Session 10
+300xp for Ravillion, Rogha, and Zau'lann
+450xp to Darson
Assault on Aldera Campaign
Moderator:Lazybones
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
((Server should be up with the usual details. Have fun!))
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
Following up on VM's reminder that Daylight Savings Time is ending. The Europeans adjust a week before the Americans (we go back on Nov 4) so historically that means that our times are shifted for a week. Our practice has been to run the game on U.S. time, so I hope everyone can handle the one hour shift for a week.
California does have a ballot initiative in the upcoming election that would allow our Legislature to abandon DST entirely. We'll see what happens! If that does ever happen I'll change my schedule rather than make you all shift.
LB
California does have a ballot initiative in the upcoming election that would allow our Legislature to abandon DST entirely. We'll see what happens! If that does ever happen I'll change my schedule rather than make you all shift.
LB
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
The team went out to fight oozes and collect ichor from the "mustard jelly". This was the first part of their mission. After that they move into the lair of trogs (troglodytes) and killed everything. There was a shaman that had magic but not strong enough. They found another crystal as expected and some odd stuff that could be used as components. They also found a way into a duergar citadel and dropped spider eggs to disrupt and weaken the outpost somehow. Rogha considered that to be a bit of wishful thinking but perhaps it was worth trying.
Back "home" Rogha decided that between missions she would work on the alchemy bench, first to identify (lore) what substances they had collected and what if anything could be done with them...
//
If we use most of the stat bumps available will we end up playing with a team a 3 Wisdom char (except for the priest)? We may run into more trouble no RP wise? The lower the wisdom the more foolish things we will do and say unless intelligence is high enough to compensate.
There is also the problem of charisma being ineffective in MP campaigns, in an ideal situation the team may look up to high cha team members for leadership. But who would follow Miiq or Rogha for instance?
No more DST would be like a great christmas present.
Back "home" Rogha decided that between missions she would work on the alchemy bench, first to identify (lore) what substances they had collected and what if anything could be done with them...
//
If we use most of the stat bumps available will we end up playing with a team a 3 Wisdom char (except for the priest)? We may run into more trouble no RP wise? The lower the wisdom the more foolish things we will do and say unless intelligence is high enough to compensate.
There is also the problem of charisma being ineffective in MP campaigns, in an ideal situation the team may look up to high cha team members for leadership. But who would follow Miiq or Rogha for instance?
No more DST would be like a great christmas present.
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
The Dero had mixed feelings about the mission to the surface and decided to send the team on some tasks in the underdark to give some time for the heat to die down topside before sending them back up there again. The primary objective was to plant some spider eggs in an abandoned lower section of a Dwarven hold. The idea being, the eggs would eventually hatch and the spiderlings would naturally spread into the Dwarven fortress over time, giving them a source of headaches. However the team would have to transit thru caverns frequented by oozes and clear out a Troglodyte clan from some caverns in order to reach the Dwarven hold. Darsin wasn't able to lend much frontline assistance against the ooze as his weapon was ineffective against them; he did render healing to a number of the others during the slog there. He cracked a few Trog skulls in the next stage of the mission and again patched up battered party members. The Dwarven hold was a bit anticlimactic as collapses prevented the group from penetrating very far into the large complex. However, they did find a suitable place to plant the spider eggs and it was clear the spiderlings would be able to spread fairly easily and their hatchery would be beyond the reach of any random Dwarf patrols. The return trip was uneventful and Darsin looked forward to a bit of time to relax.
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
All that existed to the eye was a darker shape within shadows as the Duergar patrols passed in and out of the gate. Tian’ith squatted perfectly still as she had for hours observing the comings and goings. Patience the virtue it once had been. Back before the time everything changed. Though as her mind drifted through recollections it was hard, she admitted, to see when that time began. In what moment, in what action, the first pebble moved.
***
“Well? Have you taken the Dar’ge's representative yet?” Her sister asked blithely, sipping from a glass and following the movements of the young warrior who served them with a predatory air. “He is attractive despite the bookishness.”
“No,” Tian’ith replied with a sigh snapping her fingers and sending the male away swiftly. “There are more important matters requiring my attention.”
“You should try it,” the priestess continued with an annoyed sniff. “It might loosen you up a little. Release some tension.” She waved a hand vaguely. “If not him then choose one of your scouts.”
“I have no wish to…” Grinding her teeth Tian’ith stopped herself. “You have not come out here to talk about my life choices, Baltana,” she stated. “Get to the point.”
“Very well,” her sister smiled thinly. “Now Do’riane is to be dedicated mother is promoting you to command of the household troops. She feels it’s more befitting of your station than out here … playing soldiers.”
Her glass paused on the way to her mouth and Tian’ith stared at her sister as she spoke. Eventually she looked away, setting the glass down stiffly. Fingers gripping the stem tightly enough to whiten her knuckles.
“You’re to hand over control to your second and help him choose one, then return home to fulfil those and the representative duties from there.” The priestess laid her hand over that of her sister and her voice softened a little. “Come on, it’ll be just like when we were younger….”
***
The gates of the city closed on the last of the last of the patrol and Tian’ith murmured to herself. “Just like when we were younger.” Pebbles that start a landslide.
((In the very unlikely event I make it. If it wasn't for the DST difference compensation shift I might have. *shakes fist at bloody farmers*))
***
“Well? Have you taken the Dar’ge's representative yet?” Her sister asked blithely, sipping from a glass and following the movements of the young warrior who served them with a predatory air. “He is attractive despite the bookishness.”
“No,” Tian’ith replied with a sigh snapping her fingers and sending the male away swiftly. “There are more important matters requiring my attention.”
“You should try it,” the priestess continued with an annoyed sniff. “It might loosen you up a little. Release some tension.” She waved a hand vaguely. “If not him then choose one of your scouts.”
“I have no wish to…” Grinding her teeth Tian’ith stopped herself. “You have not come out here to talk about my life choices, Baltana,” she stated. “Get to the point.”
“Very well,” her sister smiled thinly. “Now Do’riane is to be dedicated mother is promoting you to command of the household troops. She feels it’s more befitting of your station than out here … playing soldiers.”
Her glass paused on the way to her mouth and Tian’ith stared at her sister as she spoke. Eventually she looked away, setting the glass down stiffly. Fingers gripping the stem tightly enough to whiten her knuckles.
“You’re to hand over control to your second and help him choose one, then return home to fulfil those and the representative duties from there.” The priestess laid her hand over that of her sister and her voice softened a little. “Come on, it’ll be just like when we were younger….”
***
The gates of the city closed on the last of the last of the patrol and Tian’ith murmured to herself. “Just like when we were younger.” Pebbles that start a landslide.
((In the very unlikely event I make it. If it wasn't for the DST difference compensation shift I might have. *shakes fist at bloody farmers*))
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
Hooking up with the Derro and this new group continued to be interesting. Vot had never planted spiders in some Dwarven vents before. And he had to admit, there was a certain... glee he felt in doing it. Those Dwarves won't know what hit them. Literally. They won't know it was them. It all made him quite amused.
Still, amusing as it was, the Derro were sending some signals he didn't like. That mad alchemist letting slip for a moment that they might soon do without them was only mildly concerning. But those "Oath Stones" that they had were something else. They sounded too good to be true. And down here, that almost always means that they were. And they kept bringing them up... It all just felt off. Not that Vot wasn't considering using them anyway. They were tempting. Very tempting. The Derro leader used them right in front of them, so it couldn't be that dangerous... right?
In the meantime, some of his new associates were clearly inexperienced in the taste department. Tonight, he was going to show them a true gourmet's meal. His old crew may have valued him for his muscle, but he knew the real thing they'd miss was his exceptional culinary talent. And soon, this new crew was going to find that out. Tonight, they would experience his salted shroom and rothe stew. Those lucky gits.
Still, amusing as it was, the Derro were sending some signals he didn't like. That mad alchemist letting slip for a moment that they might soon do without them was only mildly concerning. But those "Oath Stones" that they had were something else. They sounded too good to be true. And down here, that almost always means that they were. And they kept bringing them up... It all just felt off. Not that Vot wasn't considering using them anyway. They were tempting. Very tempting. The Derro leader used them right in front of them, so it couldn't be that dangerous... right?
In the meantime, some of his new associates were clearly inexperienced in the taste department. Tonight, he was going to show them a true gourmet's meal. His old crew may have valued him for his muscle, but he knew the real thing they'd miss was his exceptional culinary talent. And soon, this new crew was going to find that out. Tonight, they would experience his salted shroom and rothe stew. Those lucky gits.
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
The mission for the Dero had gone as according to plan, of course, as with Ravillion involved success was an almost guarantee. They got their payment, and another offering at gaining a so called 'blessing' at the cost of an unknown magical binding. She was already cursed enough as it was by her house sisters and whoever they had found to do it, yes, once she found out who they would pay for it, and so she was not about to willingly get herself cursed further.
Especially when some of the higher ranked Dero were already openly talking about disposing of Ravillion and the group once their little minions progressed along in strength and their general situation improved. It isn't like Ravillion wasn't expecting it, rather she was as that was the way of things, but she was at least expecting them to try and pretend otherwise. Just outright saying it was an insult, really.
But as the others feasted and did whatever as usual Ravillion decided to make better usage of her time. The other and her male had recently been gathering and using materials to craft things like traps, and now that she had some time available she would make efficient use of it as well. In particular, she would utilize what she could find from the acid pits and whatnot to make coatings for her arrows, as the amount of them supplied was far too low compared to what they needed.
As for the eventually betrayal of the Dero, she would worry about that later. As it was, most of the group were still useful to them, for now.
Especially when some of the higher ranked Dero were already openly talking about disposing of Ravillion and the group once their little minions progressed along in strength and their general situation improved. It isn't like Ravillion wasn't expecting it, rather she was as that was the way of things, but she was at least expecting them to try and pretend otherwise. Just outright saying it was an insult, really.
But as the others feasted and did whatever as usual Ravillion decided to make better usage of her time. The other and her male had recently been gathering and using materials to craft things like traps, and now that she had some time available she would make efficient use of it as well. In particular, she would utilize what she could find from the acid pits and whatnot to make coatings for her arrows, as the amount of them supplied was far too low compared to what they needed.
As for the eventually betrayal of the Dero, she would worry about that later. As it was, most of the group were still useful to them, for now.
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
Miiq pondered the stones, and he pondered the nature of power.
He understood well the relationship between power and sacrifice. There is nothing in this world that comes from nothing. Even dragons hatch. Grow. Devour. In all places and among all peoples, it is the right of the strong to consume the week. And Miiq had promised himself that he would never again be weak.
So why, then, did the stones give him pause? There was no price he was not willing to pay to reach his goal - or so he had once believed.
He understood well the relationship between power and sacrifice. There is nothing in this world that comes from nothing. Even dragons hatch. Grow. Devour. In all places and among all peoples, it is the right of the strong to consume the week. And Miiq had promised himself that he would never again be weak.
So why, then, did the stones give him pause? There was no price he was not willing to pay to reach his goal - or so he had once believed.
Re: Assault on Aldera Campaign
A return to the Dar'ges arcane sanctum had been a source of relief for most of his life. But those days were rare, now. Gone was the comfortable life of study and practice. No, these days, he'd been volunteered for politics.
"Back so soon, Zau'lann?" This was the voice of the elderly Keeper of the Tomes, Farinzet. Two steps down from Head Arcanist, but happy to act as if he was the king of the Underdark. At least, within the libraries, among the junior mages like Zau'lann, he got to pretend to be of some sort of importance. He'd never liked the Keeper, and the feeling was mutual - the Keeper'd been the one to put Zau'lann forward for this little duty, he was sure of it.
"Yes, Keeper, back so soon." He was in no mood for the game. "Not that it's anything to do with you."
The Keeper seemed amused, and nodded at something behind Zau'lann. He frowned and turned - to be faced with a pair of hard eyes, staring at him.
He didn't know the aging woman behind him well. A handful of sightings in the shadows of one House gathering or another. But he knew the name, and it was enough to spark a nervous flutter. Vemelrie Dar'Ges, by name - she had no rank, no place in the House, and might even be a shared hallucination for all Zau'lann knew. But people knew what it was she did. The spymistress of the House. Curt, overworked, and never in a mood for fools.
Her seamed mouth thinned in disapproval as she noted his apprehension. She folded her arms, glancing at the Keeper. "Leave us." An instruction the Keeper was seemingly all too happy to obey.
The spymistress let the silence stretch out a moment, a silence he wasn't about to break. Perhaps she was listening for others? Trying to intimidate him? Who could guess the mind of a woman? He gathered a bit of resolve, and waited. Finally, she spoke.
"Tell me of the Neladar daughter."
Zau'lann blinked. He was at a loss for words, the question catching him off-guard - which was ridiculous, he realised a moment later. Who else would she ask about? He took in a breath, mastering his thoughts. "Frustrated, rebellious, and unfavourite. She takes what I say grudgingly."
"Is that all?"
Zau'lann hesitated. "Yes."
Velmerie seemed unsatisfied. "Pay more attention. Especially now. Things are moving... and we will have to move with them."
***
He looked at the outcasts, gathered around the table... eyes moving from face to face. Yes, he saw it there. Discomfort... distrust. Of one another, of their hosts, of the gifts offered. At least now that there were common enemies hunting them all, the pressure might release, but a bit of 'fellow spirit' couldn't hurt. Illusions were useful, after all.
He'd told Tian'ith - oh, a little pang of worry at her whereabouts! - that should they act against someone here, the kobold would be the most anxious. So it made sense to get it on side... he leaned over towards the diminutive little lizard as bowls of fungus broth were being handed around, managing to sound as if he considered the creature as some sort of equal.
"It may just be worth looking into the magic of these Oath Stones, yes? What do you think, eh...?" He took a mouthful. "Hm. Not bad."
"Back so soon, Zau'lann?" This was the voice of the elderly Keeper of the Tomes, Farinzet. Two steps down from Head Arcanist, but happy to act as if he was the king of the Underdark. At least, within the libraries, among the junior mages like Zau'lann, he got to pretend to be of some sort of importance. He'd never liked the Keeper, and the feeling was mutual - the Keeper'd been the one to put Zau'lann forward for this little duty, he was sure of it.
"Yes, Keeper, back so soon." He was in no mood for the game. "Not that it's anything to do with you."
The Keeper seemed amused, and nodded at something behind Zau'lann. He frowned and turned - to be faced with a pair of hard eyes, staring at him.
He didn't know the aging woman behind him well. A handful of sightings in the shadows of one House gathering or another. But he knew the name, and it was enough to spark a nervous flutter. Vemelrie Dar'Ges, by name - she had no rank, no place in the House, and might even be a shared hallucination for all Zau'lann knew. But people knew what it was she did. The spymistress of the House. Curt, overworked, and never in a mood for fools.
Her seamed mouth thinned in disapproval as she noted his apprehension. She folded her arms, glancing at the Keeper. "Leave us." An instruction the Keeper was seemingly all too happy to obey.
The spymistress let the silence stretch out a moment, a silence he wasn't about to break. Perhaps she was listening for others? Trying to intimidate him? Who could guess the mind of a woman? He gathered a bit of resolve, and waited. Finally, she spoke.
"Tell me of the Neladar daughter."
Zau'lann blinked. He was at a loss for words, the question catching him off-guard - which was ridiculous, he realised a moment later. Who else would she ask about? He took in a breath, mastering his thoughts. "Frustrated, rebellious, and unfavourite. She takes what I say grudgingly."
"Is that all?"
Zau'lann hesitated. "Yes."
Velmerie seemed unsatisfied. "Pay more attention. Especially now. Things are moving... and we will have to move with them."
***
He looked at the outcasts, gathered around the table... eyes moving from face to face. Yes, he saw it there. Discomfort... distrust. Of one another, of their hosts, of the gifts offered. At least now that there were common enemies hunting them all, the pressure might release, but a bit of 'fellow spirit' couldn't hurt. Illusions were useful, after all.
He'd told Tian'ith - oh, a little pang of worry at her whereabouts! - that should they act against someone here, the kobold would be the most anxious. So it made sense to get it on side... he leaned over towards the diminutive little lizard as bowls of fungus broth were being handed around, managing to sound as if he considered the creature as some sort of equal.
"It may just be worth looking into the magic of these Oath Stones, yes? What do you think, eh...?" He took a mouthful. "Hm. Not bad."