PRE-NOTE: This one is LONG as the game ran late. For those without the time to read the whole thing at once, I'd recommend using the EVENT-TRIGGERs like chapter headings and read from one to the next. That way you can read over it over the next week and a half until we play again. PRE-NOTE 2 : ALSO, I took a liberty with Garrick's character in the last event trigger to try and resolve how it would've played out between everyone leaving the river and getting back to Sharn....I'm sure the attempted attack by Ariane would NOT have gone unanswered if Garrick had been here in character, so I took the liberty of at least resolving it temporarily. (Game Session 3: Saturday, 30 July 2016)
PRE-NOTES:
“Everyone is going to need a place to stay—to pay rent—and a
job of some sort…” ~DM Octavio
Initiating…
Time Stamp (1120/0998-Eyre-19-Zor)
{9 days since our last
adventure}
{5.5wks
x7dys/wk=38.5dys – 9dys =29.5 crafting days remaining on shield}
Location Stamp (/tavern_designate@The
Red Hammer)
This unit receives summons through House Sivis messenger to
meet unit(Masakan) about potential
employment at (tavern_designate@Broken Anvil).All units of
(team_designate@name: unknown) receive similar summons, apparently, except
unit(Valynthe). QUERY: Unknown if unit (Valynthe) did not receive summons or
did not respond.
Unit(Masakan) explains that his professor, a
(race_designate@hobgoblin) who specializes in ancient Dakaani artifacts, has
learned of a new discovery in (country_designate@Darguun)
(city_designate@Rhukaan Draal). Unit(Masakan) offers to employ us to escort him
to city(Rhukaan Draal) to explore this new discovery, where there will be “many
riches” as well as the potential to establish contacts at
(school_designate@University of Morgrave). This unit is interested in
establishing such contacts as well as in seeing the rest of continent(Khorvaire)
and agrees to escort unit (Masakan). Others present do as well.
Unit(Gardakan)
reveals that he hired unit(Ariane) to replace him temporarily—that he did not
intent to deceive us, but had sworn unit(Ariane) to secrecy in the matter and
had “personal House matters that needed to be addressed discretely and that’s
all I’ll say for now.”
Further
discussion reveals that a recent basement collapse has revealed the entrance to
a previously undiscovered goblin tomb or crypt. Unit(Masakan)’s professor
wishes (team_designate@name:unknown) to enter city(Rhukaan Draal), make contact
with a known (race_designate@warforged), explore the tomb, and ex-filtrate as
quickly as possible. All expenses in both directions, via first Orion Rail and
the via Wagon Trails, is pre-paid by unit(Masakan)’s professor.
As
arrangements are made to meet at (ward_designate@Lower Tavick’s Landing)
(district_designate@Terminus) (building_designate@Terminus Station) to take the
Orion Lightning Rail, unit(Masakan) insists that all units follow him to his
sleeping quarters, where we discover he has crafted/purchased/acquired large
quantities of alchemical goods. Unit(Masakan) expresses the desire that all
units carry his supplies. This unit and unit(Garrick) express inability to
carry more without becoming encumbered. All units agree to carry
(item_designate@Blessed Bandage). This unit, after some discussion, concurs to
carry two vials(item_designate@Aboleth Mucus) as it is toxic to other team
members. Others agree to carry what they can or what they desire to; all units
disperse to meet at station.
Time Stamp
(1340/0998-Eyre-23-Mol)
{4 days since our
leaving Sharn}
Location Stamp (/country_designate@Darguun)
(city_designate@Rhuukan Draal) (/district_designate@human slums)
After an uneventful trip that takes the team through
(city_designate@Starilaskur) in eastern country(Breland) and then down to
(city_designate@Sterngate) where we joined the wagon trail to city (Rhuukan
Draal), the team arrives and quickly finds its way to the
(district_designate@human slums).
While there
are several interesting sites within view, including the
(fortress_designate@The Red Keep), the team maintains focus and proceeds to
assigned meeting location: a bridge in this district. A large parade nearby
includes horns and drums and seems to be celebrating (holiday_designate@Goblin
Independence Day).
On the
bridge, a warforged appears. It self-identifies as (name_designate@Chopper) and
is to provide us with the location of the abandoned temple where the excavation
was discovered. Unit(Chopper) tells us the temple site is abandoned and
encourages us to quickly seek her out at a specified mill after we finish at
the church for ex-filtration, as there are those in Darguun known to take
slaves of unattended humans. The team proceeds to the designated location with
haste.
Location Stamp
(city_designate@Rhuukan Draal) (/building_designate@abandoned temple)
The abandoned temple is a former (faith_designate@Silver
Flame) temple that was torn down and defiled after the rise of the goblinoid
government. Its walls are marked with graffiti and smeared with filth. The
doors are not secured. The team enters, and, in the main hall, discovers a hole
in the ground with a steel spike driven next to it.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Attack by (name_designate@The Screeching Skull)
Armed skeleton = hostile unit <engage hostile unit
The door in the back of the temple flies open and
(race_designate@skeleton), armed with two scimitars, surges in, screeching,
“Now that you are here, I can crush you!” The team moves to engage the newly
identified threat.
The hostile unit(skeleton) surges forward and strikes down
unit (Gardakan) with a single blow, screeching out, “Hug the ground!” Unit
(Garrick) calls on the power of his blood to rebuke the skeleton, but hostile
unit lets out a mocking laugh. Unit (Mazakan) moves to attack skeleton, but his
rapier proves ineffective against it. Unit (Ariane) moves to use item(blessed
bandage) on unit (Gardakan).
The hostile unit(skeleton) surges again, crying out, “The
Screeching Skull takes no prisoners!” Unit(Garrick) again attempts to rebuke
the hostile unit, this time with success. This unit proves unable to strike the
hostile unit(skeleton), even while it hesitates to attack team. Unit(Mazakan)
strikes the hostile unit thrice with item(Morningstar) provided to him by
unit(Garrick) during the battle, and ends the hostile unit(skeleton). Unit(Garrick) identifies the
creature(race_designate@Karnathi skeleton) and, after finding a brooch
depicting a green, three-taloned claw,
its allegiance to (organization_designate@Emerald Claw).
Unit(Mazakan) uses item(Potion:Cure Light Wounds) and unit(Garrick) supplements that with
magic(divine_spell@Cure Minor Wounds:Gardakan) to revive unit(Gardakan). An investigation
of the hole in the ground reveals that there is nothing at the bottom but
dirt—no passages and no hidden shrine. An in-depth search of the
building(abandoned temple) is conducted. Nothing more than the gear of the
hostile unit (skeleton) and a text (text_designate@Silver Flame Bible) are
discovered. All, including text, are stored for later compensation or
distribution.
Team discussion resolves into the resolution to move to the
designated meeting spot.
Team moves out, unit(Ariane) posing as a hobgoblin, and the
team sticks to alleys filled with refuse to avoid the main roads.
From a side alley, an axe flies out and strikes
unit(Ariane), dropping her to the ground.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Ambush in (Rhuukan Draal Alley)
Ambush = two hostile units = numerical advantage:
team<push advantage
“Give us your money and stuff,” the hostile
unit(race_designate@human) says, striking unit(Masakan) a telling blow.
Unit(Garrick) moves to use healing magic on unit(Ariane), who rises, fires a
crossbow bolt, and wisely retreats. Second hostile unit(race_designate@shifter)
surges at unit(Masakan), striking him a second
time and dropping him to the ground unconscious. This unit charges the
hostile unit(human) and makes contact with its morningstar, causing the hostile
unit(human) to spit out mandabular bone protrusions. Unit (Gardakan) uses his
item(item_designate@Wand: Daze) to temporarily stun the hostile unit(Shifter).
The hostile
unit(human) turns on me and strikes.
DAMAGE. WARNING.
DAMAGE.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:
This unit sustains damage from mace of hostile unit. Adamantine body mitigates
some damage. This unit takes 3 points of structural damage; this unit is still
functional.
Returning to previous priority string….
Unit (Garrick) moves in and lands a blow against the stunned
hostile unit(shifter). Unit (Gardakan) again attemps to daze the hostile
unit(shifter) but the hostile unit shakes its head, resisting the effect a
second time.
The hostile unit(human) swings again at this unit, missing
and leaving itself open for counter-strike. This unit takes advantage of the
opening to land another blow and the hostile unit(human) is disabled. The
hostile unit(shifter) moves to try to either flank or support its fallen ally,
but the tide of the battle has already been determined. Unit(Garrick) lands a
similar blow against the hostile unit(shifter) and unit (Gardakan) drops said
hostile unit with a crossbow shaft.
This unit applies item(item_designate@Blessed Bandage) on
unit(Masakan), and the team quickly searches to see if there is any indication
of the cause of the ambush. There are no identifying papers and only a small
amount of coin (team_loot: +9 gp). Carrying unit(Masakan), the team proceeds to
the inn run by House Ghallanda near the original bridge where we met
unit(Chopper). There, a gruff (race_designate@halfling) gives directions to the
House Jorasco that is nearby. Ignoring unit(Garrick)’s advice to wait until
morning to allow him to use healing magics on unit(Masakan), unit(Ariane) left
alone in hobgoblin disguise to carry unit(Masakan) to the healers. The two
returned later and the team resolved to rest the evening at the inn. During the
evening, this unit effected full repairs to damage sustained.
Time Stamp
(0810/0998-Eyre-24-Zol)
{5 days since our
leaving Sharn}
Location Stamp
(city_designate@Rhuukan Draal) (/district_designate@human slums)
In the morning, it is determined that unit(Masakan) is still
seriously injured and unit(Garrick) uses the extent of his healing magics, two
spells(divine_magic@Cure Light Wounds) on unit(Masakan), restoring that unit to
full functionality.
After the other units restored their energy through oral
fueling, the team proceeded to the identified mill where unit(Chopper) directed
us to report. All team members are on alert, as it seems either unit(Chopper)
intentionally deceived us or some other hostile agency has since joined into
the ongoing task-pursuit.
On
approaching within sight distance of the mill, unit(Gardakan) casts a
spell(arcane_spell@Summon Homonculus) and brings a temporary
unit(race_designate@ Homonculus: Expeditious Messenger) into existence. He
sends it ahead, relaying to rest of the team what it sees. Unit(Gardakan)
informs us that the mill seems to have been thoroughly searched in a
disorganized manner and that unit(Chopper) is tied to a chair in the back
bedroom.
The team
enters and searches the mill, finding nothing but unit(Chopper) tied to a
chair. It is evident that the unit is destroyed. The presence of the bed in a
room for a warforged draws questions and unit(Mazakan) moves the bed out of the
way. Beneath, a hole into a tunnel is discovered. The temporary
unit(Expeditious Messenger) is sent down the hole. Unit(Gardakan) reveals
that the tunnels lead to a water slide,
which leads to a room with three doors that the temporary unit(Expeditious
Messenger) cannot open. The team decides to pursue the lead, which matches the
original tunnels we were hired by unit(Mazakan)’s professor to investigate and
in the hopes of discovering who destroyed unit(Chopper) and sent the hostile
units to ambush us at the church.
After
sliding down the waterslide, the team finds itself atop a pillar surrounded by
water with a riddle written in goblin inscribed upon it. Unit(Ariane) and this
unit are able to read it and convey its contents to the team. Unit(Ariane)
determines the presence of invisible bridges, and the party exits through the
unlocked eastern door.
The door
leads to passages, which lead to a crypt. There are several hobgoblin
sarcophagi present. Unit (Ariane) begins
opening the sarcophagi and, from the second, a hostile unit(race_designate@
skeleton) emerges.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Skeleton attack
Sarcophagi covers move= units emerging = multiple units(skeleton):
count@7 = hostiles<engage nearest hostile
Units (Mazakan) and (Ariane) throw vials of acid on the
hostile units. The hostile units(skeleton) surge forward and attack, striking
unit(Garrick) and unit(Ariane), wounding unit(Ariane) significantly. (Unit)
Garrick again attempts and succeeds at rebuking the hostile units, and the team
quickly dispatches them while they cower. Unit(Garrick) also expends
magic(divine_spell@Cure Minor Wounds:Ariane) and the party continues.
Down further halls, a shadow darts out.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Filcher Fail
Unit(Ariane) and unit(Mazakan) respond to unknown threat =
threat =search for threat<hostile unit(Filcher) identified at end of
unit(Mazakan)’s rapier
A shadow appeared and attempted to steal from unit(Ariane),
who saw the shadow. Unit(Mazakan) saw it as well and attacked it, quickly
destroying the (race_designate@construct: furtive filcher). This unit sees no
other threats present. The team proceeds forward again.
The team encounters an area covered with labeled floor
tiles, labeled in goblin letters. This unit and unit(Ariane) translate the
letters. A plaque in goblin nearby explains that the (name_designate) of
“Perseverance” from the initial puzzle room with the water is the safe path to
use to get across. Unit(Garrick) and unit(Ariane) surmise that the word required
is ‘water’ and, using the appropriate goblin letters, the team proceeds across
the puzzle floor.
Approaching a door, sounds of combat, including energy
discharge common to spell use, are audible to all. All units prepare for
combat; this unit activates (infusion_designate@Shield of Faith: self). Opening
the door, the party sees (race_designate@goblin:blue) and its
(race_designate@construct:astral construct). What appear to be the remains of
two to three other humanoids litter the room as well.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Encounter with (name_designate@Kivilax Grapplewick)
The (race_designate@goblin: blue) growls out, “More Emerald
Claw scum—you won’t get past me!”
This unit replies in goblin, “This team is unaffiliated with
the Emerald Claw.” This unit’s reply gives race(goblin) pause. It asks our
affiliation. Unit(Ariane) claims we have a “mysterious benefactor” who sent us
here to battle the Emerald Claw. Race(goblin) self-identifies as
unit(name_designate@Kivilax Grapplewick). Unit(Kivilax) states that, unless we
yield the dragonshard in the next room to him, we will have to fight him now.
This unit indicates that this is unsound logic: This team can simply wait while
he pursues the shard, then engage him afterwards. It behooves unit(Kivilax) to
utilize this team as support in its engagement with the enemy(Emerald Claw) and
resolve other issues once the common enemy is eliminated. Unit(Kivilax)
considers, agrees, but emphasizes that he will have the dragonshard. This unit
indicates it understands the plan offered, without stating affirmation of this
plan.
Unit(Kivilax) and its unit(race_designate@construct: astral
construct) join the team moving forward towards the location unit(Kivilax) says
the Emerald Claw have gone. Approaching the door, unit(Kivilax) sends its
construct to open the door and the rest of us surge in behind, identifying
targets and engaging as we move.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Emerald Claw Battle
Four hostiles visible = assessment: two guards, one melee,
one caster<identify priority threat
Hostile caster unit = armored = divine = highest threat
potential< move to engage
Unit (Mazakan) throws an item(item_designate@Dust Eggshell
Grenade) at unit(guard_1), blinding him. Unit(Kivilax) activates a
power(psionic_power@name:unknown) and engages unit(guard_2). Hostile
unit(Melee) is a (race_designate@changling) and morphs into unit(Chopper),
saying “So you all finally got here, hunh?”
From the dark area of the room, a sling stone whizzes past
this unit, missing only slightly. A large burst of rainbow colors indicates an
area in which unit(Gardakan) has issued a spell(arcane_spell@Color Spray),
disabling one of the hostile units. Unit(Ariane) fires a
(item_designate@Flaming Bolt) at the hostile unit(changeling), striking and
eliminating that target. This unit surges to the back of the room, locates the
hostile(caster), pins said caster to the wall, and strikes hostile(caster) with
its morningstar. Unit(Kivilax) delivers a coup de grace to a downed hostile
unit(guard_2).
Unit(Gardakan) successfully employs (item_designate@ Wand of
Daze) to stun hostile unit(guard_1) as unit(Astral Construct) deals hostile
unit(guard_1) another blow. Unit(Garrick) moves in to deliver a destroying blow
to unit(guard_1) while this unit lands a similar blow, disabling the unit(caster),
dropping him.
Unit(Ariane) and unit(Kivilax) begin discussion about
dragonshard.
This unit recognizes unit(Kivilax) as a shifted unit:
Unit(Kivilax) = hostile;amended: unit(Kivilax) = ally versus
common threat
Unit(Kivilax) threatened hostilities following elimination
of common threat
Common threat eliminated < unit(Kivilax) = hostile unit
This unit moves and engages unit(Kivilax), striking two
solid blows against the hostile unit. Unit(Kivilax) dodges a third blow as it
activates a psionic power….
DAMAGE. WARNING.
DAMAGE.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT:
This unit sustains severe internal processing damage. Adamantine body mitigates
NONE of the damage.
This unit takes 6 points of structural damage; this unit is
still functional.
Returning to previous priority string….
Unit(Mazakan) screams, “What are you doing, Hone?” Unit(Ariane) attempts to order this unit to cease actions. Unit(Ariane) is not this unit's commander; orders are ignored. This unit is unclear how team does not remember
previous threats leveled by unit(Kivilax)—perhaps processing damage during
battle? Return to priority string…Unit(Garrick) steps behind unit(Kivilax) and
strikes true, dropping unit(Kivilax).
Unit(Ariane) moves behind unit(Garrick) and takes a hostile
action, attacking unit(Garrick)with her sap. As unit(Garrick) turns to respond,
unit(Mazakan) takes the dragonshard from the altar and the walls start to
shake.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Betrayal by unit(Ariane)
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Collapse Imminent
Unit(Ariane) attacked unit(Garrick)<Unit(Garrick) engaged
as ally, NO hostile
threats in range of sight <Unit(Ariane) = hostile threat
Walls shaking = Structural Collapse Imminent = Need to
Evacuate
DANGER . Collapse
= evacuate
DANGER . Hostile
unit(Ariane) = engage/defend/retreat string
Processing……
This unit recovers damaged unit(Kivilax) for potential
rescue—unit was temporary ally, sought dragonshard as primary objective and not
team’s demise, and is not clear, current, and active threat as hostile unit(Ariane)
is -- and waits for other units to respond to betrayal. This unit will not
place its back to hostile unit(Ariane)
“Guys, come on! This place is going to come down!”
Unit(Mazakan) cries out and runs from the room, unit(Gardakan) right behind
him. Hostile unit(Ariane) threatens this unit,
“Hone, if that goblin dies, so help me…” This unit is unaffected by
threat; this unit refines clarification of hostile unit(Ariane) as HOSTILE.
Unit(Ariane) runs from collapsing room as dust and debris start falling from
ceiling. Unit(Garrick) follows her, waiting for unit(Hone) to make sure this
unit is secure.
All units but this one having exited the room, this unit
activates (infusion_designate@Knight Unburdened: self) to allow for faster
egress from underground area. This unit and unit(Garrick) seem to be moving the
slowest: this unit from added weight of unit(Kivilax) and unit(Garrick) from standard
armor modification to movement.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Hostile unit(Ariane) disabled on Puzzle
Reaching the floor puzzle room, it is evident that some of
the tiles have broken and fallen into an abyss below. An assessment of the room
identifies hostile unit(Ariane)’s inert form on a tile that was not part of the
designated path for entrance as per earlier encounter with the room. This unit
moves out onto the tiles.
ASSESSMENT :
Hostile unit(Ariane) = hostile unit = leave her
Hostile unit(Ariane) = employee of unit(Gardakan)= resource
of allied unit
Resource of allied unit > Elimination of hostile unit
(Similar to logic regarding recovery of unit(Kivilax))
This unit hands unit(Kivilax) to unit(Garrick) to carry and
retrieves the inert form of hostile unit(Ariane). This unit checks to make sure
hostile unit is indeed damaged and not pretending, then hefts hostile
unit(Ariane) and seeks to move forward again.
Another series of quakes starts causing more tiles to
collapse. As the correct path is about to collapse, unit(Gardakan) steps
forward and his dragonmark begins to glow, knitting the pieces of the safe path
back together long enough for this unit and unit (Garrick) to finish crossing.
In the tunnel beyond, unit(Gardakan) stops this unit to
attend to hostile unit(Ariane). Unit(Mazakan) cries out from the room by the
skeleton sarcophagi, “There’s no way out! We’re all going to die! This just
leads back to the room with waterslides!”
Unit(Garrick) looks down the darkened hallway that has not
been explored and, with unit(Kivilax) over his shoulder, starts running that
way, “Follow me!”
This unit questions unit(Garrick): “Is unit(Garrick) aware
of an exit in this direction?”
To which unit(Garrick) replies, “No, but there isn’t one in
the other direction…”
This logic is not flawed. This unit and unit(Gardakan)
follow unit(Garrick) and unit(Mazakan) be heard running back to catch up with
us from behind.
EVENT_TRIGGER:
Water Tunnel Exit
Unit(Garrick) has located an exit: a tunnel in a pool leads out, based on the flow
of the water. Chucks of debris are now regularly falling from the ceiling.
Unit(Garrick) believes that there is clearance to breathe the whole way out,
though there isn’t a clear indication of where the passage leads. Unit(Garrick)
takes unit(Kivilax) and makes the swim outward, followed closely by
unit(Gardakan), who flounders for a moment in the current before getting his
bearings and swimming out. This unit climbs in the water, sinks as anticipated,
and attempts to keep unit(Ariane) above water.
{Action_Point_Reserve
depletion -1; remaining Action_Point_Reserve = 2/5}
Unit(Masakan) catches up with us in the water room and sees
this unit struggling to maintain verticality with unit(Ariane). Unit(Masakan)
takes unit(Ariane) and swims out, this unit walking along the bottom behind and
trying to keep pace, pushing up whenever a unit(swimmer) drops low enough for
this unit to give it a boost.
All units exit into the river. Quick assessment indicates an
exit point downriver from the bridge where team originally met
unit(name_designate@NOT Chopper). Unit (Gardakan)checks status of unit(Ariane)
while unit(Garrick) checks status of unit(Kivilax).
EVENT_TRIGGER: Unit(Garrick)
armed & aggressive posture
Unit(Garrick) seeks to move against hostile unit(Ariane) for
attack in dragonshard room. This unit stands by. Unit(Masakan) argues against
destruction of unit(Ariane); unit(Gardakan) likewise pleads for patience and
lenience for his employee. This unit supports temporary dismissal of resolution
until successful ex-filtration from country(Darguun). All units agree to
temporary cessation of hostilities.
All units retreat to Rest House of Ghallandra, same as
previous evening’s reststop. A room is secured for unit(Kivilax), who has
stabilized via autohypnosis. Unit(Garrick) assesses his condition as stable but
unconscious for 24 to 48 hours if subject to natural healing rates. Payment is
made for unit(Kivilax)’s room for two days and the party rests one evening,
leaving the next morning for Sharn.
Time Stamp
(0810/0998-Dravago-01-Sul)
{4 days back to Sharn}
Location Stamp
(city_designate@Sharn)
While the ride back to city(Sharn) is uneventful, this unit
shows no trust for hostile unit(Ariane) and chooses to never present its
backside to said unit for fear of betrayal as already demonstrated by previous
actions. The ride back to city(Sharn) is quiet and all units seem more
interested in resolving internal thought strings than in conversation.
Returning to country(Breland)(city_designate@Sharn), a small
compensation is resolved from the masterwork gear of the Karnnathi skeleton.
All units agree to meet up once unit(Marsakan) has presented
(item_designate@dragonshard) to his professor and received whatever
compensation professor grants to team.
This unit heads back to (district_designate@Blackbones) to
check in with its fellow warforged and return to work on its
(item_designate@Gauntlet shield).
{~30 crafting days
remaining on shield}
End Transcript
