409 - AUG 4
Dawn 4 August.
Recovering from their exertions at the Villa of Evil, the party were surprised and delighted to see that their comrade Taryyn was at the party's villa recovering from what appeared to the mother and father of benders. The party members were subsequently summoned to the office of commander Nennius. Arriving there they were introduced to an mysterious veiled figure who called himself Scorpius and described himself as an Elven Wizard.
He was accompanied by a German in the uniform of a Roman Legate who was named Ordo Mettelus. These two had come from Gaul (the old province of Belgica now called Toxandria) to relay a command from Emperor Honorious for the party to accompany Ordo and Scorpius to Gaul to help put down a rebellion by Constantine who had crossed from Britain to Gaul earlier that year (with the Roman garrison of Britain) and had proclaimed himself Emperor of the West.
Constatine's forces comprised Gallus, a high level Fighter and Tyrus, a highl level Cleric of Jupiter. Rank and file are made up of 200 Vexillationes (Heavy Cavalry), 400 Medium Infantry (mostly Franks) and a group of 300 Hobgoblins and 4 Hill Giants. Loyal forces comprise 100 Heavy Cavalry, 200 Medium Infantry (Roman and Gallic) and 50 Dwarves led by a High Level Fighter named Hagrim.
It was agreed that the party could complete their operation at the evil Villa before undertaking the new task and Scorpius agreed to assist the party. Later that day the party returned to the Villa. Exploring the complex they encountered a foul blood-coloured beast of large size which was identified as a Blood Golem. The party vanquished this abomination. While searching the room they discovered a Grey Ooze which was similarly dispatched. Further investigations uncovered a trapdoor that led into a passage (apparently dug by claws) that led to the Villa's bath house.
The brave adventurers entered the tunnel with Aradec in the lead. After moving for about 20' he was suddenly assailed from an alcove by a horrid red-eyed grey-skinned horror that attempted to confuse him with its insane gaze while clawing at him. Aradec felt his energy being drained by the horror. Taryn moved up to help and two more of the creatures emerged from other alcoves. Scorpius, making a quick assessment of the situation, cast a Fireball which singed Taryyn but completely missed Aradec. The creatures however suffered badly and, with the aid of a few well struck blows, the last of them was vanquished when it took a ragged crystal shard to the face at the insistence of Alaricus.
The party continued on and came to the bath house. The bath was empty of water but, seated in a corner was a larger version of the creatures already encountered. In daylight it was obvious the creatures were Baroow Wights. The creature said it wanted its barrow goods back and that the owner of the Villa (Barnabus) had hidden them in the covered garden. Scorpius went to investigate.
Meanwhile, goaded on by his magic sword, Dell attacked the Wight and, aided by Taryyn, destroyed the monster. Scorpius meanwhile found a stone bench with a false bottom.
Within he found:
The Amber Horse sought by Zeddicus
1100gp
10 amphorae of wine worth a total of 800gp
A ring of violet garnet worth 500gp
A mithril comb inset with an opal rune of Nordic origin (reading "Kronos" ) worth 1000gp
An Oil of Darkness and a Wand of Mirror Image with 10 charges
There was also a tangled mass of rotted leather and bronze ornaments of obvious Celtic origin which presumably had come from the barrow pillaged by Barnabus. The party returned to Eboracum and handed the Amber Statue to Zeddicus.
Against expectation Aradec was able to recover from the effect of being energy drained by the Wights. The party reviewed its position. It wanted to keep the villa running, but had no idea when, or if, they would return to Britain. It was decided to let the staff live on at the Villa and give them 500gp to maintain the place.
The session ended at 1100 on 4 August
Recovering from their exertions at the Villa of Evil, the party were surprised and delighted to see that their comrade Taryyn was at the party's villa recovering from what appeared to the mother and father of benders. The party members were subsequently summoned to the office of commander Nennius. Arriving there they were introduced to an mysterious veiled figure who called himself Scorpius and described himself as an Elven Wizard.
He was accompanied by a German in the uniform of a Roman Legate who was named Ordo Mettelus. These two had come from Gaul (the old province of Belgica now called Toxandria) to relay a command from Emperor Honorious for the party to accompany Ordo and Scorpius to Gaul to help put down a rebellion by Constantine who had crossed from Britain to Gaul earlier that year (with the Roman garrison of Britain) and had proclaimed himself Emperor of the West.
Constatine's forces comprised Gallus, a high level Fighter and Tyrus, a highl level Cleric of Jupiter. Rank and file are made up of 200 Vexillationes (Heavy Cavalry), 400 Medium Infantry (mostly Franks) and a group of 300 Hobgoblins and 4 Hill Giants. Loyal forces comprise 100 Heavy Cavalry, 200 Medium Infantry (Roman and Gallic) and 50 Dwarves led by a High Level Fighter named Hagrim.
It was agreed that the party could complete their operation at the evil Villa before undertaking the new task and Scorpius agreed to assist the party. Later that day the party returned to the Villa. Exploring the complex they encountered a foul blood-coloured beast of large size which was identified as a Blood Golem. The party vanquished this abomination. While searching the room they discovered a Grey Ooze which was similarly dispatched. Further investigations uncovered a trapdoor that led into a passage (apparently dug by claws) that led to the Villa's bath house.
The brave adventurers entered the tunnel with Aradec in the lead. After moving for about 20' he was suddenly assailed from an alcove by a horrid red-eyed grey-skinned horror that attempted to confuse him with its insane gaze while clawing at him. Aradec felt his energy being drained by the horror. Taryn moved up to help and two more of the creatures emerged from other alcoves. Scorpius, making a quick assessment of the situation, cast a Fireball which singed Taryyn but completely missed Aradec. The creatures however suffered badly and, with the aid of a few well struck blows, the last of them was vanquished when it took a ragged crystal shard to the face at the insistence of Alaricus.
The party continued on and came to the bath house. The bath was empty of water but, seated in a corner was a larger version of the creatures already encountered. In daylight it was obvious the creatures were Baroow Wights. The creature said it wanted its barrow goods back and that the owner of the Villa (Barnabus) had hidden them in the covered garden. Scorpius went to investigate.
Meanwhile, goaded on by his magic sword, Dell attacked the Wight and, aided by Taryyn, destroyed the monster. Scorpius meanwhile found a stone bench with a false bottom.
Within he found:
The Amber Horse sought by Zeddicus
1100gp
10 amphorae of wine worth a total of 800gp
A ring of violet garnet worth 500gp
A mithril comb inset with an opal rune of Nordic origin (reading "Kronos" ) worth 1000gp
An Oil of Darkness and a Wand of Mirror Image with 10 charges
There was also a tangled mass of rotted leather and bronze ornaments of obvious Celtic origin which presumably had come from the barrow pillaged by Barnabus. The party returned to Eboracum and handed the Amber Statue to Zeddicus.
Against expectation Aradec was able to recover from the effect of being energy drained by the Wights. The party reviewed its position. It wanted to keep the villa running, but had no idea when, or if, they would return to Britain. It was decided to let the staff live on at the Villa and give them 500gp to maintain the place.
The session ended at 1100 on 4 August