Skrogg’s Journal – Chapter 46

Dated: 3rd Thaumont 1006, Late Spring.

Suddenly, The Master stops fighting and looks up, ignoring you. He speaks to a presence only he can see, “I need more time! You promised me power enough to do your will! It isn’t fair to take it away now! I was faithful to you! Don’t abandon me! Don’t …. no! NO!”

With the last plaintive cry, The Master begins to decay before your eyes. The flesh melts from his bones and the skeleton itself begins to crumble. Within moments, only a pitiful pile of dust and spreading stain of decay on the carpet remains."

The final confrontation ends with the death of Alrethus the wizard (second in command) and The Master turning to dust.

As the heroes real in horror at the scene the keen of eye notice that the stain forms into a shape of a snake with wings. Kurin and Thorsgrim immediately snarl in recognition, the symbol of Atzanteotl, an Immortal of Entropy.

A commotion can be heard from outside. As Azimi starts looting what she can, Sir Fergus lumbers (in a rather dented suit of armour) to the opening. Lifting the flap, a scene of chaos is relieved, giants lumbering around with various commanders giving all sorts of contradicting orders.

Sir Fergus calls over his shoulder.

“We don’t have time for that witch, sorry, my Queen. We’ve got an army on the way.”

“I can’t run any more, I’ll hold them off while you get to that Airship. Now go, go!”

The remaining heroes cut a hole in the back of Masters Tent and started making for The Masters private Airship. Azimi summons her magical energy and as Sir Fergus prepares to sell his life for his friends the very air in front of him splits apart. A magical doorway leading to the deck of the Airship. With a glance back at Azimi Sir Fergus strides onto the deck of the Airship much to the surprise of a very panicked looking crew. Azimi, seeing an “army” of giants heading her way, found flight better than valor, takes off after the Wolves of Ravenholm, out the back of the tent.

Navigating the chaos of the camp the heroes arrive at the Airship to find Sir Fergus astride the deck barking orders at the crew. It is somewhat intimidating having a 7" giant, armed with a great two-handed sword, covered in blood appear in your midst. With the screams and chaos below, it didn’t take Sir Fergus long to convince the crew that a change in management is a good thing. Much to the disgust of Sir Ragnar, who was mumbling something along the lines of ….. my one chance …. gone.

His mood brightened when he realized that he was the only party member who could attempt to pilot the Airship. GM – yes Sir Ragnar gets an Airship

As the newly acquired Airship tokes flight the heroes lick their wounds. Below them chaos reins. The power that held the forces together was disintegrating fast. Each faction trying to seize as much power as it can. Thorsgrim could be heard saying, “such is the nature of evil”.

The news of the death of The Master has spread quickly. As the hero’s arrive at the battle between the forces of the “good” nations and the Legion of Doom, the PC’s forces are hard pressed (surrounded and outclassed). The news could not have come at a better time. For the news hits like a wave, demoralizing the Legion of Doom, and like a wave on the rocks the Legion of Doom disintegrates.

Wild cheering greet the PC’s. With the PC’s help the allies are able to extricate their forces from the field, leaving the remnants of the Legion of Doom fighting themselves. With the head of the snake removed the PC’s decide to get their forces back to Darokin City and try and relieve it.

Arriving back Darokin City they are greeted by an aftermath of another great battle. The forces of Karameikos, allied with military units from the Five Shires, Alfheim and Glantri hold the field. Over the next few weeks, the over extended Desert Nomads are slowly driven back. The “Wolves of Ravenholm” are welcomed as befit great heroes. They are Knighted by the Darokin emperor and given military honors and decorations. In addition each party member is given an estate in Darokin that provides an annual income of 10,000gp. The estates are held in their name, all funds given to whoever they wish, even if they choose not to live there.

Thorsgrim has numerous dreams of a large meteor heading for Mystara. Each dream is always accompanied by lighting. DM – Thorsgrim may which to contact Thor or their mage friend Rheddrian.

Darokin survives, just, but Mystara and its nations are changed forever, politically, economically and socially. In the mean time the PC’s get a well deserved rest.

As the brave heroes discussed the way into the masters compound the plan to simply magically change their disguises into elite guards and march up to the gate. Thanks to the ever, perfect disguise, passwords and tricks from the still working find the path the party entered the final compound of the master past a multitude of elite enemy troops.

A large ornate tent was in the middle of the compound and an airship was docked in the corner.

A tent was selected to enter, pacify and hide in before the final push. To aid this spells of silence and haste were plastered on the halfling Skrogg. Unfortunately, as he entered the tent expecting to see some mages, a tent full of accountants were surprised. Skrogg went into grim work cutting and slaying many before Fergus slew the last two. Azimi cast an illusion spell to hide the ghastly scene.

Plans to raid the masters tent were made and the heroes waited for a holy word from Thorsgrim before charging in and finding the Master, his chief mage advisor and two armoured fire giants. Azimi protected by an antimagic spell attempted to draw off the masters mage but watched as an ice storm battered her friends. The master struck her but his staff only glanced off her stoneskin. Fergus, Kurin began to butcher one stone giant as Skrogg and Thorsgrim attacked the other. Everyone in the entire tent was hasted.

Ragnar began to swing mighty blows into the body of the master who seemed to ignore him as Ragnar’s spell turning ring deflected a horrible spell. Azimi missed the mage only to watch as Skrogg casually slew the giant before bounding over and doing horrible damage to the mage who gasped with terror and retreated across the tent thinking he was safe. Fergus slew the remaining giant allowing Kurin time to chop the mages head off with his horrible axe, slaying him outright.

Thorsgrim cast a hold spell at the master only to see it rebound and thanks to his wise thinking refused to freeze. Azimi began looking for something that might act as the masters spiritual repository as physical and magical attacks seemed to do nothing. Soon she spotted beside the bed a red pulsating gem (next to the dead bodies of two women who died by Thor’s holy word). Signalling Kurin whose ears had just been ruptured by a holy word from the master. Azimi attempted to stop the masters haste spell, but unfortunately unhasted her friends (except for Thorsgrim and Azimi who were waiting by the tent flap.

Fergus attempted to communicate with Kurin who realized his chance and strode over with the dagger to strike the red pulsating gem. Unfortunately, due to massive electrical discharge (not a magical spell, but just electricity) Kurin dropped unconscious as the gem and dagger shattered.

The master exclaimed “oh bother” and began to slowly age as he continued to fight and cast a blade barrier that Fergus attempted to ignore and hack at the still invulnerable master. Fergus and Ragnar were forced to retreat, and absolutely refused to die at a word from the master.

Thorsgrim revived Skrogg (thanks to the silence spell being dispelled). Kurin being amazingly lucky dispelled the Masters blade barriers as the fighters continued to hack. However, as Skrogg fired an arrow (Azimi’s magical missiles from her wand seemed to go ping ping) the Master said something about “you promised me…” before turning to a pile of ash).

The heroes could now hear the confusion in the camp and the entire elite army began to realize that their leader was under attack and begin to investigate. Cutting a hole in the rear of the tent the heroes except for the looting Azimi, began to move to the airship, docked in the corner.

Seeing the slowness of Fergus, Azimi opened up a dimension door transporting the slow moving Fergus onto the boat. He began to calmly inform the crew that they were under new management. Azimi fled to join them on her broom (still looking like an elite guard).

The heroes had slain the master, stolen his airship and stopped the entire silly plot. They sailed over the tent city to where their army was encamped about to attack the nomad troops. Thanks to the despondency that gripped the enemy forces due to the death of the master the good guys won.

Adventure ends with the Heroes leading their victorious armies back to rewards and glory in Darokin.

Skrogg’s Journal – Chapter 45

After the defeat of the Armies of the baron, the heroes travelled to Specularum, where they were given a heroes welome, but witnessed an Alphatian flying ship parked off the docs.

They met the Duke who welcomed the heroes. At the great feast it was announced that the Duke in return for (promotion to King) was to ally himself with Alphatia with the Daughter of the Empress of Alphatia as the official envoy. Suddenly a clap the Galantri mage turned up and thanks to Azimi’s persuasion skill prevented mage blood fight.

Laren said he had important information to pass on, but just as he began to reveal the important fact, a pillar of light appeared and he vanished with a puff of disintegration. With a shock the party now new where the master was but not how to slay him. A plan was proposed to attack the masters plan while the heroes were to travel to the city of the master to attempt to slay him.

Travelling with the armies, the heroes disguised everyone using her magical art. They travelled through the huge tent city of the nomads, but only encountered some trolls who were put to sleep, slain or vanished. Some giant scorpions where slain after surprising the heroes. However, the huge city was navigated by the power of Thor from Thorsgrim.

As they approached the masters personal compound a figure beckoned the heroes into his tent saying that they were going to help the party. not surprisingly they turned out to be a vampire and his lesser vampire mistresses. Thanks to Kurin’s Dispell Evil spell, two were destroyed while the head vampire was forced to flee. Azimi cast a protection from Evil 10’ radius allowing the party to loot the treasure laid coffins. The Vampires returned, only to returned to dust thanks to Thorsgrim. The lesser vampire turned to gas and then was destroyed.

The heroes now wonder how to attack the master’s compound…

Black Eagle barony stands perched high on the cliffs over looking white water bay below. A gloomy place that even the the sun has difficulty lifting the gloom. Made from black bassist stone, this where the Black Eagle Barony gets its name and some of its reputation.

Fort Doom.

Arrayed at the front of the keep, nestled into the hills and forests surrounding the keep, stood the 13th Regulars of Baron Ludwig “Black Eagle” von Hendriks and two entire armies of the “Master”, desert nomads. Monstrous forces that the Barony planned to use to become the Grand Duke of Karameikos. With the Elvenguard (the Dukes personal elite troops) yet to be mobilized it was left to the Heroes of Ravenholm to save the Grand Duchy.

Unnoticed by the the Baron or his evil court wizard, Bargle the Infamous, a massive fleet of Northmen dragon-ships (approximately 6000 Northmen) were now fast approaching the coast. Let by the Wolves of Ravenholm, the fleet had sailed under the cover of darkness, blessed by Thor with favorable winds, were within striking distance of the coast. Combined with a force of Karameikos regulars and Northmen arriving overland . The heroes had decided attack at daybreak. Thus giving the heroes time to pull off some “heroics”, Northmen on a Viking.

The words of Azimi follow:
Storm the Castle
Slay the Baron
Clear the castle

With the successful sojourn into the heart of the “Black Eagle” barony….. the Wolves made their exit from Fort Doom. Having infiltrated the main keep, killed the Baron (Kurin putting his head into a bag), Bargle and the Emissaries of the Master. Also collected were detailed battle plans of the Black Baron.

With this information a battle plan was formulated where Sir Ragnar Thorsblade would lead the Northmen fleet and Sir Fergus den Griffon leading the Northmen/Karameikos forces. The remaining heroes were to provide overview, dissuade any notion of reinforcements, disrupt communications and coordinate the attacks.

Lightning crashed as the first rays of dawn arrived. Thor, god of battle, was pleased. Sir Fergus’s force providing the anvil and Sir Ragnar’s Northmen forming the hammer. Baiting the Black barons forces out of position and allowing the Northmen to press the line. Again and again the forces clashed.

Songs of bravery, heroics and sacrifice will be sung of the day. Two figures stood out, great warriors both. Sir Fergus den Griffon a massive armored warrior who would swoop down on a giant griffon whenever the line looked like breaking. Sir Ragnar Thorsblade, paladin of Thor, leading the charge against giant living siege engines of stone and wood. As the light faded, the fighting was fierce, but inch by inch the forces of Northmen/Karameikos were forcing the monstrous troops back.

Striding into the midst strode a two small figures, a short stocky figure and a smaller one. The stocky one, his voice booming like thunder. Held forth a head.

“You wanted a blood, you wanted glory……. you will find none here but your deaths”!

“Just like your Baron”

“Kaygar”

A concussion wave of light and sound exploded outward. Knocking many off their feet. Some crying in pain clutching their ears, others twitching slowly on the ground. As the magic dissipated all that could be herd were drums, drums beating slowing….

“Doom, Doom, Doom ………. Doom”

A wave of panic rippled through the Barons forces….. their lines buckled and then broke like that of a dam.

As the field cleared. A small voice could be heard exclaiming:

“Wow, I wander what would happen if I got a band together. Rock on.”

The stocky figure was heard replying:

" Skrogg, you git, my ears are ringing, I’m adding your name to the “book”."

With the Barons forces broken, the field cleared. All that could be heard were the soft moans of the injured and dying. Stories tell of Thor himself walking the field visiting the injured, touching them with a staff, holding his hammer willing them to fight and prove themselves worthy to reach Valhalla.

Few will forget the Heroes that day, Wolves of Ravenholm. Heroes of Fort Doom.

The baron was dead, Bargle lied murdered on the steps, the treasure chests were open, when one fireball had to be sucked away by Azimi staff. The Heroes decided to travel down the castle and neutralize any future attacks, find the spell books (Azimi’s only goal) and rescue any possible people from the dungeon.

Travelling downstairs to the room with the melted statue, a door was opened, but was empty, as the party emerged they were attacked by an Ethcangarian with a Hand axe who met Kurin and Skrogg and died almost instantaneously with horrible dwarven leg injuries. Azimi using her active ESP discovered the whereabouts of two more people waiting behind doors. Skrogg the halfling cannon ball was summoned, only to find a clerk who was evil and not nice (seen by Truesight spell) and then demonstrated opening the treasury of the baron (mostly full of promissory notes when he became the duke). He also revealed the true location of Bargle’s spell books (hidden under his bed). With her back turned the clerk quick as a flash drew out a weapon and attempted to back stabbing Azimi only lightly cutting her. Skrogg being outraged at this unprovoked attack, slew the cleric very quickly (a 10th level Thief) and then they opened a chest on his desk to find a gas trap and some monies.

Kurin waited outside the next room with an assailant waiting patiently. Using her persuasion skill Azimi offered not only to free the waiting Weapon trainer, but to take him into her service. This was accepted and he readily agreed to join Azimi. The only condition that Azimi was not to reveal his secret (much to the nervousness of the other heroes). He was from the Mithland guilds but was a cross dressing weapon trainer. Upto very recently he was amazingly deadly, but now just a 14th level fighter with a magical weapon and plate. He saw an oath to the Azimi and joined her service.

Bargle’s door was broken apart by the halfling cannon ball, only to see an enormous bedroom and 4 obsidian gargoyles who attacked. The swarmed him and injured Skrogg mightily. Azimi Ice stormed the room (apologies to the semi resistant halfling). Kurin and Thorsgrim burst into the room destroying two gargoyles posthaste. Skrogg ducked down and parried under his shield as the two remaining gargoyles flailed pitifully. Kuring and Thorsgrim destroyed the two remaining gargoyles (Azimi’s magical missiles bounced off harmlessly). Thorsgrim found the spell book under the bed and the party left to rescue everyone from the dungeon.

The first dungeon guard surrendered quickly and obeyed Azimi’s instructions to sit in the corner and think what he had done. Down in the horrible dungeon, Skrogg ran up and slew the nasty orge who was using a human leg as a club and then fed it to the chained up carrion crawler. Several elves and humans were freed.

The next task was to clear the courtyard. Azimi standing on the top battlements cast a fireball on the armoured trolls slaying one and injuring the others. Another fireball from the want slew another as the trolls ran from the certain death. However, some guards attacked along the battlements only to be driven off with cries of death and falling as Kurin, Skrogg and Thorsgrim drove them off.

The heroes led the way towards the gate where a group of guards and two armoured giants waited. The heroes were hasted. The guards were slain by a lightning bolt and put to sleep by Kurin (thanks to the ring), the rest ran away. Thorsgrim lightning bolted a giant rebounding it from the door. Skrogg jumped up all into the other giants Jammie. Kurin & Thorsgrim hacked as Azimi magically missiled the giant. Skrogg slew the other, before Kurin chopped the giant’s head off.

The Heroes left after completing their heroic action

As the giants lay dead, the searching of the giants revealed only two scrolls and a potion. (Who knew literate giants). Azimi detect a magical ward of some kind on the outside door. Kurin attempted to dispell the magic but apparently the magic of the door rebounded and froze the two mighty warriors Ragnar and Fergus. Azimi and Kurin dragged their frozen forms into a nearby room and locked the door.

Meanwhile, Thorsgrim and Skrogg discovered a room. (Thanks to the Halfling cannonball approach) of a little girl. She sat in the middle of the floor rocking back and forth. As she turned around both were horrified to see the form of a ghost, but both resisted aging years. Thorsgrim attempted to turn the apparition, but it resisted retreated into a candle and came back. Skrogg shivering with fear stood infront (he said he wasn’t but complaints about undead kept being heard). Thorsgrim uttered a mighty dispel evil spell only to see the ghost retreat (thanks to his truesight spell). The ghost kept asking someone to play with her. Both retreated. Azimi cast a protection from evil spell and offered to play with the ghost. After kindly asking the ghost to stop staring at her she was able to play with the ghost dolls and discover that she was the baron’s sister who wanted to return a ring to the baron. Apparently the baron was mad and the ring would help him. The ghost hinted that an “accident” had occurred and the baron wanted her to become king. Once the ring was retrieved the ghost left as Azimi had resisted several magic jar attacks, and was protected from Ghostly attacks as she had made no aggressive moves and played nicely.

The next room opened by the halfling cannon ball contained the baron’s private study, that was promptly looted by Kurin. Azimi cast ESP to hear two thoughts behind the door to reveal two beautiful women looking very scared. Azimi cast a sleep spell to put them both asleep. Thorsgrim debated the viking role of plunder, but decided that Thor wouldn’t agree. Azimi listened to “voices” from behind the wall to hear the duke and his henchmen in planning. One “voice” heard the “voices” from the party.

The plan was hatched to scroll of passwall in and then attack. Unfortunately as the portal appeared so did a wall of fire. Skrogg, Kurin and Thorsgrim jumped in, though the fire to find themselves attacked by two very large fire giants, 4 elite guards, the baron, Bargle the Infamous (the wizard) and two Emissaries of the master. A confusion spell went off confusing Thorsgrim and the fireball was sucked into Azimi’s staff. As they fought the large giants, Azimi charged into the room and using the staff of Elements sent a Ice Storm onto the Wizards and the baron. Both Emissaries died but Bargle and the baron resisted and began to cast magical protections in return.

Thorgrim continued for the entire battle to remain confused and occasionally swing at Kurin , but rolled badly and missed everytime. Skrogg after taking a mighty wound slew his giant and then was engaged by the Baron and his elite guard. Kurin eventually slew his giant before heading towards the baron and Skrogg. Rather than hitting the baron with his sword Skrogg attempted to disarm him repeatedly, but failed everytime. After taking many wounds the brave little battler collapsed unconscious under the baron’s failing to witness Kurin smash the baron’s knee and then brain him with his axe. Thorsgrim just stumbled throughout the combat confused.

When all looked dangerous Bargle decided to run away and left. Azimi uttered a magical word and Dimension Door (ed) to the steps in front of Bargle. Both crashed into each other drew likewise poisoned daggers and rolled about the steps slowly stabbing each other. It must be noted that Mages even the most mighty don’t really train for this kind of activity and after almost a minute by pure luck Azimi was able to stab Bargle. However, as his corpse was about to be searched he burst to life again and wrestled Azimi’s own blade off her. Azimi was forced to use her spare dagger and slay him again. This time Bargles ring of regeneration was taken off him and he died permanently.

The elite guards at the death of the Baron surrendered and put their hands up. After two minutes the confusion left Thorsgrim. To see that Kurin had to heal the halfling with a cure critical wounds spell. Thanks to Thorsgrim’s Truesight spell he spotted the secret door to the treasury, and it was opened. Inside were 5 chests containing most of the dukes wealth. The last chest was trapped with a fireball, but was sucked into Azimi’s staff again. But where were Bargle’s spell books?

Found in the War room were…
Plate +2
Sword +2 with an ability
Braces AC 2
Ring of Regeneration (claimed by Azimi already)
Dagger +2, +3 vs spell casters (claimed by Azimi already)
Dagger +2
Dagger +2

Day ends

The heroes devised a plan to land on the top of the roof of the central tower far above and avoiding a constant attack from defenders. Azimi was tasked withflying over on her broomstick while invisible to scout out the possible landing zones of a pegasus and Griffin. The central keep and it’s tower was chosen. In the dead of night the heroes flew by magical or beast power to land on a tower. Immediately the tower was silenced by Thorsgrim as Azimi put another tower to sleep. Ragnar and Fergus began chopping the initial tower into small pieces.

Kurin was beginning to get grumpy with the halfling desire to attack in a logical and coherent manner and jumped off early only to see the halfling fly on and attack two guardsmen. Kurin stomped up and got out his infamous book of grudges saying “That’s going straight in the book”, “Penalty”. Meanwhile another guardsman was put to sleep as Thorsgrim froze two the remaining two with a hold spell. All the guardsmen were dispatched. Some were executed by Azimi (with her special knife), back lit by a fire.

Azimi seeing that the very walls of the castle were designed to resist magic used a pentagram and a Dispel Magic spell, before a Passwall spell to drop a hole into the roof of the mages tower. A green light hovered under the now smashed table as Kurin landed on it. A search revealed some evil plans and research books. The Heroes continued down the stairs bypassing a wizard locked door. Azimi refused to be cursed by a magical tome.

An alchemist laboratory was discovered, only for the zombie sitting on a slab to be destroyed by Thorsgrim before it even moved. It’s spirit left the body as Thorsgrim approached it. The next door’s room was opened by Skrogg only to be surprised by two apprentice mages. One attempted to put him to sleep only to fail, the other lightning bolted him twice with a rebound only to make him mad. Skrogg and the still flying Fergus slew the mages in 10 seconds flat. Apparently apprentice mages are easy fodder for a flying full plate wearing warrior with a two handed sword. Fergus simply hit the poor mage on the head twice before he dropped dead. Skrogg used his short sword with giant like violence. No one else moved.

The next room contained a huge statue of the Black Baron posing looking all noble and righteous. Being vindictive Azimi turned it into a pile of mud with a magical word. Two stair cases led out of the room. Using a wizard eye spell Azimi sent her invisible eyeball to spot three grey chain mail wearing stone giants standing guard in a large corridor. The plan of rush and hack was decided upon.

Immediately the fighter types (Skrogg, Fergus & Ragnar) rushed out the corridor to attack two giants at the far end. Azimi entered the corridor only to see the remaining giant stride up. Kurin leaped to her defense, hacking at the giants legs. Thorsgrim threw his hammer. The giant then bashed Azimi who hadn’t done a thing, but his club bounded off the magical protection. Suddenly more guards burst through the doors carrying bastard swords, plate and shield. One frozen with a hold spell, but the giants resisted.

Fergus and Skrogg hacked their giant down as Ragnar continued to fight. Kurin hit the giant again with his might axe as Thorsgrim missed. Ragnar used the power of the smash attack to wound his giant greatly. The plate wearing guards failed to hit even with the heroes backs turned. The giant fighting Azimi clutched his chest and died as Azimi using her fire fingers spell slew him and wounded a guard. Thorsgrim using the power of Thor (apparently very mighty indeed) froze four guards with his holy power. The remaining giant was slain by Ragnar with a nasty chop before the last guard was slain by the thrown hammer of Thor. Kurin used his Axe to make sure the guards didn’t get up.

Day ends…

Skrogg’s Journal – Chapter 44

The heroes under the guidance of Azimi managed to speak to the council of Sharmans about getting to speak to all the tribes. However, before that each member was assigned a spirit animal who would guide and help protect them.
Skrogg – a Salamander
Azimi – a Rattlesnake
Thorsgrim – A Fish
Ragnar – a Lion
Fergus – a Hermit Crab
Kurin – a Badger

The sharmen used a fire to gate to the council of sharmen and then said that they all could travel to the tent city of all the tribes.

On the way the observant Skrogg and Throsgrim noticed as they rode their horses across the prairie four flying shapes heading their way. Fergus after being alerted flew into the clouds and saw that they were indeed dragons of the green variety. The others spotted that they were dragons, but didn’t see their colour until much later.

As the dragons flew to probably menace the group, Fergus flew high and true using his famous lance to strike the side of a winged beast. It roared with pain and flew after the pesky Griffon and its rider.

The remaining three dragons flew to attack the heroes who had spread out and cast a variety of preparation spells. One dragon suddenly froze in the air and crash landed near the dwarf. Two others breathed on the group of Azimi, Stargard and Ragnar. Azimi turned herself into a statue to save herself from save and die. Ragnar took the brunt and activated his flying component of his sword. Skrogg with his little bow shot one who now looked at Skrogg as a tasty meal.

The dragon chasing Fergus gave up, banked round and flew to attack Kurin who steadforthly spread his legs and hued the great beasts underbelly as it swooped to attack, slaying the beast.

Ragnar flew at the dragon hovering overhead and hacked mightily. As the Dragon flew over Skrogg breathing more terrible gas, Fergus’s lance again hit it in the side, but the bow of Skrogg shot the beast in the eye slaying it outright. Skrogg causally stepped out the way as the beast twitched at his feet. The Beast fighting the flying Ragnar suddenly seemed to be stunned as Ragnar hacked it’s head off with his magical sword.

Meanwhile the dwarf Kurin butchered the remaining frozen dragon. The heroes continued toward the meeting tent place. There Azimi again convinced the Tribes to unite against the Desert Nomads. However a challenge was laid down by the Tiger tribe who then watched Ragnar wielding two swords defeat their champion in 20 seconds. The Tribes agreed to unite and were informed the closest of the invaders were down the escarpment with lots of supply lines.

Drawing a circle of power, Azimi teleported the heroes to Norrvik and then to the Soderfjord Jarldoms. There the King welcomed Queens and Princes. But one Robed Nomad ambassador dismissed the claims of the Heroes. So enraged, Fergus challenged him to a dual. The wizard accepted only to see the following morning a flying Fergus ignoring a death spell and begin to hack at his mirror images. The wizard then attempted to use a illusion to escape and then invisibility. Using the ring of seeing, Fergus saw through these cowardly attempts to flew and flew after hacking at the wizard. The wizard though protected by a stoneskin spell was mightily wounded by a the striking spell that had been cast by Thorsgrim and soon perished. His companions claimed bitterly that the heroes had cheated, but the king only saw the attempts to flew and cowardness and had the nomads seized. The king agreed to send troops to the aid of Darokin his dreaded longboats.

Day ends

As yet another halfing feast continued Skrogg was summoned off to receive vast information on how to become a halfling immortal. The PCs prepared to travel to Darokin to ambush and attempt to capture the remaining crystal piece.

Azimi using the power of the crystal ball discovered the whereabouts and then scoped a DZ in the now ruined city of Akesoli. The party teleported in (just) and then hid in a ruined house while Azimi attempted to locate to precise location of the cyrstal and its holders. It revealed that the crystal was being carried by a cleric (plate and mace giveaway) in charge of an elite guard of calvary. A plan was hatched to fly in a might, kill, slay and steal.

Meanwhile a herd of camels went past.

The heroes flew off toward the enemy encampment, with Fergus the griffin, Ragnar being made invisible. Throsgrim turned into gas and snuck under the tent to see the enemy commander at his desk with the dagger piece nearby. Fergus flew up and down but appeared visible as he burst through the doors, and immediately attacked the cleric with his lance stabbing downwards. Ragnar joined in, past the surprised guards. Skrogg crashed outside as Kurin engaged two elite guards outside. Azimi attempted to freeze the tent with the two black robed wizards.

Fergus again stabbed the cleric stopping the immediate attempted “oh shit spell”, but was hit by the staff of withering aging him and Ragnar. Ragnar struck his sword inside the chest of the cleric and waited for the life to expire from his eyes. Fergus was forced to stab the two no longer surprised guards who had rushed into the tent.

Kurin hacked the two guards outside as, skrogg picked himself from the ground rushed a magic user hacking off his leg, stabbing him in the chest with his sword and then finishing it with a shield spike to the head. The remaining mage cast a confusion spell that didn’t work on anyone before attempting to flee, but had firey holes blasted in him from Azimi. Throsgrim picked up the crystal dagger piece as immediate looting took place. The party then flew off in quick order before the rest of the elite guards could figure what was happening.

The party then head toward the extremely close Atruaghin clans. And began to act as ambassadors once again. Azimi somehow had remember all the etiquette involved and met with some clansmen, before being invited to the bear tribes meeting place.

There, Azimi was herded off to the women folk as Skrogg passed out from strong grog. Sir Fergus accepted a challenge from a warrior from the bear tribe and went to work shopping. Neither man attempted any kind of defense, they just stayed and hacked at each other until the champion of the Bear Tribe surrendered and the tribe agreed to join with Darokin. The ambassadors soon realised that they will have to visit each tribe and have a one-to-one with each tribe champion to get that tribe to join. Only Ragnar and Fergus look forward to that. Azimi has begun to suspect that she will see many lovely amount of stitching over the coming week.

The party left to get the next tribe

Skrogg’s Journal – Chapter 43

As the heroes used the scroll of portals to see inside the temple they could immediately see some 42 flying wraiths buzzing happily, waiting to drain the life of all and sundry.

Protection from Evil 10’ was definitely cast, after the constant screaming in terror from Skrogg (who has a not irrational fear of level draining undead)

Another problem was spotted. A huge pentagram dedicated to Loki was protecting the temple from other immortal interference. A plan was hatched to remove the marking from the stone floor of the temple. Azimi as an elementalist drew an elaborate circle on the ground and summoned a water elemental from a nearby puddle. Thorsgrim blessed the water elemental turning it to a instrument of holy wrath. The scroll of portals was used to open the back wall behind the altar as Azimi cast a dissolve rock to mud spell. The elemental rushed in and began removing the markings on the floor in an attempt to disrupt the circle.

Seeing his chance Skrogg fired his shortbox and with his dead-eye shot, knocked the golden evil cup off the altar. Thorsgrim attempted to turn several of the nearby wraiths and resulted in 1 turning to ash, but the other two could now attack. Luckily, Ragnar and Fergus splatted those two wraiths without effort.

Thorsgrim summoned the power of THOR to Dispel Evil, as many spectres now waited outside the protective barrier of the Protection from Evil, looking to feed on the heroes life force. Thor’s mighty power destroyed many of the undead and Thorsgrim then concentrated to keep those who survived away.

The elemental began to be attacked by a load of Spectres, but thanks to a slow spell from Azimi more of the undead began to fly and attack a lot slower. The elemental under the command of Azimi continued to turn the mud pool into a very wet mud pool eventually removing the symbol on the ground.

Skrogg began to shoot with his bow at the Spectres (rather ineffectually it has to be said). Suddenly with a flash and bang, the symbol protecting the temple exploded, causing the holy elemental to spread itself across the temple covering many of the spectres in holy water. All the heroes covered their ears as the roar from Loki could be heard.

Ragnar began to protect himself from evil and then fly with the help of the magical sword. Kurin likewise protected himself with a protection from evil spell and then strolled into the spectre lair attracting many who attempted to slay him, but couldn’t touch him.

Azimi using the power of a mass of magical missiles began to snipe off individual Spectres after casting fly on Fergus so he could move. The tide of the battle truly turned with Kurin after attracting a mass of spectres to himself then casting a Dispel Evil, destroying many.

The remaining spectres were slain as Ragnar was able to fly up to splat any one in one round and Thorsgrim could look and turn to ash one each round.

After every spectre was slain, Thorsgrim cast a truesight as an investigation of the three chests was made. They were all locked. Azimi using her wand determined that there were no traps, but could only knock two of the chests open with her magic. Skrogg using the power of hardball ripped the final chest apart to find a pile of coins, gems and magic. The typical ironic treasure was found the protection from undead scroll, and sword vs undead, a wand of detecting stuff and bag of holding. The final was a mirror of life trapping that Azimi refused to sucked into and only the close work of Skrogg helped her avoid the rather fatal effects.

Plus most importantly a crystal hilt for the crystal dagger was found behind the secret door that Thorsgrim immediately spotted.

Travelling back to the halflings they immediately offered a feast, promised military aid generally got drunk and hairy. Into the midst of the party in a puff of semi silly smoke the secretary to Galantri Laren appeared and said the final part of the crystal has been found and the PC’s should move with all haste towards the spot as time was close and the loyal armies were being pushed back.

Day ends…