Session 30 — Is That a Longbow in Your Pants, or…?

As Argora lunged at Xavier, his shield—once pulsating with life—fell to the ground lifeless and cold as though the god Pholtus’s favor waned in that moment. His sword slashed at his target’s back, and Xavier let out a fierce bellow. Kerath recalled how Shagol compelled the others to attack one another and he fired an arrow at his friend, hoping it might bring him to his senses. Lyra saw her would-be-suitor strike at the good man she sought so long to restore and neutralized the threat by transforming Argora into a giant slug. Continue reading “Session 30 — Is That a Longbow in Your Pants, or…?”

Session 29 — The Battle of the Founderstone

Kerath took cover inside the Stagnant Pool and fired on a guard-turned-doppelganger through the window. When it closed the distance, he pulled out his not-so-trusty shortsword, attempted an attack, and clumsily stabbed himself instead. He retreated farther into the inn, but the shapeshifter followed and knocked him unconscious. Xavier emerged from the secret tunnel beneath the inn in his human form, cured of the curse that transformed him into a dragonborn by the restoration of the Founderstone. He ignored the doppelganger, poured a healing potion into Kerath’s mouth, and demanded to know where his family was. Kerath admitted they were left unattended outside of town. Angered and concerned for their safety, Xavier rushed out the door to find his wife and daughters. Continue reading “Session 29 — The Battle of the Founderstone”

Session 28 — The Worst Laid Plans

The party needed to devise a plan for returning the chunk of rock they found around Lady Tiegen’s neck to the Founderstone, which they hoped would somehow help Xavier and his family. Jade remarked that the prospect of infiltrating the city, slipping past or fighting the many guards, and restoring the stone for an unknown payoff was both silly and suicidal. However, this did not prevent the rest of them from proposing one bad plan after another, hour after hour. Continue reading “Session 28 — The Worst Laid Plans”

Session 27 — The Broodmare

The first in a selection of entries from Kerath’s private journal (1 of 4):

I’ve heard tell of a “bogeyman” that inhabits children’s nightmares, a demon known for hunting them in the night and spiriting them away to some torment. This is just a tale to frighten children into good behavior. Its power increases with belief in the thing, as though feasting on their fears strengthens it. Most children outgrow this belief, but I know the truth. Such creatures exist in this world, and their power is very real. Continue reading “Session 27 — The Broodmare”

Session 25 — ‘Ello Beastie

In the morning, the party feasted on bacon provided by Durgeddin and owlbear jerky remaining from a previous kill. They departed for the clearing where Zin and Jelsi stashed their gear but found the darklings had stolen most of it. They recovered a few important items, including the bag of holding and some armor and weapons, but Qeew was devastated by the loss of her shinies. Continue reading “Session 25 — ‘Ello Beastie”

Session 23 — On the Run

Moments after Blumf slew Monfok in the sphere of darkness and the others finished fighting off Brur and the guards in the room, the doors burst open and over seventy additional guards rushed in and surrounded the party with weapons drawn. Pylax, the captain of the guard, demanded that they explain themselves and tell him where “Lord Kane” was. Many in the party were stunned by the sudden reversal of their situation (though they should have seen it coming!) and were unsure whether to lie or attempt to convince them who Monfok really was. The bodies of the dead guards at their feet would make lying difficult, and when Charlie felt an observer enter his mind he and the others hesitantly decided to try the truth. Continue reading “Session 23 — On the Run”

Session 22 — Memories Restored

While Charlie, Kerath, Qeew, and Lyra were regrouping at the Stagnant Pool, Dark Warren surprised them all by suddenly entering the inn. He revealed that, after studying the history of the town recorded in runes inscribed upon the Founderstone for many years, recent changes in the runes helped him recover the final missing memories of what happened to him decades ago. He recounted the following tale. Continue reading “Session 22 — Memories Restored”