Graveyard of Empires

SESSION 190 – February 14, 2018

Prior to going to share our message with the council, we move to the square to have a noisy place to discuss our plan. In the square is the normal hustle and bustle of such large groupings of people. The Fishwicke people are there flagellating themselves.

Suddenly a pregnant woman does a waddling run into the middle of the square screaming about death, fishes, and other strangeness. This intrigues the Fishwicke people, while a group of assassins (Imperial Dervishes) shadow step to go after the people the woman was with. [We later learned the woman was Em, and the people were those who fled Midmark in Thorfu’s submarine.]

The assassin’s only hit one of their intended victims, the Matriarch of Merendur’s temple in Midmark, Alesta Dracul, and she only fell because of their poisoned blades. Strangely, the other’s missed.

Lambertus recognized these people, and Rallion had seen some of them before on his trips into Midmark before being sent on his mission. The party springs into action.

We shield Em from her attackers, as she was also on the assassin’s list. We quickly brought down the weaker killers. One managed to hit Laris, and he also fell due to the effects of poison.

Oskar rushed forward with the chest and opened it, removing the magic from all the assassins, as well as those we hoped to aid. Including removing the spells from the aged elf, Aldus Runnelbrook, who could only look at Oskar wondering what just happened.

The assassins were unable to hit any of their other targets. Their targets fought back, and with our aid we quickly subdued them. One exploded, but we got everyone clear before that happened. Two of the shadow steppers were left alive, which Rallion later regretted, as we had no opportunity to question them. Rallion later urged their eyes be put out to prevent their escape. Lambertus cast slow poison on Laris, and Nash cast it on Alesta to buy time to save their lives with remove poison.

Baswick the Midmark Harbormaster revealed as an agent of Feldmark, interceded when Nash didn’t want them touching Em. We ended up in the same room under guard with the party from Midmark and we revealed some of what we know.

While she was still unconsious, Nash had Serithaz insert into Alesta Dracul’s memory that he and Bavmorda were who she was to meet to deliver the sub. After she awoke, she was sticking to that story. Rallion continues to rub the bridge of his nose, at all this. During the fight, while Em was safe with Nash, Nash told Serithaz to fix Em. Em now is in her right mind, and understands where she is.

A priestess from the local temple of Baldrick Evenkeel cast slow poison.

We make a plan with the Midmark group and they make a poor argument that does nothing, and we deliver a message about not burning the disease victims to prevent spreading the contagion via the ash. We don’t trust councillor Grete Kygh of the Ropemaker’s Guild, who has had a sudden change of opinion about helping Midmark. We make a suggestion about helping through the temples, so it is not a political issue, which the Feldmark Council adopts, and the Hull & Sheaf ships are to be left out of it, to prevent further political entanglements.

We meet up with Baswick who delivers us to a safe house under control of the Feldmark secret police. We suggest to Baswick if they won’t put out the eyes of the shadow steppers, perhaps they could cast continual light in their eyes, so it isn’t permanent. We hole up for a week and train.

SESSION 189 – February 7, 2018

Night of 7th Senrilden one moon is half waxing and other half waning and we set sail to the south.

Captain Nigel estimates 5 days to reach Feldmark.

Khaleen, AKA Bavmorda, spends the journey getting to know the crew.

Nash preaches Lysander.

Rallion keeps watch at night and scans the horizon with the telescope and chats with the sailors on watch.

The Bronze Wizard had enough rations to make it on partial rations, and the party had some food, but needed enough food for 31 days. Lambertus created food & water to allow us to avoid a starvation ration.

One sailor, Asa, knows Laris. He hold a grudge against Laris for winning all his wealth on the eve of his wedding, forcing him to take to the life on the sea. Still owing Laris. Laris charms him and forgives the debt Asa owes him.

Nash offers the ESP helm to Laris, and Laris tries it on and learns many things from Serithaz. Rallion told him not to do it. Rallion checks him out when he finishes his chat with Serithaz. Rallion isn’t convinced Laris is OK.

A heavy downpour begins on the 9th, our second full day of travel, and lasts a few days. We easily top off our water barrels. About 2:00 PM, there is a shout, we go up to see what it is. There is a boat with two islanders rowing for all they’re worth tryhing to escape a ship with tattered sails and the anchor chains apparently pulling the ship. Suddenly a zombie whale surfaces and chomps down on the boat and chews up the men. The ship changes course and closes with us. We notice pox riddled undead aboard. Nash attempts to turn with no effect. Lambertus casts prayer. We fire arrows. Lambertus turns and the whale wheels about, with no apparent affect on the creatures on deck. Captain Nigel and his crew manage to pull ahead and away. This ship was flagged out of Vargen.

The next day the rain is merely heavy, instead of a constant downpour.

On the 10th, Laris pulls Rallion aside during Rallion’s watch. Laris asks about the degrees of evil of ancient dwarves and devil fish. Rallion explains that the devil fish are allies of convenience, the enemy of my enemy.

Rallion gives 30 GP to Captain Nigel to pay his crew, and promises to pay the berthing fees.

We round the bend into the mouth of the Feldrun River and are greeted with a sea of masts at Landing. Landing is the small town at the mouth of the river. There is a picket of a warship and two armed merchantment preventing travel upriver. Across the river from Landing is a camp of refugees.

We are approached by Captain Holger, who is a merchant captain impressed to naval service. He must view our crew to make sure none are sick and see the ship.

Rallion tries to avoid showing the Writ as Keepers of The Council. However, his story of pilgrimage to the Grove of the Verdant Fellowship is not good enough. He relents and shows the captain the Writ. We learn that there is a lot of mistrust of agents of Midmark and what goes on with the Empire there. The high priestess, Alesta Drucal, of the church of the sea god, M…. escaped with a motley crew in an underwater boat. One was Baswick the asistant, and then Harbormaster. He was revealed as an agent of Feldmark, one of their Shadow Guard, the equivalent of the Grey Cloaks of Midmark. A dwarf with a skullcap with an eyepatch built in (Mortimer), and a large woman (Svelnid), and two crazy people.

Rallion is willing to let him take the writ, to show the officer in charge of the warship, but the others won’t have it, so Rallion, Bavmorda, Nash and Laris go with Captain Holger to the Flying Goblin, under Commander Evrardin, of the Feldmark guards. We learn of odd things in Feldmark and a power struggle. A member of the council suddenly changed her opionion about aid to Midmark. Grete Kygh of the Ropemaker’s Guild. The other faction who was once her friend, Cuddy Hawke opposes her. He is from the Carpenter’s Guild. Feldmark is a more tru democracy, one vote per person at 16 years. Although more guildmasters on it than others. It usually worried about the harvest and transport and other much more mundane matters.

The main sources of tension are:

– Refugees – a poweder keg issue

– Weird Dwarven numbers in the corner of everyone’s vision.

– Fishwick People

– Anti-Refugee Forces

Feldmark was a very laid back place until recently.

The Hull & Sheaf is the main trading copmany out of Midmark. There is argument that since their office can’t be contacted that their ships should be impressed into refugee duty. This would weaken the company, and make the merchants of the Merchant League would gain greatly by that. The commander suggests it would be best to leave them alone and move on, but that’s beyond his control.

Cmdr. Evrardin, is sending Capt. Holgar with us, as we probably can’t dock without him. The fee is 5 gp per day.

We see the road busy with carts laden with crops going to town for trade, and mercenaries guarding them, and obvious refugees who somehow got to this point heading toward Feldmark.

Capt. Holgar gets us to a dock, and Rallion pays 50 GP for ten days, as we may need more than a week. Capt. Holgar recommends an inn, The Black Bridge, named after the black bridge that crosses the northen branch of the Feldrun river. WE take a wagon/carriage. He arranges two rooms for us, and Rallion pays. Bavmorda puts out the word that we are hiring muscle, adn we get nibbles of interest. 2:00 PM we say to come talk to us. The next day, we go to HLM the half elf haberdasher, miliner, lapidary Haruth Mithlum Larkson to sell our loot.

Laris wears the hat once worn by Edan, the one made by Chaunese Silverbrow. Haruth is a pupil of Silverbrow and he was eagerly greeted, adn we we welcomed “to the party.”

We sold our loot and made a hefty sum. Most are ready for training. It apears we will be here for two weeks.

Captain Holgar is eager to get us to the council to speak with them. We fear that the council woman with the sudden change is wearing an inquisitor mask, and either a Dervish or Inquisitor. We had no time to discuss this in detail, other than Rallion mentioning his fear and that he will let others hold his magic while he bears the shard.

Here is Episode 2 of what amounts to Laris’ journal. I’m still getting used to this google docs and G+. I figured I’d post them as I write them instead of the whole doc for easier access as the sessions build up. I was trying to put it out primarily from Laris’ perspective. So it may lack some details that Larry put in his. If y’all think it sucks or isn’t mildly entertaining I’ll quit posting. Otherwise I’ll continue to hack at it. Also, if there are inaccuracies or something out of whack, lemme know and I’ll correct it.

Ted

Episode 2

Later in the day, 6th of Senrilden

Rallion’s Speech. Wow. So much for staying away from the weird stuff. I don’t think that my perceptions of a normal life will return to baseline if all that he says is true. That rattlebox thing seemed to confirm what he was touting. He definitely believes the meta story surrounding the adventures he and this group have had. The stories and legends we’ve all heard pieces of mesh with what his tale reveals. I still have my doubts on the connection of dots he’s claiming. Although I haven’t heard a better explanation for those dang numbers. Even if the machinations behind the events he’s describing are a little off, it still seems like the conclusions drawn, on the outside edges of a believable reality, might be true.

After his soliloquy, there was discussion. Mainly positive toward the tale from the Montoan and Hizzouites (Hizzouans? Hizzouinines?). Elder Emeric was not so impressed. His take on the story was… significantly less than receptive. Other than being an old codger, I’m not sure why he was so adamant in his position that the information was disingenuous. Unless what Rallion postulates that he could be unknowingly influenced or in cahoots with the Dark King could be true. Of course that was poo poo’d by Emeric.

Somehow Nash knows that Emeric poisoned the good captain. Maybe it has something to do with that cap that gives him some mind talking abilities. I’m not sure how comfortable I am not being able to tell if he’s messing with my head or not. But there’s nothing for it for right now. Hopefully it’s just communication and not control or influence. Oh crap. I need to think only of good beer and food from now on and not let my thoughts idly wander. No telling how often he just meanders around checking out whoever whenever. I know I certainly would.

So much for peaceful, productive encounters however. Emeric’s doubletalking and politicking continued, with indirect accusations and an alternate presentation of the events in Rallion’s tale spun in a way to cause question. On this dissonant note, my ears perked up and alarm bells dinged in my head. His elusiveness and sidestepping on the topics of Captain Nigel’s poisoning and outside influences on the current state of affairs continued to escalate the tension and distrust. I tried to defuse things as best I could, it still came to fisticuffs, no thanks to the hotheaded Drueta. All action and little lateral thinking. She almost flat out started a war with Shem and her village with Hizzou caught in the middle. I like to think that I interfered with her dagger toss, but I think I was just lucky she didn’t hit me with it. Of course Emeric was about as bad with his forked tongue. A little Shemmite subduing by our side and a sleep spell stopped any bloodshed, but ended all constructive conversation.

Chieftain Aldith was not real happy with the turn of events and told all present as much quite directly. He ordered Captain Nigel be presented in front of the whole conference of leaders to allow Nash or Lambertus affect what cures they could on his person, despite Elder Emeric’s protestations. Cure him they did. His story, once awakened, was not in contradiction to Emeric’s version. However the rattle box was rattling away unbeknownst to the good Captain as to why. Rallion brought this to the attention of the emissaries and the Chieftan by moving the box into the sight and hearing of all. Once Nigel finished his version of his story, the Chieftan sent Nigel with us and the other parties to our separate quarters. Effectively ending any discussion of the villages uniting against the Dark King at this point.

Once out of earshot of the rest of the villagers and the other delegations, we proceeded to get the real story from Captain Nigel. Emeric had him and his first mate shanghaied.Then held his first mate hostage to ensure Nigel’s cooperation, proceeded to poison him to discredit the Montoans and ruin the conference. Nigel is very thankful for the intervention and rescue from the poison. The specific reasons why Emeric did this, we don’t know beyond speculation. Drueta heads toward us, I alert the group and let her in. Long story short, Drueta joins us and we decide to leave Hizzou headed north toward Montoa. Once out of sight if the village, we circle back toward Shem to rescue Nigel’s first mate and continue on the quest of saving the world. We travel hard and rest before the final leg of our journey to Shem.

Evening of Senrilden 7th, Morning of the 8th

After resting and continuing our travels we arrive at Shem after dark. Discussion of tactics concerning the liberation of the mate ensues ranging from a burning distraction and a semi frontal assault to going in stealthy. Much to my happiness the subtle approach was elected. Adding to my happiness, I wouldn’t be alone in the scouting. Bavmorda also has a penchant for being sneaky and we will be gathering the information needed to effect the rescue.

I ask if there is any extra equipment they may have to help a guy out and Bavmorda tosses me what they are calling the Lieutenant’s Longsword. So me and L-T are partners now. I certainly do appreciate it.

Bavmorda and I set out to scout the situation. We locate the first mate and the layout of the town. We also confirm the ship seems to be intact and manned. All goes well, taking our time and avoiding all detection. It’s refreshing to be working again with a competent partner. The past few years, having others carry out my dirty work while raking in the dough kinda got a little boring. Good thing I kept my skills up, I’ve certainly needed them the past few weeks.

Another short planning session ensues with the stealthy approach taking first position with a less than subtle backup in case Bavmorda and I run into a hiccup. The group makes its way to the path to the beach where they are to prepare the launch to carry us to Nigel’s ship. Rallion stays near to cover our escape and render aid in the event things don’t go as planned with Bavmorda and I during the recapture of the mate. We retrace our steps back into the village carrying a dark elven cloak and boots for the first mate. Bavmorda holds the slats of the window covering open enough for me to cast a sleep spell on the two guards. They fall asleep along with our quarry who is shackled to the wall. We enter the front door, locate a key to the shackles on one of the guards and extricate the mate. Bavmorda throws him over her shoulder, I cover him up with the cloak and we make our way to Rallion and the beach uneventfully. Once safely on the ship we all celebrate a little for a successful operation.

Of course, as usual, safety is a relative term. Nash recognizes the ship that dropped him off wrecked on some rocks within sight. The story from Nigel and the crew is that it is overrun with lacedons, marine ghouls I think they said…. and he wants to go search it…. See, relative safety…. So our choices are raid the ship full of undead, or go to a city on an island on the way to our destination. After discussion, it seems we are going to keep our eye on the prize and stick with the main plan of saving the world. Yippee. Better that than the demise that I CAN see assaulting a wrecked ship crawling with undead…. I think we’ll soon be setting sail away from this place. We may be heading back here with Nigel one day to collect on the goods he left under duress and clear the wrecked ship of it’s treasures and pests. That is if we save the world. If not, I reckon it won’t make much difference. Time for a nap, it’s been an deliciously uneventful evening. Eventful would be referring to fighting and bleeding.j