memory of the brutal creature.

I propose we investigate the Harpy, cleanse the Church and then destroy the remnants of the Gnollish tribe.

Sounds more like a 'to do' list than a plan if you ask me. But I like the order of it.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, how do you propose to investigate the harpy? Even with your genuine intent, if it was me, and I see your whole group approaching me I will be on the defensive."

In response to Gunk, Hajar comments with a smile This simple follower of the Goddess leaves the planning to the more cunning minds among us

As Leyli speaks up Hajar adds

Wouldn't that be the point? If Master Gunk and Master Raj are indeed correct this creature will need to be slain or driven away somehow. If she is indeed less than the evil creature of lore, then while defensive would she not hear our cause?

A show of strength would be advantageous I think. muses Raj. Harpies are so devious that anything less would make her feel that she is in control of the situation, and can manipulate us. With more people I doubt she'll try any funny business.

Nice weekend posts. Has it been decided to go talk and or kill the Harpy?

I think Hajar wants to talk to it first then if needed be eliminate it.

Lol yea thats what I meant.

And I promise to keep my fire bombs put away until such time as the interrogation is over and Hajar has ascertained her true motives. 8)

"It looks like we've agreed on a plan, let's move forward."

First we deal with this harpy. Afterwards the Church and then we cleanse Kelmerane of the final gnolls and their Genie leader. Agreed.

Hajar says in recap and then leaves to gather his gear and check on Dashki before the group leaves.

The church is set up to be the final encounter of the book. There are some other threats you need to face (and another level you need to get) before you go in there. Almah refuses to hand over the key to the church before you deal with all of the gnolls.

The 5 of you now (Hajar,Raj,Leyli,Gunk,and Naziri)Head back to the harpy's lair. You keep your weapons close to hand not knowing if the friendly attitude was a trap or if it is real.

The stench of the tannery is overpowering it makes it hard to breathe and your eyes water. True to what your scouts told you there stands a harpy tending to her cauldrons. One of such catches you eye as you see the head of the giant snake sticking out of a giant pot.

She sees you come in and in as friendly of a tone as a harpy can muster says Ah the hero's have come to parlay with me at last. I am Undrella and this was my home long before the disgusting gnolls came and took over. Worse of all there leader has taken me as his sex slave! She attempts to look sexy with that last statement looking directly at Hajar. All I want is to be left here with my experiments. You have already given me this fine snake carcass so if you promise to let me keep my home after you have slain Kardswann and his gnoll tribe I will give you 2 keys that unlock almost every door in the battle market. I would show you my gratitude nightly. She looks to Hajar again with this last statement.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Hajar also detects evil for 3 rounds

You say this genie, Kardswann. Has mistreated you? Tell us of him and his tribe. How might we face him in battle.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Hajar pauses a bit before adding

Your thanks and assistance will be good enough, we do not require nightly payment

Anyone who looks notices that Hajar is very uncomfortable.

Lol thats the reaction I was going for.

Her motive seems to be true. She really does want to be left in piece.

Detecting evil...(This one is hard. She does not currently have evil intent, I would say she has done some evil things in the past but she is much more Chaotic Neutral or maybe Neutral Evil, just looking out for her self. Interpret that how you feel detect evil would work. As many times as I have read the description I can't decide how detect evil works.)

The current Kulldis chieftain, a genie named Kardswann, slew the old chief about 2 months ago she walks to Hajar and traces his cheek with a talon-like fingernail, getting close to seductively smell his scent.He walked through the magic-sealed door leading to the ruined church crypt, after which he was clearly under the control of some evil entity. He is cruel to me she says, batting her crusty eyelids.I want you to kill him. Then we can be together.

The church is set up to be the final encounter of the book. There are some other threats you need to face (and another level you need to get) before you go in there. Almah refuses to hand over the key to the church before you deal with all of the gnolls.

That being said you can check out the top part of the church. That will fulfill Hajar's plan.

So harpy, Top of church, Battle market?

I'm ok with however you want to deal with detect evil. If it only senses evil intent or past actions or strictly RAW. RAW if she isn't an outsider, cleric or other subtype listed then her "aura" would be linked to her HD and alignment. If she is a standard harpy she would be CR 4 and CE and although evil wouldn't register as such under Detect Evil. In the future just put whatever information you want to impart in spoilers and I'll run off of that. For now I'll play as if she is CN feel free to change that.

Mistress Undrella, perhaps we might pray together sometime, but for now we will deal with Kardswann and free him from the clutches of his evil master.

Hajar turns to Gunk and gives him a pleading expression that says "Get me out of here"! then says to Raj

Master Raj, what do you know of Kardswann, the name sounds familiar to me and Tempest stirs at its mention

Gonna hold off posting until the others get a chance to talk with Undrella if they want

Gunk beams a smile at Hajar and gives him the no bloody way in hell am I gonna rescue you from this kind of look.

You're on your own loverboy. Watch out for those talons though ... and the teeth. We can wait outside for 3 minutes or so if you like.

"Now this is interesting. Anyway I'll be outside, I don't want to be haunted by visions of this affair."

Raj doesn't immediately answer Hajar, standing transfixed on the Harpy. Very slowly, he raises his staff, and a pale rune begins glowing near it's top.

You lie. Kardswann could never be corrupted!

He vanishes and appears well within the harpie's personal space, the top of his staff radiating with bright pale blue light, heldinches from the harpie's face.

Take it back, and tell us the truth, or I swear I will freeze your brains and throw them into your own cauldron.

From the back, a hovering Nemaides audibly whispers, Kardswann is the Templar who recruited his grandfather to the war in the first place!

Believe me or not wizard. I tell the truth. Walk into the battle market and see for yourself if you do not believe my words. the harpy says back to Raj. Despite the threat she does not become hostile. She has confidence in what she is saying and will not back down.