Chapter Six: Netheril - Session 36 - Underwater part 1

Heroes

Cetus - Paweł.

Connal Ragnirsson - Jarecki

Jarod - Jacek

Ren Howl - Adrian

NPC

Avelon, priestess of Waukeen

Pearl - queen of sea elves

Art - elder of Falcon's Hollow

Heres stepped into a portal and found themselves in large gallery under pulsing blue roof. Surrounding them were objects of art, armors, magical artifacts. Below gallery there was a throne room and group of creatures, discussing with a strong agitation. Connal cast tongues spell and quickly understood that those were sea elves and their city was besieged by an evil army. Heroes introduced themselves and to their surprise were not only recognized but fully expected.

It turned out that Cetus, Avelon and Gorma, who entered portal first, arrived about six months earlier. but with them came a Grey Shadow, a malicious, petty and evil spirit. He was residing inside Gorma's stuff, which she made of one of "Sky Mill's" branches. He accused three of treachery, doublecrossing and stealing his fabulous magical powers. Moreover, that apparition, escaped and connected with it's former self, a fully living wizard of high ambition and low skills. 

Carlin the Grey.

He escaped a city, abducting Cetus, Avelon and Gorma. Few weeks later a huge army of sharks, octopuses, sahuagin and other evil sea creatures attacked Correal. Obviously Carlin's intention was clear: to destroy portal, before Connal, Ren and Jarod arrive and put his intrigue down.

Chief guardian asked heroes to escort Pearl to safe hideout, while he and warriors will reclaim city. while doing so, PC's had to enter a maze of corridors, praying for air. Finally they entered a blue cave of water, where queen was waiting for them. As the voiced will to help elves and find their companions, she offered them a underwater apparatus, capable of crossing depths and lengths.

Heroes decided to act. They flew (or swam?) over fighting armies and scouted a mountain range and found a tunnel, leading to huge cave, where host of sahuagin was stationed. Short fight erupted and they ere chased by giant octopus, but they learned of teleportation circle inside of structure. The withraw an attack to find friends and tier whereabouts first. Submarine emerged from water and was greeted by storm. Sending was send to Cetus, who answered that he and Avelon are on shore in town of Siriana, well and happy. 

Next day party, at evening  reconciled and heroes learned that in fact it was their former companion, who turned out to be traitor. He was accusing them of throwing him at illithid's mercy, of stealing his power, treachery, lack of respect and many other. He was ranting without stop or sense, but Avelon was able to fool him, she's priestess of evil goddess and they should join forces. It was matter of small intrigue and she and Cetus' escaped. Where Carlin and Gorma went, the knew nothing.

With that, heroes decide they have to repair damages the were responsible for and look for Carlin to prevent him from wreaking more havoc and of course to search for Iolaum. First they returned to city and found that eves reclaimed city. It was speculated, that invading army was lured into attack by Carlin's machinations and heres decided to enter a Maw, a cave they previously discovered, to find horde's masters and persuaded them to step back. 

Their ship swam through tunnel and heroes dropped one by one on teleportation circle. Ren was first. He was greeted by darkness, that lightstone barely shine but something was at him! He darted to escape but huge, monstrous creature was relentless in pursuit. while rest of heroes emerged bringing more and  more light, it was clear that they were facing a giant, primordial shark of unsatisfiable appetite. After a bloody and frenzy fight beast was slain and we ended session.

Behind the screen

- We decided to abandon Pathfinder Beta and switch to final release.

- Paweł was unfortunately absent.

- There were advances: Jarod and Ren

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!