Ballad of the Pigeon God #33: Dag and Brutus Have an Adventure

10 DuoDec 1071 Village of Welldale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Dag - Kobold acolyte of Akana.  Dutiful husband and father of two.
Brutus - NPC - gigantic, but not-to-bright ex-gladiator who is loyal to the Heroes of the Chateau d'Echelon.
Norm Dingleberry - Nose-picking Dwarven Warrior
Echelon -  Only the current Baron of Eding.  Nothing special.  Eccentric cleric of a distant eastern god of the sea.

Dag DiVelandro - Kobold Warrior of Akana

DAG WRITES IN BOOK.  Yaah!!!  I ate bird

too day Big man is here.  Calls me Bag and Sag.

Jeny hate Dag.  Jeny is magistrate.  Lookin for

sherif.  Go to Lowdale.  To Welldale.  I ride with

Dwarf.  He Smelley.  AAHHHH! Srceam of little guy.

Cursed town.  Scary.  Wierd peopLe.  Sand and

Magic.  Lady at well casting magi.  Bye sade lute

man!  WELL DRY.  THUD!  Little Girl!

Smelly House.  Broker House.  Norm falls in Hole.

Echemon fall to.  DAG HELP TO.  Talis Strong!

Back to town.  Bad spider hurt DAG.  Screams.

Echemon fly from hole.  All is Good?

Me Lost!  Oh Well... Bye bye!!

DM Notes: The biggest issue I had compiling this was that  it was written out of the journal, creating trouble placing this in chronological order.  The page was pretty snug in the pages that should make up episodes #35-37, but that creates some paradoxes.  Placing it during the "Baronial Duties" arc of the campaign is certainly more historically accurate.  

Couldn't tell you what the actual adventure was, but any excuse  for the simpler life in the halfling dales (Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire) that are under the jurisdiction of the Baron of Eding were fine with me.  Most visits to those villages were self-contained scenarios, with only the slightest drizzle of campaign continuity.  

Two more notes:  Dag is the most virtuous, most heroic character in the campaign.  He starts out as a terrified kobold, trying to hide, then defend his family.  He moves onto to comic relief and the role of the group's cute puppy, his family acting as a companion to Timmy.  Here, he's back to comic relief, being run by Velandro's (his lord's) player, but he's relatively effective.  

Second, Brutus is a one-trick pony NPC that rarely got mentioned in the journal, but he should have.  Ex-merc, ex-gladiator, picture Razor Ramon from wrestling, but with a heart of gold.   He was a bit of a simpleton that always got people's names wrong (hence Bag and Sag references above), but in world of spider-people dopplegangers, his loyalty and skill with a sword were unquestioned.  

Give him some chain mail and a bastard sword, and you have Brutus.

Next #34 - The Taxmen Delivereth

10 DuoDec 1071 Village of Welldale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Dag - Kobold acolyte of Akana.  Dutiful husband and father of two.
Brutus - NPC - gigantic, but not-to-bright ex-gladiator who is loyal to the Heroes of the Chateau d'Echelon.
Norm Dingleberry - Nose-picking Dwarven Warrior
Echelon -  Only the current Baron of Eding.  Nothing special.  Eccentric cleric of a distant eastern god of the sea.

Dag DiVelandro - Kobold Warrior of Akana

DAG WRITES IN BOOK.  Yaah!!!  I ate bird

too day Big man is here.  Calls me Bag and Sag.

Jeny hate Dag.  Jeny is magistrate.  Lookin for

sherif.  Go to Lowdale.  To Welldale.  I ride with

Dwarf.  He Smelley.  AAHHHH! Srceam of little guy.

Cursed town.  Scary.  Wierd peopLe.  Sand and

Magic.  Lady at well casting magi.  Bye sade lute

man!  WELL DRY.  THUD!  Little Girl!

Smelly House.  Broker House.  Norm falls in Hole.

Echemon fall to.  DAG HELP TO.  Talis Strong!

Back to town.  Bad spider hurt DAG.  Screams.

Echemon fly from hole.  All is Good?

Me Lost!  Oh Well... Bye bye!!

DM Notes: The biggest issue I had compiling this was that  it was written out of the journal, creating trouble placing this in chronological order.  The page was pretty snug in the pages that should make up episodes #35-37, but that creates some paradoxes.  Placing it during the "Baronial Duties" arc of the campaign is certainly more historically accurate.  

Couldn't tell you what the actual adventure was, but any excuse  for the simpler life in the halfling dales (Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire) that are under the jurisdiction of the Baron of Eding were fine with me.  Most visits to those villages were self-contained scenarios, with only the slightest drizzle of campaign continuity.  

Two more notes:  Dag is the most virtuous, most heroic character in the campaign.  He starts out as a terrified kobold, trying to hide, then defend his family.  He moves onto to comic relief and the role of the group's cute puppy, his family acting as a companion to Timmy.  Here, he's back to comic relief, being run by Velandro's (his lord's) player, but he's relatively effective.  

Second, Brutus is a one-trick pony NPC that rarely got mentioned in the journal, but he should have.  Ex-merc, ex-gladiator, picture Razor Ramon from wrestling, but with a heart of gold.   He was a bit of a simpleton that always got people's names wrong (hence Bag and Sag references above), but in world of spider-people dopplegangers, his loyalty and skill with a sword were unquestioned.  

Give him some chain mail and a bastard sword, and you have Brutus.

Next #34 - The Taxmen Delivereth

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Ballad of the Pigeon God #32: There's No Justice Like Baronial Justice!

With Baronial papers in order, Baron Echelon and his party attempt to return to the Chateau

9 UnDec 1071-  On the road back to Eding - Outside of Omsjik, Kingdom of Crosedes

Echelon:  Peculiar cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He has a charmed wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings. Recently named Baron of Eding

Mellandria:  young wizard fresh from the Magic University in Hydincall.  Named Baronial Scribe to Echelon

Ashe:  highly skilled elven ranger,
Talis Makolin, Bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire

Norm Dingleberry:   Dim-witted dwarf. failed mushroom farmer turned adventurer.  Speaks in an outrageous French accent.

Ariel - a young woman nearly run over by the party while travelling to Poipon's estate.  Pretty and sneaky, so pretty sneaky.

Nearing the King's Road to Omsjik, Ariel dismounted the horse the party had loaned to her and bid herself adieu, turning north towards Hydincall.

13 UnDec 1071-  On the road back to Eding - Lake Apotheosis, Kingdom of Crosedes
One of the few remarkable landmarks on the road between Omsjik and Eding was Lake Apotheosis. The river had encountered a long, deep depression north of Eding and it emptied back out into the river a few miles later.  A sheer cliff face ran along the opposite side of the river from the main road, and was occasionally dotted with ancient carvings of wizards, knights, and dragons.

One spot along the road-side of the lake was known as a campground for travelers, but the party was shocked to see three dozen tents filling the site in the middle of winter.  Some of the tent dwellers hailed them over and offered some soup and a few minutes by the fire, which they accepted.

The friendly camper, George, explained that everyone there, over four dozen, where members of the Cult of Apotheosis.  While they were dutiful followers to the state religion, The Church of Akana, they believed the woven into the theological writings was a prophecy calling on the return on the ancient kings of Feraso (the old Empire).  One of these, a true champion of Akana, would reunite the patchwork of kingdoms, duchies, and baronies, defeat the evil plaguing them, and set the continent, nay the world, through an eternal period of peace.

The stonework in the cliff face at the lake were as old as some of earliest kings, so they were campaing there to investigate them.  The lake was only frozen for a few weeks of Undec and Duodec, so they were walking across to the carvings for now,   Come springtime, they would build boats to continue their investigation.

No one was buying their prophecy, but Norm was already on his third bowl of soup, so these cultists were not trying to poison them.  The party thanked George and his friends and got to the Chateau by nightfall.

16 UnDec 1071 -  Chateau d'Echelon, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Brutus appeared at the Chateau, frostbriten and a bit hungry, but Dew quickly brought him in, doled out a healthy portion of the stew she was cooking, and called Velandro in to help heal his toes.  Aetex and Cilito, two ex-soldiers/farmhands who left with Brutus in the Fall when things were getting bad, had found service in a very shady mercenary company, and managed to rob Brutus of his meager belongings before the company before leving Hydincall.

Hat in hand (if he owned a hat), he had travelled back to the one place were the people were nice and honest.  Baron Echelon demured the decision to Carthon and Jenny, the true managers of the Chateau, and he was welcomed back as a farmhand with open arms.  Little Timmy and the Dag the kobold's children were delighted to have their dim-witted, but fun ex-gladiator friend back and "Baron" Felix was delighted to have a strong back to help with the winter chores.

17 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After breakfast, Echelon assembled everyone residing in the Chateau:
Baron Echelon:   Baron of Eding, Adherent to the Eastern God of the Sea, Tshang Hai Shing.
Mellandria:  Baronial Scribe, recent graduate of the Magic Lyceum in Hydincall.
Mohammad:  Echelon's religious mentor.  Lost his legs to a shark years ago.  Lost his mind focusing pure divine power through him while fighting against the Dread Lord in the Fall of 1070.
Talis Makolin:  Bard and Lover Extraordinaire.  Echelon's right-hand man outside the Chateau.
Ashe:  White-haired elven ranger of the pine barrens  Recent
Norm Dingleberry:  Dwarven failed mushroom farmer, turned adventurer.  Finally learned Common
Rolf Wolfsblood:  Bald-headed barbarian from the steppes.  Rolf, Ashe, Norm, and Babette had recently returned to Crosedes after being stranded in a different world called Talislanta for over 18 months (only five in Crosedes').  For once, Rolf was content to grab a pint in town from time and spend the rest of it at the Chateau, training with his Greatsword in the snow, decked out in his fur coat he had freed from a miserly moneylender.   Sometimes he could be caught doodling designs on a sheet of paper, similar to the facial tattoos he had obtained in Talislanta.
Velandro:  Pious cleric of Akana.  Holy Protector of the Bell of Chardastes.  Teacher of the faith to kobolds everywhere.
Dag & Family:  Kobold family (Dag, wife, son, daughter) rescued from the Palace of the Silver Princess.  Loyal to Velandro. Fledgeling colytes of Akana
Babette:  Street thief picked up in Hydincall.  In the late stages of a pregnancy that happened while she was in Talislanta.  Father of the child (Darius {Yuri}) remained in the other world.
Carthon d'Echelon: Originally a henchman of Echelon, now manages the Chateau.
Jenny d'Echelon: Married to Carthon, sergeant in Eding militia.
Timmy d'Echelon:  Ten year old orpahn boy who was adopted by Carthon and Jenny.
Dew Xyclone: Former noblewoman and prisoner of the spider-people, now just a voluptious middle-age housekeeper for the Chateau.
"Baron" Felix:  Former Baron and prisoner of the spider-people, now happily manages the Chateau's farm. .
Heirlyat:  Former ne'er do well and prisoner of the spider-people, now a farmhand at the Chateau.
Brutus: Dimwitted ex-gladiator, currently a farmhand at the Chateau.
Lady Iris: Former peasant hero of Eding, Red Knight of Crosedes, and attaché to King Nevin. Staying in Lord Athelstane's old manor while Echelon gets comfortable becoming Baron.

Echelon announced that with the recent certification of his Baronial paperwork, he was responsible for collecting all current and back taxes for the Barony, which had not been collected since Lord Athelstane's death.  He was to collect any and all taxes from Eding and the three halfling towns within the Barony's borders (Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire).

Echelon, Talis, and Norm.  decided to leave that afternoon for Lowdale to present Echelon's credentials to his new subjects.

In proper Echelon style, it took so long to prepare for the ride, that they delayed it till first thing the following morning.

18 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The trio arrived in the village to be greeted by the friendly face of A. Warren Corkbarrel, who was yet another ex-prisoner of the Spider-People, rescued by the party.  There was a moment of disbelief by Echelon when Corkbarrel told them he had been elected mayor after stopping the villagers from being kidnapped.  Corkbarrel nearly passed out, then couldn't stop laughing when presented with Baron Echelon's credentials.

*Wipes brow* "It is well and good that you are here My Lord, for we have a problem that is perfect for your skillset."

An arsonist, dressed as a scarecrow, had been burning down buildings around the village.  No one had been killed yet, but the other halflings were talking about the spider-people again.

That night the trio staked out the village on the room of the small inn.  The did spy a scarecrow walking in the snow and follwed it to a windmill.   Exploring the windmill, they found no scarecrow, but a receipt of goods bought and traded, as well as a ledger of taxes paid, rather expensive taxes.   The Defense Tax owed to the Crown by eveyone in town was astronomically high compared to what Echelon was required to collect, even including the back taxes. Upon further investigation, they found the halfling keeper of the windmill dead in a crawlspace.

19 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The following morning, they visit Corkbarrel again.  They asked him about the owner of the windmill and why their taxes were so high, an entire subject all of them failed to bring up when they arrived. Corkbarrel explained that there was a man, named Roland, who lived just outside of town, who delcared that he had been named tax collector after the death of Lord Athelstane.  This man's name was Roland.  They went to Roland's home and immediately noticed that it was very fancy and unguarded.  They knocked on the door and asked to see Roland, but the man who answered said no and slammed the the door shut.  Echelon loudly announced his presence as the Baron, but Talis and Norm were still required to bust the door down.  The interior was just as elegant as the outside, with carpet and tapestries.  They entered the kitchen of the home and saw two startled men who ran out the back.  Talis threw his dagger, but it stuck in the door frame.

All three began to search the home for any evidence of the illegal tax collection, but the duo that escaped wisely came back and tried to surprise them.    Norm attacked them from behind and took them out with one quick hack apiece.

Norm:  "I love being a dwarf"

They worked their way upstairs and found a locked room with someone obviously inside.

Norm : "As the Count of Rowand, I demand entrance!"

Talis:  "When did Norm get so formal... or become a Count?"

Norm began attacking the door with his axe, but the handle snapped in half.

Talis, being the swashbuckler that he is, swung into the room from a curtain in an adjacent room's window.  He crashed through the window, rolled to the locked door, and let Echelon and Norm in, only to turn around and see "Roland" open a secret door and slip out.  They pursued him to the stable behind the house, where they finally captured him.  No coins could be found on the premises.

20 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Roland and the two injured men were taken back to Lowdale where Echelon administered his first act of justice.   Condemning Roland and his one accomplice to death, and sentencing the second man, who admitted everything,  to five years of hard labor under the supervision of Mayor Corkbarrel.   The trio immediately departed to Hydincall to inform King Nevin of the situation and request more time to recover the missing taxes.

29 UnDec 1071 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The trio arrived in Hydincall and sought an immediate audience with the King.  He agreed with the sentencing, allowed a few more weeks to collect taxes, and advised he establish the proper channels of communication by official courier to avoid trudging through the snow anytime they wished correspondence with the Royal Court.  With all that resolved, the three of them returned to the Chateau. The did stop at the Cult of Apotheosis' camp for soup on the way home.

6 DuoDec 1071  - Village of Eding, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After weathering a horrible blizzard in Omsjik, Baron Echeclon finally arrived in Eding and announced that he decided  the Barony needed to have new officials: a sheriff, a magistrate, and other titles as need.  He would appoint them... later.

DM Notes:  Some Baronial bookkeeping provides a little mystery and a lot of headaches for our new Baron.  It was six months (in a ten-month year) since Lord Athelstane had died, and even longer since taxes had been properly collected and delivered.    Making His Majesty, King Nevin of Crosedes, happy would take a number of sessions.  

As I've previously done, here's Talis Makolin's impressions on the group as of this point:

Talis is happy that Rolf and the others are alive, and downright thrilled that Echelon has become a Baron.  Granted, he'll need to stick close (to) Echelon when they arrive in Hydincall, and hopefully he won't into that wizard.  Talis figures that Baron Echelon will need someone to teach him the finer points of courtly procedure, Talis is just the man for the job.  Besides, it will give him an official position on the baronial court.

Rolf: There is something different about Rolf.  He just doesn't seem the same since he came back from Talislanthia (sic).
Malorin: Talis was not at all upset to hear about Malorin's death.  It was a shame, not a loss.
Kane: Talis likes him.  He's a strange little man, with a  bizarre culture, but overall, an okay guy.
Baron Echelon: Echelon is now Baron of Eding, and the man to know.  He'll need a lot of assistance in knowing how to dress and the ways of how a feudal system operates.  Talis doesn't have too much experience in running a Barony, but  he knows some of the ancient legends about kings and stuff, and that's almost the same, isn't it?
Velandro: He takes that whole religion thing a little too seriously but overall a good healer and an okay kind of guy.  Talis is a little dubious on the whole "Train the Dag Family to be priests" thing. 
Dag: Talis isn't quite sure why we agreed to bring him and his family along, but at least he and his family have learned hygiene.  The Dag family is definitely a turn off to chicks though, but if Velandro does manage to teach them to heal they could be quite useful.
Norm: Talis has no diea how Norm learn to talk (maybe everyone in Talislanthia (sic) has that accent?)  but he really doesn't care.  He had the money to save the Chateau, and that makes him aces in Talis' book.
The Baronial Scribe (Mellandria): She's got spells that Talis doesn't know, she's cute, and she's willing to spend time with Talis to trade spells, and maybe a little more if Talis turns on the old charms.
Babbet(e):  Talis immediately panicked when he saw Babette return with child, but was instantly relieved when he realized he had not spent any time with her, and when others told him the child wasn't his.

Next #33 - Dag and Brutus Have an Adventure!!!

With Baronial papers in order, Baron Echelon and his party attempt to return to the Chateau

9 UnDec 1071-  On the road back to Eding - Outside of Omsjik, Kingdom of Crosedes

Echelon:  Peculiar cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He has a charmed wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings. Recently named Baron of Eding

Mellandria:  young wizard fresh from the Magic University in Hydincall.  Named Baronial Scribe to Echelon

Ashe:  highly skilled elven ranger,
Talis Makolin, Bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire

Norm Dingleberry:   Dim-witted dwarf. failed mushroom farmer turned adventurer.  Speaks in an outrageous French accent.

Ariel - a young woman nearly run over by the party while travelling to Poipon's estate.  Pretty and sneaky, so pretty sneaky.

Nearing the King's Road to Omsjik, Ariel dismounted the horse the party had loaned to her and bid herself adieu, turning north towards Hydincall.

13 UnDec 1071-  On the road back to Eding - Lake Apotheosis, Kingdom of Crosedes
One of the few remarkable landmarks on the road between Omsjik and Eding was Lake Apotheosis. The river had encountered a long, deep depression north of Eding and it emptied back out into the river a few miles later.  A sheer cliff face ran along the opposite side of the river from the main road, and was occasionally dotted with ancient carvings of wizards, knights, and dragons.

One spot along the road-side of the lake was known as a campground for travelers, but the party was shocked to see three dozen tents filling the site in the middle of winter.  Some of the tent dwellers hailed them over and offered some soup and a few minutes by the fire, which they accepted.

The friendly camper, George, explained that everyone there, over four dozen, where members of the Cult of Apotheosis.  While they were dutiful followers to the state religion, The Church of Akana, they believed the woven into the theological writings was a prophecy calling on the return on the ancient kings of Feraso (the old Empire).  One of these, a true champion of Akana, would reunite the patchwork of kingdoms, duchies, and baronies, defeat the evil plaguing them, and set the continent, nay the world, through an eternal period of peace.

The stonework in the cliff face at the lake were as old as some of earliest kings, so they were campaing there to investigate them.  The lake was only frozen for a few weeks of Undec and Duodec, so they were walking across to the carvings for now,   Come springtime, they would build boats to continue their investigation.

No one was buying their prophecy, but Norm was already on his third bowl of soup, so these cultists were not trying to poison them.  The party thanked George and his friends and got to the Chateau by nightfall.

16 UnDec 1071 -  Chateau d'Echelon, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Brutus appeared at the Chateau, frostbriten and a bit hungry, but Dew quickly brought him in, doled out a healthy portion of the stew she was cooking, and called Velandro in to help heal his toes.  Aetex and Cilito, two ex-soldiers/farmhands who left with Brutus in the Fall when things were getting bad, had found service in a very shady mercenary company, and managed to rob Brutus of his meager belongings before the company before leving Hydincall.

Hat in hand (if he owned a hat), he had travelled back to the one place were the people were nice and honest.  Baron Echelon demured the decision to Carthon and Jenny, the true managers of the Chateau, and he was welcomed back as a farmhand with open arms.  Little Timmy and the Dag the kobold's children were delighted to have their dim-witted, but fun ex-gladiator friend back and "Baron" Felix was delighted to have a strong back to help with the winter chores.

17 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After breakfast, Echelon assembled everyone residing in the Chateau:
Baron Echelon:   Baron of Eding, Adherent to the Eastern God of the Sea, Tshang Hai Shing.
Mellandria:  Baronial Scribe, recent graduate of the Magic Lyceum in Hydincall.
Mohammad:  Echelon's religious mentor.  Lost his legs to a shark years ago.  Lost his mind focusing pure divine power through him while fighting against the Dread Lord in the Fall of 1070.
Talis Makolin:  Bard and Lover Extraordinaire.  Echelon's right-hand man outside the Chateau.
Ashe:  White-haired elven ranger of the pine barrens  Recent
Norm Dingleberry:  Dwarven failed mushroom farmer, turned adventurer.  Finally learned Common
Rolf Wolfsblood:  Bald-headed barbarian from the steppes.  Rolf, Ashe, Norm, and Babette had recently returned to Crosedes after being stranded in a different world called Talislanta for over 18 months (only five in Crosedes').  For once, Rolf was content to grab a pint in town from time and spend the rest of it at the Chateau, training with his Greatsword in the snow, decked out in his fur coat he had freed from a miserly moneylender.   Sometimes he could be caught doodling designs on a sheet of paper, similar to the facial tattoos he had obtained in Talislanta.
Velandro:  Pious cleric of Akana.  Holy Protector of the Bell of Chardastes.  Teacher of the faith to kobolds everywhere.
Dag & Family:  Kobold family (Dag, wife, son, daughter) rescued from the Palace of the Silver Princess.  Loyal to Velandro. Fledgeling colytes of Akana
Babette:  Street thief picked up in Hydincall.  In the late stages of a pregnancy that happened while she was in Talislanta.  Father of the child (Darius {Yuri}) remained in the other world.
Carthon d'Echelon: Originally a henchman of Echelon, now manages the Chateau.
Jenny d'Echelon: Married to Carthon, sergeant in Eding militia.
Timmy d'Echelon:  Ten year old orpahn boy who was adopted by Carthon and Jenny.
Dew Xyclone: Former noblewoman and prisoner of the spider-people, now just a voluptious middle-age housekeeper for the Chateau.
"Baron" Felix:  Former Baron and prisoner of the spider-people, now happily manages the Chateau's farm. .
Heirlyat:  Former ne'er do well and prisoner of the spider-people, now a farmhand at the Chateau.
Brutus: Dimwitted ex-gladiator, currently a farmhand at the Chateau.
Lady Iris: Former peasant hero of Eding, Red Knight of Crosedes, and attaché to King Nevin. Staying in Lord Athelstane's old manor while Echelon gets comfortable becoming Baron.

Echelon announced that with the recent certification of his Baronial paperwork, he was responsible for collecting all current and back taxes for the Barony, which had not been collected since Lord Athelstane's death.  He was to collect any and all taxes from Eding and the three halfling towns within the Barony's borders (Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire).

Echelon, Talis, and Norm.  decided to leave that afternoon for Lowdale to present Echelon's credentials to his new subjects.

In proper Echelon style, it took so long to prepare for the ride, that they delayed it till first thing the following morning.

18 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The trio arrived in the village to be greeted by the friendly face of A. Warren Corkbarrel, who was yet another ex-prisoner of the Spider-People, rescued by the party.  There was a moment of disbelief by Echelon when Corkbarrel told them he had been elected mayor after stopping the villagers from being kidnapped.  Corkbarrel nearly passed out, then couldn't stop laughing when presented with Baron Echelon's credentials.

*Wipes brow* "It is well and good that you are here My Lord, for we have a problem that is perfect for your skillset."

An arsonist, dressed as a scarecrow, had been burning down buildings around the village.  No one had been killed yet, but the other halflings were talking about the spider-people again.

That night the trio staked out the village on the room of the small inn.  The did spy a scarecrow walking in the snow and follwed it to a windmill.   Exploring the windmill, they found no scarecrow, but a receipt of goods bought and traded, as well as a ledger of taxes paid, rather expensive taxes.   The Defense Tax owed to the Crown by eveyone in town was astronomically high compared to what Echelon was required to collect, even including the back taxes. Upon further investigation, they found the halfling keeper of the windmill dead in a crawlspace.

19 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The following morning, they visit Corkbarrel again.  They asked him about the owner of the windmill and why their taxes were so high, an entire subject all of them failed to bring up when they arrived. Corkbarrel explained that there was a man, named Roland, who lived just outside of town, who delcared that he had been named tax collector after the death of Lord Athelstane.  This man's name was Roland.  They went to Roland's home and immediately noticed that it was very fancy and unguarded.  They knocked on the door and asked to see Roland, but the man who answered said no and slammed the the door shut.  Echelon loudly announced his presence as the Baron, but Talis and Norm were still required to bust the door down.  The interior was just as elegant as the outside, with carpet and tapestries.  They entered the kitchen of the home and saw two startled men who ran out the back.  Talis threw his dagger, but it stuck in the door frame.

All three began to search the home for any evidence of the illegal tax collection, but the duo that escaped wisely came back and tried to surprise them.    Norm attacked them from behind and took them out with one quick hack apiece.

Norm:  "I love being a dwarf"

They worked their way upstairs and found a locked room with someone obviously inside.

Norm : "As the Count of Rowand, I demand entrance!"

Talis:  "When did Norm get so formal... or become a Count?"

Norm began attacking the door with his axe, but the handle snapped in half.

Talis, being the swashbuckler that he is, swung into the room from a curtain in an adjacent room's window.  He crashed through the window, rolled to the locked door, and let Echelon and Norm in, only to turn around and see "Roland" open a secret door and slip out.  They pursued him to the stable behind the house, where they finally captured him.  No coins could be found on the premises.

20 UnDec 1071-  Village of Lowdale, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Roland and the two injured men were taken back to Lowdale where Echelon administered his first act of justice.   Condemning Roland and his one accomplice to death, and sentencing the second man, who admitted everything,  to five years of hard labor under the supervision of Mayor Corkbarrel.   The trio immediately departed to Hydincall to inform King Nevin of the situation and request more time to recover the missing taxes.

29 UnDec 1071 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
The trio arrived in Hydincall and sought an immediate audience with the King.  He agreed with the sentencing, allowed a few more weeks to collect taxes, and advised he establish the proper channels of communication by official courier to avoid trudging through the snow anytime they wished correspondence with the Royal Court.  With all that resolved, the three of them returned to the Chateau. The did stop at the Cult of Apotheosis' camp for soup on the way home.

6 DuoDec 1071  - Village of Eding, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After weathering a horrible blizzard in Omsjik, Baron Echeclon finally arrived in Eding and announced that he decided  the Barony needed to have new officials: a sheriff, a magistrate, and other titles as need.  He would appoint them... later.

DM Notes:  Some Baronial bookkeeping provides a little mystery and a lot of headaches for our new Baron.  It was six months (in a ten-month year) since Lord Athelstane had died, and even longer since taxes had been properly collected and delivered.    Making His Majesty, King Nevin of Crosedes, happy would take a number of sessions.  

As I've previously done, here's Talis Makolin's impressions on the group as of this point:

Talis is happy that Rolf and the others are alive, and downright thrilled that Echelon has become a Baron.  Granted, he'll need to stick close (to) Echelon when they arrive in Hydincall, and hopefully he won't into that wizard.  Talis figures that Baron Echelon will need someone to teach him the finer points of courtly procedure, Talis is just the man for the job.  Besides, it will give him an official position on the baronial court.

Rolf: There is something different about Rolf.  He just doesn't seem the same since he came back from Talislanthia (sic).
Malorin: Talis was not at all upset to hear about Malorin's death.  It was a shame, not a loss.
Kane: Talis likes him.  He's a strange little man, with a  bizarre culture, but overall, an okay guy.
Baron Echelon: Echelon is now Baron of Eding, and the man to know.  He'll need a lot of assistance in knowing how to dress and the ways of how a feudal system operates.  Talis doesn't have too much experience in running a Barony, but  he knows some of the ancient legends about kings and stuff, and that's almost the same, isn't it?
Velandro: He takes that whole religion thing a little too seriously but overall a good healer and an okay kind of guy.  Talis is a little dubious on the whole "Train the Dag Family to be priests" thing. 
Dag: Talis isn't quite sure why we agreed to bring him and his family along, but at least he and his family have learned hygiene.  The Dag family is definitely a turn off to chicks though, but if Velandro does manage to teach them to heal they could be quite useful.
Norm: Talis has no diea how Norm learn to talk (maybe everyone in Talislanthia (sic) has that accent?)  but he really doesn't care.  He had the money to save the Chateau, and that makes him aces in Talis' book.
The Baronial Scribe (Mellandria): She's got spells that Talis doesn't know, she's cute, and she's willing to spend time with Talis to trade spells, and maybe a little more if Talis turns on the old charms.
Babbet(e):  Talis immediately panicked when he saw Babette return with child, but was instantly relieved when he realized he had not spent any time with her, and when others told him the child wasn't his.

Next #33 - Dag and Brutus Have an Adventure!!!

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Ballad of the Pigeon God #31: Mage Trap

The Five Day Festival of Yule - Chateau d'Echelon, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The Village of Eding celebrated the appointment of cleric and pigeon lover Echelon as the new Baron.  Better yet, Eding celebrated their land no longer being some petty estate overseen by some non-hereditary lord knight appointed by the King of Crosedes.

Eding was to be the Baronial seat of power which included many smaller estates, such as the one owned by Christiana Caldwell, but also the halfling villages of Elmshire, Lowdale, and Welldale. The village was just picking itself back up after numerous calamities, but Echelon and his friends had been there to help everyone. Hope (and a good selection of mulled wines) inspired the villages over the five day Yule that brighter days might be around the corner. 

The Grand Wizard Cesmir, Headmage of the Hydincall Lyceum and Minister of the State (and distant cousin to the King) Nobquin Silvershield, had named a recent graduate,  Mellandria, to act as official Baronial scribe.

Mellandria, paid internships ain't what they used to be...

She was immediately attacked "romantically" by Talis Makolin, bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire, and when that failed he teamed up with a strange wizard  Benverho to exchange some spells between the three of them.  Talis was not please by the trades being struck, but Mellandria and the stranger had no issues.

As part of the documentation presented to him by the King, Echelon understood that he himself needed to venture to the Royal Noble Notarary near Pojunct to have all paperwork sealed by the Grey Sag Poipon.

5 UnDec 1071- On the road to the Estate of Poipon, East of Pojunct,  Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon:  Peculair cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He has a charmed wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings. Recently named Baron of Eding

Mellandria:  young wizard fresh from the Magic University in Hydincall.  Named Baronial Scribe to Echelon

Ashe:  highly skilled elven ranger,
Talis Makolin, bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire

Norm Dingleberry:   Dim-witted dwarf. failed mushroom farmer turned adventurer.  Speaks in an outrageous French accent.

The trip to Pojunct was almost as long as the journey to Hydincall, but with poorer roads and six inches of snow.  The trip itself was  uneventful a young woman darted in front of the horses.  The men in the party ogled her and quickly offered to escort her to Poipon's estate, where she could get proper medical treatment.  The young woman, Ariel, accepted the kind gesture, and struck up a friendly conversation with Mellandria.  

They arrived at Poipon's estate to encounter a group conducting a ritual in the study to obtain a scrying carpet.  Poipon, a nutty old wizard if ever there was, had other guests with him, 

Mellandria:  "... a fat boy, a paranoid man in armor and twin slimy wizards. I'm starting to like the baron and his friends a lot more.....What could go wrong?"

6 UnDec 1071- The Estate of Poipon, Kingdom of Crosedes
News quickly spread the estate that Poipon had died overnight, without officially sealing Echelon's paperwork for Baron.  He died in locked room, with seemingly no way in, at midnight, with no witnesses. 

Mellandria: "We're faced with the choice of leaving or solving this thing. Guess which we choose?"

7 UnDec 1071- The Estate of Poipon, Kingdom of Crosedes
Halfway through the third day at the estate and just about everyone who escorted Echelon wanted to give up their investigation, travel to Hydincall, and bribe government official to notarize the baronial papers in less than two months.  However Ashe, Ariel, and Mellandria were too stubborn to quit. 

They eventually figure out the "two slimy wizards as the assassins.  They were in the hire of rivals to the Baroness Laurencia of Poitou.  The scrying carpet was being constructed for her by Poipon.  With no magistrate or sheriff nearby, they strung the wizards up a tree and left them there to suffer by the elements.  Poipon's servant affixed the royal seal to Echelon's papers (He had been doing it for Poipon for twenty years.  No one ever noticed).  

Mellandria: "All the way home, Norm was smiling and babbling about being a Count (Mercadia paperwork... or Rowand) Who understand dwarfs anyway? So now Echelon's officially Baron, everyone is happy, but I (Mellandria) haven't gotten paid. I 'd better sit him down and discuss this soon before he spends the entire budget on Pigeon Chow or something."

DM Notes: Getting things notarized in the modern world is a pain in the butt, so why make a fantasy world any different?  The short murder mystery notwithstanding, the main focus of the session was to have our PCs interact with one another, with mixed results.  It's so inconsequential, that in fact, I never determined the Baroness of Poipon's enemies.  Heck I hadn't even named her until I wrote this post (a few weeks ago).  

Ariel will become a new regular as others drop out, some by actions (Babette is still pregnant) others by eventually inaction/ semi-retirement.

And our feebleminded French dwarf Norm and the paperwork?   As Poipon's servant left the office, Norm snuck in and rummaged around the paperwork, until be produced credentials naming him the Count of Roward (a real place) and Duke of Mercadia (an imaginary place).   I don't think he ever confronted the real Count of Roward about this, but it was mentioned often to peasants and the hoi polloi.

Edit x2:  With the discovery of Echelon's journal and the official papers of state, I realized in my ret-con editing I may subconsciously added some duplicates.  While the Grand Wizard Cesmir is listed in the original paperwork, I also made Cesmir the name of the first King of Crosedes. Considering I also called King Nevin IV King George  (with the name crossed out and corrected) isn't too much of a surprise.  

I'm still going through the paperwork, but Nobquin Silvershield does not appear in the proper journal.  The extended Silvershield family should have some estates around Hydincall, and I do have Nobquin's Keep on the border with Markovia within the County of Ferrand, so that part of the Silvershields (Nobquin's father) are responsible for the original ancestral Fereasean claim.  

"Mage Trap" came from Pyramid Magazine #26

NEXT #32 - Baronial Justice!

The Five Day Festival of Yule - Chateau d'Echelon, Barony of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The Village of Eding celebrated the appointment of cleric and pigeon lover Echelon as the new Baron.  Better yet, Eding celebrated their land no longer being some petty estate overseen by some non-hereditary lord knight appointed by the King of Crosedes.

Eding was to be the Baronial seat of power which included many smaller estates, such as the one owned by Christiana Caldwell, but also the halfling villages of Elmshire, Lowdale, and Welldale. The village was just picking itself back up after numerous calamities, but Echelon and his friends had been there to help everyone. Hope (and a good selection of mulled wines) inspired the villages over the five day Yule that brighter days might be around the corner. 

The Grand Wizard Cesmir, Headmage of the Hydincall Lyceum and Minister of the State (and distant cousin to the King) Nobquin Silvershield, had named a recent graduate,  Mellandria, to act as official Baronial scribe.

Mellandria, paid internships ain't what they used to be...

She was immediately attacked "romantically" by Talis Makolin, bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire, and when that failed he teamed up with a strange wizard  Benverho to exchange some spells between the three of them.  Talis was not please by the trades being struck, but Mellandria and the stranger had no issues.

As part of the documentation presented to him by the King, Echelon understood that he himself needed to venture to the Royal Noble Notarary near Pojunct to have all paperwork sealed by the Grey Sag Poipon.

5 UnDec 1071- On the road to the Estate of Poipon, East of Pojunct,  Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon:  Peculair cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He has a charmed wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings. Recently named Baron of Eding

Mellandria:  young wizard fresh from the Magic University in Hydincall.  Named Baronial Scribe to Echelon

Ashe:  highly skilled elven ranger,
Talis Makolin, bard and self-proclaimed lover extraordinaire

Norm Dingleberry:   Dim-witted dwarf. failed mushroom farmer turned adventurer.  Speaks in an outrageous French accent.

The trip to Pojunct was almost as long as the journey to Hydincall, but with poorer roads and six inches of snow.  The trip itself was  uneventful a young woman darted in front of the horses.  The men in the party ogled her and quickly offered to escort her to Poipon's estate, where she could get proper medical treatment.  The young woman, Ariel, accepted the kind gesture, and struck up a friendly conversation with Mellandria.  

They arrived at Poipon's estate to encounter a group conducting a ritual in the study to obtain a scrying carpet.  Poipon, a nutty old wizard if ever there was, had other guests with him, 

Mellandria:  "... a fat boy, a paranoid man in armor and twin slimy wizards. I'm starting to like the baron and his friends a lot more.....What could go wrong?"

6 UnDec 1071- The Estate of Poipon, Kingdom of Crosedes
News quickly spread the estate that Poipon had died overnight, without officially sealing Echelon's paperwork for Baron.  He died in locked room, with seemingly no way in, at midnight, with no witnesses. 

Mellandria: "We're faced with the choice of leaving or solving this thing. Guess which we choose?"

7 UnDec 1071- The Estate of Poipon, Kingdom of Crosedes
Halfway through the third day at the estate and just about everyone who escorted Echelon wanted to give up their investigation, travel to Hydincall, and bribe government official to notarize the baronial papers in less than two months.  However Ashe, Ariel, and Mellandria were too stubborn to quit. 

They eventually figure out the "two slimy wizards as the assassins.  They were in the hire of rivals to the Baroness Laurencia of Poitou.  The scrying carpet was being constructed for her by Poipon.  With no magistrate or sheriff nearby, they strung the wizards up a tree and left them there to suffer by the elements.  Poipon's servant affixed the royal seal to Echelon's papers (He had been doing it for Poipon for twenty years.  No one ever noticed).  

Mellandria: "All the way home, Norm was smiling and babbling about being a Count (Mercadia paperwork... or Rowand) Who understand dwarfs anyway? So now Echelon's officially Baron, everyone is happy, but I (Mellandria) haven't gotten paid. I 'd better sit him down and discuss this soon before he spends the entire budget on Pigeon Chow or something."

DM Notes: Getting things notarized in the modern world is a pain in the butt, so why make a fantasy world any different?  The short murder mystery notwithstanding, the main focus of the session was to have our PCs interact with one another, with mixed results.  It's so inconsequential, that in fact, I never determined the Baroness of Poipon's enemies.  Heck I hadn't even named her until I wrote this post (a few weeks ago).  

Ariel will become a new regular as others drop out, some by actions (Babette is still pregnant) others by eventually inaction/ semi-retirement.

And our feebleminded French dwarf Norm and the paperwork?   As Poipon's servant left the office, Norm snuck in and rummaged around the paperwork, until be produced credentials naming him the Count of Roward (a real place) and Duke of Mercadia (an imaginary place).   I don't think he ever confronted the real Count of Roward about this, but it was mentioned often to peasants and the hoi polloi.

Edit x2:  With the discovery of Echelon's journal and the official papers of state, I realized in my ret-con editing I may subconsciously added some duplicates.  While the Grand Wizard Cesmir is listed in the original paperwork, I also made Cesmir the name of the first King of Crosedes. Considering I also called King Nevin IV King George  (with the name crossed out and corrected) isn't too much of a surprise.  

I'm still going through the paperwork, but Nobquin Silvershield does not appear in the proper journal.  The extended Silvershield family should have some estates around Hydincall, and I do have Nobquin's Keep on the border with Markovia within the County of Ferrand, so that part of the Silvershields (Nobquin's father) are responsible for the original ancestral Fereasean claim.  

"Mage Trap" came from Pyramid Magazine #26

NEXT #32 - Baronial Justice!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Ballad of the Pigeon God #30: It's a Wonderful Reuinion

For a month, the occupants of Chateau d'Echelon were in quite a pickle. The moneylender who financed the purchase of the estate and its expansion called in the loan in full, due to an "Act of the Gods" clause in the agreement.

Echelon - Peculiar cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He had acquired a charmed telepathic wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings.
Talis Makolin - Bard and lover extraordinaire.
Count Zabty - NPC-  half-orc fallen paladin of Akana who had been trapped in stasis for hundreds of years by the spider-people who have infiltrated the kingdom.  Acting ruler and protector of Eding and the surrounding villages, after a complete collapse in government over the second half of the year.
Carthon, Jenny and Timmy D'Echelon - NPC-  Carthon was Echelon's hireling who established the Chateau.  He married Jenny, a sergeant on the village militia and together they adopted lovable orphan/torchbearer/animal handler Timmy, age 10.
Dew Xyclone - NPC -former noblewoman suffering a similar fate to Count Zabty.  Upon her rescue she has become the matron of the Chateau, keeping the household running as the others run the farm.  Great cook.
Heirylat - NPC -former brigand and father of the famed Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes.  Also rescued like Zabty, working as farm hand on the estate.
"Baron" Felix - NPC - Another spider-person kidnappee.  Former Baron from Ras-Prythax hundreds of years ago, now farm foreman at the estate.
Mohammad - NPC -  former mentor of Echelon.  Man from the near-east who had lost his legs in shark/catapult pirate escape years ago.  A recent powerful burst of divine power turned him near catatonic, spending most hours meditating in a kitchen broom closet.

30 DecDec, 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Talis: "A letter was delivered today from Velandro saying he and the Dag Family of kobolds were returning from training just in time for the five-day Yule holiday which ended the year!"

36 DecDec, 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The due date to make payment in full on the Chateau arrived, but Talis and Echelon could barely cobble together 1,200gp of the over 12,000gp outstanding balance.  Mr Tinpenny did not make an appearance to foreclose.  It was decided to continue to empty the contents of the wine cellar, as only items they could carry on their persons and on one mount per person was permitted once the Chateau was surrendered.  But drunk Echelon and Talis continued to expand on their not-so-secret plan to secretly kill Tinpenny... his men... and probably government officials/sheriffs overseeing the foreclosure.

1st Day of YULE!  1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The first morning of Yule opened to a very hungover Talis and Echelon, all the while Timmy threw a fit because Carthon and Jenny refused to let him out of the Chateau to explore in the rain and mud in the woods.

Early afternoon, Count Zabty made an appearance to inform them that he would not be part of their diabolical plan to kill Tinpenny.

Talis:  "Wait, how drunk were we that we told a paladin about our murder plot???"

In fact, Zabty also advised them that he was leaving. Torm and the remaining leadership would be fine to oversee and protect Eding, even if the heroes of the Chateau were missing or drunk.

Once Zabty left, the rest of the friends and staff in the Chateau pledged to follow the heroes lead, whatever that would be.

Before dusk, Velandro and the Dag family finally arrived for the Yule festivities.  The entire Chateau company greeted them warmly, save Mohammad, who could be heard in the closet, talking to his god, Tshang Kai Shing.

Talis and Echelon tried to inform Velandro of their trials and tribulations over the past few months, but before they could find a place to hang four small kobold cloaks, they were interrupted by twenty-three of the locals, who noticed the beloved kobolds' return.

Again, warm greetings and warm food was exchanged, until another knock at the door was heard.

This time it was Kane the monk, Ashe the Ranger, and a very pregnant red-head, Babette.  All three look tired and road-worn and bloody, as they had encountered a number of wolves on the way from Hydincall, plus a steady snow had caught up to them on their final stretch home.  Little was discussed of where Maloran's cousin's brothel went, where Rolf was, or why Ashe's hair was stark white, although they were able to tell everyone of Maloran's heroic demise.  Slightly shocked but honored, they poured a toast to their fallen comrade.

More peasants arrived at the Chateau.  Some with holiday food, some with bottle of alcohol they had stowed away during all the disasters of the year prior, and a few of the surviving elders brought small carved toys or blankets to the kids (as is part of Yule tradition).

Through the chaos of the party, a snow-covered dwarf appeared in the main room, walking a pony behind him.  Norm Dingleberry had returned! Those that knew of the failed mushroom farmer that only spoke Dwarven were amazed that he now spoke Trade Common perfectly, although he did have an outrageous French accent.  Baron Felix offered to take the pony, named My Lil, to the barn, but Norm steadfastly refused.

Five more new adventurers arrived, claiming to be former associates of Carthon.  One was Kyrill, the dwarf that had aided Echelon in ridding the halfling villages of spider-people. The leader called himself Benvorho, Ambassador of the Little People.  Most people found them stranger than Echelon, but they brought wine for all, so they were allowed to stay.

Finally, the fur-clad moneylender, Nebuchadnezzar Tinpenny arrived with an entourage of six guards plate mails and a pile of very official documents in a large box.  Confusion swept over the Chateau as he offered Talis and Echelon one final chance to pay in full before he used his authority from the King to kick everyone off of the estate, even if it was the first night of Yule.  

Talis and Echelon froze, wondering what would happen if they assaulted the crooked man in front of a crowd of innocents?  Would they live? Go to jail?  Spark a revolt that would get put down by the King's knights?

Fortunately Norm flipped open some chests strapped to the back of the pony still standing in the room, that somehow had thousands gold and jewels inside...

The Chateau d'Echelon was saved!  They kicked the money changer and his men out of the house and hailed Norm a hero!

Another knock at the door was answered to a group of kobolds, ("drinking friends" of Velandro's from the Akana monastery outside Lansluck).  The were dressed in the style of a Mariachi band and a very stirring rendition of the kobold holiday classic "Fleaz on My Bod."

Yet again, someone else banged on the front door.  It was a cold and somewhat annoyed Rolf Wolfsblood.... wearing Tinpenny's fur coat.  The barbarian took the floor and was the first to explain the story of how Kannex teleported a brothel to another world and the adventures that took place there.  Those included the one that started the obvious series of tattoos that were now covering his body, as well as the dent that was in Norm's rear.

Norm dropped trow to prove it.  It did not dissuade most party-goers.

As stories were trade and more logs thrown onto the fire, there was one last knock at the front door. It was a group of obvious city-folk, along with Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes.  After a moment of relief once they were allowed to warm up beside the fire, one of the group read a royal proclamation...

"A proclamation of his majesty King Nevin IV the Ogre-Slayer, of the Great and Royal Kingdom of Crosedes, on the Twenty-Ninth day of DecDec, One Thousand Seventy in the calendar of the Ancien Empire."

"In reference to the following acts, as reported by Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes,  County Zabty of Halfwater, Crown Prince William of Arinka, heir to the Crown of Aragain, and His Lawful Holiness, Adolphus, Archbishop of Hydincall: 

• For dutiful and never ending service in the reclamation and return of the Ancient and Holy Bell of Chardastes for the Faith of the Kingdom.
• For the rescue and escort of foreign dignitaries from areas of outright rebellion.  
• For the rescue and safe return of watchful agents of the Crown and innocent peasants alike from kidnapping, murder, and outright brigandry. 
• For prompt and ever-vigilant protection of the village of Eding from evil men and the enemies of man, both material and otherworldly. 
• For rallying forces to uncover and destroy plots to threaten the rightful lineage of his Royal Majesty and all vassals swearing allegiance to him.  
• For the general care of welfare, regardless of boon or despair, of the all the Kingdom's citizens who reside in the general area known as Eding. "

"Echelon Riemann, born of Omsjik, resident of the Chateau d'Echelon, has been granted the title of Baron in service of the King of Crosedes, controlling and protecting the villages of Eding, Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire and their surrounding environs.  "

From the Journal of Baron Echelon of Eding...
"It was a great time had by all as the party drew into the night.  Oh Yeah, I almost forgot.  I was also declared Baron and given two women whom  I have to pay for their services.  I think their duties are more administrative, which is good because I don't want to take too much time from training my pigeons....."

DM Notes:  I've mentioned in previous blog posts the dynamics of this particular session, but I will do my best to explain it here.  

This was the first session with college back in session.  We ran this game in the evening of Fall Move-In Day.  It was semi-live-action, with Talis and Echelon's players pacing the basement common area (or normal playspace), and a cast of half-informed players waiting on the other side of the door to the unused TV room.  Talis and Echelon were quite sure they were going to be force to kill Tinpenny, but as things calmed down enough to review their plans, there was another knock on the door.  Not only did all the characters return from their travels far and wide, but I kept adding villagers. tradesmen, and established NPCs to make their visits to the Chateau and their heroes for the last half-year of crisis.  

Finally, when Tinpenny arrived (me), things were in a state of chaos, because no one really knew the whole story of what was transpiring.  Between chests and bags of holding full of treasure that most of the Talislanta adventurers had forgotten about, Norm was able to save the day.  Everyone was surprised, but relieved that the next knock at the door wasn't Rolf, but the "fun" Kobold mariachi band.  

The appearance of the tattooed Rolf wearing Tinpenny's coat (he waylayed them out simply out of spite and took just the coat), I initiated the storytelling phase, where everyone tried to tell there part of story, a "What I Gamed Over My Summer Vacation" if you will.  

Once we were halfway done with that I dropped the Royal Scribe and his assistants on them.   Despite Talis and Echelon feeling like they were all alone combating the fates of Hell from descending onto Eding, King Nevin had received correspondence of their efforts.  Heck, their first mention in reports to him was by (spider-person) Lady Iris, who thought them as easily controlled chumps back at the lizardman raid of Eding back in episode #4.   The real Lady Iris extolled their virtues in her rescue, and post-wedding clean-up.  Prince William had taken control of Eding more out of diplomatic ploy than benevolence, but extended his appreciation for all the efforts in keeping the peace.  Heraldists were confused by Count Zabty's ancient credentials, but still accepted his reports on the heroes of the latest Chateau, the true protectors of Eding.  Of course, the Archbishop appreciated the return of the Bell and their combat with inter-dimensional pseudo-deities.  

With Lord Athelstane dead for nearly five months, and no other proper landowner with valid claim to the land grant, it was simple to bestow a title onto one of the heroes.   Baron would force the person to look into the halfling villages, long neglected by Athelstane, and the owner of the Chateau, a man who must already know how to organized a staff, seemed wise to be granted that title.

We're moving onto a chapter in the campaign, complete with new characters. (Yes, Mellandria the Mage was part of this scenario, but I'll give her a proper introduction next episode).

EDIT: Of course, Echelon's player, Steve would just happen upon a pile of campaign papers that force me to tweak the campaign episodes.  The actual royal proclamation is the only thing that affects this episode, and outside of a reminder that the old Feraso Empire is referred to the Ancien Empire in royal correspondence, the ret-conned announcement is far superior. 

NEXT #31 - Mage Trap!

For a month, the occupants of Chateau d'Echelon were in quite a pickle. The moneylender who financed the purchase of the estate and its expansion called in the loan in full, due to an "Act of the Gods" clause in the agreement.

Echelon - Peculiar cleric of an eastern god of the sea and expert on raising pigeons.  He had acquired a charmed telepathic wolf, Pathfinder, and fell into the estate by the sheer talents of his hirelings.
Talis Makolin - Bard and lover extraordinaire.
Count Zabty - NPC-  half-orc fallen paladin of Akana who had been trapped in stasis for hundreds of years by the spider-people who have infiltrated the kingdom.  Acting ruler and protector of Eding and the surrounding villages, after a complete collapse in government over the second half of the year.
Carthon, Jenny and Timmy D'Echelon - NPC-  Carthon was Echelon's hireling who established the Chateau.  He married Jenny, a sergeant on the village militia and together they adopted lovable orphan/torchbearer/animal handler Timmy, age 10.
Dew Xyclone - NPC -former noblewoman suffering a similar fate to Count Zabty.  Upon her rescue she has become the matron of the Chateau, keeping the household running as the others run the farm.  Great cook.
Heirylat - NPC -former brigand and father of the famed Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes.  Also rescued like Zabty, working as farm hand on the estate.
"Baron" Felix - NPC - Another spider-person kidnappee.  Former Baron from Ras-Prythax hundreds of years ago, now farm foreman at the estate.
Mohammad - NPC -  former mentor of Echelon.  Man from the near-east who had lost his legs in shark/catapult pirate escape years ago.  A recent powerful burst of divine power turned him near catatonic, spending most hours meditating in a kitchen broom closet.

30 DecDec, 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Talis: "A letter was delivered today from Velandro saying he and the Dag Family of kobolds were returning from training just in time for the five-day Yule holiday which ended the year!"

36 DecDec, 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The due date to make payment in full on the Chateau arrived, but Talis and Echelon could barely cobble together 1,200gp of the over 12,000gp outstanding balance.  Mr Tinpenny did not make an appearance to foreclose.  It was decided to continue to empty the contents of the wine cellar, as only items they could carry on their persons and on one mount per person was permitted once the Chateau was surrendered.  But drunk Echelon and Talis continued to expand on their not-so-secret plan to secretly kill Tinpenny... his men... and probably government officials/sheriffs overseeing the foreclosure.

1st Day of YULE!  1070 - Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The first morning of Yule opened to a very hungover Talis and Echelon, all the while Timmy threw a fit because Carthon and Jenny refused to let him out of the Chateau to explore in the rain and mud in the woods.

Early afternoon, Count Zabty made an appearance to inform them that he would not be part of their diabolical plan to kill Tinpenny.

Talis:  "Wait, how drunk were we that we told a paladin about our murder plot???"

In fact, Zabty also advised them that he was leaving. Torm and the remaining leadership would be fine to oversee and protect Eding, even if the heroes of the Chateau were missing or drunk.

Once Zabty left, the rest of the friends and staff in the Chateau pledged to follow the heroes lead, whatever that would be.

Before dusk, Velandro and the Dag family finally arrived for the Yule festivities.  The entire Chateau company greeted them warmly, save Mohammad, who could be heard in the closet, talking to his god, Tshang Kai Shing.

Talis and Echelon tried to inform Velandro of their trials and tribulations over the past few months, but before they could find a place to hang four small kobold cloaks, they were interrupted by twenty-three of the locals, who noticed the beloved kobolds' return.

Again, warm greetings and warm food was exchanged, until another knock at the door was heard.

This time it was Kane the monk, Ashe the Ranger, and a very pregnant red-head, Babette.  All three look tired and road-worn and bloody, as they had encountered a number of wolves on the way from Hydincall, plus a steady snow had caught up to them on their final stretch home.  Little was discussed of where Maloran's cousin's brothel went, where Rolf was, or why Ashe's hair was stark white, although they were able to tell everyone of Maloran's heroic demise.  Slightly shocked but honored, they poured a toast to their fallen comrade.

More peasants arrived at the Chateau.  Some with holiday food, some with bottle of alcohol they had stowed away during all the disasters of the year prior, and a few of the surviving elders brought small carved toys or blankets to the kids (as is part of Yule tradition).

Through the chaos of the party, a snow-covered dwarf appeared in the main room, walking a pony behind him.  Norm Dingleberry had returned! Those that knew of the failed mushroom farmer that only spoke Dwarven were amazed that he now spoke Trade Common perfectly, although he did have an outrageous French accent.  Baron Felix offered to take the pony, named My Lil, to the barn, but Norm steadfastly refused.

Five more new adventurers arrived, claiming to be former associates of Carthon.  One was Kyrill, the dwarf that had aided Echelon in ridding the halfling villages of spider-people. The leader called himself Benvorho, Ambassador of the Little People.  Most people found them stranger than Echelon, but they brought wine for all, so they were allowed to stay.

Finally, the fur-clad moneylender, Nebuchadnezzar Tinpenny arrived with an entourage of six guards plate mails and a pile of very official documents in a large box.  Confusion swept over the Chateau as he offered Talis and Echelon one final chance to pay in full before he used his authority from the King to kick everyone off of the estate, even if it was the first night of Yule.  

Talis and Echelon froze, wondering what would happen if they assaulted the crooked man in front of a crowd of innocents?  Would they live? Go to jail?  Spark a revolt that would get put down by the King's knights?

Fortunately Norm flipped open some chests strapped to the back of the pony still standing in the room, that somehow had thousands gold and jewels inside...

The Chateau d'Echelon was saved!  They kicked the money changer and his men out of the house and hailed Norm a hero!

Another knock at the door was answered to a group of kobolds, ("drinking friends" of Velandro's from the Akana monastery outside Lansluck).  The were dressed in the style of a Mariachi band and a very stirring rendition of the kobold holiday classic "Fleaz on My Bod."

Yet again, someone else banged on the front door.  It was a cold and somewhat annoyed Rolf Wolfsblood.... wearing Tinpenny's fur coat.  The barbarian took the floor and was the first to explain the story of how Kannex teleported a brothel to another world and the adventures that took place there.  Those included the one that started the obvious series of tattoos that were now covering his body, as well as the dent that was in Norm's rear.

Norm dropped trow to prove it.  It did not dissuade most party-goers.

As stories were trade and more logs thrown onto the fire, there was one last knock at the front door. It was a group of obvious city-folk, along with Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes.  After a moment of relief once they were allowed to warm up beside the fire, one of the group read a royal proclamation...

"A proclamation of his majesty King Nevin IV the Ogre-Slayer, of the Great and Royal Kingdom of Crosedes, on the Twenty-Ninth day of DecDec, One Thousand Seventy in the calendar of the Ancien Empire."

"In reference to the following acts, as reported by Lady Iris, Red Knight of Crosedes,  County Zabty of Halfwater, Crown Prince William of Arinka, heir to the Crown of Aragain, and His Lawful Holiness, Adolphus, Archbishop of Hydincall: 

• For dutiful and never ending service in the reclamation and return of the Ancient and Holy Bell of Chardastes for the Faith of the Kingdom.
• For the rescue and escort of foreign dignitaries from areas of outright rebellion.  
• For the rescue and safe return of watchful agents of the Crown and innocent peasants alike from kidnapping, murder, and outright brigandry. 
• For prompt and ever-vigilant protection of the village of Eding from evil men and the enemies of man, both material and otherworldly. 
• For rallying forces to uncover and destroy plots to threaten the rightful lineage of his Royal Majesty and all vassals swearing allegiance to him.  
• For the general care of welfare, regardless of boon or despair, of the all the Kingdom's citizens who reside in the general area known as Eding. "

"Echelon Riemann, born of Omsjik, resident of the Chateau d'Echelon, has been granted the title of Baron in service of the King of Crosedes, controlling and protecting the villages of Eding, Lowdale, Welldale, and Elmshire and their surrounding environs.  "

From the Journal of Baron Echelon of Eding...
"It was a great time had by all as the party drew into the night.  Oh Yeah, I almost forgot.  I was also declared Baron and given two women whom  I have to pay for their services.  I think their duties are more administrative, which is good because I don't want to take too much time from training my pigeons....."

DM Notes:  I've mentioned in previous blog posts the dynamics of this particular session, but I will do my best to explain it here.  

This was the first session with college back in session.  We ran this game in the evening of Fall Move-In Day.  It was semi-live-action, with Talis and Echelon's players pacing the basement common area (or normal playspace), and a cast of half-informed players waiting on the other side of the door to the unused TV room.  Talis and Echelon were quite sure they were going to be force to kill Tinpenny, but as things calmed down enough to review their plans, there was another knock on the door.  Not only did all the characters return from their travels far and wide, but I kept adding villagers. tradesmen, and established NPCs to make their visits to the Chateau and their heroes for the last half-year of crisis.  

Finally, when Tinpenny arrived (me), things were in a state of chaos, because no one really knew the whole story of what was transpiring.  Between chests and bags of holding full of treasure that most of the Talislanta adventurers had forgotten about, Norm was able to save the day.  Everyone was surprised, but relieved that the next knock at the door wasn't Rolf, but the "fun" Kobold mariachi band.  

The appearance of the tattooed Rolf wearing Tinpenny's coat (he waylayed them out simply out of spite and took just the coat), I initiated the storytelling phase, where everyone tried to tell there part of story, a "What I Gamed Over My Summer Vacation" if you will.  

Once we were halfway done with that I dropped the Royal Scribe and his assistants on them.   Despite Talis and Echelon feeling like they were all alone combating the fates of Hell from descending onto Eding, King Nevin had received correspondence of their efforts.  Heck, their first mention in reports to him was by (spider-person) Lady Iris, who thought them as easily controlled chumps back at the lizardman raid of Eding back in episode #4.   The real Lady Iris extolled their virtues in her rescue, and post-wedding clean-up.  Prince William had taken control of Eding more out of diplomatic ploy than benevolence, but extended his appreciation for all the efforts in keeping the peace.  Heraldists were confused by Count Zabty's ancient credentials, but still accepted his reports on the heroes of the latest Chateau, the true protectors of Eding.  Of course, the Archbishop appreciated the return of the Bell and their combat with inter-dimensional pseudo-deities.  

With Lord Athelstane dead for nearly five months, and no other proper landowner with valid claim to the land grant, it was simple to bestow a title onto one of the heroes.   Baron would force the person to look into the halfling villages, long neglected by Athelstane, and the owner of the Chateau, a man who must already know how to organized a staff, seemed wise to be granted that title.

We're moving onto a chapter in the campaign, complete with new characters. (Yes, Mellandria the Mage was part of this scenario, but I'll give her a proper introduction next episode).

EDIT: Of course, Echelon's player, Steve would just happen upon a pile of campaign papers that force me to tweak the campaign episodes.  The actual royal proclamation is the only thing that affects this episode, and outside of a reminder that the old Feraso Empire is referred to the Ancien Empire in royal correspondence, the ret-conned announcement is far superior. 

NEXT #31 - Mage Trap!

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Ballad of the Pigeon God #29 From Bad to Worse...

A group of adventurers were running down the main road of Eding toward the estate of a certain M. Echelon.

Talis Makolin - Bard and Lover Extraordinaire
Prince William the Scarlet - NPC - Paladin of Akana, Knight of the Spiral Hawk, and Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Aragain.  Given absolute power of the Village of Eding and environs by the King of Crosedes, and promptly failed to act after successive disasters, suffering the loss of a manor house by a currently marauding group of peasants.
Rurik Bloodblade - NPC-  Viking warrior from Wyrmnal.  Former adventuring companion of William
Fiame - NPC - Cleric of Akana and an adventuring companion of William.
MacKay - NPC - Hardened myrmidion and adventuring companion of William

22 OctDec 1070, Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The group reached their destination, the Chateau d'Echelon, where their reinforcements had start just mustered together to embark towards Eding.  Echelon had raised Count Zabty half-orc fallen paladin, Carthon d'Echelon and his wife Jenny, Heirylat, ex-gladiator Brutus, and former soldiers Aetex and Cilito for the ensuing melee.

Their increased numbers secured  victory over the revolting peasants.  They persued a retreating pack of them escorting the traitorous Rogard back to town.  Back in the village green, they finally caught up to Rogard, as he surrendured in an exhausted heap.

At this point villagers innocent in the revolt came out of their homes to warn the party of "many, many horses"  riding towards town from the north.   They took refuge in Argus the Blacksmith's shop.  Using one of the blacksmith's hammers as an interrogation tool, Talis questioned Rogard.  He admitted to killing Barrak and conspiring to overthrow Prince William. He also said that "they" were coming and that the party was as good as dead.

Black armored cavalry arrived in town, along with some large, rubbery nasty humanoids who had kept up on foot.  Echelon and company emerged to confront them.

The "Defenders of Eding," along with Argus fought the well-armed horsemen, and things quickly went poorly.  Employing the Echelon School of Battle Tactics, they scrambled back to the Chateau.

After regrouping at the Chateau, they prepared to fight them again, further aided by Mohammad, two village militiamen,  Baron Felix, and Pathfinder.  They fought valiantly, knowing that if they lost there the chateau and everything they had would be taken by this force of raiders.

The battle was looking bad, when suddenly Mohammad called down the pillars of fires of his god, incinerating the monsters.  With the rubbery monsters taken out by the fire, they were able to defeat the knights.

Talis:  "Fires of the god of the sea?  I ain't a theologin, but that ain't right."

They interrogated the surviving knights and discovered their leader was the mysterious DREAD LORD!  All they knew of him was that he was somehow related to the king, and he had a long-planned campaign to usurp the throne.

A detachment of Crosedean Royal Cavalry  oddly arrived in short order.   The leader of the Cavalry happened to be Prince Cervinal, brother of King Nevin!  He refused to believe a word the Defenders of Eding said, because "Foolish peasants, I AM the Dread Lord...  The King would not believe a word you said."

Then a woman rode up to the meeting.  She shed her hood, revealing Celeste, the girl they had encountered in Alasku... and Talis had courted back in Hydincall.  Her appearance only escalated the arguments with the Dread Lord and Royal Cavalry until she apparently cast some spell and everyone was knocked out.

When the party woke up, the Dread Lord and the Royal Cavalry were gone.  It appeared that the Dread Lord and County Zabty were, in fact, unaffected by the spell.   Zabty protected all the fallen, forcing the Dread Lord and his daughter to escape.  As the royal cavalry woke up, Zabty attempted to smooth things other with them and prove their innocence.

23 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
Aetex, Cilitio, and Brutus left after breakfast, heading for fame and fortune in Hydincall.

24 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The Chateau awoke to Prince William and his adventuring friends missing.  They had left sometime during the night and stole enough horses to get out of town quickly.

27 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Mohammad had not been himself after his giant flamestrike stymied the Dread Lord's men.  He moved less and less on his little scooter, and on this day, the others found him in a closet, in a deep meditative trance.   He would occasionally take a few moments to come slightly out of the trance to eat and drink, but otherwise, he was not responsive to anything else.

35 NonDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
For over a month the Chateau did what they could to reassemble the village, and partaking heavily in any wine stores that they could get their hands on.

Zabty still had some clout and respect with the remaining villagers, but there is no guidance from Hydincall.  Carthon and Baron Felix distributed the surviving grain stores among the villagers and had firewood cut for a long, cold, and bleak winter.

1 DecDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The Chateau received an unexpected knock at the door.  A man calling himself Mr Tinpenny visited, escorted by four well-armed guards.

He revealed that Carthon had actually taken out a loan to purchase and improve the Chateau, using the money from Echelon's sold off possession as meager collateral.  With the general collapse of order in Eding, mixed with horrendous weather, Tinpenny was executing a little-noted clause in the loan contract recalling the entire balance of the loan.  The party had until the end of the month. to pay back the full amount of 12,800 gold pieces or he would seize the property and all the possessions inside.

Even if the missing heroes had returned, they couldn't amass enough gold to pay off the debt.

But after several days of drinking, Echelon and Talis come up with a plan...

DM Notes:  Things in the second part of the special session with Talis and Echelon's player went from bad to outright horrible.  Eding is in shambles, Prince William was proven to be a horrible leader, the rumored Dread Lord is in a position of power that they can't touch and the Chateau, which Carthon had purchased only a year ago, was going to be taken away from them.  

I half expected Talis and Echelon, not the most heroic characters in bunch, to pack up and run before the peasant uprising.  I was impressed that they toughed it out.  Salvaging most of the wine in town for personal use probably helped that decision.  

Let's see here....
*Barrak and hundreds of villagers?  Dead.
*Count Zabty and Torm Touchberry - Desperate and despondent leaders of the Eding shadow government.

*Rolf, Ashe, Kane, Kannex, and Maloran?  Missing for months.

*Velandro and the Dag Family?  Training in Ispatlia, completely unaware of the chaos.
*Carthon, Jenny, Timmy, Dew, Heirylat,  and Baron Felix?  Simply exhausted from working at the Chateau and trying to help the villagers.
*Mohammad? Stuck in a healing trance in a closet.
*Aetex, Cilito, and Brutus?  Deserted the Chateau for fame and fortune.  
*Prince William and his cohort?  Ditched town when things went bad. 
*Cervinal and Celeste Silvershield - The Dread Lord and his daughter.
*Mr Tinpenny? About the foreclose on the Chateau...
*Talis and Echelon?  All their fame and glory have afforded them failed responsibilities, and a daily mission to reach the bottom of as many wine bottles as possible each day.

... but they have a plan.

NEXT #30 - YULE!

A group of adventurers were running down the main road of Eding toward the estate of a certain M. Echelon.

Talis Makolin - Bard and Lover Extraordinaire
Prince William the Scarlet - NPC - Paladin of Akana, Knight of the Spiral Hawk, and Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Aragain.  Given absolute power of the Village of Eding and environs by the King of Crosedes, and promptly failed to act after successive disasters, suffering the loss of a manor house by a currently marauding group of peasants.
Rurik Bloodblade - NPC-  Viking warrior from Wyrmnal.  Former adventuring companion of William
Fiame - NPC - Cleric of Akana and an adventuring companion of William.
MacKay - NPC - Hardened myrmidion and adventuring companion of William

22 OctDec 1070, Chateau d'Echelon, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The group reached their destination, the Chateau d'Echelon, where their reinforcements had start just mustered together to embark towards Eding.  Echelon had raised Count Zabty half-orc fallen paladin, Carthon d'Echelon and his wife Jenny, Heirylat, ex-gladiator Brutus, and former soldiers Aetex and Cilito for the ensuing melee.

Their increased numbers secured  victory over the revolting peasants.  They persued a retreating pack of them escorting the traitorous Rogard back to town.  Back in the village green, they finally caught up to Rogard, as he surrendured in an exhausted heap.

At this point villagers innocent in the revolt came out of their homes to warn the party of "many, many horses"  riding towards town from the north.   They took refuge in Argus the Blacksmith's shop.  Using one of the blacksmith's hammers as an interrogation tool, Talis questioned Rogard.  He admitted to killing Barrak and conspiring to overthrow Prince William. He also said that "they" were coming and that the party was as good as dead.

Black armored cavalry arrived in town, along with some large, rubbery nasty humanoids who had kept up on foot.  Echelon and company emerged to confront them.

The "Defenders of Eding," along with Argus fought the well-armed horsemen, and things quickly went poorly.  Employing the Echelon School of Battle Tactics, they scrambled back to the Chateau.

After regrouping at the Chateau, they prepared to fight them again, further aided by Mohammad, two village militiamen,  Baron Felix, and Pathfinder.  They fought valiantly, knowing that if they lost there the chateau and everything they had would be taken by this force of raiders.

The battle was looking bad, when suddenly Mohammad called down the pillars of fires of his god, incinerating the monsters.  With the rubbery monsters taken out by the fire, they were able to defeat the knights.

Talis:  "Fires of the god of the sea?  I ain't a theologin, but that ain't right."

They interrogated the surviving knights and discovered their leader was the mysterious DREAD LORD!  All they knew of him was that he was somehow related to the king, and he had a long-planned campaign to usurp the throne.

A detachment of Crosedean Royal Cavalry  oddly arrived in short order.   The leader of the Cavalry happened to be Prince Cervinal, brother of King Nevin!  He refused to believe a word the Defenders of Eding said, because "Foolish peasants, I AM the Dread Lord...  The King would not believe a word you said."

Then a woman rode up to the meeting.  She shed her hood, revealing Celeste, the girl they had encountered in Alasku... and Talis had courted back in Hydincall.  Her appearance only escalated the arguments with the Dread Lord and Royal Cavalry until she apparently cast some spell and everyone was knocked out.

When the party woke up, the Dread Lord and the Royal Cavalry were gone.  It appeared that the Dread Lord and County Zabty were, in fact, unaffected by the spell.   Zabty protected all the fallen, forcing the Dread Lord and his daughter to escape.  As the royal cavalry woke up, Zabty attempted to smooth things other with them and prove their innocence.

23 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
Aetex, Cilitio, and Brutus left after breakfast, heading for fame and fortune in Hydincall.

24 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The Chateau awoke to Prince William and his adventuring friends missing.  They had left sometime during the night and stole enough horses to get out of town quickly.

27 OctDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Mohammad had not been himself after his giant flamestrike stymied the Dread Lord's men.  He moved less and less on his little scooter, and on this day, the others found him in a closet, in a deep meditative trance.   He would occasionally take a few moments to come slightly out of the trance to eat and drink, but otherwise, he was not responsive to anything else.

35 NonDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
For over a month the Chateau did what they could to reassemble the village, and partaking heavily in any wine stores that they could get their hands on.

Zabty still had some clout and respect with the remaining villagers, but there is no guidance from Hydincall.  Carthon and Baron Felix distributed the surviving grain stores among the villagers and had firewood cut for a long, cold, and bleak winter.

1 DecDec 1070, Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosdes
The Chateau received an unexpected knock at the door.  A man calling himself Mr Tinpenny visited, escorted by four well-armed guards.

He revealed that Carthon had actually taken out a loan to purchase and improve the Chateau, using the money from Echelon's sold off possession as meager collateral.  With the general collapse of order in Eding, mixed with horrendous weather, Tinpenny was executing a little-noted clause in the loan contract recalling the entire balance of the loan.  The party had until the end of the month. to pay back the full amount of 12,800 gold pieces or he would seize the property and all the possessions inside.

Even if the missing heroes had returned, they couldn't amass enough gold to pay off the debt.

But after several days of drinking, Echelon and Talis come up with a plan...

DM Notes:  Things in the second part of the special session with Talis and Echelon's player went from bad to outright horrible.  Eding is in shambles, Prince William was proven to be a horrible leader, the rumored Dread Lord is in a position of power that they can't touch and the Chateau, which Carthon had purchased only a year ago, was going to be taken away from them.  

I half expected Talis and Echelon, not the most heroic characters in bunch, to pack up and run before the peasant uprising.  I was impressed that they toughed it out.  Salvaging most of the wine in town for personal use probably helped that decision.  

Let's see here....
*Barrak and hundreds of villagers?  Dead.
*Count Zabty and Torm Touchberry - Desperate and despondent leaders of the Eding shadow government.

*Rolf, Ashe, Kane, Kannex, and Maloran?  Missing for months.

*Velandro and the Dag Family?  Training in Ispatlia, completely unaware of the chaos.
*Carthon, Jenny, Timmy, Dew, Heirylat,  and Baron Felix?  Simply exhausted from working at the Chateau and trying to help the villagers.
*Mohammad? Stuck in a healing trance in a closet.
*Aetex, Cilito, and Brutus?  Deserted the Chateau for fame and fortune.  
*Prince William and his cohort?  Ditched town when things went bad. 
*Cervinal and Celeste Silvershield - The Dread Lord and his daughter.
*Mr Tinpenny? About the foreclose on the Chateau...
*Talis and Echelon?  All their fame and glory have afforded them failed responsibilities, and a daily mission to reach the bottom of as many wine bottles as possible each day.

... but they have a plan.

NEXT #30 - YULE!

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Ballad of the Pigeon God #28: Meanwhile, Back at the Chateau...

12 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
As the green mist surrounding Duane Alberhold's brothel finally dissipated, the entire building disappeared, leaving parts of the root cellar.  Talis Makolin, bard and lover extraordinaire, had just been chased out of the brothel by his irate barbarian travelling companion, Rolf Wolfsblood, but now he stood in the middle of the street with the party's new purchases in a wagon, and their new friend dim-witted ex-gladiator Brutus, leaning against it.

"Crud. Brutus wanna go up to Eding with me?  I guess there's plenty of room at the Chateau."

"Sure Dallis, let's go..."

With the bulk of the party missing, and many of Hydincall's wizards, alchemists, and magic shops looking for the pilfering Talis, consulting with Echelon, Carthon, Mohammad, and County Zabty sounded like the safest option.

20 HexDec 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Talis and Brutus finally brought the wagon up to the Chateau and immediately informed the other party members of the situation.  Assuming that their missing companions were fairly experienced adventurers, and there were no clues as to what happened, they assumed their friends were smart enough to find a way home.  Those at the Chateau decided it best to stay there, work on improving the estate, and help Eding when needed.

The simple village of Eding...

29 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The village and its surroundings were subject to days of horrible storms, plus a few tornadoes, flattening crops and causing  significant damage.  The citizenry were frightened, and many families began packing up and fleeing to Omsjik.

31 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Barrack, former owner of the Blue Wizard, and disgraced militia commander, spoke to Prince William about resuming his duties as community leader, as he had under Baron Athelstane.  Prince William outright refused and their vociferous debate on the village green was the talk of the town for day.

35 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Barrack had continued his campaign to help lead the rebuilding process in Eding, until one of his daughters discovered him dead in a privy behind the Inn, a dagger sunk into the center of his chest. The captain of Prince Williams' "baronial" guard, a chap named Rogard, launched an investigation. 

Echelon took up where Barrack left off and began to immediately petitioned Prince William to formally acknowledge the cleric as a leader of the village, to coordinate tending to the crops and keeping the peace.

Talis launched his own investigation into Barrack's death, but found little.

21 SepDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The weather over the past month had been most erratic, the day scorching hot, even for late summer, and the nightly storms extremely fierce, pounding the town.  The storms must have stretched up into the mountains, because cascading waters then swelled the river.  Many areas are flooded, including Lansluck, many halfling villages and Eding itself. Echelon dispatched the other residents of the Chateau to the village and the halfling towns (but not as far as Lansluck) to help as many people as possible.

Needless to say, many crops were failing at a critical time.

8 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After the flood waters subsided, a plague, probably caused by the mosquito infestation, swept through the valley.  The only man with enough true healing powers to fight the sickness was Mohammad, and he was working night and day to combat the illness.  Still more people escaped Eding.  Words like "accursed" would come out of their mouths during their farewells.

14 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon and Talis continued to seek audience with  Prince William about community leadership.  He had rejected every proposal presented to him, preferring to stay within the walls of Athelstane's old manor, surrounded by Athelstane's old guards.   Some of his old friends were coming to aid the village, and they were more powerful that the Chateau's roster.

22 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon went up to the see Prince William yet again and found the townspeople revolting and surrounding the manor house.   Echelon ran back to the Chateau for reinforcements and Talis went to help William.

Talis tried not to harm the villagers too badly as he fought his way to the Prince.  Rogard was leading the revolt and the only factor keeping them from seizing them was that William's allies had just arrived they seemed better organized that Talis' group, but they had already lost two of their own to the peasants.

Talis used his magic and his blade valiantly to help save William.  The villagers torched the manor house as Talis escaped with the Prince and his surviving friends, Rurik Bloodblade, a viking warrior from Wyrmnal, Fiame, a cleric of Akana, and MacKay an aging Mymidion.

DM Notes:  Welcome back to the past in Crosedes, from the moment the brothel disappeared.  I had a few sessions with Talis and Echelon's players the week before finals and well before we started the Talislanta summer sessions.  The best part of all was that everyone kept their part of the story secret over the Summer, so when our heroes might get a chance to reunite, the updates will finally hit them like a ton of bricks.  

Prince William has been granted absolute power to control Athelstane's land around Eding by the King of Crosedes.  He might be a great paladin, but the idea of making decisions in a crisis affecting thousands absolutely petrifies him.  

William's friends, Rurik, Fiame, MacKay (and the recently deceased Billo and Travis) were the party that the Archbishop sent to recover the Bell of Chardastes after it appeared our heroes failed in their mission.  

Next #29  From Bad to Worse

12 HexDec 1070 - Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
As the green mist surrounding Duane Alberhold's brothel finally dissipated, the entire building disappeared, leaving parts of the root cellar.  Talis Makolin, bard and lover extraordinaire, had just been chased out of the brothel by his irate barbarian travelling companion, Rolf Wolfsblood, but now he stood in the middle of the street with the party's new purchases in a wagon, and their new friend dim-witted ex-gladiator Brutus, leaning against it.

"Crud. Brutus wanna go up to Eding with me?  I guess there's plenty of room at the Chateau."

"Sure Dallis, let's go..."

With the bulk of the party missing, and many of Hydincall's wizards, alchemists, and magic shops looking for the pilfering Talis, consulting with Echelon, Carthon, Mohammad, and County Zabty sounded like the safest option.

20 HexDec 1070 - Chateau d'Echelon - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Talis and Brutus finally brought the wagon up to the Chateau and immediately informed the other party members of the situation.  Assuming that their missing companions were fairly experienced adventurers, and there were no clues as to what happened, they assumed their friends were smart enough to find a way home.  Those at the Chateau decided it best to stay there, work on improving the estate, and help Eding when needed.

The simple village of Eding...

29 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The village and its surroundings were subject to days of horrible storms, plus a few tornadoes, flattening crops and causing  significant damage.  The citizenry were frightened, and many families began packing up and fleeing to Omsjik.

31 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Barrack, former owner of the Blue Wizard, and disgraced militia commander, spoke to Prince William about resuming his duties as community leader, as he had under Baron Athelstane.  Prince William outright refused and their vociferous debate on the village green was the talk of the town for day.

35 HexDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Barrack had continued his campaign to help lead the rebuilding process in Eding, until one of his daughters discovered him dead in a privy behind the Inn, a dagger sunk into the center of his chest. The captain of Prince Williams' "baronial" guard, a chap named Rogard, launched an investigation. 

Echelon took up where Barrack left off and began to immediately petitioned Prince William to formally acknowledge the cleric as a leader of the village, to coordinate tending to the crops and keeping the peace.

Talis launched his own investigation into Barrack's death, but found little.

21 SepDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
The weather over the past month had been most erratic, the day scorching hot, even for late summer, and the nightly storms extremely fierce, pounding the town.  The storms must have stretched up into the mountains, because cascading waters then swelled the river.  Many areas are flooded, including Lansluck, many halfling villages and Eding itself. Echelon dispatched the other residents of the Chateau to the village and the halfling towns (but not as far as Lansluck) to help as many people as possible.

Needless to say, many crops were failing at a critical time.

8 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
After the flood waters subsided, a plague, probably caused by the mosquito infestation, swept through the valley.  The only man with enough true healing powers to fight the sickness was Mohammad, and he was working night and day to combat the illness.  Still more people escaped Eding.  Words like "accursed" would come out of their mouths during their farewells.

14 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon and Talis continued to seek audience with  Prince William about community leadership.  He had rejected every proposal presented to him, preferring to stay within the walls of Athelstane's old manor, surrounded by Athelstane's old guards.   Some of his old friends were coming to aid the village, and they were more powerful that the Chateau's roster.

22 OctDec, 1070 - Village of Eding, Kingdom of Crosedes
Echelon went up to the see Prince William yet again and found the townspeople revolting and surrounding the manor house.   Echelon ran back to the Chateau for reinforcements and Talis went to help William.

Talis tried not to harm the villagers too badly as he fought his way to the Prince.  Rogard was leading the revolt and the only factor keeping them from seizing them was that William's allies had just arrived they seemed better organized that Talis' group, but they had already lost two of their own to the peasants.

Talis used his magic and his blade valiantly to help save William.  The villagers torched the manor house as Talis escaped with the Prince and his surviving friends, Rurik Bloodblade, a viking warrior from Wyrmnal, Fiame, a cleric of Akana, and MacKay an aging Mymidion.

DM Notes:  Welcome back to the past in Crosedes, from the moment the brothel disappeared.  I had a few sessions with Talis and Echelon's players the week before finals and well before we started the Talislanta summer sessions.  The best part of all was that everyone kept their part of the story secret over the Summer, so when our heroes might get a chance to reunite, the updates will finally hit them like a ton of bricks.  

Prince William has been granted absolute power to control Athelstane's land around Eding by the King of Crosedes.  He might be a great paladin, but the idea of making decisions in a crisis affecting thousands absolutely petrifies him.  

William's friends, Rurik, Fiame, MacKay (and the recently deceased Billo and Travis) were the party that the Archbishop sent to recover the Bell of Chardastes after it appeared our heroes failed in their mission.  

Next #29  From Bad to Worse

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Ballad of the Pigeon God #27: Talis Makolin EXPOSED!

Talis Makolin was born in Omsjik to Yalina Makolin and an unknown father.  Yalina was an "employee" of Lady Alania's Pleasure Palace.  She was a fairly neglecting mother, and Talis, being an only child, spent most of his days around town learning a variety of skills.

Talis learned early on that he was not too keen on many physical pursuits, but enjoyed some mild academics.  He learned the rudiments of magic, but didn't put in enough time to be a full mage.

Talis has a love of gambling and women, not necessarily in that order.  There are more than a couple of children that will be born in a few months that look remarkably like Talis.

Talis loves to play the flute (especially to empress impress women).  He has a silver tongue and a clever wit, he is fairly lazy though, and will take the easy way out whenever possible.

Talis' urge to leave Omsjik is helped by the fact that his mother died last year and there are two fathers and one angry husband after him because of newborns who bear a striking likeness to him.

DM Notes: Ever since the Journal appeared and we started posting about the campaign, we've gotten a steady stream of recollections and some old material for the archives.  Back in May of this year, when I was on vacation, the very first email I got when returning from my cruise was Talis' player, Hoyce, sending me his background sheet.   The top portion above his picture was always consistent, but as the campaign progressed, he would write up Talis' opinion of the situation and his opinions on his travelling companions.  Below is his opinion of the group just after Palace of the Silver Princess.  In the next few episodes we'll be covering what's going on with Talis and Echelon while the rest of the group has disappeared to Talislanta, so this is a great place to post this.  I also have three updates that I'll be integrating into later episodes.  

Talis is remarkably happy to be alive, and greatly please to be able to cast a few spell, they will probably help him soon (Rolf won't be bursting in on him any more).  He truly wanted to stay in Haven to be a court minstrel and enjoy a life of academics, women, and pleasure.

After traveling with his companions for awhile, he has formed some definite opinions of them:
Rolf: A sneaky bastard, Talis doesn't trust him any farther than he can throw him.  Useful in combat, though.
Malorin (edit: Maloran): Talis doesn't know what his problem is.  He seems to be okay but has a poor personality. Besides, a drunk woman in bed isn't as good.
Kane:  Talis likes him.  He's a strange little man, with a bizarre culture, but overall an okay guy.
Echelon: Despite his rather pungent aroma and poor fashion sense, Talis is rather fond of Echelon. He is brave, has good sense of humor, and is a gifted priest.  If he could only loose his bizarre fixation on animals he might be alright.
Velandro: He takes that whole religion thing a little too seriously, but overall a good healer and an okay kind of guy.  Talis tries not to hold it against Velandro for getting him killed (See Episode #5).
Dag:  Talis isn't quite sure why we agreed to bring him and his family along, but at least he and his family have learned hygiene.  The Dag family is a turn off for chicks, though.
Musupo (edit: Meudsopu): Talis is amazed the old drunk didn't buy the farm earlier.  When he was sober he was useful, but other than that he was just always drunk.  Tails is upset he died before Talis could play cards with him and take all his money.

Next #28 - Meanwhile, Back at the Chateau

Talis Makolin was born in Omsjik to Yalina Makolin and an unknown father.  Yalina was an "employee" of Lady Alania's Pleasure Palace.  She was a fairly neglecting mother, and Talis, being an only child, spent most of his days around town learning a variety of skills.

Talis learned early on that he was not too keen on many physical pursuits, but enjoyed some mild academics.  He learned the rudiments of magic, but didn't put in enough time to be a full mage.

Talis has a love of gambling and women, not necessarily in that order.  There are more than a couple of children that will be born in a few months that look remarkably like Talis.

Talis loves to play the flute (especially to empress impress women).  He has a silver tongue and a clever wit, he is fairly lazy though, and will take the easy way out whenever possible.

Talis' urge to leave Omsjik is helped by the fact that his mother died last year and there are two fathers and one angry husband after him because of newborns who bear a striking likeness to him.

DM Notes: Ever since the Journal appeared and we started posting about the campaign, we've gotten a steady stream of recollections and some old material for the archives.  Back in May of this year, when I was on vacation, the very first email I got when returning from my cruise was Talis' player, Hoyce, sending me his background sheet.   The top portion above his picture was always consistent, but as the campaign progressed, he would write up Talis' opinion of the situation and his opinions on his travelling companions.  Below is his opinion of the group just after Palace of the Silver Princess.  In the next few episodes we'll be covering what's going on with Talis and Echelon while the rest of the group has disappeared to Talislanta, so this is a great place to post this.  I also have three updates that I'll be integrating into later episodes.  

Talis is remarkably happy to be alive, and greatly please to be able to cast a few spell, they will probably help him soon (Rolf won't be bursting in on him any more).  He truly wanted to stay in Haven to be a court minstrel and enjoy a life of academics, women, and pleasure.

After traveling with his companions for awhile, he has formed some definite opinions of them:
Rolf: A sneaky bastard, Talis doesn't trust him any farther than he can throw him.  Useful in combat, though.
Malorin (edit: Maloran): Talis doesn't know what his problem is.  He seems to be okay but has a poor personality. Besides, a drunk woman in bed isn't as good.
Kane:  Talis likes him.  He's a strange little man, with a bizarre culture, but overall an okay guy.
Echelon: Despite his rather pungent aroma and poor fashion sense, Talis is rather fond of Echelon. He is brave, has good sense of humor, and is a gifted priest.  If he could only loose his bizarre fixation on animals he might be alright.
Velandro: He takes that whole religion thing a little too seriously, but overall a good healer and an okay kind of guy.  Talis tries not to hold it against Velandro for getting him killed (See Episode #5).
Dag:  Talis isn't quite sure why we agreed to bring him and his family along, but at least he and his family have learned hygiene.  The Dag family is a turn off for chicks, though.
Musupo (edit: Meudsopu): Talis is amazed the old drunk didn't buy the farm earlier.  When he was sober he was useful, but other than that he was just always drunk.  Tails is upset he died before Talis could play cards with him and take all his money.

Next #28 - Meanwhile, Back at the Chateau

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Ballad of the Pigeon God #26 (Talislanta) Getting Back is Half the Trip

2nd of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After Kannex the Wizard recovered from his fainting spell, he almost instantly returned to his jovial demeanor.

Everything was finally set.  The components, the accelerants, the amplifiers, and the stabilizers were all set.  To transport the entire building and everyone in it back to Hydincall, he would take days to prepare the grounds.  Some of the ritual designs needed to be placed under the house, so digging started immediately.  

9th of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
At breakfast, Duane handed the following letter to Rolf Wolfsblood.  

Dear Rolf, 
I have very much enjoyed our time together on this world of Talislanta.  You are a fantastic warrior and great ally, but I fear reliance on Kannex to get you home has made you easily distracted   I know you have tried to be part of the Thrall families to hone your warrior spirit, but do not forget your adventuring family, which got you where you are today, for better or for worse.  

By the time you have read this letter, I have finally made contact with my patron and have left to where I need to be.   I wish I could take all of you with me, but there is only space for my possessions, including the four gruffans, my little pony, and Quaally.  I wish my transport was much bigger on the inside.

I shall see you again, Rolf.  I just don't know where and don't know when.

-Norm Dingleberry

14th of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After twelve days of prepping, the grounds around the brothel were finally complete.   Duane hosted one last evening for their clients and many went in Cymril to purchase various items: from trinkets to oddities to commodities to resell back in Crosedes.

Our four remaining heroes, Rolf, Ashe, Babette, and Kane helped Kannex double and triple check the ritual.  Rolf stayed on the porch while the rest funneled into the brothel, so he could thank Kannex in private...

"...if this works, of course."

With the barbarian sitting on a chair on the porch, staring at the wizard intently, Kannex began the ritual. There were lights, glowing auras, and sounds no one had ever experienced before.   As the wizard continued his incantation, a round portal appeared, exactly as he showed them previously, except this one began to grow in size.  As it reached the peaks of the roof, the portal turned over onto itself, then arched over the brothel.  Finally a haze of familiar green smoke poured from the base of the building and obscured everything as the portal flipped again and moved down towards the ground.

Rolf woke up with a face full of sand on a deserted beach.  He never seen any body of water larger than a lake, so he assumed the endless expanse of water in front of him was an ocean.  His weapons and a few key belongings he had kept to his side during the ritual, were still with him.

He stumbled off the beach, and after a few hours of wandering, found a small village.  He walked into the local inn, threw some of the oversized gold lumens on the bar and demanded, "A Mead, an ale, and how far is it to Hydincall?"

Five Days Later, Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Rolf entered Hydincall with just a nip in the air.  He would need furs soon enough, but for now it was still far warmer than a Fall on the steppes.

He found the brothel, exactly where it should be.

The Brothel.... Back in Hydincall

Inside the brothel, wine was flowing freely for everyone.  Some of the girls were showing off their trinkets, like it had been a long vacation and they grabbed souvenirs on the way home.

Finally, one of the girls looked over toward Rolf at the door and gasped.

The room fell silent.

Rolf stared out into the crowd. Taking a deep breath he pulled out his Thrall greatsword and uttered only three words:

"Where.... are.... they?"

DM Notes: There you have it, the Talislanta Summer Arc/Campaign.  Pretty routine adventures culminating in the dramatic return of the group to the larger party.  Except very, very little of this scenario transpired at the gaming table.  Norm did disappear the same way he showed up, although claims of a blue privy appearing near the brothel can not be substantiated.  

Since this concluded in the Summer of '99, I haven't run a Talislanta game since, and that's a shame.  The system is smooth, the magic system allows for great power... with chances of catastrophic disaster, and I would definitely run it more Conan style than I would two decades ago.  

Now, Rolf and the Brothel appear to be back in Crosedes... but where is everyone else?

You're going to have to wait on those answers, as we turn towards those adventurers who didn't travel to Talislanta.  Time to synch up the timelines and get back to full sessions very soon.

Next #27 - Talis Makolin - EXPOSED!

2nd of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After Kannex the Wizard recovered from his fainting spell, he almost instantly returned to his jovial demeanor.

Everything was finally set.  The components, the accelerants, the amplifiers, and the stabilizers were all set.  To transport the entire building and everyone in it back to Hydincall, he would take days to prepare the grounds.  Some of the ritual designs needed to be placed under the house, so digging started immediately.  

9th of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
At breakfast, Duane handed the following letter to Rolf Wolfsblood.  

Dear Rolf, 
I have very much enjoyed our time together on this world of Talislanta.  You are a fantastic warrior and great ally, but I fear reliance on Kannex to get you home has made you easily distracted   I know you have tried to be part of the Thrall families to hone your warrior spirit, but do not forget your adventuring family, which got you where you are today, for better or for worse.  

By the time you have read this letter, I have finally made contact with my patron and have left to where I need to be.   I wish I could take all of you with me, but there is only space for my possessions, including the four gruffans, my little pony, and Quaally.  I wish my transport was much bigger on the inside.

I shall see you again, Rolf.  I just don't know where and don't know when.

-Norm Dingleberry

14th of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After twelve days of prepping, the grounds around the brothel were finally complete.   Duane hosted one last evening for their clients and many went in Cymril to purchase various items: from trinkets to oddities to commodities to resell back in Crosedes.

Our four remaining heroes, Rolf, Ashe, Babette, and Kane helped Kannex double and triple check the ritual.  Rolf stayed on the porch while the rest funneled into the brothel, so he could thank Kannex in private...

"...if this works, of course."

With the barbarian sitting on a chair on the porch, staring at the wizard intently, Kannex began the ritual. There were lights, glowing auras, and sounds no one had ever experienced before.   As the wizard continued his incantation, a round portal appeared, exactly as he showed them previously, except this one began to grow in size.  As it reached the peaks of the roof, the portal turned over onto itself, then arched over the brothel.  Finally a haze of familiar green smoke poured from the base of the building and obscured everything as the portal flipped again and moved down towards the ground.

Rolf woke up with a face full of sand on a deserted beach.  He never seen any body of water larger than a lake, so he assumed the endless expanse of water in front of him was an ocean.  His weapons and a few key belongings he had kept to his side during the ritual, were still with him.

He stumbled off the beach, and after a few hours of wandering, found a small village.  He walked into the local inn, threw some of the oversized gold lumens on the bar and demanded, "A Mead, an ale, and how far is it to Hydincall?"

Five Days Later, Hydincall, Kingdom of Crosedes
Rolf entered Hydincall with just a nip in the air.  He would need furs soon enough, but for now it was still far warmer than a Fall on the steppes.

He found the brothel, exactly where it should be.

The Brothel.... Back in Hydincall

Inside the brothel, wine was flowing freely for everyone.  Some of the girls were showing off their trinkets, like it had been a long vacation and they grabbed souvenirs on the way home.

Finally, one of the girls looked over toward Rolf at the door and gasped.

The room fell silent.

Rolf stared out into the crowd. Taking a deep breath he pulled out his Thrall greatsword and uttered only three words:

"Where.... are.... they?"

DM Notes: There you have it, the Talislanta Summer Arc/Campaign.  Pretty routine adventures culminating in the dramatic return of the group to the larger party.  Except very, very little of this scenario transpired at the gaming table.  Norm did disappear the same way he showed up, although claims of a blue privy appearing near the brothel can not be substantiated.  

Since this concluded in the Summer of '99, I haven't run a Talislanta game since, and that's a shame.  The system is smooth, the magic system allows for great power... with chances of catastrophic disaster, and I would definitely run it more Conan style than I would two decades ago.  

Now, Rolf and the Brothel appear to be back in Crosedes... but where is everyone else?

You're going to have to wait on those answers, as we turn towards those adventurers who didn't travel to Talislanta.  Time to synch up the timelines and get back to full sessions very soon.

Next #27 - Talis Makolin - EXPOSED!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Next Year's Projects

Like clockwork, my followers know that October 1st is the first day in my gaming calendar.   It's time to assemble a rough framework of plans and projections for the next twelve months (Oct 2017 - Sep 2018).

Gnome Wars: It's the original inspiration for the blog.  It doesn't generate as much traffic as other games, but I assure you, I will make a concerted effort increase my writing for, and play more games of, Gnome Wars this year.

The Pigeon God Continues.... We're less than halfway through my college AD&D campaign. Somehow, things are going to get even weirder. After I finish up the last four or five episodes that aren't pending a Tuesday release yet, I may go into even older territories.  Even if it's not too long, a recollection of the high school and army campaigns into the new maps and geography, with some indexes might help .

My Girls:  Their little worlds right now are all about school, gymnastics, and Dad yelling at them to keep their rooms clean.  Maja's asking about questions about my "grow-up" games with my friends, so I believe I've snared her.  I think I could have done better playing games with them last year, but they're happy, and that's all that matters.   Activities with the girls:

• My Little Ponies:  It's glaringly obvious that Ponies will dominate next year.  Seeing if Maja gets her friends excited about it will be fun to observe.  
• Savage Worlds/Showdown:  The third season of our Pulp campaign will probably kick off in the Winter.  
• Mousling Fantasy! Still figuring out if this should be less Savage Worlds and more like MLP.  

5th Edition D&D: Monday night is when I lock myself away and actually play an RPG as a player.  The online experience seems to fit the feel of 3.5 to 5e, where eight hours of online play in a month might equal a regular four-hour face-to-face session.

Other RPGs on Roll20:  I don't think I can squeeze in another session during the week without my wife pondering divorce, but filling in for cancelled 5e sessions will reduce the stockpile of game ideas, even if it's two or three a year.  If something befalls our 5e game, I have Adventures in Gulluvia (Red Box D&D) hiding in the wings. Or, perhaps we can do a four-hour online sessions on Sundays, like we used that long year ago.

Hackmaster on Roll20:  The "Journal" has allowed the Burning Trogs Redux to pick up steam.  Scheduling might be its downfall more than anything else. Nothing solid yet, but we've waited this long, we can wait awhile longer.

Call of Cthulhu:  A year hiatus has closed the door on the Masks campaign, but the next storyline will always be in the wings.

Of Mortals and Men/Song of Blades & Heroes:  If I can assemble the larger figures for my "Mousageddon/Ratnarock" game, I'll need a few sessions to familiarize myself with the rules.   I've seen children my kids' ages playing Song, so it can't hurt to try a few skirmishes.

Samoa:  Definitely on the back burner, but always in my heart.

Conventions:  Fall-In! (Daddy-Daughter Weekend-Players), Mepacon Fall (GM) Cold Wars (Guys Weekend - GM), Mepacon Spring 2018,   Birthday Weekend (To Be Revived?)   The Weekend (per the request of my wife), Historicon (Back in Lancaster!), possibly more?

Painting:  I'm thinking bulk projects (units not individuals figs) will keep me occupied.

• Frost Giants:  Already in the queue.  
• Gnomes:  Another adequate years painting one whole gnome unit.  More Germans, then everything else hiding on the shelf.
• Martians:  the bin o' GW/Heartbreaker goblins I've snagged on the cheap is calling my name, and the paint schemes I have for them are fairly unique and inspiring. 
• "Urban Egypt":  The Pulp Game needs a few pieces of terrain finished before season three is ready to launch.
• Plus everything else that will distract me (OGRE Miniatures, I know you will taunt me so...)

Purchases: 

1. Must clean up the want list.  Simply taking care of my Bones, Brigade Games, and MLP RPG items will drop the list by a third and not completely clutter my painting bench.  
2. Better Storage (and Waterproofing).  A little re-organization with new bins (especially for play mats), and some Dry-Lok for the Kriget Rum will ensure the basement collection is a little bit safer.  
3. Minis:  More Gnomes to fill in the unit holes, but the rest are strangely similar to last year's list:  Brigade Arabs, Tin-Soldier Mexicans and Sengalese Askaris that I never got around to purchasing.  Plus I anticipate a small Pulp Figures order once next this year's Movember charity figure is announced.  
4. Kickstarters:  No big Kickstarters in the near future, and with since my anticipated ones last year turned out to be pretty lackluster, I'll budget somewhere in the range of $200-250 for what catches my eye.  
5. RPGs:  Still haven't picked up Bubblegumshoe.  An actual 5e Player's Handbook might be a practical gift on my Christmas list.  Anything beyond that will be what I can find at the HMGS flea markets or Mepacon's auction.  

Like clockwork, my followers know that October 1st is the first day in my gaming calendar.   It's time to assemble a rough framework of plans and projections for the next twelve months (Oct 2017 - Sep 2018).

Gnome Wars: It's the original inspiration for the blog.  It doesn't generate as much traffic as other games, but I assure you, I will make a concerted effort increase my writing for, and play more games of, Gnome Wars this year.

The Pigeon God Continues.... We're less than halfway through my college AD&D campaign. Somehow, things are going to get even weirder. After I finish up the last four or five episodes that aren't pending a Tuesday release yet, I may go into even older territories.  Even if it's not too long, a recollection of the high school and army campaigns into the new maps and geography, with some indexes might help .

My Girls:  Their little worlds right now are all about school, gymnastics, and Dad yelling at them to keep their rooms clean.  Maja's asking about questions about my "grow-up" games with my friends, so I believe I've snared her.  I think I could have done better playing games with them last year, but they're happy, and that's all that matters.   Activities with the girls:

• My Little Ponies:  It's glaringly obvious that Ponies will dominate next year.  Seeing if Maja gets her friends excited about it will be fun to observe.  
• Savage Worlds/Showdown:  The third season of our Pulp campaign will probably kick off in the Winter.  
• Mousling Fantasy! Still figuring out if this should be less Savage Worlds and more like MLP.  

5th Edition D&D: Monday night is when I lock myself away and actually play an RPG as a player.  The online experience seems to fit the feel of 3.5 to 5e, where eight hours of online play in a month might equal a regular four-hour face-to-face session.

Other RPGs on Roll20:  I don't think I can squeeze in another session during the week without my wife pondering divorce, but filling in for cancelled 5e sessions will reduce the stockpile of game ideas, even if it's two or three a year.  If something befalls our 5e game, I have Adventures in Gulluvia (Red Box D&D) hiding in the wings. Or, perhaps we can do a four-hour online sessions on Sundays, like we used that long year ago.

Hackmaster on Roll20:  The "Journal" has allowed the Burning Trogs Redux to pick up steam.  Scheduling might be its downfall more than anything else. Nothing solid yet, but we've waited this long, we can wait awhile longer.

Call of Cthulhu:  A year hiatus has closed the door on the Masks campaign, but the next storyline will always be in the wings.

Of Mortals and Men/Song of Blades & Heroes:  If I can assemble the larger figures for my "Mousageddon/Ratnarock" game, I'll need a few sessions to familiarize myself with the rules.   I've seen children my kids' ages playing Song, so it can't hurt to try a few skirmishes.

Samoa:  Definitely on the back burner, but always in my heart.

Conventions:  Fall-In! (Daddy-Daughter Weekend-Players), Mepacon Fall (GM) Cold Wars (Guys Weekend - GM), Mepacon Spring 2018,   Birthday Weekend (To Be Revived?)   The Weekend (per the request of my wife), Historicon (Back in Lancaster!), possibly more?

Painting:  I'm thinking bulk projects (units not individuals figs) will keep me occupied.

• Frost Giants:  Already in the queue.  
• Gnomes:  Another adequate years painting one whole gnome unit.  More Germans, then everything else hiding on the shelf.
• Martians:  the bin o' GW/Heartbreaker goblins I've snagged on the cheap is calling my name, and the paint schemes I have for them are fairly unique and inspiring. 
• "Urban Egypt":  The Pulp Game needs a few pieces of terrain finished before season three is ready to launch.
• Plus everything else that will distract me (OGRE Miniatures, I know you will taunt me so...)

Purchases: 

1. Must clean up the want list.  Simply taking care of my Bones, Brigade Games, and MLP RPG items will drop the list by a third and not completely clutter my painting bench.  
2. Better Storage (and Waterproofing).  A little re-organization with new bins (especially for play mats), and some Dry-Lok for the Kriget Rum will ensure the basement collection is a little bit safer.  
3. Minis:  More Gnomes to fill in the unit holes, but the rest are strangely similar to last year's list:  Brigade Arabs, Tin-Soldier Mexicans and Sengalese Askaris that I never got around to purchasing.  Plus I anticipate a small Pulp Figures order once next this year's Movember charity figure is announced.  
4. Kickstarters:  No big Kickstarters in the near future, and with since my anticipated ones last year turned out to be pretty lackluster, I'll budget somewhere in the range of $200-250 for what catches my eye.  
5. RPGs:  Still haven't picked up Bubblegumshoe.  An actual 5e Player's Handbook might be a practical gift on my Christmas list.  Anything beyond that will be what I can find at the HMGS flea markets or Mepacon's auction.  

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Ballad of the Pigeon God #25 (Talislanta) Rage and the Ravant

The party was still trapped on the world of Talislanta.  Even with the demonstration he had given months before, most had given up hope that their friend(?) Kannex would ever complete the spell and ritual needed to transport them back the Kingdom of Crosedes on their own world.

Norm Dingleberry, Dwarven warrior, had recently rescued his fellow adventurers, Ashe the Ranger, Babette the Thief, and Kane the Cleric from the horrors of a necormancer's stronghold.  He spent most of his time nursing the psyches of his spiritually beaten companions.  With no contact from Kannex and his newest "best friend," Rolf Wolfsblood, having disappeared without warning, it felt like a disaster far greater than any failed mushroom farm he tended to.

He did take a few side treks, smuggling a few gruffans from Silvanus to occupy his little free time. They were low maintenance and most of their meat could be cured into a delicous bacon-like product.

At night, when the screaming finally subsided, he would climb out on the roof of the brothel and stare up at the stars, slowing petting his newest pet, a strange creature known as a Quaal.  Norm had found one in the city-state of Cymril and named him Quaally.

Finally, the barbarian Rolf returned to the brothel, a few more scars on his body, and more Thrall tattoos across the side of his face, now running down his left arm.

Norm lost his shit.

Patrons fled out doors and windows and the working women barricaded their doors, as the dwarf went on a violent, profanity laced tirade against the barbarian (all with an outrageous French accent).

After a few hours, it got quiet, and a few brave souls ventured out to find Norm staring into a half-filled pint on the porch, a Rolf quietly washing off tomato sauce and flour from his body near the well.  This day was never spoken of again.

35th of Jhang, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After missing for months, Kannex made an appearance at the brothel.  He told Norm and Rolf that there is one final item to find, the worst of all:  the sweat of a mythical beast who lives in magical Aberrant Forest within the inhospitable Wilderlands of Zaran.

Rolf then lost his shit, and connected with a haymaker to Kannex's jaw.

Norm pulled the barbarian off of the sorcerer, but not before waiting a full thirty seconds....

42nd of Jhang, 151 N.A.  The Aberrant Forest, The Wilderlands of Zaran
Another windship, under a heavy guard, picked up the duo and flew to the Wilderlands.

When they arrived at the correct place in the forest, they shimmied down ropes through the thick canopy.  Well, Norm did.  Rolf tumbled.. again.

Norm finally got down safely to find the barbarian surrounded by three-foot tall woodmen.  The creatures took them prisoner and took them back to their village.  There, they met a scholar living with the woodmen tribe.  They told him of their odd quest and he outright refused to help, insisting that leave immediately instead of getting hunted down by the "RAVANT."   Norm and Rolf were given food and shelter for the night and ignored his warning, leaving to the following morning to locate the monster.

44th of Jhang, 151 N.A.  The Aberrant Forest, The Wilderlands of Zaran
On the second day of their expedition, the dwarf and barbarian were making camp when the woods went dead silent.  Norm climbed on Rolf's shoulder to see a huge beast with long arms coming at them.  They tossed the knockout powder at the monster, but it didn't even notice it.  It charged at them, knocking over large trees as it persued their flight.  Norm jumped into a bush and it ran past. Rolf managed to keep ahead of it.  The Ravant wasn't necessarily fast, but it seemed relentless and untiring.  Rolf ran a large circle through the jungle and came back to where Norm dove off.

The dwarf whipped out his battleaxe and hit the beast in the shin.

The axe simply lodged in his leg and the Ravant continued to pursue Rolf.

Two laps, Rolf collapsed near the dwarf's hiding spot.  The Ravant loomed over him while Norm burst out of the bushes with a beaker, it was not sweat, but a single drop of blood pooled just outside of it's near-impervious armor, that landed in the glass container.

The monstrosity noticed the dwarf with a quizzical look.  A single drop of sweat formed on its brow and dropped. Norm caught it in the beaker and the blood boiled away.  He corked it and looked at the Ravant one last time as it sneered and punted him over the tree line.

Norm's distraction must have given Rolf a second wind because he got up and ran in the direction of the flying dwarf.    The barbarian was forced to swim across the river to reach Norm, and as he quickly looked over his shoulder, he saw the Ravant, silently surveying the river, but not attempting to enter the moving water.

The duo got to the windship spot, climbed up, and ordered the captain to leave ASAP.

The beaker... and the dwarf, had survived the kick and subsequent fall.

2nd of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
They arrived back by the brothel to find Kannex, who was setting up an experiment(?) outside of the brothel.  Norm pulled out the Ravant sweat, and Kannex immediately passed out at the mere sight of it.

Norm: "My ass hurts!!!"

DM Notes:  *Spoilers*  There you have it, my friends, enough McGuffins to construct the Super-Voltron-McGuffin to get everyone home.  

The Ravant is an actual creature in the setting, found in Cyclopedia Talislanta III: The Wilderlands of Zaran as well as the 3rd Edition Rulebook.  It's impenetrable, it's unstoppable, and if you can hurt it, it regenerates!   Without the sweat, Kannex would have a chance of failure casting the mass teleport/gate.   The sweat itself is like a magic booster, super-concentrated adrenaline and steroids of the arcane.  

Warning: The next episode is complete filler.  In real time, my Talislanta players took a week off after the events here and we jumped right into what will be episode #29 with the other players, without many questions.  For the sake of the narrative, I'll fill in what actually happened between Kanex fainting and the party returning home and reuniting with the first friend they see.

NEXT #26 - Getting Back is Half the Trip

The party was still trapped on the world of Talislanta.  Even with the demonstration he had given months before, most had given up hope that their friend(?) Kannex would ever complete the spell and ritual needed to transport them back the Kingdom of Crosedes on their own world.

Norm Dingleberry, Dwarven warrior, had recently rescued his fellow adventurers, Ashe the Ranger, Babette the Thief, and Kane the Cleric from the horrors of a necormancer's stronghold.  He spent most of his time nursing the psyches of his spiritually beaten companions.  With no contact from Kannex and his newest "best friend," Rolf Wolfsblood, having disappeared without warning, it felt like a disaster far greater than any failed mushroom farm he tended to.

He did take a few side treks, smuggling a few gruffans from Silvanus to occupy his little free time. They were low maintenance and most of their meat could be cured into a delicous bacon-like product.

At night, when the screaming finally subsided, he would climb out on the roof of the brothel and stare up at the stars, slowing petting his newest pet, a strange creature known as a Quaal.  Norm had found one in the city-state of Cymril and named him Quaally.

Finally, the barbarian Rolf returned to the brothel, a few more scars on his body, and more Thrall tattoos across the side of his face, now running down his left arm.

Norm lost his shit.

Patrons fled out doors and windows and the working women barricaded their doors, as the dwarf went on a violent, profanity laced tirade against the barbarian (all with an outrageous French accent).

After a few hours, it got quiet, and a few brave souls ventured out to find Norm staring into a half-filled pint on the porch, a Rolf quietly washing off tomato sauce and flour from his body near the well.  This day was never spoken of again.

35th of Jhang, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
After missing for months, Kannex made an appearance at the brothel.  He told Norm and Rolf that there is one final item to find, the worst of all:  the sweat of a mythical beast who lives in magical Aberrant Forest within the inhospitable Wilderlands of Zaran.

Rolf then lost his shit, and connected with a haymaker to Kannex's jaw.

Norm pulled the barbarian off of the sorcerer, but not before waiting a full thirty seconds....

42nd of Jhang, 151 N.A.  The Aberrant Forest, The Wilderlands of Zaran
Another windship, under a heavy guard, picked up the duo and flew to the Wilderlands.

When they arrived at the correct place in the forest, they shimmied down ropes through the thick canopy.  Well, Norm did.  Rolf tumbled.. again.

Norm finally got down safely to find the barbarian surrounded by three-foot tall woodmen.  The creatures took them prisoner and took them back to their village.  There, they met a scholar living with the woodmen tribe.  They told him of their odd quest and he outright refused to help, insisting that leave immediately instead of getting hunted down by the "RAVANT."   Norm and Rolf were given food and shelter for the night and ignored his warning, leaving to the following morning to locate the monster.

44th of Jhang, 151 N.A.  The Aberrant Forest, The Wilderlands of Zaran
On the second day of their expedition, the dwarf and barbarian were making camp when the woods went dead silent.  Norm climbed on Rolf's shoulder to see a huge beast with long arms coming at them.  They tossed the knockout powder at the monster, but it didn't even notice it.  It charged at them, knocking over large trees as it persued their flight.  Norm jumped into a bush and it ran past. Rolf managed to keep ahead of it.  The Ravant wasn't necessarily fast, but it seemed relentless and untiring.  Rolf ran a large circle through the jungle and came back to where Norm dove off.

The dwarf whipped out his battleaxe and hit the beast in the shin.

The axe simply lodged in his leg and the Ravant continued to pursue Rolf.

Two laps, Rolf collapsed near the dwarf's hiding spot.  The Ravant loomed over him while Norm burst out of the bushes with a beaker, it was not sweat, but a single drop of blood pooled just outside of it's near-impervious armor, that landed in the glass container.

The monstrosity noticed the dwarf with a quizzical look.  A single drop of sweat formed on its brow and dropped. Norm caught it in the beaker and the blood boiled away.  He corked it and looked at the Ravant one last time as it sneered and punted him over the tree line.

Norm's distraction must have given Rolf a second wind because he got up and ran in the direction of the flying dwarf.    The barbarian was forced to swim across the river to reach Norm, and as he quickly looked over his shoulder, he saw the Ravant, silently surveying the river, but not attempting to enter the moving water.

The duo got to the windship spot, climbed up, and ordered the captain to leave ASAP.

The beaker... and the dwarf, had survived the kick and subsequent fall.

2nd of Laedis, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
They arrived back by the brothel to find Kannex, who was setting up an experiment(?) outside of the brothel.  Norm pulled out the Ravant sweat, and Kannex immediately passed out at the mere sight of it.

Norm: "My ass hurts!!!"

DM Notes:  *Spoilers*  There you have it, my friends, enough McGuffins to construct the Super-Voltron-McGuffin to get everyone home.  

The Ravant is an actual creature in the setting, found in Cyclopedia Talislanta III: The Wilderlands of Zaran as well as the 3rd Edition Rulebook.  It's impenetrable, it's unstoppable, and if you can hurt it, it regenerates!   Without the sweat, Kannex would have a chance of failure casting the mass teleport/gate.   The sweat itself is like a magic booster, super-concentrated adrenaline and steroids of the arcane.  

Warning: The next episode is complete filler.  In real time, my Talislanta players took a week off after the events here and we jumped right into what will be episode #29 with the other players, without many questions.  For the sake of the narrative, I'll fill in what actually happened between Kanex fainting and the party returning home and reuniting with the first friend they see.

NEXT #26 - Getting Back is Half the Trip

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Ballad of the Pigeon God #24 (Talislanta) Rescue from Kroxour

3rd of Ardan, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril

After speaking to Kannex again Rolf and Norm found they needed to get yet another item, and with the rest of the party not schedule to return yet, the duo was all they had.

Both Norm and the very disgruntled Rolf  took equs to a shrine two days out in search of some glowing ball.

5th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  The Tomb, Cymril
Once they found an access point to the tomb, they went inside to find a simple square room with two large sarcophagi of obvious royalty in the center, and each wall lined with the armor of ancient knights.  One wall had an dusty treasure chest, opened to reveal gems and gold, while the opposite side was a glowing orb.

Norm:  "I told Rolf not to touch it, but for the first time ever he seemed greedy and picked it up. When he did so, the armor all came back to life.  We tried to fight them but it didn't work.  Rolf put back the treasure and a voice echoed in the tomb.  For the first time, I have heard Dwarven in this strange room.  It said "leave the treasure" so I said "OK!" grabbed the orb and ran out.  We escaped no problem and got back to the brothel. "

12th of Ardan, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
Seven days later and there was still no sign of the Ashe and the others.  Norm was spending his nights on the roof staring into the stars as if he was waiting for someone.  Rolf had become sullen and withdrawn, even forgetting to train with thoughts on his mind.  Sometime on the twelfth, he left the brothel and didn't appear to be coming back.

19th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  Office of Abn Qua, Moneychanger, City of Cymril
With still no sign of his friends, Norm became inpatient, grabbed Darius, who had just returned from a drunken bender after finding out he was the father of Babette's child, and rode into the city of Cymril to hunt down Abn Qua, the Kasmirin patron of the party's expedition. Grilling Qua on the fate of the party, the dwarf demanded a skyship of some sort, stabled his pony, Mytomek, and bought supplies.

20th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  City of Cymril
Abn Qua came through with a small windskiff, which Norm quickly boarded, pulled down his goggles, and cast off, Darius needing to jump aboard to follow the dwarf.

25th of Ardan, 151 N.A. The Citadel of Kroxour
Norm sailed around the stronghold numerous times.  He eventually found the windship that transported the party on the jagged rocks below, smashed from a great height.  He scaled down from the skiff and searched the wreckage, finding nothing.

Finally, Darius was able to spy a group of people huddling around a tiny fire.  Upon closer examination, they found the missing party, or at least what was left of them.  They had acquired some treasure, shoved up against the corner of the gully they were in, but they were changed.  Ashe's hair was stark white and he was mumbling.  Babette was still pregnant, but gnawing on a strangely human looking leg bone.  Kane was further down the gully, digging into the ground with something that looked like parts of his plate mail.  He stood up, dropped the shoulder piece he was using, and with a heavy sigh said, "Norm, Thank the Gods.  Where's Rolf."

Norm: "Where's Rolf???  Where's Alexi?"

Glancing over to Babette chewing the bone, Kane could only sigh again, "Alexi is dead."

Darius keeled over and vomited.

Norm and Darius got the entire party and the treasure onto a very overburdened wind skiff and headed home.

32nd of Jhang, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
Two months after rescuing his compatriots, Norm still focused all his energy on taking care of his friends.  Ashe and Kane were finally acting normal, and Babette was given bed rest and hearty diet (without bones).  No one spoke of Alexi at all... and as the days passed Darius, the father of Babette's child, began appearing less regularly, until one day, he just disappeared entirely.

A huge, hulking man with a bald head and elaborate tattoos running down from his forehead to left arm stepped up on the porch of the brothel.

Rolf had finally returned home.

DM Notes:  Another quick (and extremely easy) mission for the party, then a little exposition on what happened to our heroes.  As I mentioned in previous episodes, we don't have any documentation as to Kroxour's Citadel outside of a few vague memories.  

In the later days of the party's stay in Talislanta, Rolf travelled back to the Kingdom of Taz to live and study with the Thralls.  I've retconned that trip to occur a little earlier, which allows Norm to yearn for the stars, and rescue his friends from their encounter with cross-dimensional elder gods. As none of the Kroxour party would appear in latter sessions, their bouts of madness and abandonment could be treated better than the "Oh, you completed the mission and just sat around until you were able to get home."

There are no notes about Darius after the party left for Kroxour.   Your pregnant beloved gnawing on the bones of Alexi might be enough to make the Sarista gypsy become scarce.  

Sorry, Alexi, zero notes mentioning you after Kroxour.  It was time for more closure.  Rest in Peace.

Next - #25 - Rage and the RAVANT!

3rd of Ardan, 151 N.A. Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril

After speaking to Kannex again Rolf and Norm found they needed to get yet another item, and with the rest of the party not schedule to return yet, the duo was all they had.

Both Norm and the very disgruntled Rolf  took equs to a shrine two days out in search of some glowing ball.

5th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  The Tomb, Cymril
Once they found an access point to the tomb, they went inside to find a simple square room with two large sarcophagi of obvious royalty in the center, and each wall lined with the armor of ancient knights.  One wall had an dusty treasure chest, opened to reveal gems and gold, while the opposite side was a glowing orb.

Norm:  "I told Rolf not to touch it, but for the first time ever he seemed greedy and picked it up. When he did so, the armor all came back to life.  We tried to fight them but it didn't work.  Rolf put back the treasure and a voice echoed in the tomb.  For the first time, I have heard Dwarven in this strange room.  It said "leave the treasure" so I said "OK!" grabbed the orb and ran out.  We escaped no problem and got back to the brothel. "

12th of Ardan, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
Seven days later and there was still no sign of the Ashe and the others.  Norm was spending his nights on the roof staring into the stars as if he was waiting for someone.  Rolf had become sullen and withdrawn, even forgetting to train with thoughts on his mind.  Sometime on the twelfth, he left the brothel and didn't appear to be coming back.

19th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  Office of Abn Qua, Moneychanger, City of Cymril
With still no sign of his friends, Norm became inpatient, grabbed Darius, who had just returned from a drunken bender after finding out he was the father of Babette's child, and rode into the city of Cymril to hunt down Abn Qua, the Kasmirin patron of the party's expedition. Grilling Qua on the fate of the party, the dwarf demanded a skyship of some sort, stabled his pony, Mytomek, and bought supplies.

20th of Ardan, 151 N.A.  City of Cymril
Abn Qua came through with a small windskiff, which Norm quickly boarded, pulled down his goggles, and cast off, Darius needing to jump aboard to follow the dwarf.

25th of Ardan, 151 N.A. The Citadel of Kroxour
Norm sailed around the stronghold numerous times.  He eventually found the windship that transported the party on the jagged rocks below, smashed from a great height.  He scaled down from the skiff and searched the wreckage, finding nothing.

Finally, Darius was able to spy a group of people huddling around a tiny fire.  Upon closer examination, they found the missing party, or at least what was left of them.  They had acquired some treasure, shoved up against the corner of the gully they were in, but they were changed.  Ashe's hair was stark white and he was mumbling.  Babette was still pregnant, but gnawing on a strangely human looking leg bone.  Kane was further down the gully, digging into the ground with something that looked like parts of his plate mail.  He stood up, dropped the shoulder piece he was using, and with a heavy sigh said, "Norm, Thank the Gods.  Where's Rolf."

Norm: "Where's Rolf???  Where's Alexi?"

Glancing over to Babette chewing the bone, Kane could only sigh again, "Alexi is dead."

Darius keeled over and vomited.

Norm and Darius got the entire party and the treasure onto a very overburdened wind skiff and headed home.

32nd of Jhang, 151 N.A. The Pleasure House of Duane Alberhold, Cymril
Two months after rescuing his compatriots, Norm still focused all his energy on taking care of his friends.  Ashe and Kane were finally acting normal, and Babette was given bed rest and hearty diet (without bones).  No one spoke of Alexi at all... and as the days passed Darius, the father of Babette's child, began appearing less regularly, until one day, he just disappeared entirely.

A huge, hulking man with a bald head and elaborate tattoos running down from his forehead to left arm stepped up on the porch of the brothel.

Rolf had finally returned home.

DM Notes:  Another quick (and extremely easy) mission for the party, then a little exposition on what happened to our heroes.  As I mentioned in previous episodes, we don't have any documentation as to Kroxour's Citadel outside of a few vague memories.  

In the later days of the party's stay in Talislanta, Rolf travelled back to the Kingdom of Taz to live and study with the Thralls.  I've retconned that trip to occur a little earlier, which allows Norm to yearn for the stars, and rescue his friends from their encounter with cross-dimensional elder gods. As none of the Kroxour party would appear in latter sessions, their bouts of madness and abandonment could be treated better than the "Oh, you completed the mission and just sat around until you were able to get home."

There are no notes about Darius after the party left for Kroxour.   Your pregnant beloved gnawing on the bones of Alexi might be enough to make the Sarista gypsy become scarce.  

Sorry, Alexi, zero notes mentioning you after Kroxour.  It was time for more closure.  Rest in Peace.

Next - #25 - Rage and the RAVANT!

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