Entry XI

[This entry is a recap of the eleventh gaming session, which took place on November 7th, 2010, almost a year after the previous one. The characters were just about to enter the second room of Into the Shadowhaunt, a 4th Edition Game Day module from 2008 that I adapted so that I could make it part of the town of Fallcrest.]

After the spirit disappeared, we opened the door and saw stairs going down. Trax went in first, followed by Gilthos, his bear, and me in the back. A minute later, we reached the bottom of the stairs.

The walls in this large stone chamber were adorned with carvings of various scenes of people worshipping Pelor and Bahamut. Along the walls were chunks of rubble that looked like they once formed more sarcophagi. Bones littered the floor. Two intact sarcophagi had been moved to form a barricade in front of the two corridors that led out from the room. A sputtering lantern sat atop each of these barricades, casting an eerie orange light over the crypt. The rancid lantern oil smells smelled strongly of dead fish.

We looked around a bit, then Trax sniffed and said: "The smell of oil is too strong here; can't be just two lanterns."

Just then, one shape stood up from behind each of the sarcophagi, and we instantly recognized them as hobgoblins.

Instantly we tensed up and prepared for a fight. Already they were cocking up an arrow on their bow. They let loose, one arrow glancing off Trax's chestplate, the other giving Gilthos a flesh wound on the leg.

Gilthos aimed an arrow of his own at the closest one, but missed. His bear also ran forward, headed for the one on our right. Trax ran towards the first one, and blew his acid breath on them, wounding one of them. As for me, I concentrated briefly and felt power garnering up at the tips of my fingers. Then, as if it had a will of its own, the magic missile flew from my hand and hit the closest hobgoblin.

Meanwhile the hobs shot arrows at us once more, but maybe were getting nervous as they both missed. Gilthos shot again, the arrow hit, and the hobgoblin let out a pain-filled cry. Trax then reached the sarcophagus and he jumped on it easily. As he landed on top of it, the lid broke. He regained his balance, lightning fast, and jumped on the other side, landing right next to the hobgoblin, while behind him the sarcophagus erupted into flames (seems it was filled with oil, and when the lantern fell it triggered the combustion). Trax swung his bastard sword at the hobgoblin, and the blow connected. As for me, I once more shot a magic missile which flew right through the fire and connected with the side of the hobgoblin's head.

The first one was now engaged in a close fight with Trax. As for the second one, he screamed in his guttural tongue and tipped the sarcophagus forward. It fell and broke, spilling a good quantity of oil which the lantern ignited, just in front of Tigrallin the bear.

Gilthos had by now put two arrows in his bow, and using a twin strike technique he managed to hit one of the two hobs. Trax was still fighting with his sword, and I maintained my magic missile attack.

The second one then left his post behind the now-fallen sarcophagus, and went to his partner's aid. Gilthos then fey-stepped from my side, reappearing next to Trax, and joining the fight with his longsword. The bear had meanwhile stopped in front of the fire, and seemed scared to try anything further. I shot another magic missile.

The hobgoblins fought back a little bit more, but it didn't last long.

We went through their possessions, took the gold [10 gold pieces], piled up their weapons (from which Trax took a longbow), and then ― by the glow of the dying oil-fires ― we took a few minutes to catch our breath and discuss what had just happened.

Update

There has been a more-or-less unscheduled break from our Campaign (and thus this blog) with the arrival of my daughter, born last January. I had hoped to be able to play more during the ensuing parental leave, but alas it did not work out that way. We have since started playing Heroscape and (recently) Castle Ravenloft, and both games are great at satisfying the RPG itch, in a fast-and-lightweight kinda way.

But now that I am back at work, in a regular routine that includes two 45-minute bus commutes each day, I am getting back to the real thing, revising (and greatly improving) my Campaign plans, being presently in the process of fleshing out what will become our playthrough of 4th Edition's first published module, Keep On the Shadowfell (with lots of customizing by way of Myrhdraak's "Demon Prince of Undeath Conversion").

To be continued (very soon, I hope)...

Entry X

[This entry is a recap of the tenth gaming session, which took place on October 6th 2009. We were about to enter the fifth room of Kobold Hall, the adventure included in the Dungeon Master's Guide.]

After a good night's rest I woke up. Coming out of the tower to relieve myself, I came face to face with Gilthos and… a bear! A big brown bear, a few feet away from my friend. Immediately I froze, and told Gilthos to watch out. He then explained that he had met his new friend a few hours before, while getting water from a stream. He was standing there on his back paws, calmly looking at him. They exchanged a few "words" (seemingly able to communicate without any kind of effort), and the bear professed his undying loyalty to Gilthos.

(This, on the day after I finally managed to conjure my own familiar companion!)

The bear then told Gilthos that he would not arm us, and he came over to me, smelled me, then went over to Trax and smelled him too (letting off a mighty sneeze which almost made Trax jump out of his boots).

We then settled down for breakfast. Not being too hungry, I finished off quickly and then spent some time focusing my mind on the magical staff I found yesterday. Eventually, I sensed the specific nature of its powers, namely: increased spell accuracy and efficiency, as well as the capacity to increase a spell's range. [It is in fact a Staff of the War Mage +1.]

Soon after, having eaten and gathered all our things, we went back down into Kobold Hall, go though the first four rooms once more, before reaching the secret door we had learned about upon finding a piece of paper indicating its location.

Trax used the key and the secret door clicked open. We followed a long, winding passage from the kobold chieftain’s throne room down and down into the earth. Eventually, the finely worked stone tunnels give way to natural passages. Finally, we come upon a large cavern. The air was unnaturally cold. In the center of the room was a large pool of frozen dark water. The cavern was quiet.

We had barely had time to look around when a white shape flew at us, surprising us completely. Except for Gilthos, ever watchful, who raised his bow, lightning fast, and let go of his arrow before I even registered what was happening. The arrow's aim was true, and it entered the white dragon's neck like a toothpick in butter [Hunter's Quarry + Hunter's Privilege for having the best initiative + Singular Shot encounter power = 28 HP damage]. The beast howled, and then breathed its freezing cold on us. It reached Trax, Gilthos and his bear, but ― probably weakened by its neck wound ― it was weak and didn't hurt them.

Then Trax ― his magical armor glowing red from the battle ― ran at the beast and attacked it. He gave it his best [Brute Strike daily power] but missed.

Meanwhile, I cast a magic missile at the dragon, and with my new staff's enhancements it struck the beast a mighty blow.

Gilthos was still firing at it, and Trax's second swing struck home [critical hit], bashing the dragon on the side of the head, leaving a bloody gash that incapacitated one eye.

The dragon, bloodied and enraged, threw itself at him and clawed him good, breathed its frost once more (not doing any damage), and then Trax hit him one final time, and the dragon collapsed.

We searched the room, and found a chest in the back. It was locked, but Trax broke it open, and inside found some money, a nice pearl, and a rolled piece of parchment. Unrolling it, we saw it was written in draconic, so Trax read and translated for us:

"Mighty big Dragon, me salute you.

I be Irontooth. I trying to gather kobolds in gang close to Winterhaven. Things going good, but things going better if me and you together against humans of Archendale. I send messenger soon to talk about your Skull Kickers gang getting together with mine.

Me great big warrior,

Irontooth"

Which was interesting, to say the least.

Not seeing any other rooms, we thus concluded that we had done what we set out to do, which is to clear this so-called "Kobold Hall". Trax cut off all the kobold ears, for the bounty, we loaded the dragon body on top of the bear, and headed back to Fallcrest.

We covered maybe 10 miles, then had to stop for the night. We all slept soundly, feeling safe in the company on Tigralinn, Gilthos' bear companion, as well as my silent but ever-watchful magical owl, Bubo.

* * *

We reached Fallcrest about mid-morning, and a strange sight it must have been for the townspeople: a human with an owl on his shoulder (me); a tough looking Dragonborn fighter (Trax); and finally a tall and slender being (Gilthos) followed by a bear carrying a young white dragon.

We went directly to Lord Markelhay's manorhouse, where once more we were greeted as honoured guests. He rewarded us for our accomplishment, then invited us for supper later.

Lord Markelhay

We took leave of him, and we went to Teldorthan's to see the dragon hide, as well as the various gems which we recently found.

This being done, we went back to Lord Markelhay's manor. Over supper, he asked us to tell him all about what happened in Kobold Hall. We even stayed the night, sleeping in an (almost too) comfortable bed.

The next morning, what seemed like the whole town gathered on Markelhay's estate. Up on his balcony, the Lord showed them all the dragon's head, and they cheered for him, and cheered for us, and cheered for the general victory of their town over adversity. Which, needless to say, seemed like an overly optimistic conclusion. But let the people have their joys.

As if to prove me right, it was just about then that a soldier ran through the crowd. Taking Lord Markelhay aside, he told him something, looking grave. Farkelhay then took us with him inside the manor.

He then told us about the recent disappearance of two young boys, sons of a local farmer named Quinn Stasi. At first he thought the boys were just out playing, but a few days went by and still there was no sign of them. This farmer then went to the Temple and paid for a ritual. Through the use of the ritual, he learned that his sons are still alive, and are located somewhere deep in the cave complex which is under Fallcrest.

Lord Markhelhay then asked us if we could help and go look for the boys. Trax asked for some of his guards to accompany us. Markelhay said he couldn't spare too many of them, but eventually agreed to give us a small escort, four guards who would stay near the entrance to the caves and make sure nobody went in or out.

Immediately we headed for the caves, and went in.

After walking in the dark for what seemed like a few miles, we came to a massive, iron-bound double door which was partially open. Then Gilthos kneeled in front of the door and showed us that in the soft ground in front of the door were three sets of humanoid footprints heading from the direction of town through the doors. The kidnapper and the two boys, most likely.

We then went through. Beyond the doors was a simple, gray, rectangular room, illuminated by sconces filled with everburning flame. Two sets of stone sarcophagi lined the walls to the left and right, each adorned with the effigy of some long-dead warlord. In a niche above each sarcophagus was a small statue of either Pelor or Bahamut.

In the center of the room stood a ten-foot-tall marble obelisk bearing inscriptions on each side.

We spent a few minutes examining the room, inspecting the inscriptions.

Then Gilthos noticed some slight scraps and a strange draft near the obelisk, which might indicate some kind of hidden passageway. Alas, there seemed to be no way to open it.

After about five minutes of this kind of scrutiny, some kind of spirit materialized in front of us. It looked angry but made no menacing move against any of us.

Then, in a deep and raspy voice, it said: "Interlopers, beware. If you trespass you shall not realize the wisdom of my words. Entering from the heart, the way becomes clear when Sun follows King."

It would say no further. We guessed that this was a riddle of some kind, and furthermore we felt pretty certain that it had something to do with the six statues, these being representations of both Pelor, god of sun and agriculture, and Bahamut, high god of justice and honor.

We moved them around, trying various combinations, but then we figured that, starting on the left side ("entering from the heart"), we first had to place the three Bahamut statues (the "King") and then the three Pelor statues (the "Sun").

The final statue having been put in its place, we heard a click and saw that a secret door had opened in the obelisk. The spirit disappeared.

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).

Level 2

[This entry is a summary of the changes our three characters went through by going up to level 2.]

Reaching level 2, all three characters gain a utility power, a feat, and the usual hit point and skill improvements.

Here are the choices that were made:

- Gilthos [Colin's character]: He chose the ranger utility power called "Hunter's Privilege", and the "Lethal Hunter" feat. I also asked him if he would like to become a Beast Master ranger, which would mean that he would gain an animal companion. He liked the idea, so I changed his character a little bit, learning how it works at the same time. He decided that he wanted a bear. Asked for a name, he said: "Tiger."

"Tiger for a bear? How 'bout we find some kind of Eladrin name, like your character? How 'bout Tigralinn?"

He liked it, so it was settled.


- Trax [Xavier's character]: He chose the fighter utility power called "Boundless Endurance", and for his new feat he chose to become proficient with the Bastard Sword.


- Kaleth [Simon's character]: He chose the wizard utility powers called "Expeditious Retreat" & "Featherfall" (getting two since he is a wizard), and the "Arcane Familiar" feat.

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.]