Lights in the Darkness

General ACKS Forums Actual Play
21

March 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:

EXPLORING THE ISLAND: RUINS AND RATMEN

With our new four-armed allies, we returned to camp where Oswald and Maurice recovered from being mauled by the giant that resisted the company’s spells. Early the next morning, we resumed our exploration of the island, all being fully well again.

First, we returned to the menhir where we encountered the giants and explored the stone, but there was nothing special about it. Afterwards, we searched the nearby ruins, which were similar to the one we found further east – save that they were occupied by a flesh-eating willow tree. Quickly, it was hacked to pieces and turned into a bonfire. When searching the vicinity, we found the remains of the willow’s victims, among them a venturer who carried wine and many coins.

Still, our group’s greed was not yet sated, so we pressed on in our exploration. Further into the ruins, we found a doorway in a half-buried wall, the portal sealed by a large stone block. Being unable to open it by conventional means, we finally resorted to brute force. This caused the stone to fall, almost smashing Oswald and Maurice. Within the chamber beyond, we found four tusks which we decided to bring along for eventual sale.

Shortly afterwards, we confirmed that we were on an island in the swamp: there was water all around us. We also confirmed that the swamp was not deep to the southwest, allowing one to wade to another island. Feeling invincible (or just getting jaunty), we decided to press on, stumbling into a swamp crocodile lair. Only a quick sleep spell prevented us from becoming dinner.

We spied some movement on the other island, with metal glinting. We shortly discussed whether or not to attack, but finally decided to retreat and watch. For supper, we took some crocodile meat with us, and Zephyros took some crocodile leather for shoes. From our hiding point, we saw some widdigmen approaching, investigating the crocodile lair. Since they did not continue to our island, we retreated to our camp, where we sampled the wine and called it a night.

The next morning, explored another ruin south of the island we had spotted earlier but not investigated. We found an area with two giant frog skeletons, pink grass and some primitive (and abandoned) shelter. Inside, we found only a holy symbol and prayer beads. Afterwards, we went west to explore the new island with the widdigmen.

Zephyros managed to convinced the widdigman gang-leader, Long-nose, that we were friends (without using magic). While talking with him, we learned that the widdigmen do not like the four-armed giants because they consider the widdigmen as food. Also, we learned that the widdigman chieftain is rich. We asked for an audience with the chieftain, a condition to which Long-nose agreed. We needed to convince one further widdigman leader to be allowed into their stronghold. We also learned that the stronghold was prepared for the widdigmen’s preferred hit-and-run tactics, with barricades, cover for archers and slingers, and similar improvements.

22

What monster did you use for the flesh-eating willow tree? We need more flesh-eating plant monsters in ACKS.

23

Alex wrote, "What monster did you use for the flesh-eating willow tree? We need more flesh-eating plant monsters in ACKS."

Since two of my players are regular forum readers, I'm leery of posting too many details about a foe they may meet again. Suffice it to say that I took the creature from a third-party DCC module.

The company is about to return to the area where they encountered the willow-tree monster in question, so perhaps we'll see another, more detailed description in a future post!

24

April 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 Oswald the Gray, a Geating Fighting Man:

MASSACRE AT THE POSSUM-MAN CAVES

So, we found ourselves at the entrance to the Possuman Caves. We debated among ourselves and with the possum-men on how we might gain an audience with their chieftain, Big-arm, but the possum-men were not fooled. Only Zephyros alone would be allowed to enter. Long-nose entered to bargain on our behalf, and we waited. Maurice played dice with some of the guards, while the others just waited and counted the number of possum-men in the area (several score, at the least).

Finally, Long-nose returned and pleaded for Zephyros to enter. Zephyros suspected a trap and tried to convince some of the possum-men to ally against the possum-man chieftain, but to no avail. It seemed that Long-nose had a bad reputation, and his gang soon fled the scene, though Long-nose remained.

At this point, we decided that a more forceful entry was in order. Our group stormed the entry, slaying possum-men left and right. We charged through a long tunnel to a larger cave, and there we met resistance which our four-armed giant lizard allies soon swept away in a rout. While the rest of the group pressed on, pursuing the fleeing possum-men before they could regroup, Demoleon tried a second door. It was locked, but he managed to open it. He disappeared beyond the door, hoping for treasure behind.

The remainder of the group stormed a second cave, from which a possum-man beating a great gong sounded an alarm. In this chamber, we encountered a large barricade, but despite it, the possum-men defenders were soon put to flight once more. Here, the group split, being attacked from several directions: Oswald and Osric halted to mop up a few lagging possum-men while Zephyros and Orhan were ambushed from a small passage to our right and Maurice charged forward into a further passage where he met a large, four-legged beast with a filthy maw and covered in natural armor.

25

May 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:

MASSACRE IN THE RATMAN STRONGHOLD

[While the company prepares the guard roster, Osric sits down to write in his small journal:]

After being told to wait for an audience with Big-arm, Maurice started gambling with some of the possum-folk who guarded the main entrance. Word eventually arrived that their chieftain was willing to speak with us, but only one, our scarred captain, Zephyros, was to be allowed an audience with his rattishness.

After a quick discussion, we disregarded that idea and tried to convince some of the small ones to start a coup d’état. Sadly, their cowardice was more persuasive than our appeals, and some just decided to run away…

The group decided against further idleness and instead chose to press forward, much to the chagrin of Long-nose, whose knowledge of what would follow put tears of desperation into his beady little eyes. He proved to be prophetic: the bloodbath that followed will truly be well-remembered. The snot-nosed little beastmen fell by the dozens under our onslaught as we pressed deeper and deeper into their warren.

Mace, sword and arrow managed to dispatch these sniveling abominations with ease. Maurice especially gave them no quarter as he led the charge against the possum-men with righteousness and valor. Even when we found ourselves separated on different fronts after breaking their resistance in the second large room, he handled the situation remarkably well. These filthy little creatures unleashed a giant armadillo in their efforts to turn the battle by brute strength and numbers. But, they all perished, and we decided to use their barricade to protect ourselves while resting, treating our wounds, and giving me the chance to pen these words.

This place here seems to be an old temple of some heathen goddess of fertility. We certainly must make sure to explore this place more thoroughly. Who knows what else might be buried under the refuse of these ignorant creatures?

Now I should also write about these four-armed giants that Zephyros “convinced” with his mind tricks to join our cause.

There is no best way to describe these two brutes. For the casual observer, they would be nothing more than four-armed, green-skinned reptilian abominations clad like the barbarians of the mountains, wielding scavenged swords and axes. Yet, after sharing the company of these savage beasts for a few days, watching their behavior and fighting prowess, one is hard-pressed to not be impressed. Their lust for battle is remarkable and their kin seems to be well-known by the widdig-men. Their behavior is crude but proud, and they seem to put great stock in their combat ability.

Not without reason! While their strength is still no match for the likes of Maurice the Muscle, their four arms and size give them a huge advantage in hand-to-hand combat where they seem to enjoy singing what probably amounts to battle hymns while slaughtering the terrified vermin who live in these tunnels. This really makes me wonder if the Maker in all His glory decided to give these savages some resemblance of culture, or if they just mock what they might have seen of Mankind in ages past.

Now its time to rest, not to ponder. I would be surprised if these sneaky rat creatures do not try something when they think our guard is down, so I better get some sleep while I may.

26

Wow, you rank up their with Omer (golan) for interesting races in your world. Great stuff. 

I like the questioning as to whether the lizard-warriors are sapient or not. 

27

I cannot take any credit for creative monster creation. Better just to say I prefer to reskin existing creatures or prioritize less well-known foes over bog-standard high fantasy!

28

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."

29

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.

30

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.

 

31

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!

32

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

33

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!

34

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. 

 

35

Not the last time he will be mortally wounded!

36

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?

37

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.

38

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.

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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.

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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.