19970405 FirstPlateau

<H1> First Trip Across the Plateau </H1>
<BR><P>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
</P>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TH> Name </TH>
 <TH> Profession and Level </TH>
 <TH> Player </TH>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Grackle </TD>
 <TD> 2nd/2nd Half-Elf Fighter/Thief </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Daeron </TD>
 <TD> 3rd Elf Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Bayliss </TD>
 <TD> 1st Human Ranger </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Prince Donner </TD>
 <TD> 3rd Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Colin </TD>
 <TD> 3rd Human Fighter </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR><P>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
</P>
<H3> The Road Less Taken </H3>
<P>
Colin tells the party of his earlier encounter with the Doppleganger.
</P>
 XXXX TODO:
 Colin's story
<P>
Grackle uses the crystal given to him earlier to talk to Seledan and
get an update on the situation. Apparently, the combat went well and
they are continuing with faking Donner's death. He reiterates his
message about going into hiding, and recommends that Donner attempt to
stay low-key and anonymous. Upon receiving this advice, Donner takes
the alias Derek.
</P>
<P>
The party reaches the city of Falling Rock. The group gets to an inn
and begins finding out more about what's going on in the town. Donner
makes some inquiries about the lizard men.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Donner:</B> So, I hear there used to be a bunch of lizard men in this area.
<P>
<B>Dwarf 1:</B> Yeah, but we chased them out of this area. They were
 dangerous you know?
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> Really?
</P>
<P>
<B>Dwarf 1:</B> Yup. We were just digging around and they started making
 noises and chasing our men around. After that, we had
		to get them out of the area.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> You couldn't just work things out and live together
 peacefully?
</P>
<P>
<B>Dwarf 2:</B> There was no way. Have you ever seen those creatures
 up and close? Those lizard creatures were dangerous
		I tell you. We had to get rid of them, if only to make
		sure that this place was safe for our children.
</P>
<P>
<B>Donner:</B> I see. Well, thanks for the information.
</P>
<P>
<B>Dwarf 1:</B> No problem.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
This is the party's first time near the Plateau. Now that they are
within walking distance, they can observe it more closely. As far
as the eye can see, there is a giant ridge which runs north-south
and appears to be several hundred feet high. Even more strange are
the ominous and dark clouds which also run right up to the edge
of the Plateau.
</P>
<P>
In the meantime, the rest of the party has gone to find a guide for
the area. They are deciding between going down into the Underdark (it
is rumored that there is an entrance at Falling Rock) and going up
to the Plateau. Given the party's inability to see in the dark, they
decide to investigate travelling on the Plateau.
</P>
<P>
Grackle talks to a gnome, Glimmerrock, who takes the party to a
supply shop run by a Thorson dwarf.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Thorson:</B> So, what can I do for you gentlemen?
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> I understand that you can tell us something about travelling
 on the Plateau.
</P>
<P>
<B>Thorson:</B> Yeah, I've got gear for travelling up there. (Eyes the
 party) I take it that none of you have ever been up there?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> You'd be right about that. Can you tell us about what
 we might need?
</P>
<P>
<B>Thorson:</B> Sure. I've got the standard Plateau packs. Since you
 haven't been up there before, I'd recommend that you
		get a guide to go with you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Sounds like a good idea. Can you recommend a guide?
</P>
<P>
<B>Thorson:</B> (Points at Glimmerrock) Sure, Glimmerrock has done
 this sort of thing before.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Well, I see. (To Glimmerrock) We'll have to talk about
 that. What's the price of a Plateau pack?
</P>
<P>
<B>Thorson:</B> 30 gold.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Okay, I think we'll be back.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3> First Contact and More </H3>
<P>
After some discussion, the group decides to hire Glimmerrock (100 GP
per week) to act as their guide on the Plateau. The group buys
Plateau packs and leaves the next day for the Plateau. Apparently,
there is a giant pully run by the dwarves which can take people up to
the top of the cliff.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Dwarf:</B> Do you want to buy a one-way or a two-way ticket?
<P>
<B>Bayliss:</B> Why would I want to buy a two-way? Couldn't I just
 pay for it when I get back?
</P>
<P>
<B>Dwarf:</B> Sure you can. But I gotta tell you, I've seen lots of
 adventurers come back with nothing but the clothes on
	 their back and creatures chasing them, and they haven't
	 got the money to get a trip back down.
</P>
<P>
<B>Bayliss:</B> Uh, I'll take a two-way ticket.
</P>
<P>
<B>(Party):</B> Us too.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
That evening, Glimmerrock instructs the party in the use of the
Plateau equipment they've bought--including NoScent for masking their
odors, camouflaged tents, and lightless cooking sticks. He also tells
the party that many dangerous creatures (including shapeshifters)
can be found on the Plateau and that they should be careful. Given
their new knowledge, the party heads East, towards the closest
civilization on the Plateau, a village called Home.
</P>
<P>
On the first day, the party passes a dwarven platoon, which gives
them a wide berth. Later that day, the group spots a single human
walking on the Plateau, whom they also avoid. The party continues
on. That evening, they spot the same individual fighting seven
raptor-like creatures. Despite Glimmerrock's advice to avoid trouble,
they draw weapons and run to help the individual. After a protracted
battle with the remaining injured raptors, the party manages to
kill all the creatures.
</P>
<P>
Later, Daeron heals the party and the new individual. After a few
hours the individual wakes up and looks around at the party.
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Daeron:</B> I am Daeron, Priest of Corellon Larethian.
<P>
<B>Human:</B> (Silence)
</P>
<P>
<B>Daeron:</B> I healed you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Human:</B> (Grunts) Thanks.
</P>
<P>
<B>Daeron:</B> (Introduces the rest of the party)
</P>
<P>
<B>Human:</B> (Points at himself) Borse.
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Borse rummages around in his pack and pulls out a stone. He hands it
to Daeron. He then stands up and walks off. Later that evening, a
gorger (a giant golden gopher) skirts the camp, but they avoid
attempting a conflict.
</P>
<P>
The next morning, Glimmerrock argues with the party about their
collective wisdom. He emphasizes avoiding conflict and warns the
party about the fact that they can encounter some creatures, like
the "dragon king" which will eat up the party without
effort. During the day, his words prove prophetic as they see
a "dragon king" (T-Rex). They decide to lay low and let
the creature walk past.
</P>
<P>
That night at camp, the party is attacked by a remmorhaz. Several
party members are tossed around and knocked unconscious. After
Donner's last blow, the creature appears to attempt one last
attack and die (it was actually killed by Daeron's Spiritual Hammer).
</P>
<P>
Donner and Colin proceed to strip the creature of its skin and
take some of the liquids from its body. They move away and make
a new camp for resting and healing. The next day is spent resting
and healing, while Glimmerrock admits to being impressed with the
party's capabilities.
</P>
<P>
On the fourth day, the party is spotted by a group of wemics. They
change direction to meet the party. Donner goes up and parlays
with the leader. He ovvers 10 arrows and a bastard sword in
exchange for "guaranteed safety". The wemics begin
escorting the party to Home.
</P>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> <B>Day 5:</B> </TD>
 <TD> The day passes uneventfully. </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> <B>Day 6:</B> </TD>
 <TD> They party passes a party of Thorson dwarves. Later, the
 party passes a group of winter wolves. </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> <B>Day 7:</B> </TD>
 <TD> The wemics guide the party through an old gorger habitat and safely to Home.
 </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<P>
Home appears to be a relatively small village. The entire village
is surrounded by standing stones with runes carved with them. The
party is slightly confused as to how the stones protect the village,
but Glimmerrock walks ahead of the party between the stones. As
the party passes through, Grackle finds himself in a grey fog.
He sees four ghostly figures. One of them speaks:
</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Hooded Figure:</B> Do you bring harm to those who live here?
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> No
</P>
<P>
<B>Hooded Figure:</B> Do you work for those who bring harm here?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> No
</P>
<P>
<B>Hooded Figure:</B> Know that if you bring harm here, we will destroy you.
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> (Finds himself back in the party) Uh, did you guys see that?
</P>
<P>
<B>Daeron:</B> See what?
</P>
<P>
<B>Grackle:</B> Never mind.
</P>
<P>
<B>Glimmerrock:</B> (Eyes Grackle, and sides away from him)
</P>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>
Thus, the party has safely made their first trip across the Plateau.
</P>
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
7 Raptors
<BR>
1 Golden Gorger
<BR>
1 Tyranasaurous Rex
<BR>
1 Remmorhaz
<BR>
12 Wemics
</P>
<P>
Base Experience: 3984
</P>