Brevofurgins -- Human (Ergothian) Fighter 2/Rogue 2
Grundlesnatch -- Human (Solamnic) Fighter 4
Marshall -- 1/2 Elf Bard 4
Salvin -- Elf (Kagonesti) Ranger 4
Solaire -- Human (Nordmaarine) Druid 4
So our inaugural game began with a much modified version of Dragons of Despair. Each player began with a veteran (4th level) hero. As in the module, these characters had sworn an oath to return to the Inn of the Last Home in the town of Solace after a period of 5 years.
The action began right away. Marshall had bumped into Brevofurgins on the road into Solace. As twilight fell, they were about to enter the town when they were accosted by a group of Goblins led by the despicable Fewmaster Toede. Even though it was just the two heroes verse 12 or 13 Goblins, they chose not to surrender and combat began.
In the second round, three other heroes (Grundlesnatch, Salvin, and Solaire) heard the commotion from the woods nearby and entered the fray from the flanks. Solaire possesses a powerful but limited magical staff, which he used to Flamestrike the Goblin force, causing much destruction. The rest of the Goblins were easily dispatched once their Commander had been burned to a crisp. Unfortunately, Fewmaster Toede had run off like a coward before the party could kill him.
They kept one Goblin alive (magically slept) for interrogation purposes. The Goblin didn't know much -- he had been recruited by Fewmaster Toede to serve in his warband. The Fewmaster was providing security services to the Theocrat of Solace, who seemed to be some kind of authority. The party was naturally disturbed that somebody would hire such bloodthirsty Goblins to serve as police.
Proceeding into Solace, the group headed to the Inn of the Last Home as they had planned. They were still missing their 6th companion, the Swordmaiden Sandarina (Sandy) Uth-Matar and they hoped she would be waiting at the Inn. As it turned out, she was not, though she had left a message with the barmaid, Sally-Anne.
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| It's a damn Ewok Village! |
Sandarina's letter informed the party that she would not be showing up anytime soon. She further warned them of impending war, and that Solace would soon be unsafe. The party drank copious amounts of hard cidar and shared their recent solo-adventures. Each had undergone some kind of tribulation during their 5 years apart (worked out ahead of time between DM and player). Interestingly, both Brevofurgins and Solaire revealed that they had romantic ties to Sandarina, but apparently there were no hard feelings between these eskimo-brothers.
The party split up to canvas the Inn and pump the locals for intel. Solaire spoke with Thoros the Blacksmith, learning that Solace had been over run by the Seeker Cult of Haven. The Seekers were a group of religious fanatics, who believed in all kinds of new-age quackery. Marshall talked with the innkeeper, Otik Sandith, but he didn't have too much to say. He did warn Marshall to be careful around the Theocrat Hederick, who happened to be drinking in the bar that night. Brevofurgins spoke with the Theocrat and listened to him ramble drunkenly about blasphemers and heretics. Salvin sat down with some shy Plainsfolk who were chilling in the back.
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| Theocrat Hederick is a Dick |
At this point, an old story-teller named Fez began a tale about Huma and the Old Gods. This got the Theocrat all riled up and he demanded that the Plainsfolk (who were nearby) denounce the Old Gods along with him. The Plainsfolk woman refused, and revealed a magical blue crystal staff (from here on the BCS) which she claimed was a sign of the Gods. The Theocrat began calling for everyone's arrest but Brevofurgins decided to bushwhack him for his impertinence. The Theocrat was stabbed to death much to everyone's horror.
At that moment a posse of Goblins burst through the door having been sent by the Fewmaster to kill the infidels. The party sprung into action, quickly blocking the door and killing most of the force within 2 rounds. Sally-Anne begged the party to get out of town before they could be hung for murder and she told the to use the secret trap door exit (which Marshall had already found).
The party decided to split as they could see search parties moving towards the Inn. As they prepared to slide down to ground level, the Plainswoman who was called Goldmoon asked them if they would escort her and her bodyguard Riverwind to the town of Haven, where she seemed to think the BCS needed to go. Salvin spoke for the party and agreed.
Once they got to the ground, they chose to try and evade the search parties and get on the road to Haven. Unfortunately the darkness really disoriented those without darkvision, causing them to botch their stealth. The party ran into a patrol of Goblins and Worg-Riders.
There was a pretty epic battle at this point -- the party had not gotten a chance to short rest and they were getting low on resources. Also some players were getting drunk and careless. The fight was a close one, but the tide eventually turned for the players and they managed to defeat all opposition without any serious casualties. As it was now 11:45 we called it quits for the week.
Overall a great session, with some aspects better received than others. Next Week: the road to Haven!
DM CHAZ
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