The party’s journey began under the banner of the Oddjobs Guild, led by Tyr and Connor. A string of local disturbances soon drew their attention—bandits operating in a nearby town under the leadership of a man named Wenkroy. His journal hinted at something more sinister, referencing a shadowy figure known only as “Carrion.”
Elsewhere, wolves had been spotted unnaturally deep within the forest—lured there, it seemed, as part of a larger, more nefarious plan.
Seeking more reputable work, the party took on a contract from Lord Decalon to clear a local fort of goblin activity. The mission was a success, earning them a sliver of favor with the Lord.
News then reached town of orc sightings in the distant mountains, brought by a shaken local man. The party set out to investigate, and what they found was troubling: a forward orc war camp, and beyond that, an ancient dwarven fortress repurposed by the orcish horde.
Infiltrating the fortress, the group fought their way through waves of orc soldiers, only to be captured before eventually staging a daring escape. They confronted and defeated a monstrous Tanarukk statue and pulled a lever that collapsed the underground roads, denying access to invading forces.
Upon returning, they were met with grim news—the same man who had warned of the orcs had died in his sleep. Connor claimed it was due to his injuries, but Thane suspected foul play.
The party tracked Connor down, resisting the urge to kill him outright. They returned with him to the guildhall to question both him and Tyr—and uncovered the truth: Tyr was the mastermind behind a vast conspiracy. Orcs had already occupied Northern Astrea.
With the truth laid bare, Tyr was defeated—petrified by a magical ring and hidden beneath a lake to prevent further harm.
Lord Decalon, now alerted to the threat, dispatched scouts to Northern Astrea under the leadership of his chief scout. Meanwhile, the party staged an “escape” to the occupied north, determined to bring back proof of the invasion and rally support.
Having vanquished the demon within the orb, the party called upon Zaluu to deliver the good news. With the demon defeated, they now had a way to convince the remaining dragons that there was no conspiracy threatening their kind.
Zaluu and Sammael flew the party to the base of the mountain. However, it was decided that the group should make the final ascent on foot the following morning.
After several hours of trekking, the path began to narrow, pressing the party into tighter quarters. It was along this trail that they stumbled upon a chaotic skirmish—Hippogriffs and Griffons locked in battle. Choosing caution, the party hid and observed from the shadows.
Once the dust settled, they discovered the cause of the Hippogriffs’ persistence—a baby, grounded and unable to fly to safety. Thane approached with care, managing to befriend the creature. For now, it has chosen to follow him.
Continuing upward, the group encountered a cave—seemingly the only route forward. Within it, they found a single pool of bubbling lava (in true "Hollywood" fashion) and a suspiciously straight tunnel stretching deep into the mountain.
At the end of the tunnel, the cave opened into a massive chamber, filled with more lava. Small “islands” dotted the molten lake. As the party surveyed the chamber, they spotted a black dragon, furiously digging at the ceiling.
Acting quickly, the party devised and executed a plan to take the dragon down. It fell within seconds. But with its dying breath, the dragon hissed: “Be released.”
Something stirred beneath the lava. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling, forming a chain of stepping stones across the lake toward the center of the chamber…
Our brave adventuring party found themselves in a perilous situation after slaying a young black dragon in record time. But there was no time to rest—for from beneath the lava emerged a gargantuan elemental creature, something not quite fire and not quite earth: a Lava Elemental™ of keep-like proportions.
Without hesitation, Thane, the wisest of the Goo Brewers and dwarven cleric, cast a spell to illuminate the already glowing monstrosity. What followed was a full-force assault—crossbow bolts, chilling cold spells, debilitating magics, and enchanted daggers rained down upon the elemental.
As the attacks took their toll, it became clear that the elemental had to shed heat to survive. With each strike, it shrank in size until it was no larger than an ogre. At that moment, the cunning rogue Claw, who had waited patiently for an opening, leapt into action. Spotting a mysterious pearl embedded at head-height, he ripped it free—destroying the elemental and ending the impossible fight in one bold move.
With the battle over, the party caught their breath and scavenged the battlefield. They also investigated whether the newly arrived Eldricc was real—fortunately, he was. Leaving the cave behind, the group pressed on up the frigid mountain pass, the freezing air affecting some more than others.
While attempting to sneak past a lone yeti, a dragon flying overhead alerted the beast to the party’s presence. It called for backup and launched a vicious assault. After a pitched battle, the party triumphed over the yetis and found shelter in a nearby cave to recover from the cold.
There, they encountered the hermit they had met earlier near the camp of the black dragonborn. After sharing his miracle tea, the hermit invited them deeper into the cave, revealing a grand gathering of dragons in council.
This meeting saw Corellon, an ancient bronze dragon, confessing his violations of the old treaties. After tense discussion, the party's representative Sammael was invited to speak. He revealed that Xaphaxan was the true mastermind behind the brewing conflict.
The revelation that Xaphaxan had escaped his prison triggered alarm among the dragons. The young black dragon who served as Xaphaxan’s agent was believed to know his location. A pursuit began—but before they could catch him, Xaphaxan’s magic caused the cave to collapse.
As the dragons and party exited the crumbling cavern, they saw the young black dragon shot out of the sky. The dragons landed the party at the scene to investigate. There, under a heavy net, lay the young dragon—brought down by none other than... dwarves.
Our brave heroes—who are totally not called the Goo Brewers—faced off against a contingent of dwarves across a shadowy ravine, its depths appearing to descend into the very heart of the world. A small, well-maintained bridge was the only way forward—or so it seemed.
It was the wisest (and, some would say, most devilishly handsome) member of the group who spotted the illusion: the bridge was not the solid structure it appeared to be, but a fragile, patchwork construction of rotting wood and gaps. A plan was hatched. Sammael bravely volunteered to cross, tied off with a rope to prevent a deadly fall. Predictably, he fell through—but thanks to a feather fall ring, he drifted safely down... to the ground, just 20 feet below.
Above, the most intelligent dwarf in the group detected lingering magic. With an impressive dispel, the illusion dropped, revealing the ravine to be little more than a long trench. The display earned sarcastic applause from a mysterious dwarven figure in black—one the party recalled seeing near the Deep Roads in the north, near the orc invasion tunnel. His name might’ve had two Ks in it. Probably.
While barbed words flew between the group and this dark figure, Thane, ever watchful, blessed the party in anticipation of battle, sharing a silent look of recognition with Eldric.
With blessings in place, Johann opened combat, delivering swift justice with deadly efficiency. Claw followed with heroic ferocity, cutting down foes left and right. Sammael used his magic to flank the enemy across the ravine, while Eldric... did some stuff too. Probably. We think.
When the dust settled, the enemies lay dead or dying. One was captured—his mind scrambled by magic—and the party attempted interrogation. As things grew tense, Thane stepped away, inspecting the bodies. Each dwarf bore a tattoo: a cracked anvil—mark of the Black Clan, a title given to dwarven exiles and undesirables.
Returning with this knowledge, Thane led a softer interrogation that coaxed some answers from the prisoner. While the dwarf wouldn’t reveal everything, his tongue loosened enough to give the group insight into the Black Clan’s movements.
At that moment, Zaluu, the party’s Bronze Dragon ally, descended and performed an “Embrace Eternity” spell on the prisoner—extracting the truth. The Black Clan, it seemed, had been aiding Xaphaxan in his schemes.
Armed with this revelation, the party prepared to deliver their findings to Khurellon. But for now… their tale pauses here.
With discussions concluded with Xaluu and Khurellon, our bold mercenary band—the infamous Goo Brewers—prepared to advance their quest toward the lair of the elusive Xaphaxan.
Mounted on the backs of their draconic allies, the group took to the skies—but their journey was soon interrupted. High above the land, a deadly ambush awaited them: waves of black dragons, attacking in coordinated groups, sought to halt their progress.
The battle erupted mid-air in a chaotic dance of wings, claws, magic, and steel. Amid the aerial combat, Eldric distinguished himself—though perhaps not as he intended—by falling off his dragon companion twice: once in a dramatic, ill-fated attempt to look impressive, and again thanks to an overzealous dragon slamming into him. Luckily, he survived both falls, albeit with pride slightly bruised.
Despite the odds, the Goo Brewers fought with unrelenting fury. Supported by their dragon allies, they struck down the black dragons one by one, emerging victorious from the airborne skirmish. The sky now clear, the party turned their eyes forward once more, resuming their course toward Xaphaxan’s lair.
Trapped in a net and under siege from above, things looked bleak for Eldric as the party stumbled into a deadly ambush. Stones and projectiles rained from hidden ledges, and the true culprits revealed themselves—kobolds, crafty and cowardly, had turned the cavern’s mouth into a vicious kill zone.
Using their elevated positions and crude, yet effective, traps, the kobolds hurled sling bullets, falling rocks, and globs of acid onto the adventurers, showing no mercy. Return fire was difficult, and a straight-up fight seemed hopeless. But the Goo Brewers, ever resourceful, pressed forward under the unrelenting assault.
Dodging hazards and pushing through the chaos, the party just barely managed to reach the heavy stone doors that led deeper into the mountain. Inside, they found a vast chamber—almost entirely empty—its eerie silence broken only by the soft scrape of movement in the encroaching darkness.
As shadows lengthened and unnatural noises slithered through the gloom, the party steeled themselves. Whatever lay ahead, it would not be friendly...
As our brave adventurers pressed forward into the rapidly darkening chamber, they found themselves set upon by spectral projections—phantasmal guardians of terrible power. Trapped inside until the spirit was vanquished, the group battled fiercely, finally slashing the ethereal entity into incorporeal ruin.
After the intense skirmish, the party took a brief respite, sharing tea and strategy. It was then that they realized their next foe was just beyond the next door: Xaphaxan, speaking with one of his minions. Thus began Operation "Ding-Dong King Kong."
The plan opened flawlessly—Sammael, the party’s charming distraction, engaged the two black dragons with flair while Khurellon, Claw, and Eldricc maneuvered invisibly into flanking positions. When battle broke out, Eldricc transformed into a giant ape, and with the group’s support, they obliterated the smaller black dragon in just six seconds.
With one enemy down, their focus turned to the true threat: Xaphaxan himself. Despite the fearsome aura radiating from the ancient dragon, the party pressed the attack. Xaphaxan's counterattacks were surprisingly ineffective—save for a devastating acid breath that struck Johann and Sammael. Both, however, survived with only minor burns, as the battle for victory raged on...
Following the fall of the mighty black dragon before the gargantuan strength of giant ape Eldricc, our legendary band of adventurers took a well-earned moment to survey the aftermath.
According to an excerpt from Claw Uitra’s personal diary, once the dragon had been “smited (smout? smitten?)” the party found themselves surrounded by an enormous treasure hoard—so vast that even the elf, a famed writer, was at a loss for words.
Then, in a surprise reunion, Scraps (Claw’s favorite party member) and Kalen entered through a nearby cave. Kalen revealed that he had become a teacher at his old school and had been entrusted with an unbelievable gift: a flying boat. Yes, an actual flying boat.
Without hesitation, the Goo Brewers loaded the boat (and their packs, and their boots, and anything else with space) with gold and set off to inform the nearby villagers of the dragon’s demise. Claw, choosing wisdom, tied himself to the mast during the flight—an inspired decision, as both Sammael and Kalen managed to fall off midair during an in-flight mishap.
Despite this, the villagers received the news, and the group turned toward their true destination: the Guild Hall. Claw, less enthused about certain companions—namely a self-important kid named Tommy with strange tricks involving lukewarm “hot” water—ended his diary entry with skepticism about the boy’s chances of making it home.
ADDENDUM: Upon arriving, it was clear the Guild Hall had fallen into disarray. Whether this was due to Connor's incompetence or something darker, remains to be seen...
The Guild Hall Keep was engulfed in flames. It was soon revealed that tensions had been simmering between Connor and the young wizard, apparently sparked by the latter reading a particular book—one that clearly caused quite a stir.
While trying to contain the damage, the party encountered two unknown individuals: a husband and wife claiming to be offering assistance. However, suspicions remain, particularly as a necromancer was reportedly left skulking in the nearby woods—hardly the mark of helpful guests.
Despite lingering doubts, the couple seemed genuine enough to be allowed to camp near the party for the night. Meanwhile, the majority of the fire was brought under control, though the air around the keep remains thick with smoke and uncertainty.
With the fires at the keep quelled and the immediate chaos behind them, the party turned their attention to a new concern: Kuthrus, the young wizard-in-training who had clearly fallen under some troubling influence, as so many rebellious teens do.
Tracking sparse clues, the party made their way to a nearby village where they encountered a Nephilim paladin named Leila Omadox. Naturally, Johann found himself awestruck by her divine presence, while Eldricc found equal inspiration in her massive maul. Leila joined the party in their search for Kuthrus, and their journey eventually led them to a ruined tower hidden deep within the forest.
As fate would have it, Kuthrus literally stumbled upon the group during their investigation—an ambush of pure surprise on both sides, thanks in no small part to a party-wide inability to roll perception checks. As they began to speak with the clearly shaken boy, the Dolor couple—whose suspicious nature had been obvious to everyone—made their untimely reappearance. Their cryptic and menacing chatter filled the air with tension.
Before any proper villainous monologue could take place, the ever-impatient Kalen decided to skip the formalities and kicked off the inevitable fight with a spell, prompting an immediate escalation into full-blown combat. Spells were cast, spells were countered, and the battle began in earnest.
The battle in the tower was nothing short of chaos — Sammael trapped inside a grotesque slime monster, a frightened child cowering in a corner, two extraplanar women locked in argument, and a floating zombie-eye creature overseeing it all. Johann stuck to his strength, unleashing crossbow bolts to end the gooey menace, all while planning future mockery of Sammael’s goo-covered misfortune.
Outside, Eldric traded brutal blows with a tiefling warrior. Johann caught just a glimpse of Eldric’s devastating hammer strike — one that would’ve felled almost anyone else — before slipping behind her with a well-placed bolt. Combined with Eldric’s onslaught and a quick manacling, the tiefling was captured, not killed — proof, Johann noted, that he doesn’t always solve problems lethally.
Elsewhere, the group had faced her necromancer husband — a showdown involving spells, mist, webs, and one of Kalen’s infamous failed combos, the “Taser Ferret Special.” Claw, in an act of sheer luck (and skill, but don’t tell him that), managed to nail the necromancer with a blind, uphill dagger throw. The villain fled, nearly frozen by twin frost rays from Sammael and Kalen, abandoning his wife in the process.
Back together, the party found Kuthrus deeply shaken, muttering “no” repeatedly. The truth soon emerged — he was not possessed, but born a Cambion, destined to command the armies of the Nine Hells. The boy was breaking under the weight of his infernal heritage. Efforts to help him were met with despair. Sammael’s soul-gaze failed, and Eldric restrained Thane to allow it. But no psychic influence could reach the boy.
“I know what I am now… and I HATE IT!” Kuthrus screamed. A moment later, he exploded with rage and literal fire, hurling everyone backward.
When the smoke cleared, Kuthrus was gone. In his place stood a Cambion — winged, infernal, and heart-wrenchingly familiar. Johann’s instinct made him fire immediately, but Thane blocked the bolt with his shield. Still seeing his ward in the creature, Thane pleaded with the group, believing the boy might yet be saved.
The Cambion spoke — of power, purpose, even potential heroism. But Johann knew better. Devils don’t get redemption arcs.
What followed was a blur. Thane surrounded the two of them in a ring of fire, shielding the Cambion from attack. In desperation, Johann leapt through the flames. As Thane began to cast a spell meant to send the Cambion back to the Hells, Johann demanded confirmation.
“That’s what he wants,” Johann said. Then he opened fire. Bolts tore into the Cambion’s chest and throat — no hesitation, no words.
Moments later, a massive scorpion form (courtesy of Kalen) emerged and crushed the devil. It never screamed. Only Thane did.
Forgive me.
Excerpt from the personal journal of Thane Stonehill
My life is a long litany of loss and failure. I seemed doomed to lose all that is precious to me, before finding a new focus for my energy and attention. I even risk letting myself care, and every time that proves to be a mistake as the whole cycle repeats itself. My wife, my son, my home, our kingdom, and now... death dogs my footsteps, and I grow weary of the whole affair. How much tragedy can one suffer before they accept that happiness is not theirs to know?
Kuthrus dead at my feet, left dying after Johann shot him and killed properly by Kalen, transformed into a scorpion. Kalen, I can find it in my heart to forgive, he did not really know the lad and reacted based on what was before him. But Johann? I truly, truly do not want to despise him. Despite everything he's done before and despite how he presents himself to the world, I know he's a good person. I tried to bear that in mind as I stood over the boy's new twisted and broken form, but that betrayal (in my heart, but probably not in truth) runs deep. To have cared for the boy and then to kill him like that... there is a depth of hardness and coldness to Johann I really didn't realise existed. I need time to cope with all of this. It seems a lifetime of needing time to deal with loss is not enough.
The group seemed content to leave me to my misery, or were more interested in the spoils of battle, so I took time to myself to brood. It seems a lifetime ago when I was known for laughter, not brooding. For the humans, I suppose, it is lifetime in fact. Several, actually, but I digress.
As we prepared to depart, I built a pyre for Kuthrus and committed his body to the flames. Appropriate for him and what he is, I suppose. Cold stone would be no comfort for him. There was a respectful silence over the pyre, no-one able to think of any words fit for the general gloom. Kalen afterwards offered his regrets and apologies, and to my surprise I accepted them. His honesty and earnestness are refreshing. Not so for Johann, who said nothing. I wish I knew how to read that silence.
I'll admit to the rest of that evening and the next day being a haze. I believe we went to a bar where I drowned my sorrows before we walked home in the moonlight. The next day Claw was acting strange, but honestly I've given up trying to work out what's going on in his life. There was also this scream that sounded in everyone's heads. That's not good, but at that point it honestly didn't seem important. We should probably look into that, though. Hopefully it was just Sammael pulling some sick joke, although he swore innocence.
I recall we went to the capital to meet the king. He seemed happy, pardoned us and acted very jovially. You wouldn't find a Dwarven king acting so flippantly before his subjects, but humans have always been odd creatures. I suppose such short lifespans gives them a different perspective, different priorities. Still, he did right by us in the end, so I can respect that. Even offered to keep us on retainer, but we declined. Ours is not the kind of group that would do well with a leash.
Speaking of being leashed, Claw's oddness seemed to culminate in him telling us that he needed to go away for a while. Sort out whatever drama was causing him to act weirdly. Well, I wish him well. I've never had an issue with him.
So now we're down to five again, at least for now. The group is getting more claustrophobic, and it will be hard to avoid having it out with Johann. Enough's enough, I better go find him and we can have a... conversation.
After the tense and emotional days following the ransacking of the Goo Brewer's Guildhouse, the party found themselves caught in an unhappy lull. Though officially pardoned by the King and with the borrowed airship safely anchored, a heavy quiet settled over the group.
Seeking distraction or purpose — or both — they scattered throughout the capital to restock on magical components, potions, and in Eldric's case, copious amounts of booze. Not all items came easily, and when legitimate channels ran dry, they turned to the shadows.
Strong-arming their way into the city’s shadier underbelly, the group managed to find what they were after... at a cost. Now, the true question remains: can they bluff, charm, or fight their way back out again — or have they sunk themselves too deep in the city's criminal mire?
Excerpt from the various notes of Sammael Grimleaf
While tracking down a pair of boots of elvenkind proved both costly and difficult, I believe the effort was worthwhile. Especially considering Claw once again vanished ahead of us, leaving the party scrambling in his wake. I thought the shopping trip would be the last of the day's excitement, and that we might finally relax with a pint of beer or mead. Of course, I should’ve known better—this party doesn’t get to unwind so easily.
Before we could even find a tavern, one of Kalen’s students sought us out. Apparently, another of his pupils, perhaps inspired by our “heroics” as adventurers, had taken it upon herself to hire a party of her own. Admirable in spirit—reckless in execution. She had recruited her companions from the docks, which, unsurprisingly, meant cutthroats and scoundrels. Tensions rose fast. Thankfully, the situation didn’t escalate far: Thane quickly intimidated the would-be adventurers into submission, and Eldric finished the matter with characteristic Dwarven efficiency by decapitating their leader — with a hammer, no less. The sheer blunt-force absurdity of it still amazes me.
(Personal note: I worry about Thane. He seems close to breaking. I should try to lift his spirits — somehow.)
As we attempted to leave the docks, karma circled back around. Our purchase of the boots apparently angered someone who’d intended to steal them rather than pay for them — classic black market logic. He didn’t try to rob the shop, though. No, he followed and ambushed us instead. Poor move.
Having survived worse, and being still wound up from earlier events, the party unleashed hell. Between shapeshifting beasts, raw magic, and dwarven fury, very few of the ambushers survived. Hopefully, word spreads through the city's criminal underground that we are not to be trifled with.
(Addendum: Apparently, the would-be thief had bought the belt we traded for the boots — poetic justice, maybe? I need to find something useful to do with that belt... but that’s a problem for another day.)
Excerpt from the Diary of Eldric
After shaking off the dust from that ambush, we set off in search of proper ale and a roof over our heads. Fortunately, Sammael knew a reputable tavern run by an old friend, and we made our way there hoping for food, drink, and some much-needed rest.
We were welcomed warmly and served drinks straight away. Of course, Thane and Sammael wasted no time getting absolutely sloshed. Their drunken tales of murder and mayhem did a great job of scaring off most of the other patrons—not exactly the quiet night I had in mind.
The next morning, most of us woke up in our rented rooms, but not Thane. He woke in the Temple of Heimdall, which... honestly makes sense. He’s been deep in thought lately, full of doubts and spiritual questions. Seeking guidance from a fellow follower was probably just what he needed.
Back at the tavern, Sammael tried to clean up the mess he'd made—both physical and legal. Talking his way out of trouble with the guards proved more difficult than expected, especially while trying not to implicate us all. Johann and I wisely kept to the upstairs floor while the situation played out.
After smoothing things over and paying off whatever damages we owed, we headed off to see Gaspard, a tailor who’d been working on a cloak for Sammael. The man was... insufferably pretentious. I couldn’t tell if it was all a joke or if he really lived like that. Still, Sammael’s dragonscale cloak turned out beautifully, and I managed to strike a fair deal for a yeti shroud of my own.
On our way to pick up the yeti hide, we came across a group of thugs mugging a merchant in broad daylight—guards were present but completely ineffectual. Ignoring their warnings, I stepped in to help. We managed to subdue the robbers for questioning, though Johann accidentally killed one of them. Typical.
We were offered a bounty for our efforts, which I declined. I wasn’t in it for the coin. It was during this incident that we met Thersys, one of the city’s Guard Commanders. We had a pleasant conversation about what had happened, and I may have promised to lend aid if further trouble arises. We’ll see if she calls on that favor.
---Following the chaotic brawl between the guards and suspected criminals, something didn’t sit right. The group lingered to investigate, suspecting there was more to the situation than met the eye. Sammael and Johann tried questioning the shopkeeper involved, but under the watchful gaze of Guard-Captain Thersys Songsteel, the man was too frightened to speak freely.
Outside, a mysterious man attempted to slip a note into Thane’s pocket but was caught in the act. After examining the note and sharing it with the group, they discovered that another shopkeeper—whose name no one remembered (we’ll call him John)—was willing to speak, but only later in the day and away from prying eyes.
With some time to kill, the group waited until the appointed hour and returned to the district. John revealed a disturbing truth: for years, the local shopkeepers had been extorted by corrupt city guards. Though no one had been killed, resistance was brutally suppressed. The enforcer at the heart of it all was a guard named Harris.
John asked the party to witness Harris’ impending punishment—apparently a consequence of the resistance organized by some brave shopkeepers. But the group wasn’t interested in coin; they wanted evidence, something solid to present to someone higher up in the chain of command.
The group lay in wait for Harris, who eventually arrived. He turned out to be a half-orc with limited intelligence, clearly reluctant about his role as a thug for the guard. Sammael charmed him into conversation and learned that Harris hated what he was doing but saw no escape. His greatest concern was for his family’s safety.
Eventually, Harris agreed to cooperate, under one condition: it had to look like he had been attacked, to avoid suspicion from his fellow guards. The group launched into action to stage a convincing fight—but Harris took it a step further. In a shocking turn, he drove his sword through his own legs, twice, stunning the group into silence.
Letter from Johann to his mother
Hello Mother! I hope you are doing well!
I am doing well! It has been a while since i last wrote you, and a lot happened.
I even fought a dragon with my new companions!
You will be happy to hear that i have found a good work where i can help people.
Some city guards are pressing poor vendors for their money and we are putting an end to it!
Things turned out more complicated, because some of the guards, like Harry, are being forced to do this (Harry is one of the guards).
We helped beet him up (he wanted it!), so he didn't have to go along with his job. These orcish folk are weird, but still better than their whole-orced kin.
when we talked to the regents' henchlady of the guard, she seemed to be alright. I can't say names, in case somebody else reads the letter but i think we can trust her!
It seems that many of the corrubt guards are former soldiers that are now using their skills for evil.
Anyway, i figure they will try to shake down another shop this evening, and I will stop them from doing that!
As you always said, if I'm making a difference, I'm trying to make one for good.
I also sent you some gold coins. Right now I have more than I know how to spent and I am shure you will put it to good use.
Love you lots,
your son
Excerpt from Johann's diary
The investigation into the guards’ corruption is moving forward. Surprisingly, it seems even the higher-ups in the guard aren’t fully aware of what’s going on among their own ranks. We received an unofficial green light from Guard-Captain Thersys Songsteel to continue our inquiries—conveniently vague enough to leave her plausible deniability if things go south.
We sought further guidance at the Temple of the God of Seeing, but ironically, divine vision seems to come with quite a lot of opacity. Either the god doesn’t know, or he’s not keen on sharing with us mere mortals. Honestly, what’s the point of knowing everything if you do nothing about it?
It's strange to follow such a passive deity when the world clearly needs intervention. I considered asking Thane for insight, but... well, given recent tensions, that didn’t seem wise. The priest there clearly didn’t appreciate my views either. He can keep praying in peace. I’ll be out there actually making change.
And we did just that—interrupting another guard’s shakedown in progress. I can't help but wonder how Harry (Harris) is doing after, well... beating himself up and jumping out a window. Half-orcs are a dramatic lot.
Then came the questionable decision to get more information from Songsteel at a tavern. Yes, a tavern. Thankfully, we had alcohol and some useful enchantments to help me appear more charming. Strangely, it might have actually worked. Thersys might like me.
This is deeply concerning. What if she’s secretly involved? What if we have to bring her down? Or worse—what if it was just the spell making her like me?
Fortunately, I can’t remember much of the night after she left. Sometimes, a few strong drinks are the best cure for dangerous thoughts and uncomfortable questions.
----A note signed by Sammael Grimmleaf
I’ve got a brilliant new idea for a book—a heist story! I’m thinking of calling it “Astrea’s Eight”, with the number reflecting the number of people involved in a daring heist. It’ll be packed with close calls, surprising twists, frustrating dead ends, and even a bit of romance. It’s bound to be a bestseller!
Picture this: our group of heroes is trying to steal a sensitive item—maybe a secret ledger—from a powerful organization. They’ll approach the job from multiple angles. One of them could get romantically involved with the main antagonist, breaking into their house in a hilariously failed attempt to recover the item. Naturally, they wouldn’t have their rogue with them when they need him most!
Another prong of the operation would target the organization’s headquarters. I’m imagining scouting scenes using familiars, followed by intense prep work—like staging a tavern brawl to distract the guards. There’d be tension with an alert sentry and a heavy lock on a reinforced door... just when both the muscle and the rogue are absent. Of course, they make a narrow escape as the guard is briefly distracted.
Throw in disguises, hearty drinking, and character bonding, and it’s a recipe that’ll really resonate with readers. This is just the beginning—I’ll add more when inspiration strikes again!
Reporting Agent: Agent Rocky (Codename: Dwarf)
Co-Investigators: Agent Lancaster (Codename: Lank), Agent Tall
The investigation opened with an examination of Exhibit A—a ledger recovered during the previous night’s infiltration. The document outlined a widespread criminal enterprise embedded within the city guard, supported by both testimony and the circumstances of its acquisition. The ledger also hinted that either one conspirator was skimming profits or an unknown party was benefiting off the books.
The team split into specialized tasks. Agent Lancaster scoured the archives and verified corruption was rampant among the Docks District guard, with most personnel implicated by initials matching the ledger. Meanwhile, Agent Tall undertook an undercover mission at a tavern to probe a suspect, but the individual remained evasive—raising suspicion and marking him for further surveillance.
After regrouping, the team attempted interviews with uninvolved guards. The first target was in public, making discreet questioning impossible. The second contact agreed to speak privately. Though initially hostile and dismissive of Internal Affairs, he ultimately provided valuable intelligence on the operation, though his attitude suggested he should be further investigated despite not being directly implicated.
Findings were reported to the team's superior, who refused to act without definitive proof of active wrongdoing. A sting operation was ordered to catch a guard in the act.
The team moved to investigate another suspect. His wife, once informed of the charges and danger, permitted a search of their home and entered voluntary protection at a safehouse to act as a potential witness. A purse of gold—Exhibit B—was uncovered in a concealed drawer, providing tangible evidence of corruption, and potentially tax evasion, should charges for the main crimes falter (in the style of Elf Capone).
With this damning evidence, warrants were approved and arrests were made for key figures within the conspiracy. The investigation team concluded their report and, with a rare moment of satisfaction, adjourned for a well-earned coffee break. A follow-up report on the arrests is pending.
Following the successful arrests of several key members of the corrupt Guard faction, the party oversaw a series of interrogations. These sessions shed light on the structure and operations of the criminal enterprise embedded within the city’s law enforcement.
Key findings from the interrogations:
As the investigation into the Guard’s corruption deepened, suspicion fell upon an unlikely figure—the department’s own secretary, a dwarf whose demeanor had thus far avoided scrutiny.
Upon confrontation, the secretary revealed himself to be a member of the elusive and dangerous Black Clan. Attempting to escape, he was swiftly apprehended by the party. Hopes of gaining valuable intel through interrogation were, however, tragically cut short.
Just as questioning was to begin, a fireball exploded among the group, killing the secretary instantly. The assassin was never seen clearly—only a fleeting glimpse of a red cloak disappearing across the rooftops remained as a cryptic clue to their identity.
With the trail suddenly gone cold and a dangerous enemy now aware of their investigation, the stakes for the party have escalated sharply.
With these revelations, the party gained a clearer picture of how deeply rooted and cleverly obfuscated the corruption had become, and who could still be trusted moving forward.
With the guard corruption case largely wrapped up, the party turned its attention to Ravenside—a grim district nestled among shadowy docks and foreboding warehouses. What they found was anything but mundane.
The area was littered with horror: flayed, skinned, and mutilated bodies scattered throughout the buildings. Upon reaching a main warehouse, Eldric made his entrance in true fashion—by hurling himself through the door rather than opening it.
Inside, more gruesome scenes awaited them. Blood rituals stained the ground, and at the center, a massive rune or summoning circle had been etched in blood—ominous and clearly active.
The party was then ambushed by chaindevils. They dispatched the fiends efficiently, but the battle was far from over. A hulking, demonic toad-beast emerged, which was also defeated after a hard-fought battle.
Just as they caught their breath, a winged woman appeared from the shadows—her intentions unclear, but almost certainly nefarious.
What started as an already grim investigation took a sharp dive into the infernal. After discovering the slain guardsmen in the warehouse, the party was ambushed by a mix of extraplanar threats—each with their own flavor of terror.
First came the lizard-like devils, brutish and tough, but fortunately caught in a feud with their apparent rivals: wiry chain devils whose sentient chains lashed out with deadly intent. Their infighting gave the party a crucial edge.
Then came the real problem: the devil woman. Her seal or protective ward had apparently been broken (Johann would rather not say by whom...), allowing her to join the fray. She was lightning-fast, highly resistant to physical and magical attacks alike—even surviving multiple bolts and a lightning strike without going down.
She ultimately left the battlefield, but not before wreaking havoc and leaving the distinct impression that she would return. Johann's words say it all: “Exactly the sort of thing that I never want to have to worry about.”
On a lighter—yet still suspicious—note: Claw returned. Apparently having hitchhiked back via a demonic bounty hunter, his reappearance raises questions. Was he in the Hells? What exactly has Claw done to earn a round trip from damnation?
For now, the party is intact, if shaken. No casualties, no maimings. That counts as a win, right?
Claw’s thoughts take a turn for the infernal as he reflects on his recent journey—possibly to the Hells themselves. The idea of soul-trading devils and the geography of the Nine Hells is a bit much to process. (“Where even are the Hells? Could we dig there?”)
But the philosophical musings are cut short when angels arrive on the scene, seeking a powerful, ancient artifact—a legendary magical weapon. And, unsurprisingly, devils want it too. Sounds like the start of an epic multi-realm adventure... except:
The weapon is already in the warehouse.
Yes, despite the setup for a grand journey, the party finds the artifact sword right where they already are. It’s an unexpected stroke of fortune—and one they’re all grateful for.
Even stranger, the sword seems to choose Thane. The idea of a sentient, possibly even talking weapon sends Claw spiraling into existential questions (“Can it talk? What else can it do?”). Still, there’s comfort in knowing it picked someone with a strong moral compass—Thane, the group’s quiet north star.
From humble beginnings—fighting orcs in the wilds—to celestial artifacts and cosmic factions, the group’s journey has changed dramatically. Claw can’t help but reflect on how far they’ve come. And perhaps, with Thane wielding the blade, they'll stand a chance in what lies ahead.
The day began with Claw finally retrieving his custom-fitted armor from the ever-flamboyant Gaspard, looking as stylish (and protected) as ever.
Meanwhile, Johann used his belt of asphyxiation (yes, that’s apparently a thing) to choke out Eldric. Why? Hard to say. But it resulted in a trade for some enchanted shackles, so, a net gain?
Thane, true to form, broke a few things. No one's sure if it was out of frustration, divine inspiration, or sheer strength.
The party also spent a questionable amount of time experimenting with corpses—an unsettling but possibly informative endeavor. Eldric, perhaps wisely, remained uninvolved.
In a more somber moment, Thane experienced visions of his late son, hinting at unresolved grief or perhaps a divine message still to be unraveled.
Johann took on a small side quest involving a charlatan healer spreading false hope through fake cures. The investigation culminated with Claw breaking into the fraudster’s home and helping himself to some loot. Justice?
And finally—Eldric got arrested. No one seems particularly surprised.
With all shopping and miscellaneous business concluded in the Capital, the party made final preparations for departure. Armed with new gear and fewer gold coins, they boarded the airship—whose exact appearance remains hotly debated among the group—and took off for the Mage Tower.
As the vessel rose into the sky, it was observed that a building in the Capital was ablaze. Despite efforts to identify which, no clear answer emerged, and the fire remained a mystery.
Upon arrival at the imposingly vast Mage Tower, the group safely dropped off the children. There, they met a rather vague individual described only as “an NPC” (per Squish), who offered to loan the airship for extended use. While appreciative, the party declined an ongoing rental agreement.
Returning to Hollingway, they were warmly welcomed by Lord Decalon, who immediately began planning a feast in their honour. Before festivities began, the group visited the temporary guild premises—a modest structure that, despite its appearance, featured a substantial vault. After safely storing their gold, the group engaged in a serious discussion regarding the future of the guild and potential investments.
The evening closed not with battle or chaos, but with planning, reflection, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
The party attended a banquet held in their honour, hosted by Lord Decalon. While enjoying the festivities, a suspicious figure caught the group's attention. Claw arranged for the individual to be tailed discreetly.
In quieter moments between courses and political chatter, the group discussed future plans for the keep, weighing options and ambitions. Meanwhile, Claw was briefly sidetracked by a fruitless pursuit of a fake imperial songbird.
The evening took a sharp turn when the group was suddenly attacked by imperial assassins—silent, efficient, and unmistakably ninja-like in appearance. Their target: Claw. Notably, these attackers hailed from a faction opposed to Claw’s within the Empire, revealing deeper imperial intrigue.
The team dispatched the assassins in a tense skirmish, with Claw finishing off the last of them. The leader was captured and interrogated, though his information was limited. From him, the group learned of an imperial ship docked nearby, likely connected to the attackers.
To prevent escape or further treachery, the leader was turned to stone using the Ring of Anti-Penetration—a rather literal method of securing silence.
Claw then took center stage, delivering a rousing and heartfelt speech that left the group shaken and inspired. His words called them to action, laying the foundation for his quest to save the Empire, which now loomed on the horizon.
The party has finally arrived in the Imperium, though each member seems driven by different personal motives. The political climate is tense, the laws oppressive, and survival demands caution and subterfuge.
Though some trust has been placed in Claw and his imperial connections—and whatever influence Empress Tsun holds in his mind—uncertainty remains. To secure an edge, Johann has sent Chak to gather intelligence, aware that his own talents would likely get him imprisoned or executed in such a tightly controlled society.
After much effort and sacrifice, the group managed to acquire official passes, easing their movement within the nation—if only slightly.
The group’s introduction to the Imperium’s ruthless caste system came swiftly and violently: they witnessed a peasant publicly executed for the simple act of tripping in front of a low-ranking town guard. A grim reminder that in this land, the law is absolute, and the value of life is determined by one's station.
The group must tread carefully—or be so formidable that even the Imperium’s most brutal enforcers dare not challenge them.
Excerpt from Johann’s Travel Diary
No matter where you go, there are temples. Even here, in the Imperium, where I half-expected a different pantheon altogether, there's a Temple of Lathander. It's strange. People always seem to need something bigger to hear them—even in a place like this.
Personally, I’ve never found comfort in gods. They watch, they judge, and they do what they want. Not exactly my idea of peace. Still, Lathander is said to be one of the good ones, so I guess we’ll take what we can get.
We were lucky—or persuasive—enough to be shown a secret underground passage within the temple. Credit goes to Sammael and Claw for that. They have a knack for extracting secrets with charm, where I’m more... direct. Unsurprisingly, the hidden area was full of strange trials: flaming walls, hot snakes, and tests of will and worth. Fire was a recurring theme. Phoenix god, after all.
Claw proved himself worthy and was allowed to proceed. Sammael was not. He met his end by fire, though he took it more calmly than expected. It was a harsh reminder—death isn’t just around the corner for us. Sometimes, it's waiting behind a door we chose to open.
As a boon from the phoenix god, Claw received a vision of a hidden temple, said to offer a chance at resurrection—for his mental empress, presumably. To find it, we were told to turn statues in a park. Oddly mundane instructions for divine intervention, but who am I to argue with flaming bird deities?
The redecoration of the park went smoothly—no guards interfered—and now we’ve got a direction: east. No idea how far, but it’s something. This land is strange. The food is spicy and good, but life is fragile. Heads roll for minor offenses here. We need to tread carefully.
Lastly, there’s a woman in one of the poorer quarters that we’ll need to deal with. Maybe a loose end. Maybe a reckoning. Our sins tend to catch up with us eventually. Maybe not all of us will outrun them.
swish
In your hands: a curved, heavy shortsword. An oiled cloth works stubbornly against the crusted blood. It always comes down to blood.
In a shadowed alley, a half-elf in opulent robes is casting a forbidden ritual. He seeks the secrets of a statue. An ally. A friend? Hard to know anymore—everyone has agendas.
A patrol of highborn warriors approaches. Execution looms for your companion unless you act. Your fingers find a wind-up toy, a token from a distant friend—Kalen. Would he approve of what comes next?
There’s no time. You lie. “This one!” you call out, casting blame on an unsuspecting bystander. The warriors take the bait. Whether the man was a father or a criminal is irrelevant. He’s just a distraction now.
The ritual continues. Sammael has time.
Regret stings for a moment—but the lie served its purpose. The man’s fate no longer matters.
swish
You stalk the poorer districts, questions in your mouth and intent behind your eyes. A woman walks quickly, too quickly. You call her name.
She turns. She knows. And so do you. That’s all it takes—knowing seals her fate.
She runs. You chase. She’s fast—dangerously fast—and strikes you with crushing force. Under different circumstances, you might have been friends. Not today.
You take the hits. You endure. You always do.
A shadow dances behind her—your ally. He harasses, distracts, whittles her down. Her punches lose power.
She knows it’s over. A second too slow. Your sword strikes high and hard—the end comes in steel and blood.
swish
Your hand slides along the sword’s edge—blood wells up. You study it. Always blood.
The woman’s body lies at your feet, the sword embedded near her eye. A child cries out: "Mother!"
You bandage the wound absently, memories surfacing: fire, choices, friends lost to time. But there’s no room for mourning.
You drag the body into a sewer. The guards will come, and you can’t afford to be here. A diary reveals the woman’s betrayal—a deal with dark powers gone sour. Small comfort, but comfort nonetheless.
Your companion casts a spell—reality blurs.
Evening falls. You watch as your ally dispatches three thugs with cruel elegance. A sword flick. An arm arcs through the sky—a red comet.
You admire the artistry. This is beauty in death.
Then he picks up the arm and beats a man with it. Well, you could probably do that.
A smirk touches your lips. There’s absurdity in violence, and sometimes it’s right to enjoy it.
Then, silence. Reflection. The smile fades.
The cloth is now soaked, the blade scrubbed clean. The pouch on your belt feels heavier than it should with so few coins.
You draw the blade against a whetstone. Clean. Sharp. Almost new.
As if it had never been used at all.
We followed the mysterious compass straight into someone’s house. Whether that house was the correct destination or an unfortunate coincidence remains… unclear.
Inside, we were greeted not by answers, but by a solid 6/10 doing housework. Mid-swipe with a feather duster, they barely had time to react before guards descended like white on rice.
Amid the chaos, Sammael had a moment of clarity—a realization, even: good cheddar is worth its weight in gold. It wasn’t the lesson he expected to learn today, but perhaps the one he needed.
Then came the glue incident. Details are murky. There may have been glue. There was definitely regret.
Just as we began navigating a suspiciously obvious trap, Eldric laid down some cold, hard logic: "We’re not even close to being ready for a fight."
It was a fair point. Sound reasoning. Thoughtful words.
We got into a fight anyway.
Just when things looked grim, an Imperial wizard came to our rescue—unexpected, but not unwelcome. Whatever courage they arrived with quickly vanished, however, as the rebellion’s archers appeared on the ridgeline, sending our savior fleeing into the distance.
From a brief encounter, we think we know where the rebels live now. Or at least where they shoot from.
Pressing onward, we finally found what we had been chasing: the phoenix (or, as it’s fondly been miswritten in our notes, the "P-Heenix").
The moment should have been glorious, but instead it was mildly traumatic. Nearly left adrift to die, we were only saved when someone (wisely? desperately?) chose to turn us to stone to prevent us from drowning. It was unpleasant. But effective.
And then, the miracle. The phoenix resurrected Tsun. Her return was as surreal as it was significant—an old thread pulled back into our tangled story. Whatever awaits us next, it seems destiny isn’t quite done with her... or with us.
The party entered the strange, magical realm *inside* Claw’s sword. Yes, inside the sword. It's one of those days.
While in there, they encountered and recruited a new member to the party—though “recruited” might be generous. Survival was a factor.
Soon after, they faced down a dragon. It did not go well. In fact, they died. Or at least, they should have.
Instead of the afterlife, they woke up deep inside a cave, very much alive. Shaken, but breathing.
In the aftermath, Claw emerged with a new flaming sword, the kind of weapon that suggests fate is nowhere near finished with him.
Upon finally making it outside, the party walked straight into a trap laid by Imperial guards. Perfect.
And just as things were about to turn for the worse again, an old friend of the party appeared to “save” them. Whether that's a good thing or a bad one? Yet to be determined.
Big fight!
A whole mess of giants and some seriously frustrating mages made things chaotic, loud, and deadly.
But in the end—we won! ❤
The Empire took a hard spanking today, brothers. And it felt damn good.
The party meet up with a band of rebels against the empire, and find the leader is the daughter of Tsun
We spent some time hanging around the rebel (scum) camp, keeping a low profile and watching for trouble.
Eventually, we made our way to a tavern—and something definitely felt off about the place.
We started snooping around, trying to break down a suspicious wall. Subtlety? Not really our style. The noise definitely turned some heads.
Then, in his altered state of mind, Claw—high as a kite—found a hidden door leading to a secret dungeon.
Moments later, we all got knocked out by some kind of gas trap. Not our finest moment, but at least we found something worth investigating.
Most of us woke up with no recollection of what had happened.
Sammael, in classic form, decided that the best course of action was to burn down the inn—with Dain's support.
The rest of us were strongly opposed to that plan.
We shot some arrows, tensions rose, and things got heated.
Meanwhile, Sammael continued to scheme in the background, as always.
Excerpt from Sammael's diary
So... I’m starting to get confused. Does the Emperor now have mindflayers on his payroll? And more importantly—why?
We went back into the basement—don’t ask me why—after talking to that idiot rebel. Honestly, he’s probably been mind-wiped so many times, the mindflayers must have developed an indexing system for his brain.
Speaking of which, there were two mindflayers waiting for us. In the middle of the ambush one of them decided to kill the other with a mental blast—some kind of internal squabble, I guess—and then disappeared before we could react.
Afterward, we stumbled upon an artifact. It could view, insert, alter, or delete memories. Delightful little device, really. Thankfully, due to some excellent magical protections (thanks to yours truly), I seem to be immune to its effects.
We didn’t waste time deliberating—we burned the inn and left. No sense in leaving loose ends.
It seems my integration into the group has gone well, with minimal suspicion. I’ll need to maintain this carefully.
We approached the rebel camp and—of course—no one was there. After a bit of searching, we were ambushed by Slaads.
The larger blue Slaad could summon its red counterparts, and all of them seemed to secrete some kind of magic-dampening mucus. I’ll have to remember that. Not exactly a great match-up for someone like me.
Bade took a solid beating, which was entertaining to watch. Claw was hiding in a tent—until he dramatically stabbed a Slaad in the ass. Effective, if not exactly elegant.
We began following some tracks we found near the southern campsite. They seemed promising at first—clear, deliberate, almost too easy. Naturally, they led us straight into a dead end. Of course they did. Obvious tracks rarely lead to anything but obvious diversion.
Later that night, we were roused by some spooky noises. You’d think by now we’d know better than to investigate strange sounds in the dark, but here we are. Curiosity—or maybe bad decision-making—got the better of us.
We encountered a handful of undead and dealt with them swiftly. But one among them stood out—fixated on our wizard for reasons that remain unclear. It wasn't just mindless aggression; it wanted something.
That’s the real mystery: why were there undead here? And more disturbingly—what exactly were those things?
Excerpt from Johann’s journal
This place has more weird monsters than home—toad monsters, squidface monsters, giants, and murder-happy mages. All kinds of lovely things trying to kill us.
Good news first: we managed to regroup with Seline and the other rebels in the city. We were being followed for a bit, but Claw dealt with that in his usual efficient and quietly terrifying way. He looked very satisfied afterward, which is probably bad news for whoever was doing the following.
Bad news? Of course there's bad news.
The wizard academy is locked up tighter than a dwarf's liquor stash. Warded, shielded, guarded, and probably cursed just for good measure. A direct assault isn’t going to cut it, so the new plan is to infiltrate as fake apprentices. The place has been taking in lots of people lately… but not many have been coming back out. Very reassuring.
There's also been a noticeable movement of heavy machinery and supplies. Someone in the city is building something, and the fact that we don’t know what it is? Not comforting. On the upside, we’ve heard rumors of a secret tunnel or entrance to the palace, which might be worth poking at.
Also: Chak. As much as I hate to admit it, the mangy bastard is useful at sniffing out information. That still doesn’t mean I trust him. I wouldn’t trust his intentions further than I could throw him—and he looks like he’s made out of sinew and treachery.
That’s all for today. Back to planning the murder of an emperor.
[A crude drawing of a robed orc filled with bolts and daggers, comically X’d out eyes, and a massive pool of blood beneath him is sketched at the bottom of the page.]
Excerpt from Johann’s journal
I’m a wizard now. How the heck did that happen?
The new students rebelled and launched a daring assault on the beloved Professor Phil. The plan was clever—almost too clever—but ultimately, it failed.
At least until they found him screaming for help and... well, that was the end of Professor Phil's tenure, and his life.
But what followed left us all stunned. Perplexed. Bewildered. Flummoxed. Perhaps even discombobulated. Because it turns out...
We’re not really in the academy.
It’s all a grand illusion. A holodeck-like projection masking reality. And now we have to answer to the Dean—and whatever else in this place is actually real.
We spoke with the headmaster who turned out to be a mind squid. We found his dungeon and solves the puzzles.
After defeating the big squelchy blind thing (was it a beholder?), we managed to survive thanks to an inspired strategy—namely, using the dwarf to plug the Healy-doo. Eldrich, unfortunately, got sucked into a portal during the chaos. We would have gone after him, but... you know how it is. Easier to find him later.
With our goal still in mind, we destroyed the tower in spectacular fashion using a plan that featured more pyrotechnics than the Imperial Olympic Stadium of 820 AD. It was, in a word, glorious.
Following the destruction, we returned home for tea and medals. We gave our report to the Empress and enjoyed a well-earned long rest—though some of us rested a bit harder than others. 😉
Also, we found a talking hammer. We'll be selling him promptly.
The party infiltrated the palace grounds and made their way into the heart of the palace itself. As they explored the lavish halls, they discovered the emperor seated upon his throne, flanked by his loyal mages.
Beneath the throne room, however, they uncovered a disturbing secret—a massive, pulsing brain. Despite its menacing appearance, the creature failed to even kill a spider properly. Hardly the intimidating psychic menace one might expect.
With courage (and common sense) prevailing, the brave party decided to retreat and explore alternate paths—moving in the opposite direction of the squishy telebrain that left behind only a few spiderbite-sized wounds and a great deal of disappointment.
We were wandering around the castle. Gods, it was eerie. The place was twisting and shifting, rooms morphing around us. Monsters in hats and smoking pipes, a renegade tea party of frog people—it was like walking through a fever dream.
Even the guards didn’t seem right. They looked... off. And after enough wandering and more than a few headaches, my dagger happened to find its way into the neck-adjacent area of one of them. Accidents happen.
We made our way to the throne room. I gave the emperor several good stabs, but he wouldn’t take a hit. It wasn’t until Johann disappeared for about twenty seconds—then suddenly, everyone around us dropped dead.
Now comes the clean-up.
Our brave heroes, having just turned a massive brain into psychic goo, exited the castle to mop up the remaining resistance before returning to the city.
With the help of a timely transformation into a giant ape, they thundered through the district, making their way back toward the hideout. Along the way, they encountered a desperate woman pleading for help—her baby had been taken hostage.
A page from the diary of a Tiefling:
I was waiting in the alleyway, a dwarven guardian at my side. The anticipation was maddening as I awaited the arrival of the adventurers. It was a little heartbreaking to see the child kept from their mother, but it was necessary to bait our quarry.
Then came the scream. The leader of the operation had been caught unaware—one of the adventurers had snuck behind him and struck. In the chaos, I cast a silent spell meant to kill him. It succeeded... but also took the mother and the head priest with it. The spell even struck the assassin mid-blow.
I underestimated how easy it would be to trace the origin of the spell. I was seen. With his dying breath, the priest summoned a demon—unlike anything I’d encountered. Six arms, all wielding blades, and a tail like a whip.
The battle was brutal. Together, myself and the adventurers managed to slay the demon and cut down all of the dwarves—save the one who’d been guarding me. Only two of the adventurers walked away from it conscious. I can only hope I didn’t cause them too much harm...
Notes from Sammael:
Okay, so the demon snake-woman is dead. Gotta admit—Claw landed a pretty slick finish there. And I still can’t believe that dwarf actually intercepted a blow meant for Johann. I bet he won’t regret that decision later… oh wait, looks like he already does. What a shame. Such a waste.
Also, since when was Barakas a girl? …Oh. That’s probably just a different tiefling. And what’s this now—something else coming through a portal? Might as well hit it while it's surprised—oh, never mind, it’s just Eldricc. Huh. That reminds me… It’s this kind of bizarre moment that fuels the urban myth that there are no female dwarves, and they just spawn out of portals fully grown. Honestly, not the weirdest thing that’s happened lately.
I wish I could make better mental notes. I might forget this in a few—oh look, the maul and the dwarf are getting along. Why do we keep finding dwarves trapped in weapons? Also, I think I’m forgetting something… Oh yes! Johann and I appear to be leaking blood. Our blood. On a quest. Outside of our bodies. I don’t think I can function very long without it—seeing as I’m not a dwarf.
If I could mentally high-five myself for that joke, I would. Oh wait—I can. *Clap.* ...Oh. That’s just clapping. Dangit.
Anyway, we decided it might be time for a little rest. Oh, and we finally got a chance to figure out who this not-Barakas person is. Apparently, the dwarf mage had a letter, and Claw read it out loud. Wait—do the Black Clan write in Common, or can Claw actually read Dwarvish? Most perplexing.
Alright. Feeling much better. Not dying anymore. We know more about Gloom (non-Barakas). So let’s go maim some loyalist guards… and things are going great! Gotta say, Eldricc is going full ham sandwich on these humans. I suppose demons were the tougher crowd.
And… the city is ours. Or, technically, the Empress’s. Empresses’s? Empressessss’? Ugh. Never mind. Either way, time for a very well-deserved, very long rest.
We spent an awfully long time debating what kind of machinery to build. I think we settled on a trebuchet cart? Might’ve been another weapon. It was definitely a cart, that much I'm sure of.
After that, we set off to go “secure” the last remaining districts to bring them under the Empress’s control. Good old-fashioned imperial diplomacy.
Now we’re on some caravan, heading to gods-know-where. Probably somewhere awful, if our luck holds.
We also started a bar fight. That was neat. Cleared the place out pretty well and reminded everyone who’s in charge around here—at least until the next round of drinks.
We also encountered some weird magic rocks, and circles. And started a fight with some... earth elementals?
A page from the diary Gloom:
I forgot why we even went here to deal with these magic circles, but we ended up attacking them with magic until they broke. Each attack would backfire and was kind of unpleasant. When the circle was destroyed, three earth elementals appeared.
I should have listened and not just gone right for the second tower after finishing them off, as then once more three elementals came out of the ground. After dealing with all three circles, we started hitting the inner main magic circles and repeated the procedure.
Even the ballista was finally useful by taking down the last barrier, which apparently didn’t have to be hit by magic this time. I destroyed the pillar and out fell the strange crystal, which seems to be absorbing ambient mana.
We went back to the city where we discussed the next steps in our lives. The Empress summoned Claw to discuss something about Samael (he's a shady fuck so we're not sure if he's a good guy or a bad guy).
We then went shopping.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
We’re back at sea. It’s been too long… I’ve missed the waves, the smell of the ocean, and the wind on my face. Feels familiar, and familiar is a good thing after our months in the Empire.
So, we’ve done it. We helped overthrow an empire (even though it was secretly controlled by tentacle-faced mind-controlling monsters). Now starts the hard, boring part — the dealing with riots, bureaucracy, and the consolidation of power structures.
Time to leave.
The Empress was thankful enough, gifting us a ship. We hired a… decent crew and even found a new, young captain named Henry. He seems like a decent lad, excited and confident — as you should be. It will be interesting to see how his first crew casualties or a week at sea with too few supplies will change him. It is something every captain has to go through… what matters is if it breaks him, or makes him a strong leader. But I think I am optimistic.
So, we’re back to Astrea with a hold full of silks and spices and other random stuff. I think I’ll take a few weeks off, maybe talk shop with Kalen and visit home… it’s been a long time.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
So.
I thought it was reasonable to expect things back home to be less bizarre than tentacle-faced abominations controlling emperors and mage academies filled with illusions. Well, that didn’t work out.
Turns out, apparently somebody knew we were coming back and some folks decided to throw me — ME — a party. What. The. Hell. Even my uncle Gustav was there, but he wouldn’t tell what was up with this whole thing. There is a freaking village named after me. And I am their folk hero. And I couldn’t remember why. Fun.
Well, things cleared up quickly enough when Lord Damien Taylor showed up, announcing that he abducted my mother — MY MOTHER — and had my uncle at swordpoint. (Turns out, freaking Gustav didn’t make up all his stories and is now a weird bearman. Who’d have thought!)
As expected, things didn’t turn out well for that noble prick, and we were off to rescue my mother. Thankfully I have companions who helped me without hesitation, and I am truly thankful for it. Those lowlifes even work with gnolls… who does that?
The last thing I saw was a fireball hitting the building my mother was held in (gods help that tiefling lady if something happened to my mum) and Sammael going underwater after a nasty hit by a gnoll’s flail...
We rescued Johann’s mother, thank the gods, and made our way back to confront the ever-pompous Lord Damian Taylor. Turns out the man wasn’t just a villain — he was a rules lawyer, the kind of man who only ever saw the world through the cold lens of “rules as written.” Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t the only one who could read fine print. We outmaneuvered him with the very same legal nonsense he held so dear and handed him over to Lord Decalon to stand trial for his crimes. Justice, with a flourish.
Back at the temporary guild location, things were changing. We found out Harris Thersys had signed up with the guild, and Thane was holding things together, managing operations with a surprising degree of competence. Meanwhile, Eldricc got into a brief scuffle — the details were fuzzy, but someone definitely got pummeled — and we all gathered around a table, sipping tea and examining a map of a nearby island. The discussion turned toward the future: what to build, where to build it, and what sort of mark we wanted to leave on the world now that we finally had the chance.
We started things off at a bar, gorging ourselves on an unreasonable amount of duck — apparently, it was that kind of night. One drink led to another (and several more after that), and by morning, we were collectively nursing hangovers and had absolutely no idea what happened the night before. Typical.
To recover from the haze, we went on a bit of a shopping spree, picking up diamonds for everyone — because when in doubt, retail therapy and magical components are the answer. We also paid a visit to Gaspard, who’s now working on some cloaks and armour for us. Always good to stay fashionable and protected.
Eventually, we set sail and made landfall on an island whose name none of us can quite remember — not a great sign, but here we are. The beach showed signs of a recent battle, and before long, we stumbled upon a curious sight: a dead dragon preserved in some kind of case, surrounded by a whole host of hostiles. So much for a quiet landing.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
Well, I'd say this island really creeps me out, but after everything we've seen, it's hard to be truly shocked anymore. I did notice the tiefling looking more tense than usual — returning to a place like this must be no small burden. Still, maybe there's some kind of catharsis in it for her.
Surprise! The island is full of demons. Who could’ve guessed?
That dragon we saw being hauled around? Turns out it died a while ago, but someone — the Black Clan, demons, or both — kept it “alive.” Or undead, I suppose. The strange part is, the thing wasn’t immediately hostile when we freed it. It actually seemed grateful. Yeah... that definitely won’t come back to bite us later.
Things didn’t stay calm for long. Some devil-dragon hybrid things — honestly, I don’t even know what to call them — showed up and started talking to Gloom. She responded in kind by throwing a fistful of insects at them, and, well... you can guess how that went. Turns out those creatures are tougher than they look, able to take just as much of a beating as they dish out. And there are more of them. A lot more, apparently. Wonderful.
The island itself seems to have been... reshaped. Violently. As in, someone-punched-a-lake-into-the-middle-of-the-island kind of violent. Whatever answers we're looking for — about the dragon, the demons, the island — I have a feeling they're waiting for us at the center. That's how it always is in the stories, isn't it?
Excerpt from Gloom's journal
Curiously enough, we were able to enter the tower at the center of the island without any resistance. I was half-expecting enchantments or some mind-bending influence, considering the demons and that angel stationed outside. But no — just an open door and eerie silence. I remember hearing this place was once used for research, but I never set foot inside it before.
The lower floors were fairly mundane, just living quarters and abandoned rooms, but the top held something far more intriguing: a sealed area and strange machinery humming faintly. We found a book detailing how to create magical crystals, the same kind we encountered back in the Empire. I still don’t know what they’re for, but Sammael seemed unusually interested. His eagerness to recreate the process is... unsettling. If he’s diving into Black Clan dwarven tech, I’m not sure how far we can trust his motives.
I found some of the crystals and tried feeding magic into them — a mistake, it seems, as they exploded violently. As if this place weren’t already dangerous enough. In one of the coffin-like structures, we came across a dying angel, a demon corpse in chains, and a living demon named Reginald. Eldric, for some reason, made a contract with him. I’m not convinced this was the wisest decision. He spoke to the demon, though we couldn’t hear any reply. The whole thing was unnerving.
Things went from bad to worse when I removed part of the blood-soaked seal. The tower trembled, and suddenly the frozen creatures outside came to life, throwing themselves at the walls. Apparently, the seal had been holding them at bay. Thankfully, Sammael managed to repair it just in time, halting the assault before it got out of hand.
In the final coffin we opened, we discovered a red stone and a pendant of the most mesmerizing green. It called to me, more than just its beauty — it felt like it belonged to me. While the others were busy following the book’s instructions to craft a new crystal, the jade-like pendant formed an eye and spoke. It introduced itself as Kashuul. Maybe I’ve finally gained a companion of my own — one that doesn’t talk with a dagger or shoot fireballs.
We didn’t have long to ponder our discoveries. A black-winged angel — one the others apparently recognized — appeared and destroyed the bloody markings for good. With that, it was time to leave... and fast.
A Letter Sent to Thane from Sammael
Thane,
The island has given us some answers — but, as is so often the case, it’s also left us with even more questions. At least we didn’t come away empty-handed. We’ve acquired a... package of sorts, going by the name of Reginald. He’s a small demon who now appears to be bound to Eldricc through a familiar contract. I’ll explain the whole strange affair in more detail when next we meet.
Unfortunately, our return to the capital hasn’t come at the best of times. A disease is spreading rapidly through the city, and we’ve been asked to assist however we can. Given that we still have unresolved business in the area, we’ve agreed to help. Our first lead is a paladin who had been tracking someone referred to only as “Patient Zero.”
Hopefully we can resolve this situation quickly — for the city’s sake, and for our own. We’ll meet again once this latest trial is behind us.
Your friend,
Sammael Grimmleaf
From the Diary of Claw Uitra
We all started off looking for the best way to deal with this plague. And wouldn’t you know it — bad news struck fast. Our fellow human and enthusiastic killer, Johann, caught the damn thing. That puts a real timer on this little adventure.
So, we split up to search for leads. Eldricc went to Ravenside — I think — while Gloom and Sam headed to the housing outside the city. As for me, I made the clearly superior choice: the royal district. Less infection risk, and presumably the best doctors and mages that money could buy.
Turns out I was dead wrong. The pompous bastards there wouldn’t lift a finger. So afraid for their own necks that not even gold could move them. Let them rot in their gilded cages. They'll get what's coming.
I did run into Carter, and we caught up for a while. Unfortunately, neither of us had much luck on the cure front. Seems like the whole city's grasping at straws.
We regrouped back at Trix’s place. I showed up late and missed the tea — typical. Some of the others are starting to look a bit pale, but I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will put things right. It better, or we’re in deeper trouble than we thought.
Concerned that the spreading illness might be linked to the city’s water supply, we decided to investigate the sources directly. To start, we needed access to the water system schematics, which unfortunately were stored in the castle. Luckily, Carter was able to help us retrieve them without too much fuss.
Meanwhile, Layla and Eldric took on a separate task — moving between churches and speaking with the Guard Commander to gather intel on cultist activity. Their findings were troubling, though the bigger problem at the time was that both Johann and Sammael were growing visibly worse by the hour. Time was running short.
We traced our way to the water station located outside the city. It was there that things took a turn. Cultists had embedded themselves at the facility, clearly the ones responsible for poisoning the water. A brief but brutal confrontation followed, and we managed to eliminate them. In the aftermath, we confirmed our fears — the water had been tainted, and the cultists were actively spreading the contamination.
To make matters worse, it became apparent that Trix may have stolen the lich pendant and poisoned the tea and cookies that Layla and Eldric had consumed earlier. Thinking quickly, Eldric tickled Layla’s throat, and fortunately, it worked — she threw up the poisoned food. It was a small but vital victory in an increasingly dangerous situation.
When we returned to Trix's house, it was empty — she was gone, and worse yet, the paladin who had been helping us lay unconscious, poisoned. It seemed the food and drinks had been tampered with after all. A shame it wasn’t our paladin that took the hit, but rather an innocent. On a more hopeful note, Johann, still sick but stubborn, rose from bed and insisted on joining the fight. I hoped he wouldn’t come to regret it.
We resumed our plan and set out for the South-Eastern water station, suspecting it too had been compromised by cultists, likely to prevent anyone from discovering the water was poisoned. Sure enough, as we approached, an ambush was waiting — but they clearly hadn’t prepared for us. We dispatched them with little trouble.
As the skirmish ended, a noble or magician — maybe both — appeared, calmly extinguishing the flames left behind by the fight. Without much time to dwell, we descended into the city’s water canals, passing a massive suit of armor that had supposedly been built to turn against us. Deeper in, the darkness became unnaturally thick, so much so that even I could barely see. A sudden noise rang out — the twang of a crossbow, followed by a bone-chilling screech and explosion.
By the time I reached the rest of the group, they were already locked in battle with a floating skull — a demilich. Thankfully, our party came well-prepared for something like this. Working together, we were able to trap and destroy the foul thing before it could do real harm. The magician returned shortly after, dispelling the transmutation magic that had been corrupting the water source. We left the canals after burning a gruesome pile of corpses — likely what remained of the station’s former guards.
Back in the city, we were summoned for an audience with the king, who offered thanks for our efforts in cleansing the city of the sickness. During the meeting, we were introduced to two influential figures: the towering Narjan Raasmorn and the striking, strong-willed Lady Annisa Gale. They spoke of an upcoming expedition to the dangerous continent in the north and extended an invitation — suggesting that it might be wise, and mutually beneficial, for us to become "friends" and join their cause.
From the Diary of Claw Uitra
So… today was a day.
We’ve officially signed the contracts. It’s now confirmed — we’re going on the expedition. Hooray for us, I guess. I still can’t stand these “favour for a favour” deals, but there’s no turning back now. It’s politics and power plays all the way down from here.
We spent some time preparing for the journey ahead, stocking up on essentials: potions, bags of holding, and the like. Sammael, never one to go without flair, ordered some kind of custom contraption made from dark steel. He didn’t share the details, but it’s sure to look intimidating at the very least.
After shopping, we made our way to the market. Everything seemed ordinary at first, but then it started getting dark — far too early for the time of day. The sun hadn't even set yet, and already the shadows were stretching unnaturally.
And wouldn’t you know it — chaos broke loose. Again. Because of course it did.
From the Diary of Gloom
We managed to defeat the strange creatures that had attacked the marketplace… but we couldn’t save everyone. The chaos was overwhelming — too many enemies, too many innocents caught in the crossfire. It left us drained, not just physically, but emotionally too. We needed a break from everything.
During the downtime, we each took to our own pursuits. I focused on learning more about Khashluu, trying to understand this presence that had introduced itself to me. Eldric spent his time sparring with new recruits — probably a way to keep sharp and distract himself. Claw, on the other hand, has apparently started learning a new language. I’m not sure which one, but knowing him, it’s probably something obscure and dangerous.
In the meantime, we received the draft contract for the expedition. As expected, it wasn’t without its problems. The most concerning clause claimed that everything discovered during the exploration would become property of the colony. Naturally, we couldn't let that stand. After some negotiation, we managed to amend it. With that sorted, we’re now nearly ready to set sail toward uncharted lands.
We took some time to relax as the last of the supplies were loaded onto the ships. The wait wasn't unpleasant — it gave us a moment to breathe and prepare for what was to come. When the ships finally arrived, they did so with quite a dramatic entrance. One of them was absolutely massive, barely able to squeeze into the harbor. I must admit, it was an impressive sight.
From there, it was almost smooth sailing. We ran into some rough weather early on, but nothing we couldn’t handle. During one of the storms, we also encountered a rather strange woman — a druid, apparently. She had a laid-back, free-spirited aura about her and, at one point, transformed into a giant octopus. I think she borrowed my cloak… remind me to get that back.
Of course, our journey wouldn’t be complete without a bit of trouble. We were barely underway before we were ambushed by pirates. Not the roguish, "charming" kind like Johann, but the "we’re going to take your stuff and maybe your lives" kind. Their captain seemed like a big deal — a well-known pirate lady with a reputation. But reputations don’t mean much when your ship is sinking. We’ll see if she fares any better than the rest.
From the diary of Sammael Grimleaf
I wonder if this ethical and technical dilemma has been discussed by wizards, sorcerers, or other scholarly circles before: if you Polymorph into a predator and consume someone, does that make you a cannibal? Or are you absolved of such labels due to the transformative nature of the spell? There's no urgent reason for me to ask — except, well, I may have eaten some pirates. And I’m quite puzzled about the implications.
At the time, I didn’t give it much thought — too much was happening. When I dropped the spell, the aftermath was... intense. Eldricc looked like a hedgehog, arrows protruding through every gap in his armor. Claw and Johann weren’t faring much better. Oddly enough, Gloom came through relatively unscathed. I must hand it to Gaspard — his gear is both effective and stylish. The man is a craftsman of the highest caliber.
Fortunately, the rest of the voyage was uneventful, and we finally made landfall on the island of Agu-Tzol. I find myself wondering what this place has in store for us — what dangers, what secrets, and what moral conundrums past explorers may have faced to survive.
After some rest, we took a quiet stroll into the jungle, seeking our missing scouts. That’s when we realized the jungle itself was working against us. No matter how we tried to orient ourselves, the terrain twisted our paths, turning us around. Compasses failed, and even magical direction seemed skewed.
It wasn’t long before we encountered the locals — stealthy, hostile humanoid lizards. They knew the terrain well, striking from ambushes and laying devious traps. Our first scout team? We found them impaled on poisoned spike pits, their bodies broken and lifeless. As for the second team, their fate remains unknown.
In the ensuing battle, we managed to capture one of the lizard warriors. The rest were swiftly dispatched, their heads mounted on their own spears as a grim warning. Their bodies we cast into their own traps — an eerie echo of what happened to our scouts.
From the diary of Sammael Grimleaf
We returned to camp, dragging our lizardfolk prisoner behind us — though not without difficulty. The creature, later identified as Harkos, adamantly refused to cross the boundary of the jungle. In the end, we had no choice but to render him unconscious in order to transport him back safely.
Once revived and properly questioned, Harkos provided us with a surprising wealth of information. He spoke of their tribal structure, deeply rooted beliefs, and even the grim fate that befell the explorers who came before us. For all his initial hostility, the lizardman seemed sincere, and after our interrogation we made the choice to let him go — with a task. He would return to his people and attempt to arrange a meeting between us and his chieftain.
To our surprise, the talks bore fruit. The chieftain, a figure named Tozfosturiss, agreed to consider further diplomacy — but not without a trial first. We were to prove ourselves by reclaiming a sacred watering hole, now overrun by the jungle’s creatures and corruption. If we succeed, we will earn the right to attend their tribal gathering and, possibly, an audience with their deity.
It’s a strange path forward, but one filled with potential. The jungle may have tried to kill us, but perhaps now it offers a chance to bridge the divide between our people — and uncover deeper truths that lie within this untamed land.
From the diary of Johan
The trials continue.
Apparently, to prove ourselves to the local lizardfolk, we had to complete a series of rituals — jungle trials to prove our worth. Honestly, at this point, it's not even the weirdest thing we've done. The inhabitants of this island seem to place immense cultural value on these rites of passage, and so we played along.
The trial itself wasn’t all that difficult. We were tasked with clearing a lake of aggressive wildlife and disabling a strange, ancient altar. I have no idea how Eldric managed that part — probably some obscure bit of divine magic again. In any case, it worked.
As a result, we’ve now been granted the esteemed status of “adolescents” in their tribal hierarchy. Not sure if that’s supposed to be flattering, but I suppose it’s better than being seen as outsiders.
In the meantime, we've been living off the land. The local food has proven surprisingly palatable — most fruits are edible, and the small reptiles caught in our snares taste vaguely like chicken. All things considered, the colony might actually have a chance of thriving here, assuming we don't get eaten by the wildlife or vaporized by ancient jungle gods.
Speaking of gods, the lizardfolk’s deity finally made an appearance. We traveled for days through treacherous terrain to reach the sacred meeting ground — a place they believe to be the threshold of their goddess's power. She turned out to be, unsurprisingly, a demon. But not the "burn the world" type — more of a composed, enigmatic entity who speaks in calm, civil tones. They say she came through a portal in an old temple — and that temple is likely where we must head next.
Of course, that’s only if we survive the next set of trials. Because of course there are more. Always more. I sometimes wonder why these ancient beings don’t challenge mortals with something less violent — like a pie-eating contest, or maybe a rocking-chair-building competition. But no, it’s always trials by combat. Always blood.
Still, we've come this far. One step at a time. Just one more trial… then we can start worrying about whatever comes after.
From the Diary of Claw Uitra
Where do I even start?
We found ourselves in an arena, surrounded by massive lizard beasts. Supposedly some kind of sacred trial or challenge. Honestly, they went down easier than most armored soldiers we've fought. So much for the test of worth.
After wiping the floor with them, the so-called goddess — a towering snake-woman — invited us to partake in a ceremonial toast. And gods, whatever that stuff was, it was foul. I've downed some questionable brews in my time, but this… this was another level. Both Eldric and I couldn’t keep it down. The others managed to choke it down, but they looked like death warmed over afterward. Whatever it was, it wasn’t meant to sit well with mortals.
We returned to the swamp monument — the place where we’d previously taken down those Schnappys. That’s when things got weird. Gloom, Sammael, and Johann approached the monument. Suddenly, Sammael and Johann were flung off like ragdolls, while Gloom… she just evaporated, like water on a hot pan.
And then, ten seconds later, she’s back. But not quite the same. Something about her had changed — visibly and unmistakably.
Back at camp, Johann pulled me aside and asked me to check a spot on his back. Scales. The man’s growing scales. I tried to stay calm, casually informed Eldric — then immediately lost my composure and frantically checked myself for signs of the same transformation.
Which brings us to now.
Here I am, stark naked in a tent, some fiendish entity sucking on my finger while a dwarf stands by watching like it’s the evening’s entertainment. What the hell are we even doing anymore?
Excerpt from Johann’s Journal
Balls.
I actually owe Eldric one. Yes, he can be absent-minded, and his methods are... unconventional at best. But no one can argue with results — he gets things done.
Turns out the lizard transformation from that vile demon drink was a curse. A proper one. So next time I hit a tavern, I guess I owe Thor a toast too.
I’m not going to lie — I was panicking. And even though I’m cured now, the whole situation has left a mark. I haven’t felt this kind of seething hatred in years.
I swear, I’m going to rip that demon snake’s spine out and make a hood from her damn tail.
That voice inside me — the one that usually stays buried — it’s wide awake now. And it wants blood.
Of course, we still need allies, if only to throw more bodies between us and her. We’ve already proved ourselves to one of the lizard tribes, passed their absurd trials. But nothing’s ever simple, is it?
We followed our scaly friend back to his tribe — only to find one of those snake-demon servants waiting for us. Judging by the shouting, it had told its own twisted version of events. A heated debate followed. I couldn’t understand a word of it, but thankfully Sammael’s good at handling these things.
Things seemed to settle... until the snake beast slaughtered one of the tribespeople who dared question it.
We didn’t hesitate. We cut it down. Quickly, cleanly.
Maybe that helped our standing. Maybe not. But it’s becoming a pattern — people die all around us. And it’s not stopping anytime soon.
Our trip has taken a few days thus far... I feel like I’m finally getting used to the jungle and the oppressive heat. But if I’m being honest, I’d still rather be back at sea, or ranging through a nice, temperate forest.
Fewer things trying to kill you in those places.
Well… scratch that last part.
Speaking of things trying to kill us — our approach wasn't nearly as stealthy as I had hoped. We came across a tent camp in a clearing, but it was deserted. At least by anything human. Instead, we found more of those vicious spiked traps… and lizardfolk waiting in ambush among the underbrush.
Maybe these lizards are just too far gone for peace — blinded by the lies their so-called goddess has fed them. Or maybe they’ve always hated outsiders, and no words would’ve made a difference anyway.
Regardless, things have become very simple now.
They kill us, or we kill them.
And honestly? I can live with that.
From the Diary of Claw Uitra
Well, I am fucked. I’ve fallen into a pit, been riddled with snake spears, and… well, I might need to retire.
We pressed on and got a good night’s sleep. You’d be amazed how much a proper rest can make you feel about sixty points of hypothetical health better.
So, we made it to the tower. The plan? Completely improvised. No idea if it would work — but we went for it:
Drop in from the top and claim the high ground. That part? Easy.
We fought our way down, and at the bottom we found the Meralith — god-lady-thing or whatever she was. And, well… gosh darn it, she be dead now.
Johan went absolutely feral. Melted that bitch like a xenomorphic vampire at a pool party and topped it off with a nice splash of acid. The rest? Easy pickings.
And once again — I may be fucked and bleeding out all over the place…
But the job’s done. Now we just need to get the hell out.
Snippets of Sammael's Internal Monologue
...So the demon is dead. What did Johann call it again? Ah yes — "The Bitch."
Well anyway, what now? I guess we can go convince the rest of the lizards. Toth can do the talking for us... now where is he?
He be dead. ...Well shit.
Fine. I’ll have Eldricc use my diamond to resurrect him. My uses for him are not done yet... No shit, Sherrypie.
So we run through the jungle for two days straight to catch up with the last demon-soldier-snakes trying to attack our shore camp — only to find they’re not even here.
My bloodied lungs would like a word with whoever thought this was a good idea... Oh right, ’twas me.
Oopsie.
Me?... Yes?
Could you remind me not to say it was our idea to force-march the group here?
Sure. I’ll wink twice when you're about to say something we shouldn't.
Thanks, buddy.
Apparently that cheeky Black Clan dwarf has been stealing explosives and is trying to find an old dwarven fortress. Loot, I guess...
Maybe there’s something nice for me to loot — or is it for us to loot? Sorry mate, don’t have a dictionary on hand to figure out if it’s me, you, or we. Anyway, I guess we need to convince the rest of the party to join us on this little loot & scoot.
We sure do.
Can you imagine me smirking, please?
Sure, why not.
So we got our stuff ready for the trip and started on our way. Nothing special happened, other than finding another small altar-pond-thingy...
Until we camped.
During our night’s rest, I was awakened from my almost-slumber — (Damn you, elves!) — only to find those weird creatures again. The ones that attacked the marketplace in Astrea’s capital.
We disposed of them pretty quickly this time, but they kept blabbering on about how we “couldn’t stop it from coming.”
Not like we care — we’re a bit preoccupied with loot.
From the Diary of Gloom
After dealing with the comet creatures that attacked our camp — and cleaning the tent of leftover eyes and blood — we went back to sleep. Priorities.
The journey to the dwarven settlement in the mountains was, surprisingly, uneventful. Thanks to our own dwarf talking to the entrance (yes, talking to the entrance), we got in without much trouble. Turns out this place is a massive walled city, and oddly enough, it’s built right beneath the open sky. The underground must be terrible if dwarves decided to stay above ground.
Of course, no dwarves to be found — just a whole lot of pissed-off snake people. So once again, we fought those pesky reptiles to continue our exploration.
After clearing out even more snake people (seriously, are they breeding in the walls or something?), we had to take a break — Eldric didn’t look too hot. Not surprising when you spend your time standing in the middle of a street acting like a target dummy for poisoned arrows.
We took shelter in one of the many houses scattered across the city ruins. Meanwhile, Luna flew Reginald into the sky to scout things out. From the air, it looked like a reptilian ritual is underway — lots of sacrifices, plenty of chanting, and far too much hooded swagger.
And that was just one half of the ritual. We couldn’t even see the other part. Probably more demons, if we had to guess. If they’re planning to summon another snake-lord or goddess, we’re going to have to shut it down — hard. This kind of thing never ends well for anyone.
Unfortunately, we were spotted by yet another patrol. Luckily, we reacted fast enough to set up an ambush and wipe them out before they even knew what hit them. It was clean. Efficient.
...Until Eldric let off a thundering smite that echoed through the ruins like an angry god’s drum solo. Real subtle.
Let’s just hope that thunderclap didn't alert every other scale-covered zealot in a 3-mile radius. Or we're going to have a very busy evening.
From the Diary of Sammael
Minor progress has been made...
After we took out the patrol that was unfortunately alerted by Eldricc’s not-so-subtle thundering smite, we made our way toward the keep itself. The path wasn’t exactly smooth, but a few well-placed firebolts from Khasgloomu made short work of the resistance.
Once inside, things got strange — the place was full of regenerating vines. Not your average greenery, either. These things were actively regrowing and seemed somehow tied to the keep’s defenses. Naturally, more snakepeople were guarding the area.
I can’t help but wonder... what role do these vines play in the ritual? Defensive enchantment? Part of some ancient druidic anchor? Or just really aggressive gardening?
From the Diary of Claw
So, there we were in the dark. Sam wanted me to cut something that repaired itself until he held a crystal near it. Honestly, I was a bit fuzzy on this series of events due to blood loss and nearly dying twice not several hours ago (and LAAAAAAAAG on my end caused me to jank in and out at this point).
We followed the strands and came to a room with more snake people, and dispatched them quickly.
One of the sneks called out that we shouldn’t stop his ritual because… reasons, I guess. He looked properly terrified — and looking back at Johan, I can see why. That dude inspires fear into people. Anyway, we didn’t kill him, but rather he jumped into a circle on the floor. Which, of course, summoned a multi-headed snake monster.
I guess we should’ve killed the dude before he finished the ritual.
Anywho, we killed the snake god monster thing. I didn’t almost die this time, which is a plus, and we made for the exit. Finally outside again and away from pitch-black temples, I thought the day was done...
That’s a nope. The sky has broken. So… shit?
From the Diary of Eldric
We returned to camp to find it besieged by strange creatures and an airship. We fought them off, only for our good dragon friend to arrive and tell us everything is going to hell.
Sammael decided to yoink off with said dragon... however, some weird creature from the forest has joined us. It seems to be on the same level of intelligence as Sammael, so it'll be fun to see where it goes.
I've had the idea to use magic to teleport us back to the fortress. I wasn't sure if it would work but considering the sky is breaking, I just went for it. So I went with a group and Lady Gale with a guard and a stonemason and teleported back to the entrance. Luckily, it worked and we didn’t end up in the sea or something.
Sammael was mumbling to himself in the throne room while we inspected the hole and the city. This would be a much better start to a city than building one from scratch.
The next day, I teleported the camp guys back to said camp to prepare materials and people to start building into the dwarven underground street and get set up around the fortress. One more thing we need to figure out is where to get water though.
Meanwhile: Johann, equipped with the Ring of Gravity Deviance and the rest of the artifacts of the party, jumps down into the tunnel to find some kind of village resembling the style of the buildings on the surface. He didn't manage to get back up before nightfall. Oh, also he dislocated a shoulder — very pleasant.
From the scribblings of Gorok
Gor Rok find out hunter-Johann has gone down the hole. Gor Rok or others cannot follow and must wait for horned elf to return. The fat halfling has a talking snack but it's called a "pet"? It find out hunter-Johann is alive. Gor Rok drop food down the hole for hunter-Johann to eat while waiting for horned elf to come back.
Horned elf is back and brings humans who fix the fat halfling updown floor so we can go down the hole. It is dark but Gor Rok don't mind, he good at hunting in dark. We find hunter-Johann still alive in small village under the mountain. The human sneaksneak claw is not handling good in dark... but he sneaksneak, why he bad in dark? Gor Rok grab human and bring with rest.
Party wants to search through a stuffshelter they call a "warehouse". There they find wagons and hunter-Johann is excited by these. Are these things what hunter-Johann hunts? Gor Rok also finds a large metal crab. Hunter-Johann wants one, so Gor Rok bring one to stuffshelter.
The others also explore around and find things. Gor Rok does not know if these are good for survival.
Excerpt from Johann's Journal.
Well, our plans of journeying through the tunnels have been met with fiery resistance. Literally, even! Bunch of fire monsters apparently just waiting for someone to leave... if there's more that could also help us, though. Nobody would want to come to the dwarven stronghold from down here, with all those things burning and smoking.
I think I'm getting a pretty good grasp on the stunty cart by now... turns out it runs on fire monster remains (because of course it does!). Would still take us at least a few days, and with the situation as it is, I don't think time is on our side. Stupid malformed elves and their flying machines.
Thankfully (and I'm using this term in the widest, most nauseating way possible), our dragon lady knows a bit or two about getting from A to B quickly. The accuracy leaves a bit to be desired still, but hey, we still shaved off about three quarters of our travel time. Nothing to sneeze at. Instead of in the capital, we popped out near some poor old farmer's lot. Decent guy though, gave us food and shelter for the night... I wonder who's still up and fighting in the capital and at the guild..
From the Diary of Gloom
In the morning Claw and Johann were talking to a ghost-like halfling I have never seen before. Apparently it was (or is?) a friend of them. He didn't have any thoughts, when I checked using magic, and he couldn't remember anything. Why was he even here?
The mage tower at the port city, we started our journey north in, was supposedly the place where he would most likely reside. So once again I teleported us, this time using some goggles as an object binding us to the location.
We ended up in the city... People were screaming and running away from something, and they seemed to slow down the further they got to us. Then more of those cracked sky elf assholes appeared out of portals and just backstabbed them. It didn't take long until we were the center of attention, and so a very unfavorable fight started. We managed to get rid of all of them before reinforcements on their flying ships arrived. That's when things turned, and they quickly surrounded me. I had no clue what was happening to the others, because of a strange very dense fog to the north, but I had to get out of there, I was barely staying conscious.
Before the fog spread I barely escaped to the top of the city wall via thunderstep, from where I had to blindly jump down. Still no real clue as to what is going on to the rest of the group apart from the big thing rushing past me, that had to be our new lizard friend.
Luckily we all made it out somehow, and it seems like nobody was following us. The fog wasn't so bad after all.
Our next goal is to check out what happened to the guild, but that's going to be quite the march. We take a stop in Johannburg, to find it very abandoned. Though it isn't entirely hopeless, because a group of people quickly forces us inside, to avoid being spotted by another soon to arrive squad of murder elves.
Excerpt from Johann's Journal
Guess even Johannburg wasn't meant to last. Not too long after nightfall, a gith scout showed up — it didn't seem like he saw us or the villagers, but we decided that it wouldn't be wise to stay much longer and put the others at risk.
This whole situation is just fucked. Not even two weeks and it looks worse than I've ever seen. Capital is fucked, Mariturius is fucked, the mage tower is who knows where, hundreds or thousands dead, more missing, and those fucking mongrel wannabe elves are harder to kill than a lizardman.
Fun.
Also, Kalen's ghost, or spirit messenger or who knows what keeps showing up and is all cryptic. It's getting better, and apparently the mages might have found out something useful — it's just that they aren't around anymore. Hidden away in a secret pocket dimension... now that's a neat trick.
The important thing is, this is not the first time those gith have been around. And if they could be defeated the last time, they can now.
Next stop, guild hall. If any place is still up and resisting, it'll be there.
Thane and Thersys and all the other good folks there will not give up as long as they draw breath.
I just hope we'll arrive in time.
Excerpt from Johann's Journal
We arrived in time.
Barely.
After fighting through even more of those fuckers, we finally made it to our hall. More dead bodies, friend and foe alike.
Many of the good fighters we met along the way were there as well, even Lord Decalon and Harris. Even Gaspard was smart enough to know the safest place in an invasion such as this.
Thane looked almost dead. Fighting for days on end with enemies coming at them every few hours brought most of them to the limits of what their bodies could take. Even then, it was pretty hit and miss for a few moments there.
I've lost a few people on the road.
I'm not losing that stubborn, do-good, dramatically self-criticising dwarf as well.
Staying at the hall was no option of course, it being under siege as it was, so we decided to make a run for it.
Most never would've made the trip with their injuries — and they knew it as well.
I don't know how many we had to leave behind. Ten? Twenty? More?
I hope they went down fighting, and taking some of those bastards with them.
I fear that some were taken alive, for "adjustment"...
Off we went, on a march up north, towards the old dwarven ruins. Seems like lifetimes ago we cleared that place from that nasty orc warband.
Guess things were easier back then. We'll probably get there soon. Maybe the dwarves left more hints for us down in the tunnels.
Gods know we could use some help right now.
Because I doubt there's another giant forged hammer just laying around for us to pick up...
Excerpt from Claw's Journal
Well, it's been a hot minute since we've been here. These ruins are flooding back memories of our early days as a party.
After a quick scout about we ensured we were alone, and set about getting prepped for a hard defence if required, and a way out through the deep roads.
Towers fortified, halls locked down and early warning systems in place we set about our day to day surviving. Now the Gith are at the door. Let's see how the chokepoints hold up against an attacker if they try and get in.
Excerpt from Johan's Journal
It seems like we fooled the first group of Gith.. thankfully. We were nowhere nearly prepared enough for a prolonged siege. So, first things first, a plan. Get the elevator going again. Make sure we have water and food. Find allies. Gather Metals. Save the world.
Easy enough.
The others went to work fortifying the place even more. One minute you'd walk down a hallway, the other there would be a massive wall of stone blocking the way.. I swear, wizards., they're something else. I've been working on the internal water supply system, but it's hard to make sense of something that hasn't been used in decades and is documented in another language.
Next entry
A reasonably accurate drawing of the pump terminals with scribbled notes
This stupid thing doesn't make sense! It should work but there's still no water coming through! At least we get decent fresh food these days, thanks to our big lizard hunter. Still, I would feel better if we could lock this entire place down. We're also going to get some carpenters from the colony to fix the elevator.
Well, back to work..
Next entry
Well of course the stupid pump wasn't going to work, because there was the rotting cadaver of a huge lake monster stuck on the intake. Well, that problem was fixed (rather grizzly, don't ask!) and now we should be able to get water directly from the lake. That'll help a lot!
Meanwhile some of the others are going to gather some timber for the construction of the elevator. Things are looking up. Now, I wouldn't want to make this place a new home, but it's certainly safer than pretty much any other place on Astrea.
Last entry
Well, things turned sideways quickly. Another group of Gith visited (or maybe it was the same group), and it looked like we fooled them as well. We didn't. But with part of the group still outside, I don't think we could've taken them all out in time before them taking off.
Now, we'll have to see how things work out. If all turns to shit, we might have to somehow hunker down and try to make the elevator work..
But for now, we're off to combat positions. Gotta make our way through the tunnel, force them to take the long way..
Maybe we should've mapped out the area a bit more beforehand..
From the Diary of Gloom
Even though I shot acid at most of these eggs, some spiders managed to emerge and attack us. There were also bigger ones. Though these lower creatures never stood a chance. To prevent anyone from getting lost in these caves I create some more walls, I also do that near the entrance to funnel potential enemies straight into our ballista.
But ugh.. I'm getting bored being holed up inside this dwarven stone prison. Please.. just finish the cranes so we can explore something. At least Johann managed to get the water running again, would be nice if he could fix the furnaces too. I'm not made for sitting around and just trying to learn to cook so my food on travels isn't awful.
During the night we noticed some weird noises, and when we went out later we discovered that these malformed elves were slaughtered by something unknown. Do we have to deal with a greater threat than these jerks or are they friends? Apart from this discovery nothing happens yet again.
That is until we discover an army of men made of... clay? Are these the guys who killed the elves or is this some kind of weapon? Either way, it looks like our defenses are finally put to the test.
Combat Report:
Shit went sideways. The initial combat went poorly as many got engaged and surrounded by surprisingly dangerous critters, preventing a proper retreat into the next area, which we did later on with a teleport spell—leaving Claw behind, who barely survived the few next rounds.
After a short breather, we got re-engaged by the enemy following Claw at the chokepoint. It proved more successful as the ranged squad and ballista were able to safely engage the enemy. The chokepoint also bunched up the enemy for devastating AoE spells.
The enemy support aura units have been killed, and we are cleaning up the rest before a heavier unit comes around the corner.
From the Diary of Gloom
I'm impressed nobody died today... except those disgusting creatures I covered in acid and people whose names I never learned. I think Claw was crying about a certain "enpassé savon’s" death or something though.
Speaking of Claw, he was very different and charming today. Was he really that grateful for receiving all these healing potions?
Well... it seems there are a lot more of these monsters outside, but none are heading our way. The night starts with some piercing damage and we will see what awaits us next.
Excerpt from Johan's Journal
So, we made it through the siege. More of those things were sighted, a big horde moving past us, so it's probably only going to be a matter of time until we meet those fuckers again. For now though, we had a bit of a breather to check the surroundings and start a preliminary expedition down the well. As expected, there was another old, abandoned dwarven outpost on the bottom of the shaft, similar to the other one we've been to.
We scavenged whatever was left to scavenge and made sure there were no immediate (hungry) surprises. This place might be our last refuge if shit really hits the fan, and while it's not too comfortable, those dwarves do build things to last.
While we were down in the hole, our scouting lizard and group happened upon a group of gith escorting some ex-guardsmen... somewhere. The poor sobs seemed to be in a trance or enchantment, they didn't even resist. Needless to say, manpower is a thing we were desperately in need of, so the rescue mission was a go!
It went a lot easier than expected; it seems the group already had a couple of fights behind them and we were basically just finishing it. Kashloo did some mind magic on the gith leader and the guy just spilled everything, completely dominated. I hoped that with Sammael on the other side of the world, this sort of deranged mind magic wouldn't be around anymore, but here it is.
I'm not sure how okay I am with that... killing a man is one thing, fiddling around with and enslaving his very mind like that... it scares me.
Anyway, apparently the gith are taking folks to be enhanced so they can fight against those abomination hordes... although my gut says that in this case the enemy of my enemy might not be my friend. Their leader, Annok (?) still remains near the breach on his flagship, so at least now we have a name and an eventual target.
These folks seem to be pretty hierarchical, so cutting off the head of the snake might be the way to end this situation... or at least buy us some time. Of course then again, there's this whole abomination issue.
As if we didn't have enough trouble yet with an extraplanar invasion.
Back in the under-outpost, we found a few more resources, an old mine still carrying metals and barrels of blasting powder and essence of fire, which we could maybe use to get those dwarvish carriages to move. Certainly wouldn't want to walk through the undertunnels to the other end of the world!
We did find out that meddling with the elemental forces of fire is not the safest thing in the world, but hey – where's the fun in tinkering if there's no threat of it blowing up in your face and summoning a creature made of pure fire, hm?
Excerpt from Claw's Journal
So where to start? We're underground and the tunnel just seems to go on forever. We walked for miles and miles and there was no end. This is a literal fucking nightmare.
We finally made our way back home and wouldn't ya know it, Eldric gone done did something fucked up. He opened the caskets that we didn't want to open because of undead sucking. Well he comes running at me all not out of breath and says something about my mum, and says I need to help him kill a vampire. Sure, why not right. Gotta clear out the cupboards of the guys who lived here eventually. Apparently he's already done one in, but when we get there, there's no body. An eyebrow was raised so we get Gorok to sniffer dog the shit out of the place with a toe I found to see if we can find it.
About 10 minutes later Gorok and Eldric come back claiming victory. Yay for them I suppose, and after a chat with Thane, Eldric is warned not to open casket number 2.
After a long night, and some weird watches that spotted many dead things chasing flying things, we met back up and summoned Reginold. I sent him on some tasks to find survivors (in the nearby village) and farming grounds (underground) and the farming grounds appear to exist. Happy days for us.
That about sums it up for my day anyway, I kind of banked a lot on getting more people here to defend so we could push out and see what could be done. Apparently though, Johann and Kashluu went and got the underground dwarf cart thing working and looks like we can probably get some quicker movement in the tunnels. Who knows where we're going next, but these walls are slowly becoming either my home or my tomb. It's too early to tell.
Inner thoughts of Gorok
"The horny female elf" has left, she said "The elf that smells wrong" needs her help. A bit after she left one of the humans comes in running telling that he has been scouting the area even when he should not. Gor Rok does not understand why scouting is bad but nobody says anything and the human tells that there is battle between humans and the wrong-nature humans with spikes and leeches. We all go quickly to find the battle and see if the normal humans are useful for survival...
They are useful for survival. They are not small or tiny like the others but medium sized, almost large like Gor Rok! The strongest fights like he is very angry, that is not always useful but he is strong and that means he is good for survival. We bring them back to cave building with their dead in tow. They burn the bodies in fire, such a great waste, but humans are weird sometimes...
"The strong one" tries to leave the cave building but Gor Rok stops him, Gor Rok sees that "The strong one" is not good at moving through an area and leaves many tracks. Now he asks if Gor Rok can teach him to move without tracks, Gor Rok tries but does not know how to teach the human that has no tail. The tail is very important in moving without leaving tracks.
"Sneaky human" finds pictures on dried skin and says it is very useful, Gor Rok does not know if pictures on a skin are useful at all, but the other humans say that it is.
Excerpt from Claw's Journal
Well, first of all, it could be said that the Keep is thriving. With a workforce underground planting, prepping for the long haul, a defensive system that the Empress herself would be proud of, and all of the utility we need to play out the rest of our lives just roaming the halls—like some weird roleplay metaverse where a really boring person tries to make his life interesting by playing a hero but just ends up simulating a house decoration system... or something. What's a simulation?
Anyway... we descended again into the endless nightmare that is that tunnel. Onto the horseless cart, trundling along. It was an uneventful first day, but the second day woke us right the fuck up.
Where to start? I fell asleep with Johann driving, and awoke to Eldric driving??!?!?! Panic ensued and Johann took over again, until we came across a similar cart to ours—but fucked. Well, this is where things get weird. There were shit tonnes of tiny little holes, so we sent Reginald down one. When he didn't come back, we ventured into a side cave that appeared to have formed off the path. Well, shit got real nasty in there. We fought off some nasty buggy-looking mother fuckers and killed them all, including the queen. They seemed to almost know what it was that we were going to do as they tried to communicate... Well, now I have her head, and it shall serve as a warning to the next batch of slack-jawed monstrosities that we stumble across.
Cracking on, we drove for what seemed like a week—but was probably only a day (how do you tell the time down here, Jesus?)—and we came across a break in the road. Shouty McRage Pants and the lizard rolled another broken cart into the magma to try and build a bridge for me to run over... ’cause that was gonna happen.
Well, Johann, the clever man that he is, took a run and jump off the wall and I thought he might die... nope. Slippery bastard was wearing his slippers. Over the ceiling he ran and set up some rope to grab a gem-looking thing, which he managed to hook up a pulley system to so the lizard could drag it closer. Would you believe dragging it closer actually fixed the road? So that’s fixed... and there are some similar-looking structures in the distance that need checking out, but the bodies on this side of what was the break are in Gith armour?
Excerpt from Eldric's Journal
Broke the magic orb, met a nice skeleton named Thaeddeus. And his nice armor, Shonk.
Thaeddeus has apparently been here for a few thousand years. He gave us some information on the last time the world split, and how the dwarves sealed it using the runes... which one of we broke.
I did manage to find some books in the library that might help us.
We've been given some gifts from Thaeddeus, including Shunk. Shunk/Chrunk will follow us on our crusade.
We've proceeded to the magical barrier, and we found some weird snake bitches.
Excerpt from Aleron "Skullcrusher"'s Journal
Bah, obviously I don't have a diary and will never use one, but if I did write an entry I guess it would look like this:
We encountered some old snake dude with a barrier. He was trying to keep other snake people and snake bones out. To pass through we told him to drop this magicka and just let us kill those on the other side. And so we did. The wall expanded and disappeared, leaving a big space that wasn't there before between us and the snakes.
Immediately some annoying smoke appeared, making it hard to see what's going to happen. In the end it didn't matter. The snakes did their hocus pocus and made lightning appear and that's about it. Those were pathetic creatures... Why do you need a barrier for useless filth like that?
The small iron can decided he wanted to go into that room that appeared when the space expanded to get a reward for helping the useless old snake man. He came out with some bracers and we continued our long journey on the horseless wagon.
The small bearded one seemed upset and threw the bracers onto me. I'm not sure what he might have been thinking, but I assume he wanted them to do something they weren't doing. Honestly his reliance on tools and trinkets will get him killed. One has to be strong on their own and not become complacent with their items.
Anyway don't mind my words, this is just an imaginary diary entry after all hahahar. I did end up wearing the bracers and they do feel protective.
So after another long time without anything happening we encountered another of those blue magic begone pearls in a collapsed part of this place. Before having a chance to check it out some smartass mandible-faced thing crawled out of the wall and thought it could surprise attack me. Pah... as if.
So me and the big lizard friend were fighting a bunch further ahead while the other guys were in some smoke again. What's going on with all this annoying smoke? Who the heck keeps doing this. I'm glad I wasn't inside, that just seems annoying above all else.
After dealing with those crawlies we destroyed the shiny orb and what happened next is a chapter for another time.
Excerpt from Claw's Journal
It feels like we've been in these tunnels forever. They just go on and on and on and on and on. With every day, a new encounter. Well, this time Shug didn't make it. And I very nearly might not make it... let's back up a little.
We finished off killing those Umber Hulks, did the thing with the crystal and closed the gap... so now we can drive again. Until we stumble across some fire elemental and his friends. We dispatch them and carry on. Until we see a massive fire elemental in armor with shields.
Well shit, let me tell you, things got pretty nasty in this fight. I might even die. However, Gorok is flying around with Johan on his back doing some kind of aerial attack maneuver, and they are coming towards me... they could save me!
Excerpt from Johann's Journal
So that's what open skies look like – it's been a while. (Shame they are literally open, stupid hole in the sky!)
We finally made it through the underways, all the way from Astrea to Agu-Tsol. It got kinda close there for a bit though... those elemental fire creatures just didn't die fast enough – go figure! I still wonder why those creatures were there – was the elemental forge placed there as some sort of protection measure, like elemental guard dogs? Was it created to stop the dwarves travelling?
In the end it doesn't matter much – the roads should be relatively safe for now, which means we can establish a proper network for survivors and fighters between the cities. We were even greeted by Zaluu, our old dragon friend!
I'd say it was nice seeing Sammael again, but he looked like he needed more than a couple of nights of good sleep. I can't fault the elf, he is one of the few people who could figure out how to deal with this mess, but it certainly doesn't seem to do good things for his mental health. Khashluu on the other hand seems a lot better adjusted – flying around the open sky probably does that for you.
Now here's the good and bad news – we might be able to close the tear in the sky – but it'll probably have to be done from the inside. But to get there we'll have to get one of those Gith airships working again – and for that we need some working parts... guess who'll have to go fetch those from a live airship. Things are never easy, eh?
At least uncle Gustav seems to be alright – now if I could only find a way to figure out how the rest of the family are doing... I know there's more important things right now, but... it's hard to focus.
Well, we're off to talk to Raasmorn – maybe he has some pointers where to go next.
Extracted from Graeme's session notes
It all began when we were rudely woken up — nothing unusual these days, but still annoying. The old man showed up again, dragging us out of whatever passed for sleep. Naturally, we ended up in some makeshift bar. Familiar backdrop, same stale ale.
And then — a halfling! The entrepreneurial instinct kicked in: clearly, this one was born to be sold to first-class types for a tidy profit. Some of us immediately began quietly working out how one might go about abducting a halfling in a post-Gith society. Purely hypothetical, of course.
The old man tried to roofie Stumpy. It didn’t work, but instead, Stumpy got high on what we’ve dubbed "magic cocaine" and started reading absolutely everything in sight. Knowledge overload initiated.
Next step: find the bard. Stumpy located him and asked for help translating the book. Maybe the bard could read it without a magical high. Just as things got interesting, the old man vanished — no surprise, really — but turned out he just wandered off.
Stumpy, ever the intellectual, gave Johan the full book club summary. Then, with theatrical flair, read passages of his newfound bestseller aloud to him. Moose, meanwhile, mistook everything for *Battlestar Trek* lore, calling the Gith “Sith” unironically.
As expected, Stumpy pushed for another life-threatening mission. Day off? Never heard of it. Even on this "safe" island, he was already planning our next demise.
Tabitha arrived, and Stumpy achieved tripod status. For self-care, he reportedly indulges in bath bombs and an occasional manscape — a cultured man beneath the chaos.
We met some wizards and asked them to locate someone. The DM paused for dramatic reading. Moose backed up Squish — but only for a mysterious future favor. WELCOME TO ELDRICK LAND, indeed.
The wizards came through: Johan used a crystal ball and tripped absolute balls, seeing his mother. Apparently, she’s holed up in the old spider-infested cave we used as a base. Initial fears declared Reginald dead, but it turns out he’s alive… and has a new hat.
Stumpy has apparently ascended to nobility. Meanwhile, Eldrick’s voice — after 100+ sessions — underwent a metamorphosis and now belongs to a British army officer. Culture shock ensued.
Steve the Cook is now a living legend — a hero among devils and men alike. Claw, seeking answers, put on the ring to follow the old man. Surprise: the old man could see him. Claw, unaware, blamed “magic bullshit” for being spotted and instead followed a guard.
The current mission: obtain a power core for an airship or negotiate with the Gith. Eldrick? He doesn’t do things. He bends reality. If he doesn’t see it, it doesn’t happen. Moose, still a mimic in both voice and form, had a brief accent crisis but eventually returned to his native Scottish.
Lynx is now considered a dirty cheater with his uncanny use of *locate creature*. Meanwhile, Gorok took flight, and someone started humming the *Jaws* theme as tension rose.
Eldrick’s accent has migrated again — possibly Shetland? John o’ Groats? No one’s sure anymore. Even Mjolnir has been renamed to “Mjelneeeeer” for added drama.
Apparently, we need to work with the Gith to fight the Sorrowspawn. Then we’ll sit around a fire, sing kumbaya, and — according to some — possibly procreate. We’ve somehow lost the angry guy (again), but silver seems to be key, and the Gith are allegedly very into it.
So the plan? Make friends with the bad guys. What could possibly go wrong?
Excerpt from Kashluu's Journal
While grabbing breakfast, I ran into a strange old traveler — ancient, really. There was something about him… even my heart reacted. He seemed timeless, as though he'd walked this world for countless generations. He knew things, you could tell, but he wasn't interested in sharing. That in itself is curious. I wonder if we’ll cross paths again.
Later, having recently mastered flight myself, it felt only fair to help the others take to the skies — albeit with the help of Gith technology. Eldrick gave one of the massive dragonfly-like constructs a spark, and it hummed to life briefly. I stepped in and flooded it with lightning — far more than any dwarf could manage — and it worked! The machine roared to life. We even took it for a test flight, during which Johann, predictably, almost crashed and started launching fire at random. Glorious chaos. Still, it’ll come in handy when we inevitably have to board one of the massive Gith airships.
Oh, and apparently Gorok can swim through the air now — don’t ask. Also, these flying machines have a self-destruct mechanism. Probably should've checked the runes before letting Johann mess with the controls. Luckily, he showed surprising restraint by not pulling every lever like an overexcited toddler.
Turns out, we didn’t even need to fly ourselves. The dragons — generous as they are — offered us a lift to one of the incoming Gith vessels. Once aboard, we attempted diplomacy. A mistake, perhaps. The Gith were predictably arrogant, stuck in their superiority complex, obsessed with war and control. Their disdain was palpable, and for a moment, I considered ending the conversation with a blade instead of words.
I held back. Barely. Let the others have their say. Maybe something will come of it. If not... well, there’s always next time.
Extracted from Lynx's session notes
Yooo bros, what’s up? Quick update on last week — and let me tell you, it was totally radical, man. Like, full-on bonkers bananas. So here’s the scoop:
We rolled back into town after chatting with those dudes in the sky-boats (pretty sure those things catch some gnarly tailwinds). We were just kickin’ back, talking about maybe bailing to go check on Johann’s mom — ya know, priorities — when, boom, bad vibes. Some not-cool hombre sent out the worst kind of party invites and summoned a bunch of stinky jerks. No lie, these guys needed serious manscaping and a personality upgrade.
So of course, we jumped in to crash the party — gotta protect the town and all — but then more weirdos showed up. These ones had horns, tails, and a familiar vibe — looked kinda like our tiefling dudette, but with wings. Apparently, they were also trying to stop the smelly party-dude, but they attacked us first. Total jerks, man. Not very team-player of them.
Anyway, they folded like bad origami when the real bad dudes showed up — some fiend types with serious halitosis and worse attitudes. The tiefling bros dipped, and we squared off with the fiends. Told ‘em to take their drama elsewhere, but they were like, “Nah bro, we’re staying,” so we made them leave. It got real — like King Kong-in-the-background real.
Then The Dude showed up. And let me tell you, this guy was not cool. He was on fire, literally, and started bullying our horned dudette. So naturally, we all jumped him. Mid-chaos, the big King Kong creature pulled a power move and turned The Dude into a tiny turtle. Then Claw went full collector mode and stuffed the turtle and a glowing crossbow into his pouch — which exploded. Total bogus pain, man.
The fiery not-so-Dude turned out to be a Balor — yikes — but now he’s hopefully gone for good. And we live to ride another wave, bros. Stay gnarly.
Excerpt from Eldric's Journal
The dust-covered tome I found has started revealing its secrets. Buried within its brittle pages are hints and fragments — enough to suggest it might hold the key to advancing our quest. But the language it’s written in? Utterly baffling. None of us could recognize it. A few words stand out like familiar faces in a foreign crowd, but the rest is gibberish to our eyes.
I've dispatched Reginald to uncover the truth — to find out what language this might be. If anyone can track down a linguistic clue in this world, it’s him.
Meanwhile, Johann stumbled into something... unexpected. Some hellish marketplace run by demons and fiends, hawking bizarre wares in exchange for some strange, otherworldly currency. He managed to escape their clutches with a slice of cake, of all things. Free cake. In hell. Go figure.
We've left the humid, lazy warmth of the tropics behind, trading sweat for frost. Now, we find ourselves once again in the frozen reaches of the North, returning to our old hideout. It’s familiar — cold, but oddly comforting. Here, amidst the snow and stone, we've reunited with Johann’s parents. There’s a sense of grounding in seeing them again. A reminder of why we fight — and what we stand to lose.
After Kashluu rejoined us at the old hideout, we finally took the time to speak with the professor. His news was both promising and troubling. If we wanted access to the long-lost Mage's Tower, we’d need a spell scroll — specifically one with a Demiplane-type spell. Only then could he attempt the modifications needed to create a bridge between our realm and whatever pocket dimension the tower had slipped into.
With our new goal in mind, we scoured the arcane caches left behind by the resistance. No luck. But there was one last place to try — the old ambush site where the resistance had struck hard against enemy forces in the past. It was remote, grim, and likely picked clean... but it was all we had.
As we arrived, the wind had a strange bite to it, colder than it should’ve been. Something felt wrong. That feeling was justified within moments. The corpses scattered across the field — we thought them old and harmless — began to stir. Their twisted limbs jerked unnaturally, rising into nightmarish forms: Sorrowsworn.
The battle was swift, brutal, and panicked. We fought with everything we had. Eldric, in a flash of divine fury, unleashed critical smites that should have torn the lead abomination apart. But nothing happened. It didn’t flinch. It didn’t bleed. It just kept coming. That was when the true horror set in — this thing was immune to all our attacks, and we had no idea how to stop it.
One by one we faltered, bloodied and breathless. The group’s collective health was hanging by a thread — single digits, maybe less. Death loomed. We were a single turn away from complete annihilation.
And then came Claw.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his stance unwavering even as the creature towered over him. He didn’t speak — he never needed to — but the message was clear: Run. He would buy us time.
With blade and fire, he danced with the Sorrowsworn. Every strike he made, every parry, was paid in blood. But he held the line, alone, while the rest of us scrambled to recover, to escape, to survive.
It was a losing fight, and we all knew it. But Claw made it cost the creature dearly. His final moments weren’t ones of despair — they were defiant. He fell, surrounded in flame and fury, eyes locked with the monster he refused to bow to. A warrior's death, if ever there was one.
There was no time to grieve properly. But in our hearts, he rose like his namesake — a phoenix, soaring into whatever afterlife would dare house a soul like his. RIPH — Rest in Phoenix Heaven (or Hell).
Excerpt from Johan's Journal
On our search for a spell scroll on an old battlefield, we encountered a previously unseen kind of Sorrowsworn, which appeared to rise from a mass grave of fallen corpses. The creature emitted a terrible aura that seemed to dampen the morale of everyone nearby and drew power from its slain allies.
The fight quickly turned dire, and we were forced into a tactical retreat after suffering significant damage. Fortunately, we received unexpected support from a halfling who arrived at a critical moment and helped stabilize the situation. The halfling, later identified as one Todd Bellwood, proved himself a capable ally.
As we regrouped, Khashluu was able to finish the creature off from a distance using his formidable ranged abilities. Upon returning to headquarters, we were debriefed and informed that—thanks to Mr. Bellwood's assistance—we might be able to magically transport ourselves to the long-lost mage tower in Mariturris, our intended destination.
We burned the corpses of the fallen to prevent any further corruption and took time to rest and recover. Now, we set our sights on the site of the mage tower, determined to complete our mission.
The sky is clear and there are many stars visible from outside the headquarters. Despite the bitter cold, it's almost a nice evening.
Almost.
I guess deep down we all knew that the life of adventuring would take its toll at some point in time. Hell, we've all taken our share of bad injuries and skirted around death a few times. But maybe, after everything we've been through, we put that thought in the back of our minds, buried deep under stress, confidence, and too many other things to worry about.
At first, I didn't even realize when Claw went limp. Usually, he gets up for another round of slashing and stabbing. Usually, he just puts the beret back on his head in that weird, slightly crooked imperial kind of way. This time he didn't. He just... lay there.
I might have died there too, if not for some well-placed stone walls by our dragon-y sorceress. I dimly remember being turned into a giant ape (so that's what that feels like! Can't say that's an experience I needed to have!) and picking up the body. It felt so small and light in the giant, fur-covered hand...
But even when the spell faded and we had to walk all the way back to the headquarters... there is a weird difference between a living body and a dead one. It is both lighter and so much heavier than you would expect.
It had an effect on the morale of the resistance people as well. I guess when you only hear the stories and don't realize how close some of our calls were, you'd believe us to be immortal instead of just lucky most of the time.
Well, that illusion has been shattered thoroughly.
Claw was never the most tan of people (probably a side-effect of habitually sticking to the shadows), but this... object that used to be my friend is paler than any creature should be. Even without many actual injuries visible from the outside, there is no mistaking the damage that must have been caused by the psychic assault of that creature.
I wonder how Eldric takes it? Does he blame himself for not being able to revive him? I don't — after such a hard battle it is a wonder any of us could still stand, and he certainly took as heavy a pounding as any of us. I've noticed him talking to many of the folks in headquarters to help them with their worries and grief, and probably also with his own. It's a side we rarely see, well hidden behind a boisterous front of "smash first and ask later". It is good to see there is still a compassionate heart inside that rough dwarven shell, even after all this.
I still remember a few things (this shouldn't be surprising, as we've only been adventuring for a few years, but when so much happens, things are easy to forget).
The first time I've really seen Claw be passionate, when he told us his story in the Imperium and how we had to go there to reclaim the throne for the Empress.
The pure joy after finishing the trials of the phoenix god, bringing back the Empress and gaining that flaming sword of his.
Him showing up some folks that thought they were sneaky with a well-deserved amount of smugness.
His ridiculous dislike of ships — especially flying ones — and him tying himself to the mast for fear of falling off the side.
And just the times we bumbled about like morons and did some stupid shit or another.
Damn it.
I'd like to think that, having fulfilled his mission to restore his homeland, he can rest peacefully now.
I'd like to think that whatever benevolent burning fire gods there are, they will take care of their champions and keep them well and content.
And I know the world is a better place now, because of my friend's efforts and sacrifices.
I just wish I didn't have to think that.
I just wish my friend wasn't dead.
From the scribblings of Gorok
Finally, we got to fight some normal-ish food, although there were rocks and some metallic bits mixed in with the munchables.
The fat halflings put up a good fight, and the metallic halfling was especially dangerous. He managed to keep me or Eldric—the fat halfling—from helping Johann and the regular halfling, who were pinned by some rather reckless chungus halflings. At some point, there was a rock creature that was flying, but that didn’t last.
It feels good to be hasted by the horned elf, as it makes me very fast and agile. It allows me to chomp on a lonely fat halfling who is far from the fight and still make it back to the center of trouble in the blink of an eye.
After the fight and after the regular halfling had his rest (it seems like he doesn’t really look like he’s used to fighting—must not be from the Empire), he opened the gate to this tower we were supposed to go to.
I do not understand how a couple of stone islands floating in the middle of a sea of nothing is a tower, but I don’t really know what these not-for-eating people call a tower.
From the Diary of Eldric
After quite a bit of trial and error, we solved the puzzle by activating the lever three times.
Treekin attacked us, though we managed to bypass the majority of them.
We've encountered that horrible creature that killed Claw. It appears killable here; however, it keeps changing shape into the most horrifying creatures we've seen.
Excerpt from Johan's Journal
There were more nightmares – a mindflayer and two dinosaurs, one alive and another dead. And for good measure, that fucking shadow dragon from that weird magic item dream! Those wizards sure have their defenses set up properly – but honestly, could they not have added an exception for old friends??
On the next platform, another illusion tried to get under our skin. By then, we were pretty done with all those magic shenanigans and mostly refused to engage with the two illusion beholders there. While that was probably not the intention that test was going for, the results were apparently good enough to let us continue.
The further into this weird plane we got, the more it looked as if the interior of the tower was just spread all over on floating islands. We'd soon find out that this plane was on its last breaths.
We finally got inside the main room – or what was left of it. It looked like a huge library, but it was covered in dead mages… and some sorrowsworn. All those wizards, including the Archmagus, died protecting a secret room, where Kalen was. For a moment it looked as if he was... Well, he seems to be alright, but still asleep and separated from his soul form.
But our mission wasn't fruitless! We did find a chest containing a book and a scroll. If the wizards guarded this so desperately, it might be just the thing to defeat the invaders! Apparently, it has something to do with the "New Dawn," whatever the heck that means. Maybe the wizards can find out more about that. My priority is to make sure Kalen can get back into his body.
On our way out, the whole place was falling apart – just in time, because everywhere sorrowsworn were swarming into the plane, including those huge mosquito-looking buggers. I hope they all got annihilated when the tower plane got sucked into the void!
Upon our return, we teleported straight back to Agu-Tsol to inform everyone about the new developments and to find some wizards to help with Kalen. That old diviner that helped me earlier came in handy once more, thankfully.
We might be one step closer to finding a solution to this weird invasion, but gods, I wish I could just sleep for three days. Somehow, I feel like that won't be an option though. Ah well, we can rest when we're dead. Not before.
An excerpt from the book Todd is writing in his downtime, titled "How did I get here? The Todd Bellwood Story":
After speaking to several wizards, and someone that was clearly a warlock and couldn't have been anything else, we went to sleep in the magic tavern. Upon waking, we spoke with the peoples of this place, and the dragons, and it was decided that we would go to the Imperium. I just wanted to go home.
On arriving in the Imperium, there was a strange lack of people for a city this size. Everything empty and in ruin. Closing in on the palace we spotted a flying ball of flame just after the gate. Gorok climbed the wall to find a group of archers and they greeted him with a hail of arrows. I was then not introduced to the one called Selene. Johann informed Selene about the fall of Claw and what our plans were going forward. From here, we carried on towards the Great Wound (Kashi).
This place feels weird. It seems magic doesn't work right here. It's as though magic is drained so anything that should last longer than six seconds... just doesn't. From here, we need to find what I believe to be an altar or ritual spot, or center of the power so we can inform the Gith of the company's progress to removing the sorrow spawn from this realm...
So moving along the ridge, we came across a fallen rock. Gorok decided to climb over it, setting off some kind of landslide. I bamfed out of there right quick. I'm not dying here.
After pushing on, everyone still mostly intact, we came across what seemed like small bridges of stone that had some dwarves placed about... I bet you can tell how this went?
The dwarves were from the Black Clan. Eldric tried to have a conversation with them, so you probably know how that went. It went about as diplomatically as three barbarians trying to decide who gets the last mug of ale.
One short fight, and an accidental death of a prisoner on my part later — which may or may not have been a horrific waste of a spell — and here we are. The center, covered in chains.
From the scribblings of Gorok
The place Gor Rok is in is weird. There are bland statues with rotating wrists, glowing eyes, and a bell sound, and a tree with a skeleton hiding a chest. The chains and pillars don't move, but the sphere in the middle reacts to magic — though barely.
The chest, retrieved by the halfling with the loud noise bag and the "loud" suitcase, has writing on it that rotates. It apparently spells out different things in different languages. Gor Rok didn’t know writing could work like that.
The snackling — Gor Rok means halfling — opens the chest. It has many pieces of paper in it along with small trinkets. Gor Rok does not know what they mean.
We leave the place and return to the empire lady to tell her about something, but not all things. We tell her to send non-magic people to watch over the weird place.
We return to Agu Tzol to talk to more people and to find the knife-eared Gith.
Excerpt from Kashluu's Journal
We were tasked with charging some crystals with lightning magic, though I’m not entirely sure why.
So we headed out into the jungle to a ritual site that has been used for that purpose. To charge the crystals, we had to place them on top of pylons, where they would begin to float. Then, storm elementals needed to be summoned at the altar and killed close to the pylons.
And so we did just that. I summoned a bunch of elementals and quickly rushed over to the group as we fought wave after wave. Unfortunately, the crystals seem to lose charges if there aren’t enough elementals, so I had to keep summoning more.
Eventually, I must have misspoken during one of the incantations, and a huge number of elementals were summoned — which promptly combined into a massive storm creature.
We better have a whole lot of crystals ready for when this thing dies... if we don’t bite the dust before that.
This thing is so dangerous, it made me feel like an actual dragon when I spewed poison at it with the power of Khashluu. For now, we seem to be holding on, though all of us are taking significant damage — and Todd is hiding in a hamster ball.
From the scribblings of Gorok
More foul and hellish invaders barge into my jungle thinking they own the place — the audacity. The Yuan-ti failed to tame the jungle, and so shall these new beasts of hell learn and pay the price for their insolence.
The Fiend hides within the tower while his minions die to our attacks in the dark. Their Khashluu-like leader escapes, soon followed by his master. I have no intention of listening to their foul words.
The mad elf says the tower is useful for us to move quickly between places. This is good, for we are running out of time.
ps. ask the halfling to give you a bigger room with bigger doors and some jungle trees in his magic house
So, today was a weird day. Suddenly our heads filled with background information and lore from a land that we suddenly knew more about.
Anyway, there's forest everywhere and we seem to be in the land of were-creatures. Werepigs, werewolves... there's probably a weresquirrel at this rate. Some nice druidy-looking chap is escorting us through the endless trees and he seems to have a pair of owlbears on speed dial, which comes in handy. Plus, these guys hate magic because it might attract the bads...
So the mansion is out of the question... I am LIVID... fucking tents and sleeping bags... what's next? We start eating moss like savages? Time will tell.
Excerpt from Kashluu's Journal
We dealt with a horde of sorrowspawn barring the road through some old ruins after a joyful reunion of Eldric, the gang, and me. It's a little irritating that I couldn't fly since some strange magical barrier was blocking my progress once more. During the battle, one of those massive insect-like creatures emerged and continued to toss additional creatures at us. During the combat, nothing really happened until Eldric was harpooned across the roaring torrent below, but he easily escaped and we continued to slaughter the monsters.
After that, the druid showed us an altar and urged us to pray to nature, since we were going to enter a region known as a place of unleashed nature, where everything is working against us. This is going to be a pain in the neck once more. It's a vast swampland, and we can't even eat our rations since anything brought in from the outside appears to decay immediately. Over the trees, there is also a heavy layer of fog. I'm hoping we can just deal with it and get out of here soon. All of these locations and their trials, in my opinion, are becoming ridiculous. How come such were created by the people of the past, or whoever was responsible for them, so often. To them, it had to have been some strange sport or some sick joke or something.
At least I managed to cook something out of the moss and plants around here and it was very nice.
Calm and professional is what we need to be. Calm, and professional. When the world serves you lemons, you allow others to drink the zest while you aid in the production of the lemonade. Fighting these sorrow people from a distance really does seem to work sometimes. Just let the warriors take care of it while you hang back and reap the benefits.
But, once again here we are without the use of the mansion. These long excursions into forest and swamp with nowhere warm to sleep and nothing good to eat are a massive upset to both my mentality, and my bowels. Nothing I eat sits right and nowhere I sleep feels safe....
.... and now, there's even bigger monsters to deal with. Giant stone troll things or horrors that want to use my body as some kind of flesh shoulder pad... well not today I say. Today, I say get squarely to fu.......
Oh and Johan is a werewolf or something now
Excerpt from Eldric's Journal
So it turns out Johann doesn't quite have a grip on the wolf thing yet, as he tried to eat me during the night. Good thing he's just as easy to take down in wolf form as he is normally.
After this debacle of a night we found these elven ruins. Quite magnificent stone work if I may say. As we ventured further into the ruins we found some constructs that quite looked like our beloved but short-lived friend Shug. So obviously we ventured farther in. And it's at this point we encountered a friendly Lich. Or so we thought. After an almost successful attempt at diplomacy, it ended the usual way it does for us: in combat. We defeated the Lich after a short stint of combat. The Lich did seem surprised at the fact we knew Thaddeius and his constructs.
I don't know if it's blood fury or the combat rush but the rest of the day is hazy. I'll have to take a peek at Johann's journal to remember what we did the rest of the day.
Where to begin... by the gods that insect-looking thing was terrifying. After fighting it for a while, while the others took care of Wendy Golds, it froze me solid and dragged me away, far away to a large ruined building. At this point I assume the party survived and finished off Wendy and her weird fetish for coldness. This is where I was subjugated to the worst kind of torture there is... monologuing.
The Lich is back and I've named him Gerald. He doesn't know this as he has gagged me, but he wants revenge. And he told me his 12 easy steps to world domination. I didn't pay attention to most of it but I remember something about 2 virgins, 13 noblemen, and 417 eggs of ostrich... or was it legs of the rich? Meh, who knows.
I assume that during my time having to listen to the absolute nonsense that the lich was spewing, my friends were trying to find a way to save me. At least I hope they were. The lich is going to keep me alive until my friends come, and an eternity with this fool would just be horrific levels of torture.
I met a spider during my time in captivity. I named him Terry. I imagine my friends would be outside round about now, trying to find a way into the ruins that contain me. Terry had an older brother named Mcvitty, but I stood on him accidentally. My binds are loose now and I can come and go as I please. I don't want to push my luck and get caught though. I wouldn't want to wet myself again.
I can hear voices in the hall that are just out of range to hear what is being said, but it sounds sarcastic so it must be Gorok! I shouted to him to speak up and the insect monster descended from the ceiling. Not hanging about, I dimension doored the fuck out of there. And now I'm center stage, between my friends and Gerald. I miss my mansion.
From the scribblings of Gorok
The lich is dead, again. Hopefully for good this time. The battle was hard, as it seems that the metal golems took all the damage from the undead, so they had to be killed whilst I tried to keep the lich under a silence spell, as it looked like it was taking measures against the halfling and his counterspells. I have to admit that this fight would have been easier if a certain fat halfling didn't constantly fall into portals, seeing that all the enemies in this throne room were extremely deadly.
We found plenty of trinkets and Kahsluu was identifying them when the tower started to collapse. After she shook off the shock of the falling rubble, she teleported us to the place we fought the skulled frost monsters.
While we were thinking of resting, I—and it seems Johann as well—smelled many beasts surrounding us, as if guiding us towards the very place we entered this swamp for to begin with. After talking to one of the owlbears that we met before, they gave my companions a ride towards the ritual site.
There it is. I can sense it. The purpose of my being. The essence of nature in this place is overwhelming. I can sense her intentions. Something bad is coming, and she doesn’t intend to stand idly by and die. She is going to fight, and I am her champion now, blessed with her mightiest weapon.
I am Nature’s Wrath, and I will hunt those who threaten her.
Excerpt from the Diary of Eldric
As I suddenly reappeared with the group, we were curious to figure out what was following the dead bugbear. Turns out it's sorrowspawn. And mosquitoes. That can spawn them.
We fought them for a while before we decided to do what all brave heroes do eventually—run away. We teleported to what appeared to be Costa Del Sol, to our great surprise.
We're finally back to some level of civilization and I for one am excited. There's taverns and food and people and food and taverns and food.
Kashluu said something about going to speak to an old dragon about another really old dragon whose name sounded like Kashluu. So that's fun.
Mr Docht went to speak to Kalen. Mr Lizard went and added skulls to his body, as lizards are wont to do, I suppose.
Me, I went off to a tavern to get shitfaced. That was a stressful month and god damn have I earned it. I met this strange individual who had a lot of questions about Kashluu for some reason. Turns out she's worth some money to some bounty hunters. As am I... not sure what that's about though. The only person who would want to put money on me is dead.
Anywho, with some quick thinking and skillful deception I convinced the bounty hunter I was inviting her into the mansion, when BAM... feebleminded the temptress. Johan, Kashluu, and Gorok all seemed rather taken aback by this. So we went to Samael to get answers from her warped, fragile little mind. I've not seen her since. I hope she's happier in life now that I've made things less complex for her...
We then went to see Tabitha, to help us scry on more bounty hunters. Seems like a massive intrusion of privacy but who am I to say.
There was an open mic night reading from the book of the lich. Edge of your seat stuff that you wouldn't have wanted to miss.
From the scribblings of Gorok
We have gone off in search of the artefact for Kashluu, and the first thing we find are chew toys... I mean undead with some sort of draconic humanoid (not dragonborn) who attacked us on sight. Bad move on their part there.
We found their village and Kashluu tried to use her authority to get some answers but she is too small for that. I wasn't really listening — there was something about a Kashluu already being on the island we arrived at, and there was an actual dragon roar from the mountains that apparently was the actual Kashluu. I was more interested in the winged draconic humanoids that had an unnatural touch to them. They were to dragons what Yuan-ti are to snakes. I might want to kill them soon.
We left the village for the mountains in haste as it seems that both Johann and Kashluu were terrified of a human woman, which is weird. We found more undead that actually managed to strike Eldric down, but we killed them before they could finish him.
We found a cave and beyond that, a burial site behind the nearby waterfall. It's a bit tight for me to move around there, but seeing as the undead were coming in from there we decided to look for the source...
Excerpt from Johann's journal
Seriously, what is it with weird cults, summoning circles, evil rituals and underground dungeons?
I mean, sure, it is adequately sinister looking, but it is just so... inconvenient!
We went into the secret hideout, behind a waterfall on dragon-supremacist-island. From where we stood, we could see a circle of wizards, chanting and doing general wizard-stuff. Those damned skeleton knights were there as well – pack a hell of a punch, they do!
We decided on a two-pronged attack, and it went reasonably well... Those wizards though... they kept summoning more and more skeletons — you'd think they would run out of bones, but nope.
To add insult to injury, they also created this giant magical vortex around them. No way to get a shot through there, so close combat was the word of the day. Not going to lie, once or twice, it did look a bit dicey, with those dead knights just absolutely dumping the hurt on my friends. In the end, we prevailed (how else would you read these notes, dear reader?), but it still just feels like the tip of the iceberg.
Half-dragon necromancers working for the scary big dragon lady. The End of the World still looming overhead. A race against time to find some mystical artifacts so we don't disintegrate out of existence...
What could go wrong, eh?
From the scribblings of Gorok
We have moved on after a good rest and bringing the Todd, as Johann says it, "up to speed" — oh, and the fat halfling is also back.
Whatever those magicians were doing in the burial ruins, it was unnatural and I find it appropriate that we ended their ritual.
We have continued on the path to the top of the mountain, where Kashluu says an ancient temple lies, and have found another obstacle made of bone and dragon flesh. However, they seemed to be a far smaller threat than their numbers would have suggested. The narrow path bunched them all up and the Todd showed his prowess against the undead yet again. I must admit the halfling has proven to be far more than just emergency rations, and seems far braver than he looks.
One of the dragon-men seemed to try to call for aid during the fight from Kashluu — although I do not know if it was our Kashluu he was asking for help from — none came. The piles of bones we saw behind the walls seemed to suggest that maybe our efforts at the burial ruins had something to do with their misfortunate lack of succour. They fell fast onto our weapons with little hope of reprieve.
Ultimately, we arrived at the dilapidated shrine of Kashluu, which she seems to know like she’s been here her whole life, finding hidden secrets. Yet the "hoard" eludes us, as opening the entryway to it seems to be bound to a key of some sort that is flying about above us in the sky...
Excerpt from Johann's journal
So, we finally arrived at the shrine to Kashluu — the original, much beefier one.
We've fought dragons before, even a really big black one, but this one was something else. The dragon seemed to almost glow with the power underneath its green scales. But something was definitely wrong.
This one seemed a lot less aggressive than the last ones we met — and later on it turned out that it just wanted to die, to avoid being brought under the thrall of Lady Tiana.
Oh. Yeah. She also showed up, with her own personal escort of draconic soldiers, chanting and casting. Those necromantic rituals we got rid of were apparently also keeping her away, so good job us — again!
Kashluu (our own gloomy one) seemed a bit drained at the start, but once we killed the big guy, she seemed to have recovered. One more artifact powered up!
Of course, Tiana pissed right off before we could do anything (or more realistically, before she could do something horrible to us).
Maybe she was never really there in the first place, who knows.
No time to wonder about that though... Clock's ticking, and there's still much work to do.
From the scribblings of Gorok
We didn't spend long after we got back to Agu-tzol, for time is of the essence and we cannot afford to waste it.
After a night's rest and instructions to the wizards, we teleported back to the underground tunnels where we first met the walking skeleton Thaddeus to seek his knowledge about the soulbound forge. While he shared what little he knew, it seems we are not the only guests he has had in a while.
They are the small ones that Eldricc calls the Black Clan, and they have been asking about powerful creatures that they are trying to capture for some yet unknown plan. After capturing one of their scouts, we found out we have also become a priority target for them due to our constant clashes.
It's obvious that they are expecting us at the soulforge, and we have to prepare our own trap for them to end their meddling once and for all.
After discussing a bit and having Thaddeus scry on the dwarves he met who were excavating something, we decided to teleport to the forge before the dwarves made it there.
On arrival, we were met with many surprised spirits of some sort that, after combat started, obviously set us on fire and attacked us with many fire spells and attacks that managed to down Todd. But the cold damage did seem especially effective against them, so we managed to defeat them and help Todd before it was too late.
Whilst Johann, who wasn't hurt badly in the fight, went to investigate the rest of the place, we took a rest and took a better look at our immediate surroundings.
The river of glowing liquid looks useful and indeed improves our weapons if dipped into it, and they also glow dimly. The cave entrance where the river of glowing liquid comes from seems to have odd properties, as things turn invisible in it while the dipped items turn ethereal, and some sort of odd time phenomenon increases deeper in the cave, slowing down time or something similar.
We can also hear the dwarves digging through the tunnels, and Eldricc's estimate is that they'll be through the walls in only a few hours. We must rest and then set up an ambush and stop these Black Clan munchkins from hindering our plans.
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
To gain an advantageous position before the Black Dwarven scum appeared, I fortified the bridges with some walls to hide behind. Eldric stood ready at the entrance to the bridge, Gorok hid at the soon-to-be exit, and the rest of us were ready behind the walls.
Soon the dwarves—and even some of those tortured spikehead dwarves—appeared and were dealt with pretty easily, even though Eldric managed to get hit a lot. He must be particularly weak to fighting other dwarves. Johann and Gorok threw some of those nasty guys into the glowing fluid, which caused them to scream in agony for a while… and then they leapt out for a last attack before dying for good. Not a pretty end.
In the end, a former prisoner of the Black Clan appeared and seems to be associated with Todd. As it turns out, he is the other half of Todd’s business ventures… and he is not happy about the order of their names. Really makes you wonder why Todd even kept using his former partner’s name in the first place instead of just his… These small people just think differently, I guess.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
Welp. Todd's old business "friend" turned out to be a poisoner with a huge grudge. Can't say I'm too surprised, but the guy had a silver tongue (actually, he literally did have one!) and almost had us all fooled. Good thing the little one shot a mental warning message to me!
The situation, of course, ended as they usually do – with a ripped-off head.
After this short incident, we worked on figuring out the big forge – this thing is a marvel of… I don't even know what sort of trade this is. Alchemy? Smithing? Wizardry? A mix of all those things?
There are buttons and levers, but also this weird glowing soul-liquid... Going to definitely need more time to figure all of this out.
We also found another weird gizmo, with which one can measure some sort of magical resonance in metals. I guess higher number is better, but it might be worth it to find out more details… and more material.
If only we had more time...
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
So here we are in orc land and have to earn a rank by fighting people and then earn merit in order to actually talk to people we want to be talking to. Until then we are treated like refugees... Can you believe that? Refugees. Us? Do these orcs' eyes not work or something?
And between ranking up attempts you have to wait a whole week. Great rules in times of... lack of time.
Anyway, we easily managed to beat the "entry exam" to get started around here.
The guide assigned to us turned out to be an old friend of the Goo Brewers, and Sammael’s brother. They have nothing in common, I don’t know how that works. Maybe it’s just a saying for their bond or something. Apparently Sammael has been in contact with him so he already knew everything about our plans and the anchors we seek.
So off we go and search for some orcs who likely got into trouble, and when we find them, only one worg rider is still alive, fighting the Sorrowsworn. We haven’t encountered those guys in a while — can’t say I missed them.
Sorrow Sworn down and one survivor sent home. Today was a good day.
Anyway, we returned back to the city and proceeded to rest up. We wanted to speak to Glob about the mountains, and maybe Gnoth (who we saved) to maybe see about an easy bump up to tier 2, since they owe us one... maybe.
But none of that matters. It is time to retell the story of Todd Motherfucking Bellwood, the Divine Patriarch of the Tier 0's.
Whilst walking through the streets, I was approached by an elderly man. He saw my diminutive size and thought “easy win.” Not so easy, old man. I gave him every chance to back away, even so much as asking if he really wanted to do this since it would be “such an easy win one on one.” The Toddasaurus Rex put an end to that shit, and will work as a future deterrent to the riff raff.
Then it happened. I was approached by the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen — Yazgash, supposed commander of the reco... blah blah blah. Have you ever been with a warrior woman? My gods. And where her legs meet her back, just that whole area. And above it.....
Anyway, she compared me to a goblin. A goblin! I am unsure as to whether this is a compliment or not, but she said she will be watching me... and rest assured I will return the favor.
Oh also, she’s a tier 3 or something like that, so that might be handy to know for later...
I then opened the mansion to the people, to repay them for informing me of my love’s name. Now they feast on more food than they’ve had in weeks.
Anyway, back to the task at hand. We spoke to Glob, who told us the tale of “The Big Un.” I think that’s the mountain, or was it something on the mountain? Anyway, shit sounds scary and hard with giants and stalking people, heading them off at passes and all that good stuff. Glob is no bard, but knows how to grab the audience that’s for sure.
Oh, and how could I forget. We found the other orc group, more dead than former partner’s dad, and a bunch of demons. I know how I forgot it... that god damned ape-looking demon motherfucker beating the snot out of me with a stealthy ambush. How did no one see that thing? We have a lizard for creator’s sake. A lizard... don’t they have thermal vision and slithery heat-sensing tongues and shit?
From the scribblings of Gorok
It seems that our group is looked down upon due to our non-orciness. During our battle to reach Tier 2, the official set up our opponents to have a huge advantage in numbers — an effort to prevent us from gaining a higher tier. Shame, really, that in front of us, numbers mean little.
A quick battle later, we became Tier 2 and started preparing for our trip to the Biggun'.
We decided that some companions were needed, so we asked Gnoth, his greater warg, and Johann’s and Eldricc’s old friend Chak to join us. We bought and bantered for things needed for the mountain and are now ready to teleport to somewhere on the Biggun'.
Excerpt from Eldric's journal
We arrived at the mountain after being teleported. I will not say it was the foothills, but alas, we decided to start our journey to ascend this mountain.
All was going well until this snowstorm hit as we progressed up the mountain. It came to a quiet stop, and we took a few more steps, only to hear the horror of ice cracking.
We were stuck on an ice lake, and the ice wasn't thick enough.
After some quick creative thinking, we got off the ice and continued to the top.
We thought it couldn’t get worse, but we were wrong.
At the moment of writing, I am barely clinging to life, and so are a few others. We've been ambushed by gobbos, and lots of them.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
This climb turned out harder than even we expected. The snow – when it isn't treacherous from thin ice – is apparently home to a particularly vicious breed of goblin. Also, they were not happy to see us. Cue the carnage.
Eldric got skewered pretty hard, but we made it out alright. So obviously, during the next rest, Todd's Pretty Magnificent Mansion got buried under an avalanche. (Yes, we should have thought about that possibility!) One fire elemental and a burrowing ice-shark-gor-rok later, we got out, barely any worse for wear.
We made our way further up the mountain, up to a pretty shifty looking rope bridge. Following his instincts, Gor-Rok pulled a goblin out of the snow beneath him. They really are like weeds! This time, surprise was on our side, and we beat them back. I think some of them might have had enough time to ponder their life's mistakes on the fall down the slope of the mountain.
Our next climb was a sheer ice wall, almost impossible to climb. Thankfully, we didn't have to fly up there for too long, because some giants broke through the sheet and a chat later, they let us into their hidden ice city (it was great. Literally.) They have apparently been waiting for Eldric.
Well, thankfully we brought one!
As I'm writing it down, he is currently chatting with a dwarfish looking sort of being... a being of enormous power. I can still feel my bones tingling from over here where I'm sitting. This could be the god Eldric was looking for all this time. If not, it is certainly a powerful ally if nobody fucks it up...
Excerpt from Eldric's journal
So, to our great surprise, and my own at that, we was surprised by the dwarven paragon Thor before entering the giant King's chambers, as we had been granted an audience. After telling our stories, and our intents, I was vouched for by Thor, to be the next bearer of Mjolnir.
During our audience with the giant king, he agreed to reforge Mjolnir, and go to war against the sorrowsworn on our behalf. The reforging was to take place at the World Forge, it would however create significant magical aura that would draw the sorrowspawn in great numbers to us, so we was advised to bring as many friends as possible, as the giants and ourselves might not be enough.
It was at this point we split the party, each in their own direction to convince the dragons, and the orcs to fight for our side. Gloom, and I was off to Agu Sol, to greet Samuel, who apparently has gone quite mad. We spoke to the dragons, and convinced them to send a detachment to fight for us.
Todd, the lizard and Johann went to speak to the orcs. For the sake of my own sanity, I shan't repeat how Todd managed to convince a respected orc warband to join our fight.
And so it seems, we are off to the world forge to reforge the hammer, and fight.
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
We came upon a blood-stained encampment on our journey. There was a mound of orc corpses and a heap of damaged tarps at that location. Barlgura-like demons, which resembled dead birds, were also present. We found a survivor who died from his injuries when we arrived, but Eldric was able to resurrect him. Other than that, we had no idea why these demon summonings continued occurring in this area. As a safety measure, I made an anti-demon sigil out of demon blood before leaving.
Continuing on, we came across another attacked location, this time of what appeared to be the home of a stray orc. A summoning circle had been set up, and we encountered a couple of Mariliths as soon as we arrived. As a result of a message sent to our linkpearls, we were forced to end our investigation prematurely. There was nothing out of the ordinary when we teleported back. Our suspicions were instantly confirmed when we went to the scene of the conflict and discovered that a fresh magic circle was being prepared by the fiends to transport the demon corpses away.
What is the relationship between the demons and the fiends? That's a question that has yet to be answered.
From the scribblings of Gorok
We managed to catch a small fiend of some sort watching the devil dwarves moving the demon corpses, we did what we could to question it and even through it's constant lies we managed to find out that it was fourth that was behind these demonic attacks on separated camps. After dispatching the devil whom tasted foul we went back to the warparty and shared our warning of the danger and how to manage the cleanup and then continued our journey towards the world anvil.
The Hammer has been finished and the gith have sent out the psychic beacon for all to hear. The battle was hard fought but more successful than expected and only a few managed to get through to the anvil themselves but we dispatched them with ease. I must say the combination of giants, dragons and orc is a dangerous one and can inflict massive damage even to the sorrowsworn.
We have all the needed artifacts and must now decide what our next course of action is...
So Eldricc disappeared again right when we needed him, for there were so many fiends. After the initial slaughter of the mariliths with a bit of hide and seek we finally managed to tell Kashluu what was happening with Fourth taunting us and someone called Morsissis that Eldricc and Johann already knew from somewhere. (She's toast now btw).
It also seems that we interrupted a battle between large demons and a large devil plus Fourth and his minions. He didn't live very long after a well-placed magical spell or two took out his minions. Luckily we didn't have to fight the large devil creature as it seemed far too proficient at combat to fight right after the large demons had taken out a good chunk out of us. Oh also did I mention Kashluu turned into a dragon... and not one of those small ones or even medium ones. She made the demons look tiny. I didn't know she could do that.
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
Darkness. It was the first time I had ever encountered total darkness. The pain of having my eyes melted by hell's fires was all I would feel. I was in excruciating pain. One that I wouldn't want on my worst enemy. Except for the worst of them all, perhaps. What's more, I've let Khashluu down once more with my sluggish behaviour.
All of this is a result of my insatiable curiosity. But who wouldn't want to know what their supposed sibling was doing with a weird archfiend tome!? Of course, Fourth's body was littered with other interesting artefacts: He had at his disposal a bloodmage's dagger, an arcane shield staff, a shrieking bracer, and a Barlgura belt.
My body finally gave up after a lengthy period of screaming and pain, and we were on our way back to the city when I regained consciousness. Even without the immediate pain, the sudden blindness messes with your head.
In town, I was presented with an unusual drug that supposedly caused rabbits to turn inside out. At the very least, Johann felt confident it wouldn't do that to me. I opted to accept the chance because if I lost my vision, I would be absolutely powerless.
I was faced with a bad situation once again. I lost control of my body and was met with Khashluu. I was given the choice of accepting a gift that I was supposedly not yet ready for or placing my faith in the medication alone. Nevertheless, if I didn't want to seize the chance he handed me, I couldn't go by his name. My blood, the air, and even my very being were being poisoned until I woke up and saw things in a new light. And all of this is done without the use of any real eyeballs.
Almost immediately, the realisation that the entire world had gone silent struck. My ability to hear had completely eluded me. Even while it's still uncomfortable, it's nothing compared to the misery of being completely blind. And I'm seeing things now that I hadn't seen before because of this gift of sight.
When I went outdoors, though, the boundaries were quite clear. There was a familiar eeriness to the darkness outside of a certain distance. However, I don't think I have anything to complain about at this point.
Ahead of the upcoming electoral battle, Gorok set out to gather information. Defenses abound on what appears to be a large battleground. We may be able to surprise them, as we know where they anticipate us to come from.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
Today is the day. We are about to fight the biggest baddest orc around. His warband, too. Can't say I'm too optimistic, but at least this fight is not to the death. Kinda refreshing actually, come to think of it. Anyhow.. we gathered as many allies as we can, are up to our strength, and it's what we have to do, or it's bye-bye for the world.
Yay us.
This fucking orc is brutally cunning! Knew exactly where we were coming from and had the pass set up with a magic booby trap. Not too long, and we were trapped in a hallucination, taunting us with a grim vision of the future, should we fail.
Took a while - and some shamanistic help - to snap out of it, but this little trick might have backfired ..
Now we absolutely know that we CANNOT fail.
So we won't.
We haven't so far, have we? Why start now?
From the scribblings of Gorok
we totally bonked the prez....
we first focused on getting rid of his helpers altough he cheated and summoned some more. the plant growth slowed the prez down enough for us to do what we needed altough the Toddasaurus-rex kept taking a lot of damage.
After taking his initial wave of friendlies out we started to focus on the prez who kept healing and charging constantly trough our lines which was like totally annoying. we kept hitting him with everything we got and at some point i rerolled into a monk for a few rounds and just did a stunning strike which seemed to help a lot. until the cheaty bastard went finally down.
oh and eldricc totally used his mjölnirr finally. he should do that more often. Also he went down again even with all that healing from the shamans.. the prez really hurt him and his high AC totally didn't do anything.
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
The chief's tusk, a fine buckler, and a pair of armblades of defense were among the prizes we won after beating the chief. But more importantly we were awarded with shiny president tokens, not unlike those the orcs wear. These ones show that we bested the chief in battle. As far as orcs are concerned, no one should be any obstacle now.
As soon as we got back to Brumpt, we got together with the Gith and started planning how we'd get the rest of our friends into the fray. We got some elves to join, Gor Rok enlisted the help of reptiles, while I went out in search of help from the dragons. Even the colored dragons were eager to lend a hand in this important chapter of our planet's history. That is, until a certain bitch got in the way, causing most of them to flee except for a few of the older green dragons who still remember Khashluu and what he stands for.
With pals and ships ready, we make our way to the canyon's ritual site. When Gor Rok decided to jump to the bottom of the canyon, he discovered that magic doesn't function there. That was something he should have remembered. At least we're all unharmed, thanks to our quick action.
We begin the procedure by affixing our anchors to the sculptures' hands at the ritual site. We were filled with power beyond our comprehension, something we should never have obtained in this manner, yet it appears we were successful and ready to fight. It was the "Herald of the Shining Dawn" that we chose to take as our main force's vessel, and we set off on our journey on it. But along the way, we encountered something that had been killing far too many people in this area.
Inside an ice cave, we discover mystical lights and what appears to be a black clan weapon. A to us unnamed "Kwalishie," a dwarf in a mechanical crab body with a spike in his skull like the ones we've encountered before. We killed it, but it came back to life and attacked us again as Johann searched for clues. Well.. I am now stuck in it's very tight claw and too weak to act against whatever it is going to do next..
Excerpt from Johann's journal
It is quite exceptional workmanship, really. Abominable, detestable and far across all lines of morality, but those dwarves know their engineering. After barely making a run from the Kwalishie, and some very ingenious magic use, we found a huge underground cavern, filled with monstrous machinery.
Here, they are making more of those things, and no wonder they are insane and out for murder. Have you ever seen a nervous system, separated from everything else? Again, spectacular work, but just.. wrong. And I've been in on the wrong side of good in and bad a few times myself. A hasty sketch made from many squiggly lines is drawn next to the text, depicting a nervous system.. or noodles. It is really hard to tell.
There were also some Gith, probably as... food? fuel? Who knows what for.. We managed to break quite a bit of the machinery, as a number of insane dwarves tried to stop us.
Why did they build this thing here? And why now? I am pretty certain that I don't want to know... but we need to.
We are down to the last hours and days. We cannot afford any wrenches in the gears now.
The cave was dark and full of terrors - a short theatrical play written, directed and produced by Todd Bellwood
Interior- dim light
Our 4 heroes hastily exit the area to get away from the banished badman (pronounced badmin)
They run around the dark, lost and confused. Gorok wets himself. Johan bravely assists Todd in being awesome because Todd is playing hard mode with no night vision.
This goes on for a while, the badman appears a couple more times.
Finally, we find a room with the head bad dwarf and he's behind a cold shield wall, 4 crystals, and a funky smell of regret. He claims to be the king to the swarm’s queen. What a simp.
Todd bravely tests the barrier with his dagger. It's cold.
After much deliberating and failed attempts, Todd gathers all his arcane strength and animates the crystals and has 3 of them charge the dwarf. This kills the barrier. He then hides behind another smaller barrier while we fuck around with the 4th crystal. It breaks.... awesomely. We nearly all die, time goes backwards, the crystal implodes..... fwoooooooooosh
We kill the dwarf, but then there is a shit tonne of zombie dwarfs. Queue more dark and running through tunnels to get away. Gorok clearly leaves everyone behind and just runs, leaving the brave Johan to once again assist in aiding Todd.
Excerpt from Johann's journal
Well, this is it.
We've launched our assault. I don't know if anybody will ever read this, or if we'll get lost in this void forever.
In case you are reading this, we've done it. Or you're Todd. If you are Todd, stop reading my fucking diary, shortman!
Thus far, the Sorrowsworn Queen is using every trick in the book to stop us.
We have been banished into a parallel dimension, boarded by hordes of minions, swarmed by tiny flying monsters and had psionic zombies come out of their hiding places ON OUR SHIP!
Nothing has stopped us so far, but we've taken losses as well. As I am writing this, almost a third of our troops have been wiped out.
But there is also heroism.
I've seen a ship manned by our allies from the Imperium, overrun, crash itself into the middle of an enemy formation. I'll probably never know the names of those on board, but they went out like fucking legends. I take the huge fiery phoenix erupting from the ruined hull of the ship a good omen. Feels a bit like Claw is still watching over us. I wish he could be here...
The queen must be panicked. She turned invisible, but even so, Todd used the crystal ball to find her. Something must have gone wrong though, he seems even more rattled than usual. A flicker of something buried in his eyes.
All of this fighting left a lot of debris around this.. space. We've barely managed to blast our way through the wreck of a friendly ship, narrowly skirting by the bigger parts of the debris.
The chances of success grow slimmer. No time to lose hope though.
There is no more hope to have, anyway. Either we do this, or there won't be anybody left to be disappointed.
I can see a bunch of those huge transport creatures moving our way.. it looks like they are here to stay.
I don't think there will be any more entries in this journal.
Think well of us, dear reader.
You are here because we won.
And you are here because of those of us who didn't make it.
Excerpt from Kashluu's journal
Once returned I was immediately greeted by one of the harpoon arm friends, very pleasant start. Todd was making weird gestures at me, but I didn't decipher what he meant.
Anyway, we were in the middle of a fight on the Herald of the Shining Dawn. There were multiple giant mosquito sorrowsworn, who kept tackling the ship's wings and spitting out new opponents.
During the fight Todd decided to keep arguing with some dude on the ship, until he eventually collapsed. What was going on over there? We did manage to shoot down all of the big enemies before they could escape or damage the ship too much.
After a bit of repairs so we could regain maneuverability, a massive... MASSIVE creature akin to the queen appeared and started attacking the ship. We skillfully challenged it though and came out on top, sadly the captain did not survive the angry tentacles.
Soon after some of our ships arrived.
Exčêrpẗ frŏm Jőhann's nıghtmaŕès
Fırê
Blòod
Meat
Viscous fluids
Bursting pustules
Lashing veins
Endless maw
The.. thing.
