DM Brainiac's Age of Ashes (Inactive)

Game Master Brainiac

Current Date: 17 Neth, 4719 AR

Map of Breachill
Battle Maps on Google Slides


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Razortooth Goblin Thief 2 | HP: 19/28 | AC: 19 | F: +6, R: +10, W: +5 | Perc +5| Speed 25ft| Active Conditions: N/A

The goblin rushes forth and tosses their bucket as best they can before returning to grab more buckets.

Smoke Inhalation: 1d6 ⇒ 1


Half-Elf Fighter 2 | HP 24/32 | AC 19 | Fort +8 Ref +8 Will +4 | Perc +6 Low Light Vision | Speed 30

Nell grabs another bucket and runs it to the stairs.

Smoke: 1d6 ⇒ 2


Game Concluded

Smoke: 1d6 ⇒ 3

"Bring the water farther in! We need the end of the line near the fire!" Pril yells between her coughs as she grabs another bucket.

She grabs another bucket another bucket and makes her way to the fire line.

If the end of the supply has moved closer, then Pril should be able to cover another four squares this round.


Going to handwave a bit just so it's not another two or three rounds of just running back and forth with buckets.

Ervan calls upon another gust of wind to disperse the smoke somewhat. Greta and the other councilors rush back into the room with full buckets to assist you. Working together, you are able to extinguish the remaining flames before they can spread further.

You emerge from the council building, coughing and gasping for fresh air among the crowd of soot-stained survivors. Greta Gardania looks around, hugging some of the townspeople next to her, while others wearily clap her on the back in thanks for their lives. “What manner of madness just happened This can be no accident! Did anyone see anything?”

One of the guards who was stationed outside before the fire began raises his hand, then his voice. “Aye,” says the wearied, uniformed man. “The clerks saw everything—it was Calmont, that cad of a bookseller’s apprentice. He lit the fires in the halls next to the chamber. He also set that fire monster loose on the crowd!” The second guard shouts in assent. “Indeed!” says the grave but steely woman. “And witnesses outside the building saw him run toward Hellknight Hill!”

A surprised and worried wave ripples through the crowd at this information, including Warbal’s distinct voice: “The citadel! My Bumblebrashers!”

Greta raises her hand authoritatively, and the crowd begins to calm. “Friends, we’ll get to the bottom of this,” she assures them. “But we can’t do it alone. Who are the heroes in attendance today? Heroes, are you willing to investigate Hellknight Hill?”


Razortooth Goblin Thief 2 | HP: 19/28 | AC: 19 | F: +6, R: +10, W: +5 | Perc +5| Speed 25ft| Active Conditions: N/A

Gull Peeper doffs their hat/wig, presses it against their chest and bows low.

"Gull Peeper has already pledged my services to the lady Warbal. Goblins, we stand together."


Allandír spends some moments doubled over, coughing and breathing deeply of the fresh air, while his brain clears. His first thought is to see how he feels, after his first shot in anger for almost two decades - his fear is that old memories will take over, but it seems not: he feels no joy of the kill, no raging desire for vengeance. It seems that memories of Pelanor will remain just that.

"Well and so, well and so. That's good. That is good." he mutters, more to himself than to anyone else.

Straightening up, he gives Nell a glance, and a grave nod. "That was a fine stroke - you took that thing's head off cleanly. Well done."

He turns to face the Councilwoman, Greta. "I agree that this should be investigated. You have my bow."

He raises an eyebrow upward. "Curiously enough, the last enemies I used this bow against also favoured fire as a weapon. And now we find fire, and an accomplice running towards the nearest den of goblins. Are we going to shrug this off as coincidence?"


Game Concluded

Pril's attempt to wipe the soot from her face only leads to smearing across her cheeks. She breathes deeply to clear the smoke from her lungs before raising her hand.

"Aye!" she calls out before a fit of coughing takes her. Once it clears, she speaks up again. "I'm willing," she says finally.

"Who is this Calmont? You said he was a bookseller's apprentice? Does anyone know what manner of man he was? Is he a vile man with evil in his heart or is he someone that is being coerced by another? Does anyone know him?"


Razortooth Goblin Thief 2 | HP: 19/28 | AC: 19 | F: +6, R: +10, W: +5 | Perc +5| Speed 25ft| Active Conditions: N/A

Gull Peeper flashes Allandír a dirty look but, for the moment, bites their tongue.


Half-Elf Fighter 2 | HP 24/32 | AC 19 | Fort +8 Ref +8 Will +4 | Perc +6 Low Light Vision | Speed 30

Nell is already furiously scribbling down notes about the fire, her fingers leaving black streaks of soot across the paper as she transcribes the quotes of the guardsmen. When she finishes, she tucks the book away and steps forward, clutching the hilt of her blade firmly in one hand.

”I’ll go. I want to follow this story through to it’s end,” she says dramatically, brushing ash-streaked hair out of her face. She tries to return Allandír's praise with an equally serious nod, but can't hide a smile, despite the gravity of the situation.


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

Ervan pats the soot off his well-made clothes and frowns. This will require a bucket of warm water and a carefully applied prestidigitation spell! "Fine, alright. Since this apprentice apparently is into books and the occult, I feel like my presence is required."

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

The Cardinal examines the group and the situation carefully before clasping a hand around his amulet. "Abadar, these people have acted proudly to defend hearth and home - the bastions of civilisation. Lend them your aid!"

3 action heal.
Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 1
Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 6

I can heal again if need be?

---------------------
At the call for Heroes the Cardinal looks grave before nodding in approval as his fire-fighting companions step forward to volunteer themselves for this duty.

"Abadar's blessings upon you my children." He intones, "The Lawgiver guide you."


Game Concluded

Pril could use some more, but she'd never ask for it. :)

"Thank you ... Cardinal, is it?" Pril offers. "Perhaps you could join us? If something is threatening the goblin tribe then we may have need of Abadar's healing hand."

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

"Cardinal-Banker Lucius d'Borgia." Lucius replies with a slight bow to the gnome. Her request gives him pause and he bows his head for a moment. "I can assist for a time." He offers eventually. "I will be called back to Almas in time, but until then it seems there is good work to be done here. I will join you."

It appears that he was right when he told Ervan that old age has made him verbose!

Seeing the gnome in front of him still hurt Lucius places a hand on her shoulder and another wave of warmth ripples out from him.

Heal: 1d8 ⇒ 5

"And your name good lady? He asks as Pril's remaining wounds close.


Game Concluded

"That feels nice," Pril says as warmth flows into her. "My name is Pril," she offers, extending her small hand.


"Calmont is a greasy little halfling, a knave and a ne'er-do-well if I've ever seen one," says Councilor Melma Ann Sendari. The Chelaxian woman smooths her robes. "He has been incredibly rude the few times I have had to interact with him. I doubt he's acting out of anybody's interest but his own, though I can only guess at his purpose."

Greta nods gravely. "Heroes, it seems you will have two tasks before you. I will offer you 10 gp for Warbal's job of contacting the Bumblebrashers and 10 gp for tracking down Calmont. I would ask you bring him back alive for questioning, if at all possible. I cannot thank you enough for helping to put out the fire and save the townsfolk. I shall reward you for your good deeds."

Greta awards you two minor healing potions, a lesser antidote, a lesser antiplague, and 50 sp each.


Game Concluded

"Thank you, Greta. We'll set out immediately. Perhaps we'll catch Calmont on the road. How far away is the keep?"


Allandír puts a finger to the wound at his throat where the imp bit him. "If you have any more, ah, healing to spare, good Cardinal, I would appreciate it," he says softly. "That - that thing, whatever it was, caught me off-guard."

He gives a quiet chuckle. "Fortunately, it didn't ruin my, ah, good looks."


"Citadel Alterein is about a mile northeast of Breachill. I suggest you depart as soon as you gather the necessary provisions for your expedition," Greta says.


Game Concluded

Pril snorts with laughter, but then quickly suppresses it, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, that was rude of me," she says in a contrite voice.

DM Brainiac wrote:
"Citadel Alterein is about a mile northeast of Breachill. I suggest you depart as soon as gather the necessary provisions for your expedition."

Pril looks around at the others. "I have everything I'll need with me," she says, pulling at the strap to her bag. "But if anyone else needs anything, we can take care of that right now."

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

I did a third channel for 5 so you should be full Allandir!


Ah, I thought that was healing for Pril. To be fair, your post wasn't entirely clear on the point :)

Pril Piddwiemog wrote:
Pril snorts with laughter, but then quickly suppresses it, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, that was rude of me," she says in a contrite voice.

Allandír shrugs, and gives the gnome a reassuring smile (or as reassuring as he can manage with a mouthful of broken teeth). "Not in the least. My injuries were two decades ago, so I have come to terms with them. I find deprecating humour is preferable to bitterness."

He looks around. "I believe that I have everything that I need right with me. Shall we proceed? I am happy to lead the way."

And he does, indeed, look considerably happier than when he was indoors. Maybe it's the clear fields of fire that the open space affords him.

Do I need to roll anything like Survival to follow the miscreant's tracks?


Game Concluded
Allandír Dinúvriel wrote:
Pril Piddwiemog wrote:
Pril snorts with laughter, but then quickly suppresses it, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, that was rude of me," she says in a contrite voice.

Allandír shrugs, and gives the gnome a reassuring smile (or as reassuring as he can manage with a mouthful of broken teeth). "Not in the least. My injuries were two decades ago, so I have come to terms with them. I find deprecating humour is preferable to bitterness."

He looks around. "I believe that I have everything that I need right with me. Shall we proceed? I am happy to lead the way."

"Even so ..." Pril says, unable to let the matter lie. "It's rude to take humor in someone else's appearance," she says solemnly and bows low. "I apologize for my behavior and I ask for your forgiveness." She maintains her supplicant posture, waiting for Allandír's response.


Allandír blinks in surprise. "Ah, well, it is fortunate I suppose that only one of my mistresses refuses to offer forgiveness - and it has been some twenty years since I last served her."

And really, if it's another two hundred years until the Savoured Sting calls on me again, I would be just fine with that. All-consuming zeal for revenge is simply exhausting.

He regathers his thoughts. "So, there is, ah, really nothing to forgive, but if you require it then yes, of course." He hesitates slightly, evidently taken aback by the intensity of the gnome's reaction. "Do I need to, ah, put my hand on you in blessing, or some-such?"


Game Concluded

At the ranger's words, Pril straightens back up. "No, that's not needed," she says with a smile. "Thank you."


Allandír does his best to hide his relief - he's much happier keeping people at a slight distance, both tactically and socially. "Well then, now that we have sorted that out, shall we see what adventure the Song of the Spheres has in store for us?"

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

If we're not in combat you can assume that I'll always use the three action version - most efficient if there's no time limit.

Lucius simply walks with the party, conversing lightly with anyone who wishes to do so. Nothing special.


Game Concluded

As the group moves along, Pril seems to be all around them. In front scouting with Allandír. Falling back to keep an eye behind. Along the side chatting with Cardinal Lucius.

"Is it true that Abadarian's will only bestow the divine gifts of Abadar upon someone if they're paid?" she asks.

Back to the front again.

Scout activity as well.

Dark Archive

Male Medium Human Cleric 10 | HP: 47/99 | AC: 24/23 | F: +15, R: +16, W: +21 | Dec/Itm/Perf +16, Lore/Soc +15, Dip/Rel/Per +19, Med +21| Speed 25ft | Hero Points 3/3, Focus 1/1, D Font 3/5, Heal 0/1 SL 1/1| Active Conditions:

"That depends on the Abadarian." The Cardinal replies. "We are taught that all things have a value and that any trade or exchange should recognise that value correctly, else it is not a trade at all. For myself I usually consider the purpose - if someone were to accost me on the street and request healing then they would have to pay. If it were to heal someone who has just put out a fire saving lives, then I would consider it a fair reward for their services without any additional payment." He smiles.

"I have risen to the rank of Cardinal-Banker so the Lawgiver cannot be entirely displeased with my outlook..."

No I won't charge you all for healing - although the possibilities there... :D


Game Concluded

"It has been said of the gods that sometimes they allow corruption within the ranks of the clergy to test the wisdom of the truly righteous," Pril says with a grin. "Although, I think that was said by a priestess of Iomedae rather than an Abadarian, so I'm not sure if it would apply to all faiths equally."

"According to Irori, self-perfection is the penultimate achievement. And Abadar fulfills that role at the scale of an entire society. Where self-perfection makes the body strong. The rules of civilization that Abadar brings makes the country strong in a similar fashion."

Pril smiles again at Lucius.

"We work towards similar ends, Cardinal-Banker," she says, bowing, before moving off around her circuit.


It doesn't take long for you to arrive at your destination. Rising from the hilltop above is a looming structure of crumbling stone and still-imposing battlements, though verdant nature is reclaiming the site. Plumes of red smoke—which ambassador Warbal believes to be distress signals from the Bumblebrasher goblins—rise from the roof of the keep’s central tower. This place can only be Citadel Altaerein, the infamous former home of the Order of the Nail Hellknights, now fallen into ruin. The gate-like doors in the center of the keep hang ajar—not surprising, since no one has maintained this facility in years. Another closed door seems to lead into the citadel's south wing, and a portion of wall in its north wing has collapsed, providing an alternate entry point.

DC 15 Crafting or DC 13 Architecture Lore:
Keeps in the style of Citadel Altaerein are typically built with stairways that lead up to any lookout or battlement areas. Therefore, venturing inside the citadel's center is the best way to find a path toward the goblins, who are presumably camping or even trapped within.

I will get a full map uploaded tomorrow.


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EARLIER

With a soft sigh, Allandír abandons any pretence at stealth amid the symposium on comparative theology, although his green eyes remain alert to signs of trouble.

"The Song of the Spheres has no, ah, commandments or dogma, as such," he offers. "The closest approximation is an encouragement, which runs as follows..." He breaks off into a stream of Elven syllables.

"Any, ah, translation into human languages is imprecise, but loosely speaking it runs as follows: climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow, in search of your Dream."

He coughs. "Of course, many of those who take it too literally have met, ah, unfortunate ends; so much so that it has led to a popular refrain..." Another string of Elven syllables follows.

"This is best translated as: What's on the other side of that hill - is it a Monster?"

NOW

Craft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

He stares at the ruins of the Citadel, his green eyes inscrutable. "Fair to say that place has, ah, seen better days." One hand traces the length of his crooked nose.


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Razortooth Goblin Thief 2 | HP: 19/28 | AC: 19 | F: +6, R: +10, W: +5 | Perc +5| Speed 25ft| Active Conditions: N/A

"I am without worship," croaks the goblin as they walk. "Was raised to fear Monster Mother, but Butterfly Queen was big at the circus. These days, find myself leaning more toward Space Butterfly than Jackal Lady, but never really a big fan of musicals, and Sound of Spheres be worst offender. Gull Peeper likes singing plenty, but like singing to have more purpose than exposition."

They crest a hill and dramatically place one foot on a rock, leaning forward into the wind.

"Goblinsong good for driving plot forward and striking fear in hearts of the enemy."


Game Concluded

Arriving at the keep, Pril looks it over with excitement.

Craft: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

"At least the door's already open," she says, pointing out the obvious. "Shall we go in?" The gnome takes a few steps towards the door before looking back at the rest of the group. "Um ... does anyone have a good eye for traps or things like that?"


"I remember the goblinsong." The elf's voice is distant. "And I remember the counter-melody that silenced it." He plucks his bowstring, with an almost musical note.

He focuses his gaze on the keep in front of them. "I would suggest we scout around the perimeter first. Front doors are, ah, useful enough in their own way, but I like to know my exit options if it comes to it."


Game Concluded

"Hey!" Pril hisses at Allandír. "Remember? Not bad guys until demonstrated otherwise, ok?"

She continues in a louder voice. "Sure, scouting the perimeter sounds like a good idea. If you haven't guessed by now, I've never done anything like this before."


A circuit of the perimeter reveals another two more sections of crumbled walls granting access to thenrooms beyond. One is the northwest part of the citadel, while the other is in the south.

Again, map upload tomorrow! Can't do it from phone.


Allandír flashes Pril a broken-toothed smile: "I have not forgotten. But I, ah, haven't forgotten, either. I prefer to live and let live, these days - but I am open to the other option, if it becomes necessary."

"And since this is your first time, we shall proceed slowly and cautiously. What do you make of those sections of crumbled wall?"

He examines them carefully, from a safe distance, trying to determine if they could be easily climbed.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Yeah, yeah, give me a Nat 20 when we're well out of combat, why don't you


The sections of crumbled wall are difficult terrain, but otherwise you should be able to traverse them without issue. The exteriors of the intact walls, though, are very steep, and loose stones make climbing the walls a dangerous prospect.


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

In emulating scripture, we mock the divine. Through studying the world and recording its laws, we may stumble upon a greater truth. Through science, we will find the divine. It must be the fact that Ervan is too busy with matters divine that he fails to notice or remember anything useful about the majestic keep when it comes into sight. Well, the once majestic keep. "Say, once we move through the breach, we must stick together. We ought to avoid any unwarranted attention, so how about we all agree to go quiet and ... " he looks at everyone before waving his hand like it is holding a serving tray at Allandír, "... let Allandír guide us around until we conclude that it is safe to talk again."

Lore Engineering: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Ervan will always cast Mage Armor at the start of the day unless otherwise noted.


Game Concluded

After taking a more in depth look at the walls, Pril is even more inclined to enter through the front door.

"The door's right there," she says, as a rationale. "Someone kindly enough left it open for us. So it would be rude to refuse." The gnome grins and begins moving towards the open portal.

Still hoping for someone to check it for traps, but Pril will go that way in any case.


Battered, reinforced doors hang ajar at this main entrance to Citadel Altaerein, once the headquarters of the Hellknight Order of the Nail. Above the doorframe, a tarnished seal depicting a sunburst made of nails stands out in relief on the keep’s stonework. Under the seal runs a worn but clear line of carved text in Infernal.

Infernal:
“Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind.”

Pril can see scrabbling marks against the bolt locks on the doors, and she also notices the rust and dents around the doors’ hinges. She realizes how noisy simply shoving the doors open would be, and is able to cautiously push them open to peer inside.

The large room beyond is a cluttered amalgamation of a formal receiving parlor and a ruined husk. Dented, rusted, and otherwise ruined suits of outdated Hellknight armor line the north and south walls; each display is leaning or entirely tipped over and missing its helmet, gauntlets, boots, or other pieces. Broken furniture is scattered about the area, as are what look like the half-chewed carcasses of several small prey animals. A wide but dirty stretch of black carpet leads to two large doors, one to the northwest and one to the southwest. Scuffs on the walls indicate where valuable paintings or framed documents once hung. Prominently displayed on each wall is a seal depicting a sunburst made of nails, carved in relief and identical to the one above the front doors to this area. Toward the ceiling, running the length of each wall, is the same motto, but this time presented in matching lines of Common and Infernal: “Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind.”

Three flea-bitten, oversized rodents lair here, curled up amidst the clutter. They raise their heads and regard you suspiciously, but with more curiosity than hostility.

Gull Peeper:
These creatures are goblin dogs! The bestest most perfect animals in existence!


Game Concluded

"Oh," Pril says in surprise at the sight of the creatures. "Nice doggie? Er ... Rat? ... Uh ... Good boy? Sit. Stay," she mutters out as she moves to the side to allow the others to enter.


Razortooth Goblin Thief 2 | HP: 19/28 | AC: 19 | F: +6, R: +10, W: +5 | Perc +5| Speed 25ft| Active Conditions: N/A

"Goblin dogs. Without their rider, they wish us no harm. If you are hairy, resist the urge to give the thing a good pat or scratching. They carry mange."

Gull Peeper weasels their way inside and allows the ratdogs the chance to get in a good sniff.


The goblin dogs sniff at Gull Peeper. Seemingly satisfied, they trot back over to their filthy nests.


Game Concluded

Pril's hand reaches up subconsciously to touch her braided golden locks as her eyes widen. "No ... I won't ... uh ... pet them."

She clears her throat in an attempt to regain her confidence. "So, north or south? How about north?" She takes a hesitant step towards the northern door, watching the goblin dogs for any sign of aggression.


The elf gives a delicate shudder at the sight of the beasts, and his green eyes narrow; but true to his word, the arrow nocked to his bowstring remains there, unloosed.

Live and let live. But Desna, what wretched creatures these be...


Male Medium Human Wizard 7 | HP: 63/63 | AC: 23/23 | F: +12, R: +14, W: +12| Lore +13, Per +10, Init +12, Nature/Society +13 | Speed 25ft | Focus 1/1 | Active Conditions:

The wizard needs a moment to read the text underneath the rune, but eventually manages to make sense of it. "Savagery must be quelled in the land, home, and mind. Of course, written in Infernal. My parents insisted I learn the language. Makes sense that while in Isger, I get to make use of it," he reflects on past and present in a rather dry manner.

He lets the moment with the dogs go on by without saying a thing or intervening, but he secretly wonders if such mangy beasts can be trusted. It's that they can count a goblin amongst their numbers. Perhaps that's why they aren't repelling a trio of revolting beasts right now. Hm, interesting.

"The southern one first, I'd say. That part of the keep has less volume, if you care for my reasoning behind the choice. There is, alas, the chance the doors lead to the same area, so perhaps now isn't the time for thinking, but for doing."


Game Concluded

"Oh, ok," Pril says, changing direction and heading towards the southern door.


As it turns out, both doors lead into the same area. This narrow corridor stretches around the octagonal center of the keep, and is divided into segments by doors leading through this level of the towers or into interior rooms. Here and there, a few remaining paintings of dour-faced Hellknights still grace the walls between high, narrow windows that let in limited light.

Heading south, you are presented with a choice of doors: south or west.


Game Concluded

"Let's continue in this direction," Pril says, indicating the southern door. "Since we've already decided on a southern route."

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