Is this voyage cursed? It is a question that most of the crew has pondered many times on this voyage. I'm not sure what the rest of the Steel Dragons think, but I don't typically place much stock in such things. However it does seem as though something has bent its will against us reaching our destination and several have lost their life on this voyage including one of our group. Could this be related somehow to the horrible green mist we encountered in the pirate cove? It is too soon to tell.
Our foray into the ruins of the Olmec was quite dangerous. We fought several unnatural creatures and in return found very little in treasure much to the dismay of Lens. For an Elf he seems very atypical of his kind but then again my experience with Elves is pretty limited. The trip came at great cost as we lost the Halfling Flee. Seeing the death of someone you know is never easy but I think I am beginning to become numb from such things.
Since then we have had several minor set backs including an attack by a hydra, dealing with pirates and navigating through treacherous seas. Of course our latest problem has us at a standstill literally. We have come upon an enormous patch of sea vegetation which has our boat in its grasp. I have heard of such things but upon our further investigation I can only come to the conclusion something very unnatural is going on here. We can literally walk across the vegetation as if it were solid ground! It appears that many ships have been snared by this web of green sea weed. We have discovered that those who have perished here somehow come back as plant creatures and something is driving them to attack us I fear. We will be venturing off into the heart of this sea of plants to find the source of this unnatural and malevolent enemy.
It is truly fascinating and at the same time horrifying how creatures from and portals to the outer planes change the natural order of Oerth. I am beginning to think that our entrapment here was just another step in my journey to find the source of disturbance in the natural order.
Our journey into the Sargasso to find the source of this unnatural bed of seaweed was relatively uneventful. I had prepared myself to face the plant creatures with spells I would normally shudder to cast but it appears they will be necessary on this journey. Having encountered the strange zombie like plant men the night before I was worried that the journey toward the heart of the Sargasso would be difficult. I imagined a hoard of the creatures would be blocking our way. Luckily this was not the case and the only thing we encountered along the way was the prescience of strange voices. They seemed familiar yet very alien. I knew this had to be the 'mother' we were seeking. As we approached an older ship in the middle of the increasingly darker almost black field of seaweed the voices intensified. I knew we had found what we were seeking.
We made our way onto to the ship a few more of the plant creatures assaulted us but we were ready and dispatched them quickly. The voices were now very loud and slightly maddening. It took a great deal of concentration to block them out and as we methodically search the ship I grew impatient. As we made our way down to the bottom deck we found the source of the unnatural plants. A huge hole was in the bottom of the ship and led down much farther than the water line outside. It appeared to be a portal to another plane. Moments later a huge plant creature arose from the hole. It was definitely alien in origin but a plant all the same. With our spells at the ready we slew the creature mercifully quick. Had we given it time to assault us who knows if we would have lived through the experience.
This creature makes me believe all the more that our black pearl is somehow extra planer in origin or manufacture. Only the planes beyond Oerth can twist nature so horribly.
Steel Dragons is get to Isle of Dead! Is crash on Isle of Dead, but at least is make it alive.
Sea Wyvern is crash on rocks and Steel Dragons is make it to shore but before can gather together for to think what next to do, giant big lizardy monster thing is come crash through trees and eat Balim!
Urgur no is understand why place is called Isle of Dead. Giant big lizardy monster thing sure is no look dead to Urgur. Is look very alive and hungry! Balim no even have chance for to defend against giant big lizardy monster thing! It is pick up Balim in mouth and swallow Balim in giant big lizardy monstery gulp!
Urgur is think maybe can use falchion for to open belly of giant big lizardy monster thing but Urgur no have chance - is pick up Urgur in mouth before Urgur can get close. Amrhil is pray for help from Nature and Nature is send many creatures for to help fight giant big lizardy monster thing. Dyn is cast magic arrows what is hurt monster and is also cast magic grease on Urgur for to make easier for Urgur to get out from mouth of giant big lizardy monster thing. Urgur is land on ground and turn for to open belly of monster with falchion. Urgur is only get to take one good swing at monster, so Urgur is some sad for no can fight more. More magic arrows from Dyn and more Nature animals from Amrhil is finish creature before Urgur can use falchion more.
But Urgur is open belly of giant big lizardy monster thing and is find Balim inside, almost dead! Maybe is why place is called Isle of Dead. Maybe is place for to make Steel Dragons dead. Hrm. Urgur no think is like Isle of Dead much. Urgur think maybe should rename to Isle of You-No-Can-Make-Steel-Dragons-Dead. Urgur is like new name. Urgur and Amrhil is heal Balim back from almost-dead and now is need for to decide where next to go.
Steel Dragons is first spend most of day on beach swimming for to get treasure out from Sea Wyvern ship (and also from bottom of ocean under Sea Wyvern ship). After is get all treasures what can find, then is talk about where now to go.
Urol is have map for to find Farshore, so Steel Dragons is go south, into jungle. Before Steel Dragons is go far, giant birds is attack Steel Dragons and is try for to eat cabin boy Tavey Nesk! Steel Dragons is fight for to protect cabin boy and is kill all giant birds but Tavey almost is die. Urgur like Tavey and so no is want for to die. Urgur is pray to Kord and Kord is make strong body of Tavey Nesk.
Urgur is happy for to be back in jungle. No is quite like jungles of home, but still, is good for to be back on good strong earth and no more on wavy ship. Urgur also is happy for to be close to Farshore. Is on same island now! Isle of No-Can-Make-Steel-Dragons-Dead!
It doesn't seem that long ago when I had boarded the Sea Wyvern in the port of Sasserine. We were to set sail in only a few hours and the docks and ship were a blur of activity.
I typically don't find man made things of much beauty but on that day the Sea Wyvern truly looked magnificient. A far cry from the derelict ship we found in the secret pirate cove a few weeks before. New sail, fresh paint, and a good cleaning had made her sea worthy. Whereas before she was almost like a ghost ship with no crew, now she had men running up and down her deck preparing for sea and loading cargo all under the direction of the Captain Amella. Barking out orders to her man I had little doubt she could handle the ship.
Moving out of the way of some stevedores I looked down into the hold they were filling. All manner of supplies to be shipped to Farshore our destination including tools and manufactured goods of all types, raw materials, food and all sorts of items an isolated colony would need. I began to imagine what this hold would be filled with from the Isle of Dread on her return voyage.
My daydreaming was snapped by the incessant whining of one of the passengers, the fopish nobleman Avener. He treated his servants badly but they seemed to have been conditioned to take the verbal abuse from the man. That reminded me there would be passengers. I looked forward to meeting them and getting to know them. I wondered what would make them take such a journey. What motivations did they have? Wealth, adventure or just a new life? This brought me full circle back to my comrades and I. Why were we undertaking such a long a dangerous voyage? I know each of us had our reasons. Some like other passengers were looking for adventure and wealth and some had a desire to serve our former benefactor Lavinia. My reasons were much more esoteric. I needed to find out where the black pearl Vanthus had unleased upon the secret pirate cove came from and find out if there were any more. In my heart I knew by following Lavinia I would eventually find Vanthus.
What a difference a few months at sea make! We did make it to the Isle of Dread but a huge storm pushed us off course from Farshore and we were shipwrecked on another part of the island. Now our once fine sailing ship has been dashed upon rocks within a stones throw from the shore. I wonder if she will ever sail the sea again. Most of the crew has died along the journey and now only the Captain and her lowly cabin boy remain. All of our supplies have been strewn across the bottom of the ocean. Sadly only two of the original group of passengers remain. Ironically the two that have survived, Avner the noble and the gnome Urol would have been the two I expected to perish. Finally even the Steel Dragons did not make the journey unscathed. We lost two of our members. The diminutive flea died in the lost Olman city and Kavin had smartly decided he had had enough and stayed on shore on one of our stops.
The Isle of Dread seems to be named which was probably earned by this land. Since we got on shore we have been attack by a dozen creatures. Pool Tavey, the cabin boy, will probably not be able to sleep well for awhile. As we make our way to Farshore one can only hope there are no more losses to deal with.
Steel Dragons is fight many, many Terror Birds ((which we have come to refer to as "XP Chickens")) and is many times almost lose poor little Tavey Nesk and poor little Stupid Gnome Urol. Terror Birds is like for to eat small peoples. Urgur is glad for to be big man, and strong of Kord! Terror Birds maybe can try for to eat Tavey and Urol but no can eat Urgur, is for sure.
Urgur is pray to Kord every day and soon is learn more how to speak to spirits of Kord. Urgur is pray to Kord for spirit to take Urgur to Sassercity for to sell treasure and buy things for to make more better treasure. Kord is send not just spirit, but angel! Angel is whisk Urgur away to Sassercity! Urgur is sell treasures, make quick check in with temple of Kord, buy things for to make more better treasure, and then is get whisked back to jungle for to make Steel Dragons stronger still!
((In game terms, I was getting more than a bit irritated that I had spent two feats on magic item crafting and we were stuck in a place with no way to sell any of the treasure we had acquired nor buy any materials for crafting new items. So I talked with the GM and we agreed that Urgur could use Lesser Planar Ally to summon a spirit that would Teleport him back and forth once to Sasserine where he could exchange the loot for coin and materials. The GM balked at the idea of me taking 30 days or so crafting items so we compromised and he agreed to let Urgur put in one day of crafting in combination with one day of adventuring. So as we continue on our path, Urgur is gradually creating the items that he and the rest of the party want crafted.))
In follow path, Steel Dragons is come to ruins with many, many spider webs and big throne. Old woman is talk to Steel Dragons in funny voice what Urgur no can understand. Group is say that woman is speak tongue of fairies. Urgur no is fairy but Dyn is fairy so Dyn can understand fairy talk. Dyn is say to Steel Dragons that woman is want for to hear stories of world outside Isle of No-Can-Make-Steel-Dragons-Dead so Urgur is tell of home jungle near Cauldron and is tell stories of Sassercity. Urgur no is sure if old woman is understand Urgur, but is okay. Urgur is like for to tell stories, anyway.
After stories, old woman is say some strange words about Steel Dragons should stay on path but four eyes is watch Steel Dragons. Urgur no is understand all what is mean, but old woman is seem nice to Urgur so no is too worried. But then, old woman is turn to giant spider!
Urgur is think for sure spider is leap to attack Steel Dragons with giany pointy, pointy fangs! But old spider woman is turn from Steel Dragons and disappear into jungle.
<shrug>
So Steel Dragons is move on. Soon, is come to nest of Terror Birds! Steel Dragons can see from way birds sniff air that them is smell Steel Dragons from far so Steel Dragons is pray to Kord for to make strong in body, arm, and heart! Kord is answer prayers of Steel Dragons and Steel Dragons kill all Terror Birds in nest with almost no get hurt at all!
Steel Dragons is find eggs of Terror Birds and is think maybe can sell eggs in Sassercity if can keep safe and warm so we is pack eggs in blankets and sacks and carefully put in packs of Tavey, Amella, Avner, and Urol since they no fight and with luck maybe no smash eggs, too.
Steel Dragons is leave nest and go to mountain with deep cave. Cave is creepy and very long. Cave finally is come to room with yucky nasty fountain and big chair called Throne. On chair is sit dead skeleton (is better than live skeleton, Urgur is think), with long spear through belly and stuck into chair.
Fountain is deep and have yucky smelly water in bottom but we is can see some thing in water below. Steel Dragons is try for to scrape thing up from bottom of fountain with long spear but water is smell so bad! Is smell more badder even than wet Moors! And believe you Urgur when Urgur is say monkey man is no smell good when wet. Steel Dragons no can get thing up from bottom of fountain so Urgur is call upon power of Kord for to make stomach strong so no throw up, and Urgur is jump into fountain, grab thing from bottom, throw thing out of fountain, and climb back up. Then Urgur is again call upon Kord, this time for to Create Water on top of head of Urgur, for to wash away all smellies from fountain!
Steel Dragons not sure what is thing from bottom of fountain. Maybe is dead wand? Maybe is key for magic treasure chest? No can be sure. But Steel Dragons is keep thing anyway, just in case.
Then Steel Dragons is move more into rooms and come to door. But before can get to door, we is attacked by two HUGE capertillars! Them is try for to eat Steel Dragons but them is not know that Steel Dragons is on Isle of No-Can-Make-Steel-Dragons-Dead! Steel Dragons is make giant capertillars dead, though. Kord is give strong to arms of Urgur and also to arms of Moors and Balim and arms and teeth of Amrhil. Kord even is give strong to magic of Dyn!
With strong from Kord, Steel Dragons is show why is called Isle of No-Can-Make-Steel-Dragons-Dead!
Steel Dragons is move more into tunnels and find more pool of water. Urgur is come to edge of water for to see what maybe is in water, when all of sudden great huge black snotty thing come from water! Black thing is attack with big snot blobs what is burn and burn! Almost they is burn away magic falchion of Urgur! Urgur is try for to kill snotty thing with falchion but only is cut in half and then make TWO snotty things!
Steel Dragons is fall back out of room except Balim. Dyn is make magic bubble around Balim so snotty things no can hurt Balim, and is also make Balim into giant big doorstop so snotty things no can get to Steel Dragons. Snotty things is stupid and is still try for to get to Balim through magic bubble, so Dyn and Amrhil is use magic and power of nature for to kill great huge black snotty thing from safe place.
Steel Dragons is look more through tunnels and is find big doors with holes near for to put key. Steel Dragons is think maybe dead wands is look like key but is only have one key for two holes.
We is look more for key and find room with big stone coffin what is have picture of man with key! Steel Dragons is open coffin and is have to duck from spears what come from walls. Is trap! But no spears is hurt Steel Dragons so no is very good trap.
But before Steel Dragons can look more at what is in coffin, can hear moan and groan from hallway. Steel Dragons is look for to find what is make noise and is see dead creatures walk in hall! Urgur is try for to summon power of Kord for to make dead turn and run away, but no is work. Urgur maybe still no is have enough faith in Kord for to make power work.
Dead things seem to be three smaller dead and one leader. Leader is seem for to be stronger and smarter and is very hard for to fight. Urgur is kill one dead man but other dead is almost kill Moors and Dyn. Urgur no can get past dead man in hall so is try for to run around for to get through other door so can save Moors and Dyn before them is bleed to die!
Urgur is hope for to get to Moors and Dyn before them is die. Without Moors and Dyn, Urgur no is sure if faith of Urgur is strong enough for to keep Steel Dragons live...
Urgur is run through other doors for to get to Moors and Dyn but leader of dead men is block hall and Urgur is have to stop for to fight. Urgur is try for to push past leader of dead men but leader is strong and Urgur no can get feet strong on ground, so no can push good.
Urgur is move back to bigger hall so can let giant wolf of Amrhil fight. Wolf is too big for to fight in small hall, so Urgur is need for to make room. Urgur is pull back and wolf is jump in for to fight. When wolf fight dead man, Urgur is pray to Kord for to make body strong so can get to Moors and Dyn. When body is strong, Urgur is jump forward and finish with kill dead mans. After dead mans is dead... again... Urgur is rush to Moors and Dyn but is find them back on feet! Them is fighting still, even after Urgur is see them fall! Power of Kord must is give strong to bodies of Moors and Dyn; is why them is no die.
After fight is over, Steel Dragons is rest for to make all strong. Steel Dragons is all feel sick from fight with dead mans. Is feel very sick. Urgur and Amrhil is pray for sick to go away but sick is no go away, even with pray to Kord! Steel Dragons is talk about sick and is think maybe is curse of dead mans, not just sick.
Urgur can pray for to make curse go away on morrow but no can pray more today. Steel Dragons is want for to get out of tunnel and go more, so we is get key from coffin and use two keys for to open giant doors.
Past doors is water pool and then beach! Urgur is happy for to be out of dead man tunnels and back to good, safe jungle. Steel Dragons is start for to swim to beach, but then is see dark shapes in water as giant, huge, big crabs is swim fast up from bottom of pool for to eat Steel Dragons!
This land is fascinating but extremely mysterious and deadly. Our journey toward a mountain pass has continued to be plagued by the giant flightless birds attacking us. They are an interesting species and if I had the resources it would be interesting to study them. While the birds are magnificent hunters and most likely close to the top of the food chain here they are nonetheless natural creatures. The constant attacks did worry me somewhat as they are against what I would expect. It almost seems as if something is driving them toward us and so again it appears something has bent its will agains our group.
The journey to the mountain pass was interrupted by a rather unusual encounter. As we journey we came upon a long abandoned village covered in spider webs. I had assumed some large specimens of spiders had come to occupy the settlement. We were all surprised to find a old woman calling herself Lithira. Dyn spoke to her in the fairy tongue. She wanted to know of the outside world and it was likely she had never been off this isle. Many of the group were happy to oblige and told her many stories. At the end she gave us a warning that we should stay on our path but to be wary as four eyes watched us. As we were trying to understand her cryptic warning she changed into a large spider and disappeared off into the webs. Most thought little of the encounter but it seems my fears were true. Someone or something of great power is working against us.
We continued onto the mountain pass upon reaching the pass we found blocking our way a nest of the flightless birds. I tried to convince the group we should go around the nest but most didn't want to make any effort to avoid combat. I realize the constant attacks have jaded them but the indiscriminate slaughter of these creatures just seemed to make no sense to me. But I am one of a group and in the end I could not persuade them to take a less confrontational route. Wiping them out we discovered quite a few eggs which the group took greedily. Again I am confronted by the 'civilized' races attitude exploiting nature. What am I to do? I understand now how some in my order believe that fighting civilization is the only solution.
We entered the mountain pass which was really a tunnel through the mountain and travelled quite a distance. I was still brooding on the slaughter of the birds before I noticed that something just beyond the edge of our light was watching us. Informing the others we proceeded cautiously. Reaching a door at the end of the tunnel we proceeded further.
Beyond the door was a tomb of some sort most likely built by the native people of this island. We encountered some truly amazing specimens of centipedes. They were enormous! Then we encountered a strange black blob. The creature gave us quite a scare when it had almost dissolved Urgur's and Balim's weapons and armor. Using fire magic Dyn and I destroyed the creature and luckily no one was seriously hurt. Venturing further we came upon the actual tomb and after discovering a secret door we found a sarcophagus which most likely held a key to our continuing beyond the tomb.
When the lid of the sarcophagus was touched we were attacked by several undead creatures. The creatures were certainly of dark magic and their vary presence had horrible effects on some of us. The ensuing battle almost claimed the lives of Dyn and Moors. Luckily my skill at changing shape allowed me to move quickly and save them from death. When the battle was finally over and the creatures dead husks lay at our feet we were exhausted, wounded and weak.
After resting we opened the sarcophagus and found the key to escaping this tomb. Opening the door we were outside again! We then continued our travels along a high cliff side path or road as per the map of Urol. As we journey from the tomb we all realized we had been plagued by some disease given to us by the undead creatures. All except Dyn in our group had been affected. Urgur and I were granted spells to remove the disease but the spells had no affect! Urgur had been hit particularly hard by the sickness and after examining him I realized what was afflicting us. My master had told me of undead creatures known as mummies. Created from the mumfied remains of a humanoid these horrible undead carried a magical disease. To cure the disease one needed to break the enchantment or curse protecting the disease. Thanks to Kord Urgur was granted spells to cure us all.
Now we journey on and I hope that things will get easier for the group but I already suspect otherwise as we have now had some strange encounters with natives and the ghosts of our crew.
Steel Dragons is kill giant crabs in short fight. Is not too hard. At first, Urgur fear for big claws of crabs, fear maybe crabs is grab Urgur or other Steel Dragons and drag to bottom of water. But Kord is grant strong to Steel Dragons and us is make crabs very dead!
After fight crabs, Steel Dragons is begin hike on path to Farshore. Urgur is understand now why is called Farshore. Shore is VERY far!
Steel Dragons is find very strange things is happen on path. First was rockslide, but no Steel Dragons is hurt by rocks. Rocks is look like maybe someone is *make* fall down, but no can find no one so can only move on.
Next is find villager all in white paint who shout something and then stab self in chest and throw self off cliff! Urgur is think maybe is priest who guard against dead from tunnels, is what Urgur think.
Later, Steel Dragons is wake up for to find someone is play tricks on Steel Dragons! Is wake up and find little dead birds on ground in same shape of camp. Each bird is lay down like bird is Steel Dragons, all in same place where Steel Dragons is sleep. And food is missing from pack of Amella, too!
Urgur is think maybe is tribe come to say, "You stay away or we is make Steel Dragons dead, like birds!" But Steel Dragons no is be make dead by human tribe, so Urgur no is afraid. Urgur is think, maybe too tribe is hungry. Is why tribe take food. So Urgur is pray to Kord for food and water to make body strong and is be sure to set some aside every day as Steel Dragons is travel on path. Urgur is make plate of big leaves and is leave food and water on path for tribe. Urgur think is good for to give gift to tribe what is live here. Is good for to be nice, so can make friends. Urgur like for to make friends.
Urgur is hope maybe can meet tribe and talk for to make good friends. Urgur can show tribe power of Kord for to bring strong to tribe, so tribe can help bring strong to all! Urgur pray to Kord for power to talk to tribe, even if no can understand talk. Maybe soon, Urgur is use prayer for to make more friends!
How I long to be roaming through the familiar jungles near Sasserine. I know that this journey was something required of me by my master but I've grown tired of being on alert every moment of every day. Nothing is normal here and every day seems to be stranger than the next.
As we traveled down the seaside cliff road we came upon a man dressed in a peculiar fashion. I guess he was a native but I know little of these things. We approached hoping to make peace with the man but before we reached him he slit his own throat and threw himself from the cliff. As we kept traveling more bizarre things occurred. Food was stolen. Strange dolls were left lying not far from where we slept arranged like a miniature version of our camp. Finally some of us saw the ghosts of our former ship crew. They spoke of betrayal. Waiting for the next puzzling event to happen I was almost relieved when strange stone creatures attacked us. They seemed to be living statues. We dispatched them quickly with little incident.
Again I wonder why anyone would want to live on this accursed isle.
Steel Dragons at last is find end of trail what is come from tunnels with dead men. Days and days Steel Dragons is come down small trail on cliffs and now is back to good jungle. But Urgur is think maybe jungle is more like home than Urgur know...
Steel Dragons is follow map of Urol and is come to old ruin with dead man on cross. Dead man is speak of master who is teach Steel Dragons what is mean for to be dead. Urgur is want for to make dead man rest; no is good for to keep soul of dead man from long, long rest after life. So Urgur is cut off head of dead man and then him is rest.
Steel Dragons is go more south, for Urol is say south is where to go. Steel Dragons is make camp one night when all of sudden from out of dark is come great monkeys with pointy, sharp teeths and long, wicked claws! Them is appear from air and grab up Urol and poor Tavey and then is disappear again!
Now, Steel Dragons no is sure where to go for to find Tavey and Urol so Urgur is pray to Kord for to guide Steel Dragons. Kord is answer with clue what is sound to Urgur like should go where evil is strong. Urgur is pray to Kord for to find evil near Steel Dragons and evil is strong more to south. As Steel Dragons is go south, Urgur is find wake on morning and find hand of Tavey Nesk in pack of Urgur! Urgur is sure Tavey is hurt so is pray to Kord for to send message to Tavey. Urgur is tell Tavey that Steel Dragons is come soon and Tavey is say back that him is in pain from torture and is held inside place with stone walls. Urgur also is see some evil is creep into Amella and Balim from nasty, evil, green fog all around Steel Dragons.
Before Urgur can pray to Kord for power to make Amella and Balim clean from evil, Steel Dragons is find very bad place. Is have big statue of demon god with two monkey heads. Urgur is know demon god with two monkey heads from home. Urgur hear many from tribe talk of demons what is live in Demonskar, near home of Urgur. Is home of many demons. Urgur is sure now, monkeys is demons and Steel Dragons soon is to fight many more...
After many days traveling along the seashore we made it back into the jungle again. At first I was happy about the change in scenery. Out on the cliff face we were constantly exposed with little or no protection. The jungle while dangerous provides food and resources should we need them. But after a day or so traveling the jungle became twisted and corrupted. The source of the corruption appeared to be a green mist or fog. Obviously supernatural in nature we decided getting through it as quickly as possible would be the best choice.
Later we came upon a native which had been killed and reanimated. Warning us about his master and our impending doom the animated corpse told us little else. I was relieved when Urgur dispatched the creature and another perversion of the natural order was erased. We then made camp and settled in for the evening. During the middle of the night large fanged monkeys came and grabbed the young boy Tavey and Urol. Before we had a chance to free the two the monkeys disappeared into thin air. Luckily the next night I was on watch when the creatures appeared again. One attempted to abduct Fluffy but was thwarted. Avner however was taken in the attack. Later we discovered grisly evidence that the captives were in grave danger when we discovered Tavey’s hand placed in our possessions.
Urgur prayed for divine guidance and was told to seek out the source of the evil mist. He also communicated magically with Tavey. Apparently the young boy was being tortured. All he could tell Urgur was he was in stone walls. At first I thought this task would be easy. I would shape change fly high above the canopy of the jungle and find the source of the mist then guide the group there. Unfortunately the foul green mist prevented me from reaching much higher than the tops of the trees. Using spells which allowed him to detect sources of evil Urgur could follow a trail to the source of the mist. We rapidly made our way through the jungle.
We came upon the source of the mist we came upon a couple of caves. The rock was carved into the likeness of two baboon heads. Urgur told us that this was the symbol of a very powerful demon lord. This made sense as Urgur also had thought that the other monkeys were also demons of some type. We took a few minutes to prepare ourselves and then made our way into the caves in the hopes of saving Tavey, Urol and Avner.
Steel Dragons is go into temple of demon god. Urgur is say wait for to make Steel Dragons strong with prayer to Kord on next morning but Steel Dragons no is want to wait so we go into temple. Temple at first is strange... is start with caves and then Steel Dragons is find big door what is hurt Balim when Balim is try for to open doors.
Urgur worry about Balim. Urgur is think maybe evil from fog is creep into mind of Balim and is make him not think good. Urgur wish Steel Dragons maybe could wait for to go on so Urgur can try for to make mind of Balim clean again, but Steel Dragons no is want for to wait. Them is say, "Tavey and Urol and Avner is get hurt by monkey demons! No can wait longer!" But Urgur is say, "Steel Dragons no can help them if Steel Dragons is dead!" But is do no good. Steel Dragons is want for to hurry so can find Tavey and Urol. Avner too... maybe.
Balim is get hurt by door when try for to open so instead of open, Balim is pull out axe and beat door down until door is hang loose from wall. Then is walk into new room. New room is strange, too. Is have two big chairs, two big mirrors, two big candles. Balim is walk up and start playing with candles and mirrors and chairs. Balim light candle and chair is get covered in blood! After some time, Balim is look into mirror and mirror is steal Balim into mirror world! Steel Dragons can see Balim trapped in mirror but out from mirror is come DEMON Balim!
Demon Balim is try for to kill Steel Dragons but Dyn is cast magic spell for to trap Balim in magic ball so no can hurt no one. After some time, Demon Balim is go away and Balim Balim is come back from mirror world. But him is no remember nothing.
Steel Dragons is know something is strange with room and spend much time fiddling with candles, mirrors, chairs, mirrors, candles, chairs, candles, mirrors, chairs, and candles. FINALLY, Urgur is disappear from chair, candle, mirror room and is find NEW new room. Rest of Steel Dragons is do what Urgur do and is follow Urgur to new new room. Urgur is very happy that Moors is bring weapons of Urgur, too. Urgur was drop weapons before fiddling with candles, mirrors, chairs, mirrors, candles, chairs, candles, mirrors, chairs, and candles because him is no want for to have demon Urgur come from mirror with weapons for to hurt Steel Dragons.
So now Steel Dragons is in room with pool of blood in middle and red light come from up top and can hear shuffling and smell wet fur. At first, Urgur is think, "YEA! Steel Dragons back at home of Moors!" But wet monkey smell no is come from home of Moors, is come from demon monkeys...
Steel Dragons is find demon monkeys at top steps what is go up from floor of new new room. Steel Dragons is fight to kill two demon monkeys but other demon monkey is grab Fluffy and disappear! Fluffy is pet of Amrhil with pointy, bitey teeth if you no can remember. Amrhil is want for to find Fluffy fast so Steel Dragons is leave dead demon monkeys and is go to door on bottom of new new room. Maybe Steel Dragons is in too much hurry, maybe...
We is open door and move fast into room for to find Fluffy, but instead is find monkeys. Is little monkeys instead of big monkeys, but... is MANY, MANY monkeys. And no is just regular monkeys, but is evil little demon mokeys. Is giant, huge, big SWARM of monkeys! Them is come like flood of monkeys for to crash over top of Steel Dragons! Steel Dragons is fight with magic and tooth and fang and big curvy, swoopy sword and everything we is can find for to fight off swarm of monkeys!
After many fire spells and flying, bloody monkeys, and MANY hurts from monkey claws and sharp little teeths, Steel Dragons is finally kill all monkeys. Is very hard fight and Amrhil and Urgur almost is die in fight, but is manage to live. After fight, Amrhil is find Fluffy in cage in floor. Urgur is ask Kord for to give strong to Urgur and Moors and Balim! Urgur, Moors and Balim is grab hold of iron grate on top of cage in floor and is pull grate out of stone for to free Fluffy.
Steel Dragons then is find secret room what is have two chests that maybe is full with treasure! Urgur is open first chest with strong from Kord (and also prybar from Moors). Is full with treasure! Urgur is open second chest! Is full with fire what is blow up in face of Urgur! Urgur no is happy about trap on chest but Urgur is use healing wand and power of Kord for to fix hurts.
Steel Dragons is go back to new new room and try other doors. One is lead to cage under floor what had Fluffy so no is need for to go more into that door. Amrhil is have very good ear so is listen at last door for to hear what maybe is on other side. Amrhil is hear slithery sliding sound so Steel Dragons is say, "We is get ready for to fight!" But before Steel Dragons is can get ready, Balim is throw open door and charge in for to fight. Grrrrr... Urgur no is happy about evil fog in mind of Balim!
Inside room, Steel Dragons is find rotting snake woman what is cast spells of magic. Steel Dragons is rush up and kill rotting snake woman with much steel and tooth and fang!
Urgur is hope Steel Dragons is close to find Tavey and Urol. And even Avner, Urgur is suppose. Urgur is worry Steel Dragons maybe no is have power enough for to fight more demons if no can rest soon. Urgur is hope no Steel Dragons die here in temple of demon god. No is good place for to die...
Urgur is very sad and very angry. Evil monkey demon is murder Tavey Nesk!
Balim is try for to open big doors past snake woman but no can open. Steel Dragons is think maybe doors is locked so is try for to find key. But no is hole for to put key in! Steel Dragons is empty little pools in back of room and is find hole with metal bars for cover. Urgur is reach in and rip metal bars out and then find in hole other metal ape fist, like first one. Steel Dragons is touch metal fists to doors and stand back, ready for doors to open! Doors no open. Steel Dragons is scratch heads. Maybe... touch hands together? Doors no open. No can figure out how for to open doors! But then Amrhil is say, maybe doors is just stuck? Urgur is lean into doors and push with strength of Kord and doors is open now! Kord open doors for Steel Dragons!
Inside, is find statue of giant monkey with missing hands. Doh! We is put hands on monkey and next doors is open. Before go any more, Steel Dragons is decide, maybe is best for to get rest and ask Kord and nature and magic for more prayers. Is good for to find Tavey and Urol and Avner but is not do no good if Steel Dragons is all die. Steel Dragons is try for to rest in small room with giant monkey statue but is hear something thump hard against doors so is go to room with small pools and is try for to rest there...
...but then big evil monkey is come from nowhere and is throw head of Tavey Nesk! Evil monkey is kill poor Tavey Nesk! And then is go away again to nowhere, so no can stand and fight! Steel Dragons is try for to get more rest but now evil monkey is come from nowhere with Amella! Steel Dragons is leave Amella outside caves but now she is in claws of evil monkey. Evil monkey is tear arm of Amella from body and then disappear with Amella again! Steel Dragons no can rest more so is all get up and make ready for to fight!
Steel Dragons is open doors again with giant monkey hands and is find body of Tavey Nesk burned black and sitting at bottom of doors! Is must be what we is hear thump against doors!
Steel Dragons is run down hall with many howling ape statues. Then we is open last door and see pit of fire with Amella, Urol, and Avner on chains in air above fire! Evil monkey is in back of room and is push button for to make chains come down. Steel Dragons is rush to fight and stop chains. Moors is stop chains from come down and Balim, Amrhil, and Urgur is close on evil monkey for to kill fast!
Monkey is get hurt by Balim, Amrhil, and Urgur but before Steel Dragons can kill monkey, him is go away into nowhere again! ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!
Following up on Dyn's OOC post, I too would like to take a minute to talk about the group.
Amrhil, as Dyn stated, is our druid. Ironically, it tends to be our druid, rather than our cleric, who dishes out most of the healing in our group. Amrhil is in possession of our wands of Cure Light Wounds and Lesser Vigor since Urgur is often up on the front lines with falchion in hand. If we are in critical need of major healing, Urgur will pull back and convert something to a Cure but more often than not, we bully our way through the fight with minimal healing (often self-healing from the many Healing Belts dispersed throughout the group) and then heal up to full from wands and prayers after combat is over. Amrhil tends to stay near the back of the group and summon dire wolves or crocodiles to aid in our fights, though lately he has been taking a combat form (bear or panther) and fighting up at the front.
Balim has recently been under the debilitating effect of Wisdom drain from the time spent in the fog surrounding the temple for miles. As such, he has been a bit of a thorn in our side as he charges forth while we are trying to prepare, or attempts to beat things open, etc. Urgur has been unable to cure him due to not having the chance to rest and ask Kord for a Lesser Restoration prayer. Amrhil had the brilliant idea of just casting Lesser Restoration from one of the scrolls that I had completely forgotten about and Balim is doing much better now. Balim also provides some much needed flexibility switching between DPS, healing strikes, and support.
Dyn is fairly straightforward but Urgur has a few issues with him. He is highly invested in acquiring power but he seems pretty indiscriminate about how he expends that power. I suspect that if faced with an evil cult about to sacrifice a maiden over a bloody altar, Dyn would Fireball the lot of them and if it cost us a maiden or two... well, such is the price of victory. But on the other hand, Urgur's green warty butt has been saved many times now by Dyn's DPS spells and he has become VERY fond of Dyn's Haste. Urgur very much appreciates the strength that Dyn's magic lends to the Steel Dragons, though he wishes Dyn wasn't quite as callous about expending the lives of those around us.
Moors is a great skirmisher using Tumble to get flanking attacks with his spiked chain and positioning himself for attacks of opportunity throughout the fight. Not much more to say about him except that he also provides us with comic relief in the form of monkey jokes, so that's nice. =o)
And finally, there is Urgur. I will leave it up to others to comment on him. =o)
Steel Dragons finally is found evil monkey demon!
Well, Dyn is find, really. Dyn is use magic for to find evil monkey demon flying in air but Steel Dragons no can see him. Dyn is use magic for to make cloud of pretty, sparkly gold bits around evil monkey demon and them is stick to evil monkey demon. Him is look like pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon!
Urgur and Moors is try for to throw axes and shoot arrows up at pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon but him is hard for to hit. Urgur is think, maybe can make monkey come to Urgur instead. So Urgur is use blessing of Kord for to make Urgur very big and then Urgur and Balim is start smashing statues for to make pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon mad and come fight! Is can smash small statues and then is try for to smash giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles but no can smash. Is like giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles is made from some metal what Urgur no is see before. But smash statues no is work for to make demon come fight, anyway. Pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon is use magic powers for to throw arrows at Dyn and Urgur and Balim until Dyn is use magic for to make Urgur floaty.
Dyn is make Urgur float up high until Urgur can reach pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon with giant falchion of Urgur. Pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon is HARD for to hit! Him is dodge and slip and duck and dive around giant falchion and Urgur only is can hit a few times but Urgur is make giant falchion from cold iron so is bite very deep when is do hit. Also, Dyn is use magic for to turn Balim into flying, stingery wyvern! So him is can fight too against floaty, pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon.
With giant falchion of Urgur and magic from Dyn and stingery stings and bites from Balim/wyvern, and arrows from Moors, Steel Dragons is finally kill pretty, sparkly, gold, evil monkey demon. Is long fight, and Steel Dragons is very tired at end. Steel Dragons is very glad fight is at last over. Power of Steel Dragons is very low. Urgur is many times call on power of Kord today and Urgur is afraid maybe Kord no is want more for to hear from Urgur. No is want Kord to think Urgur is like little boy what is always pull on robe of father for to ask for more dead rat treats.
Steel Dragons is turn head to friends and how can get friends down from chains above fire when all of sudden is hear squeal of metal and grind of stone and then giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles is come to life and try to kill Steel Dragons!
Urgur for one moment is have fear in pit of stomach. Is so tired. Urgur think maybe Urgur no is have strong left for more fight. But then, Urgur is remember of Kord! Urgur no is NEED strong of Urgur - Urgur is have strong of KORD!
Dyn is turn and throw fire from hands at giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles. Fire is wash over giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles and Urgur is can see some metal get soft and melty already. Urgur is know Dyn is shoot fire right at heart of statue and is hurt bad. Urgur is reach deep inside and is find strong of Kord. Kord is fill arms of Urgur with power of divine and Urgur is can feel arms grow great with power! Urgur is step to giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles and is think of family of Urgur what is fight and die to protect home from demony things like this! Urgur is can feel arms grow even more bigger from rage and Urgur is use all strong from Kord and rage for to slash falchion into giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles! Balim is step up also and is hit with so much strong, is make heart of Urgur fill with proud for Steel Dragons and is wash away tired of Urgur. Urgur is feel fresh and new and is strike again at statue! With fire from Dyn still burn and make statue melty and soft, Urgur is slash twice in two great, heavy, big slashes and giant statue of demon god with two baboon heads and tentacles is fall two ground in three giant, melty, soft pieces.
Urgur is make heavy breath of thanks to Kord. And also to Steel Dragons.
Steel Dragons is very tired after big fight. Is all Steel Dragons can do for to get Amella and Urol and even Avner down from chains. Steel Dragons is finally can rest. Oof!
In morning, Urgur is pray for blessing from Kord to make temple clean from demons and also is give strength of Kord to Vorl, little rat of Dyn. Now Vorl is can pray to Kord for to bless Steel Dragons in fight and also can give strength of body for to heal. Also, Urgur is collect burned bone from body of Tavey for to maybe can bring him back from dead some day.
Steel Dragons is leave temple and find fog all gone from jungle. Is good for to find fog gone. Fog was evil and Urgur think when Kord clean temple of evil, is make fog go away.
Urol is point Steel Dragons to Farshore and away Steel Dragons is go. After some time of travel on good, clean jungle trails with no evil green fog, Steel Dragons is come to bridge near old ruins. Is look like good place for ambush so Urgur is say to all for to be careful and keep open eyes of Steel Dragons. When Steel Dragons is come close to bridge, from out of jungle is come pack of nasty, bitey dinosaurs!
Steel Dragons is spread out on trail when nasty, bitey dinasaurs rush from jungle for to attack. Dyn is use magic for to make big, black, tentacley... tentacles... what is stop dinosaurs and is give Steel Dragons time for to come together for to defend better. Tentacles and slippery ground is make it hard for dinosaurs to fight but them still is get to Moors and bite him bad. Moors almost is fall from nasty bites but is manage to get back for to heal.
Once all Steel Dragons is together, then is make Steel Dragons strong! Together, Steel Dragons is fight off dinosaurs and Urgur even is cut off head of dinosaur clean! (Managed to get a full attack on a dinosaur, rolled crit threats on both attacks, and then backed them both up successfully. 93 points of damage. Woo hoo!)
After dinosaurs all is dead, Steel Dragons is move on. Later in day, is come to village of human peoples. Village is remind Urgur of home. Urgur is like being in village, is feel nice. Is better than be in big city. Is nice also to be in safe place and not worry about demon monkeys, or giant dinosaurs, or dead people, or giant chickens, or... or... or...
Steel Dragons is sit down in village for to have talk of what next to do. Is safe place so is think maybe is good for to use magic to go home to Sassercity for to talk to temple, see family, sell stuff, make more magics, make stronger magics, learn more spells, and things. Urgur is pray to Kord for Sending so can talk to Lavinia if she still is alive. Her is talk back, so Steel Dragons is know Lavinia still IS alive!
Now Steel Dragons is need for to decide if go on to Farshore or go home to Sassercity for to get stronger magics and then come back.
So, D&D 3E has a lot of math in it. It's not complex math, but there's still a lot of it. In my geekiness, I like to find ways to automate as much of the droll calculations as possible so I've created a few spreadsheets that I thought some people might enjoy seeing or even copying for their own use.
All of these spreadsheets are available in Google Docs which makes them easily accessible for anyone, regardless of whether they own a copy of Microsoft Office or any other application.
The first spreadsheets that we created were the XP Sheet and the Treasure List. Both of these spreadsheets are largely automated. For example, the XP Sheet only requires input from the DM to describe the encounter, the quantity, and the EL. Any bonus XP is put into the green section and everything is then calculated automatically. The Treasure List totals all the treasure based on the value relative to the group (kept items are listed at full value, sold items are half value except trade goods which are full value) so it makes it easy for the DM to see how much treasure has been handed out to the group, in total. We also use it to quickly divvy up the treasure once sold and to calculate each person's share based on what got sold and what individual people kept. For example, if Urgur keeps an item worth 4000gp (base price), then that item could be sold for 2000 gp so it essentially gets sold to the group for that amount. Urgur has 2000 gp removed from his share of treasure and that 2000 gp gets divvied up into 500 gp for each of the other four members of the group. All of those calculations are done automatically by the sheet which makes it pretty easy to divvy up the treasure.
Another sheet that we've recently started using is the Crafting Sheet. It keeps track of items that Urgur is crafting for various members of the group. Group members can complete this form and it will automatically add the item to the sheet, calculate all the numbers, etc. The "Buyer Cost" is the generally halfway between base price and crafting price. To compensate for the cost of the two feats he has used (Craft Arms & Armor and Craft Wondrous Item) as well as the XP cost, Urgur charges halfway between over-the-counter price and the material cost. So if an item could be purchased from a merchant for 4000 gp, and Urgur could craft it for 2000 gp, he'll charge 3000 gp to strike a win/win situation. He gets compensated for his loss of XP and the group still gets the item at a significant discount compared to market price. The only thing that gets updated on the sheet is the number of days Urgur has spent crafting. As the number increases, the sheet automatically marks each item as Done, Current, or Not Done to reflect whether the item has been completed, is currently being worked on, or has not yet been started.
Anyone is welcome to take a look at those sheets and copy them for your own use in your campaign, if you like. I just thought I'd offer them in case others can get some benefit from our group's efforts.
Shannon
Time to catch up on my journal. Was never very diligent about this sort of thing but I will try harder in the future as the events occurring seem to begin to take on more meaning.
I will be brief about the journey through the caves where I left off. Through exploration of the caves we discovered it contained a shrine to the demon lord that Urgur mentioned earlier. There were quite a few guardians including more of the demons as well as other abyssal terrors. I almost perished to a horde of strange demonic baboons. Luckily we were strong enough for this test and we emerged from the caves.
Our triumph over the demons inside did come at a price. Unfortunately we lost the young boy Tavey. He was slain by Orlangru, the leader of the demons, in what was most likely a horrible death. His demise hit Urgur the hardest as he had taken to the boy. Urgur decided he would take the boy’s remains in hopes of bringing the boy back from the dead. It seemed that the boy had suffered enough but Urgur would not listen to reason. I kept quiet as I doubted I would convince Urugur he was better off rejoining the cycle of life. All of the rest had survived but Amella had lost an arm. I think all three will carry the horrors of their captivity by the demons for the rest of their life.
The battle against the outsiders had renewed my resolve to do my best to rid Oerth of the influence of outsiders and thankfully with our destruction of the shine the strange corrupting mist dissipated and it appears the jungle with slowly return to normal. Could this green mist be related or similar to the mist emitted from the black pearl back at the hidden cove? If so is this demon lord Urgur speaks of behind it all? Hopefully more answers will come.
Upon regaining our strength we resumed our travels to Farshore. The journey through the jungle did not prove too difficult. We were attacked by some large raptors but they were little match for our magic and blades. Soon we reached a native village. It was definitely refreshing to be among people tied much closer to nature. I am a little frustrated at my inability to communicate with them and I might ask Urol to teach me their language. There was some talk about staying awhile before moving on to Farshore but Urgur using magic contacted our employer, Lavinia. We all thought or suspected her ship and all aboard it must have been lost at sea but amazingly they had made it to the colony. With the knowledge she was there and the fact that we were only a day’s travel away we decided to press on to Farshore.
The Farshore colony is on a smaller island just off the coast of the Isle of Dread and we made our way there by native boats. It did not take us long to find Lavinia and she seemed genuinely happy to see us. She had thought we had perished and by all rights we should have. After telling her about our journey she gave us some long overdue pay and told us to make ourselves at home in Farshore. After a short rest several of us began helping with the day to day activities of the colony. Urgur had already started working on erecting a temple for Kord. Dyn had learned of a spell he could use to transport himself in an instant great distances and soon was making frequent visits to Sasserine.
It seemed as if the misfortune which swirled around us for so many months was gone and we might have time for more mundane things. That illusion was shattered as we returned one day from an expedition to gather building supplies. Upon returning to the village we found much of it in flames and pirates running amok.
Being used to such travails we sprang into action. I commanded Fluffy to attack one of the pirates trying to assault a woman and like a streak he was off. Deciding the others could handle the rest of the pirates I decided to summon a being from the elemental plane of water. It would easily be able to handle the fires. As I began the chant to bring it forth I saw Dyn cast his spell which launches a ball of fire. I did not want to break my spell so all I could do is watch in horror as the ball of flames streaked toward a group of pirates near the town’s shrine. Thankfully Dyn was able to control the explosion somewhat and none of the townspeople were burned by the flames. He did catch a few buildings on fire though. I was a little angry at the casual use of such destructive force but it seems Dyn has little regard for control. Urgur rushed forward to help a dying man and when the flames from the explosion died down I could see most of the pirates were dead.
After bringing one of the elementals to our plane it quickly started dispatching the flames and so I started summoning another one. Between the two elementals the fires were quickly controlled and the rest of the group dispatched the remaining pirates including what was undoubtedly their leader. There were a few deaths of colonists but it could have been a lot worse had we not arrived when we did. The buildings could be repaired and with the demise of the pirates we had gained a pirate ship. Not surprisingly Moors has already began to talk excitedly about it and I’m sure he will be going over every inch of it in the next few days.
Later Lavinia arrived and told us that she and the Jade Ravens had beat off a similar group of pirates attacking another side of the colony. Luckily they had captured one of the pirates. We are going to interrogate him and hopefully find out more information about this attack. I just hope that neither Urgur or Dyn kill the wretch before we learn as much as possible.
As I sat there waiting for the interrogation of our pirate to yield information I contemplated the overwhelming hatred of pirates and their ilk which seemed to be tied up in a view of good versus evil or right versus wrong. Pirates were not that much unlike wolves that preyed on the weak and easiest prey. They culled weakness from the other animal groups and so were valuable in keeping the natural balance. Yes most of them were rather undesirable and I suppose when it came to ‘civilization’ the laws of nature just didn’t apply.
My contemplation didn’t last too long as it seemed the direct method of interrogation was not working with the man. No matter how much Balim or Urgur huffed and puffed the man wasn’t giving them anything. Wisely Lavinia intervened and said maybe a different approach a more diplomatic approach was needed. Between Lavinia and myself we convinced the man, Lefty as he was called due to a missing left hand, that it was in his best interest to help us. I told him I would make sure he did not die due to overzealous townspeople. Strangely enough Lefty was rather logical about things and began to tell us what he knew.
Apparently the Crimson Fleet has taken an interest in Farshore. They wish to capture the outpost and use it as a base of operation it seems. Lefty and the rest of his group were hired by the Crimson Fleet to scout out Farshore’s defenses and report back. Apparently Lefty’s leader did not follow orders well and decided to take up assaulting the town. As far as Lefty can remember the Crimson Fleet will return in about two months to carry out the assault on Farshore.
Soon after Lefty had told us what he knew Avener’s uncle, arrived to “take charge”. He then began with ordering the execution of Lefty. Now I will agree the man is a wretch but I had given him my word and I was not about to break it lightly. We argued for a few moments and eventually he backed down. I can see he will likely be a thorn in the side of anyone attempting to lead the people of this outpost. We will have to watch the Meravanchi’s very closely.
The next day of course the entire outpost was buzzing with the news of the impending attack. Long discussions were made on how best to defend Farshore. The obvious choices of improving the harbor defenses, the watchtowers, the palisade and the militia were easy to recognize but difficult to implement. Lack of proper building supplies would be a problem. In addition to the obvious several other course of action were brought up. Our group, the Steel Dragons, decided to pursue one of these and travel to the village of Taneroa to hopefully enlist the aid of the natives. This would likely be a tough sell to them but hopefully their fear and hatred of pirates would be a useful tool.
The next day we were transported to the village through Dyn’s magic and arriving we found we had come in the middle of some type of religious ceremony. The center of the ceremony appeared to be an effigy of their bat god, at least that is what the thing looked like. Deciding to wait patiently, as we needed these people as allies, something seemed to go wrong with the ceremony. The bat god totem exploded into flames and from the flames flew forth bats made of fire. As the villagers panicked and ran one was set upon by one of the bats and he died writhing in flames.
Before we entered into combat with the creatures Dyn did a curious thing. He reached into his gear and brought out the golden idol we had found in the lost Olman city of Tamoachan. Then he threw the idol toward the bats! Before I could ask what on Oerth he was doing the bats attacked. The fight didn’t last long and none were seriously hurt but I then had some questions for our wizard!
Steel Dragons is move on to Farshore and is finally see Lavinia again after long time. Urgur is happy for to see Lavinia alive again. Steel Dragons is talk to Lavinia about town of Farshore and is try for to make home here.
Urgur is start to work on build temple to Kord! Is start with shrine and then is hope for to make chapel and then temple.
Before work on temple is all done, Urgur is hear screams and see smoke and fire! Pirates! Steel Dragons is run to beach and find many people hurt and many pirates what is try for to kill villagers. Urgur is rush to old man what is fall from pirates and Steel Dragons is spread out to help villagers where we is can. Amrhil is send Fluffy to attack pirate what is try for to attack poor woman. Rest of Steel Dragons is rush to fight off pirate captain and other pirates attacking villagers.
Amrhil is call water creatures for to put out fires and Dyn is use magic for to kill pirates. Is not good that Dyn is use fire magic for to kill pirates - fire magic is start fire on two buildings what was not on fire before. Steel Dragons is put out more fires and kill more pirates, captain too, and Urgur is help for to get woman from building on fire.
After Steel Dragons is kill all pirates and save peoples what can be saved, Lavinia and Jade Ravens come from other part of town and say them is catch pirate alive! Urgur think is good idea for to catch alive. Will have to try someday.
From pirate, Steel Dragons is learn of more pirates what is come for to attack Farshore. Pirate is say more is come in two months! Steel Dragons only is have two months for to make Farshore strong from attack!
Steel Dragons is get ready for very busy two months...
The village became strangely quiet moments after the last of the fire creatures was destroyed. Still in the shape of a large tiger I looked around rapidly to see if any of the bats remained. But there were none. I regained my natural form and took a few steps forward to look at the remains of one of the fire creatures we had just killed. Even though the creature was quite dead the heat from its body still was intense.
Then movement to my right caught my attention and I saw Dyn move forward to retrieve the idol he had tossed. I asked why he had thrown the idol. Placing the idol back in pack he explained that somehow through the use of the idol he could understand what the bat god totem had said seconds before exploding and he thought that somehow the idol would appease the native’s fire god.
We hadn’t long to ponder this when the villages started to come out from hiding. They were obviously happy with our intervention. I thought that this might be just the thing to convince them to help with our defense of Farshore and soon an old woman approached us. She was a respected elder among her people and more importantly she could speak our language.
Asking her what had happened she explained that their fire god was unhappy with them. Something had been stolen from this god. All attempts to appease him had failed. Deciding that it was best to get to the point I then explained why we were there and asked for the villagers’ aid. She seemed agreeable to helping us but told us that they could do nothing until their troubles with the fire god had been resolved. They were fearful that soon one of the volcanoes on the island would erupt destroying the village. Apparently two nearby volcanoes were sacred places to this god. She asked if we could somehow help them.
Instantly I think most of us thought of the idol and Dyn started to show them the object. Startled for a moment I gathered the group away from the villagers and explained that even though the idol couldn’t have anything to do with this island we shouldn’t go waiving it around. Coming back to the elder I told her we would do what we could to help them. Asking her for a guide she found a villager to show us the way to the fire god’s holy place.
The journey to the base of the volcano only took a few hours and the short trip was uneventful other than the occasional whimpering of guide who was very nervous. Once he had brought us to the path leading up around the outside of the mountain he ran back into the jungle and toward Tanaroa. We then went on alone, traveling the ancient path up the mountain. The several hour climb was relatively quiet with only the occasional rumble of the mountain to remind us of where we were. We then reached a passageway leading into the volcano. The heat from the tunnel was intense so I cast a protective spell upon Fluffy and myself. Dyn cast something to protect himself as well.
The journey through the passage was arduous for those who had no protection from the intense heat. Moors under all that fur didn’t seem to be fairing to well. Luckily the long passage finally ended into what appeared to be a small place of worship for the bat god. A huge statue depicting this bat god of fire along with what appeared to be a niche to leaving offerings was directly across from us and to the left it looked as if the interior of the volcano was not far off. Moors had only taken a few steps into the room when what appeared to be a servant of the god appeared.
This creature which looked exactly like the depictions of the villager’s fire god told us that something stolen from the god must be returned. I held my breath as Moors then placed the statue in the niche near the statue. Luckily this appeased the being. He then explained we could take something in return. We quickly discovered the statue was hiding a secret entrance to a small cave which held many things of great value. We were told what all the items were and then asked to pick one and leave. It almost seemed as if fate had brought us there for many of the items were magical and seemed to have been placed there just for us. Unfortunately it was too good to be true as we could only take one item. Deciding on one the most powerful and most portable items we took a magical ring which allowed the user to become invisible. We then left quickly so as not to incur the wrath of the creature.
Making our way back to the village the old woman somehow knew that we had succeeded. Now the villagers would now gladly help in the defense of Farshore and all we would need to do is signal them in advance of the attack so that they could gather their warriors. The grateful villagers then proceeded to have a large celebration in our honor. I enjoyed Tanaroa’s hospitality and during the course of the evening I was able to ask a few questions of the elder.
First I asked if they knew of the tar pits and if it would be safe to send people to gather tar. She explained they rarely ventured there and had no use for the stuff. She knew of no specific threats. Second I asked of the small monkey like people we had been told of. She also knew of them but very little else. She did say if we traveled to the tar pits we might run into some of them as they used the tar for their homes. Lastly I asked about the cat men warriors who had vanished from the island and their temples which supposed held great stores of powerful weapons. Of this she knew nothing.
So it looks as if we will be headed to tar pits next. I have little doubt that like all the other parts of this island we will encounter something deadly there but I do look forward to visiting such a fascinating place.
“There is no rest for the weary,” I thought to myself as we made our way out of the village of Taneroa and into the vast jungles of the Isle of Dread. The villages had luckily given us fairly good directions so I knew we would have little chance of getting lost. The group was quiet and not much was said. I think we all knew it was only a matter of when not if we would be attacked by some gruesome creature of this isle.
Sure enough not more than half way into the journey we ran into a group of large carnivore dinosaurs. Almost as large as the creature that attacked us when we first set foot on this island these creatures were similar in looks and most likely related in some way. They could easily swallow a man whole and had teeth as large as daggers. I must say they were quite a sight to behold. Luckily this island has hardened us and while the fight was fierce we were able to deal with the creatures without too much trouble.
At the beginning of the third day I knew we should be close to the tar pits so I decided to take a quick look for myself as the rest of the group woke and prepared to break camp. Transforming myself into an eagle I took to the sky. Slowly I gained altitude until I could see the tar pits ahead. As thick as the jungle was in every direction the plains of the tar pits was barren. As I flew closer I began to see all the individual pits of tar and the gases rising from them. Scanning for movement I quickly spotted a group of small creatures near one of the pits. I flew closer to get a better look. The small creatures were vaguely monkey like but their faces resembled raccoons. I realized then this must be the Phanatons we had been told about. I watched them gathering tar and wondered if they would be friendly. Deciding against flying down to greet them I regained some altitude and took a quick fly over of the immediate area. Spotting nothing I returned to the group and after changing back to my human form told them what I saw. We set out immediately.
After a few hours we were very close to the pits and you could smell the boiling tar up ahead. I guessed we would come out of the jungle fairly close to where the Phanatons were and I was focused on how to try and recruit them. Suddenly there the sound of screams came from ahead followed by a huge roar. All of us immediately broke into a run and as I came out of the think jungle my eyes widened. There before us was the largest creature I had yet seen. It looked exactly like the dinosaur which assaulted on the beach but was larger if that was possible. Surrounding it were the small Phanatons desperately trying to defend themselves and escape. Moments later it was pure chaos as we assaulted the dinosaur. I had summoned a large bear and then moments later cast a spell increasing the size of the summoned bear and Fluffy. They assaulted from the rear and Balim and Urgur took the direct approach and attacked the dinosaur from the front. It tried several times to swallow Urgur or Balim but through luck and several well cast spells all escaped its stomach. After inflicting numerous wounds upon the creature it finally fell. I must admit we were lucky that Balim and Urgur escaped with their lives because the creature’s terrible teeth took their toll on both of the warriors.
After the battle died down I could easily see the now dead dinosaur had been the veteran of many battles. His body was scarred and he was missing one of his small upper arms. Part of me was little sad that the great beast which had survived numerous fights to the death had been killed. The Phanatons which had fled returned and treated us as if we were heroes. Eager to communicate with them I was disappointed by the fact that their language was utterly foreign to all of us. Eventually one of them stepped forward and began to speak Olman. Again I was at a loss. I had been trying to learn the language but had not had the time to master it. Luckily we communicated through drawing pictures in the sand. They wanted us to accompany them back to their village and we gladly agreed. We set out for what we assumed was a few days journey to their home. The Phanatons are an excitable and curious bunch. They eagerly wanted to examine all of our weapons and gear. Having little items that would appeal to them I had no issues with their quick hands but I think it made Urgur a little nervous as he wouldn’t let his prized falchion out his grip. I don’t think Dyn was very appreciative either but the rest of the group were thankfully very diplomatic about it.
On the first day of travel Urgur was granted the divine ability to speak with them for a short time. They’re curiosity was made even more obvious as they asked Urgur what seemed like a million questions. They spoke quickly and excitedly far beyond what even Urol could muster when he was particularly excited. We confirmed that indeed they were taking us to their village and we would be honored guests. Any further talk of helping defend Farshore would have to be taken up with their leader. After traveling a couple of days reached the Phanaton village without incident.
We had not been in village very long when the word must have spread about our exploits at the tar pits. The whole village was jubilant and we were treated with great honor. Through the use of Urgur’s spells granted from Kord we were able to talk to the leader of the Phanatons as they prepared a great feast for us. We found out that dinosaur we had slain had been menacing the tar pits for some time and had claimed many Phanatons in the past. We had done a great service in the eyes of the Phanaton leader and he told us that they would gladly help with the defense of Far Shore. We also asked about the cat people we had heard legends about. He confirmed the legend and told us that a temple of theirs was close and they could lead us to it. What luck! He told us the cat people were great warriors but had died out some time ago.
I enjoyed the feast immensely as many exotic fruits were brought before us to eat. Although the most entertaining moment was when they brought out a few dishes which included bugs of various sorts. The look on Dyn’s face was worth the trip!