Game Notes - Session 18

Session XVIII Notes:

Gameplay begins in the aftermath of the Battle of the Cracked Flagon. The dust has settled and the wounded and fallen are being tended to. Oak, a human ranger, drives his rough cart up to the Flagon- pulled by his trusty mule and with his companion Liam Strongbow, a human fighter, asleep in the back. Oak and Liam had arrived looking for a drink and a warm evening and instead found the remnants of a siege and a party of adventures standing out front. These adventurers, our familiar heroes, were clutching a scrap of paper and arguing over the items listed on it. Introductions were made and a week and a half passed at the Cracked Flagon. During this time the following happened: 1) Virgil copied a map of the Twilight Lands from Murdock, 2) Abel was sent to Malus’s Farm with a note explaining the relationship between the Praetorian Armor and the Imperial Scepter, 3) Oak was interrogated for how he obtained a mule, 4) a discussion of the value of said mule and whether it should be classified as a rare item, and 4) the decision was made to head north to Scar Canyon.

After 11 days the party head north. They traveled quietly through the wintery grasslands and arrived at Scar Canyon 4 days later. They spent the night and in the morning began the exploration of the ravine. About 200 feet down they found a mutilated body of an adventurer. An inspection of his backpack revealed that: 1) he worked for Dugal, 2) that he was part of a group sent to find the secret of Scar Canyon, and 3) that most of the horses that Dugal has been hording were killed by a pestilence due to the crowded conditions in which they were kept- effectively leaving the area well and truly horseless.

Continuing down the ravine the party found a cave at the base of the canyon, a full 800 feet down. From within the cave they hear a serpentine chanting which Virgil identified as Draconic, and a religious ceremony worshipping “Malrotic”. Cautiously our heroes entered the cave and threaded their way past several traps to find 7 trogdlytes chanting at an Idol. Immediately a battle began where the party fought a running battle from room to room killing the trogs and eventually the hydra disturbed by the trog slaying (after stopping for rest halfway through (1 day)).

The hydra had a decent loot pile- 4000 gold pieces, 1 garnet, 1 opal, 2 arcane scrolls (Daze and Mending) and a suit of non-magical elven chainmail. A closer inspection of the area revealed a secret door behind a large stone. Immediately the party managed to manhandle the stone out of the way revealing a natural tunnel that had been sealed for centuries.

The tunnel came out on a ledge overlooking a massive underground cavern housing an enormous (colossal sized) skeleton of a hydra with 60 heads, fossilizing in the moldering cavern for untold centuries. As the party made its way down to the floor level Guy noticed a carving in the wall in a strange alien script that made his head hurt. Guy called the party’s attention and Virgil cast Comprehend Languages which revealed the language to be Illithid, and the translation as “Lord of the 6th Circle of Cthon”.

Upon reaching the base of the canyon the party looked out over untold and uncountable wealth. Coins like grains of sand, priceless works of art, and items of curiosity and wonder. Brixmor immediately cast detect magic and Virgil began identifying. None of the magic items were touched during the 6 days that Virgil continuously cast and rememorized until a full list of the items was made. Then they began to divvy up. The following items were cataloged:

The Handle of Svarth (no powers independent of the hammer)

Axe of Orcish Blood (+1 Greataxe)

* Shining Blade of St. Nathaniel (+2 longsword)

Hat of Gnomish Legacy (+1 dodge AC bonus, +2 Wisdom, detect illusions at will)

Stardust Arrows ( 10 arrows +4 to damage)

Cursed Belt of Gender Reversal (Guy believed this to be a belt of Giant Strength +8 until he put it on. Instead of +8 to Strength he got +4 to Charisma, -2 to Constitution, -2 to Wisdom, and became a female. He wears the belt still and hopes the party can find access to Remove Curse or Break Enchantment before Aunt Flo comes to visit.)

Gloves of the Nimble Thief (+1 Dex, +2 Open Locks, +2 Disable Device)

Gloves of the Archer (Summons bow of your choice up to 4 miles distant)

Boots of the North (maintains a comfortable temperature for the wearer regardless of the environment)

Farwalker Boots (+10 to Movement Rate, does not stack with Expeditious Retreat or like spells and effects)

Boots of the Jester (When jumping heel click is performed, wearer is teleported 40 ft in a random direction)
Red Enameled Full Plate +4 (Revealed to be cursed armor of constricting when Brixmor donned it. Brixmor was saved from being crushed to death but the armor was destroyed extracting him)

* Illrean Ranger Armor- Captain Rank (+3 studded Leather, Max Dex +12, Move Silently +4, Hide in Shadows +6, Protection from Normal Missiles 1/week)

Scales of the White Worm (+2 Scale Mail, energy resistance cold 15)

Rhino Hide (+2 hide, light armor, max Dex +6, Victim of charge by the wearer considered bull rushed)

* Breastplate of Prince Calais (+4 Armor bonus, alien design, like cloth, deflects all 2nd level or lower spells)

Gnomish Vengance (+1 Brilliant Energy light pick)

+2 Keen Kukri of Wounding (Cursed Beserking, Liam was subdued and his hand chopped off after attacking the party un-controllably with this weapon)

* Harvest Sickle (+3 Keen Unholy Vicious Sickle of Life Stealing)

One of the 12 Coins of the Betrayer

* Cthonic Helmet (helm made to fit an Illithid, grants anyone with the mind blast ability the option to convert the mind blast into a Dominate Monster Spell)

High Thane’s Axe of Office (non-dwarves: +2 flaming burst Dwarven Waraxe; dwarves: +3 flaming burst Dwarven Waraxe of Constitution +2; if held by the dwarf destined to be High Thane the Axe sings (it did not sing for Brixmor))

Wand of Identify – 20 charges

Wand of Burning Hands – CL 5, 40 charges

Scrolls of Summon Monster 1, Halt Undead, Rage, Remove Curse, Illusionary Wall, Stone Shape, Symbol of Pain, Otto’s Irresistible Dance

Potions of Bull’s Strength, Barkskin X 2, Expeditious Retreat X 3, Cure Moderate Wounds

While the party was arguing about how to get out with every last copper piece they heard a loud noise from outside. Rushing to investigate they saw Elliot dismount from the back of a Dracoliche with 12 small green skinned humanoids. Elliot turns to the humanoids and says “After I lead you below, tell your master my debt is paid in full. There is enough wealth to finance whatever wars you wish to begin.” Of note, one of the humanoids is carrying a small box. The party decides that they can’t let the treasure fall into the wrong hands and prepares to attack. So ends the session.

End of Session XVIII