Post by thedungeonmaster on Feb 3, 2012 3:31:57 GMT 8
Finally, the FR campaign resumes after a half year break. This is a summary of the sessions that took place in January 2012
6th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Kai / Thor
PC absent - Mobius
The adventure begins with the party emerging from a shared dream. They awake in Korvar's Ale realizing that they are wanted by Lord Jaundamicar's men. However, with highly-skilled disguises, the party manage to move around the city without much hinderance.
Thor and Zeratul decide to check out the Westgate Library and speak to the sage – Bodiras. They learn of a bandit group just outside the city that identifies themselves as the Fire Knives. Bodiras requests for the heroes to deal with the group.
On the other side of town, Kai is sneaking into the Fire Knives Temple. He meets up with Raven – the cleric of the temple and is invited to stay the night. Due to the circumstances, Kai has no choice but to accept the offer and is placed in room with a bookshelf containing old books of worship to Shar. Kai tries to gain attention by by dirtying the place, which he manages to succeed. Kai kills a guard who comes into check out the commotion and just as Kai is about to investigate the corridor further down the darkness, a voice calls out his name. Kai decides to leave the temple instead and climbs along the ceiling all the way out and barely manages to escape by swinging across the prayer hall as the clerics and guards of the temple attempt to bring him down. With stealth and style, the drow escapes from the Temple of the Fire Knives.
Meanwhile, Illidian proceeds to check out his followers – Jade and Moon, who are preaching the divine teachings of Selune. There, Illidian comes across a couple who have come to Selune for help with regard to their baby who seems to be possessed with some dark curse. Ironically, Illidian engages the wisdom of Zeratul to help see what is affecting the baby. Illidian soon finds out that the curse is a result of the father's pact with the Fire Knives in return for wealth.
The party group up and eventually discover that the visions that affect Randell suggest that they proceed to the Giant's Run Mountains. However, they decide to help Bodiras deal with the bandits.
The party realize that the bandits which is led by a dragon, are actually Fire Knive members themselves. It seems that the Fire Knives are trying to stir the Westgate people into a riot, but it doesn't seem to be working.
The party then decide to move on to Giant's Run Mountains and end up where the visions have led them to. They end up in a cave which is actually a magical portal that seems to lead into some kind of elemental plane and yet, they seem to be floating in a realm of dark fire. The party fights a Bebilith that appears out of nowhere and starts thrashing about wildly. As the party manages to kill the creature, Tristessa appears and reaches out to take a gem that is worn about the demon's neck and holds it to her chest. She thanks the party for helping her recover the gem as it will help revive Sorjarskae. She does not reveal much, but assures that Sorjarskae will be vital to ending the darkness. She disappears thereafter, much to the anger of the party – who had very much wanted to keep the gem.
XP earned
Kai – 8000XP
Illidian / Thor – 7900XP
Zeratul – 7800XP
Mobius – 4000XP
Treasure
Level 17 magic item – Eldritch Medallion (AV 2)
Level 15 magic item – Blade of the Eldritch Knight (AV 2)
Level 14 magic item – Swift-step boots (AV 2)
Black tunic woven of pure shadow – 7500gp
Sapphire – 1000gp
Diamond – 5000gp
Two potions of vitality
13th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Mobius / Thor
PC absent – Kai
The adventure continues with the party heading back to Westgate to meet Mobius. Back at Westgate, the party decide to investigate the mystery of the sunken ship – Manta Ray. With aid from Bodiras, the party manage to get potions that enable them to breathe underwater for a good 8 hours, and also adapt to the seawater environment such that they are not affected in terms of movement.
The party manage to secure a boatman who is willing to row out to the spot nearby where the Manta Ray was last seen. The party then dive into the waters and make their way to the depths of the sea. On the way, they party encounter what seems to be an aquatic beholder, but they know it isn't. After killing the creature, the party carry on.
Upon reaching the wreckage, the party decide to enter the ship, but are attacked by mermaids residing in the ship. But with swift resolve, the party manage to overcome the mermaids and head on to the lower deck of the ship. As they enter the lower deck by destroying a portion of the ship wall, they face a spirit that seems to dominate them and a skull that is affixed to the wall. However, a wall of ice from Zeratul ensures that the spirit is kept within. However, the spirit is strong enough to escape and a fierce battle ensues. For the first time, Thor falls in battle, and Zeratul and Illidian are killed. In madness, Mobius rushes forward and knocks the spirit with his staff – and bright radiant light washes over the ship as it is raised from the seabed. With divine might, the ship is raised to the surface and in the blinding radiance, the colour of the ship turns to white and gold with the words 'Manta Ray' on the side. The fallen bodies of Zeratul and Illidian fall into the darkness of the seawater and Mobius holds on to the side of the ship, as Thor manages to keep himself alive by holding onto the railings. And amidst all these madness of radiance, a divine voice speaks to Mobius, acknowledging his powers and that a greater path lays before him.
Tears consume the two surviving party members as they are unable to rescue Zeratul and Illidian. However, as they eyes adjust to the brightness of day, Mobius sees a familiar figure standing at the prow. Mobius squints his eyes and recognizes the genasi warlord! Along with Tas'sadar, Asher is also on the side of the ship. Mobius and Thor cannot fathom the turn of events that have taken place. And on top of that, the Manta Ray is a flying ship with a crew of 4, who take orders only from Tas'sadar.
XP earned
Zeratul (Tas'sadar) / Thor – 6300XP
Illidian (Asher) – 6200XP
Mobius – 6100XP
Kai – 3000XP
Treasure
Level 19 magic item - Belt of Breaching (AV 2)
Level 18 magic item – Rebuking Bracers (AV 2)
8 x fire opals (1000gp each)
500gp
[Return of Tas'sadar and Asher]
To incorporate the return of Tas'sadar and Asher into the storyline, Selune notices the party's intention to bring down the forces of Netheril. The Netherese, being worshippers of Shar, are naturally the enemies of the good Gods. As such, with divine powers, Selune aids the party by resurrecting Tas'sadar and Asher back, though the act itself is not easy as exarchs of Selune have been looking for the gems that held the souls of the heroes. Gond remains missing and it is not known if the gem holding his spirit has been found.
20th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Mobius / Kai
PC absent – Thor
The adventure continues with the party changed. Tas'sadar and Asher have returned to the party and Kai does not seem to adapt to the abrupt change very well. He creates havoc on board the Manta Ray, and Mobius is caught between.
But after all the misunderstandings, the party get down to serious business and Mobius shares with the party his findings after speaking to Kison – the red robed mage at Korvar's Ale. Before heading to the Shadowdale to look for one of the wisest and powerful wizards in Faerun, the party decide to infiltrate the Temple of the Fire Knives and see if any clues can be found in relation to the Netherese.
With Tas'sadar and Asher, the party gatecrashes into the temple and a fierce battle ensues with the clerics and the guards right smack in the prayer hall of the temple. The party carry on towards a study at the far end of the corridor and, not really surprised, they come face to face with Lord Jaundamicar again! However, Lord Jaundamicar isn't of the mortal world anymore. Undeath grips the lord as he is more powerful than ever. A battle breaks out and it isn't before long that Lord Jaundamicar faces death (again).
The party manages to find notes and contracts that show evidence that Lord Jaundamicar has offered his soul in return for power over Westgate; and darker contracts with evil forces that ensure Westgate is not affected by kraken attacks. It seems that the Fire Knives are related to the Netherese and Lord Jaundamicar has been a puppet during his reign.
The party then decide to investigate the room that Kai was locked in on his previous visit. They manage to find a secret catch that leads into a small tunnel that widens into a path down. The party reaches a dead end and finds a woman in chains on the ground. Suspicion grips the party and she beckons for them to release her. Kai is disguised as Lord Jaundamicar and the woman cowers away from him and refuses to reveal anything much in his presence. Asher decides to cast a spell that allows him to track her location anywhere in the same plane, and to his amazement, he finds that she seems to project a dual presence. One is where is before the party, and the other comes from behind the party, near the entrance of the path. Soon, an identical image of the same woman appears behind the party and warns the party not to release the woman in chains. Even more suspicion grips the party and a battle breaks out with the woman that just appeared. However, as the battle grows, desperation sweeps over the party as the woman seems to have powers beyond the party's calibre. And the woman in chains seems to be urging the party to release her quickly, which Mobius is desperately working on.
The session comes to halt in the midst of the battle, as the party is almost defeated and clueless.
XP earned
Mobius / Tas'sadar – 5300XP
Kai / Asher – 5200XP
Thor – 2600XP
Treasure
Level 20 magic item – Tas'sadar
200pp
2 x art objects worth 1500gp each
2 x potions of vitality
The next session resumes on 3rd February 2012. What will happen now that the party is caught in this clueless and frustrating situation? Will the party move on to Shadowdale? Or will they stay behind to fight the forces of the Fire Knives? Will Mobius finally get to see the greatest wizard of Faerun ever?
6th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Kai / Thor
PC absent - Mobius
The adventure begins with the party emerging from a shared dream. They awake in Korvar's Ale realizing that they are wanted by Lord Jaundamicar's men. However, with highly-skilled disguises, the party manage to move around the city without much hinderance.
Thor and Zeratul decide to check out the Westgate Library and speak to the sage – Bodiras. They learn of a bandit group just outside the city that identifies themselves as the Fire Knives. Bodiras requests for the heroes to deal with the group.
On the other side of town, Kai is sneaking into the Fire Knives Temple. He meets up with Raven – the cleric of the temple and is invited to stay the night. Due to the circumstances, Kai has no choice but to accept the offer and is placed in room with a bookshelf containing old books of worship to Shar. Kai tries to gain attention by by dirtying the place, which he manages to succeed. Kai kills a guard who comes into check out the commotion and just as Kai is about to investigate the corridor further down the darkness, a voice calls out his name. Kai decides to leave the temple instead and climbs along the ceiling all the way out and barely manages to escape by swinging across the prayer hall as the clerics and guards of the temple attempt to bring him down. With stealth and style, the drow escapes from the Temple of the Fire Knives.
Meanwhile, Illidian proceeds to check out his followers – Jade and Moon, who are preaching the divine teachings of Selune. There, Illidian comes across a couple who have come to Selune for help with regard to their baby who seems to be possessed with some dark curse. Ironically, Illidian engages the wisdom of Zeratul to help see what is affecting the baby. Illidian soon finds out that the curse is a result of the father's pact with the Fire Knives in return for wealth.
The party group up and eventually discover that the visions that affect Randell suggest that they proceed to the Giant's Run Mountains. However, they decide to help Bodiras deal with the bandits.
The party realize that the bandits which is led by a dragon, are actually Fire Knive members themselves. It seems that the Fire Knives are trying to stir the Westgate people into a riot, but it doesn't seem to be working.
The party then decide to move on to Giant's Run Mountains and end up where the visions have led them to. They end up in a cave which is actually a magical portal that seems to lead into some kind of elemental plane and yet, they seem to be floating in a realm of dark fire. The party fights a Bebilith that appears out of nowhere and starts thrashing about wildly. As the party manages to kill the creature, Tristessa appears and reaches out to take a gem that is worn about the demon's neck and holds it to her chest. She thanks the party for helping her recover the gem as it will help revive Sorjarskae. She does not reveal much, but assures that Sorjarskae will be vital to ending the darkness. She disappears thereafter, much to the anger of the party – who had very much wanted to keep the gem.
XP earned
Kai – 8000XP
Illidian / Thor – 7900XP
Zeratul – 7800XP
Mobius – 4000XP
Treasure
Level 17 magic item – Eldritch Medallion (AV 2)
Level 15 magic item – Blade of the Eldritch Knight (AV 2)
Level 14 magic item – Swift-step boots (AV 2)
Black tunic woven of pure shadow – 7500gp
Sapphire – 1000gp
Diamond – 5000gp
Two potions of vitality
13th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Mobius / Thor
PC absent – Kai
The adventure continues with the party heading back to Westgate to meet Mobius. Back at Westgate, the party decide to investigate the mystery of the sunken ship – Manta Ray. With aid from Bodiras, the party manage to get potions that enable them to breathe underwater for a good 8 hours, and also adapt to the seawater environment such that they are not affected in terms of movement.
The party manage to secure a boatman who is willing to row out to the spot nearby where the Manta Ray was last seen. The party then dive into the waters and make their way to the depths of the sea. On the way, they party encounter what seems to be an aquatic beholder, but they know it isn't. After killing the creature, the party carry on.
Upon reaching the wreckage, the party decide to enter the ship, but are attacked by mermaids residing in the ship. But with swift resolve, the party manage to overcome the mermaids and head on to the lower deck of the ship. As they enter the lower deck by destroying a portion of the ship wall, they face a spirit that seems to dominate them and a skull that is affixed to the wall. However, a wall of ice from Zeratul ensures that the spirit is kept within. However, the spirit is strong enough to escape and a fierce battle ensues. For the first time, Thor falls in battle, and Zeratul and Illidian are killed. In madness, Mobius rushes forward and knocks the spirit with his staff – and bright radiant light washes over the ship as it is raised from the seabed. With divine might, the ship is raised to the surface and in the blinding radiance, the colour of the ship turns to white and gold with the words 'Manta Ray' on the side. The fallen bodies of Zeratul and Illidian fall into the darkness of the seawater and Mobius holds on to the side of the ship, as Thor manages to keep himself alive by holding onto the railings. And amidst all these madness of radiance, a divine voice speaks to Mobius, acknowledging his powers and that a greater path lays before him.
Tears consume the two surviving party members as they are unable to rescue Zeratul and Illidian. However, as they eyes adjust to the brightness of day, Mobius sees a familiar figure standing at the prow. Mobius squints his eyes and recognizes the genasi warlord! Along with Tas'sadar, Asher is also on the side of the ship. Mobius and Thor cannot fathom the turn of events that have taken place. And on top of that, the Manta Ray is a flying ship with a crew of 4, who take orders only from Tas'sadar.
XP earned
Zeratul (Tas'sadar) / Thor – 6300XP
Illidian (Asher) – 6200XP
Mobius – 6100XP
Kai – 3000XP
Treasure
Level 19 magic item - Belt of Breaching (AV 2)
Level 18 magic item – Rebuking Bracers (AV 2)
8 x fire opals (1000gp each)
500gp
[Return of Tas'sadar and Asher]
To incorporate the return of Tas'sadar and Asher into the storyline, Selune notices the party's intention to bring down the forces of Netheril. The Netherese, being worshippers of Shar, are naturally the enemies of the good Gods. As such, with divine powers, Selune aids the party by resurrecting Tas'sadar and Asher back, though the act itself is not easy as exarchs of Selune have been looking for the gems that held the souls of the heroes. Gond remains missing and it is not known if the gem holding his spirit has been found.
20th January 2012
PCs present – Zeratul / Illidian / Mobius / Kai
PC absent – Thor
The adventure continues with the party changed. Tas'sadar and Asher have returned to the party and Kai does not seem to adapt to the abrupt change very well. He creates havoc on board the Manta Ray, and Mobius is caught between.
But after all the misunderstandings, the party get down to serious business and Mobius shares with the party his findings after speaking to Kison – the red robed mage at Korvar's Ale. Before heading to the Shadowdale to look for one of the wisest and powerful wizards in Faerun, the party decide to infiltrate the Temple of the Fire Knives and see if any clues can be found in relation to the Netherese.
With Tas'sadar and Asher, the party gatecrashes into the temple and a fierce battle ensues with the clerics and the guards right smack in the prayer hall of the temple. The party carry on towards a study at the far end of the corridor and, not really surprised, they come face to face with Lord Jaundamicar again! However, Lord Jaundamicar isn't of the mortal world anymore. Undeath grips the lord as he is more powerful than ever. A battle breaks out and it isn't before long that Lord Jaundamicar faces death (again).
The party manages to find notes and contracts that show evidence that Lord Jaundamicar has offered his soul in return for power over Westgate; and darker contracts with evil forces that ensure Westgate is not affected by kraken attacks. It seems that the Fire Knives are related to the Netherese and Lord Jaundamicar has been a puppet during his reign.
The party then decide to investigate the room that Kai was locked in on his previous visit. They manage to find a secret catch that leads into a small tunnel that widens into a path down. The party reaches a dead end and finds a woman in chains on the ground. Suspicion grips the party and she beckons for them to release her. Kai is disguised as Lord Jaundamicar and the woman cowers away from him and refuses to reveal anything much in his presence. Asher decides to cast a spell that allows him to track her location anywhere in the same plane, and to his amazement, he finds that she seems to project a dual presence. One is where is before the party, and the other comes from behind the party, near the entrance of the path. Soon, an identical image of the same woman appears behind the party and warns the party not to release the woman in chains. Even more suspicion grips the party and a battle breaks out with the woman that just appeared. However, as the battle grows, desperation sweeps over the party as the woman seems to have powers beyond the party's calibre. And the woman in chains seems to be urging the party to release her quickly, which Mobius is desperately working on.
The session comes to halt in the midst of the battle, as the party is almost defeated and clueless.
XP earned
Mobius / Tas'sadar – 5300XP
Kai / Asher – 5200XP
Thor – 2600XP
Treasure
Level 20 magic item – Tas'sadar
200pp
2 x art objects worth 1500gp each
2 x potions of vitality
The next session resumes on 3rd February 2012. What will happen now that the party is caught in this clueless and frustrating situation? Will the party move on to Shadowdale? Or will they stay behind to fight the forces of the Fire Knives? Will Mobius finally get to see the greatest wizard of Faerun ever?
