My D&D campaign

[Alex]

The party crossed the plaza, weapons drawn and joined the men surrounding the temple. One of the men, an officer by his bearing told them "If you feel like helping and can take the man we can keep the dogs off you. He's killed too many of us already for us to try and take him."

Val nodded in agreement on behalf of the group and they moved in to engage. Nigel had other ideas however and moved to fight a hellhound instead, leaving Sillas to bear the brunt of the man in black'sattacks. As he fought him, he said something to Sillas that the rest of the group couldn't hear, but Sillas's glowing visage palled somewhat. Khalrad fired a hail of arrows, filling the wall behind the man with arrows just in case it turned out to be evil. Their enemy drew a couple of matching short swords, which burned with a black flame and carved up Sillas badly, burning golden blood dripping from each of the wounds cut into him. Sillas was starting to wilt and his bright aura was fading, but Val drew her rapier and ran around behind the man who yelled that he was the herald of the darkness and they would not pass him. Val's first attack opened the man's back, showing his spine and ribs to the world. Her second, stabbed straight through his heart, leaving him staring in shock at the length of steel protruding from the front of his chest. As he died, the second hellhound faded from this plane of existence.

Sillas collapsed down on one knee. Unknown to the party the strain of his wounds combined with the pressure of preventing The Dark from taking over the entire city was close to overcoming him. The party gave Sillas what little healing they still had available digging out a couple of potions. It gave him enough strength to stand on his feet and finish the task at hand. It was why the Light had protected him as they travelled with the Dwarves, and what he had been fated to do since he was decided to take to the life of an adventurer. They pulled open the temple doors and entered. The bodies from the earlier massacre still lay around. No one had yet had the time to clean them up. In the middle, the bonfire of the gods still burned in the temple naive. Nigel asked what they needed to do. Sillas turned around to look directly at him, his eyes a liquid silver. "You heard the prophecy same as I. The hero must go to the funeral pyre." He climbed up onto the wall around the fire pit. The others protested, that there must be some other way, but Sillas spread his arms wide, looked at his friends one last time and thanked them for their companionship and that he wished they had more time together, before he fell forward into the flames.


To be continued.

[Alex]

The light from Sillas grew brighter and brighter, hurting the eyes of those looking on. Val popped behind a pillar to hide in its shade, while Nigel used his shield to try and block out the worst of it, while still seeing what was happening. A column of the purest light imaginable shot up from the firepit, smashing a hole in the roof of the temple and shooting straight up into the sky. Even though they were inside the temple, they could see its light spreading outside, touching each and every living person remaining in the city with its light until the entire city was ablaze with light. The Dark was not to be defeated without a fight and it rose up, clashing against the spreading light. Light and dark intermingled, each seeking to crush the other and then both were gone!

Through the open temple doors, the party could see the first rays of the rising sun illuminating the world. A clear blue sky covered the world and for the moment it was peaceful. The surviving defenders realised they had survived the night.

The creatures possessed by The Dark (and many of them were people of the city), found themselves free once more, their minds and actions their own once more. Wisely those who had invaded the city took to their heels looking to flee to their lairs ourside the city walls before the remaining soldiers were able to organise and exterminate them. Never the less, many would die either from the fighting the night before, killed trying to escape, some by the militia, others by vengful possies. The tribes around the city would be weakened for many years, perhaps some of them never would. While everyone else was busy, Val took all the weapons, armour and equipment from the Herald.

Staggered and exhausted the group decided to find a tavern and get some drinks. Alas, the had killed people in both city taverns (something for which their will still be consequences to face later), and might not be welcome inside. The city lacked any other place they knew of to go and eat, so they returned to the Abbeie. It was full to bursting. Most of the city appeared to have taken refuge inside, and the nun's were overworked attending to everyone who had been wounded. It took some searching but they managed to find Teral, who looked just as worn and exhausted as the party. She ordered rooms set up for them and food prepared. Colesta offered to lend her skill at healing to help with the wounded and spent an hour or so bandaging up the citizens and applying poultices to bruises, before she too went to her room for a well deserved and much needed sleep.

They would sleep that night, and through the next day, their dreams touched by visions of brightly glowing angels.

When they awoke, they found out the surviving counsielmen were planning a feast to be held the next night to thank the cities saviours properly and remember those who had lost their lifes in the defence of the city.

For some reason this panicked the group quite a lot and they found something sinister in those words. Never the less, they set out to try find out as much information as they could about it, including what food and drink was likely to be served (I am wondering if they think they might be the main course?). Zolis found himself a tailor and ordered a red satin wizards robe and matching hat saying "This is the great and powerful Zolis!" around it's cone.

No one asked if the tailor was literate or not though.

A trip to Zotaquaan was on the cards next, looking to buy spells and magic items. Nothing he had though caught the parties eye and they left disappointed. After that they returned to the Abbeie. People had started to return to their homes and the grounds were much less crowded than before. Teral welcomed them back and for the first time noticed that Nigel was accompanied by one of the puppies of the guard dogs. She said as a thank you from the temple he could keep it, athough normally they would be sold for no less than 500 gold. She explained they were Blink Dogs, animals attracted to good people who had some interesting magical abilities that allowed them to teleport short distances.

Suddenly much that had happened with the puppy made a lot more sense.

As evening drew in, Zolis and Val returned to the tailors. Excitidly Zolis donned his brand new clothes asking what Val thought of them.

It was with some degree of difficulty that she kept a straight face as she read the legend the old man had embroidered into Zolis's hat.

To the world it announced "The grate and puwurful wizzard Solizz!"

If only he had stopped to read it before stepping out into the street.

Still he felt good in his new clothes, and he must have looked good in them, for whereever he went people smiled at him. He returned to the Abbeie to show his new outfit off to his friends, who seemed equally cheered by his attire.


To be continued.

[Alex]

Seriously, the entire party seems convinced the people of Irilian are going to eat them at the upcoming feast. The phrase "So you can be properly honoured" has them worried like nothing else.

Apparently they know I have a twisted sense of humour and would do something like this.

The remainder of the session was spent the group doing various mundane tasks around the city, and making plans to leave the environs within days. I had been expecting them to rest and relax for a few days and look at getting some new magical items, but no. The equipment taken from the Herald was identified (the Short Swords are magical weapons, and the black fire burning along the blades cause extra fire damage, but the colour is purely an aestetic choice. The deeds of the wielder of these swrods would be etched along the blades in gold filagree, blank now and ready for a new master, but the swords would only operate as a matched pair and no one in the group uses two weapons in combat. The armour was also magical and (perhaps thinking of his difficulty climbing and swimming), Nigel asked for this to replace his scale mail armour. The headband improves the wearers intellect and after some debate between the casters went to Colesta.

Everyone in the party went up a level from their adventuring. The have earned a (short) rest to reap the rewards of their exploits.

Unless they end up getten eaten at the celebratory feast.]

Thus ended not just the nights adventuring, but also the first part of the campaign.

[Alex]

Wondering if after next week I should take a break in the campaign. I'd like to, but I know if I do then the chances of it starting up again are pretty remote. I've never known anyone to get one going again after a extended break in one.

Still it would be nice to be a player again rather than running the show. Ross is talking about doing either a Pathfinder 2 or Vampire game, although what I'd really be looking for is Call of Cthulhu or Shadowrun (or if I could find someone running it, 2300AD, a highly unlikely prospect).

[Alex]

Working on the rewards for the party for saving Irilian. Part of it is that they each get a major magic item which on a whim I decided to generate randomly. Trouble is that some people come off much better than others.

Oh well, I can always chuck in a bag of gold to even things up. The group is receiving many awards, but this is the only one that is something physical they can use.

[Alex]

The Ballad of the Band of the Hand. Part Thirty.

We pick up with the party having woken up in the Abbeie the morning of the big celebration (in which the party were convinced they were to be the main course). Zolis finally found out about the terrible spelling on his wizards hat and decided not to wear it, but did pop out to buy a new travel costume rather than just wearing his wizards robe all the time. Nigel headed out into the city to see if he could use any of his skills to help out. Val also decided to do this, but no one apparently was going to be helped by being robbed.

Eventually, the appointed hour rolled around. Everyone had returned to the Abbeie to wash up and put on their best clothes, except for Nigel who only had his armour to wear. They were taken in carriage (although Nigel attempted and failed to summon Sir Boozey to ride).

A platform had been constructed in the middle of the mark geard, and long tables with free food and drink were all over the square. Around the edges other fare was available from stalls set up by those who wished to pay for extra. The party were escorted up onto the platform (and suspiciously checked for traps), where the city counseil was waiting. Tirouv (the man who the Dwarf's had sold their cargo to), pushed past the man who had been waiting to greet them (much his irritation and annoyance), and welcomed the group before launching into a speach. He lauded them and said the city would be showing its thanks, but first of all they had to hear from a couple of other people first. He called on the cities Marshel, an elderly man, whom the party recognised from the defenders of the well. It surprised them somewhat that he had survived. He announced his retirement, saying that soldering was a youngers man game and he no longer felt able to meet its depends. Then Teral, making a rare appearence outside the Abbeie, led the city in a prayer of thanks for their salvation.

Finally, it was back to the party. They were granted citizenship of the city, awarded guardianship of a castle and given a magic item each. Khalrad was given a flaming sword, Valerie a selection of magical potions (and a bag full of gold from Tirouv, along with a smile and wink). Zolis was given a golden sceptre he was informed would allow him to extend the range of a spell three times a day. Colesta was given a staff that would allow her to bring her companions back from the dead a limited number of times, and Nigel given a brightly polished magical shield that had a couple of magical properties including the ability to blind enemies. Colesta for a second thought she saw someone in the crowd that she recognised, but blinked and the figure was gone.

Could she really have seen Bran watching them from the crowd?

To be continued.

[Alex]

After receiving their rewards, those outside were invited to start the free feast, although many had not realised (or cared) that they were supposed to wait and were happily drinking and eating. The party were taken inside the Counseilhaus for a proper banquet. The finest minstrels who were in the city at the time were playing, and between songs it seemed everyone had to take a turn at making a speech to thank the heroes of the hour. Many men and women tried to catch the eye of one of the party for a private meeting upstairs, but having learned a hard lesson earlier on with Zagan the group had became more circumspect in such dealings.

Tirouv however seemed particularly taken with Val, and having waited, watching her until he had saw her checking out just how much gold was in the bag he had given her, asked if it was sufficient and would she do him the honour of a dance. Nigel (or Baron Nigel as he had taken to calling himself, given his recent elevation to the minor nobility), had caught the eye of a pretty young lady with sparkling blue eyes and ash blonde hair. As he was not drinking alcohol, she served him water. He spoke to her and found out she was a slave girl (and it came as quite a shock to him that slavery was legal within Irilian) and he insisted she join the banquet. Colesta also stuck to just drinking water, while Val and Zolis drank (with the aid of a willpower check not to get carried away), only a little.

With the Marshal of the city having retired, Nigel found himself sought out by one of the heirs apparent. The commander of the cities cavalry invited him to attend a training session with his men and dropped hints that a recommendation from Nigel in the counseil's ear would surely go a long way towards securing the job for the right man.

Given the group had only been partaking lightly of the drink available, it came as quite a surprise to them when they discovered at the end of the night, Colesta was passed out drunk. The others picked her up and carried her back to the Abbeie. Still tired out from their recent exertions, everyone slept deeply that night.

In the morning, Colesta awoke, but felt weak and disorientated. Nigel meanwhile put on his armour and went downstairs, his mind resolved on what he had to do. He put on his armour and walked outside until he found a city patrol. Its constable, somewhat in awe of the man before him, who just the night before he had been drinking toasts too. He was completely shocked when he told him that he wished to confess to a murder.

To be continued.

[Alex]

Nigel was escorted into the Counseil Hus and the presence of cousillors Tirouv and Elisim. There was some confusion as it turned out a serving girl from the night before had been murdered. Indeed the very same girl who had taken such a shine to him was being carried out past him, her hands still bound behind her back and her throat cut from ear to ear. The clerics had put her death at around the middle of the previous day, something that confused Nigel quite some as he had been chatting with her later on that night. Elisim told him they would look into this matter, but they had much to deal with and would have to get around to this in time.

After all, approximately one third of the cities citizens had perished in the night of the Dark Rising, and almost half the soldiery. Walls and gates needed repair, and the funds to pay for such repairs would have to be found. And in the air outside this very building, the five citizens still burned with black fire, writhing in pain.

Nigel, in somewhat of a state of shock headed back to the Abbeie.

Deciding it was time to valuate the jewels they had retrieved from the evil cult, Val went to open the chest. Although she had previously disarmed the trap a needle shot out from the lock, pricking her skin. Immediently the others saw the colour drain from her face as she collapsed. Fortunately, she remembered she'd been given an antitode potion the previous night and managed to prevent any further damage, but she would still be weakened. Colesta (or any other sufficiently high level cleric), could cast a spell that would reverse the damage already caused, however it would also take diamond dust worth 100 gold.

The party set out to the Gnome Juel Aef where they arranged to buy the dust. It would take a few hours to grind up though. Following this the group made haste back to the Abbeie. Colesta wanted to know why she had seen Bran, who she knew was dead. Similiarly, why had Nigel seen a dead woman? Teral was unable to help with this, but suggested speaking with the Chantrman.

And there the session ended for the night.

[Alex]

The Tale of the Band of the Icky Hand part 31. [/u]

Nigel decided that if an assassin was after them, then they should leave the Abbeie rather than put the sisters at further risk. The party also decided to part exchange their carriage for a covered wagon. First of all though the group set off to speak with the Chantrman to see if he could speak with the spirit of Bran and find out why he was haunting them.

Cheered by the crowds as they passed through the city it came as a slight surprise when the party was halted at the city gates and informed by a somewhat embarresed looking guard, that while Sier Nigel was an honoured guest of the city, orders had came down from on high that he was not allowed to leave the city at this time. Although the others argued, Nigel told them it was fine and they should go speak to the Chantrman without him (although the party had just a few minutes earlier argued against splitting the party, they would now do so (and indeed did so several times throughout the session).

Nigel decided to wait around at the city gate for his companions to return (had Nigel returned to the Abbeie to await the others, he would have interupted the assassin making his next attempt on the party by poisoning the handles on the doors to their rooms. In a straight up fight, the chances are Nigel would actually kill this one). Led by Colesta they spoke to the Chantrman, who was surprised to receive visitors not concerned with a funeral. He told them he could speak to the spirit of Bran, if they could bring him something belonging to the old man.

With this information, they returned to the city and collected Nigel. They then debated on where to stay. I pointed out that 1) The city had just lost a sizable proportion of its population and had many empty houses (although equally a lot of them were damaged in the fighting) and 2) As a native of the city Khalrad most likely had somewhere to stay in city already. The group decided all to crash at his tiny two room house, although first their was the business of selling the coach.

Really quite disappointed there. I expected the group to turn the coach into some sort of armoured tank. Oh well.

They managed to trade it in, getting some money back. There was some wear and tear on the wagon after all and no one had bothered to repair it. The few possessions left on the coach were removed, which reminded the party of the 10 bottles of alcohol Zolis had bought a while back (the highly explosive stuff called 'Coal Tar'). Not being familiar with this drink Nigel and Khalrad both decided to try it. Although it burned somewhat, Khalrad enjoyed the taste of it, while Nigel not quite as used to drinking as his companion spat it straight back up, the impact causing sparks of blue flame to ignite on the cobblestones.

[Alex]

Having found one of Bran's old blankets, Colesta, Khalrad and Zolis returned again to the Chantrman. It a deep, sonorous voice he intoned the words of a spell designed to peel back the veil and allow them to speak with the departed. Colesta and Zolis's finely attuned magical senses could feel the touch of divine magic as Bran's spirit was called into the room and spoke to them...

"What the bloody hell do you buggers want with me now?"

He then went on to insult Zolis quite a lot (for example calling him a useless bag of s**te), even after he was told actually, the half orc is Zolis, but did tell the group how he died. He'd been driving the carriage and been a bit surprised when he had seen his double standing at the side of the road. Before he could say or do anything his twin had pulled out a blowpipe and hit him with a dart. The last thing Bran remembered was a terrible pain in his chest and it had all went dark.

Now, if the party had quite finished with him he had some serious afterlife carousing to be getting on with.

As his spirit returned to the other side the Chantrman asked if they were sure Bran had been a friend of theirs, while Zolis had to explain that when they had first met he had not approved of the old man, but grew fond of him over time.

Evidently this had been a one way thing though.

Eventually the party picked up a few wineskins and retired to Khalrad's bachelor pad, which was decorated with tapestries of naked women from his copies of Medieval Playboy. A watch was set and the group spent a slightly crowded night more or less comfortably. They'd gathered a group of admirers who had followed them back to the house, calling their names most of the night (but were ignored). They are awoken in the morning by someone knocking on the door. A messenger girl in the livery of Tirouv had a sealed parchment for Sier Nigel's eyes only.

It read

“Sier Nigel,

I appreciate your patience in waiting for me in regard to your recent confession. Although other concerns have occupied our time, understand justice in Irilian does not normally run in such a fashion, however the other murder combined with the deaths of almost one in three of our citizens has overwhelmed our normal procedures.

Given the precarious state of the city, we cannot in all good conscience conduct a trial in public least further chaos spread and engulf the city. With the murder of one of the sisters aef Abbeie the city is on a knife edge and we must tread very carefully not to push it over. Equally a crime (and especial one as serious as this matter), equally cannot be ignored. Therefore, you are summoned to a trial in closed session.

You are hereby ordered to attend a court hearing three night hence. Until this initial hearing is held you are bound under your own honour not to leave the environs of the city. Bring any witnesses you wish to assist your defence. As you cannot be expected to be familiar to the fullest extent required with the laws of Irilian I would like to humbly offer my services as your defender.

I would also ask that since you appear to be the targets of an assassin that you and your companions move out of the Abbeie and find alternative accommodation. The consequences for the city of another murder of one of the sisters are more severe than I care to consider.

Yours,
Tirouv.”

It came as quite a shock to the group that one of the nun's had been murdered, although the messenger was unable to provide any additional details. Zolis sent his raven with a message for Teral asking if they could assist. The reply that arrived some while later was that the Abbeie was in lockdown after a nun had been found tied up with her throat sliced open, and four other sisters were deathly ill after going to clean the rooms the party had previously been occupying.

The assassin is getting quite irritated now at the parties refusal to succumb to its traps, and is running low of poison supplies. Although the party doesn't know it, they will be getting a break soon as it will have to go looking for more potent concoctions and calls in help from other members of The Dark Reflection. However he has enough poisons for a few more attempts.

Now it was time for some shopping. Khalrad ordered some magical arrows, although these would take some weeks to arrive. Val bought herself a nice shortbow, although she wanted one that hadn't been dyed pink and ordered it repainted (it had been commissioned by a nobleman for his daughter, but never collected).

The group decided to spend the night once more in Khalrad's house, but Zolis created his interdimensional safe spot where they could hide unobserved, but still able to see the outside world. Nigel, Khalrad and Val agreed to take turns at sitting a watch.

[Alex]

Nigel took first watch, followed by Khalrad and then finally Val. Each of them watched the room through an interdimensional window. Val was perhaps an hour into her watch when she heard a sound, like a rodent scratching. Then the front door slowly opened and a hooded figure crept in. It leaned over various parts of furniture, although from her vantage point she was unable to see what the figure was doing. Carefully she prepared her crossbow, leaned out of the door to their hideyhole and fired. The crossbow thunked into the sideboard beside the figure who spun around hissing in anger and surprise. Initially it could see nothing, but then stopped and concentrated for a few seconds, then looked directly at Val. It was too dark however for her to make out any details. She fired again as the figure turned to flee, but hit the floor this time.

Happy that she had done her job, she climbed back into the room and chose not to take up anyone or raise any kind of alarm.

When the others were awoken, they were upset that Val had not woken them up or pursued their attacker. Discussions were had on what the group should do next. Val and Khalrad decided to go out shopping while the others were going to remain. Opening his front door, Khalrad was somewhat shocked to see three crossbowbolts suddenly protruding from his chest. He staggered backwards his fingers attempting ineffectually to pull the bolts out. Colesta leapt into action, healing the badly wounded ranger while Val and Nigel went out into the street to confront his assailent. Alas, it was merely a trap. Three crossbows had been set up facing the door with trip wires connecting the triggers. When Khalrad had opened the door he set them off. Nigel examined the crossbows looking to see if they had been poisoned. True the crossbows were wet, but it was impossible to tell if this was just morning dew.

The party noticed a letter pinned to the front door.

And with this the game ended for the night.

[Alex]

Given the party hadn't done much with their free time thus far I more or less expected to pass the three days waiting for the trial fairly quickly. Instead we got a pretty roleplaying heavy session where I had to make most of what was going up off the cuff. Although I had a plan for the attempts to kill the party, I also had to adapt this to what the party chose to do (for example I hadn't expected them to abandon the Abbeie prior to one of the sisters being killed.

So, they have finally figured out that the person trying to kill them can disguise himself as other people (slightly painful getting there at times though lol).

However, equally the party has done nothing to prepare a defence or find out anything about Irilian law (which is seriously corrupt and open to bribery). They were to have been contacted by Tirouv and warned that someone is trying to ensure it goes as badly as possible, however moving locations has left several people trying to find them (the messenger did a lot of asking around town, the assassin took a bit longer to track them down and Tirouv only found out from his messenger in the middle of the night).

So, now I have to prep for Sunday and see what awaits then.

[Alex]

Had to cancel tonights game, due to a file going missing where I'd written a load of stuff out for the trial. I can rewrite it all, and I guess I could have just ran the game off the cuff as I can remember most of what I put in it, but I just didn't feel like playing once I found out the file was non-recoverable.

The only other trouble I have with a court room session as that I feel it will more or less be repeated in another chapter (when Nigel goes for redemption). So, I wilkl have to consider dumping the other chapter or changing it significantly.

[Alex]

With me travelling we will again have to skip a game, however I am getting work done on the adventure, in particular the 'trial' of Sier Nigel. Although as he has confessed to the crime already, it is more a matter of establishing any mitagating circumstances. Nigel was right when he said his victim was evil. Did she deserve to die? Well, given she'd been seducing people in order to deliver them to the cult she'd joined I would say yes. However Nigel knew none of this, and the group haven't sought to establish any link between her and the cult beyond the trail of clues that had them wandering around Irilian. I have came up with a system where the court judges have been rolled randomly from the counseil members, and given a die roll modifier depending on how positively or negitively they view the party. This will be further modified by how they act during the trial and what they say. It is entirely possble the group will be able to navigate to a point where the charges are dropped and a pardon issued.

Or Nigel could end up on top of an auto-de-fé (as in what it came to mean in the end, rather than it's original meaning).

In fact, due to a little known facet of Irilian law that the party may fall foul of (if Nigel says the wrong thing), the entire party could end up being condemened to death by fire.

Yup, pretty sure they are all well and truly f**ked then.

There are a few get out of jail cards I can play, but as far as Nigel's fate goes I am tempted to let him hang or save himself by his own actions.

[Alex]

So tomorrow night will the party finally make it all the way to the trial?

Gods I hope so. Not that I feel this part is dragging, or I am not enjoying running it. I am just eager to throw the next part at the group, and find out if they decide to restore the castle to its former glory, or journey forth once more as wandering, landless adventurers.