recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
The Sinking Lands

A massive geological fault line runs North South at the Southern edge of the continent. Unpredictable geological activity has created craggy volcanic areas, low sinking wetlands and unpredictable oceanic disturbances in these areas. No organized settlements have been maintained in these areas travelers both by land and sea avoid the region.

E of Torholds

SW of Hatterwol

W of Burmuth

See Northeastern Mantea Map
Episode 15: Into the Chelhuwood

The relative shelter of Etthin Pass was short-lived. Checking around town, the party learned that many travelers had left town spooked by recent howling and ill omens in the country-side. Tracking down Isiah Dru’s local contact, Piotr Brabant shared that the bounty hunters behind Mr. Dru’s untimely end had passed through Etthin Pass a few days ago and stopped for reprovisioning before heading into the jungles. Choosing to divide and conquer, Atosk volunteered to escort Branna, the local gem merchant, back to her mine in the Foothills to restock on healing components while the party headed into the jungles.

The Chelhuwood began testing our hero’s mettle within the first day of their journey. Fighting off fierce reptilian and plant based predators, exhaustion set in as the party reached the ancient elven outpost known as the Jorrian Tower just after night fall. Scouting the area, Bamya found the grounds surrounding the tower littered with corpses and the night sky filled with horrors. Fighting off Vargouilles and huge flying cloaker-beasts pushed the limits of the party’s strength and strategy. Taking refuge for the night in the tower, the party recovered and found Fulnor Hillbough, a halfling hunter, barricaded in the root cellar of the tower. The terrified hobbit was the last survivor of events of the night and told of a terrible howling outside the tower that frightened his friends causing them to flee the tower. Waiting outside a man in blank leather riding a massive jungle cat and apparently commanding a squad of flying beasts ripped his comrades apart. After the villain’s departure, Fulnor witnessed the heads of his friends sprout wings and rip themselves from the corpses before flying into the darkness. Given comfort for his shattered psyche, Fulnor thanked the party and headed back to Etthin Pass.
Episode 20: Spiders and Flies

Reunited and recovered from serpentine struggles, the party re- entered Aellyn Rynass. After looting the rubble of the Snake God’s sanctum, they plumbed deeper into the ruin to find the lower levels even more challenging. The arachnoid infestation grew denser and more aggressive, and the magical distortions threatened the stability of every spell in the heroes’ arsenal.

Making matters worse, spirits of the former residents do not appear to be resting easy. Battling past the giant spiders, the party were haunted by a spectral warrior and a floating skull named Dafron, who’s magical abilities threatened to tip the balance against the heroes.

A spider infested trophy room delivered a trove of elven treasure and the party came to a large assembly hall barricaded from within. Inside, they found one Chyrra Absallia, a teifling woman who had taken shelter in the ornately carved halls hiding from the spiders and horrific scorpion demon that appears to have nested in the canyon beyond.
Found Contract

> In consideration of your efforts and non-disclosure of the terms and parties of this
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> engagement for the retrieval of one Chyrra Absallia and her current possessions to
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> Ashmammit The Keeper, High Abishai, Thirteenth Vizor of Mephistopheles, whom by
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> corpus juris infernus being the rightful owner of her soul commands closing of accounts
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> on her part, 3 Guardian Balor from the ranks of Cania’s Elite Veteran Corps for the
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> fortification of the Grey Fortress Fulgarii in perpetuity; 300,000 Minted Minaurae Platinus,
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> The Scrying Brazier of Balthakon; Reindark the Slicer of Realms, blade of Sthakos The
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> Retributionist.
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* > Ashmammit The Keeper
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> In consideration of your efforts in the retrieval of Maranik The Oath Breaker, and delivery
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> to The Diabolical Courts of Phlegethos to stand train before Belial for breach of debts
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> moreover to Brorzan The Viscious, 3rd Molydeus of Soth’Tathius, one Cage of Minarous
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> and binding of its inhabitant Figidx, Spawn of Borzan for three lifetimes across in the
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> planes of Fulgarii’s choosing.
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* > Brozan The Viscious
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> In consideration of your efforts in the retrieval of Jingris the Eighth, Heirophant of
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> Astrumoth and delivery thereupon unto Erzon Speaker of Truths, Abashia of Mammon,
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> the sum of 300,000 Minted Minaurae Platinus, and 400 karats Infernal Blood Rubies
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> payable upon receipt of quarry and delivered directly to Fortress Fulgarii, Discorian Hills,
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> Gehenna
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* > Erzon Speaker of Truths
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> In consideration of your efforts in the retrieval of the Blackblade of Annath, stolen from
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> it’s rightful owner Ollmug the Stredder, Lieutenant Narzugon of Zarieal by the human
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> known as Victor Astaroth and his Horde; one fully trained Jarnalith Beast equipped with
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> finest tackle of Dis; All proceeds and collateral from the effort shall become the full
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> property and right in perpetuity of Fulgari Maledictous Olgoloth, the Black Rider of
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> Discoria; Stygian Passiage by Aksai’Tan guradian of the 7th bank in perpetuity, and the
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> service, escort and protection of the 18th Phalanx Phaldictae Narzugonae in all
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> endeavors across Avernus in perpetuity.
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* > Olmug the Shredder
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> In consideration of your efforts and non-disclosur of the terms of this agreement,
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> retrieval of the amulet of Bevonguc, fourtieth Molydeus of Parthis the Sibriex Queen.;
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> The silver diadem of Stovicas upon which the bounty of Titivilus shall transfer in its
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> entirety to Fulgari Maledictous Olgoloth upon it’s safe return to the Halls of Dispater,
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> The red Key of Safthynoc granting safe passage through the maw of Quaggoth into the
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> Arcanum Sithliotec so long as it stands.
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* > Bevonguc the Fourtieth
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Neferon

"Neferon, Clarion of the Cabal, the Horse Lord’s Foment, Catalyst of Metamorphosis. Seer of mortal folly, no ambition or fear escapes his lidless gaze. His skilled fingers pry the hearts of men and turn their fallow toils to the humus of hubris, the potash of perspective and the roil of revolution. Emissary to Ra’Onitia, he will draw the wealth of the horse lords to build the bowers of Carcosa"

See also Crown of Neferon
Barovian Steppes

Populated by nomadic tribes of traders and hunters renown for their travelling range, historical lore and story telling, the far flung Barovians are surprisingly cohesive as a culture with their colorful caravans and wagons as recognizable as their distinctive music and accents of their speech.

Barovians dislike water travel, but their trade routes extend deep into the Low Countries where they trade with the Kennefels and other groups.

Vistania is the only permanent settlement in the foothills of the Barovian Mountains. Stories of their homelands and the open plains where ancient kingdoms once ruled are wild romantic tales filled with dark and ominous powers that hold sway over large portions of the land. Whether factual or part of their story telling flair remains to be proven.

See:

Barovian Steppes Map
Episode 67: Treacherous Roads

Vin launched an early charm hypnotizing  the cloaked figure and it’s mastiffs, providing a valuable advantage as they drew closer to inspect the ruined wagon. But drawing closer they soon discovered the mastiffs were shadowy nether beasts and their master a grim collector of undead spirits. As they moved to dispatch the unquiet dead, the party soon realized to their horror that the creature was made entirely of bound spirits that it unleashed at every turn.

Victorious but haggard, the party trudged along the muddy forest road towards the ruins of Argynvolstholt, only to be besieged again by feral vampires but this time lead by more fully developed night walkers. It was as if every undead thing in this valley was on the hunt for them. Using careful timing to wait for his comrades to weaken the blooddrinkers, Father Gus soared up and unleashed sunlight on the battlescene below reducing the foul creatures to a smear of smoldering coagulated blood tar.

Finally cresting the hill, the ruins of Argynvolstholt stood before them, the silver beacon of light shooting up through the drizzle and fog As the magical light crashed through the cloud cover shifting sheets of light seemed to take on the shape of fleeting dragon wings, and for the first time in many days, they felt the promise of refuge.
Il'Foetide

Forested region

W of Torholds

E of Kennefels

S of The Fell Zee

SW of Hatterwol

A sprawling swampland borders the waters of the Fell Zee. The Kennefels colony of Ambehgris is the only noteworthy settlement in the area that is otherwise populated by wild animals, and rampant rumors of monstrous activity.

See:

Northeastern Mantea Map
Episode 45: The Dragon's Tale

In the throne room of the ruined stronghold, the party found Vladimir Horngaard. The former leader of the Order of the Silver Dragon proved short in temper and while he shared the party’s enemy in Bannoch Von Drovis, for having slain Argynvolst and defeated his Order, his vengeance seemed focused on the eternal torment of the immortal Von Drovis. When the party asked his assistance in defeating the Vampire Lord, Vladimir’s patience snapped and muttering

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> “you are no better than the witch said ye’d be…”
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he launched into an attack. Smashing a small egg timer in his fist he unleashed a swirling cloud of shadow locusts that harried the party, burrowing beneath the skin of over half the adventurers before Xarlamin’s magic held the revenant at bay while they attacked at range beyond the weight of seething hatred that flowed out of the ancient knight.

Elsewhere in the stronghold, they pierced together the clues offered by the haunting spirits and enchantments, scraps of the ancient Dragon’s journal, and a revenant knight that seemed to hold a shred of mortal intelligence. When Bannoch defeated the order and Argynvolst was slain, the conquering Von Drovis took the dragon’s remains as a trophy. The lone rational revenant implored the party to waste little time before the spirit of Vladimir found a new host: retrieve the remains of Argynvolst from Bannoch’s trophy room and return them to his mausoleum to put the revenants to rest.

Leaving the stronghold behind and descending back into the Svalich Valley, they received warning from a band of Martikov Raven scouts that Bannoch held the travelling Rictavio’s tiger in sway and staged an ambush on the road to the Castle. Making their way towards Vallaki in the failing light, yet more undead knights of the Silver Dragon were met on the road.

Clearly the party’s new enemies had no intention of letting them off easily...
Episode 25: Out of the Woods

Recovering from the trials of Aellyn Rynass, the heros gathered their wits and their newfound hoard of loot and headed back out into the jungles of the Chelhuwood. But their passage was far from unnoticed. Ambushed by Grung with heavily fortified forces, new developed magic and good old fashioned brawn proved stronger than poison or tentacle, and the party pushed on.

Judisciously sticking to the path through the jungle, they arrived back at the Jorrian Tower to find their hopes of a safehold dashed. Overrun by Ezsilish, the party tested out brave new strategies. Atosk’s dark magic forced the snipers away from their station as Nestor and Xarlamin bravely and creatively reached the top battlements to meet the snakes in battle. Vin’s first attempt at shapeshifting his allies turned in mixed results. The resulting giant crocodile proved an easy target for the Snake Mind Magic, but the remainder of the party reached the battlements in time to turn the tide.

Clearing the tower of threats for a well earned rest, the remaining questions haunt them. What to do with their new found understanding of interdimensional threats, demonic bounty hunters and an enraged Urx who now seemed fixed on tormenting them.
Episode 38: A Confrontation

Leaving behind the village of Krezk and the Abbey of Markovia behind, the party followed Van Richten’s path towards the valley winery. But only a few miles into the forest, they were confronted by Bannoch himself. Apparently frustrated by their delays in delivering Ireena to him as demanded, he made a gruesome demonstration of the fate of those who defy him as his dire wolves pawed at the remains of the missing Vistani girl.

But the party’s impatience soon turned the discussion to confrontation. Father Gus’s attempt to dispel the fog that shrouds the valley was not enough to bring any real sunlight to the forest floor, but it did reveal Bannoch’s fondness for illusions and they found themselves arguing not with the evil ruler, but a mere projection. But the air was filled with swarming bats and the road with phantom warriors as Bannoch toyed with them as he began to demonstrate his power. While his command of magic was formidable, his preternatural ability to charm proved even more dangerous sidelining Xarlamin and Vin with just a glance. But his attempt to demand the Crown of Neferon from Vin was foiled as the artifact had recently changed hands giving it’s safekeeping to the great and powerful cleric. Frustrated and angry, Bannoch summoned his Nightmare Steed Beaucephalus, and seizing Ireena disappeared into the fog.

Not far ahead on the road, the party found the capsized wagon of Van Richten, it’s doors smashed open and it’s feline inhabitant missing. Davian Martikov, the lone warden of the vineyards and winery ahead approached them and warned that the winery had been overrun by blights and have disrupted all his production for months. Offering a safe haven in the winery in exchange for clearing the blights, Davian said farewell as he moved to spend the night in hiding.
Clarence

AKA **Clare-Bear**, **Little Clary**, **C-Money**, **Clarensaurus**, **Mr. Late-To-The-Party**, **C-Lizzy**.

Former giant crocodile, current T-Rex, into whom various party members are morphed at The Bard's pleasure.

Hates horses almost as much as Bamya.

***Status***: Unknown

   ***Stats:*** Tyrannosaurus Rex

* Huge beast, unaligned
* **Armor Class** 13(natural armor)

* **Hit Points** 136(13d12+52)

* **Speed** 50 ft

 **DEX** 10
 **CON** 19 (+4)

***Multiattack:***

The tyrannosaurus makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its tail.

It can't make both attacks against the same target.

***Bite:***

* *Melee Weapon Attack:* **+10** to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
* *Hit:* 33 (**4d12 + 7**) piercing damage.
* If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17).
* Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the tyrannosaurus can't bite another target.

***Tail:***

* *Melee Weapon Attack:* **+10** to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
* *Hit:* 20 (**3d8 + 7**) bludgeoning damage.
Episode 66: Meanwhile, Back in the Valley

Descending further down the slopes of Mount Ghakis, the party descended below the tree line with hopes of reaching the Martikov winery with the remains of their scouts. But the heavy woods continued to confront them with bands of undead and werewolves apparently bent on way-laying their progress. Coming upon a pack of werewolves in a blighted patch of forest they fought off the ravenous beasts while avoiding the horrid grey ooze dripping from the canopy.

Reaching the Winery, they were met by Davian Martikov on the road outside the compound. The old patriarch of the raven clan warned them off, begging them to not linger near the winery as Bannoch himself had recently visited, demanding a massive shipment of wine the Martikovs were hard pressed to produce in the aftermath of their struggles with the local druids. Heeding his wishes, the party turned over the corpses of his family members and continued on their path hoping to reach Vallaki. As they departed, Xarlamin used his magic to eavesdrop on the Martikovs and heard them discussing how Bannoch had unleashed his hunters and set traps for the party at every turn. They feared the worst.

On the road to Vallaki, the party hid in the dense wood to avoid confronting a wagon train of locals headed west towards Krezk, but further down the road came across another wagon train that appeared to have been attacked and robbed. Their eyes adjusting to the murky mist of the forest road, they could make out a tall cloaked figure and three large mastiffs stalking through the remains of the raided wagon...
Aframdeil Gustafsson

Half-elf cleric.

* Servant of Njord
* Harbinger of The Great Storm
* Keeper of Mount Hastibyr's Vigilant Watch
* Cleric of the 1st Njordian Church of Artoverke
* Tempest of Nicena
* Captain of the Chainbreaker
* Caller of Lightning
* Missionary of Njord
* Waterbender
* Stormbringer

Status: Absent.

Aliases:

* Papa G
* Father Gus
* Three Eyes On a Stick
* 3RES
* Pickles
Episode 26: Loose Ends and Losing Friends

The final push out of the Chelhuwood uncovered the source of the Crimson Fever plaguing the area. Stepping in to rescue some local hunters uncovered a bog of carnivorous plants whose flowers gave off an intoxicating gas that quickly escalated to the symptoms of the fever. Upon return to Etthin Pass, the discovery combined with some healing magic proved to be the boon the town infirmary needed, while additionally drawing the attention of the Caliphate Priests who seem determined to bring Pickles into their Family of Faith.

They found the Etthin in higher spirits than they left it. The Barovian trade wagons had returned and the party was reunited with Thamas Bebry to catch up on the events of recent weeks. Overhearing some local unrest about a missing person, Nestor trailed an old drunk who raved about some demonic fungal infestation that was infecting the town. Following his lead to the abandoned Temple of Siamorphe the party discovered it was not demonic fungus at all, but agents of the Bounty Hunter Fulgari who were using the empty structure to open a portal to their master.

Interrupting the fiend’s remarks that the “distortion of Chyrra’s presence” had left the jungles, and a vague warning about a warlock tainted by Ravenqueen magic, Fulgari’s re-enforcements crossed through the porta and attacked. The battle raged, and just as the party began to turn the tide against the infernal forces, a hulking devil commanding lengths of chain trapped Atosk. Dragging the warlock with him, the dark forces called a retreat as the party saw their friend dragged backwards through the portal. A long last cry of “Heresy...” rang out as the portal closed.
Rastenfeld

The port city of Rastenfeld has grown dramatically in recent years resulting in a massive expansion of both the population and city footprint. Only portions of the old city walls that surrounded the original city remain and the boundaries of have swelled fed by both trade with Kennefel Ships and incentivization programs propelled from the capital city of Pfildeberg. A major construction project nears completion to expand the lagoon at the center of the city to connect to the waterways to the east leading to Outerseas.

A significant military presence is stationed both within the city and in the surrounding countryside to oversee construction of the canal system connecting the lagoon to the eastern waterways, and to guard the land extending to the south towards the Torholds.
Episode 39: Trouble at the Winery

Taking shelter for the night, the party was interrupted yet again by The Hags. This time however, they found their old friend Urx had sold them out and lead a nightmare creature spawned from the Hag's dank magics to their resting place. In the fight that ensued, Nestor finally managed to pin down the slimy boggle that had now grown in stature and power since they last saw him while the rest of the party dispatched the nightmarish creature. Before dispatching the irksome Urx, they only learned that the hags had bribed him to lead them to the party serving their mutual goals of driving the heroes to desperation and despair.

In the morning, they tracked the scene of Van Richten's wagon to determine the monster hunter must have returned to Vallaki, and postponed a rendezvous to address Davian Martikov's request to clear the infested winery. Inside the building, they found a pair of feral druids set upon poisoning the fermentation vats, protected by hordes of blighted plants both within the Martikov's ancestral home and in the fields beyond. Successfully defending the winery from the seige, Davian returned with a few of his family members to begin repairs on the building. Impressed with the party's strength he shared that the winery had fallen to continuous seiges from the druids and their blights who had unearthed and stolen the magical stones from the vineyard that allowed the vines to continue to fruit in the dark and misty climate. He believes the druids act as agents for a witch he called Baba Lysaga who was last seen near the nearby ruined village of Berez. Offering an exchange, Davian shared that his family was in possession of a holy symbol that seems to hold some power over Bannoch's undead forces. In exchange for returning the vineyards magic stones, he promised to provide the party this powerful artifact.

### Loot from this session:

Black Gulthias Staff

32 Silver Pieces

4 tourmaline gemstones worth 30 gp each
Artoverke

Far to the North, the Kingdom of Artoverke lies on the Northern shores of the Outer Seas. News from this country trickles South either through the Barovian Gypsies or the infrequent trade ships that make the journey past The Forsaken Strand. The people of Artoverke, are renown sea-farers that fiercely defend their lands against the dangers of the adjacent mountains, and the monstrous legends of the nearby Parasa Padure.
Episode 69: New Wachteria

Making camp to gather their wits before entering Vallaki, The continuous stream of undead assailants tested their resolve in the night. Come first light, Father Gus prepared a magical aura of truth and asked his companions to join him within the magical power of Njord to increase their trust before facing the challenges to come. Focusing especially on Vin, he questioned whether the Bard was knowingly serving any other master or agenda. Avowing that he served only Savras and the support of his comrades Vin said that the pressures of wearing the Crown of Neferon were weighing on him, but he did not seek any other goals than to confront Bannoch and find a way out of Barovia. Satisfied for the time being, the party headed into Vallaki.

Nearing the city walls however, they were surprised to find the signpost naming the settlement had been defaced and a new plank of wood inscribed “New Wachteria” had been put in place. Stranger still, the city gates stood open and the guards seemed all relieved of their watch. Sneaking in one of the back gates to the town, they made their way to Vilnius’s contact in hopes of replenishing their arcane supplies and components, and returning the local wizard to his own recognizance.

But they soon found all was not right in newly dubbed town of New Wachteria. The once lively streets and markets were now deserted save for a few wandering Vistani, and all of the locals now boarded themselves up in their homes. As night fell, and the party made their way to the Blue Water Inn, they saw that Lady Wachter’s Mansion now had armed guards standing outside, and had undergone some remodeling. New cairns of stone topped with gothic bat effigies stood in place and ceremonial black drapery decorated the entry and windows. Within the Blue Water Inn, they learned that upon seizing control of the town, Lady Wachter now lay the town bare to Bannoch’s forces and waged a campaign with the locals to partake in blood letting ceremonies to win the favor of the Vampire Lord.
Chyrra Absallia

Tiefling sorceress.

Phenomenally poor aim. Really, just abysmal.

Unwilling servant of another party, possibly Ashammit.

Status: Inactive

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> "This burden I carry, it is the soul amulet of a powerful demon. I know only that my master called him **Daghussu**, and claimed he... it... was a holder of vast demonic secrets that my master sought to exploit. I’ve  read that the **Ravenqueen** is a dealer of secrets so I hoped to she would value leveraging this... demon in exchange for my freedom. I seek only protection so that **Ashammit** can never find me and I can start anew."
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Episode 27: A Disturbing Side-Quest

In the aftermath of Atosk’s abduction, the team resorted to extreme measures to track their lost friend. Under heavy pressure from Xarlamin, Vin steeled his mind with the snake oil and successfully donned the amber crown. Vin’s psyche withstood the cosmic forces and was propelled to confront a mysterious King in Yellow who dismissed the bard’s enquiries with promises of power mixed with threat. The cleric formerly known as Pickles used divination Magic to commune with his god to determine next steps and take on a new mantle of “Three Eyes Rotating on a Stick” (aka 3res) and determined the best path to saving their friend was to follow the trail of the Rynassi North.

A few days out of Etthin Pass, the party was distracted by a young girl tossing rocks at their caravan before a gang of undead appeared and gave chase. Seeking to save the little girl, the party found the ruins of a hospital and descended into the remaining basement to confront a series of horrors, demonic children in a forsaken maternity ward, nurses who had lost all sense of their humanity and a demonic little girl that chased them deeper into the depths of the abandoned clinic. Narrowly escaping a bloody battle in the sub-basement, the party began to question why they bothered to investigate the forsaken place.
Episode 22: Deeper and Deeper

Leaving Vin to hold down their makeshift base in the assembly hall, the heroes delved further into the ruins, the threats and uncertainty deepened. Caught between extra-dimensional horrors that tore at their sanity, the ancient Elven wards that protected the abandoned halls and an increasing infestation of arachnoid threats the party battled past enchanted statues that felled even the strongest of their ranks.

In the ruined dining halls beyond, they carefully balancing their magical arsenal against the ever weakening weave that seemed to buckle and feedback against every spell. At the edge of a collapsed floor, they discovered a being the likes of which they’d never seen – a strange column of stony material that spewed spells, webbing and slithering sentient tendrils of shadow.

Scraping through the fight took all they had, forcing them to retreat back to the Assembly Hall to re-unite with Vin. Chyrra urged them that they were close to the base of the stronghold and the library must be close.
Treasure from the Amber Temple at Mt. Ghakis

This is an incomplete list of treasure collected in Episodes 56-63. The Slack page listed a few more items that were rusted and worthless, so I did not add them to this list, and there were also a few items found in the giant statue in the main hall of the temple, that were spoken for before this list was created.
Episode 46: Bluffing into the Basement

Making a brief stop in Vallaki the party collected their payment from Lady Wachter for helping unseat Baron Vallakovich, but speaking with Isek suspicions are mounting that the new ruler of Vallaki may be more sympathetic to Bannoch than they had hoped. Sidestepping Isek’s fervor to rescue his sister the group encourage him to continue to monitor Lady Wachter and her even visitors in hopes of learning more while they set out upon more devious plans of their own.

Taking advantage of Bannoch’s apparent spying upon Father Gus’s divination magic, a misleading message to Morgantha suggesting a rendezvous in Barovia in hopes of distracting the Vampire lord for a quick raid on the Castle. Charting a bushwacking path around Bannoch’s forces lying in ambush, the group fell victim to other forces. Beset by a pack of wolves, the group prevailed, but the encounter left Nestor wounded from a nasty bite of what proved to be a werewolf.

Circumventing the ambush and making their way to the castle, Vin’s newfound passion for impersonation tricked a wagon of Vistani returning from a delivery to the Castle to help conceal their passage to the Castle’s servant’s entrance. The path of deception was paved in equal parts luck and skill as the party bluffed their way past Cyrus, the mongrel steward of the castle, and found themselves in the basement of the ominous lair of their dark host...
Glar Nemteste

#### Proficiencies: Sea Legs, Vehicles (Water), Carpenter's tools, Athletics, Performance

A hardy and heavy-set seaman, Glar has served as both dock master and on board Oweland Fishing vessels for the past eight years. He knows his way around the inner workings of a ship, and has the broad shoulders to haul and hoist just about whatever is needed to keep a ship a float. Hailing from Northern Hatterwol, he is tight lipped about his past but in his cups you can detect a slight Barovian accent and a fondness for song.

He is a popular fixture in Nicena, and participates in most civic, cultural and religious services. Though not one to step into the spotlight, you can always count on him to carry the heaviest load in setting up the bandstand or the tables on market day.

Since joining the crew Glar has spent virtually all of his time taking apart or reassembling fixtures, mechanisms, sail, rope, decking, and every other part of the ship. Does he ever sleep? He seems to only break for brandy and song but returns to work when everyone else retires for the night.
Episode 44: Restless Spirits

Pushing deeper into the ruins of Argynvolstholt, more restless spirits were uncovered. Angry phantom warriors and unseen poltergeists harassed their every turn. Even their attempts to rest and recover from battle were plagued by revenant corpses bent on their destruction.

In the quieter areas of the manor however, important clues were discovered. A wounded elf named Savid hailing from the Vistani camp outside of Vallaki was discovered taking refuge in the old wine storage. He confirmed that local legends tell of Argynvolst as an ancient silver dragon who often assumed human form that assembled an order of knights who once kept the peace in the Svallich valley before Bannoch destroyed them. He warned that the spirits of the knights have been spotted throughout the land, and that most avoid the ruined manor all together out of fear that the dragon’s spirit too haunts the area.

Savid’s warnings seemed to be proving out, as the party began to see apparitions of dragon like forms erupting from the mansion’s neglected fireplaces. One of these issuing a plea before disappearing: “My knights have fallen into darkness. Save them. Show them the light they have lost…”

But draconic spirits and wayward elves did not seem to be the only visitors to this ruin. On the grand stair beneath an old ruin tapestry of the knights, a handful of human teeth were found scattered in some old bread crumbs. And upon reaching the throne room of the ruin, the strange revenant found there greeted them with:

***“Ahh… she said you would come.”***
Episode 16: Deeper into the Jungles

Morningrise at the Jorrian Tower found a Lizardman feeding on the corpses outside, as three buzzing pixies circled the area. Warning the party of the frogmen slavers ahead, they made their way east to return their guest to his tribe's village of Tothi. Leaving the relative safety of the tower behind and venturing deeper into the jungles, the party soon crossed paths with the treefrogslavers, and discovered their skin toxins to fuel their enslavement of local jungle denizens. Pushing ahead, they came to the top of Suriel Falls, where the amphibious slavers had flooded the top of the falls to host their breeding pool. Fighting off the toxic treefrogs, the battle was joined by greater horrors lurking in the pools. The party prevailed against enormous aquatic plant-monsters, and regained regain their strength at the top of the falls. The colossal Elven Sculptures at the top of the falls revealed the tale of Queen Suriel, and Elven Warrior who rescued a water Nymph named Nabad, took her as a lover and begat children named Nione and Abalon.

Pressing onward following Xarlamin’s map to Aellyn Rynass, the group heard the sounds of battle ahead as night began to fall. Sending Juno ahead to scout the area, they found the black rider Fulnor warned them about landing a killing blow to Isiah Dru’s Uhlahu assassins. As Kiala Semli, the last survivor begged for mercy the party overheard the black rider demand to know the whereabouts of someone named Chyrra. In the battle that followed, the skies filled with Vargouilles and terrifying ethereal hounds harried the party as the black rider and his enormous displacer beast mount unleashed their combined force.

Emerging triumphant from the battle, the party watched as the black rider dissolved into a black ichor, leaving behind some g rim reminders of his presence and the strange golden crown the Uhlahu stole from Isiah Dru.
Episode 53: Ill Equipped Under an Ill Moon

Seeking shelter from the dangers of the road at night, the party set up camp before arriving at the Rave River. But it wasn’t long after dark when the light of the full moons awoke new terrors within their magical dome. Each awoke to Nestor’s struggle as his body violently transformed into wolven features as the curse from previous battles with the werewolves of the valley took hold. With some quick thinking, Xarlamin magically suspended the Wolf-That-Was-Nestor mid air while Father Gus dispelled the curse before more lupine foes emerged from the darkened woods.

At morning light, they continued their journey and began the mountain trail to Mt. Gahkis. Soon however, they found the elevation brought cold they were ill equipped to face. Turning back, they braved the woods to trailblaze a path back to the Martikov Winery in search of warmer gear. Pushing past terrible undead bears, they were rejoined with the Martikov family who helped the party regroup and regear for the mountain pass above. Wishing them luck and warning them that nothing but more dead things lay ahead, the Martikovs watched the party head back out towards the snowy mountain.

The warnings proved correct, and no sooner did the party find their boots crunching through a snowy road when they were beset by wights seemingly determined to prevent their passage. However might and magic prevailed, propelling the heroes ever higher on the mountain road.
Rastenfeld Map II

1. **The Old Docks –** The original port area of the old city. Lined with merchant guilds and adjacent to the old city market
2. **The Temple Square –** Public Plaza and Market place at the Temple of Lugh. The original center of the city
3. **Tawick Gardens –** Lush public Gardens built by the city founders
4. **Gasho District –** Wards and neighborhoods of the nobility classes
5. **Fort Arah –** Original military installment
6. **Newfeld –** area of rapid growth, mercantilism and mixed classes. Significant growth of foundries, balcksmiths and shipwrights have sprung up here.
7. **The New Docks –** New port infrastructure erected on the south side of the lagoon
8. **Fort Evech –** New military fortress founded and lead by Lord Evech, overseer of the Dig.
9. **The Dig –** Massive excavation project, and adjacent workers quarter that will connect the lagoon with the eastern waterways upon completion.
10. **New Mare Square –** A large and lawless open market catering to the   dig workers and new immigrants to the city.
11. **The Ulkin Camps –** Shanty town and growth area beyond the city walls for lower class immigrants and field workers.
Randall Churnin

#### Proficiencies: Sea Legs, Intimidation, Persuasion, Vehicles (Water), Navigation Tools, Shawm.

The most seasoned of the local sailors, Randall accepted the role as first mate. Randall is 3rd generation Niceni and his family was part of the working-class backbone that the town was built upon. He has worked for six years in Edo Oweland’s fleet hoping to advance to captain a vessel. He jumped at the opportunity to join The Chainbreaker Crew, and is eager to demonstrate his skill and knowledge.

Having grown up in Nicena, he and his family have always been regular observers of Njordian customs. They have a bench named for their family in the church on the hill, and Randall is quick to note his regularity at services and holidays, though a devout practitioner may note he often mispronounces the names of saints and services, and sometimes seems to have the wrong dates for important religious holidays.

Randall loves to play his shawm and has done so every evening since joining The Chainbreaker. He is quite good and delighted to be on a ship with so many other musicians.
Episode 11: Return to Rastenfeld

Sailing into Rastenfeld Harbor, The Chainbreaker Gang found the city bustling with activity. Two Kennefels ships, the H&S Thevera and the UC Kyvek held prominent slips in the lagoon and the party found the Merchants around every corner of the city. From selling off some treasure, to following up on the promised reward from the Father Baern at the Temple of Lugh, even to the predominately  abandoned construction site, it seemed the Kennefels Merchants had their fingerprints across much of the city. Snooping around town, party uncovered that the Caliphate has purposely stalled completion of the Canal until the Kennefels ships leave port to allow them to install drawbridges and embankments to control traffic through the port.

After selling off some loot and stocking up on needed supplies, the party sought out the address of Isaiah Dru – the artifact collector noted in the logs of the Primewater gang. Prepared for the worst, the party found a elderly anthropologist apparently more interested in stocking a museum than participating in piracy and trading. Within Dru’s shop, The Noble Savage, the mixed array of artifacts from across various tribes of the Feralfens enticed Bamya to step up and correct the mistaken attribution and categorization of cultures the old man was blundering into in his collection. Thrilled to have an actual Égé in his midst Dru invited the party to a meeting with traders to validate some artifacts to complete his collection of goods from the snakepeople tribes of the jungles to the West.

While the artifacts were legit, the party’s suspicions were triggered by the dealers blatant mixing up Uhlahu artifacts with those of the Ezsalish. While Dru happily brought the items back to his shop, the party tailed the traders to a nearby inn to investigate further.
Episode 13: Sailing to Deloga

On board the Fontarail, the slightly shady Neadar Merchants filled in some gaps about of the region around the Fell Zee. We now understand that H&S is pursuing a double agenda, patronizing the caliphate while continuing to search for a southern port and passage through to the The Outer Seas. While Hoegbotton & Sons suffers heavy losses at the hands of well armed orcs in Obat Tor, the Ultner Chewick Trading line takes a more straightforward approach focused on Rastenfeld. All the while, the Neadar line seems mainly focused on their own agendas of increasing their own lucrative trade, both above board and illicit, amongst the diverse ports of the Fell Zee.

Arriving in Deloga, the team found the small port town struggling to increase trade through promotion of a gladiatorial pit that had run amok. A massive beast commissioned from an Égé Witchdoctor named Yabona, proved easy work for the party, but the midnight raids from the nearby jungles continued. Finally tracking the beasts to their source, the party confronted a Lizardfolk Druid who had apparently been behind the raids, likely seeking to free the trapped beast from the fighting pits.

With both the beast and the druid vigilante dispatched, the party returned to town to rest up and retrieve the letter from Xarlamin’s owl.
Episode 29: On the Road Again

After another stressful night, the party found the asylum now convulsing with horrific magical energy. Making their way up to the main floor they confronted the re-animated doll who attacked with fresh fury seeking retribution for destroying her drawing collection. With the final defeat of Carolyn, the walls of the corrupted asylum faded and the party found themselves standing in the ruins of the Greycastle Hospital.

Back on the road, they soon found the destroyed remains of a Barovian Caravan.

Communing with the nearby plants, Nestor revealed a horde of roaming dead fell upon their former traveling party, destroying one wagon while the other two escaped.

Steeling themselves to venture further, Juno the owl soon warned them of a raiding party of gnolls ahead. Coming closer, they found the gnolls had surrounded a heavily modified caravan surrounded by a magical forcefield. Easily dispatching the rabid hoard, the party was hailed by Papa Jahg, a colorful Goblin within the caravan who offered escort North with his companions Tith, a burly but civilized bugbear, and Kerid his half orc wife.

Arriving in the village of Naben, the party found a grim settlement ruled by a variant cult of Tyr set upon atoning for their forefather’s role in the great war. Eager to be on their way, the party side stepped getting involved in the grim fate of the Naben settlers and forged north leaving Papa Jahg and his “wives” behind.
Mantean Calendar

# Mantea Calendar

Time in Mantea is currently measured according to the Anastorian Calendar.

In the preceding era of history, mortal civilizations across Mantea struggled through major conflicts and continent spanning wars, resulting in the ultimate intervention of deities that restructured the balance of power. The new peace established following the Adamashad was named the Anastora Age, which gave birth to the current array of nations and dispersal of power. The Anastorian Calendar is a based on the cycles of the 4 moons circling the planet, resulting in 12 months of 28 days.

### Months:

* **Zarantyr**
* **Olarune**
* **Therendor**
* **Eyre**
* **Nymm**
* **Dravago**
* **Lharvion**
* **Barrakas**
* **Rhaan**
* **Sypheros**
* **Aryth**
* **Vult**

### Days of the week:

* **Sul**
* **Mol**
* **Zol**
* **Wir**
* **Zor**
* **Far**
* **Sar**

### Moons:

* **Sileah**: 28 day cycle
* **Irah**: 35 day cycle
* **Malach**: 42 day cycle
* **Eyre**: 48 day cycle
Ivor Helder

### Proficiencies: Sea Legs, Vehicles (Water), Nature, Investigation, Perception, Navigation Tools

Ivor signed on leaving his post with the Solmar fleet where he claims his captain never saw his full potential. He is a stickler for detail and discipline and he’s eager to prove himself as quartermaster of a new ship. He’s lived in Nicena for about 4 years, and references family in the Kennefels port of Ultner. When he speaks of his passage to Hatterwol aboard a Kennefels freighter, you can hear an almost childlike admiration and awe of the mighty vessels of the Ultner Chewick Trading line. A foreigner to the Northern countries, he doesn’t have much knowledge of culture or local religion, but he minds his manners and is careful to offend no one.

Ivor hasn't had much to say in the first days of The Chainbreaker, especially when in larger groups. He has politely asked the Captain for possible destinations so that he may begin plotting out the voyage and ensuring we have the correct charts and maps.

He is very particular about his portion of the ships library and insists that its items only be used with his permission and in his presence, he has ask this very politely.
Episode 12: Snakes in the City

Suspicions were confirmed as Bamya saw three fat snakes slither out of the window of the Trader’s tavern. A brief chase lead backs The Noble Savage finding the door ajar, and strange mystical light flashing from an upstairs window. Rushing in, they found Mr. Dru staggering from his study, begging for assistance. The morning returned Dru to his senses, but no answers were revealed about the apparent break-in or the strange lights from the upstairs room.

A visit to the Temple of Njord found Father Markov in arrears with his Caliphate obligations, and none-to-happy about stirring further attentions. The party returned to the High Temple and parlayed their recent achievements into a lucrative contract for the Chainbreaker to Abbey Island. Frustrated with the thick bureaucracy, they narrowly avoided a confrontation with Kennefel Traders apparently entangled in a theft from local merchants.

Preparing to leave Rastenfeld, Pickles and Atosk went out in search men to expand the crew, when Isaiah Dru’s butler arrived at the docks, begging for help for Mr. Dru. Racing to the Noble Savage, the party discovered the makeshift museum being raided by the four traders, who now revealed their true nature using powerful magic to shield their slithering escape. After the battle, the party found Mr. Dru’s body in his study, with a journal and ominously empty footlocker at his feet.
Ya-Thantoosh

Elven sorcerer.

"Ya-Thantoosh, Emeer of Madness, the Fey Metaphysician, Breaker of the Balanced Bonds. From the twisted bowers of the fey, he strips the folly from Corellon’s fallen children. Piercing the florid embellishment of their reverie, he draws forth the beasts within and nurtures the gifts the mortal world denies. Across the Eastern Coast, he topples the ancient homes of the fey and returns riding the wave of corruption that unravels the most ancient of magic."

Member of The Fangs of The Veil.
Episode 64: An Unexpected Farewell

Out in front of the temple, T’sabthen and Vilnius emerged from their arcane shelter as Vin staggered out of the smoke poor from the temple doors. Weaving a clever lie about his wounded comrades within the temple, he proffered the Staff of Ma’Akiel to the avaricious wizard, asking for his aid. But before the strange mage could even begin to identify the artifact, the party struck. Leaping out of the obscuring smoke, they barraged him with spells and brute force, but as the wizard weathered the blows he dropped the illusion disguising his true form. The scabrous vulture-like creature proved a surprising challenge freezing half the party in place with powerful magics. But in a moment of weakness, Chyrra landed a powerful domination spell on T’sabthen and demanded him to reveal his passage to the Shadowfell. A charred and twisted chicken foot on a black laniard around the creatures neck was soon in Chyrra’s fist, and as she snapped it in two, Tiefling and Wizard vanished along with the Staff of Ma’Akiel.

Bewildered in the aftermath, the party tracked down the cowardly Vilnius and discovered he carried the amulet controlling the large construct in the temple. As Vin and Nestor activated the creature with treasure, Father Gus questioned the young wizard demanding to know where he could obtain much needed magical components and agreed to trade Vilnius’ life for escort and introduction to his contact in Vallaki. As the party prepared to descend the mountain side, Xarlamin realized in dismay that the books and tomes pulled from the Temple library quickly decayed and crumbled to ash as he transported them. The magic protecting the ancient volumes seemed to have faded as the mystical power of the temple was destroyed.

Making their way back to the bridge of Tsolenka Pass, the party was reminded of their more grim task in the valley as Father Gus spotted a squadron of Gargoyle perched upon the gatehouse of the old stone bridge. Reminded of the harrying flocks of these stony demons from their last encounter with Bannoch, Vin’s magic was able to delay their flight until the haunting spirits of the bridge could be eliminated, and the gargoyles dealt with from a safer footing.
The Fangs of The Veil

A coven of elven wizards.

Hotakyn

Neferon

Uralath

Ya-Thantoosh

Yormith

Exethanter

Reputed to have fallen out of alliance.

Inscribed in the amber temple is this,

"Lord Ctha’Feemal, unknowable king, step forth from your golden throne

Sharpen our blades and pierce this pallid meniscus

Release the heralds of amber, the beasts of this surface tension

Stretched thin across your amber halls, perforate this veil

Reveal the unfathomable pansophy of your ageless hunger

Let the Syballine choirs ring as a New Carcosa germinates beneath your gaze"

Hunted by The Emerald Covenant.