Post by David on Apr 19, 2013 15:53:41 GMT -5
The heroes (Malkierian, Pudic, Aerone, Talking Bird, Jellie, and Akom) head back to Timbervale where the two clerics of Lendor, Brother Ilya and Brother Talos, heal them of most of their wounds and also give them the benefit of a nap. Meep's wing is too badly damaged to fly, so the kenku remains behind. Brother Ilya, however, pushes Brother Talos to join the group and thereby gain real-world experience. The party then briefly meets with the druid, Kurgan, for additional healing and to buy goodberries.
The heroes then hike back through the snow in the darkest hours before dawn. Pudic tracks several sets of creatures, many headed to and from the ruined citadel guarding the near entrance to the pass. Malkierian notices a slight imperfection in the appearance of the rubble, realizing that the citadel is actually cloaked under a powerful illusion. Although damaged, much of the place is actually under repair! The heroes creep closer, with Malkierian attempting to scale one of the still-damaged walls. The plan was for the gallant to climb up and throw a rope to Jellie and Talking Bird, but orcish sentries spy the group. Malkierian exchanges magic missiles for arrow fire and Jellie conjures phantasmal griffons while Talking Bird scrambles up and over, intent on opening the main gate so the platemail-clad Akom, Aerone, Pudic, and Talos can join the melee.
Talking Bird, however, doesn't count on the massive (familiar) wyvern roosting in a nest of rubble inside the courtyard. The creature nearly stings the shaman repeatedly, forcing him to take massive damage and do nothing more than quaff his potion of anti-toxin. Finally, Malkierian finishes his orcs and scales to the roof while Jellie's illusions attack the wyvern. This buys time for the shaman to open the gate, even though the alarm has been sounded within the semi-ruined keep. As the other half of the party wait outside, the commotion draws the attention of the half-elven archer-ranger, River. One of Jellie's missing compatriots, River happily joins the heroes, showering arrows-of-death on the orcs.
Talking Bird gets the main gate open as Aerone, Akom, and Pudic dodge buckets of hot oil. On the parapets, Malkierian is engaging and slowing taking out the orog archers. And Jellie investigates the ruins, finding a way to join Malkierian. The platemail contingent enter the courtyard as orcs, orogs, and ogres spill from several side doors. The fighters charge into combat as River gives lethal missile support, taking out all the remaining archers. Things look bad...until Jellie unleashes a phantasmal killer at the orc-king, revealing his greatest fear is none other than Iuz himself. The king shouts out for the "Sons of Gruumsh" to "rise up now" although what this means is initially mysterious as the phantasm touches and slays the orc king, shifting the tides of battle.
The heroes fight fiercely, ultimately slaying most of their foes. River investigates the bodies and sees another wave of orogs, orcs, and humans arrive. One of the humans is a cleric of Iuz; he starts blanketing the party with hold person spells after animating a horde of skeletons to protect him. The earlier wave of orcs and orog, however, start chanting to Gruumsh and once the two paladins and ranger are held, turn on the cleric of Iuz! Some of the newer orcs, members of a different clan, defend the cleric and in the chaotic free-for-all River and Talking Bird manage to protect the held heroes and slay their enemies.
The combat finally winds down with the heroes victorious. A half hour before dawn, they have all but captured the citadel, but are gravely wounded"
Status:
Akom: 8 of 15, used lay
Aerone: 15 of 25, used lay
Pudic: 9 of 40, has accel heal still
Malkierian: 37 of 45, cast MM, sleep
River: 5 of 76, cast detect magic
Talos: 3 of 10, out of spells
Talking Bird: 21 of 40, shattered left hip, cast CLW / slow, holdx3 / prayer
Jellie: 20 of 22, cast all 1st, 2nd, and 4th plus spectral
Clod: 16 of 42
Eeps: 2505 xps each
Pick Order for treasure:
Jellie
Malkierian
Pudic
Talking Bird
Aerone
River
Akom
Talos
Loot:
* jade amulet of a dwarf riding a dragon (800gp) (amid rubble)
* bastard sword (Broken Fang)
* morning star (cleric of Iuz)
* blood-colored cloak (cleric of Iuz)
* platemail (cleric of Iuz)
* breast plate (orc king)
* halberd (orc king)
* javelin (orc king)
* pendant (orog sergeant)
* TWO flasks of magical oil
* FIVE potions that are green and taste like applesauce
* TWO potions that are golden and taste like blood
* TWO potions that are red and blue and taste like cookies
* potion that is blue-green and tastes metallic
* potion that is red and tastes like pork
* potion that is yellow and tastes like bread
* potion that is red and yellow and tastes bitter
* potion that is black and tastes like fish
150 gp gold ring
90 gp jade ring
SIX 100gp gems
100gp
950sp
several sets of keys
The heroes then hike back through the snow in the darkest hours before dawn. Pudic tracks several sets of creatures, many headed to and from the ruined citadel guarding the near entrance to the pass. Malkierian notices a slight imperfection in the appearance of the rubble, realizing that the citadel is actually cloaked under a powerful illusion. Although damaged, much of the place is actually under repair! The heroes creep closer, with Malkierian attempting to scale one of the still-damaged walls. The plan was for the gallant to climb up and throw a rope to Jellie and Talking Bird, but orcish sentries spy the group. Malkierian exchanges magic missiles for arrow fire and Jellie conjures phantasmal griffons while Talking Bird scrambles up and over, intent on opening the main gate so the platemail-clad Akom, Aerone, Pudic, and Talos can join the melee.
Talking Bird, however, doesn't count on the massive (familiar) wyvern roosting in a nest of rubble inside the courtyard. The creature nearly stings the shaman repeatedly, forcing him to take massive damage and do nothing more than quaff his potion of anti-toxin. Finally, Malkierian finishes his orcs and scales to the roof while Jellie's illusions attack the wyvern. This buys time for the shaman to open the gate, even though the alarm has been sounded within the semi-ruined keep. As the other half of the party wait outside, the commotion draws the attention of the half-elven archer-ranger, River. One of Jellie's missing compatriots, River happily joins the heroes, showering arrows-of-death on the orcs.
Talking Bird gets the main gate open as Aerone, Akom, and Pudic dodge buckets of hot oil. On the parapets, Malkierian is engaging and slowing taking out the orog archers. And Jellie investigates the ruins, finding a way to join Malkierian. The platemail contingent enter the courtyard as orcs, orogs, and ogres spill from several side doors. The fighters charge into combat as River gives lethal missile support, taking out all the remaining archers. Things look bad...until Jellie unleashes a phantasmal killer at the orc-king, revealing his greatest fear is none other than Iuz himself. The king shouts out for the "Sons of Gruumsh" to "rise up now" although what this means is initially mysterious as the phantasm touches and slays the orc king, shifting the tides of battle.
The heroes fight fiercely, ultimately slaying most of their foes. River investigates the bodies and sees another wave of orogs, orcs, and humans arrive. One of the humans is a cleric of Iuz; he starts blanketing the party with hold person spells after animating a horde of skeletons to protect him. The earlier wave of orcs and orog, however, start chanting to Gruumsh and once the two paladins and ranger are held, turn on the cleric of Iuz! Some of the newer orcs, members of a different clan, defend the cleric and in the chaotic free-for-all River and Talking Bird manage to protect the held heroes and slay their enemies.
The combat finally winds down with the heroes victorious. A half hour before dawn, they have all but captured the citadel, but are gravely wounded"
Status:
Akom: 8 of 15, used lay
Aerone: 15 of 25, used lay
Pudic: 9 of 40, has accel heal still
Malkierian: 37 of 45, cast MM, sleep
River: 5 of 76, cast detect magic
Talos: 3 of 10, out of spells
Talking Bird: 21 of 40, shattered left hip, cast CLW / slow, holdx3 / prayer
Jellie: 20 of 22, cast all 1st, 2nd, and 4th plus spectral
Clod: 16 of 42
Eeps: 2505 xps each
Pick Order for treasure:
Jellie
Malkierian
Pudic
Talking Bird
Aerone
River
Akom
Talos
Loot:
* jade amulet of a dwarf riding a dragon (800gp) (amid rubble)
* bastard sword (Broken Fang)
* morning star (cleric of Iuz)
* blood-colored cloak (cleric of Iuz)
* platemail (cleric of Iuz)
* breast plate (orc king)
* halberd (orc king)
* javelin (orc king)
* pendant (orog sergeant)
* TWO flasks of magical oil
* FIVE potions that are green and taste like applesauce
* TWO potions that are golden and taste like blood
* TWO potions that are red and blue and taste like cookies
* potion that is blue-green and tastes metallic
* potion that is red and tastes like pork
* potion that is yellow and tastes like bread
* potion that is red and yellow and tastes bitter
* potion that is black and tastes like fish
150 gp gold ring
90 gp jade ring
SIX 100gp gems
100gp
950sp
several sets of keys
