With Vitali moving on with his journey. I feel somewhat at ease. I say somewhat for the fact he could still be following me. When I have the time, I'll have to remember to check his whereabouts.
Our new companion, Leopold I believe it was, is rather odd. He seems intelligent enough, save when combat begins; He seems almost tumultuous, like a beast in a cage. Just hearing of the story of his unfortunate "malady" makes me think that despite his analytical facade, he is a visceral being at heart. But as long as his risks don't aggrieve my companions and I, he is welcome to tag along for as long as he inclines.
I'm surprised at Allustan's lack of confidence in my colleagues and me. A few picayune reptiles don't require reinforcements, particularly ones 8 hours away at the expense of a teleport spell. He was the one who harangued me for hours on the importance of felicitous magic. An appropriate divination would have sufficed. Never the less he will have arrived by the time we return.
After this trek through the swamp is finished, I'm looking forward to the ensuing colloquium.
I was studying my formulae book on the way to Free City and was ambushed by some goblins and orcs. I was able to take one of the orcs out in one hit, then tried to talk the goblin into leaving me alone, but they did not back down. All of a sudden as if from out of nowhere a fireball took out a lot of them. I saw four people in the distance coming to help me out. After they helped with the orc and goblins, I came to learn their names, Hazard - Big guy with the whips, Arathana - Beautiful and quite possibly very deadly with those swords of hers, Nexus - seems to have taken the wizard's path of magic, and Allustan - is Nexus's mentor.
I found out they were headed towards blackwall keep, the same place that i was going to make a pit stop before continuing on to Free City. We agreed to travel there together, and upon arrival to the keep it was under attack by some lizard folk. We were able to defend the keep, and find the captured blackwall keep soldiers.
I dont understand why the lizard folk attacked, they are normally peaceful . We may have to find out what is causing this.
I havent had any friends since Roy. I may stick around with these people, they seem very accepting.
The massive spiders weren't a problem, but that dire crocodile is thiiis close to killing us. I'm sure we got him now, but not after taking bunches of damage. I don't think lizardfolk could stand up to that thing, you know, at all.
I don't recall if I had mentioned it earlier, but I HATE spiders. I still feel itchy just thinking about the bunch that we came across in the swamp, and I'm still finding bits of web in my hair.
I pray that the soldiers at Blackwall Keep can rest easier now knowing that their Commander is finally at peace. I tried to help my friends, but this insurmountable wave of fear hit me like a raging ogre. May he rest well with his God.
I shouldn't dwell on that, however, seeing as there is a gigantic crocodile trying to dine on my companions. Nexus somehow got him rooted to the ground so I think we should be able to finish him off.
May the minds of those who worried about their captain be put at ease. I'm glad I could give the men of Blackwall some morale comfort.
I'm proud to find my place in the party is to deal with the immense problems that happen to be more robust than our immense companions. One properly applied Impede and that reptile is dead in the water. I just hope my next plan doesn't come with the repercussions I'm expecting.
This last session we found our way (on the back of a gargantuan dire crocodile skeleton) to the nest of the tribe of lizardfolk that have been attacking Blackwall. We decided on a more diplomatic approach rather than simply lighting the place on fire, which brought us face to face with their shaman. We made a deal to help his/her people by dethroning the current king, since he has aligned himself with a black dragon.
Only one battle with some measly draconic kobalds guarding the egg chamber. Much loots were had, and the session ended with a worm-filled egg drop outside the nest.
I feel strange as of late, both in body and morale. I have noticed that my magic has a proclivity to alter in atypical ways depending on the position of my stance. Not only that, but my ubiety seems to amend my associates' magic as well. I have a hypothesis that I wish to try out soon: integrateing my whole body into my somatic components, and possibly theirs as well. ahhh, sweet experimentation.
Other than that, ever since we encountered the captains body, I feel... infested? My skin itches, my innards percolate, my whole body creeps to the core. When I saw the egg rupture, I thought I might lacerate myself into the grave. Either my body is telling me that these worms are some sort of portent, or the swamp may be getting to me.
...
...
...the swamp or the trailbars.
... rather than simply lighting the place on fire
This is a swamp. I doubt the trees are dry enough to set a good fire on them.
So now I have a party that rides a giant crocodile skeleton. This is getting awesome.
Arathana and I owe our lives to these lizard folk, and they to ours. As soon as we get our bearings again, we will face the Lizard King and his Lieutenant. Something tells me that this won't be a simple matter. A dragon's ally, huh? Maybe a dragon's pawn. Either way, we're setting ourselves up for a future rivalry.
Green lights. Green worms. Green breath of the acidic black dragon.
Aside from our new brethren, I don't much like the swamp.
I'm at a total loss for words here. Reading Nexus' posts makes my brain hurt. I'm not quite certain if his changes are for the betterment of our party or if we will have to attempt to euthanize him to save him from any infestations.
With the Croc out of the way (and his skeletal remains adopted as our mode of transportation)we were able to finally reach the Lizardfolk's encampment.
After a brief encounter with some kobold's, however, I have entered into a state of mourning. Due to a hasty judgement on my part, one of our lizardfolk guides was killed. I pray that his family can forgive me. We did, however, save the clan's latest clutch of eggs from being perverted by the worms inhabiting the faux black dragon egg.
I am liking nexus more and more. His style of doing things is awesome. We are now riding around a huge crocodile skeleton. we ended up finding the lizardfolk home base, and spoke with the shaman. we were led to the egg chamber dealt with some kolbolds guarding it. afterward we found some potions, upon further inspection of the potions they had worms inside of them. nasty little buggers might of infected us. I think i may be able to get the worm out and the potion will still be viable. now to the LIZARDKING!!
Swivl is a tired GM today. We finished up the third book, and just entered the Free City. The Lizard King and his Lieutenant were threatening, but didn't kill us. I hope there's plenty of ass to kick and things to do now that we're in civilization.
We ended up going back to the spot where nexus dropped the fake dragon egg full of worms. after it was dropped i had thrown a bomb at the worms. after further inspection i can brew a extract from the worm paste that can completely remove the worms from one of the zombies. only thing is that there was only enough for 4 uses. maybe i can synthesis the extract to be able to make more.
Hooray, shopping... I guess.
I'll try to make this sort of thing part of our down time between sessions, but I was pressed for time lately and wasn't able to. I hope there's nothing like this in the future of this AP, and that this was the biggest loot drop we'll do in terms of longevity. LoF had this same issue; in fact, I hope you guys don't point out the parallels in these games, as I did when reading them.
In the meantime, I have all sorts of things in the making to help move us in and forward, but please give me enough time to prepare them.
Some of the people the past few days have talked to us as though they knew us already. Were they expecting us? I didn't think we had a reputation outside of Diamond Lake. I've never been here. At least, I don't think I've ever been here. I guess word can travel fast here.
Bright lights. Big city. How I have awaited this day! With an obnoxious amount of coin in pocket, I will finance a magical revolution of my own!
Aww the grand Free city, a nice place to get lost in. i can probably find some nice alchemical things here.
A good night's sleep followed by a scrumptious sausage breakfast. The Free City has welcomed me back graciously so far. After selling off the loot that we have amassed so far, we made some of the other merchants quite elated with our purchases. I think I may visit the spa as well.
We got settled in at the Crooked House today. A big crowd drew around some street performers and a caged chimera escaped and terrorized the streets of the Free City. 2 were killed. Shortly afterwards, a doppleganger stabbed our gnomish host at Crooked House Tarquin, blaming Leopold in the process. Eventually, we cleared Leopold of the attempted murder charges, but he instead was sent to jail for possession of poisons and other contraband. We went to go find him the next morning inside the jail-house, only to find both him and his impostor gone. We trailed his scent to an old warehouse known as Sodden Hold. Once inside, we were attacked by mimics. Next time, we will delve deeper into the Hold. What else will we find here?
That chimera was vicious. It needs more than a cage to contain a menace like that in the city. Next, Leopold gets himself arrested. Maybe it was fate, as his arrest lead us to the hideout of the doppleganger. Thanks to Nexus, a Mimic that ambushed us turned to stone, left with a Hazard-shaped impression on it. Who's behind all this, and why does he want us dead? Does he have any relation to Balabar Smenk? Dourstone? The Ebon Triad? Now that I think about it, we probably do have local enemies.
Those performers had no sense at all parading a truculent chimera through a crowd of simple peasants. The beast seemed to focus on Hazard, my assumption being his choice of weaponry. I did not wish to kill the poor thick creature, but my spell selection for that day had not reflected such. I must admit I was actually jubilant to have participated as little as I did, as I was treated to the majestic sight of Arathana's dervish dance.
As for the doppleganger, I feel we should have rendered him unconscious when we had the chance. Then maybe Leopold may not have put his poison in plain sight, and we wouldn't be searching for him as we speak.
The spa was invigorating, but upon arriving at the inn I discovered that one of our crew was taken to the prison. Maybe leaving him there over night gave him ample time to think about his actions. I do think it's funny that the guards "misplaced" him, though.
I got the chance to try out a new spell during the ensuing search. I thought the blades encircling my body were quite impressive. Stupid mimics... did they really think they would prevail?
So we made most of our way through Sodden Hold, fighting all sorts of Dopplegangers, including our own Dopplegamer Arathana, while avoiding the invisible stalkers altogether thanks to the revelation of their password. Upon finding a couple of prisoners, we decide it's best to keep them in their cells for their protection until we're done fighting. We free Leopold and the real Arathana in a mirrored hexagonal room. Oh, and there's a now-frozen giant octopus Nexus handled by himself. What's left of the Sodden Hold now that we've defeated the Greater Doppleganger?
When up against dopplegangers, I've realized that I take appearances for granted. Who knows who else was actually a nefarious killer in disguise? The guards could have been faked, even. I was pretty convinced by that fake Arathana, which concerns me. How did they know how she was? We had to have been observed since a little after we entered the city. How many eyes have been on us all this time? We're being targeted, and I intend to get to the bottom of this.
Getting captured by the dopplegangers was fun. I ended up getting saved by my friends, and apparently Arathana was tied up with me this whole time. i hope we can get to the bottom of all this craziness.
Is it too much to ask for a nice relaxing time at the spa? I settle into the chair for a facial when all of a sudden a strange aroma strikes my olfactory senses. Next thing I know I wake up tied to some damned post. To make matters worse, I feel violated, not physically but mentally; as though someone was swimming through my memories.
Nexus and Hazard came to my rescue, and Leopold's as well. I can't believe they thought that malevolent doppleganger was me. Yes well, I'm free and she's dead so....
Why would someone take the time and effort to attempt to replace us? There is more to this, and I believe the answers will be found when we get to whoever hired these criminals.
I should have been more prejudice in the application of my divination spells. I should have taken the time to check my friends when doppelgangers are about. At least they're safe now... At least I think it's them. Maybe?
Edit- Oh my! There must be another transmuter about for I have been smurfed.
Okay, clearing out the Sodden Hold, we faced 2 dopplegangers, 2 drow, an illithid, and one of Leopold's old friends. This battle was sort of interesting, sort of deadly. I see how good some spells can be in limited space, and that our book villain is potentially fatal. Good thing we have a new ally to help take care of him.
Am I magnetically attracting bolts and arrows? If it weren't for my allies' healing, I'd be long dead now. Speaking of magnets...
This energy coursing through my body has caused a few changes I hadn't noticed until recently, but I am definitely more agile and stronger than before. My reactions are quicker, and the tension of muscles provoked by shock nearly constantly have sparked my muscles' growth.
The greater doppleganger may have been more deadly in the long run, but I wasn't more afraid for my life until Leopold's old ally came to attack us. The paralyzing mind blast from the mind flayer was bad enough, but he was ruthless in capitalizing on it. Worse, he seemed to move into the shadows one place, and emerge another, disappearing entirely in the intervening space. A deadly foe I can see is terrible, but a deadly foe I can't is probably more terrifying. I'm relieved we won't have to worry about him for a good while now. The domination spell is equally brutal, from what I've heard, and Nexus' great timing there saved us. His skills may be great, and exactly what we need for what we may face in the future.
The moment I saw the squid-like face of that far-realm abomination, I knew we were looking at the mastermind behind the infiltration of the free city. His appearance explains the level of complexity involved in the doppelgangers plans. In that same moment I wished I had reacted fast enough to warn the others of his abilities. In one swift second I saw my friends lined up like ducks in a shooting gallery, waiting for the bolt that would do them in, while I could do nothing to help. There only salvation was what seemed like a moment of gracious avarice toward Leopold by that dark spirited spellcaster in the form of an Illusory noxious cloud. Having myself been out of magic, I was in no place to battle another caster. With nothing but hope that my next actions would work, I produced our recently acquired scroll of domination and cast the spell.
For once, Olidamara was on our side. The spell worked and the scorn ridden caster was mine to control. Now, all we need to do is use his information to stop this plot, return the victims to there proper place, and weed out the rest of the doppelgangers.
...Other than that, I have nine days to decide what to do with my thrall.
Finished up Sodden Hold this time, plus made significant headway into the Illithid's lair, facing several Drow, Shrieker mushrooms, a Spirit Naga that Leopold successfully intimidated, and we're in the middle of our battle with 5 Octopins. Qumajji is down on the ground and bleeding, thanks to the rending claws of said Octopins. Will we make it in time to save his life? Does the lair only get more dangerous from here?
Find out next week! *cues Dragon Ball Z music*
I have mixed feelings about that Qumajji guy. He was pretty scary before, but now that I just saw him laid out like that, it looks like staying in the light is not good for his health.
I was compelled, even if it was for only a second, to refer to Leopold as Mr. Frost. As a group we are entering this place of power where our old lives seem trivial, and our enemies more fantastic. At first, it was a mine manager. Now, it's a brain-devouring monster from beyond the stars. Who's to say our adventures end here?
Well, it turns out the lair proved fairly dangerous for us, but there were no casualties save for Qumajji.
That's what happens when we face a beastie with a +19 attack that's immune to electricity and can see through illusions while Nexus' spells are out and the other half of the party is dominated. And we survived it, um, how?
And we survived it, um, how?
Viable tactics, My friend.
Had Hazard not provoked the attention of that abomination for the slightest of moments, I would be off to Delleb's library right now! And had I not still had dispel magic, he wouldn't have been there to save me! We used what we had available and not only did we survive, we won (however, we were to busy fighting Leopold to know we defeated it).
As for Qumajji, I feel sorry for his passing, but he was the enemy. Had it not been for mental manipulation, he would still have had the mindset to kill us. If anything, I regret not having had enough time to "change his attitude".
...
...
...
*cough*Helmofoppositealignment**cough...
...
*cough*Helmofoppositealignment**cough...
Nexus, would you like me to talk to Leopold about fixing you an elixir for that cough?
But seriously... why can't I just be me? First I get body napped by a doppleganger, then when I get the chance to fight again I get stunned, now I find out I was dominated by some giant marble brain?!? I pray my companions accept my apologies for attacking them.
I think I'll go shopping with one of the guys rather than alone. I don't want to take any chances.
after being dominated i think i may have unlock something more primal. i feel that i can't control myself sometimes, and what happened while i was dominated may be a glimpse of the future. i fear for my companions lives that i will have to take precautions to ensure that i might not happen.
So there it is, then, the final (augmented) boss battle, and we still win easily. I'm working on that issue, and I don't have a permanent solution in place yet, but just know that players come first, and I want you guys to have fun.
Yay book transition. They're not usually smooth, but I think I'm getting better at it. Next up is delving deep into Champion's Belt.
So much for finding the end of the trail. All that sewer walking, deep cover investigations going off the smallest leads, and we still have the mastermind out of our grasp. What's worse, is that there's no telling if Raknian's it either. How deep does our fate delve us?
meow
A staged battle for sport... could be fun. Maybe I'll actually get to use some of my abilities this time...........
The Free Dinner event went down without too much incident, though several things were made clear. Auric is in league with Raknian, though it's unclear how much he knows. Auric's elven friend has ties in the Thieves' Guild that are stronger than the ones in her current adventuring party. Raknian himself is much beloved, which makes open hostility a really bad idea.
Our first coliseum battle went over fairly well, and we easily secure our place in the next round. It only gets harder from here, though, so we may not go through unscathed.
For the first time in my life I fought for something other than my life. A nice change of pace, though I'm not sure if the arena is my place. It felt good, though; the cheering crowd. Outside, nobody likes me, but in there, I was a warrior. This distraction from our goal has taken my attention.
R.I.P. Leopold Frost
Whenever something didn't go your way, your solution was to try harder. We'll never forget the lesson: give it your best, and you might surprise yourself with success.
R.I.P. Nexus Exodus
There is an air of dignity that is lost without you. Thank you for bringing the royal treatment to our band of heroes.
I am greatly saddened by our loss. In the end, it looks like Raknian was at least partially successful in his endeavor, even if he had no influence on the outcome of the day's events.
My question is, what do we do now?
I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at the monastery, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined the trails... And the first time I saw my brand new spellbook... And Alustan... And Leopold... And Hazard... And... Arathana. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.
Goodbye my friends.
This is not good.
Now the guild will definitely have to intervine.
Well, we've got our new characters in, and just in time for the next coliseum battle. We faced 3 blood amniotes and one blood-sucking swarm with not too much issue, though that room was a little gruesome (floating, bleeding, giant, beating heart producing a river of blood, that in one room over was being lapped up by some vampires. Those Ghoul Warrens need a better name to accommodate crazy things like that going on in there).
The next team is known as Pitch Blade. We know of them, but not much of what they do. After a failed attempt at sabotage/murder, we know these guys play dirty. Let the games begin.
At first I was very uneasy with those two, but it turns out I had no choice but to trust them. After all, who would come to us, saying they're allies, when they're associated with the thieves' guild, and their contact in the guild is our known rival. It's too bad of a lie for someone to make up. Besides, we need their skills now more than ever before. The road we walk is dangerous, Leopold and Nexus proved that.
This will not make it easier for me to sleep, though.
Our fight with Pitch Blade was fairly intense, but we managed just fine. Afterwards, looking all around under the arena, we came across a "bloodfall" that led to a large open pit full of ghouls (okay, the Ghoul Warrens name makes sense now. What they're doing there doesn't really, but we don't need to worry too much about them now). Some wandering later we find a place under the understructure of the arena with 9 Kyuss zombies and a Mohrg (so far) the Apostolic Scroll already activated. The Ulgurstasta within a large impenetrable barrier like a giant translucent green egg is steadily growing inside.