Session: Vultha / Sorval / Iskren / Taurio
Xivaskir 17
Vultha approaches Iskren about their plans to take over the town. Iskren mentions that this is somewhat of the intent. Vultha then suggests Sorval as a figurehead, who Iskren spent all week promoting to the townsfolk as a local hero. They agree that this is a good idea.
Vultha wants to restore the wilderness to town, making it more akin to his Gruul upbringing.
Iskren shifts this point to the town being a good center of diplomacy and bureaucracy, with the Murk a spot for the Gruul to live their authentic lives.
They then get in touch with the rest of the party, with Sorval and Taurio joining up in the antechamber to Iskren's main apartment. Thaya prepares a couple of cocktails for the guests (and a weak tea for Iskren).
Iskren lays out their plans to change Shademurk for the better. A bit of conversation follows where the process of election in Shademurk itself is explained. Sorval is informed that he is nominated to take the post of mayor, once enough sponsors have been found.
Vultha brings out a flask of special gruul alcohol to celebrate and Taurio almost learns how to reverse firebreath after trying a shot. Some more conversation follows and a few shots of Gruulshine later the party finds itself in high spirits...but also in the company of some Boros soldiers.
Thihm, boros representative, explains to the party that a robbery has taken place in the Old Temple, with the head priest injured.
The Old Temple, dedicated to the Wanderer but taken care of by the Orzhov, looks moderately damaged by the entire ordeal, the attackers not having taken care while assaulting the place. Two knights of Obligation guard the entrance, but allow the party to move through. Vultha and Taurio see familiar acid-related holes in the Temple, bringing their conclusions to Iskren.
Wellgar, the head priest, meets the party in a backroom, where he is currently residing to tend to his injuries. They discover, after talking with him and checking out the catacombs several items are missing, most importantly the weapon [a single edged, two handed weapon] of the Wanderer has been stolen. Other items of note were a blue sapphire, a pair of enchanted weapons, an enchanted shield and a ring said to have belonged to Freyalise.
While walking, Iskren proffers a ring to Sorval, with a Boros emblem embossed on it.
The party also discovers, while investigating the catacombs, the statue that held the blade has been built over by the Orzhov and that the ghost guardians of the catacombs have been banished.
They also learn that the Mayor, the head priest, lord Primeground and the Orzhovian patriarchs know about the contents of these catacombs' treasury and that someone banished the guardians of the treasury.
Vultha then drops on the floor, notes that the attackers were demonic in nature, and sniffs out their tracks...but then Taurio notes someone watching them. Alerting the party to this, he starts giving chase, with the rest in tow.
The group sees the figure weaves through back-alleys, darting away near a scene of Rakdosian commotion. Being the heroes they say themselves to be, the party takes a quick stance and obliterates their foes, but sadly enough, a captured orzhovian cleric is slain while the group dispatches their foes.
They then continue their chase after mentioning the involvement of Sorval with the restoration of order.
They wind up at a small door, which leads into a tiny room, decorated with velvets, candles, skulls and other trappings of the dead. On a bed sits a lady in a state of decay, with dark hair.
She introduces herself as Ysa, the Revenant. She opens by explaining her connection to Sengir, explains that there are several planar gates around Shademurk, but her knowledge seems limited on the topic. She mentions a gate to Ulgrotha, a gate to Dominaria, a gate to Llanowar, a gate to Kamigawa and a gate to a place she knows not the name of exist, linking one gate to the Izzet goblins at the Mizzium mine. She also links several planeswalkers, one to each gate. She also mentions the existence of a Nephilim, trapped under the Standing Stones.
Finally, she explains the five planeswalkers sealed away the Nephilim using five relics to bind the creature and then, she bids the party adieu.
Returning to the Old Temple, the party is set upon by a group of slithering purple growths and a six-legged being with one eye. This being focuses on Sorval, stealing an item from him before escaping, the purple growths manage to take out Vultha, causing enough distraction to have the cyclopean critter get away with minor injuries.
Monday, July 27, 2020
Friday, July 17, 2020
Shademurk: Unwinding
Session: Sorval / Iskren / Taurio / Rollo / Vultha
Xivaskir 10
When you look up at the Onyx Fang, you know that you are protected. - Iskren
After a long long long day, the party retires to the Wicker Goat, to enjoy some classy r&r (though mainly booze).
Sorval buys a lot of drinks for his (sudden) fans, including a cask of fine ale for his friends. Keying in on the currents that surround the Boros cleric, Iskren suggests a more solid partnership. A set of rings, a matching pair, in order to keep their strength up in battle. Sorval, seeing potential in it, eventually sets the money aside to have them crafted.
As this deal is done, Iskren announces that they will make a speech. Vultha quickly crafts a bone whistle for Rollo to draw the crowd's attention, which subsequently happens.
With the eyes on their table, Iskren makes a rousing speech with notes of potential equality, duty and brotherhood. Praising Sorval and Taurio, Iskren shifts the story to Eda and her inefficient leadership which leads to problems that are solved by the party.
This draws the attention of Eliander Fireborn, who mentions the dissolution of the mercenary Kraul force, the potential dangers of a 'tenth' and that politics are dangerous as a field of employ.
Rollo wins a game of dice against a faerie.
After a while, the party calls it a night, Taurio falls to the ground floor, Iskren retires to the Green Apricot, the Empty Net hosts Rollo and Vultha and the Boros head to their new rooms in the barracks.
As Sorval falls asleep, he has a vision of a shining lady that calls to him, speaking of a great evil threatening her world.
Xivaskir 11-17
The next day, the party splits up a little to investigate their own leads, look into improving themselves and get some feel for the city of Shademurk proper.
Iskren goes to Trevis'di's jewelshop in order to craft the rings. Trevis'di gives an extensive course on metalworking and jewelcraft to Iskren.
During their time off, they spread some more rumours amongst the population and generally tries to boost Sorval as a poster boy for model citizen/hero.
Sorval inspects the Boros library, has many meetings with Lisanne for materials, works the forge a bit in the barracks, searches out whatever intel he can get on Ulgrotha and Serra (the lady of radiance) and runs the beat in town in order to get a grasp of locations and people.
Vultha seeks out some crew for the airship, finding Eebo and Gazro (goblin brothers) and Bilge (human) in places most humid with ale. In addition, he goes to Winston's Hunting Lodge and learns some tricks of the trade from a lizardfolk known as Scaledraft in exchange for a beautifully crafted spear.
Taurio just brews stuff. All the stuff. And also kefir. And with the Boros people nearby, he finds a lot of willing tasters. Before long, they spread the word around and the Wicker Goat gets involved (through Lisanne) and some coin flows to the minotaur.
Rollo goes to the carpenter's hall in order to get some crafting materials and bunkers down to perfect his craft.
Xivaskir 10
When you look up at the Onyx Fang, you know that you are protected. - Iskren
After a long long long day, the party retires to the Wicker Goat, to enjoy some classy r&r (though mainly booze).
Sorval buys a lot of drinks for his (sudden) fans, including a cask of fine ale for his friends. Keying in on the currents that surround the Boros cleric, Iskren suggests a more solid partnership. A set of rings, a matching pair, in order to keep their strength up in battle. Sorval, seeing potential in it, eventually sets the money aside to have them crafted.
As this deal is done, Iskren announces that they will make a speech. Vultha quickly crafts a bone whistle for Rollo to draw the crowd's attention, which subsequently happens.
With the eyes on their table, Iskren makes a rousing speech with notes of potential equality, duty and brotherhood. Praising Sorval and Taurio, Iskren shifts the story to Eda and her inefficient leadership which leads to problems that are solved by the party.
This draws the attention of Eliander Fireborn, who mentions the dissolution of the mercenary Kraul force, the potential dangers of a 'tenth' and that politics are dangerous as a field of employ.
Rollo wins a game of dice against a faerie.
After a while, the party calls it a night, Taurio falls to the ground floor, Iskren retires to the Green Apricot, the Empty Net hosts Rollo and Vultha and the Boros head to their new rooms in the barracks.
As Sorval falls asleep, he has a vision of a shining lady that calls to him, speaking of a great evil threatening her world.
Xivaskir 11-17
The next day, the party splits up a little to investigate their own leads, look into improving themselves and get some feel for the city of Shademurk proper.
Iskren goes to Trevis'di's jewelshop in order to craft the rings. Trevis'di gives an extensive course on metalworking and jewelcraft to Iskren.
During their time off, they spread some more rumours amongst the population and generally tries to boost Sorval as a poster boy for model citizen/hero.
Sorval inspects the Boros library, has many meetings with Lisanne for materials, works the forge a bit in the barracks, searches out whatever intel he can get on Ulgrotha and Serra (the lady of radiance) and runs the beat in town in order to get a grasp of locations and people.
Vultha seeks out some crew for the airship, finding Eebo and Gazro (goblin brothers) and Bilge (human) in places most humid with ale. In addition, he goes to Winston's Hunting Lodge and learns some tricks of the trade from a lizardfolk known as Scaledraft in exchange for a beautifully crafted spear.
Taurio just brews stuff. All the stuff. And also kefir. And with the Boros people nearby, he finds a lot of willing tasters. Before long, they spread the word around and the Wicker Goat gets involved (through Lisanne) and some coin flows to the minotaur.
Rollo goes to the carpenter's hall in order to get some crafting materials and bunkers down to perfect his craft.
Friday, July 3, 2020
Shademurk: Acquiring the Sky
Session: Sorval / Rollo / Iskren / Zantaroth / Taurio / Vultha
Xivaskir 10
We rejoin the group as they explore their surroundings and befriend the lizardfolk, who intimate their position as trapped in the ship - prisoners! A little initial shyness gives way to relieve as the party does not seem intent on torture or murder. A bit of scavenging before moving on rewards the party with riches though, as Iskren manages to open a small box full of beautifully cut sapphires.
Down one of the staircases, the party discovers a room covered in bloody glyphs, threatening to incinerate those who pass through the room's doors without proper permission. A rare moment of arcane understanding (and fire) happens to Vultha, resulting in one of the doors is unsealed and the party moves through... the party except for Rollo, that is. They see a cultist, who is promptly bulldozed by Taurio.
Moving through the next door (and the pulped remains of the cultist), the party see a demonic lady with a spear standing in front of them. She summons forth smaller demons to attack the party and battle is joined. Rollo, hearing the ruckus erupt in the next room, decides to take a shortcut, accidentally triggering a minor conflagration at his point of entry, destroying two of the smaller demons instantly. Sadly enough, this respite only lasts so long, as with each destroyed demon, new ones appear from near the table. Eventually, the party discovers a summoning circle underneath the table and disrupts it (courtesy of Iskren's water cannon jar), while the Cambion sees herself outmatched, strikes down Zantaroth, throws a bag she was carrying into a corner and attempts to run away. The escape itself is forestalled by the three lizardfolk, one of which is brutally impaled on the Cambion's spear, which proves to be enough to slow down the escape and lets the party catch up to and eventually Sorval winds up killing the being.
The disturbance wrought by the entire ordeal, and the removal of a purple 'blob' from a bag the Cambion was carrying, appears to have awoken something, as the entire cave begins to shudder, collapse and a massive eye snaps open nearby, leaving Iskren and Vultha in a leadership role as they use whatever tools they have to coax the vessel to life and into the fresh air. The party uses the time they need between the escape and landing at the Fogger to decide on the name of their vessel (The Onyx Fang).
Once they arrived to relative safety (courtesy of a horde of Boros soldiers), they found a familiar face ready to give their ship a good scrubbing. The surviving lizardfolk (who go by Firebelly and Ewolk, their companion Gizzard having been slain by the Cambion) were allowed to stay on board, expressing their lack of home (having failed a diplomatic mission means their life is probably forfeit if they go home).
The party takes a good look at the purple lump again, with Zantaroth trying to lick it, only to be called back to the side of Eyjafjallajökull who seems perturbed by it.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the party, a vision of Carthelion's symbol had formed in Sorval's mind during the escape. Whether it is a sign of an ancient binding being snapped or the party being protected, he cannot tell.
Xivaskir 10
We rejoin the group as they explore their surroundings and befriend the lizardfolk, who intimate their position as trapped in the ship - prisoners! A little initial shyness gives way to relieve as the party does not seem intent on torture or murder. A bit of scavenging before moving on rewards the party with riches though, as Iskren manages to open a small box full of beautifully cut sapphires.
Down one of the staircases, the party discovers a room covered in bloody glyphs, threatening to incinerate those who pass through the room's doors without proper permission. A rare moment of arcane understanding (and fire) happens to Vultha, resulting in one of the doors is unsealed and the party moves through... the party except for Rollo, that is. They see a cultist, who is promptly bulldozed by Taurio.
Moving through the next door (and the pulped remains of the cultist), the party see a demonic lady with a spear standing in front of them. She summons forth smaller demons to attack the party and battle is joined. Rollo, hearing the ruckus erupt in the next room, decides to take a shortcut, accidentally triggering a minor conflagration at his point of entry, destroying two of the smaller demons instantly. Sadly enough, this respite only lasts so long, as with each destroyed demon, new ones appear from near the table. Eventually, the party discovers a summoning circle underneath the table and disrupts it (courtesy of Iskren's water cannon jar), while the Cambion sees herself outmatched, strikes down Zantaroth, throws a bag she was carrying into a corner and attempts to run away. The escape itself is forestalled by the three lizardfolk, one of which is brutally impaled on the Cambion's spear, which proves to be enough to slow down the escape and lets the party catch up to and eventually Sorval winds up killing the being.
The disturbance wrought by the entire ordeal, and the removal of a purple 'blob' from a bag the Cambion was carrying, appears to have awoken something, as the entire cave begins to shudder, collapse and a massive eye snaps open nearby, leaving Iskren and Vultha in a leadership role as they use whatever tools they have to coax the vessel to life and into the fresh air. The party uses the time they need between the escape and landing at the Fogger to decide on the name of their vessel (The Onyx Fang).
Once they arrived to relative safety (courtesy of a horde of Boros soldiers), they found a familiar face ready to give their ship a good scrubbing. The surviving lizardfolk (who go by Firebelly and Ewolk, their companion Gizzard having been slain by the Cambion) were allowed to stay on board, expressing their lack of home (having failed a diplomatic mission means their life is probably forfeit if they go home).
The party takes a good look at the purple lump again, with Zantaroth trying to lick it, only to be called back to the side of Eyjafjallajökull who seems perturbed by it.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the party, a vision of Carthelion's symbol had formed in Sorval's mind during the escape. Whether it is a sign of an ancient binding being snapped or the party being protected, he cannot tell.
Saturday, June 13, 2020
Shademurk: Familiar Specters
Session: Iskren / Rollo / Vultha / Taurio / Zantaroth / Sorval
Xivaskir 10
"I don't know what's going on, but what the hell is going on?" - Rollo 2020
Rollo wakes up at the Snapping Line, somewhat of a higher end establishment compared to the one where he dropped Vultha off previously. As he has his breakfast, he overhears two Gruul clansmen (from clan Smash Smash) talking about a contract they had gotten. Realizing the target of their contract is actually his Orzhovian charge, Rollo hears them out and then heads to rejoin his friends, where ever they might be.
Exiting the Snapping Line, he spots a disturbed looking Orzhovian fellow. Trailing him for a while, the man takes notice of the dragonborn and urges him to join in a small task, the removal of four corpses. Rollo negotiates his reward, which includes a swanky dagger set with a six-legged, one-eyed spider signet.
Arriving at the place the individual set as destination, Rollo sees a magical circle, in which appear four bodies, each of them holding a dagger in their chest with their right hand. They are all naked, but are otherwise unremarkable. Turning to question his companion, Rollo gets handed the money and the dagger after which the man rushes off, calling the guard on a murderer. Some quick thinking, bribing two Gruul to solve the corpse problem and some subterfuge later, Rollo heads to the Primeground estate, talks to some guards posted there and manages to catch up to his friends as they exit the Sharpened Utensil.
"Even I am smart enough" - Taurio
"Iskren, do you have any enemies in murkshade?" -Rollo
The group, once caught up with their respective tales, decides to head straight for the Standing Stones, in order to lay their claim to the airship Vultha saw while in trance. Sorval does take some time to send a small Boros patrol to the Snapping Line in order to detain the members of clan Smash Smash. Iskren pokes everyone to divest themselves of the items carrying the six-legged spider logo.
Everyone does so, though Rollo keeps the dagger he received earlier and throws away a different dagger.
Once they enter the Murk though, they are again beset by the unearthly whispers and find themselves ambushed by specters as they dispatch a lone Krasis near the Wanderer's Chapel.
The battle takes a heavy toll on the party, so they decide to rest in there before continuing on.
Once inside the Chapel, Iskren spies a small Orzhovian signet suspended above the altar, showing to the party that at the very least someone is trying to bring the Chapel back into the fold.
This leads to a discussion between Iskren and Sorval on the nature of worship and veneration.
"Click-click-ZAP" - Izzet contraption
Taurio, enjoying some grass on the Chapel's hill, spies a lone old minotaur, white of pelt. The being speaks to him, cautions him and blesses the party, so as to keep the spirits of the Murk at bay.
They use this to make excellent time to the Standing Stones, where they are confronted by a group of mechanical beasts keeping watch over a tower. From the tower, a pack of besieged goblins asks for their aid. As the party unmakes the machines, they discover them to be crafted by Izzet. The goblins head off, thankful for the deliverance.
"Sploosh" - Iskren's Flask of Boarding
In the tower, a disarmed trap on a locked trapdoor lead to Vultha making himself useful. Then the group descends from a long, winding into a massive docking space, with mysterious patches of darkness the party cannot see into, discovering a familiar shark-prowed airship stationed there.
The crew that notices the arrival appears to be largely Rakdos in inclination, and moderately aggressive at that. After sonically obliterating a ladder, getting over the 20 foot barrier of entry to the ship and dispatching of the direct opposition, the party successfully gains control of the first level underneath the deck, where they find a group of three lizardmen in the ship's prison.
Xivaskir 10
"I don't know what's going on, but what the hell is going on?" - Rollo 2020
Rollo wakes up at the Snapping Line, somewhat of a higher end establishment compared to the one where he dropped Vultha off previously. As he has his breakfast, he overhears two Gruul clansmen (from clan Smash Smash) talking about a contract they had gotten. Realizing the target of their contract is actually his Orzhovian charge, Rollo hears them out and then heads to rejoin his friends, where ever they might be.
Exiting the Snapping Line, he spots a disturbed looking Orzhovian fellow. Trailing him for a while, the man takes notice of the dragonborn and urges him to join in a small task, the removal of four corpses. Rollo negotiates his reward, which includes a swanky dagger set with a six-legged, one-eyed spider signet.
Arriving at the place the individual set as destination, Rollo sees a magical circle, in which appear four bodies, each of them holding a dagger in their chest with their right hand. They are all naked, but are otherwise unremarkable. Turning to question his companion, Rollo gets handed the money and the dagger after which the man rushes off, calling the guard on a murderer. Some quick thinking, bribing two Gruul to solve the corpse problem and some subterfuge later, Rollo heads to the Primeground estate, talks to some guards posted there and manages to catch up to his friends as they exit the Sharpened Utensil.
"Even I am smart enough" - Taurio
"Iskren, do you have any enemies in murkshade?" -Rollo
The group, once caught up with their respective tales, decides to head straight for the Standing Stones, in order to lay their claim to the airship Vultha saw while in trance. Sorval does take some time to send a small Boros patrol to the Snapping Line in order to detain the members of clan Smash Smash. Iskren pokes everyone to divest themselves of the items carrying the six-legged spider logo.
Everyone does so, though Rollo keeps the dagger he received earlier and throws away a different dagger.
Once they enter the Murk though, they are again beset by the unearthly whispers and find themselves ambushed by specters as they dispatch a lone Krasis near the Wanderer's Chapel.
The battle takes a heavy toll on the party, so they decide to rest in there before continuing on.
Once inside the Chapel, Iskren spies a small Orzhovian signet suspended above the altar, showing to the party that at the very least someone is trying to bring the Chapel back into the fold.
This leads to a discussion between Iskren and Sorval on the nature of worship and veneration.
"Click-click-ZAP" - Izzet contraption
Taurio, enjoying some grass on the Chapel's hill, spies a lone old minotaur, white of pelt. The being speaks to him, cautions him and blesses the party, so as to keep the spirits of the Murk at bay.
They use this to make excellent time to the Standing Stones, where they are confronted by a group of mechanical beasts keeping watch over a tower. From the tower, a pack of besieged goblins asks for their aid. As the party unmakes the machines, they discover them to be crafted by Izzet. The goblins head off, thankful for the deliverance.
"Sploosh" - Iskren's Flask of Boarding
In the tower, a disarmed trap on a locked trapdoor lead to Vultha making himself useful. Then the group descends from a long, winding into a massive docking space, with mysterious patches of darkness the party cannot see into, discovering a familiar shark-prowed airship stationed there.
The crew that notices the arrival appears to be largely Rakdos in inclination, and moderately aggressive at that. After sonically obliterating a ladder, getting over the 20 foot barrier of entry to the ship and dispatching of the direct opposition, the party successfully gains control of the first level underneath the deck, where they find a group of three lizardmen in the ship's prison.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Shademurk: Crime Scene Investigation
Party: Iskren / Sorval / Vultha / Zantaroth / Taurio
Xivaskir 10
Zantaroth, having spend quite some time learning the ins and outs of murkfish eating, wakes up when the tracking signet pulls at his chest. He follows its pull and winds up at the Empty Net, where he is greeted by a confused Vultha lovingly cradled by a loxodon lady. The pair then notices a strange spider-like creature with one eye gazing at them. As they give chase, the being leaves behind but holes in the wall, from which sulphurous fumes rise. They think about this for a hot minute and decide to go check on Iskren, who is wise in these matters, probably.
The morning finds Iskren restless, having caught little sleep with the bloodless finger in his room.
Once the staff begins their morning routines, Iskren gets up and meets pandemonium as the head butler, Erves Hulgren, appears to have gone missing. With a little persuasion, Iskren gets themselves escorted (by Thaya) to the butler's room. A little time with a dagger and the lock on the door means Iskren gains entry into a strangely scented room, where a dirt-filled coffin stands next to the bed.
Meanwhile, the Boros boys get cymballed into awakeness by the morning staff and ushered to the training field. They run their daily routines, have their breakfast and hear of a gruesome happening near the Primeground Estate. A group of corpses was found, drained of blood. Lisanne asks for them to investigate it as they collect their supplies.
The Gruul arrive at Primeground's Estate and are confronted with a safety cordon that has been set, with guards from the Legion holding the population off until an investigation can be launched. This measure does not stop the locals from forming their own theories of what happened, as an old lady eagerly expounds on when the clansmen shoulder their way past her. The front door easily opens for Zantaroth, four servants scared witless by the sudden appearance of a massive lizardman in their halls. Roaring for Iskren, the pair makes their way through the Estate.
Iskren, meanwhile, focusses on the coffin, noting dampness underneath it and a compression of the dirt inside of the coffin that does not match the form of Erves. The window in the room has been forced, with the latch snapped in two. Iskren's search is interrupted by the pair of clansmen bursting in. Iskren wastes no time putting Vultha to work, finding a piece of clothing which is discarded as unimportant, but spotting the coffin was brought in from the outside.
Sorval and Taurio rush to the manor after taking a Skyroc to the Fogger, getting accosted by a gentleman officer, who seems to have all confidence in the pair for cracking the case.
They spot Vultha's head sticking out of the window and join up with the others. While going in, Sorval cautions people to not leave the grounds. Not perturbed by the added company, Vultha spots small marks on the wall, similar to the ones he saw earlier, like the ones made by the spidery being.
Gellan Primeground makes an appearance, to little effect.
The party follows the tracks on the wall, which head up to the roof and then the window of Iskren.
In addition to these tracks, Vultha and Iskren also spot that four people came to Erves' window, two of them with a coffin, two without. Then, two carried something off.
Sorval and Taurio meet with Krovek, another officer of the Boros standing guard outside, in order to investigate the corpses outside and gain some information. Krovek relays that the corpses are dead, devoid of blood and have puncture wounds on their necks. Krovek also shouts his most likely theories for the solution of the case, fluctuating from "Vampires" to "Gruul Barbarians" to "Vampiric Lizard Gruul Barbarian Bears", much to the crowd's enjoyment. Zantaroth discovers the corpses to be wearing Orzhovian livery and to be poisoned with a paralyzing fluid, which was not drawn out with the blood, moreover, they appeared to have died more than a day ago.
Questioning the house guards, there is a mention of a mysterious fog at night, which made the guards zone out. The head butler brought 'a cup of beer' to the guards before this though.
Iskren, getting fed up with the investigation, gathers the servants in the main living room. Complications are abound though, as both Taurio and Zantaroth come across servants who appear to have violently perished, with a black knife thrust through their heart with their right hand on it. Sadly enough, by the time the two can gather their allies, the corpses have disappeared, leaving but clothing behind. Vultha suspects the knives contained a bound spell of teleportation.
After this distraction, Iskren casts Zone of Truth into the living room after explaining that Iskren'll know if they resist. Iskren asks all present if they had something to do with the murder, but only gets the following information:
*Erves was acting strangely the last day.
*He brought beer to the guards and asked the kitchen staff to wash the mugs out immediately.
*Erves personally made a drink for Iskren, who had returned from official business.
*There were 'a five new hires' in the staff and they are missing from the room. (Scullery maid, 2 cleaners, 1 guard, 1 religious advisor)
*Gellan seems generally clueless
After questioning the staff, the party moves outside and smashes the coffin. Retrieving a strange symbol, a metal round with a six-legged, one-eyed creature on it. Seeing this symbol, Iskren recalls the Dimir Guild, a legendary old guild that was supposed to carry information between the guilds but turned bad and were destroyed.
Feeling nervous about all of this, Iskren suggests a new place to stay, to which Sorval responds they know where to get an airship, looking at Vultha. The party then decides to go find said place.
Just before taking his leave, Iskren buys Thaya's contract from Gellan for five gold monthly.
Krovek and Sorval chat a bit, settling the villain on vampires after all, instead of vampiric gruul barbarian bear bear bears.
The party goes to the Boros Barracks, lacking Ojay's service, so using skyrocs, an interesting experience for Zantaroth. They go to the offices of Eliander Fireborn and bring their report to him.
They explain to him that misdirection was employed, show him the dimir sigil, shocking him deeply. While the party is still explaining, Eliander excuses himself and leaves.
The party then heads to the Standing Stones, the airship location according to the vision Arcades Sabboth sent to Vultha. They detour and stop by a small shop, The Sharp Utensil and buy a crossbow for Vultha from the goblin Yazza.
In the street, the party is accosted by Aille, the priestess of Freyalise whom they rescued from the Simic, who tells them to seek out the blessing of one of the 'Gods' worshipped by the locals before venturing into the Murk.
And thus they move on to the next session~
Xivaskir 10
Zantaroth, having spend quite some time learning the ins and outs of murkfish eating, wakes up when the tracking signet pulls at his chest. He follows its pull and winds up at the Empty Net, where he is greeted by a confused Vultha lovingly cradled by a loxodon lady. The pair then notices a strange spider-like creature with one eye gazing at them. As they give chase, the being leaves behind but holes in the wall, from which sulphurous fumes rise. They think about this for a hot minute and decide to go check on Iskren, who is wise in these matters, probably.
The morning finds Iskren restless, having caught little sleep with the bloodless finger in his room.
Once the staff begins their morning routines, Iskren gets up and meets pandemonium as the head butler, Erves Hulgren, appears to have gone missing. With a little persuasion, Iskren gets themselves escorted (by Thaya) to the butler's room. A little time with a dagger and the lock on the door means Iskren gains entry into a strangely scented room, where a dirt-filled coffin stands next to the bed.
Meanwhile, the Boros boys get cymballed into awakeness by the morning staff and ushered to the training field. They run their daily routines, have their breakfast and hear of a gruesome happening near the Primeground Estate. A group of corpses was found, drained of blood. Lisanne asks for them to investigate it as they collect their supplies.
The Gruul arrive at Primeground's Estate and are confronted with a safety cordon that has been set, with guards from the Legion holding the population off until an investigation can be launched. This measure does not stop the locals from forming their own theories of what happened, as an old lady eagerly expounds on when the clansmen shoulder their way past her. The front door easily opens for Zantaroth, four servants scared witless by the sudden appearance of a massive lizardman in their halls. Roaring for Iskren, the pair makes their way through the Estate.
Iskren, meanwhile, focusses on the coffin, noting dampness underneath it and a compression of the dirt inside of the coffin that does not match the form of Erves. The window in the room has been forced, with the latch snapped in two. Iskren's search is interrupted by the pair of clansmen bursting in. Iskren wastes no time putting Vultha to work, finding a piece of clothing which is discarded as unimportant, but spotting the coffin was brought in from the outside.
Sorval and Taurio rush to the manor after taking a Skyroc to the Fogger, getting accosted by a gentleman officer, who seems to have all confidence in the pair for cracking the case.
They spot Vultha's head sticking out of the window and join up with the others. While going in, Sorval cautions people to not leave the grounds. Not perturbed by the added company, Vultha spots small marks on the wall, similar to the ones he saw earlier, like the ones made by the spidery being.
Gellan Primeground makes an appearance, to little effect.
The party follows the tracks on the wall, which head up to the roof and then the window of Iskren.
In addition to these tracks, Vultha and Iskren also spot that four people came to Erves' window, two of them with a coffin, two without. Then, two carried something off.
Sorval and Taurio meet with Krovek, another officer of the Boros standing guard outside, in order to investigate the corpses outside and gain some information. Krovek relays that the corpses are dead, devoid of blood and have puncture wounds on their necks. Krovek also shouts his most likely theories for the solution of the case, fluctuating from "Vampires" to "Gruul Barbarians" to "Vampiric Lizard Gruul Barbarian Bears", much to the crowd's enjoyment. Zantaroth discovers the corpses to be wearing Orzhovian livery and to be poisoned with a paralyzing fluid, which was not drawn out with the blood, moreover, they appeared to have died more than a day ago.
Questioning the house guards, there is a mention of a mysterious fog at night, which made the guards zone out. The head butler brought 'a cup of beer' to the guards before this though.
Iskren, getting fed up with the investigation, gathers the servants in the main living room. Complications are abound though, as both Taurio and Zantaroth come across servants who appear to have violently perished, with a black knife thrust through their heart with their right hand on it. Sadly enough, by the time the two can gather their allies, the corpses have disappeared, leaving but clothing behind. Vultha suspects the knives contained a bound spell of teleportation.
After this distraction, Iskren casts Zone of Truth into the living room after explaining that Iskren'll know if they resist. Iskren asks all present if they had something to do with the murder, but only gets the following information:
*Erves was acting strangely the last day.
*He brought beer to the guards and asked the kitchen staff to wash the mugs out immediately.
*Erves personally made a drink for Iskren, who had returned from official business.
*There were 'a five new hires' in the staff and they are missing from the room. (Scullery maid, 2 cleaners, 1 guard, 1 religious advisor)
*Gellan seems generally clueless
After questioning the staff, the party moves outside and smashes the coffin. Retrieving a strange symbol, a metal round with a six-legged, one-eyed creature on it. Seeing this symbol, Iskren recalls the Dimir Guild, a legendary old guild that was supposed to carry information between the guilds but turned bad and were destroyed.
Feeling nervous about all of this, Iskren suggests a new place to stay, to which Sorval responds they know where to get an airship, looking at Vultha. The party then decides to go find said place.
Just before taking his leave, Iskren buys Thaya's contract from Gellan for five gold monthly.
Krovek and Sorval chat a bit, settling the villain on vampires after all, instead of vampiric gruul barbarian bear bear bears.
The party goes to the Boros Barracks, lacking Ojay's service, so using skyrocs, an interesting experience for Zantaroth. They go to the offices of Eliander Fireborn and bring their report to him.
They explain to him that misdirection was employed, show him the dimir sigil, shocking him deeply. While the party is still explaining, Eliander excuses himself and leaves.
The party then heads to the Standing Stones, the airship location according to the vision Arcades Sabboth sent to Vultha. They detour and stop by a small shop, The Sharp Utensil and buy a crossbow for Vultha from the goblin Yazza.
In the street, the party is accosted by Aille, the priestess of Freyalise whom they rescued from the Simic, who tells them to seek out the blessing of one of the 'Gods' worshipped by the locals before venturing into the Murk.
And thus they move on to the next session~
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Shademurk: Medium Rare Steak
Session: Taurio / Sorval / Iskren / Rollo / Vultha
Xiviskir 9
The Underground - continued
A lone corridor beckons the party deeper into the Simic-held cavern. Disabling a few traps, the group makes their way into an ambush. Three strange fishmen sink claw, spear and spell into the party, leaving Taurio worse for wear. After the initial shock wears off though, our heroes barrel through the two melee fighters and set their sights on the magic user, who promptly escapes.
Hot in pursuit, Taurio misjudges the contents of a pool and is ripped to shreds by a clutch of small reptilian fish. Seeing their friend and ally die before their eyes, the instincts of the Orzhovian cleric kick in and, after dispatching the carnivorous cretins, Iskren slams two Teardrops into the chest of Taurio, jolting the minotaur back to his feet in a blast of concentrated white mana.
Behind the veil of death, Taurio does hear the demand for recompense flow from Iskren's lips, a promise he gladly makes for the chance of another fight with those responsible for his current state.
The direct threats eliminated and the spellcaster vanished to a place deeper in the underground, the party looks around, spotting a mural dedicated to an ancient deity, the draconic Arcades Sabboth.
They then travel further into what they have now discovered to be an old temple, which is apparently being desecrated by the simic intruders. The defenders have prepared for the intruders though as a statue animates and lashes out at Iskren while a pair of the strange fishmen attack the rest of the party, but these threats are dispatched.
A single door stands between the party and the inner sanctum of the old temple, and Taurio is eager to bring retribution to those that so viciously hurt him before, causing the spellcaster to be off guard as Vultha impales it fully on his rapier.
The last fishman standing gets summarily dispatched and the party finds a pair of familiar faced prisoners, namely Henry and the bard, accompanying a selesnyan priestess after a little pit-diving action from the minotaur-turned-unicorn. Forewarned by them that a dangerous spellcaster still remains in the complex, the party opens the last door that had remained closed to them, defeating the leader of the fish-beings in a sorcerous slugfest.
As the party takes the time to inspect their surroundings and claim some trophies, Vultha's spirit is drawn into a vision by the patron of the temple now liberated. As a reward for the work done, Vultha is shown the location of an airship.
All in an evening's work
Afterwards, the party returns to the Boros Barracks in order to hand off the prisoners, this time in person, discovering the priestess to be the daughter of Inigo, a local figure of some import.
Iskren and the Gruul headed out as the Boros boys stayed at the barracks for sleeping (and in Taurio's case, a quick visit to the resident healer).
As Iskren arrived safely at the Primeground estate, the Gruulians headed to a local bar; the Empty Net. Here, Rollo purchases lodgings and company for Vultha, then heads off to the other side of town to rest at the Snapping Line Inn.
Xivaskir 10
A figure in the mist
As the dragonborn is walking through town, an attempt on Iskren's life is thwarted by a mysterious being, leaving the Orzhovian to contemplate all that remains of his attacker: a single bloodless finger.
Xiviskir 9
The Underground - continued
A lone corridor beckons the party deeper into the Simic-held cavern. Disabling a few traps, the group makes their way into an ambush. Three strange fishmen sink claw, spear and spell into the party, leaving Taurio worse for wear. After the initial shock wears off though, our heroes barrel through the two melee fighters and set their sights on the magic user, who promptly escapes.
Hot in pursuit, Taurio misjudges the contents of a pool and is ripped to shreds by a clutch of small reptilian fish. Seeing their friend and ally die before their eyes, the instincts of the Orzhovian cleric kick in and, after dispatching the carnivorous cretins, Iskren slams two Teardrops into the chest of Taurio, jolting the minotaur back to his feet in a blast of concentrated white mana.
Behind the veil of death, Taurio does hear the demand for recompense flow from Iskren's lips, a promise he gladly makes for the chance of another fight with those responsible for his current state.
The direct threats eliminated and the spellcaster vanished to a place deeper in the underground, the party looks around, spotting a mural dedicated to an ancient deity, the draconic Arcades Sabboth.
They then travel further into what they have now discovered to be an old temple, which is apparently being desecrated by the simic intruders. The defenders have prepared for the intruders though as a statue animates and lashes out at Iskren while a pair of the strange fishmen attack the rest of the party, but these threats are dispatched.
A single door stands between the party and the inner sanctum of the old temple, and Taurio is eager to bring retribution to those that so viciously hurt him before, causing the spellcaster to be off guard as Vultha impales it fully on his rapier.
The last fishman standing gets summarily dispatched and the party finds a pair of familiar faced prisoners, namely Henry and the bard, accompanying a selesnyan priestess after a little pit-diving action from the minotaur-turned-unicorn. Forewarned by them that a dangerous spellcaster still remains in the complex, the party opens the last door that had remained closed to them, defeating the leader of the fish-beings in a sorcerous slugfest.
As the party takes the time to inspect their surroundings and claim some trophies, Vultha's spirit is drawn into a vision by the patron of the temple now liberated. As a reward for the work done, Vultha is shown the location of an airship.
All in an evening's work
Afterwards, the party returns to the Boros Barracks in order to hand off the prisoners, this time in person, discovering the priestess to be the daughter of Inigo, a local figure of some import.
Iskren and the Gruul headed out as the Boros boys stayed at the barracks for sleeping (and in Taurio's case, a quick visit to the resident healer).
As Iskren arrived safely at the Primeground estate, the Gruulians headed to a local bar; the Empty Net. Here, Rollo purchases lodgings and company for Vultha, then heads off to the other side of town to rest at the Snapping Line Inn.
Xivaskir 10
A figure in the mist
As the dragonborn is walking through town, an attempt on Iskren's life is thwarted by a mysterious being, leaving the Orzhovian to contemplate all that remains of his attacker: a single bloodless finger.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Shademurk: Not everything is what it simics
Session: Iskren / Rollo / Sorval / Vultha / Taurio
Xiviskir 9
The party agrees to split up after getting the reward from Eda, their purses bulging with coin.
A Lizard's Tale
Vultha decides to head out and get some information from Ojay, discovering the best place to get his crossbow upgraded: the Carpenter's Guild. Arriving there, he sees most of the employees are actual faeries, a rare sight, and he accosts the first one he comes across. The faerie introduces himself as Jilar Kanklesten. They barter for a bit, settle on a price and Vultha is redirected to the 'leader' of the guild after paying in valuable gems.
Shortly after entering the offices of the guild leader Jilar Kanklesten, Vultha discovers that the one he was talking to earlier might not have been completely truthful about either name or intend.
He does manage to get his name and project on a waiting list.
He proceeds to take Evvi Kanklesten, daughter of the guild leader, hostage after making sure all present are aware he is a dangerous individual. Eventually, Evvi is set free.
Walking into the street, he meets Azorius arrester Pharom, who managed to grab the confidence trickster and returns the precious stones Vultha paid with to their rightful owner. A brief caution for dangerous behaviour later, Vultha starts towards the Wicker Goat to meet his friends.
The Dragon and the Minotaur
Rollo took a stroll to wind up in the Wicker Goat together with Taurio, but the pair splits up shortly after entering the establishment.
Probably still reeling from the excitement of the hotel, Rollo sits in on a dice game and tries out his new set of dice. These, being loaded, get spotted by some of the other clients and, in spite of trying to bluff his way out of it, nearly get Rollo arrested for cheating. Luckily enough, he has enough coin on hand to make the patrons turn their eyes the other way. A brief musical intermezzo does little to lighten the mood, as the Dragonborn bard is all aflutter with nerves after such a close call.
Taurio, on the other hand, heads straight up to the third floor, where the off-duty Boros tend to hang out, meets Thihm in the company of Erbo and Killim, a twin pair of minotaur beat cops. he attempts to regale them with his adventures, but fails to make a huge splash, as most of the story was already known to them. It does, however, limit his spending by quite a bit, as a few pints of ale are passed his way while he makes the rounds amongst the other guardsmen sitting there.
The Acolyte's Adventure
Iskren, having claimed the mysterious stone from the hoard of the bandits, returns to their lodgings at Gellan's Mansion and has Thaya draw a bath for them. A bit of essential oil and a bottle of wine to restore the spirits are provided as well and relaxation is had.
When Iskren exits the bath though, they notice something being off. A chill, the feeling of being watched. Checking the window, they see a large arachnid leg flit by. A more thorough investigation reveals small indentations that appear to have been burned into the wall where eight legs touched it.
Disturbed, Iskren gets dressed and heads to the Wicker Goat to inform the others.
The Ideal Officer
Having been told to get a component pouch by Feather, Sorval heads to the Boros Barracks to do just that. He has a brief chat with Beorzin, a guardsman standing watch at the gate, before heading into the barracks and discovering Lisanne has been appointed to the office of Quartermaster. She, in turn, is glad to see her young friend return with gear from the fallen Emberfist. She allows him to keep the longsword the party had come across and swaps a shield for a component pouch.
Happy to have this done, Sorval goes off to see the others at the Wicker Goat.
A Gathering
With all their respective concerns attended to, the party meets in a private booth on the second floor of the Goat, swapping tales of what has befallen them. Thihm, sitting in without being asked to, merrily chats along. The presence of the minotaur reminds them to visit Eliander Fireborn, so they pay Ojay to take them to the Barracks.
Iskren has a short heart to heart with Beorzin, who offers up a large amount of alm-coins, to be distributed among the poor, a task which Beorzin implies is not seen to out here. Wheels are spinning and Iskren might just have found a way to ... improve ... on the current arrangements out here.
Eliander, once the party meets up with him, explains the situation for which he calls upon the party: a body has been found, an Izzet male, with the eyes gouged out and tongue removed, a note attached to the body and a pair of blood-stained Boros uniforms stuffed underneath. Having few people to spare, he would have the new recruits look into this. The party accepts and goes to inspect the corpse.
Sorval, examining the body, notices a poisoned wound in the chest, deducing the poison to be a slow acting one. He also sees, plainly, that this victim was the Izzet noble Vorquill, whom the party rescued from the Izzet Hotel. This puts the note ('We know who you are, you cannot escape us') at the forefront of everyone's thoughts.
Grabbing one of the assistants, they learn of the location at which the body was found and make tracks for there.
The Underground
At the scene of the crime, a bit of sleuthing gets the group to a trapdoor, which in turn leads to an unnatural cavern. Within, the party find both traps and enemies. A hatch that explodes when opened is their first mistake, an unspotted water-trap their second. A third problem lies in the elimination of a massive gas spore, leaving a great many of their number poisoned. Then, they are set upon by three simic hybrids, creatures that were probably once elves, but their forms warped and altered through biomancy. A brief, yet violent struggle ensues, leaving the party injured, but victorious, with a tunnel leading deeper into the earth ahead, the noise of running water coming from it, and a fistful of treasure added to their inventory.
Xiviskir 9
The party agrees to split up after getting the reward from Eda, their purses bulging with coin.
A Lizard's Tale
Vultha decides to head out and get some information from Ojay, discovering the best place to get his crossbow upgraded: the Carpenter's Guild. Arriving there, he sees most of the employees are actual faeries, a rare sight, and he accosts the first one he comes across. The faerie introduces himself as Jilar Kanklesten. They barter for a bit, settle on a price and Vultha is redirected to the 'leader' of the guild after paying in valuable gems.
Shortly after entering the offices of the guild leader Jilar Kanklesten, Vultha discovers that the one he was talking to earlier might not have been completely truthful about either name or intend.
He does manage to get his name and project on a waiting list.
He proceeds to take Evvi Kanklesten, daughter of the guild leader, hostage after making sure all present are aware he is a dangerous individual. Eventually, Evvi is set free.
Walking into the street, he meets Azorius arrester Pharom, who managed to grab the confidence trickster and returns the precious stones Vultha paid with to their rightful owner. A brief caution for dangerous behaviour later, Vultha starts towards the Wicker Goat to meet his friends.
The Dragon and the Minotaur
Rollo took a stroll to wind up in the Wicker Goat together with Taurio, but the pair splits up shortly after entering the establishment.
Probably still reeling from the excitement of the hotel, Rollo sits in on a dice game and tries out his new set of dice. These, being loaded, get spotted by some of the other clients and, in spite of trying to bluff his way out of it, nearly get Rollo arrested for cheating. Luckily enough, he has enough coin on hand to make the patrons turn their eyes the other way. A brief musical intermezzo does little to lighten the mood, as the Dragonborn bard is all aflutter with nerves after such a close call.
Taurio, on the other hand, heads straight up to the third floor, where the off-duty Boros tend to hang out, meets Thihm in the company of Erbo and Killim, a twin pair of minotaur beat cops. he attempts to regale them with his adventures, but fails to make a huge splash, as most of the story was already known to them. It does, however, limit his spending by quite a bit, as a few pints of ale are passed his way while he makes the rounds amongst the other guardsmen sitting there.
The Acolyte's Adventure
Iskren, having claimed the mysterious stone from the hoard of the bandits, returns to their lodgings at Gellan's Mansion and has Thaya draw a bath for them. A bit of essential oil and a bottle of wine to restore the spirits are provided as well and relaxation is had.
When Iskren exits the bath though, they notice something being off. A chill, the feeling of being watched. Checking the window, they see a large arachnid leg flit by. A more thorough investigation reveals small indentations that appear to have been burned into the wall where eight legs touched it.
Disturbed, Iskren gets dressed and heads to the Wicker Goat to inform the others.
The Ideal Officer
Having been told to get a component pouch by Feather, Sorval heads to the Boros Barracks to do just that. He has a brief chat with Beorzin, a guardsman standing watch at the gate, before heading into the barracks and discovering Lisanne has been appointed to the office of Quartermaster. She, in turn, is glad to see her young friend return with gear from the fallen Emberfist. She allows him to keep the longsword the party had come across and swaps a shield for a component pouch.
Happy to have this done, Sorval goes off to see the others at the Wicker Goat.
A Gathering
With all their respective concerns attended to, the party meets in a private booth on the second floor of the Goat, swapping tales of what has befallen them. Thihm, sitting in without being asked to, merrily chats along. The presence of the minotaur reminds them to visit Eliander Fireborn, so they pay Ojay to take them to the Barracks.
Iskren has a short heart to heart with Beorzin, who offers up a large amount of alm-coins, to be distributed among the poor, a task which Beorzin implies is not seen to out here. Wheels are spinning and Iskren might just have found a way to ... improve ... on the current arrangements out here.
Eliander, once the party meets up with him, explains the situation for which he calls upon the party: a body has been found, an Izzet male, with the eyes gouged out and tongue removed, a note attached to the body and a pair of blood-stained Boros uniforms stuffed underneath. Having few people to spare, he would have the new recruits look into this. The party accepts and goes to inspect the corpse.
Sorval, examining the body, notices a poisoned wound in the chest, deducing the poison to be a slow acting one. He also sees, plainly, that this victim was the Izzet noble Vorquill, whom the party rescued from the Izzet Hotel. This puts the note ('We know who you are, you cannot escape us') at the forefront of everyone's thoughts.
Grabbing one of the assistants, they learn of the location at which the body was found and make tracks for there.
The Underground
At the scene of the crime, a bit of sleuthing gets the group to a trapdoor, which in turn leads to an unnatural cavern. Within, the party find both traps and enemies. A hatch that explodes when opened is their first mistake, an unspotted water-trap their second. A third problem lies in the elimination of a massive gas spore, leaving a great many of their number poisoned. Then, they are set upon by three simic hybrids, creatures that were probably once elves, but their forms warped and altered through biomancy. A brief, yet violent struggle ensues, leaving the party injured, but victorious, with a tunnel leading deeper into the earth ahead, the noise of running water coming from it, and a fistful of treasure added to their inventory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)