Chapter Three: Goro Goro Island - Session 17 - The Trees

Last session was held on June, 21st and all players were present.

First morning in new place full of surprises. Kyril disappeared and was nowhere to be found. His spellbook was left in room he shared with Carlin, so it was obvious he did not ran away. Connal invoked Moradin's favour and walked air only to spot some tracks and village in distance, hidden under roofs of canopy. In he meantime Ren awoke to find himself transmuted into half treant, half-human hybrid. Connal helped Xandos get past crocodiles, Ren got to shore on his own and whole party moved on, to find out, what has happened with mercenary wizard. Road through savannah was difficult and tiring, some of the heroes soon find grass was sharp and wounded them painfully. When they finally reached the clearing and slope leading down to semi swamp, party was attacked by lizardmen, who laid in ambush. Quickly became obvious the were no match for savages, who retreated to village. Fierce fight erupted, lizardmen were asking for no pardon, heroes gave them none. With Xandos slashing, hacking and killing enemies by dozens, Carlins blasting spells, Connal aiding his companions and Ren steadily pressing onward, whole village was flattened, destroyed and all it's inhabitants slain. Kyril was found in large hut, belonging to village chief and rescued.

Party returned to "Sky Mill" (as they baptised ship), which looked more like tropical island, than boat and made plans. Next day heroes moved to city on horizon but before they learned that directions moved. Learning from lessons of previous day, they moved through savannah and made camp under shield of huge baobab tree. There an strange sickness fell upon them, clearly coming from water. Three days have passed and with help of Connal's spells they were cured. In the meantime Ren made a contact with tree and animated it. Heroes found shelter upon branches and moved on, animating one more baobab by the way. After two days of slow trek during which they witnessed wild live on savannah, party and it's strange mounts arrived upon edge of high cliff. Below the saw a city resting upon a rise, forest circling it from all sides and river cutting through the jungle. Ren led back his new friends and party deliberated how to descend. Carlin, Connal and Xandos opted for jumping down and relying on "Feather Fall" spell, Ren was for slow climbing down, a s well as Kyril. Party split on tow parts, which luckily arrived down without sustaining damages. Thus, staying on edge of the forest, session came to an end.

Behind the Curtain
Ren has reached 7th character level, davancing in Sorcerer Class.
Ren's transformation was an idea born from his statement, he has no character sheet. Not wanting to guess his stats, I completely replaced them treant's.
Rules for water use, dehydration, diseases, sharp grass on savannah and influence of metal armour were taken from from Nyambe: African Adventures and Dark Sun settings.

Chapter Two: The North - Session - 16 - Odds and Ends

This session was promising but proved to be opposite. Despite his statements Adrian was absent (third game in a row), I was disappointed and angry, because my prepared adventure was based on his character. We had difficulties with starting sessions, talking, watching game trailers etc., but finally managed to roll on.

After party returned to Kuldahar, they found Ren still absent. Heroes decided it is time to sum up previous encounters and tie loose ends. First of all they ensured that Kuldahar and local hamlets were safe. then they returned to case of scroll. Patrick revealed that it was written with inhuman mind and hand, pointing to an abomination or aberration source. Moreover some part of it, previously unseen, was written with human hand, and radiated potent magic, despite being created without necessary components and ingredients. Writing style and patter suggested, than it was Carlin's making. After a little struggle, heroes learned how to destroy scroll: it has tu be burned and drowned in pure elements. Connal quickly reasoned, that the have necessary means right under the Kuldahar. With Arianhot permission and help of little pixie hero (to destroy scroll a members of older races were needed) the descended down and burned scroll in flames of Plane of fire and drowned remains in Plane of Water.

Next PC's set out to discover schemes behind "great nordmen's sacrifice". The decided to start the ship's engines and fly to elves' dwellings. Carlin and Kyril studied the manual with Connal's help, and after two weeks were ready to fly. Heroes said last goodbyes to Patrick, Astrid and Olaf, gave them their share of money and prepared ship to journey. Last, the located and moved Ren, who was still in trance. It was strange thing, as he became a living forest, which quickly entangled a ship, making it a true hanging garden.

And one day a ship ascended and flew into skies. Soon Carlin became quite proficient helmsman and the were quickly and safely travelling along mountains. Monotony of journey was broken one day, as ship sailed higher and higher, pierced clouds and soon came to a mysterious, flying island. Despite PC's fears, ship landed on waters of great lake, which shores were lined with crocodiles. In the distance heroes spotted savannah, giant trees and gliding, jewelled roofs of city of unknown origin.

Behind the Curtain
Carlin reached 6th level of experience.

It was quite surprising session for me due to Adrian's absence. Next adventure was based around his experiences and personal quests. Also, I was surprised wit way, heroes dealt with vile scroll, I presumed two more adventures in North, possibly leading to classic "Against the Giants". When I started campaign, I said to myself not to force players and let them go, adjusting to their decisions. It was so in case of leaving Kuldahar.