Session #88: All Along the Watchtower

 an account 

Of Patrols and Watch Towers in the Wilderness

A glorious winter's day falls upon the dual cities! Five days after departing through the Mourners' Gate, and marching east along the Pallbearers' Way, a company of trail-weary militia returned through that same gate – whole and in good spirits – but not alone! In short order rumors began to fly through the cities, and a coherent tale coalesced around this long patrol.

Brula Othmani and Paalavi al'Urens reported to the city officials that they had successfully ambushed a squad of Red Cloud's raiders, and then destroyed a watch-tower, located in the wilderness, upriver by about a mile from the bridge laying across the eastern river flowing to Al Agadrein. Among the Othmani and al'Urens warriors, and the several barbarians who had joined this adventure, were several prisoners who had been taken after the skirmish at the tower. Brula Othmani presented those prisoners to the council, as well as two additional spoils of note: a war banner bearing Red Cloud's ostentatious markings, and a lesser banner ostensibly representing one of Red Cloud's lieutenants – Eater of Bugs. Certainly there is more, much more, to be learned of this new K'zin warlord!

It is also said that during her debriefing, Brula (a well known and highly respected captain in the Knights Pylaea), had harsh words for the Soufets. She made special note that her force, with the help of various barbarians, had easily overcome a paltry patrol and a minimal garrison. However, that garrison had been in control of a well-built, and well-fortified watch-tower, of new construction. And her intelligence communiques (which she claims to be credible) had indicated a much larger force – perhaps as many as several full companies – is likely still at large in the wilderness of that area, playing havoc with river travel and trade. If the Soufets could not see how Red Cloud was gathering more bandits and raiders to his bloodthirsty cause, and encroaching upon the lands claimed by the cities – if they could not understand that the scourge of Red Cloud was actually upon their doorstep, and not just “threatening war” but actively engaged in the same – then they were indeed blind, ignorant dotards, drunk on years of complacency, corruption, and greed! Clerks who had been in the debriefing whisper in awe how Brula showed obvious disdain toward the Soufets, that she was full of ire and contempt as she made her report, and before storming out (without their leave) she literally spat on the ground at the feet of the Soufets!

But the talk in the Kantor ale-house – where many of the Othmani and al'Urens men-at-arms spend their hard-earned dinars on wine, women, and song – the tales of their latest excursion gravitate toward boisterous stories of Lars, a barbarian known as “Gar-Rider”, and a slick-talking, feisty fisherman named as Najm “the Worm”. It is told how Lars – howling like a pack of diseased yekkis – leaped into the confused fray of their ambush, and wielding his great weapon, lopped off the arm of a bandit AND the head of a K'zin warrior! But even more astonishingly, Lars is said to have bested a K'zin champion while chained to a post, barefoot, wearing naught but his leather breeches – and armed only with a blunt knife! Surely if Lars were to enter the arenas for gladiatorial matches he would draw huge crowds and his successes would fill the pockets of bettors to overflowing with gold dinars aplenty! Of Najm, a mere fisherman, they speak in amused wonder. With sly goading and glib talk, it was he who convinced the K'zin to challenge Lars (and we know how that ended!). And they speak also of a bolt of pure energy, loosed from the Worm's hand, that turned another K'zin warrior (Mr. Douglas by name) and his sergeant into charred and ashy corpses. Certainly these barbarians are worthy to be called “Big Damn Heroes”! HUZZAH – HUZZAH!! The cheers are so loud in the Kantor they shiver dust from the rafters!

And so, aside from Brula al'Othmani, and Paalavi al'Urens (and their company of 20 militia) the players in this episode include:

Durham, of the Ringing Anvil

Pako, Durham's trusty renyu companion

Lars, known as the Gar-Rider

Sesel, voice of the Survivors, Iqtador al'Saahil al'Shamaliy

Raoden (a librarian?)

Heijo of the Ink-Stained Hands

Najm, called “the Worm”

The Lucre:

Very little of loose change, trinkets, and baubles was gleaned from this expedition, aside from knowledge; however the following was recovered (or paid), to whit -

A total bounty for the heads of each bandit under Red Cloud's banner (total 1800 gold dinars)

A mercenary fee of 250 gold dinar, paid to each barbarian (total 1,750 gold dinar)

9 sets of serviceable chain armor (total 360 gold dinar)

7 sets of serviceable leather armor (total 140 gold dinar)

3 sets of serviceable leather armor sized for K'zin warriors (total 75 gold dinar)

7 sturdy short swords (total 49 gold dinar)

8 sturdy war hammers (total 40 gold dinar)

1 sturdy great sword (total 15 gold dinar)

Loose pocket change from 24 bandits (total 50 gold dinar, 75 silver dirhams, 116 copper fals)

2 decks of well-used playing cards (total 2 gold dinar)

3 sets of “gaming bones” (total 1 gold dinar, 5 silver dirhams)

3 large sealed/fused ceramic “pots” (roughly the size of a grapefruit – basic ballista ammo)

16 small sealed/fused “pots” (can be thrown or tossed using a sling)

1 well-made horn of bronze (if sold – total of 10 gold dinar)

The Learning:

In general (for loot, value of items, etc.) – 4350 xp

From successful and nearly flawless ambush of patrol – 1000 xp

From discovery of the watch tower and survey of nearby area – 2000 xp

From the the glorious challenge of Lars and Young Ben – 1000 xp

From the cunning use of several spells and special items – 1000 xp

From defeating the tower garrison – 3000 xp

From capturing prisoners alive – 800 xp

The Cut:

Both Houses Othmani and al'Urens have already taken their cut of the spoils and so is not included in the above “lucre list” (a few sets of armor, some of the weapons and ammo, all of the prisoners, and one of the horns); what is left is divvied out among the characters (assuming all items except the ballista and sling “pots” are sold – and in this instance, the DM is awarding Pako a full share!):

XP = 1879 each character (excluding Pako)

Mercenary fee to each character = 250 gold dinar

Total cash from loot to each character = 361 gold dinar, 18 silver dirhams, 22 copper fals

Characters should decide what to do with the horn, ballista and sling “pots”

Session #87: The Harrowing of Revna

 Pursuant to discussion at the end of the last expedition, of having to assist the Zoq-Fot-Pik, those strange kobolds of the Weirding Caverns, in some endeavor of theirs. Much of the same company assembles to pursue this goal. It seems that the Zoq-Fot-Pik need assistance in the destruction of some "Great Evil".

The group that set out from the Mourners' Gate was as follows:

• Bartholomew Pettibone (magic-user 8)
  accompanied by Gan ad-Din (fighting-man 6)
• Avin (magic-user 6)
• Durham (fighting-man 8)
  accompanied by Pako (renyu)
• Heijo (magic-user 6)
  
• Sesel (fighting-man 8)
  accompanied by Raoden (magic-user 6)

The group returned with an odd look about their faces, and made certain that their some-time companion Revna was indeed still in the city. And it comes out through tavern-talk over ale and wine is that some kind of ersatz Revna was destroyed within the caverns, as well as the "Great Evil" of the Zoq-Fot-Pik--some other kind of fungal monstrosity, not entirely unlike the dread sagun.

The Lucre

• 2 ceramic pots of waxen qol poison

The Learning

• 655 xp from 6 qol sakkra (100 + hp)
• 1743 xp from 8 "undead" sakkra (200 +hp)
• 2612 xp from 6 mutons (400 +hp)
• 323 from ersatz-Revna
• 653 from fungal colony
• 2500 xp for assisting the Zoq-Fot-Pik

The Cut

• 1697 xp per player-character
  849 xp to Gan and Raoden
• 2 pots of qol venomed-wax

Session #86: Weird Motherlode

 A company of adventurers gathered with citizen Sesel to discuss plans to delve into the Weirding Caverns and there to follow a map in his possession that ostensibly leads to a lode of weirdstones.

Following the warnings on the map, the company made certain requisitions in town and then departed:

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

The company returned little worse for wear, with tales of encounters with the terrible giant sagun fungus and of an encounter with the elusive Zoq-Fot-Pik, kobolds of the caverns. They do indeed have weirdstones to sell, and also talk of plans to return to accomplish a certain deed for their friends Eyloa and company.

The Lucre

• 13 weirdstones (900 dinars ea.)

The Learning

• 11700 xp from treasure
• 1102 xp from 2 sagun (500 +hp ea.)

The Cut

• 970 dinars to each player-character from sale of the 7 of the weirdstones @ 900 ea.
  484 dinars and 60 dirhams to Raoden, Gan, and Pako for same
• 2560 xp to each player-character
  1280 xp to Raoden and Gan
• 6 weirdstones (1 to each player-character, plus one additional?)

From Bartholomew's Journals: Oxys not Bob

[written by Phil, player of Bartholomew Pettibone, concerning a no longer recent adventure, and earning Bart 100 xp per level]

From the Journals of Bartholomew Pettibone, of the House Pettibone

A Purveyor of Enchanting Sorcery

16 July 2022

Oxys Not Bob

As much as I put on a strong face, concerning the Ergahs, I must admit that they give me the heebie-jeebies. We are not completely aware of who or what the Ergahs are – having literally only briefly seen two (?), and interacted with one. And we have no understanding of what they are capable of. And this, dear reader, is called foreshadowing.

A time of relative quiet has rolled across our path; however, I and a few of my comrades found ourselves itching for some heroic adventures or explorations. Unfortunately many of my typical co-conspirators were indisposed. Avin was stashed away in some astral sleep-container, infested by some supernatural magic. We found Sesel constrained by mundane iqta business, and Pako informed us that Durham was secluded and deep into some metallurgical alchemy. And Lord Althis? Well, I don't know; likely secluded and besieged in his dark tower, deep in the undead territory of Tsur al'Qadim. So, in the end, Heijo of the Ink Stained Hands and I, accompanied by Gan (BATMAN), Raoden, and Vlana the Bard, commandeered Bob, and made fast for running deep and quiet.

Bob had informed us, long ago, that a potential “sister vessel” lay undisturbed, but inoperative, close by – that she was likely within the same cavern system we inhabited, and that he could guide us to her location. Now this would be a prize, and something to celebrate – if we could easily return unscathed and unhindered with a second vessel, in the image of Bob?!

Indeed, Bob had little trouble assisting us in navigating to our object of desire, with little fanfare. Bob was able to progress through the underwater pathways of this cavern system with ease. Our general heading was east – deeper toward Tel al'Safina, and further? Initially we passed the sakkra breeding/nursery grounds, where we so recently battled with odd vampirical creatures. From there we found ourselves traversing the Ocean's Throat entrance, under the watchful eyes of the Wasago Renyu of Fort Doghouse. We kept on, passing other connecting caverns (to be explored at a later time) and at last found ourselves at the location Bob had fixed in his consciousness. We were in a large – vast and very dark – cavern room, mostly filled with water, but having a ceiling so high that we could not see it.

Raoden instructed Bob to reach out with his various senses (one being very similar to my “Deep Sight”), and we were informed that it was clear, by metallic vision, that the sister vessel lay well below us, in water with a depth near to 100 feet! Bob saw no indication of life energy, and could detect no significant signs of large, living organisms. However, far off to one side of this enormous chamber Bob noted a dry-land ledge, and a powerful emanation of energy. Curious. But our prize lay below us!

We sealed Bob, and descended quietly into the dark, cold waters, hoping that our presence had gone undetected. As Bob dropped through the intervening water, his lights flickered to life, and we observed a fascinating sight. The sister vessel was indeed present, laying upright – but slightly entrenched – into a flat bottom of fine-grained muck. An odd looking, thick, crystalline or vegetative growth covered much of her hull – an intriguing ecosystem of cavern-dwelling life. How long had she lain here? We observed many scars upon the outer hull, indicating great blasts of energy, as well as several locations having large breaches to the interior. The form of those breaches indicated that something had punched cleanly through the hull material, from the outside. As we swung around toward her aft section, it became clear that the rear bay doors were wide open, and that this hulk was likely fully flooded. Raoden also called our attention to what appeared to be several areas on the hull where the indigenous growth had been cleanly cut away – work that looked recent – as well as what appeared to be three discarded environmental suits.

We set Bob down just aft of the hulk, with our lights flooding its interior. Heijo and I adorned ourselves with the telepathic crystals, and then they and Raoden donned our two environmental suits. I manipulated the ever-present strands of arcana, flowing around and through everything, and tied off a specific arrangement of complex knots.

With the completion of the first few knots, my eyes briefly went out of focus and then immediately refocused, and I knew that to my eyes all written language would now be readable for a brief time. As I finished the second set of knots, my breathing suddenly became much, much easier, so much so that water would be as air to me. And with these spells completed, and suits donned, we sealed ourselves off, flooded our hatch, and clambered out into the cold, dark waters.

Gan and Vlana remained on board, and through Bob, they maintained communicate with Heijo and Raoden. How odd it must have been for them to see us clumsily work our way toward the flooded hulk, slopping our way through the muck, small clouds of turbidity rising with every step, and rippled shadows birthed by Bob's stark floodlights. As we passed by Bob's bow, I looked back at him, laying there like a massive log in the muck. And clearly stenciled, I read the word 'OXYS', in a uniquely artistic and accented script. I chuckled to myself, and found it odd – both that my chuckle made only a muffled sound, and that Bob was not really 'Bob'.

We conducted a search of the hull, and quickly found that literally everything of value had been stripped away. The hull was basically just that, an empty, dead hull. Raoden also confirmed that there was no energy cell aboard, and that no life could be coaxed into any magic mirrors. In fact, where we expected there to be such communication devices, or even bulkhead touchstones, there were only empty holes and cabinets. This hull was dead, her innards scooped clean, and with those discarded suits outside, it was likely she was a ship of the damned. We concluded that her only value lay in the material of her hull. Unfortunately, we most certainly did not have the means to move her to a more reasonable salvage location. After a short discussion, we began our way back to Bob (Oxys).

And here is where the story gets strange. Gan and Vlana informed us that alarms had suddenly burst forth within Bob, and that the three discarded suits had begun to inflate, seemingly coming to life! Bob had also informed them that he sensed a large number of life essences coming through the water, toward our location – ten or more. Gan believed that the living suits would likely intercept us before arriving back aboard Oxys. He made a quick decision, and told us to sit tight.

Gan had earlier noted the absolute similarity between Bob and this sister vessel, and took bold action. Gan set his hands to the controls and lifted Bob minimally off the bottom, while immediately spinning him around like a compass needle. He then deftly abutted Bob's stern tightly to the open aft compartment of his sister. We now had cover for our escape, a tunnel, and had no difficulty returning to Bob. Damn – Gan can drive!

However, none of this stopped the advance of the suits and the lifeforms. Gan lifted Bob higher into the water column, then brought him down as hard as possible on one of the suits, mashing it into the muck, or so he hoped. At the same time Heijo provided power to Bob's defensive shield, while giving Bob instructions to lay his forward stunning rays across the approaching lifeforms. As these actions played out, I twisted my fingers through the arcana and wrapped slumber upon the path of the approaching nemesis. All of this happened rather quickly, and while the results were immediate, they were far from satisfactory. Two of the suits had attached themselves to Bob's hull and were beating relentlessly on him – they seemed unhindered by the defensive shield. And only two of the creatures diving to our position seemed to be affected by Bob's beams, or my slumber.

Having very little offensive, and apparently defensive, capabilities, we made the decision to flee. Valor, glory, and baubles would not be ours on this mission, but we would live. As we lifted to a slightly more shallow depth, and turned our faces toward home, we did get a glance at our swimming adversaries. Sakkra – pale, gaunt, and steely looking sakkra – with glazed-over, eyes of the dead. Yet one of their number was like the sakkra we had encountered not long before, being controlled and fed on by some spindly-legged spider-like vampire – creatures of an Ergah. However, Bob made fast time, and they were unable to follow us. While we retraced our path, returning to Bob Hall, Gan was also able to dislodge the flailing suits before they could do harm to Bob.

And so, we returned to Bob Hall, intact, alive, with absolutely no new-gained wealth, except in knowledge. I am certain that an Ergah was nearby, at that energy source. And I suspect they have salvaged the materials from Bob's sister ship, intending to use those items to increase/modify Bob's capabilities – before we wrested Bob from their confinement. I fear that we have truly pestered a sekeker nest into a frenzy!