409 - Jun 26
Starting time - 1030, 26 June.
Bearing in mind the Rogue's continued enfeebled state after being poisoned by the lock monster, the party decided to camp about a mile from the crypt. Hester went hunting and did well, shooting 5 rabbits and trapping 8 freshwater crayfish.
While he was away, Vincenzo heard a noise coming from the saddlebag containing the crystal ball. Listening to the bag he heard a muffled voice saying:
"Circle around them Chovas (sp?) and wait for the others to come and then move."
Alarmed by this, the Wizard surmised that messages were being sent through the ball about the party (but to whom?).
That evening, while dining off rabbit and crayfish, the party heard something moving in the undergrowth at the edge of the camp. Hester and Aileil set off to track the creature.
After about 200 yards they suddenly came upon a curious creature about 6'2", well hidden in the foliage with green rubbery skin . On seeing the adventurers the creature made a curious hooting noise and spoke in some gibberish over its shoulder. Both Aileil and Hester recognised the creature as being a Forest Troll.
A middle-aged man in a grey/brown cloak with a wooden staff and luxurious beard stepped out of the undergrowth and smiled at the Druid and Ranger. As he looked like a Druid, Aileil flashed a secret Druid greeting at him. The man, with some hesitation, returned the signal, but badly which made it clear to Aileil that he was no Druid.
At this point the mysterious stranger began a spell which Aileil perceived was a Detect Thoughts spell. Regarding this as an hostile act, Aileil fired off a charge from his Wand of Sound Burst. The sonic blast clearly hurt the man and the Troll, but not badly, neither of them seemed affected by stunning (a bad sign!).
Hester at this point took off back to camp.
The Troll and man rushed at Aileil. As the man advanced his form changed into a 7' tall scaly humanoid with horns and fangs wielding a very flashy looking longsword. The Troll took on the Druid's wolf companion and raked it with its claws. The wolf whimpered with pain as a nasty poison surged through its body weakening it (OOC -6 Con).
Aileil smote the horned creature a mighty blow and the wolf savaged the Troll. Both wounds were vicious, but neither the Troll nor the Horned Beast seemed unduly concerned.
At this point Aileil decided to follow Hester's example and fled. As he ran the Horned monster in a surprisingly melodiius voice promised he would see him soon.
Returning to camp, Hester and, successively Aileil, recounted their litttle adventure. The party took up a defensive position. Nothing happened.
Time 0300, 27 June.
Taryyn and Hester were on duty on watch. One of the two Xvarts acting as guides for the party went off into the bushes to relieve itself. The bushes where it had gone shook violently and then a severed Xvart head (cut by an edged blade) flew through the air and landed in the middle of the camp. The other Xvart bleated in terror and took cover under a pile of leaves, a tactic rendered nugatory by his uncontrollable trembling.
Alaricus sent his psi-crystal to investigate the area where the Xvart had gone. The plucky crystal ran into the horned creature and the Troll. Despite attempting to remain hidden, the crystal was immediately spotted by the beast. Alaricus had a brief image of blazing red eyes and a descending longsword. He then gave a shriek of anguish as the psi-crystal was smashed into a hundred pieces by the smashing blade.
Aileil called out to the beast to negotiate.
The horned one quickly appeared and greeted the party courteously. Vincenzo paled with fear as he recognised the creature as a Cambion, a type of Demon often used for missions.
The Cambion indicated that it had been directed by Guiilod the Witch to recover a crystal ball that the party had "acquired". The Cambion showed no interest in trading anything for the ball. It also refused to teleport the party back to Hadrian's Wall or to take to any action against the Xvarts ("they are no concern of mine"). The Cambion showed no sign of wanting to take the ball by force and gave every indication of believing that time was on its side. The discussion ended, it disappeared into the forest.
At dawn the party decided to try and trade the ball for the Spiked Casket of Zorm held by the Hobgoblins reasoning that continuing to hold the ball would endanger the party's health and it would be amusing to pitch a Cambion and Forest Troll against the Hobgoblins.
The party reached the fort without incident. After protracted discussions they effected a swap, receiving the casket in a somewhat soiled state (it had been used a pig trough) and handing over the ball.
The party then returned to the Xvart camp. The Xvarts were hysterical with joy at getting their casket back as well as the Staff of Command (they did not initially notice that the staff was a fake). The Xvarts insisted on holding a victory feast and waived the party any further toll.
Aileil agreed to attend the party, but the rest of the adventurers decided to continue their journey to the Wall.
The party was lavish with the usual appalling music. Aileil was offered the favours of several Xvart maidens though they were hard to distinguish ffrom any other Xvarts apart from the odd flower pushed into an earhole.
The rest of the party forged onwards. While travelling they had a brief encounter with the Cambion. He showed a brief paroxysm of rage when he learned that the crystal ball had been traded. He promised this was not the end of his dealings with the party and vanished.
On 29 June, at about 1100, the Druid and his wolf companion finally caught up with the rest of the party. After engaging in group hugs, the party moved on and, suddenly, came upon a 2' tall man in a bright green coat mounted on an unusually large Hare. He greeted the party in a strong Irish accent.
He warned them that they are being followed by a Cambion and a Forest Troll as well as 5 adventurers comprising:
- A Half Orc/Half Fiend Male Barbarian.
- A Kobold spellcaster of some sort - probably a Warlock.
- A Female Half Elf Wizard.
- A Human Rogue.
- A Female Half Elf Ranger.
The little man noted that this group looked rather tough and were only a day or so behind the party. The man noted that the party's sizeable collection of pack animals was slowing them down.
The man added that the party probably needed some help. When asked what help was available and after receiving 10gp, he commented as follows:
- a nuimber of Pictish settlements were about, but Picts are fickle folk.
- There was a powerful Human Wizard in the forest, but his whereabout was always hard to establish.
- A Golden Dragon used to live nearby, but you know how capricious Dragons can be.
- Maybe some fey folk? (Elves/Sprites etc).
The party absorbed this information feeling rather threatened. They were not entirely sure where they were but thought they shouldn't be more than 3-4 days away from the Wall.
Time 1130, 29 June.
ENDS
OOC - Points to note.
- Alaricus has lost 600xp as a result of losing his psi-crystal. He cannot create another one until 27 December this year (409 AD) at the earliest.
- The party showed considerable ingenuity in unloading the crystal ball on the Hobgoblins, though there will be consequences! Party gets a xp bonus of 1,000.
- While travelling south, Vincenzo analyzed the Staf of Command. It is, in fact, a Staff of Charming. It has 17 charges and can cast Charm Person (1 charge) or Charm Monster (2 charges).
Bearing in mind the Rogue's continued enfeebled state after being poisoned by the lock monster, the party decided to camp about a mile from the crypt. Hester went hunting and did well, shooting 5 rabbits and trapping 8 freshwater crayfish.
While he was away, Vincenzo heard a noise coming from the saddlebag containing the crystal ball. Listening to the bag he heard a muffled voice saying:
"Circle around them Chovas (sp?) and wait for the others to come and then move."
Alarmed by this, the Wizard surmised that messages were being sent through the ball about the party (but to whom?).
That evening, while dining off rabbit and crayfish, the party heard something moving in the undergrowth at the edge of the camp. Hester and Aileil set off to track the creature.
After about 200 yards they suddenly came upon a curious creature about 6'2", well hidden in the foliage with green rubbery skin . On seeing the adventurers the creature made a curious hooting noise and spoke in some gibberish over its shoulder. Both Aileil and Hester recognised the creature as being a Forest Troll.
A middle-aged man in a grey/brown cloak with a wooden staff and luxurious beard stepped out of the undergrowth and smiled at the Druid and Ranger. As he looked like a Druid, Aileil flashed a secret Druid greeting at him. The man, with some hesitation, returned the signal, but badly which made it clear to Aileil that he was no Druid.
At this point the mysterious stranger began a spell which Aileil perceived was a Detect Thoughts spell. Regarding this as an hostile act, Aileil fired off a charge from his Wand of Sound Burst. The sonic blast clearly hurt the man and the Troll, but not badly, neither of them seemed affected by stunning (a bad sign!).
Hester at this point took off back to camp.
The Troll and man rushed at Aileil. As the man advanced his form changed into a 7' tall scaly humanoid with horns and fangs wielding a very flashy looking longsword. The Troll took on the Druid's wolf companion and raked it with its claws. The wolf whimpered with pain as a nasty poison surged through its body weakening it (OOC -6 Con).
Aileil smote the horned creature a mighty blow and the wolf savaged the Troll. Both wounds were vicious, but neither the Troll nor the Horned Beast seemed unduly concerned.
At this point Aileil decided to follow Hester's example and fled. As he ran the Horned monster in a surprisingly melodiius voice promised he would see him soon.
Returning to camp, Hester and, successively Aileil, recounted their litttle adventure. The party took up a defensive position. Nothing happened.
Time 0300, 27 June.
Taryyn and Hester were on duty on watch. One of the two Xvarts acting as guides for the party went off into the bushes to relieve itself. The bushes where it had gone shook violently and then a severed Xvart head (cut by an edged blade) flew through the air and landed in the middle of the camp. The other Xvart bleated in terror and took cover under a pile of leaves, a tactic rendered nugatory by his uncontrollable trembling.
Alaricus sent his psi-crystal to investigate the area where the Xvart had gone. The plucky crystal ran into the horned creature and the Troll. Despite attempting to remain hidden, the crystal was immediately spotted by the beast. Alaricus had a brief image of blazing red eyes and a descending longsword. He then gave a shriek of anguish as the psi-crystal was smashed into a hundred pieces by the smashing blade.
Aileil called out to the beast to negotiate.
The horned one quickly appeared and greeted the party courteously. Vincenzo paled with fear as he recognised the creature as a Cambion, a type of Demon often used for missions.
The Cambion indicated that it had been directed by Guiilod the Witch to recover a crystal ball that the party had "acquired". The Cambion showed no interest in trading anything for the ball. It also refused to teleport the party back to Hadrian's Wall or to take to any action against the Xvarts ("they are no concern of mine"). The Cambion showed no sign of wanting to take the ball by force and gave every indication of believing that time was on its side. The discussion ended, it disappeared into the forest.
At dawn the party decided to try and trade the ball for the Spiked Casket of Zorm held by the Hobgoblins reasoning that continuing to hold the ball would endanger the party's health and it would be amusing to pitch a Cambion and Forest Troll against the Hobgoblins.
The party reached the fort without incident. After protracted discussions they effected a swap, receiving the casket in a somewhat soiled state (it had been used a pig trough) and handing over the ball.
The party then returned to the Xvart camp. The Xvarts were hysterical with joy at getting their casket back as well as the Staff of Command (they did not initially notice that the staff was a fake). The Xvarts insisted on holding a victory feast and waived the party any further toll.
Aileil agreed to attend the party, but the rest of the adventurers decided to continue their journey to the Wall.
The party was lavish with the usual appalling music. Aileil was offered the favours of several Xvart maidens though they were hard to distinguish ffrom any other Xvarts apart from the odd flower pushed into an earhole.
The rest of the party forged onwards. While travelling they had a brief encounter with the Cambion. He showed a brief paroxysm of rage when he learned that the crystal ball had been traded. He promised this was not the end of his dealings with the party and vanished.
On 29 June, at about 1100, the Druid and his wolf companion finally caught up with the rest of the party. After engaging in group hugs, the party moved on and, suddenly, came upon a 2' tall man in a bright green coat mounted on an unusually large Hare. He greeted the party in a strong Irish accent.
He warned them that they are being followed by a Cambion and a Forest Troll as well as 5 adventurers comprising:
- A Half Orc/Half Fiend Male Barbarian.
- A Kobold spellcaster of some sort - probably a Warlock.
- A Female Half Elf Wizard.
- A Human Rogue.
- A Female Half Elf Ranger.
The little man noted that this group looked rather tough and were only a day or so behind the party. The man noted that the party's sizeable collection of pack animals was slowing them down.
The man added that the party probably needed some help. When asked what help was available and after receiving 10gp, he commented as follows:
- a nuimber of Pictish settlements were about, but Picts are fickle folk.
- There was a powerful Human Wizard in the forest, but his whereabout was always hard to establish.
- A Golden Dragon used to live nearby, but you know how capricious Dragons can be.
- Maybe some fey folk? (Elves/Sprites etc).
The party absorbed this information feeling rather threatened. They were not entirely sure where they were but thought they shouldn't be more than 3-4 days away from the Wall.
Time 1130, 29 June.
ENDS
OOC - Points to note.
- Alaricus has lost 600xp as a result of losing his psi-crystal. He cannot create another one until 27 December this year (409 AD) at the earliest.
- The party showed considerable ingenuity in unloading the crystal ball on the Hobgoblins, though there will be consequences! Party gets a xp bonus of 1,000.
- While travelling south, Vincenzo analyzed the Staf of Command. It is, in fact, a Staff of Charming. It has 17 charges and can cast Charm Person (1 charge) or Charm Monster (2 charges).