Eskarya Reports

This page serves as an account for the journeys made out into the lands of Eskarya by adventurers brash and bold.

## (06/05/19) - Kythorn 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Amdia Zotudi
* Halvar Fireforge
* Lerissa Torment
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Vyodros

Upon arriving at the improvised stronghold of Fort Eskarya, a previously abandoned holdfast now occupied by the Lord's Alliance, the adventurers are introduced to Lord Aldwin Thorne, his trusty hound Eskarya and his assistant Bravenheim. They are tasked with exploring the lands beyond and are informed that so far scouts have located a chapel to the north, a ruined fort to the east and an unknown threat to the north-east from which the scouting party has not returned. At Vyodros' suggestion, the party set out north to the chapel, but upon entering the forests to the north of the fort are quickly set upon by a pack of wolves. Vyodros and Jamaal are slain, but through the efforts of the rest of the party, they are returned to Fort Eskarya and revived.

While Jamaal proves more hesitant following the encounter, Vyodros is only emboldened by the experience, and once more the party sets off north to the chapel, this time through the grasslands as to give the forest a wide berth. Vyodros' brashness serves to punish him when he triggers a crossbow trap upon their arrival to the church, which they find to be inhabited by goblins under the leadership of Boss Slug, a goblin clad in chainmail. While successful in dispatching the goblins, the party disturbs a spectre lingering within the skeleton of a long-dead soul, and learns that the crypts beneath the chapel are filled with undead - seemingly commanded by a sentient being. Through his investigations, Vyodros surmises that the place of worship is dedicated to a nature deity called Kaarin, although much time has passed since the chapel was seemingly in use. The ruins are filled with tracks of wolves and goblins, as well as an old trail of a strange blood-like substance. With the sun setting, the party fortifies within the larder, and takes watches. At night, Jamaal observes robbed figures taking the bodies of the fallen goblins and offering them to a large solitary tree in a courtyard within the chapel grounds, prompting floral growth from the soil where the bodies were laid. Come the morning, there is little evidence of the offering, and so, after discovering what appear to be four barrels filled with valuable vintages of wine decide to return to Fort Eskarya, in hope of obtaining a cart to aid in their pillaging. Travelling once again around the forests, they are instead set upon by a trio of giant vultures on the plains. The birds are quickly dealt with by Amdia's quarterstaff and Vyodros' mace, and the party arrives back at the fort once more.

## (13/05/19) - Kythorn 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Halvar Fireforge
* Lerissa Torment
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Manyn Runda †
* Vyodros

Setting out into an unnaturally heavy rain harrying them, the party travelled once again for the Chapel, seeking to retrieve the barrels of wine. As they travel along the coast, they spied five figures ahead speaking some unknown language. Fired upon suddenly by the figures, which turn out to be gnolls, the party engage. After two of their number are slain, they turned to flee, only for a third to be cut down by Lerissa as it tried to run. After looting arrows, they discovered a crude sigil of a wolf's head set into a clawed golden frame. The party was later ambushed by further members of the faction later on that same expedition by a group led by a Gnoll Pack Lord and a Giant Hyena, which were eventually defeated - although Vyodros was nearly slain in the process.

After taking a short break, the party continued onwards and arrives at the Chapel of Kaarin. They found the entrance-way to be inhabited by twig blights which Manyn set ablaze, garnering the ire of a number of needle blights. Once they were destroyed, primarily by the burning hands of Manyn, Halvar discovered a dryad warning them in Elvish of disrupting the Tree of Life, the Tree of Kaarin. Alton, after explaining the party's intention to deaf ears turns to deception and then to threats when this fails. Alton, Halvar and Jamaal are restrained by magical vines that bind their feet, prompting Manyn to set the tree in the central courtyard ablaze with a firebolt. The tree animates, revealing itself to be a Treant that promptly flattens Manyn with a single strike. While Alton weeps for his fallen friend, the party set up for the night shortly after the Treant returning to his tree form, watched over by the dryad. When Alton later tried to communicate with her again, she offered nothing but warnings and prophesies of betrayal, before vanishing. Come the morning, Manyn's body was offered up in the courtyard in the Chapel by Alton, after which a vine blight with golden tendrils grows in his place. It did not respond to Alton's attempts to communicate, instead journeying further into the ruined church. Having collected up the wine, the party - down one member - returned to Fort Eskarya, selling the vintages for a total of 300gp.

## (07/07/19) - Flamerule 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Halvar Fireforge
* Lerissa Torment
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Amdia Zotudi

The party set out to the north-east, in the hope of finding the tracks of the lost scouts that ventured out in the hope of finding valuable ores in an abandoned mine. Upon the first night, Lerissa spotted a a troupe of Kenku who swiftly pointed at the party's belongings in a demanding way. Halvar, refusing, immediately use artificer magic to conjure a contraption that exuded breaths of fire like a dragon. A battle ensued, as the Kenku ran, disengaged, and returned. With two of the Kenku slain, other remaining two ran and hid, but not before stealing Halvar's bag of belongings. An hour later and the Kenku returned, attempting to steal Amdia's bag, but Jamaal stayed awake and alert, firing arrows through the darkness to slay them both as they fled.

Continuing on, the party found the entrance to a mine shaft at the base of the mountain range. See the banners of the gnoll tribe, and the hunting hyena pack in the courtyard, the party quickly dispatched them after a failed attempt to approach stealthily. A short rest to regain their strength and they entered one of the three mines. Finding dead gnolls and hyenas, with stalactites protruding through skulls and surrounded by rocks, they approached cautiously, but it was not even to stop Lerissa and Halvar being attacked by darkmantles and piercers, disguised as stalagmites. Lengthy battles with the monstrosities, and they were defeated. Continuing deeper into the mine, they found the three scouts that had been send out by Lord Aldwin Thorne.

Stealthily scouting ahead, Jamaal silently killed the on guard hyena, but was not so lucky as he fired at the fiendish gnoll who seemed to be guarding a room of treasure. With a battle ensuing, Lerissa harnessed her radiant energy to defeat the gnoll with the help of Halvar, as Jamaal was taken aback by another darkmantle which attacked at the worst possible moment.

Amongst the hundreds of gold worth of treasure found at the mine, it was a black dagger that was of most interest to the party. Which, upon touch, spoke to those who held it. After passing a few hands, Amdia tucked the blade safely into her belt, much to the blade's disgruntlement as he begged for kinship and conversation.

The next night, as whispers grew in the party's minds, Halvar was bewitched and attempted to steal the blade from Amdia's belt. Shortly after attempting to beguile Lerissa. After confronting the sentient blade, it was introduced as Vanir. He promised Amdia that he would stop attempting to charm and enchant her companions, if only she would let him in and allow him to present her with great power. Reluctantly agreeing, Amdia took time to attune to the blade, and with Vanir, gaining great powers in the process. No longer able to shut out the voice of Vanir, the two were entwined and connected, as a pact was formed between the Great Old One and the monk.

## (20/07/19) - Flamerule 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Artos Úrath
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Lerissa Torment
* Amdia Zotudi
* Irnar Firebeard

The party first set out north-east towards an Ettin’s cave, hoping to scout out the area, but were met by an Oni named Rairaku, who claimed that he was the leader of the land and was allying with the settlers of the cave. He also told the party members to leave the land. A fight broke out between Rairaku and the party and Rairaku demonstrated his ability to turn invisible. After becoming visible once more and knocking out members of the party with a wave of ice, the Oni said that he would kill one member of the party. Grabbing Lerissa and flying upwards, he fulfilled that promise, dropping the tiefling from two-hundred feet up. Warning the party once more, Rairaku assumed Lerissa’s form and left for the east. The party discovered that Lerissa was an evil worshipper of Tiamat and Artos sensed Vanir’s presence but disregarded it as the party turned to leave.

Jamaal led the party back to Fort Eskarya but the group was met by wolves along the way. They made quick work of the beasts and continued the trek back to the settlement after a rest. They warned Lord Thorne of the shapeshifter but were met with a dismissive tone. The group was then met by a new arrival, Dain Uchif, who joined them as they headed east along the coast. They were met by a group of goblinoids led by a bugbear. They were asked to pay a toll but refused. Amdia, Dain, Artos and Irnar made quick work of the bugbear as Jamaal fought against his goblin minions. Artos was downed by arrows but was healed by Irnar as Dain and Amdia joined the fight against the lesser goblinoids. The rest of the creatures slain, the party settled down for the night and, after their rest, continued onwards until they found a ruined keep.

Jamaal spotted humans wielding primitive weapons and wearing leather and rags and warned the group of them, but Artos approached openly. The group tailed behind as Artos was led into the keep, where he met Kuro, the tribe’s leader. Kuro revealed that Rairaku had all-but enslaved the tribe, and is one of the strongest beings on the surface of Eskarya. The tribe didn’t revere Rairaku as a God, keeping to the faith of the God Dualdir, but the Oni was too strong for the tribe to oppose. Kuro did say that in exchange for weapons of iron and steel, he would give information to the party. As a show of good faith, he then warned the party of kobolds to the north.

The party left for Fort Eskarya again and settled down on the road. They were approached by blink dogs, one of which Jamaal struck with an arrow. Amdia managed to calm the dog and it limped off into the night with its pack.

The party continued their journey until they again had to make camp for the night. In the late hours of the night, the party was attacked by a large group of bugbears and goblins. After Irnar was felled by javelins and Dain killed in battle, Jamaal, Amdia and Artos managed to retreat as the goblinoids looted and mutilated their dead companions. Defeated but alive, the trio returned to Fort Eskarya; less bold, perhaps.

## (27/07/19) - Flamerule 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Artos Úrath
* Castien of Alyssim
* Perven
* Siora Daeven
* Nira Thiloriasien

The group made up of fairly green adventurers made their way into the wilderness in search of the Kobold lair that Kuro had told the guild of. On the way, they discovered a tribe of Vegepygmy, who seemed to be defending a cave. They were non-confrontational, but defensive of their position. The party agreed to move on, after Perven spoke to them using his 'Speak to Plants' ability.

After fighting off three Jackalweres, the group moved on to find the cave of the Kobolds, after a group of Kobolds attacked them in the night, not six miles from the cave. Easily overcoming them, the group attacked the cave in the morning. Facing off against sorcerers, dragonshields and inventors, the party were forced to retreat after vials of fire, acid, bags of wasps, skunks and rot grubs were used against the group. Castien, Artos and Nira were riddled with rot worms for a time, seconds from death as they went to attack their hearts. But with the help of Siora's burning hair, they were able to burn away the grubs.

Retreating, they abandoned the lair for now and returned to the fort, where Siora and Artos argued over loot and who who get what and how it should be shared and how they should pay their taxes. After blood was spilt, with Siora casting scorching ray at Artos, they were both arrested and taken before Aldwin Thorne, who took three adventuring days of wages for their insolence and gave them three days in the dungeons, with no monetary reward for the day of adventuring.

## (30/07/19) - Flamerule 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Artos Úrath
* Castien of Alyssim
* Nira Thiloriasien
* Perven
* Tancred Brossfeather †
* Vyodros

Brazenly leading the way despite a complete lack of knowledge of the path ahead, Vyodros quickly gets the party lost, leading them into the way of a contigency of orcs. Perven in bear form quickly dispatches the orc soldiers, leaving the captain the last remaining of the scouting party. After giving gifts of unusual seeds to Vyodros and an ornate goblet to Artos, Vyodros brands the orc captain with his symbol and releases him - hoping to have made a new disciple.

The party continues onwards, coming across a lone hobgoblin upon the road. The cloaked figure casts a blanket of fog, into which it disappears despite the group's efforts to find them. Passing by Ettin Cave, the party make camp after a few hours. In the night Vyodros steals Artos' new goblet, but is caught in the act of trying to weight the bag with a rock. Tancred's watch over the camp proves a more soothing affair as he practices his lute. The party however finds themselves set upon by cockatrices as they wait near the Kobold Lair, although the foul beasts are quickly dispatched - but not before Artos has a brush with a case of petrification. The respite is short-lived however, as a phase spider poisons Artos and paralyses him. Nira sets the ethereal arachnid alight and the party, once Artos gasps back into control of his body, continues to the Kobold Lair.

After attempting to kill the guards from range, the party ventures into the cave and deftly avoids several traps - traps that they would use on the guard drake loosed upon them near the entranceway. Bypassing further traps, Vyodros stumbles into a collection of rot grubs, warps and centipedes released by kobold inventors and nearly falls foul to them before the swollen maggots are burned away by Nira, allowing the Tempest Cleric to blast them away with a thunderwave augmented by his destructive wrath. The party moves to engage the kobold inventors and sorcerers, slaying all in time - but not before Tancred is slain when his chest is torn asunder by the spells of one of the draconic mages. Finding a vast assortment of loot, seemingly once an offering to an unknown third-party, the party has within their possession an Alchemy Jug, a Decanter of Endless Water, Keoghtom's Ointment, some Goggles of Night previously claimed by Artos and a few other items thus far undetermined - among them an origami skull made from a spell scroll and a silver-plate bound tome called the Enchiridion of the Silver Void.

On the journey home, Nira examines her new boots which appear to magical in some manner but finds little change in her ability or constitution. This prompts discussion about the draconic description of "kicking boots for elves and stuff" as the party makes their way home to Fort Eskarya.

## (04/10/19) - Marpenoth 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Mogur
* Nira Thiloriasien
* Perven
* Uriven Tausis
* Vyodros

Once again, Vyodros leads the party into the great unknown, quickly becoming lost near the Ettin Cave - garnering the ire of the Ettin who gives chase to attack. Mogur, the half-orc barbarian handily survives a pair of strikes that would fell even the hardiest adventurer, before claiming the killing blow as the party rushes to defend him. The party decides to enter the Ettin Cave, finding it filled with spiderwebs and the scent of decay, as well as the distant sound of rumbling further within.

Whilst exploring, Nira stumbles across a roper, a foul beast capable of disguising itself as a stalagmite, cruel tentacles grappling Alton, Nira, Uriven and Vyodros before finally being overcome by a spiritual weapon wielded by the Tempest Cleric. Looting the alcove, the party finds a wooden staff, a silver mirror, a pewter chime, a pair of golden candlesticks, a chest filled with ten Azurites and five Moss Agates and a lump of obsidian, four potions of healing, rusted plate armour and a large diamond. The party starts to decide on what to do next, but Vyodros spies a large stack of spider eggs and elects to eradicate them with a vast thunderwave strike - only to be instantly webbed by a giant spider in retaliation. The party once again rushes to the aid of one of their own. Vyodros is paralysed by poison, although Mogur quickly fells the spider with a well-placed javelin. From the dark, a warg lunges forth only to be put down by a Guilding Bolt from Nira and a heavy crossbow bolt from Alton.

Vyodros, however, remains paralysed and is thus carried around by the half-orc barbarian as the party explores further into the cave. Upon finding the seemed bed of the Ettin, Alton locates a cloak that the party establishes as magical in nature, made of a light fabric and of elvish design. After much bickering, Alton defends his claim and the party takes a rest in the liberated cave. Upon waking, the Drow finds himself attuned to his new cloak - a Cloak of Elvenkind.

The following day is cooler, significantly so, and although the winds continue to blow the party finds itself thankful that the rain has come to an end. The day's travel goes uneventfully and so the party makes camp for the night, taking turns to watch. Halfway through the night, during Urizen's watch, the sound of heavy footsteps and nearing growls prompts the party to waking. A four-legged beast comes leaping from the darkness only to vanish, but while the party bickers about what they saw, Vyodros begins to levitate and Uriven is suddenly mauled by a teleporting beast. As the party fights on, Mogur repeatedly attempts (and fails) to grapple the barghests. One of the fiends is defeated by a bolt from the half-elf sorcerer Nira, prompting the remaining fiend to flee. In spite of the attempted escape, the barghest is lit up by Faerie Fire, prompting javelins, guiding bolts and heavy crossbow bolts towards the tree in which it hides. Fleeing once more, with one final crossbow bolt in pursuit, the beast is felled by Alton, allowing the party to return to their rest once more.

The following day, the party reaches the Kobold Cave, traversing a fast-flowing stream of saltwater led by Mogur. All is going well until Nira slips, finding herself swept away. The party moves to rescue her, only for the half-elf to vanish as a harpoon shoots through her chest, dragging her deep under the water. Mogur, Perven and Uriven dive in after her, seeking to free her from the Merrow that ensnares her. Alton and Vyodros instead find themselves distracted by the approach of a Kobold Sorcerer and a Guard Drake, whilst Uriven is swept close to the Merrow, destroying it with an acid-tinged Chromatic Orb. Nira is rescued by Perven and all those within the water work to escape the the stream. Mogur finds himself overwhelmed by the effects of a charm spell, swinging at Vyodros to little effect. In response, the cleric commands the half-orc to swim - which Mogur does, belly-flopping into the stream. Separated, the majority of the party (having been swept downstream) is attacked by a group of Kobold Inventors with Rot Grubs. Nira is infected, only to purge herself moments later - but such efforts deal damage to the druid Perven in his giant spider form.

The battle continues, with Nira and Perven attacking the marauding kobolds, Uriven continuing to climb a cliff, Mogur taking repeatedly swims, Alton hiding and Vyodros finding a fanciful warhammer upon a podium. With Guiding Bolts, Burning Hands, Chromatic Orbs and Thunderwaves alike the path is cleared of Kobolds, while the battle rages between Vyodros, Alton and their new foe - Mogur. Although with the empowered lightning-infused might of his new warhammer Vyolnir Vyodros manages to strike the half-orc down, Mogur rises once more - uncharmed.

Alton strikes him down with the discarded mace nonetheless.

With the bulk of the cave now cleared, the party claims further loot in the form of a dragon's fang hanging from a leather cord, a strange silver egg marked with alien symbols, a stiletto dagger carved from jade and twelve potions.

## (27/10/19) - Marpenoth 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Carnifex
* Gimble Waddleduck †
* Lost Flame
* Jarrik Thunderfall †
* Tolrond of Windvale †

The second wave of party members:

* Fervour
* Gael Eserrah
* Jebeddo Oneshoe

Led by the battlemaster Tolrond, the party of new arrivals set forth into the wilds of Eskarya, bound for the mines in the peaks to the north. Guided well on their path, they nearly reached their quarry before trouble finally befell them in the form of a pack of wolves that ambush them from the cliff side. Jarrik was eviscerated immediately, but beyond a miscalculated sleep spell from Gimble, the rest of the pack is dealt with promptly. Nonetheless, the day's travel had used most of the hours of sunlight, so they decided to make camp.

A couple of hours into the night they were awoken during Carnifex's watch by the approach of maruading drow crossbowmen. In his panic, Gimble casts Magic Missile, letting forth a Wild Magic surge that grants him the spontaneous ability to teleport. Lost Flame fells one with an arrow, but poison arrows floors both Tolrond and Carnifex as the remaining party fights on.

They do not fight on for very long.

Following Jarrik into his grave, Gimble and Tolrond expire from their wounds, while Lost Flame and Carnifex fall unconscious and are dragged into a nearby cave entrance, awaking in the Underdark caged and stripped of their belongings. Via sending stones, a message is sent to Fort Eskarya and thus another party of adventurers is sent forth. One amongst them, the Rock Gnome Jebeddo, finds the entrance way and so they rush to the aid of those captured in the dark below. Such actions find them quickly discovered by the drow within, while Lost Flame and Carnifex take an opportunity to fight free of their captures as they are corralled towards a fighting pit. Lost Flame carries Carnifex free from the fighting pit, while the others start to make their way towards the sounds of jeering and shouting. The party reunites in the pit as Gael's Magic Stones prove very effective at holding back the remaining defenders. On their frantic escape from the cave they find a fierce looking scimitar that Carnifax claims, intending for it to be his new Pact Weapon.

## (17/02/20) - Uktar 1495 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Perven
* Uriven Tausis †
* Vyodros

Joining later:

* Initially unnamed Warforged Soldier (Bulwark)

Led as always by the egotistical Cleric Vyodros, the party is immediately savaged by a pack of direwolves and Alton in particular finds great success with his heavy crossbow from the shade of the cart in their defence. Perven summons a healing spirit, much to Vyodros' chagrin, and the party presses on. Come the end, they start to rest with Uriven taking first watch as he paints the sunset - although is ultimately unhappy with the end result. In a fit of rage he tosses the canvas from the cliff only to find it does not fall. A great many-armed gorilla lunges forth, near killing Uriven instantly save intervention from the rest of the party.

The rest of the night is uneventful.

Vyodros' directional skills continue to be unnaturally sound and the party makes good time as they head onwards towards the abandoned fort come morning - although they find themselves waylaid by a chanting circle of small creatures that Alton recognises as Xvarts. Cruel and hateful, they seem to be partaking in some kind of abyssal ritual, prompting the party to fire first to try and disrupt their wicked plans. As they slay the Xvarts, their souls seem to be consumed by the ritual - only to summon a foul abyssal horror of gaunt flesh and sharp sword-like limbs. Unperturbed by Perven in bear form, it embraces Vyodros with its blade claws, greviously wounding him. With each tightening grip thunderous energy resonates from Vyodros as Perven and Alton attempt to heal him back to life, before finally Uriven slays the horror. They finally make it to the coastal fort, but find little friendship there beyond a warning about Rairaku so the party continues onwards before finally making camp. In the last hour of their rest, Rairaku emerges from the dark, bring with him a pair of ogres. A cone of cold freezes Uriven, killing him immediately. The rest of the party hacks down the remaining ogres and move to strike at the Oni, dealing significantly damage.

He tries to flee, but Alton's faerie fire puts an end to it.

Vyodros gives chase to the glowing Oni, but is lifted high in a grapple by Rairaku. Perven sends flames, Alton sends crossbow bolts, Vyodros frantically tries to heal himself in anticipation of what is to come. Despite efforts to command the Oni otherwise, he continues to rise. Only Perven's healing word saves Vyodros as he tumbles to the ground once more. Rairaku declares his survival impressive and leaves. Broken, beaten but alive (well, three-quarters of the party anyway) they finish their rest before continuing onto their original destination - the large abandoned fort, a site of desolation.

With barns, chicken coups and gardens shattered, the remaining party suspects giant activity but continues to investigate finding many items of some value. During their search they find a trapdoor containing a suit of armour. It snaps into life and moves up the stairs and towards the bridge into the fort. It leads them into a damaged library and beyond where they spy a feasting hall that is holding host to nine ogres - a crowned female at their head. The Warforged throws a javelin, enraging the revellers who come crashing into combat. The Warforged stands resolute as Perven summons wolves to assist, whilst Alton and Vyodros discover a huge mechanical construction of similar composition to the reanimated soldier. For better or worse, Vyodros activates it, finding himself drawn into the machine. At the helm of the Titan, Vyodros finds himself an infalliable killing machine, bolstered further by his spirit guardians. With another pack of wolves assisting, he sweeps through the remaining ogres and finally Queen Nua herself.

## (01/03/20) - Hammer 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Lost Flame

* Nira Thiloriasien

* Mogur
* Vyodros

Whilst eating breakfast at the Bronze Thorn - the recently finished tavern within Fort Eskarya - the party is interrupted by the arrival of Mogur and a previously unseen dragonborn. Placing a large statue of the 'Godman' in front of the tavern, they find themselves accosted by devotees of Zitus that declare the action heresy. It descends into an all-out brawl in the alley, with fists, paralysis and sleep spells from Nira as well as a great deal of grappling. It comes to an end as Mogur rips out an eye, bringing the fight to an abrupt end.

On an overcast and stormy day, the journey goes uneventfully with Vyodros leading the way - come nightfall they make camp to try and hide themselves from the wind but ultimately struggle to find anywhere suitable. As Alton tinkers in the night, he is attacked by a Displacer Beast, a Displacer Beast that Mogur butchers when it tries to flee wounded. Later in the night as the dawn approaches, a pair of hobgoblins come to claim the body, guided by a Nilbog. Mogur is initially hesitant, but following words from his Godman is dissuaded from further combat.

Following a rudimentary dirt road forming between Fort Eskarya and Camp Thorne, the party continues to make good time, making camp once more a few miles south of the mine. Come night time, they are attacked by the familiar force of giants as Rairaku's voice echoes through the dark. Mogur is felled by the Oni, while Nira's Guiding Bolts eviscerate both the Ettin and the Half-Ogre in quick succession. Seeing his army faltering and Mogur somehow springing to his feet once more, Rairaku flees, leaving Alton to butcher the last remaining Ogre. After resting the remainder of the night, they arrive at the mines on a rainy morning and find that the gates have been repaired and the gnolls have re-established themselves within the location. As Mogur starts to clamber the walls, helped by a javelin spring-board, Nira incinerates near half a dozen of them in mere seconds. Reconvening in the courtyard, they elect to enter the mine shaft to the north from which they can hear the sounds of mining work - although Mogur and Vyodros cause such a ruckus in their innane chatter that they draw the attention of near the entire mine. The enslaved within take their opportunity to rebel against their oppressors and battle breaks out once more. After freeing a number of slaves of numerous races, Vyodros shatters the bridge inadvertently attacking a trio of packlords but opens a chance for Mogur to harpoon one of them to their death as they tumble off the cliff-face. Alton's pistol shatters the chest of their leader and another shatter attempts to break the bridge beneath his feet - but he leaps to safety. Lost Flame and Alton find themselves being surrounded, Mogur is pushed into the chasm, following a gnoll blasted there by the Tempest Cleric's thunderous rebuke. Caught between fire and lightning, the Gnoll Fang of Yeenoghu is destroyed and the remaining pack members are defeated one by one.

A wealth of gems is found in the mines, with Vyodros attempting to preach to the slaves as they free them - his only successful convert a Kuo-Toa.

## (04/03/20) - Hammer 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Ezekiel T'nepress
* Fervour † - and his sidekick Draz †
* Gael Eserrah †

After Ezekiel's introduction from Lord Aldwin, he sets out to find his companions for his first adventure - a disappointing selection awaiting him in the form of Gael and Fervour. On a chill overcast day they come across an animal boneyard, seemingly made up of draconic remains. Musing that they would surely be valuable things, they agree that they will return on the way back. Shortly afterwards, they come across a clearing filled with Feywild-infused flowers and bees and go hunting for their honey to little success. They continue on their way, eventually making camp along the coastline, sharing a meal around a campfire as Fervour and Gael attempt to dispel Ezekiel's concerns about the boogeyman.

Come Gael's watch, he spies an injured individual seemingly wounded by a mixture of weaponry and cold-infused magic - screaming and crying of an Oni near Kuro's Fort. Aiding the man back to the camp, the party once again returns to a time of rest, save for Gael who is kept up by the snoring of Draz. Ezekiel's watch is interrupted by a flying trickster that ties together his feet with vines and cause him to float momentarily in the air. He eventually spies the Sprite and its companions as they steal gold pieces from Gael and Draz, but ultimately decides to let them leave with the coinage. The curiosities continue throughout the night as Draz spies a unicorn on the forest edge but it pays them little mind as it flees. They find themselves in need of further gold come the morning as they bribe their way past an orc patrol, only to stumble into a Treant, a resident of Tornka Forest. Ezekiel finds another resident, a small brilliant-blue snake, that he attempts to tame, once again to little avail. Now lost in the forest, they are approached by a pack of Blink Dogs that Gael believes to have persuaded to lead them to the Ettin Cave. They do indeed arrive at Camp Thorne for the night, getting a good night's sleep.

The morning brings the party past feuding dwarves firing crossbow bolts at each other at the roadside, claiming that the other is a doppelganger. The party continues on after Gael bardically inspires both of them. Stumbling across a whale ribcage and some flowers and later statues of three trolls, fixed in a state of fright. Nonetheless, the adventuring party makes it to Vege Cave and Gael quickly moves to introduce himself. After setting off some sort of alarm, the vegepygmies attack, nearly killing Gael immediately. Fervour turns himself into a Giant Goat and Ezekiel attempts to frighten them with the silent image of a huge slug. Draz moves to help Gael, garnering him a face full of poisonous ooze and the battle continues. Gael is slain, and while Ezekiel tries to drag Fervour free, Draz is mauled by Thornies. Enraged at the loss of his friend, Fervour summons the last of his energy to charge in with burning hands and his final Wild Shape. With a sense of guilt, Ezekiel flees, leaving the remainder of the party to their fate.

## (21/03/20) - Hammer 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Grimwold
* Dungarth
* Ezekiel T'nepress
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Erixitl

The boat from Faerûn bought three new faces with it to Fort Eskarya this day.  Grimworld a Ranger of the Mousefolk and two Aasimar, Erixitl a Bard and Dungarth a Cleric. They met with Lord Aldwin, who welcomed them to the new land and he set forth his expectations. After, the three new adventurers, eager to get started, headed down to the main courtyard. Waiting there were Ezekiel and Jamaal, who had only just met themselves for the first time.  Introductions were made and Jamaal, having some experience in Eskarya, explained to the new arrivals how unforgiving this new land could be. Ezekiel on the other hand was more fascinated with the Grimworld, having never seen or heard of the mousefolk before.

Eventually the group had decided on their plan of action, they were to head north into the nearby Tornka Forest and explore.  The sky was grey and sleet gently fell from above as they headed out. The walk by foot took four uneventful hours before they reached the forest, a strange and eerie place.

They had only made it a few hundred meters into the forest before a few of them noticed the unnerving silence, sounds from the nearby wildlife had suddenly stopped. They pushed on but within seconds Jammal and Grimwold again stopped as they saw three giant claw marks appear slowly upon the tree in front of them.  Everyone searched the surrounding forest, but saw no signs of whatever it was that had made those marks. Then from in front of them, the sounds of heavy footsteps accompanied with a sister laugh. Everyone but Jammal started to head in the opposite direction.

Suddenly from nowhere there stood a twelve foot blue hooded Giant, fifteen feet from Jamaal. His arm outstretched, he hurled a cone of ice in his direction. Jamaal dodged but still found himself taking some damage from the attack. The party turned and started to flee, we could tell we were outmatched.  Everyone turned and started to run, everyone but Ezekiel. He looked directly at the giant and calmly suggested that he leave us alone. To everyone's surprise the giant hulking mass of death before us agreed, sneered, turned around and vanished into thin air.

They continued  deeper into the forest, away from where they’d met what they suspected to be was Rairaku. Jamaal and Ezekiel explained that it was responsible for a few deaths here in Eskarya. Eventually the light began to fade and so camp was made for the night.

It was during the second watch they found themselves attacked once more.  Jamaal, who was keeping watch, noticed a bunch of very small blue creatures heading towards him at great speed.  Without hesitation he fired his bow, hitting one. The rest woke and readied themselves. The creatures moved at great speed making them very difficult to hit, the new arrivals suffered the most.  First of all Grimwold was downed by three incredibly quick stabs to his chest, Dungarth revived him. Erixitl managed to put two of them to sleep with her music, but as her song finished she was downed.  She too was revived, but then it was Dungarths time to face the mud. Slowly the party fought to get the upper hand on their assailants and one by one they dropped. With the small blue menace dispatched the party returned to their nights rest.

On the following day they awoke to find Grimwold had made a new friend, he’d befriended  a Blink dog while the rest slept, he’d named him Finn. Fully rested the party decided to head on further into the forest. As they headed deeper and deeper in, they found somewhat of a clearing.

As they passed through, the vegetation to the left suddenly rose up, into a giant heaving mass. Giant bulbous flowers atop it, and the remains of undead humanoids entangled within it. The plant lashed out at Jamaal, injuring him in the process, it then sprayed a noxious gas into the air.  Jamaal and Dungarthed dropped to the floor, the others who’d fought off the effects attacked straight back. Grimwold ensnared the creature within magical wines. Ezekiel who was immune to it’s poison advised everyone else to back away from it. Jamaal eventually recovered himself but Dungarth instead took a hefty blow and found himself at death's door. Again the party hacked away, damaging it further.

A flower upon the plant bloomed, opened.  From it fell an undead corpse that rose and started to attack Ezeikiel.  The party continued its attacks, the plant released another zombie into the fight and Erixitl healed Dungarth.  Eventually the plant collapsed from the party's attacks, from it rose a horde of undead which the party decided to run from rather than fight.

Later that day a new discovery was made, the adventurers had stumbled across an old and weathered moss covered shack, the inside lit by candlelight.  Hags!! They thought and they decided to return to Eskarya to report this finding. At this stage we cannot say for sure it was a hags abode, it very much felt like it.

## (23/03/20) - Hammer 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Boblin
* Brigitta †
* Ezekiel T'nepress
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Milan Fogfollow †

Arriving later:

* Verg the Bronzehand (& Avant) †

Greeting the new arrivals once more in surroundings more fitting of a man of his stature, Lord Aldwin Thorne sends the new adventuring party forth, giving them a chance to introduce themselves to each other. Deciding to head for the Vegepygmy Cave, they pass through the dragonbone grove before coming across a sleeping Ettin. Boblin wakes the giant and then in time proves to be the one to slay it - although seems to be trying to befriend it during such an instance. Come late afternoon, the party comes across a band of humanoids enacting a toll upon the road. Brigitta manages to persuade them that they will be paid in full (with some bonus) upon their return and so the party travels on before making camp.

During Jamaal's watch, they awaken to the sound of Brigitta being stabbed by the blade of a Drow Assassin and while the party eventually manages to strike back and kill the elf, the Fire Genasi is too far gone. As the night comes to an end, Milan notices the approach of a hobgoblin and his scouting buddy - a construction of bronze, leather and wood - who claim they are hunting for drow on their route towards Fort Eskarya. Come morning, they discover a curious sign in Undercommon declaring "Here Lies the Way" near a tree that seems to emulate a magical aura akin to a teleportation circle. By repeating the phrase in Undercommon, they are transported to the Underdark one by one - seemingly trapped! Contacting Fort Eskarya, they are advised by Bravenheim of the rough direction they need to travel to find the alternative entranceway, although the journey is some twenty-four miles to the northwest.

The party set forth and fall into a crevice filled with lava, save for Jamaal and Milan.

The more dextrous members of the party manage to pull the others to relative safety, only to be accosted by a giant rocktopus, disguised as a stalactite. Milan boosts the party through her Twilight Sanctuary, allowing them to move to defend themselves against the assault. After a brief moment's pause, they continue onwards with Avant scouting ahead before the Steel Defender spots movement. Shambling before them are a drow, a duergar, an orc and a bugbear - all of them seemingly mindless. The culprit behind such an occurrence appears as a Mind Flayer appears from the dark, commanding his denizens forwards. Attempts to barter fail and the party attempts to flee - although Milan and Verg are left behind as they do so. The Mind Flayer uses Telekenesis on Jamaal and while there is a moment when it seems the ranger might falter but he stands fast.

Leaving the fallen behind, the remainder of the party flees, leaving illusionary magic in their wake to try and slow the inevitable pursuit. The echoing noise of Milan's brain being feasted upon by the Mind Flayer fills the caves as the party continues to run, and though Verg and Avant make one final valiant dash for freedom it ultimately proves to be in vain.

Running (figuratively) blind into the dark, Jamaal, Ezekiel and Boblin are ambushed by a drow hunting party. While he attempts to strike at their leader, the drow responds to Ezekiel's seemed poison resistance with a swarm of insects. Jamaal flees once more, and Boblin - lit up by Faerie Fire - drops to his feet, begging for his life in exchange for servitude. With Ezekiel and Boblin taken as slaves, Jamaal disappears into the Underdark - to fates unknown.

## (26/03/20) - Hammer 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Perven
* Vyodros

Having escaped the Underdark, Jamaal arrives at Fort Kroideyn and is guided into a meeting with Vallirk Thorne - Vyodros already waiting for him. The pair of humans is given leave to put down Alton and Perven should they prove unruly, given their non-human race. The party agrees to pay Lord Vallirk an additional 5% tax in exchange for usage of a pair of fishing skiffs to aid them in the journey to the tower in the east. The journey downriver is pleasant and the group makes quick progress, reaching the expanse of the lake by early afternoon. By the end of the afternoon, they reach the wildflowers-covered main island - next to which an ascending staircase to the tower can be found. As they begin to explore, they are set upon by a pair of Catoblepae - alerted only by their foul stench. In a surprise strike, Alton is killed instantly by necrotic beam of energy, only to be revived and healed by Vyodros and Perven respectively.

During the night, a melancholic melody drifts from the tower but otherwise the party remains unmolested. The new day brings their arrival to the tower, and the party quickly identifies a pair of traps - one on the bridge, one on the door. Jumping over the illusionary bridge, Perven attempts to dispel the magic on the door but fails to do so. Vyodros manages to do cast the spell himself, only to be forced into the path of a magical flame trap when the rest of the party pushes forwards. Jamaal uses a crowbar to knock over the remaining braziers, attracting the attention of a Deep Gnome who promptly flees. After a range of clattering noises, a flurry of flying swords attacks in response, as well as Stone Cursed that animate into life. The Deep Gnome returns, blinding Vyodros, leaving the rest of the party to clean up the rest of the swords. Jamaal is bitten by a mimic, creating a certain paranoia in Alton's investigations of another statue. Nonetheless, he finds himself petrified when one of the statues attacks him, only to be released from the curse by Perven's magics.

Upstairs, Alton attempt to parley with the Deep Gnome on behalf of the party but fails to get very far. As a Stone Golem animates, Jamaal kills Krunkhuck - prompting the appearance of a Drow Mage. Alton once again attempts to parley, bartering a deal by which Vyodros resurrects the Deep Gnome, which the cleric does. Talk of sending a message to Vallirk Thorne begins and as Varal moves to cast a spell on Jamaal. The ranger throws down his bow but is struck down by a strange rupturing magic quite unlike anything any of the party has seen before. Varal declares Jamaal's fate is in the hands of chance and time alike and the party allows said time to pass, watching as the ranger stabilises. Varal issues a warning to the Thornes - a declaration that he desires to be left alone and will kill and destroy any that pledge allegiance to those that would disrupt his peace.

He allows them to leave - the party does just that.

## (14/04/20) - Alturiak 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Carnifex
* Castien of Alyssim
* Rhe’blaeyd’kii’lleek

Arriving later:

* Huldar Frostbeard

With short introductions from the newest addition *Blaeyd*, the party sets off north. Led by Castien, they stumble across an old ruin that houses a manticore - something Rhe’blaeyd’kii’lleek discovers as he moves to investigate in a rather unstealthy manner. The Aarakocra is nearly slain in the subsequent battle but in the end the elven fighter kills the beast, finding a few trinkets and some old wrist wrappings covered in a strange iconography. After taking a rest by the shore, they continue on to the Chapel without incident.

The chapel is once more inhabited by a mass of blights which watch with a curious gaze. Carnifex does not take kindly to this and replies in kind with an Eldritch Blast, dragging the party into conflict once more. Now supported by the sudden arrival of Huldar, the party fights on. They spot a vine blight with golden leaves which Carnifex hellishly rebukes, dealing serious damage in return. Nonetheless, the majority of the party finds themselves surrounded, save Blaeyd who circles from above, but they fight on and somehow eventually find victory. They take a long rest, boarding themselves in until morning comes.

Upon awakening, they head for the crypts, finding the bodies of the slain blights are now gone. In the entranceway to the catacombs, skeletons spring from the stone coffins but the party quickly dispatches them. In the following room they come across a statue of a weeping maiden shaped from ivory, further sarcophagi and a set of footprints. Leaving the contents unmolested, they pass through another similar room with a crystal upon an altar, as well text written in a version of Common that Kai recognises as the name Jaleir Caude - associated with a previously discovered book. Castien examines the text further, deciding it was likely a warning of sorts. They continue onwards regardless and come across another ivory statue although its pose is different, more rageful and angry. The room is rigged with multiple pit traps, one of which contains a body. Blaeyd flies down to investigate, finding a dead dragonborn being feasted upon by a ghoul. The sound springs more dead from their sacrophagi but the Blood Hunter is untouchable whilst flying. The dragonborn was carrying three gemstones - a black pearl, a diamond and a large ruby, all of which look to be components for some kind of mechanism/key. After discovering a room filled with preserving supplies the party finds a burial atrium, the newly discovered gemstones thrumming in their pouch. The two graves burst, a man and a women rise - and lurch forwards. Although they manage to destroy them both, the chapel begins to shake, awakening all the remaining undead within.

The party manages to fight on and quiet falls on the catacombs once more. After looting, Blaeyd sets off a Glyph of Warding-based trap that nearly kills him, but reveals a treasure vault. They explore the final rooms of the tunnels finding another ivory maiden covering her eyes. Beyond, three pillars linger that seem to correspond with the gemstones so Blaeyd aligns them - and vanishes!

The rest of the party follows, finding themselves transported too. With no obvious exits, before them lies a chest chained in place from which a voice emulates to offer them a way to escape the chamber. It introduces themselves as Jaleir Caude and requests to be released from his bindings (placed by the servants of the goddess of Kaarin) in exchange for its offering of freedom. Carnifex picks the lock, loosening the chains and releasing a towering minotaur-like beast with fiendish properties. As per the agreement, the being teleports them back to Fort Eskarya - before setting off to meet with some old friends.

## (16/04/20) - Alturiak 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Carnifex
* Perven
* Vyodros

Accompanied by:

* Finn and Jake

Bound due north from Fort Kroideyn with new companions, the party cross a newly renovated bridge and continue onwards to the forest edge near the previously spotted ruined keep. At the boundary with the woods they come across a small home occupied by a white dragonborn called Jinjam who had grown displeased with the atmosphere at Fort Kroideyn. After getting lost on a tactic scouting mission, the party finds themselves back at Jinjam's hunt and decides to make camp for the night. Beyond a scorpion stinging Carnifex and Vyodros melding into stone, the dawn comes without issue.

After Perven asks a squirrel for directions, which leads them into the path of further monstrosities similar to that previously summoned by Xvart Warlocks in a past expedition. The shambling wailing monstrosity harpoons Finn, drawing him into a sorrowful embrace. As the party destroys the hound-like ravenous beasts accompanying it, Carnifex is also harpooned but manages to fell the monstrosity. They rest for the night.

Morning brings heavy rain, but the party manages to reach the keep nonetheless. It is a ruin, victim of a siege from times past and partially reclaimed by nature. Orc-like creatures stand guard upon the shattered battlements but the party decides to use the heavy rain to cover their scouting efforts. They manage to stealth to a break in the wall, where a familiar voice is shouting orders in giant - Rairaku is within the keep, demanding his followers open something. After a ritual casting of silence to aid in a surprise round against the defenders, the party and the denizens of Rairaku start trading blows. Finn finds himself quickly overwhelmed as orcs and orogs spill from the keep but stands strong for some time nonetheless. Vyodros' lightning continues to pummel the minions, whilst Perven in bear form goes toe-to-toe with an Orc Claw of Luthic. Carnifex and Alton lay down consistent fire by manners arcane and mechanical as the combat rages on before Rairaku unleashes his Cone of Cold - striking his foes and allies alike. With his supporters faltering, Rairaku reappears from his state of invisibility, grappling Alton and attempting to fly away. Crippled by Vyodros' spiritual weapon and narrowly escaping Perven's Earthbind, Rairaku's grip falters enough for Alton to slip free. The oni turns invisible once more and tries to flee. Through means of Blindfold of Sight, Locate Object and eventually a successfully landed Faerie Fire they eventually locate him, but find themselves distracted by the last marauding orc chief that had managed to knock Finn unconscious.

Rairaku flees, his cowardice plain to see as he turns down a one-against-one duel with Vyodros. Unable to give chase, the party reluctantly gives up and instead goes to investigate the keep further - Carnifex locating a hidden trap door and the other finding a wide variety of loot.

## (23/04/20) - Alturiak 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Artos Úrath
* Fogel Chernin
* Huldar Frostbeard
* Rhe’blaeyd’kii’lleek
* Slink

Welcoming the new arrivals, the party sets forth towards the mines along the makeshift roads between the major settlements established by the colonists of Eskarya. The day goes uneventfully, so they decide to make camp in the plains along the southern coastline. Just as the day had been calm, the night passes without issue, so the party continues along the road once again. They come across a halfling at the side of the road that claims to be a cartographer. While he is happy to engage Fogel in conversation, he refuses to sell the map for he has no further copies. Meanwhile, Slink rummages through his belongings but is called out by Huldar, garnering him a stone weight tossed his way when he pinches a ration. The rest of the day is once more uneventful, but come the end of their camp the following night, Huldar spies a familiar oni emerging from the tree line. After tossing down an offering of 100 gold coins, Huldar orders the rest of the party to flee - although Slink stays behind momentarily to snatch up said coinage and Blaeyd refuses to run from the threat.

After loosing off a crossbow bolt to little avail, Blaeyd is struck by a Cone of Cold that knocks him unconscious immediately. The ogres tear the belongings from him (including his scimitar *Mourning Song*, his heavy crossbow *Reign of Shadow* as well as over 1000 gold) and leave him for dead - but he stabilises, clearly too bad for even the Nine Hells to claim him. He returns to the group unperturbed, claiming to have slain them all before flying after the rest of the party.

They arrive at the mines, finding the banners defaced by Vyodros still hang proud from the battlements. Entering the tunnel previously unexplored, they are met with the sounds of mining in the dark. They are immediately accosted by swarming insects when Slink moves to rummage through some crates within an alcove near the entrance and although he discovers some gold bars, the party takes a defensive stance against the bugs. With a mixture of wicker basket sneak attacks, illusion magic, crossbow bolts and divine smites they deal some damage - although find themselves disturbed nonetheless by Artos' primal fear for the crawling finger-sized maggots he calls rot grubs.

They decide to take a short rest, but not before looting the rotting boxes. Somewhat recuperated, they head down the tunnel to the north and after Artos sets off a rock-drop trap, they garner the attention of an Umber Hulk. The insectoid's prismatic eyes drive many members of the party into a confused state in which they stand dazed - or worse, find themselves compelled to attack each other! Learning to avert their gaze, Slink, Blaeyd and Artos soon discovers its claws and mandible are vicious but with assistance from Fogel and Hulder they whittle down the beast. It is Slink that deals the final blow, after which the party starts harvesting its claws, mandibles and eyes to a variety of successes. As Blaeyd inspects the dismembered gnolls and loots them for all they are worth, Slink notifies the group he smells more bugs before investigating the dead-end through which the Umber Hulk was digging and finds a large ruby in the hands of a figure crushed in a cave-in. The kobold tries to hide it, but Huldar spots him and once again calls him out. Ankhegs burst forth from the tunnels as the party members continue to explore, forcing them into combat once more. Fogel frees Blaeyd from a grapple with one of the beasts with a well-placed firebolt, and while most of the party attacks from a distance, Artos rages on in the front lines, his strikes imbued with divine guidance.

Fogel utilises his minor illusion magic to try and trick the Ankheg, but Blaeyd finds out to his folly that the insectoid monstrosities are blind and so falls foul of a vicious strike when he tries to move away. While he is stabilised by Huldar, the rest of the party fights on - Slink the Insectbane seizing the final kill once more. The kobold then manages to harvest the acid glands from ankhegs while Artos explores further - discovering a large sapphire.

The scent of insects and their larvae continues to catch the nose of Slink, who guides the party towards the remainder of the tunnels - that they quickly discovered are inhabited by gricks. While the frontline takes heavy hits, they prove of little consequence. With the mine now cleared, they take stock of what else can be found.

## (12/05/20) - Ches 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Artos Úrath
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Perven
* Slink
* Vyodros

With use of Divination Vyodros learns that a great power that would augment the abilities of Rairaku further exists beneath Vester Keep so the party heads out to prevent his machinations before he has a chance to obtain this. Alton's Clairvoyance learns that a mass of ogres and worgs, a pair of giants as well as a huge purple monstrosity. Deciding to attack at night, they charge forth with the Warforged Titan piloted by Slink. While a few worgs are felled immediately, the Axehand on the Titan jams. Struck by a ballista bolt from the dark, the construction takes serious damage as the party presses onwards.

Bolts continue to rain down on the Titan as it moves up towards the gate, many flying wide (and one of them knocking an ogre from the tower) but a few find their mark. Alton manages to fix the broken Titan allowing it to smash through the front gate in the spiked palisade walls, breaching their primary defences. Artos attempts to use a Gust of Wind to push on the ballista-wielding ogres from the watchtowers to little avail, but manages to deftly avoid the bolt fired in return. Jamaal continues to stalk in the darkness, picking off another of the worgs, while Perven and Vyodros' lightning continues to harry the ogres. Alton headshots another ogre, Slink slices through many of the remaining defenders holding the gate. More worgs sweep in from the dark but are ultimately quickly felled as the party pushed forwards through the now open and cleared gateway. Deeper in the camp the ogres and giants congregate around the edge of the storm at orders of the Fomorian but rush forwards when Vyodros moves his Call Lightning. As the giantkin swarm they tear apart the Titan, Velenthe is decimated by a ballista and Artos is repeatedly felled - before springing to his feet once more!

With a well-placed pair of arrows directed at the Fomorian fleeing from Slink's Umber Hulk eye Jamaal kills the twisted and deformed giant and the turn of the tide at the battle starts to turn as arrows, bullets, guiding bolts and lightning rain down on the foes. Alton kills the last Hill Giant but the ballistas in the corners of the camp continue to fire. With the Titan nearly smashed to pieces but still emiting light, Alton deactivates the construct plunging much of the battlefield into the dark and starts to repair it, hidden away. The ballistas start to execute the prisoners in response to the chaos. A second wave of ogres and ettins surge forth, pushing back the party once more but Jamaal catches several with long-range arrow shots as Artos makes a valiant final stand.

Rairaku suddenly strikes, his Cone of Cold hitting Vyodros hard and wounding Perven. With Uhllinpabil dead at their feet, the cleric and druid retreat, but Perven is knocked down. With Rairaku now invisible he moves unseen, before casting sleep on Vyodros after his Death Ward brings him back from an Ettin's stike. Alton's disarming shot causes Rairaku to drop him briefly, before scooping up Vyodros once more - unfazed by the shots from Jamaal and Perven. Artos and Perven are carried off into the dark by Ettins at Rairaku's command. With the cleric in hand, he flies upwards further and further, and despite efforts from Alton, Jamaal and Vyodros himself, he falls - killed instantly.

Gloating in his victory, the oni does not spy the arrow fired from the shortbow of Slink from long distance. As tiny feathers upon the end of a narrow point burst through his throat, Rairaku falls 200 ft. himself, only to be shortly afterwards finished off by the kobold. The last of the ogres give chase to Slink, while Alton is knocked down by a heavy hit from a heavily-wounded Ettin. Jamaal's continued fire support picks away at the giants further, killing the last of the ballista-wielding ogres. As he rushes to Alton's aid and gets him back up, he too is felled and a back-and-forth in the magically cast darkness as they take turns healing each other. Meanwhile Slink runs through the chaotic, corpse-laden battlefield trying to find his bow, eventually scooping it up before dancing back and forth between the walls to avoid the grasp of the Ettin giving chase. Jamaal shots the Ettin that had been harrying him and Alton, leaving one final Ettin.

With four shots in quick succession, the ranger slays it.

## (14/05/20) - Ches 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Slink
* Vyodros

Accompanied by:

* Finn and Jake

After a short period of shopping, the party sets forth from Camp Thorne, only to be attacked by a Young Green Dragon. Its breath nearly immediately knocks down Slink and Vyodros, who promptly turn invisible and Meld into Stone respectively. Kedyr grasps Finn in its claws, attempting to fly away back towards Tornka Forest as he is harried by Jamaal and Slink's arrows. As he does, Vyodros emerges from the stone, smiting down the beast and freeing Finn (who then promptly falls eighty feet to the ground). They rush to heal him, before the party manages to harvest a number of key components from the fallen beast.

Leading them north, Slink finds a trail meandering through the mountains towards the strange metal building overlooking a waterfall, before spying a pair of camps off to the west, the northern one larger and more developed than the southern one. Covered in ivy, a metal chute covered in offcuts of plate and half-plate armour etched with the insignia of a steel bull with red eyes leading another metal chamber filled with pipes and contraption. Jamaal spies a sealed door, but when Slink moves to investigate he attracts the attention of a ragged looking half-elf speaking an unknown language. Vyodros parleys with him using Tongues and learns a number of things:

* The building was one part of an Artificer Guild.
* They had, and continue to have enemies in the form of gnolls, orcs, drow and giants - Otto reports having made sacrifices to Rairaku in the past, and was relieved to hear of his demise.
* Half a decade previously, a elvish man called Estelar came asking for them to build an army with which they would reclaim the lands of Elysia.
* They utilise a material known as Khyber to animate the Warforged and grant them some level of sentience.
* At least one of the crystals was corrupted to some extent, which warped the mind of a Titan within the building to be hostile to any intruders. Further within are more constructions like the two currently active, which are called Surveyor and Safeguard.

The party, seeing the corrupted Titan dormant in a metal room overlooking a cliff, decide to take a rest before they deal with it. They are taken to a small side room filled with crates (that Slink immediately rummages through - with assistance from Surveyor) with no wall to prevent them falling into the waterfall below. Nonetheless, they take their sleep and ready themselves for the task ahead. After casting Water Walk on the party, they sneak round through the assembly line to flank the Titan, with Slink moving ahead to further scout out the battlefield to come. With a drop of 2000ft to the ground below, the room is a large chamber in which both the Titan and the crystal resides. When Jamaal comes to assist, he initially proves just as sneaky before alerting the construct.

The rest of the party rushes to their aid, starting with Surveyor who attempts to grapple the Titan - holding him back temporarily before being cut in half by the Titan's Axehand. When it runs forwards it pummels Jack with his Axehand after another of the Warforged is reactivated in the room (who turns out to about as pleasantly inept as Surveyor). Vyodros starts to redirect water from the waterfall into the room, filling the floor inch by inch in a ploy to knock it from the balcony. Slink tries to detach the crystal from the machine that seems to be animating the Warforged in a chaotic manner. With Jamaal slowly chipping away at the armour, Vyodros manages to destroy the Titan with a thunderwave, before thunderously destroying the last of the Warforged. They disconnect the crystal and deactivate the last of the warforged, giving him a chance to cast Detect Magic on the crystal. It gives off strong auras of all the Schools of Magic, and Vyodros quickly realises that it is likely a piece of a Lachla Shard.

While he tries to persuade Otto to let him keep the crystal, but the conversation is cut short by a voice calling through the halls, calling for the magic man. It comes from a hulking orc form, matching the description of Viakane and Otto orders the party to hide. When the orc appears with his lackies, he demands Otto continue work on his Warforged Titan, giving him two days to complete the construction. When he resists, Viakane tosses him from the height to his death.

The party promptly departs, snatching up the fragment of the Lachla Shard along with Otto's musket and a number of other curious artifacts.

## (21/05/20) - Ches 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Fogel
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Perven
* Slink
* Vyodros

Vyodros, having spent the last couple of weeks pondering over the Lachla Shard fragment he discovered at the Warforged Factory operated by Otto, allows the psionic energy trapped within to enter his mind. He finds himself gifted telekenetic abilities and able to ward his mind against psychic attacks.

With Jamaal leading the way, they stumble headlong into Viakane and a band of orcs. Deciding to hide and potentially set an ambush upon the cliff-face. While many in the party are contended with letting them pass, Alton is not and forces their hand. Enveloped in the darkness cast by the drow, the orcs surge forwards up the cliff-face, harrying the party. Perven melds into stone, Alton is near immediately felled, Jamaal and Slink continue their skirmishing tactics and Vyodros steps forwards, citing his holy texts and banishing Viakane.

Slink manages to feed Alton a healing potion, allowing him to start his furious onslaught with his newly-acquired greatsword. As Fogel's Earthen Grasp holds two in place, Vyodros also disappears into the stone next to Perven, having also cast Sanctuary on himself. Alton, now dubbed Swolton, is knocked down once again, leaving just Jamaal, Fogel and Slink to continue to harry the remaining orc band. Fogel uses his magic to carry Alton to safety, allowing the kobold to heal him. Perven uses Guardian of Nature to augment his form with that of a Great Tree and starts to fire away. As the ranged members of the party continue to fire, Slink stands between the orcs and his companions, allowing Alton to attack with his pistol - only for it to jam!

Fogel's Earthen Grasp continues to move across the battlefield, restraining the fastest moving of the orcs. Jamaal kills another two, allowing Slink to slay the last of those restrained. Between Perven, Alton and Jamaal, the last of the orcs are slain, and Vyodros emerges from the stone, still holding concentration of the banishment. They take a moment's breather and ready themselves for Viakane. Hit by a flurry of arrows and lightning bolts alike, Viakane refuses to flee and seems set on fighting all of them. As Vyodros' sanctuary holds strong, so Viakane attacks Alton instead, knocking him down again. Slink heals him almost immediately, and the drow, kobold and quasi-deity stand side-by-side to fight the oversized orc. When Slink tries to flee, he catches a javelin from Viakane and is knocked unconscious. Fogel rushes to his aid but can only watch as Alton is knocked down again, before the drow is brought back up by a Potion of Healing from Vyodros' pocket. Fogel casts Aganazzar's Scorcher as Vyodros readies another strike - but it is Jamaal that slays him in the end. As he *dies*, he turns to ash, disappearing back to a fiendish plane.

They return to Fort Kroideyn.

The following morning, they decide to simply do some exploring, heading around the bottom of the lake. Passing through a burial ground of sorts, they come across hobgoblins making an offering before a foul-looking shrine, dispatching them quickly. Jamaal inspects the shrine, finding a rune proclaiming the words of Kol - "No Bloodshed, No Violence, Only Peace." This command seems to apply to the ring around the shrine, the one they had just indirectly defiled. There are other bodies, reaching for the stone, but none have wounds - and Perven deduces they may have starved. While Vyodros casts detect magic, they find a note on one of the slain hobgoblins making mention of a location called Khokkolun, the correspondence between Edak and Dralvar. The divination magic given off by the shrine seems to falter, evidently desecrated, so Vyodros encourages the party to move on.

After crossing a river through a ritually cast Water Walk, they spy a tower ahead from which a pair of Griffons take flight, seemingly on the hunt. They foolishly decide to strike at the party, and one of the pair is felled, prompting the other to flee. After Slink scavanges from the corpse, they make their way towards the tower - finding it is marked with the same hobgoblin mark and seemingly tended to, owing to the well-kept farm out back. Vyodros stops Slink from raiding it with use of his new-found Telekenetic powers and the party decides to give simple chatter and diplomacy a try. The hobgoblin that opens the door introduces themselves as Dralvar and offers them tea and talks of the lands around them, including the shrine to the north. They learn that Dralvar is of a shrine of five (but now the only survivor, owing to his wife's recent death and the demise of his brother, son and uncle by the hand of Perven, Alton and Slink). Realising this, the party makes a quick exit and runs back to the shrine to plant evidence to suggest that orcs were behind the attack.

Pushing through the night, they arrive at the shrine and successfully plant the evidence, although do stumble across a failing small farm and an immortal bird called Perfire - who befriends Vyodros following a gift of crackers.

Their deceit seemingly successful, they returned to the fort.

## (25/05/20) - Tarsakh 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Lost Flame
* Perven
* Slink †
* Vyodros

On a pleasantly warm day - much to the irritation of much of the party - the group sets forth for the north and Vester Keep, passing by Jinjam's House on the way. Finding the retired barbarian well and baking pies, they continue up to the keep without incident, but find the ruined fortress seemingly occupied with a campfire seen. Slink, with Perven in mouse form in his pocket sneaks up, spying orcs and ogres seemingly left to guard the location. Alton confirms this when he manages to utilise his Arcane Eye, also discovering a trio of giants are present. Inside the keep, he spies an orc and a half-orc which stand guard over the trapdoor. Slink, Perven and Lost Flame make their way up to the walls and ready their part of the ambush.

Poisoned arrows fly and the ambush is sprung. One particular Orc Red Fang seems rather inept as nearly falls from the battlements and then nearly drops his weapon, but is soon matched in his inefficacy by a Orc Claw of Luthic. Alton explodes an ogre's head with Stormsong and the fort explodes into two-tiers of combat - one upon the walls, one in the courtyard. Slink and Lost Flame make their stand with shortswords in hand, Perven leaps from the battlements in bear form and Alton and Vyodros sweep along the ground with their lightning-infused weaponry. The last orog surrenders but finds no mercy.

Alton sends his Arcane Eye down the open trapdoor, finding no sign of the remaining pair. Within is a wine-cellar there is an iron door, seemingly locked. Spilled behind the door is blood of non-orcish origin, so after clearing out of the cellar they continue onwards once Slink pushes forwards. They find a mortuary of sorts and in a different direction another room with signs of a struggle - and a voice calling for help in a language other than Common. In the room from which the voice eminates, a pair of sarcophagi have been shattered (both from inside and out). Alton's Arcane Eye goes scouting further, finding a maze-like series of tunnels filled with dormant undead. Deciding to investigate the voice, they seem to find the source but are distracted when Alton is attacked by a Steeder lying in wait. Alton's greatsword delivers a vicious retort, but attracts other steeders - smaller but far more numerous than the first. As he finds himself surrounded Perven turns Alton into a giant ape and is still capable of communication with the party through Vyodros' Tongues spell.

The cries for help turn out to be Melusvi, with whom Vyodros shares a conversation - as well as succeeding in three consecutive wisdom saves. After a back and forth of spellcasting, Melusvi, trying to coerce Vyodros into helping him to regain his 'treasure' decides he will help them find treasure for themselves as to try and win their favour. He strolls through the winding tunnels with reckless abandon, seemingly invulnerable to the attacks from the claws of the prior residents of the keep. The party struggles to keep pace, harried by the ghasts, but generally manage to keep up with the Giant Ape on hand. He leads them to a split in the way, encouraging them to pick between treasure and pool of magic water. The water shows strange properties, with an elemental aura - and turns out to be a Water Elemental. When the concentration on Polymorph is broken by Perven taking damage, Melusvi casts fly on Alton whose subequent gun fire awakens a Beholder. Melusvi attempts to cast a spell, only to find it futile due to the creature's central eye. He runs and the party does so too, but Lost Flame attempts to strike the Beholder on the way out and narrowly avoids being disintegrated for his guile. As the Beholder's eyestalks continue to fire off to little effect, Vyodros positions himself out of the antimagic cone and manages to cast Banishment on it. The party takes this opportunity to start looting but are interrupted by Melusvi's insistence to return to the portal that he wants Vyodros to cast Dispel Magic on. On the way back, Vyodros burns his last third-level spell slot to prevent this from occurring, garnering the fiend's ire.

Melusvi immediately dominates Lost Flame, commanding him to slay Vyodros. Initially he can find no purchase but eventually manages to knock the cleric prone. In the meanwhile Melusvi had taken considerable damage from Alton and Vyodros, allowing Slink to slay him. He, like Viakane, turns to ash.

When the party tries to leave the Beholder floats in their way. With eyestalks firing away with rays of charm, disintegration, death, enervation & petrification, a few find their mark. Lost Flame is knocked unconscious, Alton is turned to stone but Slink's poison finds it mark. Vyodros narrowly avoids being disintegrated but Lost Flame is put to sleep. Vyodros is struck with a petrification ray but manages to wake up Lost Flame with a *Shatter* before he turns to stone. When he springs to his feet he manages to land one strike but his others are ineffectual. Perven continues to find some success with his *Produce Flames,* but it is not enough to save Slink. Paralysed, he cannot move out of the way from the Disintegration Ray and is turned to dust. A Death Ray kills Lost Flame, but Perven finally manages to kill the aberration.

Slowly ferrying the statues and the dead back to Jinjam's house, Perven manages to return to civilisation with a sizeable portion of the loot. Vyodros is unpetrified, allowing him to cast *Greater Restoration* on Alton and *Raise Dead* on Lost Flame - but there is nothing he could do for what remains of Slink.

## (14/06/20) - Mirtul 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Fogel
* Lost Flame
* Nira Thiloriasien
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

With the Thunder Rider's Way newly Hallowed, the party travels to Fort Kroideyn ready for their departure at the turn of the moon. Led by a new kobold adventurer Sip, they head north and come across an ogre being led in chains by a group of four guards towards the Fort. They claim the ogre had attacked a merchant wagon and they found him lying among the corpses but the rest of the party is not so convinced - when they try and persuade the guards to allow them to investigate, tensions rise - and then boil over when Sip tries to touch the guard's shoe to inflict them with a perpetually odorous boot and a misplaced telekenesis makes it look like they are attacking him. Lost Flame kills their leader in an instant, and Vyodros declares that there can be no witnesses now. Lost Flame and Vyodros ensure this is the case, and they bury the bodies.

Later the party comes across the aforementioned wagon, concluding it was a gnoll attack. They bury the bodies before continuing on to arrive at Vester Keep. The ruins are quiet, the bodies previously strewn around the construction gone - both those left their by the party on their previous visit and those skeletons that had seemingly been there for many years. After Fogel finds himself buffed somewhat by one of Sip's infusions they move quickly into the tunnels beneath the keep and find one of the routes is now blocked by an arcane ward giving off evocation, abjuration and conjuration auras. Deciding to head off in the other direction for now they quickly stumble into a swarm of skeletons and flameskulls. A couple of fireballs deal some heavy hits, but the party starts to strike back with blows of their own. Fogel saves the entire party from a fireball with a well-timed counterspell and the tunnels fall quiet once again.

They press on towards the lair of the beholder, finding it occupied by more skeletons and flameskulls. Lost Flame and Nira rush to deal an aberrant flameskull, while Fogel, Sip, Vyodros and Perven tussle with another swarm as well as skeletal juggernaut. Perven polymorphs Vyodros into a Giant Ape just as the party is fireballed again and then immediately harried by the skeletons once more. With Fogel's Minute Meteors and Sip's Flaming Sphere acting to damage from range, the Giant Ape swings ineffectually - and then the zombie beholder reveals itself. Fogel's Tides of Chaos bursts forth with lightning, damaging all of the foes but the juggernaut. When the juggernaut falls dead, it splits into twelve skeletons. Nira is swarmed, quickly being knocked unconscious and while the Giant Ape starts to push through, it is Perven's Tidal Wave that deals with the majority of skeletons. With Nira down, she is targetted by the zombie beholder, dicing with instant death from its innervation ray but in the end Sip's fireball puts down the undead aberration. The party deals with the remaining skeletons relatively promptly and does some looting, and Fogel manages to harvest some zombie-making fungus for Sip. The kobold dumps the flameskull remains in the pool of acid.

They return back towards the castle dungeons, finding a treasury of sorts. Sip opens the chests and finds more treasures, before the party commits to heading back to find Slink's ashes. They find that the other door to the room in which he fell is not warded magically, and carefully enter despite Vyodros' general bad feeling. Behind a squad of four soldiers stand guard in a defensive manner, commanding the party to leave. Vyodros learns their master is currently carrying out a ritual, and that they are consider themselves Breakers of Justice. They were previously paladins of Zitus, as the party learns while Vyodros chats away and allowing Sip to slip by invisible as part of the distraction. Vyodros continues to parley further, now with their master - Zesoldi - while Sip spies a mural seemingly depicting Varal (supported by Hammers of Zitus and plants and vines of Kaarin) fighting against demon lords. Zesoldi tells the party that he wishes to defend the continent from the mind flayers, but has not the power yet. The party follows him through the portal, taking damage as they do so in accordance to their alignment. Inside a large pool of magic lingers, seemingly the prison of Kur'ixan. Vyodros and Zesoldi discuss and argue how best to protect the continent from the inevitable return of the mind flayers, with Vyodros disagreeing that releasing Demon Lords to fight them is the way forwards. Zesoldi calls the other members of Arcadia were cowards to take the Lachla Shards and run, and now wishes to stand strong where he once faltered. Vyodros calls him a madman, refusing to acknowledge him as the hero he seems to wish to be.

Angered at this discourse, he tries to get them to flee - but none of party find themselves frightened and so strolling away at their own pace, by their own volition. They return to the Fort.

## (22/06/20) - Kythorn 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Lost Flame
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Sip
* Vyodros

As the party goes to leave, they are accosted by a pair of young adventurers called Kit and Tin, who insist on coming along. Despite the party's efforts to encourage otherwise, they cannot shake the pair. Kit casts a spell on Sip that causes an ongoing noise of flactulance and then later on Jamaal to make him blind when he tries to lead them on their way - but denies it in both instances. After a passing experience with a talking rabbit, Vyodros casts Detect Evil and Good establishing they are not aberrations, celestials, elementals, fey, fiendish or undead but he seems to have the ability to change his shape in subtle means, as well as more dramatic transformations such as into a mouse. His brother appears illusionary too, his flesh clammy and leathery.

Nonetheless, they appear to find the dragon's cave, hidden behind a waterfall. Inside the entranceway a small band of kobolds rummages through small bones and other piles of refuge, with which Sip parleys. They are of a tribe of Kedyr, the green dragon previously encountered by the party, and rely on a roper called Gus to guard their cave. After a number of items are shown as part of an attempted trade for oil, tensions rise but Sip manages to bring the talks back on track by offering a rock that smells like meat. The talk is disrupted as a grinning dragon visage appears on the wall, allowing Sip to turn invisible and turn away. When a kobold chomps down on the mouse-form Kit, it breaks the spell and Jamaal looses an arrow.

The roper springs into life, reeling in Alton, Lost Flame and Vyodros. Kit pushes deeper into the cave in pursuit of the treasure, only to be attacked by kobold sorcerers. An inventor tosses a pot of rot grubs the way of the party but most are burned up immediately by Sip's pellet bombs. Green-scaled guard drakes come lumbering from the dark as Alton kills both the roper and rot grubs in quick succession. The party fights on, Kit revelling in the drama and proving himself to be a formidable opponent. A vicious chromatic orb nearly downs Sip, and the party takes note as a half-dragon assassin slinks from the dark. The numbers of the cave inhabitants begin to falter but Sip is knocked unconscious, only to be brought back up by Vyodros. Alton and Jamaal continue to harry the last standing creatures from range while Kit finishes off the two stragglers.

Deeper in the cave they find the dragon's hoard, at which point it is revealed that Kit and Tin are not Guild members and don't seem particularly set on sharing the treasure evenly. He drops that he is a native to the lands and is familiar with Melusvi but not a huge fan, and after the party agree to take a single item each he reveals his draconic nature - a copper dragon called Kitaris - and offers them a favour in return. They select their chosen item, and leave Kit and Tin in peace. As they leave, Kitaris sprays water upon them in one final teasing gesture, and when they reach the cave entrance they are handed a book by Tin - seemingly written in Elysian.

They rest the night in the cave and set forth around the northern edge in the forest, encountering a trail of footprints - primarily humanoid and numbering around ten in total. Following, they witness a band of fey creatures tossing a large gemstone into a deep and murky pond uttering a taunting remark - "Bye Barandir". Sip and Alton go to investigate, and are attacked by a Froghemoth that emerges from the depths. Alton is swallowed, finding the gemstone within, while the rest of the party fights to free him. Vyodros' attempt to cast geas is foiled by the froghemoth's lack of comprehension of language, even with his ongoing tongues spell effect and so he instead turns to more offensive means - with a single powerful guiding bolt he slays the monstrosity. As Sip and Alton swim free from its belly, Vyodros investigates the gemstone and hears a voice within asking to be freed - Vyodros believes this truthful and so dispels magic. As the emerald shatters, a sultry half-elf appears and after some healing rouses to consciousness. He reports that he was captured by the fey seemingly led or associated with the hag known to reside within the forest. With the curious tale told, and a bedroll covering Barandir they make their way back to Camp Thorne.

On their way, they pass a sinister castle from which demons appear to spill forth, freed into the Material Plane.

## (29/06/20) - Flamerule 1496 DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Barandir
* Lost Flame † (brought back by Revivify)
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

Accompanied by:

* Uhllinpabil † (brought back by Raise Dead)

After a rousing speech from Alton, the party sets forth towards the newly-discovered site of the disturbance in the middle of Tornka Forest. Ebbing and rhythmic in the pulsing green radiance, the portal is anything but radiant - but rather tainted with evil and foulness. A grey-haired gnoll leads the summoning, accompanied by a congregation of gnolls. From the huge portal bursts forth a wave of demons and the forest stirs into sudden chaos.

Jamaal fires at Fenrir, finding the fiendish gnoll's vision to fixate upon him as he does so. Call Lightning proves less effective that usual when the demons show resistance, but they fall to arrows and blades nonetheless. Perven wildshapes, Alton and Sip manage to break through the invisibilty that Fenrir casts. Just before the Arms of Hadar engulf most of the party, the adventurers start to pick off the gnolls chanting the ritual but are too slow to prevent the arrival of a Nalfeshnee - which promptly teleports over to Alton. The party moves from the dark void-like space, watching as another demon bursts forth, a Glabrezu that chases after Jamaal, seemingly able to see the Gloom Stalker. Barandir dispatches the last demon in the darkness of the Hunger, leaving none within. The Nalfeshnee tries to summon another of its kind but fails, but Alton cannot find an opening to deal damage. Lost Flame, Sip and Bear-ven continue to clear out the minor demons, while Jamaal keeps pace ahead of the Glabrezu for a time - before being stunned by an arcane abyssal word. A Chasme tries to put Vyodros to sleep, only to be forced back twenty feet by repeated lightning damage - thus making his drone out of range for the rest of the party members. Lost Flame goes hunting for gnolls, more demons spring forth from the portal. Jamaal breaks free of the stun only to be grappled and lifted into the air. Barandir falls asleep to the drone of the Chasme, while Alton continues to stand his ground against the Nalfeshnee, finding aid in the form of Bear-ven.

Lost Flame and Sip continue to thin the herd, with Alton ignoring the demon at his side to shoot quasits. Jamaal escapes the grapple by means of the Cape of the Mounteback Uhllinpabil wakes Barandir, stepping into the darkness of the Hunger of Hadar to do so - only to be pulled free by Vyodros. Alton shots the Chasme, killing it. A Dybbuk spawns, but the wave of demons before it find themselves fooled by Barandir's Major Image - an illusion of his father. The spell even tricks the Glabrezu for a time before it grapples Lost Flame and casts darkness. Vyodros rushes to the aid of Alton, dealing a few hits before being struck back with fury. Uhllinpabil rushes in, biting at Maw Demons before they bite back. Sip finds herself surrounded by a Bulezau and a Dybbuk so disengages and moves back to the party but the demons give chase. When the Nalfeshnee goes chasing after Vyodros, it is grappled by Giant Ap-ton and so it lays into the polymorphed Alton.

Lost Flame is encircled by demons - the Glabrezu near splits him in two, but kills him nonetheless. When the Dybbuk tries to possess him Vyodros instead casts revivifyand Lost Flame survives for a little longer - only to be knocked down by other demons. Giant Ap-ton finally slays the Nalfeshnee, only for the Polymorph to falter thanks to a Barlgura. A tidal wave kills the Dybbuk, and Sip heals Lost Flame back up again. When the Glabrezu grapples Vyodros, they tumble away from the other demons by means of Wrath of the Storm - watching as Barandir seemingly runs towards the portal. Still locked in the grip of of the Glabrezu and enclosed in darkness, Vyodros reaches out and casts Dispel Magic on the portal - succeeding.

Alton's piercing shot tears through an Abyssal Wretch, a Dretch before sinking deep into a Barlgura attacking Vyodros, before shooting a Manes. Another Barlgura continues to harry Sip, before the kobold is transformed into a Giant Ape by Perven. Giant Si-Ape bludgeons the Bulezau, nearly killing it, while Jamaal continues to stalk in the dark, picking off Gnolls. Vyodros falls foul of the Glabrezu, but is pulled free by Pabil.

Bafflingly, Barandir barrels through the portal, straight into the Abyss trying to parley with the Demons. Strangely, it doesn't seem to work. Jimmy the Maw Demon nearly kills Lost Flame before being slain by Sip, Vyodros is healed by Perven, Alton shots more demons and Barandir triumphantly strolls forth from the portal back into the Prime Material Plane once more. Another tidal wave pushes foes off Perven, who transforms into a bear once more and Jamaal continues his hunt for Fenrir - but it is instead Barandir that locates him, right next to the portal. When his Eldritch Blasts go wide, Fenrir attacks with his flail and knocks Barandir down as a Shadow Demon sweeps from the portal - only to be dissapated by an arrow for Jamaal and a pair of shots from Alton. Perven continues to duel with a Barlgura in bear form, Lost Flame is healed up and attacks Fenrir recklessly, joined by Bear-ven in the endeavour but in the end it is Jamaal that kills the gnoll and with it the portal closes.

With the breach closed, the party takes a final stand to destroy the last of the demons. Vyodros banishes the Glabrezu and the Hezrou and then melds into stone to continue his concentration. Alton shots one Barlgura, Jamaal another. Perven slays a Rutterkin with his shillelagh and soon only a Maw Demon and a Chasme remain. Jamaal kills the Maw Demon, Alton the Chasme.

The forest falls quiet, and with it the adventurers destroy the portal - recovering a smoking orb from the wreckage.

## (14/07/2020) - Eleasis 1496DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Barandir † (brought back by Revivify)
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Vyodros
* Zook Za-Rah † (brought back by Revivify)

Beneath Vester Keep, the party catches Zook up to speed with the sociohistorical context of the Eskaryan situation before pushing onwards to the portal that transports them over to where the prison of Kur'ixan supposedly lingers. Most of the party takes damage as they pass through - just as many did before - within finding the chamber largely unchanged. A spectral bone naga moves to greet them, speaking with Vyodros telepathically to discern their intentions. Seemingly satisfied, it allows them to continue to investigate. The cleric casts Commune, learning there are layers of protection, and the prison contained within is moveable by mundane means.

Most importantly, he learns that Zesoldi still watches over this place.

As he dispels the magic, elemental spirits of water surge forth, the one at their centre clad in plate. Alton destroys a pair of them with Stormsong, garnering the attention of the Myrmidon that tries to freeze him in place with his strikes. Both Merric and the Bone Naga fire off bolts of lightning, and when Vyodros is grappled into the water he calls upon his powers to part the arcane-filled liquid to create a dry path to the chest. Jamaal and Zook continue to attack from range, while Alton's pistols fire away. Vyodros, drowning by means of water elemental walks free thanks to Freedom of Movement, and with the felling of the Myrmidon by Jamaal, the other elementals do not spring back into life after their destruction. Alton leaps into the pit, seeing abyssal runes around the chest.

The bone naga tries to charm Vyodros, but fails - prompting a thunderwave from the cleric. Alton shrugs off a charm by the voice within and starts hauling the chest free. Barandir reads the text upon the chest, declaring it so:

*"Here lies the banished soul of embodiment of Kuri'xan, the Demon Lord of the Oni. Place your hands upon this prison at your peril, and forgive the failings of your wisdom."*

They teleport to Varal's tower and later return to Fort Kroideyn after their discussion with the mage.

The following day, they set off from Camp Thorne on a cool day to continue exploring the forest but instead decide to to loop around the south of the forest to minimise their time spent in the strange surroundings. Come nightfall, the party makes camp not too far from the entrance to the Underdark, but instead of drow or other denizens of the deep a band of knights passes by, flying banners of a hooded figure wielding a hammer. In the morning, Alton and Vyodros identify them as amongst the followers of Zitus from Zook's description before they set off - passing nearby the broken portal to the Abyss but finding the forest largely unaffected by the noxious incursion, decreeing the damage clearly minor as they spy a prancing unicorn.

They push on to the hut, with Barandir taking simultaneously the lead, the appearance of his 'father' Kalandaer and command of eight woodland beings - a blink dog, two boggles, three pixies & two sprites. When the boggle goes to knock on the door, a Giant Crocodile tries to take a bite but misses, disappearing back off into the water. A wizened voice calls out, initially skeptical but more receptive to the namedrop of Kalandaer. Agnes Marshcradler opens the door, immediately seeing through the disguise and declares him a liar and ruiner of plans, before declaring she has taken a new lover. Enraged, she summons spirits from the surroundings as the woods fill with Will-o'-Wisps. Alton destroys two, Vyodros another, before finally the hoard of fey creatures lays into the hag. While their weapons prove somewhat ineffectual, their spellcasting ability is not - particularly when they turn Barandir, Alton and Vyodros into Giant Apes. Agnes closes the door, only for it be opened by the Boggle as he clambers up the door frame. One of the polymorphs falters when the sprite is swallowed by a crocodile, leaving Vyodros grappled by the beast. Zook frees him with his spear, before dashing forwards to engage another reptilian beast. As Alton's polymorph falters with another sprite consumed, Barandir resists a spell from Agnes, before breaking free of the Giant Crocodile restraining it - only to be dragged into the water once more. Nonetheless, the hag finds herself continually harassed by a teleporting blink dog.

Jamaal continues to pick off the crocodiles when Agnes comes storming forth from the hut - teeth and claws alike tearing through the fey creatures. The giant crocodile starts to deathroll Barandir in his polymorphed form, causing him to break concentration on his conjuration as he is dragged into the depths of the river. Vyodros parts the water, creating a trench one hundred feet long that reveals all manner of silt, grim - and a giant crocodile and giant ape. Jamaal rushes forwards, putting down the monstrous crocodile once and for all. After failing to take hold of Jamaal with a spell, Agnes flees down a trapdoor - only to be chased by a giant ape and the river itself, courtesy of Vyodros. Knowing he cannot fit in that form, he encourages Alton to shoot him to break the form.

Flooded out of her tunnels, Agnes and her companion Michael Clotbelcher dimension door behind Alton and Vyodros. Barandir summons a Barlgura to attack the hag but loses control immediately. Agnes turns invisible but the group looks on in horror as Jamaal is swallowed by the Clotbelcher and the Barlgura tries to summon another demon - and thankfully fails. As smoke and mist emerges from Michael's mouth, the party realises Jamaal has Dimension Doored free with his cape. Zook pummels away at the loosed Barlgura before it returns back to the Abyss. Springing from her hidden position, she mauls Vyodros and grapples him, dragging him away. He manages to sleep away with aid from Freedom of Movement but not without taking serious damage in spite of his Protection from Evil and Good. Jamaal continues to fire away at Michael, aided by the harrying recieved courtesy of Zook. Barandir carves out of Michael's belly but in the end it is Jamaal that slays the foul creature.

Agnes is unrelenting in her hunt for Vyodros and misty steps to strike - knocking him down. Alton draws his greatsword and starts to attack, matched in his strikes by Jamaal's arrows. Zook drags Vyodros clear and when the hag moves Alton tries to grapple her. Knocking Barandir prone forces Alton to choose between Vyodros and Barandir. In the end, she decides to harry neither of them, instead crushing Zook completely in her grasp before finally turning back to the fey-infused half-elf. With two members of the party dead, Alton and Jamaal give chase, finding trouble in the chambers beneath while all the while fighting back. Alton is dragged into a pool of acid, recieving serious wounds. Taking flight, Vyodros casts revivify on Barandir before rushing forwards to try and offer aid but finds he cannot pull Alton free. As Jamaal continues to harry Agnes she turns to flee deeper into the acid, transforming as she does - but no-one is able to see into what.

After Zook is revivified and Alton healed, the party search the contents of the hut and the tunnels beneath. Decomposing bodies of adolescents are aplenty, as well as those a young dragon. Alton recovers an arcane pearl, the others a series of books, as well as lockbox filled with sugary treats and other trinkets. Vyodros destroys the hut with a Destructive Wave and with it the party departs.

## (20/07/2020) - Eleint 1496DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Fogel Chernin
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Sip
* Vyodros

After spending a short time taking stock of what Eskarya has become - and what it might still continue to do so, the party sets off north on a rainy day hugging the coast.

As the first day starts to draw to a close, the earth beneath them starts to rumble as a group of five bulettes spring forth. Between them, Alton and Jamaal immediately put one down but they start to leap and crush the grouped up party. After casting Phantasmal Force to trick one of the beasts into believing a Red Dragon had appeared, Fogel's wild magic grants him immunity to intoxication but does little to assail their attacks. Vyodros heals up Fogel, pulling him free - assisted in this by Alton - to try and get him out of harm's way. A web grenade from Sip binds a trio of them for a time allowing Vyodros to thunderwave them. As they spiral offwards from the energy, Fogel tosses minute meteors at them, Alton fires away with Stormsong and Jamaal with his bow, with Sip weaving through offering support. With all five felled, the party rests as they harvest the carcasses before pushing on.

Come nightfall, they make camp at the water's edge with Sip spotting a rat and Jamaal spying a light in the sea, seemingly a ship bound for the coast somewhere to the north. When morning arrives they are attacked by demons from Tornka Forest - a Chasme and three Vrocks. Jamaal and Alton take down the Chasme before it can approach, but the Vrocks manage to close the distance. Nonetheless, they are quickly dealt with and the party moves on to the nearby camp. Modest in size, gnolls flying the banner of Fenrir mill back and forth, shifting pillaged from and into the palisade fort. Alton scouts it out with his Arcane Eye while Sip disguises herself with grass-like patterning in an attempt to camouflage against the plains. From range, Alton and Jamaal clear much of the camp before the others have the chance to push forwards. More damage comes from range from the party, prompting a pair of the gnolls to attempt to flee. Fogel's Scorching Ray continues to be effective at picking off those trying to flee - the initial survivor blasted from the cart by a Call Lightning only to be put down by Jamaal. Sweeping through the remainder of the hyenas with ease, distracted only be Fogel losing all his facial hair.

They clear out the camp, carting the supplies back on the wagons recovered.

## (28/07/2020) - Marpenoth 1496DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Fogel Chernin
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

Vyodros sends a message to Varal, learning that he is busy maintaining the safety of Elysia but offers no more answer to what has occurred and instead encourages them to continue their exploration.

Setting forth from Camp Longtooth on a warm and bright day, they are immediately attacked by howling demons. During the battle, Perven turns into a Giant Scorpion to fight a Bulezau while Fogel holds the Howlers in place with *Earthen Grasp* to allow Vyodros to shatter them. Alton cleaves one of the Howlers in twain as Fogel falls foul of its eponymous wail, causing him to drop concentration on his spell. He is protected by Alton that grapples the Howler before it can give chase, hasted as he was courtesy of Sip. They destroy the remaining demons.

After a short rest they press on with Sip scouting with the last of her flight to spy a moderate-sized warship off in the distance. On the nearby beach, they find a rowboat and a camp, as well as an overwhelming feeling that answers can be found upon the ship seen. The camp appears abandoned for at least a month, with no discernable tracks leading away from it. Fogel and Alton sprug off an unknown effect, prompting Alton to scry on the deck of the vessel - finding it emaculate and impressive and attended to by non-uniformed crew. As they makes plans, Sip vanishes, leaving a faint Conjuration aura upon the beach where she once stood. She awakens in the hold of a ship, surrounding by tables of food and a voice originating within her own mind. When she tries to flee, the aberrant Maelkrow grapples her and gives her a final chance to make a choice - join the crew, or be consumed. In response, she casts *Gaseous Form* on herself and slips between the planks of the ship. Maelkrow gives chase through teleportation, hanging onto the side of the ship as it attacks. After vanishing for a moment, it seems the creature has transported Fogel too, as he vanishes from the party walking across the water towards the vessel. In response Perven drinks a potion to boost his movement speed and Vyodros starts to fly - both to try and close the distance more rapidly. Fogel finds himself in the dark, harried again and again by the aberration, falling unconscious. Sip heals him to allow him to cast *Mirror Image* to try and forestall his demise. Once the aberration destroys the illusions, Fogel casts it again and it continues to keep him alive.

As the rest of the party flies close Sip uses *Minor Illusion* to catch their attention, Vyodros shatters the deck and goes chasing after the sound - with Alton and Perven close behind. The crew remain dazed, paying little mind to the chaos and simply trying to slowly repair the ship. Vyodros aids Fogel before the pair are teleported, but Alton shoots Fogel free. Seeing their 'captain' under attack, the crew turns hostile but prove as ineffectual with their blades as their repair efforts so the focus remains on the aberration which now drags Vyodros under the surface. Using *Freedom of Movement* Vyodros breaks free, prompting it to teleport to Fogel and turn invisible and continue to ambush the party. Derrick the Bandit tosses a scimitar at Perven in Giant Scorpion form but misses, although Superior Ed does manage to land a hit against the *Wildshaped* Firbolg. When Vyodros deals massive damage with an upcasted *Guiding Bolt*, Maelkrow teleports inside the ship once more with Sip grasped tightly. Sip is knocked unconscious but when Maelkrow's attention turns to Alton, trying to Enslave him but ultimately failing. Moving through a hole in the side of the ship created by a *Shatter*, Alton under the effect of a Potion of Speed reaches the monster and shoots it through the head.

The spell breaks and with it the control over the remaining crew falters. The illusion fades, revealing the bodies littered back and forth, rotten food in place of a bountiful feast and the feeling of contentment and allure disappears. They converse with Captain Gem who reports they came from Barnacle Bay under orders of their Admiral (although they fly no flag or other identifying banners). Working together they manage to slowly make it back to Eskarya.

## (03/08/2020) - Uktar 1496DR

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Barandir
* Sip
* Sylvadur Caraphax
* Vyodros

The headquarters of Midnight's Edge are riled up by the arrival of a retinue of Templars of Zitus, looking to arrest the newly recruited Luwin on charges of fraud, theft and murder. Luwin, when questioned by Alton admits to an incident at the Kissed Pixie and is subsequently handed over. Vyodros meets with Lord Aldwin himself, discussing casting Hallow over the city with the plan of funding it through dragon hoards.

The party travels forth from Camp Longtooth on a cold but bright day with Vyodros leading the way. They scout around the keep, noting a noble manor seemingly abandoned to the north. Nonetheless, they decide to focus on the previously discovered keep. Alton attempts to scry, but in the end it is Vyodros that manages the spell to scout out the location. He spies gnolls escorting a Giff into the castle, with three gnolls remaining to stand guard at the walls. As his vision fades he spies a pair of demonic eyes watching the surrounding landscape from one of the towers.

The party rests for the night, although they are interrupted after a couple of hours by a pair of marauding wyverns. While the first deals a vicious blow against the sleeping Alton it is quickly dispatched by Stormsong and a *Guiding Bolt* and so the attention turns to the other. Barandir's spell spews smoke in place of its intended effect, but this does not stop him slaying the second dragonkin. Sip raises concerns at butchering them, but ultimately the party does so nonetheless. They move the carcasses aside and continue their rest - Barandir taking part of it underwater thanks to the Alter Self property of Sip's Experimental Elixir. The following day they push on once more, doing a little more exploring before making for the keep. As they get close, Vyodros spies a figure (Maurice) watching in the bushes who promptly notices their approach. He explains that the Giff (Leroi) is his friend that got caught up in an ambush as they headed towards the castle from the coast as crew members of the Damned Drake. Since watching, Maurice has spied loot coming in, as well as an arcane source in a tower. They decide to sneak into the keep disguised as gnolls bringing prisoners and with aid of a *Tongues* spell, Barandir in gnoll form tries to parley and gets them to the main entranceway - but he does not know the knock combination. Sip slinks in unseen due to invisibility and finds herself trapped inside and the gnoll guard suspicious. She avoids his wild untargeted attacks and so the party is let in.

Barandir promptly sells the rest of the party for 50sp per 'prisoner'.

Sip tries to keep pace as they are led to the prisons, tumbling into a pit filled with snakes. It garners the attention of the gnolls and so they rush to seek out the source of the trigger. Sip manages to maintain concentration on her invisibility despite the snakes' attacks, allowing Sylvandur to trip the gnoll guiding Alton headfirst into it. The lead guard beats Sylvandur for his insolence, prompting the rest of the party to spring into action. *Spirit Guardians* tears through a number of gnolls, while Alton breaks the rope that the tripped gnoll clings too - he does not survive long in the snake pit. Sip floats free via *Gaseous Form*, leaving the pit behind, while Barandir slays a gnoll and causes them to rise as a Specter that immediately completely drains the life of the gnoll trying to strike Barandir. Sip heals Sylvandur and Alton tosses the doorkeeper into the snake pit, which promptly claims another victim. Fey of Barandir's court springs forth and sweep through most of the remaining gnolls. Vyodros and Alton free Leroi - who immediately looses more snakes hidden in a chest but between the magical guardians, Alton's pistols and Sip's Firebolts they are destroyed before they can deal any great damage. Vyodros marches upstairs, finding himself under assault by spears and arrows alike. Alton, Sylvandur and Barandir join him.

Fighting continues in the upper floor with those gnolls lacking true resolve fleeing further up into the castle. Down comes Fenrir to summon a Balgura that immediately starts to lay into Vyodros breaking his concentration. The creatures of the woodland realm continue to cause chaos but all are given pause as a huge demonic hyena-wolf comes rushing down the stairs. It tears into Sip, nearly rending her limb from limb.

Vyodros banishes the fiend.

Sip heals herself before turning invisible, Alton shoots at the Barlgura after moving Vyodros out of harm's way, although the cleric is targetted by Fenrir trying to dispel the magic of the banishment. The gnoll priest fails to do so, and then is immediately bodied by Barandir in Giant Ape form. Vyodros baits out Fenrir's reaction to strike him with a Guiding Bolt knowing he cannot counterspell, invoking fury from the gnoll. He orders the other gnolls to give chase but they are stopped by Barandir. Sip pours acid all over Fenrir, but in the end it is Alton that slays the fiend - but not with Deathbringer, Bane of the Violet Kings but instead his typical pistol. Sylvadur slays the last gnoll but when they try and assist Maurice and Leroi the pirates rebuke their assistance. Nonetheless, while Vyodros melds into the wall to maintain his concentration and Alton and Sip searching the rest of the castle, Barandir steals the kill of the last of the swarm - much to their annoyance - and while they are initially set on heading for the Freehold, Barandir bullies them into considering membership to 'Boy's Club'.

Sip recovers loot from what appears to be an office, and with a stack of books in hand Vyodros destroys the Teleportation Circle through means of *Shattering* the floor beneath it. They return to the City of Eskarya.

## (05/08/2020) - Nightal 1496DR

Involved party members:

* Barandir
* Eloranthyr Valindril
* Fogel Chernin
* Lost Flame
* Morgur
* Vyodros

Elora, a new arrival, introduces herself to the rest of the party after her entry speech from Lord Aldwin. Vyodros bestows onto Morgur a mighty battleaxe - Galesunder - and in turn Morgur reveals his newest ritual scarification of Vyodros' face in large across his back. Each impressed, the party sets forth, making the travel first to Camp Longtooth and then further north still with the Noble Estate in sight as they make camp.

The night goes without issue, although Fogel witnesses a shooting star of crimson far to the northeast that crackles with energy as it streams across the sky. Awakening to another clear day, Vyodros wills the latent power within him to intervene, successfully changing the weather to that of a storm before guiding the party north into the hills. At a river-crossing, the party notes they are being stalked by crawling humanoids. The monsters take flight, screeching as they approach but the party shrugs off their effects. When a larger harpy with a crude crown atop her head appears she manages to charm Lost Flame before tearing into Fogel. Barandir's blade slashes at the Matriarch, before Morgur erupts into a storm-filled rage and tears her apart with Galesunder. It does not dissuade the harpies though, as more fly from the hills. One of the harpies tries to grapple Fogel but is prevented from doing so by *Earthern Grasp*. Morgur cripples another of the harpies when she tries to flee, prompting Lost Flame to shoot her dead with his pistol. Elora's glowing flail pummels another, but cannot stop Fogel from being grappled by one of the slowed harpies. With an eloquant poem, Barandir cleaves another in twain - leaving just one harpy remaining, the one holding Fogel. The Warlock blasts the harpy from the sky, catching Fogel as he falls.

Near the coast, the party comes across a pair of girls dragging an unconscious gnoll southward. Armed with daggers, they are initially suspicious of Barandir in his guise Aldric of Greenwood but they do not understand them. Vyodros casts *Tongues* and establishes the estate is occupied by their master who has a thirst for knowledge, amongst other things. The party agrees to walk the journey back but find themselves hunted by a huge black dragon declaring *"We are the Chosen, You are the Prey"*. It flies directly for Barandir, its breath weapon dealing damage to both the half-elf and half-orc, knocking down Fogel and killing one of the serving girls immediately. The black dragon ravages Barandir but Morgur pulls him free at Vyodros' command to bring him closer, but the rest of the party cannot join them as they frightened. Nonetheless, the party groups up around the cleric at his demand.

A figure appears from the south, offering assistance and talks the dragon into departing after Vyodros declares that he will not have Barandir because he would soon be far away via teleportation magic. The manor owner mourns for Rose, his lost servant but Vyodros offers to heal her - and so her body is collected up by Morgur and they continue their journey south to the estate, arriving after nightfall. They find the windows boarded up, and the Estate flanked by small chapel. Within, passing by marble busts of Alekas, Niklas Alekas, Margaery Alekas, Delia Alekas and Timmot Alekas before taking a seat at the table offered. Alekas is joined by an elven woman. Under scrutiny (helped by a Potion of Detect Thoughts), they learn that he has ruled the estate for some seven hundred years and knows enough about the dragons to declare them unfoolish in the face of adversary. The party grows increasingly suspicious of his nature, prompting Lost Flame's curious nature to ask him simply if he was a vampire.

He confirms it.

His womanly companion confirms her affliction too.

They are quick to assure the party that they prefer to not drink the blood of civilised folk, instead focusing of gnolls and other such savages. Elora is charmed by Alekas, sitting at his side despite the noxious undead aura given off by him and detected by her *Divine Sense*. Talk turns to that of Aldwin and Vallirk Thorne and their newfound faith, and then to the keep to the south that bears his name. They don't learn a great deal of what lies beneath though, before conversation returns to their guest right. Alekas requests that they do not enter the dungeon but besides that they can roam the grounds as they wish. Guided by Vanya they are shown to their chambers, during which Vyodros dispels the magic that charms Elora. They make their way to the Chapel of Alara, finding it occupied by another vampire called Ameria. She pays immediate attention to Barandir, who reciprocates the odd ritual of sitting in silence before the shrine. Lost Flame finds stairs leading downwards but ignores them for the time being, meeting up with the rest of the party (except Barandir) in a library occupied by the organ-playing Azariah. She offers them usage of the scrolls and tomes, before offering to show Fogel first the greenhouse, and then his chambers when he declines. Lost Flame notes Barandir is gone from the chapel (having been bitten at some point when he was away from the party) and when Lost Flame, Morgur and Vyodros go to investigate they spy drag marks into the mausoleum but decide to play it cool, returning to Elora and Fogel who had been locked into the chambers by Vanya.

Refinding Master Alekas he apologises for Ameria's behaviour, rescuing Barandir (who has not turned into a vampire, for only Alekas has the power to do so) and so they return to the library. When Vyodros enquires about Mind Flayers they are guided to the basement, where the Master Vampire has an illithid chained. He has been experimenting upon it, learning of the weakness and frailty of their body while sustaining their strength through feeding it the brains of gnolls. He reports that the Mind Flayer appeared to have been fleeing from a pair of its number, and it grows initially fearful of Barandir when he disguises himself - before seeing through the illusion. The party rests for the night, but raise their overall concerns with the horrifying greyness and ambiguity of it all before finally heading to sleep.

While Elora and Vyodros had been contacted at the time, all are contacted during the night by Kozevask the Mind Flayer, who requests that they help him escape - something they are not in the position to offer as of yet. Come morning, Barandir's shirt is returned smelling of lemons and Vyodros does as promised - raising Rose from the dead with a dramatic reading from his Holy Texts. Master Alekas gifts Vyodros two books but asks for them back in time, as well as providing Lost Flame with a tome to teach him Elysian. Barandir propositions Alekas with the opportunity to gain someone inside the city of Eskarya, to which he suggests Ameria (with a very dire warning should any business go down).

Vyodros teleports them back to town.

## (10/08/2020) - Zetus 2EF

Involved party members:

* Aartoc Umbragul †
* Icarus
* Lance Garnett
* Nadir of the Gifts
* Ulrich the Mad †

All making their way to the Freehold from all manner of walks of life, the first true group of adventurers arrives at the port of the new world and are promptly introduced to the atmosphere by means of a friendly but heated brawl. They meet Josiah who declares the land lawless - but this works both ways - and his threats of retribution seem far from hollow. He makes mention of a community donation chest but reminds them they are under no obligation to do so. Aided by a captain that sails them to an island to the south-east, the journey uneventful and upon the dawn of the second day the weather is chill indeed. Lance seems to struggle but the party presses on nonetheless.

They spy a volcano to the east further inland, pushing through into the jungle towards it with Icarus leading the way initially but after a short while Ulrich takes the matter into his own hands. On the way, they pass through a flower grove in which Ulrich has his arcane focus stolen. He blasts the baboon responsible into pieces with an Eldritch Blast, sending the simians into retreat, but the party gets lost promptly afterwards. Nadir scouts out the island via his means of flight, spying both the volcano and mountains, as well as some ruins to the south-east. Carving through the foliage, they arrive at the ancient temple, the stone partially collapsed. Decorated with figures with fingers pressed to their lips. They spy offerings made at the central shrine most notable amongst them platinum and gold coins, and a large heavy chest. The party spies numerous traps, working their way around a number of them. Giving off an aura of divination magic is a rune near a large ruby fixed in place that they cannot shift with aid of Mage Hand.

Attention shifts to the writing on the wall and the magical-warded chest before decided to put both on hold to collect up the gold and platinum. Ulrich translates the text magically - "Silence is Treasure", also spying the words on the tomb reading "Kolhti" and the "Silent One". Bleeding from the eyes, he determines the chest has both illusion and divination magic auras. When Lance springs it open, a necrotic mist spills forth that ravages the party revealing a spear within. When Icarus touches it he is contacted by the voice of the spirit within, commanding him to slay the Silent One. He puts the spear into his Bag of Holding, but not before allowing Ulrich to read the text upon it:

"Here holds the soul of Zueteas Isuce."

Ulrich grasps the spear and asks questions of the entity within, finding the answers of generally mediocre but learned the Silent One is like to be unpredictable in its response to being disturbed. The party rests, during which Aartoc commands his Tiny Servant to try and fetch him the ruby - it fails. In response, Ulrich summons an Earth Elemental that is immediately struck with a pulse of necrotic energy. When it fails to pull it free, it shifts its grip it is hit with another pulse and destroyed. Icarus and Aartoc spy traps to the north in a chamber with three sacrophagi and a stone relief upon the wall. Atop a gargatuan ziggurat four figures are depicted wielding weapons, a sword, a dagger, a mace and a spectre - their bloody work plain to see on the levels below them. The urns are filled with a black ichor, the stone coffins decorated with names. Aartoc triggers a trap, but is warded against most of damage with a quick-casted ritual of his Tiny Hut.

While the priests start to attack Ulrich, one of them dispels magic on Aartoc's ward prompting him to cast Polymorph on himself. Icarus punches through the foes, Lance harries them with his magical deck, Nadir striking with lightning. Silence is cast upon the central tomb by the undead, spurning it to split asunder and another undead creature steps forth - face obscured behind a skull-like mask. Giving chase to a priest, Nadir stumbles into a previously spotted pit trap, but dodges a Finger of Death cast his way by Kohlti. The Silent One summons a pair of spirit warriors that knock Nadir down unconscious. Ulrich and Aartoc continue to push through the gate, before Ulrich is forced unconscious by means of Blight. A wave of Disrupt Life causes serious damage, but Lance manages to heal Nadir up again. Aartoc smashes through the wall to close the space with Kohlti - straight into the path of a blight that breaks his concentration. He escapes by casting Greater Invisibility on himself. Ulrich, damaged repeatedly in his unconscious state passes from the mortal plane and is nearly quickly followed by Aartoc but Lance heals him up. Nonetheless, it is not enough to save the concentration of the Wall of Force that holds them in place. The undead give chase, bludgeoning Aartoc into incapacitation once more. Lance is nearly torn asunder by the spells so he loots Aartoc and flees.

Kohlti appears to be trapped by the confines of the temple, repeatedly attempting to dispel the magic imprisoning him in place. As Lance continues to run, he is caught by a *Chill Touch* and when Nadir rushes to help him, he suffers the same fate. While Icarus pulls free the spear running to their aid, Aartoc dies of his wounds, but the genasi does manage to bring Lance back to consciousness who then crawls to help Nadir.

It seems that Kohlti is exhausted magically, unable to break the ward on his temple, but is not out of range of his cantrips and magic missiles. They cannot breach their shields and other abjuration magics and so the trio manages to escape, leaving the corpses of their companions behind.

When Nadir tries to attune to the spear, he finds it very unimpressed at the whole deal.

## (24/08/2020) - Evara 2EF

Involved party members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Fogel Chernin
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

After relaxing in the public bathhouse of Eskarya, the party makes their way to Vester Keep to start their adventure. They stumble across a Fey-like giant trying (and failing!) to hide behind a tree. While they initially pay it little mind until the party is split by a wall of fire. Alton responds with gunfire and the party follows in his stead - save for Vyodros who instead offers tea. After a small bout a parley is called, and the party establishes the giant appears to worship Altair, the brother of Kalaendar and declares that they stink of ripplebark, eluding to an animosity between the competing fey factions of Eskarya. The creature departs, and Fogel leaves an offering of rations in its wake.

The party pushes on southwards, the journey largely uneventful until they near the dwarven mine itself. A roc dives from above, tearing into Perven. The party springs to his aid as the firbolg is forced into its claws - only to find a giant scorpion in his place and its feet now webbed and earthbound into place. Fogel shocks it, Vyolnir brings the lightning, Alton shoots it repeatedly and finally Sip's flames put down the beast. While Perven recovers from the worst of his wounds, the kobold takes his knife to the carcass but ultimately does a poor job at the butchering. Nonetheless, all the party takes a feather as a trophy.

They head into the mines.

Covered in dwarven runes, the monstrous doors are flanked by a pair of argonaths depicting dwarven kings and so the assumption is indeed, this is or was a dwarven mine. Written upon the door, scrawled by a hurried hand in dwarvish a single word - Vervak, *Flee.* They inspect the statues of King Fisil Drakefall, finding no secrets. They try the door but it is too bulky to move easily so Alton summons a portable ram to break their way through, eventually buckling the brass chain on the other side. On the other side a long-dead (300 years or more) dwarf lies with hands upon a lever, fallen foul of starvation and a component pouch filled with brass dust. Sip opens a chest and releases a cloud of poison, before recovering some totally not magical boots and other general items. They find bedchambers emptied in a hurry and a tunnel system heading deeper. Alton utilises his puzzle cube to scout out the area with *Arcane Eye*, finding a wider tunnel and holding area, an animal pen shaped in the form of a stone igloo containing the skeletons of half a dozen goats and an outhouse filled with empty wicker baskets. Beyond the tunnel extends further still, they find a room barricaded shut by crates and boxes and barrels pressed against them, within a dwarf holding a journal. Fogel translates:

"*It came in the night. We did not see it until it was too late. With hammer and shield, we failed to protect our city and King. Those who were brave would die and find themselves in Valfurnar soon. Those who fled would be cursed. Those who hid would starve. I regret my courage failing me in the darkest hours. A shadow in the rocks. To run, starve or be consumed. I dread to know has become of my brothers. But I know my fate now. We have been locked in, but so has Umgor Azkhron (Cave Terror). This is our final sacrifice."*

The text in the journal prompts the party to notice a permanent shadow cast by a stone just outside the room that is unaffected by the passing of light, but ultimately not physical enough to be noticed by Perven's blindsight. It does not respond to stones or roc flesh being placed into its shade. When the stalagmite is agitated deliberately by Fogel, it springs into life as a stone golem and crushes the stinger of Giant Scorpion Perven. As the construct continues to fall apart with the assault, it exposes a golden rod decorated with platinum endpieces. When Vyodros charges lightning through the core, the golem explodes, leaving only a dwarven pickaxe.

The shadow disappears.

During a short rest, Vyodros inspects the items and learns they are both heavy in *Transmutation* magic. Alton continues to scout out the location. Most are mining tunnels, with ore and gemstones still present amongst the stones. A rusted set of armour with the Drakefall crest, more shadows and deeper still a mass grave - including the seemed body of the King himself, given the crown on the brow of the corpse. Clutched in his hand is a large orb. Later still is a wall of magical darkness that gives off an unsettling aura. After finishing the rest, they push onwards down the tunnels previously scouted, passing by a huge mound of stones blocking the cart tracks and then a roper covered in Terran runes. Alton, Perven and Vyodros are grappled and reeled inwards.The sounds of gunfire attract the attention of cloakers, Fogel accidentally turns invisible and Alton hides the rest with a darkness spell - and so they pass by the party unaware of their presence. After waiting a while they inspect the body of the roper, but cannot discern the text - so instead take it with them by hacking the flesh off. They also spy a chain-like tattoo around the central eye. They push onwards, finding mundane gemstones and ores before coming across the corpses, all seemingly torn apart by huge traumatic force. The orb gives off a strong *Transmutation* aura, prompting Fogel to investigate it further:

*"In the King's name. Enter Nel Kuldohr."*

They return to the main chamber, going to investigate the wall of darkness. The name of the King does naught to dispel it, so Vyodros uses his magic, finding the arcane effect to be powerful indeed. The tunnel beyond is quiet, unremarkable beyond the etchings of *"Flee".* Eventually they come across a doorway with a circular indentation into which the crown and the orb fit in place, as well as another warning:

*"May the crown protect the tomb of Umgor Azkhron. May it never awaken. May it never rest. May it never be unearthed upon the world again. May our fallen brothers find peace in Valfurnar."*

They discuss how to proceed, considering keeping the 'keys' for themselves to prevent other adventurers from opening the door, working to put the spirits of the fortress to rest or simply for sake of curiosity. They raise concerns for evil finding their way in and strengthening their resolve. Spurned on by the others, Vyodros opens the door, revealing a gargatuan shadow entity on the other side. It tosses a huge rock at Alton, but the drow catches the boulder. The next two boulders miss by matters mundane and arcane and so the party pushes forwards. The creature glides through the stone around Perven's icy trap, tossing boulders all the while. Perven summons a group of woodland creatures to aid, but the creature barrels through them. Alton hits the elemental with debiliating force, weakening one of its arms. Vyodros is nearly beaten to death, so Perven orders one of the pixies to *Polymorph* him into a Giant Ape. One of the Sprites partially cripples the entity, exhausting him, but Umgor tears chunks of his form apart to summon three earth elementals. Alton continues to harry the gargantuan elemental, but Vyodros instead picks up one of the earth elementals and throws it down the corridor out of the way. One of the pixies confuses another of the new foes, allowing Perven to *Thunderwave* them back down the corridor and Fogel to follow it up with a *Lightning Bolt*. Umgor shifts through the stone, surrounding most of the party. Alton deals vicious damage, but Perven is knocked unconscious and so the woodlands spirits - and their polymorph - vanish. Sip heals up Perven. Vyodros banishes the two elementals, but is left behind when the party starts to run free.

The rest of the party is harried repeatedly and cannot make their escape. Eventually Perven manages to get free, Fogel casts Sanctuary on Sip and Alton but it does not save Sip from falling unconscious. Alton remains standing on the verge of death, Sip, Perven and Fogel all lie unconscious at Umgor's feet. Stepping out, ignoring the Earth Elemental at his side, Vyodros preaches from his holy tomes.

*“My chains were broken by the power of the Creator, for he has revealed himself to me. He has heard our cries and has come to deliver us to a land of sweet berries and cool winds to ease our aches. Strike your chains against the stone, and follow, for I walk alongside the Lord.”*

- Chapter IV, Verses 30-31

The shatter tears through the mine walls, splintering the earth elementals asunder. Umgor's demise dissapates the other elementals, and the caves fall quiet.

## (29/03/21) - Kharisrain 2EF

* Alton Elenaur
* Fogel Chernin
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

Afflicted by a baleful curse courtesy of Umgor Azkhron, Vyodros manages to communicate his concerns to Perven who casts *Greater Restoration*, finding the process a struggle. With a lingering haze echoing in his mind, they set forth from Vester Keep, bound for Nel Kuldohr. With a brash boldness, Vyodros leads the way - his fearsome prowess and might scaring away any threat of encounter. They pass through the broken doorway, a relic of their past visit, and once more into the halls via the mines. They find the remains of Umgor Azkhron, a mass of organic matter and stone which Vyodros wards with *Forbiddance* while Alton casts *Arcane Eye* to scout forwards down a ramp. Finding fountains, broken statues, bent bowls of gold and further signs of desolation. At a junction, Alton turns left, finding another junction still shortly afterwards, as well as large set of doors decorated with dwarven glyphs sealed shut. The eye turns back, finding an armoury filled with scale decorated with drakes, the other room containing weaponry and a trio of chests. Bound now for the south, he finds coins stamped with the face of the dwarven king previously seen, scattered across the floor in mundane living quarters.

The continued search in the opposite direction locates similar architectural design, but in place of the sealed door a modest library is found - still in a state of disorder from its sudden abandonment. Nearby living quarters seem that of scholars, a few containing the remains of the scholars themselves, clutching at robes and chests. The eye returns, and the party head along to visit the scouted locations for themselves - first stop, library. Fogel rummages through the books, finding a historical tome of note detailing the monarchs, marriages and ceremonies and wars with other surface dwarves, elves and other races - but most so that of duergar. There is also mention of a coalition between Thistle Drakefall and another for sake of protecting the Prime Material Plane, referred to as the Vinculum of Volute. After contemplating why Umgor Azkhron didn't just glide through the stone to freedom, they visit the living quarters finding little save fine inks and papers and the assorted petty treasures.

At the door, Vyodros moves to investigate its thickness, only to be struck back by a sudden arcane force. He dispels the magic, which drops diamond dust at his feet, leaving them to marvel at the spiral design wrought into the bronze. Fogel places a coin into position but it doesn't quite fit so they try a dwarven coin, prompted by the quote of *"Golden Head & Golden Tail"* - that then activates a mechanism that unlocks to reveal a descending staircase into a ceremonial chamber decorated with metallic and chromatic dragons but broken by a deep and uneven pit, broken pieces of stone similar to the elemental form of Umgor scattered on the inner surface of the door. Fogel is prompted to put out his torch by the party so Perven casts *Darkvision.* As they investigate the room, Vyodros stumbles across an invisible duergar, with Alton taking the lead on the parleying with the territorial dwarves of the Underdark. They deign to claim responsibility for Umgor's rampage, Bhelnir Darkheart now lays claim to the fortress (Darkheart being the name of a den that long warred with the Drakefalls), and tired of Alton's elven chatter that call in Dwarven *"to ready the worm."*

Alton blasts two duergar with Stormsong, Vyodros follows suit with his *Spiritual Weapon* after feigning understanding of Alton's chatter. Perven uses his Elemental Wild Shape to transform into a Earth Elemental, granting him tremorsense, and so rushes towards another invisible duergar. Bolstered further by Sip casting *Haste*, Perven staves off the assault of a gargantuan purple worm - immune to the poison of its stinger and resistant to its bite. Narrowly avoiding being swallowed, it stands fast while Alton continues to blast at the invisible duergar. Fogel sets down an inch of metal, summoning an Instant Fortress that bludgeons the worm, before it is banished temporarily by Vyodros. Alton blasts a Mind Master, Perven demolishes another two with slick and horrifying elemental efficiency. The party prepares for the worm to return, throwing all manner of attacks. Shrugging off their strikes, it tries to eat Fogel, finding instead one of his mirror images. It whips its tail at Vyodros, who is saved a nauseating wave of poison by Sip's Flash of Genius. Fogel tries to strike the worm with a *Guiding Bolt* but his Tides of Chaos causes him, Perven and the worm to turn invisible. At the prospect of an imperceptible gargantuan monstrosity, Vyodros dispels the magic, making them visible once more. The purple worm shifts suddenly, running Sip through with its Tail Stinger, immediately knocking her unconscious. Alton, both pistols firing repeatedly tears the worm asunder, allowing Vyodros to *Heal* Sip back to health. Fogel tosses a copper piece with *Light* cast upon it down the hole, though it promptly disappears into the depths, some thousands and thousands of feet.

They push onwards, finding a duergar that offers a peace meeting with their King within the Great Hall. Perven is requested to drop his elemental form as they are guided through much of the corridors - passing trained hook horrors, a lava-filled forge, a large bronze lever and a pair of stone slabs sealing a cavity beneath ready to be lifted by chain before finally arriving at a throne room in the company of a King. Scarred in brow, crowned in a wreath of almost-flaming metal. He offers a proposal, all the gold in the treasury in exchange for the prize found behind the doors to the west. They have sent warriors to deal with it, but none have returned - but from time to time, they hear music playing, suggesting some sentience to the evil. They agree to investigate further, with the King offering his blessings in the name of the Autarch, permitting them to rest in an antechamber before proceeding further. They are taken to the corridor leading to the gate, finding corpses of duergar slain through various arcane means and an iron golem deconstructed with purpose. Passing a store room filled with rotten supplies, they enter into the chambers of an arcanist - a huge chain hovering in the centre with a gentle swing and sway. A dwarvish command, lisped through lack of tongue or teeth, commands Sip to die - which she promptly does, struck by a *Power Word Kill*. Alton tosses a *Faerie Fire* into the dark, revealing the invisible lich and allowing Fogel to strike away two of its *Mirror Images* with Scorching Ray. A fireball sets Perven and Vyodros ablaze, but when Perven tries to turn into an earth elemental he is forced back by the effect of a *Hallow* spell, preventing his encroachment. He instead summons animals to aid him, but the Giant Eagle is paralyzed. Alton lays into the lich with six rapid shots, dealing significant damage. Fogel, reflecting upon what is said by the lich decides that they are not a threat, but rather a guardian of something worse hidden behind the chain. While the other party members relent, Perven casts *Maelstrom*, pulling the Bodak and the Giant Eagle into the whirlpool. Perven is persuaded into breaking concentration on the spell, allowing for conversation to occur.

Skordrout Boneforge turned themselves into such to protect the chain, doing so to ward the chain and protect it for not just one lifetime, but countless. The darkness behind has been locked away using the upper limit of mortal power - strong abjuration magic - one of five chains to hold back apocalyptic horror. The duergar had repeatedly tried to push through, and with Skordrout Boneforge weakened by the combat the party's sudden departure would threaten the sanctity of the protection with its guardian weakened. Sip offers up Sovereign Glue to slow their immediate approach to give the lich a time to recover. They ask further details of what is contained, the lich declaring it to be an entity of madness, capable of deceiving mortals into believing it to be their god to encourage fealty. Skordrout Boneforge laughs at the proposal that it is Kurtulmak is trapped, then requests they leave him to his business (after a bartering of books (included amongst them a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Book) and a gift of Vyodros' Holy Tomes). Trying to ward against further duergar incursions, the party agrees it best for the duergars to believe them dead as to make them further weary of the Lich's power, and so find rest after sealing their way through use of Shatter warped by Channel Divinity, Sovereign Glue applied along the seems, repeatedly layers of Wall of Stone to fill in the empty spaces, Stone Shapes to seal the door by means of the framework.

They recall back to the Hall of Tempest.

## (03/04/21) - Verdair 2EF

* Alton Elenaur
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Nira Thiloriasien
* Vyodros
* Zook Za-Rah

Making quick time to the gates of Nel Kuldohr, Alton and Jamaal slink into the darkness, leaving Vyodros to treat with the duergar guards at the testing arena. He manages to persuade his way past, and is led back through to the Great Hall where Bhelnir Darkheart makes his court. Despite Alton's protests, Bhelnir does not believe that he is being decieved by the entity trapped behind the Chain - and instead believes it to their god, trapped away. As they now refuse to complete the task given, he demands 5000gp in blood money for his lost warriors and worm, which provides the spark necessary for conflict to break out. The drow gunslinger puts down two guards in quick succession and puts himself between another and Nira. A towering duergar takes a swing at Vyodros, only to be blasted back out of range by *Wrath of the Storm.* A thundering construct appears, surging forwards, closing in on the party as Zook has his mind warped into attacking Jamaal as he stands next to him, before regaining his senses a moment later.

Jamaal slinks away from those that give him pursuit, while the remainder of the party finds themselves penned in close - and so *Spirit Guardians* returns in kind. Nira tries to throw a *Fireball* at the King, but finds him immune. Alton opens up on the now-revealed Warlock Ragmir Gorefist, nearly killing them immediately. The huge iron golem pummels Alton without mercy, and when Jamaal rushes to his aid he misses his shots. Ragmir summons down a *Flame Strike,* Vyodros returns in kind with a *Shatter* that kills the Warlord. Darkheart stumbles forwards, unleashing a jet of flame at both Vyodros and Alton. Nira incinerates her harassers with *Burning Hands*, taking shelter behind a pillar. Alton unleashes Fury, and then Deathbringer, Bane of the Violet Kings, swinging violently at duergar and construct alike. The construct responds with its sword, knocking the drow unconscious, and nearly sending Zook into the same fate. Darkheart unleashes another stream of fire, triggering Vyodros' *Death Ward* and sending the barbarian down. Ignoring the radiant aura, the golem drops Vyodros too. Nira is trapped within a Wall of Fire with King Bhelnir, but breaks his concentration with a well-placed *Guiding Bolt* knocks him to his feet. Alton heals Vyodros, who then banishes the contruct. The King stumbles to his feet, finding cause to attack the cleric - and as Vyodros' consciousness fades his concentration falters too. Nira's *Guiding Bolt* once again proves to be the King's folly, exploding him in a wave of fire and psychic charge as his takes fatal damage. The rampaging golem butchers both Zook and Nira, but is eventually punched into pieces by Stormsong, Alton's firearm. Vyodros, healed up by Jamaal, uses *Revivify* on both Nira and Zook - for something seems to shamble out of the dark. The scream of Hook Horrors now loosed echoes through the halls - and the party readies themselves for the danger to come. Dancing Lights illuminate the corridors as Vyodros takes flight.

Jamaal and Vyodros defend the upper corridor, putting down two Hook Horrors in quick succession. Alton takes down another, and then a fourth falls shortly after. A pair of duergar march into the room, one is quickly dispatched by Zook, the second stunned and then slain by a combination of Nira's and Alton's ranged attacks. As another duergar pushes through Zook batters him into the stone, and Nira flings a fireball which nearly kills the remaining hammerers. The Fire Giant is unscathed, charging forth into the path of an exceptionally well-placed dart. A pair of *Guiding* *Bolts* and two shots from Stormsong following - the latter particularly violent - and the remaining two foes turn to flee. Vyodros fells the giant, Jamaal the hammerer and the party rests after gathering their prizes.

Vyodros attempts to *Stone Shape* through the huge slabs, sealed by Abjuration magic, but cannot do - but concludes there is a great deal of space beneath, and seemingly no creatures lurking in place.

They return home.

## (05/04/21) - Ripplesun 2EF

* Armond Stormbreaker
* Nira Thiloriasien
* Perven
* Sip
* Vyodros

Vyodros visits the new shrine set up at least partially in his honour by Nira, impressed at the construction. He does however comment on the lack of a holy relic to place within a reliquary, and so severs his right index finger to grant them such an honour. Channelling his new found divine powers, he regenerates the body part and makes his way back home, contented.

A few days later the party sets forth on a warm but gustful day with a new companion - the dragonborn Armond - bound for the abandoned town to the northwest. Deciding to meander through the forest to further map it, a willful mist stalking them, revealed to be Melusvi and accompanied by Valmoth, towering through the trees. Unimpressed, Vyodros uses *Word of Recall* and encourages the rest of the party to just take a day off. Once they have travelled back through to Vester Keep, they set off into the forest again, mundane unlike that of Tornka Forest. While skirting around the northern edge of the Eskaryan Peaks they come across a statue of an elderly gentleman surrounded with an unnatural degree of plant growth. A fine piece of masonry, seemingly created via an enchanted *Stone Shape*, Perven discovers Druidic runes etched into its base. Noting the pleasant and calming aura, they set off contented, pushing through the forest to the northern edge.

The party finds themselves looking across an expanse of rocky hills, separated by a large cavern deep and **dark**. Built somewhat haphazardly around central towers, a series of settlements of stone and rubble akin to those of the monstrous races seen previously. The party decides not to push on further, making camp - Perven sleeping as a bear, Vyodros within a rock, Sip in a pit, Armond invisible via the *Ring of Nude Invisibility* and Nira perched atop a tree stump. Throughout the night wardrums echo off in the distance and campfires spread off along the horizon.

Come morning, they skirt the edges of the hills which remain thankfully quiet, noting that it was perhaps an extension of the forest despoiled by war, demon lords or simply the unrelenting sunlight. In the forest, they find themselves greeted by a human standing atop a rickety bridge tossing a coin between his hands. He reports that he has travelled through the lands, having spent some time in the city of Eskarya - but was not a fan of the aura given off. They ask him whether he had encountered Melusvi and Valmoth (which he hasn't) and if he knows anything about the statue they encountered previously (which he rubs for luck) or the abandoned camp which he claims is filled with demons but is ascertained to be in reality his mates setting up a camp outside of the empire. He continues to slow their approach, talking about how they refute borders or flags and have laid claim to it. Armond tries to join their group to lay his own claim, but is told that it doesn't work like that, much to his irritation.

Nonetheless, they travel onwards to the town, joined by their new companion. Overgrown roads guide them close to what was perhaps once well-kept, a village of ten or so buildings of varying levels of decrepitation - vines, dry rot and weeds everywhere. Armond feeds some stray dogs a portion of his rations, and the party waits at the gate as their 'guide' explains to his elder what is going on. They don't seem particularly impressed, but the leader of the group offers to share the loot evenly. After introductions are made, giving their names as Rudy, Avery, Hasan, Saber and Kari, the Tabaxi Saber seems incredibly nervous once the party give their own, quickly proclaiming them to be a devotee of Vyodros. Vyodros blesses him, using *Stone Shape* to make an idol to replace his rough-hewn copper one. Saber skips off, ecstatic and filled with delight.

They search the houses.

Sip goes invisible, spying on Saber as he searches but ultimately not doing anything suspicious. Vyodros finds an old home, seemingly once occupied by a Alchemist called Aleeto who worked to heal someone afflicted by madness. He finds a well-filled coinpurse, a journal, some broken toolkits and an enchanted potion with miscellaneous semi-translucent organic mass at its base. Nira visits Gimble's Meat Shack, a befouled butcher filled with rot - and little else. Armond and Perven investigate an old blacksmith and via the druid's *Detect Magic* find a hidden alcove hazy with Enchantment and Divination auras. They uncover a Double-Bladed Scimitar that has been haphazardly repaired.

Commotion echoes through town as the well overflows and half a dozen bloated corpse-like creatures, tasting the air with long slathering tongues. Perven comes rushing from the blacksmith, having transformed into an Earth Elemental, crushing a pair in quick succession. Sip unleashes *Slink's Revenge* and incinerates a trio of them, with Nira burning the last of them with aid of a long-ranged dagger from Rudy. With one of the houses now on fire, Vyodros uses *Control Water* to clear the well and put out the fire - as well as pulling another dozen or so foes free, as well as an aberrant mass that psychically screams to herald its arrival. The skumbeasts do the same, knocking Armond unconscious. Sip's *Web* holds them in place allowing Vyodros to smite half a dozen of them with *Call Lightning*. Perven continues to pummel the aberrations, gliding into the earth to ward himself against the psychic screams. Sip casts *Mass Healing Word*, but cannot do enough to ward Saber and Kari from instant death as another Skumbeast starts to wail. Nira defends Rudy with her *Spiritual Weapon*, and Armond, now conscious, takes down his first foe with a *Witch Bolt.* Sip and Perven clear out the rest of smaller creatures, leaving only the Skumhulk caught in the webbing. In the end it is Rudy that slays the aberration, giving Sip and Vyodros a chance to *revivify* Kari and Saber respectively.

Sip and Armond start to carve up the Skumhulk, and afterwards they dive down the well to investigate the source. Beneath a cavern opens up, filled with vibrant fungal growths and further creatures shifting in the gloom. A voice calls in the dark, telepathically mocking them for their chagrin. The skum close in, ravaging the party, so Perven casts *Polymorph* to transform into a Tyrannosaurus Rex - only to be enslaved as an aboleth rises from the deep. Sip, invisible and flying thanks to her Elixir avoids another psychic scream, but Vyodros, trying to stand his ground to defend his new devotee. Perven breaks free of the charm but his polymorphed form is torn asunder by the Skumhulk. Saber continues to run around, avoiding the Skumbeast giving chase, but when Armond heals up Vyodros, he is able to banish the Skumhulk, but not the Aboleth. Armond is promptly enslaved but flails ineffectually at Perven, allowing him to *Conjure Animals -* a Lion and a Giant Toad coming to their aid. Saber betrays Vyodros, his mind too enslaved, but the cleric manages to shrug off most of his attacks. The conjured beasts prove a useful distraction but are torn to pieces. As Armond and a Skumbeast charge down Vyodros, he drops concentration on *Banishment*, only to immediately recast it and this time cast both the Skumhulk and the Aboleth. The Aboleth now in another plane of existence, With the tide turned, they clear out the remaining aberrations - their form more clearly that of humanoids, the presumed residents of the town. The group prepares for the return of the Skumhulk, assuming it to be made of flesh native to the Prime Material Plane. While the creature manages to let off one more psychic scream it is quickly dispatched - with Vyodros uses *Divine Word*, giving a single demand - "Falter!"

The party locates a few magic items lingering at the base, grasped in the hands of a failed skum, and then makes their way back to the surface where they split the loot, giving barrels of alcohol and a piece of art to the explorers, keeping the magic items and books for themselves. Rudy and Vyodros flip a platinum piece for the Double-Bladed Scimitar, landing on heads - and so Vyodros takes it. They ask the party to keep the location of Vester quiet for now to allow them to build a new colony away from the Empire.

Vyodros recalls the party home.

## (08/04/21) - Dualfar 2EF

* Barandir
* Fogel Chernin
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Sip
* Vyodros

Barandir brands a tree with his new brand. Sip is making her way out of Slink's grotto when she's stopped by templars of Zitus. They remark on her having brought more Kobolds to Eskarya and one their number holds up Sip by the neck. They tell her that they have one week to leave the city. Sip fights back by biting them on the finger, the templars draw their weapons and attack her. Sip turns invisible and starts running to the guildhall of midnight's edge for help. As the templars go to burn her grotto and the Kobolds inside she reveals herself and pleads with them to stop, they do so leaving Sip in despair.

The party heads out from Kobold Cave towards the Southeast where they find Dralvars tower and the farm north of it smoking. The tower is found ransacked with Dralvar's arrow littered body inside. Signs point to this being the doing of the templars of Zitus. Jamaal gets a nervous sweat when he sees that the arrows came from his shop. Vyodros buries Dralvar's body in the tea patch outside the tower. The party heads first to the southeast and then the northeast following the tracks left by 2 dozen templars of Zitus. Fresh embers and smoke can be seen to the northeast, Vyodros casts temple of the gods to create a safe space for the party to rest. During the watch Sip notices a small goblin girl running towards the temple. Sip greets her, asking what she is doing here, using detect thoughts she can tell that the Goblin girl is being truthful. Vyodros obliges to let the goblin in to rest. On Fogel's watch he attempts to write ass on Barandirs forehead, but Barandir wakes up and questions what he's doing. Fogel tells hi he saw something in the treeline, Barandir sleeps outside when he cannot get back in thanks to Vyodros not trusting him with a password.

The next morning Me says she came from Bezgil and that the village was attacked by humans with a resemblance to the templars of Zitus. Party promises to bring her home. She wants to go to Dralvars place but the party informs her of his fate. At Bezgil the party finds a dreadful sight, Goblinoids, ogres and tusked panthers slaughtered like animals. Vyodros helps to bury Me's parents by the stream. The Gobin girl wants to head to Drugmud, a walled community at the edge of Voskia woods. When the party arrives, Drugmud is in the middle of an attack by the templars. Vyodros flies in trying to stop the attack but his words fall upon deaf ears. Sip turns in to a small version of Kol using disguise self. Barandir slams a priestess with eldritch blasts. Fogel tosses guiding bolts, Vyodros tosses his hammer and heals the monsters in the town, Jamaal shoots and is caught in the crossfire. High priestess dispels Vyodros flight and he falls into a pit of hungry tusked kittens. Sip tosses cherry bombs and heals some Kobolds fighting a paladin. High priestess dispels Vyodros spirit guardians, Sip unleashes Slink's revenge incinerating 2 paladins. Vyodros smites a big group of paladins with his calll lightning. 2 paladins surrender and are to be brought to Khokolun for justice.Me the goblin girl is reunited with family. Party is led to Khokolun and told to wait for 1 hour while they go to speak with the council of the city. Barandir casts disguise self as a clever way to keep track of the time. Khokolun, a sprawling city full of wonderous shops entices the party's curiosity. The city not taking the usual currency of gold but instead bartering is the main form of trade- Some stay at the Ugly barrel tavern and eat while others visit the Apothecary run by a courteus drow.

Blacksmith - Miamrenshtedek’s Metalworks

Blacksmith - Nirjek’s Hammer

Apothecary - Velreth’s Vials & Toxins

Stables / Animal Pit - Vice’s Vicious Varmints

Bakery - Frefil’s Yum Yums

Enchanter - Zurlog’s Orphic Esoterics

Deum Pax Town Hall

Khurgor’s Supplies / Khurgor the Bugbear

The Ugly Barrel

Barandir sings a performance at the Ugly barrel and is gifted a dried homonculus by Zurlog(a orc with a copper eye piece). Barandir buys some drugs. Sip goes to Frefil Yum yum's and buys some candy. The party is led to the council, a diverse place of many curious races. The paladins are knelt before the council with armed guards watching them. Sitting behind a table sits the council of Kokholun, Nullaste the drow, Voyambi(Half troll), Akihiko(Fox humanoid), Viola(creepy old lady, Hag), Hurst(Loxodon). The council thanks the party for saving their people at Drugmud. They speaksof peace talks with Eskarya, but are told that Eskarya are likely set in their ways. The prisoners are kept in the city to be executed in order to keep the party safe from retribution from their own guild. Sip shows the Cryptex she found in Alekas keep along with the Straw doll of Kol to the council, hinting that she knew the city was a prison the Demon lord Zalmoxon. Viola questions how many know that Khokolun is the prison of Zalmoxon. Sip feels uncomfortable being interogated. After some deliberation the party are let go, the council trusting them with the knowledge but warning that if the knowledge gets out then all of their efforts to avoid the demons corruption will be for naught. The party stays for one more day in the city before Word of recalling home once more.

## (05/04/21) - Alor 2EF

* Fogel Chernin
	+ Amora †
* Nira Thiloriasien
	+ Erdasil †
* Lost Flame
	+ Brains †
* Sip
	+ Boom
* Vyodros
	+ Uhllinpabil

The party makes their preparations - Sip spreading caltrops, ball bearings, hunting traps and oil along sight lines and choke points, Lost Flame drinking a Potion of Growth, Vyodros calling a storm to their aid, alongside ritually casting *Forbiddence.* As the drums reach a frenzy before coming to an abrupt, droning stop, he summons a *Planar Ally*, the heavens responding by sending an angelic warrior with wings of orange-hued feathers. In return for her service, she demands the silver statue offered, the Almighty wants the book "Confessions of an Alchemist" destroyed. He accepts, and she pledges herself to their side for the time being.

Battle begins, a pair of *Fireballs* thrown on behalf of the kobold Boom and Nira, clearing out the front lines and revealing the hordes of gnolls, orcs, ogres marching before Valmoth's own path. With Lost Flame now *Enlarged*, *Hasted* and possessing of a longbow under the effects of *Holy Weapon*, he strikes down a trio of gnolls with javelin-sized arrows. Sip's ball bearings continue to play havoc with the advancing gnolls carrying war ladders. Amora is *Polymorphed* by Brains into a Giant Ape, who starts to toss chunks of the battlements at the advancing forces. Valmoth, having dispelled Vyodros' *Call Lightning,* commands his troops forwards - directly into a *Sleet Storm* cast by Boom, and another *Fireball* courtesy of Nira. The *Forbiddence* prevents the ingress of a Chasme and its rider, so Valmoth tries to *Dispel* it, but fails. An ogre comes charging forth, and then a second, the latter creating a bridge across the moat for orcs to clamber across. The Valkyrie goes toe-to-toe with an ogre, nearly felling a second. The party continues to defend from the forward battlements, sending forth *Scorching Rays* and *Guiding Bolts* at the advancing orcs and ogres, before Valmoth creates a Wall of Stone - now guarded by Amora in giant ape form. Ogre Bolt Launchers fire from the dark, harrying Lost Flame and Brains. Lost Flame rages, shattering a pair of gnolls with his longbow. The Valkyrie starts to fly after the Chasme lingering at the edge of the *Forbiddence*, and the attacks start to focus on those now scrabbling up the newly-made bridge.

Fenrir, returned once more, plunges Vyodros, Brains, Uhllinpabil and Boom into tentacle-filled darkness via *Hunger of Hadar* which is promptly dispelled by Vyodros, evidently showing Valmoth how to use the spell correctly as he fails to dispel it once more. A group of orogs make it to the wall, carrying a ladder, but are immediately *Fireballed* by Brains. Standing in ranks, the orogs start to toss javelins at the Giant Ape, nearly breaking the *Polymorph*, while Uhllinpabil warps the mind of an ogre with *Enemies Abound*, turning him on his once-allies that hoped to use them as a bridge across the moat. Boom and Nira toss another pair of *Fireballs* between them, incinerating orog, orc and gnolls alike. Melusvi sneaks up to near Fogel, casting *Dominate Person* and commanding him to allow them in - and so Fogel's eyes turn to Vyodros. Amora, human once more, is defended by Sip as a *Firebolt* ripples past, followed by a *Guided Bolt* from Vyodros. Momo, a monstrous mix of ogre and oni casts *Cone of Cold* on Boom and Brains, a process repeated immediately by Dai, another creature of the same form.

The orc mage steps forth, offering up the seventh attempt to dispel the magic warded the fiend's entry - and finds success. Fogel is given a new task, to bring down Lost Flame. With the two Onis briefly incapacitated by *Hypnotic Pattern* and *Tasha's Mind Whip* respectively, Nira's slap brings Fogel back from the domination just in time for the horde of Chasme, and the Tanarukks riding atop them. While Brains is brought back to consciousness, he is knocked down once more Momo's glaive. Quark, another monstrous Oni wreathes Lost Flame, Nira and Sip with a *Cone of Cold,* Lost Flame responds in kind with a devestating series of shots from his longbow, retreating back towards Vyodros. Erdasil is attacked by Tanarukk and Chasme in unison, Amora is overwhelmed by orogs and slain, Fogel is thrown from the battlements out of the wall, but when the Tanarukk responsible tries to move away Nira returns the favour, sending it tumbling from the walls. Brains follows Amora's fate, and Erdasil is close behind as a Chasme drains him of his life force.

Valmoth teleports to the battlements next of Vyodros, the cleric goading him about his folly - the casket of Kur'ixan long gone from beneath the keep. Uhllinpabil charms a contingency of a half dozen orcs, while Fogel dashes round through the entrance, deftly avoiding the traps laid prior. Nira fireballs another group of orcs and starts to move to collect on Vyodros' position. Valmoth stumbles forth, seeking to intimidate and then arcanely charm Vyodros into revealing the location of Kur'ixan's prison, but is rebuked with meandering ponderings by the Cleric. Sip wakes Boom with her *Mage Hand* as the exchange continues - Vyodros having caught him the fallacy of his actions - if he kills Vyodros then he will never know what has happened to Kur'ixan. His rage seething, he strikes twice at Vyodros, who stands fast, before being warded in a *Wall of Flame* by Fogel - whose Wild Magic inexplicably poisons one of the orcs stunned nearby. Boom, awakened by Sip sees the direness of the situation and uses *Dimension Door* to teleport away.

Valmoth continues to harry Vyodros with Heartcleaver, an enchanted axe filled with eerie whispers, but the party refuses to speak. In a fit of rage he swings the axe high, only to blinded by a flash of radiant light as Vyodros drops concentration on *Holy Weapon*. In the confusion, he drops his axe, Lost Flame snatching it up between the raging fire. Once Valmoth's senses return to him, the party is gone, the lingering haze of *Word of Recall* the only sign of their presence.

## (14/04/21) - Tyor 2EF

* Sip
* Jamaal
* Perven
* Mirinus
* Selafein

Mirinus and Selfain travel through rough storms, the crews of their ships seemingly used to such an ordeal. Once they arrive they find that the guild of Eskarya isn't hiring adventurers anymore and thus they are pointed towards the tavern formerly known as the Kissed Pixie. There they met Jamaal and Perven, two seasoned adventurers who offer the pair a chance to advneture out and gain riches. The adventurers make their acquanintances and head towards Kobold cave where they met up with Sip. They make their way to Vege cave, Jamaal triggers a trap and fighting ensues. Pygmies despite their lack of strength proved quite a nuisance to deal with. After the pygmies were dealt with they head on further, encountering what could have once been a formidable foe but was now nothing more than firewood. Inside the golem they find the corpse of an old man wearing a parasite-like armor and holding a green gem called a seed of Kaarin and a book containing druidic runes. The gem is identiified but not much can be gathered as it would require more indepth research. The parasitic armor is claimed by Selafein.

The party takes a rest at Kobold Cave before heading onwards. Heading eastwards of Vester keep they encounter a lone templar of Zitus apprehending a half-orc for alleged tax-evasion. Sip, having had bad blood with the templars, turns invisible and takes the key for the handcuffs from the templar. Perven pays for the missing taxes and the orc is let free. The half-orc thanks the party and heads to Vester. At the cave a multitude of Pocket watches hanging from strings are found at the entrance. Jamaal sneaks ahead, inside a number of sleeping nothics are found. Sip casts detect thoughts and finds:"memories, treasure, memories, who am i, change, change". Further inside a bigger Nothic is seen. Further thoughts are read: "Protect master, must complete research". Sip attempts to Parley but talks quickly turn to violence as Jamaal pulls his bow. Several Nothics are killed and the rest plead for their lives. The party decides to heed them and Sip questions what they are doing here and what is in the cave. They are hesitant but after some convincing agree to lead them to their master.

Their Master Encer, a once Mage from the Elysian Institute of Arcana expelled for delving into dark magics and research into turning himself into a lich. His memory not what it once was, he only remembers his name and that he has a purpose. Sip asks if the party can help him and is allowed to see the book he is reading. It is a spellbook containing many dunamancy spells aswell as Wish, which he claims is the only spell that can fix his affliction. He claims the Nothics in the cave were his students that he had turned in order to find a way to fix his affliction and that he also suffers from the affliction but that he can fix it by reverse enginering the ritual and needs subjects to practice on. He asks Sip to be his subject but she refuses and questions if getting more subjects will help him at all seing how many he had turned already. Sip suspects that Encer might have turned into a Nothic after failing a ritual to turn himself into a lich. The cave contains many books of immense value, two that catches the eyes of the party is an infernal book excuding evil and The Clairvoyant Esoterica by Estelar

compendium is bound in monstrous shell-like hide of a near impenetrable crustacean. Trimmed with viciously sharp teeth, long enough to cover the spine of the tome

Sip tells Encer that the party cannot help him but that they will return with someone who can. As the Party takes their leave they can hear Encer's pained screams as he finds the bodies of several of his former students killed by the party. As they make their way back, Perven decides to stay in Kobold Cave.

## (14/04/21) - Kaarina 2EF

* Fogel
* Jamaal
* Mirinus
* Sip
* Vyodros

Within Kobold Cave, Vyodros casts *Commune*, learning that their quarry is located somewhere to the east, presumably in Voskia Forest. Mirinus makes his introductions, impressed by tales of Vyodros' battle prowess and curious at Fogel (who introduces himself by a false name). They set forth for the lake, spying Varal's Tower now returned as they reach its banks. With aid of *Water Walk*, they cross the rivers that feed into the lake, before setting up camp - or rather a *Temple of the Gods.* Fogel and Sip stay up for some of the night, but it is ultimately uneventful.

Bound for the forest in the morning, it is late afternoon by the time they reach it. As they step in, Sip, who is in possession of the seed shrugs off an effect and so the party pushes deeper before making camp once more. Without space for the temple once again, Jamaal hides in a tree, Fogel and Sip dig a whole, Vyodros into Stone and Mirinus left out in the open. During their shared watch, Fogel and Vyodros discuss the fey and the origins of Fogel's wild magic before using *Commune* to further learn about their journey ahead - seemingly now bound towards the Lair of Sume. Mirinus is greeted by a squirrel that settles upon his shoulder, contented and calm as it gnaws upon an acorn. Come Jamaal's watch, he is interrupted by the approach of a singular bipedal creature but he cannot see it, seemingly invisible but still capable of breaking twigs with its passage. The bark of the tree starts to peel, carved into a simple message - "WANT GOLD? :)"

Interested, Jamaal nods, prompting vines to grow down the tree and along the tree line. Shifting like a snake, it encourages Jamaal to follow it further into the tree line, after which it lies flat. A voice calls out in Common, remarking that they are yet to met Jamaal and find great pleasure in being able to do so now. They rebuke attempts by Jamaal to learn his name, instead offering him a weight of gold, or a ruby equal in size to the ranger's head. In return, they seek the Seed of Kaarin - giving their name as Kaarin in an 'ironic manner' but quickly going back on it, considering the name revolting. Jamaal returns to where Sip is sleeping, unseen and unheard, offering a warning to the kobold. When Jamaal turns to rouse Vyodros from his stone, he is compelled to dance for six seconds, before breaking free of the compulsion. He reports of his encounter with the entity, they conclude it was likely one of the Fey children - they are interrupted by an irrate beaver speaking with the same voice. As they discuss further, assuming it to be perhaps Altair that Jamaal has encountered, they are assaulted by a horde of woodland creatures - a lion, a boar, two brown bears, a giant elk and an inexplicable polar bear. Jamaal's arrows fell the boar and the lion, Vyodros sends the elk and a bear flying into Mirinus and Fogel, accidentally knocking them into the dirt. Their foe catches most of the adventurers with a *Synatic Static*. In retaliation, Sip places the Gem within her maw, providing an Experimental Elixir to the minotaur. The rest of the beasts are destroyed in term, vanishing into a fae dust, leaving the party standing in the dark.

Kalandaer steps forth from the forest, offering all the party wealth and riches in exchange for the Seed. He charms Jamaal and Fogel, and when Vyodros attempts to use *Greater Restoration* to clear the charm, he uses *Counterspell*. Vyodros distracts him with making mention to not seeing a banner to declare the forest his, and while he creates one Vyodros rectifies Fogel's mind. After a back and forth, they learn that Kalandaer seeks the Seed to ascend to godhood and destroy the demons that ravage his lands. He states plainly that Kaarin is a hag, and that bringing the Seed to her will simply restore her power. Vyodros points out that if they get there and change their mind, surely Kalandaer will not be far to claim it for himself. Taking both the diamond disguised as the Seed and the Seed itself after the Archfey declares he can see through the illusion, Vyodros disappears into a stone. While Kalandaer initially refuses to sit anywhere but invisibly atop the rock he is coaxed away by stones tossed by Mirinus, he creates a throne upon which to perch. Sip tries to read his thoughts, mirthful and mocking tunes filling his surface consciousness until morning comes. The Archfey offers the party a goodberry for breakfast, an offer largely bawked, and later they set off (after Kalandaer seems to have seemingly vanished). Following the Seed, they pass close to Lair of Sume.

The forest is disarmingly quiet, save a deer that speaks with Kalandaer's voice to goad them of their impeding deaths. They spy a peak to the south, atop which rocs seem to roost, and come nightfall an attack comes. Jamaal unleashes a trio of arrows, each finding their mark, while the rest of the party readies themselves. The roc drops down, clutching up Mirinus in its talons, with Kalandaer seemingly riding upon its back. Sip casts *Web* on the Roc, causing it to drop from the sky, but when Sip tries to cast *Feather Fall* to catch Mirinus via casting it on the roc to slow their descent, Kalandaer counterspells, and Fogel counterspells his counterspell in return. The roc, struggling against his bindings pecks Mirinus, knocking him unconscious. Fogel uses *Dimension Door* to create some space, but then starts emiting a bright light - one that blinds Mirinus temporarily as he is healed back by a *Healing Word*. Kalandaer, exacerbated at the party disappears once more, while Sip promises to eat the Roc - slaying it promptly afterwards and salvaging five dozen rations, eighteen roc feathers and a pair of talons. Vyodros' *Commune* reveals that Kaarin is not in truth a hag, will be restored in power by the return of the seed, but her reaction to those responsible is uncertain.

The following morning, they push on quickly through the forest, passing what appears to be a village filled with amphibian humanoids before finding the eastern edge of the forest. After making camp for the night, another uneventful night passes, they set on another day of searching, using the Seed to guide their actions once more. They come to a bifurcated oak tree, the split just wide enough for the party to squeeze through - but not before knocking on the bark to no effect. They find themselves within an open space, filled with shrubbery, fungi and what was perhaps once a druidic encampment. Four bodies lie strewn, Jamaal reckoning they have been slain within the last hour by scimitars. Each wear an emerald pendant with a depiction of Kaarin, but save for some bowls for a recently made soup, they have little more on them. Jamaal holds out the Seed towards the roots of the fallen tree, wooden fingers reaching out that willing accept it. A partition breaks, the party spies another Plane of Existence filled with bioluminescence, Kalandaer *Transports via Plants* through the roots into the portal just before the rest of the party - who leap in after. On the other side, they are immediately attacked by a feathered tyrannosaurus rex. Fogel casts *Wall of Fire*, dealing damage thrice as the fey is first engulfed, charges through it and then forced back through via a *Thunderwave* from Vyodros. Jamaal plants three arrows in its chest, but once more it is slain by Sip and her necrotically charged nail as she casts *Toll the Dead.* It disappears, much as the beasts in the forest summoned by Kalandaer had a few days prior. The Seed guides them from an aureate sheen, transporting them once more.

They step out of an archway, atop a huge tree littered with dead fey and celestials alike. Kalandaer steps through a shimmering golden gate - declaring he is due to have a bath, and leaves all manner of evil fey between them. Jamaal is knocked unconscious, but half-dragged, half-dimension doored to the celestial portal, leaving Vyodros, Sip and Mirinus behind to deal with the others. Sip sets some aflame, Vyodros is afflicted with an irresistible urge to dance but shakes it off. When he casts *Divine Word*, without Fogel to aid him, he is counterspelled. Fogel awakens Jamaal, now standing in the atrium of a building of organic material and stone alike. The Watcher of the Forest bathes in a great pool, and Fogel decides to drag Jamaal back through the celestial gateway, only to be fixed in place by a Night Hag's *Hold Person.* Vyodros breaks one Hag's concentration, freeing Sip and Mirinus, Jaamal the other to free Fogel. Mirinus, roaring in frustration cleaves a Redcap, Fogel unleashes a *Thunderwave* after a flurry of *Counterspells*, only to be fixed in place once more by another Hag. Sip dispels a conjured Elemental, as the Seed is stolen from the paralyzed Fogel. Vyodros casts *Sleet Storm* to try and break the focus of the hags, as well as slow their movement. It does as intended, and Sip is able to slay the hag fleeing with the Seed. When it looks like the hag is going to escape, Vyodros casts *Dispel Magic* on the gateway, breaking it seemingly irrepairably. Jamaal continues to harry the hag now clutching the Seed, Mirinus gores her too - while her surviving coven sister tears Fogel asunder. Seeing herself surrounded, she Plane Shifts away. Vyodros, now surrounded casts *Spirit Guardians* which holds fast for a few moments. Unable to help him time, Vyodros is slain by a Korred.

With Fogel and Vyodros dead, Mirinus unconscious, the last of the evil fey are slain and Sip starts to revivify the others. Vyodros claims a Hollyphant tusk, tries to cast Divine Intervention to hunt down the last hag, but has not the strength to bring it about. Defeated, he slumps to the wood while the others start looting, before sending a message to the now trapped Kalandaer.

*"Unfortunately it appears I broke your door. We've killed your lackies too. I'll send Barandir your love, hope you brought enough soap for your bath."*

## (04/05/21) - Kaarina 2EF - The Trial of Sip

* Alton
	+ Merric
* Mirinus
* Sip
* Vyodros

Conjuring a mighty storm via *Control Weather*, Vyodros sets the mood for the trial, as well as driving away any crowds that might linger in the streets. The group presses onto the centre of the city, but not before *Freedom of Movement* is cast on Sip. After some tensions over the relinquishing of arcane focuses, with Vyodros refusing to relent, although does place Vyolnir to one side. Alton gives up his weapons, Sip having brought none, and the trial begins.

Aldwin Thorne makes his opening statements, declaring none in the room to be yet guilty, the nature of the accusations yet to be determined. A *Zone of Truth* is cast by the Valentius the adjudicator, with all members seemingly confirmed to have been affected, and so in an act of trust in response to being allowed to keep his holy symbol, Vyodros deigns to confirm this. Hannecke the Templar makes his opening accusations, declaring Sip and all kobolds to be threats to civility, and in doing so a threat to the long-term wellbeing of the city. Sip responds by reminding those present of her involvement at Vester Keep, Tornka Forest, Nel Kuldohr, Camp Longtooth, as well as Slink before her - the slayer of Rairaku, his reputation and heroism being cast aside.

Valentius questions Hannecke, forcing him to admit that his accusations are based near-solely on the prejudices of his zealotry and that near no evidence of her presenting an actual threat exists. In return, Sip confirms that she does not bear ill-will on Eskarya and the Empire, and while she has worries about Aldwin due to the danger she has faced within his city, she offers him no ill-will either. She does confess she had not love for Vallirk Thorne, explaining he has offered the same prejudices as the Templars - and so he brings her a great deal of worry.

Aldwin Thorne tries to interject, to which Vyodros offers up a response - regaling those present with a meeting with Vallirk after Fort Kroideyn had been recently captured for the Empire in which Vallirk expressed disdain for all monstrous races, and that soon "we won't need to worry about their type anymore". Vyodros continues further, ultimately stating that if Vallirk had his way, Sip would not be the only one on trial, but rather Alton, Mirinus and Merric would also be in chains, alongside all their non-monstrous companions. Murmurs ripple through the crowd, Aldwin tries to interject again but is shut down again by Valentius.

The forum is opened for questions between the parties. Sip accuses the Paladin present, the one responsible for pinning her to a wall and burning down her home, asking him if he felt his actions were justified. He counters by stating he believes his actions justified, before asking about Sip's definition of 'home'. Alton and Vyodros describe their guildhalls, Sip instead describes her grotto - "a vermin's hole" by the words of the Templar. He claims that this defiles the city, and so was justified in trying to exile her. Vyodros counters by asking him about his definition of civilisation, citing the mixing of cultures, societies and individuals. Unrelenting, Vyodros continues, asking whether the Templar knows of what a Glabrezu is, his resignation of not opens another tirade of Sip's valiantry in the interests of Eskarya and the Empire. The Templar agrees that Zitus would be pleased with Sip's actions, but stands by his previous comments.

When pushed, Hannecke states that he believes those that threaten the concept of civilisation should be cast out or killed, whether they attempt to do this through direct violent means or more insidious indirect methods, Vyodros acknowledging the irony of their ransaking of villages and towns to the east. Alton asks whether the High Inquisitor considers the Templars of Zitus to be above the City Watch of Eskarya - he believes they are in strength, power and faith. Hannecke explains he believes the subterfuge of checking in on members of the adventuring guild to not be underhanded, although he admits specific members have been singled out by a council of six (Hannecke, Agustin, Orion, Hilde, Joyelle, Bretta) for further investigations. Alton presses further, forcing Hannecke to admit that Vallirk Thorne, while not responsible for the specifics, was involved and aware of the proceedings and thus as Grand Master and has upmost responsibility over the autonomous agents acting in the interest of Zitus. He refuses to discuss it further, saying instead for it to be a question for Vallirk Thorne.

The Paladins believe the Templars of Zitus to be strong enough to face down any foe that threatens Eskarya. Sip then asks why she had not simply been told that she was expected to sleep in a bed and build a house in place of a grotto, instead of just being threatened with violence and destruction - and they admit it is their opinion that she would not be able to change out of old habits. Alton asks about another trial that happened previously, an ex-guild member found guilty after a trial was pushed impromptu. Accusations of mercenary status is offered, countered by remarks that the incentive is not immediately relevant, but rather what it motivates an individual to do - and clearly that motivation has spurned Sip to act in the interests of Eskarya, directly or otherwise.

Hannecke takes the floor, asking Sip a simple set of questions, each of which she confirms in turn. She knows Fogel Chernin, has seen him recently, and knows where he is. Vyodros and Alton confirm the same, although dance around the topic of Fogel's location - Vyodros mentioning he last saw him at Vester Keep, Alton at Nel Kuldohr. Hannecke instead pries at Sip, asking if she could more specific to Fogel's whereabouts. Alton and Vyodros attempt to cover for her, but the High Inquisitor continues his pursuit. As the questions become more and more prying, Sip refuses to answer the questions, which Hannecke takes as an admission of her harbouring of the sorcerer. Fear starts to set, the oppressive surroundings threatening to break her resolve, but she stands strong.

The charge is offered:

*"King-Emperor Aldwin Thorne, we accuse Sip the Kobold of aiding and harbouring a fugitive, one Fogel Chernin, and so acting against the interests of Eskarya and the Empire."*

Aldwin Thorne declares this a truth, regardless of the other discussions. Sip is refusing to give up a fugitive and so holds a certain level of guilt. In return for her aid in the past, he offers her one final chance to share the information. Alton acknowledges openly, speaking candidly with Sip in front of the crowd and acknowledges that Fogel's actions were misguided, done for the wrong reasons. He petitions her to give up Fogel, though Aldwin declaring the punishment would be most likely an execution - wanton destruction, manslaughter cannot go without unpunished after all - gives her pause. Alton declares it unjust for him to be sentenced without trial, for all the information is not present, but acknowledges that there may very well be no excuse for his actions. He once again petitions Sip to offer up Fogel's location, which with reluctance she does - giving his location to be Kobold Cave, but pleads not guilty to harbouring him, for Fogel has his own freewill to go where he pleases.

Aldwin accuses Sip of disregarding the laws of Eskarya if she refuses to acknowledge that by housing Fogel she has aided him in his actions against the Empire, and despite Alton and Vyodros' attempts to soften the claims, Aldwin sentences her as guilty - and so she is formally exiled, but until such time that Fogel is taken into custody, will remain imprisoned in perpetuum. Protests are made and quickly shut down, so Sip offers up her final statement, an admission of guilt for harbouring Fogel but requesting she be punished for them, not her tribe.

Aldwin permits her this.

Valentius draws out a mithral orb, asking Sip if she is willing. With acceptance, she offers Alton an embrace (and a secret note), before being transported within the stone, buried deep within the earth. The paladin that abused his power is sentenced also, a demand of apology for Sip and a pilgrimage of atonement, alongside demotion to an acolyte once more. Hannecke protests, rebuking that it is the Grand Master that should make such decisions, followed by quick questions of whether he believes Vallirk is greater than the King-Emperor Aldwin Thorne. The statement is retracted promptly. Vyodros scries on Fogel, seeing him within Kobold Cave, and so Merric teleports the adventurers, Valentius and his associates, and Alekas to Kobold Cave.

Materialising just inside the entrance, they explain to the kobold guard Boom their intentions and so they reluctantly lead them on. They find Fogel within his newly-shaped hovel, and while Vyodros' admirable attempts to put up a ruse, Valentius sees through it. Fogel pushes past, offering himself up, but when accusations of a rigged trial are tossed out, an offer is made - for Fogel to join the Conclave of Arcanum, considering him a curiosity with something to gain, but without any direct malignancy.

Fogel accepts, and so *Feign Death* is cast - Fogel seemingly dropping dead. They teleport away. Vyodros gives chase via *Word of Recall* with little hesitation, meeting the newly released Sip and guiding her back to the Hall of the Tempest where Alton, Mirinus and Merric await. Sip worries that her tribe are a detriment to Midnight's Edge, a fact quickly refuted by Alton - but Sip insists on distancing herself nonetheless, pledging to not return to Eskarya and continue to operate from the shadows. Alton agrees to make a show of striking her and her tribe from membership with the Guild come morning, placing a possibly short-lived sense of stability for Midnight's Edge against further investigations.

Nonetheless, they resolve a final promise. While the path seems dark and filled with uncertainty, they vow to walk it together all the same.

## (08/05/21) - Kolopa 2EF

* Armond
* Boom
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Mirinus
* Nira
* Tarron
* Vyodros

Boom and Vyodros goes shopping for arcane components for teleportation and trinkets in Khokkolun and Eskarya respectively, with the former also bargaining with Zurlog to use the teleportation circle within his shop. Mirinus tries to investigate the newly reconstructed Temple of Zitus but is stopped at the door. He makes his excuses, accepting that he will have to just inspect the architecture from the exterior, before slinking away - his plan foiled for now. Tarron makes his introductions, first at the Hall of the Tempest, before the Eskaryan portion of the party travels east. At Kobold Cave, they teleport to Zurlog's Orphic Esoterics, and after payment of a 100gp diamond, find that they have been transported to the centre of the city, rather than the shop itself. After admiring the sites for a short while, Vyodros barters a Felider Fang for a Frost Giant Tooth at Velreth's Vials & Toxins, before the party sets off east.

In heavy rainfall, they set forth across the plains, and on the forest edge that spy a deadwood totem resting atop an opalescent green orb. Boom casts a firebolt, shattering the gemstone and burning the timbers, the fey-like symbol destroyed. The rest of the day is largely uneventful, save an aurora-like haze along the sky that is accompanied by a meteorite tumbling from the heavens, crashing down somewhere to the north. Watching the plume of smoke in the distance, they rest within Vyodros' *Temple of the Gods* - although this spurns further disagreement between Vyodros and Armond about storm gods. After a minute of *Banishment* for the dragonborn, they push on towards Bra'bot, coming across a hobgoblin nearly naked, seemingly recently escaped from some semblence of slavery. They cut his bindings and provide him with some clothes and a knife - but he promptly continues to flee. When the party gets close, they ready themselves with use of *Water Walk*, *Protection from Poison, Pass without a Trace* and *Intellect Fortress*, tribal drums in the distance. They sneak forth, spying a community of grung, bullywugs and kuo-toa with all manner of goblinoid creatures bound.

Hoqitah, their god, bids them to make their offerings - because only one of the communities will recieve their blessings. The party aims to deal with only the shamans, batrachian-hybrids between multiple races that seem to be inciting the act. Jamaal looses a trio of shots, a pair of them finding their mark. The rest of the party starts to rush in, seeking to rescue the flailing sacrifices. Jamaal continues his forward push, felling further bullywugs. Boom uses his *Tongues* to sow some confusion between the amphibians, before relying on *Scorching Ray* instead. A blue slaad, huge and hulking bursts through the waters, claiming one of the offerings, with further slaads of a variety of colours claiming others. The party continues to try and rescue those few that they can. The slaads do not seem to distinguish betweenthe goblinoids and the residents, as they start plucking bullywugs from the water too. Boom continues to express his displeasure, impersonating Hoqitah in voice alone as he casts another fireball at the shamans, his talents bypass their innate resistance to such things. Nira, surrounded, wreaths herself in flame using her Ring of Fire. After further harassment, the shamans retreat back into the cave - leaving the party to try and subdue the remaining combatants. Many grung attempt to leap over the flames, incinerating in the process, the others picked off in droves.

When the remaining foes appear to have been largely defeated, the slaads return - commanding the remaining inhabitants to flee as they will deal with the invading adventuring party. Green, blue and red, the aberrations start their attack, but the party largely continues their original focus - lifting the sacrifices from the water, fighting the amphibious humanoids standing strong and continuing their harassment. The Green Slaad attempts to fireball Nira and Boom, a pair returned in retaliation. Mirinus puts down the Bullywug Brute with which he has been dueling, but when Tarron tries to prevent the Red Slaad leaping into the water with a pair of hobgoblins he cannot grapple him in place - so instead prevents his regeneration with *Chill Touch.* When Armond attempts to cast *Levitate* on the Red Slaad to restrict his movement, he garners the hulking batrachian's ire, and so is savaged by its claws. Vyodros banishes it, and so the party focuses on the remaining Green Slaad, quickly dispatching it. When the *Banishment* comes to an end, the final slaad is slain rapidly too - and the party heads into the cave, giving chase.

Passing by hundreds of bodies - all monstrous races, their skulls caved in - the party comes to a large malachite doorway guarded by a pair of slaads. Suppressing their efforts to attack with use of *Counterspell*, Tarron and Boom aid the party to wittling down the aberrations. While they repeatedly try to *Plane Shift* members of the party, they eventually falter before the superior force presented by the adventurers. Investigating the door, it is covered in glyphs unfamiliar to the entire party. Evocation spells and even *Dispel Magic* have no effect, the door seemingly absorbing the magic. Mundane weaponry seems to penetrate the ward, but deals no damage, and upon pressing a hand against the door a myriad of chattering unintelligible voices growing louder. Only with active mental thought does it shift, and through collective focus Tarron manages to shift it.

Several swarms of cranium rats rush forth, trying to charm, confuse or otherwise enthrall the party members. Slain with thunderous energy, battleaxe, arrows and a chain of flame that leaps from swarm to swarm courtesy of Boom transmuting *Chain Lightning,* the chambers grow quiet once more. Malachite continues to form the walls, with chitinous pods dotted here and there - and a spawning pool filled with dead illithid tadpoles. A trap is triggered that looses a flash of blinding light than disrupts the memories of Armond, Tarron, Mirinus and Boom temporarily. The party destroys gestating slaad eggs, and investigates other larger organic pods - with another trap triggered by Armond, Boom and Tarron, prompting the five pods to open - a quintet of illithids, followed by another voice from a now open doorway. When Jamaal unleashes a trio of arrows, it seems the mind flayers are nothing more than seemed illusion. Both Armond and Boom are harried by Intellect Devourers, the latter stunned by the assault. Vyodros rushes in to offer protection and cover alike through an upcast *Spirit Guardians,* though Tarron activates his Thoughtful Form and blasts away the walking brains with a *Psionic Blast*. Both a Grell and a Mindwitness make their presence known. Despite use of *Heal*, Boom is still incapacitated when the Intellect Devourer teleports within his mind. Mirinus finds limited purchase with his non-magical weapon, so Vyodros provides him with Vyolnir temporarily, while trying to cast *Protection from Evil and Good* on Boom - who attempts to *Fireball* the party. The abjuration forces out the Devourer, which is subsequently destroyed by the *Spirit Guardians*, but Boom remains stunned in place, drolling more furiously than before.

Courtesy of Tarron, the Mindwitness is incapacitated momentarily via *Id Insinuation*, allowing Mirinus and Jamaal to kill the Mindwitness, though Boom, without a brain, dies promptly afterwards as the party is unable to rectify it. With the kobold stuffed in his Bag of Holding, Jamaal and Vyodros lay down some ground rules, largely based around not touching alien objects. They pass to the tunnels to the north, and in preparation *Holy Weapon* is cast upon Jamaal's bow. Readied, Tarron opens a door to another chamber, and more Grell and Intellect Devourers spill out. Mirinus is targetted, but Jamaal is quick in the destruction delivered by his newly-empowered bow (and use of drake-fang arrows). A sudden wave of psionic energy delivers a screaming pulse of psychic damage that knocks Armond unconscious. Mirinus follows shortly after when a Grell attacks in its wake, with both unconscious individuals prime targets for the surviving Intellect Devourer. Jamaal's arrows put an end to this worry. A *Mass Healing Word* brings them both up, but Armond is plucked up from the floor by the invisible mindflayer attacking from the gloom. A *Shield* saves Armond from the consumption of his brain, and a with the party gathered, Vyodros contemplates recalling them away before instead moving to strike down the foe - sensing the source of great power lingering nearby. While the party seems confused at the turn, an upcast 7th Level Shatter collapses the ceiling above him.

Seizing the opportunity, they rush to the remaining room - a monstrous aberration guarding a green Lachla shard, drow and a purple worm's corpse strewn through the room. *Tasha's Mind Whip*, cast by Tarron slows the aberration sufficiently to allow Vyodros to *Banish* it and let them inspect the ward surrounding the Shard. As they do so, a telepathic voice berates them for daring to steal his possessions. Mirinus charges forwards, defending Armond as the Elder Mind Flayer Psion, greviously wounded lurches from the gloom once more. With Vyolnir in hand, Mirinus stands fast, crushing the skull of the aberration. With their focus combined, Tarron and Vyodros manage to dispel the psionic shielding, allowing Tarron to cast *Otiluke's Resilient Sphere* for ease of transportation.

Vyodros recalls them home.

## **(03/06/21) - Val 2EF**

Party Members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Mirinus Thunderhorn
* Armond Stormbreaker
* Perven
* Lysander
* Barandir

Setting out from Nel Kuldohr, the party decides to pay a visit to Jinjam, the Dragonborn jam merchant, on their way to the Ezofield Village. Arriving at his cottage, the party finds it destroyed and ripped to shreds. Jinjam's corpse is discovered, brutally defaced, though the party is even more dismayed when Armond (aided somewhat by Barandir) moves to give him a traditional Dragonborn burial. To the anger of Heartcleaver, the party decides to carry on travelling away from Demons.

As the party continues on, they also see radiant light to the South, surrounding a mysterious temple. The party also notes strange storm clouds gathered around the Ezofield village. They decide to check out the temple first, where they find several desecrated paladins of Zitus corpses. In the distance, Barandir spies several more Paladins of Zitus, these of a much more decidedly pro-Demonic tint than their comrades. After a few minutes debating Alton sniping the paladins from far off, the party instead continues to Ezofield.

Along the path, the party encounters a small cave marked with runes saying "If you take, leave". Inside is a chest, containing tiny bits of armor and weapons. There is a fair bit of debate while Lysander identifies the objects and uses his magic to solve the riddle. When eventually a roadblock is reached, Armond decides to swap out the Armor of Cold Resistance for his Ring of Naked Invisibility. The chest is not pleased, and Armond is struck with a rather terrible curse.

Deciding to sort that all out later, however, the party finally reaches the village of Ezofield, where they spy an Air Genasi who seems to be preaching at the site of a feast. After hearing him introduce himself in Primordial as the God of Sea and Skies, Barandir decides to introduce himself as Vyodros. The man scoffs and clearly does not believe him, revealing himself as Uhemis, Vyodros' brother. He claims Vyodros trapped him in mortal form and seeks to do evil the world over. The party attempts to convince Uhemis that Vyodros and him have both been tricked by a third party, but he doesn't believe it.

As the talking continues, Heartcleaver warns Barandir that Demons are on the loose and headed for them. Lysander takes the townspeople into a nearby inn whilst the rest of the party, Uhemis, and Uhemis's loyal servants prepare to battle a flock of demons that have arrived. They seem primarily focused on Barandir, knocking him down and paralyzing him, but they are able to be dealt with relatively soon as the party hits them with weapons and Armond and Uhemis channel blasts from the lightning clouds above.

After the first wave, however, more formidable foes join the field: A Draegoloth and a Nalfishnae. This proves a more difficult battle, but after several wacks by Barandir, Perven in a Stone Elemntal Form and Mirinus, Call Thunder from Armond and Uhemis, shots from Alton and blasts from Lysander, the two greater demons are destroyed without any casualties.

After this, however, a familiar mist rolls in, recognized by Armond as heralding the coming of Valmoth and Melusvi. The party rushes up to spy the Demon and his Rakshasa ally, who stare them down. Valmoth seems eager to battle, but Melusvi urges the Demon to flee and the demon relents, teleporting away. Despite the urging of Armond, Barandir chooses not to counterspell the teleportation and to fight another day.

Afterwards, Uhemis presents the party with platinum idols, which Mirinus promptly defaces. He removes the curse bestowed on Armond, sending them on their way and tentatively agreeing to a detente with his brother… if the right conditions are met.

Loot: Cold Resistance Breastplate, 4 Draegoloth Claws (50gp each), 2 Draegoloth Eyes (200gp each), 2 Draegoloth Fur (100gp each), 24 vial of demon ichor (100gp each), Abyssal Armring(500gp), 4 Nalfishnee Claws (100gp each), Hide (2000gp), 2 Nalfishnee tusks (200gp each), Howler Hide (2000gp), 8 howler teeth (50 gp each), 2 Nabassu Eyes(500gp), 1 Nabassu Hide (2000gp), 3 Bulezau Rot Vials (200gp), 3 Maurezhi Teeth (50gp each), 2 Maurezhi Claws (75gp), 4 Shadow Demon Claw (50gp each), Uhemis Statue

## (14/06/2021) - Aldwar 2EF

Party Members:

* Armond Stormbreaker
* Mirinus Thunderhorn
* Lysander
* Tarron
* Vyodros

Vyodros is visited by Valentius Neidir, and they discuss the Lachla Shard recently discovered beneath Bra'bot. Valentius offers to aid in the research, seeking to learn from it and the dangers associated with them - claiming they were responsible for a great deal of damage in Elysia. After utilising *Divination* to confirm the intentions to be true, he delivers it to them encased in a block of ice. Introduced to Wardri, the Archmage of Transmutation and Olaeri, the Archmage of Divination, he is granted access to the research chambers and the Conclave in exchange. Deigning to walk back to the Hall of the Tempest, he uses *Word of Recall* to return home.

Setting out from Kobold Cave, the party walks east until they reach the lake from which Varal's Tower can be spied. Ravaged and damaged, Vyodros sends a series of messages to the drow, finding him desolate and depressed - declaring the Silver Void a folly, his magic useless against such a foe. He declares that the prison given to him is no longer upon the plane, a small mercy, but he suggests that Vyodros finds somewhere to hide instead. The party resolves themselves to pay him a visit to check in and discuss matters further. Passing by a group of Catoblepas - the pets of the Deep Gnome Krunkhuck (Jtiohah, Toldajek, Tindot), they are escorted by the Deep Gnome onwards through a ground-floor doorway, linked to a tenth-floor marble and cobblestone hallway. Scrolls and wine bottles are scattered back and forth, six pinned upon the wall in a circle. After a discussion on the nature of despair, Vyodros tries to empower Varal to fight on, utilising his anger, his fear, his sorrow, his guilt - and to forge a life and death to be proud of.

Varal admits to his fears. The Silver Void is not his creation, but rather Asmodeus, who beguiled it into usage - acting as a purgatory for demons and devils alike. Trapped within a demiplane, they have fought for countless cycles, growing ever stronger, greater than seemingly possible - and thus even Asmodeus might be fearful likewise. Demons have since escaped, for reasons Varal does not yet know. Vyodros suggests it is Asmodeus' own intention, hoping the demons would drive more into the aid the Lord of Nessus could offer, empowering him further. Varal reports discussing the matter with a devil that once was a mere-succubus but with endless cycles she had become more, increased in might and mind alike, and now just seeking a means of escape. A proposal to tear open the Void over the River Styx is suggested by Varal is fearful that he has not the power to do that. Use of the Lachla Shards is suggested, to which Varal suggests investigation of the chambers of Karezen at the Elysian Institute of Arcana, a short journey from Ravencourt - he provides Vyodros with a teleportation circle for the location. After a night's rest in what seems to be a training chambers, long abandoned and unused, they set onwards with the provision of a gift of a tea plant for Varal to remind him "that new strength and growth can come from places tainted by death".

Vyodros casts *Scrying*, watching on as armies of orcs and demons march through the ruins that once were Khokkolun. When Vyodros tries to cast *Sending* to Voyambi, the half-troll Head of Divinity, the message falls. After much discussion they instead set on north. After a journey through the eastern edge of Vester Forest they see a trail of refugees heading north. Vyodros finds himself accosted by Viola Firecroaker, who accuses him of letting free the secret - a fact he refutes, but acknowledges his sorrow at the occurrence regardless. Using both *Temple of the Gods* and *Create Food and Water*, Vyodros creates supplies for the weary, aided by Armond's *Prestidigitation* to enrich the flavours. Lysander heals a wounded child, recieving their thanks, and the party rests in their company, exhausted.

Come morning, Mirinus is approached by Firecroaker, who informs him of their intentions to travel for Noria, a settlement to the north east that still has some martial strength. Conflict brews between the pair as they spar with words on the matter of foolishness, maturity and plans to come. As she leaves, she offers a grimace, and Mirinus falls to the effect of an undetermined spell. As they approach a nearby lake, they are attacked on the path by a quintet of demons. An Armanite charges forwards, caught by Tarron's *Mind Whip* which restricts its effectiveness - its charge of lightning just out of range to hit most of the party, with just Mirinus taking the strike with little true concern. A marauding Bulezau tries to ravage Tarron but is forced back with a *Psionic Blast.* Weaving his sorcery into his casting, Armond harries a trio of the demons with balls of thunderous energy, Mirinus swings a lightning-infused Deathbringer and cleaves the Bulezau previously charging Tarron in twain. Vyodros banishes the Draegloth as it runs close, but fails to banish the Glabrezu. The large demon shifts around spells to rush up to Vyodros, but fails to find purchase save a singular balled fist. Surrounded, the Glabrezu is chipped away before unleashing a fury unto Mirinus that nearly knocks him unconscious - but ultimately fails to do so. Smashed into ash by Vyolnir, the party continues, with Lysander growing increasingly impressed at Vyodros' claimed divinity.

A farmstead, its surrounding fields torn asunder by the falling mass is attended to a group of goblinoids and orcs who look quite distressed at the destruction delivered. Mirinus and Armond lifts a tree free, during which Armond makes a friend in the orc Vothug. Lysander's *Detect Magic* activates as he approaches the the meteorite but it doesn't match any school that he recognises, so instead starts to ritually cast *Identify*. Mirinus' battleaxe does no damage to the deathly-cold surface, prompting Armond to try and pry inside by sending a *Message*. He is met by the sounds of screaming that stuns him in place, so the party leaves him amongst the sheep while they investigate further. The flames spring back into existence after being suppressed, and carry not heat nor the sound of crackling - rather whispers and discomfort are found.

Using Deathbringer and Vyolnir like chisel and hammer, they crack the meteorite open, in truth a giant egg, revealing a mass of teethed tentacles and spindly legs in a now-burst sack of blue-purple ooze.

Psychic screams terrify many of the residents but they stand fast nonetheless - despite calls to retreat by the party. Transforming into his *Thought Form*, Tarron casts *Blight*, delivering a surge of necrotic energy, followed by Lysander's stream of *Magic Missiles*. Resisting attempts at *Banishment*, the aberrat Kryothid continues to tear through the villagers. A blasting of psychic energy stuns Mirinus in place, Armond heals up the dying villages in hope that may be able to help Mirinus. Tarron uses *Dimension Door* to get Mirinus to safety, and though Vyodros deals damage in turn with *Spiritual Weapon* and *Sacred Flame*, he is struck with a necrotic gaze and then stunned in place. Armond summons a *Sleet Storm* to engulf the Kryothid, hoping to obscure its vision and slow its movement. It instead burrows beneath, slashing through a hobgoblin farmer. Vothug moves into position to heal Vyodros, while the aberrations starts to try and hunt down Tarron - seeking what hangs around his neck. Tarron uses *Dimension Door* once more, appearing on the farmstead barn's roof, whistling to get the Kryothid's attention. Nonetheless, it turns to attack Armond, stunning him in its grapple and starts to lift him towards his outstretched beak-like maw. Tarron uses a distant spell variation of *Bigby's Hand*, interposing the grasp between stunned Armond and the maw, before pulling Armond free. Vyodros breaks through the corruption clouding his mind long enough to cast *Guiding Bolt*, but it proves underwhelming. Burrowing through the earth once more towards Tarron who avoids the first strike with use of *Shield,* but is caught in its grasp nonetheless. Vyodros banishes the stunned Tarron to save him from the grasping maw, but his concentration on *Bigby's Hand* drops, nestling Armond in the roof. Vyodros is caught in a *Psychic Scream* and stunned, bringing Tarron back into Prime Material Plane. Mirinus vaults fence and tree alike, only to be corrupted too. Vothug breaks Vyodros free of his stun once more before being struck down. His efforts are short-lived as Vyodros has no chance to react before stunned again.

The Kryothid attempts to extract Vyodros' brain, but the cleric's *Death Ward* kicks in and stops the action. With all but Lysander stun-locked, the wizard has naught in his arcane power save a off-target *Fire Bolt*, so Tarron pleas with the entity telepathically - promising it the location of a larger Lachla Shard, focusing on the blue shard outside Varal's tower but trying to hide the specific location. Overwhelmed psychically with a cacophany of joy surging from an aberrant mind into his own, Tarron is left helpless as he is pulled towards its maw. Watching from afar, Lysander vaults a fallen tree, making an impossible shot and shattering the slathering and slick carapace covering its head.

Vyodros *Heals* Tarron, freeing him from his stun and with the dead buried, a warning is given to Varal to remain vigilant - his response less oppressive than the last communication - and after burning of a shrine by Mirinus, Vyodros *Word of Recall*'s the party back to Eskarya.

## (21/06/2021) - Zetos 2EF

Party Members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Boom
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Mirinus Thunderhorn
* Tarron
* Vyodros

The party prepares for their venture to the Elysian institute of Arcana. Buying spell components, attuning to magic items. Vyodros casts an extended death ward on Himself and Boom. Tarron introduces himself cordially to Alton before Merric teleports us to the institute via the use of Teleportation circle. The institute still being in an intact condition, however the top of the central tower is cut of in a very clean manner. The party notes the coldness of the air, unlike what was to be expected by the climate where the institute was located. They soon find the reason for this being that they are hovering thousands of feet in the air. Jamaal notes that the floating island is slowly moving to the south west. A very old looking glyph of warding in front of the institute activates as the party comes close, showing the image of a copper dragonborn welcoming them to the institute as if everything was normal.

Alton casts foresight using the power of the Psythe. As the party moves inside the great building 100ft wide and 80ft tall filled with tapestries of it's once great archmages they are greeted by a blue humanoid who welcomes them to the institute but says that they should leave. The party tries to negotiate a meeting with the archmages but are rebuted, they find out that Shale is present. The conversation turns hostile as the party refuses to leave and the serene and robotic humanoids attack in droves, blasting the party with psionic energies, bolts of lightning and bludgeoning strikes. The party finds that the construct-like enteties bleed blue blood and disintegrate upon death and that they have a resistance to psionic attacks and magic, being immune to lightning. Jamaal and Mirinus bickers about stealing kills while Tarron and Boom throws fireballs and thunderballs. Vyodros tosses his hammer and burns constructs with his divine energy while Alton drops several with expert precision. Eventually their numbers are thinned and the battle ends. The party starts exploring the bottom floor of the institute, finding a potion room, a room where the construct humanoids called Magin were created, a supply room with a plentitude of ingredients for wizard spells, and a class room for students. Atlon figures out that a lachla shard could be responsible for keeping the institute afloat. As the party sneaks up the stairs of the left wing Alton overhears a conversation between two individuals. One he recognizes as Estelar: a summary of the conversation below

"i dont care, arcadias time in this land is done, you should leave"

"Shale you dont understand what you're doing, they're coming and if you dont leave and take that with you, everything will be lost"

"I will rebuild the institute to its former glory and i will keep the shard here"

"You're not listening Shale, this place will be turned to rubble and ash"

Alton peers through the door, Seeing Estelar and Shale but is detected by a fiery bird in a cage. Seeing Alton, Estelars eyes go wide and he quickly informs Shale to take the shard and run before disappearing. Shale seemingly unbothered beckons the party, the party tells her that they seek Karezen and his knowledge. Upon the mention of the silver void Shale espouts "The silver void, born of arrogance and foolishness" and says it couldn't have been a creation of Varal, citing his incompetence. The conversation turns to the lachla shards and Shale tells the party that the shards came from a mindflayer ship that crashed in Elysia long ago, splitting into five shards. The members of Arcadia wanted to hide the shards from the illithids and that caused the deaths of millions as the mindflayers tried to locate the shards. Shale plans to fight the illithids using the Magin but she requires more mercury to create the thousands of Magin that she requires. This mercury can be found in the lair of Kildred, a young red dragon and offers to assist the party if they promise to bring her more. The party argues the folly of fighting the illithids with such a meagre force. Vyodros suggests casting the shards to another plane with the illithids knowledge so that they would leave Elysia.

Shale details the owners of the shards:

1st shard was with Varal

2nd was with zesoldi

3rd was with Estelar

4th was with Ferzha but now in Shale possession

Kerazan's shard is gone and forgotten

Shale and Vyodros agree that they both have common enemies. The party detects some incincerity when she says she's heading to kindred's lair, perhaps insinuating that she's not taking a direct route. Shale promises to use the shard to fight against the demons once the party has helped her. Boom asks how she survived and she says she spent time in other planes before returning to hunt illithid stragglers and the remaining members of Arcadia. The party finally agrees to help her and she lets them access the tower where Karezen resided. The explore the rooms of Varal and Estelar, finding many books and trinkets. In Karezens room they find a book containing his research of conjuration and leave. Before they leave the institute Boom asks Shale about Alekas and she warns him that he has a thirst for power, a great interest in the Arcane and that he cannot be trusted. The party agrees to return everything that was taken from the orb room

## (27/06/2021) - Evara 3EF

Party Members:

* Alton Elenaur
* Vyodros
* Boom
* Tarron
* Jamaal al'Hesan
* Zook Za-Rah
* Lost Flame

The party scurries to ready themselves after Vyodros gets a message from Shale "It's the dark one, they are coming for the shard". Vyodros casts death ward on Boom who drinks a potion of climbing and summons a water elemental. Zook uses a fire gem to conjure a fire elemental and everyone except Boom and Alton drink potions of Acid Resistance knowing the opponent they are up against. As Merric brings the party to the Institute they are met with a gaggle of cultists and Gruveir in humanoid form greets them, "Let us see how they handle a mere taste of the dark one".

Alton raises his staff, casting gravity sinkhole but is immedietly after polymorphed by a cackling green hag, Boom tosses out a powerful fireball. Jamaal shoots and takes cover behind a wall. Another green Hag attempts to polymorph Boom but is counterspelled. Seeing this Gruveir sprouts wings and charges Boom, clawing and biting, only Boom's thick dragon-granted scales saving him. The Fire Elemental incinerates a Hag before Gruveir manifests wings and knocks Boom and the water elemental to the ground. Vyodros disrupts the Hag's concentration with a hallowed charge, turning Alton back from an ant. Gruveir slams Zook with it's tail before being hit by another Fireball from Boom lying on the ground. Alton shoots the head off a cultist and puts two bullets into a hag at close range, killing the last enemy for now.

The party quickly heads inside to find more hags and cultists blocking their way as well as Gruveir in human form, seemingly recovered from the damage. Jamaal shoots his bow but misses, Alton shoots the head off another cultist. Boom tosses a fire bolt and steps into the fire elemental after using his power to restist fire. A cultist tries to cast a spell but is thwarted by Tarron who then uses id insinuation. The fire elemental hovers down a hallway catching a hag and several drake-hounds on fire. Gruveir flies forward, striking into Boom once again who barely holds on. A hag casts hypnotic pattern on the party, putting several people in a trance but is soon killed. Boom blasts another fireball into the hallway with the fire elemental. A Warlock attempts to stop the small fire flinging kobold with a feeblemind spell which he is just barely able to resist. Vyodros shoves Alton back as he silently casts a thunderwave. Gruveir momentarily manifests their head and blasts the party with a stream of acid, the party looses control over the elementals. Alton destroys the avatar and the last enemies as the party heads to the lachla shard room, finding a room filled with darkness and globules of light, along with Gruveir in human form and two shadow dragon aspects of Gruveir. Gruveir espouts "You're getting in the way, why don't you just leave", Shale and the Lachla shard are nowhere to be seen. Gruveir grows in size and lets out another blast of Acid, then lands next to lost Flame. Boom who entered on the ceiling tosses a firebolt at Gruveir but misses. The party hammers Gruveir with attacks before one of his Shadow dragons lets out a blast of necrotic energy on the party. Vyodros banishes the two shadow dragons, dropping concentration on holy weapon, searing Gruveir with radiant energy. Gruveir attempts a counterspell but is thwarted by Boom's own counterspell. Zook cuts Gruveir's Throat and the fight is temporarily over.

The party is shunted back to the original version of the Room with Agnis Marshcradler, Boris Clotbelcher and Gruveir standing in front of the Lachla shard with Shale dead on the floor. Vyodros slams Agnis with a spiritual weapon and relocates underneath the bannister. Alton brings out Curtain call and shoots Agnis as Boom channels "In the name of Vyodros, let his power become mine as lightning turns into fire", letting out a transmuted chain lightning. Jamaal dips arrows in poison and raises his bow at Boris, hitting twice. Boris charges at Tarron but is blasted by a psychicly cast cone of Cold from the sorcerer. Gruveir tries to dispel the magic surrounding the lachla shard but is stopped by a distance cast counterspell from Tarron. Furious Gruveir looks to Tarron with murderous intent. Zook vaults over the desk and attacks Agnis as she attempts to dispel the barrier, looking for revenge for when the Hag took his life. Boom encases the Lachla shard in a wall of stone. Tarron says"i take it you're not a fan" to Gruveir and rolls away in a ball of resilient sphere. Gruveir blasts Vyodros and Alton with a Acid breath, knocking Alton unconcious. Agnis dimension door's away, despite Boom's attempts at counterspelling. The party turns their attention on Gruveir, Alton shoots him with curtain call, Vyodros smacks him with Vyolnir. As Gruveir attempts to charge Vyodros and break his concentration on Banishment, he is blasted to the ground by Boom's scorching rays. He starts laughing as his body convulses and bursts into a form that is similar to a dragon. Exuding a corona of Acid, Vyodros looses his concentration on Banishment, bringing the two shadow dragons back. Gruveir then hits Vyodros, Alton, Zook and Tarron with another acid Breath, bringing them to the Brink. Alton fires of a metal piece covering Gruveir's head and immedietly bags it. Gruveir knocks Alton unconcious to the ground. Boom conjures a wall of fire with great effort but soon finds out that Gruveir is immune to fire in this form. Tarron Runs up to the Lachla shard, says he has a plan and forces Gruveir back with a dissonant whispers. Gruveir hits everyone with a cricle of death, knocking down Tarron. Vyodros brings up Alton and Tarron with a mass healing word. Boom hits Gruveir with a thunder firebolt. Gruveir being grieviously wounded flees through the window. The party prepares to brings Shale's body along with a lot of other stuff in the institute with them as they prepare to take the Lachla shard with them. As the party teleports back to the Hall of the tempest with Boom's magic Vyodros takes the Bird, walks out followed by Alton, casting Fly and levitate to watch the destruction of the institute. The institute was heading towards Varal's Tower. Vyodros and Alton later reconvenes with the party using word of recall.

## (30/06/2021) - Kharisrain 3EF

Party Members:

* Perven
* Armond Stormbreaker
* Boom
* Tarron
* Jamaal

The party sets out with the goal of visiting Alekas at his vampiric estate, hoping to see the Vampire they know he keeps within his domain. Along the way, they encounter a half-elven woman, dressed in rags with a large hat, who begs for the party for any food they are able to spare. She claims she has children to feed, however the party deduces this is a lie. Nonetheless, Armond and Boom provide the woman with rations, and she leaves after grumbling about the pitiful amount.

The party continues to Alekas's manor, where Boom makes liberal use of the man's knocker. A servant girl comes to open the door, ushering the party into a room with Alekas's three wives, Vanya, Ameria, and Azariah. The party strikes up a conversation with the three, with Ameria specifically proving very interested in Armond and the story behind his scars. Armond answers very cheerfully, but the rest of the party is concerned.

Alekas arrives, Boom returning to him books which Vyodros has previously borrowed from his estate. Tarron, meanwhile, inquires as to whether the Mind Flayer in Alekas's basement has the ability to read a book which he had recovered from another Mind Flayer. Boom, however, asks Alekas an inquisitive question about his motivations, leading to the young kobold being charmed by the vampire. Tarron, however, is able to strike a deal: Alekas will grant access to the Mind Flayer in exchange for a meeting with Varal. Perven agrees on behalf of the party, and Alekas extends an offer to spend the night.

Everyone is split into their own rooms, except Boom and Armond who stay together. Everyone other than Boom and Armond are warned by Vanya and Azariah not to go into the basement, but Ameria does not offer the same advice. Instead, she offers Armond and Boom a tour of the manor. Armond agrees, with Boom reluctantly tagging along. Ameria tries several times to lure Armond into traps, leading him through the chapel and through dangerous carniverous trees, but the Dragonborn escapes them all. Finally, Ameria leads the two draconic beings into the basement, where they are discovered by Vanya and sent back to their rooms. Ameria later sneaks into Armond's room to feed on Boom, but the Dragonborn instead wakes and offers the Vampire his own blood as a token of friendship.

The next morning, the party goes to see the Mind Flayer and determines his name is Kozavek. Tarron offers the being freedom if he transcribes the book, asking Alekas to leave the room. The Mind Flayer concurs, telling the group about the hive-like nature of the Mind Flayers, as described in the book. Tarron, however, goes back on his word and tells the Mind Flayer the only freedom he will find is in death. Alekas returns to the room and disintegrates the being. Alekas and Tarron discuss the history of the Lachla Shards, with Tarron noticing the vampire possesses one of his own. Despite the attempt by Alekas to wipe Tarron's memory of the event, the Sorcerer only feigns being affected. The party sets out.

Before returning back to Eskarya, the party decides to investigate the half-elven woman whom they encountered on their way to the manor. Along the way to find her, they encounter a Drow man who is looking for a pair of runaway Drow. They follow her trail to a cave, where they find the half-elven woman, Chenzira, fled the underdark after falling in love with a Matron Mother's consort. Despite a very hostile reception, Armond is able to calm down the runaway Drow and direct them to Nuria, where they will be able to blend in amongst the refugees. They in turn direct him to Dolblunde, where they say many treasures can be found. Tarron is casually racist.

## (05/07/2021) - Verdair 3EF

Party Members:

* Lost Flame
* Hearts
* Barandir
* Mirinus
* Jaamal al'Hesan
* Tarron Corbett
* Alton Elenaur

Upon learning Valmoths Demon armies move towards Nel Kuldohr the party quickly gather at Midnights Edge. Quick introductions are made between the party and the newest member of mecrenary guild, a changeling by the name of Hearts, (though her nature not obvertly obvious).

The party elect to make their stand at the first gates of Nel Kuldohr believing the long mineshaft a good vantage to pick off any oncoming demons at range. With torches placed and Altons dancing lights the hall is lit for good visibility and the party wait on the brow of War. Wardrums suddenly break the silence, the Outer gate is breached, and the battle to defend Nel Kuldohr begins.

As the assult begins waves of demons make their approach; Howlers, Armenites and Nalfeshnee are picked off by the ranged attacks of Lost Flame, Alton and Jamaal. The Nalfeshnee closing the gap between the group by teleporting, but is despatched with its soul absorbed by Barandirs Heartcleaver. The first of many souls to be consumed. As waves of Goristro and Bulezau approach the party are forced back slightly but are able to hold a line of defence behind the enlarged Mirinus and an immovable Barandir. And despite the two being surrounded by pestilent demons Mirinus manages to cut down the Goristro.

As Viakane, his army of Orcs, a Red Slaad and a Glabrezu make their approach down the long hallway they are again assulted by the ranged party members slowly cutting down their numbers. Despite efforts the Glabrezu manages to make it to Mirinus causing him to be stunned and in pain by heat metal. As Mirinus recovers from stun and the heartcleaver hastes Barandir, the two able to continue to hold back the forces.

The Rakshaha Melsuvi, Oni Momo, Valmoth and a group of Cambion demons planeshift deeper into Nel Kuldohr and begin attacking the Dwarven reserve forces. The party move to intercept while Alton and Mirinus elect to hold the line and finish off Viakane, Fenrir and their armies. As Melsuvi dominates Hearts to attack her allies, Momo casts darkness and Barandir is banished in a labyrinthe demiplane by Valmoth. But the tables are quickly turned as Barandir forces his return, Tarron dimension doors into the darkness and Momo and Melsuvi are brutally injured by Lost Flame and Jaamal. Melsuvi turns invisible and flees as Momos soul is obsorbed.

In the distance, Alton calls upon the power of the Lachla Shard to punish the remaning orcs/gnolls with a Psychic Scream and him and Mirinus move down to aid the party.

With Barandir staving off Valmoths attacks no longer he fall unconcious. Tarron dimensions him to safe, thought the Cleaver refusing to move is thus picked up by Valmoth. With his primary target away he moves towards Hearts. Though managing to hold her own against the Demon Lord she ultimate falls, and her true nature is revealed as a Fragment of the Silver Void. Returning in the form of a Horned Demon named Koz'gok to hunt the party.

As Valmoth is severly wounded by the party, Alton wakes Barandir and he is able to reclaim his axe and strike down the Demon Lord once and for all cleaving its soul from its body for the final time.

With the party still having to deal with the transformed Hearts; many knowing her to be lost and replaced by the Horned Koz'gok. Before a quick mercy can be given the demon is placed in a Resilient Sphere by Tarron. The Sorcerer believing that we need to learn if we are able to either return her changeling form upon her death or if she is indeed lost forever to her demon counterpart. Arguing that the party shouldn't allow her soul to be absorbed by the Heartcleaver eitherway. Unable to put Hearts to peace in either form due to the Sphere the party are made to wait as they witness Hearts stabalise and return to her changeling form with no recollection of her transformation. With their new party member seemingly returned to them the party recover from the battle of Nel Kuldohr with more questions than answers.

## (16/08/21)-Ripplesun 3EF

Involved party members:

* Hearts

* Alton Elenaur

* Vyodros

* Tarron Corbett

* Mirinus Thunderhorn

* Barandir

Midnight's Edge

Alton rests in his private chambers in a trance like state as talloned footsteps approach, the Kenku Murder attempts to stealthily steal Alton's Lachla Shard amulet but is caught in the act by the ever perceptive Alton. His gaze never leaves the amulet for more than a second to glance up into his friend's eyes, but after some questioning it is revealed that Murder was sent by another. Spying an opportunity, Murder lunges for the amulet but doesn't get very far as Alton draws Stormsong and holds him at gun point. Murder starts to pace the room awkwardly looking for another opportunity to strike. Alton tries to determine if Murder is working on his own volition and casts Dispel magic, freeing him of an unknown grasp. The pair speak and Alton is able to determine that the spell came from a human source. Murder leaves the room sheepishly or as sheepishly as a Kenku can look.

A few days later

Alton asks Vyodros for a sit down to discuss urgent matters, he questions the Tempest Cleric about contacting Shale but Vyodros reveals that he wasn't able to get much from her as she continuously laments the loss of the institute. They speak of potential allies from Khokkolun as Vyodros turns the conversation towards venturing to the fabled Black Lotus Monastery, believing it to hold answers. Alton presses his need to speak with Varal once moreon matters relating to Hearts. They begin to discuss the Hearts situation, Alton admitting to being at a dead end in his research of how to determine if she is still truly a demon or not. He then puts forth that the ultimate way to test this may fall on killing Hearts to see in what state she comes back, and he seeks Vyodros's council on how to proceed. Vyodros then contacts Varal to arrange a visit, Varal accepts but on the condition they bring him some decent food. Vyodros procures some food from a tavern that is not The Gilded Hammer and then they gather thier willing allies and teleport to the teleportation circle in Varal's tower.

Varal's Tower

The team are greeted by Krunkhuck, who shows them inside. Vyodros unpacks a banquet of food from his bag of holding, the strong aromas of hot delicious foods fill the room. The conversation begins with Alton telling Varal of Shale's whereabouts, what befell the Institute, and its final resting place. They come to an agreement that this was by Shale's own undoing, Alton mentions that he now holds Shale's Lachla shard, and Varal becomes insistant that he take the shard off of his person and hand it over to him for safe keeping. Varal asks about the whereabouts of Ferzar a fellow mage of the institute and the one who was charged with protecting the shard now in Alton's possession, Vyodros summerises that they think Ferzar was polymorphed into a Phoenix when asked to present the bird in it's cage Vyodros does so and places the cage in the centre of the room. Varal quickly transmutes Ferzar back to his original form, Varal informs Alton that Ferzar was supposed to be the keeper of the amulet and asks that it should be returned to him. Alton counters by bringing up Ferzar's shortcomings. Varal asks more firmly, asserting that no one untrained in the arcane should hold the power of the shards, Alton agrees but states that it should be held and used by a trustworthy hand rather than none at all.

Vyodros asks what Varal he would want done with the shards, to which he states that he wants to hide them away from those that would seek to misuse them. Alton and Vyodros begin to question Varal's integrity and mention Zesoldi's failures too. Varal warns that the shards act as beacons calling the Abberations to Eskarya, insisting again that Alton give the shard to him, but Alton counters saying that the shards can be their greatest weapons against their enemies. Varal once again asks that Alton hands over his shard until the demons are dealt with and Alton brings up the shard held by the Conclave and the damage they could potentially do with it. Varal suggests stealing the Conclave's shard to which concerns are raised about the earning the wrath of the Eskaryian Empire.

Varal then switches tact and begs Alton to hand over the shard, the room is tense with Alton still refusing to give over the shard, Varal and Ferzar confer and decide that the Shard staying with Alton but not being attuned to him would be an acceptable course of action. Alton is dismissive of this proposal, arguing that the shard is the edge they need to win the war with the demons, but Varal refutes these claims, that the shards are needed to drive back the demons from Eskarya. Vyodros asserts that wise men stand by Alton's side and will help keep him in check, to which Varal agrees with this sentiment. Alton then hands Varal back his Staff of Dunamancy, his Dodecahedron of mystery, which had been rescued from his old quarters within the institue prior to its demise he then shows him the rescued books relating to Karezan's research. He implores the archmage not to waste his power hiding away in his tower, and that it is time for Arcadia to join the fight against the demons. Tarron voices his concerns of the demons leaking out from the Fragments of the Fiend Lords - demons trapped in mortal forms - so Alton then regales Varal with the plight of Hearts and asks if he may be able to aid them in detecting if she still houses a demon or if they could use her to detect more unknowing fragments living in Eskarya. Varal agrees but under the condition that Alton unattunes from his Lachla Shard, Alton begrudgingly accepts these terms.

Ferzar mentions an interest in going to Eskarya to visit Valentius Neidir and is given a warning to be on his guard as he may be more than he seems. After some deliberations, the group with Varal and Ferzar in toe move into Alton's holding cell demiplane to inspect Hearts. Varal is unable to detect anything with Detect Good and Evil and when he casts Detect Thoughts he is once again unable to detect anything. Vyodros uses True Seeing to determine if Hearts is who she claims, though he also casts his eyes over his allies, to determine if they are who they say they are as well. Tarron uses his crystal ball to Scry on Koz'gok the demon that Hearts became and through his ball he witnesses Hearts sat in a strange place, holding her legsto her chest, covered in fractures the plane around her shifts between the holding cell demiplane and an unknown land of purple craggy rocks and an oozing green stream. Tarron takes Alton to one side and lets him know that the demon from Nel Kuldohr is still within her, fracturing her soul, a heavy decision weighs on Alton's mind. Alton comes the difficult decision that her death may be the only option for her salvation now, Vyodros mentions that he could have away to put her at ease but it would need her to be weakened and Mirinus offers up his services. The conversation turns to keeping her body intact to more smoothly restore her and trying to save her soul by splitting the demon from her at a spiritual level, after discussing if everyone is ready to proceed with what needs to be done.

Vyodros sits with Hearts and eases her tension as he quietly casts Death Ward on her Varal then steps in and reassures her that she will be fine as he casts Disintegrate on Hearts, as her body shrivels and crumbles away Vyodros strikes her chest and speaks the phrase Deliverance removing her soul from her body leaving the demon behind in her crumbling shell, he then throws up some diamonds and casts revivify, Hearts screams in agony as her sopul is placed back in her body and Vyodros begins rapidly casting heal easing her pain. Varal turns to his Scrying pool to determine if the demon has been cast out from her soul and is pleased to see the demon wandering the silver void alone without Hearts, Tarron then concludes that sadly this so far is their best method for determining who is a fragment and that it is a steep and risky cost. Alton returns Hearts to her room within Midnight's edge and lets her rest.

Ferzar speaks of his plans to also seek out Zesoldi to which Alton gives him his last known location and warns him of the danger of the deranged man Zesoldi has become, he then speaks of their own plans to seek out the Black Lotus Monastery to which Veral warns of the dangerous road ahead. Veral then wishes the party luck in their quest as they disembark for the Monastery.

The Party set off from Nel Kuldohr with Mirinus heading east as Vyodros leads the party North calling to Mirinus that he is going the wrong way, they reach the Vester Hills which at one time was a beautiful rolling landscape of Nature's bounty but is now a cesspit of corruption with pools of a black tar like substance dotted about the area after sleeping the night in Vyodros's temple of the Gods they awaken to find their sanctuary surrounded by the black tar like substance which Alton determines to be similar to Demon ichor as they head closer to the location of Monastery they find the pools of Ichor covering vast stretches of the landscape occasionally bubbling and roiling over in their pools.

Vyodros calls out to the guardians of the petal asking them to show themselves, after a few minutes figures clad in black robes appear on the hills and cliffs surrounding the party and ask whether the party is pure of heart, Vyodros worriedly eyes Mirinus who says he means no harm, the party then lay down their weapons when asked and the robed figures drop from the mountains approach and their leader strikes Alton hard in the chest initiating combat. Alton rapidly retrieves Augurscythe and rapidly slashes into his assaulter who promptly disembowels himself choosing suicide over death at anthers hand, a false monk attacks Alton from behind but is repelled by an instictivly deployed shield spell, Tarron is quickly assaulted by another false monk who shadow jaunts away after striking him twice, Tarron attempts to mind whip the false monk closest to Alton but his mind proves to be a fortress as he is unable to fully harm him, two false monks strike Mirinus but deal very little damage to him, Vyodros annoyed by their trickery strikes the earth with Vyolnir striking the false monks with waves of thunder and Lightning killing all but one of them, a masked figure appears at the top of the mountain and makes short work of the lone survivor, bringing combat to an end, Vyodros asks if they were allies of his the masked figure shakes his head. Vyodros then retrieves a silver gem laden key from the slain leader of the False Monks.

The masked mystery figure inquires as to the Parties reason for coming, when he hears they are here to find the black lotus and seek their aid in saving Eskarya he asks if Alton is pure of heart, then scans the party to see if their souls are pure Mirinus is immediately ostracised from the party as the masked man leads the others into a group trance, as the are whisked away to the Black Lotus Monastery, Mirinus throws a body into a pit of Ooze.

Alton, Vyodros and Tarron find themselves standing on a high up mountain top with clouds beneath them and a long spanning bridge made from vines ahead of them with giant statues of a species similar to Ferzar looming up from the clouds below and standing above the bridge, the party cross the bridge and enter the Monastery where monks are sparring with each other in the courtyard, the messenger introduces to the party to Lady Lira who greets them warmly stating that it has been sometime since someone has passed the test and was allowed to enter their sacred grounds, they determine that it has been roughly 400 years since someone last entered the Monastery, They inform Lady Lyra of the troubles Eskarya is currently facing, Alton announces that he has come to her on behalf of Arcaidia to see if they are still allies, Lady Lyra confirms this and states that Yolgoruth is still imprisoned, Alton states that he would not want to compromise the Monastery at this point but would like to seek knowledge, Lady Lyra tells Alton that they have no written texts within their walls as knowledge is best kept safe in the mind but will answer any questions they might have Tarron asks is their scouts have heard of any rumours coming from the Demon Sanctuary, the spy master reports that the corruption of the land, is seeping from that place and a dark energy lingers within. Alton senses a Globule of black energy floating near him as it attempts to scry on him he tries to dispell it but fails he then becomes aware of a high pitched noise coming from Vyodros, Lady Lira dispells the orb as Alton inspects Vyodros person not seeing a change in him physically he detects the noise is coming from the pockets of his robes and the key he liberated from the false monks.

the ground rumbles as flashes of light fill the courtyard teleporting a small army to their doorstep, all at once they are faced with the combined might of Melusvi servant of the recently slain Demon Lord Valmoth and Fenrir servant of the imprisoned Demon Lord Yulgorth and The Oni Dai and the Demon Lord Zal'moxon.

a bloody battle breaks out on the secluded mountain top. Lira launches a psychic scream devastating the battle field, Vyodros casts an extended Divine word and removes Melusvi, Fenrir from the battle and severely cripples their invading forces leaving them without leadership, Zal'moxon sneers and casts Harm at Vyodros, Tarron casts Circle of Death removing a good number of invaders as Dai attempts to freeze Alton with a cone of cold but fails, Galzi returns to Mirinus and attempts to bring the impure Minotaur into the monastery but his bloodlust is too strong.

Alton looses off a few shots into a group of invaders heading for an unknown location, striking a few of them in the back, he then gives chase the aggressors strike back against Alton ganging up on him. a dangerous and skilled enemy combatant named OrcFist lifts a monk into the air and shatters his Bones against his knee, Vyodros calls down lightning from the heavens striking the invaders surrounding Alton, Tarron is slashed fiercly by Zal'moxon's axe, Tarron attempts to reach the prison but fails and finds himself near Alton. the battle rages on as Zal'moxon swings wildly at Vyodros causing the great Cleric pain, Zal'moxon then attempts to dispel the magic surrounding prison but is countered by Tarron, he tries once again and fails, Vyodros calls more lightning down blasting the invaders with bolts of electricity he then turns around and heals his allies.

Tarron uses his psychic crush to batter Zal'moxon as Mirinus finally achieves a state of Zen and is transported to the Monastery. he downs a Growth potion and slashes Dai down with Psythe. Alton unloads a series of shots into Zal'moxon but Zal'moxon isn't phased as he succeeds in dispelling the magic containing prison but thanks to Alton's Chronomancy time is rewritten causing Zal'moxon to fail, a Witherlock among the ranks of the invaders seizes its oppertunity and causes the corpses of his fallen brothers to explode like bloody fireworks fatally injuring a monk. Over by the prison a lone brave monk stands tall against Zal'moxon he steadies his breathing and strikes with all his might against the weakened Demon Lord and fails his attack, Vyodros sees Zal'moxon is weak and casts Gate summoning Barandir the Hexblade Warlock and weilder of Heartcleaver to the Monastery Tarron then ego whips Zal'moxon causing his mind to cloud as an invader tries to casts darkness but Tarron shuts him down with a counterspell but the invader counter spells him back then Barandir having now assessed the situation counter spells the counter spell which would have in turn counter spelled the counter spell, countspelling his darkness spell.

Zol'moxon knowing the danger he posed to their plans attempts to kill Barandir but fails, Barandir retaliates coolly burying Heartcleaver deep into the Demon Lord's chest cutting out his heart allowing his cursed weapon to swallow it, as Zol'moxon falls there is a moment of quiet awe but Barandir feels something the axe shudders in his hands of it's own volition, cracks begin to form and grow as the demonic entity sealed within Heartcleaver breaks free Tenebrous the fifth Demon Lord who was sealed away by his brethren has been restored and seeks to regain his full power, he turns to Barandir in all his malicious glory and swears death upon him, before turning and setting his sights on Yolgorth's prison and terrifying everyone makes his way over to it, Lira tries desperately to stop Tenebrous but to little avail he promises to show her mercy if she turns her attention to his hated brethren, he then raises his wand and dispels the magic surrounding the prison freeing Yolgorth, all the Monks are given the same deal as they swarm to attack Yolgorth as Tenebrous attacks him fiercely, Vyodros is stunned by the turn of events as the Demon Lords Tenebrous and Yolgorth meet in an epic brawl, Mirinus arrives and tries to snap Vyodros out of his stupor and jokes about racing into the battle, Alton reloads and shoots down an enemy causing havoc for some monks before training his sights on Yolgorth and looses a couple shots, everyone swarms Yolgorth avoiding being trampled under foot by the titanic Demon Lords then with great malice Tenebrous delivers the killing blow by plunging his wand deep into the eye socket of Yulgorth finishing the rival Demon Lord off he then turns his sights on Barandir and quickly devours his soul, everyone's attention turns to Tenebrous weakened from his rebirth and fight with Yulgorth they try desperately to end his life, Tenebrous pays them no mind and moves for the gate connecting the Monastery to Barandir's home in Eskarya, Vyodros seeing the intended target shuts off the gate sealing his escape. Angered Tenebrous summons a Death Knight, a Dracolich and a Bodack to help him cut down the enemies blocking his way. Lira calls for a retreat as the Death Knight and Bodack surround Alton, Vyodros attempts to bargin with Tenebrous a way out for the safe return of Barandir's soul, the demon Lord thinks for a second and looks open to the idea of a bargain, Alton fires a Piercing shot through the Bodack, Tenebrous and the Dracolich dealing heavy damage to the three, he then swaps to Curtain Call and fires another Piercing shot and manages to land a hit on the Dracolich, Mirinus is blinded by battle rage as he attacks the Dracolich.

Vyodros speaks with Tenebrous and a loose agreement is reached, the party is gathered in a location with Tarron restraining Mirinus with telekinesis, Vyodros announces the time for Tenebrous to return Barandir's soul is now,  Tenebrous grumbles but does so breathing life back in to Barandir's corpse, Vyodros activates Word of Recall sending the everyone gathered back to Eskarya but Vyodros is not a fool, the cunning Cleric tricked the Demon Lord and recalled the party to a hallowed ground that causes Tenebrous to be rebounded left behind in the Monastery.

Vyodros as he is one to do sends a cheeky message to Tenebrous.

"*Apologies for the hiccup with the spell Tenebrous,*

*I'm not quite sure what happened,*

*oh well, I do hope you enjoy your stay,*

*Love Vyodros."*

Tenebrous is left livid and swears revenge on the Cleric.

## (19/08/21) - Dualfar - 3EF

* Mirinus
* Tarron
* Lysander
* Jamaal
* Boom

#### **Ferzar**

The party sits at the tavern, Ferzer approaches providing the party with the knowledge that Zesoldi is at the temple. Mirinus expresses his will to get the killing blow on Zesoldi for the crimes he has committed against his people and religion. Tarron brings up the apparent difficulty in killing Zesoldi permanently. Ferzar tells the party that they shouldn't talk with the paladin and just kill him, but requests that the party give Zesoldi a dignified death for all the good he has done in his life.

#### **Temple of Zitus**

The party heads off from fort Kroideyn, deciding to camp close to the lake. During the watch, tarron sees a ball of light fly through the forest, unable to identify it he informs his companions and goes to bed. Boom hears a voice in his head. The voice tells Boom it wants tribute in the form of spell components, but Boom seems reluctant to give his possessions to someone he cant see. The mysterious voice is revealed to be the nothics from encer's cave not too far off north of the campsite. After some arguing he settles on giving them teleportation circle components so that they'll leave him alone. They appear again on Mirinus watch but are chased off by the minotaur who is not willing to take their shit. The Nothics return once again during Lysander's watch, he wakes up mirinus as they approach the hut in mass, scavenging the ground around the hut for things the party would've dropped before scurrying away into the night. In the morning, Tarron scries on Zesoldi with the crystal ball. Seeing a frail old man, his will strained as he forces himself out of his bed. He sees a room with 4 Altars towars a central figure in the image of Zitus. Entering the inner sanctum the scrying is dispelled. Approaching the temple dark clouds gather above. Mirinus ritualisticly prepares himself in the name of Mogus, cutting into his eyelids ,the jawline and the tongue. Offering the same to the rest, Boom accepts it as a sign of brotherhood, Tarron Jamaal and Lysander declines being a bit disturbed by the tribalistic brutal ritual. Roughly two dozen templar heads line the road towards the temple. Ghastly guards standing by, later identified as revenants. Boom approaches and asks if Zesoldi knows who Slink is. They say Zesoldi doesn't know. Mirinus asks if he knows who the temple belongs to. They answer Mogus, as the revenants soon find out that Mirinus is there for revenge. Zesoldi appears and speaks with the party, claiming he doesn't remember who Slink is or what the lachla shards are upon questioning. Tarron inquires Zesoldi about how he plans on defeating the abberations, upon reminding him of the horrors he faced in captivity by the mindflayers, showing a major image of the mindflayer lord and the abomination found in Bra'bot. He tells them that an Aspect of zitus lived within Zesoldi during the war but is now imprisoned. Zesoldi wants to release him to fight the illithids by breaking the chains one of which is in Nul Kuldohr, "To release him we need to break the chains". One was broken in the temple, another in Khokkolun, a third is intact in Nul Kuldohr and a fourth whose location is unknown.

Realising that Zesoldi is working towards breaking the same chains that the demon lords are after, Boom warns the party that zesoldi is working for the same entity that the Demon lords are. Zesoldi offers to show them a solution to the illithid threat Boom teleports the party inside but finds, his elemental cannot enter due to Hallow. Zesoldi says that he will not shed blood unless strucken first, Mirinus obliges. Zesoldi's friends try to stop the party from moving further inside. Tarron wanting answers to the illithid threat follows Zesoldi. The old man shows him a gold inlaid tome. He beckons Tarron to look in it, as Tarron looks at the cover and flips through the pages it is empty. Mirinus is stopped by a group of wraiths, Boom flies after his friend and puts a wall of fire between him and the revenants. Tarron resolves himself that Zesoldi is too far gone and disintegrates him. Zesoldi is revived shortly afterwards as he comes back with his memories and body intact in front of the altar of Zitus. Jamaal sits invisible in the shadows, dodging fireballs thrown by Boom and lysander as he snipes the revenants. Zesoldi moves in and attacks Tarron, belittling him for doing a bad job at saving him. And casts a spell on himself Saying "i can't let that happen again", Mirinus finishes the last revenant with a decapitation. Zesoldi is gone as Tarron comes to his senses, dimension dooring into the chamber with the altar giving pursuit to the paladin. Zesoldi gives the party one last warning, that he will destroy us if we do not cease the attack and leave. Tarron remarks that he has gone too far and attempts to destroy the altar that brought back Zesoldi. There are several others, one which is semi tribal with bloody decorations and an axe as it's mantle piece As Tarron destroys the center altar, Zesoldi remarks that he doesnt have long and smashes his warhammer into Mirinus, knocking him unconsious and killing him. Tarron proclaims "Enough" and casts a circle of death. Lysander tosses a fireball, hitting Zesoldi and the spectre. Zesoldi knocks Tarron unconsious, Boom summons a wall of fire and revives Tarron. Counterspells Zesoldi's destructive wave, but casts another destructive wave and hits everyone, knocking down Tarron again, Lysander is killed by a specter Jamaal is downed A fire bolt knocks off his death ward as Tarron  kills zesoldi with an Id insinuation, and all his deaths catch up to him. The two exhausted Sorcerers decide to rest and have a look around before they leave. Boom misty stepping throught the bars blocking the different rooms he finds a Portal that acts as a teleportation circle and a word of recall location.

They enter the room with the tribal altar. An incription is inlaid on the altar "Never again upon the lands we sow". They grab the axe and Boom teleports to the midnight's edge guildhall. Using the diamonds they found, Vyodros revives the slain party members.

## 27/8/2021 - Alor 3EF

* Mirinus
* Tarron
* Vyodros
* Hearts

After acquiring a tuning fork for the material plane, Vyodros teleported the party to a rocky cliffside. It would be a days journey on foot to reached their destination. They discussed investigating a shipwreck, which Vyodros did by using his new flight powers. They were quickly set upon by four young Rocs, who seemed rather peckish. The heavy hitters of the party, Vrodros and Mirinus, dispatched of the Rocs at large. They retreated before finishing them off, as Vyodros briefly sent some of them to another plane to give them a way to escape.

Retreating elsewhere, Vyodros cast Temple of the Gods. Retreating inside, the cleric cast another spell - Oracle, aiming the spell at Alekas. Tarron inquired into Hearts’ state of mind and of being, at which point she explained her life story, raised by a cult she eventually ran from. their conversation ended poorly, but she joined Tarron later playing cards with Mirinus.

The next day, they came upon a village of dead citizens - Bullywugs and Grung all of them having had their brains consumed by a Mindflayer. Vyodros cast Memento Mori on a Grung’s body.

They continued on into the cavern near by, finding a severely wounded but still alive Gith named Drakk. Vyodros healed the warrior, who explained some about his hunting party that was searching for a Mindflayer. He insisted upon joining the party, despite his injuries. Hearts and Vyodros offered him some healing potions.

Vyodros then telepathically opened the door and ventured further into the caverns. A voice spoke in their minds, attempting to intimidate them. Tarron and Hearts were then suddenly psychically ambushed, their bodies slowed.

Moving on they were bombarded by flashing light, this time effecting Mirinus and Hearts. Vyodros intervened, restoring Mirinus’ mind to full working order. Mirinus, Vyodros, and Tarron then worked together to open another door nearby. In the chamber they discovered a mindflayer.

The beast quickly sprung into action, freezing Tarron and Hearts in place. Mirinus, Vyodros, and Drakk sprung into action, making short work of the creature. Believing their quarry dealt with, they moved to leave until suddenly a psionic burst emanated from Tarron’s still body. Vyodros moved through, casting a spell on Tarron to end this strange possession.

They moved further on, with a wall of force briefly separating a frozen Hearts and Drakk. Tarron broke out of his stun in the meantime. Once they were reunited, a door opened and a Insanity Behomoth revealed itself. Vyodros restored Hearts, freeing her from her stun.

They engaged it in battle, with the beast swallowing Mirinus into a pool of acid inside it. A psionic blast emanated from Hearts suddenly in the battle. Vyodros was drawn inside the creature, only to be saved by Mirinus as he carved through the beast, killing it.

However, their rest was short lived as a tomb of mindflayers opened near them, revealing more enemies. Drakk then turned on the party, attacking Mirinus. Hearts then attacked Drakk, but was stunned yet again. Mirinus managed to defeat the Gith all by himself as he, Tarron, and Vyodros dispatched over the mindflayers.

Hearts freed herself from her stun and they moved to the final chamber, discovering an Intellect Abstractor - Elder Brain. Smaller brains poured from the chamber to engage the party. Mirinus, Vyodros, and Tarron fought bravely, using magic and martial prowess to carve into the small creatures and the beast.

Unfortunately, the bigger creature proved more difficult, stunning Tarron, downing Vyodros and Hearts, and capturing Mirinus in a tentacle. It then plane shifted, having determined the party was defeated.

Vyodros managed to rouse himself whilst Mirinus revived Hearts on the brink of death. Sore and defeated, the party attempted to track down the Elder Brain, to no avail. They healed and began to examine their loot. Once they had collected enough specimens, they teleported home.

## 10/10/21 - Tyor 3EF

* Vyodros
* Tarron
* Mirinus
* Armond
* Hearts

The party set out from Kobold cave in to a heavy cold rain fall, Vyodros gates the party to a cave on Nidavellir and then uses his tuning fork to quickly escape as a dark skinned creature approaches them from the darkness, the party land on the edge of Voskia Woods and immediately find themselves in a pleasant conversation with a Badger, Vyodros gets curious about the badger's reason for being here, the Badger asks a request of Vyodros, Kalandaer wishes to be freed from his bath prison Vyodros says he will consider this and the badger introduces himself as Symon and Vyodros invites the badger to join them for dinner but is not allowed within Vyodros's sacred temple, they sit outside and discuss things as Vyodros creates a Heroes Feast. The Badger begins asking the group to free Kalandaer in return for help with their issues, the group have a hard time identifying the true nature of the badger, the group discuss Kalandaer and his nature before playing liar's dice and Heart's cheats and gets caught by Mirinus, Vyodros casts an extended Death Ward on Mirinus, Tarron and himself they then take a long rest.

The next day Mirinus brings up to Vyodros the possibility of Kalandaer getting his hands on the Seed of Karin when he gets free, there is a chill in the air as the party set off into Voskia Woods, the group pass an owl in the trees who Vyodros waves to and is unpreturbed when it waves back, Vyodros then spots an Owlbear cub who runs when spoken to, Armond sees a Weasel following the party and offers it some of his rations, the Weasel introduces itself as Tim, he then asks Armond about his family then climbs on his shoulder and begins chatting about nothing in particular until Armond begins blabbing about the groups secrets which forces Vyodros to kill the Weasel.

The group approach an open grove littered with debris and shallow pools they see a group of seven humanoids going about their daily lives bathing in a large pool atop a perched ledge, large constructs flank the perimeter Armond and Mirinus argue about how to enter before Hearts attempts to disguise themselves as a Warforged guard but it looks lack lustre Armond then concludes that the guards are more welcoming than threatening in their stance, after more discussing the group approach cautiously and find they are allowed in as a green haired woman in the pool rises up and invites to play a game called "Red Dragon Green Dragon" which they accept,

##### Red Dragon Green Dragon

(Dusty please put the rules here)

the rules are explained and the game begins. Lysander moves 6, Mirinus moves six, Armond asks for clarification on the rules and then moves four, Tarron Dimension Doors and it counts as one movement cost, Hearts moves sixteen, Vyodros casts fog cloud then moves six, the lady then blows the fog cloud away using her green dragon wings as she reveals herself as Sume.

top of the turn the mechanical guards open their faces and countdown begins as the number 5 five appears on the screen underneath, Lysander moves 5 Mirinus moves 13, Armond casts Sleet Storm and moves 8, Tarron then casts Resiliant Sphere and moves 12, Hearts then moves 20 but is caught by Sume and a mechanical guard explodes on her she has to sit out, Vyodros casts fly on himself and moves 12.

Lysander casts Resiliant sphere on himself and moves 6, Mirinus repeats his last turn but is caught and hit by an explosion, Armond moves 6, Tarron changes into his thought form and moves 12, Hearts moves to one side of the arena, Vyodros casts Fog Cloud again and moves 12.

Lysander moves 12 but is caught two Mechanical guards explode on him but they do not effect him, Mirinus moves next to Hearts on the side lines and hands her a healing potion, Armond turns himself invisible and moves 6, Tarron casts Major image to create an army of Armonds, Hearts drinks a potion, Vyodros dashes 12 but is also caught in the same moment as Lysander as Sume breaths a cloud of poison gas on him but his heroes feast stops him from taking damage. Sume notes that she can see Armond.

Armond casts another fog cloud and moves 8 but is caught and gets himself blown up Mirinus and Hearts are caught in the blast, Tarron mobilises his army into the fog cloud, then runs behind Sume and wins the game.

Sume satisfied by how the game went invites the party to join her at the pool, Sume intoduces the other people present as her children, then sends one of them in to the cave to fetch Tarron a prize, Sume then reveals her rules and then offers to allow the party to play more games, they talk more on the odd nature of her new "family" and Sume reveals that she knows her child Kedyr is dead but that she knows not who killed them. The party agree to play her three games, Vyodros detects thoughts as most of the dragon's family are happy to greet their new siblings Sume is looking forward to the games and states that killing your competition is expected, Tarron quickly eastablishes an understanding with Vyodros as Mirinus eyes up Armond's neck wondering how long he would last as a meat shield.

##### Jump Rope

(As the rope swings an Acrobatics or Athletics check must be made to avoid having you legs cut by the bladed chain if you survive ten jumps you may pass to the next game if you fail...you are out, your feet must touch the ground once a revolution.)

The Group enter the cavern and the entrance closes behind them, two armed Clockwork knights holding a loose bladed chain between them a twisted game of jump rope lies before the party, the rules are laid out Armond and Lysander step into the arena and Armond begins to levitate himself and Lysander and the game begins, they succeed their first and second jumps by hovering in the center and touching the ground when it is safe, Vyodros attempts to subtly dispel the forbiddance surrounding the cave but fails. The clockwork knights adapt to Armond's strategy and extend their legs by 10 feet making the gamer harder for the pair, they pass their third swing, as the fourth swing comes about they narrowly escape a slashing blade, at the fifth swing they fail and are cut by the chain, they are eliminated a Clockwork attempts something on them but it fails and they are taken to a back room where they meet a man with long green hair sits watching the games on an illusionary screen.

Vyodros and Tarron are next Vyodros shoves one of the Clockwork Chain swingers forwards and sits behind it, Tarron uses his telekinesis to move himself effortlessly avoiding the chain the duo pass, Mirinus and Hearts are up Hearts hides behind the Clockwork Rope swinger Vyodros moved and Mirinus takes the challenge he passes 9 swings with the aid of Tarron's telekinesis but is caught on his final swing and is out a Clockwork Knight grabs his shoulder and he is instantly trasported to a cage somewhere in the cave.

The rest of the party are allowed to move on but before they can thigns take a turn. In the back room the green haired man gets to his feet pleased with how the first game went he approaches the pair Lysander spots a chest dives inside it casting Arcane lock as he does, the man grips Armond as he alters his memories to see Sume as his mother and Churga as his father and Armond finds himself in a blissful moment he is home. Churga moves towards the crate Lysander hears a knock on his crate and is asked politely to come out, he silently refuses and cowers in his chest, Churga reverts to his ancient green form and smashes open the chest causing Lysander to tumble out combat ensues.

Lysander blasts Churga with a fire ball, Churga mauls Lysander, Armond rushes in to drag Lysander away as he still recognises his friends and would defy his "Father" for them, Churga takes a swing at his reptulant son, Armond responds with a lighting ball and blows up a clockwork guard Churga swings out with his tail at Lysander and misses, Sume upon hearing that the games are now over attacks Hearts, Churga swings again for Lysander knocking him out. Meanwhile in a dark cavern a caged Mirinus speaks with a man who is stood by a table this man reveals himself to be an engineer named Otto, they agree to a partnership and work together to leave the cave, Tarron blasts Sume with a Psionic blast, Otto runs past Mirinus and Churga hears their escape, Lysander brings himself back from ther brink and gets up he runs turns and casts shatter at the roof between Churga and Armond bringing the caverned ceiling down, Sume stabs Hearts with her tail and knocks her out, Vyodros brings Hearts back and attempts to flee but falls into a pitfall, (the next game no doubt) and before he hits the spiked floor he catches himself and casts a hallowed charge at a clockwork guard. Churga squeezes his way through a gap in the rubble and swings for Armond, Armond attempts to attack him and fails but throws up a quick Sleet Storm. Sume attacks Hearts again and swings for Tarron and then comes back for Hearts again knocking her out. Churga moves through the Sleet Storm unhindered by it, Mirinus casts Intellect fortress on himself and discusses with Otto how best to escape Otto mentions having one shot to leave, Tarron grabs the limp Hearts and Shocking Grasps Sume, Otto casts Shape Stone on a wall forming a door then curses when he sees what is on the other side. Lysander shatters his way through a wall and enters into a dark corridor, Hearts runs to group up with the others and nearly falls in a pit trap she opens up a walled passage and sets off the next game Hide and Seek the room contains many Clockwork Knights who cover their eyes as they tell people to run from across the room Hearts sees Otto, Churga swings for Armond again.

Vyodros fed up with the fighting climbs out of his Pit and threatens to cast Earthquake bringing the cave down on all of them and falls into another pit his intimidation still stands though as Churga agrees to Vyodros's terms, that Vyodros may leave with his friends and family but says that the Artificer must stay he then approaches Otto, Armond heals himself, Hearts and Lysander then move to one side, Mirinus seeing someone unknown approaching Otto runs in to cut down Churga dealing damage to the ancient dragon, Tarron helps Vyodros out of a pit and nearly falls into one himself, Otto heads back to his prison, as everyone makes their way towards Vyodros, Vyodros reminds Churga of the terms of their leaving but Churga seeks retribution on Mirinus and assaults him with tooth and claw and a crown of stars for good measure, Mirinus takes a swab of Churga's blood from the floor and rubs it on his axe defiantly as he and Lysander join the rest and together they leave the cave and the clearing. After getting a good distance away Vyodros stops the group casts Etherealness then casts Gate to pull Otto to him he then plane shifts back to the material plane and then uses word of recall to get everyone home. and as tradition Vyodros sends Sume a cheeky message.

*I* *quite enjoyed your games,*

*while they continued,*

*too many tricks for my liking,*

*I have a few tricks,*

*of my own you'll find,*

*Ta-ra.*

## 26/10/21 - Kaarina - 3EF

* Alton
* Jamaal
* Lysander
* Mirinus
* Sip
* Tarron

The day starts with Tarron visiting Otto as he recovers in the Hall of the Tempest. He mentions how he hopes to return to his factory and continue his work, expressing that he hopes to take back the Red Lachla Fragment from Vydros. When prodded about Estelar, he mentioned that he was not in contact with him; but that Estelar was aware or watching over Otto.

As Tarron leaves and makes his way to Mignights Edge (or Starfall Lodge) there is a mercenary waiting outside, when addressed he asks Tarron to give Mirinus a note. As Tarron heads inside and hands Mirinus the note, Mirinus is instanly on his feet and out the door as the note reads "Fight me Pussy." Confronting the Mercenary he recognises him as a bested foe in the fighting pit thought now in new shiny armour. They wager the armour for Mirinus' axe as an inpromptu fighting pit battle is scheduled. The battle is evenly matched, the two equally exchanging blows but Mirinus dives deep and discovers new realms of speed and accuracy attacking more than ever before and ending the fight with his horns.  His foe bested again, Mirinus takes no time at all to take his combatants, Teds, Armour. However after learning the armour was borrowed from Orion, a high status paladin of zitus and member of the Council of six. He thinks it is not worth the hassle for a Minotaur in Eskarya to have Zitus armour, much to his own frustatration. Instead electing to take his sword and his miniscule amount of coin. On his way out Ted is propositioned for work by Jamaal and leaves smelling like he has soiled himself thanks to Sip.

As Tarron nervously mentions he needs to speak to the group Alton notices they are being watched by multiple arcane eyes. Lysander casts Private Sanctum to give them a moment of protection as the need to leave is stressed.  Lysander then uses Teleportation Circle to transport to Varals Tower.

The group apologise for dropping in unannounced but waste now time asking the archmage more questions. Focusing mainly on the chosen of Dystava, and their role in what may come.

Varal knew **Alara Lightfall** before she ascended to Godhood for her service to Dystava. **Margarery Alekas** - Was Alekas' damphir daughter who supposedly died during the initial invasion of the mindflayers. **Kozevask Alexander** and **Forfin Azurewish**, were unknow to Varal, as he mentioned the chosen may not be aware of their roles and the chosen could even be as yet unborn. The group mention that Kozevask is in Alekas' dungeon and they hope to speak/help him at some point soon. Finally, **Estelar Starseeker** is mentioned, and Varal say he plans to attune to the Lachla Shard to force Estelar out of hiding and reveal himself. And given previous talks of the dangers that intails, the group are adamant they some of them are atleast present.

As they stay the night, boons of magical items are passed to Lysander for free much to Jamaals confusion and amusement. The group also makes use of Varals extensive library. Sip asks Ferzer to look at some psionic magical items, the beholder shield is swiftly launched into another plane as it is learnt "its original owners" have the ability to see thorught it still. Alton summons an owl familair. Tarron has a restless night, but manages to stave off exhaustion.

The next day the group move to Encers cave, with Jamals expert navigation and survival skills. Corpses of previously slain nothics rot in the ground and as the party move forward they realise the bodies have attracted various oozes. However Altons speed and Mirinus's attack deal with most of the pseudopods as Sip dominates the largest to her bidding. The party move forward to find more nothics and an old confused Encer, he pleads the group for help but when they explain they dont have the power, he asks then why have they come? To which Alton replies "Small Mercys" as he unleashes a shot.

A difficult fight erupts, as Encer is put down his body falls apart into cursed limbs, eyes and a skull, which begin to animate. Encers spirit not giving up as a necrotic mist exclaims; *My secrets are my own as are yours!* The party battle slowly, edging backwards but holding a line against the limbs and remaining nothics as waves of darkness and silence spells falter the party. Jaamal and Alton manage to put down multiple enemys but they learn as more nothics are put down they too devolve into more cursed limbs. Mirinus, Lysander and Tarron manage to counterspell critical spells that aim to disentergrate or pyschic scream the party. Sip manages to pull multiple party members to safety, affectionatly bonking them with her revitalising frying pan. As the party are pushed back they cast, shoot and fight the creatures hiding in magical darkness eventually putting down Encer for good but not without taking considerable necrotic damage and wounds.

As the party take a breath to heal up Alton notices they are again being watched. The three not being watched, Alton, Sip and Lysander move ahead to see what they can find in the cave picking up multiple books and items. A scared and nervous Tarron sends Alton a telepathic message; *"Im sorry, Ive put us all in danger, Alekas is here."*

Sure enough, Alekas, Valentius, conclave mages and Alekas wives enter the cave exclaiming they are very interested in a book that has been found, the Codex of the Malificent. With the items in Sips bag of holding she promplty turns invisible and with the help of Alton disappears into the enthereal plane. As Alekas explains, by lawful decree, the items are the conclaves to take and he insists the party return the book. As Sip watches from the ethereal plane she makes an escape, believing the book should not be given up. When it is made clear she will not return each member of the party make attempts to flee to avoid being captured by the conclave, as the conclave and Alekas attempt to capture them alive.

Sip moves in the enthereal plane, dimensional shackling herself so she cannot be pulled out of the plane. Jamaal disappears into the shadows and hides under the vampires noses, waiting to escape. Lysander inacts his signature move by arkane locking himself inside a wine barrel. Tarron then uses teleport object to send the barrel, Lysander inside, to the hall of the Tempest asking for him to get help. After a bout with Alekas wives Mirinus moves to Tarron and they both dimension door away.

Alton is left with Alekas, Velentius and his army of mages to contend with as he uses everything at his disposal in attempt to make some distance. Flying, levitating, misty stepping and generally dodging powerful spells; patches from a Robe of Useful Items are thrown to make obstructions. As he manages to get out the cave he attempts to flee by flight before being struck down by Batekas  and Valentius. A final patch is used as Alton summons a horse but is ultimate stopped by hypnotic control by one of the mages. As Altons luck finally seem to run out he surrenders himself before Alekas is gated to Ysgard by Vyrdros, who, in usual fashion, goads a fight before simply leaving him on the plane and returning home.

Alton is knocked down by Valentius and is inspelled inside a ball bearing. Waking up to a famliar voice "I think its about time we officially met, I'm Estelar..."

The party fragmented and seperated, none knowing of the others wereabouts or situation, a shot of Violet light appears far on the horizon as someone and something returns to Elysia....

## 29/10/21 - Kaarina - 3EF

* Alton/Forfin
* Jaamal
* Sip
* Mirinus
* Tarron

With the party separated. Jamaal stays hidden in Encers Cave, until the mages of the Conclave elect to search under torchlight. At which point Valentius calls out, with his ruse broken Jamaal responds and the two return to Eskarya. Valentius appeals to Jamaals business acumen and proposes that if he remain contracted within Eskarya, and more importantly unopposed to Emperor Alekas, his business will thrive under no taxation laws and expansion opportunities.

Jamaal returns home, seeing 40 paladins of Zitus orchestrate a raid on the Hall of the Tempest. Jamaal writes a note to his nephew and moves under the cover of night to Midnights Edge. He finds Vydros, Lysander and other members of the guide seemingly taking refuge. As sides are clearly being drawn, on the eve of battle the members of the guild planeshift to Varals tower. Jamaal elects to stay behind and see what is happening behind enemy lines, his allegiances potentially unclear. Sip, shackled to the Ethereal Plane, makes her way to Varals tower. Until, however a Gate is opened infront of her. A legion of mages enter followed by Valentius. And while Sip manages to stave of charm spells she is ultimately held in the air stunned and within a force cage as the mages take what they desire. The Codex of Malificent. Their goal achieved, they leave Sip in the plane as she continues to Varals tower, now empty-handed. After dimension dooring away from the cave Mirinus and Tarron run to Varals Tower. A familiar voice is heard in Tarrons head. Valentius mentions he is disappointed in how things with Tarron have turned out and he wants what hangs from around his neck. Tarron reveals a small piece of the red Lachla shard, worn as a necklace, telling Mirinus that it was his fathers and he originally travelled to Eskarya to discover what it was. As the two wait on the lake edge of Varals Tower, Sip catches up to them and returns to the material plane. The group make their way inside Varals. After informing Varal of what transpired in Encers Cave, conversation turns to Alekas. Varal mentions the reason Alekas was refused entry was due to his daughter Margaery Alekas(one of the Chosen of Dystava) stressing he cannot be allowed after she saw the prophecy of his goals. As Tarron mentions the strange purple light he saw appear far off the horizon, Varal mentions it could only mean one thing. Someone has attuned to the purple Lachla Shard, the shard supposedly hidden by Nenelet. Varal  leads Vydros, Mirinus, Sip, Tarron and the rest of the guild members downstairs. A chamber lined with lead and covered in arcane runes and gliphs, which can only be entered via a selective portal, is the location of the two last chains of the Dark End. Should the shard be attuned to someone other than Nenelet this is where they would come, to break the final chains. As Varal learns that Alekas has arrived he goes to defend the tower against him. The party prepare to make a final stand to protect the chains... Alton wakes up in The Tempolar Tower, a structure of monumental brass cogs and ornate clockwork, though some are fractured and frayed. Estelar greets him and welcomes him to the Plane of Time, a plane closed off from all overs and guarded by modrons. He mentions that Valentius spell was interrupted, and that Altons very presence here was a great risk on his part as any presence here is usually forbidden.

Estelar leads Alton to the Gardens of Relativety, a grand field clustered with different groups of completed Lachla Gems. He explains each Gemcluster, when complete, contains the timeline of a universe, its history and future. Pointing out clusters for the universe of Alexandria, Ravinca, Ahlus, ect…

When he explains that the Elsyian Gem was taken and broken the shards fragmented into alternate timelines. Eash shard now contains a deviation of history from the true path. It is only when all of the shards are returned to this Field intact and in one complete piece can Elysia be saved. That ALL the shards must be returned, including a piece from another universe as he shows the Gem of Ahlus, a shard missing and chipped away. The fate of both universes now intertwined. The shard of Ahlus was originally taken by a Wizard, capable of epic magic. Whom should never have been capable of entry to the Plane of time, however driven mad and manipulated by the Dark End he managed to steal a Yellow shard from the Ahlus Gem cluster When trying to return to the material plane he found himself in the Far Realm and fell into the hands of the Mindflayers. The Foul Labyrinthe took the Yellow shard from the wizard and the Ariser Ship was built so the aberration hivemind could travel to the Plane of Time and collect more shards, so that they may achieve their goal of controlling all Universes under their will. They began with the Elysian Lachla Gems and stole the cluster. This plan however, was thwarted as Kozevask, a chosen of Dystava, saw the doom that this would pass, stole the ship, the Gem Cluster, and fled back to its universe. This event and bravery by Kozevask, though saving Elysia from the Dark End, resulted in the the ship crashing in Elysia. The Lachla Gem breaking into its shards as we know them today, and fragmenting into alternative timelines. The members of Arcadia, not knowing what the shards were or what they contained, but recognising they shouldn’t fall into the Arisers hands made the decision to separate the shards and keep them apart. Kozevask was left to die, his significance unknown and unrecognised, only to be found by Alekas. Alekas original attempt to collect the Lachla shards from the crash site were thwarted by his daughter Margaery. As she knew the damage he would cause, she plane-shifted him to Pandemonium as the Ariser ship crashed, stopping his extraction of the Gems. A heroic act which resulted in Margaery’s death at the hands of Alekas’ wives. In the plane of Pandemonium, the vale between the Dark End and the material planes is weakest. And seeing Alekas’ desire to return to a time when he was to be made Emperor but stopped on the eve of his coronation by the Coalition State The Dark end saw an opportunity to manipulate Alekas to complete his bidding. And though Alekas remained unaware of what the shards were; he was told they were key to him returning as Emperor of Elysia, and with it he would inadvertently release the Dark End in the process of achieving that goal. Alton was told that the Turqouise Shard, he has in his own possession contains the alternate history in which Alekas Elysia was Crowned Emperor as a young boy and the Coalition was never formed. The Emerald Lachla Shard contains the alternate history in which all 5 chains are broken and the Dark End is free. If the Lachla Shards of Elysia are used by Mind Flayers for the Planar Avulsion, not only can a portal open between all worlds, but also between the paradoxical timelines of Elysia, allowing the Dark End to escape its paradox within the Emerald Lachla Shard. With a single spell and word the Dark End can be brought into the true timeline, free of his chains. And that the Lachla Shards can be used as material component for Time Travel. Such an event cannot come to pass and Alton is tasked with stopping it. Alton is lead to another chamber. A temporal Great Dragon, the last of his kind, a dragon named Arauthvureemsays it is a pleasure to finally meet him. He speaks of destiny and fate. That a path is forged and destiny can be changed for good or bad. And while he knows what lies ahead for Alton, he cannot tell him, as knowing about the future would not allow Alton to leave the Plane of time. Instead he mentions that inorder to achieve what needs to be done Alton must change his past. So that he may become the man he was destined to become, whom he needs to be. When given a piece of parchment by a drow servant, Faerfyl, Alton begins to rewrite his past. Arauthvureem and the drown begin the ritual as a strand of the girls hair, the dragons scale, and a timepiece begin to coalesce. Alton returns his parchment, with his new past written, and while a small change is made by Faerfyl he is lifted in the air as the epic magic is completed. The great Timeclock faltering and cracking s history is re-written.

For the next 16 months Alton learns the way of Chronurgy under the Great Wyrmand with his training complete is ready to return to the material plane, where only a fraction of a second has truly passed. The teary eyed Faerfyl says goodbye to her new friend, as he leaves the plane of time she exclaims \*“I hope to see you soon, Forfin Azurewish”\* Calling him by the final name listed as the chosen of Dystava. Alton, or Forfin Azurewish, returns at the exact moment Varal falls to Alekas at the top of his Tower. As Alekas exclaims he wasn’t expecting him, Forfin retorts; \*“I have been expecting you; for a long time.”\* Forfin mentions there is another way for Alekas to achieve his goal, to become the Emperor of Elysia as he desires. As he shows him the Turquoise Lachla Shard containing the timeline in which that very wish is reality, he exclaims that he can do this for Alekas if he returns the red shard from his ring and the Conclaves Emerald shard. He complies and as the wizard Forfin binds a spell upon him with the Lachla shard as the material component, engulfing the vampire Lord and the world around them. The drow expresses a look of resignation and acceptance within solemn hues. Uncertainty lingers within him, yet an essence of poisoned hope within it. Within the shard presents a crown placed upon a child’s head and hailed by his subjects.

A prophecy fulfilled.

Alekas is encased inside his Alternate Timeline contained within the shard. The Planar Avulsion of the worlds at Alekas’ hand seemingly diverted. With the battle won the guild, guarding the chains return upstairs, the very battle diverted. Forfin explains that Alekas has been dealt with, but the work may not be fully finished until the Lachla shards are collected. Tarron talks to Forfin hoping to apologise for what he did when under Valentius’ employment, including charming a Kenku to try and steal the Drows Lachla Shard long ago. He exclaims that he believed he was doing the right thing at the time and trusted the Conclave/Valentius were acting admirably until he realised their true goals and the destruction that would be left in its wake. Sip talks to Forfin, recognising him as her friend Alton. She conducts a tarot card reading to learn that though his past altered she is still the friend she knew. Kozevask is released from his imprisonment, his captur now dealt with. Though having spent so long being cloned, killed and cloned again within a dungeon he is not in the mood to talk, except to Forfin as they recognise eachother as Chosen of Dystava, and that more is still to be done. Over a Heroes Feast Ferzar and Klaxoth enter exclaiming they have an idea to deal with the Paladins of Zitus and the Demons (also being manipulated by the Dark End to break the chains). Klaxoth will pose as Aldwin Thorne and instruct the attack on the Sanctuary as Vydros planeshift the real Aldwin to a retirement home in Ysgard. The Armies of Khokkulun also planning to help in the siege. As the members of the adventures Guild ready for the demon battle ahead the earth begins to shake. The tower cracks and ebs as they parties run upstairs. A flash of Purple and Yellow light illuminates the sky with a roar of power. Portals of tendrils and aberrant beings flood the fields surrounding Varals Tower. The Ariser, a living organic aberrant ship, pollutes the sky. \*Hear the words of the corrupted.\* \*The Ariser has come.\*

\*The Planar Avulsion is inevitable\*

The final battle looms.

## (20/11/21) Kaarina 3EF

* Forfin/Alton
* Jamaal
* Mirinus
* Sip
* Tarron
* Vyodros

The party stand steadfast in the wake of the flying Illithid Armada rip through the temporal schism, when a second tear opens as Karezen/Nelenet leads his forces from Ahlus through the portal flanked by various elementals and that world’s champions, the party prep themselves as Kozevask gives a last word of warning before using the cube to transport everyone to the Ariser a grand Illithid void ship the smell of brine is thick in the air, ahead of them stand a small welcoming party of Traitorous Githyanki, Mindflayers and an Umberhulk.

### Fight on Deck

Forfin draws his trusted firearms and fires two shots and a crown of Stars into the Umberhulk, Jamaal lets loose a Volley of arrows killing a Githyanki and injuring the Umberhulk he then ducks low and hides, Kosevask takes a Githyanki hostage while a Githyanki runs to Forfin and takes two swings with it’s Greatsword and hitting nothing but air, Varal summons a crown of stars about himself and sends a star towards the Umberhulk then throws a firebolt at the brute but misses, Sip fires a Special blow dart at the Umberhulk bringing it down with a necrotic wave, the Githyanki move themselves into position as Vyodros notices they are wearing collars, a second Githyanki runs to Sip and slashes her with it’s Greatsword, an Elder Mindflayer decends from a raised balcony and attempts to cast a spell into the crowd but is stopped by Tarron, a Mindflayer attempts to charm Mirinus but he is saved by Forfin’s Mind Blank, Sip is flanked and hit by another Githyanki, a Mindflayer attempts to charm Sip but is held back by her mental prowess, Tarron then detonates a Fireball onto the deck of the ship causing chaos, Mirinus steps forwards and decapitates a Githyanki, a Mindflayer attempts to dominate Tarron but fails, Vyodros casts Spiritual weapon then summons storm clouds and blasts a Githyanki but as the party were feeling confidant a psychic wave erupts from the ship knocking out everyone’s low level protections.

Forfin draws Stormsong and blasts a Mindflayer and fires a crown of stars killing it, Jamaal slips out of the shadows and fires a poisoned arrow into the Elder Mindflayer and then nails him with a second arrow, Kozevask takes a couple hits from the Githyanki he is grappling and the Githyanki is promptly killed by Varal, Sip then attacks the Elder and hides behind Mirinus but she is then chased by two Githyanki, the Elder Mindflayer lines up a spell and kills one of his own, two Mindflayers fire psychic blasts at Tarron, Jamaal and Varal, Kozevask turns invisible, Sip is assaulted again, a third Mindflayer blasts Tarron, Varal and Jamaal stunning Jamaal, Tarron freezes a Githyanki to death, Mirinus beheads a second Githyanki and wounds another, as a Githyanki attacks Vyodros but is assaulted for the audacity Vyodros then moves to make Jamaal’s bow a magic weapon.

Alton then flies up to the Elder Mindflayer and blasts a hole through it’s head bringing down the leader he then follows through with more shots to it’s cohorts, Jamaal recovers from his stun, Varal then chain lightnings three Mindflayers killing them, Sip then finishes off the last Githyanki that has been attacking her as Kozevask devours the mind of the last one.

### Entering the Ariser

As the group enter the ship proper and descend below deck they are met with gross fleshy walls and an awful smell as a second wave of enemies consisting of Intellect Devourers, Githyanki and a decrepid Beholder make themselves known, there are many cranium rats scurrying about.

Jamaal pops off an arrow at the Beholder but finds that his bow is unable to fire then runs to the shadows, Forfin figures out what is happening and runs out of the Beholders anti-magic gaze and fires Stormsong and a crown of stars towards it, a Githyanki then swipes at Mirinus cutting into him, a Quaraphon drops from the ceiling and slashes into Sip, Varal then follows Forfin out of the Beholder’s anti-magic gaze and hits it with his own crown of stars and hits the Quaraphon with a disintegrate, an Intellect Devourer then tries to make a meal of Forfin but finds his will to strong, another Githyanki attacks Mirinus, Mirinus then swipes at the Githyanki and finds his attacks are weaker he then leaves the anti-magic stare, Tarron leaves the field and fires a Tasha’s mind whip at the beholder but it resists, Sip disengages heals and runs from the Quaraphon, an Intellect devourer attacks Mirinus and but is repelled, Tarron and Sip are attacked by Githyanki, Kozevask dives down some stairs to safety, the Beholder turns it’s anti magic stare to the spell casters and puts Vyodros to sleep.

Jamaal fires two shots into the Beholder and it then tries to paralyse Mirinus and fails, Forfin steps to the side and hits the Beholder with a crown of Stars and a shot from Stormsong he then chronal shifts the second one into the Beholder killing it, a Githyanki fails to hit Mirinus as the Quaraphon attacks Varal dealing him a heavy blow it then turns its attention to Mirinus and Vyodros and hits the sleeping Vyodros with a slow, Varal responds with banishing the Quaraphon, an Intellect Devourer jumps on Vyodros and eats his brain but Varal and Forfin mess with the time line and he is saved. The ship then wraps Mirinus and Jamaal in tentacles, Mirinus misty steps out of the danger and kills the Devourer on top of Vyodros, Tarron then kills a Devourer with a Shocking Grasp, Sip runs to Vyodros and shakes him awake, Jamaal is then hit by a Devourer and loses his senses for a time, the Githyanki attack Varal and Mirinus, Kozevask then Blight’s a Githyanki to death, Vyodros gets to his feet and batters a Githyanki down some stairs and slashes the last Intellect Devourer with a spiritual weapon, another blast of dispel magic forces some saves, Forfin assesses the situation with Jamaal and sees he is in dire straits he then kills a Githyanki and flies to his allies, Varal fire bolts the last devourer, a lair action forces Tarron sip and Jamaal to lose intelligence, Mirinus then stomps the last two Githyanki bringing combat to a close Vyodros restores Jamaal, the group then descend into the bowels of the ship.

### Deeper below deck

Kozevask tells everyone that they must go down to go up, the group enter a room filled with a necrotic stench and fleshy pools of stagnant water as more Intellect Devourers attack.

Forfin fires a crown of stars at an Intellect Devourer killing it he then fires two shots and kills two more, Jamaal then fires a radiant arrow into an Intellect Devourer killing it then firing a second shot killing a second one, a nightmarish aberration crawls out of a pool of stagnant water and swings for Forfin and misses, Varal then fires a Fire bolt at the Dolgaunt followed by a Crown of Stars killing it, Tarron then fires a Ray of Frost at an Intellect devourer harming it a disembodied voice speaks to the group and traps Mirinus in a Wall of Force while expressing delightfully that it hoped to see him again, more Dolgaunt emerge from their pools and attack Forfin and Tarron, Vyodros then hits a Dolgaunt with the spiritual weapon then blasts it with a spirit guardian, Mirinus misty steps out of his box and kills a Dolgaunt then misses the second one, Forfin then blasts a Dolgaunt with Stormsong and Jamaal then arrows the Dolgaunt facing Vyodros, Varal regains his Chronal shift then uses Steel Wind Strike to decimate 3 Dolgaunt, Tarron kills the final Dolgaunt as Mirinus is routed to the spot with some lair nonsense.

Suddenly the doors fly open revealing to the south an Ullitharid, a Mind witness and Gnome Ceremorph, and to the north a gigantic Elder Brain, a Mind witness and several other Illithid horrors.

Forfin opens up by shooting the Gnome with 2 blasts Jamaal runs south and fires two arrows at the Main guy hitting only once, Varal drops his concentration on the banishment and envelops the top chamber in a Dark Star killing the Witness and a Devourer, Tarron casts Mind Whip on the Ullitharid which it fails, the lair action traps Varal and Jamaal in a dome of force, the Gorth takes a hit, the Grell dies along with a bunch of Devourers falling to the Dark Star’s inky void, Sip avoids being dominated and in turn Dominates a Mind Witness orders it to attack and hides, the Gnome ceremorph shoots at Vyodros and misses, the Mind Witness attempts to ray the Ullitharid but they fail, Kozevask Blights the Ullitharid, then Vyodros casts toll the dead on the Ullitharid then spirit guardians it then a Gnome Ceremorph incapacitates Vyodros, Mirinus is still stuck in place as the Elder brain uses Psychic Scream and hit Tarron, the Ullitharid attempts to eat Vyodros’s brain but fails.

Forfin then sinks a shot into the Gnome Ceremorph killing it then a second shot and a crown of stars into the Ullitharid, Jamaal then dimension doors himself and Varal out of the dome and then puts himself behind cover, Varal uses pulse wave killing the Ullitharid and the Gnome Ceremorph, Tarron frees himself from his stun lock a lair action contains Forfin and Vyodros in a dome of force, Sip orders her Mind Witness to attack the Gorth which destroys it, Kozevask opens the path to the Psionic core and instructs the others to leave Vyodros and Mirinus are both stunned, the Elder Brain lifts itself out of the bath with telekinesis.

Forfin force feeds Vyodros a health potion, Varal drops concentration on his Dark Star and Jamaal kills the last surviving Mind witness then pops a shot in to the Elder Brain, the Elder Brain drags Mirinus forwards, Varal hits the Brain with a Crown of Stars forcing the Brain to drop its Concentration Tarron hits it with a Crown of Stars and a Ray of Frost the lair action forces Vyodros to make a save which he passes a lone Gorth attempts to attack Mirinus with rays and fails, Sip then throws a fire bomb at the Elder Brain and orders the Mind witness to attack the brain, Kozevask runs out of the room Vyodros fails a save and Mirinus breaks free from his paralysis as the brain grapples him, Forfin fires two shots into the brain and flies with Vyodros towards the brain Jamaal sinks two arrows into the brain and Varal finishes it off with a fire bolt crown of stars combo, The Gorth moves into Tarron’s range and is blasted with a Ray of Frost, Vyodros and Mirinus kill the Mind Witness as the group go back up to the first room they see that the locked doors are open the party are hit by a dumb beam making Tarron dumber.

### The Upper deck

As the party ascend to the upper floor they are awaited by four Mindflayers and Vyodros notices four creatures hanging from the ceiling.

Jamaal fires at one of the hanging creatures hitting it the creature responds by dropping down and slowing Vyodros and slashing at him but missing Forfin then blasts the creatures head away with Stormsong, Sip launches a Fire Bomb at a Mindflayer then uses her boots of speed to move away the lair action targets Kozevask and damages him and cuts his speed and makes him more Aberrant in nature a Mindflayer fire a Psychic blast at the group stunning Kozevask and Tarron two Mindflayers descend on Jamaal surrounding him a Quaraphon slashes at Mirinus and fails to slow him, a third Mindflayer attacks Tarron, Varal Firebolts a mind flayer and crown of stars another, Vyodros starts summoning his Thunderstorm decimating the Mindflayers and Quaraphon a Quaraphon runs to attack Vyodros and gets blasted backwards the Mindflayer fighting Forfin gets grappled, Mirinus swings at his Quaraphon as Jamaal fails to free himself from stun.

Forfin Kills his Mindflayer and slashes into his Quaraphon, Sip kills a Mindflayers and frees Jamaal by feeding him a potion of Growth the Quaraphon fighting Forfin hits him with two slashing attacks a lair action reduces Tarron and Sip’s intelligence again Tarron kills the final Mindflayer and rescues Kozevask, Kozevask then Hastes Mirinus the Quaraphon fighting Mirinus turns to attack Sip Varal blasts the Quaraphon next to Forfin as Vyodros squares off with his Quaraphon which then turns and attacks the stunned Jamaal, a hasted Mirinus makes short work of the remaining three Quaraphon bringing combat to an end.

### The door to the North

The group move through the door to the north they see eyes on stalks and a slight haze about the ground suddenly tentacles shoot up from the ground restraining Tarron, Kozevask and Vyodros, Varal walks past the tentacles and out the other side, Mirinus rips Vyodros out of the ground and carries him across the tentacles he then reaches back and pulls Forfin free, Sip avoids the dangerous ground and pulls Jamaal free she then inspects an open hatch in the ground and sees a mass of organic tendrils acting as wires powering the ship, a lair action attempts to harm Varal but it fails to get hold of him, Tarron holds his action as Kozevask instructs them on how to break the core when he opens the door a hideous Aberration a Mind Reaper stands within Varal casts wish and destroys the core dropping the Anti-magic shell.

Vyodros and Jamaal fire off their held actions the Mind Reaper moves forwards and attacks Jamaal and Vyodros blinding and restraining them Mirinus slashes at the Mind reaper Jamaal breaks free from its grasp and Forfin fires two shots from Curtain Call and backs away Sip throws bombs at the Mind Reaper a lair action forces Jamaal, Sip and Tarron to make more wisdom saves Tarron loses one intelligence point, Tarron manages to kill the Mind Reaper with Chill touch.

Kozevask jumps to the controls and lowers the stairs a voice descends the stairs and invites everyone up, upon entering the room the party find themselves facing three creatures a Mind Witness, an amalgamation of various creatures and a grey skinned man sat in a chair The Foul Labyrinth, the Labyrinth addresses the group and battle begins.

Jamaal slinks to one side and fires three shots into the Amalgamation, Forfin then casts Maze on the Labyrinth sending him to a maze and flies to the door at the back of the room, Kozevask attempts to sit in the chair but his fear makes him vacate it, Sip summons a Water Elemental, Varal casts Momentary stasis on the Mind Witness freezing it in place, the Labyrinth returns and looks annoyedly amused, the Water Elemental attempts to surround the Amalgamation and fails The Labyrinth blasts Jamaal and Sip with a Psychic blast, Vyodros casts Holy aura on the Party The Amalgamation attacks Mirinus and Vyodros grappling the Cleric, Tarron then Heighten casts dominate Monster on the Mind Witness then casts Crown of stars of the Labyrinth, Mirinus then slams the Amalgamation with a bunch of hits and a crown of stars, Forfin throws a Forfin’s Psychic Spear at the Amalgamation but it is immune to Psychic damage, Kozevask then kills the Amalgamation but is now captured by The Labyrinth, the lair forces Jamaal and Sip to lose more Intelligence Sip then drinks her Elixir, Varal then casts Magnify Gravity on The Labyrinth who then tries to corrupt Mirinus and fails it then survives an attack by the Mind Witness and Water Elemental Vyodros casts guiding bolt on The Labyrinth Tarron then wishes that his friends were immune to Stun Mirinus recovers from his Lethargy and fires a crown of stars into The Labyrinth.

Jamaal then fires two shots into the man, Forfin casts a 9th level disintegrate causing the Foul Labyrinth to reveal it’s true form as a gigantic Mind Flayer, Kozevask and Sip hit it with higher level Blights but it seems to shrug off the damage, Sip then eats a yellow candy and gains resistance to psychic Varal then launches a crown of stars at the Foul Labyrinth, The Foul Labyrinth teleports to Varal and attacks him with his tentacles and attempts to corrupt him, The water Elemental attacks the Foul Labyrinth who then attacks Varal with a legendary action The Mind Witness then Rays the Foul Labyrinth who then Tentacle whips Varal, Vyodros summons his spiritual Weapon and tries to toll the dead but fails, Tarron casts chill Touch on The Foul Labyrinth stopping it from healing, Mirinus then fire his last crown of Stars missing the hit but storms forwards and hits The Foul Labyrinth several times.

Jamaal then fires two shots and hits once, Forfin fires a bolt of Lightning at The Foul Labyrinth hitting it, Kozevask finally sits in the chair and opens the door Sip runs in and tries to pry open a hatch Varal tries to freeze the Foul Labyrinth in a Stasis but is unable to land it he then tries to eat Varal’s brain and fails it then teleports to Sip and attempts to corrupt her and fails it is then besieged by The Mind Witness, Vyodros then looses off another guiding bolt hitting The Foul Labyrinth, Tarron then casts light, Mirinus Misty Steps in and drops the Foul Labyrinth to one knee he then lays claim to the final kill but Jamaal smirks and fires a final shot nailing The Foul Labyrinth between the eyes killing it, the labyrinth turns to dust and crumbles away.

The ship begins to plummet with the death of The Foul Labyrinth the group run out onto the balcony as Kozevask takes the helm, Varal then teleports everyone onto the top of his tower as The Ariser begins to pitch and yaw taking out two ships it’s tentacles wrapping around the other ships as it drags them to the ground a Meteor Storm tinged with Lightning rips through the other ships causing them to lose altitude the army of Illithid retreat back into the portal heading back to the Far Realms as the battle quietens down a new tear opens up in the sky and a voice calls to Forfin telling him that it is time.

### Atop the Tower

Forfin knows what must be done he asks Vyodros and Tarron for their shards which they dutifully hand over, fond farewells are shared as Forfin and the Party share a moment of joyful reflection, Vyodros pulls out a bottle of alcohol and hands it to Forfin they agree to share a drink across time at some point and then they all share a final farewell as the man they knew as Alton is whisked away.

Estalar steps into the spot where Alton once stood and commends the group for all their efforts and speaks of more work that is yet to come, rebuilding the world, the Empire of Eskarya and the lands to the North, the remaining party ruminate on what they should do next, Tarron is told by Estallar to look inwards and break away the veil and that it will hurt but to think on the trials he has faced in the past, he then casts Dispel Magic at 9th level causing Tarron to shed is skin in agonising pain, his skin falls off and his hair falls away revealing himself to having been Fogel Churnin all along, Fogel talks about what he went through being forced into becoming Tarron, Estallar comments on how Tarron completed Fogel and Vyodros argues that Tarron was already complete and upon the mention of the Chapel being destroyed the penny drops for Mirinus who didn’t know who he was, Sip and Tarron have a heart warming reunion, Estallar and Varal discuss heading North but Varal says he will stay in the South and Estallar takes his leave promising to stay in touch, Varal laments on what he has discovered about himself, the group start to head out of the tower discussing what to do next.