It's not for me to judge the actions of others or even to attempt to rationalize their actions. So let me open with a question: If you're going to go AWOL, why stop at the closest island in the bay from your command post? That seems really stupid. And these guys were stupid. There were a few guys that threw some magic at us but by and large, the group of deserting soldiers really didn't know what they had in store for them.
In some ways you almost feel bad for them. Bumpkins that were duped into this notion of escape only to stop at the closest island and think they could hold out. Really, I blame their captain and the officers for getting them into this mess. One can always claim to be "just following orders" and I generally object one's readiness to forfeit their personal accountability. However, when you don't know any better and the odds facing you in the other direction are bleak, I get why you might choose this path. Regardless, the moment they decided to desert their fate was sealed. So you're better off dying fighting for the recapturing of the Domelands than to be yet another mission of conquest in the saga that is the "Recapturing of the Domelands." Morons.
Overall, not much to say about the combat itself. It was pretty standard fair. The soldiers never stood a chance. And they faced some pretty high-end magic being thrown at them. The wetwork was hack and slash and the poor saps could barely land a hit.
A note on tactics: divide and conquer worked well here. However, we should try to really focus more on the high-level casters as a group and then focus on the grunts.
I used the hexblade's curse again and it worked.
Later.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Khalo's Journal: Here There Beholders (and Dragons, Too)
We have embarked on a couple of missions now into the part of the city still occupied by monsters. In doing so, we have learned a few things - for instance, that the dragons (and their ilk) appear to be organized, at least loosely - making patrols, and working with some sort of undead cadre. We need to learn more about that.
According to the beholder we met, they (the beholders) are largely unaware that the dome has been lifted, and should they find out, it could mean trouble for the rest of the world, as they were in the midst of an invasion that our interlocutor believed they are eager to resume. To that, I say "perhaps" - a great deal can change in 800 years. Note to self - see what you can find out about the natural life expectancy of beholders.
We killed the beast to prevent him spreading the news to his fellows. In the course of the fight, Soromir was turned to stone, and so we traded our information at the liason's office in exchange for his restoration. The magic was provided by a wizard in service to The Condor, a human called Nordo whom Nimnock claims is an agricultural savant. I would be interested in talking to him further, to find out if his methods are sustainable.
While we were with Nimnock, he alerted us to a job that needed doing, and set us up with the military officer who wished to see it done. I found it best for my temperament to stay removed from the conversation, and as such, I do not recall his name. Of the mission - a group of soldiers deserted their duty and took up residence in a keep on a nearby island. For the sake of morale, the Condor's army needs to see these men executed for their crime, and the officer who gave us the job thinks it is best done not by the hands of their fellow soldiers, but by mercenaries, which our acceptance of this task so makes us.
Osbert has objections, but he has chosen to accompany us all the same. I am less interested in the laws of the Condor and his army, but am certainly willing to reduce the invasive population. They brought along some spell casters - a wizard, and a cleric, which is wise on their part. As I write this, I have just returned from a scouting mission to the island, where my disguise as a bird was detected by the deserters resident bird behavior expert. I remain convinced of the verisimilitude of my performance.
Entry concluded.
According to the beholder we met, they (the beholders) are largely unaware that the dome has been lifted, and should they find out, it could mean trouble for the rest of the world, as they were in the midst of an invasion that our interlocutor believed they are eager to resume. To that, I say "perhaps" - a great deal can change in 800 years. Note to self - see what you can find out about the natural life expectancy of beholders.
We killed the beast to prevent him spreading the news to his fellows. In the course of the fight, Soromir was turned to stone, and so we traded our information at the liason's office in exchange for his restoration. The magic was provided by a wizard in service to The Condor, a human called Nordo whom Nimnock claims is an agricultural savant. I would be interested in talking to him further, to find out if his methods are sustainable.
While we were with Nimnock, he alerted us to a job that needed doing, and set us up with the military officer who wished to see it done. I found it best for my temperament to stay removed from the conversation, and as such, I do not recall his name. Of the mission - a group of soldiers deserted their duty and took up residence in a keep on a nearby island. For the sake of morale, the Condor's army needs to see these men executed for their crime, and the officer who gave us the job thinks it is best done not by the hands of their fellow soldiers, but by mercenaries, which our acceptance of this task so makes us.
Osbert has objections, but he has chosen to accompany us all the same. I am less interested in the laws of the Condor and his army, but am certainly willing to reduce the invasive population. They brought along some spell casters - a wizard, and a cleric, which is wise on their part. As I write this, I have just returned from a scouting mission to the island, where my disguise as a bird was detected by the deserters resident bird behavior expert. I remain convinced of the verisimilitude of my performance.
Entry concluded.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Khalo's Journal: First Impressions of the Domelands
The more Bornos has become a memory, I find I am feeling more of myself again.
The team encountered another member of the Fiftygnomes, named Douglas. He is an off-worlder, gathering intelligence in this realm. He was being hunted by a tiger man with backwards hands. We slew the tiger man.
As we made our way closer to the Domelands, a few occurrences and encounters of note:
We were followed by members of the Topaz Syndicate. They attempted to harass us, but we showed them what's what. They were out of their element now, and we were into ours.
The Yallathune cultist wagon was attacked, and its inhabitants were killed. We inherited the wagon. The style isn't to my taste, but at least the wagon is covered.
A troll stopped the wagon train to demand a toll. A bit cliche, sure, but from the meeting, we learned that some of the Domelands natives are growing hostile to the increasing number of explorers, settlers, and soldiers brought over to these lands by the Condor. I must admit I sympathize with their plight somewhat.
I learned about two different packs of direwolves that call these lands home. One of these packs has an unnatural aspect to them, and my worldview calls me to see them destroyed. Hopefully this will lift the stigma on direwolves in general, as they are noble, natural creatures and have rights to these lands.
Here in the Domelands, ruins and remains suggest that in earlier times, many of the inhabitants of this area were followers of Frumious the Shepherd (so named by me based on my reading of the Knights of Mist Valley texts).
The Condor did not send for his children. This means that we accompanied them kind of for nothing - other than the thickening of the plot and my growing distrust of Jericho. My compatriots' treatment of him in a favorable to neutral manner continues to be a source of concern to me. Continued association with him strikes me as unwise.
We have started to get to know the city a bit. There's a section with tight military control, and a bigger section that is not as under control. The Condor's policy is to tame it through the entrepreneurial spirit of the settlers and adventurers. So far, this policy hasn't ended in catastrophe. I should list the shopkeeps we are getting to know, but my memory for names is less than stellar. A weapon smith and his gnomish friend make magical weapons and armor - Holm, I think his name is? A kind halfling woman sells potions. A tiresome human man sells scrolls and wands. There's a tailor who makes wearables. There's a dealer in items of wonder and power. I will rely on my friends who recall these things better than I do.
I remember Nimnock, though - he's another member of the Fiftygnomes, and he works for the Condor in the Office of the Liason. A good source of information. I'll expand upon him in another entry.
Lito is dead. We went out on a mission for Jericho, which yielded valuable information in spite of the questionable motivations for going out in the first place, and the pitiable result. This mission is where we discovered a cemetery for followers of Frumious, and where we received elixirs that improved our acuity. For me, the elixir boosted my capacity for and desire to learn, and increased my curiosity. I am eager, and a little nervous (which is something I don't recall being in some time) to discover how this augmentation will impact my personality.
Lito's death came upon his discovery that Vas Ra, his primary motivation for adventuring, was within the laboratory we were exploring for Jericho. Unfortunately, this Vas Ra is not a creature of good. He is at least a vampire, and according to some we have spoken to, a figure of great legend and dread. His full name was revealed to us when we found his tomb - Harvas Raeth.
Finally, a couple of thoughts about the city - I am distressed at the rapid deforestation that is occurring at the city wall. The soldiers claim it is for defense. I can see the wisdom in that, but I do not think the defense of the city justifies the level of wanton habitat destruction I have seen. I plan to do something about this.
The "wild" sections of the city's ruins are infested with creatures such as dragons and beholders. I have no particular enmity for dragons, but the concentration I'm seeing suggests that thinning out their numbers, particularly the hostile ones, might not be a bad thing. Beholders are not creatures I deem to be of value, so we should endeavor to eradicate them. I look forward to the challenge.
Entry concluded.
The team encountered another member of the Fiftygnomes, named Douglas. He is an off-worlder, gathering intelligence in this realm. He was being hunted by a tiger man with backwards hands. We slew the tiger man.
As we made our way closer to the Domelands, a few occurrences and encounters of note:
We were followed by members of the Topaz Syndicate. They attempted to harass us, but we showed them what's what. They were out of their element now, and we were into ours.
The Yallathune cultist wagon was attacked, and its inhabitants were killed. We inherited the wagon. The style isn't to my taste, but at least the wagon is covered.
A troll stopped the wagon train to demand a toll. A bit cliche, sure, but from the meeting, we learned that some of the Domelands natives are growing hostile to the increasing number of explorers, settlers, and soldiers brought over to these lands by the Condor. I must admit I sympathize with their plight somewhat.
I learned about two different packs of direwolves that call these lands home. One of these packs has an unnatural aspect to them, and my worldview calls me to see them destroyed. Hopefully this will lift the stigma on direwolves in general, as they are noble, natural creatures and have rights to these lands.
Here in the Domelands, ruins and remains suggest that in earlier times, many of the inhabitants of this area were followers of Frumious the Shepherd (so named by me based on my reading of the Knights of Mist Valley texts).
The Condor did not send for his children. This means that we accompanied them kind of for nothing - other than the thickening of the plot and my growing distrust of Jericho. My compatriots' treatment of him in a favorable to neutral manner continues to be a source of concern to me. Continued association with him strikes me as unwise.
We have started to get to know the city a bit. There's a section with tight military control, and a bigger section that is not as under control. The Condor's policy is to tame it through the entrepreneurial spirit of the settlers and adventurers. So far, this policy hasn't ended in catastrophe. I should list the shopkeeps we are getting to know, but my memory for names is less than stellar. A weapon smith and his gnomish friend make magical weapons and armor - Holm, I think his name is? A kind halfling woman sells potions. A tiresome human man sells scrolls and wands. There's a tailor who makes wearables. There's a dealer in items of wonder and power. I will rely on my friends who recall these things better than I do.
I remember Nimnock, though - he's another member of the Fiftygnomes, and he works for the Condor in the Office of the Liason. A good source of information. I'll expand upon him in another entry.
Lito is dead. We went out on a mission for Jericho, which yielded valuable information in spite of the questionable motivations for going out in the first place, and the pitiable result. This mission is where we discovered a cemetery for followers of Frumious, and where we received elixirs that improved our acuity. For me, the elixir boosted my capacity for and desire to learn, and increased my curiosity. I am eager, and a little nervous (which is something I don't recall being in some time) to discover how this augmentation will impact my personality.
Lito's death came upon his discovery that Vas Ra, his primary motivation for adventuring, was within the laboratory we were exploring for Jericho. Unfortunately, this Vas Ra is not a creature of good. He is at least a vampire, and according to some we have spoken to, a figure of great legend and dread. His full name was revealed to us when we found his tomb - Harvas Raeth.
Finally, a couple of thoughts about the city - I am distressed at the rapid deforestation that is occurring at the city wall. The soldiers claim it is for defense. I can see the wisdom in that, but I do not think the defense of the city justifies the level of wanton habitat destruction I have seen. I plan to do something about this.
The "wild" sections of the city's ruins are infested with creatures such as dragons and beholders. I have no particular enmity for dragons, but the concentration I'm seeing suggests that thinning out their numbers, particularly the hostile ones, might not be a bad thing. Beholders are not creatures I deem to be of value, so we should endeavor to eradicate them. I look forward to the challenge.
Entry concluded.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Soromir's Journal Entry # 25
Finally fought a dragon. I kicked its ass then it kicked mine. Real hard. It was a black dragon that did acid damage. We haven't checked for any treasure yet but there is probably a ton. 40,000 here we come.
We came across the dragon as we were making our way toward the center of the city. As it turns out there isn't nearly as much of Norhall that's been reclaimed as originally fought. Nem-Nock at the Liason's office gave us the details on a couple of tasks, the first being the retaking of the mithril mines and the second being the Palace (which we are currently working our way toward). We fought the dragon on the way to the Palace and Nem-Nock did tell us that things get more dangerous the further into the city we go. Safe to assume the Palace is the most dangerous part of the City.
Jerricho laid some startling news on us: The Beholder Dominion is in the city and very close to the settled portions of the city. Jerricho came across a "half-dead and desicated beholder" about 1/3 of a mile from where we call home. There is suspicion that the Dome was put over the Domelands to contain the Beholders in the area. Welp, the dome has fallen and we are here. So the Beholders are going to be here and in force most likely.
Jerricho also speculated that there is a Hawk under magical control in Bornos that had the idea of shipping the Condor's kids to Norhall. Alvin will address that situation when he returns to Bornos.
Alvin is also going back to Bornos to address the above but more importantly to bring back more troops. Alvin informed us that the reclamation of the Domelands is at a standstill and the reclamation is becoming a military operation, holding on to what the Condor has already taken. The additional troops from Bornos will help with whatever strategy is chosen.
Its getting serious here.
In closing, when I have the Dark Blade reforged, I'm going to call it "Steve."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhksrIKkqtw
We came across the dragon as we were making our way toward the center of the city. As it turns out there isn't nearly as much of Norhall that's been reclaimed as originally fought. Nem-Nock at the Liason's office gave us the details on a couple of tasks, the first being the retaking of the mithril mines and the second being the Palace (which we are currently working our way toward). We fought the dragon on the way to the Palace and Nem-Nock did tell us that things get more dangerous the further into the city we go. Safe to assume the Palace is the most dangerous part of the City.
Jerricho laid some startling news on us: The Beholder Dominion is in the city and very close to the settled portions of the city. Jerricho came across a "half-dead and desicated beholder" about 1/3 of a mile from where we call home. There is suspicion that the Dome was put over the Domelands to contain the Beholders in the area. Welp, the dome has fallen and we are here. So the Beholders are going to be here and in force most likely.
Jerricho also speculated that there is a Hawk under magical control in Bornos that had the idea of shipping the Condor's kids to Norhall. Alvin will address that situation when he returns to Bornos.
Alvin is also going back to Bornos to address the above but more importantly to bring back more troops. Alvin informed us that the reclamation of the Domelands is at a standstill and the reclamation is becoming a military operation, holding on to what the Condor has already taken. The additional troops from Bornos will help with whatever strategy is chosen.
Its getting serious here.
In closing, when I have the Dark Blade reforged, I'm going to call it "Steve."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhksrIKkqtw
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