Entry XIV

[This entry is a recap of the 14th gaming session, which took place on February 20th, 2011. The characters had just defeated the goblins in their cave, an encounter which I had adapted from the solo adventure contained in the new Red Box starter kit.]

I was awoken in the night by the sound of battle. Close by, Trax was also waking up, but we could see no sign of either Gilthos or Immarel.

We got up and ran towards the cave's entrance. Once outside, we saw that our friends had been fighting some kobolds. I say "saw", because the fight was over, and standing there next to the two Eladrins was a tall human woman, obviously hurt but looking very relieved at the kobolds' demise.

Gilthos turned to me and Trax and explained what had happened…

He and his brother had been awoken from their light sleep (Eladrins needing only to enter a recuperative trance for their repose) by the sounds of a screaming woman: “Kobold scum! You’ll not take me alive!”

Those shouted words roused them at once. It was dark. The campfire had died down to glowing coals, so they knew they'd been resting for hours, but the night was still dark.

Running outside, they saw the woman surrounded by five kobolds, fighting for her life.

They rushed to her aid. Immarel fought them with his greenflame sword, and Gilthos fought with sword and bow, both of them getting a few scrapes, but mostly it was the woman who got the worst of it.

Thankfully, they were up to the task, and defeated the kobolds. It's about then that me and Trax woke up.

The woman introduced herself as Aleena. She explained that she had been trying to find us ever since she got to Fallcrest and heard of our recent exploits. Wanting to join up with people who were doing good, she left after us, trying to catch up with us and Traevus's wagon. She found him a few hours before, and he explained what had happened. He then indicated to her where we had headed off to, and told her that he was going to wait for us (and his box) in Fallcrest, afraid that he was of being attacked once again.

She had followed our trail and just as she was reaching the cave, she had been waylaid by the kobolds.

She then offered to become part of our group, saying that she could take care of herself and that her divine powers could be useful in our adventures. We all agreed, we shook hands, and then went back to sleep for a few more hours.

Entry IX

[This entry is a recap of the ninth gaming session, which took place on September 24th 2009. We were about to enter the fourth room of Kobold Hall, the adventure included in the Dungeon Master's Guide. Also, after the last session we had earned enough experience points to go up to level 2, so I levelled up all three characters between the two sessions.]

The battle over, we listened closely but could not here anything, so ― feeling safe ― we decided to go back on top of the trap door and rest.

Having a few leisure hours before sundown, I tried once more to use my Art to shape random magical energy into a sentient manifestation which could act as my familiar. [Upon gaining level 2, I chose the "Arcane Familiar" feat for my wizard, hesitating between the raven and the owl, and finally deciding on the latter.] Everything around me was silent… Trax had gone off to gather some firewood… Gilthos was meditating… I could hear nothing save a few birds. My thoughts grew and flew about me, a seemingly solid mass of mind-matter into which I rose. Then, the hooting of an owl rang from a nearby tree. Instantly this insubstantial mass coalesced, first in my mind, but then ― I could feel it and almost touch it ― beyond the borders of my psychic & physical self. I opened my eyes and saw it, a perfectly believable owl, from its big lustrous eyes to its gorgeous grey-brown feathers. It hooted, once, and from this I understood that it was mine forever, completely devoted and faithful, until such a time as I would either die or choose to banish it to the otherworldly energies from which it came. I thanked it, the words coming out of my mouth being strange and familiar at the same time, a new-found language with which to talk to my new friend. (What shall I call him? I'll have to ask Gilthos for a proper Eladrin name, something that will reflect its magical naturalness.)

Then night came, and we slept.

The next morning, we ate and then once more entered Kobold Hall, walked through the now-empty rooms, and then reached the fourth one.

We arrived at a chamber with a 20-foot-tall ceiling. Before us was a 10-foot tall wall that left passages open to both the right and left. Suddenly, the sound of cracking timbers echoed through the hall. The floor started shaking, dust was cascading down from the ceiling, and something big and heavy hurtled toward us. Somewhat paralyzed by our surprise, we saw a very big boulder fall from a platform, roll on the ground is some kind of groove in the floor, and then roll out of sight. We could still hear it, though, and judging from the groove directly in front of us, it would be coming close to us very soon.

On another platform, in the back of the room, we could see two kobolds, one of them heavily armed [Kobold Dragonshield], the other one decked out in an elaborate attire, complete with bone mask, which seemed to mark him as the chieftain [Kobold Wyrmpriest]. A flurry of movement attracted our attention on the left side of the room. A drake was running at full speed towards Trax.

The battle started. Trax headed for the drake, Gilthos started shooting at the Chieftain, wounding him a few times. I also aimed for the Chieftain, my owl on my shoulder, but I missed, time after time.

Trax then had to avoid the incoming boulder. We all repositioned ourselves out of harm's way. In the meantime, another kobold [Kobold Slinger] had appeared on top of the center wall, and it started shooting glue shots at Trax, missing him again and again. As for Gilthos, he got hit by the Chieftain's energy orbs a few times, but he held strong.

The drake was still launching his savage assault at Trax, but he was defending himself expertly. Then, the rock rolled his way again, and slammed into the drake, wounding him.

Enraged, it launched itself at Trax again, this time biting him on the legs a few times.

A few minutes later, though, we were done, the Chieftain, his guard and the slinger having been felled by Gilthos' arrows, and the drake finished off by Trax.

I used my Thunderwave spell to push the rock out of its groove. It worked on the second time. The now unanimated boulder just rolled into a corner and stopped.

This being done, we went through their possessions, finding a small silver key in the Chieftain's pouch, along with a piece of parchment describing what seemed to be the location of a secret door in the alcove to the north. Also, I picked up his staff, a beautiful piece of work ― obviously not of Kobold craftsmanship [Staff of the War Mage +1]. A smoothened (and probably rare) piece of wood topped with a red crystal. I help it, closed my eyes and concentrated, almost certain that I would perceive the slight tremor of Magic. And indeed it was. I will try to discern its specific powers later.

Cautious as to what is waiting for us in further in the Hall, we decided to head back to the surface. There, Trax and Gilthos tended to their wounds, while I sat outside and examined the staff, getting the feel of its nature and function. Eventually I managed to sense and understand its enhancing powers, and I felt tremendously happy to have stumbled onto such an object. For what is probably the first time in my life, I truly feel that being a Mage is my destiny, and not just my father's legacy.

I then cavorted with my beautiful owlish friend, eventually coming up with his name: Bubo.

Later on we slept. The next morning, Trax told us that on his watch he saw something fly over the tower where we slept. Something that looked like a dragon (although he couldn't see what color, since it was dark).

Entry VIII

[This entry is a recap of the eight gaming session, which took place on September 10th 2009. We were about to enter the third room of Kobold Hall, the adventure included in the Dungeon Master's Guide.]

Since we were still in good shape, we only rested for a couple of minutes before continuing on the next room. As we were making our way down the dark corridor, we started hearing kobolds laughing and swearing, jeering and cheering.

Upon entering the room, we saw a chamber that looked like it had once been a tomb, but which the kobolds had transformed into what you might almost call a playground.

Four stone coffins were lying there, with a sludge-filled pit between them. On the opposite end of the room was a pair of wooden double doors. Flanking the double doors were two raised platforms, both about ten feet above the floor. A kobold was standing on each platform [kobold minion + kobold slinger].

Arrayed on the coffins were several animal skulls, all of them arranged in small piles. One of the kobolds was holding a stone covered with goo, tied to a long rope secured to the ceiling.

Being his usual fiery self, Trax immediately headed towards them. Seeing us, one of the kobolds (the one holding the stone) said: "Come closer, and you'll see what we'll do with you…"

Then, it hurled the stone, which went into a wide arc before striking Trax on the shoulder. Gilthos followed, aiming for the one on the left, and I did the same. Gilthos also got it by the hanging stone, but that was the last of it as one the two kobolds was killed by Gilthos. Trax had by then reached the doors. He opened them and found himself facing a dog-sized reptilian creature [guard drake]. A battle ensued between the two of them, while I and Gilthos finished off the kobold on the platform, then another one [kobold minion] who followed after, on the same platform.

This being done, we helped Trax to get rid of the ferocious lizard, which was then fairly quick.

The battle over, I helped Trax to bandage his leg, as he had been badly bitten by the creature. We then went through the room, piling up the kobold gear for later retrieval, and finding a 100 gold pieces, a nice looking ruby [worth 50 gp] and two necklaces [worth 25 gp each].

[After I compiled the experience that we had just gained I saw that our three characters had by now earned enough of it to go up to level two, so we stopped and I busied myself to level up Xavier's fighter, Colin's ranger, and my wizard.]

[Thanks to stuamn from the Cartographer's Guild, who created the great custom maps for Kobold Hall that I am using.]

Entry VII

[This entry is a recap of the seventh gaming session, which took place on September 8th 2009. We were about to enter the second room of Kobold Hall, the adventure included in the Dungeon Master's Guide.]

Morning came, and we went back down. Firstly, we made sure that the first room was clear, so as not to get any surprises later on. This being done, we walked down the narrow hallway (Trax first, then Gilthos, then me) and soon came to another room.

The room ahead had four stone coffins, all of which showed signs of vandalism and abuse. To our left was a series of six niches, set apart into two groups of three. Two more niches along the walls held a suit of armor. On the opposite end of the room was a raised section of floor with a makeshift altar to Tiamat set atop it. Two kobolds carrying spears were standing in front of the altar, seemingly in the middle of prayer, not noticing our arrival.

Trax walked towards them, as silently as he could, and breathed his acid on them. Unfortunately it didn't hurt the first one, and never reached the second one. By now, they knew of our presence, and rushed to Trax. As usual, Gilthos was shooting arrow after arrow, while I was throwing magic missiles at them.

During the battle, Trax stepped on a trapped tile, and a dart shot out of the right armor's helmet, barely missing his head. He then stayed put until the end of the battle, which came shortly, Trax only suffering a glancing blow to the leg from one of the kobolds.

Both pests having been disposed of, we destroyed both suits of armor, and then ― while exploring the room ― we found a small bag on the altar, probably an offering to Tiamat. It contained 60 gold pieces, which we took.

[Thanks to stuamn from the Cartographer's Guild, who created the great custom maps for Kobold Hall that I am using.]

Entry VI

[This entry is a recap of the sixth gaming session, which took place on September 6th 2009. We were then starting on Kobold Hall, the adventure included in the Dungeon Master's Guide.]

We got all our things ready, then started for Kobold Hall. It was a bright but somewhat chilly day, and we chatted almost all the way.

We travelled around 15 miles in this way, from Fallcrest to the wilderness of Cloak Wood, to find what was once a sprawling manor, now known as the ruins of Kobold Hall.

The ruins were overgrown with weeds; a once beautiful garden was now completely wild and overrun. Outdoor statues were almost hidden under the moss and brambles. As for the manor itself, the interior was irrevocably ruined through years of exposure to the elements, as well as various defacements inflicted by sentient life-forms (the Kobolds, if one were to have a guess). Urine & feces could be found in almost every room, and in some places had also been smeared on the walls. A glorious library, filled to the brim with priceless volumes, lay in ashes. Such a shame.

We wanted to explore the second floor, but the stairs were destroyed. We then abandoned the manor and headed for a guard tower which we had seen earlier.

At the base of it, we found a trapdoor. We looked at each other. Gilthos had a slight, devious smile. We were here. Kobold Hall.

It was late, but we decided to have a peek anyway, all of us feeling restless for some sense of accomplishment in what had been ― so far ― a very uneventful day.

We opened the trapdoor and went down the stairs, soon reaching the bottom.

Our eyes adjusted to the torchlight, and we looked around.

Dominating the room ahead was a long trench filled with a glowing green substance. Beyond the trench, a small, reptilian humanoid which we recognized as a kobold was standing in a shadowy chamber, gaping at us. It carried a sling, and quickly reached into a pouch at its belt for a stone. It hissed and shouted: “Intrudersss! Intrudersss!”

It then proceeded to shoot its stone at Trax, hitting him squarely on the left shoulder. Which is all it took for Trax to head for the kobold, first breathing his acid-breath on him, then starting at a run so he could jump over the trench. Unfortunately, he didn't quite make it, and stumbled down into the green goo.

Meanwhile, Gilthos got a little closer, noticing a second kobold in a hallway to our right. He turned and attacked it. As for me, I cast some magic missiles at the first one.

Trax was having some trouble getting back out of the trench, and Gilthos got hit a few times. About then, a third kobold came out of a passage in the back. It proceeded to go around the trench to gang up on Gilthos. He backed up, and I cast Thunderwave at them, twice in a row, pushing them back both times, and killing one of them in the process. We then combined our efforts to get rid of the other one, who was quite hurt by then.

Trax had by now succeeded in getting out of the deep trench, and had made his way (running) to the kobold slinger. A couple of hits and the pest was down.

A little out of breath, we then climbed back up, and set up camp on top of the trap door, so that nothing could come out and surprise us during the night. Soon after, we were sleeping (although for my part it was a light sleep, as I was half-expecting some more of those nasty little things to attack us in our sleep).

[Thanks to stuamn from the Cartographer's Guild, who created the great custom maps for Kobold Hall that I am using.]

Entry IV

[This entry is a recap of the fourth gaming session, which took place on August 2nd 2009. We had then reached the third encounter of the first "delve", Coppernight Hold, which is contained in the official game supplement called Dungeon Delve.]

We all needed rest after the fight, so we left the Hold and went back to the same spot in the forest where we slept last night. We spent the remaining daylight hours resting, tending to our wounds, hunting, and eating. It felt great not to do anything. We also talked for a while, Trax telling us more about his father, an adventurer who did quite a bit of travelling in his youth, but who eventually just disappeared, like mine. Gilthos also told us about his father, who died with some of his friends, killed in a fight with some kobolds many years ago.

The next morning, we got ready and walked back to the Hold. We climbed down the hole once more, went past the room with the toppled statue, and then made our way to the next room.

There, we saw a chamber decorated with dwarven motifs: carvings, paintings, and tapestries depicting scenes of dwarven triumph and domesticity. Many of these once-fine works were damaged. At the south end of the room there was a set of iron doors.

Then, in the murky light, we saw several kobolds wielding short swords milling about. Noticing everything all at once, we also saw a large chair carved from oak set back into an alcove—not quite a throne, but not far off either. Curled atop the chair on a pile of coins was a young white dragon. She hissed some commands to the kobolds, which me and Gilthos could not understand. Trax, on the other hand, knowing the Draconic language, heard the following: "Show these pathetic humanoids how we welcome intruders in our new home!"

Then, the fight started. An impressive Kobold Skyblade attacked Trax, while a smaller Kobold Cleaver turned his blades to Gilthos. I, being in the back, cast my Ray of Frost at the Skyblade, and it hit him, covering most of his upper body with a layer of frost which hindered his actions. Luckily, we were still in the narrow hallway, so they could only attack us two at a time. Also, the Cleaver kept doing a kind of spinning slash, hitting Gilthos but also his Skyblade companion in the process. The other three Kobold Cleavers made their way to the melee, standing behind them and shouting invectives at us. As for the White Wyrmling, it had also positioned itself behind our enemies, and we heard its massive breath intake just before it breathed frost on us. Luckily, maybe due to the beast's inexperience, most of it went over us and on the walls, and we got off without any damage. Trax and Gilthos were still fighting the two foremost Kobolds, so I concentrated and cast my sleep spell, which by sheer luck made the Wyrmling and another Kobold fall asleep on the ground. I then started casting Magic Missiles at the beast, hoping to finish it off before it could wake up. I got to hit it a few times before it rose and ran to the fray. As soon as Gilthos finished off his Cleaver, the Wyrmling trampled over the body and attacked Gilthos, furiously slashing him with its claws. Luckily, Trax then finished off his Skyblade and helped Gilthos fight off the dragon. Trax used his Brute Strike and nearly chopped its head off. It then pushed us aside and half-ran, half-flew down the hallway and up the shaft, barely making it out alive. We then finished off the other Kobolds.

We made sure the dragon was gone and then we took a few minutes to catch our breath and talk about what had just happened. Then, we looked for the key to the iron doors, which we found on the body of the Kobold Skyblade. Inside, we found two militia members and the missing dwarves, shutting their eyes against the light of our torches. We reassured them, telling them we had just dispatched most the foes to free them, and they thanked us profusely.

After they had gone we searched the room thoroughly, finding 200 silver pieces, a 100 gold pieces, and a suit of scale mail armor.

I then tried to sense any magic around me. It was hard, as I was still a little shaken up from the confrontation, so I didn't feel anything definite, except for the bear rug which radiated a weak aura of enchantment. I couldn't figure out what it did, though, and will have to try again later.

We gathered everything, including the Kobold armors and weapons, and then made our way back to Fallcrest.

Entry III

[This entry is a recap of the third gaming session, which took place on June 21th 2009. We then continued the second encounter of the first "delve", Coppernight Hold, which is contained in the official game supplement called Dungeon Delve.]

Trax was hit one more time, which made it imperative for him to retreat. He ran to the ladder and I covered him while he was going back up the rope. He had just reached the top when Gilthos was also seriously wounded. He called out for help, and so Trax came back down and ― barely able to keep his shield up ― he went to his aid. A few of my spells had done their intended work (it was the first time I saw my Thunderwave really hurt someone or something), and after a few seconds we were all able to escape up the rope.

We ran, as fast as we could, and found our way back to the clearing we had used yesterday. A full night's rest was now in order. After taking care of our wounds, we all got busy. Trax made a fire, Gilthos caught us some hare, while I was preparing my Explorer's Fire ritual (which enchants the fire so that its light cannot be seen from a few feet away).

We then spent a quiet and much-needed night sleeping.

* * *

The next morning we ate, got ready, and headed back to the site. As quietly as possible, we reached the hole. The plan was for me to go down the rope, alone (being the more quiet one, with no armor), and to use my Ghost Sound cantrip to create a minor diversion.

So I went down the rope. I made sure that I wasn't heard, then I cast my cantrip and threw a sunrod at the far end of the room. The remaining kobolds headed for that corner, while Trax and Gilthos made their way back down.

We surprised them, which gave us a definite advantage. I concentrated and started casting my spells at them. Gilthos was firing away. Trax pushed the statue down on the bone-masked priest, which pined him to the ground and allowed him to administer a few fell blows. Gilthos finally brought the priest down with an arrow, while Trax finished off the rest of the kobolds.

We healed our minor wounds, and searched the kobolds, gathering their weapons and armors, and finding 40 gold pieces.

Entry II

[This entry is a recap of the second gaming session, which took place on June 20th 2009. We started on the second encounter of the first "delve", Coppernight Hold, which is contained in the official game supplement called Dungeon Delve.]

Trax went down the rope first, then Gilthos, then me. It was pitch dark down there, so I lit a sunrod. We were standing at the top of a stairwell.

In front of us, some rubble was blocking the way. On closer examination, we could see that some of it was stained with blood. Looking further into the room, we could see a large statue depicting a dwarf warrior in full battle gear, standing in mid-charge. The statue was heavily defaced, and didn't look too stable. I could see tapestries lining the walls, but I couldn't distinguish what they depicted.

Then, we noticed a few figures crouching in the shadows beyond the statue.

Recognizing them as kobolds, Gilthos let loose an arrow, and the fight began.

This time there was five of them: the three closest to us, just behind the statue, were armed with short swords and shields [Kobold Dragonshields x3]; behind them, next to the west wall, was another one with a spear [Kobold Skirmisher]; and in the back of the room was a fearsome one holding a spear and wearing a bone mask [Kobold Wyrmpriest]. He started chanting, which made the other four frenzied, so that marked him as some kind of priest or shaman.

Kobolds [Skirmisher, Dragonshield & Wyrmpriest]

Gilthos used his Fey Step to get closer to this last one, and concentrated his arrows on him. Trax was then in the thick of it. As for me, I was sending one Magic Missile after another, to no avail. I just couldn't see too well, couldn't concentrate.

Then the bone-mask pulled on a rope which made one of the tapestries fall on Gilthos. Luckily, he avoided it, and went on fighting (now with his sword). He also got hurt by some kind of ball of energy which covered him with frost and looked painful as hell.

Trax was still trading blows, but received a couple of hits.

[We then stopped, as it was getting late and they both seemed tired.]

Entry I

[This entry is a recap of the first gaming session, which took place on June 19th 2009. I gave my two sons a brief explanation of where they came from, where they were now, and how the three characters ― Xavier's Dragonborn Fighter, Colin's Eladrin Ranger and my DM-controlled Human Wizard ― met and became friends. I then proceeded to lead them into a small adventure, being the first "delve", Coppernight Hold, which is contained in the official game supplement called Dungeon Delve. It is written in the voice of Kaleth Clovox, whose Journal this is taken from.]

I write this a few weeks after having left my home, deep in the woods of Cormanthor Forest. I am now in Fallcrest, in Archendale, which is established along the Arkhen River, approximately halfway between Highmoon and Archenbridge.

It's a small town, but as I've been living in a forest for most of my life, it's a bustle of activity.

Ever since I got here, I have been laying low, talking to local people and merchant travellers alike, trying to get a feel of this world in which I have been living without ever actually being a part of it.

Most nights, after giving walked all over town since the morning, I end up near the fire in the Nentir Inn, resting & drinking & listening & observing. I met and became acquainted with a couple of fellow travellers, who are as strange to this peaceful town as I am.

The first is Trax, a Dragonborn swordsman who left his native town of Tymanther, traveling over the Sea of Fallen Stars until he reached Selgaunt, and from there he travelled on land until he reached Fallcrest. He had been feeling restless for quite a while, and one day decided to go out into the world, to see if maybe he couldn't try to help his people (who are still used as slaves in many parts of the World).

And then there is Gilthos, an Eladrin (or Moon Elf) ranger, a joyful and dazzling fellow who quite likes his wine. [After I told him his character was drinking a glass of wine, Colin kept pretending he was sipping from an invisible glass; it was all I could do not to laugh.] He was born in the Feywild (incredible!) and went out into our World as a scout of sorts, his self-given mission to find out just how close their World is to being overrun by the Darkness which is ever-present in Ours, Faerûn. He spent a few months in Myth Drannor, taking in the feel of this world, reading and talking and learning. Eventually, feeling ready, he left, and without any clear or definite designs, ended up here.

So for a few evenings now we have been sharing drinks and talking, the three of us, feeling like kindred spirits in spite of our differences, three strangers, three travelers, three adventurers.

* * *

Exciting news: Earlier this evening tonight, I was sitting in the Nentir Inn with Trax and Gilthos, and in came Lord Markelhay, the town's hereditary leader, along with his bodyguards. To our surprise he came to us, introduced himself, and then sat down and offered us a drink. We talked for a while, and then he confessed that he might have need of our services (as we seemed like able and prepared adventurers).

He explained: "A couple of months ago, I received the visit of Kavalar Coppernight, a dwarf prospector, who informed me that he was going to begin an underground mining operation, as well as a surface excavation for a small keep, in a location a few miles from here. I gave him my authorisation. At first we received regular visits from him and his men, when they came to town for supplies or relaxation. But then... nothing. Fearing some kind of trouble, I sent some men of mine a couple of days ago, and I have heard nothing from them since. So I would like you to go there to investigate."

We accepted his assignment. We leave tomorrow at dawn.

* * *

What a day.

Early this morning, we left Fallcrest. We walked for a couple of hours, reaching Coppernight Hold in the afternoon. Nearing the excavation site, we saw that it was surrounded by a high wooden fence, with scattered mounds of rubble all around. We then heard the movement of small creatures beyond the fence. Getting closer, we saw many small reptilian humanoids surrounding a shallow excavation pit, and they started shrieking at us. We all recognized them as kobolds.

Everything then happened very fast.

Trax climbed over the fence to attack them, Gilthos got hit by some kind of fire projectile, I started casting spells at them, Trax got over the fence and engaged the kobolds, taking one down almost immediately. Gilthos shot a few arrows and then used his Fey Step and teleported over the fence, now closer and able to shoot more accurately.

[Me, Xavier and Colin, at about this point in the game]

I wasn't much help, having a very real problem concentrating in the midst of the fight, but Trax and Gilthos did great, getting rid of the six kobolds [3 Kobold Minions + 3 Kobold Slingers].

At the end, though, Trax was hurt and unconscious so Gilthos had to heal him a little. Afterwards we got out of there fast.

We found a little clearing in the woods where we rested and attended to our wounds. A while later, we went back to the site, and got ready to climb down the hole into the mine itself.