Sarenith 22, 4712
Waking up from their really bad collective dream, the Coopers find themselves laying in very soft beds in separate rooms at the Juliver Arms. Doliver apologizes profusely for their predicament and mentions that others also suffered the same fate. The Coopers are puzzled. How did they all suffer the same dream, and why? A few questions reveal that all of the individuals around town who were affected had consumed Karlyle the Butcher's freshly made sausage. But why would Karlyle want to poison everyone?
The Coopers are also confused to find Gerald in their mists. Gerald reports that he'd been out from work yesterday and prepared a meal of sausage. Daryle gets angry that there are so many Geralds running around. Omok proposes that they start killing each Gerald they encounter until they stop encountering them. Then at last they will be free from the sorcerer's gaffes. Gerald agrees that he needs an identifying mark to distinguish him from the others so that his family members know that he's the real one. He goes to the blacksmith and gets him to carve a dragon design in his protuding horn. There! A unique design. What could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, Omok questions the orb of command "What being planned to put hallucinegecit drugs in our food that made us have a collective dream?" The orb indicates that Master Lobeck, one of the high ranking poisoners in Daggermark, has planned the poisoning operation. Omok is mad that the orb does not tell him why, but the orb only answers one question per day. Roscoe is vaguely familiar with that name. Master is Lobeck's first name, and not an honorific. He is described as bald with a tonsure haircut, and is supposedly the third highest ranking member of the poisoners' guild.
Roscoe reports to the Citadel and talks to the second in command. There are several reports that others in the town have experienced a similar food poisoning, but none of them seem to have experienced as vivid dreams as the Coopers. Seventeen individuals were arrested for disturbing the peace. In all likelihood they suffered from this poisoning. Daryle checks the Hunters' Lodge. Shim Longbranch has nothing to report. They did not eat any of Karlyle's sausage yesterday. Shim mentions that the new recruits' training is going well.
Gathered back at the Juliver Arms, the Coopers decide to postpone their trip to the Emerald Spire and instead investigate the sausage poisoning. The sausage was smoked and freshly made that day. Doliver brings his last sausage. Roscoe detects poison, and it comes back as clearly poisoned. Gerald identifies the sausages and discovers traces of evocation. The sausage is both poisoned and magical. Or is it a magical poison?
Daryle decides she will talk to Karlyle. The butcher is happy to describe his sausage-making process, and shows the Coopers his instruments. Daryle discovers that the spice blend that Karlyle puts together has been altered. Darelle pinpoints angel blue as the suspicious herb that has been added. This herb grows in the depths of the Mwangi jungle. It is used by shamans to inspire dreams and acquire visions, and is considered to have some evocative magical properties. Karlyle mentions that early yesterday morning Jeff, the baker's apprentice, had come by to deliver bread before dawn and he had pointed there was a man on the roof. Karlyle and his apprentices had left the shop for a few minutes and had scanned the roofline, finding nothing. Jeff swore that there had been a man up there. The butcher and his workers scoffed and returned to work. The alteration of the herb mix must have happened then.
The Coopers decide to find Jeff. He's a simpleton who has worked with the baker for over two decades. Darelle questions Jeff about the man on the roof, and Jeff swears there was a man up there yesterday at dawn, but he did not get a good look. The Coopers head back to Karlyle's neighborhood. On the roof they discover traces of footsteps. It last rained three days ago, so the footsteps are recent. Omok investigates the building on the other side of the street, and finds an old deaf woman. Omok removes deafness from the old woman. She had not heard anything. But her granddaughter reports that there were noises on the roof two nights ago. Omok returns to the roof and places a symbol of sleep on the weathervane. He hopes to affect the rogue if he returns in the night.
Daryle goes to tell Dr. Mordel about angel blue Erynna tells her she hasn't seen Mordel. He ate ome of the sausage for lunch yesterday. The ranger decides she will wait until sunset to see if the doctor will stir.
Roscoe returns to the Citadel and visits prisoners. All of them tell a similar story of eating sausages, then experiencing strange and uncomfortable dreams. Roscoe orders the prisoners released, and does not assess fines for their breach of peace. Roscoe then heads back to Karlyle and he orders the butcher to use entirely new spices and "beef" up his security.
At dusk, Dr. Mordel awakens with an incredibly powerful headache. Daryle explains what happened to many of the residents of Fort Inevitable. Mordel reports that he experienced heightened frustrations and angers and loosened inhibitions while under the sway of the sausage. Darelle brings a sample of angel blue to Dr. Mordel for further analysis.
Daryle notifies the rest of the seven and explains what has transpired in town the last two days. They agree to be on the lookout for strange events. The ranger also decides to camp outside the treasury, remembering that one time when someone broke in and stole all of the money under similarly strange circumstances. Omok, for his part, waits on the roof. Their fears are unfounded however, and the night passes quietly.
Sarenith 23, 4712
In the morning, a different Gerald appears in town, trailing strange sand under his boots. Daryle recognizes the sand as being the same one located in the old mine near Shadowborn Manor. This one gets a tiger carved in his horn. Darelle visits Falandra, and discovers that there's a third Gerald working there. Falandra and Darelle discuss the problem, and Falandra remembers reading a tome about what was called the "Cassandra Effect." A wizard had supposedly developed a spell that could summon a mirror image of a living person, with the same memories up to the summoning. This sort of spell could explain the presence of multiple Geralds that seem to appear then disappear at random.
Daryle and Roscoe devise a plan to tell every Gerald they meet to be at the Hunters' Lodge in a week's time at 4pm. When they all show up, they will be captured. Daryle then decide to explore the tunnels and goes to the mine. She discovers that it is still in operation, but there are no Hellknigths present. Further investigation by Roscoe at the Citadel reveal that Thorne had ordered the mine closed a few months back because the supply of iron ore had been depleted. Clearly, it had not been.
The Coopers and Omok go to the mine with 24 Hellknights. The miscreants turn out to be connected with the poisoners' guild, and despite heavy losses the Hellknights under the valiant leadership of Roscoe manage to regain control of the mine. Gerald sheds a tear for the loss of his turtle a year ago in this very spot under less pleasant circumstances.
Friday, June 23, 2017
Friday, June 16, 2017
Sisters are doing it for themselves - NOT DONE
Erastus 13, 4712, continued
Following their encounter with the Storm Queen, the Coopers triplets have taken refuge back on Darelle's jar of cloud to debate their options. They don't really want to abandon the city of Jol to the whims and caprices of a crazed cloud giant. At the same time, they don't really want to confront her and her blue dragon. After discussing their options, they decide their best course of action is to return to the Storm Queen's fortress and deal with the Rift above the storm.
Before leaving Darelle's cloud, Gerald casts fly and heads to the platform. He plans on coming from below the Storm Queen's flying contraption and sneak aboard, but unfortunately the blue dragon and the rocs were flying in tight formation, and the blue dragon notices Gerald as the sorcerer swoops low, dodging between darker clouds inside the large storm formation that surrounds the fortress. The dragon immediately turns and heads in the sorcerer's direction, gaining ground fast. Darelle catches glimpses of a blue streak heading towards her brother. Gerald is in trouble again. Darelle summons nature's ally, calling forth a griffon and sends it to distract the dragon. This diversion works, and the dragon pivots towards the new arrival. The rocs, guided by their hill giant riders, pursue Gerald. The sorcerer loosens a fireball. The rocs and hill giants suffer tremendous damage, and the straps holding one of the giants to his roc burn, breaking in pieces. He falls over, plummeting to the ground. The giant's trajectory avoids the city but crashes in someone's garden, creating a lovely crater near the city wall that in later years will be known as the hole from above.
Daryle positions herself on the edge of the cloud and begins firing arrows at the rocs. Gerald casts another fireball, hitting the rocs and the remaining giant. Unfortunately the rocs pursue their advance and catch up to the sorcerer. Each roc makes a pass and successfully rakes Gerald. The damage is terrifying and Gerald passes out from the pain. He begins plummeting to the ground, and is about to suffer the same fate as the hill giant from earlier before the riderless roc sweeps down and catches him in his talons, intent on eating him. Both roc and the remaining rider retreat and return to their nest to devour poor Gerald. While unconscious, Gerald receives a vision of Pharasma, goddess of death, healing, knowledge, repose and water. In the vision, Pharasma states she has become too familiar with his face, and desires very much to prevent a disturbing of her peace by prolonging the time between his visitations to the very gates of death. The goddess shows him what it could mean if he followed her as an acolyte. Now Gerald will have certain abilities to deal with death and with life, in order to maintain a balance not only for the world in general but for his life as well. He's also fairly certain that another near death experience in the near future would not be welcomed by Pharasma.
Meanwhile, the griffon lands several blows on the dragon, but it doesn't deter the lizard, who deals as good as he gets. Sensing the griffon's distress, Darelle recalls it to her and heals it, restoring it to full health. With the rocs gone, Daryle turns her arrows on the dragon and scores a direct hit. The dragon, meanwhile, pivots and unleashes his breath weapon, shocking the Cooper sisters and the griffon with a bolt of electricity. Pursued by the griffon, the dragon disappears into the cloud cover, closely followed by Darelle's summoned creature. The two of them disappear from view in the storm clouds.
The rangers decide to attempt a rescue of Gerald, and they board the Storm Queen's floating ship. They carefully and quietly climb up to the rocs' nest. Daryle moves quietly and manages to drag Gerald away while the rocs are fighting each other for the pleasure of eating their meal. They bring him back to the lower platform and are able to heal him. When he comes to, his facial expression has changed to one of contentment. The Coopers climb up to the rocs' nest again, and they engage the birds one more time, managing to slay both of them in a surprise attack. Gerald casts his Hellknight uniform over the edge of the platform, renouncing his allegiance to this dark organization. Darelle feels herself being scryed. Gerald argues that it might be Zoarth trying to find their location. Daryle voices her opinion that it might be the Storm Queen, so her sister should not allow the scry to take place. Unfortunately Darelle has no way to prevent the scrying. After a minute and a half, Thedan Nammas appears in a puff of smoke, ready to help the Coopers.
The Coopers explain their situation to Thedan to fill him in on what has transpired since the tree token was sent to him. Thedan voices the idea that if the Storm Queen is really upset at Zoarth, perhaps they could use that to their advantage and convince her to find him and exact her vengeance on him instead. Daryle worries that she might abandon the rift behind if she discovers where Zoarth lives. Darrelle replies that they really should confront her and figure out what it is she really wants. Gerald expresses no opinion on the matter, but frets that the dragon might still be out there, waiting for them to pounce and attack.
Thus, the Coopers and Thedan make the decision to return and confront the Storm Queen and attempt to negotiate an agreement. They cautiously approach the uppermost platform. The Storm Queen
whereby they will convince Zoarth to return with them.
Erastus 19, 4712, continued
FThe Coopers arrive at Zoarth's keep and find that some progress has been made on fixing it up.
Erastus 25, 4712, continued
The storm still rages on. Daryle tells her that Zoarth is right over there, the two of them fight, Zoarth emerges triumphant. Gerald heals him.
Following their encounter with the Storm Queen, the Coopers triplets have taken refuge back on Darelle's jar of cloud to debate their options. They don't really want to abandon the city of Jol to the whims and caprices of a crazed cloud giant. At the same time, they don't really want to confront her and her blue dragon. After discussing their options, they decide their best course of action is to return to the Storm Queen's fortress and deal with the Rift above the storm.
Before leaving Darelle's cloud, Gerald casts fly and heads to the platform. He plans on coming from below the Storm Queen's flying contraption and sneak aboard, but unfortunately the blue dragon and the rocs were flying in tight formation, and the blue dragon notices Gerald as the sorcerer swoops low, dodging between darker clouds inside the large storm formation that surrounds the fortress. The dragon immediately turns and heads in the sorcerer's direction, gaining ground fast. Darelle catches glimpses of a blue streak heading towards her brother. Gerald is in trouble again. Darelle summons nature's ally, calling forth a griffon and sends it to distract the dragon. This diversion works, and the dragon pivots towards the new arrival. The rocs, guided by their hill giant riders, pursue Gerald. The sorcerer loosens a fireball. The rocs and hill giants suffer tremendous damage, and the straps holding one of the giants to his roc burn, breaking in pieces. He falls over, plummeting to the ground. The giant's trajectory avoids the city but crashes in someone's garden, creating a lovely crater near the city wall that in later years will be known as the hole from above.
Daryle positions herself on the edge of the cloud and begins firing arrows at the rocs. Gerald casts another fireball, hitting the rocs and the remaining giant. Unfortunately the rocs pursue their advance and catch up to the sorcerer. Each roc makes a pass and successfully rakes Gerald. The damage is terrifying and Gerald passes out from the pain. He begins plummeting to the ground, and is about to suffer the same fate as the hill giant from earlier before the riderless roc sweeps down and catches him in his talons, intent on eating him. Both roc and the remaining rider retreat and return to their nest to devour poor Gerald. While unconscious, Gerald receives a vision of Pharasma, goddess of death, healing, knowledge, repose and water. In the vision, Pharasma states she has become too familiar with his face, and desires very much to prevent a disturbing of her peace by prolonging the time between his visitations to the very gates of death. The goddess shows him what it could mean if he followed her as an acolyte. Now Gerald will have certain abilities to deal with death and with life, in order to maintain a balance not only for the world in general but for his life as well. He's also fairly certain that another near death experience in the near future would not be welcomed by Pharasma.
Meanwhile, the griffon lands several blows on the dragon, but it doesn't deter the lizard, who deals as good as he gets. Sensing the griffon's distress, Darelle recalls it to her and heals it, restoring it to full health. With the rocs gone, Daryle turns her arrows on the dragon and scores a direct hit. The dragon, meanwhile, pivots and unleashes his breath weapon, shocking the Cooper sisters and the griffon with a bolt of electricity. Pursued by the griffon, the dragon disappears into the cloud cover, closely followed by Darelle's summoned creature. The two of them disappear from view in the storm clouds.
The rangers decide to attempt a rescue of Gerald, and they board the Storm Queen's floating ship. They carefully and quietly climb up to the rocs' nest. Daryle moves quietly and manages to drag Gerald away while the rocs are fighting each other for the pleasure of eating their meal. They bring him back to the lower platform and are able to heal him. When he comes to, his facial expression has changed to one of contentment. The Coopers climb up to the rocs' nest again, and they engage the birds one more time, managing to slay both of them in a surprise attack. Gerald casts his Hellknight uniform over the edge of the platform, renouncing his allegiance to this dark organization. Darelle feels herself being scryed. Gerald argues that it might be Zoarth trying to find their location. Daryle voices her opinion that it might be the Storm Queen, so her sister should not allow the scry to take place. Unfortunately Darelle has no way to prevent the scrying. After a minute and a half, Thedan Nammas appears in a puff of smoke, ready to help the Coopers.
The Coopers explain their situation to Thedan to fill him in on what has transpired since the tree token was sent to him. Thedan voices the idea that if the Storm Queen is really upset at Zoarth, perhaps they could use that to their advantage and convince her to find him and exact her vengeance on him instead. Daryle worries that she might abandon the rift behind if she discovers where Zoarth lives. Darrelle replies that they really should confront her and figure out what it is she really wants. Gerald expresses no opinion on the matter, but frets that the dragon might still be out there, waiting for them to pounce and attack.
Thus, the Coopers and Thedan make the decision to return and confront the Storm Queen and attempt to negotiate an agreement. They cautiously approach the uppermost platform. The Storm Queen
whereby they will convince Zoarth to return with them.
Erastus 19, 4712, continued
FThe Coopers arrive at Zoarth's keep and find that some progress has been made on fixing it up.
Erastus 25, 4712, continued
The storm still rages on. Daryle tells her that Zoarth is right over there, the two of them fight, Zoarth emerges triumphant. Gerald heals him.
Friday, June 9, 2017
The Storm Queen
Erastus 11, 4712
Having found the crude gold featuring a bird of prey on a background of lightning in the hoard of the giants' chief, the Coopers hold hope that these pieces will lead them to discover who sponsored the hit on Zoarth. Maybe the farmers would know. Gerald rubs one of the coins onto parchment so he can show them without having to hand over any of the gold. Daryle wonders why they just couldn't give them a few of the coins since they are down on their luck following their village's destruction by the giants. Darelle agrees.
The Coopers return to the farmers' camp, and make contact with the farmers. The head of the farmers does not recognize the sign, but he refers them to a sage named Thedan Nammas, a sage who lives in the hills just outside of Jol. Surely if anyone around these parts is able to tell them what this sign is, it will be him.
Gerald gives a gold coin to every person in the farming community, but after 130 coins have been distributed he realizes that the farmers and their families have taken advantage of him by disguising themselves to get more coins. Daryle, seeing this strategem, hints that the coins may be cursed. Many of the children drop their coins and run, but the adults hang on. The triplets return to their cloud and fly away, following the valley as it becomes wider. They pass over the giants' camp again, but none of the hill giants have returned.
In the late afternoon, they see in the distance their destination. Jol is a small city of 9,500 inhabitants. The Coopers can see it from miles away. They get off the cloud about a half mile away, and trek into town from the north. Questioning the first farmer's wife they find, they obtain directions to Thedan's cottage. The woman refers to the weather several times, complaining about the weird storms they have been getting. The Coopers thank her and follow the roads.
A few minutes later they come across a rundown and overgrown cottage. They knock on the door, and Thedan Nammas answers. After pleasant introductions, Thedan invites them over for dinner, since he rarely receives guests. Over the course of the meal, the Cooper reveal their purpose for being here. Thedan identifies the symbol on the gold coin as being that of the Storm Queen, but he doesn't know whom she is. He has, however, heard of the orb beyond and he speculates that this is what is causing the bad weather around Jol. He agrees to perform research for them, but he tells them it will take about two days. The Coopers agree. Over the next two days they mend and fix the cottage, clean up the garden, and tend to the animals.
Erastus 13, 4712
After a most excellent lunch, Thedan emerges from his library and describes what he has discovered in a little known book about the history of giants. There is enough evidence to suggest that the Storm Queen is named Verakas and is a cloud giant. Once upon a time she was Zoarth's companion, but her birds and herself were attacked by Zoarth's cats and she was left for dead. Clearly, the Storm Queen intended to make Zoarth pay for his treachery.
As they clean the dishes, Darelle and Daryle notice pinkish clouds billowing above the town. Soon it begins to rain, but the rain is like jelly. Slowly the jelly agglutinates and turns into gelatinous amorphous creatures. Gerald transfoms Daryle's arrows to add flames to them, and the Coopers join the city guards in fighting these creatures. Darelle notice a group of children being attacked by one of the creatures, so, headless of her own safety, she jumps inside the creature and kills it. Gerald uses flaming sphere and manage to destroy another one, while Daryle dispatches the last one with her skillful use of her bow.
The Coopers are invited to the city palace and they are rewarded by King Opir Eightfingers for their bravery. He offers them unlimited food and drink for the rest of their lives. Gerald muses this would be a great place for retirement or for a vacation cottage.
Looking up at the storm, the Coopers decide it is time to take the fight to the Storm Queen. Darelle sends a tree token to the Storm Queen asking her if she was behind the attack on Zoarth. The token also provides directions to their location. Meanwhile, she maneuvers the cloud upward. The rain increases and it becomes difficult to see beyond a few feet. The noises of the storm do not obscure the approach of two heavily armed hill giants flying on roc mounts. The Coopers suffer some damage but are able to beat the giants back.
Entering inside the cloud, they discover a flying platform. Four heavily armed and armored cloud giants await them and immediately begin launching stones at them. The battle is brutal and Daryle is taken out. Gerald uses up all of his fireball spells but his efforts, along with Darelle's, manage to slay all of the giants. Exploring the platform, they discover the giants' treasure, as well as the roc's nest. They set up a trap there in case the giant birds return.
On the upper level they find the Storm Queen awaiting them in the middle of a pool of ectoplasm, with a blue dragon standing a few feet away awaiting her command. Gerald artfully attempts to negotiate with her but instead hurls insults. The Storm Queen welcomes them as agents of Zoarth and tells them she will destroy them all and will make him pay for what he did to her. She tells them she was attacked by hellish cats and Zoarth did not lift even a finger to rescue her, and, worse, his other cats ate her birds! She vows death and destruction.
The Coopers mull leaving this fight. After all, they don't really care what happens to the Storm Queen or Zoarth, for that matter. But could they really leave the citizens of Jol below underneath the rendering tear in the sky created by the Storm Queen?
Darelle decide to send a tree token to Zoarth to tell him who attempted to kill him and that his former lover is coming for him. She also tells him about the rift in the sky, and wonders if he could help. She sends another tree token to Thedan Nammas requesting his help. The Coopers withdraw back to their cloud and await an answer ...
Having found the crude gold featuring a bird of prey on a background of lightning in the hoard of the giants' chief, the Coopers hold hope that these pieces will lead them to discover who sponsored the hit on Zoarth. Maybe the farmers would know. Gerald rubs one of the coins onto parchment so he can show them without having to hand over any of the gold. Daryle wonders why they just couldn't give them a few of the coins since they are down on their luck following their village's destruction by the giants. Darelle agrees.
The Coopers return to the farmers' camp, and make contact with the farmers. The head of the farmers does not recognize the sign, but he refers them to a sage named Thedan Nammas, a sage who lives in the hills just outside of Jol. Surely if anyone around these parts is able to tell them what this sign is, it will be him.
Gerald gives a gold coin to every person in the farming community, but after 130 coins have been distributed he realizes that the farmers and their families have taken advantage of him by disguising themselves to get more coins. Daryle, seeing this strategem, hints that the coins may be cursed. Many of the children drop their coins and run, but the adults hang on. The triplets return to their cloud and fly away, following the valley as it becomes wider. They pass over the giants' camp again, but none of the hill giants have returned.
In the late afternoon, they see in the distance their destination. Jol is a small city of 9,500 inhabitants. The Coopers can see it from miles away. They get off the cloud about a half mile away, and trek into town from the north. Questioning the first farmer's wife they find, they obtain directions to Thedan's cottage. The woman refers to the weather several times, complaining about the weird storms they have been getting. The Coopers thank her and follow the roads.
A few minutes later they come across a rundown and overgrown cottage. They knock on the door, and Thedan Nammas answers. After pleasant introductions, Thedan invites them over for dinner, since he rarely receives guests. Over the course of the meal, the Cooper reveal their purpose for being here. Thedan identifies the symbol on the gold coin as being that of the Storm Queen, but he doesn't know whom she is. He has, however, heard of the orb beyond and he speculates that this is what is causing the bad weather around Jol. He agrees to perform research for them, but he tells them it will take about two days. The Coopers agree. Over the next two days they mend and fix the cottage, clean up the garden, and tend to the animals.
Erastus 13, 4712
After a most excellent lunch, Thedan emerges from his library and describes what he has discovered in a little known book about the history of giants. There is enough evidence to suggest that the Storm Queen is named Verakas and is a cloud giant. Once upon a time she was Zoarth's companion, but her birds and herself were attacked by Zoarth's cats and she was left for dead. Clearly, the Storm Queen intended to make Zoarth pay for his treachery.
As they clean the dishes, Darelle and Daryle notice pinkish clouds billowing above the town. Soon it begins to rain, but the rain is like jelly. Slowly the jelly agglutinates and turns into gelatinous amorphous creatures. Gerald transfoms Daryle's arrows to add flames to them, and the Coopers join the city guards in fighting these creatures. Darelle notice a group of children being attacked by one of the creatures, so, headless of her own safety, she jumps inside the creature and kills it. Gerald uses flaming sphere and manage to destroy another one, while Daryle dispatches the last one with her skillful use of her bow.
The Coopers are invited to the city palace and they are rewarded by King Opir Eightfingers for their bravery. He offers them unlimited food and drink for the rest of their lives. Gerald muses this would be a great place for retirement or for a vacation cottage.
Looking up at the storm, the Coopers decide it is time to take the fight to the Storm Queen. Darelle sends a tree token to the Storm Queen asking her if she was behind the attack on Zoarth. The token also provides directions to their location. Meanwhile, she maneuvers the cloud upward. The rain increases and it becomes difficult to see beyond a few feet. The noises of the storm do not obscure the approach of two heavily armed hill giants flying on roc mounts. The Coopers suffer some damage but are able to beat the giants back.
Entering inside the cloud, they discover a flying platform. Four heavily armed and armored cloud giants await them and immediately begin launching stones at them. The battle is brutal and Daryle is taken out. Gerald uses up all of his fireball spells but his efforts, along with Darelle's, manage to slay all of the giants. Exploring the platform, they discover the giants' treasure, as well as the roc's nest. They set up a trap there in case the giant birds return.
On the upper level they find the Storm Queen awaiting them in the middle of a pool of ectoplasm, with a blue dragon standing a few feet away awaiting her command. Gerald artfully attempts to negotiate with her but instead hurls insults. The Storm Queen welcomes them as agents of Zoarth and tells them she will destroy them all and will make him pay for what he did to her. She tells them she was attacked by hellish cats and Zoarth did not lift even a finger to rescue her, and, worse, his other cats ate her birds! She vows death and destruction.
The Coopers mull leaving this fight. After all, they don't really care what happens to the Storm Queen or Zoarth, for that matter. But could they really leave the citizens of Jol below underneath the rendering tear in the sky created by the Storm Queen?
Darelle decide to send a tree token to Zoarth to tell him who attempted to kill him and that his former lover is coming for him. She also tells him about the rift in the sky, and wonders if he could help. She sends another tree token to Thedan Nammas requesting his help. The Coopers withdraw back to their cloud and await an answer ...
Friday, June 2, 2017
Mission: Fail ... I am so ... tired ... of healing Gerald
Erastus 9, 4712
Following their battle with the crag linnorm in the wilderness of the mountains, the Coopers triplets spend the night in its lair. In the morning, Gerald reflects that the lair could be useful as a lookout post, as the view of the entire valley below is breathtaking. Daryle and Darelle notice that the giants' tracks are easily followed eastward. Darelle uses her jar of cloud and they regain the valley's floor.
The valley slopes downward and eventually the Coopers leave the wasteland behind and they enter the forest again, floating on Darelle's cloud. After another hour three of them catch the sound of human voices discussing an ambush of the giants. The voices are under the mistaken impression that the Coopers are giants. Gerald departs the cloud and uses one of his natural abilities to attempts to sneak around the ambush, but he is noticed by the ambushers. Like a one-horse poney, Gerald returns to his tried and true fireball, aimed at the top of the trees. The farmers laying in wait run away, dropping their weapons behind. Daryle notices a small encampment in the distance made of three wagons. The farmers run back to their camp and hurriedly begin to pack their meager belongings, hoping to flee before the giants catch up with them.
Gerald collects the farmers' weapons, a set of old and worn farm implements. Darelle maneuvers the cloud closer, and Daryle yells down at the farmers. After a tense exchange, the farmers agree to meet with the sisters. They explain that their small village was destroyed about twenty days ago when a large group of giants moved through the area. Though the farmers were aware that there were giants in the hills beyond, they had never had an encounter with them. The giants killed several of the farmers' kin and the survivors fled with what they could grab. This large group had at least fifty giants. Two days later, a smaller group of seven giants moved through the area but the farmers were able to avoid it. Finally, a day later another smaller group of four giants passed through without causing any harm. They appeared to be in a hurry.
The farmers invite the Coopers to share their meager meal, but the sisters politely decline. They depart the camp on the cloud, but they soon notice three of the farmer lads following them. Darelle speeds up the cloud and soon they outrun the boys. A few minutes later, they spot the ruins of the farmers' village.
Late that afternoon, as they float in the air on the cloud following the giants' trail, the Coopers notice six giants hunting a very large bear, at least three times the size of the biggest bear they've ever encountered. They decide to let the giants bloody themselves on the bear first before attacking. One of the giant is slain before the remaining giants are finally able to dispatch the bear. Not giving the giants any time to rest, Gerald engages with his trusted fireball, while the sisters rain arrows on the giants. Soon all of them are laying dead. Gerald ponders removing the bear's pelt, but it would take too long. The Coopers decide to press on, but not before they loot the giants' bodies. Among the miscellaneous items the Coopers find, they discover a glowberry mistletoe bush. Darelle wonders if Gerald would be amenable to hosting it. The sorcerer politely declines.
The giants' trail finally end up at a makeshift camp. There are several groups of tents placed around a hill, and there is evidence that more than a hundred giants were here at one point. The Coopers conduct a quick count from the air, and find seventeen giants and fourteen juveniles. Gerald unleashes a few fireball spells at groups of giants, while the sisters attack. Most of the giants flee, but they successfully slay nine of them. Searching the camp, Gerald notices that there is a cave at the base of the hill, and it is guarded by two mean-looking giants. Gerald employs more spells, and Darelle and Daryle join him. The giants surprise the Coopers by hurling large rocks at them that immediately transform into earth elementals upon impact and grapple with the Coopers. The party is soon under intense pressure, and Gerald goes down for the count.
The sisters effectuate a tactical retreat and heal Gerald. Daryle enters the cavern, and is viciously attacked. She withdraws. Darelle quaffs her last potion of invisibility and explores the cave complex. She discovers that the giants guards protect a room with several trolls in it. The trolls are chained to the wall and appear to be slaves for the giants. Beyond are three more rooms. One appears to be the treasure room. The second seems to be the room of a shaman. The last room is the chief's room. In there Darelle observes the chief, who is smaller than normal giants, talks to a cyclops and discuss the recent attack on his forces.
With this information, the Coopers decide to retreat back to their cloud to spend the night and heal up.
Erastus 10, 4712
In the morning, they notice that some of the giants have returned. Gerald decide to incinerate the camp, and the giants scatter once again.
Entering the cave, Gerald does his thing and gets dealt a grieving blow. Daryle and Darelle attack again, and this time they manage to kill both giants. Reviving Gerald, they proceed cautiously down the path. Using his spells, Gerald burns the trolls until they are all dispatched. Searching the remaining rooms, they discover that the cyclops has disappeared. Entering the chief's room, Gerald immediately fireballs the chief, who had just begun his very eloquent "I surrender" speech. The chief can't believe that Gerald attacked him, and he offers him anything to spare his life. Gerald casts another fireball, effectively incinerating the chief.
The Coopers search for the cleric cyclops everywhere, but they cannot find him. He escaped through a secret passage in his cave. Now that the giants are all dead, the Coopers are stymied. Who will answer the question of whom sponsored this attack on Zoarth? Thankfully, in the giants' treasure chest, they discover a large quantity of crude gold pieces. These pieces feature a bird of prey on a background of lightning on both sides of each piece. Along with other treasure, they discover a vestment of cloth-of-gold that fits Gerald perfectly. Daryle decides to save the vestment of cloth-of-gold for Gerald's final burial, which is more likely to be sooner, rather than later...
Following their battle with the crag linnorm in the wilderness of the mountains, the Coopers triplets spend the night in its lair. In the morning, Gerald reflects that the lair could be useful as a lookout post, as the view of the entire valley below is breathtaking. Daryle and Darelle notice that the giants' tracks are easily followed eastward. Darelle uses her jar of cloud and they regain the valley's floor.
The valley slopes downward and eventually the Coopers leave the wasteland behind and they enter the forest again, floating on Darelle's cloud. After another hour three of them catch the sound of human voices discussing an ambush of the giants. The voices are under the mistaken impression that the Coopers are giants. Gerald departs the cloud and uses one of his natural abilities to attempts to sneak around the ambush, but he is noticed by the ambushers. Like a one-horse poney, Gerald returns to his tried and true fireball, aimed at the top of the trees. The farmers laying in wait run away, dropping their weapons behind. Daryle notices a small encampment in the distance made of three wagons. The farmers run back to their camp and hurriedly begin to pack their meager belongings, hoping to flee before the giants catch up with them.
Gerald collects the farmers' weapons, a set of old and worn farm implements. Darelle maneuvers the cloud closer, and Daryle yells down at the farmers. After a tense exchange, the farmers agree to meet with the sisters. They explain that their small village was destroyed about twenty days ago when a large group of giants moved through the area. Though the farmers were aware that there were giants in the hills beyond, they had never had an encounter with them. The giants killed several of the farmers' kin and the survivors fled with what they could grab. This large group had at least fifty giants. Two days later, a smaller group of seven giants moved through the area but the farmers were able to avoid it. Finally, a day later another smaller group of four giants passed through without causing any harm. They appeared to be in a hurry.
The farmers invite the Coopers to share their meager meal, but the sisters politely decline. They depart the camp on the cloud, but they soon notice three of the farmer lads following them. Darelle speeds up the cloud and soon they outrun the boys. A few minutes later, they spot the ruins of the farmers' village.
Late that afternoon, as they float in the air on the cloud following the giants' trail, the Coopers notice six giants hunting a very large bear, at least three times the size of the biggest bear they've ever encountered. They decide to let the giants bloody themselves on the bear first before attacking. One of the giant is slain before the remaining giants are finally able to dispatch the bear. Not giving the giants any time to rest, Gerald engages with his trusted fireball, while the sisters rain arrows on the giants. Soon all of them are laying dead. Gerald ponders removing the bear's pelt, but it would take too long. The Coopers decide to press on, but not before they loot the giants' bodies. Among the miscellaneous items the Coopers find, they discover a glowberry mistletoe bush. Darelle wonders if Gerald would be amenable to hosting it. The sorcerer politely declines.
The giants' trail finally end up at a makeshift camp. There are several groups of tents placed around a hill, and there is evidence that more than a hundred giants were here at one point. The Coopers conduct a quick count from the air, and find seventeen giants and fourteen juveniles. Gerald unleashes a few fireball spells at groups of giants, while the sisters attack. Most of the giants flee, but they successfully slay nine of them. Searching the camp, Gerald notices that there is a cave at the base of the hill, and it is guarded by two mean-looking giants. Gerald employs more spells, and Darelle and Daryle join him. The giants surprise the Coopers by hurling large rocks at them that immediately transform into earth elementals upon impact and grapple with the Coopers. The party is soon under intense pressure, and Gerald goes down for the count.
The sisters effectuate a tactical retreat and heal Gerald. Daryle enters the cavern, and is viciously attacked. She withdraws. Darelle quaffs her last potion of invisibility and explores the cave complex. She discovers that the giants guards protect a room with several trolls in it. The trolls are chained to the wall and appear to be slaves for the giants. Beyond are three more rooms. One appears to be the treasure room. The second seems to be the room of a shaman. The last room is the chief's room. In there Darelle observes the chief, who is smaller than normal giants, talks to a cyclops and discuss the recent attack on his forces.
With this information, the Coopers decide to retreat back to their cloud to spend the night and heal up.
Erastus 10, 4712
In the morning, they notice that some of the giants have returned. Gerald decide to incinerate the camp, and the giants scatter once again.
Entering the cave, Gerald does his thing and gets dealt a grieving blow. Daryle and Darelle attack again, and this time they manage to kill both giants. Reviving Gerald, they proceed cautiously down the path. Using his spells, Gerald burns the trolls until they are all dispatched. Searching the remaining rooms, they discover that the cyclops has disappeared. Entering the chief's room, Gerald immediately fireballs the chief, who had just begun his very eloquent "I surrender" speech. The chief can't believe that Gerald attacked him, and he offers him anything to spare his life. Gerald casts another fireball, effectively incinerating the chief.
The Coopers search for the cleric cyclops everywhere, but they cannot find him. He escaped through a secret passage in his cave. Now that the giants are all dead, the Coopers are stymied. Who will answer the question of whom sponsored this attack on Zoarth? Thankfully, in the giants' treasure chest, they discover a large quantity of crude gold pieces. These pieces feature a bird of prey on a background of lightning on both sides of each piece. Along with other treasure, they discover a vestment of cloth-of-gold that fits Gerald perfectly. Daryle decides to save the vestment of cloth-of-gold for Gerald's final burial, which is more likely to be sooner, rather than later...
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