Chapter Five: Vilhoon Reach - Session 35 - Madness part 2

By readers demand I'ill specify player's characters and notable NPCs.

Heroes
Cetus - Paweł.
Connal Ragnirsson - Jarecki
Jarod - Jacek
Ren Howl - Adrian

NPC
Avelon, priestess of Waukeen
Gorma, a wizard
Prince Oreom - doge of Ceddarspoke
Princes Aujil - dogess of Ceddarspoke
The Friend - leader of one of thieves guild
Sephiron - a fallen deva

We picked session up, where it was left.
After defeating a fallen deva, Sephiron, heroes searched platform. Only thing worth was a throne of gold, inscribed with angel's glory and deeds. There were no mention of his falling. While heroes were searching, from below a crowd of fanatics began climbing. When they reached platform, immediately attacked. Some of invaders were cut to pieces by Blade Barrier, other were blasted with Cetus' Fireball. Only survivor was Grey Monk priest, who began incantation, but has fallen out of ladder. To Connal's and Cetus' terror he was invoking name of Black Lord, dead god Bane!

Heroes decided it is time to move out. They teleported on the roof of nearby building and looked for suitable place. After short search they settled in abandoned palace. Knowing, that Hammer of Disruption can be easily located, the decided not to return to guild's safe house. Instead Jarod was sent with a message. thieves promised to pass a word to the Friend.

At midnight The Friend appeared in palace with entourage of sneakers and assassins. She briefly discussed matters of concern and said, she'll be in touch. Guilds were becoming upset with situation and future of Ceddarspoke, as it was threatening their profits and perhaps, existence.

Next day Jarod was sent to scout out the Black tower. He was having some troubles with overseer, but dispatched him quickly, yet painfully. Sneaking to the Black Tower basement, he discovered prison and dungeon under it. Way was blocked by suspicious wall, so he turned back, to bring rest of PC's.

After sneaking through Grand Square and entering dungeon, party traveled through lone corridor. It was abandoned, but Jarod found out, that someone was secretly entering underground complex. At the end of tunnel was a lonely cell, closed with iron doors. Inside of it laid body of man and was kept woman, pregnant and starving. Recognizing pair of ruling princes, heroes snatched Oreom's body and Aujil and teleported to "Sky Mill". Jarod and Ren traveled by ordinary means and felt observed.

On board Connal healed Aujil and resurrected Oreom. to his surprise doge spirit was closer than one could think. From words that slipped out of doge lips, it was clear that while in prison cell, he was poisoned by his wife. when rescued were put to sleep, Sephiron reappeared to reclaim his Hammer of Disruption. At first he gained advantage in combat, stunning Connal, but was overcomed by Ren and used his plane shift ability to escape one more time.

Heroes agreed to help doge Oreom. the traveled to hidden cache of riches and nearby city to hire a mercenary army. Than they came back to Ceddarspoke to find it disturbingly quite and serene. It quickly turned out, that carnival of madness is over, as Grey Monks were put to death at hands of allied guilds.

During next weeks Oreom and Aujil regained power in city. doge kept his word and revealed location, where portal to Netheril could be. Heroes traveled there and found volcano calm and inactive. Descending deep into maze caverns they found temperature rising. At the center of dungeon were room filled with great fire and inscriptions of devotion to Kossuth. Cetus assumed form of fire elemental, but was damaged by heat. After long preparations and casting many protective spells, heroes entered chamber and went through portal...

Behind the Screen

Jarod advanced to 12 level of experience.

Some differences between Pathfinder Beta and final version were visible, so we decided to check, if we like to switch to it.

Chapter Five: Vilhoon Reach - Session 34 - Madness part 1

After healing Andru and regrouping, heroes lifted "Sky Mill" and traveled to city of Cedarspoke in which the hoped to find clues concerning time gate to Netheril. Journey was short and pleasant and soon ship anchored at bay. And the troubles began. Viewed from sea, city appeared to celebrate something. Fireworks flashed, sound of horns, trumpets and music was carried by the wind. Just as ship dropped anchor, a sickly yellow and green mist arose and engulfed part of pier and ship. It was poisonous and deadly, instantly killing Gorma and sickening Jarod, Connal and Ren. Cetus quickly raised ship, high above rolling vapor. Navitas reported that above city hovered a few invisible creatures. moreover, Cedarspoke was surrounded by seven camps, obviously laying siege.

Connal tried to revive Gorma but "Breath of Life" was cast too late, so the "Raise Dead" spell was needed. Soon ship was attacked by flying patrol of soldiers on griffons, who tried to cast ship out of sky. Attackers were quickly disposed with devastating use of "Blade Barrier" spell. Heroes decided to stay out of sight and scout in search of what is going on. Jarod was sent on spy mission and learned that Grand Alliance besieged city and kept in in closing for three months. There was a "madness" there and soldiers were committed to keep it within walls. Heroes decided to look through maps and talk with one of commanders, so next night Jarod was sent once again to scout ahead but was caught. Only quick action and cooperation between PC's achieved via "Telepathic Link" allowed them to sneak friend out and save him from death.

Next day, after message sent by Connal, heroes met Vespera diNerio, commander of mercenary army and his entourage. After polite conversation in shadow of abandoned lighthouse, they learned Cedarspoke rules Oreom and Aijul were overthrown by rebellious cult of Grey monks, who spread word of Black Lord's coming and ultimate night under his tyranny. Their preachings and teachings sent whole city in doom-awaitng madness. As long as armies were stationed, unending carnival of debauchery, depravation and decadence was held. Nobody paid attention to armies besieging city. Citizens played, danced, wasted resources in expectation of world's end. In the meantime rulers of Grand alliance were arguing  over whose army will enter city as first one.

Heroes decided to enter the city and look for it's rulers, as Oreom was a wizard of sorts and it was possible, he will know something about gate. That same day "Sky Mill" once again entered harbor. As warned heroes were greeted with sights of maddening carnival. Crazy people were running around, flagellants roamed streets preaching incoming doom and mutilated themselves, in backyards and back alleys orgy after another had place. In one of courtyards steps lead to a steel blade and religiously maddened people thrown themselves to by cut apart. After searching city, heroes found an oasis of peace and reason in form of thieves guild. The greeted them under their roof and invited to stay. That night their masked leader appeared. Called "The Friend" she offered a deal: in exchange of dispatching of an angel, thieves will lead heroes to prison, where Oreom and his wive Aijul were kept. After signing deal, next morning, heroes went to the Black Tower, that was still build in the main piazza of the city. Construction was raised around old palace of rulers and it was said to contain an invisible platform, where Guardian was enthroned. After climbing ladders and steps of construction site, heroes reached it and confronted fallen angel. Fight was tough, as outsider proved to be worthy opponent but eventually heroes were able to overcome it but, he suddenly disappeared. During fight Ren took angel's magical hammer and gave it to Connal, so heres are able to trace it.

But fight is not over...

Behind the screen
- As usual, adventure went in surprising direction. I assumed heroes will defeat deva but combat went into different direction. similar, I have not planned episode with Jarod's imprisonment and rescue. Actual course of next adventure will be based on that, what characters will do and how they respond to situation.

- There are two easter eggs in adventure and this very report, I wonder if somebody will find them?

- I see players create tactics of utilization their powers, spells, so to challenge them I will do the same with monsters :)

- I bought Pathfinder Bestiary and rulebook and were given GM Screen! Every item is very useful!

Chapter Four: The Sword Coast - Session 33 - Good news from the Sword Coast - part 4

It's been a while since I ran last session, but some personal and professional issues were keeping me from updating blog. Next meeting is planned on August, 7th due to holidays and guys' vacation plans.

Session began with PC's plans on topic, how to depose body. The key factor was how to do it, without alerting high-ranking officials. If the become aware of situation, especially changes in books text, minor librarians would face sever consequences. As always, Bag of Holding came handy and heroes smuggled body out. Young clerks assured they are able to "repair" books. With their help and extensive as well as very fast and productive library search, heroes learned that book "My year of life in Netheril" was written by geographer and cartographer, Andru the Wizard. He was one of many wizards but at some point was able to gather vast hoard of treasure and settled on his own private island.

Meanwhile librarians contacted heroes with Cetus, a sage, researcher and wizard of much renown among academicians, who was looking for company to travel far away from Candlekeep. He proved to be valuable party member and wise person, what came evidently when researching information on Time Gates to Netheril, conditions concerning travel back in time or material components required for casting Time Conduit spell.
All in all, it became obvious, that Andru's island is first step of research, as it was relatively close to Candlekeep.

"Sky Mill" climbed up in air and flew north. Meanwhile heroes dropped body of Cyric's emissary to sea. Two days later ship arrived at harbor of Andru's islands. Local villagers greeted heroes warmly but informed them, that master Andru is absent, due to extensive research he conducts. His wife sometimes comes to village to buy food or needed supplies. while speaking of her, master of village, Morg, became fearful and suspicious. He confessed some dark things are happening. She was seen staring at windows of some houses and people living there, especially children, died. Heroes agreed to investigate matter in secret.

Party quickly climbed up hill, to reach the tower. After arriving at top of the hill heroes were immediately attacked by a twisted treant who was hiding between trees. After quick fight he was defeated. Cetus released his pseudo-dragon familiar to look around but she was able to see nothing out of ordinary. Tower was silent and apparently deserted. Door was locked, windows shut and nobody answered from inside. While Ren jumped at top of the roof, Jarod checked windows for traps but forgotten to do it in case of doors. A lightning struck him, while opening locks. Once again he was hit while fumbling with mechanism, but finally opened them. Tower was small but clearly habited. There were rooms like study, kitchen, dining room or bedchamber. Ren was descending from top, while rest party climbed up by stairs. While they were searching room after room, he was attacked by terrible creature, that turned out to be a night hag. She cast a Silence spell, so Ren could not cry for help. Moreover, his hits was apparently not affecting her. Finally party met at top of the tower and defeated villain. In room next to smashed study, the found Andru, binded and starving. He confessed he was betrayed by one, whom he considered true friend, a love of his life, which in true was monster in disguise.

Andru was not able to help with travel to Netheril. He said, he was given a scroll with time Conduit spell as a reward for his help and services for City of Brass. He was longing to go back to "those truly wonderful, but alas, lost times!". Heroes decided to seek a time gate located in Vilhoon Reach and set off.

Behind the Screen
- We have a new player, a Paweł. He chose to play wizard and I'm glad, as he read rules and learned them by the heart. Contrary to former wizard, he was able to learn his spells correctly, choose feats so they were logical and helpful for party. I'm glad to have decent and nice fellow in group.

- The adventure I ran was taken from Castles&Crusades quick start. It was nice, short scenario, that consisted some mysteries, combat and exploration.

- No mistakes in combat!

- I ordered final, printed version of Pathfinder Core Rulebook and Bestiary as well.