Recounting the fifth game session, Sunday, March 28th, 2010.
In attendance:
Jacob/Archer (NG Elf Ranger)
Kenny/Kentar (NG Human Wizard)
Ted/Lagolas (NG Human Fighter)
Matt/Marsh (CN Half-Elf Druid)
Jim/Tim (NG Half-Elf Sorcerer)
Ian/Ga-Ian (Valeros precon)
Brian (DM)
Marsh couldn't see much from his current position. Another stand of trees was maybe 150 yards away. He made a run for it, watching for anyone on the look-out. His eyes, consequently, were less focused on the ground ahead. Before he could stop himself, he hit the side of a well with such impact that his whole body tipped over the rim and tumbled down the hole. Desperately grabbing for the rope, attached to a bucket, which his flailing arms had yanked off its perch and proceeded to hit him in the head as it sailed down, Marsh only succeeded in catching the increasingly damp confines by the various places upon his body which smacked and scraped against the stony curvature.
Water exploded around him as he entered the dark reservoir. Dazed, bruised, and nearly drowned, he somehow managed to keep his head above water. Staying afloat would have to be enough at that point. Meanwhile, he had time to contemplate how his plans had changed so drastically.
The others, refreshed now from the provided meal, were ready contemplate what would come next. Such uncertain planning received more confusion as a Tengu they had not seen yet, came bounding in through a back door, glanced apprehensively, incredulously, at the non-Tengu visitors. He addressed Kowan-Keen, bending to speak at the leader's ear. Archer and Tim caught some mention of goblins, but the other words were in the strange Tengu tongue.
Kentar sensed a brief flash of concern on Kowan-Keen's face. The leader concentrated on the air before him momentarily, rose from his seat, and considered the PCs. "If you would have us permit you to leave this place," he said finally, "we require your aid in a serious matter."
After a flurry of questions from the party, the Tengu elder revealed that a trainee named Toak was captured by those goblin-kind in the forest below. The Tengu would have the party aid them in rescuing the youth. Having so recently experienced the hostile goblinoids, everyone agreed to the request.
The PCs were told to follow the other trainee, Eengarohng, on a tour of the plantation while the Tengu adults discussed the matter further. The only two Tengu not present during the entrance of Chatarak and his ill tidings, were Oadak and Hessial. The former had heard and discovered Marsh after his accident at the well and retrieved the latter to aid him in pulling the wretched Druid from their water supply. As these three were making their way toward the meeting house, each bird man with a sopping wet arm over his shoulder, the rest of the party caught up with them. They couldn't help but offer glib remarks regarding Marsh's misfortune.
The meeting between the other Tengu was completed. It was decided they would be leaving as dusk took hold, descending the East end of the plateau. As collateral, the Tengu having little reason to trust these accidental intruders, Archer would remain behind, up in the valley. At the forest floor, the non-Tengu, now armed, would circle North around the plateau to create a distraction and lead as many goblins as possible away from the camp and Kettle Ridge. During the commotion, the Tengu would slip in a free their fellow.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Parting of Ways
Recounting game sessions 4 and 4.5, Sunday, January 17th and 24th 2010.
In attendance:
Jacob/Archer (NG Elf Ranger) - both sessions
Jim/Tim (NG Half-Elf Sorcerer)
Kenny/Kentar (NG Human Wizard)
Matt/Marsh (CN Half-Elf Druid) - both sessions
Ted/Lagolas (NG Human Fighter)
Brian (DM)
Sure enough, the goblin camp was far below the Western edge of Kettle Ridge. The plateau was roughly 50 feet across N to S, here, widening as it stretched Eastward. How far it went in that direction was obstructed with thick, hardy tree growth left and center, and an rock ledge following the elevated Southern face.
Two groups were formed to explore beyond the immediate area, an effective dead end. Of the two narrow paths available, Tim, Lagolas, and Kentar opted for the woods, Marsh and Archer for the ledge.
The Wizard, Sorcerer, and Fighter eventually came out into a well-maintained grove a trees, an orchard of the rare gemberry. Turning the first corner, a startled creature appeared before them, small and crow-like, but humanoid. A Tengu. He yelled out and another, larger and more mature-looking Tengu caught one of the party from behind and forced them all out from the rows of fruit-bearing trees.
During this time, the Ranger and Druid found the ledge wide enough to walk slowly but steadily. Trouble did arise where the path had grown over with dry brush. Unable to simply push through the tangle of branches, the two were forced to crawl on hands and knees, cutting away the obstruction as they went. One particularly large portion fell away, followed by a light crash and series of squawks. Unfortunately for the two adventurers, the offending limb had hit squarely the nest of a griffin and his mate. The male began to attack Marsh and Archer, but found it difficult to both fight and navigate so close the the cliff side, especially as the two victims of his ire were nestled behind a bushy shield. After some frightful haranguing, as only a griffin could muster against two unarmed individuals huddled against a cliff face, the bird hybrid's efforts were abandoned and he returned to his equally perturbed mate.
Cautiously, druid and ranger moved onward.
They reached a point where they could climb upward and see beyond. By then, the rest of the party were being led to and interrogated near a cluster of buildings East of the gemberry grove. The two atop the cliff climbed down to a stand of trees below them, inside the small valley where their friends were currently held captive.
After explaining their predicament with the goblins, the Tengu leader, Kowan-Keen, had their bindings cut and made them guests in the larger meeting house. Archer decided to make his presence known and joined the group for a much-appreciated respite of food and drink. Marsh decided he would hold off, leaving at least one of them as a wild card against whatever dangers the situation might present.
In attendance:
Jacob/Archer (NG Elf Ranger) - both sessions
Jim/Tim (NG Half-Elf Sorcerer)
Kenny/Kentar (NG Human Wizard)
Matt/Marsh (CN Half-Elf Druid) - both sessions
Ted/Lagolas (NG Human Fighter)
Brian (DM)
Sure enough, the goblin camp was far below the Western edge of Kettle Ridge. The plateau was roughly 50 feet across N to S, here, widening as it stretched Eastward. How far it went in that direction was obstructed with thick, hardy tree growth left and center, and an rock ledge following the elevated Southern face.
Two groups were formed to explore beyond the immediate area, an effective dead end. Of the two narrow paths available, Tim, Lagolas, and Kentar opted for the woods, Marsh and Archer for the ledge.
The Wizard, Sorcerer, and Fighter eventually came out into a well-maintained grove a trees, an orchard of the rare gemberry. Turning the first corner, a startled creature appeared before them, small and crow-like, but humanoid. A Tengu. He yelled out and another, larger and more mature-looking Tengu caught one of the party from behind and forced them all out from the rows of fruit-bearing trees.
During this time, the Ranger and Druid found the ledge wide enough to walk slowly but steadily. Trouble did arise where the path had grown over with dry brush. Unable to simply push through the tangle of branches, the two were forced to crawl on hands and knees, cutting away the obstruction as they went. One particularly large portion fell away, followed by a light crash and series of squawks. Unfortunately for the two adventurers, the offending limb had hit squarely the nest of a griffin and his mate. The male began to attack Marsh and Archer, but found it difficult to both fight and navigate so close the the cliff side, especially as the two victims of his ire were nestled behind a bushy shield. After some frightful haranguing, as only a griffin could muster against two unarmed individuals huddled against a cliff face, the bird hybrid's efforts were abandoned and he returned to his equally perturbed mate.
Cautiously, druid and ranger moved onward.
They reached a point where they could climb upward and see beyond. By then, the rest of the party were being led to and interrogated near a cluster of buildings East of the gemberry grove. The two atop the cliff climbed down to a stand of trees below them, inside the small valley where their friends were currently held captive.
After explaining their predicament with the goblins, the Tengu leader, Kowan-Keen, had their bindings cut and made them guests in the larger meeting house. Archer decided to make his presence known and joined the group for a much-appreciated respite of food and drink. Marsh decided he would hold off, leaving at least one of them as a wild card against whatever dangers the situation might present.
Friday, March 26, 2010
And Then There Were Five
Recounting the third game session, Sunday, October 4th, 2009.
In attendance:
Jacob/Archer (NG Elf Ranger)
Kenny/Kentar (NG Human Wizard)
Ted/Lagolas (NG Human Fighter)
Matt/Marsh (CN Half-Elf Druid)
Jim/Tim (NG Half-Elf Sorcerer)
Brian (DM)
Prodded once again by the javelin tips of eager goblins, the party awakened to exit their cage for another day of work in the adamantine mine. The hour early, darkness and cold air cloaking their world, the seven would-be gazillionaires headed within, but with a secret glimmer of hope for escape. If the old miner's ghost was correct, they would mine themselves a way out.
The spellcasters used their first hour to prepare the day's magical needs, while Archer and Lagolas took their pick axes to the rocky point of interest, striking in earnest measures toward their freedom. Repeating his earlier response to intruding bodies, the ghost came out bellowing his protests. Yet again, he soon pieced together the identities of his descendant and colleagues whom he had met and forgotten a few times already. Once the druid, wizard and sorcerer joined the fracas of metal on stone, the cart began to fill more quickly.
Such force assailed that a crack appeared, rapidly splitting lines across the wall face and down to the tunnel floor. Before much warning could be given, the whole section of tunnel gave way into some open space beyond. All but Tim found time to leap aside and avoid the pitfall. The air filled with dust, choking the members of the party.
This new development came as too much for Bob and Monty, who opted to remain captives of the goblinoids, rather than venture into potentially dangerous, unknown recesses. Archer, Lagolas, Marsh and Kentar however, were intent on pursuing this plan of escape and aiding their sorcerous companion. Thus, they worked their way down onto the rocky slide.
Lagolas lost his footing on an unstable patch of debris. Fortunately, he was able to gain some control over his descent on the loose rock to make for a soft landing. Unfortunately, the soft landing was made possible by Tim's scraped and bruised body, the sorcerer's luck continuing to seem as abysmal as the opening into which he tumbled.
After Marsh spread magical light on the matter, a new threat emerged from the shadows. The space in which they stood was home to a spider of inordinate size. Soon Lagolas and Kentar were working to break free of freshly spewed webbing before being hauled into the eight-legged creature's clutches. Marsh, using his special understanding of natures beings, managed to somewhat quell the spider's anxiety against these humanoids who caused such damage to its home. The ghost returned, scolding them for becoming so distracted.
The party proceeded warily from the spider's presence through a passage lined with cavernous formations. Yet another obstacle loomed up as a stony column needed to be climbed to reach a ledge too high to reach otherwise. Tim alone was unable to shimmy up with the rest, so Archer and Kentar went back to look for something with which to haul him. Kentar used his mage hand to retrieve several strands, without having to actually reenter the arachnid lair. It was strong enough to hold the sorcerer, fraying just enough to elicit some worry from Tim.
After climbing for some time thereafter, they finally reached an opening, right beneath the kettle shaped boulder that gave the landmark its name.
In attendance:
Jacob/Archer (NG Elf Ranger)
Kenny/Kentar (NG Human Wizard)
Ted/Lagolas (NG Human Fighter)
Matt/Marsh (CN Half-Elf Druid)
Jim/Tim (NG Half-Elf Sorcerer)
Brian (DM)
Prodded once again by the javelin tips of eager goblins, the party awakened to exit their cage for another day of work in the adamantine mine. The hour early, darkness and cold air cloaking their world, the seven would-be gazillionaires headed within, but with a secret glimmer of hope for escape. If the old miner's ghost was correct, they would mine themselves a way out.
The spellcasters used their first hour to prepare the day's magical needs, while Archer and Lagolas took their pick axes to the rocky point of interest, striking in earnest measures toward their freedom. Repeating his earlier response to intruding bodies, the ghost came out bellowing his protests. Yet again, he soon pieced together the identities of his descendant and colleagues whom he had met and forgotten a few times already. Once the druid, wizard and sorcerer joined the fracas of metal on stone, the cart began to fill more quickly.
Such force assailed that a crack appeared, rapidly splitting lines across the wall face and down to the tunnel floor. Before much warning could be given, the whole section of tunnel gave way into some open space beyond. All but Tim found time to leap aside and avoid the pitfall. The air filled with dust, choking the members of the party.
This new development came as too much for Bob and Monty, who opted to remain captives of the goblinoids, rather than venture into potentially dangerous, unknown recesses. Archer, Lagolas, Marsh and Kentar however, were intent on pursuing this plan of escape and aiding their sorcerous companion. Thus, they worked their way down onto the rocky slide.
Lagolas lost his footing on an unstable patch of debris. Fortunately, he was able to gain some control over his descent on the loose rock to make for a soft landing. Unfortunately, the soft landing was made possible by Tim's scraped and bruised body, the sorcerer's luck continuing to seem as abysmal as the opening into which he tumbled.
After Marsh spread magical light on the matter, a new threat emerged from the shadows. The space in which they stood was home to a spider of inordinate size. Soon Lagolas and Kentar were working to break free of freshly spewed webbing before being hauled into the eight-legged creature's clutches. Marsh, using his special understanding of natures beings, managed to somewhat quell the spider's anxiety against these humanoids who caused such damage to its home. The ghost returned, scolding them for becoming so distracted.
The party proceeded warily from the spider's presence through a passage lined with cavernous formations. Yet another obstacle loomed up as a stony column needed to be climbed to reach a ledge too high to reach otherwise. Tim alone was unable to shimmy up with the rest, so Archer and Kentar went back to look for something with which to haul him. Kentar used his mage hand to retrieve several strands, without having to actually reenter the arachnid lair. It was strong enough to hold the sorcerer, fraying just enough to elicit some worry from Tim.
After climbing for some time thereafter, they finally reached an opening, right beneath the kettle shaped boulder that gave the landmark its name.
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