Lights in the Darkness

[Hardrada]

June 2015

THE COMPANY

Maurice "the Muscle" de Granville, a Dreaman Fighter of Weanople

• Athelwine, a Geating Hunter (Normal Man) of Acworth

Orhan, an Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Dreaman Warden

• Urien, a Weallack Oblate (Normal Man) of Carlton

Oswald, a Geating Fighter

• Demoleon, an Ellasene Thief

Zephyros, an Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Dreaman Fighter
• Dudda, a Geating Thief
• Guilbert, a Dreaman Fighter
• Xenocrates, a Dreaman Mage

From the Papers of Osric de Mandeville, a Dreaman Warden:

THE STATUE AND PRISON OF THE RATMAN STRONGHOLD

“The rats indeed came back for more!” Osric adds to the journal with a little smile on lips before continuing to write down the events that followed.

“These rat-men really dared to disturb our rest but were spotted just in time. The fight was swift and brutal, and Maurice engaged half a dozen on his own before I joined him in the righteous punishment of these sniveling little beasts. The other front towards the large hall was dominated by our four-armed assistants and Zephyros, but it took a while to get them out of all the little hiding places before silence once again spread through these noisome halls. We decided to pull back into the large room after we made sure there was nothing of value on the recently slain.

While our retainers cleaned up the larger hall to further improve our barricade, we took the chance to examine more closely the large statue. The statue depicts a woman sitting with a staff and pomegranate in hand. From her back, a set of swan wings are visible, and there are also swans at her feet making her look rather regal for a heathen goddess. In front of her was a blackened altar, and behind that we found the remains of a woman. She might have died here fighting, but we cannot say for sure. It didn’t look like a sacrifice of some sort, at least, but closer inspection of her belongings netted us a small vial filled with a magical oil of some sort. After rummaging through the rest of the room, pushing the brazier over, closing all the large doors and removing the solid copper staff from the statue, we eventually found a hidden stash and drainage under the altar. There we found three silver sacrificial weapons: two curvy daggers and a pomegranate-headed mace of wondrous make! Quite a find I have to say; I am sure Maurice will make good use of this weapon. "

And with that Osric put the journal away to prepare for another, hopefully undisturbed, rest.

More follows an hour later when Osric finds some time to write in the journal once more.:

“The rats returned just as we were preparing for another foray. Their ambush was short-lived as the group ran away after the first died by a well-placed arrow in his ugly little face. They were even gracious enough to leave a hostage behind for us to interrogate!

The western door, where we encountered the giant ironback before, leads to a prison of sorts where the enemies of Bigarm are held. Apparently, some of these little cowards were holed up in there as well, so we stormed the narrow tunnels without aid of the large giants. It wasn’t much of a battle, but there was one enemy of note: their witch doctor. This nasty little creature had an aura of doubt and disgust about him with his sickly green glowing eyes, making it hard to face him directly, but the Maker made me see right through his foul magic! The second hit with my mace broke his skull, and he ceased to whisper his sorcerous blasphemy immediately.

There was a range of prisoners: two caravan guards, a canon and his man-servant huntsman, a Dwergar soldier, a weird-looking beastman with a horse’s head, and two widdigmen who say they are enemies of Bigarm. Moreover, there was a plethora of females with their young who apparently tried to seek shelter in the cells.

We swiftly went back into the large hall, and I had a brief talk with Godric the canon before we decided to tackle the eastern doors next."

[Hardrada]

October 2015

THE COMPANY

Maurice "the Muscle" de Granville, a Dreaman Fighter of Weanople --> Mortally Wounded!

• Athelwine, a Geating Hunter (Normal Man) of Acworth

Orhan, an Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Dreaman Warden

• Urien, a Weallack Oblate (Normal Man) of Carlton

Oswald, a Geating Fighter

• Demoleon, an Ellasene Thief

Zephyros, an Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Dreaman Fighter
• Dudda, a Geating Thief
• Guilbert, a Dreaman Fighter --> Mortally Wounded!
• Xenocrates, a Dreaman Mage --> Mortally Wounded!

(NPC) Agapetos, a Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner --> Mortally Wounded!

(NPC) Fraegr, a Brimman Adventurer, a Liberated Prisoner

• (NPC) Mauger, a Dreaman Warrior, a Liberated Prisoner

(NPC) Godric, a Geating Canon, a Liberated Prisoner

• (NPC) Emyr, a Geating Hunter (Normal Man), a Liberated Prisoner

(NPC) Haakon Halfdansson, a Brimman Sailor, a Liberated Prisoner --> Mortally Wounded!

(NPC) Henryk, a Dwergar Sellsword, a Liberated Prisoner

From the Diary of Urien of Carlton, a Weallack Oblate Attached to Osric de Mandeville:

THE EAST WING OF THE RATMAN STRONGHOLD AND THE END OF BIGARM

We pushed into the right-hand part of the lair after a short skirmish with the creatures who emerged from that side just when we finished our rest.

We found another statue of the “swan lady” and a trap that made us fall asleep when crossing the room. Luckily, no ambush followed, and we moved forward till we came to a chasm with a bridge guarded by a handful of the creatures.

We charged across the bridge as they tried to cut the rope. They were no match for our warriors, and the other side was secured without difficulty. Then, they used a hidden entrance in a side room for a foray against our rear, but Maurice and one of the giants drove them back quickly. In their eagerness to press our advantage, however, they pushed too far forward, resulting in their separation from us when the door closed.

It took us too long to puzzle out the trick of the doors: twisting three pairs of statues to face their mates. When finally we stormed into the chamber beyond, our companions were bloody corpses, and we do nothing to save them. It must have been quite a shock for Osric: I saw the anger in his eyes: he was very proud of his strong friendship with Maurice. The Muscle will be missed.

We were chasing the creatures away when we were attacked by an animated drop-front desk and a candlestick holder! The rest of the room was just as strange. Two cauldrons were in the room’s center: one flaming brightly as it emitted an oppressive heat and another filled with a clear fluid in which floated sparkling motes of light. When we dropped something into the flaming cauldron, the whole room darkened in a strange way. When we did the same with the clear one, a strange chest appeared above the pool. We then rested a bit and found many destroyed books and a heavy chest under something that must have been Bigarm’s ragged throne. We decided to rest soon, but wished to first secure the next room.

It was a bad mistake! They were waiting for us. Guilbert and our other giant fell in the resulting fight. We successfully withdrew and managed to hole up in the big room again.

Something about Osric concerns me. He was not healing our wounded in the morning and was rather evasive when I asked him about that. I wonder what happened? Is the Maker angry with him? But why?

We moved out again and destroyed the bridge, cutting the bridge on our side before returning to the weird chamber. We encountered no opposition in the next room where Guilbert fell. Zephyros concluded that it must have been a magical laboratory in light of a weird glass bell or dome suspended under the ceiling, a mirror on rails (that we covered up just in case), and many strange runes on the wall. The remaining exit led us through a secret door into the former crypt of the temple complex, or so we suspect. There remained many “traps” where people fell under strange spells, but we discovered as much only later after the final fight against the remaining warriors and Bigarm himself.

Bigarm and his last band of followers ambushed us in the tunnels, employing “stored” magical effects to attack us while trying to place a wedge between the front of the party and the rear using small side passages. Xenocrates and Haakon fell in the ensuing battle, and horse-headed Agapetos nearly lost one of his eyes. In the end, we managed to kill them all, however! Fraegr and Mauger even fought at the front this time, quite a surprise for otherwise rather shifty individuals.

We cleaned out much of the remaining complex now and certainly will continue tomorrow as well. We now have to think of how we can move all these goods over the treacherous swamp back to our camp on the island to the north. We will see if the widdigmen who stayed outside will attempt anything, but maybe we can work out something with “Strongsmell” and “Splitclaw,” the two Widdigman warriors that we freed in the prison.

I am slowly beginning to suspect that something is wrong with Osric. He fights differently than before, much more recklessly! Might it be the sacrificial mace we found, and that he took from Maurice? I do not believe anything else has changed otherwise. Thinking of it, I heard no prayer or verse from Osric since we lost the last giant, but it was pretty chaotic, so maybe I just missed it.

I pray we return to Hewflore soon.

[archon]

Oh no! Maurice "the Muscle" de Granville died. That's awful. 

What character has his PC adopted in lieu of Maurice?

Sounds like Osric has been cursed and changed alignment. Doubleplus ungood.

 

[Hardrada]

Unfortunately, Maurice's player departed the campaign after that session. It's a hard time zone for North American players, and I don't know that my judging style is up to maintaining interest when the sessions are often a month apart. I think it was a good excuse for him to drop out. The long-haul players are all, perhaps not coincidentally, fathers with small children.

More to follow regarding Osric!

[archon]

Sorry you lost a player, always a bummer. Looking forward to more updates!

[Hardrada]

October 2015

THE COMPANY

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Urien, a Weallack Oblate (Normal Man) of Carlton

Oswald, a Scarred and Rheumatic Geating Fighter --> Mortally Wounded Again, This Time by Acid!

• Demoleon, an Ellasene Thief --> Lost!

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Guilbert, a Sickly and Hollow Dreaman Fighter
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner

NPC: Athelwine, a Geating Hunter (Normal Man) of Acworth, Former Servant of Maurice

NPC: Fraegr, a Brimman Warrior, a Liberated Prisoner --> Charmed!

• NPC: Mauger, a Dreaman Warrior, a Liberated Prisoner --> Mortally Wounded by Poison!

NPC: Godric, a Geating Canon, a Liberated Prisoner

• NPC: Emyr, a Geating Hunter (Normal Man), a Liberated Prisoner

NPC: Haakon Halfdansson, a Brimman Berserk Favored by the Maker

 

RETURN FROM THE WIDDIGMAN'S LAIR

From the Diary of Urien of Carlton, a Weallack Oblate Attached to Osric de Mandeville:

Most of us made it out alive and burdened with treasure, but not without more slain, and not without discovering many of our mercenaries killed in a zombie attack. But, one after the other:

After we returned with Bigarm’s head to the big hall, Mauger told us that we owed him a full share of the treasure. This led to some discussion because Zephyros apparently promised that to him before we were nearly overrun in the mirror room. The discussion was heated but led to a compromise everybody seemed to accept.

Then, they talked with Agapetos. The horse-headed beastman seems to hail from an enslaved village of his kind that is still under control of the green, four-armed giants. It certainly would be the Maker’s work to lead them out of bondage, but the giants are quite powerful as we have seen…

Osric and Oswald went into the water below the destroyed bridge to find more treasure, but they found a dangerous water snake first! It bit Osric and Mauger. At least Osric survived. Maybe the Maker is still holding His hand over him. I at least hope that is the reason… I never heard Osric recite the Maker’s words with such a lack of passion and concentration. Maybe it was the bite of the snake or this swan-winged devil. Who knows?

Fraegr was incensed at the death of his friend, Mauger. I thought blood would be shed. Somehow, though, Zephyros calmed him down. He was much friendlier after that. Truly, Zephyros did the Maker's work in soothing Fraegr's anger.

After that, we managed to open the big chest, nearly killing Oswald with acid. It looked worse than it actually was at the end, though, and the soap washed away most of the corrosive agent on his face. Inside, there were quite a few expensive things, some lead toy soldiers, and raunchy paintings on wood.

We returned to the two pools. Oswald lifted a mystery from the blue pool, but even after solving the child’s riddle, we were confronted by a vision of a weird apparatus consisting of a long cylinder with a cube at each end. We finally gave up trying to understand it and decided to call it a day, departing the Hellhole once and for all.

The remaining widdigmen awaited us outside, but between the trophy of Bigarm’s head and the hailing of two new widdigman kings, Strongsmell and Splitclaw, we managed to slip away without further problems.  There was no sign of Demoleon; we never saw him again after he went exploring... We took the boats the captured caravan guards told us about and escaped before further trouble found us.

Returning to our camp on the island of the menhir, we found much in disarray. While we explored the widdigman tunnels and slew Bigarm, our camp was attacked by zombies. Many of our swords-for-hire fell. Oswald’s behavior remained unusual: his prayers over their bodies were mumbled and without sincerity.

Before leaving the camp, Osric spoke to Agapetos through a translator:

“I know that your people are suffering, and that you need all the help you can get. But we are only a few! We cannot wade into a village of these giants and slay them all to free your kin. We need more information and more men! We will return to Hewflore now, but it may be that you cannot join us. We may have to meet again after we hire more mercenaries. Even then, we need a plan and good information on where we can strike best to free some more of you.”

Later:

“I found a teacher — Ralf d’Arcy — who was willing to speak to Osric and examine the mace. When I brought Osric to him, he looked a bit odd, but he told me he wouldn’t ask any further questions. It might require some trickery to do this, but I am convinced I can find a way…

The curse is undone! The teacher was swift and Osric rather befuddled as he threw the mace from him like an iron pot too long on the fire. With great care, Brother Ralf took the mace to the Maker’s House of Hewflore where the canons there destroyed it on the altar. The power of the foul demoness Turana broken. They assured me that the metal would be used for alms.

Glory to the Maker!

[archon]

Poor Oswald. I laughed hard at him getting acid in the face, but it was no big deal and he just sponged it off. I always find that hysterical in game. 

 

[Hardrada]

Not the last time he will be mortally wounded!

[Hardrada]

October 2015

THE COMPANY

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer
• Godric, a Geating Canon
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth, Former Servant of Maurice
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner

THE CHRONICLES OF ZEPHYROS

Chapter 2: Rest and Relaxation in Hewflore

It was so relaxing to be able to take up residence in Hewflore for the last month. Xenocrates and I have spent most of the time studying new spells. I could have easily made it two months had I the resources. It would seem we are well prepared for our next adventure. I need to find another apprentice soon, as I have capacity to help another learn the craft. I will keep an eye out for someone that shows promise.

The idea of ridding the pirate menace in the area does appeal to Orhan and I, but that doesn’t appear to be the root cause of the economic decay in the area, and perhaps it is best that we don’t help out too much, too fast. That is until we are able to capitalize on the opportunity ourselves. After all, with the pirates gone, who has the most to gain? Not us. In order to capitalize on the opportunity, we must have our own trade network established, and now is a good time to do that with the pirates being in the way. Perhaps we can not only create new trade, but can also collect the bounties. What if these pirates are nothing more then retired traders gone rogue due to the economic decline? I wonder if they will go back to their old ways if given the opportunity to do so? Maybe some of them would be willing to do so for us?

Even though I said some strong words to him, I do feel some obligation to help Osric out on his mission in Taygle’s End. After all, he’s been such a fine and trusted companion and to have the church sweeten the deal by helping identify the purpose of the Rod of Chains: well that was most unexpected.

There is something that is curious to me about this cultist phenomenon: how deep does it go? Are we meddling with the affairs of some very powerful people? We best be careful and that word is not in Osric’s vocabulary. it is a good thing I am accompanying him.

Although I am sad to see Guilbert go, it brings a smile to my face to know that he will have a secure future keeping our residence in Hewflore. Looking back on it, a lot has changed since our beginnings. Tibalt left some time ago; I wonder what he is up to. Maurice met his fate in the Widdigmen Lair: such a brave lad. And now Oswald is leaving to pursue other interests. We also have some fresh faces including Cuthbert, Boguslaw, Fionnbharr and Wilburg, that have decided to join the company. So, all in all, I am excited about our prospects, but I feel we could use a commander for our warriors, with Maurice and Oswald now departed. Perhaps Henryk or Ansger will fill that role in time?

We’ll tomorrow we’ll be on a boat to Taygle’s End. What could possibly go wrong?

[Hardrada]

At this point, Oswald's player bowed out of the campaign, expressing frustration at the pace and the lack of an obvious path to Conqueror shenanigans.

[Hardrada]

October 2015

THE COMPANY

Cuthbert, a Geating Warden of Carlton

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer
• Godric, a Geating Canon
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth, Former Servant of Maurice
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner

THE CHRONICLES OF ZEPHYROS

Chapter 3: The Welcoming Committee of Taygle's End

The people of Taygle’s End are not known for their hospitality. They were cold the last time we passed through, and now that we are back, little has changed. As soon as our company departed from the riverboats, we were not surprisingly greeted with shuttered windows, barking dogs, and distant stares. I couldn’t believe that we were in the same town that we visited a couple months back: so much more decay, boarded up doors, broken windows and burned down buildings… Something is amiss, perhaps there is something to this cult rumor.

After making our way to the church with a huge entourage of mercenaries – perhaps we could have been more tactful – we came to the door of the church courtyard which was barred. Orhan, of course still a student of human cultural norms, jumped the fence and opened the door just in time for us to hear, “Halt!” We were met by the town watch, and shortly thereafter Cowal appeared from the rectory.

Not surprisingly, Osric did not hide his reason for being here, and so the game was on, so we would learn. Words were exchanged and Cowal eventually settled Osric down and we behaved according to their plan when our company decided to split up, with our mercenary troop and a few of our trusted followers setting up camp in the caravan yard to the north of village. Osric and the other Makerite clergy would enjoy dinner with Cowal, while Orhan and I would enjoy dinner at one of the inns. Did we fall for the bait, or did they?

The inn was nice enough, while I found it unusual that the innkeeper was as polite as he was, considering the welcome we had just received. It was also strange that there were so many locals present. With the town so run down and obviously on hard times, how can these folk afford to eat at the inn? The pieces were fitting into the puzzle.

I was part way into my fish dinner – which was lovely by the way – when my vision narrowed and I felt ill. I looked around the rest of the table and puzzled looks were on everyone. Dudda plowed his face into the plate of quail. Poison was coursing through our veins…

Knowing the trap was sprung, I rose up and demanded to see the cook, who was observing us from the doorway into the kitchen. The innkeeper rushed towards us and insisted that the rest of the patrons help us. That was when I started muttering the incantations for a spell that would entice them all into slumber. Xenocrates and Orhan mirrored my actions while Henryk raised his axe and Anger drew his sword. What would fate decide?

All at the same time, three townsfolk assaulted me. I avoided their blows as I finished the final syllable of my sleep spell. The room dimmed as a vaporous horn appeared in front of me: I blew into it as a cloud of smoke drifted into the crowd of commoners. Six collapsed into sleep, but not before one struck Xenocrates. He finished his incantation simultaneously: a swirling opaque fog appeared just in front of him, and a Brimman horn could be heard all around us. Figures appeared in the fog, screaming battle cries as they charged forth. At the same moment, Orhan was struck by the cook’s cleaver, opening a light wound in his arm and disrupting his spell. Ansger made a double swing, removing the arm of a farmer assaulting me and followed through with a deep gash into the cook. Not to be outdone, Henryk disemboweled the innkeeper and with a step forward removed the head off the cook. “Well that escalated quickly,” I thought to myself as Xenocrates ordered the berserkers to finish off the sleeping townsfolk.

I gave orders to bar the doors and prepare oil to burn down the inn. This would be the distraction we needed to disrupt the plans of any other ill-meaning locals and save our friends at the church. Henryk barred the front door first and then moved through the kitchen to secure the rear door. Orhan checked the bodies of the fallen, noting the cook’s dagger appeared to be of fine make and was coated with poison on the blade. Ansger attended to Dudda, making sure he would be alright; Dudda began to vomit, which was a good sign, I thought. I began to pull oil from my pack.

Orhan, the level-headed one said, “Hold fast! We know not who is upstairs, the men we are looking for could be up there for all we know.”

“The doors are barred!” exclaimed Henryk.

“You’re right, Orhan, let’s search the rest of the inn. Ansger and Henryk, form up! Xenocrates get the berskerkers in formation. We’re sticking together.” I thought to myself, “I hope Osric and the others aren’t in peril, we have to get to them quickly.” The warriors formed up and we pressed upstairs.

[Hardrada]

A few parenthetical remarks are due at this point.

- First, these entries are more than three years old. As I go through them, I'm editing them to improve clarity or otherwise provide context if I can do so without disrupting the flow of the original text. I'm not the original author for any of the entries, so I try to go overboard with what is someone else's work.

- At this point in the campaign, we weren't quite to Session 20. We're about to play Session 64 tonight. All but one of my players was a stranger when the game began. At different points, we've had new players jump in for a few sessions and then duck out. Henryk and Haakon started as player characters (actually, Haakon is an amalgam of two player characters, both Brimman fighters named "Haakon," from two different players). Cuthbert is of the same sort.

- The campaign's online home is still at https://lights-in-the-darkness-2.obsidianportal.com. I try to keep as much of it public as possible in order to give ACKS a bit more visibility. I don't derive any personal satisfaction having more fans, but your "FAN" likes increase the visibility of the campaign and, by extension, the game system.

- We currently have five regular players (including me). We're not hurting for more, but I do not to turn folks away if someone wants to give it a try. We play at a hard time for most people, and all the kids in the background of Google+ (at least four of us are dads with small kids) can be very distracting.

[archon]

That's awesome that you're up to 64 sessions! Five regular players is a good size group. 

Thank you for keeping your campaign's home public, I really appreciate that. 

[Hardrada]

December 2015

THE COMPANY

Cuthbert, a Geating Warden of Carlton

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer
• Godric, a Geating Canon
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth, Former Servant of Maurice
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner

THE PAPERS OF OSRIC DE MANDEVILLE

From Hewflore to Taygle’s End

[After a long break Osric picks up his journal again, flips to a fresh page and starts writing down:]

Yric mentioned that two brothers who were investigating Taygles End have vanished. I bet this fake teacher there is responsible. We will put an end to that!

I visited the local Magonine friary today. I am surprised how young “Elder” Bede is, and I wonder what deeds he did in the Maker’s name to already lead a friary at his young age. Bede and I spoke briefly. He was rather reserved, but one in his position probably ends up with many hidden adversaries, so I won’t hold that against him. It seems the death cult Fraegr mentioned is worshipping the daemon called “Orcus.” This swamp truly is a hive of scum and devilry!

I paid the sculptor a visit as well to see how the statue for the Study of Saint Tibba is progressing. I instructed the sculptor to work on a few features some more. Saint Magos needs to looks as impressive as his deeds. Suggesting the sculptor use me as a model is unquestionably helping his work.

[Osric continues writes into his journal while crossing the lake:]

We departed from Hewflore to find evidence of the frog cult in Taygle’s End. With my mercenaries, I doubt we will encounter any problems with the local lord. I have to admit that I look forward to hunting cultists again, and cleaning out this rotten village will be a great first step to bring the Maker’s judgement into this foul swamp.

I should not forget to also find a chance to get more information about that Orcus cult. Maybe Colbert knows something? Maybe we can visit Froxhall without resting there for a night; the prices they charge at the inn there should be considered robbery! I better check up on Fraegr once we are back in Hewflore too: I haven’t seen him since he was with Zephyros and Xenocrates when we returned from our last expedition. I think he might know more about the cult.

[Hardrada]

November 2015

THE COMPANY

Cuthbert, a Geating Warden of Carlton --> Mortally Wounded by a Sword-stroke!

Eirikr, a Brimman Axiomar, a Liberated Prisoner

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer (in camp)
• Godric, a Geating Canon (in camp)
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth (in camp)
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass (in camp)
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice (in camp)
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner (in camp)

THE CHRONICLES OF ZEPHYROS

Chapter 4: The Trouble with Frog-men

As it turns out, it was a good thing we decided not to torch the inn. As we investigated upstairs, we came across a couple prisoners. Eirikr was drugged similar to us in the same inn. As an axiomar of the Maker, he’s a welcome addition to the company. The other gentleman claimed to be a merchant, but after trying to make his escape and evading our questions, we believe he is associated with the cult. The eyes seem to give it away. We decided to tie him up for now; perhaps he’ll end up being useful later.

Anyways, we liberated quite a bit of loot in a few chests scattered across the inn. During our search, we uncovered a trap door leading to the basement of the inn. Poor Dudda may need to find another profession: his ability to sniff out traps is in question after tripping two separate traps. Fortunately, he is still alive. As for the trap door, I would have hesitated to enter such a place, but considering Osric and his followers met us at the inn, we figured we were strong enough to face whatever might be down there.

We went down a set of stairs into the basement and Orhan noticed footprints leading to a secret door on the far wall. Henryk and Ansger made short work of the door; beyond were stairs leading down to a chamber in which there were several freshly-excavated shafts going in various directions. The corridors were all quite narrow and winding, making it difficult to see very far. Henryk led the way to the far-left passage, and it wasn’t long before we came across the first horror.

Three frog-men were in a small chamber, behaving almost like zombies. They had human bodies with frogs’ heads. Their fingers ended in sharpened bone points, and on their heads were two shiny metallic plugs, one on each side behind their eyes and writhing with energy. Their mouths had several rows of sharp teeth. Their furious attack caught Henryk off-guard, and he was paralyzed as his muscles involuntarily cramped and became rigid.

Fortunately, Eirikr was able to drag him to safety and Ansger took Henryk’s place, shielding Osric and dispatching the lead frog-man. Osric managed to call on the power of The Maker to hold at bay the two remaining frog-men. Confronted by Osric’s holy symbol, they clasped the metallic plugs on their heads and howled. Ansger and Eirikr used this opportunity to dispatch them. I thought to myself, “Who is responsible for these abominations? Whoever he is, he is far more powerful than us, and therefore we must be very careful how much further we venture into this place.”

We decided to retreat back to the secret room before the tunnels and rethink our situation. Plans were made to secure our position by defending the entrance through the basement. Dudda and a few others hid near the stairway into the basement. Meanwhile, me and my men would hold up within the secret room itself, while Osric and a few others explored the tunnels. This way, we could bar up the tunnels and only have to defend ourselves from one direction at a time… or so we thought.

As soon as Osric opened the door to the tunnels, our prisoner screamed out something to his master. This gave Orhan just the excuse he desired to fill the prisoner with arrows. Moments later, the hatch to the basement opened, and men with torches appeared. We were quiet as several of the men descended the staircase and entered the room. Then, I motioned for Henryk and Ansger to charge.

Together, the two dispatched a couple of the advancing men, but others behind them pressed the mass forward. I prepared a spell even as I noticed a commotion where Osric was returning to the basement: apparently, he had company. Summoning ethereal berserkers, our ranks were bolstered. At the same time, Orhan used a scroll we recently discovered to animate a corpse and direct it towards our attackers.  Soon, we realized that we were facing Cowal, the local teacher, and his followers.

Henryk, Ansger, Eirikr, Bogusław, Dudda, Cuthbert, the berserkers, and Orhan’s zombie quickly gained the upper hand, cutting the enemy down right and left. However, just as the tide seemed to have flowed entirely in our favor, Cuthbert – who had sought to finish Cowal personally – was blinded by some trick on the part of the supposed teacher. Disoriented, Cuthbert twisted around, and was cut down by one of the local reeve’s sergeants. Orhan now put many of our surviving attackers into an ensorcelled slumber, and we finished the fight with Cowal’s party.  At the same time, whatever was attacking Osric withdrew back into the warren of dark tunnels behind us; after the battle, I learned that it was another group of frog-men.

Osric’s men treated Cuthbert to the best of their ability, but his missing right arms and slack look made it clear he would never be the same again. Orhan directed his undead servant to pursue the creatures fleeing into the darkness. After taking a moment to equip my berserkers with torches, I dispatched them into the tunnel system ahead of Orhan and Eirikr. They encountered a large constrictor snake; they were able to finish it off, but not before it killed two of them. Exploring the tunnel system further, we found evidence of the zombie’s last stand along with a dead giant viper. However, we were unable to locate the frog-men. The only unique object we discovered was a large frog statue with a precious gem embedded in its head. Considering Eirikr sensed that it was evil, we must be cautious with what we do with this discovery.

[Hardrada]

You may notice that the dates don't align with the narrative. This was simply the case of Zephyros' player posting faster than Osric's player. I figured I needed to post the late entry first or the narrative would become challenging to follow.

[Hardrada]

February 2016

THE COMPANY

Cuthbert, a Geating Warden of Carlton --> Mortally Wounded by a Sword-stroke!

Eirikr, a Brimman Axiomar, a Liberated Prisoner

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer (in camp)
• Godric, a Geating Canon (in camp)
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth (in camp)
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass (in camp)
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice (in camp)
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner (in camp)

THE PAPERS OF OSRIC DE MANDEVILLE

The Cultist Showdown in Taygle's End

[The cellar secured, with cultists littering the ground dead or bleeding, Osric finds a moment to scribble into his journal.]

Cowal and his cronies suffered a righteous defeat at our hands today! If the Maker wills it, Cowal will survive the journey back to Hewflore for further questioning…

At the start, it was not altogether clear how Cowal fit into the cult’s plans, though we uncovered his evil quickly enough. When we arrived at his house, the town’s self-appointed teacher played it smart, trying to paint himself a humble servant that took things into his own hands when he found an empty study here in Taygle’s End. Neither his home nor the adjacent study presented us with any obvious signs of malign activity. While he was not too firm with his prayers, he at least was more hospitable than the last time we met with him, probably due to the many armed men accompanying us. I couldn’t find any hints that would reveal his true colors, but luckily his fellow cultists weren’t so clever.

While we met with Cowal, cultists attacked my comrades in the tavern after trying to poison them. They succeeded only in sealing their own fates. After I rejoined my companions at the inn, we also found a captured merchant – who turned out to be a member of the frog cult – and an axiomar named Eirikr. Then, we were attacked by Cowal and his goons in full force while exploring the inn’s cellar. Many of the town’s guards, the smith, and some other shady-looking ruffians blocked our exit, while some frog-men abominations tried to rush us from dark tunnels leading into the cellar.

While I held back theses foul abominations with the Maker’s might, my brothers-in-arms butchered the rest of the cultists. Unfortunately, Brother Cuthbert lost his arm in the scuffle.

With that done, we had some time to explore the hidden parts of the cellar more closely. The only resistance we found were more frog-man beasts and a giant snake, all of which we destroyed with the Maker’s help. I still have a feeling that some of the frogs managed to escape, but even our Alfarn and Dwergar companions couldn’t find any secret hiding places or doors. The most important and terrifying thing we found was the statue of the frog daemon these madmen call their master. Fashioned of glistening, sickly-green stone topped by a head dominated by a large, scintillating gem, it was difficult even to look at it without experiencing dizziness. We lacked the tools to destroy this unholy sanctum, so we must see if we can get holy water from the Tychite monastery nearby or Froxhall.

After all that, we were lucky to also capture the wife of the innkeeper. Eirikr sensed none of the infernal hatred exhibited by the other cultists, so Zephyros convinced her to cooperate with us. It seems like the cult drags potential members and captives down to some watery cave near the swamp where the influence of the daemon is strong enough to either possess or kill new recruits. Maybe it takes a while before the cult can be sure if the newest members’ loyalty; at least, this would explain why the merchant was still bound in one of the rooms of the inn. I really doubt this charade was some sort of ruse to trust him as we would have no reason to find him before we defeated the cultists in the inn.

Our next step is to get our troops into the town and search the study for any clues. We must hurry, though, not just because Warden Guy and Deacon Tostig might still be in the cult’s clutches but also because Lady Osthryd seems to have been captured and taken to the caverns.

[Hardrada]

March 2016

THE COMPANY

Eirikr, a Brimman Axiomar, a Liberated Prisoner --> Mortally Wounded by Animated Corpses of Frog-men

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer (in camp)
• Godric, a Geating Canon (in camp)
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter

• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth (in camp)
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass (in camp)
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice (in camp)
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner (in camp)

THE PAPERS OF OSRIC DE MANDEVILLE

The Tychite Monastery

[Osric finds a moment to pen a few words into his journal, while Zephyros discusses matters with Lady Osthryd’s household guards.]

It seems that the Lady has been missing for quite a while now too, and the guards were much friendlier this time. They are probably desperate, as they seem to know about the cult. Still, it’s a bit suspicious that they didn’t allow us to inspect all of their remaining soldiers…

The study didn’t hold any clues to where we could find our missing brethren or the Lady Osthryd, but we found another statue of this foul frog abomination hidden away like a cowardly thief in a small side room of Cowal’s abode. No religious texts could be found anywhere, but we found a book with weird scribbling in it that makes one’s head hurt.

There still seem to be some of the possessed in the town, but they are quiet for now after we clobbered their leaders and fellow cultists. The rest of the residents don’t seem to be too friendly either, but I think not all hope is lost for this place. With strong guidance and hard work, this community could very well become a beacon of hope in this vile swamp. We will visit the monastery next and, if the Maker wills it, let’s hope we find some holy water there.”

[After massaging his bruised shoulder, Osric continues his entry:]

More cultists were all that awaited us in the monastery. At first, everything seemed abandoned, perhaps only just before our arrival, as we made our way through the outbuildings. We found more mad scribblings in the some of the quarters; the cult must have been busy here for a while it seems. We then were forced to scale the walls to gain access to the main compound when a few cultists dared to show their faces by shooting at us with crossbows. Despite our disadvantaged position, we managed to drive them back and took the roof without any loss. Climbing down into the cultist-held garden seemed unwise, so we bashed a hole in the roof and entered through the ceiling.

This was when more cultists decided to press an attack. It was some righteous slaughter as, at one point, we had to stand on a heap of fallen foes to fight the waves of crazed frog daemon followers! Most of the cultists were ill-equipped rabble, so we only sustained a few bruises and minor wounds in vanquishing them. We hunted them down to the last man and woman, but still found no traces of the monks. We had to search for more clues.

In the study, copy room, and library, we turned up more vile books and statues of mutated frogs and frog-men but no hints regarding the missing wardens, monks, or reeve. After a long search, a secret tunnel was found that wasn’t very deep, but it was very long with many rooms dug out on each side. Some reminded me of animal pens, and others were like empty storage rooms, but there also was a grisly hall full of tables with corpses. It must have been some sort of laboratory: there were many corpses showing signs of experimentation, amputations, and transplanted frog parts, many grotesque and over-sized. The dead rose during our search; the resulting battle was surprisingly bloody affair.

The undead surrounded the group quicker than holy symbols could drive them back, forcing the whole group to retreat and spike the doors after I held them off as long as possible. A counter attack was prepared, and Zephyros, Xenocrates, and Orhan called many a berserkers from some Astral realm to aid us. Again, the undead proved to be more than a match, and only the Maker’s holy wrath and the clever use of an old scroll prevented the battle from ending in disaster. Eirikr the Axiomar fell, the zombies tearing his arm asunder, leaving his right hand useless.

I wonder if the monks are not the ones to blame for this whole mess. I suspect that these books were used to convert, or at least influence, the people studying here before they were shipped off to the caves. The escape tunnel coupled with the experimentation chamber also makes one think: Was it a route to get out of the monastery in case of an emergency? Or, was it to secretly enter without anyone else noticing? Who or what else was living down there?”

[Osric takes a deep breath while gazing into a candle flame thinking about what happened in the hours prior.]

“We have cleansed the monastery, but this place opens up more questions than it solves.”

[Rodriguez]

These were some of my favorite sessions! So many cultists to slay and weird things to figure out. :)

[Hardrada]

May 2016

THE COMPANY

Orhan, a Wry Alfarn Spellsword

Osric de Mandeville, a Reckless and Fell-handed Dreaman Warden

• Bogusław, a Dwergar Warden of Hewflore --> Mortally Wounded by a Cultist Dagger
• Emyr, a Geating Explorer
• Godric, a Geating Canon (in camp)
• Urien, a Weallack Canon Hailing from Carlton

Zephyros, a Scarred but Silver-tongued Ellasene Mage

• Ansger, a Loyal Dreaman Fighter
• Athelwine, a Geating Explorer from Acworth
• Dudda, a Cheerful Geating Thief
• Fionnbharr, a Dim-witted Gallowglass (in camp)
• Henryk, a Dwergar Guard of Hewflore
• Wilburg, a Self-Confident and Sickly Apprentice (in camp)
• Xenocrates, a Cautious Ellasene Mage

NPC: Agapetos, a Horse-headed Beastman of the Sunken City, a Liberated Prisoner (in camp)

THE PAPERS OF OSRIC DE MANDEVILLE

The Frog Caverns

[Sitting outside a tavern in Carlton and enjoying a refreshing, watered-down ale while watching passing townsfolk, Osric permits himself a short respite.]

We are in Carlton. This morning, the abbot exorcised the demonic curses plaguing Urien and I. The Maker be praised! It is like the lifting of many leaden weights from my chest. The price – the destruction and donation of unholy jewelry from the frog temple – was a pittance for all this.

[Osric pauses before resuming his journal from the last entry.]

Near where the tunnel to the monastery exited in a small cut, we discovered tracks. Tired and bloody, we elected to rest in Taygle’s End before continuing our hunt. We allowed our men to celebrate, and I took the opportunity to preach the Maker’s Word to the people of the End. I have to admit that I was surprised by how many attended to the liturgy; a few locals even thanked me afterwards. Maybe, not all is lost for this village!

The next day, the terribly-wounded Eirikr informed us that he would return to Hewflore as soon as he was ready to travel, and we bid him farewell. The remainder of us returned to the monastery. Orhan – with the rest of in tow – followed the tracks from the hidden tunnel northwards until we ended up at the foot of Rish Hill, a poorly hidden entrance into the depth before us. We spotted some strange figures in the bushes and boldly confronted them, and they quickly retreated. We couldn’t follow their tracks in the thick underbrush covering the area, so we returned to the gaping hole where cultist footprints led us.

Reflecting that we were not far from the thorp of Rishdon, I wondered if the locals had aligned themselves with the worshippers of the frog daemon. Perhaps the figures who fled into the brush were on their way at that moment to summon reinforcements from the settlement above us. We would have to hurry.

The steps leading down into the hole looked treacherous, so we tried to advance slowly. Nevertheless, some of our number slipped noisily, and our torches undoubtedly marked our approach. Not surprisingly, foemen awaited us, prepared to do us ill. Vicious incantations assailed our senses, and everything was made more difficult thanks to the confined space and treacherous footing. Only after our mages sent forward a wave of summoned Brimman warriors could we press into the chamber in front of us.

We soon found ourselves in a bloody battle for our lives. One of the green-skinned four-armed giants we knew from elsewhere in the Great Marish crashed into our flank from a side tunnel; even stooping, he was a fearsome sight. Thanks to the Maker, an incantation of sleep felled him before he did serious damage, and we slew him while helpless. Ansger and Henryk tried to maintain pressure on the enemy’s front line even as the cultists received more reinforcements. Visions of unknowable evil clouded my sight and sickened me, but a few well-placed shots by our archers silenced the cultists’ sorcerers. A great, armored frog-man monstrosity then appeared from another side tunnel along with more cultists. Our mages responded with summoned Brimman berserks. The frenzied madmen felled the armored frog-man and broke the cultists’ attack. In the aftermath, I discovered a prostrate Bogusław with a dagger lodged in his back.

We hurriedly scavenged what we could from the corpses of our fallen foes, but we did not dare pursue the cultists deeper into the warren. Near the entrance, I posted Emyr with orders to spy on all that trafficked the area. We then marched back to the monastery to recover. Bogusław will live, thankfully, though I suspect he will not walk again without pain.

Still troubled by bouts of nausea and vertigo, we decided to ride to Carlton the next day. Before we could depart, however, two messengers appeared at the gate to the monastery grounds. The owner of a manor also on the outskirts of Taygle’s End sought a chat with us. Confident in our strength and the Maker’s blessings, we accompanied the messengers to their master’s manse.

Garnier, one of the local area’s chief thanes, seemed to share a common goal of eradicating the cult. By all appearances a seasoned adventurer, we learned that he’d already clashed with the cultists several times, but his injuries, age, and dwindling resources prevented him from achieving a decisive victory. His reports of the cult’s influence dampened my mood considerably: not only has the cult infiltrated Taygle’s End, it seems to have thoroughly corrupted Rishdon as well.

As I see it, our best hope now is to destroy the cult’s sanctuary at the base of Rish Hill. Then, we can renew faith in the Maker’s power by making Taygle’s End a beacon of hope. With that accomplished, we will have time to hunt down the cult’s remnants and drive this perverse frog idolatry back into the swamp from which it no doubt hails.

This is not something to be left to others. No! This is something I must do myself!

I will take over the ekklesia of Taygle’s End… a task for which I must secure the support of Lady Osthryd. I must see if Garnier will support me as well. I am not without optimism: after all, the old man generously gave us some old artifacts for the promise that we would remove the cult from Taygle’s End.

I have no doubt this will not be an easy task, but – with the Maker’s blessings – it is one I shall do.