From Bartholomew's Journals: An Ode

 [written by Phil, player of Bartholomew Pettibone, concerning a recent expedition and earning Bart 100 xp per level]

From the Journals of Bartholomew Pettibone, of the House Pettibone

A Purveyor of Enchanting Sorcery

23 July 2022

Ode to Avin

Dead lay poor Avin,

Cold within a tube.

At first there was one,

But then there were two.

Confusion blanketed all,

But a decision was made.

One life to cull,

One life to trade.

Friends dragged the body

To and fro,

Within a wagon,

Filled with hay,

And canvas covered.

Above and Underground,

Through halls and doors,

With symbols they were discovered

In daylight and in dark.

Tombs were cracked and opened

In search of baubles, gems, and jewels.

Fellow companion, stalwart Mei,

Retrieved a remarkable blade,

Lain untouched and unmarred

Through the machinations of time.

Sylvaine, a maiden fair and from afar,

Animated bones and bade them follow.

And so they did.

And so our search continued,

Hunting for the circled symbol,

Marked and magicked,

Laid darkly on a floor.

Crypts of ancients barred our way.

Bentres the builder lay undisturbed,
Bones brittled and crumbling,
In long repose with friends:
Nailah of wisdom deep,
Mnemba who ascends,
And Pehasi, the one who feeds.
Who were these old ones
Buried in forgotten crypts?
None know, none know.

The room was found,
And power gleamed all 'round.
The chamber was secured
And preparations made.
Arcane magic wrapped about,
And so the tribulations start!
The words tripped out
From bold Sylvaine,
Lips pale and eyes afire,
Concentration furrowing brow.

And then the dead arrived!
Shadows oozing through the walls,
And a demon breaking down the door!
The soul of Barlow was ripped
And sundered from their body!
Gone and dead, forevermore!
Strands of webbing appeared
And kept the demon at bay.
Pako's trusty crossbow twanged!
Najm and Heijo pitched oil and flame!
Durham's hammer flew about the room,
And Bartholomew bemoaned their doom!
But all stood sturdy with vigor,
Braced by Sesel's aid
and Gan's strong arm!

Finally the nasty ghoulies
Were abolished and burned.
The tide of shades and demon turned.
And there within the tube
Another malevolent force was purged!
And a child was formed,
Having the likeness of Avin.
Tiny, incomplete, yet in visage pure.

The ritual was done.
The trials were done.
Our melancholy party
Repaired to the Lonely Cat,
For sup and ale and chat.
And from those darkened halls
We did escape ...
Alive?

Session #85: A New Threat?

Turning their minds back toward the struggles between the Sakkra and the Alkari in the sea caves north of the Ocean's Throat, a group of barbarians accompanied by citizen-Sesel decided to set out to do their best to further aid their feathered friends.

This was the company that set out (by mysterious means!) upon the expedition:

• Durham (fighting-man 8)
  accompanied by Vlana (magic-user 4)
• Bartholomew Pettibone (magic-user 8)
  accompanied by Gan ad-Din (fighting-man 6)
• Heijo (magic-user 6)
• Sesel (fighting-man 8)
  accompanied by Raoden (magic-user 5)

The company did not return to Cothon at the end of their mission, initially exciting rumors that they had finally ventured after too great a challenge--until the rumormongers were reminded that Sesel, of course, is master and iqtadar of his own estate to the north, and that the company probably stopped off their with whatever gains they might have seized.

And indeed, when Heijo and Durham later returned to the city, there was some talk from them that at least they had gotten a couple bodies and trinkets for study, if nothing else. There was little more reported beyond that--it seems the people will have to wait to see if any report is forthcoming from the company about their deeds and exploits ...

The Lucre

• two strange arm-rings or bracelets, each with two projections
• two bodies of ilrath-like creatures with ten long legs around a small crustaceous body

  

  the armring

The Learning

• 1807 from 11 Sakkra (150 +hp ea.)
• 14194 from 20 parasitized Sakkra (650 +hp ea.)
• 2312 from 5 ithkul (400 + hp ea.)

The Cut

• 4578 xp to each player character
  2289 xp to Vlana, Gan ad-Din, and Raoden
• the two armrings
• the two bodies

A Call to Arms:

A Campaign To Blacken Red Cloud's Eye!

Those who keep eyes and ears attuned to certain goings-on - will have observed a recent occurrence. A young, well-dressed gentleman entered the Ringing Anvil asking to speak with Durham. The fellow bore the sigil of House al Urens upon his baldric. Those who keenly follow the politics of the great cities recognized the gentleman as Johannes Blanke, whispered to be the confidant of Booster Kayton (advisor to Dalan al Urens - Patriarch of Banu al Urens). Banu al Urens is known for their bend toward martial affairs, and are well known to provide arms-men to protect the city walls. Initial whispers were that the Ringing Anvil might be in for a lucrative weapons/armor contract, or perhaps Durham is being asked to an audience at Banu al Urens to discuss fortifications (after all, he is know to be an architect), or it may be that Durham and his fellow barbarians are once again embroiled in another lawsuit!

Yet, none of these things are true. In fact, word goes out from the Ringing Anvil! Durham has sent urchins out, scuttling to various local dives and regular haunts of barbarians and adventurers – seeking comrades to join in a tussle with a large contingent of Red Cloud's raiders. HA! Rather a suicide mission, some say. As this word is spread, it also becomes known that Brula Othmani, of Banu Othmani, and her personal guard, will lead this martial expedition. And under her banner, Paalvi bint Dalan al-Aasimah (also called “Secondborn”), of Banu al Urens, and her personal guard, will also march.

It would seem that the exploits of Durham, and his companions has reached the ears of Dalan al Urens, Patriarch of Banu al Urens – against the akho, with the Wasago renyu, against the pirates, and the winning of the Darkwing – but most importantly, their success in freeing the merchants being abused by Red Cloud's slaving party. Bold adventures, and honorable. Banu al Urens has hired Durham – and that is why the urchins have been seen scampering about the city – advertising Durham's call to arms – to help further bloody the nose or blacken the eye of Red Cloud! To help bring this expedition to a successful conclusion – Durham offers glory, and gold! Yet, aside from glory, and some unnamed recompense, there is the potential for pillaging the offending force (Othmani and al Urens will lay no claim to the spoils), the great thanks of the city and the Souffets, as well as the well-known fact that various small Houses (al Luz, Farawla, Othmani and al Urens) have combined their wealth and are offering a sum of 75 dinar for the head of each Red Cloud warrior laid low!

What say you, adventurers?! Do you have what it takes to protect the innocent citizens, your neighbors and friends – the men, women, and children – of Cothon-Gadeed? Will you help eradicate this pitiful scourge?! What say you?!!?

The Red Cloud would smile
if he knew what's coming