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Campaign continues at Bastard Greyhawk: Secrets of the Towers, part 1

Theodred, male grey elf wizard

Background – Waterday, Goldfields (Reaping) 12th, 594 CY

Theodred was born on the twentieth day of the month of Blossoms (Planting 20th in the human tongue), 464 CY, in Enstad, capital of the Faerie Kingdom of Celene, arguably the most important elven realm in the Flanaess. Populated mainly by gray and sylvan elves, Celene has been ruled by Queen Yolande of Bellmeadow for well over two centuries (since 361 CY). One of the most pivotal events involving Celene in recent memory were the Hateful Wars (498-510 CY), an attempt by Celene and allied nations to clear the Lortmil Mountains of goblins, orcs, gnolls, and other savage humanoids. Precipitated by the death of Yolande’s consort at the hands of orcs, the wars were largely successful, though the fleeing orcs and goblinoids eventually overran the Pomarj peninsula to the south, and would later prove an arguably greater threat to the neighboring realms. Since the end of the the Hateful Wars, Celene has grown ever more isolationist, to the point of refusing to send aid when the Principality of Ulek (a dwarf-ruled realm and ally during the Hateful Wars) was threatened by the Pomarj forces of the orc despot Turrosh Mak during the Greyhawk Wars in 584 CY. Though Celene’s position isto avoid risking elven lives in the conflicts of other races, a number of elven citizens have volunteered to do just that over the intervening decades.
At an early age, you discovered you had a talent for magic. Though you pursued other interests, by the time you reached adulthood you knew that wizardry was your calling. Though you learned some minor cantrips and theory at Enstad, eventually you grew curious about other arcane methods, and left your home about twelve years ago to attend Greyhawk’s University of Magical Arts, the most prestigious magic school in the Flanaess. When your time as an initiate was through, you decided to remain in the city, taking quarters at a student boarding house in Clerkburg, and spending time between classes earning gold to further your education.
In your free time, you enjoy spending time at the Star of Celene, an elven inn located on Welkwood Boulevard in Greyhawk’s High Quarter. Owned by a renowned half-elven bard named Finnobhar Aodhin (pronounced Finn-oh-var Ay-oh-thin), the Star is the closest thing to home for many of Greyhawk’s elves, catering to an almost-exclusively elven clientele (the only non-elves being half elves), where the Queen’s Elvish is the only language spoken, and any human who shows his face is met with cold indifference. On Godsdays, services to the Seldarine are held in a small copse of trees near the Star (or indoors during inclement weather) by a priest of Corellon Larethian named Narcoriel, who keeps a room at the inn. Though you’ve never been the most religious of individuals, sometimes you attend these services, though what you mainly look forward to is the after service activities that take place at the Star.
About three months ago, Narcoriel received an assistant, a young redheaded wood elf priestess of Corellon named Lia Galanodel. A native of the Gnarley Forest, Lia had been sent to Greyhawk by the Loremasters of Oakvein. However, given the size of Greyhawk’s elven population (about 100 elves in a city of 70,000 souls), Lia’s ministerial duties were exceptionally light. The two of you often ended up conversing at the Star, and out of her boredom and your desire to acquire funds for more magic tutelage, the two of you recently made a pact to inform one another and join forces if patrons in need of your specialized skillsets made themselves known.
Two Godsdays ago, you showed up to the Star after services to find Lia sitting with a half-elven ranger named Toben, whom she’d invited for services earlier that day. Though you found his Elvish atrocious, you found him to be a likeable fellow, and realized any shortcomings he had were mainly due to his human upbringing. The three of you talked deep into the evening, and were even treated to a performance by Finnobhar—the three of you were especially fond of one recital concerning the overthrow of a demon-bound wizard named Radeem hundreds of years ago, by a force of elven warriors and spellcasters from the Gnarley Forest. Toben even shared his own tales of adventure with you and Lia—battling undead and evil priests in a blood-filled tomb in the hills to the north, as well as slaying a crazed wererat in the bowels of Greyhawk itself. The three of you parted as friends, and the young ranger even stated that he planned to return the following Godsday.
Of course, when you visited the Star yesterday evening, Toben wasn’t there, and she was disappointed that he had missed the religious service earlier in the day (as had you, but that’s nothing new to Lia). After dinner and a bottle of Celene Ruby, you returned to your boarding house, thinking little more of it.
The next morning, you were on your way to the High market when you ran into Lia on the Processional, with a determined look on her face. She feared than perhaps all that elven culture made Toben feel inadequate and scared him off, so she wanted to find him and put his mind at ease. The ranger mentioned that he frequented the Blue Dragon Inn, so Lia was going to start there. You offered to come along, as the Blue Dragon was just off Horseshoe Road, which divides the Foreign Quarter from the rougher River Quarter–though you knew it to be generally safe during the day, your thought it best not to take chances.
When the two of you entered the Blue Dragon, you were immediately spotted by a bearded half elf behind the bar, who motioned you over. Lia explained that he was the owner, Gustin Longpike, and that they’d met a few weeks before in the High Market. Not seeing Toben in the taproom, Lia asked Longpike, who explained that he knew the ranger, but hadn’t seen him for awhile. He suggested Toben’s friend, Preh, might know his whereabouts. The half-elf then handed Lia two mugs and a pitcher filled with pitch-black ale, and motioned toward a table in the corner occupied by two humans–one a red-haired, freckled young man in dark clothing, and the other a tall auburn-haired man with a greatsword leaning against the wall, within arm’s reach. Toben had mentioned that a man named “Preh” was one of his companions, so the two of you felt more confident approaching the men. Toben must have told Preh about you as well, because the younger, smaller man seemed to know exactly who you were. After inviting you to sit, introductions were made. You learned the other man was a new arrival to Greyhawk named Rune, from the barbarian lands of the far northeast. Preh then told you that Toben had temporarily left town, having business to attend to for a few days.
As the four of you continued to converse over the ale (a bitter house concoction called Witch Queen’s Cauldron), you were approached by a young boy with a leather satchel, wearing the livery of Greyhawk’s Union of Couriers and Messengers (a blue sash emblazoned with the image of a hawk in flight). The lad bore a sealed note, which he gave to Preh (after Preh passed him a copper common, of course). Preh took a moment to read the note, looked first at Rune, and then at you and Lia. “So,” he said, “anyone have plans this afternoon?”

Rune Ulfricsson, male human bard/barbarian

Background–Waterday, Reaping 12th, 594 CY

You were born Readying 2, 570 CY in the fishing village of Trondheim, roughly equidistant from Krakenheim and Djekul, in the Lands of the Fruztii (Frost Barbarians). As the second-born son of Ulfric Arosson, the local Jarl, you were chosen to be your clan's historian and advisor on the arcane. You spent many years traveling among the Fruztii, learning their ways, and also much time speaking with merchants, travelers, and other visitors to Rhizia (the Thillonrian Peninsula).
Your older brother, Hakon, coveted your father's rule, and while you were away, arranged to have your father killed. Hakon did well to cover his tracks–none outside his circle knew of his duplicity–but your friend Kjeld saw it happen and informed you. You and Kjeld confronted Hakon and his men, who made no effort to hide what they did. You challenged your brother, but were refused with a laugh, for you lacked standing in your tribe to do so. It is well known that Frost Barbarians may only challenge for leadership by blood or by deed. The line of succession was clear, as your brother was the elder. At that moment, the coward that murdered the Jarl, Ivar, fired an arrow from the shadows, killing Kjeld. As your friend died in your arms,Hakon declared you responsible and banished you from your home on pain of death for you, your mother, and siblings. This was three months ago.
You now seek to explore the world, gain knowledge, and complete a heroic deed–one for the Skalds to tell tales of for generations to come. This is the only way you may return and challenge your brother. Most recently, you sought to speak with one of your former mentors, the famed explorer Falagar, who left Rhizia for Greyhawk some ten years ago, and now teaches epic poetry and oration at the famed Bardschool, located in Clerkburg, Greyhawk’s academic quarter. you were hoping to gain admission to the school and perhaps further your craft. Much to your chagrin, you quickly learned upon arrival that the term had ended, and the new one would not begin for another month. Furthermore, you were told that Falagar was on something called “sabbatical,” which meant that he would not be teaching at the school next term, but was off gods-know-where doing some research! On top of all that, you learned that the Bardschool was rather costly, the first year running 50 gold orbs, far more than you had left in your purse!
Dejected, You realized you needed to raise more funds–not just for tuition (should you go through with his plan to enroll at the Bardschool), but simply for room and board. Following rumors, you soon found your way to The Pit, an establishment in Greyhawk’s Foreign Quarter featuring various forms of martial combat–essentially a smaller, rougher, less formal version of the famed Free City Arena dwarfing Clerkburg. Thinking you could earn some coin by competing yourself, you faced yet another obstacle when one of the pit bosses informed you only members of the Guild of Gladiators, Wrestlers, and Professional Combatants were allowed to compete, and the price of membership was a hefty ten gold orbs, far more than you had on hand. The boss suggested that “Mister Furzear” might be willing to spot you the funds, and pointed toward a sleazy-looking old halfling with slicked-backed hair sitting in a booth overlooking the Pit’s central fighting ring. Deciding to chance it, you began making your way up several sets of stairs to the halfling’s box. Nearly halfway there, You found himself intercepted by one of the ugliest women you’d ever seen–short and muscular, with a crooked nose, broken teeth, and two messy red braids. Dwarfed by the massive greatsword on her back, she looked like she might even be part dwarf! She warned you that once someone becomes indebted to “the Weasel” (Furzear), they never get out. She introduced herself as Fredricka the Fierce, bought you a drink, and took you to a nearby table where she introduced you to her friends: a suave, well-dressed young human named Nico, and a quiet, red-haired teen named Preh (pronounced “prey”). Over a few drinks, your new companions helped you choose a few fights to bet on, winning the you some modest coin–not enough to draw the Weasel’s attention, but enough for a few nights at a decent inn. Your newfound friends then led you to the Blue Dragon Inn on Cairn Court in the Foreign Quarter, run by a bearded half-elf from Perrenland named Gustin Longpike. The four of you swapped war stories over dinner and several pints of Witch Queen’s Cauldron, the heady house brew named for the mother of Iuz himself. Your new friends spoke of foiling a robbery of the locksmith shop across the square, chasing down a half-orc thug, recovering a magical book from a blood-filled tomb in hills to the north, and battling wererats in Greyhawk’s sewers. By the time You made it to your room, you were quite drunk, but optimistic about your future prospects in this bustling, alien metropolis.
Late the very next morning (today), you awoke to Preh knocking on your door. The young man told you to hurry up and get dressed as the taproom would only be serving breakfast a little while longer. As the two of you were finishing your meal, a pair of elves walked in–one a red-haired female and the other a tall (for an elf) silver-haired male. They went to the bar, and shortly thereafter came to your table, carrying a pitcher of Witch Queen’s Cauldron. It turned out they had a mutual friend in common with Preh, a half-elven ranger named Toben, who was currently out of town on business. As the four of you conversed over the ale, you were approached by a young boy with a leather satchel, wearing the livery of Greyhawk’s Union of Couriers and Messengers (a blue sash emblazoned with the image of a hawk in flight). The lad bore a sealed note, which he gave to Preh (after Preh passed him a copper common, of course). Preh took a moment to read the note, looked first at you, and then at the elves. “So,” he said, “anyone have plans this afternoon?”

Lia Galanodel, female wood elf cleric of Corellon Larethian

Background – Waterday, Goldfields (Reaping) 12th, 594 CY

Lia Galanodel was born on the twelfth day of Fruitfall (Harvester 12 to the humans), 449 CY in the Gnarley Forest, most of which lies within the Faerie Kingdom of Celene, arguably the most important elven realm in the Flanaess. Populated mainly by gray and sylvan elves, Celene has been ruled by Queen Yolande of Bellmeadow for well over two centuries (since 361 CY). One of the most pivotal events involving Celene in recent memory were the Hateful Wars (498-510 CY), an attempt by Celene and allied nations to clear the Lortmil Mountains of goblins, orcs, gnolls, and other savage humanoids. Precipitated by the death of Yolande’s consort at the hands of orcs, the wars were largely successful, though the fleeing orcs and goblinoids eventually overran the Pomarj peninsula to the south, and would later prove an arguably greater threat to the neighboring realms. Since the end of the Hateful Wars, Celene has grown ever more isolationist, to the point of refusing to send aid when the Principality of Ulek (a dwarf-ruled realm and ally during the Hateful Wars) was threatened by the Pomarj forces of the orc despot Turrosh Mak during the Greyhawk Wars in 584 CY. Though Celene’s position is to avoid risking elven lives in the conflicts of other races, a number of elven citizens have volunteered to do just that in the intervening decades.
In your hundredth year, you chose to dedicate yourself to the service of the Seldarine, particularly Corellon Larethian, god of warfare, magic, and lord and creator of the elven race. You soon found yourself in the hidden village of Oakvein, where the Loremasters of the village educated you in the priestly arts. A few decades later, when your training was complete, you became a wandering priestess, visiting several elven communities throughout the Welkwood and Gnarley, tending to the needs of the faithful and assisting when danger threatened. From 584 to 585 CY, you spent much of your time in the southern Welkwood providing clerical support to Celene’s border forces, as Turrosh Mak’s armies had just overrun many human settlements on the Wild Coast, and many feared he might invade Celene. Luckily, Mak set his sights on the Principality of Ulek instead, though the Welkwood forces did see a few minor skirmishes with orc scouting parties.
Roughly three months ago, you were sent by your superiors at Oakvein to the temple of Corellon in Greyhawk, to act as an assistant to the high priest there, a man named Narcoriel. Once there, you discovered that the “temple” mainly consisted of an outdoor shelter with a few benches under a small copse of trees near the Star of Celene, an elven inn located on Welkwood Boulevard in Greyhawk’s High Quarter. Turns out, the elven population of Greyhawk really isn’t large enough to support a large temple (only about 100 elves in a city of 70,000 souls), and rarely do more than a dozen elves show up for Godsday services. In inclement weather, services are moved inside the Star of Celene, run by a renowned half-elven bard named Finnobhar Aodhin (pronounced Finn-oh-var Ay-oh-thin). The Star (repurposed from an small mansion) is more of a tavern/restaurant than an inn, as there are no rooms for rent, but instead rooms are let gratis to important elven visitors to Greyhawk. Finnobhar allows Narcorial to keep a room in the Star, in return for spellcasting services. As his assistant, you have been granted a cot and a trunk in the cellar—not the most comfortable arrangement, but meals are gratis as well.
Narcoriel’s approach to his own duties is rather lackadaisical; he’d much rather wax philosophical over a bottle of Celene Ruby with friends at the Star, rather than obsess over the spiritual needs of the faithful. Given that, and the small size of the congregation, your duties are fairly light. Consequently, you found yourself quite bored within weeks of your arrival. Some of that boredom was alleviated when you met Theodred, a silver-haired, gray elf from Celene about your age, who had been a resident of the city for about a dozen years. Having come to Greyhawk to study at the city’s famed University of Magical Arts, Theodred is a frequent visitor to the Star when classes aren’t in session (though his attendance at Godsday services leaves much to be desired), and has turned out to be quite helpful in navigating this massive human metropolis.
Realizing that knowing the city better could also provide you with more opportunities to build the congregation, you found yourself spending time in Greyhawk’s markets and respectable establishments, inviting any elf or half elf you saw to Godsday services. You had little luck, until one day you approached a rather rustic-looking half-elf in Greyhawk’s Low Market. His name was Toben, a ranger from a druidic community a few days east of Greyhawk in the Cairn Hills, and you were rather surprised when he arrived for services the following Godsday. Afterward, you invited Toben to an after-service dinner at the Star. Theodred also showed up, having conveniently missed the service beforehand. Toben was a bit uncomfortable at first, because everyone speaks Elvish in the Star, and his was a bit rough—he’d grown up among humans, only learning the tongue later in life. Luckily, Finnobhar, being half-elven himself, put Toben at ease. You, Toben ,and Theodred spent many hours conversing, and were even treated to a performance by Finnobhar—the three of you were especially fond of one recital concerning the overthrow of a demon-bound wizard named Radeem hundreds of years ago, by a force of elven warriors and spellcasters from the Gnarley Forest. Toben even shared his own tales of adventure with you and Theodred—battling undead and evil priests in a blood-filled tomb in the hills to the north, as well as slaying a crazed wererat in the bowels of Greyhawk itself. The three of you parted as friends, and the young ranger even stated that he planned to return the following Godsday.
Of course, that turned out to be yesterday, and Toben didn’t show, though Theodred did (after the services were over, naturally). Concerned he may have been overwhelmed with the “elvishness” of it all, you decided to seek out the young ranger this morning and put him at ease. Having learned from your conversation that he usually frequented the Blue Dragon Inn in the Foreign Quarter, you decided to begin your search there. You knew the inn was on Cairn Court, off Horseshoe Road. You’d met the owner, a bearded half-elf named Gustin Longpike, in the High Market a few weeks before. You’d invited him to Godsday services, and he’d invited you to his inn, promising you a flagon of the house ale, Witch Queen’s Cauldron. Since he’d never shown up, of course, you never felt rushed to try something named after the mother of Iuz’s brew pot.
After signing the roster as you passed through the Garden gate, you encountered Theodred on the Processional, on his way to the High Market. The mage decided to join you, cautioning you that while Horseshoe Road was generally safe during the day, it did divide the Foreign Quarter from the rougher River Quarter, so it was best not to tempt fate.
When you arrived at the Blue Dragon, you didn’t see Toben, but Longpike was behind the bar. Looking surprised to see you, he motioned you over. The bartender knew who Toben was but confirmed he had not seen the ranger for a few days, though he did mention that the ranger’s friend, Preh, might know. Longpike then handed you two mugs and a pitcher filled with pitch-black ale, and motioned toward a table in the corner occupied by two humans–one a red-haired, freckled young man in dark clothing, and the other a tall auburn-haired man with a greatsword leaning against the wall, within arm’s reach. Toben had mentioned that a man named “Preh” was one of his companions, so the two of you felt more confident approaching the men. Toben must have told Preh about you as well, because the younger, smaller man seemed to know exactly who you were. After inviting you to sit, introductions were made. You learned the other man was a new arrival to Greyhawk named Rune, from the barbarian lands of the far northeast. Preh then told you that Toben had temporarily left town, having business to attend to for a few days.
As the four of you continued to converse over the ale (which you found a bit harsh for your liking), you were approached by a young boy with a leather satchel, wearing the livery of Greyhawk’s Union of Couriers and Messengers (a blue sash emblazoned with the image of a hawk in flight). The lad bore a sealed note, which he gave to Preh (after Preh passed him a copper common, of course). Preh took a moment to read the note, looked first at Rune, and then at you and Theodred. “So,” he said, “anyone have plans this afternoon?”

Continued from Bastard Greyhawk: Urban Decay

Dramatis personae:

Lia Galanodel, female wood elf cleric 3 of Corellon Larethian from the Gnarley Forest (Molly). Age 144 (about 24 in human years). Long red hair, green eyes, fair skin. 5', 110 lbs. Blue robes, breastplate, heavy darkwood shield, longsword, longbow.

Rune Ulfricsson, male human Barbarian 1/Bard 2 of the Frost Barbarians (Jacob). Age 27. Shoulder-length auburn hair, beard, green eyes, fair skin. 6'3", 215 lbs. Chain shirt, battleaxe, greatsword, shortbow.

Theodred, male gray elf wizard 3 of Celene (Mike). Age 130 (22 in human years). Long silver hair, blue eyes, pale skin. 5'8", 130 lbs. Foppish clothes, longsword.

It occurs to me that I didn't post character backgrounds for Lia, Rune, and Theodred. Will do so below, at the time they joined the party (details at start of thread):

Waterday, Richfest 5th, 595 CY

The party finds Arakk at the tavern where they first met. Lia fails to detect evil from Arakk. All go to Arakk’s room & show him Fiend’s Embrace. The party bids farewell to Krudin, & Arakk teleports Lia, Rune, Preh, and Theodred to a hillside overlooking Greyhawk. Arakk pays the party for their service, takes Fiend’s Embrace, & teleports away.

Godsday, Richfest 4th, 595 CY

The party reachs Eru-Tovar about noon & take a room at an inn different than the one where they met Arakk. Rune, under alter self, purchases wine & a pearl at the market, & he and Krudin unload as much of their non-magical loot as they can. They return to the inn with the wine and pearl & Theodred casts identify on Fiend’s Embrace, and they learn a little more about the cloak. The loot is split & Krudin goes to local temple of Geshtai for a restoration spell.

Sunday, Richfest 2nd, 595 CY

The party suffers through the Choking Fog of the Cold Marshes to reach Zarlag’s hut, where they camp for the night.

Starday, Richfest 1st, 595 CY

Lia cures the rest of Theodred’s Strength damage before breaking camp. Later that day, they slay two ice toads, one of which nearly eats Theodred.

Freeday, Wealsun 28th, 595 CY

The party survives the Mist of Undeath and destroys 4 shadows, but Theodred suffers severe Strength damage. That evening, while setting up camp, they are attacked by & slay a spawn of Kyuss. After praying that night, Lia cures some of Theodred’s Strength damage. & Rune’s Gift of Kyuss disease.

Earthday, Wealsun 27th 595 CY

On the final watch early that morning, Theodred tries on Fiend’s Embrace & is chastised by the others when they find out. The four break camp at dawn and continue traveling, via mount spells cast by Theodred. They are attacked by & slay 4 quaggoths. After praying that night, Lia casts detect evil on the cloak & chastises Theodred even more.

Session 20, 3/6/2022, Jason out, Preh played by Jake.

Dramatis Personae:

Setting: The Cold Marshes, several miles south of Cold Stones Keep.

Waterday, Wealsun 26th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, & Krudin reach Slurrozh’s hovel & find Baklunag’s animated corpse chopping wood; they learn she killed him after he attacked her & turned him into a zombie. They camp for the night at the base of her tree.

Waterday, Wealsun 26th, 595 CY

The party resumes their journey amid blackfrost, but are protected thanks to Lia’s endure elements spells. Later that day, they slay a troll.

Session 19, 2/20/2022, All players present.

Dramatis Personae:

Setting: Cold Stones Keep in the Cold Marshes, 100 miles north of the Wolf Nomad capitol of Eru-Tovar.

Godsday, Wealsun 25th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, & Krudin continue exploring Cold Stones Keep. Under the protection of endure elements potions and spells, the five return to the courtyard where the boat of the Fingers of Iuz is moored, and are attacked by another scrag, which they slay by beating it into unconsciousness and letting it suffocate, as scrags cannot breathe air. The party descends into the keep’s lower level & slay a female scrag. They then slay Shplizzmak, the scrag leader, who wears []Fiend’s Embrace[/i]. The party takes the cloak & loots scrag’s lair (Rune uses alter self to turn into a merman). Among the treasure, they find a cloak of resistance, which Lia claims. They return to surface & find the Fingers’ boat missing; They return to the room where they defeated the Iuzians and find Baklunag missing among the corpses of his fellow Fingers. They then go to room where they’d camped the night before & find their fur clothing & Rune & Krudin’s backpacks missing as well. They leave the keep & head south, hoping to catch Baklunag at Slurrozh’s hut in the next day or two. They camp about 12 miles south of the keep.

Godsday, Wealsun 25th, 595 CY

That morning, Lia casts remove disease on Preh. The party slays a vine horror in the southeast tower, and Preh finds a magic rapier in its lair. Several barrels of warped and rotting arrows are found in the flooded southwest tower. The party explores the keep’s upper level, finding the Fingers of Iuz campsite. While exploring a room at Lia’s request, Krudin falls through the floor to the next level. Preh and Rune nearly fall from the keep’s collapsing balcony. The party prepares to enter the keep’s lower level.

Session 18, 2/6/2022, Fiend's Embrace, part 3. All players present.

Dramatis Personae:

Setting: Cold Stones Keep in the Cold Marshes, 100 miles north of the Wolf Nomad capitol of Eru-Tovar.

Moonday, Wealsun 24th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, & Krudin continue exploring Cold Stones Keep. They use a crowbar to pry open a door to the flooded lower level, but leave it for later. Preh triggers a collapsing floor while trying to make safe passage, then triggers a collapsing ceiling which damages himself and Lia. They loot a half-eaten dead gnoll stuck in a window, finding a fine chain shirt and longsword. Theodred destroys a patch of green slime with burning hands. In the partially-flooded bailey, Preh gets badly bitten by a swarm of rats; the party disperses the swarm, then are ambushed by and slay a scrag, upon which Lia finds a pearl necklace containing a pearl of power. Lia diagnoses Preh as having contracted filth fever from the rats. The party discovers a well in the bailey leaking from its inner wall; Preh is lowered by ropes and uses a crowbar to remove debris blocking the hole, draining much water from the lower level. The party finds a defensible room and camps for the night.

Wealsun 24th, 595 CY
The five reach the ruins of Cold Stones Keep, and circle to the back of the structure, where they fight and slay several stirges. They soon discover the boat of the rival party. Theodred turns Preh invisible and he spies on the group, noting the skull tattoos each bears on their foreheads

Fingers of Iuz: Matyara, human female priestess of Iuz; Baklunag, male human necromancer & Morlak, his bat familiar; Grinag, male half-orc fighter; Roon, male gnome bard; Spike, male human bowman; and Valen, male human ranger/rogue).

Preh overhears them talking about the cloak and reports back to his allies, but he steps in green slime and his boot gets eaten. Rune announces himself and tries parlaying with the other party, noting that they are accompanied by two undead wolves. A fight eventually breaks out.

At the end of the fight, Preh and Theodred are down, Rune has slain two, Lia and Krudin have destroyed the wolf skeletons, and the other Fingers are left bleeding out. Preh and Theodred are revived and much looting ensues. Among their items, Preh takes Roon’s handy haversack, Rune takes Grinag’s composite longbow and Matyara’s magical greatsword (passing on his masterwork greatsword to Krudin), Lia takes Spike’s magical chain shirt, and Krudin takes Grinag’s magical chain shirt.

Wealsun 20th—23rd

The Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, and Krudin leave Slurrozh’s hut, and continue their journey through the Cold Marshes.

Wealsun 19th, 595 CY

The party reaches the potion maker’s hovel and pay the crone Slurrozh (female human cleric) for information and potions of endure elements. They learn from her another group bought potions the day before and were heading to Cold Stones Keep. They camp for the night under the tree in which her hovel is perched.

Session 17, 1/23/2022. All players present.

Dramatis Personae:

Setting: The Cold Marshes, on their way to Cold Stones Keep.

Wealsun 15th-18th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, & Krudin continue their journey through the Cold Marshes. They experience icy cold blackfrost on the first day, destroy four skeletons on the 17th, and everyone (especially Preh) suffers the blood drain of vampiric mist on the 18th.

Wealsun 14th, 595 CY
Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, and Krudin are attacked in the the heavy fog by a band of 5 gnolls, which they slay.

Wealsun 12th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, and Krudin leave Zarlag's hut.

Wealsun 11th, 595

The party reaches the hut of the deceased sage Zarlag and meet the 7’ tall barbarian occupant Krudin, who invites them in for dinner. Soon, however, under the curse of his magical greatsword, Krudin attacks Theodred. Luckily, the barbarian misses, and the mage puts him to sleep with a spell. Determining Krudin’s under a curse, Lia uses a remove curse potion (found last year in Radeem’s stronghold) on him. Krudin thanks party when he awakes, offers to guide them to Cold Stones Keep.

Wealsun 8th, 595 CY

Lia, Preh, Rune, and Theodred leave Eru-Tovar and enter the Cold Marshes once more.

The four enter the nearest place that looks like a tavern and approach the bar. They quickly find communication difficult with the barkeep, but a richly dressed man with long braids intercedes and invites them to join him for dinner at his table. He introduces himself as Arakk, and tells the party that he recognized them immediately as foreigners. The four soon learn that they have stumbled into the Wolf Nomad capital of Eru-Tovar, about 1000 miles from Greyhawk! Arakk surmises that the four must have recently journeyed from the Cold Marshes, given the grime on their clothing, and that they must have been ignorant of the swamps dangers, given their lack of winter clothing. Rune confirms Arakk’s suspicions, spinning a tale that they entered a magic portal while adventuring in Castle Greyhawk, which deposited them randomly in the swamp, with no way to return home.

Arakk explains that he came to Eru-Tovar on behalf of Perrenland’s national museum in Schwartzenbruin, to acquire an artifact believed to lie at an old keep in the Cold Marshes. He first became aware of the artifact when he purchased an antique desk from the estate of a recently-deceased wizard named Zarlag. While restoring the desk, he stumbled upon a hidden drawer that contained a number of notes and a map fragment. Unable to decipher the encoded notes, Arakk took them to a sage named Yelarial and paid him to translate them. The notes turned out to be excerpts and observations on the Demonomicon, a fantastically rare text concerned with fiends of the lower planes and rumored to have been penned by none other than the Witch Queen of Perrenland, lggwilv. Arakk tells them that Iggwilv conquered Perrenland over a century ago, and ruled for about a decade before being betrayed by her lover, the demon lord Graz’zt. In happier times, Graz’zt had given Iggwilv a potent magic cloak crafted from a pit fiend’s hide. Zarlag’s notes indicated that this cloak, named Fiend's Embrace, might be hidden in a place called Cold Stones Keep. The map that went along with the notes showed the location of this mysterious keep- it lay hidden deep in the Cold Marshes. Arakk proposes that the party retrieve Fiend’s Embrace, and in return he will help them get home more quickly and pay them 2500 gold marks. The party agrees and spends the rest of the day purchasing supplies for their foray into the marshes, including winter clothing.

Campaign continues at Bastard Greyhawk: Fiend's Embrace

Continued from Bastard Greyhawk: Secrets of the Towers, part 1:

Session 16, 1/9/2022, cont'd. All players present.

Dramatis Personae:

Theodred, Neutral Good male gray elf wizard 4 of Celene (Mike). Age 130 (22 in human years). Long silver hair, blue eyes, pale skin. 5'8", 130 lbs. Foppish clothes, longsword, longbow.

Freeday, Wealsun 7th, 595 CY, afternoon

The stream eventually leads to a trail, then a dusty road. The party follow it east until they arrive in the late afternoon at a strange frontier town, filled with swarthy humans who speak an unfamiliar tongue. The elves find themselves subjected to several curious stares.

Exiting the tower, the party finds themselves in a very cold, marshy swamp.

“Well, Theo,” says Preh, turning to the mage, “I’ve a feeling we’re not in Greyhawk anymore.”

“Very astute, thief,” snarls the wizard.

“Hey, at least we’re not in the middle of a frost folk village,” retorts Preh.

“We’d best start moving while it’s still light,” says Rune.

“Which way, though?” asks Theodred.

“South is probably our best bet,” says the barbarian.

After a quick gear-check, the party leaves the tower. They soon find a flowing stream and begin following it. After about an hour, they find a wolf corpse, completely drained of blood.

“What could do this?” asks Lia.

“A vampire, probably,” says Theo. “Maybe even a wolf vampire.”

“Or a were-leech!” adds Preh.

“Even if it was,” growls Rune, “we should keep moving. Undead and lycanthropes are most active at nighttime, and we’re burning daylight!”

After a few hours, the stream leads them out of the marsh, and to a vast, grassy plain.

“Thank Pelor!” exclaims Preh. It’s actually warm outside that damnable swamp!”

“This makes me think that cold is not natural,” muses Rune. “I suspect foul sorcery is at play.”

“Based on their gear and the state of the premises,” says Rune, “I’d wager this tower isn’t a permanent residence—the frostfolk likely use it as a sort of hunting lodge.”

“What’s that bearlike creature,” asks Lia.

“Not sure,” says Rune. “It’s nothing like I’ve seen or heard of in Rhizia.”

“I’ve read of such beasts,” says Theodred. “I think it’s a quaggoth—bear-like humanoids used as slaves by the drow, though free tribes are found in some of the more savage forests of northern Flanaess, near Blackmoor and the Icy Sea.”

“Y’know, I think there used to be one in a freakshow in Diamond Lake,” says Preh, “three days east of Greyhawk.”

“I have a feeling we’re a long way from Greyhawk,” says Lia. “and I doubt this tower’s in the underdark, so if Theo’s right, we’re probably somewhere in the Bitter North.”

“Well, the best way to find out is through that door,” says Rune.

Moving down to the next level, the party sees a grisly sight—the hides of several creatures on tanning racks— a wolf, three dire rats, two gnolls, and a large, bearlike humanoid with dirty white fur. Several tools are littered about the area, mostly made of bone, stone, or flint. The floor’s flagstones have been removed in one corner, and a leather-lined pit there contains copious amounts of urine. A barred, heavy door of bronzewood sits in one of the walls.

“Ugh,” sniffs Theodred. “Why wouldn’t they just piss outside?”

“Possibly to avoid the gnolls and other creatures,” notes Lia. “That, and they use urine in the tanning process.”

“Dung, too,” notes Rune. “Or animal brains.”

“I’m never wearing leather again,” whispers the mage.

Their bows seem to be of good quality,” notes Rune. “I think I’ll keep one for myself, and we can sell the other at some point. Their flint axes and daggers aren’t worth hauling about—we should just leave them, albeit out of their reach.”

“So, these guys are immune to cold?” asks Preh, binding the wrists of one of their attackers.

“Yes,” says Rune. “They have no need for fire, and thus eat their meat raw. Never having developed fire also means they also never developed metal-working—ergo their flint weapons and hide shields.”

“Guess that explains the frozen raw meat in these backpacks,” says Theodred.

“What are these things? Asks Preh, catching his breath.

“I’ve never encountered their like before,” says Rune, “but I believe these are frost folk, also called ‘ice demons’ by the folk of the northern realms.”

“These are demons?” asks Lia.

“No, not literaly,” replies the barbarian. “It’s said they were once humans, who struck a bargain with a dark power of ice and snow—some think an archdevil, perhaps.”

“So, we should make sure they don’t get up,” Preh nods, drawing his dagger.

“Well, we did invade their home,” cautions Lia, raising a hand. “Why don’t we just tie them up and take their weapons.”

“True,” says Rune. “if this tower happens to be in the midst of a frost folk village, a trespasser’s chances might be better if they haven’t killed any of the natives.”

“Agreed,” says the priestess, setting about binding the wounds of the frostmen while the others secure their weapons and search the premises.

Desending the stairs, they find what appears to be a living/dining area. Suddenly two fur-clad male humanoids with stark-white skin emerge from behind the primitive furnishings and unleash arrows at the party, before dropping their bows, drawing flint battleaxes and hoisting hide shields.

“Unlikely to be occupied, you said?” Lia shouts to Rune.

“That’s why I said ‘unlikely,’ not ‘impossible,’” retorts the barbarian.

Preh moves to find cover and loads his crossbow, while Lia wounds one of the creatures, which steps back and strikes her with a ray of intense cold from its eye. Rune moves to engage the other, which strikes the barbarian with its own eye-ray before Rune strikes a mighty blow with his greatsword. Theodred, meanwhile, attempting to hold his spells in reserve, nocks an arrow and aims, but his bowstring breaks.

“Dammit!” exclaims the mage.

“You should probably try spells next time!” chides Lia.

Preh hits the severely-wounded humanoid fighting Rune with a crossbow bolt. Nearly spent, the creature launches a final, failed assault on the barbarian before succumbing to his wounds. Rune then moves to assist Lia with the second humanoid, while Theodred hits the creature with an acid splash spell, wounding their foe slightly. The creature proves to be a better fighter than his compatriot, blocking Lia’s blade and Preh’s bolts while wounding Rune. Rune steps back and attempts a sleep spell, which the creature resists. Theodred’s daze spell buys the party some respite, allowing Preh and Rune to wound the humanoid before it resumes its attacks. However, its flint-headed axe breaks upon Lia’s shield, and the party finally downs their foe.

Rune and Preh arrive in a dark room, immediately noticing a steep drop in temperature.

“Godsdammit,” exclaims Preh. “It’s freaking cold in here!”

“Reminds me of home,” replies the Frost Barbarian.

The young rogue pulls out his Ioun torch, illuminating a room similar to the one they just left, only more lived in, with a pile of furs against one wall and a stone staircase leading down into darkness. At that moment, Lia and Theodred arrive.

“Shit!” says Theodred. “It’s colder than a frost giant’s balls!”

“And you would know this, how?” inquires Lia.

“It’s just an expression,” the wizard replies, shivering.

“Where do you think we are, guys?” asks the priestess.

“Another tower, obviously,” says Theodred. “Five walls, just like the other one—except that none of these walls are glowing in the presence of the key.”

“Great,” sighs Lia, putting the key back in her haversack. “Guess you were right about this being a one-way trip.”

“I didn’t know for sure—I just knew it was a possibility.”

“You think maybe this second tower is in your native land, Rune?” asks Preh.

“Possibly,” replies the barbarian. “But it’s usually not this cold in Rhizia at this time of year—except for high in the mountains.”

“That looks like someone’s bed over there,” says Lia, pointing to the pile of furs. “It could be that this tower is occupied.”

“Unlikely,” says Rune, examining the pile. “These hides are treated and tanned—mainly a humanoid endeavor. If there were any humanoids below, we’d smell the smoke of their cook-fires, and thus it likely wouldn’t be so cold in here.”

“Sound reasoning, skald,” says Theodred. “Unless the inhabitants met an unfortunate end and arose as undead.”

“Then I guess we should probably be more quiet when we go downstairs,” whispers Preh.

The others agree, and head back outside. Over a hearty meal, they inform Willem of their intentions, telling him to go back to Greyhawk if they don’t return in more than a few days. Saying their goodbyes, Lia, Preh, Rune, and Theodred make their way back to the top floor. Given that the walls cease to glow when the key is placed in the interdimensional space of Lia’s haversack, they agree the person with the key should enter last. Picking a portal, they enter two at a time—Preh and Rune first, then Lia and Theodred.

As the priestess pulls the symbol-covered pentagonal bar from her handy haversack, five-foot sections in two of the walls start glowing with a bluish radiance.

“Whoa!” exclaims Preh. “I think we’re definitely in the right place.”

The group spends several minutes experimenting. The glow changes in intensity the closer the pentagonal key is to the wall, and coins can be throwing through, but when one end of a rope is passed through, they find it cannot be pulled back, appearing to remain stuck in the glow.

“These show all the signs of being magical portals,” observes Theodred, “but both choices appear to be one-way trips. And before you ask, no, I don’t have any way of telling what’s on the other side.”

“Well, they say ‘fortune favors the bold’ for a reason,” notes Rune.

“If we’re really going to through with this,” cautions Lia, “we should probably let Willem know first.”

“Hmmm. Silver sheridans, gold wheatsheaves, and a smattering of platinum paladins,” observes Preh. “These are Furyondian coins—all from the third century.”

“Sounds like your guess as the the age of the corpses was spot-on, Lia,” says Rune.

“That chain looks like those typically worn by members of various orders of knighthood,” notes Theodred. “Makes me wonder if those chests—or at least their contents—were stolen.”

“You think this was a thieves’ hideout after the gnomes left?” asks Lia.

“Taking over an abandoned building and lining it with traps wouldn’t be out of character for a band of thieves,” notes Preh.

“So, what now?” asks Rune. “We certainly seem to be in the right place, but I haven’t seen anything that the pentagonal key we fund in Radeem’s stronghold would fit, or any more symbols like the one we saw above the door.”

“Hold on,” says Lia. “Let me get it from my pack.”

The floor above appears to be the top level, with an arched stone celing, 20’ high at its peak. The floor is in good shape, and the room is empty, save for five chests, one against each wall. Most of the chests they find to be empty and unlocked. Some are trapped, but Preh is able to safely disable or tigger them. One of the “empty” chests is found to have a false bottom, inside which is found a silver chain. Another contains several coins.

Continuing to the next level, the party finds a badly-burned kitchen area. As the floor looks incredibly unstable, they opt to continue up the stone staircase. The floor above appears just as damaged as the one below, and appears to have once been a barracks, with gnome-sized remains of broken cots and rotting mattreses. While there aren’t any stairs, the party does notice a trapdoor in the ceiling. Preh finds the door to be trapped, but manages to trigger it safely, staying out of the path of the heavy rocks which tumble down when the door is opened, crashing through the unstable floor below.

Moving up to the next level, the party finds the remains of rotting and broken furniture.

“Looks like this was a living area,” says Lia. “This furniture is sized for the smallfolk. You think those soldiers could have wiped them out?”

“Possibly,” says Rune, “but since we’ve yet to see any gnome corpses, it’s just as likely that these soldiers came long after the mine played out and the gnomes left.”

“Looks like the door was broken down,” says the rogue. “Based on that, and the soot, I’m guessing someone laid siege to this place. And this guy,” he says, pointing to the chainmail-clad corpse, “likely was part of that besieging force.”

“That guy, too,” says Theodred, pointing to a similar skeletal corpse laying on the sairs going up to the tower’s next floor.

Moving forward, Preh examines the stairs. “Looks like he set off a trap on the stairs—those two steps there are discolored, and when he stepped on them, something came out of those tiny holes in the ceiling.”

“Acid, if I were to judge by the markings on his armor,” observes Theodred.

“Can you bypass the trap? asks Rune.

“No need,” says the rogue. “It looks like it was never reset, so we should be good.”

“Well, that was an unfortunate soul,” says Rune, pointing to the corpse. “How long do you think he’s been there?”

“Judging for the look of the bones, style of his armament, and the amount of rust,” notes Lia, “I’d think maybe three centuries—posssibly more.”

“Look,” says Preh, nodding toward a soot-covered symbol carved into the top of the doorway’s arch.

“Looks like the symbol marked on the map,” notes Theodred. “I’d say we’re in the right place. Let’s have a look inside.”

Telling Willem to wait outside, the four adventurers enter the tower, with Preh carefully casing the place for traps.

Freeday, Wealsun 7th, 595 CY, morning

After four days of travel through to rough terrain of the Cairn Hills, Lia, Preh, Rune, Theodred, and Willem discover a mysterious five-sided tower, 65’ high, and 20’ per side. Sitting in a valley, the tower appears to have been used as a barracks and office for a long-defunct gnomish mining operation, judging from the nearby collapsed mine and gnome-sized abandoned equipment. The walls of the tower are blackened, as if at one time it was beset by fire. As the party approaches, they see that the tower was once trapped, as a skeleton in rusty chainmail lies in the doorway, the victim of a guillotine trap. Dismounting, Lia, Preh, Rune, and Theo move forward to investigate while Willem stays back with the horses.

The rest of the ride is uneventful. The group sees a smattering of wildlife–small deer feeding on the tough grass growing on the hillsides, field mice, rabbits, and several species of bird, including the small grey hawks from which the city and domain is named. They also see tracks left by small herds of wild pigs. As the day begins to wane, the party looks for a spot to camp, eventually finding one beneath a rocky overhang. Over a campfire, the five share stories of their past: Preh shares the tale of his adoptive father, a city watchman, dying as a result of collateral damage in a battle between archmages; Lia speaks of her time as a wandering priestess in the Gnarley and Welkwood during the Greyhawk Wars; Rune tells of his exile from the lands of the Frost Barbarians and his brother’s betrayal; and Theodred talks about what it was like to grow up among the sweeping spires of Enstad, capital of Celene, and why he left that elven realm for Greyhawk.

As the five ride on, Preh fills his companions in on the terrain. “These rugged hills might look a little drab, but they’re rich with granite and quartz. The Great South Peninsula itself is rich with gems as well, mostly emeralds, rubies, and diamonds.”

“You don’t say?” asks Theodred.

The rogue laughs. “Don’t get too excited, Theodred. Gnomes run most of the mining operations here, and you’d have a hard time passing for one of the smallfolk.”

“All it takes is the right spell,” quips the mage.

“You speak Gnomish, Theo?” asks Lia.

“There’s a spell for that, too!” he snaps.

“The treasure part sounds promising,” says Rune.

“If you can get in,” replies Preh. “Entry is strictly controlled by a band of dwarves, and those who make it out are forced to fork over a share of any found wealth.”

“Sounds like they’ve found the perfect balance of risk versus reward,” says Theodred.

“Sound more like bandits and cowards to me,” says Rune. “Stealing wealth earned by the blood and sweat of others.”

“And the City of Greyhawk just allows them to do this?” asks Lia.

“They sure do,” answers Preh.

“But why?” asks Willem.

“Mainly because half of what they take is passed on to the city coffers!” laughs the rogue.

“Not surprising,” laughs Theodred. “Greyhawk is known as ‘The City of Thieves,’ after all.”

“I assume the ‘Mad God’ you referred to would be Zagyg?” asks Theodred.

“The one and same,” replies Preh. “In fact,” the rogue points as they turn northward along a little-used trail, “he built that.”

The others follow Preh’s finger to see the ruins of three great towers visible in the distance to their right.

“Castle Greyhawk,” notes Theodred, or what’s left of it. “Built by Zagig during his time as Lord Mayor, when he was still mortal. He abandoned it well over a century ago. Its lower depths are said to be an endless maze. Many explorers have found great treasures there, but many more have only found death.”

I came this way last Growfest,” notes Preh, “with my companions Toben, Nico, Galena, and Verben, when we sought the Mad God’s Key from the Tomb of Blood Everflowing.”

“That was when you faced those Vecnan cultists, right?” asks Rune.

“Yup. Struck the killing blow on Veltargo, the cult leader. Rapier right through the left eye.”

“Poetic justice, that,” replies Lia.

“Got this nice magic cloak off him, too,” the rogue replies, shaking out his black mantle.

The five ride southwest for a couple miles on the River Road leading from the City of Greyhawk, before arriving a small settlement at a crossroads. They take a right, crossing Zagig’s Bridge, a looming stone expanse spanning the Selintan River. A massive stone statue of a robed figure holding a longsword at the road’s edge points the way across the bridge into a craggy spur of the Cairn Hills.

Session 16, 1/9/2022. All players present.

Dramatis Personae:

Willem, Neutral Good male human commoner 4 of the Domain of Greyhawk (NPC). Shaggy brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin. 6', 200 lbs. Studded leather, club, sling, heavy wooden shield.

Moonday, Reaping 3rd, 595 CY

After spending a good deal of the morning in Greyhawk's Low Market, Rune, Preh, and Willem load their wheel of cheese, cask of ale, a few loaves of bread, and other assorted foodstuffs they purchased for the journey on their cart, and meet Lia and Theodred outside the Highway Gate. Having marked the location of the odd symbol on Rune’s map, the party begin their journey to the Great South Peninsula.