Shard's Journal
From Rathe
Posted 10/01/2005 to the Metagamers boards
I awoke to find several of my new companions missing. Ardona, Moby and myself were determined to return to the O.R.C. lair to search for the remaining prisoners. After some talking we decided that we should seek out the Lord and Lady D'venssi and after much persuading we were able to receive some help in the form of local mercenaries. Although most were relatively inexperienced, having helped ward off animals that strayed to near the town, their help would prove to be invaluable. After leaving a note at the inn for the rest of our companions and other adventuring group, we took to the road. The first thing that we noticed was that of two owl-bear skeletons on the ground, and to our surprise they attacked! We dispached them without too much trouble and passed through the retraped iron gate. We encountered some grey skinned dwarves armed with crossbows and warhammers. It seems these evil dwarves were acting as smiths for the O.R.C. s, as we found a forge and anvil. Evan caught up with the group and was almost drowned by zombies while searching for some gold in a well. After fighting off some ghouls (I was paralyzed by the ghouls touch and was rendered helpless I知 have to be more cautious in the future) and another dwarf we found the remaining prisoners. We learned that some of the prisoners had been there for quite a while and they were being used as slave in the mine. We gave the prisoners what extra ratios we could and Moby stayed with them as we continued to explore the cavern. We once again encountered the large wolf like animal (warg?) and this time were able to slay it and retrieve a tooth for Moby. While searching a bed chamber, we were set upon by an orc troop. We were able to slay 12 O.R.C. s but our party had several injuries. (I was almost killed myself but was rescued by one of the mercenaries) The rest of the O.R.C. s moved on and we continued to search the cave. We found a broken statue with some scorpions around it and an additional way out. We then gathered our party and with the rescued prisoners started the journey back to town. We made it as far back as the cottage where we stayed the night. July 20th The next morning while arriving in town we saw three elves leaving by the south road. Ardona rode out to speak with them and discovered them to be very old and just passing through heildregch. While she was departing one of the elves said "perhaps we will meet again Ardona" how they knew her name she did not know. The towns folk were joyful of the returned prisoners and the innskeeper prepared us a great feast.
Posted 11/14/2005 to the Metagamers boards
This has been a trying last couple of days. I thought being trapped in the prison courtyard was bad enough, but it only got worse. Shortly after the arrival of Evan, the party was once again entranced by the song of the harpies. Never again will I leap from those walls unless by my own accord. We were lucky to escape with our lives. Badly injured and exhausted, Siegfried suggested that we rest in the woods. That night we were attacked by duergar and later by a phase spider, which I watched drain the life out of my companion Moby in a single bite. Battered and set with grief over our fallen comrade, we made for Heildregch. One the way we were again approached by the mysterious mushroom creatures. They informed us of a threat directly in our path and asked us to accompany them. I felt somewhat indebted to the mushroom people when I learned that they meant us no harm even after slaying one of their younglings. They lead us to a clearing where we were approached by an orc. He asked us to aid him in defeating the current chief of his village. It seemed that he still followed the old ways and assisted in human sacrifice and we were offered a reward. I felt that we should accept this quest and stop this evil practice and earn some much needed money for the resurrection of Moby. Disguised as orcs we entered the village and after a close battle were able to kill the evil chieftain. With spoils in hand we escaped the village and made our way to the city of the Azers where Moby was thankfully resurrected.
Posted 11/24/2005 to the Metagamers boards
I feel as though my world is in chaos. What little I have discovered of my family is falling apart. Evan was killed, Uncle Philip is dying, Rubich might be real or just an illusion from my dream and Silvia is well...beyond my understanding. I am slowly loosing my mind and our quest for the magical tomb nearly killed our party and the shinning lions. If not for my monk trainning I would certainly be a mindless dead. I feel that my companions are good natured and would put their own lives in danger to find some way to aid me. I will not let it come to that and if the danger is to great I will take matters into my own hands.
Posted 12/7/2005 to the Metagamers boards
We returned once again to the Naogi city and this time faired much better. When we reached the tomb we were able to dispach the Naogi and Umber Hulks with the help of Ardona's powerful spells, though Siegfried was almost slain. Unable to open the tomb, the party went to aid the Shinning Lions while Ardona and myself went in search of Silvia. On our way Ardona revealed to me the nature of her powers and was able to see Silvia in action upon arriving on the scene. She seemed sad when she learned that I knew of her powers. I don't see her any different know than I did before, after all she is my neice. It does bring up several questions, though I feel she will be reluctant to answer them. Anyway, after regrouping with the rest of the party, we went in search of the queen Naogi and were able to kill it and knockout several of the smaller ones. Using her talking gloves, Silvia was able to channel the powers of the fallen Naogi and open the tomb, where we were able to find the key as well as some bags of platinum. Now its off to the prision to find the other tomb to heal Philip and get some revenge on the cursed Harpies and Darrow.
Posted 2/4/2006 to the Metagamers boards
Much has changed since my last entry. I am no longer among the living dead. Although the powers associated with my condition were impressive, I am clad to be returned to my living state. With our successful assault on the Prison, we gained access to the magical tomb where upon I was resurrected along with Philip and Silvia. We lost many good men that day, particularly from the dwarven company that I assisted in the raid. Unfortunately for us the leader of the complex was able to escape on the back of a dragon. We returned to Heildregch and rested there for the night. The following day we accompanied the emissary Jack Wheatfield and Silvia to the City of New Dourg. The jury is still out on Silvia. Having been a lich before, she still maintains some powers after her resurrection. It seems strange to me that such a young child could possess that kind of wisdom. I must meditate on this some more. Jack is from my native Hagast and seems well accustomed to perilous travel. According to him Lumcrox has been behind the orc raids and is plotting an attack on Heildregch. Lead by an imposter bone-knasher, they have assembled a sizable army. We are currently in the mountains staying with a Dwarven clan and searching for some gnomes for additional aid.
Posted 2/12/2006 to the Metagamers boards
As we traveled to the gnomish city, we were approached by a lantern archon. It informed us that our friend and Hagast native, Jack Wheatfield had been slain. This is very troubling considering the importance of his diplomatic mission and even more disturbing to find out that a former companion was most likely the cause. We must investigate more into this and deliver justice to his killers....
Posted 2/21/2006 to the Metagamers boards
Having made it to the Gnome fortress and returned the body of Mr. Lotus, we discovered more dire news. It seemed that his missing daughter Albora was the reason for his adventuring. Upon hearing this dire news our party set out immediately in search of her. Along the way were we attacked by a troll, whom we managed to defeat with little effort. With Evan and Foyle tracking, were managed to find were the missing girl last stepped and with the help of Ardona's owl found the nest were she was being kept. Folye is a remarkable fellow; he has the traits of a tracker such as Evan, but the magic powers of Ardona. His control over nature is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I loaned Evan my magical slippers and he was able to rescue the girl with out harming the young bird-like creatures. The Lotus' was glad to have their family back and we were glad to have accomplished such a noble deed. While meeting with Captain Otis the following day, we were interrupted with a great explosion as the Gnome research lab was attacked by Earth Elementals. It was a difficult battle, but we were able to force the creature to retreat. In search of an explanation for the attacks, we descended down the lava shaft and were attacked by more stone creatures. During the battle there were several injuries and had it not been for Petrof's prayer, Ardona would have surely fallen. We returned to the city and rested before returning back down the shaft. We were contacted by an unknown creature speaking Ignan. Luckily for us I learned the language during our time with the Azers. We were able to negotiate a truce and the captain agreed to send troops to aid New Doerg.
This last couple of days has let me mediate on a few things. First I am reminded of how much I enjoyed the company of the Azer people during our time with them. The unarmed competition reminds me of our training rituals back at the monastery. I feel I gained much more than just the language from them. Our adventuring party is doing remarkable things. We are following a noble path and protecting those that can not protect themselves. I have had many trials for which to hone my abilities. Even as my skills increase I am again humbled, such as during our encounter with the Stone Elementals. Try as I might, my fists did little to harm their stone-like bodies. Upon rescuing the young Gnome girl, I am reminded of my own parents. Although I know nothing about them, I still hope to discover them someday. I doubt that I would feel any sort of bond with them for I have chosen a different path, but solving this mystery of my past would help me learn more about whom I am and ultimately help my training. Anyway my master was wise to ask me to take to the road, for these are things that I could not have learned from the monastery.
