Previously

The band from Mistledale was down Zaven and Dusty, but one of the rescued commoners volunteered that he had some skill and would be willing to help the party out.  The elf is named Ele’mir and his skills range from spell casting to opening door and finding traps. 

          The band decided to head out of the area and find any treasure while Thovan meditates.  Katie, Ele’mir, Valorous and Styve head to the ruined room with the small elementals.  Travelling to the room the party encounter some ochre jellies.  In the elemental room, they find a wand and defeat all but one of the elementals, that flees. 

          Leaving that room, they decide to look into the room where ants were suspected of being in.  The room had no ant creatures but was some sort of torture chamber with a shrine to Shar.  This room trapped the party and they were sometime later transported to another location where they met a creature named Modulok.  In this eternally dark place, Styve was killed and the others captured.

          Modulok told them that she would speak with them later and left the room.  The band went back to the room where they first appeared.  There they found a rune on the ground exactly where they appeared. Also in this room, the group found another prisoner chained to the wall.  It appeared to be a demon, tortured and beaten.  Ele’mir warned Katie not to talk to her but Katie freed the demon and learned that it was actually an angel named Taleron.  Gratefully, Taleron brought the group from Modulok’s domain back to the room where the shrine to Shar was.

          Once the group was back in the dungeon, they headed to the their lair to recover and return Styve’s body to safety.  This was problematic as Styve and his gear made everyone more encumbered then they would have liked.  It also meant the trip back would take longer.  As they made their way back, they encountered Aura the medusa again. 

          Meanwhile, Thovan came out of his reverie and decided the other had been gone too long.  He decided he and Seoni should go and look for the rest of the group.  They left and traveled down the right passage.  When they went down the long corridor, they triggered a rune that caused them some distress but that was nothing compared to the assault the crossbowmen gave them.  With their poisoned bolts, they managed to get Thovan who recognized the effect as drow sleep poison.  He realized that he would soon be passed out for hours, leaving Seoni alone to guard him.  They fled back to the lair but triggered the rune again, only this time it actually grant them instead of a bane.

          After a long sleep, Seoni and Thovan ventured out again and this time decided to take the left turn instead.  Nearing the corridor, they heard a commotion, Katie and the others were in a battle.  Thovan and Seoni sprang into action just as Katie ran past them toward the lair.  She told them that Aura was after them and that Styve was dead.  Valeros and Ele’mir were stuck in the rubble with Aura advancing.  After a pitched battle, Thovan killed Aura with a spell but was then petrified.

While the party recovered from the medusa battle, Taleron, the angel came to the party to thank them for their aid.  She gave Ele’mir, Valeros and Katie a feather from her wing.  The feathers could be used to summon Taleron and ask her for a boon.  Katie promptly used her feather and asked Taleron to bring back something to raise Zaven.  Taleron departed, vowing to return with something Katie could use to help Zaven.

Katie, Seoni and Ele’mir, then set about identifying the magic items the party recovered.  They learned one item found was a jar of Raise Dead Balm.  Taleron returned soon after and brought Katie a scroll of Raise Dead.  Styve was raised using the Balm, he then used the scroll on Zaven.  Ele’mir used his feather to ask Taleron to help Thovan.  Taleron brought back a potion of Restoration.  This potion was poured over the Thovan statue and thus Thovan was restored.  Later, the group found out that one of the potions found in the gelatinous cube was also a potion of Restoration.

Katie decided the second potion should be used to aid Capt. Dusty.  Zaven agreed and off the group went, leaving Valerous and Seoni with the resting Styve.

Posts from the Grove of the Unicorns

Zaven finds himself in a meadow surrounded by lush deep forests. He feels the warmth of the sun. He feels exhilarated due to the healing heat of the sun after so many dark, cold days in the mysterious dungeons. His last memory in the dungeon was of a giant queen ant. Her enormous jaws and stinger sent shivers of pain and fear deep into his soul. Finding himself suddenly in the tranquility of the meadow brought immediate relief, but then he remembered Katie.

Katie, the most beautiful woman that Zaven had ever seen. Her voice could only compare to those of angels. Her presence brought him joy beyond anything he had experienced with any other. He knew that she was beyond his station, for he could never consider himself anything more than her humble servant. He saw himself as her protector. Although he could never hope to mean more to her, it was enough to know that she was safe.

As Zaven soaked in the warm rays of the sun, a shiver entered his being. Katie was alone. She didn't have her commander to protect her, and Styve and Thoven could barely manage on their own. Then he remembered; Styve did this to him. Styve came between him and his self-proclaimed position of guardian of Katie. His actions ripped Zavan away from the land of mortals and delivered him into the hands of his god, Mielikki. 

Zaven, lost in his anguish, didn't notice the approach of Mielikki. Once aware, Zaven quickly went to one knee. He bowed down and awaited forgiveness for his inattention. Mielikki reached out to him and told him to rise. 

Mielikki senses within Zaven an innocence and a fundamentally kind soul. His previous life has introduced a trace of chaos, in what is otherwise a pure intentioned heart. Mielikki reclines on the lawn, joining Zaven. Mielikki sees such promise in having a follower with such a pure heart, but she grieves for him knowing that he came to such a tragic end. 

Zaven, experiencing her divine light, realized that he had allowed his love for Katie to overshadow his love for his god. Zaven asks once again for Mielikki's forgiveness, "Most beautiful Mielikki, I have failed you. In my blind love for a mortal woman, I lost sight of my true purpose—a warrior and servant of Mielikki. If the gracious Mielikki can forgive me and allow me a chance to go back to her service, I will never stray again. My focus will always remain on your will."

Mielikki smiled. As she spoke, Zaven realized that Mielikki, not Katie, had the most beautiful voice in all of creation, "Zaven, there is always a plan for all of those in Creation. It appears that your destiny is here, with me. I have tried to claim you once before, but you escaped my grasp." 

Zaven, succumbing to her seduction, forgot momentarily about Katie and his friends back in the dungeon.  Then the memory of the mortal, but beautiful Katie, filled his mind with dread. "Mielikki, you and the other gods sent us to this dungeon for a purpose. It is beyond me to know the purpose, but I know we have not fulfilled your plan. If you grant me the opportunity to return, I swear my allegiance. I will do your will, protect your forests, and become an evangelist of Mielikki's."

Mielikki smiled, "Zaven, I know you love Katie. It is allowed for you to love your goddess and the lovely Katie. If I grant your return, you must continue to protect your friends. I also expect that from this moment forward, that you will use your sword to defend the forests and those in my service, especially the Shadoweirs. Given the opportunity, I expect you to join the Shadoweirs, or in the least to swear your skill and aid. Katie is in possession of my hymnal. I expect to hear her voice swell in song, as she fills the air and hearts of all those around her with praise for me."

Mielikki pulled Zaven close. He lay his head in her lap, as she stroked his cheek, "But now you must rest. I will have my answer for you the next time you awaken." Zaven drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. 

Death but not dead

Whew, that was a rough session.  After all the anguish that occurred to restore Zaven, he goes out and gets killed right after he’s all fixed up.  Not only that but Zaven takes his “replacement fighter” with him to the land of the dead.  But did they really die?  

LORD RETCON HAS ENTERED THE STORY!!

   Well, it turns out they didn't die.  Being bitten by the snakes placed them in a catatonic state that lasts for a few (1d4) days.  The characters appear dead but are not.  Styve's examination reveals that they are alive.  

*************

   Why did Lord Retcon appear, you ask?  Is Law soft hearted?  No, not at all, but I am a rules type of guy and I am fallible.  Bearing those both in mind, I realized last night that the first round of that fight I used meta-game knowledge that resulted in that outcome.  The medusa should have wasted her first round of actions trying to petrify the party.  She was not aware of the scroll used to protect the party.  Therefore the outcome would have been different.  She may have been slain or the group may have been killed.  Dice rolls are fickle so who can say.  

Between Flayer and Flail

Following the commoners, the party find them attacked by two flail snails.

After a brief battle the snails are defeated but their death cries carry throughout the corridors and draw a gelatinous cube.  Then something strange occurs.  Behind Zaven appears a door and stairs that lead to down to a landing and a bare stone wall.  The party pile into the "new" corridor and close the door behind them.
     After resting 4 hours, the group is discovered by the small humanoids that shot up Zaven and Dusty before.

The creature's bite and club attacks almost overwhelmed the group but they were finally defeated. The party managed to get another 5 hours of rest and rememorize spells as well.
Which way will they explore next time?

So far (last of 2014)

The party has explored a bit more so here is a new map.

Sorry, small edit on the map.  Remember, this is a player knowledge map in a living dungeon, therefore there may be some changes if the PC's revisit certain areas.  Also, the area with the Capt. Dusty statue and the high burial niches is there but the niches are too small and high to include on this map. Here are some details I remembered.
Reminder of situation: the party just faced off against a mind flayer

 that fled back into his room leaving his two brain pets to fight the party.  This was just after the party beat into unconsciousness two other mind flayers and freed some peasants (3)

 and two other adventurers, Seoni (a mage) and Valerous (a fighter).

 When the brain beasts

 attacked the group, Seoni and all the peasants fled up the corridor.  When Katie (the Great One) managed to finish off the brainies, the rest of the group followed after them.  All assumed the mind flayer would return with more helpers.

*********
If you guys wanted to print this out, it may not be a bad idea.  Also, this is a reminder to CJ about the Gaming Paper, if you can.  See you folks next week.

What's been explored...

So far the party has explored very little.

What happened?!? (2)

Slowly closing the door, Thovan comes back to his companions. He sees Katie getting up and goes over to fill her in on the situation.  About half an hour later, every one in the group is awake and aware.  Styve, Thovan and Katie all settle in to memorize spells while Dusty and Zaven guard the door.

          Once spells are rememorized and food is eaten, The group tries to decide what to do next, or rather where to go.  Styve prods Katie to Identify the magic items previously found by the group.  Also weapons and armor has to be reassigned since several of the party have lost some items and armor. 

          After spending an hour trying to figure out what several items are using her bardic skill, Katie then casts Identify from a scroll.  The spell takes 8 hours to cast and Katie discerns the properties of a good deal of items.

          Bone Armor +2

          Dagger +2 (but is a charged item)

          Quarterstaff +2

          Ring of Protection +1

          Ring of Tsathzar

          Bastard Sword (+2 to damage)

          Long Sword (+2 to damage)

          Horn of Collapsing

          Helm of the Wyrm

What happened?!?

Thovan wakes up, stiff and sore but not wounded.  Looking around, his infravision active, he sees his companions around him, splayed out.  After checking them, they all live and are healed as he is.  Thovan then inspects the room he finds himself in. 

        The room is 20’ by 40’.  Unadorned except for the four statues within.  Two are along each long wall.  Between two of the statues, Thovan sees a door.  Walking over as quietly as he can, he goes over to the door and cracks it open.  Looking into the darkness outside, he sees a corridor.  Worked stone walls and ceiling indicate that this is some sort of constructed place.  Innately, Thovan is able to discern he is underground.

Previously 8/31/14

The group left the sleeping Lily under the care of Dusty and the mutt (as described by Zaven) or pure-bred Wardog (as described by Thovan) Rusar while the rest of the party went back to the keep. They arrived at the keep to find the mouth lowered and the bars back in place. Inside, the Kobolds waited with their crossbows. Using a potion of giant strength and shield spell cast by Styve, Zaven lifted the gates. Once Zaven lifted the gates the party took out the eight Kobolds in short order. The party found the statue back in its place after having been knocked over during their previous visit. Offended by the poor quality of the statue, Katie had Zaven toss the sculpture down the stairs. The party then took the hallway leading left.

The hallway led to a circular room. An ancient rune on the floor at the center of the room depicted a dragon eating its own tail. A maggot infested Kobold body lay at the center of the room. Alcoves around the room contained armored statues, and a weapon rack across the room contained obviously magic weapons. Zaven and Thovan both took weapons from the rack (bastard sword and long sword respectively). Immediately the golems activated. Zaven sliced his in two with one mighty blow. One-by-one the other golems activated. Zaven fell unconscious with a critical miss and stayed out for the next four rounds. Zaven awoke to find the combat still going. He quickly finished off the remaining golems (armored skeletons).

At the end of combat everyone had new magical weapons, but Thovan, at the suggestion of the party, spider-climbed to the ceiling and pried a glowing gem out of the ceiling. Once removed Styve and Katie’s weapons lost their magical abilities.

Spent, the party decided a retreat was necessary for healing and new spells. Spiking the lever and gates open at the entrance, the party went back to camp. Everything was fine at the camp, and Lily had awakened from her fey induced slumber. The party ate, sharpened weapons, trained the dog, and prepared for the next day’s fighting. Zaven kept watch through the uneventful night.

Upon arriving back at the keep, the party found the doors barred and the statue remnants gone. Zaven blasted through the door with an axe. The party entered the keep. Taking the hall to the right led the party into a swarm of Kobolds. The Kobolds quickly brought down Thovan, Zaven, and Katie the Great One. Styve and Dusty kicked Kobold butt while the rest of the party recovered. Things looked dire as the party, having been overrun by the Kobolds, took quite some time to recover and eventually defeat the Kobolds. Two Kobolds, paralyzed during combat, were left tied up.

What will the party do? Zaven is barely alive, their spells depleted again, and the party doesn’t have any healing kits. Will they retreat again, or will they hold up in the keep to prevent the Kobolds from resetting their traps? Tune in next time for As Mistledale Turns.

(As reported by Zaven)

Previously 8/10/14

Previously in Mistledale

After the “fey scattering”, the group realized that Katie’s henchmen would be asleep for hours.  Noting that the pack bearer never returned, Katie wanted to launch a search but it was unlikely that poor Doug survived the harrowing journey through the forest.  Even Katie and Styve were severely wounded by the red-berried vines. 

The party carried the sleeping henchmen with them and pressed on toward the Beast’s keep.  Once at the dragon maw entrance, the party noticed the mouth somewhat closed this time, with a portcullis blocking the way in.  Peering in, they were greeted by crossbow fire.  Thovan bravely ran into the line of fire to cast light inside the maw.  Taking a few hits, he was not surprised to see kobolds were inside.  Thovan did note the technique the kobolds employed was rather sophisticated.  About 8 kobolds were inside the maw, all armed with heavy crossbows.  Only four kobolds fired from within the maw while the other 4 reloaded their crossbows.  The kobolds also piled crates near the entry so as to provide cover for themselves. 

The party debated whether to camp right outside the dragon’s maw or to retreat a safe distance away.  After common sense won out the group retreated completely out of the cursed wood and made camp for the remainder of the day and night.  Katie vowed to return and find her pack bearer (and her gear he carried).  A convenient use of a Nap spell later, Zaven, Lily and Dusty woke in time for the rest of the party to get some rest.  Zaven kept watch that night being fully rested, Capt. Dusty helped on second watch.

The night was uneventful but at dawn, while the casters all meditated for spells, Zaven and Dusty heard the heavy footfalls of soldiers.  Looking out across the plains, they saw a troop of orcs travelling nearby.  After a brief scuffle, the party defeated the orcs with ease, the group reentered the cursed woods looking for the lost pack bearer. 

At the fey clearing, Thovan and Zaven decided to hack their way through the forest on the trail of the pack bearer.  Meanwhile, Katie and Styve examined the area of the attack.  Lily and Dusty discovered that the fetishes held coins.  All four of them pulled down all the fetishes they could find and gathered up the coins within. 

Hard travel through the woods turned up the pack bearer’s body, but the most important items of Katie’s gear was missing.  Examining the scene, the group discerned that the red-berried vines slew the poor sod, but the fey came across the body and looted it.  That means the team had to seek the lair of the fey if they were to recover their items.  After an exhaustive search of the areas, the clearing and where the body was found, the team hacked their way to a probable location for the fey to lair.  They found a lightning blasted, ancient tree with a large hole at the top.  Unfortunately, they alerted the fey by brushing past several wind chimes hanging from branches.

The fey attacked immediately; surprisingly very few of the group succumbed to the horrifying visages of the unseelie faeries this time.  A well placed Web spell and sleep arrows rendered most of the team helpless.  Katie managed to escape the Web but Zaven couldn’t reach a clear area and was unable to jump free.  This made the Web form imperfectly, weakened.

Katie quickly fumbled through her backpack for a torch and tinder but the faeries realized the Web was weak and had other ideas.  Before anyone could even think, the second fey blasted Thovan with Aganazar's Scorcher.   Thovan looked up and was horrified by the sight, he fled from the group, burning as he did so.  Disgusted by the situation, Katie threw her torch down and cast a Magic Missile killing the faerie that cast the Scorcher.  Through the quick spell work of Katie, the second Unseelie was also slain and the party found her spellbooks in the trunk of the tree.  In addition, they discovered some heavy glass vials of sparkly, colored “fluid”.  Thovan identified the vials as containing “souls”.

Now the party must decide how to enter the beast’s lair and what to do with the sleeping henchmen... 

Monthly Calendar

This is the monthly calendar.  I inserted an extra day that is used for Midwinter, Greengrass, etc. It helps if the extra day is at the top so those days aren't forgotten.  Again, this was downloaded forever ago so the websites listed don’t work.  I left those notes on these jpgs because I am not claiming ownership of these, so credit should go to whoever these folks are.  They’re great resources, it’s sad that they are so hard to find on the web today.

Yearly Calendar

Here's a year long calendar of the Realms.  I found this on the web over 10 years ago, so the websites listed no longer work.  Remember Midwinter, Greengrass, Midsummer, Harvestide, and the Feast of the Moon are special days.  Think of them as 31st days of the previous month.  Current date is Marpenoth 25, 1365.

Mistledale

History of the Dales

General Knowledge

The modern Dalelands were created 1,365 years ago when the elves of Cormanthyr and the humans who began settling here signed the Dales Compact.  In addition, the elves raised the Standing Stone to ratify the treaty.  The current year is 1365 DR (Dale Reckoning)  The calendar used is based on this occurrence.  The Standing Stone is E-NE of Ashabenford (See map).

Here's a map for you folks...

Remember, Teland is a small hamlett between Mistletarn and Erages, just north of the Moonsea Ride.  It takes about a day walking to get there from Erages.

Previously 8/3/14

Previously in Mistledale:

The party received a message from Sir Galwaith while training in Erages. He informs that the beast yet lives. The party travels to Teland to investigate the matter. The town leader, Lady Casandra, tells the party that the kobolds that serve the beast are still active. The beast however, has not been seen in some time. The party leaves the next day going to basalt stone that fell in the forest over 300 years ago. Unknown entities crafted a keep atop the basalt stone and ruled here before the area was settled by folk that are today known as Dalesman.

Traveling to the beasts lair, the party lose their way after avoiding a perceived trap. Taking the left trail they discover of a stream and realize they are going the wrong way and turn back.  Soon after they come to a clearing and find some strange fetishes. Suddenly horrid, little evil fey appear. The startled party flee in all directions.

This was a disastrous occurrence for the party:

• Katie, her pack bearer and Styve ran in random directions through the dense, cursed woods getting cut as they ran.
• Captain Dusty and Thovan ran up the path to the left followed by Rusar and Lily (who was not feared but chose to follow the largest group to better her survival chances.)
• Zaven followed the path to the right, running full out then  falling into a wide pool of quick sand.

Thovan, Rusar and the extras ran a foul of some wild dogs. Rusar flew into a rage after killing the first dog but the rest of the pack jumped on her and wounded her grievously.

Katie made it through the forest emerging near Zaven. Throwing him a rope, Katie begins pulling him out but Zaven “feels” he would like to explore the quick sand first. Searching the bottom, Zaven finds an item and is then pulled out. While Zaven explored Katie is confronted by one of the mischievious fey. She dispatched with ease and pulled Zaven free of the trap.  Zaven’s prize was a ceremonial scimitar dedicated to Meilikki.

Styve ran further into the woods.

Seeing his companion losing her battle with the mongrels, Thovan and Dusty pressed on but Rusar refused to retreat. Two of the fey followed the group. One cast a Grease effect under Rusar and Thovan. Thovan hopped to safety but Rusar lost her footing and fell prone. The mongrels continued the attack. The fey shot Dusty and Lily with sleep arrows, leaving Thovan to fight alone. Luckily he slew enough of the wild dogs to force the last two to retreat.  Then turned his bow on the fey, slaying one.

Styve made it through the brush onto a trail but was soon followed by one of the fey. Styve blocked the small fey’s arrows with ease but was almost ensnared by the creatures Web spell. Following the path Styve met up with Thovan. The two of them held off the two fey until they exhausted their ammunition. The two fey retreated into the woods leaving Thovan and Rusar gravely wounded and Lily and Dusty asleep.

The party met up once again in the clearing with the fetishes where they first encountered the fey.  The pack bearer was not found.  He was carrying Katie’s spellbooks, which are somewhat important.

To be continued…

Summary 6/29/14

The kobold assault burned 17% of Erages.  The citizenry have stepped up militia patrols and found several areas where kobolds came up from beneath.  Officials in Ashabenford have said that several Riders of Mistledale will arrive in about 2 tenday to reestablish order.  For now there is strict martial law and no one is allowed to go out after dark.

Interactions in town

Father Prasst helps the PC’s and cares for Zaven as best he can with all the other injured folk.  This extra care grants Zaven a +2 bonus to his saves while under Prasst’s care.  Father Prasst is very interested in what the party is going to do.  He urges them to go back into the sewers and find out why the kobolds are attacking.  He wonders who is organizing them.  Prasst becomes very friendly to Zaven and Styve.

A warrior named Cygar, who has been in the Seven Silvers for some months now, was very instrumental in turning back the kobolds in the southern portion of town.  No one is sure why he is here but reports after the attack say he is a capable warrior.  He also managed to save several citizens during the fires as well.  Cygar is keen to see what the party do about the kobold situation in town. 

Jocyn, Katie’s mentor, was injured in the attack and nearly killed.  Sir Dramott managed to rescue him but not before Jocyn was grievously injured.  He remains bedridden next to Katie in the hall with many other wounded folk.  He asks that Katie help the people of the town.  He tells her that two orphanages were attacked and several kids are still missing. 

As Thovan goes in search of his dog, Rusar, he finds her with a human female, warrior.  Her name is Holly Huldane.  She found and helped Rusar when kobolds where closing in on her.  Holly was also injured in the attack but did manage to rescue the hound with her falcon, Skymark.  Holly assures Thovan that his friend is ok and asks what the party intends to do?  

Map of Erages