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...
Friday, May 26, 2017
Not another dragon!
Erastus 4, 4712
When they returned to Fort Inevitable yesterday, the Cooper sisters agreed to investigate who would possibly want Zoarth dead. This morning, Darelle and Daryle gather at Darelle's house for a light breakfast.
Gerald returns to Fort Inevitable with his mother Gertrude and he wants installs her at his house. However, she currently lives with her cousin outside of the town walls but comes and visits. Gerald is currently trying to regularize her situation with the Hellknights.
Over two years ago, in an incredible plot twist that no one would ever have believed, the back of his hand had been branded with a rune signifying a vow of marriage with Miévi, a younger daughter of the Elven chief from across the river where the family farm was located. Though old, for a human, she somehow had been smitten with the under fifteen years old, pimply faced and no-prospect Gerald and had, one suspects in a fit of utter insanity she was often plagued by, decided that he, a teenager without abilities, money, or even a reputation, would make the perfect husband. Something about his bloodline, she muttered to her confidants. Could she smell the demons that plague the Shadowborns, or was she simply crazy?
Be that as it may, Gerald also brought back Miévi Gertywindindlysin with him, and quickly realized that it may have been a mistake to do so as a wife can be very demanding of one's time. Gerald's wife was supposedly two days behind but should be arriving within the day, but then it turns out that she's already been here four days because she arrived with the quarterly caravan. Gerald has to pay the Hellknights a fee of 100 crowns to receive the proper permits for his wife to live in Fort Inevitable, since she is elvish.
Gerald takes his wife and his mother to visit Falandra, Abernard, and Dr. Mordel. He runs into several people along the way, including Roscoe, Nissa, and Cassandra, which almost leads to a catfight between the sorceress and Miévi. He then runs into his sisters, who have come into Fort Inevitable to resupply before heading out to track where the giants came from. Sensing an opportunity to abandon his new wife, Gerald jumps at the chance to go with his sisters, and they decide to report their departure until tomorrow so Gerald can settle his affairs and attempt to catch the double that has been going around town for the last month pretending to be him. His plan is simple. Since he is supposed to work with Falandra tomorrow, like he did today, he will be the first one at work and he hopes to catch the fake Gerald in the act of impersonation.
Erastus 5, 4712
Gerald arrives at work bright and early. It's almost a relief after the long fight he and Miévi had over his behavior with Cassandra while she was still in the woods around Xer. Who knew Elven wives could be so temperamental? By noon, the fake Gerald still hasn't arrived at work.
Darelle touches base with Dr. Mordel about her blue pegasus powder. Dr. Mordel's alchemist research shows that the magical ingredient missing is a pegasus' hoof. Mordel can order one, but it will take at least three months before it will arrive in Fort Inevitable. Or Darelle can take her chances and hope to find one in her adventuring. Darelle is concerned that finding the missing ingredient will be very difficult indeed.
Finally, in the afternoon, Daryle picks up her siblings and they head out. They plan on trekking back to the giants' fort and hope that the tracks continue from there.
Erastus 8, 4712
After an uneventful trip through the wilderness, the Coopers reach the giants' fort in the morning. They discover a large path that has been traveled by a group of giants heading west towards Zoarth's house. The path also heads east, but both rangers are able to identify that the eastern path is not as recent as the western path. Clearly the giants stopped here for a few days before continuing on their mission.
The Coopers pursue the trail and continue eastward. The terrain changes from forests to a barren landscape, and soon the vegetation disappears all together. Darelle remembers the warning Zoarth gave them about a dragon living in these parts. Soon they see in the distance a large worm floating in the sky. The Coopers attempt to find shelter, but are unable to locate anything other than tall boulders. The worm is moving fast, and the distance is closing rapidly. Daryle recognizes the monster as a crag linnorm, a type of wingless dragon. It's pretty dumb, but very vicious.
The Coopers engage in combat with the creature. Gerald takes to the sky, while Darelle becomes invisible. Daryle fires arrows after arrows, but the dragon is too quick and Gerald suffers the effects of its breath weapon before crashing to the ground. Darelle strikes it with her sword, but she too is taken down. The dragon returns for another pass, but Daryle's true shot shatters internal organs and the dragon crashes to the ground, where it is quickly dispatched. Gerald is healed and revived.
The Coopers decide to look for its lair, and as dust comes over the barrens they find it. Along with a large quantity of coins, they discover a +2 frost longsword, a +1 heavy steel blinding shield, a wand of cure serious wounds (19 charges), and gauntlets of dexterity +2. The siblings share the items and decide to camp here for the night.
When they returned to Fort Inevitable yesterday, the Cooper sisters agreed to investigate who would possibly want Zoarth dead. This morning, Darelle and Daryle gather at Darelle's house for a light breakfast.
Gerald returns to Fort Inevitable with his mother Gertrude and he wants installs her at his house. However, she currently lives with her cousin outside of the town walls but comes and visits. Gerald is currently trying to regularize her situation with the Hellknights.
Over two years ago, in an incredible plot twist that no one would ever have believed, the back of his hand had been branded with a rune signifying a vow of marriage with Miévi, a younger daughter of the Elven chief from across the river where the family farm was located. Though old, for a human, she somehow had been smitten with the under fifteen years old, pimply faced and no-prospect Gerald and had, one suspects in a fit of utter insanity she was often plagued by, decided that he, a teenager without abilities, money, or even a reputation, would make the perfect husband. Something about his bloodline, she muttered to her confidants. Could she smell the demons that plague the Shadowborns, or was she simply crazy?
Be that as it may, Gerald also brought back Miévi Gertywindindlysin with him, and quickly realized that it may have been a mistake to do so as a wife can be very demanding of one's time. Gerald's wife was supposedly two days behind but should be arriving within the day, but then it turns out that she's already been here four days because she arrived with the quarterly caravan. Gerald has to pay the Hellknights a fee of 100 crowns to receive the proper permits for his wife to live in Fort Inevitable, since she is elvish.
Gerald takes his wife and his mother to visit Falandra, Abernard, and Dr. Mordel. He runs into several people along the way, including Roscoe, Nissa, and Cassandra, which almost leads to a catfight between the sorceress and Miévi. He then runs into his sisters, who have come into Fort Inevitable to resupply before heading out to track where the giants came from. Sensing an opportunity to abandon his new wife, Gerald jumps at the chance to go with his sisters, and they decide to report their departure until tomorrow so Gerald can settle his affairs and attempt to catch the double that has been going around town for the last month pretending to be him. His plan is simple. Since he is supposed to work with Falandra tomorrow, like he did today, he will be the first one at work and he hopes to catch the fake Gerald in the act of impersonation.
Erastus 5, 4712
Gerald arrives at work bright and early. It's almost a relief after the long fight he and Miévi had over his behavior with Cassandra while she was still in the woods around Xer. Who knew Elven wives could be so temperamental? By noon, the fake Gerald still hasn't arrived at work.
Darelle touches base with Dr. Mordel about her blue pegasus powder. Dr. Mordel's alchemist research shows that the magical ingredient missing is a pegasus' hoof. Mordel can order one, but it will take at least three months before it will arrive in Fort Inevitable. Or Darelle can take her chances and hope to find one in her adventuring. Darelle is concerned that finding the missing ingredient will be very difficult indeed.
Finally, in the afternoon, Daryle picks up her siblings and they head out. They plan on trekking back to the giants' fort and hope that the tracks continue from there.
Erastus 8, 4712
After an uneventful trip through the wilderness, the Coopers reach the giants' fort in the morning. They discover a large path that has been traveled by a group of giants heading west towards Zoarth's house. The path also heads east, but both rangers are able to identify that the eastern path is not as recent as the western path. Clearly the giants stopped here for a few days before continuing on their mission.
The Coopers pursue the trail and continue eastward. The terrain changes from forests to a barren landscape, and soon the vegetation disappears all together. Darelle remembers the warning Zoarth gave them about a dragon living in these parts. Soon they see in the distance a large worm floating in the sky. The Coopers attempt to find shelter, but are unable to locate anything other than tall boulders. The worm is moving fast, and the distance is closing rapidly. Daryle recognizes the monster as a crag linnorm, a type of wingless dragon. It's pretty dumb, but very vicious.
The Coopers engage in combat with the creature. Gerald takes to the sky, while Darelle becomes invisible. Daryle fires arrows after arrows, but the dragon is too quick and Gerald suffers the effects of its breath weapon before crashing to the ground. Darelle strikes it with her sword, but she too is taken down. The dragon returns for another pass, but Daryle's true shot shatters internal organs and the dragon crashes to the ground, where it is quickly dispatched. Gerald is healed and revived.
The Coopers decide to look for its lair, and as dust comes over the barrens they find it. Along with a large quantity of coins, they discover a +2 frost longsword, a +1 heavy steel blinding shield, a wand of cure serious wounds (19 charges), and gauntlets of dexterity +2. The siblings share the items and decide to camp here for the night.
Friday, May 19, 2017
The cloud giant's cats
Erastus 3, 4712
Following the green storm that affected the area two weeks ago, a flood of cats have appeared in Fort Inevitable and have made themselves a general nuisance with their incessant begging and meowing. Residents, fed up with the noise and the aggravations, have requested that measures be taken to rid the town of its unwanted cat residents. The only benefit seems to be that there are no rodents left anywhere within five miles of Fort Inevitable.
Plagued with so many cats, residents are asking that a solution be found. Roscoe asks his two ranger sisters to come up with ideas. Daryle can't come up with anything specific, but Darelle proposes that a cat recipe contest be held. This event, to be called the Purrfect Plate festival, could take place in one week, giving enough time to the area's best cooks to learn how to cook cats. Roscoe thinks it's a great idea, and he approves it. He orders that notices be posted and the town crier spread the news.
The sisters return to Daryle's place to continue working on their renovations. After a light lunch at the Shadowborn Manor, Daryle and Darelle receive a visitor. Shim Longbranch brings the sisters a wheelbarrow in which is a large burlap bag. He tells them that he and the recruits were out hunting in the woods west of the Emerald Spire yesterday when they ambushed a trio of goblins. They were heading west, away from the Spire, and were carrying this bag with them. Darelle inquires the direction in which they were heading, and Shim replies towards giants country. All three goblins bore the mark of Greenhide's Dark Blood tribe.
Shim wheels the wheelbarrow inside the courtyard, and Darelle takes it out of the bag. a large tome written in dwarvish. Using her Eastern Star ioun stone, she translates the title of the book for Shim and Daryle. Titled The Strength of the Mighty in dwarwish, Darelle is unable to open the book as it appears to be magically locked. Invited to remain for lunch, Shim shares a meal with the sisters and leaves to return to the Hunters' Lodge. Darelle sends a tree token message to Falandra asking her to come and examine the new book.
Falandra arrives a couple hours later, and after looking at the book and casting a few spells she informs the Cooper sisters that only a wizard with giant blood can counteract the magic lock placed on this book. Fortunately, she knows of a cloud giant wizard named Zoarth, who is a collector of books much like herself. She has met him a couple of times at intriguing book auctions held in learned cities, and is willing to travel with the sisters to go visit him. When Darelle tells her they will be employing her blue pegasus, Falandra decides a letter introducing the sisters to Zoarth would be much better.
Falandra also tells the sisters that Zoarth is not only a book collector but a lover of cats. He has hundreds of them in his keep. Thus, the recent appearance of both this book and of the cats in Fort Inevitable may be connected with the green storm. As to why the goblins were transporting the book, she can only speculate that Greenhide had figured out how it was locked and they were probably taking it to their giant allies so it could be opened.
If the cats in town are indeed Zoarth, they are about to be eaten. Darelle decides that Roscoe must be warned before the notices go up, but at the same moment they heard the town crier passing by, yelling out information about the new festival while hanging up a notice from a nearby tree.
Armed with directions and Falandra's letter of introduction, Daryle and Darelle fly on the blue pegasus and arrive in the wizard's keep area about three hours later.A large storm blocks forward progress in the air, but the trees below are not completely bent, which suggests that the strength of the winds is much lower on the ground. The sisters decide to land and walk the remaining distance. The going is not difficult and soon they overtake a group of four hill giants accompanied by two ogres and four dire wolves, as well as a truly massive dire wolf leading the pack. They wisely decide to keep a distance between them and the giants' party. Eventually, they clear the storm and enter its eye. The winds die down, and they can see a truly magnificent keep floating on a cloud. A brass road spirals from the ground to the keep's main entrance. There are several giants on the path, and the party they were following begins the ascend.
Sensing combat in their future, Daryle hides the book, and they too begin to climb the ramp. After two complete loops, they arrive at the base of the keep. The doors are still fifty feet up from here and another quarter turn, but it looks like someone breached the basement of the keep and entered it through a large hole. From the hole a hill giant with hammers instead of hands steps out, and he gloats that the great wizard could only get such puny allies to help him. He then attacks the sisters. Shooting from a distance, they get two volley of arrows into him before he reaches them. He almost knocks Darelle off the ramp to her doom, but Daryle rescues her, and a well-placed arrow in his eye sends the giant to the edge. Darelle finishes him off with a well-placed sword hit to the knee which forces him over the edge. He crashes a hundred feet below and does not get up.
The Coopers glance inside the hole. They notice a large room, where five hill giants and a stone giant fight a huge air elemental. They join the fray and hurl arrows at the giants, who are too engaged with the elemental to notice the two humans taking cover behind a fallen giant. However a well placed arrow to the stone giant's rear end attracts his attention, and as the air elemental dies, the remaining three giants attack. Daryle and Darelle make quick work of them, but must pause to heal. They are approached by a cat who asks them to go to the base of keep, which is under attack and in danger of collapsing. The sisters can feel it vibrate and oscillate dangerously every minute or so. If the keep falls out of sky, all of its denizens will die on impact.
They quickly travel downstairs and come upon a frost giant and an insect-like creature from the outer planes. The creature is attacking the column with a spear, transforming the mist into ice and shattering it. Darelle summons a small fire elemental, and the situation becomes a stalemate. Daryle notices that the giant is controlling the creature, and the sisters attack the giant. Darelle casts entangle, and Daryle lights the entanglement on fire, causing significant damage. The planar creature does not react, but continues to fight the fire elemental. The Coopers fight the frost giant but nearly lose their lives in the process. They succeed in killing the giant, only to realize that it was the planar creature that controlled it, not the other way around. Sensing that its moment of glory has come, the planar creature jumps into the columnhoping to destroy it but Darelle communes with her deity and her small elemental intercepts the devil as it teleports, preventing it from reaching the column.
The Coopers ascend the stairs, again, and reach the great entry hall. Here, a cloud giant stands in the arms of an even bigger statue and fires lightning bolts at hill and stone giants. A giant meaner than most riding an armored triceratops charges the Coopers, and they fight savagely while all around them the giants continue to battle. The effort is staggering, but the sisters are eventually triumphant over the giant, and the triceratops in its fear and anger rushes out the hall and slips on the brass ramp, falling to its miserable end. At the same time Zoarth manages to kill the last giant, and soon all three of them meet at the base of the statue.
Zoarth introduces himself and thanks the Coopers profusely for coming to his aid. Hundreds of cats emerge from their hiding places and begin to swarm both the wizard and the Coopers. They give him Falandra's letter of introduction, and Zoarth tells them that any friend of Falandra is a friend of his. They explain the purpose of their visit, and soon they recuperate the book. Zoarth tells them what it does and explains that it can be read twice more before its magical powers are exhausted. Thanking them again, he gifts them the book. He then tells them he has a request. He's not sure why these giants have attacked his keep, but he's convinced there will be another assault. He wants to investigate who's behind the attack, but can't leave the keep. Could the sisters take it upon themselves to find out who sponsored this assault? He would reward them handsomely if they could. They agree to help. Zoarth tells them he will bring them back to Fort Inevitable and recuperate his cats. Darelle asks him how they will travel, and Zoarth proudly displays a cupboard filled with jars of cloud, one of his proudest inventions.
Darelle sends a tree token message to Roscoe to explain the misunderstanding about the cats and request the cancellation of the festival and their arrival. In Fort Inevitable Zoarth is reunited with his cats, and he tells the sisters that it shouldn't be too hard to follow the trail of destruction that brought the giants to his keep. He also warns the sisters about the dragon that dwells in the hills about a day's trip away from the hill giants' fort ...
Following the green storm that affected the area two weeks ago, a flood of cats have appeared in Fort Inevitable and have made themselves a general nuisance with their incessant begging and meowing. Residents, fed up with the noise and the aggravations, have requested that measures be taken to rid the town of its unwanted cat residents. The only benefit seems to be that there are no rodents left anywhere within five miles of Fort Inevitable.
Plagued with so many cats, residents are asking that a solution be found. Roscoe asks his two ranger sisters to come up with ideas. Daryle can't come up with anything specific, but Darelle proposes that a cat recipe contest be held. This event, to be called the Purrfect Plate festival, could take place in one week, giving enough time to the area's best cooks to learn how to cook cats. Roscoe thinks it's a great idea, and he approves it. He orders that notices be posted and the town crier spread the news.
The sisters return to Daryle's place to continue working on their renovations. After a light lunch at the Shadowborn Manor, Daryle and Darelle receive a visitor. Shim Longbranch brings the sisters a wheelbarrow in which is a large burlap bag. He tells them that he and the recruits were out hunting in the woods west of the Emerald Spire yesterday when they ambushed a trio of goblins. They were heading west, away from the Spire, and were carrying this bag with them. Darelle inquires the direction in which they were heading, and Shim replies towards giants country. All three goblins bore the mark of Greenhide's Dark Blood tribe.
Shim wheels the wheelbarrow inside the courtyard, and Darelle takes it out of the bag. a large tome written in dwarvish. Using her Eastern Star ioun stone, she translates the title of the book for Shim and Daryle. Titled The Strength of the Mighty in dwarwish, Darelle is unable to open the book as it appears to be magically locked. Invited to remain for lunch, Shim shares a meal with the sisters and leaves to return to the Hunters' Lodge. Darelle sends a tree token message to Falandra asking her to come and examine the new book.
Falandra arrives a couple hours later, and after looking at the book and casting a few spells she informs the Cooper sisters that only a wizard with giant blood can counteract the magic lock placed on this book. Fortunately, she knows of a cloud giant wizard named Zoarth, who is a collector of books much like herself. She has met him a couple of times at intriguing book auctions held in learned cities, and is willing to travel with the sisters to go visit him. When Darelle tells her they will be employing her blue pegasus, Falandra decides a letter introducing the sisters to Zoarth would be much better.
Falandra also tells the sisters that Zoarth is not only a book collector but a lover of cats. He has hundreds of them in his keep. Thus, the recent appearance of both this book and of the cats in Fort Inevitable may be connected with the green storm. As to why the goblins were transporting the book, she can only speculate that Greenhide had figured out how it was locked and they were probably taking it to their giant allies so it could be opened.
If the cats in town are indeed Zoarth, they are about to be eaten. Darelle decides that Roscoe must be warned before the notices go up, but at the same moment they heard the town crier passing by, yelling out information about the new festival while hanging up a notice from a nearby tree.
Armed with directions and Falandra's letter of introduction, Daryle and Darelle fly on the blue pegasus and arrive in the wizard's keep area about three hours later.A large storm blocks forward progress in the air, but the trees below are not completely bent, which suggests that the strength of the winds is much lower on the ground. The sisters decide to land and walk the remaining distance. The going is not difficult and soon they overtake a group of four hill giants accompanied by two ogres and four dire wolves, as well as a truly massive dire wolf leading the pack. They wisely decide to keep a distance between them and the giants' party. Eventually, they clear the storm and enter its eye. The winds die down, and they can see a truly magnificent keep floating on a cloud. A brass road spirals from the ground to the keep's main entrance. There are several giants on the path, and the party they were following begins the ascend.
Sensing combat in their future, Daryle hides the book, and they too begin to climb the ramp. After two complete loops, they arrive at the base of the keep. The doors are still fifty feet up from here and another quarter turn, but it looks like someone breached the basement of the keep and entered it through a large hole. From the hole a hill giant with hammers instead of hands steps out, and he gloats that the great wizard could only get such puny allies to help him. He then attacks the sisters. Shooting from a distance, they get two volley of arrows into him before he reaches them. He almost knocks Darelle off the ramp to her doom, but Daryle rescues her, and a well-placed arrow in his eye sends the giant to the edge. Darelle finishes him off with a well-placed sword hit to the knee which forces him over the edge. He crashes a hundred feet below and does not get up.
The Coopers glance inside the hole. They notice a large room, where five hill giants and a stone giant fight a huge air elemental. They join the fray and hurl arrows at the giants, who are too engaged with the elemental to notice the two humans taking cover behind a fallen giant. However a well placed arrow to the stone giant's rear end attracts his attention, and as the air elemental dies, the remaining three giants attack. Daryle and Darelle make quick work of them, but must pause to heal. They are approached by a cat who asks them to go to the base of keep, which is under attack and in danger of collapsing. The sisters can feel it vibrate and oscillate dangerously every minute or so. If the keep falls out of sky, all of its denizens will die on impact.
They quickly travel downstairs and come upon a frost giant and an insect-like creature from the outer planes. The creature is attacking the column with a spear, transforming the mist into ice and shattering it. Darelle summons a small fire elemental, and the situation becomes a stalemate. Daryle notices that the giant is controlling the creature, and the sisters attack the giant. Darelle casts entangle, and Daryle lights the entanglement on fire, causing significant damage. The planar creature does not react, but continues to fight the fire elemental. The Coopers fight the frost giant but nearly lose their lives in the process. They succeed in killing the giant, only to realize that it was the planar creature that controlled it, not the other way around. Sensing that its moment of glory has come, the planar creature jumps into the columnhoping to destroy it but Darelle communes with her deity and her small elemental intercepts the devil as it teleports, preventing it from reaching the column.
The Coopers ascend the stairs, again, and reach the great entry hall. Here, a cloud giant stands in the arms of an even bigger statue and fires lightning bolts at hill and stone giants. A giant meaner than most riding an armored triceratops charges the Coopers, and they fight savagely while all around them the giants continue to battle. The effort is staggering, but the sisters are eventually triumphant over the giant, and the triceratops in its fear and anger rushes out the hall and slips on the brass ramp, falling to its miserable end. At the same time Zoarth manages to kill the last giant, and soon all three of them meet at the base of the statue.
Zoarth introduces himself and thanks the Coopers profusely for coming to his aid. Hundreds of cats emerge from their hiding places and begin to swarm both the wizard and the Coopers. They give him Falandra's letter of introduction, and Zoarth tells them that any friend of Falandra is a friend of his. They explain the purpose of their visit, and soon they recuperate the book. Zoarth tells them what it does and explains that it can be read twice more before its magical powers are exhausted. Thanking them again, he gifts them the book. He then tells them he has a request. He's not sure why these giants have attacked his keep, but he's convinced there will be another assault. He wants to investigate who's behind the attack, but can't leave the keep. Could the sisters take it upon themselves to find out who sponsored this assault? He would reward them handsomely if they could. They agree to help. Zoarth tells them he will bring them back to Fort Inevitable and recuperate his cats. Darelle asks him how they will travel, and Zoarth proudly displays a cupboard filled with jars of cloud, one of his proudest inventions.
Darelle sends a tree token message to Roscoe to explain the misunderstanding about the cats and request the cancellation of the festival and their arrival. In Fort Inevitable Zoarth is reunited with his cats, and he tells the sisters that it shouldn't be too hard to follow the trail of destruction that brought the giants to his keep. He also warns the sisters about the dragon that dwells in the hills about a day's trip away from the hill giants' fort ...
Friday, May 12, 2017
Gerald, you killed me again, thank you very much
Sarenith 21, 4712
On this beautiful morning, Roscoe inquires with the guard if there has been signs of Thorne. The head of the night watch reports that the rogue has not been seen since a warrant was issued for his arrest. His associates have revealed some details about his various operations, but all of them are unawares of the extent of Thorne's network.
After a lovely breakfast, Darelle heads over Nolm's Bindery to talks to Falandra about Gerald. She inquires about the different Geralds that have been reported around Fort Inevitable, and Falandra says she has in fact noticed inconsistent performances on the sorcerer's part. Falandra wonders who would take the time and spend the magical power and the money necessary to resurrect Gerald multiple times. Darelle speculates that someone, or something, is attempting to sow chaos, and that Gerald is the perfect agent for that. But who would be able to do so in Fort Inevitable? Falandra believes only High Mother Sarise Dremagne from the Temple of the Golden Key, is capable of performing a resurrection, but she also suspects that the Hellknights also possess this capability.
Darelle then proceeds to the Temple of the Golden Key. She meets with High Mother Sarise, and they discuss Gerald's multiple appearances. Sarise also believes that an agent of chaos must be at work. She acknowledges that she has the power to resurrect a dead person, but it would require a substantial donation to the temple, and in no case would she resurrect a Hellknight. She also suspects the Hellknights possess this ability, but when the Lord Commander Varden was assassinated he was not resurrected. She believes this entire incident was a power play between different Helknight factions.
Omok, meanwhile, spends some time reading the second chapter of the Book of the Damned and gains a new ability.
Daryle arrives in town, and she finds her siblings and Omok. After a meal of sausage, fresh bread and ale, at the Juliver Arms, they gather their gear and they begin the trek back to the Emerald Spire. In the forest, they encounter a disheveled Gerald, bearing scratches and evidence of having been in combat. He reports that he was just coming back from the Spire where he had looked on the 13th level for them, but was attacked by a strange gnarled man and a bunch of twigs on the way out. This Gerald reports having been away from town for four days. A discussion among the Coopers about what to do with all of the Geralds running around. Gerald is incensed that someone would be usurping his good name for nefarious purposes. Omok tells Gerald he can get rid of the other Geralds for a small cost. Gerald says he will think about it, but he really wants to find the other Gerald, discover out who is behind it and why. Maybe, the sorcerer muses, he could unite all of the Geralds and take on Greenhide and his cronies.
Roscoe proposes the idea of a tattoo to identify each Gerald with a specific number, so at least they'd know which one they're dealing with. Gerald is game for it. He could also stylize the blade embedded in his head with a different design. Daryle cuts the conversation short and gives him a shallow cut on the right arm. That should identify at least this Gerald. This is the moment that Gerald chooses to reveal that he has a wife. Gerald officially took her last name of Gertywindindlysin and is no longer a Cooper.
With the death of the Mistress of Thorns, the 9th level is now open for exploration, so the party decide to travel back and liquidate the remaining residents. Unfortunately they never acquired the rune for her level, so they will need to travel either to the 8th level, or to the 10th level. Considering that the 10th level is where the magma dragons lived, the Coopers wisely decide to head back to the snakepeople's level.
The Coopers complete the trek, enter the tunnel leading to the Spire, emerge on the 3rd level, and teleport down to the 8th. Immediately it is clear they are in a section of the dungeon they did not previously explored. The Spire appears to be located in a hatchery. There are several large eggs laying around in carefully built nests. Omok grabs an egg, and so does Roscoe. Omok plans to either cook the thing or see what hatches and raise it as a pet. Unfortunately Roscoe is attacked by an emperor cobra but he drops the egg on its head and it falls unconscious. Roscoe cuts its head and decide to keep the head and dry it out later. Darelle discovers a couple of goblin bodies that have been bitten by the snake. She searches the bodies and discover a lone copper coin. The coin appears to have been minted by Greenhide.
Gerald opens the door, and it explodes in his face. He closes the door and returns to the middle of the room, shaken. Roscoe carefully opens the door as well. It explodes again, the trap having had time to reset while Gerald was explaining that he had not seen anything.
Roscoe enters the room, and recollections immediately flood him as to its purpose. The paladin discovers the entrance at the bottom of the stairs has been barricaded, so he heads for the next door. Darelle follows, and Omok decides to break through the door just as Gerald casts a knock spell. At the same time, a flight of arrows is loosened from the barricade and each Cooper takes a few hits. They enter the next room but not before being splashed by a rain of acid. Gerald, who witnessed this attack, emerges from the hatchery and he sends a fireball against the barricade. It is soon engulfed in flames with the yells of many goblins coming from its ruins. Daryle crosses the expanse of the shrine and joins the rest of the party. She thinks about closing the door, but doesn't. Gerald follows suit.
The room they now find themselves appears to be a sacrificial room with three snake statues. It is evident by the lack of desecration that the goblins have not entered this room. Darelle uses her acrobatic skills and jumps around the room, hoping to trigger a trap, but she finds none. The Coopers explore the room but find no other exits. Daryle climbs one of the snake statues and discovers that they can be turned. She turns her statue, and Darelle does the same for the other statue on the same wall. A secret passage opens.
The hallway leads to a hot spring that must be crossed to reach the other side. Gerald casts ice storm as Daryle examines the spring, catching her by surprise. She avenges herself by firing an arrow and hitting Gerald. The sorcerer has accomplished his goal, however, and the water is frozen solid. The Coopers run across the ice to reach the door. The ice soon melts and the hot spring begins to flow again. Darelle notices that there is a passage underneath the hot water. Since she and the rest of the Coopers are protected against natural heat, she decides she will swim and see where the passage leads.
Darelle emerges in a room with a staircase ascending and another one descending. This looks very familiar. Against the wall, by the pool from which she emerges, is a statue of a snake holding an emerald in its mouth. The other members of the party also make the short swim and come out. Darelle reaches over and touches the emerald. She immediately disappears. Again this feels very familiar to the Coopers. What was it that happened the last time they did this? The remaining Coopers argue among themselves about what they should do next. Omok tires of the conversation, makes the jump to the statue and touches the emerald. He feels pulled away but manages to resist the effects. He successfully pries the emerald out of the snake's mouth, and he decides he will try to touch Gerald with it. Unfortunately Gerald is rather nimble, and he avoids being touched. Roscoe has enough, and he touches the emerald and soon joins Darelle in the snake's labyrinth.
Meanwhile, Omok and Gerald continue to fight, and soon it becomes a full-blown confrontation. Omok uses a slay living spell while Gerald dimension doors the hobgoblin back into the acid temple. Daryle jumps back in the spring and emerges in the other room. She opens the door and discovers a set of goblin sentries. She manages to kill three of them, but the fourth one is proving to be rather tough. Gerald, who was closely behind his sister, sees his sister on the ground in mortal danger, and he unleashes a fire ball, instantly incinerating her opponent but also slaying her. Omok, who was coming from the other side, summons a land shark and attacks Gerald, who joins his sister in death. Omok then touches the emerald and is transported to the snake's labyrinth to join Darelle and Roscoe's doom...
Sarenith 22, 4712
The Coopers awaken one at a time, in warm beds at the Juliver Arms. Doliber is soon with them, and apologizes profusely. The Coopers had eaten the sausage and had all collapsed on the floor soon after, along with several other customers who had also partaken of the inn's fare that noontime. He's not sure how his stock of sausages got poisoned, but all of the victims report living through rather vivid nightmares. Thankfully, a full night's rest did wonders and none of them feel any of the ill effects of this rather strange food poisoning. So, after all of that, the events at the Spire were only a dream. But it felt so real ...
On this beautiful morning, Roscoe inquires with the guard if there has been signs of Thorne. The head of the night watch reports that the rogue has not been seen since a warrant was issued for his arrest. His associates have revealed some details about his various operations, but all of them are unawares of the extent of Thorne's network.
After a lovely breakfast, Darelle heads over Nolm's Bindery to talks to Falandra about Gerald. She inquires about the different Geralds that have been reported around Fort Inevitable, and Falandra says she has in fact noticed inconsistent performances on the sorcerer's part. Falandra wonders who would take the time and spend the magical power and the money necessary to resurrect Gerald multiple times. Darelle speculates that someone, or something, is attempting to sow chaos, and that Gerald is the perfect agent for that. But who would be able to do so in Fort Inevitable? Falandra believes only High Mother Sarise Dremagne from the Temple of the Golden Key, is capable of performing a resurrection, but she also suspects that the Hellknights also possess this capability.
Darelle then proceeds to the Temple of the Golden Key. She meets with High Mother Sarise, and they discuss Gerald's multiple appearances. Sarise also believes that an agent of chaos must be at work. She acknowledges that she has the power to resurrect a dead person, but it would require a substantial donation to the temple, and in no case would she resurrect a Hellknight. She also suspects the Hellknights possess this ability, but when the Lord Commander Varden was assassinated he was not resurrected. She believes this entire incident was a power play between different Helknight factions.
Omok, meanwhile, spends some time reading the second chapter of the Book of the Damned and gains a new ability.
Daryle arrives in town, and she finds her siblings and Omok. After a meal of sausage, fresh bread and ale, at the Juliver Arms, they gather their gear and they begin the trek back to the Emerald Spire. In the forest, they encounter a disheveled Gerald, bearing scratches and evidence of having been in combat. He reports that he was just coming back from the Spire where he had looked on the 13th level for them, but was attacked by a strange gnarled man and a bunch of twigs on the way out. This Gerald reports having been away from town for four days. A discussion among the Coopers about what to do with all of the Geralds running around. Gerald is incensed that someone would be usurping his good name for nefarious purposes. Omok tells Gerald he can get rid of the other Geralds for a small cost. Gerald says he will think about it, but he really wants to find the other Gerald, discover out who is behind it and why. Maybe, the sorcerer muses, he could unite all of the Geralds and take on Greenhide and his cronies.
Roscoe proposes the idea of a tattoo to identify each Gerald with a specific number, so at least they'd know which one they're dealing with. Gerald is game for it. He could also stylize the blade embedded in his head with a different design. Daryle cuts the conversation short and gives him a shallow cut on the right arm. That should identify at least this Gerald. This is the moment that Gerald chooses to reveal that he has a wife. Gerald officially took her last name of Gertywindindlysin and is no longer a Cooper.
With the death of the Mistress of Thorns, the 9th level is now open for exploration, so the party decide to travel back and liquidate the remaining residents. Unfortunately they never acquired the rune for her level, so they will need to travel either to the 8th level, or to the 10th level. Considering that the 10th level is where the magma dragons lived, the Coopers wisely decide to head back to the snakepeople's level.
The Coopers complete the trek, enter the tunnel leading to the Spire, emerge on the 3rd level, and teleport down to the 8th. Immediately it is clear they are in a section of the dungeon they did not previously explored. The Spire appears to be located in a hatchery. There are several large eggs laying around in carefully built nests. Omok grabs an egg, and so does Roscoe. Omok plans to either cook the thing or see what hatches and raise it as a pet. Unfortunately Roscoe is attacked by an emperor cobra but he drops the egg on its head and it falls unconscious. Roscoe cuts its head and decide to keep the head and dry it out later. Darelle discovers a couple of goblin bodies that have been bitten by the snake. She searches the bodies and discover a lone copper coin. The coin appears to have been minted by Greenhide.
Gerald opens the door, and it explodes in his face. He closes the door and returns to the middle of the room, shaken. Roscoe carefully opens the door as well. It explodes again, the trap having had time to reset while Gerald was explaining that he had not seen anything.
Roscoe enters the room, and recollections immediately flood him as to its purpose. The paladin discovers the entrance at the bottom of the stairs has been barricaded, so he heads for the next door. Darelle follows, and Omok decides to break through the door just as Gerald casts a knock spell. At the same time, a flight of arrows is loosened from the barricade and each Cooper takes a few hits. They enter the next room but not before being splashed by a rain of acid. Gerald, who witnessed this attack, emerges from the hatchery and he sends a fireball against the barricade. It is soon engulfed in flames with the yells of many goblins coming from its ruins. Daryle crosses the expanse of the shrine and joins the rest of the party. She thinks about closing the door, but doesn't. Gerald follows suit.
The room they now find themselves appears to be a sacrificial room with three snake statues. It is evident by the lack of desecration that the goblins have not entered this room. Darelle uses her acrobatic skills and jumps around the room, hoping to trigger a trap, but she finds none. The Coopers explore the room but find no other exits. Daryle climbs one of the snake statues and discovers that they can be turned. She turns her statue, and Darelle does the same for the other statue on the same wall. A secret passage opens.
The hallway leads to a hot spring that must be crossed to reach the other side. Gerald casts ice storm as Daryle examines the spring, catching her by surprise. She avenges herself by firing an arrow and hitting Gerald. The sorcerer has accomplished his goal, however, and the water is frozen solid. The Coopers run across the ice to reach the door. The ice soon melts and the hot spring begins to flow again. Darelle notices that there is a passage underneath the hot water. Since she and the rest of the Coopers are protected against natural heat, she decides she will swim and see where the passage leads.
Darelle emerges in a room with a staircase ascending and another one descending. This looks very familiar. Against the wall, by the pool from which she emerges, is a statue of a snake holding an emerald in its mouth. The other members of the party also make the short swim and come out. Darelle reaches over and touches the emerald. She immediately disappears. Again this feels very familiar to the Coopers. What was it that happened the last time they did this? The remaining Coopers argue among themselves about what they should do next. Omok tires of the conversation, makes the jump to the statue and touches the emerald. He feels pulled away but manages to resist the effects. He successfully pries the emerald out of the snake's mouth, and he decides he will try to touch Gerald with it. Unfortunately Gerald is rather nimble, and he avoids being touched. Roscoe has enough, and he touches the emerald and soon joins Darelle in the snake's labyrinth.
Meanwhile, Omok and Gerald continue to fight, and soon it becomes a full-blown confrontation. Omok uses a slay living spell while Gerald dimension doors the hobgoblin back into the acid temple. Daryle jumps back in the spring and emerges in the other room. She opens the door and discovers a set of goblin sentries. She manages to kill three of them, but the fourth one is proving to be rather tough. Gerald, who was closely behind his sister, sees his sister on the ground in mortal danger, and he unleashes a fire ball, instantly incinerating her opponent but also slaying her. Omok, who was coming from the other side, summons a land shark and attacks Gerald, who joins his sister in death. Omok then touches the emerald and is transported to the snake's labyrinth to join Darelle and Roscoe's doom...
Sarenith 22, 4712
The Coopers awaken one at a time, in warm beds at the Juliver Arms. Doliber is soon with them, and apologizes profusely. The Coopers had eaten the sausage and had all collapsed on the floor soon after, along with several other customers who had also partaken of the inn's fare that noontime. He's not sure how his stock of sausages got poisoned, but all of the victims report living through rather vivid nightmares. Thankfully, a full night's rest did wonders and none of them feel any of the ill effects of this rather strange food poisoning. So, after all of that, the events at the Spire were only a dream. But it felt so real ...
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