Hey, thanks for checking out my post.
This is my first time DMing something, a couple of my players are DMs and were looking for someone to run this for them so they could play in something. I figured I was up to the challenge, so I said I'd give it a shot.
I made use of the Check List one of the other users posted, sorry I have forgotten your name :( And printed some maps to make keeping track of where the PCs have gone easier.
First, I am gonna say I am going to allow my players to read this thread if they would like to, so please dont post any spoilers.
Alright, onto the party. I asked by players to give me a short background on their characters for role playing sake, but I dont have each of them handy at the moment so I will post descriptions and a brief back story later.
Sir Titan Stoutblade human wizard, played by Eric.
Titan is a member of the Jenivere's crew, and thus was aboard the entire trip.
Balazar the human cleric of Sarenrae, played by Clark.
Balazar boarded in Magnimar along with Gelik and Ieana, and thus was on board the entire trip.
Rat Wulfbane the dwarf ranger, played by Paul.
Rat boarded the Jenivere in Corentyn along with Jask.
Félix the "human" (tiefling) bard, played by Jon.
Félix boarded the Jenivere in Ilizmagorti along with Sasha.
Jamal Esimail the human fighter, played by Monik.
Jamal boarded the Jenivere in Bloodcove along with Ishirou.
The only NPC that did not have a PC board in the same port as them was Aerys.
I had the Jenivere set sail from Magnimar on the first of Gozran (April), this allowed me to have the AP start in "the height of summer" on the fifteenth of Erastus (July).
Alright, as I started the AP I gave the players the back ground on the Jenivere, how she has made the voyage to Eledar many times. I described to them each NPC that boarded the ship and allowed them some time to try some role play with them.
The PCs became interested in Ieana as she would lock herself away to study. They tried to interact with her, but she was dedicated to her studies and wouldnt have any of it.
All in all, interactions between the PCs and the NPCs went well, Gelik wsa slightly disliked at first being a stuck up gnome. The PCs were weary of Jask, being the convict, and wondered why he was even being transported ("because it gets me money" said Captain Kovack, and she is my ship). They were also a little weary about Sasha being that she has the mark of the Red Mantis. Aerys drank herself into a stupor for most the journey, while Ishirou cleaned his armor and blade.
As time went by, the dwarf became sick of the cook's soup, and was ready to have words with him when the captain asks everyone to sit down for a final dinner as they approach Eleder.
Rat was the first of the PCs to wake up on the beach, he quickly realized the was being attacked and reached for his axe, which he noticed was stacked in a pile along with his armor and the other PCs weapons.
The Eurypterids were quickly dispatched with little effort. After everyone had come to and gathered their weapons and armor they noticed that many of their other items seemed to be missing (the wizards spell books being of concern).
In the pile of gear Rat found a strange scroll case with odd snake designs on it. Inside he found a map of an island he had never seen before which appeared to be located in Desperation Bay. A quick survival check allowed him to realize that the island they are on and the island on the map must be one and the same, he also determined that this may in fact even be the island known as Smuggler's Shiv.
The PCs also noted the foot prints that appeared to travel back and forth from the water and came to the conclusion that this could not have been an accident. Shortly after the NPCs woke up, they noticed the wreck of the Jenivere just off the coast.
With this, Rat and Titan went off the the wreck to see what they could find, while Balazar, Félix and Jamal stayed with the NPCs.
Rat and Titan found all the loot left on the Jenivere as well as all the gear they were missing (yay spell books), and they find the cook's body (although no heal check ws rolled), and Alton's body.
So after returning with the goods, camp is set up and shortly after the PCs have their first random encounter with a cannibal. Félix tired to approach the lone cannibal, but was charged when he did so. Failing to hit, he was then knocked out by a blast of colour spray from the wizard, combat over. They tie the cannibal up and attempt to talk to him, but the cannibal just spits at them and expresses himself with extremely vulgar language. When threatened with violence the cannibal says he will soon be able to join "Mother Thrunefang". He is then killed.
With camp set up a watch order was established. On the first night the strange greenish radiance of the island's shores caught the attention of the bard, he the fighter and ranger went to investigate. A successful, Knowledge Nature check allowed the ranger to know that this is both a natural and supernatural phenomenon. A failed perception check allowed the PCs to notice a figure out in the water but they couldnt make out what it was.
That night Titan experiences Nightmare #3.
Now with somewhat of a base camp, the PCs decide to do some exploring. They dont stray to far from camp. Some snakes are encountered at the north most C2, while back at camp the traps set up deal with 3 more snakes rolled for a random encounter.
Over the next couple days some more exploring is done, and the attitude of Aerys, Gelik and Jask is brought up to friendly. Ishirou seems to be indifferent while Sasha is unfriendly with everyone. Also, Gelik Ishirou and Sasha seem to be having trouble keeping their moral up as the fluctuate between shaken and frightened.
On day 3 the PCs decide if they want to explore there are going to have to move camp, with a successful Survival roll, it only takes about an hour to pack camp up and move out. The PCs decide it is a good idea to move west for now, and explore the "shiv" of the island.
Doing so the come across the wreck of the Tattooed Lady, were they find a small amount of gold, and a couple nests of Dimorphodons. In both cases of the nests, they dispatch the flying animals with ease and are able to find some eggs.
Also, while returning to camp on the 4th day, the PCs encounter a pair of jungle goats for the first time. The ranger attempted a handle animal check, but failed, and had the goats charge him. The wizard runs up and with another use of colour spray is able to knock out one of the goats, while the other makes a nat 20 save and then full retreats back into the jungle.
During the night of the 4th day, the cleric experiences nightmare #1.
While finishing up the exploration of the "shiv" and on their way back to camp, the PCs come across a trail of blood that leads to the body of a goat at the bottom of cliff.
We ended session one at 10 pm on the end of day 5.
It took a while, but here is session number 2
We picked up from where we left off, 10 pm of the 5th day. The NPCs had set up camp so the players decided to call it a night.
The night was for the most part uneventful. Although, during his watch Ishirou felt as though he was being watch by something in the night. The next morning, Rat told everyone that he had a strange dream in which everyone was gathered around the camp fire and felt as though he was being watched by something. Ishirou mentioned the feeling he had and the two came to the conclusion that they both felt they were being watch from the same point in the jungle. Upon inspection they found a pool of smeared red blood with seemingly no source nearby.
After this, camp was packed up and everyone headed out. They east and found the wreck of the Tears of Grog, where they found some treasures after dealing with 2 pirate skeletons.
More exploration was done. They found a path down some cliffs and followed it to the beach. They followed the beach to a small lagoon that seemed to have been recently used as a camp for a short time. Here they found Captain Kovack's tricorn hat and some scarves that once belonged to Ieana. Suspicion began to rise about these 2 having crashed the ship on purpose.
After exploring the coast a little, they double backed through the old camp to set up for the night, only to find it infested with Dire Rats. Félix and Rat may have both contracted filth fever due to the encounter.
The PCs decided to set up camp and rest, when they awoke the next morning they seemed to have levelled up.
Heading inland, they came across a river and had finally found a sufficient source of drinking water.
A venomous snake was encounter near its tree hole home. Rat tied a torch to his 10ft pole and tried to smoke the snake out, but it was not in its home and tried to attack Jamal from behind, failing to do so. The snake was dispatched easy and Rat skinned it, in the attempt to make snake skin boots for Aerys.
They ended up crossing the "shiv" to the other side, where Félix and Jamal attempted to climb down the cliff while Titan set up a rope. Both ended up failing their climbs checks and began to fall only to be saved by Rat and Titan from certain death. Climbing down the now safe rope, the followed the beach south where they encountered a Giant Crab, which had its weak spot attacked for massive damage and was then boiled.
Doubling back and returning to the river, they decided to follow it for a while and found the Viper Nettle bushes. Here Rat and Félix were able to pick all off the berries while managing to not scratch themselves on the thorns. Rat gave some berries to Aerys in attempt to cure her alcoholism. She thanked the party by allowing them to read her epic.
More exploration was done and they found the Golden Bow. Félix almost drowned trying to swim out to it, saved by Rat who returned him to shore. Titan and Rat then both swam out to the wreck with no armour.
On board they were attacked by 4 zombies, who had a hard time hitting them even with no armour, although some injuries were sustained. Some gold was found in a treasure chest along with some valuable paintings.
At some point, Sasha was made friendly while Ishirou became unfriendly while talking with the undiplomatic cleric.
The session ended with the party being attacked by a flock of Pterosaurs while at camp, 2 parents and 2 chicks. Remembering that Sasha had mentioned she found them cute and wanted one as a pet, the PCs were able to knock one of the babies out and tie it up. She was overjoyed and offered to teach the PCs her special training.
We stopped at 2 pm of the 8th day, after the PCs spent 8 hours training with Sasha.
Thanks, I enjoy reading yer journal. I hope ye find the GM:ing experience pleasant and continue yer career for long. I see lots of promise and skill in ye.
Yep, I'm enjoying it too. I'll be running this campaign in a few months but have yet to read through it, this is a nice little appetiser!
Good stuff
Sorry it has been so long. I have been keeping notes from each session, but keep forgetting to update my posts here.
Forgvie me :P
Anyway, here is session 3, from over a month ago haha.
We picked up at 2 pm of the 8th day. The PCs had finished their training with Sasha, getting their +1 initiative checks.
With most the day gone, the party decided to leave camp where it was, and do a little exploring before the end of the day. During the exploring, they encountered a constrictor snake near its nest while it was trying to get the drop on them, literally (out its tree home), but were able to dispatch it with ease.
The next morning, Rat rolled a successful save, and was not affected by filth fever.
After a hearty breakfast of snake steaks, camp was packed up and the party continued to explore.
A giant spider was rolled as a random encounter, but it was easily taken care of as well.
That night around 7pm, Rat opted to set up camp on his own while the other PCs and the NPCs continued to explore. They ended up coming across the Brine Demon and encountered the ghost of Captain Kinkarian. The ghost paid little attention to the PCs and only mutters to himself about his love and his hatred of his crew.
Upon exploring the Brine Demon, the PCs find the locket and the documents that prove Jask innocence. With the items in tow, the PCs return to camp.
Again, camp was packed up and more exploration was done. They PCs decided to cross back to the other side of the "hilt" of the "shiv" where they encountered a lone giant crab on the beach. After the crab went down, a crab swarm came out of the surf and attacked. Knowing they had no way to defeat the swarm, the PCs retreated into the safety of the jungle to get away. (I somehow managed to miss the Bloody Doll camp, s!*~).
Exploration was continued along the beach until they found a highly used trial. They decided to follow it. Rat walked a head of the group, and was nearly caught in the first spike snare, but Balazar was somehow able to spot it before he was. Rat was then caught in the next trap before he realized they should be keeping an eye out for them. The next trap was avoided and eventually they came across the Crow's Tooth camp. Rat found the dagger with the Red Mantis mark on it, and Sasha was able to confirm that she had heard a Red Mantis ship called the Crow's Tooth was said to have sunk near Desperation Bay.
Thinking with a good watch set, this would be a safe place to camp, the PC did just that. During that night, around 10pm, the ghost of Captain Kinkarian appeared in the fire demanding his love returned to him. He attacked Jamal who was on watch, while Sasha woke everyone else up.
Jamal showed Kinkarian the locket and he remained fascinated on it while the other PCs attacked him (because I think I did this wrong, shrug). The ghost was destroyed.
Packing up camp, they followed the path back into the jungle. Rat was again caught in some snare traps, but did not suffer any damage as the traps failed to swing him into their spikes. Making their way into the ambush gulch, Rat was again caught by it. Deciding it was a better idea to try and climb the slope Rat noticed that he was actually being pulled up the slope instead. Titan noticed this to and saw a humanoid shape in the brush above them. Casting enlarge person on Rat causing the ropes to break from the massive weight increase.
Scrambling up the slope, Rat and Titan attempted to follow the ambusher, but when he fled into the river they were unable to track him any further.
Heading back to the trail, they continued following it. The next trap found at a fork was avoided, but the next was not. Again Rat found himself setting off a trap; this time however, he was slammed into the spikes of the trap.
Recovering from the injuries, Rat told the group to press on. And they continued to follow the path towards Red Mountain.
The group came across the rope bridge at W, with an engineering check Felix was able to determine that if more than one person were to cross, the bridge would break. Titan tied a rope to Rat who was able to cross, but not without some of the ropes breaking.
Jamal crossed next, tying his rope to one end and himself, Felix followed next, then Titan who tied one of his ropes to the cleric. Balazar crossed last, and failed his climb check, and fell onto the old bridge causing it to snap under his weight. Luckily he was tied to Titan and was sung into the cliff instead of falling to his demise.
Remembering Jask's proposal to train them, everyone decided to set up camp and spend the rest of the day training with the cleric.
The next morning, camp was packed up and they continued to the Tide Stones, where things got interesting.
Felix decided to investigate the stones while the rest of the party continued up the mountain. At the top they passed a perception check to see the grey island, the lighthouse and the treasure pit. They also noticed a boat sailing toward the island from the east.
A knowledge religion check was able to the party that know the snake runes on the four monoliths likely indicated Ydersius, and a knowledge history check was enough to know rumours about the Cult of Zura being in the general region thousands of years ago.
Felix decided to try and blindly activate the "alter". After 20 minutes or so of trying, he was eventually able to activate it, resulting in a 10d6 bolt of lightning killing him. This is the first death of the campaign. RIP Felix.
The dramatic display alerted the nearby chupacabra of the PCs presence. Curious about the sounds, the beast flew up out of its nest and attacked the party. It used a combination of Flyby Attack, and acrobatics checks to attempt to attack Jamal. But the party was able to attacks on it by holding their actions for it to come close.
After being reduced to 15 hit points, the creature fled back towards its nest in the cleft. That party rushed over to the cliff and attempted to find it, but a natural 20 on its stealth check made it practically invisible.
Rat decided to risk the rope bridges and climbed down the first one, while Titan, who had used Enlarge Person on himself, tried to climb down the cliff 5 feet at a time. After climbing down 20 feet, the chupacabra attempted a flyby bite attack on the wizard. The attack hit, but did little damage. Titan then held his action for the beast to come within 15 feet of him to cast a spell. When the creature attempted to bull rush Titan, he cast Colour Spray on it, stunning the beast causing it to fall to its death.
The party looted the creature’s nest, and we ended the session for the night.
And here we have most of the player's back history, altough I am still missing Jamal's D: <
I also need find Rat's again, so it will be posted later.
Titan, raised in Bervoy, is the youngest son of a lesser noble. When returning home from vacation when he was 8, he witnessed a group of bandits murder his grandfather and mother before his eyes. After seeing his mother cast the spell "Burning Hands", he picked up his grandfather's blade, and was able to kill the last bandit before passing out from shock.
A travelling wizard found the boy and returned him home. No matter what his father did, Titan would not give up his grandfather's sword. The event left Titan emotionally scarred and socially awkward.
At age 15, Titan was sent to Korvosa to be trained at Vencarlo's Academy. But when he arrived, Titan decided instead to follow the path of his mother and chose to learn the arcane arts. When the plague broke out in Korosa, Titan was able to flee the city.
When he returned home, the warm welcome was cut short when he informed his father he trained in magic. Infuriated with the boy, Titan was beaten to an inch of his life by his father. Escaping with nothing but the cloths on his back, his sword and a few spell books, Titan fled to the city of Magnamar where he eventually joined the crew of the Jenivere.
A tall man with long "fur" for hair, which he claims to dye like a tiger, Félix was born of a Rakshasa father and a human mother. Alone for most of his life, his mother died during child birth, and realizing what he was, one of the midwives, a follower of Norgorber, took Félix and stole him away in a hidden temple.
Art, History, and Travel are the things that interested Félix. When he was old enough, he headed out to travel. He spent his life living inn to inn, tent to tent, using his silver tongue to talk his way into and out of trouble, always knowing that while he was not human he could always pass as one.
Going wherever the money was good, his travels eventually brought Félix to the Mwangi Expanse where he worked with the Pathfinders to find a magical statuette. Sooner after, he was confronted by an elf from the Aspic Consortium who offered him double for the statuette. After conning the Pathfinders, he travelled north to deliver the artefact where he was set up by the same elf and arrested.
After spending 4 years in prison, Félix is ready to head out and start over. He travelled to Ilizmagorti where he eventually boards the Jenivere on her way to the Mwangi Expanse.
In the bustling city of Magnimar, few clerics of Sarenrae had achieved the level of grace and piety as Balazar. As one of the Everlight’s most faithful, Balazar learned that only through temperance and patience in all things could the path to redemption be found.
This all changed on the eve of summer solstice. Balazar had made his way to Irespan where his clergy would gather for their yearly retreat. Dismayed by his tardiness, Balazar was greeted not by fellow custodians of the Healing Flame, but by a dark caravan blocking the misty trail to the gatehouse. A decrepit gypsy that appeared, her clothing and accouterments were decidedly Varisian, but decorated with strange snake-like designs. In a soft and unsettling voice she addressed the young cleric:
“You must travel to Sargava, priest, birthplace of the Azlanti. Only there will you find the answers you seek and bring peace to the fallen.”
The old gypsy climbed back inside and vanished into the blowing mist. Heart racing, Balazar hurried into the ruins to find that his fellow clergy had all been slain. Blood covered the ancient marble floors and pillars of the courtroom. The only clue as to how they had met their grisly fate lay in a rudimentary map still clutched in a pale and bloodied hand, depicting the path to a nearby ship port, and the name "Jenivere" scribbled across the paper.
Praying for guidance, Balazar attempted to calm his mind and commune with the Sun Goddess. Reminded that while compassion and peace are among the Dawnflower’s most revered tenants, there are forces of evil that find glory only in slaughter and death; those that are beyond redemption.
With renewed focus, Balazar returned to his church to gather up as much worldly items and religious artefacts as his horse and cart could carry, for under the guise of a merchant, he would travel to the south continent of Garund for answers. He would find those responsible for the deaths of his brothers and sisters and bring them to swift justice.