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| In the centre of this period of war an unlikely group finds its way together. These are the stories of this groups adventures. Though if you want to read what else unfolded during the time and what they might have kick started in other places of [[Arath]] then you might want to read the [[Backstory of The Imminent Doom]]. | | In the centre of this period of war an unlikely group finds its way together. These are the stories of this groups adventures. Though if you want to read what else unfolded during the time and what they might have kick started in other places of [[Arath]] then you might want to read the [[Backstory of The Imminent Doom]]. |
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| == Prologue == | | = The Fall of Marymar = |
| The players are drafted into the armies of the [[Dwarven Republic]] and the [[Democracy of Cahemelle]]. | | The party meets aftermath of a contested landing between elves and dwarves. Not having many other options they band together and head out eastwards towards Marymar. There they meet the local Govenor and decide to help him out by collecting taxes in the surrounding villages. Not having the best impressions of the Govenor they stole his treasours and head out further east wards across the wide planis. |
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| === On the Sea ===
| | In those plains they find a cave inhabitated by a hag, that trubbled them in their dreams. After a short scuffle they then found her cursed treasoure and a ship in a magical bottle. During the following night a headless character finds them and explains that this is the Devilsfall and he would be loyal to the one who found it. In a quick pace they head towards the shore to test this new mans words. |
| {{#spoiler:The rain is pouring down. The winds blow colds and all around you are cursing dwarves, gnomes as well as other races.
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| “The elves have us cursed. They know of our intentions and called the rains to stop us.” Next to [[Aluwyn]] curses. They were sent by the [[Gnome Academy]] to support the [[dwarven engineering corps]]. The corps is trying hard to free the ballista and catapults from the mud they are stuck in.
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| ''Hand over to [[Aluwyn]]''
| | While traversing the plains they saw that some sort of earth ball rise up into the air and then drop down causing a large dust cloud. With their new ship the party decided to investigate the event. They find nothing where Marymar was last and decided to head further west to the next fishing village, where they are told that Marymar is no more. |
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| The wind catches strong in the sails and whips the waves high. [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]'s sits in the crows nest with his trusty weapon and a bottle of grog. He hears the shanties from his sailor comrades down below. They were hired to bring [[Democracy of Cahemelle|Cahemelle]] to the shore. An easy task, no fighting was to be involved. The coastline slowly comes into sight.
| | Wanting to figure out the extension of the damage they head out into the wilds the reach the lumberjack village at the southern forest, which they find almost abandond. After some time and arguing the party decided to head further into the dust cloud only to find a wizard in the deep crator who conjures up a Zombie Beholder. |
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| ''Hand over to [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]''
| | The fight was tough and resulted in the death of Alloro. |
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| [[Varis_Alloro|Varis]] is glad that he is not stuck in a big trading vessel, most of his men are hanging over the railing, seasick from the high waves. He is sitting still in his place, uncomfortable wearing his polished and shiny plate armour of the protectors. He is wetting his arrows, making sure that the fletching looks nice and clears the nock with a dagger. | | [[The Fall of Marymar|Read all recaps]] |
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| ''Perception role from [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]''
| | = Rebellion in Goblin Town = |
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| They now start to see each other, preparing the spells and siege crafts and getting ready to land or repel the landing.}}
| | Hearing of some struggles in the east the party heads out. Finding a valley controlled by goblins. A colourful band of rebells is fighting for their liberty against the repressive regiem of the Goblin King. |
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| === The Approach ===
| | The party wants to help and sets out to hunt down some patrols and to pick up supplies. On their way back they decide to take a more dangerous short cut, which lead them into a runied dwarven underground city. The city is inhabited by mutated spiders and a Drider. Fighting their way through the city they then find the Drider in the throne room in which they challange her to battle. Infighting and bickering amongst the party leads to a loss of battle. |
| {{#spoiler:During the approach, [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] will get pushed into fighting with the elves, as they are attacked. At least that is what the elven commander on his ship is saying.
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| [[Varis_Alloro|Varis]] ship gets hit, he is forced to drop his plate armour and heavy shield, to swim the rest of the way to shore.
| | The surving members are handed over to the goblins, which parade them through the valley as openly as possible. Allowing the rebels and their crew to locate and free them. Wanting revenge the party sets out to target the King himself. |
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| [[Aluwyn]] has to contempt with a continuous barrage of magical spells cast against their position.}}
| | With the king dead his empire curmbles, his generals fight amongst each other allowing a new dwarven kingdom growing out of it's ashes. |
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| === The Landing ===
| | [[Rebellion in Goblin Town|Read all recaps]] |
| {{#spoiler:As [[Varis_Alloro|Varis]] lands on the shores, he has nothing but his quiver and bow and his undergarments. He strips a dead Militiaman from his armour and picks up his rapier.
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| [[Aluwyn]] has to dodge an incoming fireball and rolls down the hill onto the battlefield.
| | = An Excursion to the Hells = |
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| [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]]’s longboat lands ashore uncontested and can disembark all its soldiers under heavy arrow fire.}}
| | Testing the skills of the party the dwarven pirate captain Greybeard asks them to pick up a package from Durnkuldir. Sneaking into the basement of the Genral Axethain they find the young dwarf Ozmock, Greybeards nephew. |
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| === Recap ===
| | Yet soon after Ozmock is kidnapped by Deviles on their way back to Greybeard, prompting them to follow them to the Nine Hells. A place full of fighting and constant struggles for power. |
| After a tough and indecisive skirmish between the [[Democracy of Cahemelle]] and [[Dwarven Republic]], the party emerges still living.
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| [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] expertly avoided the elves to hide in the crows nest, as he did not want to join the battle. This plan did not work so well as the ship landed he got flung into a bunch of elves, which break his fall. He still tries to stay out of combat, desperate to play injured he thinks he uses his glaive as a crutch, but everyone else would think he walks like a wizard with a staff. During the skirmish, he keeps on praising his weapon and cuts down a few of the [https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/races/dwarf dwarves].
| | At first the party tries to break into the fortified camp of one of the Warlords, yet the resistance is stronger than they thought. If it wasn't for the support of their friend Captaing Teolgrag they would not have been able to return from the hells with the young Ozmock. |
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| The platoon [[Varis_Alloro|Captain Alloro]] takes care of his weapons and ready his platoon to disembark. But a neighbouring ship loses some of its oars and rams his transport. He loses most of his heavy gear and must make sure he makes it to the land. Swimming with all his might and dexterity he makes it to the shore soaking wet, seaweed hanging on him and quite pissed of. He calls back his weapons with his magic. This sight scares some of the younger dwarves and they run away. He tries to organise the troops as good as he can, and even inspires the commanding brigadier to charge into the last dwarves that stand.
| | [[An Excursion to the Hells|Read all recaps]] |
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| [[Aluwyn]] is an enlisted gnome from the [[Gnome_Academy|academy]], meant to bolster the ranks of the dwarven engineering corps. She had a crash course in dwarven siege machinery and is now in charge of a little group of gnomes to man a 10m wide ballista. One of her crew is a little gnome, that is a little craven. Her position got shot at and she tumbles onto the battlefield, where she tries her best to help out the faltering dwarven phalanx. This does not end well for her, as she gets knocked out by a dwarven shield-bearer, who first shoots then asks questions. The only reason she is still alive is that the little gnome pulled her to the side of the battlefield.
| | = The Breaking of the Council = |
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| After the skirmish, the elven captain and the human sailor captured the gnome engineer and make their way inland away from the red coloured beach.
| | Being a member of the Council since their first visit to Might Town the party tried to build up releations with some of the captains, mainly with Captain Teolgrag and Capatain Greybeard. Which is achieved by helping out with some tiresome tasks and other favours. |
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| == New Lands ==
| | On a return trip to Might Town they find the city in turmoil, knowing their captain is in the city hall they charge in and find Ondas' and Hogans men currently trying to take over the city. In the mean time the Council is informed about a new opportunity, which results in the breaking of the Council. |
| {{#spoiler:[[Aluwyn]] und [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] (Passive Perception), they might notice that [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] has been visited in his mind.
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| As the group travels the near lands they find some Tiefling [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Thug#toc_4 Thugs] harassing a young noble-looking man, who is trying to defend himself.
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| This man is called [[Reimar]], he is trying to make a name for himself by serving his dwarven lords in the battle. He will tell them where his father's hold is and promises them a good reward for his rescue and escort back there.
| | Fighting to liberate the city the party makes a new friend Captain Tavia. |
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| On their way to [[Marymar]] they might encounter some [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Bandit#toc_3 Bandits] or [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Dire%20Wolf#toc_4 Dire Wolfs].}}
| | [[A Broken Council|Read all recaps]] |
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| === First Home === | | = The Curse of Conder Isle = |
| {{#spoiler:As they help or choose not to, [[Reimar]] they will find their way to his [[Governor_of_Dostrait_Mansion|father's mansion]]. He is the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|Governor]] of the local region ([[Dostrait]]) and serves the [[Dwarven Republic]]. He has some smaller issues with trolls, taxes, bandits, dire wolfs and will ask them to help him out.
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| The village ([[Marymar]]), near to the [[Governor_of_Dostrait_Mansion|mansion]], has some trouble with the battle. Bandits extorting them, and monsters pressuring them. Almost all able fighting men have been drafted there.}}
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| === Proving their Steel ===
| | Carrying Sulla, the cursed talking chair who claims to be an old god of fighting, the crew sets course for Conder Isle, Darfin's homeland, where an arena devoted to Sulla is said to be able to break his curse. On the foggy way south Strennun throws himself into a whirlpool, a mutiny is put down and Roftag becomes first mate. Days later Strennun is fished out of the sea by none other than Kylin's estranged sister. |
| {{#spoiler:The [[Governor of Dostrait]] will not listen to them or his son for long, as he is a very busy man and must not be disturbed by his failure of a son, maybe he is more useful in domestic situations.
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| After a while, [[Reimar]] will come back and ask them for help for one more time. He will tell them what they want to, they did save his hide. He is tasked to clear the coast of the [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Sea%20Hag#toc_3 Sea Hag] and the crawling [http://chisaipete.github.io/bestiary/creatures/sea-spawn Sea Spawn]. As some tinkerer has found a way to extract salt from the sea water. This sounds all a little shady to him, he is not the brightest torch on the porch.}}
| | On the isle the party crosses the faerie-haunted woods to Alse Edhil. In search of a book about the old gods they break into the house of Darfin's nemesis Arune Silvaris, steal the book along with a large crystal, and promptly end up on wanted posters. Darfin's wife Elora offers them a way out: help the elven rangers fight a curse spreading through the forest. |
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| === Recap ===
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| The rest gave the three survivors some time to calm down. Still, [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] does not trust the little Gnome [[Aluwyn]] and casts a mysterious ritual on them. She does not allow that without a fight and draws the attention of a little disoriented [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]], she had a tough time during the battle of yesterday and has been washed up on the shore. But she was not the only one listening to a [[Ruven Liafiel|ranger]] noticed them and investigated the scene. Yet only [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] decided to show herself.
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| She quickly recognised [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]], as her old mate she used to sail with. So she joins the group. They soon take off west to find a village [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] knows about. During the first few minutes of their travel, they hear a dwarvish war horn. Only [[Aluwyn]] knows that it means that everyone has to get ready to march. Scared of it they up their pace to be ahead of them, though later they figure out that the horn was not triggered by them.
| | Deep in the cursed woods they find a hag nesting in an ancient burial mound and kill her, losing the bag of holding in the process. Beneath the tomb Strennun meets Anathar, an entity sealed in a monolith, who possesses him and Brovara before the crew flees. In a maze near Sulla's arena they clash with Wormtongue, whom Darfin banishes, and the blood of the fallen sets Sulla free. Square becomes his high priestess, and all but Roftag accept his gifts. |
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| As they rested from the morning of their fast walk they hear fighting close by. They find a tall strong and fierce looking man is standing alone against four opponents. He wields his battleaxe in his full plate armour and knows how to defend himself. Still, the group and [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] decide to help him. The fighting is fierce and [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] impresses the defender quite a bit. Now that the group meets [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] and get to know [[Reimar]], the son of the local [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]].
| | Back at the port they learn that Kylin is wanted for desertion and the Devilsfall has been seized. The party breaks into the keep, frees Jack and the surviving crew, and escapes, setting the elven fleet aflame as they leave the isle behind. |
| He leads them to [[Marymar]] the capital of [[Dostrait]]. [[Marymar]] is nothing more than a big poor village on the coast and it is apparent that they have little what could interest any of the big countries. The village itself is getting a palisade build and all the buildings except one are build of wood.
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| At the gates, [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] meets an old guard that might know his father from old fights down in the [[Darkwoods]]. He tells him to wait for him in the Tavern of the [[Old Lass Inn]], but he never shows up. The [[Governor_of_Dostrait_Mansion|governor's mansion]] is the only stone building in the village and contains quite a collection of old weapons. Unlike like the village or the countryside the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] has everything a heart desires. They meet this [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] and his two advisers a slim man holding a big book and a fat one, which takes little care of his hygiene. The [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] seems to have some use for this odd group, so he invites them to a feast and offers them a contract for a little problem of his. He also gives them living quarters in his [[Governor_of_Dostrait_Mansion| mansion]] for them to rest. During the wait time, the group sets out to visit the [[Old Lass Inn]], where [[Aluwyn]] gives her best to have the worst performance of her life. All while [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] learns that there are no boats he can rent, buy or steal for a journey home.
| | [[The Curse of Conder Isle|Read all recaps]] |
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| [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] is the first of the group to join the feast and tries to get some information out of the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]]. Later all but [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]] joins the feast as well. They learn little, except for a Dire Wolf, that troubles the [[Direward Village]]. After the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] leaves the feast [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] organises a drinking competition between the fat adviser [[Ralf]] and [[Aluwyn]], which she wins because of her hesitation to drink fast.
| | = The Thanate Gambit = |
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| The next morning [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] tries to gather more information and hears about a missing boy, the help needed on the fields, the troubles of the Sea Hag they are hired to take care off and that a smart man wants to make salt out of water. He is disappointed not to hear more and returns to their room.
| | Fresh off the elven isle, the crew burns an elven flagship and fills its ranks with new recruits, among them Falaria, Nori and Danam. At the hidden fleet Darfin and Kylin finally admit what they have become: pirates. A rakshasa disguised as Falaria strikes on board, and the new bounties arrive. When the captains gather, Teolgrag reports that Hogan, Ondas and Wormtongue have made a deal with the devils in the Deadlands. The alliance decides to strike the orcs and seek allies in the Thanate Empire, and Teolgrag asks Kylin to become his heir. |
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| During that time [[Kylin_Nelson|Kylin]] starts looking for [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]], as he did not return to their quarters. She looks for him in the Old Lass Inn where she finds out that he drunk three guards and two dwarves under the table. After that, he left the inn with a girl called [[Berta]] to swim in the sea. She meets him perfectly fine on his way back to the village.
| | In Quarate, Strennun's homecoming sours when his father Vodan treats him as hired muscle, and the crew chooses each other over family. At Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings they pay strange prices for strange goods: Kylin gets a dagger sworn to Rakdos, Roftag learns his name, and Darfin learns he has been undead for weeks and that a phylactery lies to the west. When the spice merchant Sinan threatens to hand them to Wormtongue, Kylin slits his throat and walks away with his letter of recommendation. Before the council Wormtongue appears as "ambassador" of the master wizards, but the council sides with the crew and expels him. They promise talks, not troops. Strennun avenges his Nana by killing Dunan in a tavern brawl. |
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| == The Sea Hags Lair ==
| | Sailing east, the crew judges a band of captured slavers on deck, demotes Strennun for disobeying orders and leaves a failed assault on an elven warship behind. Falaria returns as a ghost, and Kylin is haunted by visions of the vengeful Dragon Turtle. At a lifeless tower on the coast, the place Flavia pointed them to, Darfin finishes translating the cataclysm book. It tells of a society that wielded limitless magic fuelled by lifeforce, and of six lowborn adventurers who hunted them down and rose to become the new gods. |
| {{#spoiler:[[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Ruven_Liafiel|Ruven]] have to roll a stealth check to see how good their disguise is for this session.
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| After attending a feast in their honour the group has agreed to kill a [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Sea%20Hag#toc_3 Sea Hag]. This will result in [[Reimar]] telling them of his father's plan to liberate Dostrait and introduces them to the man who plans to make salt out of water, [[Rigalis]]. He is a mad tinkerer that tries many different things in his workshop.}}
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| === The Cave ===
| | [[The Thanate Gambit|Read all recaps]] |
| {{#spoiler:As they travel north they will find a cave at the shore that gets flooded by night.
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| Outside of the cave they find 4 [http://chisaipete.github.io/bestiary/creatures/sea-spawn Sea Spawn] crawling around looking for some food. After they have defeated them they can enter the cave where they find a [https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Sea%20Hag#toc_3 Sea Hag] taking care of two of her spawn.}}
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| ==== The Ship Wreck ==== | | = War of the Diarchy = |
| {{#spoiler:After they have killed the monsters a kid runs up to them and thanks them for rescuing him. He tells them that further in the cave is a shipwreck in which he hid.
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| As they investigate the wreck they find:
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| * 1 Bag of Holding
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| ** 2 Potion of Healing (2d4 + 2)
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| ** 1 Small Barrel of old Whiskey
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| * 100 Gold Pieces
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| * 2 Platinum Pieces (DC 25)}}
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| === Recap ===
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| [[File:Group-Map-Session-3.png|400px|thumb|A map of what the group thinks their surrounding looks like, after session 3.]]
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| After a healthy breakfast the group set out to find the Sea Hag, they are tasked to kill. [[Aluwyn]] stays behind to cure her hangover, as she had way too much to drink.
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| Though first [[Kylin_Nelson|Lin]] had to stop by the [[Old Lass Inn]] to refill her flask, there she learns about a few things that are going on through out the province. A child is missing, a Dire Wolf is plaguing the Village of [[Direward_Village|Direward]] and a mad man is trying to make salt out of water.
| | On the way to the Orcish Diarchy, Turlain, an old friend of Kylin's father, scolds her for dragging the Nelson name through piracy and points the crew to a dwarven mountain fortress on the border. There the gnome Thanin shows them a cannon powered by black powder and hands them the diaries of a Rigalis from 1300 years ago, whose map leads to something hidden near Marymar during the Calamity. The plan is set: back Thur'kan's claim to one half of the Diarchy to buy the dwarves time. A first strike on an orc camp ends in an ambush, losses and a burning forest. |
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| After that quick pit stop she joins the group and they start walking north. On the northern gate a guard is very impressed and shows great respect to [[Porof_Dakun|Porof]], because of his feat last night. Still they carry on further north. While walking up they find a isolated hut, from which a loud explosion comes from. While they try to check it out they only find a frighted alchemist, which tries everything to get rid of them.
| | Turned away from the fortress port, the crew raids another camp at night, only to find the warriors gone and the women, children and elderly left behind. Kylin takes in a nameless slave, and an old orc woman, the crone, arranges a meeting with Thur'kan, warning Kylin of a decision that will break her. |
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| Finally reaching the Sea Hag's lair they try to sneak closer, but on the wide open beach they are easily spotted by the Sea Spawn in front of the cave. The fighting is fiece but quick. Shortly after they enter the cave and find it too dark for the two humans. So they light a torch. Entering the cave they find a old modding boat, which [[Kylin_Nelson|Lin]] tries to ignite but fails, [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] freezes it, to show how casting is done. Frustrated [[Kylin_Nelson|Lin]] casts lighting Bolt on it to prove that she can cast good spells too, this has great effect as they hear a painful bubbly scream from behind the scream, the fighting begins. The Sea Hag poses a little challenge to the group but still they surpass the worst and win the fight.
| | At the great oak, the shaman Ga'alak greets each of them by a strange title, and Thur'kan demands proof before any alliance. Roftag drinks from the shaman's bowl, wakes in his old camp in the Nine Hells and slays a great wolf. The crew then ambushes Tar'nok to weaken him, Thur'kan defeats him in single combat and swears to leave the dwarves in peace. Darfin departs for the Gnomish Academy, while the fortress port is overrun by orcs. |
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| While searching for loot they find an unconscious child in the wrack, which they used as target practice before. They revive it and carry it out, while [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] continuous to search the cave. He finds a Bag of Holding and some gold coins.
| | Back at sea, Kylin burns a rat's soul to cast a black fireball. Her hair turns white, and she promises the troubled crew to stop. In a dream she ferries Tar'nok to her patron and wakes holding his two coins. A well-dressed fisherman on the open sea debates perception with Strennun before leaving through a door that appears from nowhere, and Roftag decides to leave the ship at the next stop and head home. |
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| == Tax Evasion? ==
| | [[War of the Diarchy|Read all recaps]] |
| {{#spoiler:Now that the coast is clear the salt production can start.}}
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| === Meeting Rigalis ===
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| {{#spoiler:After the group victoriously returns and the group gets their pay they get shaken off by the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]]. As they leave the [[Governor_of_Dostrait_Mansion|mansion]], [[Reimar]] approaches them and asks them to follow him.
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| He leads them to the hut outside of the palisades, north of the village. Where they meet [[Rigalis]]. A mad tinkerer that currently works on making salt out of water. He believes that this would make [[Dostrait]] rich and a nicer place. If he does not blow it up, as in his cellar he has many tones of gunpowder, crafted by the command of the [[Governor of Dostrait|governor]].}}
| | = Current Chapter = |
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| === The Council Meeting === | |
| {{#spoiler:After the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] has consulted with his council, including the crocked man. He orders the group back to him. As they come to him he tells them that he needs the taxes to be collected from the other villages. He offers 10% of the collected taxes as payment for the group.}}
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| === Recap ===
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| After the group meets up again [[Reimar]] introduces them to [[Rigalis]]. As they approach he is again experimenting with explosives and gases, that was a smelly welcome, which puts off [[Varis_Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] turn back to rest in the village. As they see the inventor and alchemist they discover that he has a whole room full with black powder. After some time he [[Rigalis]] warms up to [[Aluwyn]] and he gifts her his old tinkering kit. As a little reward she shows him how to make fireworks with salt and black powder.
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| After some time they created five rockets. Very excited they must try them out, so the take a short walk towards the sea shore. After launching the first rocket it becomes clear that the black powder is not ordinary, as it explodes with a might and a deafening sound the group. But [[Rigalis]] is so excited that he had to fire the other ones as well, this caused tumult in the village, as they think they are under attack. The last rocket did launch and explodes right at the beach, leaving a little pond where it once stood.
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| The next day, they meet the [[Governor_of_Dostrait|governor]] and his new metal machines guards. He pays them for their complete task and asks them to go out and collect the taxes from the other two villages. The group agrees and sets off south to [[Direward]]. On their way they discuss how they want to ditch the task and leaving [[Dostrait]] behind. Soon they see the [[Direwoods]], which frightens some of the group and to keep them self save they almost start a forest fire (as some are rather trigger happy with their spells).
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| == A Fightfull Day ==
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| The village of [[Direward]] is rather small. With many residential huts and a central marketplace. Soon the group finds their way to this place and see a temple, a grain storage and two other buildings stand out. The tavern and the mayors hut.
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| After entering the tavern they find some humans and dwarves in a pup brawl. This annoys [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] as the inn keep refuses to give out food and drink until the brawl has finished. So he takes part in it breaking it up and then challenges the oldest of the dwarves. After a hard and honourable fight [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] wins the encounter and earns the respect of the other dwaves.
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| After entering the tavern [[Aluwyn]] recognises the dwarves as part of the Engineering Corp and tells the elves to hide in the forest.
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| The next day the non elves meet with the mayor they learn about the the Direwolf and the situation in [[Dostrait]], the ongoing rebellion and his dislike to the situation. At least one of the two must be finished off.
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| After the meeting the group went shopping and met up at the edge of the woods. From where they went to the pasture, where the last life stock has been slaughtered by a Direwolf. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] finds out that this was not done by a Direwolf but by a Worg and follows the tracks to their camp.
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| Hoping not to fight to many goblins at once they sneaked around the camp taking out the goblins one by one. This works fine the first time. But fails miserably as they trigger a trap and alarm all of the surrounding goblins. The fight goes well in the beginning until two massive Hobgobilns join the frey. But seeing their friends being slaughtered they retreat to fight another day.
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| == At Deaths Door ==
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| [[File:Group-Map-Session-6.png|400px|thumb|The group found a crudely drawn map in the goblin camp.]]
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| With the party just calming down after the encounter with the goblins, they found them self enchanted by wonderful music. All of them except of their hearty sorceress fall victim to the enchanting music. But there was no time, the world turned and the colours of the forest mixed and blurred, ore bright colours are added to the mix. As the world stopped spinning they find them self in the [[Quiet Pond|Realm of Milil]].
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| Only now they realise the death of their companion [[Varis Alloro]]. In front of them stands a ghostly elvish woman, she looks sad and in grief, [[Varis Alloro|Varis]] recognises his sister [[Aurae Alloro]]. She takes a step and a deep breath and in elvish she resides a poem, that moves almost every heart. And there the elven lord now stands realising his own death.
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| Not giving the group time to adjust to the new situation Milil steps forward and offers them the task to save the World from evil from the west. After some hesitation they agree and are gifted with some magical items and a Direwolf Pup for [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]]. After getting these parting gifts they find them self on their last battlefield.
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| Advancing to the goblin camp they hear fighting. As they sneak closer, they find the dwarves taking care of the last of the goblins. They find out that they are planning to go west, to fight the goblin hoards that live in the mountains there. So the two groups agreed to join forces for the march west.
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| Going back to [[Direward]] they seek out the [[Putin|Major]] to tell him about their Goblin hunt and to receive their pay. But he was busy at that late hour and the Guard did not allow them to pass. Until they persuaded him that the matter was urgent. So the group, with the exception of [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], march in on [[Putin]] having fun with two rather young girls. Unimpressed the group tells him about the goblins and asks for pay. Also they told him about their plan not to collect taxes for the [[Governor of Dostrait|Governor]] and head south. On these news [[Putin]] changed his mind and told them what trouble this would put him in. If they left here without finishing their task he will suffer from it. So he asked the group to come back the next day, that is when [[Aluwyn]] decided to play her charm and join the next rumble with [[Putin]] and the girls.
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| The next morning [[Varis Alloro|Varis]] left early to burn his wagon full of charcoal to summon his familiar. While the others enjoy a hearty breakfast at the tavern. All but [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], he seeks out the smith to fix his newly found Hobgoblin Armour to his size. On his way back he finds the Tavern surrounded by a number of armed men and soon finds himself arrested and shoved into the tavern, where he finds most of his friends arguing with [[Putin]]. As the argument gets more heated he shoves back one man and closes the door behind himself.
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| == A new Friend ==
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| Dimly is the room lit and the air is filled with tension, all one can hear is the heavy pant of [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] holding the door shut best he can. The rest of the party, except [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]], stand there ready to fight the mayor of [[Direward]]. He stands just centimetres away from [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] his weapons ready, just like her. Ale flowing down a beard and dripping on the table and the table manners of hungry dwarves interrupt the silence. Annoyed of the shouting and threats of death the oldest of the dwarves, [[Havarast Stoneaxes]] stands up and tries to calm the emotions. But [[Putin]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] are determined to fight and only escalate the situation more, by casting spells and throwing insults. Never the less, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] manages to calm the situation and negotiates a deal, where the group is bound to his and his men by the [[Brother Oath]] and they will take care of the task, the group does not want to honour to finish.
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| Unaware of the trouble inside the village, [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] is casting a ritual to find his familiar again. But he is interrupted by some guards, that ask him to follow them to the village centre. Though on their way they find his companions escorted by a much larger force. As they are escorted out of the village they are then told never to return or face certain death. The group cares little about this threat and wants to continue their travels, but the group will not let them, as they are still to swear the oath. Most of the group do not hesitate, [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] is hesitant to do so as he fears the pain of the burning coal and [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] outright refuses to swear it as he had no say in the matter and he has other oaths to up hold. In the end he is almost forced to take it under protest.
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| Trusting their new brothers little the dwarves decided that [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] will join the group and scout ahead west. While the other dwarves finish the business. They are to meet in two weeks time at the eastern goblin mountains.
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| Without any more delay the party is eager to get some distance between them and [[Direward]], so they set out west. After a days travel they find the ferry dock and book passage over to the other side of the river [[Bland]]. The young fery man called Lubin tells them about the dwarven city in the south. Having some free time and little interest of inland cities [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] insects her new horn. As she blows the horn the ferry picks up speed and the clouds start to take a shape.
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| The clouds form an elven head with a smug smile on his lips. No one but [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] recognises him as [[Valoriens#Varos|Varos Valorien]], as the clouds completely form his head his voice sunders over the river and he proclaims in elvish: "''Condo Varis Alloro, Orriansonye Aravaeson, Hestonil e Orthalos Cinta Othao Dostrait, here by you are banished of the lands of Cahemelle and your live is forfeit, every elve is ordered to kill you on sight! You are stripped of your ranks and titles and are dismissed of the [[Protectors of the Sea]].''" As the last word is spoken the head vanishes and the clouds turn back to normal. Soon after they reach the other side of the river.
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| They travel fast west as they could and only started to rest once the first sun has set. As they build their camp [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] claims that the head must be connected to the horn and to prove he blows the horn as hard as he can, the up coming fog disorients [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] as he was chasing after his Dire Wolf pup [[Ryo I of Direwoods]]. But the horn blow was answered by another horn far in the distance. Uneasy about the horn blow they settle for the night with guards for every hour.
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| In that night [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] stands watch alone, he takes care of his bow and thinks of the things that happened that day. But movement catches his eye. He investigates and soon two arrows fly past him, he runs to the first tent and wakes everyone in it. Not knowing who their enemy is they grab their weapons to fight. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] thinks he grabs his javelins, only to find his trusty [[Glaive Suffering|glaive]] in his hands. While the others fight [[Aluwyn]] tries to wake up the other two [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Lin]] but she miserably fails as the two of them are currently in a snoring contest. As she leaves frustrated she sees that the first enemy, a Hobgoblin, already lies slain on the floor. Getting ready to strike down the second one a flash of lightning and a loud thunder breaks through the night and the second enemy is incinerated. Surprised of what just happened they now see [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] in full birthday suite, double axe swinging and mighty beard waving like a banner running towards the now dead enemies. And behind them they only see a foot slipping into the tent and soon after they hear a very proud snore.
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| == Nightmares and Fiends ==
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| [[File:Bearded Devil.jpeg|400px|thumb|One of the creatures [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] bested with ease]]
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| After the nightly ambush, the group wakes up and as [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] goes to check on his trap, he finds a freshwater stream nearby. Everybody fills up their waterskins, the camp is broken down and the group is on their merry way. The slain Hobgoblins are left for the animals, after being searched thoroughly and relieved of some silver coins.
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| After the group has been walking for a while, [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] notices a suspicious raven seemingly following them. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] decides to shoot a fire bolt at it. This causes the bird to dive into the high grass and transform into a rat. This rat proceeds to bite [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] in the foot. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] enlarges [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] roughly to the size of a troll while he tries to shake off the now tiny rat. The creature transforms again, this time into a spider that climbs on [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] shoulder, only to get taken out by a magic missile shot by [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]]. As the creature lays on the ground, dying, it transforms once more to an ugly, red being, before vanishing into thin air.
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| The group walks on, pretty shook from this experience and sets up camp in the evening.
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| At dawn after an event less night, a pitch black mare with burning mane emerges from a suddenly appearing portal in the middle of a camp and attacks [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]]. It is slain with combined effort from the group, but only after injuring [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and reacting to a hurled insult from [[Aluwyn]], in abysmal. This fact shows that this mare is a fiend, originating from the depths of hell.
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| [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] now remembers a childhood-story about how this woods are cursed and lone travellers often disappeared without a trace. Indeed, both elves feel that the forest all around them are corrupted and deeply disturbed. This becomes clear again when [[Ryo I of Direwoods|Ryo]] suddenly dashes off into the woods, so [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] has to chase after him.
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| Following [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]], [[Aluwyn]] and [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] make the acquaintance with yet another shapeshifter-creature. While catching his dire wolf, [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] discovers the entrance of a cave, from which shines a light.
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| After conferring, it is decided to explore this cave. Once inside, the group is attacked by a creature with a seemingly alive beard that can also attack its opponents. Shortly after engaging this creature, it is joined by a second of his kind. Both were split in half by [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and his almighty [[Glaive Suffering|glaive]], over which he seems to lose control more and more.
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| Exploring the cave a bit more, they find two furious caged water hags. Their prison ward is a more powerful, evil hag that engages the group in a drawn out battle and also seems to be behind the shapeshifters that plagued the group before. She calls more of her shapeshifting servants, ultimately causing [[Ryo I of Direwoods|Ryo]] to go down. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]], after exchanging hits with the hag, is being cut down as well, but [[Aluwyn]] heals him quickly afterwards. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] in turn manages to stabilise the condition of his dire wolf.
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| Meanwhile, [[Porof Dakun|Porofs]] mighty weapon developed a mind of its own and tries its best to corrupt [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] to go into a blood rage. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] only narrowly keeps control over his body as his friends fight for their lives against both the hag and her shapeshifting servants.
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| == The Cursed Treasure ==
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| The fight continues and the party is badly injured. But in the end, they managed to defeat the nighthag which is now unconscious. [[Aluwyn]] puts the hag in manacles and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] is already picturing herself how she is going to wring everything out of the hag. [[Aluwyn]] is extinguishing the five candles on top of the skulls one by one, each flame shortly growing before finally dying. Only two candles are left, but the moment [[Aluwyn]] tries to extinguish the second last one, it disappears; the same happens with the last one. [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]] who is currently sitting on top of the hag, suddenly falls to the ground.
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| Just after everyone’s heart skipped a beat, the hag reappears with her bloodcurdling laugh, unscathed and with two goblins. The goblins both equipped with gruesome blades and hiding their faces behind long hoods start attacking [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] and [[Aluwyn]]. Both are not able to withstand the assault and go down. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] are dealing heavy blows but the goblins don’t seem to care, as they feel fear nor pain. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] strikes with both his blades and pierces one of the goblins skull, dealing a devastating blow. [[Aluwyn]] who is bleeding out musters her last strength and manages to stand up, save [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] from certain death, and throw an insult at the last gobin, so devastating that the worm in its eye turns back in shame and eats the brain.
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| The party can finally rest.
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| [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] and [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] are now trying to get the other two Hags inside the cages to talk. One is unable to speak because of her missing tongue, the other one despite being tortured by [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]], is only willing to cooperate if she is guaranteed her freedom. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] promises to release her, but only when the party is going to leave themselves. Further inspecting the cave, [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] finds a button in a small hole inside the wall which opens to another room, filled with mountains of gold and gems.
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| Meanwhile [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] and [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] are outside hunting for food. [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] is playing a game of “can [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] spot me”. After shooting a buck [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] asks [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] about the head in the sky. [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] explains that he has been framed by a rival family, banished from his homeland and is kill on sight for all elves.
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| Back in the cave [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Aluwyn]] have learnt that the treasure is probably cursed, as [[Aluwyn]] had a bad feeling while touching it. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] finds a weird bottle with stormclouds and a ship inside. She recognizes the ship as the legendary “Devil’s fall” a ship that is knows by every sailor, even though most don’t believe in those fairy tales. [[Aluwyn]] goes to wake up [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] but tries to touch his glaive. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] suddenly sitting up, having blue instead of his normal brown eyes, seems different. [[Aluwyn]] is scared by [[Porof Dakun|Porof's]] weird behaviour and casts charm on him. The person controlling [[Porof Dakun|Porof's]] body introduces itself as Suffering. After regaining control, [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] explains how Suffering is talking to him and wants him to go east to the lake.
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| [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]] and [[Varis Alloro|Alloro]] finally return from their successful hunt with enough meat for days. The group has set up watch shifts and tries to catch some rest. In the middle of the night a man with his head in his lap, riding a dark horse arrives at the cave. The mysterious man does not show any signs of hostility and says that he is looking for something for his captain. The man is oblivious of the fact that his head is not on top of his neck.
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| < a lot of head puns later >
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| [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] returns into the cave to wake up [[Porof Dakun|Porof]], who is the only one that is still asleep. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] quickly closes the secret door and hides the button. The party finds out that the man is called Jack and served on the Devil’s fall. Jack enters the cave and quickly finds the secret button but is confused why he could not find his ship among the treasures.
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| [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] and [[Aluwyn]] argue about what to do with the ship that [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] pocketed. [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] wants to keep the legendary ship but [[Aluwyn]] wants to return it. [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] butts in and proposes to return the ship so Jack owes the party a favour. After [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]] hands the ship to [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] he goes to Jack and shows it to him. Jack announces that the one who finds the Devil’s fall, shall be its captain, making [[Porof Dakun|Porof]] the new captain of the Devil’s fall. The group decides to use the ship to intercept their dwarven brothers in Marymar.
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| The following roles have been assigned to/picked by the party members:
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| * First Mate: [[Kylin Nelson|Kylin]]
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| * Navigator: Marco ([[Varis Alloro|Alloro]])
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| * Gunner: [[Havarast Stoneaxes|Havarast]]
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| * Crow’s nest: [[Ruven Liafiel|Ruven]]
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| * Captain: [[Porof Dakun|Porof]]
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| * Quartermaster: Jack
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The Imminent Doom is a period in Arath starting in 1521. It is mainly marked by the war between the biggest realms the Democracy of Cahemelle, the Dwarven Republic, the Thanate Empire, the Orcish Diarchy and the Draconian League.
In the centre of this period of war an unlikely group finds its way together. These are the stories of this groups adventures. Though if you want to read what else unfolded during the time and what they might have kick started in other places of Arath then you might want to read the Backstory of The Imminent Doom.
The Fall of Marymar
The party meets aftermath of a contested landing between elves and dwarves. Not having many other options they band together and head out eastwards towards Marymar. There they meet the local Govenor and decide to help him out by collecting taxes in the surrounding villages. Not having the best impressions of the Govenor they stole his treasours and head out further east wards across the wide planis.
In those plains they find a cave inhabitated by a hag, that trubbled them in their dreams. After a short scuffle they then found her cursed treasoure and a ship in a magical bottle. During the following night a headless character finds them and explains that this is the Devilsfall and he would be loyal to the one who found it. In a quick pace they head towards the shore to test this new mans words.
While traversing the plains they saw that some sort of earth ball rise up into the air and then drop down causing a large dust cloud. With their new ship the party decided to investigate the event. They find nothing where Marymar was last and decided to head further west to the next fishing village, where they are told that Marymar is no more.
Wanting to figure out the extension of the damage they head out into the wilds the reach the lumberjack village at the southern forest, which they find almost abandond. After some time and arguing the party decided to head further into the dust cloud only to find a wizard in the deep crator who conjures up a Zombie Beholder.
The fight was tough and resulted in the death of Alloro.
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Rebellion in Goblin Town
Hearing of some struggles in the east the party heads out. Finding a valley controlled by goblins. A colourful band of rebells is fighting for their liberty against the repressive regiem of the Goblin King.
The party wants to help and sets out to hunt down some patrols and to pick up supplies. On their way back they decide to take a more dangerous short cut, which lead them into a runied dwarven underground city. The city is inhabited by mutated spiders and a Drider. Fighting their way through the city they then find the Drider in the throne room in which they challange her to battle. Infighting and bickering amongst the party leads to a loss of battle.
The surving members are handed over to the goblins, which parade them through the valley as openly as possible. Allowing the rebels and their crew to locate and free them. Wanting revenge the party sets out to target the King himself.
With the king dead his empire curmbles, his generals fight amongst each other allowing a new dwarven kingdom growing out of it's ashes.
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An Excursion to the Hells
Testing the skills of the party the dwarven pirate captain Greybeard asks them to pick up a package from Durnkuldir. Sneaking into the basement of the Genral Axethain they find the young dwarf Ozmock, Greybeards nephew.
Yet soon after Ozmock is kidnapped by Deviles on their way back to Greybeard, prompting them to follow them to the Nine Hells. A place full of fighting and constant struggles for power.
At first the party tries to break into the fortified camp of one of the Warlords, yet the resistance is stronger than they thought. If it wasn't for the support of their friend Captaing Teolgrag they would not have been able to return from the hells with the young Ozmock.
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The Breaking of the Council
Being a member of the Council since their first visit to Might Town the party tried to build up releations with some of the captains, mainly with Captain Teolgrag and Capatain Greybeard. Which is achieved by helping out with some tiresome tasks and other favours.
On a return trip to Might Town they find the city in turmoil, knowing their captain is in the city hall they charge in and find Ondas' and Hogans men currently trying to take over the city. In the mean time the Council is informed about a new opportunity, which results in the breaking of the Council.
Fighting to liberate the city the party makes a new friend Captain Tavia.
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The Curse of Conder Isle
Carrying Sulla, the cursed talking chair who claims to be an old god of fighting, the crew sets course for Conder Isle, Darfin's homeland, where an arena devoted to Sulla is said to be able to break his curse. On the foggy way south Strennun throws himself into a whirlpool, a mutiny is put down and Roftag becomes first mate. Days later Strennun is fished out of the sea by none other than Kylin's estranged sister.
On the isle the party crosses the faerie-haunted woods to Alse Edhil. In search of a book about the old gods they break into the house of Darfin's nemesis Arune Silvaris, steal the book along with a large crystal, and promptly end up on wanted posters. Darfin's wife Elora offers them a way out: help the elven rangers fight a curse spreading through the forest.
Deep in the cursed woods they find a hag nesting in an ancient burial mound and kill her, losing the bag of holding in the process. Beneath the tomb Strennun meets Anathar, an entity sealed in a monolith, who possesses him and Brovara before the crew flees. In a maze near Sulla's arena they clash with Wormtongue, whom Darfin banishes, and the blood of the fallen sets Sulla free. Square becomes his high priestess, and all but Roftag accept his gifts.
Back at the port they learn that Kylin is wanted for desertion and the Devilsfall has been seized. The party breaks into the keep, frees Jack and the surviving crew, and escapes, setting the elven fleet aflame as they leave the isle behind.
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The Thanate Gambit
Fresh off the elven isle, the crew burns an elven flagship and fills its ranks with new recruits, among them Falaria, Nori and Danam. At the hidden fleet Darfin and Kylin finally admit what they have become: pirates. A rakshasa disguised as Falaria strikes on board, and the new bounties arrive. When the captains gather, Teolgrag reports that Hogan, Ondas and Wormtongue have made a deal with the devils in the Deadlands. The alliance decides to strike the orcs and seek allies in the Thanate Empire, and Teolgrag asks Kylin to become his heir.
In Quarate, Strennun's homecoming sours when his father Vodan treats him as hired muscle, and the crew chooses each other over family. At Flavia's Frivolous Fantastical Fings they pay strange prices for strange goods: Kylin gets a dagger sworn to Rakdos, Roftag learns his name, and Darfin learns he has been undead for weeks and that a phylactery lies to the west. When the spice merchant Sinan threatens to hand them to Wormtongue, Kylin slits his throat and walks away with his letter of recommendation. Before the council Wormtongue appears as "ambassador" of the master wizards, but the council sides with the crew and expels him. They promise talks, not troops. Strennun avenges his Nana by killing Dunan in a tavern brawl.
Sailing east, the crew judges a band of captured slavers on deck, demotes Strennun for disobeying orders and leaves a failed assault on an elven warship behind. Falaria returns as a ghost, and Kylin is haunted by visions of the vengeful Dragon Turtle. At a lifeless tower on the coast, the place Flavia pointed them to, Darfin finishes translating the cataclysm book. It tells of a society that wielded limitless magic fuelled by lifeforce, and of six lowborn adventurers who hunted them down and rose to become the new gods.
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War of the Diarchy
On the way to the Orcish Diarchy, Turlain, an old friend of Kylin's father, scolds her for dragging the Nelson name through piracy and points the crew to a dwarven mountain fortress on the border. There the gnome Thanin shows them a cannon powered by black powder and hands them the diaries of a Rigalis from 1300 years ago, whose map leads to something hidden near Marymar during the Calamity. The plan is set: back Thur'kan's claim to one half of the Diarchy to buy the dwarves time. A first strike on an orc camp ends in an ambush, losses and a burning forest.
Turned away from the fortress port, the crew raids another camp at night, only to find the warriors gone and the women, children and elderly left behind. Kylin takes in a nameless slave, and an old orc woman, the crone, arranges a meeting with Thur'kan, warning Kylin of a decision that will break her.
At the great oak, the shaman Ga'alak greets each of them by a strange title, and Thur'kan demands proof before any alliance. Roftag drinks from the shaman's bowl, wakes in his old camp in the Nine Hells and slays a great wolf. The crew then ambushes Tar'nok to weaken him, Thur'kan defeats him in single combat and swears to leave the dwarves in peace. Darfin departs for the Gnomish Academy, while the fortress port is overrun by orcs.
Back at sea, Kylin burns a rat's soul to cast a black fireball. Her hair turns white, and she promises the troubled crew to stop. In a dream she ferries Tar'nok to her patron and wakes holding his two coins. A well-dressed fisherman on the open sea debates perception with Strennun before leaving through a door that appears from nowhere, and Roftag decides to leave the ship at the next stop and head home.
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