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Heroes of Diamond Lake is the journal my players have created of their Age of Worms sessions. We’re playing in the Greyhawk campaign setting.
The journal entries are based on what they remember from the sessions so they may not always be complete.
I’ll add DM’s notes in brackets (like this). I’ll start by posting the backgrounds I wrote up for each character. Each character was allowed to take one flaw to gain a bonus feat.
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Character Background for Herkladd ‘Honour Blade’ Pinegaer Nebin Lenel Faerlenavan Varraer
Rumors around Diamond Lake speak of a trio of adventurers from the nearby City of Greyhawk, metropolis of wizards and thieves. They’ve been spending a lot of time in the village’s watering holes, proclaiming to all their intention to explore an ancient tomb on the lake’s northeast shore called the Stirgenest Cairn. You know that their plan will fail, since you’ve been to the Stirgenest Cairn and found it raped of its treasures centuries ago, just like all of the other empty tombs in the Cairn Hills.
But it got you thinking. What if the hills outside Diamond Lake hold other unexplored cairns, still laden with treasure? On one of your visits to the Spinning Giant, you met a talented young singer named Lyria Cicaeda, the daugter of the chief cartographer in Diamond Lake’s imposing garrison. You contacted her a few days ago with your idea, and asked her to look through the garrison’s old maps for reference to any cairns that aren’t well known (and hence well explored) by the local populace. She hit paydirt almost immediately and claims to have a map that reveals just such a location near a mine that went dry several decades ago. She doesn’t even think any of the powerful mine managers in town lay claim to the spot, so it’s been mostly forgotten.
You asked her to help you assemble of group of acquaintances who might be interested in joining you on the mission. You managed to convince a gullible looking foreigner named Mohagin to accompany you. If the cairn’s filled with treasure, someone’s got to carry it out and it certainly isn’t going to be you. The group is due to meet at noon at an abandoned mining building not far from the mysterious cairn, to discuss the operation and to set off immediately for the cairn and a new life filled with adventure and excitement.
(Herkladd is a gnome swashbuckler with the arcane conundrum flaw from Dragon 328, page 42. He plans to multiclass with rogue, with the eventual goal of the blade bravo prestige class from Complete Warrior. Herkladd’s background is heavily plagiarized from the background Eric Mona wrote for Tyralandi Scrimm, but my players don’t know that.)
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Character Background for Lyria Cicaeda
Life in Diamond Lake’s garrison seemed interesting to you as a child, when the soldiers seemed strong and brave and the world was filled with adventure. Now that you’re getting a little older, you look at the village like a squalid smudge on a map. Sure, it can be exciting from time to time, but lately you’ve found yourself making up reasons to leave.
Your father came to the garrison when you were only 2 years old, after a falling out with the Cartographer’s Guild in the city of Greyhawk. He never speaks about the affair, and has discouraged you from ever visiting the metropolis of wizards and thieves for as long as you can remember.
Although he is a civilian, his offices are housed within the garrison because the scheming, manipulative mining managers are extremely territorial; outright conflicts between them over who owns which parcels of local land have exploded in number over the last decade, and it’s all your father can do to stay on top of the issue. He is a well respected man in town, for to cross Cicaeda the Cartographer is to bring down the wrath of Garrison Commander Tolliver Trask, Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff, and possibly even more powerful allies in the City of Greyhawk.
For the last several years, you’ve been passing your time training to be a singer, performing at any of the local ales house that would let you perform. The rough audiences have been surprisingly attentive. Many times you’ve been able to stop a brewing brawl merely by singing an entrancing ditty. It’s only a matter of time before Zalamandra invites you to perform at the Emporium. After that, your reputation will be established and you’ll be able to move to Greyhawk.
You’ve also developed some strange magical powers that only occur when you lose yourself in the music. You haven’t told anyone about them, certainly not your father.
Last week, you ran into a mysterious, talkative gnome after a show at the Spinning Giant. You didn’t even remember his name (it was so long), but he seemed to remember everything about you, including the fact that your father was the village’s chief cartographer. He once again introduced himself as Herkladd, and his story provided you with the perfect opportunity to make your life more interesting—and possibly fill your pockets as well.
Rumors around Diamond Lake speak of a trio of adventurers from Greyhawk. They’ve been spending a lot of time in the village’s watering holes, proclaiming to all their intention to explore an ancient tomb on the lake’s northeast shore called the Stirgenest Cairn. Herkladd assures you that their plan will fail, since he’s been to the Stirgenest Cairn and found it raped of its treasures centuries ago, just like all of the other empty tombs in the Cairn Hills.
But Herkladd seems convinced that at least one of the local cairns has not been explored in recent times, and might yet contain fabulous treasures. You agreed to look through your father’s maps, and you’re now certain that he may be right.
A 70-year old map, drawn in the shaky hand of your father’s predecessor, marks a tomb labeled “Whispering Cairn” on a map of a small parcel of land about an hour from the village. According to some other records found in your father’s office, the mine about a mile from the cairn ran dry some 50 years ago, and the land was abandoned by its owner, a mine manager named Ulgo Fant who died a pauper some 10 years ago, leaving no heirs. As far as you can tell, that means the area is a sort of no-man’s land, so it shouldn’t be any trouble to sneak in and explore the cairn.
Herkladd asked you to find like-minded explorers who might be interested in exploring the cairn, and who could be relied upon for discretion. You’ve only been able to think of one person, Ran Oldman, a lonely novice of St. Cuthbert who’s been shunned by Jierian Wierus and now spends his evenings at the Spinning Giant listening to you sing. The first meeting is set for noon, at an abandoned outbuilding near Ulgo Fant’s tapped-out mine. There you’ll meet your new companions and set out for a life of excitement and adventure.
(Lyria is a human bard with the arcane performer flaw from Dragon 324, page 98. She is intent on discovering the music primal and becoming a seeker of the song (from Complete Arcane). Lyria’s background is also plagiarized, this time from Dram Cicaeda’s background.)
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Character Background for Ran Oldman
Ever since you were re-assigned from the Sacred Temple in Greyhawk to the decrepit Bastion of St. Cuthbert in Diamond Lake, your life has been filled with frustration and boredom. You were sent to assist Prelate Jierien Wierus in strengthening the doctrinal purity among the faithful.
The parishioners in Diamond Lake certainly need their faith strengthened, and Prelate Wierus is definitely enthusiastic in his mission. But the man’s methods are archaic! Self-flagellation hasn’t been practiced in the church since it fell out of favor two centuries ago. However, as the letters you’ve received from Praetor Armaedius in Greyhawk say, it’s not technically against the doctrine of the church and the prelate ranks above you in the Order of the Star.
You’ve been forced to bite your lip and assist the prelate as best you can. Your days are spent keeping the bastion clean and tending the wounds of the poor wretches that have injured themselves in the name of a misguided faith. As soon as your tasks are done, you flee the place, looking for anyplace that will give you some respite from your frustration.
You’ve been finding solace in the only semi-civilized tavern in town, the Spinning Giant. It’s filled with Heironeans, but the beautiful singing of Lyria Cicaeda drives the memory of senseless miners croaking ancient hymns completely from your mind. You’ve been guilty of staring a little too long in her direction and have only ever exchanged a few awkward words with her. Until three days ago.
Lyria came to you with a map and an intriguing offer. One of her associates, a gnome named Herkladd, plans to lead an excursion into a local cairn, which he believes to be laden with treasure. There are many such tombs in the region, but most are assumed to have been emptied centuries ago, their wealth accounting for much of Greyhawk’s now-faded splendor. Lyria isn’t sure she can trust this gnome, and asked you to accompany her to a meeting about exploring the cairn. She also wants you to be a part of her expedition.
No one truly knows who built the ancient cairns. You’re certainly interested in finding out.
(Ran is a human cleric of St. Cuthbert with the noncombatant flaw from Unearthed Arcana, page 91. He is unusual for a Cuthbertian, more focused on scholarly pursuits than guiding the common folk.)
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Character Background for Mohagin
You departed Ket four months ago, accompanying Sanfir, your mother’s second brother, on a trip to the Cairn Hills to source gemstones for the Mouqollad Consortium. You weren’t the first to discover that there are no diamonds in Diamond Lake and you won’t be the last. Heavy snow prevented you from proceeding to the Duchy of Urnst where real diamonds are located.
Your uncle quickly availed himself of all of the entertainment opportunities that Diamond Lake has to offer. You were sent with Safir to protect him, but you couldn’t protect him from himself. A string of bad luck drove him from the gaming tables of the Emporium to the dog fights at the Feral Dog across the square. Tired of watching him make riskier and riskier wagers in a desperate attempt to win back the advance given to him by the consortium and unable to convince him to stop, you find yourself spending your nights alone at Lazare’s, watching game after game of Dragonchess.
You didn’t notice that your uncle hadn’t come around begging for “just a few silvers” for a couple of days. After a quick search, you find his body in the festering pit behind the Feral Dog, thrown in with the dead dogs and broken chairs. Sheriff Cubbin refused to investigate. “A drunk fell in the dog pit and was killed. Happens about once a month.” When you note that dogs generally don’t slit throats with knives, Cubbin drawls ”You ain’t from around here, is you?”
You can’t return to Ket. You are quickly running out of funds and soon will be forced to sell your armor or sign on with one of the ‘security forces’ run by the corrupt mine managers. However, there might be another opportunity. Last night, an odd little gnome approached you, and asked if you were looking for money. He told you to meet him in an old abandoned cabin north of the town at noon today. You don’t know what to expect.
(Mohagin is a human (Baklunish) fighter with the glory-hound flaw from Dragon 328, page 42. He focuses on the greatsword and plans on becoming a Weapon Master, using an updated version of the prestige class from Sword and Fist.)
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The 2nd Sunday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
A group of adventurers is assembled by an enthusiastic gnome who arranges for a meeting with a local bard, a warrior from a distant land, and a cleric from St. Cuthbert?s bastion. At the meeting he reveals that he and the bard have discovered an overlooked tomb named the Whispering Cairn that is likely filled with adventure and treasure. That was enough to convince everyone to explore the mysterious ruins.
When the adventurers first arrived at the cairn it was early afternoon. They found a long hallway with alcoves to either side. The wind gusted and blew through the northward passageway, creating an eerie and haunting voice-like sound. In the first alcove to the left the adventurers found what appeared to be a shattered dressing mirror. Half of it was intact and the group surmised that it might have been some sort of magic teleportation device. Covered in symbols written in Vaati, the device had a personal sigil on the bottom. The shattered pieces were collected before the team moved onward.
The first alcove to the right had collapsed and was not passable. The adventurers made no attempt to uncover what lay beneath the rubble. When they approached the second set of alcoves, the adventurers were set upon by a large wolf that surprised everyone except Ran, who shakily drew his dagger and stood his ground. The wolf charged and attacked Herkladd, hitting but failing to trip him. Two other smaller wolves joined the fray and the battle was on. A strong blow from Mohagin frightened the big wolf which slowly began to back away from the warrior. With an inspiring song from Lyria, a little bit of healing from Ran, and well placed blows from both Mohagin and Blade, the wolves started to retreat. The larger of the wolves was the only member of the pack to escape with its life.
After the battle the adventurers regrouped. Closer examination of the second set of alcoves found them empty save for a bit of dust. They progressed deeper into the cairn until they reached a point where they had to choose from three paths.
Straight forward was a passageway clogged with spider webs. Past the webbing, a green light could be seen flickering in the eerie darkness. The party chose to return to this passageway after first investigating the others.
The alcove to the left ended at a slightly raised dais that was ringed by seven frescos on the surrounding walls, each depicting hallways that had lanterns hanging in front of them spanned the colours of the rainbow, from red to violet. Believing the art to be an illusion, Herkladd boldly walked forward and smashed into the wall. His companions quietly laughed as the gnome gingerly rubbed the bump forming on his forehead and all agreed the walls were real enough.
The alcove to the right was almost completely blocked off by rubble. There was just enough room for a small individual to walk in so Herkladd decided to investigate. It appeared that this area was where the wolves had laired. There were animal and humanoid bones in the cave along with some other interesting items, including a silver armband with a leaf pattern, an indigo lantern that looked similar to the ones in the fresco behind them, and what appeared to be a stone carving of a human finger. Herkladd and Ran thought the coloured lantern might be a key of some sort than might enable them to walk through the indigo fresco. Unfortunately, a couple of quick experiments indicated that they were wrong.
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The Chamber with Coloured Lanterns
The only place left to go now was through the spider webs. Lyria handed Herkladd a torch and he made quick work of burning through the webs. Scores of tiny spiders scattered and fled the flames but otherwise seemed harmless enough. Past the webbed portal a set of stairs led down into a large room with a stone sarcophagus in the centre and seven alcoves ringing the walls of chamber. Each of the alcoves had a chain suspended from the ceiling, just like in the fresco, though only five of them held lanterns—the indigo and red lamps were missing. The green flickering light seen earlier was coming from the green lantern, inside of which a magic torch burned brightly.
The indigo lantern was hung from its proper hook but no changes or reactions were evident. A thorough search of the chamber revealed that three of the alcoves -- the ones with the yellow, green, and indigo lanterns -- also contained domed, off-coloured stones on the floor. All the alcoves were about 40 feet tall except for the blue one, which appeared to open up into a passageway about 50 feet up in the darkness. An unidentifiable skeleton lay crumpled at the base of the blue alcove, leading the company to conclude it was the remains of someone who fell from the chamber above and died on the spot.
Next the sarcophagus was thoroughly searched. A carved, human-like statue on the lid rested with one hand palm up, missing an index finger, while the other hand formed a fist. The statue had a scarab glyph that was later learned to be of one of the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. The stone finger found earlier in the wolf den was a perfect match -- though reconnecting it seemed to make no difference. It wouldn’t stay in place so the adventurers claimed it as treasure and carried on their investigations.
Soon they noticed that the sarcophagus was loosely shaped like an arrow and seemed to be moveable on a pivot. The sarcophagus was currently pointing towards the orange alcove.
Mohagin attempted to push it towards the yellow alcove but couldn’t budge the heavy stone box, but when everyone assisted they were successful. When it was pointing at the yellow alcove they heard some rumbling. The domed stone object had risen up six or so feet and doors had opened up in the hollow cylinder now protruding from the ground.
Herkladd was curious and decided to climb inside. The doors quickly shut on him and, with the rest of the company watching powerlessly, the cylinder descended back into the ground. The rest of the party raced back to the sarcophagus and directed the arrow briefly back to the orange alcove and then pushed it back to yellow. As before they heard rumbling but when the cylinder came back up the gnome was not inside.
Suddenly the cylinder descended again, only this time it began climbing up again just as quickly as it went down. When it reached the lantern chamber again, Herkladd stumbled out with his pupils wildly dilated and declared, “New plan! The gnome always has a light source!”
Herkladd told the party that the cylinder took him down into a room that was pitch black. He stumbled around and heard the cylinder moving up and away so he began searching the walls until he found a switch that brought the cylinder back, which is how he managed to get back. The group discussed and then agreed that Herkladd should carry the everburning torch they’d found in the green lantern.
Before exploring the room Herkladd had discovered, the company decided to find out if there was actually anything inside the sarcophagus. While the others stood back a bit, Herkladd and Mohagin opened the lid and set off a burning hands trap. After a bit of healing from Ran they all searched carefully but found the sarcophagus totally empty. The lid was replaced and they moved along, deciding to continue one at a time down the cylinder in the yellow alcove to investigate.
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Exploring the Cold Chamber
Once all four adventurers were down below they found themselves in a small room decorated with ancient murals and carvings that had crumbled and been vandalized by looters who’d been here before them. A large square stone blocked the only apparent passageway out of the room. A thorough search of the area found a pressure plate trap of some sort beneath the stone. Instead of moving the block and triggering the trap it was decided that they would all climb up and squeeze through the two foot opening above it, a task easier for some than others.
When everyone was on the other side of the block, the companions proceeded slowly along a corridor with Herkladd in the lead holding his everburning torch and the others following in single file. Every five feet Aaqan statues stood silently, lining both sides of the hall, light gusts of wind blowing up from their palms.
As they progressed and discussed their options a ray of some sort suddenly shot out of the darkness at Herkladd and the party immediately went on the defensive. A tiny creature made of some stringy substance connecting two eyes together zipped around in the dark shadows as the party approached.
Lyria played an inspiring song on her horn as the monster shot another ray at the gnome that caused him to run away in fear. He clambered up and over the stone block behind them before he fell down the other side, injuring himself. The humans continued the attack. The eyeball creature dodged from statue to statue in an attempt to hide before it cast a gaze attack at Mohagin, causing the Baklunish warrior to fall suddenly asleep. A loud blast from Lyria’s horn roused him and he quickly managed to cleave the creature in twain.
The party then caught up with Herkladd and they regrouped. Once recovered, they decided to push on a little further down the corridor. At the end of the hall was a room with a large walled off area in the middle. Herkladd went to the right to investigate and found it to be quite cold. He saw some fungus on the side of the inner structure but the cold started to become unbearable as he approached so he was forced to retreat with a mild case of frostbite.
Mohagin decided to try the left passageway and found it much less cold so the party followed, finding the doorway to a bedroom on the left and to the right a large stone block that dominated the side of the cold chamber’s middle structure.
A thorough investigation of the block revealed a switch that caused the block to rise with a grinding of gears and stone. Underneath the block they found a fancy suit of chainmail armor that had withstood the crushing stone better than its wearer had. The armor was claimed as party treasure and soon donned by Mohagin who found it to be a perfect fit.
The area where the stone had been also contained some tools. Lyria attempted to retrieve these from a safe distance by casting a mage hand spell while singing a beautiful and enchanting song. Her magic was able to move most of the tools but proved ineffective on two wands and a pair of goggles, leading her to conclude, by the nature of the spell, that these three items must be magical. Fearing the trap that felled the individual they’d found crushed, Mohagin lifted Herkladd up and into the area with the tools and they were able to safely recover the magic items.
Being the adventurous sort, Herkladd immediately donned the goggles and started to look around. When he looked at the wands he could easily make out the symbols marking them because they were greatly magnified by the goggles. When he mentioned the symbols Lyria looked carefully but couldn’t see them until she also tried on the goggles. Though she could see the writing clearly she remained unable to read or decipher them.
Exploring the ancient bedroom they discovered that the bed would seem to suspend the sleeper on a cushion of air. They also found another Aaqan sigil and six small stone models of buildings, three intact and three broken, all of which were collected for investigation later on. Around the other side of the middle structure they found a door that lead to what appeared to be a centuries-old lavatory. Though Lyria and Ran did their best to encourage Herkladd to be thorough in his search of the privy chamber, the gnome seemed content with a cursory look and was quick to climb back up to the group. There were no more known exits from this area to explore and it was late in the day so the group decided to go back up and return to Diamond Lake.
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Back in Diamond Lake
Once back in town, Lyria went to the store to purchase parchment and ink so she could copy the symbols that she’d seen in the cairn and on the wands. Then the group went to talk to her father, Dietrik, to see if he could tell them anything about the items. Lyria’s father was intrigued when he saw the information but then grew concerned. He was worried about where Lyria had been that she would find markings like these and concerned that she might have gone down into a mine. Herkladd enthusiastically assured him that she had not.
When her father said he could not decipher the symbols, Lyria asked him who might be able to. He suggested she talk to Allustan, the smartest man in town. Lyria said, “Thanks Dad!” and before her father could protest she turned to leave with her companions in tow.
The group next went to visit Allustan to see if he could help. After knocking on his door a few times Allustan finally appeared from around the corner dressed in gardening attire and smeared with mud. They asked if they could talk to him and he seemed happy to invite them inside for some tea and conversation. Allustan asked everyone about themselves and seemed to know of Lydia and her talents.
When they showed him the parchment with the copies of the symbols the old man asked where the group had been to see these. He pressed a bit until they finally gave in, telling him that if he could translate the symbols that they would tell him where they found the goods. He willingly agreed so Ran and Lyria freely offered what they’d already discovered about how the runes were most likely in Vaati, the original language of the air elementals, and that some of the sigils were suspected to be those of the Wind Dukes of Aaqa.
Allustan seemed truly grateful for the information and said he would have more answers in the morning and then everyone parted ways for the day. Lyria and Mohagin went to the Spinning Giant where Lyria sang, Herkladd went to The Emporium, and Ran went back to the Bastion of St. Cuthbert where the nightly sermon was already in full swing.
After the sermon Ran went to talk to Prelate Jierian Wierus, who told him about his premonitions of evil coming down from the clouds and that everyone would have to whip the evil out of themselves. The prelate then asked why he was late as Ran rubbed healing lotions on his master’s self-inflicted whip wounds. Ran told the prelate about the three adventurers he’d recently met and of the agreement he’d made to go along with them when exploring a cairn of lingering evil.
“You're desecrating a tomb?!?” cried the prelate.
Ran clarified that they were not desecrating ... but going in to clear out the evil. Ran then asked if tomorrow he would be allowed to help those he’d already promised to help. The prelate agreed but told the young cleric that he would like him back in time for the important sermon planned for the next evening and Ran agreed. The prelate then handed the young cleric his own whip and Ran understood what the prelate had in mind as he took it and reluctantly ‘cleansed’ himself.
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The 2nd Moonday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
In the morning the group met up and went to meet with Allustan who told them the markings they’d found were definitely sigils of the Wind Dukes of Aaqa. Allustan then told the party the names of the three personal glyphs found so far. They were from Icosiol, greatest of the Wandering Dukes, Zosiel, a warrior prince, and Nadroc the builder—all three were well known Wind Dukes of Aaqa and members of the council of seven.
He then told the group the tale of the council of seven Wind Dukes and their battle against Miska, the giant wolf spider of chaos. The Wind Dukes were mighty warriors of the elementals in a time before man. The fight was tough so the elementals made an artifact called the Rod of Law that was used in the final battle against Miska. The rod was plunged into the spider and when the absolute law met the absolute chaos of the spider it destroyed Miska and shattered the rod into seven pieces that were scattered across the lands.
The group told Allustan all they knew about where they found the artifacts. Allustan surmised that they had truly found a burial tomb of the Wind Dukes. Excited with their find, the companions showed Allustan all the other items they’d found and he bought from them the statues of buildings and the pieces from the teleportation device. They also offered him first purchase rights on anything brought back from their further explorations of the cairn.
Allustan also offered to identify the wands for the party if only they could bring him the pair of expensive pearls required for the magic—they did so and were less than thrilled to learn they held a wand of Unseen Servant and a wand of Shatter, both well used.
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Battle with the Six-Legged Monstrosity
Encouraged by their other findings and inspired by their progress, the group returned to the cairn for further exploration and went straight for the room with the coloured lanterns. This time they decided to try turning the sarcophagus to the green lantern alcove. As soon as the sarcophagus was repositioned they heard a very loud rumbling sound until the floor in that section of the alcove collapsed down into itself.
Herkladd and Mohagin moved in closer to investigate the cave in and were soon covered in a swarm of acidic beetles that flowed up from the hole! Lyria drew a torch from her bag and lit it and the fight was on! Mohagin and Blade retreated towards Lyria to get torches as the swarm kept advancing. Ran quickly burned through his prepared healing spells trying to deal with damage being dealt to his companions. Herkladd, realizing that the torch he swung was ineffectual against the swarm, opened the sarcophagus lid to set off the trap and bravely injure himself and the nearby beetles.
The party managed to spread out as the beetles kept coming. Then, making a difficult situation worse, a six-legged spider-like creature with one huge eye and sharp claws crawled out of the hole after the beetles. After Mohagin smacked it hard it managed to strike back, knocking Mohagin unconscious. Lyria heroically decided to risk lifting the sarcophagus lid and set off the fire trap again, badly injuring herself in the process but successfully managing to finish off and scatter the beetle swarm.
The six-legged creature closed in on Ran and Herkladd, doing a whirling attack with it’s legs that just missed Herkladd but managed to hit Ran. The cleric barely managed to get away as the creature attacked again, this time successfully dropping Herkladd to the floor while gnashing it’s teeth menacingly and seeking out it’s next victim.
Ran started working through his healing scrolls, bringing Mohagin briefly to his feet before he was dropped again by the seemingly unstoppable six-legged beast. He was able to heal Lyria a bit, giving her just enough strength to move away and fire an arrow at the creature and attracting it’s attention long enough for Ran to bring Mohagin back to consciousness.
The beast dropped Lyria and whirled around, heading back to Mohagin and Ran who had now used up almost all of his healing scrolls. It proved to be enough to allow Mohagin to stay alive and, after a pair of deftly placed greatsword attacks, the Baklunish warrior finally felled the six-legged monstrosity—skewering it again and again to ensure the creature was finally and truly dead.
The two fallen comrades were quickly stabilized and the adventurers knew they had gone far enough for the day so they all retreated back to Diamond Lake to heal, rest, and prepare for their next day of adventure and exploration in the Whispering Cairn.
(End of first session. If I hadn’t let Ran prepare 10 cure light wound scrolls prior to the adventure, it would have been a TPK.)
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The 2nd Moonday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
After battling the insect swarms and the foul spider-like creature, the two fallen comrades were stabilized. The adventurers knew they’d gone far enough for the day so they all retreated from the tomb and back to Herkladd’s cabin on the outskirts of Diamond Lake—Mohagin carrying the burned and injured Lyria, Ran carrying the bleeding gnome.
Upon arrival at the cabin they saw strange flashing lights inside. Entering the dilapidated building they found an unexpected guest—an attractive Baklunish woman with sparkling energy flowing and pulsating randomly around her. She introduced herself as Shanarah and told the company that she was looking for Mohagin to find their mutual uncle, Sarfir.
Mohagin explained that their uncle was recently deceased due to gambling his life away in Diamond Lake’s seedy gaming dens, found with a slit throat in a muddy pit. Shanarah was clearly disappointed at this news and explained that she had dragon blood in her and was starting to manifest dragon powers, hoping to find her uncle to figure out what was going on.
(Beginning of the second session. Another player joined the game for the second session. Her character is Shanarah, a sorcerer from far off Zeif.)
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Character Background for Shanarah
The blood of Kepsektokiversvex runs in your veins. Over a hundred years ago, your great-great grandmother, Ammalka, helped a poor fisherman repair his nets when she should have been helping her elder sister prepare for her marriage to the village chief. She was banished from her family for her dereliction of duty, and found solace in the only other place she knew: the small seaside hut of the poor fisherman.
Ammalka lived with the poor fisherman for five years and together they had a beautiful son with golden eyes. The poor fisherman was absent for long periods of time however, and one night Ammalka learned the reason why. As she was gazing at the moon, waiting for the fisherman’s return, she saw a winged silhouette in front of the gleaming orb. She was frightened and turned to run away. Horrorstruck by what he had done, the great bronze dragon landed and revealed that he was the poor fisherman.
Kepsektokiversvex knew that he could not stay with Ammalka for much longer, for their natures were too different. He lingered for a few more years, to see his son become a man and eventually the chief of the village that had shunned Ammalka. In the following years he appeared to certain of his descendents who manifested ‘the gift’. As the years passed, his visits grew less frequent and ‘the gift’ appeared less often. You were the first of the dragon’s descendants to show ‘the gift’ in two generations. When Kepsektokiversvex did not appear for a year after you had manifested your powers, you consulted your great aunt Amidolka, the last family member to be dragon-touched.
She told you to seek your destiny in Diamond Lake, far to the south, in the Domain of Greyhawk. Well, you traveled for five months through every kind of dangerous terrain, and you’re finally in this godforsaken hole of a town. Not only are there no diamonds in Diamond Lake, but nobody has heard of Kepsektokiversvex either. While you were asking around, a few people told you that Safir was dead (as if that’s who you were looking for), but that his nephew Mohagin was still around. You managed to track Mohagin to an abandoned mine manager’s cabin to the north of town, but when you went inside, you found it empty. As you prepare to leave, you hear voices outside…
(Shanarah is a human (Baklunish) sorcerer with the phantom sparks flaw from Dragon 327, page 93. She is intent on developing her draconic heritage.)
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Provisioning in Town
Together the group went to the Bastion of St. Cuthbert where healing was provided by the cleric Hameneezer but no payment was asked for. Introductions were made between the now conscious Lyria and Herkladd and the Baklunish woman with the dazzling lights. The prelate pulled Ran aside and had a quick chat with him to catch up.
It was during this meeting that Ran learns the temple had been giving away all healing and is not making any money from donations or covering its expenses. Afterwards, Ran returned to the group and Mohagin indicated to Ran that Nigellus, the bookkeeper of the church, was paying special attention to the group before they all retired to Herkladd’s shack to hold council.
The group agreed that Shanarah should join the company in their exploration of the Whispering Cairn. Ran, worried about the finances of the temple, insisted on a new agreement for treasure division, indicating that the group would need to pay back the church for their earlier healing and that they should keep theirs eyes open for something special that they can give to the church. Blade agreed with helping out—at least to the extent of covering what the group owes.
The adventurers decided to spend two days resting before going back to the cairn. Ran suggested that the party purchase a healing potion in case he should fall and need healing. The group heartily agreed with newcomer Shanarah donating 50 gold coins to the cause and Mohagin pitching in 25 gold from his own dwindling reserves. Over the next two days they picked up supplies and recovered from their injuries. Ran made two scrolls, Herkladd went back to work at the mine where he was employed, and Lyria sang to an appreciative audience at the Spinning Giant.
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The 2nd Earthday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
After the now familiar half-hour journey the group was again back at the Whispering Cairn. After a brief discussion, Herkladd suggested that they should next go down and explore the collapsed area where the beetle swarm emerged from. The group agreed.
The gnome set his fifty foot length of silk rope with an expertly-anchored grappling hook and nimbly climbed down into the darkness. Forty feet down the tunnel opened up into a room twenty feet tall and Herkladd swung awkwardly—there no longer being a wall to brace against and only ten feet of rope left. Herkladd continued climbing down and slipped at the last second, landing hard on the rubble of the caved-in tunnel.
After regaining his bearings and procuring his ever-burning torch from his pack, the gnome found himself in the beginning of a hallway leading to a set of stairs that descended into a pool, paths branching left and right about halfway down the corridor.
He shouted his findings up to the party and they considered what to do next. Herkladd wanted to continue explore the area, Lyria thought it prudent to go back to town for more rope, Ran didn’t want to leave Herkladd alone down below. After a little debate it was agreed that Mohagin would climb down to fetch the gnome and then they would all go back to town together to get more rope.
Mohagin went over the edge and made good progress at first but when there was no wall to brace against he fell off the rope and landed badly. The injured Baklunish man stood to dust himself off and then held Herkladd up so he could reach the rope.
At that moment an acidic beetle swarm scrambled out of the black darkness, skittering and racing towards the pair. Blade attempted to grab the rope but just couldn’t manage it in all the chaos, instead he grabbed hold of Mohagin’s shoulders but, before Mohagin could jump up to reach the rope, the beetle swarm was all over both of them, dropping Mohagin into unconsciousness.
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A Hero Falls
Herkladd ran down the hall away from his fallen comrade, taunting the bugs to follow him and trying to lead them back towards the pool of water—even throwing his prized rapier ‘Wit’ at the swarm as a distraction. The brave gnome made it all the way into the water at the end of the hall and the bugs followed up to the water’s edge but came no further.
Just when things were looking bad for the heroes, a much larger beetle appeared and scurried in Herkladd’s direction. At the top of the collapsed tunnel Lyria, Ran, and Shanarah started to panic, not knowing what to do. Ran whipped out the potion they’d bought for him, uncorked it, and poured the contents down the shaft hoping to hit Mohagin’s mouth with the elixir. Miraculously, some of the liquid actually found its mark but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to rouse the injured man.
Herkladd continued distracting the bugs at the opposite end of the path while shouting “If I stop talking ... I’m dead!” Ran got an idea and cast enlarge person on Lyria. Soon the bard was twelve feet tall and her entire body filled the shaft, making it much easier for her to climb down and get Mohagin and Herkladd. Once at the bottom, the giant Lyria grabbed Mohagin and saw Herkladd down the corridor behind the swarming insects so she called for him.
Just as he readied to dash her way the large beetle hit Herkladd with a mighty blow. It was a nasty attack but there was a fiery determination in Herkladd’s eyes and he wasn’t about to quit. He ran over and past the bugs, drawing an attack from the beetle that fortunately missed him—but in the end he didn’t make it far enough to get to Lyria and the rope. The swarming bugs turned and headed after him and he collapsed.
Seeing all this and realizing there was nothing that she could do, Lyria climbed quickly up the rope with the insect swarm fast on her heels. As she crested the top of the shaft she saw Ran casting a cure spell on Mohagin, bringing the warrior back to a groggy consciousness. “Run!” cried Lyria and the group headed for the exit as fast as they could with the swarms eventually losing ground behind them.
Back safely if not soundly at Herkladd’s shack the group discussed plans for what to do next and agreed that they would go back and find out what happened to Herkladd but that they were in bad shape and needed a day to rest and gather more rope and supplies. After consulting with Allustan, many flasks of oil were purchased and the group made sure they had enough torches. Ran bought another potion and crafting materials for another scroll. The chilly night came to a close with all the company thinking of their fallen leader, Herkladd, and his heroic last words and final deeds.
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The 2nd Freeday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
Early the next morning the group returned to the cairn and made their way directly to the sarcophagus chamber where they joined two ropes together for extra length and tied knots at intervals to make it easier to climb. Better prepared this time, they carefully descended one at a time until all were gathered below and were ready to proceed in their search for any sign of Herkladd.
At first the darkness seemed to only hold echoes of their own whispers but soon the scurrying sound of insects was unmistakable and the fight was on. After a hard fought battle with oil and fire, the insect swarms and the larger beetle were eventually defeated. While the group regrouped and decided what to do next another large beetle jumped them. Well prepared this time, they quickly dispatched it.
To their sadness, Herkladd was confirmed as dead. The gnome’s corpse was found in from a chamber to the right that was half-filled with an orange, gooey substance on the walls and floors. This was clearly the room where the insect swarms originated and many insects still scurried around in the shadows. The ever-burning torch Herkladd had been using was nowhere to be seen.
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Shadows in the Boneyard
With their mission achieved, the group quickly left the cairn and returned to Diamond Lake to bring Herkladd’s body back to be given a decent burial in the boneyard. Arrangements were made to have a memorial service after the nightly St. Cuthbert service so that Ran could say a few words in memory of the deceased. After finishing business at the Boneyard, Ran went to tell Herkladd’s mine manager that he would not be able to show up for work. The mine manager pointed out that there was a matter of 16 silvers the gnome owed him so, with the agreement of the party, Ran paid off the debt and then returned to the Bastion of St. Cuthbert for the evening service.
Later that evening the group assembled and made their way to the Boneyard for Herkladd’s burial ceremony where Ran spoke spiritual words and Lyria sang a beautiful song. All agreed that Herkladd should be buried with his famous rapier ‘Wit’ and so that was how Herkladd ‘Honour Blade’ Pinegaer Nebin Lenel Faerlenavan Varraer was laid to his final rest.
After the solemn service, a stranger emerged from the shadowy tombstones, approached the group, and asked after Lyria. He said his name was Khayal and that he was a shadow-warrior from the nearby Twilight Monastery sent on a specific mission to aid the ‘Giant’s Nightingale’ in her future endeavors, whatever they be. The group brought him back to the abandoned shack and they all got to know one another and it was agreed that Khayal would join them as a the party’s scout in their continued explorations of the cairn. They also decided to let Khayal use the magic goggles since he was to be the one looking for traps and dangers.
Then everyone parted ways for the evening, Ran to the bastion, Mohagin and Shanarah to the Able Carter’s Coaching Inn, the mysterious shadow-warrior following Lyria to her house and staying the night watchfully nearby in the dark cover of night.
(Khayal is a replacement character for the player who was playing Herkladd. His background follows.)
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Character Background for Khayal
Nobody knows your true name. Nobody alive that is. They call you Khayal at the Twilight Mon¬astery, but it only means ‘shadow’ it their strange tongue.
Your family knew your true name of course, but they are all dead, killed by the Brotherhood. They were all killed by plantation overseers during a failed uprising near the Hool River. The Brotherhood was foolish to let you live, thinking you would make a compliant galley-slave.
You found your chance for revenge a few years later, when the vessel you were on was taking on provisions in Woolly Bay. Slipping out of your chains in the darkness, you effortlessly skulked to the upper deck. The watchman was dead before he had a chance to see you. No one heard the sound as you slipped into the water and swam for freedom.
You wandered up the Wild Coast towards more civilized lands. You made your way from tiny thorpe to the magnificent Free City of Greyhawk. But civilized lands proved just as cruel as the despotic plantations of the Sea Princes. Not being able to speak the local language, you were barely able to survive by begging and petty theft.
You were rescued from this sorry state by an agent of the Twilight Mon¬astery, who caught you trying to steal from a merchant’s stall. Impressed by your stealth, he brought you back to the monastery instead of turning you in. You wouldn’t have gone with him had you not found out that the Order of Darkness hated the cruel Suloise even more than you did.
At the monastery they fed and clothed you, and brought you back to full health. They also taught you some of their secrets, training you to be a shadow warrior, a silent protector of the order and a seeker of vengence against the Scarlet Brotherhood.
Two weeks ago, Izenfen herself summoned you. She told you that she had received a vision in the Censer of Symmetry. You were to go to Diamond Lake, seek out the Giant’s Nightingale, and place yourself at her service. She would tell you no more.
After two weeks of searching you were no closer to finding the nightingale, when you heard a enchanting voice drifting on the night breeze from the Boneyard. You go to investigate…
(Khayal is a human (Olman) ninja with the lightweight flaw from Dragon 328, page 44. He is planning on taking the Umbral Disciple prestige class from magic of Incarnum.)
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The 3rd Starday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The group assembled at the cabin early the next day and then traveled back to the Whispering Cairn to continue their search for treasures and wonders, regretting the death of their former leader, Herkladd, while still excited by the prospects of treasure and discovery.
Once at the sarcophagus chamber the five adventurers prepared for another descent. Khayal suggested that he should go down first alone to scout the area below but the group was quick to discourage the idea considering what happened last time they’d tried that. Khayal reluctantly consented and so the entire group climbed down the collapsed passageway and started searching the area together, slowly and cautiously as insects skittered and chattered in the darkness ahead.
Lyria sang a song of magical detection and then looked into the two rooms branching off the main corridor before the pool. The one to the right contained a trough of some kind overflowing with a gooey orange substance, magical auras emanating from one area in the corner. In the chamber the left had some magical auras on the wall and a red statue in the back of the room.
After a quick discussion it was agreed that Khayal would search the room to the left first. There he found eight slabs of rock that might have been coffins, one of which had a corpse on top it. As soon as he entered the room he began to feel tired and the feeling intensified as he fought off the effect and continued to search the body on the slab, bringing the dead person’s equipment back to the group. It consisted of a fine silver ring and a good set of leather armor that had a red, eight-pointed star on the left shoulder. Lyria recognized this symbol as the insignia of an archaeologist society, a front for a bunch of unscrupulous tomb raiders.
Khayal next explored the chamber to the right. A large stone trough occupied most of the centre and was filled with an unknown orange substance. In the back of the room, underneath the orange goo, he found three bodies—all in leather armor with the same eight-pointed star insignia. He also found two potions with the word ‘cure’ written on the side, a pearl, and a mummified hand wearing a magical ring.
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Into the Depths
After searching the two side rooms the only place left to investigate was the stairs that descended into the water. Marching single file with Khayal in the lead the group of adventurers made their way to the stairs and descended down into the cold, murky pool. Khayal again advised the group that it would be much safer overall if he went ahead alone first to quietly scout and this time they all reluctantly agreed.
Slowly and silently Khayal slipped into the water until he was totally submerged as he swam into the darkness. He didn’t get too far before he noticed a swirling whirlpool nearby that changed shape into a small water elemental that rapidly swam up close and attacked the shadow-warrior, staggering him. The rest of the group at the stairs noticed an increase in water movement and bubbles from ahead and realized something was happening so they all jumped into the water, some swimming while the heavier companions walked on the floor of the murky pool. Khayal attempted to swim away from the water elemental but made no progress.
Luckily, Mohagin soon made his way to the battle and was able to distract the creature long enough for Ran to heal the stunned and injured shadow-warrior. Then Mohagin, Shanarah and Lyria all moved in and circled around the water elemental, just barely managing to slay the monster before they all noticed a hideous aquatic ghoul swimming at them from out of the cold, shadowy depths. Ran tried to turn the undead creature with his holy symbol but the ghoul merely hissed back at him. The rest of the group were now in position to attack the undead creature.
They fought hard but it was difficult under water and the ghoul was a tough opponent, striking back hard and fierce at the adventurers. Soon Shanarah was paralyzed by the creature, then her cousin Mohagin, and things were looking very bad for the adventurers when Lyria suddenly noticed the long spear strapped to Shanarah’s back. She grabbed it and stabbed the ghoul with enough force that put the creature to rest once and for all.
Relieved, the companions returned together to the stairs and surface where they caught their breath and recovered from the underwater battle, glad that were all alive and well so far into their explorations of the Whispering Cairn.
(End of second session. Ran, Mohagin, and Lyria received enough experience to advance to second level. They all took another level in their original class.)
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The 3rd Starday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
After barely surviving a fierce battle with a water elemental and an aquatic ghoul, the adventurers regrouped back at the top of the stairs into the pool and spent a few minutes recovering from the underwater assault. Khayal showed them a gold ring with the now-familiar eight-pointed star that he’d found on the hand of the ghoul. Before returning to the lantern room above, everyone agreed that Khayal should continue to search the underwater area again--but that this time everyone else would follow closer behind, just in case.
While exploring the pool the group learned there were three adjoining rooms, one ahead and one each to the left and the right. Exploring the chamber to the left, Khayal found the missing red lantern from upstairs, some shredded armor with the nefarious star symbol, and a short sword that he took as his new primary weapon. In the room to the right he found a pile of rags and a pouch with some coins in it. The last room straight ahead turned out to be an old privy that warranted no further inspection. When the group all finally emerged from the water at the staircase they notice a familiar-looking torch floating nearby. It was the ever-burning torch Herkladd had used but the magical flame had been snuffed out, no doubt by the water elemental’s power.
With nowhere left to search in the pool, the adventurers decided to head back up to look for another route or pathway to explore. Once everyone was safely up in the main chamber they returned the red lantern to it’s holder so that all the alcoves were complete. Then they all agreed to try the indigo path. After turning the coffin so it pointed at the alcove with the indigo lamp, a cylinder rose from the floor. A little way into the cylinder, Khayal found a trap and managed to disable it, which prevented the cylindrical chamber from descending. He found some human bones and a pouch containing 35 gold, 15 silver, and a small red ruby inside the chamber.
(Beginning of the third session.)
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An Ill Wind Blows
With no other options unexplored the group agreed to try the blue lantern alcove next. Concerned about the climb in his chainmail armor, Mohagin asked to wear the ring of feather falling and then, one by one, the party climbed up to the top of the chain where they found a long hallway ending at a huge, carved image of an angry face. Cautiously, the group proceeded down the hallway in single file. Suddenly, they heard a ‘click’. Khayal had accidentally stepped on a pressure plate and triggered a trap.
The face at the end of the hall started to emit a multi-coloured light as the mouth opened and wind began to blow out with a powerful force. The dazzling lights stunned Khayal, Mohagin and Shanarah, leaving Ran and Lyria to grab their friends and shield their eyes from the hypnotic spell. Khayal quickly regained his senses but the others weren’t as fortunate and remained incapacitated.
The wind started to build in intensity and Khayal fought against it as he moved in closer to try and disable the trap. Unfortunately the wind proved too strong for even the agile shadow-warrior and he was blown backwards, tumbling towards his companions as they hugged the tunnel walls. Ran, Lyria, and Khayal struggled to hold on to their stunned friends and fought against the forceful wind. They realized that if they were blown back far enough they would fall to their deaths--just like the unfortunate adventurer whose bones lay at the bottom of the shaft.
The winds weren’t letting up, if anything they were growing stronger. Ran cast an enlarge person spell on Lyria, making it easier for the giant bard to hold on to the unconscious Shanarah as the wind buffeting everyone backwards. Finally Mohagin and Ran were thrown right off the ledge. Ran was able to hold on to Mohagin and the magical ring found earlier in the cairn worked true, causing their rate of descent to slow until they landed, taking only minor damage from the fall.
Khayal was suddenly knocked unconscious by the wind as it blew him around. By this time Shanarah had recovered and was holding on to Lyria, who was able to grab the unconscious shadow-warrior as he rolled past. Another strong gust of wind blew Shanarah from Lyria’s hands but fate smiled on her and the Baklunish sorcerer managed to grab hold of the chain and was able to climb down safely.
Lyria moved over to the chain and grabbed hold but was unable to climb down without dropping Khayal and leaving him up above in the windy passage. Seeing this, Ran removed the magic ring from the still-unconscious Mohagin’s hand and climbed up the rope as fast as he could. Once at the top on the ledge he put the magic ring on one of Khayal’s fingers and pulled him over the edge. The ring’s magic gently lowered the shadow-warrior to the ground. No longer impeded by Khayal’s weight, Lyria easily climbed down the rope to join her companions at the bottom of the alcove, where they healed up and agreed that it was time to head back to town for the evening.
Once settled back in Diamond Lake, Lyria went to the Spinning Giant and sang to an appreciative audience of soldiers. Mohagin and Shanarah retired to the inn to rest and recover. Ran returned to the Bastion where he had a chat with Nigellus about the church funds and then had a talk with the Prelate. He asked Ran if he would do the next Godsday sermon and Ran agreed, honored by the privilege. Hiding in the shadows the whole time, Khayal everything that the young cleric said as he talked with the others in the Bastion of St. Cuthbert.
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The 3rd Sunday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The next day the adventurers felt renewed and ready as they journeyed back to the Whispering Cairn. They went directly down to the lantern room and the blue lantern alcove. Wearing the magic ring, Khayal deftly climbed up the chain to try and disable the trap. Unfortunately, he was again unsuccessful and, with a familiar click, a howling wind began to gust from the mouth of the angry face, growing stronger and stronger as he tried to disable the trap, until he could hold on no longer and was again blown off the edge, floating safely down to the rest of the party.
Frustrated by their slow progress, the group tried to figure out what to do next. They discussed a number of options before finally agreeing to try lighting all the lanterns in the chamber to see if it would make any difference. Oil flasks were handed out to everyone and, once all the lamps were lit, the sound of the howling wind up above immediately stopped. They all cheered, realizing that the puzzle had finally been solved and the trap was overcome.
The entire group climbed carefully up the chain and proceeded slowly down the passage towards the angry face. Khayal peeked through the opening of the mouth and saw a long, narrow room beyond. The room had strange geometric carvings and shapes along the side walls and a three-foot wide beam crossing to another door on the other side. The lowered floor was piled deep in what looked like metal or iron balls of varying sizes.
With a rope tied securely around his waist, Khayal climbed through the passageway to investigate the area alone at first. As soon as he stepped out onto the beam, balls suddenly launched at him from the holes in the side walls. He dodged successfully at first but, as Khayal continued on, balls kept launching at him until eventually one hit him squarely in the chest, knocking the tall, skinny shadow-warrior from the bar onto the floor below.
Khayal stepped carefully back to the edge where the rest of the group was. As he started to move, he noticed something stirring in the pile of balls nearby. A strange-looking creature leapt out and attacked the shadow-warrior, hitting with a powerful blow. Khayal leapt away just as Shanarah launched a magic missile at the beast--slowing but not stopping it as it moved towards the shadow-warrior and attacked, dropping Khayal unconscious.
Mohagin was pulling hard on the rope to bring Khayal back towards them when they heard a young boy’s voice cry out in laugher “Fishing! Ha ha! Funny that you’re going fishing! Ha ha!” Undaunted, Mohagin kept pulling the rope until Khayal was up to the ledge where Ran grabbed him and pulled him back to safety before healing him. Ran shouted back, “Show yourself!” as Shanarah sparkled and flashed, firing another magic missile into the strange beast that finally felled it.
Suddenly, the ghostly visage of a small boy rose up from the floor of balls and flew straight towards the group, lashing out at Ran. The cleric managed to dodge the blow and resist the spirit’s supernatural powers. Khayal attacked the ghost with the magical short sword but was unable to hit the incorporeal enemy. Ignoring the shadow-warrior, the spirit lunged forward and attacked Shanarah, draining her of energy, after which it managed to possesses her cousin Mohagin.
Ran cast a protection from evil spell on the Baklunish fighter and successfully released the man from the ghost’s grip. The ghost then turned to Shanarah and possessed her. Before Ran could grab his protection scroll, the ghost spoke through the scintillating Baklunish sorcerer, explaining that his name was Alastor Land and that, if they would help his spirit to finally rest, he would help them get through the door at the other end of the ball room. A door that was, he told them, barred from the other side. All they had to do was to retrieve his body from the ball room below and bury it in his family’s grave located just outside of Diamond Lake. The group agreed to the ghost’s terms, collecting his remains from underneath the metal balls. They also found a pouch containing 47 gold, 7 silver, a platinum coin, a rusty longsword, and a nice suit of banded mail armor.
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Battle at the Land Homestead
The group headed back to Diamond Lake and, because they forgot to ask the ghost, they first went to visit Lyria’s father to ask directions to the boy’s old family home. They learned it was located just ten minutes out from Diamond Lake along the Urnst Trail. When the adventurers arrived at the Land homestead they found the ruins of a house, weather-beaten and long unoccupied. There was a small clearing out back, with five headstones standing above empty, recently dug-up graves. One of the epitaphs featured the boy’s name but the dates hadn’t yet been filled in yet. In a solemn and impromptu service, they buried the boy as Ran said a few words on behalf of St. Cuthbert and Lyria sang a beautiful song of passing.
While the others attended to the boy’s burial Khayal searched the area around the ruined house. The front door had been smashed in and, looking briefly inside, he saw a puddle of goo and fleshy chunks. The shadow-warrior then walked around the perimeter of the building while trying to look inside through the boarded up windows. At the back of the house he peered inside and froze as he saw the large eyes of an owlbear staring back at him--the monster had seen him!
Khayal dashed around the house and back to his friends, shouting a warning just as a hulking owlbear smashed its way out through a window and lunged towards the group. Mohagin grabbed his sword and ran straight towards the beast, followed by Lyria who drew her bow and maneuvered around behind a nearby fence. A battle with the ferocious owlbear ensued with Mohagin standing toe to toe with the massive beast. Lyria landed a mighty bow shot just before the Baklunish warrior’s sword struck hard with a series of mighty blows that felled the dreaded monstrosity.
After the owlbear had been slain, Khayal resumed his investigations and quietly crept inside the house. The pile of goo he’d seen earlier was now identifiable as the remains of another huge owlbear. Also in the room were the remains of a man with a tattoo marking him as the property of Garavin Vesst, a greedy mine manager known to brand his workers. Vest had died the previous year and most of his ‘employees’ had since been transferred to the ownership of Balabar Smenk, another of Diamond Lake’s less-than-scrupulous mine managers.
In a shadowy corner of the house Khayal found a baby owlbear gnawing on a human’s arm, probably from the body found near the entrance. The baby owlbear didn’t seem to be a threat and even cooed as Khayal approached. Khayal picked up the arm and used it as a lure to entice the baby owlbear into following him. For whatever reason, the owlbear had bonded with the quiet shadow-warrior and followed him around affectionately. When Lyria saw the small creature she commented on how cute it was--just as it snapped viciously at the young bard. Ran mentioned that baby owlbears could fetch up to 3,000 gold coins from collectors who used them for guard duty. This caught everyone’s attention and they all agreed to take it back to town with them to see if they could sell it.
While the rest of the party discussed plans, Khayal checked out the top floor of the house for the sake of completeness and found nothing of interest. The group then checked out the graves, which appeared to have been dug up in the not too distant past with the bodies likely having been carted away toward town in wheelbarrows.
After all their searching was done, the group headed back to Diamond Lake where they asked Allustan if he knew of anyone who might be interested in purchasing the baby owlbear. He told them that they would probably only be able to sell it in the Free City of Greyhawk itself. Still wounded and in need of peaceful rest, the companions all heartily agreed to spend a few quiet days in town convalescing.
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The 3rd Moonday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
Lyria spent the better part of her afternoon asking around town to see if anyone might want to buy their owlbear cub. She learned that the local fur trapper Fester Trollump might be interested. She went to visit him with Khayal following along unobserved. Lyria was a skillful negotiator and managed to talk Fester up to a final price of 3000 gold coins--2000 paid immediately with 1000 more due in one month’s time.
Later that day Ran met up with the group to let them know that he would be delivering the Bastion’s main sermon on the morrow. Everyone cheered, happy for the cleric, knowing what an honor it was for one so young to be allowed to lead a sermon. Excited for her friend, Lyria offered to help out by telling everyone in town and asked if she could sing as part of his sermon, which Ran gladly agreed to. While their Baklunish friends relaxed at the inn, the bard went from door to door singing a beautiful and compelling song about the next night’s sermon while the cleric considered his words and message and Khayal watched everything quietly.
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The 3rd Godsday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The day passed restfully enough, the town buzzing with excitement about the evening’s sermon by the charismatic young acolyte of St. Cuthbert. To the adventuring group he was a clever man skilled at healing and tactics. To the people of Diamond Lake he was a relative newcomer but someone kind and honest who offered them hope and joy in a landscape of dirt, toil, and despair. That evening Ran gave his sermon about self-sacrifice and helping others to a huge audience thanks to Lyria’s announcement efforts. He talked of pitching-in and doing one’s share and, for his first sermon, it was fairly good and made at least a few of the townsfolk pause to reflect on the message. Lyria’s singing was very well-received and she helped Ran to get his audience swaying and clapping with a joy and happiness that had long been lacking from St. Cuthbert’s services and it proved to be a rewarding evening for all who attended.
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The 3rd Waterday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The next morning Ran met up with the bastion’s bookkeeper, Nigellus, and asked him how well they did with donations during the previous night’s service. The shifty-eyed Nigellus told Ran that tithes were down from typical levels and that the Prelate was disappointed. Ran was worried, confused by the lack of donations from what seemed like a satisfied crowd.
As usual Khayal listened in on the conversation from out of sight. Nigellus’ story just didn’t sound right to him--the shadow-warrior remembered hearing plenty of coins clinking in the donation box after the service. Deciding that something was fishy, Khayal snuck into the hall’s living quarters and into Nigellus’ room. There he found a locked chest under the bed that he unlocked to find more than 50 gold coins, far more than any cleric of his rank should have. Leaving the contents undisturbed, he closed the lid and relocked it before sneaking out of the room as quietly as he’d entered.
Khayal found Lyria practicing her song and told her about what he’d discovered at the church and asked if they should tell Ran and the others. Lyria thought it would be a good idea so they arranged a meeting of the fellowship at Herkladd’s Cabin to discuss the situation and their options. Did the ghost of the young boy keep his word and open the far door to the ball chamber? They would only know for sure when their continuing explorations led them back into the mysterious Whispering Cairn.
(End of the third session. I added the sub-plot with Nigellus for Ran’s player. He wanted Ran to become a Church Inquisitor (from Complete Divine) and one of the prerequisites is to uncover corruption in the church.)
Balabar,
Greetings to you and yours. I just wanted to thank you for writing a clear, conscise and enjoyable Campaign Journal, and to encourage you to keep it up.
I hope this message does not come out of turn if you were, by some off chance, attempting to make this Journal uninterupted.
Thanks again,
ToA
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Thanks for the kind words. The journal is really the work of Ran's player--I just post it to the message board.
No worries about interrupting the journal. You're welcome to ask questions even. I'm planning on posting more entries this week. I'm about six sessions behind in my posting--the party is almost finished Three Faces of Evil.
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The 3rd Waterday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
Khayal found Lyria practicing her song and told her about the deception and embezzlement he’d discovered at the bastion and asked if they should tell Ran and the others. Lyria thought it would be a good idea so they arranged a meeting of the fellowship at Herkladd’s Cabin to discuss the situation after stopping in for a visit with ‘the smartest man in town.’
Lyria talked with Allustan and learned that he could craft identify scrolls. She ordered three scrolls from him. He even offered to cast an identify spell for her that day if she would bring back the required pearl component. Lyria dashed out to Tidwoad’s and purchased four 100 gp pearls, three for later use and one for the identify spell. The wizard identified the magical pearl the group had found earlier, determining that it was a first level pearl of power.
Meanwhile, at the Bastion of St. Cuthbert, Ran talked to Prelate Wierus regarding his suspicions about Nigellus. The prelate said he would look into it. Khayal listened in on their conversation from hiding and waited for an opportunity to follow the prelate. When Prelate Wierus finally left his office he spotted Khayal out of the corner of his eye, turned, and quickly cast a hold person spell on the shadow-warrior. Khayal resisted the effects before turning invisible and running quickly around the corner to hide.
Hearing the commotion, Ran made his way to the prelate’s office to find out what was going on. Prelate Wierus told him about the dark-clothed figure who disappeared right in front of him. Ran asked if there was anything he could do to help. The prelate told him to keep his eyes open and to tell Nigellus that he wanted to see him in the morning, then the prelate turned on his heel and went back into his ofice. Later, Khayal followed the prelate as he went into Nigellus’ room and removed the donation record book. Khayal then snuck into Nigellus’ room and hid under the bed to wait and watch.
After the evening’s service, Ran told Nigellus that the prelate wanted to see him in the morning. Nigellus returned to his room with the night’s collections and nervously tried to locate the record book but couldn’t find it. In a panic he checked the desk for the hidden box of gold and was relieved to find it still in place. Later Nigellus quietly left the Bastion and was unknowingly followed by the shadow-warrior. He made his way to a dwarven mining camp but Khayal was unable to follow him inside.
(Beginning of the fourth session. Khayal and Shanarah advanced to 2nd level at the end of the previous session. They took levels in ninja and sorcerer respectively. Mohagin’s player wasn’t able to make this session. I played him as an NPC but let the other players have input into his actions in combat and make his attack rolls.)
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The 3rd Earthday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
In the morning Nigellus went to see the prelate and was questioned under the effects of two zone of truth spells, successfully denying the accusations both times. He then was sent on his way and Ran was called in and questioned about the accusations and why he made them. The young cleric eventually confessed the truth about Khayal and his snooping and discoveries. On hearing the details with the zone of truth still active, the prelate took Ran to Nigellus’ quarters to ask more questions, again under another zone of truth spell and, yet again, Nigellus successfully denied the accusations.
Not knowing what else to do, Ran coughed the name ‘Khayal,’ hoping the man might be nearby and be able to help. The prelate noticed and asked about it and Ran said that he might be nearby but that he didn’t know for sure. Khayal was outside of the room listening at the door. He decided to help, but cautiously. The shadow-warrior turned invisible and headed into the room, opened Nigellus’ desk to show the chest with the gold, and then bolted out. Everyone looked around for Khayal but couldn’t find him. The prelate asked Ran if he knew that Khayal could become invisible and Ran truthfully told his master that he didn’t know.
With the chest of gold revealed, the prelate put up another zone of truth and asked Nigellus about it. Nigellus insisted he was framed and, after again successfully denying it in each zone of truth, Ran’s heart sank. Accusatory fingers were now being pointed at Khayal for the crime and the prelate informed Ran that members of the Twilight Monastery were not to be trusted. Ran told the prelate where he could find Khayal, back at Herkladd’s shack. The prelate, Nigellus, and Ran then walked to Herkladd’s shack and waited for Khayal to show up. Khayal had overheard the entire scene and quickly followed them, remaining just out of sight.
When the prelate and the others arrived at the cabin, Lyria, Shanarah, and Mohagin where already there, waiting to discuss their next plan of action with Ran and Khayal. Khayal called out from hiding to accuse Nigellus of stealing gold from the Bastion’s collection box. The prelate again put up a zone of truth and questioned the shadow-warrior about his business. Khayal defiantly told the old priest that his business was none of the prelate’s business. Prelate Wierus then asked if Khayal had planted the chest in Nigellus’ room and Khayal firmly denied that he had.
The prelate then asked the same questions as before to both Ran and Nigellus. Ran again denied involvement and Nigellus began to deny but was finally caught in his lie by the zone of truth. Realizing he was caught, Nigellus raced for the door of the shack and flung it open. The group leapt into action. Lyria cast a cantrip that slammed the door in front of Nigellus as the prelate strode up to Nigellus and knocked him unconscious with a single blow of his cudgel. The prelate thanked Ran, telling him he had done a great service for the church. The prelate then took Nigellus back to town. Ran apologized to Khayal for not trusting him and for wrongly turning him in.
(My dice were really hot that night. I rolled 18+ three times in a row for Nigelluss’ saving throw versus the zone of truth. It’s a good thing the prelate can cast four zones of truth a day!)
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An Unpleasant Encounter at the Feral Dog
Later that day the adventurers decided to head back to the Whispering Cairn to find out what was behind the last door. Familiar with the route, they went straight down to the room with the lanterns, lit all of them, and then climbed up the chain in the blue alcove. At the top they again saw the ghost of Alastor Land. He cried out: “Fools! I said I wanted you to bury my body with my family!” The group looked at each other and quickly realized their mistake--they had buried his body in his family grave but his family’s bodies had been taken away.
A bit frustrated, the companions journeyed back to Diamond Lake. After asking around about the tattoo found on the severed arm, they decided to investigate a group known as Kullen’s Gang. Lyria learned that they hung out at the notorious Feral Dog and were lead by an albino half-orc with a tattoo on his forehead. Everyone but Ran went into the inn and discovered Kullen wasn’t there (it was still the early afternoon). After a bit of mixing and mingling, Lyria and Shanarah found out that they might find him in Jalek’s Flophouse down by the lake. However, a quick trip to the dilapidated warehouse showed that this piece of information had little merit. Empty-handed, the adventurers decided to return to the Feral Dog and wait for Kullen to show up.
Soon after they arrived, the Feral Dog’s main attraction, dog fighting, was about to commence. Khayal placed a bet on one of the dogs then went off to sit by himself and watch the fight. Just then, Kullen and his group walked in and headed straight to the adventurer’s table. Kullen growled that they are sitting at his table. Ran stood up and began apologizing profusely. Kullen then growled at Mohagin and made a comment about his dead uncle. The Baklunish warrior looked like he wanted to say or do something but managed to restrain himself while glaring at the half-orc, realizing that Kullen was likely the one who murdered his uncle a month earlier. Lyria and Shanarah made to get up, but Kullen motioned for them to stop and said the girls could stay.
Lyria had a bit too much to drink that evening and immediately blurted out that they were looking for the bones of the family that was dug up by someone in Kullen’s gang. Kullen just grunted that he didn’t know anything about any bones and the rest of the gang just glared at her. Shanarah tried to distract attention from Lyria by asking about her uncle. Kullen informed the sorcerer that he had already told Mohagin that his uncle fell into the dog pits and that was all he was going to say. Growing desperate, Shanarah continued talking to Kullen, flattering him and trying to get information about the bones from him, but the half-orc just grinned and says that he he’d ‘tell her in the morning.’ It took a little while for Shanarah to comprehend what Kullen was proposing, but once she did, she agreed, willing to take one for the team. The dog fight began and Khayal’s dog lost, the winning dog belonging to Kullen. The half-orc collected his dog and took Shanarah back with him to the Emporium.
(The players on the other hand, were rolling poorly. Lyria’s player completely botched a series of gather information and diplomacy rolls. In desperation, Shanarah’s character (charismatic but with no ranks in diplomacy) tried flirting with Kullen. It was enough to switch Kullen’s attitude to indifferent. I didn’t expect her character to take up Kullen’s offer, but when she did, I decided that it was enough to make Kullen friendly and spill his guts on Filge.)
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The 3rd Freeday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
In the morning Kullen told Shanarah that he was hired by Balabar Smenk a couple of weeks ago to help Filge move into Diamond Lake’s old observatory in the north of town. Once settled in, Filge started to boss them around and commanded them to find some bones for him. The boneyard was protected by the followers of Wee jas, so they dug up the Land family and delivered them to the odd human. Shanarah left the brutish half-orc and returned to Herkladd’s cabin to fill the rest of the party in on what she’d learned.
With the information about where the remains of the Last family could be found, the group made their way to the observatory. As before, Khayal scouted ahead a bit and found a locked door at the bottom of a set of stairs. He unlocked the door and opened it, releasing a small ball of fur, teeth, and rocks. The group rushed down to help and Mohagin cleaved the strange beast in twain. Investigating beyond the door, they found that the room contained nothing of interest so they pressed on.
This time Khayal investigated at the top of the stairs where there was another door, also locked. The shadow-warrior skillfully unlocked the door and opened it a crack, peeking around to see what was inside and learned that the room contained three skeletons, each holding heavy crossbows and hiding behind a barricade made of tables. Khayal carefully closed the door, crept down the stairs, and explained to the group what he saw. They discussed their options until they came up with an idea--they would head up to the top of the stairs and Ran would turn the undead the instant Khayal opened the door. When the door opened, Ran called upon the power of St. Cuthbert and the skeletons crumbled to the ground. Investigating the skeletons, they found they were the remains of two adults and a young adult--most likely the remains of the Land family dug up earlier by Kullen’s gang.
Khayal told the group he wanted to continue scouting ahead. Ran cast a light spell on a coin and gave it to the shadow-warrior as a handy source of light. Khayal then quietly walked through the doorway and into the dark, finding a corridor with multiple doors along the walls. The shadow-warrior then began carefully searching the doors and rooms. In the first room he found a pouch containing 6 platinum and 5 gold coins. Most of the other rooms were the same as the first but didn’t hold anything of value.
The chamber at the end of the hall featured a set of stairs in the corner and a large dining table that dominated the center of the room, at which many zombies sat motionless. The rest of the group approached the room and Ran instructed them to destroy the zombies. Mohagin lunged forward with his greatsword and attacked as Shanarah cast a disrupt undead spell. The zombies ignored their presence—although they did occasionally utter strange bits of polite dinner conversation when they were damaged. While the rest of the party dealt with the zombies, Khayal continued to search and found cutlery and a silver dining set in the dining room and eight copper candle sticks in a cupboard.
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Filge
The group then went up the stairs with Khayal leading and scouting. The stairs led to a room with another stairway leading up and a statue of an angelic man that had the name ‘Filge’ on it. Also in the room was something that looked like a small mummy that was holding a platter with a severed head on it, on the tongue of the head was a coin. Khayal picked up the coin and the head began screaming, “Intruder! Intruder!” Thinking quickly, the shadow-warrior picked up the head and tossed it out the nearby window.
From the third floor a booming voice called out, “Arise my beautiful monstrosities!” Khayal rushed up stairs with the rest of the group hot on his heels. At the top of the stairs they found Filge, a deranged looking man in a long sleeveless coat, protected a skeleton with a scimitar, and-- breaking out of large containers of liquid--four more zombies, three made from the remains of troglodytes and one from a bugbear.
The shadow-warrior became invisible and climbed past the zombies to throw a shuriken at Filge but missed the necromancer. Filge leaned over to pull out a syringe full of some strange liquid that he injected into himself. Mohagin rushed up and attacked one of the zombies, attracting the attention of the remaining zombies. Three zombies attacked Mohagin at once, each of them hitting solidly. The Baklunish warrior staggered, heroically withstanding the punishing damage. He remained on his feet just long enough to attack the first zombie again, and this time his greatsword cleaved right through the creature and into the next zombie. Ran managed to heal Mohagin just before he dropped unconscious.
The zombies attacked again and again until finally Mohagin fell unconscious to the floor, followed soon after by Ran. Shanarah force-fed a potion to Ran and then the cleric brought Mohagin to consciousness just as Khayal fell. Filge targeted the group with several necromantic spells that weakened Mohagin and paralyzed Lyria but had little other effect. The battle was long and difficult but, with some interesting tactics on the part of Lyria and the rest of the heroes, they eventually managed to defeat the zombies, leaving only the skeleton and the necromancer at the top of the stairs. Filge dropped to his knees and begged them for mercy. Ran demanded that he call off his skeleton. Realizing that he still had an ally, Filge shouted “Kill them all!” and tried to cast one last spell. Khayal struck him down before he could finish the spell, and the fight continued for a few more seconds until the last of Filge’s undead minions was defeated.
(My dice continued their hot streak. I rolled the three hits (including a critical) with the zombies on Mohagin in the first round and the zombies hit on every attack after that. After the players rolled their third 1 on an attack, I handed them my lucky orange die. The tide of the battle turned from that point on. It was still a pretty brutal battle. The party used up every single one of their action points to defeat Filge. When he tried to surrender, I could tell they weren’t interested in mercy so I grabbed an excuse to have him continue attacking.)
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The Aftermath
After healing, the adventurers searched the top floor of the observatory and found a syringe with magical liquid, a magical amulet with a bird skull, a key, a dagger, silver operating tools, an emerald, a worm in a glass tube (which ran identified as a rare undead creature), a spell book, a silver tray, an arcane scroll, a beaker holder with tubes with multicolored liquid labeled ‘necroturgeons,’ and a note that read:
Filge,
I need you in Diamond Lake, my boy. The cult situation has grown worse. Deep within Dourstone Mine they're studying things brought in from the southern hills. Green worms and un-killable zombies. I nicked one of the worms for you to study.
I'll put you up in the old observatory. Show this letter to the big white half-orc at the Feral Dog. He'll help you get settled. I trust you'll find these coins sufficient to cover your travel from the Free City.
S.
With a new cult uncovered and a plot starting to brew, the heroes of Diamond Lake find themselves deeper and deeper involved in the intrigues of the gritty mining town. And there is still the matter of completing the mission given them by the boy’s ghost in the Whispering Cairn.
(End of the fourth session. Mohagin, Ran, and Lyria all advanced to 3rd level. The took levels in fighter, cleric, and bard respectively.)
Balabar,
Thanks for the quick resonse and thanks for the invite to make further posts here.
I have to say, the resolution to the Kullen encounter was hilarious! I'd even go so far as to say it was the best one I've seen on these boards yet, if not the most morally upright!
"Take one for the team", that my friend is definitely one for the quote books.
I was curious about one thing thought. From the description of the church of St. Cuthbert in DL seems like it would be a little to uptight to allow a "interning" cleric to preach to the masses. Especially with the rather severe and backwards doctorinal views of the head cleric there.
Are you running the church as a little more laid back (for the purposes of your players backstory plot)? Or was the preaching not directly overseen by Weirus?
Also, did you give the players a hard time when the Cleric had to keep casting Zone of Truth, I was sure that the ninja was going to get himself locked up.
Come to think of it, of all the ninja or ninja like PC's I've EVER heard of, your's is the first that I can recall being honest. So honest, infact, that he nearly implicate himself in a crime he didn't commit! Commendable to be sure, but highly unusual...makes me wonder if he has alterior motives.
Regard,
-ToA
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I was curious about one thing thought. From the description of the church of St. Cuthbert in DL seems like it would be a little to uptight to allow a "interning" cleric to preach to the masses. Especially with the rather severe and backwards doctorinal views of the head cleric there.
Are you running the church as a little more laid back (for the purposes of your players backstory plot)? Or was the preaching not directly overseen by Weirus?
Yes, but only a little more laid back. Weirus is extremely traditional and a little unhinged but he is a good man at heart. Weirus was the first person Ran investigated for corruption when we started playing. He found out that Weirus cured the poor for free, sold healing potions at cost, and ran a soup kitchen.
Asking Ran to preach a sermon was a way for Weirus to test Ran. Ran had been sent to Diamond Lake as punishment. He was paying too much attention to scholarly pursuits and neglecting the everyday practical matters of running a bastion of St. Cuthbert. On a meta-game level, it was a way of making the players feel like their characters were members of the community.
Also, did you give the players a hard time when the Cleric had to keep casting Zone of Truth, I was sure that the ninja was going to get himself locked up.
You should have seen the look on Ran's player's face when he realized he might have to choose between his superior (he's LG) and his adventuring companion. Luckily, that final zone of truth worked.
Come to think of it, of all the ninja or ninja like PC's I've EVER heard of, your's is the first that I can recall being honest. So honest, infact, that he nearly implicate himself in a crime he didn't commit! Commendable to be sure, but highly unusual...makes me wonder if he has alterior motives.
Oh, I don't think he was going to stick around if Weirus had come after him. It took a little bit of prodding to get him out of the shadows and into the zone of truth. As to his motives, he's sticking pretty close to Izenfen's instructions to 'protect the Giant's Nightingale.' A little too close, if you ask Lyria. Luckily Ran's and Lyria's players are married to each other.
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Great journal. I have enjoyed reading this very much. I recently started DMing the Age of Worms myself and I am considering doing my own journal. I can only hope that mine is nearly as good as yours.
Get your players to write it for you. Being a DM is enough work already.
We play very close to the core rules. If the players want to use any of the options (races, classes, feats, spells, etc.) from other books, they need a certificate. I give out certificates to players who write up journal entries, among other things.
Great log!
I hope Kullen is gentler in bed than in his dealings with the poor downtrodden humanity of Diamond Lake!
I guess I'll have to post my DMPC's diary of the campaign on the boards as payback for all the entertaining reading here and in other AoW campaign threads.
P of B
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I hope Kullen is gentler in bed than in his dealings with the poor downtrodden humanity of Diamond Lake!
Not really. There was much joking about what type of roll Shanarah should make (perform, tumble, etc.). Kullen made a single strength check and fell asleep.
I guess I'll have to post my DMPC's diary of the campaign on the boards as payback for all the entertaining reading here and in other AoW campaign threads.
I've read your log. It's great!
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The 3rd Freeday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
After healing and resting, the adventurers searched the top floor of the observatory. Once they’d looted the tower, the group made their back to Herkladd’s shack with the four skeletal remains which they assumed were those of the Land family. Back in Diamond Lake, the adventurers decided to take some downtime. Ran wanted to scribe some more scrolls. He began with an arcane scroll of mage armor that Shanarah helped him with.
Khayal slipped away to his monastery outside of town, where Izenfen the Occluded was waiting for him. She asked how his task was faring and Khayal explained about the happenings with Ran and Nigellus and Khayal’s questioning by the prelate. Khayal went on to explain that he only told the prelate about investigating corruption within the bastion and nothing else. He also told Izenfin that the prelate said to inform her that ‘his door was open to her’ and that ‘dark times were coming.’
After crafting the first of four scrolls, Ran went to the Bastion for evening services. When he arrived, Nigellus told him, in a rather subdued voice, that the prelate wished to see him. Ran went to see the prelate, who gave him a letter and told him to take it to the Order of the Star in the Sacred Temple of St. Cuthbert in the City of Greyhawk. He went on to say that inside was a recommendation for Ran’s promotion. The prelate also asked Ran to do the sermon on the following Godsday as the prelate will be traveling. Ran joyfully accepted.
(Start of fifth session. Mohagin, Lyria, Ran and Shanarah advanced to 3rd level at the end of the previous session. They took levels in fighter, bard, cleric, and sorcerer respectively. Shanarah spent one whole session at 2nd level.)
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The 4th Starday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The next day when the group met up, Ran told them about his next sermon. The prelate left on his trip and they noticed that Nigellus was nowhere to be found. Lyria agreed to come sing again and everyone planned to attend. During their morning conversations someone mentioned possibly getting a cure light wounds wand. Ran mentioned that Venelle, the archer, might have one for sale.
Khayal decided to go ‘check her out’ but is disturbed when she sees through his stealth and he leaves her shop without saying a word. Lyria went to her shop, inquired about the wand, learned Venelle did have one, and was willing to sell it for 750 gold. Lyria agreed to the price and purchased it for the group. Venelle also tried to sell Lyria a bow but Lyria politely refused.
Also during the day Mohagin and Shanarah discussed their mutual relative. She explained to him that their uncle was actually a dragon in disguise and was many centuries old, which Mohagin found hard to believe. For the rest of Starday, Sunday and Moonday the adventurers rested and relaxed while Ran scribed scrolls and prepared his sermon.
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The 4th Godsday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The bastion service is well under way--the hymn singing had begun--when a commotion breaks out in the congregation. Kullen, who was hidden among the crowd, attempted to grab Shanarah by the throat while growling, “No one makes a fool out of Kullen!” Shanarah managed to shake loose from his grip and a fight broke out. Kullen had a few men with him and they all started attacking the adventurers. Kullen attempted to grab Shanarah a second time and succeeded. Mohagin was hit with a ray of enfeeblement as Shanarah wiggled her way out of Kullen’s grasp only to be attacked by another of Kullen’s cronies.
Seeing his friends under attack, Ran jumped down from the stage and charged into the fray to heal. Lyria grabbed her horn and started playing an inspirational song just as another of Kullen’s men turns on Khayal and hits him with his guisarme. Seeing all this unfold, the worshipers cried out and began to flee. One of the fleeing congregation was attacked by the guisarme-wielding member of Kullen’s crew and dropped floor, bleeding from his head.
At this point Mohagin had had enough. He drew his greatsword and stepped up to attack the thug that had attacked his cousin. he hit with such with such ferocity that his blade cleaved through the first villain and straight into, and through, the gang’s spellcaster. His swing continued towards for Kullen but, after having gone clean through two others, Mohagin wasn’t able to control it enough to land an accurate blow. Shanarah started to back away from the fighting and sent a magic missile into Kullen.
Khayal became invisible and threw a shuriken. The guisarme-wielding goon, seeing that two of his comrades had been felled and that the opponent he was fighting had disappeared, ran frantically for the door shouting, “This was a warning! Don’t mess with what you don’t understand!”
Lyria jumped down from the stage and attacked Kullen with her short sword, trying her best to help out while playing her horn. She managed to strike Kullen but her hit was not enough to sway him from his goal. Kullen, enraged at Shanarah, stepped closer to her and threw all his weight into a massive blow that was not aimed correctly and missed her completely. Mohagin swung his blade at Kullen but the albino half-orc managed to dodge out of the way. Shanarah, backed into a corner, cast a touch of fatigue spell on Kullen but the thug managed to resist. Once again Lyria attacked Kullen but once again the half-orc was focused on Shanarah and ignored the bard. Khayal became invisible again and attacked Kullen but missed. Shanarah moved until her back was against the stage and threw another magic missile at Kullen, whose eyes opened wide as he realized the extent of his injuries and collapsed dead to the ground.
After Kullen’s gang was defeated, Ran healed the injured worshipper and assured the townsfolk that everything was okay while the rest of the party dealt with the bodies. As people started to leave Hamoneezer came out and, after learning what happened, said “Oh my! The prelate will be furious!” Ran asked for the bodies to be kept in storage until the prelate returned so that Prelate Wierus might cast speak with dead. Before wrapping up for the evening Hamoneezer asked Ran to come in the next day to help out, suggesting it would be better to have more clerics at the bastion.
(I couldn’t let the player’s finish the adventure without having another go at Kullen’s gang. Besides the only encounter left was the true tomb of Zosiel and that wasn’t enough for a night of gaming. The battle went much faster than I anticipated, largely due to Shanarah miraculously breaking free from Kullen’s grapple and Mohagin and his damn cleavage.)
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The 4th Waterday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
The next day Sheriff Cubbin visited the bastion and told Ran that there was going to be an investigation into fight at the Godsday service. The Sheriff arrested Ran and took him to the gaol to lock him up.
The Sheriff asked the cleric where Mohagin and Shanarah were and Ran told him that they were most likely at the Spinning Giant. Cubbin sent some deputies to retrieve Mohagin and Shanarah. The deputies called for them to come out of the tavern but they do not go in, knowing they were not welcome in the garrison bar. Lyria came out to talk with the Sheriff’s men, who told her that “Mohagin and that Baklunish prostitute” must come out and come with them to the gaol for the investigation.
Unable to convince the deputies to give up their mission, Lyria went to her father for advice with Khayal following quietly and unnoticed behind her. Dietrik told his daughter not to go near the Sheriff but, during their conversation, she got the idea that she could probably bribe the Sheriff into letting everyone go free, including Ran. She thanked to her father and headed back into town to find the Sheriff.
Eventually the bard found Cubbin sitting at the Feral Dog. Lyria sat down with him and discussed their situation. He smiled and asked her to bet against him with 100 to 1 odds on the next dog fight. She agreed, realizing that this was the bribe she was looking to make, and lost 100 gold to the dishonest Sheriff. He then asked her to sing a song, which she also agreed to. While she sang, Cullen gave a signal to a man who got up and left. Khayal decided to stay and protect Lyria instead of following the stranger.
Meanwhile back at the gaol, none other than Balabar Smenk enters while twirling a set of cell keys. He told Ran that the charges were dropped adding that “It’s always good to do a favour for a member of the community.” The statement passes over Ran, who thanked him and left. When Ran met up with the rest of the group, the others told him of their bribery. Ran was outraged and told the group that that must have been what Smenk meant. The group was dismayed to hear that Smenk did a favor for Ran and told the cleric that Smenk had nothing to do with the bribery as far as they knew.
(The whole point of this encounter was to drive home the fact that the town’s law enforcement was corrupt and that Balabar Smenk was extremely powerful. It worked. I also set up a plot hook for the next adventure.)
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The 4th Earthday of Readying, in the year 595 CY
Once all the group was completely healed and all of their scrolls were scribed, the group decided to finish their quest. They went back to the broken down Land house and buried the family bones in their graves. After which they headed back to the Whispering Cairn, made their way to the lamp room, lit the lamps, and headed up the chain. At the entrance to the ball trap room, the group called out to the ghost but heard no answer. At the other side of the chamber they saw that the door was slightly ajar and realized that the ghost was gone but had kept his word.
Khayal disabled the ball-launching mechanism and went across first to see what lay beyond the newly opened portal. Behind the door was a large circular room with walkway around the outside of the chamber and bridges forming a cross that met at a circular platform in the middle. Two of the bridges were broken and under the walkways was a 60 foot drop to the floor at the bottom.
The group decided to explore around the walkway while searching. Between each of the bridges they found a steamy wall depicting images in the swirling vapors. The images depicted humanoids and spider-wolf creatures, a large Vaati standing over a group of smaller Vaati with identifying personal glyphs--the larger effigy is indicated as Zosiel and one of the rest bearing Icosiol’s mark. There are also images of a group of seven Wind Dukes presenting the Rod of Law, the staff then splitting into seven pieces--making the Rod of Seven Parts. The last image is of the final battle where the Wandering Duke Wadeej impaled the Wolf-spider who disappeared just after firing a ray of some sort that kills Icosiol.
After searching the full walkway the group made their way towards the nearest intact bridge to explore the centre when suddenly two suits of ancient armor rose menacingly from below to land on the bridge -- each of the suits wielding twin longswords as they floated slightly above the ground. Khayal approached the mysterious warriors, taking a defensive stance and calling back to the group to “Be prepared!” Ran cast a bull’s strength to enhance Mohagin and then he and Mohagin stepped onto the bridge to take up positions.
Both suits of armor then leapt into action. One moved swiftly towards Khayal and attacked but missed. The other floated out into the void, clanging both of swords together and causing a wave of sound to hit both Mohagin and Ran. Lyria pulled out her horn and began to play an inspirational song while Shanarah sent a magic missile into the ghost warrior floating out of reach from everyone. Ran began casting an enlarge person spell on Mohagin while Khayal attempted to tumble around behind the phantom armor to help Mohagin and nearly fell off the ledge in the process.
The suits of armor attacked again--one went for Ran, hitting him and almost causing him to lose the spell he was preparing The other attacked Mohagin. Ran’s spell went off and Mohagin grew larger--at more than ten feet tall, the Baklunish fighter now dominated the chamber. Mohagin stepped up and swung at the phantom armor near Khayal, connecting with a hard hit but the suit still stood. Shanarah sent another magic missile into the other ghostly armor.
Realizing that things weren’t going too well, Khayal became invisible and attempted to disarm one of the phantom suit’s swords and succeeded! The disarmed enemy moved away from the combatants, leaving itself open to an attack that Mohagin took full advantage of. The enlarged warrior hit with such a force that his sword split the suit of armor in two and continued in its arc to cleave into the other suit, cutting it in half before it dropped lifelessly down to the chamber floor.
(I was worried that the final combat would be a killer, but the party handled it very well. Again, cleave is a powerful feat, especially when the character is enlarged and carries a greatsword. Also it doesn’t help when the DM moves the wind warriors unwisely and forgets about attacks of opportunity.)
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The True Tomb
With the fighting over, Khayal continued forward to the circular platform at the end of the bridge. In the middle of the platform was a column of wind. Khayal put his hand in it and was sucked up. Seeing their friend disappear the rest of the group quickly followed. At the top of the column they found a small chamber with a sarcophagus identical to the one found down in the lantern room. Behind the sarcophagus was a bas relief with moving pictures depicting a man and a dark creature. The dark creature was holding a handle with a small loop that seems to control a darkly-glowing globe that was engulfing the man. Ran identified the globe as a Sphere of Annihilation controlled by a talisman carried by the dark creature.
Khayal approached and heard a whispering voice, “Say my name…” to which the shadow-warrior answered “Zosiel.” This caused a seam to open up on the sarcophagus. Khayal tried unsuccessfully to open the lid, followed by Mohagin who had no better luck. Ran then gave it a try, calling upon his god for strength, and then lifted the lid with an ease that made Khayal and Mohagin blush. Inside the sarcophagus they found a few items, including a pewter box with that was inscribed of glyphs of chaos, two horns, and a diadem. The box was sealed with what appeared to be melted metal.
After looking in the sarcophagus the group felt their explorations were complete so they started making their way back out of the cairn, finding that the wind tunnel trap had now been fully deactivated. Collecting the lanterns as they cleared out, the companions took one last look around and then began the familiar walk back to Diamond Lake.
When the group arrived back to town they first visited Allustan to get their newly acquired items identified and possibly sold. When the group opened the pewter box they found the talisman that had been depicted as controlling the Sphere of Annihilation, an artifact that seemed to amuse Khayal. Lyria worked out a deal with Allustan who agreed to identify their magic item in return for the horns, the coloured lanterns, the silver operating instruments, and the glass tube with the strange green worm.
Weary but significantly wealthier, the companions spent the rest of that evening and the next day recovering from their adventures as the celebrated heroes of Diamond Lake.
(End of the fifth session. Khayal advanced to 3rd level, taking a level in rogue. I really liked running the Whispering Cairn. It was a great first adventure for a campaign. It was extremely well designed, with a plot that was actually quite linear without appearing so. The combats were difficult and varied, their were interesting puzzles, the traps weren’t simply save or die/get damaged, and their were plenty of roleplaying opportunities. Five stars out of five.)
I've read your log. It's great!
Thanks. My son is coming to visit in a couple of days, so there will be more posted in a week or two, I hope.
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(This is the first in a series of email updates I sent the players between The Whispering Cairn and Three Faces of Evil. I told them that they had 3-4 weeks before the next adventure and had them tell me what their characters would like to do.)
The 1st Starday of Coldeven, in the year 595 CY
The group decided to start work repairing Herkladd’s Cabin. Lyria spent the day looking for laborers and craftsmen and didn’t have much luck until she ran into Hamoneezer at the bastion, who recommended several members of the congregation who’d fallen on hard times—while vouching for their honesty.
(I was delighted when the players decided they were interested in fixing up the cabin. However none of them are that handy with tools (and they had a fair bit of loot to spend), so they decided to hire people to do all the work.)
The 1st Sunday of Coldeven, in the year 595 CY
Everyone assembled at the cabin to start work when Mohagin suddenly blurted out “Stop! Put down your shovels and hammers! No one can work today. I’m ashamed to admit that I had forgotten that today was Eid, the holiest day of the year. This is the day we commemorate Al’Akabar’s ascension to heaven. Everyone stay where you are!” And with that he left, grabbing two of the laborers as he went. Mohagin returned several hours later pushing a handcart laden with all types of food. The group spent the rest of the day and a good portion of the night, feasting on the succulent spread and toasting one another from the holy cup.
(I found a great Greyhawk calendar online. Keeping an eye out for the hly days of a character’s deity gives them more of a connection to the game world.)