Wednesday 9 October 2013

AI - Chapter Seven - Power of the Dread Lord

After journeying for several days, Alera, Baba Zephyr, Direli, Finley, and Durgan return home to Nevermore.  The group had hoped to rest after their long journey, but with the terrible news that Jennu had not yet returned from his investigations of Oman's shipyard, paired with the terrible visions of pain and torture Therrah was having, the group had no choice but to go after Nevermore's guardian Dragon.

They felt they stood the best chance of infiltrating the base if they disguised themselves as members of Oman's forces, and used the egg the Dread Lord had been searching for as a way of getting inside.  They would also make Durgan appear to be a captured prisoner, to help strengthen their ruse.   

After sailing for a day, it was time to put their plan into action.  Their ship The Elder Break was disguised well, and fooled the harbour masters, but once they saw the red dragons flying overhead, they knew there would be no turning back.  One of the guards led them up into the keep, which was inside a large cavern, with thin walkways between rooms, and a long fall with a watery grave.  Not wanting to risk being stuck in a torture chamber, Durgan took his chances by breaking free of his makeshift ties, and leapt down the cliff into the waters below.  

Concerned about their cover being broken, the group was forced to ignore Durgan's stunt, and press on.  They found an opportunity soon after to get away from the guard, and they took it.  They dispatched him quickly, and then continued to bluff their way through the keep.

They eventually came to a large room with a glowing blue light emanating from its centre and rising up through a hole in the ceiling.  Jennu was trapped within the magical prison, that was being powered by a strange stone, controlled by a fiery humanoid known as an Azer. The group battled to free him, and were successful, but Jennu was in no condition to fly.  He instructed the group to destroy the stone, which would cause the whole island to sink back beneath the waves.

They did as he asked, and the entire island began to quake.  Knowing they only had a short window of opportunity to learn anything they could about Oman's plans, they agreed a quick search of the keep was a good idea.  This decision would prove costly though.  Their investigation led them face to face with Dread Lord Oman himself.

He had Durgan bound by rope, and demanded they hand over the egg, or it would cost Durgan his life.  But Finley Clearwater would not suffer Oman's negotiations, and with a carefully thrown dagger, he severed the rope that held Durgan prisoner.

Jennu, now in his human form, told them this was not a fight they could win, and urged the group to flee.  Durgan and Finley were not the type of heroes to run from a fight, no matter how grave it may seem, and the group leapt into battle.  They soon realized the truth of Jennu's pleas and decided they had no choice but to escape, but Finley and Durgan refused to retreat.

Jennu was able to escape with Alera, Direli and Baba Zephyr, but only because Finley and Durgan were buying them time.

Durgan was the first to fall to Oman's blade, and while Finley in all his rage was a force to be reckoned with, the Dread Lord's power proved to be too much for the brave Halfling, and Finley Clearwater of Nevermore was slain.

To Be Continued...
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Tuesday 8 October 2013

AI - Chapter Six - The Centaurs of Feyfoot

Tasked with bringing news of the Lizardfolk's call for peace to the Centaurs, our heroes make their way to their home in Euratheon. Upon arrival they are greeted by their leader Barellion Aguastas, and his advisor known as Pharan. 

Barellion is relieved to hear that peace is desired, and sends out scouts to inform his troops to pull back.  He also agrees to the terms that Farelok put forward.  The war is ending, and since the party has proven themselves capable, Barellion asks them for their aid.  His son, Chiron has been investigating the disappearance of centaur wizards and sorcerers, and asks them for help.  They accept, much to the chagrin of Pharan, who believes it was simply packs of Gnolls that are behind it.  Barellion isn't convinced however, and sends the party away.  

The group meets up with Chiron, who informs them of a Human Sorcerer that has been hanging around their city right around the time the disappearances began.  He hasn't told anyone yet, because he's concerned Pharan is involved.  He has spied the two meeting on several occasions, and now Chiron believes Pharan has hidden the human away, concerned that the leader's son was getting too close to figuring it out.

He asks them to accompany him out into the wilderness, where he has just returned from. He learned that Pharan sent the human away to hide until they could make their next move, and that the human has since been taken in by Gnolls, strange half-hyena humanoids that live out in the woods.

The group comes upon the encampment, and after a brief battle they find the human, with a crow perched upon his shoulder.  To their horror, they discover that the human has no tongue and uses the crow on his shoulder to speak for him.  When they interrogate him, they learn that he had been forced to work for Oman.  The wizards and sorcerers were gone by now, and Oman has them. He also tells them about the mysterious island, and that Oman has turned it into a shipyard. Many of Oman's forces are there, but that a large amount of his army has been sent North to further his campaign of terror. 

Pharan is also in the employ of Oman, but has ambitions of his own.  When the centaur had sent him out into the woods, he used magic to attempt to break free of Oman's oath. While he no longer felt compelled to do his bidding, it cost him his tongue.  

The group runs back into town to stop Pharan, only to realize that much of the area is now dark and deserted.  When they reach Barellion's citadel, they find large Undead Centaur, and Pharan, who appears to be using strange black magical pillars for power, and Barellion who now lies unconscious at his feet. 

After an arduous battle, the group rescues Barellion and slays Pharan.  The other centaur are released from a prison Pharan had magically created.  Barellion rewards them for saving their city, and with all their affairs in order, the group is ready to head home.

They are eager to hear what Jennu has learned while investigating the strange island.

To Be Continued....
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