[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 3: Temple of the Elk

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

15th Pharast, Toilday

We have decided to return to exploring the forested area that lies to the west of the trading post. But before we set off, we discussed what to do about the traps set by the trapper who doesn't mark them. We've determined that if we encounter any more of his traps we will confiscate them, as they are a hazard.

Chahana also tried to convince Oleg not to dismantle the other ballistae, but he saw no point to keeping them. He doesn't wish his trading post to become an armed fort. After their discussion one of the former bandits who has some carpentry skill offered to disassemble them and set them aside. Chahana has written to Restov to request books about how to build and maintain such weapons, as she is determined that they should be preserved and repaired for future use.

When we left the trading post, we borrowed a wagon from Oleg as it's smaller than Zander's wagon and will be easier to navigate in forested areas. The enchanted sapling we discovered by the bandit camp makes travel much less difficult. Simon is carrying the sapling for the present. We left our mounts in the care of Robb the groom so that we'll only need to carry enough feed with us to look after the horses pulling the wagon. Reislin has chosen to remain at the trading post to inscribe scrolls.

16th Pharast

Today we came upon some unusual tracks that seemed to be those of lizard-like creatures the size of halflings, walking on two legs. These appeared recently made. We suspected they were kobold tracks. There is a reward for eliminating the "kobold threat", though the poster at Oleg's doesn't say what threat the kobolds pose. But because there is supposed to be a threat, we decided to seek the makers of the prints.

Following the tracks led us to a clearing, where we found a party of six kobolds gorging themselves on moon radishes. They also had a quantity of radishes they'd harvested stored in buckets. Chahana stepped forward and attempted to converse with the kobolds, but she doesn't speak their language. The kobolds don't speak our language either. One kobold threw a spear at her when she tried speaking louder. Two others also snatched up their weapons, which inspired Maria to scold them as she might have done a small child or a dog. Fortunately they were too bloated with radishes to be threatening, and we permitted them to gather up their harvest and depart as we saw no harm in them. Sarenrae willing, we have not made a mistake in our judgments.

The kobolds left behind some radishes so these we gathered to take back to Svetlana. As we picked them we questioned whether we should seek out the kobolds' main camp. We don't know how many kobolds there may be, and as we can't speak with them we will likely wait until Reislin is with us again, as she knows more languages.

17th Pharast

We've come back to the river again. As we were following its banks we spied an unusual tree, its foliage blue on one side of the trunk. We could find no magical cause for such coloration, and Simon doesn't know any reason for it. After Chahana plucked a few of the blue leaves, Zander noticed an unusal bird nest in the top of a nearby fir tree. But we saw no occupant and the tree was much too tall to climb.

Later on Chahana suddenly noticed that some of the moon radishes we had picked were missing from the wagon. Simon suspects fey creatures took them.

We now know that fey are following us. As we were setting some wood on the campfire tonight, a burst of brilliant light flared, leaving me bereft of sight for a few moments. We could hear voices among the trees, though the members of our group who weren't left blind couldn't see the source of those voices. While Zander attempted to calm the frightened horses, he saw a small person that appeared to be emulating his likeness. It behaved in a comical manner, waving a stick at him before running off among the trees. Chahana set a radish out on a log just beyond the camp as an offering.

18th Pharast

Nothing happened to the radish Chahana left. Today when we rested at midday, Zander noticed the horses' tails had been tied together.

This afternoon we came upon a treeless bluff looming over the river's opposite bank. On its crest we could see what appeared to be stone structures. We decided that although the bluff lies beyond the area we planned to explore, we will cross the river and climb to its top to see what is there.

It took us some time to make our way to the foot of the bluff. It is too steep to take the horses and wagon up. We worked our way around to a less severe slope and climbed up to the summit, which gives a fine view over the Narlmarches. On the southern side it drops off in a sheer cliff, which proved to be carved into the likeness of an elk. In a clearing at the top lies what appears to be a temple to Erastil, just as the priest Jhod expected. There is a ring of standing stones, a shallow pool that was full of algae when we first encountered it, and a broken stair leading to a dark entrance dug into the bluff. Jhod's vision mentioned a bear, and Simon spied some remains that looked like they might have been left from a bear's kills. Bear tracks were also visible on the ground. The whole area felt dark and had an oppressive air despite it being a pleasant sunny day.

We assumed the bear had made its lair in the cave at the top of the stair. Simon offered to try to lure it out. His effort was immediately successful, as a massive bear came rushing out, roaring in fury. I am no hunter, but even to my eyes the beast looked wrong, its coat filthy and matted and its expression one of mindless rage.  I took cover behind one of the standing stones and used the Dawnflower's blessing to see if it had been corrupted by evil, but I could detect no evil from it.

It was my mistake to let the beast see me when I examined it. It rushed at me and slashed me with its claws, then grabbed hold of me and began to pull me closer. Zander ran behind it and Chahana fired an arrow into its flank. I slashed it with my scimitar and Maria joined Zander to stab it from behind, which caused it to release me and swat at Maria. Then Chahana put an arrow through its heart. As it collapsed it let out a sigh that sounded almost an expression of relief. Its body transformed into that of an old, very dirty human, who rapidly shriveled until at last he decayed into dust.

As soon as the werebear breathed his last, the gloominess of the place vanished and it felt altogether more wholesome. We realized the pool had cleared of its film of algae and now appeared clean and palatable. Simon tasted the water and told us it was good. I decided to have a drink myself and as soon as I swallowed a mouthful the claw marks left by the bear closed and faded to mere scratches.

A hazy image appeared to us then of a man in the garb of a priest, calling out for aid against invading orcs and trolls. Again and again he cried out for help, until at last when his calls went unanswered he called upon something darker and more ominous that led to his transformation.

I turned my eyes toward the image of the stag and gave a prayer of thanks to Erastil for his healing blessing. It was then that I caught a glimpse of a creature looking down at us from above. It was a griffon. After a moment it flew away.

We decided that we would remain for the night at the temple and clear away some of the refuse left by the bear, then return to Oleg's to inform Jhod of our discovery and bring him back if he chooses to come.

19th Pharast

Simon has elected to remain at the temple, as he is a worshipper of Erastil and it is Planting Week, a festival devoted to the Deadeye. We will return to Oleg's Trading Post without him.

22nd Pharast

We have returned to Oleg's trading post, bringing with us some lumber we gathered along the way and the moon radishes Svetlana requested. They are among Oleg's favorite foods. Svetlana gave us quite a substantial reward for them.

The remaining ballistae have been disassembled and stacked outside the fort walls, under tarpaulins to protect them from the weather. While we were away a letter from Maegar Varn arrived, telling us that things are going well for him to the east: he has been made mayor of the town, which has changed its name to Varnhold in his honor.

Svetlana has given us a supply of honey and some licorice sweets to take as offerings for the fey folk when we journey back to the temple with Jhod. He is eager to visit it. Reislin has been persuaded to come back with us, though I think she would prefer it if she could remain behind and continue making scrolls.

26th Pharast

We left Jhod at the temple, where he is confident he will be safe on his own. Simon has rejoined us to continue our explorations. We have decided to remain away from the trading post for two or three weeks to make a thorough examination of the surroundings near the temple.

Late on the first day we found a stack of logs that had collapsed. At first we thought it a logging camp, but quickly realized it was meant to be a deadfall trap. Much to our dismay, we found the remains of a man who had been crushed and had died there some days earlier. He was clad in furs and leathers, which suggest he might have been a trapper, but there was nothing with him to indicate his identity other than a fine quality axe. The rope that was meant to act as the trigger of the trap had been gnawed through. We couldn't determine if the dead man was the builder of the trap or only its victim. We buried his remains nearby and I prayed to Pharasma to look after his spirit. We took his tent, which was damaged but which Zander thinks he can repair, and also his axe. If he was someone who had visited the trading post, perhaps Oleg will recognize the axe.

We have come to another river, this one known as the Skunk River for the sulfurous odor it emits. It is very boggy in the area around this river, which makes the sapling even more useful to us as otherwise it would be very difficult to traverse in a wagon. We had heard that an alchemist occasionally visits the trading post and Chahana wondered if he would be interested in the waters here, as the smell indicates the presence of hot springs that can sometimes have healing properties.

By following the steam we saw rising from the ground we found the spring, where mud bubbles up in a most unappealing manner. Chahana states that in her homeland such mud is used to smooth and soften the skin. As we were observing this unusual sight, several frogs the size of small ponies rose out of the muck and began trying to eat us!

I was caught by one frog's sticky long tongue and drawn toward it, but I managed to fend it off. Zander was similarly snared. Within a few moments we had slain several frogs and the others had fled. Zander then skinned the carcases, hoping to make some leather goods from their hides.

We returned to the temple and spent the rest of our time in the area surrounding it, assuring ourselves that the only threats were fey. Jhod has gathered up many broken pieces of carvings that once adorned the temple and intends to restore them.

We searched the area between the temple and the Thorn River, observing some spectacularly beautiful dragonflies that appeared to be of fey origin. Simon suggested that there may be a weakness here in the veil between this world and the fey realm, or perhaps a portal through which they can enter this world.

Next we made our way to the other side of the Skunk River, which is much more difficult to ford than the Thorn. In the distance we spied what appeared to be some ruined buildings. We encountered some unusual tracks, which resembled the footprints of frogs, but the creature appeared to be ambulating on two limbs rather than four. Along with it were reptilian prints from a four-legged creature. These led to two structures, one of them whole but old and the other a ruin. Chahana cautiously approached to observe the creature whose footprints we had followed there.

Inside the less ruined structure is a being that resembles a frog, but it wears clothing and carries a club. It appeared to speak to the second creature from time to time. This second creature was purple in color and its mouth sported a pair of long upper fangs. The creature with the club was engaged in pursuing dragonflies. Chahana recalls that such creatures are known as boggards. This prompted Maria to remember that the purple beast is a slurk. I detect no sign of corruption in them.

Maria has found no sign of other boggards in the area. It seems our boggard dwells alone here. Chahana decided to try to speak to it, hopeful that it knows some language other than its own as even Reislin is unable to speak the boggard's tongue. The boggard proved to know only a few words of the common tongue, but it is enough. Maria offered it some trail ration, which it took. The whole exchange was friendly enough, though it soon became clear that the boggard thinks of the structure as its territory and is happy enough for us to leave it be. What Chahana recalls about boggards makes me wonder if perhaps it is an exile from its people.

Next: part 4, Boars and Bushes and Spiders

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux, part 2: Attack the Bandits

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

5th Pharast

Though we first thought we should wait for the bandits to come to Oleg's Trading Post, where we can defend ourselves from behind its walls, when Hagrid commented that the bandits could set the fort aflame that plan changed. Oleg is naturally very concerned that his home and the source of his livelihood might be destroyed.

In light of this thought, we've decided we shall continue exploring the surroundings of the trading post and make our way to the bandits' camp to face them on their own ground. Oleg has offered Reislin 10 gold pieces for each map she makes of the surrounding territory.  Jhod the priest has also offered to cast spells for us for a nominal price. Kesten Garess, the leader of the mercenaries, told us about a man called Sneeg who deserted and stole some money. Kesten Garess believes this man has likely joined bandits, and there is a reward for his capture.

                                                 Kesten Garess

Armed with information and possibilities to earn further coin, we have set out to the southwest of the trading post. The land there is mostly grassland with rolling hills. After we traveled for a time Simon spied something colorful ahead, which proved to be a field of wildflowers. Amongst the blossoms we sighted a fey creature that resembled a hummingbird with the wings of a butterfly and tiny blossoms growing from its long tail. Chahana gathered a bouquet of blossoms to take back to Svetlana.

We are growing accustomed to standing watches each night, organizing ourselves such that those of us who are capable of seeing in darkness can each take a different watch. Simon is able to summon animals to him so that they can become our meals. He has no objection to our eating them, only asking that we slay them in the quickest and least painful way possible. Sadly none of us know a great deal about preparing food and we have had some dinners that are burnt or undercooked. But fresh meat is preferable to eating only trail rations.

7th Pharast

After two days traveling through the hills we have decided to enter the forest. Simon has warned us to expect rain tomorrow. We have been talking with one another as we go, learning more about one another's backgrounds and knowledge. Reislin has explained that although she comes from Kyonin as I do, her family are jewelers who travel a great deal and she has visited distant lands such as Osirion, the homeland of my lady Sarenrae. She has decided it is time for her to see other parts of the world on her own rather than in company with her parents, so as to broaden her experience and increase her magical knowledge.

We have run into a bit of unexpected difficulty among the trees. Just after Simon and Chahana noticed a number of animal tracks and one set that seemed to belong to a person, Chahana stepped into a bear trap that had been left without anything to mark it so that a person would know it was there. The trap badly wounded her before we could get her free. The Dawnflower granted me a small taste of her healing power that I might treat Chahana's wound. Out of concern that we would find more such traps, Reislin summoned a horse by magic and had it walk ahead of us. I think she was the only member of our little group who thought this was not a bit cruel, proclaiming that the horse would return to wherever it had come from with no recollection of what had happened to it. She claims that she has read this in a magical tome.

9th Pharast

It has begun to rain quite heavily, hence the water spots in my journal. This has slowed our travel. We have decided to make our way back to Oleg's.

10th Pharast

We have arrived at the trading post. Hagrid and Inky have been working with Oleg to repair the damaged gates, using the timbers from the ballistae as there is no one here who can repair or operate them. When we told Oleg about the bear trap, he told us that he suspects that a local trapper is responsible, as he puts out unmarked traps to deter other trappers. But he hasn't seen the man for several weeks. We had found some of the other traps the trapper left and these we've given to Oleg.
A package has arrived for us containing a reward of 400 gold pieces, which is quite a boon.

12th Pharast

We have departed again, this time on our way toward the Narlmarches to take on the rest of the bandits. As we were riding along the Thorn River earlier we came upon a most unusual sight: there was a fish floating above the water! It was moving as if swimming. This was so curious we had to stop and investigate. Wondering if it might be a fey fish, Reislin attempted to communicate with it, but it didn't respond. Maria realized that it had a magical aura, and Zander observed that there was an outline of a fish in the water beneath it. Chahana was prepared to swim out to it or to let Simon do so, but when she got into the water the current began to carry her away from it. In the end we concluded that for some inexplicable an image of a fish was being projected above the actual fish, slightly displaced from the fish's true location. We did not catch that fish, but Simon summoned several other fish for us to enjoy as our dinner.

The scent of woodsmoke warned us when we approached the bandit camp. There are not many of us who are skilled at moving silently in the forest, so we decided that not all of us should go forward at once. Reislin cast a spell on Chahana and Zander so that they could keep in communication with her as they crept up to spy out the camp. They observed that the bandits were spread out on both sides of the river, and had constructed two simple watchtowers on which archers could perch. Several men had only just returned from a hunting expedition and were weary, and those men who were not on the towers were not particularly attentive.

We decided to strike them at once, concentrating on the area closest to the direction from which we had approached, where they had gathered some of their ill-gotten equipment. Chahana began the fray by shooting the guard on the near tower. The man immediately toppled. Zander ran forward to the sound of surprised shouting. Reislin murmured an incantation and three men sitting by a campfire slumped over, one of them very nearly falling into the flames.

I drew my bow first and shot a man who was on the ground. Then I threw it down and ran forward with my shield and sword at the ready. All around me I could hear the sounds of my new comrades battling the bandits. A woman bearing an axe in each hand came forward, and she and one of the men flanked me and attacked, slashing me in the side. I saw one of Chahana's arrows strike the woman. Maria ran up behind the woman flanking her as she had flanked me. An arrow struck me in the shoulder, fired by the watcher on the second tower. Chahana shot him and he plunged to the ground. Zander shouted for me to move to his side, but I began to feel quite weak and feared I would be unable to move that far. I backed away from the axe-wielding woman and let Sarenrae's healing light fill me.

With a little of my health recovered I moved in on the woman again and slashed her. She tried to retaliate, but she was too weak and fell to the ground. Chahana then produced her manacles and bound the woman, as we desired to question her. The bandits who had fallen beside the fire were also bound with rope, as Reislin's spell had only caused them to fall into a slumber.

In a chest by the campfire we found an assortment of objects that the bandits had clearly stolen from some persons. Reislin examined everything carefully to see if anything was enchanted, and in that process discovered a nearby fallen tree limb had some sort of magical property. Reislin says that if it is planted in the earth it can grow magical fruit with healing properties.

After evaluating the bandits' loot, we discussed what we should do with them. All of us but Reislin are in agreement that we should offer them the opportunity to change their lives and seek forgiveness. We have decided to question them to decide what manner of men they are. Maria and I will lead this questioning.

Once awakened, one man refuses to tell us anything and his answers have made Maria and I feel that if he is set free he will only go on to harm others further. Three of the others are willing to speak. They have told us what they know of this Stag Lord we have heard of: they say that he is a drunkard, a ruthless man who wears a helm in the form of a stag's head, that his camp holds fewer than twenty men but more than a dozen, and that he desires the acquisition of territory. His base lies in a ruined fort on the edge of the Tuskwater. The men in this camp have come to seek supplies.

All of the men we questioned tell stories of lives gone wrong. Some of them joined the bandits only to avoid being slain or left with nothing in the wilderness. One man knows horses and would like a job caring for them. He we have decided can be returned to the trading post, to ask Oleg to give him work as a stablehand. Another man knows carpentry and built the watchtowers in the camp. We asked them about the woman, who is the leader of their group. She is devoted to the Stag Lord they tell us, and may even be his paramour. They have given us the passphrase to use to gain access to the fort, which they say is always taken from a book in the Stag Lord's possession.

As several of them have been so willing to speak, we have also asked them what they know of the territory around their camp. They have told us of the trapper we know of, of kobolds, and of some very small blue creatures that have lately raided their camp. They also know of Sneeg and tell us he is at the fort with the Stag Lord.

When we had questioned all the men we woke the woman, Kressle, to question her. She defends all of the Stag Lord's actions and her own and is very proud of her work. By her words we know her to be both a sadist and a lifelong criminal who feels no shame for the harm she has done. We have decided to carry out the mandate of the Swordlords and execute her, as well as the one man who refused to tell us anything.

Chahana and Maria together have put the two condemned bandits to the sword. Maria was unhappy that we chose to make the others witness this. She has some pain in her past that makes her feel it is torture to force a man to watch an execution. But we want them to know that we will carry out the law, even if the law of Restov does not truly apply here. We cannot make this land safer if there are no laws.

12th Pharast

We have packed up all of the things from the bandits in Zander's wagon, even some timbers from the watchtowers. We would have liked to take lumber, but the wagon is not sufficiently large enough. The spot where the bandits made their camp is a good one for a logging encampment; it has access to the river and lies at the end of a rugged road. We are making our way back to Oleg's with our prisoners.

14th Pharast

We have arrived at Oleg's Trading Post. He is not best pleased by having all these additional people in his property. I am not sure he will want a stablehand. He states that he came here to be away from people, not to build a town. Svetlana is more welcoming. Unfortunately we could not recover her missing ring; it seems that the 'blue creatures' we were told of may have taken it when they raided the bandit camp.

Next: part 3, Temple of the Elk

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux Session 1: Into the Greenbelt

24th Calistril

This morn my companions and I gathered with the other charter-holders in the courtyard of the Citadel for a final farewell prior to setting off into the Stolen Lands. We had brief conversations with Maegar Varn, who kindly gave us good directions to Oleg's Trading Post, and with the Dreadnaughts. A clerk also gave us further information about how to locate the trading post.

While we were looking on one group was loading a very large quantity of goods and equipment into a chest. It did not matter how much was put into the chest, it accepted more. Then mages cast spells to create smoky horses of magic which were hitched to a carriage, and then they created discs of magical energy beneath each wheel, lifting up the carriage so that it would float! It was quite astonishing.

After a time Advocate Jenessa approached us, wearing a rather concerned expression. She congratulated us, and presented us with a curative potion that had been taken from Kahn. She informed us that some of the members of the selection committee were not entirely convinced that we had not all been party to Kahn's crimes. We assured her that we had been unaware of his behavior and would never have put his name on our list of preferred comrades had we known. I do not know if she believed us.

When it was time to set off, Reislin cast a spell to summon a horse to ride, and the rest of us boarded Zander's wagon, which is not at all as fantastic as the floating carriage and is drawn by an ordinary horse. Then we departed from Restov in a large group, all of the charter-holders traveling together until we pass beyond the southern border of Brevoy.

1st Pharast

After traveling for 6 days, the Varnlings split off from the main group and turned to the south. By the time we found the sign for Oleg's Trading Post that we had been told to expect, the Dreadnaughts also bid us farewell. I hope that I shall see them again before too much time has passed, as I enjoyed conversing with another worshipper of the Dawnflower. Reislin also seems to have befriended Havin Wayfinder, Jastra Moondown, and Erendis. They gave her gifts when we set off.

The weather has fortunately been mild. The Greenbelt is a vast rolling plain, with a line of trees to the west showing us where the forest known as the Narlmarches lies. The old fort in which Oleg Leveton has made his home and trading post is not an impressive sight. It is made of logs stood on end with their upper ends sharpened to a point. At each corner stands a tower holding a ballista. But the wood is old and weathered, with much of the chinking between the logs fallen out, and the ballistas are no longer in working order. Within the walls lies Oleg's house, a bunkroom, a small storehouse, and a stable.

Oleg himself is a rather gruff man of dour disposition. He at first mistook us for bandits. When he saw that we were not such ruffians, he explained that a bandit gang has been preying upon him and his wife Svetlana, taking all the furs they collect from local trappers as well as stealing food and supplies from them. He was in fact expecting the bandits to come for their "tithe", which was why he first assumed we were the brigands. After I read our charter aloud to him to confirm that we have been officially dispatched by the Swordlords of Restov, we asked him to tell us more of the bandits that we might understand our enemies.

Oleg gruffly told us that the bandits had first appeared in a group of a dozen men, but lately their regular visits have been by a smaller group numbering only five or six. One of their leaders was a man named Happs who had once lived at the trading post, but had been driven away for theft.
When we had learned what we could from Oleg, we at once began to plan how we could handle the threat of the bandits, as Oleg expects them to arrive tomorrow. Our charter states that unrepentant banditry is punishable by death. I wish to give the bandits the opportunity to lay down their arms and repent of their wrongful way. Maria and the others are in agreement with this.

Once we had decided we would try to persuade the bandits to surrender, and to fight them if they refuse, we had then to determine how we should meet them. Should we prevent them from entering the walls, or meet them in the courtyard? Should we hide ourselves from sight and attack them while they are unaware of us?  This took some considerable time to work out, as none of us have participated in this type of combat before.

In the end we have decided that we will let them enter the courtyard between the buildings, and while some of them are in the storehouse looking at the things they intend to take, we will make ourselves know by shutting the gate behind them so they cannot flee. Chahana will be on the walkway at the top of the wall with her bow and her horn, which she will blow to let us all know that the entire group has come inside the fort. Then Maria and Zander will push the gates shut. Simon will try to deal with their horses. I will take up a position behind the storehouse where they cannot see me, and Reislin will be on one of the towers from which she can cast her spells.

Now we have consumed a hearty meal of venison stew made by Oleg's kindly and much more friendly wife, Svetlana. It is time to rest so that we will be prepared to meet the bandits. Each of us will be standing a watch this night. It is a situation we must become accustomed to if we are to explore the wilds of the Greenbelt.

2nd Pharast

Just after we had taken breakfast, Chahana climbed up on the wall and spied a group of horsemen approaching the fort. We took up our positions as they drew nearer. Six men dismounted as the entered the courtyard, and two went into the storehouse. From my vantage behind it I could hear them tossing various items about heedlessly as they sought the most valuable objects. I put my head just past the corner of the building so that I could see one of the bandits standing near Oleg, whose fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white while the man Happs taunted him. I reached out with the sense that the Dawnflower has granted me in an effort to determine if the bandits are truly evil souls, but I could not find any evil in their auras.

Then I heard Chahana's horn blast and the thud of the gates slamming shut. I came out from behind the storehouse to stand in front of Oleg and told the bandits to lay down their arms and repent. At once Happs shouted to his men, ordering them to kill us. Two men struck at me at the same moment. I blocked one man's attack with the heavy shield Oleg had lent me, but the other was able to stab me from my right. I turned on him and slashed him in return.

Chahana's arrow flew true from the walkway, dealing Happs a serious wound. Zander emerged from beneath the walkway by the gate to attack a man at the rear of the group. Then Happs and the two men beside him slumped to the ground. I learned after that Reislin had sent them to sleep with her magic. One of the men tried to flee, but because he could not go out through the gate he ran toward the ladder to the walkway on which Chahana stood. Zander pursued him. Oleg used the truncheon he carried to strike the bandit nearest him over the head, dropping the man to the ground.

A second bandit also attempted to flee, running between Oleg's house and the bunkroom. I do not know what he meant to do; perhaps climb up to the walkway and leap from the wall. Both Maria and I pursued him and he surrendered to us. Zander had also persuaded his man to surrender and the man began to plead for his life. While we were all occupied with this, Oleg crushed Happs' skull with his truncheon.

We bound the remaining five men. One of the men was badly hurt, but the two who had surrendered and one of the sleepers we put into pits that lay behind the stable. We decided to question them one at a time, Maria and I together, first giving them the chance to repent. Then we asked if they would tell us where to find the rest of their band and how many men remained. One man refused to cooperate, stating that he had no desire to seek any other occupation. He would tell us nothing about the other bandits. The other men claimed to repent and a few of them told us more of their gang, including that their leader is a woman named Kressle and their camp lies three days away in the Narlmarches. One man also mentioned that they are part of a larger group led by someone called the Stag Lord, but he knew very little about this as he had never been to the camp of the main band that lies farther south.

Because the first man has refused to repent, we have decided that we must carry out the justice of the Swordlords. We have asked him whether he prefers to be executed by the sword or the rope, and he has chose the rope. This led us to another conversation about how best to carry this out and whether we should require the remaining prisoners to witness it. In the end we have decided we will drop him from the top of the gate, which we hope will quickly slay him without suffering. We will cover his head so that no one need see his face as he dies. The other men must watch so that they know we are serious, though Maria is not entirely pleased with this as she fears it represents a kind of mental torture, something she has suffered herself. Still she has not opposed having the other men watch their comrade's execution.

I admit I have little enthusiasm for slaying a man in this way. But it is the will of the rightful rulers of Restov who have granted us this charter, and my lady the Dawnflower also teaches that those who will not turn from evil should suffer just retribution. I can only take heart that the other men have chosen to repent of their wrong and perhaps the path of their lives can be changed.

3rd Pharast

The execution is done. All of our group witnessed it, along with our prisoners. I could not keep a tear of regret from my eye at taking a life in this manner.

Two of the men have said that they will leave this country if we free them. We have determined to do so, returning their arms to them and giving them a few days of food and a small amount of coin so that they will not be tempted to thieve again when they reach a populated area.

The other two men, whose names are Hagrid and Inky, will remain at the trading post working for Oleg in exchange for their food and lodging. We had at first thought we might remain for a few days to try to fortify the fort structure, as we fear that once the other group of bandits fail to return Kressle will send a larger group to investigate. But there are no supplies with which to fortify the walls and none of us know how to repair or operate a ballista, so any endeavor to return this structure to the state of a true fort will have little success.

Instead we will go out for a day to explore the surroundings of the fort. We hope to eventually locate an area where a logging camp might be set up so that we can have access to timber. Fortunately we now have access to the bandits' horses, which will make it possible for our explorations to range farther and leave us less exhausted once we become accustomed to riding all day.

5th Pharast

We have returned to the trading post from our exploration. A new group of people have arrived here, a small party of mercenaries sent by the leaders of Restov to protect the trading post and Oleg. There is also a traveler, a priest of Erastil named Jhod Kavken, who is seeking a ruined temple to the One-Eyed God which he saw in a vision. Chahana is not familiar with the gods of this part of the world, having come from distant Vudra, and Jhod told her of the god. Because Erastil's symbol is a stag, we told him of the Stag Lord and showed him the crude iron amulet we took from Happs' body. He does not believe this has any association with the Deadeye. I am happy to have with us a priest of a good god who is friendly to my lady. Jhod may accompany us on some of our exploration, as he is very eager to locate the temple from his vision. Oleg also has a variety of posters scattered about offering various rewards for finding certain creatures or people. There is even a reward of credit at the trading post offered for finding Svetlana's lost wedding ring.

Next: part 2, Attack the Bandits

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux: Session Zero, part 2

23rd Calistril

Praise the Dawnflower! With her blessing I have been chosen to explore the area known as the Greenbelt, along with my new comrades Maria Zenata, Chahana Surtova, and Zander Aldori. Kahn Mahn will not be joining us, as he proved to be a most unsavory character.

La, but I have omitted the other events that occurred prior to the selection gala. On the morn of the 21st of Calistril, we were visited by yet another person attempting to recruit us, this time a half-elf woman who sought to persuade us to go to the Azlanti Isles on behalf of something named the Bountiful Venture Company of Andoran. While I should like to see what remains of Azlant, I am not willing to abandon the selection process in favor of that task.

I did not experience this myself, but I later learned that Chahana and Maria were approached by a local gentleman who sought companions to accompany his niece and nephew to the Golden Winter Ball that evening. Chahana and Maria agreed to this request and attended the ball in company with a young man and woman.

I had thought perhaps to avoid the ball, but when I learned that the members of the Dreadnaughts would attend I thought I should like to have another opportunity to speak of Sarenrae with Sol Covenant. Such opportunity did not present itself during the event, for Sol Covenant is a man who enjoys conversing with many people and was much engaged in that capacity when he was not enjoying the repast provided by the ball's hosts. This ball was held in a chancellor's mansion on the outskirts of the town, to which we were transported in carriages. Though it had been implied by the Advocate that we might find useful converse with the nobles in attendance, in truth they had little interest in those of us who had come for the charter selection.

On the day of the 22nd of Calistril, yet more folk came offering other opportunities for labor. I was suprised to find that folk had come all the way from Tian Xia to invite participation in a fighting competition there. The reward for the winner of said contest was proclaimed to be treasures from the vault of the Ruby Phoenix, a sorceress of great repute who has purportedly died and been resurrected many times.

Those of us who wished it were taken on a boar hunting expedition. The person who was meant to be the huntmaster declined to participate, proclaiming he had spent the previous night searching for someone who had got lost. Once it was settled that another would serve as huntmaster, we set off, only Kahn electing not to join us. I thought that combatting the corrupt minions of Treerazer was dangerous, but hunting wild boar is quite a challenge. Chahana suffered a serious injury. I had the good fortune, or the Dawnflower's blessing, to avoid harm and strike the final blow. For that I was awarded a fine quality boar spear.

When we rejoined the second group of hunters we noticed that they appeared uneasy and seemed to be avoiding one of their company, a dwarf named Landon who seems to have no interest in personal hygeine. But they would not say why they were so uncomfortable with him other than to indicate it was not due to his lack of personal care.

One of the other candidates, an individual known by the name of Sparky, had healed Chahana of some of her injury after the boar gored her, but I was not disappointed that he was not chosen to join our group in the selection. He had stated that he would only use his healing ability for a person who was near death, which I feel is not in agreement with the tenets of Sarenrae. I can comprehend that if healing magic is in short supply perhaps it is best to conserve such magic until it is most needed, but Sparky's argument did not seem to me to be stating such wisdom.

After Chahana was fully healed by the priests of Pharasma, we arranged to participate in a contest of arms with members of one of the dueling societies. First we each sparred with a single opponent, all at once but fighting our foes separately. In this our party won the contest. Afterward some obstacles were placed in the fighting circle and we competed as a group with the duellists. Here too we were victorious, in a more dramatic conflict which saw Zander leaping onto a table. Kahn joined us for this, for at this time we had not yet learned of his duplicity.

That evening the second ball took place, this hosted by a wealthy noble family of the name Lucchio. I chose not to attend this ball, as did Zander and Kahn. Maria and Chahana told me later that the most interesting event of this ball was the appearance of King Castruccio Irovetti of Pitax. He appeared to be in an impatient or angry mood, but Chehana and Maria took the chance to introduce themselves, hoping to allay any fears the king might have that the explorers chartered by Restov intend to encroach upon his kingdom. The king did not appear to be much interested in their assurances. They later learned that he was attempting to negotiate rights to a copper mine.

                                           King Castruccio Irovetti

As I had the evening free to do as I pleased, I sought out one of the other of my kindred who are here for the selection. This was Reislin Aleglossa, a mage who is somewhat more mature than any of the other candidates with perhaps the exception of Tamorjen. We had a pleasant few hours conversing until it was time to retire for the evening.

At breakfast our group was approached by a local man who sought someone to enter an abandoned tavern in Absalom to recover a tankard that had once been used by Caiden Caillean himself. I am uncertain whether any who heard him took his tale seriously. We were also visited by a local man, Vikel Benzen, who formerly had dwelt in the Greenbelt and desired that someone slay an aged boar called Tuskgutter and bring him its head, for it had taken one of his legs at some point in the past. As reward for successfully slaying the beast he would present the slayer with six enchanted arrows. As this request will not require us to travel to another nation or across the sea, we may pursue it should we encounter Tuskgutter.

At midday we returned to the Citadel for the selection announcement. This had been described as a gala, but was a much less formal affair than the winter ball. The event did not begin at the appointed hour, part because the Advocate was not present. We also observed that Kahn Mahn was missing and none had seen him since the previous day. Rumors began to abound to explain the Advocate's absence: that she had been bribed or magically charmed, or had fallen ill or been injured. All these were dispelled when she arrived. Before the selection announcement was made, the Advocate explained to us that the rough person we had seen in the Silver Dagger on the first evening, a man called Holk, had first been ejected from the competition for killing someone and then had been expelled from Brevoy entirely. Then she took us by surprise by saying that Kahn had attempted to interfere in the selection process in addition to other crimes and was now in the custody of the judiciary of Restov!

While we were still taken aback by this news, the Advocate read out the names of those who had been extended charters. As I have said, I am to remain with Chehana, Maria, and Zander, and much to my surprise and pleasure we are to be joined by Reislin. We will also be accompanied by Simon Holcroft, who joined us on the boar hunt and demonstrated a knack for dealing with animals. The territory we are all to explore has been separated into four quarters; the Dreadnaughts will go to the land nearest to Pitax, while the region known as the Noman Heights where centaurs live has been assigned to Maegar Varn and his Varnling mercenaries, and another group will travel to the area of the Hooktongue Slough and the town of Drelev.

                                                       Simon Holcroft (NPC)

When all of this had been read out I heard the door leading out of the Citadel open and caught a glimpse of Temorjan stalking out before the door slammed shut after him. His name had not been called.

Be it know that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, then granted the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg's Trading Post. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry shall remain, as always, execution by sword or rope. So witness this 23rd day of Calistril, under the watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne. 

Next: Session 1, Into the Greenbelt

[Pathfinder] Kingmaker Redux: Session Zero

Campaign notes:

For those who have looked at other parts of this blog, our group has previously participated in a campaign using the Kingmaker Adventure Path. That campaign unfortunately ceased without completing the adventure path. We are beginning a new campaign with a different GM and a different group of adventurers. To give the characters more reason to participate in the campaign goals and a closer relationship with one another than the usual "you meet at a tavern" introduction, we're having a couple of introductory sessions to get the characters acquainted and get them involved in the the campaign.

Before I begin to describe our first session, here are some house rules we're using.

Characters are created with the point-buy method, using the 25-point "Epic Fantasy" option.

High and Low
A roll of a natural 20 on any skill or ability check adds 5 to the final result.
A roll of a natural 1 on any skill or ability check subtracts 5 from the final result.

Writ of Destiny
Once per game session a Writ Token can be spent to grant an advantage or disadvantage to an in-game roll, before that roll is made.

                                                       Writ Token

Blood of Life
Cure or inflict potions can be applied directly to a wound in the same way as an oil.

Lead From the Front
The party gains an extra success at a group skill challenge if the nominated leader succeeds at the skill check.

Tough Enough
Hit points are rolled for each level beyond first level. The player and GM both roll, and the highest result is used.


Before the campaign began, each of the characters had heard that the Free City of Restov in Brevoy intended to grant adventurers a charter to explore the territory to the south of Brevoy known as the Stolen Lands. The characters wrote to the Lord Mayor of Restov to indicate their interest in obtaining charters, and each of them received this letter:

"Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been invited by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, to participate in the final selection process of granting the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. The carrier of this charter should present themselves before the Lord of Restov on the 20th day of Calistril in the Free City of Restov, prepared to immediately engage in exploration and travel should they be chosen by duly selected representatives of Lord Nolenski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne."

Armed with these letters, a number of would-be explorers converged on Restov.

Twentieth Day of Calistril in the year 4710 by Absalon Reckoning

From the journal of Lythande Syldorei

On the previous day I arrived in the Free City of Restov in the south of the nation of Brevoy, which lies to the north of the Greenbelt along the Sellen River. This day at an early hour I made my way to the Citadel, one of only two stone structures in this city. It is quite a different city than I am accustomed to in Iadara. The buildings are all of timber, often partly coated with a white plaster. The weather here is not pleasant at this time of year, being chill and rainy. The hem of my cloak is very muddy.

At the Citadel I was admitted without delay after showing my writ to the guards at the gate. There I waited for a time beneath a portico to keep out of the incessant rain. I was joined there by a group of other people I assumed to also have writs such as that which I have received. For the most part they were human folk. When the appointed hour arrived, the Lord Mayor's Advocate appeared and explained to us that should we choose we might take lodging at the city's expense at an inn called the Silver Dagger, and that evening we would be hosted at a banquet during which details of the selection process would be discussed. If we desired it we might take carriages back to the Citadel from the inn in time for the banquet.

After giving my name to a scribe and showing my writ again, I made my way along with a group of six others to the Silver Dagger, having already given up the room I had taken the previous night at another inn. At the Silver Dagger each of us was presented with a green ribbon to wear that the serving folk might know which of us were there at the hospitality of the city's lord. The innkeeper told us each of us was entitled to a free meal and a pitcher of ale, but we would have to share a room with other guests unless we were willing to pay two gold coins for a private room.

I found a table with two other woman, both human to my eyes. Their names are Maria Zenata and Chahana Surtova. Maria is young but has the scars of a battle-worn soldier. Chahana covers her face with a veil, which is apparently a custom in her native land. She is distantly related to the same family as the Lord Regent of this land. We sat and conversed pleasantly with one another for some hours, watching as a number of other people arrived and were given green ribbons to wear. Among these I spied a halfling, two dwarves, three of my own kindred, and at least one whose bloodline I think bears the mark of a fiend or elemental. But the better part of this crowd was made up of humans, as the populace of the River Kingdoms is largely such folk.

Eventually we were joined by two men, Kahn Mahn and Zander Aldori. Kahn is a human man who fills his words with unbridled confidence despite his youth. He told us of how his father had advised him to try a variety of studies or occupations before pursuing his preferred training as a wizard. I find this odd, for human lifetimes are so brief, how have they time to pursue more than one occupation? Kahn bears a sword but it does not appear to have seen much use. Zander is a young man partly of orcish blood who is also equipped with a sword and armor but while they are not handsome they look serviceable and well made and he appears to have some knowledge of how to use them as he is a member of one of the many duelling houses in Restov. Maria also appears to be proficient with her sword and armor. Chahana prefers the bow to the sword but does not seem to be merely a duellist, which is a common pursuit here in Restov.

When I first arrived at the Citadel I observed a man in green livery waiting there, and now a whole group of people wearing the same uniform entered the Silver Dagger and crowded together around two tables, paying no heed to anyone else. I'm told they are members of a mercenary company called the Varnlings, well known in this region. I do not know what a mercenary company could want of this exploration. Certainly they may find brigands or monstrous creatures to defeat, but it seems curious to me that they would otherwise have any interest in obtaining a charter when according to Maria and Kahn they already have some level of fame.

Our time together was also interrupted by the arrival of a representative from Lastwall seeking people to travel their to combat giants, and a brother and sister who had traveled from Taldor seeking people to help them reclaim their diamond mine from invading trolls. The man from Lastwall could not offer any great incentive to turn me from my intention to explore the Greenbelt, and because the Taldorans required a bloodprint contact I was not at all interested in the much more lucrative reward they offered.

When the carriages arrived to convey us back to the Citadel, I boarded with my new companions. Kahn had invited a young human lady to join him who knew the area of Restov much better than any of the others. Her father teaches at one of the local dueling schools. The Citadel had been decorated with lights and banners since I first visited it. We were conducted into a very large room filled with high tables, where we could mingle with other applicants while dining on small dishes and being offered entertainment. Curiously the entertainers sometimes approached their audience and attempted to encourage them to participate in the entertainment.

As I roamed about the chamber, I noticed a human man wearing the symbol of the Dawnflower seated with two women of my kindred. I made my way toward them to find that Zander had already met them and was conversing pleasantly with an older human man. These people were introduced as members of the Dreadnaughts, a small mercenary group of only five members. Their leader, Sol Covenant, is like myself a warrior devoted to Sarenrae, and I took great delight in speaking with him. The man with whom Zander spoke is a wizard by name of Havin Wayfinder, who is also very friendly and warm in nature. The two elven folk with them are Jastra Moondown, also a mage, and Erendis, a priestess of Desna. Sol Covenant remarked that their fifth member, Garrett, was probably disguised as one of the servants and observing the event from hiding.*

Of all the people who had come to seek the charter, the person whose presence most surprised me was Temorjin Yorl, the great swordsman. I do not know what he could seek by obtaining the right to explore the Greenbelt. I greeted him politely as I passed his seat, but he did not acknowledge my presence.

Then a person clad in the black robe and odd headgear of an official entered the hall and struck the butt of a long staff upon the floor to attract our attention. This official told the gathered crowd that we would be taken in to the feast in a moment, where we would meet the lord. He informed us of four important rules with which we must comply else we could be at least ejected from the selection process and at worst given much more severe punishment, though he did not specify what that punishment would be. The lord would be seated with other high officials on a dais, which we must not approach. We should not touch those persons, not speak to them unless invited by them to do so. We must not draw a weapon, though we were permitted to bear our arms. And those who had the ability to cast spells must not do so in the lord's presence.

When this announcement had been made, we were conduced into the banquet hall and greeted with a speech from the Lord Mayor. After the Mayor's speech concluded, the Advocate we had met earlier, Lady Jenessa, appeared again to describe the selection process to us. We would be interviewed separately by members of the selection committee beginning on the following day. During the next two days there would be an archery range and fighting circles available to us should we wish to demonstrate our skill with bows and other weapons. There would also be hunting expeditions conducted to allow for additional opportunities for a display of skill. Scholars would lecture us on the history of the region we were to explore, and in the evenings there would be formal winter balls which we could attend if we chose to meet the nobility and important merchants of Restov. On the third evening a gala would be held during which the chosen explorers would be announced. Of all these events only the interviews and the selection gala would be required of us.

Advocate Jenessa also asked that we not accept any other contracts until after the selection process was complete, explaining that the people of Restov had invited individuals like the man from Lastwall and the Taldoran siblings to come and offer us work so that if we were not chosen we might find other opportunities.

When we began to dine, it soon became apparent to me that my new acquaintances were concerned about what they might wear to the balls, for they lacked any formal attire. They also worried that it would not be appropriate to wear the same costume two evenings in succession. Maria asked one of the servants if some provision had been made for those who had no courtly garments to acquire some that they might attend the balls. I was not concerned with this as I have brought my courtly garb with me and I do not care if these folk see it twice.

Before the end of the evening we were given the times for our interviews with the selection committee. Chahana and Maria will see them tomorrow morning, Zander in the afternoon, and Kahn and I not until the following day. Kahn was disappointed with this, as we had all agreed we should participate in some of the other events together and having to wait so long for the interview would make that difficult. He sought out another man called Igby whom he had met at the inn and persuaded him to exchange his interview time for Kahn's time, after which he then had to convince a clerk to agree. Afterward he suggested that I do the same so that we might all complete our interviews on the first day of the selection process. He recruited the halfling Thim Tanglefoot** to exchange times with me, but while he was making that arrangement I had already sought out Temojin Yorl and by the blessing of the Dawnflower persuaded him to allow me to take his time.

The next morning we met and as a group went to hear one of the lectures on the history of the region, which was given by a fairly youthful man. The second lecture was provided by an elderly Taldoran man who sometimes lost the thread of his thoughts or forgot what name he sought to speak and had to be given assistance. I was reminded well how sorrowful it can be to dwell among the shorter-lived peoples of this world. Only the flame of the Dawnflower will keep me warm when my human friends end their short existences.

*The characters mentioned in this paragraph were all NPCs in a campaign our GM ran previously for our group.
**Thim Tanglefoot was a player-character in our previous run-through of the Kingmaker Adventure Path.


Our Party:

                                                 Chahana Surtova

Kahn Mahn

                                               Lythande Syldorei

Maria Zenata

                                                     Zander Aldori

Next: Session Zero, part 2

[Pathfinder] Wrath of the Righteous, part 55: Beneath the Crypt

Asami's letter to Master Seimei continues.

Bodak

In the aftermath of the bodak's attack, myself, Kirara, and Zero were all much weakened. For that reason we ascended the steps to wait just inside the entrance to the crypt while the others investigated the six burial vaults. Zosta and Runa opened the doors one by one, finding all the vaults unoccupied by any remains, though Jiro averred that all had been occupied at one time but the vaults had not been opened recently. There was nothing else within the empty vaults. We wondered what had become of the remains. We know that nabasu like to make ghouls of those they have slain, but the remnants of those already long deceased would be of no interest to them for that purpose.

Beyond the vaults lay a door to the right that did not open on another vault. This revealed a wall of unfinished stone and a staircase leading down to a set of double doors. To prepare us to face that chamber, I cast a communication spell upon all of us. Jiro then opened the doors, holding his eyes tightly closed to defend himself from the nabasu's gaze and employing his magic to grant himself echolocation.

Zero and I had not yet entered the short passage to the stairs at this point. Just as Jiro was sensing the room beyond the double doors, I sensed something behind me and then claws sank into my back. I cried out in pain, but my cry made no sound. I could not see that Jiro sensed my injury through his link to our lives, but he shut the doors and ran back up the steps, having realized that not only was something behind us but that the chamber beyond the doors was affecting by an enchantment that blocked all sound.

Nabasu

I moved away from the creature that had attacked me, realizing as I took refuge in a corner that it was the nabasu. It had teleported behind me. Zosta burst out of the stair passage and flung her arms about the demon but it slipped free of her grasp. Runa surged forward and used her divinely granted power, sending a burst of energy out that permitted everyone a sudden brief alacrity. A malevolent aura spread out from the nabasu, but only poor dear Kirara was unable to resist its effect. I had run into the passage where the stairs lay and hidden behind a section of wall out of sight of the demon but the wall did not protect us.

I could not see this, but the nabasu struck Runa a fierce blow with the axe it bore and then both clawed and bit her. Jiro ran out to cast a healing spell upon her. Zero stood in the doorway to the burial vaults, performing to inspire us. I stepped behind him and found that I could hear in that area, which encouraged me to cast a spell that would make everyone but the demon swifter. Runa struck the demon one hard blow and it took a step back, using its native ability to paralyze Zero and then engulfing the chamber in impenetrable darkness. A moment later Jiro's lantern flared to life, dispelling the darkness. The silencing effect had also been dissipated somehow. Jiro freed Zero of his immobility.

Zosta had been punching the nabasu with her fiery fists while Runa sliced it with her baneful blade, and now Zosta landed a blow that dropped the nabasu to the floor. It let out one rattling final exhalation and died. While the rest of us recovered, Zosta accompanied Jiro downstairs to find another crypt, this one holding three free-standing mausoleums with portraits of their occupants carved upon their lids. These were empty like the vaults upstairs, though similarly they had once been occupied and had not been opened for some while. When they had assured themselves that there was nothing else to be discovered in the crypt, they returned to the upper chamber.

The nabasu had carried little, as is the custom of most demons we have encountered thus far. His axe was enchanted with magic that would cause wounds inflicted by it to be more harmful to the victim. I determined this when Jiro was unable to, though touching the weapon caused me pain. 

After we had done with the crypt, Runa removed the nabasu's head and took it outside to show to Aegronius' ancestor Sir Alrys, for his curse prevented him from entering the crypt. Sir Alrys was grateful to see the desecrator of his crypt had been destroyed, but his fallen state remained and he was impatient to have the crypt consecrated so that he could be free of the curse. Runa had to allay his demands that she consecrate the crypt immediately, for she did not have access to such magic at that moment.

Sir Alrys

On the following morning Runa dressed herself in her priestly vestments and performed the consecration. When it was done Sir Alrys sighed in relief. As his spirit faded away, a brilliant light shot across the abandoned town. Jiro and Zosta both observed a flare of greenish light where it presumably landed. I accompanied them to seek that spot while Zero remained to assist Runa in donning her armor. When we found the spot where the green flare had occurred, a glow hovered just above a spot on the ground. Jiro produced a spade and in a short time a chest had been exposed, buried a few feet beneath the surface.

When the chest was removed from its burial, it proved to be unlocked. Within it we found seven arrows, a horn, a small pouch, a rod, a scroll, and an axe with an unusually short haft. Runa withdrew the axe and the haft expanded to a length that would permit it to be wielded with two hands. It also proved to be forged of cold iron and blessed with divine magic. 

The pouch contained incense that would aid a priest or person with access to divine magic. All seven of the arrows were also blessed, the horn would create a blast of holy magic when sounded, and the spell inscribed on the scroll was capable of resurrecting a deceased person. The rod was the least of these, being a crook-shaped quarterstaff that could also be transformed into a constricting serpent under the command of the rod's wielder. We took these things with gratitude, for all of them but the rod will aid us in our struggles against the demon invaders. And even the rod may have its uses. I have not forgotten your teaching, respected master.

Once we had acquired our reward from Sir Alrys, we decided to explore to the south between the lake and Drezen. Before we departed Jiro sent a message to Horgus Gwerm to request an additional supply of diamond dust, as he had been obliged to use all of what Zosta carried in order to restore some of the damage the nabasu's aura had inflicted upon myself, Zero, and Kirara.

For two days we continued an uneventful journey through the barren land. On the third day we were making our way along the bottom of a ravine which was overlooked by walls three times my height. As we neared a bend in the ravine, several ghouls suddenly appeared approaching in our direction. I was fortunate enough to spot them quickly and was able to eliminate them all with a ball of flame.

Ghoul

Just as I performed the gestures and incantation, Zero made a prodigious leap up to the top of the ravine wall. As the burning ghouls collapsed on the floor of the ravine we heard a screech. I felt myself held, unable to turn my head to seek the source of the scream. Despite my immobilized state I saw Zosta vault up to where Zero stood. Five fiery wings unfurled from Runa's back and she flew up the cliff as well. Jiro folded a paper crane and hurled it upward.

After a moment I recovered from the nabasu's paralyzing power but I could feel the same weakening effect that I had experienced in the crypt. The nabasu had taken flight, but Zosta leaped on it and pinned it so that it fell. It attempted to teleport away but failed. While Zosta continued to grapple it, Runa drove her blade through its foul body and it expired.

Once the nabasu was dead, we found that it had some crude maps in its possession, and the ghouls it had made wore the remnants of the garb of Baphomet cultists. We knew that a stronghold of the Ivory Labyrinth likely lay somewhere nearby, but the presence of these transformed cultists confirmed our suspicions. Now we must decide whether to first seek the Ivory Labyrinth or search for the missing priest.

Symbol of Baphomet

Characters are now 10th level.

Next: part 56: In the Belly of the Beast