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Ash, at the point you left the last session we continued playing for about 5 to 10 minutes or so, to bring the game to a decent wrap-up point.
Elsbeth and Alethian tried to finish off the hag and her nightmare mount, but were unable to do so. The hag mounted the nightmare and it flew off out of the cave into the leaden sky on flaming hooves. Everyone tried shooting after them, but were still unable to take them down.
The group ran to the cave entrance to look out. The cave emerged high up in the side of a steep, rocky mountain of blackened rock. A narrow, treacherous looking trail – almost a stair – led down to the plain below, but there was no easy way to reach the escaping hag.
Below the mountain, an almost featureless grey plain stretched away into the distance, under a dismal grey sky. Here and there, a few small black trees dotted the plain, and a broad, winding river of black water wound through it in the distance.
The group could see a few figures moving about morosely in the landscape, on their own or in small groups, but could not make out much about them. In the far, far distance, on the other side of the river came the muted sounds of battle, as two fiendish armies clashed on the plain and in the skies above it.
The feeling of loneliness and hopelessness that came over you when you first came through the portal intensifies as you stand at the edge of the cave.
Alethian and Elsbeth decided that there was little they could do to catch the hag, and did not want to stay in this dismal, hostile place any longer than they had to. With the hag’s prisoner in tow, the group headed back through the portal at the rear of the cave, into the underground complex below the forest.
As the group began heading back through the tunnels, Elsbeth supporting the woman who had been taken from the faire, Alethian said, “There’s something I need to do,” and sprinted off into the darkness. Given his magical boots, there was little likelihood of catching him, so Elsbeth and Elendil continued at their slower pace.
At last they made it back to the entrance hole, climbed out, and trudged back through the forest.
Alethian was there to meet them at the edge of the clearing that housed the faire ground. “I told the elves that we’ve dealt with the problem,” he said. “Ah, I may have implied that we killed the crone – oh, it’s alright, we beat her, I really doubt she’ll be back! And I don’t think we need to bother all these people with the details of what’s been going on here, after all, the elves only did what they had to to surivive – they didn’t force anyone to come here …”
Elendil notices that Alethian is holding a new, shiny, composite longbow of the style used by the Mellorn …
Alethian was there to meet them at the edge of the clearing that housed the faire ground. “I told the elves that we’ve dealt with the problem,” he said. “Ah, I may have implied that we killed the crone – oh, it’s alright, we beat her, I really doubt she’ll be back! And I don’t think we need to bother all these people with the details of what’s been going on here, after all, the elves only did what they had to to surivive – they didn’t force anyone to come here …”
Elendil notices that Alethian is holding a new, shiny, composite longbow of the style used by the Mellorn …
Elendil nods in weary agreeance with Alethian, continuing over to the campsite and collapsing to eat and rest.
Elendid is actually quite appalled at Alethian's willingness to forget the actions of the elves, which in his opinion borders dangerously on evil. He attempts to hide his reaction from Alethian. Bluff check 13 + 12 = 25 (I'll have to double check the modifier, but I think it is at least 12).
When Alethian is otherwise engaged he moves over to Elsbeth and whispers:
"I don't like this. These elves lied to us and used us, just as they lied to all these people, endangering their lives in the process. They have done the same thing in past years, sacrificing innocent human lives for their own benefit, and I am not so certain the hag won't return and their pact will continue. I think we should ensure that they are held somewhat accountable and are unable to get away with such behaviour so easily in the future. I plan to gather all the visitor merchants here and tell them the truth, telling them to spread the word to put at end to this meeting."
He looks at her for her thoughts, asking a further question as he thinks, "From what you have seen, do you feel they would attack if I took this action? Do they have the numbers and/or the will to beset ourselves, the merchants and guards? Will I be putting more lives at risk if I act in this way?"
Hey Moth, Here are the stats for Grom HammerForge:
I rolled stats for Grom on the train using an excel randomiser that I built for rolling up NPCs in my campaign and have thus far gotten very ordinary results on. Used the method of 3d6 12 times, pick the best 6. I came out with 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13! I have softened these a little to what you see below (adjusted for racial bonuses etc), but the roles are still fairly solid. I can pull these down further if you want.
Equipment, I've only selected weapons and armour thus far. I've given him Masterwork hammer, full plate and shield, on the theory that he could have constructed these himself. Let me know if this is ok and/or what other dollar value I should work towards in terms of items.
I seem to have misplaced the history and description of Grom, I'll try and get that up soon.
Name: Grom HammerForge
Race: Dwarven
Align: LG
Deity: Moradin
Class: Cleric (7th level)
Str: 17
Dex: 12
Con: 16
Int: 14
Wis: 18
Cha: 10
Init: 1
Fort: 8
Refl: 3
Will: 9
HP: 74
Base Attack: 5
Grapple: 8
Skills
Concentration: 5 ranks
Craft - Weapons: 10 ranks
Craft - Armour: 10 ranks
Know - Planes: 8 ranks
Know - Religion: 7 ranks
Feats
Weapon Focus - Warhammer
Endurance
(1 free slot as yet unselected, possibly Power Attack or shield specialisation)
Class Features:
Domains: Good, Protection
d10 hd & Smite Evil outsider (replaces turn undead)
Warhammer Specialist (replaces a 2nd level spell slot)
Spells:
0-lvl: 7
1-lvl: 6
2-lvl: 4
3-lvl: 4
4-lvl: 3
Languages: Dwarven, Common, Elven, Infernal?? (not sure if I can get this?)
Weapons:
Masterwork Warhammer, to hit: +10, to damage: 1d8+5
Throwing axes x 2, to hit +6, to damage 1d6+3
Light Crossbow, to hit +6, to damage 1d8
Armour:
Masterwork Full Plate: AC +8, Max dex +1, check: -5
Masterwork Heavy Steel Shield: AC +2, check: -1
Hey Moth, was wondering about retraining improved initiative and toughness if possible. I wrote down a list of possible replacements, although dont now remember what they all do...
I had 4 groups that I thought might be good
Weapon finesse and staggering strike.
Combat expertise and improved fient.
Precise shot and improved precise shot
Combat reflexes and vexing flanker, and eventually adaptable flanker.
Any objections to any of these? I have just realised if i go with the bow option, all my feats would be foccused on that, may be limiting.
Brash, have you given any thought to a second character? Anything in mind?
Did you say something about not continuing with Elsbeth? If that were the case I would probably go a fighter, or something similar (ranger etc)
Also possibly wouldn't mind playing a druid, or prehaps a wizard.Any suggestions of what might be needed?
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Ash:
Elsbeth is also quite disgusted by the elves’ actions, though she does note that she sensed no evil from them, and that their actions were probably borne of desperation and lack of empathy rather than true evil. Still, she does not think that such action should go unanswered.
She notes that the elves appear well trained and well armed, and should they choose to attack the merchants and their guards it would likely be a bloody battle on both sides, but she does not think it too likely they will attack. She is more concerned that if not handled properly the merchants (or their guards) might decide to retaliate against the elves.
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Hey Moth, was wondering about retraining improved initiative and toughness if possible. I wrote down a list of possible replacements, although dont now remember what they all do...
I had 4 groups that I thought might be goodWeapon finesse and staggering strike.
Combat expertise and improved fient.
Precise shot and improved precise shot
Combat reflexes and vexing flanker, and eventually adaptable flanker.Any objections to any of these? I have just realised if i go with the bow option, all my feats would be foccused on that, may be limiting.
No objection in principle, but I’m not sure what some of these feats do either (staggering strike and vexing flanker aren’t in the phb, so I’d like to see their details soon).
Also, note that some of these feats have prerequisites that Alethian may not meet (for example, improved precise shot requires you to have a base attack bonus of 11).
As for focusing on bow, that does seem to suit Alethian’s style, and may be more doable if the addition of new characters can help reduce the necessity for him to be a melee combatant, and precise shot will help with firing into combat, but note that it can be harder to achieve sneak attacks with a bow than with a melee weapon (‘cos you need to be within 30 feet anyway and can’t flank).
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Ash:
She thinks the group should either tell the elves the truth on the matter, or find a way to close the portal so the hag can’t come back … or go back through to try to track down a deal with her permanently.
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Brash, have you given any thought to a second character? Anything in mind?
Did you say something about not continuing with Elsbeth? If that were the case I would probably go a fighter, or something similar (ranger etc)
Also possibly wouldn't mind playing a druid, or prehaps a wizard.
Any suggestions of what might be needed?
I probably will drop Elsbeth if Chez is going to be playing, but keep in mind that if Chez keeps playing (I’m not really sure yet) he’s playing a fighter, and Ash’s new character is a combat focused cleric. Also, if I do need to step in with an npc to fill a gap in the group’s capability, a fighter type is probably the most straightforward for me to play.
In the end though, play whatever you feel most comfortable with. If running two characters, having one of them be a pretty uncomplicated warrior type can make life easier on you. On the otherhand, both druids and wizards are pretty cool, and arguably more powerful character types than fighters at mid and higher levels. Both are probably more complicated to run though (druids you potentially have to keep track of their wild-shaped stats, animal companion and lots of summoned critters, wizards have potentially complicated spells to look up etc).
Of the two, its up to you, but a wizard might be a slightly better choice – you could probably do with a more focused arcanist in the group than a bard, and druids tend to be at their best in wilderness environments, this campaign sees you in city and dungeons a lot.
Of the two, its up to you, but a wizard might be a slightly better choice – you could probably do with a more focused arcanist in the group than a bard, and druids tend to be at their best in wilderness environments, this campaign sees you in city and dungeons a lot.
If you do take one of these options, might be worth going the PHB2 alternate class feature options that will enable you to take easier options (i.e. Shapechange is easier than wildshape + animal companion, you can replace your familiar as a wizard if you want etc).
Yep cool might borrow the books and roll up a wizard, I forgot about Chez's fighter. Will certainly check out the phb2!
Good point about not being able to get improved precise shot. That puts a bit of a dampner on that, and also valid point about having a harder time with the sneak attack (except against eyeless monsters, god I loved those guys)
Ill have another look through to find out what those other feats do then make a choice, but as long as ive got the prerequisites, no problem retraining?
Vexing flanker gives a +4 attack bonus rather than +2 for flanking. Adaptable Flanker allows you to count as occupying any square you threaten, as well as your own, for flanking purposes.
Staggering strike stagers your opponent if they fail a fortitude save after a successful sneak attack.
Im thinking of going weapon finess, as that will give me a decent bonus in combat. Im wondering how good staggering strike would be, they can still take one action, such as attack, so may not be all that useful...
Moth, new character
Ive made him for level 6, not sure what you want him to start at...
Elven wizard/6
Str 13
Dex 17 (including +2 racial)
Con 13 (including -2 racial)
Int 17 (including ability score incrase)
Wis 12
Cha 10
Choose the Generalist Wizardry class ability to replace specilisation for wizards, gives one new spell per level and one extra spell per day of highest level of spells.
Natural link - doubles the familiar bonus. These are in races of the wild, specific to elves. Can change then if you would rather I dont use them.
Feats- Combat casting, spell focus (conjuration) Augment summoning, Arcane Thesis-fireball. This feat gives me a +2 caster level for the chosen spell and makes metamagic feats cheaper for that spell (I realise I dont have any metamagic feats at the moment, but was thinking of getting empower spell as my next feat.)
I was thinking i might have a look through the complete arcana and possibly change these.
Familiar - rat, +2 to fortitude saves (becomes +4)
Skills
concentration 9+1 =10
Knowledge Arcana 9+3 =12
Knowledge The Planes 9+3=12
Knowledge geography, 3+3=6
Spellcraft 9+3+2 =14
Spot 3(6)+1+2 =6
Listen +2 =2
Search +2 =2
BAB 3+1=4
Fort 2+1+4 =7
Ref 2+3 =5
Will 5+3 =8 (10 vs enchantment)
AC 10+3=13
Initiative =3
weapons dagger and shortbow
havnt done equipment yet.
As the group began heading back through the tunnels, Elsbeth supporting the woman who had been taken from the faire, Alethian said, “There’s something I need to do,” and sprinted off into the darkness. Given his magical boots, there was little likelihood of catching him, so Elsbeth and Elendil continued at their slower...
Alethians reasoning was actually that she probably will be back, in the four years time, but lying to the elves about killing her serves them right for lying to us about their involvement. And of course, we know when and where she will return, and can always return to pmce again face her and her unseeing minions!
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Ash:
Stats are fine.
You seem to have one too many 0 level spell slots.
You can take Infernal (or Abyssal or Celestial) as a language.
Equipment, whether the character made some of his gear or not, I will get him to ‘buy’ it all with starting gold – otherwise he will potentially start overpowered for a character of his level. Having said that, I need to get you guys to do an assessment of Elendil’s and Alethian’s overall wealth to see if they are high or low on gear for characters of their level, and give starting gold to these new characters accordingly.
Keep in mind, if the character is a weapon and shield user – he actually needs a hand free to cast some spells (somatic or material components). A light shield allows you to use your hand, a heavy shield does not.
Brash: ** spoiler omitted **
Alright, Ash, what next for Elendil?
And guys, thoughts on time and place for next game?
Im eager to play sometime soon! Perhaps over the Easter weekend sometime? or the one after that? Im out Sundays (though think the store is closed on Easter Sunday) but should be right for friday nights or saturdays.
As for where im easy, should be fine to do it at mine anytime, but I really dont mind.
Elendil moves quietly over to Therav and speaks with the man. He speaks calmly and firmly, aiming not to panic but to convince of the wisdom of this course.
"Though we managed to rescue those taken, I fear we have been unable to completely nullify the danger here and I cannot be certain it will not return. You should make ready to leave and pass word on that it would be a good idea for all to do likewise. I am going now to speak with the elves."
Asking Elsbeth to accompany him, Elendil storms over to where the guards bar entry into the main Elven complex and demands an audience with the Dorator (excuse the probably incorrect spelling!).
(Assuming they are granted entry):
In seeing the Dorator, he launches immediately onto the offensive.
"I am sickened and appalled by the way you have made pacts with evil and bargained away human lives to save your own skins. I, barely a quarter of a century old, can clearly see the folly of your ways. It fills me with dread that you, a race renowned for your longeivity and the wisdom those years afford, cannot apparently see anything wrong with the way you have behaved. I had thought the times of tying a virgin to a pole as sacrifice to the dragon were long behind us; a part of our primitive past. It appears I was wrong."
He pauses for breath, and when he speaks again, his voice is cold, though much of the anger has gone out of it.
"I understand our companion led you to believe that we had destroyed the hag for good. He considered your behaviour warranted this deception and I do not completely blame him. However, though there may be some among you who deserve such karma, I cannot in good conscience allow you to go unwarned. The truth is, regretfully, that the hag managed to escape into her own hellish world and though we passed through the gate in pursuit and killed all her minions, it was outside our means to prevent her final escape."
"I understand you have four years before the portal will open once more? I strongly recommend you use that time well and find a way to close it for good. The merchants will be leaving now and I sincerely doubt they will return for the next festival of 'life'. It may preserve life for your people, but it offers death to them."
"Had you been open and honest up front, I would not have left things unfinished, would have ensured there was no way for the hag to return. But I will not now risk my life and that of my companions for you, who have shown so little regard for the lives of others."
He turns as if to leave but pauses and his face is clouded with doubt for a moment. Finally he turns back to the Dorator. When he speaks, his voice is sincere. "I wish you luck in this, and there may be a small way in which I can aid you yet. The power to close the portal is beyond me, but I may be able to find a scroll that would do so, in Cauldron. I will attempt to track down such an item, purchase it on your behalf and have it sent to you if that is your wish. I will of course need payment up front."
Hey Moth,
Not 100% sure but I would assume Chez is still interested in playing (probably more so now given time is less of a problem for him at the moment). In saying that, d&d isn't his first choice in the plethora of gaming he's interested in. An option might be to play my campaign when he's present and leave this one for when he's not available? Either way you want to play it.
Hey Moth,
Here's a run down of elendil's wealth:
Weapons/Armour: $19,100
Scrolls: $1,750
Potions: $2,250
Wands: $11,250 (possibly a little high, given Cure Mod Wounds and See Invisibility are almost spent and are worth $9,000 between them)
Miscellaneous: $19,750
Coins/Gems: $3,865
Equipment (estimate): $500
TOTAL: $58,465
Keep in mind the scrolls and wands tend to be bought from the party fund (as Elendil uses them on the others more than himself).
This does not include any treasure taken from the last adventure; I'm assuming clint might have this? I've got a couple of coins noted down but very little otherwise.
Magical stuff comes to 30400, and ive got about 1500 in cash. The only thing ive noted down from the last adventure was the bow i got from the elves...
Yeah sorry I though Martin was writting it down
I think it was mainly from that one room that was loaded with all the cash they had stolen.
So is anything happening this weekend?
Yeah sorry I though Martin was writting it down
I think it was mainly from that one room that was loaded with all the cash they had stolen.So is anything happening this weekend?
I think I found the stuff:
*Potion
1,540 sp
820 gp
3 pearls, gold tinged
silver belt buckle with topaz
3 x scrolls of shield
1 x scroll of chield
Well made scimitar
Well made compisite short bow
22 masterwork arrows
*pearl
*Gold ring
*laquared box of coins
4 x scrolls
Kual's Journal
5-6 books
Can probably do either day for a catch up.
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Magical stuff comes to 30400, and ive got about 1500 in cash. The only thing ive noted down from the last adventure was the bow i got from the elves...
Can one of you guys do me a favour? When I lent my DMG out the other day, I forgot that the 'wealth by level' tables are not on the online SRD. Can one of you look this up for me and tell me the average wealth for a 7th level character (you guys are 7th right?) - thanks.
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I think I found the stuff:*Potion
1,540 sp
820 gp
3 pearls, gold tinged
silver belt buckle with topaz3 x scrolls of shield
1 x scroll of chield
Well made scimitar
Well made compisite short bow
22 masterwork arrows
*pearl
*Gold ring
*laquared box of coins
4 x scrolls
Kual's Journal
5-6 books
That sounds right. I'll let you know what it all is when I get a chance, and hopefully we can take care of splitting the treasure and selling stuff prior to the game.
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Hey Moth,
Wands: $11,250 (possibly a little high, given Cure Mod Wounds and See Invisibility are almost spent and are worth $9,000 between them)
In this case, you work out the value as a percentage of the max value. So a wand with 25 charges is worth 50% of the value of a wand with full (50) charges.
Keep in mind the scrolls and wands tend to be bought from the party fund (as Elendil uses them on the others more than himself).
Sounds fair
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Word that something is wrong (either based on truth or rumour) has already spread throughout much of the fair, and quite a number of merchants have left or are already preparing to leave. Once Therav has spread Elendil’s word throughout the camp, this process is hurried, with the vast majority or merchants beginning to hurriedly pack up.
The Mellorn guards watch impassively.
The Dorator listens to Elendil’s words with equal lack of apparent emotion, though her guards seem very alert and on edge. Once he has said his piece she says, “I thank you and your companions for your help, but do not presume to know us, or judge us. We did what we felt had to be done. Perhaps another course of action would have been wiser, but what is done is done. Your help is appreciated, but we will ask you for no more. Go now. My people and I have decisions to make.”
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Various grateful fairgoers and merchants are able to appraise and identify the items you found, as follows:
Potion of cure moderate wounds
3 golden pearls worth 150gp each
Silver belt buckle with topaz worth 900gp
4 scrolls of shield (I think you bought these rather than them being treasure)
Masterwork scimitar worth 315gp
Masterwork composite shortbow with +2 strength bonus worth 525gp
22 Masterwork arrows worth 6gp each
Pearl of power (1st level)
Ring of feather falling
Lacquered offering box worth 300gp (not magical)
(Alethian is easily able to pick the lock, inside is 30pp, 620gp and 120sp)
Arcane scroll of sending (CL15)
Arcane scroll of plane shift (CL15)
Arcane scroll of scrying (CL15)
Arcane scroll of seal portal (new spell) (CL15)
(The journal and the 5 other books are of no great monetary value. They are all written in a rather archaic form of Common, and are very old and almost falling apart. Probably the only one of any immediate interest is the journal. It would take at least the better part of a day to read in detail.)
If you want to sell any of these items to the merchants here, you can get full value for the gems, belt buckle and box and 75% value for the weapons.
"Very well" Elendil says in response to the Dorator's dismissal, though he makes no effort to hide the disappointment of her reply from his face.
He returns to the fair grounds, joining the others in their preparations to head out. Upon getting the items identified and seeing the scroll of seal portal he peruses it, and then approaches Elsbeth and Alethian.
"This scroll looks to be in line with what the elves need to end this threat for good. Though perhaps they do not deserve it, I think we should offer it to them, or perhaps return ourselves and see that the portal is closed once and for all. What are your thoughts."
Elendil is happy to sell the belt buckle, laquered box and weapons (unless anyone wants them?). Might make sense to keep the pearls (1 each).
So the rough break down each would be:
1 golden pearl (150gp)
10pp
998gp
46sp
7cp
This then leaves the following items. I've assigned what seems to me like the most logical people to receive, though feel free to change if you want:
Elsbeth? - Potion of cure moderate wounds
Elendil - 4 scrolls of shield (yep we bought these)
Alethian - 22 Masterwork arrows worth 6gp each
Elendil - Pearl of power (1st level)
Elsbeth/Alethian - Ring of feather falling
Elendil - Arcane scroll of sending (CL15)
Elendil - Arcane scroll of plane shift (CL15)
Elendil - Arcane scroll of scrying (CL15)
Elendil (or give/sell/use to the Elves) - Arcane scroll of seal portal (new spell) (CL15)
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Upon getting the items identified and seeing the scroll of seal portal he peruses it, and then approaches Elsbeth and Alethian.
"This scroll looks to be in line with what the elves need to end this threat for good. Though perhaps they do not deserve it, I think we should offer it to them, or perhaps return ourselves and see that the portal is closed once and for all. What are your thoughts."
“Although their decision makers may not deserve our help, we cannot condemn the others – their children for example – for their mistakes. If we can help, we should,” Elsbeth says.
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Elendil is happy to sell the belt buckle, laquered box and weapons (unless anyone wants them?). Might make sense to keep the pearls (1 each).
So the rough break down each would be:
1 golden pearl (150gp)
10pp
998gp
46sp
7cpThis then leaves the following items. I've assigned what seems to me like the most logical people to receive, though feel free to change if you want:
Elsbeth? - Potion of cure moderate wounds
Elendil - 4 scrolls of shield (yep we bought these)
Alethian - 22 Masterwork arrows worth 6gp each
Elendil - Pearl of power (1st level)
Elsbeth/Alethian - Ring of feather falling
Elendil - Arcane scroll of sending (CL15)
Elendil - Arcane scroll of plane shift (CL15)
Elendil - Arcane scroll of scrying (CL15)
Elendil (or give/sell/use to the Elves) - Arcane scroll of seal portal (new spell) (CL15)
Elsbeth will take the potion, Alethian can take the ring (if he wants it). The arrows might not be of much benefit to Alethian with the shiny new bow, as the bonus doesn’t stack. Elsbeth might take them, I don’t think she has a masterwork or magical bow.
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Can one of you guys do me a favour? When I lent my DMG out the other day, I forgot that the 'wealth by level' tables are not on the online SRD. Can one of you look this up for me and tell me the average wealth for a 7th level character (you guys are 7th right?) - thanks.Magical stuff comes to 30400, and ive got about 1500 in cash. The only thing ive noted down from the last adventure was the bow i got from the elves...
Alright, the new characters should start at 7th level,give them starting equipment / cash up to 19,000gp worth. No more than about half that on any single item.
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Kval’s Journal:
The journal is dated from over three hundred years ago, and documents several months in the life of a seemingly powerful wizard named Kval – months spent discovering, exploring and studying an (even at that time) ancient and abandoned underground temple – from the description, the same one below the Mellorell forest that the hag was using as her lair. According to the journal, Kval was studying the place in the company of his wife or lover Liurella, and a colleague (or perhaps apprentice) named Adbex.
It seems that Kval was obsessed with studies of the planes, including knowledge about fiends and portal magic. His journal indicates that he was very excited about the underground complex, believing that it had been a temple to an entity called Anthraxus the Decayed, a lord amongst the race of fiends sometimes called Daemons, but more properly known as Yugoloth. According the Kval’s notes, Anthraxus was once the Oinoloth (which seems to be the leader, or perhaps a leader of the Yugoloth – confusingly, Kval also refers to an entity he calls ‘the General of Gehenna’ who seems to be different to the Oinoloth, but also appears to be a ruler of the Yugoloth) before being displaced by someone (or something) named Mydianchlarus.
Kval discovered that the temple had once contained a portal between the prime material world and Oinos, the first layer (or gloom) of the plane of Hades. The portal was either gone or dormant, but Kval seemed to think that he could either reactivate or recreate it.
The journal paints Kval as not evil, but definitely obsessed. There are hints in his journal that his companions – Liurella in particular – did not care for this place nor Kval’s research. Although Kval himself seemed somewhat oblivious to it, an astute reader of his notes can see that over the months Liurella was becoming more and more depressed and distraught at Kval’s obsession.
Finally came the tragic day when Kval found his lover lying in a pool of blood on the floor, dead apparently by her own hand. Almost instantly his obsession changed, from studying this place to returning her to life. His divinations soon determined that given the manner and place of her death, her soul had gone straight to the Grey Wastes of Hades.
A teleportation trip to Sasserine and the temple of Wee Jas there to beseech the priests to resurrect his love soon determined that Liurella’s spirit was unwilling or unable to return, or even speak to Kval. He decided that he would need to travel to Hades himself to bring her back. Although he had the power and ability to travel to other planes, such methods were imprecise – he could end up almost anywhere on an infinite plane, and it could take years to track down Liurella’s departed soul. Instinct said (and divination confirmed) that her spirit had arrived in Hades near the destination of the ancient portal – his best bet at finding her would be to reactivate it and travel through himself.
Kval threw himself into trying to reopen the gate, and, eight days after Liurella’s death he succeeded. Before stepping through the portal, Kval entrusted to Adbex the key to a box containing several emergency scrolls, spells that would allow the other mage to send a message to Kval, find him, travel to him and, if necessary, close the portal. He instructed Adbex to wait a week, and then, if he had not heard from him, try to find him. If he could not, he should then either come through the portal or close it at his discretion.
The final journal entry has Kval ready to travel through the portal – there is no post script to say what his fate was, or that of Liurella or Adbex.
“Although their decision makers may not deserve our help, we cannot condemn the others – their children for example – for their mistakes. If we can help, we should,” Elsbeth says.
Elendil nods in agreement with Elsbeth's sentiment, but then his face takes on a troubled look.
"There is one slight problem. I have very little chance of successfully casting this spell - as it was penned by a powerful wizard well above my humble powers. And the Mellorn don't seem to have much of the way in spellcasters either. We would need to find someone else to cast the spell if we are to have any hope of losing the portal. Perhaps we could ask around back in Cauldron."
Dividing of treasure is fine by me. Seems like the best idea is to head back to the coty and perhaps send someone back with the scroll later. Can Alethian pick some pockets in all the confusion of merchants leaving the fair? Ive got quite a good slight of hand chance, and wouldn't mind some extra cash. I'll target people who had expensive merchandise or seemed to be doing a good trade during the fair (from the little I saw)
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Thats some pretty nice rolling!
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All those rolls are easily enough to grab something, and they’re probably all high enough that no one present is likely to spot you (with the possible exception of the Mellorn guards, who probably won’t care, and Elendil if his spot bonus is +7 or better). Are you generally just trying to grab purses and belt pouches (or the contents) or are you going for anything more specific?
All those rolls are easily enough to grab something, and they’re probably all high enough that no one present is likely to spot you (with the possible exception of the Mellorn guards, who probably won’t care, and Elendil if his spot bonus is +7 or better). Are you generally just trying to grab purses and belt pouches (or the contents) or are you going for anything more specific?
Basically what ever presents itself as a good find, maybe a small chest off a wagon, hefty looking belt pouches or expensive looking jewlery